May deals!

May is just three days away. Time to check on ways to save money during one of my favorite months. Can you guess who has a May birthday?

According to bankrate and frugal living, two of my go-to sites on deals, there are some fun savings to look forward to in May.

Look for:

-pre-season deals on bathing suits and sandals

-major appliances (over Memorial Day weekend - to get you into the store instead of at your neighbor's bbq)

-barbecue and picnic foods, along with the paper/plastic supplies typically used at barbecues and picnics

-summery handbags and totes

-cookware

-vacuums -- really?? But who am I to question?

Bring on the May flowers! I love this time of year.

-reenie

Victory Gardens

By now you've heard that there's a vegetable garden at the White House... reminiscent of the garden planted by Eleanor Roosevelt (and in the reading I've done -- that was the last time 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue had a vegetable garden). In any case... it has me thinking. Yes, I admit to having a black thumb, but I think this year I'm going to at least try herbs. The other day I made a recipe that called for fresh herbs, and I nearly fell over when I saw the price at the grocery store. Seemed so high for something I probably would not use all of before the leaves turned brown. This White House garden is inspiring me.

Sooo.... I'm going to start with herbs this year -- just a few. I'm planning a nursery run in the next two weeks -- to pick out some colorful flowers for my outdoor planters. I'll be picking up some herb seedlings while I'm at it. A little money out, a lot of money saved. In my mind, money saved for little splurges like letting someone else cook...

-reenie

Looking good on Earth Day 2009

Earth Day is tomorrow -- Wednesday, April 22. What are you you doing to look good?

Here are some ideas to consider...

When you shop - bring your own bag. I've been reading story after story about great reusable bags available for purchase at almost every store imaginable. Bring them to the grocery store, the mall and to the farmer's market. Plus, plenty of causes use bag sales as fundraisers. This is one bandwagon worth jumping on!

Are you recycling yet? I am very fortunate in that my community offers curbside pick-up. I can't imagine how much more I'd be sending to the landfill if this were not an option. Even if your community does not have a curbside program -- consider committing to your own program. Many communities allow you to drop off recyclables in one container -- also called single-stream recycling. Basically, it means an end to the once time-consuming chore of sorting paper from plastic and metal.

As you unclutter your home -- when you purchase new energy efficient electronics are you making sure you recycle your old electronics? Really not a good idea to just trash them -- many contain lead or other hazardous compounds. Please recycle properly.

Are you letting the light shine brightly in your home? Make it a CFL bulb and save tons more energy over the lifetime of the bulb. Just be sure you dispose of these babies properly. They do contain microscopic amounts of mercury -- but mercury is mercury -- no matter the amount.

These are just a few ideas. Be sure to check out Earth Day celebrations in your hometown and learn about even more ways to keep our Earth looking good.

-reenie

More Spring Fashion Trends

I subscribe to a newsletter on style and fashion. Yes, my daughter would find that very hard to believe. In any case, today's edition had a link to Spring/Summer jewelry trends. Apparently "statement" jewelry is the thing (and is most likely going to be the thing for Fall/Winter as well). Look for geometric shapes, exotic pieces, and anything with rich colors, prominent stones or colorful gems.

Even more interesting about this trend... was the idea that matching these larger-than-life pieces with bold and colorful clothing is the way to go. Last season it was about having the jewelry be big and bold and the star of the outfit. This year -- it's about being as interesting as possible. The term "clashing colors" was even used (that might not be something I can do, but I can follow the trend in other ways).

The fun part about this trend... the pieces shown in the article were designer-made, but looked like less expensive pieces I've seen in the stores. So - you can go expensive or you can have fun with the trend and not pay as much. Better yet, look to local jewelry craftsmen for their take on this fun look.

-reenie

For Sale

I know this isn't the best time to be selling a house, but I want to downsize; four stories plus one person and three pets, just doesn't compute. OK, it totals four on both sides of the equation, but you get the idea. My daughter is a student, so she is in and out, but still... It's time to reduce my 'footprint.'

My friends thinks I'm a little crazy, but I'm getting tons of things done to the house to make it that much more appealing to would-be buyers. I think the Realtor approves (though I think he thinks I need to speed it up a bit).

