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momhacks

Family

6 Big Family Budget Hacks

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Some say that having a big family is too expensive. We think that it just takes more creativity.  Here are 5 big family budget hacks that we practice.

Family Ice Cream

Going to Ice Cream Parlor Regular Cup is $5.99 x 7 People = $41.93 plus tax and tips

Going to Grocery Store and buying 2 gallons of Ice Cream

Our Favorite Ice Cream is 2 for $10

Saved $32

Tip:

We find we often go to the ice cream parlor as an excuse to get out of the house, so take your gallons of ice cream to a nearby park and enjoy.

Meal Plan

“WHAT IS FOR DINNER?” Who else hates that question? We try and save time and money each week by subscribing to HelloFresh. We get meals that we pre select online, sent straight to our door. While it will takes time to create the meals, I love not having to think about it. When I have the HelloFresh meals, I go to the grocery store less and therefore less prone to impulse buys. I see you start sweets gummy bears by the checkout line . . .

Family Dinner

Going out to dinner

Nice meal at a modest sit-down restaurant is approximately $15 x 7 People = $105 plus tax and tips

Going to Chipotle

Burrito $10 for mom and dad.  The older kids order 2 pointers for $5.99 and we order Levi side of beans and rice for $2, for a total of $46

Saved $59

Haircuts

Going to the Salon

Kids haircuts cost $25 x 5 = $125 plus tips

Home Haircut

We bought clippers from Marshalls for $24, 10 years ago.  That was a great ROI (return on investment). 

Saved $125 / month

Tip:

The boy’s hair is super simple to cut.  In fact, I have cut Reid and the boys hair for years.  I still go to the salon regularly and the girls go occasionally to get washed and trimmed, but that’s it.

Movie Night

Going to the movies

New Release movie tickets cost $12 for kids and $14 for adults and that’s a matinee.  $12 x 5 + $14 x 2 = $88

Home Movie Night

Amazon Prime Movie Rental $3.99

Saved $84

Tip:

Pop some popcorn, get some cola and plopped down on your couch for a cozy movie night at home.  From what we saved in movie tickets, I bought us a new sectional for our media room!

Car Wash

The car wash cost $8 for the standard wash.

Home Car Wash

1 hour of free entertainment!  (Almost free, yes, we still have a water bill, but the entertainment is worth it)

Saved $8 per week

Tip:

To save water, fill a bucket of sudsy water and give them a sponge.  The kids love washing the car and it usually turns into a water fight.

It’s your turn, what are you money saving tips/hacks? I’d love to hear.

Shalice@shalice-noel

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Working from Home Mom Hacks

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

blazer cotton on // similar and another plaid blazer // jeans // sandals // bag // similar turquoise ring // tank //

I get questions all the time from you guys about what my daily schedule looks like not only because I’m a blogger, but because I’m a mom that works from home. Working from home can be tricky – especially when some of your little ones aren’t in school yet. Luckily we just have Levi not in school right now, but regardless, there are a few things I have to hold myself to every day to make sure I still get work done. Like any job, some days are more productive than others, but if I could share any advice, these 6 things are what’d I’d suggest.

  1. Make your bed
    When working from home, it’s all about getting your day started on the right foot and making your bed is key – at least for me. It just sets me up to have a more productive day when I come into our room and things are in their place. Otherwise, I might be tempted to cuddle up and take a nap! 

  2. Get dressed 
    One of the hardest things about working from home, especially if I don’t have a photo shoot scheduled or any meetings for work, is getting dressed. Between trying to get the kids out the door and getting my own day started, some days getting dressed is a challenge, but I always feel better about myself when I do.

  3. Don’t make appointments for friends to come by
    It took me a little while to learn this lesson, but once I did, it made all the difference. Just because you work at home, doesn’t mean you’re free to have friends visit during the day. Try to schedule social things after work hours like you would any other job.

  4. MAKE A LIST and SWEAR BY IT
    Take a picture of it if you need to. If it’s an extra different day and you have a really long list, put a reward at the bottom of the list like going to the gym, booking that spa treatment, whatever it is you fancy. I need bribes just like my kids do, ha!

  5. Have a designated workspace 
    Honestly, my best workplace is our dining room table right now. It’s in the middle of the hustle and bustle but it’s convenient for where I am in life right now. Find a place in your home with little noise and plenty of sunshine.

  6. Keep a schedule
    Ask yourself, when are you most productive? For me, it’s the mornings. I do conference calls in the afternoon, local meetings in the morning and brainstorming and writing in the morning. Play around with things a bit to discover what works and then stick with it. 
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