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An Open Letter to My Children and Grandchildren

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

To my Children and my Grandchildren, Following are some of life’s lessons – learned (sometimes poorly) by me along the road winding through my 65 years on earth. Read them and heed them if they make sense to you. Guard your health above all else. Care for your body, mind and spirit or you will not live the best life possible. Surround yourself with those who would make you grow, not just with those who make you comfortable.

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Build Memories and Spend Less on Your Grandchildren this Summer

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

Today’s grandparents are notorious for spoiling their beloved grand-kids. Today’s grand-kids are notorious for being glued to a screen. Spend less, and pry the kids away from those screens by doing some of these activities to build face time with yours. These are the times they will remember, long after they have forgotten who gave them that video game they love to play! Hold a grandparent camp. Traveling with a grandchild can be very rewarding – and very costly.

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Baby Week: Resources for Grandparents + Free 100 Things To Do With Grandchildren Manual

Birmingham Bargain Mom

Grandparents always say 'If I had known how much fun grandkids would be I would have had them first" -- I say, "Being a grandkid is the sweet life." {Why Why is it that grandparents let grandkids get by with so much stuff?} Check out these resources for grannie and granddaddy. Baby Bargains Deals

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Grandparenthood Can Be Expensive!

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

We spoiled our children and we apparently are even more intent on doing so with our grandchildren! My parents were somewhat more interactive with their grandchildren (my kids). Why are we spending more on our grandchildren? We want some influence over how our grandchildren are raised. Boomer grandparents definitely have ideas on what they want their grandchildren to learn and how they want them to behave.

2013 220
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Amazon: Lincoln Logs Classic Farmhouse ONLY $54.99 (Reg. $110)

For the Mommas

Recreate joyful building memories with your children and grandchildren with the LINCOLN LOGS Classic Farmhouse ! Amazon: Lincoln Logs Classic Farmhouse ONLY $54.99 (Reg. Amazon: Lincoln Logs Classic Farmhouse ONLY $54.99 (Reg. Amazon has Lincoln Logs Classic Farmhouse for ONLY $54.99 (Reg.

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Four Things I Learned When I Became a Grandparent

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

Here are four things I learned after having grandchildren. My Aunt and Uncle used to take each of their grandchildren on a trip when they reached the ripe old age of 8. When the grandchildren are at your house, it can get a bit trickier. You obviously have the right and responsibility to keep your grandchildren safe and must set up the house rules to do so. You don’t, however, have to let your grandchildren have free reign to destroy your house or things.

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What Can Go Wrong – Naming a Beneficiary

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

Grandchildren inherit but can’t get use of the money. Maybe you left a chuck of money to your ‘surviving grandchildren’ and they are not yet 18. This will probably be your grandchildren, yet, you want to make sure your spouse has enough to last their lifetime, so you designate your spouse as primary, your adult children as secondary and your grandchildren as tertiary beneficiaries.

2017 140
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Loss and Change

Frugal Luxuries

Yet his legacy of love lives on in his children and grandchildren. "The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; To make the most of what we have; To be happy with simple pleasures; And have courage when things go wrong." --Laura Ingalls Wilder ~~~ Well my kind friends.a sad event has happened. My beloved father passed away a few weeks ago after a brief unexpected illness. The world has lost a good man who led a good life.

Frugal 40
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30 Free but Thoughtful Christmas Gift Ideas

Family Balance Sheet

I realize not everyone has family heirlooms to give away, but my grandmother was downsizing and gifted her grandchildren pieces from her Fostoria Glass collection that were my grandparents’ wedding gifts back in 1945. This post has been updated, it was originally published in 2015.

Christmas 130
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Eight Things I Learned After Becoming a Millionaire

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

Most days I try to do some preparation with my sons, daughter-in-laws and grandchildren – to help them learn financial concepts and acquire the ability to wisely manage their money. That is one reason I hold my Grandma Rie’s Money Camp each summer with my grandchildren (our third generation). When we are young and poor, a million dollars seems an enormous sum – enough to cure all the ills in our lives!

2014 247
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How to Talk Estate Plan and Last Wishes with Your Sibling?

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

Although he is single and lives alone, he has a decades long friendship with a woman and has come to be considered a pseudo Dad and Grandpa by her children and grandchildren, but he has no legal relationship with any of them to my knowledge. Unfortunately, he is not likely to inherit as we have children and grandchildren that are coming first. #476805823 / gettyimages.com. I have an older brother who has no spouse, no children or other heirs.

