Smart Money

November 7, 2018 by Saving and Simplicity

15 Frugal Meal Ideas

Are you struggling to make ends meet?

Have you ever noticed how much people spend on groceries? The extra items that get added to the buggy simply because there are too many choices.

Think about what your grandparents ate or eat, the meals are usually simple. Involving meat, potatoes, vegetables, maybe a grain and most of the time the meals are homemade.

I remember it being a big thing to go out to a restaurant with my grandparents as it wasn’t the norm. However, today it is common for people to go out to eat on a regular basis.

Maybe this is why money is tighter. If we could go back to home cooked meals we would be saving money so much money on food.

Related Posts:

Saving money on groceries.

One of the best ways to save money on groceries is to use coupons and shop store sales. If you have a smart phone you can download the Ibotta app and start saving money on groceries.

No coupon clipping involved. Simply click, shop and save.

Another great way to save money on groceries is to shop your store sales. You may have noticed that store sales go in a cycle by season and month to month.

As you approach a holiday, related items will go on sale. Also month to month the same type of items will go on sale every so many weeks.

For example toilet paper may be on sale this week and again in three weeks. Pasta maybe on sale this week and then in two weeks.

As you watch the flyer sales you will recognize your stores sale cycle so you can stockpile the items you regularly use and save money.

Another great way to save money is cooking simple frugal meals.

15 Frugal Meal Ideas:

Breakfast:

1. Oatmeal with dried fruit and brown sugar

2. Toast with cream cheese and cinnamon

3. English Muffin with egg and cheese

4. French toast with maple syrup

5. Yogurt and fruit

Lunch:

1. Soup and crusty bread

2. Leftovers

3. Pasta Salad

4. Sandwich and salad

5. Cheese and crackers/ finger foods

Dinner:

1. Pasta with tomato sauce

2. Chili and corn bread

3. Quesadilla

4. Beans and rice

5. Hamburger soup with toast

Snacks:

1. Apple slices and nut butter

2. Vegetables and dip

3. Crackers and cheese

4. Granola

5. Homemade cookies or muffins

Simple easy meal ideas when money is tight are great.

Think about what your grandparents would have cooked or maybe something your parents made when you were a kid.

What frugal meals do you cook to save money? In our house breakfast can be anytime of day. Also homemade soups and chili with crusty bread are great.

Comfort foods and casseroles are great ways to save money.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

November 5, 2018 by Saving and Simplicity

Girls Night 10 Frugal & Fun Ideas

When was your last girls night?

If you are like most moms it has been a while. With family responsibilities, work and finding a few moments to yourself.

Finding a whole night to hang with your friends doesn’t happen that often.

Making girl time important.

Finding time to hang with your friends, your sisters or your group is important. It lets you relax, mellow and have a bit of fun. It also gives you people to talk to who understand.

For example, I could talk mom stuff to my non-mom friends, but it just isn’t the same as talking to my mom friends who just get that mama needs to blow of some steam.

Let’s talk making time.

The guys can make time to go camping or fishing, so the girls should be able to take the time. It doesn’t have to be a night or a weekend.

Get the girls together while the kids are at school and plan an afternoon. Or let the husbands know they are on duty, you are taking the whole day to relax and refresh.

Honestly, the whole family will benefit from mommy having some down time. Relax, unwind, let the stress go and face life renewed.

Related Posts:

Girl time doesn’t have to break the bank.

I am sure we have all heard stories about a group of friends heading off for an expensive weekend away and someone opted out because they couldn’t afford it.

Below you will find some great frugal and fun girls night activities that won’t break the bank.

Who said a spa day, appetizers and wine can’t be done on a budget?

Girls night 10 frugal & fun ideas:

1. At Home Spa Day

Spa time doesn’t have to be in the hundreds or even in the fifties. You can have a great spa night with friends.

All you need is a few pedicure kits, some facial masks, chocolate and maybe some martinis or cucumber and mint spa inspired water.

2. Movies, Popcorn and Potluck

Get your friends together. Everyone brings their favorite dinner dish and host a potluck and movie night.

Pop the popcorn and order a great movie or maybe binge watch the last three episodes of your favorite DIY show.

Enjoy the chance to sit down and eat with adults and actually watch a show from beginning to end.

