Welcome to my new blog!!

Hi to all of my friends, new & old!!

I decided to create a new blog that fits my life a little better than just couponing! As you all know I am a BIG fan of coupons, and I save 100's of dollars each month, but that is not the only way I save our family money. With that said, welcome to my brand new site designed to inspire everyone I know to become "One thrifty Chick!"

A little bit about myself for those of you that are new, or to those that may not know all about me!

I married and have been with my husband Allen for almost 10 years now, we have 2 children ages 6 and 4, and we have also been raising our 3 year old nephew for the last 2 years. At this point in time, we are in a what you could call custody battle with his parents and it has taken it's toll on me, more than I would have thought... ok on from that :)

I have spent the last 7 years working for my fathers concrete company as a do-it-all kind of office gal (don't really have a title) payroll, A/P, A/R, Safety, etc..... Within the last 3 years or so the company has gone through some MAJOR changes, and has gone south with the lovely economy we all live in. That has since pushed me to become thrifty in any way possible. For example: The company hosts a Cinco De Mayo party each year in 2007 they spent $15,000.00+, in 2008 when profits were decreasing, I decided it was my time to shine! We got the employees to all pitch in, and the company matched each donation, I did the entire party with $1,600.00, that is almost a 90% savings!!!

As for couponing, I have always used them, but it wasn't until my husband was laid off that I really started a stockpile. It was and still is my goal to have enough of each item to last me a whole year. While building my stockpile, and accumulating freebies, I am also fulfilled with grattitude by giving to the needy, as well as my friends, family and neighboors. As most of you know, I LOVE to help friends out in any way I can, and this is perfect!!

I also love to do DIY remodels, and projects at home, that cost so little as compared to buying something already built from the store, or even hiring someone to do the remodel for you! In January of 2009, Allen and I packed up the kids and moved into my parents house (at this point you are saying "are you crazy!?") right???.. well yes we may have been crazy, but for good reason. We got our tax return (gotta love children) and decided that we would spend every dollar on upgrading the house. So we moved EVERYTHING except the kitchen out of our house, and just started tearing things down, literally!

OK, so some of you may kill me for using this picture, but it shows my horrid living room and brick fireplace!! Kind of my only "before" photo!

Notice, the ugly carpet, blank walls, red tile on the floor, and the horrible shades! OOhhh and the furniture!

AFTER!!! UH-MAZING!!! I absolutely LOVe my new house! However, the furniture has been re-arranged, and I have of course addes curtains and other goodies! This was right after we moved back in!

Check out the floors!!

When we yanked up the carpet, there was ugly nasty white painted oak floors. They we sad, to say the least, and I kick myself everyday for not taking before pictures. As you can imagine, moving out of a house and into your parents house, while working, and taking on a HUGE project.... I was a little busy to be taking pictures!! But in the end, we LOVED the results and it was well worth every bit of stress!! : )

Here is the picture of our bathroom!

OK, so to give you an idea as to what it looked like before.... ugly linoleum flooring, whiteish pink walls, old vanity from the 70's, formica countertop, old round sink, and the ugle silver panel with round bulb light fixture!!

Ok, well that's all for now, but I will be posting to my blog daily as much as I can!! I will share all sorts of tips, and deals of the day/week with all of you!

-One Thrifty Chick!!