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Budget Friendly Birthday Traditions for Kids

August 10, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

Fun Birthday Traditions to Start This Year.

I love celebrating my kids birthdays every year. They love having their special day all about them. fun to have one day just focused on helping them feel important and loved. I try really hard to give them a special day to remember, WITHOUT spending very much money; I truly believe that you do NOT need to spend money to help a child feel special. Here are a few of our budget friendly birthday traditions for kids.

Decorate Bedroom

The night before a birthday, I sneak into my childs room after they fall asleep, and decorate.

I blow up a bunch of balloons and leave them on the floor and then hang streamers from the doorway.They know every night before they go to bed what will happen, but they still love it. It’s so fun for them to wake up to a party!

Birthday Breakfast

A birthday is always started with our traditional breakfast of birthday pancakes. These are so easy to make, but the kids favorite.

Whip up a batch of this delicious pancake recipe and then add some sprinkles to the batter. So easy!

Sometimes, if I’m feeling real fancy, I’ll try to make a pancake in the shape of their initials….but let’s be real, I’m rarely fancy! 😉

Your-Choice Dinner

The birthday child at our house always gets to choose what I make for dinner the night of their birthday. If they choose pizza, I make pizza! If they want waffles, well then, I make waffles!

This isn’t a hard tradition by any means, but my kids think it’s fun to get to be in charge of all the dinner plans.

Related: Budget Friendly Pancake and Pajama Birthday Party for Tweens!

Red Birthday Plate

Another fun birthday tradition for kids is the “Red Birthday Plate.” I bought this red plate years ago at a home decor store. It’s a little chipped and loved, but also full of memories and joy.

This red plate only comes out on someones birthday. The birthday child gets to eat their dinner on this special plate.

This is a tradition I grew up with and have enjoyed carrying the tradition on with my own children. It’s so simple, yet for some reason, it brings so much joy to whoever gets to eat on the birthday plate.

Birthday Love

Another fun traditions happens while we are eating dinner.

Everyone in the family takes a turn telling the birthday child what they love about them. I love focusing on all of the many wonderful qualities in each of my kids, and getting to hear them express these to each other.

Bedtime Stories

At bedtime I lay with the birthday child and share the story of their birth. I try to go through all the details from that special day years ago, including the highs and lows.

Of course, I always end with sharing how that day was one of the most special, important, beautiful days of my life and I talk about just how perfect my life has become because they were born.

In Conclusion

None of these traditions cost a lot of money. Sure, I spend a few dollars on streamers and balloons, but really that’s it! It does NOT take a “pinterest worthy” birthday to celebrate a loved one. All it takes is a little thought and a lot of love.

Kids Birthday Party on a Budget

34 Places That Will Give you a Birthday Freebie

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What are some of your birthday traditions for kids?

Kids Birthday Party on a Budget

July 24, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to give your kids a fun birthday party while on a tight budget.

I think all parents know that kids are expensive. They just are. The clothing, extra curricular activities, school supplies, food, etc. adds up fast! I am always looking for ways to pinch pennies as I raise my three wonderful kids. One way I have learned to cut down on kids expenses is by throwing them a budget friendly birthday party.

Kids are really great (better than me tbh) at not caring about the price tag. All they truly crave is our love and attention. They don’t care if they have the most expensive party or the cheapest, as long as it’s a fun day centered them (and cake, they always want cake 😉 ). Once I finally learned this I started changing the way we did birthday parties and it’s made my wallet much happier!

Related: Birthday Traditions for Small Budgets

1. Start a birthday sinking fund.

Have I mentioned before that sinking funds are my favorite part of budgeting???? Cause they totally are! If you don’t have a birthday sinking fund for your kids, I recommend you start one ASAP.

So, what’s a sinking fund????

A sinking fund is a way to save for an upcoming expense by slowly adding money into the fund.

We contribute money each month into our birthday sinking funds and then when a birthday comes along, we are already prepared financially!

Related: How to Budget With Sinking Funds

2. Don’t throw a big party every year.

We celebrate our kids birthdays every single year (of course!), but they only get a “big” party every other year.

When my kids turn an even number (6,8,10,etc.) they get to have a big(ish) birthday party. This includes friends, a theme, games, decor, and all that fun party stuff.

When they turn an odd number (5,7,9,etc.) they have a small party. This party is only for close family members. It’s usually just cake and presents. They are still celebrated and loved on all day long, just not a big friend party.

Having a big party every other year helps to keep expenses down because we aren’t paying for multiple large parties each year. My daughters birthdays are just 4 days apart. It’s so nice to not have to pay for two big parties right in a row.

3. Choose a free location.

When deciding where to host your birthday party choose somewhere that will be free.

My favorite free party location is our own home! It’s just so easy to do all the prep and clean up from the comfort of my own home.

Another cheap location would be to have the party at a local park, if the weather is warm of course. A park is a perfect party location because it gives the kids the freedom to run and play, without having to worry about keeping your house clean.

4. Only invite a few friends.

The less friends your child invites, the cheaper the party will be. Limit the guest list by encouraging your child to only invite their few closest friends.

