If you are lucky enough to live in the Lehigh Valley, here are some frugal indoor family activities you can enjoy for $5 or less! Allentown Art Museum — On Sundays admission is free to the Allentown Art Museum, and the kids can enjoy Artventures. Lowe’s/Home Depot Workshops — The first Saturday of the month […]
Frugal Gift Idea — Jar Mix Recipes
November 22, 2008 by
Looking for some easy, inexpensive homemade gifts for the holidays this year? Try jar gift mixes! Purchase some inexpensive 1 or 2 quart mason jars to get started. Get the kids involved and you have a great frugal holiday activity the entire family can enjoy. Here are some great resources to help you add a […]
Saving Money on Thanksgiving
November 21, 2008 by
Since the cost of food as risen, Thanksgiving dinner could cost you 6% more this year than previous years. Here are some of my favorite ways to save money on Thanksgiving, while having a festive dinner the entire family will enjoy. Kid Art — Try not to spend money on decorations for your holiday table. […]
Frugal Friday Challenge
November 21, 2008 by
Today’s Frugal Friday Challenge is to stay home and have a family game night! Pick out a board game, and afterwards make a dessert together. We are planning a cherry-themed family fun night. We will play Hi-Ho-Cherry-O with Emily (4), and afterwards we will be making cherry mountain pies. To make cherry mountain pies, you […]
Make Your Own Organic Cleaning Supplies
November 20, 2008 by
In honor of Cleaning Day at the Deneen Household, here is a fantastic video demonstrating how to make your own organic cleaning supplies. I will be trying several of these out today. Making your own cleaning supplies is better for the environment (no harsh chemicals), and will save you money!
Cleaning Day
November 20, 2008 by
Today is cleaning day in our house. I am planning to attack the clutter that has taken over the dining room table, but sometimes I lack the motivation to clean and I keep procrastinating. There is never any end to the cleaning, and I can come up with about a million excuses not to clean. […]
Alternatives to Buying New Books
November 19, 2008 by
Do you have a bunch of old books collecting dust on the shelf? Want some new books? Try one of these great swapping sites! Many of these sites feature printable postage, so you can mail right from your home — very convenient AND frugal. Here are some terrific alternatives to buying new books: […]
Easy, Homemade Holiday Food Gifts
November 18, 2008 by
Good Housekeeping is featuring a great article on homemade holiday food gifts that anyone can make. Get the kids involved and make it a family activity. They are fast, frugal, and festive!
Save Money on Airfare and Travel
November 18, 2008 by
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and it is rapidly approaching. Traveling does not have to be a huge expense with these money saving tips. You can enjoy a relaxing vacation, even while on a budget. Here are some great ways to travel without breaking the bank. When to Book […]
Frugal Gift Idea — Learn to Knit
November 17, 2008 by
My MOMS Club recently got together at a local cafe for a knitting class, and we had tons of fun. The kids played and watched some television while we learned how to knit. It actually got me thinking about homemade Christmas gifts. A great way to save money on gifts this year is to make […]
Make Your Own: Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix
November 17, 2008 by
The weather is getting colder, and it feels like one of those days to snuggle in and make a nice warm cup of hot chocolate. The kids can help make the mix, and the entire family can enjoy this sweet treat — without breaking the budget. Here is one of my favorite recipes for inexpensive […]
Get Ready to Read Skill-Building Activity Cards
November 16, 2008 by
Get your FREE set of skill-building activity cards here. These are filled with great ideas to bring literacy skills into your home and daily routine. They are free and easy to print out, and all 36 activity cards are available in Spanish or English.
Kids not doing their chores? Try Handipoints!
November 15, 2008 by
Are you having a tough time motivating your child to do chores? Looking for a way to organize weekly allowances, or rewards for your child’s hard work? If so, try Handipoints. From the site: Handipoints is a free service to help parents and kids manage their chores and allowance. Easily create your own printable Chore […]
Free Online Learning Games for Kids
November 15, 2008 by
If you are looking for ways to keep your child busy this winter, why not try some online learning games? My daughter Emily (4) is a trained professional high-tech toddler. Here are some of her favorite sites that offer free online learning games that your child is sure to enjoy. PBS Kids.org — This […]
Frugal Friday Challenge
November 14, 2008 by
Today’s Frugal Friday Challenge is to find free or cheap entertainment for the weekend. You can start by looking in your local newspaper or Craigslist for ideas. Perhaps try a second run movie theater, go roller skating, or bowling. You might have a community center that offers free movies or an open gym. A huge […]
Cutting Expenses
November 13, 2008 by
During an economic downturn it is important to go through the family budget line-by-line to determine if there are ways to cut back on spending. Here are some of the ways our family cut expenses and saved hundreds of dollars each month: Cut the Cable — Mark installed an antennae and now we get our […]
Cooking with Clara
November 13, 2008 by
Here is the sweetest little old lady demonstrating meals made during the Depression. I find it hard to believe she is 91 years old. Watch how she dices those potatoes! You will love her!
Free Family Activities
November 12, 2008 by
Finding free family activities for this time of year can be challenging. Here are some ideas to keep your family busy, and avoid hearing the dreaded “I’m bored” whine. Keep these ideas on hand and you won’t be tempted to spend money on activities. Free Movies — Your local library may have DVDs to […]
