Have you ever had your laptop slammed shut by a toddler? My son did that to me a while back. I was writing an email to a friend and he came over and flipped the screen down. He wanted me to come and play with him and it was the easiest way for him to
Holidays
24 Clutter Free Advent Calendar Gift Ideas
I yearned for an advent calendar growing up. I thought they were the height of cool and reserved for the rich. The calendars I envied? The cheap ones with a chocolate for each day. The 80’s were a simpler time I guess. Now parents blow up December with more gifts than their little ones can
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Holidays
3 Ways to Spend Less and Give More This Holiday Season
When you have five siblings and a growing group of nieces and nephews, holiday gift giving can quickly become both a huge financial commitment and a lot of work. In my early 20′s, I started to dread the gift giving season a little more each year. After some discussion with other family members, I found
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Finances
A Few Things… $6.3 Billion of Debt and Kids Can’t Spoil Themselves
A few things… Is there a reality show for extreme debt? There should be. Something like the Biggest Loser but with families and credit cards and student loans. If you’re in debt here’s something that will make you feel a tiny bit better. French Securities Trader Jérôme Kerviel is in $6.3 billion of debt. I’ll
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Holidays
Simple Holidays: What Worked Last Year?
Last year we had the simplest of Christmas and winter holiday celebrations. We attended a few small parties and my husband’s big winter work gala, met up with friends to take our children to meet Santa (Father Christmas as they say here) in a medieval castle and then we went to Edinburgh for five
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Finances
A Return To Competitive Shopping
Summer 2004: I am not going to the Olympics. I am devastated. I am also living in dorms with my friends and teammates that are going to the Olympics. And training at the same lake with them. And eating at the same breakfast table. I cannot escape my failure. I can, however, try and buy
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minimalist with kids
Eating My Hat: Living In A Small Town
When you live in a 598 square foot condo in an urban area and are expecting your first child, many, many people tell you to move out of the city. They tell you it may not happen now but eventually you’ll want to leave the big smoke for the greener pastures of the suburbs: a
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Gifts
Our No Gift Birthday Party for a Three Year Old
How to throw a no gift birthday party. Third birthday parties can be overwhelming for all involved. We’re all still recovering here from the fun and frenzy of Henry’s birthday weekend. It was fun but not overwhelming for him and I think the secret was this: we asked people to not bring birthday gifts. Yes,