There is nothing wrong with saying, “You can invite “X” amount of friends.” It’s a good way to teach your kids about budgets and spending limits.

Related: Budget Friendly Pancake and Pajama Birthday Party!

5. DIY the party invitations.

Make your own party invites instead of buying fancy, expensive ones.

You can get crafty with paper, scissors, and glue. Here’s a Lego party invitation I made a few years ago.

Or, make them online using the free website Canva. Canva makes DIY invites so easy. They provide free templates, fonts, stickers, and more to help you put together a quick invitation. Save on printing costs by emailing or texting your invites out.

6. Only serve dessert.

Plan your party during a time when a meal won’t be expected. This could be around 10:30 for a mid morning party or 1:00 in the afternoon.

Throwing a party during these times mean most party goers will already have a full belly and you can save money by only serving cake and ice cream.

7. Make the cake yourself.

Don’t spend your money on an expensive cake when you can make one yourself. Your homemade cake doesn’t even need to be anything fancy!

Research a few simple cakes on pinterest until you find one you feel confident making. Here is an easy cake I made for my sons birthday when he turned three. It was so easy, but turned out super cute (and I promise I am NOT talented in creativity or cake decorating).

You could also just make a simple sheet cake. Spruce it up by decorating it with your child’s favorite toy/characters.

Small toy tractors for your tractor loving boy
Toy princess characters for your princess loving child
Characters from their favorite movie

The Dollar Tree is a great place to find small toys perfect to top on cakes.

8. Avoid Pinterest.

Okay, seriously just don’t look at pinterest if you’re trying to save money on a birthday party.

Which, I know basically contradicts what I said in tip number 7, but hear me out.

Every single time I search on pinterest for birthday party ideas I am left with the feeling that I need to spend more money if I want my child to have any sort of special birthday.

The thing is, your child is not looking on pinterest, they don’t see pictures of the perfect expensive parties. They just want something special, it doesn’t need to as fancy and beautiful and Sally and Linda posted online.

Just do you! Whatever feels right for you and your budget and your child is the type of party you should throw. If pinterest will tempt you to spend more money, than just avoid it!

Related: LEGO Birthday Party for Under $20

9. Use decorations that you already own.

Get creative when decorating for your kids birthday parties. Instead of going to the store to buy decor, search your house to find items you already own.

For my sons cheap Lego birthday party I put some of his lego pieces into mason jars and used those as a table centerpiece. It was completely free, but ended up being a cute, easy decoration.

Get creative when searching your house for decorations. If you have empty cardboard boxes laying around, use the cardboard to cut out shapes to go with your theme. For example: for a Moana themed party you could cut the box into a palm tree shape, just paint the leaves green!

10. Shop at The Dollar Tree

The Dollar Tree is full of budget friendly party supplies. Search the store for decorations, goody bags, table cloths, etc. This is always my first stop and a great way to plan a party on a budget.

Kids truly don’t care if the party tablecloth cost a $1 or $5, so save your pennies and buy what you can afford!

11. Plan free games/activities.

Skip paying for entertainment, and plan free games and activities instead!

A few of our favorite are:

Charades
Water balloon toss
Human knot
Relay races
Musical chairs
Photo scavenger hunt
Minute to win it games

12. Double the activity as the goody bag.

Save money on goody bags by letting one of the activities also be the goody bag! This can be done by planning a hands on activity that they can make and then take home.

For example:

At my daughters “Cupcake Wars” birthday party the girls all made cupcakes, and brought them home instead of a goody bag.

In Conclusion

There are many different ways you can cut costs on birthday parties. As long as you are focusing on giving your child love and attention, it will be a wonderful day! Even without all the glitz and glamour!

Pin for future frugal parties:

Have fun throwing your kids birthday party on a budget!

Yarn Hearts: An Easy Valentine Craft for Kids

February 7, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Life3 Comments

An Easy Valentine Heart Craft for Kids!

A friend shared a brilliant idea with me the other day! She said she uses a small Christmas tree for Valentines Day; instead of decorating it with Christmas ornaments she has a little box of Valentines decorations that she brings out every February and her kids get to decorate a Valentines Tree. I thought this would make a fun valentine craft for kids.

So, I got to work putting together my own valentine tree. I already had a small tree that I use for Christmas each year, the only problem is that I didn’t have any decorations for the tree….and I did NOT want to buy any.

We got to work crafting. First, we made a few hearts out of beads and pipe cleaners. They were so easy, just stick beads on a pipe cleaner and shape it as a heart. Done and done!

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Next, we made this darling Pom-Pom Garland. I loved it so much and I can’t wait to make more! You can find the tutorial here.

And last, but not least, we put together these Yarn Heart Ornaments. They were SO fun to make and easy enough for my 6 year old to join in. I love the projects that all three kids can enjoy together!

Yarn Hearts Tutorial

First, you need some cardboard hearts. I grabbed a box from my large stash of amazon boxes and cut out a few hearts.

Choose your favorite yarn color. Here is one of my favorite yarn brands. Use a little bit of tape to attach the yarn to the cardboard heart.