2014 162
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Gratitude Brings Wealth

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

When she saw that her great-grandchildren were not writing thank you notes for her gifts to them, she sent their parents a set of Thank you note cards with envelopes and postage! So, great-grandma was wise in helping her grandchildren and great-grandchildren learn how to express gratitude. With age, sometimes comes wisdom. My Mother-in-law has long recognized the power of gratitude.

Gratitude 100
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How to Plan a Multi-Generation Family Vacation

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

Even the New York Times acknowledges that: As boomers join the ranks of grandparents, many are financing vacations for their children and grandchildren. My WWII era uncle and his wife made trips annually with one of their 4 grandchildren (a different one each year). But, we are the first generation (that I know about) to include grandparents, parents and grandchildren (and sometimes even the great-grandparent).

Vacation 100
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10 FREE (but Thoughtful) Christmas Gift Ideas

Family Balance Sheet

I realize not everyone has family heirlooms to give away, but my grandmother has been downsizing and gifting her grandchildren pieces from her Fostoria Glass collection that were my grandparents wedding gifts back in 1945. Gifts must be expensive and store bought—-SAID NO ONE, EVER! There’s outside pressure during Christmas to spend lavishly only to have the recipient not really like the gift or even use it.

Christmas 245
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How to Handle the Stock Market Roller Coaster Ride?

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

Write down my life experiences on economic downturns for the future benefit of my grandchildren. Share what I know of the family history during the 1920 – 1930′s depression and prior recessions with our children and grandchildren. This post was written by Marie. . If you are invested in the market, you know it has been a roller coaster ride the past week.

2011 176
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The Start of a New Year

Nicoles Nickels

I have a full grown daughter and not one, but two grandchildren. So for that reason, combined with two active grandchildren, is why I decided to make one resolution this year. This year I intend to get more active and eat as well as I would have my grandchildren eat. When I was a kid, the year 2000 seemed like it would only come in a science fiction story.

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$2 Off Leap Frog Letter Factory Adventures | Pay $7.96 at Walmart

Saving Everyday

This makes the perfect Easter Basket gift for chidren or grandchildren! A rare $2.00 off LeapFrog Letter Factory Adventures Movie coupon was just released! Pick it up for $7.96 after coupon at Walmart! . Leap Frog Letter Factory are highly educational and interesting for kids. My kids loved these movies when they were little. More Movie Coupons. off Chuggington: Brewster Leads The Way dvd. off any Peppa Pig: My Birthday Party dvd.

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Party of Sign w/ Family Name Custom Sign – $14.95

Saving With Shellie

How many grandchildren do you have? How cute are these Party of Sign w/ Family Name Custom Sign for just $14.95?! This sign will be treasured for years to come as it tells your family story. Perfect on a shelf or add it to your gallery wall. What is your family number? Possibilities are endless… All Signs are handcrafted… Boards are distressed and stained to make it appear like a primitive sign.

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4 Hobbies for Adulthood

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

It’s also a great hobby to teach children, grandchildren, or students. Whether you simply want to venture from the daily routine, stop watching so much TV, or you just need to save money by not going out, it’s never too late to pick up a new hobby. It can be an exciting experience, especially considering all the options available for exploration and discovery. The process of trying out a new hobby can be an enjoyable experience in its own right, even if it doesn’t stick in the long run.

Hobby 100
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Upromise March 2012 eCoupons

Saving In Akron

If your kids are grown, you can save for your grandchildren, or your if you don't have kids yet, contribute for your nieces, nephews, friends kids, etc. Here's the list of all the great ecoupons available from Upromise for March. If you haven't already done so, make sure you go to Upromise and load your e-coupons onto your supermarket/drugstore cards. I load them all just in case I decide to buy something. Then I don't have to think about it.

2012 138
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How is Your Vacation Rental Doing?

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

Wouldn’t it be fun to have a place where our sons, their wives and our grandchildren could come together to play, visit and bond? Owning a vacation rental has been a love-hate emotion for me. We bought a lakefront condo 10 years ago near lakes and an area known for entertainment venues, for what I thought at the time were great reasons. Why we bought. Diversify our investment holdings. We only own one home, no land, no rentals.

