On The Oprah Show today, Stephanie Nelson, the Coupon Mom gave some tips on how to grocery shop using coupons.  She is the MOM behind couponmom.com, a site where you can get free coupons as well as download the  free eBook, Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half. 

In today's economic climate we can use any and every tool we can to cut corners.  Coupons are an excellent way to save money.  And with eCoupons there is no clipping required.

You can also find restaurant coupons as well as free offers.  I highly recommend you check out couponmom.com for all your grocery coupons.

So come on and be a thrifty mom; be a coupon mom.  It's free and you can start saving money on your grocery bills today!

If you clip coupons, use coupons or would like to clip and use coupons, check out couponsuzy.com.  It is free to register and you can get coupons for a myriad of products, as well as, coupons specifically for deals in your area.  Just print the coupons of your choice out, clip and save.

Check out Coupon Suzy and happy shopping - and happy savings!

We can all use better time management skills!  Whether you are a WAHM (or dad), finding ways to fit it all in is a dilemma faced by most everyone these days.   Many people assume that work at home moms have it easy; however, if any of those people have ever lived a day as a WAHM they would know it isn't as easy as it appears. We have children to take care of, a house to clean, laundry to do, a dog to walk, groceries to buy, dinner to cook and dishes to wash, to name a few. Oh, and then there's that business to work! 

We can all use better time management and organizational skills and how to tips on better managing our time effectively. So here are a few time management strategies or time saving tips you can start trying today:

• Get to know dawn - early morning that is.  Get up before everyone else in your house.  I know getting up early for most people is a challenge, but getting up before the kids wake up can be the difference between a stressed out, psychotic mother and a sane one!  If your children tend to wake up between 6 and 7am, set your own alarm for one to two hours earlier.  Use this time to have a quiet cup of coffee, check your email, exercise, read the paper or prepare for your workday. Do not spend this time doing housework, etc.  Make this time "you" time.
• Plan your meals in advance - If you plan your meals for the week and go to the grocery store once, you will save lots of time during the week by not taking those daily quick trips to the market, as well as save money.
• Prepare the night before - just about every time management or get organized article you read suggests laying out your things the night before.  There is a good reason for this...it is much easier and the mornings will go much smoother if you have your clothes and supplies laid out the night before.  This way you don't have to rush around in the mornings.   Make lunches the nights before. Pack backpacks with homework and library books at night.  When you get ready to leave in the morning, you will be less likely to forget something important.  You can avoid morning chaos by using good organizational skills.  Select a place near the door where you can keep your keys, briefcase, purse, school supplies, important papers and letters to be mailed. Keep a petty cash fund handy for all those times that a quarter, 50 cents or $1.00 is needed for school or a parking meter, work, etc.  This is one of the best time saving tips I can give you, prepare the night before!
• Don't Spend so much time cleaning - What I mean is don't try to do it all in one day.  If you do a few things each day, you'll never have to spend an entire day cleaning the house from top to bottom. Get your children to help you- children as young as two can be taught to do simple chores.  A good tip for a family with children is to do a load of laundry every day, from start to finish. Don't take it out of the dryer and let it sit in the laundry basket, either!  Wash, dry, fold and put away- one load each day.  This will avoid the dreaded laundry day- when you spend hours and have to fold seven baskets of clothes.  It keeps laundry under control and you never have to be without clean clothes.   Also, save any chores that require your undivided attention for nap time or after bedtime. Don't  frustrate yourself by trying to do these things while your young child needs your attention, company or play companionship. Whatever chore that may need to be done, can wait.

Most importantly, do not feel as if you have to do it all by yourself. You are not a super hero. If you have a spouse or significant other, ask them to chip in on household chores. Children love to help out, and depending on their ages, there are multiple things they can do. In addition, when all is said and done, remember, don't forget to take out some time for yourself.  Everyone needs a break especially work at home moms!

If you have a time management tips or getting organized tips, please share them with us.  Hope to hear from you!  Enjoy life!!!

