I am the mother of three sons…three sons that I did NOT want to grow up dependant on a woman, whether it be a mother or future wife, to cook and clean for them. I was a stay-at-home mom, but that shouldn’t make a difference in teaching kids responsibility.  So at a fairly young age, I had them learn various life lessons for themselves. They made their own breakfast, did their own laundry, learned to sew on a button, and had basic cooking lessons. At age 15, they got their own checking account and learned just how fast money can disappear, or accumulate, depending on their spending habits. And of course, they all had required chores to help around the house.

After successfully staging my home, I’m helping my friend stage her house for selling. So far, we have spent very little money by reusing pretty items that she already had or by making decorations with supplies from the local thrift store. You can do this easy project yourself with great finds from the thrift store or around the house.

Being my frugal self, there’s a part of me that hates throwing away Mylar balloons after a party.  They sadly float around the room, each day hovering lower and lower, until finally they’re just too sad and flimsy to tolerate and I throw them away. 

Peppermint Mocha, Gingerbread Latte, Caramel Brulee from Starbucks.  The only thing better than these yummy coffee treats during the holidays is the Buy One, Get One FREE Event going on right now from Nov. 17-20, 2-5 pm.   Just buy any one holiday drink, and get the other for free.  Yes, FREE! 

This Friday, Geri, myself and 2 friends are staying in for movie night.  Our friend is living in a condominium complex that has a small private theater, so she’s reserved the whole space for us!  We’ll bring something for dinner, popcorn and snacks, and make a night of it.