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December Gardening Tips

Winter. It’s right around the corner. With so many of us living in the midst of cold, blustery weather, the need for keeping our favorite, festive holiday plants in top shape is soon to be a pressing need for many of us in the northern hemisphere. With this in mind, here are a few of my favorite December Gardening Tips!

Tips for caring for the living, cut, or bulged Christmas tree varieties:

Be sure to select trees with firm needles; individual needles should bend rather than snap. Also, inspect the stump; the cut end of a fresher tree should remain moist and have sticky sap.
When you get the tree home, cut 2 inches off the base of the trunk.
Always be sure to submerge a freshly cut tree stump into a bucket of water; trees can absorb 1 gallon of water in the first 24 hours.
Check the water level in your tree stand twice a day for the first week. Add water as needed. Each day, trees can drink roughly 1 quart of water for every inch of trunk diameter.
If your tree dries out, the wound likely healed over and stopped absorbing water. Make a fresh cut on the stump and it can absorb water again.
When decorating fresh cut trees indoors, avoid placing fresh evergreens on wood surfaces; sap from branches can damage the finish.
When Christmas is over, recycle your tree yourself; cut off branches, and use as insulation over perennials.
For those with enclosed, bulged trees, such are one of our four-holiday trees, as seen above, be sure to keep in an enclosed bucket, which can be encased in a decorative tin or basket, and watered 1 gallon weekly. I chose a shorter, Aspen Pine, which will be planted after the holidays outdoors!

Additional Gardening Tips for December:

Amaryllis bulbs. Place amaryllis bulbs in pots for blooms for two weeks prior to blooming. Leave the bulb shoulders protruding above the soil; planting too deeply can rot the bulb. Water when the soil is dry weekly, and stake with a bamboo skewer when blooms become weighted.
Poinsettias. If you are anything like myself, then each year on Black Friday when I purchase these potted beauties, my main objective is to keep them alive! To ensure your plants stay vibrant, always display poinsettias away from heat sources or cold drafts; keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. When poinsettias end their bloom, cut back all leaves, and allow to remain dormant, watering weekly, and these plants will bloom again come the following fall!
Ice: When ice forms on tree and shrub branches, don’t try to break it off and instead let the ice melt naturally.
Vegetable Gardens: Be sure to cover all bare soil in vegetable beds before the new year; affordable, green ways to do so use pine needles or leaf mulch.
Fruit Trees: Be sure to gather any remaining fruits or nuts on trees or the ground beneath them, composting this debris; this cleaning will help to reduce pests and diseases next year.

Friends, I hope these tips would be of aid to all of my fellow gardeners this month. And if you have tips for keeping winter favorites thriving, I’d love to hear all about them below!

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Does the Amount You Plan to Spend on a Gift Matter?

Hello again, savvy savers! With the holidays quickly approaching, I wanted to post about an email I received from a blog reader, asking whether the amount that you actually spend out-of-pocket on a gift should be given matter. In other words, does your savvy-saving methods of finding discounted or free holiday gifts, make your gifts worth any less in the eyes of the gift recipient, versus a gift that you paid the full price for?

So, here’s my thoughts:

It shouldn’t matter whether you spend $500, $50.00, or you get something free!
The money that you put into a gift is a non-issue; the thought behind your gift, the ability to match a gift to a recipient is what truly matters!
Being able to shop, using coupons, deals, and discounts requires planning, budgeting, and a great deal of time and energy, making your gift often times more valuable that thoughtless, last second retail store gifts!

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As well, I feel that if someone makes you feel uncomfortable in regards to a gift, perhaps you should not be offering them gifts this year! As a child, I was often told its improper to ask how much a gift costs, and to remove any tags from items, especially clothing, as no one should know how much you spent on a gift, or in the case that they spent less on your reciprocal gift, then should not be made to feel embarrassed, too!

As a savvy saver, I often come across gifts that stock my gift closet year round. Sometimes me gifts are discounted. Sometimes the gifts are review items. Sometimes the gifts are purchased with earned survey cards. Sometimes the gifts were freebie items. No one knows how much I spend on any item, and honestly no one should ever have to!

I purposely seek out steal-of-a-deal items so that my holiday shopping is completed by November 1st annually to beat out any holiday rushes, crowds, and chaos!

