Articles

Summer Time Brain Hop Week 1: All About Me!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

by Tracie on June 18, 2013 · 0 comments

Summertime Brain Hop

Now that the kids are on summer vacation,  you may have already heard the “Mom — I’m bored” cries in your own home.  One way to keep those brains sharp (and help mom keep her sanity) is with our Summer Time Brain Hop!  Each week, we’ll select a new topic along with links to printables, crafts and even snacks you and your kids can do together.  Just click each link below to learn more!

This week, we are focusing on ME!  This is a way to get to know your kids again and for your kids to know you.  You might learn an interesting fact about one another – something you just maybe never knew before!!

PRINTABLE COLORING SHEETS / GAMES

These are sheets and games you can print to learn about one another’s likes, dislikes and more! Print a coloring sheet of your child’s favorite toy or something of which they don’t like!  The ideas are endless!!

CRAFTS

Here are a few fun crafts you can work on together.  The best part is that you will learn more about your kids in the process.

RECIPES

Cooking with your kids is a great way to talk to them and learn even more about them.  You can also sneak in some math lessons with measuring cups and spoons!

{ 0 comments }

Post Separator


Reflections In My Rear View Mirror

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

by Tracie on May 31, 2013 · 2 comments

mirror

 

Today is our last day of school.  Finally.  After adding seven extra days due to winter’s late arrival – we made it.   My kids normally take the bus to school (as much as they would me rather drive them every morning).  When it rains or snows, however, I don’t make them stand on the corner and wait.  Instead,  I drive my mini van to the corner so they can stay dry.

Once we are parked, they always unbuckle their seat belts and will climb around the back of the van as I watch down the street to give the “Bus is here!” bellow to get them out the door. I’ve done this many times this school year and never gave it much thought to look in the mirror.   For some reason this morning, I did just that.  I watched them in the mirror.

They were all kneeling on the backseat, looking out the back window.  For a moment, I had a flash forward of the 3 of them talking about final days of school and college, knowing all too well that those years will be here all too soon.  In that instant tears filled in my eyes.   I realized how quickly time flies by.

In that moment of watching them, nothing mattered.  Not the rain.  Not the messy dishes on the counter.  What mattered was just to watch them.  It mattered to just remember that very moment — this age of them being innocent and small.

This morning, I was in a state of bliss with my kids.  Well, at least until hearing “Charlotte!!  Move over!!!” when I was quickly brought back to reality.

Post Separator

101 Things To Do This Summer

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

by Tracie on May 30, 2013 · 2 comments

Young Girl is getting a snow cone on a hot day for refreshment.

The last days of school are here (or even past) for many kids.  Even if your kids have a few more days left in the classroom, it is never too early to start planning ahead for the summer!  Now, if your children are anything like mine, it seems that after one or day days, they start with “Mom – I’m bored!”  Below is a list of things you can do (some of which are even free) to help your kids pass their summer vacation!

1.  Catch fireflies.
2.  Go to the pool.
3.  Make Smores.
4.  Eat Popsicles.
5.  Camp in the backyard.
6.  Draw with sidewalk chalk.
7.  Go on a nature walk.
8.  Stargaze.
9.  Go for a bike ride.
10.  Go on a hike.
11.  Spend a day at the pool.
12.  Visit the libary.
13.  Make a movie day (perfect for a rainy day).
14.  Go to the park or playground.
15.  Visit an amusement park.
16.  Check out a baseball game (try minor league – tickets are less expensive).
17.  Make mud pies.
18.  Splash in puddles.
19.  Visit a museum.
20.  Go to your local farmer’s market.
21.  Play board games.
22.  Plan and go on a picnic.
23.  Hoola-Hoop and jump rope.
24.  Play hopscotch.
25.  Have a car wash.
26.  Set up a lemonade stand.
27.  Sing silly songs.
28.  Roast marshmallows.
29.  Find cloud animals.
30.  Swing.
31.  Play baseball.
32.  Build an indoor fort.
33.  Go on a treasure hunt.
34.  Go to your county fair.
35.  Find a craft.
36.  Watch the birds.
37.  Watch the sunset (or sunrise).
38.  Enjoy fireworks.
39.  Have an ice cream party with friends.
40.  Read a book (or two or three).
41.  Learn about a new country.
42.  Plant a garden.
43.  Run through the sprinkler.
44.  Play school.
45.  Make a puppet show.
46.  Play hide and seek.
47.  Horseback riding.
48.  Pick wildflowers.
49.  Go berry picking.
50.  Bake cookies.
51.  Make your own popsicles.
52.  Play tag.
53.  Have a barbeque.
54.  Go to grandma’s house.
55.  Take photos.
56.  Visit the beach.
57.  Go to the movies.
58.  Eat watermelon (and spit the seeds).
59.  Go to the zoo.
60.  Have a tea party
61.  Have a water balloon or water gun fight.
62.  Put together a puzzle.
63.  Make a card and mail it to a loved one.
64.  Have friends over to play basketball.
65.  Climb a tree.
66.  Fly a kite.
67.  Play cards.
68.  Make a banana split or sundae.
69.  Have a pillow fight.
70.  Find a local tourist destination and be a home town tourist.
71.  Set up an obstacle course.
72.  Roll down a hill.
73.  Go bowling (learn how to bowl for free).
74.  Make home made ice cream.
75.  Find a parade.
76.  Go on a road trip.
77.  Go fishing.
78.  Play tennis or badminton.
79.  Play horseshoes.
80.  Play kickball.
81.   Go boating.
82.  Play minature golf.
83.  Play charades.
84.  Look at baby books.
85.  Play video games (set up a tournanment).
86.  Color in a coloring book.
87.  Make a birdhouse or birdfeeder.
88.  Paint a picture.
89.  Have lazy jammies day.
90.  Junkfood breakfast.
91.  Play dress up / make a fashion show.
92.  Visit a farm.
93.  Visit a national park or state conservation area.
94.  Catch frogs.
95.  Tie Dye a shirt.
96.  Make a campfire (inside with flashlights) and tell ghost stories.
97.  Keep a summer journal.
98.  Volunteer.
99.  Wash the car by hand.
100.  Play bingo.
101.  Create a dino (or army man) dig in the sandbox.

