Welcome to Friday Favorites! I get a lot of questions about things I like to use, so here’s a few things that have been making my life easier lately.
First, in case you don’t know me super well yet, here are a few fun facts about me:
Some would call me frugal, but I prefer to call it intentional.
I read a ton of reviews before I buy things because I don’t like wasting money on things that won’t improve my quality of life.
I’m not afraid of investing money in quality items that save me time, stress, or bring me/my family more joy.
I’m becoming minimalist (ish). I’m sick of clutter. It stresses me out.
I dare to dream big. If I see a way to improve my life, I take responsibility and find a way to make it happen.
No matter how healthy I want to be and how much I value nutritious food, I think the combination of donuts and coffee is one of the best things ever.
So now that you’ve gotten a peek behind the cover of Val, here are 5 things I am loving this week. These things are making my life easier, more productive, healthier, and full of more joy:
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure to learn more.
From storing half-cut produce to warming up leftovers, these bags are so handy! I hardly ever have to use throw-away plastic bags or cling wrap anymore. Plus, these make taking food on the go (an essential for frugal living and living with food allergies) so much easier.
I have the Storage (half-gallon size) and the Sandwich size and love them both. Plus, we’re taking a bunch of these on our upcoming spring break where we hit the road in an RV! These are not cheap, but they are a great investment for your health, the environment, and probably your wallet too in the long run now that I don’t have to buy all the plastic wrap and Ziploc bags anymore. If you’ve been wondering about reusable bags for food for kids lunches, I’ve been super happy with my Stasher bags.
I’m a big water bottle girl, as you can tell from my list of frugal living tips. My kids and I bring water bottles pretty much anytime we leave the house. And while I was a long-time lover of the Camelbak’s, I may be converting to these Contigo water bottles instead.
They’re easy to drink from with one hand, keep water the temperature you want for up to 24 hours, and the straw can close down completely to keep germs and dirt off. Plus, if you have curious baby hands around, the button lock adds an extra set of security to keep the lid closed.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a new water bottle so you drink more water and buy less bottled water, I’ve been loving my Contigo water bottle.
The vanilla flavor is rich and delicious. Because it’s naturally-flavored with real vanilla (not artificial flavoring) it’s not fake tasting at all. The low acid works much better for my tummy. It has loads of antioxidants. And it’s organic, yay!
If you’ve been wanting a flavored coffee that’s naturally flavored or if you’ve wanted to try a lower acid coffee, this is my absolute favorite. I usually find a much better deal on this coffee at Vitacost, but if you’re an Amazon loyalist, you can Subscribe & Save to a little better price and keep the coffee coming to your doorstep every month.
I have no idea why I waited so long to get an Instant Pot. I was happy with my slow cooker and didn’t think I needed another kitchen gadget…
However. the curiosity of the Instant Pot Loving Community got the best of me last Black Friday and now I totally understand why. I use my pressure cooker several times per week, almost daily! There’s a reason this Instant Pot has over 31,000 awesome reviews!
Since I like cooking and preparing our food at home but do NOT like babysitting the stove or oven making sure things don’t boil over or burn, the Instant Pot and I get along well. Dump the ingredients, push the button, and walk away. I have this Instant Pot and as I’ve been preparing food for our week vacation on the road, this baby has definitely made my life easier. **BONUS**This baby is $20 off today too. Seriously? It’s like Amazon is in my kitchen right now!
Not only is it a great deal for organic coconut oil, but it’s a smaller container. Sometimes I buy coconut oil in bulk (54 oz) because that’s the oil we use for pan frying and baking, but I definitely don’t have room for or need a giant tub of coconut oil in our RV.
But big tubs of coconut oil are not handy for packing to go camping or keeping in the bathroom for moisturizer or toothpaste like I do. So I am super grateful I have this perfect-sized container to take a long. You can read more about the Brandless products I love in my Brandless review.
I hope you enjoyed getting a peek into those things that have been worth spending money on for me because they’ve made life just a little better.
