Newspaper nails-Frugally done by you!

I thought this was such a great look and the fact that you can do it on your own makes it a frugally fun idea to try out! My friend Amy has this great blog that shows you how to do hair, nails and other fun things yourself..so that you can do it on you..your kids..whatever and save some "cha-ching" in your pocket. AND we love that don't we? Check out this link below..and also she is listed under my blog list. She has some great things and often giveaways..so you may want to become a "follower" :)

http://crazetexture.blogspot.com/2011/09/newspaper-nails.html

Pumpkin Pie Mask/Scrub

This mask/scrub is so great for so many reasons. Pumpkin has natural enzymes that eat away dead skin resulting in a brighter complexion that more easily absorbs moisture. The sugar and milk in this mixture also hydrate and exfoliate. There is also the added benefit of vitamin c in the pumpkin as well as it being an antioxidant to help fight free radicals. Here is what you'll need...

2 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

1/2 tsp white or brown sugar ( i prefer brown sugar because it feels a little more grainy and doesn't dissolve as quick)
1/2 tsp milk

*If you are wanting this as more of a scrub and less of a mask then you will need to decrease your pumpkin and milk and increase your sugar to a texture that is to your liking for application.

Mix together and apply mask to face. Let sit for 15 minutes. I paper towel off some of the excess and then rinse with cool to warm water. Enjoy!

You may only want to do this twice a month or at most once a week to start to see how your skin reacts. If you are allergic to any of the following ingredients please DO NOT do this mask just in case it cases a reaction or skin irritation.

Say Please Lunch box love notes..huge discount!

If you have read previous posts on my blog you know that i love a company called "Say Please" that makes lunch box love notes for kid and loved ones. They are extremely cute and say positive words and on the other side have cool fun facts or quotes. My son looks forward to these in his cold lunch that he takes to  school occasionally. Right now you can get a huge saving and order some of these cutie little cards for yourself. The discount is LBL48 to receive 48% your order. Visit the site here to check it out

  http://www.sayplease.com/

I forgot to add that this are really quite inexpensive. One pack of cards starts at $2.99 and then there is free shipping on orders over $20 :)

So easy and adorable!

I love this idea. All you need is a printer available to print free leaf templates and some card stock. What a fun idea for fall! You could use this idea on a chair..a door..maybe above an entry way?

Old tins with a purpose

I love this idea! You could also put paper around them and let the kids decorate them and then put them on the fridge. You can usually find tins at a thrift store or use your old black pepper tins to put paper on and decorate..BUT i am now in search of beautiful decorative tins like these pictured below!

Family game night..frugal find

Trent played the game Risk at a friends house recently and became hooked on it. I myself played the game when i was younger with my sisters and remember bits and pieces of it. (Especially the part where we would whine and scream at each other when the other wiped our territory out) I decided i would check into the price of the game because Trent did like it so much and we play many board games as a family on the weekends. I was surprised to see the prices vary anywhere from $25 to $140. I decided i would be patient and see what i could find. Trent and I were at D.I the other day and he was SO excited to come up to me with the Risk game. We went through it to make sure it was all there.(it is from a thrift store so you never know) It was and we are thrilled with our purchase that ended up being $2.00. Yay for patience!

Adorable Idea to do the frugal way-Lunch Box Love

I absolutely LOVE this idea. SAY PLEASE lunchbox love for kids notes are the cutest little things and a great way to let your kids know that you are thinking of them through out the day. Trent takes cold lunch quite often to school and he loved the idea of the little facts on the back of the cards as well. While the cost of these cards are not expensive, i thought about how easy it would be to make some of your own..especially if you have scrapbooking supplies on hand. To get ideas to do your own or to order visit the link below. Also...there are some fun free downloads for kids..like a turkey maze, and how to make a turkey pattern you can print off for the upcoming holiday time.

http://sayplease.com/

Also it doesn't need to be just for lunches..sneak one in a back pack and imagine their surprise when they pull out their homework to turn in :)

Use available resources near you for entertainment- Local Library

I use to buy books and movies ALL the time and very occasionally still do, but what i started to notice was that after i read/watched them..most of them now sit on my shelf collecting dust. That is a lot of money sitting under a pile of dust! (and proof that i need to dust more often)haha

My local library has a large selection of movies and books. Trent loves reading and likes being able to look at a large selection of different types of books

These are two books that i am excited to start reading.

Did you know there was a 5 languages of love for children book?
http://www.5lovelanguages.com/resources-old/books/the-five-love-languages-of-children/

And this book should be a humorous approach to life
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0399157530/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=11454048339&ref=pd_sl_8gj49gjifr_b

Support an area school

This is a topic that i am very passionate about. Box tops for education gives schools the opportunity to receive money that they otherwise do not have. I remember when i was growing up and going to grade school..we went on field trips quite often. Now that my son is in grade school, they rarely do. Now i am not sure if that is for budget reasons or other.
Schools all over could really use some extra $$. I know i cant just go out and write the school my son attends a check. (as much as i would like to) BUT what i can do..is collect the box tops off of the packages of foods we eat. I also have my mother collect them for us. If i can make a difference in even the smallest way...i would like to. Imagine if everyone locally started collecting their box tops and giving them to their local schools? Books in the library..one more additional field trip that year..balls for PE..playground equipment..the possibilities are endless because many schools are in such need of many of these items. You are just a pair of scissors away from making a difference and cutting out box tops. SNIP SNIP :)

Even if you do not have children or your children are all grown up.. you can still make a difference and donate your box tops to the local school of your choice :)


http://www.boxtops4education.com/

All You Magazine and Website

http://www.allyou.com/

I really like this magazine. It usually has great recipes, tips, articles..and better yet coupons! I usually can only find the magazine at Walmart or you can subscribe to it. I usually will use enough coupons out of it or recipes to easily make it worth the $1.66 (subscription price) or $2.49 (walmart price).

Earn money back for shopping you'd do anyways..

I only will tell you about companies that i myself have worked with and actually had a good experience with. I like the idea of being able to earn money back on shopping that i will do anyways. For example if i am going to shop Gap or Sephora..i can click through ebates website and shop there while earning a certain percentage back. The percent changes from time to time..and that is when you'll get a thrifty deal! I especially like when they do their magazine specials for a hugeeeeee percentage off. Give it a look if you are interested.

http://www.ebates.com/

Easy money?!

Would you like to earn points towards gift cards just for searching the web? Yeah.. it is that easy. I have earned $25 in amazon gift cards..just for using  www.swagbucks.com  as my search engine. You can redeem your points for many different types of gift cards but i honestly feel the best value is the amazon gift cards. I shop there often and they usually run some great specials. If you'd like to join.. go to the link! If you say i referred you that would be great but honestly i think you'll just be happy with how easy it is to earn :)  Get your swag on!

My dear clothes line..

One of the memories i have from growing up is my mother hanging clothes on the line. I really enjoy and look forward to after winter when the weather is warm enough to go out and hang laundry on the line. It is such a calming experience for me and i love that it also is a great way to dry clothes, towels, and bedding without having to use extra electricity. Occasionally I spray a tiny bit of Scentys White Sands room spray on them before i put them in the dryer on low just to fluff them up. Smells great and if i hang them right.. i don't have to iron anything!! Yayyyyy for that.