What Is a Contingent Beneficiary? A Simple Way to Protect Your Kids If the Unexpected Happens
Most people don’t spend much time thinking about beneficiary designations until they’re filling out paperwork for a life insurance policy or retirement account. But one simple choice on those forms can make a huge difference for your family if the unexpected happens. Understanding the role of a contingent beneficiary is an easy but important part […]
5 Budgeting Questions to Ask Yourself Before Doing a Major Kitchen Renovation
Does your kitchen seem to be screaming, “Renovate me!” because it just isn’t working for your family’s needs anymore? Maybe you’ve been dreaming of more storage, better countertops, or a layout that actually makes cooking easier and more enjoyable. Before you jump into a kitchen renovation, though, it’s important to take a close look at […]
Jiaozi (Chinese Steamed Dumplings) Recipe with Easy Homemade Wrappers
Last week, when we were grocery shopping, my daughters saw Chinese dumplings, also known as jiaozi (pronounced jee-ow-dzuh) in the freezer section and requested that I buy them. Without even looking, I knew they’d be expensive, and had an idea. “Why don’t we make them from scratch together as our next mother daughter activity?” Lately, […]
10 Best Stretch Mark Creams For Pregnancy: Clinical Actives vs. Comfort Moisturizers
My belly is more stretch marks than skin thanks to my Ehlers Danlos Syndrome making my skin fragile, combined with pregnancies. I got my first stretch marks even before I was pregnant, and not from being fat either. But for many people, stretch marks during pregnancy aren’t a given, and a good stretch mark cream […]
The Most Cost-Effective Hobbies for Stress Relief and Personal Growth
Having hobbies is great for your mental health. They can help reduce stress, give you something to look forward to, build new skills, and provide a sense of accomplishment. Many people assume that having hobbies requires spending a lot of money, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Some of the best hobbies are […]
How Practical Decision-Making Shows Up in Shared Community Spaces
As someone who is always looking for ways to stretch a dollar, I’ve learned to look beyond the price tag. A purchase that costs less today can end up costing more tomorrow if it breaks easily or requires constant upkeep. That’s true not only in our homes, but also in the schools, churches, and community […]
Cheap Produce and Pantry Staples: My Latest Frugal Grocery Haul
It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these posts, but it’s been requested that I do them more often. I recently went grocery shopping, and nearly everything I bought was on sale, and much of it at terrific prices. So here are the sales and/or frugal items I picked up on my last […]
How Single Parents Can Actually Afford to Buy a Home
As a single mom, I know that my income isn’t high enough to qualify for a mortgage in my country, so I am very grateful that I was able to buy my home while I was still married. I have yet to buy my ex out of his share of the house, but when I […]
Provably Fair Crypto Casino Games: The Frugal Player’s Case for Demanding Proof
As a frugal person, gambling generally isn’t something I’d recommend, since the house is designed to come out ahead in the long run. However, if you choose to gamble anyway, it’s worth making sure the games you’re playing are actually fair. This post explains how provably fair crypto casinos allow players to verify results for […]
Essential Tips for a Successful Family Walking Holiday with Kids
Do you enjoy hiking? There’s really nothing like the great outdoors. Taking your kids on a hiking vacation can be a great amount of fun, but there are some tips and tricks you should keep in mind in order to make it as fun and as stress free a vacation as possible. Read on to […]