What things have been amazing your life just a little easier, less stressful or more enjoyable? I’d love to hear what things you’ve been loving lately, big or small.
Ever wonder how to make money on the road when you have kids? I know I have wondered if this is truly possible. So I checked in with the folks at Outdoorsy to see what this RV living is all about.
Traveling in an RV is exhilarating and relaxing as you can
explore new destinations and return to the comforts of a hot shower and comfy
bed at the end of the day. This comfort and flexibility combined with families disconnecting
to reconnect with one another in life is seeing many families take extended
trips or even move into an RV full time. The wide variety of styles and sizes
of RVs make them perfect for families on the road. It is so tempting to live on
the beach for a while and then head off to the next destination and let your
children explore. Taking the steps to make that a reality seems overwhelming
and many people stop at the daydream.
The most common question asked when it comes to full time RV
living is how do you make money while on the road? As with any lifestyle, the
nuances of life on the road will dictate to some degree the options you have
for making money. Your skillset, distance and access to basic communication
services can all play a role. When you throw kids into the mix then you may
have the extra restrictions of limited mobility away from the RV to contend
with. Here we will look at some options to make money while on the road with
kids.
Balance and
Flexibility
If you are not traveling alone and your spouse can stay home
with the kids or you can balance childcare, then you have many more options for
making money on the road. Even if your spouse also has to work outside the RV,
you can stagger shifts so that someone will be home with the kids when
necessary. Workamping, traveling medical positions and working jobs for local
temp agencies are all great options which can provide good steady income while
on the road.
Attractions, RV resorts, playgrounds and nature hikes are
often just steps away which is great to get the kids out of the RV for a while
so it can serve as an office for almost any work at home job. A long hike,
exploring or visiting a local attraction and then a snack will give a good
chunk of quiet time for phone calls, correspondence and other work. If leaving
the RV, or the kids, is not going to work for your family, there are still many
great options out there. Many parents find altering their hours is a great way
to work while still spending lots of time as a family. Working for a few hours
after everyone is asleep is the perfect solution, especially for parents who
are night owls anyway.
Working from the road is not that much different than working from home. When
you cut out the time it takes a typical person to prepare for work, travel to
their workplace, as well as coffee breaks, lunch breaks and travel time home,
that adds up to a lot of time left to enjoy the RV life from whatever
destination you choose. There are also options for work that is unique to the
RV lifestyle.
1. Workamping
Depending on the age of your kids and the position,
workamping can be option. Workamping is just what it sounds like, working at a
campsite in exchange for free accommodations and amenities. Many workamping
positions cover the cost of your site when you work a certain number of hours
per week. Once that minimum requirement is met, you can also earn cash. Other
times, depending on the job duties, a salary can also be involved. Workamping
jobs vary greatly by location from high-end luxury resorts where you gain
access to pools, playgrounds and clubhouse activities to remote campsites where
you have up-close experiences in nature. With older kids, you may be able to
work an office or maintenance job without any problems. With younger kids a
camp host may be more appropriate since those positions generally do not
require you to leave your camper for significant amounts of time. There are
also part time office jobs, gift-shop or café workers and other unique
positions that will offer you a place to park your RV in exchange for various
duties.
Working on the road has become a lot easier now that
portable internet and Wi-Fi connections are readily available. Most RVs, even
the smaller ones, have space for a small home office. A good travel laptop,
internet connection and perhaps some equipment unique to your job are all that
you need. Options for earning money can vary depending on your interests and
skills, some people even include their whole family.
2. Freelance & Online Options
Freelance design and creative jobs are common among those
who have embraced the RV life. Web design, graphic design, UX/UI design, CAD,
computer programming and freelance writing are all very popular and can provide
excellent pay. They also tend to be deadline oriented which makes them flexible
in the specific hours you spend doing them. This flexibility will allow you to
spend time with your kids when you need to and work when you don’t. Finding
these jobs can be challenging and the competition can be fierce. Start with
what you know and work from there. You can find jobs on online freelance
platforms as well as by networking with those looking for your service.
