HOW TO BEAT HOLIDAY BLUES AND TRULY HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS

                                                 Merry Christmas

As children, we count the day's until Christmas with so much excitement and joy because we know that when Saint Nick makes his appearance we will be blessed with wonderful toys to play with and so much happiness is in the air.  I can remember as a child running downstairs to the basement to see what Santa brought and playing with my dolls with my Sister; those memories are so heartwarming.

When we become adults we are faced with so many things on our plate such as; Rent payments, Car payments, and the list goes on and on.

Being that there are many people out of work, many of us are faced with wondering where the next meal is going to come from.

Christmas time can be wrought with a lot of sorrow but we still have to put on the brave face so our children can have good memories.

So here are some way's to beat the holiday blues:

1. Buy some sweet treats for yourself and the children and put it in a very festive bowl to boost the holiday spirit and make some decorations yourself to make your environment more cheerful.
2. Put on some happy Christmas music and dance around with your children and don't forget the Camera, so when your children are older, they can get a big kick out of the funny faces you all were making.
3. Buy yourself some Candles from the Dollar Store and Bath Salts and take a relaxing bath and then put on your favorite PJ's
4. This is very old school but what the heck!  Invite some of your friends over and have a card party and ask your friends to bring snacks or food to cook and just enjoy each other.
5. Play some computer games or play a board game with your children and other family members.
6. Give one item away to a needy family and when you see the joy on their faces, this will bring you happiness
7. Ride around the neighborhood to see all the Houses with Christmas lights and decorations.
8. If you have a Digital Camera, make funny videos and upload them to Youtube.
9. Help serve food to the homeless on Christmas to bless those less fortunate.
10. Bake cakes and decorate them with your children. And exchange small, meaningful gifts with each other even if they are handmade.
11. Watch some of your favorite childhood movies with your children or family members.

I have used some of these tips myself when money was tight and it really helps.
The main things are to enjoy life and make the best of the situation you are in and believe in a better future and it will come.

If a family member has passed on and you are suffering from depression, talk about the good times you remember and it will really help.

If you are severely depressed, please call 911 or the Suicide Prevention Hotline at  1800-273-8255.



HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

IT IS SO FUN BEING A LADY

 

 

I just love wearing a dress and being a lady.  Dresses are so easy because you just need a nice pair of shoes and a nice handbag and you are ready to go.

Some of these dresses have a simple styling and that Is what I look for when buying a dress because I don't like clothes that are fussy.

I admire these dresses because they are stylish, yet classy.  Dresses can stand alone or they can also be paired with a blazer, shawl or jacket.

WAY'S TO SAVE MONEY ON FOOD

                                              DEEP FREEZER


I know you are looking at this freezer and saying WTH! I use this item as a way to save money.
You can buy meats when they are on sale and stock up.  I am able to prepare cakes in advance and slice them up and put them in and I have an easy little snack for weeks or months to come.  When your local supermarket have sales on ice cream and ice pops you can stock up for your children and you will not have to run out at the last minute. 

Meals can be prepared in advanced for the week and if you do not feel like cooking you have food waiting for you that can be microwaved or warmed in the oven.  You can use this freezer to prepare some of your Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner in advanced and then you only have to prepare very few items, the day of.

Some people don't think of a Deep Freezer as a way to save money but my suggestion is; just buy one and see.  They do not cost much and you can get one between $160.00- $300.00.

When rice and bread goes on sale for less than $1.00, it is your time to stock up and you will be able to save much more money than before.

I like to catch sales on some frozen foods such as; Tv dinners, onion rings, tilapia, and anything that can be a time saver and not a money waster. lol

A freezer is a good way to freeze your lunch to take to work.  If you can cut your eating out days to just once per week you will be able to hold on to more money that you can put towards your savings or something special for yourself.

METALLICS ( YOU CAN SHINE FOR THE HOLIDAYS)

                  THIS DISPLAY SHOWS THE RICHNESS OF METALLICS


I am so thrilled that this year presents itself with Metallics.  I am such a fan because I am a child of the seventies and eighties and I remember the glory day's of Donna Summer, Patti Labelle and Diana Ross, proudly wearing this style of clothing and I include hints of glitz in my wardrobe.