3. Game Night, Appetizers & Wine

Prepare your favorite appetizer platter, maybe it is meat and cheese or a selection of small bites. Grab a cheap bottle of wine or your favorite non alcoholic go to.

Set up a few different games depending on your party guests. Maybe Pictionary, Scrabble or a card game. Relax, unwind and have fun.

4. Book Club, Coffee & Chocolate

There is something about a good book, coffee, chocolate and great friends that just makes an amazing night. Brew up your favorite coffee, pull out a box of chocolates or bake something yummy.

Gather up a few friends and read one of these best selling books.

5. Crafting Fun

There is something about crafting and being a mom. But we aren’t talking popsicle sticks and white school glue.

Get your girls together and plan a scrap booking night or maybe someone has an event coming up and some DIY centerpieces are needed.

6. Foodie Fun

It’s a foodie fun night. Whether it is appetizers, main course or just dessert and coffee amp it up a bit.

Who says you can’t cook maple infused carrots to have with your peppercorn roast that you have been cooking in the slow cooker.

Or if you and the girls only have time for triple chocolate cheesecake and lattes, grab your milk frother and make it memorable.

7. Out & About

Get out and enjoy nature. Grab your friends and your favorite running shoes, go for a hike or a walk through the park. Maybe an afternoon game of tennis is what you need.

8. Coffee, Conversation and Yummy Desserts

This combination of fun is great for an afternoon or evening with friends and won’t break the bank. Pick your favorite local coffee shop, grab a coffee and catch up with friends.

Or host coffee and dessert at your place. There is something about good coffee and great friends.

9. Who Says The Girls Can’t Go Camping

Grab the girls and the camping gear and head out for the night or the weekend. There is just something relaxing about being in the woods away from it all.

10. Cooking & Planning

Have you ever hosted a cooking night? The idea is to get a bunch of people together and make a bunch of freezer meals or casseroles for the weeks to come.

The idea kind of follows a cookie exchange. A bunch of meals are made and everyone involved takes home several meals for their family.

Planning your next girls night.

Send out an email, note the nights or days you are available and get the ideas and suggestions rolling.

Maybe you want to host the next girls evening and it’s a wine and appetizer night for your book club.

Or an afternoon out with your girls, window shopping antiques with a coffee and chocolate stop. Set the date, plan the activity, keep it on budget and have fun.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

November 1, 2018 by Saving and Simplicity

7 Things You Need To Stop Buying To Save Money

Are you struggling to save money?

Are you drowning in “stuff”? Do you find your kitchen counters and closets full of clutter and the bank account is close to zero?

You are not alone!

Over half of the country is living paycheck to paycheck.

But there is a solution! And it is relatively easy. No I’m not going to tell you to sell the house, downsize and start living off your garden. Which could work for some.

I am going to ask you to….

Assess where your money is being spent. How much did you spend on groceries last month and what did you buy? The answer is in the what you bought part.

We live in a convenience generation which is made more popular by our busy family schedules. We are more inclined to go buy or order a pizza than make one from scratch.

Or a better example might be coffee. At 5 am it is way easier to drive thru your favorite coffee shop pick up window than make your own. But it is costing you!

You can save hundreds of dollars by cutting out the convenience and making more items at home and I am not talking complicated stuff.

7 things you need to stop buying to save money:

1. Coffee

Sure having a latte out with friends is great but a latte a day can get expensive. Get yourself a great brew at home coffee maker and skip the costly Keurig pods and get the refillable kind.

With the refillable k cups you are saving a ton and you can brew which ever flavor of coffee you wish. It is a win-win.

If you are still craving that latte invest in a milk frother they are great and will froth both warm and cool milk.

2. Premade Pastries

You know the ones I am talking about muffins, donuts, cookies and granola bars. All the bakery bought items you use for breakfast and snacks.

They are great time savers and great for tossing in to the lunch last minute.

But if you price them out dollar for dollar you can save so much money by whipping up a batch of muffins at home in under an hour.

Cookies, granola bars, squares and more get the kids involved and make them from scratch. You save money and you know exactly what is in your sweet treat.

3. Paper Products

Have you seen the cost of a package of paper towels? Add in napkins, paper plates, facial tissues and all other single use items you have in the house. Do you see the cost tally rising?

Swap out the paper products for reusable cloth napkins. I know the savings looks minimal but think about it.

