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If you haven’t already made your Labor Day plans, then now might be the time to do so. For so many, Labor Day weekend is the last chance to enjoy the warm sun before school and work take over everything. If you’re on a tight budget, then there’s no reason to skip out on your Labor Day weekend fun. There are actually quite a few things you can do to have fun that won’t cost you a bundle. You might also consider a few activities that will prepare you for the busy months ahead. So, while you’re making your plans, check out these tips to keep you frugal this upcoming Labor Day weekend.

1. Get Organized
Life can get pretty hectic between Labor Day and tax season, so you might take the extra-long weekend to prep your home for the crazy season. One of the best things you can do is go through your files and get organized. You don’t need anything older than seven years, so you might want to pull out the shredder to help you make space for your upcoming files. You can even clear out the files on your computer to improve on your efficiency over the next few months. Of course, your files aren’t the only thing you should organize. You might want to go through your office supplies to make sure you have everything you need. This is the perfect time to get your students’ supplies packed and ready to go for school too. If you haven’t finished your back to school shopping yet, then get out and take advantage of the deals while you still can. With all of this handled, you’ll be able to breathe a little easier when the hectic season begins.

2. Do a Closet Cleanse
Without a doubt, it is way too easy for closets to over flow with clothes, shoes and other items. So, you might want to take this long weekend to ditch some of the items that you no longer need or want. Clothes are some of the easy items to sift through. If you don’t wear it, like it or it doesn’t fit then donate or sell it. This will allow you to make more room for the new clothes you’ll most likely be getting. Clearing out the closet will also make it much easier to find your favorite autumn sweater when you wake up one morning and the weather is suddenly cold. You may also want to go through your shoes and linens too to help make more space for your new items.

3. Pull Out the Autumn Décor
Although there are still a few weeks before autumn officially begins, many people consider Labor Day to be the transitioning point between summer and autumn. So, you might want to take this time to pull out your autumn décor. This doesn’t mean you have to put it out yet, especially if you’re still holding on to as much summer as you possible can. However, this gives you the perfect time to pull out your décor and dust it off. You can even choose which items you will put out and which will be donated or put back in storage. If items are broken, then you still have plenty of time to repair them before its time to decorate. This will also allow you to plan out how you’re going to decorate and take inventory, so you don’t buy an item that you already have.

4. Yard Work
Labor Day weekend is actually the perfect time to get your yard in order. It is very important to mow your yard down and keep it trimmed before autumn arrives. An unkept yard can lead to mold and other problems as the leaves begin to fall and the weather becomes a lot damper. Prepping can also make maintaining the yard in the autumn much easier, especially when it comes to picking up fallen leaves. You should also pull up dead or dying plants, trim your trees and get those gutters cleared out. Now is the perfect time to do it as well, as it will ensure you don’t have to get outside in the cold weather that should be arriving soon.

5. Work Up a Family Schedule
Since summer tends to be more relaxed, it is often hard to jump into the hectic schedule that autumn brings to the table. So, you might take your long weekend to work out the schedule that is going to keep you busy overr the next few months. It might be hard to make a complete schedule without all of the sports listings available, but you should be able to get a general idea as to what needs to be penciled in. Your schedule should also include chores and fun activities for the family to encourage a peaceful and clean household. If you have younger children, you might want to create a sticker system to help them stay on task. Of course, if your students’ classes have already begun then you might also want to add in testing dates as well as deadlines for projects and research papers, so you can keep track of everything in one place.

6. Retail Therapy
Labor Day is the last big sale you’re going to see before Black Friday arrives, so you might want to take advantage of some of the sales that you come by. There is bound to be a wide assortment of sales going on, so you should be able to fund just about everything on your list. Some of the things you should keep an eye on are items needed for school. This includes supplies, computers, printers and even clothes. Of course, there will be plenty of appliances and other goodies on sale too. Keep a look out on local flyers or check out your favorite store’s website to see what is going on during Labor Day weekend.

7. Soak Up Some Sun
Let’s face it, you’re not going to get a whole lot of sun when the autumn months arrive. With the change of seasons comes a major change in weather for most places. So, your blue skies are most likely to be replaced with gray clouds and rain. Another downside to the seasonal change is how busy you are. So, you might want to take this weekend to do some of the things you love. For instance, it might be the perfect time for some beach time or a final dip in the pool. You might also want to give your tan a little boost to help you stay golden during the autumn months. Of course, you should do this as safely as possible with sunscreen, hats and sunglasses to protect you from the harsh rays. Another fun idea is a simple picnic with the family or a sports day with all of your friends and neighbors. No matter what you do, try to have fun with it because it might be the last outdoor outing for some time.

8. Make a Savings Plan
The holiday season will be here faster than you realize, so Labor Day weekend might be the perfect time to sit down and make a plan. It might help to know some of the larger items that you intend to buy, so you can make the purchase without worry. There are many great ways to save over the autumn months too. You can cut back on fast food, workout at home or make a savings jar to help break a bad habit. With a plan in action, you should be less tempted to stray from your budget, which will ensure you will save more money than you may have thought possible.

9. Enjoy a Sporting Event
Summer sports are coming to an end and autumn sports are already in their preseason, so it might be wise for you check out a game this season. There are so many sporting events to choose from that you’re certain to find something everyone will enjoy watching. You don’t have to choose a professional game if you don’t want to either. There are lots of minor league games to enjoy or college sports. You might also check out the peewee leagues if you have a friend or family member participating. Sports can be a great way to blow off steam too, so you might consider joining a sporting event if you can. You don’t have to be a top competitor to have fun, so roll with it.

10. Relax
The best thing you can do over the Labor Day weekend is kick back and relax. You might not have a chance to really relax for a few months, so take advantage of the long weekend while you can. There’s lots of great ways to relax too. You can listen to music, go dancing, catch up on movies or even sleep. Of course, you might also want to consider finding an activity that helps you relax, so you can fit it into your schedule. One example is meditation. This can be done for free and will ensure your mind is able to slow down when it needs to. All in all, you should take this time to ensure you are relaxed and can find simple ways to relax during your busy months. The body and mind actually do need time to relax in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Labor Day weekend can be a lot of fun. It can also be valuable time to help you make a smooth transition into the autumn months. These tips should help you enjoy the last long holiday of the season, before everything shifts to busy days, pricey holidays and cold weather.

Back pain can turn the best of days into a nightmare, especially if you can’t afford a way to ease the pain. There are many causes for back pain and your best option is to see a doctor about the issue. However, if you have occasional back pain or you’ve already had your problem diagnosed then you’re probably looking for the best way to ease the pain on a budget. There are actually a few great ways to help with your problem that won’t cost you a small fortune. You may even be able to solve the problem without an expensive doctor’s visit or chemical solutions to the problem. So, get ready to try out a few potential remedies to make your back pain go away, maybe even for good.

1. Alter the Way You Sit
Posture is one of the main causes of back pain. So many people have poor posture and don’t even realize it, which can cause a lot of discomfort presently as well as major back problems in the future. It can be hard to alter our posture too, especially since many people slouch unconsciously. There are ways to work out the problem though. For instance, you can now purchase apps and other products that remind you to sit up straight and tall. Another way to improve on your posture is to take up yoga or do moves during your work break. These can come in handy for those that sit often. You should get up and stretch every twenty to forty-five minutes to help reduce back pain. You might also consider getting a chair that will help with posture. You may even want to swap your chair for an exercise ball during certain periods of day.

2. Rethink Your Shoes
More often than not, your shoes can be one of the main causes for your back pain. There are a lot of unique and fun styles on the market today, but many of these designs are for fashion only. Even work boots can do a number on your back if you don’t have the right insole for your body. So, you might want to rethink your footwear to suit your needs. High heels, flats and many sneakers are designed to ease back pain, so try to leave these at home when you can. Instead, consider buying a sneaker that is designed to improve your walking or running experience. These shoes can be worn at all times to help improve posture too. You can always buy a custom insole to help with your back though, which can be moved from shoe to shoe. This will help you make the most of your wardrobe while protecting your back.

3. Drink Water
You would be surprised by what dehydration can do to your body. Many people actually have back pain because their body is dehydrated. However, not having enough water in your system can actually cause your body to heal slowly or incorrectly if you do damage your back. So, one of the best things you can do for back pain is load up on the water. It might actually help to reduce the pain in your back immensely. However, if it doesn’t then you know you are still giving your body everything that it needs to heal properly, which should help make other treatments work faster or at least efficiently.

4. Tennis Ball Massage
Believe it or not, but tennis balls can do your body more good than you think. In fact, buying a set of tennis balls, which is pretty cheap, can actually take the place of some of the more expensive massagers on the market. All you have to do is place a tennis ball between you and your seat or the wall and let it work its magic. Try to position the ball in an area that is painful. After moving the ball around your back, it will help work out some of the knots and tension that have built up from your everyday life. Before long, you’ll feel as good as new, which will allow you to forget all about your back pain and the money that you thought you’d have to sink into it.

5. Exercise
Many people don’t realize how much your exercise routine, or lack thereof, can affect your back. Not exercising or stretching the muscles in your back can lead to pain that seems to never end. However, there are ways to improve on your back muscles, which can make your quality of life so much better. Doing typical exercises can improve your back immensely unless you have an injury that needs addressed. However, if you want to work specifically on your back then you might want to try out Tai Chi or Yoga. Both of these exercises are lighter on the body and use specific movements to work on stretching and strengthening the back. Of course, if you’re not interested in either activity as a form of exercise then you can simply try out some of the yoga positions that will help improve back pain quickly. These poses can even be done in the office or on the go, which will add convenience to your healing process.

6. Lose Weight
Your back problems might not actually be a problem at all. For some, back troubles can occur when a person gains too much weight. So, one of the easiest solutions is to try to lose weight to help with your overall health. If you feel sluggish or in pain, then you might ask your doctor for a little assistance in losing weight, so you can get on the right track quickly. Losing weight, especially around the midsection and bustline can help you feel more energized while also taking a huge strain off of your back muscles. Before you know it, your body should naturally heal.

7. Anti-Inflammatories
Sometimes, one of the quickest ways to get rid of your back pain is to consume something with anti-inflammatory properties. This tends to reduce inflammation within twenty minutes, so you can get on with your life. The most common anti-inflammatories are acetaminophen and ibuprofen, which can both be purchased over the counter at a fair price. However, research has shown that these anti-inflammatories might cause more problems than they’re worth if you use them frequently. So, you might want to power through the pain when you can. Of course, there are natural options to check out. Turmeric, for instance, is very common and can be bought in the grocery store or even in supplement form. There are also many other natural remedies that reduce inflammation too. A little research can help you find the perfect option for you. If things are too bad, then you might want to ask your doctor for a prescription to help reduce your pain.

8. Get a Massage
One of the best remedies for some back pain is to get a massage. Generally, you won’t have to spend a fortune to purchase a massage from a professional. You can even customize your massage to suit the pain you’re having. Most professionals should know how to pin point the area that is in pain and work out any knots in the area. Of course, you don’t have to pay for a massage at all. Your partner, a friend or even a family member may be able to help you work out the knots in your back. You can also invest in a back massager to help you deal with your pain. This simple step might improve your quality of life immensely.

9. Consider Other Practices
There might be a point in which you consider taking your back pain to a professional. Although most doctors can prescribe something for pain, you might not want to go this route if you prefer natural healing. One option to consider is a chiropractor. This professional can actually realign your spine and improve the way your body feels. These doctors can be a bit on the expensive side, but if you have a referral from your doctor a lot of insurance companies will cover some or most of the cost. Another practice to consider is acupuncture. This ancient art has been known to heal some of the worst pains in some people. Best of all, a session won’t cost you a fortune, so you can pay out of pocket if you need to. Of course, the practice you choose should be something you’re comfortable with, so don’t feel pressured to try anything you feel leery of.

10. Apply Heat/Cold
If your back pain is due to an injury, then one of the best things you can do is apply cold and heat to the problem. When the injury occurs, you should always ice it as soon as you possibly can. This will help reduce the swelling straight away, which can help ease the pain and allow the healing process to begin. If you often have to deal with swelling, then icing your back should become a regular practice. Of course, with muscle strains and injuries that are healing, you might want to use a heating pad or hot water bottle. This helps to relax the muscle which can cut back on pain immensely. Best of all, these methods cost you next to nothing.

Back pain can really get in the way of your life, so don’t put up with it if you don’t have to. These ten tips will offer you a wide assortment of options to try out that won’t leave you struggling to juggle your budget. With any luck, you’ll be feeling better in no time.

Autumn can be a pretty amazing time. From the cooler weather and beautiful scenery to the delicious treats and fun holidays, it is hard not to be excited for the season. However, there is one aspect of autumn that can really get on your nerves, especially when it comes to your budget. That inconvenience is all of the rain that usually appears during this time. Luckily, there’s a few things you can do to help prepare yourself for the autumn rain and the season itself before it arrives. These ten tips should have you prepped and ready to handle everything that the ring brings to the table, so you can enjoy the season even more.

1. Put Up Outdoor Furniture
Although the weather will be cooler at first, you might want to plan on putting your outdoor furniture up if it cannot withstand the change in weather. Since school will be starting back up and many people tend to immerse themselves in other activities during the autumn, there is a good chance you will spend less time outdoors. So, storing your furniture will help keep it functional and beautiful for much longer. You should clean and properly dry off your furniture before putting away, which will make it less likely to rust or grow mold while in storage.

2. Prepare Your Vehicle
One of the most overlooked items during autumn preparation is often the vehicle. This can cause you to have to spend a lot more money on repairing issues brought about by a lack of preparation. One of the first things you should do is swap out your windshield wipers if they seem to be worn out. Another great thing to do is check out your tires or have a professional do so. You will want to make sure that your tires have enough tread to get you around safely during the cooler months. An inspection during this time is always wise too, because it is never fun to be stranded on the side of the road when the weather is rainy and cold. You should also prep your car for emergencies if you haven’t already done so. Two very important items to include in your car is an air pump and a first aid kit. Flares, a flashlight and other safety items are also good things to add to your trunk, just in case.

3. Organize Closet
If you’re looking to make your life a little easier then you might want to start organizing your closet as soon as the heat wave begins to subside. You don’t have to put away all of your summer clothes if you have the closet space, but you might want to take the time to move your cold weather clothes and rainy day items to the front of your closet or at least pull them out of storage. This will give you the chance to clean the items and try them on to make sure they still fit you properly. Doing this can save you a lot of hassle on the first day of the rainy season, especially if your clothes end up not fitting. Items that no longer fit or don’t suit your style can be sold for a little extra money or donated for a small tax break.

4. Make a Bad Weather Kit
Autumn can present some major challenges when it comes to the weather. From hurricanes and tornadoes to flooding and intense wind, it is best to prepare for the worst to help make your family feel secure. So, before the harsh weather hits, you should stock up on water and sustainable foods just in case you wind up stuck in the house for some time. You might keep more water on hand than you typically would in an emergency kit in case flooding causes water supplies to become contaminated. Of course, having a water bottle with a filter can help with this problem too. Another great thing to have on hand is flashlights, batteries and candles, which can help get the family through a power outage. Finally, you should have fun snacks, games and books ready to help take your mind off of the bad weather until it passes. An emergency plan is also a must for your kit, just so you can handle a poor situation efficiently if it does occur.

5. Inspect Home
The rain can cause a lot of damage to the home too, which might cause you to spend a lot of money if you’re not prepared. So, the best thing you can do is run an inspection of the home before the poor weather arrives. The first things you should get checked is your heater or furnace. You don’t want to turn on a hazardous item at the beginning of the season as it can cause fires, smoke damage and more. Sometimes, your insurance will even cover this cost, so ask around to see if you can get a free inspection. Checking this item can even help cut back on your electric bill, so it is more important than you think. Another item to check out is your roof. With the rain and snow arriving, you’ll want to make sure your roof isn’t going to leak, or cave in. Testing out your fire detector and carbon monoxide alarms are critical too, especially with the house being closed up. Finally, you might want to check the weather stripping in your home, as well as the foundation to make sure the cooler and wetter weather won’t cause damage to the home.

6. Waterproof Shoes/Jackets
If you love to have nice shoes, then autumn can be one of the most trying times for you. There’s lots of great shoe options for this season, but many of the most popular styles can easily be ruined by the rain. The same can be said for fashion jackets that aren’t designed for the rain, particularly those made of suede. Luckily, there is a simple solution to your problem. You can easily water proof your more expensive items. Many shoe stores and fashion boutiques can do this service for you if you’re willing to pay the fee. However, there are also kits to do this at home. If you don’t want to do such a thing then you might consider investing in shoe covers and light ponchos or anoraks to keep your items looking good.

7. Find Indoor Activities
Rainy days often mean spending more time indoors, which can cause the whole family to become bored. So, before the rainy and cold weather arrives, you might want to stock up on activities. One of the best things to get is fun games. This can range from board and card games to games that the family makes up. Crafts can be a fun way to kill some time too and will help children exercise their creativity. This is also a great way to decorate the house, so it feels more appealing for the season. Of course, you should also come up with indoor friendly exercises that are fun to do. This will help keep everyone healthy when they can’t go out and play.

8. Find Alternative Routes
Sometimes, the rainy weather can become a bit too much for the roads in your city or town. You might even find that trees fall into the street more often, or you have to dodge other debris in many areas of your community. This can cause you to be late for work, school and more. Thus, is might be wise to come up with a few alternative routes to help your family get to where they need to be in a timely manner. Knowing these alternative routes might even help prevent damage to your vehicle which will save you a whole lot of money in the long run.

9. Prepare Your Garden
More often than not, the garden and even the lawn is overlooked before autumn arrives. Dead plants and overgrown grass are often left, which can cause a lot of problems in your yard during the autumn and winter months. Before the weather gets too bad, you’ll want to remove seasonal plants, especially those that are dead or dying. If the weather gets very cold in the winter and autumn, then wrap your shrubs to protect them from the frost. You can also place plastic bottles over vulnerable plants during the harsh weather and at night. Before things get too wet, lay out mulch too to ensure your soil will be good when planting season arrives. Finally, trim your trees, especially those branches that might break off if covered in ice or subjected to harsh winds.

10. Don’t Forget Your Pets
The rainy and cold weather also affects your pets, so don’t overlook them when it comes to your preparations. One of the first things you need to do is purchase supplies that will prevent you and your pet from getting cold and wet during your daily walks. These supplies are actually very cheap, and you can customize them to suit your personality. Clothing and leashes with reflectors will also come in handy, especially when you walk early in the morning or in the evening when it is still dark out. Sometimes, pets can’t always make it until the harsh weather subsides, so you might stock up on cleaning supplies that will help you efficiently clean up accidents. Items to help you quickly clean up after your pet outdoors are also a must. Another thing to consider is your pet’s outdoor house. This should be checked for leaks, especially if your pet is outdoors often. You might consider adding newspaper and blankets to keep your pet warm. If you have a lot of strays in the area, then setting up a safe space might help out too. This can be a simple box with newspaper and a water bowl. There’s lots of great DIY tips for these temporary shelters online, if you’re interested in making one or more.

Autumn can be a real pain when it comes to inconvenience and your budget. However, the season is also filled with beauty. These ten tips should help you properly prepare for all of the rain the season brings so you can enjoy autumn more and stress a whole lot less. Best of all, you won’t have to put as much money into staying comfortable when all of the rain arrives.

August is National Family Fun Month, which leaves you with plenty of time to bond with your loved ones. Since school is right around the corner for most children, this month might be the best time to enjoy each other’s company before you go back to the hustle and bustle of your everyday routine. You don’t have to spend a fortune on family fun month either. Luckily, there’s lots of things you can do for free or next to nothing. If you’re at a loss for ideas, these ten tips should help steer you in the right direction. You might even incorporate some of these ideas into your weekly routine to help your family find more time for each other.

1. DIY Workshop
Nothing helps the family bond quite like working together to learn something new. If your family is interested in picking up new skills, then signing up for a workshop might be the best way to go. Unfortunately, these workshops do cost money most of the time, but the experience will help you save money in the long run. One of the most common workshops is a family cooking workshop. This amazing experience will give kids a basis in cooking but can also teach parents new tricks as well as frugal ways to make meals. Some stores, like Home Depot and Lowes also offer little workshops on the weekends. Some of these are free and teach wood working and home improvement skills to children and adults. Of course, the workshop you choose will have to be based on your family’s needs and desires. So, have a little fun when choosing.

2. Book Club
Book clubs are all over the place right now, which makes them a great way to bond with your family. This can also help your children gain a love for books at an early age, which can inspire them to learn more even as adults. Local libraries are a great place for the family to sign up for a book club. Often, libraries have a book of the month for people to enjoy and even offer groups to discuss the book. These recommendations and groups are often for all ages too, so you should be able to spend lots of time at the library together. Of course, many stores are also offering book clubs. For instance, Barnes and Nobel has recently started one that offers all sorts of activities for the family. More recently, kids had the chance to build their own Hogwarts Express from LEGO. These clubs aren’t hard to find either, so look around in your community to see what your family can sign up for.

3. Scavenger Hunt
One of the best free options is to come up with a scavenger hunt for the family to enjoy. This will allow you to get outside and enjoy all that summer has to offer before it goes away. There’s lots of great ways to enjoy a scavenger hunt. You might even be able to download a list of items to collect online, especially if you’re traveling to a specific destination. In fact, many zoos, aquariums and even national parks will offer scavenger hunt lists to help keep visitors busy for hours. You might also bring your camera because you never know what photo opportunities will arise while you’re exploring the world around you.

4. Get Crafty
Crafting is a great way for the family to come together and have some fun. It can also be an exciting way to get to know one another better through the expression of art. You can find so many crafts online that you might not know where to start. Many of these crafts cost next to nothing to make, especially if you have supplies readily available at home. If you want to make your craft time count even more, then you might get a jump start on some holiday crafts. This will allow you to have décor ready to go when the season arrives. It can also help you stock up on holiday gifts for your loved ones. Another great option is to make a special craft your child’s teacher, which will help start the year off on the right foot.

5. Outdoor Performances
August is a great month to take part in some exciting outdoor performances. Many communities love to bring people together during the summer, so they host a wide variety of fun things for the whole family. One option is for your family to check out a movie in the park. These movies most likely won’t be new blockbusters, but they are generally fun movies that the whole family will enjoy. Another great option is to take in a concert in the park. These can be lots of fun and are often free for all to enjoy. You might even discover a local band that the whole family will love. Often, you can even pack your own food and drinks for this event, which might make it the perfect time to indulge in a family picnic. Generally, these items are in the evening and night, so the weather won’t be too unbearable either. However, you might pack blankets and light jackets just in case the autumn temperatures decide to sneak in.

6. Build a Fort
One of the best things about childhood is the amazing forts that kids get to play in. Even adults can’t resist these awesome structures. So, this month, you might want to channel your inner child and help your little ones create the perfect fort. You have an abundance of options to choose from for this task too, so you might consider trying out a few different options during your free time. Your structure can be as temporary as a reading fort made of blankets in the living room or as permanent as a tree fort in the backyard. There’s lots of great ways to save on permanent structures too, so don’t let your budget but a damper on your fun.

7. Explore the Children’s Museum
If you have younger children in the home, then a trip to the children’s museum might be the perfect bonding experience. Often, these establishments are free or low cost, so you won’t have to worry about spending a bundle on the trip. Children’s museums offer learning experiences for kids of many different ages too, so every child should be able to find something that catches their interest. The museums might even offer shows, performances, special exhibits and more. Most museums do offer hands on activities and crafts, which will help broaden the learning experience. Parents will also find ways to enjoy themselves at the museum too, as many activities require parent and child bonding.

8. Game Night
Your family can’t go wrong with the timeless classic game night. This might be a great time to ditch technology and enjoy an old-fashioned board game. If you don’t have any games on hand, then check out the clearance section of your favorite department store or look into buying a game from a thrift store. You can also settle with a deck of cards to ease your boredom. These games can even teach children skills. If you aren’t interested in these types of games then you can always try a round of Pictionary, charades or adlibs to have some fun. Of course, if you don’t want to disconnect for a while then enjoy playing some of your kids’ favorite video games. You can have a dance party or simple play a racing or action game. As long as you’re doing it as a family you should have a blast.

9. Play at the Park
For most kids, a trip to the park is enough to keep them happy for days on end. So, you should use your local parks to help make your family fun month out of this world. One of the best things about the park is it offers so many options. For younger kids, playing on the equipment provided might be the best thing in the world, especially with their parents playing along. You can also use the extra space in the park to enjoy a few sports or made up games that will have everyone laughing and enjoying themselves. The park is the best place to bond too, since there aren’t many distractions there. This is also the perfect way to make the best of the warm weather.

10. Enjoy a Fair
August is prime fair season, which gives you a great option for Family Fun Month. Many fairs are actually free of cost, so you can go to enjoy the atmosphere without having to worry about spending a bundle on admission only. Of course, all games, rides and food will set you back a bit of money but with the free admission you should be able to get more out of the experience. Of course, those fairs that do charge usually aren’t pricey. Fairs often offer free activities like petting zoos and more, which should allow you to fill up your free time with activities the kids will love. If permitted, you should make sure to bring in water and snacks to help keep everyone satisfied if you’re avoiding the pricey fair food.

Family Fun Month doesn’t have to be a time for extra expenditures. Instead, you should be able to find value in the bonding time your family shares. These ten ideas should help you plan out the rest of the month of August, so that everyone has a blast. Your family may even look forward to August next year, as it is such a great time enjoy being together as a family.

Potty training can be a parent’s and toddler’s worst nightmare. From the frustration to the messes, you’re bound to feel hopeless if you’re not ready to take on the challenge. One thing that can make this journey even worse is the cost of potty training your little one. Luckily, there’s a few ways you can cut back on the costs of potty training your little one, which will take away one of the major stressors of the tasks. So, take a deep breath because these ten tips aren’t just going to help save you money, but might even make the potty training task a little easier to tackle.

1. Know When Your Child Is Ready
A lot of the time, parents aren’t entirely sure if their child is ready for potty training. So, they jump the gun and spend a small fortune on things to help make the transition to the potty easier. This can cause you to go through package after package of pull up diapers and so much more. The best thing you can do is know when your child is ready, so potty training can be a much shorter process. There are many signs to help you know when it’s time. For starters, your child will have dryer diapers for longer periods of time. They may even wake up from naptime or bedtime dry. Children that are preparing to use the potty will also have less patience for dirty diapers and might even let you know when they have soiled a diaper or are preparing too. Another sign is your child’s interest in the toilet. Of course, there are many other signs that quick research or a chat with your pediatrician can help you with.

2. Choose the Right Potty
There are a whole lot of pottys on the market these days. Some are very simple while others have every bell and whistle you could possibly imagine. Many parents choose to go for the most intricate pottys because they feel they are newer and more modern and thus must make potty training easier. This isn’t necessarily the case. Your child’s personality will determine what kind of potty your child needs. If your child is too distracted by things, then an intricate potty might not be the right answer as it might inspire the child to jump up in the middle of potty time. Of course, you can still keep things simple while catering to your child’s interests. For instance, there are many pottys on the market that offer characters that your child will love, which might inspire the potty experience to be easier than ever.

3. Skip Pull Ups
Purchasing pull up diapers for your toddler seems like the logical step when potty training. However, this can be one of the most costly steps you can take during your training process. Pull up diapers often make your child feel like they still have the diaper to rely on during the training period. Thus, it can take your little one a bit longer to gain the confidence needed to just go potty. With time added on to your training period, you’ll end up going through packs of pull ups very quickly. These packs are hard to find in bulk too, which means you’ll be spending more than ever. So, skip the pull ups altogether. Instead, stick with diapers at night and underwear during the day time.

4. Training Underwear
It’s very tempting to purchase regular underwear for your toddler. There is actually no harm in this, but it might force you to do a lot more cleaning up than you probably want to do. The best underwear to help with your child’s potty training is a training underwear. This underwear is still made of fabric, but it is much thicker than regular underwear. Thus, if your child soils the underwear it is much easier for you to take care of the mess. This underwear is easier for toddlers to grip too, which will help them pull their underwear up and down. Best of all, training underwear has cute characters on it that will make your child feel proud to be wearing their underwear.

5. Incorporate Media
These days, most toddlers already have a few characters that they look up to. Luckily, many programs designed for toddlers will have potty training episodes that can help you inspire your toddler to use the potty. Some programs, like those from PBS, will even produce media like books and DVDs that will help your toddler understand potty training and feel more comfortable on the matter. These products tend to not be pricey and can entertain your child even after they are training. Often, you can find these videos for free online. Of course, there are also inspiring videos for parents that will help you get through the process too. With a little help from books and shows, you should be able to enjoy the process a bit more.

6. Create Distractions
Sitting on the potty can be really boring for your little one, so you might need to come up with some distractions to make the process a lot easier. One of the best things to do during a potty session is to read a book. It might be even more efficient if the book is based around potty training. You may also want to come up with a few games to play during the potty session, which will inspire your child to want to sit down and go. Of course, singing songs can also be enticing for little ones and will make the process a better bonding experience. Many children love to color while sitting on the potty too. So, choose a few activities that you know your child will love and you should be on the path to success.

7. Make a Chart
One way to make your toddler feel successful with potty training is to come up with a chart to show their potty successes. Every time your little one pottys you can add a check mark, happy face, sticker or stamp. This will help give your child incentive to go, especially if you are adding fun things to their chart. If you want to make the chart even more enticing, you can offer a special treat for reaching so many stickers. Before you know it, your little one will feel excited to use the potty without you having to ask. There’s many templates for these charts too, so you will only have to purchase the stamp or stickers if you choose to go that route.

8. Offer Incentives
Without a doubt, incentives are one of the best things you can do to inspire your child to use the potty. Of course, the incentive can be based on your parenting style. For instance, if you don’t want your child having candy then offer a berry or their favorite healthy treat as a reward when they go potty. Many parents choose to use small candies, even if they don’t normally allow their child to have such foods. This makes the task even more exciting for your child. Of course, you should also base the reward on the achievement. Many children have no problem urinating in the potty, so the reward for this might be less than having a bowel movement in the potty. You might also give your child a special reward for going so many days without having an accident.

9. Bulk Cleaning Supplies
One of the worst things about potty training are all of the messes that are less than pleasing to clean up. Thus, you might do yourself a favor and stock up on cleaning supplies before you begin the process. Buying these products in bulk can help save you a lot of money and will help you feel better prepared for the journey ahead of you. Laundry supplies are one of the most common items to stock up on, because children may go through a lot of underwear during the first few days. Another item to stock up on is cleaners for the floor, just in case your child decides the potty is the last place they want to go. Even if your child doesn’t have a lot of accidents, you will still need a cleaner to use in order to disinfect the potty when your child does use it.

10. Make the Time
The most valuable thing you can do for your child and yourself during this training period is take the time to do potty training right. This task is going to need a lot of attention, so be prepared to drop everything for your child. If you work or are frequently busy then it might be wise to take time off work or plan the training around a time frame when you have multiple days off in a row. This will allow you to tackle potty training without having your child regress. Taking the time to do this will also save you money in the long run, as you won’t have to spend your days off retackling the issue to the point that you just feel like taking a larger period of time off of work to help your child get through the challenge.

Potty training is never an easy task, even if your child takes to it like a fish to water. Between the accidents and clean ups your hands are going to be full. These simple tips should help your child learn to potty faster, so you can feel less stressed about the issue. Before you know it, you’ll be saying goodbye to diapers for good, which will save you a whole lot of money.

The first day of college is right around the corner, which is certain to bring excitement as well as anxiety. One of the main stressors for new and veteran college students is the prospect of their free time while at school. Since most students are on a tight budget, it might be hard to figure out what to do in their spare time on a budget that will allow them to spend next to nothing. Luckily, there’s a lot of great ways to spend your free time that can actually be stimulating too. These ten ideas should help you enjoy your free time while making the most of your budget. So, don’t stress that you’ll end up starring at the ceiling when you’re not studying, because these ten tips will ensure you have all of your spare time occupied.

1. Join a School Club
One of the best things about universities is they tend to cater to a wide variety of interests and personalities. This can really work out in your favor, especially if you’re looking for something to keep you busy during your off-time. Most universities will have a lot of clubs for students to enjoy. You can find everything from academic clubs to clubs based off of your interests. You can even join a Greek House if that is something you think you would enjoy. Most clubs are inclusive, so all you have to do is sign up. They are also a great place to make new friends, which is perfect for first year students. Best of all, clubs shouldn’t cost you a penny. There might be costs for special activities, but clubs tend to do fundraisers for these activities. Clubs also look great on your transcript, so if you plan on signing up for an internship or pursuing a graduate degree then you might have a leg up.

2. Volunteer
If you have a lot of time on your hands, then you might consider joining a volunteer program. There are many places looking for help, so you can choose from a wide range of options. Habitat for Humanity is a great option for students that want to learn handy skills while they’re in college. This program will allow you to help build a house, which can include woodworking, gardening and so much more. Of course, there are also many programs that are easy to jump into if only for a day. For instance, you can work in a soup kitchen, hand out food at a local pantry or even pick up trash in your local park. You might consider spending time in a nursing home or hospital too. If you do decide to work with a program often then you can always add the work to your resume, which will look great for future employers.

3. Extracurricular Activities
Just as in high school, there are lots of extracurricular activities you can take part in that will help cut back on the free time that you have. One of the most common options is to join a sports team. There’s lots of sports to choose from too, so you can enjoy playing something you actually enjoy. If you make a sports team then you will have lots of practices to attend and you will probably even have to travel with the team for competitions. Another great option is to join the school band. This doesn’t always mean you’ll have to perform at games, because most universities have a variety of different bands to choose from. Of course, there is so much more to choose including robotics teams, debate teams and so on. These activities can even earn you college credit too, so you can cut back on some academic courses that might be trying.

4. Tutor
Students that excel in a certain topic might want to take the time to tutor others. Generally, most universities will offer a tutoring program that you can enroll in. This program will offer training, support and much more to help you succeed in your tutoring task. Of course, you can always do tutoring on the side to earn a little money too. There are many ways to advertise your services on campus too, so you won’t have to spend money to do so. Tutoring can take up a lot of time, especially during exam periods. So, you should be able to stay busy without the temptation of spending money.

5. Campus Activities
Your campus should be one of the first places you look for free or cheap entertainment. You will be surprised by how many amazing activities that your campus offers its students. If you are looking to pick up a few extra lessons at no cost, then you’re bound to find guest lecturers frequently. You can also enjoy movie screenings, concerts, plays and so much more. Many campuses even host parties for their students, which can help keep you busy on the weekends. Your campus bulletin is the best place to look for these activities. However, if you’re uncertain how to keep up with the activities then talk to a member of the Student Union. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself all booked.

6. Enjoy the Gym
Most university campuses offer a great gym for students to take advantage of. All you need is your student ID and you should be good to go to take advantage of the facility. This can be one of the best assets at your school, because it will allow you to kill your spare time while improving on your overall health. Best of all, working out every day or even just a few times a week can help with your studies. Exercise helps work off stress, which will ensure you won’t feel too frustrated while dealing with exam periods. On top of that, enjoying the gym can help avoid the freshmen fifteen which will help boost your confidence as you navigate through this fun period of your life.

7. Find a Job
Believe it or not, but one of the best options you have available to you is the prospect of finding a job while you’re studying. It might not sound like a fun way to spend your time but having a job while in college can actually benefit you in many ways. For starters, it will allow you to see what the work force is like without a college degree. A job will also give you money that can help take a huge burden off of your life. You can use your paychecks to start paying on your student loans, which can help cut back on the interest you pay in the future. On top of that, having a job will give you money so you can attend concerts, go out to eat and other activities that you’d normally enjoy. Best of all, you’ll have job experience to put on your resume when you do finish school. This can help you land a better job right out of college. Of course, a job can also teach you time management skills, will offer a wide variety of skills you can learn and might even help you make some new friends and other connections.

8. Embrace Mother Nature
Getting a little fresh air when you have some time to kill is always a great way to enjoy life. There’s lots of great things you can do outside that doesn’t require you to spend a lot of money either. For starters, you can easily enjoy your favorite sports with a team or even just a group of friends. Of course, you don’t have to enjoy classic activities if you want to have fun outside. You might consider going for a hike or simply a walk in a local park. Another fun option is to go for an adventure and utilize your photography skills to capture some of the sights. You might even consider grabbing a book and reading outside. No matter what you choose, the fresh air is bound to improve your mood and health and it won’t cost you a penny.

9. Student Discounts
Without a doubt, you can maximize your free time when you utilize your student ID. Your ID is the key to many great discounts, especially if you stick close to your school. One of the more common uses for the discount is at the movie theater where you can get a great discount on movies you have been wanting to see. Local restaurants often offer discounts to students too, so if you need a break from the cafeteria then visit a restaurant that offers such a deal. Some establishments will even offer happy hours designed for students. Of course, museums, zoos, aquariums and so much more will also reduce the price of your ticket. You may even be able to do a little therapeutic shopping with a discount. Just make sure to ask about discounts before you make any purchases.

10. Groupon
Once you make some friends that have similar interests then you’ll be set to take advantage of the many deals that Groupon and other social coupon companies have to offer. These amazing deals will allow you to enjoy a wide variety of activities around your community, which can help make your free time even more inspiring. Best of all, you split the price of the activity with a group, so you won’t end up paying full price for anything. Some of these special coupons will even factor in a student discount on top of the coupon, so don’t be afraid to ask for this. If you don’t have a group to join in on the fun, then you can always post a notice at school to see if anyone is interested in joining. This might be one of the best ways to make friends with people who enjoy doing the same things as you.

Finding something to do in college that is easy on your budget doesn’t have to be a battle. These ten ideas will help keep you busy while ensuring you can have some fun and gain a lot from your university experience. With any luck, you’ll be able to pack your schedule full so you won’t be tempted to spend money in your boredom.

August 17 is National Thrift Store Day, which couldn’t be any better timing. With school season on its way and wedding season peaking, you should be able to save some big money simply by shopping at the thrift store. However, sometimes the thrift store is a little too good to be true as there are some items you simply shouldn’t purchase there. Although it might be hard to decide when you should or shouldn’t purchase an item at the thrift store, these ten tips should help point you in the right direction. With this knowledge, you should be able to save some big money while enjoying your thrift store shopping experience.

1. Do Buy Clothing
Clothing is one of the best items to purchase at the thrift store. In some cases, you can even purchase brand-new clothing at the thrift store for a fraction of its original price. For some parents, it just makes sense to shop second hand. Kids outgrow clothing so quickly that it is hard to keep throwing money towards each growth spurt. On top of that, shopping second hand is better for the environment. Of course, you should be careful and check out the clothing beforehand. If it is holey or too worn then pass it by as it won’t last as long as new clothing would. Tees, jeans and even jackets are always great items to buy though, as they will cut back on your school or fashion shopping bill. However, one of the best options to buy from a thrift store is a prom dress. You won’t pay nearly as much as you would for a new dress and you can easily customize the dress to suit your child. There are many formal dresses available too, for those going to cocktail parities or even weddings.

2. Don’t Buy Intimates
Although thrift store clothing is great, you should never purchase anything that is intimate. This list includes underwear and socks. Using other people’s panties, briefs, boxers, bras and more is unhygienic and might even provide you with health problems. These items can’t be sanitized enough to warrant sharing, so just avoid them altogether. Bathing suits are another item that you should not be checking out at the thrift store. Another item you should skip is shoes. These items are nearly impossible to sanitize properly, so just skip them altogether no matter how pretty and inexpensive they are. Finally, if you do come across makeup at the thrift store, just skip the item altogether. You can get major infections from using other’s makeup. Even if the item is unopened, you should still skip it as you never know how old it is.

