are you generous or frugal

thanksgiving

2011-11-24T11:09:00.000-08:00

This morning we delivered a thanksgiving meal to a needy family. They kept saying thank you, and my heart was breaking. One man had parkinson's disease and kept shaking, and the other man found out he couldn't work anymore because there are two arteries in his brain that are blocked.

My heart is different this thanksgiving, probably due to the loss of my mother. My heart is open and willing, and feels more compassion to the poor and needy around me. We are not called to change the world, just a few lives of those around us.

Good Will and leopard pants

2011-11-23T09:09:00.000-08:00

I discovered Good Will four years ago when I was looking for some "play" clothes for my kids. At the same time, I was in the market for some new pants because I had lost some weight.

I was so surprised at the brand names....Ann Taylor, Gap, Abercrombie, and how clean the store was. This is when my love affair with GW began. I am addicted now. And when they opened one next door to the grocery store....I knew I was in trouble.

These never-been-worn leopard pants were $6.99 and they were screaming out my name. The original price tag said $169. Not sure who would ever pay that much for a pair of pants. (Oh, and they were in my size too.)

starting to blog...

2011-11-23T08:38:00.000-08:00

My dad was the most frugal man I know. Growing up, he followed us around the house and switched off the light immediately after we left a room. Shades had to stay down in the summer....it was like living in a cave. Showers consisted of cold water trickling out. Light bulbs were never over 15 watts and the hallway light was actually a night light. Patches were placed on shirts, usually over the elbows. Living in Chicago, I froze in the winter. The thermostat was set to 60. Who wants to live like that?

So if anyone knows how to save a buck, or shop for deals, it's me. I don't live in a cave or take cold showers anymore. But when I shop, I usually don't spend full price on an item.

My friends have told me for months to start a blog about what I buy and how. I am not sure I want people to know my secrets....

Oh, did I also mention that in addition to growing up in a cold cave, we didn't have a tv?