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Friday, April 24, 2009

Frugal Friday & Verbena Custom Blends Giveaway



Today's Frugal Friday tips are going to be short and sweet because I am tired. It's been a long week of working in my yard planting flowers and veggies. Even though they are short tips they are good ones.

Let's start with gardening. Since I am working on it so diligently myself. If you have enough yard or land start a garden. Yes it is work but it's fun work and will save you money from all the fresh produce you grow yourself. It saves more money to purchas
e and start your own seeds than to buy the actual plants. So remember this for your garden. Also catch rain water for watering the garden. You can even use water from cooking. Like the water left from boiling spaghetti noodles and such. Your veggies will love it.

Miscellaneous tips:

Only get haircuts every 8-10 weeks, instead of every 6 weeks. Now if you think you can't go over 6 weeks you'll be surprised that just the addition of an extra two weeks is not bad. This will knock down the cost of haircuts from 9 a year to only about 6. That's quite a bit of savings for yourself.

Do your own manicures as well. I know it's not the same as having someone else do them but the savings are substantial. I have never had a professional mani or pedi. I have survived too.

Shop year round for Christmas gifts when you notice the stores having sales. Don't wait till the last few months before the holidays as prices go up. Shop thrifty sales and save yourself money.

Dumpster dive, if you’re brave and it’s legal where you are. I know several of you just turned up your noses on that one but I have done it a few times myself. I have a nice end table in my dining room which holds my purse and those items everyone throws down when coming in daily. I found it outside a neighbors house for the weekly garbage pickup. There is nothing wrong with it. The sign on yesterday post on my little wisteria vine bird house we made was from a dumpster dive. I repainted all of it including the lettering and it's cute as punch now.

Have a yard sale. The weather has been nice enough here to start all the yard and thrift sales in our area. You are not only eliminating clutter from your home but making some extra money as well. De-cluttering is working towards a more simple lifestyle and saves you time on dusting all those knick knacks you can sell. Put what you earned into a savings account or use it to splurge on a nice dinner out.

If you have items left from your yard sale get rid of them on Freecycle. Also if you need anything ask on Freecycle if someone has what your looking for. You'll be surprised at how much you can find for free. Nothing is better than free in my book. I have someone who has been saving me the five gallon buckets I am using for my garden containers.

Never spend your change. Bring it home and put it into a bank or jar and once a week stick it into your savings account. It will grow in no time and you'll never miss that change.

Enter blog giveaways. Yes, you can actually win from time to time. I am living proof. I honestly really thought I wouldn't ever win but have won many nice items I needed. I've won books, purses, a new pair of capri jeans from Lee, gift bags and even a couple of gift cards to Walmart and a restaurant. It only takes a little time and there are literally hundreds of giveaway blogs out there.

If you get a raise at work or a bonus, use it for paying off credit cards or put it into your savings acct. Don't change your way of being frugal or change your budget. Simply forget you have it. If you have automatic deposit at work, change the bonus or pay raise to automatically go into your savings. You'll never miss what you didn't have to begin with.

I know I've talked to you about various ways we are cutting back and being frugal here at our house. I wanted to let you know that coupons are working really well for me. Last week I saved over $100 on our grocery bill. It did take me quite a few hours to shop and get all my coupons together and which stores I needed to go to but for that amount of savings it was well worth it. My best purchase to date was last week. I had noticed that our local Walmart had a sale on V05 shampoo and conditioner for $1.00 a bottle. I remembered seeing a coupon (printable) online for $1.00 off each. I came back home and printed out 10 coupons. Returned back to the store and got 10 bottles completely free. I have stocked up on shampoo and conditioner now and we won't be needing any for quite some time.

Also by using our clothesline each time I do laundry it has made our electric bill go down an average of $50 a month. No one is complaining about stiff clothes now.

Something else I have been doing for a few months now is taking surveys online for cash or points and also "getting paid to read emails". I honestly thought when I started it would be some sort of hoax or gimmick. But it really works and you earn a little extra money or gift cards. I have already made about $60 for what little time it takes to do the surveys they send me. Also another sight which pays you in points for shopping through them sent me a $10 gift card to Red Lobster and a $15 gift card to FTD flowers. Next week I will be discussing how to do this more and provide everyone with the needed links for those interested in doing the same.