In fact, I have a weekly gift closet and holiday savings post were I explain that each year I set aside a holiday spending budget of under $400.00 a year, and I generally am able to purchase items in excess of $2,000 annually; this year I spend $287.19 for $2,134,91!

So for me… its the gift that counts, no more, no less!

What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you agree or disagree with me?

Here’s to saving,

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Happy Thanksgiving!

So, can you all believe that Thanksgiving is tomorrow? Geez, this month has flown by, for me anyway! This will be my last post until until this weekend, although I have several deals posts waiting in the wings, which will be posted for you all! This year I am so thankful for all of the blessings this blog has brought into my life. From meeting amazing fellow bloggers, to being able to review subscription services and products, as well as being able to post about awesome, affordable ways to save money for families, like my own, I want to let each and every reader know, how amazing you all are!

I am so utterly thankful for you! This year will be a relatively quiet, at-home Thanksgiving for my husband and I, full of new found ways to smoke, bake, and grill turkey, as well taking time this year to appreciate the small things in our lives we hold so dear, one another. I will also be taking time to speak to my Grandmother, who turned the big 7-0 yesterday, and is still as feisty, able-bodied, and as jolly as she can be for this season of her life!

I will also be taking a break this year from Black Friday shopping, focusing more on Cyber Monday deals this year, to both celebrate more time at home, as well as in solidarity for those workers who increasingly, work a retail environment, on Thanksgiving, without overtime, complimentary meals, or the life. I will be keeping those workers, and their families, in my thoughts this year. While I know that many industries, including .com corporations, cellular providers, telecommunication companies, and public works employees will be working Thanksgiving, their working conditions are not nearly as hostile, forced, or as demoralizing in nature as the previously mentioned.

This time of year, I often think of the workers, in the retail industry who help to provide my family the deals, promotions, and savings we depend on daily. For those who will be schlepping out this Black Friday, please be safe, prepared, even-tempered, and thankful for the savings at your disposal! Please take a moment and wish your cashiers, store assistants, and managers a wonderful holidays season. For those eating out, tip well, including delivery drivers. Be kinder to postal and carrier drivers.And to anyone who has helped you this year, bless their lives with the pleasure of hearing seasons greetings, in a positive capacity from the public at large, like you!

Beyond all of this, I will be taking some time to enjoy my own quiet personal health victories, by stepping out onto my back patio, and watching my Japanese Maple sway in the breeze, which can be seen below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydo-BprUEno&list=UU38I5WlAHgr8RWwSSel_dtw

What are you thankful for? Please share in the comments.

Happy Thanksgiving,

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Battle of the Bulge, Budget-Style: Thanksgiving Day Tips!

Hello again, savvy savers! For this weeks Battle of the Bulge, budget-Style, I wanted to share a few of the ways I plan to stick to my diet this Thanksgiving!

Whether you love or dread the Thanksgiving holiday, one thing for sure is: it’s hard to stick to your diet. A plate, or three, lovingly heaped with turkey, gravy, buttery mashed potatoes and all the trimmings can blow any progress you’ve made in the previous months.Before your grumpy cat face overtakes your entire mood, fear not for there are many things you can do to stick to your diet and still enjoy a Thanksgiving meal!

Here are some “turkey day” tips to get you through Thanksgiving as an Eater:

You know the old wives tale, to never to go food shopping on an empty stomach, right? The same applies to the holidays! Never sit down to a holiday meal on an empty stomach. Eat a high protein snack beforehand, such as a 1/2 cup of almonds and a piece of string cheese, or a small apple, and drink a full glass of water to alleviate overeating at the table.
If you’re invited over to someone’s home, bring along a tray of veggies, and low fat dip, so that you’ll have something healthy to snack on; low fat cream cheese and two teaspoons of Greek vinaigrette make an awesome option.
If you are a turkey day traditionalist, and feel Thanksgiving cannot go on if the substitution of any family favorites commences, foods,then commit to limiting how much you eat, plan to eat one plate and that’s it.
The Golden Rule: Portion control is key here. A serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards; mashed potatoes (1/2 cup) about the size of 1/2 a baseball; use a spoon to measure out gravy instead of pouring it on, etc.
Commit to 20 minutes of exercise, even on Thanksgiving. Take a twenty minute walk with family members or friends in between courses. If the weather permits, play a game of touch football in the backyard. Just stay active!
Try to avoid empty calories. Stay clear of sugary sodas, punches, and mixed drinks or even better, water.

