Here are some other low-cost or free activities our family enjoyed while on vacation in Montebello, VA. (You could probably do most of these on any camping trip too!) Mark took Emily to the lake to feed the fish. I think she was throwing in entire hot dog rolls — they were quite stale. Mark […]
Vacation on a Budget — Part I
June 19, 2009 by
Here are some more details from our week long vacation in Montebello, VA. It is beautiful there! We stayed in this cute cottage at the Montebello Camping and Fishing Resort. The rates are very reasonable, and the cabin included a full kitchen, two bedrooms, a pull out sofa in the living room, and a full […]
Vacation Sneak Peek
June 14, 2009 by
…And we’re back! As many of you guessed, we went away on vacation last week. It was fabulous (and frugal, of course). Right now I’m busy preparing for tomorrow’s 10! show, so here are some quick highlights from our trip to beautiful Montebello, Virginia with further details to follow soon. Thank you for all the […]
5 Tips to Save Money on Eating Out
June 12, 2009 by
Last week, Mark and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary, and we thought it would be nice to take the family out for dinner to celebrate! As a frugal freak, I’m always looking for ways to save money and cut costs. Here are some of our favorite ways to save money on eating out: Kids […]
Garden Update
June 10, 2009 by
This summer our family signed up for a garden plot through our township. It was a bargain. Six hundred square feet for just $10 for the year! Plus, it was already tilled for us. They might as well have just planted the seeds for us, and given us a garden. It sounded ridiculously easy. We […]
More Homemade Chewy Granola Bars
June 3, 2009 by
I am absolutely loving these homemade chewy granola bars! They take very little time to prepare, do not contain high-fructose corn syrup, and the recipe can easily be modified for those allergic to peanuts. They are also less expensive than store bought granola bars. This recipe makes about 18-20 good-sized bars. I wish you could […]
Top 5 Hobbies for Tightwads
May 31, 2009 by
Life on a budget doesn’t have to mean giving up hobbies or special interests. Here are some of our favorite hobbies that will save you money! Gardening — Growing your own organic produce is good for the environment, and saves lots of money. Kids love to help in the garden, so it is a good way […]
Slacker Saturday — Know Your Library
May 30, 2009 by
Today’s Slacker Saturday activity is simple — visit your local library! For families on a budget, getting to know your local public library can be a tremendous resource. Make it a habit to visit your library on a regular basis, and pick up a calendar of events. Resources your library may offer include: free cultural […]
Top 15 Cheap Picnic Foods
May 24, 2009 by
These cheap picnic foods make it easy and affordable to host a picnic. In our household, Summer is synonymous with picnics. We host lots of picnics from Memorial Day straight through Labor Day! You will want to keep some of these cheap picnic foods on-hand for impromptu gatherings with friends or family. Here is a list of […]
$5 Friday — Outdoor Picnic Snack for Five Bucks
May 22, 2009 by
This Memorial Day weekend, I’m sure there will be lots of picnics and barbecues. For $5 Friday, I took the girls with me for a special trip to the grocery store to see how far we could stretch our $5 for an outdoor picnic snack! Here’s what we purchased for less than $5: 1 lb. organic carrots […]
10 Chores for Preschoolers and up
May 20, 2009 by
Have kids? Think you need a maid? Think again! Put their boundless energy to work! Chores are a great way to teach kids about responsibility, and help build self-esteem. Here’s a list of some suggested chores to keep the kiddos busy. Make the bed — Younger kids can help strip the bed, fluff pillows, and […]
Slacker Saturday — Paper Boats
May 16, 2009 by
For this week’s Slacker Saturday activity, Emily and I made paper boats! She liked decorating hers with crayons, and get this…. they float! For a little while, anyway. At least until the paper becomes too soggy. These are very simple to make, and you start off with a simple paper hat. There are only a […]
2 Simple (and Frugal) Solutions
May 10, 2009 by
Tired of always pouring juice for your kids? Want to encourage your kids to have more independence? Try placing a beverage dispenser in your refrigerator with pre-watered down juice. Emily was so proud of herself for pouring her own juice today! Remember the self-serve snack tray I posted about previously? This is the new and […]
$5 Friday — Mother’s Day Gift Idea and More
May 8, 2009 by
Here is the sundress I made for Emily using one of Mark’s old dress shirts. If there is enough interest (just leave a comment), I would be happy to post a tutorial on how to make one — it’s very easy! Today, we used our marbled paper from last week to make a Mother’s Day […]
Day of Free Fun
May 7, 2009 by
Our day was filled with lots of free fun! After breakfast, Emily wasted no time starting a game of Hide and Seek. Have you ever tried hiding with a baby? Clara gave us away so many times with all of her giggling. Then, it was time for Ring Around the Rosy. Clara isn’t walking yet, […]
One Mom’s Brilliant Idea
May 6, 2009 by
You are looking at a masterpiece. I wish I could take credit for this, but this is my friend Lisa’s wonderful idea, which she so graciously shared with us during our MOMS Club Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. Lisa is a mom of four boys, three of whom are triplets. Ahem. Triplet BOYS, people! With that […]
10 Tips to Stretch Your Art Supplies
May 3, 2009 by
Over time, the cost of art supplies can really add up, and this is especially true for large families with many children. Here are some tips to help you stretch your existing art supplies, and find great alternative supplies from things you already have in your home: Paint — To stretch paint, combine 1 tablespoon […]
Slacker Saturday — Shadow Puppets
May 2, 2009 by
Today’s Slacker Saturday activity is Shadow Puppets, and there is something to be said for the simplicity here. Mark showed Emily how to make some easy versions of shadow puppets like a dog, butterfly, and duck. Then, she entertained herself with her own little stories. Sometimes the best activities are the most simple ones, and […]
