Pipe Cleaners and a Colander

As much as I love playing with my kids and doing activities with them,I still have to get my house clean sometimes. Otherwise Big Daddy starts talking about trading me in for a new "model" and stuff.

I am always on the lookout for things that Brother can do with little to no help.
This was a great 20 minute activity for my 3 year old to do while I got laundry sorted and started and Sissy got her laundry put up.

All you need is Pipe Cleaners and a colander! Very simple yet fun!

When I got everything out Brother decided that this was to be his hat!

As you can see it's as simple as sticking the pipe cleaners in the holes of the colander!

Great fun, and gives you time to make dinner, fold clothes,etc..
My 8 year old also liked doing this, although it obviously didn't hold her attention as long. :-)

What's the Password?

It is a parents worst nightmare to think of anything happening to our children,but we see it on the news every day! So we have to do our part to be prepared! 

We teach our kids about not going anywhere with strangers but what if someone they know shows up at their school and says they were sent by a parent to pick them up? (Even if they weren't) 
What if someone shows up at your house to sell something or is looking for someone that doesn't live there,etc.. and you need a way to let your kids know that you are not comfortable with this person/situation and they need to go to their room. 

A Family Password (Codeword) is a great security measure you can take to protect your children. Only people in immediate family,grandparents,and those you trust most should know this word! 
If a familiar face knew the password, the child could feel safe going with them, because it’s a word that has been shared only with the people you trust the most. 

Your Family Password can be a phrase or a word – whatever works best for you. It needs to be kept secret between you and your family and never given out lightly to anyone.

This password needs to be practiced in safe situations, so the kids aren't startled by the first use of it.  We ask our daughter the password often to make sure she remembers with no hesitation and remind her it's not to be shared with extended family, friends at school,teachers,etc...

My husband recently went to pick up our daughter from school in a different vehicle than what he normally drives, he pulled through the line and when he got up to a teacher he said her name and then pulled up to let her in. The teacher got my daughter and started walking towards the car and my daughter stopped(planting her feet firmly on the ground) and told the teacher "That's not my car, that's not my parents!" So of course she had the teacher concerned and my husband could see in the mirror that something was going on so he opened the door and stepped out, which of course my daughter,very innocently, said "Oh! Hi Daddy!" The teacher looked at my husband and said "Good Job Daddy, we do not have to worry about her going with a stranger!"  

So tonight, at dinner, why not talk about safety? Create a code word.  Make a game out of it, and role play it.
Ask your kids about certain situations and how they would handle them. 

Some other things that we do for safety: 
*Our daughter has her own State issued ID card. 

*We carry cards in our wallets(that are laminated) that say: 
In Case of Emergency  
Name and Number
Address
*Plus 1 other person in case they can not answer. 

We also have ICE(In case of Emergency) in our cell phones, with each others numbers. 

What are some other security measures you take with your family? 

*Summer Points*

Anyone else have a hard time keeping kids motivated through the Summer?

Intentions are good, but seriously how many crafts do you actually get done, how many "Practice Workbook" pages get done? How many times have you said "You really need to work on tying your shoes!"?

Did you know that Children can lose up to 2 months of knowledge over the Summer?

Well this is an awesome way to keep your child motivated through the Summer and get all those fun activities done, keep their brains exercised, and learn life skills they need!

Start a "point" system! 

*Start by Figuring out the things your child will do to earn these points.
Is there certain subjects that they didn't do so well on in school?
Are there life skills that it's time they mastered?
How about earning points for fun activities?

*Determine the timeline they will have to do this(for us it will be June 1st-August 1st)

*Determine how many points each one will count for.

*Decide how you will keep track of the points they earn, and how many points they can earn in a week.

*Decide the prizes that will be awarded for the points.
(Kids can help with this as you want them to be excited and motivated to get the prizes!
 Think Extra Privileges, Chuck E Cheese, Water Park, Toys, $Money$

*Decide how often kids will receive the prizes.