What ideas do you have to add to this list?

Post Separator

Tornado Season Is Here: Tips to Be Prepared

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

by Tracie on May 29, 2013

tornado

With the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma and Kansas, it is important that everyone is prepared.  If you live in any of these parts of the country where tornadoes tend to be more common place, then you need to make sure to take steps to be prepared.

The safest place to go during a tornado is your basement, however, many people do not live in a home where this is an option.  In that case, make sure you go into a center hallway, closet, bathroom or even under a staircase.  If you reside in a mobile home, you need to get out and seek other shelter as that is one of the least safe places you can be during a storm.

Before any storm hits (or even fire or anything to destroy where you live), make sure you take photos of each and every room in your house.  I would recommend you upload them to a cloud service, such as DropBox (you can get a free account).  This way, you don’t have to worry that the photos were on a computer which was destroyed.  You could also put them onto a flash drive and keep that in your disaster kit. (Thanks Tricia for this tip!)

Not only should you seek shelter, you should also always have a disaster kit handy.  Making one should cost you $50 or less – but that is $50 that might just help keep you safe should the unthinkable happen.

  • Bucket or Plastic container with a lid (for ease in transporting items)
  • First Aid Kit
  • Battery powered weather radio or regular radio — make sure to include extra batteries
  • Flashlight — include extra batteries
  • One blanket or sleeping bag per person
  • Spare car keys
  • Current prescription meds
  • 3 day supply of water, which is around 1 gallon per person, per day (5 family members = 15 gallons)
  • Non perishable foods.  (Make sure you include a can opener if you include canned items)
  • Cash (in case you can’t get to the bank for any reason)
  • At least one change of clothes and footwear for each person (remember you may head down in your pajamas)
  • Cards or small games (to keep kids entertained if necessary)
  • Copies of important documents (for proof of identity – as you probably won’t grab your wallet – and possibly even residence)

During this time of the year, it is important to keep your cell phone fully charged as much as possible.  Make sure you take that with you to your shelter – so you can try to call out should you need assistance (hoping that cell signals still are working at that time).  If you can, try to also grab that special blanket or toy for your child, to keep help keep them calm.

This may seem like an extreme list, but when you see first hand what happens to people, you quickly realize how important these items can be.  You can keep items in a couple of bins.  Make sure the cash, clothes, documents, medications and things like that are in a separate bin from food.  That way, if you need to leave your home, you can grab that bin, toss it into your vehicle as you leave your home.

We all hope and pray that nothing will ever happen to us, our home or the city where we live. However, things to do happen.  It is when you are prepared that you can put the pieces back together and start again.

Make sure you also learn Five Tips to Help You Plan for the Unexpected.

(Image credit:  DisasterSafety.org)

Post Separator

Memorial Day: Time to Say Thank You

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

by Tracie on May 27, 2013

flag

Today is a day that many look at as a day off of work, time for BBQs and the unofficial start of summer.  While that may be true, it is important that we all take a moment to celebrate what this day truly means.  It is a day to remember all of the men and women who have given their lives serving our country…..so that we can live with the freedoms we have.

I can’t imagine the pain these families have gone through losing a loved one while defending our country (in peace and war).  The sacrifices that have been made are some I can not relate to, but I feel I owe a debt of gratitude to all of them.

Thank you all for doing what you felt in your heart.
For defending my family, when you don’t even know who we are.
For giving the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Again – thank you all.

Post Separator

My Favorite Money Saving Apps

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

by Joshua Rodriguez on May 24, 2013 · 1 comment

Hey everyone and thank you for coming back to join me for this week’s Friday Finance with Josh! Today, I decided to call my Mom and find out what Moms want to know this week. She told me about an app her friend told her about and that an article about the best money saving apps. Who better to get a topic idea from than Mom! I thought it was great so, today I’d like to talk about apps that moms can use to save money. These days, the new technologies are all the rage and there is no shortage of them in the personal finance realm of things.

