Thrifty Living Today

The State of Minnesota has not had a real spring this year. Instead, we have a "Spummer."  What is a Spummer you  ask?

It is a year in which spring comes very late, and runs right into summer. Our normal spring arrived 6 weeks late and now we are all trying to catch up.

Suddenly farmers are out in the fields trying to plant crops, highways are being evaluated and the repair process has begun. Children are trying to catch up on spring sports. Clothing is changing from winter jackets to no jackets.

People now have the opportunity to take a real look at nature that exists around us. We do this with no cost.

The photos included in this post are sights we havent seen for 6 months! 

University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Most of you probably have flowers in your neighborhood. This photo represents some of the only flowers in our city.

 Preparation for a summer dreamed of in March

When lakes warm up (many are still cold) the lakes will be covered with fishing boats and canoes. Those in ths  photo were placed there by optomistic fisherman and those who canoe.

The lakes are important to all of us 

They are beautiful most of the time. They tie us to nature. They are alive with fish and other creatures. They provide us with sport and food. Families celebrate traditions that have tied them together for years.

Nature is entertaining us just by being there.

We, our families, and friends, can have a wonderful time at little cost. Instead of Mall Walking, we now spend time checking out our favorite trees, animals, and pathways. We meet with friends and picnic. We drive to cabins on as many weekends as possible.

I have to close for now, I need to walk down to the lake and onto the trail.

I wish you a pleasant summer season and urge you to visit the opportunities the earth provides.

Lori Blatzheim 

Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can help people because she has experienced the benefits.

Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:

http://retireandrenew.com

Welcome to Minnesota home of shopping malls.  

Southdale, a shopping mall located in Edina, MN, opened in 1956 and has been in use ever since. It is the oldest fully enclosed, climate-controlled Mall in the United States.

Then there is the site we call the Megamall

Welcome to Thrifty Living Today. A special way of life for the Twenty-first Century.

My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.

The Mall of America, located in Bloomington, MN, opened to the public on August 11, 1992. It has become the most visited shopping mall in the world with more than 40 million visitors annually. The Mall employs over 12,000 workers.

These two sites are located 8.17 miles from each other. This is an easy commute. Yesterday I drove to and visited both of these malls.

Why you ask?

My husband has been intrigued by notices presented by Herberger's one of our local department stores, 

He found a fine group of advertisements placed in the “Star Tribune,” the major Minneapolis newspaper. Since I was driving to the Megamall for lunch with my mother and sister, I could easily check out Herberger’s on the way.

What did I find when I arrived at Southdale?

I was ambling along the aisles at Herberger’s, taking in the plaques above sections of clothing and considering the summer colors of women’s wear. I had arrived on coupon day (a very large notice had appeared in the newspaper). The number of shoppers was substantial.

Groups of outdoor wear, business suits, sleepwear, and lingerie were present everywhere. I viewed a large area dedicated to shoes. There were hangers full of sale clothing with percentage prices listed on large signs. Amounts of  20% off, 40% off and other prices greeted the eye.

I had planned to do a “walk through” to satisfy my husband but when I saw a sales person standing, I decided to ask her a few questions.

What do you consider your primary sales items? I blurted out? Why do these shoppers come to your store? What are they looking for?

I don’t think she receives this type of question every day. But, being a helpful and kind person, she decided to address my questions. She rattled off her response:

·        The primary sales items are women’s wear and shoes.

·        Shoppers are attracted to and usually present coupons at the time of purchase.

·        Those who come to the store are looking for sale, coupon related, and brand items.

·        Many check out the shoes.

Following our initial answers, she went on to explain:

·        Herberger’s focuses on women’s wear and shoes.

·        Children’s clothing is available.

·        Men’s wear is marginal.

·        This store does not sell items used in the home. (Larger Herberger’s stores sell these.)  

Do you really know your department stores?

By the time we came to the end of our discussion, I realized I knew a lot more about Herberger’s. I had heard about the history of the store, its focus, and the type of clothing I might find. I also learned there were special programs and coupons set up which benefitted Goodwill a well-known and popular program in our State.

It occurred to me that asking questions while at a store could really help me. I would learn a lot of things.

I would like to respectfully suggest that you do this when you shop. Check out the what, when, where, how, and why.

·        What does the department store sell?

·        When do they sell it? Is it seasonal? When is the best time to buy it?

·        Why do they focus on certain items?

·        How do they display items and where are they found?

·        Why should I buy from your store? What do you think is the best part of your store?