Metallics  could always be seen in shirts, sweaters and handbags.  I used to watch Dance Fever and see the ladies dancing the night away in shiny dresses and sequins and this image has been in my mind forever.

A few years ago, some people would not be caught dead in a anything glitzy.  I am so glad that glitz and glamour is back this year and I hope that it is a lasting trend.

If you don't want to do the metallic dress, then, you can take just some key pieces such as; belts, handbag, shawl, necklaces, shirts and tanks, and you will be able to stay fashionable without looking like you are wearing a metallic uniform.

I will be getting a gold lame handbag and one in bronze, this year.

I believe that this display shows glitz done the right way.

THE BLACK AND BLUE

This is a beautiful interpretation of black and blues.  The new shades of blues that are out this year are very exciting and mixing with the black, just presents new ways to stand out without overdoing it and gives you a very sensual presentation.  I have always been a fan of black and blues but I find that with the royal blue, it takes it to the next level.

You will notice in this display, there are hints of metallic accessories and that just gives an added punch and pizazz.

JUST SOME OF MY COOKING VIDEOS

I am just sharing with you some of my cooking videos. 

SALMON CAKES

                                         MACARONI AND CHEESE
                                             

SMOTHERED MEATBALLS

                                   FRIED CHICKEN

                              CARIBBEAN STEWED CHICKEN

HOW TO CELEBRATE HOLIDAY DINNERS ON A BUDGET

 

 

We all love the Holiday Season because it is a time for us to get together with our families and enjoy good food and good conversation.  It is a beautiful time for us to reconnect with family members who may live in another town or another State, to spend precious moments with.

  I love to cook and share in the festivities but there comes a time when unexpected things happen when planning a Holiday meal; like when Aunt Marilyn calls a week ahead to say that she is coming from out of town, but she is also bringing about 6 or 7 more people with her; What is a girl to do?

You love Aunt Marilyn but you didn't anticipate 6 or 7 more people when you already have 10 invited.  Well, the best thing that you can do is tell all guest to bring about 4 food items that they are responsible to cook and bring to the dinner and ask different family members to bring the beverages for the entire family and someone to prepare all desserts or purchase ready made cakes, pies and ice cream.

I would then be responsible for the bulk of the Dinner and then we would set up a long table and make it buffet style.  The expense should not be all on one person when you are receiving guest who weren't even invited to the affair.  Family Dinners are about being together and enjoying one another.

This has happened to me in the past and it can be uncomfortable to have to run out to the store at the last minute to buy more food for guest that you didn't anticipate.   Also let dinner guest know that they cannot bring no more than 1 or 2 extra guest to the dinner.

                                           BON APPETIT

BLEACH ( MY MIRACLE CLEANER)

 

                            CHLORINE BLEACH THE MIRACLE CLEANER


I love to clean my whole house with chlorine bleach because it is a disinfectant and it is also cost effective.  What I usually do is put on some clothing that I don't mind getting bleach stains on and I put my radio on and just clean away.

Bleach is excellent to clean your toilet and I do this about 3 times a week and it is certainly a germ killer, so I clean the outside of the toilet and also my sink and bathtub.  This product is really good to soak your toothbrush in and then soak in clear water and you just disinfected your trusted toothbrush.

I have wood floors and it is not recommended that you use bleach to clean your wood floor but sometimes I use less than a capful in my mop water and I sanitize my floor and clean my walls and this gives my home such a wonderful and clean scent.

I like to do my own nails and tweeze or shape my eyebrows with the razor shaper and I soak my nail implements and tools in bleach for about 3 minutes 2 times per week.

My stove is white and sometimes it is very hard to keep clean but with Chlorine Bleach this chore is no longer something that I dread doing and I also bleach my counter tops and refrigerator.

Soaking my containers that contained food such as; onions, eggs, garlic and broccoli in bleach prior to washing will definitely remove the lingering food smells.

