One Hundred Dollars a Month - Page 845 of 2143 - 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.

Do We Really Need Libraries?

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By Mavis Butterfield on May 12, 2015 · 21 Comments

I recently ran across an NPR article about the New York City public library situation. Apparently, they are in dire need of repair and updating. A new campaign called Invest in Libraries has ask the city to restore funding to the library system, including their previous $65 million in operating funds and another $1.4 billion over the next 10 years to bring all 217 buildings up to building standards. .

The article was titled, “Do We Really Need Libraries?” which is why I decided to click over…because yes! Yes, we do. Every time I go to our local library, it is bustling. I can only assume the question was posed because of modern day internet access in most households gives people access to information the way the library used to? BUT, I totally don’t think the world wide web is the same kind of resource. The library has people–real, live educated people that can walk you through finding a resource on just about anything. Librarians are cool like that. Plus, they offer so many community outreach programs for non-English speakers, book clubs, how-to classes {on just about every topic imaginable}, and it’s all FREE. You can borrow a book, a movie, and video game, and plop the kids down for story time all in one visit. It’s like the LAST thing in the world that is free {unless you want to get technical and say it comes out of your taxes}.

I think it’s pretty obvious, I am a fan of the library. {I even get a little excited at the smell of the old books when I walk in the door. I’m kinda nerdy like that.} But, what do YOU think? Should we continue to invest in libraries, or are they a thing of the past?

~Mavis

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Free Kindle Books, Baby Blankets, Clinique Bonus Time, Crocs Sandals and More

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By Mavis Butterfield on May 12, 2015 · 4 Comments

Word of the Day: Supercilious Definition: Scornful, lofty with pride Used in a sentence: My opponent walks about the ring with a supercilious smile on his face.

Hello there!

It looks like today is going to be another overcast day here in the Pacific Northwest. What’s the weather like in your neck of the woods? On the agenda for today is to tidy up the garage a bit, make some jam, take Lucy puggle on a long walk and maybe, possibly, if I’m really bored, work on cleaning out the craft room. We’ll see.

Have a great day everyone,

♥ Mavis

Amazon Gold Box Deal of the Day – Up to 60% Off Select Logitech Computer Accessories

Amazon Bonus Deal of the Day – Aylio 3 Flat Stretch Bands Exercise Set (Light, Medium, Heavy Resistance) and Door Anchor

Available Kindle Books I think are cool…

Vegan Pressure Cooking $0.99
Saving Sailor: A Novel Free
Beyond the Ivy: 100 Years of Wrigley Field Free
Harry Truman $2.99
Dump Dinner Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes or Less Free
Learn To Arm Knit Free
Essential Perennials $1.99
No Meat Athlete $0.99

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! 🙂

Finish Powerball Tabs Dishwasher Detergent Tablets, Fresh Scent, 90 Count $8.41 shipped when you clip the 30% off coupon and use the subscribe and save option.
Navitas Naturals Organic Raw Chia Seeds, 1 Pound Pouches $9.09 shipped when you clip the 30% off coupon and use the subscribe and save option.

Spray this DIY Daily Shower Spray on your shower and tub after each use and cleaning will be a snap! I love this stuff. Find more easy homemade cleaner recipes on my DIY Pinterest Board.

Looking for a calming activity for you or the kids this summer? Dimensions Needlecrafts has oodles of paint by number kits available for as low as $6.74 I just ordered on for The Girl Who Thinks She’s a Bird and myself.

Looking for a great baby gift? Bebe Bella Designs has their luxurious Minky Baby Blankets on sale for $20 shipped when you use code baby20 at checkout.*There is a limit of one blanket per order per household.

Today only you all dresses and skirts are Buy 1 Get 1 FREE over at Crazy8. Skirts are on sale for as low as $4.99! So only $2.50 each when you factor in the B1G1 deal! Wahooo!

Print a coupon for $1.00 off any ONE (1) Stayfree Product

Attention Clinique lovers… It’s Clinique Bonus time at Nordstrom and right now you can get a FREE bonus bag with any Clinique purchase $32 or more. Choose between two cosmetic bags filled with seven deluxe samples both of which are valued at $85 each. I LOVE their freebie makeup bags!

Nordstrom also has the Micro Corduroy Reversible Throw on sale for $26.13 shipped {was $39}

Amazon has the Apache Mills Iron Lattice Entrance Mat, 18-Inch By 30-Inch on sale for $10.97 and it ships FREE with Amazon Prime. Perfect for the front or back door. Excellent ratings!

Get a 1 Year Subscription to National Geographic Traveler Magazine for just $10. This is one of my favorite magazines! Dreaming is cheap!

Ever tried to dehydrate a sweet potato? They are perfect for throwing into stews and soups. Yum! Check out How to Dehydrate Sweet Potatoes. Get the recipe HERE or Pin it for Later. Find more recipes on my Dehydrated Food Pinterest Board.

Amazon has the Lipper International Set of 6 Bamboo Kitchen Tools, in Mesh Bag on sale for $6.20 and they ship FREE with Amazon Prime.

REI Outlet Deal of the Day – Men’s Smith Outlier Sunglasses $29.73 {was $80}

6pm has Crocs Flip Flops as low as $14 shipped!

The Home Depot Deal of the Day – UP TO 30% OFF SELECT BATH FANS

Here is a link to yesterday’s New Day Northwest segment if you are interested.

