My Review for Turning off Dish and Turning on Hulu and Netflix!

Hi all!

Turning off the Dish:
In my continuing (on-going) efforts to lower our bills (which has been so hard lately since so much has already been lowered or turned off)...about a month and a half ago...I had our Dish Network turned off.  Actually, the folks at Dish were so nice and worked with me well.  They actually "paused" our service...costing us nothing to do so.  This means...we pay nothing per month for 6 months unless we call to have it "un paused."  No we do not have service; however, the upside is when finances or better or we change our minds...we just give a call and our TV is back on in 5 minutes (no set up fee, etc...keep the equipment, and when we turn back on...get the same price and programming we were paying before).  If we decide we need to keep it paused...we just call before the 6 months is up and add another 6 months...no penalty or charges.  For all of this...I say Thank you to Dish Network!

Turning on Hulu Plus and Netflix:
So, what to do with TV entertainment in the home and do we feel "cheated?"  Well, we hooked up Netflix and Hulu Plus to the Wii on our main TV.  Netflix has a great and wide variety of children's programming.  We are not movie people so I am sure at some point that will come in handy for us eventually.  Hulu Plus has been terrific for my husband and I as we can still watch The Daily Show and The Colbert Report (a day later but a lot of times we watched on delay on our DVR for falling asleep anyways).  Also we feel we get the same benefit from a DVR with our favorite shows as we just wait a day later to watch all our shows so we can stop, fast forward, and rewind.  I actually LIKE the fact that Hulu Plus has commercials...it gives you the sense that you are watching live TV.  For our secondary TV, we purchased a Roku box which I highly recommend as the picture quality is Far greater than that with the Wii.  We are happy with anything but I do have to say that.  We did also need to purchase normal antennas for regular TV watching on both TVs.  We do have two other TVs in the kids rooms, but we aren't in a hurry for antennas for their rooms.  They never really used their TVs much anyways which is great.

We have been doing this for about a month and half now (going on two months about) and I have no regrets and do not feel cheated in my TV watching which was to be a concern but no longer is.  My household is happy, self included.

Happy Monday all!
Melanie

Pinterest Boards

I realize I have "dropped the ball" a bit on posting new blog posts here.  I suppose it is partially because I have an addiction for Pinterest!  I pin a lot of money saving ideas and DIYs there.  Shame on me...I could have been blogging those finds!  My apologies.

I will start by simply giving you my direct link to the money saving boards right now!
(If you follow ALL of my boards...well, unless you are an Artist or Art Teacher..you may get annoyed as I am pinning lesson plans all the time.  That info is pretty cool also...but perhaps maybe just for me! :-) ) 

Here they are:
http://pinterest.com/macramemelanie/diy-and-how-tos/ (This is DIY and How Tos)

http://pinterest.com/macramemelanie/home/ (Home..stuff like detergent here..Awesome $ Saver!)

http://pinterest.com/macramemelanie/saving-money/ (Saving Money)

I have a lot of other boards as well...but the three above are dealing with the main topic of this blog: Thrifty & Creative in Saving Money!

Enjoy!
If you have a Great Money Saving Board....Share below in a comment so I can follow you! 

Money remains tight and I am always seeking more ways to save!
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Melanie

Teacher Friends Needing Followers...Read On!

Hi T & C followers!

My apologies for going a bit off topic here....but in addition to being a thrifty and a creative...I am also a teacher!  (Art Teacher to be specific)

I have some fellow colleagues at work that are in need of your "follow" or as google blogger calls it:  "follower" (before you see that, it will say on the blog "join this site").  If you could give these very talented gals and friends a "follow" that would be of great help on a massive project they are undergoing and trying to get certified for.  They need Your Follow!  The best way to learn more is to read their blog (and please do follow it):

Whole Brain Teaching Rocks!

full length blog address is:  www.wholebrainteachingrocks.blogspot.com

 

Thank you all!

Melanie

 

Long time No Post!!! 2012 has been busy!

