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My #1 Brand of Choice for Long-Lasting Toys for Toddlers

November 28, 2016 | Leave a Comment

What do toddlers love? Getting into EVERYTHING. That’s why I want my money to go toward products that will inspire my curious kids, entertain them, and last longer than three days. Therefore, here is my all-time favorite brand of long-lasting toys for toddlers.

My #1 Brand of Choice for Long-Lasting Toys for Toddlers

When my kids receive an invite to a birthday party (especially if they’re toddlers), I head straight toward one particular section in the toy department first:

Melissa & Doug.

Why I Recommend Melissa & Doug Toys Above the Competition

I can’t help it; their products win me over time and time again. Here is a breakdown of my top reasons why:

They’re well made. The durable craftsmanship of each toy and the use of wood and metal instead of plastic ensures that these are long-lasting toys for toddlers and older.
They teach a skill. Each toy or activity I’ve come across in the Melissa & Doug line inspire the child to use her imagination, explore her problem-solving skills, or improve hand-eye coordination.
They’re better for the environment. With the longer lifespan of each toy and the use of natural products instead of plastic, the carbon signature is greatly reduced.
They help kids focus. My go-to toys for road trips, waiting rooms, or long lines at the grocery store are Melissa & Doug. With their colorful and creative designs, they hold children’s attention spans. That drew me since I know how important it is to teach children to focus at a young age.
They help kids have fun without using a screen. No technology. No flashing lights. No batteries. I love that my kids can enjoy toys like these for hours each day without seeing any of the side effects of too much screen time.

If you’ve never shopped for Melissa & Doug toys before, here a few great toys to try first. I’ve seen positive results with each of my children, and even their friends when they come over to play. Whether they’re in the car, playing right beside me, or alone in quiet time, these toys are a continual source of fun in our home.

Long-Lasting Toys for Toddlers – Ages 1 to 2 Years

Chunky Puzzles. The great thing about these early learning puzzles is that little fingers can grasp the pieces easily and figure out where they go. Both of my children learned the art of puzzling first from a Melissa & Doug 8-piece Chunky Puzzle (and they still play with it).
Activity Boards. Like puzzles, these sturdy and colorful activity boards offer toddlers a chance to buckle, bolt, snap, lock, and latch as fast as their tiny hands can manage it. This is an exceptional activity to promote hand-eye coordination and, if you’re like me, you’ll find yourself tempted to put the activity board together, too, when no one’s watching. ::cough:: So that’s just me, then?…

Long-Lasting Toys for Toddlers – Ages 2 to 3 Years

No-Mess Painting Craft. Did I mention how much I love taking Melissa & Doug products on road trips? The kids love painting with these Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Activity Books. They simply use a brush with water inside and the colors appear on the pages. After a few minutes, the colors fade and the children can paint on them again. This has been great for my 3-year-old who can write her alphabet and numbers, largely in thanks to the ABC and 123 Water Activity Books we own.
“Make-Believe Play” Toys. My niece recently received a Melissa & Doug Christmas Cookie set. I watched throughout the rest of the night as she walked around the room offering each family member a wooden Christmas cookie with a huge grin on her face. It’s so fun to make believe and to do so with such adorable toys. For example, if you’re a coffee drinker, your child might like to become a little barista with this Melissa & Doug Wooden Brew & Serve Coffee Set.

These are only a few options of things your children might enjoy. I shared them because they are the ones my own children have enjoyed. Now, I encourage you to browse around and try one out for your own toddler. I bet he or she will have a lot of fun with it for a long time.

What long-lasting toys for toddlers have you found? Share them in the comments below!

Image Credit: Tiffany Terry (Creative Commons)

This post contains affiliate links.

How to Pay for Vacations and Holidays Without Debt

November 7, 2016 | Leave a Comment

The average summer vacation costs $1,200, according to CNN Money. A recent Gallop poll discovered that the average spent on Christmas is $830 with 30% of shoppers intending on spending over $1,000. How on earth are people supposed to pay for these pricey transactions like vacations and holidays without debt?

One way to help prevent such a setback is to run the numbers like I’ve done in the estimates above. Could you imagine going at least $2,000 into debt each year just for holidays and travel?

What if, instead, you made a pact with yourself and your family only to use money that you’ve saved for the occasion?

