Just a quick note here to defend Math U See. We used Saxon for our oldest child, and began using it for our second child when he was in first grade. By the time our oldest was in Saxon 76 and our second child was in Saxon 3, both boys were having a tough time understanding the lessons and our school days were filled with frustration and tears (theirs and mine) when "math time" came. They would sit there for literally an hour or two, trying to do a few of the problems in the assignment. A friend recommended MUS, and we have never looked back. All three of our kids love it and have begun to thrive in math. All of them have good test scores in math, and they understand the "why" of what they're learning, which is something I never had (and I never struggled in math when I was in school). Something I got a kick out of: my youngest said it's really nice to use MUS because if they need to hear the lesson again, Steve Demme doesn't get frustrated and talk louder, LOL. Mr. Demme actually came to our town to speak at a homeschool "Day Apart" that we have each year (parents only, a day of mini seminars and encouragement). The three families who arranged the event got to take him to supper the night before and we really get to know him and his heart for what he does. I have the utmost respect for him and would recommend his program to anyone. Lynda (datmama4)

I'm from Harborcreek, PA -- almost the tip-top of PA's chimney (northeast of Erie). Lynda (datmama4)

I have a book called Stocking Up that I bought about 15 years ago which is very helpful. I like the other recommendations, too -- you can't go wrong with the Ball book OR the square foot gardening!

We also spend very little on birthday gifts for kids, and I don't feel bad about it at all. Our boys are 13 and 15, and their friends appreciate the gifts they get, no matter what, because they know there was thought behind the choosing. Once, they each contributed $5 (that's all) toward a cash gift because they knew the friend was saving $$ for a wii. The friend loved it because it helped him towards his goal, and he knew they put in their own money and didn't just get it from me and dh. I loved the brownie idea mentioned somewhere in the previous posts -- one year, our oldest son got a really yummy loaf of bread and homemade raspberry-chocolate fudge from his best friend, because she is a great cook! My daughter is 8, and she also tries to give gifts using her own money. Sometimes it's a gift card worth only $5 but her little friends think it's so cool to have a gift card. I guess I run around with a cheap crowd, LOL. Our family only throws "kid" parties when the children turn 13. And we'll probably let them do something with one friend when they turn 16 (oldest ds will be turning 16 this summer, so we'll see). Kid parties can get so out of hand, with planning activities and games and favors (which we don't bother to do)...what ever happened to just playing and having fun, stopping to eat cake, and going back to playing until it's time to go home? I don't think I'd even let my child go to a party where the bday kid has the nerve to register for gifts at a store somewhere. For goodness' sake! That would make me want to give him an empty box. *laughing while grimacing at the mere idea* Lynda

Don't hate me, but we have a gas well and don't have to pay for fuel. It is an incredible blessing, and one which we do NOT take for granted! However, in previous houses we've owned, we turned the heat lowest at night when we were bundled up, and highest during the early evening when we were more dormant and prone to chilliness. Daytime was set low because we were both at work. Now, with the kids, we're never dormant (LOL) and wouldn't be able to afford to set it high anyway, so I'm sure it would be set at "low and lower" if we were paying. Lynda

We're not bothering with the box. We mostly watch DVDs, and just about never watch the three stations we get on our rabbit-eared TV, so it won't be much of a change for us, but I agree with the quote above: did anyone ask if those who didn't get the boxes ever even planned on getting them? It's not like TV is life-or-death stuff (not like heat or running water). Many of us have a radio, computer, neighbor, newspaper or telephone to find out weather conditions or current news one way or another. I wonder how they feel about those poor souls who have chosen to not have a TV in the house at all? Will they create a government grant to provide one? Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness...oh, and cable channels ad nauseum. Lynda

Our groceries for our family of five tends to average about $130 per week. I find I do very well with a menu, no matter how vague. I used to plan out a few weeks at a time and post the menu on the fridge -- this worked well with the exception of not knowing what side dishes were going to be happening (depending on what fresh veg was in the house), and helped me not to repeat meals for at least three or four weeks. Another thing which helped me was designating a certain category for each day of the week. One day of the weekend, we have a roast or some type of larger-but-easy meal (a whole chicken), and the other weekend day is usually "jerk" night where we jerk out whatever is in the fridge -- to us that means leftovers but to the kids it means they can have cereal if no leftovers appeal to them. Fridays are for pizza, and we alternate homemade with cheapos. One night is fish or pasta, one is chicken, one is beef, one is breakfast-for-supper or sometimes soup/sandwich. Once I have a category in mind it makes it easier. One family I know does categories, but theirs are more like Italian, Chinese, American, Mexican, etc. Lynda

We got the jr. version because our kids didn't have a clue as far as who half the "famous" people were. One of our kids (13yo) put "Britney Spears" for a clue of "fierce" or "lethal" or something because he had no idea who she was, and thought perhaps it was a type of old British spear or javelin. :D I do like having naiive kids sometimes. Wish I had never heard of Britney Spears...