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Giveaway time again this week. I am so happy to say that this weeks sponsor of our Frugal Friday giveaway is Verbena Custom Blends from her Etsy store. This store has some of the most exquisite handmade all natural Soaps, Whipped Body Frostings, Whipped Yogurt Creams, Cupcake Soaps I have ever seen. Honestly they do not look like soaps but look good enough to eat.



Verbena Custom Fragrance Blends is all about customized, handmade, special bath and body luxuries. My handcrafted soaps are deeply scented, pretty to look at and good for your skin! She offers a lot of different fragrances to choose from, and can custom blend a fragrance just for you!

HER SOAPS ARE NOTHING BUT PURE NATURAL GOODNESS!!! SHE DOESN'T USE ARTIFICIAL LATHERING AGENTS IN HER SOAPS LIKE SLS OR PROPYLEN GLYCOL. ALL OF HER HANDCRAFTED SOAPS GET YOU CLEAN WITHOUT STRIPPING YOUR SKINS NATURAL OILS AND THEY HAVE A SILKY GLIDE-YOU CAN SHAVE WITH- AND A RICH CREAMY LATHER. YOUR SKIN WON'T FEEL DRY OR TIGHT, JUST PAMPERED AND MOISTURIZED!

Verbena Custom Blends is giving one lucky winner a choice of any item(s) from her store that are priced at $15.00 or less. This includes almost everything she has in her store. Very few items are priced more than $15.00 With Mother's Day being just around the corner wouldn't

your mother love to receive a special soap or whipped body frosting? Or keep it for yourself for Mother's Day and pamper yourself. Everyone deserves to be pampered.

To enter this giveaway all you have to do is go to Verbena Custom Blends Etsy store and take a look around. Come back here and leave me a comment on what you would use your $15 for. That's all you have to do to enter this wonderful natural giveaway. This counts as your first entry and must be done.

If you would like extra entries (you know you do) then choose various ways from the list below, or do all of them. The choice is yours. Leave a separate comment for each one to let me know and for it to be counted properly. The winner will be chosen by using Random number through Random.org.




1. Add Verbena Custom Blends Etsy store by choosing to fav it.
2. Leave a comment telling me who would be receiving the gift or if you would keep it yourself.
3. Follow my blog or if already following just comment you are.
4. Subscribe to my blog or if already doing so comment and tell me.
5. Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment twittering the giveaway. You must leave a comment with your twitter ID and link back. You can do this once a day as well. Just leave a separate comment each time.
6. Add this giveaway to a Mr. Linky or Stumble, Digg or Facebook and leave a comment separately for each one done. As well as a link or ID.

For an additional 5 points blog about this giveaway with a link to my blog and a link to Verbena Custom Blends store as well. Leave five separate comments for this.

If you do not have a blog then email five of your friends about the giveaway and CC me so I know you've done this. Then also leave a five separate comments that you have done so.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN EMAIL EITHER IN YOUR BLOG PROFILE OR LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN YOUR COMMENTS SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU.

Giveaway winner will be chosen at 10:00 pm on April 30th and announced the following day on the blog. You will be contacted at that time and have 48 hours in which to reply back or an alternate winner will be chosen.

Good Luck Everyone.

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Till tomorrow my friends. Happy Savings,












103 comments:

Amy M said...

Hello Treasia, Great Giveaway!! Her stuff is absolutely YUMMY looking!!

I added her to my faves on Etsy.


Thanks for the giveaway!
Amy :)

Amy M said...

I would TOTALLY keep this for myself!!

Amy M said...

I follow

Amy M said...

I tweeted this...can't remember how to link it though!! LOL I have done it before and I have totally forgotten!

Thanks for visiting Ozarks blog and entering in our giveaway too! I hope you are well and enjoying our beautiful weather!! :) Thanks Treasia!

Amy

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

You are just soooo amazing!

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I would choose the banana buttercream :)

always_317537(at)yahoo(dot)com

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I would keep this for myself :)

always_317537(at)yahoo(dot)com

Amy M said...

Oops!! I am totally having an "off" day!! I like so many things but I love Pink Sugar so...Pink Sugar (Aquolina Type) scented WHIPPED CREAM SOAP 4 oz.- Vegan Friendly & PINK SUGAR (Aquolina Type) CUPCAKE All Natural Shea Butter Soap- Vegan Friendly

Thanks for the reminder! ;)
Amy

Mental P Mama said...

