Piecing together ways to save money, protect the environment, and keep kosher.
(updated 4/20/17) Several times a year I get in a decluttering mode. I try to rid my home of things we don’t need, use, or want anymore. It is always nice to earn a little money from getting rid of things, but otherwise my goal is that the items go somewhere they can be used or at least recycled! It... Continue Reading →
(Updated 2/14/21) ShopSmart Magazine ceased publication July 2020. I am an avid reader of magazines. My love of magazines dates back to my preteen years when I was obsessed with tv, movies, and girl issues. Now I am a mom, wife, and teacher, and I look for magazines not only to entertain me, but to inform me.... Continue Reading →
When I first started teaching, I bought a label maker. I used it to label all of my art supplies and other teaching supplies in my big cabinets. I loved to open the doors and see all my neatly arranged and labeled plastic containers. Now I do the same in my home. Labeling has many... Continue Reading →
Our triplets’ birthday is coming up soon and I have been trying to start planning their party. This is the first year that they are actually aware that they are having a birthday and that there will be a party. I was so disappointed to realize that doing a party away from home was quite... Continue Reading →
It seems like every time I turn around, my son has a birthday party to go to. It can be hard running out to buy a gift so often. It can also be expensive if your child has a big class. I have been wanting for a while to find a great gift that I... Continue Reading →
Buying kosher canned beans can be expensive (if you can find them), especially if you have a large family. The same is true if you buy prepared mixes for rice, noodles, other grains, etc. In our house, we use a lot of dry ingredients and we eat vegetarian most weekdays. Bulk ingredients can sometimes take... Continue Reading →
We love to find new recipes in our cookbooks or magazines. The trouble is where to put all those cutouts and how to remember where you got that great recipe that you want to make again. I am sure you have all had this experience. I have created a two-part system to organize our recipes. 1) Recipe... Continue Reading →
(updated 4/7/17) I used to think that we couldn't afford to be a member to any local amusement sites because we didn't go enough. Well, I was wrong! I did the math and it is well worth it! I am just going to take one local example. You may have to do your own calculations... Continue Reading →
(updated 1/8/26) This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. How can it be possible to save money on Shabbos when you aren't allowed to spend any? There are actually many things we do that are related to Shabbos that... Continue Reading →
The weather does not always cooperate with our family plans! Some days off we might have a particular outing planned, and the rain interferes. Here are a few ideas for in and out of the house (no matter where you live). Note that some of these ideas may not be open on a holiday. The... Continue Reading →
Surviving on a tight budget 