This is the list that we have chose for our 8 year old daughter

2 points            

For every small book read

For every Journal entry

Making Bed


5 points            

For every chapter book read

For every page of neat handwriting

Draw a family portrait

Make Muffins

For each week of swimming lessons completed

For each week of Sign Language lessons completed

Keeping shoes picked up(all week)

Help in Garden

Jumping in pool(without being caught)

Send pictures/letters to friends(5 pts each friend)

Clean interior of car (5pts each time)

Vacuum

Fold Laundry (5pts for each load)

Strong Handshake and Introduction


10 points           

Swim across pool(unassisted)

Cook soup

Learn to trim nails

20 push ups

Tie shoes(10 times)

Say Hello in a foreign language (10pts for each language mastered)


20 points              

Identify all 50 states on a map

Plan and Prepare a meal for the family

Master 20 (irregular) spelling words

Camping Trips (Help pack, organize,etc..)

Plan and prepare a picnic

Read a book and write a 3 paragraph(minimum) report

For every trail hiked


50 points            

Write and publish 2nd grade memories

Scrapbook

Recite all 50 states

Learn the National Anthem

Good report from Summer Camp


Bonus Points        

Picking up room without being asked (10pts each time)

Summer Skills Workbook (1pt for each page completed)

Maps- From our house to school,YaYa and Papas,Papaws(5pt each)

Cursive Handwriting Packet (5pts each)

Paragraph writing (5pts each)

Multiplication Facts (10 pts per set)

Craft Projects Completed (2 points per project)

Swimming under water (200 points)

Helping Brother complete puzzles (1 point for each puzzle completed)

Counting to 10 in a foreign language (20 points for each language mastered)

Loading the dishwasher (correctly) (10pts)

Everyone's point system will be different for each child! How will your child earn points? What kind of prizes will you use?

Have fun keeping your kids motivated this Summer! :-)



This concept was found on Pinterest and Full Credit Goes to Busy Kids=Happy Moms

Peak in my Fridge/Pantry/Stockpile

 I get asked a lot about what foods I buy or staples, what I stock up on, prices for those items,etc...
So, I did something crazy...I took pictures of every place in my house where there is food. Yep, you heard that right Fridge,Pantry,Stockpile, etc...

In our house we have been taking BABY steps to eating healthier. So you will see some packaged items that we haven't given up on yet but, you will also see that we do not keep sodas,ice cream,hamburger helper,spam,white bread,etc...in our house.

It's crazy how I have shared all these shopping trips with y'all yet for some reason this feels so personal. Ha Ha  
P.S. I did NOT clean up before taking any of these pictures, thought we would keep it real :-)

I'm starting with my Fridge/Freezer.
Here.We. Go.

Just going to do an over view of what you would find in our fridge most of the time.

Fridge-Top Shelf 
V8 Juice
OJ
Buttermilk
Salsa
Blueberries,Blackberries,Strawberries
( I believe there is Vodka,Wine, and Cap M in the back...just keeping it real Ma)

2nd Shelf 
I keep Sissys water bottles on this shelf
Sour Cream
Yogurt(tubs)
Tomatoes
(This day I had 2 bread loaves thawing)
Pizza Sauce and Cherries and such in the back
(I seriously couldn't tell you the last time those cherries where even looked at...maybe I should check the expiration date! I don't eat them and not sure if Big Daddy bought them for ice cream or what. Ha Ha)
Tub Butter- Same as above, not sure why it was bought or last time it was used.

3rd Shelf 
Eggs(Brown,Free Range,etc... I get from local farm for $1.50 dozen)
Kids yogurt
In the pink basket you would find cream cheese, sausage,bacon, and canned biscuits(if we have any)

Bottom Shelf 
Milk
In the white basket you will find all different veggies Broccoli, Brussels, salad mixes,etc..
(After saying that we do not keep soda in the house, I just realized that there is a coke in there...Papaw bought Big Daddy a jar of "Popcorn Sutton whisky" and to "try it out" he bought some coke to go with it. So that's what's leftover. Ha Ha)

1st Drawer 
Sandwich/Deli Meats(Ham,Turkey,Salami, Pepperonis...)
All Cheeses (Shredded,Deli,Babybel, etc..)

2nd Drawer
Other Veggies- Celery,Carrots,Cucumbers,etc..