You are so wonderful with these Friday posts;)

Unknown said...

Hey Girly...Great post...as always.

I follow you and I will link on facebook to you.

I LOVE the Pink Sugar Whipped Cream Soap and a Marshmellow Fluff Cupcake...that is what I would spend the $15 on!!!

And they would be more me and no one else.

Pick me...pick me!!!

Big Hair Envy said...

Such GREAT ideas!! I always pick up a few tips I can use;)

Here's my wish list:

Vanilla Pear Whipped Yogurt Body Cream & Lemon Verbena Mint & Vanilla Whipped Body Frosting

YUMMY!!!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

I would use my $15 for a FRESH PICKED MINI PINK TEA ROSES scented WHIPPED YOGURT BODY CREAM & Gracefully light and fresh and Amazing scented Whipped Body Frosting 4 ounces.

Thank you!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

I faved the store on Etsy :)

Thank you!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

I would keep the rose body cream for my daughter and give the whipped cream to my best friend.

Thank you!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

I'm a follower on Blogger. :) Thank you!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

I'm a follower on Twitter and I tweeted: http://twitter.com/antispamgirl/status/1607295307

Thank you!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

I posted this contest on http://www.cancontests.com

Thank you!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

I faved you on Technorati - Spamgirl. Thank you!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

I faved you on StumbleUpon - Spamgirl. Thank you!

bloggytreasures said...

I would have to get the banana cream and lemon verbena body whips!
quelleheure4[at]gmail{dot}com

bloggytreasures said...

I tweeted it!(quelleheure4)
http://twitter.com/quelleheure4/status/1608487904

bloggytreasures said...

I'd have to keep this for myself. :)
quelleheure4[at]gmail{dot}com

Snooty Primadona said...

Dang girl! If that was short post then I'd hate to see a long one, lol. I'm exhausted after just reading it!

You can take the stiffness out of line dried clothes by fluffing them with a dryer sheet for like 5 minutes. Then you can use the the dryer sheet again for several times as well.

Ever since I opened my online shop in 2001 & started having to pay for bubble wrap & shipping peanuts, I've been a dumpster diver. I admit it! It has saved me hundres of dollars in shipping supplies. I also beg them from friends & people I barely know, lol.

As usual, great Frugal Friday post!

rubynreba said...

The fresh picked mini tea rose whipped yogurt body cream and the black raspberry and vanilla whipped yogurt body cream look good enough to eat and I would get them if I won.

rubynreba said...

I am a subscriber

rubynreba said...

I would keep one and give one to my daughter.

Julie D said...

Yum, that stuff looks fabulous! I have to check itout!

I'm here getting caught up on my blog reading!!! Have a great weekend!!!

joahsgrandma said...

Easy pick since I'm a sucker for handmade soaps and would also love to try a body frosting so my choice would be .... Gracefully light and fresh and Amazing scented All Natural SHEA BUTTER SOAP and WHIPPED BODY FROSTING 2 oz.

joahsgrandma said...

And, selfishly, I'd KEEP IT FOR MYSELF because nobody would appreciate it more than me!

minishoes1 said...

Hi!
I got the pretty apron in the mail yesterday, that I won on your site. It's so lovely! I have a different gmail address since mine got deleted some how! So I am re-following you. Thanks again for the Apron.jacquecurl1@gmail.com

Risingsouth said...

I would buy the Deluxe Detangler Body and Shine Conditioner in Gardenia and the Gardenia all natural soap.

Risingsouth said...

I am a subscriber.

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

Tweeted! :) http://twitter.com/antispamgirl/status/1616870001

Thank you!

Linda said...

I would get CREAMY COCONUT FROSTED LIME CUPCAKE scented Deluxe Detangler Body and Shine Conditioner & CREAMY COCONUT and FROSTED LIME CUPCAKE scented Whipped Cream Soap.

AngelFabs said...

i would get the goat's milk and pink sugar cupcakes.
Thanks!
Adreisinger@aol.com

AngelFabs said...

Being selfish and keeping it for me!
Adreisinger@aol.com

AngelFabs said...

I follow.
Adreisinger@aol.com

AngelFabs said...

