Free Publicity

There's nothing better than free publicity. I designed my new business page tonight on Facebook! So excited!!!
Check it out!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dinner-By-Design/368131856585079

2nd Catering Gig

I did my second catering gig for my sister this past week. It was a lot of fun!

Lemon curd shooters, stuffed mushroom caps, antipasti skewers w/pesto, stuffed strawberries, roasted garlic bacon dip with endive and baguette dippers.

Sunday Coupon Preview-You Have to Check This Out!

http://thefrugallery.blogspot.com/2012/05/get-peak-at-sunday-coupons.html

What's on Sale in May?

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/frugal/on-sale-may.aspx?ic_id=most_shared_default

My New Favorite Thing On Facebook

So, earlier this week I was perusing on Facebook for some food-related item, and happened to come across what I think is quite possibly the best thing yet! Frugallery: it is a page about personal finance. Their bog: http://thefrugallery.blogspot.com/. Check them out! They put so many coupons, freebies, etc... on Facebook. They're all in one place and it's great!

Breaking Bad Habits: Great Article

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/bad-habits-hurt-finances.aspx?p%3Aid=p%3AFBo&ec_id=FACE101#slide=1

Selling Your Home

Getting ready to sell your home? Well, Bankrate has some great tips for getting your home "buyer-ready".

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/real-estate/get-home-market-ready-to-sell.aspx#slide=1

My Herbs!

My herbs are doing awesome! Well, except maybe the garlic chives and lavender. Planted more cilantro, which started coming up this week. Can wait to use my herbs!!!

Side Jobs!

Whew! What a crazy past few weeks. I've become a Pampered Chef consultant to earn some extra cash and free products. Plus, I can do it on my time, when I want, which is great for a part-time gig. Also, I have been working on starting a personal chef/cooking side business as well. I cooked for a friend's housewarming party last night and made easy, affordable appetizers: Shrimp Wasabi Bites, Waffle Fry Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Three-Cheese Veggie Pizza, and fun dips using Silver Spring Foods mustards.

One More Article to Check Out

Money Rules That'll Make You Rich
http://yourmoney.msn.com/saving-money-tips/33080375

Helpful Money-Saving Websites

Awesome websites!!!

8 Weird Ways to Make Extra Money: pause the video and scroll down http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post.aspx?post=ac074fd1-9662-4546-b775-3b74a802a49c&ocid=vt_twmsnmon

The 10 Golden Rules on Saving on Everything
http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2011/01/28/the-10-golden-rules-of-saving-on-everything/

205 Ways to Save Money
http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2008/08/28/205-ways-to-save-money/

Lowering Car Insurance

If you raise your deductibles on your car insurance, you might be able to save some money. I just went and raised my comprehensive and collision deductibles to $1000.00. and my premium lowered by $49.00!!!! I will be saving $10 a month on my car insurance. Now my payments are in the mid-$30 range. Unbelievable! And with my Snapshot discount, I also just got another 2% discount. What a great way to start out the day!

What's on sale in April?

April sales: new produce, notebooks and televisions (as it's the end of the Japanese fiscal year), swimwear, summer clothes, patio & deck accessories, rain gear, and party planning items. Spa week is April 16-22, so if you're in need of a massage, etc. you're favorite spa may be offering great deals that week.

April is also stress awareness month. What can you do to save money or pay off some debt and reduce stress? 

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/frugal/on-sale-april.aspx?ic_id=most_shared_default

Best Buy Tip and Fabulously Frugal

Best Buy tip: every Wednesday, all printer ink and paper is 20% off. (Thanks mom & dad)

I have a lot of things for sale currently on Craigslist. This past Thursday, I sold my computer desk. $100 went right towards my consolidation loan payment. I have paid off $1000.00 on that loan since I started all of this in February. Fabulously Frugal is paying off!

I posted my blog at Pinterest and one of my favorite websites, www.bankrate.com started following me. I am pretty excited about that as they have really good content and money-saving tips.

Herbs Are Growing!

My cilantro and basil are growing at a steady pace. With the rate they are growing, it is time to start another round of planting.

More Coupons from P&G

http://www.pgestore.com/PG-Coupons/secret-coupons,default,sc.html?srule=top-sellers

Coupons

http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=MKRU3JAAR6CCY&check=21744,22310,22309,22308,22307,22301,22313,22390

Herb Growth

I planted my herbs on March 10th and check out my tiny plants. I'm so excited!!

Company Coupons

I have to share something great that I found online. I often go to company websites and Facebook pages (Birds Eye Foods, Proctor & Gamble, Dove, Reynold's Wrap, among others...) and look for newsletters, coupons, an email list sign-up, etc...anything to get coupons or free products. Well...today in my mail was a $35 coupon booklet from Proctor & Gamble. That is a pretty sweet deal!! Research pays off!

My Gluten Free Bread

I think it should be a bit taller...oh well, for a bread-deprived person, it will still taste pretty great :)

Sheet Pan Dinner

I am pretty sure that a sheet pan dinner might be the best thing invented!! 
Parmesan Chicken with Caesar Roasted Romaine Quick Recipes: bonappetit.com

My pic:

Almost done for the night. I have a loaf of gluten-free bread in the bread maker. I can't wait to eat some homemade bread!

