Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

Free Mothers Day Gifts

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

Mothers day gift ideas that are completely free!

Isn’t Mothers Day the best???  It’s one of my favorite days of the year.  I love being showered by my kids and husband with thoughtful gifts and notes.  I love celebrating all moms out there for the love and work they do every day of their lives.  Being a mom is without a doubt the most difficult, yet most beautiful thing I have ever done.  It is my favorite title and the thing that brings the absolute most joy into my life.  Because of this special job we all want to show our moms that we appreciate everything they have done for us.  And you know what!  Gifts do not need to cost any money!  I believe that some of the best gifts are free!  The most important thing with gift giving is that it comes from the heart.  Check out this list of Free Mothers Day Gifts.

D04B22CF-D3A9-4F18-BBD0-547B355711C1

Free Mothers Day Gifts

 1.  Write a Sweet Note

Write your mother a sweet note to tell her what you love and admire about her.  Let her know the impact she has made on your life.  You could make a card by hand, just use lined paper, or buy a pack of cards from the dollar store.

My love language is words of affirmation, and nothing means more to me than receiving a kind and genuine note of love.  This is my favorite gift ever to receive!

2.  A Bouquet of Fresh Flowers

Give your mom a bouquet of fresh, spring flowers!  You could pick flowers from your own yard, or find some wildflowers.  Put your flowers in a mason jar or tin can, tie a pretty ribbon around it, and you have a beautiful gift!

I had a friend pick sunflowers for me off the side of the highway and it brightened my day so much!  Plus, it didn’t cost her a thing!

3.  Make Her Dinner

Your mom would love a break from cooking!  Why not offer to make her dinner??  If she refuses, make it anyway!  You could invite her over to your house for a nice dinner together or bring it to her home.  Make sure to include a few of her favorite foods!

4.  Mom and Daughter Book Club

Does your mom love to read?  Invite her to have a book club, just the two of you!

Check out two copies of the same book from your local public library.  Tell her you will both read the book and get together every week to discuss it.  She will love having a mini book club with her daughter (or son!).  A good book club always includes treats (at least for me they do…. ;) )!

5.  DIY Hand Sugar Scrub

Give your mom some pampering with a homemade Hand Sugar Scrub!  All you need to do is mix 1/2 cup coconut oil with 1 cup white sugar.  Add a few drops of essential oil (I love lavender oil!).  Mix it all together and you’ve made your own sugar scrub!  Put it in a mason jar, tie a cute bow around it and you have the perfect gift!

6.  Make a Top Ten List

Show your mom some extra love and attention with a Top Ten List!  This is easy, just list the Top Ten things you love about your mom.  Be sure to use some cute scrapbook paper or fancy fonts to give the list a little extra flare.

7.  Favorite Memories E-Mail

Send mom an e-mail with a few pictures of the favorite memories you have together.  Explain to her why those moments are so special to you.

You could even make it a little more fancy with a video montage, complete with pictures and music.  This is something your mom could watch over and over again.  It’s sure to bring a few tears!

8.  Weed Her Flowerbeds

When spring comes, so do the weeds (unfortunately!).  Give your mom the gift of service by weeding her flowerbeds.  Moms deserve a little break every now and then!

Don’t ask for her permission to do this!  Just show up one day, and start weeding!

9.  Homemade Cookies

Does your mom have a favorite cookie or treat?  Make it for her!  My dad loves homemade snicker doodle cookies, so we make those for him a lot.  Try to think of a yummy treat your mom would enjoy.  Remember to wrap it up in some saran wrap and a pretty bow.

10.  Wash Her Car

Maybe surprise mom with a car wash.  Show up at her house one day ready to wash her car.

You can even go the extra mile by dusting and vacuuming the inside.

11.  Gift of Time

What better way to show your mom that you care than to spend special one on one time together.  Invite your mom to do something just the two of you.  This could be by going on a walk, playing a game, doing a craft, or attending a free community event.

12.  Give Her a Pedicure

Give your mom a pedicure!  Bring your nail polish over to moms house and paint her toes and fingernails.  She will love having the extra bonding girl time.

13.  Make a Quote Jar

Does your mom enjoy motivational quotes?  Cut out a bunch of your favorite inspirational quotes and put them in a mason jar.  Tell her she can pull out a quote each day to help her feel loved and inspired.

If you’re feeling crafty, give the jar some cute decorations!

14.  Crafty Gift

Do you like to craft?  Find an easy craft you could make for mom.  This might be a decoration for her home, an accessory to wear, or something else you think she will enjoy.  Try to only use materials you already own!

15.  Be There for Her

Take the entire day off from other commitments and just be there for your mom.  Spend the entire day with her.  Help her around the house, share inside jokes, and show her you care making her your priority for a day.

 

Pin this article to save for later!

Mothers Day Gift Ideas that don't cost any money

free gifts for moms on mothers day

 

 

You might also like these articles:

10 Valentine Gifts for Her under $10

How to Make Tissue Paper Pom Poms

Yarn Hearts: An Easy Valentine Craft for Kids

What are some other Free Mothers Day Gifts?

 

What To Do If You Lose Your Job

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The first steps to take after becoming unemployed.

I know how you’re feeling, I have been there.  It wasn’t me personally who lost my job (I am a stay at home mom), but it was my husband.  Within a heartbeat our only source of income vanished.  The financial security blanket for me, our three children and my husband was yanked out of our hands and our world was turned completely upside down.  We had the same questions you are probably asking; “Why me?”  “What now?” “Where do I begin?” and “How will we survive?”  I want you to know, that it WILL all be ok!  I have been through it and never thought we would survive, but we did, and you will too!!  This article is to help you know exactly what to do if you lose your job.

what you should do if you are unemployed

Take a Breath

First, take a long deep breath.  You need to take a moment to just be still.  If you enjoy meditating…meditate.  If you believe in prayer, pray.  No doubt you have a million thoughts and emotions running through your head.  You have a long road ahead of you, and you will need to be in the best state of mind as possible.

Apply for Unemployment

One of the very first things you should do when you lose your job is to apply for unemployment benefits.  The process for unemployment will vary from state to state.  Call, or better yet, stop by your local Unemployment Office to fill out the application and ask any and all questions you have.

The process is fairly straightforward and easy.  The sooner you apply the quicker you will begin receiving benefits, so do this step ASAP!

Don’t let pride get in the way of applying for unemployment, we dragged out feet a little bit because we were to proud, and that was the wrong decision.  Remember, this is a temporary situation and you’ll get right back on your feet again, it’s OK to have some help to keep you going.

Look Into Healthcare Options

Unfortunately, losing a job often means losing your health care plan as well.  The good news is that there are options available for those out of work!

1.COBRA

COBRA is a great health care option to look into.  In short COBRA allows the unemployed to stay on their current employers coverage for a limited amount of time.

It’s important to remember that not everyone will qualify for COBRA and there are some pros and cons to this plan.  I suggest doing some thorough research to help you decide if this is the right option for you.  I found this this informative article you might want to look at for more details about health care through COBRA.

2. Marketplace Health Insurance (“Obamacare”)

The government health care marketplace, also known as Obamacare was introduced in 2010.   This is a fantastic option when unemployed.  You are able to buy a plan immediately after losing a job, no matter the circumstances.  There are no rules or limitations!  Be sure to enroll during the special enrollment period, 60 days after losing your employers health coverage.

3. Private Health Insurance

Another, usually more expensive option, is to buy a plan from Private Health insurance.  I recommend a high deductible plan, which will give you lower monthly payments.

4. Medicaid

Medicaid offers financial assistance to low income individuals who are disabled, elderly, pregnant women, children and families.  This service is not dependent on your job status, but your income and size of household.  If you are unsure if you qualify or not, call your local Medicaid office and they can help you.

Decide What To Do With Your 401K

The next thing you need to do is decide what you want to do with your 401K.  Here are a few suggestions of what you should do with this account:

1. Roll It Over

I highly recommend rolling your 401k account into a different retirement account.  We prefer putting it into our IRA, because it gives us more investing options.

2. Leave It Alone

If you don’t want to roll it over to a new plan you can leave the 401k as is.  I don’t recommend this, as it won’t grow as fast without someone managing it.

