With the holidays coming up, you’re probably scrambling to figure out how you can avoid the high prices of staying in a hotel while you visit with friends and family. Although it may seem impossible to find a hotel at a budget friendly price this time of the year, there are a few things you can do to try to cut back on spending, so you won’t end up in a budget crisis while you’re away. With a few tricks and a little bit of insider savings suggestions, your holiday travel is well on its way to a frugal adventure that will leave the entire family satisfied. So, don’t let hotels leave you scrambling to afford their high cost, instead leave the hotels competing to offer you the best deals in town.

1. Shop Around
One of the key elements to helping you save the most money is to actually shop around. Even though it’s getting closer and closer to the holiday season, you should always take the time to research your hotel so you can find a price that will satisfy your needs. You should start your hotel shopping adventure online, as you will have more access to information so that you can get a general idea of the hotel and its costs. Of course, you should always consult more than one website when you’re dealing with hotels. Some websites can really help you find the best deal possible, while others will concentrate on discounts or bundling packages. You shouldn’t just stop with the website though. If you give a hotel a call, you may find out more discounts that will save you even more. If you’re still struggling with the process, you could always talk to a travel agent to figure out your next steps.

2. Play the Field
Shopping around for hotels can be tricky, so if you find a hotel you think is offering a good deal then go ahead and book it if they offer free cancelations. This will allow you to secure the deal, while still giving you the option to shop around for something better. Sometimes, you may find another great deal or something that is similar that strikes your fancy. If you call the first reservation to cancel they may be willing to fight for your business and offer you a better deal. You can even bring in the second hotel into the negotiations to see who can offer you the best possible deal. Although this may take a whole lot of effort on your end, it will be worth it when you get to stay in a pricier hotel for the same price as a budget hotel.

3. Know What’s Included
Before you book your room, you should know what exactly comes in the hotel package as this will help save you a whole lot of money. Generally, the hotels will list the items on their website or your receipt, but don’t feel bad about calling to get a rundown of what items are included in the purchase. This can come in handy in 2 different ways. First of all, it will let you know what you can and can’t use in the hotel. For instance, if your hotel doesn’t include gym, pool or Wi-Fi access, then you could be looking at a pretty hefty bill when you check out. There’s other small things that may end up costing you too, so just make sure to know where you stand financially before making yourself at home in the hotel. Secondly, knowing what’s included in your purchase could help you find a hotel at the same price, or just above that will offer you a lot more amenities. The more amenities that are included the more likely you are to spend less on other aspects of your vacation. Of course, if you only plan on sleeping in the room then the cheapest price will always win out.

4. Book By Phone
Websites can really save time and come in handy when you’re shopping around. However, they don’t really compare to a phone call when you plan on booking a hotel. Generally, when you call to book a hotel you may be privy to more discounts than you expected. The hotel can actually offer you special rates, discounts and other amenities that will save you a whole lot of money when you check out. If the hotel doesn’t come straight out and offer you a deal, then simply ask. There’s no harm in it. You also don’t have to book if you don’t like what the hotel has to offer, so don’t feel obligated even if you’re on the phone with them. Another great thing about booking on the phone is it is a lot harder to get your wires crossed, which could mess up a reservation. When you book online, all of the information isn’t exactly customizable if you have unique needs. Whereas, if you book online you can have the matter taken care of before you even arrive. It makes things personal again, which is always nice when you’re planning on staying somewhere.

5. Bundle the Deal
Sometimes, when it comes to booking a hotel, it’s always best to handle the expenses in one big bundle. If you’re planning on having a little fun this holiday season then you can probably easily grab a great hotel and amusement park deal. Disney theme parks are notorious for these deals and they really do save a lot of money before it’s all said and done. There’s lots of ways to bundle though. For instance, if you plan on driving a rental car to and from your destination then you should be able to bundle that deal to save a bit of money. Most travel websites try to bundle your airline ticket, hotel and rental car if they can, which helps you add some bulk savings to the mix. So, make sure to shop around and see if you can find a bundle that makes your life and financial situation a lot easier.

6. Shop Early
Although it’s already nearing the holiday season, it’s not too late to get in a little early shopping for the holidays you may celebrate in December. Generally, you want to shop as early as you can though because it will offer you the biggest discounts. You can even begin shopping in the summer time, if you’re sure you’re going to have specific dates for traveling available to you. Of course, you can always book ahead with a refundable or changeable reservation, so you can ensure you still get the best deal you find, but won’t lose money if your plans end up changing. Another great thing about shopping early is it ensures you have a room to stay in. If you travel to more popular areas during the holidays then this is a battle in itself. So, it’s always best to have something booked, even if you want to shop around for last minute deals when you arrive.

7. Skip the Extras
Hotels love to tack on extra items for your room. For instance, one of their best sellers is an entertainment package for the television. Although it’s tempting to have more channels to enjoy, you can always watch TV at home, so there’s no need to spend the extra money while you’re on vacation. There’s a lot of packages like this in hotels, so make sure you know exactly what you’re paying for before you agree to anything. You should also talk about some of the hidden costs that hotels add to room charges. Some of these you may be able to opt out of, if you know what to ask. Of course, there’s also the more obvious extras that you should avoid. For instance, room service can really add a small fortune to the bill as can eating or drinking anything out of the minifridge.

8. Look for Discounts
There’s more discounts around than you can imagine, so don’t be afraid to do a little searching around to see if you can save a lot more money on your hotel room. One of the more popular discounts is military service, which will often take off the amount you would pay in taxes on the room. Of course, there are discounts for other professions too, as well as those for senior citizens or the disabled. Some hotels will allow children to stay for free, which comes in handy if you’re traveling with the whole family. Membership rewards are another huge bonus to help you out. For instance, if you’re a member of AAA then you should find a discount coming your way. Credit cards and travel points will also supply you with some points to take off a bit of money on your bill. Also, if you tend to stay in hotels often, you may want to try out their rewards systems as you might be privy to a free night. Last but not least, there are coupons to help out with hotel expenses, so try looking on the hotel website or other coupon sites to see what you can come up with.

9. Look at Reviews
A lot of people tend not to choose a motel or hotels that tend to have a cheaper price tag. Often, they assume that it’s in a bad neighbor or simply isn’t being taken care of by housekeeping and maintenance. Although this can be true, sometimes, often you might find that the hotel or motel you’re checking out may save you a lot of money. By simply checking out reviews, you can learn a lot about a hotel. Of course, when you do this you should make sure you visit multiple websites because you’ll want to get the most accurate reviews on the hotel. Often enough, these smaller hotels put a lot of effort into the upkeep of their hotel and finding friendly customer service in order to fight the bigger competition. If you’re still not sure about the hotel/motel then book a room if it’s refundable. Then, when you get there check it out. If it doesn’t meet your standards then go with your back up plan.

10. Move Along
Sometimes, you can actually save money by switching to a different hotel. This is especially easy if you’re visiting bigger places like Las Vegas, but it might take a bit of effort in other areas. First of all, you should make a reservation at your hotel of choice. When you arrive, enjoy your first night’s stay. However, you should go check out other hotels in the area too. If you tell them you’re staying at the first hotel then they may want to compete a bit to get your business. This could leave you with an even better deal than before. As your trip goes on, repeat the cycle. Of course, you should also be careful with this method. If the area is particularly crowded then it may be wise just to sit tight. Some hotels will actually walk customers that aren’t staying longer if the hotel is particularly busy, which it generally is during the holiday season.

Booking a hotel in the holiday season doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With these simple tips you should be able to find an extraordinary deal on your hotel, while ensuring you don’t have to sacrifice your comfort or peace of mind. With your hotel booked and your savings nestled comfortably in your wallet, you’ll wonder why you stressed out over holiday hotel bookings in the first place.

