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Looking for something to do with the kiddos.  I'm all about the cheap and quick craft projects.  It keeps them entertained for a little bit and there's nothing worse than spending a fortune on a craft that they spend 5 minutes doing. This one is cheap, fun, and easy. Here's all you need colored candies (like M&Ms), a plate, hot water, and a syringe (optional).  Have the kids arrange the M&Ms on the plate.  It's fun to also practice creating patterns.  I got the red and green ones for Christmas, but all colors work.  Heat a cup of water in the microwave until hot (about 2 minutes depending on your microwave).  Carefully pour the hot water over the M&Ms (depending on your child's age, this may best be done by an adult).  To make sure the M&Ms don't move when the water is added, I like to use a syringe (the type you use when the kiddos are sick).  It doesn't require much water, just enough to fill the base of the plate.  And wait

These cookies are perfect lactation cookies for improving milk flow. After my third child was born, I was looking for a healthy and cost effective way to improve my milk supply. More milk = less of the super expensive formula that the daycare uses. I came across some expensive lactation cookies on the web ($20 for 10 cookies, eek) and decided I could make them cheaper at home. The recipe below has become a favorite in our family. These delicious cookies have also been dubbed "poop" cookies in our family due to their high fiber content and, well, you get the idea. These cookies are significantly cheaper than the store bought versions and supper yummy. Enjoy! yield: makes about 20 to 24 cookies with teaspoon scoop total time: 45 minutes bake time and temperature: 8-10 min at 350 ingredients: wet ingredients: 6 tablespoons organic unsalted butter 2 tablespoons coconut oil 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract dry ingredients: 1 1/2 cups

I met my best friend the other day for a cup of coffee.  During our conversation, she confided that she was having trouble saving and wanted to know if I had any recommendations for her.  Here are my top pieces of advice for my best friend. Create a Simple Budget It's really hard to try to save when you don't know what you spend. But I recognize that setting up a budget can be intimidating.  Start simple. I set up a spreadsheet listing out all of my major expenses: mortgage, car insurance, student loans, daycare, utilities, food, gas, etc.  In the next column, list the expected or budgeted amount. I like to round up to the nearest 10.  In the final column, I do some homework and list the actual amount spent.  This gives me a rough idea where my money is going every month  I understand that a lot of people break down their spending in more detail, but for me it was too overwhelming to scrutinize every detail. I totaled up the budgeted amount and the actual amount spent and

It feels like every time we buy bananas, which is quite frequently with three kids, they over-ripen before we are able to finish the bunch. Instead of throwing them away and the money that was spent on them, banana bread is the inevitable result. Also, our grocery store offers reduced prices for ripe bananas so sometimes we buy bananas just for this yummy bread. It's great for breakfast, dessert, or just as a snack. ingredients: wet ingredients: 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup brown sugar 2 eggs, beaten 3-5 mashed bananas 1 apple dry ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Peel and core apple and cut into small cubes. Add to wet ingredients and fold with spatula. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into pr

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my PRIVACY AND DISCLOSURE POLICY for more infoRMATION. I realize we now exist in the gig economy, and while I'm all for that, many of us still survive in the traditional job market.  By focusing on your career, you have the potential to grow your salary, and obviously, more salary, more savings, and faster progress towards your financial goals.   I'm going to be honest here.  I am not an HR professional, but I have conducted enough interviews for peers and subordinates to offer some frank advice to those seeking employment.  In my recent experience interviewing potential candidates, I have witnessed a number of unfortunate mistakes which have cost them a job offer and a good paying job.  There is often talk of not enough well paying jobs, but from the other side, I can say there are a number of professional, high paying jobs that we have a hard time filling and here are some of the reasons why. Resume Layout Before I

Everyone wants to enjoy a fun and plentiful Christmas, but you certainly do not want to have day after Christmas buyer's remorse.  Especially when there are little kids in the mix, there is a lot of pressure to "keep up with the Joneses" and have an over the top Christmas.  While Christmas is an important tradition and holiday in our family, it is also important to keep expectations in check.  It really is only a single day and is not worth going into debt over.  There are plenty of experiences and material possessions that can make the season and day special without sacrificing your personal financial goals for the year. Set a Budget This may seem obvious, but if you don't set a budget you will definitely spend more than you want to.  I like to set a budget for the total amount as well as a value for each person on my list.  More likely than not, you spend for the same people every year.  Therefore, make a list of the people you buy presents for.  If you don