Take a Serious Look at Your Finances

It’s time to take a good long hard look at your financial situation.  Take some time to sit down and go over your expenses.  Try to determine how long your money will be able to cover your living expenses.

If you have an emergency fund (which I hope you do!) this is definitely a time to use it.

Make a Budget

You will need to make a budget based off of your new income, which might be zero for the time being.  Be willing to make extreme budget cuts.  This is not easy, but remind yourself it is temporary!  You will be able to get back to your normal living situation in time.

The most important things to have in your budget are your necessary living expenses:  food, shelter, transportation and utilities.  Almost everything else can be cut out.

Update Resume

Dust off your resume and give it a good update.  If you are unsure how to write a resume, or what to include research some free online tutorials or workshops.  Your city might have some available, and there are plenty resources online.

Once your resume is updated begin dropping it off to local businesses you would like to work at.  Putting your foot in the door never hurt anyone!

Network, Network, Network

One of the very most important things when searching for a new job is to network.  Most jobs are found through word of mouth, which takes effort on your part!

Reach out to old friends, coworkers, etc.  Ask if they know of any job openings.  This is not a time to be shy.  Put yourself out there!  Most people will be more than willing to help!

LinkedIn

If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, it’s time to make one.  If you already have a LinkedIn profile, update it!

LinkedIn is a fantastic platform for marketing your skills while connecting with prospective employers and opportunities.  Use it to your advantage.  Engage with others, reach out, show some personality.  This can be a huge benefit to you as you begin to network.

Apply For Jobs

Searching and applying for jobs should become a part of your new daily routine.

First, brainstorm a list of potential employers in your area.  Get into the habit of calling and/or stopping in to these businesses every few weeks.  Hand them your resume, show them your face, ask about job openings, and always be polite and professional (this is important!).

Next, check local job listings for any new leads.  Look on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Indeed, Career Building and Glass Door daily.  Apply for the ones you feel qualified for.

My rule of thumb, is that it never hurts to try!  Send out that resume!  You never know what might fall in your lap.

Practice Interview Questions

Use this extra time to prep yourself for upcoming interviews.  Research possible interview questions and rehearse your answers.  I encourage you to practice interviewing in front of a mirror.  It helps you see yourself and your mannerisms and gives you some ideas of things you might want to change.

Follow Up

Make sure you do a thorough follow up after any contact with potential employers.  This might be a simple phone call a week after dropping off your resume.  Or, send out a thank you email after an interview.  This shows future employers that you can take initiative and are serious about the job.

Honestly, these simple follow ups was what led my husband to his job during unemployment.

Stay Positive

Most importantly, try to stay positive.  I know how discouraging it can be to lose a job.  I know how stressful it gets when door after door after door gets closed in your face.  It is hard to stay positive during these hard times, but the more positive you can stay, the better this time will be.

Don’t forget to take time to do things that bring you joy.  Go for a walk and get some exercise.  Spend a night playing games as family.  Read a favorite book.  Take your mind off of your job search now and then in order to keep your spirits up.

In Conclusion

Keep your chin up.  Many people lose their jobs every day, and they are all able to find new ones, you will too!  Please, reach out if you need any help or guidance.  I am always here for you!

I have been through this tough struggle, and I am passionate about helping others get through it too!

 

 

Related Articles:

 

Liked what you read?  Pin it for future reference:

what to do after losing a job

how to find a new job after getting laid off

 

I hope this helps you to know what to do if you lose your job.

 

10 Incredibly Easy Ways to Stretch Meals

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to stretch your meals so you can spend less on groceries.

One of the biggest budget busters in most households is the grocery budget.  There is no denying the fact that food is expensive.  However, there is good news!  Groceries is one category in your budget that you can lower!  It definitely takes a little bit of extra work and effort, but it can be done.  There are a few different ways to lower your grocery expenses, and one of my favorites is learning how to stretch meals.

What Does It Mean to Stretch Meals?

Stretching meals simply means to make the food that you have last longer, feed more people and prevent waste.  It’s really easy to do too!  All it takes is a little more planning and creativity, but each of the following tips are so easy!

Here are 10 ways you can stretch meals so you can save more money.

how to stretch meals to spend less on food

“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

1.  Meal Plan

A smart meal plan is the first step to stretching meals.  When you make a meal plan, try to plan meals that will use the same ingredients.  This is an easy way to reuse ingredients before they go bad.

For Example:  Buy one head of lettuce and use it for three meals that week.  Or buy a rotisserie chicken from the store and meal plan several meals for chicken.  These meals might be Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Pot Pie, etc.  Here’s how I use one Roast Beef for three meals.  It follow the same plan, buy once and use three times so it doesn’t go to waste.

2.  Use Less Meat

Meat is one of the most expensive parts of the meal.  Stretch the meat out for more meals by using less than the recipe calls for.

For Example:  If you are using a recipe that calls for 1 lb. of hamburger meat, use 3/4 lb. instead.  You probably won’t even notice the difference in your meal.  You can then use that extra 1/4 lb. hamburger for another meal.

3.  Souper Tuesday

Soup is so cheap to make and an easy meal to stretch!  I love making a huge pot of soup when I feed large groups or to feed us several meals.

Consider turning Tuesday dinner into, “Souper Tuesday.”  This will be the day each week when you will make soup for dinner.  This pot of soup should last your family for several meals.  You can even freeze the leftover soup to use within the next 3 months.

  • Freezing Tip:  Freeze broth based soups simply by pouring it into a Ziploc freezer bag.  Squeeze out all of the air, seal tight and place in your freezer.  This will stay fresh for 3-6 months.  To thaw:  place frozen soup in fridge and let it defrost overnight.  Warm it up over the stove and enjoy!

Get creative with your soups!  Most soups can be made just by tossing together a few ingredients you already have in your pantry.  A little bit of chicken, broth and veggies will make a fantastic soup!

chicken soup with vegetables

4.  Include More Side Dishes

Usually the main dish is the most expensive.  You can stretch the main dish out by adding more sides to your meal.

Try using a variety of side dishes and mix it up daily to keep the meals more interesting.

A few of our family favorite side dishes are:

Each of these ideas are budget friendly (especially if you shop sales) and very filling.  Encourage your family to take a few sides along with the main meal.  This will fill the family up quicker, making you able to use your main dish for a few other meals throughout the week.

5.  Use a Filler

Try adding a “filler” ingredient to your recipes.  A “filler” is just a cheaper ingredient, one that the recipe doesn’t call for, that you add to a meal to make it more filling and bigger.

A few of our favorite fillers are pasta, rice and beans.

Beans

A can of beans is one of the cheapest and easiest ingredient to add to recipes.  All it takes is opening up a can!

You can use any of your favorite kind of beans, we prefer black beans, pinto beans or refried beans.

These can be added to a wide variety of meals including:  enchiladas, soups, or tacos.

Pasta

Pasta is cheap and filling.  You can add it to soups to make them more filling.

Rice

Rice can be mixed with beans or meat to use in burritos, tacos, or enchiladas.  This is also a great filler for soups!

Use your imagination and get creative when choosing fillers!

6.  Meatless Monday

Try incorporating less meat into your meals.  We do this by having Meatless Monday each week.  This is one day of the week when I prepare something, well, meatless!

A few of our favorite Meatless Monday dinners are:

  • Broccoli Cheese Soup
  • Homemade Mac n Cheese
  • Bean Burritos
  • Pasta Bake
  • Spaghetti

7.  Appropriate Servings

Many of us (definitely me!) eat larger servings than is necessary.  Try eating smaller portions at your meals.  It’s important to eat enough, just focus on not over eating and this will help you save more for the next meal.

Our eyes might want two large spoonfuls, but remind yourself that one large spoonful will be enough to fill your hunger.

  • Tip:  Eat on smaller plates to help keep the portions smaller!

8.  Meal Prep

Meal prepping in advance is an easy way to ensure you have smart portions for every meal.

I like to set one day aside each week as my Meal Prep day.  This is the day when you will cook your meat, chop your vegetables, and separate all the ingredients into daily meals.

