I like to keep my frugal minded readers up to date with the latest sales and freebies in the homeschooling world, and I HAD to share these sales and great prices from The Old Schoolhouse.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is having an amazing sale on subscriptions during their annual Black Friday Sale November 26 – 30. For those 5 days only, they are drastically reducing their one-year subscription price to $7.95! That’s the price you would usually pay for just one issue at a bookstore!  I can’t believe this price, this is a BIG magazine and is definitely the premier Christian-based homeschooling magazine on the market, don’t miss out!  This sale is for new subscribers only.

This is their lowest price ever on the magazine and they want all of you to take advantage of this offer and share the info with your friends.

Your one-year subscription will pay for itself time and time again as you receive practical tips and Biblical encouragement to keep going strong in your commitment to homeschooling and to the Lord. Since it’s a quarterly magazine, they even have a monthly subscriber’s only E-Newsletter called Teacher’s Toolbox that will give you seasonal teaching ideas and a free E-Book download! It’s like joining a unit study of the month club! The free E-Books alone are valued at almost $250/year. It’s really perfect for people who are homeschooling on a shoestring or just wanting to add in some little extras to your teaching.

Plus during the Black Friday Sale, they have all kind of bonus gifts when you spend $50, $75, $100, or $150. Some are electronic downloads that you can download immediately, while other are physical products mailed from various vendors directly to your home.

AND, their Win Big contest is going on so if you just happen to be customer 67,000, you will receive a prize package valued at almost $500 which includes a $150 gift certificate to the Schoolhouse Store! Who couldn’t use that? And you can qualify to win it no matter how much or how little you spend!

Mark your calendars for November 26 - 30th and do a little shopping from your seat, not your feet at the Schoolhouse Store’s Black Friday Sale!

www.TheOldSchoolhouseStore.com

One more frugal tip for the day before I’m off to the dentist with my oldest daughter. Well, the rest of the family is coming too - grocery shopping ho!

Over the past year we’ve gone from a no pets indoors family to having 1 mamma cat, a 4 month old kitten and three fuzzy little baby fatty kittens. Needless to say - there’s a lot of action underfoot these days. More than that, the baby fatties have just started eating solids, meaning they’ve needed to be litter trained. Our litter box has been bulging at the seams and very aromatic. We use the scoopable litter so that we don’t have to throw out so much everytime, but it does become odourous.

The other day we were at the Princess Auto and I spotted a HUGE bag of chunk diatomaceous earth. Ever heard of it? We use it in it’s finely ground form to dust the cows and dog down for bugs, and it can be given internally for parasites as well. This bag was full of the chunky stuff, never seen it before. Marketed mainly for oil spills, it also touted it’s odour absorbing abilities, only $13.99/big bag, 15 K I think - approx. 33 lbs for my US friends. I think it’s called Ultrasorb, look for it where automotive supplies are sold, their main marketing thrust is cleaning up toxic liquids, throw this stuff on, watch it suck up, sweep and throw away.

We’d been sprinkling baking soda in the litter to keep odours down (Yes, we do change it regularly! That doesn’t eliminate all of the odors though!), but you can’t get 20 K of baking soda for $13.99, well I can’t anyway. This stuff works GREAT! I can’t believe the difference, and I’m very thankful. It’s actually a bit cheaper than the scoopable kitty litter per weight, and it’s not very heavy for the volume of it - absorbing rock must be pretty porous, no?

Anyways, thought this hint might be helpful to other families with stinky kitties in the house! Life can now be a little less stinky.

Many families are trying to suck in their belts a wee bit more during the current ecomonic downswing.  One of the methods that families can use to do so is by searching out online coupons for purchases that they know they’ll be making in the future.

I know a number of families both online and in real life who are facing upcoming weddings, or have recently celebrated the marriage of one of their daughters.  Weddings have the potential to be terribly expensive, so loking for techniques to economize and cut back on these costs is always welcome - at least in my books!  Living out in the boonies like we do, it’s often cheaper to purchase online - even with shipping costs - than it is to drive into the city to shop, fuel prices still haven’t gond down THAT much, and diesel is still terribly expensive, $1.15/L last time we bought some.

Enter savings.com, an online site where you can find coupons for a wide variety of online shops and stores. Those planning weddings may be interested in checking out The Knot promotional code’s for discounts on the entire order, as well as coupons specific to disposable cameras, napkins and wedding favours.