You will be saving the cost of the paper product, the space it takes up in your cupboard and the waste. We swapped out paper for cloth napkins years ago and we have never looked back.

4. Prepackaged Mixes

Cake mixes, taco seasoning, soup mixes and etc. These items are available in mass supply in your local grocery store and they make life more convenient.

The homemade version is real easy to make and tastes better. Toss out the mixes and start from scratch. Stock your pantry with spices, dry goods, beans and soup stock.

5. Subscriptions

Do you have a magazine subscription or a monthly wine box or a continual service you pay for? Do you use the item every month? If you do, great.

If you aren’t reading the magazine or the box service is piling up in the corner, hit pause and cancel the service. Save yourself the monthly fee and put it toward something you will really enjoy.

6. Services

This falls in the convenience and too busy category. I am all for employing someone to help mow the lawn and clean the house. This provides someone a job and gives you a few extra minutes to rest or spend time with your family.

It is when the services you pay for run your life and you begin to rely on them too much.

For example maybe you pay for the following on a monthly basis:

house cleaning
landscaping
nail salon
hair salon
laser/waxing
babysitting
grocery deliver
fitness coach
dog walker
car maintenance
handyman

The list can go on and on. We pay for services that make our life easier. And I am not knocking them I am say if you can limit them you will be saving money.

7. Glitter & Glass

Stop buying stuff to impress people. As the saying goes “stop buying stuff to impress people, you don’t even like.” You don’t need the glitter and the glass to show your worth.

You are unique and well gifted and you should be proud of what you have. People, quality people, people you want to be around will be there no matter the name brand of your jeans.

Saving money

This list of seven things above is just the tip of the ice berg. Once you truly look at where you are spending your money you will formulate a list of your own.

Things you can stop buying to save $10, $100 or $1000. You can learn what we stopped buying to save over $1000.

Related Posts:

Vacation time

Holidays are another place you can spend a lot of money. Money that can be saved simply by making smarter money choices.

Hotel expenses is at the top of my list when it comes ways to save money. My preferred way to travel is to stay in short term rental homes.

I have family that travel all around the world using Airbnb. Apartments, cottages, homes, seaside villas, you name the location and Airbnb has a rental for you.

Airbnb vacation rentals are usually comparable or cheaper than a hotel, plus a you get more room and usually a kitchen (which means more savings on meals).

Flights and actual travel it all depends on your departure location and your destination. Travel points are a great way to save money.

Searching for sales and talking to a travel professional are great as well.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

October 31, 2018 by Saving and Simplicity

From Bump To Baby Ten Gifts For Mom

Congratulations on your pregnancy or new addition.

I understand that you may be reading this post during your pregnancy or after your new baby has arrived. Or you may be reading this article in search of a great gift for a new mom.

Either way you will find some great resources to help mom stress less, save money, sleep a bit more and feel great.

Pregnancy is an amazing journey.

For some it may be real easy and for others it can be filled with ups and downs. No matter your journey, cherish it as your own.

Don’t rush to buy every new gadget, toy, bib, stroller and crib accessory you have your entire pregnancy to figure it all out.

Also you don’t need everything they say you need and you don’t need it all right now. If you want to shop and explore most baby stores have an online registry you can search through.

Amazon has an amazing collection of baby items and you can start a baby wish list or baby registry for the items you like. Then when you are ready click, buy and have it all delivered right to your door.

Free stuff for you and baby.

Who doesn’t like free stuff? Let’s face it babies can get expensive so take advantage of the free samples and trials. Figure out what you like and don’t like.

We found some great free items for you to try. Please note that these free trials can change at anytime and are offered by the companies listed not by Saving & Simplicity.

Online retailers that will provide you with free samples for setting up a registry. Some may require a small purchase.

Target

Amazon Baby

Ten gifts for Mom:

Let’s face it pregnancy can be a bit of work. With the hormones, the body changes, the doctor appointments and the need for sleep.

During these nine months Mom needs some special loving care. Even if it is an extra thirty minutes of sleep or someone else making dinner. A good foot rub would be nice too.

So how do you spoil a Mom to be in all the right ways. Checkout the list below for 10 great bump to baby gifts for Mom.