October is already nearing an end, which means the holiday season is barreling towards us with no sign of slowing down. Holiday shopping can be a huge frustration, especially if you’re looking for the deal of a lifetime for someone special. There’s lots of shopping aids out there, but sometimes it’s better to know when the best time to shop for specific items is. If you already have a list of items you’d love to have under your Christmas tree then these ten tips should help you determine when you should actually go shopping for them. You may be surprised how early shopping can help you out when it comes to holiday expenses. Of course, you may also feel relieved to know which last minute items won’t cost you an arm and a leg if you end up waiting too long.

1. Toys
There’s no doubt about it, toys dominate the holiday time, especially if you have kids in your life. Thus, knowing when to shop for toys can be the best thing in the world if you’re trying to get the best items at the lowest of prices. January is actually the best time to buy toys, because of holiday clearance, but this isn’t always plausible because children lose interest in some items. Of course, you could always shop for stocking stuffers for the following year if you really are looking to save. The month of December is probably the best time to work out the newer releases because stores are trying to clear as much stock as possible to build up their profits. You probably shouldn’t shop too late if you’re looking for an “it’ toy though as they may be totally out of stock by the time you get around to it. There are a couple of days you should look out for when it comes to shopping though. The first is the day before Thanksgiving as many stores will try to offer great deals to compete with Black Friday. Of course, the second is Black Friday, but you’ll have to be fast here because most deals will disappear faster than you’d imagine.

2. Televisions
Another hot gift for the holiday season is TVs, which tend to be pricey throughout the year. February is actually the best month to buy a TV, so if you’re great at keeping a secret for long periods of time and you love to shop early, then this is the perfect time. Other than that, you’ll probably want to try your luck at a Black Friday sale. Generally, you can get TVs discounted more than 50%, which may leave you so excited about your new purchase that you might want to grab two. Of course, you should never simply buy a television based on the price. Before Black Friday gets here, do a little research to make sure the TV will last you and has features you actually need.

3. Electronic Devices
When it comes to electronic devices, your best bet is to hold out for Black Friday. Everything from laptops and gaming consoles to phones and tablets will be at a great price during this special shopping event. In fact, a lot of stores will base their sales around getting rid of as many devices as they possibly can, so you might want to sign up for Black Friday alerts to see if you can find the best deal in a hurry. Of course, even though these gadgets are on sale on Black Friday, it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to get one on this day. It may be best to keep up to date with your shopping apps, so you can choose one store to try as this will give you better odds of getting what you need. Some stores will even allow you to reserve an item, so make sure to call around to see which stores offer this option. Of course, you may also want to try out stores that offer layaway on Black Friday prices, so you won’t have to stress about having the money upfront. If you’re looking for an older model iPhone or iPad then it may be easier just to try buying in September when the newer model is released.

4. Clothes
If you love giving clothes as gifts, or your kids simply need new clothes, then you may want to go ahead and buy in advance during the back to school sales. Although this is already a tight period for your budget, it may save you the most money to shop this way, especially when it comes to jeans and the latest fashion items. Another tip to help you get past all of the clothing prices is to shop last season. Generally if there’s basic items you want to buy then this won’t harm the gift recipients fashion sense in the slightest bit. Shopping this way is particularly good if you want to give items like summer clothing as gifts, which is great especially if you plan a warm vacation in the middle of winter. You may want to chart our future growth patterns if you’re shopping for children though. Of course, if you like to stick to the classic sweater gifts then buy these items in spring. You may want to factor in how much children will grow during the extended amount of time though.

5. Candy
A lot of people love to give sweet treats for the holidays, which is great if you can buy them at the appropriate times. Of course, some even prefer to add these beloved sweets to the dessert table during holiday feasts. If you can’t get enough candy during the holiday season then you may want to begin shopping for the treats around Mid-October. Generally, this is when Halloween candy goes on sale, but you can always find non-themed candies around this time too. You may also be able to find supplies to make your own candy at a low price, which is perfect if you’re a fan of holiday fudge. You can keep shopping for candy throughout the month of October, but you may find the best deals at the beginning of November because all of the candy will be clearanced to make room for other dessert items for Thanksgiving. So, if you want to stock up for gifts, hurry before the last of the candy is gone. Even if you only find Halloween candy on sale, you can easily re-wrap it to suit your gifting needs!

6. Vacations
Although it may be too late to help you out for this year’s holiday seasons, you can easily book a vacation at a low price in January. This is perfect for someone that is willing to go the extra mile to see someone smile during the holiday season. It doesn’t matter when you want to go on the trip, booking in advance will cut down the price of your airline fees, even if your flight is rescheduled later on. You should also be able to find fantastic prices on cruises, which will cover most expenses. If you use certain sites or get together with a travel agent then you should be able to book an entire vacation without having to worry about a thing. This is perfect if you’re planning on going overseas as you can easily buy passes for transits and entertainment, which means all you have to do is worry about what wrapping paper you’re going to use.

7. Appliances
If you’re planning on adding to someone’s kitchen then this year then there’s a few different time periods you should keep in mind. For starters, if you’re looking at smaller appliances then you should shop in advance in January. During this time, you should be able to get coffee makers, blenders and anything else you may want to gift at a price that will leave you speechless. This is especially perfect if you know someone will be starting a new chapter in their life around the holiday season. Larger appliances are best purchased in September because newer models are released in October. Dishwashers, refrigerators and other larger items should see a significant price drop during this time. Last but not least, cookware can be found at its best price in April, which will allow you to stock up on potential gifts as well as everything you’re going to need to create your holiday meal.

8. Tools
If there’s a handy person in your life that’s always asking for tools during the holiday season then you may want to begin your shopping in June. Generally tools take a price drop during this month due to Father’s Day, which means it’s the perfect time to stock up so you’ll be prepared for the holiday season. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for small tools or heavy duty tools because everything should be at a great price. Of course, if you don’t want to shop 6 months in advance, you should be able to find some amazing deals on tools just before Thanksgiving or during Black Friday. This is probably the best time to shop for larger tools as you should be able to get them at a major discount.

9. Holiday Decor
Even if you’re not looking for gifts, you may be looking for some decorations to make your holiday amazing. The best thing you can do in regards to decorations is to shop after the holiday season is over, This will allow you to find great items at an even greater price, so when the next holiday season rolls around you’ll be prepared. Of course, if you really need some new decor then it may be more beneficial to go ahead and shop last year’s clearance. If you start in the summer time you’ll get some amazing deals, but you should still be able to save big on items from your favorite department store if you look online. This will help with the bigger items and will help keep your holiday budget frugal, so you can spend more on gifts.

10. Food
Of course, one of the bigger areas of the holiday budget often enough goes to the holiday feast. Don’t worry though, there’s a few things you can do to help maximize your savings here too. For instance, you can easily grab items like stuffing, canned vegetables and cranberry sauce at an amazing price after Thanksgiving is over. You may also be able to get rolls and freeze them to help cut the cost of your meal in the future. If you’re shopping for turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner then you should try to shop way ahead of time. The closer to the holiday you get, the pricier the turkey will be. Of course, if you tend to have turkey for other holiday feasts too, then it may save you money to go ahead and buy two. As long as you freeze the extra meat properly, you should be good to go for the next holiday. However, if you plan on having ham during your holiday meal, you may want to buy it during Thanksgiving, as they aren’t in as much demand during this time.

Holiday shopping can be stressful, but with these ten tips you can cut down on the price tag, so you can have a bit more fun with it. These tips will help you find the perfect times to buy the gifts you’ve been hoping for and will allow you to save the money you worked so hard to earn.