When we prepare the food in advance it’s much easier to plan out the servings and ensure nothing goes to waste.

Store your dinner portions in Tupperware, Ziploc bags or, I really like these containers.

9.  Add Water

Stretch meals by adding water to the recipe.  Water is FREE, making it the cheapest ingredient you own!

You can add extra water to soups or stews to stretch the broth a little further.  Your family won’t even notice the difference, and your soup will last much longer!

10.  Save All Leftovers

All food can be reused!  Try to get into the habit of saving any and all leftovers from each meal.  This food can all be used for a different meal in different ways.

Freeze It

If you don’t think you will be able to use up the leftovers within the next few days you can easily freeze it for later.  Just let the food come to room temperature, put it in a Ziploc bag, get out all of the air, and toss it in the freezer.

For a full list of what can be frozen check out this list from Lauren Greutman.

Reuse It

If you have enough leftovers for another meal, consider saving it to eat the next day.  We love to have leftovers for lunch, and sometimes even dinner.

Re-purpose It

If you don’t have enough extra food for an entire meal, add the leftovers with some other ingredients to make a complete dinner.  You can turn most leftovers into a soup or casserole, simply by mixing it with something else!

We love to use leftover taco meat for soup the next day.  I just mix the taco meat with some cans of beans, tomatoes and water and wah-lah-Taco Soup!

 

In Conclusion

Try think outside the box when you are stretching meals.  There are so many different ways you can save money on groceries and make the food you have at home last longer!  You can do it!

 

Related Articles:

10 Quick Ways to Lower your Grocery Bill

Freeze Chicken in Bulk and 6 Freezer Chicken Recipes

How to Cut Your Budget; When There is Nothing Left to Cut

Pin This Article For Future Reference:

Stretch food to last longer - how to save money on groceries

prevent kitchen waste and make food last longer

Stretch meals and prevent waste with these easy grocery saving tips.

Screen Free At Home Kids Activities

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Need some easy at home at home kids activities?  I’ve got you covered!

Well, this week has been a little crazy for our family…..and for the entire world.  It can feel a little unsettling when life doesn’t go as planned and we are left with so many unknowns.  The next few weeks our family will be spending most of our time at home together.  I know my kids will get a little stir crazy and we are busy preparing some at home kids activities.

I have learned that the less screen time my kids have the better they behave.  If the kids are happy…..everybody seems to have a better day.  I’ve been collecting fun screen free activities for years, and I am excited to share them with you today!

I hope you find a new favorite activity for you and your kids to enjoy together!

Screen free kids activities - at home kids activities

“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Outdoor At Home Kids Activities

1.  Go for a Walk

Get outside and go for a walk together.  This might just be a stroll around the neighborhood or a walk to the mailbox.

2.  Play in the Sprinklers

If it’s warm enough where you live, put on your swimming suits and play out in the sprinklers.  For even more fun put the sprinkler under the trampoline while you jump.

3.  Draw on the Sidewalk with Sidewalk Chalk

Draw a picture on the side walk using side walk chalk.  We also like to draw a game of hopscotch or make a road for our bikes to ride on.

4.  Sleep Under the Stars

If the weather stays warm at night, have a family camp out under the stars.  This is a great time to learn about constellations and stars.

5.  Play Catch

Play an old fashioned game of catch.  See how far apart you can get and still throw the ball to each other.  Or, you count how many times you can throw the ball without anyone missing it.

6.  Jump on the Trampoline

If you have a trampoline, use it!  If it’s warm we love to put water balloons on the trampoline while we jump.  Or play a game, such as Marco Polo.

7.  Have a Scavenger Hunt

Set up a scavenger hunt outside.  Make a list of items for your kids to find, give them each a bag and see who can find them all.  After the hunt you can bring the items inside and have the kids show their findings to each other.

8.  Play Missionary Tag

Tag is a family favorite for outdoor fun.  If your family is big enough try playing our favorite Missionary Tag.

9.  Plant a Garden

Kids can be wonderful garden helpers.  One of my favorite things to do is to be in the garden alongside my kids.  I love their excitement as we watch a seed turn into a plant and then into food we can eat.

If you are new to gardening here is my list of the best garden vegetables for beginners.

10.  Catch Bugs

Search the yard for bugs and try to catch them in a jar.  Observe and learn about them for a few hours and then set them free again.

11.  Build a Fairy House

Try to find items around the yard to build your own fairy house.  We use twigs, grass, moss, leaves and pebbles.  This is something fun you can keep adding to over time.  Be creative!!

12.  See What You Can Find With Homemade Binoculars

Make homemade binoculars out of toilet paper rolls.  All you need is two toilet paper tolls, staple them together and tie a string to them to go around your neck.

Take your binoculars outside and see what you can find.  Maybe a bird or an airplane???

12.  Jump Rope

Have an old jump rope lying around the garage?  Pull it out and use it!  Have a contest to see who can jump the longest without stopping.

13.  Watch the Clouds

Lay out on a blanket and watch the clouds go by.  See what shapes you can make out of the clouds….who can come up with the funniest shape?

14.  Have a Backyard Picnic

Set up a picnic in your backyard.  Make a few favorite finger foods and sit out on a blanket in the shade.  Enjoy the day together over a nice lunch or dinner.

15.  Paint The House Using Water

Fill a bucket with water and hand your kids a few paintbrushes.  They will love watching the house change color as they “paint” it with their water.  Let them paint the sidewalk while they are at it!

16.  Make an Obstacle Course

Set up a fun obstacle course in the backyard.  This might include crawling under the trampoline, jumping on one foot until you get to the fence, bouncing a ball five times, etc.  Be creative!

17.  Bike Car Wash

Let the kids wash their bikes like an old fashioned car wash.  They can rinse them with the hose and dry them off with a towel.  Let them wash your bike and give them a $1 tip just for fun!

screen free activity ideas

 

Indoor At Home Activities

18.  Read a Book

Help your kids pick out a fun book you can all read together.  Maybe this will be an old favorite, or something new.  Enjoy having a little quiet time to relax.

19.  Play Board Games

Play some of your favorite board games together.  Let each of the kids choose a game and spend a few hours playing each one together.

20.  Build a House of Cards

Get out a few decks of cards and build a card house.  Try to see who can build the tallest house before it falls over.

21.  Make Puppets Out of Paper Bags

Use brown paper bags to make puppets.  The face will be the bottom of the bag so that you can control it with your hand.

21.  Play Grocery Store

Set up an area where the kids can play pretend grocery store.  Maybe a few cans of soup and boxes of pasta.  Get out play money for them to spend at the cash register.  This is a great activity to learn about counting.

22.  Do a Puzzle

Puzzles are a great way to keep the mind relaxed.  Turn on some soft music and work on a puzzle together.  We prefer the 100 piece puzzles (I get frustrated and impatient to easily….).

24.  Do a Science Experiment

My kids love science experiments!  We are constantly searching Pinterest for new ideas.  The magic toothpick experiment is really simple and fun.

25.  Build a Fort

What’s better than a fort??  Nothing!  Pull a few chairs together and put a blanket over top to make a covered hideaway.  Crawl into the fort and play games together or tell stories.

For a quick fort, just drape a couple of blankets over the kitchen table.  Quick and easy clean up!

26.  Paint Rocks

Collect a few rocks outside and bring them in to paint them.  We love turning rocks into animals or painting them with fun designs.

23.  Make a Sticker Book

If you have some stickers laying around the house, pull them out and make a sticker book.  This is easy to do!  Just staple a few pieces of paper together for your book, and then add the stickers.  My kids hold on to these for years and keep adding new stickers to their collections.

27. Finger Paint

Make up a batch of finger paint for your kids to enjoy.  It’s always fun to try a new way of painting!

28.  Make Play Dough

You can make your own play dough in minutes with this easy homemade play dough recipe.  The kids love helping make it….and playing with it!

29.  Make Peanut Butter Play Dough

Want a twist on the traditional play dough?  Try our peanut butter play dough recipe.  My kids beg me to make this….I think they enjoy the eating it part best….. 😉

30.  Play Bank

Set up a game of pretend bank.  Someone can be the bank teller and the others can go to the teller to deposit or withdraw money.  Teach them how to write a check and count out money.  Give everyone a turn to play “teller,” because that’s the most fun part!

