Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

What Is The Debt Snowball Method?

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Tips for paying off debt with Dave Ramsey’s Debt Snowball.

Are you trying to pay off debt, but have no idea where to even begin???  First, you should know that you are not alone!  According to Debt.org, the average American has over $90,000 worth of debt.  This amount includes all debts, such as home mortgages, credit card debt and student loans.  But, there is hope!  You can become debt free!  It isn’t easy, but it is possible.  There are many tried and true methods for paying off debt, and one that I personally recommend is The Debt Snowball method.  I’m excited to share all about Dave Ramsey’s debt snowball in this article.

What Is The Debt Snowball?

The Debt Snowball method was first made popular by finance expert, Dave Ramsey and focuses on both the psychology and financial parts of paying off debt.  I love that it was designed as a way to help you gain confidence with paying off debt.  The idea is that as you pay off your smaller debts first you will become more excited and motivated to pay off the larger ones, which in turn helps you see more success.

How To Pay Off Debt Using The Debt Snowball

Alrighty, let’s get into the debt snowball nitty gritty!  The steps are simple really!

Step 1:  List debts in order of smallest to largest.

This first step to using the debt snowball is to make a list of all of your debts and put them in order from the smallest amount owed to the largest amount.  Remember, the interest rates of each debt does not matter, only the least amount owed.

This is the part when many people get confused.  It doesn’t always make sense financially to ignore the interest rates, but remember that the debt snowball is about psychology and finances!  The debt snowball is trying to help grow your confidence and motivation.  Choosing to pay off your smaller debt first motivates you to keep working towards debt freedom.

For Example

Here is an example of what your debts might look like when making your list:

  • $800 Credit Card with 7% interest
  • $5,000 Car Loan with 5% interest
  • $25,000 Student Loan with 15% interest

Step 2:  Pay extra on your smallest debt, while continuing to make minimum payments on other debts.

Now that you have put your debts in order from smallest to largest, it’s time to start paying them off.

If we use the above example of debts, that would mean that you would try to pay off the credit card debt first, because it has the smallest amount owed. 

  • $800 Credit Card with 7% interest
  • $5,000 Car Loan with 5% interest
  • $25,000 Student Loan with 15% interest

Keep paying the minimum payments on all other debts, but try to put ANY extra money that comes your way to paying off this first debt.  The more money you can throw at this debt, the sooner you will be able to pay it off and move to the next debt on the list.

A few ways you can find extra money to pay off your debt include:

  • Starting a side hustle to earn more money
  • Cutting a few items out of your budget

Related:  101 Ways To Save More Money

Step 3:  Pay extra on next smallest debt, while continuing to make minimum payments on other debts.

Once your smallest debt is paid off, it’s time to move to the next debt on your list.  You will now focus on paying off debt #2, while paying the minimum payment on all other debts.  

This is where the “snowball” effect starts to happen!  To pay off debt #2 you will use all of the extra money you were paying towards your first debt and the minimum amount you were already paying for this loan.

For Example:

  • $800 Credit Card with 7% interest:  Paying $200/month
  • $5,000 Car Loan with 5% interest:  Paying $100/month
  • $25,000 Student Loan with 15% interest

Again, referring to the debt examples from above, the next smallest debt will be the car loan.  You were paying $200 to the credit card and $100 to the car loan each month.  Combine these totals together to pay $300 each month towards the car loan.  You are officially “snowballing!”  Yay!

Step 4:  Repeat step 3.

Continue to repeat step 3 until all of your debts are paid off.  You got this!!!

Step 5:  Celebrate!

Once you have paid off all debts it’s time to celebrate!  Yes!  Celebrating your debt freedom is a very important part of the debt snowball method! 

Paying off debt is NOT an easy task, it takes a lot of hard work, patience, and sacrifice.  You deserve to be celebrated for this huge effort!  Go out to your favorite restaurant, invite some friends over, or do something that makes you happy!

Pros of the Debt Snowball Method

There are so many wonderful benefits to using the debt snowball when paying off debt. 

The debt snowball:

  • Motivates you as you watch the small debts disappear quickly.
  • Builds confidence as you find success with paying off your smaller debts,
  • Is simple and easy to implement.

Cons Of The Debt Snowball Method

While, I do love the debt snowball and highly recommend it, it does come with one big con.

The biggest con to using the Debt Snowball is that there is a possibility you will end up having to pay more money on debts.  This is all because you aren’t paying off the debt with the highest interest first.

If you choose to pay off a debt with only 2% interest and wait to pay off the debt with 15% interest, you are having to pay that extra interest rate longer, making it cost more in the long run.

This big con doesn’t make sense for a lot of people, and that’s ok.  Not everyone needs the psychology that the debt snowball offers.  Personal finance is personal, and if you need to adjust debt payoff methods to make them work for you, do it!

Is The Debt Snowball Right For you?

The debt snowball method is for you if:

  • You are trying to pay off debt.
  • You keep losing motivation with your debt free journey.
  • You need an easy to follow and understand debt free method.

Let me know if you any other questions about this debt payoff method.  I’m always happy to answer them in the comments or through a message!  It won’t be easy, but I promise your hard work and effort will be worth it!  There is no better feeling than that debt free feeling!

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I hope this article answered your question what is the debt snowball method!

How To Stop Overspending

By: Sweet Frugal Life8 Comments

Overspending Triggers and Solutions.

Some days I feel like my spending habits are right on point.  I am sticking to my budget, spending wisely, and stashing lots of money away into savings…….But then, I have other days when I just STRUGGLE and completely forget how to stop overspending! 

I find myself shopping impulsively, buying things without even checking the budget and using a “I want it, so I get to have it” mindset.  Does ANYONE else have this happen????

Obviously I know I shouldn’t spend this way.  Yet, I tend to ignore the voice of reason and spend.

I have learned that these overspending urges are usually the result of a trigger.  SOMETHING going on in my life (usually emotionally for me 😉 ) that causes me to want to overspend.

True Story….

The other day I got that urge to SPEND.  Like, really really spend.  I wanted to buy decorations for my home and I wanted to buy myself a few new shirts and I wanted to go out to eat and I wanted to take my daughters on a back to school shopping spree.

Fortunately, I was able to stop myself from spending this time, but I found myself wondering “What caused this spending trigger?  Why am I feeling the sudden urge to spend, when I know better?”

In this particular moment I was feeling frustrated; frustrated by my budget, and frustrated with the amount of money I am “allowed” to spend each month. 

I just wanted to throw the budget in the garbage and show that budget who’s boss.  I wanted to prove that I can spend what I want and when I want!

This is not healthy!  I need to be friends with my budget!  I knew then that something needed to change.

As a parent, I tend to always budget money for my kids instead of budgeting money for me.  Which I am HAPPY to do for them, but I was limiting myself to much.  I realized that when I am to limited, I get tempted to spend.

So, I decided to change my budget.  Next month I will be budgeting more money for my personal spending money.  I am hoping that by doing this it will eliminate that trigger and will help decrease the spending urges.

We all have different spending triggers and recognizing these triggers is the first step in learning how to stop overspending.

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Today I am going to share with you a few overspending triggers and and the solution to go with it!  I encourage you to pick out a few of your personal spending triggers and come up with a solution to help you overcome it.

How To Stop Overspending

The first step to stop overspending is to recognize what triggers you to spend money.  Here are a few suggestions of situations when you might be tempted to overspend.

1.  Spending Trigger:  Boredom

Maybe your spending trigger is boredom.  You might find yourself stopping by stores or browsing online just because you need something to fill your time.  You are using shopping as a form of entertainment, rather than as a means of buying things that you need.

Solution:

The best way to stop shopping for entertainment is to find a new (cheap) hobby.  Find something that will fill up your spare time and give you a sense of purpose.  If you need some accountability, ask a friend to join you in this hobby. 

