Make Memories with Your Kids on a Budget

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Walking the beach! Just because you don't have money for a vacation doesn't mean you can't make memories with your kids! Here are great ideas for turning the little moments into big ones!

Do you ever fall into the mindset that memories are made from big (and often expensive) events? If you are a mom living on a tight budget, that can cause a lot of stress and overwhelm. We want our kids to grow up having fun memories of their childhood and we worry about our limited funds. Is it even possible to make memories with your kids on a budget?

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Take a minute to think back to your childhood and the things you remember. Sure, there might be a big thing or two that comes to mind, but I bet that there are many little traditions and memories that stand out. I remember a snowman named Annette, playing in “mini Lake Superior”, breakfast in bed, and a Fisher Price cassette player with a speaker and microphone that my family had to put up with in the car on a 14 hour drive.

Especially when your children are young, they don’t need fancy and elaborate. Most of the time they enjoy little (and often free) things just as much. We put expectations on ourselves that our children don’t have.

So instead of expensive, fancy, and elaborate I challenge us to find the small things and make the most of them.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Just because you don't have money for a vacation doesn't mean you can't make memories with your kids! Here are great ideas for turning the little moments into big ones!

Make Memories with Your Kids on a Budget

Make the Little Things Big:

Birthdays

A large party isn’t a have to. Start traditions they’ll look forward to each year that will be easy on your pocket book. Birthday balloon, streamers, breakfast in bed, picnic, special dessert, free family outing. Those are just some ideas to help you start brainstorming.

Vacations

Don’t feel guilty about not being able to take your kids to Europe or Disney World. Instead, make memories closer to home. Take day trips to near by cities or state parks. Most likely there are plenty of things in a couple hour radius that your family has never had time to explore. Stock up on snacks and favorite treats when they are sale to enjoy on these trips.

Take a few afternoons to explore your own town and the community events, museums, and parks it offers.

Family Night

Don’t just play a game. Turn it into a “family fun night”! Have homemade pizza and ice cream or another kid pleasing meal. Pull out a few games, put away all the phones, maybe even grab a couple of cheap prizes from the dollar store and your kids will have a blast playing all the table games in your house.

Movie Night

Movie theaters are fun but they also can be pricey to bring the entire family to. Rather, have a movie night at home. Like with the game night, turn it into something fun! Make movie tickets for everyone, have a double feature, pop a big batch of popcorn, make sure everyone has full water bottles, and find snacks and candy on sale so everyone can have their favorite. Sit on couches or bring out blankets and pillows and take over the living room floor.

Errands

Going grocery shopping? Grab a kid or two and bring them along. Make a detour to the park or let them pick a little something extra out at the store. Have them help you pull items from the shelf and put it in the cart.

Is there a doctors appointment? Bring a book to read aloud in the waiting room with your child. Or bring a coloring book and see how excited they’ll be that you want to color with them.

Chores

There are a few people out there who actually enjoy chores. I’m not one of those! Thankfully, my kids are young enough that cleaning still excites them. In fact, my older two fight about who gets to vacuum. Instead of cleaning solo, slow down and offer to let a child be your helper and work together. It might take longer (and not be as thorough) but you are training your child and connecting with them.

Meal Time

Play restaurant. I remember doing this as a kid and my children have started doing it. Take supper up a notch by setting a fancy table and lighting some candles. Have the kids make place cards and menus. Take turns being the server. You could use fun conversation starters and everyone can practice using their best manners.

What are your favorite ways to make memories with your children?

 

Just because you don't have money for a vacation doesn't mean you can't make memories with your kids! Here are great ideas for turning the little moments into big ones!

Summer Bucket List for Kids

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Summer Bucket list ideas for kids! Great ideas to make memories this summer.

Have you ever considered having a summer bucket list for kids?

School is almost done, it’s getting hotter (we were up to 90 degrees this week), schedules and expectations are changing. Maybe your kids aren’t yet old enough to be in school but you still want to make summer special. There might be a big vacation planned or maybe you are saving money this year and staying home.

One way to keep things fun is to have a Summer Bucket List. Have your kids help come up with fun summer activities and narrow it down to your top 10, 20, 30 or however many you think you have time for over the next few months. Write them down on a chart and tackle some each week checking them off as they are accomplished.

Having a Summer Bucket List for kids will make the summer of a staycation more exciting or help the weeks before and after a big vacation go by quickly. The kids will love having lots of little summer activities to look forward to.

I have a 6 year old, 4 year old, and a 14 month old. The older two would love all these ideas (and even helped brainstorm) and the baby eagerly does whatever her big siblings do.

I have 31 free ideas and then a bonus 21 extra ideas that begin at just a couple dollars. If you keep scrolling to the end of the list, I have a printable list of all 52 ideas and a blank form you can use to make your own bucket list to check off this summer.

