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Spend Less, Eat More

With the holidays fast approaching now is the time to review your food budget to adjust for upcoming celebrations. Whether you are hosting extended family or you’ve been asked to bring a dish to pass for a holiday potluck, it helps to find ways to stretch your food dollar. One of the best ways I’ve found to feed the masses on a budget is to skip the steak and opt for chicken. Save the fancier meats for the main holiday meal and use chicken to feed friends and family on the nights that precede or follow the celebratory meal. Preparing … Continue reading →

Frugal Month in Review: October 2008

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” – George Eliot October has come and gone, but we can still enjoy fall and the celebration of Thanksgiving and all of the great joys of the season. Take a look back at all of the ways to save money that were featured last month. October 1st Frugal Halloween Costumes It is fall and Halloween is approaching fast, are you ready? What do the kids want to be? You can make some great homemade costumes … Continue reading →

Attracting Birds to Your Yard

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It doesn’t take a ton of effort to attract feathered visitors to your yard or patio. All you need to offer is food, water, and shelter. Providing food for your visiting birds doesn’t have to mean a bird feeder and a constant supply of seed. Flowering and fruit-bearing plants provide sustenance, as do plants that attract insects. Bugs are a good source of protein! When it comes to water, a traditional birdbath isn’t necessary, but can be an attractive addition to your outdoor space. A shallow dish filled with water (like a large plant saucer or even a snow disc) … Continue reading →

A Tree For The Birds

We’ve read stories about families who decorate trees, and even snowmen, for the birds and animals. Some people go all out with lemon and orange slices, several different types of bird food, and animal themed shaped feeders. This year we finally got around to trying the tree, but we did a very small version. The main thing we did was to string cranberries and popcorn. I explained to the kids that people used to use cranberry and popcorn strings to decorate their trees and homes. There is something very homey and pretty about a cranberry and popcorn string. This was … Continue reading →

Creating A Bird Book

Can your kids tell a tufted titmouse from a black capped chickadee? Children are naturally full of wonder at the world, and if we slow down a bit, they will patiently teach us to re-experience some of that joy that can be found when everything in the world is new and exciting. That is why I love this activity. Keeping a bird book is a fun way to teach children about the wonders of nature. It also helps teach observation and organization skills. But, my children and I do it mostly because it really is a lot of fun. The … Continue reading →

Frugal Living Week in Review: July 9th Through July 14th

Summer is a great time to save money. Well, okay, anytime of year is a great time to practice a frugal lifestyle. So, come on in from the pool, beach, camping, backyard or wherever you have been spending these lazy days (personally I like to read a good book on the porch) and read up a bit on how you can do all of that for less. Here is your frugal living week in review for July 9th through July 14th. July 9th Two Kitchen Gadgets That Can Save You Money If you have these two gadget in your kitchen, … Continue reading →

Frugal Bird Feeding: Food for Less

When we first started feeding the birds, we didn’t realize how much seed they would go through. It is amazing to realize the large volume of food that they can eat here in the summer, and that food seems to disappear almost as fast as I can replace it. I’m not sure if things will get better or worse in the winter, in terms of the amount of bird food consumed and the related expense. But I am concerned. So, after the last batch of seed was consumed in just a few days, I decided to do some research, as … Continue reading →

Frugal Bird Feeding: Bird Feeders and Bird Houses

Frugal living is for the birds…too! My family and I love feeding the birds in our backyard. The kids have a lot of fun observing the birds behavior and identifying the different species. It has also been a great learning experience for them. So far, we’ve seen blue jays, woodpeckers, tiny finches, chickadees, morning doves, and some colorful songbirds with yellow heads that we haven’t yet identified. One of the things I noticed in the stores is how expensive good bird feeders are. I have been advised that I really should stay away from the less expensive feeders for a … Continue reading →

Things to Do Around Your Home in March

Are you feeling a little bit of spring fever? We’ll be officially leaving winter behind this month when spring arrives on the 20th. Here are some great ideas of things to do around your home in March. Put up a new bird feeder to welcome all of your feathered friends. You can check out the good selection of feeders at a home improvement store, or make a feeder on your own. If you needs some ideas, you can check out the following articles all about birds and bird feeders. Creating A Bird Book The National Great Backyard Bird Count Frugal … Continue reading →

Taking a Minute to Appreciate Squirrels for Squirrel Appreciation Week

Photo by MadMaven/T.S.Heisele We’re smack dab in the middle of Squirrel Appreciation Week, which runs from October 7th through 13th. Do you take squirrels for granted? It’s easy to, especially if you live in a place where you see them everyday. Unless you’re an avid gardener or backyard ornithologists, you may have no reason to pay the squirrels romping in the gardens and feasting at bird feeders any mind. I grew up in Denver and squirrels were a staple in our backyard. As a kid, I liked to watch Mackie watching them through the sliding glass doors. I liked it … Continue reading →