Frugal Friday and Power Shopping

POWER SHOP!

Ok, so it's definately not what you think!  Frugal Friday is about saving money, not spending it.  So, here's my Frugal Friday tip.  Power walk while you shop.  Let me explain. When I'm ready to go shopping (grocery, dept. store, etc.) I make my list and  I take all 5 girls with me (they are all under the age of 8).  People think I'm nuts, but let me tell you.....this works.  I've have learned over the years that kids have a time limit.  They will behave in the store for so long, and then every mother knows what happens.  They start to whine, have temper tantrums, act up, walk away from you, etc.  This is exactly why I take my kids.  They have their timers too.  And they start ticking from the moment I walk into a store.  So, here's what I do. 

1. I make sure I have my list & I go as far as to try to put similar items together so I don't have to go back to an isle because I forgot something. (ex: frozen items, meats, etc.)
2. I take all my kids with me. (It's not that bad once you get used to it.)
3. When I get to the store I power shop!  Walk as fast as you can through the store to get everything on your list.  Sometimes I walk so fast my girls actually have to run to catch up to me :).
4. Do not stop to look at something that is not on your list!

I'm sure some of you are laughing at me :) but let me tell you this works for a number of reasons. 

1. You will save money because you are not browsing while you shop.
2. Your kids timers will be ticking, so if you're smart you'll get out of there before their time is up.
3. You'll be getting just a little bit of excercise because of the fast pace you're keeping through the store.

Try it!  I can go through Sam's or BJ's - with all 5 kids in tow - and spend $185 in 20 minutes.  I know that doesn't sound like saving money, but that is for a family of 8 - for 2 weeks.

~Kristine

25 Laps Around the House

I've got the itch . . . . . I've wanted to excercise since our newest addition was about a week old.  I decided that was a little too soon, so I waited until she was 2 weeks old.  I felt great and wanted to do something.....anything.  So, I decided to give some floor excercises a go. BAD idea!  My back was just not ready and I could immediately tell that it was not a very smart idea on my part.  So I waited another week and tried again (I'm stubborn, & sometimes I don't learn the first time:).  This time I only did it for about half the amount of time as my first go around.  That was on Wednesday, and I felt pretty good. Well, today it is absolutely gorgeous out.  So, as the girls were outside playing, and my new little one was sleeping, I decided I wanted to go for a walk. 

Walking has always been my favorite.  Whether I take a walk with my family or by myself I've always enjoyed it.  But, for the most part, I don't take walks anymore.   My husband works crazy hours, and because we live on a windy road with no street lights for two miles in either direction, it limits when I can go.  I used to take the girls with me, but once I had the 3rd girl it became to much.  I had to push 2 in a stroller and carry the other one because of the hills, no sidewalks, crazy drivers, etc....

Back to my story....
While outside with the girls today I had an idea.  I could walk around my house.  Maybe you've done this and it's not new to you, or maybe you think I'm crazy.  Either way, I was excited.  So I started doing laps.  One side of my house has a walkout basement, so I have 3 level sides and one side with a hill down and then a small hill up.  Perfect for me, seeing as I'm really not supposed to be excercising yet anyway :).  So, I kept up my laps. The girls had no clue until about lap 20, when all of a sudden my 8 year old stopped me and said....."What are you doing?"  To which I responded, "Walking."  I guess that was a boring answer because her only response was "Oh" and she took off, in the other direction, to find her sisters.  I'm looking forward to more spring days now that I have somewhere to walk.