Fun, free and frugal family fun
If you’re under the impression that you don’t get anything for free any more, then you couldn’t be
further from the truth!
After having my three children, I was delighted to find that there are in fact plenty of fun, free and
exciting days out, activities and adventures for families. This is great news in today’s financially
challenging world, where every single dollar really does count, and that trip to the cinema may mean
sacrificing your chocolate allowance for the week. As every busy mom knows, chocolate equals
sanity…it’s really not worth it.
So here are three of my top tips for enjoying life for free, and having a lot of fun with your family
along the way:
Free Days out
Believe it or not, there are hundreds of fun, free days out to be taken advantage of that even the
most challenging of children will enjoy. Some of my favourites include:
Get educated and go to a museum or art gallery
Blow away the cobwebs at the seaside
Find a river and feed the ducks
Meet up with friends and take a picnic to the park
Start a scrapbook in which to preserve your treasured memories
Camp with your kids in the garden. It’s like a holiday only cheaper, and you get to use your own
bathroom.
Organize your own egg hunt
This Easter create your own fun by organizing your very own egg hunt. Just remember that before
you begin stocking up on eggs and baskets, make sure you know how many little hunters will be
joining you on your egg hunt. You don’t want anyone getting left out!
You can buy chocolate eggs from most shops across the county and some simple paper chain
decorations will give your event a colorful theme. If the weather is favorable, then plan your egg
hunt outside and give the children plenty of room to run about. If not, you can still have fun indoors,
just remember to hide the eggs in easy to reach, safe places.
Book Swap
If you and your children bookshelves are full of books you’ve already read (or given up on) you might
want to consider swapping them for someone else’s collection.
There are several websites that allow you to do just this, such as paperback swap, where you can list
your books, send them off, and then search for lovely new books to spend your credit on in return.
Or simply find some fellow book-loving families and arrange a book swap between you.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that reading with children has many positive effects and is
one of the most effective ways of building the ‘language’ neural connections in their growing brains.
Instilling a lifelong love of learning through reading is something the Bruderhof communities feel
strongly about.
Take a dog for a walk
Owning a dog takes time, money, space and a great deal of responsibility. But, the rewards are
priceless - dog owners are reportedly happier and healthier than us canine deficient individuals.
If you like the idea of dog walking but without the stress, why not advertise your dog walking
services in local stores or papers. You will be able to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air with a furry
friend in no time at all!
Read about the daily trials and tribulations of a modern mom and housewife, including tips, and ideas on crafts, and other leisure activities with your children, saving money tips, and how to deal with daily issues and situations.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
A Letter to my Spammers
Every day, I have to delete, or "mark as spam" probably more than a dozen comments on various posts on this site. Why do you do this? I really don't understand it. It seems the more that I delete them, the more they show up.
I just want to let readers know, that if you ever see any of these comments, please don't click the links. I cannot guarantee what they are, and I cannot promise that they are legitimate sites of any kind. I won't even click them to check because I honestly don't know.
Instead of spamming the site with comments, why not check out my media kit, and then use the contact tab at the bottom of the screen. I don't mind sharing information with the people who read this site, but I refuse to have you use my comments, and add links that I won't even verify. I assure you, your comments will NOT stay on the site, therefore, it's not going to help you in any way, and you are virtually wasting your time.
But as I said, if you have legitimate information that you would like to have shared I will share it for you, but this has to go through me first. Please stop wasting your time, please stop leaving random links in my comments. Please just stop. It's not going to benefit you in any way, and it is only wasting both of our time.
I just want to let readers know, that if you ever see any of these comments, please don't click the links. I cannot guarantee what they are, and I cannot promise that they are legitimate sites of any kind. I won't even click them to check because I honestly don't know.
Instead of spamming the site with comments, why not check out my media kit, and then use the contact tab at the bottom of the screen. I don't mind sharing information with the people who read this site, but I refuse to have you use my comments, and add links that I won't even verify. I assure you, your comments will NOT stay on the site, therefore, it's not going to help you in any way, and you are virtually wasting your time.
