Thrifty Momma Ramblings

Genie Bra- Big Disappointment

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:51:00 +0000

*This review is my own unbiased opinion and I am not being compensated.*

I admit I have trouble finding a bra that gives me a great fit and support. I want one that will look smooth under tops and still feel comfortable. I actually prefer soft cups as the under wire bras will poke me. I was intrigued by the commercials for the Genie Bra. When I found a pack of two at Target for $20, then I had to have it.

On the back of the package, there is a chart which shows you the size you should buy based on your shirt size. I bought the next size up since I put on some weight after the holidays. The pack comes with a beige and black color. I prefer the nude color since it is more of a flesh tone. I could not wait to get home to try them on.

Each Genie bra comes with the pads, but they are easily removed if you prefer. I tried it on first with the pads. I quickly realized the pads were going to have to come out as they were not completely covering. It just did not feel or look right. I took out the pads, but I still did not feel the cups were separated properly. It was not quite as bad as my sports bra with the one boob look, but it was not too far from that look.

The Genie bra promises comfort and no need for shape wear as you will eliminate the back fat lumps. I can tell you this was not the case. This bra did not look smooth under my top. The bra came down very low in the back. It did nothing to help smooth out the back or on the sides. The material is very thin so if you do not use the pads, then you can see your nipples. That is not a good look.

The worst part of the Genie bra is the lack of support. I am well endowed and let's just say my cup size is past C. I need a bra with support and cups that will lift and separate. It did not lift or separate. I was more comfortable with it off than on. I am definitely returning this package. The only positive thing I can say about the Genie bra is it is inexpensive at $10 a bra. I would rather spend more on a good quality bra that will support and look good while wearing.

The Genie bra might be great for some people, but I would definitely not purchase if you are on the fuller side. I would save your money and use that $20 towards a bra that will give you good support and comfort.

Spring is in the Air

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:13:00 +0000

I realize many people reading this post title are thinking I have lost my mind! They are looking out their windows to see snow covering the ground. There isn't a hint of spring to be seen.

Here in the deep south, we are seeing a much different sight. We did not have much of a winter this year. It was pretty mild, and this is the warmest January I can remember in years. January is normally one of the coldest months of the whole year in South Louisiana, but not this year. We are getting a day or two of cold weather, but then it warms back up to the 70's and flirting with the 80's! I have even had to run my air conditioner a few times already this month. That is really crazy!

The biggest sign of spring are the clover patches in my grass, and many trees are already blooming along with my azalea bushes. The picture above are blooms from one of my azalea bushes. They are so pretty. I usually do not see this sight until mid to late February. My husband actually had to cut the grass earlier this month. Again our grass is usually dead and no clover in the yard.

All of this spring like weather has gotten to me thinking about my spring garden. If you want to grow your own transplants of tomatoes or bell peppers, then in Zone 9 you would have started earlier this month. I decided to skip growing tomatoes as we do not really eat them. I simply do not have the time to make sauces. I am growing bell peppers, but I have my fil giving me some next month as I only need a few plants. I usually chop them up to freeze. The main plant I want to grow this year is cucumbers. I eat at least 2-3 weekly in my salads, but I want to make Refrigerator Sweet Pickle Chips again this year. It was a huge hit with everyone. I will also get some blackberry shoots from my fil as I love fresh berries. One year I plan to tackle growing strawberries. I think I will also grow some red potatoes as well. Nothing like harvesting fresh vegetables and fruits.

Are you seeing signs of spring in your area, or does old man winter look like he is staying? Are you planning your spring garden yet? If you are, then please share with me what you are growing. I love reading about what others are doing in different parts of the country and world.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #89

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:35:00 +0000

Today's thrifty living tip is to bathe the kids together or if they are too old, then bathe them back to back unless they are very dirty. If they are that dirty, then I might think about rinsing them off before bathing them. As a child, I remember taking a bathe with my brother until I was about three or four. My mom did it to save time and money.

Another way to save money on water and conserve water is only fill the tub partially. I never fill mine more than half and sometimes less. We are all taking showers now with a low flow shower head so I can turn it off while soaping up.

One more tip to conserve money even while showering might be to take a shower with your significant other. I know it sounds a little risque for a family orientated blog, but I'm just merely pointing out the fact that it does conserve water plus puts more money in your wallet instead of going down the drain. I hope these tips help you to find ways to conserve water plus time and money.

Tophatter Live Auction Site- Where Moms go to Bid

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

This post brought to you by tophatter. All opinions are 100% mine.

As a mom, I am always on the lookout for unique gifts for the kids on my shopping list. I like to give gifts that are creative and even crafty in nature. I also like to buy from other moms and small businesses. I was thrilled when I came across the Tophatter live auctions website.

Tophatter runs live auctions daily starting at 9AM pacific time. You can browse the lots to see what will be offered, and see pictures and descriptions of each item listed. There is a tutorial I recommend you view to get an idea of how to bid.

