Frugal Notes, Summer has started!

I wanted to post about 3 things.

One, here is a great article written on another blog, Northern Cheapskate. The blog is about people who are greedy with freebies. I couldn't agree more. You can read about it here http://www.northerncheapskate.com/2009/06/dont-be-greedy-with-freebies.html

Two, Another thing I wanted to discuss was the fact that so many people have contacted me recently about living beneath their means. Two seperate families I know have had both the husband and the wife lose their jobs. Meaning there is no regular income, just unemployment. WOW, this just breaks my heart, I will be praying for them! I have so many ideas to help them. First, get rid of anything that is NOT necessary. You don't need the extra features on your phone. You don't need cable or dish TV. Those are wonderful to have, but not when the bills need to be paid. I know that sounds shocking, and I am not trying to sound mean, but once the income stops rolling in, it's time to make drastic changes. I recently read a self help book that said don't use coupons. I couldn't disagree more! I would say LEARN how to USE COUPONS EFFECTIVELY!!! There is a difference!


One of the women that I recently talked to said," We can't spend any money, but we can't just sit here at home! It will drive us crazy." So, I want us all to put our heads together and think of some of the free or cheap things you can do. I have posted all the current State and National Parks that are having free days. I also mentioned that the library has programs and free resources. PLEASE post a comment on any ideas you may have!

Third, I came up with an idea after my daughter said, "Mom, we will be going to all these places this summer, but you told us we can't buy any souvenirs. So, what can we do to remember all the places we have gone." I pulled out a photo album I found free at a rummage sale, it's a 3 ring binder type. I told her that we will take tons of photos, make scrapbook pages to add to the album and then we will have her write news reports of our trips. She will be a mini newspaper reporters. All her reports will be added to this album binder. She loved the idea and I gave her a cheap notebook I found on clearance for 15 cents. She will keep ideas and notes in there about things she has learned or seen on her summer adventures. And we will have a lasting souvenir for years to come. She will be practicing her penmanship, reading and writing skills, fostering ideas and helping her learn. :) Great Plan.

So far, we have gone to Culver's Fire Safety Night. Culver's Resturant invited kids to view the fire trucks and ambulance in their parking lot. The fire department showed what they have to wear and what they look like (so the kids wouldn't be scared). The kids got stickers, free ice cream, coloring books, and crayons. They has a great time climbing in to the ambulance. The kids also won a prize in the raffle.

Then, the next day, we went to a Library Show. It was about making and creating music with household things (like straws and pan lids). The kids had fun "banging" and "whistling". The man was very funny and the kids liked it.

Also, all week my kids have been attending a day camp in the mornings. They have enjoyed painting, snacks, singing and dancing.

So, three free events for kids and nothing out of my pocket. Summer has started with a bang!