jonni

About Jonni McCoy
   
Spokesperson

Jonni In the News


ORDER JONNI'S BOOKS  BUY IN BULK AND SAVE!!

Ask Miserly Moms

Successful Coming Home Stories

Miserly Moms Recommended Books

Frugal Recipes YUM!

Miserly Tips  - over 300 tips!

Tell Your Work-At-Home Story

Budget Tools And Calculators Links

National Moms Organizations & Other Links

Homeschooling Option

Our Advertising Policy


Product Reviews


agape





 

FREE recipes  from Emeril's  book are here!  



  

 

 

dancing hearts animated divider  

Featured Articles


We are happy to feature money-saving articles
 by other professional money experts.
We do not offer payment for the articles.
We do not post articles unless there is some benefit to the reader. In exchange for the article, we offer a link to the author's  website or business.
If you have an article that you would like us to consider, please submit the article and link to us

We update the website as often as we can. However, please be patient since we are just one family and stretch our time between homeschooling, church, this ministry and scouting. :)

Miserly Moms® is a trademark and servicemark of Jonni McCoy

Be sure to read the rules governing all material in this site.

All content on all pages of this site Copyright © 1992-2008  Jonni McCoy 

contact Miserly Moms 


Popsicle Paradise!
By Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam

    Remember when you used to sit on your front steps on a hot summer day eating a popsicle? It was usually red or purple and on special occasions you got a fudgesicle. Remember how you tried to lick the drips faster than the sun could melt them? Sometimes the drips would roll down your fingers, forcing you to make the mind numbing decision whether to lick your fingers or the new drips forming on your popsicle.

    Every once in a while a few drips would get out of control and fall on your bare toes. Remember how your dog’s tongue felt like sandpaper when he licked the sweet gooeyness off of them?

    It’s funny how we try to make drama and expensive memories for our children when it’s the simple everyday things we remember the most.

    Try some of these ideas to keep the kids entertained this summer:

    To find popsicle molds, look at discount and mail order stores or garage sales. If you don’t have any molds, use small paper or plastic cups. Put a wooden stick or plastic spoon in the center.
    For mini popsicles, pour orange, apple or grape juice or flavored drink mix into ice cube trays. Partially freeze and then place toothpicks in the center of each cube (or place plastic wrap over the top, secure and insert toothpicks through plastic wrap).

    Making your own popsicles can give great variety and keep your kids cool this summer!

    For non-traditional popsicles:

        * Freeze applesauce in popsicle molds.

        * Mix fruit or jam into yogurt. Freeze in small, snack sized Ziploc bags for frozen yogurt on the go. Cut a hole in the end of the bag for easy access/eating.

        * Mix gelatin and freeze. Add gummie fish or worms before freezing for added fun.

        * Freeze syrup from canned fruit.

        * Add food coloring or sprinkles to yogurt or softened ice cream for added pizzazz. Then freeze in popsicle molds.

        * When you have leftover jam or jelly, put ¼ cup of hot water in the jar and shake well. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.

        * If jelly or jam doesn't set up well, use for popsicles or add more water, boil and make syrup.

        * Make a batch of pudding. Add coconut, nuts, marshmallows, crushed cookies or sprinkles if desired. Pour into molds. Freeze several hours until firm.

        * Stick a toothpick in the center of blackberries, strawberries, raspberries or sliced bananas.
          Dip in chocolate if desired. Freeze on a tray. Once frozen, store in freezer bags.

        * For easy snow cones, freeze orange juice (or any other flavored juice) in ice cube trays. Store frozen juice cubes in a plastic bag. Blend 5 cubes in the blender until they have a shaved ice consistency. The shaved ice will keep its consistency if kept frozen in a container.

        * For watermelon popsicles, blend one cup each watermelon chunks (seeds removed), orange juice and water. Blend well. Then pour and freeze into molds.

        * For strawberry popsicles, blend 2 cups strawberries, 1 cup vanilla ice cream or yogurt, 4 cups orange juice and 2 tablespoons sugar. Blend smooth. Pour into molds and freeze.

        * For banana popsicles, dissolve one 3 oz. package strawberry gelatin with one cup boiling water. In a blender, mix gelatin, 1 banana and 1 cup yogurt or ice cream. Blend well and pour into molds.


    Pudding Pops

    1 pkg. pudding (not instant*)
    3 cups milk

    Combine 1 large package of pudding with 3 cups of milk. Mix only enough to blend well. Quickly pour into popsicle molds and freeze. Chocolate and vanilla pudding may be layered for a fun treat. Makes 8-10 popsicles.
    *Regular homemade pudding may be used instead of store-bought pudding mix.