I hope everyone had a happy and safe Independence Day!  We had the most relaxing day.  We didn't go anywhere; just hung out at home all day.  We played outside most of the day in the pool, listening to songs from the 70s and 80s, cooking out and eating, and playing games. 

Our son doesn't care for fireworks and fighting the crowds to go out and watch them wasn't worth it to us (besides a couple of our neighbors put on a nice fireworks display), so we decided to just enjoy the 4th of July as a family at home.  And I could not have had more fun doing anything else!  Plus I did not forget why we celebrate the Fourth of July!

What more could I ask for...good food, good company and no stress!  In fact, this was the most enjoyable July 4th I've had in a long time.  I hope you all had a great Fourth of July!  Share with us what you did for your Independence Day celebration.  Hope to hear from you!  Enjoy life!!!

So I was thinking of things to do for the continuing Stacation Survival Guide - Part One series, that would be fun, economical (cheap or free) and the whole family could do together, and was quite surprised myself in just how many things there are to do.  So whether you call it a stacation - drop the v in vacation and add a st, or staycation - since you won’t be going too far from home, as in “stay” at home vacation, you can create memories that your children will never forget.  You know that kids (especially younger ones) really don’t care where you go or what you do, as long as you are giving them attention so make a staycation that will last a lifetime!

Here are some ideas that will bring the family together, be tons of fun, save on your pocketbook or wallet, and just possibly make this summer the best vacation or stacation ever!

1. Set up a tent in the back yard and ‘rough it at home’ - this is a great idea for dad and son(s) and mom can take out eats and drinks, or join right in.
2. Go to a local park or your own backyard - and play Frisbee, baseball, volleyball or more - you will be doing things as a family and getting exercise in the process.
3. Go out at dusk and catch fireflies - young children will love taking jars out and capturing lightning bugs.
4. Visit the local police station, fire department, post office or dairy farm  - (make sure to call ahead to set up an appointment).
5. Go to the library - check out books for some summer reading.  Many libraries have summer programs going on and a great time to take advantage of them.
6. Have a weenie or marshmallow roast - adult supervised, of course.  You can take a cheap charcoal grill placed in the backyard and pretend you’re sitting around the campfire roasting weenies and marshmallows and tell ghost stories.
7. Scavenger hunt - one great way to do this is to make a list of things to find on Friday and then Saturday morning go for your scavenger hunt to yard and garage sales and flea markets.  You might also find some great treasures. 
8. If you live near a museum - spend the day touring the museum, which can be fun and educational.
9. Go for a hike or walk - I happen to live near the Smokey Mountains but if you don’t live near good hiking trails, just walk through your neighborhood, together as a family.
10. Have a rummage sale - let the kids go through their things and get rid of things they have outgrown and have a yard sale.  You are de-cluttering your home and making a little extra cash.  You can tell the kids that they get to keep the money their items make and spend it on something new.
11. Tie Dye - teach the kids how to tie dye and each member does a shirt.  Then you can all wear them to show off, maybe even have a contest to see who has the best tie-died T-shirt.
12. Build sand castles - if you live near a beach, you can go and have a sand castle competition.  You can do it in the backyard if you have a sandbox.
13. Go rollerblading, roller-skating, bike riding, and bowling - just something that can be done as a family and keeps everyone active in the process.
14. Have a family talent show - encourage every family member to participate and show off their talent, however big or small.
15. Keep a summer scrapbook or journal - this will help you to capture all the great memories of your stacation for years to come.

I know there are many more great things you and your family can do on your staycation this year.  Just use your imagination and I’m sure you can come up with more.  If you have any suggestions for stacation ideas please share them with us.  Have fun as a family and make some great memories together.  Hope to hear from you!  Enjoy Life!!!

