Three Affordable Father's Day Ideas From a Real Dad

I'm a dad. Which means every year, right around this time I get excited for two things: football season getting closer (hopefully, pending further strikes, etc.) and Father's Day!

Obviously the question is always what to get Dad for Father's Day? I mean how many ties and mini-tool kits can one guy have space for? The problem is, buying something impressive like a chainsaw or a cruise ship (not a cruise, a whole cruise ship) gets kind of expensive. We're moving at some point in the next month or so and our budget isn't exactly cruise-ship-purchase-worthy, so I thought I'd write out a few creative and cheap recommendations on how to make Dad feel like a rockstar parent without spending all his money.

1. Treasure Hunting (AKA Geocaching) - Cost: Free
Most dads like to do stuff (especially if it involves potentially getting lost along the way) and all dads like free stuff. There's a little known activity that's been slowly growing in popularity over the last decade or so called Geocaching - several thousand people around the world playing a giant game of hide-and-seek, but with cool stuff. Some members hide "cache's" - weather-proof containers varying in size from pencil eraser to bathtub. The coordinates of the hidden cache are posted on the Geocaching site for other members to put into their GPS or smartphone and go hunting. The contents of each cache can range from actual cash (rare) to antique collectibles, from trinkets and toys to camping gear and tools. The best part is, as long as dad still has that GPS you got him last Father's Day (or a smartphone), the whole activity is free.

2. Backyard Camping - Cost: Free
Our plan this year was to go up into the woods and camp, but with the move coming up and the craziness of summer coming, there just wasn't a good weekend available for a full on camping trip. But dads know the best parts about camping are sleeping outside in the freezing cold and waking up in the heat of the glaring sun. You can do both of those things, for FREE, right from the comfort of your very own backyard. Plus, then instead of eating dinner at 9:00 pm (like the last real camp-out) because it took dad 4 hours to set the tent up and get the fire going, he can BBQ on his gas grill at five, set up the tent by seven and be telling campfire stories by eight-thirty.

3. Food, Food Food - Cost: Depends on Your Grocery Shopping Skills
This is often overlooked as obvious - breakfast in bed and a tasty dinner. But it's very important not to miss the importance of food to a dad. That ancient wisdom is so true: "The key to a man's heart is through his stomach." Personally, if you just make my 3 favorite meals and hang out with me all day - watch a movie, go for a walk, play some games - it makes for a perfect day. And the cool thing about the Internet is, even if dad's favorite meal is something special from a fancy restaurant, chances are there are 4 or 5 work-at-home mommy bloggers who have figured out the secret ingredient, and posted a step by step recipe to follow. So depending on your grocery shopping skills, this could be a very cheap way to put a very big smile on dad's face.

Guest Author Bio: Daniel is a dad, husband, Foursquare pastor, marketer, SEO, and moving industry fanatic who wishes movers were cheaper so he could hire some to help him move next month.

June is National Candy Month

Is there any better food to celebrate than candy? Just about everyone is a candy lover in one way or another. There is just so much to pick from, from chocolate to hard candy to old favorites, everyone can find something they enjoy. Even those of us who are health conscious can celebrate this holiday, since the market has seen an increase in healthy candy made with organic sugar. However, if you are less worried about your waistline and more concerned about satisfying your sweet tooth this is the month to do it. Make sure you spread the word, or better yet spread the candy. Candy can be an affordable way to show someone you care. Whether it is gummy bears or chocolate, or better yet chocolate covered gummy bears, share your indulgence with all your friends this month.


Please visit our candy sponsers for this month's National Candy Month:

Sour Jacks – Facebook Fans can win $777 and hit the jackpot

Welch’s Fruit Snacks- have a Fandemonium page to celebrate their fans!

Fisher nuts - have great recipes to make chocolate covered nuts part of the day

Goody Good Stuff -
Goody Good Stuff gummy sweets combine the highest blend of ingredients including natural fruit juices and extracts which create a beautifully clear consistency and superior taste experiences, making these sweets an irresistible, natural choice for you and your family. Goody Good Stuff is happy to celebrate National Candy Month, allowing you to feel guilt-free about indulging in something delicious!

Gerry's in "Construction" Mode Again

Gerry has wanted to build himself a bigger shed for years already.He has a few smaller ones in the back yard,one metal one and 2 wooden ones. One of the wooden ones has really been falling apart with the roof sinking in, so it really was time to build something new but the cost of a garage was out of the picture.