Needless to say, Halloween is practically at our doorsteps, which means the holiday planning has probably already begun. Although Trick-or-Treating and dressing up in fun costumes is a major part of the holiday, so is throwing parties to share the occasion with friends and family. Of course, parties can cost an arm and a leg, if you’re not careful, and when it comes to Halloween it’s easy to splurge when you shouldn’t. Luckily, there’s a few shortcuts you can take to make your holiday party frugal and fun, without making it appear as if you cut the corners. These ten tips should help you make the most of many elements of the occasion, so you can enjoy watching your inner circle have the time of their life.

1. Homemade Foods
Sure, when Halloween arrives, there’s lots of bakery items that will strike your fancy. Of course, they’ll also hit your pocket book pretty hard too. Luckily, there’s lots of great items you can whip up yourself, that doesn’t involve you needing the skills of a world class baker or chef. For instance, one of the classic Halloween foods is worms in the mud. All you need is some gummy worms, pudding and chocolate cookies and you’re good to go. You can also transform a typical box of red velvet cake mix into a brain cake, without ever breaking a sweat. If baking isn’t your thing then make up a batch of spaghetti and place fake eyeballs or prop fingers in it. The kids will love this wormy treat, if they can get past the scare factor. There’s lots of other great recipes online or you can let your imagination soar and create something entirely original to your party.

2. DIY Drinks
Whether you’re entertaining children or adults, you may want to consider making up a few spooktacular drinks to make your party a hit. Alcoholic beveragesare easy to find online and you can design them based on the alcohol you already have in the home. Generally, these mixed drinks come with recipes that are made with pretty cheap ingredients, so you won’t have to spend a small fortune on exotic fruits or anything like that. Many of these drinks can be altered to create a delicious drink without the alcohol. This will drive the kids wild too and will ensure everyone gets the most out of their experience. If you do serve alcohol though, you should try to limit it to one drink per person, especially if you’re trying to save money or keep the environment family friendly. To add an extra special touch to your drinks, add Halloween inspired garnish like finger, eyeball or spider decor which can easily be found at the dollar store.

3. Costume Competition
When it comes to keeping your guests entertained, what better way to do so than to host a costume competition. Most of your guests will probably show up in costume as is, so use this to your advantage. If you have a lot of guests, or your guest vary in ages, then try to break up the competition in order to have more winners and to take up more of your time. For instance, age groups are easy to organize especially when it comes to children. However, if your party is all adults then you could easily separate the groups by the genre of the costume. If you want to add a prize to your competition then there’s no need to go all out either. You can easily come up with a small gift card, party favor bag of candy or a baked good. The sky is really the limit here.

4. Crafts
It’s not quite a party without a little craft work, right? This is especially true if you have kids coming to your party because crafting is such an easy way to keep kids entertained for hours on end. Luckily, there’s lots of easy crafts that are cheap to make. You may want to start out with printing out some fun Halloween coloring sheets. You should be able to find a wide assortment of options online without having to spend a penny on the items. Another simple option is to make Trick-or-Treating bags. You can really get creative here. The bags can be made of cloth, paper or you can even splurge and buy some cheap buckets at the dollar store. From there, all you need is some basic crafting supplies and the kids can go all out on their Halloween creations. Of course, Halloween craft time wouldn’t be the same without tissue paper ghosts. These take white tissue paper, string of any sort and some recycled newspaper or magazines. The kids will have a blast creating different types of ghosts. You may even be able to use them for decorations at the party. There’s lots of other crafts too, so have a little fun with the concept and enjoy the creativity that the guests bring to the table.

5. Dance Competition
You have to admit, there’s lots of awesome Halloween inspired dances out there. From the Monster Mash to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, you can really have some fun dancing during this occasion. So, why not use this to your advantage. You can easily choreograph some of your favorite dances or come up with your own. There’s lots of inspiration online and you can learn some of the classic dances from online videos for no cost at all. When everyone is ready to bust a move, have a few people who don’t want to dance act as judges. You can have solo and group competitions if you please, which may have everyone having more fun than they ever expected. Plus, it will take up a lot of the party time without allowing the party to get dull. If you plan on giving out a prize, keep it inexpensive or homemade to help keep your budget low.

6. Scary Story Competition
Where would Halloween be without scary stories that leave you on edge late at night? That’s why a scary story competition may be one of the best ways to keep your guests entertained for hours on end. Of course, you may want to keep your competition separate based on age groups as younger children won’t be able to handle the scarier stories shared by adults and teens. This can easily be done by taking the competition into another room, where you can keep the lights out and use a flashlight for effects, just as you did when you were a kid. It may also be a bit of fun to host the stories in front of a campfire, if you have the room and are legally allowed to do so. You can easily appoint a few people to judge the stories, or you can pass around a score sheet based on a variety of different materials. All in all, this should take up quite a bit of party time and will have your guests feeling nostalgic and a little spooked.

7. Music
A lot of people have a hard time finding music for the Halloween shindig, especially since many party stores tend to hike up the price on a CD to ridiculous prices. Luckily, we live in the modern age, which means just about everything can be streamed for no price at all. For starters, you can hop on your favorite streaming radio program and you’ll probably find playlist after playlist of all of your favorite Halloween hits and some you may have never even heard of. If you’re lucky, you may even find spooky sound effects, which are perfect for a haunted house. If you can’t stream for whatever reason, then try to check out a used CD store or browse around online for used products. You may find what you’re looking for is less than a dollar!

8. Shop Cheap Decor
Sure, we all love to decorate for Halloween, but some of the items can end up leaving your budget in trouble, if you’re not careful. There are better ways to shop for Halloween than your local department store’s display though. For instance, most dollar stores will have some amazing items that will ensure your home looks outstanding when Halloween finally arrives. From larger decor to faux spider webs and decals, you can really stock up without spending a ton of money at these stores. Another option is the thrift store. Usually, these stores will put their items on display closer to the holiday, so you won’t even have to dig around to find what you’re looking for. If you’re still looking for something special then hop online and look at your favorite discount stores clearance. Generally, you can find items that they couldn’t get rid of last year for a lot less than you’d expect.

9. Keep Guest Lists Low
Of course, it’s tempting to send out invitations to the entire neighborhood, your children’s school and the office. However, when it comes to paying for your party, you may want to keep your guest list a little choosier. This will allow you to make higher quality food for your guests, so you won’t have to opt for cheaper options to accommodate the huge guest list. Games and competitions will be much easier to organize this way too. Also, party favors won’t end up bankrupting you because you will only have to provide for a few people. Although it may be tough to choose who you will invite from your large list of guests, you’ll be thankful you kept the list low when you factor in the bill from the party.

10. Games
Halloween games are easy to come up with and are tons of fun for all ages. There’s a wide assortment of games that already exist, but you can also some up with your favorites to help keep your guests happy throughout your party. One of the most famous games is Mummy Wrap. Simply purchase a bunch of cheap toilet paper and divide people into teams. Whichever team can wrap up their Mummy the fastest and the best wins the game. Of course, you can always add an obstacle course to make this game a bit tougher. Zombie tag is also another fun game and takes on the basic premise of freeze tag. You can add in your own rules here though to make it even more exciting. Last but not least, playing musical chairs to your favorite Halloween tunes is also a must, especially if you’re entertaining younger children.

Halloween parties can be a boatload of fun, especially if you plan well and stay under budget. With these ten simple tips you should be able to find and create everything you need to make your party the talk of your inner circle for years to come. Now, the only thing you need to make the night a success is the perfect costume and a Trick-or-Treat bag filled with your favorite candies!

