We have decided to sell the bed but I am keeping the dresser. It fits perfectly behind my sectional. The only problem is that cedar, it just doesn’t fit with my decor! I’m currently deciding how to paint it and what kind of pulls I want to purchase for the drawers. Stay tuned for the redo of this old piece into something new and modern!

The 5k did cost $20 but the proceeds went to our towns family-oriented New Year’s Eve activities, we received a ticket for the activities (which we didn’t use), and a t-shirt.

The hubby and I will be doing another 5k in March for St. Patty’s Day. If you are looking for a cheap exercise option, you should look into signing up for a 5k.

I try to stock up when I can and have figured out how to get the most for my money by using the grocery sale cycle. Last June I bought enough barbecue sauce to get me through until next June when it is at its cheapest!

January’s Grocery Sale Cycle – What goes on sale in January?

When you think about sale cycles, think about what is going on at that time of the year or what just passed.

We just finished the holidays so look for holiday decor, holiday food items and things like wrapping paper being sold at big discounts.

January is the New Year and everyone is starting their New Year’s resolution to lose weight, hence, there is a great deal of diet food on sale! Look for frozen meal deals,  granola bars, teas and soups. A lot of the big name diet brands, like Healthy Choice, will have their items on sale.

Also look at what is coming up, with the Super Bowl just around the corner, you can expect Super Bowl foods such as sodas, chips, and wings to go on sale.

Think of all holidays, even the obscure ones such as National Oatmeal Month. Oatmeal often goes on sale in January, which makes sense. It’s cold outside and oatmeal is a great, healthy, and warm breakfast!

Look for seasonal produce as well such as:

Oranges, Pears, Grapefruit, Tangerines, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Cabbage, Spinach

I keep this piece at the end of our bed. I was using it to store blankets and purses I wasn’t using but they began to smell a bit musty so now I’m airing it out and am going to try putting some vinegar soaked paper towels into it to try to get rid of that slight smell. If I can get the musty smell out I’ll put the blankets and purses back in and get them out of the floor of the guest room closet!

Does anyone have any ideas to get that musty smell out if the vinegar doesn’t work?

Walking is one of the best exercises you can do and just about everyone is capable of doing it, no matter how unhealthy you are. Of course, before starting any exercise program you should consult your doctor first.

Walking is frugal too. You can do it anywhere and its free. Walking doesn’t cost you a thing. You can walk around your house, walk on a treadmill, walk around the neighborhood, or walk to the end of your driveway and back up. If you do not feel your neighborhood is safe enough to walk in then head to your nearest, well-lit and public, track or to your local mall. Malls are a great place to walk as you are out of the elements but only if you walk! No shopping!

If you are just beginning, take it easy and work up to longer periods of walking and faster times. Make sure that you wear comfortable shoes and clothes and bring water to drink. Most of all, have fun!

I moved an old antique table from dining room and positioned it behind the desk. I placed plants and small items on the bamboo table runner that has been used in several areas of the kitchen. Just enough filler for the table.

On the wall I took some rod iron candlestick holders that I received from my mother-in-law and painted them white and blue.

Reusing to make a whole new arrangement!

The picture to the left shows what we started with, the only room in the house that didn’t have flowered wallboard, but instead some nicotine covered tan stripe on top of a wonderful motif of wood paneling. Do you see that fabulous divider separating the entry from the so-called dining room? We randomly demolished that at ten o’clock one night. Best random demolish ever. The entertainment center armoire is now there being used as a closet.

Here’s the other angle. Because you didn’t get enough with the first one.

We painted the walls a light brown on the main end where the living area is and a dark chocolate in the area next to the front door, what is supposed to be the dining area. We also bought a new red couch, a chair, and entertainment center (thank you Craigslist and discount furniture stores!)

Do you see that yellow chair in that background? I love that chair. My sister has it’s twin. It gets moved all over my house and currently resides in the master bathroom. Here’s a close up. I loved working in that corner.

Did I say I love that yellow chair? Here it is at the other end of the living room with a gratuitous shot of Zoe. That’s a great trunk next to it. I got that for $25 at a flea market. I can’t believe that plant is still alive. I don’t have good luck with plants.

You can see the plant here, in the newest rendition of the living room.

I’m sure that sneak peak made you want to see the entire room so here it is.

Here’s the other angle. I wish I had better pics but my Canon battery died and all I had was my camera phone.

The best thing about that treadmill? You don’t need it! You can get fit without it! As I start the New Year I am seeing all of the resolutions that everyone is making, and they are spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on their goals without even knowing if they will stick to them or not! While my goal this year is to get healthier, it is not a new goal for me, but a continuation of a goal made a few year’s ago. I realize that most will not stick to their resolutions yet they are putting out so much money!

