Need a little advice?

[Teenah20]

Recently, I haven't been as active as I used to be. I also haven't been as savvy as I used to be..

However, now I must be....

My boyfriend is heading out to Regina for work (he'll be gone for approximately 40 - 50 days). He's our sole source of income, and as our current situation continues to change, I must adapt.

I am looking for advice. I'll be recieving money from him while he's out there, to cover the basic costs of our home, bills, and food. However, I have small children and a birthday party to plan for in August. I'm completely brain dead when it comes to reversing and going back to my old savvy ways. I've maybe used 3 coupons this entire month, and thats because most of the things we've bought, I couldn't find coupons for. (Meat from the butcher, etc). Now that my stock is getting low, recent travel expenses for my bf, and a birthday party to plan.. I'm trying to figure out the best way to get back into couponing, saving money, and feeding my girls while Daddy is away.

Also, and tips on how to keep their minds off of Daddy being gone for so long? This is the longest he'll have been away from them.

As well , as all the info I can get ... I need a refresher on all the ins/outs/ ups/ downs lol... Again, I've got the basics down pat (web-based available, Emailing, and the inserts)... I really need ideas on how to do my 4 (soon to be 5) yr old's birthday party for around/under $100.00... I've already pre-planned a bit, as far as Cake and such. Normally Daddy bakes and decorates amazingly for them... Cat in The Hat's Hat was last years.. Now I'm no good at cakes. I can bake Muffins and cookies and thats about it. So any cheap ideas on how to make her birthday party spectactular would be greatly appreciated... as well as the refresher on the couponing Thanks in Advance!

[bargain_hunter_lola]

How old are your kids? Kids are surprisingly resilient and have different time frames as we do.

Last year my DH started travelling for work (3 weeks gone, 1 week home) and he's still doing it (although his schedule is a bit better now). My DS was 1 and DD was 3 when it started, now they are 2 and 4. They talk to him daily on his cell phone and via Skype so that totally helps out! They still have times where they miss him and wish he was home but just being able to talk to him seems to really help. As for ways to keep their mind off of him, just keep them busy! That's the rule in our house. And if he's gone in September if your kids are school age, they will be preoccupied.

For the party, do you have a theme yet? If not, perhaps check out your local dollar store to see what they have in stock. I saw Disney Princess, Tangled, Cars, Minnie Mouse, the other day. Super cheap! If you have a good printer, you can also look for free online printables! They make good decorations. Also if you find any cheap books in your theme you could cut pictures out of those (I did that one year - Carebear books for $1 with huge pictures - cut them out and taped them around the main party area).

I'll pop into this thread if I can think of anything else.

Good luck, I know it's hard but I'm sure it's a necessity and worth it in the long run. I was devastated when DH first started travelling for work, now we're in a groove. I still wish it would end and he'd be home for good but with today's economy I'm thankful he has a good job.

[Teenah20]

My kids are 9, turning 5, and 3. He was originally planning on doing the 3 weeks away, 1 week home, but the job he's going to is an 18days on 2 days off, so he'll be staying for 2-3 stints before he comes home for a week. I'm sure we'll get into a groove with it aswell. Money is a lot better out there than it is here, but if he doesn't like it he can always quit there and go back to "available" on his union hall's list. I never thought up a theme yet, and as long as the weather cooperates we'll be outdoors for the most part. I'll have to make a trip to the dollar store and see what they have. Totally spaced on that!

[CanadianCouponCollector]

Yes dollar store is awesome for parties! If you're outside, can you let a sprinkler provide much of the fun? And bubbles? As for dealing with the kids missing Daddy, the first few days may be a little rough for them but they'll shift into the new routine quickly. It's you that may need the longest time to adjust. Make time for yourself, keep in touch with friends and keep yourself busy by keeping the kids busy. One way to do that- keep coming back here to look for deals! lol

[bargain_hunter_lola]

I'm guessing he'll be in a camp? It does take some getting used to if he hasn't been before. Also it really depends on the camp (some are really good, some are horrible).

If you haven't chosen a theme, what about a generic Circus or Carnival theme? They tend to be fairly easy! Some bright colours, animal pics, clown pics (or if a relative has a costume even better), possible face painting, popcorn, hot dogs/pogos, etc.

I'm betting Pinterest has loads of cheap ideas!

[HeatherWake]

Pinterest!!

[vesper]

Your boyfriend bakes and decorates? Sounds like a great guy! Yahoo!!

[jogai1]

thast great man

[Teenah20]

haha, yes he does bake and decorate the cakes. He can do wonders with cakes... Cookies and Cupcakes/Muffins are not his forte so to speak LOL

Yes, he's in a camp. He says its okay, food is good, rooms are small, and the common areas are wonderful.

I forgot all about Pinterest!! My mind is slipping lately. I've been keeping myself busy during the days, its night time I have the hardest adjusting to... Not used to him not being here when I wake up.

Thanks for all the tips! I'm going to do some serious couponing tonight. I have one child home, so hopefully she's able to let me coupon... My mailbox has been quite empty lately . Just been so busy with life I haven't had much time for SC !!! But I think I'll dive right on in tonight and try to remember all the tricks. Esp. with School coming up on us in 4 short weeks.

[kyliemurphy007]

Defo the $$$ store...great for parties and little bits of plastic getting stuck in your feet for weeks to come...but it really is a great place to start especially for kids......

[kateveber]

Pinterest!!

Pinterest would be the best option.