Money Gifts for Kids: Should You Give Cash Presents to Your Adult Children?

Author | December 2nd, 2023 | Kids & Money, Gifts
Do Money Gifts to Adult Kids really help them?

Will money gifts to Adult Kids really help them? Do financial bailouts enable our children and make them dependent on us as parents? Here are 8 ways to help without enabling them.

Money Gifts for Adult Kids — What Should We Do?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Money Gifts for Adult Kids — What Should We Do?2 A Retiree/ Senior Mom Helping out Adult Children3 Twelve Tips for Giving Money Gifts to Adult Kids.4 12. Consider putting it in an Annuity or other Investment5 When money gifts to adult kids need to stop!

A website visitor asked:

We have three grown … Read more »

34 Best Family Christmas Movie Favorites of All Time

Author | December 1st, 2023 | Recreation/Fun, Holidays
Christmas Movies that are Family Friendly!

This is our updated (December 2023) list of 34 Christmas Movies that are Family Favorites. They are appropriate for children, some are animated, and some will make you laugh out loud they are that funny! 

And remember that many of these are available at your public library or on Amazon Prime or Netflix for “free!” 

Do you have some family favorite Christmas movies that you watch every year?

We do! Some of our favorite family Christmas movies are the result of fond memories from our childhoods and others have grown to be Christmas favorites in recent years as they have touched our hearts. Many … Read more »

Fun Family Christmas Traditions: 9 Exciting and Inexpensive Holiday Activities

Author | November 28th, 2023 | Holidays
Family Christmas Traditions for the Holidays. 8 Inexpensive Christmas Activities

Family Christmas Traditions can occur whether your family is large or small, and young or old. Establishing traditions can enhance relationships, evoke warm feelings and create memories that last a lifetime.

Over the years, we’ve read numerous books about the value of family traditions. They add stability to the yearly calendar as the kids and grandkids eagerly anticipate and participate in the preparations for each special event.

Our Christmas Traditions really are a “month-full” of activities and routines that we’ve established over the course of many years. Here are a few of the many we have:

1. Holiday Music / Performances

TABLE OF … Read more »

How to Host a Beautiful Thanksgiving Potluck … and Save Money.

Author | November 16th, 2023 | Holidays
How to Host a Thanksgiving Potluck

Are you hosting a Potluck Thanksgiving or attending a large gathering for Thanksgiving? Here are lots of ways to save money and reduce stress when feeding a large group for Thanksgiving Dinner or being a guest at someone else’s event. We will also share menu ideas talk about what to make for a Thanksgiving potluck.

Hosting a successful Potluck Thanksgiving dinner

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Hosting a successful Potluck Thanksgiving dinner2 How Did the Pilgrims Celebrate Their First Thanksgiving Dinner?3 How You Can Celebrate Thanksgiving with Children4 The Key to a Successful Potluck Thanksgiving Dinner5 What to … Read more »

Grandparent Gift Giving Etiquette? How to Stop Excessive Indulgence

Author | December 20th, 2023 | Holidays, Gifts
When grandparents give too much. A pile of white presents wrapped with red bow.

A reader wonders how to deal with a grandparent who is overly generous. Are there rules for gift-giving etiquette?

How to Deal with An Overly Generous Grandmother

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 How to Deal with An Overly Generous Grandmother2 Helping Grandparents to be Reasonable in their Generosity3 Can a Grandparent Entitle their Grandchildren?4 Grandparents Giving Gifts with Strings Attached5 Other scenarios grandparents may encounter.6 How Should Kids Respond to Their Parents Who Want to Control with Gifts?7 Gift Conclusions

One of our Free Email Newsletter Subscribers poses this question:

How have you had to struggle over … Read more »

16 Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Adults and Kids

Author | November 14th, 2023 | Holidays
Thanksgiving Activities for Families with Kids can be Fun & Frugal.

Are you looking for some fun Thanksgiving activities for families with kids? A few of these fun activities can really make the day special and memorable.

Even with concerns about Inflation and pandemics, you can still have a fun, safe gathering, without spending a lot of money.

The activities we plan are some of the best ways to keep kids and parents engaged and looking forward to this holiday.