The most exciting part of the whole website is you will be bidding against other moms in a live auction. There is a timer so get your bid in before time runs out. What makes this site unique is you will see an animated auctioneer and people standing around. You can also preview the next lot up for auction.

Tophatter has created a social experience for the other bidders to chat with one another. You can hang out and chat while bidding. I know I will be going back to visit often to find great gifts.

I saved the best for last. Tophatter is offering 10% off your first purchase just by sharing on facebook! Get your bids in on that special item before it's sold to the highest bidder.

I Saved at Book Renter Textbooks

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:41:00 +0000

First I want to mention I am not being paid or reimbursed by the website. This is a review with all my own opinion. I truly enjoyed the site and savings so I had to share with my readers.

I needed three textbooks for my Spring college classes. These books were not cheap even if I rented them at my local stores and many online sites. When I came across BookRenter.com, I was excited at the prices I was given for my three books. The most expensive book was well over $100 to buy, but still would have cost me well over $60 to rent. I was given the same price for a digital rental. The Bookrenter.com price was $30 for the semester! That was a 50% savings. One textbook was only $3 cheaper. The last book I needed, I couldn't even buy at many stores as they were sold out. Their price was $27! Again that is a 50% savings.

My total for all three books was $94 with tax. Shipping is free both ways. You can upgrade your shipping to express for $20-40 depending on the weight. I ordered them a couple of days ago and will receive them by Tuesday. It took less than a week with free shipping. They shipped them the next business day after purchasing. I also went through Ebates (double money offer) and received $8 in cash back. I paid less than $90 for all three textbooks which is a huge savings. If I rented them at any of my local rental stores, then I would have paid close to $200 with tax. I saved almost $100 on my books. I can definitely use that money in my pocket.

If you refer 5 people to rent their books within 5 days of your purchase date, then you will receive your order for free! That is a great incentive. I'm still more than thrilled with my savings. If you or your child want to save more money on renting their textbooks, then please go check out Bookrenter.com! I also saw they will buy back textbooks. I don't know much about the program as I prefer to rent my textbooks. I did buy one textbook last year for Dreamweaver. I got it at Amazon for $50 used. It was in excellent condition.

STOP SOPA/PIPA- Internet Blackout January 18, 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:56:00 +0000

I usually do not post political articles on my blog, but this is something that affects all of us regardless of your political views.

SOPA/PIPA what? I have read about the bills in the last couple of months, but Washington is going to vote on this bill on January 24th, 2012! You have probably read about the protest on many big internet sites such as Google, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress, and many more. Basically this bill is meant to stop "piracy" of rogue sites. This is fine in theory, but the way the bills are worded it will hurt the internet as a whole and everyone who uses the internet. I have embedded a YouTube video below which will further explain the bills proposed before Congress and the Senate.

If you think this doesn't affect me, then you are wrong! If this bill is passed, it's a slippery rope we Americans don't want to go down. It won't stop at the internet. Do we really want to give the government this kind of control?

We need to kill this bill, and the government needs to find another way to fight piracy. As bloggers, we really need to take notice and write our Congress and Senators to vote NO to SOPA/PIPA! This will hurt how you make money to help support your family. Does the government really want to further hurt the economy? So many people are finding ways to help make a little extra money while out of work. Please visit Stop American Censorship to learn more.

Give Your Furniture a Makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:49:00 +0000

Last May I posted about remodeling my house. We painted almost every room in the house, put down new vinyl floors, painted kitchen cabinets, fixed cracks above the door frames, and put in a new bathroom sink and toilet. I bought new furniture for our bedroom which I got on clearance. We only had nightstands, and we needed a dresser. I wanted a nice set of matching furniture for our bedroom. When it came time to redo our son's bedroom, we didn't want to buy him all new furniture. He has lots of shelving in his closet so he doesn't need a dresser. He already had a couple of mismatched pieces of furniture in his room. He had an entertainment center and a nightstand. They were still in great condition but in dire need of a makeover.

We watch a lot of remodeling shows on DIY and HGTV channels. My husband had already completed the kitchen cabinet hardware project (you can read about it here). The obvious solution to our problem was to paint the furniture. It was going to be a lot of work with sanding, priming, and then painting. I already did that with the kitchen cabinets and was not in the mood to do another big painting project. My husband had a brilliant idea to solve our problem. He decided to spray paint the furniture. We already had the black satin spray paint from the kitchen hardware project. My son's room was gray with diamond plated outlet covers. Hubby thought black furniture would compliment the room nicely. He was exactly correct. I told you we watch a lot of remodeling shows on tv.

