Frugal Weekends

Happy Spring! Who's ready to play outside?

I'm mom to a 22 month old boy, and we all know they need to run off their energy. Everyday as he gets older, he's trying new things and that includes exploring outside!

What activities does your toddler enjoy doing? My son is happy chasing a ball back and forth accross the yard, and of course chasing our three dogs.

Check out this website full of great ideas!
http://familyfun.go.com/playtime/




Mrs. Frugality

Money Saving Mondays!!

Money saving with coupons and store ads is so easy!! It takes just a few minutes to see any extra money saving oppertunities.
Grab your grocery stores weekly ad, grab coupons and compare to find any matches. Is there anything that's a really good deal you could stock up on? Can you include those items in your meals for the week?
I do this everytime I make a grocery list and meal plan and it's saved me alot so far. Recently, they had my husbands body wash on sale for 3/10$. I had one coupon for 4$ off 2 body washes and one 1$ off one body wash. Total: 3/5$. ($1.67 each-usually $3.50 each)!!
Your quick matching of the coupons and ads will save you tons in the long run!

Have a good Monday!


Mrs. Frugality

Thrifty Thursdays

This Thrifty Thursdays post is about thrift stores! They are my favorite place to go! My best finds are books, frames, office supplies, and scrapbooking supplies!
With books, my local thrift store sells them for 50 cents to 5$ dollar depending on each book. I always check there first if I'm looking for a certain book. Sometimes your lucky!
Often I see brand new things at the thrift store. There's always unopened packages of birthday invitations, papers, dishes, picture frame, and new clothes!
Its always worth a try to me! Plus I don't feel so guilty about buying an extra book or so.
What's the best deal you've gotten at a thrift store? Please share!

Mrs. Frugality

Book Review Wednesday!

Instant bargins: 600+ Ways to Shrink Your Grocery Bill and Eat Well for Less, is worth the money when the author, Kimberly Danger, walks you through how to save your money. Danger is the founder of www.mommysavers.com and she's compiled tips and stratagies from members of the forum boards. This book covers everything you need to know about containing your grocery budget to a reasonable amount.
This book goes deeper than just using coupons. It introduces the reader to limiting your food waste, at home date night ideas, and how to stock a pantry.
I was surprised to see alot of recipes to make homemade versions of items you purchase at the grocery store. This book will help you squeeze every cent out of what your buying. It's alot easier than I thought it would be!
Instant Bargains is my favorite and most informative frugal living book that I've read. This is the only one you need!
Kimberly Danger is also the author of 1000 Best Baby Bargains and The Complete Book of Baby Bargains, 1000+ Best Ways to Save Money Every Day. You can purchase her books at www.amazon.com.


Mrs. Frugality

Crafty Tuesday!

Today's Crafty Tuesday challenge is to use something recycled on your next card or scrapbook page!

Some examples are:
*Cardboard from cereal boxes
*Greeting card fronts

Please share what you came up with!!



Mrs. Frugality

Money Saving Monday

Let's talk about gift baskets! Since Easter is coming up, why spend overspend your money on a premade gift basket? It's just as easy and cheaper to make your own!

Head to the dollar store! If you have more than one child, look for items that can be split up into different baskets. Best bet: pencils! Just think that they will eventually be used in school! Coloring books, candies, and I'm sure you can even find baskets or buckets there!

Does it need to be Easter themed? If not, here's some different gift basket ideas.
*book lover(book, snack, book light, ect)
*spa basket(bubble bath, nail file, lotion, ect)
*movie night(a movie rental gift card or a movie you bought, candies, popcorn, ect.)

The list can go on forever! *remember* to stock up after Easter! The supplies can be easily stored for next year!


Mrs. Frugality

One Week Ago.... A little something extra!

One Week Ago...Hubby and I went to nascar in Las Vegas!! We live a little over 2 hours away, and we had gotten free tickets!! (Cant get more frugal than that!) Seriously, the loudest thing I've ever been to! I LOVED it!!

A frugal weekend

It's almost spring! I'm not sure about your weather, but we had a sunny beautiful day! I hate being cramped up in the house during the winter so as soon as it's warm, I take my toddler outside.

A great weekend family activity is a picnic! Even if it's in your own yard, gather up the kids, make some quick sandwiches, get a blanket and go!

Don't forget to plan some activities! Grab a ball or frisbie or come up with your own game.

Besides having alot of fun and spending time with your family, your doing a free activity! Your wallet will love you. :)

Please share any activities that you and your families do during picnics! I'd love to hear :)

Mrs. Frugality

Thrifty Thursday

Like crafty Tuesday, today's challenge is Use It Up kitchen style!

If you make a meal planning list, go through your pantry and see what you can include it into meals for the week.

Meal plans are great! Besides knowing what will be for dinner everyday, it's a great money saving plan!

Have a list of your families favorite foods and interchange them every week. Include special days of the week like "meatless Mondays", " taco Tuesday", ect. to spice it up a little.

This woman is my inspiration! http://abcnews.go.com/m/screen?id=9618348
She planned meals for an entire year!





Mrs. Frugality

Book Review wednesday

Instead of a regular book review today, I'd like to share a website with you!

www.booksneeze.com is an awesome website that gives you free books but the catch is you need to post a review.

What an awesome way to enjoy a hobby for cheap!


Mrs. Frugality

Crafty Tuesday!

Today's crafty Tuesdays challenge is making your own stationary! It's super easy! Pick your paper size, find matching envelopes and go at it!

Grab your papers, stamps, whatever looks good and get going!

There are also templates you can print off to! This link has some good info!
http://m.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Stationery

Please share what you made with me!


Mrs. Frugality