If You’re Doing the Cooking

Serve twice the number of non-starchy vegetables dishes as you will gravy, turkey, or calorie-laden dishes; think salads, crudites, butternut squash soup,etc.
Limit the amount of courses you serve this year. By limiting the number of dishes, you will stress less, and spend more time enjoying the holiday, food-free!
Make your mashed potatoes low fat by using skim or almond milk, think sour cream over butter. Also; consider making creamed cauliflower instead!
Instead of the array of desserts, pies,tarts, and the traditionally fair served every year, why not make an angel food cake and top it with berries and low fat whipped cream, or perhaps a low-fat, budget-friendly berry trifle instead.

I hope these tips help to keep you, and your waste, on the thin and narrow this Thanksgiving!

Love and best dishes,

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Wednesday Ways To Save: Ways To Save At Petco!

For this weeks Wednesday Ways To Save, I want to discuss some of the ways I shop at my favorite pet store, Petco! Here a few tips to save at Petco:

Sign-up for the Petco Rewards Card, you will earn 5% cash back on every purchase, a $5 certificate when you spend $100, and receive special coupons. Sign up here!
Check out Petco’s online coupons here!
Petco has an awesome price-match policy!
According to their official online corporate price-match policy, they state that they will price match any local ad within a 20-mile radius of their store. Also, as of May 1st, they will also accept Amazon.com price-matching, via mobile devices! How awesome is that? As Amazon’s awesome Subscribe & Save Program often delves out awesome pet treat, food, and litter deals, this should come in very handy when price matching at your local Petco!
During the holidays be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Holiday calendars, priced around $8.00, which have coupon packs valued at over $50.00 each calendar, and a portion of the proceeds go to the Petco Animal Foundation.
Be sure to check out the various managers specials around the store; stores can be combined with manufacturer and store coupons, newspaper, printed, and the like. The special will be marked with orange labels, and though many of the products are starting to expire, they can be bagged in ziplock bags, and frozen up to a year.

So, there are a few ways I save at Petco! If you are a Petco shopper, please leave me a comment below and let me know the ways you save as well!

Here’s to Saving,

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Countdown to Christmas: Recyclable Gift Cards!

Hello again, savvy savers! I know many people may think this title of this post seems off, but its not! I will let you in on a secret… the day to start shopping for your next years Christmas list, is the day after Christmas! That’s how I do so anyway. I shop early, spend less, and generally have my holiday shopping, including most food items, purchased by Thanksgiving! As I previously mentioned, I never spend more than $300.00 for our holidays and we generally have huge holiday celebrations, as you can see above! With this thought in mind, I am starting a new weekly series on Christmas shopping! Each week I will discuss an idea on how to prepare for the holidays on a budget, so when the big day actually arrives you will be ready to go, with a few hundred spent, instead of a few thousand!

Christmas Countdown

Hello again, savvy savers! For this weeks Countdown to Christmas, I wanted to mention the idea of putting back actual and digital gift cards in your gift closet at home. One amazing way to do this, for free no less, is through Recyclebank.com! Recyclebank is an online website, which discussed greener living, environmental, and healthier community topics by way of games, reading articles, and signing green living petitions. In exchange for each activity, you can earn points which can be redeemed in their online gift store; each activity ranges from 10-100 points each so obtaining points and gift cards is simple, quick, and easy to do! What’s nice about this redemption store is that they often carry Amazon.com gift cards, which can be used for actual gifts, or stored away for later birthday, holiday, wedding, going to college, or holiday gifts, as Amazon.com gift card codes never expire!

What’s better is that you can also earn gift cards to Foot Locker, Star Bucks, Walmart, CVS, and other retailers as well! This is an awesome way to start putting back free gift cards for your home Gift Closets! If you are unfamiliar with Recyclebank, or wish to sign-up for this free site, click here!

Enjoy!

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Halloween Gypsy Cemetery Tour!