You can get fit for less. You don’t need fancy gym memberships or equipment. I am going to do several posts showing you how you can frugally exercise. Find out if you are even going to stick to it before you hand out your hard-earned cash!

Time seems to be an issue for most people so I will try to offer work outs or exercises that don’t take up a great deal of time.

The exercises below are great because you can do them almost anywhere, at anytime! Remember that you don’t have to exercise for thirty minutes at a time, instead break it into three ten minute work outs, or less if that works better for you!

The Bridge Butt Lift – This is a great way to tone your bottom.  Lay down with feet flat on the floor, legs shoulder width apart.  Place your hands, palm side down, on either side of your body.  Pushing with your feet, squeeze your gluteal muscles and lift your butt off the floor.  Hold the position for a count of five to ten and release down to the floor.

Squats – Squats work the butt, the hamstring muscles and the quadriceps.  If you aren’t sure of proper form, you can use a chair.  Stand with feet shoulder width apart and feet firmly planted.  Push your butt back as if you were preparing to sit in a chair.  Keep your abs tight and your upper body straight.  Once you reach chair level stop and hold the position for a count of two to five and release.  At the lowest point, place all of your weight on your heels for balance and maximum toning.

Reverse Lunges – Lunges work the quadriceps muscles.  They can be hard for people with knee problems.  A reverse lunge still tones the right muscle groups but with less pressure on the knee.  Stand with feet together and arms at your sides.  Take one leg and move it backwards until you are in lunge position: front leg bent at a 90 degree angle and back leg extended until you are on the ball of your foot.  From this position lower yourself down until the back knee almost touches the floor.  Hold for a count of two and return to starting position.

Push-ups – This is a classic toning exercise that works all areas of the arms plus the chest muscles.  If you aren’t comfortable or strong enough to perform a pushup on your toes, lower your body to your knees.  Be sure your arms are tucked into the body and your back straight as you lower and lift your body. I also like to do push-ups against the bathroom sink before I get in the shower!

Crunches – Abdominal muscles can be worked every day to build strength and muscle tone.  Lying on the floor in sit up position, lace your fingers behind your head.  Squeezing your abdominal muscles, lift your upper body until your lower back is about to come off the floor.  Hold for two to five counts and return to starting position.
These five exercise moves can be done whenever you have time.  The best thing about exercise is that its effects are cumulative.  Even five or ten minutes at a time will work to your advantage.

Frugal Tips for Cabbage Rolls Without the Roll

Purchase the ingredients on sale when possible. You could also use ground turkey instead of ground beef. This is a pretty frugal recipe all around!

*All of my dinner recipes can be used with dairy or made into dairy free recipe versions. I have a milk allergy while my husband does not so I often try to make recipes in which substitions can be made either way. My dinner recipes are also made to be as frugal as possible.

Cabbage Rolls Without the Roll

Gather It Up!

1 pound ground beef

2 cups chopped cabbage

1/2 medium onion

16 oz tomato sauce

1 cup brown rice

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp brown sugar

Cook It Up!

Brown ground beef, set aside. Throw cabbage and onion in pan and saute. Add all the rest of the ingredients in and cook until heated through.

Serve It Up!

We usually eat this as a one dish meal though as a leftover I will sometimes pair it with a soup such as broccoli soup.

More Cheap Dinner Recipes

Homemade Hamburger Helper
Molasses Cornish Hen
Taco Salad
Taco Soup
Tex Mex Corn Chowder
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Turkey Meatballs and Pasta

For More Recipes:

6 Week Meal Plan
Cheap Healthy Recipes
Great Breakfast Recipes
Frugal Lunch Recipes
Cheap Dinner Recipes
Leftovers Recipes
Frugal Soup Recipes
Frugal Sides, Snacks and Appetizers

I have decided to start a tradition in our home this year, a tradition that is already in many homes. I will be making black-eyed peas (Hoppin’ John) this year to celebrate the New Year! My mom often makes black-eyed peas but since my husband doesn’t like them I have never made them before. This year he will just have to eat them anyway! Besides, you can’t get a much more frugal side dish!

Pork and cabbage are also supposed to be good luck so I’m debating making some gluten free pork egg rolls for lunch and then freezing the rest.

Here is our New Year’s Day Menu (please no one mention diets until Monday!):

Breakfast

Udi’s Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls (Expensive but I’ve decided this is a new New Year’s Day tradition as well!)

Lunch

Gluten Free Pork Egg Rolls (really spring rolls)

Dinner

Gluten and Dairy Free Chicken Fried Steak

Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes

Hoppin’ John Black Eyed Peas

Gluten Free Corn Bread