With October finally here, you may be starting to worry about the weight that the holidays tend to pack on. Between Halloween candy and Thanksgiving feasts, the next few weeks are sure to be a bit brutal for your metabolism. Of course, these short weeks are only going to be followed by more holiday activities and fun which are filled with overeating and sweet indulgences. Many people tend to want to jump on the gym bandwagon during this time of the year, but often enough, things get too busy during these months, which makes the purchase a total waste. Luckily, there’s a few things you can do in your everyday life that will cut down on the calories you consume and help you prevent the weight gain you’re already dreading.

1. Water
It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, water is one of the best defenses against gaining weight. Not to mention, it helps your body function without a problem so you’ll feel better than ever anyway. As far as water is concerned, it helps cleanse your system of all of the bad components you put into it and, let’s face it, there’s a lot of bad components during this time of the year. By simply drinking a glass of water when you wake up, you’ll be boosting your metabolism substantially. Another great thing about water is it helps suppress your appetite. If you drink a glass of water prior to every meal then you won’t want to eat as much. This may really come in handy when it comes to holiday feasts too. Plus, it will slow down your eating, so you have more time to sit back and savor the tastes of all of your holiday treats. Apart from metabolism and appetite suppression, water can also lower your blood pressure if you drink a glass prior to showering. This can help you feel amazing, so you’ll have the energy and overall gumption to enjoy the holiday season.

2. Ditch Soda
Although your holiday feasts may be more of a wine occasion than a soda occasion, you may find quitting soda during this time will make you feel a bit better about the excess calories. Even if you allot calories for soda in your daily diet, you can still end up gaining weight due to the ingredients in the popular beverages. Not to mention, soda often causes the stomach to bloat, which will make your clothes fit poorly and will cause you to feel uncomfortable. When you kick a soda habit, you’ll notice a major differences in how you feel, so it could be the right move for the rest of the year too. Also, you should take into consideration the amount of money you’ll save by cutting soda out. This is sure to help make your holiday budget thrive and will give you extra money if you do decide to exercise outside of the home.

3. Use Smaller Plates
A lot of people base their portion size on the size of their plate, thus switching to a smaller plate could actually make believe that you’re getting more to eat. This spatial awareness could be something helpful to try during the holiday months. Sure, the size of your plate won’t stop you from going back for seconds or thirds, but it may help you cut down on the portion size you choose to get each time you go back for food. For instance, 3 servings on a smaller plate may equal out to around 1.5 servings on a larger plate. These servings add up, especially in the calorie department. If you do choose to use larger plates then let these plates be designated for salad, while the smaller plates can be used for heavier dishes like meats and carbs. This system might help you out enough to convince you to stick with it throughout the year.

4. Hide the Candy
It happens every year, we say we’re going to limit ourselves to a piece or two a day and then we catch a glimpse at the tasty treats just sitting there waiting for trick or treaters. It doesn’t matter what your age is, candy can be pretty tempting, which is why you should keep it out of temptation until the holiday actually arrives. It isn’t exactly convenient to go shopping for candy on the day of Halloween, so you shouldn’t have to sacrifice this in order to avoid temptation. Try putting your candy under something in a closet to keep it out of eyes reach. If you still find yourself snacking on the treats then put the candy that is harder in the freezer. This will actually prevent you from eating it right away. So, while you wait for it to thaw, you should be able to talk yourself into another snack to help remedy the problem. Of course, Halloween isn’t the only time candy is a problem. If you end up with boxes of treats for other holidays then try to follow the same procedure, or get rid of the candy faster by sharing it with friends, family and colleagues.

5. Make More Veggies
Sure, we all have our favorite dishes when it comes to the holidays, but a lot of the time we load up on far too many meats and carbs during this season. In order to reduce the temptation of only eating these dishes, you may want to add more veggie dishes to the menu. I know, it’s hard to get some members of the family to eat vegetables, but you may be surprised how great some of the recipes taste. Simply look around and see if you can replace some of your favorite dishes with a more vegetable friendly dish. For instance, if you use cauliflower rather than potatoes, you will get a creamy batch of mashed “potatoes” and gravy that everyone will adore. There’s lot of substitution tricks online, but there’s also a lot of wholesome recipes designed to make certain vegetables thrive. Of course, a salad is always a great idea too and can help reduce the amount of other foods that you eat. If you’re watching your weight though, you should try to eat more of the veggie dishes, but if you still want to indulge you can remedy the problem by eating the veggies first.

6. Donate Junk Food
Junk food is one of the main problems when it comes to gaining weight. With all of the extra calories coming in from the holidays, you may want to forget about eating junk food even more. These foods won’t just cause weight gain, but can leave you feeling unmotivated and uncomfortable during the busy time of the year. Of course, you shouldn’t simply throw out the food though. Most junk food can be donated to a local food pantry to help out families that may be struggling to get any food during a time in which most people enjoy celebrating and over-eating. By donating the food that you don’t want or food you want to avoid, you can help provide much needed calories for those that may be undernourished and hungry. You’ll feel great about your good deed and your body will feel great that you ditched the high calorie food.

7. Avoid Fast Food
The holidays are some of the worst times for cooking because most people feel burned out, especially after cooking a big feast. Of course, the leftovers eventually get eaten up or go bad, so you may want to make life simply by going out to eat or hitting the closest drive thru. As you know, fast foods aren’t exactly the best for you, especially when you’ve already been consuming too many calories. It may be in your best interest to avoid these at all cost. The visit are not only bad for your health, but the receipts eventually begin to add up, which isn’t great for your budget. Rather than eating out try to plan slow cooker meals on your busy days. If eating out for lunch is common for you, then cut back by taking a lunch into work instead. You’ll be surprised by how the weight begins to disappear.

8. Walk to the Store
Walking is one of the best ways to begin your weight loss routine. The best thing about walking is it doesn’t cost a penny and can actually save you a bit of cash. For instance, if you walk to the store, you’ll get plenty of exercise that will make you feel rejuvenated, speed up your metabolism and burn more calories. Of course, if the store is way out of walking distance then you may want to consider using public transit, as you’ll still get a fair amount of walking in this way. After the exercise you get walking to the store, you’ll feel a lot less hungry, which means you won’t want to buy as much food. Plus, since you don’t have a car to transport your items, you’ll have to keep your shopping on the leaner side, thus saving a lot more money.

9. Skip the Booze
Holidays and alcohol notoriously go hand in hand, but alcohol can be one of the main reasons you’re gaining weight during the holiday season. Although it may be hard to cut down on alcohol with everyone around you drinking, it will make you feel fulfilled and proud of yourself when you do manage to defeat the temptation. Of course, if you’re hosting your own holiday together, then you may want to make it a dry occasion to help prevent the urge to add a glass of champagne to the meal. Although alcohol does have a lot of calories, you may be able to pull off drinking a glass of red wine with your feast. The alcohol can help work as a digestive, but red wines are actually thought to be good for you. In fact, a recent study said drinking a glass of red wine is close to working out for 30 minutes. So, if temptation calls, a glass of red wine may be the solution to your holiday problem.

10. Small Burst
Working out can be tough, especially when you have to contend with a busy schedule. Rather than actually planning out long workouts, it may be more efficient for you to do small workouts throughout the day. For starters, try to add in 5 minutes of dancing every couple of hours. It’ll help boost your mood and energy, but will also get your heartrate up. You can also add in running to this mixture or anything else you actually enjoy doing. Before bed, if you can squeeze in ten minutes of yoga, you may be surprised by how well you rest. Your muscles may even feel stronger and more flexible. As far as working out in the morning goes, try to do 10 pushups and setups a day. As your body grows stronger increase the number and watch as your body and mind transform. Last but not least, there’s many 7 minute workout programs available today, which can help keep you fit. Try doing these every other day to every day to feel strong and energized. Of course, when it comes to these activities, the key is to do what your body feels good doing.

