IT'S YARD SALE SEASON!!

I love May for many reasons. Aside from the blooming flowers and the fact that summer is just around the corner, it's spring cleaning time and Yard Sales are in full bloom! One man's trash is another man's treasure. I can't drive by a garage sale without stopping if it looks interesting....no matter what kind of a hurry I'm in. This drives my husband absolutely crazy, but he puts up with it because I'm frugal! I love a good deal. Bargain is my FAVORITE word! I clip coupons, ad match all the weekly grocery ads at Walmart, I even get restaurant meals, entertainment, skincare, you name it at 30-50% off (citydeals, groupon, groupdealz). I try and hit the classifieds on a daily basis. I keep a list of items I'm interested in getting (furniture, toys, housewares, baby items) taped on my computer screen and I'm always excited to see if in a 5 minute search, today will be my lucky day and maybe I'll hit the jackpot! Most people brag about how MUCH they spent on something, I brag about how CHEAP I got it. Craiglist, Freecyle, Ebay, Woot, Nickleads, D.I., crash and dent and discount warehouses, Antique stores....you name it, I like it! It doesn't matter what type of store I'm in I always ask where the discount and seasonal aisles are and start my shopping there (grocery stores too). I'm not bothered one bit by owning something that is gently used, (except mattresses and underwear...just not ready to go down that road yet) I figure I can stretch $1 to $3/$5/$10 by purchasing this way . Most of my favorite pieces of furniture, art, clothing, and hand bags are second hand. This week alone I scored a $400 rug from RC Willey for $30 (craigslist.com), a $350 artificial ficus tree from Tai Pan trading for $33 (KSL.com), a gorgeous 7 ft. palm for $35 (D.I.) and a $500 lot of Bakugans (100 plus battle arena, carrying cases, wrist launcher, lot's of extras) on Ebay for $65. I hope my children learn the value of money, frugality, saving, and the privilege to earn something through hard work and sacrifice. None of this buy it now, pay for it later mentality. Work hard for it and you'll appreciate it. Never buy anything on credit (have to build credit score somehow) that you don't already have in the bank to pay it off. Thanks to my mother who taught me everything, she's my hero shopper!

LOOK WHAT I FOUND IN A NOOK OF THE CRANNY!

I love the Nook & Cranny in Lehi. It's the cutest little ma and pa antique and second hand store this side of the Mississippi. You really never know what you are going to find there. Almost everything is on Consignment so it changes every day. My house is literally full of wonderful N&C treasures; antique glass bottles, cups and saucers, old drawer trundle chest, etc., etc. I stopped in Friday with my SIL-S Andi for a quick shop, and low and behold tucked away on a little shelf I found:

I know, I know, it's just a bag of chips....but not just ANY chips, Old Dutch Salt n' Vinegar from our good ol' neighbors to the north, that being Canada for those of you who don't know your geography. Don't worry, they're not antiques. One of the Consigners is from Canada and he comes baring treats of deliciousness all the time, mostly candy bars so I've never seen these before. Looking upon this bag of chips brought back a flood of memories from an entire family vacation to Canada back in 1989. Truly, one bag of chips did all that! We ate these on our trip, so suddenly I was whisked back to hot pink earrings and a ruffled mini skirt over black lace leggings, New Kids on the Block, relaxing in a bean bag in the camper of our Ford 350 Club Cab Dually (lovingly known of as The Blue Mule cuz it was bright blue and dad had a silver mule as the hood ornament that had orange eyes that lit up when the headlights were turned on) as we drove the winding roads around Glacier National Park with the back camper window open. Good times. I was 14, can't believe all the possibilities I dreamed of on that vacation, one of which was marrying Jordan Knight from NKOTB. My brothers were just toddlers then, now they have toddlers. Life goes too fast. I hope my memories never fade.

DIAPER DUTY!

In case you are wondering, no, you are not looking at a picture of the diaper aisle at Walgreen's. This is a shelf in the baby's closet. I managed to round up this stash during an incredible Walgreen's diaper sale. Why so many? Because what are regularly $9/ea jumbo pack ended up netting $2.50/ea thanks to a buy one get one free sale, as well as a coupon for $2 off per pack! Yes it was a major victory in my book. These diapers are truly fantastic. They are as good if not better than the name-brand, so when you can get them at 75% off, it's almost highway robbery! I bought every size, including training/night time pants. I am hoping I bought enough to last until she is in underwear. So I guess I officially have a 2+ year supply of diaper (food) storage. Too bad they are not edible. I guess if worse came to worse I could barter them off, or use them as first-aid compresses if someone is bleeding to death. A big thanks to my fabulous SIL Andi who gave me the heads up on the sale...and to Silas. My sweet little 3 year old, who not only endured being dragged in and out of his car seat for half the day while I drove to 8 different Walgreen's, but for doing it without one tantrum, fit or tear. It was a good day!