Say Yes to Carrots. No, not eating them, but putting them on your face and hair. I was shopping at Walgreen’s and saw this new line of products that are sold exclusively at the store called Yes to Carrots. They’re a new range of skin, hair and body products made from organic fruits, veggies, and blended with Dead Sea mud. And the best news is they’re not that expensive. When I’ve finished with the products I’m currently using I’ll definitely be checking them out. Check out their Web site at www.yes-to-carrots.com. You can also buy the products from the Web site; you’re clicked through to Walgreen’s.

I thought fall had arrived, but now we’re back to heat and humidity. Cleaning up leaves isn’t much fun when it’s that hot, but it’s a chance to get outside and do some more free things before winter arrives. A couple of week’s ago we took a picnic lunch to our local park/lake and then went for a hike. This past weekend we strolled around one of the nearby lakes and then went browsing in antique stores. All free entertainment and a lot of fun.

And isn’t it amazing to see what ends up these stores? It seems like it’s not only antiques these days but yet more stuff people no longer need. One was a consignment antique store; some of the stuff was old, some not so old. Or I hope not that old because I remember growing up using some of the items they were selling!

I skipped visiting the library over the summer, but now I’m back to my reading schedule. My local library system allows you to put together your own reading list in an account you set up. From that list you can select the books you want, they’re placed on reserve and then you get an e-mail notice when they’re ready to pick up. Now if they’d only bring them to my door! Only kidding, this is a great and free service and I don’t know what I’d do without it. It saves both money and time. I have about 70 books on my current list. Some I know I have a long wait for... I’m number 278 for some of the more popular titles. But if you’re patient enough, look at the money you save.


For money saving tips visit www.gardenandhearth.com/Bargain-Shopping.htm and www.gardenandhearth.com/EatingWellonaBudget.htm

We don’t have any flea markets in our area, but one thing that seems to be popping up every month or so is a shop that sells second hand items to raise money for different charities. Last week a resell store opened and all the proceeds go to help the local food shelf. I saw a couple of photos in the local newspaper and it looked like they have lots of furniture and paintings. I haven’t been in there yet, but thought I’d take a look one of these days. There a bit like garage sales...you’re not really looking for anything when you go there, but you always seem to find something you can use.

In this week’s Budget Smart Girl’s Guide I’m featuring pet insurance so if you have a pet be sure to check it out. My cat is due for his annual vaccinations and wellness examination. I know he needs to get his teeth cleaned too. It’s amazing that it’s almost four times the price of getting my teeth cleaned and checked.

The first taste of fall weather had me in an organizing state of mind. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to organize the pantry or my closet, so I finally opted on my closet so I can start to organize the sweaters I know I’ll be needing very soon. Organizing is also a good way to save money. You sometimes think you’ve lost something, go out and buy a new one, only to discover you never really lost the first one. And with clothing you can reorganize it and see what ‘essentials’ you’re missing and buy accordingly.

Speaking of clothes I just received the Chadwicks catalog, you can get a free red jacket with any order. www.chadwicks.com


For money saving tips visit www.gardenandhearth.com/Bargain-Shopping.htm and www.gardenandhearth.com/EatingWellonaBudget.htm

Is it my imagination or did we skip from summer to fall in a couple of days? Last week it was sweltering hot, today I’m thinking about digging out a sweater or two.
And I don’t know about you but catalogs full of Christmas items have been dropping into my mailbox. It began the day after Labor Day and hasn’t let up yet. Does the push to get your holiday money get earlier each year or is that my imagination too?

After the dismal economic reports and employment figures that were released last week, I wonder if retail sales are going to be down this holiday season? Maybe that’s why companies are thinking let’s hit the shoppers with the catalogs before they realize they don’t have any money.

At lease my local supermarket hasn’t skipped Halloween. When I shopped in there last week they were starting to fill the shelves with all the candies and costumes. But I’m taking a guess as soon as November 1st rolls around we’ll see Santa and the gang hit the shelves.

I finally made it out to the local farmer’s stand last week. I bought a whole bunch of stuff reading to make soups. I saw that their trays of tomatoes were $12 each, and I’m very tempted to buy one and make my own sun dried tomatoes. They also had basil a $1 a bunch, it used to be 50 cents, but it’s still a bargain. Now I’m thinking when will I have time to make up some pesto sauce to freeze for the winter.

I headed outside to pull some more weeds from the flowerbeds, hopefully for the last time this year. One of the trees in our front yard has also been dropping its leaves for the last four weeks and it feels like fall already. Every year when my back starts to ache from raking I say the same thing, if I only had a dollar for each one. Or in our yard, even a penny a leaf would yield me a significant amount of money.

I started to write a new novel a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t written one for many years and I’ve been making myself write for at least an hour a day. Sometimes it’s hard when you write for a living and the last think you want to do is quit for the day and go and write some more. It’s a bit like trying to save money and stick with a budget, it’s hard to get yourself into the habit, but after a while it becomes second nature and you don’t give it a second thought.


For money saving tips visit www.gardenandhearth.com/Bargain-Shopping.htm and www.gardenandhearth.com/EatingWellonaBudget.htm

Did anyone see America’s cheapest family featured on 20/20? The couple has five children and live on $35,000 a year. I especially liked the segment showing them in the grocery store armed with walkie-talkies so they can tell one another about items that are sale and match them up with their coupons. Their philosophy is a few pennies turns into a few dollars, that turns into a few hundred dollars and then a few thousands dollars. And it’s true. When I use coupons on my local supermarket’s double coupon day I save an average of $12 to $20. If you missed the show check out the story at www.abcnews.go.com/2020.story?id=3432477&page=1
They also have a book called America’s Cheapest Family Get You Right on the Money.

I’m writing about fall fashions on this week’s Budget Smart Girl’s Guide. One line of clothing I didn’t mention was Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker. www.bittensjp.com. Check out the fall preview, there’s some really great stuff. I haven’t checked out any of the clothes yet, but definitely intend to because everything retails for under $20 The idea behind the line fits in perfectly with the Budget Smart Girl’s philosophy that you can still look great and have money left over to live.


For money saving tips visit www.gardenandhearth.com/Bargain-Shopping.htm and www.gardenandhearth.com/EatingWellonaBudget.htm