met on a blind date in January, on Friday the 13th seventeen years ago.  Since there happened to be one of those this month, we decided to do something special.  We enjoyed a nice overnight getaway with an excellent meal.  As we were driving and visiting about what we wanted to do, what needed to be done, etc. I was making notes on my iPad so we wouldn’t “forget.”  We were talking about what it was like 17 years ago……….we didn’t drive a mini van, I wasn’t making a “to do” list on my iPad, I didn’t have a photo book of “grandkids” in my purse, I didn’t need my reading glasses and neither one of us had a cell phone!

But……..as much as things change, things stay the same way.  I offered a discount coupon to him on our first date and used one this weekend.  We even ended our romatic getaway with a coupon run to Cub Foods.

All that matters, however, is that he still loves me in spite of all my quirks and I still love him…..

Once a Month Cooking……you hear about it and it sounds like a pretty cool thing!  Come to this class to get all the info needed to start your own once a month cooking club with friends/family.  This class will help you get organized and provide you with tips and tricks to avoid time and money “wasters.”  By the end of this class you will be armed with a process to create easy shopping lists and many wonderful freezer meals.  Participants will receive 25 recipes TRIED-AND-TRUE for freezing as well as many other helpful handouts.

Monday, January 23rd

6:30-8:00

Vivid Image

897 Hwy. 15 South

Hutchinson, MN

$20.00 payable at the door.

YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER SO APPROPRIATE MATERIALS CAN BE PROVIDED.  PLEASE E-MAIL INFO@TIDYTIGHTWADS.COM

Facebook:  Tidy Tightwads

Are you feeling it, or do you have things under control?

Avoid lines by shopping on weekdays, preferably early  the day.  Or avoid all lines by purchasing online or from catalogs.  Avoid the post office on Saturdays and during lunch hours. Purchase stamps online at www.usps.com.

photo credit: frykitty

Is your family on a budget?  Maybe you want to save for a special trip or purchase.  Learning frugal tips and tricks will help you save money in a heartbeat.  This unique class blends the best frugal ideas online and offline.  First, you will learn where to go and how to find the bet online savings, coupons, free shipping, free samples and more.  We’ll help you protect your private information and save money safely using the Internet.  Then, we’ll move offline to help you save money and time in your daily routine when we cover bulk buying tips, bulk cooking and freezer meals, homemade cleaning supplies and other simple tactics perfect for any budget.  You’ll have plenty of time to ask questions of a couple professional tightwads, swap ideas, and leave with plenty of resources to get started saving today!

FIGHT THE PAPER WAR:

Come to this class to find better paper management strategies and some helpful hints on filing.  Do you ever ask yourself these questions?  “Where do I start?”  “Should I put this in a safety deposit box?”  “How long should I keep this piece of paper?”  “How can I de-junk my life?”  Ever wonder what a “tickler file” is?  I personally could not live without mine.  If so, this class is for you!  Join me in one of the upcoming classes.  Thursday 11/18 at Atwater, Cosmos, Grove City or Tuesday, 11/23 in New Ulm.

Now is the time to make those preparations for your Thanksgiving dinner!  Here you will find a countdown that will help you to have everything ready by the big day!

TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THANKSGIVING~

1)   Plan your menu.  Think about which items that can be made ahead of time and frozen, and plan these itmes in on your “to do” list. (See #4 below).  Have a few items listed which you don’t mind if a guest brings–delegate these items when inviting your guests.

2)  Invite your guests if you haven’t already and get a firm commitment from them ASAP.

3)  Make your shopping list, but only after you know exactly what your guests might be bringing.  Don’t forget to include beverages and batteries!

4)  Make a “Thanksgiving To-Do List.”  List every little thing that you feel must be done prior to Thanksgiving.  For example:  Detailed cleaning, washing of serving pieces, shopping, raking the last of the leaves, cooking, decorating, etc.

5)  Take your “Thanksgiving To-Do List, and schedule time for each item.  You may wish to complete one or two items a day until Turkey Day.  Be sure to get the help of your spouse and children-delegate! 

6)  Order your turkey if you order yours.

Frugal and Fun Cindy Haugland & Beth Gasser

 Is your family on a budget? Maybe you want to save for a special trip or purchase. Learning frugal tips and tricks will help you save money in a heartbeat. This unique class blends the best frugal ideas online and offline. First, you will learn where to go and how to find the best online savings, coupons, free shipping, free samples, and more. We’ll help you protect your private information and save money safely using the Internet. Then, we’ll move offline to help you save money and time in your daily routine when we cover bulk buying tips, bulk cooking and freezer meals, homemade cleaning supplies and other simple tactics perfect for any budget. You’ll have plenty of time to ask questions of a couple professional tightwads, swap ideas, and leave with plenty of resources to get started saving today! Monday October, 4 6:30-8:00 PM HS E-105 Fee: $27 Registration Deadline: Monday, September 27