Losing weight over the holiday season may seem impossible, especially if you don’t have the money to spend on fancy diets. It doesn’t have to be though. With these handy tips, you should be able to find simple ways to work out that not only make your body feel good, but your wallet too. With any luck, none of these tasks will actually interfere with your day.

With the weather cooling down and the holidays coming up, there’s one traditional hobby that will make your entire family feel the warmth of the season. Without a doubt, that’s baking and as the temperatures grow colder your cravings for fresh baked goods are probably getting stronger. Although baking tends to be a frugal activity, there’s always room for savings no matter what we choose to do, right? With these ten tips on baking, you should be able to cut the costs of this already affordable hobby, so you and your family can enjoy the warmth of the season and the tastiness of your skills in the kitchen.

1. Use Less Ingredients
I’m sure we all have that one recipe that calls for heaps of different kinds of pricey ingredients. Although the recipe tastes out of this world as is, you can make a few alterations to help offset the cost of such a dish. For instance, if you’re making chocolate chip cookies, you don’t have to use the recommended amount to enjoy the delicious taste. Rather, you can half the recipe or add in something that isn’t as expensive to help make the taste even bolder. Sometimes, you run into food combinations that will take your breath away and save you money. Of course, you also don’t have to make the amount that the recipe produces. Simply fire up your math skills to reduce the ingredients in order to save a bit of money. Also, if the ingredient is entirely too expensive, then you may want to replace it all together. There’s many substitute options offered if you’re looking for a similar taste.

2. DIY Ingredients
A lot of people simply go to the store and don’t think twice about buying ingredients to get their baking in. Although this is fine, especially if you don’t want to add time to your baking, there is another solution to the problem which could save you a whole lot of money in the long run. That is, whipping up a few DIY ingredients. There’s lots of great recipes out there that will allow you to make your own common baking ingredients, such as baking powder, powdered sugar, food color and buttermilk. Generally, you’ll already have most of the ingredients sitting around the house, which is perfect if you’re in a pinch or just want to experiment a little more in the kitchen. You may find that this little trick is your new favorite way to add your own special touch to your baking. Some of the tricks are also healthier for you, particularly making your own food coloring out of fruits.

3. Don’t Waste
Baking can be messy, but it can also be wasteful too, which is never good when you’re on a budget. If you’re looking to cut back on your spending in this area, then you may also want to try to cut back on your wastage too. To begin with, if you have excess dough from any recipe, you can easily wrap it up and place it in the refrigerator. This can come in handy later, especially if you find yourself longing for a baked treat when you don’t want to do the excess work. You could also use the extra to try to squeeze in one last cookie or cupcake. Also, mini pies or breads will make your kids feel special, so consider that option when you’re looking at your extra dough. Other items, like parchment paper, aluminum foil and eve toothpicks can be reused at a later date to help keep you from having to rebuy these items again. Plus, recycling these items is better for the environment, so you’ll be doing your part in more ways than one.

4. Bake in Bulk
Although it’s always nice to allow the oven to heat up the home, rather than the heater, you may want to cut down on frequent baking in order to reduce the gas or electric bill. Instead, plan on a day of baking where you make several different things at once. If this seems too time consuming then simply make the dough on different occasions and freeze it until you intend on doing the actual baking. This can really make the house smell amazing and, if you plan accordingly, you can get the entire family involved which will help the kids learn how to pick up this task too. Of course, you don’t have to eat everything you bake at once. In fact, you should only keep out a small amount of food because homemade items tend to mold faster due to the fact that they don’t have preservatives. The rest of the food can be wrapped up tightly and frozen. Of course, if you’re in the mood to bake in bulk then you may want to start considering holiday gifts too. Halloween is right around the corner, which pretty much kicks off an assortment of holidays until the end of the year. So, you may want to start making all of those holiday inspired cookies now.

5. Off-Season Shopping
Even though the holiday season is coming up, October and November tend to be the best times to buy baking supplies. Many baking pans, sheets and accessories will take a great reduction in price, so make sure to browse around to see if you can find that special something you’ve been longing to use. You may not want to wait until Thanksgiving week to grab these deals though, because the price drop might quickly go back to normal or increase substantially to get more from holiday shoppers. All the same, you could find even better deals if you wait until Black Friday due to the huge sales on this day. The next time you’ll be able to save big on these supplies is after the holidays when all of the holiday themed baking items hit the clearance racks. So, it may be best to check out deals before you even think of buying your Thanksgiving Day turkey.

6. Email Brands
Letting your favorite brands know how you feel is a good way to enjoy some freebies. Some coupons that receive emails from their fans will even go the extra mile to reward them with a free product or some great coupons for being such a loyal fan. There’s actually been many stories of people emailing companies to inquire about products that they inherited from family members. Often, these products are hard to find, so when you go to replace them for sentimental value or out of loyalty, it’s a bit of a hassle. Some companies will respond to the emails by actually sending an item to the writer. As you can imagine, this certainly helps keep the loyalty going strong and even makes some customers feel relieved that they won’t have to give up on family tradition. Keeping up with your favorite brands on social media is another great way to add to the amount of coupons or freebies you can win.

7. Second Hand
They always say that products aren’t made the way they used to be. Thus, it’s no shocker that people like to look for old school items in order to improve their baking capabilities. Some companies still make these items strong and durable, but they tend to cost an arm and a leg. So, if you want to get your hands on a few durable products, then you may want to consider asking family members if they have any bakeware they’d like to part with. This may be easier said than done though because most people don’t want to give up these items. Thus, yard sales might be a more plausible option. You can always check around thrift stores too because these items are commonly found in donations. You might want to ask your local thrift store when they get new stock though because often people will come in as soon as they can to see if these pricey items are available.

8. Bulk Buys
When it comes to shopping for baking supplies, the best thing you can do is buy in bulk. Luckily, there’s lots of options when it comes to doing this and you may not even have to go to a bulk store to find the items. Flour is one of the most common items to buy this way though. You can easily find it in ten pound bags, which should last you for quite some time. You might want to find a special container to store it in though, so you don’t have to worry about it spilling or getting contaminated. Sugar is another fairly common item to find in bulk, but you might have to go to a special store to find a larger bag of it. Yeast, baking soda and other components needed to make bread and other delicious treats can also be purchased in bulk, but you may have to look online for a specialty store for these items. Last but not least, when you go to buy the extra ingredients such as nuts and fruits, you may want to actually look for a specialty store or try your farmer’s market.

9. Coupons
There’s no doubt, when it comes to baking, coupons can be your best friend if you let them be. Your local grocery store should put out a lot of coupons that will help you save on all of your cookie supplies. This will come in handy, especially during the holiday months. A lot of coupons actually come from the manufacturer though and these can really make a big difference. The best thing about them is they usually have a prolonged expiration date, which means you can use them when the price is at its best, which will save you even more money. If you have a few favorite products then you might want to sign up for the brands’ newsletters, so you’ll know when these coupons are available. Of course, don’t overlook the countless coupon websites that will give you a bunch of insights on coupons and keep you posted on all of the latest coupon deals and where you can find them.

10. Find Frugal Recipes
When it comes to baking, sometimes the savings are all in the recipe. There’s lots of recipes out there that call for a variety of items that won’t exactly save you money. However, some recipes are designed to make a tight budget flourish. Luckily, there’s lots of websites dedicated to taking delicious recipes and transforming them into an affordable meal plan. You can find basic to luxurious breads, as well as some of the household’s favorite desserts. With the simple changes you may even find you can try a bunch of new things without having to worry about the budget. All in all, if you already have a favorite recipe then you may be able to transform it into a more frugal recipe on your own. There’s lots of communities that can help you get started on this activity, if you’re feeling lost.

