A beautiful poem...

Today I am posting something a little different.

Let me explain...

My aunt made a beautiful photo book commemorating the short life of her brother, Steven, who died when he was only 2.5 years old of Leukemia. She shared the book with me and I couldn't put it down.

Though he died back in 1957 my heart was so heavy looking at the photos of the sweet little boy, thinking of the sadness this tragedy must have brought to my aunt's family. I looked at the photos of him opening presents at Christmas, playing with is older siblings, and simply being a little boy, and couldn't help but picture my own 20 month old rough-and-tumble boy.

I came upon a scanned copy of a poem in the book that melted my heart. I cried and cried as I read this gorgeous poem and thought, "How true! What peace we must try to find in such tragedy."

I thank God every day that I don't know personally what it feels like to lose a child, but I know people who do.

Imagining the pain they must feel has made losing a child my worst - and borderline IRRATIONAL - fear. Reading this poem brought me a new perspective and reminded me that we shouldn't waste time in fear. We simply need to trust that our job in this life is to ENJOY our children, love them unconditionally, teach them as much as physically possible, put them first, and live our own life in the best possible way so we can all be reunited together someday.

I know without a doubt that the family unit is eternal, meaning FOREVER. I found this truth HERE. It brings me peace when I think about the possibility of losing someone dear to me, let alone my children.

I wanted to share this touching poem with you in hopes that it brings someone, somewhere, the same peace it has brought me.

I recommend watching the free broadcast of General Conference for more inspirational talks, quotes, stories, and musical numbers. It only happens twice a year so I highly recommend Tivo-ing it so you can take the time to watch the entire thing!

Click HERE for more information.

And most importantly, remember to EXPRESS GRATITUDE for your blessings! Love you all,

Replay Thursday! Savings tip replay: Discount bread isle

Welcome back to Replay Thursday where we "replay" an oldie - but goodie - savings tip for you...so you don't miss out on any of the good stuff :)

Remember my "F" in the F.A.C.T's of saving? 

Find it cheaper. 

You should NEVER have to pay full-price...for anything!

This includes bread.

Here's how I save on buying bread. I promise, it tastes just the same, and remember you can always freeze it if you see a good deal on bread and don't think you'll use it quickly enough.

Enjoy!

(see the original post HERE)

Today I was at Walmart and stopped by my favorite rack, the discounted bakery rack. It reminded me of a savings tip that I must share!!

Pretty much any grocery store, and even some restaurants, will sell bread that is a day or two old, or that will reach it's "best if sold by" date soon, for a huge discount! I find big bags of rolls for $1, loaves of french bread for $0.50, and tonight I saved $1.80 each on two bread bowls to put soup in. It tastes amazing, not stale, not yucky, not gross...just cheap!

I always hit up this rack first before hitting the bread or bakery sections. If you don't know where your discounted bakery section is, ask someone - they'll tell you the tricks. 

Eat up! Happy savings to you :)

"You're Welcome" Wednesday: 14 homemade soap recipes

Welcome back to "You're Welcome" Wednesday, where I share a tip with you that is bound to make you say...THANKS!

Have you ever made homemade soap before?

I haven't.

While standard soap at the store is often times affordable, the fancy-schmancy stuff can be pricey with a capital P. It seems to me homemade soap would be a fun project to do, a safe product for you and your family, and a super cute gift idea! 

And hey...if you get good enough at it maybe you could end up making some money off of selling some! Who doesn't like some extra cash now and again?

Contributer Lauralee found this article that has 14 different homemade soap recipes. 

Who knew there were so many options?!

Give one or two a try, and let me know how they work out! 

Hey, who knows...if I ever get done moving maybe I'll try one out soon too.

Enjoy :)

Original article and photo source found HERE.

Recipes for homemade soap

The following homemade soap recipes vary in difficulty. Not all of them use lye. Some of them are simple re-batching or “melt and pour” recipes which are more suitable if you want to keep it simple.

