5 Things $15 Or Under: Mother Runners!

During a recent convo, I brought up the fact that I won't pay for something I could easily find out on my own. It was Disney related, and really, there are so many resources that people just don't think of using that are FREE. I just don't see spending money that we could use for fun (or, let's face it, necessities) and said so.

One of the responses was that thete really wasn't anything fun in Disney for $15!!

WHAT???

Enter my newest list...5 Things $15 Or Under weekly posts.

And, for the inaugural post, my mommy virtual vacation time obsession. Running. Or things you'll love, mother runner or girl runner (or any runner!!).

1.) Cold Weather Headband ( $ 12.99 Kohl's)



I bought this one for my first half marathon from Kohl's, for less than $10. (And I probably stacked a 30% off with a dollar off offer, cause that's how I roll at Kohl's!)

It keeps ears warm without overheating the rest of me, lets me rock the messy bun, high ponytail, or running braid, and is easy to slide off yet small enough to stuff somewhere if needed.

2.) Lacrosse ball ($2.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods)

This is a life saver for me! I discovered the love/hate relationship of a foam roller this past year. Running revealed every flaw working 15 plus years on retail on marble floors wearing heels had done to my body. Add to that two lil dudes and a weak ligament in my ankle which makes some days harder than others. But, upon further research and convos with my PT, I discovered the unending insanity my pirifomus muscle was inflicting on me.

This little ball saves me hours of limping, and gives my husband plenty of laughs as I roll up against the wall. Plus, it's great for taking care of my feet, rolling right along.



3.) Travel Roller ($4.99 Dick's Sporting Goods)

My biggest issue with our recent Disney trip was the fear that without my beloved foam roller, my body would literally shut down and all the progress I had made in the last year would be put on pause. I roll at least every other day, on top of yoga, and can't imagine how my body would feel without it.

It's not ideal, or something I would use long term, but given the fact that our packing would have absolutely no room for my big ol roller, it worked, and better than I ever imagined. Especially on tight hamstrings after hours of walking and chasing after a three year old! And, it's portable size let's me throw it in my race bag for a quick foot roll or other areas post or pre race if needed.



4.) Dr. Scholl's Active Series BlisterDefense Anti-Friction Stick ( $8.19 Walmart)

I use it on my toes, heel, back of my ankle, and my side to prevent rubbing and chafing. The worse thing is getting a new running shirt, only to have the seam rub the side of you for 45 minutes or more During a training run, or a race because you didn't get a test run in while wearing it!



5.) Yoga socks (various prices and places! Mine are Calia by Carrie from Dick's Sporting Goods $8.99)

Yoga is essential not only for stating healthy while running, but for insanity that is being a mom. We tend to not put ourselves first and our body *and minds* suffer for it. I'm usually a barefoot yoga girl, but during the winter months I like a yoga sock.

Sometimes I don't have time to bust out my mat and get centered, so on go my yoga socks for a quick ten minute session.




See you next week with another 5 for $15 or less! Happy running!

posted from Bloggeroid

Frugal Mommy Disney Planning: Disney World Within Reach

I'm pretty sure it's obvious I love taking my boys to Disney. And given the fact that they are checking wait times daily for their favorite attractions, it's a pretty good bet they love it, too. It's magical.



I discovered this little gem, and just by following one simple tip for Target gift
cards, I've saved $55 that I'm putting towards our upcoming December trip in JUST ONE WEEK. There are so many more tips that my mind is blown, land really excited to dig in to this book.

My family loves the magic of being at Walt Disney World, of the time we get to spend together, and the memories are priceless.

It definitely costs more than I care to admit, and while I wish I could say money doesn't matter, it does.

I'll keep you all updated as I forge ahead with my money saving strategies.

https://www.smartmomsplandisney.com/disneyworldwithinreach?affiliate_token=z1qiaQSyFHu4h5p8

(Please note this is an affiliate link, but the book and all materials were purchased from the fabulous mom author LJ by myself!)

posted from Bloggeroid

Clean All The Fruit! Frugal Mom Tip

In the realm of declutter,  reduce the chemicals (not that they're all evil), and in the name of frugality  (two mortgages and diapers!!!), a few years ago, I began researching alternatives and methods for everyday cleaning and being more kid friendly.

