Kids Activities Blog» budget

How to Make a Lego Costume (& win a $50 Lowes Card)

Rachel — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 10:31:10 +0000

We try to make the kids costumes each Halloween. This year, Lowes inspired us to “think outside the box” and with the help of a giant appliance box (Thank you handy shopping assistant Doug!!) and a couple of cans of spray paint as well as several smaller boxes we had Legos. Human Legos. Check out Lowes Creative Ideas page for lots of other tips and ideas on how you can decorate for Halloween. Tell me about your costumes – best idea, as determined by the kids, wins a $50 gift card to Lowes.
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Lego blocks are one of our favorite things to play with. All. Day. Long. The kids absolutely love building and creating. Red is my son’s favorite color. He’s thrilled with his costume – and I was thrilled with how easy it was to create. All it took was a short trip to my local Lowes.

How to Make a Lego Costume?

Spray paint your boxes. We needed to do about 5-6 coats.

Cut out neck, arm and leg holes.

Add “circles” and arm straps – and viola! You’re a Lego!

We would love for you to check out the sponsor for today’s post. Lowes has tons of Creative ideas. They are on facebook and have a fascinating magazine full of DIY tips and inspiration.

Thanks Lowes for sponsoring Quirky Momma this month!!

Have you been inspired by a costume? I’d love to hear about it or see what your kids will be wearing for Halloween this year!

The costume idea that most enthralls my kids will win a $50 gift card to Lowes and we’ll feature the best of the ideas mentioned in a round-up “Best Costumes” post for next week!

Work From Home Job Ideas for Moms

Rachel — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:50:21 +0000

I never imagined myself to be a working-momma, but I became one. A few years ago I started QM as a journal of sorts – now it pays for the groceries – Woot! I am sure I am not the only mom to say that in this economy, having a little extra income is a blessing. Intuit has a competition going on right now, Love a Local Business, where you can nominate yourself, a friend or a business you love for a grant – up to $25,000 is awarded to a local business each month (yes, that’s 25K – I’m in shock!). Note – votes are like raffle tickets – the more votes a business has the more chances they have to win.

Are you looking to work from home? Or do you work from your home? If so, leave a comment and tell us more about your job or the one you hope to get! Also, if you nominate yourself, let me know so I can vote for you!!

Teach lessons like yoga or scrap-booking at a local community center. Some offer free babysitting and gym memberships as additional perks in addition to pay.
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Be a personal assistant. Run errands for them. One reader got paid to pick up medications, groceries and check on an elderly man each day.
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One hubby works from home as a freelance graphics design artist.
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Stock photographer. Michelle of Some Girl’s Website contributes to her family through photo sales (and tells you how!!)
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Write! You can be a writing teacher, freelance writer, a content writer for blogs/websites, proof reader for other writers, etc.
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Be a Sales Rep for a company. Here are a few companies that our readers have/are selling with: WildTree Herbs, Juice Plus+, Usbourne Books, Avon, Silpada Jewelry, etc.
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Be a photographer for special events (ex: weddings, senior portraits or maternity/newborns, etc.)
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Teach lessons from home. Becky and Jennifer give lessons on musical instruments from their homes. I know of another reader who teaches a preschool art class weekly in her dining room. Two other readers tutor and help children with their homework after school.
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Medical or Legal Transcriptionist. Type up court proceedings or medical notes after the kiddos go to bed.
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Make stuff to sell on Etsy, CraftMall, Ebay, etc.
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Creative Job Ideas: Rachele is a professional clown and entertains kiddos at Birthday parties, another reader runs a petting zoo, others bake bread, decorate cakes, create cloth diapers, etc.
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Social Media or Marketing consultant. Aka Brand-advocate blogger or someone who works on behalf of brands.
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Website/blog designer. More than one reader says she enjoys creating websites for others during naptime.
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Treasurer for a local organization or charity.
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Design or test apps for ipads, blackberry’s, androids, etc. I worked as a beta tester for various software programs prior to becoming a blogger – you do not need any “experience” to be a beta tester.
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WAHM Jobs that require degrees:

Educational Curriculum Designer. Work either for a publisher or freelance and sell through CurrClick or ebooks.
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Accountant/Bookkeeper. A number of you said you helped your self-employed hubby’s with the book-keeping and a couple of you were certified public accountants working out of your homes.
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Lawyer. Architect. Software designer. Market Research Consultant.
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One happy reader is a Physical Therapist. Another is a work-from-home social worker. Another is a college professor at an online University.
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Many thanks to the facebook fans and twitter followers who helped compile this great list of stay-at-home-mom jobs.

