Bargain Mom's favorite posts from the past 6 years & 1 final post

Six years ago when I started the Bargain Mom blog I had no idea where it would go, how it would grow or how I would do anything other than be Birmingham Bargain Mom.

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There are a number of moments along the way that I thought I could do this for the rest of my life and be happy.

I've loved every time I've met a reader in person, chatted with readers online or via email.

I've loved all of the fun posts that show snippets of my life with my three kids and husband.

I've loved all the weird posts about thrifty or cheap living.

I've loved the parenting posts where I share my thoughts and usually the thoughts of readers who have shared their views on parenting topics via Facebook.

Most of all I've loved what I've learned about life over the past six years.

I've learned not to value anything more than family, that includes career, hobbies or any other distraction.  Kids are little once, you don't want to miss it.  Loving your spouse takes daily effort, you don't want to waste a day.  Experiences are far more meaningful than spending money on deals.

Frugal living will take on a new meaning for me in 2015.  I'll no longer be working for Alabama Media Group on al.com as Birmingham Bargain Mom.

That's right.  Today is my last day.

I've been with The Birmingham News/AL.com for 16 years.  That's a long time to be in one place, relatively speaking.

Everybody gets a blank slate, if you will, on Jan. 1.  I'm looking forward to 2015, my blank slate.

It's time for me to step away from Bargain Mom and move on to different things.

Before I go I want to do a quick round-up of some of my favorite posts.  I've written more than 34,000 post in 6 years, so this isn't cumulative.  There are too many to list.

You can keep up with me here, here, here and here.  I'm still in Birmingham. I'm still a deal hunter at heart and I'm still eager to connect with fellow deal hunters.

Thank you for reading, supporting and following me as Birmingham Bargain Mom. I could not have done it without you, your tips and your friendship.

So here are the favorites:

Thrifty Living:

11 Uses for Old Toothbrushes

Go here.

11 Uses for Dryer Lint

Couponing:

Bargain Mom's Couponing 10 Commandments

Frugal Parenting:

Frugal Parenting for Working Parents: Bonding via homemade treasure boxes

How to make easy, frugal & cute baby leg warmers in 15 minutes

Go here.

How to Make Your Own 'Angry Birds' Yard Game

Go here.

5 tips for effectively sharing your hobby with your child

Go here.

Shaving Cream Sensory Bins = Tons of outdoor fun

Go here.

Homemade Water Experiment Fun (No to Low Cost)

Go here.

Encouraging imagination & educating them with cloud activities

Go here.

How to make a cardboard box bean bag toss

Go here.

Homemade library & bookstore

Go here.

Parenting: To The Class of 2011 - Be Frugal, Safe & Kind (Readers offer advice)

Go here.

Parenting: Proof Lunch Box Love Notes To Your Child Are Special

Go here.

See Alabama series:

Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville: Trails, Views, Observatory & More

Go here.

See Alabama: Helen Keller's Birthplace Tuscumbia (Photos & Video)

Go here.

See Alabama with Bargain Mom: Rickwood Caverns

Go here.

See Alabama with Bargain Mom: Horseshoe Bend National Park

Go here.

See Alabama: Tips for touring Russell Cave National Monument with kids

See Alabama with Bargain Mom: 5 Tips for visiting Wheeler National Refuge with kids

See Alabama with Bargain Mom: 5 Tips for visiting Da Vinci exhibit at USSRC with kids (Although this is no longer in town, it's still one of my favorites.)

Go here.

Weekend Unplug series:

10 Pretend Games To Play With Your Kids

Weekend Unplug: 9 Outdoor Games to Play with Your Kids

Letter Scavenger Hunt with camera phone & kids

Turn clover flowers into jewelry with your kids

Go here.

Frugal stair version of Plinko

Let's go fly a kite

Go here.

Head down to the creek, wade & skip rocks

Go here.

Teach your child how to play tennis

Go here.

Let your child paint on wood or other scrap materials

Frog spotting in your own yard or park

Go here.

Break out the sprinkler, buckets & more

Go here.

Cook on hot coals around a campfire or fire pit

Go here.

Old school swinging games

Go here.

Earn National Park Service Junior Ranger Badges (In person, online or via mail)

Go here.

Build a campfire & get the kids talking

Go here.

Take the kids to watch trains + lessons to share

Go here.

Folding & flying paper airplanes with your kids

Go here.

Take the kids on a hike, anywhere

Go here.

Put down your phone & play at the park with your kids

Go here.

Tips for watching airplanes with kids, lessons they can learn

Go here.

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