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One Hundred Dollars a Month

I am your typical housewife living in high maintenance suburbia. I have a handsome husband, 2 kids and a flock of pet chickens. I try and feed my family with $100 a month. With the help of coupons, gardening and bartering I am able to squeeze the most out of our grocery budget and still manage to have a little fun along the way.


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Daily Deals – Pill Pockets, Flag Bunting, the Difference Between Organic and Heirloom Seeds and More

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Quote of the Day “A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.” Bob Dylan

Hello Thursday. Quick question here…. How many hours a day do you think your dog sleeps? Because Lucy, could turn pro if their was a market for dog napping. That girl, she sure loves to sleep.

Have a wonderful day everyone,

♥ Mavis

*This deal post will be updated throughout the morning so be sure and check back for deals. * Amazon prices can change without notice. Please verify price before ordering. Amazon offers Free Shipping with a $49 purchase or Amazon Prime. {Sign up for a free Amazon Prime 30 day trial!}

Amazon Deals of the Day for 4/20/17 – DEWALT  20V Max XR Lithium Ion Brushless Compact Drill/Driver & Impact Driver Combo Kit $170.00

Available Kindle Books I think look interesting…

The prices on Kindle Books can change quickly, so grab them while you can. Don’t have a Kindle? Download the kindle app on your other devices. It’s easy! 🙂

Subscribe and Save Deals

Subscribe and Save prices reflect a 15% discount for ordering 5 or more items in 1 month.

I wrote a whole post on How to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half. There are 10 great tips that span everything from meal plans to freezer meals to buying in bulk.

Home and Kitchen Deals

REI Garage Deal of the Day – Black Diamond Ion LED Headlamp $11.73 {was $24.95}

Add on Items

*These are all Amazon Add-on Items and they will ship with qualifying orders over $25 and are eligible for free shipping on $25 orders with Amazon Prime {or will ship FREE on $35 orders without Prime}. 

I didn’t know this for years and I thought you might find it interesting, too. Check out the Difference Between Organic and Heirloom Seeds. Find more cool tips on my Gardening Tips and Tricks Pinterest Board.

Prime Pantry Deals

If you are an Amazon Prime Member, you can get FREE Prime Pantry shipping {a $5.99 value} when you buy five qualifying items. Shop Prime Pantry.

dig-for-your-dinner-1

If you’d like to map out your next few months of garden chores, grab a few Dig For Your Dinner eBooks. That way, you can read about gardening, even when the weather is not nice enough to be outside gardening.

Kid’s Stuff

Pop on over HERE to get a Free Poise Starter Pack.

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

When People Can’t Agree to Disagree

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Well, we survived the most controversial Presidential election in the social media age, and many didn’t come through unscathed. Many friendships were ruined, rifts in families were created, and divorces even occurred {seriously!}. But it’s not just about politics. I’m starting to think we no longer know how to disagree with others, or we are now of the belief that disagreeing with others is a bad thing.

Our country has survived, thrived really, for hundreds of years with a whole mess of differing beliefs, opinions, ideals. Why now does it suddenly seem like continuing that tradition is an impossibility? Is it because of social media? Are those differences more vocalized now? Is it easier to disagree {often times harshly} with others from the safety of a keyboard? Does the shield of a screen somehow embolden people and cause them to speak their true feelings or does it cause them to be harsher than they otherwise would?

I don’t think people treated each other with kid gloves before the internet age, but I do think we were kinder, gentler with our disagreements. So the question becomes, how do we disagree? How do we deal with people whose opinions differ from our own? How do we kindly treat one another when we think their ideas are nuts and they are dead wrong? How do we deal with people who think THEIR opinion is the RIGHT {and only} opinion and won’t stop complaining or badgering or trying to convert you to their way of thinking? How do we disagree in a digital age?

I certainly don’t have all the answers, so I’m super curious to hear from you. To me it seems simple.

1. Determine Your Deal Breakers: I’ve come to my opinions based on my experiences, my research and my upbringing. I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you have, too. It’s okay if your opinions are different than mine, and we can go on co-existing and being friends and hanging out, as long as those opinions aren’t deal breakers for me. My definition of a “deal breaker” might be drastically different than yours. Maybe you can’t stand people who like the color red. I mean, it might make for a sad existence and a small social circle, but if that’s where you draw the line and it makes you enraged each time you are around a red-loving person, make that your deal breaker. Of course, deal breakers are normally much more serious, but I hope you get my point. Basically, know your limits. But also remember that it is sometimes really refreshing to be around people who disagree with you, so don’t make that your deal breaker. Some of my greatest life experiences have occurred surrounded by people of differing beliefs and opinions.

