The Halloween season is upon us, making it the perfect time to get started on ghoulishly good crafts and decorations. Gather some items from around the house, stop at a craft store with a coupon for the rest, and you can make your house spooky on the cheap! Decorated Wine Bottles These … [Read more...] about 4 easy and cheap Halloween decorations
Home & Garden
Make a scarecrow from items you have at home
For less than $20 you can purchase a ready-made scarecrow-on-a-stick from a craft store. Or, you can make your own one-of-a-kind scarecrow mostly using materials you have at home. Here’s what you’ll need to construct your own scarecrow: Safety pins and/or various lengths of rope. Burlap … [Read more...] about Make a scarecrow from items you have at home
9 ways to rack up savings on magazines
You browse through the piles of beauty magazines at the hair salon and wish the dentist's office had better (and newer) choices of magazines. So where can you get a good deal on magazine subscriptions for yourself? Living on a budget does not mean you have to do without glossies and other 'zines. … [Read more...] about 9 ways to rack up savings on magazines
Free pumpkin stencils for creative Halloween carving
Ask my kids and they’ll tell you I’m a pretty pathetic pumpkin carver. Or I was, until I discovered free stencils to guide me to the gory. And I watched this video to teach me the basics, like how to keep my pumpkin top from falling inside.Pick up a nifty Halloween tool set like the one in the … [Read more...] about Free pumpkin stencils for creative Halloween carving
10 things to do before a hurricane comes
Hurricane season is officially under way, and if you live anywhere near the coast, that means it's time to stock up on bottled water, batteries and non-perishable food. But those aren't the only things you need to do before a hurricane approaches. The beginning of the season is a good time to review … [Read more...] about 10 things to do before a hurricane comes
Prepare an emergency grab-and-go bag
Hurricane season has begun in earnest. Previous tragedies resulting from hurricanes such as Katrina and Sandy are reminders that all of us should be prepared for emergencies any time, including flooding, power outages from downed trees and possible evacuation orders. In addition to getting your … [Read more...] about Prepare an emergency grab-and-go bag
Throw a haunting Halloween bash on a budget
Halloween is one of those times of year in which we can all revert to being kids. We dress up and enjoy a little extra candy and parties. Planning a Halloween party can be so much fun. However, it's also easy to get carried away and find yourself spending a small fortune. Save the scares for the … [Read more...] about Throw a haunting Halloween bash on a budget
Green Beans: More than just a side dish
Most of us think of vegetables as just an accompaniment to meat loaf, a broiled steak, grilled fish or roast chicken. But green beans – cheap and bountiful this time of year in both supermarkets and at farmer’s markets – can be the star of the meal. Green beans, also called string beans or snap … [Read more...] about Green Beans: More than just a side dish
Cheap recipes for your barbecue
Are you starting to panic because you have a big crowd coming over for a barbecue? Here is our guide to cooking on the cheap for a crowd. Find guidelines for cooking for a crowd on one of our favorite free recipe sites, allrecipes.com. Where to buy bulk meats at big savings Use your club … [Read more...] about Cheap recipes for your barbecue
How to negotiate the best deal when buying a house
The old saying is that in real estate, everything is negotiable. But is it really? When you go to buy a house, you’re certainly hoping to get the best price and terms. To do that, you need to know when to start negotiating and when to stop. That begins with being familiar with the market, down to … [Read more...] about How to negotiate the best deal when buying a house
How to save money on a summer party
You like to entertain, but you can't afford to spend a fortune every time you invite people over for a party. Here is our guide to saving money when planning for a summer party or barbecue. Decorate with items from around the house and yard. Arrange them casually down the center of the table, or … [Read more...] about How to save money on a summer party
21 fun ideas for kids on summer break
School Break. Spring Break. Summer Break. Fall Break. The terms excite students across the country but also can instill dread in the minds of the parents of school-age children everywhere. Days or weeks in a row with no school. What can you possibly do to prevent hearing "I'm bored" over and over … [Read more...] about 21 fun ideas for kids on summer break
