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Let’s face it, getting a groove when it comes to early mornings can be hard in the first few weeks of school. No one really wants to be up that early and breakfast seems to be the last thing on everyone’s mind. However, breakfast is incredibly important for young minds, as going to school on an empty stomach can cut back on learning and the joy of being at school. Luckily, there are a few tricks that you can enjoy in order to make your mornings smoother without forcing anyone to go without breakfast. These ten ideas are healthy, tasty and will make leaving in a hurry possible. So, up your breakfast game and keep your budget frugal with these easy ideas.

1. Oatmeal
Oatmeal has been a classic choice for breakfast for some time now. However, actually cooking it on the stove top might leave you short on time. You can always cut corners with the premade packages, but these tend to be packed with sugar and unnecessary ingredients. Luckily, there is a way to make oatmeal that can help save you a lot of time. The first way is to use your crock pot. Before you head to bed, add the ingredients you want and place it on low. When you wake up in the morning, you’ll have a piping hot meal for everyone. You can even save the leftovers by freezing them and microwaving them when you need another meal. The second way is to embrace overnight oats. This just requires you to add the ingredients to a jar and then place it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, microwave the contents and you have a hearty breakfast. You can even make individual options to suit everyone’s taste buds.

2. Frozen Burritos
Without a doubt, frozen burritos are a great option when it comes to easy meals on the go. This dish can be made in so many fun and innovative ways too, so you can mix things up or cater to specific tastes. Best of all, the ingredients for burritos are extremely affordable and can even be purchased in bulk so you can make even more burritos. Best of all, these items are so easy to freeze and reheat that you’ll feel like they’re your favorite part of meal prepping. You might try classic combos like eggs and cheese or bacon and eggs, but you can also spice it up with vegetables for family members that might be more adventurous. This dish can be eaten on the go too, so it makes the perfect options for days when you’re running late.

3. Yogurt Bark
Kids that have a bit of a sweet tooth won’t be able to resist pigging out on yogurt bark. This healthy dish can be eaten on the go and is perfect for the first and last weeks of school due to the hot weather. All you need to make yogurt bark is yogurt, honey and toppings of choice. Some of the best items to add to the mix are nuts, fruits and granola. You can even add oats as a filler. Once you’ve mixed everything up, spread it thin on a cookie sheet and freeze it. After the mixture is frozen, you can break it up and store it in the freezer. This bark also makes a great after school snack, so it definitely won’t go t waste.

4. Breakfast Sandwiches
Sandwiches are another easy item to throw together in a hurry and eat on the go. Much like burritos, these items can also be frozen and eaten whenever the mood arises. Best of all, you can make a wide assortment of options. For instance, you can use regular toast, croissants, English muffins and anything else that strikes your fancy. Breads can be filled with eggs, meats, cheeses, vegetables and more. You can even offer sweet option by using waffles as bread and stuffing them with jams, fruits and so on. This gives everyone a bit of variety to work with, which will definitely keep mornings fresh and exciting. Plus, these dishes won’t cost a lot to make, so the only thing you’ll have to invest in is your meal prepping time.

5. Egg Muffins
Another simple option that is healthy is egg muffins. All you’ll need to make this easy breakfast is a muffin tin, eggs and anything else you want to add in. All you have to do is scramble up the eggs and then add in everything that you want to mixture. You can also make a wide variety of options to suit individual tastes, which makes this a hit with most families. You can even substitute eggs for egg whites for those looking for a healthier option. Once you have the mixture ready to go, pour it into the tin and then let it bake. These muffins can be frozen and reheated later too, so you can use them to stock your freezer for easy meals on busy days.

6. Breakfast Casserole
Breakfast casserole is another amazing way to feed the whole family with very little effort. All you have to do to make this wonderful dish is turn the crock pot to low and add all of your favorite ingredients. Egg is the most common item and it acts as an excellent binder. You can use meats, cheese, vegetables, and so much more to make the dish amazing. One of the bet things about casserole is you can use items that you need to get rid of too, so you won’t have to deal with food spoiling. Also, you can slice up the casserole and freeze what isn’t eaten.

7. Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls will definitely help to make a morning fantastic. So, you might want to consider adding this dish to the mix on test days or days your child might be dreading, like the first day of school. This dish does take a bit more time to prep as you must mix and prep the dish. However, you can do this in bulk and freeze the dough so its easy to pull out and pop in the oven. If you prebake the rolls then you can always pull them out of the freezer and simply microwave them to get things started.

8. Breakfast Bars
Breakfast bars can be an incredibly healthy snack that is packed with lots of energy. You can do so much with breakfast bars that you might not run out of options for years. One of the easiest ways to make breakfast bars is to mix cereal with a binder. These aren’t the healthiest bars though, so you might look for alternative ideas. Another option is to make your own granola bars. There are lots of recipes online to choose from, which can definitely help you find a match for the whole family. You can also make protein bars with egg whites, dates and other healthy ingredients. The internet will definitely help guide you to try new things when it comes to this dish, so have fun with it. Kids will love the portable foods and might even want them as a snack too.

9. Homemade Pop Tarts
There’s no doubt about it, kids love pop tarts. However, the stuff you buy in stores is incredibly unhealthy. So, you might consider whipping up your own batch of pop tarts. This is actually much easier than you think as all you have to do is learn how to make the pastry dough then fill it with fruits, peanut butter or jams. You can make your own filling too, which will definitely cut back on sugar. Once you have your pot tarts stuffed, pop them in the oven and enjoy the delicious smell. These treats can be frozen and eaten as a cool treat, or you can cook them in the toaste for a meal that is easy to eat on the go.

10. Rollups
If you have a few minutes in the morning, then you might consider making some rollups. This dish is very simple as all you need is a tortilla and then whatever else you choose to place inside of it. You can use eggs, cheese and veggies or keep it sweet with peanut butter and bananas or strawberries and cream cheese. If you don’t have tortillas in the home, then you can flatten out regular bread and use it in replace of the tortilla. Rollups won’t keep as well as the other foods in the freezer, so it might be a meal that you make when you do have some time to concentrate on breakfast. All the same, it is still a cheap and irresistible option that you’ll love.

Making breakfast for the family doesn’t have to be a hassle when school begins again. These ten options won’t take you long to make and will make delicious and healthy foods that can be eaten on the go. With any luck, breakfast will soon become the joy of your family, which might make your life a lot easier.

Crafting is one of the easiest ways to help your toddler learn a wide assortment of things. However, the creativity of toddlers can get out of hand at times and might even cause a bit of a disaster zone. More often than not, supplies are broken, used up quickly or lost. This can really add up if you’re continuously working to replace the items your toddler loves to use the most. Luckily, there are a few ways to get even more out of your craft supplies, even when you think they might be long gone. These tips will help cut back on how much you spend on arts and crafts while empowering you to handle craft problems without throwing out an abundance of supplies.

1. Melt Crayons
Crayons are one of the most commonly replaced items in a toddler’s craft set. These items are way too easy to lose, but they’re also fun to snap. On top of that, if they’re stepped on, washed or left outside then chances are they aren’t usable. Often, kids will also collect a big box of crayons that can hardly be gripped because they are so small. This can truly be a pain in the neck, especially when you’re working on motor skills. Instead of tossing out broken crayons, you might consider melting them into one larger piece. You can gather similar colors and then place them in a mold. You bake the crayons or even place them in the microwave. Then, let the mixture sit and dry and your child will have crayons in fun shapes that can’t be beaten. You might also find that mixing crayons in one mixture can also be a lot of fun.

2. Dried Markers
Dried markers are also a common occurrence. Most toddlers don’t think twice about putting the lid on their markers and when they do they might not put it on all of the ways. Instead of just tossing out markers that aren’t doing the trick anymore, you might consider soaking them in water that has a touch of vinegar mixed into it. The same can be done with a little rubbing alcohol. If this doesn’t work then you might inject the marker with water and see if that helps. If nothing works then don’t toss the markers out, instead recycle them with Crayola, even if they aren’t from the same brand.

3. Revive Play Doh
Play-Doh is another pesky culprit when it comes to sucking away money. This craft object always seems to dry out, which means it needs to go right into the trash in most cases. However, this isn’t quite the case as you can actually rehydrate your Play Doh. All you have to do is add some water to the dried-out play-doh and massage the water into the dough. Soon, it will have its original moistness, which will make it easy for kids to play with. Another option is to add dough to a zip lock back with a moist paper towel overnight. In the morning, kids should be able to play with the dough as if it were brand new. Of course, you can use these methods with more than just the brands, as it will help rehydrate homemade dough too.

4. Make Your Own Watercolor
Watercolors tend to dry out very quickly too, especially when a toddler is using them. So, you might consider making your own instead of continuously buying them. Making watercolors isn’t an intimidating task either. All you have to do is find something that will add some color to the water. One of your best options is to use old markers. All you have to do is place them in a jar of water overnight and you should have a wide variety of watercolors to work with the following morning. The more colors you make the longer they will last, which will save you a lot of shopping trips and quite a bit of money. There are many other ways to make watercolors too, so search around and find the method that works for you.

5. Coloring Sheets
A new coloring book can mean the world to a child. However, it isn’t uncommon for the entire book to be colored in within a few minutes of purchase. Instead of spending money on new coloring books constantly, try to preserve your child’s favorite options. You can easily scan the book and store it for later use on your computer or simply copy and print each page that your child wants to do. This will keep the book color free, so children can color their favorite images over and over again. To save money, you can even print on both sides of the paper.

6. Repair Brushes
When kids are just starting to gain motor skills, they might not be gentle with brushes. This can cause a problem if you don’t want to keep purchasing new brushes every few days. So, you might want to invest the time in learning how to repair the brushes. It actually isn’t an intimidating experience. All you have to do is remove all of the paint from the brush which can be accomplished with turpentine or boiling water. Once you’ve removed all of the debris rub the brush in an upward motion with a towel. You will then be able to see the bristles that have been pulled or broken. From there, cut the strays and put the brush back in its original cover to help recreate its shape.

7. Save Paper Scraps
Paper scraps are bound to happen when kids are learning to cut. Kids might even go through a ripping stage, which can leave a lot of scraps lying around the house too. Instead of just tossing these items out, you might want to save them for mosaics or other projects. Kids will love making new images out of paper, which can be a great lesson for them and will help with imagination and motor functions. You can also use them to create paper beads and other fun crafts. Kids can have so much fun with scraps that you’d actually be surprised what they can come up with when using them.

8. Restore Glue
Glue can also be a major problem since kids tend to not want to put lids on items. Even if you find dried up glue, you won’t have to just toss it out. Classic glue in a container can be dropped into hot water. After sitting in the heat for a while, the glue will be restored to its normal sticky state, so kids can go back to helping out with craft time. Glue sticks are another story though. For glue sticks, you’ll need to place the stick without its cap in a ziplock bag with a moist paper towel. After at least eight hours of sitting in the moisture, your glue stick will be ready to go. This can be accomplished as often as necessary too, so you won’t have to stress about missing lids and other common problems.

9. Stick with Stamps
Stickers will make a toddler happy. That is, for about five minutes and then the stickers you just purchased are placed wherever your toddler can reach. As you know, removing some stickers from hard surfaces can be a huge pain and might even end up fruitless. Plus, most toddlers end up getting upset when they find out the stick is gone. So, you might want to swap to stamps instead. You can purchase stamps and ink at a very low price. You can also make your own stamps to suit your child’s needs. Stamps can be used again and again too, so your toddler won’t be upset when their favorite image is gone, as it won’t even be a concern.

10. Use Recyclables
You don’t really have to spend an abundance on crafting supplies when you have a little one at home. Instead, you might consider using recyclables that you have around the home. For instance, toilet paper and paper towel rolls can be used for so many crafts that it’s not even funny. Another great option is to use noodles which can be used for pictures, jewelry, and instruments. Of course, this is only the beginning of the crafts you can make. If you’re low on ideas, then search around for recyclable crafts to see what you can find.

Crafting with children is an important way to help them grow and learn. However, crafting supplies can really cost a bundle during these years. So, it might help to keep this list in mind, so you can keep the items you already have for a lot longer. This will not only save you money but will reduce your carbon footprint and teach kids the joys of recycling.

With summer vacation in full swing and the holidays rapidly approaching, you might find yourself wondering if your home is going to be safe and sound during these high crime times. If you don’t have a security system in place and want one, then you have a lot of options to mull over. However, if the price is a priority, you might find yourself grasping at straws to find a good match for you. Luckily, there are many options to choose from that won’t leave your home unprotected while you’re away. These ten options will certainly help you factor in your budget as well as your peace of mind, which will truly make life better.

1. Ring
The Ring has been buzzed about over the past year quite a bit. The system starts out with a secure doorbell, which offers a camera and speaker so you can talk with whoever is at the door without actually having to open your door. Best of all, the doorbell hooks to an app, so you don’t even have to be at home to answer the door or monitor it. If you have a Samsung smart home, then the Ring will connect to your products to make it even more efficient. The doorbell isn’t the only thing to purchase though. You can find flood lighting, motion sensors, cameras and a whole security system. This set is easy to build as you go, but also features bulk discounts. You can even find a payment plan to help you out if you can’t afford everything upfront. Best of all, the monitoring price for this system is only $10 a month, which is basically your typical weekday lunch at a bistro. Finally, you install everything yourself, so there aren’t hidden fees to deal with.

2. Adobe
Adobe home security, not to be confused with the software, is another install it yourself company that can save you big time. Plans for the security service start at $8 a month, which is next to nothing when compared with other companies. Best of all, you can purchase the items you need instead of having to deal with bundles. Each individual item is priced fairly, which will allow you to shop as you can, so you don’t stretch your budget too far. This company even offers signs, some of which are lit with solar power, to add even more security. If you do wish to bundle shop, you’ll find some great deals that will help you feel more secure from the very beginning.

3. Nest
The Nest is actually very similar to Ring only is powered by Google. You will find home security devices, a convenient doorbell, indoor and outdoor cameras as well as a smart thermostat. These products work together to offer you the peace of mind you need whenever you’re home or away. The devices connect with anything that is compatible with Google, which includes major brands like Sony, LG and Toshiba. Nest can be installed on its own too, but if you’re having trouble then you can pay for a professional to do the job for you. The only setback for Nest is the fact that they don’t offer their own monitoring. You can go through Brinks for this service, which means paying their fees and adhering to contracts.

4. Vivint Home Security
Vivint Home Security has become one of the leading names in the security business over the past few years. This is largely because the company makes it incredibly simple to get your home secured in next to no time at all. The company will also offer maintenance on your security items. Plus, you will get a sign for your yard, which will add even more security to your space. However, you do have to choose to have a contract with them. This means working with their bundle options for your home, which might not offer the right materials for you. The cost monthly can be low though, so it might be a good option if you’re okay with long term contracts.

5. SimpliSafe
If you’re looking for a company that can actually do it all, then SimpliSafe might be one of the best options. This company will give you a personalized bundle based on the description of your home and your needs. The security items can even be installed yourself, so you don’t have to worry about paying any extra. Although you do have to pay monthly for the service, about $14.99, you can end the service or pick it back up whenever you please. This service offers fast dispatching and 24/7 monitoring to suit your safety. It also alerts you when there is a fire, flooding and so much more. This service can be used with your Alexa too, which will add even more convenience. There is also an option for a duress pin, which can dispatch assistance to you in no time. The company also offers free shipping and returns as well as a 60-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.

6. ADT
ADT is one of the most trusted names in home security. It has been around for 140 years, so you know they must be doing something right when it comes to protecting the homes of its customers. This company doesn’t offer a simple plan that covers a wide range of customers. Instead, you’ll have to call in or look online to see a quote based on your home and your personal needs. The company also requires a contract, so you will be stuck with the service for a few years. However, there is a 6-month money back guarantee, so you can try it out to see if it will work for you. Plus, the company will pay up to $500 of your insurance deductible if a break in does happen while your home is protected by the company.

7. Brinks
Chances are, you’ve heard of this company fairly often. Brinks offers security for a wide variety of things, including moving money from stores to the bank, airport security and, of course, security for your home. It was also ranked the number one home security system just last year. This service will provide you with everything you need to monitor and protect your home from anywhere in the world. Of course, since the company is more popular and highly ranked, you are going to pay a bit more for the service. This isn’t entirely bad though, because you will know you’re going to get what you pay for. However, monthly prices for the equipment won’t run you over $20 a month, so if you don’t want to pay upfront then you won’t have to ruin your monthly budget either. Obviously, this service will cause you to stretch a bit further than some of the others, but if you’re looking for reputable coverage then this is the way to go.

8. Scout
Scout home security has been skyrocketing in popularity. This system allows you to build your own bundle, so you can choose the items that are right for you. You can also be walked through the process by a professional to ensure you will have the system you need to totally feel comfortable when you’re away from your home. You can also add new items to your security hub as needed. The company offers month to month plans as well, which will allow you to use the service whenever you need and put it on hold if you’re having trouble budgeting. You can also choose a self-monitor method as well as a police supervision method, to ensure you get the coverage you need.

9. Front Point
Front Point also has high ratings that can help you feel more at ease with your home. You can start your service out with a discount on supplies thanks to many of the offers the company provides for new customers. This service also allows you to not only protect a home you own but is perfect for anyone in an apartment hoping to find some much needed security. The plans for this company start at $99, but you will have to put in your information to receive a free quote for your own personal needs. You will also have a contract with the company, but it won’t last as long as other companies on this list.

10. DIY it all
Of course, if you really are on a tight budget, then it can’t hurt to DIY all of it. If you’re going for as cheap as possible, you can purchase faux cameras and signs claiming to be using a security system. This will help give the illusion that you’re covered at all times. This obviously won’t give you the same protection as an actual system, but it can help detour criminals from stopping by your home. Other than that, you might keep an eye out for clearance cameras to help set up a secure basis for the home. You can also look for more efficient locks, a digital doorbell and so forth. These materials can be bought as you gain the money, which will certainly make it easier to keep your home protected without throwing your budget to the wind.

Protecting your home doesn’t have to stress you out in the long fun. Instead, it can be an exhilarating experience that leaves you more at peace with your home. These ten options will allow you to shop around for the best plans for you, so you can feel safe and sound while keeping money in the bank.

August is one of the hottest months of the year, which is why preparing to spend most of your time in the pool can be very important. However, just splashing around in the pool can get a little boring if kids are doing it day in and day out. If you’re trying to spice things up during pool time, then your first response might be to spend money on the issue. However, there are several pool games you can try out if you hope to have some fun during the hot season. These games will cost you next to nothing to try out, so you can easily find the perfect combination to suit your entire family. This will definitely save you time, money, and frustration.

1. Dodge Ball
Dodge ball is a timeless game that can entertain for hours on end. However, when it comes to playing dodge in the pool, you have to be careful what kind of items you use for the game. Some balls, for instance, might hurt more in the water, which will leave the game causing more frustration than its worth. If you can find foam balls that don’t absorb water, then you’re on your way to a good start. However, one of the cheapest ways to play this game while having lots of fun is to use sponge balls. These can be made with strips of sponge fastened together with a rubber band or other item. The balls will soak up water so kids will get even more soaked as they play. Plus, the shape of the sponge will make it easier to grip for younger children.

2. Rafting
If you have a larger pool or you plan on visiting a lake, then making a raft might be a fun way to pass the time. There are numerous ways to build your own raft too, which will definitely keep things easier. One of the easiest ways to make a raft is to use pool noodles and string. However, if your children are older then they can easily come up with their own way to make a raft to add to the challenge. Then, you can compete in several ways. First, you can see which raft floats the best, then you can enjoy an old-fashioned raft race. Of course, you can also use the raft just to kick back and relax when you do grow tired of swimming.

3. Sail Boat Racing
Another fun way to race is via sailboats. The whole family can make sailboats out of a wide variety of supplies, which will make this activity frugal and will teach children just how to upcycle the items they find in the home. One of the easiest routes to take is using a cork, toothpick, and paper. However, you can go all out with bottles, wood and so much more. Once everyone has built their own sailboat, you can let everyone hit the water to see which boat is fastest, most durable and so on. This will add hours of fun and will help children learn a touch of engineering without them even realizing it.

4. Water Scrabble
It’s easy for spelling and vocabulary skills to slip through the cracks during summer break. That is why water scrabble is the perfect way to keep things going. Simply cut up a pool noodle, use old wood, buy bulk sponges and so on to work with. When you choose your material, merely write letters on it and flip it over. Kids can choose letters, spell out words and swim at the same time. Younger children can simply use the letter to find the alphabet. Of course, you can also follow this method for dominoes, memory and many other games that you’d typically play inside the home.

5. Pool Hoops
Hoops are a fairly simple way to enjoy many games in one. These hoops are easy to make too as all you really need is some pool noodles and something to fasten them down with. Once the hoops are made, kids can do all sorts of things with them. For starters, they can use them for relay races or simply jump through them. The hoops can also be used for basketball and other sports that might be played in the pool. You may even use them for synchronized swim routines. These hoops can be easily stored or dismantled too, which will add to the appeal.

6. Pool Tennis
There are a lot of great sports that you can bring to the pool. However, pool tennis can really add to the fun. All you need for this amazing game is a net, some string, pool noodles, and a ball. You can transform the pool noodles and string into a tennis racquet that is easy for all ages to enjoy. You can even set up your own rules for kids, which should help maintain interest in the game. Of course, tennis isn’t the only game you can enjoy with your pool noodle racquets. You can also play a game of badminton in the pool. Since you’ll have a net to work with, you can also add volleyball to the mix. However, if you choose not to use a net, you can still easily set up boundaries in the pool which might make the game even more challenging.

7. Marco Polo
Marco Polo is probably one of the most timeless pool games. Thus, you might introduce your kids to the game in order to kill some time. Obviously, a game like this might not be fun for hours on end every day, which is why you might throw in your own rules to mix things up. For instance, you might make the rule that everyone has to use cartoon voices whenever they speak. Another fun idea is to have the person answer back in bubbles, which will require even keener listening skills. If you’re looking to build logic skills, kids can also give directions to their location using special codes that the players will have to figure out with their eyes closed. The game can be totally based on ages, interest and more. It can also be a great way to kill a few minutes before starting another game. Best of all, this game won’t cost a cent, so you can save lots of money playing it.

8. Ball Balance
If your kids love a bit of a physical challenge, then you can easily bring in the balance game. You can use an average-sized ball or other inflatable material for the task. All you have to do is push the ball under the water, then hold it down as someone sits on it. When the person is ready, let the ball go and watch as they try to stay afloat. If your children love rodeos, then you might refer to the game as bull riding or use as an item that resembles a bull or horse. You might also do this activity in the center of the pool for safety. The challenge will truly intrigue children, which will keep them busy for hours on end.

9. Coin Toss
Another classic way to keep kids busy is to toss some items in the pool and have them retrieve them. One of the most common items to use is coins, but if you don’t keep change around then there are many other things you can try out. One option is to visit a craft or pet shop and pick up colorful stones for fish tanks. You can even come up with a point system for a variety of colors, which will allow kids to compete. If you don’t want to spend money on the game, then use some of the kids heavier toys. This is especially great if the kids have die-cast figures, as they will sink straight to the bottom. If you want to get really tricky, then fill a plastic bottle with no labels with water. The item will be hard to spot, which will make it a great item for higher points.

10. Noodle Jousting
Another fun way to keep kids busy is to bring in the jousting. This game is best performed with multiple adults present so that you can monitor the safety of the situation. The game is a lot like chicken, only you use pool noodles to defeat the opponent. The children will need to get on the shoulders of an adult with a pool noodle in hand. Then, they will try to knock over their opponent with the noodle. The game isn’t great for younger children but can be a lot of fun for everyone else as long as safety is monitored. If younger children want to join in on the fun, then you might consider turning the game into a tug of war using the pool noodle.

Pool games can be one of the best ways to make summer days bearable. These ten ideas won’t cost you a fortune and can easily be customized to suit your family’s interests. With any luck, you’ll find that the games will keep you going throughout summer break and into the cooler days of autumn. This should help slash your entertainment budget while keeping the whole family active.

The back to school period can be incredibly chaotic. From shopping for new clothing to mentally preparing your children for the upcoming school year, you’re bound to have your hands full. Luckily, there are a few things that you can accomplish before actually having to do the actual back to school routine. These ten pre-fall semester ideas will help prepare the entire household for the upcoming change, while also saving you a bit of money in the long run. So, take a step back and breathe because this year back to school is going to a breeze.

1. Go Through Old Supplies
One of the first steps that you might want to take is to go through your old supplies. Try emptying out those backpacks from the end of the year to see which supplies are completely salvageable. You might be surprised as to how well some of the supplies look. One of the most common supplies to hold onto is notebooks, folders, and even loose paper. If your children use pencils or pens in school then these supplies are usually good to go too, but you might have to purchase a few new items to get them ready for the year. You might also go through your art supplies to find items to help supplement the supplies. You may even be able to reuse the backpack, which will save you quite a bit of money. Once you have a list of what you already have, you’ll be well prepared to shop efficiently.

2. Do a Closet Sweep
Another crucial point in preparing for the back to school shopping trip is to go through your children’s closets. You might be surprised as to how many clothes that they already have that can be reused to the school year, or at least get them started out. Of course, it is crucial to have them try everything on before you go shopping, just in case clothes don’t fit properly. Once you have a keep list, you can pass down items to younger siblings or even give them to family or friends. Then, you will be able to make better choices during back to school sales or even shop for future items to help make the clothing last even longer.

3. Research Teachers
If you know what school your child is going to then you might take a look at the teachers available for their grades. Sometimes, you can even put in a request depending on the school and the popularity of the teacher. However, some parents would rather wait on this step until they figure out who their children will be assigned to. Researching a teacher allows you to know more about them before you even step foot in their class. You can find information on their homework policies, what people liked about the teacher as well as what people didn’t like. This will empower you so you will know precisely what you’re dealing with when the first day of school starts. It might even give you enough information to help the future teacher better work with your child. This will allow everyone to get a good start to the year.

4. Talk About Extra Curricular Activities
Another problem many parents face when the school season starts is all of the extracurricular activities that children want to do. As soon as school begins, they are bombarded with flyers for new and exciting things to try. Plus, most children are influenced by what their peers are doing. Thus, you might find yourself hearing about a long list of things each child feels they need to do. If you sit down and talk to your child about the extracurricular options, then you might be able to stop some of the problems before it happens. First, go over time schedules, so children will be able to plan availability for things they’re interested in. You might also go over budgeting, as extracurricular activities aren’t exactly cheap in most cases. With the boundaries set, children will have to stop and think about their options before they choose a wide variety of things to do.

5. Review Coursework
Most children actually fall a bit behind during the summer months as education that is learned can easily be lost when not put to use. So, you might take the last few weeks of summer to have your children review the things they learned during the previous school year. You can use some of their old homework to come up with new worksheets, or you can download a wide variety of age-based worksheets online. If your children seem to be excelling in the work they completed last year, then you might want to give them a glimpse into what they will be doing in the upcoming year. This is easily done through websites that offer curriculum and work sheets or apps that are based on each grade. Reviewing and looking ahead will help make the transition a bit easier for children, so they can start earning good grades from the beginning.

6. Check Off Reading List
Reading is a great way to keep your child’s mind active during the summer months. However, it is easy to stray from reading plans, especially when children want a break from school when they first leave for vacation. If your school sends a reading list home for the summer, then you might have your children start working on it. Although they might not finish the list, you’ll find that reading a few of the books on the list will do them a world of good and will help get the mind ready for school. Of course, if your school doesn’t send home a reading list then you might consider looking online to find one for your child’s age group. You might also be able to find a reading list at the local library. In order to get your children started on the list, you might also begin by reading with them. This will definitely show them the importance of reading while helping them get a good start.

7. Check Ups
It can be a real pain in the neck to schedule appointments during the school season. This generally means pulling the child out of school and forcing them to make up the work they missed out on. However, there are many appointments that must be met, so you might try to get a jump start on them while school is still out for summer. Although you might not be able to schedule a wellness appointment for your child, as these are usually offered around the child’s birthday, you might be able to get an up to date physical for sports. You should also be able to get your child into the dentist as well as in for an eye exam. This will help knock out a few appointments and will give your child a chance to adjust if they need braces or glasses.

8. Craft Teacher Gifts
There’s no harm in trying to get off on the right foot with your teacher. So, you might want to stop and ask the children what they would like to craft for their new teacher. There are many exciting ideas to choose from too, which should help get the kids excited for school. One example is making your child’s future teacher a special mug. You can work with classic teacher themes or you can make something entirely customized. On top of that, there are many crafts that can be made simply with paper. There are lots of great ideas to check out online, so don’t be afraid to surf the net for the perfect idea to make a great first impression.

9. Plan Lunches/Snacks
There’s no doubt about it, you will find yourself struggling to get lunches and snacks together if you don’t do a bit of prep work ahead of time. So, you might take a couple of weeks to sit down and plan out some fun meal ideas that will help keep kids happy and fed during their school day and when they return. You might talk over the ideas with the kids and even try out a few of the ideas before school begins. This will allow you to assess the enjoyable nature of the dish as well as how frustrating it might be to make in a pinch. Once you have a game plan set into motion, you can start the meal prepping to make everyone’s lives easier. This will certainly allow you to cut back on the amount of time you spend in the kitchen as well as how often you need to go grocery shopping.

10. Enjoy Summer
Although preparing for back to school is incredibly important, one of the best things you can do to help make going back to school a bit easier is to just let your kids enjoy summer. Breaks are far and in between, so let your child fully embrace as much of summer as they possibly can. This might mean letting them spend most of their time in the pool, giving them a little extra screen time or even letting them enjoy those cold desserts more often than normal. No matter how you choose to celebrate summer, make sure everyone is having fun and relaxing so they will be well-rested for the upcoming school year.

Back to school is hectic and there’s no getting around it. However, these ten tips might help you make the most out of the chaos. With just a little bit of preparation, you might find yourself enjoying the process a little more while feeling better about the new school year.

In many cities, there are recycling systems in full swing, which certainly makes the lives of those hoping to lead a greener life easier. However, in many cities, the recycling system is still for the birds. For people that live in these areas, it can seem hopeless. Recycling is certainly a lot more challenging and it requires people to have to deal with the issue practically on their own. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to help make the recycling system work for you without spending a small fortune. With these ten ideas, you should be able to find the perfect way to recycle so that you can leave less of a carbon footprint while also embracing a greener lifestyle.

1. Create Your Own System
If your city doesn’t have a ready recycling system for the public then work to create your own. One way to do this is to set up a variety of different trash cans to sift through your garbage. You can look to see what recycling centers are in your area, so you will know which items you can work with. Once you have your system in place, then keep recycling until you fill your bins up. Then, drive the items to the nearest recycling center yourself. This might seem like a lot of work, but when you get into the routine of it then you might not have an issue. You can even turn the event into a treat by grabbing an ice cream cone or other treats to celebrate recycling, which can help train children to want to recycle too.

2. Research Facilities
One of the key ways to learn more about recycling in your area is to research facilities. There are many websites that will give you information on recycling facilities across the nation. This will allow you to come up with a game plan when it comes to dropping off the recycling you collect. You might even learn how you can support these facilities to help improve the recycling in your community overall. Often, there are volunteer or fundraising opportunities you can enjoy. This will also give you an idea as to what you can actually recycle, as some facilities might not be able to take certain items. You might also learn about recycling in ways you never thought possible. For instance, you can actually send in old markers to Crayola, so they don’t fill up landfills. This type of recycling is just as efficient and will allow you to change the world one step at a time.

3. Know What Can Be Recycled
Half the battle of recycling in any community is actually knowing what can be recycled. A lot of people feel that just about anything in a category can be recycled, which can cause a major problem when it reaches the recycling facility. Often, this means that the operators must sift back through the items and throw away anything that doesn’t belong. This can cost the facility quite a bit of money too, which is definitely harmful when it comes to facilities with very little funding. So, before you toss something in the recycling bin, make sure it can be recycled in your area. There are usually labels on plastic, which will make it easier for you to figure out what can be recycled. You should also separate these into their separate numbers unless otherwise specified. The more you know about the recycling in your community, the better off you and the recycling facility will be.

4. Shop Wisely
Another major step you can take when recycle is to be mindful when you do go shopping. You might look at a product and consider its recyclability. Some plastics can’t be recycled at all, while some products offer way too much packing. Try to consider the best way to approach buying each item. You might even look for stores that allow you to bring in your own bags for items like dried beans, cereals and so much more. Before you know it, you’ll have limited your wastes, which will mean worrying less about recycling.

5. Alternative Uses
Sometimes, recycling isn’t an option. May it be the type of plastic or something that is just old and worn out that could never have been recycled anyway. When it comes to items like these, or even items that can be recycled, you might consider trying to reuse the item for something else. For instance, if you have a bunch of glass bottles or jars, you can easily transform them into unique crafts, storage or even containers for other food. The same can be said of boxes, papers, and other recyclable items. Before you know it, your first instinct will be to wonder what you can make your trash into opposed to how you should dispose of it. This mindset will certainly lessen your carbon footprint but might also lead you to enjoy a crafting project that could earn you some extra money.

6. Get Active
Part of the problem with recycling in communities that don’t have support, is there are not enough voices to make recycling a priority. In order to improve your recycling facilities, you have to be active. You can start by writing your local and state officials to make it known that recycling is the future. You can also pass around flyers and educational materials to encourage others to do so too. The more people that know about recycling and how it can change the planet, the more support you will receive. You might also run panels to talk about it. This will help more than you know. As the government sees a demand for the facility then chances are, they might start budgeting towards building or upgrading a facility in the area.

7. Form a Recycling Club
Recycling doesn’t have to be a solo activity. If you can find more people that are interested in recycling, then you might consider forming a club. Club members can take some time out of the month to pick up recycling throughout the community. If everyone pays some dues, then it should be enough to transport the recycling to the local facility. The club can also help spread the word about recycling in hopes that others might catch on. You may even find that people will gladly jump in if only a group is readily available to help them out. Best of all, your club will have the numbers needed to keep up with petitions and requests for better recycling facilities and services.

8. Fundraise
One of the key elements to getting a better recycling center is funds. Generally, funds aren’t available for these things because the government would prefer to use them elsewhere. This can be a major problem if you are hanging onto the hope of getting a facility in your area. Instead of just waiting around, you might start by starting up some fundraisers. Talk to local officials, so they understand your goal and are willing to work with you. You might find that companies, news stations, and even radio stations will help get the word around. You may even have other people willing to help you fundraise in new and exciting ways, which will help your contribution to the new or upgraded service grow.

9. Properly Dispose of Electronics
Recycling isn’t all about plastics, papers, cans, and cardboard. You can actually recycle your electronics too. As a matter of fact, you’re supposed to do this. However, a lot of people have never really known about the rule, so these items continue to build up in landfills. Recycling your electronics doesn’t have to be as tough as it sounds though. All you have to do is look up a facility, or even a store, that takes the items. Sometimes, there will even be a special period of time to drop off all of your old gadgets at a store for recycling. You might have to pay a small fee to do this, but it will be much cheaper than the fine you might get if you’re caught throwing the items away.

10. Compost
A lot of people don’t consider doing anything with leftover food either. However, you can really reduce the amount of waste you send out each month by composting your food wastes. This doesn’t mean you should throw out everything leftover from dinner though. Instead, try to make the most out of your meal by eating the leftovers or transforming them into another meal. The items that do go bad can be tossed in compost in most cases. This special storage area will help transform the food you don’t want into fertilizer that you can use in your garden or sell to others that can’t compost. There’s lots of helpful tips online so you can find the best way to compost in your space. You can even buy an indoor composter that works almost instantly, but you’ll have to spend some money on this device.

As our planet changes, it is increasingly clear that we need to try harder to recycle and do better for the world we live in. This might not seem easy if you find yourself in a community that doesn’t offer recycling in a readily available way. These tips will help make recycling a bit easier for you, so you won’t have to stress out over not doing your part to keep the planet cleaner.

Summer can be a trying time if you’re on a tight budget. However, if you live near the beach or have already planned a beach vacation, there are so many things that you can do that will cost you next to nothing. These tips will help you feel the gap in your budget, so that everyone still has a great time without forcing you to spend a fortune. These beach time ideas will help you to find the relaxation that you deserve, so you can get the vacation you need to refresh without having to struggle with payments on your credit card for months to come.

1. Read a Book
When it comes to reading, there simply isn’t enough hours in the day to help you find the time to engage in your favorite stories. So, when you hit the beach, you might want to pack a book to help you catch up while relaxing in the sun. Reading on the beach can be a very therapeutic activity, as the story and the waves will combine to help transport you to whole new worlds. If you don’t want to pack books in your carry on, then you might consider visiting a used bookstore when you arrive. You can even donate the book after you’ve read it. Of course, you might also look around for a free library, which are popping up all over the place. This will help make the activity cheaper than ever.

2. Sandcastles
One of the most timeless activities you can enjoy is making sandcastles. It doesn’t matter if you’re with the kids or by yourself, building a sandcastle can be a whole lot of fun. Of course, you can always use shovels, molds and more for your sandcastles. However, the beauty of the art is that all you really need is your hands and some sand. You can go all out and build more than just a castle though. There are some incredible designs you can take inspiration from too or you can just use your imagination. You may even consider entering a competition, which can actually add to the memories you make while hanging out on the beach. You might even walk away from it with a bit of extra money on your side.

3. Volleyball
If you’re looking to stay active during your beach trip, then a game of volleyball would really keep you on your toes. Enjoying volleyball is one of the healthiest activities you can enjoy too. All you need is a ball and a net to enjoy the sport too. Luckily, you’ll find many of these items already at the beach. Many beaches will have several volleyball courts set up, so you might not even have to wait in line to get in a game or two. However, if there are others playing then you’ll be on the right track to meet new friends and have even more fun. Best of all, volleyball can be played by most members of the family and you can enjoy the cool breeze on you, so the heat won’t be an issue as you enjoy the sport. Of course, you will need to make sure you have plenty of sun protection just to make sure you don’t burn in the sun.

