Friday, August 10, 2012

Friday Chatter - Number Two



Following The Life of a Home Mom's Friday Chatter, here is mine:

Friday Chatter is how I wrap up the week. Time to kick back with a cup of coffee and reflect on this past week and to anticipate the upcoming week.

This week has been all about spending too much money!

Today, I finally finished all my back-to-school shopping for my three kids; it was nerve-wracking to say the least. I remember when my kids were in Elementary School looking at the inundating school supply list and thinking that they required a lot of supplies and that it would cost a lot. Boy was I wrong! Yes, those lists are long and do require a lot sometimes. BUT, wait until your kids enter Middle or High School! Those supplies for the upper grades cost MORE, as do clothing and shoes, compared to Elementary School. Thankfully, this is my last year buying supplies for three kids; my oldest is a Senior this year, and my other two are going into 6th and 10th Grade.

MY ADVICE
My advice for back-to-school shopping: check out those sales, use coupons whenever you can, and shop around. While it may take you more time (it took us about a week), it will be worth it to your pocketbook in the end.

My vehicle also required a lot of money this week! Oy, my poor pocketbook! In the past two weeks, I've replaced all three major belts (Serpentine, Alternator, and Air Conditioning), a brake light, a brake cylinder, an oil change, and a rear wiper blade. I am crossing my fingers that my vehicle will be okay for a while now.

Let the school year begin!

This upcoming week begins a process my kids never like. Starting Monday, they must now start going to bed at the school-year time. Last year school-year bedtime was 9 PM, this year I am moving it back one hour to 10 PM. I also plan on making them gradually start getting up earlier than they have for the summer; the teenagers have been sleeping in until 10 or 11 AM this summer, that must come to an end. I know this first week of change is going to be grueling and I will hear belly-aching, but I know it will help better prepare my kids for the school year to begin. Kids need adjustment time to changes, in my opinion; and this is how my family does it.

Most teenagers get their driver's permit at fourteen. My oldest is seventeen; she's had no desire to drive or to  get her driver's permit, until now. I've taken both of my teenagers to test for their driver's permit twice now; neither has passed the test yet. I am really hoping they put some time into studying this weekend, so this upcoming week we can got and they can try their knowledge at the test again. The third time's a charm, right? I have my fingers crossed for them.

The Life of a Home Mom recently posed a question about blog rolls. Yes, I do have a blog roll, you can view it and visit my blogging buddies over on the right side of my blog.
I don't know if it hurts or helps my blog, I guess I don't care either way. I like blog rolls! When I visit a blog I love I tend to check out their blog rolls so I can see who their blogging buddies are. I assume the blogs on their roll are one's they like or visit, so I may as well to.

MY QUESTION
A question for my fans: I am considering changing the name of Frugal Midwest, do you have any name suggestions?

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm already realizing how expensive back to school shopping can be, and it's just my son going to Senior Kindergarten so far lol. I can't imagine in the years to come :S I like the name Frugal Midwest! I'm not sure what I would suggest as a new one?

Unknown said...

Thanks for adding me to your blog roll Patty! I love visiting blogs, and having one just makes it more fun.

I don't have teens yet, but it will come, and I appreciate your advice! :D

Catherine L. said...

We had some car repairs this week too so, I feel your pain. I haven't started school shopping yet, but every year it gets more and more expensive. I don't have a suggestion for your blog name, but I'd drop the frugal part with the new name.

bolton carley said...

Depending on where you are in the Midwest, another option is to use the Iowa tax free weekend for back to school or Minnesota's year-round tax free clothing.

And, for the record, I clicked on your blog because it said frugal midwest! :)

Kelly ~ Our Everyday Harvest said...

Thank you for linking up with the Harvest of Friends Weekend Blog Hop.

I totally agree...it may take more time to gather the coupons, but if it saves you money, then it is definitely worth it in the long run.

jjtressler said...

I like the idea of a Friday Chatter. Not only does it allow you to express your week to everyone else but it helps you analyzes your own week....I definitely will have to try this!

Mrs. T @ http://myfrontporch1.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

It always feels like August is a bad month when it comes to spending money. When I was teaching I always blew all my extra money buying extra school supplies for the kids who couldn't afford them. My husband's birthday is also in the middle of the month so it feel like a double wammy!

Budget Earth - Citradish Natural Laundry Detergent Review

Melinda Dunne said...

I love Friday Chatter!

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Patty
Midwest, Iowa, United States
Hi! My name is Patty, and I live in the Midwest; Iowa to be exact. I love WOM (Word-of-Mouth) and love sharing my opinions on things, including products, deals I find, and life with my readers. Welcome to my blog!
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