1. Leachco Snoogle Pregnancy Pillow

2. Burt’s Bees Mama Bees Relaxation Kit & Belly Butter

3. Preggatinis – Mixology For The Mom To Be

4. Aveeno Baby & Mommy Essential Care Kit

5. Traditional Medicine’s Mother’s Milk Tea

6. Maternity Socks

7. Belly & Baby Massage Oil

8. Bump Boxes

9. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Lotion

10. The Whole Nine Months

I wish you an amazing bump to baby journey. Check out our selection 21 of the must have money saving baby items.

Have a great day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

October 29, 2018 by Saving and Simplicity

21 Must Have Baby Items

Are you pregnant or is someone you know expecting?

Congratulations! Life is about to change in a truly amazing way. And I am pretty sure by now you have heard “you need to buy this and you need to buy that.”

You know what they may be right. Everyone has their list of their favorite baby items.

Ones that helped Mom get more sleep and stress a bit less about the pregnancy and the expecting thing.

Your friends and fellow moms may have some great suggestions for their favorite bibs, blankets and soothers.

Baby must haves.

We are going to provide you with our favorite money saving baby must haves. Because let’s face it babies and kids in general can get expensive.

So what if you can have the perfect stroller, bottle set and designer diaper bag at a fraction of the cost?

What if there was something that could make your life so much easier but no one has told you yet? Is their help for loosing the baby weight and getting your milk supply to come in?

The answers to all of these are yes and you will find them below.

Sources for baby shopping savings.

You put it on the baby registry, asked for it for your shower and hinted it to the in-laws but you never got it.

The baby is due in _________ months and the budget is tight where do you find your baby items wants and must haves?

Amazon is an amazing source for baby items, you can even start a baby registry and share it with your friends. You can also price compare and find the lowest price for the items your require.

Used, thrift and second hand baby items are a great source of savings. But go first hand and straight to a trusted retailer for your baby car seat.

Hand me downs or baby item shares from friends are a great way to cut the cost of baby expenses.

21 Must Have Baby Items:

1. Nuby Ice Gel Teethers

2. Simple Joys By Carter’s

3. Infant Change Table

4. Regalo Baby Gate

5. Sensitive Baby Wipes

6. Infant Optics Baby Monitor

7. Avent Soothies

8. Baby Einstein Take Along Toy

9. Bottle Brush & Nipple Cleaner

10. Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Carrier

11. Metene Digital Baby Thermometer

12. Waterproof Mattress Cover

13. Sposie Booster Pads

14. Fridababy Nose Aspirator

15. Sassy Bump Ball

16. Comotomo Baby Bottle

17. Puracy Natural Baby Wash

18. Graco 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Seat

19. Pregnancy Pillow

20. Lactation Cookies

21. Trim Healthy Mama

Why buy more than you need?

Believe me when it comes to babies and kids you will purchase more than you need. It’s a given. The list above contains 21 recommended baby must haves.

100% of this list has received over 1000 positive reviews per item with moms saying the item saved them time and money.

Investigate, figure out what you need. Your needs and your baby’s needs are important .

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

October 24, 2018 by Saving and Simplicity

Save Money When Eating Out

On average the country spends over a billion dollars on eating out every month.

So it is no secret that we like to dine out. Whether is be Sunday Brunch, lunch with friends or Friday night family dinner. Eating out has its perks.

No dishes to clean up, no meal preparation and cooking. And you get to try something new. Our favorite place to dine out is our local ethnic restaurant.

There is something about traditional Indian cooking. Even if I have all the right spices and ingredients I can’t make it the same.

So once a month you will find us dining on butter chicken, curry, mango chutney, and other yummy dishes.

Eating out can get expensive.

On average a dinner meal for an adult costs $20 plus drinks and an appetizer or dessert. So for a family of 4 you are looking at a tab of $100 or more.

You could save the $100 and dine at home and get the family involved in the cooking. Plan a taco night or make your own pizza evening.

On the other hand eating out is convenient and fun. You get to sit down and visit, no rushing around the kitchen making sure the pots aren’t boiling over and you don’t have to do the clean up.

So, how do you save on the restaurant tab and still enjoy a great meal out with family and friends?

7 Ways To Save Money On Eating Out.

Below you are going to find seven simple and easy ways to save money while eating out. These are all simple ways to cut $5 or more off your restaurant bill.

