Do you like to walk for exercise? Do you wish walking provided you with an upper body work-out? If you answered yes, start using walking poles like my “chicks with sticks” crew and on your next walk, get an upper body work-out while burning more calories. Many stores sell walking poles but you can make… Continue reading How to Make Walking Poles
How to Organize a Dinner Group
Entertaining can be expensive, but cost shouldn’t keep you from being social. Organize a dinner group and you can entertain while still being on a budget and frugal. Schedule your dinner group meetings regularly and you’ll see your friends more often and try new foods. The idea behind a dinner group is that it’s a… Continue reading How to Organize a Dinner Group
Teacher Gift Ideas
Question: “Just wondering how you handle teacher gift ideas. At our school, parents are sort of expected to contribute to a to a joint gift for the teacher. The suggested amount is about $15. This gift is usually an American Express gift card. It is a little tricky navigating the social aspect of group gifts. … Continue reading Teacher Gift Ideas
Estate Sale Finds: Vintage Wrapping Paper
One of my favorite items to purchase at estate sales is vintage wrapping paper. Not only is it inexpensive to purchase but it is classic and funky. Add a pretty ribbon and you’re ready for gift giving. This package of vintage gift wrap was purchased recently at an estate sale. Grand total? $1. I especially… Continue reading Estate Sale Finds: Vintage Wrapping Paper
Slow Food Gets Prepared by Slow Families
Meal planning and cooking most of your meals at home is a great way to save money. It’s also a much healthier way to eat. Cooking at home does take time. Planning, shopping, cooking, and cleaning up all take time. Slow food requires you to slow down a bit, think about your meals, and do… Continue reading Slow Food Gets Prepared by Slow Families
My Daily Indulgence: Perfume
Every day, I indulge. I give myself a squirt of perfume. Every single day. Even if I’ve run around in my work-out clothes all day (ick!), showered in the evening, and put on my pajamas, I always use perfume. Why? When you’re careful with money, time, and resources, you need a little daily indulgence. I… Continue reading My Daily Indulgence: Perfume
Chicks With Sticks
I’m in a gang and we have a name. My gang consists of several women. We walk very early in the morning and very quickly. We carry weapons but not the usual type of gang weapons. We use walking sticks. Or walking poles or trekking poles or whatever you'd like to call them. We are… Continue reading Chicks With Sticks
Could You Give Up Fast Food for One Year?
During the summer, when my kids were much younger (and still wanted to go to the swimming pool with me) we’d leave the pool feeling hungry and ready for a snack. I’d get the full-court-press on picking up fast food. After sunshine and swimming, we were starving. Our neighborhood public pool is located down the… Continue reading Could You Give Up Fast Food for One Year?
The Loot From Our Goodwill Shopping Trip
Here’s what I bought for my family at The Goodwill Outlet Store, otherwise known as “The Bins.” The total is listed at the end of this list but just try to guess how much money I spent… Ice grabbers (a reader said they’re really sugar cube grabbers) Tennyson poetry book 3 handkerchiefs (which I’ll use… Continue reading The Loot From Our Goodwill Shopping Trip
Do Kids Really Need Cell Phones?
“The Family Plan” marketing strategy for cell phone users is impressive. Cell phone companies make it sound like each person in your entire family must have a cell phone. My kids would probably be thrilled if we (their not-smart-in-the-least-bit-parents) bought into this marketing-mayhem, but we just can’t. This question has yet to be answered: Do… Continue reading Do Kids Really Need Cell Phones?
Go Gingham 