Door
Butter(Real, stocked up when Land O Lakes was on Mega for $1.99)
Minced Garlic(Large bulk jar from Walmart)
Jelly
Condiments/Sauces
Coffee Creamer
Pickles


Freezer 
I'm not going to list everything in here but, a few things you will find..

Meat(Beef,Chicken,Pork,Sausage,Bacon,etc) Fish
Veggies(from garden, some store bought broccoli etc..)
Fruit(for smoothies)
Bread flour
Bread dough
HM Spaghetti Sauce
HM Chili
Top shelf there are some Chicken Tenders Big Daddy got from Aldis a while back because he wanted Buffalo Chicken Wings(Guess I should ask if they need thrown out) Also a Reds Burrito that I got in the Organic freezer section, it was WAY spicy and not that great...

Door 
Ice packs
Almonds and other nuts
More butter
Guacamole
(Jar of snow from last storm we had, Sissy wanted to keep it)

Cabinet in the Kitchen 
Top Shelf
Bread Crumbs
Hot Chocolate
Left-over Chocolate Easter Bunny
Bacon Bits(how did those get there) ;-)
Coconut water
Cocoa
Maple Syrup
Honey(local, we get about 4 jars a year free from a local bee keeper who happens to be friends with Papaw)
Pedialite packs
In the back-Rice Vinegar, Chili oil, Peach Schnapps, etc..

Middle Shelf
Mac and Cheese(we were having with a dinner that week)
Coffee
Sugar
Brown Sugar
Oats
Corn Starch
Panko Bread Crumbs
Box of mixes-Taco,Beef Stew,Brown Gravy,Gravy,etc...

Bottom Shelf 
PB2 (I love this stuff!!)
Popping Corn
Crushed Pineapple,Pudding,and coconut (was in there for a recipe I made that day)
Popcorn Seasoning
Peanut Butter
Chocolate Chips
Nutella (don't judge)
Fried Onions
Ovaltine(Be Sure.to drink.your.Ovaltine.) Yes I am a dork..oh well...Yummy in my tummy!!
Hot Sauce
Vitamins
I think there are tea bags and such in the back.

This is where we keep all of our grab and go/snacky foods

Top left,clockwise-
#1 My crackers,Bread
#2 Daddy's Box-Frito's,Protein Bars,Trail Mix
#3 Pretzels,Animal Crackers
#4 Crackers,Granola,Chex
#5 Brothers Box-Cereal Bars,Yogurt
#6 Dried Fruit,Oatmeal,Protein bars
Gum stuck in next to it
#7 Fruit Cups,Applesauce,Fruit Leather
Bag of Peppermints(I always have a bag of these sitting on that shelf, it has become my "GO TO" after eating since I quit smoking)
Fruit Bowl- Bananas.Apples,Oranges,Pears,etc..

This is a small closet pantry that I have upstairs...

Top Shelf 
Tea
Noodles
Packaged Rice(something we try not to buy much of)
Honey
Bread
Cornmeal mix
Wheat Flour,Sugar,Self Rising Flour, All Purpose Flour (these get rotated out quickly)
Oats
Dry Milk
Rice
Cake Mix
Bisquick
Ice Cream Cones( no idea when Big Daddy bought these, probably need thrown out)

2nd Shelf 
Chicken and Beef Broth
Almond Milk
Soups
Canned Vegetables
Canned Tomatoes
Marinara Sauce
Canned Beans

3rd Shelf 
Water Chestnuts
Canned Fruit
Sauerkraut
Evap Milk
Manwich(I haven't found a HM recipe that I love as much as Manwich)  :-(
Extra Condiments
Balsamic Vinegar, Red Wine Vinegar
Basket- Cracker Chips,Muffin Mix,Peanut Butter,Etc..
Boxes- Extra Kitchen doo dads
            Extra Spices

Stockpile 

Just an over view on stockpile as well. (I will list prices as I remember, or what I think is a good stock-up price)

Top Shelf 

Protein Bars- .69 cents each

Stovetop Stuffing- .63 cents each

Taco Shells- .50 cents each

Rice Brown/White- .29cents each

Bag of animal crackers that someone bought for kids

2nd Shelf 

Annie's Mac and Cheese .69 cents each

Goldfish- .99 cents (which would be my stock up price because I think they are like $2.69 a bag)

Wheat Thins- I think like $1.49 each

French Fried Onion- I do not remember exactly on these I want to say I used a .50 coupon that doubled making them $1.49 each, but not positive.

