Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 22, 2014

Keep enough cash on you to make it to safe haven! My grown son and his wife accompanied us on a day trip several years ago. We decided to stop for lunch in a small Midwest town. My son whipped out his credit card to pay for their meal and was stopped cold when he found out the place didn’t take credit.

Money 217

Money Mom Credit Cards Bank 217

Saving Cents With Sense

AUGUST 3, 2012

It never fails – at some point in the school year, you pack a lunch for your kiddos and sandwiches get smashed, grapes spill, or the containers that are holding a healthy side just don’t fit right into their lunch sack. So, make sure your kids know not to hold the cooler upside down. Not leakproof).

Giveaway 100

Giveaway Prizes Lunch Lunches 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 1, 2012

Now that my son is back in school, and my husband’s teaching schedule is set (at least for this semester), I find that I feel much better — and it’s easier to stick to my health goals. I am much more productive in the mornings, so I try to arrange my schedule so that most of my work is done before lunch.

Health 222

Health Son Work Meals 222

Saving Cents With Sense

JULY 29, 2013

My son loves to take Lunchables for his school lunch – and his favorite is the pizza. So, of course, I LOVED the idea of making them myself – I can control the ingredients, include some healthier options, and it is actually is cheaper, so that is a win-win in my book! How to Make a Homemade Pizza Lunchable.

Lunchables 95

Lunchables Pizza Freezers Lunch 95

For the Mommas

FEBRUARY 14, 2012

My son will eat it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I tried making peanut butter cupcakes, but they weren’t moist enough to have the consistency of a cupcake. Peanut butter and jelly is a staple around my house. When you think of PB&J, you immediately think of sandwiches.

Recipes 76

Recipes Cupcakes Son Desserts 76

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 26, 2014

If you’d like to take an easy step to go green and save money in the process, the first place to make changes is in buying disposable items. If you’d like to make the switch from paper napkins, consider going to cloth napkins. Or you can make them yourself. Because that’s all we knew, they became the norm.

Saving Money 242

Saving Money Green Money Paper Towels 242

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 16, 2014

I was surprised at how much better I have felt in the past few months (sans a disappointing three-week illness, but that was out of the ordinary), thanks to making a few health changes. The good news is that you can prevail — as long as you make your changes in baby steps. Eat Healthier Foods . Get Better Sleep . Volunteer .

Wellness 212

Wellness Health Food and Drink Re-use 212

Saving Cents With Sense

MARCH 20, 2012

If your kids are in school, sports, will be attending camp, or other social functions, labels are a lifesaver because they can help bring home all the extra items, like backpacks, lunch boxes, shoes, games, and more. Right now you can get a $50 Label Daddy Voucher for Just $25 and make custom labels for your kids.

Son 59

Son Lunch Lunches Sports 59

Saving Cents With Sense

APRIL 16, 2014

My son’s 6th birthday is this month – that is so astounding to me since I started this blog when he was just an infant (ah, I digress!). I really wanted to make his birthday celebration special since this month is just so busy with birthdays, Easter, a family wedding and school obligations. Spider-Man Ice Cream Cake.

Baskin Robbins 109

Baskin Robbins Birthday Cake Ice Cream 109

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 29, 2011

Make your own play dough (puzzle, website, puppets). My kids used to love helping me make play dough. I used a recipe similar to this one on Playdoughrecipe.com [link] Make sure they use the play dough on a surface that won’t absorb the food coloring! I learned how to play chess to teach my own 8 year old son.

Entertainment 201

Entertainment Budgeting Budget At Home 201

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 15, 2013

If you travel, you no longer need to get travelers checks to make sure you can handle emergencies. We stopped for lunch at the local branch of a national franchise. My son tried to pay with credit, they said no. Seeing the cash makes it easier for the other guy to agree to your terms at times. It can’t be declined.

Used 234

Used Credit Cards Psychology Credit 234

Couponing 101

DECEMBER 8, 2012

My son recently became very interested in Star Wars, so we threw him a Star Wars-themed party for his birthday this year! That meant I had to be pretty creative for my son’s party. That meant I had to be pretty creative for my son’s party. We used my son’s Boba Fett helmet to add a nice touch to the food table.