The spray paint had primer already mixed in so no need for another step. He did rough up the nightstand with a 120 sanding block. Then he wiped it down thoroughly. He used a satin black finish which brought out beautiful details of the piece. He used two coats which dried very quickly outside. It was a very sunny day with little humidity which helps it to dry faster. The one mistake we made was not using a clear coat protector afterwards. The nightstand has a few chips as you can see in the pictures. I am going to wait until spring to add another light coat and then apply a clear protector coat. To further protect the top of the nightstand I had a glass top cut by the local glass shop. It cost me $12 plus tax. I think it adds a nice touch to the nightstand. I also did the same thing to my nightstands and my bathroom vanity. It's a built-in vanity to the wall. I spent around $80 for all four items. It makes cleaning so much easier and protects the pieces more from water stains.

The project was very easy and inexpensive. I paid around $15 for two cans of spray paint to makeover the entertainment stand and nightstand. I didn't take pictures of the entertainment stand, but it looks just as nice. Hubby also spray painted the drawer pull a nice silver which gives it a wow factor. It was just a plain brass color. We already had the silver spray paint color. I am planning to do the same thing for my living room end table and entertainment center. I promise to do more of a step by step with pictures for those pieces. This project extends the life of furniture you already own. Why spend more money when you can just give your furniture a makeover. Do you have any furniture you would like to makeover? I would love to read about it.

Friday Ramblings- Graduation Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:11:00 +0000

I now realize today is Friday 13th, but I went pretty much all day without even realizing it. See how superstitious I am. I wanted to do a little bit of rambling today, and even pose a question to my fellow bloggers. First for the question to other bloggers. Do you write posts in advance for your blog and schedule them? I am thinking this is something I should start doing since my classes start again on Thursday the 19th.

Today I had graduation day at my university. Basically I got to meet with my advisor, and then have my graduation application signed with several signatures. I wasn't interested in spending money on invitations, a ring, or even professional pictures. I will not send out invitations, but I am throwing a graduation party afterwards. I will invite everyone by phone and through Facebook. Yes I am so original. I am getting an Associate's Degree so I can't actually buy an official ring which I would never wear so why waste the money. I am leaning towards buying the cap and gown which will cost $50, but I can use them again when I graduate with my BA in two more years.

I forgot to mention last week I found our Christmas tree for next year on clearance at Wal-Mart. It was a $100 tree marked down to $22 so I paid $23 with tax! I was thrilled when I saw it so cheap. It's a 7.5' Douglas Fir which is a foot bigger than the tree we had. I donated that one today along with some old decorations. I can't wait for next year to use our new tree. It will be here before we know it. I also bought our blue and silver decorations for next year at different stores. I paid around $100 which included a tree skirt, stockings, wreath, and decorations plus bags and such. I love those wonderful after Christmas sales especially when it's marked 75% or more. The pickings are slimmer but the savings are fantastic.

My son received his report card on Tuesday and he made Honor Roll! I am so excited as he was having a little trouble the first part of the grading period. I am looking at him fast asleep on the couch. Kids have this wonderful innocence about them especially when they are sleeping. I am going to stop rambling for tonight. I do have some good posts lined up for next week. I just need to get some pictures taken for one post, and I need to get some more information lined up for the next one. This weekend I will be a busy bee writing and visiting family and friends. I have to watch the Saints beat the 49ers tomorrow night!

Save More Money with Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:01:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Healthcare is expensive and on the rise. Insurance providers have you jump through so many hoops in order to stay covered. Prescriptions are not any different. You might not have heard, but there has been a dispute between Walgreens and Express Script program for the last year. If you are part of the Express Scripts' pharmacy provider network , it means as of January 1, 2012, you can longer use Walgreens pharmacy to fill your prescriptions. This includes all Walgreens pharmacies nationwide and Duane Reade pharmacies in the New York City area.

Now all Express Script patients will have to change their pharmacy. Walgreens has more 24 hour stores than any pharmacy in the country so you can get a prescription filled day or night which is great for emergencies. The worst part of this dispute is that the costs are not going down as a result. The Express Script program stated clients will not see costs drop by excluding Walgreens pharmacy from its network. It's quite possible that costs might go up as Walgreens offers competitive pricing on prescriptions.

In order to help many customers, Walgreens Prescription Savings Club is offering a special discount on annual membership for the month of January. For $10 a year, a family membership covers everyone in your immediate family, including a spouse, dependents 22 and younger and pets. Individuals may join for $5. Join and receive discount prices on your prescriptions.

Other great benefits included:

Savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications
Discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies
Bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photo services

This is a great savings to help ease the burden of higher costs. If you are not following Walgreens on Facebook or Walgreens on Twitter then you should start today. I already follow them on both and I am signed up for special emails for special discounts and coupons.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #88

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:07:00 +0000

Today's thrifty living tip is to use baby wipes to spot clean your clothes. I know they have the Tide fabric wipes, but baby wipes do the same job and cost less to buy. Baby wipes are very effective at cleaning up spilled food or drink. I keep a small pack of wipes in my purse. They have the hard case or you can buy the small pack of samples. I also receive free wipe samples from time to time in the mail. My little one is a tween, but I still keep a box of baby wipes in my house to use for many things as they are so versatile. You can even use them as makeup remover especially for your eyes.

