http://www.fulltimeparenting.com Redefining the Good Life Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:51:36 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en This is an easy way to save money no matter where you live. With high gas prices, it immediately saves you money if you find opportunities to walk throughout your day instead of driving, but there are some less obvious cash saving benefits to walking.  First of all, by walking ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=635 Have a college campus nearby?  Then you likely have a treasure trove of quality entertainment options that are inexpensive or even free. Whether you're looking for theater, film festivals, art exhibits, concerts, dance recitals, or sporting events, you can find this and more at the local institution of higher education.  Check ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=632 Everyone knows there are coupons in the Sunday paper, but how many of you take the time to use them.  By taking just minutes a week you can save thousands of dollars each year on your grocery bill without even changing what you buy.  There are a multitude of websites ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=629 Need more reasons to BBQ?  Cooking and dining outside can actually save you money.  Running the air in your house is nearly 70 percent of summer energy use and cooking inside creates excess heat so your a/c has to work overtime. Cooking and eating outside will lower your electric bill, ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=622 Going with an old standby tonight, but putting a new twist on it.  Instead of just plain old pancakes we'll try some whole wheat pancakes.  A little more healthy and my kids tried them as a sample at the grocery store and loved them.  Also our vegetarian daughter has decided ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=625 Camping is a fun, inexpensive way to spend time with your family, at least that's what it used to be. Now after the initial investment of equipment, you still have steep reservation fees and park entrance fees that make your cheap fun a little less reasonable.  Here's a nice little ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=610 This Friday's Fatherhood Friday post is about sacrificing your own time to strengthen your family relationships. Twice a year for the past five years I have had to make a tough decision. Should I volunteer to be the soccer coach for my daughter's rec league soccer team? Every time I've ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=595 Skip the vending machine. This habit is likely costing you several dollars each day for something you can buy at the store for pennies on the dollar.  You can also try replacing the sugar-filled vending machine fare with healthy alternatives that are usually cheaper and better for you.  Planning ahead ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=592 According to this article, even with a higher initial cost, using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can save you $100 a year.  A CFL is a small fluorescent light bulb that uses seventy five percent less energy than a traditional light bulb and can be used in a regular light ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=588 Confession: I just realized that it was dinner time and I hadn't given a single thought to what that might be tonight. So I starting the opening of pantry doors and refrigerator and decided to try a new creation that blends my chicken pot pie with Kevin's beef pie. Like ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=581 With the acceptance of credit/debit cards almost everywhere now, using cash can seem pretty old school to many people, but this simple technique can also save you money. First of all many places will automatically cut you a deal if you pay with cash. For example the gas ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=578 This meal has been a favorite of our family for years, but it's usually something we have in the cooler months. Well, the temperature dipped around here and I found myself longing for this simple but satisfying dish. For those looking for a truly authentic cassoulet, this is not the ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=572 Pack an empty water bottle in your carry on luggage when you travel to the airport. You can’t bring liquids past security, but you can bring an empty bottle and then fill it up at a drinking fountain as soon as you get past security. Simple idea that saves ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=568 I’ve always thought that the name of this dish is rather unappetizing–maybe because it’s close to “ghoulish”? But in the interest of saving time and money (see our recent post on why crock pot cooking is a thrifty choice), I cracked open the classic crock pot cookbook, Fix It ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=565 Give your credit card companies a call and ask them for a rate reduction on the interest for your cards. With both credit card companies and home equity lines of credit, sometimes these companies are willing to reduce the interest rate. It can't hurt to ask and if ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=562 Yes, it's that time of year again.  The time when you have more zucchini than you know what to do with.  You try giving it away, but still there's more.  So we're trying to make it a regular part of our meals without completely burning out of it. Today it will ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=557 Most Americans spend most of the day somewhat dehydrated; we just don't drink enough water. Making sure you are drinking plenty of water will provide you great health benefits, but it also has financial benefits too. Try to drink a big glass of water before every meal, as ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=554 Sometimes our life never slows down... I will be up in the mountains helping out with the girls camp for the young women of our church all evening and Heather is still recovering from the bug our family has had the past few days, so we're taking the easy out and ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=551 Does anyone from your neighborhood work with or near you? If so, why not ride together?  You can alternate who drives each day or week and you've instantly cut the wear and tear and gas costs for your car in half, not to mention for your friend.  Even better try ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=548 As we are all in various stages of recovery from the stomach bug we passed around the family, we decided to do something quick, easy, and low-key tonight--Hawaiian haystacks. Our kids love these, not only because they taste good, but because they get to make their own creation when ... http://www.fulltimeparenting.com/?p=544