Frugal Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas (A Dad’s Persepctive)

photo credit: Edgar Zuniga Jr.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Do you have your frugal gift giving list in order? Saint Valentine sure had it in for us guys when he decided Valentine’s Day would fall on February 14, less than two months after Christmas. It is a rare occasion when frugality and romance mix, but why not make this Valentine’s Day the year to celebrate frugally with some low-cost, romantic gift ideas. Warning, this is an area where frugality could be harmful to your health, so be sure you are giving these gifts from the heart, not just to save a buck.

Homemade coupon books are an inexpensive way to show your appreciation for loved ones. The design is not as the important as the content here, so don’t fret too much over the type of paper to use, the cover design, etc. Spend your time and energy brainstorming ideas and activities that really make your loved one happy. In a small booklet format, start listing those ideas, one per page. On Valentine’s Day present the homemade coupon book along with the promise to fulfill the coupon when presented. Here are a few ideas that may provide some inspiration:

- Good for One Free Car Wash

- Dad Takes the Kids For One Day

- A One-Hour Massage

- Dad Does the Cooking for One Week

- One “Chick-Flick” Date Night

- Get Out of Doing Dishes for One Week

- Spend One Week With No Television (not eligible for redemption during football season)

Plan a picnic. In some parts of the country the weather is nice enough to plan a picnic by February 14. If not, bring a coat and go anyway. Besides, cold weather usually resorts to snuggling, and that’s a good thing on Valentine’s Day. Pick up an inexpensive basket at a flea market or craft store, and prepare an assortment of your loved one’s favorite snacks at home. The menu could be as simple as some fine cheese with crackers, or homemade mini-sandwiches and a small dessert. A quick search for picnic menu ideas yields some great results. Top it off with an inexpensive bottle of wine, or your beverage of choice. Don’t forget at least two blankets (one for the ground, and one for her). Make this a surprise and add to the suspense. Load up the picnic basket ahead of time and then tell your Valentine to dress warm for a surprise date.

Take a day trip. Schedule a vacation day from the office and surprise her with a short day trip to a regional attraction. Make it a fun date – maybe a visit to an aquarium, musuem, or even the zoo. Plan ahead by ordering tickets in advance, and be on the lookout for any merchants that offer deals if you buy from them (your Valentine doesn’t have to know). Plan to eat lunch and/or dinner before visiting the attraction because food at entertainment venues is nearly as expensive as movie theatre candy.

Bottom line, it is true what they say – it is the thought that counts. You don’t have to go broke showing your Valentine with overly expensive gifts to show your love for them. In fact, gifts from the heart usually mean more to the recipient than something bought at a store, at least they do to us frugal dads.

Article can be found at Frugal Dad: http://frugaldad.com/2008/01/30/frugal-valentines-day-gift-ideas/  

Sewing With Your Children

photo credit: Andres Rueda

Sewing by hand is becoming a lost art. It is something that is often handed down from one generation to the next; it is learned. My daughters (and also my son) are taught by me, I was taught by my mom, who was taught by her mom (my grandmother) and so on… back as far as we can remember.

So, if you are able to sew, try to make time to teach your children, even if it is just enough so that they can sew on a button, mend a pair of socks, or hem a pair of pants. Sewing by hand is one of those things that cannot be learned by just watching; you MUST do it and practice it in order to learn.

If you do not know how to sew, it may be worthwhile to you to find someone that can teach you, even if it is the basics. Even boys can benefit from knowing how to repair their buttons and holes and hems.

The teacher in me is always on a search for the educational value of the things I teach my children. So, what can be learned by learning to sew? First and foremost is hand-eye coordination. Your hands and eyes must work together to thread the needle and complete the task or project. Next, math skills will be used as well. What amount of thread, cloth, buttons, etc. will be needed? You could even help your children to calculate the cost of their projects. Reading and comprehension will be utilized if your children are using a pattern book or project sheet. If a task or project is being done for someone else or as a gift to charity, your children can also learn to care for others and show kindness to bring a little joy to the life of another. All of this from a little needle and thread and some time? Yes!

So, the next time you have something to sew, try to get your children involved. There is much to be learned and you can have some memorable fun in the process.

 

About the author:    Alicia H. Tucker is a homeschool mom of three, after having taught in public schools for over ten years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Technology. She is a freelance writer and is currently working on writing her first book.

 

Valentine’s Day is Coming Soon… Are You Ready?

photo credit: tonydolor

February always has a way of sneaking up on me. I guess I am just relaxing after the hectic Christmas holiday and then all of a sudden February is here! As fast as it does seem to come each year, it is important not to forget your spouse and also your children on Valentine’s Day. This does not have to be an expensive holiday, but it should be one that you cherish with your loved ones.

Although Valentine’s Day has become a bit commercialized, we do not have to go broke showing our love to those around us. This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday so you will have more time home with your family that day than you may normally have during the typical week. That gives you even more time together to celebrate!

Trying to be frugal, but not wanting to skimp on showing my husband I love him each year on this day, I have come up with some ideas that have worked in the past. Each year, I make him cards on my computer. One is always serious and lets him know exactly how I feel about him (well… pointing out the things I love about him and not the things that drive me crazy… lol). I also make a silly card as well, something that will make him smile and maybe even laugh. In years past, I have even some up with some funny little gifts to brighten his day. One year, I took a screw and loaded it full of little nuts and washers from the toolbox and made it into a keychain. Then, I attached a note to it that said, “I’m nuts about you.”

For some special Valentine’s Day time with you children (or as a family), it might be fun to make cookies or cupcakes and decorate them. You could also plan a special Valentine’s Day meal that you can all prepare together, including making special placemats and decorations for the table. Whatever you decide to do, have fun with it and enjoy this time with your family as you share how much you love each other!
About the author:    Alicia H. Tucker is a homeschool mom of three, after having taught in public schools for over ten years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Technology. She is a freelance writer and is currently working on writing her first book.

