Budgeting

32 Frugal and Fantastic Fourth of July Party Ideas

32 Ways to Save on Your Fourth of July Party

June 25, 2018
Joni Smith
Holidays

It’s almost Independence Day. That means it’s time for your Fourth of July party! Celebrating the independence day of our country brings to mind fireworks, food, fun in the sun, and red-white-and-blue everything! And you’re reading this post because you care about sticking to your budget for this holiday. Big thumbs up to you, fellow frugal thumb! Good on you for doing what it takes to get and keep your family out of debt! So how do you have an awesome…

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Chocolate Rice Krispy Treats

Easy and Cheap (and Delicious!) Chocolate Rice Krispy Treats

May 10, 2018
Joni Smith
Family, Food

I forgot that it was my week to bring the snack to the girl scout troop meeting until the day before. Has that ever happened to you? You’re supposed to bring food to an event and it somehow doesn’t make it to your to-do list or the grocery list. Whoops. I was scrambling trying to come up with something that I could bring that wouldn’t break our food budget, that most kids would like, and was gluten -free (so my…

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Fly or Drive? How to Decide

Fly or Drive? Determine the Most Cost-Effective Choice

February 4, 2018
Joni Smith
Family, Finances, Life, Money Saving Apps

It’s vacation time! And you’re going out of town. But should you fly or drive to reach your destination of choice? What’s the most cost-effective option? My immediate family is spread out across the United States, so there is no dropping by on a whim, and every visit requires a planned trip. As a frugal thumb, I try to figure out the most cost-effective vacations. Should we fly or drive? What are the pros and cons of each choice? I…

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How to Make Halloween Ghost Lights for Free

October 10, 2017
Joni Smith
Family, Gardening & Growing, Holidays, Outdoor DIY

This craft cost us nothing and was a fun way for us to decorate the stairs up to our front door for trick or treaters. We collected empty gallon milk cartons for weeks. Then we had a great time with our kiddo drawing spooky faces on each one. I cut an opening in the back, weighed it down with a rock, and stuffed in some white Christmas lights. Voila! It really looks great at night. Picture coming soon.

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why we love our electric vehicle

Our Nissan Leaf is electric! (Boogie woogie)

September 29, 2017
Joni Smith
Income Outcomes, Life

We have owned an electric lawn mower for more than a decade and it continues to be one of our greatest larger purchases ever. (I go on and on about why it’s been so great in this other post.) So, when we unexpectedly found ourselves in need of a new vehicle, we were naturally interested in electric vehicles. Unsurprisingly, this month we bought a pre-owned electric vehicle! I’m in love! And it’s only been a few days. Here’s why it…

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