The Big Reveal, Part Two

And now… the answers to the rest of your pertinent questions.  And not-so pertinent.  And totally random…

Speaking of totally random, let’s begin with Alisa’s question:

If time travel were possible, would you want to visit the past or the future, and what event/person would you most like to visit?  I’d go back to the late 70’s and hang out with the pre-raging-alcoholic Stephen King.  Then, I’d see a Led Zepplin concert with all the original members.  And THEN, I’d tell Carol Burnett how much she meant to me as a child.

S. Christian posts the most important question of our time:

Do you put the toilet paper roll on the holder over or under?  Either.  I’m wacky that way.

Liz wants to know:

What was your favorite childhood toy?  My brother and I had life-size Tinker Toys that we’d turn into swords and cars and what-have-you.  I don’t know where they came from, but they were AWESOME.

If you woke up in an alternate reality where Target did not exist what would you do?  Find the nearest wormhole and cruise back home.  Life without Target is NOT a life worth living.

Emily S. asks me the dreaded coupon question:

What’s your best advice for clipping coupons and organizing them so that they actually get used and don’t just sit in an envelope forever?  Do you find it worth the time to really sift through the ads and find the best deals and then drive to those stores with the best deals?  First and foremost, I don’t get the Sunday paper.  For me, it would be wasting paper and I’m pro-environment, yo.  (Al Gore, call me!)  So I don’t sift through the ads for the best deals.

My only advice for coupons is this – clip just the coupons you KNOW you’ll use, and then stick them somewhere about your person.  I have JoAnn Fabrics coupons in my purse at all times.  Also, most Cub Foods carry their newspaper coupons at the store.  Stop by the coupon kiosk at the front door, sift through their store coupons, and pick up the ones you’ll need.  And remember, don’t buy something just because you have a coupon for it.

Former Comments Contest Winner Carolyn asks:

What is your exact face/make-up routine, with products and such?  I wash my face in the shower with whatever soap I have on hand.  Then I slap on my latest Retinol cream from Neutrogena.  Next, I apply my Physician’s Formula Mineral Powder foundation with a powder brush.  Then it’s blush (heavy or light, depending whether or not I’ll be in front of the camera that day), eyeliner from Jane’s Cosmetics, eye shadow from Milani or Maybelline, and MAYBE Great Lash Mascara in Dark Brown.  That’s it.  Oh, and loads of lip balm.

How long have you and the mister been dating now? Do you think there might be a chance for wedding bells?  Sorry, folks.  The Cheap Dude does not want me to discuss our relationship on the blog.  I promised him I wouldn’t when we first started dating, and I’m sticking to it.  However, if we do get married, all bets are off…

Deblong asks a cute, and ALL CAPS, question:

WHAT IS THE ONE SMALL THING THAT HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE THAT A-L-W-A-Y-S MAKES YOU SMILE?  Getting a green arrow when I pull up into a left turn lane.  I love that.  I love it like I love Totino’s Party Pizzas.

Rebecca asks about an interesting issue:

Do you believe buying off of Craigslist and refinishing furniture is better than “making do with what you’ve got?”  I’ve been refinishing, but now it’s getting out of hand, and I think Craigslist (and FreeBay) maybe where junkies go…. to get more and more stuff…  Confession time – I’ve never bought anything off of Craigslist before.  I know, BAD CHEAP CHICK.  However, I am guilty of taking too many stray pieces of furniture from friends and family members, and then storing them about my home…

Jennifer and Kirsten asked a similar question – what would I do if I had all the money in the world?  And would I stay frugal?

If I had all the money I could ever want, I would pay off my mortgage(s), trade in my old car for a smart car, set up a slush fund for home repairs, and take my family to Scotland for a month.  Oh, and I’d buy a radio show on My Talk 107.1.  Aside from that, yes, I would stay frugal.  I refuse to pay for cable, I believe in using the library instead always buying books, I love store brands, and I will always think anything over $50 is a splurge.  It’s in my DNA, folks.

The lovely Stephanie, who wants to improve my life (love her!), asks:

Do you use Google Analytics for your site?  It’s free, and would let you know how many people are visiting your site on any given day (and what sites they get to yours through, or what web search terms bring them to you, etc.).  I highly recommend it.  I use Bravenet Free Counter, which is free as well.  In the beginning of my blog, I use it to ruthlessly track down each and every reader.  However, as the Empire grew, I started focusing on other areas, like social media networking, and my hit counter sat neglected.  HOWEVER!  I did just reach over 100,000 hits, a major milestone for The Cheap Chick.

Constant Reader, Tashi, asks:

How far are you willing to drive to shop at a Target?  6 hours, round trip.  I’d go once a week, on Saturday, and make an event out of it.  Fortunately, I only have to drive 5 minutes to get to my closest Target.  I would hate to be far from the Mother Ship.

Last, but not least, Carol N. wants to know:

Do you have any furbabies, a.k.a. pets?  If so, how do you keep expenses down?  Someday, I’ll have a dog – preferably a rescued Shi Zu that I will name Fizzgig (Dark Crystal fans, represent!).  But for now, my schedule is too erratic to allow for a dog.  And I can’t have a cat, because I’m allergic to them.  Bottom line, pets are expensive – but so, so, so worth it.  Wow, I want a dog…

And there you have it – the answers to all your pressing questions.  Was it everything you hoped for and more?  Or, you know, not?

Now on to the frugality.  My bloggy buddy, Melissa from Marketing Mama, has the 411 on a great sale for a great cause, going on this weekend in the TC:

“A large group of Minnesota bloggers are joining together as a part of the ConAgra Foods Child Hunger Ends Here campaign. We are pooling all of the things we’d normally sell in our own rummage sales and bringing them together to one giant rummage sale.

More than 30 women with near countless numbers of kids? Think of the stuff…  Best part?  100% of the proceeds will benefit Feeding America through the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign.  $1 can buy 7 meals.

And, of course, we’d love to see tons of people there shopping! So please pass this along to any Minnesota people you know!”  For the deets, click.

And now I’ve passed it on to the Empire.  My work here is done.