Now for the fun part. Just start wrapping your yarn around the heart. Try to wrap it in different angles to make the design interesting. It wasn’t easy to get all of the small nooks and crannies, but we kept working it and was able to get the entire heart covered.

When your cardboard heart is all covered and looks just right tie a small knot and cut off your excess yarn. I tucked the knot underneath some yarn to try to hide it, which seemed to work well!

And guess what! You are done! That’s it! We attached a few ornament hooks through the yarn and hung it up on our Valentines Day Tree.

I just love how these crafts and little tree turned out, and what’s even better….my kids love it! They are so proud that they helped make all of the decorations; and seeing my kids happy faces is the best kind of valentine gift I could ever receive!

Related Easy Craft Projects:

Tissue Paper Pom-Pom Tutorial

The Easiest Halloween Pumpkin Tutorial

How to Make an Easy Nature Bookmark Tutorial

Easter Egg Sun Catcher

Now it’s your turn to make this easy valentine craft for kids!

How to Make A Yarn Pom-Pom Garland

February 6, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Life1 Comment

Easy Yarn Pom-Pom Tutorial

I recently discovered how to make a yarn pom pom. These pom-poms turned out to be easy to make and so cute! My daughters and I spent all evening making pom poms and experimenting with different sizes and techniques.

We decided to turn these yarn pom poms into a cute garland for Valentines Day. I love how it turned out and am already planning more garlands in other themes and colors!

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These were so fun (and cheap!) to make, I thought I would share an easy tutorial with all of you! I was able to use items I already had at home and didn’t need to spend any money (yay!), but you can find some quality yarn for less than five dollars and it will make hundreds of pom-poms!

easy yarn pom pom tutorial - how to make yarn pom poms

How to make yarn pom pom

Take a small string of yarn (the softer yarns seem to work best) and begin wrapping it around two of your fingers.

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Keep wrapping until the yarn looks a good size. I just eyeballed it, but I probably twisted the yarn about 70-100 times.

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When the pom-pom looks right, cut the yarn leaving about 6 inches of a tail. You will then push the tail through your two fingers and pull it out the other side.

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Bring the tail up on top of the yarn and push it through the top of your two fingers. Pull it tight.

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Now, gently slide the yarn off of your fingers, making sure to keep the yarn pulled tight and kept across the middle (this was a little tricky, but you can do it!).

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Knot the tail and wrap the remaining tail across the other middle, this will form a plus sign. Pull it tight and knot it. This will form four sections. Tie another knot securing the yarn.

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Next, grab some sharp scissors. I used my fabric scissors (aka: “if anyone uses these for anything other than fabric they will be in HUGE trouble” scissors). Begin cutting the loops apart in each section. Make sure you do not cut the tied tail. We only had this happened once, but it’s important to remember.

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Continue cutting all of the loops. Once finished, it will not look very good and you’ll wonder if you did it right! You did. I promise.

The pom pom just needs some fluffing. Shake it, separate the pieces and try to fluff it out as best as you can.

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Once your little ball of yarn is all fluffed out it’s time for a haircut! This is when you will see your pom pom begin to take shape.

Trim the yarn pieces until they are all nice and even. I like to cut them fairly short, but not to short.

Play around with it a little bit and you will find the style you like. My daughters kept theirs a little more long, it’s all personal preference.

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That’s it! Your pom pom is done! Isn’t it cute???? The first one takes the longest…..to be honest, I threw away my first five.

But, once I had a little practice I was able to whip them up much quicker.

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Stick some googly eyes on those pom poms and make little monsters for your kids, OR you can string it together to form a cute garland. I chose the garland.

Pom Pom Garland Tutorial

DIY pom pom garland tutorial

After browsing through my house unable to find a string for my garland I resorted to the garage (I was refusing to spend money on this project!).

I found some string in my husbands stash of “stuff” and it worked really well. Twine or even embroidery thread will work great too.

Tie a knot at the end of your string and use the string to thread a needle. You will then stick your needle right through the middle of your pom-pom, pull it along the string until it reaches the knot, and continue until your garland is at the desired length.

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Knot off the end and you are done! You can hang your yarn pom-pom garland around your house, but we came up with a different idea.

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We decided to decorate one of our little Christmas Trees as a “valentine tree.” We have been making little crafts for it all month and decided this garland would be the perfect addition!

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Let me know if you make a pom pom garland! I would love to hear how it went.

I hope this helped you understand how to make a yarn pom pom!

11 Acts of Kindness This Christmas (without spending a lot of money)

December 13, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Giving Back To Others During the Holiday Season

My favorite memories from my childhood Christmas’ are the ones when we participated in simple acts of kindness to those in need. I remember one Christmas in particular when I wanted to deliver a 12 Days of Christmas to a family who needed a little extra cheer that year.

My dad helped me choose a family, and I tenderly picked out 12 special gifts with a note to go along with each one. I remember the excitement as my dad drove me to their house each night. We always left after dark and drove slowly over the gravel driveway.

