Kids

Saw your tips on the Today Show for gift wrap. I have a similar idea. 

When my boys were young (now 19 and 16) they loved to paint pictures so I bought them the paper from office supply stores that comes in easel pads and when they were done with the pictures we used it for wrapping paper. They loved telling everyone that they had made the paper.

Buy a membership to a museum or aquarium. The total cost depends on how many you want to put on the membership. But, you'll save money after several uses. It also gives you places to take visitors when you have company. There discounts even at their gift shops. But one of the best things is that some memberships are honored at related museums in other states.

As a former Childhood Cancer family—Thank God remission continues to hold—but... we are oh sooooo very BROKE!

Saving on food   Meals for parents and family members visiting the hospital get really expensive with 3 meals and snacks each day.

One way we found to get around some of that expense is to bring in 2 totes with lids (cold and dry storage) and a bag of ice and use them to store food in your child's room.

Include your beverage of choice (off brand pop, gatorade, juice, etc) cold cereal, 

You find gift shops everywhere you go these days.  My children are ages 
5 and 7.  They tend to want to get something as a souvenir whether we are at 
the zoo, on a road trip, etc.  To allow them to purchase something with their 
allowance, but still avoid spending s too much, I have started a post card 
album for each of them.  When we are on vacation or a special day trip, they 
can choose a couple of post cards to add to their album of memories.  This is