4. Sift For Collectibles
When it comes to hanging out on the beach, there are plenty of ways to stay occupied. One of the easiest ways is to comb the beach for collectibles. The beach has so many wonderful items to enjoy too. For instance, you can look for seashells and sea glass to transform into beautiful crafts later on. This will allow you to get even more out of your beach trip, because there will be fun ways to add elements of the trip to your home. You might even consider giving some of the items that you find as a gift. You can even add them to gift baskets, frames and so on to make the gift even more impressive. Of course, if you live close to the beach, you might take a metal detector to see what you can discover. In some locations, you might even be able to rent such a device, which will make your beach adventure even more exciting.

5. Enjoy the Waves
Without a doubt, one of the best ways to enjoy the beach is take on the waves. This is one of the cheapest forms of entertainment, which will make you want to spend most of your time in the water. There are so many things you can do in the waves, but simply jumping into the crashing waves or going for a swim can keep you occupied for hours. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, then a boogie board might be the best alternative to surfing and is even a great activity for little ones. If you do want to give surfing a shot though, then you might look for a groupon or discounted lessons. This will allow you to get a taste of the activity without forcing you to rent equipment, which can be very pricey.

6. Fly a Kite
The beach is known for having some pretty awesome gentle breezes to take advantage of. So, you might want to take advantage of grabbing a kite and enjoying some fun. You can find kites just about anywhere for cheap, which is bound to make your trip even cheaper. You can even find them at dollar stores with fun characters for the kids. If you really want to get crafty then you can always make your own kit. There are lots of DIY tutorials to choose from online, so you can get as complicated as you like. This is also a great bonding experience for the whole family. Kites can keep everyone activite and entertained for long periods of time too, so you won’t have to worry about boredom settling in.

7. Look for Marine Life
The ocean is filled with wonderful creatures for you to enjoy from a distance. So, you might spend some of your beach time looking for marine life. One of the best things to do is dig for crabs. This can actually take quite some time, which will mean the kids will be busy for hours. Of course, if you do find a crab, you should leave it be as to not disturb the creature. If you are on a beach with sea turtles’ eggs then you can admire them from a distance or watch the baby sea turtles hatch and run to the ocean. You can also see a wide variety of fish and other sea life without even going into the depths of the ocean. If you can afford an adventure, then you might consider snorkeling. This won’t cost a fortune if you already have snorkeling gear and strong swimming skills. However, if you do want to invest some money then you can also look into scuba diving to ensure you can see a wide assortment of marine life.

8. Workout
When it comes to vacations, it is very easy to stray from your routine, especially when it comes to working out. So, instead of putting your physical fitness on hold, you might want to consider working out on the beach. Running is one of the easiest activities to take on. As a matter of fact, you can even run barefoot if you so choose. Running on the beach will test your endurance while strengthening your body. You can also try out yoga on the beach. This activity will help you find the tranquility you desire while also strengthening your poses and balance. Of course, you can make just about any form of exercise work out for you, so have some fun with planning your workout routine around your vacation.

9. Picnic
There’s no doubt about it, food sold on the beach and even the restaurants surrounding the area are going to cost you a small fortune. So, one of your best options is to pack a picnic. This will allow you to enjoy a free meal that won’t leave you feeling sick. If you’re on vacation, you might consider picking up bread, peanut butter, lunch meats, fruits and so on. This will allow you to eat well without forcing you to take away time from your beach experience. You can also graze on the food all day, which will help replenish energy as your family stays active. One of the most important things to pack is lots of water though as this will be especially pricey in local shops. Whatever you bring to the beach should be thrown away properly though, so you don’t leave a mess in such a beautiful setting.

10. Bonfire
Bonfires are probably the most iconic things to enjoy at a beach. So, if you want to have some fun then you might gather some beach wood and enjoy one for yourself. Of course, you can also join one that is already going on, especially if it is a public bonfire. A bonfire will offer a great opportunity for making smores or roasting food too, which will save you on restaurant prices. Other than, you should make sure to look into the rules of having a bonfire, as some beaches may require permits while some outlaw them entirely.

A trip to the beach can be one of the best experiences, especially if you’re feeling burned out. These ten tips will help to make the most out of your beach trip while keeping your budget happy. Even if you live near the beach, you might find these tips helpful when it comes to saving money and enjoying your free time.

August is barreling towards us at record speed, which is why you might want to start preparing for all of the hassles this month brings. For many, last minute vacations will be in order, school will be starting and shopping for the end of the year will be on the horizon. With everything jumpstarting in this month, you might find yourself struggling to get out of the lazy days of summer mode and back into the swing of everyday routines. Luckily, the first week of August brings National Simplify Life Week. This week is the perfect time to sit down, take a deep breath and get rid of everything that is going to make your life more complicated. These ten tips are bound to help you get on track without spending a bundle on the simplifying process.

1. Set a Routine
There’s no doubt about it, setting a routine is one of the most important things you can do to make your life easier. You might think that routines are boring and a sign of your inevitable aging, but in reality, we all need a routine to keep life functioning. You already have a routine even if you don’t realize. However, fine tuning your routine will help bring the chaos and aimlessness to a minimum. If you have children, then a routine is going to be absolutely necessary. So, sit down and look at everything you need to get done on each day of the week. You might leave in some wiggle room for seasonal activities and family fun time. However, once you have everything you need written down, your life will flow a lot smoother. You might even start to feel healthier than ever.

2. Declutter
Clutter can be one of the worst things about your life without you ever realizing it. As a matter of fact, clutter has actually been linked to anxiety and depression. So, for National Simplify Your Life Week, you might find it the perfect time to declutter. You might start with the things around you. For instance, if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by pictures, nick-knacks and so on then it might be time to start donating items. Old clothes sitting in the closet are another great thing to donate or sell. You might even go through your filing cabinet and ditch some of the items that you no longer need. Before you know it, cleaning will be easier than ever, and you’ll feel better about your home.

3. Hide the Junk Food
One of the best ways to simplify life is to start eating healthier and encouraging the whole family to join in. This might not be the easiest task, especially if you have junk food in the house. Of course, you don’t have to ditch all of your favorite foods, nor do you need to throw away any food. Instead, you might consider pushing the junk food to the back of the pantry and refrigerator. Instead, keep the healthy food in plain view. When you’re in a rush for a snack, the healthy items will be in plain sight, which will make you more likely to grab them. This will help provide you with more self-control, so you will start to crave the junk food less and less. You can also use the junk food as incentive for children to eat right. If they can eat fruits and vegetables for the day then they can have a bit of junk food as a reward. You might find, as they meet their daily quota, that the need for junk food will decrease substantially.

4. Take Photos to Question Less
In this day and age, a lot of people are dealing with issues with anxiety and forgetfulness due to over activity. This can be a huge problem, especially if you need to handle your business in a timely manner. So, instead of second guessing yourself, take a picture of whatever it is you might forget about. For instance, if you are constantly worried about leaving the oven on, then take a picture of it before you head out. You can do the same for locking the door, sending important emails and so much more. You can even take a picture of your grocery or errand list. If you plan on shopping, then snap a photo of your refrigerator and pantry. You’ll know exactly what you have, which will save you a ton of money.

5. Go Audio
Often, we tend to find ourselves in a bit of a rut when it comes to entertainment. This is especially true when we’re looking for entertainment while commuting, working, or doing chores. Often, we wind up on the same playlists and hope to find some pleasure out of the mixes the shuffle comes up with. Instead of sticking with the same patterns, you might try something a little different. For instance, instead of letting your book list pile up, you might grab a book as an audio file. This will allow you to list and enjoy it while you do whatever else you need to. Before you know it, you’ll be making a dent in the pile, which is bound to make you feel amazing. Other than that, you might check out some podcasts. You will be surprised by how many fun podcasts are available. Both of these audio treats will help you broaden your horizons while giving you something to look forward to.

6. Swap to Online Storage
Many people have a hard time keeping up with their personal items. Photos, work files, important documents and more can go missing in the blink of an eye. That is why you might consider swapping to online storage to help you prevent major loses. There are many services that will actually store your items for free, so make sure to shop around and see what you can find to suit your needs. Once you have the storage you need then set up the account so that it automatically uploads files and more, so you don’t even have to worry about things. You can also add your documents and more to these services. Of course, if you don’t really feel comfortable with having your work online then you can always purchase a drive to do the work. All you have to do is move the items over to the scan drive or external hard drive, and everything will be backed up.

7. Invest in Easy Appliances
Although spending money isn’t always on our list of things to do, you might consider investing in appliances that will make your life easier. For instance, a crock pot is a great way to make dinner time a lot less stressful. You can make all sorts of soups, shredded meats and so much more. There are countless recipes to try too, so you can spice up your meal plan. Pressure cookers can also help you finish up your meals much faster. You might consider investing in cleaners that will help make the job a bit easier. All in all, the items you choose should be based on your lifestyle needs, so shop wisely to ensure you won’t waste money.

8. Clear Subscriptions
Without a doubt, it is hard to avoid subscriptions when you seem to have to sign up for one every time you shop on a website. This can actually make clearing out your email a pain in the neck, which might cause you to miss important emails. One of the best ways to ditch your email subscriptions is to go into the settings of your email and unsubscribe to anything you don’t want to get in your email each day. You might be surprised as to how many subscriptions you are signed up for. Another way to do this is to simply manually unsubscribe whenever you receive an email. Before you know it, you won’t find emails lurking around that you don’t actually need or want. Another subscription that you should be leery of is those that you pay for. May it be entertainment services that you signed up for a free trial with or services that you no longer use or enjoy, it is important to put an end to them. This will save you a lot of time and money, which will simply your life quite a bit.

9. Meal Prep
Meal prepping seems to be everywhere. This trend is on the tips of everyone’s tongues, but when you look into the concept it actually seems to be quite intimidating. Meal prepping doesn’t have to be a headache though. Instead, it can be a great way to save yourself some time and energy when you are too busy to do things during the week. Meal prepping can also be a great way to help the family bond, as everyone can pitch in to cover breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week. All you have to do is be mindful about your meal plans. Choose items with ingredients that can be reused in a dish to ensure that you have everything you need to be successful. When you’re done meal prepping, your refrigerator and freezer will look full and your concern over managing dinner, ball games and work will be gone. Best of all, meal prepping will help you ditch fast food habits, so the whole family can eat healthier.

10. Stay on Top of Finances
Budgeting isn’t the easiest thing on the planet, so you might find yourself struggling to get through it. However, if you want to simply your life, it is important to be on top of the money. The best thing you can do is make a list of everything you’re going to be spending money on. You start out by listing the charges that are going to come out automatically. Then, budget in what you need to spend on groceries and other items. You can keep track of all of this on paper or use an app that you trust. By organizing your finances, you’ll be able to spend less time on this during the month as the app will take care of most things for you. Plus, you will be able to budget in money for savings which is certainly helpful when it comes to planning for the future.

Simplifying your life might be one of the best things you can do to keep things in order as the busy months arrive. These ten tips are a great way to get started on the process of making your life as simple as possible.

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy some outdoor grilling. On top of that adding lots of flavor to your food by grilling can be incredibly convenient and fun. Unfortunately, grilling out can often cost an arm and a leg because of the options available. If you’re not careful, you might find yourself tempted by steaks, high priced chicken and more. Luckily, there are tons of great recipes out there that will help you keep your spending down while you enjoy grilling all summer long. These ten ideas just scratch the service when it comes to budget friendly grilling.

1. Grilled Vegetables
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make a meal or side dish, then grilling vegetables is right up your alley. There are so many delightful recipes you can try out for this too. If you’re looking for a side dish then you might stick with grilled onions, green peppers and even tomatoes. These vegetables go well with just about everything and will certainly help keep the family healthy for cheap. Corn is another great option that can be complemented with a wide variety of toppings. Of course, if you’re looking for a main course then you might consider grilled eggplant with a special sauce or mushroom steaks that work great as sandwiches or on their own. You can even create a combination of veggies to put on a kebab.

2. Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are one of the best things to make when you need to feed a whole lot of people. Of course, if you have younger children then they’re a great option for a cheap dinner too. You can do a whole lot with hot dogs, so this meal will stretch you quite a bit. For starters, you can make classic hot dogs with plenty of condiments like sauerkraut, chili, onions, cheese and so on. This will make the meal exciting and will allow people to customize as they please. Of course, If you get sick of just hot dogs then you can use them with other dishes. For instance, if you grill the hot dogs and place them in some beans, you will be taking your beanies and weenies to a whole new level. The same can be said of hot dogs and mac n cheese. So, use your creativity and your family’s dietary needs to create fun meals with this cheap food.

3. Casseroles
Setting up the perfect barbecue doesn’t have to force you to rely solely on the grill. Instead, you might consider making your side dishes more filling, so you don’t have to cook as much meat. There are so many casseroles that work wonderfully with grilling out too. For instance, you can whip up a macaroni salad with light ingredients like cucumber and tomato to keep things healthier. You can also go with the classic macaroni salad, as well as potato salad and egg salad. Of course, there are so many more unique casseroles that can keep your guests fuller for longer. You might want to dig deep into your family’s recipes for items like tater tot casserole or come up with a few ideas of your own.

4. Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes can be a meal in themselves, which will set you up for some cheap eats at your party or for dinner ideas. The best thing about potatoes is they’re totally easy to make on the grill. Simply wrap them in tin foil and let them go. You can add condiments like sour cream, chives, chili, cheese and so much more to make them better. Of course, if you don’t want to just eat potato then this dish makes an incredibly cheap side dish, so you can splurge on the main course. You will also be able to suit everyone’s dietary restrictions, especially since you can alternate sweet potato for some of your guests.

5. Ice Cream
There’s no doubt about it, ice cream is one of the biggest joys of summer for most people. So, if you’re planning a barbecue for a lot of people, you might add in some ice cream to help make the fun last even longer. Luckily, you can buy a huge tub of ice cream for a reasonable price. This should feed just about everyone at your party and then some. Although ice cream cones or simple scoops of ice cream are always an easy option, you can also spice things up. You might consider making milkshakes or ice cream floats to help stretch your beverage budget. This will allow people to have a drink and dessert in one go, which is bound to save you some money.

6. Grilled Pizza
Another great way to appease everyone while grilling is to make some awesome pizza. Believe it or not, but grilled pizza is growing in popularity because it tastes incredible and is one of the best ways to make pizza without a pizza oven. There are many ways to make grilled pizza, so you can cater to your own personal needs. One way is to whip up your own dough to add to the fun. This doesn’t take a lot of effort, so you should be able to make several doughs for next to nothing in cost. You can also use flat breads to shorten the cooking experience and make your life easier. Toppings can range in items, so you can shop based on price if you want to. If you’re making pizza for the family, kids will love making their own. You might even find that guests get a kick out of making their personal pizza too, which can help reduce the entertainment budget of your party.

7. Cheap Meats
One problem that many people face is finding the right kind of meat to purchase when grilling. A lot of people feel that you have to go out of your way to buy expensive cuts. However, grilling gives you the opportunity to make lots of different cuts taste amazing. For instance, you can purchase chicken legs and thighs to grill, which offers lots of marinating options. Once you have a great match, your chicken will be the talk of the block. Of course, there are many other cheap meats to try out. Your best option is to check out the local butcher shop or grocery store to see what is on sale. If worse comes to worse then you might stick with ground beef, which tends to be one of the cheapest options around.

8. Salad
When you’re trying to keep a meal heathier without spending a small fortune, then salad is always the way to go. Best of all, when summer rolls around, many of the popular staples for salad are in season. For instance, you can use romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce or even cabbage to start the salad off. Then, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, carrots, radishes and so on can all be found for next to nothing. After you whip up the basics of the salad, all you need is a light dressing to make it the perfect addition to your meal. Best of all, you’ll always have a vegetarian option on hand to suit anyone refraining from certain types of meat.

9. Beans
If you’re looking for a side dish that can feed an army then you won’t have to search any further than some beans. The best thing about beans is you can buy quite a few dried beans for next to nothing. Beans can be transformed by family recipes or new tricks to create a dish that is appeasing to most people. The best thing about beans is you can toss them in a crock pot and forget all about them. This will definitely make your life easier if you’re planning a party. If you have leftover meat and beans after your barbecue then toss them together and add some tortillas for an easy meal that won’t cause you to break a sweat.

10. Drinks
Beverages are always a major part of a barbeque, especially since the weather is hot. One of the best things you can do is stick to simple items. For instance, keeping water close by is a great option as most people prefer it when they are hot. However, you might also consider offering infused water, which can be a bit more refreshing. Another great option is brewing large batches of tea for people to drink iced. You can even add food to the mix to improve on this beverage. If you plan on serving mixed drinks, then stick with what you already have in the house or items that you can make for cheap. You can also utilize your other beverages like, making a long island iced tea or a rum and coke. No matter how you plan the drinks, just be careful not to overdo it so your budget won’t suffer.

Summer is the perfect season to fire up the grill and enjoy some of the tastiest food of the year. Whether you’re just feeding your family, or you have a block party going on, these tips should help you feed everyone on the cheap. This should help your summer budget stretch while allowing you to maximize your joy.

Let’s face it, having a cellphone is cool and all, but sometimes it really gets in the way of living life. There are so many things we can get more enjoyment from if only we would put down our mobile phones and enjoy the world around us. Unfortunately, breaking the cycle of using the cellphone can be a tough feat. Luckily, there are quite a few ways that you can help yourself break through the addiction while still saving some money. These ten ideas are a great way to ensure you’ll feel comfortable ditching your phone sooner than you ever expected. Best of all, July is National Cellphone Courtesy month, so you’ll find lots of support available to help you make the change.

1. Monitor Your Usage
One of the main problems people face when dealing with cellphone addiction is not knowing how long they’re actually on the phone. One of the first steps you should take is to grab a program that will help you monitor the time you spend on the phone. There are many great apps available to do this. Once you have an idea of how many hours you’re on the phone, try to cut back by a few minutes to an hour. You can do this every week to help you cut down your time quite a bit. You also might take a look at the time in which you are active. If there is a consistent pattern, then it might be wise to come up with a plan to do something else during those periods. This should help you cut back your phone time until you no longer feel the need to spend so much time on the phone.

2. Lower Your Data Plan
Another way to curb your willingness to spend hours on the phone is to lower your data plan. When you are away from your Wi-Fi, you won’t be able to spend as much time as you’d like on the phone or else you will have to deal with the repercussions of going over your data plan. This often forces you to pay a penalty on your bill, which can be enough incentive to chill out on the phone usage. Of course, you can also stop connecting your phone to the Wi-Fi at home and at work to help get even more benefits from this. Best of all, you’ll be rewarding yourself for not spending as much time on the phone, because you will spend less money on your plan when you stop going over your data agreement.

3. Schedule Time Outs
It isn’t often feasible to turn your phone off all day or to completely separate yourself from it. However, it is possible to schedule time outs for yourself. To do this, all you need to do is put your phone on airplane mode during certain periods of the day. For instance, you might enter airplane mode during mealtimes or a couple of hours before bed. This will help you to relax and will take away the temptation of sitting on your phone when you should be eating a meal. If airplane mode doesn’t do the trick for you then power down the phone completely. If worse comes to worst, you might also consider putting your phone in a box with a timer. The time outs will help you to take a step away from your phone, so you can adjust to spending less time on it. Before you know it, the time outs will come naturally and more frequently.

4. Ditch the Apps
One of the main problems that people face when they’re trying to use their phone less is a temptation. There are so many apps to choose from now that it is hard not to spend hours on every app you have downloaded. Thus, one of the best things you can do is start deleting some of the apps that are just time wasters. You might start with social media and then move on to games. Eventually, the only thing you’ll have on your phone is the basics and items you need for work. Since most people don’t want to work constantly, you might see that your phone is a lot less appealing. As long as you keep the apps off of your phone, you should find success in staying off of the phone too.

5. Allot Time For the Phone
Apart from cutting out time for the phone, you might also consider making time for the phone. Choose a time frame in which you won’t miss out on other things if you’re on the phone. For some people, the morning hours are the best for this because it is their time to wake up. Once you have your phone time set, use it to catch up on social media, play your favorite games and so much more. However, when the phone time up then turns the device off and move on with your day. This will allow you to still enjoy some of your favorite things about technology while also keeping them set to a specific time period. You might find that you desire phone time less and less.

6. Grab a Dumb Phone
If you’re worried about not having any control over your need to use the phone, then you might want to check out a dumb phone. This can constitute a wide variety of things. For starters, you can simply get an old phone that doesn’t connect to the internet. This will allow you to receive calls and texts without forcing you to spend an arm and a leg. Some companies have started coming up with phone concepts that only allow for text and calls too. These have more convenient design and are perfect starter phones for kids. The phones aren’t enticing in the slightest bit either, so you won’t feel the need to call and text unnecessarily just to use the phone.

7. Replace the Habit
Another great way to deal with phone addiction is to replace the habit with something else. For instance, you can pick up a hobby to keep you busy when you would normally be spending your time on the phone. If you’re not sure where to start with this then you might look at your phone to see what type of activity you typically would do on your phone. If you like musical games, then try to pick up an instrument. People that play games like Words with Friends might get a kick out of a word search book or a scrabble club. There are also chess clubs that can help fill that void too. If you play a lot of time management games, then consider getting out and doing the activity yourself. You’ll be surprised how much fun you can have doing these activities in real life.

8. Exercise
When it comes to breaking a habit like phone addiction, one of your best options is to actually get up and do some exercise. Whenever you feel the need to grab your phone, simply stand up and do something productive. For instance, you might go for a jog to help take your mind off of things. Another option is to do some yoga or lift weights. You might even find doing pushups or sit-ups can help take your mind off it. The key is to keep your hands busy, so you won’t be able to get on your phone. Before you know it, you’ll be healthier than ever, and you won’t want to use your phone all of the time.

9. Reward System
Of course, if you don’t do well with punishments then you might consider doing the opposite. For instance, if you can go without using your phone for a few hours then offer yourself a small treat, like a piece of chocolate or some extra TV time. As time passes and you stick to your goals, treat yourself to a little something extra like a nice cup of coffee or a meal at your favorite restaurant. You can even make an incentive for clothes, games or anything else that has been on your mind. The reward system might not take the edge off of needing your phone, but it will allow you to find joy in not using the phone. After some time, your mind will naturally stay away from the idea of using the phone.

10. Be Social
Often, people use their phone to help combat loneliness. This is a major problem with younger generations who often feel like phones are their best way of communicating with others. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through your social media feed or talking to people on an instant messenger or via text, you might make the effort to actually go out and see people. For instance, you might want to meet up with a friend or two to see a movie or go bowling. You can also just visit one another’s homes. The one on one social interaction will help you to feel more secure without your phone, so you won’t need to rely on it entirely.

There’s no doubt about it, phones can be a convenient part of life, but sometimes they can take over. These ten tips will allow you to cut back on your phone usage, so you can do more for your health and happiness. With any luck, you’ll be able to find a healthy balance, so you get more out of life.

Amazon Prime Day is coming up fast! This year, you’ll see deals on everything under the sun on July 15 and 16th, so make sure you’re ready to jump on the deals as they come to you. This year, you’ll find a wide assortment of deals to choose from, which might bring some convenience and joy to your life. Of course, as with any sale, you should check out deals from competitors before you buy. These ten categories are bound to be the hottest deals on Prime Day, so you might want to do some research now so you’re ready to click “Buy Now” when Prime Day arrives. So, make sure your budget is ready for the biggest sale of the year after Black Friday.

1. Amazon Products
It goes without saying that Amazon is going to try to boost their own products on Prime Day. This is great for anyone that loves Amazon products, as you will certainly be able to find everything to make your home and life a lot more convenient. You will most likely find the best deals on the newest additions to the Amazon family. However, older generations won’t fail you when it comes to discounts. So, feel free to shop around for Kindles, Firesticks, Echoes and so much more. You probably won’t be able to find deals on these items elsewhere, so if there is something you just can’t wait for then the sale price is probably going to be your best option.

2. Smart Home Devices
Smart homes are the future, which is why Amazon is offering some of the best deals on the gear you need to make your home so much better. This Prime Day, you’ll find a wide assortment of options, so you will need to broaden your search if you’re going to find everything you need. Some of the most common items to check out will be garage door openers, security systems, and robotic vacuums. Security systems, in all forms, will be some of the hottest deals though. So, you should be able to find a camera system, as well as extra security measures like a doorbell that works to record your front porch while also allowing you to communicate without opening the door.

3. Apple Gear
If your phone or tablet isn’t cutting it anymore, then you might want to take some time to check out all of the Apple sales that you’ll find during this Prime Day. Apple generally isn’t one of the sales options during this time, so you might want to keep up to date on the latest deals to ensure you’ll find some of the lowest prices of the year. You will also be able to find a huge selection of older models as well as new models. Your best option is going to be items like phones and watches, as Amazon won’t want too much competition with their own tablets. All the same, if you’re an Apple fan, you’ll probably find something to celebrate while shopping this mega sale.

4. Fitness Technology
Fitness technology is still very trendy and there are many brands trying to light up the market. Amazon is definitely noticing this trend, which is why you’re bound to find some awesome deals on fitness technology. There have been many rumors that Fitbits will be a remarkable price during this sale, so you might want to shop around so you already have an idea of prices before Prime Day begins. Of course, Fitbit isn’t the only tech you’ll find. You might look for off-brand heart monitors and so much more. You might even find deals on new workout technology, that will help you get fit faster. If you’re lucky, you might find yourself with everything you need to get your health in order quickly.

5. Televisions
Amazon is known for its television sales. Prime Day shouldn’t leave you disappointed either, as there will be tons of deals on all sorts of televisions. If you’re looking for upgrade material, then you might want to start out searching for deals on 4K TVs, as these will certainly be some of the most popular items around. Of course, there should be deals on just about any smart TV you might consider bringing home. Unfortunately, these television deals aren’t going to last long, so you’ll have to be fast in order to get the savings. At times, this can be a tactic to get people to buy items that aren’t really low in price. So, you might want to do research ahead of time to make sure you’re prepared to know what will save you money and what won’t.

6. Baby Gear
Parents and those expecting will love all of the deals you’ll find on baby gear during this sale. Amazon is known for dropping lots of odds and ends for the tots in our lives, so you should be able to stock up on just about everything under the sun. Some of the more common items are baby furniture, like swings and even bassinets. You will find plenty of toys to help with development. So, you might want to stock up on some of the larger items for your child. On top of that, you’ll find a wide array of sales on onesies, bottles, first aid kits and all of the odds and ends you’ll need to bring your little one into the world and maintain their happiness well into toddler years. Unfortunately, diapers will be a hit or miss, so you might keep your eye out for a good deal, but you still shouldn’t get your hopes up.

7. Amazon Subscriptions
Although you won’t be able to save money on an Amazon Prime subscription, you will be able to find some great deals on subscription services related to Amazon. For instance, Audible, Amazon’s audiobook subscription service will be offering some great deals for users hoping to start up the service. This service already gives you one free audiobook a month, with rollover books if you don’t choose anything, so you’ll already be making out. Another service to look into is Amazon pantry, which offers free shipping and low costs on items that you use every day in your home. Finally, Amazon Music will be offering two free months when you sign up for the family plan. This will keep everyone entertained with music from just about every genre available.

8. Beauty and Health Products
If you’re running low on beauty and health supplies, then you’ll be happy to know that Prime Day will help you stock up for the rest of the year. This day is pretty famous for offering so many different random things, so you will easily be able to find numerous supplies that will suit your needs. Of course, you won’t be able to see if your favorite brands will have a sale until Prime Day arrives, but you might find some sales on items that you have wanted to try. If you’re not dedicated to a brand, then you should be able to try something that will suit your needs. This is especially true when it comes to supplements. However, you might also get lucky and find cosmetics, lotions, and soaps that will help you feel more confident about the person you are.

9. Entertainment
Another common item that you will find is entertainment. You might not run into great deals on consoles, but you’re certain to find some awesome finds when it comes to video games. However, some of the best deals that have been seen in previous years have to do with boxed sets for movies. You can find full series at a surprisingly low price. You will find lots of other movies too. Another great find during this sale is music. Whether you’re looking for CDs, vinyl or even downloads, Prime Day is certain to treat you to something amazing. On top of that, you will find books in just about every genre and format. Of course, toys will also be on sale, so you can find something to entertain the kids during the summer months or simply stock up for holidays and birthdays.

10. Other Vendors
Although Prime Day is all about Amazon, you might find that some competitors won’t let these two days pass by without some major sales of their own. Some of the largest competitors to offer sales will be Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and other major department stores. You might even find some smaller name stores and boutiques jumping on the bandwagon. This can really work out to your advantage, so make sure you shop around to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal. You might also take advantage of price matching, especially if the sale on Amazon isn’t a flash deal. This will allow you to skip the wait, so you can get your items straight away.

Amazon Prime Day is a great reason to get excited during the hot summer months. This sale is going to be one of the largest that we’ve seen this year and will probably hold that title until Black Friday arrives. So, if you’re looking to purchase a few items to make your life easier, or you simply want to splurge, then Amazon Prime Day is the time to do it.

Summer is here, which means hot days that are going to leave the kids sprawled out across the sofa. There are quite a few things that you can do to help get your kids to be more active during the summer months though. One of the most efficient ways is to turn your yard into a miniature water park. These ten tips will show you that making your own water park is certainly easier and cheaper than you could have ever thought possible. So, instead of allowing your kids to soak up the heat, you might consider utilizing a few of these ideas to truly help you make the most of the fun days of summer.

1. Water Blob
One of the quickest and easiest ways to get more out of the summer months is to make a blob. Water blobs have been quite popular over the last couple of years, so you should be able to find ideas all over the place. The best thing about water blobs is they are the perfect option for toddlers. You can whip up a blob and let a toddler roll around without having to worry about the potential of drowning. Older children will get a kick out of this activity too, as it can often mimic the feeling of waves, which can be fun with a boogie board or other accessories. It doesn’t take a lot of materials to make a water blob either, so you should have one up and running in no time. If you want to get more out of the activity, you can insert water toys, especially those that resemble animals, on both sides of the screen.

2. Slip n Slide
Another fun way to transform the backyard into your own personal park is to add a slip n slide or three. These items are so simple but can be transformed into a wide variety of designs. For starters, you can take a basic slip n slide and add it to a hill to help kids pick up the speed. You can also have the slide end in a swimming pool or area filled with bubbles. Another fun idea is to add some water balloons to the landing dock or even the slide itself. You can even place a sprinkler in the area. If you don’t want to purchase a water slide, then this is an easy activity to make as there are numerous tutorials online.

3. Bucket Dump
Nothing says fun quite like drenching a friend or family member with one single throw. So, if you want to add to the fun of your DIY water park then you might add a bucket drop to the mix. This can be one of the easiest things to set up as all you really need is something to stand the bucket on, a bucket, a target and a few supplies to engineer the drop. If you’re not entirely sure how to make the bucket drop, then look for some DIY tips online. You definitely won’t be disappointed. You should also consider height when creating the drop as you don’t want the bucket to hit anyone in the head when it does drop, so keep this in consideration when choosing the type of drop you will make. Once everything is set up, kids can throw water balloons or pool balls, shoot nerf balls and so on at the target to drench the person sitting beneath it.

4. Mister
Mist can be one of the most efficient ways to keep kids cool. It is also one of the easiest things to set up. Best of all, a mister can help water your plants without forcing you to go out at all hours. One of the most efficient misters for kids to play under involves using a PVC pipe. All you have to do is place three pipes together, so they stand up in a U shape. Then, cut holes in the pipe, so water sprays out. The larger the holes, the more water you’ll get. You can even turn this nifty device into a kid’s car wash. Of course, you can run the PVC pipe just about anywhere in the yard, so you can have water going all over the place if you so choose.

5. Water Balloon Pinata
Another easy way to help the kids have some fun is to make a pinata out of water balloons. This can be as easy as attaching a large portion of water balloons together, or as difficult as actually forming a shape to create a character. Water balloon pinatas can be burst in a wide variety of ways too. For instance, you can have kids throw darts at them for a nontraditional way of bursting it. You can also have kids go after it with a bat. If you want the pinata to last a bit longer then you might consider using a foam bat instead. If you choose to use softer items, like pool balls, to throw at the pinata then kids can also sit under it until it bursts. No matter how you choose to work with your water balloon pinata, it is going to spray water everywhere when it finally does burst.

6. Pool Noodle Obstacle Course
You can do so much with pool noodles, so you should definitely incorporate them into your DIY water park wherever possible. One of the best ways to use these amazing toys is to transform them into an obstacle course for kids. You can shape them in all sorts of ways and can even attach them to other items with ease. Thus, you can come up with a pretty sturdy obstacle course that will suit everyone. Once your course is built, poke holes in the obstacle course and run water through it. The water will splash the kids as they run through the obstacle course. You might not be able to get your kids out of this fun toy as the summer heat rises.

7. Sponge Battle Station
There’s no doubt about it, tensions run high during the summer months. Between the heat and siblings spending more and more time together, there is bound to be a bit of fighting. So, you might find it imperative to add a sponge battle station to your home waterpark. This is probably one of the easiest things to set up as all you really need is a bucket of water and some sponges. Of course, you can also cut the sponges into shapes or make special balls out of them to improve the battle region. You might also find it fun to add a few places for the kids to hide and use their stealth to make their water fight even more appealing.

8. DIY Water Slide
Water slides are one of the most popular ways for kids to have some fun during the summer months. However, buying a water slide can be incredibly expensive. So, you might want to consider making your own. There are so many fun ways to make a water slide though. If you have an inground pool, you have many options to consider to, which can make the process even more fun. One of the easiest ways is to use a cement dome and some tarp. However, you will find so many tutorials online that it will definitely make your head spin. You might also consider adding some misters to the side or above the pool so that the kids will be sprayed as they slide into the pool.

9. DIY waterfall
A waterfall can be one of the most refreshing things to add to your landscaping. However, it is also a great addition to your DIY waterpark. Kids will love standing under your waterfall and getting drenched on a hot day. You have many options when it comes to waterfalls too. If you have a pool then this might be the best area to place the waterfall, as it will allow you to use the pool water. Of course, you can always place it in a separate area if you don’t mind putting in a little more elbow grease. You can also use solar power to help you power your pump, which will save you a lot of money in energy costs each day.

10. Concession Stand
Nothing says water park quite like a concession stand. Luckily, this will probably be one of the easiest things to set up in your DIY waterpark. You can easily set up a small booth using old wood, used furniture and so on. From there, consider painting it to look the part. You can add all sorts of cold drinks, hot dogs, and snow cones to the area too. There are lots of ways to make your own snow cone machine too, so you don’t have to add to the cost. You can also make your own hot dog roller with ease. If you want to keep things simple though, then all you need is a bag of chips, a jar of large pickles and a cooler with soft drinks to appease the kids when they work up an appetite.

Waterparks are such a fun part of summer, but the price to get into one can be astronomical. These tips will help you build your own waterpark with ease, which is bound to keep the kids busy all summer long. This should help cut down on the price tag of summer fun while also helping kids burn off some energy while cooling down on a hot day.

Summer has officially arrived, which might leave you wondering what you should do with your children while the weather is unbearably hot. Although it is still possible to get outside at times, it often isn’t safe to. This can be a huge problem with kids home for the summer months, as it can definitely breed boredom and screen addiction. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make the heat wave bearable and a bit of fun for everyone in the household. So, grab a fan to keep you cool and check out these tips to help make life a little easier until the kids are back in school and the temperatures begin to drop.

1. Cooking Experiments
One of the most common ways to enjoy the heat wave is to have a few experiments to help your children understand just how hot it really is. One of the most common experiments to try out is frying an egg in the heat. Often, people will do this by cracking an egg on a sidewalk. You might consider comparing how the egg cooks on the sidewalk verses how it cooks on the hood of a vehicle. Another fun project is to whip up some cookie dough to try. Place some on a cookie sheet and then place it inside a vehicle for a couple of hours. The cookies should bake if it is hot enough. This experiment is also a great reminder to children that they shouldn’t get in a vehicle without the window open or air conditioning on. There are other cooking tricks to try too, so shop around online to see what you come up with.

2. Snow Cones
Nothing says summer fun quite like eating snow cones. Whether you’re going to a snow cone kiosk or making the treat at home, it is bound to make a heatwave more bearable for a lot less money. Generally, purchasing snow cones won’t cost you a fortune, but it is much cheaper to make the treats at home. All you need is a blender or a snow cone maker to get starter. Once you have enough ice to make your treat, you can worry about the flavoring. There are tons of options on the market to purchase, but you might also consider making your own. This will give you the power to cut dyes and sugars if you please. There are a lot of recipes online to check out, so find a few that suit you and enjoy. Best of all, the snow cones will help keep everyone hydrated which will improve health as the heat rises.

3. Pretend its Nighttime
Energy costs can be incredibly high during the summer months, so one of the best things you can do is black out the rooms in your home. One of the best ways to do this is to put aluminum foil on the windows, draw the blinds and put up some thick curtains. This will instantly help to cool the room down a lot more. When everything is dark, pretend that its nighttime. You can pitch a tent, make a fake campfire and even watch the stars on the ceiling. This can keep the whole family busy for hours as it will allow you to sing songs, make camping snacks, tell stories and so much more. You can also make shadow puppets, project a movie on the wall or have a pillow fight.