Don't forget to soak your comb and brush in bleach water with less than a capful of bleach to disinfect these items and then rinse in clear water.

If you have athletes feet; soak your feet in a bleach and water solution with a capful of bleach and this will relieve this malady. ( Always talk to your Doctor first for the best advice)

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen; I could definitely go on and on about this bleach thing but you can see why I love bleach and the fact that I can use this product so many way's and I can usually get a big bottle between $2.00 and $3.00 is really a good savings and this will last me for more than a month.

There are so many way's that we can cut back but still live a rich and rewarding life.  In the comment section; leave your tips for your uses for chlorine bleach.

THE BEST LOW PRICED MAKEUP

I am by no means, a makeup expert but this is some of the makeup that I have tried and I really like.  I am a Vlogger on Youtube, so I get the opportunity to ask some of my friends and viewers what they think and I have learned of some makeup brands that are very quality products.  These cosmetics can be bought for little money and they are very long lasting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

See, you can use different brands of Eye shadow and make a lot of different looks.

 

 

 

 

JEANS CAN BE CLASSY

THE PERFECT MARRIAGE OF JEANS WITH A HINT OF SOPHISTICATION

I saw this display and I immediately fell in love with it.  This display shows how you can take your jean pieces and incorporate them with different fabrics to make it look more classy.  I love how the outfit on the left has brown pants and the gold jewelry to make this look like an outfit that you can go out to the movies or you could add some cute heels and go out for an evening out.  On some jobs this outfit could also qualify to be worn for business casual.

I have never been a fan of the Acid Wash Jeans, but I really like this Dress; I think it is fierce!

My favorite is the Down Coat and I just love the belt that was added to give the pop of color, and the streamlined fit of this Coat.

You can take some of your Jean pieces that you already own and create this same look and also add your own special touch to it.

I have seen some Acid Wash Jeans at the local thrift store and I will buy some to create different looks without burning a hole in my pocket.

IS SOCIAL MEDIA KEEPING YOU BROKE?

I decided to talk about this subject because on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram and etc.  I find that there are a lot of products being talked about and being shown.  I love to review products so I am guilty of this also, but I find that a lot of people are trying to purchase a lot of the products that are being shown or reviewed.

 We have always been enticed by products through Television Commercials but now Social Media have become another way for companies to sell products and some of us are not aware of the impact it has on our lives.

 There is nothing wrong with seeing products that you like and purchasing them, but, why are we purchasing them? I find that it is becoming an obsession with some people because they feel that if they do not have the latest Mac, Sephora, and etc.,  they are really missing out on something when the truth is some of these products are no better than some of the lower priced Cosmetics.

If you can afford these product there is nothing wrong with buying them, but, if you are taking money that you need for food, clothing and shelter , you may need to make a careful assessment whether you should perhaps pull away from Social Media to see if this will help curb your addiction and reliance on products.

Do we really need these products or are we just trying to fit in or convince ourselves that we are nothing without these things?  I am a saver by nature but I have at times purchased things that I really didn't need because I liked it on someone else. 

 

 

 

These items are beautifully packaged, but if you are impressed with packaging; how about we buy our own products and package them ourselves in beautiful majestic packaging and show our own creativity and perhaps even sell these products ourselves for a profit;  Just a thought.

SAVE A LIFE AND ALSO SAVE MONEY

 

INNOCENT

 

 

THOUGHTFUL

 

 

SWEET

 

BEAUTIFUL

 

 

There are times when our children ask us for a pet and then we assess whether they really are responsible enough to care for an animal.  The first thing we usually do is go to a pet shop to look for the perfect puppy or kitten but we fail to realize that our perfect pet could be waiting for us at a very special place and that is the local Animal Shelter.

 

  My Daughter found her new best friend at the Animal Shelter and she is very pleased with her.  She had to pay a registration fee and the Shelter provided her with a beautiful Cat with all her shots and now she is a wonderful addition to the family.

 

Every year Animals are put to sleep because there are people who think that they are getting a better pet by going to the pet shop or puppy mill.  This is incorrect and you can save an animals life and provide your family with a pet that can bring lots of happiness and joy to your life.