I’ve loved starting and running my own blogging business, so I’m curious to know: What dream business would you love to start? Or what is your at-home business? By replying you will be entered to win an iPad 2!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Intuit’s Love A Local Business competition. Thanks Intuit! The opinions and text are all mine. Contest runs August 10 to September 1, 2011. A random winner will be announced by September 6, 2011. Official Contest Rules

It’s Playtime: Play with Recycled Items

Rachel — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:19:41 +0000

Is your recycling bin overflowing? Mine is! Here are four ideas of ways you can turn your trash into treasure – or at least half an hour of play and exploration!
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Melissa over at The Chocolate Muffin Tree (one of my favorite blogs!) used the lid of a dish soap bottle, an old CD and a balloon to make a hovercraft. I’m sure this will be a huge hit one rainy day in the future!

Jaime, my partner and co-host of the It’s Playtime link-ups added a tutorial on how to use cans to create a unique and musical windchime. It looks great!

Cathy over at Preschool Play used old buckets, kitchen pans, tubs and other discarded items to create an outdoor musical station for her kids. I bet her kids love it, I know mine would (even the neighbors wouldn’t .

And every parent of toddlers and early preschoolers has gads of diapers leftover from when either they outgrew a size or that the kids got ahold of and tore the sticky parts off, or whatever… Andrea of Jada Roo found a use for those spare diapers and had fun doing a science experiment with her kids. I bet they loved squishing the silica!

Those were my favorite posts from last week’s link ups, I featured a number others on the Quirky Momma facebook wall – and hope you will have fun browsing the posts that are linked up over the next few days – I know I will!

The It’s Playtime weekly link-up is featured on the following blogs – check them out to see the different play-themed posts they are featuring:
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Rachele : Messy Kids
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Let us know you love us, make our day & link back to us in your post/blog.
* Visit on Thursdays. Link-up a post about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It’s Playtime community.
* Each hostess will pick posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you)

P.S. Printables, giveaways and reviews will be deleted, we are trying to keep this link-up party about playing with our kids.

Edible Chapstick: Make Your Own Lipbalm for Kids

Rachel — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:40:04 +0000

Do your preschoolers use a ton of chapstick? Mine do! And I needed an alternative to help their cracking lips (gotta love winter weather) and something that I felt safe with them ingesting. I was inspired after reading about a friend who mixed shortening and a juice mix to create a yummy edible lip balm. We adapted it slightly. We like a “harder” solution – here’s what we made, and my kids love it!

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What you will need make your own edible lip balm:

1/2 a cup of vegetable shortening
1 teaspoon of Jello Mix – we used cherry.
3 Vitamin E Capsules
Some plain wax shavings
Small containers – we recycled used containers of party-sized playdough.

How we made our own chapstick:

Melt the shortening in a saucepan. Add the vitamin E capsules and the wax shavings. If you like your chapstick to be soft you can skip this step. We used a little less than a teaspoon of shavings and it made the lip balm a nice consistency (we think). As the fats are melted add the jello crystals. Stir till mostly dissolved. The jello adds a nice scent. If you want more coloring to your balm you can add more crystals (or use colored wax instead of plain). Pour your balm into your containers. Place in the fridge to set – after about 15 to 20 min your lip balm should be ready for you to enjoy!
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For similar posts, check out our list of Favorite Non-Food Kid Recipes! We have recipes for goop, playdough, finger paint, and more!
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Organizing the Home, On a Dime!

Rachel — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:05:50 +0000

My house has clutter, lots of clutter and I am often in awe of some of those super organized mommas! Nicole from Restrained Chaos has offered to guest post a few of her organization tips… I love them! They are cheap and easy! Hope you can take and glean from them as I have. Here is Nicole in her own words:

Now, I can’t give the key to total organization. This is not because it’s a secret from Martha Stewart’s vault or hidden in a remote (and very clean) monastery in Tibet. Honestly, I haven’t figured it out myself. After 6 years of domesticity, you think I’d know something about organizing and how to make many things fit in a limited amount of space. And, yes, I do have some tips gained through an entire marriage (so far) lived in small student apartments with no storage to speak of. Small spaces and the ever-increasing stuff that comes with kids have forced me to think creatively about how I organize, particularly in my kitchen and pantry. I reevaluated the way my mom did things and had to throw out what was not working for my family. It’s amazing what you can re-purpose if you put your mind to it.

Some Quirky Home Organization Tips:

1. Keep your Kool-Aid packets in a notecard organizer.
Who knew that those little boxes meant to hold 3×5 cards would be just the right size for Kool-Aid and the odd cocoa packets. I literally had this epiphany 2 hours ago.

2. Use a shower organizer to hold garlic, and potatoes in your pantry.
We had a multi-tiered metal shower unit that wouldn’t fit in our current bathroom. So, instead of sending it into storage, we tucked it into a corner of our pantry to hold the things that need to breathe to stay fresh. I originally kept onions on it too, but it seems potatoes and onions have an antipathy towards each other. I now keep my onions in a separate perforated tub with a handle.

3. Keep your knives in a tupperware container.
Growing up, it seemed like the only solutions for storing knives were either in a block or in a drawer beneath the counter. Having been poked by the knives in the drawer one too many times, and unwilling to use counter space for a block, I had a Brilliant Idea early on in our marriage. I keep my knives-the nice pretty ones side by side with the Walmart specials-in a tupperware container just big enough to fit them. It tucks neatly in the cabinet next to my plates. This keeps the kids safe and Momma happy.