 Stress Free Holidays ~Cindy Haugland

Pleasejoin us! Local professional organizer, Cindy Haugland with Tidy Tightwad$ will share her favorite organizing tips, techniques and strategies to create a memorable, stress-free holiday geared toward busy women. You’ll leave with relevant, helpful organizing information that you can use immediately to improve the quality of your daily life. You will fill out a holiday inventory, a holiday task list, a holiday countdown calendar and a holiday gift list all tailored for you and your family. I will also give you some holiday gift giving tips and holiday simplifying tips. Tuesday October 19 6:30-8:00 PM HS E-105 Fee: $27 Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 12

 ADVANCED COUPONING STRATEGIES

Creativity pays big dividends when it comes to couponing. Learn how to increase your coupon savings with strategies. Build a grocery stockpile. Cut your weekly bill in half with these smart strategies. You can stack plates and you can stack laundry, but did you know you can stack coupons? Find out how I bought the following at Target: 2 bags of Archer Farms coffee, 4 bottles of Aveeno body wash, 5 Schick razors, 5 boxes of Act II Microwave popcorn, 2 trial sized bottles of Axe Men’s Body spray and 2 trial sized Degree Deodorant and paid $3.32! Monday, September 20 6:30-8:00 HS E-105 Fee: $27 Registration Deadline: Monday, September 13

If interested, contact Angela Smith <Angela_Smith@litchfield.k12.mn.us>

ADVANCED COUPONING STRATEGIES!
Creativity pays big dividends when it comes to
 couponing.  Learn how to increase your coupon
savings with strategies.  You can stack your plates and you can stack
laundry, but did you know that you can stack coupons?  Find out how Cindy
Haugland,
 Professional Organizer and founder of
Tidy Tightwads, saved $119.06 on one shopping trip!

Date: Thursday, October 7th
Time:  7 -9 p.m.
Fee:  $20      Minimum:  4

STRESS FREE HOLIDAY
Please join us!  Local professional organizer, Cindy Haugland, will share
her favorite organizing tips,
techniques and strategies to create a memorable, stress free holiday
geared toward busy women!!
Date: Nov. 1st ~ Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.~ Fee:  $20
Location:  EVW HS Rm 101 (Enter door #7)

ONCE A MONTH COOKING!

This class will help you get organized and provide you with tips and
tricks to avoid time and money “wasters”.  By the end of the class you
will be armed with a process to create easy shopping lists and many
wonderful freezer meals.  For those interested – we have a 2nd segment and
make a meal !   You will receive 25 recipes and will have access to money
saving tips!
Date:  Thursday, September 30th   ( Tentative 2nd segment: Thursday,
October 7th)
Time:  7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location:  EVW HS Room 101 (Enter Door 7)
Fee:    $20
Instructor:  CIndy Haugland, Professional Organizing and Cleaning Expert

like we did back then……….do those words sound familiar to you?  It probably does if you’re a country music fan……I’m not a huge fan, but on the way to an occasional sale this morning in Dassel, MN,  at the Little Red Hen, I heard this song on the radio as I was searching………..Tracy Lawrence tells us that if the world had a front porch, like we did back then, we’d still have our problems, but we’d still  be friends, treating your neighbor like he’s next of kin,  wouldn’t be gone with the wind…….

He goes on to say that on the front porch is where  his Mama sat on the swing and learned to crochet and his Grandfather taught him how to pray.  They made their own ice cream, looked at the stars and lightning bugs. I am lucky to have a husband who keeps me grounded, who is my anchor at the end of my rope and who often reminds me to “stop and smell the roses.”

During an interview this morning with Marc from www.theconversationhub.com he asked me what my favorite song was…….I’m not sure that I have a favorite, but I gave him one that carries a tune that I have always liked.   I have a wide variety of songs on my iPod ranging from Elton John to Chris Tomlin.

I love to sit on the porch at the lake and watch the yellow finches eat from the feeders, early in the morning while it’s quiet and nobody else is awake.  It really is amazing how many people see you sitting “on the porch” and stop by to visit and catchup………….maybe we would be better off…”If the World had a front porch.”"

Is your family on a budget? Maybe you want to save for a special trip or purchase. Learning frugal tips and tricks will help you save money in a heartbeat. This unique class blends the best frugal ideas online and offline. First, you will learn where to go and how to find the best online savings, coupons, free shipping, free samples, and more. We’ll help you protect your private information and save money safely using the Internet.  One of us recently spent two nights at a nice hotel with a water park (one night regular rate is $208), had 3 meals out, spent an evening bowling and spent a total of $213.  Find out how you can do this.

Then, we’ll move offline to help you save money and time in your daily routine when we cover bulk buying tips, bulk cooking and freezer meals, homemade cleaning supplies and other simple tactics perfect for any budget. You will receive a handout and will have plenty of time to ask questions of a couple professional tightwads, swap ideas, and leave with plenty of resources to get started saving today!

When:  Monday, April 26th

Where:  Vivid Image

897 Hwy 15 South, Hutchinson, MN  55350

Time:  6:30-8:30

Pre-Register by e-mailing:  info@tidytightwads.com

Cost:  $20 per person