It would take a plan. Let’s unpack that one now.

How to Pay for Vacations and Holidays Without Debt

The primary tool that will be your strongest ally in all this is your mind. If you can change your mindset to do the following, you’re well on your way to living a life with less debt:

Don’t keep up with the Joneses. They’re probably up to their eyeballs in debt.

My husband and I drive around with our children looking at Christmas lights every year. One year, I took him to a wealthy neighborhood filled with massive homes on manicured lawns. Each house was adorned with elegant crystal-like decorations with a massive tree in their grand living room.

You get the picture.

When I was young, I used to think of that neighborhood as the richest part of town. I used to think, “These are the people who figured it out. They have it made.” Now that I’ve tasted debt and scratched my way back out, I look differently at shiny cars and grand houses. Perhaps these people did save up for every penny and are doing great. But, debt is so accommodating that they really could owe money on every item they own, right down to their shoes.

Don’t assume people driving shiny cars “have it made.” You may be craving a lifestyle they can’t afford, either.

Automate a year-long savings plan.

Holidays and vacations are not surprises. If you can open a Christmas Club account at your bank or open a savings and drop $50 in it every payday, you’ll be so far ahead of the game when it’s time to travel or shop. We don’t even put that much away and it forces us to be more frugal with our holiday shopping. Which brings me to my next suggestion to save up for vacations and holidays without debt.

Bonus Reading: “5 Ways to Spend Less On Christmas Gifts for Kids”

Be intentional about fewer presents.

When I first heard the 4-gift idea for Christmas, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do that for our kids. Then I realized my alternative was to “buy them whatever” which is a terrific recipe for not being intentional and for breaking the budget. The 4-gift idea is to buy them only four presents in the following categories:

Something they want
Something they need
Something they wear
Something they read

I’ve never been more intentional with my gift giving than I was that year. Turns out, the item my daughter “wanted” was the least expensive gift I bought. But, it’s something she still uses every week.

So, the lesson this taught me was that my kids don’t need gobs of presents. They don’t need expensive presents. What makes them feel loved is the intention behind the giving.

You don’t have to spend $830 on Christmas this year, or any other holidays.

If, however, you do want to spend more on a big trip or nice presents (and that’s certainly your prerogative), then save early and do what you can to avoid debt. I’ve tried this both ways and can assure you that the memories are sweeter when debt doesn’t linger behind them.

For further study into this topic of debt free living, I suggest you pick up a copy of “Debt-Proof Your Christmas: Celebrating the Holidays without Breaking the Bank” by Mary Hunt. It’s filled with lots of ideas for saving money during the holidays and not paying for them later.

Do you agree with the idea of having vacations and holidays without debt? Share your thoughts below!

Image Credit: Leo Rivas-Micoud (UnSplash)

This post may contain affiliate links.

6 Must-Haves for Working Moms Who Breastfeed

October 31, 2016 | Leave a Comment

These days, more and more mothers are working outside the home. Toward the end of pregnancy, there is a swarm of decisions that must be made, from what car seat to purchase to what birth plan to use. One of those decisions is whether or not to breastfeed. If you plan on becoming one of the working moms who breastfeed, then here is a list of must-haves to help your transition.

6 Must-Haves for Working Moms who Breastfeed

I worked full-time when my first child was born. After maternity leave, I asked that my hours decrease, but I was still there long enough to require pumping.

Leaving your baby with a sitter and pumping at work is hard. Pumping at work instead of the comfort of your own home isn’t that fantastic at first, either.

After a while, though, I did discover several must-haves I was so grateful to use. Here they are.

A top of the line, dual breast pump

I’m a bit of a cheapskate, but I’m so glad someone talked me into buying a Medela Advanced Breast Pump. My transition into joining the working moms who breastfeed was so much easier than it could have been because of that breast pump.

For more information on quality baby items like the Medela, read here.

A full water bottle

The minute I began pumping, I got thirsty. It would drive me mad not to have water nearby. Keep a quality water bottle freshly stocked at all times – especially when you pump.

A breastfeeding cover

Even if you have total privacy when you pump – and you should – having a breastfeeding cover like this one is a must-have at all times. It’s like have a spare diaper and some wipes on hand. You just never know where you’ll end up when you need them.

