by Kati | Jan 24, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
Blank tea towels are so versatile. They not only look fresh and clean, but they wash up and hold up well too. But the best thing about them is you can customize them to make great gifts! Who doesn't love a customized gift?! I know I sure do! Originally used in the...
by Kati | Jan 23, 2021 | Meal Planning
A weekly Meal Plan Template can make such a big difference when you are feeling overwhelmed by the simple task of getting dinner on the table. You can download my free weekly meal plan template right here, but I suggest that you also read through the tips for how to...
by Kati | Jan 23, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
It may sound kinda crazy, but vanilla extract makes a wonderful gift. Expecially for someone who has it all. It's one of the easiest things to make and it can be given any time of year. But what's so great about it, is that the process for making the homemade vanilla...
by Kati | Jan 23, 2021 | Spend Less
This is my personal story about how to save money on cable by CUTTING IT OFF!! When James and I moved into our first house and we had to move the cable from our apartment to our new home, I got into a price war with the cable company. And I can be stubborn. So we went...
by Kati | Jan 22, 2021 | Recipes, Slow Cooker
This easy Beef Stroganoff recipe is a family favorite we have at least once a month. I plan this meal for hectic afternoons when I have lots of errands to run and kids to pick up and drop off. It's so nice to walk in the house after a busy afternoon to the wonderful...
by Kati | Jan 22, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
Don't you just love Pyrex baking dishes? Not only are they so easy to use and to clean up, but they can make great gifts too! Did you know that you can glass etch them? You can! That's why I decided to make this DIY etched casserole dish for a gift this year! And this...
by Kati | Jan 21, 2021 | Back To School, Meal Planning
Do you need some lunch meal prep ideas? Before I had children, I never really realized how much time I was going to be spending in the kitchen… making lunches. With four kids all going in multiple directions it can quickly become a daunting task. While we homeschool...
by Kati | Jan 21, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
Don't you just love using a Glass Pitcher for holidays and dinner parties? Having one just for water feels very fancy. I fill it with lemon or orange slices and it looks so pretty. But the prettiest ones I've seen lately are glass etched with a monogram. Oh, my! I...
by Kati | Jan 20, 2021 | Meal Planning
Do your food challenges at home consist of boring meals and the temptation to eat out? Eating out is expensive, especially when you have a family as big as ours. Even though I've found many ways to save when we do eat out, it can still be one of those items that bust...
by Kati | Jan 20, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
What would we do without our mason jar craft ideas?!! I don't know about you, but I love mason jars! They are just so useful for so many purposes including on the go drinks! I love having a drink with me wherever I go so that I save money! Recently I needed a gift for...
by Kati | Jan 20, 2021 | Reader Favorites, Spend Less
Have you ever done a 52 week money saving challenge? I am a huge proponent for saving money. Especially when it's easy and fun. When I realized that my family could save over $600 by simply collecting pennies… I was wholeheartedly on board! You might have seen...
by Kati | Jan 19, 2021 | Meal Planning
We all love real healthy recipes but they can be hard to come up with daily. If you want to save money on your meals, then meal planning is a key way to do so. To be honest, I hate to meal plan. But my family loves to eat (and so do I). I’ve found that Freezer Cooking...
by Kati | Jan 19, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
The best cutting boards are the ones you use for ages. The one my mother still has to this day is the one I used to chop veggies on when I was a kid. How is it that a piece of aged and worn wood brings some comfort and memories to you each time you grab to use it? I...
by Kati | Jan 19, 2021 | Recipes, Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe Our kids love to have a cup of Hot Chocolate when the weather turns colder. And with five of them, there never seems to be enough to go around since they all want refills! Now I can make plenty at one time with this Crock Pot Hot...
by Kati | Jan 19, 2021 | Recipes, Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe Creamy tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich instantly transport me back to Saturday lunchtime when I was a kid…yummy! Toss these simple ingredients in the crockpot before you leave for work and soup will be ready and...