With a knowledge of the department stores in your area, you can choose to drive to the one most appropriate. You will be familiar with the stock and know the inside location of what you want.

For more information on the two famous malls, see below: Southdale Center

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southdale_Center

The Mall of America

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mall_of_America

Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can help people because she has experienced the benefits.

Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:

http://retireandrenew.com

On Easter Sunday I decided to try something different with the Virtual Thrift Club site. I invited the audience to write about strategies they have used that are near and dear to them.

Welcome to Thrifty Living Today. A special way of life for the Twenty-first Century.

My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.

In addition to writing blogs, I also write topics for the” Virtual Thrift Club Forum” site for the Dollar Stretcher. This virtual site began on 8/18/11.  If you would like more information please go to:

http://community.stretcher.com/forums/t/25500.aspx

Views on the frugal and thrift centered life

Sometimes it is difficult for me to come up with ideas for posts. I try to think about topics that readers might find interesting but I don't always choose correctly.

Could readers suggest topics?

I decided to invite people to suggest topic ideas for posts.

One reader wrote in to suggest this topic: how to get motivated and remain motivated while on the debt free journey.

She discovered that she did not like being in debt. She had trouble remaining motivated to save money and pay off the debt.

She found strategies that helped her. These included making a vision poster, posting her progress in different parts of her home, listening to Dave Ramsey every day, reading his frugal blog and others, for inspiration.

She eventually reached her goals. I think she is a great role model.

I thanked her for sharing her story. 

Posts were submitted by a number of readers. Here are their responses:

o   having a little money budgeted for spending

o   looking for free or low cost entertainment

o   writing a spending log, this may help in finding ways to use the money we have

o   considering providing support for a charity

o   keeping busy

o   focusing on other opportunities instead of focusing on buying something new

I thanked readers for their comments. I think their ideas may suggest solutions for others looking for help.

Now I would like to invite you to check out the Virtual Thrift Club site. One way is to click on the Forum on the Dollar Stretcher site.

You will see a long list of names. You can scroll down the list to the last site, the Virtual Thrift Club.

I hope that you find it interesting and helpful.

Lori Blatzheim

Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can help people because she has experienced the benefits.

Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:

http://retireandrenew.com

One of the most recent is on the topic Department Store shopping, has it changed?

Welcome to Thrifty Living Today, a special way of life for the Twenty-first Century.

My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.

The small city in which I live has two special sites. They operate under the same department and work together to provide opportunities for people from birth to senior years. These special sites are the Recreation Center and the Senior Citizens Center.

The two sites as well as the staff are a part of the Parks and Recreation Department. This allows people of the community to identify the best site for services.  Welcome to the Chanhassen Recreation Center.

Why I am writing this post.

I happen to believe there are opportunities out there for people of all ages and conditions. Sometimes you have to look for them. Sometimes they look for you. Sometimes they are only a ways away.

I realize that not everyone has access to a recreation center and that these structures vary in size and scope. I hope this information may suggest ways to use the site.

The Chanhassen Recreation Center

I was walking a slightly raised brick path to the entrance to the Recreation Center. I looked around and realized that the large brick building before me was attached to a primary school. I wondered how this worked. By the time I left the site, I knew much more about planning, coordinating, and presenting programs that would benefit the whole community.

On entering the site I was introduced to the recreation Center Manager. She told me I was just in time to watch the pickle ball players. (My first thought was “what’s a pickle ball?) It didn’t take long for me to find out and to meet the Seniors playing the game. For those of you who are unfamiliar with pickle ball, or want to know more, there are excellent posts on the game. Here is one:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickleball

In rapid time the nets were set up and those interested had started a game.

While I watched Seniors whack the small green whiffle balls and compete as a two may team, we were joined by the Senior Center Coordinator of the Senior Citizens Center. I hadn’t realized how this leadership worked together. This became very obvious as they jointly discussed the activities of the centers.

People driving past might think that, after all, a community center is “just a building.” Those people would be wrong.

It is what goes on in the building; the goals, heart, creativity, experience, and opportunities that really make a community.

Interior design of the recreation center

I was impressed by the creativity of the architecture of the building. In my mind I applauded the person who had planned the structure with the needs of the community. It was a noble effort and, it appears to have worked.

Almost one half of the building is dedicated to a very large room. This area can be divided into smaller rooms by bringing special folded walls forward. Tables and chairs in can be placed in numerous patterns. Small kitchenettes are available against one wall in several sites.

This allows a variety of figurations so that many needs are met.

