I recently saw this designer look and loved it! It was perfect for an event I had and great for conferences too. Or our anniversary dinner...but there was no way I could justify to hubby spending almost $1,100 an outfit. Do you think the IRS would let me write it off as a business expense? Yeah, probably not. So I went on a hunt to recreate this look on a budget that wouldn't put ME in the dog house. Designer Look for Less - Cobalt Summer Dress I won't lie these shoes have become my go-to shoes they match everyday clothes and dress up outfits like this too! I can't believe they were only $20 I found other 'brand name' ones that cost $50 or more! I also listed 2 clutches that work with this look. For budget purposes, you would want to go with the Buxton Crocodile Convertible Flap … [Read more...]
French Silk Pie Recipe
French Silk Pie. Those 3 little words already have me drooling. I love the rich, creamy silkiness of this pie. Of course, I never understood when I was younger why I wasn't allowed to have but a tiny slice. Now I understand, but I still take the risk now and then. This is up there with a few of my sinful indulgences. French Silk Pie Recipe This pie is favorite around Thanksgiving but I break it out for my get together's as well. It goes perfect on a dessert table with my Orange Crush Cupcakes, and my Texas Peanut Butter Sheet Cake. During the summer, I will also make some of my Kiwi Creme Tarts. This dessert table seems to win over anyone at my get together's! If I'm feeling adventurous, I will also make my Watermelon Cupcakes. I want to make a quick comment before we get going here. … [Read more...]
How to Save Money on Groceries – The Weird Grocery Shopping Trick that Saves Me $100 or More a Month
Do you ever go grocery shopping and at check out wonder how you are $5 or $10 over what you planned? How many times do you chalk that up to a math error on your end. Now let me ask you this. How many times do you get home and unpack groceries and realise you have a few items that weren't on your list? Maybe hubby or the kids snuck them in or something you grab but now that you saw your grocery bill are regretting? I want to share a trick that saves me $100 or more a month on groceries! How to Save Money on Groceries - The Weird Grocery Shopping Trick that Saves Me $100 or More a Month I have shared several ways to save money on your groceries. I shared how to save on produce and how to save on meat. These methods I have learned from my mom but then I have discovered a few of my … [Read more...]
Why a Big Family is Cheaper (and Easier) Than You Might Think
I have 4 kids. That statement alone has gotten me some weird looks but for some reason when people actually see all 4 out in public at once it's like a free ticket to give their opinion. Just a few of the comment's we have gotten. "You know what causes that right?" Yes, we do see we actually like it, that part of the problem ;) "Got your hands full don't you?" Yes and we love it! Idle hands are the devils playground. "Better you than me" Yeah it probably is.... and my personal favorite... "You ARE done having kids now right?" .... I don't even know how to respond nicely to this one. Why a Big Family is Cheaper (and Easier) Than You Might Think Those aren't the only comments I get, the last one came from a little old lady on Halloween of all times.... I was so stunned … [Read more...]
How to Create a Beautiful Hummingbird Garden
Most gardeners love having birds and wildlife visit their backyard gardens. The one bird that is most gardeners favorite is the beautiful little hummingbird. Gardeners around the world will either make their gardens specific to attracting these little guys or will add a few features to their existing gardens to create a wonderful space that the hummingbirds will visit time and time again. How to Create a Beautiful Hummingbird Garden We all know that hanging a sugar-water filled hummingbird feeder is a sure-fire way of getting these small birds to your patio or yard. What’s even better though is planting flowers and plants that the hummingbirds can draw nectar from or find shelter in from predators. In order to create a beautiful hummingbird garden, you just have to follow a few … [Read more...]
Ways to Reuse Junk Mail!
I swear most day I get more junk mail than I do of anything important. Many times I let the kid play with it, they think it's amazing they got something in the mail. Sometimes I find a coupon or two in there but started to look for more ways to use it. Now when I see the “Current Resident” my mind start turning with all the ways I can use it. Why not find some creative uses instead of just tossing it? Ways to Reuse Junk Mail! Use It To Take Notes – Often times the junk mail is an envelope. You can keep these envelopes near the phone to take notes while you are on the phone with a company or keep it near your desk to write a quick note on while you are online. That comes in handy for you, and allows you to get some use out of the junk mail. Craft Projects – If you have children, … [Read more...]
