We go through several workbooks in this household, so I was trying to come up with an easy way to reuse them and save them for when Clara is a little older. This seemed to work the best, and it’s also very frugal. To reuse sheets from a workbook, tear out the pages, and place […]
Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap
September 4, 2009 by
Emily has been insisting that I blog about this little tip for quite some time now. Today seemed to be the perfect time to do it since she was fresh out of foaming hand soap this morning. To make your own foaming hand soap, you will need an existing foaming hand soap dispenser, and some […]
Favorite Summer Recipe — Peach Ice Cream
August 14, 2009 by
Purchasing an ice cream maker…. is it worth it? I say “YES!” Here’s why: Save Money — Have you seen the price of ice cream lately? Making your own ice cream can be significantly less expensive than the comparable store-bought ice cream. Size Matters — Like many grocery products, ice cream containers are shrinking. A […]
Summer Gratitude
July 5, 2009 by
If your family is thinking about cutting back on expenses, Summer may be the easiest time to do so. With Summer re-runs on television, it may be the perfect time to consider pulling the plug on the cable and spending more time outdoors. Instead of going out to eat at a restaurant, pack up a […]
Happy Birthday, Clara!
June 27, 2009 by
Clara has turned one year old! We invited some family members over for a daisy-themed birthday luncheon this afternoon. It was a great success, and it didn’t break the bank! The key to planning a party on a budget lies in the little details. These tiny touches do not have to cost much, and might […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Tutorial — Make an art smock from a garbage bag
April 30, 2009 by
Want to do a messy art project, and looking for a super-fast, inexpensive smock? You can make one easily from a garbage bag! This works very well for painting projects with a group of children. Here’s how to make your own smock: Lay garbage bag on a flat surface, and cut a large hole for […]
Teaching Kids the Art of Thrift Shopping
April 26, 2009 by
We have been experiencing a block of insanely beautiful and warm weather here recently, and I suddenly realized Emily’s Spring/Summer wardrobe is severely lacking. Since she is built similarly to a bean pole, I tend to have a difficult time finding pants that fit her. Thankfully, shorts and skirts are much easier. So I brought her along […]
Get the most from your season pass
April 19, 2009 by
If your family makes frequent visits to a local amusement park, museum, or science center, purchasing a season pass may be a great way to save money. Whether it’s a local zoo, or an annual pass to Disney World, here are some tips to help you get the most from your season pass. Know Your […]
What’s in your pantry?
April 16, 2009 by
Since I only do grocery shopping once a month, a well-stocked pantry is a necessity. Here are some of our favorite healthy and inexpensive pantry foods: Oatmeal Brown Rice Whole Wheat Pasta Dried Beans Potatoes Canned Tuna Peanut Butter Canned Tomatoes I’m very curious to find out what you keep in your pantry. Leave a […]
Making Veggies Last
April 5, 2009 by
One question I get asked about regarding my once a month grocery shopping is, “What do you do about fresh fruits and vegetables?” Here are some tips I have learned along the way to keep your fresh fruits and vegetables lasting a bit longer: Fruits and Vegetables that will last about 1 month (3-4 weeks) […]
Top 5 Things to Buy in Bulk
March 22, 2009 by
If done properly, buying in bulk can save a substantial amount of money. Check unit prices to make sure you are getting a good deal. Here are some of our family’s top picks for stock piling and buying in bulk: Toilet Paper — I would say paper goods, but we have replaced paper towels and […]
Save Money on Electronics
February 21, 2009 by
One of the questions I am asked quite frequently is “How do you get the best deals on electronics?” Here are some of my favorite tips to save big bucks on that new digital camera, laptop, or other electronic purchase: Network: Let everyone know that you are in the market to buy a (insert electronic […]
Save Money on Eating Out
February 20, 2009 by
Go to Restaurant.com and use checkout code DINE to purchase a $25 gift certificate to your local favorite restaurants for just $2!! Certificates do not expire for a full year, so it is a good time to stock up. Offer good today only. We have used these before (and given some as gifts), and it […]