Sorry for Long time No Posting!

I am not a New Year's Resolution kind of gal; however, I believe I will make one right now and hope the next time I get on here to update my post...this is not the most recent. :-)
Figured it out?  Yep! Simply to POST more on this blog.  I do love my blog but seriously...time has not presented itself lately for my blogging.

Busy with Kids getting older and trying to have my jewelry in three locations has been a challenge for sure.  I feel I am starting to balance back out and will be smarter about my time with everything pretty soon.  Do stay tuned and check in once in a while to see if I have got my blogging act back together.

In the event my blogging is still lagging...Happy New Year 2013!  :-)

Sincerely,
Melanie

Relay for Life 2012

Hi All!

I am joining Relay for Life and The American Cancer Society again this year.  I am fundraising for the event representing my school at the Relay.

I have lost a father-in-law and grandmother to cancer.  I am happy with this organization and for what they do for people living with this terrible disease and seeking a cure.  When you give, you are helping to supply people with cancer "More Birthdays!" 

Please give if you can...here is the link to my page:

LINK to My Relay Page:  http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12SA?px=20845960&pg=personal&fr_id=40705&s_src=fbcomments
Melanie

Happy Mother's Day! 2012

Happy Mom's Day to all the Moms and Moms-to-be out there!

I hope you all have had a terrific day!

My hubby and kids gave me two gift cards...one for Kohl's and one for Michael's!  Both are terrific.  With the Kohl's card...I found my son some new sneakers and I still have $10 left for myself later on.  I will probably purchase a new pair of yoga pants for the gym.  With the Michael's card (I haven't spent just yet) but will probably try to purchase a bookcase (raw wood one..small) if they have it.  If not...you know it is going to be jewelry supplies for supplies for my art room!  I am happy with what I have purchased and what I plan to purchase with the gift cards. I do not intend to waste a dime of it.

We also enjoyed church this morning.  The message was about what a "Real Woman" is...I hope they have this in an archive...it was a very good message and much of it would surprise you and not so predictable.  It was excellent.  My church's website, should you be interested in attending online, is: www.c3church.org !  The live feed for Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings is:  www.C3church.com/LiveFeed   If you can find today's message in archive...it is well worth watching.  They all are..but I really enjoyed today's!

As far as a financial update...we are doing fine...still battling that credit card I keep bringing up but it is looking better and better all the time.  Even though we paid a lot on it two months in a row and it says $0 due...we still pay the old requested amount to stay ahead so in future months should there be one that is difficult...we can skip a payment then or simply pay it off quicker!
Have a great week and Month of May!
I am a teacher and this month in the world of Schools is action packed with testing, ending classes, closing down classrooms, etc... It may be June before I can give another update!
Thank you for being a loyal Thrifty and Creative Reader!
Sincerely,
Melanie

Kids are getting older! Side effect: saving money!

I have only two kids...one boy... 6 1/2 years old and one girl...2 years old. 

My oldest seems to not care for normal toys anymore...just the typical electronics and playing ball outside.  This definitely (for us) cuts down on cost.  Also, the only way our son gets a new game, etc..is doing well in school or in his sport...Soccer! 

My youngest (daughter)...she is happy with any toy and pretty much we never buy her clothes or toys.  Family have been great about giving her toys and clothing randomly.  She doesn't need anymore than what she has.  She is also starting to potty train and using less diapers and moving into the pull-ups where less changes are necessary.  These are all normal getting older savings.
Also, with daughter getting older...less doctor visits, etc...Thank God for that one!

None of these are a surprise to anyone but it sure is helping out our financial problems of the past couple years.  Definitely an assistance. Also,  I am excited to report...we will be loving the month of April for a long time to come.  I just got my first ever Longevity Check (10 years of service is the first time you receive this at my work).  It wasn't huge but it was something and offset my husband's MRI and my Dermatology visit.  We appreciate it greatly. Also, my husband gets his raise each year in April!  Even if not alot...it is something!  We are very appreciative and frugal peoples.  We are going to target the large credit card that was developed due to a death in the family and having to replace an engine in the same year. We don't complain about this, we are greatful we were able to do what we had to do anyway we could.

