Budget? What budget?

I did not come from a long line of crafters, decorators, or home makers. In fact, looking back I had one grandmother who crocheted. Other than that there has never been much craftiness in my family. Going way (way) back, to high school, if I had been told I was going to be a happy homemaker who is continuously crafting, baking, chasing kids, rehabbing old things and selling vintage & antiques I would have laughed at you. It's funny because I grew up as one of the poor kids and always resented it. Now as an adult in a 5 person household, with an income that falls well below poverty level for our area, we are still poor. But for this, I am grateful. Unbelievably grateful. It has taught me a thing or two (or a hundred). Being so broke that you could not make a budget if you wanted to is kind of like the mother of invention around here. My house has turned into a delightful collection of fabulous finds from Thrift Stores, hand me downs, yard sales, and even the things people throw in their trash. I spent $200 for my dining table, chairs and hutch a few years back. Other than that I have not spent more than $20 on any one item around here. Most things were free or next to free.
Whenever I see something that I just have to have, I find a way to do it without spending big bucks. It has really taught me a LOT. I've learned how to rewire lamps, refinish furniture, super glue ANYTHING (including my fingers together a time or two), beading, no sew projects. I've made my local hardware store my best friend. I know where to find the best deals and which yard sales to hit every year. I have a local thrift store I haunt because they know me well. All I have to do is go in, tell them what I am looking for and if they don't have it on the floor they let me go to the backroom and look and then cut me a deal. Hee hee. Yes, I barter on the prices at the Thrift Store.
We live in a town full of doctors and lawyers. Where the average household income is nearly $100,000 a year (and looking around that certainly seems like a low ball estimate). I'm happy to say that my kids can't tell the difference. I like to think it's because they have a mommy who is crafty & thrifty like that! We have everything any ones else has (minus the techie gadgets flat screens, tv's, cell phones, GPS, ect. Hey, I told you I am technologically challenged!) but the bonus is ours was made with love!! ♥♥