The Frugal Free Gal

Frugal Living, Money Saving Tips, Freebies, and More!

  • Four Ways to Save on Christmas Gifts This Year

    save on Christmas gifts

    Pop quiz: How much money did the average family spent on Christmas gifts last year?

    1. $455
    2. $646
    3. $815
    4. $1,090
    5. $425,000

    If you guessed B — $646 – you’re right. If you also think that number seems a little low, you’re not alone. If you think it seems a little high, you’re a savvy shopper who’s figured out how to save a few bucks during one of the biggest spending sprees of the year. Maybe we can grab coffee sometime and share our secrets! Oh, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to share a few of those secrets with the following list:

    1. MAKE YOUR OWN GIFTS – Homemade gifts not only cost less than most other gifts, but they mean that much more because they’re, well, homemade! The only cost associated with these gifts are the supplies which, if you buy wisely, should cost somewhere between $10 and $20. Need some ideas? Try a personalized book of coupons, a fabric-covered notebook, or an assortment of cookie cutter soaps. Need 97 more ideas? Check out this website!
    1. BAKE YOUR OWN GIFTS – If you’re good in the kitchen (specifically with the oven), you should definitely consider baking your own gifts. A dozen cookies in a nice tin are an ideal present for just about anyone, including friends, family, neighbors or co-workers.
    1. TRY A GIFT EXCHANGE – Got a big family, a large pool of friends, or a few dozen close co-workers? Instead of buying a gift for each person in the group, suggest a gift exchange. You’ll only have to buy one gift – and, yes, you’ll only get one gift – but you’ll save plenty of money. Perhaps you’ll save enough to buy a few “just because” gifts throughout the year!
    1. MAKE A LIST AND CHECK IT TWICE – It works for Santa, and he should know a thing or two about making the most out of a limited budget (I assume he has a budget, those elves don’t work for free!). Start your list by writing your total Christmas spending limit at the top. Then write everyone you’d like to shop for and how much you’d like to spend on each person. And then – here’s the hard part – do whatever you have to do to stick to that budget.

  • Apple Cinnamon Spice Crescent Rolls

    We all know crescent rolls are delicious. But have you ever had them with a apple cinnamon spice filling? If not, you’re in for a real treat!

    They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert! If you’re looking for an easy and impressive recipe to impress your friends and family, look no further than these Apple Cinnamon Spice Crescent Rolls.

    Apple Cinnamon Spice Crescent Rolls

    Thanksgiving is approaching soon and I’m already meal planning and stocking up on ingredients for our Thanksgiving meal!

    We will be serving the typical turkey along with our favorite Southern Cornbread Dressing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, rolls, and sweet tea.

    I’m getting hungry writing this!

    I have my menu planned out for our main meal but I’m also preparing for our dessert menu.

    FREE Sun-Maid Recipe Books

    FREE Slow Cooker Cake Mix Recipes

    Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

    We serve a traditional pumpkin pie every year topped with whipped cream, but this year, I wanted to add something else to our Thanksgiving menu.

    I’m a huge fan of apple pie. Since we are already serving a pumpkin pie, I went into my kitchen to get creative with something that resembles an apple pie but involved a lot less preparation and work.

    I wanted to stick with something easy yet delicious, so I created these Apple Cinnamon Spiced Crescent Rolls to see how they would taste. I wasn’t disappointed!

    Apple Cinnamon Spice Crescent Rolls

    Supplies:

    Ingredients:

    • 1 – 8 oz. can of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
    • 1 – 20 oz. can of apple pie filling
    • melted butter
    • cinnamon
    • sugar

    Directions:

    1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
    2. Unroll Pillsbury Crescent Rolls into triangles on a large baking sheet.
    3. Spoon one spoonful of apple pie filling onto the larger part of the unrolled crescent roll and roll up loosely.
    4. Bake for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown.
    5. Remove from the oven and brush melted butter onto crescent rolls.
    6. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top of each crescent roll.

