Not So Frugal Jen

If you've been reading for a while you know this past year has been a crazy one. The one thing to fly right out the door was frugality. Yes, I am here to admit I'm not so frugal. Sigh.....

I've been grocery shopping without coupons and giving into every whim to buy a product. Hey, did you know eating healthy and with fresh ingredients is more expensive? Well I hope to find a way to save eating fresh and healthy.

The reason I started this blog was to chronicle my journey of spending less and still living fabulously. We have the means to live a more expensive lifestyle but we choose to live BELOW our means. Why, well we enjoy splurging on things like vacations and frankly not carrying a ton of debt. My husband is a investment consultant so we practice what he preaches. Let me tell you we've come along way. I'm a reformed shopaholic. I even struggle today.

Yes, we've been battling the urge to buy our "dream home". It's a struggle when you see your friends in these big house and fancy cars and you know you could afford it too but you choose not to. That is hard, very hard. We are trying to teach our children that life is not about material possessions so what would that teach them if we suddenly switched gears. It wouldn't be true to who I am inside either. I've found money doesn't bring happiness, remember we don't take any of the "stuff" with us. God has never called anyone to stock up on possessions and live life on earth like a king. It's quite the opposite. I try to keep that perspective when I feel bad and want to shop. I think God is calling me to be true to myself and I know what the right thing to do is. Those who know us in real life know we seem to go the opposite way of society norms. My 13 year old is one of the few who doesn't have a cell phone, cannot text and doesn't have a facebook. Call me old fashioned...

So what is my point? Well I'm ready to refocus.

• I've got to get the grocery bill down and keep the meals healthy.
• I desperately need a new wardrobe. I'm hoping to have some guest posts on mixing and matching outfits.
• Christmas is coming and I want to make some great crafty items for family and friends.
• Then there is the house. Decorating on a budget is fun. We've got some carpentry projects we are using a contractor for. Sometimes it's better to pay to get it done right the first time.

Make a Wants and Need List

Josh and I headed out for dinner on Saturday night without the kids. It's wonderful to have a built in babysitter. Kate's a wonderful big sister!

Our dinner wasn't all pleasure we had some business to attend to. We had to make a long overdue list of all the expenses and things we needed done and things we wanted. Guess what was at the top of my "want list".

A new backyard swing set for the kids. This one to be exact....

We for the most part are not impulse buyers. When it come to major purchases (over $300) we plan it and research it and get each others approval.

Madeline's Room: NEED It seems right now we've got a lot of items and they all add up fast. I am doing Madeline's room first. This weekend is a great garage sale weekend I hope to find a twin bed frame and a dresser to paint sage green. I will buy her a twin mattress new. Used beds freak me out!

Baby's Nursery: NEED Since we aren't going to find out I am going with a gender neutral theme. I found some great bedding online then happened across a used set on Craigslist for $50. I am heading to see it this week. It's got primary colors and matches many accessories I already have at home.

Patio Furniture:WANT This is becoming a need. Really it's my have to have want. I am going to wait until the end of summer when the sets go on sale and hopefully we can snatch a great deal.

What's at the top of your want/ need list?

Practice what you preach....

We've had some major changes in our life. My husband has started his own business. So with that said we are on a tight budget while we get things up and running.

I've been practicing grocery shopping for the last month. Comparing Wal-mart and Kroger. Kroger was the big winner. I spent $60 less on average at Kroger than Wal-mart. I also stuck to my list better.

So the rehearsing is over ... my meals are becoming less expensive, eating out is limited, new clothing for me is well... OUT for a while.

My favorite neighborhood garage sale is this weekend... shout out Misti! I will be armed and dangerous with my whopping $20. I plan to get some new winter clothes for little miss. I am on the hunt for a nice stylish jean jacket for me. Figure this fall and winter I will be the queen of layering.

The home improvement projects are on hold but it's all worth it. I am so proud of my husband! I would eat canned beans if I had to. Hey maybe I will loose some weight!

9 Inches Gone!

UPDATE: I AM DONATING MY HAIR TO PANTENE BEAUTIFUL LENGTHS! Donated hair is made into wigs for women who have lost their hair due to chemotreatment. Thank you Emily for sharing this program with me. It makes me more excited to cut my hair! Learn more.

