A weekend getaway, even if it’s only 24 hours, doesn’t have to be expensive. Here’s how to save money on your next overnighter. A few weeks ago FishPapa and I had a 24-Hour Date. When our kids were really little, the only time we were gone overnight was to go to the hospital and have…
Learn how to make a simple dress-up skirt from Life as MOM contributor Janel. This is a great way to make a piece of costume when you can’t find just what you need. All photos: Janel A few years ago, my sister Jamie lent me her sewing machine for a project that I was working…
Frugality is getting a good value for what you pay. That’s how we can live in California and pay the high cost of living. This post was originally published on September 13, 2012. The message still holds true. Many people have wondered how it’s possible to live in California which has a reputation for having…
Last night was date night. Hubs and I hopped in the car with no destination in mind. It’s been hot and humid for a week, so we headed toward the ocean, hoping that things had cooled off — and that we’d find something good to eat. I even left my jacket at home. I never…
With school supplies and kids’ clothing priced super low right now, it’s a great time to shop for Operation Christmas Child or other shoebox ministries that will take collections at the holidays. This guest post from Carrie shows you how to make the most of current summer sales: Sometime last year, I realized that my…
There are a multitude of benefits to rending a condo on your next family vacation, especially if you have more than two children. Once upon a time you could squeeze a family with three or four children in a hotel room and it worked out great for a family vacation. I remember. Once upon a…
This probably isn’t earth-shattering, money-saving advice, but I do believe it saves us at least $420/year, so here we go. I am the barber around here. Yep. Really. I suppose I could say I’m a stylist, but that would be stretching things. A lot. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I ever set…
Being frugal isn’t easy, but it is important. Here are seven reasons why you should practice frugality. As we discussed not too long ago, it can be hard to maintain money-saving stamina. You know that there are greater goals at hand. You know that spending money wisely will pay off in the long run. You…
I’m resolved to keep better books this year. True story. Over the last month or two I’ve spent a fair amount of time playing “catch up” with our finances. I did what I told you not to do, I went months without reconciling the checkbook. Oh yes. The irony in writing a post entitled, Do…
Kids can greatly benefit from practice at fiscal responsibility as well as learning to help out around the house. Should the two be separate or joined? Let’s talk about allowances today. There are some epic questions that one encounters as a parent: Cloth diaper or disposable? Breast milk or formula? Organic or conventional? Allowance, commission,…