Tag Archives: cheap

Combating Boredom

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BoredIn an effort to get out of debt, we have given up on eating out, buying new clothes (unless absolutely needed to protect from the elements), and shopping in general. In doing this, we realized that these are the things we do when we are bored. We spend money when we are bored. So, together, my husband and I came up with a long list of things to do if we are bored. This list could, also, apply to anybody trying to break a bad habit they developed out of boredom, such as boredom eating or face-stalking. If anything on this list doesn’t help you achieve your goal, simply cross it off. There are plenty of other things to do. Feel free to add any ideas you can come up with to combat boredom in the comments below.

  1. Go to the temple.
  2. Do the dishes.
  3. Read a book.
  4. Do a puzzle.
  5. Play a board/card game.
  6. Go to Trafalga. (with the passes we already bought)
  7. Go on a hike.
  8. Organize a room.
  9. Sweep the floor.
  10. Build electronics.
  11. Sew a dress.
  12. Play the piano.
  13. Dust out a computer.
  14. Fly a kite.
  15. Go for a walk.
  16. Ride a bike.
  17. Mow the lawn.
  18. Take a nap.
  19. Watch a movie. (instead of TV, because it ends and you can get on with your life)
  20. Prepare meals for a week.
  21. Read to kids.
  22. Build with blocks.
  23. Play house.
  24. Crochet a scarf.
  25. Plant seeds.
  26. Dust a room.
  27. Vacuum a room.
  28. Weed the garden.
  29. Play at the park.
  30. Cross stitch.
  31. Play a video game.
  32. Do charity work.
  33. Go to the library. (but don’t be late returning books)
  34. Go to bed.
  35. Make play dough.
  36. Paint/color with kids.
  37. Throw stuff away.
  38. Start a conversation on the ham radio.
  39. Write a book.
  40. Read scriptures.
  41. Draw scenery.
  42. Play the guitar.
  43. Practice Spanish. (or any language you want to learn)
  44. Visit friends and family.
  45. Make new friends.
  46. Learn what all the camera settings do.
  47. Pick up a new skill.
  48. Sing a song.
  49. Write a poem.
  50. Call a friend.
  51. Write a letter.
  52. Go to a museum. (the free kind)
  53. Build a paper airplane.
  54. Make paper snowflakes.
  55. Make a kite.
  56. Jump rope.
  57. Organize digital pictures.
  58. Make a digital scrapbook.
  59. Fix garbage disposal. (or whatever part of your house is breaking down)
  60. Write in journal.
  61. Write music.
  62. Do yoga.
  63. Do zumba.
  64. Learn to run.
  65. Play soccer.
  66. Start a quilt.
  67. Go stargazing.
  68. Make dessert.
  69. Build a fort.
  70. Do laundry.
  71. Make cardboard stuff.
  72. Give a massage. (you might get one in return)
  73. Remove slats from blinds.
  74. Dance to music.
  75. Give yourself a manicure.
  76. Give yourself a pedicure.
  77. Organize closets.
  78. Organize bookshelves.

Reading to my Kids

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I am obsessed with learning. It is one of my very favorite things to do. I am the kid that loved going to school, was frequently teacher’s pet, and was thrown for a loop when I stopped going to school. I read non-fiction now more than fiction, because my desire to know has surpassed what fiction can provide. I desire, every day, to share the passion of knowledge with my children. With both of them being younger than pre-school age, my initial idea of them learning by me teaching specific things at specific times had to be scrapped to make way for how kids really learn. I can’t spend hours and hours with them going over reading, writing, and arithmetic. Simply because they can’t sit there for that long.

The one thing that I can do, which breaks the boundaries between parent and teacher, is reading to them. Reading to your kids creates the perfect setting for bonding time, while still allowing you to teach them on an academic level. From the parenting side of things, you get cuddle time, a chance to provide one-on-one attention, and a break from the stresses of everyday life. From the teaching side of things, you are teaching them whatever it is that you are reading about, how to properly use a book, and language skills. It’s perfect, because they don’t even realize that they’re learning something, because they’re so caught up in getting attention from you.

With our children’s young age, we prefer to buy books, rather than check them out from the library. So, then it becomes a matter of having enough books to keep them interested, while still saving money. As far as keeping them interested, they’re at a point in life where reading the same book over and over again is completely acceptable. We could probably get away with only having ten books, but then I’d probably get bored, so we have close to 50 children’s books. Anyone who’s been to their local bookstore can attest that children’s books are not cheap, so we have only ever bought a few there, and about as many have been given to us.

The bulk of our children’s books come from the dollar store or the dollar section of stores. My favorite place to buy books for my girls is at the dollar section in Target. You can buy whole sets for under $5, and spend hours reading them over and over again. Plus they are made out of material more durable than paper, so kids can read them by themselves if they feel inclined. Another place that I have found children’s books for a very good price is yard sales. We have gotten primo books for $.25 each, and walked away almost doubling our collection.

Reading is fun, and reading while cuddling with your children is even more fun. You can make up random voices for all the characters, and your child will copy you. Together, you can pick out a favorite section to memorize and have it as an inside joke. And, you can relax, knowing that you are teaching your child in a way that is conducive to them enjoying learning.

Covers

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Covers were the kind of cloth diaper that I never wanted to try.  I was avoiding them as much as I could.  I thought they would be hard, since they originate from the old school diapers people used to use.  But, since my attempt at making newborn pockets failed, I had to come up with a cheap option fast.  I gave in.  We bought four Thirsties Duo Wraps, size small.  They are just a piece of PUL with some elastic around the edge, and snaps as closures.

It turns out they’re not as hard as I thought they would be.  We use microfiber inserts for them, and I am in the process of making some 100% cotton inserts for them.  Flats and prefolds can, also, be used in them.  Basically anything that is absorbent will work when using a cover.

To use the cover, I lay an insert flat on the cover, and then slide the diaper in place.  I snap it closed on the sides, and then check to make sure the insert is completely covered by the cover.  For a wet diaper, I simply take the diaper off, put the soiled insert in a wet bag, wipe the cover with a wipe, and lay it out to dry.  For a dirty diaper, I toss the whole diaper in a wet bag.  (There’s no need to rinse, since it’s just breast milk poop.)

You don’t need as many covers as you have inserts, since you can reuse the ones that are only wet.  The covers are cheaper than other, fancier diapers, and the inserts are super affordable.  Plus, making a cover is just about the easiest thing ever and you’ll get about six for the price of one you have to buy.  Inserts are a little more challenging, but they are cheaper than buying.

There will be more to come on sewing diapers later.