Cocoa- $1.84

Pancake Mix-Mega .49 cents each

Salsa- Bought on Mega $1.09 each


3rd Shelf

All Pasta- FREE-.49 cents each

Spaghetti Sauce- Mega at Food City .49 cents each (I would rather make my own but in a pinch these are good)

Hot Sauce- .19cents each

Balsamic Vinegar- Got this on clearance for $1.64

Relish- .38 cents

BBQ Sauce- Mega .19 cents each

Turkey Brine

Peanut Butter

Salad Dressing- .99cents or less

Mustard- .44 cents each

Spicy Mustard- .49 cents or less

Brown Gravy- Mega .36 cents each

4th Shelf 

Rotel- .19-.49cents each

All Tomatoes(Diced,Sauce,Stewed,etc..) .49 cents each

Canned Chicken
Canned Tuna- .69 cents each
Canned Salmon

Mushrooms,Black Beans, Baked Beans -Aldis

Canned Veggies- .25 cents- .49 cents each

5th Shelf 

Water-24 packs free with Kroger coupons

Ziploc Bags- Around $1.09 each

In the boxes- Rice,Dried Beans,Marshmallows,etc..

Peg Board 

Razors,Toothbrushes,Straws,Pens, Hair ties, etc..

Top Shelf 

Pineapples

Cranberry Sauce- Mega .99 cents each

Evap Milk

Beef Stew and Ravioli( I bought these over the winter in case power went out, we could warm them up on grill. We didn't need them so there they sit, ha ha)

Manwich-Mega .57 cents

 Body wash- FREE-.98 cents

Shaving Cream Free-.99cents

Deodorant- Free-.99cents

Shampoo/Conditioner $1 or less

Face Wash- .99 cents

Toothpaste- FREE

Shampoo/Conditioner- .99cents or less

Lotion- .99cents or less

Kids 3n1/No more Tangles- .29 cents each

Soap- Free-.18 cents

Batteries- Bought on black Friday for $4 each

Sunscreen- On clearance .96 cents each

2nd Shelf 

Ketchup- Mega $1.88 each

Mac and Cheese cups(Big Daddys Favorite kind) .49 cents or less

Veggies

Soups- .23 cents-.49 cents

Cake Mix-Mega .67 cents
Frosting-Mega .99 cents

Beef,Chicken, and Veggie Broth- Mega .49 cents or less

Coconut Oil

Girl Stuff

Wipes- Free-.99 cents

Top Shelf 
(Can you tell who puts stuff up there???) Unorganized...
Toilet Paper- Midnight Madness sale $2.49 each

Paper towels- .50 or less

Cereal

Sprite-Mega .49 cents


2nd Shelf 

Boxes- Medicine,travel lotions, Cough Drops,etc...

Kleenex- Free

Coffee- $4 at Dollar General

Black Shelf 

Dishwasher Tabs $1.99-less

Dish Soap- .99 cents or less

Air Wick- .98 cents each

Scrubbing Bubbles Cleaner- .99 cents or less

Candles

Gain Fireworks $1,99 each

409- .29 cents

Pinesol .79 cents

Scrubbing Bubbles-.99 cents or less

Febreeze .99 cents each

Laundry Detergent- $1.99 each or less

Bleach- Mega $1.49 each

Trash Bags- $5 or less

Swiffers- Free

 This freezer mainly just has meat in it, Ground Beef,Steaks,Turkey Bacon,Hot Dogs, Ham,Turkey, etc...

We also have an extra fridge on side porch that I did not photo.
Fridge Part is where Big Daddy keeps his tea,beer,etc.. We keep extra Milk and eggs in there too.

The freezer part has a few meats and extra butter,Popsicles(that Papaw bought) etc..