Besides, if you’re tense when you pump, you produce less milk and the process takes longer. That can be incredibly frustrating. Invest in something that will help you feel at ease.

Something to do

Pumping at work takes time, and you just sit there. Even though your hands are somewhat tied up, be sure to bring something along to entertain yourself. You could listen to music, an audio book, or a podcast. Or you could read (it can be done).

Or you could count ceiling tiles when you forget to bring something. ::sigh:: I’ve been there.

Storage bags

Breast milk storage bags were also crucial to my success as one of the working moms who breastfeed. They’re designed to hold enough for a single serving and hold up well in a freezer. You’re able to write the date on each one which makes sure your baby gets milk before it expires.

These storage bags were my favorite because they could be attached directly to my Medela breast pump – with the correct accessory. That saved SO much time with a lot less clean up.

A firm understanding of your rights

The biggest thing I’d want working moms who breastfeed to understand is their rights in the working place. They are legally permitted to take breaks to pump as often as necessary. Employers are required to provide a private room, other than a bathroom, during these break times.

Obviously, harassment from co-workers or their unwillingness to comply with regulations is illegal.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful gift you can give your baby. Know your rights. Click here for more information.

Would you add any must-haves for working moms who breastfeed to this list?

Image Credit: William Iven (UnSplash)

This post contains affiliate links.

5 Ways to Save Money on Diapers Using Amazon

October 10, 2016 | Leave a Comment

Every parent knows having a child drastically changes your finances. One of the largest expenses to enter the picture is diapers. It’s a fixed expense for the first three years of a child’s life, right? So, how can we save money on diapers?

The list is long. I wrote a post about this earlier called “How to Save Money on Diapers.” That would be a good place to head once you’re done here.

Since there was more to say after writing that first article, I decided to write a follow-up post specifically talking about Amazon.

5 Ways to Save Money on Diapers Using Amazon

I’m not saying you should only shop at Amazon for your diapers. I actually buy mostly off brand diapers in bulk at places like Target or Costco. That’s just how I do my shopping.

If you’re a pretty active online shopper looking to save money on diapers, then give these tips a try.

1. Subscribe & Save

No Prime membership required. All you do is sign up for Amazon’s Subscribe & Save program and choose from their selection of products. If there is something you need regularly, like paper towels or diapers, then subscribe. They’ll show up on your doorstep on the selected date saving you up to 15% off each time.

2. CamelCamelCamel.com

Want to know when diapers are at their lowest market price? Head over to CamelCamelCamel.com to find out. Enter the name of the product and look at its track record of the last year. That’ll help you determine when it’s best to shop next.

3. Price Tracker App

Do you prefer shopping on your mobile device? Save money on diapers by using the Price Tracker App. If you have Amazon’s store app already on your phone, then you have the Price Check feature within that app. That is a second method you could use to save money on your phone.

4. SnagShout.com

Find deep discounts on Amazon products on SnagShout.com. I first described SnagShout as a great resource when you’re searching for frugal Christmas gifts (read the full article here). But SnagShout can also be great for everyday items that aren’t quite as exciting but cost just as much green stuff in your wallet.

A.K.A. diapers.

Up until October 2016, SnagShout users were required to leave a review on Amazon in exchange for receiving the deep discounts on products. However, the policy was revised to reflect Amazon’s choice to make it illegal to require anyone to leave a review.

So, now you simply need to check out SnagShout’s merchandise, find the kids & baby section and see if there are any cloth diapers or nursing covers or other gems up for grabs.

5. Register for an Amazon baby registry.

If you’re having a baby shower, then consider registering on Amazon. Some perks include: free 90-day returns, millions of products from which to choose, 15% off Completion Discount on eligible items for Prime members.

Plus, people have the option of giving Amazon gift cards. Combine those with the 15% off through Subscribe & Save and you’ll get a bunch of diapers for not a bunch of money.

Have you ever tried to save money on diapers online? What’s one thing that worked for you?

Image Credit: Janko Ferlic (UnSplash)

My Favorite Toys for Kids Under 5 Years

August 3, 2016 | Leave a Comment

A friend of mine was recently trying to decide on if a toy purchase for her son was ‘’worth it’’. She didn’t want to start buying a bunch of useless toys for him to have her small house cluttered with kids stuff that was hardly used (a problem I can sympathize with).

