Here’s a really simple lunch or dinner idea from Molly!

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Have you ever tried your hand at DIY shampoo? Here’s a simple recipe that REALLY works!

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We are looking for contributors to Molly Green Magazine. Email molly@econobusters.com for more details!

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There are so many different ways to live a frugal  lifestyle . . . this is a great place to learn new things and encourage one another! Below you can share the link to a post on your own blog, share a little about your frugal life and encourage others. Be sure to come back each Friday and link-up to this great community of frugal followers!

If you get my Friday newsletter, you most likely read Midge’s question about indoor summer activities (if you don’t get my FREE newsletter be sure and subscribe via the sticky note in the upper right corner). Read below to see my response.  Molly

Dear Midge,

When the summer month’s heat up and we need a “heat” break, I like to take everyone to the bowling alley! It’s a great (and frugal!) indoor activity. . . the kids wear off lots of energy, we stay cool in the air conditioning and sometimes I splurge for an ice cream treat on the way home. Have you ever heard of THIS RESOURCE? Registered kids can get up to 2 free games of bowling EACH day throughout the summer. Now that’s what I call an awesome deal!

Sometimes I take advantage of matinee prices at our local cinema and enjoy a movie with the kids (we’re careful not to buy treats/drinks there, it’s SO expensive). Last year when we were in “the big city” visiting friends, we all were able to visit a museum and received free admission. It was during the middle of the week on an “off time” so admission was free. We packed sack lunches and didn’t tour any of the special exhibits (those had a fee). We thoroughly enjoyed our day and learned lots of neat things- all for FREE!

A little research and planning go a long way when looking for ways to get out of the heat this summer. Sometimes signing up on a website gets you coupons, take a look around your area for frugal opportunities.

Love ya, Molly

To share a link to your post about frugal living, use the Linky below. But first. . .

1. We’d love for you to share your links that include anything  related to DIY projects, saving money, frugal living, made from scratch cooking, cleaning products, sustainable living, gardening, organic, and anything else related to homemaking! You can also  include your struggles while trying to live a frugal lifestyle (like  Midge!)! Show us about how you are thriving while surviving on a smaller budget!

2. Please, no link-ups to giveaways or blog topics in which you are just selling a product.

3. Link directly to your frugal post, not to your home page.

4. Grab our linky graphic (from the sidebar) and put it on your blog or on your linky post.

5. If a linked up post does not meet the above guidelines, it will  be removed.

6. If you link-up, please click on other’s links as well. Our frugal followers have a lot to share!

Living frugally means living, learning, and growing from each other. We can’t wait to see what you are going to share (to see other blogs who have linked up, click the link below)!  Ready, set, link!

CLICK HERE TO LINK-UP!

Guest Blog by: Midge

Hiya! I have been searching high and low throughout the world wide web in order to compile this pretty cool list of Memorial Day Activities for you and your family! We will travel all the way from food to fun in this roundup of links! So, pour yourself a cup of joe (or a diet beverage of your choice ~ my favorite) and start planning your weekend!!!

Dinner and Dessert Ideas

For the Salad: STRAWBERRY BBQ CHICKEN SPINACH AND QUINOA SALAD WITH BACON, AVOCADO, AND GOAT CHEESE I would probably substitute the goat cheese with a bit of Gouda but ~ man oh man~ if the title of this salad doesn’t just strike me as delectable! 

For Dinner: COFFEE INFUSED BABY BACK RIBS ~ Seriously, WHAT? Wow, this sounds interesting and delicious! Now, you can have your coffee and eat it too.

For a Side Dish: JACK’S POTATO SALAD  Everyone has their own “secret” recipe for potato salad (at least most of the grandmas I know have one!). But, this one is distinctly from “Jack”, I suppose, and it looks OH so yummy . . .

GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE PANCAKE LAYER CAKE One look at this dessert and you may just fall out of your chair . . . and its gluten- free. It is a bit of red, white, and blue with a whole lot of scrumptious. Who’s up for trying something new?