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Ideas for a Summer Bucket List for Kids:

Free

  • Splash pad
  • Make popsicles
  • Fly a kite
  • Have a water fight
  • Read a chapter book aloud
  • Local beach at the lake
  • Story time at the library
  • Other library kids events
  • Star gazing
  • Park hop to all the good parks in your town
  • At home movie night
  • Camp in the living room
  • Swimming
  • Hike/nature walk
  • Picnic
  • Cookout in the park
  • Game night
  • Scavenger hunt
  • Relay races
  • Chalk mural on the driveway
  • Make a giant sheet fort
  • Free community events (parade, touch a truck, etc)
  • Family walks
  • Vacation Bible School
  • Bike ride
  • Feed the ducks
  • Fishing
  • Service project
  • Write cards/draw pictures and mail
  • Climb a tree (this is my 6 year old’s addition to the list)
  • Home Depot workshop

Almost Free

Paid Activities

  • Buy (and play) a new outdoor game
  • Buy (and play) a new board game
  • Go to a movie
  • Concert or show
  • Zoo
  • Children’s museum
  • Bowling
  • Ice cream shop
  • Go to a baseball game
  • Mini golf
  • Dollar store shopping spree
  • Local museum/historical site
  • Amusement park
  • Water park


Here is a printable list of all of the summer activities for kids!

Here is a blank form you can use to create your own summer bucket list for kids!

What are your favorite things to do during the summer?

Great Free summer bucket list for kids printable Continue reading →

Easy Skillet Lasagna

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Easy Skillet LasagnaEasy skillet lasagna. Easy and lasagna probably aren’t two words you’d expect to see together – I know I don’t!

This recipe brings it one step further – it’s a one pot meal too! Doesn’t that make lasagna seem so much more accessible?! Say goodbye to the the multiples pots and bowls that pile up when you make the traditional version (and that’s not even counting the baking dish you have to scrub).

I’m all about saving time in the kitchen and if you want to save even more time you could cook up double or triple portions of the meat/onion mixture you brown in the beginning and freeze in individual baggies. Prep time on the night you want this one pot lasagna for dinner would then be next to nothing.

This is a great recipe to put the kids to work – let them break the noodles, dump the tomatoes, and plop the ricotta over the top. They’ll love helping put dinner on the table.

My family prefers it when I buy petite diced tomatoes. Everyone of them protest big chunk of tomatoes. You could also use Italian style diced tomatoes for some easy extra flavor. Seeing how few ingredients are in this dish, I recommend you use quality because all the flavors will come through.

I hope you enjoy this tasty and simple dish that makes lasagna a weeknight meal as much as we do. All three kids (14 month old included) and my husband loved it when we made it again last week.

5.0 from 2 reviews
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Easy Skillet Lasagna
Serves: 6
 
Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, and/or pork)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ⅛ t. red pepper flakes
  • 10 lasagna noodles, broken in 2 inch pieces
  • 28 ounces diced tomatoes, with water added to make 4 cups
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 cup ricotta cheeese
  • Fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
  1. Brown the meat, onion, garlic and red pepper flakes in a 12 inch skillet.
  2. Leave in the bottom of skillet and place the broken lasagna noodles on top.
  3. Pour the diced tomatoes with water and tomato sauce over noodles.
  4. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook about 20 minutes until noodles are tender. Stir occasionally. Add more water if necessary.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper.
  6. Dot with tablespoons of ricotta cheese.
  7. Cover and let set for 5 minutes so the ricotta cheese warms.
  8. Sprinkle with fresh basil leaves and a little Parmesan.
Notes
Because of the simple ingredients in this recipe, quality will make a difference in the flavor! If you can, use good tomatoes, real Parmesan, etc

My family protests large chunks of tomatoes, so I use petite diced. You could also use Italian style diced tomatoes for additional flavor.

Easy Skillet Lasagna

One pan skillet lasagna! This is the perfect weeknight dinner. Kid friendly and a no oven dinner!

Ways to Save Money on Groceries Without Coupons

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how to save money on groceries without using coupons

Have you ever wondered if you can actually save money on groceries without coupons?

I live in a small town and I don’t receive any coupons through the newspaper and my grocery budget has ranged from $120-$170 a month over the past 10 years. (Started with just my husband and me and now our third child is one.)

So yes, we are proof that it is possible to save money on groceries without coupons! Not only is our grocery budget pretty stinkin’ low, but I’m still able to feed my family a fairly healthy diet consisting of minimally processed foods.

Often our budgets are tight and we don’t know what else we can cut out to make the numbers work. A great place to start is the grocery budget. Yes, even if you don’t have access to coupons.

I want to share a few tips and tricks with you that I’ve used the past decade. I was fortunate to grow up with a mom who rocked her grocery budget and learn from her. For even more ideas, check out this popular post on how to drastically lower your grocery budget.

If you like e-courses, be sure to check out this FREE e-course on eating well on a budget that Erin at The Humbled Homemaker put together! It’s 5 days long and includes videos and emails!

Ways to Save Money on Groceries Without Coupons

Shop the Ads

This is huge! Don’t menu plan or head to the store without knowing what is on sale where.

We don’t get the newspaper but, thankfully, now days you are able to find almost every ad online. Checkout the websites for both national and local stores to view them.

Take a few minutes to look over the ads and write down what’s on sale at each store.

