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The Best Deals At Dollar Tree

June 9, 2022 By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

The best things to buy at the Dollar Tree.

I love shopping at my local Dollar Tree.  Not only are the items all affordable ($1.25???  yes please!), but they also have quality products!  However, the truth is that not all items sold at your local dollar store is a good deal.  We are often led to believe that because something is sold at the Dollar Tree, it MUST be the best price in town, right???  Well, this is not always the case!  Today I am going to share the best deals at Dollar Tree.  These are the items that you can always count on to be a better price than you can buy anywhere else.

Best Deals At Dollar Tree

The next time you are shopping at Dollar Tree, make sure to look for these amazing deals!

1.  Pregnancy Test

There is no need to spend a lot of money on pregnancy tests!  Just hop on over to your local Dollar Tree and pick up one of these tests for just $1.25.  They are just as accurate as the tests you can buy at the grocery store, but for only half the price!  Yay!

 

2.  Ovulation Predictor

Another great buy in the pregnancy sectioin is an Ovulation Predictor.  You can buy a big pack of these at Walmart for a good price, but the ones at Dollar Tree are still cheaper!

 

3.  Hair Scrunchies/Hair Ties

The Dollar Tree is a great place to buy hair scrunchies and hair ties!  They are not only affordable, but also super cute!  I love the huge selection available!

 

4.  Bleach

One of the best deals at Dollar Tree is their bleach.  For only $1.25 you can get a 96 oz. container of bleach!  That is a great price and I haven’t been able to find it cheaper anywhere else.

 

5.  Bandaids

If your kids are anything like my kids you probably go through a lot of bandaids.  Fortunately, you can buy them for a great price at Dollar Tree!

 

6.  Flip Flops

I love grabbing a few pairs of flip flops at the Dollar Tree every summer.  They are super cute and comfortable, plus it doesn’t matter if they break or get lost….because I spent less than $1.50 on them!

 

7.  Candles/Wax Melts

You really can’t beat paying less than $2 for a candle and a carton of candle wax melts.  Whenever you need to buy a candle, make sure to buy it at the Dollar Tree.

 

8.  Coloring/Activity Books

Dollar Tree has a huge selection of coloring and activity books perfect for kids.  I love to buy a few at the beginning of each summer to keep my kids entertained for the next few months.  The books are constantly changing and I love looking through the new selection regularly.

  • Related:  50 Fun Summer Activities For Kids

 

9.  Seasonal Items

Another great buy at Dollar Tree are the seasonal items.  Dollar Tree is wonderful at rotating through a large supply of seasonal toys, decorations, food and more.  It’s a great place to stock up on summer fun activities or stocking stuffers….and everything in between!

 

10.  Greeting Cards

The cheapest place to buy greeting cards is always at the Dollar Tree!  For only $1 you can get TWO greeting cards to give to your loved ones.  This is a great buy!

I also love to buy a package of blank note cards.  For $1 you get 6 blank cards, and can use them for any occasion!

 

11.  Gift Bags

The next time you are at Dollar Tree make sure to stock up on gift bags.  They are a fantastic deal and come in so many designs and sizes.

Want to know the best part of buying a gift bag???  It’s reusable, so the one time purchase can be used again and again!

12.  Sticky Notes

Another great buy at the Dollar Tree is the sticky notes.  I love using sticky notes for weekly planning and list making, so I always buy a package or two!

 

13.  LED Light Bulbs

LED light bulbs are expensive, buy can save you a lot of money in the long run!  Buy your LED lights at Dollar Tree so that you can still get the long term rewards, without the high price tag.

  • Related:  12 Products Worth Buying To Save Money In The Long Run

 

14.  Nail Polish

I have two girls in my home who LOVE doing their nails.  They buy a lot of their nail polish at Dollar Tree because the prices are MUCH lower than at other stores.

 

15.  Picture Frames

Did you know that you can even buy picture frames at Dollar Tree?  Because you totally can!  I love buying picture frames at Dollar Tree because they are so cheap, and have a lot of different styles and sizes to choose from!  Yay!

 

In Conclusion

The Dollar Tree has so many great deals, especially the ones listed above!  I have been able to save my family a lot of money by buying each of these things at Dollar Tree, and I hope this article will help your family save money too!  That’s what I’m here for after all!

 

Related Articles:

Dollar Tree Pantry Organization Tips

Dollar Tree Easter Basket Ideas

How To Save Money On Diapers

 

Pin For Future Reference:

best deals at dollar tree - what to buy at dollar tree

dollar tree deals - must buys at dollar tree

 

I hope you enjoy the best deals at Dollar Tree!

 

Best Side Hustles For Stay At Home Moms

April 5, 2022 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to earn money from home!

I have been so lucky to have been able to spend the past 16 years at home with my kids.  Being a stay at home mom is a job I always dreamed of, and I am definitely living my dream!  But, as my kids have grown older and I have had more free time, I have been looking for ways to earn a little extra income, without having to give up my time with my kids.  If you are in a similar situation at me, wanting to stay home with your kids, but are also wondering how to earn money from home, this article is for you!  I brainstormed a list of the best side hustles for stay at home moms, and I hope they help!

The best thing about this list is that these jobs are for anyone who wants to work part time out of their home.  Many of these can be done in the evenings or on weekends while you are still working a full time job.

This article contains affiliate links.  I will receive a commission off of purchases made through my links.

1.  Clean Businesses or Homes

A great way to make money as a stay at home mom is to hire yourself out to clean local businesses or homes.  Many businesses will need to be cleaned after office hours, which is perfect for stay at home moms because this mean you might be able to leave your kids at home with your husband once he gets home from work while you go clean.  This is also a good option for those needing to earn money after their day job is done.

You can easily market yourself on Facebook Marketplace, just post in a local group that you are available to clean and when.  There are also a few cleaning companies you could call and ask if they are needing another cleaner.

This is actually my side hustle.  I have been cleaning two AirBnb Rentals for the past year and actually really enjoy it!

I stick my earbuds in, listen to my favorite podcasts or a new book and clean away.  It’s good money and fairly easy work.  I’ve also been given permission to bring my kids with me, so I give them little jobs to help with and pay them for their help!  It’s been a great experience for all of us!

2.  Ebay Reseller

Do you like to thrift shop???  Why not turn that hobby into a part time job?  Look for brand name items at local thrift stores or garage sales and resell them on ebay.

Before buying anything remember to do a quick check on eBay to see how much money similar items are selling for, this should give you an idea of what is a good buy or not.

I’ve sold items here and there on eBay, but never consistently.  If you are interested in learning more, I found a fantastic article that can help get you started!

