Easy Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe

December 5, 2018December 6, 2018 sweetfrugallife22 Comments

Hot cocoa is such a fun staple to have in your home during these cold winter months. My kids will spend 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 chocolate mix from scratch 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. It also tastes much better than what you will buy from the store!

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Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe

2 cups nonfat dry milk powder

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 cup powdered creamer

1/8 tsp salt

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!

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We usually make this mix for our family to enjoy all winter, but it would also be a really frugal christmas gift for friends and neighbors. Whip up a large batch, portion it into cute jars and tie a bow around it. Done!

Christmas Gift Ideas for Teen Girls under $25

November 12, 2018November 12, 2018 sweetfrugallife3 Comments

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Are you needing a gift, maybe a Christmas present or a birthday present, for the teen girl in your life? Are you on a budget and don’t want to overspend?

Well you have come to the right place! I have researched all of the best gifts for teen girls! The best part? Everything is under $25, so you can stick to that budget!

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Gifts for Fun

This Karaoke Microphone would be so fun for some teen girl parties or for anyone who loves to sing! It is compatible with both android and iOS. It is only $24.99.

Adult Coloring Books are so fun and relaxing. I loved the inspirational sayings in this book. Every teen (and adult!) needs a good motivational quote every now and then! this coloring book is a really good deal at $6.22.

What teen girl wouldn’t love a itunes gift card. This way she can pick and choose what she wants! You can decide how much money you want on your gift card, with the lowest gift card at $25.

Amazon.com gift card design

Let’s face it, teens love to take pictures! This Phone Tripod looks so fun for setting up cute group photos or selfies. It is currently only $13.98!

Accessories

CC Beanies are all the rage right now with teen girls. These darling CC beanies are only $8.99, with dozens of colors to choose from.

Trendy Warm Chunky Soft Stretch Cable Knit Slouchy Beanie Skully HAT20A, Teal

These blanket scarves are so popular right now and would be perfect for the cold months. This one is less than $15, and there are many other color options to choose from.

Bess Bridal Women's Plaid Blanket Winter Scarf Warm Cozy Tartan Wrap Oversized Shawl Cape (One Size, Camel)

I never thought scrunchies would come back, but they did, and are super popular with the teen crowd right now! These Scrunchies are darling and only $12.99.

KECUCO 12A Colors Women's Chiffon Flower Hair Scrunchies Hair Bow Chiffon Ponytail Holderï¼Including 8 Colors Chiffon Flower Hair Scrunchies and 4A Solid Colors Chiffon Hair Ties (STYLE 1)

I’ve seen so many people wearing a bag similar to this Mini Backpack Purse. They are really cute, and a fun alternative to the traditional purse. This backpack is only $24.99!

Beauty Gifts

This set of bath bombs comes with 6 different scents and colors. It’s a fun “luxury” gift for your teen. The entire set is only $12.99

Aprilis Large Bath Bombs Gift Set, Organic and Natural Bath Bomb, Lush Fizzy Spa to Moisturize Dry Skin, Perfect Handmade Birthday Gift Ideas for Women Best Friends, Girlfriend and Kids, 6 x 4.0 oz

This Tabletop Makeup Mirror would be such a fun gift to receive as a teenage girl. I was excited to see the price was only $22.49!

What teen girl wouldn’t like a makeup kit??? This one includes a little bit of everything; blush, lip gloss, and eye shadow. It is only $10.35!

SHANY Glamour Girl Makeup Kit - 48 Eyeshadow/4 Blush/6 Lip Glosses

This 20 Piece Makeup Brush Set is a great deal at only $7.99. You will never want for a makeup brush again!

EmaxDesign 20 Pieces Makeup Brush Set Professional Face Eye Shadow Eyeliner Foundation Blush Lip Makeup Brushes Powder Liquid Cream Cosmetics Blending Brush Tool

I love the colors in this Gel Nails Set. This kit is the perfect way to get beautiful gel nails, but for only $17.99 it is at a fantastic price.

Gellen Gel Nail Polish Set - Nude Gray Series 6 Colors Nail Art Gift Box, Soak Off UV LED Gel Polish Kit 8ml

This Curling Wand has over 7,000 positive reviews and makes the most beautiful curls. It is currently only $21.73!