Birthday 107

Birthday Son Cupcakes Clearance 107

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 1, 2014

If not, it isn’t too late to make one – and this is one resolution that you can succeed at, too. I have many ways for you to start saving, including couponing, but before you become overwhelmed with the idea, here are 10 tips that are simple, easy and will make you one savvy shopper in 2014, so you can start saving more.

2014 88

2014 Saving Bills Emergency Fund 88

Saving Cents With Sense

DECEMBER 13, 2012

You’ll want to make sure that you have plenty of snacks on hand to keep everyone happy. These snacks are also great to take on trips or in lunches. Your kids are probably going on winter break soon, like mine, so having some easy snacks on hand that they can have with lunch or in the afternoon is a plus.

Frito lay 49

Frito lay Lays Friends And Family Sale Cheetos 49

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 26, 2012

Last weekend my grown son was home for our autumn family picnic. Plastic one gallon ice cream tubs (we love ice cream) make great containers to carry food to picnics or gatherings. Plastic containers from sliced lunch meat are great for leftover vegetable or casserole servings. That thing predates me!” Clothing and Linens.

Re-use 235

Re-use Used Reuse Amusement Park 235

Saving Cents With Sense

JULY 31, 2013

I’m spending a lot of this week getting ready for back to school – not just because there are some great deals out there, but because one of my son’s starts next week! So, I’m making sure their backpacks and lunch containers are ready, their clothes are cleaned and put away, and all of the supplies they need are ready to take to school.

Kraft 49

Kraft Capri Sun Maxwell House Lunch 49

The Coupon Game

AUGUST 5, 2011

So, in celebration of his birthday, I'm making my first homemade cake for him (with whole wheat flour - yikes!), Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread Decadent Chocolate Cake (made with whole wheat flour) for my son's birthday! This is a special week in our family. My youngest child is turning 5 years old! Photo courtesy of WholeGrainGourmet.)

Menu Planning 49

Menu Planning Menu Plans Homemade A&W 49

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 22, 2012

Working online means that I find other ways to make connections, either by chatting online with others in a similar situation, or getting out of the house and having lunch with a friend a couple times a month. Be realistic about your need for human contact, and take that into account as you make your decisions. Self-Motivation.

Work From Home 229

Work From Home Work Home Motivation 229

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 5, 2014

Co-workers expect you to eat lunch out with them – or catch a drink after work (at least occasionally). What if all those citizens in each of the 12 districts had refused to give up their sons and daughters to the hunger game? The group can provide rules to live by, protection, food and companionship. Embrace the Negative!

Games 170

Games Flowers and Plants Film Contest 170

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 3, 2017

If not, it isn’t too late to make one – and this is one resolution that you can succeed at, too. Before heading to the store, make a list of what you need and stick to the list while shopping. Pack a lunch and watch your savings grow. Buying a lunch each day can be pricey, even if you are finding a good deal.

New Year's 40

New Year's Saving Bills Emergency Fund 40

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 16, 2011

Working out in the morning wakes up your body and gets the blood flowing to your brain, making you more alert for your work day. Make It Routine. Be Selfish – Make It ‘ME’ Time. Once you have a morning routine established, make it a permanent part of your day by making it your own special time.

At Home 198

At Home Home Work At&T 198

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2015

We’re a family of five, including, me, my wife and 3 children: 15 year old fraternal twins and a 12 year old son. I was looking for a get out of debt free card, but quickly realized managing money was really all common sense: having a plan for you money in a form of a budget and spend less then you make. What are your hobbies? .

Debt 100

Debt Credit Cards Debt Free Credit 100

Saving Everyday

APRIL 11, 2018

It makes my weekly journey to Trader Joe’s so much better! My son was very happy to see quesadillas as the special last week and said it was delicious! The artichoke spread makes it! Hours: Lunch: Monday – Saturday from 10 am until 4 pm. Now I know, and I’m so happy I do! You can even grab a homemade dessert!

Nashville 53

Nashville Green Food Food and Wine 53

Nicoles Nickels

JANUARY 20, 2013

Make sure to read Jamie’s post below about his week. I also didn’t mentally beat myself up after making a poor food decision; I just started fresh the next morning. Nicole will be out of town again this coming weekend, and I will have to make better decisions while she is gone. Weight loss this week: gained.4

Food and Drink 74

Food and Drink North Carolina Meals Son 74

Saving Cents With Sense

APRIL 24, 2013

My oldest son, who doesn’t like chocolate (crazy I know), absolutely loves the strawberry yogurt bars and that makes mom happy because now I have a quick snack or lunch box item on hand for him. I have to tell you, we had a chance to try these products, and the chocolate chip oatmeal cookies were such a huge hit in my house!

