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.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Entertaining during the holidays can be both exciting and stressful.
Although most of us enjoy the idea of hosting, spending the entire day
cooking can take away from the fun of enjoying the party. By preparing
the meals you plan to serve ahead of time and storing them in your
freezer, you can create a delicious menu and still be the life of the
party!...
Thursday, December 06, 2012
This holiday season I have decided to finally put my foot down and put
myself on a budget. Below are some of my favorite budgeting ideas and
tips to help you start the New Year with some extra cash in your pocket!...
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
...With the disarray and chaos in our house, it was a time that called for
“Super Mom” to the rescue! After some thought, I realized the solution
was simple: assign each family member a color to help keep track of
their belongings and schedules. If your house is anything like mine,
these four, easy steps will help make your life more organized, too...
Thursday, November 29, 2012
...Even though you can tuck a gift card into a greeting card, it’s nice to
have a thoughtful, handmade way to present the card as well. Many stores
offer gift card envelopes and boxes but with very minimal supplies, you
can craft your own unique packaging! I recommend making multiple
envelopes at one time with various papers to keep on hand for future
uses...
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Many of us think that a pegboard can only be used to organize tools
in the garage, but with a little creativity a pegboard becomes the
perfect solution to organizing many areas inside your home!.... Here are five simple ways to organize your home using pegboards...
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Your local dollar store is full of useful items for the upcoming
holidays. You can find everything you need for decorating, entertaining
and gift giving while saving money this holiday season...
Thursday, November 15, 2012
My three kids always tell me Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday. One
reason is that every year we kickoff the holiday with a game of outdoor
football... Though my kids are older
now (11, 13 and 15 years), we set up crafts for the younger kids...
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
We all own a pair of scissors and, as with any tool, it’s important to
have the right pair for every project. As a designer, crafter and mom, I
have scissors for everything from cutting food to fabric. To keep my
scissors in good working condition, I have found the following tips very
useful...
Friday, November 09, 2012
...My kids told me it was the best cider they ever had, and since that was
such a good endorsement I wanted to share with you! This cider is
delicious, warming and visually delightful -- your loved ones will truly
enjoy it throughout the wintertime...
Thursday, November 08, 2012
In my opinion, an important part of being a gracious dinner guest is to
bring along an offering such as a pie, small potted herb or something
handmade. Since I am more skilled at crafts than baking, I’ve created an
offering that is just as welcome during the fall and winter months -- a
rolling pin wrapped with uniquely-designed recipe cards...
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Are your fridge and freezer out of control? Are you unsure of what
exactly is in there and more importantly, how long it has been in there?
If you answered yes to any of the these questions, it’s time to take on
my 30-minute fridge and freezer organization challenge!...
Thursday, November 01, 2012
...Since sweet potato casserole is the kids’ favorite holiday side dish, I decided to try and make it a bit healthier and see if they could tell the difference. I reduced the sugar, replaced the eggs with egg whites,used low-fat sweetened condensed milk and whole wheat flour instead of regular and reduced the amount of butter...
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
...I create various totes stocked with useful supplies to help organize my
life at home and on-the-go. Below are a few easy tips that will keep you
organized and prepared for any situation that comes your way, no matter
where you might be...
This simple dish is a Holden family favorite, served with a side of
roasted red potatoes and slightly sweet iced tea. This recipe serves our
family of five for dinner on a cool, fall evening...
Thursday, October 25, 2012
...My Halloween Caramel Popcorn creation has become our favorite Halloween
season snack. It’s so quick and easy, with very few ingredients. Feel
free to omit the nuts or candy if you wish, or add some of your favorite
“stir-ins,” such as pecans, pistachios and even yogurt or
chocolate-covered raisins....
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
...From cell phones and
laptops to digital cameras and tablets, each and every one seems to
arrive with more cords and chargers to keep track of. We all need a
system that will help us detangle the mess that cords and chargers can
bring. Here are four ideas that can help you organize your cords and chargers with ease...