For the first time ever, I have three kids this Halloween.  If you’re like me, you don’t have $30-50 per kid to spend on a costume.  I’ve been searching around the internet and have found some do-it-yourself ideas.  Hopefully there will something that you like.

 
Black Knight Costume
Pocahontas
Parents has some cute costume ideas.  You probably have many of the items needed already at home.

Scuba Diver – uses 2 liter soda bottles, tubing, and goggles
Beauty Queen
Basketball Player
Artist
Mad Scientist
Rock Star
Magician
Doctor
Chef
Zoo Keeper
Construction Worker

Handmade Costumes – Most of these costume ideas are for smaller children.

Little Lamb – This one is my favorite. It’s so adorable!
Dalmation …read more

Last week, I discussed some ways to save on decorating your home.  We learned that money could be saved from shopping for used items by using Craigslist, yard sales, and thrift stores and also how an inexpensive item like paint can transform a room.  Today we’re going to see that there are more ways to decorate on the cheap.

4.  Repurpose what you have.  Paint that old lamp or picture frame. Change your night stand into a bookshelf.  Recover your old pillows with fabric. Use a sheet for window treatments. 
5.  Get an outside opinion.  It helps to ask someone else’s opinion for ways …read more

Guest post from Lou Manfredini of Ace Hardware
Lou here, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man” and today I’m sharing some great budget-friendly tips on adding curb appeal to your home this summer.

The first step to having a home that looks great from the street is a healthy lawn. It is easier and cheaper than you might think. First you’ll want to clear away any leftover debris, including leaves, branches and your kids’ favorite summer toys. If your lawn is loaded with weeds, spray it with Ortho Weed and Feed – just attach to your garden hose and spray away. It costs about …read more

Many of us think of our home as our castle.  We want it to look warm, inviting, and relaxing, yet we don’t have a lot of money to spend on decorating.  Today, I’ll begin to share with you some tips for decorating and furnishing your home on the cheap.

1.  Shop yard sales and thrift stores.  I’ve been doing this for years.  Just a few months ago I was at a yard sale and found a really nice living room couch and oversized chair.  The person I bought it from had only used it for a year.  She paid $1200 for it and …read more

I saw this tutorial this week and of course I thought of Kelly. Poor thing is small and petite and is having a hard time finding maternity jeans that fit. Kelly, maybe you and the other pregnant ladies can give this a try. This is a much more frugal choice for maternity clothes!
How to Make Maternity Jeans Using Regular Jeans and a T-shirt – More DIY How To Projects

BabyCenter is having a 30-50% sale on costumes.  In addition to the sale they are offering free standard shipping on orders of $25 or more.  Enter the coupon code SHOPPING during checkout.  Now is the time to shop and save before the selection gets slim.  You can get an adorable costume, such as this cute oatmeal bear costume, for only $13.50. 
BabyCenter also has a do-it-yourself section on their website.  Get crafty and download simple and free patterns to construct a skeleton, leopard, kitten, pirate, jailbird, carrot, or strawberry.  
Enjoy the savings!
image from BabyCenter

We rarely pay someone else to do work to our house.  It’s not that we wouldn’t love someone else to be outside sweating for us, it’s just that we’re too cheap frugal to pay someone to do something that we can do ourselves.  Doing projects yourself can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars. 
My hubby was feeling very motivated Saturday night and he got some projects completed around the house.  One of the projects was pressure washing the deck.  Check out these pictures which show the before and after.

You can see the line where my husband stopped cleaning so that he could eat …read more

Whew!  I am tired!  My husband and I have been working non-stop on our house.  We’ve spent countless hours in Home Depot, Lowe’s, and at the mulch store.  This week we have:

repaired the flower bed (previous owner’s mess up)
put down weed guard material
planted new shrubs
took down the old light post
put down new mulch
filled in holes in the yard
seeded the whole yard
took out toilet and sink from bathroom
tore out vinyl bathroom flooring
painted bathroom trim and walls
fixed some drywall mess ups in the kitchen and bathroom
hung up fixtures in bathroom
finished putting up moldings in the kitchen
touched up paint in the kitchen
repaired loose carpet …read more

I really have been wanting a cat playhouse for the cat we rescued.  She’s only about 7 months old now and she really enjoys climbing, scratching, and playing. 
This past weekend, our family made a trip to the newest pet store in town.  I knew that cat houses were expensive, but I was almost entertained at how much money people will pay for these things.  I thought it was even funnier when I saw what they were made of.
I found my husband and told him I knew what his new profession could be . . . making cat houses.  Well, I …read more

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.  Since you’re here, you’re obviously looking to be a bit more frugal.  I’ve been surfing around and I’ve found 50 links to help you with Valentine’s Day.  All of these items are inexpensive and most of them are do-it-yourself.
Crafts

50 Nifty Valentines
Heart Collage
Conversation Heart Votive Candle Craft
Play Clay Hearts
Barrettes
Bracelets
Napkin Rings
Felt Fortune Cookies
Heart-Shaped Soap
Hanging Valentine Card
Photo Card
Message Pillows
Heart Wreath
Lavender Heart Card

Printables and Other Fun Stuff

A Kid’s Heart
Heart Pattern
Star Pattern
Connect the Dots
10+ Valentine Games
Bingo
Bookmarks
Printables from Jan Brett
PBS Valentine Printables
Nick Jr printable valentines
Nick Jr stickers, paper chain
Custom Coupons
Word Search
Maze
Jokes
Coloring Pages
e-cards
30 Romantic Movies