But as I said, if you have legitimate information that you would like to have shared I will share it for you, but this has to go through me first. Please stop wasting your time, please stop leaving random links in my comments. Please just stop. It's not going to benefit you in any way, and it is only wasting both of our time.
Why I'm taking a break from the scale....
As you all know, I have restarted my work on losing weight. I WAS doing an excellent job. In the month of January, I lost 11 pounds, and while I know, I am not close to competing on the Biggest Loser yet, I am still proud of that success that I had.
So far, in February, I have gone through the same thing that I go through every time I do this. I get stuck at a particular weight, and no matter what I do, it doesn't go below there (and stay for any length of time.). I have been using the number on the scale, as a motivator for me, and when that doesn't give me the "progress report" that I'm hoping for, I literally just give up and throw in the towel. That has been an issue for me this month. After trying for weeks with no result, I just gave up. The other day, I ate an entire box of macaroni and cheese and didn't think anything of it (goodness, doing it was bad enough, but typing that just now has mortified me.)
This morning, I kind of had the revelation that the scale may have actually created a bit of a mental block for me. Even when I had good weeks, and lost a great amount of weight, I still wasn't thrilled with my progress. I am going to restart my weight loss journey, only, I'm going to ignore the actual weight. I am not going to weigh myself, and instead, I am going to focus on exercise, I am going to focus on eating less, and the right foods. I am going on strike, however, from the scale. I am not going to weigh myself again for a month. (I haven't weighed myself in over a week, but right now, I really don't think I even want to know what the scale says.) That number is just that, a number, and that going down isn't going to make me feel better about myself. That's not what is going to make me healthier, or a better example for my daughter (with the frequency that I was weighing myself, I actually believe that it will do the exact opposite.). Not only that, but a decreasing number on that machine of sadness isn't going to make me look any better either.
So, it's not going to make me look better, it won't make me feel better, and depending on what it says, it isn't going to make me feel any better about myself.. So why am I so concerned with it? Why do I stare so intently at that digital number like it's going to either fix my problems or make them worse? That number means NOTHING. My real concerns should be how I feel when I look in the mirror (notice, though, that I said how I feel, and not what others think of me. I'm going to try really hard to try to forget that too), it's not going to give me more energy, or make me feel better physically. It's not going to teach my daughter that her mom wants to live a healthier lifestyle. None of those things will ever be accomplished by focusing on a number on a scale, and that is why, for at least a month, I am not going to focus on it.
So far, in February, I have gone through the same thing that I go through every time I do this. I get stuck at a particular weight, and no matter what I do, it doesn't go below there (and stay for any length of time.). I have been using the number on the scale, as a motivator for me, and when that doesn't give me the "progress report" that I'm hoping for, I literally just give up and throw in the towel. That has been an issue for me this month. After trying for weeks with no result, I just gave up. The other day, I ate an entire box of macaroni and cheese and didn't think anything of it (goodness, doing it was bad enough, but typing that just now has mortified me.)
This morning, I kind of had the revelation that the scale may have actually created a bit of a mental block for me. Even when I had good weeks, and lost a great amount of weight, I still wasn't thrilled with my progress. I am going to restart my weight loss journey, only, I'm going to ignore the actual weight. I am not going to weigh myself, and instead, I am going to focus on exercise, I am going to focus on eating less, and the right foods. I am going on strike, however, from the scale. I am not going to weigh myself again for a month. (I haven't weighed myself in over a week, but right now, I really don't think I even want to know what the scale says.) That number is just that, a number, and that going down isn't going to make me feel better about myself. That's not what is going to make me healthier, or a better example for my daughter (with the frequency that I was weighing myself, I actually believe that it will do the exact opposite.). Not only that, but a decreasing number on that machine of sadness isn't going to make me look any better either.