Activities found in the rooms

· Community meetings

· Chamber of commerce meetings

· Quilting groups with attendance up to 85

· Seasonal programs during holidays

· Educational groups

· Birthdays, wedding receptions, anniversaries, religious services

· Senior citizen programs and entertainment

In another side of the building is a large gym. This is flanked on one side, by wooden bleachers.

The gym is not only used for athletic practice and sometimes contests; it is used for Community opportunities such as an Art Fair and Craft Fair.

I would like to share some of the opportunities that are present at this center and surrounding land.

I hope these will provide suggestions for you and recreation centers in your community.

Here is a list of activities:

For small children:

· Indoor soccer

· Flag football

· Floor hockey

· T-ball

· Soccer

· Birthday parties

· Tot time Play time

· Grandparents and me extravaganza

· Seasonal celebrations such as Easter Egg Hunt

For elementary school children

· Dodge ball

· Archery

· Obstacle course building

· Sports sampler

· Soccer

· Daddy/daughter sweetheart dance

· Mom and son construction zone

· Video game experience

· Winter survival camp

· Tae Kwon Do junior program

· Home alone safety program

· Babysitting training

For people with disabilities (these programs are provided by REACH for Resources)

· Family yoga

· Pals and pins bowling

· Challenger baseball

· Teen explorers

· Social seekers

· Walking for health

· Bowling

· Health club which presents healthy living

For adults:

· Zumba

· Line Dance

· Pickle ball

· Personal training

· Room full of physical training equipment

· Pilates

· Yoga

For those who enjoy ice skating there are two outdoor skating rinks and a leisure rink.

Almost one half of the building is dedicated to a very large room. This area can be divided into smaller rooms by bringing special folded walls forward.

While visiting the Center, I happened to meet a man in the process of arranging chairs; He kindly explained what he was preparing. It was about to be used for a religious service.

On other occasions, he set up chairs for Community performances, luncheons, or other events. At other times he cleared the chairs for dance programs, and seasonal celebrations.

I would like to suggest that you and your family visit recreation centers in your community or nearby cities. It may be possible for you to find services and activities that are available to you.

For images of the Chanhassen Recreation Center go to this site:

http://retireandrenew.com/?page_id=40

Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can help people because she has experienced the benefits.

Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:

http://retireandrenew.com

Here we are, a month from April fifteenth. Is everyone ready? How do you feel about the situation. Are you calm and contented? Or, are you scrambling around trying to find needed papers, receipts, and other information required for placement in the IRS forms that need to be completed.

Welcome to Thrifty Living Today a special way of life for the Twenty-first Century.

My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.

This year we decided to go with a different approach. We have what yearly amounts to a very complicated tax return. In the end, we went back to our experienced professional tax preparer. I decided to write a post about the benefits of working with a live person who knows what he is doing. We made an appointment with Darrell Rodenz. He has been our experienced professional tax preparer for years and we feel confident working with him.

Here are some of the benefits of working with a professional Tax Preparer

Together you can:

·        look at your overall tax situation

·        receive suggestions for reducing taxes now and in the future

·        view documents together 

·        reduce errors

·        find deductions and credits

·        avoid adverse consequences

Because we work on taxes, every year with Darrell Rodenz, our CPA tax preparer, we have come to realize the other benefits he can provide. These include:

• Multi-State Tax Services
• Free electronic filing
• Preparation and Interpretation of Financial Reports
• General Accounting for Businesses and Individuals
• Payroll Services
• Year Round, Full-Time Service

For further information on this topic, check the following web sites:

http://money.msn.com/tax-preparation/should-you-do-your-own-taxes-2 

http://taxes.about.com/od/findataxpreparer/a/tax_accountant.htm

http://www.goodfinancialcents.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-hiring-a-professional-tax-preparer/

Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can help people because she has experienced the benefits.

Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:

http://retireandrenew.com

I would like to thank Darrell Rodenz, a CPA and Experienced Professional Tax Preparer. He has worked for 39 years and spent his career in Chanhassen, MN. Web address: http://rodenz.com/

Darrell has been our personal tax provider for a number of years. We have found tax time much less stressful with his interest, guidance, and support. He has waded through our cumbersome tax profile and organized it so that even I can understand it.

Learn about the world, the whole world. Leave a fast moving society. Appreciate your outdoor environment.

Welcome to Thrifty Living Today a special way of life for the Twenty-first Century.

My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.

I once was a worker rushing about. My day required preparation, transportation to my work site, scrambling around during the day, and rapid transport back to my home.

Now that I am a Senior I have more time to explore the earth. I find myself wanting to escape the bonds, open the door and exit my home.