31.  Make an Indoor Treasure Hunt

Set up a treasure hunt at home, complete with clues and of course a fun box of “treasure” at the end.  Have each clue lead to the next clue, and then to the next clue, etc., until they find the treasure.  Give everyone a chance to make a treasure hunt.

32.  Matchbox Cars in Flour

Fill a cookie tray with flour and let your child play with their matchbox car in the flour.  We call this “white dirt” and my son loved this activity as a toddler.

Once they are done playing let them wash the cars off in the sink.  This makes for two activities in one!

33.  Write a Letter to a Friend/Family Member

Send a card via snail mail to someone who might need a little extra love and attention.  Try to think of those who might not be receiving many visitors at this time or could use a little extra cheer and love.

34.  Listen to an Audio Book

Sign up for a free account on the app Libby.  This app connects to your local library card and gives you access to thousands of free eBooks and audio books.  Pick out a favorite kid friendly book and listen to it together with your kids.

35.  Draw a Picture

Have an art day where you can draw pictures together.

36.  Play Beauty Salon

Set up a game of beauty salon, where you (the parent) are the client.  Let your child have fun fixing and styling your hair for you.

37.  Paint Nails

Get out the nail polish and paint each others nails.  Push yourself to see if you can do a little nail art!

38.  Matchbox Car Wash

Set up a car wash for match box cars.  All you need is a cookie sheet, a cup of water and a pastry brush.  Set the cars on the cookie sheet and use the pastry brush to wash the cars.  Kids love this!

39.  Play Dress Up

Encourage the kids to dress up in fun clothes.  Let them raid your closet or use some old Halloween costumes.  Invite them to a special snack time with everyone wearing their new outfits.

40.  Do a Craft

Come up with a fun craft to do with your kids.  Maybe you’ll enjoy making nature bookmarks, pom pom garland, or fireworks stamping.

41.  Color on Hot Rocks

We love coloring on hot rocks!  All you need to do is collect a few big rocks from outside, bake them in the oven and then use crayons to color on them.  The crayons melt to make fun designs.

42.  Bake Something New

Kids love to help in the kitchen!  Use this time to bake a few new recipes together.  You might enjoy our Chocolate Dipped Cookies or Banana Bread recipe.

43.  Play Library

Encourage your kids to play a pretend game of library.  Set up a few books on shelves and let one child be the librarian and the other kids can walk around pretending to check out books.

44.  Play Hide and Seek

Play a game of hide and go seek around the house.  Take turns being “it.”

45.  Put on a Play

Help your kids put on a play.  They can make up the story, get into costumes, and get creative.  This is such a great way to boost confidence too!  Invite the grandparents or friends over to watch the production!

46.  Make Your Own Instruments

Make your own instruments using items you already have around the house.  Afterwards pretend you are in a marching band and let the kids march around the house making music with their homemade instrument.

47.  Start a Journal

Encourage your kids to start a journal.  They can write about the fun things they did each day while staying at home.  These do not need to be fancy, just staple some papers together and you have a journal!

48.  Have a Dance Party

Crank up those tunes and have an at home dance party.  This is a great way to lift up the mood if someone is having a hard day.

49.  Make Slime

Homemade slime is easy and a huge hit with the kids!  We use this recipe for our slime and it turns out great!

50.  Make a Perler Bead Creation

We go through so many perler beads.  I love watching my kids sit quietly while they create a picture out of these tiny beads.  This is an excellent activity to strengthen fine motor skills.

51.  Play a Card Game

Get out a deck of cards and play a fun card game together.  We love Solitaire, Speed and of course War.

52.  Enjoy an Indoor Picnic

Set out a blanket on the floor and have an indoor picnic.  You can even have everyone bring a Teddy Bear and turn it into a Teddy Bear Picnic.

 

I know it’s hard to be stuck at home, but try to look for the positive.  This can be a beautiful time to slow down, focus on the things that matter most, and enjoy building memories and bonds with your family.

What screen free at home kids activities does your family enjoy?

 

Pin this article for future reference:

activities for kids while self distancing

Screen free at home activities for kids!

 

Dealing With Unexpected Expenses In Your Budget

By: Sweet Frugal Life1 Comment

How to Deal With Unexpected Expenses In Your budget.

Every month my husband and I sit down for our monthly budget meeting.  Is it fun?  Nope.  Do I look forward to it?  Big no!  Do I do it anyways because I know it will save me money????  Absolutely!

The monthly budget meeting is the time for us to discuss the previous months budget.  We go over what worked, what didn’t work and we put together a new budget for the next month.

Our budget is a zero based budget, meaning every single penny that comes in during the month is budgeted to a certain category.  There is no excess.  This not only helps keep us on track, but it also means we have to stick to what was budgeted, no exceptions!

We try to brainstorm every expense that is likely to arise over the next month.  Sometimes, we forget something.  And other times expenses arise that we had no way to plan for.

Take last month for example.

We had our budget meeting and thought we were entering the month prepared.  A couple of week later we found out that we were going to have to pay $120 for my daughter to participate in track.

We had already agreed that she would be allowed to do track this year, we just didn’t realize how soon that fee would be due.

So, we went back to our budget and made it work.  We were able to cut a few other expenses down in a different category so that we could come up with the $120.  We have done this enough times that it’s become very easy and low stress.

If you are new to budgeting though, it might feel a little daunting when these unexpected expenses come.  I’m here to give you some pointers and help along the way.

5 Ways You Can Prepare (or tweak) Your Budget for Unexpected Expenses

What to do When

Planned Ahead for the Unexpected

It’s not a secret that unexpected expenses happen.  So, it’s our job to prepare ourselves.  Here are two ways you can plan for the unexpected.

Emergency Fund

An Emergency Fund is so important to have at all times.  I can not stress this fact enough, if I could scream it from the rooftops…I would.  Whether we like it or not, emergencies happen!

My daughters track payment was NOT an emergency.  Make sure you only use this fund for true emergencies.  There are other ways to deal with unexpected expenses than dipping into this important account.

I use to be one that thought we were immune to emergencies, and then one day my husband unexpectedly lost his job.

It was awful.  But.  The one thing that kept us going and kept me calm was the fact that we had an emergency fund in place.  Having that emergency fund in place was one of the only things that kept me going.  I had the peace that we would be OK.

I know that contributing to an emergency fund can be difficult…..especially when you have dozens of bills to pay, retirement to save for, mouths to feed, debt to pay off, and a life to live….I get it!

A few tips to help…..

Start small.

Try saving just 2% of each paycheck.  As it gets easier to do, slowly increase that percentage.

Set up a direct deposit.

Look into your bank to set up a direct deposit into a savings account (for emergencies only).  This account should be separate from your checking account so it’s harder to use.

When you set up a direct deposit the money is automatically deposited into your emergency savings account from your paycheck (or checking account, depending how it’s set up).  This way you don’t even have the choice to use that money for anything else.  If you never even see it, than you won’t even miss it!

Miscellaneous Category

You need to include a Miscellaneous Category within your monthly budget.  This category is meant for the unplanned expenses that come during the month.

We put $150 into miscellaneous each month.  This money is used for all of the situations that arise, but weren’t planned for.

When my daughter came to us with the information that it was time to pay for track, we knew we could cover it with our miscellaneous budget.  However, we also knew that we would need to watch our spending in the other areas to make sure that no other “miscellaneous” items arose.

 

 

Fixing Unexpected Expenses

Here are a few ways to make the budget work if you don’t have (or don’t want to use) money from your miscellaneous category or emergency fund.

Pause Spending

If you find yourself over spending in a few of your categories put a pause on all unnecessary spending for the rest of the month.

This may include stopping things like going out to eat, going to movies or buying clothes.  You might also want to limit your groceries, here are a few ways you can spend less on groceries.

This is not an easy adjustment, but remember it is only temporary.

Make Extra Money

If you need some quick cash, look into some ways to earn extra money.

Consider starting one of these side hustles that can be done from home.

