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Top 10 Money Saving Blogs for Moms

May 19, 2010 By

Last year, our family came face to face with the reality of our finances.  We were spending more than we made and we were up to our eyeballs in debt.  I didn’t have any idea how we could save money on our every day purchases and expenses, but I knew we had to try!  I spent hours and hours online and discovered a whole new world, the world of frugal mom bloggers.  Over the last year, our finances have radically changed.

I’ve learned how to stretch our  budget and with these great blogs you can learn how to stretch your budget as well!

1. Money Saving Mom

Money Saving Mom is chock full of some of the best advice you’ll find about saving money.  The site includes store specific deals and coupon matchups, free samples,  and lots of great info help you learn to budget and meal plan.  It’s also an incredibly inspiring blog.  Crystal and her husband have lived frugally for quite some time and have now saved up enough money to pay cash for their first house!

2.  Keeping the Kingdom First

Keeping the Kingdom First is a great place to start if you want to make the most of the “drugstore” game.  Each week Alyssa hosts both a CVS $5 Challenge and a Walgreens $5 Challenge where she shares a few transactions which require you to spend less than $5 out of pocket while earning Extra Care Bucks (CVS) or Register Rewards (Walgreens) to use during the next week. (I had the privilege of meeting Alyssa in February at Disney World.  She was the first blogger I met “in real life”.  She’s as wonderful in person as she is on her blog.)

3.  Bargain Briana

Bargain Briana not only covers grocery store deals, she also includes deals at stores like Victoria’s Secret, Home Depot, and Old Navy.  Bargain Briana is also home to the Frugal Map, which allows you to find frugal bloggers in your state!

4. Hip 2 Save

Colin at Hip2Save is a young mom whose husband serves in the Marine Corps.  I don’t know how she does it, but she manages to not only have tons of great deals on her website, but she also does a weekly “Follow Me Monday” video which followers her on one of her frugal adventures!

5. Deal Seeking Mom

Deal Seeking Mom is full of coupons, deals, and freebies.  Tara has an incredible coupon database which is extremely useful when you are looking for a specific coupon.  She also regularly lists free Amazon Kindle downloads!

6.  Nickels-N-Dimes

Becky over at Nickels-N-Dimes is one of those people who is always giving to others.  She has put on numerous charitable events (like her annual school supply drive) which allow people to make use of the items they’ve stockpiled while helping people in the community! In 2009, she was given the Hometown Hero award for her contributions in helping her community save money as well as her involvement in the community!

7.  Money Saving Methods

Money Saving Methods is not your average deal site.  Carrie covers various ways to earn money, not just save money.  I’ve made money by opening new bank accounts and mystery shopping thanks to Money Saving Methods!

8.  The Freebie Blogger

I’m sure you can probably guess what The Freebie Blogger blogs about…freebies!  Every day there are new freebies added to the list. You’ll find magazine subscriptions, music download, free grocery and beauty items, and more!

9.  Cuponeando

Cuponeando is the premier frugal blog for the Latina community.  This site is written entirely in Spanish, although there is a button on the right sidebar that will translate the site into English for you.  Yolanda not only includes nationwide deals, but she also includes deals in Puerto Rico.

10. Simplified Saving

The author of Simplified Saving is charming and witty and…oh, right, it’s me!  If for no other reason, I think I should make the top ten list because my husband and I have been able to pay off over $50,000 of debt in less than 18 months (and most of what enabled us to pay off that much debt is knowledge from the aforementioned  blogs).

There’s nothing like getting more than what you’ve paid for and even though you’re not paying for this info, I thought I’d throw in a little bonus anyway.  Here are 10 more great Money Saving Blogs for moms!

Filed Under: Schmoozin on Moms

Give Your Stuff Away Day

May 9, 2010 By

Free stuff will be available in neighborhoods all over America on May 15, 2010. It’s an event Mike Morone is hoping to establish world-wide twice annually. The event could eventually help millions, while diminishing landfills, reducing clutter, and boosting the economy.

Many of us own valuable stuff we just don’t want anymore. But instead of giving it away or selling it, we allow it to clutter our households and businesses. Billions of great items are just wasting away, taking up space.

Wouldn’t it be cool if we could magically shift ownership of this stuff, in one weekend, coast to coast, with zero effort, little time, and at no cost?

