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
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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
Restaurants open Christmas Day 2023
Whether they've been naughty or nice, diners can check a stress-free meal off their holiday wish list.A number of restaurants will be open on Christmas Day 2023, including low-cost and moderately priced options. As always, call ahead to confirm holiday hours, as some locations may opt to close … [Read more...] about Restaurants open Christmas Day 2023
Old-school, no-tech gifts for kids
Technology is great, but when it come to younger children, it has not-so-great aspects, including the creation of ecowaste, negative effects on children's attention spans and problems associated with social media use by preteens. And, less importantly but of more immediate significance, the … [Read more...] about Old-school, no-tech gifts for kids
Christmas dinner to go 2023
Celebrate the holidays, or just the end of the year, by gathering around the table. If you're looking to avoid all the cooking that comes with these celebrations, consider ordering a fully cooked Christmas dinner to go so you can spend more time with your family than in the kitchen. You can … [Read more...] about Christmas dinner to go 2023
How to teach your children to budget
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 … [Read more...] about How to teach your children to budget
10 guilt-free ways to stop overspending on your kids and grandkids
Raise your hand if you overspend on your kids for birthdays and holidays because you want them to be happy. Do you spoil your grandkids because you don’t see them often and hope that presents will lead to warm feelings? Do you wish your mom would stop spending money on your kids, or that you could … [Read more...] about 10 guilt-free ways to stop overspending on your kids and grandkids
10+ cool, inexpensive gifts for kids
Retailers want you to believe that the toys under the Christmas tree should be large and expensive. But if you've ever seen a kid more excited about the box a gift came in than the toy itself, you know that sometimes the cheaper, smaller gifts are the favorites. Plus, a few less expensive gifts can … [Read more...] about 10+ cool, inexpensive gifts for kids
How to be a minimalist parent with maximum happiness — for everyone
Having kids is wonderful (if that’s what you want). I am biased, though. I’m the mother of two young children (ages 5 and 1), who are hilarious, obnoxious, ridiculous, perfect little beings. One of the things people will always (and truthfully) tell you is — kids are expensive. And, I get that. … [Read more...] about How to be a minimalist parent with maximum happiness — for everyone