A few cheap hobbies include:  running, biking, walking, painting, sewing, crafting, reading, baking, etc.

You could even turn your hobby into a side hustle and have it make you money!  Here are a few side hustle ideas to get you started.

2.  Spending Trigger: Lack of Confidence

Many people shop because they are struggling with a lack of confidence.  You know the phrase, “keeping up with the Joneses” is a real true sentiment.  It’s so easy to look at your neighbors, friends, and others around you and feel like you want to dress like them, look like them, and have what they have.

Unfortunately, this feeling of trying to keep up causes us to overspend and buy items impulsively.  If you find your confidence growing with each new purchase, this might be one of your triggers.

True Story:

Many years ago I went shopping with my sister in laws on Christmas Eve.  They had a few items they still needed to buy for Christmas, so I joined them at the store.  I had all of my Christmas shopping done, but was going along for moral support.

Well, as they shopped and I watched what they bought for their kids, I started feeling insecure about what my kids were getting that year for Christmas.

So, I started impulsively grabbing this and that, trying to keep up.  I began lacking confidence in my previous gift choices, and so spent more than I should have.

Solution:

It’s so important for all of us to develop true self confidence.  We need confidence that doesn’t stem from the size of house we live in, the clothes we wear, or the amount of things we own.

Try reading a few self help books from the library to help you learn more about growing your own confidence.

The next time you want to buy something ask yourself, “Am I buying this because it will make me feel better about myself or because I need it?”  This self reflection can really be helpful in making smart money decisions.

3.  Spending Trigger: Shopping as Therapy

Do you find yourself at the store on the day you are feeling upset or emotional about something in your life?  This is one of the most common shopping triggers.

Shopping can give us a short sense of euphoria, making those really tough emotions temporarily disappear.

Solution:

Find a new way to deal with your emotions.  You might want to go for a run or walk.  Or maybe call a friend and vent to them for a few minutes.  Turn on the TV and watch your favorite movie.  Find something to help you get through the rough moment, that doesn’t involve spending.

I have found when I am feeling emotional a nice long hot bath really helps me relax and forget about the stressful day.

4.  Trigger: Jealousy

Do you get jealous when you see things that your friends or family members are buying?  Or maybe all of the social media influencers you follow seem to live a “better” life than yours, so you buy what they have to try to keep up?

I think most people feel like this from time to time, and it is a very similar trigger to lacking self confidence.

Solution:

Honestly, I think the first step to combating jealousy is to develop self confidence in yourself.  While you are working towards this it’s totally OK to distant yourself from the friends you are jealous of.

I have totally unfollowed friends and influencers on social media before because their posts were making me jealous and tempting me to spend.

Try to find a few frugal friends to lean on when you are feeling weak.  Use these frugal friends as your examples of a beautiful life.

5.  Spending Trigger: Sales

One of my personal biggest spending triggers is sales.  I LOVE a good sale.  But, if you are buying something just because it’s on sale, you are using sales incorrectly!

Solution:

One of my frugal rules is:  There Will Always Be Another Sale.  Always.  This is important to remind yourself of often.  So, the next time you are tempted to buy something because “it’s such a good deal,” remember that there will be another good deal.  There is no reason to buy something and overspend in your budget just for that one deal.

Another great tip is to delete your e-mail from all store databases.  This means they won’t be sending you the flashy emails announcing each and every sale.  If you don’t know about the sale, you won’t shop at the sale!  Problem solved!

clearance rack

6.  Spending Trigger: Friends

How many times has a friend invited you to do something that would cause you to overspend on your budget??  I think this happens to everybody at one point or another.

It’s hard to say No to friends.  We don’t want to hurt their feelings or have them take it the wrong way….so often we end agreeing to do things that we can’t afford.

Solution:

Be up front with your friends.  Tell them your spending limits and the activities that you will be able to or won’t be able to participate in.  Kindly ask them to stop inviting you to the activities out of your budget.  But then, in return make sure you invite them to frugal friendly activities so they understand their friendship is important to you.

I truly believe if they are a TRUE friend they will respect you and your budget limits.

In Conclusion

Every single person on this planet has multiple spending triggers.  We all experience these temptations.  However, it is up to us to figure out how to stop overspending and ignore the triggers.

 

Related Articles:

Fix Your Budget After a Day of Impulse Shopping

How To Stop Impulse Buying For Good

How NOT to Be Frugal

 

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I hope this helps you to know how to stop overspending.

 

Free Summer Reading Programs For Kids 2021

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The best kids summer reading programs.

Summer is just around the corner and I can’t wait for the lazy days of summer.  I love the BBQs, the late nights, the snow cones (ohhhh the snow cones) and the lack of schedule.  However, I do NOT like when the kids are bored (because….that usually leads to complaining…and I REALLY don’t like complaining!).  One of the things that I have found to help curb the summer boredom (and complaining) is to sign my kids up for free summer reading programs.  

These fun kids summer reading programs are the perfect way to keep kids busy, learning, entertained and to help prevent the summer slump.  Most of these reading programs offers incentives and prizes which encourages my kids to keep reading throughout the summer months.  They love accomplishing their goals and receiving a fun reward at the end!

I have been searching for a few free summer reading programs to sign my kids up for this year and wanted to share them with each of you!

summer reading programs - best reading programs for kids

2021 Free Summer Reading Programs

If you are looking for some good reading programs for your kids this summer, make sure to check out each of these!

Amazon Summer Reading Challenge

Have your kids join the Amazon Summer Reading Challenge!  All they have to do is read 8 books, write down each book, and then bring the list into any retail Amazon Books store by September 2nd.  After completing this challenge your kids will be rewarded with $1 off their next book purchase!  Which, honestly isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing!

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program

Another fun summer reading program for kids is from Barnes and Noble.  All they have to do is print out this reading journal, read 8 books and fill out the journal during the summer, and then bring the completed journal into a Barnes and Noble store.  Your child will then be able to choose a free book from the free book lists (which always has lots of fun book choices!).  This is one of our favorite programs and have been participating in it for years!

Books-A-Million

Earn a free “Because of Winn-Dixie” notepad from Books-A-Million after completing their reading challenge.  All you have to do is read 4 books from their Summer Reading Adventure picks in store or online.  Track your reading progress in the provided reading guide book and then show your completed book to a Books-A-Million store associate to get your prize!  Easy peasy!

Camp Book-It

Sign your kids up for Camp Book-It through Pizza Hut.  This is a fantastic summer reading program for your kids.  All they have to do is set up a monthly reading goal and track their progress digitally.  Once they reach their goal they will be sent a gift certificate for a free personal pan pizza!

Chuck-E-Cheese

Chuck-E-Cheese offers multiple reward charts for your kids to use to help them meet their goals.  We like to print off this reading chart to encourage the kids to read during summer.  All they have to do is read every day for two weeks and mark it on their chart.  Once their chart is completed they can turn it in to Chuck-E-Cheese for 10 free play points!  (Note:  Food purchase is required to redeem play points).

 

 

Half Price Books

Half Price Books offers two different summer reading programs.  One is for high school aged kids and the other is catered to kids 14 and under. 

The 14 years and under program starts with printing out this reading log and tracking how much they read, they are suppose to read 15 minutes a day.  Once they have completed the chart, they can bring it into a local Half Price Books store to receive a $5 gift certificate.

The High school kids challenge is similar.  They have to read one book each month and then write a review on it.  They can then bring their book review into a Half Price Books store and they will get a $5 gift certificate as well!

Public Library

Check your local library to see if they offer a free summer reading program for kids.  My library has a great reading program each summer that my kids always look forward to!  They always provide a lot of fun coupons, toys and other incentives.

Reading Is Fundamental

Reading Is Fundamental has a great Summer Reading Program for kids in grades K-6.  All you have to do is download the provided Summer Activity Sheet and read the books on the list.