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are the editors of http://www.LivingOnADime.com.


Bathroom Décor: Quick Bathroom Decorating on a Budget

By Kathy Wilson

 

When seasons change, one of the most overlooked rooms in the house for updated decorating is the bathroom. Whether you want to add some oomph to your guest bath, or want to bring a spa quality to decorating a master bath, here are some quick and easy decorating tips to get your bathroom in tip top shape!

 

*You actually don't spend a lot of time in the bathroom, so do something special with it. Try a daring color combination or a theme room you love but wouldn't use in another space. Name your theme bathroom, then get to the paint store! Try rich jewel tones or cheery pastels, whatever fits your theme. Just make it a color you love that you've always wanted to try!

 

*Bump up the excitement level of your boring bath towels, and stitch an easy and quick edging to them with pretty fabric. It takes just a small amount and some simple hemming to add pretty custom details to your bath. You can also create custom bath rugs this same way, by sewing edging to all four sides of a bath towel. Be sure to sue a non skid pad underneath.

 

*Use pretty everyday things in a practical way in your bathroom. Creamers make great toothbrush holders, pretty sea shells make a soap dish, or roll up extra towels in a large pottery piece. Just because it's the bathroom, don't overlook small details and opportunities to bring beauty into your life.

 

*Afraid to hang pictures in a bathroom? Pick up inexpensive frames from the dollar shop, and fill them with pages from garden catalogs. Hang them in groupings in the bath for a gorgeous accent. If water eventually damages the pictures, just remove them and insert new ones. After all, they were free!

 

*In a guest bath, make your visitors feel pampered by adding a pretty tray full of bath items such as lotions, tissue, and perfumed soaps. Create a tray on a budget by taking an old picture frame, giving it a good coat of paint to blend with your baths décor, then instead of a picture, add a piece of fabric to the frame for elegance. Instant pretty tray, and you probably had everything your need already!

 

*Use glass paints and faux leading strips to create a stained glass look on that ugly and plain bathroom mirror. You can even add wood trim around the edges of the mirror to give a framed mirror effect. No more ugly builders mirrors!

 

Take a weekend and create pretty bathroom décor for yourself or your visitors. Its quick and easy to make small changes that make a huge difference in decorating a bathroom!
 

Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator. For thousands of free budget home decorating ideas, visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com


Unique Ways to Decorate a Little Boy's Bedroom on a Budget 

Jessica Ackerman

Girls are not the only ones who want stylish bedrooms that make them feel special in their own private space. Little boys want colorful decorated bedrooms too, and you will find many unique and easy ways to decorate a boy's bedroom while sticking to a budget. With color, texture, and unique designs, your little boy's bedroom will be a place where he will want to spend time. You can turn your boy's bedroom into a well decorated room for playing and relaxing, and with the following budget ideas you can completely change the entire look of his room for less than you ever thought possible.   

Start with Color 

Kids love colorful bedrooms, and the walls are the ideal place to start. If walls can use a fresh coat of paint, take your son along when choosing a color. The application of paint is one of the least expensive ways to completely change the look of a room, but keep in mind that darker or bolder colors will make the room appear smaller, and lighter crisp colors will open it up. If your son prefers a color that really is too dark or too bright for the size of the space, give him what he wants, but choose a much lighter shade of the same hue. You can always accessorize the bedroom with the color he prefers using bedding and accessories.  

Also, when sticking to a decorating budget, do not forget to ask store personnel if they have paint colors that were mixed by mistake. In the oops section of most paint stores you can find top-quality paint in designers colors, and when saving money on the single most effective way to change the entire appearance of a room, you will find it easier to stick to your decorating budget. Saving money on paint will allow you to spend a little more on bedroom accessories that will help turn your boy's bedroom into the room of his dreams.  

Unique Shelving 

Bedroom shelving does not have to be the typical variety when decorating a boy's bedroom or any other room for that matter. Do not be afraid to try something completely new and different when decorating the home. Step outside of the box and consider making unique and decorative shelving using new or old skateboard decks. If your son has old skateboards he no longer wants or needs, with or without the wheels, turn them into handy and decorative shelves. Install wall brackets of the correct width, and make unique skateboard shelving that boys absolutely love - especially those who are diehard skateboard enthusiasts.     