What does the word 'frugal' mean to you?  Does it conjure up images of your grandparents doing without?  To some people the word frugality is old fashioned and means depriving yourself; but today the word means living a more simpler, less wasteful life.  Living a life that our personal finances will allow.  Today with the skyrocketing costs of fuel, groceries and heating bills to name a few, as well as the shaky economy, living a frugal life is the way to go. 

First, I ask you to not think of frugality as doing without.  Think of it as buying smarter and healthier!  Today we will talk about some frugal grocery shopping tips.  The most important step in becoming a smart shopper starts before you leave the house.  And that is with the grocery shopping list.  Your grocery list will not only save you time at the grocery store but will keep you from getting tempted by things you don't really need.  This is where it is important that you stick strictly to your list. 

Here are some tips for your frugal grocery shopping list:

• Decide in advance your next week’s meals and note down the ingredients required.  Planning meals in advance really helps you to stay focused on what you really need and cuts down on wastefulness.
• Check your cupboards to see what ingredients you do not have or need to re-stock.
• Check your staple items such as bread, milk, cleaning products and personal care items.
• Once you have made your list keep it available for next week, it will come in very handy as reminder of items that you regularly need.

Be a smart frugal shopper:

Did you know that grocery stores spend thousands of dollars a year on marketing ploys to make you spend more money than you intended?  They employ teams of people to analyze shop layouts and consumer shopping habits so they can place items in their stores just in the right places to tempt you.

However, since you are aware of these tricks and are becoming such a smart shopper you won't fall for them.   Here are some common ploys:

• The long walk - commonly purchased items such as milk, bread and eggs, are normally placed along the edges of a store, often at the back of the store.  This is to force you to walk past lots of tempting goodies.  If all you need is a loaf of bread then keep to the edge of the store and avoid walking through the center isles.  This will help you to not only save on your wallet but also your waistline.
• Check the lower shelves - stores will most often put their most expensive or their own brand names on the shelves at eye level.  This is because a lot of shoppers buy the first item they see on the shelves.  Check out the lower or upper shelves first.  If you are on a frugal grocery mission, here is where you will find items at a much cheaper price or that have special offers on them. 
• Beware of Advertising - don't fall for the hype.  Stores and brands will bombard you with ads making all kinds of promises.  Don't fall for it!  Did you know that many products are made by the same manufacturer and sold as different brands?  Therefore, buy only what you need and not what the advertisers tell you that you need.

Shop fresher and cheaper:

Cut out processed foods.  Not only are they full of preservatives and additives they are expensive. 

Buying fresh fruits and vegetables and preparing our own meals is much healthier as well as cheaper.  This is especially true if you shop at farmer's markets or buy produce in season.  Help local growers by getting cheap, seasonal and plentiful produce.

More frugal grocery shopping tips:

• Watch for coupons for items you buy regularly.
• Buy bulk items on sale if you regularly use them.
• Never go grocery shopping when you are hungry, in a rush or tired.  You will come home with more than you intended!
• Never buy single portion items.  A box of rice will last several meals and cost less than a single serve item.

I hope you find this information useful.  Next time we'll talk about more frugal food tips.  If you have any grocery shopping tips let us know.  Hope to hear from you!  Enjoy Life!!!

What is the purpose of a facial mask? A facial mask removes dead skin cells from the surface of your skin and help to tighten pores and make the skin appear smoother. When you are ready to use a facemask, choose a time when you are less likely to be interrupted. You want to pamper yourself, so find a time when you will be able to relax.

