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One Hundred Dollars a Month

I am your typical housewife living in high maintenance suburbia. I have a handsome husband, 2 kids and a flock of pet chickens. I try and feed my family with $100 a month. With the help of coupons, gardening and bartering I am able to squeeze the most out of our grocery budget and still manage to have a little fun along the way.

Do You Really Only Get One Phone Call From Jail?

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I just thought I’d give you a heads up and let you know that in case I don’t show up to work tomorrow, {you know, here on the blog} it’s because I’ve been arrested and I’m sitting in jail.

Which brings to mind so many questions, like:

What will the food be like?

Will I have my own cell? How many people will have slept on that particular mattress? Has it been sanitized? And if so, HOW? What do you think the silverware will be like? Will I get a pencil and paper, because I can’t imagine I’d get to bring my laptop.

Will I really only get one phone call? How long will I have to talk? And if so, who should I call? I’m thinking my mom. I mean, if there is anyone who could be all hands on deck in 2 seconds or less and who could channel the get ‘er done mentality of Shirley McClain from Terms of Endearment {Give my daughter the shot!!} it would be my mother. And likewise, if she ever got picked up by the feds, I’d like to think I’d be the one she’d call first too.

And mom if you are reading this, you totally know that’s true.

I’m your person.

Yada yada yada…

Yesterday I got a robo call from some male generated voice saying an arrest warrant was going to be issued in my name if I didn’t immediately call the designated number back. I think he said something like I “had tried to do a fraud with the IRS” or something.

But I was busy making muffins. And then I totally forgot about the phone call. Until just now. When I got a second call. Which of course I missed because I was out back pulling weeds.
So now I’m like, great, like I don’t have enough to do today. Now I’ve got to pack for jail.

Good times people. Good times.

Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow, maybe I won’t.

But hey, if I do get thrown in the pokey, don’t be a stranger. Please write.

~Mavis

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

How to Pick the Perfect Coconut

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I’m sure you’ve seen people strolling the produce aisle, thumping, sniffing, squishing their produce all in an attempt to pick the perfect one. Some of that nonsense is in vain, but some of it will help you on your way to the very best coconut! These tips will help:

Pretty is Best:  Inspect your coconut carefully. Overall, coconuts are pretty ugly. It’s true. But you want to avoid a coconut that looks especially lopsided or one that has any leakage out of the three black “eyes” at the top. Leakage is bad! Also, if one of the eyes is protruding, this could be a sign of infected flesh inside. Look carefully for any discoloration on the soft “eye.” It should be covered by a circular dry brown disc.

Shake It Up: Pick up your coconut and give it a good shake. You should hear and feel the coconut water sloshing around inside. If you don’t, the coconut is bad. Put that one down and walk away.

Heavy Does It: The perfect coconut should feel solid and heavy for its size. Lighter coconuts mean less flesh.

What’s the Score: While this might not always be possible, try to find one that has been scored around the middle. This will make opening your coconut when the time comes that much easier!

And there you have my fail-proof method to choosing the best coconut EVER!

Now that you’ve picked the perfect coconut, here are some yummy recipes to use it in:

chocolate macaroons recipeChocolate Dipped Macaroons – Coconut + Chocolate = Love

Vegan-Recipe-Chocolate-Coconut-Ice-CreamChocolate Coconut Ice Cream – It’s creamy. It’s Vegan. It’s delicious.

Carrot Cake with Coconut and Raisins – First off, there are carrots in this, so it is totally a health food.

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Almonds, Cranberries and Coconut – These cookies have everything but the kitchen sink.

Almond Joy Granola – “Joy” is part of the name for a reason.

Cranberry Coconut Breakfast Cookies – Cookies for breakfast always make the day a little happier.  And bonus, these are actually healthy.

Banana Bread with Walnuts, Coconut and Chocolate Chips – The walnuts, coconut and chocolate chips, completely change the deliciousness of this basic banana bread recipe.

~Mavis

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

The RE Store in Bellingham, Washington

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Have you  been to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore lately? Well The Girl and I stopped by the ReStore in Bellingham, Washington last month on our way back from Vancouver, British Columbia and let me tell you Bob, it was the biggest {and best!} one I’ve ever been too.

Update: Apparently we were not at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore but RE Store of Bellingham, Washington. What’s the difference?

Habitat for Humanity ReStore 

“Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price.

ReStores are independently owned and operated by local Habitat for Humanity organizations. Proceeds are used to help build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter in local communities and around the world.”

RE Store of Bellingham, Washington.

“The RE Store is a reclaimed and used building materials retail store in Bellingham, WA. We are a program of RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. RE Sources promotes sustainable communities and protects the health of northwestern Washington’s people and ecosystems through the application of science, education, advocacy and action. The primary goal of The RE Store is to divert as much reusable material as possible from the landfill and to build a culture of reuse in our community.”