Hello again, savvy savers! Today starts my three-month fall savings series here on The Lady Prefers2Save! I am truly excited to be starting a new blog series, and hope that you all will follow along! Each day I will feature money-saving suggestions, tips, recipes, projects, or yard decorating ideas with budget-savvy families in mind! Also, each Monday the Fall Savings Series will follow along with the Merry Monday Linky Party Fall Series, which for the month of October will be a Share-Fest for cookies and desserts; you can check out my post this week for sugar-free, all-natural Spooktacular Boo-Berry Muffins, here!

So, for the first post in this series, I want to discuss ways to entertain your family on a budget this Fall. For many of you, like myself, Fall memories center around not only smells, sights, and sounds, but activities! I fondly remember planned Autumn trips being some of the most splendid of my childhood, including our annual trips to see sights along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Roanoke, Virginia. But why let the memories of year’s past fade? Why not continue these traditions yourself.

So many communities offer free, weekend activities for families and children this time of year. Several suggestions for places to find these activities are:

National Parks
City/Town Chamber of Commerce Online Directories
Thursday Neighbors Section of your local newspaper
Online Facebook Community Pages
Church Bulletin Boards
PTA Newsletters
Oktoberfest celebrations
Fall Carnivals or Fairs
Local Library Story Telling Events
Local Book Fairs
Free Pumpkin Patch Events and Hay Rides

Also consider national October inspired events such as Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Walks, 5k’s, as well. I walk in my local Relay-For-Life for Breast Cancer awareness yearly, and it’s always great to see the community out and about this time of year as well!

Finally, if Halloween is one of your favorite holidays, as it is mine, seek out holiday-themed events, often free to the public! This past weekend my husband and I went to one such local event right here in my new married hometown of Meridian, Ms at the Rose Hill Cemetery Tour! The reason we attended the tour, firstly that both my husband and I were History minors in college, and as history buffs, this sort of activity is right up our alley. Secondly, several of my husband friends and educator colleagues are annual performers at this event!

Rose Hill Cemetery, is a member of the National Historic Registry, and is also one of the new in-tact, preserved Victorian themed Cemeteries in America; this is dating back to a time that predated public parks, and so families would erect family plots, affixed with benches and greens for which pick-nicks and gathering could take place, to include deceased loved ones. Though original dates for plots have not been dates, as so many were marked with wooden crosses that have disintegrated over time, the oldest marker that has been found is dated in 1853.

The cemetery was originally privately owned, housing city notables such as the first dozen city mayors, rail-yard executives, the War of Northern Aggression Veterans, as well the King and Queen of the North American Gypsies, but was later acquired by the local Masons and Odd Fellows Society; the purpose of the Masons is to assist widows and orphans and the purpose of the Odd Fellows is to bury the dead. Currently, both societies have disbanded, and the property is owned and preserved by the local benevolence league, and they host these annual tours, free to the public. The tour hosts 1,000-2,000 visitors each year.

One of the neatest aspects of these tours is that they are only two performed per year, one morning and one evening tour schedule annually, and many notable graves are accompanied by many of the local whos-who of the city, who perform period-clad, reenactment performances on the various stops along the tour. This year, a pair of reenactors, portraying the first mayor of Meridian to execute the expansion of the rail-yards, create the layout of the downtown area, and to bring various businesses to the city, many of which are still operational, and his spouse, ironically by none other than former Meridian Mayor Cheri Barry, and her husband Mr. Barry, a local business owner; Mrs. Barry was the first female elected to the position, and it was a pleasure to have a few moments to speak to such a phenomenal city leader!

There are so many fascinating graves, but for me, my favorites were the King and Queen of the Romany Gypsies; these graves are frequently visited and tokens are left for their majesties accordingly.

Other actors, such as Mr. Farmer, a former colleague, and friend of my husband, reenacted a famous baseball player to this area who rests here. Also, several ladies portraying the children’s suffrage group, which later became the local children’s aid society and orphanage still in existence in this city, were present, and their happy, clever explanation of why one ladies husband’s marker was inscribed with “his lady friends,” was nothing more than a kind group of ladies who buried the good town doctor, who succumbed to yellow fever, after having saved dozen s of patients himself.

This tour, like too many other others in this area, is an example of awesome family-friendly, frugal, fun that can be had this season! Be sure to keep a lookout for such events in your neck of the woods!

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