• First, wash your face and neck with a gentle cleanser. Use gentle circular motions to remove dirt and makeup. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. Also, if you have sensitive skin you might want to test for allergic reactions first. The best way to do this is to apply whatever ingredients you are using behind your ear (leave on 15 to 30 minutes), rinse and wait 24 hours. Here are a few tips regarding facial masks:
• Make sure to wash or rinse your ingredients (when applicable) before applying them to your face (i.e. fruits).
• Steam your face - steam your face gently (2-5 minutes over a bowl of hot water). This technique opens the pores so that mask can penetrate deeply and cleanse your pores.
• Apply the facial masks - with clean fingertips or a soft fresh cotton ball. Fruit or egg mask often have a liquid consistency. It may be easier to apply a second layer after a few minutes, once the first layer has dried a little.
• Don't talk, laugh or even move any facial muscles until it is time to gently remove the mask. Do the best you can here.
• Facial masks should be left on for 15-20 minutes so they can dry.
• When removing masks remember to remove slowly and carefully. Work from the forehead downwards, making sure that none of the material removed comes into contact with eyes, and avoid dragging the skin. Light fruit masks can be removed simply with cotton balls. With clay masks, you need to rinse your face with warm water, and then with cold water.
• And remember, don't apply facial masks more than twice a week.

Now you are ready for some homemade facial mask recipes. It is best to use masks that ingredients are appropriate for your skin type. Check out the first post in this series to find out what skin type you are here.  I have a recipe for each skin type below:

• Oily skin - plain milk of magnesia. Yep, that is what I said, plain milk of magnesia. Rub it on and let it dry. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. It absorbs oil. On the other hand, try pureeing flesh of a tomato and mix with some potato flour to make a paste; let dry. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
• Normal or combination skin - blend one egg a 1/2 cup cooked instant oatmeal and a teaspoon of olive oil until smooth. Spread on face and let dry. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
• Dry skin - one egg yolk, 1-teaspoon honey, a teaspoon of olive oil and some vitamin E oil if you have it (if you have vitamin E capsules you can open them up). Smooth on your face and neck for 15 minutes, rinse with warm water, and pat dry.

As you can see, there is no point in spending lots of money on department store facial masks when you can do them right in your own home with all natural products you may already have in your kitchen. I hope this post have been helpful and will continue this series with more tips and homemade recipes for skin and beauty care.

If you have any tips, suggestions or ideas let us know and I will include them in the next issue. Hope to hear from you! Enjoy Life!!!

I talked about ‘stacations’ in an earlier post and felt that we could all benefit with some more information regarding stacations.  To refresh your memories a stacation is a stay at home vacation…you can check the first post here.

The concept of stacations has been born out of necessity, because of the growing prices in gas…and the domino effect resulting from the ever-increasing price of fuel.  So I was thinking of some things that it would be nice to have to make our stacations more enjoyable.  A stacation survival guide if you will…

First, a swimming pool would be nice.  If you don’t have a swimming pool in your backyard and you have young kids, buy one of those cheap swimming pools.  All you need is something for the kids to cool off in.  If you live less than 15 miles of a public swimming pool, this can be a reasonably cheap way to spend a summer day.  The key is to be able to incorporate water to stay cool and have fun.

You also need backyard games.  There are several things you can do as a family that can provide hours of entertainment in your own backyard.  Try some of these:

• Volley ball - is a great sport for many reasons.  It is great exercise, it is fun and it’s competitive.  It is fairly easy to understand so the whole family can be involved.  All you need is a net and a volleyball.
• Badminton - you can find badminton sets relatively cheap.  In fact, you can use your net from you badminton set for volleyball.  Badminton is fun and actually calming game.  I remember playing it when I was younger and really enjoyed it. 
• Bocce Ball - is a great lawn game if you have a large yard.  In addition, bocce ball isn’t for old people anymore.
• Corn hole - is a fun and safe game for all ages!  While the game of cornhole originated in 1999 in Cincinnati, Ohio it is popular in many places because it is such and easy and fun game for children, adults and seniors. The corn, sand or bean filled bags are lightweight and can easily be tossed by those of all ages.  All you need to play corn hole is small corn, sand or bean filled bags usually made of duck cloth. These can be found at many department stores and game stores alike and are relatively inexpensive. The other item you will need for this game is a 4 foot by 2-foot board with a hole at the upper center that is large enough for your corn-filled bags to be tossed through. The bags are generally 6 inches by 6 inches (filled loosely) and therefore the hole in your playing board needs to only be about 6 to 7 inches across the center.  This is the cheapest corn hole game I could find.  However, if you have a handyman for a husband here are instructions on how to build your own corn hole board.  You can even make the bags yourself.  So whether you make it yourself or buy a corn hole game, it will provide hours of fun for the whole family!

