Funky Frugal Mommy

  Having a baby is exciting until you realize you have another hungry mouth to feed. As you begin to wean your little one and transition to solid foods, you’ll likely begin making your own baby food. While you could go the store-bought route, pureeing their food yourself is much more affordable, albeit a bit more work. Here’s how to simplify the prep, storage and even feeding process. With these tips, making your own baby food will be a breeze. 1. Get the Necessary Equipment Food accounts for more than half of all choking episodes , with infants being among those most at risk. Because babies’ airways are so small, you must thoroughly puree or mash up any food you prepare for them. Stocking up on a few pieces of kitchen equipment can make this process easier and ensure no small seeds or bits of food end up in their mouths. Make sure you have a blender or food processor on hand as well as a hand masher and vegetable peeler for foods with a more fibrous outer layer. After boiling,

Living a single day in the summer season without the AC working properly is perhaps the worst torture one can endure. The cool air from the appliance makes it possible for us to handle the scorching heat of the season without having to face health issues like heat strokes, dehydration, and weakness. This is why you must know the ways in which you can hire the best air conditioning service provider in your locality. You will find several HVAC servicing and repair companies in the market, but choosing a particular name from the list isn’t an easy task. For this reason, we are here with the best ideas from experts, which will guide you to select the best air conditioner servicing company in your city without fail. Consider the Experience of the Servicing Company First, you need to consider the experience gained by the air conditioning service company in your city. Now, by experience, we do not mean the total number of years the company has been in the market. Instead we are focusing

 I absolutely cannot stand doing the laundry. If I could wear one outfit for the rest of my life and get my family on board I would be thrilled! Sadly this is not the way things work, so off to do the laundry I go. I do however have a few simple tips that can help you save some money on your laundry chores and make the job more manageable.  Buy quality detergent in pods. Believe it or not, there is a big difference between the types of soap you buy. When you buy the powder or liquid you could be using harsh chemicals, weak soaps, and way too much of the product than you do when you buy the prefilled pods.  Maintain and clean your machine regularly. Many problems washers and dryers have can be avoided with proper care and maintenance. Washers can begin to wear out and run roughly when not properly cleaned, if your washing machine has a cleaning setting try to get it done at least once a month for optimal performance. Only load it with the number of clothes it can handle as well because

 We all see those beautiful kitchens in the cooking shows on TV and dream of one day owning those exact appliances that get the job done right every time! Each one of those gorgeous appliances costs a small fortune but they are definitely worth it if you want top-notch in your kitchen! Fridges of this generation are absolutely the bee's knees. They come with temperature settings for crispers, digital displays on the doors, cold water, and ice hookups in the door of the fridge, huge compartments with easy glide drawers for easy storage, easy to clean materials, and just look fantastic in your home. The latest and greatest in the fridge department are some high tech gadgets that could be worth it if you require a lot from your fridge.  Dishwashers have come a long way from the noisy clunky machines they once were. Dishwashers of today have so many different settings for a large number of tasks, everything from sanitizing items to deep cleaning pots and pans that have been put through

 We have all been there, you go to open the door to your vehicle to load your groceries into the trunk and, uh oh, where are the keys? You take a peek in the window and see them dangling from the ignition. You are locked out and have to call locksmith services to get you into your car. Don't feel bad this happens to everyone, sadly it costs a bit of money and would probably be better if it didn't happen. Here are a few simple tips to keep yourself from getting locked out. Wear a lanyard around your neck with your vehicle keys on it. It is so easy to simply reach for something in your pocket and accidentally drop your keys without noticing. With a lanyard around your neck, your keys are not going anywhere. Worried about looking stylish? There are millions of styles to choose from and nobody is going to be judging you based on where your keys are hanging.  Give a spare set to a reliable person you can trust. Always keep your spare set of car keys with someone who can bring them

 We are living in a very technological world surrounded by phones, computers, and a whole new level of criminals. These days criminals are not deterred by a simple locked door, they will get in and it seems to be getting easier and easier to get past old school locks and bolts. Home invasions are getting quite common these days and usually, the burglars walk right in without a care in the world, there are ways to amp up your security and keep your castle safe and secure.  Getting locks put in place that requires a key code and uses a deadbolt is a great way to step up security in your home. You may want to get into the habit of locking the door behind you when you are home just to ensure nobody else enters without permission. If you live in an area that has a high crime rate you never know what to expect from the criminal mind, simply being home isn't enough of a deterrent anymore. There are locks that are programmable via Bluetooth and can be controlled by your cell phone. Worried