He has started some of the building today with a bonus cheque he had gotten from work.

I will submit photos as he continues working on it.

Price Reduced! Stretching the One Income Dollar

We have reduced the price of our book: Stretching the One Income Dollar. Have been trying to keep the rate as low as we can for you- we did not have alot of first time copies printed so the cost to us was quite high to print.

The cost for us to print each copy of this book was $9.

For the month of June we are offering the book for $12 USD and this includes the shipping!

Orders accepted by pay pal to: oneincomedollar@yahoo.ca

Please be sure to include your name and address with your order.

Sunday-June 5

We bought a new truck! Actually, Gerry picked it up for himself, yesterday when we were out of town.( Another town, an hour's drive from here.I had some mystery shopping to do so he took this time to go look at trucks).

You may have remembered that we paid a small fortune for gas when we brought Erika home from college back in April.It's been coming for a long time.I've been complaining about what Gerry was paying for gas for his other full sized truck.The gas was unreal.We couldn't get anyone to call us back here in town so we took our business elsewhere.We were treated quite well at this other dealership out of town, and as well were given a few tanks of free gas, mud flaps for the truck and they will be throwing in some other things for us.I was the one that told Gerry that we bought a new vehicle, I'm sure they can throw something" extra" in for us. The great thing is, Gerry still gets his truck,and this is way easier on gas.Payments are the same as the other truck we had-$250 every 2 weeks.

The 3 of us spent most of the day out of town yesterday.Erika and I went "window shopping" while Gerry went to the dealership.I picked up some Father's Day cards for $1,(love the $1 cards -always feel like I'm really saving as the name brand cards are a small fortune),and an Eddie Bauer top for Gerry at a bargain store.We stopped at the casino to throw $20 each into the machines but no one won anything. Not sure why we go back- as we are never lucky.It's entertainment I guess, as long as one doesn't start putting their pay cheques into those machines. We saw alot of people from our town there.

We also stopped at Tim Horton's on the way out of town. I'm not a coffee drinker but my girls and Gerry love their stuff. I'll usually grab a muffin or a donut.

We've had rain for a few days, and I was hoping to get out for a walk today but it has clouded over today and although it doesn't call for rain, it certainly doesn't look nice out there.I'm even running my furnace, and have still had to have my side of the electric blanket turned on at night.Yesterday and the day before there was snow falling!Nothing that stayed, but just the thougth of it in June!

Gerry is at work, as he says he can never get caught up with the paperwork.The few hours he goes in on the weekends is nice overtime money. Good to have the "extra".He'll stop at the recycling centre on his way home.Once a week we drop it off at the centre. You can pay $2 a bag for curb pick up, but we pass by the centre once a week when he goes to work or we run errands, so we take it ourselves.

Enough of my rambling though- hope you all have a nice week. There will be no Sunday Frugal Web Crawl today.



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Going From Revealing to Appealing With Brami's by Kelley

My mom was telling me the other day that she hates alot of the new style tops. They are all cut too low, and I told her that that was the style. They are making shirts for layering.I told her you usually have to wear another shirt or cami under them.She said she didn't want to be wearing two shirts, especially in the warmer months,and I told her I agreed.If you feel the same way as my mom and you don't want to be "revealing, but more appealing",a great product I found online is a "brami".Not only is this a cami,but it's a bra and cami in one.I got mine to review in a size small and it just fit me, but I should have gotten it bigger.I didn't order correctly though .It would have been better for me to order by my bra size and not to order by what size I thought I would be.

The original Brami is a lace tube top, bandeau bra that comes with removable pads and 8 way convertible straps.It comes in a wide range of sizes and colors.

Great things about the Brami:

-8 strap hooks for maximum convertibility (or go strapless)
-makes a great nursing bra
-great for radiation patients that cannot wear an underwire
-will hold a small prosthesis for survivor

I love the concept of the Brami and I'm sure you will too.
Bramis can be ordered online or from a range of retailers carrying them.

Avoiding Allergies Both Indoors and Out

I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Clever Girls Collective on behalf of Claritin®. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program.

It is that unfortunate time of year again for many that suffer from seasonal allergies. Just when everyone wants to get outside and enjoy the sunshine the air is full of pollen and other allergens that can make being outside anything short of a nightmare for allergy sufferers. It is also the case for many to not even have to step outside to be plagued by the negative effects of allergies. Our homes are just as likely to leave our noses running and our eyes watering if we do not take proper precautions to avoid these allergy symptoms.