Remington Pro 1-1Â½â Curling Wand with Pearl Ceramic Technology and Digital Controls, CI9538

When you are not wanting to curl your hair, this Hair Straightener is amazing! My daughter has had this same one for a couple of years, and I love it. (yes, I might “borrow” it from time to time! 😉 ) It’s very easy to use, and works great! It is a great deal at $19.99.

Anjou Hair Straightener Brush with Anion Hair Care Electric Ceramic Heating Straightening Brush

I have had an ipsy Subscription off and on for 4ish years now. It is a fun beauty subscription service where they will send you 5 beauty products and a cute makeup bag every month for only $10! When you set up the subscription service you will feel out a form detailing what types of beauty products you would prefer, your coloring and more. This would be a fun gift for a teen girl to receive, even if you only sign up for 2-3 months worth of subscription. It’s a great way to learn new makeup skills and try out new products.

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Books

I bought this hair styling book for my daughter last Christmas. She loved it! It gives easy to follow instructions for fixing hair. It is currently $12.98

The Fault in our Stars is a story of a sweet teen romance. It has been a best seller for a few years. The paperback is just $7.59

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Flashback is the newest (just released in November) of the hit series Keeper of the Lost Cities. If your daughter is a fan of this series, she would be thrilled to receive this newest book. It is currently priced at $13.24.

Room Decor

I love this Bluetooth Nightlight. It has so many functions including night light, speaker, handsfree calling and more. For only $18.95 it really is a great deal!

SHAVA Night Light Bluetooth Speaker, Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speakers, Touch Control, Color LED Speaker, Bedside Table Light, Speakerphone/TF Card/AUX-in Supported (White), 7

Felt Boards are super trendy right now! Most teen girls would love having them in their room to be able to make fun and cute sayings. It is only $20.99!

You can choose any letter you want with the Marquee Letter Sign. It would make such a fun room accessory! It is currently only $12.99.

Practical Gifts

This Duffel/Sports Bag comes in a dozen different colors. My daughter has been wanting a bag like this to carry her sports gear to school, it would also be great for a teen that is on the go or traveling. This bag is $23.99.

I love the rich colors on these Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottles. They are practical and cute! These water bottles are currently $15.95.

It’s always fun to change up the look on your cell phone. These marble Cell Phone Cases are only $8.99, and have a few different designs and colors to choose from.

You might be interested in a few of my other gift lists!

25 Gift Ideas for 5-7 year old boys under $25

10 Valentines gifts for him under $10!

10 Valentine Gifts for Her under $10

25 Gift Ideas for Tween Girls; all under $25!

Affiliate · Amazon · Bargain Buys · Birthday · Fabulous DEALS Friday · Family · For the kids · Frugal Life · Gift Ideas · Parenting

25 Gift Ideas for Tween Girls; all under $25!

November 9, 2018November 12, 2018 sweetfrugallife3 Comments

Tween girls can be hard to shop for! They are growing out of the little girl toys, but not quite interested in the teen girl life. My tween daughters have consistently been the hardest to shop for!

I did some research and compilied a list of 25 AMAZING gift ideas for tween girls. The best part??? They are all under $25! Yay!

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Gifts for Reading

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Flashback is the newest (just released in November) of the Keeper of the Lost Cities Series. This is a really popular series and is currently priced at $13.24.

I absolutely love the concept of Wreck This Journal. Each page gives different prompts of things you can do to the journal. It literally gives the kids permission to “wreck” the journal. It sounds so so fun and only $12.00.

The Tail of Emily Windsnap is such a darling book! Both of my daughters absolutely loved it; AND it is a series! That is a huge win for me! The paperback book is $5.99.

Tween Accessories/Jewelry/etc.

Unicorns are super popular among the tween crowd! These Unicorn Slippers are so sweet and fun. The price varies depending on size, but is between $11.99 and $19.99.

Unicorn Animal Fleece Slippers | Indoor Outdoor Home Slippers | Cozy Plush Memory Foam

I never thought scrunchies would come back, but they did, and I am actually not mad about it! These Scrunchies are darling and only $12.99.