3.  AirBnb Hosting

I first learned about AirBnb Hosting from the lovely Jamie at Fly By The Seat of Our Pants.  Her family travels constantly, and they have learned to rent out their home using AirBnb while they are on vacation!  This has given them the ability to EARN money while they are on vacation!  I mean seriously, can it get any better than that????

I’ll be honest, when I first heard Jamie talk about letting strangers come stay at their house while they go on vacation, I was not on board.  But, the more I have learned from her, the more that I can see it is in fact a GREAT way to earn an extra income.  If you’re like me and have questions about how she makes it all work, check out her post Secrets of an AirBnb Host-FAQ of Renting our Home. She explains it all so well!

 

4.  VIP Kid

VIP Kid is currently one of the most popular work from home jobs, and for good reason!  The company is super easy to work with and hires most of their applicants!

This job sounds so fun because you get to sit at your computer while teaching English to kids in China!  If you are a teacher at heart, this is the job for you.

The best part is that all of the work is already done for you!  The lesson plans are all prepared, your job is just to teach it!

They do require you have some experience working with kids and a bachelors degree.  But!  It doesn’t matter what your degree is in!  (whoo!)

5.  Babysit Kids in Your Home

If you are already at home taking care of your own kids, why not offer to babysit a few other kids.  This is an easy way to earn an extra income, while doing what you would be doing anyways!

If a full time daycare feels like to much, consider just watching one child a couple of times a week.  I constantly see posts on Facebook Marketplace of parents wanting to find a part time sitter for their child.  Check there first!

6.  Blogging

Hello blogging! I fell in love with blogging last year when I decided, completely on a whim, to start this little blog.  I’ve always had a love of writing and being able to do that while being a full time stay at home mom felt like the perfect fit.

I’ve learned a lot over the past year and made a lot of mistakes at the same time.  But, you know what.  All of the ups and downs have been so worth it!  I love getting to do what I love from the comfort of my home.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about getting started blogging!  It’s a long road, made much easier with a support system.

  • Related:  How Do Bloggers Make Money

7.  Open an Etsy Shop

Do you love to craft or create?  Consider opening an Etsy shop to sell your handmade items.  We all have the ability to create something to share with the world.

Maybe your shop would be crafts, or jewelry.  It might even be graphic design or printables….the sky is the limit!  Spend a few minutes searching through Etsy to get some ideas for your own shop.

8.  Teach a Service

Do you have a skill you could teach to others?  I bet you do!

A few years ago I was a piano teacher (until I retired for personal reasons).  I loved having the ability to pick my own schedule and teach right out of my home.

What skills could you teach to others?  Maybe you could teach music, sewing, gardening, art, or cooking.

It would be fun to create a summer camp and focus on teaching for a few weeks straight if you don’t want to commit to something long term.

You could even teach through Zoom, Skype, etc.

9.  Photography

Do you like to take pictures?  Why don’t you turn it into a business!  All of the photographers I use are stay at home moms, and they are fantastic!

This side hustle will require some upfront costs as you invest in a camera and possibly some equipment.  But, it might be worth it if this is something you feel passionate about.

Do some research online and learn about what it takes to start a photography business to help you decide if this is the right fit for you or not.

10.  Refurbish Old Furniture

Refurbishing old furniture might feel a little daunting at first, but once you get going with it it’s actually really not that hard!!

Search thrift stores, estate sales and garage sales for old furniture and when you find a cheap price on a nice piece, snatch it up.

The trick is to look for the POTENTIAL!  Try to see beyond the yellow oak stain, the scratches and nicks and imagine the beauty the furniture could be.  Be sure to BARTER if you’re at a garage sale (always).

You can find hundreds of YouTube video tutorials all about how to refurbish old furniture!

Once you’re done fixing it up, list the item for sale, Facebook Marketplace works great, and enjoy the profit you’ll make!

I actually LOVE buying from people who have fixed up old furniture.  I love the look of it, but don’t like putting in the work.  So, you never know….I just might be your first customer!  😉

11.  Become a Virtual Assistant

Becoming a virtual assistant is easy!  All you need is motivation and a computer!  Virtual assistants work from home while assisting companies with social media, blogging, editing, e-mailing and more.

This job is wide open to whatever the company needs from you to keep their business thriving.  I have heard SO many good things about being a virtual assistant, and have considered it myself!

If you are interested in becoming a virtual assistant, I recommend joining a few Virtual Assistant Facebook groups.  These will be a great resource for you to ask questions and network.

12.  Tutoring

There have been times (actually many, many times) when I would be willing to PAY someone to help my daughter with her math homework.  I just don’t do math!

If I knew of a stay at home mom who would be willing to tutor my daughter in this subject, that is a fee I would be willing to pay!  If you enjoy working with others and feel confident in a specific subject, this is a great way to earn extra money from home.

Consider signing up through a tutoring company, or hire yourself out online.  This is a great job for setting your own hours!

In Conclusion

I truly believe that with the technology we have there are so many side hustles for stay at home moms, or anyone wanting to earn an extra income from home.  Do some research, find the right fit for you and your personality, and then get started making money!

Let me know if you have any questions, I am here to help!

 

Pin this article for future reference:

How to Earn Money From Home for Stay at Home Moms

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Related Articles:

Budgeting for Beginners: FAQ

What I have learned about living a sweet and frugal life on ONE income

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The best side hustles for stay at home moms!

Seasonal Sales Cycles: What To Buy Each Month For The Best Deal

January 13, 2022 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The Best Time To Buy Everything Month By Month

Ok. I want to let you in on a little secret…..are you ready for it????  Here goes!  

Shopping seasonal sales will change your finances.

There, I said it!

Will this one little hack change your finances drastically????  No!

But, will it help you to have more money?  Absolutely!

 

What is a sales cycle?

A sales cycle, also called seasonal sales, is when certain products are put on sale at specific times during the year.  These are usually the times when the products will be priced at their lowest, so if it’s an item you like to buy frequently, you should buy it during that time.

Learning the cycle of seasonal sales is one of the best ways to cut down your regular spending.  I like to wait to buy some of my fave products until I know the sale is likely coming, and then I can confidently buy it at the low price.

What stores have seasonal sales?

Are you wondering what stores have seasonal sales cycles?  Well, you’re in luck because all of them do!  Seriously!  Or at least at MOST stores.   You should be able to find a rotation of sales at clothing, grocery, furniture, hardware stores and more!

Items go on sale in cycles, typically the same products will be on sale the same time of year each year.  Keep reading to find out exactly what goes on sale and when.

 

What’s on Sale in January?

Bedding and Towels:  Many department stores will have sales on their bedding, towels and sheets during January as part of their “white sales.”

Holiday Decorations:  As Christmas ends, you will find huge discounts on all things holiday.  These usually begin right at the end of December/beginning of January.  But make sure to be quick shopping for all things Christmas, as these items will go fast!