My husband and I spent $800 on our wedding and honeymoon -  we’re always keeping our eyes open for money-saving ideas.

As a child I was a prolific reader, a tendency that hasn’t changed to this day.  As a homeschooler I expect that my own children will be bibliophiles as well, with the potential to read 2-3 short paperbacks each day.  With this assumption in mind, and the limited resources available through the local library system I set about establishing our families personal library shortly after our first daughter was born.  After 5 years of purchases and bargain hunting it has become apparent that finding books at a reasonable price is an extraordinarily time consuming proposition.

Going to garage sales, library book sales, thrift shops, using book trading websites and perusing online advertisements for used books and keeping eyes peeled for online discounts is nearly a full time occupation in itself it can seem at times!  It’s only recently that I discovered a website that simplifies the entire process, and I’m excited!

Homeschool Library Builder is owned by two homeschooling mothers each the mother of four children ranging from 8 to 20 years old.  Together they have assembled an extensive collection of new and used discounted books of interest to homeschoolers.

You MUST look through their site!  The prices are excellent, and the books are so well categorized.  If you are working with a specific curriculum such as Ambleside Online, Five In a Row, Sonlight, Tapestry of Grace and others, you can select your curriculum and your year/volume to bring up the titles recommended for your course of study that they have in stock!  What a time saver, it just amazes me.  Other categorizations are available such as the book topic, age range and country/region.  If you know the title of the book you are looking for, you can use their handy search function to quickly see if it is in stock.  If it isn’t already included in the large selection of titles on hand, you can take advantage of their Book Search program.  If you are looking for a specific title let them know, they’ll keep their eyes open for you and seek to obtain it.

However, Homeschool Library Builder offers more than a wonderful bookstore that you can’t resist purchasing through.  They offer a free monthly newsletter in which helpful homeschooling sites are recommended, families can promote their homemade products for free, and the monthly specials and sales are shared.  This month, if you order from November 2 - 6th (time’s running short!) you receive FREE SHIPPING on your entire order.

The owners are also dedicated to helping others through their Helping Hand program.  Currently they have a special category of books called OPERATION HURRICANE.  Any titles purchased from this category go towards hurricane relief efforts and are matched dollar for dollar by the owners.  You get a book while helping others!

If you sign up as a member on their site (completely free of charge) you also qualify for referral benefits and book points.  Each time you refer a user to their service or purchase books you earn points that can be redeemed for, you guessed it, more books in the future!  Psst….if you sign up, tell them Jennifer Bogart sent you ;).

So, if you are a thrifty book buyer, you’ll want to bookmark Homeschool Library Builder and head their first for your book purchasing needs.

Frugality is a virtue, particularly in today’s chaotic economic climate that is sweeping the globe.  While we strive to keep our eyes in Jesus and to trust in God to work for our good in all things, as good stewards we’re also pinching our pennies.

I’m currently the only member of our family who wears prescription eyeglasses, but I suspect that my husband might need them as well.  I want to have his eyes tested, but he’s a bit reluctant to do so - it’s only been 20 or so years since his last exam! However, even spending $300 for every pair of glasses I buy, every two years or so, adds up to a lot of money over the course of a lifetime.

I just had my eyes retested a few months ago, and it looks like I won’t need a new pair for awhile, but when I do, it’ll be Zennioptical.com for me.  Where else can you buy a pair of glasses made to your specifications from $8 and up?  They have a wide selection of frames; here is a particularly cute pair.  Red - one of my favourite colours!

Not everyone sees ‘eye to eye’ on this matter however.  Take Clark Howard for example, a radio personality well known for his frugality.  His show notes indicate that while he might be ready to use Zenni Optical for every eyeglasses purchase in his family, not everyone is ready to go whole hog.

Since we haven’t tried them yet, I can’t say for sure; but it’s likely there won’t be any hold outs in this house - not at that price!

Just wanted to do a quick shout out.  I received an email in my inbox a few days ago re: Rebekah Wilson’s Hope Chest Legacy clear-out sale.  If you’ve been putting off buying her books, now is your chance.  Everything is 50% off!  Head on over there before it’s all gone!  Once the books are sold, it may be 2 - 3 years before she re-prints.

I stocked up on books to teach my daughters needlework skills, since I’m a bit sewing impaired myself.  Lots of great items so head on over, quickly!!