My house is overrun with kids stuff. Our daughter is the first grandchild, niece, baby in a long time and people love buying baby stuff despite us asking not to. We have made it quite clear we would rather have a contribution to her education savings than another doll or stuffed animal but people feed off that immediate toddler smile and ‘’thank you’’. However over the years though, a few toys have come into our lives that we love and have had hours of fun playing with. Gifts I am so grateful for, or money I’m so glad we spent.

Books

This is an easy one, but we’re big book lovers and I am all too happy to give another book a home.

Reading is very important to us and though we have a few favorites that rotate every few days, we love having new stories come into our lives. You can never go wrong with giving a child a book.

A few of our favorites from the last four years are the Oliva series; the Fancy Nancy series; Each Peach, Pear, Plum; Sandra Boynton (anything); Look and Find books (hours of fun playing eye-spy); A Very Hungry Caterpillar; The Kissing Hand; Are You My Mother and Sheep in a Jeep. I have hundreds of children’s books in my house and always looking for more! You may be able to find deals on these books using a ebay.ca coupon.

Play Food and Accessories

I think it was for my daughters first birthday that someone gave her a huge gift of pretend food and accessories (pots/pans/bowls/spoons). Over three years later and these are still going strong. Where it started out as a good learning toy- identifying shapes, colors and types of food, she now interacts with them and role-plays which is really fun. A huge hit in our house.

Toy Cash Register

This was a gift from her babysitter when she turned two. Not only does she just love playing with the pretend money it is a huge learning opportunity for us to teach her financial lessons. Sometimes we’ll play grocery store with her pretend food and we’re at the point now of teaching her how many coins she needs to buy the things. Again, over two years later and this still consistently gets played with.

Play House

Two years ago we had an opportunity to buy a small playhouse at a store for 60% off, we decided to go for it and she loves it. I think we paid $100 for it and have gotten a ton of use out of it. It’s plastic and we keep it outside year round. She goes from growing her pretend garden to literally shoveling the snow out of her front ‘’door’’. We play with it year-round and will continue to until she’s too big for it.

Lego/Blocks

My husband was given a collection of wooden blocks when he was a child and he was able to save them to give her our daughter. We have a few different types of blocks (everything from traditional Lego to wood blocks) and she loves them all. This is something I don’t see her growing out of anytime soon.

Crayons/Paper/Coloring books/Stickers

It’s just that simple. We go though a ton of all of the above and she loves them.

Some toys are a complete waste of money. We’re much better at picking our battles in terms of what we spend money on but we are very happy that a few toys have found their way into our lives and offered our daughter so much joy!

What are your favorite toys for small kids?

Keeping Kids Warm this Winter Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank

November 18, 2015 | Leave a Comment

One thing is a certain every year, with children who are still growing, they will need new winter gear every year. It amazes me just how fast little kids sprout up actually. The snowsuit I bought last year seemed big at the beginning of the year and within the season it got too small!

Winter gear, for us and probably many families out there, is one of the most expensive kid clothing expenses we have every year. The savings we get buying cheap $5 sandals and $2 shorts in the summer are quickly spent in the colder months but this doesn’t mean there aren’t savings to be found.

Always Start with Used

I know I often say this, but the same still applies for snowsuits and boots. ‘’Shop’’ around for used. This could be either an older kid hand-me-down or shopping at a local thrift store. The first two years my kid was outfitted in winter gear we bought at a second hand store and were almost brand new. Kids grow so fast that they usually only get one winter out of the gear and my experience is that most parents will either look up unload or just donate to a local store. Last year our daughter wore a pair of quality winter boots that were also worn by two of her older cousins. The boots still had plenty of life in them and saved us a few bucks.

Put a Facebook post out there and see if you get any bites. Also join local buy and sells on Facebook to see if you find anything decent and, as always, check your local thrift stores. You don’t know what’s out there until you ask!

Buy at Year End

At the end of our daughters second winter we came into a too-hard-to-resist-sale on snow suits. They were name brand suits at a store for $10. We quickly bought a few and two years later we’re still wearing them (I have two more still to go!). I figured if, by the time winter came, they didn’t fit her and she was in between sizes, I would donate them to a thrift store or local charity. Things like snowsuits and boots take up a large inventory so stores often want to see them sell off rather than storing or shipping back (especially as style changes) so you may be surprised what is out there for sales.