1. Shea butter soap recipe: coconut oil and shea butter are awesome for dry skin. This is a very basic recipe to which you could add essential oils for fragrance. If you have sensitive skin that reacts badly to many ingredients, this may be just the sort of very simple soap you need.
2. Cucumber soap recipe: cucumber is actually an astringent. This recipe harnesses its supposed curative properties along with its wonderful scent.
3. Vegan lavender soap: made from olive oil and palm kernel oil instead of animal fat, with the relaxing fragrance of lavender.
4. Lollipop soap: terrific for kids or as a party favor. Yes, it’s soap on a lollipop stick.
5. Chocolate soap: you’ll find a variety of chocolate soap recipes there, and some are vegan. Some add flavors like orange or vanilla, which will give you ideas for your own recipes.
6. Milky Rosebar soap recipe: uses goat’s milk, which is moisturizing, and rose petals, which are used to prevent signs of aging. Looks and smells gorgeous!
7. Coffee and Cream soap: this recipe is melt and pour – no lye! Very easy for beginners or even supervised kids, and fantastic smelling.
8. Apple Tart soap: another easy melt and pour recipe. Red and apple-scented.
9. Dead Sea mud bar: a mild exfoliant with a stress-relieving ginger and grapefruit scent.
10. Vanilla and Almond soap: a “re-batching” recipe that’s all about the delicious scent and not drying out skin.
11. Oatmeal soap: I love oatmeal soap for my sensitive skin. This recipe is so simple: Dove + oatmeal = whole new soap.
12. Spicy Tea Glycerin soap: add tea and dried flowers to boring bars of glycerin soap.
13. Avocado oil soap: just what it sounds like. Avacado is awesome for all types of skin.
14. Ginger coconut lime soap: this one’s all about the scent, but it comes out with a pretty green swirl, too.

Making soap at home can be a very fun and rewarding hobby. Once you’ve made a few batches from recipes, you get a feel for how it’s done and then you can create your own recipes. Decorative bars can be great as gifts, too (and much less expensive, and more thoughtful, than pretty bars from stores).

You're Welcome :)

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Fun Cheap or Free has been nominated for Parent's Magazine's "Best All-Around Mom Blog" award!

Woo hoo! Please vote for me, keep voting each day...this would be a huge honor. Thanks in advance for your support!

(Simply click the button below to vote, or click HERE... and be sure to check out the other sites that have been nominated.)

By Best All-Around Mom Blog

Foodie Tuesday Recipe: Crockpot salsa chicken

Welcome back to Foodie Tuesday! 

We moved to a new house this week. 

I'm. So. Tired.

Being inspired by moving (not only not having time to cook, but not knowing where ANY of my kitchen stuff is) I thought I would share this quick, easy, cheap, and yummy recipe with you! It's always a solid GO-TO at our house.

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

It's so simple! 

Just spray your pot,

And throw some chicken in. 

I typically use frozen because it's easy, and this time I used thighs because it's cheap and you'd never know it wasn't white meat!
(You could even have a mix of breasts and thighs if you wanted)

Add a good amount of your favorite salsa. Just eyeball it; make sure the chicken is covered. You can always add more if needed, but can't take out excess!

Sometimes I like to add black beans and corn too.

Remember my frozen corn trick HERE??

It'll look something like this:

Turn it on low, and relax, baby!

After 6-8 hours it should be done.

Shred it up,

(you can do this in the pot) and let it rest on low for another 30 min or so with a bit more fresh salsa added in.

Take some healthy ingredients, 

(you can even make up some brown rice and, once cooked, mix it with a bit of salsa also)

Put your tortillas in a pie plate, bake them for a few minutes to toast them up,

...and build yourself a healthy and delicious salad or burrito!! Lettuce on the bottom, then the rice, chicken, cheese, tomatoes, olives, whatever else you want.

Oh, and crumbled chips (or these babies) are awesome on top!

SO GOOD, so easy, so healthy!
Enjoy!

Great tips for teaching and entertaining your kids

Today is the final day of the BIG MOVE. 

Oy vey.

(have you heard me complain yet about moving? No? Stick around long enough and you'll hear plenty of complaints. Frankly, it sucks.)

Since I did nothing but pack, clean, haul, and complain all weekend, I have nothing fun/cheap/free to share with you from yours truly. However, contributer Lauralee found this awesome article that I thought I'd share!

Remember, you don't have to pay a lot (or anything!) to entertain and teach your kids! I have listed the ideas she gave below, but click HERE for the original article for more detail and depth. Enjoy!

Sneaky Teacher: Summer Activities for Kids Can Be Educational and Fun

Betsy Brown Braun shares ideas on how parents can redefine learning and make everyday activities educational and fun for kids this summer on "Good Morning America." (Getty Images)

Sneaky Teacher: Summer Learning Outdoors Watch Video

Sneaky Teacher: Beating Summer Brain Drain Watch Video

Are You Worried About 'Summer Brain Drain?' Watch Video

Wherever you are, learning opportunities abound. As parents we can keep our kids' brains active and sparking, with new synapses forming all summer long. Some of this happens with our help, and some happens if we leave our kids alone (and unplug the enemy screens). Remember, kids need time to play, with and without friends. In those unstructured, unscripted, unplanned times, they are growing ideas. Isn't that learning?

Car Games for Kids

The car is a learning environment. Instead of relying on the DVD and other tech devices, turn your child's brain and senses on. Old-fashioned car games, giving points for answers, involve the whole family.

