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- December 15th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
A visit from the Christmas Elf
This post first appeared on my blog in December 2007. I have some new readers since then and thought it would be a fun post to re-share. KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK! An urgent sound was coming from the cold…
- December 7th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
When to keep and when to purge baby items
This post was inspired by a Facebook comment from my pal Jes of Beauty from Chaos. Jes mentioned that she was going through some baby stuff, trying to decide what to get rid of, even though she’…
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
It pays to confirm the price before you agree to services
… and I learned this lesson the hard way. Over the weekend, I went to a salon to get a haircut. The last time I was there, the stylist told me about a $15 option where I could have some “s…
- December 3rd, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Batch cooking day
I haven’t done a batch cooking session in awhile, but I’d like to change that. I’m going to throw together a bunch of dinners that we can eat over the next few weeks. We’ll be…
- December 2nd, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Making a free, homemade baby poncho
For safety reasons, children shouldn’t wear their winter coats while buckled into their car seats. You won’t be able to tighten the straps as you should. But it’s really a pain to…
- December 1st, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
‘What home can I afford?’ Calculator
I came across this handy calculator on my bank’s web site. You input how much down payment you have and how much you can afford to spend on housing per month. In addition, you add the property t…
- November 19th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Trying out Groupon to potentially save money on local attractions
Learn How Groupon Works! from The Point on Vimeo. My friend told me about a site called Groupon*. From their FAQs: “Each day, Groupon features an unbeatable deal on the best stuff to do, see, e…
- November 17th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Share expenses with a friend!
I recently mentioned how I split the cost of a museum membership with a friend. We’re both saving money and reaping the full benefits. There’s plenty more expenses you can share with a tru…
- November 16th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
A downside of thrift store shopping
I’ve hit some thrift stores pretty hard lately as I’m reworking my wardrobe. I’ve found some incredible deals! Thrift store prices are usually really cheap ($2-4 for a top, $4 for a…
- November 13th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Let’s donate money to pay off the national debt
I was listening to the radio this morning and heard how the government invites folks to donate money to help pay down the national debt. Brilliant! Read more about it here. The national debt is rapidl…
- November 11th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Save money on shoes by fixing the ones you have
Break a shoe? If you really liked the shoe, see if you can get it fixed before throwing it out! If a heel breaks, the soles need repair, the stitching is coming undone, etc., there’s a chance a…
- November 8th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Buying (and splitting) a museum membership to save money
If you have museums or a zoo in your town, it may be worthwhile to see if buying a membership would save money in the long run. We hadn’t visited any of the museums in Pittsburgh until recently.…
- October 30th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Johnny’s first Halloween costume
I’ve never been ultra into Halloween. I don’t like to scare people or be scared. But, I think dressing up can be a lot of fun and of course I love candy and treats :) This is my son’…
- October 28th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Saving for house, retirement or both
Last week, I read with great interest this article from Get Rich Slowly (the comments, too!). Author April questioned which should come first: Getting a house or funding your retirement? She explaine…
- October 27th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Ebates offers new payment methods
Ebates* has long been my favorite shopping portal. I’ve earned a lot of money through them simply through referral links (thank you!) and by clicking through the Ebates portal before I make an o…
- October 25th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Is being underpaid better than no paycheck at all?
What with the economy and all (are you tired of that cliche yet?), some folks are happy to take any job. At least, that’s what I’ve heard around teh interwebz. But is it true? And should p…
- October 22nd, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
A story about my phone charger
Last week, we visited family in Indiana. Space cadet that I am, I left my cell phone charger behind. My battery was on its last legs. Uh-oh. None of the fittings for my husband’s universal charg…
- October 9th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Winner of book giveaway
I used Random.org to select a winner from the comments, and it was number 45! That would be Marybeth of BabyGoodBuys. She was able to enter twice, since she subscribes to my blog. Marybeth, I’m…
- October 8th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Running the numbers on our new apartment
Earlier this summer, we moved to a different apartment across town. Rent was going up at our old place. We were tired of the apartment, and especially tired of not having our own washer/dryer in our u…
- October 6th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Giveaway: Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites book
Last week, I prepared a week’s worth of meals for a family who recently welcomed their third child into their home. Even though we sent a lot of food, it didn’t take me much time to prepa…
- October 5th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Preparing for a trip — and link love
This week, I’m getting ready for our family to make a big week+ long trip to visit family. I’m nervous. Lately, Johnny has been able to sleep for short bursts in the car, so that’s g…
- October 1st, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
October outlook
September was a bizarre month financially. Because our money was split among several banks, it was difficult to keep track of our finances. We’re transitioning to one bank and I think by the end…
- September 29th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Do you balance your checkbook?
I don’t. I did back when I got my first checking account in high school. I didn’t have a debit card, and I didn’t have online banking. Balancing my checkbook was the only way I could…
- September 28th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
G-20 a big deal for Pittsburgh
If you caught the news last week, the G-20 was in Pittsburgh. That’s right — world leaders gathered in this tahn to talk economics. Protesters showed up, too, to fight for their varied cau…
- September 24th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
How to move large sums of money between banks
First Niagara has lost my banking business. I was a National City customer, and First Niagara and PNC are buying up National City. My accounts split between the two banks, and it was impossible for us…
- September 23rd, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Making the rounds at area thrift stores
Meredith made an appearance on Frugal Hacks and blogged about Goodwill Outlets. There isn’t one of those near me, and I’m not sure if I have the guts to ever dive into one. I know that som…
- September 17th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Thoughts on a possible housing revival
It’s possible that this recession is winding down. New house construction is on the rise, according to CNN. Perhaps people are moving out of rental units and are becoming first-time house-buyers…
- September 14th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Buying a GoPhone to use with my regular plan
One of Johnny’s favorite toys is my cell phone. His face just brightens up any time I get it out. If I’m talking with one of his grandparents, I put it on speaker and he just smiles and sm…
- September 11th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Pittsburgh parents: Get to this sale!