KECUCO 12A Colors Women's Chiffon Flower Hair Scrunchies Hair Bow Chiffon Ponytail Holderï¼Including 8 Colors Chiffon Flower Hair Scrunchies and 4A Solid Colors Chiffon Hair Ties (STYLE 1)

My daughters go to nail polish is always the Essie brand. These colors are beautiful and the polish is easy to use. This set of 4 is $18.00.

essie Spring 2018 Nail Polish Collection, Set of 4

This faux leather jewelry box is a beautiful shade of blue and a perfect beginner jewelry box for a tween girl. At $15.58 it is a great price!

I adore this dainty initial necklace. It would make such a special gift! The necklace is a great price at $14.99.

MignonandMignon Gold Initial Necklace Initial Pendant Necklace Graduation Gift Personalized Necklace (M) - RCIN

Gifts for the Room

Felt Boards are super trendy right now! This would be so fun in a tween girls room. It is only $20.99!

You can choose any letter you want with the Marquee Letter Sign. It would make such a fun room accessory! It is currently only $12.99.

It’s no secret that teens love emojis. This emoji pillow is sure to be a hit! It is currently priced at $7.99.

I always wanted a lava lamp as a young girl. There is something so relaxing about watching the colors move and change. This Lava Lamp has really pretty colors are costs $13.34.

It’s so fun for kids to have their own alarm clock, and a great way to teach responsibility. This Alarm Clock is adorable and only $12.99.

Educational/Craft Gifts

Help your tween feel a little more grown up with an Adult Coloring Book. I loved the inspirational sayings in this book and it is a really good deal at $6.22.

Now a days, tweens can never have to much slime! Here is a a fun Glow in the Dark Slime Pack with fun neon colors! This 12 pack is only $13.99.

How fun does this Lip Balm Kit look? It is a fun mix of science of pre-teen glam. The reviews are all really positive and would be a fun activity to do together. It is priced at $17.51.

MindWare Science Academy (Lip Balm)

American Girl just can do no wrong! This American Girl Baking Cookbook is darling and looks so fun. It would be a great way for tween girls to learn to bake.

This American Girl Sketch Book looks so fun for learning how to draw, and being able to use some creativity with fashion design. It is currently priced at $12.65.

Gel pens are so fun, and this kit has 100 colors including glitter and metallic. I know my tween would love having all of the many color options! The kit costs $19.99.

It is NEVER to early to teach kids the importance of saving money. I love this Savings Bank that offers the options of save, spend and share. It is only $17.99.

Gifts for Fun

This Karaoke Microphone would be so fun for girl parties or for anyone who loves to sing! It is compatible with both android and iOS and it is only $24.99.

My tween daughter always asks for a Squishy. They are a great stress relief, and fun for kids who need to keep their hands busy. This squishy is $6.38, and their are a lot of other cute options.

I always wanted my very own gumball machine as a kid. This cute Gumball Machine comes with gumballs already stocked and is only $20.99.

My daughters LOVE their roller blades. They spend more time roller blading than riding their bikes. I was excited to find these Roller Blades for only $22.49!

This Family Version of Wits and Wagers is so fun for all ages. It is a huge hit in our family! I was happy to see it is just under $20 at $19.99.

You might also be interested in my other gift guides:

Christmas Gift Ideas for Teen Girls under $25

25 Gift Ideas for 5-7 year old boys under $25

10 Valentines gifts for him under $10!

10 Valentine Gifts for Her under $10

Affiliate · Amazon · Bargain Buys · Birthday · Fabulous DEALS Friday · Family · For the kids · Frugal Life · Gift Ideas · Holidays · Parenting

25 Gift Ideas for 5-7 year old boys under $25

November 8, 2018November 12, 2018 sweetfrugallife6 Comments

My goal for giving gifts is to find good quality gifts that will be loved for years, without spending very much money. This is not always an easy task, but it is possible!

Today I researched gifts for 5-7 year old boys. I was able to find 25 fun gifts, all under $25!

