Frugal Parenting

These days, parents are under a lot of pressure to hold lavish birthday parties for their children. Some parents are spending $5,000-10,000 on a birthday party for a small child! While this is hard for me to believe, it is happening (and not just for children of celebrities; these are ordinary families we’re talking about.

Where is the pressure coming from? Mostly from other parents, and then from kids who have been desensitized and think it’s completely normal to have a limo or a band at their birthday party.

Are you facing that kind of pressure?  If so, check out the site Birthdays Without Pressure .  It’s a great resource for parents who want their children to feel special on their birthdays, but don’t necessarily think that it should cost a lot of money. The site gives examples of the kinds of out of control parties that are happening, and also gives tips and ideas for keeping your children’s parties simple .

Check it out.

Whether you’re helping your children pick out the perfect Mother’s Day gift for your wife (or you!), or you are trying to decide what to do for your own mother, why not think about a homemade gift or something that shows you put a little thought into it?

Not only can homemade gifts mean more to the recipient, an added bonus is that they are usually quite inexpensive. And if you’re looking to cut expenses, this can be quite important! I found a great post on Cash Money Life that shares inexpensive ideas for Mother’s Day gifts .

One of my favorites: A day off. What mom doesn’t want a little time off from the job? I also like the breakfast in bed and coupon book ideas. There are several others, so check the article out.

What gift would you like to receive on Mother’s Day? Are there any inexpensive gifts you’ve given to your mom in the past?