Exciting news...now introducing DARIN ADAMS from Studio 5 as a Frugality Boot Camp keynote speaker!

I have such exciting news! I officially introduce our newest Frugality Boot Camp keynote speaker...

Darin Adams: Co-Host of Studio 5, Utah's Top (and my favorite...) Morning Show

Holy cow, is this retreat going to be amazing! 

We have Darin along with 6 other amazing speakers that will all knock your socks off. Check them all out HERE. Here's a little more about Darin specifically:

Darin was born in Provo and graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Broadcast Communications. After working as a feature reporter and weathercaster in markets across the country, he is excited to be returning home. Aside from Utah, Darin has lived and worked in California, Germany, Montana, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts and Kentucky. He is a multiple award winner of both the Idaho State Journal Favorite Weathercaster award and the Illinois State Broadcasters Association Best Weather award. He was also honored with a Regional Emmy nomination for Best Host while in Boston. Darin has done some interesting things on live TV. He's received medical procedures live, cooked with celebrity chefs Todd English and Ming Tsai, and has sampled chocolate chip cookies with grasshoppers baked into them. He has interviewed sports legends and countless celebrities such as Hall of Fame Pitcher Jim Palmer and Quarter Back Drew Bledsoe. He enjoys traveling, the Boston Red Sox, trying anything once, coaching youth sports, music, playing games, getting a great deal, entertaining, cooking and eating. His wife doesn't enjoy cleaning up after him. He and his wife Kristi are the parents of four children.

And just for the record...his is hilarious. Love this guy.

For those of you who don't know what the heck I'm talking about with this whole boot camp thing, let me enlighten you.

On June 23 here in Utah I am holding my first annual Frugality Boot Camp retreat. My tag-line I've decided as of 5 seconds ago?...

Making. Frugality. Sexy.

You heard me.  

It's going to be a blast. It's a full-day, high-energy retreat. We have 7 amazing guest speakers that will be covering everything from:

• Budgeting, paying off debt, and balancing saving vs spending, 
• Grocery shopping and meal planning,
• DIY, home decor and crafting,
• Health, beauty, and fashion,
• Involving the family in frugality,
• Fun/cheap/free family activity ideas,
• Easy tricks and tips for saving money, 
• and more.

We're feeding you awesome food all day, doing a lot of fun, interactive activities and break-out groups, and most importantly, teaching you basically everything you could ever need to know about saving money...for the rest of your life. 

Now that you got the jist...

Just a friendly reminder that there are only 3 weeks left until the magical day. So if you want to rub shoulders with Darin (and myself, because I'm just so awesome ;)) then you'd better hurry and sign up! 

Click HERE to register and for more info. See you there!

-Jordan

I need your help!

Ok, all you lovely readers, I need a quick favor! I'm preparing for my next TV appearance coming up THIS MONDAY (June 4th). Will you pretty pretty please fill out the quick survey below? Trust me, it looks long but it's NOT...there are just lots of options to choose from. It should only take you about 45-60 seconds, maybe even less.

Thank you all, I really appreciate the help!
Oh, and please note, this is 100% anonymous, I am simply gathering statistical data. Thanks!





Thanks everyone, you are the best!!
XOXO,

3 weeks until the Frugality Boot Camp! Better register while you can!

www.frugalitybootcamp.com

A look inside my price notebook. Always keep one on-hand, and it will save you hundreds!!

Well, I'm back from my fun trip back home to Oregon. 

I drove...AGAIN. Alone. With two babies...

AND my 100lb dog this time, making it a 13.5 hour drive this time.

NOT. EASY.

I used my same methods as my first trip and it went pretty smoothly, click HERE for how I did it this time. Luckily on the way back I had my husband with me so we were able to drive through the night and make it much easier. Regardless, I'm glad the driving is done :) But MAN, did I have fun! I love the Oregon Coast.

ANYWAY, I'm back in the swing of things and thought I'd share a video tip with you today. Hope it helps! Enjoy :)

The Value of a Price Notebook

I have mentioned many times  a price notebook that I keep on-hand at all times. (see HERE, HERE, and HERE for examples).

Let me tell you, this is an absolute life saver! It's a simple concept, check out this video explaining how - and why - I use mine.

Click HERE to watch it online, or simply watch the video below:

See? Isn't that easy? Here are some pictures to help illustrate my video better.

Here's my handy dandy notebook. Small, sturdy, cheap, flexible, cute - a must ;)

Here is an example of a page of mine. (Sorry about the poor pics, they were taken with my phone.)

