IF I WERE A RICH MAN.....YA DE YA DE

Yep, if we were all rich we wouldn't have to worry about

s t r e t c h i n g our dollars. But we're not, so here's another post

on saving $$$, this time at the dollar stores....what are the

'deals' and 'rip-offs'?

DOLLAR STORE DO'S

-cleaning products -- except for dishwashing liquid...check per oz. prices.

-dishes & glassware -- mainly because you can buy individual items instead of sets.

-gift wrap & gift bags

-greeting cards -- my secret card store!

-grooming tools -- basic things, eg: hairbrushes, emery boards, mirrors, tweezers, etc.

-kitchen accessories -- can openers, spatulas, ladles, dish racks, etc. Exceptions: avoid knives!

-Mops, brooms, scrub brushes - just the basics, but do the job.

-plastic storage bins -- stackables, garbage pails, etc.

-holiday decor & party favors -- I get a lot of our 'empty nester's FHE stuff there!

-simple tools -- No, not dad's quality, but if you need a basic hammer or some screw drivers!

-socks -- compare to $2.50 dept store quality.

DOLLAR STORE DON'TS

-baby food - most is fine, BUT there have been dangerous chemicals found in some.

-bagged candy - Walmart is cheaper, especially in larger size packages.

-batteries - Target & Walmart usually cheaper...but Costco beats them all.

-bottled water - ditto on the above

-children's toys - they often break easily & can even be hazardous...some contain lead.

-disposable plates, cups & napkins - again, Walmart & costco in large amounts. better: cloth!

-extension cords - low quality & can cause fires!

-off-brand foods - check expirations dates. Poor quality or lower standard quantities.

-pet food & toys - some unsafe, lower quality & check expiration dates. Leashes & collars okay.

-resealable sandwich bags - Walmart & Costco again top out.

-toothpaste - some have found dangerous ingredients & sales/walmart/costco again win out.

-vitamins - studies have found they don't deliver the content they claim.

And did you know.... wealthier people use cents-off coupons more often

than lower-income folks? Biggest coupon users have incomes of $150,000 or

more a year! Also, better educated people are more likely to use them too.

A LITTLE ECONOMIC ADVICE

Don't have to tell any of you times are tough right now. Our money really needs to stretch further! So here's a few things to think about.

10 THINGS TO NEVER BUY NEW

1. BOOKS

2. CD'S & DVD'S

3. KIDS TOYS

4. JEWELRY -- USED STONES

5. SPORTS EQUIPMENT

6. TIMESHARES

7. CARS

8. SOFTWARE & CONSOLE GAMES

9. OFFICE FURNITURE

10. HAND TOOLS (just ask dad!)

10 THINGS TO NEVER BUY USED.

1. LAPTOP

2. CAR SEATS

3. PLASMA TV'S
4. DVD PLAYERS

5. VACUUM CLEANERS

6. CAMCORDERS

7. SHOES (don't agree with this one.)

8. MATTRESSES

9. WET SUITS

10. HELMETS

I know some people who wouldn't NEVER consider buying 'used' items; but its never been a problem for our family. I always say: the best reason to buy used clothing, etc. is, you know how it's going to look after it's washed & worn! If it was going to twist or shrink, you'd pass it by! AND you can buy expensive brand names for a fraction of new.

I feed my shoe addiction at such places as Savers, etc. regularly. A little lysol spray & I'm good to go.

So get out there and dig through those garage sales & thrift stores....there's treasures out there!

Do you have any other ideas of ways we can all stretch our dollars?

MY ORNERY KIDNEYS

Most of you know I had the big nephy doc (kidney) guy meeting monday afternoon & we had good news. My potassium number is down to 4!!! Yippee! I worked hard at it and didn't eat anything with potassium or sodium in it....at least as little as possible. Most fruits & veggies have it, so it's difficult to avoid & still eat healthy. But don't feel tooo sorry for me.

On my first follow-up visit my doc gave me a list of foods to avoid and some to eat. And guess what was on the top of the 'TO EAT' list? Cakes and cookies! Yep, I've finally achieved my ultimate goal! Doctor's orders! I have to eat cake and cookies! AND THERE'S MORE! Dad was at that visit with me and waited patiently to ask his 'usual' question....the 'E' word! Shouldn't she be EXERCISING? Doc says NO!

I HAVE ACHIEVED NIRVANA!!!

So the next step? Well, my referral has been faxed to the Mayo Clinic today and they will contact me for the 'work-up' schedule. It's quite daunting...a complete head to toe check-up to make sure I'm free of cancer, heart disease, etc. Don't know if this is done all-at-once or over time. Following this, the potential donors have preliminary screening, narrowing down those that have the best matches. There's 6 genetic components and if I could get a 5 out of 6 match it would give me a 30-year kidney.....3 out of 6 would be a 10-15 year kidney. All of this will probably take about 6 months (or more) to come to fruition.

I trust my doctor completely, (along with my own research and education), and feel it is NOT an accident I am in Arizona near one of the best hospitals in the world, The Mayo Clinic. Dr. Mashood Qardi is helping me stay OFF dialysis till the surgery if at all possible. So I'm doing everything he says to do! Don't want to spend 3 days a week/ 4 hours at a time doing dialysis, that's for sure!!!! So happy pee & good times are ahead! Keep up the prayers, please & thank you all very much!

This is me and my doc. Yep, he's indian, but I can understand him fairly well. He's a kind, gentle and patient man.

The Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