Granola

I made some great-tasting, healthy granola tonight. Here's the recipe I used: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-recipe/index.html. I just changed out a couple of things and made it my own.

Herbs

I almost forgot! I have some small buds coming through on the herbs that I planted. Super exciting!!! I will take a picture when they get a little bigger; I'm not sure if you can see them on camera.

Grocery Shopping

I love to grocery shop and always have. Now it's even more fun because of my deal hunting. I added some new apps to my smart phone (suggested by a friend), The Festival Foods and Aldi apps. I get the deals and savings right on my phone. I can also save my grocery list right in my Festival Foods app. Pretty sweet! I am now also the person that adds up what I'm buying, as I go in the store. This does take me longer but I also now only buy what I really need. I have to stay within budget because I'm using the scrip that I bought, which is on gift cards, so I can't go over.

It's a gorgeous day out. Gonna go get my groceries, do a little cookin', and enjoy the weather.

Happy Sunday!

Gas Update

I guess I missed a gas update. It was $3.84 but I noticed today that it already went up to $3.89. Craziness!!

Single I am, and living single I do...great article

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/frugal/living-single-4-ways-to-save.aspx

Time to set a retirement date?

Found this article and stories inspiring about retirement. Someday...
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/retirement/early-retirement-without-fortune.aspx?ec_id=Tweet101#slide=1

I have my follow-up meeting with my financial planner next Thursday, March 22nd. I'm excited to tell him about my progress.

I decided to have a garage sale the end of March as well. I've come to the conclusion that less is more and...I don't want to have to move a lot, again.

I got a discount!

My month is up on doing Snapshot from Progressive...and the verdict is in: I will be getting an extra 7% off of my auto insurance for the next 6 months!! Awesome! Now, I just have to keep the Snapshot device in my car for another 6 months and see if I can get more of a discount. I love Progressive!

Saving Money on Your Groceries

There are many ways to save on healthy choices, including the following tips.

• Buy produce in season for the best prices. For March, it's mangos, strawberries, asparagus and artichokes.
• March is also National Frozen Food Month, so look for special promotions in the freezer aisle.
• Avoid snack-size packaging, which costs more per unit for the convenience of not packing your own healthy snacks.
• Shop on Tuesdays for clearance on the week's sale items because most stores come out with their new circulars on Wednesday.
• Buy basics such as brown rice, oats and yogurt in bulk if possible for healthier baking and cooking.
• Never leave home without your coupons.

Read more: Nutrition vs. your food budget | Bankrate.com http://www.bankrate.com/financing/saving-money/nutrition-vs-your-food-budget/#ixzz1oxIcRZ2J

Paying the Bills

This weekend my first payment was due on my consolidation loan. Since I have cut back on my spending, I was able to make 1 1/2 payments on the first one. I'm also able to add $10 extra dollars onto the payment every month to make sure that it is paid off within the 3-year time frame. I read the fine print for probably the first time in my life and learned that little tip. I also am able to add a little more onto my car payment as well. Here's my fridge for the week; it makes me so happy when it looks like this:

I'm very excited to make homemade bread this week. I can't remember the last time I ate bread. I am gluten free (not by my choice) and my mom borrowed me her bread maker. Grilled cheese here I come! I got my new issue of the Food Network magazine and they have 50 ways to make grilled cheese. Also on deck for the week from my Bon Appetit magazine, an easy "sheet pan dinner," Parmesan Chicken with Caesar Roasted Romaine. Looks delish in the mag!! Stay tuned for that picture.

Herbs are Planted!

Hopefully they will grow!!!

Things to Buy in March

March is National Frozen Food Month: Your Grocery Store might be offering great deals

March 19-25 is wellness week: your local spas, fitness centers, and yoga studios may be participants. There may be some great deals. 
Other good buys: Mangoes, strawberries, asparagus, artichokes, tulips

• Outdoor furniture: save 20-25%
• Shoes: March is the first round of discounts of summer shoes 

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/frugal/on-sale-march.aspx?ic_id=nwsltr_wkrdup_20120309

Green Thumb

My herb investment: growing my own. This is a brand new endeavor for me and I will be growing my herbs, inside for the first time. Reasoning: I am renting, my lease is up the end of May and I'm uncertain to where I'm moving yet. So, outdoor gardening is out for me this year. Plus, I love using fresh herbs. My new favorite thing is putting cilantro in my salads. It adds a refreshing flavor, like no other. I bought seeds for cilantro, basil, garlic chives, and lavender. I will be using my empty egg cartons (basically free-bought my eggs on sale for .89), plastic trays to set the egg cartons in, potting soil, and the 6 packages of herbs. Total: $10.89. Considering that buying fresh herbs in the grocery store in the small plastic containers, usually run about $2.99, I got quite the deal. OR...we will see how the growing goes :)

Gas update: $3.79.

I've noticed for me, that buying scrip helps because I don't have the cash available to spend; the money is on the gift card. I know what I'm spending every other week and how much is being donated toward my nephew's tuition.  