I'm patching all of the chipped paint, hired a heavy duty carpet cleaner to handle the rug on the second floor landing, and have bought heavy duty boxes to pack up the clutter. I promise -- I'm paring down the clutter as I go. Nothing is going into a box that will not be proudly displayed in the next house. I'm clearing out the basement and the garage too -- figure it needs to happen when I move, so why not start now. As a regular Real Estate Open House participant that is one thing that can really make a negative impression on me during a house tour -- an extra-cluttered basement makes me feel like the family isn't really ready to move.

With all of my uncluttering, I'm making multiple trips to Goodwill and to the consignment shop. I want my clutter to be someone else's treasure, and ultimately put less into the local landfill.

On the outside... I'm having the driveway sealed, the walkway and deck power washed and stained. I had the granite step into the breezeway straightened out, and the threshold repaired. Finally -- having someone touch up the fascia boards and clean up the bricks on my chimney. I'm a handyman's dream right now. The list keeps getting longer. BUT from what I hear -- Real Estate offices are getting busier. I hope that's a good sign for them, and for me.

-reenie

P.S. Please share any other suggestions on getting a house ready for sale - down below in the comments. I'm all ears!

Bowling for fun and for fitness

I admit it -- I don't bowl very often, BUT I recently went with a bunch of folks from a class I am taking and we had an absolute blast. All ages. All skill levels. It was just plain fun, and we giggled the whole time. I got thinking about it from a fitness perspective and did a little checking. One blog post I found says four bowlers per lane... count it as fun. Two bowlers per lane... can be aerobic. I think we were 4-5 people per lane, so we counted in the fun+ category. Tell that to my aching back the next day. One lesson learned: fun or not, do a little stretching before playing. But the sore back was well worth it. A Sunday afternoon of bowling was a great way to spend time with friends.

My group is talking about wanting to go again, and I'm all in. Maybe I can get better at the whole thing practicing on the Wii we have at home. I'm actually better on the real wood than on the Wii - somehow always manage to hook "the ball" on the screen. What is that about??

-reenie

SeniorPC may be the way to go

I love having access to the worldwide web, and I know my older (nearly 72 year old) Aunt would love it, too, but regular computers seem to be a little overwhelming. She's had them, but they can be confusing, and then she just gives up. Too many bells and whistles when all you want is email access and web surfing capability. BUT, perhaps, no more. I just read this interesting story in the News Tribune about SeniorPC created by Hewlett-Packard and offered through Microsoft (in both desktop and laptop versions).

Priced at under $1300 (plus any monthly ISP cost) this would be a great option for my Aunt. It might be a great option for older parents with Mother's Day and Father's Day not too far off -- especially if siblings pool their gift funds. A great way to give the more tech-phobic folks in your life easy access to email, photos, news and great shopping sites. :) Hint, hint...

-reenie

April deals

Ahhh, the beginning of April. It's time for my monthly list of good deals to be had, or at least looked for during the month. This list is culled from a couple of sources -- thank you bank rate and frugal living.

If you haven't already scooped up an Easter dress and bonnet - this is the time to find deals on Spring clothes.

Fine china -- now may be the time to buy for that June wedding you're planning to attend. Be sure to check out where the bride and groom are registered. While you're looking at the home goods, peek at the deals on vacuums and cookware at the same time.

In the auto area -- the lists say April is the time to shop for tires and other car care products.

Wallpaper and paint. News has it that as people are Spring cleaning -- they probably need to spruce up their walls. De-clutter then spruce. Frankly, my house is a prime example of this theory. There's a whole lot of 'sprucing' to be done in the weeks ahead.

In the food area: kosher foods, eggs (both chicken-laid and chocolate, along with other Easter-clearance candy), ham, cheese, mustard, cake mixes, frosting and pie crusts.

Enjoy the deals and the shift in seasons.

-reenie

Help a bunny out

This just in. Bad economic times have hit close to home for bunnies across the US. Gone are the sweet candies, luscious chocolates and specially designed eggs left behind each year. "People just don't understand the work and expense that goes into each of those stops planned for Sunday, April 12," states Peter T. Rabbit, spokesperson for Bunnies International. "Bunnies have been getting the raw end of the carrot stick for far too long now, and our group is actively seeking bail out funds from the Treasury."

Bunny enthusiasts across this great country are encouraged to reach out to their elected officials and demand that bunnies see some serious cabbage in the next economic bail out package. Or at least some hefty supplies of good chocolate, a wide assortment of jelly beans, good looking baskets and maybe a bonnet or two. Hop to it people. Help a bunny out and have a wonderful April Fool's Day.

-reenie