5 things I save on by NOT buying the cheapest

I have always had this unwritten list of things I buy that is non-negotiable. I figured if I keep to these guidelines I actually save in the long run. See I am by nature very cheap! I love a great bargain but some things you just can't skimp on. So here's my list...

1.  Tea  - I never, ever, ever buy cheap tea. I buy the best quality I can for the most reasonable price. If I buy cheap, we end up not using it because its so awful or we have to use two teabags per cup just to make it strong enough. So I save by buying quality Tea.

2.  Dishwashing sponges - you know those with the scouring pad on the one side of the sponge. I don't use those when it starts getting dingy and gross! When I buy cheap sponges I can't get past using it about three time before its so completely ruined I HAVE to throw it out. So I buy the best quality on sale (of course) in that way it keeps longer and I save in the end.

3. Chicken - Did you know that frozen chicken is pumped full of water before its frozen? It looks big and plumb but when its cooked the chicken shrinks and you've got a pot full of water. So no frozen chicken for me I buy fresh and freeze it myself.

4. Crumbed chicken schintzels or steaklets - I buy the best quality I can find and keep to that brand. The cheaper brands has so much cereal and fillers in that I dont know if we can even call it chicken- anything! I also like to mince fresh chicken at home and use that in chicken burgers - recipe coming soon!

5. Frozen mixed veggies - when ever I succomb to the pressure of buying the cheapest brand of frozen veg I am always disappointed! I keep finding beanstalks on my plate!

This list is not extensive and I will add to it as I remember the rest of my list. But these are defnitely my non-negotiables. Yet it doesnt mean I buy most expensive!!! I have found the brands I like with trial and error and always look for sales on those specific brands.

Update:

6. Refuse bags: If you buy the cheapest you end up using two or three to prevent the rubbish from falling out. I buy the strongest, least expensive garden refuse bags for my household rubbish.

My Joyful heart

Hi,

This is officially my first post. I am a Wife first of a great Man, and Mom second of three Crazy kids! Im a Baptist. We homeschool.

 I struggle, I fail, I wake up tired, I am human, no super mom, no sleek professional just a mom. I sleep too little, forget the laundry in the washer for hours, um days, drink too much tea, I design wedding invitations, try to keep a journal, I love vintage things, roses, dustypink, chocolat, french decor and my Blackberry! I try to be as feminine as possible, to do a hundred things at the same time, I try to stay sane and healthy and take a regular shower!

But most of all I try to have a joyfull heart! Between school work, house work thats never done and a bible reading plan thats never up to date, I remember how hard I prayed to be a stay at home mom, how hard I cried when I had to leave my one year old daughter at daycare.

 My prayer has been answered, though its as much a blessing as a struggle but I am so thankful to be able to be at home and cook and clean and teach my kids. We are far from rich and most of the time we struggle to make ends meet, but its totally worth it!

This blog is my documentation of how I am trying to become a more organized home-maker, more feminine wife, more fun mom, cutting sugar and chemicals, grow my own food (haven't gotten around to try this yet - but one step at a time right?) bake my own bread, read more of Gods Word and teaching my kids to be Godly! Tall order? yes! Can I do it? With HIS strength EVERYTHING is possible! LETS DO THIS!!