4. Use applesauce cups for measuring.
Did you know that individual serving size applesauce are each a 1/2 c.? So, in theory, you can wash and reuse the leftover cups. I find the half cup measure is the one I use most of all. Instead of having to worry about whether my measuring cup is dirty, I simply grab a clean applesauce cup. And, since they are meant to be disposable, I have no problem using them for holding paint or other goopy, messy things. If a cup is too filthy, gets mangled, or can’t be cleaned off, you can throw it away without remorse. It just means you have to buy another packet of individual applesauces. I’m sure your kids won’t mind helping you empty them. Aren’t they helpful?

5. Get an ottoman or coffee table with storage space within.
Although I don’t have the room for my coffee table (it’s pining away in storage), we have discovered how useful a storage ottoman is. It can be a footrest, a low table, and a seat for little people. However, I would never have bought it if not for the internal storage space. Now, when a neighbor or friend sits on the ottoman, they have no idea their rump is reposing right above my cloth diaper stash. I keep my Gdiaper pants, the waterproof liners, and the cloth insert (along with wipes and cornstarch for rashes) all tucked away in my lovely ottoman. It’s almost as cool as a secret passageway through a bookshelf. Almost.

6. Drink out of mason jars.
For those who preserve food by canning, one look in closets and pantries can reveal an overflow of empty jars. I just plain don’t have the room to let empty jars languish on my shelves. Any opened (and then emptied and cleaned) jar is immediately pressed into service as a glass. It’s not only economical. I find that I enjoy the rustic charm they impart.

Or maybe they just remind me of my moon-shining, horse-thieving ancestors.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the many shortcuts and tricks I use in my home. I just wanted to share what I have found useful in our home. How have you creatively re-purposed storage to accommodate your home, lifestyle, or current needs? Please share, I could always use another tip to help me make (and keep) our home organized.

Want to read more about homeschooling, geeky and yet crunchy momma, Nicole? Read her blog! You won’ t be disappointed.

Much thanks to House of Sims and The Kitchen Designer for contributing photos!

List of Super-Cheap Grocery Stores

Rachel — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:42:32 +0000

Are you feeling the post-holiday belt crunch? I know our budget is a bit tighter each winter. One of my favorite ways to save is through hounding our local discount grocery store (aka Bent and Dents). Most of the food is at or near its expiration date, and many of the cans or boxes are beat up, but often I can find food for half the price it would be at the regular grocery store. Be sure to check the food before you eat it to make sure that it hasn’t spoiled, and enjoy watching your grocery expenses shrink! I hope one of these stores are near you! If one is missing from this list, let me know in the comments and I will update it!

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Salvage Grocery Stores Listed by State

Alabama

Alexander City, Walker’s Bent-N-Dent, 16 Main Street, 256-377-1733
Andalusia, Family Discount Foods, 22709 Highway 55, Ph 334-881-0169
Anniston, Boo’s Salvage Grocery, 3100 Noble St., Ph 256-235-2008
Anniston, C & D Salvage Grocery, 5139 Eulaton Road, 256-237-0224
Anniston, Paw Paw’s Salvage Grocery, 229 South Wilmer Ave., 256-237-2506
Luverne, Bobbies Discount Grocery, 903 West 3rd. St. 334-335-2626
Lynn, Lynn Salvage Grocery, 344 East Main Street, 205-893-5103
Nauvoo, County Line Salvage Grocery, 15759 Highway 5, 205-697-2400
Piedmont, Piedmont Salvage Grocery, 106 East Alabama Street 256-447-8602
Shelby, Shelby Discount Grocery, 4814 Highway 47, 205-670-0038
Verbena, Sandy’s Bent-N-Dent Grocery, 6545 US Highway 31, 205-755-4301

Arizona

Cornville, Grocery Surplus Outlet LLC., 9435 Cornville Road, 928-639-3869
Mesa, American Discount Foods, 308 South Extension Road. #108, Ph 480-649-4495
Peoria, The Dented Can LLC, 9501 W Peoria Ave Ste 11, 623-486-9646
Quartzsite, Discount Groceries , 1558 West Main St., 928-927-4301
San Luis, Green Tree Grocery Outlet, 520 N. Archibald Street
Yuma, Green Tree Grocery Outlet, 495 E. 10th Street, Ph 928-329-6664

Arkansas

Alma, A to Z Discount Grocery, 4810 North Highway 71, 479-632-8348
Amity, Amity Salvage Grocery, 637 West Thompson St., 870-342-9506
Harrison, South Harrison Harrison’s Bent & Dent Grocery, 3864 Highway 7 South, 870-391-2210
Harrison, Wholesale Outlet, 519 North Main Street, 870-743-5248
Huntsville, Ma & Pa Bent N Dent Groceries, 15045 Highway 412, 479-738-6272
Midland City, Discount Groceries, Highway 231 South, 334-983-1250
Mulberry, Higgen’s Produce, 3741 Mulberry, 479-997-8601
Nophlet, Z & C Salvage Grocery, 300 W Padgett Street, 870-665-9692
Salem,Highway 62 870-895-4800
Van Burean, The Bigger Bargain, 804 Fayetteville Rd, Ph 479-471-0007