Cool happens on May 15, 2010. It’s called Give Your Stuff Away Day and it will work (almost) like magic, as long as we promote the idea and follow common sense procedures.

On May 15, bring your valuable, but unwanted stuff to your curb. Some guidelines – no trash, recyclables, illegal or dangerous items. No food, drugs, chemicals, or weapons. Just safe, valuable items we would like to donate. Then watch the fun – or better yet, take a walk and find some free stuff you can use.

A few warnings: Give Your Stuff Away Day can get a bit messy, but it’s worth it. Trash hauling expenses could spike that week. But in the long run, fewer items in landfills equate to lower hauling expenses.

Local governments won’t like it – until they understand how beneficial it can be. Last month, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell became the first elected official to understand that. Read about it here, and please call Mike Morone if you would like to discuss this event.

Filed Under: Schmoozin on Moms

5 Childhood Movies To Share With Your Kids

May 6, 2010 By

Brand new movies are great! It’s so much fun standing in line at the theater, breathing in the buttery popcorn smell, giddy with anticipation when a new movie is released.

My children love watching the latest and greatest movies, but I just grin when I hear my children singing the songs I used to sing as a kid – “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” or “Tomorrow”. Hearing their little off-key renditions is the best music to my ears.

Have you introduced your children to the movies you enjoyed when you were younger?

Swiss Family Robinson (1960) Buy it on DVD: Swiss Family Robinson

The Robinson family gets shipwrecked near an island. With hard work and togetherness, they build a majestic tree house. They are faced with many trials – wild animals, weather, and pirates, but their ingenuity carries them through. Great family values!

The Parent Trap (1961) Buy it on DVD: The Parent Trap

Twin daughters are raised not knowing about each other, each living with one parent. They unexpectedly bump into each other at summer camp, put two and two together, and work out a scheme to get their parents back together again. This movie is just plain good fun.

Mary Poppins (1964) Buy it on DVD: Mary Poppins

Mr. and Mrs. Banks are both so preoccupied with their own interests that their children, Jane and Michael are unhappy. When the magical nanny, Mary Poppins enters their lives, she brings the family closer. Between the penguin scene, the chimney sweep dance, and the magic, your children will be entranced.

The Sound of Music (1965) Buy it on DVD: The Sound of Music
The hills are alive with the sound of music. Your home will be alive with the sound of music once your kids watch this one.

Annie (1982) Buy it on DVD: Annie
Oh, how we love Annie! The music, the dancing, the wealthy Mr. Warbucks, and a happy ending. It doesn’t get much better than that!

These five movies are a must in every family library. Share the memories, and sing the tunes. It’s ok if you’re a little off-key. I won’t tell.

Don’t miss Show Kids The Fun – a fun site to inspire parents to keep the lines of communication open with their children, making memories that last a lifetime.

Filed Under: Schmoozin on Moms

Move Over Dads, Toys Are For Moms This Year!

April 28, 2010 By

Mother’s Day is a treasured holiday that each year is celebrated with an overabundance of flowers, brunch reservations, and sappy cards intended to give moms across the nation a little well-deserved recognition. But today’s moms are drastically different than the pearl necklace and high-heel wearing housewives of yesteryear. Women have careers to juggle while simultaneously catering to their families and upholding a decent social life. Traditional gender roles are being challenged on a daily basis with the frequency of single moms, stay-at-home-dads, and the complex uniqueness of the modern family. As meaningful as traditions can be, the modern mom’s idea of a day devoted to her has changed from what it was twenty years ago.

So, it’s time to catch up with the trends and give Mother’s Day a renewed jolt. Think about your mom’s unique interests and try something unusual. Here are a few ideas that have become high demand activities of the modern woman. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Schmoozin on Moms

Schmoozins Joins Mom’s Talk Network

April 24, 2010 By

Mom’s Talk Network is pleased to welcome the Schmoozins blog into their small but growing network of Mom Blogs.

Future plans include publishing mom focused product and website reviews as well as implementing a recognition award for products created by or for moms.

If you’d like to see your product or site featured here for moms to find, just leave a comment and we’ll be in touch.