MY LAUNDRY DETERGENT REVIEW VIDEO'S

I am always in search of a good Laundry Detergent for a good price and as you will see in these video's; you can sometimes get an off brand Detergent and it will still effectively clean your clothes.  I use all kinds of brands including some name brands but you will see the ones that I like the most.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love all of these brands and they all work well but this Tandil is what I would call The Big Kahuna of them all.  This Laundry Detergent is very concentrated with a nice, clean smell and the price is indeed right.  You can get this Laundry Detergent at Aldi Supermarket

COATS FOR 2014

As the days get shorter; it is time to start searching online or the Mall for nice, fashionable winter Coats.  I am noticing that some of the stores are advertising some coats already in their magazines.  Here are some pictures of Coats that will be in fashion this winter.

 

As you can see, most of these Coats have very simple styling.  

FREECYCLE.ORG

                                          FREECYCLE.ORG


Since this blog is about saving money, I wanted to provide you with a viable resource that will help you towards your goal of saving money.
I found out about this site a year ago and it is a great organization that helps keep the landfills from filling up with waste. 

Freecycle.org gives you the opportunity to post items that you need for you or your family and get them absolutely free.  If you are a student who needs new furniture, single parent who needs clothing for you or your children, need appliances, pots and pans or etc. Or a person who have experienced a fire or another disaster. All you have to do is go on their website and read through the post for your area and see what is available. 

Freecycle.org is available all over the World.

This service is for everyone and you may even want to post some items to help someone else. I have personally responded to a post to donate some items. 
Freecycle.org is very strict about people posting items and charging a fee when people come and pick up their items.

Also share this information with someone who could benefit from this type of service.

YES, YOUR CUP CAN RUN OVER ( MONEY SAVING)

YOUR CUP CAN TRULY RUN OVER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

In 2008 I just moved into my Apartment and I happen to be walking from the store and I saw this Elderly gentleman and he said "Hey Millionaire"  I found this a bit odd but I said hello and this Man had such a nice smile on his face. 

 We started talking and he said, " Do you know the Jar method?"  I said "Whaaaat".  He then went on to explain to me that after he goes to the store or anywhere he pays cash; he then take the change that is left over and put this in a jar.

I then told him that if I see this change lying around; I will then spend it and he said " Put it in a place that you cannot see it and out of sight is out of mind"   I knew this Gentlemen had a lot of wisdom as he was in his 80's at the time.

  We talk and talked and then said our goodbyes and I never saw this Man again.  I count this experience as a real eye-opener and this Man didn't know that he forever changed my life.  I am not rich by any means but I am filthy rich in spirit. lol.


I have been able to save money for emergencies, special occasions and for special treats for myself.  What I started doing was, use this jar method and I covered the jar with a colored cloth or colored paper so I couldn't see the contents of the jar and I also adopted using a juice container and I have continually been surprised at the amount I am able to save. 

I have fully adopted old school principles about life and happiness and how to grasp the little things and find beauty in them.  Keeping up with the Joneses will only lead you to the poor house and you will never be fulfilled.


  Life is about Faith, Love, and Family.  I am a person who loves to shop like any other Woman out there but I find way's to do it and not use a credit card or go into debt.

I believe this Elderly Man was sent from God and I hope that wherever he is; he is in good health and enjoying life.  I have also learned some other money saving tips and I will share them in the near future.

BOOTS, BOOTS AND MORE BOOTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ladies:  It is time for us to take out those boots from last year and make an assessment  regarding the condition of our boots  and whether they are still relatively stylish or not and time to hit those stores online or at the Mall to get some new boots.  I like to take my boots out and take some Vaseline and shine them up and this tends to make them look new and beautiful. 

 

I went to Macy's last week and they had some boots out but not a lot but I am finding that the styles are similar to last years boots.  I then went online and I saw a lot of boots in various colors that I really like and I am planning to stock up.  This is also a good time to take the boots from last year and get them re-soled so you can get more wear out of them.   Go to all your favorite stores and look at the Clearance section and you will be able to get some great savings.