California

Atascadero, Grocery Discount Center, 7075 El Camino Real, Ph 805-460-9341
Bakersfield, Manny’s Discount Grocery, 522 East 19th Street 661-328-0703
Bloomington, Oliver’s Discount Grocery, 18829 Valley Blvd., 909-874-0915
Bodfish, Manny’s Discount Grocery, 3864 Lake Isabelle Blvd., 760-379-3115
Delano, Grocery Discount Center, 1835 glenwood st, 661-281-5445
Oakhurst, Grocery Discount Center, 49333 Road 426 Suite B, 559-683-5429
Redwood City, Grocery Outlet, 1833 Broadway St, Ph 650-364-7406

Colorado

Arvada, Friday Store, 5636 Newland Way
Brighton, Robb’s Inc., 301 S Main St.
Colorado Springs, WestSide BargainMart, 3135 W Colorado Ave., Ph 719-685-4500
Colorado Springs, Extreme Bargains, 2727 Palmer Park Boulevard, Ph 719-448-0757
Colorado Springs, The Open Box, LLC Discount Electronics, 2727 Palmer Park, Ph 719-448-0759
Dacona Discount Grocery, 913 Carbondale Drive, Ph 303-833-5005
Fort Lupton, Robb’s Inc., 511 McKinley Avenue, Ph 303-857-1459
Greeley, 12th Street Pantry, 716 12th Street, Ph 970-356-7747
Loveland, Esh Discount Grocery, 4221 West Eisenhower, Ph 970-612-0160
Monte Vista, Sunshine Salvage LLC, 10978 S County Rd 5E, Ph 719-589-9069

Delaware

No Stores Found, Yet.

Florida

Bradenton, Petrik Salvage Market, 1721 9th. Street West, 941-747-3194
Dade City, Tin Can Pams, 14444 7th St. 352-567-3719
Groveland, Groveland Discount Grocery, 141 Howey Rd, 352-429-4299
Hialeah, Miami Depot, 2915 West Okeechobee Road, 786-337-8334
Lake Alfred, Discount Foods, Inc., 750East Alfred St. (Hwy 1792), 863-956-5253
Ocala, Oma’s Gerneral Store of Ocala, LLC., 2640-A NW 10th Street, 352-401-9330
Palatka- East Palatka,Discount Groceries & More, 227 South U.S. Highway 17, 386-325-7910
Palmetto, V J’s Grocery Inc., 737 8th Ave West Suite A 941-729-2776
Ruskin, Gully’s Surplus Grocery, 720 N. US Highway 41, 813-645-4801
Saint Augustine, Discount Groceries & More, 233 State Road 16, 904-827-0660
Tampa, D & S Bargain Store & Salvage, 6222 E Columbus Dr, 813-621-3811
Tampa, Fernandez Wholesale Grocery, 6702 E. Broadway Ave. 813-626-7959
Wildwood, Tin Can Pams, 1006 N Main St. 352-748-4666
Winter Haven, Discount Foods, Inc., 801 Spirit Lake Rd 863-299-6271
L & G Discount Grocery Store Stuart, FL 2201 SE Indian St,Stuart, FL, 34997 772-287-1404

Georgia

Brooklet, Discount Foods, 533 US Highway 80 East 912-842-5656
Buford, Hill Brothers Grocery & Salvage, 122 E Shadburn Ave 77-945-7218
Carrollton, T & W Salvage Grocery, 3947 North Highway 27, Ph 770-838-9897
Cartersville, B & B Salvage Grocery, 1350 Joe Frank Harris Pkwy SE 770-382-7041
Cedartown, Brooks Salvage Grocery , 1028 East Ave 770-748-4881
Columbus, Nick N-Dent, 1167 Henry Avenue 706-576-6840
Hinesville, Tin Can Sam’s Discount Grocery, 4215 B. West Oglethorpe Hwy. 912-876-7231
Temple, Robinson discount Grocery, 321 Sage Street 770-562-1317

Idaho

Boise Grocery Outlet (Boise Canned Foods) 5544 W Fairview Ave, Boise, ID 83706-1165 (Thanks Neil)

Illinois

Arcola, Country Salvage Store, 427 East County Road 200N, 217-268-3698
Wayne City, Greenfield Discount Grocery, RR 2 Box 136, on Highway 15 618-895-2025

Indiana

Goshen, The Dented Can, 25743 State Road 119 574-862-2212
Warsaw, Sherman & Lins Discount Grocery, 1900 East Winona Avenue, 574-269-4320