If you are allergic to outdoor allergens such as mold or pollen you do not have to give up life outdoors entirely. There are peak seasons for different pollens and you may or may not be allergic to all of them, knowing what you are allergic to will allow you to better manage your allergies. For example, if you are allergic to mold, you may want to stay indoors on rainy or windy days as the air tends to have a higher mold spore count on these days. If you are allergic to various types of pollens you may want to try enjoying the outdoors early in the morning or in evening when pollen counts are low. You will also want to keep your home free of pollens by using the air conditioner rather than opening windows. There are many ways to avoid outdoor allergens, but if you still find you are being tortured by pollen and mold you may want to try an allergy medication, which will allow you to enjoy the outdoors without the negative side effects of allergies.

As I mentioned earlier it is possible to suffer from allergies in our homes as well as outside. The top three indoor allergy culprits are dust mites, pet dander and mildew. Keeping your home free from dust is one way to avoid an allergy onslaught. Cleaning your home once or even twice a week will ensure your carpets, showers and furniture are free from dust and mildew. As for your fury friends you do not have to give them up, rather keeping them groomed and clean will help with any pet dander you may have. However, if you want to go a step further to avoid pet dander there are several breeds of hypoallergenic dogs and cats that can greatly decrease this allergen.

For tips on making your home and garden more beautiful, functional and allergy-friendly visit www.Facebook.com/Claritin. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Save Money On Dad's Special Day

Father's Day is just around the corner and that means most of us are already thinking about what kind of gift to give dear, old Dad.

If you're not sure what to get, how much to spend, or want to get Dad something but have nothing to spend, you'll appreciate some tips. It is possible to get a great gift, without spending a bundle.

One gift that ever father will appreciate is a coupon book that you make yourself. The coupons can range from chores you do around the house to taking the dog for a walk to leaving Dad alone for the day so he can do whatever he likes. You can get as creative as you like with the design and assembling of the book.

Got a favorite photo of you and your dad? How about making a frame for it and giving it to him? Or you could take an inexpensive frame and decorate it for him. You could even take his personal interests to heart when you choose decorative items to use – if he likes to fish, try decorating the frame with hooks, lures and miniature plastic fish.

If your dad loves music, you can make him a CD of his favorite tunes. You could even tell the story of your relationship with your dad through music, or use the music you choose to tell Dad how much he means to you.

A gift card is always a great idea, and who doesn't need this practical item? Give dad a gift card to his favorite restaurant, to a theater, bookstore or even for gas.

If you're tired of guessing what your father would like, go the practical route. For just a few dollars, you can get your dad a wallet, belt, tie or tool that you know he'll love and use.

How about pooling your resources with your siblings or even the entire family? If you are short on cash, there's no reason you can't still buy Dad that new TV or latest gadget he wants. Just get together with your family and pool your resources.

One inexpensive gift you might want to consider for the app-happy father is an app for his phone or tablet. You can purchase games and useful apps, like Gas Cubby MPG & Car Maintenance ($4.99), Golf Rules Quick Reference ($9.99), The Masters Golf Tournament (free), GreenFinder ($34.99), iPitching Guide ($5.99), iXpenseIt ($4.99), Bloomberg (free), iFitness (free), FitnessBuilder ($19.99), MLB.com At Bat ($9.99), and CBS Sports Mobile (free).

What about supporting your dad's dream? We all have something we want, but can't afford. Figure out what that is for your father, whether it's a vacation, new car, fancy tool or boat, and start a fund for it. It can be as simple as filling a jar with change or opening a savings account. Contribute to it periodically either on your own, or allow the whole family to get in on it, and soon, your dad can be living his dream – all thanks to you and your thoughtful Father's Day gift.

In the end, it's not about how much you spend – it's about the thought behind the gift and the love with which you give it. Your dad will love whatever you get him – simply because it came from you.



Angye M. is the contributing editor for AmericaOneUnsecured.com. They help consumers nationwide obtain small business loans.