So there you have it, that's the items that I keep in my house as "staples" and some stuff that aren't staples but I have got good deals on, etc..

I know you can't tell from these pictures but my house is not big at all, our actual living space upstairs is smaller than an apartment, but then we have a full size basement as well that we utilize as best as we can!

**I am working on a better price list, one that's updated and for our area, so be sure to watch for that and come back and check it out.

Thanks for stopping by Y'all! :-)

Being Frugal- My Way

I have had several people ask me questions about how we budget, how we live on one income. How I organize things and plan ahead, why do I coupon,etc.. Well this is the post where I will tell you all. It's going to be long...I am going to start with 10 things that we do that save us money/time etc...

1.Budget
 * You have to have a budget!It doesn't matter how much or how little you make, everyone has to have a budget.  Sit down and write out all income for a month, then write out all of your expenses for a month. (This is everything, if you stop and get a coffee every morning that needs to be budgeted in). There are also sites online that can help you with this.
 One thing that really makes life smoother is the fact that I KNOW where every penny goes from our income. If you are only making 3,000 a month but you have 4,500 worth of bills/expenses you need to back up and punt again!
Set a realistic budget for your groceries and stick with it. For my family of 4 we spend $100 a week on groceries/toiletries/household items(yes that includes diapers,wipes,cleaning supplies,etc..)

We do live off one full time income in our house right now, and we are OK with that! In fact it has worked out great! When I lost my job in 2011 we immediately thought "Oh no, what are we going to do?" But it ended up being the best thing! I stay home with Brother while Sissy is at school and Big Daddy is at work. This is where being frugal has REALLY came in to play and worked out for the best!
We also do not have any credit cards(we learned early).

2. Envelope System
   * I started doing this years ago and we love it. I take out money when the check is cashed and I separate out to the different envelopes. When the money is gone from the envelope it's gone!
My envelopes are: Groceries,Running Money,Bills. Then when something specific is coming up I will make an envelope for that, Birthdays,School clothes,Christmas,etc...

3. Coupons/Meal Plan/Stockpile
   *These 3 things will save you the most time and money in the long run! Learning to coupon can be confusing/rough in the beginning but once you get the hang of it you will save loads of money. There are lots of sites that will walk you through this process, my #1 being SouthernSavers.com  The longer you do it you will start recognizing what's a good deal on your own. You can't be brand specific and you have to shop at more than one store!

   *Meal Planning really doesn't take that much time either and it makes life so much easier! I am a planner...with everything. I do not like the feeling/anxiety I get if I don't have a plan and 5pm rolls around and I don't know what I am going to feed my family or I start cooking to realize that I don't have everything. Here is a link to a post I did a while back about HOW I menu plan. My menu planning
Also think of how much money your family will save if you are not eating out 4-5 times a week!

   *The true key to lowering you grocery bill is to have a stockpile. Stockpiling is simply buying groceries/household goods at their rock bottom price and buying enough to last your family until the go on sale at rock bottom price again.
Most of the items in my stockpile are items we use a lot so they get rotated out fairly quickly. #1 tip is to not try to fill your stockpile all at once! Let it build over time as the sales come in!
*Picture of my stockpile at the bottom of page*

 * Also be sure to check the clearance/markdown sections every time you go in a store.


4. Yard Sales/Thrift Stores/Goodwill/Craigslist etc... 
   *People ask me why I like to thrift shop and go to Yard Sales and I say because I save a TON of money!
I really do not understand why so many people waste money on new clothes/shoes/toys/house decor etc.. all the time. All of these items I find at Yard Sales and Thrift shops and they are just as good as new store bought items. I can get name brand items cheaper doing this than I could if I went to Walmart and bought all new items! When Goodwill has their 50% off everything in the store I can find nice housewares items very cheap,clothes,gifts,etc...
The only time we buy new items are if we need something specific and tennis shoes. Which I buy 3 times a year(a friend shared this one with me) We buy tennis shoes when school starts, Christmas, and in the Spring.

