Frugal Living - Treasures and Memories, Frugal Style

Making memories and cherishing our loved ones can be done without spending a lot of money. Utilize a little creativity, focusing on the interests, needs and “likes” of your loved one. What inspires or makes them feel special? Once you’ve started, you’ll find that the littlest things, when least expected (or most needed) make all the difference.

Today's Frugal Living includes - ideas to get you thinking. Create, implement, revise and repeat. You’ll be sure to be a blessing to those around you. Be sure to enter for your chance to WIN today's giveaway from Kathy Peel, one of my favorite organization authors.

Add Joy and Love to Your Child’s Day:
Lunch Box Jokes & Notes
Author, Trish Berg (TrishBerg.com):

Does the morning rush have you down? You get your kids up, dressed, fed, and ready for school, then, with 5 minutes to go, you remember that your child needs a lunch packed- YIKES! Here’s a simple way to pack some LOVE in with that PB & J.

Simply download these lunch box jokes and notes by clicking the icon on the right, print them out, cut along the dotted line, and keep them in your kitchen desk drawer. When you pack that lunch, you can toss in a quick joke or love note to make your child smile and remember that he or she is loved by you! Go ahead - pack some LOVE along with those lunches, Mom!

http://www.trishberg.com/html/freestuffformoms.html

Author and speaker Trish Berg reminds moms to keep it simple and keep it biblical. In the midst of sleep deprivation and Cheerio dust, she wants moms to embrace the wonder and privilege of being a mom.

Trish has written for Today’s Christian Woman, CBN.com, Focus on Your Child, MOMSense Magazine, P31 WOMAN, and Hearts at Home. She was also featured as a mom expert in Woman’s World Magazine in 2007.

Saying, “I love you” can be done in other inexpensive ways.
The following are excerpts from the book, “52 Simple Ways to Say “I Love You”, by Stephen Arterburn & Carl Dreizler:

*”One Day at A Time”: Purchase a nice blank journal (with enough pages for a month). Write the date numbers only, so that this gift can be re-read any month of the year. Write a brief thought, compliment, or other encouraging note on each page. Tell your loved one what you love about them and why they are special to you. Thank them for the blessings they bring to your life. Once you have completed the journal, write a card that explains that they can only look at each page on the day indicated- no fair looking ahead!). This personalized journal gift idea can be adapted for a child by including drawings, pictures (either drawn, cut from magazines, or family photos), jotting down little riddles, or offering a special “gift” for the day (hugs, special activity together, etc.)

* Communicate Your Love, Creative Ways to Say “I Love You”:

-“Auto Mate”: Record messages or favorite songs of your loved one on CD. Surprise them by placing this in their car, to send them off on their day with your thoughts of them. Another day, leave their favorite treat for them in their auto or simply a little note of encouragement.

-“Extra, Extra!”: Using Microsoft Publisher (or other software), create a newspaper, featuring funny stories, news items about their recent accomplishments, life stories, and interviews with others about how your loved one is special to them. Include other family members in the creating of the stories, to give your loved one a view of themselves from the people in their lives. Include photos, their artwork (or yours), and perhaps include a “Coupon” for a special treat or pampering. (This idea was “updated” and added to, from how it appears in the book, to reflect ‘modern” software and this reviewer’s creativity.)

“52 Simple Ways to Say I Love You” will inspire you. Try a few of the ideas in this book, and pass along the habit of telling someone “I Love You” to your friends and children. For years to come, others will feel loved and special.

Frugally prepare to Surprise the One You Love:

*Begin to acquire a “gift closet”. When you’re out shopping and find something that reminds you of someone you love (on sale, end-of-season, garage sale-ing, etc. will help with the saving money goal), buy it and put it away for just that right moment. Your anticipation of presenting the gift, and having it ready whenever the need strikes will make gift giving more fun. Creating a “gift closet” will prevent that last minute chaos to find a gift. Keep track of your gift inventory in your home organizer notebook, journal or other place you’ll remember to look. (SavingCentsEveryday.com).




Frugal Quote for Thought: "Each day we make deposits in the memory banks of our children."
Charles Swindoll


Frugal Reading Review:

“Cheap Talk with the Frugal Friends”, Angie Zalewski and Deana Ricks

As one reviewer, quoted on the back cover states, “This is a Free Book…you’ll put real money back into your budget! (Greg Compton) Sit down with Angie and Deana for a generous helping of getting daily life done, for less. Whether you’re looking for ideas for “Romance Without Debt”, “Tightwad Gardening”, “Creative Recycling”, or “Money-Saving Munchies”, this book will inspire you. Recipes, thought-provoking frugal quotes, and tons of practical advice are included. Of particular note:
“Zingy Hawaiian Chicken”:
1 Roasting Chicken
1 Cup teriyaki sauce
1 Can pineapple (chunks or crushed)
1 Can stewed tomatoes with green chilies (or fresh garden tomatoes and jalapenos).
Place all ingredients in a crock pot and cook 6-8 hours on low
Serve with potatoes, rice or noodles.

A chapter in “Cheap Talk With the Frugal Friends” ends with this endearing quote: “Mommy, sometimes you just need to relax a little bit and make mud pies.” – Josie Trager, age 3


Frugal Giveaway: :

Today's moms are juggling lots of tasks—chauffeuring your kids, paying the bills, getting dinner on the table, helping with homework and planning special occasions, to name a few.

When you have questions, you need answers you can trust—fast!

The Busy Mom’s Guide to a Happy, Organized Home is the ultimate reference book with the information you need to succeed at the most important job you’ll ever have.

Kathy Peel, America’s Family Manager, offers solutions to frequently asked questions plus hundreds of ways to make every day easier. It’s an indispensable guide to managing your home and family, and developing your God-given potential.

Quick access to essential information

Organized topically by the 7 departments you manage

Secrets for family team building

Trusted advice for modern moms

Helpful charts and checklists to simplify daily tasks

24/7 MOMS and Kathy Peel are giving away a copy of the Busy MOM's Guide. To enter for your chance to win, enter your name and email address in the box below you will be signed up for today's giveaway as well as be added to the 24/7 MOMS E-list (if you are not already a 24/7 MOMS subscriber).





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Upcoming Wednesday: “Wiser Consumer Wednesday”