cheapskate Archives – The Salty Mamas

A Genius Hack for Saving Money at the Pumpkin Patch

September 7, 2021October 3, 2019 by Salty Christine

Your kids will love this new - and EASY - Halloween tradition! Introducing, the Pumkin Fairy! #halloween #halloweentraditions #happyhalloween #halloweenforkids #kidcenteredhalloween #kidshalloween #pumkins #pumpkinpatch #pumpkinpatchwithkids #pumpkinpatchpictures #letsgotothepumpkinpatch #firsthalloween #halloweenfairy #pumpkinfairy #traditionsforhalloween #halloweentraditions #traditionsforkids #familyhalloween

Wondering how to save money at the pumpkin patch? We were too! We knew there just had to be some awesome parenting hacks for Halloween that would hold the key to saving money at the pumpkin patch. But after searching high and low, we couldn’t find anything that would save money this Halloween.

So after much research and thinking, we came up with our own genius hack for saving money at the pumpkin patch. Also, it’s a hustle on your kids, which – I think it’s safe to say – we’re all on board for every once in a while! Read on for a genius (and FUN) hack for saving money at the pumpkin patch.

Ask any Mama what she loves about the fall, and nestled somewhere between a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte and putting on a cozy sweater will be taking the kids to the pumpkin patch. It’s a fun family tradition that you can start when your babies are teeny tiny and keep up as they grow. It signifies the beginning of fall and is something that everyone in my family looks forward to every year. Plus, kids and pumpkins make for insanely adorable pictures. Need proof? Fine.

The pumpkin patch is AWESOME. Whether yours is in the middle of a city and has carnival style rides, a petting zoo and a concession stand or is out in the country and has apple launchers, a corn maze and homemade cider, every one is full of fun for the family.

Also, EXPENSIVE PUMPKINS.

Yes, the seedy underbelly of the pumpkin patch operation is insanely expensive pumpkins. And while you’re there for the adorable (and usually free!) photo ops, your kids are probably there for the expensive stuff – like the rides, treats, and pumpkins. Look, when I go to a carnival, I’m prepared for expensive rides and games. I know I’m going to shell out $5 for a tiny bag of popcorn I could make at home for a fraction of the price. But there’s something about paying extra for those pumpkins that kills me.

The pain that I feel in my heart – and my wallet – as I hand over a credit card to pay $20+ for a pumpkin that I can get for $3.99 at the grocery store is palpable. But what else can you do? It’s a pumpkin patch – you can’t just leave without a pumpkin!

But...the trick to saving money at the pumpkin patch is that you can leave without a GIANT pumpkin! Read on for our genius hack to save money at the pumpkin patch WHILE starting a new fall tradition your kids will LOVE!

How to Save Money at Chick fil A with Easy Hacks

January 12, 2021April 11, 2018 by Salty Jaymi

Looking for ways to save money at Chick-fil-A? These genius Chick fil A hacks will get you discounts- and even free items!- on a regular basis. Read our pro tips at thesaltymamas.com. #chickfila #chickfilahacks #savemoneyatchickfila

Love Chick fil A, but low on cash? How to save money at Chick fil A (including sneaky off-menu Chick fil A hacks!) that will help you get more bang for your buck.

As mothers of young children, we spend an embarrassing amount of time at Chick-fil-A. From taking over their play area to sleeping in their parking lot, we’re there a TON. As in, we know the owner and many of the employees by name.

And with a half dozen kids between us, we also know ALL the Chick Fil A money saving hacks for a large family. We know all the ways to cheapskate your way to a free lunch or two. And we are equal parts proud and embarrassed by these facts.

Even though it’s fast food, those dollars spent at Chick-fil-A add up quickly, especially when your kids keep growing and insist upon eating their own food. I keep a VERY tight cash budget, which means that I can only eat out with the kids about once a week- and that’s if I keep our total under $10 for the three of us.

