Every year now, my girls and I look forward to them choosing a saint to dress up as for All Saints Day. Our parish has a party, as does our homeschool co-op. Even if we didn't have those events, I still think dressing up as saints for the feast is a wonderful way to get [...]
+J.M.J.+ Incredible memories don't have to come with exorbitant price tags. I think Instagram posts showing families headed off to a beach vacation a few states away, or some big Disney Cruise can make us feel like a really memorable summer vacation has to be long, far away, and expensive. While these trips may make [...]
+J.M.J.+ A year and a half ago, Ethan and I got rid of over half of our stuff, and we have never looked back. This is the story of our family reclaiming our home, and at the end a list of action steps if you need help starting a similar process. So. Much. Stuff. Despite [...]
+J.M.J.+Last week I shared my best tips for traveling with kids in this post here, and today I wanted to share how we plan little weekend getaways on a small budget. Consider the Location We tend to make trips in a 2 - 3.5 hour range away for weekends. This is close enough that Ethan [...]
+J.M.J.+ We have paid off $23,031.00 of student loan debt in two years on an income less than the national average. It was our only debt and it is a relief like no other to have this gone. Ethan graduated with his bachelors degree debt free - this was from a post graduate program. We [...]
+J.M.J.+ Nourishing food and tight budgets are really hard to reconcile. I know, because I'm constantly balancing what we're eating with our small income all of the time. People often times want a magical solution to feed their families a beautiful, organic, locally grown diet for "cheap". While my tips below and other ideas out [...]
+J.M.J.+ The feast of All Saints can be panic-inducing for parents needing to hurriedly put together a saint costume for their kids. Here are a few quick ideas and links for some costumes that you might be able to throw together easily and most with little expense! (I also have a whole post with tips [...]
+J.M.J.+ A few weeks ago I went consignment sale shopping for Philomena's Fall/Winter wardrobe. I got her some items not shown here like snow pants, snow boots, and a winter hat. She also has pajamas and a couple sweaters from a spring sale or hand-me-downs that will work well this winter. I'm just sharing her [...]
+J.M.J.+ I haven't bought disposable menstrual pads for 2.5 years now (well, aside from one package to use while traveling without access to laundry). I asked on social media for your questions on reusable pads, and I'm ready to answer them and give you the 4-11 on this super easy to care for, better for [...]
+J.M.J.+ We just had a children's clothing resale last week and I was excited to check it out and buy Philomena's wardrobe for this spring and summer. (Read about how I shop resales here) She will be four in June and wears a mix of 4t and 5t clothes right now. Not pictured are a couple [...]
The Natural Catholic Mom 