All of us have made mistakes. I’ll hazard a guess that most of us have made some money mistakes. Whether it’s a lack of budgeting (been there), spending more than one makes (been there, too) or poor investments (ahem), you’re probably not alone in having had some red on your ledger. FishBoy13 asked me about…
Homemade games can be fun and inexpensive gifts for children. Learn how to make a “Three Men’s Morris” Board Game from Life as MOM contributor Janel. Two summers ago, my girls and I visited Yorktown Victory Center as an end-of-summer field trip. During our time in the Continental Army Encampment, one of the docents showed…
Need special packaging for a gift? Make a drawstring bag! Life as Mom contributor Janel will show you how to make a custom drawstring bag from fabric as well as one from a store bought pillowcase. Sometimes you’ve got a gift and it just calls for a little special packaging…especially if the gift calls for…
Household expenses like cleaners, soaps, furniture, maintenance, and energy costs are all things that you can adjust with a little creative thinking. Five years ago, our lives were turned upside down. We finally faced the music of the consumer debt we had piled up. It amounted to over $16,000. We decided to get serious about…
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…