There are a few people that make money blogging or running a YouTube channel. While this can be a good way to make extra money, they tend to develop very slowly if at all. If your goal is immediate income, going this route will probably not be a good option. Instead, get into blogging and YouTube as a hobby while you work a real job and see how it develops. Within a year or two you may be able to shift from a more traditional job into full time blogging or YouTubing. This can be a great activity for the whole family and some of the most profitable and popular channels started as a family’s way to keep in touch with loved ones all over the world. Starting a blog or YouTube channel is most likely to be successful if it is authentic and exciting and living in an RV has the potential for both of those. If you do go this route know it is not a get rich quick solution.
Tech jobs including app development can provide a good way to make money on the road with kids. App development is different from freelance computer programming in that you are producing an app that you promote and market on your own. App development can include website or web-based apps and services, but it is more commonly associated with standalone smartphone or computer apps. These can include games, utilities or other amps that people can find useful or entertaining.
Monetizing an app can be done in a number of ways including directly selling it through a distribution system like the Apple Appstore or Google Play. They can also include advertising, subscription based content and in-app purchases. Developing apps has become increasingly less difficult over the years, bringing income potential from their development to within reach of those with even modest skills. Developing apps is also a common segue for landing freelance programming jobs.
There are many other products that you can make and sell that are not app related. If you are more of a mechanical or hands on person then custom jewelry, leather products, small signs and custom glassware or tumblers can all be made from an RV. The kids may even want to help out, allowing them to develop some trade skills at a young age. These products can be sold online through marketplaces like Etsy, eBay or even Amazon. Local flea or farmers markets can offer great venues for sales as well. Finally, as a traveler you can follow certain events around the country to sell your products at. For example, if you make western jewelry, following and setting up booths on the rodeo circuit may be a good source of income.
Making money while traveling can create some unique and difficult challenges. Adding kids into the mix can add even more. Still the excitement and benefits are worthwhile as you learn and explore the world. With some of the ideas presented here you should be able bring in the income you need, be that extra spending cash or a full living wage. You should also be able to do it while still enjoying your children and providing the attention that they need. Finally, in many cases your kids can be part of the process which can teach them valuable life skills and help pave the way for their bright future.
If you are thinking about traveling for long RV trips or even making the jump into full-time RV living, you can adapt practically any job to the lifestyle. There are even travel nursing jobs, construction and horticulture opportunities that all work well for RV living. Whatever you decide, it is worth considering renting an RV or even try out a few different styles to see what fits your family best. From there you might just find the thrill of the road is calling and you are ready to make the adventure more permanent. Knowing your options for earning money while traveling in an RV makes that adventure a little bit more realistic.
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About the Author
Shelley Trupert works for Outdoorsy, an RV marketplace for consumers and pros. She has been camping for almost 20 years and is always looking to find the next hike off the beaten path. While she used to enjoy tenting in the wilderness, she prefers to camp in an RV now—whether it is a Class C or a teardrop trailer—to enjoy a little comfort after a long day outdoors and the ease of travel it provides. Her goal is to hike in all of the national parks in North America.
Here are Easter basket ideas and gift ideas for toddlers who love trucks, trains, construction vehicles and all things with wheels.
1. Dump Truck Paw Patrol Easter Basket Idea
If your toddler boy or girl loves dump trucks, here’s a unique Easter basket idea that themed around Paw Patrol. This Easter basket includes bubbles, stuffed animal and water bottles, which were all ideas from above. Insert your child’s favorite character if Paw Patrol isn’t his thing. This idea came from TheKeeperOfTheCheerios.
Tonka Dump Truck
Built Tonka tough with sturdy steel construction
Movable steel bed for dumping
Fill with Easter basket goodies your toddler loves
Perfect for 18 months and up — this fun and fast remote control car with honking sounds, music, flashing headlights and three different drivers is perfect for any toddler who loves things that go..
Here’s a great Easter basket ideas for toddlers to get ready for fun summer swimming adventures. New swimsuit and beach toys can get your toddler ready for fun in the sun.