Get to Stepping with Cafe Well

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cafe Well. All opinions are 100% mine.

This year I have resolved to exercise regularly. I did great last year until I started college. Then I got lazy and made excuses not to exercise more. I was excited when I read about CaféWell and the Race to the Moon program.

Cafe Well is a great online social network site which allows you to connect and support others who are also trying to lose weight and get healthier. You can find healthy lifestyle tips, information on health issues you might have and challenges. The site is free to use and join.

One program CaféWell is offering is called Race to the Moon through HealthAmerica. This health challenge encourages people to get more active by offering free wireless pedometers to track participants steps by either walking or running. Each participant will earn rewards for reaching milestones and total steps taken. Health \America is offering the free wireless pedometer to their members in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, and West Virgina. Even if you are not a member, then you can still join CaféWell.

I would love to start a fun workout challenge with my friends. We could keep logs of doing something daily, and keep each other on track by posting our logs for everyone to see. It would be a great way to encourage each other by losing weight together as well as getting healthier. The grand prize will be a day of shopping to replace the clothes that will be falling off of us.

Calling in Sick Today

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:16:00 +0000

What do you write about when you have a sinus infection? You write about how sick you are, and how you have nothing to write about today. At least I'm filling up some space, and technically it's a post. I apologize but I'm really at a loss on what to post today. My head feels like someone is pounding on it with a hammer, and I can't breathe. I look really cute right now with a tissue hanging out my nose. My husband always gets a chuckle. I might try to start a fashion trend. Do you think it will catch on?

Now I have my post written for today so please comment if you think whether or not tissues hanging out your nose will be seen on the runways this spring. Or you might be like me and not care what is fashionable but comfortable. I'm not a stick so those clothes won't look good on me regardless. You can comment on that as well. I don't really care as I'm going back to bed.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #87

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:23:00 +0000

Today's thrifty living tip is to take an inventory of purchased gifts. This is the time of the year I take advantage of clearance sales by purchasing gifts now to give throughout the year. I like to have a stockpile of gifts for teachers, last minute gifts, kid birthday parties, or gifts you know a certain person would love. You aren't saving money if you forget you have Aunt Sally's gift sitting in the closet so go out to buy her another one. What if no one else on your list likes poodles? Then you're either stuck with it or donate it to charity.

I like to keep a list either on my smartphone or computer with all the gifts I have purchased. I know what I have in my gift closet, and I know who is getting what. I do make changes if I find something else during the year, but I make sure to change it on my list. This keeps me organized and on budget. I also have a special closet where I store all the gifts. Lately I have started storing them in a chest, and I keep an extra list taped to the inside lid. I have my list in two spots. Do you have a system to keep you organized for extra gifts? I have also created a gift list that is printable for anyone to use. I would appreciate a link back to my blog if you decide to post it on your blog or website. Just save the picture and then you can print. Enjoy the free list.

EntreCard Top Droppers for December

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:09:00 +0000

Here is the first post for the new year! I can't believe it's already 2012. Time really does fly by, and December is already over. It proved to be a busy month with the holidays. This is a brand new year with lots potential. I have listed the top 10 Entre Card droppers for December. These are great blogs you should stop by and read. Thanks again to everyone for dropping by.

Funky Town Disco Music

ShauniSpeaks

bethere2day

Graphic Texts

Unlock Keys

Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife

Digital Rebel350

Comedy Plus

First Day on the Left

Seek No More

New Year Resolutions for Thrifty Momma Ramblings

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:58:00 +0000

On this New Year's Eve, I would like to share my resolutions and goals for Thrifty Momma Ramblings in 2012.

1. Post regularly. I realize I haven't contributed regularly for the last two years, but I have explained why as my life was so chaotic with Robbie and the anxiety I was battling. I have posted at least 2-3 articles each week since October of 2011. I plan to post at least 2-3 each for 2012. I might even post 4 some weeks but I promise to always post a minimum of 2 each week.

2. Host more giveaways. I plan to host at least one giveaway each month. I hope I can expand by having giveaways from other companies with great products and prizes.

3. Redesign Thrifty Momma Ramblings. I am hoping to have this accomplished by March of 2012. I am still not sure if I will move this blog to another server, but I want to give this blog a face lift. As much as I enjoy the fancy templates, I find they take much longer to load for people on slower servers. I think I will keep it simple but a custom design to help this blog stand out from the crowd.

4. Write guest articles for other blogs. I would love to write guest articles for other blogs. I would also like to feature more guest articles about frugal living, green living, gardening, diy projects, recipes, crafts, or just saving money in general. If you are interested in writing an article for this blog, then please contact me which can be found at the top of the page. I have a PR2 blog. I can't afford to pay for guest articles, but I will gladly link back to your site with a short write-up for your blog. If you are interested in a guest post written by me, then please contact me.

