Post by benshelpmeet on Jul 20, 2006 9:12:36 GMT -5
Dear sisters,
I found this article and thought she sparked some good ideas here! I hope you enjoy it too!
Budget cutting tip's for ''Family and Home''
While this is more general of a subject than the others, it still has a big impact on the budget. There are some things that you can do to cut costs that for me just don't work (either I hate to do them, or they drive my husband nuts). :-) For us I try to pick and choose what works and not worry about the rest. My focus is always to be the best steward I can be.
I have found that for cleaning most of what is on the shelves in the store I can do without. I mop my floors with vinegar and water, and mix my own window cleaner. So much of what we "need" is simply believing the advertisers on TV. This does not mean that I never buy commercial cleaner. But I do pick and choose the ones I buy.
We try very hard to make both cards and presents for family and friends. I have invested in stamps, scissors, and inks and now my kids love to make cards, bookmarks, and just about anything else they can dream up. It is a case of the up front costs being worth it in the end. :-)
We also use the free email cards for every one we can. It is fun to get a card through your email (we still give most people a regular card too).
You can make all kinds of great gifts for very little. Cookies in a jar, bath salts, soup mixes, spice mixes, jellies. How about making a huge pot of spaghetti sauce, then canning it in cute jars. Add a bread mix (or loaf of fresh bread) and some spaghetti in a nice basket and you have a great gift.
Or for a family that has just had child number 4 how about a basket with different ice cream toppings, cherries, nuts, banana's and, of course, the ice cream. It will thrill the older (well older than the newborn) family members. :-)
I love to put some thought and time into gifts.
Also look at what you do for family activities. One of our favorites is to pack a picnic and head to the Boise Green Belt. Rich fly fishes in the Boise River, the kids are all over the place on roller blades and I am loving life with whichever book I am reading. We are all doing something we love, together. And when we leave everyone is thrilled.
The only thing we pay for that night is the picnic. :-) I take used water bottles, rinse them out and freeze them half full. Then they are ready for the next outing. Or when Drew thinks he needs one to play basket ball in the driveway. Either way we are all happy. :-) At the beginning of the summer I buy a pack of them at Costco. They will last us all summer.
Also I keep a blanket and chair in the trunk of the car. You never know with our family when we will be back at the park (Rich loves to play softball and has played on teams for years). :-)
By looking at what activities we enjoy, where we spend our money, and what we truly "need" we have found ways to cut corners and make room in our budget.
One of the most important things is to stay organized. Don't let your life take control, or maybe for most of us I should say your kids. :-)
Remember to take the time to take a bath. And your husband should get as much attention as possible. :-) We all get so busy that sometimes we forget to just enjoy the important things. Pamper yourself and your spouse, you will both notice the benefits.
Please feel free to add your helpful ideas to this thread!
I found this article and thought she sparked some good ideas here! I hope you enjoy it too!
Budget cutting tip's for ''Family and Home''
While this is more general of a subject than the others, it still has a big impact on the budget. There are some things that you can do to cut costs that for me just don't work (either I hate to do them, or they drive my husband nuts). :-) For us I try to pick and choose what works and not worry about the rest. My focus is always to be the best steward I can be.
I have found that for cleaning most of what is on the shelves in the store I can do without. I mop my floors with vinegar and water, and mix my own window cleaner. So much of what we "need" is simply believing the advertisers on TV. This does not mean that I never buy commercial cleaner. But I do pick and choose the ones I buy.
We try very hard to make both cards and presents for family and friends. I have invested in stamps, scissors, and inks and now my kids love to make cards, bookmarks, and just about anything else they can dream up. It is a case of the up front costs being worth it in the end. :-)
We also use the free email cards for every one we can. It is fun to get a card through your email (we still give most people a regular card too).
You can make all kinds of great gifts for very little. Cookies in a jar, bath salts, soup mixes, spice mixes, jellies. How about making a huge pot of spaghetti sauce, then canning it in cute jars. Add a bread mix (or loaf of fresh bread) and some spaghetti in a nice basket and you have a great gift.
Or for a family that has just had child number 4 how about a basket with different ice cream toppings, cherries, nuts, banana's and, of course, the ice cream. It will thrill the older (well older than the newborn) family members. :-)
I love to put some thought and time into gifts.
Also look at what you do for family activities. One of our favorites is to pack a picnic and head to the Boise Green Belt. Rich fly fishes in the Boise River, the kids are all over the place on roller blades and I am loving life with whichever book I am reading. We are all doing something we love, together. And when we leave everyone is thrilled.
The only thing we pay for that night is the picnic. :-) I take used water bottles, rinse them out and freeze them half full. Then they are ready for the next outing. Or when Drew thinks he needs one to play basket ball in the driveway. Either way we are all happy. :-) At the beginning of the summer I buy a pack of them at Costco. They will last us all summer.
Also I keep a blanket and chair in the trunk of the car. You never know with our family when we will be back at the park (Rich loves to play softball and has played on teams for years). :-)
By looking at what activities we enjoy, where we spend our money, and what we truly "need" we have found ways to cut corners and make room in our budget.
One of the most important things is to stay organized. Don't let your life take control, or maybe for most of us I should say your kids. :-)
Remember to take the time to take a bath. And your husband should get as much attention as possible. :-) We all get so busy that sometimes we forget to just enjoy the important things. Pamper yourself and your spouse, you will both notice the benefits.
Please feel free to add your helpful ideas to this thread!
