Tuesday Tips - Saving Money on School Supplies

Here are 7 ways to save on school supplies from Passion for Savings.

VERY IMPORTANT:  Check out #6 and print the Back to School Price List so you KNOW you are getting a good deal!!!

Monday Munchies - Jello Cookies (and play dough)

I think this would be such a fun project to do in the kitchen with my daughter! Of course she's only 17 months old, so I may need to wait a little while, but it's definitely on my radar for later! Apparently the cookie dough is good as play dough also - so let your child play with some of the dough, form it or cut it with a cookie cutter and then bake it!

Source: iheartnaptime.net via Anouk on Pinterest

This weeks coupon match-ups.

Here are this weeks coupon match-ups:

CVS deals courtesy of Money Saving Mom.

Walgreen's deals courtesy of Deal Seeking Mom.

Target deals courtesy of The Krazy Coupon Lady.

Freelance Friday - Pursuing your children's friends

I enjoyed this article from RooMag.com about Pursing Your Children's Friends.  Great, simple and important ideas.

Toddler Thursday - Painting with Nature

Check out this fun post from No Time for Flashcards on Painting with Nature!!

Wacky Wednesday - Tupperware

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Anouk on Pinterest

Tuesday Tip - 25 at-home science experiments

These all look like so much fun that I pinned this on my Pinterest board to save for when my daughter is older. If your kids are starting to get bored and you can't wait for them to get back into the routine of school, these might be a fun way to count down the days until school starts and learn something in the process!

Source: blogs.babble.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Monday Muchies - BLT Deviled Eggs

Who doesn't love a deviled egg?!  This is a great variation on the usual deviled egg . . . a BLT deviled egg.  YUM!

This week's deals and coupon match-ups

Here are this week's deals and coupon match-ups!

CVS by The Frugal Girls


Walgreens by The Frugal Find

Target by My Frugal Adventures

Toddler Thursday - The Olympics!

We have been doing a study on the Olympics this summer and are getting the kids geared up to cheer on Team USA!!!  The first thing we studied was some of the Olympic symbols.

Then we made these paper plate Olympic rings!

Go USA!

Freelance Friday - Date ideas

I love this idea of a "date jar" - especially since it has ideas for different budget times. For us, some months are better than others as far as "extra money" goes, so these ideas are great! Plus, for an indecisive person like me, it would be super helpful!

There are 3 categories: 1. dates that take a little more money and planning, 2. cheap dates that don't take much planning and 3. "stay at home" dates that take no money. Go check it out on Life in the Green House blog!

Source: lifeinthegreenhouse.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Wacky Wednesday - Lose your phone?

Source: someecards.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Tuesday Tips - Laundry Soap

I recently tried my hand at homemade powder laundry soap and I LOVE it!  It took me maybe 10 minutes and has 4 ingredients (actually 3 I left out the lavender oil only because I didn't have any and I needed laundry soap asap!) Go here for the recipe.

Also, a fantastic tip on the same website is using white vinegar in the laundry in place of fabric softener.  I have noticed a difference and vinegar is so much cheaper.

Monday Munchies - Shakes for Breakfast?

If you like Chai and you like the idea of a shake for breakfast, this post is for you. This "shake" is quite a bit healthier than most and sounds delicious to me, especially for breakfast! I'm going to have to try it out!

Source: chocolatecoveredkatie.com via Anouk on Pinterest

This weeks coupon match-ups . . .

Here are this weeks coupon match-ups:

CVS courtesy of Deal Seeking Mom.

Walgreen's deals via Stretching a Buck.

Target deals via Totally Target!

Freelance Friday - Bubble Snakes

This is a fun idea to try!  Bubble snakes!!  It's on our summer to do list.

DIY Giant Bubble Snakes from Confessions of a Homeschooler

or

Colored Bubble Snakes from Housing a Forest

Toddler Thursday - Water Balloon Target Practice

Grab some chalk and fill some water balloons and have some fun with water balloon target practice!

Wacky Wednesday - Spider?

Source: sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net via Anouk on Pinterest

Tuesday Tip - Frame within frame pictures

Do you need a fresh idea for picture taking? I thought these two ideas were pretty ingenious! Whether for an anniversary or for a "4 generations" picture, the possibilities are endless!

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Anouk on Pinterest

Monday Munchies - Mini Meatballs

These are some deliciously easy mini meatballs:

8 oz. mushrooms, finely chopped
1/2 c finely chopped onion
2 T olive oil, divided
1 egg
1/2 c whole wheat bread crumbs
1 lb. ground turkey
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. salt

In a large skillet, cook mushrooms and onions and 1 T of olive oil over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender and starting to brown, stirring once.  Remove and set aside to cool slightly.

In a bowl, beat egg with a fork.  Stir in bread crumbs, turkey, garlic powder, and salt.  Stir in mushroom mixture.  Shape into 12 to 15 balls. 

Now you can either cook on the stove top or in the oven.

Stove top:  Heat remaining 1 T olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat.  Add meatballs.  Cook 10 minutes or until done.

Oven:  Omit the last 1 T of olive oil and put in a foil lined pan with sides and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

This weeks coupon match-ups!

Here are this weeks coupon match-ups:

CVS Deals from Stretching a Buck.


Walgreen's Deals from Common Sense with Money.

Target Deals from Totally Target.

Freelance Friday - 30 Questions

I found this list while browsing on Pinterest . . . and thought that it might be a good idea for long rides in the car with my husband (like we will be taking this week). Or these could be fun questions to get conversation (and laughter) going on a date night - you might be surprised at the new things you find out about your date / spouse!

Toddler Thursday - SLIME!

Who doesn't like slime?!  Whip up a batch with your kids and enjoy!

Wacky Wednesday - Combover

Source: dezinfo.net via Anouk on Pinterest

Tuesday Tips - Books of the Bible

Here are some great tips on helping your children learn the books of the Bible!  Thanks to ABC Jesus Loves Me.

Monday Munchies - No bake energy bites

Every heard of no bake energy bites? I posted a recipe for them last year in August . . . and found another one that I quickly tried out. If you need a quick bite of "something" to hold you over until supper (or maybe like the girl below - who must be hypoglycemic like me - to keep you from biting someone's head off), these are both great and very yummy recipes. Go check them out!

Source: shechive.files.wordpress.com via Anouk on Pinterest