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Fun Items for Frugal Dress Up Play

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There is a quick and easy way to entertain your preschooler for at least half an hour or so. Let him or her play dress up! Preschoolers tend to love this activity because it lets them “become” someone else for a while. Dress up is a great opportunity for using one’s imagination. Here are some frugal ideas for dress up play. Frugal Dress Up Ideas for Preschoolers Old Costumes Previously worn Halloween costumes are great for playing dress up in. Your child can become a princess, a superhero, or both in the same day. Reuse the Halloween costumes that your … Continue reading →

A Cheap Meal Out (and a Winter Coat for 85 Cents)

Last Saturday, we decided to take a trip up to a tourist spot, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Many people vacation there because Lancaster has a large Amish community. Sure enough, there are plenty of fun things to do and buy. There are handmade items, such as quilts and furniture and plenty of yummy pies, cakes and bread to purchase. While we can’t resist picking up a pie, our usual stops in Lancaster have nothing to do with the Amish tourist trade. Instead, we focus on where the value is. Our first stop is an Amish-run natural food store. The store is tucked … Continue reading →

Frugal Seasonal Family Getaways

If you can deal with dirty looks from your kid’s teacher, then consider heading off on a pre-Christmas getaway.  Families working with a tight budget, who want to sneak in a winter vacation before Santa Claus comes to town, must act now. Dozens of family-friendly vacation destinations are offering money-saving deals for clans who complete their travel before Christmas Eve, including: California:  Don’t wait to do Disney during your child’s winter break from school.  Rather, if you want to save big on hotel accommodations, travel during the first three weeks of December.  That’s when you will find deals like the … Continue reading →

Winter the Fun and Frugal Way

Winter is a great time to have some frugal fun. Reduce your entertainment budget with the following ideas. Fun in the Snow If you are lucky enough to have snow in your region this winter, then you can have a ton of free fun such as: Putting water and food coloring into spray bottles, then creating snow art. Will you create the Mona Lisa or Bart Simpson? Building a snowman or two. Have a family contest for the biggest, most creative or funniest creation. You can also gift someone a homemade snowman kit. Just provide an old hat, charcoal briquettes, … Continue reading →

Holiday Fun for Free

Various retailers have been displaying their holiday merchandise since Labor Day, so it’s no surprise that city Christmas parades are taking place earlier and earlier each year. Yesterday, I discovered that our town’s annual holiday parade is heading down Main Street on November 17th this year. A Christmas parade less than three weeks after Halloween? Apparently, this early-bird trend is sweeping the nation and it’s not just parades, but a slew of other holiday-related events as well. On the bright side, many of these festive experiences are free and open to the public, allowing cash-strapped families a chance to get … Continue reading →

Frugal Tips for Surviving Snowstorms

Fortunately (or unfortunately)for me, I no longer live in blizzard central where I grew up and spent the first decade of my adult life. Still, the news of blizzards in the northeast has me feeling a bit nostalgic. It also has me thinking of all of the frugal things that my parents did during snow storms and blizzards to keep us kids warm, happy, and fed. Hang blankets for extra warmth: Growing up, our homes were fueled with oil. During snowstorms, the temperatures would drop causing us to run out of oil quicker. To slow down the consumption of heating … Continue reading →

More Frugal Turkey Meals

Everyone loves turkey for the holidays, but they quickly tire of it by the end of the week. A big turkey usually means a lot of leftover turkey meat. No frugal person in their right mind will throw a scrap of meat away. I made three excellent meals from some leftover turkey I had over the holidays. Before I tell you about the meals, I will first suggest you read My Frugal Turkey Meals by Mary Ann Romans. To add to her list, here are my frugal turkey meals that I made from leftover turkey and items I already had … 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 →

Fun Holiday Things to Do with Gift Wrap

(And they have nothing to do with wrapping.) With all of the great deals on gift wrap, from dollar store rolls (I’ve found some great quality stuff there) to last year’s 90 percent off, I thought I would brainstorm a bit on other uses for the stuff. After all, it is festive, and this inexpensive resource can take the place of other things, thus saving money. My ideas are below. Please share some of yours! Decorations Last night my neighbor showed us a very fun way to decorate for the holidays. This would not only work for Christmas but for … Continue reading →

Smart Savings Solutions to Prepare for Winter

Many people tend to be in the deepest financial crisis in the winter months. This may be due to a few different factors and can be different for each family. Here are some common causes of a winter financial crisis as well as some smart savings solutions that you can get started on right now to prepare for winter and protect yourself. Causes of a winter financial crisis Illness With flu and cold season approaching, an illness could cause a financial crisis in more ways than one. Doctor visits, prescriptions and even hospitalization can take a toll on your finances. … Continue reading →