Bedding and Accessories for Boys 

Instead of choosing character bedding that is overpriced and sure to become outdated long before it wears out, choose solid colored bedding that will remain stylish and interchangeable. Little boys love specific characters, and solid-colored bedding and character pillows are an ideal combination. Along with character pillows, choose a few other soft and comfy pillows of various shapes and sizes to match the colors and theme of the room. Boys of all ages appreciate extra pillows and decorative bedding just as much as girls. Best of all, pillows can be hand sewn using a variety of materials, and the addition of pillows is a great way to add pizzazz to a boy's bedroom while sticking to a decorating budget.   

Pet Net for Sports Décor  

Another fantastic way to decorate a boy's bedroom while adhering to a budget is with the help of an extra large pet net. Pet nets are usually designed to hold plush animals in an empty corner of a bedroom, but they are also perfect for holding sports balls. Consider decorating a boy's bedroom with a pet net filled with colorful soccer balls, softballs, basketballs, and lightweight foam balls and other sports equipment of various shapes and sizes. More than likely you will be able to decorate your little boy's bedroom with sports balls and other items he already owns, and decorating with items that do not have to be purchased is ideal for anyone trying to stick to a budget.   

Be sure to ask your son for his input when decorating his bedroom. Kids have fantastic ideas, and their creativity and imagination is a great source for unique new ways of decorating. Without spending a considerable amount of extra money a boy's bedroom can be transformed into a very special place for fun and relaxation, and it can be done while sticking to a budget. Many of the best decorating techniques are low in cost and exceptionally high in creativity and imagination.  

Jessica Ackerman is a senior staff writer for Wall Decor and Home Accents, and she has extensive experience in interior design. http://www.walldecorandhomeaccents.com

Decorating a Little Girl's Bedroom on a Budget 

Every little girl should feel like a princess in her own private space, and it is possible to transform an ordinary bedroom into an abode fit for a little princess without spending hundreds of dollars on decorating. With a few inexpensive updates you can turn your little girl's bedroom into a magical room for playing, relaxing, and sleeping, and you can do it for less than one hundred dollars. Decorating with a new coat of paint, budget bedding, window treatments, and wall appliques will enable you to completely change the look of your little girl's bedroom while adhering to your specific budget.  

Begin with Paint 

Painting a room is one of the least expensive decorating options, and it has the potential to change the entire appearance and ambiance of the room. If your little girl's bedroom could use a fresh coat of paint, choose a soft pastel shade to make it feel relaxing and cheerful. Keep in mind that pink is not the only color to consider when decorating a little girl's bedroom. Soft yellow, sea foam green, lavish lavender, or a rich creamy shade of blue are all wonderful choices.  

If the room does not need a fresh coat of paint, liven up the current color by painting an accent wall. Consider a matching shade that is a bit brighter in color, or paint the accent wall a natural shade of green. Blooms of all colors go well with green foliage, and bedroom walls are no exception. A single green wall in a room painted pink, lavender, or a soft shade of blue looks absolutely stunning, and for the cost of paint, the entire room will have an entirely new look.      

Wall Appliques 

Those on a budget will find peel and stick wall appliques an affordable option to wallpapering or hiring an artist to paint a mural. When decorating a little girl's bedroom you will find wall appliques in a wide variety of subjects and sizes. Whether you are decorating your little girl's bedroom in a princess theme, garden theme, or any other theme, you will find peel and stick appliques that are perfect for decorating on a budget. They are easy to remove and reapply again and again, and they are perfect for adding color, design, and interest to walls, doors, and even furniture.   

Bedding  

When decorating a little girl's bedroom on a budget, avoid character bedding. Character bedding is generally far more costly than solid colored bedding, and inexpensive bedding in a single color or two can be embellished with budget throw pillows of various shapes, sizes, and textures. Stuffed animals or dolls can also be used when decorating a little girl's bedroom, especially when sticking to a budget. Decorating with toys and other character themed items already in the room can save a considerable amount of money and make the room look more decorative and inviting.    

Window Treatments 

Bedroom window treatments do not have to be expensive to look impressive when decorating a little girl's bedroom on a budget. A simple scarf valance over blinds or shades is an inexpensive way to dress up windows without spending a lot of money. You will find scarf valances in all colors and lengths, or you can make an easy scarf valance with a few yards of sheer lightweight fabric. Even a color-coordinating sheet can be used to make scarf valances that will enhance the windows when decorating your little girl's bedroom.   

Involve your little girl when decorating her bedroom. Kids often provide some of the best ideas, especially when decorating on a budget. Have her choose her favorite dolls and stuffed animals to decorate her bed, and take her along when choosing bedding, accessories, and paint. For much less than you ever thought possible, you can give your little girl the bedroom of her dreams without going over your budget.  