My heart pounded as I tip toed up to the doorstep, quickly rang the doorbell and ran away.

I constantly imagined their faces as they opened the door every night to the gifts. I wondered if they had any suspicions about who their “secret santa” was. Were they anxiously waiting for the doorbell to ring? Were they secretly peeking behind the curtain? More than anything I hoped that this act of service brightened their December.

Frugal Acts of Kindness

Ever since those young Christmas memories I have wanted to continue to serve and give to others each Christmas. I once thought that the only way to give back was to have a lot of money to spare. But, that’s just not true.

There are many many acts of kindness that you can do this holiday season, without even spending a lot of money, and I want to share those ideas with you!

1. Stock The Food Pantry

One easy act of kindness is to check with your local food pantry to see if they can accept donations. Most food banks love receiving canned goods during the winter months to help feed the community. Look through your cupboards and pick out a few cans you are willing to spare and drop them off.

A fun way to make the donation even bigger is to ask a few co-workers or neighbors to donate along with you!

2. Serve Food At The Homeless Shelter

Volunteer at your local homeless shelter to serve food to those in need. This is such a humbling experience to take care of others and be reminded of just how blessed your life is.

3. Visit Nursing Homes

Bring some joy to the elderly by visiting them in the nursing home. You can join them for a game of cards or simply sit and listen to their stories.

You can even bring your kids to sing a few carols while there. This is such an easy and rewarding way to brighten someones day!

4. Shovel Your Neighbors Driveway

My husband once told me, “If you are out shoveling your own driveway, you have time to stop by and shovel another neighbors driveway too.”

This has always stuck with me and I love when I look out the window to see him and my kids shoveling a neighbors driveway. The next time you get all bundled up to shovel your own driveway, consider shoveling one or two others while you are at it.

5. Send A Card

You do not have to buy expensive fancy cards to send out Christmas Cards. Simply, buy a pack of blank note cards from the dollar tree, think of a few people who might need a little extra love, and then send them a thoughtful note in the mail.

I love receiving mail and would be thrilled to receive a card full of cheer! Words are my love language!

6. Drop Off a Frugal Treat

I love when someone drops off a surprise treat or gift. It’s such a fun surprise and warms my heart. Check out this list of frugal gift ideas for some inspiration. Choose something cheap, yet thoughtful, and give it to a friend or neighbor who needs a pick me up. Remember, it’s the thought that counts when it comes to serving, not the price tag!

7. Bring Someone a Meal

Drop off a meal to someone in need. This might be someone who hasn’t been feeling well, or who might be extra busy, or just someone who has been on your mind. You can deliver a freezer meal for them to stick in the freezer to use another day, or a hot warm meal to eat immediately.

8. Donate Gently Used Clothing

Look through your closets and pick out a few items you can donate to others. A few places I like to donate are:

Local Thrift Store: Donate used clothing, toys, home decor, etc. to a local thrift store. A few common stores in my area are Savers, DI, and Goodwill. This is a great service to others because it gives them good clothing to buy for a cheap price.
Facebook Free Cycle: Search “Freecycle (type cities name)” on Facebook. Most communities have a free Facebook group to share and request items in need. These groups have a no selling allowed rule, I’ve given many items away through this resource.
Homeless Shelters: Call around and ask what your local homeless shelters need for donation. If you have any of the requested items laying around your house, consider donating to this great cause!

9. Light the World

My family loves participating in the Light the World campaign each year. This campaign runs through the month of December and shares easy ideas to serve others, without having to spend a lot of money.

I signed up for the daily text messages and each day I’m greeted with a simple prompt about how I can serve someone and spread goodness this month.

Some days I don’t participate in the prompt, but other days I do. Yesterday the prompt was to tell my parents I love them. So simple, yet so beautiful!

You can sign up for Light the World here!

10. Giving Jar

Fill up a jar with coins throughout the year. Use this jar to serve someone in need during December, we call this jar our Giving Jar. You can secretly leave the jar on someones doorstep, or exchange the coins to purchase presents for a Giving Tree around town.

11. Candy Cane’s on Windshields

Last year our family came up with one of our favorite acts of kindness ever!

First, we typed up a little note that says, “Merry, Merry Christmas and a Ho, Ho, Ho! You’re simply amazing and we want you to know! You’re loved beyond measure, you make the world bright! Happy Holidays to you and have a wonderful night! Love, The Candy Cane Bombers”.

We printed out a bunch of these notes and attached them to candy canes. That night we went out in the dark and put these candy canes/notes on random cars. We chose a few cars parked on the streets in our neighborhood and a few from a store parking lot.

This is such a frugal way to give! Candy canes are really cheap, and you can brighten so many people’s day without spending a lot of money!

Frugal Giving is Possible!

In short, it is possible to serve and give to others in need without having to drop the big bucks. Use your imagination, but most importantly use your heart! The moments that mean most to me in life are the ones when someone gave me a hug, a smile or a simple kind act of service.

What Christmas Acts of Kindness do you enjoy each year?

Cheap Gift Ideas for Teen Boys All Under $25!