3. Do Buy Antique Furniture
One of the best things to purchase at thrift stores is antique furniture. You never know, you might end up purchasing something that is actually worth a lot of money. However, if you’re just looking for aesthetic then the thrift store should also offer lots of great options. You might even be able to find tables with built in sewing machines or typewriters. If you want a vintage look for your home, then you can probably furnish it for under a few hundred dollars. You should be very leery if an item looks reupholstered though, as it might contain bedbugs. So, make sure to inspect everything you plan on buying and clean everything you do purchase well before bringing it into the home.

4. Don’t Buy Mattresses
Most thrift stores will have a small section of mattresses for people to choose from. However, you should never purchase a used mattress. There are many cheap alternative options that you can use if you don’t have the money for a mattress right now. Used mattresses offer a wide range of problems. First of all, someone else has slept on them. So, there is bacteria and germs on them that you can not fully clean. Another problem is mattresses attract bedbugs, particularly because of the skin fragments and more that get left behind when people sleep. Thus, you could be bringing something into the home that will take hundreds of dollars to get rid of, on top of the stress and frustration that the critters create.

5. Do Buy Collectible Dinnerware
If you’re a collector or you love the way old fashioned kitchens look, then the collectible dinnerware at thrift stores is bound to be the perfect purchase for you. You might have to look hard for items that are worth money, but in most cases, you can find some pretty items that will make your kitchen look great for cheap. Generally, you can find some variation of fine China, collectible plates and even crystal dinnerware at thrift stores. These all make great show pieces. However, you should never eat or drink with crystal dinnerware, especially if the item is old. These items can actually give you lead poisoning. So, remember, if you purchase it from the thrift store it is for décor only.

6. Don’t Buy Appliances
A lot people think that buying appliances at the thrift store is a great way to suit your needs without spending as much money. However, shopping appliances at the thrift store can often cost more than its worth. Sometimes, the items will work for a short period of time, if at all. Usually, if you can find an item that works you’re lucky. However, there is always a risk of fire when you use these items as you don’t particularly know their history and why they were donated. So, if you really need an item try to shop refurbished or save up and purchase it new.

7. Do Buy Music
If you love music and like to collect old mediums of music, then the thrift store may be your new favorite place. Often, thrift stores have a wide assortment of vinyl records, cassettes and CDs to choose from. These items will never be of new quality and you probably won’t be able to sell them for a lot of money. If you’re just looking to enjoy old forms of music, then you’re in for a treat. Of course, before purchasing any item make sure that it isn’t covered in scratches, so you can actually enjoy the music. However, if you do run across items that are broken beyond use, you might consider turning them into cool art pieces. Pursing the music section at your local thrift store might also allow you to enjoy new forms of music too.

8. Don’t Buy Stuffed Animals
It is hard to go into the thrift store with a child and not have the child glued to the toy section. There are lots of amazing toys at the thrift store for your child to choose from, so this might seem harmless. However, if your child wants a stuffed animal then you might want to start directing their attention elsewhere. Stuffed animals are very hard to fully sanitize, so they can spread germs to your child from the moment your child touches it. Since stuffed animals often spend time cuddled up with your child, this probably isn’t something you want in the home. On top of that, these toys can hide many horrible things inside of them. For instance, if the previous owner had bed bugs then you might be in store for battling the bugs in your own home soon after your purchase.

9. Do Buy Books
Most thrift stores have an abundance of books, which is a good thing. Best of all, you can find a wide range of things there, which can certainly help ease a boring day or even help you to study a new subject. From children’s and sci-fi books to text book and almanacs, you might have to double take when you see the prices of some of these books. Sometimes, you might even be able to grab them on sale for a penny, which will help you save money on your entertainment or educational needs. Most books are in excellent shape too, which makes them perfect for homeschoolers. You may even find a few collectibles that will make you swoon over your awesome find.

10. Don’t Buy Helmets
There are many reasons why helmets shouldn’t be on your list of things to purchase at a thrift store. To scratch the surface, when purchasing a helmet, you should always find one that fits you properly. You won’t get as many options for helmets at the thrift store, so if you do choose to find one there it might not protect you in all of the ways it needs to. You also have to worry about head lice when you purchase a used helmet, so it’s safer to just not bother. Of course, the most important reason why you should not purchase a used helmet is it might not work. Helmets are meant to be replaced every five years and there’s no way to gage how old it is. On top of that, a helmet must be replaced after an accident. Although this will usually means you will see damage on the helmet, sometimes the helmet might look unscathed. So, be safe instead of sorry and buy new helmets no matter what you plan to use them for.

Shopping at the thrift store can be a world of fun, especially if you know what to shop for. These ten options will help you find some pretty cool stuff at an unbelievable price, while ensuring you don’t throw money away on items that aren’t worth buying. No matter what you’re shopping for, you’ll be helping out a charity too, which is cause enough for celebration.

Back to School season is here again and the sales have already arrived in most of your favorite stores. Many people struggle with knowing where to shop for the best deals, which can be as difficult as navigating through the packed stores. Luckily, Walmart, Amazon and Target all offer online options that can help you cut back on the amount of time you spend shopping. This should help cut back on the amount of time you spend stressing over school supplies, so you can make the most of the time left with your kids. These ten tips should help you find the majority of your shopping needs, whether you shop online or off, so take a deep breath and prepare for a brand-new year while surfing for the best deals on your child’s school needs.

1. Basic Supplies
There’s a whole lot of basic supplies your child is going to need for school, but these items can add up in the long run. One item that is on the list for most students over the age of ten is pens. You can find outstanding deals on bulk pens on Amazon and Walmart, so you can split up the pens amongst multiple children or even the household. However, if you shop for these bulk pens on Amazon you will have to shop with them as an “Add-On” item, which means you will need to spend $25 to get them for the actual price. Target, on the other hand, does offer the cheapest price for smaller packages of pens. To be more specific, you can find a pack of ten BIC pens for less than a dollar. Walmart is your best bet when it comes to pencils. You can purchase a pack of 12 for less than a dollar, but other more expensive pencil options still range lower in price than Amazon and Target. Walmart and Target both offer amazing deals on paper, with Walmart being only slightly cheaper. Amazon, on the other hand, is not the place to shop for paper.

2. Arts and Crafts
Most children are going to need arts and crafts supplies, especially if they’re in primary school. When it comes to crayons, Walmart has a larger brand name set for just $.87. Both Walmart and Target have a set for $.50 though, so if you don’t need bulk you’re safe to shop at either store. Amazon’s crayons are pretty pricey though. Amazon and Target aren’t the best options when it comes to children’s scissors. So, shop Walmart for these items, especially if you’re looking to spend around a dollar. Glue is another staple for most school lists. The best place to shop for glue is Target with the price ranging around $.50, whereas Walmart’s is $1.44. Amazon’s glue is much more expensive though, but they do offer better bulk deals if you want to buy for the whole household.

3. Organization
Keeping organized is an important part of schooling, especially for students in secondary school or college. So, you’ll want to grab a few items to make your student’s work look great. Notebooks are the perfect item for keeping notes in order or just journaling to improve the schooling experience. Target is one of the best places to grab simple notebooks for students, as you can grab a spiral notebook for a mere $.29. Composition books, which are often required for English and Science courses can be purchased at Target and Walmart for $.50 apiece. Binders are a crucial part of most student’s lives too. These items are a bit of a mixed bag though and range from $3 to $20, so you can shop around to suit your taste and budgeting needs.

4. Nap Time
If you have a preschooler or kindergartener in the home, then you might already be frustrated with the search for the nap time accessories that the school requires. One of the most crucial items to have for your new student is a nap mat. Luckily, both Target and Walmart offer these mats for $10, so you won’t have to spend a small fortune on them. However, if you’re interested in a mat, blanket, pillow combination then you can purchase these items for around $20 to $40 on Amazon and Target. If you’re fine with the simple mat and blanket combination, then you can grab a blanket at Walmart for $5-10 which includes some of your child’s favorite characters. You can even find some options that roll up and serve as pillows too.

5. Lunch Supplies
Lunch can be one of the most important aspects of your child’s school needs. It can also be one of the priciest too. Walmart and Target both offer a wide selection of lunch boxes for $6-15, which should suit most students’ needs. Of course, you can find a more intricate design for around $20 which is perfect for older students and those that participate in athletics. Amazon offers a lot of other options for older students too, which can provide you with a wide variety of compartments and cooling tech. Another great option is bento boxes, which can help you provide well-balanced lunches for your children. Amazon offers an amazing bulk deal that will only set you back $15 and will provide you with enough boxes for the whole family and then some. Sandwich bags are another great option for kids’ lunches. Target is the best place to grab these for $1.79, but if you’re looking for more protection Walmart offers the cheapest price on double-zip bags for around $5. Of course, snacks are going to be touch and go, so shop around to suit your needs.

6. Backpacks
Backpacks are pretty much crucial for every student and they can be one of the costliest items to pick up. However, this year there are many great deals to choose from. All three stores offer unique looks, so you should be able to shop around and still find something that meets your needs. However, if you’re looking for the cheapest option then Target and Walmart are both offering deals as low as $15-20 for some cute styles. Of course, if you’re shopping for a brand name, like Jansport, then Walmart is your best option in most cases. Students that are required to bring clear backpacks to school have several options too, but Amazon offers you the cheapest price at $8.99 with free shipping for Prime members.

7. Other Essentials
Of course, your student is going to need extra items that aren’t on the list and a few items that are specifically for the classroom. One of the most common items that teachers ask for is tissues. Luckily, these prices are pretty even across the board, so you can purchase them wherever you choose to do your shopping. If your student is keen to decorate his or her locker then you’re in luck when it comes to prices. There are lots of options available but Walmart offers a large set for a mere $4. This set comes with a white board, mirror, shelf and so much more that will make your student’s life more efficient. Protractors and compasses are also popular items for most junior and high school students too. These items are pretty evenly priced too, so shop for them whenever you go out for other supplies. Finally, Target offers pencil sharpeners for a mere $.50 that will help your students stay prepared in class without leaving their seat.

8. School Clothing
Clothes are probably the most frustrating and expensive element when it comes to Back to School shopping. However, this year you’ll find some amazing deals that won’t break the bank. Target offers a full range of deals that will help you fill your child’s wardrobe. For instance, you can purchase leggings, tees and even uniform polos for just $5 apiece. They also have denim and full gym outfits for just $8. Walmart offers a wide range of cheap options too. You can purchase uniform dresses and khakis for less than $10 and bulk polos for $18. If your student can dress casually, then you might check out the wide variety of tops, dress and denim that they have for $5 to $15. Amazon is a mixed back when it comes to clothing and prices tend to be a bit higher, especially since the service offers name brands. So, if you choose to shop Amazon for clothes be careful and look around for deals before adding to your cart.

9. Shoes
Students are going to need new shoes to top off their wardrobe too. However, you shouldn’t fret about spending a fortune on these items. Instead, you can shop for great shoes at Walmart, which offers prices between $3-20. These prices even include athletic shoes, which most kids will need to get through gym class and their athletic activities. Target shoes won’t set you back a lot either. You can find cool options between $9.99 and $30, so you should be able to ring in under budget here too. Amazon also offers many great deals on shoes with some of the lowest prices ranging around $13. Amazon also allows you to choose name brand options that you might not be able to find as cheap in other stores.

10. Electronics
Electronics are a large part of today’s student’s lives. One of the most important elements for students in secondary school is graphing calculators, which can cost you a fortune if you’re not careful. Walmart offers some of the best deals on these items, with one of the most popular brands costing you $82, opposed to the $109 that Target and Amazon offer. However, if you want to save more money, you can purchase this calculator refurbished on Amazon for $62. Of course, regular calculators can be purchased at all three stores for just $3.99. Laptops are another great item to have, especially when it comes to high school and college students. There’s great deals around the board, but Walmart offers some of the lowest prices for new models. If you hope to send your child to the dorms with a mini-fridge then Target and Amazon offer the best options at an affordable price.

Back to School shopping doesn’t have to be a nightmare every year. Instead, you can take advantage of the amazing deals that these stores offer. Although one store doesn’t stand out more than any others, you should be able to run off of these tips, so you can maximize your savings whether you shop online or in store.

With August practically here, it might not seem like you got much out of your summer. In the upcoming weeks school will be back in session and life will go back to ordinary for many families. If you’re feeling the summer blues then rest assured, because there is still plenty of time to accomplish a few goals before your regular life resumes. These ten ideas will make you feel like your summer was worthwhile, so you can feel more accomplished and ready to take on the rest of the year. So, brace yourself as the next few weeks might fly by, but with these tips on your side you’ll be able to make the most of your time.

1. Read a Book
It doesn’t matter if you have a summer reading list or not. However, diving into a good book and finishing it is a great way to make your summer feel even more accomplished. You can choose from any genre of book too. Perhaps, you want to challenge yourself with a lengthy fiction or sci-fi novel. You might want to check out a self-help book that can add even more meaning to your life. You can even read a text book to bring new knowledge to your world. No matter what you choose, try to allot time every day for reading until you get through your book. Once you’ve finished, you will feel incredible about the achievement especially since most people don’t get through a single book in a year. You can hold onto this summer success to help you power through other goals in the year.

2. Explore a New Area
Exploring is one of the best aspects of summer. However, if you’re on a tight budget and don’t have a lot of time off then this can be something that is incredibly hard to do. You don’t have to go out of your way to travel far though. If you’re looking for adventure, you can actually find it in your own area. If you live in a city, then try to explore an area that you haven’t spent a lot of time in. You might find new restaurants or hang outs that will make your life a lot more interesting. If you live in a small town and feel like you’ve covered every inch of the town then branch out. Try to explore a neighboring town or head to the city for some fun. No matter how you choose to explore, you’re certain to broaden your horizons.

3. Set a Goal List
A lot of people tend to move through the last half of the year as if it is a blur. We move quickly from holiday to holiday, which can make time fly and ensure we don’t get a lot accomplished. However, the end of summer is the perfect time to work through a list of goals to help you improve your life for the better. You should consider making goals that will help your personal life as well as your education and career. However, you should make a wide assortment of goals too. Some should be small and easy to meet while others should take a lot of work to achieve. Make sure your goals are realistic as well, because creating goals that aren’t achievable can only lead to disappointment which might set you back.

4. Enjoy Summer Foods
Fresh summer food isn’t here for very long, so you should try to embrace it while you still can. Before you know it, the last of the summer crops will be coming in and the price will quickly increase as autumn harvest begins to dominate. One of the best foods to cheaply buy now is corn on the cob. You can create lots of delicious salads, soups, side dishes and even simply grilled corn for less than you’d imagine. Zucchini, tomatoes, peaches and so much more are also in season during summer, so have some fun with these foods. If you’re looking to save some money then buy these foods in bulk while they’re cheap and freeze them. This will allow you to enjoy summer flavors throughout the rest of the year.

5. Do a Tech Detox
Without a doubt, technology totally absorbs our lives at times. However, summer is one of the best periods of time to take a break from social media, games and more. To do a technology detox, simply deactivate your accounts temporarily. You can go for a few days, weeks or even until the end of the year if you’re enjoying yourself. You might find that you have a lot more time on your hands without social media taking up your spare time. You can also set times to shut off the electronics in your home. There are some cities that even offer rewards for doing this during peak hours, so it might be fun to embrace this little challenge. Of course, you can always return to your old way of life, especially when school is back in session, but until then try to enjoy the world around you.

6. Sleep Under the Stars
One of the best things about summer is you can actually get outside and sleep under the stars because the temperatures aren’t too cold. This can be one of the most fascinating experiences, especially since it allows you to explore the skies and see that the universe is truly a huge place. Sleeping under the stars doesn’t have to cost you a fortune either. In fact, you can easily do it for free in your own backyard. Simply pull out your sleeping bags or gather a bunch of blankets and pillows to enjoy your night. You might find that enjoying Mother Nature without technology is one of the most rewarding experiences. Of course, you can take your trip a little further. For instance, if you live in the city then you might plan a small camping trip to help you enjoy the night sky even more.

7. Enjoy a Movie
Without a doubt, summer is one of the best times to take in a movie. There are so many blockbusters to choose from that you might even consider watching more than one. A trip to the movies can be one of the most memorable experiences during the summer. However, it can also be pricey. If you have children, then try to choose one of the free days to take the kids. Many cinemas will also do promotions like $5 Tuesday to draw people in. Of course, you can always get more for your money by taking the whole family to the drive thru. This usually allows you to get in two movies for less than you’d spend at the theater. Often, theaters will space out movies so the first is a child’s movie while the second will suit the needs of adults. By the time the second movie is on most young children will be too tired to sit through it. You can also just stay home and rent a movie. There are many releases hitting the stores now that will still make your summer exciting.

8. Have a Garage Sale
Summer is one of the best times to get out in the garage or storage area and sort through all of the junk that you don’t necessarily need or want anymore. Once you’ve cleared everything out, you can easily organize a garage sale to earn some extra money. Try posting signs around the community and sharing on social media, so you can draw in a crowd to get rid of your things. Not only will this help you clear up more space during the winter time, but it will also help you to earn money that can be used for the holiday season or the excess heating costs for the winter months.

9. Swim
It might not seem like a proper summer if you haven’t taken the time to go swimming. It doesn’t matter if you’re hitting the local pool, or hanging out by the lake, river or beach. You should try to take a dip whenever you can. Swimming is a great way to blow off steam, so by the time you head back to your ordinary life you will feel relaxed and ready to handle anything that comes your way. On top of that, swimming is the perfect way to get into shape and feel more confident about your body. Of course, the best thing about swimming is it is a lot of fun. So, get in the water a few more times before summer ends, so you can get the most out of the season.

10. Shop Summer Clearance
Right around this time frame, all of the amazing summer clothes you wanted at the beginning of the year will be on sale. This will allow you to finally get the items that were too expensive to buy prior. Shopping summer clearance can also be a great way to stock up for the next summer and even add a few new items to your yearly wardrobe. Tees and tanks can be incorporated into every day wear, so you can get more out of these items than you’d expect. Simply pair them with a cardigan or other outer layer and you’ll have a hot look for autumn and winter. You still might want to check out items like bathing suits, shorts and even sandals though so you won’t have to worry about shopping next year. Of course, shop a size or two up for children so they’ll have a fresh new wardrobe when next year rolls around.

Since summer is practically over for many households, these tips should provide you with everything you need to get back on track for the upcoming year. You should be able to have a bit more fun while adding memories to the year that your whole family will cherish. Best of all, these tricks won’t cost you a small fortune.

Festival season is finally peaking, which means there’s a lot of fun to be had no matter your age group. From outdoor concerts and seasonal fairs to comic conventions and medieval fairs, there are many things to enjoy for every personality. Although festival season brings a lot of joy to the world, it can also be rather expensive and in some instances dangerous. Often, people spend a lot of money trying to stay comfortable outdoors while enjoy these summer activities. Luckily, there’s a few frugal ways you can enjoy festival season while saving money and staying safe. So, don’t forget to check out these ten suggestions that will make your experience even more enjoyable.

1. Buy Tickets in Advance
One of the best things you can do when you’re planning on going to a festival is buy the tickets in advance. This is actually one of the smartest things to do if you really don’t want to miss out on the event, as sometimes tickets will sell out. However, there are also a lot of great deals for early bird shoppers if they can buy tickets early enough. A lot of places will offer tickets online and at a box office. Your best option is to purchase at the box office in person if you can. A lot of the time online ticketing agents will charge fees, which will add to the price of your tickets. However, if you live far away from the destination then don’t hold out on your tickets because of this. Even if the risk of selling out isn’t on the table, there’s still a good chance that tickets sold at the door will be much more expensive.

2. Pack for Emergencies
A lot of the time, people pack their bags for events with their basic needs like hunger, thirst and entertainment in mind. However, you should also consider thinking about potential emergencies. For instance, a lot of the time you might end up falling or receiving a small injury. Thus, carrying around a small first aid kit might come in handy. Consider packing bandages, ointment and items like smelling salts and candy. These should help with any emergency that doesn’t require you to immediately go to the hospital. Apart from that, you should also pack a water bottle that has its own filter. This will allow you to drink water from the tap if water prices are too expensive. A light rain jacket will also help you to get more out of your experience, so you don’t have to pack up at the sight of rain.

3. Stay Hydrated
With so much fun going on at the festival, it is very easy to forget to drink water while you’re out. Many festivals also serve alcohol and many people forget that they need to hydrate more after consuming such products. Dehydration can not only lead to you feeling terrible during the festival but can also force you to have an expensive stay in the hospital. So, you should make sure to drink water as much as you can during the event. You might make a point to drink a bottle of water after every concert, panel or show you attend. Remember, healthy adults need half a gallon of water a day, but this amount increases in the heat. So, carry around a jug that helps you keep track of the amount you need if it helps. You might also see if you can bring your own reusable water bottle to the event, so you don’t have to waste money on bottled water.

4. Locate Shade First
One of the first things you should do when you arrive at the festival is find some shade. You should have a few different shaded areas on your radar before you begin to enjoy the activities going on. After each activity, try to find some time to kick back in the shade for a little while. This will not only allow you to cool down for a few minutes, but it will give your skin a break from harsh UV rays. Your shade time is the perfect time to reapply sunscreen and drink some water. Of course, if you’re worried about the lack of shade that might be at the festival, then you might want to bring an umbrella or a small stand up tent with you. This will allow you to enjoy concerts, shows and more without having to leave the area in you’re in.

5. Don’t Wait to Use Restroom
It is hard to stop enjoying the fun at festivals in order to go to the restroom. This is why many people end up holding it during the event. However, this can cause your body a lot of harm. If you’re willing to hold it during a show or event, then you can pretty much expect other people to do the exact same thing. Thus, when the event lets out you’re going to spend some time waiting for the restroom. Even if you’re a healthy adult, you may find that this can cause many physiological problems and might even cause your stomach to become upset. This can force you to miss even more of the event. So, instead of holding out for a while, try to use the restroom when you need to, so you can get more for your money and avoid further pain or accidents.

6. Go Minimalistic
When it comes to packing for such an event, you might want to go as minimalistic as possible, especially if you’re flying to the event. Keeping your luggage light for flying will help save you a lot of money to begin with, especially when it comes to under the plane luggage. However, if you’re just packing a bag for a night or two at the event then there’s still no reason to lug around a lot of stuff with you. Your items can always wind up stolen or lost too, so the less you pack the greater chance you’ll return home with your items. One of the fastest things to ditch in your bag is your skin regime and makeup. Try to keep things simple by just wearing sunscreen to event. Your pores will thank you for this anything as they won’t become clogged with makeup. If you intend on shopping then wait until the day you plan to go home, so you don’t end up with too many things to carry around during the event.

7. Hide Your Money
Another handy trick to have under your belt for festival season is a few ways to hide your money and other important belongings while you’re having fun. It isn’t always convenient to carry a bag around with you during these events and even this might not safeguard your possessions. So, knowing how to create a safety net for your necessities is important. Placing items in your pocket isn’t always the best option either as they can fall out and sometimes skilled pickpockets can distract you enough to get your money anyway. One easy way to hide items is to sew in secret pockets into your clothes. These pockets can be on the inside of a shirt, a scarf, belt and so much more. You should also split your money up, so you don’t place it all in one area. Keeping your money safe will save you the misfortune of losing out on it and will prevent you from having to leave your event early.

8. Eat One Meal A Day
Eating in the heat can be a real chore and might even make you feel sick. This, combated with the high prices of the concession stands at most festivals, might turn you away from food altogether. It is important to eat at least once meal a day though. You might choose to eat a larger breakfast or a dinner depending how your body digests. Throughout the rest of the day, you should snack on things like fruits, nuts and other foods that will give you energy. Of course, if you’re drinking you should avoid food with sugar and make sure you do eat something every few hours to avoid alcohol poisoning. A pretzel or other bread like or greasy item are usually go-to items but make sure to watch your spending and how you feel throughout the day.

9. Minimal Cosplay
More often than not, cosplay adds a fun twist to many festivals. It doesn’t matter if you’re dressing up as a superhero for a comic convention or you’re in an animal costume for a laugh at a music festival. What does matter is that you take precautions to keep yourself safe in these costumes. You should probably try to choose a costume that isn’t going to make you overheat, especially if you’re spending long periods of time outdoors. If you do choose an exhausting costume, try to limit the time you’re in it and change before the peak heat of the day arrives.

10. Create a Checkpoint
One of the first things you should do when you arrive at a festival is come up with a checkpoint with your friends. This is a meeting place so that if you’re separated for whatever reason, you will know a specific time and place to meet up. This can ensure everyone is safe and sound. Although cellphones often take the place of having such security measures, sometimes cellphone service can be spotty, mobile phones die and so on. Thus, you need a physical place to find your friends. If you want to be even more secure, you can come up with a phrase to text or call with if someone is in need of help. This should help keep everyone secure. However, you should not stray from your group alone. At least keep one person with you at all times.

Festival season is time to kick back and enjoy your life. There is a little something for everyone, so if you plan correctly you should be able to have some fun without worrying about unexpected bills arising. These tips will give you a good foundation when it comes to enjoying your summer festival season during the hottest months of the year.

Back to School is right around the corner, which might leave a lot of households scrambling to prepare for a whole new year of school. Everything from school supply and clothing shopping to signing up for activities is probably going through your mind. One of the main concerns for many parents is how to cheaply feed their children lunch during the school year. This can be one of the most expensive aspects of school for some families. Luckily, there are many solutions to provide your children with delicious lunches that can be fun and healthy too. These ten tricks should get you and your family on the right path to feeding your children during this school year.

1. Free Lunch Program
A lot of parents don’t know that their family might actually qualify for free lunches through a government program. Paperwork for this program is often sent out before school begins or presented during school registration. However, if you do not receive this paperwork, make sure you ask your child’s administration office during the first week of school. Even if you did not qualify during the previous school year, you might consider applying again just in case. If your household income has changed or if the household size has changed then you might qualify for this year. This program can come in handy too because it can allow your child to receive free or reduced priced lunches and breakfasts. This will help cut back on your spending and the amount of time you spend on preparing school lunches.

2. Leftovers
One of your best assets when it comes to school lunches is leftovers. You can pack these items in containers for a warm lunch at school, which most children will love in comparison to what the school serves. However, if you have more than one child then you might consider cooking a bit more at dinner, so you have enough to give each child for lunch. You don’t have to pass leftovers over as the meal either. For instance, you can liven up meatloaf by making it a sandwich. You can transform fajita night into a delicious burrito that will entice any appetite. Leftover spaghetti can be transformed into a spaghetti taco using a parmesan shell that will make your child smile. There are many ways to work with leftovers, but if you’re not sure what to do with your meal then you can always browse around online. You will be surprised by how many out of the box ideas are posted for some of the most basic menu items.

3. Shop Bulk
When it comes to purchasing items for school lunches, your best bet is to go with bulk buys whenever you can. Keeping up with one child’s lunches can get pricey and you’ll probably run out of supplies quickly. So, if you have multiple children you’ll need to purchase even more. Bulk items actually help save you some money in most cases, which can come in handy when you have so many items to buy. One of the best things to purchase in bulk is bread. If you see a sale on this item, then you should grab as many as you can because bread freezes well. This will ensure you have a staple on hand for your lunches. Chips are another item that can be commonly bought in bulk. From family size bags to coupons that allow you to get more for your money, this food item is easy to add to the meal to keep your child full for less. Snack items and more can help you too, so keep your eye out for these items whenever you’re surfing deals.

4. Invest in Reusables
One of the worth things about packing lunches is having to use plastics to store each of the items you have. You will constantly need to replenish sandwich bags, straws, utensils and more. Worst of all, these items fill our oceans because many of the products can’t be recycled and many more hit the garbage can instead of the recycling bin. Instead of spending a fortune on items that are going to be thrown away, you might consider working with reusables instead. You can find reusable straws made out of plastic, metal and more for a fair price. However, if you’re worried your child will lose them there is also paper and pasta options that can be thrown away. Storage containers can be found just about anywhere too and can be cleaned and used again. You can even find reusable sandwich bags and cling wrap. Of course, you should pack your items in a lunchbox or reusable bag to keep things even more frugal and ecofriendly. After using these products you’ll feel a lot better about your budget and your role in preserving the planet.

5. Forget Prepackaged Foods
Prepackaged foods can do a lot of damage when it comes to your budget. One of the biggest culprits is tiny bags of chips. Although they might make your child feel happy, these chips are a waste of material and money as you will never get the same price for these items as you would a bulk bag of chips. Premade sandwiches and even lunchables can do your budget in too. These items can easily be made at home from scratch for a price that won’t cut into your food budget. These foods are often filled with preservatives too, so you’ll be doing your child a favor to skip them altogether and just use what you already have in the home.

6. Get Creative
The same foods can get pretty boring after eating them throughout the school year. So, you might consider adding a few special touches to some of your child’s go to meals. For instance, you can transform any sandwich into fun puzzle pieces using a knife. If you have cookie cutters at home, then you can also use these to make fun shapes that kids will love. Feeling ambitious? You can even transform your child’s foods into images from their favorite shows and movies. Fruits and vegetables can also be cut into fun shapes to make them seem more appetizing. Of course, there’s lots of other great tips online that you can utilize to make your children want to eat more.

7. Scratch Made Foods
When it comes down to it, some of the best items you can add to your child’s lunch are items that are made from scratch. Bread is actually very simple to make and can give your child a wider variety of options when it comes to flavor. On top of that, this bread doesn’t have preservatives that can cause harm to your child’s health. If you’re looking for healthier options for your kids, then you might consider making your own chips from vegetables. Of course, homemade desserts are always appetizing too and will ensure your child finds a little bit of sweetness in their day. Overall, you can find recipes for all sorts of homemade items that will make your child happy, so if you feel like trying something new then you might use school day lunches as a little motivation to go for it.

8. Go Meatless
Meat can be one of the priciest items to add to your child’s lunch, so you might skip the meat one or two days out of this week. This will help cut prices and might even become a healthier option for your child. Like Meatless Monday, going meat free for lunch can also help improve on the environment too. There are lots of great options that don’t require meat though. For starters, you can send your child to school with a cheese sandwich or even an option that is filled with delicious vegetables. Pita pizzas are often a favorite too and can be packed with nutrients. There are many cheap options though, so have fun with your meatless meals. You can even ask kids for ideas to make them feel like a part of the lunch process.

9. Add Fruit
If you’re really looking to keep things cheap and healthy then skip out on the dessert. Instead, toss in an apple, a banana or any other fruit that you already have in the house. Fruit is one of the cheaper dessert items you can give your child. On top of its low price, it will help give your child more energy throughout the day, which might even improve their grades at school. Sending fruit to school will also help your child develop an idea of what eating healthy is like, which will help them by leaps and bounds when they’re older. Best of all, most fruit doesn’t need packaging and makes a great palate cleanser for most meals. It can even help clean your child’s teeth after eating.

10. Meal Prep
Meal prepping is a huge trend that seems to be here to stay. This technique really comes in handy though, especially with things like school lunches and after school snacks. This also helps prevent your child from having to eat a sandwich every day of the week. Before you start, look over the ingredients you plan to buy during your next grocery trip. You can easily make bulk meals out of many items typically found in the home. For instance, egg bites can be filled with cheese and veggies for a perfect lunch that will help the mind work wonders. You can easily prep all sorts of meals based on your child’s tastes too. So, look around online and plan because meal prepping will make your life so much easier when the school rush begins.

School lunches don’t have to be stressful or expensive if you tackle the problem early. These ten ideas should help you ensure your child has plenty to eat during the school year while also ensuring you don’t spend a bundle on the food. This will allow you to worry about other portions of the school season, which are far more important.

August is Romance Awareness month, which makes it the perfect time to spice up your love life. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a long-term relationship or you’re looking for someone to date, this month is a great time to work on the romance level in your life. Best of all, summer is coming to an end, so you can avoid the short term summer relationship that might make you hesitant to start something new. Although dating can be rather expensive, there are quite a few amazing ways to date without spending much of anything. These ten tips offer a wide range of ideas to help you find the love of your life, have fun with someone you care about or simply rekindle old feelings in a long-term relationship. Now, you can forget about the financial burden of dating and work on relaxing and having fun.

1. Free Trials
If you’re looking for love, you may find it increasingly difficult. This is especially true if you end up working long hours or inconvenient hours. Instead of spending large amounts of time trying to find a date, you might consider looking into dating sites. Most of these sites offer special programs to match you with someone in your area that shares the same interests, values and sometimes even personality. These can really help you find someone faster than traditional methods, but a lot of the time the websites charge for their services. You might try to find one that offers an extended free trial. This should give you time to try out the website or app and see if you like it or if you can find a match quickly. If you don’t end up meeting someone then move on to the next website or app. Once you get through the trials, which will take some time, you can choose the website you preferred if you choose to pay for services.

2. Speed Dating
Another great option for finding someone is enjoying a speed dating event. Speed dating allows you to get to know a wide variety of people and is largely based on first impressions. Thus, you might want to work on your ability to ask the right questions to help find the right person for you. Although speed dating only allows you to meet someone very briefly, it does expose you to a lot of different people which could help you build a foundation for many friends and potential love interests. Of course, since first impressions are important you should make sure to look your best and be prepared to answer and ask off the wall questions that will help break the ice and allow you to get to know the person you’re speaking with.

3. Ask for Blind Dates
If you’re having trouble finding a date and you aren’t sure you want to turn to technology, then asking your friends and family for help might be one of the best ideas. Blind dates are a great way to get to know people who have common relationships with you, which can help improve the relationship. Asking for a blind date also allows the people close to you to recommend someone that they feel you would get along with. This can often lead to a better relationship faster, particularly if the person making the recommendation knows you well. Of course, asking for a blind date will also help you see yourself through your friends’ eyes, which can be an enlightening experience too.

4. Volunteer Date
If you’re looking to have some fun on a date without spending a penny then you might consider signing you and your date up for a volunteer experience. You can work in a soup kitchen, pick up trash in a park or build a home for Habitat for Humanity. This experience will give you the chance to learn more about your date’s work ethic while also helping the two of you do right by mankind. Volunteering also gives you plenty of time to talk and get to know one another on a deeper level. Of course, volunteer dates aren’t just great for new couples, but it can also help spice up the lives of those in long-term relationships. Try to choose a volunteer task that is new to each partner, which will help add excitement to the date while helping the two of you get out of your comfort zone.

5. Group Date
Another way to break the ice with a new relationship or spice up an old one is to go out on a group date. This type of date adds a fun element to the date, which can help you and your date feel more at ease. Groupe dates can also save you some money too. There are many groupons and other social coupons that can cut the cost of the experience substantially. You can also choose activities that offer discounts to groups too. For instance, if you choose to do minigolf or bowling you only play for the game opposed to the number of people participating. Of course, you will have to choose activities that suit more people in the group, which can make planning more complicated. However, if you work around groupons then you might be in for a surprise.

6. Picnic
A picnic is one of the most obvious ways to enjoy a date with someone special. Picnics create intimate settings that will inspire the two of you to talk and enjoy Mother Nature. This makes picnics great for couples that are just starting and those that have stood the tests of time. Of course, a picnic is one of the best ways to save money on dating too. You can create sandwiches and salads that are very cheap and easy to eat on a picnic. Another great option is to pack fruits to enjoy. You should also make sure you have a decent place to sit and relax, as well as something to sit on. If you follow the basic elements of a picnic and keep the conversation comfortable, you should be in store for a great date.

7. Cook Together
Restaurants can be expensive, especially if you are taking your date out often. One way to mix things up a bit and still enjoy one another’s company is to set a date where you can cook together. Before your date, look up a recipe that you would like to try out. You can choose romantic foods or even your date’s favorite meal to add even more charm to the evening. Then, try to make the cooking experience as fun as possible. You can learn from each other while seeing how well you work as a team. This in itself can be a very important exercise for potential couples. You might even have more fun cooking together then you would just sitting in a restaurant. Cooking together allows you to talk while working, which might also help reduce some of the stress of the date. You never know, you might replace restaurants with the cooking method more often.

8. Community Activities
If you live in a city or larger town then chances are there are plenty of community activities you can check out for your date. A lot of these activities are free, but those that do cost money usually won’t cost you a fortune. These events are a good way to bond while saving a whole lot of money. Plus, community activities offer a wide range of activities, so you will get to explore new interests together. From minor concerts to festivals, you should be able to find some fun things to do to ensure you have fun together without worrying about your budget.

9. Stargaze
When it comes to turning up the romance a notch, one of the best ideas is to go stargazing. This activity provides the perfect opportunity to fit in some deep conversations, so you can figure out if you’re compatible with the person you’re dating. It can also bring some much-needed alone time for couples that have been together for quite some time. If you want to really impress your date then make sure you look up some information on stargazing, so you help your date find constellations, planets and more. There are even apps to help with this, so you’ll be more than prepared to make your stargazing experience great.

10. Outdoor Activities
Another great way to get to know someone while you’re still breaking the ice is to plan activities that keep you both moving. You might plan a tennis match with friends or a one on one tournament match between the two of you. Another great option is going on a hike or cycling together. You can even keep it as simple as a game of catch. Of course, spending time on the waterfront will keep you both busy while adding a romantic vibe to the date too. If you’ve been with your partner awhile, a little physical activity can help make your date more fun. This is especially true if you both love athletic activities. All in all, outdoor activities give you a wide range of ideas to choose from too, most of which won’t cost you a cent. It will also help the two of you to support a healthy lifestyle together.

Dating during Romance Awareness Month can be a lot of fun. Perhaps, you will find the confidence to ask someone special out during this magical month. If you’re already in a relationship, then August might be the perfect month to propose or show your spouse a little extra love. With these tips, you won’t run out of cheap and fun date ideas to enjoy.

In most regions of the world, mobile phones seem to be the power that keeps the world turning. So, it can be incredibly difficult when you’re in need of a new phone, but your budget stands in the way of getting what you want or need. Luckily, there’s a few things you can do to actually cut back on the amount of money you spend on mobile phone. These tricks should help you to afford a better phone without forcing yourself to spend a whole lot of money. This should allow you to get back in the game, so you don’t fall too behind with work or your social life. So, get ready to shop because now you’ll be able to finally get the mobile phone you want without the extra stress.

1. Consider Off-Brand
When it comes to mobile phones, there are a few brands that everyone wants to have. However, these brands can really cost a fortune and don’t particularly last longer than other phones on the market. So, when you’re shopping for a new phone you might consider looking around for other brands that might operate just as efficiently as Apple and Samsung phones. One of your best options is to get on a phone website and look at reviews. To make sure you are getting honest reviews, check out the reviews on multiple sites. You should have good luck looking on sites like Amazon, Walmart and even your phone carrier, but it would also be wise to look at the reviews from tech websites or blogs too. Off-brand phones are now just as amazing as their big name competitors, so you may even find a phone that is better than your previous model if you’re willing to do the research.

2. Shop Refurbished
Of course, if you have your heart set on a popular phone model or you simply want to save more money then there is one great option to consider. That is, purchasing a refurbished model. These phones have been previously used and turned into a company, but the company works to ensure that the phones are as close to new as possible. When you purchase a refurbished phone, you can actually read the potential problems it might have and what precisely was fixed on the phone. Shopping for these phones can be easy and safer than purchasing just a used phone. However, you should be careful as to where you buy the phone from. Usually, larger scale stores like Amazon and Walmart will offer protections when purchasing refurbished models from them, but there are many websites that specialize in refurbished phones that could rip you off. So, make sure you do your research before shopping on such websites.