Watch for Markdowns

Grocery shop in the morning, when possible, and keep your eyes open for markdowns. Get to recognize the stickers that symbolize a discount in price.

I’ve gotten steak, chicken, other meat, bread, kale, spinach, arugula, other produce, chips and so much more for super cheap this way.

The meat, and often time bread products, can go in the freezer to prolong their life but you have to be willing to adjust to your menu to take advantage of the produce with a shorter shelf life. It’s worth taking those few minutes in the store to tweak the menu, though.

Price Match

If your week is too crazy to hit up multiple stores, don’t forget that in most places you can price match at Wal-Mart.

Know What to Buy Where

Don’t assume that just because something is on sale it’s the best price. You need to be aware of what the standard prices are at other grocery stores and online before you decide to stock up. Produce sales at several of our local stores tend to be higher than non-sale prices at Aldi.

Which brings me to the next point:

Aldi

I LOVE Aldi! Many of their regular prices are good deals and their weekly produce sales tend to be exceptional. The produce on sale is what I tend to grab lots of and build my menu around. Aldi is also a great store to watch for markdowns.

(Don’t forget to bring a quarter for your cart and grocery bags but it’s well worth it.)

Store Brands

Give store brands a try. Some might not be a contender with your favorite name brands but you might be surprised.

Again, don’t assume store brand is the lowest price. With a sale a name brand might actually come out ahead.

Skip Packaged Products

Cook from scratch! You’ll save so much money mixing up your own taco seasoning versus buying the little packet from the store (and it’s better for you too). Try your hand at making yogurt, bread, popsicles, mac & cheese, and so forth instead of grabbing the box.

Ibotta

Put your smart phone to use and save a little each shopping trip!

Download the Ibotta grocery rebate app to earn money! Use my referral link and you’ll get a $10 welcome bonus! (My referral code is rxlutjp if you need it.) Checkout the rebates they offer before you head to the stores and when you are done, add the info to the app.

These are a few of the ways I’ve save on groceries over the last 10 years  – no coupons involved. That’s thousands of dollars I’ve saved our family by being intentional about how I shop. You can to! Don’t worry about trying to overhaul your shopping in one week, instead take baby steps and each week continue to make little changes until you get to the ideal budget for your family.

Do you use coupons?

What are your favorite ways to save on groceries?

Grocery Carts: how to save money on groceries

Homemade French Bread

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Homemade french bread on cutting board

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Homemade bread. The entire house smells amazing throughout the baking process and by the time it’s done you are more than ready to devour the loaf. Thankfully, bread is one of the most budget friendly things you can make and, in my opinion, you can’t have too many varieties in your repertoire. This homemade french bread is definitely one you need.

French bread might sound intimidating, but it’s really quite easy. You’ll need to be home for a few hours to get the process done, but the hands on time is actually minimal. Your family will be excited you made the effort and ask for this bread again and again.

I pull out my trusty KitchenAid mixer for most all of my bread making jobs. The mixer even made my list of favorite kitchen appliances. Sure you could knead by hand but this saves me a lot of time (and man power).

After making the dough, you’ll dump it onto a floured surface were you will knead it every 10 minutes for the next hour.

Easy homemade french bread recipe

Next you’ll roll out the dough in a rectangle.

Easy homemade french bread recipe

Then roll the dough up on the long side (like you are making cinnamon rolls), tuck the ends under, and slash the top 4 times. This next step is optional – brush with some beaten egg white.

Easy homemade french bread recipe

The dough will rest a little longer and then you’ll get to enjoy the wonderful smell of your loaves baking!

This batch makes 2 small loaves or 1 large loaf. Feel free to double the recipe by simply doubling the all the ingredients except for the yeast. For the yeast use 1 1/2 Tablespoons.

For small loaves, I use my air bake cookies sheets. For a large loaf I have to use my half sheet pan.

Homemade French Bread

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Homemade French Bread
 
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast (1½ T if doubling the recipe)
  • 1¼ cup warm water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1¼ teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon oil (I used olive oil)
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 egg white beaten, optional
Instructions
  1. Put yeast, warm water, and sugar in the stand mixer bowl. Let sit 5 minutes.
  2. Add salt, oil, and 2 cups of flour and mix together.
  3. Add remaining cup of flour and knead 3-5 minutes. The dough will be soft, but if it's overly sticky add a tablespoon or two more flour.
  4. Dump the kneaded dough out onto a floured surface. Every 10 minutes for the next hour knead it a couple of times.
  5. After the hour, divide the dough into two for small loaves or for a large/regular sized loaf don't divide.
  6. Roll dough into rectangles and roll up on the long side. Fold ends under.
  7. Place loaves on a baking sheet and slash the tops 4 times.
  8. Brush with beaten egg white (optional).
  9. Let raise for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
  10. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  11. Bake for 10 minutes at 425 and turn down the temperature to 375 for another 10-15 minutes.
  12. (If making the larger loaf, might need to increase the second baking time to 15-20 minutes).

Easy homemade french bread recipe

Delicious and easy homemade french bread! You'll make this all the time.