Back to school, or back to the poor house?

Back to school is a time when many moms witness their money sprout wings and take flight, finding their homes at retail stores across America. I know that consumer spending is good for the economy, but I don’t take it upon myself to keep the entire US economy propped up, so when my first-grade son announced that he wanted a backpack with rollers, I saw this as a wonderful financial teaching moment. His school is small, and he doesn’t walk to or from school. He didn’t need rollers.

I told my son that I would give him $8 toward a backpack. I told

School lunches

Here are a few lunch and snack ideas from Dining On A Dime Cookbook to help out.

*To keep drinks cold in lunch boxes, pour a small amount in the bottom of the container (not glass) and then set the cap loosely on top. Put it in the freezer overnight. The next day fill with the rest of the drink. The ice should slowly melt all day long, keeping the beverage cool.

*Save the catsup and mustard packets and napkins you don’t use fr

Home birthday parties are a great money saving alternative

Although a quick glance through internet blogs, websites and news stories will bring up everything from celebrity high ticket birthday parties to moms who try to one up each other for the most elaborate celebration for their one year old, for your average parent, hosting a child’s birthday party at home is definitely the best way to celebrate the special day.