I have a slight chocolate addiction and in my house, it's no secret. It's why I have trouble really losing weight. I love homemade chocolate brownies, but now and then I want to change things up. These chocolate cherry brownies are just one of the several combinations I have tried and loved! Homemade Chocolate Cherry Brownies These brownies are a great way to get some fruits and veggies into some otherwise pretty picky eaters. I am known for adding zucchini to my brownies and not telling my family. My husband found out and now he examines everything a bit closer. He now knows I also add onions to my baked mac n cheese.... he wasn't happy about that one either. Hey, when you hubby is as picky of an eater as a few of your kids then you learn ways to hide it in their food. There are whole … [Read more...]
How to Save on Home Repair
How to Save on Home Repair “When it rains, it pours” is a saying that is often associated with unexpected and costly home repairs. Repairs related to plumbing, heating, or cooling are among the most expensive home improvement expenditures, but fixing these issues are necessary for your family’s health and quality of life. Clearing a clogged drain can cost as much as $300. Replacing a water heater can cost as much as $4,000. Ouch. These potential repair costs most likely put a damper on your frugal or aspiring frugal lifestyle. However, it’s possible to save money on necessary or emergency home repairs. Preventative measures are among the biggest ways to save money or offset the costs. It also helps to know basic home repair and the situations that require professional help. Erring … [Read more...]
The Rumor Mill: Yes, We are Still Living Frugal (and I’ll prove it to you!)
So if you have been following my Instagram, I'm sure you know we have moved into an RV and have been traveling since August 2015. That seems to have raised some red flags with my readers who no longer see me as frugal. So I want to correct the rumors. The Rumor Mill: Yes. We are still Living Frugal (and I'll prove it to you!) Before reading on, I suggest you read my tell-all post where I answer the most asked questions. Since my tell-all post, we have cut our expenses even more. Here is out current budget compared to when we lived in a sticks and bricks house. Our rent payment is our campground fees, and they include cable TV (most of the time) electric and water. We have recently cut our campground fees by 70%! Add this into the fact that we are camping for a … [Read more...]
Frugal Ideas to Make the Most of Your Air Conditioning
Frugal Ideas to Make the Most of Your Air Conditioning Summer brings fun and warmth to your home with barbecues on the porch and games in the yard. Keep your home at a comfortable temperature even during sweltering days with affordable air conditioning. While many frugal-minded people insist on using fans to save money, you can enjoy the coolness in every corner of your home without spending a fortune on air conditioning. Finding Inexpensive Air Conditioners Many big box retailers carry air conditioners, or you can purchase an affordable HVAC system with all the features you need from a specialty shop. It is possible to find air conditioners under $100, but make sure the air conditioner is high quality and has a reliable warranty. You may decide that it is a more frugal move to buy a … [Read more...]
Designer Fashion for Less – Summer Bohemian Style
Summer is coming faster than you know! I am already planning my summer style, and I won't lie it's all over the place. One day I'm in jeans and a Tshirt, the next I'm in a beautiful dress, boots, and have the perfect accessories and the next I'm lucky to get out of my yoga pants. This year I'm trying on the bohemian style and taking it for a run. I havent been brave enough to do it yet, but I love the look! I love this designer look it's simple and easy but yet I can use the shirt and shorts other ways and I am loving these sandals! Designer Fashion for Less - Summer Bohemian Style This look is the first one I'm trying. I don't need the glasses, watch, shorts, or purse I already have ones that will work. So that drops my cost even further. The best part is these items … [Read more...]
Stop Distracted Driving with Megabus
Hey everyone, when was the last time you paid attention to the people driving around you? I mean REALLY paid attention? It's scary out there! I see almost every other person on their phone. I can't tell you how many close calls we have had of people cutting us off, drifting into our lane etc and come to find out they are on their phone! We have even tried to be nice a few times in heavy traffic let a person into traffic and they aren't paying attention and miss the opportunity because they are on their phone! Distracted driving is no joke and in 2012 3,328 people died from distracted driving related to being on the phone or texting and another 421,000 were injured. That stat keeps growing each year. With April being Distracted Driving Month Megabus wants to share a better … [Read more...]