If everyone or most everyone participates, the fun memories created will last a lifetime.

Whether you are a kid, teen or adult, coming up with activities to share on Thanksgiving is a very doable … Read more »

Thanksgiving Grocery Sales & Deals: Discount Food to Stock Up On!

Author | November 9th, 2023 | Groceries
Thanksgiving Stock Ups - A Great Time to Capture Sales on Grocery Food Items!

Are you looking for Thanksgiving Grocery Deals? You’ve come to the right place. It’s time to stock your pantry and freezer!

Even with prices soaring due to inflation and supply chain issues, we’re still seeing some loss leaders and great sales.

Buying up Thanksgiving grocery deals is a great way to save money and make those savings last for several months.

Get Those Holiday Loss Leaders

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Get Those Holiday Loss Leaders2 Using a Freezer for Thanksgiving Deals3 Look For Thanksgiving Sale Pricing on These Items4 Annette’s Thanksgiving Menu for 20225 Thanksgiving Savings Video

Grocery retailers … Read more »

How to Prepare Your Car for Winter – Free Winterizing Checklist

Author | November 7th, 2023 | Budgeting, Car Auto
Prepare Your Car for Winter

Do you want to prepare your car for winter so you can get where you want to go safely? Do you live in a part of the country with the potential for severe winter weather?

We’ll share some of the best and least expensive ideas for what to keep in your car and how to get your car ready for winter. That way you can go over the hills and through the woods, to whomever’s house you go.

If you winterize your car, despite harsh weather conditions, you’ll still keep yourself safe and you’ll be less likely to be stranded.

Winterizing Your … Read more »

Scratch Marks on Plates? 5 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Knife Marks

Author | November 3rd, 2023 | Crafts / Home Decor, Grocery--Cooking, Holidays
5 ways to get scratch marks off of dishes.

Do you want to get rid of knife marks on plates? If you’re prepping for a party, the holidays or just want your stoneware or dishes to look cleaner and less worn, we’ve got 5 easy solutions for you.

Why Does Silverware Leave Utensil Marks on Plates?

Do you have these gray metal marks on your dishes? We couldn’t find a silverware or ceramics expert who shed light on why silverware, flatware or silverplate leaves metallic marks on dishes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Why Does Silverware Leave Utensil Marks on Plates?2 Five Ways to Get Metallic Knife Marks Off of PlatesRead more »

Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner on a Budget! 4 Tips to Save Time and Money.

Author | November 3rd, 2023 | Holidays
Hosting my first Thanksgiving Dinner - what should I do?

Here’s a free email newsletter subscriber question about hosting her first Thanksgiving.

I will be cooking my first Thanksgiving Dinner for my Family and I am overwhelmed!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 I will be cooking my first Thanksgiving Dinner for my Family and I am overwhelmed!2 Don’t Fret over Your First Thanksgiving Dinner!3 Keeping the Cost of Thanksgiving Down4 Ask people to help with your First Thanksgiving5 Set a Fancy Table for Your First Holiday Meal6 Reader Suggestion: Cooking The Turkey Ahead of Time7 How Much Turkey Do You Need?8 How To Cook … Read more »

How to Pay for College With No Money and Without a Trust Fund

Author | November 2nd, 2023 | College & Education
How to Pay for College with no Money - College graduate

A Reader asks How to Pay for College With No Money and without a Trust Fund.

Question: My daughter is a senior in high school and is preparing to head off to college. We have no money saved for her college expenses and feel like loans are the only option we have. What should we do?

MoneySmartFamily: You have more options than you realize. Keep reading to learn about several of the easier ones.

1. Get Government Grants

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 1. Get Government Grants2 2. Find Scholarships That She Can Win3 3. Learn from A Scholarship Winner4 … Read more »

Medical Cost Sharing? The Complete Guide to Health Share Plans to Save Money

Author | November 1st, 2023 | Medical / Health
Mom holding a baby's hand - medical cost sharing.

Many people have asked what the difference is between Health Share Plans and traditional Health Insurance.  We’ll answer many questions about the medical cost-sharing industry in this article.

Things like:

What’s the Difference Between Medical Cost Sharing and Traditional Insurance?

How Long Has Medical Cost Sharing been around?