Email subscriber.
Adreisinger@aol.com

AngelFabs said...

Twitter and Tweet!
http://twitter.com/afabozzi/statuses/1618128086
Adreisinger@aol.com

Katherine said...

I would spend my $15 on: Beautiful (Estee Lauder Type) Whipped Body Frosting 4 ounces and FROSTED LIME CUPCAKE Scented All Natural SHEA BUTTER SOAP - Vegan Friendly.
kkondek at gmail.com

Katherine said...

I think I would have to keep it myself! The items look so nice!
kkondek at gmail.com

Katherine said...

New follower! :)
kkondek at gmail.com

Katherine said...

Follow and tweet! http://twitter.com/ktkatherine/status/1621519482
kkondek at gmail.com

Wehaf said...

I would buy three bars of this: GARDENIA scented All Natural SHEA BUTTER SOAP- Vegan Friendly

urchiken at gmail dot com

deepsouthrunner said...

With $15, if I could get two things, I would get the Pink Sugar scented Whipped Yogurt Body Cream 2 oz. and Creamy Coconut and Frosted Lime cupcake scented whipped cream soap. This stuff looks sooo nice!!

sarahbcrawford(at)gmail(dot)com

deepsouthrunner said...

I faved the Verbene shop on etsy! (sarahbcrawford)

sarahbcrawford(at)gmail(dot)com

deepsouthrunner said...

This would be for me, I already have something else for my mom for Mother's Day!:)

sarahbcrawford(at)gmail(dot)com

deepsouthrunner said...

I follow your blog!
sarahbcrawford(at)gmail(dot)com

deepsouthrunner said...

I follow your Twitter (hellojournalist) and tweeted: http://twitter.com/hellojournalist/status/1623057375

sarahbcrawford(at)gmail(dot)com

FatalisFortuna said...

I'd get three of the Raspberry Cream and Coconut soaps!

EDRing said...

I would love to get a couple of their Whipped soaps. Two of my favorites would be the CREAMY COCONUT and FROSTED LIME CUPCAKE & the Chocolate Raspberry Cream Roll.

Ellen
eering99@hotmail.com

Vi (pronounced Vy) said...

this is one of those sites where everything looks good to try!

i'd want: Whipped Fluffy Facial Cream- Lush Moisturizing Shea Butter , Aloe Vera, Avocado oil, Jojoba oil, Grapeseed oil 2 oz.

she
pookielocks at ymail.com

Vi (pronounced Vy) said...

made her shop a favorite on etsy

I'm pookielocks

she

Vi (pronounced Vy) said...

following your blog!

she

Vi (pronounced Vy) said...

i would keep the $15 for myself!!

she

Vi (pronounced Vy) said...

blogged: entry 2


http://www.shebecameabutterfly.net/?p=2971

she

Vi (pronounced Vy) said...

blogged: entry 3


http://www.shebecameabutterfly.net/?p=2971

she

Vi (pronounced Vy) said...

blogged: entry 4


http://www.shebecameabutterfly.net/?p=2971

she

Vi (pronounced Vy) said...

blogged: entry 5


http://www.shebecameabutterfly.net/?p=2971

she

Vi (pronounced Vy) said...

tweeted

SheBAButterfly

deepsouthrunner said...

Tweeted again!
http://twitter.com/hellojournalist/status/1632799586

hellojournalist

sarahbcrawford(at)gmail(Dot)com

joannaonthelake said...

I Added Verbena Custom Blends Etsy store as one of my favorites. My Etsy username is joannaonthelake

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

Hmm, would I keep it or give it away, hmmm, me thinks my Mother would love to be pampered a little so I would love to give her some products to enjoy! I would give this as part of her gift for Mother's Day! It would be so unexpected and she'd be thrilled!
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

I am now following your blog, Yay~ my username is joannaonthelake

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

I am now subscribed to your blog.
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

I am now following you on twitter. My username is joannaonthelake and here is the link to my tweet:

http://twitter.com/joannaonthelake/status/1632879164

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

I Stumbled. My username is joannaonthelake and here is the link to my review:

http://joannaonthelake.stumbleupon.com/review/32365421/

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

I posted about your blog and this giveaway on facebook. My username there is Joanna Smith and here is the link to my post:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=535152687&ref=nf

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

Tweeted! :) http://twitter.com/antispamgirl/status/1633778595

Thank you!

joannaonthelake said...

