Budget Living

Romantic Dinner on a Dime or a Last-Minute Valentine

A night out on the town for Valentine’s Day is a tad overrated. Not only do busy parents feel the pressure to find a babysitter and beat the crowds to the restaurant, but they also have a weighty tab to contend with at the end of the night. Or maybe you just forgot and need to pull a quick night of romance together.

Beat the Valentine Budget blues by preparing a quiet, yet romantic meal at home. This 850+ word article includes suggestions for a romantic dinner at home. Recipes and images are included.

Filed Under: 500-1000 words, Budget Living, Food, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Romance, Seasonal, Valentines, Winter Holidays

Good and Cheap Eats? How Healthy Food Choices and Frugality Can Coexist

It would seem that the healthy food is the expensive food. Most parents I know want to feed their children the best possible nutrition, but doing so can often be cost-prohibitive. Is it possible to feed a family healthy choices on a frugal budget? I believe it is — with a little know-how and savvy shopping.

At just under 1200 words, this article provides helpful suggestions for the parent who wants to feed her family healthy, budget-friendly food. Frugal recipes that kids will gobble up are also included.

Filed Under: 1000 - 1300 words, All reprints, Budget Living, Cooking with Kids, Food, Home Management, Nutrition

Wanna Be a Coupon Queen?

Years ago I would clip a coupon here or there and use them only for items that I would buy anyway. It was great justification to buy fancy or organic items. I didn’t see how clipping coupons really saved me any money since the generic was usually cheaper anyway. What I didn’t know was that there is a trick to using coupons wisely.

Since our family started shopping with coupons in a more effective way, we’ve reduced our grocery bill by about $200 a month! I have become a coupon queen, I guess.

Any grocery shopper can save big on food costs. With simple directions and lots of helpful links, this 1200 word article will equip your readers to win the Battle of the Budget. A 110-word sidebar is included.

Filed Under: Budget Living, Finances, Food, Home Management

Moms Who Can Help You Save Money: Blogs You Can Bank On

Tonight’s trip to Walmart proved to me that without regular reading of personal finance blogs, my family’s bank account would be in dire straights. Costs continue to rise. But, our family has not been hard hit, thanks to some clever shopping tactics. About a year ago I discovered this world of frugal bloggers who research the deals and work to inspire and equip people to save money, myself included.

What a boon to families to have resources to turn to 24/7 who can offer hope and practical solutions to their money problems! At 762 words this article introduces the reader to a handful of women who are making it their mission to help others stay in the black.

Filed Under: 500-1000 words, All reprints, Budget Living, Internet

Date Night on a Dime

While the pocketbook may be getting squeezed these days, many a parent may think that this means eliminating a night out on the town. Yet a down economy doesn’t mean spirits can’t be up. While times are tight, parents need a special evening together all the more in order to decompress, rejuvenate the spirit, and reconnect as a couple.

This article provides ideas for fun and frugal romance. From cheap eats to outdoor adventures, there’s something here for every interest — and budget. (693 words)

Filed Under: 500-1000 words, All reprints, Budget Living, Dads, Finances, Romance

Diary of a Grocery Geek: One Mom's Journey Toward Supermarket Savings

What would you think if I told you that I regularly pay 50 cents or less for a box of breakfast cereal? Or that I buy organic tomato paste for 5 cents? Or that I’ve reduced my family’s grocery spending from over $800 a month to less than $500? You might be wondering, “What planet is she living on?!”

Well, I’ve been on an incredible journey toward saving money at the supermarket. This article provides more than just anecdotal evidence. At 1238 words, this piece gives tried and true tips for families to follow in order to reduce their grocery spending. The accompanying sidebar provides a wealth of both online and print resources to help parents put food on the table all the while keeping money in the bank. One-time rights are available.

Filed Under: 1000 - 1300 words, All reprints, Budget Living, Finances, Food, Home Management

Breakfast in Bed: Step By Step Tips for Dads and Kids

Sometimes Dads need a little nudge in the right direction. Especially when it comes to Mother’s Day. It’s not a birthday. It’s not an anniversary. It’s not Christmas. However, it is Mother’s Day, for pete’s sake! And most mothers desire a little acknowledgement for nine months of aches, pains, nausea, vomiting, not to mention whatever happened in the delivery room, and the years of diaper changes, nose wipes, and homework helps that follow.

At 948 words with a sidebar complete with checklist, this article offers that little bit of encouragement to Dad. Not only does it provide easy breakfast recipes for Dad and kids to prepare together, but it also suggests presentation ideas that will bring a smile and a surprise to any mom. All of this told in a light-hearted way.

Filed Under: Budget Living, Dads, Food, Gift Ideas, Mother's Day, Spring

Make a Big TO DO Out of Summer! Plan to Have Fun!

Pretty soon parents all over will be making their summer “to do” lists: clean out the garage, repaint the kitchen, have a yard sale. But, really, summertime is made for lying in the hammock more often than mowing the lawn. And an exceptional summer takes a little planning. Otherwise, September will come and you’ll find that you and the kids have spent the last three months in front of the television set (or just worked on that list of chores). Life is so much richer than that! Now is the time to plan to have fun this summer.

At 1176 words, this article suggests creative ways to spend time this summer — fun for the whole family. From homemade water parks to trips to the ballgame, no one will be at a loss for entertainment this season.

Filed Under: 1000 - 1300 words, All reprints, Budget Living, Family-Friendly Activities, Seasonal, Summer

The Summer Play Day: It’s Not Just for Toddlers Anymore

Summertime, when children everywhere have free time on their hands, can be a challenge for parents who want to provide fun experiences for their kids, yet know that planning those experiences also involves some work and creativity. A regular summer playday for kids of all ages is the answer! It’s the toddler playgroup all grown up, and it’s easier than you think.

Featuring our family’s very own Camp Wannalaffalotta, this piece offers real life examples for keeping kids entertained and safe during the summer. At 1087 words it gives parents step by step instructions on how to set up the playday as well as fun activities to mix it up with.

Filed Under: 1000 - 1300 words, All reprints, Budget Living, Family-Friendly Activities, Seasonal, Summer

How Do You Spell Love? M.O.T.H.E.R.

Hallmark cards, flowers, candy. Those are all sweet gifts to give Mom on her special day. However, sometimes it’s nice to think a little outside the box of chocolates.

This article offers some alternatives to those good ole’ standbys. At 850 words, it suggests creative gift ideas that come together to spell MOTHER, as in an acrostic. For example, M is for massage. What Mom wouldn’t love that? Gift ideas range from the extravagant to the absolutely free, but all will demonstrate your great love for the mom in your life.

Filed Under: 500-1000 words, All reprints, Budget Living, Gift Ideas, Mother's Day, Motherhood, Seasonal, Spring

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