Here we go.... cutting it off! I still haven't changed my mind!
I did it, actually my hair stylist Kim did it. Remember I told you she looks like Barbie, she is so pretty! I love my new hair cut!!!!! Here it is from the back.Thank you Kim for an incredible hair cut. I love it! For those of you wondering Kim is at the LifeSpa at Lifetime Fitness in Colleyville.

When I picked Little Miss up she wasn't sure about me, in her little mind she is thinking "That can't be my mommy she doesn't have a pony tail"

Thrifty Thursday - Hair Cut Time

Who remembers my post about wanting to chop off my hair? Oh that time has come again, this time I am going to do it for real! No chickening out at the last minute.

I have an appointment today at 4:00 with my fabulous girl Kim at the Life Spa. Have I told you she looks like Barbie? I am hoping by her touching my hair I can look just like her :)

So long, farewell long hair! In memory here is a look back at my long hair.... with my oldest daughter and my straight long hair do.

With my youngest daugther with my curly long hair do.

Thanks Adrien and Trina for the inspiration and the kick in the butt to just cut my hair! I hope my hair looks just as fabulous as your short sassy hair styles.

So what does this have to do with Thrifty Thursday, spend a little extra $$ and get your hair cut by a professional you trust. It's worth the extra money. Sadly I have made the mistake several times and visited the local beauty school. Um yeah, I went in for a trim and accidentally got 6 inches cut off. They didn't make me pay the $10 for my hair cut, that was the only positive.

Tuesdays Tip- Get Excited and Make Things

Something a little different for Tuesdays Tip. I saw and responded to this same post on Chrissie Grace's blog. I am very excited to be getting something special from her. She is a wonderfully creative person, check our her blog!

Those of you who have been reading for a while, know I love to make things and paint. Now 5 of you have a chance to get something from me. Now keep on reading....

Five (5) people to respond to this post will get something made by me. I am going to do a drawing for the 5 recipients tomorrow.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.

2. What I create will be just for you, with love.

3. It'll be done this year (2009).

4. I will not give you any clue what it's going to be.

5. I reserve the right to do something strange

6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for 5 to respond to your blog.

7. Send your mailing address - after I contact you.

IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if I do not see you post your own blog to pay this forward.

I can't wait to see who responds so I can get busy crafting, I plan to share my frugal creations along the way! Posh Josh I know you read, you cannot enter!

Frugal isn't easy....

My post about my living room decor dilemma stirred something in me. I've been thinking. Why am I feeling so bad about the way my living room looks? Does it really matter? What caused this?

As I was thinking it hit me! I had been browsing online decorating sites, blogs, and also visiting friends homes. I was simply jealous, I wanted new furniture and a living room like Pottery Barn. Which brings me to my point.... frugal isn't easy. So many people live impulsively and just charge it or buy it. My family does not work that way. We are patient and make big purchases after we have planned and prioritized. Don't get me wrong, we've learned along the way and have made many expensive impulsive purchases... too many to list.

How do I overcome it? Well that is a daily challenge I face. We live in a very materialistic word where bigger and newer is better. To overcome I pray and thank the Lord for my blessings and try to remember what is most important. My husband and I have our wish list and we purchase nice things when we are ready. I take my time when making big purchases and do lots of research and comparison shopping. Then when it is time I get exactly what I want. No buyers remorse. How many times have you impulsively purchased something then a couple hours later you regret it and don't like what you got?

I choose to enjoy my life and live frugally. I don't have a huge expensive home full of the latest and greatest. What I do have is a home full of love where pretentious stuff is left at the door.

Wasteless Wednesday- Shopping Spree

Last night were sitting together after the news and here come the lotto numbers: 7 yes, 49, yes, 54 yes, 28 yes, 31 yes. WE WON THE LOTTERY!!!! So you know what that means I am heading to Central Market with no coupons and no grocery list, then to Nordstrom to get those $200 jeans I've been looking at for 4 years, then I will head to the Lexus dealership to get the 2009 LX, it is only $75K no big deal right?

Really!!! No.... April Fool's . I had to do something a little silly. Honestly if I did win the lotto I would go buy those jeans but at the Nordstrom outlet.... after all I am Frugal Jen and even a lottery winning would not change that :)

Now tell me if you won the lottery what splurge would you want to purchase? Let's indulge ourselves today.....

Wasteless Wednesday

Introducing...... my new custom signature......

I would like to thank McMommy (my favorite blog to read, she has such an entertaining writing style NEVER boring)... she had a contest for a custom designed signature provided by Jennisa over at Once Upon a Blog (this girl has designed McMommy, MckMama, Steece's Pieces and Kelly's Korner some of my other fav's). I feel very lucky to have a little bit of her design!

