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Repurposing Kids’ Art

If you have kids, then chances are that you also have a seemingly infinite number of craft projects and art work around your home. Take all of those creative canvases and put them to good use by repurposing them into useful and pretty items that you can use around your home or bless others through gifting. It is hard to get rid of the artwork that your kids complete. You feel as though you may be discarding something precious. By finding ways to use kids’ artwork, you eliminate that guilt plus get some pretty nice things as a result. Try … Continue reading →

How to Have Fun on Earth Day

This may be the only time in history when Good Friday and Earth Day fall on the same date. Earth Day supporters (at least the ones I heard chatting on the radio earlier today) see the rare collision of dates as a good thing, as they feel that since most people are off from school and work to commemorate the day Jesus died for our sins, they will have more time to take part in activities to preserve our precious planet. Earth Day was created to shed light on how we can all chip in to care for and restore … Continue reading →

Shameless Savings

I love to shop.  Unfortunately, I don’t have the money to support this passion.  Consequently, I’m often put in a situation that’s all too familiar to parents:  kicking pride to the curb. Admit it; you’ve done some pretty gross things since becoming a parent.  Goodness knows I have learned to exercise an immeasurable amount of humility since giving birth.  For example, I never thought I would willingly stretch out my hands to catch another person’s vomit.  Ditto for plucking poop out of the tub with my bare hands.  I also never imagined I’d allow my shirt to be used as … Continue reading →

Fun and Easy Ways to Go Green

Earth Day 2013 is less than a week away.  How are you planning to celebrate? Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot of green to go green.  All you need is a little time and some motivation to recycle what you already own.  By repurposing materials you would otherwise toss in the trash, you are not only saving money and showing your kids simple ways to save the planet, but you’re also giving them an outlet to showcase their creative energy. Placemats:  Rather than spend cash on everyday placemats, consider making your own with poster board, old magazines and … Continue reading →

Snowing in Spring…Adjusting Our Frugal Plans

It is a few days past the official start of spring, and I am looking at a wintry wonderland just outside my window. The salt trucks and plows have been by, but they have to be diligent. Already the driveway and roads are covered with white. Despite about three inches of snow on the ground already and more to come, schools are not closed today. There is no excessive wind, and we are used to snow. The weather has been wrecking some havoc with our spring frugal plans. We can’t get started on our garden, and may lose out on … Continue reading →

Summer Is a Great Time to Turn Your Craft into a Business

How fun would it be if you could turn your fun hobby into a cash making business? Frugal living is about saving, but it is also about extending your resources, such as by earning a little extra cash. So many have already done it. The best part? You get to decide how much work you put into it, and you get to have fun at the same time. Summer is an idea time to launch a home business. The weather is nice and opportunities to sell your items in the community abound. It will also give potential customers a chance … Continue reading →

Make it a Merry Mardi Gras

Get out your green, purple and gold–we’re less than 24 hours away from Mardi Gras madness. My 7-year-old is thrilled beyond words that her small Catholic school is allowing students to ditch their requisite uniforms for merry Mardi Gras outfits. Tomorrow kids will be allowed to wear Fat Tuesday-themed ensembles, including colorful beads, elaborate masks and the traditional colors of Mardi Gras: green, symbolizing faith; purple, symbolizing justice; and gold, symbolizing power. In addition to dressing up for the Fat Tuesday festivities, the kids will participate in a parade through the school’s hallways. While the event won’t come close to … Continue reading →

Making Money From Old Christmas Cards

Many scrapbookers know that repurposing holiday cards is a real money saver, but did you know you can earn cash by recycling your old Christmas greetings? Actually, you can help those less fortunate when you donate your seasonal salutations to certain charitable groups. For example, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is synonymous for its work collecting used Christmas cards and transforming them into works of art which are then sold to generate money for the group. The non-profit accepts used Christmas cards until the end of February, then it hands them over to its benefactors–children who come from abusive homes—-and … Continue reading →

Last-Minute Holiday Money Savers

This is it. With just a few hours left until Christmas morning, there is not much time left to procrastinate. If you’ve been holding out on shopping for gifts because you planned to take advantage of last-minute doorbusters, you may be in for a big surprise. Money experts warn that while some stores claim their last-minute deals are major money savers, in most cases they aren’t. In fact, financial wizards are quick to point out that retailers prey on procrastinators and the amazing deals you think you are scoring are in fact not much bigger than those advertised at any … Continue reading →

Get Creative with Christmas Photos

Are you tired of trying to get your kids to pose for a traditional family photo in front of the Christmas tree? This year, consider ditching the dull lineups, and instead, look for ways to capture candid Christmas shots. For example, rather than having your kids stand next to their stockings and smile for the camera, let them dig for treasures while you snap away. The goal is to document genuine emotion, which is hard to do when young children are forced to strike a pose and smile on cue. Other cute candid Christmas-related photos include: *Your cat playing with … Continue reading →