Filed Under: Schmoozin on Moms

Raising Children With Positive Self-Esteem

April 1, 2010 By

Self-esteem is important throughout life, but the foundation is laid down in the early years. It’s our job as parents to help our children build self-esteem. We may do and say things that are bad for our kids’ self-esteem without even realizing it. It is important to make a conscious effort to help them develop and maintain a positive opinion about themselves. For many, how they feel while growing up will stick with them forever whether we know it or not.

Listening to Your Child

One thing that parents often overlook is the fact that children need us to listen to what they have to say. When we don’t, they feel unworthy of our attention. And that can put a damper on their self-esteem.

Making it a point to listen fully to what your child has to say will let him know that you value his stories and opinions. Sometimes we just don’t have the time to listen at the very moment they want to talk, but it’s important to let them know that it’s not because we don’t want to. Set a time to sit down and talk if necessary, and stick with it.

When they are in the mood to chat, try and put everything down and give them your attention. I’ve been guilty of having my nose in the computer answering emails while they are talking. This isn’t setting the tone I want for a conversation and as they get more into their teen years I have to prove that I want them to continue to talk to me. I literally got to practice what I preached as I was typing this article.

When Your Child Misbehaves

When children are misbehaving, it is easy to forget about keeping their self-esteem intact. But it is very important to make the distinction between bad behavior and a bad child.

By describing the specific behavior as bad rather than telling your child that he himself is bad, you can let him know that it is not him as a person that you disapprove of. It is his actions. Children who feel that their parents disapprove of them are not only more likely to develop low self-esteem, they also tend to misbehave more.

Give the Right Kinds of Compliments

Complementing your child when he does well is important, because it reinforces both self-esteem and good behavior. But even complements can sometimes do damage. Backhanded complements do nothing but cause hurt feelings. Try to refrain from alluding to negative things your child has done when giving complements. You can accomplish much more by keeping praise completely positive.

It’s also important not to overdo the praise. While it is great to recognize the good things your child does, it is possible to put too much pressure on him. Being specific with your praise, such as telling your child you are proud of him for bringing his math grade up from a C to an A, accomplishes more than telling him that he is the smartest kid in the class or the world.

For older kids, make sure that you aren’t giving them a compliment and then telling them how they could have improved. If you have a critique then save it for a couple of hours after you give the compliment or even wait for the next day. Telling them how they could have improved as you are complimenting them can leave to feelings of inadequacy and that nothing they do is good enough.

It is important to start building a child’s self-esteem at a young age and keep nurturing it. Doing so will encourage him to be the best that he can be and to resist peer pressure. By listening to our children and keeping their self-esteem in mind at all times, we can raise them to be happy, confident people.

Filed Under: Schmoozin on Moms Tagged With: , ,

Avoid the Beach Rush This Spring Break

March 30, 2010 By

Say “spring break” and thoughts of college kids partying on the beach come to mind. But spring break isn’t just for college students, your kids are off school as well. It’s a great time for family vacations.

Spring break isn’t just about going to the beach, either. I think the reason we think of the beach first is because we’re so excited that summer is finally on it’s way.  It’s a fun option, but if the kids’ spring break falls at the same time as the colleges’, the beach will probably be quite crowded and chaotic. There are lots of other, less stressful options for families. The following are a few ideas:

Amusement Parks

Spring break is a great time to hit the amusement parks. It’s not as hot as it is in the summer, and it probably won’t be nearly as crowded. Most amusement parks have fun activities for kids of all ages as well as adults, so it will be an experience that the whole family can enjoy.

Some amusement parks have different hours during the spring than in the summer, so be sure to check ahead of time. You might also be able to find coupons that will save you money since it’s not traditionally a busy time of year.

Going Camping

Taking a trip to the wilderness is a fun spring break activity. While it may still be a bit too chilly at night to “rough it” in a tent, you could take a camper or RV. Renting a cabin is also an option in many parks.

Planning activities in advance will help prevent boredom for the kids. It’s also nice to touch base with civilization a time or two during your trip. Going out to eat or to a movie mid-week will provide a nice change of pace.  Don’t forget to bring the card and board games.

Historical Destinations

Taking a trip to an historical destination is an educational spring break option. This could entail anything from a day trip to some nearby historical places to a week-long stay in city that is rich with history, such as Washington, D.C.

