Everyday Cheapskate - Mary Hunt's Everyday Cheapskate

When Christmas is Hard

It wasn’t that big of a deal, really. Still, I felt a twinge of sadness whenever I thought about it because it’s something I really liked a lot.

I made the small zippered pouch, all by hand—every last stitch. I wouldn’t call it a work of art, although I was quite proud of the clever piecing and homespun appearance.

I filled the little pouch with my most prized hand sewing supplies:

Tiny gold scissors in the shape of a stork that were so sharp they cut perfectly all the way to the end of the beak.
The only thimble I’ve ever found that fit perfectly.
A small magnetic needle holder filled with the finest German stainless steel sharps in a variety of sizes.
A tiny container of appliqué pins
And two spools of thread just the right size and shape to fill the remaining space in the sewing kit.

December 12, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Holidays and Special Occasions

Traditions: The Glue the Holds Families Together

Family traditions are the rituals and practices a family shares that strengthen that family’s bonds and create lasting memories.

Traditions, those things we do much the same way over and over again, provide a source of identity, comfort, and security. They reinforce family values. Kids love traditions!

Traditions can be elaborate and complex or simple but meaningful.

According to this study cited in this article from The Atlantic, the time we spend focusing on anticipation, experiences, and simply being together can have a profound impact on how much we enjoy life.

Traditions give families assurance that even in an uncertain and changing world, there are some things they can count on to always be the same.

The way I see it, anything you do in the same way at the same time, year after year becomes a tradition. Whatever it is, if you’ve done it once but plan to do it again, it counts as a tradition.

Make a list of your family’s best traditions. Talk about them, treat them with a sense of respect and joy. Explore ideas for intentionally spending meaningful time together and then repeat often.

In time, your family traditions—especially those related to Christmas—will become trusted anchors in your children’s lives.

December 11, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Best Creative and Inexpensive Homemade Gifts!

Whether it’s something from your kitchen, craft room, woodworking shop, or computer, there’s nothing like a homemade gift. A tree ornament, plate of cookies, box of fudge, note cards—these are just some of the homemade gifts with universal appeal.

I love homemade gifts both to give and receive. No wonder I have so many favorites!

Hand and Body Lotion

A jar of your own signature luxury hand and body lotion will definitely put you on the map. It’s that good. Not particularly crafty? No worries.

If you can assemble, empty, stir and mix well, you’ve got what it takes to make dozens of these gifts start to finish in a single evening.

And the best part? About $3.50 per gift, depending on where you buy the ingredients and containers.

I have created a photo tutorial at A Homemade Gift You’d Actually Love to Receive with all of the step-by-step instructions and specifics on the ingredients and where to get them.

Believe me when I say this is the gift your recipient(s) will rave about. It’s that awesome!

Shaving Cream

Seriously. Quite similar in process to the lotion above, you can make a big batch in one evening.

December 10, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Gift Guides

Holiday Gift Guide for Foodies Plus a GIVEAWAY!

Yes, another Holiday Gift Guide, and not so much because I love creating these guides for you (I do!) but due to popular request. And if it wouldn’t have appeared to be overly self-serving, for sure I would have titled this Guide something like my favorite Best Inexpensive really awesome kitchen things that foodies of all levels are sure to love as much as I do.

1. Pizza Stone for Grill and Oven

Finally, a pizza stone that is not so fragile I have to worry about it cracking under extreme conditions (I must be super hard on pizza stones because I have broken more than a couple)! First, it is extra thick at 3/4″. And heavy (thank you Amazon for Prime shipping). But here is the most amazing thing—guaranteed to withstand up to a whopping 1000 degrees F. Culinary Couture Pizza Stone for Grill and Oven will not crack! I leave mine on the bottom shelf of my oven at all times, which makes for easy storage, but also makes it convenient for baking bread as well as chicken, shrimp, and cookies, too. About $40.

2. Egg Rings

What a great idea, really. These Non-Stock Fried and Poached Egg Rings are perfect, too, for pancakes and anything else you want to come out round! Also comes in a heart-shaped option. About $8 for a set of four.

December 8, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Food & Recipes, Holidays and Special Occasions

Just in Time for the Holidays Gift-Worthy Caramel Corn

Sometime during the fall of 2010 (who am I kidding here, it was exactly Oct. 2, 2010, at 4:32 pm), I wandered into (actually I was sucked in against my will by the seductive aroma) Popcornopolis in South Deerfield, Mass., (curiously, located inside the Yankee Candle Village Store) and walked out with the most amazing gourmet caramel popcorn.

As an admitted lover of good caramel corn, I have to say a few things about this gourmet popcorn. These people know how to make caramel corn!

With its rich depth of flavor, Popcornopolis Caramel Corn is about as close to perfection as I have ever tasted. But as wonderful as it is, it is also very expensive.

December 7, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Clothing and Accessories, Home & Family

From Closet Chaos to Organized in 5 Easy Steps

What’s behind your closet door? Orderly rows of shoes, stacks of folded t-shirts and hanging clothes arranged by color and season? Or do you have a situation that could be declared a national disaster?