1. Go early and skip the rush.

Most restaurants offer an early dinner menu that runs till 5:30 pm. It is usually a selection of three to four main dishes to choose from and includes an appetizer or dessert at a reduced price.

Honestly, these early dinner meals are great they usually run at $3 to $4 off and you get to skip the rush and enjoy a great meal.

2. Order several choices.

Variety is the spice of life. An average a dinner meal costs $20 where an appetizer could cost $6 to $8 each. Order a bunch of appetizers to share and skip the main dish.

Everyone ends up with some great meal choices and who knows there may even be leftovers.

3. Go family style.

Choose to dine at a restaurant that serves family style dishes, large portions of single items. You will find these at Chinese, Indian and other ethnic restaurants and pizza parlors.

You usually order a meat dish, a vegetable dish, rice and maybe a bread portion. Everyone dishes up what they want and there is usually leftovers for lunch the next day.

You save money this way by sharing the portions and keeping the meal simple.

Related Posts:

4. Skip the dishes and do take out.

You want to eat out and it’s a great day for a picnic. Order your favorite meal to go grab the picnic basket and head to the park. Generally to go meals are slightly cheaper than dine in meals.

If you have a local food truck this may be a great place to get your picnic food.

5. Skip the cocktails and pop.

Yes, that drink with the umbrella is great and having a pop every once in a while is okay, but not at $5 to $10 a glass. Stick to water and ask for a slice of lemon.

6. Order the special.

Most restaurants offer a meal special at a discounted price. Some restaurants will also offer a small side salad with the dinner special.

7. Sign up for the perks.

Most popular restaurants have a loyalty card or in house program, sign up and get your birthday or regular customer perks. Your local restaurant may have cheap meal nights as well.

Or maybe your local family restaurant offers Sunday Brunch Buffet till 1 pm take advantage of the choices and enjoy a Sunday out with the family.

You don’t have to cut eating out, out of your budget.

You just need to tweak your dining experience a little bit. Share a meal, skip the appetizer and order water. Or order it all to go and have a family picnic in the park.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

October 15, 2018 by Saving and Simplicity

Frugal Five

What are your frugal five this week?

What are five things you plan to do this week to help save money on your household expenses? Are you going to make all your meals from scratch?

Will you shop the store sales, bulk department and generic goods? Or will you brown bag it and bring your own coffee and lunch to work?

Or will you DIY your own soup mixes, gifts or cleaning solutions?

The frugal five.

Five simple, easy changes you can make to your week that will help you save money. We are not talking big and complicated changes like downsizing or changing jobs.

We are talking about simple changes you can make today that will affect your budget and your savings.

For example, skipping that latte you love every morning and opting for home brew in a travel mug can save you over $30 this week.

My frugal five this week.

1. Every meal breakfast, lunch and dinner will be homemade and planned.

For example dinner this week will be:

Monday – Roast chicken, carrots and rice

Tuesday – Spaghetti & meatballs

Wednesday – Chicken sandwiches & soup

Thursday – Cobb salad and garlic bread

Friday – Burgers, vegetables and dip

Saturday – Butter chicken, rice and cucumber slices

Sunday – Pulled pork, sweet potatoes and green beans

2. I will do the baking.

This week we have a big family birthday party so instead of buying a cake I will opt to make homemade cupcakes with fresh icing and fruit.

Yes, this will take some time but I will save some money in the long run and I am sure there will be a few leftover cupcakes too.

3. I am shopping local this week and scoring some cheap produce.

Locally, it is harvest season so apples are on sale super cheap at the farmers market. They make great additions to every meal and healthy snacks.

I can also preserve the season and make apple chips and apple sauce for snacking during the winter.

4. I brought along my own bags.

Simple and easy and I saved $0.05 a bag. All our local stores charge for the bags you use when you shop so I brought along my reusable bags and saved $0.05 for every one I use.

Yes, it is a small amount but would you rather save the five cents or spend it on a plastic bag you will never use again. I would rather save it.

5. I am packing my extra travel mug for tea.

I already bring my morning coffee to work in a travel mug so I skip the drive through. But I do get caught in the 3 pm need for a pick me up.

Simple solution bring an extra travel mug for tea or rinse out the morning one and brew some Chai tea in the afternoon. Have tea bags will travel.

What will be your frugal five this week?

