Category: <span>Mommy Hacks</span>

Announcing: Two New Resources For Better Work-Life Balance

Greetings from our homestead! In the near decade since this blog was born, I’ve worked diligently to achieve better balance between work and so many other passions. Now, I have two ways to share some of my acquired skills and knowledge with everyone.   As a New Years’ gift, I …

Top Ten Best Birthday Party Presents For Kids – To Have On Stand-By

Now that all five of our children are attending public school, we’re receiving a lot of birthday party invitations.  Sometimes, there isn’t much notice for the parties, or the invitations find strange hiding places for a few weeks.  Here is my list of presents to keep on hand, as emergency …

Our Frugal Family Road Trip To Virginia

What a fun and frugal family adventure!  We used the President’s Day school break to take a road trip down to Virginia and visited Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, Virginia Beach, and Norfolk.  We also spent some time with my brother-in-law and his wife in Washington, D.C.  The trip was perfect: …

Sending Kids To Birthday Parties Without Breaking Your Budget

Frugal parenting come with many different types of challenges. A reader and Instagram buddy reached out to me about how we pay for birthday party presents. I agree with her that dropping the kids off to be entertained for a few hours can be really nice, but is it worth …

Our Road Trip To Washington, D.C. For $300 – With Five Kids!

Many are calling us “brave” for taking five kids (including almost-one-year-old twins) on an adventure to Washington, D.C., but it was the perfect trip for us right now.  We were able to get away from home, enjoy some educational and entertaining experiences, and it really didn’t cost very much at …

Monday Medley: A Change In Pace

I’ve been out of work for a couple of weeks now.  Thankfully, life is taking on a slower pace as this pregnancy continues to wear on me.  I did manage to complete one goal for maternity leave already by reading an actual book, for pleasure!  Wondering what else we’ve been up …

10 Cheap And Easy Alternatives To Store-Bought Valentine’s Day Cards

Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that can quickly become expensive.  Mr. Smith used to send beautiful bouquets of flowers to my office.  They were lovely, but honestly, a waste of money.  Nowadays, we’re saving our money to pay down debt and fund future adventures.  But the kids should …