How to Create More Free Time and Save Money

Posted on January 3, 2012 by viviankirkfield

various potato dishes: potato chips, hashbrown...

Image via Wikipedia

Many parents are time-short these days.

With work and family responsibilities, there’s not a lot of free time for most moms and dads.

Here are two simple tips that can create more time and save money:

1. Shop once a week. Plan the week’s menus, make a list of what you need and then shop for everything at once using your list. You’ll not only save time, but money as well…less gas with only one trip and you won’t be picking up items on a whim.

2. Cook once a week. Chose a morning, afternoon or evening when you have a few hours of uninterrupted time. Make a roast chicken, baked potatoes and a couple of casseroles. Store everything in the fridge or freezer and you’ll have dinners (and perhaps lunches as well) for the entire week. All you’ll have to do is heat, add a side of salad or veggies and serve.

What do I do with the time that I’ve saved? I read a book, exercise or spend some quality time with my family.

What would you do with your free time? Do you have one or two top tips to save time and money? Please share.

Meal Planning Monday (mummysknee.wordpress.com)
Five tricks for thrifty menu plans (blogs.confused.com)

Looking Ahead to 2012: Let’s Simplify

Posted on December 30, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image via Wikipedia

Did you know that today is National Bicarbonate of Soda Day?

National Bicarbonate of Soda Day or Baking Soda Day celebrates the many benefits and uses of this simple inexpensive substance, readily available at grocery stores and pharmacies.

No home should be without a box of this product. It’s definitely a “green” alternative to many of the chemical-loaded toxic products out there. Among its many uses:

Helps baked good rise.
Relieves stomach indigestion and heartburn.
Removes odors in the fridge.
Cleans kitchen and bathroom counters and floors

For a complete list of the benefits and uses of baking soda, please go to the National Bicarbonate Soda website.

Happy Bicarbonate of Soda Day! (changeyourchoices.wordpress.com)
Why does baking soda make such a good cleaner? (greenanswers.com)

Small Investment = Big Rewards

Posted on July 23, 2011 by viviankirkfield

I just finished reading a classic in self-help literature – One Minute for Myself – by Dr. Spencer Johnson.

The book was published in 1985, but the simple underlying truths put forth are as relevant today as they were then.

According to Dr. Johnson, the one minute you spend taking care of yourself is a small investment with a big reward.

In the same way, the 15 minutes a day you spend participating positively with your child is also a small investment with very big rewards.

THE INVESTMENT

Read a picture book story with your child.
Do an arts and crafts project with your child.
Prepare a recipe together.

THE REWARDS

Build your child’s self-esteem.
Develop your child’s pre-literacy skills.
Improve your child’s school readiness.
Create a life-long parent-child bond.

Do you feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of parenthood?

Take a minute (or a few minutes) for yourself – refresh, rejuvenate, relax.

And then spend 15 minutes with your child – reading, crafting or cooking.

Visit my website to find out more about Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking. Buying a copy of this award-winning book is a very small investment with a very big reward. If you have a Kindle, you can make an even smaller investment…just $9.99 at Amazon’s Kindle Store.

Just 15 minutes is enough time to read a classic picture book story.

Just 15 minutes is enough time to make one of the easy craft projects.

Just 15 minutes is enough time to prepare one of the simple recipes together.

Looking for something to do with your young children on Saturday, August 6^th?

If you are local to Colorado Springs, please stop by the Family Christian Store at 7560 N. Academy. I’ll be there from 11am to 1:30pm and there will be two identical presentations for parents and children. From 11:30 to 12 and from 12:30 to 1pm, I’ll be reading a picture book story that will help young children deal with school anxieties. Then we will be doing a simple craft that each child will be able to take home. There will also be a free hand-out for parents on Five Steps to a Smoother School Year. Parents will also have the opportunity to fill out an entry form to win a craft kit for their preschoolers.

We all want our children to have the best school year ever…whether they are in daycare, nursery or preschool, kindergarten or first grade. This will be a fun-filled experience for all! Please spread the word!!