3. Hold Off On New Models
When new phones are about to hit the market, there is so much hype around that it is hard not to throw caution to the wind and purchase the new phone right away. However, this can cost you a lot more money than you want or need to spend on a phone. One of the keys to getting new models is to be patient. This will allow you to save up money. By the time you have saved the money for the phone, then chances are it will be much cheaper than it was on the date it was released. On top of that, sometimes new phones have many bugs that need to be worked out. By waiting on your phone, you will be able to see what the bugs are to assess if you want the phone. It also gives the company enough time to fix the bugs, so you don’t have to worry about your personal information being vulnerable.

4. Wait for Sales
If you can hold out to buy a new phone, then you should always wait until a good sale comes around. Some of the best times to purchase a phone are during Amazon’s Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. However, there are sales that pop up here and there throughout the year. These tend to happen around holidays, so keep your eye out on good deals whenever you’re searching for a new phone. By waiting, you will ensure you get the phone you want for less. It can also allow you to purchase a higher quality phone for the budget you may have set aside for a mediocre one.

5. Trade in Old Model
One of the best things about mobile phones is they can always be turned in for money when we’re finished with them. There’s lots of websites that will take your phone and refurbish it, which will allow you to earn some money from your old phone. If you don’t want to go this route, then you can always factory reset your device and sell it for yourself. You might make a bit more money going this route, but it will depend on the quality of your phone. Even if you have a phone that is damaged, you can still get some money back for the item by recycling it. Overall, if you go the extra mile you should have a little extra money to put into your new purchase, which will save you some money too.

6. Invest in Protection
Although an extra cost isn’t something you want to see on an already expensive bill, you should always opt to add protection to your phone. Even if you are an incredibly careful person, a little insurance on your phone can help prevent you from spending a fortune any time soon. Of course, there is more protection than just insurance though. Another important investment is a phone case. This should cover everything but the screen of your phone. There are many great brands that can even stand up to protection for those who might work on construction sites or other hands on jobs. A screen protection is another great option. This will help keep the screen from getting scratched and smudged but can also add a little more protection when it comes to dropping your phone and so on. These investments will ensure your phone will last much longer so you’ll get more for your money.

7. Research Phones
One of the most important things you can do when purchasing a phone is put in the research needed to make a smart purchase. No matter the brand or model you should choose, you should look at reviews of the phone before you buy it. This will allow you to see if there are things about the phone that just don’t suit your needs. It will also give you a better idea of what the phone features, so you can see if the phone is up your alley. Apart from reviews, you should also look at the technological details, so you can make sure the phone has the processing power, battery life and memory that you need. Another thing to consider is your personal needs. If you’re looking for a phone for the office then you might check out battery life, memory, as well as the type of apps it can use. Gamers or those looking for entertainment phones might look at screen quality and size as well as memory and processing. Of course, there’s many other things to consider so look around before settling on a phone.

8. Shop Unlocked Phones
Your cellphone service provider might have you believe that you have to purchase a phone from them. They often offer plans that allow you to get some of the highest quality of phones on a payment plan which tends to cost you a bit more than actually buying the phone outright. However, you never have to purchase a phone from your provider. Instead, try looking around for an unlocked phone so you can bring your own phone to your cellphone company. Buying a phone outright saves you interest fees as well as the price hike that many companies add to the phone. Best of all, you can purchase just about any phone you would like unlocked, so you have more variety and can shop around for the best deal with ease. This will allow you the freedom of changing plans at will without having to get a new phone each time.

9. Shop Upgradable Phones
If you’re in the market to buy a phone quick, but don’t have a lot of money to put into it then you might consider shopping for phones that are upgradeable. These phones allow you to add in memory, improve the battery and so much more. This will allow you to slowly improve on the phone so that it won’t be as big of a burden on your budget. With this ability you may even be able to get your phone to last a lot longer than your typical phone would. You will have to do some research as to which phones will allow you to do this though. If you’re in doubt, then talk to an expert to see if someone can steer you in the right direction.

10. Shop Around Plans
Of course, purchasing the phone isn’t the only cost that you should consider. Your mobile phone plan can also leave you hurting if you purchase the wrong phone. Before you decide on a phone, you should make sure that you can use the phone on your current phone plan. If not, then you might have to pay an early termination fee or other fees to switch plans. If your phone has a problem with using data, then you might also want to consider another phone or another plan. One of the best options to choose is a plan that offers you unlimited data so that you can use any phone on your Wishlist. If you want a specific phone then talk to your provider, or other providers in your area, to see which plan would help you save the most money on your new device.

Your mobile phone doesn’t have to leave you longing for money. Rather, you can easily save yourself a bundle if you’re careful while shopping for your new device. This will allow you to enjoy your phone even more and might even help you to stick with the same phone for much longer. This should help make your mobile phone shopping experience even more enjoyable.

We are constantly told to work out our bodies in order to maintain our health. However, it isn’t as stressed that we should also spend time working out our minds. Doing mental workouts can be pricey if you don’t know how to get past all of the gimmicks out there. Luckily, there’s many ways you can actually improve your brain capacity, even as you age, that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. So, get ready to turn your life around as these ten tips will have you improving your mind faster and cheaper than you ever thought possible.

1. Stick to a Routine
A routine is actually a great way to help the body and the mind. Having a stabile routine will ensure your mind harbors less stress, which will help with cognitive functions. A healthy routine requires a bedtime that allows you to get plenty of sleep. The common goal is eight hours, but you know what your body needs to strive for in order to maintain a healthy body. You also need scheduled meals that are healthy. These meals will also help reduce stress in the brain and will ensure proper nutrients reach it throughout the day. Exercise is another part of the routine that shouldn’t be skipped over. Of course, you should also schedule in time for socializing and entertainment. With a regular routine, your mind will feel confident about its purpose and help build stronger connections that will benefit your life.

2. Work Out
If people have been harping on about exercising, there is a good reason for it. Exercise is one of the keys to life and without it your body and mind will quickly become ill. Part of maintaining health is keeping your whole body healthy. With all of your systems functioning well, your brain has more energy to concentrate on improvement. On top of that, you will have a lot more energy to burn, so you won’t feel fatigued when getting through daily tasks. You should always try to mix up your workouts though. You need to have a combination of cardio and strength training. However, workouts like yoga and tai chi actually help to work the body and the mind at the same time.

3. Listen to Music
If you’re feeling a little slugging or you just need a little extra stimulation to get you through your day then music is one of the best options. For years, it was thought that classical music was the best way to improve on your brain waves. However, scientists have recently said that any music at all can make a huge difference in the way your brain functions. So, if you’re really wanting to get your mind working better and faster then put on music whenever you can. This can be one of the easiest ways to improve your cognitive functioning and can bring you plenty of joy too.

4. Mix it Up
Although a routine is absolutely necessary for brain health, so is stepping out of the box and breaking your routine every now and then. This doesn’t mean you should break your routine constantly as this will actually mess up your routine. However, you can find simple ways to mix things up every once in a while. For instance, instead of keeping up with your weekly menu, you might try to add something new to the menu once a week. There’s lots of great recipes available to choose from too. You could also just try a new restaurant instead of eating at one of your favorites. Another option is to play with your wardrobe a bit. Perhaps, you might consider wearing a color you normally wouldn’t. This can be tricky with work, but the workplace is one of the places that you will need this variety the most. You might consider taking a different route to work sometimes. This will also change your day enough to keep your brain flourishing. There are so many ways to choose from so enjoy spicing things up whenever you begin to feel bored.

5. Proper Diet
Like exercise, food is a crucial aspect of the body’s health. Pigging out on junk food on a daily basis isn’t going to do your body any favors. Instead, you should consider foods that are designed to help the brain. Fruits, vegetables and lean meats are an excellent option, but some foods will benefit you more than ever. One thing you should consider eating is foods rich in omega-3s. Leafy greens are another fantastic option that will have your whole body feeling fantastic. There are some amazing fruits to choose from too, like apples, which will help the brain function better. Healthy fats are another great option, so you might want to spring for the guacamole when you go out. If you have trouble with these foods, then make sure to purchase a multivitamin to keep your body going. Of course, drinking plenty of water is also crucial to your health.

6. Get Creative
Creativity is another amazing way to help make your brain flourish. Luckily, there’s a ton of great ways to be creative so there is something for everyone to enjoy. One of the most common ways to get the mind going is to doodle. You probably did this a lot in school, but little did you know you were actually helping your brain out. If you love creating visual art then you might want to take time draw, paint, make a sculpture and so much more. Even more traditional options like knitting or needlepoint can help you create some brain waves that will improve your brain’s health. If you love to write stories or simply journal, then consider sitting down with a pen and paper instead of using your laptop. Writing by hand is said to help the brain immensely. Of course, creating music is another great option. You can do this with an instrument, your voice or even a piece of technology.

7. Solid Relationships
Another great way to improve on the brain is to have stable relationships. You need a variety of these to keep you feeling mentally strong too. One of the best things about these relationships is the trust you feel, which helps to boost confidence and makes the brain feel less stressed. Deep conversations are another perk to solid relationships which not only keeps the mind active but will help broaden your horizons and improve on the wisdom you develop in life. Learning from others is key to success in life and with these relationships you can easily find knowledge you may have never otherwise gained. Laughter is another key to a healthy mind, which you are more likely to find with a solid relationship. Laughter can keep depression away while allowing you to feel happier. With your partner, a healthy sex life can also help to improve your mind and body. All of this combined will make your brain feel youthful and open to the world around you. Of course, it is perfectly acceptable to keep to a small list of solid relationships depending on your personality’s needs, so you don’t have to feel desperate to go out of your comfort zone and become popular overnight.

8. Endless Education
You never really finish learning, even if you have finished your schooling. You should always work to improve your education even if you feel like you’ve learned all that you can in your field of work. There are always new and exciting things to pick up as technology and education advances. Of course, you don’t have to work with the field in which you’ve chosen as a profession. Rather, you can easily spice up your life by learning something you simply find interesting or something you’d like to gain a better understanding over. Some popular choices that fit into most individuals’ lives are child development, culinary skills, politics and government as well as foreign language. In fact, learning a foreign language can actually open up your mind to a whole new way of thinking, which will certainly help improve your mind. You don’t have to stick to classical education either. You can also learn to do a new craft or artform. Technical skills are always a must, especially if you want to save money on things like car repair or plumbing. Luckily, we live in the age of knowledge so you can find free courses on just about anything online and sometimes at colleges or universities.

9. Read
If you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to work out your brain, then look no further than your public library. Reading is one of the best ways to improve brain functions and can actually help you to live longer. Best of all, you don’t have to read educational material just to improve your brain. In fact, you can crack any book you like and still reap the benefits. Even fiction genres like fantasy and science fiction can help you improve your mind. Best of all, the content in books will help you to see life from a whole new perspective, which will allow you to become a well-rounded and maybe even a more accepting individual.

10. Download an App
By now, you’ve probably seen commercials and advertisements about apps like Luminosity. These apps are actually designed to help with your cognitive growth which can improve your life in many different facets. These apps are a great way to spend less time working on growth while still receiving some benefits. There are many apps to choose from too, so you can play around to find what is right for you. Some of the apps are absolutely free, which is great for anyone on a tight budget. However, even the apps that do charge for the download or have a monthly feel won’t leave you pinching pennies to afford them. These apps are a great way to get the most out of your phone and the spare minutes you have throughout the day. You will be surprised how much they help to build you up.

Your brain is one of the most important elements of your body, so don’t forget to give it a workout too. These ten ideas are simple enough for just about anyone to try out, so you will have a variety of ways to keep your mind going strong. With any luck, you’ll be able to fit more than one form of exercise into your busy schedule.

It’s officially vacation season, which can be one of the most relaxing and exciting periods of the year. However, if you’re on a tight budget or you simply can’t get time off to travel far then a staycation might be the answer to your vacation time. Most workers choose not to take a vacation each year due to lack of funds or time off, which can actually do psychological harm and cause burn out in the work place. A staycation is a great alternative that will help you relax and enjoy some time to recharge without forcing you to spend a bundle on a vacation. These ten ideas will help you transform a staycation into a relaxing experience that you might enjoy more than a classic vacation.

1. Sleep in
Work, family and other responsibilities can get in the way of our sleep routine. This can cause you to feel run down and burned out faster than you normally would. So, during your staycation you should concentrate on getting the sleep you need for your body to heal and recharge. This is actually hard to do on typical vacations because you are mostly trying to fit in as much fun as possible. With a staycation, you can enjoy sleeping from the point in which your body is ready to hit the sack every night to when your body naturally wakes up each morning. You can even work out a routine that allows you to relax and find the natural sleep schedule you need to be healthy all year long.

2. Catch Up On Shows
When we’re busy at work, our own entertainment often gets put on the back burner. TV shows we once love come and go without being watched and movies hit the theaters and leave before we can make time to watch them. Since you’re enjoying a staycation, you might want to take some time to catch up on everything you missed while you were too busy to enjoy yourself. You can find most TV shows streaming online or even On Demand with your cable subscription. You can also catch up on movies by renting them online or at rental kiosks in your area. You may even be able to catch a few of the movies you wanted to see in the theater. Doing this can help you relax your body and mind while bringing you joy, which is a perfect thing to get during your vacation.

3. Eat Out
Cooking day in and day out can be a real chore, especially if your menu tends to be the same foods over and over again. While you’re enjoying a staycation, you might make it a point to take a break from this chore. This will help cut back on the cleaning you will need to do during the staycation as well. Although eating out does cost money, it will allow you to feel more relaxed during your time off. Restaurants also offer more variety, so you can change things up a bit which will allow you to move out of your routine. On top of that, trying out a variety of restaurants is an excellent way to explore your own region. It can even help boost your local economy, which does everyone a world of good. You will find, after eating out that you feel a bit better about not traveling. Of course, you may want to choose healthier options during this time as you don’t want to return to work feeling dreadful due to lack of nutrition.

4. Meditate
It might not sound like a world of fun, but meditating can be one of the best ways for you to calm your mind during a vacation. We tend to end up with a lot of pent up energy while working, which we often don’t even notice until we are too stressed out to function. Meditating during your vacation will help you to get back on track with ease. If you are seasoned in meditation, then this might be part of your regular routine. However, if you’ve never meditated before or you have given it up, then now is the perfect time to develop your habit. It might seem a bit boring at first, but as time passes you will notice how clearer your mind is as well as how relaxed you feel, even in stressful situations. This can truly help with your work life, which will promote happiness.

5. Backyard Camping
Camping doesn’t have to take place in the wilderness. If you’re looking to enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature without going too far then look no further than your backyard. This can actually make an amazing campsite, especially if you have little ones to look after. The backyard offers a more secure setting for children and will allow you to rest easy knowing that wild animals and other dangers won’t pose as much of a threat to you. You can still have just as much fun camping in the backyard. For instance, you can pack snacks and classic camp foods to enjoy. You can also tell ghost stories, sing songs and go on a scavenger hunt. There are so many amazing ways to amplify the experience that you will have fun simply planning out the trip.

6. Local Entertainment
It doesn’t matter if you’re living in a city or a town as there is bound to be some form of local entertainment to keep you busy during your staycation. However, if you’re having trouble with this then you might want to travel to a nearby city in order to take in the sights. One of the more common things to do is check out a museum. These can bed educational, enlightening and might even leave you feeling relaxed. Another option is a water park, which will give you the feel of a theme park for a lot less money. Zoos and aquariums are another popular option that shouldn’t cost you a lot of money. Of course, you should do a little research for your area as sometimes activities aren’t advertised. You never know, you might discover something exciting that you never knew existed.

7. Embrace Your Region
The region you live in also has a lot to offer when it comes to adventure and fun. Instead of doing something you’ve already done, you might try to check out the local lake, river, beach or whatever else you might find in your region. You can also go on a hike, climb a mountain, take in a walk or go for a run. There are more things to enjoy than that though. No matter where you live, you’re bound to find some cool rocks that you can always do a little research on and collect. You might also check to see if there’s any Geocaching in your area as this tends to be a fun activity for many people. Another option is to take the time to check out a museum based on your region, or simply do some research. It might give you a better connection to your community to know more about the place you reside.

8. Practice Self-Care
Self-care can easily be put on the backburner during the day to day routine too. One of the best things you can do for yourself during your staycation is make sure you’re taken care of. One of the more relaxing things to do is visit a spa or have a spa day at home. This can be fairly inexpensive depending on what you choose to have done. You can also keep it simple by taking a long bath or having a friend over to do nails. Of course, you should also look out for your health during this time. Try to get in some workouts and make a workout schedule that will help you keep up with it even when you’re back to work. You might also consider looking over diet plans. Treating yourself to something special can also be a part of self-care, but don’t go too overboard. There’s lots of other things you can do to improve on your health and personal joy.

9. Enjoy a Concert
Music can be one of the best ways to improve on your mood and even your healthy. Luckily, summer is the perfect time to take in a concert as there are many tours and festivals to choose from. So, you might start perusing your community websites to see if anyone you enjoy listening to is going to be performing near you. Another option is to check out something local. Often, you will find a small concert at a local pub, café or even in a park. These concerts tend to cost very little if anything at all, so you might consider checking them out just to have some fun. You might broaden your musical horizons by doing so. Getting out and enjoying local music also might improve your connection with your community and help you to learn more about yourself.

10. Get Outside
The summer heat tends to keep people indoors, especially after they’ve put in a hard day’s work. So, during your staycation you might take the time to hang outdoors as much as you can. Try going to a park to see what you can explore in your own area. You might consider taking morning or evening walks in order to improve on your day. If there is water or a beach nearby then have some fun swimming and playing in this area. You can even gather up friends for a sports day that should keep most people busy. Another great option is to have a barbecue and enjoy the company of your loved ones outside in the fresh air. Just spending time outdoors will help boost your health and your happiness, so you’ll go back to work feeling amazing.

Staycations don’t have to be bland nor boring, especially if it is the only vacation you plan on taking. These ten ideas should help keep you feeling relaxed and entertained while you enjoy a well-deserved break. With these frugal tips on your side, you should be able to put back more money for a vacation at a later date too.

The weather is peaking in temperature, which means you’re probably looking for some fun ways to spice up your style while finding items that will keep you cool. If you’re on a tight budget, then this can be particularly hard. Luckily, when it comes to fashion, you can improve you wardrobe with a little creativity. These ten summer fashion tips should have you looking incredible without forcing you to spend a small fortune on a new wardrobe. Best of all, they will offer you a few fun things to do during the long days of summer. So, enjoy the cool styles the heat brings, because these frugal tips are certain to bring compliments your way.

1. Tie-dye
Tie Dye has moved in and out of the fashion world for decades now. Luckily, this summer it is in again, which means you’re in store for some good ole fashioned fun. You can tie dye with a wide assortment of things including food coloring and even some powdered drink mixes. So, you won’t have to spend a whole lot of money on this task. All you will need to do is find something to tie dye. A white shirt or other white clothing are great options, but you can tie dye with most light-colored items. If you want to work a bit harder then bleach a dark colored item, in certain areas, so you can add color to it too. You can also tie dye items like shorts and denim products. Another trend that is possible to accomplish with tie dye is space prints. Thee tend to require navy blue or black fabrics, but with a bleach pen and some spare time, you can make the most of this experience. Best of all, tie dye will give you an entirely unique look you’ll love to show off.

2. Cut-offs
One of the timeless traditions for summer styles is obviously the comfortable and cheap cut-off. You can do this in so many different ways though, so you can put a taste of your own personality into the mix. The most common form of cut-offs is taking an old pair of jeans and cutting them along the thigh to create a pair of distressed and cool shorts. Of course, you can do so much more with these shorts. You can cut the hem to offer a more expensive style or you can add detailing to the bottom of the shorts to ensure you have a unique look. You can make cut-offs out of more than just jeans though. Any pair of pants can be transformed into a cool new look with just a couple of steps. On top of that, you can also enjoy cutting off your shorts to create cropped styles or a simple tank top. Have fun with your old clothes and they’re certain to make you look and feel cool.

3. Light Colors
When it comes to a heat wave, one of the best ways to cool down is to wear light colors whenever and wherever you can. These colors attract less heat, so you should feel much cooler when you’re out and about. White is a very popular summer color, so as long as you wear it before Labor Day arrives, you’ll show the world your keen sense of fashion. If you have plenty of light colors in your wardrobe, then you shouldn’t need to go out of your way to go shopping. However, if you’re low on such clothing then check out thrift stores before you choose to spend a fortune on a new wardrobe. Light clothing is very easy to pair with other items too, so you will be able to have more of a variety when it comes to your clothing options.

4. Upsize
One of the worst feelings in the summer is when your clothes begin to stick to your body due to sweat. So, one of the best things you can do during the summer is wear clothes that aren’t form fitting. This will give you more breathing room, which will help sweat dry before your clothing begins to stick to your body. This is a great way to prevent chaffing too, so you will feel even more comfortable in the summer time. Of course, it isn’t always fashionable to wear baggy clothes, so make sure the items you do pick out look good on your body when worn larger. When it comes to children, this is also a great way to help save money while ensuring your kids have the latest fashions. Buying the size up for children will allow kids to wear comfortable clothes during the summer and they can even carry over the look into other seasons while they are still growing.

5. DIY Hair Accessories
No matter the length of your hair, you probably know how horrible it can be to deal with your locks during the hot summer months. Luckily, there’s lots of great accessories that can cut back on the discomfort your hair brings to you while you’re out and about. There’s lots of great ideas that can even be handmade, which will save you a small fortune when it comes to your fashion budget. One of the more common options is hair ties. These can be wrapped around the head to show off a lovely bow or can be used to create a ponytail that will have your friends envious. These ties can be made with ease from an old shirt or pair of leggings. Simply cut a strip of fabric and add any details you please to the look. You can also create cool accessories for buns using chopsticks, the shells of empty pen cases and more. Your imagination will certainly pay off when it comes to keeping your hair off of your body this summer.

6. Shop Sales
If you’re low on trendy clothes or you just want to purchase a few more items, then you’re certainly in luck as many stores will host sales on summer clothing before the season is over. Around the Fourth of July, you will start to see some holiday sales that will help you stock up on some of the items you’ve been wanting to buy. If you miss out on these sales, then have no fret. Before the Back to School sales begin, which usually happens in late July to early August, you will find a wide assortment of summer sales to choose from. This tends to be when summer clothes hit the clearance rack too, so shop away.

7. Incorporate Swimwear
Believe it or not, but your bathing suit can be one of the coolest fashion pieces in your wardrobe. If you have a pair of board shorts then you have a cool and colorful option that pairs well with tees, tanks and sandals. Even your bikini can make a bold statement with a pair of blue jean shorts or a flowing skirt and sun hat. Your once piece can also make a great fashion statement. Since bodysuits are currently in style, you can easily save money that you’d spend on such an item and use your stylish and colorful one piece instead. This will allow you to go from casual fashionista to swim ready in mere seconds too.

8. Signature Pieces
Like with any style, a good signature piece can transform a look. If you don’t have a lot to work with then this might be the best way to show off what you do have. One of the most fashionable things to consider is adding a belt to a baggy dress. This will not only give your body a more defined look but will make you look like you belong on the catwalk. Another great option is to try to add some loose-fitting bangles or other accessories to add to your look. Of course, since it is summer, a nice pair of sunglasses or a cool hat can really make your style stand out too. You can DIY these items at home or purchase cheaper options that you find in thrift stores or on the clearance rack.

9. Glamorize
Summer is the perfect time to have some fun with your style too. For instance, you can add a hint of glamor to almost anything you own. A touch of glitter or anything that sparkles is in style now especially when it comes to teenagers. This effect is easily created with gemstones, fashion glitter and so much more. Of course, you can really give your style a custom appearance by adding patches to your clothing. You can find patches at most stores and online, but you can also make them for yourself. If you don’t want to sew or add things to your clothing, then consider pulling out your favorite permanent marker or fabric paint marker and doodle away. This can look especially cute on an old t shirt or a pair of shorts. Another major trend is adding tassels to the bottom of shorts and sometimes even shirts. If tassels aren’t your thing then consider adding lace to your favorite styles. You don’t have to stop there as you can really spice up a pair of sunglasses to suit your personality. Finally, creating your own personal tote can take your look to a whole new level.

10. Light Weight Styles
Keeping cool is one of the main goals when it comes to summer fashion that is functional. This can be really hard if you’re celebrating a special occasion or your workplace has a dress code. In these instances, your best option is to search for light weight fabric. This can be easier than you think if you know which fabrics to look for. When you shop for lightweight clothing you aren’t as limited by your style either. You can even wear long sleeve items in the summer to suit your needs. Of course, you can also get away with wearing sleeveless looks at the office if you have a light weight outer layer to cover up the fashion choice.

Dressing for summer can be exciting and fun, even if you are on a budget. These tips should help you create a fashion savvy look that won’t cost you much at all. Before you know it, you’ll be turning heads and collection compliments as your friends and family look to you to set the latest trends.

Although summer is just now beginning, you might be wondering how you’re going to get through it. Temperatures seem to be high already and with the dog days of summer coming up, more specifically July 22 to August 23, it might seem grueling to think about how hot these days are going to get. Luckily, there’s a few ways to get through the dog days so you can live to tell the tale as autumn approaches. If you’re on a tight budget, then have no worries as there are plenty of things on this list that will allow you to indulge without going overboard. So, get ready to brace yourself without giving up a good time, when you check out these fun ideas for the hottest days of the year.

1. Visit Planetarium
Whether you have kids or you don’t, taking a trip to the planetarium can be one of the most relaxing ways to beat the heat during the dog days of summer. Usually, planetariums aren’t packed full of people, so you will get to enjoy a mostly quiet experience that is certain to make you forget all about the sweltering heat outside. Planetariums usually crank up the air conditioning too, even in the winter, to ensure their equipment is working properly. Generally, these facilities don’t cost a lot of money to get into either and some even offer memberships. Of course, if there isn’t a planetarium in your area then you might consider making one in your own home. Since temperatures probably won’t be cool during the evenings of the dog days, staying in and checking out constellations projected on the ceiling can be a fun way to celebrate summer without actually having to deal with it.

2. Build a Hammock
Nothing says summer and relaxation quite like a hammock. If there is one way to relax during the hot months, then this is certainly the way to do it. Luckily, building a hammock is very inexpensive. You don’t even have to go out of your way to purchase anything to make this dream come true. In fact, all you need are blankets and a few other household supplies to get started. Of course, if you want to make things easy then investing in a hammock can help save you time. These hammocks can even be permanently left outdoors because they are weatherproofed. Hammocks don’t have to spend their lives outdoors though as you can build them indoors to help stay out of the heat. These fun beds are great for napping but might also encourage kids to enjoy a good book. Best of all, the first day of the dogs of summer is actually National Hammock Day, which should add to the fun.

3. Make Frozen Treats
One of the best ways to cool off on a hot day is to consume something cold. So, making your favorite frozen treats is one of the easiest and cheapest things you can do. If you have items to make your own popsicles then you can easily accomplish this with juice or pudding that you already have in the home. Of course, if you don’t have a popsicle mold then consider using your ice tray and toothpicks to make some special treats for the kids. You can also turn the popsicle ice into a fun way to cool down other drinks, which will add some more flavor to life. Making your own ice cream is a fun project that most children will love. You can even make some wacky flavors to suit Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day on July 1. Other treats might include snow cones and slushes which are easy to make with ingredients commonly found at home.

4. Enjoy a Paddle Pool
Going to the pool or water park can be pricey and if you don’t have a pool of your own then you might be looking for any option available. A paddle pool cost next to nothing to use, which makes it a great option for the whole family. Paddle pools are a great option for young children to splash in, which will help to keep them cool. However, adults might also consider using the pool to cool down their feet, which will ultimately work on the whole body. If you have a dog, then setting a paddle pool outside can help keep the animal cool while you are away from the home. Of course, the paddle pool can be recycled for other things later on. For instance, you can use it for a pond in the garden, a sandbox for the kids or even a playpen for infants that haven’t yet mastered crawling or climbing.

5. Movie Deals
It isn’t just the amazing summer blockbusters that make summer the perfect time to go to the movies. There are actually a ton of deals to enjoy at most movie theaters. For instance, many of the chain cinemas will actually offer a free kids movie each week. Children can enjoy a movie that isn’t brand new, but still exciting to see on the big screen. Some theaters also offer deals like $5 Tuesdays, which is a real bargain when it comes to ticket prices these days. Apart from that, you’ll find a wide assortment of food deals and so on to help you enjoy the experience more. Best of all, the cinema is always ice cold, so you can pretend it’s the dead of winter instead of the hottest period of the year.

6. Take On a Diet
Usually people like to try to get on a diet during the summer in order to look their best in their bathing suits. Although this reason is enough to inspire some people, sometimes the heat is the best way to inspire others. With the temperature so high, your appetite might not be at its peak. The food you do eat might be much lighter than the options you would normally choose too. So, if you want to be successful in a diet then this might be the best time to do it. Of course, make sure your diet offers proper nutrition as you will want to get the most out of your food especially if you’re eating less. By doing this, you will be setting your body up to eat smaller portions even as the weather cools, which can help you keep the weight off. You might want to research diets before you start though. One of the more popular options now is the keto diet, but there are also many more that will suit your needs.

7. Cool Your Home
It’s never too late to start taking actions to keep your home cool. Even though the heat has already set in, you might be encouraged to take more precautions to keep the home cool when the dog days of summer arrive. This is usually the worst period of time for electric bills as we spend so much on cooling. However, if you take a few actions to cut down on cooling then you might see a decrease in these bills. One of the first things you should consider is black out blinds. This will keep the sun out of the home. Although it might force you to turn on the lights more often it won’t force you to keep the air running constantly. Another great option is to add awnings to windows. This also removes the sun from the window and creates shade for the home. If you’re on an especially tight budget, then you might consider adding tin foil to the windows to help keep out the heat. There’s lots of great remedies for your home though, so do some research to figure out the best ways to cut the heat.

8. Seasonal Activity Pass
If you don’t like being closed up in the house during the summer, then you might consider grabbing a seasonal pass to one of your favorite activities in your communities. These are usually designed for museums, zoos, aquariums and theme parks, so you have a lot of options to choose from based on what is available in your region. A seasonal pass will allow you to enjoy the activity as much as you want during the summer months. This can help keep you busy and take your mind off of the terrible heat. On top of that, it will allow you to cool down too. Many of these activities are indoors and those that are not usually have rides that involve cool water.

9. Embrace Night Life
If you don’t have to worry about a schedule or children, then you might want to make night life your thing during the hottest days of summer. Usually, the temperature slightly drops as the sun goes down, so use this time to check out a restaurant and eat without feeling uncomfortable. You might check out a cruise on the river if you have one in your area. This should keep you even cooler. On top of that you might consider visiting a club, an art gallery and so much more. Even if you do have restrictions then you might consider finding a sitter once every couple of weeks to get out of the house and enjoy the night life. Not only will it keep you cool while you’re having fun, but it will also allow you to sleep in longer during the day, so you don’t have to deal with the heat as much.

10. Spoil Your Dog
Dogs are often associated with the dog days of summer due to the constellation Sirius, based on a dog, is at its peak during this time. Although the dog days of summer don’t always coincide with this constellation based on our predictions. All the same, people love to take this time to spoil their dog. One of the best ways to do this is purchase a few items to make their life easier. For instance, a set of dog booties can help protect their feet. This can actually save you a small fortune in vet bills too and a lot of pain for your fur baby. Another great option to buy is a cooling shirt for walks and time spent at the dog park. A paddle pool is another great way to keep your dog cool while allowing it to get some exercise too. These items won’t cost you a lot either and will make you feel as happy as your pet.

The dog days of summer don’t have to be a period of misery for you and your loved ones. Instead, you can make it one of the best times to enjoy your life and explore new forms of entertainment. With these tips, your dog days of summer should pass quickly so you can enjoy everything that summer brings.

If you’ve been on the edge of your seat for Amazon Prime Day, then you’ll be excited to know that Amazon has finally released a day for this year’s celebrations. This year’s Prime Day will begin on July 16 and end on the 17th, so you will have plenty of time to enjoy the savings. Of course, you can also look forward to a week’s worth of deals that usually occur during this period. It is quite easy to plan on spending a bundle for this event, but if you’re on a tight budget then you might want to stick to some of the better deals. Luckily, there have been a few tips as to what you should look for during this Prime Day extravaganza. So, get ready to make a list of everything you’d love to grab during this huge sales event.

1. Subscription Services
One of the best deals you’re going to find during Prime deals is sales on subscriptions that Amazon offers. For instance, now might be the time to invest in Amazon’s extended music program so you can listen to music, download it and discover new musicians and songs without any restrictions. If you’re not a member of Kindle Unlimited, then now might be the to join too. This service allows you to read a wide variety of novels without having to spend any extra money on them. Of course, you can also get a deal on the video streaming service. If you’re looking to update your subscription to Amazon Prime, then Prime Day will be the time to do it as you will receive some awesome discounts.

2. Amazon Products
Of course, you’re going to find a lot of huge deals on Amazon products during this time. So, if you’ve had your heart set on a Fire TV or Kindle then now is the perfect time to invest the money. You will most likely see bulk deals on Kindles during this time, which were also popular during Black Friday of last season. Other great bargains will be on the Firestick and Echo. Of course, you might be surprised by some of the other Amazon products you’ll find during this time. So, keep your eye out on these amazing prices. You may even find it a cinch to stock up for holiday gifts during this time too.

3. Phones
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a new phone, then there’s a good chance that Amazon Prime will make your dreams come true. In past years, there have been lots of amazing deals on a wide variety of phones that are both locked and unlocked. If you aren’t looking for a popular brand, then you might be in even more luck. There are many phone brands that Amazon works with to make the price of the phone even cheaper. The only difference in these phones in comparison to the more expensive model is you will receive Amazon ads on the phone. These ads come up on a special app on the phone as well as on the lock screen, which makes them very easy to ignore if you’re not interested in this service. Of course, you also have to be a Prime member to take advantage of this deal.

4. TVs
Based on last years sales, you can pretty much guarantee that Amazon will be giving some amazing TV deals, but you’ll have to be fast here. These deals usually go quickly, so if you don’t click on the deal as soon as it is released then you might find yourself waitlisted or locked out completely. 4K TVs are probably going to be on the hot list this year, so you might want to start researching some of the best options for this. Knowing what you want and how much you can afford can allow you to get the best possible deal while you’re shopping during the sales. Occasionally, Amazon will leak deals a little early to hype people up, so make sure to do your research when you find out some of the models you will have to choose from. Of course, there will be more than just 4K TVs for sale, so if you’re not looking to upgrade then you should find some high-quality items worth the price tag.

5. Gift Cards
One of the best things you’re going to find on Prime Day, especially if you’re shopping for others is the exciting deals on gift cards. During this time, you will find Amazon gift cards at a reduced price, which means you will definitely be getting more for your money. You will also find gift cards attached to certain purchases. Of course, these cards will probably only be worth around $5, but every little bit adds up when you’re trying to save money. If you have the extra money to spend on such items, then you might want to stock up, so you can save money on Amazon products throughout the year. Even if you don’t plan on gifting the cards, you can load them onto your own account for items like pantry goods and other reoccurring charges.

6. Toys
Last year, the toy section during Prime Day was hot with sales. So, you can probably expect some of the same great deals to make an appearance during Prime Day. You might want to keep an eye on some of the hot items that your children might be asking for. This is also a great time to stock up for some Christmas ideas, especially if you have children that seem to keep the same interests. Larger toys, like drones and gaming consoles should also see sales, so stock up while you can. One of the best ways to go about this is to make a wish list and monitor it throughout the day to see if any deals come up. You will most likely see the toy deals throughout the day though, so unless the toy you’re after is incredibly popular you shouldn’t have to rush to get in on the sale price. However, keeping up with the upcoming sales list can help you ensure you score the toy of your child’s dreams.

7. Baby Supplies
If you have a baby or have one on the way, then now is a great time to jump on some deals that will make setting up for your little one a whole lot easier. Baby toys are a huge hit during Prime Day, so keep an eye out for the little things baby will love. You should also see a few deals on swings, playpens, walkers and more. Of course, the essentials will also make an appearance too. You should find a few deals on diapers and wipes, which should help you get a stockpile ready. On top of that, you can find clothing, items for nursing and feeding and so much more. If you’re expecting, then consider adding the items to your baby registry before you make a purchase. The first $10 purchased off of your registry actually qualifies you for a baby box that is filled with all sorts of awesome goodies at no cost to you.

8. Amazon Pantry
Amazon Pantry is another area you might want to do some shopping. For those that don’t already use this amazing shopping platform, you may be surprised by what it offers. Usually, the pantry is for items that you might purchase on a reoccurring basis. For instance, toothpaste, diapers, toiletries and even some dry goods. Since these are frequent purchases, all you have to do is subscribe to have them sent to you on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly and so on basis. This will allow you to save a fair percentage on each purchase. Purchasing during Prime Day might help you save even more though, so don’t forget to check out your most common shopping items while the deals are available. You should check out Amazon’s new line of household goods too, as you’re bound to find even more discounts there.

9. Appliances
Another hot item to check out on Prime Day is appliances. Since we’re still in wedding and graduation season, you’re bound to find some awesome deals on these products. One of the more popular items to check out would be Instapots which are quite trendy this year. Airfryers are another kitchen appliance that everyone seems to want, so there’s bound to be some great deals there too. You might not think to look into robotic vacuums, but it seems Prime Day might toss in a few deals on these items too. Of course, there will be other appliances for grabs too, such as ice cream makers, snow cone makers and your basic blenders. So, stock up for gifts or revamp your home if you have appliances in your budget.

10. DNA Kits
DNA kits seem to be increasing in popularity, so this Prime Day you are bound to see some major discounts on these items. During Black Friday, both 23andMe and Ancestry offered some jaw-dropping deals on their DNA kits, so you might keep an eye out. Ancestry offers a simple genetic kit that can tell you where your ancestors came from and connect you with relatives in the community while 23andMe offers the same features with an optional health test. There are other health DNA kits on the market too and even some designed to help you discover paternity and more. So, do some research on these tests so you’ll be ready to see what Prime Day brings for you.

Amazon Prime Day is a great time to treat yourself to something awesome without breaking the bank. Of course, it can also be the perfect time to find holiday gifts, household essentials and so much more. The deals might get a little overwhelming at first, but with any luck you’ll be able to find the perfect items for you and your budget.

The Fourth of July is coming up, which means there’s going to be a ton of huge sales to help you enjoy the occasion even more. If you’re on a budget, you might be wondering where the best deals are going to be, so you don’t end up spending money on frivolous items. Luckily, it is easy to make a few predictions as to what the Fourth of July sales will bring. So, get your budget ready, because if you shop in these ten areas you should find some of the best savings around. This should help liven up your holiday immensely.

1. Mattresses
Late spring and early summer sales tend to be the best when it comes to mattresses. However, the Fourth of July is the last holiday you’ll find that with such amazing deals. You might want to start your sale search a week prior to the holiday as many mattress stores will get into the festivities early so they can move some mattresses. Of course, you might not want to stick with the brick and mortar stores entirely. There will be many websites offering some unbeatable deals too, so check online and offline before you choose to make your purchase. Stores like Casper might even accept the numerous coupons the store releases each year on top of the sale, so play around with your options to see how much you can save.