4. Go to the Movies
The summer months are the prime time to hit the cinema. There are so many blockbusters available that will suit the entire family. Best of all, most theaters will run specials that will help make going to the movies less of a financial burden. Some theaters have a dollar deal for kids that will even land them a snack. The best thing about the theater is it runs the air conditioner on full blast, so you can truly cool down even when the temperatures are spiking outside. There are lots of cold treats to enjoy too, which will cut through the heat with ease. Best of all, most cinemas feature arcades, bowling alleys, laser tag and so much more. You can even raise the temperate in your home to help cut down on your bills while you’re out of the house too.

5. Ditch Hot Meals
Another way to help cut through the heat is to ditch hot meals whenever you. Running your oven or stove in the hot months can help to raise the temperature in your home quickly. Plus, no one wants to stand over a flame cooking. Hot meals tend to warm up the body too, cutting down on them will do the whole family a favor. You might want to opt for making sandwiches on days that are really hot. You can even have salads or cold pizza. On top of that, there is a wide variety of cold soups and other dishes that will help keep the body cooler.

6. Swim in the Tub
If the UV rating is much too high for outdoor fun, then you can easily use the bathtub as a way to cool down. Simply fill it up with cold water and let the kids have some fun. You can even add bubbles to make the fun even more exciting for kids. Swimming in the tub can keep kids busy for hours on end too. You might even pull out some bath toys to extend their time in the tub. You can also make DIY bath paints and add in other activities to keep the fun on the rise. Of course, a cold bath isn’t just for the kids. It can be a great way for adults to keep cool too.

7. Night Tag
The sun can be a frustrating source of heat and can add a bit of danger to spending time outside. Instead of having the kids stay inside day and night, you might use the dark to allow them a chance to get fresh air. One of the best ways to enjoy night time fun is to play night tag. All you need is a flashlight to pull this off too. Kids will be able to have fun running and playing while capturing one another with the flashlights. This will also help to improve moods as kids can finally take in the fresh air they need to be healthy.

8. Indoor Obstacle Course
You can always bring the outdoors indoors if the kids are getting restless. One of the best ways to do this is to create an obstacle course for them to enjoy. There are so many things you can do to spice up the obstacle course too, which will make play time even more enjoyable. If you don’t know where to start, you might look for ideas online to help you find something you can make with the supplies you have at home already. Of course, you should also keep your furniture in mind too, as you might have to temporarily move it around to suit the obstacle courses needs. You should also keep safety in mind first to ensure your kids can have fun without stressing over injury.

9. DIY Air conditioner
When it comes to entertaining kids, one of the best things you can do is keep their minds active. One of the best ways to do this is to have the children solve some problems. Since there is so much heat, a DIY air conditioner might be one of the best projects to take on. For this, you will basically need a fan and some ice. However, you don’t have to tell the kids how to do this as it will help with their engineering skills. You might consider giving them a scavenger hunt to help them figure it out if there is an issue at all. Best of all, this fun project will help kids keep cool too and won’t cost as much as running your air conditioning on full blast.

10. Mystery Game
A nice mystery can be a great way to keep the entire family entertained when it is too hot to want to move. These games can be primarily played inside of the house, which will definitely help when the weather is hot. You can come up with a mystery on your own that you know will intrigue your kids, or you can download a mystery online to make your life easier. The mystery can even include tools to help string people along until they figure things out. Mystery games can be designed by age requirements or interests too, so you’ll have fun mixing it up all summer long.

Heatwaves can be a real pain in the neck, especially if you have a family to keep busy. These ten ideas will not only help to keep you from feeling overwhelmed with the temperatures outside, but they will also protect your family from the dangers of the heat.

A lot of stores are already rolling out their biggest sales of the summer, so you might be wondering which items will be worth your time. Luckily, we already know enough to give a few hints as to what you should and shouldn’t be shopping for during the biggest patriotic sale of the year. So, if you’re ready to do a little shopping between the big holidays, you’ll be well on your way to saving a bundle as you navigate through the sales that are already kicking off. So, whether you’re an early bird or you like to enjoy last minute deals, these tips should help you pick all of the sales you should check out, so you can avoid those that won’t be worth your time.

1. Yay for Appliances
One of the best things to shop for during the 4th of July sales is appliances. You will find everything from individual items like washers, dryers and refrigerators to bundle deals that are perfect for renovations. It’s a little surprising that this is one of the top holidays to purchase these items, so many people actually miss out on the deals. However, you’ll be able to find items close to 40% off on many retailers’ websites and brick and mortar stores. You might even go in to see if you can get some financing on the items, so you don’t have to hold out on the deals if you don’t have the money upfront. These deals are certain to bypass Black Friday, so if you can shop now you should. If not, then Black Friday will be your next best option for the deals. If you’re interested in appliances, the Home Depot, Lowes and Best Buy are certain to meet your needs during the big holiday sale.

2. Nay for Technology
Without a doubt, technology isn’t going to be your friend when it comes to this holiday sale. So, you might want to skip out on it. Although there will be some deals on electronic products, you’ll find that waiting will serve you better. One of the best times to purchase these items is actually right around the corner. Typically, you’ll find lots of great deals on phone, tablets and computers during the back to school season. On top of that, you will be able find some good deals on TVs during the Labor Day holiday. All in all, you’ll find yourself saving a whole lot of cash, if you simply wait for August and September to roll around.

3. Yay to Patio Furniture
The Fourth of July marks the biggest bash of the season, which also means people will be winding down when it comes to entertaining outside. Thus, many stores are going to try to push their patio furniture. You should be able to find everything from outdoor tables and accessories to grills and other supplies that will get you through the rest of the season. Of course, if you notice some items are still priced high, you might hold off and see if they are being clearanced out during the Labor Day celebration. If you are looking to grab some patio furniture, you’re bound to find some incredible deals at Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes. However, this will be one of the most common sale items online too, so check out your favorite stores that offer the items you desire. You should always consider what you need and what will fit in your space, before you make the purchase official.

4. Nay to Summer Clothes
You might be tempted to jump on sales that involve summer clothes. A lot of stores will promise some of the best prices of the year on these items. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, when back to school days begin, you’ll find that the leftover summer clothes will be put on the clearance rack. This will allow you to save even more on the clothing. Plus, the longer you hold out on these items, the more you will save on them. So, unless you find a deal you simply can’t resist, you might want to ditch this sale to pursue the others, as you won’t have to wait long to enjoy even more savings.

5. Yay to Patriotic Items
Patriotic items are definitely going to be on your buy list. Since there won’t be another patriotic holiday until Veterans Day in November, many stores will be trying to get rid of their patriotic stock. Often, Veterans day doesn’t even require these items, so many of the stores will sell items dirt cheap. If you love to decorate with patriotic items, then stock up as much as you can. You might even want to use them as crafting supplies, so you can make your home even more festive when the patriotic season returns. You might also be able to find patriotic clothing for cheap, too. One of the most popular items to try to buy during these sales is military inspired collectibles that can be rather pricey during other times. So, make sure you check out department stores, craft stores and even military stores to find the items you want at the best price of the year.

6. Nay to Fireworks
You might think that now is the perfect time to get fireworks for the holiday. However, even if you find yourself waiting until the firework stands are about to close you still won’t find the deals you desire. Waiting for the day after the holiday will allow you to find lots of deals that will help you to save huge on the items you’ve always wanted to try out. These fireworks can be used after the holiday as long as they are legal in your area. You might also consider saving them for holidays like New Year’s.

7. Yay to Jewelry
July tends to be a bit of a dry period for jewelry. There aren’t any major gift giving holidays during this month, and wedding and proposal season seems to dry out a bit. Thus, a lot of jewelers will try to inspire a sale for the holiday in order to bring in some money. Thus, you might find some of the items you want are clearanced or even on sale during the holiday. You might even want to shop ahead to find the perfect engagement, wedding or anniversary band for the one you love. You should also be able to find jewelry based around zodiacs that take place in July, which will certainly be a treat for anyone with a birthday.

8. Nay to Gardening Supplies
Although planting season might not be in its prime anymore, gardening supplies are still in high demand. Items like lawnmowers, weedwhackers, and other planting and maintenance supplies will be a bit high in price until lawn work isn’t required anymore. You might luck out and find some deals on these items when Black Friday arrives. So, if you can avoid purchasing items such as this then you absolutely should. There are rentals for these items if you are desperate to clean up the yard. You might also look at a thrift store or simply shop for an older model until the new deals arrive.

9. Yay to Tools
With Father’s Day over, a lot of stores will be trying to clear out the excess stock that they have from the holiday. On top of that, there will be new stock coming in soon that the store will need to make plans to display. Thus, many stores will hold liquidation sales in hopes of getting rid of the old stuff. This will make the sale one of the best of the year, so you won’t want to miss on some of the deals. You won’t see deals again until Black Friday, which will make it too late for the items to be put to good use due to the weather. So, shop around at Sears, Home Depot, Lowes and more to ensure you find the best deals around.

10. Nay to Cars
July isn’t the time to shop for cars either, especially during the Fourth of July sales. Sales during the summer months are actually up in most cases because of graduations and road trips. So, you might find yourself looking in a sea of overpriced vehicles. If you can wait for a car, you will find some of the best deals around Labor Day. During this time, new models are coming in so most of the dealerships will be dropping prices on some of the older models. You might even be able to drive off the lot with a brand new car without spending a fortune.

Shopping around during the Fourth of July can be a lot of fun. However, knowing which items to shop for will help make your shopping experience even better. So, when it comes to making the most out of your money, then you’ll definitely want to check out these five areas, while avoiding the other five when necessary.

Summer break can be a great time to bond with the kids. However, after about a week of fun, you might find yourself worried about your food budget for the summer months. It seems that children need something to eat or drink every couple of hours, if not more often, when they’re at home for summer vacation. There are a few things you can do to make the snacking nightmare end though. These simple tips will help you get your child’s snacking habits in check, so you won’t have to spend your entire snacking budget on their sudden cravings. So, take a deep breath and collect yourself, because snacking doesn’t have to eat away at your sanity or budget.

1. Follow a Schedule
One of the best things you can do for your kids is follow a schedule. This will not only help your child to maintain a basic routine for school, but it will also help to keep their mind healthier. Schedules are one of the most stable ways to keep kids going through the day and can eliminate a wide assortment of the chaos that happens during the summer months. When it comes to mealtimes, you should pencil in breakfast, a midmorning snack, lunch and then an afternoon snack. Of course, older children might not need all of these meals, so work using your judgement here. When kids know they have to follow a schedule for their snacking needs, they will be less likely to bug you every few minutes for something to eat.

2. Encourage Outdoor Play
Sometimes, one of the easiest ways to get your kids to stop asking for a snack is to send them outside to play. If you can find a wide assortment of games for them to play outside, then you’ll be all set to enjoy some fun without worrying about the food supply. In the summer heat, there is a good chance your child might not ask for a snack for some time as it often suppresses the appetite. Of course, running around and having fun will also take the mind off of needing to eat. This will help your children lead a healthier lifestyle during the summer months too. The only thing you’ll truly need to worry about is having water on hand to keep them hydrated.

3. Push Fluids
Another great way to keep things frugal when snacking is to actually push your child to drink more fluids. This doesn’t mean that everything they consume should be something they want. Instead, you should make sure your child has water more often than not. Often, we believe we are hungry when we are actually thirsty. So, teaching your children to fill their bellies with water before going after a snack can truly set them up for success in the future. You might also consider making popsicles to help ease some of the snack desires. You can make your own sugar less or even sugar free to keep your kids happy while saving you a whole lot of money.

4. Keep Kids Busy
Boredom is one of the key factors of children wanting to snack all of the time. This can be a huge problem because kids tend to try to lounge around all summer if they don’t have anything going on. The lounging and snacking are bound to cause kids to gain weight, which will get in the way of their health. Instead of letting this carry on, your best option is to keep kids busy. You might give them crafts to work on, homework to keep their minds fresh or even sign them up for activities. A playdate might also be the solution to the snacking problem. You might also consider going on nature walks, visiting museums or just exploring your community. No matter how you keep your child busy, you won’t have to stress over the constant snacking.

5. Skip the Junk
There’s no doubt about it, kids gravitate towards junk food. Unfortunately, it is one on the cheapest options when it comes to feeding children too. Junk food isn’t just bad for children, it can also cause them to eat more. Not only will this eat at your budget and your wellbeing, but it can cause health problems for your children too. Your best option is to keep junk food at bay during the summer months. Instead of going for popular chip brands, you might consider passing out fruit or vegetables to keep kids full. This will prevent sugar cravings and crashes while teaching kids healthy eating habits.

6. Premade Protein Packs
One of the best ways to fill up kids and keep them full is to give them foods that are filled with protein. There are lots of great protein packs you can purchase from the store, but it will save you a bundle of money to make them yourself. These protein packs usually have products like cheese, nuts, meats, eggs and fruits. So, design your favorite protein packs to suit your child’s needs. If you offer a protein pack for snack at a designated time, you’ll find your child will ditch the constant need to snack and will have the nutrients needed to lead a healthier lifestyle.

7. Eat Meals At Table
Another way to detour the constant snacking is to force children to eat any food they have at the table. From mealtime to snack time, directing food to the table might actually detour kids from watching to eat all of the time. For instance, children often get caught up in whatever they’re playing or watching on tv. If they have to take a break to get a snack, then they might not want to grab that extra snack they thought they needed. Plus, eating at the table is a great bonding exercise that can help the whole family form good habits that can actually keep kids out of trouble in the future.

8. Have Kids Help with Meal Prep
Cooking with your children can be one of the best ways to cut down on the snack epidemic. Kids that know how much work goes into food will be less likely to demand things all of the time. Plus, teaching kids how to cook can keep them busy and excited to learn more essential life skills. Of course, you should start with age appropriate tasks to make sure kids are safe in the kitchen. Younger children might start with mixing batter and other items, while older children can operate the stove or cut up ingredients. Having your children meal prep with you will also show them the quantity of food that they have to work with. This might cause them to hold back on snacking, as they will know just how much went into the food they have eagerly been grabbing.

9. Healthy Alternatives
Kids tend to gravitate toward convenience, just like adults. However, most of the prepackaged snacks kids are going to go after aren’t going to be great for them. So, you might skip their favorite snacks at the grocery store and offer healthy alternatives. For instance, you might start with just setting out fruit to snack on. However, you can amp up your game by making your own fruit snacks and fruit rollups. This is an easy task that will certainly appease children while filling them up more. Granola bars are another great option that can easily be made at home from ingredients that all children will love. Apart from that, you might find homemade beef jerky, vegetable chips and other savory options will go far too. There are so many healthy recipes to suit your child’s favorite snacks that you might have a hard time figuring out where to start.

10. Say No to Sugar
Sugar can be one of the worst things for your kids. From cavities and weight gain to sugar addiction, your best option is to keep this substance out of your home as much as possible. Sugar is hidden in just about everything today too, so your kids are getting more than their fair share. So, try to work out treats that don’t have added sugar. It will take some hunting around, but there are many great options on the market now. Of course, making things from scratch can also help with the sugar issue. You may even have to limit some juices too, so you might stick to water as often as you can.

Your child’s snacking habits doesn’t have to cost you a fortune during the summer months. These ten tips should actually cut back on the snacking your child craves, which will save you money and a lot of stress. With children asking for less snacks, you might find that you’re able to pack in more fun and bonding time during the summer months.

Swimming is one of the most popular activities to engage in during summer vacation. However, if you’re not careful, it can land you juggling your budget. This is especially true if you plan on having your own pool. Luckily, there are many ways to avoid the high cost of having your own pool without forcing you to spend a ton on admission tickets to pools around your city. These ten ideas will allow you to embrace your pool time so you can cool down this summer without feeling like your budget is plummeting.

1. Consider City Pools
When it comes to swimming for cheap, one of the best options is to actually go swimming in a city pool. These public pools tend to have a cheap entrance fee and allows you to swim for several hours. Generally, city pools don’t have all of the bells and whistles that other pools might have, but they will still offer you the opportunity to swim and have some fun while getting out of the heat. Of course, city pools tend to be crowded at times. So, you might spend some time at the pool to see when the lulls are. This should allow you to choose some of the best times to hit the pol each day.

2. Community Programs
If you’re learning how to swim or you want to enroll your child in a summer swim program, then there is definitely a lot of great community programs to check out. More often than not, you will find these programs in high schools and colleges, so make sure to check out their summer program to see what you can get into. Often, the schools will use the summertime to help students gain teaching skills, so kids can gain lessons for free or a low cost. Sometimes, the schools will even allow for free swim periods for families, so that everyone can get in a bit of practice. These swim lessons can last for several weeks too, which will help keep your kids busy throughout the summer break.

3. Season Pass
One of the most efficient ways to swim during the summer months is to a purchase a season pass for your family. This might be a higher purchase at the beginning of summer, but if you use the pass on a daily, or even a weekly basis, then you are bound to save quite a bit of money in the long run. You can find a season pass at just about any institution. You might even luck out and find a pass for your city pool, which will save you even more money. Even if the only option you have is a water park, you will be surprised how much a family season pass can save you opposed to purchasing pool passes every day. This will also give the whole family something to do if you do find yourself broke or bored throughout the summer months.

4. Invest in Proper Swimwear
Although saving on the pool itself is very important, you also might consider the swimwear you have. Bikinis look cute and all, but if you plan on spending every day at the pool then you might want to consider adding something else to the mix. If you’re spending a lot of time in the pool, then you might want to cover more skin. So, instead of thinking fashion, you might consider a pair of swim shorts and a rash guard top to help protect you. Believe it or not, but these clothing options will help to keep you cooler and will prevent sunburn in many areas. This can help improve your experience in the pool, as you won’t find yourself sitting it out to allow your sunburn to properly heal.

5. Replenish Energy
Another way to get more out of your swimming experience is to keep your energy replenished. A lot of people will actually spend the whole day in the pool, which will cause them to feel exhausted before the end of the day arrives. Of course, this can also add soreness to the following day, which might encourage people to sit out the following day or two. The best way to avoid this is to keep your energy up during your swim periods. Make sure you eat or at least have a couple of snacks in order to keep you going. Junk food isn’t your best option here, so try to stick with fruits, vegetables, and even some carbs to keep you going. You should also make sure to drink lots of water to help keep you hydrated. Try to stop every hour or so to get a bit of water to keep you going.

6. Sign Up for the YMCA
If you’re struggling for a place to sign up for swimming, then you might want to look into going to the YMCA. One of the best things about the YMCA is you can get a family membership that will allow everyone to swim and enjoy everything that the YMCA has to offer for a cheap price. You can even keep your membership up for the summer and cancel later if you’re not certain that you can keep up with it throughout the school year. The YMCA offers a lot of pool options too. For instance, you can take swim lessons, swim laps or even enjoy the free swim periods that are offered for families. The YMCA offers a lot more to keep the whole family busy too, which will help give you a break from swimming throughout the day. Best of all, it will give the family a place to spend the entire day, so you won’t have to stress out over running the air conditioner at full blast.

7. Join a Team
When it comes to saving money on pool time, one of your best options is to actually join a swim team. You might have to pay a fee to join, but after that, you should be able to swim for free during practice sessions and competitions. Swim teams will help you improve your overall skills in swimming as well, which will definitely help you get more out of the sport. With competitions, you might even win enough money to help keep your love of swimming going. Of course, kids might also be able to join a team through their school. Often, schools will run practice during the summer months to keep their team fit when the season begins. This will definitely help make swimming more affordable and rewarding.

8. Sun Protection
The sun can really drain you and cause you to want to leave the pool earlier than you otherwise would. Instead of letting this happen, you should consider sun protection before you hit the pool. One of the most important things to do is add sunscreen to your day. Make sure you have a waterproof option and you reapply frequently. You also need to consider protecting your eyes. Sunglasses are a great choice, but you can also get tinted goggles to help you out in the water. A hat and coverup, while you are resting, is also crucial to protecting you. Apart from that, you should find a shady place to rest or choose an indoor pool.

9. Protect Skin and Hair from Chlorine
The sun isn’t the only thing that can ruin your swim sessions. Another thing that you should look out for is damage to your skin and hair caused by chlorine that is always present in the water. There are many ways to help protect yourself though, so don’t stress about entering the pool. One of the best things that you can do for your skin is rinsed off before and after every swim session. You should also make a point to exfoliate a few times a week, to help your skin get healthy again. Of course, moisturizing is very important to and will ensure your skin can heal with ease.

10. Stretch Your Body
Swimming is quite possibly one of the best exercises to try out. However, a lot of people forget to stretch before hopping in a pool. Stretching can help you get a lot more out of your swim sessions, even if you’re just goofing around with friends and family. Stretching will prepare your muscles for the movement they are about to endure, which will actually help your muscles strengthen with ease. Stretching after swimming is also important as it can help relax your body after all of the movement. If you can, try to do a yoga session before or after getting in the water. This will give you more energy during your swim times, so you get even more out of the pool time.

Swimming is a great way to keep cool and have fun in the summer heat. With these ten tips, you should be able to balance your budget as well as your love of swimming. You might even find swimming helps to improve your budget in some cases, as it will cut back on spending elsewhere. So, get ready to get the most out of your summer with these helpful pool time tips.

As June flies by, you might be scrambling to find the perfect way to spend the Fourth of July. There are lots of great celebrations going on during this amazing summer holiday, but if you’re on a tight budget you might find yourself feeling limited. Luckily, the summer months bring lots of great celebrations that go hand in hand with this holiday. So, you should be able to find some fun without having to worry about spending too much money. These amazing ideas will help you find the perfect way to celebrate, so you can make this Fourth of July something to remember for years to come.

1. Free Location
Luckily, there are a ton of free locations that can help you make your Fourth of July magical. Before the big day, you might surf around to see if there are any parks offering free admissions. This could make the perfect time to go camping and enjoy everything that the country is made of. Another great option is to take a dip in the lake or ocean to help celebrate the fun. In most cases, you won’t have to spend a dime on these items. You can also save even more money on these items by skipping driving. Instead, take public transit as it will help you save a bundle on parking fees. Of course, make sure you look up the rules for food and drinks in the destination you choose, because if outside items aren’t allowed then you might find yourself spending a fortune.

2. Parade
One of the best ways to soak up some holiday fun is to hit the local parade. Most communities will have some sort of parade to mark the special occasion. You will probably find information on yours in your local paper or on social media, so make sure to check up on it before the big day arrives. In some cases, towns will hold parades before the event, so it is important to make sure you’re up to date. If your community isn’t hosting a parade, then there is a good chance you’ll find one near you. You can also watch some of the parades from larger cities online. Thus, you can probably kill a couple of hours just watching recaps in the air-conditioning.

3. Community Celebration
Like parades, the Fourth of July often brings some exceptional community events. For instance, many communities will host a potluck for everyone to gather and enjoy one another’s company. You might also find events that have games, relay races and so much more. Some community’s will even host a low-cost carnival around this period of time, so people can truly get the most out of the event. A lot of these events won’t cost you money, but those involving food might require a small fee. Best of all, you should be able to catch some awesome fireworks at the event. This will certainly save you money too, as you won’t find yourself hosting your own party or dealing with firework purchases.

4. Movie Marathon
Without a doubt, July can be one of the hottest months around. So, you might not want to spend your whole day in the sun, especially if you plan on staying up for the firework show. Instead of going out to have some fun, you might want to have a movie marathon instead. You can have everyone bring pillows and blankets into the living room, make some patriotic inspired snacks and then enjoy some of the best movies around. There are so many movies that fit the Independence Day theme. Of course, you can also watch a few of the movies that are also about the actual event. The best thing about a movie marathon is you can even customize it to suit the age groups in your home.

5. Get Crafty
In order to keep kids busy on the holiday, you might check out some holiday inspired crafts. For starters, you can have the kids make Uncle Sam hats, which they can wear throughout the holiday. Another option is to craft flags that can be up as décor or given as a gift. You can even make firework art to help kids have even more fun with their favorite aspect of the holiday. There are a ton of July 4th crafts online to choose from too, so you can keep busy all day if you want. Of course, if you’re trying to stick to a budget then you might want to plan your crafts around the supplies you already have at home. Using recycled items like bottles and containers will help cut the price too. You might also consider hanging up the décor for the holiday, so you don’t have to purchase anything else to keep the home looking great.

6. Put on a Patriotic Play
Movies aren’t the only way to enjoy some fun during the holiday. You might actually have your family put on a play for the holiday. You can invite the neighborhood to pitch in or simply keep it between you, your family, and friends. If you don’t want to put in a lot of work into the play, you can actually purchase scripts to make life easier. There are more than a few to choose from too, so you might be able to enjoy more than one production. There are also free plays to download too, which will help get everyone in the mood to put on their best performance. If you do write your own play, you might make sure to copyright it, just in case it’s a hit. You can also make our own costumes to add to the fun.

7. Go Shopping
The Fourth of July is a great time to get out and shop. However, you might not go looking for tech, mattresses or even clothes like you might with other holiday sales. Instead, take full advantage of the sales on food. There is going to be a lot of grilling deals to help you make the summer amazing. So, you might stock up on things like hamburger meat, premade patties, hot dogs, sausage links and chicken. Meat isn’t the only option though, as vegetables that can be cooked on the grill, like corn, will also be on sale. You might also look out for deals on sides like canned beans, canned chili, chips and more. Of course, summer fruits will also be a hit. If you’re stocking up now, you can freeze the items you don’t plan on eating, which will help save you money in the long run.

8. Host/Attend Potluck
Of course, getting together with family, friends and neighbors has been one of the most popular ways to celebrate the Fourth of July for quite some time. This doesn’t mean that you have to host a huge event and spend your entire budget to accommodate everyone. Instead, ask your guests to bring something along to help save some money. This will ensure there is plenty of food for everyone, so you can concentrate on just having fun. You don’t even have to worry about entertainment as you can easily put on a free playlist or movies to add to the fun. You might also consider visiting someone else’s party if you have an invite. This can take a huge burden off of your shoulders for the price of a simple casserole or a few bags of chips.

9. Embrace Firework Alternatives
Fireworks can be pretty pricey. On top of that, they can be scary for children, animals and people suffering from PTSD. So, you might want to consider a few firecracker alternatives this holiday. One option is to add some confetti to a toilet roll and use a rubber band to send the confetti flying. You can even decorate this alternative to look like the real deal, which can be a lot of fun for kids. If the kids are missing the colors in the sky, then consider adding to the holiday with some balloons. You can paint the balloons with glow in the dark paint, or add a glow stick to the interior of the balloon. Then blow them up and let them hit the ceiling. Of course, you shouldn’t let these loose outside as they can cause harm to animals. Finally, you might consider firecracker goop. This is slime that is infused with the popular candy Pop Rocks. When kids squeeze the goop it will make lots of popping noises, which is certain to bring some laughter. There are lots of other alternatives to choose from too, so browse around online for a few more choices.

10. Enjoy the Sky
You won’t have to go far to enjoy the fireworks though. Instead of spending a fortune on your own, you might head outside and see what everyone else is setting off. Usually, you will be able to see community shows as well as your neighbors’ fireworks from your own backyard. You might even prepare some snacks and sit outside and enjoy the show. This can be a relaxing way to end your day and it won’t cost you anything.

The Fourth of July doesn’t have to be a major form of stress when it comes to your finances. Instead, you should celebrate the holiday and the meaning behind it. These tips will help you find frugal ways to have some fun, so you won’t have to skip out on this fun day.

Parenthood can be incredibly hard, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. The prospect of taking care of a helpless person can be frightening too. If you’re on a tight budget, the average parenting fears can be taken to all new heights. Luckily, there are a lot of programs out there that can help you find peace of mind and a sense of security as you raise your child. These ten programs are all great assets to just about every parent, so make sure you plan ahead to utilize some of these programs now or when your first child finally does arrive. You will be amazed by how much the assistance can reduce some of the burdens you’re experiencing.

1. Women Infants and Children (WIC)
If you’ve ever paid close attention in a grocery store, then you’ve probably noticed little labels that say WIC under some of the products. WIC is a government program that is designed to help women get the nutrition they need for their children. In order to join this program, you will have to have an eligibility meeting. During this meeting, you will be asked a few questions which will include information about your household’s income. If you have children, then they might have a nutrition check, which will include drawing blood to test levels of certain nutrients like iron. If you are approved for the program, you will receive money monthly that can be used for specific WIC items. These will be items with a special sticker in the store. You will be able to get a certain amount of milk, cheese, cereal, juice, baby formula and more to help offset the cost of groceries, so your child can have a healthier diet.

2. Baby Box
Expecting mothers won’t be able to resist the Baby Box program. In many countries in Europe, Baby Box has been a common thing for generations. This program allows expecting mothers to receive a box full of items to help make their little one at home without burdening the parent. Best of all, the box doubles as a bed for infants, which helps to reduce the chance of SIDS. In the United States, Baby Box is steadily growing steam with some hospitals offering the new boxes whenever a mother gives birth. Some states even offer the box to women who are willing to go through the online sleep training course. The boxes are free in these cases, which can help reduce a huge burden for many parents. However, if your state or hospital doesn’t offer the box, then you can still purchase your own on the Baby Box website. The price might seem steep at first, but when you get your box, you’ll be thrilled to see all that it comes with.

3. Baby Center
Pregnancy and the early years of parenthood can be mysterious, exhausting and frustrating. Baby Center is here to help you out though. This free app and website offer a wide assortment of helpful information to educate you about your pregnancy, infant, toddler, and preschooler. You will find a lot of different videos that show off each week of pregnancy. Each week provides tips to improve your health during this crucial time of your life. You can look up a lot of interesting information about your pregnancy too, which can help put a lot of people’s minds to ease, especially if they can’t afford to consult a doctor over every burning question. You can also join the forum that will help with advice. Even after your birth, you will find handy information to help your child grow in the best possible ways.

4. Headstart
Schooling can be a heavy burden on the budget, especially when it comes to things like Headstart, which aren’t typically free. Luckily, the government has a program to help out parents that might need a bit of help in this department. Studies show that children who attend a Headstart program will do much better in school in the future. So, you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity. If you are a low-income household, you might find that Headstart won’t cost you a penny. Even if you don’t qualify for free Headstart, you can still receive a smaller tuition price if you do meet certain requirements.

5. Nurse-Family Partnership
Pregnancy and post-partum periods can be exceptionally challenging for the entire family. That is why you should look into the Nurse-Family Partnership. This program exists in almost every state, so you should be able to enroll without a problem. The program is designed to help support the family during the trying times of adding a new family member to the household. A nurse will either visit or call expecting mothers to ensure that everything is going according to plan. The nurse will ask the mother a series of questions, listen to concerns and even help with depression symptoms. After the baby is born, a nurse will still check in for a few months to ensure the mental and physical health of everyone in the home. If you can’t get into this government program, you might check with your insurance. You might be surprised that many companies offer this service now to ensure the optimal health of everyone.

6. YMCA
Keeping active is one of the most important things that you can do for yourself and your family. There are many programs that can help you do this, but one of your most cost-effective options is the YMCA. This program has been around for generations now and they offer packages that will benefit the entire family. Best of all, if you purchase a membership for your entire family, you will save a ton of money. The YMCA offers many wellness programs, after-school activities, and recreational classes. You can even sign your child up for sports through the program. Of course, one of the most common things to do at the YMCA is hit the pool, so even if you don’t buy a membership you will still have a cheap alternative for keeping cool in the summertime.

7. Safe Kids ID Kit
Back in the 80s and 90s, everyone knew about Safe Kids ID Kits; however, the hype has slowly died down over the years. Luckily, the government will still provide you with a kit, which can help save your child in an emergency. The kit comes with a picture ID card and puts your child’s fingerprints on record, which can help with recovery if a child is abducted or lost. You can find these kits at community events, your local police station or simply by visiting the official website for the kits. So, don’t wait to get your child’s safety kit.

8. Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Unfortunately, literacy is still a problem in some areas of the United States. Many children don’t have access to books of their own too, which might cause a lack of interest in reading. Luckily, there are many programs that can help ensure your child falls in loves with a book. One of the best options is the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. This program isn’t offered everywhere, but if you’re lucky enough to have it in your region you will receive an age-appropriate book every month for each child in your household. You can sign your child up at birth and the books will keep coming for several years. Of course, if you don’t have the program in your area, you can sign up for updates, so you’ll know when the program is available for your child.

9. 4-H
A lot of parents gravitate toward scouting, which is a great program. However, there is another option available that is also affordable. This option is 4-H. If you’ve ever been to a stock show, then you’ve probably witnessed 4-H kids showing off the animal that they raised. Although livestock is a huge part of 4-H, it isn’t the only option. For starters, your kids can take culinary classes to help improve their basic life skills. Another option is science classes, like entomology, which will intrigue older children. Agriculture is another big part of the program, which is very important in today’s environmentally trying times. Children can raise animals for the program too, but you will have to buy your own animal in order to participate. If your child does choose to sell the animal, they might see a profit from it. However, the cost of care will be on your budget while the animal is in your child’s care.

10. MOMs Club
All moms need a support system. However, it isn’t always easy to find friends that have kids similar in age. Worst of all, maintaining old friendships can seem increasingly hard as you face parenthood. That is where the MOMs Club comes into play. This club is designed to help moms socialize, vent and have fun with other moms. The club can be a huge asset to any parents and has chapters across the United States. Generally, the club gets together for playdates, lunches or even just a whine session to help moms feel less alone in their frightening parenting role.

Becoming a parent can be one of the most exciting things you’ll do. However, it can also be very difficult when you take your budget into consideration. These ten programs are designed to help families achieve greatness without forcing them to spend a fortune. You’re certain to find something that will help improve your child’s fitness and education levels while also improving your own. You may even find the programs help put your mind to rest, especially when it comes to finances.

Backyards and summertime seem to go hand in hand. However, if you live in an area that is too hot to bear spending the daylight hours in the yard, then you might be wondering how you can cool things down a bit. There are some expensive solutions to this problem, but if you don’t mind getting creative, you might find some simple and frugal options too. These cost-effective ideas will help to make your backyard a friendlier place when the summer heat arrives. This should allow you to spend more time entertaining outdoors, while also encouraging pets and children to enjoy the fresh air and wonderful environment that your yard brings.

Continue reading “Cheap Ways to Make Your Backyard a Cooler Place This Summer”

June is National Rose Month, which can be exciting for anyone that can’t get enough of the beautiful flowers. This month is especially popular when it comes to planting roses. However, if you find yourself with an abundance of roses in your yard, you might wonder what you should do with all of the beautiful flowers that are blooming. There are so many great things you can do to get even more out of your roses though. These great options will help prevent your roses from going to waste while adding a little extra joy to your life without forcing you to spend money.

1. Rose Oil
One of the most efficient things that you can do with your roses is to use the petals to make rose oil. This oil is actually very easy to make and can be stored for quite some time. There are a ton of rose oil tutorials online too, so you can try out a variety of methods to see which one works the best for you. Once you have your rose oil made, you can use it for so many things. For starters, rose oil can easily be used to bake and can add a surprising flavor to cakes, cookies, and breads. Another great use of rose oil is in cosmetics. You can also use it for crafts like making your own candles, which will certainly make Rose Month even more valuable.

2. Bouquets
When it comes to keeping things simple, you can easily turn your excess flowers into a wide variety of bouquets. There are lots of tutorials on making bouquets too, which can come in handy if you want to keep things exciting. Bouquets can be made with a small number of flowers or large portions of flowers, depending on what you desire. Best of all, you can easily sell off the bouquets you don’t want to keep in order to earn a little extra money. Of course, you can also donate bouquets to high school or college graduates, nursing homes, hospitals and more. This will help you give back to the community while also allowing you to celebrate all of the lovely roses you’re growing.

3. Rose Beads
Rose beads are a great fashion option that will help you get rid of some of the petals that have gathered in your flower boxes. This might not be the easiest craft, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find yourself wanting to make these beads all of the time. There are lots of tutorials online to choose from, which should help you make the perfect shape for your beads too. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be making beads with ease. Of course, when you’ve made your beads, you might want to start making plans for them. They make great bracelets and necklaces, but you can also show them off as earrings. The beads will also offer a subtle scent that should make your day even more fantastic. If you have an abundance of beads, then you can easily sell them or make them into jewelry to sell later on.

4. Rose Candles
If the smell of roses makes you happy, then you might want to combine the scent into a candle. You can do this with rose oil or with rose petals. There are lots of tutorials online to make your own candle, so all you have to do is mix things up by adding the rose to the candle tutorial. If you’re working with rose petals, you can create a cool effect that will make the candle more of a showpiece. These candles make great gifts too, so you can find a cheap way to present others with holiday presents or simple thank you gifts. Best of all, you can really add to the candle by adding your wax to a special jar that complements the roses. For instance, a mason jar will add the rustic look you desire while a teacup features a pristine style worthy of your dining room.

5. Rose Tea
If you really love freshly brewed tea, then you’re going to enjoy making your own rose tea with the petals you have at home. There are so many delightful recipes for rose tea, so make sure to browse around and see what you can find. Of course, one of the easiest ways is to simply brew some tea and then steep it with rose petals. You might have to toy around with the various teas to choose one that you like though. However, once you get the perfect recipe, you’re bound to keep using the tea whenever you can. You can even make a cold rose tea to help keep your summer months a lot cooler. Another option is to make ice cubes infused with rose petals, which will add a more subtle hint to your beverage of choice. You might also find yourself adding rose to other beverages, such as lemonade as your love for the beverage grows.

6. Pressed Roses
One of the most beautiful things you can make for your flowers, especially those that have special meaning, is to press them. This will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the flowers for many years. A lot of people like to press roses in books to create a beautiful image when the book is first opened. This is usually done in memory books, journals or religious books. However, you can always press flowers to be used as décor. For instance, if you get a glass frame, you can press flowers inside of the frame to make a great background. You might also consider placing some rose petals into other glass décor items. This can make the perfect keepsake for just about any occasion too.

