1. Pre-camping preparation. If you have small children, you may want to select a tent that will accommodate all if you comfortably. On the other hand, if you are camping with older children, it may be a good idea to purchase additional pup tents to give them some sense of independence. Either way, practice assembling the tents in your backyard beforehand to avoid wasting time at the camp site. You never know what time, or what the weather conditions might be when you get to setting up camp.

2. Selecting a campsite. Depending upon whether you decide to “rough it” or choose a campsite that is close to amenities, you can research the many campsites online that offer comprehensive information on the area. This will enable you to decide not only what equipment, clothing, and food you need to take, but the available hiking areas and points of interest as well.

Ensure that the campsite you select is an official campsite area. Moreover, when researching camping sites it’s a good idea to look for those areas that are on the high ground. Thus, if it rains, your tent and equipment will not become water logged.

3. Make a checklist. In our family, we call this our “TACAMO” (Take ACtion And Move Out) sheet. This is very important to ensure you do not forget anything on your camping trip. Among the items on your checklist, some of the more important items you will need are:

* Cooking gear such as a frying pan, a few pots, a bucket, barbecue grill or stove, bags with a Ziploc, and cooking utensils. In addition, food containers and canned goods are best. It is also recommended that you prepare meals at home and package them in containers for the trip. Also bring water, a can opener, hot water kettle and coffee pot, and a cooler with a block of ice. You might want to pack two coolers – one for refrigerated foods, and one for dry goods.

* Packing the appropriate clothing is also essential. Depending upon the location, wearing light layers is a good idea as well as packing some sweats and jackets for the evening hours. Extra socks, hats, and gloves may also be warranted. If you intend to engage in some hiking, proper hiking boots are necessary. Bring a lundry bag and maybe one to store wet gear that might not be dry when it’s time to go home.

* Sleeping gear, first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, cell phone, garbage bags, toiletries, sunscreen, ointments, a map of the area, insect repellent, games for the kids, and rain gear.

4. When you reach the camp site, choose a flat area to set up the tents. Ensure there are no rocks or debris where the tent will be set up. Most campgrounds will post warning signs or instructions regarding specific animals and vegetation.

5. When preparing a campfire, if appropriate, ensure that it is set up further away from the tents. After you have roasted the marshmallows, sang songs, and told ghost stories; douse the fire before going to bed.

Finally, enjoy the entire camping experience. Sleeping “under the stars”, communing with nature, and relishing the time spent with family will not only bring a family closer together, but the memories of this experience will last forever.

1. Let the children make him a T-shirt with their handprints on it. The craft is very simple and your children will love the opportunity to create something special just for Dad. Find fabric paints in Dad’s favorite colors and purchase a 100% cotton T-shirt for each child to decorate. Put the fabric paint on a disposable plate and then have the children place their hands on the shirt. Follow washing instructions after the paint has dried. You may want to have the children sign and date the shirt so Dad can see how much the children have grown.

2. Let Dad know you support his dreams by opening up a “dream fund” for him. You don’t have to fill the entire fund up immediately, but you can add a little here and there every year to help him make his dream item a reality. Maybe you could save change in a jar for him to add to his dream fund or put aside as little as $5.00 a month. Before long there will be a good sized amount in the account and he’ll be well on his way to getting that dream tool or bigger ticket item.

3. For those of you who have long distance Father’s Day wishes to send, many newspapers will run special advertisements for major holidays, and that could include Father’s Day. Purchase a small ad in Dad’s local newspaper to let him know how much he means to you and how much you love him. Just remember to put his name on the ad or someone else might think the ad is for them!

4. Gasoline prices change every day. Why not give Dad a gift card specifically for his next fill up? Not only is this gift practical, it will also let him keep that much money in his pocket for the week. He can either put the money into his dream fund or splurge and eat out with the guys at the office one day during the week.

5. If the Dad in your family is like most men, he most likely loves to grill. Why not purchase an inexpensive white barbecue apron and decorate it yourself? You can dye it any color and then use fabric paints to write “Kiss the Cook” or “King of the Grill” He’ll be sure to use the apron the next time he grills.

