Blueberries are fading into a sweet August memory. Poetic, huh? My husband and I picked 14 pounds last Saturday with the sun at our backs and two whiney children at our feet. Not so poetic. I flash froze the berries that weren't gobbled up fresh. I never post about HOT! deals, but it's hard to beat the pricetag on those gorgeous blackberries that are ripening as fast as school is approaching. For an invasive species, they sure are delicious. Peaches are also in season right now. Go to Pick Your Own to find an orchard near you. Tomatoes are slowly ripening; the heat we've had recently has definitely helped. There will be a whole lot Keep Reading
Frugal Homemaking for August
Five Reasons I Like Small Houses
image credit As my husband and I prepare to move our family of four out of our three-bedroom, 1,070 square foot home, the comment we often hear is, "Oh, you're looking for a bigger place?" And to be perfectly honest, that is one of the items on our wish list. But there is much to be said for life in a small home. I could easily write a post titled, "Where do you store your stockpile when you are having a hard time just finding a place for your visiting mother-in-law to sleep?" That seemed a bit long-winded, so I decided to focus on the benefits of downsized living instead. Actually, the whole downsizing trend is hot in the real estate market Keep Reading
Amazon: Back-to-School Savings
This month, Amazon is running a Back-to-School savings promotion. Most of these items can be found for cheaper with a coupon, but if you haven't been able to coupon in a while or your time is limited, there are a few great deals you should take advantage of. Here's just a few: :: GoGo SqueeZ applepeach, Applesauce on the Go, 4-Count Box of 3.2-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 12) $.46 a pouch shipped when you use coupon code GOGO4343 and Subscribe & Save :: Community Coffee as low as $3.32 a bag shipped when you use coupon code COMMCOF7 and Subscribe & Save :: Oskri Bars as low as $.79 a bar shipped when you use coupon code OSKRIBTS and Subscribe Keep Reading
Day Trip #2: Vancouver, WA
image credit This is the second post in a series of Staycation Day Trips we will be featuring over the next several months. (Go here to catch up on Day Trip #1: Astoria, OR). All day trip destinations will be in Oregon or Washington, less than a 3 hour drive from the greater Portland area. The activities will be fun, frugal, and family-friendly. image credit Last Saturday, when the sun decided to grace us with its presence, my family and I headed north to Vancouver Lake. I have lived just a short jump over the bridge most of my life, and I had never set foot in this park before. How have I missed this spot?! It had shaded grassy areas for Keep Reading
Ask FLNW: How do I keep from overspending?
We received this question from our reader, Amy: I have been doing this [couponing] for about a month and a half and doing pretty good at it, but I just added up what I am spending and it is at least $150 a week and that isn't saving us anything. I am using coupons on everything I can and doing the specials. There is 6 of us and 2 of them are teenage girls. I would love some help or advice. I think this is a common problem for those just starting on their couponing adventure. Here are my suggestions on how to keep your budget in check: :: Make sure you're living on a cash only grocery budget. Pull out the budgeted amount in cash, put it in an Keep Reading
Day Trip #1: Astoria, Oregon
image credit This is the first post in a series of Staycation Day Trips we will be featuring over the next several months. All day trip destinations will be in Oregon or Washington, less than a 3 hour drive from the greater Portland area. The activities will be fun, frugal, and family-friendly. My husband and I love taking day trips from our home base in Gresham, Oregon, exploring this crazy, beautiful backyard called the Pacific NW. I can't get enough of it. If money is tight and vacations have been cut, consider playing tourist in your own state. Day trips are a great way to do this. They hold all the fun without all of the commitment, Keep Reading
Frugal Homemaking for June
Who needs candy when Hood strawberries are in season? As we were out running errands yesterday, I stopped by my favorite farmstand and picked up a half flat of fresh berries. I passed back one pint to my little half-pints. Between the two of them, they polished off the berries in record time. I always feel this surge of motherly pride when my kids happily eat things that are good for them. Now if only I could convince them on the merits of spinach... As you know, Hoods start going bad if you just look at them wrong. Flash freezing or making jam are great ways to preserve those sweet berries. If you are looking for U-Pick fields in Keep Reading