How to Score Fun Family Activities for Free
Ok, ya’ll I have to share this with you! I’ve been getting into local attractions for free! Yes, all 6 of us, for free. I figured out this great savings hack that is saving us tons of money, and it’s totally legit. You know me I don’t post anything that I don’t use myself, and that isn’t legit! So here it is! How to Score Fun Family Activities for Free Ok, so we all know that Groupon has some killer deals right? Well, have you looked at the local stuff they offer? Everything from house cleaning to date night dinners to local attraction passes 50% off (which is basically buy one get one free!) They also offer great deals on items around the holidays so you can check off your Christmas list. Ok, so how am I getting stuff for free on Groupon? Buy scoring free Groupon Bucks and this … [Read more...]
Easy Monster Cookies Recipe
While these cookies aren't traditional holiday cookies, I LOVE making monster cookies for the holidays and my monster cookies recipe is so easy! They are fun to make. But a word of advice do NOT use a hand mixer. Hubby was helping me out and burned the motor on my hand mixer; now it could have been how thick the cook dough batter was, but I think it was a mixture of him playing around and the batter. But the good part of all this is he felt so bad about burning up my mixer that he FINALLY got me the Kitchen Aid mixer I have been hinting about for a few years now! So I'm happy! Easy Monster Cookies Recipe This recipe is so easy to make your own! This is the basis of it then you can add what you want! Use chunky peanut butter if you want or add in raisins or … [Read more...]
Money Saving Tips – What Is An Impulse Buy and How Does It Hurt You?
Here is one of my favorite money saving tips. Imagine this: You’re walking through Walmart with your child. You get to the dairy section and there, completely out of place, is a Dove Chocolate bar display. Your kid? Now screaming that they want a chocolate bar. You, harried from a long day of couponing, sigh and give in because after all, it’s only 54¢ Congrats. You just made an impulse purchase and cost yourself money. How about this one: You get in line for checkout and suddenly you’re hungry so you grab a bag of chips or candy from the aisle and throw it on the belt. It’s only 75¢ right? Nope. You just blew your budget with this impulse purchase. Money Saving Tips - What Is An Impulse Buy and How Does It Hurt You? Impulse purchases are any purchases that you make that … [Read more...]
4 Homeschool Curriculum Planning Options for the Planning Challenged
There you are sitting at your desk or table, planning what you will or won’t teach your kids this year at your homeschool. You’ve got your list of books that other people recommend, what your Mother in Law thinks your kids should learn, your list of what they should learn in their given grade, and everything in between. Finally, looking at the stack in front of you, you sigh and walk away. Planning your homeschool curriculum shouldn’t be a huge chore but unfortunately for most of it, it often becomes just that. If you’re having trouble planning your own curriculum these 4 Curriculum Planning Options for the Planning Challenged might be just what you need. 4 Homeschool Curriculum Planning Options for the Planning Challenged Homeschool Manager – If you’re the type that does well with … [Read more...]
Designer Style for Less – Chambray and White
Let's face it we all love to be in style and feel great about what we are wearing. The chambray and white color scheme this spring is becoming pretty popular. Celebrities from Miranda Kerr to Jessica Alba and Ellen Pompeo are all rocking the look in their own way. But some of those designer outfits? Well OUCH! The price tags can make a girl cry! It's nothing for a pair of pants to cost $1,000 or more, and those celebs don't bat an eye. But I do! So I'm on a mission to still wear these fabulous designer styles for a heck of a lot less money then the celebs are spending! Are you with me? Ok, here we go let's tackle this Chambray and White look. I've seen it worn with a white skirt as well, but I like the pants aspect. This designer outfit from Nordstrom will run you almost $1600! So … [Read more...]
Easy Lunch Potatoes and Aidells® Sausage and Publix
This Post is sponsored by Aidells®, All opinions remain my own. Ok, Y'all I'm a southern girl. I love my southern things, fried chicken sausage gravy and biscuits, Publix, Campfires... well you get the idea. My husband? He's a Yankee. He's sports, and all go go go. So I'm slowly converting him. One thing he fell in love with was my 'campfire' sausage, potatoes and onions. I don't make it over a campfire much anymore but It makes a great and easy lunch! Right now Publix has the Aidells® Sausage on sale 2 for $10 from 3/17 – 3/25. This includes their organic sausage! I love making this when hubby is at work and it's just me and the kids. The kids want Mac and Cheese or PB&J and so I need something that I can make just for me that isn't a sandwich because I eat so many … [Read more...]