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Choosing lodging on a budget
When choosing a destination for your vacation, take into account the length of your stay, the location and your budget! You have several options: Stay with friends Stay in a hotel Renting a house/condo on a site such as vrbo or Airbnb Camp/rv When staying with friends, make sure to bring your hosts a gift and if you have a large family like mine, help out with groceries! Saving money on hotels If you have a credit card associated with a hotel institution like IHG or Hilton Honors, redeem points for free hotel rooms. You may need to change your plans if you realize that your original idea is too…
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A few of my favorite things : Monday Linkups with the Blended Blog
Must have booties for fall/winter A year and a half ago as part of her recommendations for the Nordstrom Yearly Sale, Audrey from Putting me Together recommended these Franco Sarto granite booties. They are now sold out but if you wear a size 11 you are in luck, Walmart (of all places) has them in that size for $29.99.I had never shopped the sale before so I added them to my cart as well as a sweater. Best decision ever! I wear them with skirts, dresses and my skinnies jeans. They were comfortable from the get go and are holding up well. Favorite new purse My sister in law has…
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Finding inspiration for outfits
While I still shop at thrift stores and stores like Target, Old Navy and Nordstrom, I am trying to curb my shopping in order to save for our upcoming trip to Europe. When I go on one of these clothes shopping freeze, I try to shop my closet and come up with new combinations of clothes. Here are several steps I use to control my desire to shop and to enjoy my clothes anew: Purge and reorganize my closet When my closet is organized and filled with only clothes that fit me and that I actually like/love, I find it easier to create new combinations. It is easier to find…
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Garage makeover
We moved into our new house about a year ago. With 4 boys, my husband’s tools and my old teaching stuff, our garage has had periods of relative organization but without shelving this is what it eventually looks like: Without shelves there is really no way to keep things organized. I enrolled the help of my husband to make some shelves for all of our junk! I needed shelves for the kids’ craft supplies, their outside toys, my tubs of school supplies and husband’s miscellaneous items and space to park riding toys and bikes and toys such as soccer balls and nerf guns. With the help of a you tube…
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Saving money on food while traveling in the US
When we go on vacation to the beach, the grocery store options are limited or not in close proximity. We would rather spend money on a fun excursion than on paying twice the amount on our groceries for the week. Plan Plan most of your meals: what will you eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Which items are pricier and which items do you already have in your pantry http://passionatepennypincher.com/2017/03/free-editable-menu-plan-grocery-list/ Bring Bring your staples and more expensive items from home: I usually do a quick run at Aldi for items I know will be cheaper there and I also buy items so as steaks or what we plan to grill…
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Kids size shoes!
Today’s post is a short one but is a little nugget of gold. If you wear a women’s size shoe 7 or smaller, did you know you can shop in the kid’s department? I have found that useful and budget friendly when wanting a pair of brand name shoes such as Keen or Hunter boots. For a while I wanted to purchase some Keen water shoes but did not want to spend the $80 to $120 price tag so I shopped in the kids’ section and found a pair for $50! I ended up with 2 pairs and use them on hikes, water rafting trips and walk! The same with…
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Brownie and fruit triffle
Oh Yum! A few years ago, my friend Matushka Joana made a dessert for a special occasion. And it was delicious! It involved cream, chocolate and fruit which is a recipe for success! Now with 4 boys running around in my house, for me to like a recipe, it has to be easy. It is very distracting to try to cook or bake while you have an 18 month old try to be held, boys wrestling or quesioning you in the background. Thankfully this dessert is oh so simple ! Of course, I had to ask her for the recipe. And now I am sharing it with you: Brownie fruit…
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Save money on food while traveling abroad
When we travel abroad, we often spend time with friends which really helps our food budget. We do try to help with groceries since we have a large family. Some thinking ahead does help with not blowing your vacation budget on food. breakfast Choose a hotel or a B & B that includes free breakfast. If renting a house or apartment or if your hotel does not include breakfast, go to a local bakery or grocery store and purchase some bread, jam fruit and pastries. Most hotels even abroad will have a small fridge lunch Limit restaurant visits. Instead buy local “fast food” or have a picnic lunch Dinner If…
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Cost per wear
Have you heard fashion bloggers talk about cost per wear? While I enjoy shopping the clearance racks and thrift shopping, I do occasionally buy a piece a clothing that I consider expensive or more high end. Two examples that come to mind are my Zella Out & About 2 joggers which are $65 at Nordstrom and my Ugg Australia Women’s Fierce Deco Quilt Fashion Sneaker that you can now find from $69.95 to $100 depending on your shoe size on amazon. The way I justify these items on my limited object is the cost per wear. Cost per wear is taking into account how many times you will wear an…
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Winter outfits
I decided to start this blog to share my ideas and insight about traveling and also how a stay at home mom can look cute with looking like she is trying to hard. Here are some of my winter outfits! As you can see, I typically take the time to put together a cute look including earrings and a cute shoe/boot. While I do end up added a few items to my wardrobe each season, I also try to shop my closet as often as possible and I do have clothes spending freezes when I need to get back on track! tip # 1 Go through your clothes and…