Brooke Blogs This

I know, I know. Easter is still 2 months away. That makes this the PERFECT time to stock up on summer clothes (because they will go OFF clearance in a just a few short weeks) and to buy items from online companies that ship from China. Bonus: Crazy 8 and Gymboree have announced they are going out of business. This means some excellent deals on what is left of their inventory. Here is what I'm buying this week: (Disclaimer: These were the prices and items in stock on the dates I wrote/researched for this post 2/5-2/7/19. Prices and availability are subject to change.) For the Baby: If you are already placing an Amazon order, add  this teether  on to your order for $3.54. With Gymboree and Crazy 8 going out of business, I would also shop for headbands, bows, hats and socks. You may even find some deeply discounted outfits. For the Toddler: I am digging  these faux wood sunglasses  sunglasses for boys and  these sparkle sunglasses  for girls from Gymbore

Yes, it is February and I am already talking about Easter basket stuffers.  The truth is, I started stock piling for Easter the week after Christmas. Why? Last years summer stuff is still on clearance AND there were lots of after Christmas deals on gadgets. Starting about the first week of March, all of these items will start to increase in price again. What is my Easter budget? This year, I have budgeted $75 dollars for each of my two kids.  There have been years when money was super tight that I spent about $20 per basket.  I usually splurge on 1-2 "bigger" items and then the rest is smaller items and things I caught amazing deals on. I also use this time to buy them some items I know they will need in the upcoming months. This also saves me money because I was going to have to buy the item anyway. (Clothes, swim items, camping essentials, toothbrushes, etc) This week, I will give you some ideas for every age group by gender and I will follow up every week with a li

The beginning of January, the husband and I decided we should try to eat healthy. We tend to have this same conversation the beginning of EVERY January. So, I went to the store and bought juice, fruit, yogurts. Then the husband says everyone at his work is RAVING about the Keto diet and while he doesn't want to strictly follow it, he does think we need to cut carbs. Well, I am more of a "rule follower" so I dive in head first, full Keto. I research and purchase carb counting apps. I look up all the Keto recipes. I make meal plans. I buy the ketone test strips. Then, I make my online order for Walmart and see the total in my cart !?!?! It was more than TRIPLE my normal grocery budget.  Now, if you know me at all, you know my budget is my life. I am a tight wad. I admit it. So, I dump out everything "health food" or "Keto" related. No almond flour, no Lilly's chocolates. I also eliminated any "double recipes" I was making because some

I know, I know. I took a several year hiatus. Life happened. But, I've thought about this blog and have been aching to write again, so here I am. I am back. In fact, I made regular blogging one of my 2019 goals (I don't like the word resolution). While, I am just now writing my first blog post, I have been spending time doing other blog related things. I have been planning what I want to talk about on my blog and coming up with ways to promote my blog. I am hoping this year brings big things and I want to share it with all of you. My other New Years Goals (and therefor things I will be blogging about) are: 1. Be Healthier. Eat Better. Lose Weight. I have started the Keto Diet and am learning so much. I started out at 155 lbs and my goal weight is 120 lbs. I can't wait to share this journey with you. 2. Control my money. Budget. Plan. This is almost always a yearly goal for me. I will be trying to stick to a strict budget to save some money and also looking at

After a full year of saving and a lot of research and budgeting (and a tremendous amount of help from my parents) we did it.  We took the kids to Disney World.  I went to Disney World several times as a child, but neither of my kids nor my husband has ever been.  It had also been 18 years since I myself had been.  A LOT has changed. After doing tons of research, Pinning everything Disney related, talking to my Disney expert friends and budgeting EVERYTHING, I was in information overload.  Not all advice was practical for our situation (we avoided character dining due to our budget) and admittedly I blew off advice (read: ponchos) because I thought I knew better.  There were also some things that I wish someone had told me (Breakfast in the Magic Kingdom? Good Luck!) So below is what I learned and what I would want to know before visiting Disney World: BUDGET HELPERS: All Disney souvenirs can be bought off Disney property and online, usually for cheaper.  Buy most o

With Memorial Day just around the corner, I started wondering what me and the kids were going to do this summer.  Since I changed jobs in February, this will be the first summer that I am off work the majority of the time with the kids, they will not be in day camps or day care.  I also took a considerable pay cut, so our budget is limited. Then I looked on Facebook and found that I wasn't the only one looking for CHEAP things to do this summer.  It is great if you can afford to hit the zoo, science center, Holiday World, Cheekwood and Nashville shores all this summer, but I can't. So here is my list of 61 (1 thing every day for June and July) to do in Middle Tennessee (or for most, anywhere) this summer for an average of $5 or less per person: At Home: 1.   Start a water balloon fight. 2.   Organize a scavenger hunt. 3.   Put the  Pinterest Board  to use, have a craft day. 4.   Have a picnic in the back yard. 5.   Spend the day playing and creating new games. 6.