Gym Memberships and Equipment:  With the turn of the New Years comes New Years Resolutions, and many goals revolve around fitness.  Because of these goals retailers commonly mark down their gym memberships and fitness equipment.

Calendars and Planners:  If you wait until after January 1 you will be able to get a cheaper price on calendars and planners for the upcoming year.

Toys:  Another great seasonal sales cycle that comes in January is toys!  You should be able to find markdowns on many toys as retailers are trying to decrease their stock of Christmas toys.  This is a good time to stock up for next year or for birthdays!

Grocery Sales in January

Oatmeal Products:  January is National Oatmeal Month, which means grocery stores will put their oatmeal products on sale.  The sales will include granola bars, instant oatmeal, and oat cereal.

Diet Foods:  As mentioned above, January is a popular month for dieting.  A lot of stores take advantage of these new years goals by putting their diet foods on sale.

Party Foods:  Towards the end of January, as the Super Bowl gets closer, you will be able to find markdowns on party foods.  Look for deals on crackers, pizza, wings, chips, dips, soda etc.

In Season Produce:  This month the cheapest produce to buy will be:  apples, grapefruits, kiwi, lemons, clementine’s, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels spouts, celery, and leeks.

 

  • Related:  How to Save Money When Eating Out

 

What’s on Sale in February?

Winter Clothing:  February is a great time to stock up on cold weather clothing, such as clothes, gloves, hats, etc.  Many stores are trying to get rid of their supply to make room for summer/spring clothing.

TVs:  The beginning of February is one of the best times (excluding Black Friday) to buy a new TV.  The prices are heavily discounted right before Super Bowl week.

Furniture:  If you are in the market for new furniture/mattresses, Presidents Day is usually a great time to buy these items!

Video Games:  New video games are commonly released in November, right before the holidays.  If you wait until February to buy these new games you will most likely get them on a discount!

Grocery Sales in February

Chocolate:  Chocolate is heavily discounted after Valentines Day.  Stock up for birthday gifts or yummy snacking!

Canned Food:  February is National Canned Food month making it the perfect time of year to stock up on all the canned goods.  Most grocery stores will be having sales on canned foods including beans, tomatoes, soup, fruit, etc.

In Season Produce:  Seasonal produce in February includes asparagus, broccoli, carrots, celery, kiwi, avocados, lemons and grapefruit.

 

 

What’s On Sale in March?

Luggage:  Luggage typically goes on sale during March, so if you are in need of a new suitcase, this is your month!

Craft Supplies:  March is National Craft Month!  Look for deals on all things craft supplies this month.

Winter Sports Gear:  Now that spring is coming it is a perfect time to buy winter sports gear.  Items like skis and snowshoes will be discounted at many sporting good stores.

Cleaning Supplies:  Spring cleaning is just around the corner and many retailers will start discounting their cleaning supplies in March.

  • Related:  5 Easy Homemade Cleaner Recipes

Grocery Sales in March

Frozen Foods:  National Frozen Food Month is in March, meaning many grocers offer deals on all things frozen foods.  It’s the perfect time to stock up on ice cream, frozen veggies, pizza and more.

Breakfast Cereals:  March 7th is National Cereal Day and with that comes discounts on both cold and hot cereals.

In Season Produce:  This month is also a great time to buy broccoli, carrots, celery, mushrooms, cauliflower, oranges, pineapples, and strawberries.

 

What’s On Sale in April?

Easter:  Stock up on all things Easter after the holiday is over.  You will be able to find deals on Easter baskets, eggs, candy, stuffed animals, and decorations.

Vacuums:  New vacuum models are typically released in April, and the older models will go on sale, just in time for spring cleaning.

Snow Blowers:  April is not the month when most people have snow blowers on their mind, but it is the perfect time to buy one for a discounted price!

Cookware Sets:  With graduation and wedding season approaching many department stores start discounting their cookware sets (which make perfect gifts)!

Grocery Sales in April

Ham:  Many foods will be marked down immediately after Easter, including ham!  It’s a great time to get a deal on this expensive meat.

Baking Items:  You can usually find some good deals on baking items throughout the month of April.

Easter Candy:  Make sure to stock up on Easter candy after the holiday is over.

In Season Produce:  The produce in season during the month of April is:  artichokes, beets, zucchini, peas, mushrooms, onion, avocado, and mangos.

 

What’s On Sale in May?

Furniture:  Memorial Day weekend is one of the best times of the year to buy furniture.  If you are needing any indoor furniture or mattresses, this is the month to do so!

Small Kitchen Appliances:  May is the perfect time to get deals on small kitchen appliances as retailers mark them down for graduation and wedding season.  

Paper Products:  A lot of grilling/picnic items go on sale right before Memorial Day weekend, including paper products like plates, napkins, etc.

Grocery Sales in May

Cinco De Mayo:  Cinco De Mayo is on May 5th which brings a lot of celebrations, and a few deals!  At the beginning of the month look for sales on salsa, tortillas, and other Mexican foods.

Grilling Items:  Condiments, hamburger buns, hot dogs and other grilling foods are commonly put on sale during May in preparation for Memorial Day BBQs.

In Season Produce:  Make sure to look for these seasonal produce items:  apricots, artichokes, beets, blackberries, carrots, cantaloupe, peas, radish, strawberries and watermelon.

  • Related:  How to Freeze Strawberries (the easy way)

 

 

What’s On Sale in June?

Bath and Body Products:  Bath and Body Works always has their semi annual sale in June with fantastic markdowns!  This is a great time to stock up on your favorite bath and body products, I also like to buy a few to gift as Christmas presents!  This is one of my favorite seasonal sales cycles!

Tools:  With Fathers Day in the middle of June, you will find prices on tools dropping.  These make great gifts for Fathers Day, but you can also plan ahead for Christmas!

Workout Clothing:  Many retailers put their workout clothing on sale in June as people tend to get more active during the summer months.  This is a good time to get a deal on clothes for exercising or outdoor adventures.

Spring Clothing:  June is a great month for shopping clothing clearance racks.  Most of the spring clothes are put on sale to make room for all of the summer items.

Pain Killers:  Did you know that June is National Headache Month (yes, this is a real thing!)?  You can usually find a few deals on pain killers, sinus medications, aspirin, etc.  

Grocery Sales in June

Dairy Foods:  June is National Dairy Month and with it brings grocery deals on all things dairy, including milk, yogurt, eggs, ice cream and cheese.

Grilling Items:  Like May you can find a lot of deals on foods for grilling, such as meats, condiments, buns, etc.

In Season Produce:  Here are a few of the produce items that are in season this month:  corn, cucumbers, squash, apricots, blueberries, peaches, strawberries and watermelon.

 

What’s On Sale in July?