Amazingly Easy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
I'm sure I all would have to write in this post is that I have 4 kids and this is their favorite food. Any parent would understand. See my kids will eat almost anything we make for dinner but once a week I try to make something I know they like. So what makes that list? At the top is mac n cheese, then pizza, chicken nuggets, pancakes, and spaghetti. Amazingly Easy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Oh, and let me mention my kids will eat the box mac n cheese, but they prefer I make homemade. So I used to make my dad's baked mac n cheese recipe and they loved it. I love it and then grandpa let it slip that there were onions in the mac and cheese. See I diced them up so fine they never know because they were in the sauce and I was happy that I was sneaking in some veggies. So the next time I … [Read more...]
Reward Yourself with Diet Dr Pepper® and Enter to Win the Sweet Spring FUNd
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Diet Dr Pepper®. The opinions and text are all mine. Summer time is coming and that means summer vacation, summer vacation means you need to have things planned to entertain your kids before the 'Mom, I'm bored's' start. So at the at lunch reward yourself for making it to the halfway point and then reward yourself again after dinner for surviving the day, with a Diet Dr Pepper®. I'm not the only one who does that right?! It gets better! Sign up for the Sweet Spring FUNd and play the scratch off for a chance to instantly win a $5 Walmart Gift Card. But it STILL get better! Upload your receipt to the website and be entered for a chance to win a $5, $50, $500, or $5,000 Walmart e-Gift as well! It's super easy to … [Read more...]
How to Have Successful Yard Sales
Having a yard sale is the perfect way to earn some extra money and de-clutter your home. In order to have a successful yard sale, there are a few things you should do to ensure people will show up and purchase your items. This list will help you make your next yard sale a huge success. How to Have Successful Yard Sales Place Several Ads The first thing you need to do is promote your yard sale! If you want people to know you are having one, then they need to know when and where. You can put signs up around your neighborhood, but I wouldn't stop there. Make sure to advertise your yard sale on Craigslist, Facebook Community Groups, and possibly in your local newspaper. Remember that the more you advertise, the more people will show up. More people means more money in your pocket! Get … [Read more...]
5 Simple Ways to Save on Baby Gear
A baby is on the way, and you can’t stop stressing about the upcoming shift in financial priorities. Gone are the days of buying designers purses just because you can. Now you long for the designer diaper bag. Don’t fret! Babies are undoubtedly expensive, but if you follow a few tips on how to save big on baby gear, you’ll be able to enjoy the precious moments, free of stress. 5 Simple Ways to Save on Baby Gear Become a Club Member When you are expecting a little one, the sheer volume of baby products you need may seem daunting, but most children’s stores offer savings clubs. If you’re buying all new products for the first time, find a store you like with a savings club. Most department stores will allow you to accumulate points for your purchases, and then you can use these points … [Read more...]
5 Painless Ways to Start Saving for Vacation
Everyone seems to always seems to be working towards their next vacation. Saving to get to that vacation can seem like an uphill road. Here are 5 easy ways to saving for vacation without even thinking about it. 5 Painless Ways to Start Saving for Vacation Put Change in a Jar - This one is simple, pay with cash and any coin change you get back, put into a jar. When you cash in the jar, put the money into your vacation fund. You won't miss the change, and it will add up faster than you think! Some months we have been able to save close to $25 in change! $5 Bill Rule - While paying with cash, anytime you get a five dollar bill put it to the side and add it to your vacation savings. This will add up pretty fast, and you can combine this method with the change idea above. Use Cash … [Read more...]
How to Combat Roof Damage
How to Combat Roof Damage Between El Nino cycles and other recent climate changes, weather from coast to coast has been more extreme and unpredictable than usual. From scorching summers to severe storm systems to late spring snowfalls, our yards and homes have taken a beating from the elements across the entire country. The primary shield between you and the stormy skies is your roof, and there are steps you can take to prevent damage and keep your roof in great shape for many years to come. The following actions with help improve the longevity of your roof and hopefully prevent the need for a replacement, which can run thousands of dollars. Snow and Ice Removal You may be surprised to learn how much snow and ice actually weighs. It takes about ten inches of new snow to add up to … [Read more...]