Time is definitely not on my side.  I try to beat the clock everyday. Sometimes, I win and sometimes I lose. I used beat myself up if I did not get all the things done on my to do list finished.  Now I am lucky if I can find my to do list.  My weekends seem to fly by, so I have to use my breaks at work and lunch time.  Multitasking s now my middle name.  Here are some ways I use to beat the clock.

1. I call my cell phone and leave myself messages on what  I have to do.  I just listen to the voice mail. 

2. I keep envelopes and extra paper and stamps at my desk for quick mailings.  I also keep an calendar at my desk of my daily routine.

3.  My bag is always packed the night before, so I wont forget anything.

4.  I have a specific day of the week for certain tasks.  Monday(phone calls) Tuesday(mail and mailings) Wednesday(Coupon clipping /Shopping) Thursday(My side business) Friday( House business)  Saturday(I write several different Logs) Sunday (prepare for the next week, look at weekly store ads)

5. I use the free bill pay from my bank.  It saves a lot of time and money.

6. For bills that require a check, I send money orders.  49 cents and I don't have to check to see if the a check has cleared.

7. I usually have mailing labels for my mail.  I will usually stick them to envelopes on one of my breaks at work.  Since most of my bills come with a payment slip and envelope, there is nothing to write out.   I will also print out mailing labels for mail that I use monthly.   Some printing companies will print these for your for the same amount as a regular  copy.   Savings on ink and labels.

8. My grocery store has money orders, ATM, Red box movies, and mini post office.   I use all there services that are afforded to me. One stop shopping.

9. In one of my earlier tips, On Sundays, I will usually get the email  ads for the stores that I frequent to cut down on paper.  I then check to see if there are coupons that I need.

10.If things get to hectic, I trade off with friends.   I will barter for services that I cannot complete or needs adjustments.   You will be surprised what you can get, by just asking.

Being frugal, doesn't always mean money savings.    I try to save myself at least an hour a week just for myself.   It might not seem like a lot to some people, but to me it is like heaven.  It's about time. 

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It seem like I have been thrifty all my life.   Saving things to be used later on.   Taking a little bit and making it stretch(hopefully).  I use to find scraps/bits of anything at thrift shops, garage sales, even on the street, trying to make something out of nothing.   I still do.   I would like impart some of scraps tips with you.  Some of my tips might be old hat.  Some might be new. 

1. I make my own business cards which are perforated.  I notice the leftovers were perfect sizes for message and words when I make my greeting cards.

2.  When I am punching holes in paper(Ihave the hole punch that has a  little catch all, so it keeps the dots together., I keep the leftover holes for additional decoration for my crafts projects.  Cheaper than buying confetti. 

3.  I have started walking to get my self into shape. I find interesting things along the way.  I found what looks like part of an old hanger, which happens to be plastic.  The shape reminds me of Egypt writing.  Just a quick clean and I have a template.

4. I collect old ceral boxes.   I use them to make chipboard letters and embellishments.  You can use just about any food box.  Recycleing and no need to buy chip board letters.   You can do it one of two ways.   Paint the box and draw your shape on the other side or apply decorative paper and draw your shape onthe other side.  Both ways work just as well.

5.Buy old puzzles pieces at a trhrift store or garage sale. I use them to make earring, add decoration to greeting cards or other craft projects.   They are also good to make paper pulp with.  Try it.  It might take several days for the fibers to break down.

6. When I go the store I always head to the clearance section.  Once I found a pice of foam for 10 cents, only because someone had stepped on it.  Don't let that bother you.  You can either glue that side down or cover the spot with other decorations.

7. Don't throw away old earrings.  They are the start of a great necklace, bracelet, ankelet a free for all non-matching necklace(my favorite kind).

8. I take the cards out of magazine to use like chip board.  Not only do they give my greeting cards a little mor stabiity, They are free.  Because I visit doctors  offices,waiting rooms, they are free for taking.  I can paint them add, other paper to them and they are FREE.

9.Leftove material from sewing projects(I do not sew) can me used as embellishments.  Even is the edge is ragged, use can always add ribbin, old earring, paper to cover up the edges.

And finally

10. I find a lot my beads at thrift shops.  I love working with wooden beads.  Sometimes they are not in the best condition.  My husband brought me a portable dremel.  If there is a piece missing I drill a hole on the other side. Slide an piece of wire and I'm good to go.  Or if paint is on a bead, no problem, just keep adding paint or markers until you get something you like.  I found these two black wooden rings and the bottom of a barrel.  They were free of cours.  Both of them had what look like paint.  I just continued to dab paint (which was copper color) on the reamaining pieces.  I used copper and black to beads to finish the necklace. Turn out great.

See scraps are not meant to be thrown away  Use them to your advantage and you will come out with something unexpected and pretty.  If you want to hear some tips email me atJetr46@aol.com

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I love going to thrift shops, flea markest and garage sales.   I really love to pick up old jewelry and clothing.   I remember one time, when my daughter was small.  I used to go into some of the better children stores and see what the new colors were and style.  I stopped in KidsRUs.  My daughter saw a pair of painted jeans that she wanted badly.  The problem was the jeans(she was wearing size 4) were $13.00.  At that time they were two expensive for my budget.  Every other counter we went by she wanted this and that.   I was a single parent, living on a very strict budget( which meant no money for let overs.   After she went to school, I went to the local thrift store.  It just so happen that certain colored tags were half off.  I even found the same jeans my daughter want and they already had paint on them(the jeans cost me 50 cents.  I also found come craft paint, beads, buttons, trims as well.   I got so excited I ran home washed every thing and started to work.  I left the thrift store with two garage bags of clothes.  I make sure that I put matches together.  I did so well that the teacher had sent a note home with my daughter asking that could I please send my daughter home in her old clothes because of all the painting and working they were doing.  I just laughed to my self.  If she only knew.  Just a little imagination, work, and creativity will do. 

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