5. Sell old to buy new
  *We have a yard sale once a year. I also have Yard Sale sites on Facebook that I sell lots of things on too. Sell all the clothes your kids have outgrown and toys they don't play with etc... Now, take THAT money and put up for school clothes, new shoes, Christmas, etc.. We do not use our Yard Sale money to pay bills unless it is an absolute must.


6. Tax Return
  * We get a tax return every year. And we utilize it! We use it to pay House Insurance, Life Insurance, Land Taxes, pay ahead on vehicle(we stay 3 months ahead),  Sissys Birthday(because it's in March) and we pay what bills we can and then the rest goes in the bank to have in case of emergencies. (car maintenance, unexpected expenses, etc..)

7. WAIT
 * You do not have to have something right here right now, just because you want it!
 I really want a new oven(mine is around 30 years old), but I have to have a wall oven and they are around $7-800 dollars! So I have been patiently waiting hoping I will stumble on one at a yard sale or a thrift store, and saving my money! This goes for everything but mainly in more expensive purchases. I like to wait it out, do some research,save some money,etc.. before buying. This is another reason why we do not have credit cards, I know a lot of people when they want something they just go get it and put it on the credit card. We try not to buy anything unless we have cash for it.

8. Plan Ahead
 * Some things come every year no matter what Birthdays,Christmas, other holidays,school clothes,teacher gifts,Summer Activities,etc... You know it's going to be there so plan ahead for it! Buy things through out the year! If your child gets a gift that they really aren't interested in hold on to it and re-gift it! I watch every yard sale/thrift store etc.. for anything new that I can give as a gift!

9. Lists/Calenders/Organize
 * I have lists for EVERYTHING, I have a list for THIS post I am typing now :-)
I have to have a list for everything that I do, if not I will forget(but mainly because I like the satisfaction I get of crossing something off a list when I am done)  :-)  Keeping lists keeps you on top of things! Write down that those coupons need clipped, and that you need to make a menu,what parts of the house need cleaned now, etc..
I have 3 calendars(yes 3) I have one that I keep track of just bills/money and when they are due and when we will needs extra money.(For events,Birthdays,Holidays,etc..) I have one I keep on the fridge that I change out month to month and that's where we keep track of appointments for that month, sports,school events,etc.. Then Momma has a Master calender that keeps track of everything for the year! Sometimes you don't want your kid to see that you are POSSIBLY going somewhere next week because they will drive you nuts about it, or worse you end up not being able to go! And this way I can write down appointments that get schedules 3-6 months out, and plan family activities,etc..

 10. Learn from others
 * This is one of my best pieces of advice. Ask questions, all the time. Learn  a new way of doing things,etc..  One of the reasons I am good with my money is because I have learned from watching others of how I do not want to manage it.
Go to Coupon Classes/Frugal Fairs even if you think you know whats being discussed you might learn something new! :-)
I have coupon buddies, that have turned in to friends just from discussing coupons and ways to save money.



**Since my stockpile is what I get asked about the most, here is a picture. I will go in depth more on the next post about what I stock and how much and what determines that. So please come back and check that out! :-)

DIY Taco Seasoning

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

1/2 cup chili powder
1/4 cup onion powder
1/8 cup ground cumin
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon paprika
1 Tablespoon sea salt

Put all ingredients into a jar and shake!

*3Tbs=1 packet of seasoning
*It has to be in a pretty jar! :-)
* I got this recipe from one of my favorite websites Heavenly Homemakers

Toast

I use to buy this really expensive toast in the freezer section. It rhymes with Lexus. Sometimes it comes with cheese, sometimes it's butter etc... And there are only maybe 8-10 slices in a box. Then I got smart...or listened to my Momma however you want to say it.   :)

I buy a loaf of Italian bread from the bakery at $1.99

Cut into thick slices- I can usually get about 20 slices out of one loaf!

If I am making toast that night I put a little butter and garlic powder on it and bake 8-10 minutes.

All the left over toast goes on a cookie sheet and put in the freezer for about 20 minutes

This prevents the toast from freezing together in the bag.

Once it is set and semi-frozen I put it in a freezer bag. Then I always have some toast on hand with out paying out the wazoo!  :)