I have taught my children that time is more important than money. More money can always be made but lost time can never be replaced. Jesus has given us choices. How much money we have to spend is a choice. How we spend it is a choice. It really isn’t about how much we have but rather it is about spending it how we want to. I would rather make things from scratch which I enjoy anyway and teach my daughters spending time with them in the kitchen than to eat in the fanciest restaurant. Living frugally is not something I have to do it is something I choose to do. It is something I get to do. I consider where and how we live paradise.

Why do you strive to live frugal?

Even though I buy extras at good prices it does no good at all if I don’t know what I have. That is where the inventory lesson comes in. I like to have an inventory list of what is in the pantry and deep freeze and extra storage closet. Because if I lose track of what I have, money gets wasted. Waste is like a really bad word to me .

So guess what most of our meals consist of?

Yep.  Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, fresh milk, fresh eggs. Tomatoes, corn, peppers, eggplants, squash, lettucs, cliantro, onions. Etc.

My point is, use what you have been given or grown, or that the Lord provides or is on sale .

Plan ahead. It will save you lots of money. It doesn’t matter nearly as much how much you have as it does how you spend it.

It seems to me though that the box fans we use to cool the upstairs might be using to much electricity, so I thought about replacing with ceiling fans. Yes it turns out that ceiling fans use about half as much. As long as they don;t have big whopping motors and light kits that use 4 bulbs. I got a small motor 1 light contractors special at Lowes for $34 that looks like it will work in the upstairs bedrooms. We also put one box fan pointing outside in a window upstairs and another pointing in downstairs that we run for about an hour at dusk. Seems to cool the whole house down quite a bit.  Then the small ceiling fans in the bedrooms as needed. All of this is about 1/5 the cost of AC and a whole lot healthier. What works for you?

Fortunately, there are cheaper alternatives to expensive family outings. They provide the opportunity to have just as much fun at a fraction of the cost. Some are even free.

Movies and Music

Kids are often itching to see the newest releases at the movie theater. Doing so even once a month, however, can get pricey. One alternative in some areas is the drive-in. Admission is usually much cheaper than it is at a regular theater, and some let you bring your own drinks and snacks. Drive-ins usually show fairly new releases, so the kids can say they saw something that’s not out on video yet.

Some theaters offer reduced-price matinees during the day. Some even have free kid-oriented movies on weekend days. These options offer the theater experience without the outrageous cost.

Kids often want to go to concerts, but tickets to see the most famous bands are far from cheap. Check your local paper for free concerts in the park. Many areas have them during the warm months. Young children can enjoy the music without the huge crowds and deafening sound systems, and older children might gain an appreciation for less well-known bands.

The Great Outdoors

Nature offers a wealth of possibilities for family outings. Camping is a wonderful activity for families, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be as simple as pitching a tent in the back yard, or you can spring for a camper and rent space at a campground. Bring the grill and some hamburgers or hot dogs, or catch some fish to fry.

Parks are great for day trips. Those with playground equipment can keep youngsters entertained for hours on end. Hiking trails offer opportunities for exercise and exploration. Most parks have picnic facilities, so you can pack a lunch instead of eating out.

Other Ideas

Here are some more inexpensive family activities to consider:

* Play miniature golf. Admission is usually quite reasonable, and it provides the opportunity for relaxed yet engaging family competition.

* Visit a petting zoo. These small zoos do not have the exotic animals you see at larger ones, but kids can feed and pet the animals.

* Go to a museum. Some offer cheap or free admission, while others cost more. But the larger and more expensive ones often sell season passes, so if you live close by, you can visit numerous times for one low price.

* Go boating. If you’re fortunate enough to live near a body of water, boating is fun and relaxing. Canoe and paddleboat rentals are inexpensive, and when you’re done boating there are usually other cheap or free activities in the area.

* Attend events at a nearby college. These may include plays, concerts, dance recitals and movie showings. Prices are low, and student discounts usually apply to kids, too.

Having fun as a family doesn’t require a six-figure income. If you look hard enough, you can find lots of free or cheap activities that parents and kids can enjoy just about anywhere.

Many of the items coming up are things we could use any time of the year or things that will be used by the whole family.

Such as

• electronics
• summer picnic things
• tools
• outdoor activity items
• sports equipment

also as the back to school items are being prepared for sale watch for those ads also. It doesn’t matter if you are a sudent or not, it is a great time of year to buy office supplies. Watch that Sunday paper.

Kohls.com has some great items on clearance and here are some extras saving codes, they have some especially cute toddler sized very cute for my grandbaby items

COUPON CODES:

SAVEBIG for 20% off over $100 if you do not have a Kohl’s Card,

or new6437 for 10% off any amount
MVC365 (Kohls Charge) 15% Valid through 3/2/10
Free ship with $75 or more (after coupons): SHIPNSAVE

be blessed!