2. Laptops
Summer time is one of the hottest times to grab a laptop on sale. Stores bank on the fact that there will soon be a new set of students headed to their first semester of college. So, the stores tend to fill up with customers looking to purchase. Thus, many stores drop the prices in order to efficiently compete. The Fourth of July sales might be one of the last changes you get to order a new laptop at an outstanding price before Black Friday and Cyber Monday arrive. So, make sure to at least look around if you’re in the market for such an item. It is incredibly helpful to know what you’re looking for in a laptop as well as the typical price of the item you’re seeking. This will help you make an educated decision and know when you’ve found an actual deal.

3. Summer Clothing
Summer is in full swing, which usually means it’s not the right time to shop for this attire. However, many stores will use the Fourth of July as a good time to move some of their products. So, you will most likely see some big sales at some of the leading clothing brands’ stores and websites. This might be the perfect time to stock up on shorts, sandals and even a few bathing suits. You probably won’t run into clearance prices during this time, but the sales should help you get a good variety of clothes to get you and your family through the hot months. You might even consider buying larger sizes so you’ll have a few options for the kids’ school clothes, as well as a few items for next summer.

4. Furniture
Wedding and graduate season is upon us, which makes the Fourth of the July the perfect time to lure people in for some furniture shopping. There probably won’t be any limits as to what is going on sale during this time. You will find great prices on bed sets, living room furniture, as well as dining styles. On top of that, you will most likely run into a few deals that will help you deck out your outdoor life too. Summer is the perfect time for these deals as more people are getting outdoors and want places to eat and visit with loved ones. On top of that, it allows newlyweds or college students and graduates to purchase items for their new housing situation. Make sure you check online and in stores for your items too, as the deals will vary. With any luck, you can find the perfect match for your needs.

5. Barbecue Supplies
Grilling is pretty hot right now, especially with Fourth of July celebrations nearing. It won’t be until the holiday that you will find the sales you need to save big on these items too. So, you might want to postpone your holiday celebration until you can grab a new grill that will wow your guests. You should be able to find deals online and offline here too, so make sure to take your time when shopping. There should be ads available for these items too, since most stores will be in a hurry to get rid of their stock, so they can start prepping for their autumn needs. It won’t just be grills that will save you money. You should be able to find grill accessories like utensils, charcoal, propane and more that will cut back on your spending too.

6. Appliances
Just like furniture, you will find many amazing deals on appliances too, so now might be the time to stock up. Kitchen appliances are going to be hot during this time, so you might want to splurge and get something that you feel will make your life a lot easier. One of the best options is to choose something that will add some fun to summer, especially your outdoor get-togethers. To satisfy this need, you might want to check out items like ice cream or snow cone makers as well as hot dog cookers or patty grills. These items can add fun to any party and will even help you save money during the hot months. Of course, if you’re lacking in anything then stock up on that too. You might also consider stocking up on potential holiday or birthday gifts that can save you money during the season of spending.

7. Sporting Goods
Getting outside is important during the summer months and the Fourth of July sales should reflect this. On top of gear for fishing and sports, you should be able to find items for your pool too. In fact, since it is so late in the season for retail, you might actually find that pools, liners and pumps are on sale during this time. This will help you cool off and will add to the entertainment of your get-togethers. You should be able to find games like croquet, badminton and horse shoes that are great party games too. Of course, there should be beach gear on sale too, so consider grabbing a surfboard, wetsuit or even just a few beach towels to make life easier.

8. Patriotic Items
Without a doubt, the Fourth of July is also bound to bring some amazing sales on patriotic items too. Since this is the last patriotic holiday of the season, you will find just about everything under the sun that is patriotic on sale during this time. One of your best options will be American Flags in all shapes and sizes. So, if your flagpole is looking empty or needs a replacement flag then now is the time to purchase one. Clothing that is considered patriotic will also be on sale, so you might want to stock up now so you can enjoy the clothes all year long or even just save them up for next summer. The deals won’t stop there though. You should be able to find everything from bumper stickers to Uncle Sam costumes during these sales, so have some fun while shopping.

9. Fireworks
The closer the holiday becomes, the greater discount you’re going to find on the fireworks in your community. Usually, stands will sell their fireworks at a high price when they first open, because most people want to rush to find the items that they want. However, if they have a huge stockpile left on the Fourth of July, they are going to go into sales mode to try to get rid of it. Many of these stands don’t stay open past the initial holiday, so you will probably find sales where you buy one item and get several free. So, make sure you hold out as much as you can. You can always check out the prices and the amount of stock left from time to time to see if you should purchase your favorite items sooner rather than later. Department stores, on the other hand, probably won’t discount their fireworks until the day after the holiday, but these items will quickly reduce in price as the days pass. So, if your community allows fireworks throughout the year then this might be a great option for you.

10. Food
Food is one of the best aspects of the holiday, so it’s no surprise that you’re going to find some awesome deals here. One of the first things you should look for is food that you can use at your barbecue. An assortment of meats, vegetables and fruits will be on sale during this time, but you’ll also find deals on items like chips, condiments and premade pies. Food you cook isn’t your only option here. Many restaurants will actually offer freebies or discounted foods during this time, which will help you save a lot of money. You will have to keep an eye out for the freebies and discounts in your community. However, if you look at last year’s options then you might find that some of the restaurants will offer similar deals.

The Fourth of July is a great holiday to share with loved ones, but it can also be a good time to enjoy a few sales too. These ten ideas will help give you a general idea of the items you might consider budgeting for during the holiday. With a little luck, you’ll be able to land some great deals that will have you celebrating more than just Independence Day on the special holiday.

Whether you’re planning on getting your ears pierced or you’re interested in something more extreme, International Body Piercing Day might be the perfect time to take the leap. Body piercing is especially popular during the summer months when people are keen to show off their body a bit, so you might even feel a boost in your confidence during this holiday. If you’re looking to get a piercing, you might be taken a bit off guard by the price tag though, which might prevent you from doing what you want. There are a few ways you can cut back on the price of your future piercing though, so don’t give up on your idea just yet. Instead, check out these tips to see if they can help you afford the look of your dreams.

1. Consider Clip-Ons
One of the cheapest ways to enjoy body piercing without spending a fortune is to consider clip-ons instead of going for the real deal. This is especially a great option for anyone that isn’t completely certain that they want to have a hole in their body or scar from the hole when they grow tired of it. Generally, clip-on jewelry doesn’t cost any more than your typical jewelry would, so you shouldn’t have to spend more to get the same effect. You may also find that there are clip-on items for just about every part of the body that you might want pierced. If anything, you can always start out with a clip-on item to see if you like the appearance of the potential piercing. If you stick with it for some time, then it might be time to invest. Otherwise, the piercing is frivolous and might become something you regret.

2. Wait for a Sale
You might not think about piercings going on sale, but they actually do. Of course, it depends on the shop in which you hope to get your piercing, so you might want to follow them on social media to make sure you’re privy to all of their promotions. Even some department stores that offer piercings will offer deals, which usually happens around back to school season or even some holidays. Piercing shops tend to host these deals in the off-season, like winter, but you can also find sales on special occasions like International Body Piercing Day. Of course, you should take precautions even if you find a good deal, so don’t base your decision on this alone.

3. Consider a Kit
If you’re looking to do something simple, like piercing your ears, then there is actually a kit you can purchase if you plan to only use it once. These kits can be purchased fairly inexpensively and allow you to pierce your ears without having someone do it for you. These kits are ultimately designed like the ear-piercing machines that you will find at most department stores. You can find these items online or in beauty shops too, so you shouldn’t have to look far. If you’re interested in progressing your piercing abilities, then there are kits for other forms of piercings too. There are many problems that can go wrong with these kits though, particularly when it comes to infections. So, make sure to be incredibly careful when it comes to using these items and know the risks before you commit to using them.

4. Think About the Piercing
If you’re interested in getting a piercing, one of the best things you can do is avoid the whim. Instead, think over the piercing for at least a few weeks. This will allow you to consider the impact of the piercing on your life and if you really want it. This is especially important if you’re on a budget, as if you don’t like the piercing you will have blown the money entirely because there are no refunds. Typically, if you’re still entertaining the idea of getting the piercing after some time then you will be more than likely to enjoy the piercing long after you receive it. Best of all, this will allow you the time to look around at the prices and reviews of various shops, which will also help you feel more comfortable with your choice. It might even allow you to wait out for a sale.

5. Visit Your Piercing Shop Beforehand
Before you entertain the idea of getting a piercing, it is important that you check out the shop you would like to get it from. You may want to see many before you choose the place you’d like to get the piercing. The first thing you should consider when choosing a venue is the cleanliness of the place. This should be more than what originally meets the eye though. Ask questions about sterilization and more to ensure your piercing will be safe. You should also talk to the person that is going to be doing the piercing to ensure you feel comfortable with them. Once you go through all of this then consider the price tag of the piercing. If you feel more comfortable in a shop that is more expensive then this is the shop you should choose. You should never choose a shop based on price, because it might not be the healthiest option. Overall, you should feel comfortable with everything about the shop before making the appointment for the piercing.

6. Research Piercing
When you come up with the idea to get a piercing you should also follow up that idea with a bit of research. First and foremost, you should look into the process of getting such a piercing. If you don’t think you can withstand the pain then you might want to skip out on the idea completely, unless you want to spend money on a partial piercing. The next thing you should look at is the recovery and care of your piercing, as well as the complications that might occur. If it is going to age poorly, this should be something to take into consideration too. Some piercings might actually require surgery if you grow tired of them. You can also check out the potential cost of your piercing so you will know where to begin your search. On top of that, you should take the time to check out reviews on artists to see how they did on your specific piercing. This should help you feel more at ease over your choice while allowing you to gain a better understanding of the cost.

7. Understand How to Care For It
Caring for your piercing is crucial. If you don’t take proper care for it then you can develop an infection that might cause you a lot of pain and money. In rare cases, it might even cause you to lose a body part, so make sure you pay attention to the proper care of every piercing you receive. Your piercer should go over the basic care instructions for your piercing, which will allow you to put everything you learn to work. Of course, you should also consider looking up ways to care for your piercing too, so you can be as thorough as possible. This is certain to keep your piercing looking good for much longer.

8. Clearance Jewelry
When it comes to picking out jewelry to make your piercing look even better, you may find quite a lot of options. However, many of these options are bound to be very expensive, which can leave you in a bind when it comes to getting your piercing. Luckily, there are a lot of clearance items that can leave you feeling great about your choice. Try looking online at your favorite body jewelry website to see what they have on offer at a reduced price. You might even be able to find options on websites such as Amazon or stores such as Hot Topic. You can even ask your piercing studio if they have any great options that are on sale or clearance. There’s never any harm in asking for such things.

9. Pierce Out of Season
If you’re looking to save money on a piercing, then you might want to skip out on getting it done during the summer. This season marks one of the peak times for tattoos and piercings, so shops won’t need to offer discounts during this time. This is largely because people like to show of more skin during the summer months. On top of that, it is peak time for students to hit the shops so that their piercings have time to heal before they have to take them out for school. Due to this, you might just take a rain check for your piercing. Instead, hold out until school is back in session and the weather cools down a bit more. During this time, shops will try to entice people in with sales to help pick up business. This will help you save the most amount of money. It will also make healing easier as wounds won’t be exposed to harsh sun rays.

10. Know the Rules
One of the most important things you can do when you’re planning on getting a piercing is know the rules. If you’re currently in a job, then make sure to check out the dress code as far as the office is concerned. If you’re not allowed piercings, then see if your boss will allow you to wear something that covers the piercing during the healing phase. If you’re in school, then you probably won’t have as much flexibility over this issue. Check the handbook to see which piercings you can have and go from there. Knowing this information can actually help you prevent the piercing from closing so you don’t waste money in the process.

Getting a piercing, especially when you’re on a budget, is never as simple as showing up to a shop. These ten piercing tips should help you to get the piercing you’d love without having to break the bank to get it. With any luck, you’ll be able to take your time on your decision and save some money in the process.

The summer months are one of the best times to get outside and enjoy the sun. However, this season is also responsible for bringing even more pests to your home. Whether you’re hanging indoors or out, you’re certain to find a number of pests bothering you during the summer time. A lot of people spend a fortune on dangerous poisons or even exterminators to deal with such a problem. There are actually many ways you can help keep pests out of your home without spending a fortune though. So, get ready to do a little DIY pest control to improve on the quality of your summer.

1. Inspect Windows and Doors
One of the first steps you should take every year is to inspect your doors and windows. You can do this first by feeling around the frame of the door and window to see if you feel a draft coming through. This can mean that your insulation isn’t working properly and needs to be replaced. Damaged insulation not only costs you a fortune in heating and cooling costs, but it can also let bugs into the house without the door or window even being opened. Another major problem is holes in screens. If you have a damaged screen in a door or window, then there are ways to cheaply mend this problem. You might also consider replacing screens every few years to prevent insects from getting into damaged areas. By looking over these elements, you should help reduce the number of bugs in your home.

2. Keep Everything Clean
Although at times it is hard to keep things entirely clean, especially with children and pets, this is one of the best ways to keep bugs away from your home. One of the first steps you should take is to clean your trash bin and to do it on a regular basis during the summer. Also, having a trash can that has a lid can also keep pests away. This is perfect for flies and cockroaches. Open foods, such as chips, breads, cereals and more should be kept in air tight bins or at least closed efficiently to keep bugs away. You might also consider storing fruit in a covered basket to keep fruit flies and gnats at bay. Sweeping and mopping daily can reduce the chance of bugs too, especially ants that like to feed on crumbs. Wiping down cabinets and tables can also keep bugs away from the home. Of course, vacuuming, dusting and other common chores will also help you keep bugs far from your home.

3. Plant Flowers
Believe it or not, but gardening can actually help you keep bugs away from your home. On top of actually improving the environment in your home, certain plants can work to detour some of the pests that drive you crazy and pose health problems. One plant to consider is lavender. This plant works to keep mosquitoes away from the home while encouraging bees to be more present. Citronella plants will help to detour many of the bugs that drive you crazy. Both of these plants work to keep fleas away too. Fleas aren’t fans of catnip, peppermint and marigolds too, so plant these to your heart’s content. Flies are actually detoured by many of the herbs you might consider growing like basil, rosemary and lavender. Chives can also keep cockroaches away from the home. Even bedbugs are detoured by some of the herbs you might grow, so you may consider bringing these plants into the house too. If you plan your garden accordingly and plant near windows and doors, you may find your pest situation has increased substantially.

4. Utilize Vinegar
Bugs and vinegar tend to not go hand in hand, which is why you might want to incorporate vinegar into your cleaning regime often. You can use vinegar as a natural cleaner for many areas of the home. However, some places are better suited for vinegar than others when it comes to the home. For instance, you might want to start by rubbing vinegar on your base boards and around doors and windows. This will certainly detour most bugs, including ants that are particularly frustrating during the summer months. Of course, if ants are your problem then you might also want to spray vinegar on ant trails and holes to keep them from your yard and sidewalks too. This simple trick should work wonders in the home and will save on cleaning supplies.

5. Reduce Water Sources
Like humans, a lot of the pests we encounter need some water to keep going. Thus, open water sources are an open invitation for a pest party in or around your home. One of the largest culprits is fountains, particularly when placed outside. You might want to let these decorative items go dry for the summer or at least keep them running continuously so that the water doesn’t stagnate, which tends to increase the presence of mosquitoes. Bird baths and decorative ponds are another common pest attractor, so be careful there as well. If you have a pool, then add a cover when its not in use. Indoors, you should make sure water sources are cleaned up straight away. Pet water should be changed frequently too, to decrease the chance of your pet drinking gnat eggs.

6. DIY bug traps
Bug traps are often a popular choice when it comes to getting rid of pets. Some of the more popular traps are for cock roaches and flies though. You can usually find these items at a fair price in most stores, but its even cheaper and often less hazardous to make your own trap at home. On of the easiest ways to go about this is to place some sticky liquid, like sugar water in a container. You can also do this trick by putting a sticky and sweet paste on paper or cardboard. Bugs will be attracted to it and will become stuck or drown. For cockroaches, you can add borax, cocoa powder and flour to a container. The cockroaches will quickly go for the mixture. These are just a couple of examples though. You can find a DIY trap that suits you and the pest you are having problems with.

7. Essential Oils
Over the past couple of years, essential oils have become very popular in the home. These oils are actually known to keep bugs away from certain areas of the home too. So, you might try this method if you’re having problems. Oils such as peppermint, tea tree, citrus and so on are amazing when it comes to detouring most pests, including spiders. Using a simple oil diffuser for these can help spread the scent of the oil throughout a room, so you can help keep bugs at bay. Of course, another option is to put a few drops of an oil in a cleaning bottle and spray it on your mattress, window screens and base boards. This should help keep bugs at bay for a few days, so make sure to repeat often. Essential oils can be dangerous for babies and pets, so exercise precaution when using them.

8. Clear Yard Debris
Debris around the home can also draw in quite a few bugs, which can cause a huge headache. Before summer begins, you might want to clear out any leaves and other plant debris that might have accumulated over winter and spring. These items allow bugs to easily hide and the smell can even draw them in. Your gutters can also really attract bugs like mosquitoes, so you may want to clear them out as soon as you can. This can help with any summer storms you might encounter too. Luckily, you shouldn’t have to do this often during the summer but monitoring the gutters will certainly help with pest problems. Wood piles can also bring in bugs, so try covering them or storing wood elsewhere when not in use.

9. Spray the Yard
In some cases, particularly in places that stay warm all year, you may have to invest in getting the yard sprayed. In these cases, the weather never cools down long enough to get rid of the fleas from the previous year. Thus, they come out at a greater number. Flea and ticks are not only a problem for animals, but they can also spread disease to people. Even if they aren’t an epidemic in your area, fleas can cause your pets to develop worms which is unhealthy for the whole family. A simple spray of the yard and flea prevention for your pets can help keep your home flea free all summer long.

10. Be Aware of Public Places
Unfortunately, summer is one of the peak times for bed bugs, which can cause you a lot of frustration, sleepless nights and money. Bed bugs tend to not just appear in standalone homes, so if you’re careful you can avoid them. One of the first steps you should take is to be aware of your surroundings. Bed bugs are small and often hard to see, but checking where you sit down, what you lean against and more can help cut back on the chances of your bringing them into the home. You may want to avoid using public lockers too and if you do then wash and dry clothes and fabric that was left in the locker on the highest setting whenever you return home. Make sure you check your mattress when you stay in hotels and leave luggage on hard surfaces. Also, check your luggage before you bring it back in the house. This should help you steer clear of bedbugs this summer.

Pests don’t have to make your summer horrible. These quick and easy tips should help to keep pets away from you and your home, so you can enjoy more of your summer fun and less of the nuisances that drive you crazy. With these tips, you should also save a lot of money in the process!

June is National Pride Month, which means it’s a great time to have some fun and enjoy celebrating this amazing group of people. Whether you are part of the LGBTQ community, or you simply want to share your support, there’s a lot of amazing things to participate in during pride month. However, a lot of people love to travel and spend money during this amazing time. If you’re on a tight budget, this can be overwhelming. However, there are actually many things you can do that will help you to enjoy yourself without forcing you to spend a lot of money. So, check out these ten tips if you’re looking to be frugal while still enjoying everything that pride month brings to the table.

1. Attend a Parade
Pride parades are one of the more popular aspects of pride month, so you’ve probably seen images or even visited a parade. This is one of the best ways to have some fun without spending a dime, if you don’t want to. It doesn’t matter if you’re just watching the parade or participating, you’re bound to have a lot of fun. The energy at these events is usually positive, especially if you find an area that is free of protestors. A lot of people that go to these parades love to dress up, which can add even more fun to the event. You can usually do this with items you have around the house or items you can cheaply pick up at the thrift store. Parades can be found across the nation and even the globe, so you’re bound to find one nearby. However, if you really want to have some fun then check out a parade in a large city.

2. Create a Rainbow Flag
Over the years, rainbows have become a symbol for the LGBTQ community. Having a rainbow flag is one of the best ways to show your support for the community while adding some fun to your own style. You can easily make a rainbow flag at home in many ways. For starters, you can take old fabric in a variety of colors and sew it together. This creates a fun flag that you can fly or carry around with you. You might also consider making rainbow flags to patch your clothes or show off your pride. If you’re looking to keep things simple, then you can make a flag out of paper. This is a great project for kids too, which will help them feel like a part of the celebration. You may find yourself making so many flags that you’ll be able to share them with friends and strangers to help support the community.

3. Enjoy a Community Event
In most communities, you should see a lot of pride events happening this month. Of course, you will have to keep you eye out for them, because advertising might not be in abundance. One of the more popular events, especially in larger cities is concerts. You might find these hosted in stadiums, but you will more frequently find them in coffee shops and other small venues. Rallies are another popular thing to find during the month of June as they help bring awareness to the community. Of course, you should also look for event that might otherwise entertain you, such as book readings and art gallery openings. There’s a little something for everyone, which ties in well with this inclusive month.

4. Add Rainbows to Your Style
June is the perfect month to express yourself and one of the best ways to do so is to add rainbows to your personal style. If you’re feeling bold then you might consider giving your hair a new look by dying it in the colors of the rainbow. You can do this at home with the help from a friend or you might find a great deal at a salon. Some salons that promote the LGBTQ community might even offer discounts on such a bold hair style. Of course, if you don’t want to work on your hair then you can easily add rainbows to your own personal style. For instance, you might make a rainbow shirt or tie dye using all of the colors of the rainbow. Patches on your jeans and jacket might also keep you looking cool. Rainbow shoes are also becoming even more popular too. Your fashion choices are only limited by your imagination, so have some fun with your look.

5. Learn About the Issues
Although there are a ton of fun things to do during pride month, it is also imperative that you look at the issues this community faces too. This is to help the world progress and become a more inclusive place. In this day and age, things might seem a lot better for the community as marriage equality and other LGBTQ laws have been passed. However, there is still so much room for progress. There are bathroom issues, hate issues and many legal aspects that the community must face. So, try to keep up to date with what is happening in the community and work to make sure inclusive laws are passed. This will help keep the world a safe and enjoyable place for everyone.

6. Embrace Culture
When it comes to learning about the world, LGBTQ contributors are often not mentioned and when they are it isn’t common for them to be recognized as LGBTQ. So, you might want to spend the month of June learning all about the LGBTQ community and how much they have contributed to the world. For starters, many artists are LGBTQ, but they often don’t get the recognition they deserve. Music and movies are another great way to become familiar with the culture of this group. You may find you know more than you think, or you might find some cultural elements that you fall in love with. There are many books that span time that will interest you too. Apart from art, you can find lots of LGBTQ contributors that have become leaders in the community, may it be in politics or fighting for justice. There is so much to explore and learn, so have fun educating yourself during this month. Most librarians will be able to steer you in the right direction, but a simple internet search can do the trick too.

7. Support a LGBTQ group
In most communities, there are LGBTQ groups designed to help those that are struggling, trying to learn more about themselves or simply just want to be a part of the community. These groups are often understaffed and underfunded, so you might take some time to donate or volunteer this month. One of the neediest groups are those designed to help teenagers. Some of these groups actually work to home and protect teens that have been cast out of their houses due to their orientation. Some of the groups even help teens tackle mental health issues that might stem from rejection or bullying due to their LGBTQ orientation. It is imperative that these groups find the help they need for a better future for all. Even donating a few hours a month can make a huge difference.

8. Host a Party
Part of celebrating pride month is bringing the community together to accept and celebrate the LGBTQ community. One of the best ways to do this is to host a party to help everyone mingle and enjoy each other’s company. You might try to come up with a great LGBTQ playlist to inspire everyone to dance and have a good time. Another great idea is to whip up some rainbow foods. There’s lots of great recipes online and you can even make natural dye if you’re hoping to steer clear of harmful dyes. If you want to save money, then host a potluck instead. Although having fun is the idea, make sure that everyone present is polite and accepting of those around them.

9. Teach Your Family Love
One of the most important things you can do during pride month and throughout the year is teach your family love. This message will help improve acceptance in the future so that the future generation will have more love to spread around. There are many ways to help teach your children acceptance, but this message always starts in the home. If you’re having trouble finding ways to bring up the subject with your children or to simply talk to them about this matter then look online. There’s an abundance of first hand accounts as well as psychological websites that can help you approach the topic appropriately.

10. Stay Educated
Of course, keeping yourself educated is very important too. There are lots of news and information about the LGBTQ community that often don’t make it to mainstream media. This can really cause you to be in the dark with many issues. So, you might want to check out a publication that is based around the community. This will help you learn about the injustices the community is facing, current issues that are pending laws and so much more. On top of that, it will introduce you to new art and other cultural aspects. There are many publications online, so you won’t even have to purchase a subscription if you don’t have the extra money.

Pride month is a great time to celebrate an amazing community, so stressing over money simply shouldn’t stand in your way. These ten tips will help you make the most out of pride month, so you can truly enjoy yourself. This should allow you to have the time of your life enjoying pride month and all of the fun activities that it creates to make June all the more enjoyable.

Although the heat has already begun in many places, it isn’t actually summer until the Summer Solstice on June 21. This amazing event has been celebrated for hundreds of years by many different cultures. There are so many things you can see and do during this time that you might actually have a hard time fitting them all in to your schedule. If you’re on a tight budget you can still have the time of your life during the summer solstice. Here are just ten things you can do that won’t cost you a small fortune as you celebrate the early days of summer. So, pack on the sunscreen and grab a water bottle, because summer will truly be here soon to add on to your fun.

1. Visit a Food Festival
Summer is known for its festivals, but food festivals are becoming more and more popular. You should be able to find a food festival within driving distance of your home, so you won’t have to go too far out of your way to enjoy such an adventure for your taste buds. Many places will actually plan a festival for the summer solstice, so you will know just when to look for such an event. Food festivals offer food from around the world, which will allow you to broaden your horizons. However, many food festivals do try to keep their food seasonal, so you will get to taste all that summer has to offer. This event can really bring fun to the whole family too, as most festivals have activities that suit a wide variety of age groups.

2. Watch the Sun
Summer brings the longest of days, so you might spend some time to celebrate the extra light that you have to enjoy your life outdoors. In order to do this, you might try to rise early and stay up late to watch the sun rise and set. Make sure you look up the time your sun is set to rise on the summer solstice, so you can be outside with a cup of coffee in time to see the magic happen. Staying up to watch the sun set won’t be as much of a challenge, but if you have children you might alter their nap schedule to allow them to stay up a bit later on solstice day. You might plan out plenty of activities to keep the family busy during this time too. You can also take this activity further by admiring pictures of sunrises and sunsets that are posted from around the world.

3. Wood Burning Ritual
Throughout time, many different cultures from all over the world have participated in a wood burning ritual in some form or another. Today, people typically follow in the footsteps of this tradition by having a bonfire to help add to the fun of the occasion. Bonfires can actually be done cheaply, as long as you make sure that your location of choice allows bonfires. You may have to get a permit to host such an event, so make sure you are prepared before the big day. These events are great for families and friends to share. You might even have people bring a variety of foods, instruments and sporting equipment to add to the fun. Of course, you should familiarize yourself with fire safety and go over this with your children too to ensure the occasion is nothing but fun.

4. Yoga
All over the world, people take to the streets, or yoga classes, to participate in this amazing activity on the day of the solstice. Of course, if you don’t already attend a gym, you don’t have to go get a membership to do yoga with others on this day. Many communities will host yoga in the park and other great activities to celebrate summer solstice. You can always do yoga at home if you’re not comfortable in a public setting. There are many sun inspired yoga poses that will allow you to say thank you to the sun while also appreciating your body. Since summer will be in full swing, make sure you keep hydrated as you will sweat more in the hot weather.

5. Cultural Festivals
The summer solstice plays a firm role in so many cultures that it definitely connects the world together as one. During this time, you might want to try to attend a cultural festival in your area. In the United States, you are more than likely going to find Native American Festivals during this time, but if you’re in Hawaii, you might find Polynesian festivals too. In some locations, you might also find Pagan or Celtic celebrations to add to the fun. If you can, try to experience as much as you can during the festival. You will learn a lot about the culture of your region as well as the ancient celebrations of the summer solstice. Often, it is free to attend such events, but you might have to pay for certain activities. However, it is always best to check in to make sure that there isn’t an entry fee.

6. Spent Time Outside
If you can, head outdoors to enjoy everything that summer has to offer. One of the best things you can do on the big day is get outside and play in the water. Try to plan a trip to the pool, beach, lake or whatever else you have in your community or backyard. You might also consider planning a picnic or barbecue with the ones you love. In order to save money, ask everyone to contribute to the meal. One great way to give back to summer is to get outside and do some gardening. You’ll feel great and your plants will look great too. Of course, there’s plenty of things to do outdoors on summer solstice, so plan out your day to ensure you have a whole lot of fun. Make sure to keep sunscreen on and hydrate throughout your celebration though.

7. Sun Crafts
A major part of celebrating the summer solstice is the sun. So, you might want to plan on doing a few sun crafts to make your day even more enjoyable. There are so many amazing sun crafts to work on too that you will have a hard time choosing which you want to enjoy. For younger kids, making a sun out of a paper plate can be a blast You can even add a popsicle stick to the bottom to allow your child to use the artwork as a way to tell stories. Another fun idea is to do face painting. Suns are very simple to create and will make most kids feel overjoyed. There are many great crafts to choose from though, so look around to create a list of ideas you’d like to work on with your family.

8. Farmer’s Market
Another great way to pay respect to the summer is to head to the Farmer’s Market, if it is open. You can easily shop around for summer produce and flowers while supporting your community and economy. Generally, on special occasions like this, the farmer’s market will go the extra mile to entertain. You might find live music, crafts and more to keep the family entertained. There might also be a wide variety of food trucks and prepared foods to try out during your visit. This can really bring a lot of joy to the whole family, so make sure to follow your farmer’s market on social media to see if they have anything planned for the celebration.

9. Change Your Diet
The heat in summer often forces us to want to change our diet to lighter foods. This can be great for our health, but while you are making these changes you might consider planning your diet around seasonal foods. The summer brings so many delicious foods to the table that you are certain to enjoy such a wide variety without forcing yourself to eat the same things over and over again. You can even enjoy an abundance of meats in season, such as a wide variety of fish. There’s lots of great summer recipes that are light and tasty too, which will help you keep your weight down while feeling extraordinary. Of course, there’s also plenty of cold treats that will make your heart skip a beat too.

10. Learn About World Traditions
There is so much history in the culture and traditions of the world, especially when it comes to celebrating the solstices. You might take this time to learn more about the various cultures of the world and how they celebrated the seasonal change. Of course, there are so many different cultures to choose from that you might not be able to get to them all during this particular celebration. You might begin by starting with your own heritage or cultures that particularly speak to you. You can always add onto your knowledge in the coming years, so you can gain a better understanding as to why many of our holidays are celebrated. If you’re having a hard time finding information, then check out your local library or search an online database for information.

Celebrating the summer solstice is a great way to kick off summer vacation and show your appreciation for the planet. These simple tips should help you find a few ways to enjoy the day, so you don’t wind up spending too much money. From now on, you’ll look forward to this ancient holiday as it is certain to bring tons of fun to your life.

June is National Rose Month, which means it’s the perfect time to enjoy this stunning flower. Unfortunately, roses are often considered to be expensive, which forces many people to put these amazing flowers on the back burner. There are many ways that you can enjoy National Rose Month without spending a lot of money on the fun though. These ten tips should guide you through many activities that work with your frugal budget, so you can enjoy roses throughout the entire month. So, get ready to stop and smell the roses as you move into the lazy days of summer.

1. Plant Roses
Without a doubt, one of the best ways to celebrate this amazing month is to actually plant some roses. Around this time of the year, roses should go on sale because planting season is almost over. So, you should be able to find quite a few clearance deals to help you find the roses of your dreams. Roses are fairly easy to care for too, so if you plant soon then you should have a garden to admire until much later in the year. If you don’t have a home with a yard to plant your roses, or you’re simply out of space, then you might consider asking if you can plant them in a local park, at a nursing home, or other public space. You will have to talk with community leaders in order to get this permission, which might take a bit of time.

2. Check Out a Rose Garden
Apart from working on your own garden, the next best thing is to stop and see the roses at a community rose garden. This can be an exciting experience for young and old. Usually, these gardens are very quiet which can help you find a little relaxation and reduce your stress too. There are a great number of rose gardens around the United States, so you might want to do a quick search online to see which will suit your needs. If you have time and a little extra money on your hands, then it might be fun to enjoy a mini road trip in order to enjoy more rose gardens. You will have the chance to see more species while doing this and to enjoy the variety of delicious aromas.

3. Pass Out Bouquets
If you already have roses growing in your garden, then you might wonder what you can do with some of them. If you have an abundance, then you might consider building a bouquet with them. You can use this to decorate your home with something beautiful and fragrant. However, you can also build bouquets for those in need. For instance, you might build a few to display in the hospital or a nursing home. This can help lift the spirits of those that are ill, so they can possibly heal faster or at least feel happier during their stay. You might consider passing out bouquets to friends and family. If your child is still in school, then this could be a great end of term gift for teachers. The sky is the limit as to how you distribute your bouquets.

4. Join a Rose Society
Rose societies can be a great thing to join if you find yourself falling in love with roses. If you aren’t already a member, then the month of June is a great time to find the rose society of your dreams. During this time, many societies actually reduce the price of membership, which will benefit you immensely. Most memberships cost very little to begin with, so you should be able to find an affordable option for you. Of course, you should put in plenty of research before choosing a society to run. Some memberships offer very little while others might even send roses in the mail. You will have to decide what price is right for you and what you hope to get out of the society. You might find joining a lot of fun.

5. Preserve Roses
One of the most rewarding things to do with your roses is to actually preserve them. This will help you to remember all of the beautiful flowers that you grew in your garden without having to have a lot of pictures lying around. Preserved roses are also a great thing to add to crafts in the future. They can help you show off beautiful memories or make some of your crafting items more beautiful. There are many ways to preserve roses too, so you can try a few options to see what works for you or the specific rose that you are trying to preserve. Best of all, doing this actually won’t cost you anything, which is great for your frugal lifestyle. In fact, you might even be able to make some money off of your preserved roses, which will add even more to your budget.

6. Rose Festival
June is a great month for festivals, to begin with, but it is one of the best months to check out a rose festival. You might find there are actually many to choose from by doing a simple search as to what festivities will be available in your area. If you’re looking to travel, you can find one of the biggest rose festivals in Oregon. However, there are plenty of fun festivals throughout the world. During the festival, you will be able to view large roses of many different species, pig out on rose inspired food and buy art from those that have dedicated their lives to crafting with this beautiful flower. You might even leave with your own roses to plant. So, prepare to have fun, no matter which festival or festivals you choose to attend.

7. Photography
If you’re interested in celebrating National Rose Month, then you probably agree that roses are some of the most beautiful flowers around. So, now might be the perfect time to take up some photography so you can capture your favorite roses and preserve the memory of them through photos. You don’t have to have an expensive camera to do this either. In fact, you can take amazing quality photos from your phone. You might want to invest in a few lenses to do this, but if you’re saving money you can easily capture images without any extras. You can also make your own filters for next to nothing. In order to get the best photos, you might try heading to a local rose garden, checking out the farmer’s market or just enjoy what you have growing in your own yard.

8. Rose Recipes
One amazing thing that many people overlook is recipes that use rose. You might actually be very surprised as to how many things you can incorporate rose into. One of the most popular items is lemonade. This delicious treat is especially refreshing during the hot summer months. Another great treat that will cool you down is ice cream. This homemade treat is certain to make summer gatherings even more rewarding. Of course, you can add roses to cakes, icing, cookies and so much more, so look around for a rose recipe that will strike your fancy and you’re certain not to be disappointed. You might even consider playing around with your own ideas to have even more fun with roses this month. Of course, you don’t have to feel limited to using roses. You can turn everyday foods into roses too, like strawberries, icing and even ice cream. This will make presentation of your favorite foods even more stunning.

9. Rose Crafts
Bringing roses to the craft table can be a lot of fun too and will help you make crafts that will last throughout the year. You never know, some of the items you make might be great holiday gifts that will help you save even more money. Two of the more popular crafts for roses are potpourri and candles. These delicious crafts will filll the home with a beautiful scent that will make you feel satisfied every time you come home. Of course, you can also use rose petals for centerpieces, scrapbooking, picture frames and so much more. If you don’t have roses to craft with then don’t fret. You can always make paper or fabric roses to suit your needs. There’s tons of ideas available to you too, so have fun with your roses while they last.

10. Learn More
Of course, one of the best things you can do during the month of June is improve on your knowledge of roses. Now is a great time to read up on your favorite floral species. You can easily find websites, magazines and books to help you along your way. There’s lots of things to learn about roses too. For instance, you might be interested in their origins, colors and patterns. You can also find out about roses across the globe to see how they differ or are similar to those in your backyard. Other great information to look up would be tips on how to grow and care for roses as well as how to make them live longer after cut. Your curiosity can be your guide, but if you’re having trouble finding information ask a librarian to guide you along the way.

National Rose Month can be beautiful and exciting if you don’t worry about spending a fortune enjoying it. These tips should help you find plenty of ways to enjoy roses, while broadening your view on the gorgeous flower. You may even find your yard filled with the beautiful flower before it is all said and done.

It’s almost time to celebrate the amazing fathers in our lives. Although it is often easy to find a gift for your own father, it can be troublesome to find a gift that shows just how much you appreciate your spouse for their parenting skills. Worst of all, we don’t often have the budget to purchase for so many people, so our spouses often get left in the dust. This year, you should be able to find the perfect gift for your spouse, so you can easily celebrate him as a father too. So, don’t feel discouraged about your lack of budget for the holiday as these tips are sure to make his day without forcing you to spend a bundle.

1. Game Night With the Guys
As parents, it if often hard to find time for ourselves, let alone our friends. Thus, one of the best things you can do for the father of your children is give him a night where he can just spend time with the guys. Some guys can’t get enough of poker while others are fans of dungeons and dragons. No matter the game choice, let your spouse kick back and relax with some snacks, drinks and his favorite companions. Of course, not all guys are into table games. If your spouse is a gamer then keep the kids away from the TV and gaming consoles for a while, so your spouse can do his thing with his gaming buddies. You might supply him with fresh food and drink now and then to make the night even more fun.

2. His Favorite Meal
It’s been said time and again that the key to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Although this might not necessarily be true in some cases, when it comes to Father’s Day the stomach will always appreciate a favorite meal or two. If you’re feeling ambitious then you can plan to do this for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You might try to choose foods that have similar ingredients, so you can purchase in bulk to save even more money. Whipping up your spouse’s favorite meal will save quite a bit in comparison to going out to eat for any of these meals. So, have a little fun with it and ask the kids to help if they’re old enough to do so.

3. Alone Time
Spending time with family and friends is always a joy, but sometimes it is nice just to be alone with your thoughts. One of the best gifts you can give for Father’s Day is the chance to do this. Instead of planning a big event, let your spouse go off and do whatever he plans to do. May it be catching up on a book he’s been wanting to read or watching his favorite TV shows without screaming or talking in the background. Some spouses will be more than happy just to spend a few hours on their video game console without having to share with a child. Some dads might even have a project they want to work on like carpentry or fixing up their car. Allowing them to spend time alone will help them find their own inner peace while renewing their sense of self.