6. Plan an outing for everyone in the family to enjoy on Father’s Day. This might be something as simple as a picnic in the park to something more elaborate like planning an entire day going fishing with him. Whatever his favorite activity is – golfing, bicycling, playing card games, or just watching TV – do that activity with him. The time spent with him will mean more than any cheesy tie you could ever buy him.

7. Don’t forget to feed Dad on his special day. Many restaurants have special prices for Dads. If you can’t afford an entire meal out, why not treat him to his favorite ice cream? Remember the 5 Father’s Day BBQ Recipes we previously posted too – eat at home, save the gas and the money.

Perhaps these seven frugal ideas for a special Father’s Day have sparked some creative ideas of your own. Remember, whatever you choose to do with Dad on his day, as long as you let him know how much you love him, he’ll probably be happy.

Have you decided to cut corners anywhere you can in order to pay bills and save money? Do you need to feed your family this week with little or no money, or the ability to go grocery shopping? Don’t panic! You might just have enough on hand to get through.

Here’s how: Grab paper and pen.

Walk through your kitchen, taking inventory of everything you have in your pantry, refrigerator and freezer, organizing your list into categories, such as meats, vegetables, pasta, etc.

Sit down and think creatively. Consider what veggie and/or pasta you can team with which meat to make a meal. Broaden your normal menu; be brave enough to serve some things you maybe wouldn’t normally serve.Think outside the box and serve breakfast for dinner!

Carefully write out your meal plan for the week, and be diligent to stick to it!

Here are a few kitchen budget-savers I’ve learned:

Eggs can really stretch a dollar! Breakfast casseroles, quiches, or just plain scrambled eggs with cheese are always hits. If you’ve got a handful of hash browns or a potato you can shred up, that will stretch them too. You’d be surprised how just a few slices of bacon, or a piece or two of ham that wouldn’t be enough by themselves can work for a dish like this!

If you’ve saved small amounts of burger, sausage, chicken, pork or bacon and frozen them in baggies, you’re really doing good! Even ½ – 1 lb can be stretched in many dishes to feed a family!

Bisquick (or generic baking mix) is a lifesaver – for pancakes, biscuits, potpies, dumplings, and crusts.

If you have staples on hand such as flour, sugar and oats, you can mix up your own muffins or granola bars for breakfast, sack lunches or snacks for after school or in the car when you’re on the run (lots cheaper than stopping off for fast food!)

Use those lonely boxes of Jell-0 and pudding for desert or stretching lunch boxes. A can of fruit or a little sliced up fresh fruit can jazz up the Jell-O. If you find some Cool-Whip in your freezer, the kids will think you’ve gone all out for them!

Make a pot of soup or a potpie with the little bits of vegetables you have left in the frige or freezer.

Use that rice with some carrots, mushrooms and green pepper to make a stir-fry (almost anything goes!) If you don’t have any meat, use a couple eggs instead.

Think you can’t do anything with one small carton of yogurt? You can make smoothies using it plus a handful of frozen berries, or a banana (over-ripe works best) and a shot of juice or milk.

A can of cream of celery, mushroom, or chicken soup can stretch a little meat a long way! Use it in the crock-pot or for a casserole, serve with a vegetable and some noodles, rice or biscuits and you’ve got a delicious meal!

Think you’ve got nothing for desert? Just a few apples dipped in peanut butter, or some oranges scrubbed and quartered on a plate are great. How ’bout that lone cake mix – make it as is, or add a can of crushed pineapple and brown sugar on the bottom for a pineapple upside-down cake.

Odds and ends of bread, or the crusts you’ve saved in the freezer can now be used for French toast, homemade stuffing or croutons, or bread pudding.

Thinking to toss out the last of that potato chip or Doritos bag? Don’t! Use those crumbs on top of a casserole for added crunch and flavor!

You’ve heard the saying, “Necessity is the mother of invention”? Being desperate in the kitchen is how I’ve come up with these tips. As you stroll through your own kitchen, you too, will concoct clever ways to put delicious meals on your table without breaking the bank.

About the Author: Sandra Jensen is a dollar stretching mother of four boys. She’s learned a trick or two about feeding a hungry family on a budget. Grab her ebook, Freezing It and Loving It, today!