Iowa

Evansdale, Joker’s Surplus Grocery, 3541 Lafayette Rd, 319-235-8916
Kalona, Central Discount Grocery, Turn East at Cheese Factory on Hwy 1.
Oelwein, County Line Surplus Grocery, 101 County Line Rd East, 319-283-1440

Kansas

Topeka, M & M Surplus, 5614 Southwest Topeka Boulevard # 6, 785-267-7000

Kentucky

Campbellsville, Dent & Ding Discount Grocery Store, 1034 South Central Ave., 270-469-5395
Irvington, Joe’s Salvage Grocery, RR 2 270-668-1343
Irvington, Ridgeview Salvage Grocery, 7510 E Highway 60 270-536-3503
Louisville, B & E Salvage Company, Inc., 4602 Greenwood Road, 502-995-3330
Louisville, B & E Salvage Company, Inc., 8504 Shepherdsville Road 502-969-0218
Louisville, B & E Salvage Company, Inc., 8645 Preston Highway, 502-968-6638
Louisville, Better Bargain Salvage Mart, 7207 Lower Hunters Trace 502-447-9023
Louisville, M & M Salvage, 4306 Cloverleaf Dr 502-634-9511
Muldraugh, Po Boy & Girl Salvage, 118 North Dixie Highway 502-942-0602
Okolona, B & E Salvage Co, 8504 Shepherdsville Road 502-969-0218

Louisiana

Folsom, The Salvage Store, 82540 Highway 25 985-796-9114
Kentwood, B & D Salvage Grocery, 600 1st Street 985-229-5323
New Orleans, Suda Salvage Company, 5821 Jefferson Highway 504-733-3660
Pearl River, Hickory Salavage Company, 67736 Highway 41 985-863-5498

Michigan

Bay City, Blue Knight Salvage Foods, 3286 South Huron Road 989-686-5540
Brown City, Bailey’s Variety Store, 4771 Bailey Road, 989-761-7714
McBain, Pineview Discount Store, 9200 South Burkett Road 231-825-2892
M&B Foods, in Grandville
Wiseman’s Corner, on 28th St. SE. Grand Rapids

Minnesota

Minneapolis, So Low Grocery Outlet, 3115 E. 38th Street 612-729-7281
New London, Pete’s Surplus, Junction Highway 9 & 71 320-354-2626

Mississippi

Batesville, Wanda’s Salvage Grocery, 109 Highway 51 S 662-563-0476
Booneville, Discount Grocery, 519 East Church Street 662-728-6409
Booneville, R & W Salvage Grocery, 2016 East Chambers Dr. 662-728-0099
Brooklet, Discount Grocery, 533B US Highway 80 East 912-842-5656
Burnsville, Dollar Wise Discount grocery, 373 Highway 72 662-427-8840
Collins, H & P Salvage Grocery, 466 Highway 35 601-765-0009
Fulton, L & R Discount Grocery, 706 South Adams Street 662-862-2925
Grenada, Discount Grocery, 23291 Highway 8 East 662-294-9950
Hattiesburg, Hiatt’s Discount Grocery, 819 Edwards Street 601-554-8232
Houlka, Pat’s Salvage Grocery, 3207 Highway 15 North 662-568-7734
Mantachie, Shop & Save Discount Grocery, 3562 Highway 371 North 662-282-7820
McComb, A-1 Grocery Salvage, 509 Pearl River Ave 601-684-0571
Mize, Highway 35 Salvage Grocery, 16944 Highway 35 601-733-0490
Moss Point, Cheap Charley’s Surplus Salvage Groceries, 11200 Highway 613, Ph 228-474-8995
Oxford, Direct Salvage Grocery, 294 County Road 101 662-513-0736
Poplarville, Poplarville Grocery & Salvage, 229 Highway 11 S 601-795-2801
Poplarville, Super Salvage, 208 North Main Street 601-795-6655
Purvis, Purvis Salvage and Grocery, 309 Highway 589 601-794-5544
Tylertown, B & B Grocery Salvage, 309 Beulah Ave 601-876-9514
Tupelo, Food Bargains, 1136 W. Main Street, 662-840-8037
Vardamann, Dao’s Grocery Salvage, 118 Main Street 662-682-9898
Verona,Penny Pinchers Discount Grocery, 5035 Raymond Ave., Ph 662-566-0011
Vicksburg, Captain Jack’s Bent & Dent, 1901 N Frontage Rd 601-638-7001
Vicksburg, Jimmy’s Salvage Grocery, Highway 61 South 601-634-1040
Water Valley, Highway 9 Salvage Grocery, 654 Highway 9 W 662-473-9880
Waynesboro, D J’s Salvage Grocery, 119 Mississippi Dr. 601-671-0753
Wiggins, Super Savers Discount Salvage Store, 734 Magnolia Drive South 601-928-4483