Each book has an activity that corresponds with the theme.  Some books have crossword puzzles to do and others offer a read aloud activity.  I love the interactive activities and think this is the perfect reading challenge for a family to participate in together.

Scholastic

Kids can join the Scholastic reading program to earn digital rewards for their reading.  One of the things I love about the Scholastic summer reading is that the more your kids read, the more books Scholastic will donate to kids in need.  So cool, right!!!  It makes reading fun for kids, and gives them the opportunity to help give to others.

Showcase Cinemas

If you live near a Showcase Cinemas you will want to look into their Bookworm Wednesdays reading program.  Your child can receive free admission to a movie on Wednesdays when they bring in a book report written off of one of the books they recently read.

Another thing that makes this deal even sweeter is that accompanying parents/guardians, and siblings under 6 years of age will ALSO get free admission to a movie.

Sync

Teens can get two free audiobooks from Sync each week during the summer months.  This program doesn’t have rewards or charts, but it is a fun way to help teenagers get free books and keep reading!

TD Bank

And last, but certainly not least is the kids summer reading program from TD Bank.  Just print out this reading form, fill it out with the books your child reads, and then bring it in to your local TD Bank.  Your child will be rewarded with $10 deposited into their TD Savings Account.

Which, honestly combines two of my favorite things in one:  reading and teaching kids how to manage money!  Yay!  Winning combination!

 

In Conclusion

Encouraging your kids to participate in these free summer reading programs is one of the best ways to help keep their brains active and literary skills sharp during the summer months.  

You can even turn your summer reading challenges into fun family time.  Reading books together and meeting a goal is a great way to build memories as a family!

 

Related Articles:

50 Fun Summer Activities For Kids

How To Save Money On Kids Clothes

At Home Preschool Activities

 

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I hope you enjoy these free summer reading programs as much as we do!

Cheap Father’s Day Gift Ideas Under $25

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Best gifts for Father’s Day under $25.

Father’s Day is right around the corner.  I love any day when I get to celebrate the amazing men in my life, and all that they do for me.  Fortunately, showing someone that you love them doesn’t have to cost a lot of money (shocker, right?!! 😉 )!  Here are 25 cheap Father’s Day Gift Ideas he is sure to love!  Everything is less than $25!

fathers day gift ideas - what to buy for fathers day

 

Techy Father’s Day Gifts

Are you shopping for a dad who enjoys a lot of screen time?  Try one of these affordable gift ideas!

1.  Apple Watch Stand

This highly rated Apple Watch Stand is a great gift for the Apple user.  It has a spot to hold both your phone and Apple watch while being charged and has a few different colors to choose from, there is something for everyone!

2.  Remote Holder

Is your dad constantly losing the remote???  How about gifting him a remote holder for Father’s Day.  This remote holder is a great option and can be mounted to the wall with removeable adhesive, no tools necessary!

 

3.  Wireless Charging Pad

A great gift idea is a wireless charging pad.  I loved this one from Amazon.  It’s thin, attractive, has a lot of good reviews and comes in many different colors!  Basically perfect all around!

 

 

Father’s Day Gifts For Someone Who Loves To Be Outdoors

My husband loves to be in the great outdoors, so I am always shopping for affordable outdoor gear.  Here are a few of our favorites.

4.  Personalized Pocket Knife

I love personalized gifts and this personalized pocket knife is the perfect gift for fathers day.  You can request to get his name engraved on the knife, or leave a sweet message.  This pocket knife also comes with a rope cutter, can opener, and glass breaker.

 

5.  Camp Chair

It’s always nice to receive a new camp chair, especially if you spend a lot of time doing outdoor activities.   Check out this camp chair which is less than $25!

6. Stadium Seat

A stadium seat is the perfect gift for a dad who spends a lot of times attending sporting events.  I found a portable stadium seat for a really good price here!

 

 

Father’s Day Gifts For Someone Who Loves To Cook And Eat

I love all of these fun gift ideas for the dad who enjoys food and cooking!

7.  Grilling Set

Are you shopping for someone who loves to grill?  How about gifting them a new grilling accesories set?  This is a great option, it’s under $20 and includes multiple accessories and an apron!

 

8.  Grilling Apron

Help your dad feel special while he’s in the kitchen with a fun apron like this one.  It’s the perfect gift for the man that loves to cook!

 

9.  Hot Sauce Set

You might want to gift your father this global edition hot sauce set.  It’s such a fun way to help them try new hot sauce flavors!  This set comes with 5 different flavors, each from a different region around the world.

 

10.  Knife Sharpener

A knife sharpener is another great Father’s Day gift idea.  It’s always helpful to have a few of these around to keep your kitchen knives sharp.  Here is a great knife sharpener from Amazon, it has great reviews and the price is right!

 

11.  LED Grill Light

Does your dad love to grill?  Consider gifting him an LED Grill Light.  This is such a fun accessory and can be used in multiple ways for many different projects.

 

12.  Beef Jerky

You can’t go wrong with gifting Beef Jerky as a father’s day gift!  Try to find a brand or flavor that is unique, so that he can try something new!  This Cattlemens Beef Jerky looks and sounds delicious! 

 

 

Father’s Day Gifts For Someone Who Loves Tools

Perhaps the dad you are shopping for this year spends a lot of time using tools.  Check out one of these ideas for him!

13.  Digital Tape Measure

This digital tape measure would be a great addition for any dad’s toolbox.  Measuring can be a lot easier and quicker with a digital tape measure and this one will measure up to 165 feet and has multiple accessories.  Yay!

 

14.  Tool Roll

If you are shopping for someone who has a lot of tools or enjoys being the handy man, this tool roll is a great gift idea!  It includes 19 storage slots for different tools and accessories.  Plus, it’s less than $25!

 

 

what to buy dad for father's day - cheap gift ideas for father's day

 

Father’s Day Grooming Gifts

We all need to groom, right?  Right!  Help your dad feel special this year with these affordable grooming gifts.

15.  Grooming Kit

Another great cheap Father’s Day gift option is a Grooming Kit.  This 5 in 1 grooming kit includes a hair clipper, hair trimmer, nose trimmer, shaver and precision trimmer.  It’s the perfect all in one set up for any man.

 

 16.  Beard Kit

Does your father sport a beard?  He might like this beard kit!  It comes with shampoo, oil, conditioner, brush, comb, scissors and more.  A great all in one set for the man in your life!

 

17.   Man Soap

Even men like fancy soap!  Get your man a nice bar of Dr. Squatch Man Soap.  We love this Pine Tar scent.

 

18.  Toiletry Bag

Everyone deserves a new toiletry bag every now and then!  Your father might love this mens toiletry bag.  It’s the perfect gift, especially for someone who travels often.

 

 

 

Father’s Day Gift Ideas For The Best Dad Ever

I know that your dad is the best ever (so is mine 😉 ).  Why not let HIM know just how amazing he is with one of these fun dad gifts!

19.  Best Dad Shirt

What better way to help your dad feel amazing this Father’s Day then with a Best Dad shirt.  I found this cute one on Amazon, along with many others!

 

20.  Dad Mug

There is nothing better than being reminded of how amazing you are each morning with your coffee mug!  Check out this cute Best Dad Ever mug.  He will love this daily declaration of love!

21.  What I Love About Dad Book

Dads deserve a little extra attention and love for all of the hard work they do for us.  This What I Love About Dad Book gives 100 different prompts for you till fill in about why you love your Father.  It would make such a sweet keepsake for a child to give to their father.

 

22.  Father’s Day Picture Frame

Gift your dad a special keepsake picture and frame.  It’s the perfect gift for them to keep on their desk and remember how much you appreciate them.  Make sure to include a picture of the two of you together!

 

 

Father’s Day Accessory Gifts

Here are a few fun accessories to gift your dad this Father’s Day.