Fun for Kids 

Gardening: PLANT A SURPRISE GARDEN This blog post warmed my heart. Memorial Day weekend is a great weekend for planting a few small container pots with your children.

Crafts: Preschool: FUN AND MESSY AMERICAN FLAG! Oh yes, I love it when my little one plays with glue and glitter. Well, okay, not really . . .  glitter is my least favorite crafty item! BUT, this flag looks so fun to make I may just have to let my sweet one glitter away!

For School Aged Kids: FREE E-BOOK WITH TEACHING IDEAS FOR KIDS AND WORKSHEETS! This is a very complete study guide regarding ideas for helping your children learn about Memorial Day and celebrate it with style!

Fun and Crafts for Moms
PATRIOTIC SAND CANDLES Super simple craft with colored sand and candles!

DRIFTWOOD FLAG What’s trending?  Driftwood and painted driftwood . . .  need I say anymore? Click on the link to check it out!

RECYCLED PALLET MADE INTO A PORCH SWING There is something always “hip” about taking a pallet and turning it in to a useful and rustic looking “something else”. This porch swing takes the cake!

What are your plans for Memorial Day? Are you planning a weekend full of activities or a weekend full of napping?  Hope your Memorial Day weekend is wonderful no matter what you decide to do! ;)

Many of us (or those in our families) are on allergy friendly diets. For one of my children, we need to use almond (or rice) milk in place of “regular” milk for allergy reasons. Making diet adjustments like this doesn’t mean you need to spend big bucks buying specialty milks (drinks). It’s easy and VERY cost effective to make almond or rice milk at home!

To begin you simply need a blender, some almonds (or white rice), a strainer, some cheese cloth and a storage container for your milk. THIS SITE shares instructions on how to make your own rice milk (and chocolate flavor too!). It also tells you how much you will save by making your own versus buying it (I think you’ll be shocked at the savings!). Do you like Vanilla flavored rice milk? No problem! Check out THIS SITE for tips on how to add vanilla.

Almond milk is just as easy (and fun)! I use about 1 cup of almonds to make about 1 gallon of almond milk. Be sure to soak them for a good 6-8 hours before you begin. THIS SITE has a yummy recipe for delectable homemade almond milk. Did you know you can sweeten your almond milk with dates? THIS SITE incorporates the use of dates, take a look!

Have you ever made your own rice or almond milk? What’s your favorite flavor? Vanilla? Chocolate?

Guest blog by: Inger Koppenhaver

Picture this . . . it is the early 1900’s. You have chosen to immigrate to the wild prairie ranch land in Montana. Your goal is to try your hand at raising ponies for the game of polo back in England along with your husband, Ewen, an ornithologist and naturalist. You grew up in an affluent family in which, as a child, you had a dedicated servant to help you with such tasks as brushing your hair. If this sounds familiar, you may also have the title “Lady” spoken before your proper name.

Do you know which frontier photographer matches this description by now?  Until the early 1990’s, her name was only shared locally in and around the Terry, Montana area. But, a Time Life books author, DONNA M. LUCEY, was granted permission to view the extensive journals, photographs, and glass plate negatives which were bequeathed to her loyal friend Janet Williams. This large discovery was monumental and it was at that moment the legend of Lady Evelyn Cameron was finally uncovered.

The first time I heard Evelyn Cameron’s story was when I moved to this small picturesque town with its own set of badlands outlining the town which is nestled by the YellowstoneRiver. Viewing the photographs and watching the PBS documentary, “PICTURES FROM A WORTHY LIFE”, has shed light on the fascinating story of her rugged life on the prairie on the Eve Ranch which lies outside of Terry.  During a recent viewing of the documentary, I could not help but think of Molly Green and Midge as I learned more about her life.