November 22, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Need a gift idea for a teen boy?? Check these out!

Are you looking for a gift idea for a teen boy? Trying to find something he will like and use without spending a lot of money can be a little stressful (ok maybe very stressful)! Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! I’m sharing 18 Gift Ideas for Teen Boys, and everything is under $25!

Sport Gift Ideas for Teen Boy

Bring soccer indoors for the sport lover with this Light Up Air Power Soccer Disk. It’s sure to bring hours of fun and enjoyment to your teen. And, it’s less than $20!

Another fun gift for the sport lover! This hanging basketball hoop can provide hours of fun, without even having to leave his chair! Great deal at under $15!

Even I want to play with this Light Up Football! No need to end the football game when it gets dark if you are playing with this ball! It costs less than $25 on Amazon!

Gifts to Read

I had someone gift me the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens years ago and I was so appreciative. I think all teens should read it. It is full of so much wisdom and good advice. The paperback is less than $10.

Every teen needs to learn how to cook, right???? This is a fun recipe book to get teens cooking in the kitchen. The paperback costs less than $12.

This Big Life Journal is a fun interactive way to encourage your teen to journal and learn more about themselves. It’s just under $25 and a great deal as a hardcover high quality book!

Gifts for the Room

What about this awesome waterproof Bluetooth speaker? It’s perfect for the shower, or a day at the lake or pool. It’s only $10!

Get your teen something he will use regularly with this clip on light. It’s perfect for clipping on a table or next to the bed. If he’s heading to college soon, this light will be put to good use for sure! It’s currently on sale for $15!

Gifts to Wear

Does your teen boy love tacos? He just might love these hilarious taco socks for just $12!

I love this shirt for any gamer lover with a sense of humor! It’s a good buy priced at less than $15.

Stranger Things is all the rage among teens. If your teen loves this popular show he might enjoy this Stranger things hoodie. $9 on Amazon!

How cool is this bluetooth wireless headphones beanie??? I mean does it get any better? This is perfect for all outdoor use or for someone who likes to stay active year round. It’s currently priced at $24.

A lanyard is both hip and convenient, two important things for teen boys. I loved the subtle yet cool look of this lanyard for only $12!

This leather wallet is stylish and functional. I’m all about teaching kids how to manage money and a wallet is the right step in that direction! And, it’s less than $20!

Related: Christmas Gift Ideas for Teen Girls under $25

Fun Gift Idea for Teen Boys

Codenames is one of our family favorite games! It’s fun for teens and requires some thinking, which is a fun challenge. It is actually on sale right now for $13!!

Do you have a Star Wars fan in your home? He just might love this Star Wars paper planes kit! It’s a great deal at $14!

Escape rooms are so fun, what’s even more fun is having an escape room on the go! This game includes three different escape rooms in one for your teen to enjoy with friends, wherever they want! It’s only $24, much cheaper than going to an actual escape room!

Outdoorsy Gifts

For the outdoor lover get him this portable hammock. It’s lightweight making it perfect for hiking and camping use. This hammock is a great deal at under $15.

It’s always fun to get something personalized and this engraved pocket knife is perfect! There are so many different styles and colors to choose from so you can find the right knife for your teen. Only $24!!

Need more Gift Ideas? You might also like:

7 Easy Ways to Save For Christmas

October 23, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Christmas comes every 12 months. We know that every 52 weeks Christmas will come again. It’s never a surprise, and is a fact of life. I absolutely love the Christmas season. I love the traditions, the lights, the love shown to others. What I don’t love is the cost (anyone with me on this??). When you include holiday parties, gifts, travel, etc. the expenses add up fast. One of the best things I have learned is to plan for this holiday well in advanced (like a year in advance). Today I want to share with you 7 Ways to Save for Christmas so that you can enjoy a stress free holiday!

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1. Set Up a Sinking Fund

Every January I recommend you set up a Christmas sinking fund in your budget. This is fairly simple to do and extremely effective. A sinking fund is setting aside a small amount of money for a longer period of time in order to save up for something specific. A few common sinking funds arefor: travel, buying a car, etc. A Christmas sinking fund will give you the confidence to spend for the holiday guilt free because you already have the money saved and ready.

To set up your Christmas sinking fund simply add up how much money you spend on Christmas and divide it by 12 (for 12 months).

Example: If you spend $500 on Christmas your equation would look like: 500/12=$42

Starting in January you will need to save $42 every month for the next 12 months. By the time December comes you will have the money you need for a guilt free holiday!

2. Use a Credit Card

I know many people in the finance world look down on the use of credit cards, and I get it! If a credit card is a spending temptation to you then do NOT use one. If however, you are able to stay in budget with a credit card and pay it off in full monthly than this is an easy way to save for Christmas.

My husband and I prefer to purchase half of our expenses on our Discover Card. With each purchase we earn cashback (usually somewhere between 1%-5%). We allow this cashback to accumulate throughout the year and only use it to help us pay for Christmas.

This is such an easy way to save because it never feels like a sacrifice! We spend as normal and earn free money at the same time!