Vacation 124
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Our {Artificial} Christmas Tree

Family Balance Sheet

She crocheted one for each of her great-grandchildren back in 1980. I hesitated to put the word, artificial, in the title of the post. It seems that word when associated with Christmas trees provokes much debate. Part of me was embarrassed to admit it, but here goes: We have an artificial pre-lit Christmas tree. I feel so much better now that that is off my chest. Here's another secret. Our tree doesn't have a theme.

Christmas 113
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Cheaper, Less Stressful Alternatives to Christmas Gift Giving

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

Families playing football in the back yard after a turkey feast; grandparents watching Christmas Vacation with their grandchildren; decorating the Christmas tree and remembering just how each ornament came about. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no scrooge, but I don’t get into the Christmas spirit because of gifts.

Giving 199
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How to Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

According to the New York Times , Jackie Onassis put the bulk of her estate in a charitable lead trust that paid out for 24 years, following which, anything left would go to her grandchildren. If you end up in life with assets that you would like to use or from which you need to receive income, yet also want to donate to charity, there may be ways for you to do both.

Cake 201
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A Mom After God’s Own Heart eBook for $2.99

Couponing 101

Elizabeth, who has two grown children and six grandchildren, gives practical advice and real–life suggestions for helping children—no matter what their ages—incorporate God into daily life. Hurry and download the eBook A Mom After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George for only $2.99 right now! This isn’t a free eBook, but it’s a great value. This eBook is normally priced at $13.99, and it’s written by a very popular author.

Mom 100
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Visually Record Your Relatives??? History to Make Lasting Memories

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

You’ll have precious memories to share with your children and grandchildren of your own parents and grandparents. In 1994, after he finished Schindler’s List , Steven Spielberg founded the Survivors of Shoah Visual History Foundation. His goal was to interview and record survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust before they all passed away. To date, 53,000 people have been interviewed and recorded.

Making 167
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Why Renew Your Vows?

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

For our 40th wedding anniversary, we chose to take our adult children and our grandchildren on a vacation to Yellowstone National Park. I just don’t get it. Why do married couples feel the need to renew their marriage vows on selected anniversaries? Didn’t they mean it the first time? Have they digressed and need to do it again? Have they finally figured out that there is no one else for them so they may as well? Is it just expected?

ReNew 165
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Roth IRA Conversions? Better Wait and See.

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

That money has to come from somewhere and unfortunately we all just keep kicking it down the road to my grandchildren. For years, it has been possible to set up your estate plan so that when you die, your heirs can stretch out the distributions from your IRAs – over their lifetime. Many well to do families have been counting on this as a way to pass along significant wealth to their next generations.

Converse 176
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2 FREE 8×10 Enlargements from Shutterfly

Saving With Shellie

Or send pictures of the grandchildren to the grandparents as a memorable gift. Shutterfly is offering NEW customers 2 FREE 8×10 photo enlargements. Just use coupon code 2X8X10 at checkout. Each 8×10 print is usually $4, so you are saving $8 with this deal! Shipping is only $2.99.

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11 Things I learned After Owning a Vacation Property

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

I wanted a place for our family to gather – adult children and grandchildren along with us. No matter if my family doesn’t use it as much as I’d hoped; no matter that they won’t swim in the lake; no matter that my spouse would rather stay home; I’m still enjoying the condo with my two grandchildren each year. We purchased a vacation condo in a local resort area in 2006 (yep, right before the crash).

Vacation 100
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Father’s Day Gifts From Amara

Cheap Chica's Guide To Style

Complete the frame (or set of frames) with a favorite photo of him and his children or grandchildren. With Father’s Day is right around the corner (June 18!), it’s time to think about what to get your main man. This year, opt for a luxury gift that he’ll get a ton of use out of. Amara is an awesome company that specializes in elegant lifestyle and home accessories.

Father 60
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Upromise eCoupons for January 2012

Saving In Akron

If your kids are grown, you can save for your grandchildren, or your if you don't have kids yet, contribute for your nieces, nephews, friends kids, etc. Here's the list of all the great ecoupons available from Upromise for January. If you haven't already done so, make sure you go to Upromise and load your e-coupons onto your supermarket/drugstore cards. I load them all just in case I decide to buy something. Then I don't have to think about it.

2012 113
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5 Reasons Why You Should Invest in Gold

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

So, if you decide to, you can hand them over to your grandchildren so they can learn the amazing benefits of gold investment for themselves. Let’s face it, the economy stinks and there isn’t an end in sight. So what should we do about this situation when it comes to investing our hard earned money? Well, some investors have turned to gold. The Benefits of Gold Investment. You’ll be surprised to learn about all of the benefits of gold.