Check out these New Printable Coupons:

$1.00 off any ONE (1) Stayfree Product
$0.50 off one KRAFT Mayo or MIRACLE WHIP Dressing
$1.00 off ONE (1) Snack Pack Pudding Bars
$1.00 off ONE (1) So Delicious Dairy Free Product
$1.00 off any 1 Quilted Northern Ultra bath tissue
Buy 3 Hamburger Helpers, get 1 ground beef free
$1.00 off ONE Gillette or Venus Disposables
$2.00 off TWO Pantene Shampoos or Conditioners
$1.00 off ONE Crest Pro-Health Advanced Toothpaste

Find More Printable Coupons

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Cooking From Your Pantry | Menu Plan Ideas, Freezer Meals and Simple Recipes Week 19 of 52

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By Mavis Butterfield on May 11, 2015 · 1 Comment

The weather here in the Pacific Northwest is supposed to be a bit on the dreary side this week. Which is just fine with me because I’d like to get a little painting done inside and work on a few new recipes without the distraction of the garden.

DID I REALLY JUST SAY THAT?

Yes, yes I did. I know once the fence goes up next week I’ll probably be outside from the crack of dawn until dusk each day playing in the dirt. 😉 So. My goal for this week… Make lot’s of yummy food and stock the fridge and freezer for the next few weeks.

Here are a few of my favorites:
3 Breakfast Ideas

Crock Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal with Apples and Brown Sugar – I like to make this Friday night so that come Saturday morning, I can sleep in a bit, but breakfast is still ready when I get up. {Pin it for Later}

Rhubarb Walnut Muffins – These are tasty little suckers and they freeze really well. {Pin it for Later}

Cinnamon Buttermilk Waffles with Pecans – Cinnamon, syrup and crispy on the outside, soft in the middle waffles–do I really need to go on?{Pin it for Later}

$Tex-Mex Pearled Barley Salad with Corn$ 4 Lunch Ideas and Dinner Ideas

Cheesy Beef Tortilla Casserole – This EASY casserole is always a huge hit at our house. All you have to do is dump all of the ingredients together and bake. It doesn’t get much easier than that. {Pin it for Later}

Tex-Mex Pearled Barley Salad with Corn – This is a great vegetarian dish, packed with goodness and flavor. {Pin it for Later}

Creamed Peas and Potatoes – This is the ultimate comfort food. I actually don’t know why I don’t make it more often, my family always gobbles it right up. {Pin it for Later}

Homemade Sloppy Joes – After a long work week, these make the perfect Friday night dinner. They are a snap to whip up and kids {okay, adults too} love them. {Pin it for Later}

3 Sweet Treats

Raspberry Sorbet – This recipe calls for 4 ingredients and tastes better than any sorbet I’ve ever purchased. {Pin it for Later}

Homemade Peanut Butter – Okay, so it’s not technically a sweet treat, but add a little honey and a sliced apple, and the kids will thing they’ve died and gone to heaven. {Pin it for Later}

Rhubarb Custard Pie – Warm weather feels like pie season to me. There is something awesome about a pie sitting on the counter underneath a clean dish towel–just waiting to be eaten for breakfast 🙂 {Pin it for Later}

Featured Freezer Meal Recipe

Roadside Sliders – It’s nearly BBQ season again, so it’s a good time to stock up the freezer for impromptu get togethers. {Pin it for Later}

Featured Preservation Recipe

How to Dehydrate Kiwi – These are surprisingly tasty–in fact, they are a total treat because you definitely would be hard pressed to find them at the store. It’s one of those things that you actually have to make on your own. {Pin it for Later}

What are YOU planning on making this week?

~Mavis

Find more recipes on One Hundred Dollars a Month as well as on my Pinterest Recipe Boards.

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Do You Get Manicures?

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By Mavis Butterfield on May 11, 2015 · 40 Comments

When I was 16 my mother paid for me to get a manicure at the Gene Juarez Salon in Bell Square. I have not stepped foot inside a nail salon since. I know a ton of people who do get their nails done though and love it. But it’s just not for me.

I haven’t really given the whole nail thing much thought until I ran across an article in the New York Times about the poor wage conditions of manicurists in New York City {and surrounding areas}. I. Was. Shocked. Apparently, by in large, the whole manicure game in New York is basically a sweat shop for Chinese immigrants. They are often required to “pay” for training, and live on tips until the salon owner deems them valuable enough to earn a daily wage {as low as $30 a day}. The industry is apparently largely unregulated by NY, and with manicure prices at an average of $10.50, no wonder no one is making any money. I see sign around here all of the time for a manicure–they are usually at least $25.

The article goes into a lot of detail on the life of the manicurists–living far below the poverty line. Many of them live sleep/live in bunks in the back of the salon or share one room apartments with several people. It reads like the stuff we learned in history classes on the life of early immigrants. I’d like to think that a lot of it applies largely to NYC and surrounding areas, and that this isn’t the case around the country.

The whole thing was so fascinating, I thought I’d throw it out to you for comment. Do you get your nails done? How much do you pay? Do you tip {if so, how much?} Have you ever wondered about the people getting doing your nails and whether they are getting paid fairly? {No judgment here, I just have never even thought about it myself, and wondered if any of you have.}

~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.