FREE ON-LINE STOP WATCH

Have you ever found yourself cooking or baking and you log on to your computer for a few minutes, only to forget you had something baking in the oven?  Even though I turn my oven timer on sometimes I just can't hear it when I'm in another room or when I'm engrossed in something on my computer!

I found this site www.online-stopwatch.com that has already helped me.  A free stop-watch on my computer.  This would also be a wonderful tool for those of you who have family members who need to share the computer.  Just set the timer and go.  Very user friendly.  What useful tool have you found on-line that you could share with us?

Thrift Store Shopping

Most of us have a local thrift store or resale shop close to where we live.  If you haven't checked them out yet you are missing some great bargains!   You can find almost anything in these shops from books, toys, glassware, jewelry, clothing, furniture, and more.  If  I have a particular item I'm  looking for and don't have to have it immediately, chances are I'll find it at one of these stores if I just keep checking back.


Before you shop these stores you should do some research.  Know what is a bargain and what isn't.  One of the stores I shop at has begun to raise it's prices and sometimes I can buy an item "new" for the price they ask, so I have learned not to purchase something there until I'm sure I'm getting a bargain.  Their books at 70 cents each are a bargain!  The outdoor yard decoration for $9.00 was overpriced. 


Also, it's not a bargain if you really can't use it.  Think before you buy: 
1. Is it a bargain
2.  Will I really use it?
3.  Do I have room for it?


My last resale shop bargain was a beautiful basket for $1.00.  What have been some of your favorite finds?

TIME FOR NEW FOCUS

It has been over a year ago that I started this blog.  For me it has been fun just writing about things that are dear to my heart; especially family!  But when I started GrandmaB's Simple Living, it was supposed to have the purpose of helping people to save money by learning to do things in a simple way.  I lost my focus almost from the beginning!

Over the next few weeks I will be taking the focus back.  I will be posting tips and ways to save money.  I plan to include some easy, healthy, inexpensive recipes along with ways to find the best prices on everyday items.

I really hope that you will leave comments and your own ideas on this site so that we can help each other to survive in this tough economy.

Thanks for your support and I hope you will drop by often.
Blessings,
GrandmaB

FIVE FAVORITE MEN IN MY LIFE!

While browsing through some photos this week I found this one of my five favorite fellows.  They are my family, starting with my 3 sons, Scott, Dale, and Jason.  Next is my wonderful husband Sidney who I have been married to since 1967.  And the man on the end is my  late father-in-law, Sidney Sr.

I am so proud of each one of these men.  They have brought so much joy to my life.  I thank God for the privilege of having them in my life.

Who do you have in your  life that has brought joy to you?

MAKING A BUDGET

At age 60, it was strongly encouraged by my children that I should set up a budget for my household.  All of my bills are paid on time each month and I seldom need to use a credit card, so I wasn't too sure about needing an actual budget.  After asking some questions it was suggested that I use an envelope method like http://www.daveramsey.com/ suggests.  

Setting up my categories has been tough for me because I couldn't decide if groceries and miscellaneous should go together or be separated.  Should I put animal feed for the horse and chickens in the same category with dog food since I purchase dog food with my groceries?  See what I mean?

I made my categories, labeled my envelopes and filled them with the set amount of cash.  Here is what this old timer has found:  I can't remember to take my envelopes with me and keep the cash separated so it's back to the debit card.   It is just hard for me to break old habits so the following is what seems to be working for me:

I went to my computer and opened the program "Excel".  I made categories just as I would for envelopes.  I made one column for a spending catagory, another for the amount budgeted monthly, another with the amount spent and the final for the balance left for the month.  I am keeping ALL receipts and post them in the proper category.

What I am finding is that I spend more than I thought in some areas, and less in others.  By the end of February I should have a really good idea where every cent of my money is going.  I'll let you know how this is working for me as time goes on.

Meanwhile, isn't it time for you to know where your money is going?  If you haven't started a budget for the current year, then stop and do it today.  I wish I had done it sooner!

Blessings
GrandmaB

THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD

While driving to work one morning this week I looked out over the frost covered fields and remembered how much, as a child,  I enjoyed walking to school.  I especially liked the walk when the lawns were covered in frost.  The frost always fascinated me as it layered the grass in what seemed like little jewels.  I also loved the smell of the air on those crisp mornings.  Somehow, I didn't seem to notice that it was also cold outside, because I spent my entire walk exploring things around me.

Yesterday, we got a big ole' Missouri snowstorm.  All of the kids were excited at the thought of snow coming, and even did a "snow dance" at the daycare just to give extra insurance to the fact that IT WOULD ARRIVE! 

I thought to myself, wouldn't it be wonderful to see the world again through the eyes of a child?  Just to be excited again about snow, or frost, or other wonders that God has given us.

May the Lord restore to us the "eyes of a child" that we can see the little things in a new way!

Blessings,
GrandmaB