15 baby toys that you can make for free

Who said babies have to be expensive? I am due in a few weeks with baby #3 and let me tell you that I have learned that you don’t need most of the baby stuff that stores try to sell.  Especially when it comes to toys. Babies tend to want to play with everything and anything and it doesn’t matter if it is a $50 toy or one that you make for free.  I love these simple DIY baby toys from around the web. Most can be made for free or nearly free with items that you already have at home. …

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4 Tips to Save Your Family Money This Summer

For our family, summer promises fun, a break, a vacation, and relaxation. We can plant flowers, grow gardens, spend time at our local farmer’s market, and travel. But summer can be expensive for families who try to “do it all.” Along with some planned activities, unexpected summer fun can pop up out of nowhere – and so can the expenses! Here’s how you can manage the finances of your family’s summer fun without breaking the bank. 1Prepare for the Unexpected Already having cash stashed away for both planned …

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Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized Student Loans

As educational costs continue to rise, many students find themselves borrowing money using student loans in order to come up with the cash they need to pay for expenses. These loans can be used to pay for college tuition, room and board, fees, books, and other necessary items. When borrowing money for college, students have two different types of federal student loans that they can access: subsidized and unsubsidized. What are the differences between these two types of loans? Which type of loan is more attractive for students? Subsidized …

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Which Winnie-the-Pooh Character Are You?

One reason the Winnie-the-Pooh characters created by A. A. Milne have lasted for decades is the uniqueness of their personalities. Most of us know real life Tiggers, Eeyores and Poohs. In fact, most of us can see some of these three in our own lives. I don’t claim to know exactly how these three would manage their money, but this article is a fun exercise in speculation. Because I believe that our personalities and…

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10 Frugal Landscaping Ideas to make Your Yard Amazing

So, I’m starting to research frugal landscaping ideas to make my yard amazing this Spring. Bloggers have so many fab ideas! There are so many back yard projects, curb appeal DIYs that it’s hard to narrow down what will not only look best for my home, but also won’t hurt my wallet too much! I would like to share with you some of these creative and inexpensive landscaping ideas with you. Below, I’m sharing my top ten finds! Enjoy! Plant Perennials by Sunset Before You Mulch by Rosemary on the TV DIY Wheelbarrow Planter by …

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Financial – and Life – Lessons from 40 Years of Marriage

As I bask in the celebration of our recent 40th wedding anniversary, complete with surprise readings from each child, child-in-law and grandchild, I can see some great personal finance applications of the principles Jan and I used raising our four children. My quandary is that in order to share the financial lessons, I am obligated to share what our kids had to say in their readings. I therefore ask myself, “Is this more about boasting on what great kids we have or helping my readers with their finances?” I will let you be the judge…

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What’s Your Financial Personality?

Ever notice how finances can affect you emotionally? I’ve known people who hate the idea of spending their money altogether and some people who don’t know how to make a budget at all. What if there was a scale that you could use to classify your financial personality? Yes, I can see it now. Instead of making up a boring answer when your financial planner asks how things are going, you can simply select your personality…

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The Ultimate Bundle: Over 75 books worth $1,000+ for just $29

I am excited to be partnering on the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle for the next few days.  It really is an amazing collection of eBooks, courses, printables, and a lot more that you can pick up for $29. There are so many great books from Best-Selling authors, bloggers with millions of followers, and true experts in a variety of topics. Click here to see all the books/courses/printables included! The bundle was designed to help you nurture the beauty and productivity in your home and family relationships with proven, simple, and effective tools that really give you a boost as a homemaker – help, inspiration, tips, encouragement…

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15 Kitchen Tips & Tricks that would Make MacGyver Proud

MacGyver. Remember him? If you watched television in the later 80’s and into the early 90’s, you’ll know exactly who I am speaking of. He always had some trick up his sleeve and a way to solve nearly everything problem and he knew how to get out of every situation. Even life or death situations. He just always had THE solution. My kitchen can be a battle ground some days, but I’ve found some tips and tricks that I think would make him proud. Thanks to…

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Why We Should Give in Secret

Giving is giving, right? Not if you’re a Christian. There are ways to give – and God wants us to give – and there are ways we shouldn’t give. One way we shouldn’t is giving publicly. As Christians, we’re told to give in secret. Our mission in life is to glorify God in all that we do – when we give in public that may not be exactly what’s happening. It could be our secular selves rising to the surface. How the World Gives When the secular world gives it’s often with considerable public fanfare, and even trumpeted in the media. The giver is exalted for his generosity, the charity for its …

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