Missouri

Ava, P G’s Salvage & Surplus Grocery, 300 North Jefferson 417-683-5654
Birch Tree, Beavers Salvage Grocery, Highway 60 West 573-292-3664
Cabool, Shetler’s Discount Grocery, 200 Industrial Park, 417-962-2251
Grandin, Second Chance Market, RR 2 Box 142-En, Ph 573-593-4542
Houston, Stilley Discount, 1591D North Highway 63 417-967-0253
Jackson, Lane’s Salvage Groceries, 1227 Old Cape Road 573-243-1805
Jamesport, Hutch Brothers Outlet, 208 West Auberry Grove 660-684-6324
Mountain Grove, The Discount Grocery, 6893 Outer Rd. 417-746-4233
Oran, Dent N Save, 23146 US Highway 61, 573-262-2345
Piedmont, Janet’s Salvage Grocery, Junction 34 & 49 573-223-7420
Rolla, I-44 Surplus Discount Grocery, Exit 189, 11101 Old Highway 66 573-364-6006
Salem, Carolyn’s Discount Grocery, 300 South Main St. 573-729-2946
Sedalia, 65 Discount, Inc., 5150 S Limit Avenue 660-826-9242
St. James, J & J Distributors Salvage & Surplus, 138 West Washington Street 573-265-6084
St. Louis, Cherrick Distribution, 4215 Clayton Avenue 314-652-3636
St. Louis, Friedman RR Salvage Warehouse, 5149 Mlk Drive 314-367-5464
Thayer, Lane Salvage Groceries, 105 Holmes Rd, 417-264-7997
Thayer, Martin Salvage Grocery, Nettleton Road (Route 3 Box 3030) 417-264-7699
West Plains, Corner Salvage Grocery, 1026 Saint Louis St. 417-255-9188
Winona, Ken’s Good Stuff Store, 303 Ash St 573-325-4437

Montana

Thompson Falls, Grocery Surplus Store, 5460 Highway 200 406-827-6373
New Hampshire Discount and Salvage Grocery Stores
Westmoreland, Stan’s Discount Groceries, 1017 Route 12 603-399-7737

New Jersey

Paterson, Giant International Trading Co. Inc, 91-97 East Railway Avenue 973-977-9272

New York

Syracuse, Northway Discount Grocery, 212 West Division Street 315-422-9979

North Carolina

Charlotte, A Discount grocery, 2208 South Blvd. 704-344-0611
Denver, Bargain Center Groceries, 3825 North Highway 16 704-489-2262
Fayetteville, B J’s Salvage Grocery, 039 Camden Rd. 910-426-9670
Forest City, J’S Salvage & Discount 763, 763 US Highway 221A, 828-248-1173
Granite Falls, George’s Grocery Salvage, 3846 Mutt Marshall Lane, Ph 828-396-4320
Granite Falls, Odum’s Salvage, 2474 Connelly Springs Road 828-728-6221
Kings Mountain, Super Discount Grocery, 108 West Gold Street, 704-481-0307
Lexington, Salvage Grocery, 4180 NC Highway 8 336-357-0402
Lexington, The Bargain Box, 158 Wiley Lane 336-472-1308
Salisbury, Discount Salvage Foods Of Salisbury, 3115 South Main Street 704-633-3006
Thomasville, Holly Hill Salvage – No 2, 13 Boyles Street 336-476-6462
Tyron, Jon & Jay’s Discount Groceries, 1005 South Trade Street, 828-859-3005

Ohio

Circleville, Discount Grocery Outlet, 900 South Pickaway Street, 740-474-6501
Kinsman, Kinsman General, 6416 Kinsman-Nickerson Rd.
Lima, Daly’s Discount Groceries, 506 North Main St. 419-225-2907
Orwell, M & L Salvage, 640 East Main Street440-437-5714
West Farmington, Bontrager Salvage Grocery, 172 Second Street, 330-889-3678

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Big Giant Warehouse, 3600 Southwest 29th 405-681-3336

Oregon

Lebanon, The Grocery Depot, 1775 S. Main St.541-258-3442

Pennsylvania

Bedford, Little Barn Discount Groceries, 6200 Lincoln Highway 814-623-2603
Ephrata, Sarah’s Grocery Outlet, 475 North Reading Rd 717-738-1107
Knoxville, R & J Discount Grocery, 202 West Main St. 814-326-4200
Lebanon, Sunset Grocery Outlet, 1650 North 7th Street, 717-272-4906
Mifflinburg, Wenger’s Grocery Outlet, 8035 Old Turnpike Rd (Rt.45) 570-966-5084
Newburg, B.B.’s Grocery Outlet, 20 Quigley Road.
Pittsburgh, K M L Sales Inc., 16 Sts 412-261-5542
Quarryville, B.B.’s Grocery Outlet, 581 Camargo Road.
Red Lion, D & K Surplus Grocery, 757 Delta Road 717-244-9398
Shafefferstown, B.B.’s Grocery Outlet, Route 419 North

