One of the things that I have noticed as an educator is that children and young people are completely addicted to technology. They don't take time out to speak to one another fact to face anymore and they definitely don't play the kinds of games that we used to play when we were kids. The games I'm talking about were Jacks, Tic-Tac-Toe, Hopscotch, etc. Lately, my husband and I have been trying to limit technology in our home. Since we now have a teen and a pre-teen, they would rather spend most of their time playing video games when we are home. While we do reward them with time to play these games, we've also been going back to basics by making them turn off their gadgets in lieu of playing some good old-fashioned games as a family. When I was younger, one of my favorite games was Tic-Tac-Toe because it was so easy to play and because you could basically use any surface as a game board and many items can be used as game pieces. That … [Read more...]
The Queen Rules At Medieval Times! #LongMaySheReign @MedievalTimesNJ #Ad
After years and years of casting the king as the lead at Medieval Times, there is now a queen leading the entire kingdom. She inherited the throne after her father passed away and prides herself for being a firm and kind ruler who elicits the respect and admiration of all her loyal subjects. Since we have been huge fans of Medieval Times for years, we were beyond thrilled to go meet the queen last week. If you have never been to Medieval times, you have no idea what you are missing. Families enjoy dinner and a show as they are catapulted to medieval Spain within the stone walls of their 11th century-style castle. You are welcome to dine with Queen Maria Isabella and her royal court. As her noble guests, everyone feasts on garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, herb-basted potatoes, the pastry of the castle, coffee and two rounds of select beverages. We loved watching the battles between the knights right in front of us as they … [Read more...]
8 Ways To Save Money On Summer Activities For Kids
While the arrival of summer brings excitement, you might also be seeing dollar signs. It is no secret that beating summer boredom can also mean racking up the bills, but the truth is there are ways to save money while still having fun! Look at these 8 ways to save money on summer activities, so you can still have all the fun you want without going broke. 1. Check Groupon and Living Social daily. Since deals on these websites are always changing, it is always worth checking them out! Look for attraction tickets, movie deals, gift card deals, and other offers from summer fun spots. This way, you can enjoy the activities you love for less. 2. Call your local parks department. Chances are your local parks department is offering all sorts of summer camps and activities for kids. Since these programs are often funded on tax dollars, this means the cost passed onto you is minimal. Call your local parks department for a schedule of summer events and be in the know! 3. Head to the … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Beach Trip Packing List
Is your family beach bound soon? If so, you want to make sure you are well prepared! Packing for the beach can be tricky, because you might be in such a hurry to get out and go that you forget some essentials. To make sure you are well prepared for your next trip of sun and sand, look below at the ultimate beach trip packing list. This list will help you arrive to the beach well stocked and well prepared for anything you are likely to encounter! 1. Mini first aid kit. Cuts, scratches, and other minor injuries can occur when at the beach. Save yourself a trip to the life guard stand or searching for a band aid when you bring your own mini first aid kit. It is an easy way to deal with minor injuries fast. 2. Inflatables. Don’t forget water wings or vests for kids as well as any inflatables adults may wish to use. Carry an air pump in your trunk so you can easily inflate your items without having to blow them up by mouth. 3. Baby wipes or wet wipes. Hands can get dirty at the … [Read more...]
7 Ways To Save Money At The Fair
Do you love the fair but feel like it always leaves you broke? Do you wish there was a more budget friendly way to visit and enjoy all of your favorite games, rides, and food? If so, take a look below at 7 ways to save money at the fair. With these simple tips, you will find that you can have a wonderful time with family and friends while still keeping some cash in your pocket! Here is what you need to know: 1. Buy tickets in advance. In many cases you can buy entrance tickets in advance, which saves you some cash up front. See if the fair company has an online site you can buy from, or see if any local businesses will be selling discount tickets in advance. 2. Go on wristband night. Although this is one of the busier nights, it is a great time to save money. On wristband night you can usually ride all the rides you want for one fee. This saves you from having to buy tickets and you can ride anything you want as many times as you … [Read more...]