Notice that I am specific to label every unit price. If it's per pound, write it. If it's per each, write it. If it's a specific type of apple or pear, write it.

If you write down a price but come across a better price in the future, replace it with the better price. You can see below that I did that with yellow onions and whole carrots. 

Prices are always changing based on what's in season, how the crops did, where you live and shop, etc. So always be aware of and notice prices, even if it's an item that you buy regularly and have the price memorized. 

Be very specific about the size of things. Notice my Downy Softener below. I specified that it's liquid, AND how many loads it can wash. It takes hardly any time to do this, but will make all the difference in the world!

The categories I have in my notebook are:

Canned foods

Condiments

Drinks/snacks

Baking items

Grains

Dairy

Household

Meat - chicken

Meat - pork

Meat - beef

Meat - seafood

Produce - veggies

Produce - fruits

Hope that helps! I promise you, if you keep a price notebook on-hand you will - quite literally - save your family thousands of dollars over time. Knowledge is power, so KNOW YOUR PRICES!

Give it a try and let me know how it goes! Email me at funcheaporfree@gmail.com and you might just get featured :) Have a good day!...oh, and you're welcome :)

A look inside my recipe notebook. Great gift idea!

Happy Tuesday!

On Tuesdays I normally share a recipe with you. But today I'm going to show you what I use to keep all my FAVORITE recipes on-hand.

Introducing...

"Favorite Recipes" notebook

I have mentioned before that I have a recipe notebook where I keep all my favorite recipes. This is hands down THE BEST tool in my kitchen!

 My MIL and I made the one above for my cute cousin-in-law's bridal shower recently. Mine, unfortunately, is not NEARLY as cute.

...but it sure is a lifesaver.

Here's how it works:

Any recipe that I try and like (plan to make again) gets photocopied on my printer, then put into the notebook. The recipes are sorted by appetizers, soups, desserts, main ingredient (ground beef, chicken, pasta),

I mark the recipe up like crazy so I remember what changes I made or how I would change it next time.
I also put the date at the top of the recipe and write a one-word rating such as, "great!" "good" "good and easy" or something of the sort.

I keep it handy and accessible, and pull it out when I need a good/quick/familiar go-to!

See? Told you it's ugly.

This notebook helps me:

• Find recipes when I need them rather than rummaging through my dozens of cook books.
• Have everything neatly in one place.
• Come up with what to make for dinner easier.
• Makes it easier to share recipes with people.
• Helps me remember what recipes would be great to serve guests for dinner.

Now, one thing to note is that I have a separate notebook labeled, "Recipes to try". This is where I put all those delicious pinterest recipes, recipes people have emailed to me, etc. that I want to try but haven't yet. Once I try it, if I like it and plan to make it again, it goes into the favorites binder. Get it? Pretty easy. 

I keep my notebook with my other recipe books (it's on the far right). The skinner black one is my "need to try" notebook.

As I mentioned, my mother-in-law and I made one for a bridal shower recently. I have decided this is SUCH a great fun, cheap, and thoughtful gift to give! Here's what we did:

We bought a basic white 2in binder. Two inches seems huge, but trust me...you fill your notebook up pretty quickly. We fancied up the cover and back with scrapbook paper cut by my Silhouette.

After decorating, we stuffed it full of 25 or 30 great recipes (many of them family recipes) that we thought she'd enjoy.

One of the Page famous family recipes is their homemade waffles and buttermilk syrup recipes. We featured this recipe in the front of the book, and gave her a waffle maker in addition to the book so she could put the famous Page family recipe into action :)

Our original idea was to make a cute basket with all the ingredients that she would need to make one of the recipes found in the book, but we ran out of time and had to go simple. It'd be a cute idea though, eh?

For Christmas a few years ago my SIL Lindsay made me an AMAZING "Page Family Recipes notebook" for me because every time we got together I would ask, "OH! Can I get the recipe for this??". It was the most thoughtful gift ever. This is an incredible way to welcome someone into your family. It was one of the best gifts I've ever been given. She even added my picture on the front with the other sisters. Let me tell you, recipes and cooking brings people together! Keep this in mind for a neat gift idea.

So there you go! That's my recipe notebook. To find some of my favorite recipes found in this notebook click HERE. Happy eating!

Half off Charity Fundraiser

Friday May 25th come support your local 4-H Mentoring in a Benefit Concert in American Fork, Utah.

Bands performing include Truman, The Whits, Mayday, Kings Again, Stacy Stringham, and Madison Sagendorf. In addition to the concert itself there will also be family friendly activities including a bounce house, temporary tattoos, life-size Jenga, silent auction and more which will end at 9pm.