What types of things do cost-sharing programs cover and not cover?

How much can you save with Medical Cost Sharing programs?

Who are the biggest players in Medical Cost Sharing?

See an example of what a large medical expense would cost you with a cost-sharing account.Problems with Affordable Care Act Insurance

It happens over and over again. People crying at … Read more »

Need a Key Copy Made Nearby? 21 Places to Get Duplicate Keys Made

Author | March 26th, 2024 | Housing, Car Auto
Places to get Keys Copied near you - inexpensive and quick.

Have you ever found yourself frantically searching for a ‘key copy near me’ or wondering where you can ‘get a key made near you’ after a stressful loss of keys? 

You’re not alone. We’ve been there—specifically, when we lost not one, but two auto key fobs for our Toyotas. 

The experience wasn’t just nerve-wracking; it was also unexpectedly expensive. 

In this guide, we’re diving deep into the world of key duplication, sharing over 30 places where you can quickly and affordably get duplicate keys made. 

From home and car keys to those elusive mailbox and locker keys, we’ve researched home stores, grocers, drug stores, … Read more »

The Secret Fix: How to Rehydrate Droopy Limp Carrots

Author | August 16th, 2023 | Grocery--Produce
How to rehydrate droopy limp carrots and other veggies

Have you ever purchased carrots that are rubbery, limp and droopy? Have carrots that you store in your refrigerator lost their crispness and crunchiness?

Don’t despair, your produce is not ready for the trash can or compost pile. You can rehydrate limp carrots and return them to their crisp and crunchy original condition.

Watch the video at the bottom of this page as Steve demonstrates how easy it is to fix limp carrots.

Why Do Carrots Get Rubbery and Limp?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Why Do Carrots Get Rubbery and Limp?2 How Carrots are Sold3 How We Buy Carrots4 Why … Read more »

The Ultimate Guide to 28 Most Popular Online Outlet Stores

Author | September 30th, 2024 | Budgeting
Ultimate Guide to 28 Great Online Outlet Stores

In today’s inflation-driven economy, finding the best online outlet stores is essential for consumers looking to save money without sacrificing quality.

What sets these outlets apart is not just their remarkable deals but also their commitment to customer satisfaction. 

Many of these stores boast return policies that are a breath of fresh air compared to traditional wholesalers or liquidators. 

It’s reassuring to know that when you shop at these outlets, you’re not merely taking a chance; you’re buying with confidence. If an item doesn’t meet your expectations or isn’t in great working condition, most of these stores offer a hassle-free return process that … Read more »

How To Buy A House With Bad Credit: 5 Steps to Ownership

Author | August 23rd, 2023 | Housing
Buying a home with bad credit or a low credit score is possible.

Buying a home with bad credit can really be challenging. And if you have a poor credit score it can be even tougher. If you’ve always dreamed of owning a home, but you’re struggling with saving a down payment or raising your credit score, we’ve got hope.

There are several steps you can take to repair credit, find a lender, and realize that goal of homeownership. This guide will help you find all the resources you need.

Step One: Work on Your Credit

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Step One: Work on Your Credit2 Step Two: Start Saving for Your Down PaymentRead more »

15 Ways to Wreck Your Food Budget

Author | August 17th, 2023 | Groceries
15 ways to wreck your food budget - tips for saving money

Learning to manage your food budget is one of the fastest ways to start turning around your family household budget. We see so many families practice grocery shopping habits that drive their food costs through the roof.

If you’ve never been shown how to master the art of food shopping and meal prep, don’t feel bad.

It’s a much easier game to learn than you realize.

Take the Quiz and See How You Do

Put a checkmark next to any statement that describes something you’ve said or done in the past six months:

 1) I go to the store several times each week.

Going to the … Read more »

37 Garage Sale Tips and Tricks: A Guide To Hosting Great Yard or Garage Sale

Author | August 22nd, 2023 | Shopping
Guide to hosting great garage sales

If you’re looking for Garage Sale Tips and Tricks, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve hosted and participated in dozens of very successful garage sales.

We’ve written this Garage Sale Guide to help you turn your unwanted treasures into cash. There are 37 ideas presented on this page to help you run an efficient and profitable yard sale at your home. Or to host a rummage sale for a charitable organization where you volunteer.

