My frugal nature comes in part from my creativity. Even as far back as I remember as a child I looked at idea's and products and set out to make my own version.

From attempting to sew doll and Barbie clothing by age 7 and 8 to making my own personalized stationary and envelopes in 7th grade to use when I mailed my many pen-pals, to sewing my own clothes in high school (including my interview outfit for a pageant I was in when I was 16) and later, even made the artwork to hang on our bedroom walls. Although I loved to be creative, let's be honest... most of my creative idea's as an adult came from necessity. No money.

Giving a gift of food became a staple for me because even as a busy Mom with three children under the age of five, I had more time than money. I couldn't afford $10 for a teacher's gift for the kindergarten teacher but I could make and present food gifts which always seemed to be greatly appreciated. When we couldn't afford Father's Day gifts I made the Grandpa's each loaves of Apple Banana Bread and gave them in package I decorated like a man's dress shirt with a tie out of pieces of wallpaper and stationary.

When it comes to Valentine's Day gifts I often give the gift of food. By 9th grade my oldest daughter was borrowing my ideas and we would package up cute little heart covered plastic bags with my traditional Valentine's Day cookies (see the hearts below) to give to her best friends, or making homemade chocolate truffles to give to her boyfriend (photo at the top of the post).

A gift of goodies means you cared enough to take the time to make them, and sometimes, especially in this tough economic downswing, many of us have more time than money - even if we're short on both!

If you've been considering signing up for LifeLock as well as wanting to do your own taxes with a computer software program... you're in luck! This month - Sign up for LifeLock® Service and get H&R Block At Home Deluxe Edition for free! (Offer valued at $44.95). Use code FEBRUARYTAX.

When these offers came into my email box yesterday I smiled. These are the kind of products I didn't even know I needed until I saw them. I mean, really, a hanging lint roller isn't something I would consider buying until I see it and think, "Oh yeah, that would come in handy." Actually, that would come in handy for my husband and my son. Every weekend my son puts on his dress pants for work and then comes to me to use masking tape to get any little stray fuzzies or little cat hairs off of his black work pants.

So while I was going to hit the 'delete' button on this email, instead I decided my readers very well could be looking for these products... or perhaps like me, didn't even think you wanted them or needed them until you saw them.


Hanging Lint Roller

To Go Lunch Packs

Silicone Egg Poacher

Lock De-icer

Grocery Bag Trash Container

Heated Window Scraper

Or if you just want to browse for good deals check out the Clearance Sale at The Home Marketplace. Save up to 50%!

Over the past few weeks I've been on a quest to find "cheap flights" to two different parts of the US over Spring Break. My husband and I along with our son are going to a family get together in one state over Spring Break while my youngest daughter is heading South with the family of a friend. They weren't able to find affordable ticket prices so they've decided to drive. We also will be driving as the lowest ticket prices right now are averaging $600 each way... for each of us.

Here is hoping my readers have better luck with low airfare than we did! Save Big on Last Minute Airfare Sale at CheapOair.com. Book Now! Limited Period Offer expires on Mar 31, 2010.

Tonight I was going through my emails and found one from Walter Drake with a plethora of offers. As I started to sift through the different offers and coupon codes, deciding which to add to the Budget website I realized that all my readers are different with different needs and wants... so I am putting them all here for you! Pick and choose the one that works best for you and your home. 80% off, free shipping, 'As Seen on Tv'... your choice!



Save up to 80% at Walter Drake's Clearance Sale, Hurry While Supplies Last - ends 03.10.10

Free shipping on Order Over $40 at WDrake.com. Use code 20619101001 at checkout. Offer valid through 03.10.10.

15% Offer Orders Over $40 at WDrake.com. Use code 20619101002 at checkout. Offer valid through 03.10.10.

2010 Calendars Save up to 50% Off

Get Organized in 2010 with These Products from Walter Drake

Best of As Seen on TV

If you happen to live in an icy cold state like we do you probably are in the midst of planning a Spring Break to some where warm. In honor of all places sunny and warm, I offer you two codes I found for Luggage Online:

Luggage Online - FREE Shipping on orders over $99!

Take an Extra $5 Off, Stackable - Code: LUGG09 Exp: 3.31.2010

My readers already know I love Personal Creations... my family uses them for our personalized Christmas, Birthday, wedding and Valentine's Day gifts. Today you can love them for 25% less! Shop Personal Creation's for everything from personalized boxers to pajama's, Loveopoly games, etched glasses, frames and clothing and then use the code FEBDEAL to get 25% your order! Offer ends February 8th.