5. Write articles to be published nationally. Along the same lines, I really want to work on writing articles for magazines and well known publications. I am trying to make a career as a writer. I love to research and share my experiences so it seems like a perfect fit for me. I hope to continue working on my BA after I graduate in May with my AS degree in General Studies. I will minor in English, Film Studies, and Web Graphics. I can apply this to what I'm already doing. I have some plans to submit thrifty tips, and my stories of battling anxiety and losing over 100 pounds to women's magazines. I am also working on writing a book which shares my struggles of losing a baby to SMA, the major anxiety and depression I battled, and fighting so hard for my oldest son who has PDD-NOS, SPD, and Anxiety. You can read more about those struggles on Robbie's Corner.

6. More marketing for Thrifty Momma Ramblings. Writing articles are great, but I need to really get more social. I would love any suggestions on any social networks that anyone uses and loves. I am looking into Blog Frog.

7. Raise my stats. I want at least a PR 3 blog before the end of 2012. I also would like to see 10,000 monthly visitors and 20,000 monthly page hits. I am already at 4K monthly visitors and 5K page hits. I think I can easily double this before the end of next year. I would really like to have 1K daily visitors but I want to baby step it. I don't want to put the cart before the horse so I will take it one day at a time. I am planning to put out good quality back links to higher ranking blogs.

8. Publish Thrifty Momma Ramblings on Kindle. This one is pretty straight forward.

These resolutions are the main goals for my blog next year. These are some pretty lofty goals with the articles in national magazines and publications. I have already done things this year I never thought would materialize. I went back to college after 16 years and will graduate in May 2012! If I can accomplish a goal I talked about doing for the last 10-12 years, then I know I can accomplish writing or anything I set my mind on doing. I will discuss this more on The Cajun Blogger, but finishing my first semester with a 4.0 has really boosted my self-esteem. I have also found myself so to speak. I forgot how much I enjoyed reading and writing. Being back in college turned my brain back on. I am a mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister, and so on. I am more than those labels. I am Bonnie who has something to offer this world. My writing has given me a voice I forgot I had. It sounds a little cliche, but being on the other side nothing is impossible. Happy New Year from Thrifty Momma Ramblings and 2012 will be a great year!

TMR Frugal Living Tip #86

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:27:00 +0000

First I have to comment I never post two frugal living tips in a week so consider this a nice bonus for the end of 2011. I don't have any pictures to show for this daily tip so I apologize for cleaning it so quickly.

Today's thrifty living tip is to clean or fix appliances before replacing. I know this seems pretty logical, but many people get discouraged by older appliances and distracted by new shiny ones. My Kenmore gas dryer is 14 years old. I already replaced the washing machine a couple of years ago with a front loader. That was a great decision which has saved me money in water and electricity. I just want to say it wasn't worth fixing so it was time to replace. The dryer works great, and works less as my clothes are drier when they come out the washing machine. I do like to line dry which also helps extend the life of the dryer.

Lately it's too cold and rainy to put it on the line. I've been a little too busy to keep up with laundry because of the holidays. We noticed all these scuff marks inside the dryer while doing laundry this past weekend. It wasn't getting on the clothes so I wasn't too concerned. Hubby mentioned maybe it was time to replace it with our income tax refund next year. He tried to clean it but said the marks weren't coming out.

I looked at it again today as I needed to do laundry. I pulled out my Mr. Clean magic eraser, and viola! The marks were coming out quite easily. I did take a wet dish towel to wipe it out a couple of times to make sure no residue is left. I wiped it with a dry towel afterwards, and over 90% of the marks are gone. I'm not sure what caused them, but now they are all gone. I have dried a load of towels and all looks good. No marks on the towels or the dryer. I will keep an eye on the dryer, but I'm hopeful I can get a few more years of service. I will also start a new appliance fund just to be on the safe side.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #85

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:25:00 +0000

Today's thrifty living tip is to save money by coloring your own hair. I usually get 2 boxes of hair color for $5 after sale and coupons. My stylist charges me $35 so I was going every 3 months. I was spending $140 yearly not including tip so around $150+ with tip. I can color my hair every 8 weeks which costs me $30 a year. I am saving over $100 each year. It might not seem like much, but it does add up.

I use Garnier hair color, and I have used all of them. I prefer the ultra color as I find it covers the gray well and the color lasts. I have become a bit of an expert on coloring my own hair. I don't do streaks or frosts. I just want to cover those stubborn grays. I'm much too young to have gray hair. I love the dark auburn color as it is closest to my natural color. I love how the red looks when I'm outside in the sun. I get lots of compliments on my color so I must be doing something right.

Merry Christmas from Thrifty Momma Ramblings!

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:29:00 +0000

I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours. If you don't celebrate Christmas, then have a very happy day with whatever holiday or non-holiday you celebrate.

Winner of the $25 Amazon Gift Card Announced!

