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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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Made In China Christmas

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christmas ornamentsOkay, so I really, really wanted to imagine things differently when it comes to where my Christmas decorations come from…in fact,  a little piece of me hesitated to share this article with you, but since I am just driving along the information highway, it seemed wrong not to snap a picture.

Here goes nothing:  Likely, most of those precious little ornaments, strings of lights, etc. don’t come from tinsel town–they come from China…where someone, covered head to toe in red paint has spent day after day dipping them, powder-coating them, and wrapping them up for us to buy and hang cheerfully on our trees, mantle, or whatever.  The workers are paid a pittance, and most of them don’t have a clue what Christmas is exactly.

I’ll tell ya, consumerism in reality is not as glittery as the picture of elves up North picture I would rather have in my head.  If this doesn’t make you want to put that red flocked ornament back on the shelf, I don’t know what will.  As for me, I think I’ll hit up Etsy for handmade decorations instead.  I’ll support my local economy AND hopefully, get something that was a labor of love, and not inhaled red dye.

Ho, Ho, Ho

~ Mavis

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Stocking Stuffer Idea – DIY Christmas Candy Train

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I’ve posted a how-to make a Christmas candy train before, but let’s face it, a clever way to give the gift of a sugar buzz merits revisiting.  These candy trains require minimal supplies and go together in a snap.  They do require a hot glue gun, so as a word of warning, try not to glue yourself to the candy–not that you would…or that I have.

You’ll Need:

Small package of gum {I like Clove brand, just because the package is red}
Roll of Lifesavers
Foil wrapped Rolo {make it two, you should eat one, and glue one onto the train.  It’s the right thing to do}
Hershey’s miniature chocolate bar
Hershey’s kiss
4 – Wrapped peppermint discs
Hot glue gun with glue

Directions:

Grab your pack of gum and lay it on a flat surface.

Glue the roll of Lifesavers onto the top of the gum.

Glue the foiled Rolo onto one end of the Lifesaver roll.

Add the Hershey’s miniature chocolate bar to the top of the Rolo.  Oh, the excitement is mounting…am I right?!

Now glue the Hershey’s Kiss, pointed side down to the other end of the Lifesavers.

how to make a candy train pictures

Finally, glue the 4 wrapped peppermints to the both sides of the train.

Now, decide whether you are going to give them away, or just toss them in your purse, you know, in case of a holiday blood sugar emergency :).

 ~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.

Why We Keep The Things We Do… I Have No Idea

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jessica mc clintock dress

After sorting through a box of pictures last week, I have not been able to stop. I have no idea WHY I have 8 boxes of old photos in my garage. The only thing I can think of was that maybe the last time my parents moved they gave me their photo boxes for some odd reason. Maybe I said I’d sort through them and put them into photo albums {do people still do that?} I don’t know. All I know now is that I am on a mission now to sort through them, divide them up and give them BACK to family members them so they can enjoy them.

Ya. That’s it. Or maybe it’s because I don’t want to store/lug all those boxes around the next time we move {okay, so that is really the reason}.

Anywho, I found another formal picture. This one was from homecoming my freshman year and it was my favorite Jessica McClintock dress of all time. I spent a good 5 minutes on eBay trying to find it this morning. No such luck. 🙁

And you wonder where I get my OCD ways. Look at the presents under the tree. Notice anything unusual? The paper, bows, baskets, bags and ORNAMENTS. They all match. Seriously.

garbage bag

So many pictures of the back of people’s heads, vacation pictures of nothingness and just weird stuff in general. Back in the day when you had a roll of film developed there was no editing. No picking and choosing which photos you wanted. You had to buy the crappy photos {which amounted to 90% of them} along with the good ones. Oh how times have changed.

2 dollar bill red ink

While cleaning out another box of old photos I found 5 $2 bills from the 50’s. Apparently they’re not worth much more than that today. Still cool though.

dental mold of teeth

Why would I keep this dental mold? 24 years it’s been sitting in a box. I think it’s time to let go.

cable car tickets

Have you been to San Francisco lately? How much does it cost to ride the cable cars? I found these postcard/tickets in a photo box from when the HH and I were there 10 years ago. I wonder if I can still use them? Does anyone know? We might be going to SF this summer and I’d like to use them if they are still good.

racing bibs run walk

And racing bibs. Why am I keeping them? Seriously.

I wish there was someplace I could send all this junk. Maybe it could be of use to someone else. An artist {or a hoarder} maybe.

Why do we keep the things we do?

~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.