Hosting A Garage Sale – Where to Start

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Hosting A Garage Sale – Where to Start2 Why Host a Garage Sale?3 … Read more »

Saving on Back-to-School Supplies — 5 Black Belt Tactics

Author | August 19th, 2022 | Education
Back to School Supplies - 5 Ways to Save Big Money.

The late summer months are the best time to stock up and save money on Back to School Supplies.

Unfortunately, if you’re not careful, this can be one of the most expensive times of the year for families with young children. Why?

The reason is that back-to-school costs can really take a toll on your family’s household budget.

According to the National Retail Federation, retailers expect that consumers will shell out more than $80.7 billion during this back-to-school shopping frenzy (k-12 and college combined).

50.1 million students will attend public elementary and secondary school. So if you do the math it comes out to … Read more »

Organic Food on a Budget: 12 Secrets to Save Money and Eat Healthily

Author | August 15th, 2023 | Groceries
Organic Food On A Budget #OrganicFoodSavings #OrganicOnABudget #SaveMoneyOnGroceries

Are you looking for ways to eat healthier organic food on a budget? Have you ever asked, “How can I save money on organic food?”

We are always asked about how to save money on organics every time we do a grocery seminar or take phone calls during a radio interview on grocery savings.

Why Does Organic Food Usually Cost More?

Organic food products, on average, cost 50 percent more than standard foods. But you could end up spending 100 percent more, especially on dairy products and meat.

According to Fox … Read more »

Saving on Back-to-School Clothing — 5 Frugal Fashion Tips For Kids

Author | August 11th, 2023 | Clothes
Back-to-School Clothes: 5Frugal Fashion Tips for Kids!

We’ve got Frugal Fashion Tips for Kids when you’re shopping for back-to-school clothes. These will help your kids to look nice, be a little trendy, and not cost a fortune.

We outfitted 5 kids with wardrobes each year. We also found lots of ways for them to look fashionable while staying within our frugal spending limits.

5 Ways to Save on Fashionable Back-To-School Clothes

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 5 Ways to Save on Fashionable Back-To-School Clothes2 1: Start with a Clothing Inventory3 2: Build a List with Each Child4 3: Consider Buying Used5 4: Start Early / Finish … Read more »

Amazing! 10 Stores That Will Price Match Amazon Today!

Author | August 10th, 2023 | Shopping
Stores that Price Match Amazon - Amazon Box with store logos on it.

Do you know which stores will price match Amazon near you?

What better way is there to save money than to find retailers who will match or even beat one of the low price leaders? If you want your order TODAY or want it cheaper keep this list handy.

We’ve researched 14 of the largest retailers who advertise price matching policies and have found those who will match Amazon’s prices and a few that won’t.

Amazon’s Market Dominance

Amazon was founded in 1993 as an online bookstore. In 1998 it started to really take off and now Amazon has disrupted and transformed the retail … Read more »

12 Interesting Declaration of Independence Facts

Author | July 3rd, 2023 | Holidays
12 Declaration of Independence Facts that you may not know!

The Declaration of Independence in the United States is one of the most revered documents in our history. It was a bold statement by oppressed men and women to gain freedom from a tyrannical English government.

No matter your political affiliation or beliefs, we should admire these courageous men who willingly put their lives and fortunes on the line to overcome tyrannical leadership.

12 Declaration of Independence Facts You May Not Know

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 12 Declaration of Independence Facts You May Not Know2 12 Declaration of Independence Facts You May Not Know3 BONUS: Ages of The Founding … Read more »

Use a Crockpot for a Year and Save $3400!

Author | April 27th, 2023 | Groceries, Grocery--Cooking
Crockpot Savings - Use a Slow Cooker for a year and Save $3400

Using a crockpot for a year could save you a ton of money. But even if you used it just a few days each week, it could still save you more money than you ever imagined.  We’ll show you how this works and give you some other tips too.

This is the third of a 5-part Kitchen Tools series that will empower you to save thousands of dollars on your food budget.

What’s at stake when it comes to feeding a family?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 What’s at stake when it comes to feeding a family?2 The Savings from a Year … Read more »