You don’t need Name Brand

Winter boots can be expensive. I have been looking around for our 3.5 year old and found a few pairs, the problem is that I know they will only fit her for the one winter, and they were $50, or more, per pair. I can’t justify spending $50-$70 on a pair of boots she will wear for a few months. Instead I found a pair at Walmart. They seem to have a nice lining and super warm for half the price. Some people get so hung up on certain brands they don’t even consider large box store brands.

If you walk into a sporting goods store looking to outfit your child for the winter, you can expect to spend a few hundred dollars but there is no reason why you can’t bring in a whole outdoor winter apparel for your kid for under $100. Like anything, there are always savings to be found if you try!

How do you find savings when it comes to outfitting your growing kids for winter?

The Best (and worst!) Baby Shower Gifts

September 23, 2015 | Leave a Comment

Baby showers. Some love them, some hate them. While I love buying things for little people, I dislike attending baby showers. Nothing against the expecting family, I really just hate everything about traditional baby shower games. I’m at the age where there is a stark increase in the amount of showers I get invited to though.

Between the number of showers I’ve attended, and the ones I’ve been on the receiving end of, I feel like a bit of a baby shower expert and I’m here to give you my opinion on the best, and worst baby shower gift ideas.

Best Baby Shower Gift Ideas:

Restaurant gift certificate

No matter what kind of birth you have, the perfect natural drug free delivery or complicated c-section, no new mom, experienced or not, feels like cooking in those early days. Life is chaotic and having a gift certificate or two to fall back on is a huge help!

Clothes the kid can grow into

Too many people will show up with exclusively newborn clothes, having a few outfits/PJ’s in larger sizes the kid can grow into is always appreciated. Kids grow fast so they’ll get into that cute outfit sooner than you think!

Burp pads/wipes

Newborns make an insane amount of mess. They vomit and spit up everywhere, all of which requires being cleaned up. No mom can have enough burp pads/wipes/bibs for kids since they will go through about 25721 per day. They also get stained beyond recognition and eventually tossed so don’t spend too much money on them.

Diapers

Kids need diapers in many sizes. Find out if they plan on using disposable or cloth before buying though, and even if they get a lot of diapers, it is gift always well appreciated.

Worst shower gift ideas:

Nursing Bras

Unless you’re in the change room with the new mom there is no way you’ll get this right. If you think it’s a gift mom would like and want though, get a gift certificate instead.

‘’Inappropriate’’ baby clothes

Babies, especially newborns are messy. They do not need fancy, expensive and fussy clothes! You are literally wasting money in spending in this, no matter how cute. Same goes for newborn shoes. Unless the kid is walking (usually past 1 year) they don’t need shoes with proper soles. Even in the winter, small children don’t need them, most young snowsuits will take care of foot coverage.

Non-seasonal baby clothes

Find out when the kid (should) be born before buying seasonal clothes. If the child is born in December there’s a good chance they won’t still be in newborn size swimwear come July. Pay attention to sizes when buying such items.

If the parents did a registry, look it up. Chances are they spent time to figure out what would work and need for their family. Sometimes, showers aren’t they best time to be reinventing the wheel so-to-speak. If they took the time to research a monitor they liked for example, don’t bother buying a different one because you liked it more, there’s a good chance it will end up getting exchanged.

It’s not to say new moms thought of everything though. As a mom myself there were things I received from experienced friends and family that I never would have thought of and were so appreciative of, these are things I will sometimes pass on to my friends if I think they’ll benefit from.

What is your favorite gift to give for a baby shower?

10 Inexpensive – but Priceless – Gifts for Mom for Mothers Day

April 25, 2015 | Leave a Comment

Mother’s Day is just a couple of weeks away!

Some Moms love flowers. Some Moms love jewels. Some Moms love candy. Some Moms would just love some piece and quiet — at least for one day. I’ve got great news for all of you, who are trying to come up with a Mother’s Day gift. You honestly don’t have to spend a lot of money, to let the special woman in your life know that she is loved and appreciated.