Walking does not cost money. It is free. Observing nature may be one of the best bargains the world presents.

In celebration of this experience I have listed ten statements. These describe possible benefits from walking.

·        Learn more about the outside our home

·        Observe growth of plants

·        Evaluate health of grass or ground cover

·        Leave your property, view roads and buildings as you walk

·        Explore the animals living around you.

·        Note the insects

·        Take photos with the camera you have brought

·        Take the children, watch their activities, listen to their comments

·        Observing homes and structures in your neighborhood

·        Develop ideas for your home and property 

Thank you for sharing. I hope that you enjoyed it. If you have further goals or reasons for taking a walk consider writing a comment.

I like to walk especially at a lake and adjoining park near my home. I would like to share my walk with you. To view photos go to this web address:

http://retireandrenew.com/?page_id=40

Lori Blatzheim

Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:

http://retireandrenew.com

Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can help people because she has experienced the benefits.

 Small round batteries can lead to injury and death if swallowed by children.

These batteries have been placed in everything from remote controlled toys to musical greeting cards.

Welcome to Thrifty Living Today a special way of life for the Twenty-first Century.

My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.

Until yesterday I was completely unaware that small round batteries, swallowed by children, may become lodged in the childs throat. This can lead to internal damage and possibly to death.

If you have children in your family or if you have grandchildren, please make certain that family and friends are aware of this preventable problem.

The three posts you see below can explain the danger much better than I can.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/for-very-young-peril-lurks-in-lithium-cell-batteries/

http://children.webmd.com/news/20120830/tiny-batteries-rising-risk-children

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6134a1.htm

Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can help people because she has experienced the benefits.

Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:

http://retireandrenew.com

Don't think of Thrift as some sort of behavior that prevents having fun. Actually, it leads to a more balanced and happy life.  (Lori Blatzheim)

Welcome to Thrifty Living Today, a special way of life for the Twenty-first Century.

My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.

Thrift and Frugality are noble goals.

You have been working very hard to earn money, pay your bills, and save a portion of what is left.

You are trying hard to have a contented and successful life. You look for strategies that will help you save and create an emergency fund.

Should we reward ourselves when we have budgeted, worked, paid off debt and saved?

Recently I have been considering this question.

A lot has been written on the need for Thrift and frugality. Writers have produced thoughts and strategies for improving the bottom line. Readers have been encouraged to live a more balanced life.

It has occurred to me that a balanced life should include occasional rewards.

Raising children

We have two young grandsons living a long distance away.   I think their lives should include some special experiences. In the past, we have contributed to baseball, soccer, and sailing funds.

I do not view this as a mistake.  In my opinion, children need opportunities to learn about a game, how it is played, how children work together for the common goal of winning or sailing a boat.  I also think they need occasional rewards.

During the summer, our grandchildren sometimes visit us. I have been looking for activities they can try while vacationing at our home.

I recently learned about an opportunity for children. It involves  unique entertainment.

The Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

I would like to introduce you to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. This site provides professional theater with a dining experience. It was founded in 1968 and is the nation’s largest professional dinner theatre. The Main Theatre seats 557 people. It happens to be less than one mile from our home.

Recently, collaboration between the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and Thrivent Financial, a faith based company, has resulted in an offer to provide community discounts.

This year, they will offer a “Kids in Free” discount which will provide one free dinner and show ticket to JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. This will benefit any child (ages 5-17) when one dinner and show ticket is purchased at full price. (Offered dates to come will be posted in May in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, a major newspaper). 

Two children are chosen from the audience for the show each night.  They sign up in the lobby when they arrive if they are interested, and the names are entered into a lottery for the opportunity of appearing in the show.

An additional activity will include a fundraising event with Minnesota Food Share to benefit a consumer summer food service program for kids. This will help provide thousands of Minnesota students, eighteen years or under, free or reduced cost meals during the summer when their schools are closed.  

Will we take the grandchildren to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat?

Decisions require thinking. We will sit down and discuss the reasons for taking the children to see this presentation.

It will serve as an introduction into live theater and the arts. It will be entertaining and the children should enjoy the music.

In the end, I hope they retain thoughts of a very special visit to a dinner theater; of the food they ate, and what they saw and heard.

Yes, I think they will have a very special memory of the day they spent with Grandpa and Nana, eating together and experiencing theater.

Lori Blatzheim

Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can help people because she has experienced the benefits.

Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:

http://retireandrenew.com

Thanks to the Public Relations staff of the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.

