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.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Throughout the year, I always purchase the items our family needs and uses the most. That's the purpose of a stockpile. However, I always keep the gifting season in mind....
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Years ago I bought a very large storage container and filled it with all the items my family would need in case of an emergency and stored it next to my garage door for easy access... Is your family prepared for a natural disaster? If not, join me and let’s start filling our containers with supplies we will need in case of an emergency.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
There is just something about fresh, homemade bread, served with butter and warm from the oven. The butter instantly soaks in the bread, the jam softens and spreads perfectly from the warmth of the bread and each bite magically melts in your mouth, leaving you wanting just one more bite...
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sometimes it’s hard to find just the right gift for that special someone, and sometimes you just run out of time! In a pinch, you can print out customized gift coupons in lieu of a store-bought present. Gift coupons can be written to promise favors, chores, projects, handi-work, dinner, lunch, baby-sitting, a movie, or pretty much anything you want...
Friday, December 17, 2010
...While it’s fine to indulge yourself with a treat or two over the holidays, it might be smart to start making your own goodies that have been health-ified to the next holiday gathering. You’ll feel a little less guilty about munching on an extra cookie or two, as you know they’ve been fortified...
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Outside of Christmas, I rarely ever have wrapping paper for gifts. It's one of those things that I truly cannot stomach -- paying these outrageous prices! So, I've learned to be more creative about packaging gifts for those special occasions. Here are a few suggestions for budget-friendly packages...
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
I have a couple of crafty children living in my house who love to create art pieces and inventions, using their craft supplies... If you have a crafty child in your home take a few minutes and create one of these organizing systems for them. They also make great gifts for your children and others...
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
When it comes time to put together a simple Christmas gift for your child’s teacher, bus driver, speech therapist, or favorite gym class teacher, you might just have everything in your pantry to make a homemade mix in a jar!..
Monday, December 13, 2010
A few years ago, I looked into serving at our local food kitchen with my family. I thought taking my children to help serve food to the hungry on Thanksgiving would be a good experience all around...
Friday, December 10, 2010
Do you ever find yourself asking the question, what else do I get my friend who has everything? With homemade gifts, the chance of the gift being a duplicate is slim, and receipts are never needed for returns...
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Finding simple ways to make our home festive and inviting is important to us. However, it isn’t feasible to spend a fortune or a ton of time on it, especially during the holidays. Through inspiration and bargain shopping, I have been able to decorate with less time and money...
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
I don’t claim to be a gourmet chef or fancy cook, but I do love finding new recipes to collect... Maybe if I organize them, I will actually use them and become that fancy cook one day. Here are some simple ways you can organize all your recipes...
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
When it comes time for holiday parties, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the possibilities of what to serve. These days, I’m all about “the simpler, the better.” Try this simple and quick party mix that can be prepared in minutes!...
Monday, December 06, 2010
...Eventually, our kids wanted to share in the Christmas tree decorating traditions. I was reluctant, as they would surely change the aesthetic dynamics of my perfectly-symmetric, magazine-photo-worthy masterpiece. I was yet to realize the perfectionist in me would soon give way to the incredible beauty of a family-decorated Christmas tree...
Friday, December 03, 2010
...next time you are thinking about purchasing that season pass, think beyond the main season the location focuses on (typically spring and summer), think about all the family activities you can do together year-long and see what other benefits you can get with your season pass...
Thursday, December 02, 2010
With the hustle and bustle of life, creating memories with our boys can be challenging...However, there are many inexpensive ways you can create memories that are fun or even free! Here are a few we take advantage of...