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:31:00 +0000

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of Thrifty Momma Ramblings Countdown to Christmas $25 Amazon gift card giveaway. My bed was oh so warm and snug, and I didn't want to get out of it. Hey at least I'm honest. I have already emailed the lucky winner so check your email and junk folder. Without further delay, the winner is.....................J Billiris!!! Congratulations on winning and again check your email.

I want to thank everyone for entering this giveaway. I'm so happy to have so many people who stop by and read my little ole blog. I have big, big, BIG plans for it next year. Keep coming back as there will be more giveaways next year as well as other great changes to this blog. I have officially finished my shopping as of yesterday. All presents have been wrapped, and some were already exchanged. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! If you don't celebrate it, then just insert your holiday name instead.

Fun Sewing Project Perfect for Christmas- Towel Twist Turban

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:52:00 +0000

My mom surprised with me one she made about three to four years ago for Christmas. We call it a towel twists or towel turbans, or whatever name you want to give it. You can buy an already made one in the stores for around $5-6, but they look cheaply made and very thin. The one my mom made is still in regular use and well made. I made a total of five towel turban twists as Christmas presents, but I did keep one for myself. The first towel I used was a leopard print towel.

This project is for the novice as well as the advanced sewer. I cut out all the towels which saved us time, and my mom did all the sewing. I think doing two from the same towel does save time by using the same colored thread and bias tape. She estimates one twist takes about 15-20 minutes sewing time. If she doesn't have to sew on the bias tape, then it takes her less than 10 minutes to sew and serge a twist. The tape is the longest part of the process other than the cutting. We estimated we spent around 2 hours total for cutting and sewing. I think that is pretty good considering we made 5 towel twists. I did spend a little under $20 so about $4 for each one. It might not save a lot of money over buying a store bought one, but it is a unique and creative present. I have yet to see a leopard print or any fun decorative twists yet. You could save more money by buying the towels on sale.

You buy an ordinary bath towel which you cut out the shape using a pattern template you make yourself. My mom used wax paper to make the pattern template. You will measure 22" straight across the bottom. Then make a right angle straight up 7" and then curve the top to another 3" which is about 10" up at the highest point. Then you will just angle the line to meet at the corner. It should be shaped similar to a head in the back. The points are angled to make the twist and pull into the elastic loop. Now you will cut out your template.

I folded the towel lengthwise so I could cut a total of two twists. You might have to play around a little with the template to make sure you can get two. On your template you need to mark on the straight edge about 5" up for your elastic loop. I used a bright colored pin for this part. I then pinned my pattern and cut it out. You can save yourself a step by folding the towel inside out which eliminates the step of pinning right sides together. You will only sew the sides and curved top of the towel. You topstitch the pieces using at least 1/2" seam allowance.

Now you want to use about 4-6" of elastic and fold in half for the loop. Insert the loop leaving the two pieces where your pin is marked. You will go over that spot at least twice to ensure it is properly secured. She then used a serger to finish the raw edges leaving a nice finished edge. She did tell me if you do not own a serger, then you just have to use bias tape to finish that edge. It will last last longer, and the towel won't leave fuzz in your hair. It opens up flat when you use it in your hair.

I want to make a note here. If your towel has a decorative or colorful binding, then by all means use it in your finished towel twist. The white colorful towel had a lime green binding so we cut it out to use it in one of the twists. It saved me time and money. For other my two twists, I had to use bias tape. I bought it on sale for 99 cents each, and you only use half of the package for one twist. If you do not own a serger, then you have to use one whole package for each one you make. My mom had hot pink so we used it for one of the twists. I used plain white for the one I kept for myself. You will use extra wide double fold bias tape. The bias is what you use around the bottom edge of the twist.

You start the tape at one end and the fold will go around the edge of the towel. You just slowly work your around to the other side using a topstitch. As you near the other end, you have to leave one inch past where you started. Then you will turn it back 1/2" on the cut edge, and finishing sewing that section. This gives it a nice finish. You finally finished and turn it right side out. You might want to shake it out well to get all the towel fuzzies off you and the twist. I am giving mine along with spa goodies so it's a nice addition any girl would love.

Get Festive with Zenni Optical Frames

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:20:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Zenni Optical for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

The holidays are expensive enough without having to spend money on unexpected expenses like eyeglasses. In order to have more money for Christmas presents, then I decided to look at frames from Zenni Optical. It is always a good idea to have a backup pair since life happens. I do have eye insurance, but I can still spend over $200 after deductible. I simply can't afford more than one pair from my eye doctor. I am thinking of shopping for some festive frames for the holidays. I really love these frames with Santa Claus on the sides. I think these frames would put others in the holiday spirit as well. I need to finish up my Christmas shopping by buying a few more presents. I can still afford to have my backup pair while showing off my holiday spirit.