I don’t think I’ve shared this resource before, but it is a vital one!  No more paying $10 per pregnancy test.  I have purchased from this family a couple of times, and can vouch for the test accuracy, as I tested pregnant with my third daughter with one of these!

Another Blessing offers pregnancy tests and ovulation strips for $.50-.85 each with free shipping in the USA.  The owner Amy Wingfield is a stay-at-home, homeschool quiverfull mom of 4 blessings so far. She’s also a writer. Read her daily blog at http://amywingfield.blogspot.com/.

Well, there’s a lot of buzz on the internet about ZenniOptical, famous for their $8 eyeglasses.  If you’ve been a long-time reader here, you’ve seen me write about them a couple of times.  Part of the new-wave of discount eyeglasses, their prices start at $8 for a basic prescription, and go up from there. However, even their highest priced glasses are well below the cost of a pair from your local optician.

I just had my eyes re-examined a month or so ago, and they are pretty close to where they were two years ago.  However, I plan on ordering a couple of ‘back-up’ glasses from ZenniOptical.  I’d also like to get my husband’s eyes tested.  It’s been over 20 years since he last went to see an optometrist!!  I think he could use glasses, at least for driving.

In any case, you’ll run into good reviews of Zennis, and bad reviews.  Folks are either delighted or downright mad.  I figure it’s a worthwhile chance to take at only $8/pair when my last glasses cost $300.

Consumer advocate Clark Howard tested the glasses for himself in 2007.  There is a wide variety of consumer reviews left in the comments section of his show notes, so you can head on over there to see for yourself if you’re curious if the risk is worth it for your family or not.

And at $8/pair you can mix it up a bit.  I like some different looks in my glasses, I really love coloured frames.  My current pair are a deep metallic purple.  Something like this might be pretty too:

A past reader shared her experiences with Zenni glasses, saying she really enjoyed them.  Have you purchased?  Are you a happy consumer, or a disgruntled one?  There seems to be little middle ground on this one!

Marli over at All That I Am is a blogger I met through SocialSpark. I love meeting new Christian mommy bloggers through social networks (and exchanging links too)! Marli has three darling children, some spectacular photography (hey Marli, did you know my DH is thinking about organizing a photo contest?), likes to read and is thrifty too!  She is an image oriented girl - working in graphic design and jewelry!

Welcome to the July 28, 2008 edition of the Carnival of Home Preserving 3rd Edition! I’m honoured to be hosting this new and highly useful carnival this week! We just have a small garden this year, and since our season is so much later than most, we don’t have any produce that needs preserving yet! Thankfully though - there are ladies and gents are busy canning, freezing and drying already, and sharing their insights with us for our reading pleasure! Enjoy :).

Don’t forget to join Laura (the carnivals instigator) at Laura William’s Musings next week for another edition of the Carnival of Home Preserving! You can submit your articles to the carnival for inclusion next week here.

Dehydrating

Tomato Lady presents Oven-Dried Tomatoes posted at Little House in the Suburbs.

Mike Smythers presents Lump Charcoal posted at Meat Smoking.

Canning

Joseph presents ginger-melon preserves posted at choke, artichoke.

Angela Billings presents Squash Pickles posted at Homemaking Blog.

:: Suzanne :: presents Tomato Salsa posted at :: Adventures in Daily Living ::.

Kendra presents Up to our eyeballs in nectarines posted at A Sonoma Garden.

Marlene Dotterer presents Canning Day posted at Meals by Marlene.

Michelle presents Canning Rhubarb in Syrup posted at Life in Tee Harbor, Alaska.

Dana Wright presents Tomato Relish posted at Garden Green.

Gwen Mangelson presents My week so far posted at Paper Expressions.

Laura Williams presents Frugal Hints and Tips for Home Preserving posted at Laura Williams’ Musings.

Jane presents God Gave Plums….. posted at Seeds to Sew.

Marsha presents Love My Peaches posted at Hot Water Bath.

Kate presents Our Red House: Rocket (Arugula) and Pecan Pesto posted at Our Red House.

Freezing

Barb presents Bags of Mixed Vegetables, Frozen posted at My Daily Round.

Patsy presents It’s Cantaloupe and Watermelon Season posted at Likewise, Ye Older Women.

There’s a whole lot of Titus 2 goodness here for those of us who are just learning to preserve the harvest, so dig in and enjoy!