 Have you ever opened your fridge, poured yourself a glass of milk only to find it warm? Yuck! That is definitely a sure sign your fridge is having some issues. Believe it or not, it may not need to be replaced completely, there are tons of issues that can be repaired saving you a ton of cash. There are a few different things to watch for if you have a strange feeling your fridge is on its last legs. Funny sounds. Fridges that are nearing their death or need repair start to make some really strange sounds, some make clicking, whirring, whining, and knocking sounds when they are having issues. This can be a number of different issues and if you notice your fridge making these sounds that they have never made before it may be time to call in the fridge repair people.  Water Pooling. If you find water pooling in the bottom of your fridge it could be something as simple as a blockage in the drain pan. This is fixable by finding the drain pan in your fridge and checking the route of the wa

 With the pandemic creating nothing but problems around the globe it is always nice to read something positive that can help bring a bit of happiness to your home. Kitchen costs can be exhausting depending on what's breaking, how old it is, and how you need to fix it. There are a number of different issues that arise where you can save money rather than hire a contractor and buy brand new, take a minute to think before getting online appliance shopping as the quick and cheap fix may be listed below. Appliance repair is almost always cheaper than buying a brand new product. So don't automatically assume you need a new fridge or stove, you may need a simple part that fixes the issue without costing a small fortune. There are a vast number of trustworthy and quality repair companies that come to your home quickly, safely, and don't overcharge. Ask around and you will find the repair service for you. Buying used appliances is not always a bad idea either. Sometimes you have no

Self-care is often overlooked. Especially this year, as stress and uncertainty has taken over a majority of our lives. Nonetheless, the concept of self-care is extremely important, as it helps encourage maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself and others.  With the holidays coming up, stress seems to consume us even more due to the pressures that accompany the holiday season — travel plans, hosting relatives and finding the perfect gifts for all your friends and family. So this year, gift yourself by filling your December calendar with some holiday self-care ! Below is a list of self-care ideas to get you started so you can nourish yourself for the holidays. Write Yourself a Love Letter An important aspect of self-care is being kind to yourself and practicing self-love, so start by writing yourself a thoughtful love letter. Write down things you love and admire about yourself, no matter how big or small they might be. If you are in need of a place to begin, check out this prin

Moving is a lot of things -- expensive being one of them! If you're preparing to move and you want to save a little bit of cash as you settle in your new space, here are some tips to help you out. Pack Everything Yourself If you, like almost 28% homeowners , get the urge to move every five years or so, you're probably all too familiar with the unappealing prospect of packing up your whole house. But it doesn't have to be all bad! And when your moving goal is to save as much money as possible, packing your own boxes seems like a small price to pay. You don't have to complete this task all on your own, either! If you have a few close friends who are willing to help, make an event out of it! Order in and stage an all-day packing party together. This is also an excellent opportunity to get your family involved in the move. Task your kids with packing up their rooms to give them license over how their belongings are put away and to take a little bit of the burden off of y

Since the pandemic began way back in March, millions of parents have been homeschooling their kids and helping them learn virtually. Many didn’t think they’d still be teaching their kiddos nearly eight months later. Yet, here you are. At this point, you may be struggling to keep your little ones engaged. Everyone’s patience is wearing thin and attention spans are short. Luckily, a few effective strategies can help your children stay productive and focused, regardless of how long they have to learn at home. 1. Establish a Learning Space At school, students have their own desk and know where the art corner, music room and library are. These spaces signal learning and demand their attention. However, at home, you may not have the space to establish a classroom-sized learning space. Regardless, you should still dedicate a specific area of your home to school. This way, when your kiddos show up at the kitchen table or desk in the spare bedroom, they know it’s time to learn. Plus, th

Kids love going to the movies and seeing stories come to life. However, going to the theater isn’t always convenient and today it’s not even possible for most of us due to the pandemic. Luckily, you can put together an awesome at home family movie night. By offering classic snacks, such as popcorn, adding decor, such as string lights, and creating custom movie tickets, you can cultivate an unforgettable movie night.  Check out the visual below from Apartment Guide below for more ideas and be sure to create your own movie tickets to share with your family!