3. Save Your Pennies (literally)

Every year our family chooses a family to give Secret Santa presents too. These are names that we hear of in the community that need some extra love during the holidays. I love teaching my kids that giving is more important than receiving.

Years ago we decided to start a “Giving Jar.” The concept is simple really. Starting in January we begin saving every coin we get throughout the year (using cash envelopes helps with this). The goal is to have a jar full of coins by December. We use this money to pay for the presents we buy for to give to the family in need.

Now, your family doesn’t have to use your coins for Secret Santa presents. But, you can save your coins throughout the year and use them in December to help pay for the holidays. Get your kids involved in the fun and use the coins on a fun family activity or treat!

4. Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards is one of my favorite ways to earn cashback. Mostly because it is just so easy! Download the app here, scan your receipt after you go grocery shopping and points are automatically put into your fetch account (this seriously takes less than a minute to do!).

These points can be redeemed for gift cards to all of your favorite stores (like Amazon and Target in my case!). Save up these points throughout the entire year and when the holiday season comes around redeem them to use at stores to help you pay for Christmas presents. Amazon is where I do most of my Christmas shopping, so obviously I will be redeeming for an Amazon gift card.

Download Fetch Rewards here and enter code WC1TU for BONUS 2,000 ($2) points when you scan your first receipt!

Related: 20 FREE or FRUGAL Family Christmas Traditions

5. Take Advantage of Cash Back

Similar to Fetch Rewards (where you earn points to redeem for gift cards) are cash back apps. These apps will give you actual cash back on items you buy during regular shopping trips. Two of my favorite cash back apps are Rakuten and Ibotta.

Rakuten is so easy to use, you usually don’t even realize you are using it! First, sign up for Rakuten here. Now, every time you shop online do it through the Rakuten website. To do this just log into the website, select the store you want to shop at (again…Amazon is usually my first choice). You will be redirected to the store you clicked on; now just shop as normal and then you’re down! You will automatically earn cash back! Easy right?!?! Sign up for Rakuten here and you will receive a bonus $10 after you spend your first $25.

Ibotta is just as easy (if you can believe it!). Download the ibotta app here. Now, every time when you shop at a grocery store simply log into the app, check the grocery items you bought, and then scan your receipt. You will be rewarded with cash back on any qualifying rebates.

I like to save up my earnings from Ibotta and Rakuten until the end of the year. Then I use this money to help us pay for Christmas. It has truly been a huge blessing for our family!

6. Start a Side Hustle

Consider starting a side hustle as a way to earn some extra money in addition to your current form of employment. A side hustle will be something you will do in your spare time. Save everything you earn from this job to be spent on Christmas.

I know someone who started a Christmas lights hanging business and every penny goes towards their Christmas. I’ve always thought that was an excellent idea for a short term side hustle. If you are needing more ideas check out these side hustle ideas listed here.

7. Sell the Clutter

Clean out closets and basement storage rooms to find items to sell. My personal rule of thumb is, “If we haven’t touched it for a year then we don’t need it anymore.” You can sell these online using any of these websites or have a yearly garage sale and get rid of the junk in one day. Save the money you earn from selling your clutter and put it in your Christmas Sinking Fund.

You can pick and choose which of these methods will help you best to save for Christmas each year. Or, use all 7 of them for an even less stressful Christmas. The most important thing is that you have a plan and you implement it.

How do you save for Christmas each year? Let us in on some of your secrets in the comments! I would love more inspiration!

Cheap Gift Ideas for Neighbors, Teachers, and Friends

October 17, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Christmas is coming, and with that comes added expenses. With gifts and parties and food (oh how I love the food) the costs can add up quick. One of my biggest passions is to help people see that gifts do not have to cost a lot of money. A gift should come from the heart, not from a credit card. I would much rather have a friend give me a nice note than have them feel stressed about money but felt they needed to buy me something expensive. Here are 15 Cheap Gift Ideas for Neighbors, Friends and Teachers.

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1. A Jar of Homemade Hot Cocoa

Whip up a batch of this homemade hot cocoa. Put it in a jar with a cute card and note. You could even attach a bag of marshmallows or box of candy canes.

2. Hand Soap

Look for sales at Bed Bath and Beyond, or other stores, and stock up on a few nice hand soaps. I love getting these as gifts! You can never have to much soap.

3. Wrapping Paper

Buy a few rolls of wrapping paper from the Dollar Tree. Attach a big bow and thoughtful note. Everyone is always needing more wrapping paper during Christmas time!

4. Journal

Give your friend a pretty journal. Make it even more special by writing a kind note on the front page. This one from Amazon is less than $5!

5. Soda Pop

a 2 liter of soda pop makes a fun gift for neighbors, especially for the New Year holiday. Download this free printable and attach to the pop.

Download Pop Gift Tag Here.

6. Nail Polish and Emery Board

This is a fun gift for a girl friend. Give the gift of pampering with a cute jar of nail polish and a emery board. You can get these both for fairly cheap at the Dollar Tree. Tie them up with ribbon (everything looks fancier with ribbon) and give them along with a kind card.