4-H is more than horses, cows and sheep. It is also about people mentoring those in their preteen and early teen years to help them get a good start on their way to adulthood.
Government funding for the program will expire in June! They are putting on this benefit concert in hopes to keep this wonderful program going.

Tickets are $10 if you purchase them when you get there but if you call and get your tickets ahead of time our FCF readers can get tickets for only $5!!! The events go from 6pm-10pm

For additional information on the event go to
https://www.facebook.com/events/265931920170394/

Don't miss out of all the fun and hearing some awesome music!

My Favorite Things: No-slip hangers

I'm enjoying my time in good ol' Oregon, but thought I'd schedule a few posts so you don't miss me too much while I'm gone ;)

I haven't posted a Favorite Thing in a while, so I thought it was about time. Today's "thing" is simple, but genius. I. Love. These.  Enjoy!

My favorite thing: No Slip Hangers

I saw these at Costco months and months ago, but thought "why would anyone pay so much for hangers? Get the super cheap plastic ones, they work just as well." and moved on. But then my parents got them. And my friends. And my neighbors. Eventually it seemed the whole world not only was buying them, but was LOVING them. 

So, of course, I had to give them a try.

Guess what?

Yup. 

Love them.

Here's why:

• Consolidation.

As you can see, they are WAY thinner than typical hangers. You wouldn't think this would make much of a difference, but trust me...it does. As I've eventually started replacing all my cheapies with these guys, I really do have more space in my closet (always a perk).

• Cost.

Yes, they are more expensive than the cheapie, 10 for $1 (or whatever they cost) plastic ones. BUT...the best deal (by far) that I've found on these is at Costco. They are $9.99 for 35, making them $0.29 each. Not bad. 

So here's what you have to think about. Yes, they cost more. BUT...if they are quality (which they are), if they make your life easier (which they do), and if you will keep them for a long time (that's my plan...) then it's worth it to "invest" in the good stuff once in a while. For me, this is one of those whiles.

I found some at Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Ross, they were all $9.99 for 15 (I think?), making them $0.66 each. 

On Amazon they have 50 for $23, making them $0.45 each. 

As you can see, no one comes close to Costco's price.

I bought one box to start. Every other month or so I leave $10 in my Costco budget and pick up another box. My plan is to eventually have everything but my skirts and pants hanging on these babies.

• Effectiveness.

Not only do they consolidate my closet, but they actually work! Clothes DO NOT slip off of these. I love that because some of my extra-scoopy-droopy-neck clothes, silky shirts, dresses, or tank tops slide off the cheapo plastic ones. I don't have to worry about crumpled clothes on the bottom of my closet floor any more.

So there you go, that's why I'm naming these a favorite thing of mine. Oh...

And don't forget THIS TIP about keeping your closet organized and weeding through your clothes easily. Have a good day!

FCF Weekend Wrap-Up: Baby & bridal shower ideas, good deal on corn, Mother's day recap, and more.

Happy Monday!

The last two weekends we've had family in town, so we've done lots of fun family activities. 

I thought I'd share some fun, cheap, or free things that I've done the last two weeks or so in hopes that it helps YOU in any way. Enjoy :)

*Note: Sorry about the quality of my pics, they were all taken with my phone. I've been lazy lately about carrying my camera around with me!

MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND:

• My SIL flew in from Nor Cal to go to a Mother's Day retreat with me. P.S...no, this wasn't at a church...this was in someone's house. How cool is that fireplace??

 It was SO. SO. SO. SO. GREAT. 

It was fun, it was informative, it was inspiring, I made lots of new friends, and it was an escape from my day-to-day.

WHY are retreats worth the money?

Because sure, you could probably go to the internet and spend hours learning about something. But how fun (and effective) is that really?? You learn better when you can get face-to-face learning, interaction, and feedback from people. With retreats it's like a glorified classroom setting. You can ask questions, input comments, and get a lot more out of the discussion than just reading words on a page. You make friends, have fun, eat good food...

Seriously, I love retreats!...

That's why I'm holding my own in June :)

So don't forget to register for my Frugality Boot Camp retreat HERE, and be sure to enter the giveaway to win a free ticket!!

Ok, moving on.

• After the retreat we had fun in Salt Lake before taking our SIL to the airport. We ate at Blue Lemon which was soooo good. I couldn't find a coupon online, so we just tried to share as much food as possible and saved our leftovers for future meals.