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Gifts for Reading

The Monster at the End of This Book is actually one of my favorite children’s books! It is such a fun, interactive story that brings a laugh with every turn of the page. It is a GREAT price at $4.44.

The Book With No Pictures is so much fun! Each page is filled with silly words that “must” be read exactly as shown. It’s impossible to read it without laughing! It is worth the $13.99!

My son loves looking through the I Spy books. With all the detail in every picture, it provides hours of entertainment. It is a great price at $10.73.

Educational Gifts

I have heard so many positive things about this Snap Circuits set. It is educational, fun, and has over 5,000 positive reviews. This is actually the gift I bought my 6 year old. It is currently priced at $20.99.

This Science Kit can provide hours of fun for you and your son to enjoy together. It is educational, rewarding, and fun. It;s currently on sale for $15.42.

I love this educational LEGO craft kit. It involves building, planning, and experimenting. It teaches you how to build 10 different moving machines with all pieces needed included. This is a great toy for helping kids learn, while they are having fun! It is only $14.89!

This How to Draw book is perfect for a child who is interested in drawing. The shapes are all easy to draw and understand, making it perfect for a young beginner. It is just $4.99!

Sport Gifts

Here is a fun Over the Door Basketball Hoop for a fun game of bball in the house. It is $19.99 and includes a ball.

Do you have a soccer lover? This Soccer Goal Net would be a fun gift to help them practice their newly learned skills and get them outside staying active. It is currently on sale for just $19.99!

Gifts for Play

Remote control anything is always a sure bet with young boys. This Remote Control Car is extra special with the flashing lights. It is on a great sale right now at $24.95.

How fun would these Walkie Talkies be for your sweet boy? The reviews are all fantastic and they are only $23.99.

Magformers is one of my favorite toys for kids. It’s a great educational toy for kids to use their imagination and STEM knowledge. But, at the same time, it’s also fun…..so they don’t even know they are learning! This is a small beginner set and costs $16.97.

When it comes to boys, you can never go wrong with a LEGO set. Honestly though, LEGOS are expensive. I found this LEGO City set a few months ago and really felt like it was an excellent value at $23.99.

How cute is this Kids Tool Set? My little boy just loves pulling out his toy tools and “helping” dad around the house. This set costs $19.99.

My son received these Night Vision Goggles for Christmas last year and absolutely LOVED them! He was so cute playing “spy” with them. They are only $14.99!

This Nerf Gun has over 4,000 positive reviews and comes with 6 darts. It could provide hours of fun for any little boy! It is priced at $12.99.

Drones are so fun, but they can be expensive! This Mini Drone is a good price and would make such a fun toy! It is only $23.98!

This Flexible Race Track is a FAVORITE in our house. The tracks are easy to snap together and fun to change the design over and over. It is a good price at $24.95!

This Robo Shooter Robot looks so fun! Not only does it walk and move, it also shoots frisbees! I was happy to find it on sale for just $24.99.

I love these Boogie Boards. They are similar to a white board and chalkboard, but easier to erase and so much less mess. My kids absolutely love them! We use them on car trips, during church, and for playing at home. This Boogie Board is $21.97.

The Star Wars craze is back, and not going anywhere anytime soon. This 2 Pack Light Sabers are perfect for a friendly duel. You can also attach them together to make a dual saber! So fun. This two pack is $23.94.

This is a perfect beginner Transformer for young boys. It is easy to transform from action figure to vehicle and is sure to be a big hit. As far as transformers go, this one is an excellent price at $14.99.

Games

Our Family LOVES the game Spot It. I was really excited to find a Spot It Jr. for our little one. This game is so easy to learn and play, and so addicting! It is only $7.99.

Spot It! JR. Animals

Connect 4 is a classic game, and for good reason! It is fun to play and a great beginner game. It is only $8.77.

I have heard SO many positive things about the game Exploding Kittens. It sounds like a huge hit for young kids and I’ve been really wanting to try it out. It sounds like a huge hit for boys especially. It is only $19.99.