2. Be Kind Regardless: If you’ve spent your life championing a certain cause, chances are, you aren’t going to be besties with someone who has spent their life championing the opposite. That’s okay. You can still be civil to each other. You can despise everything someone stands for and vehemently disagree with them, but that doesn’t mean you need to be cruel. It accomplishes nothing, and chances are, you won’t feel better at all afterward. There’s a quote I love by Henry James that says, “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” It really is as simple as that sometimes.

3. Remember That Even Idiots are Entitled to Opinions: And this is where I struggle most. The idiots. You know how I said that I give most people the benefit of the doubt that their opinions are based on experiences, research and upbringing. There are people who spout nonsense I think for the sole purpose of spouting nonsense. Or just to enrage. Or just to stir the pot. Or just because they are idiots. I have trouble walking away without going off because it seems their opinions don’t have a shred of merit and that they themselves don’t even know why the believe them. But I know that’s exactly what they want. They want to poke the bear. So I won’t engage. But man do I want to sometimes!

So how do you handle a difference of opinions? What advice would you give on how to civily disagree? How do you deal with people who believe that it’s my way or the highway? How do you deal with the idiots?

Talk to me,
~Mavis

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

Susie From Northwest Indiana Sends in Her Garden and Chicken Photos

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A big THANK YOU to everyone who has sent in their photographs and stories. I hope by sharing other people’s pictures and stories here on One Hundred Dollars a Month we can all have a rock star garden this summer. Keep them coming!

Hi Mavis!

I’m Susie and I’m a junior high English teacher in Northwest Indiana. Last year about this time, my husband and I bought the ramshackle property right next to ours, knocked down the condemned house, and built us a garden!

We decided long ago that if we were able to purchase that property, we would fill it with areas to grow as many edible goodies as possible. We do live in town, and that is a tiny bit restraining, but not much.

The first few pictures you will see the chicken tractor that my husband designed and built himself. We have about 15 hens who give us between 12 and 15 eggs daily. We eat the eggs like crazy, and share them with others, either just as a gift (neighbors especially) or as a trade. For example, tonight’s dinner is grilled goose breasts from a hunter friend who loves “farm” fresh eggs!

The chicken tractor gets moved every other day to a fresh patch of grass. We wish that we could free range the chickens, but our area has about 3 billion raccoons, and they just wouldn’t last long. This is the next best thing.

I’ve also sent you pictures of several of the fruit trees that we planted last year. We have two apple, two plum, two peach, for cherry, some blueberry bushes, and even if you grapevines that stretch across our garden boxes. Probably won’t see actual fruit for a couple years, but we can be patient. In the picture that shows the side of our house, you’ll notice a small wrought iron fence. Behind that fence is brand-new asparagus! Only five stalks this year, but hopefully more to come.

We have several different garden plots such as the raised bed of strawberries, and a few that are just plain empty right now. They await planting of corn, sweet potatoes, green beans, and a few other root veggies. Unfortunately our back forty is mostly walnut trees, and you just can’t grow very much beneath them. But the chickens like hanging out back there!

The pièce de ré·sis·tance are the beautiful garden boxes my husband built last year. We live on a state highway, and it doesn’t surprise us anymore when someone pulls in just to examine them. We grow all kinds of goodies in the garden boxes, from garlic to heirloom tomatoes. The tomato stretch across the back and we tether them to netting so that they grow up and out. Right now those boxes house garlic, onions, and several different varieties of greens.

I’m a huge fan of the farm to table movement, and it really is my goal during the months in Indiana that we are able to either grow or obtain fresh veggies, fruits, and meats, that whatever I put on our table is from somewhere we could easily visit.

Well, that’s my garden! It’s just blossoms in April, but come August I’ll be up to my elbows in canning.

Happy gardening!

~Susie

If you would like to have your garden, chicken coop, pantry or something you’ve made featured on One Hundred Dollars a Month, here’s what I’m looking for:

  • Your Garden Pictures and Tips – I’d especially like to see your garden set ups, growing areas, and know if you are starting seeds indoors this year. If so,  show me some picture of how you are going about it.
  • Your Pantry Pics – Submit at least 5 HIGH QUALITY pictures of your pantry/fridge/cabinets, as well as a short blurb {at the very least} about you and your food habits.
  • Your Chicken and Chicken Related Stories – Coops, Chicks, Hen’s, Roosters, Eggs, you name it. If it clucks, send us some pictures to share with the world.
  • Cool Arts & Crafts – Made from your very own hands with detailed {and well photographed} pictures and instructions.
  • Your pictures and stories about your pets. The more pictures and details the better.
  • Garage Sale, Thrift Store and Dumpster Diving pictures and the stories behind the treasures you found including how much you paid for them.