How will you save money? Will you bring your lunch to work? Pack a few extra snacks in the car for the just in case? Will you opt to shop the discount store to save money?

Or maybe you will simply turn down the heat or wash your clothes in cold water? If you are looking for inspiration you may find your frugal five on this top money saving tips list.

Related posts:

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

October 3, 2018 by Saving and Simplicity

21 Hacks For A Stress Free Holiday

During the holidays you should feel festive and happy.

Not stressed and over worked. Wondering if everything is bought, prepared and wrapped. You shouldn’t be worrying if your guest list is growing or shrinking or if there will be enough food.

You should be enjoying ever moment of the holiday season. Even the small ones.

The holidays are for special moment.

You know the ones I am talking about. Your child’s performance during the holiday play. Or that quiet moment you get to yourself to appreciate all you have while the little ones are sleeping.

Or that moment the entire family gathers together for a festive holiday meal. And all the small meaningful moments on the in between. Everyone’s holiday moments are different.

For me the special moments are when our entire family gathers together for the holidays and all the love and chaos that comes with it.

I also truly love all the holiday bedtime stories leading up and through the holiday season. You can find some great holiday books here.

Stress free holidays.

The holidays are meant to be enjoyed. The decorations are hung, the bags are packed, the food is prepared and now it is time to enjoy.

Or not? I know that some of you, as soon as, I mention the holidays you want to run in the other direction or just apply the cruise control.

And you know what, I get it after cooking dinner for 20+ people I totally get it.

Some years I just what to plan a simple small gathering without all the chaos, shopping, cooking and wrapping.

But in the end spending time with family and friends is important. And so is cooking all our favorite dishes. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same.

In an effort to help you enjoy a stress free holiday we have researched 21 hacks to help you have the best holiday possible.

21 Hacks For A Stress Free Holiday:

1. Pin these ideas so you can reference them later.

2. Throw out the shopping list.

Yes, your child may want the latest and greatest toy or your husband may want that new tool. But really what do they need and what can you afford.

I read an article last week about a family who were doing a strictly DIY holiday this year and I think it sounds great. Homemade gifts are great, frugal and meaningful.

3. Keep and extra few gifts on hand.

You never know when you maybe invited to a last minute party and need a hostess gift or you may have an extra guest at your dinner table in need of something under the tree.

Plan ahead and grab a few extra candles or a spare bottle of wine or extra gift card just in case.

4. Focus on what is important.

I will let you in on a little secret I use to send out over 100 holiday cards to all our family and friends. My Aunts were always amazed at how organized my holiday plans were but honestly getting everything done, mailed and hand written stressed me out. So I stopped.

I decided sending the cards wasn’t important and decided to do something more meaningful with my time.

5. Have some fun.

In all your planning, organizing, shopping, cooking and cleaning plan something fun to do as a family.

And this doesn’t have to be an expensive activity. Sometimes the cheapest activities are the most fun. Go sledding or for a walk in the park or enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and your favorite movie.

Or maybe your community is planning something festive during the holiday season. Laugh and smile it’s good for you.

6. Realize that everything doesn’t have to be perfect.

Perfect is boring and this comes from a former check everything twice holiday planner. So what if all your dinner dishes don’t match, it adds character.

And who cares if you decide to serve appetizers instead of dinner at 3 pm followed by a dessert bar. Holidays are meant to be unique and enjoyed not stressed over and perfect.

7. Hold onto your rituals.

If you have special things you do during the holidays do them. Don’t let the over planning stop you.

For instance in our house we have waffles, berries and coffee on Christmas morning. All of which is prepared the night before.

I also don’t cook dinner on Christmas Day. We order out! Our big family dinner is Christmas Eve so on Christmas Day we have a yummy take out dinner from our favorite restaurant in town.

Touring the light displays and visiting local festivities are also must do’s in our holiday planning.

8. Avoid the mall.

Yes, you read that right avoid the chaos. Last year was the first year that I ordered all my gifts online minus a few stocking stuffers and DIY gifts.

Can you hear all the stress floating away? Don’t get me wrong, shopping is great but the mall during the holidays NO WAY.

You can practically order just about anything online and have it shipped right to your door. I love Amazon and I will let you in on my shopping secret.

In the few months leading up to the holidays I surf the web with my husband and son and book mark all the stuff they say they might like.