You might also be interested in my other gift guides:

25 Gift Ideas for Tween Girls; all under $25!

Christmas Gift Ideas for Teen Girls under $25

10 Valentine Gifts for Her under $10

10 Valentines gifts for him under $10!

Affiliate · Amazon · Crafts · Family · For the kids · Gift Ideas · Good Ideas · Halloween · Holidays

The Easiest No Sew Halloween Trick or Treat Bag

October 2, 2018October 2, 2018 sweetfrugallife1 Comment

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

Halloween is just around the corner! I love this time of year! I love the pumpkins, the crisp cool air, the changing leaves, and the excitement in my children. My kids love to dress up as anything they want and run around the neighborhood trick or treating.

I got the urge to craft the other day and decided it would be so fun to make my kids new bags for trick or treating. I wanted to create something cute, but also simple and frugal (because that’s how I roll!).

I came up with the idea of a no sew trick or treat bag. I’ll be honest with you….it was even EASIER than I originally had planned! (win!)

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Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial

Supplies Needed:

– Canvas Craft Tote

– Scrap fabric

– Wonder Under

– Iron/ironing board

– Pattern for tracing

Let’s Begin:

You will first need to find your pattern for tracing. I asked my kids what picture they wanted on their bags and they requested a spider and a cat.

After a quick google search I was able to find a couple of good tracing patterns. Print these off and then cut out the shape.

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Now, follow the directions found on your wonder under fusing.

I cut out a large square of wonder under (large enough to cover the entire shape), and ironed the rough side onto the wrong side of the fabric.

Use your tracing pattern to trace the shape onto the paper side of the wonder under.

Once the pattern is traced, cut the picture out (fabric and all).

Last, you will gently pull off the paper backing of the wonder under. Center it on the bag, and then iron it.

I have found that holding the iron steady for 5-10 seconds over each section of the picture helps give the applique a nice firm hold.

That’s it! You’re done! See, I told you it would be easy!! It probably took me a total of one hour to finish both bags! Quick crafting, is my type of crafting!

There are so many fun possibilities for these bags! Pumpkin, ghost, witch hat, bat, skeleton, or lettering would all make darling trick or treat bags!

I can’t wait to watch my kids go trick or treating with their new bags!

Fabulous DEALS Friday · Family · Frugal Life · Gift Ideas · Holidays

Fabulous DEALS Friday: Fathers Day Gifts all Under $15 Shipped!

June 1, 2018 sweetfrugallifeLeave a comment

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We have officially entered JUNE! That means it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gift for all the fathers in our lives.

I don’t know about you, but I ALWAYS struggle trying to think of Fathers Day ideas. A couple of years ago I started purchasing gifts for dads on Jane, and they have seemed to always be a hit. A lot of them are easy to customize and personalize. I started browsing today for my favorite (budget friendly!) gifts. Here is what I found!

This personalized key chain is darling and would be the perfect gift for young kids to give to their dad. It comes to only $13.58 shipped!

Gifts from the heart, that show meaning and love are ALWAYS my favorite gifts. Which is exactly why I love this personalized memory book. It comes with 45 blank pages for your child to personalize for dad with pictures and memories. This is something as a parent I would treasure forever. You can get it for just $8.48 shipped!

I love the look of this money clip. What a sweet reminder for dad to carry around with him at all times. It comes to only $13.49 after shipping.

This personalized fishing lure is the perfect gift for any dad who loves to fish! There are 10 different saying options for you to choose the perfect one for your dad. You can get the fishing lure for $10.99 shipped!

My husband would love this multi-tool bracelet. This is a great option for the outdoors man in your life. It includes several survival tools in case of an emergency, a few included are: flint, knife, whistle, compass, and more! You can choose your color and size that your man would want. I just added this to my cart and it comes to $10.48 shipped!

Man Soap is perfect for all those men not wanting to smell like flowers after the shower. 😉 I like to keep a couple more “manly” scents in the shower so my husband doesn’t have to use my more “girly” scents. These soaps have a variety of scents to choose from including “mechanics”, “mountain air”, and “sweet musk.” It comes to just $7.48 shipped!

This is another gift I can see my husband loving. If you have a handy man father/husband, this magnetic utility wristband looks perfect! It comes to only $10.98 after shipping!

Let me know if you purchase anything! I would love to hear what the fathers in your life are wanting this year!