web analytics
The Savings Strategies That Are Working In A Bad Economy

The Savings Strategies That Are Working In A Bad Economy

These savings strategies for a bad economy is only two basic rules…but it’s working like magic for our large family!

Over the past year, I’ve started to notice something about our money.

Basically, that thing is that we don’t have any.

ha!

The problem is that our whole family has continued to spend money as if the price of everything hasn’t gone through the roof.

And also, lately we seem to have some unavoidable, but very expensive problem, crop up every single month.

You just can’t crank up the music and try to ignore it anymore. The economy is terrible. The cost of everything has doubled. And your paycheck hasn’t.

So what can we do about it?

Well, I have stumbled across something that is working really well. And it’s a lot simpler than you’d think.

(more…)
7 Things To Skip This Christmas: No Regrets!

7 Things To Skip This Christmas: No Regrets!

Every time a doctor walked into my room, I would say, “Hi, I’m going home tomorrow!”

Our fourth child had been born very early that morning.  And while we could hardly contain our excitement over having a daughter (!), we also had three young sons at home.

And tomorrow was Christmas Eve.

The biggest day of the year, especially for the 5 and under set!

That crazy year had proven that our boys could do without a lot of the Christmas traditions we had found so important.

But the one thing they couldn’t do without was having mom and dad home to celebrate the big day.

We learned so much from having a simple Christmas that year.

And you wouldn’t believe how much you can love the season when you skip those things you always feel obligated to do.

So let’s talk about how to celebrate a Christmas you won’t regret!

(more…)
21 Fall Dinner Recipes That Whip Together In A Snap

21 Fall Dinner Recipes That Whip Together In A Snap

Looking for quick and easy fall dinner recipes? These one pot meals with simple ingredients are perfect for your autumn table.

Grilling out all summer was amazing. But now it’s fall.

Unlike everyone else in North America, fall is not my favorite season. BUT, these fall dinner recipes are so good, even I am looking forward to autumn.

This list is packed with your favorite fall soups, plus pumpkin, apple, and squash flavors.

Also, because I promised quick and easy, I tried to stick with recipes that whip up with simple ingredients. And many of these will only dirty up one pot or dish. Bonus!

(more…)
5 Ways We’ve Saved Money This Week #169

5 Ways We’ve Saved Money This Week #169

Lately it has occurred to me that some of my frugal ways have been slipping.

It’s never more evident than when I get an electric bill in the mail and it’s twice as high as it was a year ago.

Or when I pick up my 5 grocery bags after swiping the card to pay $150.

I know I should try to get used to this new way of spending money (double for everything), but my mouth falls open in shock a lot more than it should.

Anyway, all that to say that this series…the 5 Ways We’ve Saved Money Series…the one I used to write up faithfully every Friday…is becoming a necessity for me again.

It’s my way of reviewing our family money for the week. What went right? What didn’t?

It’s a great way to celebrate small wins, and to notice patterns in spending.

So if you missed this series, like I have (I can’t believe I’ve only written a couple of these in the past two years!), let’s jump back in!

(more…)
A No Sell School Fundraising Idea That’s Perfect For Your School or Team

A No Sell School Fundraising Idea That’s Perfect For Your School or Team

Do you need a school fundraising idea? If you hate to sell things but need to raise money for your group or organization, you’ll love this simple idea!

If your children are involved in any activities at all, then one thing is for sure… you are tired of fundraising!  

Just in one school quarter, we were supposed to sell cookie dough and pies for the school, candles for band, pizza and flowers for the team, and raffle tickets for church.

Let’s be honest…if you participated in every fundraiser you were supposed to do, your family would never want to see you again!

(more…)

Delicious Fall Desserts For A Crowd: Ultimate Comfort Food

Delicious Fall Desserts For A Crowd: Ultimate Comfort Food

These fall desserts for a crowd are sure to be a hit! Bring the recipe to the party, because everyone will want a copy.

When you can’t make a trip to the store without walking past aisles of pumpkin spiced donuts, coffees, cereals, and (inexplicably) slippers, you know it’s time to pull out your absolute favorite desserts.

You know the ones…

pumpkin mixed with cream cheese.

Apple cider and cinnamon mixes.

Anything that combines marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers.

We all have our favorites.

And yet, there’s always room to try something new, isn’t there?

Here are some of the absolute best fall desserts for a crowd. Make extras, because everyone is gonna want it.

(more…)