4. DIY Shave Kit
Most fathers shave and those that don’t still need a way to keep their beard looking neat and clean for work. So, a shave kit is one of the best ways to do this. You can easily purchase one of these items, but it is a lot more fun to make them on their own. You might want to take some time to check out the items that your spouse favors when it comes to shaving. Of course, you can also hint around to see if there are any new products that they have had their eye on trying. Once you have an idea of what to get then pick up the items. Make sure you at least have a razor, shaving cream, facial cleaner and moisturizer in the set. You can always add more though to make the gift feel even more special. This gift will last for quite some time and will help your spouse see how much you appreciate him every time that he uses it.

5. Sports Day
A lot of fathers love sports but simply don’t have the time to enjoy them. This Father’s Day, you might want to let your spouse have a sports day, so he can blow off some steam. You can arrange this with his friends or invite the family to participate. To make things even more fun, you might plan a picnic or BBQ at a local park to help everyone celebrate Father’s Day. Make sure to bring all of the sports equipment you will need to keep the whole crowd busy for hours. You should also make sure to pack lots of water and sunscreen, and ensure there are shady areas for people to cool down in the heat. After spending time playing his favorite games, your spouse is certain to feel amazing and loved.

6. Gift Basket
One of the best budget friendly gifts around is the gift basket. These can entirely be customized to suit your spouse’s favorite things. One of the best items to put in the gift basket is his favorite snacks. These can usually be bought or made for such a great price that you will love the savings. You can also put a few beers or other beverages in the basket to make the day special. On top of that, you can add in little accessories to make it feel more like a customized basket. For instance, if your spouse enjoys fishing then add some lures and other fun accessories. If he plays guitar you might add in some extra strings and picks. You can put whatever you like in the basket, so ask for the kids input too to make it more of a joint gift.

7. Freebies
With luck, you’re going to find quite a few freebies in your community on Father’s Day. This can help you plan out your day accordingly, so you can help your spouse enjoy the day ahead of him. Although it might be a little early to see what deals are going to pass on this day, you might begin to look at last year’s freebies to make plans. Many restaurants and other businesses tend to follow what they did the year prior. Of course, you can always call around and ask what a venue plans to do for the big day. Otherwise, just keep an eye for advertisement and check in on your favorite venues about a week before the big day arrives.

8. Coupon Book
If you’re at a loss for what to get or you simply don’t have the budget to do anything for the big day, then you might want to make your spouse a coupon book. This is another great gift that can be customized to suit your partner’s favorite things. Some things you might want to add in to the coupon book are favorite meals, pick what to watch each night, massages and so on. You can even offer free time, date night, skip a chore and so on. Your partner will be so excited by the gift he might try to use all of the coupons within the first week.

9. Detail His Car
If your spouse takes pride in his car or simply doesn’t have the time to clean it up himself then car detailing might be the perfect gift for him. You can take the car to a company to do this, but it might cost you more than you want to spend. Luckily, detailing the car can be pretty cheap if you do it yourself. There’s lots of great products on the market that are affordable and come in large quantities, so you can use them again and again. Make sure you give the inside and outside of the car a good scrub down as it will make life a lot more convenient for your spouse. You can check out detailing tips online too, if you’re not entirely sure where to begin.

10. Romance Him
Although being a father is exciting and fun, there are probably times in which your spouse misses being just a husband. So, on Father’s Day you might consider wining and dining him, so he feels special in your eyes again. You might want to plan a date to go out together without the kids. Choose a restaurant he would consider romantic and perhaps even plan a trip to the movies. You can even get dressed up, if it’s something he would like to do. Having fun together will help inspire him and make him feel young again, which will improve the way he feels as well as your relationship.

Father’s Day is a great time to let your spouse know you appreciate him. These ten ideas will not only make him feel loved but should help keep money in the bank. With any luck, you will be able to incorporate a few of these ideas for your partner’s big day. This is certain to make the whole family happy.

Sometimes, we take our best friends for granted. They are there when we need a shoulder to cry, someone to laugh with or simply someone to help guide us in the right direction with life’s decisions. So, this Best Friend Day, June 8, might the perfect way to show your BFF just how much you love them. Although we can’t all afford a gift worthy of their awesomeness, there are a few frugal ways that can help you show your bestie just how much you care. With these simple ideas, you should be on the right path to having a great Best Friend Day without having to spend too much money.

1. Take the Time to Call
If you and your friend tend to be busy most of the time or live far apart then one of the best things you can do is make some time for a call to celebrate the day. You can do this on your phone or the computer, to suit your needs and your friends. A video call might be a better option as it will allow for more interaction and will actually help you keep up with your day while you talk, so you don’t get too far behind. You might also feel like this is more like hanging out than talking on the phone. The two of you can paint your nails together, watch a movie or simply goof around while catching up. This simple gift can mean a lot to you both too, so make sure you schedule a chat date that suits both of your schedules.

2. Reminisce Together
One of the greatest things about having a best friend is the ability to sit back and reminisce together. If you can, take the day to hang out and go over all of the things that your friendship has gone through. For instance, you might put on some of your favorite childhood memories in order to relive the feelings you both went through in the early days of your friendship. Another fun option is to gush over your old year books if you shared these day together. It is always fun looking over the people you shared so many experiences with while laughing and recalling old memories. This might help the two of you improve your bond even more, which is certain to make you feel even happier to have such a friend.

3. Do Something You Love
Usually, having a best friend means you have someone that has a lot of common interests with you. So, instead of forking out a lot of money on gifts and expensive food, you might want to take the time to do something you love. For instance, go out dancing together or keep it cheaper by dancing at home. You can turn on your favorite music and let your cares melt away or dance with your favorite video game. Another great option is yoga. You don’t have to take a class for this to be fun with your best friend either. You can even follow some of the latest trends of having a beer or enjoying some wine while stretching away. If you love tennis or another sport, then find some time for a game. Of course, you can also window shop, get your nails done, or go to the movies together. Whatever makes the two of you happy will certainly make your day unforgettable.

4. Pig Out Together
For most of us, eating with our best friend can be one of the greatest pleasures in life. So, this Best Friend Day get together to have a pig out session that is suitable for your friendship. You can enjoy this activity in many different ways. One of the more common ideas is to throw your diet to the wind and have a cheat day by ordering all of your favorite foods. You might want to surf around for deals before you begin with this, so you can still save some money. If the two of you love to cook or bake, then hit the kitchen and have some fun with it. You can even have a glass of wine or two while you whip up your favorite dishes and treats together. This meal can really help you to bond together and will make you feel nostalgic for the days you’d pig out together as teenagers or young adults.

5. Customized Jewelry
Nothing says friendship quite like customized jewelry. This is probably one of the most common gifts between friends that has been a tradition for generations. Today, you can find all sorts of amazing friendship jewelry on the market. You can go for a more sophisticated look, which will cost you more money or you can keep it simple with a cheap item you might have bought as a child. As a matter of fact, going to pick out such an item is always a great outing for friends and will help them to make a joint decision on the jewelry. Of course, you can always make your own items too, which is a fun activity that can kill some time. There’s always the classic friendship bracelet, but you might want to look into DIY necklaces too.

6. Order a Photobook
If you want to make a great impression on your best friend, then a photobook might be the perfect way to show them just how much you care. You can always go through your expansive collection of photos of the two of you and pick some of your favorites. Usually, around this time many photo websites will have great deals on photobooks since we are in between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Thus, you should be able to get a book at a great discounted price, if not for free. Of course, you can always take things into your own hands and scrapbook the book for your friend. This homemade touch is certain to warm your best friend’s heart and make the book even more treasurable.

7. Give Them a Shout Out
Some friends don’t need a lot to feel special. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to help your friend feel like a million bucks is to give them a shout out on social media. You might want to take some time to plan out a post that tells your best friend just how you feel about them. The post will look even better if you include fun photos over the years, so people can see just how much you adore each other. Of course, you should keep the photos as flattering as possible, so you don’t wind up with your bestie asking you to take the post down due to the photos. This easy way to show some love won’t cost you a cent and will let everyone else know how special your friend is.

8. Best Friend Crafts
Sometimes, the best way to celebrate your friendship is to sit back and have a craft day together. There are so many best friend crafts to choose from that you’re certain to choose something that suits the both of you. One great idea is to enjoy a day of scrapbooking. However, you can spice things up by making matching art for each other. For instance, you can paint a mug, so you always have something to remember each other every morning. You might also consider making friendship bracelets as a shout out to your childhood. There are also activities you can do to enjoy crafts like an adult. For instance, there are classes that will allow you to drink wine while painting a picture together. No matter what you choose to do, you’re bound to have a lot of fun.

9. Enjoy a Getaway
Overall, sometimes the best thing you can do for you and your friend is to take some time to getaway together. This is certain to help you both relax and spend the time bonding that you’ve needed for some time. There are many getaways that won’t cost you a fortune too, so don’t be afraid to give them a try. For instance, you can try camping if you don’t mind spending time outdoors. Another option is to hang out by the lake or beach as these locations won’t cost you a fortune if you live close by. If you don’t want to go far then stay at one of your homes for a staycation. You can have an at home spay day or just sit around catching up on gossip, movies and TV shows. No matter how you choose to enjoy your getaway, make sure the time is dedicated to the two of you.

10. Reconnect with an Old Friend
Even though you probably have a best friend to celebrate, now might also be a great time to reach out to the best friends you’ve had throughout your life. You might be surprised as to how much fun this can be. If you don’t already have contact with these people, then try to look them up on social media and send out a message. Don’t be upset if some do not remember you though, as friends from earlier years may not have the same memory capacity as you do. However, you might have a lot of fun reminiscing with the friends that do remember you. The nostalgia alone can help brighten your day immensely. You never know, you might even find a new friend that you communicate with often.

Celebrating Best Friend day is the perfect way to show your friend how much you appreciate having them in your life. This day is time to put stress behind you and enjoy the company of the person that makes your life fun and more rewarding. With these tips, you should be able to have a good time without stressing about money.

Spring is finally in full swing and summer is just around the corner, which means your local farmers’ market has more than likely opened up again. Shopping at the farmers’ market can be a real treat in more ways than one. Not only are you able to grab some fresh produce that isn’t treated with harsh chemicals, but you’re also able to support your local farmers, artisans and more. This can be a very rewarding experience that will make life exciting for the whole family. Of course, shopping at the farmers’ market can be pricey too. Luckily, there’s a few things you can do to cut back on your spending there. So, get ready to make the most of your weekends as your budget shouldn’t hold you back this year.

1. Use Your Eyes
Your eyes can be your best asset when it comes to saving money at the market. Although many people like to memorize the produce that is currently in season, just viewing the items for sale can help you make an even wiser choice on the foods that are at their freshest. This is great because seasonal items may come in slower or faster than the guidelines account for. So, try to choose produce that looks good. If something looks wilted and less than desirable, then it’s probably not the best time to buy it or it isn’t a good crop. If you do plan on buying these items, then try to talk the seller into a lower price based on the overall health of the produce. You should also try to eat these items as soon as possible.

2. Shop Bulk
If you really want to add savings to your shopping experience then you may want to shop in bulk, opposed to just buying a few items at each stall. Sellers tend to enjoy selling lots of their produce at once because it allows them to spend less time at the market and more time enjoying their day. You might talk to some of your favorite stands prior to buying bulk too. If you let people know how much you want, then your order might be ready and waiting for you when you arrive. Of course, make sure to have plants for the produce so you don’t waste money. If anything, freeze your excess produce to save you even more money.

3. Barter
The farmers’ market allows you to enjoy an old school feeling whenever you visit. In this sense, some sellers will even let you barter and haggle, which can save you a lot of money. One of the best things you can do is bring items to trade for the things you want. You might ask around to see what some vendors would be interested in trading and then return the next week with the times. If trading isn’t your thing then do a little haggling. There is a respectful way to do this, so make sure to be polite so you don’t offend the person you’d like to purchase from. All in all, this should allow you to have some more fun at the market, while keeping your budget in check.

4. Use Social Media
If you love a specific vendor at the farmers’ market, then it is always wise to follow them on social media if they use it. This will allow you to discover discounts before you even set foot outside. On top of that, you can learn what the vendor plans on bringing to the market each morning. This will allow you to make sure your budget is okay for all of your big plans. You can also follow the farmers’ market in your local area. This will keep you up to date on exciting information, sudden closures and the vendors that will be available. You might even find job opportunities that will help you earn even more money. Sometimes, the market will release special phrases to help you save even more money on the items you love. Connecting on social media allows you to ask questions and connect with other people in your community, which can help you find even more savings while improving your market experience each week.

5. Avoid the Extras
When you step foot into the market, it is hard not to be overwhelmed by all of the delicious smells and fun things to check out. However, it is important to keep your mindset on your budget, so you don’t go overboard. One of the best things you can do is go straight to the booths that are on your list. Hopefully, these boots are mainly produce because coffee, baked goods and prepared foods can often cost more than you like. You might want to hold off on these items until you have purchased the necessities. Flower and craft booths should also be avoided until you see how much money you can play with after necessities. It might be hard to do, but you’ll be thankful for your discretion.

6. Research Store Prices
A lot of people go into the farmers’ market thinking it is going to be the cheapest possible option. This isn’t always the case though. Although many vendors do strive to offer the cheapest items, sometimes they simply can’t cut the price as low as some stores. So, if you’re shopping at the market to save then make sure you do research on other prices in your area. This should help you know what items you should be looking for at the market opposed to which you should buy at the store. Of course, if the items are similar in price then you might want to purchase with local vendors in order to support your local economy and encourage more people to grow natural products.

7. Look Around First
A farmers’ market can be pretty overwhelming, which is why many people buy from the first vendor that catches their eye. However, this can be a costly choice to make as you may find better deals just around the corner. One of the best things you can do is look around the entire market before you make your decision. This will allow you to price all of the items that you need. With this knowledge you can purchase from multiple stands in order to maximize your savings. Doing this also allows you to check out items you might want to splurge on. This will help you make a decision, so you don’t miss out on something you’d prefer to purchase. This is especially helpful with children who want so many items but wind up disappointed when they purchase too soon and miss out on something even better.

8. Make Friends
One of the best things you can do when shopping is actually try to make friends with the vendors. This probably won’t happen overnight, but if you’re a regular shopper at the market then you’re certain to make a great impression on some of the vendors you shop with. Make sure to be friendly and polite while shopping to get your relationship started on the right foot. As your friendship grows, you might be privy to discounts and even the occasional freebie. You might also have better luck purchasing items in bulk or getting in orders during the week opposed to having to wait for the market to open on the weekend.

9. Show Up Late
They always say that the early bird gets the worm, but this isn’t always the case when it comes to the farmers’ market. There will always be some vendors that offer a deal for the early hours, but most of the sales will come before it is time to close up shop. A lot of vendors don’t want to hold onto their items, especially if they are selling food, because it means they will lose out on money. So, coming late might help you see a drop in prices. Sometimes, you might even be able to land a two for one deal, if there is a lot of produce left over. You should always be careful when shopping this way though as you won’t get the prime items of the day. So, check to make sure you’re not getting items that will be bad tomorrow before you embrace your late shopping sales.

10. Bring Cash
These days, most vendors will actually have a card reader to add convenience for their shoppers. However, sometimes these card readers will actually cost you a bit extra. A lot of vendors will charge a transaction fee to help cut back on the money they are charged for using the service. Plus, if they go through many payment programs then they are losing money on the deal too. Some vendors won’t charge this fee if your purchase is over a certain amount, so keep this in mind when shopping. Keeping cash with you will allow you to embrace the advertised price without a fee. It will also help you stay on budget, so you won’t have to stress about spending later on.

Spending time at the farmers’ market can be a blast for the whole family. This shopping experience doesn’t have to force you to spend a lot of money though. These simple tips will allow you to shop with ease, so you can enjoy your purchases without stressing about spending too much. This will also make you feel great about supporting your community.

With summer break just days to weeks away, you may be looking for ways to keep your children busy and active during the summer months. Dance is one way to help kids stay fit while teaching them to follow directions, work as a team and even coordination. However, dance class can be pretty pricey if you’re on a tight budget. These ten ideas should help you save money on the art of dance, which will allow you and your child to enjoy the experience even more. So, get ready to watch your child’s confidence and excitement bloom as the summer is filled with fun dance moves.

1. Know When Your Child Is Ready
A lot of people actually end up throwing away money when they enroll their child simply because the child isn’t quite ready for such a class. Sometimes, this even prevents the child from taking dance again, because parents feel like the money will be wasted again. The key is to know when your child is prepared for such a class. Even though your child might fit the age requirements, it doesn’t mean that its time for the class. You should make sure that your child is comfortable with strangers to begin with, because if they are still going through an extreme stranger danger phase then spending time with an instructor will be stressful, which will cause your child not to enjoy the class. Students should also be able to listen to instructions and follow the rules. Apart from that, students should also be able to sit or stand still when they aren’t instructed to dance. If your child cannot do this then they won’t get the most out of dance and they may even, make the class too difficult for other students.

2. Sibling Discounts
Signing up children for multiple activities can be pretty pricey. However, sometimes, if you have children in the same activity you can actually save some money. You might talk with the instructor or dance studio to see if you can receive a discount to have multiple children in the class. This tends to work out better if the children are in the same age group as they will only be taking up an extra slot in one class. Even if the instructor says its not a possibility, it never harms to ask. It will also allow you to look around for other schools or classes that may offer such a discount.

3. Consider YMCA
Sometimes, private dance lessons and institutes can really hike up the prices of their dance classes. This is especially true if there isn’t a lot of competition in your community. However, you might have a second option to consider. Sometimes, the YMCA will actually offer dance lessons, which won’t cost you a small fortune. These classes might not be specific courses, so if you want your child learning just ballet, then you might have to go somewhere else. The classes might not be as frequent as your typical classes either, but this will give your younger children a break. YMCA dance classes might not offer recitals either, but if you’re there for the love of learning then this is a small price to pay for huge savings. If you’re interested in using the YMCA for classes, then you might call to ask if they offer this service. If not, they may be able to direct you to a YMCA that does or another affordable option.

4. Choose a Class Wisely
When signing up your child for a class, you might have to look at a few options to get your money’s worth. For instance, if your child isn’t set on a certain type of dance then one of the smartest ways to begin their lessons is to have them join a class that offers many different types of dance. This will allow them to experiment with what they love so you can get a better idea of the classes they should be signed up for. Of course, you should also take into consideration length and frequency of the class, as well as your child’s learning style. If your child grows bored of a class after half an hour, then hour long classes won’t allow you to get your money’s worth.

5. Watch Out For Early Registration
Early registration can be one of the best ways to save on some money when it comes to your child’s classes. Some institutes won’t just cut back the cost on registration but might also take a bit of money off of the actual price of each class. However, it is often hard to figure out when registration is, as there are so many seasons. Your best option is to talk to the schools you are interested in and ask them about early registration based on your child’s age. This should allow you to know when you need to sign your child up in order to get these benefits. You might also talk to the school about these benefits to see if they are worth the extra trouble.

6. Ask For a Trial Class
If you’re not sure about your child taking dance, or even about the institute you’re interested in, then you might want to ask if you can have a trial class. A lot of schools will actually allow this to ensure that customers are satisfied with the service before doing all of the paper work. This is a great benefit to you and your child too. For starters, it will allow you to see how your child acts during the class. If they show no interest or don’t seem to mesh well with the teacher or the class, then it’s probably not a right match for you. Of course, even if things do go well, you can always take notes about the class and do a trial class with another school. This will allow you to make a well-educated decision about where your child will learn.

7. Invest in Shoes
A lot of parents try to save money on dance accessories due to the high price of classes. However, this can cost you more money than you realize. One of the best things you can do is invest in a good pair of dance shoes. Although children tend to grow quickly, the decent dance shoes will last the duration they are in the size, so you won’t have to keep replacing them. This can be especially important for older children or students that are planning to be competitive. Dance schools can often give you recommendations based on your student’s needs and your price range too, so don’t forget to use teachers as an asset to help you save money. You can always sell the used shoes later or save them for a younger sibling.

8. Clearance Clothing
The classes aren’t the only expense when it comes to getting your child into dance. You’re also going to need to have proper workout clothes for each student as well as those for performances. Luckily, there are many stores dedicated to dance clothing. You can even find a lot of great items on clearance. Although this will rarely help you with performance clothes, as most teachers have specific styles, you can choose these clothes for basic classes and workout sessions. This should help cut back on your costs, especially since most children will outgrow the clothes quickly.

9. Group Lessons
Many teachers will offer group and private lessons, which gives students an opportunity to learn in their chosen environment. If you’re looking to save money though, you should always go for the group lessons. These might not help your child improve in the fastest way possible, but more often than not children are just taking the class to have fun. These classes are much cheaper than private lessons, so you will save a lot of money. They also allow children to work on social skills while they enjoy dancing. If you don’t want your child in an entirely public class, then you might consider getting a group of friends and family together to have a group class of your own. This might cost more than the typical group class, but still less than a private session.

10. Consider Videogames
If your child is shy or simply isn’t interested in taking a class, then there are other ways for you to teach your child to dance. One of the best ways is through video games. This can help you save a lot of money too, as you will only have a one-time charge for the game. Children will be able to customize their experience through the games they use too, which should suit most children. Best of all, you can enjoy the process of learning with them. This is one of the best aspects of learning through gaming, as your children will react to your participation. Of course, you can also use the games to help reinforce the skills they learn in class, which will also help you get more for your money.

Dancing can be a great way to help your children have some fun in the summer and any other season. Dance courses are very popular, so you can find them in most communities too. With any luck, these ten tips will help you save money on your child’s dance lessons, so they can learn a great skill that will help keep them moving when school is no longer in session.

With summer just a month away, it is important to begin to plan out your sun protection strategies. Summer is one of the harshest times for UV rays and with kids out of school it’s crucial to keep them safe when they are outside playing. Of course, you should consider sun protection all year round too. After shopping for sun gear, you may begin to worry about your budget though, as there’s lots of expenditures that seem like they might break the bank. Luckily, there’s lots of great things you can purchase to keep the suns rays at bay. This should help make your summer and the rest of the year healthier and happier.

1. Bulk Sun Block
Sun block can be pretty pricey no matter what season you’re purchasing it in. This can be rather frustrating since you’re supposed to apply sunblock multiple times on a daily basis. Your sun block consumption is even higher during the summer months, which will add to the price substantially. Luckily, most brands will allow you to purchase their items in bulk. Spray on brands often package their cans in larger packs, so you can enjoy the savings. However, if you really want to save you will need to stick to the classic rub on sunscreen. If you look at wholesale stores or even on your favorite brands website, you should be able to find large bottles of your favorite sunblock. This should help you save money while helping your supply last much longer. Of course, you should always do research on your sun block options, before you use large amounts of a product.

2. Extra Clothing
Unfortunately, summer clothing tends to show off a lot more skin than other seasonal clothing would. This is especially common when it comes to women’s and girls’ clothing. However, if you really want to keep your skin healthy and safe then you may want to look for other options. For instance, when it comes to swim gear, the bikini might not be the best option. Rather, you might want to consider board shorts and a rash guard shirt. This can come in handy for little girls too. Boys can still wear swim trunks but might settle on keeping a shirt on too. If you are going out for the day, consider clothing that is longer, but lightweight. This will help offer more protection from the sun while still allowing you to remain cool.

3. Skip the Tan
So many people go into summer hoping to get a good tan. However, this is probably the last thing you should do. It is especially bad if you begin spring with going to tanning beds, so you’ll look great for summer. Instead of doing this, wait for the sun to naturally tan you. It will take some time, but this just shows that you are protecting your skin from the sun efficiently. A tan isn’t a sign of health. Rather it could cause permanent damage to the skin. Dark tans, especially those caused my sunburns can really be cause for concern. So, don’t worry about the color of your skin. Instead, enjoy the sun but do it in the safest possible manner.

4. Seek Shade
Your best friend in the summer time is the shade. This is especially important when the UV index is very high. Whenever you go out to enjoy the sun, you should always make sure to locate a few shady places in the area. Then, frequent them a few times an hour. This will help take away the burden of the harsh rays while allowing you to cool down your body. If you’re spending a lot of time walking, then make sure to bring an umbrella with you. This is certain to keep you cooler but won’t force you to stress out about the painful rays. Parks tends to have lots of shady areas, so make sure your children stick to them too. Even if it means playing in the lower sections of a play area, keeping to shade can help keep your children healthier.

5. Find a Good Hat
Summer is the perfect time to channel your inner fashionista. A good hat makes the perfect accessory for some summer fun. Wide brimmed hats are especially great during the hot season, so you might begin your search for the perfect beach and garden hat as soon as the fashion lines hit the market. These hats not only look great when you’re hanging out on the beach, but they help protect you from the sun. A wide brimmed hat can easily prevent the sun from getting on your face and much of your body. Of course, you can keep it simple with a baseball cap or other form of hat that has a brim. However, visors might not be the best option, as they will leave the top of your head exposed to the rays. All the same, your choice of hat can really make all the difference in the summer. It is certain to give your eyes and skin a break from the harsh rays.

6. UPF Clothes
UPF clothing is a recent addition to the skin protection that we can find in local and online stores. This clothing is designed to help prevent the dangerous UV rays from targeting your skin through your clothing. A lot of UPF clothing comes in bathing suit form, which makes beach and pool time a lot safer. However, it may help to use cover ups even in these clothes as bathing suits tend to not cover much skin. Luckily, more fashion brands are beginning to use UPF in their fashion lines too, so you might find that some of your favorite clothing items will offer this important protection in the future. For now, you might have to browse online for clothing that uses UPF.

7. Sunglasses
Your skin isn’t the only thing that needs a bit of protection from the sun. You should also work hard to protect your eyes. A pair of sunglasses is one of the best ways to do this. You don’t have to spend a small fortune on these though, as even sun glasses from the dollar store can help keep your eyes safe. However, if you typically wear glasses then you might want to consider getting a prescription pair or transition lenses, so that you won’t have to worry about choosing your prescription glasses over eye protection. There are accessories that clip onto your glasses to help you have sun protection without forcing you to remove your current glasses. Soon, we may even see contact lenses that adjust to the light to ensure you are protected.

8. Drink Water
It doesn’t matter if its summer or winter, you should be drinking the recommended amount of water on a daily basis. This is not only good for your entire body, but it will help your skin out too. When you drink a lot of water, your body has the ability to heal more efficiently. So, when you’re exposing your skin to the harsh UV rays, your skin has the ability work through the damage so that you don’t have to heal quite as long. It may even help cut back on your chance of getting a burn if you take all of the proper precautions.

9. Research Remedies
Although we can try very hard to prevent sun damage, it isn’t always possible. Sometimes, the unthinkable happens and we end up with a sun burn. However, the way we deal with these problems can help prevent further damage along the long. Some may even help ease our pain and heal our bodies quickly. One of the best things to try out is aloe vera. You can take this from a household plant or buy a special gel from the store. This natural remedy is designed to help you heal quickly while reducing the sting of the burn. Vitamin E can be crucial when dealing with this problem too. Of course, you may also browse around online for more remedies. One unusual tip is placing brewed Earl Grey tea on a rag and letting it sit on the burn. These remedies will be trial and error though, so you will have to experiment to see what works best for you.

10. Watch UV Index
One of the greatest steps you can take all year round is watching out for the UV index. You can easily do this with a weather app, or simply look it up daily. The UV index can make or break your day if you’re trying to protect your skin. Most of the time, it is safe to go outdoors with sunscreen, but there are some days, particularly in the summer, when the UV index might encourage you to stay indoors as much as possible. Generally, wearing sunscreen, plenty of clothing and staying in the shade, should ensure you will be safe while outdoors.

Hands down, sun protection is one of the best things you can provide for your health. Although it might not seem like the sun is doing a lot of damage, you may find that your health is greatly affected by the problems UV rays can cause. These ten tips should help you save a lot of money on your sun protection methods.

Memorial Day is coming up on us at lightning speed. So, it might be time to consider how you’re going to spend this holiday with your kids. More often than not, Memorial Day activities tend to cater towards adults. From drinking at a barbecue to checking out all of the amazing sales, kids often end up tagging along behind their parents. There are lots of great ways you can help your children enjoy this holiday, or at least get something out of it. So, if you’re at a loss for how to entertain your kids during this long weekend, then you might want to check out these ten simple tips that are also incredibly easy on the budget.

1. School Cleanup
For a lot of students, the long Memorial Day holiday actually marks the first weekend of summer vacation. So, it might be time to help them cleanse themselves of all that the last school year had to offer. There’s a pretty good chance that there is a backpack filled with about 6 months’ worth of old homework, trash and who knows what else somewhere in the home. To celebrate the end of term, you might have your student dump out the contents and get rid of everything that isn’t needed. You can set a limit for art projects, papers and tests that can be saved for the memory book while everything else can be recycled or thrown away. Once the school work is out of the way, check out their old school supplies. Some of these items can be used for the upcoming school year while others might not even be worthy of your craft bin. Of course, if your students aren’t out of school then they can easily begin this process over the long weekend. However, you might not want to throw anything away until the year is officially over. When everything is clear, wash the backpack and put it away for the next school year.

2. Summer Clothes Fashion Show
If you like to put away clothes for each season, then now is certainly the time to pull out your boxes of summer attire. Once everything is down, have the kids put on a fashion show so you can see what items they will need for the upcoming summer. Having kids try everything on will allow you to judge tightness, shortness and overall quality of the clothes. Plus, it will let younger siblings enjoy some of the older sibling’s hand-me-downs for the first time. You can also have the kids show off their new items too, just to boost their confidence. Once you have all your clothes sorted, you might consider donating the discard pile to a thrift store that supports veterans or the current troops.

3. Check Out a Parade
One of the most kid friendly things that happens on Memorial Day is the parade. Your own town might put on their own parade, but if this isn’t the case then you can easily watch one of TV. You can also visit a local town that might be have a parade. No matter how this works out, a parade will not only excite your children, but will help them learn more about the message of the holiday. To make the occasion even more fun, you might dress the kids up in red, white and blue clothing to celebrate. You can also try to get some of the veterans to stop and talk to the family about their stories and the stories of those they have lost.

4. Sign up For Summer Activities
Although summer isn’t officially here for a few more weeks, now might be the time to get your kids registered for summer activities. Most local community centers and YMCAs will have their list of activities up on their websites to help you make the right choices and plan accordingly. You might even be able to register the kids online, so you won’t have to worry about the long registration process. You might also check out other activities like martial arts, dance and gymnastics. Swimming lessons and other water activities should also be considered, especially if you are signing up for a community summer program. Getting ready for these activities might also save you some money by allowing you to take advantage of early registration perks.

5. Make a Schedule
Without a doubt, adjusting to having everyone home from school is pretty rough. Having aimless children can be the worst part of summer though. So, instead of letting your kids flow from one hour to the next, you should get them on a schedule as soon as possible. The long holiday is the perfect time to work out this schedule though, so you don’t have to stress about getting it done in just a few minutes. In the schedule, you should consider their activities, but also pencil in playdates, chores, field trips and even homework that you assign them. The schedule will help prevent everyone from getting bored and spending the entire day snacking in the kitchen or watching TV.

6. Research Water Activities
Getting through summer without some fun in the water is practically unheard of. However, your kids are going to have two full months of water activities to enjoy, so it might be time to sit down and research a few newcomers to add to the classic activities that you’ve played for years. You and the children might sit down and look for ideas online. From there, plan out the items you need to make the top activities a reality. Activities that require similar supplies should be considered first as it will save you even more money. Branching out like this will help broaden your kids’ creativity while keeping them from getting bored. You should be able to find so many ideas online, that everyone might end up playing rock, paper, scissors to see which exciting activity will make the cut this year.

7. Backyard Camping
You don’t have to spend a fortune to go on a camping trip. In fact, you can enjoy the activity in your own backyard. The Memorial Day holiday is one of the best times to kick off your backyard campsite. All you need for this is to pitch a tent that can be left up throughout the summer months. You might also consider adding a fire pit to the area or some way for children to stay warm if the summer nights do wind up cold. Once the basic site is set up then stock up on treats, like items to make smores. You can help the children have fun by staying up with them and singing songs or telling ghost stories. The campsite can even become helpful while children are playing outside as it will offer a shady area for games, like cards.

8. Patriotic Foods
It almost doesn’t seem like it’s officially summer without a whole lot of patriotic food. Memorial Day is the best time to try your hand at some of these fun foods. You can even invite the kids into the kitchen to help you out with this. You can stick with the classics like parfaits, pies and jello, but you might also branch out with items like fruit pizza. There is an abundance of recipes online, so choosing some patriotic foods will be a breeze this year. You may even branch away from the sweeter foods and try a few savory or healthy dishes too.

9. Listen to Stories
Memorial Day is all about honoring those that have fallen in the line of duty. So, now might be a great time to take your children to a place where they can learn more about these extraordinary people. One great place to go is a nursing home or VA hospital. There should be plenty of people willing to talk about their parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and even spouses that fell in line of duty. Not all of the stories have to be about war if you have concerns about your children’s age. In fact, many people would probably talk about the person’s life instead and honor their memory in this way. Another great place to visit is a memorial site, which often has curators that share stories or simple stories printed on placards. If you can’t find people to share stories, then the local library is an excellent resource. You should be able to find novels and other books to help learn more about the fallen soldiers. Video streaming websites can also be helpful as there are many interviews of this nature to enjoy.

10. Getaway
A lot of people choose the Memorial Day holiday in order to get in their summer getaway. Often, the summer crowds haven’t made their plans for vacationing yet, so you might be able to find a deal in some locations. However, many locations will be off limits if you want to save money. You might want to browse around online to see which family friendly locations are up for grabs at a cheap price. Vacations don’t have to take place far away either. You might consider staying close to home and visiting the beach or lake instead. Of course, the time is ticking so this should be done as soon as possible. If not, then you might use the holiday to plan out your vacation that will occur later in the summer or even in the fall.

Memorial Day is a great day for spending quality time with your children. These ten ideas should offer you a more frugal way to help them celebrate that also helps to plan the holiday around their needs. With any luck, you’ll be able to prepare for their summer vacation period during this holiday too.

Sending your children to their first official year of kindergarten can be frightening, intimidating and depressing. One of the main problems today is many children are showing up to their first day of kindergarten and they aren’t at the accurate education level to move right along with the class’s curriculum. With Pre-K programs skyrocketing in price, many of the requirements for kindergarten must be taught at home. However, many parents have no idea what their child is supposed to know before they drop them off on their first day. These tips should give you frugal ways to help prepare your child for school, while still keeping your playtime fun.

1. Tracing
Tracing can be one of the best ways to have fun while preparing your child to go to school. To begin with, this activity is an easy way to start your child out on writing letters, numbers and their name, which are all required for kindergarten. You can let your child trace on paper to help them get the motion of the pencil or crayon, which is another requirement for school. Of course, to add some fun to the task, let them trace away in sand, shaving cream and anything else fun you can think of. You may even consider bringing out the paint and brushes to help out. This activity also teaches kids to sit down and concentrate, which is another must when it comes to school.

2. Drawing Crafts
Whenever you can, you should pull out the pencils and crayons to help your child get the hang of using these writing utensils. The more comfortable your child is with the proper use of these utensils, the easier it will be for them to jump into their school work. You can do all sorts of things to help them with this. For instance, you might ask them to draw a variety of their favorite things. You can also have them write letters, numbers and their name in bubble letters and so on. Another option is to have them go over coloring sheets. Spending at least 30 minutes a day on this type of craft helps build up motor skills while teaching your child to sit down and work on an assignment.

3. Puzzle
Puzzles can be one of the most efficient ways to help your little one learn early logic skills. Puzzles come in all shapes and sizes too, which can allow you to customize your puzzle time towards your child’s needs. The best thing about puzzles is they not only work to help with logic, but they can teach the alphabet, numbers, animals and so much more. There are even puzzles that make noise for kids that love audio interaction. Having your child sit down to work on a puzzle also helps with their patience skills. This can really come in handy in school and will make it easier for your child to work through harder tasks.

4. Flash Cards
One of the cheapest ways to teach children new things is to use flash cards. These are particulary great for children getting ready to go to kindergarten. Flash cards can be played during meals, before bedtime or even while you’re waiting for an appointment or in the car. You can make flashcards to suit your child’s needs too. The alphabet and numbers are always a wise choice, but you can also add in cards for shapes, colors, animals, transportation vehicles, clothes and so much more. You can even begin to help your child work on sight words, so they will be reading before you know it. Flash cards make it easy to create a reward system too, so your child will actually want to play it. You can even use your flash cards as a memory game, which will help your children learn even more.

5. Crafting
It is important that your child knows how to use scissors and glue, so crafting is one of the best ways to prepare them for this requirement. Luckily, crafts won’t break the bank, so you can do a lot of them without having to worry about finances. One great option for this is to make paper bag puppets. Kids will love cutting, gluing and coloring their puppet. When it’s complete, they can make up stories to help improve on their creativity and imagination. You might also consider crafts that utilize motor functions too. For instance, you can have children do some work with beads. Kids will love showing off what they made and may even love to give them as gifts to loved ones. There are so many craft options available that you should be booked full throughout the summer.

6. Relay Games
Helping your child get up and burn some energy is always a great way to help with the learning process. There’s a long list of athletic relays that can help your child learn motor functions, keep fit and have fun. However, there are many other relay games you can let your child play. For instance, you can assign them various tasks around the house to see how fast they can do them. One example would be to have them collect a pencil, then a paper, write their name, tie their shoe and so on. This will help them get in the mindset of listening to what their teacher has to say while allowing them to work on tasks they will commonly do in school. Another great way to add to this to help your child learn how to stand in line quickly, which is another essential for school.

7. Play Dates
Encouraging your child to spend time with other children is another great way to help them prepare for school. Knowing how to socialize, share and be kind to others is a skill that is best learned before your child is placed in a setting with a lot of other children. As your child grows more comfortable with other children, you may try to leave them with a supervising adult for some time and offer the same favor to other parents. This will help children get used to being without their parents for a longer period of time, which can make the transition to kindergarten a lot easier. With separation anxiety gone, your child will be able to learn without distraction.

8. Reward Manners
Helping your child develop good manners is one of the best things you can do for your family, your child, their peers and teachers. Manners are very important in school and will help your child make friends easier while being more successful in their school work. In order to encourage good manners, you might want to come up with a reward system. This will show children that manners are rewarded, so it becomes second nature to them. You should especially concentrate on pleases and thank yous, as well as overall courteous behavior.

9. Chores
A lot of people are hesitant to give younger children chores to do around the house. However, chores can be very rewarding for young children and their parents. These chores can even make sure your child is ready to take on the tasks that school will bring to the table. This doesn’t mean your child should have a long list of chores, nor should they have some of the harder chores in the household. There are many items they can accomplish though. For instance, picking up their toys is one of the most important things you can teach your child. You can also assign them simple tasks like feeding and watering the pets, collecting dirty dishes from around the house, cleaning flat surfaces and so on. You can actually find lists from professionals that will help you choose your child’s chores based on their age group.

10. Read
Hands down, reading to your children is one of the best things that you can do for them. This is not just valuable bonding time that helps your child ease into their sleep routine. Reading actually helps a child build up a strong vocabulary from a very early age. This helps with their language skills and allows them to progress in other aspects of school too. On top of that, reading helps your child develop a love for books which will help them fall in love with learning. Last but not least, reading with your child can also help them recognize sight words faster. This might even encourage your child to feel confident enough to read before they even enter school.