Gift Cards 92

Gift Cards Giveaway Fridays Quaker 92

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 1, 2015

If not, it isn’t too late to make one – and this is one resolution that you can succeed at, too. Before heading to the store, make a list of what you need and stick to the list while shopping. Pack a lunch and watch your savings grow. Buying a lunch each day can be pricey, even if you are finding a good deal.

New Year's 40

New Year's Saving Bills Emergency Fund 40

Saving Cents With Sense

SEPTEMBER 7, 2012

My oldest son turned 7 a few weeks ago and we wanted to surprise him with a fun birthday – but I’m sure he had NO idea how much of a surprise we had for him. You can make reservations once you get to the park, but to make it easier on you, just call ahead. This place gets packed, so make sure you go early in the day).

Disneyland 77

Disneyland Birthday California Disney 77

Saving Cents With Sense

SEPTEMBER 25, 2011

I have used them on basically everything from sippy cuts, to backpacks and lunch sacks, to sports equipment and bags. The shoe labels have really come in handy this year as my son is playing multiple shoes – with different athletic shoes (baseball, soccer, etc). Please make sure you leave a comment for each entry !

Giveaway 94

Giveaway Shoes Win Baseball 94

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 18, 2017

Doing something every day that you dread, something that makes you fume, something that makes your stomach churn and your sleep restless is extremely bad – for your health, for your family, for your friends and for your life. If that is the case, it can make you want to get out of the situation.

Work 133

Work At&T Goals Kids and Family 133

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 19, 2012

Just as healthy money habits can make you wealthy over time, healthy living habits can keep you living younger longer. While working I either walked at lunch or worked out at the downtown gym. Oh, I don’t mean you can stop or turn back the clock, but you can keep yourself in shape to pursue the things you want and need to do.

Food and Drink 188

Food and Drink Quiz United States Food and Wine 188

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 9, 2012

It was the trip of a lifetime with our extended family (two sons, their spouses and two of our grandchildren). The constant average price for a breakfast or lunch at any of the facilities we visited was around $8 a person (for burgers and fries). We are just back from a road trip from the mid west to Yellowstone National Park and back.

Saving Money 188

Saving Money Money Saving Kids and Family 188

Saving Everyday

OCTOBER 24, 2014

We moved, my son came in from Colorado, and I was planning my granddaughter’s first Disney vacation. The cabinets were practically bare, my poor husband had nothing for his lunches, and we had not a single roll of toilet paper. This may sound like a strange thing to be thankful for, but I have a confession to make.

Vacation 51

Vacation Fridays Coffee Couch 51

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 9, 2015

The idea of becoming debt free makes me downright giddy. How did they make it happen? Jen and her husband were reeling after their son was diagnosed with a lifetime medical condition that would implode their finances. ACTION STEP: How can you make some extra cash? But selfishly, I wanted to know their secret.

Debt Free 100

Debt Free Debt Budgeting Budget 100

Nicoles Nickels

FEBRUARY 17, 2013

Make sure to read Jamie’s post below about his week. It takes me a while to get everything put away, wanted to show you a shot of the pantry where all of the shelf stable dinners and bars go and the hutch where the shelf stable lunches and desserts go. I am at the end of Week 11 and had a pretty good week this week!

Bath and Body Works 82

Bath and Body Works Frozen Chocolate Food 82

Nicoles Nickels

JANUARY 27, 2013

Make sure to read Jamie’s post below about his week. I say pretty much because on Friday I had lunch at the conference. I love the Chobani flavors but the 140 calories make it an occasional splurge for me now since a power fuel is supposed to be 80-120 calories. Make sure to read his post below. _.

Fuel 79

Fuel Food and Drink Cake Wellness 79

For the Mommas

DECEMBER 23, 2017

into consideration makes me feel young again, and it’s been far too long since I’ve had the freedom to do that. I’m so very grateful for the many extra years of good health I’ve enjoyed, for all that having a strong body has allowed me to do, and I’m determined to keep fighting the good fight.

Christmas 0

Christmas Friends And Family Sale Uncle Cameras 0