7. Homemade Candy

Whip up a batch of this easy Christmas Candy for a fun sweet treat. It’s so easy to make, and different from the more popular Christmas goodies. Put it in a gift bag and tie it off with ribbon.

Related: Christmas Gift Ideas for Teen Girls under $25

8. Bath Bombs

I love a good bath bomb. It turns bath time into spa time (for reals!). This bath bomb gift set is a great gift for your friends or teachers. You could make it even more frugal by putting each individual bath bomb in a cute gift bag with a ribbon attached, this would give you 6 gifts in one!

9. Pineapple

We did this a few years ago and attached a card saying “Mele Kalikimaka.” You can find the printable I used here.

10. Throw Blanket

What better way to enjoy the cold winter months than with a new throw blanket. You can find these for fairly cheap, such as this one I found on Amazon. So cute right?!

11. A Bag of Clementines

We have always received a lot of great reviews when we gift a small bag of cutie clementines. Attach a note that says, “Merry Christmas CUTIE.”

12. Box of Muffin Mix

This sound so simple, but I love it! Like I said before, practical gifts are my favorite gifts. Give a box of muffin mix with a note attached that says “You’re getting muffin for Christmas.” I found a cute free printable here.

13. Homemade Bread

There is just something about a loaf of homemade bread that makes my heart happy. This banana bread recipe is quick easy and cheap. Make up a couple loaves for teachers or neighbors.

14. A Cute Scarf

You can never have to many scarfs, at least that’s my opinion! They are practical, cute and trendy! Plus, they are affordable! This one from Amazon is less than $10!

15. Plate of Cookies

There is something special about an old fashioned plate of cookies! When I know something has been handmade it feels a little more special to me. I just love gifts from the heart! Try out this Christmas Tree Cookie Recipe for a fun cookie plate.

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16. Growth Mindset Conversation Starters

This Conversation Starter Cards is a fun gift to give someone with a family. The set of cards is just under $15 and includes 52 cards each with a different question on it. These questions encourage conversation and are the perfect addition to family get together’s, long car trips or dinner conversation. My kids love when we pull these out and I love gifting them for other families to enjoy!

25 Completely Free Family Winter Activities

January 3, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Life21 Comments

Enjoy a frugal winter with these free family winter activities!

I absolutely love the snow! There is nothing better than waking up to a fresh blanket of new snow and seeing the sparkle it makes in the sunlight. The only negative about the snow is that it’s so cold!! Unfortunately, I live in an area where it stays cold for many many months! We all get a little stir crazy around here being cooped up for so long. I’ve learned to get creative during these cold months to help us stay sane and stay in budget! Here are my favorite free family winter activities.

2019 Goals

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Fun In the Snow

1. Sledding

Try a few sledding hills around town. See if you can find a new favorite. Enjoy spending the day laughing with friends and family.

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2. Snow Cave

Spend the day outside building a snow cave as a family. You could even have a contest to see who can build the best. Turn it into a castle, add some stairs or windows. Get creative and have fun!

3. Snow Candy

We fell in love with Snow Candy a few years ago after reading the Little House on the Prairie series. Simply place a bowl outside while it’s snowing. When the bowl is full of fresh clean snow, immediately bring it in and pour pure maple syrup on top. The syrup will harden to make a sweet treat!

4. Winter Walk/Scavenger Hunt

Bundle up and go for a walk in the freshly fallen snow. Make a game of it by putting together a list of different items to find; a pine cone, icicle, boot tracks, animal tracks, a snowman, etc.

5. Snowball Fight

Have a family friendly snowball fight. This is guaranteed to bring a lot of laughs and memories!

6. Build a Snowman

Why build one snowman when you can build a family of snowmen??? Have everyone build the snowman that fits their unique personality!

7. Snow Ice Cream

Search Pinterest to find hundreds of easy snow ice cream tutorials. It is a simple recipe using a few cheap ingredients. This is a fun way to enjoy the snow…while staying indoors!

Fun in the Snow for Families -free winter activities

Fun at Home

8. Movie Night

Snuggle up together, pop some popcorn and have a family movie night. Watch a few old classics or try something new. All that matters is that you are spending time together.

9. Bake Bread

I love spending cold winter days in my kitchen baking something warm. Try baking a loaf of homemade bread! Lather it with homemade butter and eat it together as a family.

10. Homemade Cocoa

It only takes a couple of minutes and a few ingredients to make a big batch homemade cocoa. Make the hot chocolate together as a family and enjoy sipping it next to a warm cozy fire.

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11. Family Slumber Party

Haul blankets, pillows and sleeping bags onto the living room floor. Have a large family slumber party together. Your kids will remember this forever!

12. Read a Novel as a Family

My family loves to read a novel together every winter. I usually pick a classic and read it to the kids for 20-30 minutes every evening. A few favorites have been Little House on the Prairie, Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little.

13. Paper Snowflakes

Spend an afternoon cutting out paper snowflakes and hanging them around your home. We like to tape a few to the windows and use invisible thread to hang some from the ceiling. You can find countless Youtube video tutorials. This is such a fun, cheap and easy craft!