Another way to get some extra money is to sell some items around your house.  This is actually my FAVE way to fix the budget.  All it takes is 5 minutes of taking pictures and writing a brief description of whatever you need to sell, and bam!  You’ve made money!

Here are 5 Websites you Can Sell Your Stuff for Quick Cash.  I prefer Facebook Marketplace, but I’ve used them all!

Take a look around your house to find a few items you haven’t touched for a few years (a basement storage room is usually the first place I look), and list that clutter for sale!  If you need some ideas, I’ve got you covered, just check out my article:  10 Items In Your House You Can Sell Quickly To Make Money

Keep Stepping Forward

The most important thing is that you don’t discouraged when these unexpected expenses arise.

There are always be bumps in the road, but you can overcome every single one of those bumps.  I promise!

No budget is perfect.  Mine certainly isn’t!  But.  I keep trying every month to improve little by little.  Learn from each mistake and keep your head up!

 

Related Articles:

Don’t forget to Pin this article to save for later:

how to fix budget when there's a problem

how to budget for expenses that come up

 

Share in the comments how you deal with unexpected expenses in your budget??

9 Ways to Kick The Emotional Spending Habit

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to stop emotional spending today!

We’ve all been there.  We had a hard day at work.  Life is feeling stressful.  We are looking for something, anything to take our minds off of the worries of the world.  Soooo….we turn to shopping.  Anyone else see themselves in this scenario???  Just me???  It has taken me years to learn how to stop emotional spending, and now I get to share what I have learned with you.

If you are unsure if you are an emotional spender or not, take a quick look at the list below.

You Might Be An Emotional Spender If….

  • You shop because you are bored.
  • Spending makes you feel fulfilled.
  • You feel guilty after shopping.
  • Shopping makes you feel happier.
  • You go over budget regularly.
  • You hide purchases from family members.

Do any of these sound like you??  Well, the good news is that you can kick this bad habit to the curb.  It is possible to cure your emotional shopping!  Today I am sharing how to stop emotional spending!

how can i stop emotional shopping

How You Can Stop Emotional Spending

1.  Identify Emotional Spending Triggers.

The first step to stop emotional spending is to find out what emotions are causing you to shop.  Once you can pin point the exact emotion, you will be closer to overcoming it.

The easiest way to identify your emotional spending is to pay attention to the feelings you have while shopping.  Are you shopping after a disagreement?  Do you feel jealous of someone and are trying to buy items to keep up?

Take notes of the feelings you find.  Write these down and start paying attention to the actions that follow each of the emotions.  When you find yourself at the store after feeling one of the emotions that you wrote down, stop yourself.  Remind yourself that what you are feeling will not be cured from spending.

2.  Shop With Cash

My number one secret to avoiding impulse shopping is to leave your debit card at home and shop with cash envelopes.  If the cash is gone, you can’t buy anything.

Cash envelopes can really help with emotional spending as well.  When the emotions start coming you might find yourself tempted to start shopping, however, if your debit card is stashed away and your cash is gone….you will have no money to spend!  Try it!!

3.  Stick to the List

Start getting into the habit of  making a shopping list.  If you shop with a list you will be much less likely to impulse buy other items.

The next time you want to go shopping, stop yourself first and make a list.  Write down exactly what you need to buy (need is the key word here).

Commit to only buying what is on the list and nothing else.  If you are feeling emotional this might be difficult to do, but stay strong.  Promise yourself a reward (free reward) if you can stick to your list all month.

4.  Find a New Coping Mechanism

We already identified your emotional spending triggers in step 1, now it’s time to find new ways to cope with these feelings.

If you are shopping because you are bored…..find a new hobby.  Something that will keep your mind simulated and busy.  Maybe this could even be a hobby that will earn you money with these side hustle ideas.

Or maybe you shop when you are feeling a lot of stress?  Find a new stress reliever.  This might be exercising or a warm bubble bath.

It doesn’t matter what you choose to help you cope, as long as you are finding something that doesn’t involve spending money.

5.  Make it Hard to Spend

Stores are really great at making it easy for us as consumers to spend money, which is great…..except for if you have a spending problem!  Go through these few easy steps to make it harder on yourself to spend money.

  • Leave the Debit/Credit Cards at home.

Just don’t even bring your cards with you.  If they are at home, you can’t use them….making spending much harder!

  • Delete Debit/Credit card info from store websites.

Take all of your saved credit or debit card info off of store websites.  Having to manually enter in the information each time you want to make a purchase gives you that extra moment to pause and decide if you truly need to buy it.

  • Keep your savings in a separate bank.

Transfer your money into a separate account or bank and make it harder to touch.  Keep your budgeted spending money in your checking account, while putting the savings and sinking funds into an account that is not connected to your debit card.  This makes getting the money out that much harder.

6.  Unsubscribe from Store Email Lists

There was a time when my email inbox was full of “50% off at this store” ads.  These sales were a huge spending trigger for me.  Especially during times when I was bored.  I would often find myself spending hours browsing this sale and that sale and before I knew it I had spent to much.

The solution?  I started unsubscribing from every store email I received.  It was no longer in my face tempting me during my boredom moments.

If you find yourself consistently spending through these sales emails….try unsubscribing.  It is so freeing!  If you don’t know the sale is happening, you won’t feel sad missing out on it!

7.  Distract Yourself

Find something to do that will distract you from emotional spending.

You might want to sign up for a class, read a new book, or find a hobby.  Choose something that will peak your passions and help you focus on something other than spending.

Starting this little blog has been a great distraction for me.  I am so busy typing and learning that I rarely have time to shop.  My bank account (and husband) thanks me….and all of you readers!

8.  Use the 48 Hour Rule

The 48 Hour Rule has saved me time and time again.  It’s simple to follow really.  When you find something you want to buy, but it is an unplanned purchase, WAIT for 48 hours before buying.

The 48 hours gives you time to decide if you truly want to buy the item and time to research if you can find a better deal somewhere else.

9 times out of 10 I realize I actually did not want to buy it in the first place.  But, sometimes, after 48 hours I go back into the store and buy it…..and there is nothing wrong with that!

Start living by the 48 hour rule….I promise you will thank me later!

9.  Find a Support System

All emotional spenders need an accountability buddy!  An accountability buddy will call you out on your spending mistakes, encourage you to stay strong and be there for you when you are feeling tempted.

When I have used an accountability partner we committed to calling each other whenever we were tempted to spend money.  This friend would then talk to me about the emotions I was feeling and help me find a different way to cope.  And, I would do the same for her.

I honestly never wanted to both her…..so I really quit spending!!!  It worked like a charm!

Having someone who you will hold you accountable will help you stay within budget and stop unnecessary spending.

In Conclusion

You can kick your emotional spending to the curb.  Pick a few of these suggestions and start implementing them today!  The sooner you begin working through these steps, the sooner you will have more money in your wallet!

Pin this article for future reference:

how to quit shopping emotionally

quit emotional spending

You can stop emotional spending today!

 

 

 

Have More Money With The Cash Envelope System

By: Sweet Frugal Life11 Comments

How to Save Big Using the Cash Envelope System.

I remember when I first heard about the cash envelope system years ago.  I was so judgmental, so snobby about the whole idea.

“Ew!  What a stifling way to live,” I responded to my husband.

Growing up is such a good thing.  I now use cash envelopes proudly.  There is no shame on my face as I pull out money from each envelope and can pay for my purchases with zero guilt.

It was a few years ago when I finally changed the way I was spending money.  I decided to quit using my debit card for purchases and try only using cash.

I’ll be honest, I did not think this change would make much of a difference.  I am a little bit prideful and a lot of stubborn and I really felt that I was strong enough to spend smartly with my debit card.

It only took one month of paying with cash to realize that I was so so wrong!  I couldn’t believe how quickly my wad of cash depleted.  It was a huge wake up call as I watched my cash fly out of the envelope in what felt like an instant.

I still use my credit card on a lot purchases….it does EARN me money after all.  But, I try to use cash on everything else.  It’s a bit of a hassle, but I know that it saves me a lot of money.

If you are looking for ways to cut back and have more money in your bank account, today I’m sharing with you how cash envelopes will help you do just that!