7. Rose Sweets
There are a lot of amazing desserts that you can make at home with roses too. One of the most popular is probably rose candies, which are rose petals covered in sugar and other delicious things. These can be tough to make, but there are lots of great tutorials out there if you’re willing to put in the elbow grease. Another popular thing to make is rose ice cream or frozen yogurt. This can be a tasty treat that works wonders in the hot summer sun. Cake is another exciting option that is delicate enough for a special occasion, but tasty enough to make any child smile. There are tons of recipes online though, so let your imagination run wild enough to satisfy your appetite.

8. Rose Cosmetics
Roses are one of the best ways to create cosmetics that will truly change the way you feel about your skin. Luckily, rose petals can go in just about everything, which will definitely make crafting even more fun. One of the first things you should consider making is rose lotion and soaps. These can be time-consuming tasks, but once you get the hang of things you should be set to turn out the crafts fairly quickly. Facial scrubs are another must. You can easily make sugar scrubs with rose to help add the perfect scent to your morning routine. Of course, this is only scratching the surface of the things you can make with roses, so look around online to find a ton of other cosmetic options that will add the delightful scent of rose to your day.

9. Graft Them
Of course, you don’t have to settle with using your roses to make things that are bound to disappear. You also have another option. In order to increase your garden stock, you can always graft some of your flowers onto others. This can be a great way to toy around with colors or add to your garden stock. Grafting doesn’t have to be intimidating either. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of great tutorials that can help you find your way if you’re having trouble. You never know, your grafting might help you create new bushes that you can sell to others hoping to start their own rose garden.

10. Potpourri
Nothing makes the home smell quite as wonderful as potpourri. Luckily, it is very easy to create your own potpourri mixture that contains the wonderful scent of roses. There are numerous ways to make potpourri too, so you can experiment to find the best ways to bring out the rose scent in your mixture. Of course, if you don’t want to make a complete potpourri, you can add rose petals to a special bag that will allow the scent to escape without getting crushed rose petals everything. This is truly a great way to give your drawers an excellent smell that you will truly love.

National Rose Month is a great time to embrace the roses in your garden. One of the best ways to do this is to help your roses not go to waste. These ten ideas will help you to make delightful items from your roses while also allowing you to make some money off of the items. This will truly make National Rose Month even more rewarding.

With summer on the horizon, and kids ditching their old backpack somewhere on the floor, you might find yourself wondering what you’re going to do with all of the old school supplies that are now sitting around the house. This can be a huge problem year after year, especially if you tend to save everything your kids don’t use. Luckily, there are quite a few fun things that you can do with your old school supplies. Best of all, you will find a few extra ways to keep the kids entertained while ditching the worn-out supplies. So, get ready for a summer filled with cool crafts that will help you upscale your kid’s supplies.

1. Drip Art
Recently, drip art has become a huge trend that looks like a lot of fun. This craft is very easy to make too and can easily be customized to suit your child’s needs. All you need to get started is all of your child’s old crayons and some canvas. You can do the craft with just a blank canvas or you can have kids draw an image or glue one to the bottom of the canvas. Once you have your canvas prepared, peel all of the old crayons and then tape them to the top of the canvas. You can do this in rainbow order, randomly or even just use one color. Once the crayons are ready to go, take a blow-dryer and go over them until they have entirely melted. Then, leave the canvas until the wax has cooled and settled onto the canvas.

2. Make New Crayons
If you’d like to hold onto the crayons that are broken and seemingly unusable then there is a quick solution to this problem that will actually save you quite a bit of space. Simply place the crayons together that you would like to mold together. Then, take an old glue stick and remove the glue and clean the item. Once the glue stick is ready and the crayons are paper free, melt the wax and place it in the glue stick. When the crayons have set into the glue stick, your kids will have one huge crayon to work with. You can also use a fun mold to create the crayons. For instance, if you have dinosaur, flower or even shape silicone molds then you have a wide assortment of fun ways to make crayons in many new unique ways.

3. Create a Diary
There’s no doubt about it, there always seems to be some paper squished at the bottom of a child’s backpack. Another common issue is paper with torn up edges, stray marks and other issues that prevent it from being recycled for the following school year. School binders are another problem when it comes to recycling items. So, you might want to consider transforming the two items into a fun journal that will keep the kids occupied this summer. The journal can be used to keep track of personal feelings, skills, summer activities or even just doodles. You can always add extra paper to these items if they are a hit, which will certainly make your child take a shining to drawing or writing.

4. Travel Kits
Most primary school children will end up with pencil cases they will probably never use again. These items take forever to degrade too, so unless you plan on donating them, you’ll most likely be doing the planet a huge disservice. Instead of just tossing these items out, you can use them for a number of cool things. For starters, you might want to turn the pencil case into a first aid kid. You can fit most of what you’ll need in the box for a trip to the playground, an emergency kit for the car and so on. These boxes fit well into a diaper bag or backpack too, so you’ll be more than ready to enjoy summer fun. You can also use these cases for summer storage. For instance, you can pack sunblock, a pair of sunglasses and even a foldable hat, in some cases. If you plan on taking a road trip, then the boxes make great art sets or game containers. There are so many ideas for these boxes that you’re bound to find some cool tutorials online.

5. Sun Catchers
Sun catchers are a fun craft that will certainly keep your kids busy throughout the summer months. This craft is incredibly easy to create too, all you need is the worn-out crayons from the school year and come wax paper. You can make just about any shape, which will pair well with your child’s preferred bedroom theme. Sun catchers make great gifts too, especially if you plan on giving them away to a hospital or nursing home. Best of all, this craft doesn’t take long, so you can easily do it as a quiet down activity when kids are getting out of hand. There are many tutorials on this craft too, so you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of methods while you still have crayons to work with.

6. Crayon Candles
Since crayons tend to pile up, you might want to consider making your own crayon candle when your stock seems particularly high. This is a fairly easy task to complete too. All you really need is something glass to place your new candle in, a wick, a form of oil like coconut oil, the crayons and essential oils for scent. Your glass container can be anything from an old coke bottle to a shot glass. Once you have the container ready to go, melt down your candles, mix the wax with your oil and scent of choice then place it in the container. You can even make layers of color to add fun to the mix. This is a great project for gift making too and might make a great impression on your children’s next teachers.

7. Recycled Paper
Recycling paper is probably one of the easiest things to do. However, if you don’t have a recycling center near you or you just want to learn how to make recycled paper, then this is a great project for you. All you need is some old homework assignments, paper that can’t be used for next year and so on. Have the kids rip up the paper, which can be a bit of fun for them. Then, place the paper into a blender with some warm water and blend until you have a smooth mixture. After that, you fill up a tub or bucket with enough water to cover the paper that you’ve just blended up. Place the mixture in the water with a small frame mold. Swirl the water until the pulp covers the mold and then pull out to tray. There are lots of tutorials on methods for making paper, so you might try out a few. It may even give kids a better appreciation of the paper they use, so they will be less likely to waste in the future.

8. Pencil Jewelry
If you have a lot of pencils that are worn down or broken, then pencil jewelry can be a whole lot of fun. You can easily turn old pencils into charms, beads and more simply by cutting the pencils up. Of course, kids will probably need some help with this task, so adults will need to join in on the fun too. All the same, this makes a great craft for slumber parties or rainy days at home. Your children might even want to make gifts for their friends, family or teacher. This is a great way to recycle resources too, so kids can truly learn how to be resourceful and stylish.

9. Make Watercolors
No matter how hard you try, its practically impossible not to end up with a few dried-up watercolors by the time the school year is out. If you have a collection of dry markers, don’t throw them out. You can actually upcycle them into watercolors, which will save you money in the long run. Simply place some water in a container that has a lid. You can use an old mason jar, water bottle and so on. Then, place your old marker in the water and leave them to sit for a few days. Before you know it, you’ll have watercolors galore for the kids to work with. Of course, you still shouldn’t throw out the watercolors. In fact, Crayola will actually send you a shipping label for your markers, so they can recycle them for the greater good.

10. DIY Stamps
The pesky pink erasers that most kids never use can really add up in the home too. However, there is a great way to upscale these items so kids can use them for years to come. Of course, this craft might be aimed towards older kids that can handle an instrument that is a bit sharper. All you have to do is create a design, draw or print it on the eraser and then carve it out. You can carve using an exacto knife, a burning kit or even a safety pin or paper clip. Once the carving is complete, wash it off and leave it out to dry. You can use your favorite inks to use the stamp on just about anything.

Getting rid of your kids’ school supplies will be easier than ever with these ten tips. Of course, there are so many other things that you can do with the items that can’t be recycled for next year. So, don’t let another year of old supplies pile up in your craft room, as these tips will help everyone have a touch of fun with the used supplies.

With Memorial Day over, many schools will be letting out for summer break. This can be a scary time for parents, especially if you can’t budget in enough money for the summer camp of your child’s dreams. Luckily, there are lots of fantastic options that you can let your kids enjoy over the summer break. Many of these options won’t set you back any money while the rest are all low cost to suit your budget. With any luck, you’ll be able to occupy your children’s days with stimulating activities that will keep them busy while also ensuring you aren’t driven crazy over the next couple of months. So, check out this list and get planning now to ensure your schedule is packed.

1. College Programs
When it comes to fun activities, you might want to check out your local community college or university. Usually, these facilities will offer kids programs to the community. You can find everything from daycare options for younger children to science and literature programs for older children. Generally, you sign your children up for particular courses based on their education level and interest. Most of the time, there is a fee for the classes, but in some instances, you might find a free class. Some institutions will also offer a scholarship program, so if you think you might qualify then make sure to ask admissions before the programs begin. Often, these programs will last for a few hours a week, which will certainly keep your child happy and stimulated.

2. Day Camp
Even if you can’t afford a sleep away camp for your child, a day camp might be an alternate that works wonders. These camps often last for a few hours each day and will allow children to enjoy many of the activities that sleep away camps do. The only catch is your child won’t sleep there, nor will they eat three meals there, which means the price tag is actually a whole lot less. You might even be able to pack your child’s lunch each day to take even more off of the price tags. There are day camps for a wide variety of ages too, which will certainly help you enjoy summertime even more.

3. Library
When it comes to summertime fun, your local library is one of the greatest assets for the entire family. Most libraries will offer a wide assortment of programs to help keep kids and adults busy. The library generally offers a summer reading program that will help kids earn prizes for reading. This program will inspire kids to read more, which will keep their minds going all summer. On top of that, the library tends to host movie time, story time and an abundance of crafts. You might even be able to spend all day at the library if you plan accordingly, which will certainly help kids enjoy their free time at no cost to you. Older children might even be able to volunteer, which can look great on college applications. There are even clubs and classes for adults and teens, so make sure to plan for the whole family.

4. YMCA/Boys and Girls Club
One of the best ways to help children engage in their community is to sign them up for the YMCA or Boys and Girls Club. These establishments are both designed to help children enjoy activities while spending time with other people their age. The YMCA offers a wide variety of classes that will help keep kids active while ensuring they have some fun and learn new things. Generally, you can find sports groups here, as well as dance classes and swim lessons. The Boys and Girls Club offers similar activities but focus more on being a strong resource for children who may otherwise be home alone. This club offers more free time for kids, but also focuses on plenty of exercises. Both of these facilities also offer day camps and more to keep children busy during the summer months.

5. Sports/Hobbies
If there aren’t any day course or camps for your kids to try out, then you might turn to sports or hobbies to keep them busy. Many community recreation centers will host baseball, tennis, soccer and more during the summer months. High school students might even be able to sign up for training for the upcoming school year. Of course, sports aren’t your only option. You can also sign your child up for a variety of hobbies. You might start with an art class like pottery or painting, or a dance class to help them burn off excess energy. If your child is interested in music then sign them up for violin, piano, guitar and more. There are so many hobbies to choose from, so keep your kids busy while saving the stress of having them bored. Best of all, they’ll develop skills they can use all for years to come.

6. Field Trips
If you can’t find a group to enjoy, then you might consider just taking your children out on a few field trips throughout the summer. If you can find a free museum day, then this is a great thing to take advantage of. You can even come up with scavenger hunts or resource projects based on your experience there. Another fun trip, if you have a little extra money on your hands, is a trip to an amusement park. This is a great bonding trip for everyone and will help the kids get worn out for a few days. Another option that is absolutely free is to take kids on a nature walk. You can find leaves, identify plants and so on. There are lots of fun field trip ideas to check out, so have some fun with the trips that you plan.

7. Camping Trips
A camping trip is a fun way to keep the kids busy for the weekend. You can even assign them tasks to prepare for the trip, which will certainly keep them entertained. There are lots of great places to camp for free, so make sure to look around to see what you can find. Of course, if you don’t have time on your hands then you can always set up a campsite in your backyard. This can be a great experience for kids to learn how to cook outdoors and stay entertained. You can even come up with songs to sing, stories to tell and so much more. If you want to keep things educational then you can always work with astrology too, especially since the summertime months are filled with clear skies with lots of cool things to check out.

8. Neighborhood Groups
Sometimes, your neighborhood is the greatest asset to help your children enjoy the summertime. You might get with other parents in the community to plan trips with the kids, so that your children can still have fun with their peers while you also get extra support during field trips. You can also come up with games that encourage socialization and development that all of the kids in the neighborhood can try out. Another fun idea is to come up with a summer task for the kids, which can be as simple as planting a community garden or as tough as building a fort or treehouse. Of course, you could also use the neighborhood to come up with playdates, so every parent in the group can get a small break from their children during the summer months.

9. Volunteer Activities
Summer is a great time to get the kids outside to help out their community. There are a lot of things that kids can help out with, so make sure to look around for age appropriate activities. Younger children might find joy in assisting in a community garden, planting trees or even chatting with the elderly at a nursing home. High school students have a quite a few activities to choose from. For starters, you might help them sign up for work at a soup kitchen, food pantry or even an animal shelter. High schoolers can even look into skill-based activities such as Habitat for Humanity. Cleaning up the community also looks good on college applications. There are also intern opportunities for kids to look into, which can help bring success in the future.

10. Nature Programs
Without a doubt, getting the kids out in Mother Nature can be one of the best things for them during the summer months. There are many nature reserves that offer programs that will help teach children all about the animals and plants in the reserve. These programs also offer classes that help teach gardening as well as how to live a greener lifestyle. Parks are another great asset for summer fun. You will find lots of activities as well as day camps hosted by the parks department, which will help kids have fun while enjoying the fresh air. All in all, make sure to keep an eye on the parks in your area as there is always something going on in the summer for kids and the whole family.

Summer doesn’t have to be hours spent in front of the TV each day. These ideas will help your kids enjoy the feeling of a camp without forcing you to spend the high price. With any luck, your children will have lots of fun exploring the world around them on a budget that won’t cause you to stress out.

It’s almost time to celebrate dad and all that he’s done for us. However, if the dad in your life is hard to buy for or is on the spoiled side of life, then you might not know what to purchase for him. Luckily, there are lots of budget-friendly ideas that can help you get on the right path to finding the perfect gift for your old man. These ten tips are great options, even for children, who might need to make a gift instead of spending money on one. So, don’t let Father’s Day pass you by without trying out one of these perfect, yet frugal, gifts for the father figures in your life.

1. Remote Holder
If the dad in your life just so happens to be a couch potato, then this is going to be one of the best gifts. A remote holder can come in all shapes and sizes too, so you can truly find one that suits your dad’s needs. One of the easiest ways to make a remote-control holder is to take a couch pillow and glue or sew some fabric to the pillow with compartments for snacks and the remote. You can also craft one out of cardboard or scrap wood with very little design skills. This can be a fun task for older children. Kids can even customize it with paint and stickers. There are so many other ways to make a remote holder though, so make sure to shop around for tutorials before you settle on one specific design. Dad will love the gift, especially since he won’t have to waste time looking for his remote again.

2. Shoe Care Kit
Dads that have a pretty good shoe collection might benefit from a shoe care kit. This is great for dads that love all sorts of shoes too, so you can customize it to suit their needs. You can purchase a shoe care kit for a decent price but making one might be a lot more fun for the whole family. Some of the items to add to the kit would be shoe polish in many different colors, a shoe buffer and a cloth to keep them clean. You might also consider adding in some shoe glue, for stubborn shoes that dad doesn’t want to get rid of. Extra shoelaces can also be an asset for this kit. To top off the kit, find dad a special bag or box to keep everything in. Kids can even make their own using basic sewing or woodworking skills.

3. DIY Shirt
Without a doubt, most dads love t-shirts. Thus, this is an easy and efficient gift to give to the man that has just about everything. Making a t-shirt can be a lot of fun too and can include the entire family. If you’re looking to save money, you can even use one of dad’s old shirts for your design. Of course, you can also find solid colored shirts in most department or craft stores. There are many ways for you to make a shirt, including iron-on transfers, silk screens, and fabric paints. So, you can work with an option that suits your needs. The kids can even design their own shirt, so dad will have a new top that no other guy will own. This is bound to make dad, grandpa, and even uncles feel great.

4. Chore Book
Dads that have a long “Honey Do List” can always use a bit of help, so you might want to consider having the kids make a chore book. This book can be filled with coupons that dad can use to get help on some of his chores or to simply get out of them. This can include easy items like taking out the garbage or tougher items like mowing the lawn. Kids might consider adding coupons that allow dad to get a little assistance while working on projects like building a blanket fort or having a sock war. If you want to put some money into the book, then dad can redeem a trip to the movies or a date with an individual child or even his spouse. The kids can decorate the book to suit their needs too. There are so many fun designs kids can use too, which will make the gift feel even more personal.

5. Shave Set
Most dads have to deal with the tedious task of shaving. Thus, you might want to consider adding a shaving kit to your dad’s gift list. A shaving kit is actually incredibly easy to make at an affordable price. You might start by stocking up on some of dad’s favorite razors. Then, you can easily make him his own shaving cream with tutorials from the internet. Some other shave items to add will be a cooling gel, special towel and so on. Another fun idea is to grab a travel mirror and decorate it for dad. You can also make a special bag that dad can use whenever he travels. This will help remind him of home while ensuring he looks professional and well taken care of when he’s on the go.

6. Custom Mug
Dads that love coffee or tea will certainly benefit from their own mug. Customizing a mug is actually much easier than you might think. In fact, there are even mugs that have two layers, so you can easily add pictures to the inside of it. If you don’t want to go this route, then you can have a mug custom printed with photos at an incredibly reasonable price. Pictures aren’t the only option though. Kids can paint their own mug to provide dad with a special piece of artwork or message. Even if dad doesn’t want to use his mug for his favorite beverages, these mugs make great pen holders for the office.

7. Digital Photo Frame
Give dad a taste of modern technology with his own digital frame. This gift will allow you to load several pictures onto one frame, which is bound to add convenience to dad’s life. These frames are great for the office but can also be placed on dad’s bedside table. Some digital frames can even come with recorded messages in some cases, which is perfect for dads that might have to go on business trips or deploy often. Digital frames can also be customized with buttons, stickers or anything that makes the frame a bit more personal for dad. This will help add the special touch that will make kids love giving the gift all the more.

8. Ice Cream Lock
Most parents probably know the struggle of having their own personal snack attacked by their children. Thus, an ice cream lock might be the perfect way to help dad keep track of his snack for good. There are many ways to grab this ingenious design. Ben and Jerry’s actually has their own brand of ice cream lock, which helps to keep their brand of ice cream secured. There are other generic options to choose from though, so shop around to find an item that you feel will work best for you. Pair this gift with some of dad’s favorite ice cream and you’ll be in for a home run.

9. Alone Time
Without a doubt, everyone can use a little alone time, especially parents. So, this Father’s Day, you might give dad the ultimate gift by allowing him to spend some time alone. You can easily just factor in some free time to help dad unwind on his special day. Another great gift is to call up dad’s friends and have them stop by to take the man of the hour out on the town. If a date night is more on dad’s agenda then try to find a babysitter, ask the grandparents or see if the kids can sleep over at a friend’s house. Dad might just want an hour or two to go out and grab a drink on his own. No matter what he chooses, a little kid-free time might be one of the best ways to say I love you on this special day.

10. Food
If you haven’t gathered by now, one of the best ways to most dads’ hearts is to feed him something that makes him happy. So, one of the best gifts is to actually provide him with some food. This is a great way for kids to start learning how to cook as whipping up dad’s favorites will be a fun way to make the day great. Of course, there are also lots of freebies that dad can enjoy on his big day too. If you plan accordingly, most dads should be able to find a wide assortment of treats that will satisfy from morning to night. You will have to keep your eye out for these deals, so planning might be last minute. However, if you call up dad’s favorite restaurants to ask about deals, you should be able to make a flexible game plan.

Father’s Day doesn’t have to be stressful if dad is hard to shop for. These quick ideas will help kids plan out the perfect gift for dad without spending a fortune on the gift. These ideas are definitely great for dads that tend to have everything they need, so you can still offer them something a little surprising.

June is Pride Month, which means you’re in store for a whole lot of fun if you’re ready to show off some pride, support the LGBTQ+ community and fight to maintain basic rights. Pride month can be one of the most exciting times, especially since summer is beginning. It doesn’t matter if you consider yourself LGBTQ+ or you’re just there to support your community, as Pride Month is a time to celebrate who you are as well as love your neighbor for the person they are. A lot of people wind up spending quite a bit of money on Pride though. There are so many ways you can embrace it without letting it hit your budget though. These ten ideas will make your Pride Parades more fun and frugal, so you can make the most out of this inclusive month of love.

1. DIY Shirt
If you plan on marching in the parades, or merely observing them, a cool new tee is a great way to show off your pride and your support. T-shirts are incredibly easy to make too, so you can have a lot of fun using your creativity to channel how you feel. One of the easiest options is to tie-dye a shirt in rainbow colors. This will give you something vibrant to wear that you can also sport all year long. Another fun option is to add LGBTQ leaders to a shirt and show off some of their more famous quotes. If you’re not LGBTQ+ then you might consider offering words of support to those that are. T-shirts offer so many options that you can easily make several if you’re having fun with the concept.

2. Craft a Flag
A flag is a quick way to get noticed when you’re at a Pride Parade, but it is also a great way to show your support. You don’t have to spend a fortune in order to buy a flag though. In fact, there are lots of tutorials that can help you make your own. If you want a big flag, then you can cut out strips of fabric and sew them together to get the effect that you desire. You can also make a flag cape in this manner, which is bound to help your concert stand out. If making a huge statement isn’t your thing, then you can easily make a paper flag by coloring in the rainbow or printing it from your computer. There are so many other options available though, so have some fun with it.

3. Balloons
If you’re looking for a cheap way to make a bold statement, then balloons are going to be the best way to go. You can purchase balloons of all colors from just about any store, which will allow you to keep your style frugal while still bringing some attention to your message. Balloons are especially great for floats or large groups, but you can also assemble a rainbow flag using balloons. If you really want to add some fun, then place the balloons on your clothes. Another fun way to enjoy balloons is to pass them out to children that are also enjoying the parade. Large balloons can be given out singly or in bundles that create rainbows, while smaller balloons can easily be shaped into rainbows. You can also make all sorts of props out of balloons, so make sure to enjoy yourself.

4. Water
It might not look cool carrying around water, but when you’re setting up for a parade this is going to be essential. June weather tends to be on the warmer side in most places, so pack to stay hydrated. If you want to do the environment a favor, then you might plan on packing a reusable water bottle or two with you. You can even decorate your bottle to show off your pride. Ensuring you have water on hand will also prevent you from stopping, so you can keep enjoying the parade or even marching in it. Of course, you might also find that stores will be packed with people hoping to purchase drinks. Sometimes, stores will even hike up the price, which will make your time at the parade more expensive than it should be.

5. First Aid
Although you might not plan on it, accidents can happen at any time. So, it is always wise to pack a first aid kit with you whenever you attend such an event. Scrapes and insect bites are some of the most common injuries, but you might encounter someone fainting or enduring a headache or stomach problems. So being prepared will make you a star. Of course, your first aid kit should always have sunscreen on hand, so you can keep safe when you’re out in the sun. In this day and age, having a first aid kit on hand could even save a life if you find yourself in a life-threatening situation. So, add a first aid kit to your bag and think carefully about the items that you choose to place in it, as it will help keep your mind at ease for a while.

6. Makeup
Another cheap way to add your own personal flare to parade day is makeup. You can find lots of colorful options for fairly cheap. You might even consider using costume makeup to give your look the bold feel that you’ve longed for. Your makeup can range from a few colorful touches that could be worn every day, to bold styles that will make you feel like a Rockstar. On top of that, you’ll find that your makeup is definitely easy to change up if you feel your mood changes throughout the day. This accessory is simple to place in your bag too, which will definitely make freshening up easier.

7. Comfortable Shoes
Wearing huge heels or other flashy shoes might be tempting during a Pride Parade, especially if you’re wearing a costume to the event. However, if you can possibly avoid using shoes like this then you absolutely should. Instead of going flashy, consider a pair of shoes that will help you walk without feeling like you’ve traveled across hot coals the following day. If you can’t avoid wearing uncomfortable shoes for your costume, then make sure to pack a pair of shoes that you can swap into after some time. This will help take some of the burden off of your back, which is certain to make you feel a lot better. This will allow you to enjoy the parade all the more.

8. Child Safety Items
If you’re bringing your children to the parade, then you really need to think safety. Although the parade is generally a peaceful and fun place to be, it can be a dangerous situation for children, just as any other crowded place is. So, if your child has a problem with running off, you need to take extra precautions. You might consider a child leash or hand link to ensure that your child is connected to you at all times. This will help everyone feel a bit more at ease, so you can enjoy the parade. Another option is adding a GPS device to your child’s bag, clothing or even a special watch. This will help you locate your child if they do end up getting out of your reach.

9. Your Tribe
When it comes to going to a Pride Parade, the best thing you can do is bring the people you love with you. This adds an even more special vibe to the parade, because it shows you and the people around you are comfortable with each other. This in itself is part of what Pride Month is all about. Of course, having people with you also brings a sense of a security that can help you feel better about your surroundings before, during and after the parade. You never know, you might even help some of your friends live a more accepting lifestyle by showing them how much you can get out of Pride events.

10. A Game Plan
Generally speaking, Pride Parades usually end up becoming more than a parade. There are usually lots of other fun events surrounding the parade, so you might want to plan ahead so you can fit in more of the fun. You should be able to find out more about the fun events when you check out the social media pages or listings around colleges or clubs. Once you know what is going on, schedule it in your phone. This will help you enjoy the day all the more. Of course, you might end up changing plans at the last minute as many people throw parties after the event but having a general idea will help ease stress.

Pride Month can truly be a reason to celebrate. So, don’t let your budget stand in the way of enjoying a parade in your community and those surrounding your area. These ten tips will help you look and feel your best while at the parade for much less.

Memorial Day will soon be here, which means its time to step into some exciting deals. This Memorial Day you’ll be in for a lot of treats, so make sure to save up so you can get everything you need and want during this huge sale. If your home is in need of appliances, bedding or more, you’re going to find so many good deals that you won’t be able to contain your excitement. So, brace yourself for a day of shopping til you drop because you won’t want to miss out on these top deals that are headed your way. You may even luck out and find some of the deals early, so keep checking back with your favorite sites to find the perfect deal for you.

1. Mattress Sales
Mattresses and Memorial Day have gone hand in hand for quite some time, which is why you should always wait to purchase a mattress until this holiday arrives. This will give you some of the best options around, so you can maximize your savings and get the mattress you truly desire. Of course, you also won’t find another big mattress sale until Labor Day, which might give you even more incentive to shop around during this big sale. There have already been some major hints as to what we find on Memorial Day this year. Tempur-Pedic, for instance, has some huge sales in-store and are even offering a payment plan, so you grab the mattress you want now. JC Penny is another major contender in the mattress sales, so you’ll be able to find an assortment of mattresses that you can even check out in store. Mattress Firm is planning some competitive deals, as are many local and small business mattress stores.

2. Large Appliances
Big appliances are going to be a huge attraction this Memorial Day. There are so many new makes and models available that you’re bound to find something new and shiny that your kitchen or laundry room is in desperate need off. This sale comes at a great time as graduation and the newly wed season is upon us, so anyone starting out in life can truly maximize savings and get exactly what they want. Sears is one of the best vendors for shopping bundle deals when it comes to Memorial Day. However, Home Depot and Samsung will have some exciting prices on kitchen appliances that you might not want to pass up. Whirl Pool is also planning to offer washers and dryers for up to 60% off during the holiday sale so it might be the perfect time to upgrade to something that is smart and energy efficient.

3. Small Appliances
If you’re looking for a wedding shower gift, graduation gift or even a baby shower gift then you’re going to find Memorial Day to be the perfect time to shop. Small appliances are definitely going to be in abundance everywhere that you look. Walmart is going to be one of the best places to shop for these items though. You’re bound to find toasters, coffee makers, blenders and even ice cream makers at a more than fair price. You’ll also find items like this on sale at Sears, Big Lots, JC Penny, Lowes, and Home Depot. You’ll have to shop around quickly though because the low prices might not last and long as you would hope.

4. Travel
If you’re trying to plan a last-minute vacation then these deals are bound to give you something to celebrate. There will be a ton of travel deals to enjoy on Memorial Day, so secure your vacation now, so you can lock in a flight before the good prices and seats are gone. Southwest is offering a whopping 55% off tickets to Cancun so you can make your beach dreams a reality. The website will also help you secure amenities while abroad, which will save you a lot of money all around. Many airlines will be offering huge discounts on tickets to Europe, so if you’ve dreamed of taking in the beautiful architecture and cooler weather, then you’re in luck. Finally, there will be a ton of domestic flights on sale, so you can visit family, check out a destination you’ve always dreamed of or even travel cheaply for business. If you are booking a vacation, then look around for bundle deals as you might receive a discount on your hotel or rental car too.

5. Technology
Memorial Day is a great time to set up for success when it comes to your gadgets. Amazon is one of the top vendors for tech on this holiday, especially if you’re in the market for a new Kindle or other Amazon technology, like the Echo. Amazon will be pushing other tech deals too, especially when it comes to security cameras and top of the line headphones. Walmart is going to be the place to go if you’re looking for a new tablet though, as the sales are certainly mind-boggling. They will also be offering up to 85% off their online clearance so you might be able to find something cool for a lot less than you’d expect to pay. You should be able to find some great deals at Best Buy too, especially if you’re in the market for older models of phones and tablets. Dell, HP, Apple, and Samsung tend to offer customers a little something special too.

6. Televisions
This Memorial Day, you might want to hit the stores so you can grab the latest technology when it comes to televisions. This is the perfect time to stock up for large screen televisions as well as 4K models. Although Memorial Day isn’t always known for the best deals on these items, you’ll find some great prices this year. For instance, Best Buy is planning on offering some major discounts on their top of the line televisions. Walmart will be participating in huge sales too, both on and offline. Apart from that, you’ll find Overstock and Samsung deals worth talking about. Most of these retailers tend to be offering up to 65% off of some of their items, which is a real steal of a deal.

7. Athletic Wear
Prepare for summer workouts when you grab the clothes you need to be a success. Many clothing stores are really pushing their athletic wear this season, which will certainly help you prepare to get in shape as the hot weather arrives. You will find everything from shoes to leggings and tanks that wick away sweat with ease. Some of the best deals are going to be at Academy Sports and Kohls. However, if you prefer to shop online then you might look out for deals on the Champion website. You might even find leading brands like Nike, Puma, and ADIDAS offering prices that you won’t be able to refuse.

8. Outdoor Supplies
Tis the season for spending more time outdoors and soaking up the Vitamin D that summer has to offer. Thus, Memorial Day is bound to bring you some deals that you won’t be able to refuse when planning out your backyard oasis. Walmart will have deals on patio furniture, pools, garden accessories and so much more. Home Depot is going to be your one-stop shop for finding some of the best deals on grills that you’ll see all year. You will also find lots of incredible deals on outdoor goods at Sears, especially when it comes to lawnmowers. If you’re in the market for patio furniture, then Home Depot has you covered. However, if you prefer to skip the crowds then shopping with Tippet and Hayneedle online will save you some big money while providing you with lots of stylish choices.

9. Plants
It might not be the prime season for gardening anymore, but there are still a lot of plants that will flourish during the summer months. Thus, you’re going to want to check out some of the deals on plants in your local area. Memorial Day tends to bring lots of sales on plants at local nurseries. However, you will also find that Lowes and Home Depot will have a ton of sales on their plants. You may even be able to find some clearance plants to nurse back to health. If anything, you might find a tree to plant which can offer you shade in the upcoming years.

10. Food
If you don’t want to go on a shopping spree, then you might still find some great deals. For instance, there are a lot of restaurants that are participating in the deals on Memorial Day. Some of the most popular chains out there are Hooter’s, Twin Peaks, Dickeys BBQ, and Dominoes. Of course, most of the deals are discounts for veterans, so if you’ve served in the military make sure to take advantage of this. You’ll also find that grocery stores will have some great prices, especially when it comes to food designed for grilling.

Memorial Day is a great time for anyone hoping to get in a little retail therapy. If you’re hoping to make a game plan before the holiday arrives, then you’ll certainly want to keep an eye out for deals in these ten categories. With any luck, you’ll be able to enjoy some awesome prices that will help make life even more efficient.

It’s time to let the laughter roll, because Red Nose Day arrives again on the 23rd day of May. If you’ve never participated in Red Nose Day, then you’re bound to be in for a treat. This special is designed for comedians from all walks of life to gather together and have some fun while raising money for children in need. This year, there are many great charities participating too, so you won’t want to miss out on your chance to join in. There are a lot of ways to do this too and many of them don’t require you to spend a fortune. So, get ready for a little laugh therapy while helping to accomplish some good deeds, because these tips will fit Red Nose Day into your budget with ease.

1. Buy a Nose
One of the easiest and most fun ways to participate in Red Nose Day is to purchase a nose. These noses can be found in Walgreens stores and a few other retailers, so shop around to find the option that suits you. Every nose that you purchase from an official retailer will help out specific charities, so you’ll already be doing a world of good. The noses aren’t expensive either, so you can purchase multiples if you want to give more. This year, the noses come in special packaging, which makes each purchase a mystery, so you can add even more fun to the experience. Of course, if you can’t afford noses at the moment, then you can simply buy a party red clown nose to show your support. If you’re hoping to help out then buy the unofficial noses in bulk, add fun faces to them and sell them to make more money for donations. This can be a lot of fun for kids to do too, so make sure to include them in the process.

2. Watch the Broadcast
On Red Nose Day, there is a huge broadcast on NBC to help raise funds. Comedians get together to do comedy routines, games, relays and so much more depending on the programs you choose to watch. Often, this broadcast also allows people to call in to pledge money to the cause. Sometimes, the proceeds from the number of viewers also helps to bring in some extra money for the charities the program is working with. You can find a lot of information about the line up online, so make sure to check in to see when you should tune in. This broadcast will also help to spread awareness, so check it out if you can find the time.

3. Bring Red Nose Day to Your School
Since Red Nose Day isn’t the phenomenon that it is in Britain yet, you might have to take matters into your own hands to get the event added to your school. You might start by asking for a meeting with your principle to see if you can talk them into taking on the event too. There is actually a sign up page that will give the school the things needed to participate. If the school agrees to take on the event, then make sure you’re ready to volunteer. This will help encourage the school to take on the event next year too. Of course, if the school can’t take it on then there are some ways to help out. For instance, you can purchase red noses for your child’s class or pass out flyers or coloring sheets to help the student’s parents learn about Red Nose Day.

4. Start a Fundraiser
If you love to hit the pavement then you might want to start a fundraiser of your own to help out. You can sign up to do one through the program if you want a little assistance. However, you can also start a fundraiser at home. All you have to do is donate the proceeds to your favorite charity that works to end childhood hunger. You might also consider purchasing food for the local food bank with the money. There are lots of ways to earn money for the cause too. You might host a car wash, do a bake sale or even an art walk. Have fun with the experience though and make sure to laugh your way through the day.

5. Recycle Your Red Noses
Red noses are fun and all, but they can be bad for the environment. This is one thing that Red Nose Day isn’t about. Luckily, you can actually take your old red nose back to Walgreens to recycle it. Even the wrappers are recyclables, so you won’t find yourself wasting during this day. Walgreens will take care of everything for you without charging you an extra cent. Of course, you can always hold onto your nose as a keepsake or for play time. There are many crafts that you can enjoy with your nose too. Just, make sure it doesn’t hit the trash can, so your contribution will help all the more.

6. Teach Your Children Empathy
When it comes down to it, one of the best things to take out of this special event is empathy. There are many children around the world that do not have enough to eat. So, this might be the best time to teach your children about empathy. Children should learn to show affection to others too. You might start simple with children and work your way up based on their age. You can also give children ways to empathize and help others out. One example is to ask your child to share their lunch if another child has nothing to eat at school. There are many empathy exercises online too, which can help you start out with your lessons.

7. Seek Community Events
Red Nose Day is starting to spread across the country, so you might actually find some events popping up in your area. One of the best places to check for information is the Boys and Girls Club of America. This program often benefits from Red Nose Day, so they might have a special event to increase funding all the more. If not, they might be able to steer you in the right direction to where one might be happening. Your child’s school is another great resource, as most principles will know if there is something exciting going on. You might also surf around on social media to see if there are any announcements worth checking out.

8. DIY Tee
A red nose isn’t the only way to bring some awareness to the event. You can also have a little fun at home by making your own tee. You don’t need to go crazy on supplies either, as you should be able to find cheap red shirts for the whole family. You can even turn a graphic tee inside out just for the day. If you want to get creative then add some paint to the tee, use iron on transfers and more. The tee can even be kept as a keepsake. If you really want to bring awareness to the day then add some of the charities to the tee, so people will know where to donate when the time comes.