DealSnap

DealSnap is a pretty neat tool to have when you are out shopping for gifts or even every day items that you’d like a better deal on. All you need to do is download the app, focus the product barcode in your screen and tell DealSnap to do what it does best, find local deals. The app will generate a description of the product and image to make sure it’s the product you’re looking for. It will also display great local deals on that product. So, when you are at a store that claims to always have the best prices and, you find a better price with DealSnap, you can often use your app to put the price match guarantee into action!

Decide.com

Decide.com is a great app for those of us who love electronics or are looking to buy gifts for an electronic lover. From cameras to computers and more, Decide.com can help you make sure the deal you see is the best deal you can get. When it comes to electronics, prices often fluctuate. Simply waiting a week to make a purchase can save you tons! Decide.com predicts the price fluctuations in electronics so you don’t have to.  It also gives you a way to know when the best price has hit on an item you’ve been watching with price alerts. The downside to this one is that it’s only available for Iphone but, if you have a smart phone you can go to Decide.com right from your browser and get the same benefits.

The Coupons App

If you didn’t like coupons, chances are, you wouldn’t be a reader of Penny Pinchin’ Mom! That being said, The Coupons App has a name that says it all but doesn’t say quite enough. It will generate a list of local coupons, often for free things like a free sandwich at a local restaurant or free drink at a local bar. It also gives you the ability to save the coupon directly to your phone in an easy to find place so you won’t find yourself searching for too long at the checkout! But, that’s not all it does. This nifty app also has a gas price comparison to help you make sure you pay as little as possible at the pump!

SavingStar

Last but not least, SavingStar is a great way to save on the every day items like those you get at grocery stores or pharmacies. This app manages your store loyalty cards for you. It will provide you with coupons for the stores that you enjoy shopping at and, when you link your loyalty cards, it will credit your account for the purchases you make using the coupons. Your credits earned will eventually turn into cash back!

Final Thoughts

I have to start today’s final thoughts by saying, thanks Mom, I hope you enjoyed my article! Now, where was I…Oh yea, in today’s world of technology, there are few limits on how and when you are able to save money. Simple concepts like money saving apps provide us ways to save every day. These are some of my favorites but, there are tons out there. I’d love to hear about the apps you’ve found in the comments below!

About The Author – Joshua Rodriguez

This article was written by Joshua Rodriguez, proud owner and founder of CNA Finance and avid personal finance journalist. Join the conversation about any personal finance topic on Google+. I’d love to help you reach financial stability!

Post Separator

How to Help Tornado Victims

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

by Tracie on May 21, 2013

cbs

Image Credit: www.cbsnews.com

As we all sit in shock taking in the devastation and loss that has affected thousands upon thousands of people in Oklahoma, we might feel helpless.  The natural instinct for so many is to want to get out and do something to help.  No matter where you live in the country, you actually CAN help.

You may start seeing collection centers where you can drop off items.  The things that people need to remember to donate include water, non-perishable items, diapers, formula, baby food and pet food.  If you can find one of these close to your home, it is certainly a great and simple way to help.  Remember, you can buy a 24 pack of water for less than $5 – so why not do something simple to help someone else out as I am sure others would be there for you if the shoe was on the other foot.

If you want to do something right now, monetary donations might be the way to go.  There are several organizations you can contact and make a donation to them to help pay for their relief efforts directly.  Below are several of them.  As I learn of more, I will add to the list.  Remember that the need will be beyond the next week or two — it will continue for months and months as these families work hard to pick up the pieces and start over.

Of course, the simplest — and least expensive — thing you can do is pray.  Simply take a moment to pray for them.  Pray for the responders who are searching for victims.  Pray for the parents and others who have lost family members.  Pray for those who have lost everything they own.  Prayer is a powerful thing.

Red Cross:  You can make a cash donation to the Red Cross to help victims on both sides of the state line by heading to their site and donating.  You can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 instantly or donate blood at your local branch.

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.  You can make a donation online or just text FOOD to 32333 and instantly donate $10.

Disaster Relief Oklahoma.  You can help at this time by making monetary donations as they are not accepting anything at this time.

Heart to Heart International:  This is a company based out of Olathe, KS.  You can donate online at www.hearttoheart.org, calling 913-764-5200, or mailing it to 401 S. Clairborne, Suite 302, Olathe, KS 66062.  You can also sign up to volunteer if you have medical training — call 913-764-5200 or email volunteer@hearttoheart.org.  You can also put together hygiene kits — get more information on Heart to Heart’s website at www.hearttoheart.org.

Americares.  You can mke a donation to this organization online through their website.

Salvation Army.  You can submit a check to the Salvation Army to help with relief efforts.  The information is available to donate online or you can mail a check to the address provided.

Humane Society:  You can make a donation to help the animals affected by the storm.

Operation BBQ Relief: Another site where you can make a monetary donation.  (Thank you John).

Local Drop Offs:  These are starting to come up all over the place.  Check with your local community to find one close to where you live.

http://www.operationbbqrelief.org/

I know that there are MANY more ways to donate and help — I’ve listed only a few here.    Thank you all for you warm and giving hearts.

Post Separator

← Previous Entries