23.  Leather Journal

Shopping for someone who loves to write or sketch?  Why not buy them a beautiful leather journal?  I love this vintage handmade leather journal, it has great reviews and an affordable price.

24.  Baseball Cap

My husband can never have enough baseball caps, he calls it “his thing.”  If you are shopping for someone similar, consider gifting them a new baseball cap like the one here.

 

25.  Leather Money Clip

How about gifting dad a new leather money clip?  Here is a great and affordable option he might love!

 

 

In Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed these Father’s Day gift ideas.  But, remember as a parent, I know that all I want on these special days is a little bit of time spent with my loved ones.  It truly doesn’t matter how much you spend on a gift for Father’s Day, all that matters is that you take the time to show him how much you care.

 

Related Articles:

10 Free Father’s Day Gifts

10 Valentines gifts for him under $10!

 

What are some of your cheap Father’s Day gift ideas this year?

How To Listen To Audiobooks For Free

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Check out the best free audiobook apps.

Any other book worms out there??  I love to spend my free time reading a good book.  This year I set a goal to read 50 books as part of a reading program my library runs.  So far I am sticking to my goal, but only because of free audiobook apps!  They have helped me so much in finding time for a book.  I’m busy (aren’t we all) and some days I just do not have the time to sit down on the couch and read.  With an audiobook I am able to listen to the book while I’m washing dishes, folding laundry, driving in the car, etc.  They are the best!  A lot of people ask me how I can afford all of the audiobooks I listen to, but here’s the secret:  I have never bought an audiobook in my life.  All of the books that I listen to are done using free apps (I love free!).  Today I am sharing my tips all about how to listen to audiobooks for free.best free audiobooks apps

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Libby

Libby is seriously my favorite free audiobook app and I use it every single day.  This app is very user friendly and easy to use.  All you need is the free app and a library card!

How It Works:

  • Download the free Libby app to your digital device.
  • Sign up using your library card.  If you do not have a library card contact your local library.  They are free to get and sign ups are really quick and easy.
  • Once you are signed in you can browse thousands of audiobooks and eBooks.
  • When you find the book you want, simply click “Borrow”.  If the book is available it will instantly be made available for you to listen to.
  • Because Libby is connected to the library there are a limited number of copies for each book.  When the copies are all in use you will need to click, “Place Hold.”  You will now be in line for the book.  When it’s available it will be checked out to you.
  • You get to have your audiobook for two weeks before it needs to be returned.  If you need more time to listen, you can renew the book for another week (just as long as nobody else has a hold on it).
  • Lastly, listen and enjoy your audiobook.  After two weeks your book will automatically be returned, no need to worry about a late fee (yay!).

I love using Libby for so many reasons (it’s user friendly, it’s free, and all of my favorite books are on the app).  It does have a few drawbacks though.  The biggest is there is usually a long wait for the most popular books.

Check the app regularly for your favorite books (I usually browse weekly).  I have found if I reserve a few books each month, I will always have one or two available to listen to.

If you are wanting to listen to a book immediately, select “Available Now” in the Preferences section when you are browsing for books.  This helps narrow down the search to books you can listen to in the moment.

Overdrive

Overdrive is a very similar app to Libby.  It connects to your library card and offers thousands of free audiobooks.  In my experience though Overdrive was not very user friendly and I didn’t enjoy using it at all.

There is a plus side to Overdrive!  It is compatible with more devices than Libby is, including Kindle Fire, PC, MACs, etc.  This makes it easier for everyone to listen using their favorite method.  I know a lot of other people who love and recommend Overdrive, so maybe it was just me!  If your library doesn’t connect to Libby, try Overdrive!

LibriVox

LibriVox is an awesome app and website devoted to providing the public with free audiobooks.  The selection is a little limited, but you will find many classics and popular books including Little Women, Pride and Prejudice and Gulliver’s Travels.

The books are all read by volunteers, which is fantastic!  But, it also means that some readers are a little more boring to listen to than others.  Try out a sample or two before deciding on a book, I have heard some great readers!

Audible

Fair warning, Audible does cost a monthly fee for unlimited audiobooks.  It’s not a place I would recommend to most people.  However, I have used their free one month trial before and loved it!

Loyal Books

Another great public resource for audio books is Loyal Books.  It offers a huge selection of free audiobooks and ebooks.  The site is very similar to LibriVox with volunteer readers.  Loyal Books will offer you a few different titles though, so it’s great to check both places.

Hoopla

Another app that uses your library card for audiobooks is Hoopla.  Hoopla is a very user friendly app which gives you access to ebooks, audiobooks, music and more.  You do need a library card, but everything offered is free!

Amazon Prime

Did you know an Amazon Prime membership not only offers you free shipping, music and movies, but also free audiobooks?  That’s right!  Prime membership gives you access to thousands of audiobooks to listen to for free (for paying members).

If you are already paying for a prime membership, be sure to take advantage of their free books.  I personally don’t think it’s worth paying for a membership JUST for the books.  However, I did use their free 30 day trial membership and loved listening to free books during that time.  If you want to try it out, sign up for the free 30 days.

YouTube

You can find thousands of audiobooks for free right on the YouTube app!  Check out these YouTube channels for a huge selection of audiobooks:  Free Audiobooks, Greatest Audiobooks, and Priceless Audiobooks.

Audiobooks.com

Audiobooks.com has a huge selection of audiobooks, but it does require a monthly subscription.  Fortunately, they offer 3 free books with your 30 day trial!  You can sign up here!

In Conclusion

There really is no reason to pay for audiobooks with all of these free audiobook apps available.  Remember that not all audiobooks are created equal.  Some reads have been really boring and hard to get interested in….others I haven’t been able to turn off.

For me, it comes down to who is reading the book and what the genre book is.  A non fiction book is really not enjoyable for me to listen to, but I love fiction.  And, there have been many books I have turned off because I didn’t connect to the readers style.

Don’t give up if you don’t enjoy your first few audiobooks.  Try a few genres until you find what works best for you.

 

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Free Things To Do In Salt Lake City

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Check out this list of all the free things to do in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Planning a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah?  You will not be disappointed by all this beautiful city has to offer.  Nestled right below the mountains is the beautiful metropolis of Salt Lake City with tons of free fun.  From outdoor activities to nightlife to tons of family friendly activities you will find something for everyone.  Check out my list of 26 free things to do in Salt Lake City.

Historical Buildings

Utah is full of rich history.  It was settled by LDS pioneers in a search for religious freedom.  Many of their original buildings have been preserved for tours and are open to the public.

1.  Historic Temple Square

Salt Lake City’s most popular attraction is the Historic Temple Square.  This is the headquarters for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and sits on 10 acres of ground and includes two visitor centers, a history museum, historic buildings and beautiful gardens.

All of the attractions are free and most are open to the public.  There are free tours available throughout the day, but you are also welcome to walk through the grounds and tour them yourself.  The buildings and gardens are all beautiful.  During the winter months temple square is decked out in beautiful Christmas lights making for a fun evening out.

2.  Utah State Capitol

Another beautiful historical building to visit is the Utah State Capitol.  It sits up in the hills overlooking the city.  The Utah State Capitol was built in 1916 out of beautiful granite and marble.  If you enjoy historical buildings, this is a don’t miss!  Enjoy a free self guided tour seven days a week using one of these free brochures.

3.  Beehive House

One of my favorite historical building to tour in Salt Lake City is the Beehive House.  This was the home of Brigham Young, who was the first governor of the Utah Territory, and was built in 1854.  The home is well restored with artifacts, beautiful wood work and history.  Free tours of the Beehive House are available Monday through Friday.

4.  Governors Mansion

If you enjoy historical buildings you will love touring the Governors Mansion.  This home was built in 1903 and is absolutely stunning.  Free self guided tours are available through the Preservation Utah website.  

