Let’s face it– we don’t all have the money to blow on going to the aquarium, the zoo, or an amusement park anytime we want. Mommies have be creative and find ways to entertain their little ones for FREE!

1. Take advantage of your public library! Most libraries have storytime or something similar for children.
2. Go to the park! It’s a great way to entertain your little ones and let them interact with other children.
3. Go on a walk or a bike ride! Most kids love being outside. It doesn’t matter how fussy my baby is– when I put her in a stroller and walk her down the street, she is happy! She also loves to take the lead and walk around with her mommy and daddy following her.
4. Put on some music and dance! It’s okay to act silly sometimes. Besides, it’s good exercise for everyone.
5. Go swimming! Don’t have a pool around you? Break out the water hose, and let them play around a sprinkler.
6. Arts & crafts! There are a million arts and crafts activities you can do with your little ones. Check out this article called “Crafts by Age” at http://familycrafts.about.com/od/craftprojectsbyage/Crafts_by_Age.htm
7. Movie night! Watch a movie you already have, or head to the library and check one out.
8. Put on a play, puppet show, fashion show, or concert to show the family! Kids love to be creative. If your kids are too young to write their own script, have them sing songs and prepare dances. (Reader’s Theater Scripts @ http://www.teachingheart.net/readerstheater.htm)

During this recession, everyone has been clipping coupons… I know I have! Here is my coupon routine that is saving me at least $100 every month.

• I go once a week to the grocery store since there are different deals each week.
• I put my coupons in order by their expiration date so I will be sure to use all of them BEFORE they expire.
• I ONLY use coupons for things I know I will use.
• When I have a coupon, I make sure that the reduced amount is not still more expensive than a generic brand’s cost. For example, if I get a “$2 off body wash coupon” for a $6 product, it will still cost me $4. If the generic brand is cheaper than $4, I will buy that instead.
• I stock up on things. The best deals are the ones that let you buy in bulk like a 10 for $10 deal!

Then, it takes me about 10 minutes a week to go through my coupons and make my list. Here’s what I do:

• I go through the coupons I have received in the mail and at the grocery store, save the ones for products I use, and put them in order. I add the ones I am going to use this week to my list along with the coupon amount (so I can compare prices at the store).
• Then, I go through the weekly ads for my grocery store (I don’t wait for the paper— I go right to their website!). I write down the items that I use on my list with the price next to it (so I can compare prices at the store).
• I go to my websites to print and download coupons. I am signed up for: www.couponmom.com, www.coupons.com, www.pgesaver.com, www.shortcuts.com, and a few others. I add those products to my list with the coupon amount next to them.
• I check my email for promotions from different companies. (I buy diapers a lot so I am signed up at Huggies.com, Pampers.com, etc. to be sent special offers).

Optional: Save your receipts for a month. You can see how the prices of different products change and then buy those products when they are at the lowest price. There are some items I refuse to buy unless they are on sale!

Good luck