9. Red Nose Activities
Red Nose Day is designed to cater to children, so you know you’re going to find a lot of great activities to help you keep everyone entertained. Often, you will find word games, print outs and more for children to do. This is perfect for classrooms and can help children learn the meaning behind the fun. Another great activity is to have children make up their own noses. You can even do this with paper, if you’re looking to keep the craft frugal. A comedy booth is another fun way to let kids join in on the activities. Your imagination is the limit though, so have some fun with Red Nose Day and keep laughter at the front of every activity.

10. Donate
If you can’t participate in Red Nose Day, then don’t stress out. One of the best ways to help out is to actually donate. You can do this from the website, if you’re worried about your donation going through other parties. However, you might also choose a specific charity to donate to. There are so many charities designed to help feed children that you won’t have to search long to find one that suits you. You might also look into local charities that help kids in your district eat during and after school hours. You don’t have to give much either, especially if you’re not prepared to. Every little bit helps out.

Red Nose Day is an exciting time, especially if you’re child. These ten tips will help keep the laughter going while helping you bring awareness to childhood hunger. With any luck, this special day will help keep kids hunger at bay so we can give all children the chance to grow up healthy and strong.

While spring might still be a little chilly for some areas, the summer weather seems to be rapidly moving in for others. If you find yourself wondering how you’re going to budget in a hot weather wardrobe for your kids, then you don’t need to stress out just yet. There are actually lots of ways to cut down on the cost of your kids’ summer attire. These ten tips will help you get ready for the heat without forcing you to hit the mall. Best of all, a good number of these tricks won’t cost you a cent. This will certainly take the burden off of your summer budget so you can concentrate more on vacation time.

1. Bucket Hat
From infants to tweens, a bucket hat is one of the best fashion accessories that you can get for your child. The wide brim of these hats helps to keep the sun out of your child’s face, which protects their eyes without forcing them to wear sunglasses all of the time. On top of that, the hats are designed to reduce the amount of sun that touches the face and neck, so sunburns are less likely to happen in these fragile areas. This can help with skin cancer prevention for the future too. Best of all, the hats are designed to help kids stay cooler. This is important when the temperature rises, but kids still want to play outside. Many bucket hats on the market today feature UV protection as well as material that dry quickly. This makes the hat the perfect option for beach days or simply having a water battle in the yard.

2. Swim Fashion
Let’s face it, kids spend a lot of their waking hours in the summer in their bathing suit. So, why not make your child’s swimwear a part of their fashion sense. Instead of buying a lot of shirts and shorts for the summer, help your child make the most of their swim gear. For instance, boys can wear swim trunks as a regular pair of shorts most of the time. Simply grab a tee or tank and he’s good to go. Girls can do the same with board shorts and a top. Of course, girls can also wear their one piece as a body suit, which pairs well with shorts. Even rash guards can be used as a top for both genders. Since most kids spend all day in the water or outdoors, the clothes will dry so they can keep them on even after playing.

3. Cut Offs
If your child has a lot of jeans and trousers left over from school and your younger children won’t be able to wear them, then cutting them off is one of the best things you can do. Since most kids outgrow the length of their jeans, you might also look at older pairs of jeans to ensure the waist still fits. If so, you will have even more pants to cut off. Cutting pants is very easy too, especially since all you have to do is make sure the cuts are even on your child’s legs. If you want the shorts to look professionally made, then simply add a hem to the cut. You’ll be surprised how easy this is to accomplish with simple tutorials online.

4. UV Clothing
Another must for your child’s summer style is UV clothing. These clothes are designed to help block harmful UV rays, which can help protect your children when the sun is at its peak. These clothes might cost a bit more, but they can be used year-round to ensure your child will be safer when outdoors. On top of that, most of these clothes come in a wide variety of styles so you can suit your child’s needs as well as their happiness. You might also find that the clothing is the perfect option for gym class too, which will help you get even more out of your money.

5. Second Hand
As you probably know, second-hand clothes can be a huge lifesaver when it comes to your child’s fashion needs. One of the best places to start your journey is by asking family and friends if they have any summer clothing that will fit your child. You might even be able to trade some clothes if you have children in different age groups. Another great option is to check out thrift stores. You will be surprised by how many nice things you can find in thrift stores. Plus, all of your purchases go to help out a charity, which is a great added bonus. Garage sales are another great option for shopping around, too. Of course, you might already have a pretty good stash of hand me down clothes from previous children, which will definitely help save you some money. A newer option is to check out consignment shops online, as many stores now sell gently used clothing that looks great.

6. Invest in Sandals
Sandals are a crucial part of summer fun, especially when it comes to kids. Luckily, there are a lot of great sandals that work for all sorts of play during the summer heat. Although flip flops are a handy purchase, you might find that they aren’t very functional for anything outside of the pool. A good sandal should have plenty of treads so that kids can run around and play in them without worrying about slipping. Another great feature is the adjustability, as it will help keep kids comfortable as their feet change. You should also choose sandals that have a thicker sole so that children can still walk on the hot pavement, climb and even hike without worry. Sandals are even great for playing in the water and dry quickly, so you don’t find yourself in a dilemma after a day at the beach. You might check out some of the top-rated sandals, so you’ll get your money’s worth out of them.

7. Go Plain
One of the main issues with clothing is there are so many options that will truly cost you a fortune. Children love wearing clothes with their favorite characters, sayings and more. Often, kids outgrow these characters, or they merely want to wear clothing with their new favorites. Instead of spending money on their every whim, try to choose clothing that is plain. These items are actually much cheaper and so much easier to keep clean. Best of all, you can buy the clothing in bulk so you can easily save a lot more money. Plainclothes can even be customized as an art project, which will help you plan entertainment sessions during the summer months too.

8. Stick with Old School Clothes
If your child still has a closet full of school clothes that fit comfortably and will suit the heat, then you’re covered. There is no reason to go out and purchase new clothing if your children still have plenty of options in their closet. Of course, if you do have uniforms that you expect to last until next school year, then you might put those away. Other than that, let your kids have fun with the clothes they loved when school was in session. Your kids will already feel comfortable in these items. Plus, you’ll get even more use out of them, which will help make the purchase even better.

9. Shop Ahead
Although it might not help you this summer, you can always get ahead for the next. When summer clothes go on sale, shop ahead to ensure that all of your kids will be covered for the hot months. When shopping in this manner, you should take into consideration how your child will most likely grow during the year. Usually, it is okay to shop size or two ahead, but if you find clothes you really like then you might grab a couple of different sizes to ensure kids can wear them for longer. If you do shop ahead, you might keep the clothing in close proximity so that you can pull items out if your child grows into them faster than you expect. This will certainly make your life easier too and might even give you a jump start on school clothes.

10. Clearance/Sales
Your best option for saving big is to keep an eye on the clearance and sales rack. This tactic will help you purchase clothes throughout the year, so you never have to worry about your child needing an abundance of things at once. Usually, you will see summer clothes on sale towards the end of summer and early autumn, but you can still shop for clothes throughout the seasons. For instance, the light colors and fabrics from the spring line will still work in the summer months. You might even find that some autumn clothes, especially rain attire, will suit your needs.

Shopping for summer clothes can be a lot of fun if you let it be. These tips will help prevent summer shopping for your kids becoming a burden on your budget. This will help keep you and your family happier and healthier as the heat waves move into your area.

The Saturday before Mother’s Day is actually Birth Mother’s Day, which is a day designed for women who may have given birth to children but did not partake in raising them. For many, this day is often a day to look back and wonder who their biological mother is like. If you were adopted, you might use this holiday as a time to discover and reconnect with your biological parents. This process can actually be pretty complicated and expensive, which is why so many people don’t follow through with locating their birth parents. However, there are actually many tricks that you can follow through with that might help you locate your birth parents. So, don’t give up hope yet, as these cheap tips will help you move a bit closer to finding the people you’ve been searching for.

1. Take a DNA Test
Over the past few years, DNA tests have become increasingly popular, they have also taken a dive in price, which makes them more accessible to so many people. For around $100, you can provide a sample to a company like Ancestry or 23andMe. The company analyzes your sample and gives you a lot of cool information about your ancestry, health and more. Most importantly though, they connect you to anyone that shares your DNA. In many cases, you’ll only find distant relatives. However, if you’re lucky, you might be able to find a parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle or even a first cousin. Depending on who you connect with, you should be able to ask questions which can help you learn more about your birth family. Many people have connected this way, which makes it incredibly convenient.

2. Ask Family
Of course, before you spend money on anything, you might speak to your family about your adoption. Some adoptions are actually kept within a family, so you might know one of your birth parents and not even know it. Otherwise, your adoptive parents might know some information about your birth parents. Depending on how the adoption took place, your parents may have even met one of your birth parents, if not both. If you were adopted from foster care, then you will have a package of information that includes your birth parents’ details. Even if names aren’t given, your parents might have information that can steer you in the right direction, such as your birthplace, parents’ birth dates or even the towns that they are from. With any luck, the information they provide will lead you in the right direction at no cost.

3. Understand Your Adoption Paperwork
One of the best things you can do is get to know your adoption paperwork. If your parents still have this paperwork on hand, then go through the packet. This will help you to understand the terms of your adoption. If you have an open adoption, then you should be able to find your parents’ names and other important information in the paperwork. If you have a closed adoption, then you might be in for a longer road ahead of you. If you’re having trouble with the information, there are many books and informational websites that can help you out. Some legal counselors might even agree to meet with you for free, so you might look around for an important resource such as this.

4. Revisit Place of Birth
Your place of birth can be a great resource to you. You should have this information on your birth certificate, but if not there is a good chance you can access the information from public records. Knowing your birthplace can lead you to people that might know more about your birth. For instance, you can talk to the hospital about accessing your birth records. You never know, you might even bump into the doctor that gave birth to you. Your birth town can be a rich resource too. For instance, you might look back in the archives to see if there is a birth announcement for you. This is a great option if you weren’t placed up for adoption right away. This information might lead you to a few names. Even if you can access a last name, you might be able to find relatives within the town. You will be amazed by the clues that a location can provide, so don’t think twice about heading back to your birthplace to see what is in store for you.

5. Utilize Social Media
Social media can actually be one of the best assets that you have when it comes to finding your birth parents. There are countless groups online for adoptees seeking out their parents and birth parents seeking out their children. These groups can help you find the resources you need to help find what you’re looking for. Apart from joining a support group, you can also create viral posts to help you out. You might consider taking a picture of yourself holding up a poster board that has vital information on it. For instance, you might add birth date and any names you might know. Make sure you are very cautious with this method though, as people may try to scam you. Don’t release full information like your birth year either, so people can not steal your information. If someone does come forward as a potential relative, make sure to do your research and get a DNA sample before forming an attachment, as it is easy to make mistakes with very little information to work with. If you do know names of family member, then feel free to look them up. You can always send a message if you think you’ve found a match. Most people will be more than happy to respond to you or let you know if you’ve reached a dead end.

6. Research Adoption Agency
Your adoption agency is one of the best resources you have, as well. For many people, the agency is where they retrieve most of their information. For instance, even if you had a closed adoption, your parents’ names might unlock after you are 18 years of age. Many of the agencies, might have access to the name and whereabouts without even realizing it. If your mother was in an unwed mother’s home, then you might be able to obtain the name she used as well as the home she was in. This can help unlock some of the details for you.

7. Online Databases
Adoption databases popped up quickly with the popularity of the internet, so make sure you utilize this resource as much as you can. Many databases allow you to input the information you know about an adoption in hopes of finding a match. With just a birthday, you can unlock so many things, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You might not be able to find a match right away, so don’t feel discouraged. Having your information available in case the other party comes searching for you will make the reunification process so much faster. You might even find out that you have a sibling searching for you, which can be a nice surprise. There are many databases to choose from though, so make sure you utilize some of the popular ones. You might also check for more specific databases, such as regional based.

8. Search Angels
Search Angels is a free service that can help you reunite with your birth family. This service does take some time though, so make sure to get your information in when you decide that you want to locate your parents. The service is run by volunteers who work in their free time to help others retrieve information from their loved ones. You can donate to receive faster information, but chances are it will still take some time. The Search Angels will also provide you with information that you need to keep the search going on your own. Sometimes, they are unsuccessful, but they have numerous reunification stories that will help bring you some hope.

9. Offer Consent
In most cases, you can give consent to the government that will allow them to provide your information if someone does come looking for you. In the case of a closed adoption, this might be your best way to reunite with your birth parents. Since their information is concealed, you will find that they may have to come looking for you in order to get the ball rolling. Of course, birth parents can also do this in order to open the doors to children rediscovering them. You can find a lot on the information you need on the government’s adoption website.

10. Consider Yourself
Before you even begin your journey to rediscovering your birth family, you might take the time out to consider your own needs. Are you truly ready to find out who your birth parents are? Are you prepared to come up empty in your search? Have you already set boundaries with yourself regarding potential relationships in the future? If you’re not certain you can handle the discovery, then you might distance yourself from looking. Try to put in light searches and if you come up empty handed then walk away for a while. You might also investigate the free options you have and make a game plan for when you are ready. If you do find the information you desire, then hold off until you’re truly ready to reconnect. It is important to keep in mind that all birth families do not want to be found. So, you might come across a path that will leave you disappointed or hurt. This might require counseling on your end, so your best option is to prepare yourself, so an emotional impact won’t be as tough to handle.

Searching for your birth parents can be a trying activity. Your best option is to take things slowly, so you can save money on the process. These ten tips should give you the resources you need to help find your birth family, if you’re not prepared to spend money yet. With any luck, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Graduation season begins in just a few short weeks, which has many stores scrambling to display dorm gear and other classic graduation gifts. However, if you’re celebrating a graduate that is planning on taking a gap year, then you might not have as many obvious answers to choose from. These simple ideas will help you to find the right gift for any graduate that is planning on using their first year as a graduate to explore what life has to offer outside of schools. Best of all, these gift ideas won’t leave you struggling to keep up with your budget after the expenditure.

1. Planner/Journal
One of the easiest gifts is a planner or a journal. This gift comes in handy because it will allow gap year graduates to reflect on what they have going on. Journals are the perfect way to document travel, jot down life lessons and even work out what a person wants to do with the rest of their life. Writing can be a very therapeutic activity too, which makes it great for stressful decisions. Starting a graduate out with a journal now can help them develop a healthy lifelong hobby. Planners also come in handy for gap year graduates as it allows them to keep track of important dates and times. This is perfect for anyone that plans on traveling frequently. It is also a great reminder for job interviews, application deadlines and so much more. You can even purchase customized planners and journals to suit the person you are gifting it to.

2. Travel Book
If you know a gap year is going to be spent traveling, then you might consider purchasing a travel book or two. These books can come in handy, especially when traveling the world. You might choose a book that helps out with language barriers or one that offers cultural tips to ensure graduates will know the manners they should abide by when abroad. Of course, books that talk about treasures on the unbeaten path and more are great gifts. Food guides can come in handy too, especially if they share restaurants that shouldn’t be passed up. Even if the graduate isn’t going abroad, you might consider a travel book for the state that they live in or other places that they might want to travel to within the country.

3. Eco-Friendly Necessities
Living an eco-friendly life is a necessity for everyone these days. However, it can really help out the graduate on the go. Some of the best gifts to consider buying are reusable water bottles, bamboo utensils, reusable straws and so much more. These items are easy to pack and can make eating on the go so much easier. A reusable water bottle, especially, can help promote health, particularly when traveling to areas where drinkable water is scarce. If you want to make a great presentation, then consider a gift basket with some of these items in it. There are so many cool things to choose from that you might consider redoing your entire kitchen. Best of all, this gift works for graduates that aren’t planning on traveling too.

4. Travel Supplies
If you know that a graduate is planning on traveling during their gap year then purchasing travel supplies might be one of the best ideas. For instance, you might want to find out if they have a durable duffle bag. This will make catching flights, trains and busses so much easier, especially when going abroad. There are so many great duffels to choose from now that you’re bound to have a hard time picking. Another great option to consider is an item that might help disguise money, a passport and other crucial information. Magazines for the long trips might help out too, because you never know how long a detour can take. Speaking of detours, a travel pillow or neck brace is a great gift, especially if traveling by train is a certain future for the graduate. Of course, there are so many other travel accessories to choose from, so make sure to look around for an item that suits the personality and needs of the graduate in your life.

5. Adapter
One of the best things to have on hand if you choose to travel is an adapter. Many gap year graduates might not know they will need one of these to help charge their devices when they’re on the go. Luckily, there are a lot on the market to choose from, which can certainly make traveling a lot less stressful. Many of the adapters today actually have a variety of options, so graduates can travel from one end of the world to the other without having to worry about running out of power. Best of all, even if someone else decides to gift the same thing, you’ll find that these items are great in bounty. Whether the graduate loses one or would like to use their laptop while charging the phone, the more adapters available the better.

6. Headphones
A good pair of headphones is a great option for anyone planning on taking a gap year. Headphones can be a great refuge for anyone trapped on a mode of public transportation. They can also provide some much-needed alone time if a graduate stays in a hostel while traveling. Even if a graduate doesn’t choose to travel, headphones are always a great item to have on hand. Graduates can use them for music, movies and even their future studies. You can choose from a wide variety of options today too, which will allow you to customize your gift with ease.

7. Shoes
Another simple thing to grab is a pair of shoes. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a small fortune on the shoes though. Rather, think functionality when shopping around. For instance, a pair of shoes that can easily be slipped on and off during airport checks is always a great thing to have. If a student plans on cycling or hiking, then a pair of specialty shoes for these tasks might also be great thing to consider. You might also consider purchasing shoes based on the area in which the student plants to travel. For example, a pair of rain boots are perfect for places that that might rain all of the time. Of course, a good pair of walking shoes are always helpful, no matter what the graduate plans on doing.

8. Something to Remember Home
No matter if a graduate is traveling or moving away from home, you might consider purchasing something that will help remind them of home. For instance, there are many necklaces and bracelets that feature the shape of states, cities or even map coordinates that will act as a reminder of home without taking up a lot of space. A tee or hoodie of a graduate’s school, hometown or state makes a great gift that is also functional. Of course, if the graduate doesn’t plan on traveling, there is an abundance of art work to choose from. You can even find home goods like candles and more.

9. Gift Basket
If you want to make life easier for a graduate planning on taking on a gap year then you might consider making a gift basket. You can fill this with all sorts of items. For instance, you might choose items that are great for traveling for those going abroad during the year. Some items you might consider are reading materials, snacks and hygiene products. For graduates that aren’t traveling, you might add in some entertainment items like movies, snacks and things they might need as they join the work force or hang out with friends. Of course, adding items you know the graduate will like will certainly make your gift basket stand out.

10. Gift Cards
Without a doubt, a gift card can be one of the most efficient gifts for graduates planning on taking up a gap year. Some gift cards to consider might be prepaid VISA cards for those traveling abroad. This will help come in handy for food, entertainment or even paying for trains and other necessities. If the traveler is a big reader or film fanatic, then an Amazon card is a great option. This will allow the graduate to read on their Kindle or rent movies from Amazon on the go. Of course, other media companies like Google or iTunes will be equally handy, depending on the graduate’s preferences. If a graduate is staying put, then just about anything goes. You might also consider gift cards for grocery stores or department stores for necessities as they learn how to budget money. Gift cards for restaurants are also a great treat.

Spending a year away from school can be stressful for new graduates. These gift ideas should help ease some of the stress while bringing a bit of joy to their life. With any luck, your gift will not only be enjoyed, but will also come in handy for the graduate experiencing the world on their for the first time.

Whether you’re moving into a brand-new place or you’re trying to give your old home a freshening up, it’s easy to spend a small fortune to make a home yours. There are many simple things that you can do to help make your unique home suit your own personal needs. These ten home renovation tips won’t cost you a bundle but will leave your home feeling better than ever. Best of all, these tips will allow you to put in the elbow grease without any professional assistance, which is certain to make your life easier and cheaper. So, don’t waste any time living in a house that you feel doesn’t suit you, as these tips will help you quickly feel right at home in your own space.

1. Swap Light Fixtures
One way to make a huge impact on your home without doing a lot of work is to simply swap out your light fixtures. You aren’t forced to keep the fixtures that come with the house, especially since most of them are pretty bland. Instead, head to your local home improvement or lighting store and see what you can find. You might be surprised by how low the prices actually are on some of the items you love, especially if you wait for the event of a sale. Once you pick out your lighting, all you have to do is turn off the power and install the item in place of the old fixture. You might also consider swapping a simple light fixture out for a ceiling fan in order to prove energy bills and keep your home more comfortable. If you’re renting, make sure to place the fixture in a safe place. However, if you own the home and don’t plan to go back to the old items, then you can always make a little money by selling them or get a receipt for donating them in order to receive a tax deduction.

2. Add Shelves
Storage is one of the biggest issues for many people. One of the easiest ways to solve this problem is to add shelving to the home. You can do this in so many areas of the home, so make sure to plan the most convenient areas before you carry on. Although you can purchase shelving at a fairly inexpensive price from department stores, you might be better off building your own shelves. Premade shelves often fall apart faster with time and sometimes don’t last if you need to move them. Building shelves that attach to the wall can add value to the home and will give you more customization options. Shelves can be added for books and décor, but you can also place them in closets for even more storage. Luckily, shelves aren’t hard to make either, so you won’t have to hire anyone as long as you’re willing to put in the work.

3. Paint Cabinets
Cabinets can play a huge role in the décor of the home. If you’re looking to rejuvenate your kitchen or your bathroom then you’re bound to find that painting your cabinets can make an incredible impact. Luckily painting cabinets don’t take a lot of work, so you can do it yourself without the need of professional assistance. However, before you go all out on paint, make sure to test what it is going to look like on your cabinets. Since there are so many cabinet designs, your paint job might look different depending on the wood or material your cabinets are made of. You might also consider a stain if you still want to maintain the wooden look. If you really want to add more space to your home, then consider removing the doors of some of the cabinets and painting the interior. This creates an open space that is perfect for decorations and dishes.

4. Replace Drawer Handles
Another fun way to shake things up a bit is to make some drawer handles for all of your cabinets, dressers and so on. Since drawer handles typically look similar in style, you will definitely enjoy adding your own personal touch to these items. In most cases, you’ll find that by simply changing the handles up you can actually change the appearance of the entire item. There are so many cool handles to choose from, so make sure you take your time to browse around your local stores as well as online options. However, if you want to save some money and have a bit of fun then you might consider making your own. This is actually fairly easy and will give you so much creative freedom. There are lots of ways to go about this too, so look online for options that will work well for your needs.

5. Embrace Rugs
A rug can easily become one of the best accent pieces in the home. That is why you should always consider a rug when looking for a way to spice up your home and make it suit your personal style. Rugs can be a bit on the pricier side, but as long as you take care of them they can last you decades. You might also search around outlet stores for options that will help you save money. You can find rugs that suit all sorts of interests too. For instance, if you prefer a geekier look then you can easily shop for items such as Star Wars and more. Other options that make customization easier involve the texture of the items. No matter what type of rug you choose, you’re bound to enjoy the appearance and freshness that it brings to your home.

6. DIY Sink Cover
Kitchen space can be tight in some homes, which might bring about frustration when you’re trying to prepare a meal. Instead of throwing in the towel, you might consider making your own sink cover. This is essentially a cutting board that is designed to fit over your sink. The board can be left over the basin at all times though if you prefer the appearance of the board opposed to your sink’s drain. You can make these covers out of so many things, too. If you have marble counters then you might consider making a matching board, so it looks as if you have more kitchen counter space. You can also keep it simple with wood or a premade plastic option. These covers are great for prep work too, as cleaning them is easier than ever since they’re already on the sink.

7. Photo Tiles
Personalizing the home can be so much fun when it comes to your family’s photos. One of the best ways to add to the appearance of the home and show off your favorite pictures is to transform them into photo tiles. These can be placed on the wall to create a 3D effect that looks awesome. These tiles can be purchased online through many retailers. However, they are also incredibly easy to make on your own. You can even use soundproof materials to make them even more efficient, especially if you find yourself jamming out to loud music when cleaning. There are lots of great tutorials for these tiles, so make sure to surf around until you find the right match for your needs.

8. Decorate your Mail Box
Giving the exterior of the home a little love can be tough on a budget. Everything from new coats of paint to planting beds can cost quite a bit of money. One quick and cheap way to give the home a bit of life is to decorate your mailbox. This can be accomplished in so many ways. For instance, you might start by giving it a fresh coat of paint or adding custom made numbers to the box. You can even add your last name to the box for the personal touch you’ve been hoping for. Of course, you can do so much more. For instance, if you have a specific set of interests then you might consider adding something that shows that off. If you love art, then paint the box to resemble one of your favorite paintings. Star Wars fans can make the mailbox look like one of the famous space ships and so on. You can also add flowers to your mailbox. Simply add a planter or even an old tire that can be fitted around the box. Once this item is secure, add some potting soil and plant a few flowers to make it look incredible. This only scratches the surface of fun things that you can do with your mailbox.

9. Create an Accent Wall
Sticking to one color in the home can be tough. On top of that, picking a color that you’re certain you won’t grow tired of can be tricky. Instead of investing a lot of money in painting a full room, you might simply create an accent wall instead. This will help you to save money on paint since you will only need a fraction of the amount. It will also take you a lot less time to complete. If you don’t want a solid color, then use some stencils or paint your own design. Paint isn’t your only option when it comes to accent walls though. You can easily use wallpaper to add some pizzazz. Some people even use fabric to make the room look extraordinary. Fabric can be one of the best options if you’re renting too, as it can be nailed up and taken down quickly when you need to move. Using old book or comic pages has also become a trend recently, which makes for a more personalized look that you can feel proud of.

10. Install a Runner
Homes with stairs can feel dull at times, especially since the stairs tend to have a uniform look. If you have carpeted stairs and you don’t like them, then consider pulling the carpet up and going back to the original wooden state. Once this is complete, find a runner that shows off your personality. If you already have wooden stairs, then you’re halfway to a cool new look. Of course, make sure the runner is secured well to ensure safety in the home. You can even add a runner detail to carpeted stairs if you still long for a little more style in this area.

Giving your home a special touch that will make you feel more at home is easier than you think. These ideas won’t cost you a bundle and are bound to make you happier than ever. Best of all, they’ll allow you to put work into the home, which will give you a source of pride that will show throughout your house.

If you have children in your life, then you have probably experienced some form of Disney obsession. Since the company now own Star Wars, Marvel and all of the classics you grew up with, it is hard to avoid spending money on Disney products. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can cut back on the cost of your child’s favorite things. It doesn’t matter if your child wants a new tee or a trip to an amusement park, you’ll be able to find a few budget-friendly ideas to make their dream come true. The magical world of Disney doesn’t have to be a burden on your wallet with the help of these ten tips.

1. Join the Disney Movie Club
The Disney Movie Club has been a hot trend recently. This awesome program allows you to sign up to get some awesome deals on movies. Your deal starts out with a few of your child’s favorite movies for just $1 apiece. The only catch is you have to purchase five movies over the next couple of years at full price. If you don’t follow through on this then all you have to do is pay full price for the movies you received at the discount. Every month, the Disney Club comes up with a new featured movie that you can choose to purchase. If you don’t want it then all you have to do is decline the offer. Generally, the featured movie comes with free collectibles that kids will love. Once you finish your membership requirements, you’ll receive awesome discounts on movies, collectibles and so much more.

2. Disney Rewards
Another great program to check out is Disney Rewards. This program gives you points for Disney purchases that you make. For instance, if you purchase a Disney movie, especially one that has a digital code, then chances are you will receive points for this purchase. You can also receive reward points for going to the movies to see a Disney feature. This can be handy, especially with all of the fun Marvel movies hitting the big screen over the summer. Your rewards can be redeemed for a wide assortment of things. The reward store has collectibles, posters, movies, activities and so much more. Best of all, you can use your points to even cover the shipping and handling costs of your item, so you won’t have to spend a penny on your items.

3. Disney Plus
If you hate spending a fortune on cable for your child to enjoy their favorite shows and movies, then you’re in luck. This summer, Disney is rolling out a new streaming surface that will help you save money while allowing your child to enjoy all of their favorites. The service plans on having just about every Disney show and movie available, so kids can embrace their favorite characters while exploring new options. On top of that, you will be able to watch lots of great Star Wars exclusives and even some Marvel spin-offs. The best news is this streaming service is half of the price of Netflix, so you won’t have to break your budget to afford it.

4. Disney Vacation Club
If you’ve been hoping to make a Disney Vacation a reality, then you might want to check out the Disney Vacation Club. This club actually works to help you make your Disney dreams come true. Anyone on a budget can apply for the service and receive a loan that will allow you and your family to visit the Park and stay in the exclusive resorts. This is great since it helps you enjoy the trip at the right time for your family, as opposed to when you have saved up enough money for it. On top of that, it will help cut the stress from your trip. When you return home, you work to pay off the loan and then you’re eligible for your next. You’ll also receive exclusive deals and more, which will help cut your spending quite a bit.

5. Shop Sales
Disney products can be found just about everywhere, which is hard when you’re trying to keep to a budget. However, if you love to treat your kids or simply stock up on gifts, then shopping sales are one of the best ways to go. You can find Disney sales just about anywhere too, which will make shopping around a lot easier. If you love to collect Disney products, then you might want to pay attention to sales. Often, when you find items in the sales section they are about to be retired. Thus, it might be a wise time to stock up, especially if the character is phasing out in popularity. Even if you don’t find yourself keeping these items, you can often auction them off for more money, which will save you quite a bit in the long run.

6. D23 Disney Club
Another great way to save big on Disney is to join the D23 Club. This club allows you to enjoy lots of great savings while receiving exclusive deals that you won’t be able to resist. This club does charge you to join unless you’re just interested in keeping up with the news. There are two membership options, so you can pick what is right for your personal needs. Apart from keeping you up to date and stocked with exclusive items, the D23 Club does offer lots of merchandise. Often, members are privy to extraordinary discounts that will keep everyone coming back for more. All in all, this club is a great resource if you plan on following up with Disney, even when your children lose interest.

7. Disney Store
Many malls are lucky enough to have a taste of the magical kingdom. The Disney Store has been a major vendor for Disney items for quite some time now. However, if you don’t have a Disney Store near you, then the website offers all of the same merchandise you will find in stores. Chances are, if your child loves a Disney character, you will be able to find some sort of merchandise here. Even older movies have a few product lines to keep children happy. The great thing about the Disney Store is it allows you to shop for more sales than you would at other stores selling Disney merchandise. You can also find plenty of clearance items to choose from. Best of all, the store has its own rewards programs, which will help you save even more on products that are exclusive to this store.

8. Shop Second Hand
It can be especially hard when your child falls in love with a Disney character that isn’t popular anymore. As time passes, less and less merchandise is available, which can be heartbreaking for children that want to experience more of their favorite movie. One way to enjoy savings while still finding merchandise is to shop second hand. You might check out thrift stores in your area to see if there are clothes or toys that suit your child’s needs. These stores give to charities too, so you’ll be helping out your community and budget while bringing your child joy. Another option is to check auction sites, like eBay, to see if you can find anything for your little one that is affordable.

9. Enjoy Print Outs
Another way to embrace Disney craze is to enjoy free content online. There are so many print outs that will make your child fall back in love with their favorite characters. One of the most popular print outs is simple coloring sheets. These can be saved and printed as you need them, so you can truly keep your child entertained and satisfied, no matter the character of the week. Another print out option is paper dolls. These can add so much fun to playtime and will help save you money as you can represent an assortment of characters without having to purchase the doll for each one. Of course, there are many crafts to enjoy from Disney too, so check around for fun ideas to see if anything suits your child’s desires.

10. DIY
Sometimes, the best way to enjoy something is to make products for yourself. One of the most popular DIY projects for Disney is princess dresses. You can easily find tutorials online to help you whip up each of your child’s favorite role models. As Disney takes on Marvel and Star Wars, you might also find yourself creating costumes to suit these characters too. You can even make mini versions of these costumes to suit your child’s dolls and action figures. Crowns are another fun thing to make on your own. You can even go as far as to make accessories to help boost play time. Mickey Mouse ears, which are commonly purchased at the amusement park can also be recreated to help your child feel amazing even when you’re on a tight budget.

All in all, keeping up with your child’s Disney obsession doesn’t have to stress you out. There are a lot of great ways you can save big on Disney without throwing your money at every piece of merchandise you see. These ten tips will certainly help you out, as your child bounces from one favorite character to the next.

For most high school students, prom is rapidly approaching, and the excitement is real. If your student is on the planning or decorative committee or you plan on lending a helping hand, then budgets are probably a popular conversation. There’s no doubt about it, planning a prom can be on the pricey side even when you make budget cuts. There are a few things you can do that will help keep your school’s prom amazing without breaking the bank though. These ten tips are great options to consider if you’re looking to make budget friendly cuts without sacrificing the quality of your school’s prom. So, get ready to boogie, because the whole school will be blown away by your choices when prom finally arrives.

1. Skip the Theme
Without a doubt, a theme tends to be one of the most iconic aspects of prom. However, you don’t have to have a theme in order to have a good time. Of course, if the theme means a lot to you then just use a themed name and skip the décor surrounding the theme. Themes require you to spend money on items that might not be used again. These decorative items are often pricier too, which can cut into your food and entertainment budget. Instead of picking a theme, you might want to choose a set of colors instead. You can purchase solid colors for much cheaper and the items can be used year after year. These colors can even be coordinated with themes, if you choose to still go with one. If your school as storage from the proms of yesteryear, then you might surf through those items to see if you can find colors that can be reused.

2. Stay in School
A lot of schools plan to host the biggest dance of the year at a hotel or other venue. This can be a great surprise for students, but it can also cost a small fortune. There’s actually no need to take your school dance outside of the school, especially if you have a large enough gym or cafeteria. These areas are easily cleared out and decorated so that everyone can have a blast without forcing you to spend a fortune. Keeping the dance in school is also reassuring to parents and can help prevent outside costs if students damage property at an outside venue. Keeping your dance in school will allow you to call for volunteers too, which can really help you save a ton of money.

3. Utilize the Art Department
When it comes to decorating for the prom, you have a world of resources in your own school. One of the best places to look for decorative talent and supplies is the art department. Teachers might be able to convince students to join in on the activities for some extra credit or if it is a part of their grade. Art students can paint, sew and create backgrounds and other supplies to make the room look incredible. The drama department might also be able to lend props and other supplies to add even more pizzazz to the overall look of the dance. Students in photography can help take photos of the attendees, so you won’t have to worry about this large-scale expenditure too. By utilizing these departments, you’ll save a lot of time and money, which will definitely make the prom even more exciting and budget friendly.

4. Free Streaming
In this day and age, you don’t really need to spend money on entertainment in regards to music. If you’re on a tight budget, then look no further than your favorite free streaming service. The school can get together to vote on the music they would like to hear, or you can gather a group of students to come up with a list of songs for the playlist. You won’t even have to go out of your way to play the music as the school should have everything needed to project it across the dance floor. A teacher or volunteer can help keep the playlist going, so you won’t have to worry about the music dying down as the night progresses. This minimal effort idea is bound to bring some fun while ensuring everyone enjoys the prom.

5. Ask the Community for Help
You will find that one of the greatest assets you can find is the help of the community. This is especially true if you live in an area with only one high school to speak of. Before you find yourself in crunch time, you might take a few moments to send out messages to local restaurants, vendors and more. Often, restaurants won’t mind donating food for the prom, especially if they have a child in attendance. This can help cut back on one of the largest expenditures. Even if the restaurants aren’t cool with just donating, you might find that they will give you a discount on the items. The same can be said of boutiques that can provide you with balloons or old flowers. The key to this is asking though, so make sure you get the word out before you start spending the budget on items that the community might help with.

6. Parent Donations
A lot of parents expect the prom to happen like magic, which is fair enough as ticket prices are generally expensive. However, much of the reason why parents don’t come forward to help out is because they don’t know that the school needs assistance. One way to help make your prom budget even more rewarding is to send out a memo to let parents know that you could use the help. Even if parents can’t give money to assist you, you might find that they have decorations like steamers or balloons to contribute. Some parents might even have larger props to help you if you’re working on a theme or making a photo booth. Other parents might be able to donate food, even if it is smaller items like punch or chips to snack on. Of course, donating time can be one of the most efficient ways to help out during the prom. Chaperones can truly keep things safe and secure for all of the participants.

7. DIY Crown
The prom court has been a tradition for quite some time. However, purchasing the crowns for the court can get pretty pricey, especially if the school wants to make sure the winning students leave the school with a nice price. There are ways to work around the cost of the crown though, as there are many DIY options to help you out. You might even have the art department at school design crowns and use the winning style as the reward for the prom court. Of course, many schools are moving away from the traditional Prom King and Prom Queen. If this is the case with your school, then you might find yourself needing more crowns to offer to a diverse group of students. For instance, some schools are voting on merit such as hard work, educational achievements and more. So, have some fun designing crowns to make the top students feel exceptional.

8. Think Outside of the Box
Leaving students to entertain themselves for a few hours, doesn’t always work. Most students won’t want to spend the entire prom period eating and dancing. So, you might come up with a few options to keep everyone busy. For instance, you can hold a best dressed competition or recognize students that made their own attire for the big dance. A fashion show is another way to add some fun to the big day as many students will be more than happy to show off their style. There are many games that you can enjoy too. For instance, setting out Twister, charades or even a deck of cards will keep some students happy. You can even have a dance competition to encourage more students to get up and moving. All in all, there are many cheap ways to keep the fun going, which will also keep your budget satisfied.

9. Show off Home Economics
Home economics programs aren’t utilized to their full potential, more often than not. If you have a culinary class, then let the students really shine. Your school can come up with a budget friendly menu and the students in class can get real life experience by making the food themselves. Although you will have to purchase the food for the meal, you’ll save a bundle by shopping in bulk. You will also have the meal cooked for free. This can be a great project for students hoping to go into the culinary field as it will test their skills as well as their performance under pressure.