2012 209
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What Is National Financial Literacy Month?

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

I will be planning parts of my Grandma’s Money Camp (a one week experience for my grandchildren to help teach them financial literacy) in observation of National Financial Literacy Month. On March 28, 2012 the Senate passed Resolution 409 that officially recognized April as National Financial Literacy Month. Why do we need yet another officially designated day, week, month – we have so many!

2012 202
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How to Save Money at Silver Dollar City

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

When I took my grandchildren to the local carnival in my own city on the 4 th of July, each ride was at least $3 per child – so $9 a pop if I rode with them. Silver Dollar City is the mid-west’s number one visited entertainment destination, according to some sources. It is a family friendly theme park with craftsmen, rides, shows, restaurants and play areas. Like most theme parks, entrance fees cover most (if not all) of the attractions, rides and shows inside the park.

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Should You Accept Family Money?

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

Making sure the grandchildren have the desired benefits enhances their peace of mind. When I was a young adult, out of college and into my first years of marriage, I cringed at the thought of getting money from my parents. I felt it would give them control over me in some fashion and fiercely wanted my independence. I wanted to prove myself. I thought there would be ‘strings’ attached to the use of the money.

Money 124
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It’s a New Year – Start it off Right with Cascadian Farm!

Nicoles Nickels

This year I’m focusing on less gluten and sugar for me and my grandchildren. Since 1972, Cascadian Farm has grown beyond our original farm and is recognized as a pioneer in converting conventional farms to organic. By working in harmony with the land, we offer products that balance the needs of the environment along with the needs of your nutrition. Certified Organic, Guaranteed Delicious! What health and wellness activities are you looking forward to doing with your family in 2014?

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Upromise eCoupons for January 2011

Saving In Akron

If your kids are grown, you can save for your grandchildren, or your if you don't have kids yet, contribute for your nieces, nephews, friends kids, etc. Here's the list of all the great ecoupons available from Upromise for December. If you haven't already done so, make sure you go to Upromise and load your e-coupons onto your supermarket/drugstore cards. I load them all just in case I decide to buy something. Then I don't have to think about it.

2011 113
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Sesame Street: Life of Whoopie Pie (Life of Pi Parody)

Nicoles Nickels

My daughter grew up watching Sesame Street and now my grandchildren are watching. Another day, another fabulous spoof from your dear friends at Sesame Workshop! They’ve released a spoof of award-winning film, Life of Pi. Sesame Street: Life of Whoopie Pie” chronicles Whoopie Pie and Cookie Monster and their lost at sea adventures on a boat made out of cookies. Can Cookie Monster control himself and not eat the boat? Will they be saved? Find out in the “Life of Whoopie Pie”!

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Seniors – Keep Your Allocations

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

We need to make sure our base grows over his lifetime, especially since we hope to leave a legacy to our children and grandchildren. Many, if not most, financial institutions, advisers, and planners recommend very conservative strategies for those nearing or in retirement. Take their generic advice at your own risk! Most likely they are just trying to avoid liability and cover their you know whats.

2014 170
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Free & Cheap Kindle Books: First Frost & More

For the Mommas

Claire McDermott is a wife, a mother, a grandmother… Her only daughter is gravely ill… Her son-in-law is resentful and angry… Her grandchildren are missing… ** Please be sure to check the price before you purchase, as the prices change quickly! First Frost (FREE as of posting time). Generations, the Frost family has run the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts, handing down guardianship from mother to daughter, always keeping their secrets to “family only.”.

Museum 53
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Build a Legacy for Your Child: Be Remembered for Your Positive Influence

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

Your legacy isn’t something that can be organized in your later years, although your grandchildren may benefit from your influence when you are older. Don’t forget to enter to win an iPad 3 here at PET. How do you want to be remembered by your children? What gifts do you want to leave them that will enrich their lives and influence their actions?

Building 200
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Everyone is Sick – AGAIN

Nicoles Nickels

Both my grandchildren have the most disgusting mucous laced coughs I have ever heard coming out of tiny little bodies. You would think that after some period of time a cold/cough/sore throat/bronchitis/whatever (allergies are in there as well) would just give up and go away. But no. That is not happening with me. I’m pretty sure this is going on two months now. The rest of the family has been sick off and on during this time frame, but never as bad as me, except for now.