• Play "I'm Going on a Trip" and practice memory and alphabet skills. (Each person adds an item, going A to Z, and each turn repeats the whole list. Person No. 3 says I am going on a trip, and I am taking an Apple, a Basketball, and a Caterpillar. And then onto the the next person. I am going on a trip, and I am taking a ...

• Play "I spy" using shapes in the world that is passing you by (Who can find a triangle shape?)

• Play "Out of State License" spotting.

• Play spotting games of all kinds: Who can find a license that has a G in it? Who can find a license plate whose numbers add up to more than 10?

• Play math word games: Daddy can eat 3 pickles in 5 minutes. How many pickles can he eat in an hour.

Sneak Learning Into Everyday Errands

You can spice up the "learning" in your everyday errands:

• At the grocery store:

1. Enlist your child's help in writing the grocery list.

2. Give your child her own a list to fulfill.

3. Involved your child in guessing the weight of produce, the total cost at checkout.

4. Ask the manager if he would show you both the meat refrigerator or the cold storage area where vegetables are kept.

• At the bank:

1. Enlist your child's help in filling out the deposit (withdrawal) form.

2. Talk with the bank clerk about how people use the bank.

3. Ask the manager to give your child a tour of your bank and chat about where the money goes -- and where it comes from!

• At the cleaners, ask for a tour of the cleaning and iron machines.

• At the gas station:

1. Estimate how much gas your car will take, and watch the pump numbers soar.

2. Guess how much it will cost to fill up the tank. (Yikes!).

3. Show your child under the hood of your car, where the oil goes, for example.

4. Ask the attendant to show your child how to change a tire.

• At the post office, ask to see where the letters get sorted.

And the learning continues with your discussion around the dinner table, as your child shares what he has seen.

Turn a Visit to the Park Into a Fun Scavenger Hunt

Turn visits to museums, to parks, and to recreation areas into hunts of all kinds. Give your children a list of things they need to find:

• At the art museum: Find an artist whose first and last names start with a P and who painted faces with the eyes in funny places. Find a painting that uses only two colors.

• At the Natural History Museum: How many animals can you find which are smaller that you are? Larger? Who has toes? Claws? Whose eyes are on the sides of their heads? Whose are in the front? Who has fur? Hair? Feathers?

• On a nature hike: Find something that an animal might eat. Find evidence that an animal lives there. Find something that grew on a tree. Find something that is crunchy.

Start a Long-Range Project Summer is perfect for long range project...because you have the time. Be only the consultant, not the director, in these pursuits.

• Put on a production. Your child writes the script, recruits the players, and puts on the show. She makes the lists and invites the audiences (homemade invitations), arranges the theater seating, even bakes the reception goodies.

• Hold an art show. Your child is the artist, hangs her work in the home "gallery." She creates and distributes the invitations; she cooks the reception goodies.

• Hold a recital. Your child can perform his talent-a drum show, piano recital, karate demonstration. He makes his guest lists, invitations, and reception treats. He arranges the room and the audience seats.

• Hold a creative writing/poetry reading. Your child creates the invitations, the program, the setting, the reception.

• Build something from scratch -- a skate board ramp, a doll bed, a mouse house. Anything that requires thought, planning, directions, supplies, and elbow grease will keep your child's wheels turning.

• Start any kind of a collection-rocks, shells, coins, stamps, baseball cards. The organization and categorization (and storage) require plenty of skill.

And the business of everyday life at home, offers plenty of learning opportunities:

• Pay your bills with your child, letting him see what things cost and how you do it.

• Invite your child to cook with you-measuring is a math skill.

• Ask your child to help you clean out or organize almost anything! Sorting, alphabetizing, categorizing take thought and effort.

• Hold a gargage sale of your child's possessions of his choice. He makes the signs, prices the items, organizes the event, runs the bank...and counts his money made!

Starting with reframing your ideas about learning, whether it's a project, a field trip, or just the business of daily life, summer is ripe with opportunities for reinforcing old skills and learning new ones. Who says the days of summer are lazy? They are just filled with expanding your child's thinking and growing his mind.

Calling All Parents! How Do You Prevent Kids' Summer Brain Drain?Send 'GMA' Your Creative Ideas, Tricks to Sneak In Learning

Get more parenting tips from "GMA."

Friend-Feature Friday: Matchtrade.com barter and trade site

For Friend-Feature Friday I thought I would feature a FCF friend, Anna, who just launched a new website that is SO PERFECT for saving money! Here is her description of it:

Matchtrade.com is Craigslist meets eHarmony.com for barter and trade. Which means you can post what you have 

{products, services, your old couch, your children} 

and tell us what you want 

{car mechanic, spa treatments, food storage items, nanny}

 ...and we match you up.

