Free Home School Activity!!

As you can probably imagine, we go through a lot of food here in my house, which means a lot of boxes. So, I decided to save all of those boxes for a couple of weeks. I stacked them in the laundry room, and as crazy as this may sound, there is a reason to my madness.

I have two little boys who love to build with everything, so I thought this would be a good, fun way to let them be creative in school time.

So yesterday, everyone got their chance to build whatever they wanted. We had all kinds of creations, from robot suits to battle ships. It really is amazing to see what they can come up with with something as simple as a few boxes!!

Here are some pictures of the fun, and it went on for a while, until the boxes started to break down.  You will notice that some of the children have their PJ's on, sometimes we stay in the for a while, (I know, shame shame).

Homeschool Money Saving Tip!!

Okay, so when you are trying to homeschool on a budget, how do you afford all of the curriculum?

Buy secondhand!! Just like clothes and toys, there is also secondhand curriculum out there. I know for all of you experienced homeschool parents, this is old news, but for all of the relatively new homeschool parents, this can be a super money saver.

Curriculum can be very expensive, and if you try to buy all of the extras that go along with the curriculum, it can become overwhelming. So, shop for used curriculum. I know that some of you think used curriculum must mean stuff that is all used up and written in, but that is not the case.

There are tons of homeschool parents out there who take great care of the items they purchase and even make copies of the worksheets, so they can resale the curriculum.

If you have a local homeschool group, check with them. They probably have a curriculum swap or sale at least once every year. If you do not have a local group, check the web. There are several sites that have listings for used curriculum.

Another place to check, believe it or not, is at yardsales.  You would be surprised at what you can find.  I know people who have been lucky enough to find entire curriculum sets.  However, you are probably more likely to find a piece here and there.  You can almost always find books though, and every homeschooler knows the importance of books, when you have young readers!!

So, if you are looking to save big money on your curriculum, try to find a used version.

Getting Ready For School!!

So, I don't know about you all, but I am trying my best to get ready for school.  We are a homeschool family, as most of you know, and this year I will be working with four children!!  I know this may not sound like a lot to some folks, but it is a pretty big task for me.  Last year, I was only working with one child, so this year will be an adjustment.

So, how do we school so many kids on a budget??  Well, around this time of year, most stores run back to school specials.  Grocery stores, drug stores, big box stores, you name the store, and they probably have some type of back to school special.  The trick that I have found most useful is to look each week for the specials at different stores.  Even if you usually only shop at one store for groceries and such, during the back to school season, it is worth it to shop around. 

Most places will run weekly specials for pennies.  I found some one subject notebooks for $0.15 this past week.  Some stores have certain items for $0.01, you just have to look around.  I try really hard to stock up when the prices are low like this, because we all know that stuff runs out.  Halfway through the year, you are sure to need more glue sticks and pencils, things like that.

If you stocked up last year, and have all of your items need to start school, be sure to check the clearance sales, after the back to school season has ended and stock up for next year.

It is possible to purchase school supplies without breaking the bank, even if you are schooling several children!!

What are your favorite back to school saving strategies??

photo source: andrei 122

Another Shirt UpCycle!!

Okay, so I have this large tub of clothes that was recently given to me, and my girls needed some new summer play clothes, so what have I been doing??

I am sure you guessed it, trying to find the best way to upcycle (reuse) those clothes.  After all, this is a great way to save money.  The clothes were give to me, and I already have the thread, so these are very inexpensive summer clothes for the girls!!

This cute little dress was made from a ladies shirt. I got the idea and pattern from Dana at Made, I love that blog. It is full of great sewing ideas and projects.

For the entire project, it may have taken an hour, but this was my first time using this pattern. It is super simple, so if you have a chance give it a try.

Dress from Shirt!!

Okay, so I have seen tons of shirt upcycles, so I decided to give it a try. I had this button down shirt that I love the colors of, but was not exactly my style.

I decided to make a dress out of it. This is how it turned out.

I was really pretty easy, and did not take very long.

I am linking to these great parties.

When is working outside of the home, just not worth it??

Since we were recently faced with this question, I thought I would bring it up here. A while back I decided to take a part time job outside of the home. It seemed like a great idea at first, even with paying for the babysitter I would still profit a little, and then came reality.

The first babysitter started out great, the kids loved her, and she was always on time. She seemed very responsible, UNTIL, she just did not show up one day and would not return my calls. Then came sitter number 2. She was great at the beginning as well, however she only lasted about a month.

You can probably imagine how stressful it was wondering if the sitter was going to show up every morning that I was scheduled to work. It was crazy, then going through two in three months was even worse.

I have to say that I enjoyed working for a while, but the stress of finding sitters and missing work due to sitter "no-shows" was terrible, not to mention that I was not profiting all that much anyway.

So, although it seemed like a great idea at first, it turned out not to be so great. Oh well, you live and learn, right. I have definitely learned that it is a little too crazy with all the kids in this house at their current ages, to work outside of the home, unless I find something super flexible.

Free Moving Resources!!

So, what do you pretty much have to have when you move?? Boxes, right?? Everyone needs boxes to pack their stuff in, but how do you get them without breaking the bank??

Simply ask for them. Grocery Stores, Auto parts stores, and ABC stores. Grocery stores usually have some of the larger boxes, parts stores are going to have mostly medium and small (think motor oil container size), and ABC stores are going to have medium to small, but most of their boxes are really sturdy. They have to be to hold all of those glass bottles.

