Weekly Round-Up: School’s Out…

…for summer!

My kids are so happy to be out of school. I’ve been teaching them all the end-of-school ditties, including the one that goes:

No more homework,
No more books,
No more teacher’s dirty looks!

Ah, the joys of youth.

Random musings:

For anyone who’s going to be outside at all in the sunshine over the next few months, make sure to use heavy duty sunscreen. I spent quite a few of my formative years as a lifeguard and was sunburnt more than once to the point of blistering. Now I have extra sensitive skin and break out in a rash if I’m not careful. That might be too much information, but better safe than sorry!

I’ve always been a huge fan of Burt’s Bees product line, and I think their sunscreen is especially good. Amazon also has a whole lot of sunscreen on sale right now, notably this zinc oxide sunscreen (it’s vegan!). Even better, cover up with protective clothing and big floppy hats! My kids are covered from head to hip when they’re in the water, and I’m on the lookout for a big floppy hat for myself (like this one, I think). My internet friend Laura has a site called The Portable Baby, where she sells big floppy hats for kids, plus a whole bunch of other stuff that just makes life easier.

I was contacted this week by Clarky Davis from TheDebtDiva.com. She wrote me the following:

I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts on Almost Frugal over the past few months and sharing them with my readers in my weekly round-ups! I believe that we share a similar audience because we are both trying to help our readers with realistic tips on how to live frugally and within their means!

Recently, I held a contest that was open to people all over the country to enter for the chance to win a money makeover that would include a year of one-on-one counseling to help get them out of debt and stay out of debt. The entry period ended on June 16th and I selected nine finalists in three different categories that I’m asking people to vote on based on their stories.

I really want a large number of people to vote on the nine finalists so I can make sure that we get the people’s choice on who needs the one-on-one counseling the most.

Head over and check it out!

And with no further ado, here are the highlights from this week’s Good Reads page:

• HealthCare.gov
• Recycled magazine coasters | How About Orange
• Out With The Old, In With The New Beginnings : NPR
• Prudent Baby: The Most Flattering Shirt Dress DIY
• Chocolate Cobbler. Mmm, It’s Good. – Buns In My Oven
• 50 All-Time Favorite New Uses for Old Things | Real Simple
• The Train To Crazy: Tutorial: Hooded Beach Towel Backpack

Happy Fourth of July to everyone!