Let's face it: Times are tight and budgets are shrinking. But there are ways to stretch, and even (gasp!) have fun doing it! This blog is about finding ways to get more from every household dollar, and enjoy every precious minute.
...With new life and new sunny days, spring gives me a little boost to clean and start fresh. Here are a few areas in my home I am cleaning this spring, making sure they get done at least once during the year!...
When my children were younger, waiting for a meal while dining out could become difficult at times when boredom struck. It took a bit of savvy entertaining at the table to keep little ones busy and non-disruptive to other guests when free coloring sheets and crayons were unavailable....
With Earth Day quickly approaching and the economy still struggling, many people are wondering how to be friendly to the environment on a budget. Fortunately being frugal and going green often go hand in hand.... Follow these easy tips to get started...
I love gardening. Bright flowers, fresh vegetables and working outdoors are all welcome changes from the gray and cold of winter. Gardening can be a frugal way to put fresh vegetables on your table, if it’s done right. Without a little planning, though, a garden can quickly become a money waster...
Lots of fun can be had with the simplest of things -- like socks. New or old, there are lots of crafty ideas for re-purposing socks into many different practical items with little effort...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
...Early morning is when I often think about what I will serve my family for dinner. Spring has sprung – alfresco dining has been an aspect of our evening meals in the last couple of weeks and this night would be our first BBQ of the year!...
Buying groceries for a family is expensive. It’s possible to save money by using coupons and shopping grocery store sales, but there’s another way to save – build your meals with inexpensive ingredients. Recipes that feature beans, rice, eggs or pasta keep the dollar amount per serving very low...
...I like to keep the house filled with decorations to represent each holiday, helping us learn and have fun with each celebration. But there's a method in decorating for each holiday, so I don't have to rearrange too many things for each display....
There’s simply no end to the crafty-yet-practical possibilities with Ziploc® brand bags. Here is a simple tutorial for creating a cool little file tote using Ziploc® bags and a small paper handle bag...
...as I was cleaning out my freezer and pulling out bags of frozen strawberries from last years’ crop, I knew I needed to get my jars sterilized and ready to make strawberry jam. My friend, Pam, and her family were also asking for our usual “swap.” Every year we get a bumper crop of strawberries, from May to October, and I never let any go to waste...
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
We've just wrapped up the Easter holiday at our house, and now it's time to say goodbye to all the decorations.... But since my garage shelves are filled with all kinds of holiday decor, I've organized it in a way that will help me find those Easter eggs easily again next year. Here are a few tips to staying organized with your holiday decorations...
The Easter Bunny has come and gone...the kids are happily munching on their chocolate bunnies, but one question remains. What to do with all those Easter eggs. With a few ingredients that are already in your kitchen it’s not that hard to use up your leftover Easter eggs. These are some of my favorite ways to make use of many eggs in a hurry...
Cooking/eating at home is a great way to save money and eat healthier, but it can be hard to break the restaurant habit. Here are five ideas to make the process easier...
Hosting simple home parties has always been a great way to socialize with friends and acquaintances outside of the everyday hustle. But all home parties don’t have to be about shopping and selling jewelry, home decor or kitchen gadgets. Gather your friends monthly for a craft night that can be hosted by a different friend each month.....
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
One of the most common requests from moms who want to get organized is, “What do I do with all of my child’s artwork?" It is a common problem we all have to deal with. The more kids you have the more stuff they bring home! Don’t feel guilty for not hanging on to it all. Allow yourself to let it go by using these simple ideas...
...Cooking is not necessarily at the top of your “things I’d love to be doing right now” list, but your family has to eat, right? You begin looking around the kitchen and discover there’s a little of this and a little of that....Throw it all together in a dish, bake it and you’ll soon have a nice meal to place on the table....