Helping your child prepare for kindergarten can be bittersweet, but it’s absolutely necessary for their success. These simple tips should help you prepare your child without having to invest lots of money in programs and activities for your child. Before you know it, your child will expand their confidence while showing you just how smart they are.

The high school graduation period has begun, which means there’s lots of future college students trying to get in last minute money to help with one of the most expensive journeys they will ever take. For many students, college seems a hopeless endeavor that they will never be able to afford. Luckily, there’s still time to get ready for college and make it a more frugal experience. These ten tips should help you put back money to help you get by during your first year of college, so you can stress less about finances and more about how you’re going to get that lengthy paper finished before the deadline that is just hours away. So, don’t let your graduation become the beginning of a stressful summer as there are ways to get a frugal start to the college experience.

1. Grab a Summer Job
Without a doubt, one of the best places to begin your journey is to grab a summer job. Usually, places in the mall, fast food chains and even some retail stores begin hiring like crazy just before summer begins. So, with any luck, you can land a good job to help you save up. You might even consider working full time if you can find the right job, so you will be able to put back the money you need to cushion your first year. There is an added bonus to having a job though. It will provide you with the much-needed work experience you will need to land a job later. This will ensure that if you need to get a part time job while you’re at school then you will have something to put on your resume to help out. Of course, if you can’t find a job, in the traditional sense, there’s still lots of options out there for you. You might consider doing landscaping for your community, babysitting or even looking for work online. You will be surprised by how easily it is to create work to help you save up a small nest egg for college.

2. Search for Used Textbooks
If you’ve already enrolled in your classes for autumn semester, then you may want to get a head start on looking for the used textbooks you will need for the course. Some professors like to post this information early, but if they don’t you may try emailing them to see if you can get a list of their course requirements. Having your book list early can really help you save money. For starters, it will allow you to purchase books before they are in demand. This tends to cut down on the price quite a bit. If you can’t find the book right away, then you still have the whole summer to keep your eye out for the book at a decent price. You might also be able to find a student selling their copy. Most students want to ditch their excess books at the end of the year opposed to the beginning, so you might get a better price quote as the end of term arrives.

3. Tour Your College
Believe it or not but touring your college can also help you start college life off on a frugal foot. Of course, this option isn’t available to anyone, so don’t spend your hard-earned money to tour if the campus is across the country. However, if you can’t physically tour a campus, many university websites are now offering 3D tours that new students can check out free of charge. You can also use Google Maps or a similar app to check out the surrounding area. Touring your school will give you a chance to check out many elements of college life though. For starters, you will be able to see the cafeteria and the food it serves. This will allow you to choose if a meal pass is something you should invest in. Another great thing about touring is you get to see the dorms, so you will know what appliances and other items you can keep with you. It will also give you a general idea of transportation, so you can invest in a bike, transportation pass or simply just drive. This will allow you to plan your money accordingly.

4. Thrift Shop
The thrift shop can quickly become your best friend when it comes to college shopping. For starters, you can purchase cheap appliances there like a coffee maker, microwave and so on. These can come in handy for students planning to live in an apartment or those looking to cook in their dorm. Thrift stores also offer a surprising number of decorative items that you might want to consider for your new home. You may even find simple furniture to make things a lot cozier. On top of that, you might get a head start on your new college wardrobe. Clothes offered at the thrift shop are often in good shape and won’t break the bank.

5. Research Simple Recipes
If you’re skipping out on the meal plan to save money, then knowing how to cook for yourself is essential. Of course, dorm living presents its own problems for those wanting to cook. Unless you have a shared kitchen, you’re going to be limited to microwaves, hot plates and other simple appliances to cook with. Luckily, there’s a ton of great recipes out there that cater to the limited options that students have. You won’t have to stress about living on a ramen only diet over the next four years, as these recipes even cater to different diets. You may even find some great coffee recipes too, which will keep you out of your local café.

6. Learn to Budget
Hands down, one of the most efficient things you can do before heading to college is learn how to budget. This information isn’t widely taught in school, so ask your parents to show you the ropes. If they aren’t able to help you then look around online as there are so many financial lessons that can help you get the hang of the task. It doesn’t matter if you’re uncertain what your budget will be as just knowing how to come up with a budget will help you plan better when you do know what money you will have to work with.

7. Pick Up a No Cost Hobby
Before you head off to college, it might be time to make sure you have a hobby that isn’t going to cost you money to do while you’re at school. One great example is learning to play an instrument. Having your instrument on hand will give you a great chance to blow off steam and may even help you make some friends. Photography is a great option too, if you already have a camera. Of course, you can also work on photography with your smart phone, as many organizations are beginning to give this photography a category of its own. Journaling is another great option, which can be completed with in an old notebook or on your computer’s word processing program. If you have yard and thread on hand already then crocheting, knitting and embroidery are also great options. You can even try your hand at drawing.

8. Skip the Credit Card
A lot of students apply for credit cards as soon as they reach 18. May it be just for emergencies or to help supplement your cost of living, this can be a huge mistake. Credit cards are a fast way to get into debt, especially if you don’t have a secure job to keep up with the payments. The interest on cards designed for students can be astronomical too. So, it is best to avoid the temptation altogether. Instead, you should put your excess money into savings where it can gain interest. This will give you an emergency fund that won’t harm you in the long run.

9. Look for Discounts
Another great way to prepare for college life is to begin to search for discounts online. Your student ID card can take you far when it comes to saving money. For instance, some stores will take a percentage off of your clothing when you present your ID. You might also be able to get into the movie theater at a discounted price with the ID. Even restaurants help out students at times. However, it’s important to know which stores actually do this. Some upperclassmen might help steer you in the right direction with this, while some of it will be trial and error. You should also look up online programs to help you. For instance, Amazon Prime offers a very cheap option that gives you the free shipping and streaming TV that will cut down on your budget. There are many online programs though, so use your summer wisely.

10. Seek Out Grants and Scholarships
A lot of students reach the end of their summer year and feel as if it is too late to get grants and scholarships. This couldn’t be further from the truth though. There is no such thing as too late to gain these amazing forms of educational aid. The only thing is, you have to apply for them. So, during your summer break, you might start looking around for grants that suit your needs. There’s lots of great online forums for this, so sign up for a few and get to work. You can even keep these websites close by and use them when you have a break in college. You can keep adding grants and scholarships to your funds until you finally finish up with school. Don’t forget, you can plan ahead and look for your master’s studies too, if you plan on going that route.

Preparing for college is still an option even though it is dangerously close. These ten tips should help you prepare to live a frugal lifestyle while you’re out and enjoying your new life. With these tips to guide you, money should be less of a stressor for you, so you can get the most out of your college experience.

The first days of Ramadan are just around the corner, which might leave you wondering what you’re going to do with the kids while they’re asked to fast. Since much of this holiday will take place during summer break for many children, there will be a lot of extra time on their hands which might make the holiday even more challenging. Luckily, there’s lots of cheap ways you can work with your children to keep their mind off of fasting and on the meaning of the holiday. These fun activities might become some of your favorite traditions and will help you and your kids make lasting memories that they will one day be able to share with their own children.

1. Good Deeds Calendar
Good deeds are an important part of the holiday as well as life in general. So, you might want to consider helping your kids make a good deeds calendar. This will help inspire them to do good while also reminding them to do so when they are busy. You can make this calendar out of just about anything, so have a little fun with it. There’s lots of ideas to inspire you online too, which will allow you help the kids follow instructions, if that is a task you are working on too. You can help the kids pick good deeds based on their age group too. For instance, you can schedule in good deeds for the community like helping the elderly or picking up trash. You can also help kids pick good deeds for family, friends and even their school. Once the calendar is complete then consider helping the children get a good start on their deeds, so they can begin to use the calendar straight away.

2. Fasting Chain
Without a doubt, fasting can be one of the toughest aspects of the holiday, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. For children, fasting can be rough. So, a fasting chain might help them to get through the experience. You can begin your chain on the first day of Ramadan. All you need for this is construction paper and glue, or similar supplies. Children can make a chain link for every day of the holiday. Each link can be attached and then cut off to represent the day of fasting. This will help everyone see their progress and how many days of fasting they have left. Of course, you can also reverse the chain and have the children add one link each day of Ramadan. This will give them a full chain on the last day of the holiday, which will show them the progress they have made. You can spice up the chain by adding a verse from the Quran for each day of the holiday.

3. Dhikr Beads
Dhikr Beads are a great way to share culture with children. These prayer beads come in all shapes and sizes, so you can allow kids to show off their individuality with these amazing beads. If you want to make more authentic looking prayer beads, then you might head to your favorite hobby shop. Often, you can find a coupon that will cut the price of these beads down immensely. Of course, you don’t actually have to use beads to make your bracelets look amazing. You can also make your own beads out of old magazines, newspapers and so on. You might check online for a few tutorials for making your beads. String is another crucial item for this task, but you might consider using yarn for younger children that are still working on their motor functions. The kids can wear their bracelets or give them to loved ones.

4. Sadaqah Jar
Doing good deeds makes life an amazing thing. So, you might want to consider helping the kids make a Sadaqah Jar over the holiday. This might be one of the first crafts you choose to work on as it will help inspire children to pick up loose money while they’re out and about. This jar can be designed to suit your child’s creativity. All you need is an old jar, which can easily be taken from the refrigerator or purchased at a thrift store. You can use paper, paint or anything else to decorate it. Once it is finished, help the kids pick up change from around the house and community. Kids will love keeping their eye out for sparkling money, which will add to the fun of the holiday. When you finish collecting, present the jar to someone in need.

5. Ramadan Drum
A Ramadan drum can add a lot of fun to the holiday, even if it does end up driving parents nuts. A drum is a very simple thing to make and you can do this with a wide variety of items found around the house. You should also consider making your drum out of recycling materials to do even more good for the world. The drum can be decorated to suit your child’s desires, which will help make the craft even more fun. When it is complete, children can use the drum to wake up family members during the holiday or simply to use during Ramadan songs.

6. Bookmarks
Chances are, you will spend a lot of time reading during the Ramadan holiday. Thus, making bookmarks are a great way to enjoy the holiday all the more. Bookmarks can be made with a large variety of supplies that cost next to nothing which will make the craft even more enjoyable. Kids can create bookmarks that are based on the holiday, their favorite things or even simple colors. You can also work on bookmarks to present to friends and family as gifts. These bookmarks might even inspire your children to spend more time reading. They will also allow them to keep track of their studies with ease.

7. Hanging Lanterns
One fun craft to make for your night time meals are hanging lanterns. These lanterns can help set the mood as you finally get to break bread each night. The lanterns can be made of a lot of things too. For starters, you can use mason jars and candles. Simply decorate the jars with paper mache and you’ll be ready to go. You can easily make paper covers for electronic candles too, which will help set the mood for the festivities. Of course, if you don’t want your children working with actual lights then they can easily make pretend lanterns out of construction paper. These make great decorations too, which will help make your home look even more welcoming.

8. Tile Art
Another great craft that is perfect for all ages is tile art. All you need for this craft is a few ceramic tiles which can be found for cheap at dollar stores, craft stores or even home improvement stores. You will also need paint, markers or tissue paper. Finally, you’ll need a spray on sealer. Children can decorate their tiles based on their interests or the holiday with the supplies you choose to work with. One popular design idea for Ramadan is to have the children make the phases of the moon. Once the tile is completely dry, take it outside and spray on the sealant. This will lock their art onto the tile, so you can use it and wash it. The tiles can be used for a wide variety of things. You can place them together on the wall or floor as a unique decoration. You can also use the tile as a hot plate or a place to put your cooking utensils.

9. Read Books
For young children, understanding Ramadan can be something new and exciting. Older child, on the other hand, may want to find characters they can relate to in order to amplify the experience. Thus, reading is one of the best tools you can use during this holiday. Believe it or not, but there’s a lot of books about Ramadan for children. These books can be purchased based on your child’s age too, which will help make the experience even more valuable. You can find many of these books at a fair price online and in your local book stores. You can even talk to your library to see if they have any books or if they can borrow some from other libraries. This will give you a cheap way to keep the kids busy while heightening the experience for them.

10. Help Cook
Food is probably going to be on the mind on your children for quite some time during the fasting period. So, one way to help them deal with this is to invite them in to cook. This can be one of the major traditions of the holiday too, as there are so many recipes that should be passed down from generation to generation. Younger children might be given small tasks to help complete. For instance, setting the table or adding the final touch to some dishes is an easy feat they can accomplish. They can also work on easier items like moon cookies, which is sure to make them happy. As they grow, you might teach dishes that escalate in complexity. Each year, your child can learn something new, which will help them pass on traditions in the future while allowing them to contribute to the table each night.

Fasting during Ramadan doesn’t have to leave the kids feeling uncomfortable. These ten ideas will help you keep them busy while allowing them to grow a stronger connection to the holiday. Before you know it, they will be pleading with you to help them makes these items because they will have so much fun with them. This should help keep your Ramadan more enjoyable on a tight budget.

It’s almost time to celebrate Mother’s Day again, which can leave a lot of people on their toes. This day is a great time to honor your mother and make her feel special. However, if you’re married with children then you might be wondering what you can do for your spouse to help make Mother’s Day even more special. There’s a bundle of great ideas that will help you shower your spouse in gifts. However, if you’re on a tight budget your options might be limited. These ten ideas should make most mother’s feel adored on their special day without forcing you to break the bank. So, don’t let this year pass without showing your spouse that you admire her parenting skills and appreciate all they she does.

1. Breakfast in Bed
Breakfast in bed is probably one of the most common ways to show your spouse that you appreciate all that she does. So, for Mother’s Day, hop out of bed early, wrangle up the kids and get to work on her favorite breakfast foods. You might consider letting her sleep in a bit longer too, so you may want to put off cooking until a reasonable hour if you have children that like to wake up at the crack of dawn. If your kids are older then make sure they put in a little effort into the meal too. When it’s time to serve, let mom enjoy in peace and give her the option of resting longer if she so chooses. This is certain to help start the day off right, while giving your spouse some alone time that she probably rarely sees.

2. Free Food
One thing that might not already be on your radar is the free food that many restaurants offer on Mother’s Day. There are many national chains that go the extra mile to give mom a nice treat on Mother’s Day, so make sure to look around to see what you can find. Of course, if you have local restaurants that you feel might be giving away freebies then give them a call to confirm. You can even grab a nice dessert for your spouse at no cost to you with restaurants like TCBY around. With any luck, your spouse will be able to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner without having to spend a penny.

3. Photobooks
Moms that love pictures of their kids are certain to enjoy a photobook. This is especially true if your walls are already covered in photos and you have no more space for others. Photobooks can be on the pricey side of the spectrum though. Luckily, many of the most popular websites are always offering free codes and discounts, which make the books incredibly affordable. If you are signed up for any baby websites or you’ve bought photo products recently then chances are you will find one of these deals in your inbox soon. Make sure you hurry and design your book though, as they don’t ship as quickly as you would like in some cases.

4. Help the Kids Made Crafts
Generally, schools are fairly good at helping kids make projects for Mother’s Day. However, sometimes these projects can be less than appealing. Some children also aren’t at the proper age for school, so they go without a gift for mom. In order to make your spouse’s day amazing, you might want to sit down and work on a Mother’s Day craft to make the day special. There are lots of options to choose from based on your children’s age group. All you have to do is browse for some cool ideas, pick up the supplies and allow your spouse to take a break so you and the kids can work your magic without her finding out. You might find that working with the kids is a lot of fun and will allow you to see a whole new side of their creativity.

5. Gift Basket
A gift for your spouse doesn’t have to be pricey and it certainly doesn’t have to sparkle. One great idea is to fill a basket up with lots of great supplies that you know your spouse will love. For instance, her favorite snacks are always one of the best options. She can even hide the snacks in a special place so that the kids can’t help themselves to her special treats. Bath and body products are another great option that should make her feel appreciated. If you’re feeling lucky, then you might want to browse the clearance bins for movies, books and music that might bring a smile to her face. All of these supplies together, should make a great gift that she won’t soon forget.

6. Girl’s Night
A lot of the time, moms end up neglecting their friends because their family most certainly comes first. It’s hard for most moms to get a night out without having to worry about a sitter or how much sugar the kids are going to consume at their grandparents’ house. So, this Mother’s Day, or around the general time frame, give her a carefree night out with the girls. Try to get in touch with some of her friends to help organize a special surprise. With a little help from the girls, your spouse should be able to blow off some steam without having to worry about cleaning up after children or having to choose a family friendly restaurant.

7. Spa Day
Sending your spouse to the spa might be out of the question financially, but that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy a spa day on Mother’s Day. Try to pick a time when the kids are playing or napping in order to help out with the spa day. You can even send the kids to grandma’s house to help make the spa day even more relaxing. When everything is quiet and peaceful, give your spouse a manicure and pedicure which includes painting her nails. You should also offer her a massage to help ease the tension in her life. Of course, supplying her with everything she needs to enjoy a nice bubble bath, facial and more is also an essential part of her amazing spa day at home. This shouldn’t cost you a lot of money, which will make the day even more relaxing for your spouse. If you can’t swing a full spa day for your spouse, then allowing her the time to soak in a hot tub might be one of best possible gifts.

8. Purchase Plants
Flowers are probably one of the top gifts that mothers receive on their special day. However, flowers can be incredibly pricey and don’t last long. Rather than purchasing a gift that is going to be temporary, you may want to consider purchasing a plant instead. More often than not, a plant will cost a fraction of what a bouquet would. The plant will also be able to produce flowers throughout the season for years, so your spouse will be able to enjoy them for much longer. Plants will also help offer beauty for the home and may even help rid the space of some pollutions. Caring for a plant might also help your spouse find a tranquil period during the day and a hobby that will allow her to get out of the house for a while.

9. Love Letter
It isn’t often that you have a chance to express your love for your spouse with the children running around. So, you might want to take the occasion to rekindle your romance and share how you feel about her. Love letters only really require a pen and paper to complete, so this can be the cheapest gift of all. Make sure to share your true feelings in the letter, so that your spouse still feels your love. You might also mention how your love has grown due to her parenting. The letter is entirely up to you though. It will certainly warm her heart more than a cheesy card too. Plus, not using the card will help you to write freely without the card’s message distracting you.

10. Give Her a Break
Hands down, the best thing you can do for your wife is give her a break. It doesn’t matter what she does with her break, as long as it isn’t interrupted. Try starting out the day by taking over her morning chores and getting the kids up and ready while she stays in bed. You might consider taking the kids out to the park, the movies or any other activity that will keep them out of your spouse’s hair for a few hours if not the whole day. While the day comes to an end, handle feeding, bath and bed time so your spouse can kick back and relax. This will help her feel rejuvenated as well as appreciated.

Giving your spouse an extra special Mother’s Day doesn’t have to revolve around the money you have in the bank. These quick and simple ideas will allow you to surprise your spouse with something special that will certainly warm her heart. With these ten options, you can make your spouse feel out of this world for the day, which is sure to make the whole household happy.

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, which means its time to get festive and enjoy a little Mexican culture and history. Celebrating this holiday can be a blast, but it can also be a huge burden on your budget if you’re not careful. Luckily, there’s a lot of ways you can enjoy this holiday without forcing yourself to spend a bundle. Mexican food, for instance, can be very cheap if you know what to cook. These ten items will help you cut down on your budget while allowing you to enjoy some tasty foods. So, have a little fun with your holiday whether you’re feeding yourself, your family or a whole party.

1. Embrace Beans
There are so many bean recipes out there that can make your little fiesta taste out of this world. Beans, especially when purchased dry, cost next to nothing. So, your main expenditure is going to be the foods that need to be added into the beans or those you plan to serve with the beans. One easy option is to make a big batch of refried beans. You can serve simple bean burritos or use them as your main side dish. This will help fill everyone up too, so they won’t need to eat as much as the evening progresses. You can even use these beans as an appetizer to keep things cheap. Of course, whole beans can also be used as a main course or side dish. You might even consider making items like black bean tacos to spice things up.

2. Add Rice
When it comes to making any meal more filling, one of the best options is using rice. You can buy rice for relatively cheap in bulk, which will allow you to whip up large batches of it for next to nothing. Luckily, Mexican rice isn’t very complicated to make either. There’s lots of great recipes you can try online too, which will give you a bit of variety while working on the meal. Rice makes a great side dish for just about any item on the menu. Plus, you can stuff it in burritos to make the food go a lot farther. This amazing side dish is certain to get some compliments too. Best of all, it reheats nicely, so if you have a lot of leftovers you’ll be set for lunches for quite some time.

3. DIY Salsa
Salsa plays an amazing role in Mexican food. The fresh taste mixes with the flavors of the food to create an irresistible taste. Although salsa from a jar is affordable, it often lacks what fresh salsa brings to the table. Some stores will even offer their own fresh salsa, but these usually cost more than they are worth. Your best bet is to make your own. Luckily, there’s an abundance of recipes online. You can make salsa suited for tacos, salsa that is mild, salsa that is so hot you’ll question your sanity and even salsa in a variety of colors. The recipes online will even allow you to offer your guests an assortment of options to choose form. Luckily, the ingredients for the sauce doesn’t cost a fortune either. You usually need tomatoes or tomatillos, garlic, jalapenos and any other pepper you choose to add in. Most of the time, you simply roast the produce and then blend it together. No matter which recipe you try, you’re bound to have some fun making and trying it.

4. Bulk Meats
When it comes to purchasing meat for your meal, it is best to shop in bulk. You can find all sorts of deals on foods like pork roast or cheaper cuts of beef, which will allow you to make all sorts of delicious dishes. These foods are generally best when cooked slowly, which will allow you to give the meat a tender texture. Often, these meats are shredded and spiced to place in tacos, burritos, or enchiladas. You can also stew these meats in special sauces to create an authentic taste everyone will crave. If you love soup, then this is also a great option for such meats. Of course, you might be able to find cheap beef that is easy to spice and cut for a carne asada dish that everyone will love.

5. Indulge in Eggs
When you think about Mexican food, eggs might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, this very cheap item can take your meal to great lengths. Rather than hosting a dinner, you may consider cooking breakfast foods instead. Eggs are the perfect cheap option for breakfast burritos and tacos. You can spice them as you please to make them even more appealing. Of course, there’s other options to choose from too. For instance, you can make food like huevoes ranchero to entice your guests. There’s lots of cheap food that can be paired with eggs too, so have fun with your breakfast feast.

6. Taco Bar
If you’re looking for an option that will keep just about everyone happy then a taco bar is the way to go. Corn tortillas are very cheap to purchase, but you can also mix things up with hard shells or flour tortillas. The taco bar can consist of items you can find at a cheap price. For instance, hamburger meat with seasoning tends to be one of the most frugal options available. You can spice things up with lettuce, tomato and other fixings. Of course, you can add chicken, steak, vegetables and other items if you can afford to do so. Guests will love mixing and matching items, so you shouldn’t have a problem working with all sorts of appetites.

7. Tamales
Some Mexican food options aren’t quite as easy as others. However, if you’re willing to put the work in then tamales are another cheap option that tends to draw in a crowd. All you need to make this amazing dish is corn husks, Matza and something to fill them with. Usually, they are made with cheaper cuts of meat that have been slow cooked and spiced. However, you can mix things up with filling like cheese and jalapeno or make it a dessert option with apples and cinnamon. You can cook tamales in bulk too, which will make it easier to your party together.

8. Nachos
If you want to keep things simple, then you’re definitely going to want to consider nachos as an entrée or an appetizer. This dish is so simple to work up that you will have plenty of time to spare for your party. You can also make nachos to suit every appetite. For kids, you may end up making simple cheese nachos, while adults might want a bean, meat and vegetable combination. Simply toss your items in the oven and they will be good to eat in no time. Kids might also want to help out with the feast too, which will make your celebration even more meaningful.

9. Make Your Own Tortillas
One of the best ways to cut down on the price of your meal is to actually make your own tortillas. Believe it or not, but this isn’t as hard as it may sound. It may take a little more labor, but you’re certain to taste the difference in your fresh tortillas opposed to those you purchase in a store. It doesn’t matter if you’re working with corn or flour tortillas either. There’s actually lots of great recipes that will help you whip up this amazing dish in no time at all. Best of all, your tortillas can be the staple of your meal, which will allow you to save even more money.

10. Pot Luck
Hands down, one of the easiest options when it comes to enjoying Mexican food on Cinco de Mayo is to simply host a pot luck meal. This will not only allow you to save money and put less burden on yourself, but it will also give everyone that attends a chance to try a variety of dishes. You might ask your guests to bring a family recipe or a dish they have spent time perfecting. It would be great to have stories to share about the dish too. Best of all, if people bring repeat dishes, you will be able to taste the difference in each batch. This should make the meal even more incredible.

Cinco de Mayo is a great time to experiment with Mexican food and embrace Mexican culture. These ten ideas will help you do so on the cheap, so your budget won’t suffer from the holiday. With any luck, your Cinco de Mayo feast will be out of this world.

If you’ve never celebrated May the Fourth, then you’re in for a real treat this year. This holiday was originally designed to celebrate Star Wars and all that it accompanies. However, over the years, this day has also been reserved to celebrate all things geeky, which has made it even more popular. Of course, if you’re on a budget then you might be wondering how you’re going to fit in another holiday without breaking the bank. There’s actually a lot of great things you can do to enjoy May the Fourth that won’t cost you much at all. So, let your geeky side show this holiday as you’re bound to have some fun.

1. Embrace the Sales
One of the most anticipated aspects of May the Fourth is often the sales. You will find sales on just about anything and everything Star Wars, so make sure to check out your favorite stores to see what kind of amazing prices you can find. Don’t forget, it won’t just be about the actual movies as you will be able to find comics, books, collectibles, clothes and toys at a great price. You may even find custom Star Wars food and drink at a price enticing enough to get you to try it. Of course, Star Wars items aren’t the only thing that will be on sale. You might check out your favorite geeky stores to see what you can find. If you luck out, you may be able to find collectibles at a price you’d never thought possible.

2. Dress Up
If you love to dress up, then May the Fourth is one of the best days to do it. Luckily, you don’t need to budget a lot of money to afford a Star Wars costume. There are so many tutorials online that you will have a costume or two whipped up using just items you have lying around the house. You may want to indulge in some face paints if you plan on going as a character that may not be human in appearance, but other than that most items can easily be found at home or in thrift stores. Of course, if you’re not one for DIY then hold out until next year. After Halloween is over, you should see a huge discount on costumes that will ensure you have a great look for next May the Fourth.

3. Lightsaber Battle
For kids, and some adults, one of the most appealing aspects of Star Wars is the light saber battles. It is hard not to imagine having your own beautiful lightsaber to use. Luckily, there’s many ways you can actually reenact the lightsaber, so you can enjoy a lightsaber battle of your own. There’s lots of great DIY options here, which include many cheap materials, like pool noodles. You might browse around online for some ideas to help get you started. If you’re okay with spending a little money, then you can purchase plastic lightsabers at a fair price in most toy stores. When it comes to the actual battle, make sure there are rules put in place, so no one gets hurt. You might find there are lightsaber battles at nearby parks too, which might make the battle even more fun. So, let your imagination soar.

4. Star Wars Food
Nothing says fun quite like turning your favorite movies into something to snack on. Believe it or not, but there’s actually a lot of recipes that will help you turn your favorite foods into Star Wars inspired snacks. For instance, cookies can be easily shaped like wookies and then decorated with icing to make them look even more authentic. Rice crispies can be formed into all of your favorite Star Wars characters too. There are even Star Wars inspired beverages that are kid-friendly and entirely for adults. So, use the force to choose which delicious snacks you’ll tackle while celebrating.

5. Build Models
Another fun way to bring the family together for the holiday is to build models of the numerous vehicles featured on the show. These can be purchased in stores, but often aren’t priced low enough for a tight budget. However, if you already have some of these models lying around then now might be the time to work on them. Of course, you don’t have to use model kits in order to enjoy this hobby. One common way to enjoy building is through LEGO. These kits can be pricey too, but you can actually make your own ships using pieces you already have in your current LEGO collection. If you don’t want to use this method, then you can always use recyclables and your imagination to make your favorite ships. There’s an abundance of tutorials online, so you should be able to find assistance if you’re having trouble.

6. Crafts
Crafts can really help the whole family embrace the holiday, which will allow you to have more fun on the budget. One of the best things about Star Wars is so many people love it, thus there’s lots of fun Star Wars craft ideas floating around the internet. For starters, you might try making a BB-8 out of paper plates. Another option is to make fun paper dolls that are perfect for acting out your children’s favorite scene. If you have younger children, then printing out coloring pages might be a great option. Recyclables can really come in handy with these crafts too. For instance, you can make Chewbacca, Yoda and other characters out of toilet rolls. Let your imagination run wild with this to add to the fun.

7. Jedi Training
At Disney, the new Star Wars park actually offers Jedi Training for the kids. Obviously, heading to the park for May the Fourth isn’t ideal on a tight budget. Nor would it be much fun with all the crowds swarming the Star Wars area. However, you can make your own version of Jedi Training in your community or simply in the home. You might check out the Disney park’s training and give it a little twist to suit the children you are working with. With any luck, you will have a group of children who won’t soon forget their Jedi training fun. If you can get a few volunteers to help out while dressed up, then you may start a tradition that people will line up for each year.

8. Join a Force for Change
Part of being a Jedi is doing good and helping to make the world a better place. So, on this holiday put your Jedi training forward and join a Force for Change. This charity was set up to help in many different areas. One portion of the site allows Jedis to post images of themselves doing good deeds. You can even donate money to the fund if that is something you would prefer to do. If you’re curious, you may want to browse the site to see where you can help out. In fact, after looking around, this may become a yearlong, if not longer, journey that will have you doing your fair share to make the world a great place to live.

9. Catch Up On Reading
There aren’t many holidays around that offer you the chance to catch up on your reading. May the Fourth is actually a great holiday for reading. There’s countless books written about the Star Wars Universe, which can provide you with years of entertainment. You might also find some of the comic books interesting too. Of course, if you don’t have the money to go out and buy a new book then there are countless stories you can find online. From official Star Wars literature to fan-fiction, the internet will provide you with a wide variety of interesting things to read. You may even find something new that will inspire you to spend more time reading even after the holiday is over.

10. Movie Screening
Without a doubt, one of the more obvious options is to hold a movie screening. This can be held for the family or your might invite friends, family and neighbors to join in on the fun. You probably won’t get through all of the movies in one day, so you might host a few viewings throughout the week to make the holiday fun last longer. You can even watch the cartoons to add more enjoyment for the children. Of course, you don’t have to stay at home to enjoy the movies. Often, communities will host events that showcase the films. Sometimes, these events are free, but they might also cost you a small fee. No matter how you choose to watch your movies, don’t forget your snacks to make them even more exciting.

May the Fourth can be a lot of fun if you take the time out to celebrate it. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on this holiday to make it enjoyable either. These ten tips should help you find the best way for you and your family to spend the fun occasion. Before you know it, you’ll be anticipating this holiday throughout the year.

April is home to both Earth Day and Arbor Day, which might inspire you to go out and do something great for the planet. Arbor Day is all about planting trees, so if you’re planning on keeping up with this tradition then you might be up for spending a lot of money. Luckily, there’s quite a few options that you can try which won’t break the bank. Although many of these plants are not trees, you may find that they will help you do right by the planet while improving on your budget. Best of all, these ten options will help bring something fantastic to your life too. So, get your gardening tools ready because these amazing holidays are just around the corner.

1. Aloe Vera
If you’re concerned about your health, then aloe vera is going to be a great option for you to plant. This plant is actually fairly simple to grow and can be kept in a pot for quite some time if you don’t have a yard to plant it in. Whether you grow aloe vera indoors or out, you’re sure to find that your air quality is greatly improved. This amazing plant pulls toxins from the air, which is great for the environment. Of course, you can also use aloe vera for many health benefits. One of the most common is placing it on sun burns to help take away the pain and promote healing. Without a doubt, you are certain to enjoy having this plant in your home. It isn’t the type of plant that will become a burden for busy lifestyles either. In fact, it is great for students, the elderly and busy households.

2. Bamboo
Landscaping can be a lot of fun when you work with bamboo. This amazing plant is easy to keep up with and it will give your yard an exotic feel. There are so many benefits to having bamboo in your yard though, which can really make your Earth Day and Arbor Day experience worthwhile. For starters, bamboo helps to remove toxins from the air and soil, which will do your yard and the planet a real solid. This plant isn’t pricey to keep up with either. If you don’t have a yard, then don’t fret. You can get smaller bamboo to put in a pot inside of your home. This will cleanse the air you breathe daily. This plant is non-toxic to pets too, so it’s really a win-win option.

3. Sycamore Tree
Sticking to the tree planting tradition can be important for many people. There are lots of trees you can plant, but it is important to do a little research before you choose which to go with. One of your best options is a Sycamore tree. These trees are actually fairly inexpensive to purchase and can be bought online or in local stores. Sycamore trees are known to grow very quickly, so you’ll have a tree to admire in no time at all. These trees work wonders when it comes to providing your home with plenty of shade. Not only is this great for spending time outdoors, but it can cut down on your electricity bill too which will help you cut back on your carbon footprint.

4. Lavender
Lavender is another great option when it comes to plants that will do the world a bit of good. The best thing about lavender is, you can grow it indoors, in a flower bed or simply let it grow wild in your yard. There isn’t a whole lot of work to put into this amazing plant, so feel free to work it into your life the best way that will suit your lifestyle. Lavender is a great plant because it does draw in bees. This is very important right now as bees are in decline, which can really harm the planet and ultimately cause global extinction. The plant also smells out of this world. You will love spending time outdoors with this lovely scent in the world. You can even use your lavender in cooking and in making your own essential oils for relaxation.

5. Fruit Trees
One of the most beneficial things to plant in your yard is fruit trees. It doesn’t matter what you choose, as they all have amazing properties that will improve on the planet. Of course, you may want to figure out which trees will survive the best in your climate before you make the purchase. Most fruit trees won’t cost a lot of money either, so you’re going to be getting a lot for what you do spend. A lot of fruit trees actually draw in bees, which is one of the best features about them. However, the fruit they produce is always amazing. With this, you will be able to cut down on your food costs and will allow your family to eat healthier food that is entirely organic. Some fruit, like oranges and lemons, even give back to the soil when you spread their rinds on the ground.

6. Daisies
Daisies are one of the easiest plants to grow, which makes them a great option for beginning gardeners or those with very little time on their hands. They also come in a wide assortment of colors, so you can even enjoy their beauty. The best thing about daisies are, they actually help to purify the air. This makes them a great asset just about anywhere. These amazing flowers draw in bees too, so you can help improve the bee population while you’re at it. You can easily keep daisies in a planter or scatter the seeds in the wind to see how their colorful petals improve on your lawn as they begin to sprout.

7. Sunflowers
When it comes to beauty, sunflowers are one of the best options to choose from. These lovely flowers have been depicted in paintings for generations for a very good reason. The sunflower won’t just add charm to your garden though. Rather, the plant actually helps to detoxify the soil that it is in. This can be great for growing other plants, or even grass. As a sunflower grows it will produce seeds that can be eaten. These seeds are very healthy to consume, which can improve your own life substantially. On top of that, you can always sell the extras to earn yourself a little extra money. Sunflowers are also great for bees and will attract an assortment of birds to enjoy too.

8. Hedges
One of the most commons plants that you see around the community is most likely hedges. You can find these in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors, which make them a great option if you’re ready to show off your personal style. Hedges are fairly easy to grow too, which will make your life a little easier. These plants all work to help purify the air, so the more you have the better off you will be. Hedges are great for the ecosystem too as they provide a place for wildlife to hide. You may even find birds nesting in your hedges, which is certain to make spring time even more beautiful.

9. Spider Plants
Although this plant might sound menacing, you’ve more than likely seen them a lot. This is one of the most common house plants around and have become very popular in offices, as well. These plants are so easy to grow that you might forget all about it for some time. The plants are also very cheap, which is why many people choose to give them as office or housewarming gifts. All the same, the interesting blades on this plant create a cool look that you’ll love to show off. Of course, it isn’t all appearance with this plant. It will also cleanse the air in your home or office, which makes it a real asset to anyone looking for an exciting plant to enjoy.

10. Anything Native
If you’re looking to help out the environment the most, then you may want to work on planting native plants during your Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration. Native plants are crucial to the environment, because they provide your specific area with the nutrients it needs while also cleansing the air. These plants are important for wildlife and insects in the area too, so it will do your ecosystem a huge favor. Usually, these plants wind up being much cheaper too as they are easier to grow in your area. Many stores also want to encourage people to plant these items, which is another reason for the lovely price. If you’re ready to begin planting native life in your yard, then start your journey with a simple internet search to discover which plants are open to you.

Earth Day and Arbor Day grow increasingly important as our planet struggles, which is why planting on these days can help you do your part to preserve our natural habitat. These ten ideas should give you frugal and fun ideas for your planting celebration. Before you know it, you’ll be breathing fresher air and enjoying the amazing foliage you created.

Spring is finally here, which means you might be thinking about spicing up your porch to create an outdoor room you can enjoy while the weather is nice. Porches can be quite pricey though, which might detour you from wanting to even begin the project. Luckily, there’s a ton of great things you can do for your porch that will allow you to enjoy the space without forcing you to spend a small fortune. With these tips, you’ll be able to create an amazing space that will encourage the whole family to get outside more and enjoy the fresh air. You may even find your cheaply renovated space will encourage you to host guests more often. So, get ready to do a little magic this spring as you’ll soon have an outdoor room that you’ll want to celebrate.

1. Screen It In
One of the best things you can do for your porch is screen it in. Believe it or not, but this actually doesn’t cost a lot of money. If you don’t want to do the labor yourself, hiring someone to do this task won’t break the bank either, so you may want to begin looking for quotes on materials or labor. Screening in your porch actually transforms it into a whole new room, which will make you want to spend more time outside. One of the benefits of doing this is the fact that it will cool down the space. You can even add lattice to the exterior of the screen to create even more shade. The screen adds extra shade to the mix, which can even help cool down your house. On top of that, it helps prevent bugs from entering the space. This is especially nice if you live in area that has flies, mosquitoes and wasps.

2. Add a Shelf
Another way to give life to your porch is to add a special shelf. One of the best options is to make the shelf a little above waist high. This will allow you to use the extra space as a bar or a home buffet when you’re hosting guests. This position is also great for keeping potted plants. You will be able to help tend to the plant with ease at this level, but you’ll also be able to enjoy them more too. Of course, you can add shelves in many different areas too. If you love the idea of letting your cats out on the porch then consider shelves that are high up to encourage exercise. You can also use these spaces as decor or a place to keep some of your gardening books.

3. Solar Lights
Solar lights can add so much to a space. Some time ago, these lights would have cost an arm and a leg. Luckily, now they are easier to come by at a fair price and you can even try your hand at making your own. The best thing is, there are so many solar lights available now that you can create a wide variety of designs with them. You can create a whimsical feeling to the porch or simply use the lights to create a bright atmosphere for entertaining. Solar lights will cut back on your energy costs too, so you can spend all night outside without feeling guilty about running the power for so long.

4. Repurpose Furniture
Your old furniture can be a huge asset to you while you’re working on building up your porch. If you have old chairs, then you can easily refurbish them to suit the theme of your new porch. Once this is complete, you can weather proof both fabric and wood to ensure that your furniture will hold up to the great outdoors. Of course, you can do this with just about any furniture you might have lying around. For instance, you can get a lot out of an old table. This can be weather proofed and used for dining, games and so much more. Your creativity is the limit when it comes to these projects, so have a little fun with the projects. If you don’t have any furniture you would like to use, then consider looking around for new items at the thrift store. You might be surprised what all you will find there, which could make your porch look spectacular.

