Besides being filled with chemicals I don't want in my house or on my skin, fabric softeners are expensive. Homemade fabric softener is a frugal option that can be chemical free.  Over the years, I have gradually let go of my dependence on name brand fabric softeners and dryer sheets, with each step becoming more and more frugal. DIYs or homemade products may seem daunting at first because ...

The following is a post from contributing writer Karen. Children's clothing can be expensive unless you know how to save money on them.  Here are several ways to help you save money on stocking your children's closets. Ways to Save Money on Children's Clothing Form a Swap Get together with your mom's group or friends and start a hand-me-down swap.  When my eldest son outgrows his ...

Are you trying to stick to a budget? Do you need to save money on groceries? Try menu planning! I feed our family of six (including 3 teens and a 12 year old) for $125 or less per week, and the primary way that I am able to stick to my budget is by making a weekly meal plan. Here are three ways that menu planning saves you money. Spend Less on Eating Out It's 5:00, you're tired, and the kids are ...

The following is a post from contributing writer Karen. I've had pets all my life and can't imagine them not being a part of our family.  There were a few years when we didn't have any pets because they were older and eventually all passed away. This past September we were itching to have a furry companion again.  The kids had never experienced a puppy since our previous pets were ...