Mild or Extreme Couponing??

Lately we have been looking for more ways to skinny up our budget. I have been against couponing because I thought that it would take WAY too much time and effort. Now I realize that there are more ways then one to do it. You can do a lot or a little...

Click HERE to read more.

Home made cleaning agents

Have you ever thought about making your own cleaning agents? Was it to save money or to be safer for the family or allergies?

THIS blog has it all! Check it out!

CLICK HERE

Budget/Pantry Meals

I love having a lot of "Go To" meals. We keep certain things in the pantry and freezer so that we can make quick and inexpensive meals. Here are a few that I always fall back on...

Chili

Minestrone Soup

Pizza

Roasted Green Beans and Shrimp

Mexican Casserole

Spaghette

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Shepherds Pie

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Beans and Cornbread

Breakfast Pancakes

These are our fall-back menu items...What are yours?

Followers!

I am SO excited!! I have my first Follower!

Thanks Lacey!

You follow me and I'll follow you!

I have an idea...after I have 25 followers I will randomly choose one and mail them a thank you gift! So sign up!!

Activities for Kids

When we were in college with the kids I felt like everything was a rush. Not that we were that busy, what I mean is a rush to see whose kid was potty trained first or whose kid knew the alphabet better. Since graduating and moving away I have learned so much more. I now see that what is important is the relationship I build with my children. Time that I spend with them teaches them that I'm here for them and that they can come to me. Meanwhile I am also teaching. When we clean together they are learning responsibility. When we watch a show together I am rubbing their hair and showing them love. When we do activities together we are learning colors and shapes together. I don't know why I made it so hard on me and them in the past forcing them to sit and recite lessons. No fun!

Here is a list of things that you can do with kids for free or little money. Let me know if you can think of more ideas so I can add to the list!

color pictures

sing songs

read a book

watch a learning show

cook together

go for a walk

play at the park

go to the library

make a craft with things you have around the house

let him/her play in the bath

turn on music and dance

make a fort with blankets

walk around looking for shapes or colors

clean together

take time to let the child dress himself/herself

Make decorations for the upcoming holiday

Look at pictures or watch videos of the past

Plant a garden/houseplant

Find out about free movie theater days or free museum days

Start a playgroup/invite a friend over to play

Do something or make something nice for Daddy when he comes home

Act out what different animals do

Go on a nature walk

Make sock puppets/paper bag puppets

Color with sidewalk chalk

Why Blog?

A few years I decided to make big changes in my life. I read this scripture...

Doctrine and Covenants 88:119...

Organize yourselves;

Prepare every needful thing;

and establish a house,

even a house of prayer,

a house of fasting,

a house of faith,

a house of learning,

a house of glory,

a house of order,

a house of God.

I love that this scripture encompasses everything in my life that I want to simplify and bring to order.

I am writing this blog as I learn and make changes so forgive me when I make mistakes and encourage me when you know better!

These are a few topics I would like to cover...

Nutrition/Recipes/Menu Planning

Budget/Money Saving Ideas

Children/Parenting

Organizing your home

Saving Time

Earth Friendly Ideas

Religion

I am sure there will be more ideas as I go. So we're off on this journey...to simplify!