That's when I discovered the amazing, everyday, multipurpose products I already had in my pantry. (Side note, the word pantry always makes me kinda giggle and I'm really not sure why!) Warning, Pinterest will boggle your mind with endless lists of the ways you can use ordinary and extraordinary staples, but really, if you're like me, you need the shortened version. The hope, no matter how small, of having an extra ten seconds to take the world's fastest shower is incredibly important.  Especially with two little ones, who just might, if you're extremely lucky, nap at the same time.  Of course, you'll probably end up doing something just as important as well. Like laundry or the dishes, because they will never truly be done. Neverending cycle of family life, laundry and dishes.

But, that is not the awesomeness of this post...it's all about apple cider vinegar.

First off, let me tell you, I like salad. But, smelling salad dressing-like fragrances isn't my favorite. Some people actually love the smell. Me? Not so much.

But, as a fruit and veggie cleaner? Fabulous!!! Yep, clean up the produce with apple cider vinegar...just put a few tablespoons or so diluted in water and soak your produce of choice for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse.

Done.

And, if you get fruit flies? Even easier...I use a container from something like Whole Foods Mango Pineapple Salsa (my newest obsession!!!!), poke a few holes in the lid and pour apple cider vinegar about halfway up then watch (or not!) the flies fly right on in to stay. The lid contains the smell (which, as we know, isn't my favorite) and keeps the containment easy to dispose of.

Voila!! Clean produce, and fruit flies be gone!!!

Dreaming Of Disney

I sit here in the pouring rain, waiting patiently for my kindergartner to get dropped off at the bus stop, and try to desperately not let the pouring rain damper my already dampened mood. The road construction through our development has made the drop off wait anywhere from 15 to 60 longer than usual.  And while I can't wait to have a new street with less off road flare, it's caused havoc on our routine. (And our bus driver is kinda awesome, which meant the times I mention picking up my lil dude usually ends up with tearful pleas not too do so.)

This leads to me a few things I made myself finally realize.

I'm DONE.

As in, done waiting for the right time, things to "be in place" so that I can get my dreams and goals achieved. I plan, daydream, but then I let the world overtake me. You know what I mean. Push the things that make me happy, challenge me, and generally are mine to the back burner so that I can mom, wife, work. It's ridiculous. 

WHY DO WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES??

This past fall, I started walking everyday after my son jumped on the bus in the morning, pushing my youngest who was two in his stroller. I met a fellow mom whose daughter was in his class just down the street from us, and we walked. She was my catalyst, calling me put for trying to beg off on rainy or cold days. I learned to suck it up, buttercup! This turned into counting steps (thanks, Samsung Health!), and made me really feel energized.

But here's the kicker. I spend way too much time on my phone (Facebook especially!!), or watching tv.

There were days, though that I rarely turn on the tv, which ended up being my happiest! Putting the phone down actually let me accomplish laundry AND yoga!!

So, that's the deal. I'm DONE. I know I need my phone for my fitness tracker, etsy selling, email for my at home job, but I'm going to set up times just for checking in. And stick to them.

And blog more! My endless Disney tips, frugal mommy tips, and hot mess madness.  I ran my first 5k this past weekend!!!

This summer, my five year old and I are running Run Disney Virtual 5k shorts, and I've convinced the husband if we can sell our second mortgage house that maybe, just maybe, we will run the castles soon. Grandpa's already convinced.

So, here's to Disney Dreaming. And making your own Pixie Dust!!

Frugal Mommy Tip: Off Season Savings

Frugal doesn't mean cheap. It means your smart. One of my favorite tips for a stay at home mommy to be a money saving, frugal, SMART mommy is to buy off season.

For example, the two weeks after holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, even Valentine's Day are real bargain hunting extravaganzas.

Just last week, as I was checking off the everyday items from my grocery list, I spotted the final markdowns of random Christmas baking novelty mixes. Marshmallow rice crispy tree kits ($4.50 now $.25!!), ugly sweater sugar cookie kits ($3.99 now $.50), ninja gingerbread men cookie kit ($3.99 now $.50), and red velvet cake ball kit ($3.99 now $.50). So, for $4.25, I now have two red velvet cake mixes, two cookie kits, and five bags of rice crispy cereal/marshmallows, plus white chocolate wafers, red and green candy wafers, and two ziplocs full of decorating items.

Red velvet will be perfect for Valentine's Day, especially considering the ugly sweater sugar cookies came with heart sprinkles. And, the rice crispy cereal will become treats, or breakfast and cups of marshmallow filled cups of cocoa!



Not too bad, if I do say so myself.

posted from Bloggeroid