Ahhh! To be home is a good thing-even though I love travel, it is always wonderful to come back home. San Diego was wonderful-beautiful, clean and friendly. I haven’t tallied up all my receipts, but it wasn’t exactly a cheap vacation. On the other hand, it wasn’t really expensive (especially since Doc paid for the… Keep Reading

In my continuing quest to provide you with different perspectives during my vacation hiatus, I present this article from the Frugal Homemaker Plus on compiling a frugal work wardrobe. Catherine provides a unique point of view in her blog-she is not a stay at home mom, nor a working woman. She is that very rare… Keep Reading

This blog was mentioned in the South Bend Tribune today. So if you are a reader who found me via that article-WELCOME! I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. I’m Jenn and this is Frugal Upstate-a blog dedicated to conscious spending and living within your means. A little bit about me personally…. Keep Reading

In case anyone was wondering (because, you know, the details of my life are sooooo important *smile*) I made it safely to San Diego on Saturday. So far we did the Trolley Tour ($30) and the San Diego Zoo ($33). We’ve taken a taxi 3 times, but taken turns paying so that has come to… Keep Reading

I just realized that I haven’t updated the lunchbox report in days! Ooops. For some reason I seem to be having some trouble adjusting to the fall schedule. Maybe it’s the fact that the temperatures are more like mid July than September. Maybe it’s all the work and planning of the looming house purchase. Who… Keep Reading

As I mentioned the other day, my girlfriends and I are going to San Diego. We are interested in taking a side trip to Tijuana-but all the husbands are raising cain, worried that we’ll be assaulted or some such. Personally, I really wasn’t worried about it, as long as we go during the daytime. From… Keep Reading

Yesterday I had both kiddos out of the way for the entire day. I canned 6 pints of zucchini pickles, 7 pints of “Fireballs” (spicy green cherry tomatoes), 7 1/2 pints of peach jam. I also froze 5 8oz freezer jars of the jam, started my apple butter and applesauce. (I’ll post some pictures later)… Keep Reading

When buying second hand, you rarely find what you want exactly when you want it. That’s why the dance leotards for Princess were such a surprise. The key is to persevere. You have to know what things you want, check your sources with some frequency and be willing to wait for them. Then again, blind… Keep Reading

Well, I resisted as long as I could, but finally caved in to dance lessons for Princess this year. Cost breakdown so far: $20 to register$30 a month for 9 months (once a week for 1 hr)=$270$15 for Ballet Shoes$18 for Tap Shoes$6 for two leotards$2 for tights$40 recital costume_________________$371 Projected total This total will… Keep Reading

I will be taking a trip and gone for the first week in October. Although I have a few things in the works (wait and be surprised) I still need help filling in the gaps. If you are interested in appearing as a guest blogger, please email me (link in the left sidebar). You do… Keep Reading