Shoppers may go into the season with best intentions, but many break their budget during the holidays. There are ways to tighten the straps on the pocketbook and still afford the perfect gifts for loved ones.  MyBankTracker.com  shares the strategies here:  10 Smart Holiday Shopping Tips for This Season .  Make a list, check it twice.  Be sure not to forget anyone; having this worked out ahead of time can help keep the shopper laser focused.  Online shopping for cash back.  Cash back sites are plentiful, so it would be silly not to take advantage of them when shopping online.  Timing is key. Set an alarm if need be.  Many retailers program registers for a sale the night before the “actual” sale. Use those apps.  There are apps that allow the consumer to maintain shopping lists, track shipments and view sales.  Comparison shop.  This is always essential, but even more important during the holiday shopping season.  Gift cards are always an option.  Gift cards may be one of the best inven

Turkey day is almost here — what are your plans besides cooking the bird? If you want to throw an event that your guests will adore, you need to go beyond stuffing and cranberry sauce. If you want to dazzle your attendees, throw a celebration that they won’t forget. Here are eight suggestions for making the most of Thanksgiving despite the madness of 2020. 1. Try Something New Do you serve the same old, same old, year after year? While there’s much to say for tradition — and your partner’s joking threats to divorce you if you don’t make his favorite sweet potato pie — there’s also a case for originality. For example, if you always start with a salad, why not go for a simple and elegant spicy Moroccan carrot version for a twist on classic baby greens? This recipe is vegan and gluten-free , making it ideal for guests with dietary restrictions. 2. Cook With Leftovers in Mind Most chefs cook with the hopes that guests will devour everything on their plates. However, when it com

Sometimes, having your family be healthy feels unattainable because of the high cost of many health crazes and trends. However, there are easy ways to make small changes that will help your family's health and not hurt your wallet at the same time. Below are 12 ways to make your family healthier without breaking the bank. 1. Meal Plan When you plan your meals for the week, you can make a very specific grocery list. That means when you're grocery shopping, you'll only be buying what you need, and not anything extra that will end up being wasted. The food you throw away is money you're throwing away, but by buying exactly what you need you'll be good to go. While you're meal planning, check out your grocery store's weekly ad to see if there are any deals that you can take advantage of, and build your meal around that. Also, try looking on Pinterest for meal ideas that you can save for later. 2. Take Walks Together It's been proven that just 10 minu

Unexpected emergencies are one of the most stressful situations that happen to all of us. Emergencies tend to disrupt the main course of events, and they happen so fast that we often don't know what to do or how to react. But, being aware of the dangers and inconveniences and teaching yourself how to respond to them is crucial. Your ability to appropriately respond to whatever is happening around you will make you prepared for emergencies that may occur in your home.  Once that happens, the best thing you can do is try to determine whether your life is in danger and if not, the next option is to try to calm down and find the best solution to the problem in front of you. Natural disasters If your country is a target of regular natural disasters, you never know what's going to wake you up in the middle of the night and urge you to evacuate your family or stay in the shelter for a while. It's vital to think smart and realize that compromising the safety of your family is

This holiday season is different then the rest for sure. People are stressed out and feeling the pinch of the pandemic. Make the holidays brighter with some of the best RC toys of 2020. This amazing stunt car is great for both kids and adults and makes for hours of laughs and great memories! Simple controls and resilient construction make this car a hot item! Insane Stunts, Cool Features - The car can move in all directions, can do extreme 360-degree tumbling spins and can also flip on both sides using its controller. The racing car body is built with soft but strong plastic allowing it to handle all kinds of collisions. Premium rubber tires allows the car to be controlled easily while its internal coil springs are elastic, giving the car a smooth run. Powerful Motor System - This SGILE Racing Car is powered by a powerful motor system that can push the car to a maximum speed of 15 km/hr. Give your kids the thrill and excitement of controlling this stunt car. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B