This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Navy Federal Credit Union for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine. Minimizing expenses isn’t always easy. However, to have successful finances, one needs to know how to budget their finances to minimize expenses. When you’re living life, it’s easy to get caught up in spending money. Putting a limit on oneself or one’s family is HARD. I wanted to share some tips for budgeting finances to minimize expenses. Tips for Saving Money by Shopping Small Businesses Did you know there are many ways to support the local small businesses that will save you a ton of money? It's true! Get prepared and make sure you open that Navy Federal Credit Union savings account for all the money you are about to … [Read more...]
How to Throw a Halloween Party Dollar General Style
This is post is sponsored by Dollar General and their Halloween Shop. All opinions (and shopping trips!) remain my own. Have you ever thought about throwing a Halloween party? When it comes to Halloween, I LOVE throwing a fun party. Of course, I love doing it on a budget, which is why I always head to Dollar General. I can’t believe the number of supplies and goodies they have here! Throwing a big party where the kids play together and the parents socialize with wine has never been easier. Grab the Decor You cannot walk into Dollar General without picking up all the adorable decor they have. Whether you want to stick with a fallish theme or you want to go a scarier Halloween route, they have a lot of cute ideas on hand. I like to pick up my favorite … [Read more...]
Thank You Thanksgiving Lesson Plan
Each year the week of Thanksgiving we take a semi-lazy week in our Homeschool. We focus on Thanksgiving crafts and DIY, books, movies and games vs doing actual school work. One of my favorites as of today has been this Thank You Thanksgiving lesson plan. Thank You, Thanksgiving Lesson Plan Many children know we gather with friends and family for turkey at Thanksgiving, but how many of them actually take the time to think about what they are thankful for? The story Thank You, Thanksgiving by David Milgrim is the perfect story for encouraging exactly that. If you are a classroom teacher, homeschool teacher, or just want to connect with this text a little further with your child, take a look below at three wonderful lessons to try with this book! These lessons are perfect for … [Read more...]
20 Thanksgiving Toys for Kids to Keep Little Ones Busy!
When you bring the whole family together, not just for Thanksgiving, it can be hard to keep all the little kid's entertained. Well, I have found adding some great toys can help. These 20 Thanksgiving Toys for Kids are a lifesaver. Trust me! 20 Thanksgiving Toys for Kids to Keep Little Ones Busy! FISHER PRICE HARVEST HAYRIDE FALL PLAYSET Join farmer Sonya Lee and scarecrow EddieTM on a harvest hayride full of fun. Hitch the wagon to the free-wheeling tractor to see the pumpkin spin round 'n round and a peek-a-boo friend pop up and down as it rolls along! This seven-piece playset includes tractor, wagon, two figures, and bountiful fall harvest, apples, hay, and corn! The Berenstain Bears Thanksgiving Blessings The Berenstain Bears Thanksgiving Blessings Ride along with the Bear … [Read more...]
8 Things to Do When There is No Money for Christmas Gifts
Christmas is right around the corner which means that millions of littles around the world will soon expect the big man in red to leave presents under their Christmas tree. Sometimes Santa has a tight budget at the North Pole and there just isn't any room in the budget for those gifts. If you're reading this post, I'd be willing to bet you can sympathize with the big man. If you are facing a Christmas where there is no money for Christmas gifts, try not to stress too much. These things to do when there is no money for Christmas gifts will give you a good start at fixing your gifting problem. 8 Things to Do When There is No Money for Christmas Gifts What is the 4 gift rule? To prevent going crazy for Christmas many families including ours has started the 4 gift rule. … [Read more...]
How to Make Homemade Key Lime Pie – Super Easy Recipe!
Growing up one of the desserts I remember from my mom's family is this homemade key lime pie. My grandfather was in the Navy (because ya know it runs in the family!) and his last duty station was Key West. They retired there and my mom and her brother grew up there so of course, she was able to perfect her key lime pie recipe in the home of all things key limes! How to Make Homemade Key Lime Pie - Super Easy Recipe! We have since visited Key West several times and while there are some good recipes out there I think my moms is the best, you can't beat homemade. You really just can't! I've tried so many key lime pies on my trips to Key West even award winners and I admit they are pretty good but there is just something comforting about a family recipe! Add in the fact that this … [Read more...]