South Carolina

Batesburg, Discount Grocery Salvage, 445 West Railroad Ave 803-604-1444
Leesville, Discount Grocery & Salvage, 445 Railroad Ave 803-604-1444
Rock Hill, Discount Grocery Safari, 1122 India Hook Road 803-327-2437

South Dakota

Belle Fourche, Robbs Inc., 1833 5th Avenue 605-892-4309
Pierre, Bent N Dent Discount Foods, 840 N Garfield Ave 605-224-1286
Hermosa, Pop’s Grocery Shoppe, 30 North Fergusen Sreet, 605-255-5977

Tennessee

Bluff City, Bluff City Salvage, 4277 Bluff City Hwy. 423-538-7501
Burlison, Bent N Dent, 9121 Munford Giltedge Rd 901-476-3000
Chuckey, R & B Salvage Grocery, 211 Bill Gourley Rd 423-257-7708
Dercherd, Bargain Barnes, 2108 Decherd Boulevard 931-962-0227
Fall Branch, Building 5, 18105 Horton Hwy. 423-348-7520
Gilt Edge, Bent-N-Dent, 9121 Munford Giltedge Rd 901-476-3000
Hohenwald, Discount Groceries and More, 644 E. Main St.
Hollow Rock, D & D Discount Grocery, 28105 Broad St 731-586-7569
Huntingdon, Pj’s Salvage Grocery, 9715 Highway 22 731-986-3589
Johnson City, Discount Grocery, 601 West Watauga 423-928-9200
Johnson City, Pierces Discount Grocery, 1207 E. Main St. 423-926-2250
Jonesborough, Pioneer Market Inc, 624 Old State Route 34 423-753-2020
Kingsport, McCoy Salvage Grocery, 2969 N John B Dennis Hwy. 423-288-8411
Knoxville, United Grocery Outlet, 6021 Chapman Highway 865-573-8000
Lebanon, Bud’s Salvage, 320 N. Cumberland Street 615-449-8085
Lebanon, House of Bargains, 300 North Cumberland St. 615-449-3393
Lexington, Highway 22 Salvage Grocery, 22915 Highway 22 North, 731-968-5242
Lexington, Warehouse Salvage, 873 West Church Street 731-968-5146
Limestone, R & B Salvage Grocery, 10320 East Andrew Johnson Highway 423-257-7708
Manchester Faye’s Discount Grocery, 101 North irwin Street 931-728-1920
McMinnville, United Grocery Outlet, 722 Smithville Hwy
Memphis, Discount Grocery Sales, 651 Jefferson Avenue 901-523-9515
Morristown C J Salvage, 4890 South Davy Crockett Parkway 423-318-6291
Murfreesboro, United Grocery Outlet 117 Se Broad St
Parsons, Brenda’s Salvage Grocery, 370 Cooley Aveenue 731-847-4363
Ramer, Eastview Bent and Dent, 7733 Highway 45 South 731-646-2660
Rogersville, United Grocery Outlet, 921 East Main Street 423-921-3878
Sevierville, Discount Grocery, 564 Winfield Dunn Pkwy. 865-428-6908
Winchester, Sonshine Shop, 1045 Dinah Shore Boulevard 931-968-0092
Yuma, Highway 22 Salvage Grocery, 22915 Highway 22 N 731-968-5242

Texas

Amarillo, Panhandle Salvage Store, 5811 South Western Street 806-358-3886
Channelview, S & C Surplus, 15703 Market Street 281-860-0055
Cleburne, Healthy Savings Discount Grocery, 1206 East Henderson 817-556-0713
Dayton, K & D Discount Grocery, 113 Bryan St. 936-258-0032
Fort Worth, Town Talk Foods, 121 N. Beach St (817) 831-6136
Hardin, Country Discount Grocery, Highway 146 at County Road 2010 936-298-9282
Hemphill, Adkins Salvage Grocery, Fm 83 409-787-4130
Houston, Capital Sales Damaged Freight Groceries, 5701 Almeda Rd 713-522-0285
Houston, Capital Sales Damaged Freight Groceries, 4663 Telephone Rd 713-649-8658
Houston, Jimmy Poole Grocery, 11658 Homestead Rd 281-442-0512
Kountze, West Discount and Salvage Grocery, 710 South Pine Street 409-246-8541
Thorndale, L & L Food Salvage & Merchandise, 109 South Main Street 512-898-2960

Vermont

Bennington, Boxes & Cans Discount Food, 160 Benmont Avenue, 802-440-8122
Bethel, Bethel’s U-Save Discount Groceries, 356 Pleasant St. 802-234-6330
Pownal, Discount Food & More, 2848 Route 7

Virginia

Glade Spring, Discount Grocery, 206 Town Square Street 276-429-4460
Richmond, Salvage Barn Inc, 5240 Hull Street Road 804-231-1187

Washington

Chehalis, J J Berry, 2141 Jackson Highway, Ph 360-748-1940
Deer Park, Discount Groceries and More, 124 E. Crawford St., Ph 509-276-2736

Wisconsin

Oxford, The Harvest Market, W7341 State Hwy 82 608-586-4303
Wautoma, Country Discount Grocery, W9483 Highway 21. 920-787-5000

Wyoming

Rawlins, Discount Grocery, 725 East Cedar Street 307-324-5445

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I found this list on the forum, Frugal Village. The poster does not remember where she found it. If you are the original compiler of this list let me know so I can attribute it to you and thank you properly! You and your list has saved my family a ton! Thanks for encouraging us to pinch some pennies!