So how do I fuel our obsession with CFA while keeping our costs down? We’ve got a few Chick fil A money saving hacks for a large family (or a small one!) to help you make it work.

Easy Hacks to Shop for FREE

June 9, 2020December 4, 2017 by Salty Jaymi

Short on cash, but high on needs? Check out this easy trick to shop for FREE from TheSaltyMamas.com. #sidehustle #shoppinghacks #shoppingtips #freegroceries

I’ve been sitting on this MicroHustle for a while, because my husband always says it is so good that I’m going to put this poor company out of business. This store has given me COUNTLESS amounts of free items- we’re probably talking thousands of dollars worth, at this point, and I just don’t see how they can sustain having me as a customer. And if I’m going to put it under by myself, imagine what will happen if I send ALL the Salty Mamas out there to get in on the action? This store may not make it through the week! But I can’t keep holding out on you, so I’m finally ready to give away my secrets for the Kmart Shop Your Way Rewards program.

Life- Changing Five Minute Make Up Routine for Moms

February 17, 2020October 19, 2017 by Salty Jaymi

Need to freshen up your look? We've got a five minute makeup routine featuring the best drugstore makeup- each one under $5! Get a whole new look in just minutes a day with these tips from TheSaltyMamas.com. #makeup #makeuproutine #mommakeup #mommymakeover #fiveminutemakeup #fiveminutemakeuproutineformoms #drugstoremakeup #bestdrugstoremakeup

I know there are some fabulous mamas out there, but ladies, I am not naturally one of them. Sure, I used to spend big money on make-up back in the day. But those days are loooong gone, and I’ve spent years and years with a lackluster five minute makeup routine for moms– drug-store foundation, drug store eyeliner, drug store blush, and LOTS of drug-store mascara.

I just didn’t have the time, the energy or, frankly, the money to put towards my day to day look.

And then my son spent five minutes as a model, and, as a result, so did I. And I received two glorious makeovers in the process. I wasn’t the focus of the shoot, so my makeup was light, natural, and simple.

But I still felt like a million dollars, and decided I wouldn’t wait until the next photo shoot to find that oomph again, but that I would find it on my own (which, thank goodness, as there was no next shoot).

I was lucky enough to stumble upon Mama’s Beauty Bar, a Facebook group run by a kind, funny, and talented makeup guru by the name of Beth Griffin. Beth is the owner and operator of Chrysalis Beauty Co.

I watched her incredible Facebook live videos, learned some tips and tricks, and my style started to evolve. And when I won a Lip Bon Bon of my own? I realized that this makeup really was worth every penny!

So I adjusted my makeup budget a little. I did some serious Google Searches, and some serious trial-and-erroring, and stepped up my game by finding the best drug-store make up for moms around (which helped me free up my budget for my favorite lip-gloss splurge from Younique).

So if you find yourself looking to up your mom makeup game, take heart. We’ve got the PERFECT five minute makeup routine for moms to get you looking fresh a little more frequently.

Chick Fil A First 100 Campout

July 15, 2022October 12, 2017 by thesaltymamas

When we first heard there was going to be a new Chick Fil A opening near us, we immediately began praying that they would have a playplace. And free WiFi. When we found out they would have both, we were way more excited than we should be.

But then we found out there was going to be a Chick Fil A First 100 campout, according to Chick Fil A company tradition. The day before a new Chick-fil-A opens, there is a twenty-four-hour celebratory campout. There are tons of giveaways, activities, free food…oh, and sleeping in a parking lot. But when we realized that in the end, the Chick-fil-A First 100 campout guests would get free Chick-fil-A for a YEAR (Read: One #1 combo a week for the next 52 weeks)? Well, there aren’t enough words for all the feelings. Needless to say, we went.

So how did it go? Well, we slept a little, ate a little, and laughed til we snorted. And because we KNOW you’re dying to know, here’s a play by play of our overnight campout at the Chick Fil A First 100 campout event.