5.  Joseph Smith Memorial Building

The Joseph Smith Memorial Building was originally built in 1911 as a luxury hotel.  It has since been converted to office and event space.  Anyone is welcome to come walk through this beautiful historic building and enjoy the marble columns, grand staircase, and beautiful rooms.

6.  Cathedral Of The Madeleine

Another must stop while in Salt Lake City is the Cathedral of the Madeleine.  This incredible cathedral was built in 1909 and boasts a gothic interior, complete with gargoyles and murals.  It truly is a beautiful sight!

7.  Benson Grist Mill

The Benson Grist Mill is an impressive mill that was built in 1854 and later restored.  A visit to the mill will give insight into how the early pioneers made their flour.  In addition to the mill you will find other pioneer buildings and homes for a peek into pioneer life.  It is located about 30 minutes west of Salt Lake City and tours are free.

 

Museums

You can find a big selection of free museums available in the Salt Lake City area.  There is something for everyone, you will find museums about history, art, science and more.  They make for a great educational and fun afternoon for the whole family.

8.  Clark Planetarium

Clark Planetarium is a must stop in Salt Lake City if you have kids.  We spent hours here the last time we went and I couldn’t believe it was all FREE!  This museum hosts many interactive exhibits teaching about earth and space.  It is kid friendly and so much fun for all ages.

9.  Pioneer Memorial Museum

After enjoying the state capitol building head over to the Pioneer Memorial Museum just across the street.  Here you will be treated to hundreds of pioneer artifacts that were brought across the country when settling Utah.  Entry into the museum is completely free.

10.  Utah Museum of Contemporary Art

If you are an art lover you must stop by the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art.  Located in downtown Salt Lake, the Utah MOCA houses contemporary art with pieces and exhibit that rotate throughout the year.  It’s completely free to enter and a great visit!

11.  Hill Aerospace Museum

The Hill Aerospace Museum is located 30 minutes north of Salt Lake City, but is worth the drive if you enjoy military equipment.  This museum houses more than 90 exhibits featuring military aircraft and vehicles.

12.  Bean Museum

If you travel 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City you will find the campus of BYU in Provo, Utah.  BYU offers a few free museums to enjoy.  The Bean Museum is one of our favorites.

This national history museum displays life like exhibits of both plants and animals.  This is a great educational experience for kids and adults.

13.  BYU Museum of Paleontology

 After enjoying the bean museum, head over to the BYU Museum of Paleontology.  Here you will find numerous dinosaur fossils and exhibits, we especially enjoyed the triceratops head.  Our favorite part of this museum was the window where we could watch real paleontologists dusting off fossils.  It was really fun to see the actual work being done to bring these fossils to life.

14.  BYU Museum of Art

The third museum I recommend visiting while in Provo is the free BYU Museum of Art.  This isn’t a huge museum, but it is free and rotates exhibits throughout the year so there is always something new to see and enjoy.

15.  Fort Douglas Military Museum

Another great military museum to visit is the Fort Douglas Military Museum.  This fort was built in 1862 to house US soldiers that were sent to monitor what was happening in the Utah Territory.

This fort has been turned into a free museum and has displays of military memorabilia, tanks, helicopters and more.

 

Outdoor Activities

Utah is known for their great outdoors.  There are so many beautiful sights to see and experience in the Salt Lake City area.

16.  City Creek

City Creek is a unique outdoor mall located right in downtown Salt Lake.  You don’t even need to shop the high end retailers to enjoy this fun area.  It has fountains, streams stocked with live fish, and beautiful architecture.  City Creek is so fun to walk around, relax and people watch.

17.  Gilgal Sculpture Garden

Hidden in a residential neighborhood you will find the Gilgal Sculpture Garden.  This garden is open to the public and contains a 12 large sculptures and over 70 engraved stones all crafted by Thomas Battersby Child Jr. during the mid century.  Not many people know about this garden and it is a fun hidden surprise.

18.  International Peace Garden

Make sure your visit to Salt Lake City includes a stop at the International Peace Garden located on the Jordan River.  It features different exhibits highlighting 29 different nations.  When visiting this park you will be able to visit areas focused on Japan, Wales, Finland, and more.

19.  Wheeler Farm

One of our favorite free things to do in Salt Lake City with kids is to visit Wheeler Farm.  This is a working farm, but open to the public.  It has animals to pet, a farm house, a wooded area with trails and many fun things to see, all on 75 acres of land.  Wheeler Farm is a great way to spend an afternoon, pet the animals, and have a picnic.

It is completely free to visit the farm, but there are other activities available for a small fee, including a wagon ride and a tour of the farmhouse.

20.  Ensign Peak

If you enjoy hiking you might love hiking Ensign Peak for great views of the Salt Lake Valley.  This is a popular hike in Utah located near the state capitol building.  The Ensign Peak hike is less than a mile long, but very steep.  It’s doable for all hiking levels, but is definitely not easy.

21.  Snowbird Observation Point Trail

If you are looking for an easier paved trail be sure check out the Snowbird Observation Point Trail.  This family friendly trail is located from the third floor of the Snowbird Center.  The trail is only a half mile long and ends with an incredible view.

22.  Splash Pads

During the summer months you will find multiple free splash pads open around the city.  These are the perfect way to cool down with the kids on a hot day.

Be sure to check out these fun splash pads:  Ellison Park, Legacy Regional Park, Liberty Park, The Gateway, and Oquirrh Shadows Park.

23.  Swim In The Great Salt Lake

Swimming in the Great Salt Lake can be such a fun experience, because of the huge amount of salt this is not like swimming in your typical lake.

If this is something you want to try for yourself, make sure to read Fly By The Seat Of Her Pants article here all about their swimming experience in the Great Salt Lake.

24.  Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve

Another great outdoor excursion for families is to visit the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve.  This preserve has over 4 million birds visit each year, including 250 different species.  It’s a great outing for bird lovers.  Enjoy a walk along the 1.3 mile boardwalk loop while observing the wetlands and wildlife.

 

Other Fun Sites

You might also enjoy one of these other fun activities in SLC.

25.  Salt Lake City Library

The Salt Lake City Library offers more than just books.  It truly is a stunning architectural masterpiece and even has rooftop garden and secret staircase (let me know if you find it!).

26.  Utah Olympic Park

Utah’s Olympic Park was built for the 2002 Olympic Games and is now used as an Olympic training facility.  It is such a neat place to visit and get a taste of what the athletes experience when training for the Olympic games.

There are many things to do here, some cost money, but some are available for free!  First, you can enjoy two free museums.  One of them has memorabilia from the Utah Winter Olympics and the other museum has a lot of hands on activities teaching about skiing in Utah. 

My favorite free activity at the Olympic Park is watching the athletes train.  On many days you will be able to see both skeleton athletes and freestyle aerialists training.  I especially oved watching the aerialists flip into the pool.

 

So Many Free Family Friendly Activities

There are so many free things to do and see while in Salt Lake City.  Is there anything I forgot to add to my list?  Let me know in the comments!

 

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Easy Rock Painting Ideas For Kids

By: Sweet Frugal Life1 Comment

Check out the best idea for painting rocks for kids.

Are you looking for some easy rock painting ideas for kids?  I have you covered with this fun twist on painting rocks for kids.

If you have been reading for a while you know that I am all about simple and frugal activities for kids.  Mom life is HARD and BUSY and did I mention HARD.  So, if I can come up with fun activities for my kids that require very little prep, I am all for it!  Which is exactly why I love this easy rock craft.  It checks off all the boxes for a fun, cheap craft for the kids.

This activity of “painting” rocks is one of my favorites.  It gets the kids outside and lets them use their creativity at the same time.  Plus, it’s totally free!