I just got back from a massive children’s consignment sale. If you’re a parent or grandparent and live in the Pittsburgh metro, you should go! Snugglebugs consignment is a twice-per-year s…
- September 9th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Dave Ramsey giving away $1,000 per day for 9 days
This just came across my Facebook news feed: Blake: Okay, we’ve made you wait long enough. For the next 9 days we are giving away $999 a day! Plus, Dave is throwing in $1 to make it an even $1000! E…
- September 8th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
My bank failed me
Arg! My brick & mortar bank (for now) is National City. The bank is switching over to PNC and First Niagara. Some branches around here made the switch from National City to First Niagara this week…
- September 1st, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Sharing a little hospitality
I almost called this post, “Preparing to feed a few more mouths,” but then you’d think I was expecting a few babies. Uh, nope! Not pregnant. Anyway, Shane’s parents and possibl…
- August 31st, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
End of our limited-spending month
I learned a few things about myself as we set out to limit our discretionary spending in August. I buy a lot more than I thought. And I like shopping more than I thought. And to deprive myself of buyi…
- August 28th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Weekend roundup
Here’s some posts I’ve been meaning to share with you: - Ashley had her baby, Savannah River! I don’t want to give away the crazy ending, so let’s just say it didn’t go a…
- August 26th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Gearing up for fall clothes
Is it weird that I’m daydreaming about 45-degree crisp air, crunchy leaves, bonfires, snuggling with a cozy blanket and a bowl of chili? Oh, and football? Can’t forget football in this tah…
- August 24th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Big Old Navy sale! And codes!
If you need t-shirts, polos or other basics, hop over to OldNavy.com fast! But before you do, you’ll want to go to Ebates *and click through that. This week, you’ll get a whopping 8% cash…
- August 23rd, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Things on my mind — and digging out of a rut
Earlier this month, I mentioned that I was in a rut. I think I’m on the way out! This weekend, I went to a beauty salon and got a haircut — the first haircut I’ve had since becoming…
- August 16th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
On not making extra mortgage payments
First, I’ve gotta remind y’all that I live in an apartment and I’ve not yet had a mortgage. Further, if you’ll check out my sidebar, you’ll see that I’ve only got a…
- August 10th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Custom homemade granola
Lately, I’ve been noshing on granola for breakfast — the cardboard box variety. I wanted to see if I could make a yummier homemade version, and one without nuts so my husband could enjoy s…
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Meal plan for the week of Aug. 10
I’ve been keeping a list of my weekly menus in a Google Document for me to keep track of meals, recipes and other notes. It’s helpful for when I want to remember what we had a few weeks pr…
- August 7th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
I’m kinda boring lately — and some links
I’m super-boring these days. My life right now is consumed by taking care of my baby, and the free time that I do have is occupied by limited cleaning, running errands, playing the Wii, surfin…
- August 3rd, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Cheap meal inspiration on the Food Network
I just happened to be watching the Food Network this afternoon [Sidetrack: OK -- I don't pay for cable. The cable guy was unable to install our cable and internet correctly, and he said his only optio…
- August 2nd, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Limited-spending month for August
June was a spendy month. July was the same. As a result, our savings accounts were treading water and daring us to just tap them a little bit. I don’t regret any of our big purchases: Moving tru…
- July 29th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Impressions of our cloth diapers
Johnny has been in cloth diapers for a little over a month. It isn’t much time at all, but I figured I’d give my initial impressions of the kind we have for him, and my general thoughts of…
- July 27th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
It’s ok to be ‘unfrugal’ once in awhile!
Don’t worry about being “unfrugal” once in awhile. On occasion, I’ve seen some personal finance/frugal bloggers lament some purchases or practices that to the community might a…
- July 23rd, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Stay healthy to save your kids money, and another thing
Two things: First, if you need another reason to exercise, eat right and take care of yourself, think of your children! You want to be around to see them get older, but also your health (or lack of it…
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
It doesn’t always pay to go with the highest insurance deductible
A general rule of thumb states that opting for the highest insurance deductible you can afford will ultimately save you money. As usual, it pays to run the numbers. We’re renewing our renters in…
- July 20th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Using my credit card feels bad
I have a like/hate relationship with my credit card. I like the convenience of having access to my credit line at a moment’s notice. It does make larger purchases a little simpler, in a way. But…
- July 17th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Help this reader go on vacation on a budget
Photo: By Tadolo Recently, a reader named Kristin e-mailed me for help with finding a great deal on a vacation. I thought I’d pose this question to y’all, since I know many of you enjoy f…
- July 14th, 2009
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sensetosave has posted a new entry on: Sense To Save
Meal-planning inspiration
I’ve been getting away from meal planning and I don’t like it one bit! Time to get organized once again. If you’re looking for motiviation to plan your weekly menus and some new orga…