I never thought about clothing taking less time to dry! What a bonus. While it would be nice to have a stackable one (just to save space), our dryer is working just fine (although older) so we wouldn't have anything to stack it upon...yet. I have heard about low water usage top loaders somewhere, but can't remember where. I don't know of anyone who has one, so I have no information. I've also heard it's getting increasingly difficult to find top loaders because of the push to use less water and resources. I have no basis for the fact of this, since I have not shopped for any large appliance in at least 11 years.

Our clothes washer appears to be at its decision-making point of whether it wants to live or die. We've repaired what was broken, but after starting it back up and trying to run a load of clothes, it's starting to make some...unwasher-like...noises. Also starting to smoke a wee bit and smell bad. I would appreciate any suggestions while trying to decide what type of washing machine to purchase next. We'd always assumed we'd make the move to a front-loader, since they are known to use less water and less detergent. However, I've also heard they have twice as many machine parts as top-loaders and a larger frequency of repairs. I thought I'd read something on this board awhile back regarding washers but didn't find it easily. This will be our first washing machine purchase in almost 20 years, so I have NO clue as to what new-fangled ideas are out there. Lynda

Good luck and keep us posted! I'll cheer for anyone who declutters, LOL. The kids' clothes were always the hardest for me until I made myself a few rules. 1. If they had to be stored more than two years before the next one grew into them, they had to be a "classic" look with no elastic parts that would dry-rot in the attic. 2. If the next child in line for them was a completely different body type (my second son will never grow into his older brother's things, because son #2 is thin and son #1 is stockier), then they were given away. 3. Whatever was kept as "current use" had to all fit into their clothing drawers or closet. 4. In my daughter's case, if a pair of pants was really cute but had absolutely no shirt which matched it, out it went. And she could only keep a reasonable number of shirts which only matched blue jeans or neutral pants. Again, it was a fits-in-the-drawers issue. I hope this can help you -- for the record, my kids have never gone naked...unless planning on it, hee hee. We received so many items of clothing from friends and relatives that we were able to be very discerning about which ones were kept. And every time we gave some away, someone else would provide what we needed when we needed it. I've only once bought a coat for any of my children (and my oldest is 15!). There just always seems to be someone (one of their friends, a cousin, whoever) who is growing out of a brand-new-looking coat at the right time. Fancy that.

We've often wondered if we should skip the presents and just give our kids boxes as gifts!

I learned my technique from Flylady.net The box idea works extremely well. One to keep (and put away), one to give, and one for the trash. The trick really is to get it out of the house and don't look at it again. If it sits around waiting to go to GoodWill, Salvation Army, local mission, wherever, you will be tempted to go through the box again and perhaps change your mind about some items. One person I know always uses black garbage bags so she can't see into them! LOL

There's a company called Wolferman's (not sure of the site addy but it's easy to find) who sells great assortments of English muffins, tea breads, scones, etc. Lots of variety. Maybe she'd enjoy a day of pampering (my mom just turned 70 last year, and some of the gifts we've given her in the past couple years have included massage, pedicure, etc.). Or perhaps arrange for a time that the family can get together for a portrait. This is harder with families who are spread far and wide, but you could maybe even make your own collage with a photoshop program. Getting her friends to give her a "card" party is fun, too. Just call, email, or write to them and encourage them to shower her with birthday cards on her special day -- if you know of any of her friends who are long-distance, this is especially nice.

You can be strong and DO THIS! Take a look at what you have. If it's something you don't "need" (i.e., knicknacks, stuff, too many clothes), then ask yourself if you really love it. If you are keeping it because the person who gave it to you will get mad if you get rid of it, get rid of it. If you are keeping clothes which fit but that you hate because they're just not "you," get rid of them (if you can't afford more, get rid of the ones you hate most until you can add things one at a time). If they're books you "might" need, or just can't stand the idea of parting with, take a realistic look at whether you'll ever read them again in your lifetime. Or whether your kids will want them when you die and they have to sort through your house. If they are books which were OK but not great for re-reads, get rid of them and borrow them from the library if you absolutely have to handle them again ten years from now. Let someone else store them. If nothing else, your parents' college textbooks should be an inspiration for you -- how much of the information in them is still up-to-date or valid? (Of course, if they are chemists, the periodic table is still the same, but you can always buy a poster of it, LOL) ;) I've found when I start blessing someone else with my stuff, I always have what I need when I need it. I don't have a clutter-free house by any means, but I consistently work towards one, and I've never tossed or given anything I've regretted. I'll be cheering for you!