Baking is such an amazing part of the colder months, which is why you shouldn’t have to worry about money when it comes to making your baking great. With these simple tips you should find the savings you’ve been looking for as well as a few more you never expected. Without a doubt, this could be your best year of baking yet.

Subscription boxes have been around for quite some time now, but it wasn’t until this past year that the concept of subscribing to a random monthly or quarterly box became explosively popular. There’s boxes for just about everything now and for most people, their subscription seems to be one of the most exciting times of the month/quarter. There’s no doubt, getting a surprise in the mail can leave you feeling amazing, but do these boxes actually save you any money? By subscribing to a box of randomness, are you just throwing away money? By looking at a few different kinds of boxes, it became very easy to see that subscription boxes often deliver more than what they cost, which could make your monthly/quarterly surprise something to be even happier about.

1. Meal Subscriptions
One of the more popular boxes to hit the market actually sends food straight to your door. There’s several different companies you can choose from here, but the prices don’t vary too much. Basically, these subscriptions allow you to choose between a household of 2 or 4 and they generally send you around 3 meals a week. For some, this may not be in the budget because the companies tend to use gourmet foods, so if you’re used to getting an entire week’s worth of groceries on this budget then this may not be the route to go. All the same, the boxes do offer pretty good sized portions and you can’t really stray too far from the recommended amount of food, which is great for anyone on a diet. However, this may not be the best of choices if you’re feeding preteens or teenagers. The meals are also simple to cook and most won’t take over an hour, which suits busy lifestyles well. Of course, if you’re not into learning new recipes then some companies will actually just send a week’s worth of produce to your door. You can choose between vegetables, fruits or a mixture of both, which can help you keep your family’s produce intake healthier than ever.

2. Snack Boxes
If you’re not up for ordering entire meals online, there’s lots of snack options to choose from that will make your life easier. However, when it comes to snack boxes, they’re often hit or miss. Sometimes, you’ll find a subscription that gives you plenty of snacks that make the entire family happy. Other subscriptions will provide you with healthy treats you never thought you’d love. On the other hand, some subscriptions charge you a whole lot of money for very little. Thus, when you plan on ordering a subscription of snacks, you may want to try out a freebie first. Luckily, many of the major snack subscriptions do this by offering coupons or first box free incentives. Of course, some of the major brands will also offer you a free box after you’ve paid for a few subscriptions. This reward system often draws in more business and helps regulate the price of some of the more expensive brands out there.

3. Razors
Most people spend a lot of money on razors, which can be a huge problem if you’re on a tight budget. Usually, you can get a great deal on buying razors in bulk, but sometimes it doesn’t compare to the cost of some of the new subscription boxes. Basically, when you subscribe to a box for razors you can choose if you want a basic blade, or if you’d like more than one. Generally, you get around 3 razors to last you the month and the price tag is so low you won’t believe your eyes. Sometimes the boxes will have men and women’s separate subscriptions, but often they provide a unisex blade that will work wonders on your skin. There’s also subscription boxes that will supply you with items designed to help make your shaving experience better, such as creams and lotions. Of course, if you’re not sure if three razors will last you the month, there’s also measures you can take to help make the blades last much longer.

4. Makeup
This is actually one of the hardest subscriptions to judge as there are so many and each has its own individual price. Some boxes, like Julep, tend to concentrate on higher end nail polishes. Although the price of the items you receive is worth more than what you pay, they still use items that have a price tag that you may not normally be willing to pay. Of course, this service does allow you to swap out items in your monthly subscription, so you won’t be surprised with a box of items you simply won’t like. Other boxes tend to provide samples of makeup, which is perfect if you like to try new things. Generally, these boxes cost a whole lot less and will open up your eyes to some of the freshest products on the market. However, if you tend to like specific items, then this is a route you might not want to take. The best thing you can do here is either try out the box for free or a reduced price, or browse around to see what is actually in the box and if it is worth the price tag.

5. Pet Supplies
Another great thing you can order in a subscription box is pet supplies. There’s a lot of great options available, but most of these boxes revolve around toys. Although the market is currently more based around dogs and cats, if you do a little research you might uncover a few boxes for other pets too. Of course, if you’re looking for boxes for your cat, the options may be a bit limited as well since cats generally aren’t as rough on toys. There’s lots of options for dogs though. If you have a dog that goes through toys very fast, then this will certainly save you money. The subscription boxes usually come with a few toys and some sample items. However, if your pet is older or not so rough on toys then you may want to rethink the box. Sometimes you can find toys at a cheaper price. There are subscription boxes that are a bit cheaper though, which are filled with treats and other sample items.

6. Geek Stuff
One of the biggest hits this year has been subscription boxes that cater to the geeky side in all of us. These boxes are generally filled with comics, books, collectibles and toys. Generally, these boxes are worth a lot more than they charge, especially since each contains a t-shirt. The only problem is, you don’t know what you’re going to get. If you’re good with surprises then you’ll probably have a pretty good time with these boxes. Plus, most of the subscription boxes offer themes, so if you’re not keen on one theme then you cancel or pause your subscription until something else catches your eye. The key to these boxes is to look for subscriptions that offer free gifts when you subscribe in advance. This will allow you to get even more for your money. Of course, some of these boxes do come from abroad, so look out for extra shipping. Of course, items you don’t like can always be gifted to friends later, which will save you even more money.

7. Alcohol
If you’re looking for a cheaper way to get some of the best alcohol around then you might want to try a subscription box. There’s a lot of wine subscription boxes, which will not only save you some money, but will also offer you a lot of new wines to try. Some of the subscription boxes will actually have a wine subscription taste guide, so they can help you pick the best wines, or they may have a quick quiz so they match you with something they believe you’ll love. Generally, these subscriptions end up costing you about $13 a bottle, which isn’t bad if you are a wine enthusiast. Normally, you’ll get about 3 different bottles a month too, which is great if you’re stocking up for the holidays. There’s also a few craft beer subscription boxes, but these can be hit or miss, especially if you only like a particular type of beer. Last but not least, there are subscriptions for liquor; however, these can really cost you a lot for mere samples of the whiskey, scotch, rum, tequila or vodka. So, unless you’re willing to splurge and you want to play the field, it may be best just to buy your favorite brands outright.

8. Travel Boxes
Those that love to travel, but don’t often get the opportunity too, may love this box. Some of the subscriptions will send you a new location monthly or quarterly, so you’ll get to try scents, tastes, sounds and sights for the country of the subscription period. This is a great way to get to know locations you’ve never even heard of and may inspire you to plan a vacation to somewhere you never thought possible. Of course, there’s also travel boxes for people who used to live in certain areas, but no longer get to see or experience the local charm. For instance, San Francisco has a special box that will send you foods, drinks, keepsakes and even fog, to help you get over your homesickness. Other boxes may come with candies from your country of origin and so on. If you browse around, you may be surprised by the wonders you find.

9. Kids Supplies
When it comes down to it, one of the best things you can order is a subscription box for your kids. Although there are many designed with kids toys, there’s even more designed to help your child’s creativity and intelligence grow. Some of the subscriptions come filled with all sorts of art supplies and a project for them to enjoy throughout the month. Other boxes come with a science or engineering task, which will help inspire your child to enjoy math and science a whole lot more than they would without these fun projects. For younger children, you can find boxes with flash cards, toys designed to help with motor functions and other necessary items to help your baby’s mind grow strong in a hurry. There’s also baby supplies that are all natural, so you can skip any chemical add-ons to your child’s early life.