0C7E7777-B4E8-4D9E-836D-108157A22FE6

Why Use Cash Envelopes?

As I mentioned above, cash envelopes will help you have more money in your bank account?  Why, you might be asking….Well, I will tell you why!

 1. Cash Envelopes Force Discipline

Once your envelope full of cash is gone….it’s gone!  There is no card to swipe, no back door to take.  You simply have no more money for that category.

When I first started using cash envelopes I felt like I had plenty of money at the beginning of each period, so I spent freely.

And, I couldn’t believe how quickly that cash flew out the window.  I found myself with empty cash envelopes waiting impatiently for payday.

Did I want to keep spending?  Absolutely!  But, I couldn’t.  There was literally no money to spend.  This forced me to be discipline, I had no other option.

2.  Cash Envelopes Are Visual

If you are a visual learner, you will really benefit from using cash envelopes.  Watching the cash go from bank, to envelope, to hand, and then to store is very humbling.

It shows you how quickly you might be spending money, and how fast the cash goes.  For some reason it’s not very hard to swipe a credit card….but it’s very hard to visually watch cash leave my hand (anyone else agree???).

3. Cash Envelopes Are a Proven System

The cash envelope system has been used by hundreds of thousands of people for years….and it’s still popular.

The reason?

Because it WORKS!  I have heard a countless number of stories over and over again of people who have seen success while spending with cash, who have gotten out of debt, grew their savings and more.  All because they implemented cash envelopes.

Start With a Budget Meeting

If you are not already having a regular budget meeting, it’s time to schedule one.

A budget meeting is the time when you and your partner (or this can be done by yourself) will sit down and discuss the budget.  You will to look through the previous months budget, discuss any successes and failures, and then make a new budget for the upcoming month.

Schedule this into your calendar, otherwise….they probably will not happen!  We like to have our budget meeting on the last Friday of every month.

Setting Up Your Cash Envelopes

The budget meeting is also when we decide how much money we will put in each cash envelope for the new month.  The cash envelope categories do change regularly, based upon what needs/expenses we currently have.

Our most common cash envelopes are:  clothing, house expenses, pet food, children’s extra curricular activities, groceries, fun and other.

We also have an “other” category for any extra expenses that come up throughout the month.  We have NEVER had a month go by without something coming up that we forgot to budget for.  Always make sure you have an “other” envelope.

F407503A-28F6-4E34-93BB-21160C41C3A8

Once you have your budgeted amount, go to the bank, withdraw the amount of money you will need and start stuffing my envelopes (this is the fun part!).

You do not need fancy envelopes, you can use them if you want….but they are not necessary.  We use boring cheap white envelopes and just write the names of each category on the front.

Now that you have your cash, simply put your budgeted amounts into it’s corresponding envelope.

 

Making Cash Envelopes Work

This money will need to last you for the entire time of your budget.  In many cases this will be paycheck to paycheck, we budget our cash monthly.

Remember to watch these envelopes closely.  Spend with caution and be aware of any upcoming expenses you might have later on in the month.

To track my cash spending I like to use a simple note card, stuffed into my envelope alongside the cash.  This is my “mini-budget” where I take note of all expenses and income for that particular envelope (yes, one note card per envelope).

Once the month (or pay period) is over you will repeat the process.

If you have any extra money in your envelope you can do a few different things with it.

1. Keep It There

You can keep the extra cash where it’s at, and for the next month you will have MORE money in that envelope.  This is a great way to save up for something big.

2. Use It Wisely

If you have debt that you are trying to pay off, or any big expenses, you can use this extra cash to help you reach your goals quicker.  Throw that money at your debt, or contribute to your retirement fund.  Use it in a way that will help you  most!

3. Spend It

Even frugal people love to treat themselves every now and then.  If you have extra cash leftover, there is nothing wrong with buying yourself a little reward.  We all need to celebrate!

how to use cash envelope system

Cash Envelope FAQ

Do you still have questions about cash envelopes?  I get it!  Here are a few of my most asked questions, and how I answer them.

Do you worry carrying around that much cash?

I definitely don’t just leave this amount of cash laying around for the world to see.  But, I have never worried much.

The cash envelopes stay home 90% of the time.  The only time I might bring one with me is if I need it for a particular purchase.

For example, last week I went to Target to buy my daughter some shoes.  (I am a recovering Target addict by the way…..).  Before I left I grabbed our “Clothing” envelope, and nothing else.

I used this envelope to pay for the shoes.  And, because I didn’t have any other envelopes with me I wasn’t tempted to impulse shop.  Woo-Hoo!

Can you “borrow” from one envelope for another?

Personally, I am fairly loose with the envelopes and will occasionally switch some of the cash around in the envelopes mid-month.

This probably should be a practice used sparingly, but I think it is a personal decision.  Always do what works best for you and your budget goals.

What if I buy something online?

There is no getting around the fact that we live in an online world.  More people are shopping online now than ever before.

You can still use cash envelopes AND shop online.  Here’s how I make it work.

Let’s say I had $50 in my clothing cash envelope.

And then I spend $30 on clothes while shopping online.

I will then take the $30 from my clothing cash envelope and put it into another envelope I have labeled “bank.”  This leaves me $20 for clothing.

The bank envelope sits tucked away at home, not to be touched.  When the new month rolls around and it’s time to re-stuff cash envelopes I take the money from the “bank” envelope and use it to help distribute to the envelopes.  Any other cash I need I will get taken out of the real bank.

 

Cash Envelopes will save you big bucks

I highly recommend everyone at least TRYING doing most of their spending with cash each month and see how much less you spend.  It truly opened my eyes to my spending habits!  Let me know if you have any questions about how to use the cash envelope system!

Pin this article for future reference:

cash envelope system for beginners

You might also be interested in these related articles:

How to Recover your Budget From a day of Impulse Shopping

Budgeting for Beginners: FAQ

Overspending Triggers and Solutions

I hope this helped you learn how to use cash envelope system.

Honest Review of TurboTax Live

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

File your taxes with confidence using TurboTax Live!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of TurboTax.  All opinions are my own.

The time of year is always a little stressful for me.  I know it’s time to prepare taxes, but this is honestly a topic I feel unsure about.  When I came across TurboTax Live this year, I was so impressed with how easy it made the entire process!  Here is my full TurboTax Live review.

What is TurboTax Live?

TurboTax Live is tax filing software with REAL human Certified Public Accounts (CPAs) available to answer your tax questions, check your taxes, and help you throughout the entire tax filing process.

Why Should I Use TurboTax Live?

With TurboTax Live you get MORE than just tax filing software.  You get a true tax expert right by your side.  This takes all of the guesswork out of taxes.

Have you ever done your taxes and second-guessed everything???  When you just wished you had someone to help you through it!

I have definitely felt this way!  Well, TurboTax Live takes all of this stress away!

The CPAs will review your taxes, answer any question you have, give advice and make sure your taxes are done correctly.

After checking with your CPA on TurboTax Live you can file knowing you are getting your maximum refund!  (which we all know is what we want, right???)

How does TurboTax Live Work?

It’s really simple actually.

  • Just go to the TurboTax website here.
  • Select the choices that apply to you, don’t forget to choose TurboTax Live.
  • Follow the easy to understand steps to complete your taxes.

The software is user-friendly and easy to understand.  If there is ever a time when you don’t understand a question, or are confused about how to answer simply click on “Live Help.”

Here you will be given the opportunity to ask your question, and then choose how you would like that question answered.

You can request to “Chat with a Specialist”, “Talk with a Specialist”, “Schedule a Call” or “Ask the Community.”

I was able to receive answers to each of my questions quickly through the chat option.  It was extremely comforting to know that I could ask a tax specialist who has experience and knowledge in an area that I sometimes feel unsure about.

The entire experience was very straightforward and easy to follow!

Filing Your Taxes With TurboTax Live

Once you have finished filling out all the necessary tax documents and questions it is time to file.

This is always the scariest part for me.  The questions begin coming to mind, “Did I do everything right?”  “Did I miss a step?” “What if I forgot something important?”.

When using TurboTax Live all of that worry and concern is gone.

