Declutter Game Challenge - Day #20: Sorority, Service, Seniors!

Hey, hey frugalicious ones!!

Back to report on my Declutter Game Challenge - Day #20!! I already knew what day #20 would be when I first started this challenge. Every April, my sorority has a Regional Conference and the region collectively donates to a worth cause in the community where the convention in held. Each chapter is awarded Community Service points for participating in the effort and this year is no exception.

This year's conference is in the Chicago area (I LOVE Chicago). We need at least 20 items to get credit for our chapter, so I donated 20 items to this community service project from my couponing stockpile. This will be my chapter's contribution to the cause and my way of showing sisterhood, since I am unable to attend this year.

The worthy recipients of these items, as well as other items from chapters in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, & Wisconsin are the following:

• Pillar Social Service Organization (For Women)
• Featherfist Transitional Living (For Men)
• Vivian Carter Senior Housing Facility (For Seniors)

My chapter's contributions will be going to the Senior Housing Facility, in line with our commitment to Senior Care this year.

I'm honored to be able to be a blessing to others, especially though my couponing efforts. Let this be a reminder, no matter what you have, be it a little or a lot, you always have enough to give to someone else. I'm giving to declutter, but I know I'll be blessed one hundred fold. Go out and be a blessing today!! :)

What Happens on the Inside, Happens on the Outside!!

Yesterday in The Frugal Files, my blog at Belle Noir Magazine, I talked candidly about some issues going on in my life. To get the back story to this blog, why don't you check that one out first: See Yourself, Saving Yourself

Now that you've read my challenge to myself, let me go on to say...I just LOVE my new lawn guy!! He is the best!! He needs some business cards!! I let him shop in my donation pile because I am SOOOOOOOO grateful for him (in addition to me paying him of course)!!

Great family guy and since he was referred to me by members of my family that I highly respect, it was a perfect match!!

Here's pictures of his work. The proof is in the miracle he made of my hot mess of a yard!! This was just the front!!

BEFORE (Left Side)


AFTER (Left Side)















BEFORE (Right Side)















AFTER (Right Side)

Now, this is just Step 1. I'm on a mission to get myself and my yard together!! I heated up two bottles of my almost free vinegar and sprayed all the areas where there were weeds, because tomorrow he's putting down mulch!! YAY!! More importantly, a freecycler told me the city sells mulch for cheap. Even though I was already set to hit up Lowes tomorrow for their 4/$10 mulch sale, I think I will just drive around the corner and have them fill up a few large containers for $1.50 each!! WOOHOO!!

I'm getting it right and getting it tight!! I'll check in when the mulch is down!! Stay frugalicious!!

It's Time to Give!! Again...and again!!

Hey there frugalicious ones!! Remember when we had Give & Get Week? Well, that was a great way to take an inventory of what we give and receive for a week. We really should do it daily because if we stopped to think about it, it's ALWAYS a good time to give. Plus, no matter what anyone says, if you have breath in your body, you ALWAYS have something you can give, even if it's simply your smile, a hug, a compliment or a nice note.

Frugalicious Diva believes all these things and because many of you have blessed me with your presence, your words, your participation and your own tips, I want to continuously be a blessing to someone else!!

I've decided to adopt an organization or cause on a monthly basis and give to them. In May, I had my daughter drop off a nice size bag of toiletries to Monroe Street Neighborhood Center - Bridges Program.

In June, I'd been gathering personal items and getting them free (or almost free) with my couponing, I'd like to pass them on to organizations that can use them. I have been gathering wish lists of local organizations that can use the donations. So June's donations went to NAOMI Transitional House, a non-profit organization that provides shelter, support and beneficial services for women recovering from alcohol and substance abuse.

In order for all of you to join me and help out some worthy organizations, I've added the Frugalicious Diva Donation Page!! Names, websites and the their wish lists are available there!!

I FINALLY made June's Donation drop TODAY for NAOMI Transitional House!! With all the couponing for free items and free mail samples I've received, they have a nice overflowing box of goodies coming!!