Bic Soleil Celebrate the Summer with Fabulous Legs and a Gift Basket Giveaway ( Canada only)

BIC Soleil shares tips on how to easily get your legs in short shorts shape:


Warm weather has finally arrived and BIC Soleil, the premium disposable shaver with 3 flexible blades that gives you an ultra smooth shave, is calling all to celebrate self-confidence and set your fabulous legs free for summer. To help every woman feel her most beautiful this summer, BIC Soleil has partnered with fitness expert, Eva Redpath whose simple exercise tips can help you embrace summer shorts, skirts and dresses with confidence.

One of Toronto’s best known fitness instructors, Eva Redpath is the founder of Body Conditioning by Dancers, a successful women's only fitness class that empowers women to achieve their best self through fun, unconventional fitness. Eva’s exercise approach fuses dance training and conditioning with a positive and motivating group setting and teaches women that feeling fabulous should not be focused on body image, but about being knowledgeably healthy and active, no matter who you are. She is partnering with BIC Soleil and has developed three flexible exercises which can be done any time, any place and are a great way to help your legs look their best.

“Exercise and activity puts you in a more self assured state of mind,” say BIC Soleil spokesperson Eva Redpath. “There is nothing more attractive than a woman who feels great about herself, which is why it’s such a thrill to partner with BIC Soleil to develop these ‘Love Your Legs’ conditioning exercises.”

To confidently wear this summer’s trendy short shorts and barely there dresses, BIC Soleil’s Eva Redpath offers these tips for fabulous legs:

1) Sautes
What it targets: Glutes, quads, inner thighs, calves, core.

Exercise: Standing with heels together, toes turned out (dance 1st position) and

hands on your waist.

Bend knees, and jump both feet diagonally forward, landing wider then hip

distance apart, knees at 90-degree angles facing the same directions as the

toes, and inline with the ankles (dance 2nd position) Reach hands down, and

touch fingertips to the floor.

Bend Knees and jump back to starting position.

Reps: Repeat 16 times

2) Plies
What it targets: Inner thighs, quads, glutes.

Exercise: Stand with feet wider than hip distance apart, toes pointing outward, hands

on hips.

Bend legs into the depth of the plie so that your quad, knee and shins form a 90- degree angle. Make sure the knees stay over the ankles

Hold for three counts and slowly stretch to standing for one count.

Reps: Repeat 16 times



3) Rises
What it targets: Calves, balance, core stability.

Exercise: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, feet slightly turned out, placing

your hands on the hips for balance.

Raise your body onto the balls of your feet. Hold and slowly lower down making sure to keep ankles inline with your arches when pressing onto the ball of foot.

Reps: Repeat 16 times

After speaking with thousands of Canadian women, BIC knows that having smooth skin that feels great helps women to feel like they look their best. With the help of BIC Soleil razors, women can look and feel their best all summer long. From the bustle of a pantyhose-free day at the office, to a relaxing afternoon on the beach and everything in between, BIC Soleil helps women to feel confident and fabulous all summer long.



Bic Soleil would love to give away a gift basket,( including BIC Soleil Bella shavers, as well as BIC Flex4 shaves),valued at $35 to one lucky Canadian reader.
A random draw will be made by Random.org on June 14,2011 from all Canadian entries recieved.


To Enter:
Let us know what you wear most of in the summer?
Shorts, skirts or capris?

Extra Entries:
Add my button to your blog hop
Add my Writing Service button to your site
Follow me on Twitter:oneincome
Tweet this giveaway
Add this giveaway to your Linky
Grab my site button
Follow as a Google Friend
Follow as an email subscriber


Good luck to all!

Canada-Give Desserts a Pick Me Up With Kozy Shack

A mouth watering mix of brown sugar, apples, and cinnamon.That's the great taste you'll get with Kozy Shack's Apple Brown Betty Crumble.

Kozy Shack spruces up their great line up of tasty puddings with recipes to add something different to the mix.From chocolate pudding mousse to new york style strawberry cheesecake,there will be a favorite for everyone in the family.


Kozy Shack now also delivers with Simplywell, a new pudding that’s not only delicious, but is also a source of vitamin D and fibre. Kozy Shack Simplywell pudding’s first ingredient is partially skimmed milk, making it a source of calcium and vitamin D.Available in dark chocolate and vanilla bliss and available at most major grocery retailers across Canada.


Be sure to also make room in the lunch box, Kozy Shack SmartGels Kids is a delicious gel snack, or anytime treat, without high-fructose corn syrup or preservatives.

Snacking and great desserts just took on a whole new meaning.