Getting the Most out of Your Money at a Football Game

Since it's football season and I am a season ticket holder I thought I would let you in on a few of the tricks to saving money we have discovered over the last year of going to games.  My husband and I stop and eat brunch before the game so that we don't have to eat at the game because the food is over priced and the food at the game tends to lack in quality.  Or even better tailgate and enjoy some BBQ before entering the game!

DIY: Dog Bed Tutorial/Re-purposed Dog-Destroyed Throw Blanket

Here is an easy tutorial for creating a no-sew pet bed from a throw blanket. Anyone can do those- even your kiddos. It is also a great way to re-purpose your pet's favorite blanket....or your favorite blanket that your dog may have damaged. This tutorial is also unique because you can make the dog bed have its own attached blanket easily.

DIY: Leaf Flower Tutorial

I don't know about you but I always end up with lots of extra leaves when I am crafting. I always think, "What a waste." Well today I decided to put those extra scraps to good use. Here is my tutorial on how to make flowers from your extra floral scraps. 

Take all of your leaves and push them off the ends of the wires. 

Now you have so many "petals" to work with. 

Gather your supplies. I used beading wire and a piece of rhinestone ribbon to make my center embellishment. You could use string and you could hot glue anything into the center of your flower.

Simply bead your first leaf on. Take the rest of the green plastic stem pieces off so that the petals can lay flat.

 Once you have all the leaves you want for your flower strung, twist the wire to the back and knot it. Re-fluff your leaves and add something to the center and you are done! If you want to use rhinestone ribbon or bead something into your center follow the next step.

Move your wire knot back to the front. String the beading wire through the ends of the ribbon. When you tie it tight it will form a loop in the center. Snip the ends of the wire you are finished.

You can use these flowers on anything. I chose to use mine on a wreath that I am making. You could also spray paint them another color. I hope this inspires you in your crafting!

This Link was Shared Kindly at:

DIY Personalized Dry Erase Memo Board

I told you I know a lot of people with birthdays this season. I made this gift for under $3.00!

I like to give my gifts like this with a wet erase marker instead of a dry erase marker so that when you add to your list you don't smudge off what you wrote before.

So here is how I made it:  I picked up a frame from the dollar store. I used the stock picture in the frame as a guide to cut a piece of scrapbook paper to size for the frame. To make my personalized "K loves E" I chose a leftover paint swatch from my previous project and twisted aluminum wire with my $8 Walmart jewelry tools. I secured my shapes onto the swatch with pieces of a glue dot and rounded the corners with a punch. I glued my self made embellishment to the paper and set it inside the frame. To make my cute little clothespin for reminders and my decorated pen I simply wrapped them both in washi tape bought from Michael's.  (Michael's finalllly has an aisle for washi tape! I wish Hobby Lobby did too!) I secured it to the top of the frame and voila! A completely personalized gift was made for under $3.

Tutorital: DIY Fancy Dry Erase Calendar

In my family we have tons of birthdays to celebrate in the fall and winter seasons. Those along with Christmas means that there are lots of presents that need to be purchased or made. This year I am trying to make as many as possible. I plan to share some with you as they are completed.

Top 15 Reasons to Use Cash

Top 15 Reasons to Use Cash

If you have ever considered taking a serious look at your finances, and searched the internet for tips on how to spend your money effectively, I imagine you have heard the advice that cash is better than credit or debit cards.  If you've ever wondered if there is scientific proof or if this is just a theory please read the short excerpt below and even click on the link if you would like further information on the topic. 

Budget Friendly iPhone Protective Case

This phone case is $2.28 and I received free shipping thanks to Amazon Prime. 

It seems like everyone has an iPhone these days (I even caved and got one for Mother's Day).  Since I have a 2 year old and I drop phones numerous times a day I put an Otter Box on my phone.  Within 4 months I destroyed the rubber on the outside (I told you I am hard on phones) and I realized they don't sell the rubber casing alone.  When I went to Amazon to by another case I was appalled at how much the cases cost.  So I started reading reviews of knockoffs and since have bought one plus a spare for all of my phones.  For less than $3 I have a case that is comparable to the protective ability of an Otter Box! I must warn you they require a little more work than the Otter Box.

Recycling Broken Crayons

I hate being wasteful and as a child I remember loving rainbow crayons. The mystery of what colors would appear excited me for some reason.  So I gathered all of our melted (from being in the car) and broken crayons and peeled the paper off of them.

$5 (Or Less) Personalized Apron

If you know children like the ones I know, you probably know a lot of miniature chefs.  In an hour or less you can make an apron that is personalized and costs only $5!  I bought the children's apron at Hobby Lobby with my 40% off coupon costing me about $3 and the transfer paper at Target costs about 50 cents a sheet.  The example below was for a little boy who loves to barbeque with his daddy.  We are planning to make his dad a matching one for Christmas!

First, buy photo transfer paper that will work with the type of printer you have.  Then design your art.