So, it's not going to make me look better, it won't make me feel better, and depending on what it says, it isn't going to make me feel any better about myself.. So why am I so concerned with it? Why do I stare so intently at that digital number like it's going to either fix my problems or make them worse? That number means NOTHING. My real concerns should be how I feel when I look in the mirror (notice, though, that I said how I feel, and not what others think of me. I'm going to try really hard to try to forget that too), it's not going to give me more energy, or make me feel better physically. It's not going to teach my daughter that her mom wants to live a healthier lifestyle. None of those things will ever be accomplished by focusing on a number on a scale, and that is why, for at least a month, I am not going to focus on it.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Give Your Child College Savings with a GradSave Gift Card!
I have written before, about Gradsave, their "no gift" parties, and how you can use them to help save for your children's education. I am taking the opportunity to let you in on the fact that you (or others) can now buy your children GIFT CARDS as well.
In case you missed my initial posts about Grad Save, it's an organization that allows payments to be made as gifts toward a child's college savings fund. It is definitely never too early to start when it comes to saving for education. In fact, a lot of people might consider GradSave Gift cards to make GREAT Baby shower gifts! They can also make great birthday gifts, rewards for good grades and more!
Grandparents, aunts, uncles or others can actually set up monthly auto payments to be contributed, through GradSave directly into your college savings as well. Once you set up your child's profile, you can share it with friends and family via social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc).
When making decisions for Birthday gifts, rewards, and other occasions, consider GradSave gift cards as a way to invest in the future of the child you're giving a gift to. What a wonderful way to say "I believe in you, and your future, and I want to help you fulfill all of your future potential."
I think that I am going to begin giving these gifts to my own child, as well as to my nieces, nephews and other family members. I mean, yeah, we can buy them toys, and other fun things for them to play with, OR we can give them gifts that can literally fund their future.
Disclaimer: I received compensation for this post. I was not required to write a positive posting. My opinions as always are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
In case you missed my initial posts about Grad Save, it's an organization that allows payments to be made as gifts toward a child's college savings fund. It is definitely never too early to start when it comes to saving for education. In fact, a lot of people might consider GradSave Gift cards to make GREAT Baby shower gifts! They can also make great birthday gifts, rewards for good grades and more!
Grandparents, aunts, uncles or others can actually set up monthly auto payments to be contributed, through GradSave directly into your college savings as well. Once you set up your child's profile, you can share it with friends and family via social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc).
When making decisions for Birthday gifts, rewards, and other occasions, consider GradSave gift cards as a way to invest in the future of the child you're giving a gift to. What a wonderful way to say "I believe in you, and your future, and I want to help you fulfill all of your future potential."
I think that I am going to begin giving these gifts to my own child, as well as to my nieces, nephews and other family members. I mean, yeah, we can buy them toys, and other fun things for them to play with, OR we can give them gifts that can literally fund their future.
Disclaimer: I received compensation for this post. I was not required to write a positive posting. My opinions as always are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Daddy Scrubs Giveaway!
Perfect gift set for expectant fathers! I was so pleased to see all the great books that come in this gift bag from DaddyScrubs! We sat down as a family and I watched my husband read the stories to our little SophaJones and it was so sweet. My heart seriously melted!
Daddy Scrubs has made the perfect gift for the new father to be in your life. This generous gift set includes:
"I’m the Daddy" Trunk Bag made from 100% natural cotton canvas
"I'm the Daddy" sunglasses
and 7 high quality books!
I Love You, Daddy! by Edie Evans
What Daddy Bear Loves by Paige Nickell
What Daddy Duck Loves by Paige Nickell
The Daddy Book by Todd Parr
Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer
The New Dad's Survival Guide by Scott Mactavish
Clifford's Day with Dad by Norman Bridwell
This special gift set is only $49.95 (includes a savings of over $15.00!)
Also, check out this great Youtube video from Daddy Scrubs!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: The Mom Show is not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners will be contacted via the email provided on the RaffleCopter and will have 48 hours to confirm their win before a new winner is chosen. U.S. entrants only.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)