I'm Like The Price Line Negotiator

We finally finished our Elfa Custom Closet! (Read more about the first part here.)

A friend recently asked how much we spent on our Elfa closet system. Our design came to $1,747.65 without tax. I caught her mid air when she fainted, which I would have done too if that is what we really paid. We by no means are rich but, we are frugal and savings-crafty.

We originally designed our custom closet in February 2011 and started to pinch our pennies. Our plan was to wait until the Container Store had their Holiday Sale at the end of the year but Christmas came early for us last year. I received an email from the Container Store that said they were having their Annual Shelving Sale. All their shelving was 25% off but since it was only shelving about half our closet design items were not on sale. So we purchased everything that was on sale and waited until they had their holiday sale to get the rest.

The Old Closet

 

Elfa Closet Part Une

Elfa Closet Part Deux

But they don't call me a Frugalista for nothing! We saved an average of 27.5% by shopping when the store was having a sale, but I also cashed in my credit card points for gift cards to the Container Store thus saving us another $450. When Christmas really did roll around we collected another $300 in gift cards bringing our gift card total to $750!

So here is the breakdown:

$1,861.25 total retail cost
Shopping Trip #1: 25% off + $375 Gift Cards
Shopping Trip #2: 30% off + $375 Gift Cards
*FREE Shipping, Delivery & Install

= $688.68 out of pocket


63% TOTAL SAVINGS!

*Since they don't have a store in Orlando, Poppa Dukes was cool enough to pick up our goods in Hallandale Beach, Florida and truck them up to our house. I was also able to get him and Chad to install for free. Well, a bottle of wino for the Dads and back rubs for the Hubs.

Building a custom closet is not easy but anyone can do it with the right approach, adequate patience and enough time.

Here and There

I'm back! Although it wasn't like I was ever really gone. Just MIA. I was busy. Very, very busy.

So how can I wrap up the last 6 months?

Well, I worked ... a lot. I did some household projects. Hubberoos and I did did a lot of couponing; the toned down version of Extreme Couponing. We went skiing at Lake Tahoe in April, although it was more like slushing since most of the snow had melted by then. Chad and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary this past May, and we went to Europe on a Mediterranean Cruise. It was lovely. But, the biggest "thing" we did is made a baby ... yikes. We're in trouble now.

Hold Please!

Actual conversation with my Husband over the phone:

Me: What's for dinner?

Him: Breakfast but I don't know how to cook the hash browns. Remember I burned the crap out of them last time and they tasted like $h1t?

Me: Like my burned hash browns were any better? I wonder if we can bake them? Go check the bag for cooking instructions.

Him: (Reads instructions. There are none for baking.)

Me: Okay, I'll call and ask my Mom. Oh, go check the clothes in the dryer and see if they are still wet.

Him: I just sat down, and I'm all comfy in this blanket.

Me: Seriously?

Him: (Makes a comfortable, I'm like a pig in a blanket sound.)

Me: Oh come on! I get lawn service so you don't have to be a slave to our lawn but I barely get any more help cleaning inside the house. Go check the laundry.

Him: Hey, I do stuff around here. I take out the trash --

Me: That takes like two seconds.

Him: Hold please! Doobie doobie do, do do do do do, doobie doobie do, do do do do do, doobie --

Me: You can't pull the Hold Please and sing the hold music. I invented that game.

Him: Oh, hi! Thanks for holding. So you on your way home?

Me: Yes, but --

Him: Okay, I will see you when you get home. And don't forget to call your Mom and ask about the hash browns.

Me: Hey wait! I wasn't done complaining!

Him: Okaybyeseeyousoonloveyoubye! Click

I can't believe he used my own tactic against me.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Find Out What It Means To Me

Best of 2011

As the end of this year approaches, and as a new year begins, I took a look back at all that happened in 2011. We worked as hard as we played, and it will go down in the books as one, really great year.

And now ... the Best of 2011, in iPhone-365 fashion.

Celebrated a milestone with My Father In Law as he turned 60.

Spent some quality time with Ma, Pa, and the Hubby in GA.

6 years worth of hopes, dreams and pinched pennies = new wood flooring.

And carpet.

Our annual ski trip with our awesome, amazing friends (Marky, Mike & Jen!)

I opened my own company! I'm CEO biatches!

Surprised both our Moms for Mother's Day.

Celebrated our first year of wedded bliss.

Took our anniversary trip to Alaska!

The most annoying cat ever turned 5.

My BFF has her first child, and I become Aunite Ebowski.

My little girl becomes a little ol' lady.

After months sleeping on the mattress on the floor, and using wine
boxes as night stands, we finally got new furniture.

My banana bread is a hit, and I actually sell some loaves.

A whirlwind trip to the NE for a wedding, and a bike ride from hell.

We learned how to coupon.

I won an antique dresser at an auction thanks to my Mom.

We helped make the world a little better.

I turned 30 ... and licked a Moosen.

Rang in my 30's by dressing up as a Blow Up Doll.

His backside looks as good as his front side, and he cooks.
I'm one lucky gal.

It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Looking forward to all that 2012 has to offer. Happy New Year!

Oh Shtick!

Imagine yourself driving in your car on a beautiful, sunny day ...

Then someone cuts you off and you question their driving skills ...

With no gesture of their apology, you show them your gratitude ...

And then send them off on their merry way ...

But not before reminding them what they truly are deep down inside ...

Drive safely, otherwise you might get Shticked.

This message is brought to you by Shticks, courtesy of my sister Kimbo.

King Richie

"Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened."  Jennifer Yane

Happy Birthday Dad.

Love,

Your Kiddo