I admit I've had blog envy seeing other blogs with these great signatures now I have one!!

This brings me to post my purpose for Frugal Fabulous....

I want to share my fun frugal ways and help others to realize Frugal doesn't have to be frumpy and cheap, Frugal can be Fabulous. I save money and still have fabulous things! With the current economic state and continued layoffs I want to provide easy ways for families to save with little time involved. There are many more ways then simply cutting back at the grocery store and those are the ways I want to share.

So keep on reading, I am thrilled to have 50 readers! You all encourage and inspire me! Remember ... when you visit I love to see comments and I enjoy hearing ways you save too.

The Year of Frugal Living 2009

2008 was a great year and a stressful year! It was also the start of Frugal Jen and this blog. After the market took at big dip (my husband is a finanical advisor) I decided to share my frugalness with others. I am so excited each day to write and most of all to know I have readers that can also save money by a tip or two. When I see I get a new follower I haven't met it makes my day.

I've talked to so many women who have in the past lived in materialism and spending and now are enlightening by frugal and happy living. I hope 2009 brings more to see the stress free frugal living and also living within their means.

Thank you for reading my blog and I hope to grow my readership and offer lots of great tips and savings for you and your families. Pass my blog to your friends, I am glad to announce you can also find this blog by visiting http://www.frugaljen.com/

God Bless you and your family in 2009! Lots of great things in store for 2009!

Merry Christmas To All

I am taking the week off from blogging. We have lots of wonderful holiday events planned. I am doing a lot of baking to do. This year I am making bags of homemade banana bread, chocolate covered pretzel sticks and sugar cookies for our family. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! Here is our Christmas card, thanks apmdesign for designing this card for us!

Thank you! Blog Award!

I was so happy to see in my inbox a blog award from my friend Noelle over at glamRbaby! Thank you very very much. I have enjoyed starting and keeping up with my new blog Frugal Fabulous. I am so very excited to have people reading and using these frugal tips. It just makes my day to help other people save a little money.

For this award I have to list 6 interresting things about myself:

1. I love to eat chips and salsa, all the time!


2. I have a business where I do custom painting.


3. I am adopted.


4. I still love the New Kids on the Block after all these years. (See my family blog for concert photos)


5. Secretly I always wanted to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.


6. I ALWAYS have a candle burning in my house it relaxes me. I love the vanilla and cake smells.

Now I award these 6 blogs the Kreativ Blogger Award.

1. My best friend Adrien apmDesign , she brought me back to my painting!


2. Alicia at Carolina Sunshine Designs - purses and painting


3. Hollie at Drama Mama - Blog Makeovers


4. Jenny at Bella Bows - beautiful bows


5. Ashlee at Milla's World - check out her cake pops!


6. Trina at Fabulously Frugalistic - frugal girl like me and she makes some creative things

Welcome to Frugal Fabulous!

Welcome! This is my first official blog on Frugal Fabulous. I will be writing several times a week with quick and easy tips to save money. A little about myself. I am a recovering extravagant shopper, I am now known as very frugal by by friends and family. With the recent events and the trend for people to live within their means I thought this would be a FABULOUS time to share my insights and tips. The road has been bumpy being reformed but our family has so much more freedom being frugal. I want people to understand it can be FABULOUS to be FRUGAL. We even went to Disney World and on the Disney Cruise this summer so being frugal isn't about cutting off all the "wants" it is about balance. I hope you enjoy this blog and forward it on to friends. Tomorrow on Monday I will posting my first tip. Monday blogs will be called, "Motivating Mondays".

Here is a photo of my Frugal First Family!

2009 Goals

I would like to thank all of you for continuing to read my blog. It is a joy to know there are people out there also trying to save money and that in someway I can help them on their journey.

Goals for Frugal Jen 2009:

• To continue to share money saving tips on this blog and expand the readership (Tell your friends about my blog) I finally have the domain http://www.frugaljen.com/ which forwards to my blog
• To finish my book about Frugal Living
• Look for and implement new ways to save!

Financial Goals for 2009:

• Continue on our "cash" system no debt (one day I will share the HARD struggle to not use credit cards)
• Save enough in our home project account for my kitchen redo
• Commit to and implement our 1 time to eat out a week (no cheating)

I would love to hear some of your goals for 2009!