10. Call in Musical Talent
If the students love the idea of live music, then don’t shop around for a professional group to perform. Instead, post a bulletin and have the school’s talent try out. You can audition bands and invite a few to perform in front of their classmates. This even works for kids hoping to attend the prom too, as they will still be able to enjoy some of the fun when their band isn’t playing. Apart from groups, you might talk to the school’s band or orchestra. Some students might be up for performing as well, which will help spread the school spirit without forcing you to spend a penny.

Preparing for prom can be more stressful than finding the right date. Luckily, there are a lot of ways you can cut back on spending, so you can ensure the party goes above and beyond without sacrificing important elements of the event. These ten ideas will truly help you on your way and might even make you the school’s favorite planner.

Before you know it, it’ll be Mother’s Day, which means it’s time to start planning for the ultimate gift. More often than not, mothers are more than excited to receive a handmade gift from the heart. There are so many items to choose from too, so you don’t have to spend hours mulling over your options. These ten ideas are not only handmade and charming but won’t harm your budget as you plan for the ultimate holiday experience. So, don’t let the time tick down too quickly, as you’ll want to plan ahead to ensure your craft looks incredible for the special day.

1. Paper Flowers
Flowers are one of the most common gifts that moms receive during the special day. However, real flowers are often incredibly expensive and don’t last very long. One way to remedy both of these problems is to make paper flowers for the mom in your life. These flowers aren’t hard to make either and you can choose from a variety of patterns to create all of mom’s favorites. All you will need for this craft is colored paper, like construction paper, and some green pipe cleaners. Simply follow your favorite tutorial on folding and then attach the pipe cleaner to act as a stem. You can present the flowers on their own, or step things up by adding a vase to the mix.

2. Picture Vase
Speaking of vases, you can always go the extra mile and create a beautiful vase for a mom in your life. You can purchase a cheap vase from the dollar store or transform an old glass jar into something fantastic. One of the best ways to start on your task is to consider how you would like to decorate it. There are lots of options including glass paint, appliques and even tissue paper. When you choose your medium, set everything aside and hunt for the perfect picture. Your first task is to apply the picture to the vase, which is easily done with glue and modge podge. When the photo is dry, have some fun decorating it. You can even add rocks to the bottom to add even more pizzazz.

3. DIY Candle
Candles are one of the top gifts for any mom that loves to enjoy delightful smells all day long. However, candles can be incredibly expensive in stores, which can harm your budget. Instead of merely picking out a candle, you might want to try your hand at making your own. All you have to do is purchase a wax kit and use essential oils to add the scent you desire. You can even get creative and add colors to the mix. When you’re finished making the candle portion of you gift, you can decorate the jar you place it in. This will not only add more personality to the mix, but it will also make it more fun to reuse the jar again and again.

4. Bookmark
You can’t go wrong with a personalized bookmark for moms that love to bury their nose in a book. Bookmarks are incredibly easy to make and will allow you to have lots of fun with the craft. For starters, you can easily get to work by folding a bookmark that can be placed on the edge of the book. This can be folded and designed in so many ways that you can suit any interest. You can also use a thicker paper, like stock card, to cut traditional bookmarks and then design them to suit just about any interest. On top of that, you can also utilize magnets to create a simple look that isn’t going to fall out of the book during a commute. If you love to braid, then simple string and time can help you make a woven bookmark that is certain to be showed off each day.

5. Spa Supplies
Most moms could use a little time to themselves to help them relax and enjoy the special day all the more. If you want to make your mom feel special, then set her up with a spa set and some free time. You can go all out for your set too. You might start by making your own soap, complete with fun shapes that will light up mom’s day. Another must is a face scrub made from sugar, which is perfect for mom’s that love to exfoliate. If mom likes baths, then a bath bomb can really make things fun. All in all, the set can come with just about anything you desire, so you can really spice things up. You might finish off with a new wash cloth that can easily be monogrammed with simple online tutorials. If you really want to step up your game, then make mom a soothing playlist to go along with the mix. It will quickly become her favorite Mother’s Day.

6. Poetry
Share a piece of your heart with mom by writing a special poem. This is an easy craft that can be made to suit a wide variety of age groups. If kids are smaller, there are many templates to download that allow kids to color in a special sheet and then place adjectives and adverbs into a prewritten template. This method is easy to customize and will help children feel special. Children that are already capable of writing might enjoy a template that helps them follow a specific order while working. Older children and adults on the other hand might enjoy free styling the poem to ensure mom feels extra special about her gift. You can spice up the gift by placing it a frame for all to enjoy.

7. Key Chain
Key chains are another way to show mom you love her every single day. Key chains are simple to make too, so they can suit all age groups. One of the easiest ways to begin this craft is to buy a kit. Usually, the kit comes with templates that kids can cover and then place inside a plastic chain. Of course, there are other ways to make key chains. For starters, kids can draw a design on Styrofoam and then shrink it down in the oven. This usually adds some fun to the design and kids will love watching their design go from big to small. Kids might also want to braid a keychain. Another option is to work with leather or wood burning, but this option is primarily for teens and adults.

8. Hot Plate
If you have a mom that loves to cook, then a great option is to make her a hot plate for all of pots, pans and utensils. Hot plates are incredibly easy to make. One of the easiest methods to do this is to grab a cheap tile from a dollar store or department store. Choosing a solid title, particularly in white, will help make the process a bit easier. When you get the tile, you can add a photo to it, paint it or simply use some tissue paper to make it colorful. When you’re finished with the design, simply add some modge podge to lock in the style. This tile will hold up in the kitchen and is easy to clean. Best of all, it will remind mom of you whenever she uses it.

9. Pathway Stones
Moms that love to garden will enjoy receiving pathway stones to help make the garden special. It might sound hard to make this craft, but it is actually much easier than you think. There are kits to make your pathway stones, so you can shape them and add foot or handprints to customize them. Once you finish up with the stone and it has dried, you can even add paint to the kit. Of course, there are tutorials online so you don’t have to use a kit, which might save you a bit of money. If you want to go any easier route then you might look for larger stones to paint with your own designs. This is certain to make the garden colorful and meaningful.

10. PhotoBook
Last but not least, a photo book is one of the best options to share your love. There are so many ways you can make your own photobook that you’re bound to have some fun choosing the way that suits you the most. One option is to use a scrapbook and paste the photos in. This is perfect for children as it allows them to do it in a hands-on way. Another is to make photo pages on your computer and simply print them out. Finally, you can use a professional service, especially if you want the memories to last. No matter how you choose to work your book, mom is bound to find joy in all of the memories you hand selected to share with her.

Without a doubt, Mother’s Day is the time to make any mom in your life feel like a million bucks. These crafts are a great way to get started on creating an outstanding Mother’s Day. Best of all, they will suit your budget and your household’s crafting ability, which is bound to make the holiday even more exciting for all. So, don’t let the time pass, as there is still a couple of weeks to make lots of fun crafts.

There’s no doubt about it, May is the perfect time to embrace your inner geek and have fun doing it. Between geeky themed holidays and the numerous conventions that kick off this month, you’ll find excitement around every corner. Unfortunately, you might wonder how your budget is going to tackle so many different events. Luckily, there are ways to enjoy being a geek during the month of May that won’t force you to put your budget on hold. So, don’t let this month pass you by without showing some love for your inner geek thanks to these ten ideas that are bound to bring you a world of fun.

1. Comic Book Day
One of the first ways to kick off your celebration of everything nerdy in May is to participate in Comic Book Day. This holiday tends to take place on the first Saturday of the month, but you should always check to make sure the date doesn’t fall on any other day, so you don’t miss out. Local comic book stores should have a wide variety of exclusive comic books during this special occasion, so you will be able to get some awesome items that your friends will be envious of. Apart from the exclusive items, you’re bound to find some incredible deals as many stores will use this event to get rid of some of their stock. Of course, that isn’t even the sweetest news. The best thing about comic book day is you will be privy to a lot of free, yes free, comic books. You can simply walk into the store and walk out without spending a dime, which is certainly going to make your budget happy.

2. May the Fourth Be With You
Star Wars fans are bound to find some joy on the Fourth of May, which is dubbed Star Wars Day. This day is bound to bring some fun events to your community that you might enjoy with the whole family. One popular activity that seems to pop up in many communities is lightsaber battles. This can be lots of fun to watch or even participate in. You might also find movie screenings in your area, which will provide you with the magic of watching the movie on the big screen. If that isn’t enough then you might check around your local entertainment, clothing and toy stores to see if you can find any deals on the Star Wars items that you love. If you’re a homebody, then you’re bound to find the series playing on cable or you might simply have a party and screen your favorite movies. You can even make Star Wars inspired foods and drinks and have guests dressed up to improve the atmosphere of the day.

3. Larping
If you want to get outside and have some fun, then one of the best things you can do is try out larping. This activity is great for the entire family, so you can really make the most out of it. Larping is essentially acting out a battle scene using faux weapons and armor. You can dress up as any character you like and embrace the fun with your community. There are many different themes you can enjoy too, which will help you get in touch with your favorite characters and fandoms. Of course, you don’t even have to leave the house in order to go larping. You can easily enjoy the activity safely in your own backyard. You can purchase larping supplies, but if you’re looking to save money you might try making your own. This adds a bit more fun to the activity anyway.

4. DIY Cosplay
Another fun way to get more out of this month of celebration is to channel your inner cosplayer. Since summer tends to be the height of convention season, you might find yourself looking for costumes to wear in order to enjoy the conventions near you. If you plan on competing, you’ll need to create your own costume. Thus, you might want to use this month to get to work. There are so many tutorials online that can help guide you to success. On top of that, you can take the time to try to plan out your costume and work on the finer details. Make sure you check out all of your options when it comes to keeping your costume cheap and irresistible.

5. Dungeons and Dragons
One of the biggest games associated with geek culture is definitely Dungeons and Dragons. So, if you haven’t given this game a shot, now is the perfect time to do it. Of course, if you are a seasoned player then you might want to pencil in a few games during this month to help celebrate your love of everything geeky. If you’re looking to get started on the game, there are a ton of free resources to help you out. Even if you have played hundreds of games, you might still look for some freebies to help spice up your campaign or character. Dungeons and dragons can take up hours of your time, so you might consider grabbing some cheap snacks to get into the adventure too.

6. Geeky Crafts
Geek culture consists of so many amazing things today, so add your love of everything geeky to your craft station. There are so many things that you can make which will help add a personal touch to your home. One fun craft is to make a Chewbacca rug out of simple faux fur fabric that can be found in most craft stores. If flowers are your thing, then paint a pot to show off designs from the world of Mario or make yourself a Pokemon terrarium with real live plants. You can also make art that can be framed and hung up. Your imagination is the limit, so have fun with your crafts and let the whole family let their creativity shine. To keep this project simple and cheap, use craft items you already have around the home.

7. Geek Food
There are a lot more ways to show your creativity than just crafts and costumes. Geeky food is another fun way to help celebrate your favorite geeky things while having some fun. Best of all, you can make geeky foods for incredibly cheap. One such ideas is to make beverages from some of your favorite shows. One of the most iconic is blue milk, which doesn’t really even need a tutorial. You can also recreate some of the foods from your favorite anime series, which is bound to make your stomach and your heart joyful. You can get crafty with some of your favorite stacks too. For instance, rice crispy squares can be transformed into pokeballs, dragon balls, characters and so much more. If you take some time to have fun with your snacks, then you’re bound to learn more cooking skills that you’ll want to utilize throughout the year.

8. Reconnect with Old Media
Sometimes, we simply don’t have the time to enjoy some of our favorite stories and characters. So, during Geeky May, you might want to pencil in some of your favorite things. For instance, you can read comic books, watch your favorite movies and embrace series that you’ve always loved. You might even gain more out of the things you’ve loved than you remember. You can also fire up some of your favorite games to see if you can earn new rewards or simply take a different path in the story line. You never know, you might find a renewed love for the story, which will give you something to do in your downtime that won’t eat away at your budget.

9. Quidditch
One geeky game that never fails to please is Quidditch. This game was introduced in the Harry Potter series, but quickly made a name for itself amongst fans that love to play sports. Quidditch was quickly given a rule book and shortly after leagues began to form. You don’t have to join a league in order to have fun with Quidditch though. If you live in a Quidditch free zone then you might want to set up your own tournament. You might ask friends and family to join in or you can even make it open to the public. Quidditch supplies are quite easy to make in your own home too, so you’ll be all set on a budget.

10. Geek Pride Day
Of course, if you love to celebrate with others then you might want to hold off until Geek Pride Day. This day always occurs on May 25, which also happens to be Towel Day in dedication to Douglas Adams and The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. You’re going to find a lot of fun things going on in your community and around the nation on this day, so look around for activities that will speak to you. One of the best things you can do is surf sales to see if items you’d like to buy others for holidays and birthdays are on sale. You might also be able to finish up your own collection. On top of that, you might find parades to participate in or watch. Movie screenings are another great option that will ensure you’re ready for fun. You might also check in on game stores, comic shops and so on to see if there are gaming competitions to join in on. Truly, if you love something geeky then you’re certain to find an activity that will suit it on this day.

Showing off your love of everything geeky in May is bound to leave you feeling relaxed and in your element. These ten ways to celebrate will help ease your budget while ensuring you are able to meet new people, enjoy your uniqueness and so much more. So, don’t forget to let your countdown begin, because Geeky May will be here faster than you realize.

World Art Day is rapidly approaching, so it might be time to make a few plans to make the celebrations even more rewarding for you and your family. A lot of people associate art with high expenses, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case when it comes to this fantastic holiday. In fact, if you look around and embrace the community around you, there might be more activities to do on the cheap than you ever thought possible. So, don’t let the amazing world of art pass you by on April 15, because the world is certain to open up and share its creativity with you if you know where to look. These ten ideas will help you along your way, so you can truly maximize the holiday experience.

1. Community Events
Although World Art Day might not be the biggest holiday around, many communities still love to embrace it in order to share local and global art with its residents. Chances are, there will be a few celebrations near you if you look hard enough. Often, schools will take part in the event, so you’ll have the chance to check out what the kids in your community have been up to in school. This can be a great experience if you have school age children as it will certainly allow you to see what your own children are learning. It might also inform you if you need to be doing a little more work at home when it comes to art. Other community events might be art walks, gallery openings or even lectures to help you understand the art world better. Generally, community events are free too, which is certain to make attendance even more enticing.

2. Art Walk
Art walks are a great way to get out and see what is happening in your own community. Generally, spring and summer tend to host lots of art walks, so you might be able to check out more than one, especially if you’re willing to travel. Most art walks consist of artists setting up stands to help promote and sell work. More often than not, you’ll find lots of crafts that are family friendly too. Admission to most art walks is free, so you’ll be able to browse and enjoy yourself without having to worry about spending money. However, some crafts will require you to pay a small fee and if you find some art that you love then you’re bound to spend a bit there, too.

3. Free Museums
Many museums like to use World Art Day as a time to allow for a freebie day. However, even if your local museum isn’t free on this day, you should watch the schedule as many museums do offer freebie days to residents fairly often. Generally, if your museum is going to host a free day for World Art day, then they will probably exhibit art from around the world. This will give you the perfect opportunity to admire art from every corner of the globe. This is not only a great way to learn about new cultures but will help broaden your understanding of places that you’ve never been.

4. Find an Art Class
You might be surprised by how many art classes are around you. Even if you live in a small community, there’s a high chance that there is at least one art class going on, even if it is under your radar. Art classes can be found in so many places too, so you might ask around the community if you’re looking for something in particular. Surprisingly, one of the best places to try is the library. These days, many libraries host as assortment of classes to help bring people into the library. The classes hosted here are sometimes free, while other times you will have to pay a small fee or at least pay for supplies. Cafes and colleges are another great place to look around. You might also ask art shops, as many of these stores will also host lessons for a fair price. Another great option is to surf around online. You can even check out lessons on art history to learn more about the influences the world has had on modern art.

5. Embrace New Mediums
If you’re looking to make the most out of World Art Day, then one of your best options is to try something new out. There are so many ideas and concepts to explore, so choose something that might have interested you for some time or something you just recently heard about. If you are having trouble deciding, then you can always write each medium on a piece of paper and then draw one out of a hat. This can be a fun way to expand your horizons throughout the year too, as you can try a new medium monthly or even weekly. There are so many cool things to choose from too. Although painting and pottery might be the more common choices, you should also look into mosaics and sand mandalas, which are fairly expensive to try out. Of course, learning the culture behind each medium is also a great way to take advantage of everything that World Art Day offers.

6. Become a Photographer
One of the cheapest and easiest ways to embrace art for the day is to become a photographer. This doesn’t mean you should go out and load up on expensive equipment. In fact, in today’s world, all you really need to be an amateur photographer is a smart phone. You can even purchase accessories to help make the lens work for you. There are so many tutorials online that will help you find what you need to capture the perfect image while you’re out and about. You might even have the chance to take some photographs that will help remind you of World Art Day while showing everyone else the joys of the holiday. If you really want to get into the task then you can even edit some of your photos with free apps to ensure you get the most out of them.

7. Get Creative
Another way to truly embrace the holiday is to just get creative. Instead of just checking out art work, you might want to try to create your own. You can pull out your paints and see if the holidays bring you any inspiration. Another fun idea, especially for kids is to try making some sidewalk art with chalk. You can even go to a facility that allows you to give graffiti a try. There are so many creative activities you can try out in your community too. For instance, you might try to go to a wine and painting event with some friends. As long as you’re letting your creative juices flow, you’re bound to feel excited about the holiday.

8. View a Gallery
There are so many galleries in cities and towns across the world. More often than not, we pass by them and do a little window shopping along the way to whatever we actually need to do. On World Art Day, you might want to stop and actually enter the gallery. It can be refreshing to check out the art work and enjoy everything that the artist has put up. You never know, you might become a fan of a local artist, which can make investments feel even better since you’ll be helping your local economy. Another option is to head to your local university. Often, the school will open up its gallery space for students, so people can check out what they’re doing. Some universities will even open up the gallery so you can purchase and help out the students working to pay off their tuition.

9. Recreate
Another way to show your love for the art of the world is to try to recreate a work of art that you admire. You can paint a masterpiece that you learned about in school or try to make a rendition of a sculpture that you’ve always admired. Another way to enjoy this activity is to take a work of art from one medium and recreate it with another. For instance, you can use a famous painting as a reference point and recreate it as a mosaic. Your options are absolutely endless though, which is bound to help you have some fun while allowing you to learn more about the art world. You might even find that you love recreating images so much that you won’t need to purchase home décor again in the future.

10. Read About Art
World Art Day is a great time to learn about art and the way the world perceives it. So, you might want to pick up something exciting to read for the holiday. There are so many books on art that you’re bound to find something exciting at your local library. You might try to read some topics from other cultures to help improve your understanding of the world around you. All in all, your mind can be entirely opened up to the world around you if only you find the right books to do so. So, have fun with looking at the art in your books and explore topics you never thought possible before.

World Art Day can be one of the best times to embrace the wonderful world of art that you can enjoy. These ten tips are certain to help you find joy in art, so you can truly learn more about it. Best of all, it might even help you learn more about your own artistic skills. So, make the most out of the special occasion, because you don’t often have an excuse to roll up your sleeves and let your creative energy pour out into the world.

Easter will be hopping its ways into your life in just a couple of weeks. If you have a large group of people to keep entertained, you might be wondering what on earth you can do to keep boredom at bay. Luckily, there is far more than egg hunts and Easter feasts to keep your guests going strong. So, this Easter, aim to give your guests the time of their lives as they noctivagate through all of the exciting activities you have planned. You will never have to worry about children running wild after you pull off these ten exciting activities.

1. Amp Up the Hunt
Without a doubt, the highlight of the Easter holiday for most children is the Easter egg hunt. Thus, this is your area to really shine. You can keep up with the classic Easter hunt where the kids just locate the eggs, or you can amp up the games by adding a little more difficulty to the hunt. One way to do this is to have the kids go through a scavenger hunt in order to find their eggs. This can be done as an individual seeker or a team. The scavenger hunt can also ensure that children get an equal amount of eggs, for the most part. You might also consider making a treasure map for the children to follow in order to find eggs with larger prizes. You can even create different maps for different age groups, which can help add more fun to the event. Finally, if you do want to keep things simple, you might consider having a specific egg color for each child. This will help ensure you can hide eggs based on age without worrying about some children being left out.

2. Egg and Spoon Race
Since you most likely already have some eggs to work with, then you might want to add some relay races to the madness. After the kids hunt their eggs and collect their prizes, have everyone hop up for some more fun with eggs. All you need is a few spoons and some of the kids’ eggs and you’re set for a fun event that will have the crowd laughing. You might even encourage the adults to take part in the races. You can spice things up too, by having people pass off eggs, push eggs with their nose and so on. The fun is endless, so make sure you put the extra eggs to good use.

3. Bunny Masks
Let the Easter Bunny take over your home when you have the kids sit down and make some bunny masks. This is a great way to calm a rowdy bunch down for a little while, which makes it the perfect pre-meal activity. Kids can make bunny masks out of an assortment of things. One easy example is to use paper plates, cotton balls, felt, markers and string. Kids can draw on their own bunny faces to add to the fun. When the masks are complete, they can be set aside to dry while everyone eats or relaxes. Then, kids can hop around the yard with the masks on. You can even have kids take turns being the Easter bunny as they hide eggs for the other kids.

4. Guess the Jelly Beans
Jelly beans are pretty common when it comes to Easter, so use your jelly beans to add some fun to the event. You can easily place jelly beans into a jar and have everyone guess how many is in the jar. The person who guesses the closest to the actual number can win a special prize. You don’t have to go all out on the prizes either. In fact, the jar of jelly beans can be the prize if you really want to keep things simple. You can have more than one jar if you have a lot of people to entertain too, as many people will spend time counting and configuring. Make sure people write their name on a slip of paper and turn in their guess that way, so no one can ride on their coattails either.

5. Easter Egg Tree
Without a doubt, most kids love decorating a Christmas tree, so why not bring the magic to Easter too? You don’t have to follow the same premise as Christmas, in fact, it might be better if you place your tree outside. Simply find a tree in the yard and decorate it with fun things. You can make bunny, egg, chicken and other ornaments out of craft supplies and recyclables. You can also just add string to some of the plastic eggs your child retrieves on the holiday for a fun look. There are even Easter ornaments that can be purchased in stores. Another fun way to make the Easter tree even cooler is to make your décor out of birdseed, so you’ll entice the birds while ensuring your tree won’t harm the environment. You can also hang paper ornaments made out of seedling paper.

6. Plant Flowers
Another great tradition to add to the fun of the holiday is to plant some flowers. A little gardening will help to promote the beauty of spring, which will help make your holiday even more valuable. If you have a garden outside, then pass out some seeds and let the kids get to work. However, if you want to let them enjoy the fruit of their own labor then you might invest in some small planters. Kids can decorate them with an Easter theme and then use them to plant their flowers. This makes a great keepsake that can be planted outdoors later on to improve the environment. You can find seeds for next to nothing too, so you can choose from a wide variety of options.

7. Leave Easter Bunny Treats
Before the Easter Bunny leaves eggs and treats for the kids, you might gather everyone up to leave some treats for the bunny. You can have the kids wash and prepare fruits and vegetables that they think the bunny might like to munch on. You can also make bunny cookies or other treats for the holiday legend. On top of that, you can have the kids make little gifts and cards to thank the Easter Bunny for his generosity. This will help keep little hands busy, which is bound to make the gathering go by faster without any hiccups.

8. Easter Crafts
If you have a rowdy group or you feel boredom setting in, then you might want to consider doing a few crafts to keep everyone busy. There are a ton of great Easter crafts to choose from too, so you can really have fun with your choices. For starters, you can make paper mache eggs that will withstand the tests of time, so kids can use the for décor for years to come. Another fun idea is to make chickens and bunnies our toiler paper rolls. You can also use this time to color eggs and maybe add a sequences and other items to make them more spectacular. Finally, if you want to keep things simple, you can print out sheets to color. If you’re at a loss for ideas, you might consider looking online to find a few ideas.

9. Easter Snacks
Snacks are one of the easiest ways to make kids happy. However, if you want to keep kids busy then you can always bring them into the cooking process. Most children will love decorating their own snacks, which will help bring peace to the gathering for a little while. Easter snacks can be as simple as pastel colored cupcakes which will save you money too. However, you might consider making eggs and chickens out of colored rice crispy treats. Kids can decorate their creation with icing to add even more fun to the event. Another fun idea is to make eggs out of Jell-O. You can even make dessert carrots, so the kids can pretend they’re bunnies. Sweets aren’t your only option though. Kids can help make veggie platters and more.

10. Easter Media
If the kids are small and you need to get them to calm down for a little while, you might consider allowing them to sit down and enjoy some Easter media time before taking a nap. Believe it or not, but there are lots of fantastic books for kids to check out, so you can enjoy having a story time while still keeping to the theme of the day. There are also lots of great movies that you can put on while the kids rest or as background noise for playtime or craft time. This should help keep the atmosphere peaceful while allowing the adults to enjoy each other’s company.

Easter doesn’t have to be complete chaos if you have a lot of people coming over. These ten ideas will help keep the children at your gathering happy and engaged for several hours. You will certainly love the way the kids interact with the activities, which will make your gathering a hit with the whole group. You might find yourself hosting all of the upcoming Easter events in the future though!

The third week of April is meant to be designated to organizing your files. This might give you a bit of incentive to finally dig into all of the paperwork that has been piling up over the years. Of course, you should also jump into organizing your files on your computer too. This might seem like a task that will leave you running for the hills. Organizing doesn’t have to be a burdensome task though. You might even find something therapeutic in it. There are even a few ways to save some money on getting your files organized. These ten tips are bound to help you get through the mess for much less.

1. Don’t be Afraid to Shred
A lot of the time, we are too afraid to actually shred documents, which can leave us drowning in papers. One of the key elements of organizing your files is to shred some of them. For instance, you won’t need to keep every bill that you come in contact with, especially if you’ve already paid it. Another thing that tends to pile up in the shred pile is credit card offers. These should be shredded quickly, so you can simply move on with life. You might also find yourself holding onto notes, cards and other items. If they don’t have a significant value to them then you might want to give them the boot. Shredding large quantities of papers is bound to be time consuming, but when you’re finished with the project, you’ll feel so much better. You might even start shredding papers as you receive them to help ease the burden of organizing.

2. Create Digital Backups
While organizing your files, it is important to consider adding a digital backup of each important document. This task is actually much easier than it sounds, but it can be time consuming. If you have a scanner then you’re already set to start working. Simply scan your important items and add them to a form of digital storage like a USB drive, external hard drive or even a service like the Cloud. Scanning your files can help you avoid problems if you ever cannot find what you’re looking for. It will also offer a bit of reassurance when it comes to natural disasters. Some items that you should consider scanning are legal documents, such as your marriage certificate, and items like insurance policies, deeds and titles. This should help to avoid delays if you ever find yourself in need of these items.

3. Know How Long to Keep Documents
Another key to organizing is to know how long you should keep certain documents. A lot of the time, people will hold onto paperwork for their entire life, which can really take up a lot of space. You don’t have to hold onto anything that long apart from important documents like your social security number, birth certificate and so on. Luckily, there are many handy guides to help you figure out how long you should store your paperwork. Tax returns, for instance, should be kept for about seven to ten years. Once you figure out how long you need to hold onto items, you will probably find yourself shredding for some time. Your file cabinet will thank you for your hard work though.

4. Secondary Storage
Filing cabinets aren’t the only thing that needs to be cleaned out. You should also take some time out of your day to take care of your storage on computers. This includes items like photos and videos of your family. When you go through these items, it is important to consider a secondary source of storage. Computers and other gadgets aren’t entirely reliable, so you never know when your information will go missing or a computer will crash. Luckily, there are lots of great items that you can use to store your information. An external hard drive for instance, offers a lot of extra storage and can be hooked to any computer. This will certainly help you feel better about your content. If you want even more protection, then you can also store your items on Google or the Cloud to ensure you have easy access on any computer or device you log into. Ensuring you have secondary storage will bring you peace of mind and will help keep everything organized as you can remove old files from your primary computer for good.

5. Consider Recycled Items
A lot of people don’t want to get into organizing their files because it usually means spending some money on items to help you get organized. This can be a drain on the budget and often brings even more frustration to the project. There are actually many things you can make out of your recycling to ensure you have storage space for less. For instance, you might consider cutting an empty cereal box to use for paper storage. These containers can be customized to suit your needs while also saving you big money. There are so many storage ideas to work with too, so browse around online to see what works best for you and your needs.

6. Durable Storage Containers
Another problem that many people face when it comes to storing their files is the containers they keep them in. Many people like to work with binders or cardboard storage containers, which won’t stand up to the tests of time. You run the chance of finding your files ruined by water or other spills. You might also find them littering the ground if you try to pick up the box or binder after a long period of time. Your best option, if you plan on sticking with a box container is to go with plastic. It will make your life easier if you choose a clear plastic too, as it will give you the chance to see what is inside without even opening it. Another option, especially if you want more security, is to pick a filing cabinet or safe for your items. Choosing the right cabinet can be hard but picking items that are fire proof and protected with a lock are probably going to be your best investment.

7. Run Computer Scans
Sometimes, organizing your files can be as simple as running a scan on your computer. If you have antivirus software, then you can easily run it to find out if you have unnecessary files. The programs will pick up on duplicates, things you no longer need and so much more. Best of all, all you have to do is click a button and the excess files will be deleted. If you’re looking to make more room to store files on your computer then you might ditch your temporary internet files and cookies in order to clear out what you’re looking for. This trick will take a huge burden off of you and will make the organization process fly by.

8. Color Coordinate
When it comes to organizing, especially when you’re working with a filing cabinet, it is easy to find yourself lost in papers. Labels can be hard to find within the chaos, which might force you to want to steer clear of your paperwork entirely. Color coordinating your items can be one of the best ways to help you find precisely what you’re looking for in a room. You can easily add a touch of paint or marker to the files you already have, or you can simply buy folders that are already colored. When it comes to organizing files online, you can use special icons to help set them apart. This is bound to help you when you’re searching for things in a hurry.

9. Don’t Let Papers Pile Up
One of the key elements to taking care of your papers is to actually take care of them before they start to pile up. It is hard to take care of papers when they come to you, but if you form a routine then you’re certain to feel more confident about the process. Even if you don’t feel like shredding papers whenever they come to you, you can easily create a box for shred worthy papers, so they don’t wind up taking up space around the home. Another great way to prevent pile up is to go through your papers quarterly. This will allow you to speed up the organization process, so you don’t spend hours combing through papers.

10. Choose Functional Storage
Another problem that many people face is the lack of functional storage. Often, we choose things that we think are suitable or we have grand ideas to upscale the home to suit the items. However, in most cases, it simply leads to clutter and discomfort. Even if you have big dreams for your home, you should shop for what is going to work for your life now. For instance, if you choose a filing cabinet that doubles as an end table, you won’t feel put out by your files. You might also choose a desk that allows for some storage, which is certain to make working easier anyway. If you choose to store items in containers then make sure they have a designated space, so they don’t take over your home or migrate from place to place.

Whether it is Organize Your Files Week or you’re simply doing some spring cleaning, these tricks will help you make the most out of the experience. Before you know it, you’ll be all set so that organizing your home and computer files won’t take ages to do. With any luck, it will help you find the routine you need to make file management a breeze.

With spring comes some unfortunate winds that might cause you to rethink your plans. Luckily, there are some ways to make the best out of windy days, so you won’t have to feel like you’re totally confined in the home. Many of these ideas will help you keep your children entertained, so you don’t have to worry about them bouncing off the walls if extended outdoor play simply isn’t an option. So, don’t let the downside of spring weather bring boredom, because there are so many ways you can find joy in a windy day without spending a small fortune. You might even start a new Big Wind Day tradition that everyone will look forward to.

1. Fly a Kite
When it comes down to it, flying kites and windy days go hand in hand. This classic childhood activity is one of the best ways to help your children get more out of windy days. You have a lot of options when it comes to kites too. You can purchase some cheap kites at department stores if you simply want to jump into the activity. On the other hand, you can also spend some time building your own kite. This is a perfect idea for days that might be a bit too windy to enjoy outside. There are lots of tutorials online that can help you get a jump start on making a basic kite for the family to enjoy. This activity will certainly keep everyone busy for hours, which will definitely help ease the tension of windy day plan changes.

2. Paper Airplanes
Paper airplanes might seem like a take on the kite, but you can enjoy a lot more options when working with this medium. For instance, you can look up origami tutorials online, so you can make more than just the classic paper plane. You can also hold a competition to see which airplane can fly the furthest when you do take the planes out to give them a try. If you want to get more out of this craft, then use papers infused with seeds. This will help do right by the environment while still allowing you to have some fun. You might also consider writing positive messages on the airplanes to bring hope to other people. If your children choose not to let their planes loose, then you can always use the fun paper craft as a bit of décor for their bedroom.

3. Craft Windchimes
When you’re feeling crafty and the weather is windy, nothing eases your need to create quite like making a windchime. This craft can be done in so many ways, which makes it the perfect option for all ages. You might have kids go on a scavenger hunt around the home to find all of the things they can use to make their chimes. Part of the charm of the craft is banging things together to experience the sounds they will create. Once you have the noise element of the design ready to go, you can easily enjoy adding personality to the design. You can use old toys, pictures, shapes, beads and anything else you find. When the chimes are complete, hang them outside and listen to the symphony of their music. You might find that it truly does make a sound that you’ll long to listen to all year long.

4. Create a Wind Sock
If you want to teach your children more about the wind, then a wind sock is a great way to keep them occupied. You can make a wind sock out of just about anything too, including an actual sock. However, one of your best options is to use some old fabric for the trick. Recycling fabric is a great way to make the craft ecofriendly and fun. You can decorate the wind sock in any method that you choose to, which will help keep children busy for quite some time. When the sock is finished, hang it outside or place it on a pole and then watch it move. Children can observe the direction of the wind in this manner. They can also make journals about the change in wind direction to watch for patterns and so much more.

5. Watch the Clouds
Watching the clouds is a lot of fun any day of the week. However, it can be a lot more exciting when it comes to windy days. This is largely because the clouds move much faster than they normally would. Kids can observe the difference in the clouds and make notes of them. On top of that, they can enjoy the tranquil nature of the clouds passing over head. Another great thing to incorporate into cloud watching is also racing. Everyone can choose one cloud and watch it pass by to see which cloud is going the fastest. Kids will love the competition while also finding joy in the changing world. You can safely do this activity from inside the home or vehicle, especially if the wind is too bad for outdoor play.

6. Create a Sail Boat
Airplanes aren’t the only fun to be had when it comes to windy days. A sail boat can be equally fun to play with when it comes to the wind. The best thing about sail boats is you can make so many different kinds, which will allow children to explore the world around them. When it comes to making the sail boat, you can find all sorts of supplies around the house. For instance, a cork, toothpick and piece of paper will make an adorable sail boat that will quickly win races. Children can experiment with which objects float and so much more, which will help them learn quite a bit. When the boat is complete, they can easily race them in the wind. A pond, kiddie pool and so on are all you really need for this activity. Of course, if the wind picks up too much, you can also race these boats in the tub.

7. Blow Bubbles
Bubbles are a fun activity any day of the week. However, they can be even more exciting when it comes to windy days. Children can watch their bubbles soar through the air, which might create a sense of magic in them. Of course, you should definitely monitor to make sure your child isn’t going to end up with a face full of bubbles when they go out. If you want to save even more money on this activity, then you can make your own bubbles. You can also make own your bubble wands to add even more shapes and sizes to add to the excitement.

8. Create Prayer Flags
One craft that might not initially cross your mind is prayer flags. These don’t have to be religious based if you choose not to make them so. Prayer flags tend to be a Buddhist tradition, but they can easily become your own family tradition too. All you need is colored fabrics to get started on this task. You can use the traditional colors and symbols, or you can make the flags entirely your own with your favorite colors and inspiring messages. You can choose from dying your own fabrics or using old clothing and more for the flags. Once you’ve completed your flags then hang them outside. They will create a beautiful setting all year round. However, when it is windy they will be particularly beautiful as they blow around. If they get loose then don’t fret. The hopeful messages you added to the flags will help to bring someone peace and joy. You never know, you might make a difference in someone’s life without even knowing it.

9. Wind Based Experiments
When it comes to windy days, you’re bound to find some scientific fun that children will absolutely enjoy. You can base your experiments around your child’s age to ensure that they have fun while learning a lot of new knowledge that can help them in life. One great place to start is learning wind direction. There are a lot of experiments children can do in order to figure this out, but nothing works quite like wetting the finger to feel for direction. Your children might be interested in learning what exactly wind is and what it does, too. This is a great research project that can open doors to all sorts of new and fun activities. On top of that, kids can learn all about wind power. For instance, children might want to learn how it works or even try to engineer their own windmill to see how it works in a real-life setting. The science projects are endless, so let your children have some fun with it all.

10. Talk About Wind Safety
Even though there is a lot of fun to be had with the wind, there is also a lot of hazards involving it too. So, when the weather gets to be a bit too windy, you might want to go over the safety rules. If the wind is too high, make sure you go over safety procedures for shelter and when you should and shouldn’t go out. You should also go over criteria for tornadoes, because you never know when one might strike. Another concept to go over is first aid for wind related injuries. For instance, you might want to go over what you should do if you get dirt in your eyes and so on. This should help children and the whole family feel prepared when it comes to wind trouble.