Nope! You really don’t. That’s the great thing about Moms they love anything their kids (and hopefully their husbands) give them, even weeds from outside.

My boys gave me weeds they thought were flowers. These sat in a cup, in my kitchen for over a week. When I finally threw them away the boys asked me where they went. After I explained that they were all wilted and I had to throw them out — they promptly set off to get me some more. Aww!

Since I am a Mom, I have a Mom, I’m friends with lots of Moms and I worked in the retail industry for many years — I guess I would be considered and expert on the subject, of what makes a great Mother’s Day gift. This is why I have decided to share what I know, with anyone who might be having a hard time coming up with the perfect gift.

Below you will find a list of some really fantastic – if I do say so myself – ideas. I am very confident that there is something for everyone here and that there will be at least one item on this list to fit your budget.

1. Kids’ Hand Prints

Moms love anything that are handmade by their children and it’s especially sweet when it contains the child’s hand prints. This can be as easy as using some paint and construction paper to make a beautiful card. The hand prints can be used to make a wreath or flowers.

2. Give Mom a Day Off

We love being with our kids but sometimes it’s just nice to take a day – or even a few hours – and spend it anyway we would like. So a nice thing to do might be get her a gift card to one of her favorite places. It doesn’t have to be expensive just something you know she would enjoy. Or you can assemble a homemade gift certificate that she can redeem -to spend some time – doing whatever she wants.

It may sound silly. You may think “She can take time and do whatever she wants anytime. She doesn’t have to have a gift certificate for that.” For some Moms, they may feel guilty taking time for themselves, or they just don’t do it. If this sounds like someone you know, then this is perfect. If you get a little bouquet of flowers to go with it — that’s even better!

3. Have Her Car Detailed

The car is mom’s mobile command center – she’s driving the kids around all day long, and chances are they aren’t the cleanest bunch. Things spill. The car gets dirty. And mom just doesn’t have time to clean it up all the time. Even when she does have the time, it’s not likely at the top of her list.

There are a lot of ways to get the car detailed – you can do it yourself, take it to a car wash, or even take it to the car dealer. We recommend the car dealership because they detail cars everyday, they usually do it very well, and the prices are very reasonable.

4. Make Mom Feel Special All Day

Let her sleep in, make her breakfast, leave the house or get the kiddos outside for a bit so she can get ready for the day, in peace. Try your best to make the whole day revolve around her. Do whatever it takes to keep things as stress free as possible. The rule for the day is that Mom isn’t to do any household chores. She’ll probably try, but keep it to a minimum. My husband did this for me last year and I really appreciated it!

Remember Catherine’s rant last year about What Mom’s Really Want For Mother’s Day? Yes, remember that.

5. Pamper Mom

There are so many thing you can get for Mom that are pampering. A great smelling bath set, lotions, candles, super comfy slippers, a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure, etc. — just think about what she enjoys, and you are sure to come up with the perfect gift.

You can even combo this with #4 and give her a full day of pampering.

6. Have Kids Write a Story

Maybe it’s because I’m a writer, but I think a wonderful gift would be to help your kids make up a story all about Mom or Grandma. You can have them cut pictures out of magazines to illustrate the story, or they can draw their own. Depending on the ages of the children — this could get very interesting and fun. It will be a treasured keepsake and something she can bring out a read year after year.

7. Think Spring!

There is a very good reason Mother’s Day is in May and I think it is because – in most places – spring has sprung. All the flowers are in bloom and it is just a beautiful time of year. You can always run down to the local farmers market and pick up a beautiful bouquet of flowers — but they also have gorgeous hanging baskets and other flowers, plants, trees, bushes, etc. that can be planted and enjoy for many months — or for many years to come.

8. Photo Gifts

All Moms and Grandmas love photo gifts! There are so many things you can put together and it can really fit into any price range — photo mugs, photo books, mouse pads, office supplies, clothing, etc. I am featuring Snapfish for two reasons — 1. They run awesome deals! 2. They offer a 110% quality guarantee. They aren’t giving me anything to say this, I am just a really satisfied customer! Check them out. I’ve also used Walgreens and Costco with great success!

9. Jewelry

This may sound expensive but it doesn’t have to be. Sterling Silver charms are quite reasonable and can be placed on a bracelet or a simple silver chain. Craft stores also have beads – and other jewelry making supplies – so the kids can make something special that Mom or Grandma will love — and wear with pride.