Patriotic Items:  Immediately after the 4th of July is the best time of year to stock up on supplies, decorations and clothing for next years celebrations.  These sales will begin right before the holiday, but if you wait and buy after the 4th, the discount will be even greater.

Paint:  Lowes and Home Depot typically have paint sales in July.  If you’ve been wanting to paint a room in your house, this is a great month to do it!

Swimsuits:  Near the end of the month you will start seeing discounts on swimsuits, stock up now before they get picked over!

Grocery Sales in July

Ice Cream:  July is National Ice Cream Month (AKA:  the best holiday ever!).  Grocery stores will be having sales on ice cream, so be on the lookout for those throughout the month!

Hot Dogs:  In addition to ice cream, July is also National Hot Dog Month!  You will be able to find deals on hot dogs, buns and condiments.

In Season Produce:  Seasonal produce this month include blueberries, watermelon, green beans, squash, swiss chard, tomatoes, corn and cucumbers.

 

What’s On Sale in August?

School/Office Supplies:  August is a popular time for retailers to mark down their school and office supplies in preparation for back to school time.  Stock up now and be prepared all year.

Patio Furniture:  As summer comes to an end, you will be able to find good deals on outdoor patio furniture.  It’s a great time to buy ahead to use for next year!

Yard Care Supplies:  This is the perfect month for buying garden supplies, lawn mowers and other yard care items.  Retailers are marking down yard care supplies to clear them out before winter comes.

Grocery Sales In August

Breakfast Foods:  The first day of school will be starting soon, and typically the seasonal sales cycles include deals on easy foods for parents and kids.  Breakfasts items is one of those foods.  You should see sales on cereal, juice, and frozen waffles.

Cold Lunch Foods:  In addition to breakfast, food items for cold lunch will also be going on sale.  Make sure to stock up on fruit cups, lunch meat, lunchables, crackers and peanut butter.

In Season Produce:  Stock up on these produce items in August:  peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, raspberries and watermelon.

 

What’s On Sale in September?

Summer Clothing:  September is the perfect month to stock up on warm weather clothing to use for next year.  You will find big discounts at most clothing stores.

Luggage:  Labor Day weekend typically brings great sales on luggage.  Make sure to buy any suitcases you will need during the first weekend of September.

Grills:  This is the perfect month to buy that new grill you’ve been eyeing.  They will be marked down as part of the end of summer clearance sales.

Mattresses:  Another popular Labor Day weekend sale is on mattresses.  Check your local furniture store for this great seasonal sale cycle deal!

Grocery Sales in September

Canned Soup:  Fall is just around the corner and you’ll begin seeing markdowns on fall comfort foods, such as canned soups.

In Season Produce:  Make sure to watch out for good deals on these September produce items:  apples, green beans, cantaloupe, beets, cauliflower, onion, tomatoes and pears.

 

  • Related:  How To Stop Overspending

 

What’s On Sale in October?

Jeans:  October is one of the best times of the year to buy jeans.  They are commonly marked down as back to school season ends.

Camping Gear:  If you like to camp, or want to start camping, October is the perfect month to stock up on new supplies.  The discounts are heavy now that summer is officially over!

Grocery Sales in October

Seafood:  October is National Seafood Month and grocers will offer sales on seafood throughout the month to celebrate.

Baking Sales:  The fall baking sales are prevalent during October.  You should be able to find many baking items on sale including canned pumpkin, chocolate chips, evaporated milk, flour, sugar, etc.

In Season Produce:  You’ll find the best deals on these produce items during October:  apples, potatoes, cranberries, grapes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, broccoli and cabbage.

 

What’s On Sale in November?

Halloween Costumes:  Head into the store the first couple of days after Halloween to stock up on Halloween costumes.  These are great to keep around for next years Halloween or for your kids to use when playing dress up.

Electronics:  November is the best month of the year to buy electronics, especially during Black Friday sales.  This is a great time of year to buy TVs, laptops, and other electronics.

Beauty Products:  Black Friday is also a great time to buy beauty products like makeup and hair tools.  Most beauty stores will have big sales all weekend.

Appliances:  Appliances are traditionally included in the November Black Friday deals.  You should find some of the lowest prices on refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, etc. this month.

Grocery Sales in November

Canned Food:  Thanksgiving pantry staples will be on sale this month, so look for deals on canned pumpkin, canned cranberry sauce, sweetened condensed milk and canned vegetables.

Halloween Candy:  All Halloween candy will go on sale the first week of November.  You can stock up on candy to use for Christmas or other events throughout the year (or just to eat yourself….).

In Season Produce:  Be sure to shop this months in season produce:  beets, broccoli, pears, brussels sprouts, carrots, kiwis, oranges, potatoes and pomegranates.

 

What’s On Sale in December?

Gift Cards:  Gift cards will be on sale throughout the month of December.  This is the perfect time to buy gift cards to give as presents or to use throughout the next year.  Look for gift card sales from retailers and restaurants.  Last year I bought a few Target gift cards for 10% off!

Vehicles:  December is a great time to buy a new vehicle.  Many dealerships are more willing to negotiate at the end of the year to clear the lot for newer models.

Christmas Decorations/Wrapping Paper:  Wait until after Christmas to shop for new holiday decorations and wrapping paper.  They will be heavily discounted at the end of the month.  I always like to stock up to save for the next year.

Grocery Sales in December

Baking Goods:  Baking items continue to be on sale throughout the holidays.  Watch for deals on items like flour, sugar, pie crusts, and whipped cream.

Party Foods:  As the end of the month nears take advantage of grocery sales on party foods such as veggie trays, crackers and dips.

In Season Produce:  Winter produce will be priced right this month, stock up on items like:  pears, cauliflower, celery, grapefruit, oranges, and spinach.

 

Shop Smart

If you regularly shop the seasonal sales cycles you will begin to see a decrease in your spending (which in turn increases the amount of money in your pocket!).  It requires some patience and effort, but it’s worth the wait to score good deals on items you need and want!

 

Here are a few other articles to help you save more money:

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

12 Products Worth Buying To Save Money In The Long Run

15 Best Generic Products To Buy

 

Pin For Future Reference:

month to month sales cycles - when do things go on sale

how to buy everything on sale - grocery sales cycles tips

Enjoy shopping the seasonal sales cycles now that you know what to buy each month for the best deal. 

 

How To Teach Kids To Give During The Christmas Season

December 9, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Life1 Comment

How we use our giving jar to help others.

Ahhhh January.  The month of new beginnings.  Fresh starts.  Resolution’s and goals.  A month where we clear out the clutter in our life, figuratively and literally, and decide what we can do to make our life a little better than it was before.