Then one afternoon before the holidays I shop, click and purchase all the items without even leaving the house.

Bonus, it all arrives in boxes so no rummaging through bags to figure out who is getting what, no sneaking peaks. In fact I can store gifts in plan site and get away with it.

Related Posts:

10. Ask the experts.

That’s why they are there. Every big box store and little boutique store has an in house expert there to help you with your gift and assembly questions.

For example, I know nothing about power tools but Home Depot has an expert on staff that can help answer my gift questions.

And most specialty toy stores will offer product assembly if you require. You will also find that most malls offer gift wrapping services to help save the time and hassle.

11. Don’t forget to ask for help.

In fact most guests would like to help prepare the meal or bring something to the party than arriving empty handed.

And those cookies you have been thinking about making I am pretty sure your kids would gladly help with the baking.

Divided it up and give everyone a job. Or make it a group activity, get everyone involved in the decorating.

12. Take advantage of time savers.

Nobody needs to know that you didn’t make that yummy chocolate cheesecake for dessert or that you had the mall wrap all your gifts or the outside lights were hung by the neighbor.

Take advantage of time savers. They are the prefect stress savers.

13. Use what’s on hand.

Sure the store holiday flyers are appealing and all that sparkly makes you want to go shopping but if you have all the decorations from last year who says you need to go buy more.

14. Do your pre-holiday dinner prep.

My Mom is famous for this, she precooks the holiday turkey and ham the day before our festivities so that she has more time to visit with our 20+ guests. We also do all the slicing and dicing of vegetables the day before.

If you can prepare part of the meal ahead of time do so. Also if you have time to DIY your gifts and do all the wrapping months before that saves you all the time and stress.

15. Keep it informal.

Let your holiday guests know that dinner is casual. This means no stressing about the what to wear. Let your home be inviting and stress free.

16. If you can set it and forget it do so.

You want the house to smell great during the holidays and you want fresh apple cider for drinking. Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it work it’s magic.

I have heard that Instant Pot mashed potatoes are the way to go. I love my Instant Pot it is a huge time saver. I will definitely be using it during the holiday season.

17. Prepare the furry family for guests.

Take the dog for a walk before guests arrive. Have their favorite treats on hand. Inform your new guests that an animal resides in the house so they won’t be surprised.

18. Make space for guests.

The holidays mean more guests, which means clearing some space for coats and shoes in the closet. It may also mean adding an extra bed and linens.

Make your guests stay as smooth and stress free as possible by making room ahead of time and having extra essentials on hand.

19. Stock up on staples.

Make sure your pantry staples are stocked for all the baking and making about to take place. Also stock up on all the essentials including toiletries and laundry soap. No one wants to go grocery shopping on Christmas Eve. At least nobody I know.

20. Draw up a budget and a plan.

Figure out what you can afford to do and how much you intend to spend on gifts. Are you throwing a big family dinner or a small appetizer open house tree lighting celebration.

21. Take time for you.

Remember to take some time for you in all the holiday preparations. Run a relaxing bath, take a yoga class, grab coffee with friends.

Relax and enjoy your holiday.

Cynthia,

Saving & Simplicity

October 1, 2018 by Saving and Simplicity

7 Luxuries Under $10

Life needs a little luxury.

But it doesn’t have to break the bank. I am talking little things every once in a while. Little pick me ups.

Maybe you need them daily or weekly or maybe after a really long stressful week you need them all.

Little things that brighten your day and make all the crazy, busy life stuff worth it.

Little luxury locations.

You may find your luxuries at the corner coffee shop or in a candy box or wrapped in a blanket with a good book.

Luxuries are unique to the person. I find luxury in good chocolate, great coffee and a few minutes of quiet.

Below you will find a list of 7 luxuries that are only a click away. And if you have Amazon Prime they will be delivered in two days.

7 Luxuries Under $10:

1. Chocolate… what else do I need to say.

Life is always better with chocolate and when it’s creamy dark and melts in your mouth it is even better. Lindt Excellence – Touch of Sea Salt chocolate bar is divine.

It’s just the right amount of salt and cocoa to balance out even the most stressful of days.

2. Coffee…mornings are always better with coffee.

Smooth, sweet and balanced to help you approach your day. Or maybe you are an afternoon pick me up coffee drinker or an evening cup and conversation type.