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14. Play Dough

Make some homemade play dough at home! Use it to build snowmen or other fun creations. You can use my favorite recipe or search pinterest for other variations!

15. Indoor Picnic

You don’t have to have warm weather for a picnic! Spread a blanket out on the floor, bring a few of your favorite picnic foods and enjoy a picnic indoors!

16. Make a Fort

Gather all the blankets and chairs in your house and build a gigantic blanket fort. Play games, read stories and spend the day hiding out in the fort.

17. Make a Sock Snowman

All it takes is a little creativity and a few random items found around the house to turn an ordinary sock into a snowman!

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18. Board Games

We love board games in our family! You can find some cheap ones at your local thrift store, but there are plenty of fun games played with just a deck of cards or dice.

19. Make Friendship Bracelets

My kids love spending an afternoon making friendship bracelets! You can do an easy braid or something fancier. Be sure to make two bracelets! One to give away and one to keep.

20. Family Dance Party

Sometimes our family (or maybe just this tired mom! 😉 ) just needs a good old fashioned dance party! We crank up a few of our fave dance tunes and dance the grumpy faces away!

Fun in Town

21. Visit the Library

The library offers a lot of free activities for everyone in the family. Take advantage of all the many free programs and be sure to check out a book or movie while you are there!

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22. Serve a Meal at a Homeless Shelter

There is nothing better for a child to learn than how to care for others. Pick a day as a family to help serve a meal at the local homeless shelter. This is such a humbling experience!

23. Visit a Pet Store

It’s so simple, but so fun! We love walking around the local pet store and visiting the cats, dogs, and birds. My kids ask to go regularly and I never complain!

24. Donate to a Thrift Store

As a family go through all of the toys, clutter, and household items. Fill up a large box of items to donate to a thrift store. It feels so good to start the new year fresh and clutter free!

25. Visit a Neighbor

Do you have an elderly neighbor who might need a visit? Or maybe someone new to the neighborhood? As a family pay a special visit to someone needing company. It’s a great way to brighten their day and get to know someone new!

Liked what you read? Pin it for future reference!

Free Family Winter Activities

What do you like to do with your family during the cold winter months????

Easy Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

December 5, 2018 By: Sweet Frugal Life24 Comments

A good hot chocolate mix recipe makes everything better!

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 with this easy 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. It also tastes much better than what you will buy from the store!

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

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!

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

Fun Birthday Traditions to Start This Year.

Decorate Bedroom

Birthday Breakfast

Your-Choice Dinner

Red Birthday Plate

Birthday Love

Bedtime Stories

In Conclusion

Related Articles:

Pin this article for future reference:

What are some of your birthday traditions for kids?

How to give your kids a fun birthday party while on a tight budget.

1. Start a birthday sinking fund.

2. Don’t throw a big party every year.

3. Choose a free location.

4. Only invite a few friends.

5. DIY the party invitations.

6. Only serve dessert.

7. Make the cake yourself.

8. Avoid Pinterest.

9. Use decorations that you already own.

10. Shop at The Dollar Tree

11. Plan free games/activities.

12. Double the activity as the goody bag.

In Conclusion

Pin for future frugal parties:

Have fun throwing your kids birthday party on a budget!

An Easy Valentine Heart Craft for Kids!

Yarn Hearts Tutorial

Related Easy Craft Projects:

Now it’s your turn to make this easy valentine craft for kids!

Easy Yarn Pom-Pom Tutorial

How to make yarn pom pom

Pom Pom Garland Tutorial

Related Articles:

I hope this helped you understand how to make a yarn pom pom!

Giving Back To Others During the Holiday Season

Frugal Acts of Kindness

1. Stock The Food Pantry

2. Serve Food At The Homeless Shelter

3. Visit Nursing Homes

4. Shovel Your Neighbors Driveway

5. Send A Card

6. Drop Off a Frugal Treat

7. Bring Someone a Meal

8. Donate Gently Used Clothing

9. Light the World

10. Giving Jar

11. Candy Cane’s on Windshields

Frugal Giving is Possible!

What Christmas Acts of Kindness do you enjoy each year?

Need a gift idea for a teen boy?? Check these out!

Sport Gift Ideas for Teen Boy

Gifts to Read

Gifts for the Room

Gifts to Wear

Fun Gift Idea for Teen Boys

Outdoorsy Gifts

Need more Gift Ideas? You might also like:

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1. Set Up a Sinking Fund

2. Use a Credit Card

3. Save Your Pennies (literally)

4. Fetch Rewards

5. Take Advantage of Cash Back

6. Start a Side Hustle

7. Sell the Clutter

How do you save for Christmas each year? Let us in on some of your secrets in the comments! I would love more inspiration!

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

1. A Jar of Homemade Hot Cocoa

2. Hand Soap

3. Wrapping Paper

4. Journal

5. Soda Pop

6. Nail Polish and Emery Board

7. Homemade Candy

8. Bath Bombs

9. Pineapple

10. Throw Blanket

11. A Bag of Clementines