10. Health Supplies
If you have a hard time deciding which soap or shampoo you want to use, then this is a great choice for you. There’s lots of health supply boxes that come with new natural soaps, lotions and fragrances. Of course, they also have snacks, vitamins, supplements and items used to help your workout thrive. This box is often a great price because these products tend to cost a small fortune. Plus, you can easily find some of the supplements or foods that work best for your body, which is absolutely pricey to try straight from the store. You may even find workout videos and other amazing items to help keep you fit in these monthly boxes.

So, all in all, subscription boxes can really save you a bundle if you can budget the money in for them. Luckily, most of these boxes don’t cost over $30, but are worth far more than you pay. Plus, there’s always coupons and savings codes that will help you cut down on the price, so you can enjoy your monthly surprises even more. After all, what’s life without a little something to look forward to, even if it is wondering what shampoo you’re getting to get this month.

If there’s one area of the home that gets a lot of action, but not a lot of cleaning, it’s definitely the closet. For some, organizing the closet is enough to send them into sheer shock, which is never a good thing. Luckily, there’s a lot of great ways to transform a cluttered closet into an efficient location to store all of your must-have items. Sure, some organization tips may cost a lot of money, but there’s also a lot of great ways you can transform the smallest of spaces into a roomy storage area without spending much at all. With a little shopping know-how and a few DIY tips, your closet can go from drab to fab in no time at all.

1. Use the Door
Generally, people somehow master the concept of using every single inch of floor space they can find. There is, however, one space that always goes unnoticed: the door. There’s a lot of things you can do to a door to ensure that it will help you with all of your storage problems. Believe it or not, but some places do design storage units for the back of the door, but you may be limited if you have a smaller door or one that folds shut. Of course, you could always think out of the box and upcycle a storage shower curtain into an awesome place to store shoes, socks, accessories or anything else that fits into the pouches. Another great option is a simple peg board, which you can find inexpensively in a number of department or craft stores. This can be installed on a variety of doors thanks to its ability to customize. Peg boards are great for hanging jewelry, scarves, hats and anything else you want to keep nice and neat. If there’s lots of space in your closet, then you may also want to install baskets onto your door, which could work great for light weight clothing and accessories.

2. Hanger Extenders
One of the biggest problems people run into when they’re trying to organize their closet is the fact that they have too many clothes and hangers to fit into the small space. These items can be bought at a variety of stores on and offline and are made to fit specific types of garments, if you like to take the best care of your clothing and accessories as possible. Of course, if you’re not so picky and you want to save a whole lot of money, you can make these extenders at home for next to nothing. The first thing you’ll need is the tab from a soda can. If you don’t drink soda or anything from a can, then you may want to ask around to see if your neighbors can help out with some of their recycled materials. Once you have your tabs, you simply slip them over the hook of a hanger. You may have to swap to thinner hangers though in order to make this trick work. Then,hang a new hanger into the bottom portion of the tab. You can usually do this two to three times before the items are too heavy.

3. Add Shelf Dividers
If your closet is like most, then it has a shelf that is neatly placed over the clothing rack. This shelf is a great place to store a lot of junk, but it could also be utilized for more clothing and shoes. Simply add a divider to the top to help make the shelf more efficient for stacking your foldable clothing, such as jeans and sweaters. Dividers can be purchased from a variety of stores, but you can also make up your own with an assortment of materials. This method actually allows you to create unique sizes and designs to suit your décor and personality. Another great way to use dividers to your benefit is to add them to a simple shelf under your clothing rack. If there’s no shelf then simply use the dividers to create one. All you’ll need is a top and bottom for the potential shelf and you’re all set for lots of storage options.

4. Add bins
One of the easiest ways to store a lot of your items is to add bins. These handy devices come in all shapes and sizes and allow you to store just about anything you can think of. The best thing about some of the bins is they actually come in drawer like form, so you can even replace the bulky chest of drawers that’s hiding in your room or closet, if you want to make more space. These bins are simple to stack too, so if you have a lot of stuff you can stack them to the ceiling if you want. Larger bins are perfect for shoes too, especially those that don’t need all of the extra care, and will allow you to enjoy a more organized look without a whole lot of effort. If you choose clear bins then your closet will also look like it has more space than ever, which will make all of your organizational efforts stand out all the more.

5. Utilize Shelving
A lot of closets, especially those in older homes or apartments, tend not to utilize the space that they should. Rather than letting the prime real estate of your closet go to waste, you can easily install shelves from top to bottom to help keep up with your storage needs. This will allow you to stack clothes, store old boxes and whatever else you may need storage for. Plus, there are a lot of innovative ways to add shelves to your closet, which are sure to stand out. You can even find a variety of ideas that will make it a breeze for you to install shelving that doesn’t require you to do damage to the walls, which is perfect for renters. With your new shelving, you should be able to get most of your items in the closet in an orderly fashion and may even find you have room for storage.

6. Know Your Hangers
Actually knowing what type of hanger you should use comes in handy in regards to keeping your closet less organized. Hangers that are thinner are probably the best way to maximize the space as they will allow you to push clothing that doesn’t need special attention to the back of the closet. Thus, you’ll be able to get more clothing into tight spaces. Of course, you should also keep into consideration that some clothing items do need special hangers. For instance, sweaters and any open neck tops often need a special sweater that will help you keep your clothing looking nice, while also preventing it from falling on the ground which can cause a sense of disarray. If you often buy clothes from department stores, then you probably have a pretty good collection of plastic hangers with clips. These are perfect for hanging up your boots that need extra attention, as well as scarves, belts and other accessories. You can even hang necklaces, bracelets and glasses on a wire hanger, if you have the extra space.

7. Add Another Bar
Generally, most closets have a single bar for clothing that is slightly raised to meet you at eye level. This is pretty convenient, but it also ends up leaving lots of space on the bottom of your closet. This space can easily be used to add in an entirely new clothing rack. Now, you don’t have to be alarmed by this because it’s not a huge renovation and it may not even take you very long at all to DIY the task. Basically, if you go down to your local home improvement store, you should be able to find a kit for the bar to rest on. Then, you simply cut the size you need for your space and you’re ready to go. If you’re planning on hanging lighter items then you can always use an adjustable shower curtain or suspension rod to create the same effect without drilling holes in the wall. This will give you more space than you ever expected and may even open up your closet a bit more.

8. Buy an Organizer
If there seems to be no other solution, or you just want to make things easier, then buying a closet organizer may be the route to go. Of course, you should always measure out your closet before you do anything. There’s lots of different sized organizers on the market and some of them actually are adjustable so you don’t have to worry about them not suiting your needs. You should also shop around for manufacturer’s coupons or simply look for sales online and in your local area. The more you shop around for a deal on the organizer, the better off you should be. The best thing about actually purchasing a closet organizer is they tend to be sturdy and can last for your years if you treat them right. They also offer more space for clothing and storage, no matter what size closet you started out with.

9. Add Illusions
One of the best ways you can make your closet look more presentable, even when it’s in total disarray, is to add a few illusions to the mix. For instance, color coding your clothing is a great way to make the closet look organized and actually creates a roomier appearance. Another way, that’s a bit easier, is to add a mirror to the back of the closet. If you’re feeling really ambitious then you could surround your walls with mirrors. This actually creates the illusion of more space and will make your closet double in size. Also, if you can find clear drawers, then you will add even more space to the room. These drawers work wonders for the eye and make finding what you’re looking for a breeze. Of course, if you can find mirrored drawers then you’re doing well too. Even adding better lighting will help make your closet spring to life.