In addition to a cheap pool noodle, you’ll need a large beach towel to create the above Easter basket idea. Then fill it with fun Easter and gifts for the pool.
After you get your main Easter basket with a large beach towel and pool noodle, you can add fun beach gift ideas like these to your basket.
New Swimsuit for Toddler Boys
Your little one could probably use a new swimming suit, so why not add it to their Easter basket? I love rash guards to protect their skin from the sun and fewer sunscreen battles.
Here’s a cute and super affordable swimsuit for toddler boys that’s perfect for a swimming or beach themed Easter basket idea.
Using rain boots is a unique and practical Easter basket idea for toddlers to get ready to stomp in the springtime rain puddles. Here are a few pairs that are cute, fun, affordable and have 100+ excellent reviews from parents.
Light Up Unicorn Rain Boots
These purple unicorn and rainbow rain boots can make even rain days a little brighter with their cute design and light up style.
5. Potty Seat Easter Basket Idea for 2 or 3-Year-Olds
Your toddler will be potty training sooner or later. So consider using a cute potty seat as a practical Easter basket to get him excited about the idea.
Frog Potty Seat Easter Basket
We have and like the Froggy Potty Seat pictured above, but it’s pricey on Amazon right now, so the similar seat below and the Penguin Potty Seat at Target are cheaper alternatives to make this Easter basket idea happen.
What should you put in your potty seat Easter basket? Here are some gift ideas perfect for toddlers.
Potty Training Underwear
Frog underwear would be perfect to go with the frog potty seat and they can be worn by boys or girls. Here’s a two-pack that can get your toddler excited about wearing big boy or girl undies.
Another key for letting your toddler be creative and work on fine motor skills of painting (without a ton of worry and cleanup for mom) is a good art smock. Long sleeves and a waterproof material makes these smocks for 2-to-6-year olds easy to clean.
I found this Easter basket idea with a shopping cart and thought it’d be great for toddlers who love food, pretend play, and cooking too.
Easter gifts can be about food even if you want to create a no candy Easter basket. A durable shopping cart can be used for pretend play and filled with food-related gifts and snacks.
Shopping Cart Basket
Sturdy with a deep basket to hold lots of goodies
Favorite stuffed animal or baby can ride in the front seat
Here are some more ideas of things to fill your shopping cart Easter basket.
2-Pack Bento Snack and Lunch Box
Another way to make packing and eating easier is using a food portion container that’s leak-proof like the Bento box. The small sections encourage toddlers to eat vegetables and a variety of food groups.
Straws in a durable stainless steel water bottle makes meal time and snacks on the go more fun. Plus, it encourages toddlers to drink water all day by having a cute and easy-to-use water bottle like this.
A food jar that’s vacuum insulated can make meals on the go much easier as it keeps food hot or cold for 5-7 hours. Since this one has higher ratings and is less expensive, this would be a great non-candy but food-related gift for toddlers.
You can make meals at home easier too. Grabbing a cute dinosaur plate that’s safe in the freezer, microwave, dishwasher and oven can make feeding your toddler more fun and less work.
These wooden eggs that help toddlers safely practice cutting are a fun gift idea that encourages fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, color recognition and imaginative play.
Books are a perfect gift idea to add to any basket for any occasion, including Easter! A cute backpack filled with books can be a unique toddler Easter basket idea.
Toddler Backpack
This insulated toddler backpack is adorable, easy to clean, and has a safety harness included. With over 565 reviews and a 4.7 rating, this is one of the best backpacks for toddlers on Amazon.
This soft security blanket comes in many adorable animals, including a bunny, bear, fox, and puppy. Both my 1-year-old and 3-year-old still love these snuggly blankies.
To Sum It Up: Unique and Simple Easter Basket Ideas for Toddlers
Most of these items can be found at dollar stores, Walmart, Target, and Kohls. But if you’re wanting something delivered to your door fast from Amazon, this list of Easter basket gifts with great reviews from parents and grandparents will make your Easter shopping fun and easy.