Kindle Books, Window Treatments, Melissa and Doug Toys, Fancy Dress Shoes and More

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protuberanceWord of the Day: Protuberance Definition: Something that sticks out, bulges Used in a sentence: That protuberance on his face is his nose.

lucy puggle dog

I woke up this morning and I didn’t even know what day it was. Does that ever happen to you? Sheesh! Lucy is having a grand time watching the UPS truck stop at everyone’s house this week. She pretty much flips out if he stops at our door to drop something off. She is convinced ALL PACKAGES are for her and won’t stop attacking the box until I open it. Ha! Does your dog do this too?

Oh Lucy. She is so much fun.

Have a great day everyone,

♥ Mavis

*This deal post will be updated throughout the morning so be sure and check back for deals. 

melissa and doug toys

Amazon Deal of the Day for 12/2/15 – Up to 50% Off Select Melissa & Doug Toys

dentastix

More Amazon Daily Deals for 12/2/15

brother sewing machine

stationary bike

last minute knitted gifts

Available Kindle Books I think are cool…

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! 🙂

The Top 9 Reasons I LOVE Amazon Prime

Check out how you can get FREE 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime. Don’t forget you can try Prime for FREE for 30 days. Pretty cool if you ask me! Try Prime for free by heading HERE.

walkers shortbread

Subscribe and Save Deals

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

elf shoes

Need a pair of Elf Shoes? Yes, yes you do!

sipping stones

Home and Kitchen Deals

cheap curtain rodsKohl’s Deals

Save an additional $10 off any $50 YOUR OUTERWEAR,COLD WEATHER BOOTS AND ACCESSORIES
PURCHASE OF $50 OR MORE with code BUNDLEUP at checkout.

Kohl’s offers Free shipping with any purchase over $50!

Smithsonian magazine

Discount Mags is offering a 1 year subscription to Smithsonian Magazine for only $8.99 a year when you use code MAVIS at checkout. This is one of my FAVORITE Magazines! This deal will expire 12/3/15 at midnight EST.

thermal bottoms

Get a pair of Duofold Women’s Mid Weight Wicking Thermal Leggings starting at $4.99 {prices vary depending on size and color}

philosophy shower bath shampoo Gels

If there is one thing I splurge on every year, it’s Philosophy Bubble Bath and now through December 3rd, Philosophy is offering $30 off your online purchase of $60 or more when you use promo code giving30 at checkout. Plus you will also receive 3 free samples with your order. Yee- Haw!

free christmas music

Get FREE Christmas Music from Amazon!!

amazon prime music

Plus listen to Prime Music for a chance to win $25,000 in Amazon.com Gift Cards. Play any song, station, or playlist to be automatically entered. No purchase necessary. See Official Rules for details and alternate method of entry. Ends December 5, 2015. Listen now to enter.

Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli SoupIf you love this soup at the Olive Garden, you’re going to love this copycat Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Soup recipe. It really does taste just as good as the original.  {Pin for Later} Find more recipes on my Soup Pinterest Board.

zippo hand warmer

Cabela’s Daily Deals for 12/2/15

Marmot Backroad Fleece Jacket

REI Outlet Deal of the Day – Marmot Backroad Fleece Jacket $64.73 $48.54. {Through December 6th, 2015 you can save an extra 25% off 1 REI Outlet item}. The discount automatically applies to one highest-priced qualifying REI Outlet item at checkout. Yay!

yarnAdd 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}. 

bubble wrap

Shipping packages this year? Right now you can get a 175′ Roll of Small Bubble Cushioning Wrap for $12.49 shipped.

peacoat

Cents of Style has their collection of kids winter clearance items for 40% OFF lowest marked price w/code WINTERKIDS.

zaycon discount

Save an additional 5% off your Zaycon Fresh order of $175 or more now through 12/5/15 when you use code SALE2015 at checkout.

Check out their prices:

  • Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts$1.89/lb X 40.00 lbs | $75.60/case
  • Old Fashioned Boneless Applewood Smoked Ham$3.49/lb X 20.00 lbs | $69.80/case
  • Fresh 93/7 Lean Ground Beef Fresh $3.99/lb X 40.00 lbs | $159.60/case
  • Fresh 80/20 Ground Beef Fresh $2.99/lb X 40.00 lbs | $119.60/case
  • Premium Breaded Chicken Breast Fritters$2.79/lb X 20.00 lbs | $55.80/case
  • Whole Boneless Pork Tenderloin $2.99/lb X 16.00 lbs | $47.84/case
  • Boneless Center Cut Pork Loins $3.49/lb X 10.00 lbs | $34.90/case
  • Frenched Rack of Pork $3.99/lb X 16.00 lbs | $63.84/case
  • Fresh Hickory Smoked $3.79/lb X 36.00 lbs | $136.44/case
  • Pork Sausage Links $2.79/lb X 20.00 lbs | $55.80/case
  • Ribeye Steaks $9.99/lb X 14.00 lbs | $139.86/case

pineapple

Check out these New Printable Coupons:

Find More 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