These are just a few ideas for your stacation survival kit.  I will give you more ideas later.  So check back and if you want to keep updated subscribe to my rss feed.  If you have some ideas for stacationing let us know.  Hope to hear from you!  Enjoy Life!!!

Is your home, office and car full of clutter?  Is it hard for you to relax?  Are you disorganized?  If you can answer yes to any of these questions then it is time to de-clutter; get organized and relax!  If you want to live a clutter free life, be more organized and de-stress, it is easier than you think.  Take the first steps today and you will be reducing stress in your life almost immediately. 

If your home is cluttered, somewhat disorganized or overstuffed, relaxation can be virtually impossible.  Living in a cluttered home can create constant low-grade stress and subtly, but steadily, drain your energy.  The good news is...a few simple strategies can put you on the path towards managing your clutter and stress.  Remember organization is not a one-time deal...it requires a hands on daily routine to bring calm to your household and your time.   Here are some how to declutter tips:

• Survey your belongings - examine what you have and how you store it.  Sell or donate what you don't use.  If you have forgotten you had it, it is time to get rid of it.  This is a great time of year for a garage or yard sale.
• Keep things you use frequently in easily accessible places.  The adage 'everything has a place and everything in its place,' is a good one to adhere to here.
• Get boxes or containers for items you use only seasonally or will be storing such as holiday decorations or sports gear.  Set up a box for items that need repair (and get them repaired within a 6-week time frame or toss it).
• Keep important papers ( birth and marriage certificates, real estate deeds ) in a fireproof safe box.  Create a file for personal documents such as insurance policies and Social Security cards and the like.
• Develop a finance file for unpaid bills, bank statements and income tax papers.
• Store home-maintenance papers ( warranties, receipts, manuals ) in another place. Like in a folder kept in a desk drawer designated for just such things.
• Create consistent, regular "systems" for who will do what and when.  Dived household chores, and schedule when they should be accomplished.
• Assign certain days for paying bills.  I highly recommend taking advantage of online or computer-bill paying.  It is a terrific time saver.
• Manage your time efficiently by planning activities on a calendar and making to-do lists.  Take advantage of days off or weekends to plan meals for the week ahead, and complete your grocery list at the same time.  Keep track of all family activities and rehearsals, practices and work schedules on one master sheet.
• When you get your mail each day, immediately eliminate what is junk and put each correspondence in its place (remember to shred and recycle paper).  If you take care of mail as soon as you get it now...don't start a pile that you'll 'deal with' later.  That leads to clutter.
• Emails - take the same approach as outlined for regular mail...touch it or read it only once.  When you open your email assign it a home, either 'needs attention' or 'action completed' folder.  Make an effort to handle email at certain times a day rather than throughout the day.
• Get into the habit of cleaning up after yourself.  Put things back into their place right away.
• Take a few minutes at the end of the day to plan for the next day.  You can fix lunches for the next day while you're fixing dinner today.  You can lay out clothes for you and the kids before going to bed.  Keep a box by the door where children leave their gym bags, homework, or book bags so everyone knows where their things are during the morning rush.  All these tips help keep things calmer in the morning.

As you develop stress relieving habits in your daily life, you should be able to handle the stress you do experience, leading to a happier, healthier life.  Just remember a cluttered home leads to a cluttered mind.  If you can de clutter your surroundings and get organized, it will lead to stress reduction.  I promise you that if you start organizing clutter you will be reducing stress in your life.  Start living a clutter free life today! 

If you have any tips on how to declutter or some stress management tips or on how to get organized, we would love to hear them.  Hope to hear from you!  Enjoy Life!!!