I am really excited to bring you these candy-colored ear confections. Unlike cupcakes, they’re fat free and fashion forward!

Each pair is only $20, plus $5 shipping for those of you out of the Seattle area.   The colorful drops are made from lead free pewter covered by sterling silver and iced with brightly colored enamel.

Let me know what you think, and if you want a pair or two, just email me at penny@redpennies.com.  Thanks!!

Thank you to all of you who have been trying to post comments but have had trouble.

I figured out how to change the settings, so you should be able to comment easily now.

Thanks, and keep those ideas coming!

Knowledge is a wealth that we can all share!

xoxoPenny

As promised, I have a short list of things that I have recently done to lower our spending and increase our feelings of Rich Living.

• Look around your house for things to sell.  Craigslist is great for this, as is any neighborhood Mommy Group like Ballard Moms.  I’m getting ready to sell a computer desk that nobody in my family has used in years.  Anyone?
• I called Progressive to get a better quote on car insurance.  I’ll tell you, they are offering the same amount of coverage for about half what we have been paying.  I’ll check Geiko next, just because I like that stack of money with the eyes!
• As we have talked about, I got a part time job.  Hopefully this will snowball into some opportunities for my husband as well.  Networking!!!
• I called Comcast and found out that our promotional deal had expired.  I got them to lower the total fee back down to where it was.  We might cancel cable altogether, but it covers our internet and phone, also.
• I bought two 25 pound bags of beans at Cash and Carry in Ballard.  Since we have chili once a week and chili dogs the night after, this can add up.  Just soak the beans yourself the night before (about 6 cups dried) and add spices, corn, a can of tomatoes, and two chicken breasts to the crockpot and “set it and forget it”!  I can give you the finer points later.

So, that’s it for now, but as I figure out more ideas I’ll let you know.

And, please remember to comment or email me (penny@redpennies.com) with your ideas.  Let’s share the wealth in the form of real suggestions for surviving with grace and glow!

Thanks for reading!

xoxoPenny

Hello!

I just got back from my interview with the CFO of Estately.com and I got the job!

I’m really happy to begin this new venture.  It will be nice to get an actual guaranteed/set amount of billable hours.  The office seems really laid back and fun, but I can see that a lot of work gets done in the process.

So, I guess getting this part time job is the major step in getting my family back on a financially secure path.  Want to hear some of the other steps?  Read my blog newsletter tomorrow!  I have some fun and helpful ideas.

Speaking of that, I need MORE ideas!  Please email me (penny@redpenies.com) or comment on this blog.  Let’s share the wealth in the form of real suggestions for surviving with grace and glow!

Thanks for reading,

xoxoPenny

As we talked about before, I need to make some fast changes to how my family operates.  I hope to inspire and help other families who are in the same boat.

After searching on Craigslist for about a week, I found a job that looks really promising.  Like so many of us, there are only certain hours that I can work and still take care of my family.  This job entails answering phones and scheduling appointments for people…and the best part…I can do it from home most days.

I had a really fun interview today, and I go back to meet the CFO tomorrow, so cross your fingers!!

Thanks for reading, and Stay Sparkly!

xoxoPenny

Hello!

In my past posts, I have enjoyed talking to you about wonderful products, artists, and my own jewelry creations.  I want to partially shift gears for a while and concentrate on something we all can appreciate…Saving Money.

Personally, my own family has really been feeling the changes in the economy.  So, like most or all of you, I need to make some serious changes, and FAST! 

The most important thing I did was meet with Mikelann Valterra, a local money coach/guru/advocate for women’s earning.  She helped me figure out exactly where my money is going, what’s happening with my credit cards, and most importantly how to actually PLAN my spending instead of budgeting.  It’s extremely powerful for me to know what my bottom line is for running my household.  She has books, classes, lectures and personal sessions available, so look her up!  www.womenearning.com

I would love to hear what you have to say on “Saving Money” and all that it entails.  Please comment on this blog, or email me at penny@redpennies.com with ideas!  I really need your input so that we can get this conversation going.

There are SO many ways to save money and live richly.  Let’s share the wealth of ideas!

As always, Thanks for Reading!

xoxoPenny

Hello!

Just a quick note to let you all know that I am expanding the jewelry repair part of RedPennies.

New jewelry is wonderful. It makes us feel happy! Know what else makes us happy? Fixing or restyling jewelry that we already have.

So, as you go through sock drawers and junk drawers, looking for back to school things, pull out that broken and outdated jewelry!

• Do you have a necklace with a broken chain?
• How about earrings that need new hooks?
• Just one earring left from your favorite set? We can make a pendant out of it.
• What about that small pile of seriously tarnished jewelry that got left out on your nightstand?

Round it all up, put it in a ziplock, and call (206-755-4006) or email me. Penny@redpennies.com.

I LOVE to repair, re-polish, and restyle!

My prices are quite reasonable, and my turn time is under a week for most items.

Thanks, and start gathering!
Penny

At the insistence of several moms I know, I have begun to make baby and children’s jewelry!  I am really excited about this. It’s so fun to make sweet, adorable little bracelets for the sweet, adorable little babies (and children)I know.

Before I made my first bracelet, I did quite a bit of research to be sure that my materials were safe and my construction was sound.  With the recent, very real scare about toxicity in children’s toys, I can’t be too careful!

What I came up with is sure to please everyone.  I only use sterling silver, Swarovski crystal (because Baby’s gotta have sparkle!) and European pressed glass beads.  The clasps are tiny but strong!  Because these bracelets are completely made to order, I can create any color scheme and size desired.

If you know someone who would just like some Baby Bling, or you need a wonderful gift for a new birth, a Christening, a Bris (Boys love Bling, too!) or a special Graduation, let me know! It would be my honor to make you something special that is sure to be treasured forever.

Thanks!!

xoxo Penny