Pretty much every year of my adult life I’ve attended at least one holiday gathering where there was a white elephant gift exchange. Though the specific details vary, most of these have involved the exchange of silly, strange, or humorous gifts. I often scramble around the house a day or two before a white elephant gift exchange in an … [Read more...] about 26 White Elephant Gifts from Around the House
frugal living
Ways to Save Money this Fall
Though I’ve lived here for over a decade, I’m still amazed at how hot the summers get in Texas. If you try to beat this heat using air conditioning, then high electricity bills are inevitable. Thankfully, summer has transitioned to fall, which means relief is on the way. We did our best to save money this summer despite the heat. Now … [Read more...] about Ways to Save Money this Fall
Find Deals on Everyday Items During Back-to-School Sales
Store shelves are overflowing with paper, pencils, and notebooks. The aisles are teeming with parents who are trying to fulfill long lists of school supplies. This sounds like a scene I’d like to avoid! I won’t avoid it entirely, though. I have minimal need for school supplies because my kids are young and we homeschool the only one who … [Read more...] about Find Deals on Everyday Items During Back-to-School Sales
Ways to Save Money this Summer
We’ve already had a number of days that have neared 100°F. It won’t be long before we are crossing that threshold! We’re always pinching pennies in my household, so I’m considering how to save money as we face the sweltering days of summer. When cooling the home It’s typical for electric bills to spike during the summer months because … [Read more...] about Ways to Save Money this Summer
8 of the Best Foods to Buy In Bulk
Buying foods in bulk can be a great way to save a bit of money on your grocery bill. However, it’s not wise to purchase all of your foods in bulk. Some foods spoil so quickly that it’s nearly impossible to use bulk quantities of them before they go bad. Other foods cost the same whether purchased in small or large quantities, so there’s … [Read more...] about 8 of the Best Foods to Buy In Bulk
Ways to Save Money This Spring
This winter has been one of the most unusual ones I can recall. We had snow (more than once) and several days of freezing temperatures. This is quite unusual here on the Texas Gulf Coast! Though I’m certain we’ll be complaining about the heat soon enough, most of us are glad to see the arrival of spring. We have different needs in cold … [Read more...] about Ways to Save Money This Spring
Ways to Save Money this Winter
Though winter technically happens every year, it doesn’t always feel like we have winter here on the Texas Gulf Coast. However, this year we’ve had a number of cold days and it’s even snowed! We have different needs in cold weather than we have in warm weather. Because we’re always pinching pennies in my household, I’ve been considering … [Read more...] about Ways to Save Money this Winter
Unconventional Places to Shop for Christmas Gifts
Cyber Monday (which is today) is much more my speed than Black Friday. I’m not a fan of shopping with hordes of people, so I’m more than happy to do my Christmas shopping from my couch. Of course, popular brick-and-mortar department stores and online retailers like Amazon aren’t the only places we can shop for Christmas gifts. There are … [Read more...] about Unconventional Places to Shop for Christmas Gifts