If you’re planning a long trip, it’s wise to make sure that the place where you’re going has plenty of things to keep your family occupied. If you’re concerned about running out of things to do and see, consider visiting two or three different places. The kids won’t mind if you have to stop by an amusement park along the way.

With everyone heading south for the hot weather, look at the northern locations.  Typically the sun is still out and warm, but you can travel the city without the fear of sunburn, crowds and the humid weather that will hit in the summer.

The BRIDGECruises

Cruises allow vacationers to visit several destinations on one trip, usually at an affordable price. There are lots of kid-friendly cruise options for families. Some cruise packages are geared toward families with children in specific age ranges, but there are also lots of cruises that offer something for everyone.

Most ships offer a variety of onboard and excursion activities. Many also offer babysitting for younger children while Mom and Dad participate in adult activities. Some of the newer ships offer family suites.

Spring break is a great time for family vacations. But there’s no rule saying that you have to go to the beach. Research other places that make a more mellow spring break destination for families.

Filed Under: Schmoozin on Moms Tagged With: ,

Toxic Oven Cleaners

March 29, 2010 By

Necessity breeds change. As a family we’ve been doing a lot of changes with products we use. Trying to go more green and even working on using a few homemade cleaners.  Oven cleaning is not something I had changed.

Honestly, I rarely clean the oven. I don’t even know how old the cleaner was in my cabinet nor can I remember the last time I did clean the oven.  But we’ve been on a really good spring cleaning rampage and the oven ended up next in line.

I read the directions and worried about it leaking out with my little dogs around. Followed directions and sprayed the oven, careful not to get on elements or their connections. Finished that, put the paper towels in the door and shut it. I’d even been good and took out all my lids and the broiler pan from the drawer below.

Washed my hands to make sure any cleaner I did have on it was off and that’s when I could feel it.  The cleaner had been on my finger the whole time I’d been spraying. Since I was just spraying it, I hadn’t put gloves on.  If you’ve ever gotten a slight chemical burn then you probably know the signs. I won’t say exactly why I instantly knew because I know not everyone is used to hearing horror stories like I am. But then it started blistering up and you could see the indent of the spray nozzle. Crud, I’m glad hubby is home from work so we can keep an eye on it. Hospital trip wasn’t necessary, but it sure scared me.

Needless to say the cleaner has been tossed out. I’ve always hated using something that says right on the bottle it’s horribly toxic. It’s a big reason why I have never been good about cleaning the oven. Now I am researching other options.

I’ll be looking at some cleaners to purchase and homemade ideas. It was also recommended to use the steam cleaner. I sadly forgot that we have the Shark Portable Steamer.  I haven’t used it yet so it was easy to forget about. I think that is what I will try the next time since it won’t require me making an addiction purchase.  We’ll have to see how dirty the oven is next time I clean it, my teen is into cooking and baking right now.

My lesson learned is that I can’t forget to listen to my inner mom voice. I was nervous about using the cleaner and I should have gone with my instinct and found a different way to clean the oven to begin with. Nothing should be used in the house that says “no contact with skin”.

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Must-Have Spring Fashions for Teens and Mom

March 29, 2010 By

MeganParents of teenagers know how important fashion is to them. Each teen has his or her own individual style and rules of the house they need to stick to. Some love to follow the latest trends, while others have a fashion sense all their own. If you are lucky enough to be a similar size as your teen then you can join in the fun new trends. Here are some of the hottest fashion trends for women this spring:

Jump Suits and Play Suits

Oh boy, an 80′s trend that has returned. I can’t remember how many one piece short suits I had. Madonna had a big influence on my friends and I wearing the jump suits the first time. Typically in a cropped pant and then when Summer hit they hit in shorts.

Just about every look in the suits is back, except the denim overalls. This was reported to be the only look that is not in every designers line. You can go with classic lines, flowing fabrics, or even sporty hoodies.

You can’t have the 80′s styles without the big bows in your hair. These are a less expensive upgrade for your fashion this season.

Sheer Fabrics

Sheer fabrics are always a hit for Spring and Summer. It’s the season for soft flowing garments that aren’t as binding and warm and time to bare more skin.