Jessica Ackerman writes for Wall Decor and Home Accents - http://www.walldecorandhomeaccents.com

--------------------------------------------------------------

The Budget Decorator’s Top 10 Tips

By Kathy Wilson 

1.PAINT! I know you’ve heard it before, but it’s true, paint is the cheapest, fastest way to dramatically change a room in just hours! 

2.Use a theme…even if it’s just a favorite color scheme or one you found in a magazine, it’s a place to start and plan. 

3.Rearrange…move things around until you find a pleasing arrangement that works for you, whether it’s your furniture or your bookshelves! 

4.Use what you have! There are so many items around the home that can be repurposed…learn to look at things in creative ways and see if they might meet a decorating need. 

5.Start Big! Tackle the larger areas of the room first, such as walls, windows, and floors. That will make the fastest impact on the room. 

6.Disguise! If you can’t afford to replace, disguise! Cover a sofa, lay a rag rug over that stained carpet, or use fabric to screen an unpleasant view. 

7.Find materials in creative places. Use fabric from sheets and quilts, use yard sales to locate furniture to be painted to match your décor, and visit your dollar shop on a regular basis for picture frames and candles. 

8.Add personality! Inject yourself and your family in to your home with personal items…photos, vacation finds, or ball game tickets in a frame all bring interest and life to your rooms. 

9.Look for inspiration. There is no shame is scouring books and magazines for the look you desire, then adapting their scheme to a budget decorator’s plan! Let the pictures inspire your creativity, and borrow ideas you love! 

10.Start now! Today, make a plan, pick a paint color, sew a pillow. Your home won’t change if you don’t start something, so don’t put it off another minute, and little by little, the Budget Decorator in you will transform your house to a home! 

Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator. For thousands of free budget home decorating ideas, visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com. Don’t forget to sign up for her free newsletter! 


Easy, Cheap and Elegant Decorating for Valentines!

By Kathy Wilson

The Budget Decorator

 

So you just got all the holiday decorations put away (or maybe you didn't!) and here comes another holiday… Valentines! Never fear, I have some great budget friendly ideas for quick and easy decorations you can use to dress up any room of your home and show all your loved ones how much you care!

 

Dress up your everyday dining area with heart shaped placemats. Pick up some large red or pink craft foam sheets from your craft store and trace and cut a large heart shape from each one with a pair of sharp scissors. Use a gold paint pen and write a one word romantic sentiment in the center of each one, just like the "message heart" candies of our youth! Edge the hearts with squiggles and swirls, or perhaps personalize each placemat with a name of a family member. These will wipe clean with a damp cloth, and add loving style to each meal!

 

Pick up four or six silk flowers and a small roll of wire edged ribbon (white, red, or pink) from your discount store and tie one flower each to the back of each of your dining chairs. Make the bow larger than you normally would for drama. The wire edge will allow you to shape the bow into a full, romantic style. Use leftover ribbon to add some romance to your front door wreath, your mailbox, or a big bow on the headboard of your bed!

 

Buy an inexpensive floral bouquet from the supermarket and spilt it into two or three smaller bunches. Add some evergreen cuttings from the yard, and display it in pretty creamers, teacups, and bud vases. Flowers speak of love and family, but it doesn't need to be a $50 bouquet of roses to add romance to the room!

 

Take some time to set a romantic table for that special Valentines Day dinner, not only for that special someone, but for all the loved ones in your life! You can do this with things you already own! Layer the table coverings with quilts, tablecloths and placemats. Layer your dishware as well, with a large plate, saucer, and bowl, and tuck napkins into your drinking glasses. Don't be afraid to mix and match your dinnerware, it adds style! Pick up a pack of paper doilies from the dollar shop, and scatter them across the table. Get the kids in on the day by giving them some red or pink giftwrap, tissue paper, or construction paper and a couple of paper punches, and allow them to make confetti to sprinkle over the table!

 

Lastly, don't forget to add candles to your Valentines home. They are inexpensive at any discount store or dollar shop, and can be displayed in groups on old picture frames as trays, or in front of mirrors to double your romantic style! Drop tealights into teacups or mason jars, and tie a ribbon around the outside.

 

Remember, romance is good for the soul, and it's easy to bring a little of it into our homes to show our love for those around us!
 
 

Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator. For thousands of free budget home decorating ideas, visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com. Don't forget to sign up for her free newsletter!

 

meals                                       

mmom