30 Easy Uses for Lavender Oil You Need to Know!
Ok I know I'm late to the game, but I hadn't experienced the benefits of Essential Oils until recently. We came to Florida, and it had been years since I've lived there so my allergies hit me full force! To lavender oil and told to try it on me and the kiddos and overnight we saw an improvement! Then I started seeing all this other stuff this one bottle of oil can do! I was shocked! So here are some of the amazing uses for lavender oil can help with plus a bonus idea for parents! 30 Easy Uses for Lavender Oil You Need to Know! I want to answer some questions I keep seeing in the hope they will help you out as well! If I don't answer your questions here leave it in the comments I'm happy to help! Can I apply lavender oil directly to the skin? Some people say yes but I was told … [Read more...]
12 Genius Tips to Stop Spending Money
How to stop spending money, that's a question I get asked a lot! I know when you are looking to get your budget on track the most abundant advice you get is to stop spending money. I don't know about you but that is easier said than done! It's not as easy as snapping your fingers to just break old habits. It takes commitment and time but I can say with 100% honesty that I know it can be done! I'm living proof! Here are the Tips to Stop Spending Money I used to stop my spending. 12 Genius Tips to Stop Spending Money My biggest tips are to try one at a time and work them in as you go. Don't dive in and try to completely change it will set you up for failure. Give yourself some leeway to just because one thing doesn't work doesn't mean your failing. Not every tip will work for … [Read more...]
5 Painless Ways to Save Money – Save $25 TODAY!
Ever heard someone say that they can’t save money because it’s too hard? I have. Saving money in your daily life isn’t as hard as it may seem. In fact? I’d be willing to bet that you can surprise yourself by how much you really can save in a single day if you really give it a go. Take a look at these painless ways to save money…each one will easily save you $5.00. Pick 5 of them (at a minimum) and you’ll save $25.00 in one day…with very little effort. 5 Painless Ways to Save Money - Save $25 TODAY! We all know that we need to save money and have an emergency fund and all that fun stuff. But ti's not always easy. So I want to share some common and some not so common ways you can add to that saving account TODAY! Skip the morning drive-thru If you’ve got a hard Starbucks … [Read more...]
Easy Weeknight Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kabobs Recipe
With the warm weather here one of my favorite things to cook on the grill is kabobs! I mean really you have your whole dinner on a stick, meats, fruits, and veggies just make some bread and you're good to go! These Easy Weeknight Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kabobs are one my kids like because they are 'sweet'! Easy Weeknight Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kabobs Recipe These chicken pineapple kabobs have a sweet tang to them and they are very kid-friendly. They are easy to make for a weeknight meal or make a large batch and freeze them for an easy freezer meal. Related: Super Easy Weeknight Meal - Envelope Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe How to Grill Indoors Let's face it we can't always predict when the weather will agree with us and let us grill outside. So for … [Read more...]
Southern Baked Bacon Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe
This crazy house loves all things Mac and Cheese. So as a mom of 5 I used our mac and cheese love to my advantage and help my kids get their veggie intake in! This recipe started as a simple boxed mac and cheese recipe with broccoli. Over the last few years, it has developed into this homemade Southern Baked Bacon Broccoli Mac and Cheese recipe my family loves! Southern Baked Bacon Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe So I had a genius mom moment with this recipe. My kids have a crazy love for mac and cheese as most kids do. We were at a restaurant and the only mac and cheese they had was a seafood mac and cheese I told my kids they wouldn't like it but they insisted, so we ordered it for them they ate it all and I sat there in disbelief. My husband joked that we could put … [Read more...]
Easy Wine Cork Pumpkins Craft – PERFECT for Fall | Wine Cork Crafts
I LOVE fall! That's no secret. So I'm on the hunt for my new fall decorations this year. I am loving wine cork crafts. I bought a bunch of wine corks and am now seeing what I can make! This Wine Cork Pumpkins Craft was one of the first that came to mind because it does triple duty! It's a fall decor item, a Halloween decor item, AND and Thanksgiving decor item. SCORE! Easy Wine Cork Pumpkins Craft - PERFECT for Fall This isn't my first ever wine cork project I made a wine cork heart craft. Please don't judge me to hard. The picture sucks it was my early days and it's on my list to redo for better pictures! That said it's still a fun wine cork craft that even kids can help with and makes a great gift for a family. Let's answer the biggest question I get with wine … [Read more...]