Which brings me to December.  The month of giving and sharing.  Where we try to focus more on others than ourselves and look for those who may be in need of charity and service. My family has a favorite family tradition in December.  We choose a family in need.  Either from the neighborhood, a local giving tree, or any other we may hear about who is down on their luck.  We then play the part of Secret Santa. 

We go to the store, buy the gifts on this families want and need list.  We wrap the presents up in beautiful wrappings and bows and secretly deliver them to where they need to go.  We look forward to this tradition every year.  I love teaching my kids to serve others.  I love that through service they are humbled and learn how lucky (maybe even a little spoiled!) they are in comparison to others.  And I love the thought of bringing a smile to someone’s face come Christmas morning.  Did I mention I LOVE this tradition!?!

December also just so happens to be the month that is hard for us (maybe you too???) to stick to our monthly budget.  We try to plan ahead for it.  We try to cut down costs.  But, we still found ourselves struggling to afford all the fun festive activities and gift giving we wanted to participate in. As we discussed what we would cut out I refused to limit our Secret Santa tradition.

Enter:  The Giving Jar

And so we came up with the beautiful idea of The Giving Jar.  I grabbed an old junky used mason jar from our basement, cut a small hole in the top and named it The Giving Jar.

As the fresh new month of January begins, our Giving Jar sits empty.  As the year goes on we as a family puts every single coin we receive into the jar. And when December comes a long our jar is full.  This is the money we use for our Secret Santa tradition.  Our Giving Jar has blessed the lives of so many, and have also helped to teach our kids to give during the Christmas season.

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I love that old junky mason jar.  I love watching it fill up throughout the year.  I love when one of my kids tries to stuff some newly earned dollar bills inside.  And I love watching my kids as they proudly carry it into the store as we purchase gifts for others.

It’s pretty cool how something old and used could become something so beautiful and special and can do so much good for others…..including me.

 

Related Articles:

Best Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

How to Save Money For Christmas

 

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This jar has helped me teach kids to give during the Christmas season, and it can help you too!

Quick New York City In A Weekend Trip

November 4, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Life5 Comments

NYC In Three Days

I have always dreamed of visiting New York City.  There is just something about the lights, the buildings, and the hustle and bustle of the big apple that appealed to me.  I’ve talked about this dream with my sister for years and one day she stopped me and said, “Let’s do it! Let’s go visit New York City this year.”  And I said, “Ok!”  We decided to try to keep the budget low and to visit NYC in three days, which wasn’t easy, but we were able to make it work!  I was a little worried that only one weekend in New York City wouldn’t be enough time, but I was wrong.  We were able to see all of our “must sees” and had the time of our lives!  Here are a few tips for a quick New York City in a weekend trip!  

weekend in nyc

Our Quick New York City Weekend Trip

We spent a lot of hours researching and planning our NYC trip.  The first thing we did was make a list of the places we MOST wanted to see.  The statue of liberty and a Broadway show were at the top of that list.

Next, we started researching for the most frugal ways to visit all of our favorite attractions.  Through that process we came up with our budget friendly, quick New York City in a weekend trip itinerary.  Below is everything that we did, and a few frugal tips to help you plan your own trip!

Day 1:  Thursday

We took a direct flight from SLC to Newark airport and landed at about 6pm.  To save money we decided to split an uber ride to our hotel, and cost us about $30 per couple.

Using Priceline we booked the Dylan Hotel located in Midtown Manhattan.  We loved it!  The hotel is located close to a lot of top attractions, it was clean and the price was very reasonable for the location!

*Hotel Money Saving Tip:  We booked out hotel through Priceline because they seemed to have the best deals.  When using Priceline we didn’t get to choose which hotel we booked, but we were able to choose the area and the hotel star rating.  The hotel we got was amazing, exactly what we wanted!  We scored a boutique midtown hotel (with a king bed, which is hard to find) for only $200/night! 

*Hotel Money Saving Tip:  When booking any travel make sure you use Rakuten first, this one simple step gave us an extra 6% cashback on our hotel purchase.

After settling into our hotel we walked down the street to Uncle Pauls Pizza.  The pizza was delicious and only $4/slice, exactly what we wanted!

Once we were full from pizza we walked around and enjoyed some sight seeing.  We visited Grand Central Station, St.Patricks Cathedral, window shopped down 5th Avenue, and ended the night in Times Square.  Everything we saw Thursday night was completely free!

 


  • Related:  20 Things To Do In New York City For Free

 

Day 2:  Friday

On Friday morning we got up early for breakfast.  We went to a small restaurant, across the street from our hotel, Home Front Deli.  It was delicious!  They made the absolute best bagels I tried all weekend!  I highly recommend!

After breakfast we headed to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  This was one of my favorite stops of the entire trip!  It is WELL worth the money!  You could spend DAYS in this museum.  We focused on the Egyptian Room, The American Wing, and European Art.  Everything was absolutely incredible!


 

After visiting The Met we rode the bus down to the Top of the Rock and were treated to absolutely amazing views of New York City. 

We chose to visit Top of the Rock, instead of the Empire State Building, because the price was cheaper and the views were better!  I loved that we could see the Empire State Building and Central Park in our view.

 


Next, was lunch at The Halal Guys for the best Gyros I have ever had.  This is seriously a must stop.  The portions were huge and only around $8 for a platter.

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That night we had tickets to go see The Lion King on Broadway.  This was one of our big splurges for the trip and it did not disappoint!  We paid full price for our tickets to The Lion King, but there are ways to get discount Broadway Tickets.

*Broadway Money Saving Tip:  To get discount Broadway tickets stop by the TKTS booth located right in Times Square.  These same day tickets are heavily discounted for a select shows.

Another way to get cheaper tickets for Broadway is to check out the Today Tix website.  We used this service for a Broadway show Saturday night and were very pleased with the discounts we got!

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  • Related:  Kauai on a Budget

 

Day 3:  Saturday

For breakfast on Saturday we went to Zuckers Bagels for another classic NYC bagel.  If I’m being honest, I didn’t enjoy this breakfast quite as much as Home Front Deli, but it was still delicious!

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Immediately after breakfast we headed to the 9/11 museum, this is what I had been most looking forward to. 

We were treated to an amazing museum full of heart wrenching photos, survivor stories and gut wrenching facts.  Total we spent about 3 hours walking around and taking it all in.  But, honestly we could have spent all day there, they had so many exhibits and a lot of great information to look through.


 

After the museum we headed Downtown to hop onto the Staten Island Ferry.  This is a completely FREE ferry that takes you right past the statue of liberty.  It was so simple to walk right on to the ferry.  I recommend going to the very back so that you can also be treated to a view of the NYC skyline.

The views of the Statue of Liberty were even better than we had expected!  Once we arrived in New Jersey, we walked off, went around the corner and walked right onto the next ferry to ride back to Manhattan.  So easy, and you just can’t beat a good view for FREE!