by Kati | Jan 18, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
Last year my husband James was given some of the best flavored salts for Christmas and I knew they were super expensive so I learned how to create some homemade flavored salt recipes to include in my gift giving this year. The thought of licorice salt sounded...
by Kati | Jan 18, 2021 | Money
Last year, I was using the now retired Fuelperks app to regularly get cheap gas and a free tank about once every six months. When the Fuelperks program ended, I needed to research new options to continue saving on my fuel costs and how to get cheap gas. Much to my...
by Kati | Jan 17, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
Raise your hand if you're in need of a trinket tray! You know, the tray that you put everything into as you walk in the door so it doesn't grow legs and walk off? Yup, that kind of trinket tray. While I don't personally need one at the moment, I know of several people...
by Kati | Jan 17, 2021 | Spend Less
Whether you're looking to save money at the gas pumps, or just want to reduce your overall expenses, don't overlook your fuel costs. If you own a car, especially one that doesn't get very good gas mileage, then you know how much a full tank of gas can cost at the gas...
by Kati | Jan 16, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
Have you ever wished you had a waterproof tote bag? Believe it or not, but the Sunshine State where I live has a LOT of rain. It never fails that I head somewhere with my tote bag full of either library books or snacks and I need to sit it down and it gets all soaken...
by Kati | Jan 15, 2021 | Recipes, Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Our family LOVES Chicken Tortilla Soup and what easier way to make it than to do it in the crock pot! What could be easier than putting all the ingredients in the crock pot and turning it on?! You may want to use more than 6...
by Kati | Jan 15, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
I'm convinced that personalized makeup bags might just be the best thing ever. They have SO many uses. Little zippered bags are such great organizers and keep all the small things you need contained. To make this DIY no-sew makeup bag you'll use something you probably...
by Kati | Jan 15, 2021 | Spend Less
We can all use a night off from cooking meals and doing dishes every now and then, but it can be expensive! Don't let an expensive check at the end of your favorite restaurant meals ruin your night off. We've paid almost half of our grocery costs for the week on a...
by Kati | Jan 14, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
What's warm and cozy and looks great…a Custom Scarf! Scarves sure have come back into style as not only something to keep you warm and cozy, but as a great fashion piece too. From infinity to blanket scarves, they just look so great and can be useful too. But...
by Kati | Jan 14, 2021 | Budgeting
If you're looking at your list of household expenses and trying to decide what to cut, let me stop you there! You can't cut everything out of your budget, although we all wish we could at some point in our lives. This past year has been a doozy, from the water heater...
by Kati | Jan 13, 2021 | Meal Planning, Recipes
These restaurant secret recipes are my favorite way to wow my guests! Restaurants are so hard to resist. They are my kryptonite! The food and atmosphere keep me coming back for more every time! Then there’s the bread and butter or the spices and olive oil dipping. Oh,...
by Kati | Jan 13, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
There is nothing like a bunch of us girls in the kitchen with our aprons on working on our holiday baking list. And of course we're listening to Christmas music and there's always a bit of silly dancing happening too. It's such a special time together. I always say,...
by Kati | Jan 12, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
Do you know of someone you love with a worn out welcome mat? No, I'm not talking about their attitude…I'm talking about making some great gifts this year! Welcome mats are the first thing that make people feel welcome into your home. So let's make a great DIY...
by Kati | Jan 12, 2021 | Recipes, Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe Put a whole new spin on your leftovers by serving them with these easy Crock Pot Baked Potatoes! Top them with leftover Chili, Beef Stroganoff or Pot Roast along with traditional potato toppings for a leftover meal no one will complain...
by Kati | Jan 11, 2021 | Christmas, DIY, homemade-gifts
I love Swarovski crystal sun catchers, don't you?! They just bring in so much light and magic to a room, that it makes my heart skip a beat. Do you have a sun catcher memory? Mine goes back to my grandmothers living room. She had beautiful crystal sun catchers in...