How To Make Hot Rocks Craft

This easy rock painting idea for kids starts with an old fashioned rock hunt.  I encourage my kids to find a large and smooth rock, they usually just grab whichever one catches their eye first!  Either way totally works.  (See, simple right?!?!)

After finding the perfect rock, it’s time to bake it!  And yes, I totally mean you bake it!

Place the rock into a hot oven and let it “cook” until the rock gets hot.  I usually turn the oven on to about 400 degrees and bake them for about 15 minutes.  There really is no science here, you just want the rock hot.

Once the rock is hot, take it out of the oven using a hot pad and place it on a paper plate, paper towel, newspaper, etc. 

Now, let your kids color on the hot rock with crayons.  The crayons will melt as they are colored onto the rock.  It is so fun to watch the colors mix together, they make such pretty designs.

 

After you are done “painting” let the rock cool and dry.  You will be left with a fun colored rock, we have a collection of these outside.  My kids are always eager to add a new rock to their loved collection.

Another thing that we enjoy doing with our painted rocks is to hide them around the city for others to find.  It is a popular activity in our area.  My kids love hiding their rocks and checking to see if they have been found, and we love finding others rocks in local playgrounds and areas.

 

Happy Rock Painting!

That’s it!  See how easy this rock painting idea is!  No paints required!  Let me know if you try this easy rock painting idea for kids.  I would love to hear how it went!  Your kids will love this new take on painting rocks.

 

You might be interested in these other articles:

How to Make Your Very Own Pom-Pom Garland

Yarn Hearts: An Easy Valentine Craft for Kids

Peanut Butter Play Dough Recipe

 

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Honest Stitch Fix Review 2021

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

What came in my Stitch Fix Box!

Want to see what came in my most recent Stitch Fix box?  I’m going to show you today and share my honest stitch fix review!  

I started using Stitch Fix about a year ago.  Truthfully, I was a little hesitant at first, the prices seemed a little high, but I received some free clothing credit and decided that I had nothing to lose! 

The box I received was so fun to open, and I found a few items that I loved!  Ever since then I’ve been ordering a new box every few months, and I haven’t loved everything that I’ve been sent, but I’ve loved the entire process.  I decided to share with each of you what came in my newest Stitch Fix Box and my honest review of this clothing styling service.

stitch fix review - is stitch fix worth it

I am a member of online affiliate programs, I will be compensated for purchases made from links in this post.

What Is Stitch Fix?

Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service that will send you a box of clothing items picked out specifically for you and your style.  You can try these items on in the comfort of your home and then decide what to keep and what to return.  There is no commitment to keep everything in your box.

How Does Stitch Fix Work?

Stitch Fix is actually really simple to use!

When you first sign up for a Stitch Fix account you will be asked to fill out a thorough style profile.  The style profile will ask you everything from your sizes, personal style, colors you wear and don’t wear, and your price preference.  Make sure you give as much details as possible when filling out your style profile.  This is one of the most important parts of helping your stylist understand your clothing needs and wants so that they can choose the items that will benefit you most.

Next, you will schedule your order.  Stitch Fix will give you a calendar of available times to choose from, you can choose to have a subscription with boxes sent on a regular schedule, or a one time “fix.”

The last part of scheduling your order will be leaving a note to your stylist.  Don’t skip this!!!  Let your stylist know exactly what type of clothing you are looking for or any other details about what you hope to get in your Stitch Fix.  I have found this note makes a huge difference in what you receive. Last week in my stylist note I requested a hoodie and they followed through with delivering it!  Yay!  I was so happy to know that my request was heard and met.

After completing your Stitch Fix order you will be charged a $20 styling fee.  But don’t worry!  This styling fee can be applied to any of the clothing in your box that you choose to keep.

Your personal stylist will now prepare your Stitch Fix box.  Using your style profile and notes they will select 10 pieces to send to your email for you to review.

This email gives you a little bit of control about what will be in your order.  Within this email you can select up to 5 pieces that you want sent to you in your fix.  If you don’t like any of your stylists picks, no worries!  Just don’t select any of them and you will be sent 5 completely new items.

After this email review, all that’s left to do is wait for your Stitch Fix box to shop up on your door step!  This is such a happy day!

Your box will come with 5 clothing items, a receipt, a prepaid envelope for returns, and a sheet of styling ideas for each of your clothing items.

Look through your Stitch Fix and try on each of the clothing items, this is the fun part!  You can now pick and choose which of the 5 items you want to keep and which ones you want to return, remember there is no commitment to keep anything sent to you.

Anything that you keep will have the $20 styling fee applied towards this item.

Plus!  If you decide to keep everything in your box you will get 25% off your entire order!

Once you decide what you want to keep it’s time to check out.  All you have to do is go to the Stitch Fix website and click on “Check Out.”  You will then be directed to a survey about your box contents.  On each item select “keep” if it’s something you want to keep or “return” if it’s an item you want to return.  That’s it!  Just confirm your order and then you’re done.

The last step is to pack the prepaid return envelope with the items you want to return and stick them in the mail box.  You will be charged for the items you decided to keep, but not for the items you send back.

It is such an easy and fun way to shop!

 

What I Got In My Stitch Fix Box

So, do you want to see what I got in my most recent Stitch Fix Box???  In this box I received a hoodie, jeans, jogger pants, sweater, and a necklace set.  This was my first time receiving jewelry in my box, and it was a fun surprise.

I liked the necklace set, but I didn’t love them enough to keep.  In the future I hope to receive a few more accessories.

Next up was this jean and sweater combo.  Again, I liked them both, but just didn’t love them.  I have a strict rule to only buy things that I truly love, it saves money and prevents impulse buys!

Here is the hoodie and jogger pants together.  I had asked for a hoodie, and I appreciated that they sent me one, but I didn’t love the big logo.  However, the joggers I loved!  I had been wanting to buy a pair of black joggers recently, so this was a very fun surprise.

The only item I chose to keep from this stitch fix box were the black joggers.  They were just what I needed.  

Is Stitch Fix A Good Deal?

I know many of you are wondering if Stitch Fix is a good deal or not.  Well,  as a frugal blogger I will give you my honest opinion……No.  I do not think that Stitch Fix is a good deal.

The clothes are higher priced then the ones I normally buy, and there is a risk of not liking anything in your box and having to pay a $20 styling fee for returning everything.

But!

Even though I don’t think this is the best clothing deal, I do still enjoy receiving a Stitch Fix box occasionally.  It’s fun, it makes shopping easy and the clothing is very high quality.

How Much Does Stitch Fix Cost?

Like I mentioned earlier, you will have to pay a $20 styling fee for each box, which can then be applied to any item that you keep.

When you fill out your style profile you will be prompted to select your price preference.  I personally select, “The Cheaper The Better”, but the price options go up to $200.

My “Cheaper The Better” boxes have always been between the price range of $40-$80.  The joggers that I decided to keep were $50, which is more money than I would normally spend on a pair of joggers.  But, the quality is much higher than I usually wear and I know they will last me much longer than my other clothes usually last.

Pros of Stitch Fix

Alright, so now that you have the run down of what Stitch Fix is all about, I want to share a few of the reasons why Stitch Fix might be for you.  Here are a few Stitch Fix pros:

  • Stitch Fix is easy.  If you don’t enjoy going into the store and spending hours shopping and trying on different clothing, then you will probably love Stitch Fix.  There really is no easier way to shop!
  • Stitch Fix is fun!  Opening up each Stitch Fix is such a fun surprise.  I love getting to see what was picked out for me.
  • You get to try new things.  One of the things I have loved most about Stitch Fix is getting to try new clothing options that I never would have picked for myself.  It has really pushed me out of my clothing comfort zone, in such a good way and I love that my style has broadened.
  • The stylists really listen.  When I first started using Stitch Fix, I was a little unsure just how helpful the personal stylists would be.  Now, after 5 boxes I can confidently say that the Stitch Fix stylists are amazing!  They have really listened to each of my requests and have worked hard to get me what I want.
  • Returns are easy.  I was really nervous to try Stitch Fix, because I worried the returns would be difficult and I would be stuck with clothes that I didn’t want.  It ended up being the complete opposite!  Making returns are so quick and painless!
  • You can try it risk free.  The reason I started trying Stitch Fix was because I was given some free clothing credit.  This credit covered the styling fee, which gave me the confidence that if I didn’t like anything in my box, I could return it all without any out of pocket costs.  I decided there was nothing to lose.   You can try Stitch Fix risk free too!  Just grab this free $25 Stitch Fix credit here!