I have purchased several pairs of cheap eyeglasses from Zenni Optical in the last three years. Their customer service was excellent as well as the processing time. I received my glasses quickly and I never spend more than $40 a pair. If you really want a great pair of eyeglasses, then you need to check out ZenniOptical.com to save more money for the holidays. They have an extensive line of frames to shop. Save more money for this holiday season and show off your festive side with fun frames.

Thrifty Momma Ramblings Countdown To Christmas $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:03:00 +0000

I'm making my list and checking it twice...Thrifty Momma Ramblings is hosting another giveaway!!! {naturally sung to Santa is coming to town}

I promised my readers one more gift card giveaway before Christmas. I know all of my readers and followers are on Santa's nice list. I am giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner in time to use before Christmas. I am not promising what you buy will arrive in time before Christmas. I don't own a sleigh or any flying reindeer. I will email the code before Christmas. Think of it as a buy what you really wanted but didn't get for Christmas gift.

GIVEAWAY RULES:
Just leave me a comment telling me if you have started your Christmas shopping or not. I would love to read more than thanks or you rock! I already know I rock. This giveaway is only open to US residents 18+ please. Make sure you leave your email in your comment. Only one entry per person or email address please. I am including extra entries so check below. The lucky winner will be pulled by Random dot org.

The giveaway will end on December 23rd at 11:59 PM CST! Again only open to the US. Please no anonymous posters. Thank you. No purchase necessary.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
2 Extra Entriess- Blog about this drawing on your blog linking back to this post. Leave me a comment with the link that I can follow and see it.
1 Extra Entry- Subscribe to my email list located at the top right hand side below header.
1 Extra Entry- Retweet this contest or follow me on Twitter (You can do both but you only get credit for one.)
1 Extra Entry- Follow my page on Facebook or Share on your wall (You can do both but you only get credit for one.)

Guest Article: Child's Birthday Party on a Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:56:00 +0000

The following post was written by Melissa C. who writes for the Blog Content Guild.

Throwing a Child’s Birthday Party on a Budget

Throwing a birthday party for your child doesn't mean you need to break the bank. There are lots of fun tips and tricks you can use that allow you to save money and will still allow for a memorable time!

First of all, if your child is very young, you don’t need to go out and buy a fancy cake from a bakery. These can be very expensive and, if your child is too young to even remember it, it is a waste of money. Many children love the Funfetti cake mix from Pillsbury that you can find at most grocery stores. You can make a fun cake yourself that will save a lot of money.

Instead of a cake, consider having cupcakes. You can make these yourself easily, or buy them from the bakery for usually cheaper than a cake. This takes the hassle out of having to cut a cake, and if your child is young they may enjoy playing with the cupcake far more than they would have enjoyed having a cake.

If you’re having a theme party, like a Mario party, save by buying minimal amounts of mario birthday party supplies. Instead, make some Mario-themed party-ware on your own. You can bake Mario-shaped cookies or a Mario cake.

Before heading to the store, survey what you already have with an eye for repurposing. If you have some leftover curling ribbon from Christmas, you could use it to tie around balloons. Similarly, some wire ribbon could help you decorate chairs and make the interior of your house colorful and welcoming.
Head to your local dollar store, especially goodie bag items. You can often find lots of stickers and small toys that you can put in small bags and tie with ribbons. It will look impressive to the children but won’t cost you an arm and a leg to assemble.

With some creative thinking and a little bit of planning, you can throw a great birthday party for your child without breaking the bank. Sometimes it could be easy to get caught up into the mentality nowadays of trying to have a birthday party better than any of the other children, but that’s not what is important. The important thing is to give your child a great, memorable time without stressing yourself out, and hopefully these tips will help you keep things in perspective and create a great celebration.

Hurry Before The Sprint 3-Day Sale Ends!

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:00:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sprint for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Christmas is quickly approaching so the rush to finish shopping is on. For some people they are just starting to do their shopping. The holidays are a great time of year to get a great deal on a cell phone for yourself or your loved ones. I would be lost without my phone. I love texting, playing games, listening to my music, and even keeping up with important dates and birthdays. I just find it so easy to keep track of everything on my phone such as phone numbers, addresses, and birthdays. I have become so addicted to my phone. Once my son is a little older, I will be looking into a cell phone where he can listen to music and plays games as well as talk and text. I can save money by not having a separate music player for him.

Sprint is offering the Android™ powered EVO 4G devices for FREE here: http://bit.ly/rBqHmY. This great deal is ending on December 14th! Time is running out to get snag this great deal. Sprint has sweetened the deal even more with waived activation for new lines of service and free shipping from Sprint here: http://bit.ly/rBqHmY. Finish up your holiday shopping by checking out this great offer before times runs out.

Great Shopping Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:31:00 +0000

I received several coupons and offers in the mail from different companies in the last week. I wanted to take advantage of a few of these offers to snag more Christmas presents. I needed to look for printed bath towels to make towel wraps as presents. I will post an article on what those are and how to make them soon. I made a day of shopping on Friday with a good friend. I have to share with everyone my great deals.