Here's a new tweet for today:

http://twitter.com/joannaonthelake/status/1638866826

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

Anne said...

Blueberry - Lemon Cream scented Whipped Yogurt Body Cream 4 oz. LOADED WITH LUSH INGREDIENTS- Aloe, Chamomile, Jojoba and Avocado
and the STRAWBERRY COCONUT AND PINEAPPLE scented All Natural SHEA BUTTER SOAP-

Anne said...

I added her to my faves on etsy!

Anne said...

Blogged #1

Anne said...

Blogged #2
http://iheartgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/04/15-gc.html

Anne said...

Blogged #3
http://iheartgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/04/15-gc.html

Anne said...

Blogged #4
http://iheartgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/04/15-gc.html

Anne said...

Blogged #5
http://iheartgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/04/15-gc.html

Jodi said...

I think I would choose the SLS FREE Moisturizing Reconstructive Shampoo in Tropical Citrusy. Thanks!

Jodi said...

I added Verbena Custom Blends Etsy store to my favorites on etsy. Thanks!

Jodi said...

I'm following too. Thanks for the giveaway!

Jodi said...

I'll definitely be keeping this for myself if I win! :)

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

Tweeted! :) http://twitter.com/antispamgirl/status/1645541037

Thank you!

AJ said...

With the $15I'm getting the

All Natural Shea Butter Cupcake Soaps scented in PINK SUGAR (AQUOLINA TYPE) AND FROSTED LIME CUPCAKE- Vegan Friendly

( :


A_C_E_(at)hotmail(dot)com

AJ said...

I favorite Verbena Custom Blends in Etsy (:

A_C_E_(at)hotmail(dot)com

AJ said...

I will keep this for myself if I win ( :

A_C_E_(at)hotmail(dot)com

joannaonthelake said...

Here is a new tweet for today:

http://twitter.com/joannaonthelake/status/1649205900

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

yyeres said...

my favorite is the Blueberry Cobbler scented Creamy Goats Milk Soap with Silk amino acids and Shea Butter. yyeres(at)gmail(dot)com

MaddyRu said...

I would definitely get the CREAMY COCONUT and FROSTED LIME CUPCAKE scented Whipped Cream Soap SUGAR SCRUB- Vegan Friendly. (Sorry, had to cut and paste!). I love the Coconut Lime from Bath and Body Works and this is all natural!

MaddyRu said...

I added this store to my fav's. Thanks!

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

Tweeted! :) http://twitter.com/antispamgirl/status/1654775823

Thank you!

Rajee said...

Amazing scented All Natural SHEA BUTTER SOAP and WHIPPED BODY FROSTING 2 oz.
I would keep it for myself to give me boost to participate giveaway.
rajikarthik@hotmail.com

photoquest said...

I would be giving to myself and my mother as well because i have a list of things i would like, maybe she would let me use that toward a order, if not i would pick the Pink Suagred Coconut cream leave in conditioner. The other items i would order is the Pink sugar and coconut cream shampoo, Pink Sugar and coconut whipped body frosting, sugar scrub, Bananna cream and coconut whipped body cream , bananna cream & coconut cream body scrub If i could get these 2 scents in a body spray i'd order that too!
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

photoquest said...

I am also a new subscriber
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

joannaonthelake said...

Here's a new tweet for today:

http://twitter.com/joannaonthelake/status/1658559863

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

Danielle said...

I would absolutely choose the All Natural Shea Butter Cupcake Soaps scented in PINK SUGAR (AQUOLINA TYPE) AND FROSTED LIME CUPCAKE set. Mmmmm!

Danielle said...

I added them as a favorite on Etsy

Danielle said...

I would keep one and give one to my adult Sunday school teacher for Pastor Appreciation Day.

Buki Family said...

banana cream body whip...yum!

Buki Family said...

i would give this to my mommy.

Spamgirl said...

realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com

Tweeted! :) http://twitter.com/antispamgirl/status/1664011175

Thank you!

Sylvia said...

I would choose the cucumber splash yogurt cream and the lemon verbena mint body frosting

Sasha222 said...

I'd get the Marshmellow Fluff Cupcake and the banana cream whip!

Sasha222 said...

I follow!