5. Add Art
Art can really make your space even more comfortable, which is why you shouldn’t shy away from putting it on your porch. One of the more common items to add to your porch is art made of metal or wood. These tend to last longer outdoors and will allow you to show off a bit of personality. Of course, you can hang up all sorts of art in your space, so don’t feel limited. However, you should always take into consideration the weather and how your piece of art will react to the elements. For some items, weather proofing is possible, while other items won’t fare as well. Hanging these items up can easily be done with nails and screws, but if you don’t want to do this or you’re working with a harder substance, like brick, then you might consider an outdoor tape. Hanging items up isn’t your only option either. You might also want to add faux trees, statues, knick-knacks or a fountain to make the space suit you better.

6. Bring in Plants
Another great way to add to the atmosphere of the porch is to bring in some plants. For instance, you can add smaller plants like a bonsai tree or flowers that can live in a pot. This will help add freshness to the area while ensuring the porch is a mixture of indoor and outdoor elements. Many people have loved to add bamboo to their porch, especially if it offers a larger area. This amazing plant creates a tropical feeling, but it also helps remove toxins from the air. If you have space to grow items that climb, like ivy or honeysuckle, then this is another great option for the porch. This will bring a lovely smell to the area that will certainly keep you outdoors more often.

7. Bring in Games
Your porch should be a place to kick back and relax, so make it feel that way. You might consider adding a chess board to the mix. You can even put out a table with the board painted on, so you can get even more out of the game. Another great option is a card table, which can entertain people of all ages for hours. This table can also double as a place where you play board games when the weather is right. Adding games will certainly make the space a lot more engaging, which can help inspire all members of the family to spend more time outdoors. You never know, this cool design may even bring everyone closer together.

8. Add Color
If you’re suffering from a dull style, then the best thing you can do is add a splash of color. One of the first things to consider is adding new and more colorful padding to your furniture. Even this small change can make your space look out of this world. Of course, you can take it a step further by painting furniture to make the splash of color even more noticeable. Another option is to bring in a few colorful accent pieces. This can be as simple as painted flower pots or as complex as a vibrant work of art. You may find that the colorful appearance brings the illusion of more space, which will add more comfort to your porch.

9. Windchimes
If you love a soothing environment, then wind chimes might be the next addition that your porch needs. These amazing decor items bring natural music to your porch, which can help you to kick back and relax. Many windchimes also work to bring color to the space, which can make the visual aesthetics of your space look incredible. Luckily, you can buy a wide assortment of windchimes from many different stores. You can even have them customized to suit your family, interests and even to celebrate a deceased love one. Best of all, windchimes can be made at home at a very low price. You can show the world your creativity by creating them, which will make your home even more personable. There’s a ton of design ideas online to ensure you can have a blast using these items.

10. Shop Clearance
Without a doubt, one of the best ways to improve on your porch is to shop clearance whenever you can. This is certain to help you save a whole lot of money on the things you need to make your porch comfortable and exciting for the whole family. If you wait until autumn, then you should be able to find some of the best items on sale. This includes furniture, decor and even accessories that will help you entertain efficiently. Make sure to shop online too, as you should be able to find some exciting deals on items you will love.

Your porch can be one of the best places to spend spring and summer, so it’s important to make it comfortable for your whole family. These tips will help keep your projects frugal, so you can go all out and enjoy the space you have. Before long, your porch might become your favorite place in the home, which might even improve on your overall health.

It’s never a bad time to learn self-defense. However, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which makes it a better time than any to brush up on your self-defense skills. Believe it or not, but you can quickly learn the art of self-defense without having to spend a fortune on it. This can help save your life and the lives of others, if ever something terrible comes your way. These ten tips should help you get started on your journey to feel safe and secure when you’re inside or outside of your home. These tips may even give you the confidence you need to do more in life without having to worry about a potential attack.

1. Free Classes
Most communities pride themselves on giving their community the opportunity to know how to handle them in case of an emergency. So, you might check out your community center or local police station to see if self-defense courses are currently being offered. Many city governments offer a few courses a year at no cost to you, which should help you get the skills you need to defend yourself. Sometimes, if a community is forced to deal with a tragedy or there is a string attacks then the police station will offer more courses in self-defense. Make sure you sign up for these courses quickly and try to take in as much as you can. You should also practice your self-defense techniques often, so they are always fresh in your mind.

2. Watch Videos
We are lucky enough to live in a time in which we can find an abundance of information online. That being said, you can also find lots of great videos that can help teach you self-defense at no cost to you. There are also many websites dedicated to this art, so browse around and find something that suits your needs. Many of these videos will show you step by step how to move your body in case of an attack. This is certain to help you learn moves that will be helpful while allowing your body to get some exercise. There are also videos that can help you keep your cool in the face of an attack. A combination of these DIY videos should help you feel like you’re ready to defend yourself without forcing you to spend a penny.

3. Utilize Your Phone
Your phone can be one of the best assets when it comes to your safety. There are actually countless apps that allow you to check in or notify loved ones when you feel like you’re in danger. Of course, you should also program your phone to have quick dial, so you can contact someone close by or important to you if you feel like you’re in danger. There are also codes that you can give to 911 operators now that will allow them to know you’re in trouble without you having to say you are. Even talking on the phone with a loved one can help stop an attack from happening in some cases. At the end of the day, your phone can even become an excellent weapon when it comes to defending yourself too. Make sure to check out some tutorials on how to do this so you’ll be prepared if you ever do need to use the phone in this manner.

4. Use Your Keys
If you drive, then your car’s remote can be one of the best functions to keep you safe when you feel in danger. The alarm button on your car’s remote is one of the easiest items to hit to draw attention to your self and the area that you’re in. This alarm can also detour an attack due to this, so always have your keys handy when you’re walking somewhere alone. Of course, having the unlock and lock feature close by can help you get in your car faster if someone is following at a distance behind you. Even if you don’t drive, your house keys can be a real asset to use. The hard edge of the key can be used as a weapon to ward off an assailant. There is a certain way to hold your keys if this happens, so you might want to practice in order to be prepared. You won’t think twice about having your keys handy anymore, especially after you learn how much of an asset they can be.

5. Pepper Spray
One of the most common items to use in self-defense is pepper spray. If this item is legal in your area, then it might be something you choose to invest in. You can find pepper-spray in all shapes and sizes, including one that conveniently fits on your key chain. This spray can stop an assailant in their tracks due to the pain that it causes. However, you should also learn how to use the spray to help protect yourself. Many people use the spray but end up getting it on themselves too. This can hinder your ability to escape an attack, which could cause you further harm. Of course, you should always dial 9-1-1 when an attack occurs, so you can ensure further safety and that the assailant doesn’t go after anyone else.

6. Stay in a Group
Although knowing how to protect yourself is important, you might want to take one extra step to keep yourself safe. One of the best ways to do this is to stick with a group at all times. It doesn’t matter if you’re walking to work with a few of your colleagues or sticking with a designated group after a night of partying, being around a few other people can truly save your life. Most assailants won’t approach a group when planning an attack. Even if they do so, there were will be more people to help ward off the potential attack, which will improve your safety immensely. You might talk to those in your life to set up specific groups for specific outings, so you will always know you have people nearby. If you don’t know anyone to walk with you then quickly join a group of people that are already walking. Most people won’t mind walking with an extra.

7. Take a Course
Even though free self-defense courses can really help you out, there are other courses that can do even more for you. For instance, you might want to pick up a form of martial arts like tae kwon do. This sport will allow you to learn the moves you need to defend yourself from an assailant. It will also provide you with lots of exercise that will improve strength, speed and confidence. On top of martial arts, you might also look at activities that help you think quickly and keep your cool in an extreme situation. Meditation is one great option, but you might also consider Tai Chi to help you find peace of mind while working the body. These two aspects combined will not only help you protect yourself but will help prevent your brain from going into fight or flight mode which might save your life.

8. Stay Aware
One of the key elements to staying safe when you’re out and about is to be aware of your surroundings. In this day and age, so many people actually disconnect themselves from the world around them. May it be talking on the phone, surfing the net while walking or even listening to music, you can find yourself in real danger by doing this. The best thing you can do is unplug when you’re walking alone, especially if there aren’t a lot of people around. By disconnecting, you allow yourself to hear everything around you and to feel out the atmosphere, which should help you protect yourself efficiently or at least take control of the situation you are in.

9. Practice Relaxation Methods
When it comes to a dangerous situation, many people who are prepared end up feeling so overcome with fear that they forget all about their training. So, you might want to consider practicing some relaxation methods to help you keep your head on straight when a problem occurs. One of the best options is to begin with breathing. This will help the body and mind relax so you can react appropriately. You may find these relaxation techniques work wonders in many areas of your life.

10. Know Your Routes
A key element in keeping safe is knowing the routes that you travel on. This will help you avoid walking into dark areas or areas that don’t have a lot of people, so you can stay safer than ever. You should always come up with alternative routes too. This will help you find a secure place to walk when your schedule is a little skewed. It will also prevent you from taking the same path daily. Some assailants will notice routine, which helps them to plan out attacks. By switching things up, you’re allowing yourself a little more security while also keeping your life fresh. The same can be done with driving routes. Although you don’t have to switch these up to avoid conflict, you should know the best route to take at night, just in case your car breaks down. Overall, being aware of where you are going can help you immensely.

Taking care of yourself should be top priority, which is why it is so important to know self-defense. These tips should help you find the help you need to feel confidence when you are alone, while also protecting you during every aspect of your life.

Prom season is here, which means its time to start scrambling to make sure your prom budget can actually pull off a great party for your school’s seniors and juniors. If you’re in charge of the budget or decorating committee, then you probably already know that planning such an event can mean jumping through a lot of hoops. These ten tips should help you cut the corners on the last minutes ideas you’ll need to make your prom an event that students will remember for decades. So, don’t sweat the small stuff yet, as a budget friendly prom is possible, even in this late of the season.

1. Photography
Most students pretty much live for the photography that happens at prom. After all, this is going to be their best way to remember the occasion, especially if phones are banned on campus. However, hiring a photographer can really work against your budget. It can cost thousands to book a photographer, props and an assistant for the big night. However, there is one very obvious solution to this problem. If your school has a photography program, then utilize the top students. They can do the project as extra credit or as part of their photography club. For backgrounds, you can use props from the photography and art departments as well as the theater program. There are even backdrop tutorials that students can use to make the photography look even better. If you begin early enough then you might even get students to help out by creating an entirely unique look for the prom.

2. Simple Themes
The theme chosen for your prom can really make or break your budget. For instance, themes that force you to build futuristic items or those for under the sea may mean your low budget is going to be in big trouble. Instead of offering such extravagant themes to the mix, you may want to keep it simple with a theme that can easily be represented with colors. This can cut down on the price by quite a bit, which is sure to allow you to splurge in the areas that count. You can easily get colored products in bulk as well, which will save you a lot of money too. These items can always be customized by the art department as well to add to the pizzazz.

3. Embrace Balloons
One of the best ways to get out of the decorating game for a lot less is to actually embrace balloons. You can do a whole lot with these amazing decorative items, which will help you sort out all of your style needs. If you’re not sure where to start, try ordering balloons in the color of your theme in bulk. This will help you get started. You might want to enlist a large body of students to help out with blowing up the balloons, or you can simply order a machine that will do the job for you. Once you have the balloons ready to go then set them up in a wide variety of designs. If you want to add a little more majestic style to the mix, then add in balloons with metallic hues. Of course, you can also achieve this by spray painting the balloons you already have. One way to come up with some awesome ideas is to browse around online. There’s lots of great tutorials available.

4. Reuse Decor
When it comes down to it, don’t feel bad about re-using some of the decor that you’ve put up in the past. You can do a lot with these items, especially if they’re still in good shape. Best of all, you won’t be wasting anything by doing this. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t breathe new life into the items before you place them up. For instance, you might want to spray paint statues, chandeliers or whatever else you come across. This will add to the look while making it more suitable for the current prom. You might even ask the art department to get involved in order to make your dream become a reality.

5. Lighting
Chances are, you already have the lighting you need to make the prom look amazing. Without a doubt, the theater is one of the best places to look for such items. You can easily use the spotlight and anything else on hand that might add beauty to the prom dance. Of course, you can customize these items too. For instance, you can use colored films to transform your spotlight into a burst of color. On top of that, you can easily use the projector to add a whimsical detail to the party. You may want to ask someone that knows how to operate the lights to move, set them up and run them for the big night.

6. Clearance Flowers
Flowers can be a huge part of the dance, but it can also be one of the costliest items on your budget. You may want to consider asking flower shops if you can buy flowers that are about to be tossed out. Generally, flower shops don’t keep flowers until they begin to wilt, so if you purchase the day of the prom then you might end up with flowers that still look very pretty. Of course, this will probably mean that you’re going to end up with a wide variety of flowers, instead of a uniform style. This can add a lot of charm to the prom though, which might work in your favor. If your flowers are looking a little under the weather, then there are a few steps that you can take to make them perk up for the big night. You might even encourage students to take them home, so you won’t have to worry about them going to waste.

7. Food
Hands down, food can be one of the priciest elements of the dance. Instead of offering a meal for prom, stick with simple refreshments. You might want to schedule the dance a little later in the evening if you do this though, as this will encourage students to eat beforehand. Refreshments can be cheaply made, especially if you stick to the classics like punch and cookies. You can also use these items as a part of the decor. For instance, cupcakes are very cheap and easy to make so you can put more money into decorating them with a little extra pizzazz. You can also rely on leftovers from the cafeteria to plan on what you’re going to serve. If you have lots of flour, butter and sugar on hand then you’re set for a variety of cookies. Catering meals like pizza and tacos also might save you big in comparison to hiring caterers to offer food that the students might not enjoy.

8. Shop in Bulk
It doesn’t matter if you’re on the hunt for food or decor, one of the best things you can do for your budget is to shop in bulk. This can help you find some of the best possible deals around. For instance, stores like the Oriental Trading Company have a lot of cute items that are sold in bulk. These can work for napkin holders, table decorations, cupcake toppers and so much more. Shopping in bulk can also save you a whole lot of time. This is especially true if you order online. However, you should always order in a timely manner, or you might risk not getting the items that you ordered on time. Food is always great for bulk shopping. This is especially true if you end up purchasing items from a store for the students to eat.

9. Ask for Sponsorship
Believe it or not, but there are party supply stores and restaurants that would be more than happy to sponsor your school. So, if you are running short on supplies for the prom then you might want to hit the pavement and see if any local stores would be willing to offer you a little help. A lot of stores are more than happy to offer assistance, especially if they can post it on their social media page and so forth. If you can’t find a local store, then begin emailing chains to see if they can offer you any assistance. You can do the same when it comes to food. A lot of restaurants will love the promotional ability, which will do you both a favor.

10. Host at the School
Last but not least, it will always work out in your favor to host the prom at your school. Renting out a venue can really kill your budget fast, so looking elsewhere to host your prom might be out of the question. Your high school offers great opportunities though. For starters, you will have full control over the decor, which will add to the school spirit of the event. The hosts of the prom can also handle the music played, food served and everything else that students look forward to. Plus, the gymnasium also offers a huge space for dancing and having fun. Finally, you can always host an after party at the school to make sure students are safe and sound when prom is over.

Prom is one of the most memorable times for many students, so making it look great on a budget is important. These ten tips should cut back on the money you spend on the event, which is certain to make everyone in the school much happier. With the lower cost of planning, you may not have to charge students as much either.

Art can be one of the greatest aspects of life. It allows you to show off your creativity when you create your own works of art and when you purchase other’s art it helps to excite emotions. The only problem with art is it can be quite expensive. From purchasing quality paints to spending money in a gallery, you might find that art isn’t for your tight budget. However, on World Art Day, you might want to make an exception. These ten ideas will help you to celebrate art on a low budget, so you can once again enjoy the happiness it brings you.

1. Enjoy a Local Art Walk
Generally, World Art Day hosts a wide variety of art walks across the globe. This can be a great way to make the most out of the day without having to spend a lot of money. In most cases, an art walk is entirely free. The only reason you would need money is to purchase something there. This can give you a lot of freedom as you will be able to browse a wide variety of art without having to spend a penny. It might help you to see what’s new in the art world, especially in your local area. It may also give you a few works of art that you want to save up to buy. If you’re an artist, then you can even enter the art walk yourself to try to sell off some of your items. Although there is a fee to do this, if your items sell then they should more than cover the cost of the fee. Some vendors will even offer classes for new crafts at the art walk, which might be the perfect time to immerse yourself in something new.

2. Visit a Gallery
Most of us pass by galleries daily, but don’t take the time to browse them. On World Art Day, you might want to stop and enjoy the art for a change. Most galleries won’t charge you to stop in to browse, so you can see the visit as a trip to a museum of sorts. Visiting a gallery will give you a lot of insight into the art of your local area, which can help you feel closer to your community. You may even feel encouraged to purchase an item. If they’re too expensive then take the artist’s card and see if there are more affordable options on their website.

3. Purchase Prints
Without a doubt, purchasing a work of art can cost a small fortune. If you’re looking to buy art from an established artist, then you might need thousands to millions in order to do so. This isn’t money most of us have to spend on such a thing. So, the next best thing is to buy an art print. These prints offer great quality and when framed look astonishing. You can buy prints in all sorts of places too, so you can even bargain hunt to see who is going to offer you the best price. If you want to spend a little extra money on your artistic purchase, then you might consider getting the work of art autographed. This will give it even more pizzazz that you can show off when displayed in your home.

4. Support a Struggling Artist
One way to celebrate World Art Day is to help a struggling artist out. One of the best ways to do this is head to the art department of your nearest community college or university. While you are there, you should see a lot of art work displayed. You can easily find an item you like and talk to the professor that heads the department. He or she should be able to get you in touch with the artist, so you can offer them a price. Another great way to do this is to purchase something from a vendor. You can find vendors all over the place, including the side of the street. If this isn’t something you feel comfortable with then consider shopping around online. There’s tons of artists to choose from. You will have to pay shipping and handling for your purchase, but you will be helping out an artist that needs the money to further their craft.

5. Share Artists with Family
Art history can be a great way to celebrate this holiday. You might even transform it into an art week, or even a month. This will give you a chance to teach your family all about the famous artists that have helped to fuel creativity in the modern world. Art history isn’t often taught in schools, so this can be a great way for your family to be advanced in the world of culture. There are lots of great lessons online for children hoping to learn more about art history, so you can let these lessons guide you. Of course, you can even come up with your own lessons if you prefer to teach about artists that are a bit more obscure. You might also consider lessons on artists from a wide variety of cultures, so children can broaden their horizons.

6. Enjoy Sales on Art Supplies
On World Art Day, you may be able to find some pretty awesome bargains on art supplies. Generally, art specific stores are going to be the stores that offer these sales, so if you’re shopping around then this would be the best place to start. However, you might also find that larger stores, like Hobby Lobby and Michaels, will also offer sales. If you can’t find anything on sale, then these stores generally offer great coupons so that you can afford to purchase something to celebrate World Art Day too. You can also shop around online to see who is offering big deals to make the holiday great. You never know, you might end up stocking up enough art supplies so that you can enjoy making art for the rest of the year without spending a fortune.

7. Improve Your Skills
Of course, one of the best ways to celebrate this special day is to actually work on your own skills. May it be taking the day to paint, draw, knit and so on, or actually enjoying a lesson that will help you learn more about your craft. You can actually find many lessons online that won’t cost you a thing, which is sure to help make you feel more confident about your art. You can also use this time to challenge yourself. For instance, you can force yourself to paint using only the primary colors. This will help you to learn more about colors and alter your painting technique. You can also try out something new during this time. For instance, if you’re interested in making mosaics then you might try out a new material, like metal.

8. Visit a Museum
One way to celebrate art, both old and new, is to take a trip to a museum. This will cost a small fee in most cases, but it will allow you to immerse yourself in the world of art. While you’re visiting the museum, make sure to take the time to think about the work’s place in the world. How does it reflect on the time it was made? Who was the artist and what was their motive? You may learn a lot more about the work of art than you thought possible. This is a great way to further your knowledge on art and see pieces of art that you’ve always loved in a brand-new light. If you don’t have a museum nearby, or you simply want to further your experience then check online for digital tours. You can even explore iconic museums from abroad.

9. Watch Movies Based on Artists
If you want to spend World Art Day relaxing, then one of the best options is to rent a movie based on an artist’s life. There are so many available, that you might have a hard time picking which one you want to watch. If you’re interested in documentaries then there are lots you can find on artists, art and even art movements. Of course, one of the more popular options is the feature films that have been created about famous artists. These films offer high quality productions that will leave you feeling like you knew the artist. You may start by researching some of your favorite artists to see if you can find any productions made about them.

10. Make Art
Another way to get more out of the holiday is to make some art. If you have children, then this is a great time to teach them about the art of the past as well as various mediums that they might enjoy. You might consider trying pottery, mosaics, painting, animation or anything else that seems like it would interest them. You can even base your art on the art of the past. There are so many lessons available that will help your children recreate the art work of the past while adding their own special twist to it. Even adults will have fun with these lessons, so let your creativity show on World Art Day.

Enjoying art can be one of the best ways to ditch stress and relax. These ten ideas should give you plenty to do on World Art Day, which will make you feel excited to enjoy art once again. You may even find cheap ways to incorporate art into your life after the holiday is over, which will certainly make your life feel well rounded and fun.

Spring is one of the best times to visit the zoo. The animals are in high spirits thanks to the reasonable weather and there may even be a few babies to coo over. Although the zoo has become a go-to vacation spot for anyone with kids, it can also be pretty pricey in the long run. Luckily, there’s quite a few things you can do to enjoy your zoo without having to spend a small fortune. It doesn’t matter if the zoo is in your neck of the woods or if you’re going to one across the country, these tips should help you save some money on your trip. So, if you’re planning a trip to the zoo for Spring Break or a simple getaway for National Zoo Lover’s Day, you should now feel more financially confident about your decision.

1. Brave Free Days
Just about every zoo in the country will host a free zoo day that allows people from all walks of life to come and see the animals. As you can imagine, these days can be pretty hectic. However, with the price cut down to nothing, this might be the perfect opportunity for you to let your family have some fun at the zoo without breaking your budget. If you can, try to be at the zoo as early as possible on these days, as it will help you get more sightseeing in before anyone else arrives. You might also do your best to avoid the souvenir and food stands, as these tend to be crazy whenever a free day arrives. Make sure to keep a look out for these days on your zoo’s website or social media page. Sometimes, these days aren’t heavily advertised, so it can sneak past you if you’re not paying attention.

2. Become a Member
Most zoos offer a membership program that tends to work out in the customer’s favor. These memberships offer coupons, benefits and so much more, which will help you enjoy your trips to the zoo. Generally, the price of a membership doesn’t cost much more than your family’s first round of admissions, so you won’t be too put out by purchasing this item. Once you make the purchase, you can enter the zoo on any of its open days without having to pay for admission. You can even bring a friend along occasionally with some of these memberships. On top of all of that, the membership will cut back on the price of items at the food court, café and souvenir shop. This will save you a whole lot of money too and may even allow you to enjoy all of the perks of the zoo. Best of all, you won’t have to pay a parking fee in many cases. Sometimes, the membership will even give you freebies or entrance into the classes the zoo hosts.

3. Bring Your Own Food
One of the biggest expenses at the zoo is unfortunately the food. However, there is a remedy to this problem that will keep your family from having a melt down while you’re visiting the zoo. Some zoos will actually allow you to bring in outside food. If this is the case then grab your cooler or picnic bag and pack water, lunch and a few snacks to get your through the day. Unfortunately, many zoos don’t follow this policy though. However, most will stamp your hand when you leave the zoo so that you can return later in the day if you so choose. If this is the case, then pack a lunch and leave it in the car. Make sure everyone hydrates while they eat, so you can ensure you won’t have to spend money inside at all. You should also consider packing food that will sit well based on the weather. Doing this will help cut back on your zoo trip by at least $100 for a family.

4. Consider Holidays
Holidays can actually be a great time to hang out at the zoo. Usually zoos will go out of their way to add a little extra appeal to the zoo on holidays. This should help you get a bit more for your money as there might be new activities to enjoy or souvenirs to take home. The zoo tends to offer celebrations for all sorts of holidays too. For instance, there may be Trick or Treating on Halloween or an Easter egg hunt around the time of the holiday. They also work wonders for smaller holidays like Arbor Day or Memorial Day. Generally, the price remains the same despite the holiday too, so you can feel like you got your money’s worth for the experience.

5. Avoid the Souvenir Shop
The souvenir shop can be a thing of nightmares for many families. Sometimes, children will have a meltdown at the sight of the store, which can ruin the trip. Your best option is to avoid the souvenir shop altogether. You can plan a route using a map you download from the internet, so your kids won’t even know you’re planning around the store. This should help you save a bundle of money. Of course, there are still souvenir options to choose from. For instance, you can purchase a squashed penny that can be a lot of fun to collect. Apart from that, you might want to purchase a wax figure. Both of these items cost next to nothing and can bring so much joy to your child.

6. Pack Efficiently
What the day brings can also cause you to spend money or waste money at the zoo. You should always have a pack ready and waiting in the car in case the unthinkable happens. Some things you should always have on hand are a basic first aid kit, water and sunscreen. Even if it’s winter time and overcast, your child should have sunscreen on them to avoid potential sun damage. Another group of items to take with you is a light jacket and cap. If you really want to be efficient then you might want to pack a rain coat too. However, an umbrella should do the trick just fine. Having these items on hand can help everyone enjoy the zoo more efficiently. It will also prevents you from having to purchase these items in the zoo’s store, which will save you a bundle.

7. Find Discounts
Believe it or not, but there’s more discounts available than you think. On the zoo’s website, or even local vendor’s websites, you might find coupons that can help you get a discount at the park. The coupons may range from things like discounts on admission price but could also help you save on souvenirs and food. While you’re at the park, you can always ask about the discounts they may offer as they often don’t list every discount. You may find that you can get a discount for being a senior citizen, being disabled, being a member of the military or a veteran, or even being a student. If you plan a day to go to the zoo and the weather happens to be rainy then ask if they offer a rainy-day discount. You can still have fun at the zoo during this time, especially if you pack a rainy-day list.

8. Go early
Sometimes, the early bird really does get the worm. Often times, the zoo doesn’t charge as much admission for those who come in the early hours of the park opening. This can help you more than just savings though. Showing up in the morning will allow you to enjoy less of a crowd, so you can enjoy the animals without feeling rushed. On top of that, in most cases, you won’t be there around the time everyone starts to get hungry. In fact, you might not even have to deal with the temptation of smelling food cooking. Thus, you won’t have to purchase food at the zoo. Even if you do decide to purchase food, snacks and souvenirs you won’t have to deal with the long lines that will cut back from your time exploring the park.

9. Plan Ahead
One of the key elements of having a successful and frugal trip to the zoo is your ability to plan ahead. For starters, you should know what the weather is going to be and prepare for any potential weather that forecasters are unsure of. This will not only help you prepare for yourself, but it will help you plan around the animals that might not come out during specific weather. You should also know what is happening at the zoo and what you would like to see. For instance, if there is a new exhibit, you might want to plan around it if you plan on going to the zoo multiple times. This will give you more space to enjoy the animals that aren’t popular on that day. You can even come up with plans to look at specific areas of the zoo during certain times so no one gets exhausted. This will prevent you from missing out on things and forcing you to cut your visit short.

10. Park Elsewhere
Without a doubt, parking at the zoo can be absolutely ridiculous in some places. The high parking fees often cause people to turn around. So, your best option is to find a parking place that is close to the zoo. This will allow you to walk the rest of the way instead of forcing you to fork over all of your money. Of course, if you have a membership this usually isn’t a problem as the fees are generally covered in the price. If you can avoid parking, then do so. One of the best ways to do this is to take public transit. The fee for transit can save you a whole lot of money.

Going to the zoo can be a lot of fun, especially in the spring time. These tips should help you to make the most of your trip while allowing you to save some money. With any luck, you will have so much fun at the zoo that you will forget all about your expenditures.

Spring Cleaning time is here again, which can cause a lot of dread for many people. Spring Cleaning can be a time to rejoice though, as it is a great way to get a fresh start on your life. One of the best ways to make the most out of your cleaning experience is adapt to minimalism concept while you work. You may find that your life becomes less stressful as you remove the clutter from it. These ten ideas should help you work on your home with ease, so you can easily get more out of your day to day living.

1. Start with Clothing
The best place to begin your minimalism practice is in your closet. This is where most people accumulate the bulk of their clutter. From t-shirts from events to dresses that stopped fitting decades ago, our closets tend to build up with clothing items we just don’t need. So, this Spring Cleaning period is the best time to get rid of the clutter for good. The ideal thing to do would be to illuminate most of the clothing in your closet. You will need an item for special occasions as well as a week’s worth of work clothes and casual clothes. You can also keep a couple of pieces that make you particularly happy. If you have a washer, you can even cut the clothes back more. You should go through your drawers and get rid of old underwear, holey pajamas and other clothes that might not be comfortable. Once you’ve finished making your wardrobe look like a minimalist dream, start on the rest of the household’s closets.

2. Clean Your Shelves
Another place people tend to have clutter is on their shelves. This can be a lot harder for people to clean than their wardrobe though, as many of these items have a deeper connection to the owner. However, you can easily part with these items if you’re careful. Knick-knacks can be gone through quickly, if you like many of them then put some away and rotate them throughout the year. This will bring you more happiness and will add a newness to your collection. Books can be the hardest items to part with. However, if they don’t bring you joy and you don’t plan on reading them then it’s time to let go. Once you’ve purged your shelves and put away items or given them away then you can clean them with ease.

3. Decor
Many households have way too much decor out too, which just sits around and collects dust. Try to cut back on your items where you can. For instance, pictures of loved ones can be transformed into a collage to take up less space. You might stick with one simple art piece for the room to work as a focal piece. To add to the design of the room, simply add a rug to tie things together. Plants are something you should add to each room though as they will cleanse the air and help you with cleaning.

4. Ditch Appliances
It’s hard to say no to a cool appliance, especially if we think it is going to make our lives easier. However, more often than not, the appliances we choose don’t stay in use for long. In fact, the panini press, wok, waffle maker and sushi maker, tend to collect dust for years before we pull them out to use them again. If you have a collection of these items, then it’s time to say goodbye. You don’t need to have a waffle maker if you don’t ever make waffles, so sell it and use the money to buy appliances that have more one use. For instance, if you love paninis then invest in a cast iron skill and a weight. You will be surprised as to how delicious it tastes and how little space it takes up. With your kitchen cabinets emptier, you can have space for the stuff you actually need, like food.

5. Clear the Bathroom
The bathroom is another place known for having clutter everywhere. From half empty bottles of shampoo to the lotion that you tried but hated, these supplies tend to pack the cabinets. So, now is the time to ditch everything you don’t use. There is no need to save these items because they will never be used. If you’re worried about waste, then put a ban on buying products until the items in your bathroom cabinets are done. You may want to clear out old medications too, but make sure to dispose of them properly. With less in your bathroom, it will become more of a safe space where you can unwind or get ready for work with less stress in your life.

6. Reconsider Holiday Clutter
Let’s face it, we accumulate a whole lot of items to celebrate holidays. These items can really take up a lot of space in our storage areas, which can even cause hazardous conditions. Now is the perfect time to go through these items. If you have lights, then test them out. If they don’t work or are in a tangled mess, then you might want to ditch them. Holiday ornaments that are rusted or have been broken a few times might need a retirement too. Apart from that, you can easily go through and find items you just don’t use anymore. You may even cut back on items that are just unnecessary. For instance, you might not need a set of plates for every holiday you celebrate. Cutting down your supplies can help you save money in the long run and will make it so much easier to clean storage in the future.

7. Think Multifunctional
If you want to make any space in the home more efficient then you need to think multipurpose as you go through your items. For instance, if you’re in the market for new furniture, then pick items that work as storage spaces too. You can also pick up bins that slide under furniture to store the clutter that you don’t want to part with. Items that do more than one job around the house are definitely keepers too, so shop efficiently when investing in new things. This even includes your technology, so don’t purchase tech that only has one purpose. You should even clean up apps and other items that clutter up these devices and add to your stress.

8. Encourage Sustainability
Minimalism cleaning and organizing can also get you started on living a more sustainable life. For instance, you may want to invest in storage bins and jars for your home. These can be taken with you for shopping that doesn’t require bags and other disposables. If you have a backyard then consider creating a compost. This will put the items you need waste to good use, so you won’t have to worry about them becoming landfill. Of course, you should also recycle whenever and wherever you can. Leading this type of lifestyle will even encourage you to think before you purchase. So, not only will you have less cleaning to do, but you also won’t have to worry about new clutter entering the home.

9. Take it Slow
Rome wasn’t built in a day, so don’t tackle your home in the same way. This will only make things harder for you, especially when you’re dealing with items that are emotionally hard to get rid of. You should start slowly and stop when you feel like the burden is too much for you. This should help you deal emotionally with the loss of your items, so you can move on to the next stage. Before you know it, your home will be complete, and you will feel so much better. However, don’t feel like you have to compete with others going through the same process.

10. Deep Clean
Don’t feel overwhelmed to clean straight away as you work. Instead, wait until you have cleared all of the items you no longer desire. With emptiness to contend with, you should be able to get a deep clean that you will feel proud of. Once the clean is over, then move the items back in. This is a great time to take a second look to see if there isn’t anything else you can get rid of. Often, when the deep clean is present, it inspires people to purge even more, so they can enjoy the feeling of cleanliness for much longer. You might consider using natural chemicals in some of these areas too. If not, rub down areas like closets, doors and windows with essential oils to keep bugs out of your home.

These ten tips should have you well on your way to becoming successful at minimalism and Spring Cleaning. Before you know it, this seasonal clean with be over and you’ll be enjoying your seemingly new home. You may even notice that cleaning is much easier, and life feels more complete. If not, then you’ve opened up your home to begin new collections that will help bring you a fresher sense of joy.

Spring is finally here, for most of us. Although the excitement is real, your happiness might tank when you remember you have a yard to upkeep. If you can’t do much with your yard during winter, or you simply choose not to, then you probably know that you have a lot of work to do in the near future. Yard work can cost a pretty penny too, especially if you have a lot of expectations and plans for your yard. If you’re not a big planner then these ten low maintenance ideas will help you enjoy your yard even more without having to put in the work or money. So, don’t stress over getting your yard into shape, because these ideas will create a stunning look that everyone will have to compliment.

1. Consider Mulch Beds
When grass isn’t on the table and you have a yard that seems to look drab, a mulch bed is a great answer to this timeless problem. Mulch breaks down to improve on the soil in your lawn, which will allow you to grow all sorts of plants in it. Best of all, the mulch beds will give your yard a sense of definition, so it doesn’t just appear to be chaos. Mulch beds help with water consumption as they soak up water and release it slowly to the plants that are being supported in the bed. Apart from that, you don’t have to mow mulch, so you’ll save a whole lot of time in the long run. Mulch can be pricey, especially when you’re first placing your mulch beds. However, if you buy in bulk from a company or landscaper then this will save you a bundle.

2. Choose Native Plants
A lot of people tend to go out and spend a fortune on plants that they expect to grow. In some cases, the plants simply can’t grow in the climate, which forces the person to put in a lot of time, money and energy for nothing. Other times, the plants require so much water and attention that they can’t properly be kept up with. One of the best ways to remedy this problem is to stick to plants that grow naturally in your area. You can usually find a list of this information online, but if you’re having trouble then talk to someone at your local garden center. These plants are great because they will take very little effort, since they have adapted to survive in your climate. They will also help improve the natural environment, which is great for the ecosystem. Best of all, you won’t have to spend lots of time watering them.

3. Go Artificial
Grass can be a beautiful thing to grow on your lawn. However, the price of growing grass can really put a hole in your budget. If your yard is large and you’re not sure that the grass will take, then you may bypass grass altogether. If you don’t have time or the water budget to deal with grass, then this is also a game charger. However, if you love the look of grass then not all hope is lost. There’s a lot of different turfs that can be placed in yard that will not only make the yard look amazing but will also save you lots of time and money. The initial price of laying down your choice of turf might seem like a lot, but this artificial grass never needs to be mowed, water or even weeded. So, you’ll cut down on your water and maintenance budget quickly.

4. Fall in Love with Rocks
Adding rocks to the yard is one of the biggest and most cost-efficient trends around. Doing this is a great way to give your yard the landscaping you desire without having to worry about dealing with the extra things that the yard tends to require. For starters, your yard will look great without having to be watered and mowed. You may have to weed occasionally, but this won’t happen often. You can still add plants to the home too, but you will have more control over the area and can easily disguise it with rocks if the plant doesn’t make it. You can find rocks at a decent price, but you can also add to your collection whenever you go somewhere that might have a few cool rocks.

5. Pave It
Without a doubt, if you want a yard that requires you to do nothing then you may as well go ahead and pave it over. This will give you plenty of space to work out, hang out or simply ignore the great outdoors. Concrete tends to be cost efficient, so you can even hire professionals without harming your budget too much. Best of all, when the yard has been paved over, you won’t have to spend another dime on it. This pavement makes it great for above ground pools, skating, basketball and more. You can even spice things up by coloring the pavement to suit your artistic needs. You may be surprised by how cool this looks.

6. Make it Livable
Your yard doesn’t have to be all for show. In fact, you can easily move things around to suit your needs, without even considering the landscaping. For instance, if you like to host barbecues, then set out some tables, barbeque pit and other forms of entertainment. Lawn furniture is also a given, especially if you love to get fresh air in the evening. If you’re feeling like spending some money then add a pool, may it be above or below ground. Toys, workout equipment, hobby items or even just art can all make your yard look incredible too. So, don’t fret the hard work as these tips are sure to make you feel like you’ve gained an extra room.

7. Use Evergreens
One of the best ways to get more out of your yard is to utilize plants that aren’t going to phase out during certain seasons. Evergreens are one of the best options for you. These plants will make your lawn look great all year long. They also won’t force you to do any extra cleanup during the autumn and winter months, as they will maintain their beautiful green color. These trees continue to keep your home shaded no matter what time of year it is. On top of all that, they are incredibly easy to care for. You may not even have to do more than an occasional watering, depending on the area that you live. This is sure to cut back on the effort you put into your yard and will save you money since you won’t have to add new items to the yard each season.

8. DIY Barbecue/Fire Pit
If you love to spend time outdoors, then a barbecue or fire pit is sure to make your time outside even more amazing. These items cost a bundle when you purchase them at a store, but you can save big simply by building your own. There are lots of ways you can go about this too. For instance, if you’re going for a simple design that does its job, you can finish the project in less than a day. There are more intricate designs to choose from too though. Best of all, you can use your choice of brick and other supplies to make the barbecue or fire look charming in your yard. This can help save money too, as you will know what supplies you can choose based on your budget.

9. Water Smart
One of the biggest expenditures many people have with their yard is the water they use to upkeep it. There are many tips and tricks you can use to cut down on the amount of water that you use each day. One such way is to use an irrigation system. This will deliver more water to your plant with less evaporation and water waste. You can also use hydroponics, which help improve the health of your plants, but takes a bit away from the appearance. Of course, knowing more about your plants can help cut back on problems too. Many plants need different amounts of water, so watering accordingly can help you and your plants.

