“With parenting, the days are long, but the years are very short.” For many of us with young children, saving for college can seem like something that is very far away. We are so busy trying to keep up with everything from toilet training, back-to-school schedules, and even what to put on the table for […]
Budget-Friendly Staycation Ideas
July 30, 2011 by
Has your family ever tried a staycation? They can be a great budget-friendly alternative to pricey vacations, and usually require a lot less planning. YAY for spontaneous adventures and quality family time!! Here are a few ways to make a family staycation even more special. Note: For those in the Southern Hemisphere, some ideas for […]
Sneak Peek — Clara’s Birthday Party
June 25, 2011 by
Our giveaway for the Stonyfield Party Prize Pack has now closed, and I am about to pick a winner! In the meantime, I wanted to share a little peek into how we used our Party Prize Pack from Stonyfield ($100 gift card for Michael’s craft store and $100 worth of organic yogurt and organic frozen […]
Our New Creative Space!!
June 8, 2011 by
Mark has been very hard at work recently — for our wedding anniversary, he transformed what used to be our dining room into a wonderful creative space for me and the girls. He installed all new flooring, lighting, and a pegboard wall — all budget-friendly!! This could win him Husband of the Year Award! I […]
I’m at BabyCenter.com for Easy Organic Living!
March 21, 2011 by
I’m over at the Easy Organic Living forum at BabyCenter.com to help share tips for eating healthy on a budget, getting deals on organics, and answer any questions you may have about budgeting for organic food! There have been some great questions shared so far, and I hope you will join us!! Thanks to BabyCenter.com, […]
Bento on a Budget
September 1, 2010 by
Clockwise from top left: organic carrot flowers, crackers, Stonyfield organic yogurt topped with home-grown watermelon stars, more watermelon, organic grapes, tuna salad topped with more carrot flowers. Yum!! In less than a week Emily will be starting first grade, which means we’ll be packing up lunches for her to take to school. Have you jumped […]
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 II
June 20, 2009 by
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 […]
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 […]
Frugal Meal Planning 101
January 26, 2009 by
For many households, food can be one of the highest monthly expenses (second to rent or mortgage). Fortunately, there are several tricks to slashing your grocery bill while still maintaining a healthy diet. Meal planning is one technique, and you may find it works well for your family. If you have never tried to reduce […]
Afternoon Play Date
January 25, 2009 by
Mark worked late almost every night last week, so the girls and I went into “survival mode”. In case you are not familiar with “survival mode”, it goes something like this: 1. Do the bare minimum to get by with housework, laundry, or cooking. 2. Leave piles of dirty dishes on the countertops. 3. Do […]
8 Tips for Healthy Eating on a Budget
January 21, 2009 by
You may be surprised to learn that eating healthy foods can be good for your waistline and your budget! Here are some of our favorite tips for eating healthy without spending a lot of money: Drink Water — Kick the soda habit. Not only is soda loaded with sugar and calories, it is also not […]
Top 5 Things to Buy Used
January 15, 2009 by
Photo by DIY City Mag I am a huge fan of shopping at thrift stores, consignment shops, and yard sales for used items. Not only is this a great money-saving strategy, it is also better for the environment. Buying used requires less resources to produce, and helps keep waste out of landfills. Here is […]
6 Tips for Motivation to Stick to a Budget
January 7, 2009 by
The New Year’s resolutions have been made, and many people have resolved to “spend less money” in 2009. Setting up a budget for the new year can be easy, but finding ways to stay motivated can mean the difference between budget success and failure. Here are some strategies to keep you motivated and on the […]
Come Join Me on Financial Bliss
January 7, 2009 by
Good news! I will be a contributing author for the Financial Bliss channel of Blissfully Domestic. I plan to contribute articles at least twice a week and focus on frugality and budgeting. I feel honored to be included with such a strong group of women writers. The site is launching in the next few days, […]
Preparing for Next Christmas
December 26, 2008 by
Now all the presents are unwrapped, and the holiday rush is just starting to settle down. I was tempted to just relax at home and enjoy time with the family, but the truth is now is the best time to score some awesome holiday deals at after-Christmas sales and start planning a holiday fund for […]