 

Next, we headed to Brooklyn for a walk across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.  It was a wet and stormy day, but we still enjoyed the views on the bridge. The architecture was incredible!


That evening we had dinner at Melt Shop for some gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.  The food was amazing and very budget friendly!

After dinner we headed to another Broadway Show, Waitress.

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This wasn’t my favorite Broadway show, but my sister really enjoyed it, so to each their own!

 

Day 4:  Sunday

Our plane was leaving Sunday afternoon, so we were thrilled to have a few hours left to enjoy the big apple.

We stopped by Wafels and Dinges for breakfast, and I have been dreaming out this place ever since!

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After breakfast we decided it was time for cookies, which is totally normal, right???!?!  We went straight from breakfast to Levain Bakery for the absolute BEST cookie I have EVER had!!!  You MUST, I repeat, MUST stop by Levain Bakery.  Their cookies were absolutely amazing!


We ate our cookies in Central Park and then spent the rest of the morning wandering the paths and enjoying the day.  It truly is a beautiful park with so many unique areas and sights.  I loved strolling through all of the different areas.

 


Our trip was a busy whirlwind, but I wouldn’t change it for anything!  We were able to see everything we wanted to see, and had a lot of fun doing it!  I can’t wait to go back again one day and visit even more of the amazing sights.

Be sure to check out my post 20 Completely Free Things to do in New York City for more budget friendly New York City ideas!

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I hope this gave you some good ideas for your quick New York City in a weekend trip!

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

November 3, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Life24 Comments

The best homemade hot cocoa mix recipe makes everything better!

We love keeping hot chocolate stocked in our home during the cold winter months.  My kids will spend hours and hours playing outside in the snow and the first thing they ask for when they come inside is some hot chocolate!  Back in my “spender” days I use to buy hot chocolate mix at the store like it was nobody’s business!  Once I started learning how to save and live a frugal life I learned how to make hot cocoa from scratch with this easy homemade hot chocolate mix recipe and I have never looked back! 

Not only does making your own hot cocoa save you money, it is also so quick and easy to do.  We love this easy homemade hot chocolate recipe because it tastes much much better than anything we ever buy from the store.  I like to whip a huge catch up at the beginning of every winter and keep it stored in the pantry for the kids to use whenever they need a warm drink.

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How To Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Once you start making this easy hot cocoa recipe you will never go back to the expensive store bought kind.  Kids love to help make this recipe and it’s a fun family activity to do together.

Gather Ingredients

All you need is 5 cheap ingredients to mix up this creamy hot cocoa….and you probably already have them all in your pantry!

You will need:

  • 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup powdered creamer
  • 1/8 tsp salt

Mix It Together

Now, with a spoon, stir all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.

That’s it!  You are done!  (see, I told you it was easy!)

You can store your homemade hot chocolate mix in an airtight container in a cupboard.  This mix will should stay fresh for 6-12 months.

When you are ready to enjoy your hot chocolate just stir 1/4 cup mix with 3/4 boiling water in a mug.  Enjoy!  Feel free to add marshmallows, candy canes, or whipped cream for an even more festive treat!

Hot Cocoa Mix

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup cocoa
  • 1/2 cup powdered creamer
  • 1/8 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Store in a tightly covered container.
  • To make hot chocolate:  Stir 1/4 cup mix with 3/4 cup boiling water.  Enjoy!
  • Related:  25 Completely Free Family Winter Activities

This easy homemade hot cocoa also makes a great, cheap Christmas gift for neighbors or friends!

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Just put some in a mason jar and put a pretty bow around it!  Make sure to attach the instructions so your neighbors will know how to use it.

  • Related:  Cheap Gift Ideas for Neighbors, Teachers, and Friends

In Conclusion

This easy hot chocolate recipe will cost you pennies to make and tastes so very delicious!  I hope your family will enjoy it as much as we do!

Related Articles:

Christmas Hard Candy Recipe

Frugal Christmas Traditions For Families

Best Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

Don’t Forget To Pin This Recipe To Use Again:

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I hope you enjoy this easy homemade hot chocolate mix recipe!

Easy Toilet Paper Pumpkin Craft Tutorial

October 13, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Life5 Comments

How to make toilet paper roll pumpkins!

Yesterday I pulled out all of our fall decorations and had fun getting the house looking a little more festive.  After that I decided I wanted a few more small decorations, but didn’t want to spend very much money.  So, I decided to make this easy toilet paper pumpkin craft!

My friend showed me how to make these toilet paper roll pumpkins a few years ago, and I knew they would be the perfect addition to my house this fall.  The best part about these pumpkins is that they cost less than $1 to make!  Yep, you read that right, $1!

The only item I bought for this easy fall craft was the fabric.  I bought three fat fabric squares from Walmart for 97 cents each.  If that’s not frugal, I don’t know what is!  If you already have scrap fabric at home, these will be even cheaper to make!

Not only are these crazy cheap to make…..they are also one of the easiest crafts ever!  Most importantly, I spent less than an hour making all three of these darling Halloween Pumpkins.  If you aren’t a crafter, this is the craft for you!

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Toilet Paper Pumpkin Craft Supplies

First, let’s gather the supplies.  You only need three items to make these cute pumpkins, and you probably already have most of them at home.

Supplies Needed:

  • One roll of toilet paper
  • One fat fabric square of fabric (or fabric cut to 18″x22″)
  • Hot glue gun (optional)
  • A twig for the stem

Toilet Paper Roll Pumpkin Instructions

Now that you have all of your supplies, the fun part can begin!  Let’s start crafting!

First, lay the square of fabric right side down on the table. 

Next, place your toilet paper roll right in the middle of the fabric square.

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Now, take the ends of the fabric and tuck them into the middle of the toilet paper roll.   As you tuck the ends, make sure to pull the fabric tight, this helps make some cute textures and creases for the pumpkin.  Sometimes it takes me a few tries before I get it looking just right.

Keep stuffing the ends of the fabric into the toilet paper roll until all the ends of the fabric are hidden and the toilet paper is completely covered with fabric.


You are almost done! 

For the stem, just go into your backyard, or a local park and find a small twig.  I had to break my stick to get the perfect twig size.

Next, just hot glue a small amount of glue into the middle of your pumpkin and then stick the twig into the hot glue, making sure it is sticking up correctly.


If you don’t have a hot glue gun, that’s OK!  Just stick that stick inside the pumpkin and you are ready to go!  The twig will usually stand up straight without the glue.

And that’s it!  You are done!  Just beware, these toilet paper pumpkins are so addicting!  You might end up making thousands.  They make great gifts for friends and neighbors.

