Living Large on Less with Anneke Hagen

Thanks to Anneke for facilitating a great discussion on finance, budgeting, and food planning. Thanks, also, to all of you who provided so many great tips and sites that you use. I took some notes on what people shared--hope that it provides you some new ideas for making the most of your hard-earned money!

Budgeting: 

• iphone app: iXpenseIt -- allows you to track expenses on your iphone
• Suze Orman: The Nine Steps to Financial Freedom  --book on finances and money
• David Ramsey: The Total Money Makeover --  easy to follow steps to get out of debt
• Mint.com -- site that helps you to budget your money online

Affordable Family Fun/Date Nights:

• Twirl Cafe -- "Happy Hour" play for free at their cafe/play area on Queen Anne. Happy Hour times are Th.-Sa. 5-8pm
• Mosaic Cafe -- coffee shop with kids play room in Wallingford. 
• Restaurants.com -- purchase giftcards for restaurants at a discounted price
• Babysitter Swaps -- take turns watching a friend's children, instead of paying for a pricey sitter
• Rainy Day Activities:  create a notebook of easy and inexpensive things to do with the kids when the weather turns bad. Here are a couple of sites with ideas to get you started:
• Indoor Play Areas and Activities
• Rainy Day Destinations in Seattle
• indoor crafts and activities for preschoolers

Christmas Budgeting and Shopping:

• create a clear budget and plan for gift giving
• gift idea -- each family hosts a special dinner for the extended family members at some point in the year. 
• Santa Photos -- nurseries like Molbaks and Swansons have free photos with Santa Claus
• Seattle Community Centers offer special childcare nights for parents to go holiday shopping. Date night anyone?