Thanks for letting me know Leslie. 🙂

 

Anywho, the Bellingham RE Store was not only huge, but the variety was pretty darn amazing.

They had an 11 piece set of oak kitchen cabinets available for $1,000. The center island with a granite counter top was $200. What a deal!

Check out those GORGEOUS entry way doors.

And this chandelier priced at $125. It’s very similar to one I spotted on the Pottery Barn website a few months ago. And at a fraction of the price. If I was in the market for a chandelier for the dinning room, I probably would have bought this one and lightened the candle sticks and shinned up the crystals.

And this antique sideboard. What a beauty. It was priced at $1,250.

Hand carved and HEAVY. It’s hard to find quality pieces like this today. The amount of used furniture was crazy. Tons of dinning room tables, chairs, bed frames, dressers, you name it, this particular ReStore had it.

An electric “wood stove” for $25!

They even had an entire room dedicated to window treatments and blinds. I probably should have looked for something for my patio doors but I was seriously overwhelmed with everything the store had to offer. Every which way I looked there was something even more impressive than the last spot.

Need a window? Or a window part? Why pay retail when you can get one for way less AND give back to your community?

The used toilets were priced around $25.

And there were a ton of pedestal sinks there as well. I wish I had known about this place when we were remodeling our downstairs powder room. Oh well, live and learn, right? Now I know where to go if we buy a house that needs to be remodeled.

They even had used lumber!

And pretty much every kind of door knob and deadbolt set imaginable.

So seriously, if you’ve never been to RE Store {or a ReStore}, check to see if there is one in your area. And even if you have to drive a little to find a good one, you could end up saving some serious cash on your next home improvement project.

Have YOU ever bought anything from a ReStore? If so, I’d love to hear about it.

~Mavis

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

How to Freeze Corn, FREE Stur Liquid Enhancer, Trade in Your Old Kindle, Online Deals and More

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Quote of the Day “Experience, the name we give our mistakes.” Oscar Wilde

I think Lucy has the right idea for today…. stay in bed and pull up the covers. 😉 It’s going to be another hot day around here, but Mrs. HB is going to stop by so it should be a fun day.

Have a great Wednesday everyone,

♥ Mavis

*This deal post will be updated throughout the morning so be sure and check back for deals. * Amazon prices can change without notice. Please verify price before ordering. Amazon offers Free Shipping with a $49 purchase or Amazon Prime. {Sign up for a free Amazon Prime 30 day trial!}

Amazon Deal of the Day for 7/26/17 – Up to 50% off select Intex Floats

Available Kindle Books I think look interesting…

The prices on Kindle Books can change quickly, so grab them while you can. Don’t have a Kindle? Download the kindle app on your other devices. It’s easy! 🙂

Amazon has this cool Kindle Trade In Program they’re offering right now that is perfect if you’re looking to upgrade your eReader. Just follow these steps:

1. Answer a few questions about your current Kindle’s condition to receive a trade-in quote. Even non-working devices are eligible!
2. Print a shipping label and send your trade-in for free—they’ll verify its condition within 7 days.
3. Once your device is accepted, an Amazon Gift Card plus a $20 bonus for a new Kindle will be automatically applied to your account. Sweet!

Head HERE to see all the details.

Subscribe and Save Deals

Subscribe and Save prices reflect a 15% discount for ordering 5 or more items in 1 month.

Fred Meyer / Kroger Freebie – Today only download an ecoupon for 1 FREE Stur Liquid Enhancer or Powder Drink Mix  any variety or size and redeem by 08/09/2017. Thanks Kari!

Got an abundance of corn and want to freeze for later? Check out my quick and easy tutorial on How to Freeze Fresh Corn for my best tips on how to freeze it for later.

Home and Kitchen Deals

REI Garage Deal of the Day –Chaco Outcross Evo 1 Water Shoes – Women’s $54.73

Add on Items

*These are all Amazon Add-on Items and they will ship with qualifying orders over $25 and are eligible for free shipping on $25 orders with Amazon Prime {or will ship FREE on $35 orders without Prime}. 

Only Natural Pet – Save 30% + Free Shipping with code AFPET30 at OnlyNaturalPet.com! Some exclusions apply, valid through 8/19.

Meatballs – My favorite thing about freezer meatballs is that you can make them however you want when you are ready–a little marinara for Italian, toss them into spaghetti, or give them a teriyaki glaze before you cook them and serve them with rice.

Discount Mags is offering a 1 year subscription to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine for only $6.99 a year when you use code MAVIS at checkout. I LOVE this magazine! This deal will expire 7/27/17 EST so be sure and grab your subscription before then.

Kid’s Stuff

Zaycon Foods is now taking orders for their upcoming events. Below are their offerings and prices in my area.Go HERE to find out what is available in your area.

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Have a Great Day!

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

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