If the latter, you might ask the President for federal disaster relief funds or you could just get organized.

Knowing you would feel guilty taking funds from earthquake, fire, and flood victims, here are simple steps to find calm in all that chaos. By the way, these same principles for organizing a clothes closet apply to linen or utility closets, too.

December 6, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Holidays and Special Occasions, Home & Family

The Best Christmas Book Ever

In the crush of holiday wish lists, gadgets, toys and media hype, it’s easy to overlook the four things experts tell us that children really want for Christmas.

Relaxed time with family
Realistic expectations about gifts
An evenly paced holiday season
Reliable family traditions

Today I have a recommendation for you—a way that you and your family can accomplish all four things, even at this late date. Read more

December 5, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Food & Recipes, Holidays and Special Occasions

Cinnamon Rolls So Decadent, So Simple, it Might Be Illegal

There was a time that I felt compelled to rise early on Christmas morning to bake Cinnamon Rolls—my family’s breakfast item of choice on that very special day of the year.

When I say early, I mean 3:30am. It takes hours for sweet bread dough to rise multiple times. And let’s just say that over the years, some attempts have been more successful than others.

Those days are gone. I’m done with that routine and not because I don’t love my family.

Now I sleep in until exactly 43 minutes before I want everyone to wake up to the smell of fresh, hot, decadent, perfect-every-time Cinnamon Rolls.

I may regret letting the cat out of the bag on this because they still think I’m a world-class Cinnamon Roll baker, but for right now, I’m excited to show and tell the most outrageously awesome food hack I’ve ever discovered. Read more

December 4, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Gift Guides

2018 Holiday Gift Guide, Part 4—Best Gifts for Him

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon affiliated sites.

1. Moccasin Slippers

Suede leather mocs with rubber soles, sheepskin insole, and faux fur lining. Super soft and warm. Several choices of color. Sizes 6.5 to 15. Under $50

2. Minimalist Fiber Wallet

Forget the fat old-fashioned fold-in-half wallet. It’s time for an update to slim and stylish. This wallet is amazing for all it offers while remaining minimalistic. It even has a sliding coin drawer. This fiber minimalist fiber wallet is designed to fit in a man’s front pocket where it is more secure and accessible. About $20. Read more

December 3, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Gift Guides

2018 Holiday Gift Guide, Part 3—Best Gifts for Teens

Finding the perfect gift for teen boys and girls is almost impossible. So forget trying to be perfect and concentrate on this: Teenagers like what they like. Funny thing. I’m kinda’ the same way. So what do teens like? Here are twelve gifts for teens that are sure to delight both you and your young recipient.

This Gift Guide for Teens is nothing if not a lot of fun, no matter your age. Oh, and one more thing: At writing, all of these gifts as linked to Amazon, were priced under $20. Make sure to check because prices can and do change.

1. Window Breaker, Seatbelt Cutter

Regardless of how reliable, responsible and confident your teen driver is, a lack of experience makes him or her more prone to accidents. An all-in-one emergency rescue tool has enough cool factor to get any driver’s attention, making this a dandy gift for all the drivers on your list regardless of age. This one tool is a steel hammer to easily smash car windows in case of a dire emergency and a seatbelt cutter to slice through seat belts fast.

2. Portable Compact Charger

Your teen’s phone or another device will never run out of power again once he or she is carrying this sweet Anker Portable Charger, which is the size of a candy bar. But don’t let that fool you. It’s powerful with high capacity and delivers a fast charge. Includes USB and Micro USB ports and cables for both. Lightning cable for iPhone or iPad sold separately.

December 3, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

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Submitters grant the exclusive right to use and or reproduce the materials in any manner and for any purpose. All information published is taken from the most reliable sources possible and given as information only. All specific financial, legal, tax and accounting situations should be referred to appropriate legal or accounting professionals.

When Christmas is Hard

Traditions: The Glue the Holds Families Together

Best Creative and Inexpensive Homemade Gifts!

Hand and Body Lotion

Shaving Cream

Holiday Gift Guide for Foodies Plus a GIVEAWAY!

1. Pizza Stone for Grill and Oven

2. Egg Rings

Just in Time for the Holidays Gift-Worthy Caramel Corn

From Closet Chaos to Organized in 5 Easy Steps

The Best Christmas Book Ever

Cinnamon Rolls So Decadent, So Simple, it Might Be Illegal

2018 Holiday Gift Guide, Part 4—Best Gifts for Him

1. Moccasin Slippers

2. Minimalist Fiber Wallet

2018 Holiday Gift Guide, Part 3—Best Gifts for Teens

1. Window Breaker, Seatbelt Cutter

2. Portable Compact Charger

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Hand and Body Lotion

Shaving Cream

1. Pizza Stone for Grill and Oven

2. Egg Rings

1. Moccasin Slippers

2. Minimalist Fiber Wallet

1. Window Breaker, Seatbelt Cutter

2. Portable Compact Charger

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