From growing up in a home with money to spare to moving out on the prairie where they had to scrimp & save to pay for their daily needs and pay for their property; her life became the ultimate example of living frugally and managing a life of sustainable living. Like Midge, Evelyn had to learn the art of homemaking and the tricks of the kitchen and garden which mothers in those times most likely passed along to their children while on the prairie. Even though her neighbors were at times miles away or further, she asked questions, took detailed notes of her daily living, and tried her best to manage her household with limited help from her husband. In her later years, she was able to help others, like Janet Williams, learn the ways of prairie life. I imagine her as a bit like a Molly Green on the Western frontier.

Evelyn Cameron once said that she hoped to live a worthy life. But, she felt like she had missed the mark on her goal. Yet now, with her frontier photography re-discovered and her writings being transcribed, many believe her hopes for life have now become true. Her life was worthy and one from which we can learn (and take notes on!).

Are you familiar with the story of Lady Evelyn Cameron? Which historical figures inspire you? Have you, like Evelyn, crafted a vision for your life and set one goal which you hope to attain?  

Recently, I wrote a brief K-5^th curriculum for Schoolhouse Teachers called Ditch the Desk ~ Evelyn Cameron. In this curriculum, you can step back in time with your children and learn more about this captivating woman and her tremendous frontier spirit. If you would like to learn more about this frontier photographer and this period of time, you can click on this link: DITCH THE DESK ~ Evelyn Cameron and you can watch the full documentary for free here: “PICTURES FROM A WORTHY LIFE” For more information, click here: EVELYN CAMERON FULL BIOGRAPHY

Inger grew up in a city by the beach in California, but loves living in her small Norman Rockwell kind of town on the prairie in Montana. She is a published author, a homeschool mom of four adorable children who just happens to own a 50′s style café with her mother-in-law. Inger currently writes DITCH THE DESK., a hands-on monthly themed curriculum for K-5th grade. She also writes consistently for Molly Green Magazine and on her PERSONAL BLOG. You can find her cafe HERE.

Tis the season for vacation planning. . . take a sneak peek into my FRUGAL FAMILY VACATIONS magazine today!

Keeping it All Together: Budget Your Vacation

This magazine’s theme is frugal family vacations, and we’ll be looking at a lot of different ways to save money and still enjoy relaxing time together as a family. This column will help to organize your vacation budget and finances (be sure to check the forms at the end of the magazine)!

Vacations do not have to be expensive, especially if you plan ahead. The most important step is to consider where you will need to spend your money—transportation, food, lodging, etc. I have included a worksheet at the end of this Digest for you to print out and use to help you plan the financial aspect of your vacation. First, you need to set a budget based on the cash you have on hand and whatever you will be willing to put on your credit card. If you are going to pay for part of your vacation with credit, be sure that you have a plan in place to pay off that balance as soon as possible.

One of the best ways to save money is to look for vacation packages that include lodging and entertainment in one price. Usually you have to book a room for a certain number of nights, but you’ll save money on tickets to theme parks and other local attractions. Often it is worth it to use a local travel agent, as they have access to deals that you cannot get on your own. You might want to call a couple of local agents to see if they have any specials available. You can also save money by staying at a campground.

Before you get in the car or plane to travel to your vacation destination, plan activities that will keep the kids busy. If they are busy, you might not hear, “Are we there yet?” as often! Head to the local dollar store, and buy some items for a travel “goody bag” like coloring books and crayons, search-a-words, handheld games, stickers and paper, Mad Libs™, etc. Wrap each item and have a schedule set so that the kids know when they can open up a new “present.” This could include times when you cross state lines, stop for a gas refill, see a certain roadside sign, etc. Make it a fun travel “treasure hunt.” Don’t forget to include some snacks and times to eat them. Hungry children do not make for a good trip!

If you are able to afford to travel this year, here are some more tips for saving money when planning for your vacation. At the end of this magazine, you will also find a vacation checklist to remind you of all of the steps to take to plan the perfect vacation.

For more of this article on planning a frugal vacation, CLICK HERE to purchase Frugal Family Vacations as a single issue.

Molly members already have this magazine in your member page! Simply click the “Molly Members” tab above, log in, and search out June 2009.