Sheer jackets or button-up shirts in vivid prints look great with coordinating solid-colored tank tops. Scarves are also a hit this spring, and there are lots of lovely sheer ones to choose from. Sheer scarves also work as a cute belt in those hot pants that are back in style.

Metallics

Silver, gold and bronze go tribal and sci-fi. Not together I hope, although if you get it to work please send a picture ;) Metal plating and boxy cut tops. Sci-fi is probably getting it’s motivation from the odd costume choices you can see Lady Gaga wearing. I love her style and no fear of wearing what she wants, but I have to say that here in Washington it would look out of place unless hitting the club.

Maybe try to incorporate some funky belts and necklaces into your wardrobe. Always an easy way to spice up your clothes and less money spent on a quick trend.

Floral Prints

The femininity of floral prints is often seen in the spring. Large and mid-sized floral prints are all the rage for both teens and adults this season. The difference being that the floral pants and shorts are big again. I say again because I grew up in the 80′s and can remember the last time they were a major trend.

Floral prints also provide a great way to introduce color without wearing it from head to toe. White or neutral backgrounds are unobtrusive, yet when you add some brightly colored flowers to them, it really makes them pop. No more boring bottoms this season, pep it up with florals and prints.

Filed Under: Schmoozin on Moms Tagged With: ,

Dr. Seuss Inspired Kids Food

February 16, 2010 By

What child doesn’t grow up with Dr. Seuss books? We have quite a few of them lying around the house. The kids love the silly characters and the rhymes. The Dr. Seuss inspired recipes and activities that I’m about to share with you have been a great hit in our house. Of course the famous green eggs and ham are included, but there are also quite a few other snack and meal ideas. Create a fun Dr. Seuss inspired afternoon with some of these recipes and of course don’t forget to read a few of the books with your kids. (If you don’t own any, enjoy a trip to your local library.)

Green Eggs and Ham
This has to be the most famous Dr. Seuss inspired dish. Scramble a few eggs, add a couple of drops of blue food coloring to the mixture and cook as usual. You can serve a warmed up slice of ham with it, and if you want to go all out, brush the ham with a little green food coloring.
My kids love either biscuits, or mashed potatoes with this dish. Add a little food coloring (either green, or a complimentary color like red) to the biscuit dough or the finished mashed potatoes for even more fun.

Cat in The Hat Snack
Make the Cat’s Hat for a fun snack. All you need is a few Ritz crackers, gummy lifesavers (preferably in white/clear and red) and a little vanilla frosting. Put the Ritz cracker on a plate. Use a little bit of vanilla frosting to glue the first lifesaver on the cracker. “Glue” more lifesavers on top of the first one alternating between red and white.
These snacks are so cute; you may want to take a picture of your child’s creation before it is devoured.

Wiggly Fish
This snack was inspired by “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”. Prepare several different colors of Jello according to package directions and pour each flavor into a shallow pan. Use a fish shaped cookie cutter to cut the Jello into fish shapes. (If you don’t have a fish shaped cookie cutter you could also just cut fish shapes with a knife.) You can also add small pieces of fruit to the Jello mixture before it cools. This is a great way to sneak an extra serving of fruit into your child’s diet.

Pink Ink for The Yink
The Yink in “One Fish, Two Fish” love to drink pink ink. Make your own version by combining a few strawberries (either fresh, or frozen and thawed) and some milk in a blender. Add a few drops of red food coloring if the “ink” isn’t pink enough.

A Fruity Hat For The Cat
How about this for a fun Sunday breakfast? Whip up a batch of silver dollar pancakes and cut up some fresh strawberries. Grab some whipped cream and let the kids assemble the Cat’s hat by stacking pancakes, and strawberries on top of each other using the whipped cream as “glue”.
Enjoy a few of these Dr. Seuss recipes and activities with your family, or invite a few neighbor kids over for a Dr. Seuss party. Either way they are a lot of fun and a great way to bring some of the Seuss stories to life.

Want more family friendly recipes and crafts ideas? Visit http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/info for a sample weekly menu plan your entire family will love and www.kinderinfo.com for tons of craft and activity ideas that are sure to keep your little ones entertained.

(Want to republish this content on your site? Click here to join the Dine Without Whine Affiliate Program)
Filed Under: Schmoozin on Moms
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