Tips For Spending More Time Together As A Family
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to spend more time together as a family? What’s stopping you? There are ways you can spend more time together as a family without breaking the budget or driving each other crazy. Don’t Forget the Ride Home Although you may all be in a car together, riding in a car home together is one way to spend more time as a family. It’s a great time to talk and discuss how the day went. You may not be sitting face to face, but this is a nice way to unwind and catch up as a family. Push Back Bedtime 30 Minutes Okay, so not every family can push back bedtime by 30 minutes, but if you can it’s a great way to go. Why? Well, many families don’t get home till 6 o’clock at night and it can be difficult to get anytime in together. Pushing back bedtime can help give a little more “time” together. If you can’t push back bedtime, then consider getting up 30 minutes earlier and eating an unrushed breakfast together. Spend Time Eating Dinner Together In today’s busy … [Read more...]
Becoming Debt-Free After Having Children
Are you done having children? Maybe it’s time to focus on serious matters like getting out of debt. There’s good news, it is possible to get out of debt with a little bit of determination. Here are some tips to make this a reality. Only Use Cash It’s pretty simple to use a debit card and swipe swipe swipe. However, when you only use cash, it’s gone when you run out and there’s nothing you can do about it. Using only cash can help you get out of debt because you’re not going to continue to use a credit card. Prepare for Emergencies One of the biggest issues facing people who are debt is that they are not prepared for emergencies. When an emergency happens, it’s easy to put it on a credit card and then debt adds up really quickly. You can start preparing for financial emergencies by having an emergency fund set up. Even if it’s only $500, that’s something you won’t need to put on a credit card. Sell Your Stuff Although you may not want to, selling your items is one great … [Read more...]
St. Patrick’s Day Game: Gold Coin Minute to Win It
My mother's grandmother was Irish so she always told her stories about her life back in Ireland when she was growing up. One of the most fond memories that she has of her is how she always made a grand affair of celebrating St. Patrick's Day every year. She would pin my Mom and her siblings with green shamrocks and decorate the house festively. She said that everyone has the luck of the Irish on this special day! If you are looking for a fun and exciting St. Patrick’s Day party game, this Gold Coin Minute to Win It should fit the bill! You can create your own version for just pennies, and the end result is a game that kids will love to play. Here is how you can get started. Supplies needed: Timer or watch Bowl Chopsticks or Green paper straws (these paper straws are sturdy and make great chopsticks for this game!) Assorted plastic gold coins ($1 a bag at Dollar Tree) Directions: 1. Begin by placing all of the gold coins in the bowl. The average bag … [Read more...]
Fall Pumpkin Picking Tips
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of taking the family to visit Prospect Hill Orchards in the beautiful Hudson Valley in New York State. You can pick your own apples, pears and pumpkins there and it is very family-friendly. We've never been pumpkin picking before so we were very excited to see all of the different pumpkin varieties and to decide on just the right ones for our Fall and Halloween decor. The truth is that I knew very little about picking just the right pumpkins before we set out on our adventure. I did a little research to find out how to pick a pumpkin prior to heading out. Many of you will probably be picking or purchasing your own pumpkins now that we are heading into the month of October and the season for Halloween. I figured you could probably use some pumpkin picking tips too. Here is what I learned about picking the right pumpkin: It is much better to pick your own pumpkin at a pumpkin patch than purchasing one at the store. … [Read more...]
Working Mom Confessions
I've always been a worker bee. From the moment that I was able to go out to work, I did so with gusto. It's not that my parents forced me to go out and work or made me pay bills but they were just making it financially and I knew they could not stretch their budget anymore to accommodate my adolescent needs. As they say, "Necessity is the mother of invention," so out of the need to assert my independence and financial freedom, I went to work at 16. My first job was at Consumers which was a retail store chain that was very popular here in New York City during the early nineties. I felt like a million bucks working as a cashier there and I would cash my weekly check at the local check cashing place. There was such a sense of pride for me in being able to earn and spend my own money that it was intoxicating. Consumers eventually went out of business so I worked at McDonald's during my senior year in high school to be able to pay my graduation expenses. That was a very … [Read more...]
