IDEAS TO DO WITH THE KIDS
Go to the library every week to check out books, DVDs, books
on tape, and even magazines. Use the library’s online database to
search for things in libraries across your state.
Do your kids love animals? Try spending some time at your local
animal shelter to fill their need to enjoy their favorite furry friends.
Got a cute kid?
Find a new playground. Kids love playgrounds,
especially when mom and dad are joining in on the fun.
Check out your town’s website to find out where different
playgrounds are located. We also check out different
school playgrounds when school is out of session.
Kids’ Building Workshops? Saturday mornings are a fun place to spend at places like Home Depot
and Lowe’s. Both store offer free workshops for kids. Kids put on safety goggles and aprons and
hammer away at wooden creations such as birdhouses, cars and pencil boxes (that they get to take
home). Great for any future carpenter!
Kitchen Tip: Cutting Chicken
There are many ways to cut chicken but for a minute here, lets talk about cutting raw chicken
when prepping for a recipe. Most people will have the thawed chicken and cut it with a knife on a
cutting board. WRONG! Here’s two easier ways to do it:
With a Knife
Cut your chicken while it is still partially frozen so it doesn’t slide around on you.
With Kitchen Shears
Yes, with the scissors in your knife block. You can cut your thawed raw chicken with the scissors
in your knife block and the chicken will cut easily. I often will cut the chicken directly into the
dish I’m working on (if it’s the time to put the chicken in).
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With both of these methods, you can slice thinner chicken and not worry about cutting yourself
when the slimy stuff moves on the cutting board. It also makes it quick to do a rough dice too.
find more tips on: www.mymomthoughts.com
A few of my money saving tips for single parents
1. Don't worry about saving money for your child's college education. We all have heard
sometime in our lives that should be the number 1 savings priority once you become a
parent, but it is really not necessary. There are resources available that were non-existant
in the past like scholarships, pell grants, loans and accredited community colleges
offering 4 year programs. Invest the money in a whole life insurance policy instead. As a
single parent you need to make sure your children will be financially stable
if something happened to you. Term life insurance is cheaper and might seem like the
better option now, but if you outlive the policy the money spent on your premium is
wasted. Opt for whole or universal. On average, a 33 year old healthy female can get a
$250,000, 25 year policy for around $300 a year. Use your tax refund and pay it annually.
It's really not as expensive as you'd think.
2. Take the time to coupon. I'm not suggesting turning into an extreme couponer like the
TV show. Start small, every dollar counts when your a single parent. Pick up a Sunday
paper, or get coupons from friends with a subscription. Go online to coupons.com and
smartsource.com and print them off yourself. Look out for store coupons otherwise
easily thrown away with your receipt. Download the Target Cartwheel App. Also stop at
store kiosks on your way in and print them off there. Alot of stores will honor a
manufactu