FREE COFFEE
She wanted to stop at McDonald's on our way out, and there was a sign stating Free Small (12 oz) coffee for the month of December. We were thrilled and we each got one, and she bought a breakfast sandwich. I'm not much of a breakfast person. She only spent $1.52 for her sandwich. That was a great way to start off my morning. This offer is good for the whole month of December!

ROSS DEALS
My friend wanted to hit Ross to look for her Christmas presents. I went to the towel section. I did find a really cute girly pink and other pastel stripe towel for my project. I ended up putting it back since I wasn't sure about paying $5.99 for the towel. That was actually a great price for printed towels. Oh well. Live and learn.

I did find a pair of Dockers brand shoe style slippers for my husband's grandfather. The best part was they were marked down to $6.99! That was the cheapest price I have seen including Black Friday. I found the last pair in black in his size. I also found a bamboo remote caddy to replace mine for $7.99 which is a present for us. The caddy I currently have is being held together by tape. I know pathetic. I also found a great deal for my hubby. He needs a new wallet and is always needing new belts. They had a package deal for both for $12! Both are Dockers and leather so I'm thrilled to have 2 presents for the price of one. I usually pay $15 for his wallet so it was like getting the belt for free. This was the most I spent all day for a total of $30.

TARGET DEAL
I had printed out a coupon to receive a $10 gift card when you spent $50. I did find several things at the dollar hot spot area for stocking stuffers and extras for some of my gifts. I had a $10 gift card to use when I redeemed my rewards. I spent exactly $10.66 so I had to pay the 66 cents out of pocket. I was thrilled to get some more goodies for basically nothing. Since I couldn't find any towels or bigger items, then I decided to hand my coupon to the lady behind me. She had lots of toys and was so excited that I gave her the coupon. I wasn't coming back and hated to throw it out so I did a kindness by paying it forward. She hadn't heard about this deal so she was so excited to receive the $10 gift card for free. I responded with a Merry Christmas and left her all smiles. I was glad I could help someone else save money, and it does feel good to do random acts of kindness.

BED, BATH, & BEYOND DEAL
I had a $5 off coupon when you spend $15 or more. I found a mini-flashlight for my son's stocking which was $5. He is always begging to use a big flashlight but mostly wants one for bed at night. I know this will make him happy. Again I couldn't find any towels for my project, but I did find a six pack of washcloths. I always need them and seem to lose them. These were on sale for $12 and so super soft. I hate buying the cheap thin ones as they are so rough to use on my face. I'm glad I spent the extra money as I used one last night. These cloths are wonderful to use when I take off my makeup and especially my eye makeup. You know what, I'm definitely worth it. I spent $14 after coupon. My son's stocking stuffer was free and just paid for the washcloths.

BURGER KING DEAL
We ate lunch at Burger King to take advantage of the BOGO deal on Whoppers. We each bought a small soft drink. We split the cost on the whopper and we spent $3 each with tax. We didn't buy any fries. I had a coupon deal for Auntie Ann in the mall and I knew we would be eating a pretzel there so I saved room for it. That deal cost us less than $3 each as well as it was a BOGO coupon. I had a bottle of water with me for both of us. I hate spending almost $2 on a bottle when I can pack a small ice chest for the road.

VICTORIA'S SECRET DEAL
I'm especially thrilled with this deal. I picked up a pack of four smaller sized lotions. It was marked $18 but rang up $10. I had my $10 off any regular priced purchase so I paid $0.87 cents! I had no idea as I really thought it was priced $18. I'm not sure if I am going to give this as set or take out the bottles to make 4 presents. I'm thinking the latter as teacher gifts. My son has 4 teachers and the teacher aide. I love giving them a little something to show my appreciation. I feel this was my best deal of the day!

TOWELS
I finally found a leopard print towel at Kmart for $7 which wasn't too bad. I also found a wonderful wrist watch for my mom. She had a very specific type in mind and it was the only watch I found for what she wanted. I found the other towel for my project marked $9! I know that towel was much more than I wanted to spend, but it is perfect for the recipients of this project. I bought the bias tape at Hancock's fabric store and spent $3 with tax for two packs. I wasn't expecting it to be so cheap but they were on sale. I will break down the prices on that project and all the details in my other post soon.

Total for the day was around $75! I used the money I received in rewards to pay for my purchases. I didn't spend a dime of my money on any of these purchases. I spent $5 on food for a grand total of $80. I didn't count the cost of gas, but I don't do have many shopping excursions. I do most of my gift buying online. I was happy to get items and use coupons to save more money. I have a very gas efficient car which gets averages 37-38 miles to the gallon. I had a full tank and only used a quarter of a tank for the whole day including going to the town and coming home which is 50 miles round trip. I had a really fun day with my friend shopping and saving money. You can't put a price on a shopping day with the girls.