Happy Sunday! 
"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Passage Psalm 118:24

Happy Earth Day as well!
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Long time...No post! Back to Lowe's Promo time!

Hi All!
So sorry for the lack of updates/posts.  I tend to spend more time on Twitter, Facebook and Etsy anymore.  But even those I am just not on as much. I suppose it is due to having a 2 year old, 6 year  old and all the events, activities, and such that go along with those ages.

It is that time of year again...Lowe's Promo 12 Months No interest!  We take advantage of this each year around this time.  (Right after taxes.)  We pay of our balance from the previous year and make new purchases to be paid over time and off at next year's tax time.  It is nice...we get to improve our home and no interest.  Makes our home feel "fresh" again each Spring!  This is at least the 3rd or 4th year we have done this and we have been wonderfully disciplined in paying off the balance at tax time.  If you are not a disciplined individual...these promos could be a trap for you.  Examine yourself and be realistic if it is for you.

This year we will buy landscaping improvement products.  Nothing exciting...trying to keep the trees alive.  Also, will purchase a fridge filter, giant trash bags (since we take our own trash...very much a money saver and we haven't looked back).  We have decided what else exactly yet, I will update on our final list and what we get.  I love this time of year! :-)

Take Care and have a Happy Easter! (it's around the corner!)

Melanie

New Year's Goals for 2012

My apologies for ringing in the new year here at Thrifty and Creative a few days late.  :-)

I haven't forgot you, Thrifty and Creative...just busy with lots of other online stuff.

I am not a huge fan of "resolutions." It looks as it is the cool thing Not to be a fan.  LOL  I do; however, believe in "goals."  One has to better themselves by trying to achieve something greater than the ordinary, everyday.  For me (us) and finances...my (our) New Year's "Goal" is to pay down that same massive credit card I have blogged about before.  I suppose it is official...we have been working on that particular card for over a year now.  The point?  We aren't giving up but continuing to plan to get it paid down and eventually off.  This year...saying we get back a tax return (hopeful)...90% of it will be dedicated to that card.  From my estimate...it won't pay it off, but it will bring down the monthly payment enough to be able to pay MORE than the monthly and "snowflake" it down.  The other 10% (again saying we get a return) will go to savings and to pay off our usual Lowe's Home Improvement card (it will be less than $400 at tax time).  We always make at least one or two home improvements (small or large...depends on our current financial situation) with the Lowe's Card at Tax Time and take advantage of the 12 or 18 months, no interest specials.  We always pay off whatever remains each tax season.  I enjoy this tradition as we love to better our home and continually increase its value.  The dream?  LOL One day borrow against our home's equity and buy a second one in a foreign country for retirement.  Crazy?  Perhaps!  We have to have Goals and a Plan to reach them!  This is one of ours. 

Happy New Year!
What are your Goals for 2012?

Merry Christmas and Thrifty New Year to you all! :-)

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a Thrifty New Year as well..where we all watch carefully how we spend our hard earned dollars. 

What will I do different?  Not much where month to month is concerned. 

I am, however, hoping to do well at Tax Time (Oh man...I said it..can you believe that is already around the corner?).  If I can do decent at Tax Time ...my 2012 financial goal will be to put a huge dent into one credit card that has spun out of control and caused us the financial problems we are having right now.  We are getting by and I am proud to say that, but something needs to happen with that card and that is the reason it is the goal of 2012 for us/myself.  The card got like it is for important, unfortunate reasons: Death in the family in 2010 and replacing an engine in one vehicle Summer 2011.  Both could not be predicted and nope...we weren't ready financially.  Granted, this has taught us some lessons on finance.  But we have to start with getting that card paid down (and off) and then start a "real" savings. 

Merry Christmas!

Cheers to a New Year of Smart Financial Decisions!