Another idea to save money on groceries, check out grocery outlets too!

Thanks to Masahiro Ihara for providing our photo! And thanks to Louisville
Business Directory for linking to us.

$0.25/a gallon for Laundry Detergent

Rachel — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:44:58 +0000

Found this recipe on the Duggar’s website. It is a great and cheap alternative – especially useful for those with skin sensitivities as it is dye and fragrance-free. I’ll have to try this when we run out of detergent!

Ingredients needed:

Very hot water

Ivory Soap

Washing soda (or soda ash)

Borax

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Instructions:

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

Also, she has a recipe for powdered laundry detergent!

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I haven’t tried this recipe yet, so if any of you do let me know! I’d love to know how it turned out!

Need Eye Glasses?

Rachel — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:06:20 +0000

We are a family that needs eyesight correction, and lots of it! Buying glasses at full price can really break the budget. I was beyond thrilled to have discovered Zenni Optical. You don’t even need a current prescription (although that is always advised). We have bought over 12 pairs of glasses from them in the past two years and have yet to be disappointed. Where else can I buy 4 pairs of glasses with AR coated lenses for roughly $50? I love finding deals!

Here is a site that explains how to properly measure your face so that you can be sure that your new frames will fit… and another site that explains the easiest way to measure pupil distance (PD) with only a dry erase marker and an old pair of glasses. The PD was the hardest part of the prescription for us to get “right” – you can always request that your optometrist write this on the prescription, but if you forgot here are some instructions.

One of Zenni’s competitors, LensCrafters, lets you upload a picture of yourself to see if you think the new frames will look good on you. I loved getting to try on glasses prior to purchasing while in my PJs, with the added perk of not having to worry about the havoc my children were making in the store. Yay! for internet shopping!
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If you are a glasses wearer, good luck finding the perfect pair… and ones that won’t break your budget!

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Thanks Thomas Hawk for your beautiful little eyeglass model!

DIY cloth diaper inserts

Rachel — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:06:23 +0000

Someone sent me a link to Rad Rags. I loved the concept and decided to make my own. They are really easy to make and cost less than a dollar per diaper! My hubby prefers “Rags” to using prefolds as all you have to do is lay the insert in place. This method of diapering makes cloth diapering an affordable and easy option!

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Items needed:

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Dish towels (100% cotton and pre-washed)
Scraps of flannel, velour, microfiber fabric, cotton corduroy, knit jersey, etc. (I got mine from the scrap section at Joanns fabric)

Instructions:

Fold the towel into thirds lengthwise. Then fold almost in half. You want it to be long enough to fill your cover, for me this meant that I was an inch or two shy of completely folding the towel in half. This inch meant that the diaper wasn’t too bulky in the front when on – an added perk. Then cut your scraps to match the towel. You will want a half inch margin around the towel. Sew three sides of your casing so it looks like a mini pillow case. Turn the case right side out so your seams are on the inside. Stuff with the towel. Sew the ends and a line through the center to keep the towel from bunching up during use… and viola! You have an ultra-cheap, ultra-easy diaper!

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I use the “rags” inside Prorap covers. A negative of Rad Rags over say, contour diapers, is that you will need more covers (we have 6). With contour diapers or with prefolds, I can reuse my covers most of the time. With Rad Rags I get more debris on the cover. I have to wash them more frequently, but I’ve never had a blow out! As my youngest gets older I imagine that I will want to invest in some hemp or bamboo towel-like fabric to make the rags, in place of dishtowels. As these fibers/fabrics are more absorbent with less bulk, but so far, the dishtowels are holding up marvelously! I wish I used this method of cloth diapering on my older two.

Speaking of Preschool

Laura A — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:40:50 +0000

Here are a couple of quick ideas to stretch some of your preschool budget:

If you want to use a workbook and be able to re-use it get a couple of page protectors. You’ll need to cut open the side and bottom so it will open wide and be able to slip onto the book’s pages or lay flat across the spine. Then you can use crayons, dry-erase, or washable markers on the plastic and just wipe with a tissue for the crayon or dry-erase or a wet-wipe for the washable markers.

Check with your local library system about printing options. I know our public library will allow up to 100 pages printed for free each month.

The Dollar Tree has lots of good things too. I have a pocket-chart from a teacher store (thank you Grandma for the school-related Christmas gift) that I use all the time. The dollar store had some word cards pre-printed and some blanks that I was able to write our own sight-words on. They also have some good flash-cards that my son likes to match and sort in the chart. I also use plain index cards that I write on to use with the pocket chart.