Free Fall Fun!

If your calendar isn’t yet booked with fun things to do this fall, you might want to look around a bit. Now is one of the best times of year to find plenty of free events to entertain the kids and even the whole family. Check out the following options that may be available in your area. Trunk or Treat Many churches and places of worship sponsor trunk or treat events, that are either on a weekday or a weekend, during the day or in the evening, so there are a lot of scheduling options. During a trunk or treat … Continue reading

Fall Travel for Frugalistas

The key to saving money while you enjoy a fabulous fall getaway is to visit places that allow you to get the most bang for your buck. For example, if you are planning to take a road trip to pick pumpkins or apples this autumn consider visiting a larger all-inclusive establishment. Some orchards and farms offer you the chance to not only pick your own produce, but also provide hayrides, food samples and access to petting zoos (complete with pigs, chicks, rabbits, sheep, cows, and more) minus the extra charge. Mackey’s Orchard in Belvidere, New Jersey, offers customers a 20-minute … Continue reading

Frugal Easter Tips

Here comes Peter Cotton Tale…Hopping down the money trail. Just kidding, but Easter is a great time to save. You can indulge and celebrate this great glorious holiday and still stay within budget. Here is how. Remember the meaning Sure Easter egg hunts are fun, baskets filled with all sorts of goodies are exciting, and a large meal with family is often required. But, don’t forget the real meaning of the holiday, that our Savior shred his blood for us and rose again. Fill the day with some real reflection on why you are celebrating, and having an excess of … Continue reading

Frugal Does Not Mean Longsuffering

I think many people avoid being frugal because they equate it with painful longsuffering and misery. The truth is, however, that that doesn’t have to be the case. Frugal: practicing economy; living without waste; thrifty Long-suffering: Patiently enduring wrongs or difficulties. (from The Free Dictionary) While it is possible to be miserable while being frugal, it is certainly not a requirement. I actually find frugality enjoyable. Maybe it’s about attitude. Personally, I get more upset paying full price for items, or when I see something that has been purchased is not being used. Frugality is definitely a lifestyle. If you … Continue reading

Frugalista fashions: Five Fashion Musts for Light Travel

If you are going on vacation, it pays to travel light. Firstly, you won’t need to pay the $15.00 luggage price plus $50 to $100 for a second bag. Second, you will be able to navigate your way through the airport faster. Finally, you won’t need to spend any time at the luggage carousel, which is one of the least enjoyable parts of any trip. Traveling light doesn’t must mean shoving every into one bag because you can also be penalized for having too heavy a bag. Furthermore, you don’t want a bag so heavy you can’t manipulate it. It’s … Continue reading

How to Create a Family Ritual with Your Preschooler

Family rituals are wonderful to have. They strength all of you as a family, contribute a sense of self confidence and belonging, and give some security to your preschooler. This is the perfect age to get started on creating family rituals, if you haven’t already. Chances are that you already have some family rituals in place. If not, check out the following ideas. Many family rituals with preschoolers take place at bedtime. You could read a favorite story, have a secret family handshake or other way of saying goodnight, or sing a song. Try celebrating half birthdays. Preschoolers love this … Continue reading

Spending Christmas in the Family Room

I am overflowing today with gratitude that we were able to spend our Christmas together as a family. While extended family is nice (and we will be seeing them for the rest of the weekend), it was amazing to just spend the day home alone with my husband and children. We attended our local church on Christmas eve and then rushed home to snuggle in for the night. The next morning, the kids were up bright and early and the adults teased that we just might spend the whole day in bed, leaving the present opening until tomorrow. Of course … Continue reading

Frugal Month in Review: September 2008

Now that September is come and gone and the kiddies are settled back into school and regular routines, it is time to welcome the fall. Still, there is plenty of good stuff that went on in September, including a bunch of ways to save money. September 1st Frugal Living Week in Review: August 25th Through August 31st Food and back to school are the two things on my mind this week. I e-mailed my son’s teacher ahead of time to ask about additional supplies that she might need for the classroom. She said that she usually asks parents for antibacterial … Continue reading

Frugal Food Options

Recently I heard about a family that was spending more than $500 a week at the grocery store. The thing is that this was a family of three, and the price didn’t include diapers and some of the other baby-related purchases that can raise the weekly grocery cost, since those were purchased separately. Now, I don’t know the details of their shopping list, but $2,000 a month seems a bit steep for two adults and one toddler. Both parents work, which makes it difficult for them to cook from scratch. I suggested the use of a crock pot or freezer … Continue reading

Frugal Living Month in Review: August 2008

With August passed, it will be hard to hold on to summer, but fortunately, we have a lot of memories of the “dog days.” We also have lots of great articles about saving money, something that is pretty important these days. Take a look at what was posted in August. August 1st Frugal Living Month in Review: July 2008 July went by so quickly for us! There were so many fun and frugal activities and events for us to explore, from a science camp to free movies and sand sculpting. I hope your July was equally fun and frugal. Summer … Continue reading