Oops!

I nearly maxed out my credit card this week. I knew I shouldn't have gotten it.

Some Stylish Storage Tips

Well, okay, maybe not stylish, but maybe coordinated. If you go into places like Lowe's, Home Depot, or Hobby Lobby, you see all sorts of storage containers, all going for at least $7 or higher. If you want storage that is uniform and inexpensive, try using document storage boxes from Office Depot. You can get something like 10 boxes for maybe $17 or so. They are decently sized, like maybe 15 by 13 by 10. Try painting the boxes the same color as the wall, if you are putting the boxes on shelves. Or you can paint the boxes the same color as the bookcases. The paint isn't going to be too expensive. A quart does about 100 square feet, and is about $12. So that's less than $30 for 10 storage boxes, whereas if you bought the storage totes, even at $7, you'd be out $70. I think I saw this in an Ikea catalog. If you have a bunch of boxes all the same size, and all the same color, they look nicer and blend into the wall.

By doing this, you save a little bit of money, and you get bigger storage that you can customize by color. You can get different sized boxes if you need to, and there's really no limit to the amount you can get. I've bought storage containers at Lowe's, and wasn't able to get them all the same style. Same color, yes, but different style. And once it's gone, it's gone.

Arrrgh!

Spent way too much this past week. Sort of regretting that credit card now.

The Dollar Store Library

If you want to pick up some interesting reads, check out the dollar store. I recently picked up Lips Unsealed, by Belinda Carlisle. You may have to check back every couple of weeks or so in order to see what new books they have, but there is a chance that you'll pick up a pricey hardbound for just a buck. Carlisle's memoir was originally $26.00, but I got it for $1. About the only way I could have gotten a better deal was at a yard/garage sale for 50 cents or so. For $1, it's an entertaining read, and a fun glimpse into the life of a rock star.

Save a Little For the Near Future

Saving just $20 a week for 36 weeks will get you $720. Don't know about you, but that would make for a nice Christmas Club accumulation.

Oh Brother...

Yes, I got the credit card. Yes, I've charged two meals. That. Has. To. Stop.

Don't "Buy" the Plastic Trays

I work in a home improvement store, and every year, we sell those seed-starting kids. You know, those two-foot long plastic trays with a bunch of little holes you fill up with potting soil. They cost $4-7 apiece.

I saved my lettuce and cake containers for the last few months. Sure, they don't have the little individual holes, but if you plant carefully, that doesn't matter. Here's a photo of some of them, plus some marigolds, tomatoes and peppers I've started.

Credit Card

My first purchase with was for a tire. How boring.

It's Just as Well

T J M a.x x  turned me down for a credit card.