photo credit Guest Post by Kari Patterson of KariPatterson.com, the first in a 3-part series. I had the coupons printed. It was the last day to get the deal. It was pouring down rain. I pack my two small children in the car, fasten into carseats, drive to Rite-Aid. Unload, get them in the cart, safely maneuver around the candy aisle and the toy car display without a scene. So far, so good. We only need one thing so I head straight to the back. I search the shelves until I find the two small pink boxes. Check the coupon: $2 off two boxes Playtex tampons. Perfect, done. I hope for a female cashier (am I the only one who hates purchasing Keep Reading
Frugal Fine-Print, part 1 of 3
Morning Milkshakes: The Breakfast of Champions
image credit Guest Post by Selena Moffitt School's in! How did your first week go? Yes, for you, not your child. Your kiddo probably rocked it. Moms across the city rocked the “Who-is-that-mommy?” profile trying to get everyone dressed, fed, brushed, and out the door at precisely 7:26 am! Inevitably, someone dribbled milk on their freshly washed school attire, couldn’t find their shoes or socks or special truck that MUST accompany them into the car, and the baby probably pooped right as you lifted him into his car seat. Perfect. And now it’s 7:31. The dream of arriving to school calm and relaxed is shattered. It's time to do something Keep Reading
Fall Frenzy: Creating new routines in times of change
image credit Is it just me, or does fall sneak up and smack you in the head, too? Our agenda includes going back to school, music lessons, and Boy Scouts, entering the world of college, and keeping the toddlers from taking over. It's fair to say that we are in a particularly challenging season of life right now, and our old routines are not serving us well. To be honest, they aren't serving us at all. We have had a chore system in place for at least seven or eight years. It has served our family beautifully, through thick and thin (4 pregnancies), in sickness and in health. But our family has grown, the season has changed, and it is time to let Keep Reading
Pacific NW Fall Family Fun: Western Oregon and SW Washington edition
Jen from Thrifty NW Mom, Karrie from Happy Money Saver and I have teamed up to bring you the most comprehensive list of Fall Family Fun the Pacific Northwest. In this post, I have listed fall festivals, fairs and pumpkin patches in Western Oregon and SW Washington. Head to Thrifty NW Mom for a list of Puget Sound events and Happy Money Saver for a list of Eastern Washington and Central and Eastern Oregon events. PORTLAND METRO Bella Organic Portland Pumpkin Farm, September 3-October 31, NW Portland Fazio Farms, dates TBD, NE Portland The Flower Farmer, September 24-October 31, Canby Kruger's Farm, September 23-October 31, Sauvie Keep Reading
Frugal Homemaking for August
Blueberries are fading into a sweet August memory. Poetic, huh? My husband and I picked 14 pounds last Saturday with the sun at our backs and two whiney children at our feet. Not so poetic. I flash froze the berries that weren't gobbled up fresh. I never post about HOT! deals, but it's hard to beat the pricetag on those gorgeous blackberries that are ripening as fast as school is approaching. For an invasive species, they sure are delicious. Peaches are also in season right now. Go to Pick Your Own to find an orchard near you. Tomatoes are slowly ripening; the heat we've had recently has definitely helped. There will be a whole lot Keep Reading
Five Reasons I Like Small Houses
image credit As my husband and I prepare to move our family of four out of our three-bedroom, 1,070 square foot home, the comment we often hear is, "Oh, you're looking for a bigger place?" And to be perfectly honest, that is one of the items on our wish list. But there is much to be said for life in a small home. I could easily write a post titled, "Where do you store your stockpile when you are having a hard time just finding a place for your visiting mother-in-law to sleep?" That seemed a bit long-winded, so I decided to focus on the benefits of downsized living instead. Actually, the whole downsizing trend is hot in the real estate market Keep Reading
Amazon: Back-to-School Savings
This month, Amazon is running a Back-to-School savings promotion. Most of these items can be found for cheaper with a coupon, but if you haven't been able to coupon in a while or your time is limited, there are a few great deals you should take advantage of. Here's just a few: :: GoGo SqueeZ applepeach, Applesauce on the Go, 4-Count Box of 3.2-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 12) $.46 a pouch shipped when you use coupon code GOGO4343 and Subscribe & Save :: Community Coffee as low as $3.32 a bag shipped when you use coupon code COMMCOF7 and Subscribe & Save :: Oskri Bars as low as $.79 a bar shipped when you use coupon code OSKRIBTS and Subscribe Keep Reading