How to save money at Ralph's

So in an effort to decorate I bought some mason jars at a local thrift store. The idea was to attach them to the light fixture hanging above our dining table. That didn't work because the opening to the jars were too big! Well I had already bought new lightbulbs at Ralph's to put in them. Since I had to return the bulbs I figured what better time to share my favorite money saving tip. At Ralph's there is always a clearance section and this is usually where I stock up on bread. But there are so many things that Ralph's puts in this area. I've asked the employees before why so many of one item end up there, especially when I have found home decor or sanitary items on clearance. They told me things usually end up on clearance just because they've ordered too much. Rarely have I found things that would expire soon. Although, they almost always have day old items from the bakery section there, yes that includes the donuts. Score! So what does the clearance section typically look like? 

There were so many people there, I didn't want to take a picture and include them and invade their space. The other shelves had batteries, bags of candy, soups, Halloween decor, and other items like serving utensils. Now that I am thinking about it, serving utensils would've been great for thanksgiving. 

Ralph's also clearances produce. They typically put a few pieces of produce, sometimes it's a variety, sometimes it's all the same. But it is always clearanced for $1. Also, sometimes items especially anything needing refrigeration, can be found in its usual spot just with a bright yellow sticker on it. 

Always check clearance first, especially right now during the holidays. It will save you time and money! 

So I returned my lightbulbs and I grabbed 4 bags of bread for under 4 dollars, I but them in my freezer and they stay just as good as the day I got them. I know that when I worked I would save things that we ended up not needing and I would just keep them. Why? "Piss poor planning", which is something my dad would say. That's why. Take the extra minute and plan ahead. If you don't need something put whatever it is back in a grocery bag with its receipt and place it in your car so you can't forget to grab it when you go to the store. 

Happy shopping and I hope you guys find my money saving tip for today useful!

Love, peace, & happiness!  

Yes, public libraries are STILL a thing! *gasp*

Ok so today I had tons planned to fill our afternoon between school pickup and making dinner. Things happen, plans change. No biggie! But I have two wild things that need to be occupied and its Wednesday, I'm running low on patience and creativity. I drive by the public library sign EVERY day! Shoot, once a week we stop to play at the park right next to the library! We have never been in. I was literally so embarrassed that so much time has passed since I've been a library card owner! 😁 So, we made a pit stop and I took my wild things into a place that I was so scared would kick my youngest and I out in a heartbeat. And yes, I have been asked to leave places because my youngest is so loud! 😁

Just getting all our wiggles out before heading in! 

I filled out the required forms for My oldest to get his own card, and one for myself. Finished just in time because the toddler was trying not to make eye contact with me as he slowly scooted away. 

There was a nice table with puzzles and busy bees to keep these guys busy as I searched for a couple cool kids books for them. 

I am so glad we made this stop and feel so silly for not taking the thirty minutes out of our day to do this sooner. 

We all picked out some cool books, and yes I even got a book for myself! Good joke, right? I have three weeks to read it though. And hope that I might get a moment to crack it open without interruption.

Public libraries are FREE!!!! Unless you don't turn your book in on time. So go, get your library card! There's so much that your library offers than just books. Computers, movies, CDs, tutoring, magazines. Plus it will create a great memory for the little ones, and what's better than flipping through pages of a book rather than an iPad or Kindle? 

Sorry it's been so long since my last post, a nasty cold took over our home and consumed any energy I had after playing billion toy pickup with my two year old all day. 😉

Love, Peace, and Happiness 😜

Daily Grind

So I realize that mostly everything I have been posting has been recipes. Changing the way you cook in the kitchen definitely makes a huge difference in your monthly budget. For me it was just about actually cooking, we went out to eat so often. Anyway, a few people have asked me if I do anything else to save money. So I have composed a small list of things I do daily to save.

*ETA* I make my coffee at home! Even in the middle of the day. You spend money on a coffee machine, so use it! I make leftover coffee into coffee cubes for iced coffee the next day.

I am sure you all notice the plastic Coffee Bean cup. This is probably the cheapest thing I do. When I go out and I forget my water bottle I just order a small water from the nearest coffee shop then I reuse the cup for my iced coffees through out the week.

1. Don't wear makeup. I have makeup and I do wear it often, but I don't wear it on a daily basis anymore. Conservation = Saving money!
2. Clean, and organize. I don't know how many times my husband and I misplaced something so we just went out and bought a new one, or took more out of the stockpile. If I would have just unpacked our bags in a timely manner I would have a billion open deodorants in my bathroom. Or if anybody needs a measuring tape we have 3!
3. Repurpose! Old receiving blankets or torn up tees? Those make great rags. <--- how many of you have watched extreme, cheapskates and thought I was going to say toilet paper? No. Not in my house.
4. Cut your sponges in half! This is seriously a no brainer!


We have a garden and even our youngest loves helping in it. He likes to drown, I mean water. Rip out the plants, I mean weeds. haha but on the real he enjoys our gardening time outside.

5. Go to the gym, or get out and take a walk. Most of the time when I spent money it was to cure my boredom.




I took the boys shelling at a state beach a half hour away from home. Definitely made for an experience I don't think any of us will forget.

6. Lets face it entertaining children can be so expensive! There are so many kid friendly business that make a killing of putting playgrounds indoors. But what is wrong with the playground outside? Rainy day? My kids love painting their own cars out of boxes and I push them around. Or balloons! Blow up some balloons for some inexpensive indoor fun that still lets the kids release that energy.

7. Pack snacks. I get being a busy mom and fast food being so convenient. One pack of sliced apples at McDonalds costs $1.00 and feeds one person. I bought apples for 0.74 a lb got 4 apples at $1.48 making that 0.37 an apple when cut up feeds two people! That saves $1.63 right there! I usually also pack cheerios in the snack bag and we each carry a water bottle every where we go. Also our snack bag gets packed every morning when I pack my oldest lunch.


I have been craving french fries for the longest. So I made my own using this awesome kitchen tool my husband bought me, and no need to leave the house to spend money when I had potatoes at home!

8. Shop your own kitchen. Meatless meals, my husband isn't crazy about them so I usually will serve meatless meals for lunch, or I mix meat with lentils. Make it stretch! Don't buy premade. Make your own biscuits and breads. Growing up we had breakfast for dinner sometimes or we had spaghetti . If you haven't had a spaghetti burrito you have not lived. Seriously so good! Or you could research cheap meals from other countries. The whole family can learn something new and most likely you will find the ingredients for these other meals MUCH cheaper. GET CREATIVE!


A few of the items for this room makeover I got by posting in the ISO section of my local yard sale page.

9. Always shop your local buy sell trade pages. If someone hasn't posted something you need, place your search in the ISO section. So many times I have sold or given things away to people when I see that they need what I have and vice versa.


I am the proud baker of my little ones cake. Yes I noticed I forgot the T but hopefully growing up my boys remember how much I tried, plus nobody complained about the homemade cake and it saved me around $12 maybe even more if I wanted a custom cake from the bakery.

10. I can not say this enough. COOK and BAKE at home. Let the kids help too, or make a date out of baking with your spouse after the little ones go to sleep.
Saving money can be so stressful, but it doesn't always have to be. Make it fun, make it a learning experience for the kids.