With one click of a button, your taxes will be checked in detail, line by line.  This simple step helps you to know that your taxes were done correctly.

When I had my taxes “Reviewed” a few mistakes were found.  So, I was offered the opportunity to set up an appointment for a phone call with a tax expert to help me fix these problems.

I mean, how cool is that?!?!?  The coolest!

Who is TurboTax Live For?

TurboTax Live is for you if:

  • Filing your taxes feels stressful.
  • You want extra guidance and tax advice from an expert.
  • Having your taxes checked thoroughly before filing is important to you.
  • You want the confidence that you are getting your guaranteed maximum refund.

TurboTax Live is NOT for you if:

  • You have full confidence in filing your own taxes.
  • You prefer a hands-off approach to taxes.

In Conclusion

TurboTax Live is the way to go for all things taxes.  As I went through the software, plugging in our numbers and forms I couldn’t believe how easy it was!

I finally felt like I knew what I was doing!  And, those few times I felt a little unsure, a tax expert was always available to help!

I couldn’t have asked for anything more!

Try TurboTax Live out yourself by clicking here!

honest review of turbotax live - file taxes at home

how to easily file your own taxes

Let me know if you filed your taxes using TurboTax Live!

Top Secrets For Living On One Income

By: Sweet Frugal Life20 Comments

How to save money as a stay at home mom.

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a stay at home mom.  I struggled choosing a career path in high school and college because I only had dreams of being a mom.  I knew it would be hard to be a mom while living on one income, but I was determined to make it happen.

I have been living my dream for 15 years now and I am so grateful.  My husband is a good and hard worker, but he is also a blue collar worker and he does not earn a large paycheck.

It’s not always easy to be a stay at home mom when I know that our financial situation could be much better if I would go to work.

We have had many financial ups and downs and I have had to learn to change from a natural SPENDER to a SAVER.  It has not always been easy, but I have learned a few things along the way to make it more doable.

Today I am sharing my secrets for living on one income!

This post does contain affiliate links.  I will be compensated for purchases made through my links.  Thanks for supporting my little business!

12618D2A-3BDD-4FD4-A9E7-5F87984A65D8

Secret #1:  Stay at Home Moms contribute to finances

As a Stay At Home Mom (SAHM), I do not earn a physical paycheck, we are living on one income after all.  But, that does not mean that I don’t contribute to the family finances.

I consider it a large part of my job to stretch my husbands paycheck as far as I can.  A stay at home moms paycheck comes in the form of saving money, budgeting smartly, spending less instead of more.  Taking this part of my job seriously has helped us to save more and live more contently.

Money saving tricks for

Secret #2:  Make a Budget and Stick to it

One of the most important parts of saving more money at home is by making a budget.  This budget will help you keep track of your income and expenses.  It’s important to refer to it often to be sure you are not over spending.

At the end of every month we have a “Budget Meeting” where my husband and I sit down and discuss our finances and make our budget for the next month.

It is not always easy to stick to this budget (especially not at first).  But the more we kept working on it, the easier it has become and the more freedom we have felt.

Having this budget keeps my money in check AND gives me freedom to spend without feeling guilty.  We prefer to spend most of our money using cash, and that has helped us spend so much less!

Secret #3:  Do NOT spend a lot of Money on Kids Clothes

As a new mom I use to love buying cute dresses, outfits and accessories for my baby girl.  There are so many colors and fun items to choose from, I mean who wouldn’t get a little carried away?!?

But, when living on one income I learned quickly that my money is not going to go far if I continued with that habit.  Once I actually looked at my budget, I couldn’t believe how much money I was wasting on kids clothing.

Kids grow out of clothes so very quickly, they spend most of their time playing outside getting their clothes dirty…..and honestly, most kids (especially younger kids) do not care how much their clothes cost or what brand they are wearing.  So why spend the big bucks on them???

Here’s a few ways you can save money on kids clothing:

1.  Save Everything

If you are planning on having more children, save all of your kids clothes.  That way when the next child comes you will already have plenty of clothing that you can use again.

I organized all my children’s old clothes into boxes (diaper boxes work great for this!).  If you are concerned about storage space try this under bed storage and keep the clothing under your child’s bed.  To keep the clothes organized label each box by the age and gender of the clothing.

2.  Buy USED!

There are so many high quality, gently used kids clothing options available.  And buying used is usually less than half the price of buying brand new.

My favorite option is a local children’s consignment store.  Check to see if you have one in your area and stop by regularly.  Some days I leave without buying anything, but other days I leave with a bag full of like-new name brand items.

A few other places to find used kids clothing are thrift stores, garage sales, facebook marketplace and ebay.  Remember, when shopping used, check often!

3.  Shop off Season

New clothes will be heavily discounted at the end of each season.

In the spring you can find winter clothes for cheap and in the fall summer clothes have big discounts.

Buy a size up from what your child is wearing currently and save it for them to wear the next year.  It’s always fun to pull these out each season.

4.  Sell Clothes That Kids Grow Out Of

If you aren’t planning on having any other children and your kids have grown out of their clothes,  SELL the clothing.

I have had a lot of luck selling kids clothing at consignment stores, facebook marketplace and garage sales.  If you are going to get rid of them anyways you might as well make a few bucks right!?!

5.  Shop at Discount Clothing Stores

Try to get into the habit of shopping at discount clothing stores.  I personally love Ross and TJ Maxx.  These stores have high quality clothing, but for a really great price.

Shopping at these stores is a bit like a treasure hunt, you never know what will be in stock, but there is no better feeling than finding the perfect outfit for the best price!

Secret #4:  Meal Plan

Every week on Sundays you will find me with my pen and paper and planning out our weekly menu.  A meal plan will help stop the temptation to buy take out, and encourages eating at home, which is much cheaper than eating out.

When making your weekly Meal Plan look through ads at your local grocery stores to see what the stores have on sale.  Try to plan your meal plan around those sales.  It takes time, but it saves a lot of money.  You know the saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”  Make a plan!

 

 

Secret #5:  Cook from Scratch

Cook from scratch as often as possible.  I still throw a frozen lasagna into the oven occasionally, but I have learned that the more I cook from scratch the more money I will save.

If you struggle having enough time for cooking, browse pinterest for instant pot recipes and crock pot recipes.  I use these regularly and they have stopped me from buying take out food many times!

Encourage your kids to help in the kitchen.  It makes it a little more fun and easier if the kids help out too.  We love to turn on some tunes, dance and laugh together while we cook.

Secret #6:  Travel Frugally

Traveling is a fun way for families to build bonds and make memories.  But, you do not need a fancy expensive vacation to make memories.  Explore areas nearby for your family vacation.  Become tourists in your own area.

For example, you could go camping at a nearby National Park, spend a couple of nights at a hotel for a “Staycation”, or explore a few local museums.

Join Groupon and look regularly for deals that you can use as a family.  Your town just might be more interesting than you originally thought, and your kids will appreciate the extra time spent together.

Secret#7:  Consult Pinterest cautiously

As a mom Pinterest is my go-to resource for finding kid activities and recipes.  However, if you are trying to save money you should view Pinterest cautiously.

Pinterest is full of wonderful helpful ideas, however it can also be far to easy to get swept away with the fancy home decor and lavish birthday parties.  The “keeping up the Joneses” can come out strong on this website.

Enjoy your time browsing Pinterest, but be careful not to get swept away in the pins that will end up only costing you more money.

Secret #8:  The best things in life are actually free

Sometimes it’s hard to see others going on exotic vacations and buying fancy new vehicles.  But, I have learned that the best things in life are actually free.

Try to find joy and contentment in the simple things in your life.  Going on a family bike ride, dancing in the kitchen, and snuggling with my kids while reading books are all moments that I will treasure forever.

No amount of money is worth more than these quiet times with my children.  When we learn to find joy in these special free moments (something I am constantly working on) those lavish experiences won’t seem near as tempting.

Living on One Income Conclusion

It is possible to be a stay at home mom and live well while only on one income.  It will require some sacrifice and extra work, but it has been so worth it in my life.

Being able to be with my kiddos every day, reading them books, packing their lunchboxes, helping in their classrooms, playing with them at the park, has been a dream come true.