When it comes to windy days, you don’t have to let boredom take over. These easy tips will make the whole family enjoy the day while ensuring that you won’t have any complaints. With any luck, future windy days are bound to be fresh and exciting, opposed to a day where everyone feels confined to the home.

Whether you’re best friends with your siblings or you try to refrain from a battle royale every time you’re around each other, there is a reason to celebrate your relationship on National Sibling Day. You don’t have to shower your siblings in gifts on this day though, which will suit your budget. There are a few fun things you can do that will save you some money while allowing you to have fun with the people that you grew up with. So, on April 10, you might want to take some time out of your life to have a bit of fun on this amazing holiday designed just for you and your siblings.

1. Recreate Photos
Chances are, you’ve probably caught whim of the photo recreations that have been buzzing around the internet lately. This is actually quite simple to do if you choose the right photo. Your best option is to choose a picture with simple props and clothing that can be recreated with ease. Then, all you have to do is recreate the poses you and your siblings had. Once the photo is snapped, you can move on to something else. This is certain to help you have some fun with each other, while allowing you to recall all of the awkward moments you had with each other. If you’re pranksters, then you can swap out the recreation photos with the old photos in your parents’ home, to see how long it takes them to notice. You can also create a book of photo recreations, which are bound to be a laugh when you go over them in the future.

2. Give Each Other a Call
Sometimes, life really gets in the way of keeping in touch with family. Thus, you might want to use National Sibling Day as an excuse to pencil in a call to your siblings. If you’re all on social media, then you can always create a group chat so you can see and speak to each other at the same time. This is a good way to catch up with each other while having a little fun. Of course, you can always call one another the old-fashioned way and talk for a bit. If you and your siblings aren’t exactly chatty then send a text their way to let them know you’re thinking about them on National Sibling Day. This should help to improve your relationship and might even spark more contact between everyone.

3. Special Sibling Meal
One of the best ways to bond with your siblings is to sit down and have a meal together. You might start by agreeing on a restaurant. However, if you tend to feud often over your options, it might be best to choose a place that is nostalgic to your childhood. If you’d prefer to save some money, then grab some supplies to make one of your favorite childhood meals. You can cook and each together to ensure you have spent some time together. If you’re helping your own children celebrate sibling day then you can cook fun foods that offer a connection between the two of them. This should help make their day special while allowing them to form a closer bond.

4. Family Feud
Nothing says family fun, quite like the iconic game Family Feud. There are so many ways for your siblings to get in on the game with you. You can purchase the board game and bring it home for a fun evening shared together. If you live far apart, then you can download an app and play online together. You might even come up with your own rendition of Family Feud, which can be played whenever you feel like it. This game helps to bring everyone closer together while helping to ease tension. You will be surprised by how much fun you can have while answering questions and teaming up with your ultimate team, your siblings. If you have a big family, then group your siblings as a team and have all of your children work together on an opposing team. This should bring even more fun to the next generation while encouraging them to bond, too.

5. Shop for Mother’s/Father’s Day
If your family tends to be on the last-minute side of the spectrum, then you will definitely benefit from shopping for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day while celebrating Sibling’s Day. You might make a plan to meet up at the mall or other shopping area to get to work. In order to save some money, everyone can even go in on one gift. This should make the shopping experience a lot more fun and will ensure you don’t have to worry about anything until next year. You might want to make a tradition of doing this, so you won’t forget another parental holiday again. Your parents will certainly love to hear that you’re uniting, which is a gift in itself. If you have children, then you might use this day to have them craft together for holiday gifts.

6. Channel Your Childhood
When it comes to siblings, it is often fun to look back on the things you used to do for entertainment. In order to celebrate the holiday, you might want to consider going back to some of your old haunts. For instance, you can meet up at a park you used to frequent. You might even bring your own children to experience the fun you once had at the park. You can also go back in time and watch some of your favorite movies together. Add some of your favorite childhood snacks and drinks to the mix and you’ll be on the right train to nostalgia city. You might even consider sharing traditions you once enjoyed with your siblings. One such example is going out for ice cream together to celebrate getting along.

7. Battle It Out
Let’s face it, we don’t always see eye to eye with our siblings. From sibling rivalry to personality differences, you might find a lot of pent up aggression for your sibling at times. Thus, having a battle royale might be one of the best ways to celebrate Siblings Day. You can choose from some of your favorite activities to help you do this too. For instance, if you grew up paintballing then book a session and have some fun. You might also consider a water balloon battle for a cheaper option. This is great for siblings of all ages too, which will add to the fun. Of course, you should always make safety a priority and hug it out when you’re finished blowing off steam.

8. Share Your Feelings
It is often hard to be straight forward when it comes to the nice things about our siblings. So, this holiday you might sit down with a piece of paper and write your sibling a letter mapping out everything you like about them and how they influenced your childhood. You can also do this by simply having a conversation or offering compliments throughout the day. This activity works great for kids too and can even help form a deep bond that will cancel out any fighting they might undergo. Younger children can even draw pictures of their siblings to help breach the gap and show affection. Sharing feelings can be very powerful, so make sure to be open to comments you give and receive.

9. Take Advantage of Deals
You might not think much of Sibling’s Day, but there are some great deals that might change your mind. Although the holiday isn’t top of the tier and more often than not it gets swept under the rug, you’ might find that there are some hidden gems if you look hard enough. A lot of restaurants love to give BoGo deals for siblings. You might luck out and get extra fries, a free ice cream cone, or even a free cup of coffee. The deals change every year, but you might look around at hints from last year’s deals so you’ll be ready to jump on any deals that might soon be available. This is a great way to cash in on your relationship while saving some money.

10. Eat Together
Eating as a family is one of the most important things that you can do. You don’t have to make it a Special Sibling Meal though. Instead, you can work on sharing some food while catching up with one another. You might even host the dinner at your parent’s home to make it even more special and inclusive. Everyone can work on the same meal by pitching in some of the work, may it be cooking or cleaning. Once the meal is ready, put your devices up, and enjoy one another’s company. You might even consider hosting a picnic or barbeque. As long as you’re eating and bonding, the holiday will certainly be a success. This activity is great for all ages too, so try to make it a heartwarming experience that kids will love to share in the future.

Siblings’ Day is the perfect time to celebrate the people that have seen you at your best and worst. Although we may not realize it, they contribute so much to the person we are, which makes them incredibly important. So, don’t let your bond fade. Instead, make sure you enjoy the best Siblings’ Day around with these ten ideas.

Many of us have spent countless hours in a library. From hanging out at the school library during childhood to cramming for exams at the university’s library in early adulthood. These facilities ensure education is on the rise for so many. Unfortunately, libraries always seem to be on the chopping block when it comes to budgeting, lately. There are many things you can do to help out your local library though, which might not have dawned on your before. You may even find some of these actions are incredibly easy to try out. So, for National Library Week, you might want to take a break from you regular reading pattern and do something great for your local library to show your support of this incredibly important facility.

1. Volunteer
The first thing you should consider doing when it comes to most projects like this is volunteer your time. Volunteering is incredibly resourceful and can help the library in so many ways. Since there are so many budget cuts, the library might not be able to pay people to man the shelves every day of the week. Your librarian might be willing to train you to put away books, which will help the library out immensely. You can also help direct patrons in the right direction when it comes to books, media and general questions. Another option is to help out with classes that the library offers. This is especially important when it comes to the library’s summer program, as managing children can be tough on no budget. Another option is to host your own class to help bring in some revenue. The library often allows people to use their private lecture rooms for book clubs, crafting and everyday skills. So, if you have an idea let the librarian know. You might be able to help out more than you expect.

2. Donate
It might seem like a no-brainer that donations are always appreciated when it comes to the library. However, there are more ways to donate than simply handing over money. This is great for people that might not have money to spend on such a thing. However, if you do wish to donate money, talk to your librarian as there is generally a path you have to follow to do so. The library is always in need of supplies to keep it running though. You might consider going through your old books to see if there are any that look fine enough to donate to the library. Another great item to donate is computers. However, the library might have certain criteria to meet when it comes to technology. Crafting supplies are also appreciated for children’s programs. If you have a child in the program, then you might talk to the librarian to see what they are short on and bring the items along to the class.

3. Talk to Representatives
Your representatives can play a major role in the decisions that affect your library’s budget. So, it is important that you make yourself heard as loud and as frequently as possible. Most representatives will have a public number, so make sure to call them up and tell them how you feel about the matter. You can leave voice messages or keep trying if you can’t seem to get through. Emails are another great option to help get your message across, which is amazing for lifestyles of this day and age. Of course, if you want to keep it formal, you can always write to your representatives, too. There are even apps that will turn your text messages into faxes, which will go directly to your representative. The important thing is to be active during this time, so make sure your voice is heard. You might even consider organizing a peaceful protest, if you feel your needs are being ignored. However, make sure you are aware of the laws before you do such a thing.

4. Use your Library
Believe it or not, but one of the best ways to help your library is to actually use it. Instead of hanging out at home, devote an hour or two to the library, so the resources offered won’t go to waste. While you’re there, enjoy the classes they offer, use the media room and check out books. The more people use libraries, the more important they will look on the budget. Plus, using the library is absolutely free, so you don’t have to worry about spending a fortune there. You’ll be able to read, work and enjoy your favorite hobbies in a quiet environment. After you get into a routine of going to the library, you might find that it suits you more than you thought possible.

5. Participate in National Library Legislative Days
One of the best ways to understand more about the library, its budget cuts and how you can help is to Participate in the National Library Legislative Days. This event usually happens during National Library week, but you should make sure to check out dates every year, just to make sure. Although the convention is held in a certain area, you can access some of the discussions online. This event can be a great asset when it comes to fighting for your library and learning more about what is planned to happen to local and national facilities throughout the year. So, stay educated and you will go far with you plan to keep your local library open.

6. Take to Social Media
Social media plays a huge role in the lives of so many today. This is one of the main reasons you should use your social media accounts to help support your local library and libraries across the country. Many people don’t realize that a library is in danger until it is too late. So, by posting about the issue online, you are certainly helping others to learn and spread the news too. In order to spread your message further, make sure to use hashtags, so other people can find the post. You should also make your post public to ensure others can see it and share it with ease.

7. Join Friends of the Library
There is a program that is located in most communities that actually helps the library. It is called the Friends of the Library and it will allow you to enjoy your local library while helping it in so many ways. This group is not just important for your local library, but it can also be a great asset for you. For starters, you’ll find that this group will help you to join in on fundraisers without forcing you to go it alone. You will also have support in volunteering and advocating for the library. With the support from your local chapter, you will feel empowered to help out the library, which will definitely make your passion for helping out this important facility even more rewarding. There is plenty of information about this group online, so do a quick search to find out what you need to do to join your local chapter.

8. Engage in Activities
Local libraries try to set up fun activities for patrons, so make sure to take part in them whenever you can. Often, classes are free, but in some cases you will have to pay a small fee. Generally, the fee goes towards materials or the teacher, so you might make sure to offer a little extra when you can that will go towards the library. Taking part in classes show an interest in the library though, which does a lot for the library as a whole. Attending these activities and sharing them with others will help encourage enrollment too, as well as participation in everything else that the library offers. You might try following your local library on your favorite social media medium, in order to learn what’s going on in your neck of the woods.

9. Respect the Library
It might seem like common knowledge, but respecting your library is one of the best ways to help you do your part. When you check out a book, be courteous about it. Make sure you turn it on time and if you can’t, pay the fee promptly. If you damage a book, then pay for it to be replaced so that other people can enjoy the book. Make sure to use your time wisely when using a computer at the library, so that others can use the equipment too. You should also make sure to clean up after yourself and your family. Don’t leave trash around, return magazines to the designated area and never place a book back on the shelf after checking it out. This should help your library save money and stress.

10. Talk to the Staff
One sure fire way to help out the library is to stop and talk to the staff. No one will know what the library needs more than the important people that keep your library up and running each day. You might be surprised by what they tell you. Once you have the right information, start from there. This might mean volunteering, advocating or anything else you can think of. Of course, talking to the staff is a great way to get to know the people that work so hard to ensure you have a library in your community. You might be surprised by how much they know, which will make you want to fight harder for your library.

Saving libraries is a crucial task that everyone should be on board with. If you want to stand up for your libraries, or merely celebrate them during National Library week, then these ten options are a great place to start. You’ll be surprised by how much you can do, if you simply aim to try to help out.

April Fools Day is rapidly approaching, which makes it the perfect time to start planning out some fun pranks. This day can be hard for kids, because knowing limitations while coming up with resources for pranks can be a little hard. Luckily, there are a lot of great ways that your kids can celebrate the holiday, so that everyone can have a little fun. These ten ideas are only scratching the surface of what you’ll be able to do with your kids and their love for pranks. So, check a few off of the list, so everyone can enjoy a fun and harmless holiday that will make lasting memories.

1. Green Food
Turning foods green can really cause some puzzled looks from anyone unaware of what’s going on. One fun way to freak out your child’s friends is to add some food coloring to their sandwich bread. Try to make the coloring resemble mold as best as you can. When your child pulls out the food to eat, all eyes will be on them. Another great option is to add some broccoli to the end of a stick. Then cover it with lollipop wrappers. Kids can pass out the faux lollipops at school. If you want to pull a prank on your kids or help one sibling prank the others, then there are still lots of options. For instance, you can help your child whip up green eggs and ham for breakfast. Another fun idea is to replace a snack size back of chips with celery or other green vegetables. You can seal it back with glue and place it in your child’s lunch. These green tricks are certain to bring some laughs.

2. Gross Slime
Let’s face it, kids thrive on gross things, which is why making gross slime is one of the best things you can do for April Fool’s Day. All you have to do is follow a simple recipe for slime and then work with it to suit your needs. For instance, if you’re looking to make some green snot slime, then you simply add some green food coloring until it reaches the best consistency. Another great option is fake vomit. All you’ll need for this is the same slime recipe, food coloring to make gross colors like brown or green and something that resembles chunks. You can even use real food, like corn, to make the mix even more disgusting. Kids will love placing their slime around the house or at school for a few gross outs and laughs.

3. Spilled Drinks
There’s no reason to cry over spilled milk, but sometimes the mess can cause a lot of frustration. That is why making spilled drink pranks is a great April Fool’s Day idea. You can go about this in many ways, but one of the best is to make slime and attach it to a cup or mug. Making slime look like drinks is actually quite easy. For instance, all you need for milk is a basic slime recipe made with white glue. Soft drinks are a breeze too. Once the drink is made, kids can place it anywhere. One of the best places to get a reaction is on top of electronics or furniture though. Kids are bound to have fun goofing off with this prank all year round.

4. Battery Removal
If you want to keep things simple, then battery removal is one of the best ways to help your kids prank the other children in the house or even your spouse. All you have to do is walk around the house and remove batteries from a variety of the items. If you really want to have some fun then remove the batteries from the remote control, a wireless controller or even a wireless mouse. It will take most people a few moments to figure out what is going on, which is bound to bring some laughter. If the household uses a clock often, then you can always remove the items from that too, in order to cause some confusion over the time.

5. Balloon pranks
You would be amazed by how much fun your kids can have with balloons, especially when it comes to pranks. One of the easiest balloon pranks is to add a balloon or two under the couch cushions. If the item goes unnoticed then it will make a loud popping sound when someone sits down. You can also place balloons inside of things. For instance, a balloon under the toilet seat is bound to bring to some surprise. If you have space in your refrigerator then this can be fun too. You can also fill a pantry, closet or even a car with balloons for a quick laugh. If you are particularly crafty, you can fill a pillowcase with balloons and see who falls for it. There are so many great ideas, so surf around online if you’re looking for innovative ways to be tricky with balloons this holiday.

6. Solidified Food
Food tends to be one of the easiest prank ideas when it comes to youngsters, so have some fun with this trick because it is one of the cheapest options. One great idea is to have one of your kids get breakfast ready for his or her siblings. This is as easy as pouring a bowl of cereal with milk and then placing it in the freezer. When morning arrives, kids will dive into their food but won’t be able to get very far. You can also fill a cup with Jell-O that resembles your child’s favorite beverage or even your spouse’s morning cup of coffee. When the person goes to drink, nothing will come out, which is certain to cause confusion. Another option is to simply serve plastic food to see how long it takes for someone to notice.

7. Take Over the Bathroom
The bathroom is a prime place to pull off some master pranks that won’t cost you a fortune. One of the first pranks to try out is adding a color tab or gel food coloring to a faucet. When someone turns it on, the water will appear to be that color. You can also fill up an old soap or shampoo container with water so that no one will be able to create lather. If you use bar soap, then use clear nail polish to coat it so the soap won’t work. For a more surprising prank, add a piece of tape to the faucet so it sprays someone when they turn it on. You might also consider putting plastic wrap on the toilet or adding a rubber band to keep it closed. Without a doubt, this is only the beginning of possibilities when it comes to the bathroom, so help your child come up with innovative ways to explore their mischievous side.

8. Upside Down Décor
Sometimes, the quickest way to get to someone without them realizing what is going on is to alter their surroundings. One of the easiest ways to pull this off is to turn décor upside down. You might start by helping your child turn pictures the opposite way. Once this is done, move on to other pieces of art, clocks, sculptures and so on. It might take some family members a while to pinpoint what is going on in their world but watching them put their finger on it will certainly be hilarious.

9. Fake Bugs
Fake bugs are probably one of the oldest tricks in the book, but they never seem to go out of style. Best of all, fake bugs are incredibly cheap, so you can purchase lots of them without breaking the bank. Fake bugs can be used in all sorts of situations. For instance, you can place them in cereal for a surprise in the morning. They can be put in bags, clothing and toys. You can also drop them on people as you pass by. Kids will love thinking of fun ways to use their toy bugs to pranks their parents, siblings and friends. You might even notice they use their screen time less, because they’re so busy having fun with their fake bugs.

10. Googly Eyes
You would be amazed by how much fun kids can have with some googly eyes. Sure, these pranks might not bring lots of laughs, but they’re a great option for little kids hoping to have a little fun. Googly eyes can be placed on just about everything under the sun, which makes them a great way for your child to exercise some creativity. One example is placing some eyes on the fruit in your child’s lunch box. Kids can even make large googly eyes to place on shrubbery and so on. Typically, smaller googly eyes are cheap to purchase, but you can also make your own from scratch if you want children to get even more in depth with their pranks.

April Fool’s Day can be a lot of fun for kids if they have a little guidance in the matter. These fun tricks will have your whole family laughing as they discover all of the pranks that they’ve left for each other. Without a doubt, you’ll find the holiday to be a great bonding experience for the whole household.

March is National Women’s History Month, but you might want to spend the time thinking about the women of the present. This includes yourself. One of the best things for women to get into is a club or two that helps with socialization and blowing off some steam. Unfortunately, finding a club you like can be a bit of a chore. On top of that, it might cost you quite a bit of money in the long run. So, you might want to check out these ten club ideas to help you find an option that is affordable and fun. These options are also easy if you’re looking to start your own club to support other women while improving your quality of life.

1. Book Club
One of the easiest and most common clubs is the book club. Many people flock to book clubs because it offers a lot of flexibility. For instance, you can join an online book club, a store-based book club or start your own. You can also base your club choice on what types of books you’d like to read, so you know you won’t get into something you won’t enjoy. Some book clubs do have an admission fee, while others will only cost you the price of the book. However, if you’re fast, you might be able to find the book you desire at the library, so you won’t have to spend a dime. Book clubs are popular because reading helps to expand the mind. On top of that, book clubs offer social interactions that not only fulfil your social needs but will also encourage deeper thinking. You might even find the content you read and discuss provides you with support that you’ve been looking for in your life.

2. Walking Club
If exercise is what you’re lacking in life, then you might want to look into a walking club. You can find a club for speed walking, hiking, or simply get a few friends together to walk around the block a few times. A walking club typically cost you nothing, unless there are fees for walking in national parks and so on. Best of all, joining this club will help you to stay healthier so you can feel at your best. Walking clubs are great for blowing off steam too, as you’ll have plenty of people to talk to if you need to chat. Of course, it will also make you feel a bit safer as you walk as there is more safety when traveling in numbers, opposed to walking on your own. Walking clubs are a great idea for women because they are easy to pencil into your schedule in most cases and often you can find a group of like-minded people to go with, which means you might not have to find a babysitter for this club.

3. Embroidery
Another hobby that gives back to club members is embroidery. Starting or joining an embroidery club can be one of the most beneficial things to get into because the hobby won’t cost you a small fortune. Instead, you’ll be able to purchase supplies for a monthly project without having to worry about not being able to afford food and other forms of entertainment. Embroidering with a group of people also allows you to talk while you work, which can help you blow off steam. You will also be privy to getting a bit of help from others that might be more experienced in the craft. You may even be able to share patterns to save even more money. Best of all, this craft can be done in just about any environment, which is certain to make planning a lot easier.

4. Yoga
If you’re ready to improve the quality of your body and the peacefulness of your mind, then a yoga club might be another great option to look into. Sometimes, joining a yoga club will require you to pay for studio time and lessons, but this isn’t always the case. In fact, if you work with the club, you might find a way to make the group work for free, with the exception of supplies like yoga mats and workout clothes. The club can easily teach each other moves and work on correcting postures without a professional hanging around. You can also enjoy the club in your home, other people’s homes and outside. You can use yoga videos online to help make the entire club flow perfectly. Before you know it, you’ll feel better about yourself and you’ll even make some new friends in the process.

5. Wine and Dinner Club
Cooking might not seem like a lot of fun when you’re looking for a way to support your interests and mental wellbeing. However, cooking with a club can truly transform the way you cook and eat. These clubs usually require the club to decide on a meal and then everyone chips in for the groceries. Once you’re all together, you work on the recipe until its time to eat. This is a great learning experience as it gives you the chance to try out recipes you would have never thought to try. You will also learn new styles and interesting cooking techniques from different cultures. If you don’t have your own recipe to share, then the club can work on one you found online. You will be able to support each other’s cooking skills while talking a mile a minute about whatever is on your mind. Best of all, when the meal is complete, you’ll get to eat it without disruption, apart from laughter. Of course, you will also get to try out new wines here, which should help lift your spirits.

6. Acting
Believe it or not but acting can be one of the best ways to help you feel amazing. On top of being a lot of fun, acting can help you overcome shyness, social anxiety, memory problems and so much more. You can join any local troupe, but you might have fun with an all women club, especially if you reverse roles and have women play every character. Of course, you don’t have to stick to typical acting either. You might also try improv as a way to blow off steam and improve your flexibility in life. Generally, joining a local theater group won’t cost you much and may even help you to make more friends.

7. Artistic
There are so many different artistic clubs that you can join or start. You might consider sticking with some of the cheaper options though. One example is to join a club for writing. You can share your own writing with others and help to critique their work. This is an amazing way to improve your own skills while finding ways to make your writing more prominent in your community. Another fun option is to join a group for painting or photography. Working with others can improve your work but will also help you to learn more about others while enjoying your favorite hobby. You can also join a club that tries a new artistic activity every week or month. This will help you explore the world of pottery, knitting, painting and more. Of course, these clubs might cost you a bit more, but it’ll certainly be worth it as you will feel happier.

8. Gardening
Gardening clubs are another popular option that many people overlook. Gardening clubs come in all shapes and sizes too. For instance, you might join a club that spends a little time in one person’s garden each week then transitions to another’s the following week and so on. This can be helpful if you have trouble getting your garden up to par. Another option is to meet up in a community garden to work, which is a popular option for people living in cities. Of course, some gardening clubs also meet up at greenhouses and other appropriate venues to learn about plants and gardening.

9. Musical
Another club that really suits the budget is anything involving music. You have a lot of options to choose from here, too, which gives you wiggle room to explore your own needs or desires. If you already know how to play an instrument, then consider joining a local orchestra or start your own band. To make it even more exciting, go with an all-female crew. You might also consider joining a chorus. You can find these all over the place, including churches or personal groups. Another great option, especially if you love pop music, is to start a karaoke club. You can grab the girls and go to an establishment that has karaoke or you can perform in the comfort of your home or some else’s home from the club. Using music to channel your inner self can do wonders for your health, so have fun with it.

10. Volunteer
Another great way to enjoy your free time while also doing your part to make the world a better place, is to start or join a volunteer club. These clubs are designed to help you get out in the world and put your body to work to help other’s in need. Volunteer clubs will set you up with a group of people that you will work with, so you’ll have a familiar group of peers to have your back if in need. You can choose a wide variety of volunteer options, or simply go where the club sends you. You might find that volunteering with others is more fun and rewarding than you ever thought possible.

Joining a club can be one of the best ways to celebrate your unique identity while helping you to get the socialization and stimulation you need out of life. These ten club ideas are just scratching the service. However, they are also great ways to help you find a cheap way to kill some time and socialize with others. Women truly thrive when they join a club, so don’t let anything hold back your desire to join in.

If you’re excited about spring weather, then you might already be planning a few new ways to spice up your garden. It is incredibly easy to spend a small fortune on your garden without even planning on it. This is especially true if you’re working to get your garden together. Luckily, there are so many things you can do to create a stunning garden on a budget that won’t keep you longing for more. So, get ready for the warm weather so you can truly make your garden the envy of the neighborhood.

1. DIY Trellis
A trellis is a simple way to add charm to just about any space. If you have a shed, gazebo or empty exterior wall of your home, then you’ve got the perfect place for a trellis. You can actually purchase lattice to help get your trellis started. However, if you want to keep things cheaper or you want to have more control over your designs, then you have a lot of options. One is to simply use some scrap wood to help you out. You can assemble it with staples or thin nails and then attach it to the home. Old branches are also a fun option, especially if you’re working with ivy or heavier plants. Of course, if you want to keep things even more artistic, you can purchase special kits that allow you to hook vines on the wall in a specific design, which will encourage plants to grow in that manner.

2. Recycled Pots
Plants can be one of the most important elements of a garden, but constantly buying pots can be expensive. This is especially true if you’re purchasing heavy duty pots that are designed to look great and stand the tests of time. You can truly do a lot of amazing things using recycled pots though. Try looking for old pots at thrift stores or use your imagination to create fun pots that will stand out in your garden. For instance, if you have old toys, you can easily turn them into a planter. A dump truck, for instance, can have the back filled with soil for a simple style that looks great. You can also paint some of your old pots to give them new life. This is especially fun if you have children that love to help out with such crafts.

3. Reuse Old Mail Boxes
Another fun wait to add a bit of rustic charm to the garden is to utilize old mailboxes. You can find these items in junk yards, thrift stores and even from your own home. Old mailboxes can be helpful in many ways. If the mail boxes open from the top, you can easily use it as a planter box. Mailboxes that require a stand are perfect for storing items. You can keep your tools and gloves in these boxes, so you have quick access to them without leaving them exposed to the elements. These mailboxes can also be painted to add even more charm to your yard.

4. Stylish Bird Feeders
Bird feeders can be one of the best ways to add a little flair to your garden. You can create a bird feeder out of so many things too, which will add to the fun of creating the perfect garden. One of the best ways to create a bird feeder is to use your imagination. For instance, you can make plenty of bird feeders out of simply using wood and string. Birdhouses can add a touch of charm while acting as a feeder too. These will allow you to paint them to suit your personal needs. Of course, you don’t have to keep it conventional. You might consider purchasing old items from a thrift store like a chandelier or used toys. With a few DIY touch ups, these items can add so much to a yard. If you’re looking for quick ways to spice up the yard, then you might find thrift store feeders to do the trick.

5. Create Your Own Stepping Stones
Stepping stones can help keep people off of your grass while also allowing you to show off some personal style. You can make your own stepping stones in many ways, but one of the easiest is to simply buy a kit. This will give you the mixture and tools you need to create a variety of stones. Some people prefer kits because you will receive a mold that will make your stepping stones look exactly like stones. However, you can also use many other designs too. For instance, you can make foot prints to go along side the functional stones. You can also make stones with footprints in them. Another option is to coat large leaves with the mixture, so you have a stone with lots of beautiful and natural detailing.

6. Grow Up
Gardens can be a lot of fun to design, but many people tend to plan their garden outward. One great way to get more out of your garden without spending a fortune is to choose plants that grow up. These plants will help create a sense of tranquility in your space and are incredibly easy to care for in most cases. One example of this type of plant is bamboo. The plant will help knock out noises, so you’ll feel like you have your own personal oasis. On top of that, you will have a plant that cleans up the air and soil, which will help your other plants grow. Tall grass is another fun option that takes very little maintenance. You can truly do a lot with landscaping when it comes to this plant.

7. Build Your Own Furniture
Furniture is one of the best ways to make your garden your own special space. With the warm weather coming, you might be excited to finally be able to get outside. Don’t let your excitement get to the best of you though, as there is no reason to run out and buy a table set or other outdoor furniture. Instead, you can easily make your own for next to nothing. One of the best items to work with when it comes to making furniture for outside is old pallets. Sometimes, you can find these in junk yards. Some stores might even donate or sell the items to you if you talk to the manager. If you have no luck finding old pallets, then it’s pretty easy to build them on your own out of scrap wood. Once you have a few pallets, try to follow a tutorial for a design you enjoy. You can add to the frame with foam or pillow fluff covered in a waterproof fabric. Fabric and the wood used to make your furniture can be weatherproofed with a special spray too, so you won’t have to worry about your items getting ruined. There’s lots of furniture ideas online to choose from, so have some fun with the craft.

8. Paint Rocks
Rocks are pretty easy to come by and they can add so much to your garden if you know how to spice them up. One of the best ways to do this is to slap on some paint. The design ideas for this craft are pretty much limitless. You can paint the rocks your favorite colors, add your name or even turn them into your favorite characters or animals. Painted rocks can be used to spell out your address, your family name or even greetings for your guests. Some people will even use rocks to label the plants in their garden, which is a great way to prevent your labels from going missing.

9. Organize
One of the main problems that people run into when they work on their garden is organization. After everything is planted things can seem a little scattered, which might cause your garden to look less than spectacular. So, before you start working on your garden, you might make a game plan. Consider adding in special places for certain plants to grow. For instance, if you stack your plants it can create a great appearance that will make your plants easy to care for. You might also work on planting in a way that will look aesthetically appealing. One way to do this is to plant certain colors in a specific area or create a design with all of the colors. It’s important to also plant things where they will thrive, so make sure you do your research before planning big.

10. Build a Compost
If you’re looking to do more for your garden, then one of the best things you can do is build a compost. This will allow you to transform some of the waste you produce in the home into a fertilizer that will make your garden look exceptional. Building a compost isn’t hard either, which will make it even more valuable to you when you get it up and running. It’ll take a little while to see the rewards of the compost, but once you get it going and use it for your garden, you’re certain to notice a huge difference. Best of all, you’ll be able to help promote a healthier environment, which should make you feel pretty good.

Creating the perfect garden doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. These helpful tips will help you add some much-needed love to your garden without forcing you to go all out on new, expensive gardening supplies. Without a doubt, you’re bound to feel better about your garden’s appearance after trying out a few of these options to add the much-needed personal touch.

Absolutely Incredible Kids Day is practically upon us, which gives us a great chance to celebrate the brilliant children in our lives. Every child has the potential to be incredible on their own, so now is the best time to show them how important and amazing they truly are. Of course, there are many things parents, guardians and loved ones can do to help children reach their full potential on a daily basis. These tips won’t cost you a fortune and will help your children get a great start in life. So, use this special holiday to boost your child’s confidence, improve their chance of success and create a better environment for them, all while managing your budget.

1. Subscription Box
Subscription boxes are a huge hit these days. You can find them for just about everything too. Although clothes and toy subscriptions tend to be the most popular options, there are many subscriptions that can benefit your child’s mind and creativity too. Best of all, these crates work for children as young as 6 months and as old as college level students. So, you can find a little something for everyone. If you have kids similar in age, then they can always share a subscription to help save you money while also improving team working skills. There are lots of high rated crates too, so surf around and choose something you know will help your child’s mind soar. You’re bound to find tons of great crafts and STEM activities that you never knew were available to your little one.

2. Let Them Be Bored
It’s a common misconception that children need to have something to do throughout the day. Keeping up with your child’s boredom can cost you a small fortune and might prove to be fruitless anyway. Luckily, science has your back when it comes to your kids’ boredom. Instead of occupying their every waking hour, give them time to be bored. Boredom actually helpsto improve creativity and will teach your child brainstorming at a young age. This is one of the best ways to help with problem solving while helping to promote a growing brain. Plus, it is fun to watch your children and see what they come with up when they’re feeling bored. Sometimes, their ideas are nothing short of genius.

3. Give Them Chores
A lot of parents don’t like the idea of giving their child chores. However, this a great way to teach your child many lessons. For starters, chores help to instill a sense of responsibility in your child. This doesn’t mean you should have them doing everything in the house, but you can plan on assigning chores based on age, schedule and the days of the week. For instance, young children might start out by simply picking up their toys. Older children can cook once a week, do their own laundry and so on. This will help teach children what it takes to maintain a household. If you choose to give an allowance for chores, then you are also teaching your child the value of money. Don’t be afraid to revoke some allowance for chores your child doesn’t do too. Chores are also a great way to teach children the things they will need to become adults. Everyone needs to know how to cook and clean up after themselves, in order to be a success on their own.

4. Challenge Them
Every child is bound to be successful in one area or another. So, as the parent, you might help your child to explore new interests until they find what does spark their talents. Once you get there, help them to stay challenged in the activity. Your child should strive to move on to the next level, so they won’t grow bored of the activity or simply let their talents plateau. Of course, children should challenge themselves in more than just the areas they excel. If your child is having trouble in a subject in school, then have them work hard to overcome this. You might suggest a tutor or have your child join a club that specializes in such an activity.

5. Sign Them Up for Scouting
One fantastic way to help teach your children to become even more amazing is to sign them up for a scouting program. These programs are designed to teach children a lot of skills that will help them learn a wide assortment of things that will make them successful in their future life. From wilderness skills to everyday skills, you will certainly get a lot for your money. Children tend to make lasting friendships in scouting too, which will help them form healthy social skills that will help when landing a job and making friends in the future. Apart from that, scouting is a great way to keep children busy with activities that are both healthy and educational. This is especially great during breaks from school when your child might grow restless.

6. Expose Them to Culture
Culture is one of the best ways to teach your child about the world around them. It is also a key way to build compassion and relatability. There are many ways to expose your child to culture while expanding their minds. One of the easiest ways to do this is to take them to museums. There are so many to choose from, so you can pick and choose museums that you believe will spark your child’s interest. Another way to help them understand other cultures is to travel. Obviously, going to other countries and regions of your own country will help, but this can be pricey. You’d be surprised by the culture you can find in your own area. Even if it is just visiting an ethnic restaurant, you’ll be helping your child learn more about other regions. There are also classes that kids can take to help them learn about other countries. Movies, music and literature are also great options, too.

7. Set a Reading Hour
Books have the power to help your child learn and expand their mind without stepping foot outside. Thus, encouraging your child to read is one of the best ways to improve many aspects of their life. Children aren’t always into the idea of reading though, so it is important to lead my example. A great way to do this is to set up a reading hour. During this period, make sure electronics are off so that all distractions are eliminated. Parents can read to children or everyone can enjoy their own book. You will notice your child will change after a few weeks of doing this. Readers tend to have more compassion, are able to relate to others and their willingness to read increases. A simple hour a day or even just on the weekends can help your child develop healthy reading habits for the rest of their lives.

8. Embrace Their Passions
Most children tend to want to join a certain profession or pursue hobbies, so let them embrace them. There are many classes that children can take to learn new things. There are even ways around high-priced tuition, such as scholarships or allowing your child to try an activity out by watching videos online. Make sure your child dedicates a few weeks to an activity though, before you let them give up on it. This will teach them to stick to their commitments, while also ensuring you get your money’s worth if you did pay for lessons.

9. Support Through Struggles
Struggles are bound to happen in life. Although it is hard to watch children move through the tough times, it is important that they experience some hardship in order to strengthen themselves. Of course, you shouldn’t take over their problems for them, but it is incredibly important to provide them with the support they need to overcome the issue at hand. This will help teach your children problem solving skills without forcing to feel as if they are all alone in the world. Children that are taught to embrace their struggles will be able to handle problems when they face them as adults. Of course, giving them the necessary tools to deal with problems is one of your key jobs, so try to remove the temptation to take on their burdens as much as you possibly can.

10. Volunteer
It is important for children to see the role they play in their community. So, you might want to take the time out of your day to help your children volunteer. There are lots of volunteer programs that children can take part in. For instance, visiting nursing homes or hospitals can help teach children to help those that are truly in need of assistance. Children can spend the day talking with the elderly or sick, which will help brighten someone’s day while showing your child how important compassion is. Picking up trash and planting trees and flowers are another great community activity for children. This will help your child learn how important it is to keep Mother Nature healthy. As children grow older, many more activities will open up to them, so let their passions guide them.

Helping your children grow into extraordinary people doesn’t have to be costly. These ten tips will help support their growing minds, so you can show them the path to being a great person as well as encouraging their success. So, this Absolutely Incredible Kids Day, make sure your children know just how great they are and how bright their future is.

Spring is the perfect time to celebrate planet Earth and all that she does for us. One of the best things you can do to help out and to prepare for the upcoming Earth Day is get your kitchen in order. Organizing, replacing supplies and cleaning in the kitchen are some of the best ways to start off your spring cleaning process. These ten ideas will help you not only improve on the functionality of your kitchen but will save you money in the long run while also preserving the planet. So, start the new season off right with these excellent tips.

1. Reverse Osmosis System
One of the best investments you can make for your home is an RO system. This product is hooked onto your home’s water system and usually has a base in the kitchen. The device itself will clear your water of impurities, which will make your tap water a quality that is equal or greater to bottled water. Since you won’t need bottles anymore, you’ll already be on your way to successfully saving money and improving the welfare of the planet. If you purchase some reusable bottles, you’ll be set for venturing outside of the house too. This water is great for rinsing foods and cooking as well, so your exposure to harmful water will be little to none. Best of all, the system is very easy to maintain, and filters won’t leave you hurting for money.