Grocery Shopping on a Budget

I've become a little fanatical now about finding the best deals, coupons, in-store savings, etc...I like to make all my food for the week on Sundays. I portion everything out and freeze the servings so they're available at any time. This also helps in not throwing money away by letting food go bad. I found a recipe for Leek Mac & Cheese and worked it into my budget and it is super delicious. It is definitely something I will make again and it portions out very easily. I added some petite diced tomatoes that I happened to have in the pantry for another extra healthy element.

Leek Mac and Cheese
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/leek-mac-and-cheese

Helpful Websites

5 Best Coupon-Clipping web Sites
http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/family-money/5-best-coupon-clipping-web-sites-23634/

29 Ways to Leap Out of Debt
http://www.daveramsey.com/article/29-ways-to-leap-out-of-debt/lifeandmoney_debt?ectid=bitlyified022920121323#.T07kmSCzhME.email 

Giving Back

My new money venture, purchasing scrip for my groceries and gas. I'm already paying with cash so why not have someone I care about make money off my cash spending. My nephew goes to catholic school and with the cash that I spend, a percentage of it goes towards his tuition! How awesome!

Gas Price Update

Gas price is at $3.74 today. Good thing I bought an SUV last November. Needed it today though; first day of 4-Wheel Drive. Super great drive to work...no really, I didn't get stuck!

Let's Get Started

I get to check meet with a financial planner off of my list.

I called up one of my old high school friends, who is doing phenomenal with his business and I asked him if he could help me. He more than obliged. I had to put my embarrassment aside, as he asked me to do a couple of times, so we could devise a plan and get me some money. This was on a Thursday evening about a month ago now. All I did through the course of the weekend was try to get my bills lower. Seriously. And what could I eliminate? Well, I'm going to tell you because this last month has been pretty amazing.
1) I paid off my Macy's card that I opened for Christmas to get the extra 15% off discount on my purchase. I also closed the account.
2) One of the big things I had to do was try and consolidate my credit cards with a personal loan; I'll just say the total balance owed is under $10,000. (It's still way too much!) I went to my bank who I was with for 12 years and they wouldn't help me. I went to a credit union and they wouldn't help me without a co-signer. Not gonna do that. Went to a third bank in my hometown and also needed a co-signer. Okay, so I have been advised that this debt needs to be paid off in 3 years. Swallowing my pride, I asked my parents if they would co-sign and low and behold, they said yes. Okay, so the personal loan, which is actually credit card (that got mailed to parents), has a 7.5% rate and that doesn't change. My previous bank was charging me 15% and the credit union couldn't believe that. What ended up happening is I closed all of my accounts at the bank that wouldn't help me and now have everything with the credit union. It was such a positive experience and they were and are willing to work with me. (I closed my previous bank credit card as well). There are two I'm keeping open because I've had them for so long. But...I don't even have the cards; everything was cut up after the consolidation.
3) Dropped my cell phone bill down to the lowest amount of minutes I could go, along with the texts. This took $20.00 off my bill. Plus work pays for half of my bill. Bonus!
4) Directv-What a rip. I dropped this down to the basic package. I wouldn't care so much about this except the channels I love the most are the sports channels and they're gone. But doing this added $15.00 extra dollars to my pocket. It was actually $10.00 but I asked if they had any promotions going and I got a $5.00 credit.
5) Progressive: Love them! I already have every discount under the sun with them but I decided to give the Snapshot Discount a whirl. This is the coolest thing ever. I never realized what a bad driver I was until I got this. It tracks your hard stops and I have to say I'm doing better than I thought I would. I could get up to 30% more off of my bill.
6) I started my emergency fund and it has the amount that was requested I put in, thanks to my tax refund. What a great feeling! I have never had an emergency fund in my life.
7) As another form of income, I am currently donating plasma. I can make $200.00 a month on this. I am looking for part-time jobs as well but I can't really start working 2 jobs until after my thesis is finished in May.
8)  My lease is up in late spring so I am looking for a smaller place. That being said, I put some stuff on Craigslist to sell.
9) I was also able to put back into my 401K. That's a relief because they do a full match.

I've had some good cashflow this week: sold my table and chairs, got both tax refunds back, sold my textbooks back to the website I bought them from and got that check in the mail this week too.

So, I'm off to a good start.

New financial beginning

When I was in high school, I really wasn't into learning so much, especially my personal finance class. Boooring. I think, if I remember correctly, we learned how to balance a checkbook. My parents never really taught my sister and I anything about money either, except that it was good to save it. Oh, how I wish someone would have taught me something about money back then or that I would've cared if someone wanted to teach me about money.
It's not like things are that bad, but for the age of 34, they could be better. So, 2012 is the year I've decided to whip my financial health into shape. I have a great job as a public relations coordinator and I get to create new recipes for the company, so I might post a few of those as well, as I have a passion for cooking.

So, my financial goals for the year:
1) Pay off my debt
2) Consolidate my student loans (grad school added some nice, new debt :)
3) Meet with a financial advisor
4) Get a part-time job to help with the debt

I can't wait to get started and have some cash flow for once in my life.