5 Ways to Eat Black Beans for Frugal Moms

photo credit: net_efekt

by Nicole Dean

If you have a family budget worked out, you know how hard it is to stick to it without having some real concrete plans and strategies to stretch your money as far as it will go. Usually, the first area we can squeeze a few extra dollars out of our wallets is on groceries. I’d like to introduce you to your new partner in your frugal endeavor, the black bean.

If you find yourself wandering aimlessly through the aisles of your grocery store, looking for something to make for dinner that won’t break your budget, take a detour over to the black bean display and check out the price. Considering that black beans are loaded with nutrients like protein, iron, calcium, and potassium, and they are high in fiber, and low in fat and sugar, they really offer a lot of bang for your buck. It’s obvious that black beans should be a staple in every household, frugal or not. So, let’s think up a few simple meals to create with your new best friend… the black bean.

1) Easy Bean Soup

Take 1 can each of black beans, navy beans, garbanzo beans, and butter beans, open, drain and set aside. (Yes, you may substitute whatever beans you have on hand.) Now, take a large pot, pour about 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil in, add 1 cup diced onion and 1 cup finely diced celery. Over medium to medium low heat, cook until celery is transparent. Then add 1 clove garlic, crushed, and let cook for a minute or so. Now pour all your beans into the pot along with 1 small can of diced tomatoes, use seasoned tomatoes if you wish, and 1 small can of chicken broth. Cook nice and slow so it’s just simmering for 20 minutes or so. Soup’s on!

2) Multi Bean Salad

Pick your favorite canned beans like, black beans, garbanzo beans, navy beans, butter beans, waxed beans, kidney beans, and any others that you may like to try. Drain and rinse them all very well. Put them in a nice big serving bowl. Add to the salad bowl some chopped onion, celery, chives, fresh parsley, rosemary if you like, thyme, or any other herb on hand. Season by sprinkling a good vinaigrette salad dressing all over and mixing in well. I prefer for this salad Paul Newman’s Balsamic Vinaigrette; it’s reasonably priced and good for a lot of recipes.

3) Simple Black Beans and Taco Sauce

My daughter loves black beans, and loves her taco sauce, too. So, the two just seemed a natural when she put them together in a bowl. Now the whole family is hooked! Just drain and rinse a can of black beans, make sure they’re drained well, then pour into a bowl and mix in some of those leftover packets of taco sauce you have laying around the kitchen. It makes a quick and tasty side dish or snack. This easy treat is worth a try even if you’re a bit skeptical. Once you’re hooked, you may want to try using some hot salsa, but just a little to add flavor, not too much sauce. Don’t forget to put some cheese on top!

4) Black Bean Salad with Cottage Cheese

Quick and simple salads are sometimes the best. In a serving bowl, put about 1 cup of cottage cheese, sprinkle some salt over the top and add a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Now, drain and rinse a can of black beans, and spoon about 1/2 cup of the black beans over the cottage cheese. Chop up some celery and sprinkle over the top. You now have a snack or side salad that delicious and nutritious, loaded with protein, iron, calcium and fiber.

5) Quick Black Bean Burrito

With just a few items you keep on hand, you can always create a wonderfully classic burrito. Grab a corn or flour tortilla, heat it up if you like, and set it on a plate. Thoroughly drain and rinse a can of black beans. Now you can begin designing your burrito with whatever you have in the kitchen. Lay some black beans on your tortilla, add celery, tomatoes, shredded cheese, onion, leftover rice or even potatoes, diced chicken, sour cream, or any food you have to eat up. I usually prefer a little more black beans with just a few other items for flavor and texture. Just add taco sauce or salsa and dig in.

These recipes are just a few ways to use the wonderful, and versatile black bean. All five of these simple black bean dishes can be tweaked easily by you to show off your individual style and to become your own family favorites.

Nicole Dean is the mostly-sane mom and owner of ShowMomtheMoney.com – a fun and informative website to help moms achieve success working from home. She welcomes you to learn more ways to save money in her Frugal Moms section. Be sure to sign up for her free tutorial for work at home moms.

Amazing Give Away at the Perfect Time

Just Recently I decided that I was going to go frugal and do it the whole 9 yards, coupons, meal planning, budget, cutting out the extra’s.   I found the most amazing and I have to tell you about it.  I have to win this because it would make my frugal living so much easier.

Here is what Julie who is holding the give away over at Free Birthday Treats Blog has to say about the amazing product she is giving away.

I’m loving this product! Invented by fellow mom entrepreneur, Wendy Krepak, the Card Cubby organizes gift cards, coupons, reward cards, game cards (like Dave & Busters), business cards, frequent flyer or shopper cards and the list goes on. I never realized how many cards I carried around until I pulled them all out of my purse to put them in my Card Cubby. It’s no wonder I can never find anything in there! So this is what I was using before - just for my coupons:

The Card Cubby can even be used as a wallet. Just insert your photo id into the clear pocket and stash the cash and credit cards inside. There is even room for a cell phone, iPod or small digital camera. It’s compact size makes it so easy to carry around by itself or tuck it away inside your purse like I do. It measures 5? wide by 3? tall and holds approximately 80 cards.

Yes, my old coupon organizer was quite an eye sore and I was forever getting frustrated with it because the flap would continually flip back over making it tough to hunt through my coupons inside and the snap to close it broke off long ago. With the Card Cubby the flap is much longer and stays flipped open and the magnetic snap closure easily secures the contents inside.

Can you Believe it she is giving this Cubby Card away to two luck winners….. Want to enter the contest and read more.  Then check out Julies site Free Birthday Treats Blo.