2. Grow Your Own Herbs
Another great thing you can do for your kitchen is start your own herb garden. You actually won’t have to spend a lot to do this either. In fact, you can use recycled containers to grow your herbs in. With a little creative energy, these containers will look great too. All you will need for this project is some basic potting soil, water, seeds and a place that will get enough light. Then, plant your seeds and watch them grow. You can cut your herbs as you need them, so they’ll always been incredibly fresh. The plants will also create a fresh vibe in the home, which is bound to make you feel amazing. You might even feel encouraged to cook more often, which is also great for the planet.

3. Avoid Plastic
It is incredibly easy to find plastic products for the kitchen. From your leftover containers and cooking utensils to packaging on food, it seems like plastic is everywhere that we look. In this day and age, it is becoming increasingly easy to ditch plastic for good though. For instance, many companies are now starting to use silicone as a way to create storage that can be used again and again for decades to come. Silicone food savers are simple to use and will allow you to store produce that has been sliced without losing the freshness or creating more bulk in your refrigerator. Glass is also becoming more popular when it comes to storage and cooking. If you’re looking for more efficient utensils, then you might check out wood or stainless options, which will last for generations if you care for them properly. Another new item on the market is beeswax wrap, which take the place of plastic wrap so you can store items or wrap up sandwiches for lunch. There are so many eco-friendly products that take the place of plastic that you won’t have to search far to find the right items.

4. Shop With Durability in Mind
It is easy to fall into trends when it comes to your kitchen’s supplies. There seems to be a new type of pan on the market every year. Unfortunately, these pans don’t always live up to the hype. Some might even cause you bodily harm due to chemicals that haven’t been tested over long periods of time. Your best option is to work with items that you know will last. Cast iron and copper pans are two of your best options when it comes to your cooking supplies. These items have been used for centuries and, as long as you care for them, will become a great addition to your grandchildren’s future homes. Cooking utensils are equally important so try to stick with wood, steel and bamboo. You might also follow suit when it comes to cutting boards, as wood and bamboo are easy to care for. Once you purchase the proper cooking supplies, you won’t have to shop again, which will save you hundreds to thousands of dollars.

5. Eco-Friendly Cleaning
Cleaning the kitchen is incredibly important, too. However, many of the cleaning supplies on the market today will leave you with chemicals that aren’t great for your family or the planet. There are a ton of natural brands on the market today, which will offer a flawless clean that will make you proud of your kitchen. You can check out reviews all over the internet. There are even some subscription services that will allow you to get more out of your cleaning supplies. When shopping for these products, you have to be careful though as many eco-friendly brands aren’t as helpful as they make their company out to be. On top of that, you might find that some brands aren’t cruelty free. So, do some research before you purchase. You can also stick to some of the classic cleaning options like vinegar, if you’re really hoping to save some money.

6. Recycling Center
Another great way to set your kitchen up for success is to come up with a great recycling center. Your set up can actually lead you to success when it come to recycling. You should make sure you have a space for cans, paper and plastics, if you tend to use a lot of the items. This doesn’t mean you have to have large cans inside. Try to keep things small and simple, as you can always take the recycling out at the end of the day. Another great idea is to set up a space for composting. This will help eliminate your space considerably. A compost is great for your garden too, so you will be doing your part to replenish instead of damage.

7. Recycled Products
Doing your part to recycle is amazing, but you might also want to take the time to find products on the market that are made from recycling. This will help complete the circle, which will make your kitchen function without waste. There are so many recycled products today that you will be surprised by what you can find. Sponges are one of the latest additions that are both durable and functional. These will help clean up dishes, but also work wonders on spills and more. Purchasing isn’t your only option when it comes to recycling. You can also use your own recyclables to make your kitchen more efficient. For instance, oatmeal containers are great for decorating and setting out for storage, plants and more. Foods that do come in plastic tubs can also be used store other food when the product runs out. The ideas are endless, so have fun with them.

8. Energy Efficient Options
If you’re having trouble with your appliances and an upgrade is in order, then you might look into energy efficient options in order to help conserve energy. There are so many options to choose from today. In fact, most larger appliances are energy efficient now, so you won’t have to look far to get what you need. You should still check into the item you plan to buy just to make sure that it will suit your needs and is also on the higher end of efficiency. Choosing an item like this will help cut back on power bills quite a bit, which is incredibly important for your budget. It isn’t just large appliances that have energy efficiency options though. In fact, you can choose smaller items that are ready to save you energy too. It is all a matter of looking around, so do your research before you spend a lot of money on a purchase.

9. Shop Bulk
When it comes to shopping for the home, one of the best things you can do is shop in bulk. These purchases won’t have as much packaging, which can help you cut back on wastes quite a bit. On top of that, it does help you save a lot of money. Some of the best items to shop for in bulk are produce and dried goods like beans and rice. You can even take in your own items to store these products to cut back on even more waste. Some stores are actually opening up that only allow you to shop using your storage. These are no waste stores, which are amazing for the environment and your pocket book. Although these stores aren’t popular just yet, you’ll find many of your favorite chains are implementing some of these tactics to help do their part and keep up with the competition.

10. Reduce Water Waste
Your kitchen probably goes through a lot of water in a day. Although some of the waste can’t be prevented, there are some things you can do to help cut back on wasting water in the long run. You can always reuse some of the water. For instance, if you rinse off your product or strain your pasta, you can put this water to good use. This water is safe to water plants with, so you won’t have to use up the water from outside. You can also cook with pasta water, as it helps to add flavor back into the dish. You should be careful about which water you reuse though, as some can be hazardous. There are lots of guidelines online to help you out. Another way to reduce waste is to use less when you can. For instance, don’t leave the water running when you clean your dishes. You also shouldn’t run your dishwasher unless it is completely full.

Giving your kitchen an eco-friendly makeover can actually be a lot of fun. You will love the energy of your new space and the feeling you get when you know you’re doing your part of help maintain a healthier planet. On top of that, you’ll see a huge change in spending, which is bound to make the changes even better.

March 18 is the Goddess of Fertility Day, which is a special occasion designed to celebrate all of the goddesses of lore who were said to boost fertility. In order to celebrate this occasion, you might wonder how you can boost your own fertility. Of course, there are always statues and myths from ancient days to try out. You could also spend a boatload of money on treatments. However, if you’re looking to stay on a budget and use science to help you out, then these ten ideas should certainly help you boost your fertility without forcing you to spend a fortune. You might even feel a lot healthier after giving some of these ideas a try.

1. Eat a Larger Breakfast
When you think of fertility, breakfast probably isn’t something that would come to mind. However, a big breakfast might be the key to helping your fertility levels thrive. Scientists recently did a study on this and found that a big breakfast can help give your system the boost it needs to function properly. It has even help to reduce the side effects of PCOS, which is known to cause infertility in women. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should load up on sugary cereals and other unhealthy meals. Try to keep things healthy as much as you can. You should also balance your calorie intake, so you don’t over do it during the day. Try starting the day off with a big breakfast then end it with a light lunch and medium sized dinner. This should help keep you full and will also suit your fertility needs.

2. Alter Your Diet
Diet can be key when it comes to many aspects of your health. So, it’s not a surprise that your diet can really harm or improve your fertility. One of the best things you can do for your body in the long run is cut out processed foods. These foods shouldn’t belong in your diet to begin with, so cutting these foods from your diet can truly transform your ability to conceive. A few other things you should cut out are carbs, dairy and non-fermented soy products. This will help regulate hormones and weight. You should pick up some of these foods when you do become pregnant though, so don’t knock them out completely. Eating more vegetable proteins during the week and cutting back on meat, particularly red meats, will also lend a helping hand. Ditching caffeine and alcohol is a must too. Your diet should be filled with fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and plenty of fiber. Ensuring you have enough iron is also important, as anemia can force your fertility to drop.

3. Take a Multivitamin
One of the best ways to boost your fertility is to take a multivitamin. This will help fill in the gaps of your diet, which will help keep your body in a healthy state. Often, women aren’t getting the B vitamins they need to keep their reproductive system healthy. Most multivitamins will cover the vitamins you need, which will ensure you will gain a fertility boost. B vitamins help to convert your food into energy too, so you will feel more confident and energized during intimate moments. You might check to make sure your vitamins contain iron too, as anemia might hold you back. If you aren’t certain which vitamin you should take, then it might be best to stick with a prenatal vitamin. This will give you everything you need and will help the future baby get the appropriate nutrients as soon as conception occurs.

4. Natural Supplements
It doesn’t matter where you come from, chances are you’ve probably heard of natural remedies for just about ever illness known to man. Although many of these remedies aren’t true, there are some supplements that might help improve your fertility. You might talk to your family to see what they used while getting pregnant, as many family members will love sharing their secrets with you. Even if the remedy doesn’t work, the community vibes might help to put you in a good place for when you do have a baby. There are some herbal supplements that some doctors have given the green light to. You might do a little research to see which will suit your needs the best.

5. Achieve a Healthy Weight
Your weight might be holding you back when it comes to your reproductive health. Sometimes, excess weight can cause underlying health problems which might cause your body to hold off on ovulating and more. The weight can also cause a hormonal imbalance, which will make it even harder to get pregnant. One of the best things you can do is start working out and dieting to achieve a healthier weight. You might be surprised by how much a few pounds can do. Losing weight will also help with the health of you and the baby when you do become pregnant. Living a healthier life before pregnancy will help you maintain the routine during and after pregnancy, so you can bounce back from your pregnancy faster.

6. Exercise
Exercising is one of the best ways to help your body get into shape while improving your fertility. Exercise not only improves your health but will help you raise your confidence too. With more confidence, you’ll feel better in intimate moments, which can actually help improve your confidence quite a bit. Exercise can help prevent ailments that might cause your fertility to decline. Best of all, it will keep you at a healthier weight, so you can move through your pregnancy in a healthy manner. Ensuring you have exercise habits in place will help you exercise throughout your pregnancy too, which is good for you and the baby.

7. Learn About Your Medication
Unfortunately, if you are on medication then you might be causing your own infertility without even knowing it. If you’re having trouble in this area, then do a quick search on the medications you are on. If one is known to reduce fertility, then you might talk to your doctor to see if you can change to something else during this period of your life. Your doctor might also be able to give you some insight into your medications just in case you don’t find any information about them causing infertility. Sometimes, it is a combination of medications that is causing the problem. Another issue you might consider when it comes to your medication is what you’ll be able to take while you’re pregnant. For instance, many doctors will ask you to ditch allergy medications while pregnant. So, you might move towards eliminating such medications while trying to get pregnant.

8. Know Your Cycle
One of the best ways to increase your fertility is to know your body’s cycle. This might sound intimidating, but it is actually easier than you might think. All you have to do is track the days of your period as well as the days that you are sexually active. There are many apps that will actually help you with this, which can truly come in handy. Once you input your period, the app will automatically calculate your ovulation date. Of course, the longer you use the app, the more accurate it will get, so don’t expect results that are on the spot during your first month of use. These apps can actually save you a lot of money as you won’t have to purchase ovulation tests if the app seems accurate to you. Of course, you shouldn’t rely completely on the app. Your body will give you many signs that you are fertile, so learn to read yours. Between the app and your own knowledge, you should be able to master when your body is ready.

9. Plan Sex
One of the best things you can do while trying to conceive is plan sex. Sometimes, fertility issues are merely timing, so don’t get discouraged. The first thing you need to do is figure out your ovulation schedule. This can be done with an app, physical signs and ovulation strips. Generally, you will have about a week’s window for ovulation, so start having sex a few days before and continue on for a few days after. You shouldn’t have sex every day either, which is a popular misconception. Instead, plan to have sex once every other day. This will improve sperm count, which will make you more likely to conceive during your window. By planning out your intimate moments, you should have more control over your fertility, which could help you get pregnant a lot easier.

10. See Your Doctor
If you think you are having trouble with your fertility, then your best option is to see your doctor. Your doctor will be able to steer you along the right path if fertility isn’t an issue. The doctor will also be able to run tests to see if you or your partner is actually having fertility or other health problems. Sometimes, there are small problems that need addressed before you can go on to conceive. There are also medications that might help you along the way before you turn to more intensive treatments like IVF.

Fertility problems can cause a lot of distress, but there are a few ways for you to increase your chance of having a baby. These tips offer cheap ways that might help you get on the right track to having a baby. With any luck, you’ll be well on your way to parenthood in no time at all. With Goddess of Fertility Day on its way, you might try out a couple new methods to help boost your chances quickly.

National Girl Scout Day is headed our way on March 12, which might make it the perfect time to sign your little one up to become a scout. Of course, with every extracurricular activity, you’ll find yourself with a new set of costs to budget into your already tight budget. Signing up your child for scouting doesn’t have to be a burden though. In fact, there are many things that you can do to help make the scouting experience fun and affordable for your child. These ten tips will help you find all of the financial assistance you will need to ensure your child can join in on one of the oldest programs for girls. This will certainly help take a burden off of your shoulders while bringing your child years of fun.

1. Look for Scholarships
Before your child joins the scouts, you should spend a little time looking for scholarships to help out with the costs. You can find many scholarships to help with the yearly fees for the scout program, but there are also many that can help with dues, uniforms and even the yearly camping trip. Try browsing around online to see what you can find available. However, when it comes to finding these scholarships, your best option is to talk to the scouting headquarters in your area or any troop leaders that you might know. If your child is already a scout, then these scholarships are still available to you. In fact, you might be privy to even more scholarships as your child will have some accomplishments to add to their profile. Older scouts might start to look for scholarships to help with their future though. For instance, you might find scholarships to help a scout go abroad with a girl scout troop. There are also numerous college scholarships available. The key is to look hard for these scholarships. With a lot of searching, you’ll find your child will certainly come out on top.

2. Make Fundraisers Imperative
When your child joins the scouts, it is going to become incredibly obvious that fundraisers are going to be crucial in the process. These fundraisers might not directly pay for your child’s fees, but there is a chance that the sales could if you work hard enough. Many troop leaders that have particularly profitable troops have the option of paying for membership fees. If this is something you’re interested in then talk with your troop leader about it. Of course, this will mean working particularly hard during fundraisers. You should also make sure to be present for every fundraiser the troop does, as there are more than just cookies during the year. You might also consider doing your own fundraiser too. This can be as easy as bake sale or garage sale or as complicated as you choose to make it.

3. Talk to Your Scout Leader
Speaking to your troop leader is going to be the key to success when it comes to your child’s scouting experience. Your troop leader is going to be able to give you inside information that you won’t otherwise be able to get. If they aren’t sure about something, they will know where to go for the answer too. That being said, your troop leader might be able to help you find the assistance you need to keep your child in scouts if you fall on hard times. For instance, they might be able to skip an activity in order to budget some financial assistance for your child. That is, of course, if the leader cannot find any other funding to help your scout out. The scout leader will also be able to help inform you of events that will cost money, so you won’t have to stress about something blindsiding you. Some troop leaders will even let you pay in segments, so your scout won’t miss out on the fun.

4. Plan Ahead
One of the keys to making scouts work is to plan ahead for your child’s dues, scouting fees and trips. Make sure to have a calendar that you can constantly see for these things. Although phone reminders are helpful, they aren’t as accessible as a calendar hanging on the wall. Make sure you write down the special events and dates and how much money you need for them. This will allow you to start saving for each item in advance. You can even start a scouting jar to help you along the way.

5. Shop Secondhand
Girl scout uniforms can be pretty expensive, especially since your child is likely to outgrow them fairly quickly. Luckily, there are many ways for you to find cheaper uniforms. One of the best ways is to shop secondhand. You might start by asking your troop if they have any old uniforms you can purchase. If you have an old child in the scouts, then they may also be able to find old uniforms for younger children by asking their troop for donations. If you don’t have any luck in this manner, then you might take to thrift stores. You would be surprised how many of these items get donated. You can also look online as online shops like eBay tend to have these items too. Of course, you should make sure you know what the uniform looks like in its current state, so you don’t purchase something that is too old.

6. Ask for Sponsorship
If you’re having trouble finding resources, then one of the best steps you can take is finding a sponsor. Your troop leader or higher up officials might be able to help you in your search for a sponsor. However, you can always ask around at local businesses. Sponsoring a child can be a tax write off for these companies, so they may be eager to take on such a task. You might start by asking stores that are active in the community too. Sponsors should help your child with fees, dues, patches and even camp visits. You might still be responsible for some of the costs, but every little bit helps.

7. Research Camps
There is no specific camp that girl scouts have to attend. In fact, some troops don’t go to camp at all. However, if you hear your troop leader talking about camps, then you might want to start researching a few of the camps in your area. Researching camps will allow you to see the price tag, duration of the camp and what it has to offer. You might find that some camps only offer one of two more activities but charge quite a bit more. This kind of information should be brought to your scout leaders’ attention so that she doesn’t choose a camp that isn’t up to par. You can even talk to your troop leader about camps that suit your budget. If other parents are on board for your selections, then this might be a great way to save money. Researching camps will also help you see which camps offer scholarships, so you can apply in advance.

8. Volunteer
One of the best things you can do for your child is volunteer to help out their troop whenever you can. You might talk to your troop leader to see if your assistance can help take the place of weekly dues. Simply helping to keep the troops in order might do your troop leader a world of good. Of course, if you have some knowledge that you would like to pass on to your troops then you might offer this experience too. For instance, if you know how to knit then you can share this with the troops. This will help cut back on the troop’s spending, as the troop leader won’t have to bring in a professional teacher as often. This can help your troop leader allocate more money for assistance.

9. Financial Assistance
Girl scouts is an inclusive program that wants all girls to succeed. Thus, they do try their hardest to offer financial assistance when it is needed. You might have to do a little research to find where you can apply for assistance in your area. Most of the time, you will have to fill out some paperwork that will most likely include your financial information. As long as you don’t mind sharing this information you should be able to get the assistance you need if you meet certain income requirements. This should help take a huge burden off of your shoulders and will allow your scout to enjoy her time as a girl scout even more.

10. Make Sure Your Scout is Ready
If you’re hoping to get your child into the scouts at an early age, then you might take the time to ensure your child is ready for the challenge. Sometimes, kids are too young to get everything they can out of the scouting experience. If budgeting is a problem, then you might want to hold your child back a year and try then. This will give you time to save up money, so scouting is less burdensome in the future. Even children that are older might not be ready to take on such a challenge. Scouting can be time consuming and if your child already has too much going on or isn’t interested in becoming a scout then you might find yourself wasting money on the yearly fees. Ensuring your child is ready can save you quite a bit, so don’t be forceful when discussing the extracurricular activity.

Joining the girl scouts can be an exciting time for your child and for you. So, you shouldn’t let the fees get you down. These tips will certainly help you find the money you need to make your child’s scouting experience amazing. Before you know it, you’ll be attending patch ceremonies while watching your child gain new and exciting skills.

It’s almost time for the fun of St. Patrick’s Day again, which means its time to plan out your celebration. There are so many traditions surrounding this holiday, that you’re bound to enjoy adding a few new activities to your celebration. Luckily, there’s lots of things you can do that won’t hurt your budget. You never know, you might already have added some of these traditions to your celebration already. So, get ready to enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day that concentrates on Irish tradition opposed to just dressing in green and enjoying a drink.

1. Plant Shamrocks
Shamrocks are often associated with Irish traditions and are considered to bring lots of luck. The three leafed clover, in particular, is associated with St. Patrick’s Day because it is said to represent the Holy Trinity. Since St. Patrick is known for bringing Christianity to Ireland, it seems a great symbol for this holiday. So, for St. Patrick’s Day, you might want to enjoy planting some clovers. You can do this for fairly cheap too, which will suit your budget quite a bit. You can purchase clover seeds for next to nothing, but many retail stores will also sale clover plants for this holiday. This will help you enjoy the plant right away and can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors. You can also spend some of the holiday seeking out the three-leaf clover, which is said to bring luck to anyone that finds it.

2. Leprechaun Search
Without a doubt, we often associate this holiday and much of Irish culture with leprechauns. You can always ensure this part of the culture is added to your holiday celebration. You might first take a moment to educate your family about the legend. Then explain that a leprechaun has hidden a treasure in your home. You can leave behind lots of clues to help your children find the special treat too. For instance, golden dust or rainbows can be used to mark the way. You can also create a treasure map to add to the fun. There are a wide variety of items that you can choose to hide too. One of the easiest items is to hide golden plated chocolate coins, which can be found at any party supply store for fairly cheap.

3. Corned Beef and Cabbage
This is one of the most common traditional meals to have on St. Patrick’s Day. Since this holiday is meant for a feast, you’re bound to get off easy when you whip up this meal. Corn beef can be purchased for cheap in most stores, so you won’t have to spend a fortune on the main element of this meal. Cabbage also goes very far and can be rather filling too. Of course, if you want to add to the meal then carrots and potatoes work wonders with the dish. If you have leftovers, then these fillings all go perfectly into a puffed pastry or pie for a meal that you’d find in any Irish pub. If you want to take advantage of the holiday, then head to your grocery store the day after the holiday to stock up on corned beef that is even cheaper.

4. Craft St. Patrick’s Cross
In Ireland, it used to be custom for children to sit down and craft St. Patrick’s cross for the holiday. These crosses would be worn to mass, but if this isn’t something you do then you can always hang them on the wall or add them to your holiday décor. Generally, boys and girls do make different crosses, but your children can always use their imagination to see what they come up with. There are many examples online to choose from too, so you can follow those or create your own design. Of course, this activity doesn’t have to be limited to children. The whole family can have some fun with it.

5. Incorporate Green to Your Attire
This is probably the largest tradition you can join in on. Most people love to show off their green attire as they embrace the holiday. However, the true tradition is not to clad yourself head to toe in green. In fact, legend days that green happens to be the favorite color of fairies. So, they might be tempted to run off with children who might be covered in green. Instead of this, try to be a bit subtler about your use of green. For instance, you might place a ribbon in your hair, a clover on your lapel and so on. This might even make playing the pinch game even more fun, as people won’t immediately be aware that you’re wearing the color green. You can even make some crafts to wear on the big day, which is bound to earn you some brownie points for getting creative.

6. Drowning the Shamrock
Another fun custom is drowning the shamrock. This tradition is generally done in whisky, but you can use any drink you have on hand. This will help make the celebration even more family friendly. At the end of the day, you simply place a single shamrock in your drink. Then, everyone goes around and offers a toast to each person in the room. The toast is designed to wish good health and more to the person, which is a great sentiment. Then, when the toast is over, you enjoy your drink. When you get to the bottom of your drink, you pull out the shamrock and toss it over your left shoulder. This will help bring you luck and good health.

7. Embrace Irish Music
Irish holidays tend to be filled with music, which makes this an occasion to embrace Irish music all the more. Generally, this holiday takes place after lent, so many people had put away their instruments for quite some time. St. Patrick’s Day tended to mark the day in which everyone dusted off their instruments and let the music play. So, if you play an instrument, try to find some Irish sheet music to try out. You might also consider looking around to see if there are any Irish music performances going on in your community. There are lots of performances available online if you don’t have any luck or you can simply stream some Irish playlists to enjoy more of the Irish culture. If you’re feeling particularly festive, you might try your hand at Irish dancing. There’s lots of tutorial videos online, so have fun with it.

8. Dive into Irish folklore
The Irish culture is rich in folklore, so you might want to enjoy the holiday by learning more about it. There are so many books and websites dedicated to Irish folklore, legend and history that you will have hours of fun to enjoy. You can even enjoy some movies on the subject matter, which might suit the entire family. Learning more about the Irish culture will give even more meaning to the holiday. Since March is considered Irish history month, you might expand your learning experience to suit the entire month. There are more than enough legends and stories to keep you busy, so make sure have some fun with all of the cool information.

9. Give Irish Beer a Try
Without a doubt, part of the Irish holiday is grabbing a beer to celebrate. Of course, many people will choose any beer on tap during this time, especially if it is on sale. Instead of going for the green beer or whatever happy hour offers, you might try a beer that comes straight from Ireland. There are more options than you might realize and many of them are ranked pretty high when compared with the top name beers. One of the most popular beers is Guinness, which you should be able to find at just about any pub or liquor store during this time. However, if you’ve tried this beer and you’d like to branch off then there are lots of recommendations to choose from. If you’re not into beer, then there are lots of Irish brands you can choose from when it comes to your favorite liquor.

10. Enjoy a Parade
Like most amazing holidays, there is bound to be a parade to help improve the celebration. Parades are common in both the U.S. and Ireland, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one in a city near you. Even smaller communities host parades, which is pretty convenient for people that don’t want to travel far. Of course, if there isn’t a parade in your neck of the woods then it is easy enough to log on and check out what the rest of the world is doing. It is pretty exciting to check out parades from Ireland, as well as some of the biggest cities in the U.S.

St. Patrick’s Day can be pretty exciting, especially if you enjoy learning about new cultures. These ten traditions can help you enjoy the holiday more without worrying about spending a ton of money. Before you know it, you might decide that some of these traditions are bound to become a part of your family’s yearly routine.

It’s nearly March, which means spring is practically here. If you’ve been prepping for your annual spring cleaning, then you might be struggling to get through all of the clutter you’ve managed to pile up over the past year. Dealing with clutter can be stressful, especially if you have no idea how to organize it or even get it out of sight. These ten tips should help you find the perfect way to get your house in order, so cleaning won’t take quite as long. Best of all, these tips shouldn’t cost you a fortune, so you can save your money for something fun.

1. Add Shelves
One of the easiest things you can do to get your home organized is to install a few shelves. Shelves come in all shapes and sizes, you can truly customize them to suit your home. If you don’t want to invest a lot of money into the project, then you can buy shelves that you put together for fifteen to twenty dollars. These shelves might wear down over time, but if you’re in a hurry to get organized then they will definitely do the trick. Of course, if you’re looking for something more long term then you’ll have to sink some money into your shelves. You might also consider building your own shelves. You can do so with board, nails and paint or you can think outside of the box. Some shelves simply hang from the wall, which is great for knickknacks and books. Try surfing around online for some great ideas for the shelves in your home.

2. Fold It Up
Clothes and linens are probably the biggest forms of clutter we have in our closets. These items can truly make a room feel smaller too. One of the best ways to get rid of this problem is to fold up your clothing items instead of hanging them up. There are special ways to fold just about anything you find in your closet, so you make sure you look up the most efficient methods to suit your life. You can also reorganize some of your drawers. You’d be surprised by how much space you can make simply by folding items you never expected to fold. You can do the same with your blankets, towels and other linens too. With your closets feeling a bit emptier, you’ll have space to place other items out of sight.

3. Clear Containers
Containers can play a crucial role when it comes to getting organized. However, the type of container that you use can make all of the difference when it comes to keeping organized. Clear containers are one of the best options to use, because they allow you to see precisely what is in the container at all times. This is a great way to encourage you not to just throw random junk into the container, as well. The best thing about clear containers is they do actually appear to take up less space. Since you can see through them, they are less confining even if you have a whole lot of them stacked up in the garage. You can also easily access your goods when you need them, since you’ll be able to see what you need with ease.

4. Reuse Boxes
Without a doubt, most houses have a lot of boxes that either end up in recycling or collecting dust somewhere. This can be an absolute waste because these boxes can come in handy in so many ways. Smaller boxes, for instance, are a great way to organize the drawers in your home. You can even cut up larger boxes to help create an organization system for your drawers. This will not only keep things tidy, but it will also allow you to enjoy tidier areas of the home that you might have had to shuffle through to find what you needed. Boxes are also great for storing craft items, as well as games and other items that might have numerous pieces.

5. Utilize All Your Space
In most homes, there is a lot of empty space that can be put to good use. If you have an area under a staircase then you might consider turning it into a craft or play space, instead of having it for storage. This will help open up the home a bit more, so you’re just storing things you’ll never use. Another major source of empty space is the area under furniture. More often than not, you’ll find these spaces have a large enough gap to hold many of your storage items. For instance, you can place your shoes beneath your bed. They’ll be out of sight and you won’t have to have a special place to store them. You can also invest in thin containers that will slide under most pieces of furniture. These can be filled with smaller toys, photos and so many other items. You might even hide smaller items that you don’t want children to get into under these spaces.

6. Reuse Items
Upcycling is the best way to save some money while also saving the planet. You’d be surprised by how many items around the house can be reused to help keep your home clutter free. One example is the jars you might have after you cook a premade pasta sauce. These jars can be used to store pasta and other small items in the pantry. However, they can also be used to store some of your leftovers or homemade sauces. The plastic containers that you find butter and margarine in can also be used for this purpose. This will help cut back on the clutter of Tupperware and other storage items. Plus, you won’t feel bad when a lid turns up missing. Old furniture can also be transformed into other items too. You can reupholster it or simply use it as storage in a shed. There are so many upcycling options to choose from that you’re bound to start looking for new ways to organize and tidy up your home using items you already have in the home.

7. Think Outside of the Box
Sometimes it is hard to think outside of the box, because life can be really busy and hectic. However, there are many ways you can make your home better simply by coming up with new uses for items you might not use any longer. For example, if you have a Lazy Susan collecting dust, you can always place it in the refrigerator. This is perfect for finding the condiments you need without having to pull everything out of the refrigerator. You can also use this item to store your spices, so you can quickly find what you need. A magazine organizer is another great option that can be used for many things. One idea is to place the lids of your pots and pans inside of it. This will help avoid a mess and will speed up your cook times. You might also consider using a dish rack for your storage containers or your pots and pans. Simply place it in the pantry and you’re ready to go.

8. Reduce Bulk
Unfortunately, many of the things we purchase end up taking up more space than they should. One such example is movie cases. If you choose to keep the case, then you’ll wind up needing shelf after shelf to store them. Alternatively, you can purchase a special binder that can hold up to 400 discs. This will help you find your favorite movies faster and will allow you to cut back on the amount of entertainment space that you need. Another idea is to remove game packaging. If you have a huge collection of board games, then you might need even more space to store them. Simply place the pieces in a large plastic bag and put all of your games in a container. You can easily pull the container out on game night. This will help make the home look tidier too as board game boxes often fall apart.

9. Organize
Sometimes, the best way to tackle the clutter in the home is to move it somewhere else. For instance, if your book shelves look like a total mess then organize them a bit. Try color coordinating them or placing all of your hardbacks together in order of size. You might also try moving some of your storage items to a different area, especially if they are in plain view. One of the best ways to organize is to try to find homes for the items you love so that they can be conveniently grabbed when you need them. If you can find storage places that are out of sight without overcrowding closets, then you’re certain to feel more at home in your space. It also won’t be as big of a chore to clean up the house, as you won’t have to move as much around.

10. Spark Joy Method
Without a doubt, one of the best ways to get prep your house for spring cleaning is to get rid of some of your items. We can truly gather up a lot of junk that we always want to hold onto for some reason. One of the best ways to ditch the items we think we want is to use the Spark Joy Method. This method was introduced by Marie Kondo and you can read about it in her book or watch her series on Netflix. This method requires you to hold every item you own. If the item brings you joy, then keep it. If it doesn’t then thank the item and donate it to someone else that might find joy in it. This method can truly help you get rid of many of the items you think you need, which will allow you to de-clutter your life and your home quickly.

Spring cleaning is so much easier to accomplish if there isn’t a ton of things in our way. These ten ideas will help you de-clutter your home, so you can truly be prepared for the cleaning extravaganza. These methods will certainly help cut down on stress, but they’ll also save you some money too. Once you start de-cluttering, you might find yourself eager to organize the whole home to your liking so have fun with it.

Although it might not feel like spring is on its way, it will be here before you know it. If you’re a student, then you’re probably already looking forward to basking in the rays while avoiding college work altogether. Unfortunately, many students end up putting off spring break because they simply don’t know how to make it work with their budget. Luckily, there are lots of great ways for you to take on the fun of spring break without breaking the bank. So, get ready to have some fun, because these tips are certain to make your spring break planning a whole lot easier.

1. Road Trip
If you can’t wait to get out of the vicinity of your school, then a road trip might be the best way to go. If you have a few buddies and a vehicle that runs well, then you’re already on your way to success. You can easily split the cost of gas money while on your trip, so you won’t have to bear the burden yourself. You might also consider taking turns driving, so you won’t have to worry about a hotel, nor will you have to worry about not making it to your destination on time. With a few cheap snacks to tide you over, you’ll be able to enjoy a quick spring break adventure without pouring hundreds of dollars into the trip. You may also be able to check out some awesome attractions that you didn’t know about. This can be one of the best things about road trips. In fact, your discoveries might even overshadow the trip you had already planned.

2. Couch Surf
Hotel prices can really break your budget, especially if you plan on being gone throughout the trip. Instead of planning a trip where you have to stay in a hotel, try to plan one around the people you know. Many people will be more than happy to let you couch surf, especially if they haven’t seen you in a while. You can even get in touch with students that attend different universities if you’re simply looking for a cheap vacation away from your own school. Coach surfing can be one of the most rewarding experiences too, as it allows you to see how your friends and family live their lives. You never know, you might pick up a few traditions or other qualities that you will keep up with in your life.

3. Ditch the Restaurants
Unfortunately, restaurants can become one of the biggest drains on your budget when it comes to traveling. One of the best things you can do is avoid restaurants at all costs, even when you are traveling. This might take quite a bit of the convenience away from your trip and it may even hurt the enjoyment of the vacation. However, you’ll find yourself not dipping into the red zone when you skip out on restaurants. Instead, hit a grocery store and purchase items that won’t expire if left out. If your hotel has a refrigerator then you’ll be better off as it will allow you store sandwich items with ease. On top of that, you can easily keep snacks around to keep you going through the day, so you can actually enjoy more of your vacation. Fruit is one of the best things to have on hand as it is refreshing and energizing. You can also keep a reusable water bottle to avoid plastic waste and over spending.

4. Choose a Cheap Destination
A lot of students have a set idea in mind when they decided they want to do spring break. However, if you think outside of the box a bit, you might be able to find a few deals that will complement your budget while making your trip even more enjoyable. Although some of the hot spots will have more action as far as other students are concerned, you might find some of the alternative destinations to be more relaxing and enjoyable. There are lots of helpful tips online to help you find the perfect places to visit too, which allow you to plan accordingly.

5. Share a Hotel/Motel
Traveling can be fun, until you receive the hotel bill. If you don’t mind sharing a space, then this is the best way to save some money while enjoying spring break. Chances are, you might not spend a lot of time in your room to begin with. If you know a few people that you can easily get along with, then ask them to share with you. Most hotels will take up to four people per room, which will allow you to split the bill in such a way that you won’t find yourself sacrificing when it comes to activities. Sharing a room can be tricky though, which is why you should choose carefully who you share with. You should also make sure to store your belongings in a secure place, so that you won’t end up with missing items or on the butt end of a prank.

6. Take a School Trip
If you’re not entirely sure about going on a trip on your own, then you might want to see what your university has to offer. Surprisingly enough, many schools will schedule a trip for students to join in. You will generally have to pay a flat fee for the trip so you will be housed, fed and entertained. You’ll only need extra money for snacks and souvenirs. These trips also tend to have chaperons, so you can easily feel more comfortable about the trip, especially if you’re a first-year student. Generally, the school works to find the best possible deals around, so you won’t spend as much if you did plan the trip on your own. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet other students, which is perfect for students who still haven’t found their groove in their new surroundings.

7. Use Your Student ID
No matter what you choose to do on your spring break getaway, you should also keep your student ID handy. This ID card can truly help you find some of the best deals around, especially if you’re traveling in an area that caters to students during the spring break days. Your student ID can actually help you get access into clubs in some areas, so use it wisely. One of the best ways to cash in on the discounts is to use it at restaurants. Many establishments will even have specials for students during the spring break season. Even if you aren’t going far for your break, you can still make it work to your advantage. For instance, you might be able to score cheap concert tickets or even tickets to a movie just by flashing your ID card.

8. Leave Campus
For some students, a vacation isn’t in the cards. This doesn’t mean that you can’t find the break you deserve. One of the best ways to do this is to simply leave your college campus. You can explore the city it is in, spend a day in the park, or simply go to the mall for a few hours. Try to leave campus for a few hours, if not all day, while vacation is going on. This will allow you to feel refreshed and will give you a break from seeing the same thing over and over. If you have a free bus pass, then explore as much as you possibly can. This will help you avoid spending money while allowing you to embrace the world around you.

9. Camp
One of the cheapest vacation options for students is to simply go on a camping trip. This will give you some time away from your studies. Camping gives you plenty of activities to enjoy including hiking. This will give you the fresh air you desire, while also helping you to reduce your stress quite a bit. This will completely refresh you so you can go back to school feeling great. If you don’t have the equipment needed to go camping, then consider borrowing it from someone or renting it. You can also camp with minimal supplies, if you already know what you’re doing. Apart from that, you should check out campsites to see where you can camp for free or a low price. You may even be able to get a discount using your student ID.

10. Read for Entertainment
Affording a vacation doesn’t have to mean spending anything though. Some students might be comfortable just hanging out in the school library or their dorm room. These students should try to read throughout the school break. However, this doesn’t mean bury yourself in your studies. Instead, check out novels that have piqued your interest for some time. You can even ask for recommendations from the librarian if you are at a loss for what to check out. Books can give you the illusion of a vacation, which is pretty exciting since you can check them out at the library for free. Books can also provide you with a sense of relaxation that you can’t get elsewhere. You might also feel like your mental capacity has increased, which can help you with your studies.

Spring break can be a tough time when you’re on a budget. This is especially hard for students who are expected to go out and enjoy themselves during this time. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to enjoy your spring break that doesn’t require you to spend a fortune. With any luck, you’ll have the time of your life and won’t have to eat ramen for the rest of the semester.