Make Your Own DIY Household Cleaners For Pennies

Posted on April 11, 2011 Written by 6 Comments

I don’t love cleaning. OK, I kind of despise it.  But what I always hated more was the idea that I was using chemicals in my home that were possibly damaging to my family and/or the environment.  And the fumes just give me a headache.

So, years ago, I swapped out some of the cleaners I regularly bought for natural ones I mixed up at home.  I used ingredients that could often be bought for a dollar or less… and were already in my cabinets anyway.  Since then, there has been an explosion of natural cleaning brands on the market.  Some are great, but they tend to be pricey.  I find that my homemade cleaners work as well, if not better, than many of them.
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When Does Being Sick End and Links

Posted on April 10, 2011 Written by 2 Comments

It’s been a rough season for us. We’ve been in a wicked cycle of viruses that go through the kids, then it hits me, then the kids get sick from some other virus.  There’s really nothing more helpless than a child that’s sick, especially when they are young and can’t really understand what’s going on or tell you what’s bothering them.

I hope as the weather gets warmer, the viruses disappear.  It’s getting ridiculous. [Read more...]

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4 Ways to Save Money on Your Kids Clothing

Posted on April 8, 2011 Written by 6 Comments

In the realm of household finances, clothing is what you might call a “soft cost.” There’s no fixed expense, no monthly bill to pay, in fact in many homes it might not even rate a line item in the family budget.

Until you have children!

And once you do, the money you pay to keep them dressed seems to quietly expand until they become teenagers, when it becomes—how can I explain this adequately—a Real Expense. I have two teenagers, and I’ve seen this play out.  Along the way, my wife and I have learned various ways to rein in this ever-growing cost.
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Credit Card Perks – Take Advantage of What You Have

Posted on March 28, 2011 Written by 1 Comment

If you’re a responsible credit card user (you pay it off monthly), then you can some significant savings with your credit cards. Many people already know of some great reward cards that can help them get airline tickets, cash back, or points.  They don’t, however, know that they can get free services that can save some money on their next purchases.

If you’re on top of them, credit cards can keep some money in your pocket.
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Bring On the Sun and Links

Posted on March 27, 2011 Written by Leave a Comment

Slowly, but surely, the warm weather is creeping back in. That means I get to take the kids out more and explore the parks in the area.  We’ve been stuck inside most days with the cold.  I know, we can still get out in the Winter, but most days are just too brutal to be outside for any real length of time with the kids.

Anyhow, here are some great articles I’ve found:

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Planning on Having Kids? Save the Nice Furniture for After They Grow Up

Posted on March 25, 2011 Written by 11 Comments

When my husband and I got married, we were beyond broke and did not have money to furnish our apartment with new furniture. Instead, we went to a thrift shop and bought a dining room table and two chairs for $25, and even that was a big purchase in our minds.  The rest of our furniture came from garage sales (two more dining room chairs) or as hand me downs from relatives.

When my salary increased and we had a little extra money, we chose NOT to upgrade our furniture.  Why?  Children.

While our children are cute and adorable, and we love them endlessly, they are little terrors when it comes to furniture.  I think all kids are made that way; it is in their fiber to be rough on furniture. [Editor: Yes, I can attest to that!]
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