Many of you will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your house this year. It doesn’t take long to figure out that this feast can break your food budget.  Here are some tips to help you to spend less and hang on to that money for upcoming Christmas expenses.

Prepare the foods yourself.  Don’t go out to the ham store and order a precooked ham or turkey.  I’ve heard of some people paying $30-40 for a precooked ham.  Yikes!
Shop the pre-Thanksgiving sales.  Some stores offer tremendous weekly specials to lure you in.  Look for buy 1 get 1 free specials on vegetables, …read more

We’ve officially been in our new home for two months now.  We’re pretty settled and it feels like home, however, we’re still working on finding a place for everything.  Today I tweeted saying, “Putting away more stuff and organizing a little more.  Will we ever be totally unpacked?”.
Finding a place for everything is definitely a challenge.  Another challenge we have faced is affording the organization supplies that we need. Here are some tips for saving.

1)  Plan out your purchases.  This month we bought closet organizers.  Next month, I’m hoping to purchase some shelving for one of the closets.  An extra …read more

This year I was determined not to spend a lot of money on costumes.  We looked around the house to see what we had and how we could make due and here’s what we found.
Last night we went to the community fall festival.  There were games, vendors, inflatables, candy, horse rides, face painting, and all kinds of fun stuff.  It was all free! 

Last night Alligator Girl wanted to be a ballerina.  She already had the outfit.  Her cousin had recently outgrown it and passed it down.  Alligator Girl was excited to wear it out in public.

Cuddlebug was a baseball player.  We had the …read more

Sometimes I find some great deals and I’m so excited about it that I have to share it with all you thrifty folks.  My latest deal is this oak entertainment center/armoire. 

My hubby and I dropped by the local antique/furniture/junk store this week.  We just never know what we’ll find.  I have been dropping in there frequently lately because I was looking for something for my tv to sit on.  I found a beautiful big dresser but it was $350.  Ouch.  I even considered it.  After all, it would be a lifelong beautiful piece.  Thankfully, we went back a few days …read more

We’re all looking to include more vegetables into our meals. Here are some ways to help you save.

1)  Grow your own.  Growing your own can help to drastically cut your food bill.  As an added bonus, you get to control the use of fertilizers and pesticides. 
2)  Can and freeze for the winter months.  Many people plan a large garden so that they will have enough to can and freeze for future months.  These come in handy for soups, casseroles and crock pot meals.
3)  Buy in-season produce.  I am more likely to buy cucumbers, tomatoes, and other produce when they’re at …read more

I’ve never been one to spend a bunch of money on books. I might spend $50 per year. I know there are some of you that spend hundreds or maybe even thousands. Hopefully you will find a few tips from this list that you can try to save money on books.

1.  Borrow books from friends. Of course, be willing to let them borrow your books too.
2.  Shop yard sales and thrift stores. Sometimes you can find some great deals in those stores.  Once while shopping at Good Will, I found a bunch of Scholastic books and some curriculum.  It was …read more

Let the parties begin! With several holidays so close together, this is the time of year when folks begin planning their parties. Entertaining doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. Here are some money saving tips to get you started.

1) Shop sales and use coupons. During this time of year, you might see holidays items on sale. If you see the cocktail weenies on sale buy 1 get 1 free, go ahead and purchase enough for your party rather than paying full price later. Of course, make sure they’ll still be in date.
2) Have a potluck or cook …read more

With me working part-time from home and having three little kids, my husband and I are looking for ways to save money on dates.  We need some time alone!

Here are few ways to save on babysitting.
1)  Go on a lunch date. This is our newest way to save.  Our three oldest children are in school and our youngest is in preschool part-time.  We finally have a consistent time that we can get out together.
2)  Trade babysitting with others.  If you know of other parents that have kids, offer to trade with them.  Everyone needs some time alone and they would …read more

Last December I moved to a small town.  There were a few stores around, but not the wide variety from which I have become accustomed.  The transition to this lifestyle was very difficult because I shop around for the best bargains on our groceries. 
With only one grocery store in town, I was left with the option of shopping there or driving 30 minutes each way.  My grocery bill had jumped 30% and something needed to be done.  It took me a few months to develop a system for saving money, but I think I’ve adjusted pretty well.

Here are some tips for saving …read more

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