We had fun playing in the fountains at City Creek.

• Unfortunately I had to deal with some sick kiddos for two weeks. That is DEFINITELY no fun. Now that they are doing better I am going to use my dishwasher trick to de-germ their toys.

We eat LOTS of popsicles at our house when kids are sick.

• Last week there was a great deal on corn at Sunflower Market, 6 for $1! 

I price-matched a huge bag at Walmart. We ate some with our dinners for a few days. 

For the rest, we shucked it all (with help from my big helper...)

I cooked it up (I try to steam it to preserve the nutrients, but I boiled it this time for convenience.)

Then, I slice the corn off the cob, fill little sandwich baggies with the corn, and freeze it. Now I have fresh-frozen corn any time I want so I don't have to use the canned stuff! Cheap, and healthy. Love it!

• For dinner one night we made strawberry spinach salads with grilled chicken and candied almonds. It was reeeeeally easy and so good! I'm not normally much of a salad person, but we had strawberries and spinach that we needed to use up. It was delish!

Remember to ALWAYS try to find a use for food before throwing it out.

For Mother's Day my husband made me an adorable card from him and "the kids".

He let me take a nap after church and I woke up to a set table, 

...and an amazing dinner!

He made the same meal as last year (as per my request). Chicken Parmesan, pasta, salad, and even baked a cake. Yes, he's a keeper.

I love Mother's Day.

THIS WEEK:

• We've been working on potty training, taking it nice and easy so I don't push him before he's ready. He's been doing great so far!...mostly due to the fact that his undies are super awesome.

And no, we don't have a fridge on our deck, it's our grill. Looks like a fridge in this pic, though...

• The weather has been nice so we've done a lot of FREE playing on our deck. I got the kiddie pools on clearance last year as summer was winding down, around August. We've definitely gotten great use out of them!

• While my kids play in the water I try to work on projects. Multi-tasking is the only way to go for me any more. This particular day I worked on "the book graveyard" as I call it. 

My son is accidentally (or sometimes on purpose...grrr...) pretty rough with his books. He went through a phase where he would rip them constantly. I kept track of all the ripped parts and I'm taping them back together. He slowly earns back the books he's "broken" by showing me he can be nice to his books. Books are expensive, so I buy them from thrift stores and yardsales and try to make them last as long as possible!

• I had my KSL News segment on Thursday about what to buy from Costco. It was wild...they forgot to come and get me from the lobby until the literal last second. I got mic'd and ran out onto the set just as the cameras started rolling. It was crazy, but turned out ok I think!

This is the only picture I got of the day because we were so rushed before the segment. And I don't think they posted the video online, but I'll try to get it for you from the producer.

THIS WEEKEND:

• It was the weekend of showers! My cute cousin Brittany had a bridal shower. The food was gorgeous. Look at this easy and beautiful presentation:

Flowers on the pasta salad, and dipping sauce in bell peppers. Lovely! And you could rinse out and re-use the hollowed out peppers when you're done, which you should do. Never waste food!

• I left that shower and went straight to my friend Lilian's baby shower. Yes, my hair is crazy in this pic. Hey, it was a long day, ok?!

Isn't she cute? Brazilian. Gorgeous. Love her.

They also had adorable and cute food at the party. Look at these clever ideas:

1. Trinkets on the cupcakes, 

2. Individual containers of mints and M&M's so people can take them with them or eat them at the party. I love that idea!

They played the best games at the shower, too.

GUESSING GAME:

• They had 3 different baby bottles, each filled with different things. One had M&M's, one had baby Q-tips, the third had baby safety pins. You had to guess how many were in each bottle, so they had 3 different winners. It was a cute game because you could do it throughout the party and not have to organize everyone to sit still and stop talking all at one time. No, I didn't win any of them, dang it.

DRAW A BABY:

• This was my favorite! They gave you a paper plate which you had to hold up to your forehead. You then had to draw a baby on the plate, yes, while the plate is still being held to your forehead!  Then Lilian got to choose her favorite. It was so funny to see how the pictures turned out. Let me tell you, it's not easy drawing a baby on your forehead!

The winning baby. Pretty good, eh?

I thought those were clever ideas which I had never seen at a shower before...and let me tell you, I have been to a LOT of showers :)

P.S...for tons more shower and party ideas, click HERE.

Today I'm packing up and cleaning out my car, because I'm making my 12-hour treck to Oregon again tomorrow...with my kids...by myself...again. Crazy? Probably. But it's worth it for a little vacation time! 

So that's my wrap-up. How was YOUR weekend/week?