I understand that this way of life may not be the best fit for everyone, but it my dream and my heart.  And I’m so glad we have made the financial sacrifices to make it happen!

Liked what you read?  Remember to pin it for future reference!

tips for living on one income for stay at home moms

how to live well while on one low income

 

Related Articles:

Fun Birthday Traditions for Small Budgets

12 Side Hustles for Stay at Home Moms

15 Free Spring Break Activities for Kids

I hope this article helps you to save more money while living on one income.

21 Free and Frugal Kids Educational Websites

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The best learning websites for kids!

I’m not a huge fan of kids screen time, but I do allow my kids a few hours each week.  However, I do encourage educational websites.  If they are going to be sitting in front of a screen, hopefully they can learn something at the same time!

This article contains affiliate links.  I may receive compensation from purchases made through links in this post.

Who are Educational Websites For?

I think any child can benefit from a few educational websites.  These are great resources to supplement home school lessons, give kids an extra boost of knowledge, and to help keep their minds active over the summer months.

My son is always telling me about a new sound he learned from one of his learning websites.  It makes me so happy to know these are helping him learn and progress.

 

 

best websites to help kids learn

Educational Websites for Younger Kids

1.  PBS Kids

PBS Kids is a favorite website at our house.  It is stock full of fun games and activities.  My kids love being able to play games related to their favorite TV characters, and I love that they are learning while they are playing!

The best best part (in my opinion) of PBS Kids is the Parents Section.  This section of the website is stocked full of resources to help us as parents guide and educate our kids.  From social skills to science and everything in between PBS Parents is my go to website for inspiration in helping my kids achieve their full potential.

2.  Starfall

Geared towards younger kids (preschool-3rd grade), Starfall has fun games to help your kids learn how to read.

This is actually one website that my kids teachers always recommend, and I do notice a huge difference in their progress when they are using it.

3.  ABC Mouse

ABC Mouse does cost money ($9.95/month), but it really is amazing!  The games are best suited for kids ages 2-7 and is the perfect way to give them a jump start on reading, colors, math and more.

We have used it off and on for years, and I am always impressed by the variety of activities, the high educational aspect and the fact that my kids ENJOY playing games that are helping them learn!

You can try ABC Mouse for free for the first month.  This is a great offer to help you decide if it’s worth the small monthly investment or not.

4.  Storyline Online

Storyline Online is a fun website where actors read aloud children’s books.  We just had a cute book read to us by the beautiful Betty White.

Surrounding kids with books is so good for their brain, and Storline Online helps you do that.  I especially love that the books all have closed captioning; this is a good way to help kids learn to read.

5.  Seussville

If you are a Dr.Seuss fan that you will love the Seussville website.  It has some really cute videos and games for kids to enjoy.  There aren’t a lot of activities for kids, but all of the games provided are cute and whimsical…in true Dr.Seuss fashion!

6.  Sesame Street

I love all things Sesame Street, so of course I’m recommending the Sesame Street Website.  It’s full of fun, educational games, videos and activities.

My kids especially love the art section.  It’s fun to color, create and then print out their own picture….complete with their favorite Sesame Street characters!

cheap websites to use for homeschooling

Educational Websites for Older Kids

7.  National Geographic Kids

If your child is an animal lover, than they will love exploring on National Geographic Kids.  This website is full of fun animal facts, games and videos.

National Geographic Kids is best for older kids, ages 8-12.  We have used this website for school projects or reports and the information is all very interesting.

8.  Switch Zoo

Switch Zoo is another fun website dedicated to educating kids about animals.  Older kids will enjoy learning new facts about their favorite animals, creating their own animal, and exploring the other games and articles.

9.  Youngzine

For the news and fact lover Youngzine will be a huge hit!  It is basically a news website, but for kids!  It has content about current events and interesting tidbits, all told in a fun way to keep it entertaining.

10.  Money Confident Kids

To help your kids understand finances, budgeting and all things money I recommend checking out the Money Confident Kids Website.  It has easy to follow lessons and fun games to help kids understand the best ways to manage money and plan for their future.

I have a full review of Money Confident Kids here.  It’s done wonders for helping my kids understand the financial world, plus it’s free!

11.  Adventure Academy

Adventure Academy was created by the same makers of ABC Mouse, but for kids aged 8-13.  Through a full interactive experience Adventure Academy gives kids access to a “virtual school” that can be customized for their own needs and preferences.

Your kids will find lessons on math, reading, science and more.  The coolest part of Adventure Academy is that three kids within the SAME household can play the game together at the exact same time, so fun right!?!  This makes the experience even more fun because you are able to interact with your family in a different environment.

Adventure Academy costs $9.99/month, but you can try it out for free using this link!


First Month Free!

12.  Smithsonian Learning Lab

We have had a lot of fun exploring the Smithsonian Learning Lab website. It’s full of useful information and interesting pictures and articles.

I especially love that the kids can create collections of the things they find interesting.  It’s a great way for them to learn how to study and research.

My daughter wanted to learn more about Egyptian Pyramids, after just one quick search she found many interesting pictures and articles.

13.  Interactive Constitution

Encourage your kids to learn more about US History using the Interactive Constitution website.  This website is best suited for older kids to help them understand the importance of the constitution.

I especially loved the Civil Dialogue toolkit and think it would be helpful for teachers to encourage good constitution discussions.

fun educational websites for kids

Educational Websites For All Ages

14.  Make Me Genius

Make science fun and interesting with the Make Me Genius website.  It’s full of science videos, fun jokes for kids, and other interesting facts.

Kids ages kindergarten-7th grade will enjoy this very educational website.

15.  Reading IQ

How amazing would it be to offer your children access to over 7,000 books with just the click of your fingertip?

Well, with Reading IQ, that is exactly what you get!  With a $7.99 monthly fee you will be given access to a library full of reading materials perfect for all children between the ages of 2-12.

A subscription with Reading IQ includes a collection of audio books, popular favorites, and more.  This is a great resource for home schoolers, road trips, or summertime.

Use this link to get your first month of Reading IQ for free!


Get 30 Days Free of RIQ!

16.  ABC Ya

ABC Ya is another favorite at our house.  The website is very user friendly, full of fun books, games and other activities.

Your younger child will learn about numbers and letters, while your older child will have activities about fractions, strategies and more.  There is something for everyone aged Kindergarten-6th grade.

The other huge plus to ABC Ya is it’s free (you can’t beat free!), you can buy a subscription for $9.99/month, but we prefer the free version.  I’ve had multiple elementary teachers recommend this site to me, and we love it!

17.  Fun Brain

Another great, FREE website is Fun Brain.  It has games, books (including Diary of a Wimpy Kid), and videos to watch.  My kids just watched a funny video today from this website called, “How To Deal With Annoying Siblings.”  They loved it!

18.  Highlights Kids

Did you know that the incredible Highlights is more than just a magazine?  The Highlights Kids website is full of educational activities, jokes, and games.

My son was playing on this website a few weeks ago and loved the video all about trains.  We both learned so much!

Best of all, Highlights Kids is free!  This is truly one of my favorites and think all parents should check it out.

19.  Kahn Academy

Kahn Academy is honestly one of the best free educational websites out there.  They provide lessons for kids ages K-8th grade ranging in subjects from math, science to history.  But, the main focus is math.

This is a great website if your child is needing some supplemental lessons and help.  I also really like the parents section.  It has given me a lot of good information so that I can better help my kids learn and understand.

20.  Education.com

I was so impressed with Education.com, I actually had to double check to make sure it was free….and it is!

This amazing website has learning worksheets and games for kids aged preschool-5th grade.  It is a treasure trove of resources for parents and teachers.

21.  BrainPOP

BrainPOP is a fun website with games, videos, lessons and more about many school subjects and interests.  I love that it goes beyond the math and reading to include subjects like engineering, art, and science.

They even have a BrainPopJr. website if you are looking for a similar version, but for younger kids.

In Conclusion

There are so many wonderful resources out there that do not require us to spend a lot of money.  A child’s education is so important, and I love helping those young minds learn and grow.

I hope you find a website that your kids will learn from and love!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Privacy Policy

Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer