Cheap Summer Snack Ideas

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Mary Ann Romans

School is out and the living is easy. Days are filled with fun in the sun, adventures in the yard, camp, amusement parks and more. All of that activity makes kids hungry but reluctant to slow down. Here come the summer snacks to the rescue. Kids can fill up on nutritious high energy snacks without adding additional money to the grocery budget. The secret is all in how you play it. So, while the kids get excited about all of their accomplishments this summer, mom can earn a few extra points with the following cheap snack ideas. Popcorn Homemade popcorn … Continue reading →

Cheap Food for a Large Crowd: Snacks

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Mary Ann Romans

Whether you are hosting an event or just trying to feed your large family, being able to prepare good, inexpensive food in large quantities is important if you want or need to keep your food budget from exploding. Here are some ideas for frugal food recipes. With our family or five, we need a large refrigerator that can hold at least three or four gallons of milk for the week. In addition to our kids, we often have a few extras over at dinner or lunch, especially on the weekends. So, I’m starting to get good at producing inexpensive meals … Continue reading →

Saving Money on New Year’s Parties

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Michele Cheplic

Even if you are planning a potluck for your New Year’s Eve bash, hosting a get-together of family and friends is going to cost you. Fortunately, there are ways you can serve up a memorable shindig without breaking the bank. The key is to employ some basic tips on cooking for a crowd that won’t sacrifice flavor for frugality. For starters, you’ll want to invest in affordable appetizers. If you can get guests to fill up on snack food, they will be less likely to devour five helpings of the main course. Some affordable snacks include: chips and salsa, cheese … Continue reading →

How to Plan a Family Movie Night

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Mary Ann Romans

If a typical television evening in your home is three different televisions showing three different shows at the same time then it may be time to introduce a fun family movie night. This event is a great way of bringing your family together. Here are some ideas about how to plan a family movie night. Pick a day and time This is the first step in planning a family movie night. You can choose to make it a one-time thing or have it as a regular family event. Friday nights are usually a great time to plan a family movie … Continue reading →

How to Save Money with a Flexible Spending Account

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Mary Ann Romans

A flexible spending account or (FSA) is an employee benefit that many people don’t use or understand. But a FSA can really save you a lot of money, especially when you have kids. Here is what FSAs are all about and how you can take advantage of them. The most common FSA is one related to health care expenses, and it generally works through your employer. You put some money into an account, and then that money can be used for health care expenses. The benefit to you is that this money is put into your account before taxes are … Continue reading →

How to Get Free Stuff

Posted on April 22, 2009 by Mary Ann Romans

One of the big benefits of living frugally is that you often get the opportunity for free stuff. This is lots of free stuff, from magazine subscriptions to furniture. You might be amazed at the amount of free stuff that is available if you know how to find it. Free online offers Manufacturers want you to try their products in the hope that you will like these products and then purchase them. Of course, if you get enough free samples, you seldom have to purchase any products at all. Toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, deodorant, tote bags, t-shirts, music, books, magazines and … Continue reading →