    Serve and enjoy! Makes 8 Apple Cinnamon Spiced Crescent Rolls.

    apple cinnamon spice crescent rolls
    Apple Cinnamon Spice Crescent Rolls

  • FREE Personalized Turkey Coloring Page

    Free Personalized Turkey Coloring Page

    thanksgiving turkey

    Note: This page is no longer available as free, but you can find personalized coloring books for kids available for purchase at this time.

    Then, head here and print this beautiful FREE Foliage Turkey.

    Find more FREE printables here.

    Request more freebies here and join our Facebook group to get notified when new freebies are available! Get freebies in your inbox! Subscribe for daily email updates.

  • Room on the Broom DVD Review + FREE Coloring Page and Activity!

    Disclosure: I was given a copy of the Room on the Broom book and Room on the Broom DVD in exchange for a post about Room on the Broom.

    Room on the Broom

    August is Family Fun Month! The multiple award-winning half-hour animated family film, Room on the Broom DVD, from NCircle Entertainment was released this month as a perfect way to celebrate! Based on the #1 best-selling children’s picture book in America, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler (the same author and illustrator team that created the critically acclaimed The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child), Room on the Broom is filled with humor and adventure, and teaches the importance of family, friends and teamwork!

    Room on a Broom

    In Room on the Broom, the witch and her cat couldn’t be happier, flying through the sky on their broomstick—until the witch drops her hat, then her bow, then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals—a dog, a parrot and a frog—find the missing items and all they want in return is a ride on the broomstick. But is there room on the broom for so many new friends? The kindly witch thinks there is—much to the frustration of her cat. But when disaster strikes, and the witch is about to be eaten by a fearsome dragon, she is saved by the gang of animals, all working together. The witch’s cat learns the importance of friends and family, and the witch rewards her new friends with a magnificent broom that is big enough for everyone!

    My daughter and I are fans of this new book and movie! We read the Room on the Broom Book during her bedtime routine and fell in love with the cute illustrations, especially the animals! This book also teaching rhyming skills. Although my daughter is four, we were able to discuss the larger vocabulary words in the book including: wailed, clambered, moors, cauldron and others that she didn’t understand. The DVD was even cuter! We love books that “come to life!” The animation was adorable and even I found myself giggling a few times during the Room on the Broom DVD.

    Room on the Broom DVD

    Because it’s family fun month, I also downloaded this FREE Room on the Broom Printable Coloring Page for my daughter after we watched the movie. I believe in providing fun resources after reading a book because it helps them to retain information and it makes learning a bit more fun.

    Room on the Broom Printable Coloring Page

    You can also print this Room on the Broom finger puppet activity sheet and cut out and make your own Room on the Broom Finger Puppets!

    Room on the Broom Finger Puppets

    Buy Now: Room on the Broom Picture Book

    Watch Now: Room on the Broom on Prime Video

    Buy Now: Room on the Broom Activity Book

    Buy Now: The Room on the Broom Party Book

    Find more FREE printables here.

    Request more freebies here and join our Facebook group to get notifications when new freebies are available! Subscribe for daily email updates.

  • FREE Printable Peppa Pig Coloring Pages

    Peppa Pig Coloring Pages

    Peppa Pig Coloring Pages

    Print these FREE Printable Peppa Pig Coloring Pages. You’ll find Peppa Pig, Daddy Pig, Mommy Pig, and George in this adorable printable pack.

    Find more FREE printables here.

    Request more freebies here and join our Facebook group to get notified when new freebies are available! Get freebies in your inbox! Subscribe for daily email updates.

  • FREE Printable Block Schedule for Parents

    FREE Printable Block Schedule for Parents

    Are you a parent that needs help organizing and scheduling the day due to being at home more this season with the kids? This FREE printable block schedule for parents can help! MamasOrganizedChoas explains what a block schedule is and how they are helpful in this post here.

    Find more FREE printables here.

    Request more freebies here and join our Facebook group to get notified when new freebies are available! Get freebies in your inbox! Subscribe for daily email updates.