 

A Few Tips

Try playing around with the toilet paper to make different shapes and sizes.  You can change the pumpkin look just by taking off some toilet paper.

For the polka dot pumpkin, I took off about 1/4 of the toilet paper to make a smaller pumpkin.  I also wrapped some toilet paper loosely around the entire roll.  This gives it a slightly more rounded look.  So cute, right???


I wanted my other black pumpkin to be a little bit larger so, I added extra toilet paper to the roll, and tried to give it a rounded loose look.


I loved the way this one turned out!  There really are some many possibilities!  And for a whopping 97 cents…..you can make a dozen of these without breaking the bank!

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Have you ever made a toilet paper roll pumpkin before???  It truly is such a fun and easy pumpkin craft! Let me know if you try it out, I would love to hear how they turned out.

Happy frugal crafting!

 

YouTube Tutorial

Check out my YouTube toilet paper roll pumpkin tutorial for even more tips for making this easy fall craft!

 

You might also like:

–Rice Krispie Halloween Monsters Recipe

–No Sew Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial

 

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Enjoy your toilet paper pumpkin!

Easy After School Snack Ideas

September 5, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

Quick after school snacks for kids!

I am always looking for easy after school snack ideas.  After school snack time is one of my favorite parts of the day because it is a time for my kids to sit down, refill their bellies, and talk to ME (if I’m lucky tbh)!  😉

I will admit, a big reason I make the after school snack a priority is for selfish reasons.  My goal is that as they eat their snack they will tell me all the highs and lows of their day.  It doesn’t always happen this way, but sometimes I see success.  There have been amazing days when they have sat down and poured their hearts out to me over the snack.  And those days make it all worthwhile!

I spent the past month taking a daily picture of our after school snacks.  A “pinterest mom” I am not; my parenting thrives on simple and cheap.  If you are looking for the healthiest, fanciest snacks…..this is NOT that type of blog. 

However, if you are looking for a few easy snack ideas then keep reading, you just might find one here!

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Easy After School Snack Ideas Week 1

Day 1:  Peanut butter cookie, raisins

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Day 2:  Cinnamon sugar tortilla, grapes

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Day 3:  Whole wheat banana chocolate chip muffin, strawberries

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Day 4:  Bagel with cream cheese, strawberries

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Day 5:  Applesauce

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Week 2

Day 1:  Peanut butter cookie, dried apples

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Day 2:  Peanut butter crackers for running errands

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Day 3:  String cheese, orange

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Day 4:  Animal crackers, celery with peanut butter

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Day 5:  Fruit leather and dried apples

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Week 3

Day 1:  Animal crackers, grapes for running errands

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Day 2:  Homemade Graham Crackers, grapes

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Day 3:  Apple slices with peanut butter and chocolate chips (I use this mandoline slicer for the apples)

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Day 4:  Monster Rice Krispie Treats

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Day 5:  Frozen Blueberries

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Week 4

Day 1:  Oil popped popcorn

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Day 2:  Muffin Tin Snack of carrots, animal crackers, cheerios, raisins and string cheese

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Day 3:  Pumpkin muffin and raisins

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Day 4:  String cheese and carrots

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Day 5:  Cheerios and raisins

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In Conclusion

It was actually so fun to look back and see all of the different snacks we had over the past month!  I hope that you found them helpful!  Feeding kids doesn’t need to take a lot of work or cost a lot of money!

 

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Related Articles:

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What are some of your favorite easy after school snacks ideas?

Fall Activities For Families

August 13, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Fall Bucket List Ideas.

Ahhhh fall!  My favorite time of year.  It’s the perfect fresh start as school begins, the air turns crisp, and we get to enjoy a bountiful garden harvest.  There are also so many fall activities for families making the season perfect in every way! 

With fall just around the corner, we decided to share some of our fall bucket list ideas.  Hopefully they will help you and your family find some fun, frugal things to do together.

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Fall Activities For Families

Check out our favorite fall bucket list ideas below.  These will make fall fun, while staying in budget!

1.  Have a Bonfire

Fall is the perfect time for a bonfire.  Invite some friends over for a backyard bonfire, or head up to the mountains and enjoy a large fire together in the forest.  Make sure to bring some marshmallows to roast!  Enjoy snuggling under a blanket and the fresh crisp air.

To keep the bonfire extra frugal friendly, skip all of the smores toppings and just roast marshmallows!  They only cost $1/bag and are so tasty when melty.

2.  Go Apple Picking

Fall is a great time to buy apples for a low price.  Check out your local farmers market for cheap apples…or better yet go pick them yourself at a u pick apple orchard!  This is a great activity to get your whole family involved in.

There isn’t much better than spending a day in the orchard picking apples, at least for me!

3.  Carve Pumpkins

What’s Halloween (or fall) without a carved pumpkin???  Buy a few pumpkins from the store (or grow your own) and spend time together as a family being creative as you carve pumpkins. 

You don’t even need to buy the carving kits in the store.  Just print out a few free templates from the internet and use your kitchen knives for carving.  Frugal for the win!

4.  Fall Scavenger Hunt

Another perfect fall activity for families is to go on a fall scavenger hunt.  This can be done in your neighborhood, a nearby forest. or a local park.

Just use a brown paper bag (or whatever you have at home) to collect different colored leaves, acorns, pine cones, etc.  You might want to make a list of specific items to look for to have a common goal while hunting!

5.  Fall Crafting

Fall is the perfect time for crafting!  As the weather cools down, spend some time inside working on a craft together as a family.

Check out this super easy Toilet Paper Roll Pumpkin.  It’s the best project for both crafters and non-crafters, and it turns out SO cute!

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6.  Attend a High School Football Game

What’s fall without some football!  Make you would enjoy being a part of the community by attending your local high school football game.  There is just something special about the cool fall air, bright Friday night lights, and the energy of a crowd.

Plus, tickets are usually really cheap making this a great fall activity for families!

7.  Make Applesauce

Have you ever had homemade applesauce?  It is so much better than store bought!  My kids look forward to it every year, and I love making it!

Making applesauce be a very big process, but it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon together as a family.  Plus, there is just nothing better than the smell of sweet apples and cinnamon in the house.  It makes me happy!

Be sure to grab this applesauce maker and apple corer/peeler/spiralizer.  They both make the applesauce process much easier, promise, game changers!

8.  Go to the Pumpkin Patch

Spend a fun family day at the pumpkin patch.  It can be so fun walking around the pumpkin patch while looking at all of the different colors, shapes, and sizes of each pumpkin.

To make the experience a little cheaper you could choose to buy just one pumpkin as a family to share together.

 

 

9.  Go On a Hike

Fall is the perfect time of year to get up in the mountains and enjoy nature with a hike.  You could even make a day out of it by packing a picnic!  I love seeing the beauty in the forest as the leaves are changing color.