10. Work Slowly
Another major problem people have with their yard is they get incredibly ambitious and try to take on too much at once. This causes many people to buy plants that they don’t have time to put in the ground, which causes them to die and therefore wastes the money. Purchasing supplies upfront for projects can leave you losing money too as you don’t often know how the project will fit into your yard once you have the other items you desire in. The best thing you can do is start small and move one step at a time. This will not only allow you to follow through on projects but will help you to see how much effort is going into your yard.

This spring, you don’t have to let the nice weather inspire you to spend too much money on your lawn. These tips should help you cut back on your spending and hard work, while still creating a yard that is easy on the eyes. So, enjoy working with the land you have, but don’t let the excitement of the season force you to spend a small fortune.

On April 7, the whole world will be able to celebrate World Health Day. However, for some, it is hard to decide what to do in order to improve on one’s health. Many people actually begin to pour money into gym memberships, supplements and other items to help improve on health. You absolutely don’t have to do this though. There are so many things you can do that won’t cost you money when it comes to getting healthy. As a matter of fact, some of the items on this list might actually help you save money. So, get ready to buckle down and work on your health when World Health Day arrives.

1. Morning Walk
Walking might not seem like a lot, but it is a great way to get a head start on your health. In fact, walking at least thirty minutes a day can help you stay fitter than you would expect. Doing this in the morning is incredibly efficient too. In fact, it can kick start your metabolism, which will set you up for success throughout the day. Apart from that, going for a walk can help you clear your mind. This will reduce the amount of stress you have in your life and will help you to focus on tasks throughout the day with ease. Your morning walk will provide you with even more energy too, so you can feel like you have more stamina during your long day. Your morning walk may turn into a morning jog in no time at all, or might expand to an evening walk too. This will help you exercise more and feel confident about yourself.

2. Don’t Drink Your Calories
One huge problem that many people have with their diet is the fact that they drink so many of their calories. Juice, soda and even milk add to the calories you can’t eat during the day. These drinks tend not to fill you up either and occasionally will make you hungrier. So, it is important to try to stick with water as often as you possibly can. Water won’t count against your daily calorie intake and it might even help to suppress your appetite. So, whenever you’re feeling thirsty or hungry, grab a glass of water and see if it satisfies you. Doing this will also cut back on the amount of sugar and soda that you take in, which will help with your health immensely.

3. Try One New Recipe a Week
Many of us find ourselves in a food rut that causes us to eat an unhealthy diet. This can be a big problem if you’re trying to lead a healthier lifestyle. One way to break out of the mold is to find one new recipe a week and give it a try. Try to choose healthy recipes that are new and fresh, or recipes that use healthier alternatives for your favorite meal. If you hate the meal, then you don’t have to stress about it too much as you will return to your typical meal options for the rest of the week. If you love it, then you might add it to your monthly food rotation. The more meals you try like this, the more excited you will feel about eating healthier. Before you know it, you might have healthy recipes for most of the week. Your health will soon skyrocket, which will make your life a lot better.

4. Download Apps
Most people spend a lot of time on their smart phones, so why not use this time to improve your health. You can find an app for just about anything these days, so you have a lot of options when it comes to healthy apps. Some of the most popular apps are for fitness. These apps will help you record your activity for the day while providing workout videos as well as diet and exercise pointers. There are simple apps for recording your diet too, which will let you know how well you’re doing regarding your food to exercise ratio. Your physical body isn’t the only thing you should concentrate on when it comes to apps. You can also download apps designed to reduce your stress. There are apps designed to help with cognitive functions and memory too. With a great combination of apps on your side, you’re sure to move into a healthy state of living in no time.

5. Buy a Water Bottle
Most people aren’t drinking enough water each day. This can cause many healthy problems, which can cost you a lot of money and cause a lot of inconvenience. Using a glass to ensure you get enough water can be a huge pain too. That is why purchasing a reusable bottle is a great option. These bottles hold more than one serving, so you can go without a refill for longer. Plus, many will tell you exactly how much water you’re drinking, so you can keep track with ease. Best of all, these bottles are ecofriendly. You won’t have to worry about purchasing water while you’re out or even having water bottles on hand. This is certain to make life a lot easier. Not to mention, with all the water you’re drinking, you’ll cut back on other drinks that drain your calorie intake and add toxins to your body. It will also save you money since these drinks will more than likely be left off of your shopping list.

6. Cook Less
Another major problem we face is overcooking. Cooking at home is always a good thing, but so many people plan on meals that would fit a lot more people than they should. The excess food encourages us to waste or to overeat, both of which are a major problem. The best way to combat this problem is to cook based on recommended serving sizes. These sizes are scientifically set, so if you cook this amount you will have enough food to meet your body’s needs. For a while, you may feel hungry after meals, but your stomach will slowly shrink to the size it should be. Of course, you can also serve a salad with meals to help fill you up, as well as a dessert. You may find that you feel great having cooked the appropriate amount and your grocery bill will look a lot better too.

7. Take Time to Breath
For many people, life is always go, go, go. This not only causes exhaustion but allows stress to build up too. Rather than getting caught up in life, make sure you take time out to breathe. Taking in slow and deep breaths and then slowly exhaling them is great for your physical health. It allows the oxygen to flow gently throughout your body. These deep breaths are also great for your mental health too. By breathing like this, your body is sent signals that it can relax. This will help relieve tension and stress, which will improve your overall health.

8. Go Outside
Believe it or not, but actually spending some time outside can make you feel amazing. Of course, you should always wear sunscreen outside, even if the UV index isn’t high or you’re not planning on staying out very long. The sun and fresh air are great for the body though. Sun gives the body a burst of vitamin D, while the fresh air helps to fill the lungs with fresher and cleaner oxygen that requires them to work a little less. In fact, going outside has even been proven to reduce anxiety. You’re more than likely to exercise if you’re outside too, which will help your body burn fat and build muscle.

9. Consider Fasting
Believe it or not but fasting is also a great way to improve on your health. This doesn’t mean you should fast every day but doing something once a week or every few weeks might help you out. This also doesn’t mean you should fast all day and night. Instead, choose a twelve-hour time period to not eat or drink anything with calories. Sorry, while you’re sleeping doesn’t count! Your body will begin to function in a new way during your first fast. Your liver will improve its functions while your metabolism begins to burn fat. If you fast often, you will wind up slowing down your metabolism, so pay attention to your body. These are only a few benefits of fasting. Scientists have named many that might inspire you to ditch lunch once a week.

10. Clean House
Cleaning house is a pretty typical thing, so you might be wondering how it helps you with your health. Well, house cleaning is actually a very good form of exercise. Your body is constantly moving, yet you don’t feel the need to stop and take a breather. Cleaning the whole house can give you a workout that might even rival the gyms. Of course, there are other benefits too. For starters, cleaning gets rid of germs, bacteria, toxins and allergens from the home. With the air fresher and your surfaces safe to touch, you will already feel a lot better than you did before. Clearing up clutter can help reduce anxiety too. Plus, opening the windows and letting the house air out will help get rid of potential ailments while making you feel naturally happier.

World Health Day is the perfect time to actually begin to work on a healthier you. With these tips, you will be able to find frugal ways that not only suit your budget but work with your body’s needs. The best thing is, many of these tips aren’t difficult to follow. So, you should be on your way to better health in just a few simple days.

With the spring air finally making its way through the blustery winter gusts, many people have already moved into puppy season mode. Spring is one of the most popular times for baby animals to be in the market, may it be in pet stores, the classifieds or in your local animal shelters. However, getting a new puppy can be a very pricey thing. Luckily, there are many ways you can cut back on the price and care of the new addition to your family. This season, you may finally be able to give in to your puppy fever thanks to these amazing tips.

1. Always Adopt
One of the best things you can do for animals, your local economy and the world is to adopt a puppy. Generally, puppies you see in stores are puppy mill animals, which is a terrible practice. You will be spending a lot of money for an animal that may have many issues they have to overcome in their life. You are also funding the puppy mills even more if you wind up buying their products. Local breeders can also overcharge for their animals and may treat them poorly. Adopting a pet is a great way to show you care and it will also save a life. You may not be able to find the breed of your dreams, but the animal you choose will quickly fall in love with you. During puppy season, many shelters often hold puppy fairs, which allow locals to pick out pets for a lower price, if not free. This usually occurs when the shelter is overfull, so keep an eye out for local events or simply go to a shelter to see if there’s a match for you.

2. Think Before Adoption
Although adoption is a great option when you want to bring a puppy or older dog into the home, you still need to think it over before you do so. One of the first questions you need to answer is, “Am I ready?” If you have the time ,money, space and ability to take care of a puppy then you’re good to go. If not, then maybe put this plan on the back burner for a while. You should also consider the type of animal you can care for. Take into consideration the size of your home and yard when you think about the dog you plan to adopt. You can also consider the type of coat you can deal with. If you have allergies, then this might be a big issue. Also, you should consider how much time you have to brush and bathe your dog. Another thing to look into is the health of the breed you are bringing home. Some breeds can have major problems that you will need to care for throughout their lives, so if you don’t have the money for vet bills and treatments then this shouldn’t be an option for you. You can find basic health information on each breed online with ease and the shelter might have knowledge to share before you adopt too.

3. Crate Train
A lot of people will spend a small fortune on things to help housebreak their pet. From puppy pads to incentives, you don’t want to go this route if you’re on a tight budget and don’t have a lot of time. One of the best ways to housebreak a dog quickly is to do crate training. Generally, dogs will not use the bathroom where they sleep, thus you won’t have messes all over the place when you first bring your puppy home. As long as you take your pet out after every period of time in the crate, you should be able to form the habit that bathroom time is for the outdoors. You should also keep in mind puppies need to be taken out quite a bit if you want to avoid accidents. So, make sure to consider your dog’s age when crate training, as having your pet hold it for too long can cause physical problems.

4. Consider Obedience Training
Bad habits can be a huge problem when it comes to dogs, which is why you should nip them in the bud as soon as you possibly can. That is why training your dog right away is the best possible answer. Luckily, there are lots of obedience classes to choose from. You may even be able to sign up for one at your local pet store, which will allow you to save even more money. Of course, taking this course with your first pet is always a great idea. Plus, it will allow you to understand the basics of training, so you might not need to take it again. There are lots of free tutorials online too, to help you hone your dog training skills.

5. Vaccinate
Vaccinations are one of the major keys to health for humans and it is equally important for your dogs too. This is especially important when they are puppies, as there are many diseases that puppies can not bounce back from. Vaccinations tend to not be priced high and many adoption dogs come with their first set of vaccinations already taken care of. Generally, vets will include these shots in your pet’s yearly checkup. If you aren’t crazy about the prices your vet office offers, there are many vaccination clinics across the nation. You can even pick up some of the vaccinations at feed stores, so you can administer them for even cheaper. You will have to check with state laws to see which states you can legally administer though, as many do not allow rabies to be administered at home.

6. DIY Accessories
It is very easy to spend a small fortune on your pet, especially when it comes to their accessories. Everything from pet beds to treats and toys can be made with your own hands too. Best of all, you don’t have to spend a small fortune on these toys. You can have fun with your pet with a homemade knotted rope that will help them use their teeth to prevent chewing. Treats can be made with peanut butter and a lot of other ingredients you have lying around the house. Best of all, you can even make your own shampoo. This is perfect for dogs that tend to have drier skin and need oatmeal to ease their pain. There are numerous tutorials for all of this online, so make sure to search what you’re looking to make and have fun with the results.

7. Secure Yard
You might be surprised how hazardous your yard can be. Before you bring home a puppy, you will need to go over the yard thoroughly. One of the first things you will need to look for is a fence that might be unsecure. Your fence will need to be able to withstand the weight of your dog as many dogs tend to jump against your fence. If you are getting a larger breed, then keep in mind the height of your fence too. You should also look for holes that a dog, especially a puppy, could easily dig through. There are many other potential dangers to look for too. For instance, large sticks or rocks can be swallowed by your dog, which could lead to death or expensive surgeries. Sharp objects from tools, toys or even a shed should be worked on too, as you don’t want your puppy to wind up injured while playing on their own outdoors.

8. Play Time
Your dog is going to need lots of time to play outside and inside. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on toys and whatnot though. Instead, take some time out of your day to go outside and play. Many dogs are happy with a run, a game of rough housing or even just fetch with a stick you find while you’re out. You have to think further than just keeping your dog’s body happy too. It is equally important to work on the mind. Luckily, you can make your own puzzles to keep their mind active. This will ensure you both get to have some fun for less money than you’d spend on a store-bought toy.

9. Food
Without a doubt, dog food is one of the most expensive items on your pet’s bill. This is especially true if you plan on keeping your dog on a vet approved diet. However, if you want to save money then you can always make your own dog food. Make sure to talk to your vet about diet plans before you do this though, as the vet may be able to give you some pointers based on your pet’s breeds and personal health issues. There are many recipes online to get you started though. Best of all, they won’t cost you a fortune and may even coincide with your family’s meal plan. Of course, if you are planning to buy food then it is important to stick to some of the pricier brands. Read the ingredients before you commit to a brand though, as this will let you know if it’s worth the money. The better quality foods will not only offer more nutrition, but will help prevent your dog from overeating.

10. Shop Sales
Of course, one of the most important things to do is shop sales when you have a pet. Make sure to keep an eye out for sales on food, which is the perfect time to stock up. Of course, you will also see many pet sales on toys, especially after holidays. Your dog won’t mind chewing on a toy Santa in May, so stock up when you can on items that your pet might go through fairly quickly. During the spring, you should be able to find deals on pet sweaters and other cold weather accessories. If you calculate size appropriately, you can stock up on supplies to make next winter a breeze.

Having a puppy can be pretty expensive, but it can also be a lot of fun. These tips will help you find the best way to get through the early days of puppyhood without forcing yourself to spend a small fortune. Before you know it, you’ll be living a frugal life with your new fur baby.

A teething baby can be a source of pain, frustration and fear for many parents. This often warrants them to spend a small fortune on teething supplies or doctor visits that are unnecessary. Although teething can be a hard time for children and parents, there are a few simple ways you can help ease symptoms of the problem that won’t cost you a small fortune. So, remember to take a deep breath as you work through the trying time for you and your child. Before you know it, you’ll get to enjoy a smile filled with beautiful teeth.

1. Know the Signs
One of the keys to dealing with teething is to be aware of the symptoms. If you are on your first child, then you might not know what to look out for, because teething can be quite a mystery. One symptom is a fever. Sometimes it will appear as an actual fever, while other times the top of your child’s head will radiate heat without showing a temperature on a thermometer. Babies can also develop a cough or tug at their ear while teething, which might make you think they are actually ill. Other symptoms include swollen gums, excess drooling, irritability, loss of appetite, increased appetite and restlessness. Your child is entirely unique, but you will began to learn the signs of teething after the first instance. Just make sure to comfort your child, watch out for high fevers and try to keep them as happy as possible. Knowing the signs will help you prepare for the upcoming pain faster too.

2. Freezer pops
Ice and popsicles are about to be your best friend. Cold foods will help ease the pain of your child’s gums for some time, so you might want to look up some natural recipes when you have a chance. These foods can be hard to give to younger children though, but there are ways to make your life a lot easier. For instance, begin by filling up an ice tray with yogurt, mushed banana, premade smoothies or anything else that strikes your fancy. Then stick a pacifier in each tray and freeze it. Your child will be able to enjoy the cold treat with ease. Babies that are too young for foods can enjoy the same popsicle made with breast milk or formula. Flavored ice chips can be fun for little ones that are old enough to use their fine motor skills. For toddlers, you may consider making your own popsicles out of smoothies or fruits to add a healthy solution to their teething needs.

3. Change Diet
There are some foods that simply won’t do your baby any favors when they are teething. For starters, dairy, potatoes and carbs can actually increase inflammation in the body, which will make it hard to make your little one comfortable. During this time, it is best to keep it simple with fruits, vegetables and meats. Of course, there are some vegetables and fruits that can do double duty during this time. For instance, celery and carrots are great items for older babies to munch on in order to ease the pain of teething. You can also freeze apple slices for babies to enjoy while cooling down their mouth. There are even recipes for teething cookies which can leave your baby feeling much better too while allowing them to enjoy a special treat.

4. Gum Massage
One simple way to help your baby out is to massage their gums. You shouldn’t be afraid to do this as it will help your child relax. Of course, if your child doesn’t like you doing this then don’t worry about it. You can also buy gum massagers that will do the same trick. If you do choose to massage your child’s gums or use a massager, make sure to wash your hands before doing so and sanitize the massager entirely each day. You can also use a little clove on your finger tips to work as a natural anesthetic.

5. Non-Toxic Teether
Teethers are one of the most common solutions for a lot of families. Most babies tend to take to these colorful toys. However, you might find that not all teethers are made equal. In fact, some actually have harmful chemicals that can be dangerous for your little one. This is a cause of stress you don’t really need to have, so shopping smart is efficient here. There are many great teethers on the market, so looking at reviews can help you to find the best and safest match for your child. Of course, if you don’t want to stress over it at all, then you might want to stick to a wooden teether. These are hassle free, easy to clean and the firmness will ensure your baby will feel much better.

6. Keep Feeding
If you nurse or bottle feed your baby, then don’t let the teething stop you. Try to keep it up as much as your baby needs. Some babies actually use feeding time to help relieve the pain that they are feeling. Feeding can ease pressure on the gum and may work as a way to comfort your little one. Apart from that, it will keep your baby hydrated, which is important if they have a fever. Of course, some babies won’t want to feed at all. For those babies, it is important to try to feed more often. Even getting a little bit of food in them during shorter feeding times is better than having them reject food at feedings that are further apart.

7. Distraction
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your baby is offer a few distractions to help keep their mind off of the pain. One of the best ways to do this is to give your child a soothing bath. Using lavender might help your child relax and toys will make the bath time a lot more fun. If the weather is fine, then take your children out to play. They will love getting fresh air and seeing outdoor toys will allow your child to find something else to do that will take their mind off the burning sensation in their gums. You can also do this inside by offering activities that will keep their hands and mind active. For instance, you might consider putting whip cream on their high chair tray as a small treat that the can play with. You’re sure to have lots of ideas that will suit your child’s individual needs. If you’re struggling for ideas, then make sure to look online as there are lots of fun and development friendly ideas you can try out.

8. Watch For Fever
Usually teething isn’t a dangerous process. So, you can rest easy that your child is just experiencing discomfort. However, if a fever does develop make sure to keep your eye on it. Babies need to see a doctor immediately if their fever skyrockets into the 100 range. Make sure to talk to your doctor about this before a fever occurs, so you will know exactly what to do if a fever strikes. There are many ways to help bring a fever down though. For starters, baby ibuprofen tends to help for a few hours and might even relieve some of your child’s discomfort. One home remedy that many people swear by is the VapoRub on your child’s feet. Simply smear it on before bed and place socks on the feet. The rub should help bring the fever down while your child slumbers. Keeping a fan on your child, removing clothes and giving them a cool bath are also helpful in bringing down a fever.

9. Keep Their Face Dry
When a baby begins to teeth, it is almost inevitable that they will also begin to drool. Although this really isn’t a problem you should worry about, keeping their face, neck and hands dry is. Your baby’s saliva can actually cause a rash to form if left on the skin for too long. This rash can quickly spread and cause even more discomfort for your child. In rare cases, the rash may even become infected. Keeping your child’s face dry isn’t entirely difficult though. If you keep a spit rag on hand, you should be ready to deal with the problem as it happens. There are also cute baby bandanas that look great, are safe to wear and give you easy access to a towel to wipe away drool.

10. Offer Extra Love
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your baby is give them a little extra attention and love. You can start by offering cuddles more often, especially if your baby wants to be held often during this time. You may consider watching a movie with your little one or pulling out their favorite story to read to them. Talking to your child can also be soothing and will help your child feel assured that everything is okay. If your child enjoys singing, then do it a little more often.

A teething baby can make the whole house feel terrible. For a little one, it is not only uncomfortable but a little scary. These ten tips should have you armed and ready to deal this painful aspect of growing up. Before you know it, the teething phase will be over, and everyone will be able to rest easier.

Easter is on its way, which might leave you scrambling for a few things to do as a family. Easter is one of the easiest holidays to find events for, which can help save you time and money. One of the best things about this holiday is you can find something Easter related around every corner, so you won’t have to look far. In case you’re shy on time, here’s ten great ways to make the most out of the Easter holiday. You might even be able to span the holiday out into a few different days. Best of all, you won’t have to spend a lot of money to make these Easter plans a reality.

1. Community Egg Hunt
Egg hunts are one of the most famous ways to enjoy Easter with your children. These activities are usually fairly cheap to host at home, but if you want to add even more fun to the event then you might want to head to a community egg hunt as well. You can find these hunts all over the place. For starters, your community center might host its own giant egg hunt, so make sure to look up the information so you won’t miss out. Apart from that, you should see a lot of egg hunts pop up at churches around the community. Most churches will welcome you in with open arms, so your kids can participate in all of the fun. If you’re feeling daring, you might travel to community egg hunts around the area, as most towns won’t schedule hunts all at the same time. This will help your kids get the most out of the holiday.

2. Join a Potluck
If your budget is a little short this year, then you can make up for it by joining a potluck for Easter dinner. There are actually many public potlucks that will pop up around the community. You might start by checking with your community center to see if the town will be hosting one. You may also check with local churches to see what is going on there too. During this time, it is entirely possible to plan on going to more than one potluck on Easter, which will help make the day even more exciting. Apart from that, you might try to plan a potluck with friends or family, or attend someone else’s potluck. There are many cheap dishes you can make too, which will make the price even more affordable.

3. Watch Easter Shows
The weather isn’t always cooperative during Easter, which might leave you stuck inside. One way to remedy the cabin fever blues is to watch a few Easter shows. If you have cable, then you will probably be able to find a few cartoons or movies with ease. You can even broaden your search to include shows that are mainly about rabbits. If you don’t have cable, then don’t fret. Usually movie rental kiosks keep up with the holidays, so you should be able to find something fun to watch for a relatively low price. Streaming networks also like to have holiday themed movies in their queue, so it shouldn’t take you long to find something fun. You may even want to look into renting some movies online, as you may even be able to get more recent blockbusters. Of course, these will cost more than other Easter or religion-based movies, but it might be worth it if it entertains the family.

4. Have an Egg Dying Party
Dying eggs is a major part of the Easter holiday, so you might not want it to pass you by. You can add even more fun by having people over for a dying party. Everyone can bring a few supplies to the party to help cut down on the cost of things. Eggs might be one of the best requirements for the party as you will need more to accommodate the extra people. Dying eggs can be fairly cheap, so you won’t have to fret the price. You can even go natural here, especially if you plan on eating the eggs after the big hunt. There are many natural recipes that will have everyone excited to try them out.

5. Visit a Real Farm
Nothing will make your kids feel closer to Easter than paying a visit to a real farm. This will allow them to see the way that real bunnies and chicks live their lives, which will add to the fun of the occasion. A lot of farms will host Easter events to bring in extra holiday income too, so you might want to look into local farms to see if anyone is. Of course, if you do plan on going to a farm, make sure you make arrangements to do so on a day that isn’t actually Easter. This will allow the family running the farm to enjoy their holiday too. Before you make plans to do this, you might also see if the farm charges for tours, or if they just allow people to check out certain areas of the farm for free. This can help prevent you from making a plan that might end up costing you more than you’d expect.

6. Volunteer
If you’re looking for a great way to make a difference then volunteering is a fantastic Easter activity. There are so many ways you can help out for the holiday. One of the more obvious options is to volunteer at a soup kitchen. This will allow you to work with people that could really use your help. You may also want to volunteer for a church. Usually, during this time of the year, they work to pass out food baskets, visit those in nursing homes and hospitals, or simply come up with activities for kids. If you’d like to keep things simple, then you may consider hiding eggs for the community event. This is one of the options that might help you have a lot more fun. If you’re really feeling ambitious, then you can always volunteer to be the Easter Bunny.

7. Enjoy Crafting
Easter is a fun time to pull out the crafting supplies and get to work. You can really have fun with Easter ideas, but you don’t have to stick to this theme. In fact, you may want to create a few crafts to celebrate Spring too. There are so many craft ideas online, that you’re sure to have some fun with whatever you create. One quick example would be making an Easter Bunny rock pet to keep the kids excited about the holiday. You can also make bunny masks using construction paper and paper plates. When you’re done crafting, you might consider taking some of the crafts to a local children’s hospital to help lift the spirits of those that can’t go Easter egg hunting.

8. Visit the Easter Bunny
If you have small children in your home, then visiting the Easter Bunny is a great tradition. If you’re willing to pay a little money, there is usually an Easter Bunny available at most malls. However, you may be able to see the bunny for free if you don’t want pictures. Don’t let the price tag detour you though, as there are many Easter Bunnies you can see. If your community is hosting an event then there will most likely be an Easter Bunny there too, so the kids should be able to enjoy seeing him or her then. These events tend to be free too, so you can enjoy seeing the bunny without having to stress about hidden fees. Seeing the Easter Bunny may even allow your kids to receive a special treat, which will make their holiday even more fun.

9. Make Easter Bunny Treats
The Easter Bunny does a lot for your kids, so why not allow them to make a few treats for the bunny? This can work a lot like leaving Santa Claus cookies and other treats on Christmas. You can keep it realistic by leaving out a tray of carrots for the Easter Bunny, or you can have a little fun with your baking skills. For instance, one fun idea is to make Rice Crispy eggs and bunnies. These are fun to decorate and make great snacks too. You can also leave special cards for the bunny to say thank you for leaving eggs behind. Your imagination and your children’s are the limit here, so have some fun with it.

10. Practice Forgiveness
Easter is all about forgiveness, which might be the best way for you to enjoy the holiday. It is hard to practice forgiveness all of the time, especially when someone hurts you. So, Easter might be the best time to begin the forgiveness process. This doesn’t mean you have to do it all at once though as it can be quite hard. However, if you start the motions of forgiving then you will begin to feel a weight lift off of your shoulder. If you have children, then try to practice forgiveness in front of them. This will begin a good habit, so they do not harbor anger or frustration in adulthood. You may also teach them why we practice forgiveness during this holiday.

Easter is a fun holiday that doesn’t have to be another holiday based on consumerism. These ten ideas will give you something fun and engaging to do around the holiday, so you can make the most of the occasion without spending a lot of money. You may even begin to find new meaning in the holiday as you spend more time with your community.

There’s no doubt about it, hosting a wedding is stressful and expensive. One of the major issues with weddings is trying to figure out what you want to serve for the reception meal. Catering can be incredibly pricey, especially when you’re looking at serving traditional foods like seafood, pricey cuts of beef and the numerous side dishes, appetizers and drinks. Luckily, there’s a few alternatives that won’t just help your budget out but will also allow you to put a little bit of your personality into your wedding meal. So, don’t stress about the size of the cake or printing our chicken or beef tickets just yet, as you may soon want to change your mind about what you’re going to serve after reading these cheaper suggestions.

1. Skip the Cake
Hands down, the wedding cake can be one of the most expensive items on the menu. Not to mention, it takes a long time to plan out. Then, there’s always the stress of the cake being dropped or bumped into before you can even cut into it. You can really end the pain of the wedding cake blues by skipping this tradition altogether. A great alternative is to order cupcakes instead. With these, you can have a variety of flavors to appease a larger crowd. Plus, you can arrange them in such a way that people will forget all about the wedding cake. If you still long to have a touch of tradition, you might consider having an anniversary cake made for you to cut into and freeze for your first anniversary. This will help you feel like you’ve followed the reception rules, while still allowing you to save a whole lot of money and stress.

2. Pasta Buffet
If there’s one food that is absolutely filling that costs next to nothing to make, it’s pasta. You can spice up your reception meal by setting up a pasta bar for everyone enjoy. You can use all sorts of pastas to make the meal easy to customize. Even large portions of pasta won’t take away from your budget too much. Of course, you might have to spend a little more money on the sauces and accessories like meatballs, breads and salads. However, even this splurge won’t compare to the high price of hiring a caterer for traditional wedding foods. The best thing about this is sauces can be made in bulk at home the day before and pasta can be whipped up just before the reception begins. This food caters to a wide variety of people too, so complaining will be minimal.

3. Taco Bar
Spice your reception up with a taco bar for the meal plan. This can add so much fun to the day. Plus, taco bars will help people unwind from the formal occasion, so they will be more willing to loosen up and have a good time at the reception. Taco bars can be executed fairly cheaply when you look at the cost of food per person. It also allows you to appeal to a greater audience. You can have beef, chicken, fish and even vegetarian or vegan options. If you need to hire a caterer, you still can save big on the event. Usually, local caterers can offer you a reasonable price per head, opposed to the price you would pay for traditional foods. The best thing is tacos are entirely portable too. So, people will be able to mingle while enjoying their food.

4. Snow Cones
If you’re having a short reception or even one later in the evening, then you can easily get away with snow cones as your food of choice. These are an amazing choice in the summer time and will add some fun to the reception. You can easily set up an ice station for next to nothing, which will certainly make this food option a frugal choice you’ll love. Apart from that, you can make your own juices to go along with the treat. You won’t need more than a few pitchers to take care of this requirement, which can be fulfilled for less than a couple of dollars if you use powdered drink mixes. Apart from that, you can rent or even buy an ice shaver to make the snow cones without breaking your budget. You will be surprised how happy your guests will be with this unusual food option.

5. Grilled Cheese
Make life even simpler for yourself when you serve grilled cheese as your main dish. These sandwiches will go over great with most people as they are the perfect comfort food. You can really mix things up with a grilled cheese too. For instance, having a variety of breads and cheeses will allow everyone to satisfy their taste buds. You might want to bring in a vegan options too for those that can’t handle lactose or have animal products. Apart from this, you should have a variety of condiments to enhance the flavor of the sandwich. As far as sides are considered, you can easily enjoy light soups or chips.

6. Breakfast
One of the easiest meals to plan and cook for is actually breakfast. This cheap meal can help add a quaint touch to your wedding, which everyone will love. If you’re planning a rustic or western theme then this is a great option for you, but it will also work on any wedding you plan. Keep things simple by whipping up scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages and biscuits and gravy. These foods are all filling and will cost a whole lot less than you’d pay for a caterer. You can have your family help out with this meal too, as people can work on griddles to heat up the breakfast meats and eggs. If you’re looking to make things even more exciting, then set up a waffle or pancake bar. People will love adding fruits, whipped cream and a variety of syrups to their favorite breakfast foods.

7. Pizza
If you want to appease most people at your reception then pizza is a quick, easy and delicious option. You can easily set up a pizza buffet to make life a lot easier during your reception. You might consider renting a pizza oven or using a large wood grill to help make your dish up in a hurry. If you’re willing to do the work for yourself then make and roll up your dough in advance. This will allow your helpers to toss on toppings and put it in the oven on the day of the big occasion. You can make pizzas that suit all of your guests too. Making your own pizza isn’t pricey either, especially when you break down the ingredients. Of course, if you want to cater the meal then you can get exceptional deals from local pizza places, which can save you big time. Make sure to let a shop know well in advance if you have a huge order coming up.

8. Baked Potatoes
One of the cheapest options around is baked potatoes. This can be a filling meal that will allow everyone to enjoy their own personal preferences with very little complaint. This is one of the easiest food options to execute on your own too. All you need to do is wash a bunch of potatoes, wrap them in foil and let them cook. You can even have someone begin this process the morning of the wedding and store them in the oven until it is time to serve them. Of course, you will definitely need things to go on the potato too. You will want to grab butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, chili, broccoli, bacon and anything else that comes to mind. People can decorate their own potato, which will save you even more time.

9. Smores Buffet
When it comes to desserts, you’ll be excited to share smores with the ones you love. This dessert is another great option for rustic, western or even nature inspired weddings. Smores are very cheap to make and will allow everyone to have more control over the desserts they are eating. You can set out a simple smores bar with a variety of different cookies, chocolates, flavored marshmallows and even some fillings. People will love trying different mixtures, which can be used as an activity as well as a dessert. Of course, you might design your smores bar so that children don’t have access to the flame used for the foods. Apart from that, the buffet is a simple and easy option for frugal budgets.

10. Finger Foods
Of course, finger foods are also one of the best options for a reception. This will show people you’re not really providing them with a full meal, so people will eat a lot less. Finger foods are perfect for afternoon weddings as they give everyone a chance to eat lunch after all of the fun is over. The first thing to consider is mini sandwiches, which can be made by hand before the party. You don’t have to get too fancy here, especially on a tight budget. Vegetable and fruit platters are also a simple option and will let everyone feel healthier at your gathering. Apart from that, you might consider mini corndogs, pretzel bites and other simple foods to eat with your hands. You can also make tiny desserts like cheesecake bites, fudge and other simple but delicious options.

Weddings are incredibly stressful when it comes to getting exactly what you want for less. Food is one area that you might not want to stress over as much. These ten ideas will help you keep the cost of your food budget down while satisfying your guests. So, have a little fun with the big day by taking pressure off yourself to serve foods that tradition says you should. Instead, embrace your personality and own personal preferences to offer an out of the box solution to your food needs.

Although spring is still a few weeks away, some schools have already scheduled Spring Break. This can be a tricky time for every family because it is a full week in which you need to keep your kids busy in order to completely avoid chaos. This can be very tough if you’re on a tight budget that doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room for vacations and entertainment. Luckily, there’s a few things you can do to cut back on the amount of stress you have during this time. These quick tips will help you find something entertaining for the family to do together, so you can avoid all the mishaps of a vacation as well as the price.

1. Vacation at Home
Vacationing at home or having a staycation can really help the family relax without forcing you to fork over a whole lot of money. One of the more common ways to have a staycation is to rent a hotel and pretend to be a tourist for a day or two. Staying in a hotel will help you avoid heating and cooling costs for the week and will give you access to a pool that will keep the kids busy for free. Of course, if your budget doesn’t allow you to do so, you can always just explore your community as if you’re on vacation. You never know what little secrets you’ll uncover, which might be something you plan on frequenting with your family in the future. You can keep things even cheaper by pitching a tent in your backyard and having a campout without the fees that go along with it. No matter what you do, try to keep the environment as vacation friendly as possible.

2. Visit Grandparents
Another cheap option, in most cases, is to take a visit to grandma and grandpa’s house. This will allow the kids to have some bonding time with your parents. Often, this is a great time for parents to unwind and feel a little nostalgic about their childhood. However, it can also be a great time for children to learn about their roots. If your family lives close by then this is a simple day trip that won’t cost you a whole lot. Of course, if they are far from your home then you might want to make sure to stay at your parent’s home, which will allow you to save on hotel costs as well as food money. Make sure to treat them to a little break too by cooking and cleaning.

3. Take in a Movie
Movies are a great way to help the kids clear their minds after working so hard at school. It is also a quiet activity that will help you get some peace of mind too. Often, theaters will have deals during Spring Break to entice people to stop by. This might be your best chance to catch up on some of the new releases that your kids have been wanting to see. Of course, you don’t have to go to the theater if it isn’t in the budget. Rather, you can watch movies that you already own. This activity is easy to spice up with snacks like popcorn, candy or healthy alternatives. If you’re bored with your movies, then there’s always cheap rental kiosks or online rentals you can stream in your own home. You might even be able to rent a few blockbusters that haven’t made their way to DVD yet.

4. Enjoy a Park
If the weather permits, then a park is a great way to keep the kids entertained at no extra price. You can let the kids run loose to play on the park’s equipment or simply to enjoy the large fields that are perfect for running and their favorite sports. You might also want to consider purchasing or making a kite to fly at the park. The spring wind is one of the best times to let your kite loose. If it’s free to go fishing then grab a few poles or make your own. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to stop and smell the roses as spring is the perfect time to enjoy life and engage in a better connection with Mother Nature.

5. Hang out at the YMCA
The YMCA is a great asset when it comes to Spring Break. This amazing facility will probably offer extra classes as well as day camps to help make Spring Break less boring for your children. The YMCA is great about offering sports facilities for children, which will help your children run off their excess energy. Apart from that, there will more than likely be arts and craft activities too. If your child is struggling in school, then you might see if your YMCA is offering tutoring sessions during the break, so your student can get a jump start on the new school year. The swimming pool is always usually open during this time, especially if it is indoor, so you can take advantage of this aspect of the club during the break too.

6. Help Around the House
One of the best ways to make the break efficient is to have your children work on chores. This will help keep them busy and active, so they won’t get as bored easily. Of course, you can always try to make the chores fun by creating games that they will enjoy. This will allow you to get your Spring Cleaning done in a hurry, which will make life a lot easier for the whole family. You might want to make sure the chores are age appropriate or it may create even more work for the whole family. Apart from indoor chores and common activities, the kids might have a lot of fun working in the garden. This is the perfect time to get the garden started and will allow you all to enjoy the fruits of your labor faster. Another fun chore is to paint rooms that might need a fresh coat. You can usually get a good deal on paint at this time, so it might be fun to let the kids redecorate for a fresh start they will enjoy throughout the rest of the school year.

7. Sign Up For Spring Activities
The spring time is usually pretty busy when it comes to activities. Spring Break is a great time to sit down and discuss the activities that your family would like to sign up for. You might not limit your discussion to just spring activities though, as it is also a great time to plan ahead for summer and autumn. Once you get a good idea of what your children would like to do in their spare time, you might find out when sign ups are for the sports they are interested in. You may also want to check out the prices for dance, martial arts and musical courses. Once you have everything ready to go, you can work on a time table to help everyone get on a schedule that will suit each activity. Since you won’t have homework and other tasks to stress about over this week, you can easily knock this difficult task out of the park in no time.

8. Community Events
Usually, the community comes together to offer events that are exciting for kids to enjoy. You might want to check out your community center’s website to see what will be going on during their vacation week. They tend to offer events that are either family friendly or great for certain age groups. Many of these include arts classes, story time and movie screenings. You might also find a festival or fair planned around this time. Generally, these events are cost efficient too, so you won’t have to worry about spending a small fortune to keep the kids happy.

9. Mini Trip
Another way to keep the kids happy during the break is to take them on a mini road trip. You can map out a quick trip over a few counties, drive to a nearby town or simply head to the countryside for a picnic. The distance you go depends on your budget, so you don’t have to stress about overdoing it. If you want to spice things up, come up with a scavenger hunt to keep the kids’ minds active while they are sitting. You can also create fun games to keep them occupied. Make sure to take frequent stops for the kids to stretch their legs too. There are a few great tips to help make road tripping with kids fun and convenient, so make sure to utilize them if you’re driving further than an hour or so.

10. Jumpstart Homework
Your kids might not be happy about it, but you should have them work on their homework each day. Many teachers enjoy assigning homework before spring break begins, so students have a large project to get through during the break. This can be frustrating, but also convenient as it gives your child something to do in order to keep their mind active. Even if your child doesn’t have homework, you should create some for them. This is especially important when it comes to mathematics as students may forget what they learned over the course of a week. Creating a reading goal can also make spring break fun, especially since the book can be your child’s choice, rather than their teacher’s. If you can get your child to sit down and work on their homework for at least 30 minutes, they should be able to transition back to school with ease and will have less on their plates after the break.

It’s hard to keep kids busy during Spring Break, especially if you aren’t planning a vacation. Luckily, these ten ideas will work to help keep them busy on a tight budget. So, you can forget all about the headaches you pictured getting while the kids are home, as they will be so busy you’ll almost forget they’re home.