I learned a great deal about theatres and entertainment. I appreciate the helpfulness and support.

Shortly after starting the Virtual Thrift Club, I wrote a Dollar Stretcher Forum entry on this topic. It turned out to be one of the most answered and heartrending entries I ever wrote. People shared their memories, and opened our eyes to what they had lived through as children.

Welcome to Thrifty Living Today a special way of life for the Twenty-first Century.

My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.

Here is the opening paragraph.

Find a quiet space in your life and take a few minutes to reflect on your childhood. What do you remember about your parents or guardians while you were growing up? Did your family have a consistent source of income? Who paid the bills, mother, father, someone else? Were you included, and did they show you what was spent for food, clothing or utilities? Were you completely excluded from the process? How did this influence your current spending habits?

I would like to suggest that you do the same thing.

I have tried doing this and here are some of my conclusions.

I had no idea:

·       how much money my father made

·       where he banked

·       what he owed

·       whether he paid his bills on time

·       if he had a budget

·       his financial goals

            I didn’t know:

§  Who provided my mother with money.

§  When  she received it.

§  What she did with it.

§  Whether she saved it.

§  How she spent it.

By the age of nine, I had never:

·       Had an ongoing allowance

·       Learned the reason for banks

·       Understood what a check was

·       Realized that water, heat, electricity, telephone, and lodging cost money

·       Reviewed a budget

·       Held bills of different denominations in my hand

What Do You Remember About Money Managed by Your Parents?

Is this what you want for your children? Is this what you want for children everywhere?

Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:

http://retireandrenew.com

When we bought our house I appreciated the light streaming in from all the windows. Later I would come to regret some of my enthusiasm.

I had a dim understanding of what Minnesota weather can do to the exterior of a house. 

Welcome to Thrifty Living Today a special way of life for the Twenty-first Century.

My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.

My husband was frankly worried. A year ago we had a major problem with wood rot due to problems with a chimney.  Now he found some exterior signs of softness in the window sills. I watched him walk around the house, pinching the sills and wondering what was going on underneath. 

Windows became the prime talking point in our home. We discussed the why, what, when, where, and how of the situation and realized that our understanding of window replacement was miniscule.

How did we find the company that would replace our windows?

We:

·        used a search engine and took a crash course on window replacement. 

·        studied advertisements, with special attention to price, quality, and design.

·        invited salesmen from window replacement companies to visit our home and give us quotes.

·        discussed arrangements for payment. We had decided we wanted to pay by the time the windows were installed.

There are several companies that install windows for people in our area. The prices vary a bit. We spoke of what we wanted and hoped to receive. 

We decided to choose a company which cost slightly more than another. It seemed to offer better quality in product and in those who would install the windows.

Minnesota winters are brutal. Once we made the decision to purchase the windows, we wondered when this major event would happen. The contract was signed in late fall. It would take time before the windows would be prepared.

Based on the contract, and information from the salesman, the installation would occur in early January.  I wondered about the timing. Would men walk around the back yard in foot deep snow? Where would they put the ladders?

The role of Justin, our salesman

The company we selected spends time with customers.

Our salesman presented a class on the topic “what to expect when you are having windows installed.”

Measurements were taken. Window design was selected.

The windows had to be fabricated at a different site and brought in.

The workers would come to our home and set everything up. The installation would take one or two days. They would place plastic sheets around every window site, and covering on the floors. They would explain what was being done every step of the way.

When the windows were installed, and everyone was satisfied, they would do a thorough cleaning of the site.

Our responsibilities

I never thought of who would prepare the home window sites and remove furniture, wall hangings, and pictures from site. That turned out to be our job.

We would have to remove all blinds, shades, and drapes. My husband would have to do most of this.

How the Workmen helped

It is nice to have promises fulfilled. We had been told what to expect. Everything promised was accomplished.

The workers came on time and left on time.

They carefully prepared the surrounding sites.

The windows fit and worked well.

Following the installation, one workman removed the temporary floor covering and vacuumed all areas involved. He didn’t stop until all was cleaned.

Before leaving they gave us a five minute class on how to position the new windows so that we could wash them from the inside of the home.

In retrospect

We are glad we had new windows placed. One large old window had some evidence of decay. The others had no evidence of dry rot. My husband is now more relaxed. We seldom mention the windows.

Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can help people because she has experienced the benefits.

Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:

http://retireandrenew.com

Thanks to Renewal by Andersen the company that  helped us install quality windows and frames. They demonstrated a friendly, thoughtful approach to meeting our needs every step of the way.