Ever get burned out on buying gifts for everyone on your list? It can add up fast if you’re in a bigger family. It can also sometimes feel like the holidays get a little commercialized, with people forgetting that it’s more about the family time and making memories than what you buy at the store. […]
Great books for 6-10 year old girls
Wondering what to get that young reader on your gift list? I interviewed my favorite 9-year-old girl for recommendations. Many of those noted below are a series, or the first of a series of books, and a few of them have the first books available as a boxed set. Books are a great gift – […]
Debt Avalanche or Snowball – Pros and Cons
I’ve read a lot of varying advice over the years on the best way to pay off your debt. There are multiple ways you can tackle your debt, but the most talked-about methods are the snowball and the avalanche/ladder method. So which one is the best to pay off your debt?
How we watch movies for free at the theater
Remember when we were younger and a matinee movie at the theater was around $5? Oh, to have those kinds of prices again. These days, taking my family of four to a movie – even a matinee movie – means we’re shelling out about $50… and that’s before you hit the concession stand! Thankfully, I’ve […]
Safeguard your family ahead of a recession
If faced with an extended job loss, would you be ready? Are you one of the 49% of working adults that live paycheck to paycheck with no savings? According to a recent GOBankingRates survey, nearly half of Americans don’t have a financial safety net and would be at high risk if a recession hit. Sadly, […]
14 Ways to Save on Your Kid’s Birthday Party
When did kids’ parties get so expensive? Since my girls have birthdays in fall and winter, and I don’t have the biggest house, an in-home birthday party isn’t really realistic to invite all the classroom friends. It’s too rainy and cold to have the kids spend their time outside, and it really wouldn’t be too […]
Holiday Gift Planning
Wondering how to budget for Christmas gifts this year? As much as I hate Christmas creep and the fact that a lot of stores already have their Christmas displays out starting in early October, I am starting to think about the ways I can make the holidays special for my family and friends. A friend […]
5 Cheap dinners in a flash
5 Cheap, family-friendly dinners you can make in a flash How many times have you been running late and realize you didn’t plan anything for dinner that night? We’ve all been there. But before you break down and roll through a drive through or order a pizza that isn’t in your monthly budget, check this […]
7 Easy Steps to Start Your Food Budget Makeover
Conquering your grocery, specifically your food budget, is one of the easiest ways to trim your overall budget and get your household finances under control. The more processes you can put into place for your everyday tasks and responsibilities, the more time and money you can free up – meaning less stress in your life! […]
5 Tested Cookbooks for Easy Dinner Planning
Have you ever had your family look at you at dinner and say, “this again?” Whether you heard it or you just knew that’s what they were thinking, we’ve all been there. Sometimes you just need a little inspiration to get you out of your rut. Here are some great cookbooks to check out, guaranteed […]