Budget-Friendly Ideas
From when the blog was Healthy Family Simple Budget, here are all sort of activities and ideas that are budget friendly.
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20 Push Present Ideas That Speak to the Heart of Motherhood
“Buy her a push present.”. This advice may sound unusual, but comes highly recommended. A recent survey asked a thousand expectant moms if they would want to receive a gift after giving birth. A whopping 74% said yes. So, the mothers have spoken- and we all know they know best. Pregnancy and childbirth can be […] Continue reading
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10 Simple Backyard Fun Ideas for Kids
With school out for the summer, there is so much excitement, anticipation, and PLAY! But as the memes that are popping up all over my Facebook feed would suggest, summer starts off with the best-laid plans and slowly wanes into complaints of, “Mom, I’m bored!” And, parents left without many tactics in their arsenal. Enter in […] Continue reading
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Thoughtful, Budget-Friendly Ideas For Mother’s Day!
Of all of the year’s holidays, Mother’s Day holds the most personal significance for me. While I love all of the other holidays, Mother’s Day is the only yearly celebration that recognizes the hardest and most valuable role I hold. Quite frankly, motherhood is incredibly hard work. Two pregnancies, healing from two caesareans, nursing, […] Continue reading
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Save Money: Groupon COUPONS
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own. Like many other parents out there, I’m big into saving money and shopping frugally. I do my best to grocery shop only once a week to avoid impulse buys; I have money saving apps on my phone; and, I know my prices. In […] Continue reading
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Take Your DIY Cardboard Dollhouse To the Next Level
With Christmas around the corner, there are sure to be ample boxes around to take advantage of. Yes, the toys are the driving force behind all the excitement, but boxes represent such possibility for me. Once we start on a DIY cardboard dollhouse or castle, the project really ends up being a gift that keeps […] Continue reading
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DIY Teacher Christmas Gift
This year is the first we’ve had a child in school. Granted, it is just preschool, but it was a big deal for this sensitive mama to send her little girl off into the world even if it is for just a few hours each day. My daughter’s teacher has been a wonderful influence in […] Continue reading
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DIY Distressed Frames, Shelves, and Furniture
When we were newly married, we got ready to say goodbye to the bachelor apartment of my singledom. Soon after our wedding day, we found a gorgeous remodelled suite. It was nestled into a dense evergreen forest with a path that came straight from our building’s entrance to a river that followed us all the way to […] Continue reading
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Easy, 3 Ingredient Candy Birds’ Nests
While I hate to rub it in to any East Coasters, but it would appear that Winter has subsided and warmer weather has arrived early on the West Coast (of North America, that is). We’ve hit a really nice stretch of sunshine and jacket-optional weather. Buds are on the trees, flowers are up, and I’ve […] Continue reading
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7 Ways to Lower Your Grocery Bill
‘Tis the season for New Years Resolutions. I will admit that, generally speaking, I’m not a fan of the principle. It seems so arbitrary. I understand resolving to change for good reason: after moving into a new home, at the beginning of the school year, if the kids aren’t sleeping well and their behaviour is […] Continue reading
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Let it Snow Play Dough & 4 Other Festive Activities
To say I’m praying for a white Christmas each year is an understatement. Unfortunately, I reside in the wrong part of Canada to expect one. Though in 2008, it did happen. If ever it snows, it’s often not enough or for long enough for any outdoor fun to happen. So this year, I got creative. […] Continue reading
About Me
Hi, I’m Alana. When I’m not nursing cold, stale coffee, I usually can be found with the baby on my hip, barefoot, and racing after my two older kids.
Thanks to a degree in psychology and a free-range childhood backing onto an expansive evergreen forest, positive parenting and play-based learning are my passions.