If you’re not a Molly member, check out everything you receive and sign up now on our SUBSCRIPTION PAGE! 

There are so many different ways to live a frugal  lifestyle. . . this is a great place to learn new things and encourage one another! Below you can share the link to a post on your own blog, share a little about your frugal life and encourage others. Be sure to come back each Friday and link-up to this great community of frugal followers!

If you get my Friday newsletter, you most likely read Midge’s question about my favorite appetizer to serve at parties (if you don’t get my FREE newsletter be sure and subscribe via the sticky note in the upper right corner). Read below to see my response.  Molly

Dear Midge,

I have to admit, I used to enjoy making appetizers or fancy hors d’oeuvres more before having children. This is ONLY because it seems I had more time and I needed less of them! Now whenever I bring food to a party I find myself thinking quantity over appearance- LOL! One of my favorite appetizers to make (or bring to a party) are chicken wings. Who doesn’t love chicken wings? It’s a fairly inexpensive food to purchase and prepare and they’re yummy (and messy!). It’s true chicken wings aren’t very fancy but they’re almost always a hit! You can choose many different flavors and sauces to coat your wings, what about GARLIC AND PARMESAN? BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS are one of my personal favorites! Maybe you’d like to try baking your wings, HERE’S a yummy recipe. Looking for something a bit different? ROASTED ASIAN CHICKEN WINGS may be your new favorite.

Ok, I know that was a bit of a chicken wing rabbit trail. . . I’m back to thinking about your love for different kinds of dips. Have you ever tried serving them in a bread bowl? Check out THIS RECIPE, you could totally do this and impress the crowd! Remember that punch bowl you bought last year when we were garage sale shopping? A pretty and tasty punch is sure to steal the show! Check out THESE YUMMY PUNCH RECIPES.

Now I’m thinking we need to plan a family get-together so we can make some of these foods! Grab your calendar. . .

Love ya, Molly

To share a link to your post about frugal living, use the Linky below. But first. . .

1. We’d love for you to share your links that include anything  related to DIY projects, saving money, frugal living, made from scratch cooking, cleaning products, sustainable living, gardening, organic, and anything else related to homemaking! You can also  include your struggles while trying to live a frugal lifestyle (like  Midge!)! Show us about how you are thriving while surviving on a smaller budget!

2. Please, no link-ups to giveaways or blog topics in which you are just selling a product.

3. Link directly to your frugal post, not to your home page.

4. Grab our linky graphic (from the sidebar) and put it on your blog or on your linky post.

5. If a linked up post does not meet the above guidelines, it will  be removed.

6. If you link-up, please click on other’s links as well. Our frugal followers have a lot to share!

Living frugally means living, learning, and growing from each other. We can’t wait to see what you are going to share (to see other blogs who have linked up, click the link below)!   Ready, set, link!

CLICK HERE TO LINK-UP!

Guest post by: Midge

We have a mountain of dirty clothes and my washing machine decided to wash the floor instead of the load in its belly. You can always tell when it’s going to be “just one of those days”! It was not a great day for it to break  because my little one is in the midst of potty training.  So, having a washing machine is a DIRE need. Sigh . . .

With the passing of the Mother’s Day holiday, I found myself pondering the plight of potty training mothers everywhere. Some of my friends have remarked that their children potty trained themselves ~ practically overnight! Other friends have suggested that their children struggled until they were five, and some continued past that point with overnight issues. It seems as if everywhere I look someone has an opinion (and sometimes these opinions contradict each other!)

What has really been on my heart is not just the trials of training your child but the COST of all of those fancy products. It appears as if I have to buy half of the diaper aisle in order to confidently lead my child on the road to being a “big kid”. Potty training, from the perspective of the consumer, can be VERY expensive. Today, my guest post is not long but more of a thoughtful inquisition of your opinions.

What has helped you out as a mom on the road to potty training your little ones? What products do you feel are necessary? And which products are more fluff and fun than useful?