If I feature your pictures and the stories behind them on One Hundred Dollars a Month, I will send you a $20.00 gift card to the greatest store in the world: Amazon.com. You can send your submissions to me at onehundreddollarsamonth @ gmail.com {spaces removed} and be sure and put Mavis Mail in the subject line. Thank you. I’m looking forward to your submissions.

Go  HERE for the official rules.

 

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

Daily Deals – Online Groceries, Kool Aid T-Shirts, Greenies, a Teacup for Mom and More

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Quote of the Day “Discouragement and failure are two if the surest stepping stones to success.” Dale Carnegie

Hello Wednesday! If you have a furry friend be sure and enter our Only Natural Pet Giveaway for a $100 gift card!!! Lucy LOVES their products, especially their bully sticks. Someone has to win… 🙂

On the agenda for today:

  • Make a quiche
  • Get some things listed on Ebay
  • Create a new Rug Hooking Pattern
  • Take some pictures of the baby chicks
  • Try and find 10 items to add to our yard sale box
  • Drop off recycling

How about YOU? Anything exciting planned for today? I’d love to hear about it. Afterall, I don’t have cable. Ha!

♥ Mavis

*This deal post will be updated throughout the morning so be sure and check back for deals. * Amazon prices can change without notice. Please verify price before ordering. Amazon offers Free Shipping with a $49 purchase or Amazon Prime. {Sign up for a free Amazon Prime 30 day trial!}

Amazon Deals of the Day for 4/17/17

Available Kindle Books I think look interesting…

The prices on Kindle Books can change quickly, so grab them while you can. Don’t have a Kindle? Download the kindle app on your other devices. It’s easy! 🙂

Subscribe and Save Deals

Subscribe and Save prices reflect a 15% discount for ordering 5 or more items in 1 month.

Learn How to Make Kool Aid Tie Dyed T-Shirts and find other fun summer activities on my DIY Pinterest Board. 

Home and Kitchen Deals

REI Garage Deal of the Day –Mountain Khakis Granite Creek Shorts – Men’s 9″ Inseam $31.73 {was 64.95}

Add on Items

*These are all Amazon Add-on Items and they will ship with qualifying orders over $25 and are eligible for free shipping on $25 orders with Amazon Prime {or will ship FREE on $35 orders without Prime}. 

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE eating cookies for breakfast. These Cranberry Coconut Cookies hit the spot every single time.

Prime Pantry Deals

If you are an Amazon Prime Member, you can get FREE Prime Pantry shipping {a $5.99 value} when you buy five qualifying items. Shop Prime Pantry.

Kid’s Stuff

Don’t have Amazon Prime? Want to try it out? Right now you can get a 30 Day Free Trial to Amazon Prime. Here are just a few reasons why I LOVE Amazon Prime:

  • FREE Two-Day Shipping on millions of items
  • Unlimited, ad-free access to over a million songs
  • Instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with Prime Instant Video
  • Free unlimited photo storage in Amazon Cloud Drive
  • Read free books each month through Kindle First and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library

Sign up for a 30 Day Free Trial to Amazon Prime
Zaycon Foods is now taking orders for their upcoming events. Below are their offerings and prices in my area.Go HERE to find out what is available in your area.

  • Premium Skirt Steaks $7.99/lb X 14.00 lbs| $111.86/case
  • Sweet Italian Sausages $2.79/lb X 16.00 lbs| $44.64/case
  • Premium Hickory Smoked Bacon $3.79/lb X 36.00 lbs| $136.44/case
  • Pork Sausage Links Pork $2.29/lb X 20.00 lbs| $45.80/case
  • Premium Breaded Chicken Breast Fritters $3.29/lb X 20.00 lbs| $65.80/case
  • Angus Ribeye Steaks $9.99/lb X 14.00 lbs| $139.86/case
  • Kansas City Strip Steaks$8.49/lb X 14.00 lbs| $118.86/case
  • Pork Loin Extra Meaty Back Ribs $3.88/lb X 36.00 lbs| $139.68/case
  • All-Beef Hot Dogs $2.99/lb X 10.00 lbs | $29.90/case
  • Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.89/lb X 40.00 lbs| $75.60/case
  • Fresh 93/7 Super Lean Ground Beef $3.79/lb X 40.00 lbs| $151.60/case
  • Fresh 80/20 Ground Beef $2.79/lb X 40.00 lbs| $111.60/case

Find Printable Coupons

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

Mavis Butterfield Etsy