Unexpected Conundrums!!!!!

I moved into a new house this week.
I took my awesome washer and drier with me....the last remnants of my once-upon-a-time marriage.
My high capacity Maytag Neptunes.....

The plugs didn't match.
The connections were stripped after three moves,

$350 dollars later.....
The repair man started the wash! ( but he doesn't do windows!)

Cheaper than new equipment, but NOT cheap!

Hence, the emergency fund. I work a few extra jobs and that money goes into a different account - for Christmas, for repairs and for a rainy day. Does it hurt? Yes.
Bt the laundry is DONE!!!!!!

Receipts

Keep all receipts in your wallet for at least two weeks! Popular stores have markdowns and if you return within 14 days, they will honor the markdown and deduct the cost. I always walk back in when in the neighborhood and have them check the codes. Usually, I'm pleased to find that I have "found money!" Sometimes, quite a bit! (And since I only by on sale, I have proudly walked off with stylish down jackets for less than $10 a piece!)

AWESOME (CHEAP) ORGANIZATION!!!!!

We are moving into OUR new home in a few short days. Obviously, money is tighter that usual. I came across a few wonderful ideas to share.

1) Instead of buying a spice rack, right the names on the tops of your spice jars with a permanent marker. Store them standing in a kitchen drawer. Not only is this inexpensive, but it is so easy to locate your spices when you need them!

2) Store grocery bags in an empty tissue box. You can pull them out easily when needed!

And....when it comes to saving money....ALWAYS ASK FOR A DISCOUNT. Yes, everything is negotiable. I had to get a new refrigerator for our home. Nothing was on sale until I asked. Low and behold, a competitor was having a sale and just because I asked, they gave me the sale price. Not only that, they also gave me free delivery - usually $79.00 Total savings? Over $300!!!!

Spending Wisely Does Rub off on Your Kids!!! :)

I received a phone call from my 11 year old yesterday. She, and my other three children, are visiting their father and his family 2500 miles away. They had spent the day at a popular amusement park that houses many early childhood memories for all of us and had a most wonderful time. They had such fun with their grandparents, they are hoping to go back with their father before returning home.

Aside from the enthusiastic sharing of events at the park, she shared an observation. Nana and Poppy had spent $30 dollars on 35 tickets which afforded each child 3 rides - no doubt exhausting the tolerance of two wonderful grandparents on a hot and humid day.
Always thinking and a great persuader, my daughter bargained a deal with her dad. If you buy the unlimited bracelet for $35 dollars and put it loosely on my wrist, we can all go back and ride all day - we just exchange the bracelet!

Like mother, like daughter!