10. Shower her with Love!

This should be the easiest, least expensive and most meaningful gift of all!!

“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”– Agatha Christie

Do you have suggestions? What was your favorite Mother’s Day gift, you ever received? What was your favorite Mother’s Day gift that you have given?

How to Save Money on Last Minute Valentines Gifts

February 11, 2015 | Leave a Comment

Are you looking to save some money on a last minute Valentine’s gift for your significant other or for one of your kids?

We’re getting down to the wire with only three days left until Valentine’s Day! But don’t worry there’s still plenty of time to figure out what you want to buy, especially if you don’t mind waiting a couple days until after Valentine’s Day to receive your gifts.

Here’s how you can get a great deal!

Look for Online Deals

Since we’re only a few days away from Valentine’s Day many retailers are sweetening their sales trying to get rid of the rest of their inventory. This makes right now and the days after Valentine’s Day the perfect time to buy.

If you don’t mind waiting until after the holiday to get a good deal that’s probably your best bet.

Use Coupon Codes

Coupon codes are only an internet search away. The problem is there are so many sites offering coupon codes that it can sometimes take forever to sift through them all and find the best deal.

I was super happy to recently learn that Groupon had rolled out Groupon Coupons. So you can now go directly to them to search for coupon codes! They have a ton of retailers to choose from, including Sears, where you could definitely find a great but inexpensive gift.

That makes it totally easy to find the coupon code you need and to also score the best deal. Plus you can browse their other deals while you’re there.

How Do You Save?

Waiting until after a holiday, shopping online, and using coupon codes are definitely my favorite way to save. The internet makes shopping and saving convenient and easy.

Do you have any tips for saving on last minute Valentine’s Gifts?

The Top 3 Tips For Saving On School Expenses

February 6, 2014 | Leave a Comment

With skyrocketing education costs, rising fuel prices, and a lack of affordable housing over much of the country, finding ways to save money whilst at university is as important as ever. Luckily, there are a few things you can do while you’re in school to save money and avoid an excessive amount of debt. Sure, you still need to have a great time whilst you’re getting your higher education, but, if you want to have a bright financial future, then it’s wise to save what you can – wherever you can. Here are 3 tips that can save you bucket loads whilst you’re still at school.

1. Grants and Scholarships

We know this is an obvious one, but so few students actually put in the time and effort to apply for grants and scholarships. There are lots of companies and organisations out there who are waiting and willing to subsidize parts of, or all of your education. So do some research online, and speak to your university about all available options. You may just be surprised at what you find. By all means, apply to all those you’re eligible for. But don’t be put off approaching other independent organisations and companies about possibly securing some form of financial help. For example, if you already work part-time for a company, ask them if they’d be willing to pay for some part of your education. You never know, and god knows you could use all the help you can get!

2. Make a Budget

When it comes to the world of finances, having a budget never hurts. You need to be aware of how much you can realistically spend each week, without going into debt. Set aside a spare Sunday and write all your upcoming expenses down. Having an idea of all your outgoings, as well as your incomings, will give you a full picture of your financial situation, and help put things in perspective.
You’ll then know how much you can play with each week without going into debt. Also, if you currently have credit card debts with multiple companies, then it may be a good idea to see Fox Symes about debt consolidation. Lumping all your interest payments into one can save you lots of money at the end of each month. Of course, as with any budget, you’ll need to stick to it almost religiously if you want to come out of your degree in the black. But learning this kind of self-discipline during your early years will only help you in your future.

3. Live Off Campus

Another way to save money while going to school is to live off campus. Whether you choose to live with your parents or a group of friends, this can save you a lot of money in the long run. Of course, before committing to any lease, or promising to live at home, do some calculations to find out whether living off campus will actually bring your total costs down. Sometimes, transportation costs can offset any savings to be had by living outside the campus grounds.

There are many more ways you can save money whilst attending school. Keep an eye out for what your classmates are doing to save money, and see if those things can work for you too. But in any case, the above suggestions will give you a great start on your savings goals, and hopefully you can come out of your university years with a degree in hand, and little to no debt.

What other tips do you have to save money on school supplies?

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