Cons of Stitch Fix

Now, I do love Stitch Fix, but it’s not perfect.  Here are a few of the cons I have found:

  • It’s expensive.  The clothing is not the most frugal friendly option available.  It is an expense that you will need to budget and plan for so that the price tag isn’t a surprise.
  • You never know what you’re going to get.  I love the element of surprise with each Stitch Fix box, but it can also be a little scary to not know what is coming.  There have been a few items in each box that I have wondered why someone would ever choose that item for me.
  • The styling fee.  When ordering a Stitch Fix you do have a small risk that you won’t like anything in your box and will have to pay the $20 styling fee.  I have always enjoyed at least one thing in each box, but I have heard other negative experiences from others.

In Conclusion

Getting a Stitch Fix box can be a lot of fun.  I do think it’s worth trying if you are wanting to change up your wardrobe and don’t enjoy shopping.  Especially if you use some free credit so you can try it risk free!

Have you ever tried this before?  Did you think Stitch Fix was worth it?

 

Related Articles:

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My Honest Review of Kids on 45th

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50 Fun Summer Activities For Kids

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

The Ultimate List of Screen Free Summer Activities For Kids At Home.

Summer break is just around the corner.  I have been looking forward to summer for weeks!  I just love having my kids home with me and I always look forward to a more relaxed schedule full of fun family activities.  There are so many fun summer activities for kids, and we love to take advantage of all of them!

fun summer activities

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Outdoor Summer Kids Activities

One of our favorite parts of summer is getting to spend more time outside.  I love exploring the outdoors, especially with my sweet kids!

 Picnic at The Park

Enjoy some time outdoors with a picnic at the park.  We love going to a new park each week and getting to explore different areas of our city.  We bring these Rate The Park sheets with us and my kids love critiquing each park we attend.

Rate The Park printable

Play Frisbee

Another fun summer activity is to play frisbee in the backyard.   Make sure to also check your local parks to see if they have a frisbee golf course you could play at.

Run Through the Sprinkler

Set a sprinkler outside and let your kids run through it in their swim suits.  I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to run through the sprinkler without having fun.  There is just something about this simple activity that brightens up the day.

“Paint” with Water

Get out a bucket of water and an old paintbrush.  Let your kids use the water and brush to “paint” the sidewalk, house and anything else they want.  It’s so fun for them to watch the color change as they paint.

Go on a Walk

Get outside and get moving with a nice walk.  We love to walk around our neighborhood or try out a few of the walking paths in our city.  Make a family goal to walk 100 miles over the summer and celebrate with a treat once accomplished.

 

100 Miles Challenge Printable

Picnic in Backyard

Move the meal outside with a simple backyard picnic.  Lay a blanket down in the shade and eat dinner outdoors enjoying nature.

Draw With Sidewalk Chalk

Get out some sidewalk chalk and draw pictures on your driveway.  You could draw a hopscotch course or a road for your bikes to travel through.  My kids also really love when I trace their bodies on the sidewalk and then let them color in their clothes and faces.

Draw on Sidewalk With Ice Cubes

Don’t have any side walk chalk?  Draw with ice cubes instead!  They will melt on the hot pavement as you are drawing your picture.

Go On A Bike Ride

One of my favorite summer activities is to go on a bike ride together.  Get your family outside for a fun family bike ride.  Make sure to log your bike miles on your 100 Miles Challenge printable.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Give your kids a paper bag and a list of items to find out in nature.  This might be a rock, pine cone, dandelion, etc.  Have them go outside and collect their findings in their bag.  When they get back let everyone show each other their new treasures.  Such a fun way to get kids outside exploring.

Go On A Hike

Take your kids on an easy hike.  Make sure everyone finds a hiking stick!  Hiking sticks are always a necessity for our kids!

 

 

Plant A Garden

Work together with your kids to plant a garden together.  They will be so proud when they harvest their veggies.

Jump On The Trampoline With Water Balloons

Another fun and cheap outdoor summer activity is to fill up a few water balloons with water and put them on the trampoline.  The kids love jumping with them and the surprise of when they pop and spray out water.

Play Catch

Get out a ball and play catch together as a family.  Try to see how many times you can catch the ball without letting it drop.

Blow Bubbles

How about having fun blowing bubbles together.  You could try to see who can make the biggest bubble!

girl blowing bubbles

Go Geocaching

Have you ever been geocaching?  Geocaching is a game similar to a treasure hunt.  Community members hide geocaches in parts of the city and then give clues to help you and your family find it.  You can learn more about it here.  Each geocache contains little toys and trinkets.  It’s such a fun way to explore new places, and the kids love finding the treasure!

Play Night Games With Flash Lights

Invite a group of friends over to play night games together.  Our favorites to play are Ghost In The Graveyard and Kick The Can. 

Catch Bugs

Kids love to catch bugs during the summertime!  We usually keep them in a jar for an hour to watch and observe and then set them free again.  One of the fun parts of catching bugs is to research them.  It’s fun to find out information about each but, like what they like to eat, and teach these facts to your kids.

Star Gaze

Stay up late one night so you can watch the stars.  Show your kids a few of the constellations and try to find a shooting star.  Download a free star finder app to help you learn the constellations together.

Make a Fairy Garden

Use your creativity and put together a Fairy Garden in your back yard.  Build a mini house out of twigs and decorate with twigs and flowers.  We did this a few years ago and it was such a fun summer activity!

Give The Bikes a Wash

Set up a car wash, but for the bikes!  All you need is a hose, some rags, a few buckets of soapy water and your bike wash is ready!  Kids love giving each of the bikes a good wash while playing in the water.

Play Jump Rope

Get out a few jump ropes to play with.  Try to see how many times you can jump over the rope before it stops or play a few games like Double Dutch.

Make An Obstacle Course

Use your backyard to make an obstacle course for your kids.  Your obstacle course might include having the kids walk across a “balance beam” (a piece of wood or jump rope work great), run around all the cones (or chairs), jump on the trampoline three times, and then throw a ball.  Use your imagination and get creative while setting it up.  Use a timer to see how fast they can get through the course.

After the kids run through the obstacle course, let them set one up for you to try!

Set up a Lemonade Stand

Mix up some lemonade and sell it in front of your home.  This is a fun way to socialize with the neighbors and help the kids learn about money.

Make a Nature Journal

Start a Nature Journal.  This will be a place to save some of the fun things you find outside, draw pictures of the places you visit and write all about what you love about nature.

 

 

Indoor Summer Activities

Looking for a few fun summer activities that can be done indoors?  Try one of these suggestions!

Make Play Dough

Whip up some homemade play dough for your kids to enjoy.  This play dough recipe is so quick and easy (seriously failproof!).  Or, if you want to try something different check out this Peanut Butter Play Dough recipe (it’s my kids favorite!).

Lined up plasticine balls isolated

Try A Science Experiment

Science experiments are always a fun summer activity for kids!  We love this Magic Toothpick Experiment.  It’s super quick and mess free (just the way this mamma likes it!)

Bake Cookies

Spend a few hours in the kitchen together baking your favorite cookies.  We personally love chocolate chip cookies!  This is also a great way to help kids learn how to read a recipe and measure ingredients.

