Budgeting Meals

I've been working on budgeting meals lately, I saw this promotion.  Says if I post this code:





I could get a free e-copy.
So here it is and I'll see what the e-book says and write a review for you!

My review 1/21/2012:

The book was good - I was already doing some of the main suggestions, like menu planning, but I haven't delved into the world of freezer cooking yet.  We don't have a freezer.  I enjoyed the information on how we're paying more for less and gave suggestions for homemade convenience foods (like seasoning mixes).

If you are looking to lower your overall grocery budget, there was some useful information that I hadn't heard before.  I'm not sure I learned anything super exciting that would save me a ton on my monthly budget, but a little more this month and maybe I'll learn more somewhere else and perhaps I'll write my own book someday on the things I've picked up along the way!

Christmas Pictures!

It's somewhat of a tradition to set up the camera on a timer and take a family picture by the Christmas tree.  Here is this years picture:

I'll post our Christmas letter later this month!

DIY Chair

I've been loving some of those low cost home decorating blogs that are out there.  Blogs like Centsational Girl have inspired me to start thinking outside the box when looking at second hand furniture.  A few weeks ago our neighbors had left this on the curb.

Two cans of spraypaint, some clearance fabric (that was also 50% off of that clearance price!) and some faux finishing nails later, I was able to get this:

As you can see, it fits perfectly in my entryway.  Don't look too close, you'll see scratches where I was hammering in the nails, cracks where the arms are still nearly broken, but it's supposed to be a pretty chair, not a functional chair - so I'm please with how it came out.  In all I spent about $25 - not as cheap as I'd like, but I still have some paint, fabric and nails leftover which I will save for future projects.  That side table is looking like it may want to be painted to match that chair!