In light of this weeks financial market problems, I thought I would share with you all some money saving tips that I've come to use.
So, it's not been called a depression yet, but it looks as though it's headed that way. The credit market is a fast sinking ship, the mortgage problem, stock market, etc is a bit sickening. Well, I'm not sure where we're headed, but I will say this... It's time to hunker down.

Time to...
*bake your own bread. It's so much more nutritious to make your own and so much cheaper.(same goes with pizza's, hamburger buns, rolls, etc)
*make and use cloth napkins, stop using paper plates and use rags instead of paper towels. (I'm not a big fan of buying something, only to throw it away instantaneously.
*make your own ice cream. I would say it is worth the investment to get an ice cream maker, simply because, like bread, it is so much more cost effective to make it than to buy it and it tastes to much better.
*Forget blockbuster, netflix, etc: go to the Library for your movie source. They usually have newer stuff and several copies.
*Stop paying for cable. Get a converter box from Walmart and get an antenna. We get almost 24 channels extremely clear and we're not paying a dime.(and we're not having fox news streaming in 24/7 and freaking us out every minute of the day! Which is good for you, wean yourself from the news people!)
*Have date nights at home: try to figure out that favorite dish from the restaurant you love and make it yourself. Put the kids to bed early, light some candles, a little romantic music and a movie to watch after dinner and voila! You've got yourself a date and you didn't spend a cent on gas or expensive menu prices.
*Use Freecycle: I love this yahoo group. There is one for your zip code. You get emails of things people are giving away for free that you just go and pick up. We've been so blessed by this!!! King size beds, couches, dining room tables, pictures, t.v's, washers and dryers, you name it!
*If the store is close, walk/bike to it!
*cloth diapers!!! I know it's a bit smelly, but when he's two, you'll have saved around $5000.
*also, cloth nursing pads. Works just as well, you just wash them after and you're saving a lot of money.
*Go to the park (instead of paying for someplace out)
*get rechargeable batteries
*for heaven's sake, stop buying coffee at 7/11 and make it before you go to work!
*wash your car on Saturday instead of taking it to a place. ("wax on, wax off!") Hook your vacuum up to the outside plug and vacuum out the rugs. Use a little windex, and you've just saved $40.
*Look at seasoning packets and find the ingredients used: I used to buy these asian seasoning packets, until I looked on the back one day and discovered it was nothing more than cornstarch, MSG and some garlic salt. What a rip off! Taco seasoning is paprika, garlic salt, and chili powder. Come on now, you've got that in your pantry!
*car pool, park and ride, find out if there is anyone in your neighborhood who you can give a ride to and who can give you a ride to work.
*fix it yourself. If it's broken, the internet has a way to fix it. Check it out!
*start an herb garden.
*dry those blankets outside instead of in the dryer.
*make your own Christmas presents. It's more special and you won't have gone into major debt for a present.
*make your own gift wrap. Get that roll of butcher paper and make potato stamps. Sew burlap bags and stamp them and tie with rafia. It's beautiful and natural looking.

Do you have any idea's? I'd love to hear them!

Here's the recipe I promised my mom of my new favorite sauce I came up with.
In a blender put:
1 chopped up red bell pepper (raw is fine, you don't have to roast it)
3/4 cup sour cream
a little bit of water, just to get things movin'.
Mrs. Dash's Southwest Chipotle seasoning-2 TB.
salt and pepper to taste.
1/4 cup parmesean cheese.

Blend it up! This cool sauce tastes great over grilled fish, or chicken, seafood, etc. So yummy!

Life is finally starting to settle down, things unpacked, life getting back to normal in a new place. Here is a picture of the front of our new home. We love it!

It is spacious and lovely and the house we've always wanted. It's perfect for our family of little ones who run around at top speed and who need a back yard to get the sillies out.

speaking of which...

Here is my gang, cuddling on mama's bed on a saturday morning in their P.J's. (don't worry, she's not pulling his hair)

Here's my little guy, getting cuter by the second.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 We are packing up this computer and heading west!!! It will be awhile before you hear from me next, but here are some photos of this weekend of enjoying Williamsburg with my precious family.

Sweet fellowship with brothers and sisters

The precious touch of grandparents and babies

Me and Jefferson

Jefferson and Josh

The lovely carriages

My sister Beth, brother Josh, brother Martyn, and Me

The stocades were busy!

  

The beautiful palace

Oh darling!

First smiles at Granny

Grandpa's little man.

 

Hope you can hear from me in a couple of weeks. We could appreciate your prayers!

Love,

Julia