Trading is a fresh way to switch out items you no longer want or need for things that you can utilize. It’s a great way to increase productivity and create value without having to spend cash. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, a business with extra inventory or just looking for something new and fun we have trade options for you.

Our site is in beta testing which means it is free for you to use {after beta it will only be $5/trade after you find the perfect match} and open for as much feedback as possible while we continue to develop the site to perfection. So jump on, post an item {or two or three} and 

let the trading begin!

I think this sight is genius, and I look forward to using it myself.

Thank you for sharing, Anna, and good luck on your new venture!

Got feedback, a deal, an idea, a DIY project, or something else fun, cheap, or free to share? Email me at funcheaporfree@gmail.com and I'd be happy to feature you on Friend-Feature Friday too!

AMAZING deal...$12 light bulbs on sale for $3 from Costco. Stock up!

I was at Costco yesterday getting diapers (Huggies diapers are $6 off this month!! Remember you can order them online, they have free shipping) and saw an amazing deal that I had to share! 

(Note: This deal was at the Costco here in Salt Lake at 300w and about 1850s, so you might want to call your local Costco to see if they have this same deal before driving to one.)

Check out these light bulbs:

 In case it's hard to see, these are 65 watt energy-efficient light bulbs. They are regularly $11.89 but are $9 off right now with an instant manufacturer's rebate making them only $2.89 for a 4 pack!!

$3 for a $12 pack of light bulbs?

Um, yes please.

STOCK UP FOR YOUR LIFE, PEOPLE!

They also have these on sale:

75 Watt 6-pack of the twisty energy-efficient light bulbs. Reg $10.99, on sale for only $4.09 with an instant rebate of $6.90.

You don't need a coupon for these, and there is no limit...so stock up while you can!

Utah All Kids Sale - Sept 23-24

I found out about this huge kids consignment sale and thought I'd share! Click HERE for more info:

 

South Town Expo Center

Exhibit Rooms 300 A,B,C,and D

9575 S. State Street

Sandy, UT 84070

Shopping Days:  Friday - Saturday, September 23 - 24, 2011

FREE ADMISSION 

Event	Open To	Date	Day	Time
All Kids Sale	All Public	23rd 24th	Friday Saturday	10:00 a.m. -   6:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. -   6:00 p.m.
Half Price Sale	All Public	24th	Saturday	4:00 p.m. -   6:00 p.m.

Event	Open To	Date	Day	Time
Pre-Sale Spectacular	Volunteers Consignors	23rd 23rd	Friday Friday	9:00 a.m. -  9:30 a.m.   9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Half Price Sale	Volunteers Consignors	24th 24th	Saturday Saturday	3:00 p.m. -   3:30 p.m.   3:30 p.m. -   4:00 p.m.

Click HERE for more info

Tons of home remedy tips and tricks

I'm sure we've all gotten the email before. 

You know what I'm talking about, the spam email that you actually happened to read. 

You know, the one with tons of random home remedy tips in it that you think, 

"Huh...I should remember this...."

Yes, that one.

Well, I thought it was about time to go ahead and post it for you so you don't have to worry about remembering it any more!

I have no idea where it came from, 

who wrote it,

or even who sent it to me. 

BUT...

the ideas are great and, as it says, worth considering!
So here it is for you :)

P.S...see round 2 of amazing random tips HERE.

IDEAS WORTH CONSIDERING

• Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

• Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

• Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

Source

• Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking. 

• To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up. 

• For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting. 

Source

• Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic, and at the end of the recipe if you want a stronger taste of garlic.

• Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummy! '

Source

• Reheat Pizza Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

source

• Easy Deviled Eggs: Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up.  Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg.  Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

source

• Expanding Frosting: When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size.  You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving. 

• Reheating refrigerated bread: To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

• Newspaper weeds away: Plant your plants in the ground, work the nutrients in your soil. Then wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go, cover with mulch, and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

Source

• Broken Glass: Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

• No More Mosquitoes: Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away. 

Source

• To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it. (Wonder if this works with rabbits? Sure gonna give it a try)

• Flexible vacuum: To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

• Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip to eliminate static cling. It works! Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... Ta DA! ... Static is gone.

Source

• Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water when cooking. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient (peanut butter, for example) and watch how easily it comes right out.

• De-fog your windshield: Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

Source

• Re-opening envelopes: If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Voila! It unseals easily.

• Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

• Goodbye Fruit Flies: To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

source

• Get Rid of Ants with cornmeal. Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed! 

• Wash your dryer filter: The heating unit went out on my dryer. The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material and the hot water just sat on top of the mesh; didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free, and smell good. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box? Apparently that stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! 

Random, but helpful, right?! Be sure to check out my other "You're Welcome" Wednesday tips HERE.
You're Welcome :)