Peet’s Cafe Domingo Medium Roast Coffee is a great way to start your day. Fresh quality, brews the best cup of coffee. This medium roast is smooth and aromatic blend of Latin American Coffee.

3. A good book makes the day.

I always end the day reading a great book and my son does the same. Its a great way to quiet the mind, relax and unwind. Maybe learn something new or expand our imagination.

Currently I am reading Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis and this book is great. I think every woman and man on the planet should read it. You can become who you want to be.

The kindle version is within the budget of $10.

4. Massages that make you melt.

Sometime we just need a great back rub. Feel your tension and stress melt away with the Luxury Jade Roller.

This double sided authentic jade roller can be used for facial massage or body lymphatic massage. Heal your mind and body.

5. Sometimes a good bath is all you need.

Stretch out and unwind in a warm bath with lavender and chamomile Aqua Spa Bath Oil.

Add a couple of cucumber slices to reduce the puffy eyes and you have a relaxing spa afternoon or evening.

Bath oil will help replenish your skins moisture and lavender will help relax you.

6. Sometimes we just need something pretty.

Who says something pretty must cost the world. Bracelets are a great addition to any outfit and a little bit of luxury to add to your day.

This multi-layer leather and sparkle bracelet by 17 mile is a great piece of luxury.

7. Great smells are a little bit of luxury.

Even better when they help you relax and unwind. If you have trouble sleeping at night add a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil to a tissue and place it in your pillowcase just before bed.

This trick works wonders even on my worst insomnia nights. Lavender essential oils can also be added to a diffuser or bath for the relaxation benefits.

Life’s little luxuries.

Don’t need to break the bank. Simple, easy bits of luxury that cost less than $10 each. Sometimes in life it’s the simple things that are the best.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

September 26, 2018 by Saving and Simplicity

50 Healthy After School Snack Ideas

After the bags are unpacked and the shoes are put away snacking is on the agenda.

Today we are talking about healthy after school snacks for your little ones. Kids love coming home to easy access snacks after school.

My best advice is to prepare a few of these snacks ahead of time and have them available. Opting to have cut up vegetables, fruits or other healthy snacks available promotes healthy food choices.

Also having dips and spreads on hand and allowing your child to prepare their own snacks helps promote interest in cooking and healthy eating.

Snack rotation.

Below you will find a list of 50 healthy after school snack ideas. A great idea to save money and keep it interesting is to have a snack rotation.

This week have one collection of snacks available and next week have another collection of snacks available. Change up the after school snacks from the ones you sent in today’s lunch.

You can also have mini versions of meal leftovers available for snacks. Such as sliders or a mini quiche or section of waffle with nut butter and bananas. Keep it simple and keep it interesting.

Variety is the spice of life.

50 Healthy After School Snack Ideas:

Vegetable Slices & Dip
Carrot Sticks and Hummus
Cucumber & Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches
Sliced Cheese
Crackers and Spread
Apples & Nut Butter
Yogurt
Cottage Cheese & Pineapple
Popcorn
Tortilla Chips and Salsa
Nuts
Trail Mix
Sliced Meat
Roasted Chickpeas
Muffin Bites
Hard Boiled Eggs
Avocado Toast
Oranges
Berries
Celery & Seed Butter Spread
Cherries
Kiwi
Peaches
Seed & Nut Protein Bars
Pears
Smoothies
Small Salad
Bell Peppers & Ranch Dressing
Melons
Snap Peas
Coconut Chips
Chia Pudding
Yogurt Parfaits
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Homemade Granola Bars
Energy Bites
Fruit Leather
Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Frozen Chocolate Bananas
Homemade Popsicles
Apple Chips
Vegetable Chips
Guacamole and Tortilla Chips
Grapes
Fruit & Cheese Kebobs
Beef Jerky
Oatmeal Cookies
Quesadillas
Muffins
Sweet Potato Chips

Saving money on your snacks.

Having a full variety of snacks on hand is great, but it can get costly. Save money by shopping your store flyers, bulk buying or making it from scratch.

Keep track of what you have and mix and match. Who says you can’t have roasted pumpkin seeds in your homemade trail mix or sunflower butter with your apples?

Use what you have, improvise and get your kids involved. Shop around and save money.

Have a great day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity