Last Minute Free and Frugal Valentine Ideas

With Valentine's Day just a couple of days away, here are some last minute ideas to make the day a little more fun for you and your children. Free and Frugal Valentine Ideas - I love this post! It's one I wrote as a brand new blogger last year and has lots of fun ideas that my kids enjoyed when they were younger. Free E-Book with Valentine Desserts - Easy Valentine’s Day Dessert Recipes Valentines Day Music Sampler [+]

Eat Out for Less (While Nurturing Relationships)

There is just something about going out to eat that makes a regular day a little more special. One-on-one dinners, such as a date night for Mom and Dad or an afternoon out for parent and child, can create special memories. Each of my children have a specific restaurant they prefer to visit when it's their turn to eat out with mom. The simple meal out can allow for much needed conversation and smiles that [+]

Helping Children Shop for Others

When my children were much younger, they delighted in making gifts for my husband and myself. Christmas was no different until they started noticing people talking about shopping for just the right gift. They wanted to be a part of it. They still loved making treasures for us but they wanted to give more. While I loved their workmanship, I could understand their request. Being on a budget though, I was the one who now [+]

Inexpensive Doll Clothes

If you have a girl in your home, chances are, you have heard of the American Girl dolls. My daughter saved up for hers and "Lauren" is now a treasured possession. You are probably also familiar with the price tag of the clothes, accessories and furniture. Through the years, I've found a few ways to save on the clothes without my daughter feeling deprived. Check the American Girl website throughout the year and look in the "sale" [+]

Frugal Mac – Perfect Use for Leftover Meat

The other day, I was looking for a quick chili-type dish but wanted to use what I had on hand, which wasn't much since I was going to the grocery the next day. I came up with Frugal Mac because it was very similar to Chili Mac but cost just a few cents per serving. This dish was about $3.50 for the entire pot and lasted several meals and snacks. I assembled this dish without a [+]

The Secret Thrift Shop

I'm convinced each town has a secret thrift shop and I'm so excited to have found the one near me. (If you know me personally, I'd be happy to fill you in on my secret store.) If you live near a large city, there will be one near you too. I live in the county outside of our largest city and I drove into the city limits on the side of town where the homes [+]

Baby Freebies – Diaper Deals and More

I've found a few more programs that may benefit new or expecting parents. Remember, when signing up for programs on the web, consider using a "junk" email address to keep your main address from getting cluttered. (By "junk" I mean not your main address, but a separate one to receive the various newsletters and correspondence from companies. You can create a free email address from Yahoo, Google, MSN, etc.) Pampers - Gifts to Grow, save points [+]

Earning Extra Money for Christmas

I consider myself a very skeptical person. I think carefully about what my family is involved in as well as what I promote here on Just Doing My Best. Because of that, I have taken the time to research the following suggestions before promoting them to you. I have personally signed up with the following companies so I can accurately share with you the pros and cons of each. Long story short, the company's programs [+]

Gimme Some Sugar – Nearly Free at Walgreens

Today I hit Walgreens and stocked up on some great sales while using my Register Rewards. Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup for .39 each was one of my best deals. (I got it by combining the store sale of .89 each with an Internet Printable for $1.00 off two.) I also found an amazing deal on Domino Sugar, but unfortunately I did not have a coupon. I found one for you, so you can get an [+]

How to Eat Out for Over 80% Off

I recently stumbled across a great scenario that I must share. I bought 2 $25 gift cards for a Hibachi Grill and a Family Sports Pub type restaurant for less than $2 each. I also bought a $10 one for a Cajun fast food restaurant for only 80 cents. It was perfectly legal and legit. Here's how I did it: I am a member of Ebates. Ebates acts as a shopping portal where you are assigned a [+]