So, to prevent paying for moving boxes, start collecting them a few weeks before you plan to move, that way to be sure to have enough.

photo source: schaufi

Are you a Rebel??

Are you rebellious, and can being a rebel save you money?? Yes, and yes are my answers. So, what makes me rebellious you might ask, pretty much anything that is not "the norm".  For me that would be living without a checking account, having five children, homeschooling my five children, living frugally, and the list goes on. 

So, does living a Rebellious life save you money?  It does for my family.  By not thinking about what others are going to say or think about the way we live, has helped us tremendously.  We are surrounded everyday by people who shop at the most expensive stores, drive the nicest cars, and spend tons of money on groceries every week, but does all of that make them happy? 

I don't think it does.  It may make them feel good for a minute or two, but not truly happy.  Do those people know that I buy my clothes at thrift shops and I use tons of coupons, no they don't.  Regardless of what some people may think, you can not tell if someone is thrifty, just by looking at them.  Frugal and Cheap are two different things, and I like to go with thrifty!!
 
Does living a thrifty and frugal life make me happy, yes it does.  It feels so good to know that what I have in my house is mine, and I did not spend a fortune on it.  I like the fact that I can use the 50% I save on my groceries every week to pay for extra activities for my children.  Seeing my family happy makes me happy.

What about you all, does living like a "rebel" make you happy??

photo source: dspruitt

Great Free Homeschool Resource!!

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you probably know that I am a homeschooler and I love to share good homeschool resources with you all. I found a great site for math worksheets. We have been using the first grade ones and I think they are great, and best of all they are FREE. So, if you are in need of some extra math work check out SoftSchools.com.
photo source: cobrasoft

The cheapest way to get in shape!!

Okay, so how do you get in shape on a budget?? There is a super simple answer, lace up those shoes!! That is right, walking or running is super cheap, and easy to get started.

All you need to start a walking or running routine is a good pair of shoes.  Fancy and expensive gym memberships are not required!!  Shocking, I know.  Once we get past the "excuses" it can be really easy and inexpensive to get into shape.

So, if you are looking for a way to shape up for the summer, pencil in some time in your scheduele to start moving!!

photo source: Wia-Tirol

Spring Cleaning!!

Well, with Spring right around the corner, you know what that means. It means it is time to start cleaning!! That is right, you know what I am talking about, the "dreaded" spring cleaning!!

I say dreaded, but I think I kind of look forward to it. This year I am going to focus on clearing out!! We have had a few changes in our lives recently and it has made me realize that sometimes less is better!!

At our house, there are certain things that we have to keep, for instance, clothes. I keep sizes that older children have outgrown for the younger ones. They are usually only a size or two off, but you still have to store them somewhere. In our case the attic is where we keep it.

There are however, tons of things that we can, and will, be parting with. I plan to start at one end of the house and work my way through the entire thing!! I know some of you guys probably think I am crazy, but I just know I will feel so much better once this is done!!!

Along with cleaning our belongings, I am also trying to clean up the way that we eat. I have been reading a lot lately about clean eating, and am very interested. I am slowly but surly changing the way we shop and cook. Trying to figure out how to do it on a budget, seems like it will be the most challenging part, but I am up for a challenge.

So, what are you all doing to prepare for the spring time? Do you have any special routines that you do? If so, please leave a comment and share with everyone.

photo source: lusi

Sweatshirt remake!!

I had this shirt in my "remake" box, and wanted to find something fun to do with it. I like the color and the peace symbol on the front. I decided to make a reusable grocery bag with it. It was super simple, I cut off the sleeves and cut it apart. Then I sewed it back together. I used the sleeves for the handles. It took about twenty minutes, and I think it is Super Cute.

I am linking to these great parties.

Flower Remix #2!!

Last week I posted this dress that I made from some floral material and a purple shirt. I had a little more floral material left and some more material from the purple shirt, so I made another dress. I think this one turned out so cute!!

I sewed a casing into the top for the elastic, and sewed the ruffle onto the bottom. Then I sewed up the side making a tube. Next, I threaded my elastic through, and made my strap. I cut three strips of the purple shirt and braided them together. I like the effect it gave. It took about thirty minutes, and now she has another one of a kind dress, just for her!!

I am linking to these great parties!!

Mini Cinch Sack!!

I had some cute Funky Frog fabric left over, so I decided to make my three year old daughter her own little back pack.

I lined the inside with a coordinating fabric, and used green ribbon that I folded in half and sewed a zigzag stitch down the middle for the straps.

She LOVES the fact that she has her own "back pack"!!

I am linking to these great parties!!

Stashbuster, Spring Dress!!

If you have been reading for a while, you know that I am trying to work my way through my fabric bin. I thought of another cute idea, I had this pink fabric with flowers on it, and a purple shirt. I decided to combine the two and make a dress.

I cut the band off of the bottom of the shirt to use on the top of the dress. Next, I cut the fabric to the length I wanted for the dress. I folded down the edge of the fabric and ironed, and then folded it down again and ironed it. Next I sewed the folded pieces down. Then I sewed the sides together to make a tube.

I then pinned the purple to the top of the floral fabric and sewed it together. I threaded some elastic through and added the straps. I then took some extra material and made the rosettes for the front.

I love the way it turned out!! I am linking to these great parties.

Sweater upcycle!!

I bought this sweater a while back at a yardsale for I think $0.50. I like the color and the neck and sleeves, but did not like the way it fit. I decided to cut it up and make a different kind of sweater.  First I cut it, and then I sewed it with a zig zag stitch so it would not unravel.

This is what I came up with.

I am linking to these great parties.