Tip # 11: Cupcake carrier

It's about time. For years we have been taking our kids' cupcakes to school in cardboard boxes as they sway to and fro in our car. Not anymore. Check out this cupcake carrier. It almost makes me sad to see the product and to know that it exists. I mean, this should be on the school supply list when your kid starts kindergarten. How has this escaped me?

Ode to a Cupcake Carrier (an original by nap mom)

You held my perfectly primped cupcakes as we traveled to school

so that the other kids would think that my kid was cool.

The cupcakes nearly fell off of the car seat.

Icing all over the car floor? That wouldn't be neat.

Through rain and through snow

to the classroom you would go.

Halloween... Christmas parties... and Valentine's Day

no relaxing for you on this holiday.

Always playing second-fiddle to the real treat

the gooey icing cupcakes that the kids would eat.

But things would get worse at the end of the bash

when you would be tossed away into the trash.

Wilton and Tupperware tried to upgrade you

but their carriers held several cupcakes too few.

Now you have been given your rightful look.

Oh carrier, my cupcake carrier, you're #1 in my book!

Tip #10: cinnamon and sugar pancakes

These pancakes reminded me of cinnamon buns. All my husband did was make regular pancakes and then add cinnamon and sugar to the top.

They were so yummy and much healthier than store bought cinnamon rolls. I was amazed at how much a little cinnamon and sugar can really change the flavor of the pancakes. This is a great fun way to add some flair to your pancakes, in a pinch, when you need to do something special for the kids!

If you try this then send us a comment and let us know what you think!

Tip #9: Improvise in the kitchen

What do all of these items have in common? They are being used in my kitchen for purposes other than what they were designed.

I used a baby bottle to measure out 10 ounces of couscous. I'm thinking that a baby bottle should be a staple in every kitchen. It has all sorts of measurements on it. Everyone should have one. You could give them out as housewarming gifts.

I'm kidding... about the housewarming gift part.

Aluminum water bottle as a rolling pin!

Don't throw out that large worn out pan. Keep it and use it as a top to the new pan for the occasions when you need to cover and simmer your food.

Tip #8: easy jungle pull-apart cake

Look at this cute pull apart cake that was at a birthday party that we went to recently. Isn't this the cutest cake for a first birthday? All it is is cupcakes on the bottom and then they are topped with green icing. This particular person used piping bags to pipe the "grass" onto the cupcakes, but you could easily just smear on some green icing. Then, she just added some jungle creatures to the cake as decoration. I thought that the upside-down ice-cream cone in the corner (meant to look like a tree) was great. Don't know where she got the tree topper though. You could make this for any number of guests.

This is such a creative and easy idea.

Tip #7: Drive slower to save gas money

Welcome to another frugal Friday.

Did you know that speeding costs (and all of that fuel use is bad for the environment as well)?

Decrease Your Speed. Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly above 60 mph. Analysts estimate that each five miles per hour over 60 mph is like paying an additional 20 cents per gallon for gas.

GASP!!!!

Check the drive smarter challenge website for other GREAT money saving gas tips!