A meaningful family Easter celebration doesn't have to entail a springtime spending spree, especially if you've just finished paying off the bills from Christmas. Here are ways to enjoy the holiday while keeping to a budget. Prioritize meaningful family time Over the past couple of … [Read more...] about Inexpensive ways to celebrate a meaningful Easter
Family
Cheap, fun and pretty Easter egg decorating ideas
Easter egg decorating, for some, can be an art. I love the idea of doing something a bit beyond the run-of-the-mill dye kit, but I don't want to spend a fortune or hours to achieve my DIY decorative Easter eggs. In our family, egg dying is a tradition my kids, my mom and I do together on Easter. So … [Read more...] about Cheap, fun and pretty Easter egg decorating ideas
Fun things to do with kids on spring break and other school holidays
We all know it's coming, but still it seems as if spring break or another school holiday has arrived and you have no idea how to keep the kids occupied. Here's an assortment of fun activities to get you started. Some are family-based, while others, depending on the age of your kids, can be done with … [Read more...] about Fun things to do with kids on spring break and other school holidays
18 best staycation ideas for frugal families
If you'd rather not spend school breaks or time off work spending lots of money, why not stay in your city instead of jetting off to an exotic location? A staycation is your chance to visit fun attractions in your own area, or to do all the activities you never have time to do during the … [Read more...] about 18 best staycation ideas for frugal families
Clothing the kids without busting your budget
Kids go through clothes like boxes of Cheerios. We say: don’t spend a lot of money on play wear and school clothes. By the time kids wear them or use them once or twice, who can tell if they’re new or used anyway? You can find some kids’ clothes in excellent condition at thrift stores like … [Read more...] about Clothing the kids without busting your budget
Fun snow activities for kids
Parts of the country are covered in snow right now, and parents everywhere are looking for some fun activities for the kids to do on a snow day. Of course, there's sledding and snowman building, but if you're looking for something a little different, I've found several fun things to do in the … [Read more...] about Fun snow activities for kids
Where older kids ski free
Most ski areas offer free or greatly reduced skiing for youngsters up to age 5 or 6, but only a handful extend free skiing to older offspring. That can make taking your school age kids skiing an expensive endeavor. But worry not, plenty of ski resorts around the country have started offering free or … [Read more...] about Where older kids ski free
No sled? No problem. 17 DIY ideas
If you're in the South where snow is a rarity, or you've been caught unprepared for an early season snow, you may find yourself in a conundrum when the white stuff starts pouring down. Lots of snow, no sled. Maybe you're one of the lucky few with a store-bought sled. You'll be the envy of the … [Read more...] about No sled? No problem. 17 DIY ideas
How to teach your kids about budgets
We’ve all heard the horror stories: young people who graduate from college, move back home with their parents, make very little money and mishandle the cash they do earn. While it’s never too late to teach young people to budget, you also can’t start too early. If you don’t want to be supporting … [Read more...] about How to teach your kids about budgets
How to cut the cost of pet care
I hadn’t planned to get a new dog after my beloved Daphne died just short of her 15th birthday. However, I developed a bad habit of scrolling through the adorable faces of dogs up for adoption at my local Humane Society. As soon as I spotted Matilda and her huge ears, I had to jump in the car and … [Read more...] about How to cut the cost of pet care
How to host a kid’s birthday party for less than $100
It seems as if advertisements for kids' parties are everywhere I go — restaurants, gymnastics studios, the YMCA, hair salons, on and on. It only makes sense that all of these places want in on the kid birthday party scam; they know they can make a fortune hosting one. While it might be easier … [Read more...] about How to host a kid’s birthday party for less than $100
Free movies and TV shows you can stream
You’re stuck at home and have already scrolled through all of Netflix and you don’t want to dish out the extra cash to stream more entertainment. That’s OK. You don’t need to. With just your computer, there are plenty of free sites where you can legally stream more things to watch. Take the time to … [Read more...] about Free movies and TV shows you can stream
Start the new year with a First Day Hike
Many American firsts occurred in Massachusetts: the first Thanksgiving (widely to considered to be in 1621, Plymouth Colony), the first public school (1635, Boston Latin), the first university (1636, Harvard, in Cambridge) and on and on through the centuries. Among the state's the most … [Read more...] about Start the new year with a First Day Hike
Teaching children to cook will save them (and you) money
Finding activities to keep children busy over school holidays can be a challenge. Some kids are happy to spend hours a day in front of a screen, but there's another option that's creative and educational, not to mention fun and, well ... yummy. This is as good a time as any to teach your children … [Read more...] about Teaching children to cook will save them (and you) money
15 fun things to do between Christmas and New Year’s
The presents were all unwrapped with glee, the toys played with (for a little while at least) and the stockings raided. Now, the kids are getting antsy, and you've already heard the "B" word —"I’m bored." Don’t despair. The period between Christmas and the return to school after New Year’s can be a … [Read more...] about 15 fun things to do between Christmas and New Year’s