10.  Bake Something

Is there anything better than fall baking???  I think not!  Spend time together in the kitchen baking some fun fall treats.  

Here are a few of my fave recipes to try:  Grandmas Famous Banana Bread Recipe or Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe.

  • Related:  Mels Home Cooking Recipe Book

11.  Play in the Leaves

Rake up a big pile of leaves and then have some fun jumping into them!  This is the perfect way to get your kids to help with the work…and then celebrate with some fun!

12.  Drink Apple Cider

On the first day of fall each year I buy a box of Apple Cider for our family to enjoy.  My kids love this simple tradition!

13.  Go to The Corn Maze

Go to your local corn maze and get lost!  Try it both during day time and night time for different experiences. 

Most corn mazes will offer daily deals, so be sure to look out for “buy one get one free” or “family discount” days.  Last year we went on bring a pet day and received a discount.

14.  Paint a Pumpkin

Don’t like carving pumpkins?  Consider painting one instead.  You could paint a funny face on it or even make a pretty design, the sky’s the limit!

  • Related:  25 Completely Free Family Winter Activities

15.  Dip Apples in Caramel

Making caramel apples is a fun fall activity, but can get a little messy!  So, I love to buy apples and caramel for dipping instead.  It’s much less work and you can control how much caramel goes on each apple (the more the better in my opinion!).

16.  Make a Fall Treat

One of our favorite fall bucket list ideas is treats!  Because treats just happen to be my love language!

There are so many delicious goodies you can make during fall.  Pumpkin cookies and apple pie are a couple of favorites at our house.  My kids always request these Monster Rice Krispie Treats. They are perfect for Halloween time and sure to be a huge hit!

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17.  Go On a Hay Ride

Hay rides are so much fun and the perfect fall activity!  Look at your community events and find a place where they might be offering hay rides.  They are usually only a few dollars per person.

18.  Roast Pumpkin Seeds

After carving pumpkins, be sure to save the seeds for roasting.

All you have to do is wash the seeds and place them on a cookie sheet.  Drizzle olive oil on top and sprinkle with seasoning salt.  Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Easy and so so tasty!

19.  Go To The Farmers Market

Does your community have a farmers market?  Spend a day as a family browsing the different booths. 

Farmers markets are a fun place to taste a few samples, listen to some good music and maybe buy a treat or two.  It makes for a lovely morning out, without having to spend a lot of money.

20.  Plant Fall Bulbs

Fall is a great time of you to plant a fall flower bulbs in your yard.  When you plant them in the fall you will be rewarded with beautiful flowers in the spring, which is such a fun treat to see!  My favorite bulbs to plant each fall are tulips and daffodils.

21.  Watch Football at Home

Invite a few friends over to watch a football game together on TV.  Ask everyone to bring an appetizer or dessert so you can eat while enjoying the big game.

22.  Watch a Halloween Movie

Another fun fall activity for families is to watch a Halloween movie together.  A few good family friendly Halloween movies are:  Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, The Haunted Mansion, Casper, and Hocus Pocus.

In Conclusion

Fall is such a magical time of year, but it doesn’t have to be expensive!  I hope a few of these fall bucket list ideas helps you to have a wonderful fall with your family!

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What are your favorite fall activities for families?

How to Save Money When Eating Out

August 3, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Life6 Comments

Best tips to save money at restaurants.

It’s so fun to go out to eat!  You don’t have to wash any dishes, someone does all of the cooking for you, you don’t have to wash any dishes, the food is delicious, and did I mention you don’t have to wash any dishes (because that’s totally my favorite part!)??!?!?!  The only negative to eating out is that restaurants can be so expensive!  Going out to eat regularly can take a huge toll on your budget.  Today I am going to share a few tips to teach you how to save money when eating out.

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5 Ways to Spend Less at Restaurants

Want to eat out without spending a lot of money?  I have you covered with these 5 frugal restaurant hacks.

1.  Eat Out For Lunch

One of our favorite ways to save money when eating out is to eat out for lunch rather than dinner.  Most lunch menus will be very similar to a dinner menu, but with cheaper prices.

Eating at restaurants for lunch is also perfect for ordering a smaller meal, such as a sandwich or a salad, both of which are usually cheaper. This is a great way to enjoy the great food (and less dishes!), without having to spend full price.

2.  Skip The Extras

Anyone else always tempted to purchase the extras when at a restaurant???  Or just me???  You can order a drink, appetizer, dessert, extra sides and so on and so on.  It can be easy to get carried away once you sit down and start ordering.

I’ve found that the best way to stretch my dollar is to skip all of the extras.  Instead of ordering a drink, order water.  Skip the appetizer and dessert as well.  They are both very over priced.  Instead, consider stopping for a cheap treat on your way home; or better yet eat something sweet once you get home!

  • Related:  20 FREE Valentine Date Ideas

3.  Shop the Deals

Become familiar with your local restaurant deals. Many restaurants will have specialty discount nights.  These might be in the form of:

  • Kids eat free nights
  • Buy one get one free
  • Special family deals. 

Before eating out do a little research to find the restaurant deals in your areas.  Plan the nights you eat out around those discounts.  One of our favorite restaurants offers a buy one get one free lunch on Thursdays.  So, we will often go out for a lunch date and take advantage of that deal.

Another great place for restaurant deals is the website Restaurant.com.   This is a great website for huge discounts on your favorite restaurants. 

They sell gift cards for a discounted price.  So, if you buy the discounted gift card before going out to eat, you can get your meal for much cheaper!  I just bought a $10 card at our favorite yogurt shop for only $4!!  Great deal, right????

Try to buy a discounted gift card from Restaurant.com before going out to eat, you will begin to see a huge savings.

4.  Split the Meal

Turn one restaurant meal into two meals by splitting your entree in half!

All you have to do is eat half of your meal, and then get a takeout box to bring the other half of the meal home for another meal.  You will get two restaurant quality meals for the price of one!  Yay!

You could also split the entree with your spouse or friend.  My husband and I split meals quite often and the servers are always more than happy to accommodate us and bring out two plates with one entree.

5.  Turn an Appetizer into a Meal

Another great way to save money when eating out is to turn an appetizer into an entree.  

Appetizers are often much cheaper than entrees, but they still provide a large amount of food.  Consider ordering a trio appetizer for a well rounded meal.  Many times I actually prefer an appetizer to a meal.  Win, win!

 

In Conclusion:

Eating out is a fun way to take a break and enjoy a good meal.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying a meal out, as long as you stay within budget.  Just make sure to plan ahead and practice self control!

 

Related Articles:

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

The Best Frugal Living Tips You Need to Know

The Best Budget Travel Tips

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I hope this helped you learn how to save money when eating out!

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