Make Up A Play

Encourage your kids to make up a play that they can perform.  Set up a little stage area to help them feel official.  Invite over a few grandparents to watch the big performance!

Build A Fort

Get out some blankets and build a big fort.  You can drape them over the kitchen table or a few chairs.  Once your fort is built you can cuddle up and read books together or watch a movie!

Make A Dream Catcher

If your kids enjoy crafting, make a dream catcher together.  It’s a great craft for older kids who are able to sit still.  I love this tutorial for making a beautiful dream catcher.

Make Slime

Slime is all the rage in the kid crowd.  It only requires a few ingredients and brings hours of fun play.  Here’s a super easy slime recipe.

Play Hide-and-Seek or Sardines

Play a few family friendly games in the house.  We love Hide And Seek or Sardines!  For a fun change turn off all of the lights and play in the dark using flashlights!

Color Hot Rocks

Try out our favorite twist on painting rocks.  All you need is a rock and some crayons!  Find the tutorial here.

Write Letters To Friends or Family

Everyone loves to get an old fashioned letter in the mail, or at least I do!  Spend an afternoon writing letters for friends or family.

Play Board Games

My daughters and I love spending an afternoon playing board games together.  It’s such a fun way to pass the time and enjoy some friendly competition.

Make A Summer Scrapbook

Put together a summer scrapbook of your favorite summer memories.  Include pictures and any special events.

Sing Karaoke

Find free karaoke songs on YouTube and have an old fashioned karaoke party.   We have this karaoke machine and love it so much!

Make A Nature Bookmark

Preserve flowers you find on your nature walk by turn them into a Nature Bookmark.

Fold Origami

Learn how to fold origami.  There are many easy tutorials on YouTube.  I would start with a frog, they are my favorite!

Put On A Puppet Show

Make puppets out of brown paper bags and put on a puppet show for each other.

performance in the puppet theater

Make Homemade Butter

Teach your kids about life on the prairie by making homemade butter together.  All you need is some cream and a jar!  After you make the butter you can enjoy it on a piece of bread, so yummy!!!

Indoor Treasure Hunt

Put together a simple indoor treasure hunt for your kids to go on.  You can hide different items around the house with clues to find each one.  Don’t forget to leave a fun surprise treasure at the end!

Go To The Library

Visit your local library for a fun day out.  We always set a goal to read 50 books in a summer, the library is the perfect place to get to that goal!  Many libraries will offer summer reading program for the family, complete with prizes and activities.

Play Dress-Up

Get out a few dress up clothes for your kids to play with.  See who can dress up in the funniest outfit.  If you don’t have any dress up clothes, you could let them dress up in some of your clothing.

Have A Dance Party

Turn on some music and have a dance party in your living room!  I have a playlist on my phone with all of our favorite dance tunes, it’s so fun and a great way to cut loose.

Put Together A Puzzle

Spend the day doing a puzzle together.  It’s so relaxing and a great way to bring out some conversation.  We love Eric Dowdle Puzzles!

Make Ice Cream In A Bag

Make homemade ice cream in a bag.  It’s really easy to do and the perfect activity for a hot summers day!

ice cream in a bag

Have An Impromptu Photo Shoot

Get dressed up and have an impromptu photo shoot.  Let your kids choose the poses and locations.  It’s always so fun to see what they come up with!

Learn Magic Tricks

Look up a few magic tricks on YouTube.  Once you have a few tricks learned, put on a magic show for each other!

In Conclusion

There are so many fun kids summer activities out there, and many of them won’t cost you any money at all.  Kids grow to fast!  I hope you will use summer time as a way to reconnect and build lasting memories.

 

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What is an Emergency Fund, FAQ

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Today I am explaining exactly what is an emergency fund and why you need one.

One of my most asked questions is, “What is an emergency fund?”  This is such an important question that I wish everyone would understand more.  An emergency fund is something that every single person needs and I want to help you understand how to get one.

I know that it’s not fun to plan for financial emergencies, it’s much more fun to plan for the fun expenses (like a new car or big house).

However, the truth is that nobody ever regrets having an emergency fund….but I know many who regret NOT having one.

This article is answering all of the most asked questions about emergency funds, so you can start making one for yourself.

Everything you need to know about Emergency Funds and why you need one today

What is an Emergency Fund?

Not sure what an emergency fund is?  It’s simple really.  An emergency fund is money you have saved and set aside to be used in the case of an emergency.

This is money that you won’t touch unless you really have to.  It should never be used for fun things, weekend vacations, etc.

Who Needs One?

Everyone needs an emergency fund (yes, everyone)!  It doesn’t matter if you earn a million dollars a year, or are deep in debt, you should have money saved for emergencies.  Don’t ever fall into the belief that an emergency won’t happen to you.  Emergencies can (and will) happen to anyone at any time.

The amount in the fund will look different to everyone, based on circumstances and needs, but the fact that we all need, one stays the same.

Why Do I Need An Emergency Fund?

You need an emergency fund because it gives you a safety net for any financial burden that might arise.  This could be a job loss, large medical costs, or unexpected home repairs.

If you already have planned ahead and saved money for these hard moments, have this money saved and set aside the burden will be lessened.  We have used our emergency fund multiples times!  We used it when my husband suddenly lost his job, when I had a medical emergency, and during an unexpected move.

Every time we have used money from this fund I have felt so grateful we had one it saved, but also developed the desire to save even more.  There is no better feeling than having money in the bank.  That form of safety is vital to me and our family.

When Should I Use Money From This Fund?

Deciding an appropriate time to use your emergency fund is very important.  This is your hard earned money and should only be used carefully and wisely.

Never use your fund for anything other than what it is meant for, an emergency!  Christmas gifts, traveling, and taxes are not an emergency, you should set up a sinking fund for these types of expenses.

When deciding if you should use your emergency fund ask yourself these questions:

  • Is it an Emergency?
  • Is it Unexpected?
  • Is it Necessary?

If you can answer yes to all three of these questions, than it is an appropriate time to use your emergency money.  If you answered No, than do not use it.  Instead come up with a different way to fund your expense.

What If I Feel Guilty?

I’m going to be honest with you, I really struggle using my emergency fund.  For some reason it makes me feel guilty.

If you’ve ever felt this way before, know that you are not alone.  If you are feeling guilty for wanting to use this money for emergencies, remind yourself that it is OK, this is what the fund is for!  You have been responsible in saving money, and it is ok to use this money when the time is right.  It is there to USE, when you need it.

But, be sure to replenish the fund after your emergency has passed.

How Much Money Do I Need Saved?

The amount of money needed for emergencies will vary from person to person.  A good rule of thumb is to have at least 6 months-1 year of living expenses set aside for emergencies.  This is quite a bit more than others recommend, but I would rather you have to much than not enough.

When my husband unexpectedly lost his job, people kept telling us he would find a new one in a few weeks.  7 long months went by before we were finally receiving a paycheck again.  Having that emergency fund in place brought us a lot of peace and comfort.  If we had only of saved for 3 months, we would have been even more stressed and in a bad place.

What are Living Expenses?

Wondering what exactly you should calculate when deciding on your living expenses?  Living expenses are the expenses that you need in order to live and survive.  These will include housing costs, utilities, food, clothing, insurance, gas, and any other basic needs.

You do not need to add extras such as traveling, eating out, etc.  If an emergency arises you will not be traveling, so there is no need to save for it.

Where Should I Keep This Fund?

An emergency fund needs to be kept in a place easy to get it.  This fund is liquid, meaning you can access it in short notice.

I prefer to keep our emergency fund in a savings account or money market account.  Whatever you do make sure you do not put this money in the stock market.

In Conclusion

I hope this article helped you to understand everything you need to know about emergency funds!  Let me know if you have any questions!  I am always here to help!

 

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Now that you know what is an emergency fund, go set one up!

 

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