Free and Cute Magazine Storage

Since I’m a freelance writer I subscribe to a lot of magazines. And I buy quite a few, too. The two magazine holders I had in my office were stuffed to capacity and magazines were starting to pile up. I needed additional storage because I like to have a variety of issues on hand for inspiration or to reference.

I had a large flat rate box from the Post Office sitting around because I had written the wrong address on it. I used a box cutter to cut one end off so that it was a great size for holding magazines upright. Then I painted it with a few coats of chalkboard paint and soon I had a new, free way to store issues of Redbook, one of my faves! Don’t you just love chalkboard paint?

Posted under Freebies, Home

To start 2010 off on a great financial foot my husband and I have instituted a two-week moratorium on spending. That’s right, starting this Saturday and going through January 30 we won’t be spending a dime. At least that’s the plan. I’m excited to embark on this test we’re calling the No-Spending Challenge. This Friday we’ll fill our cars up with gas, pay our online bills and give our wallets a 14 day break. I wrote a little more about this challenge at OutofDebtChristian.com. I’ll be posting an update or two there along the way. Feel free to join me… or pray for me!

Posted under Home, News

We’re about halfway through converting our attic into a master suite, so trips to Home Depot are a regular occurrence. Plus, I’m sure many of you are making home improvement-based New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps you want to get organized, revamp your 1970’s powder room or just replace your bedroom light fixture. Well whatever you are planning you’ll be able to save at least 10% on your project. I found some printable Lowe’s coupons at SlickDeals.net. These coupons won’t work at Lowe’s but because Home Depot accepts competitor coupons they will work there. This coupon will save you 10% on your entire purchase through February 4, 2010. Because it’s a PDF, print out a few and use one on every transaction at Home Depot. This coupon will save you $10 off any $50 purchase, but it expires on January 14, 2010. I also picked up a 2010 calendar at Ace Hardware that is full of coupons. These can also be redeemed at Home Depot or Lowe’s.

Posted under Good Deals, Home, coupons

Two of the magazines I subscribe to, Better Homes and Gardens and This Old House, both had valuable coupons tucked inside this month. It’s a $5 off a $25 purchase at True Value hardware store. Even if you don’t shop at True Value you can use this coupon at Home Depot or Lowes because they both accept competitor coupons. I have done this several times without a problem. Even if you don’t subscribe to these magazines you could still pick up an issue for less than $5 and you’ll have a valuable coupon plus some fresh reading material!

Posted under Good Deals, Home, coupons

Back in June I threw a baby shower for my neighbor. I’m happy to say that baby Jack has arrived! I was also given the task of making his mobile since my neighbor said she couldn’t find anything cute out there. This was my inspiration:

It came from a great blog called Spool. They are very talented and creative! I used the free bird patterns they have available for download on their website. I picked up fabric remnants in chocolate brown and sage green, two colors the mom wanted to use in the nursery. I then went to work sewing the little birds. Mine are definitely not as well done as the ones on Spool, but I think the finished product turned out well.

Using sticks from my backyard and fishing line, I hung it from a curtain rod in my kitchen so I could get a feel for what it would look like in the baby’s room.

Hopefully Jack will like it!

Posted under Good Deals, Style

Competitor coupons can be a great way to save big bucks on just about anything. Did you know that Lowe’s and Home Depot accept competitor coupons? You can use Lowe’s coupons at Home Depot and Home Depot coupons at Lowe’s. But it gets even better. You can also use True Value coupons at either store. I’ve used this True Value coupon twice already and plan to keep using it until it expires at the end of July. It takes $5 off a $25 purchase. My husband and I are always running to the hardware store for something, so these will get used.

Another coupon to print off is from Save a Lot. I’m so happy that I came across IHeartPublix.com where this deal was mentioned. Starting July 1, Save a Lot is giving members of their Smart Shopper Club a printable coupon that will take $5 off a purchase of $20 or more. I checked and there is a Save a Lot in my community which means I can take this coupon to Publix since they accept competitor coupons. The one I printed off is good until July 13. Happy shopping!

Posted under Good Deals, Home, coupons

My Thrift Store Chair Before

I love looking at before and after pictures of furniture make-overs. It’s so cool to see how someone had some vision (sometimes a lot of vision) to take a beat up, discarded, unwanted piece of furniture and turn it into something fabulous. My husband and I have been renovating our entire house (which took a lot of vision!) and we’re even rehabbing some furniture along with it.

When I first moved to Greenville I found an old chair at the Miracle Hill thrift store. I picked it up for $40. For a long time the chair just sat there because it was covered in the itchiest fabric ever. I could never imagine sitting in it although I loved the lines of it. Unfortunately I didn’t take a “real” before picture, but this is the best shot I had. I cropped it from a photo of our old house.

I had never had any furniture reupholstered before. I was referred to someone I was told would be very affordable, but the quote came back at over $400! There was no way I was about to spend $400 on a chair I bought at a thrift store! So I called around and got a few more quotes, each quote was cheaper than the next! Finally I found one that I figured couldn’t be beat. I picked up some fabric at a fabric warehouse for $4.99 a yard. So for about $200 (including the original $40 for the chair) I have a beautiful, and comfortable, new chair!

My Thrift Store Chair After

I think it turned out great! I love the way the color of the fabric reflects light. It looks so clean and modern, which is exactly what we were going for. Do you have any great before and after photos? I’d love to look at them! Leave your link and I’ll check them out!

Posted under Good Deals, Home, Style