10. Purge
Of course, when it comes down to it, one of the best ways to get your closet organized is to actually purge some of the things in it. A lot of the time, we simply keep adding stuff to the closet without ever removing the things we don’t use. This can really add to clutter that causes a lot of turmoil in your life. So, before you even think about organizing the closet, you may want to go through it. Pull out clothes that you haven’t worn in a while and try them on. You may be surprised how many you don’t like anymore or even how many don’t fit you quite right. Clothing that is old and worn out should probably be reduced too, so you can maximize space and your wardrobe. The same can be said of shoes, accessories and anything else you may have laying around. There’s actuallya few questions you should ask yourself about the items in the closet, so when you finish the purging it’ll almost seem like you’re looking at a new closet. Trust me, when you pull out the old, you’ll feel pretty good about yourself.

Your closet doesn’t have to be a sore spot in your home. Nor, does it have to be a place you want to hide away. With these ten tips, you should be able to organize your closet without spending a small fortune. You’ll feel amazing after you see the final results and you may even add a little time to your prep period in the morning.

With the holidays already on their way, you may find yourself browsing Amazon to see if you can already score some great deals on some the items on the top of your list. Although Amazon usually has competitive deals, there’s some items that you should always consider even when you’re not looking for a bargain. These few items tend to save you big on your everyday buys, which is a great way to keep your budget down and your shopping satisfaction up. So, next time you’re surfing Amazon, check out these ten things to see if you can find the best possible deal on them. You may be surprised by how much you’ll save when you switch store preferences in regards to these common buys.

1. Electronic Accessories
You probably already know that Amazon is pretty much a go-to site when you’re looking for Black Friday electronic deals, but have you thought about buying your electronic accessories from the site too? Generally, Amazon has some pretty amazing deals on charging cables and adapters for a wide selection of cellphones, tablets and other devices. Of course, if you’re not already satisfied with the price of the brands, there’s also a wide assortment of off brand items that are so dirt cheap it’s hard not to buy ten. Another great thing to buy, is HDMI cables. It doesn’t matter how long you need them to be, because Amazon has some deals you probably wouldn’t even believe if you didn’t see the price right in front of your face! You may want to make sure you’re buying the correct cord though, so you can avoid refund times and having to order a different cord. Of course, battery chargers, spare parts and other must-have items to keep your products going, can also be found on the website.
2. Electronics
Although electronic accessories are a huge hit on the site, you’ll also find some pretty competitive prices on major electronics too. One of the biggest sellers, especially during the holidays is TVs. Generally, the site tries to offer some price cuts that might make you faint if you weren’t expecting them. Of course, this usually only happens during sales like Black Friday, but you should be able to find good prices on these items any other time of the year too. Tablets and phones are also popular purchases too because they tend to offer some of the biggest savings. Even newer releases may be a surprise when it comes to the price tag. Of course, one of the major things that helps you save big is Prime Membership because it will cut the shipping price that you tend to have to pay when you buy online. Headphones, video game consoles and learning pads are other options that aren’t as popular, but still offer steady discounts.
3. Bulk Pet Supplies
There’s no doubt, pets can be pretty pricey, especially if you have them on a prescription diet. Many websites, like Walmart and Target, won’t even sell the higher-priced foods, which cuts down your options significantly. Luckily, Amazon offers just about any food you can think of at a price that will leave you wondering why you shopped anywhere else. Even better, if you tend to buy your food regularly, you’ll find that you can even get a 5% off discount by enrolling in a subscription plan, which can really make life easier. Of course, food isn’t the only thing Amazon offers. Cat litter is a major purchase for some budgets, especially if you have more than one cat. When you buy in bulk, you not only save money, but you don’t have to worry about running out of litter any time soon. Last but not least, especially in your pet’s eyes, Amazon offers a wide selection of bulk pet treats that will ensure your animals get what they desire for all of their good behavior.
4. Baby Supplies
Babies are constantly in need of diapers, formula, bath products, clothes and toys to help them learn. It’s almost hard to keep up with it all! Luckily, if you sign up for Amazon Mom you’ll be privy to some amazing deals that will help save you a pretty penny. Amazon Mom basically gives you a Prime membership and helps you stay up to date with all of the best coupons that Amazon has to offer. Of course, apart from the great discounts available, you can subscribe to the items you know you’re going to need, so you’ll never have to worry about running out to get them in the middle of the night. Generally, subscribing to the item can save you anywhere from 5 to 15%, which is sure to come in handy. If you don’t want to sign up for Amazon Mom, you’ll still be privy to some pretty great deals, especially on diapers alone, which can eat you out of house and home if you’re not careful. You can also still sign up for the subscription and enjoy coupons that the site offers to everyone in the Daily Savings section.
5. Books
When it comes to buying books, Amazon offers some deals that are too good to pass up. Generally, new books on the site have an average price, but often new releases take a huge price cut if you preorder them, or if the book didn’t do as well as expected within the first few days. Of course, if you add a book to your wish list, Amazon will also let your know when it takes a price hike, which could be a great surprise. One of the best deals on Amazon is their used books though. For starters, there are many private sellers on Amazon, which sell a book for a penny, plus shipping and handling. This is almost too good to pass up as many used book stores can’t even compete with these prices. Kindle books are generally very affordable too, especially if you’re looking at the section for indie authors. Of course, students can also rejoice over Amazon’s book deals, especially if they have the special student account that Amazon offers for free for a year. This allows students to gain free shipping! Of course, if your year is up, you can still buy used textbooks at a price that won’t warrant taking out another student loan.
6. Kitchen Appliances
If you’re looking to add a little pizzazz to your kitchen, then finding appliances on Amazon is a must. To cut to the chase, Amazon tends to keep appliances at a low price because they’re such an important and popular item. Thus, when it comes down to it, many people judge Amazon to be a low price store simply because they sell these items at a low price. This allows you jump in and take advantage of the steals though. One of the best things to buy on Amazon is coffee makers because they try to beat everyone else’s deal. Even the latest models will earn you savings you’ll find hard to believe. Of course, you can also find a wide assortment of mixers, food processors, microwaves and other kitchen appliances at a great price. Novelty items, such as popcorn makers, snow cone makers and even hotdog roasters are great items to buy as gifts, especially when you can find them at such a great price.
7. Clothing
Clothing items are another steal when it comes to Amazon. If you’re looking to update your wardrobe then this may be one of the best places to go. Often, there are many smaller boutiques that sell their clothing on Amazon, so the price won’t leave you hurting for money. It may also leave you with some of the trendiest clothes around at a price that won’t get in the way of other spending. Apart from wardrobe choices that may not locally be available, you can also find many of your favorite brands on the website. The best thing is, they tend to follow sales that they offer on their own website. Amazon also offers large discounts on clothes each week, so keep an eye out if you’re looking for something in particular. One of the best times to buy is during back to school season because of the many savings on kid’s clothes. Of course, it may be burdensome to shop for clothes online, but there’s many tips to make sure your items will fit right when you shop online.
8. Household Basics
We tend to spend a lot of time shopping for the basic cleaning and health products we use on a daily basis. This doesn’t have to be the case though, especially with Amazon’s new Pantry program. Now, you can find some of your favorite items sold in bulk, which will only increase the savings. Plus, if you sign up for a subscription, you’ll get a percentage off of the price tag, which will start to add up. The best thing is, everything ends up delivered to your door, so you don’t have to think twice about anything but grocery shopping, and in some cases you can even get some of your favorite snack items! Some of the best items to buy this way are laundry detergent pods, coffee pods and toilet paper.
9. Beauty Supplies
Shopping online for your favorite makeup brands can leave you feeling ambushed by the price of your shopping cart. However, if you choose to shop with Amazon, you may find the deals unbelievable. Amazon offers just about every brand of beauty item out there, so you won’t have to search long before finding something you need. Of course, if you’re not sure what you’re looking for or you want to try something new, then you’ll have an endless amount of items to choose from. Everything from nail art to lipstick and fake eye lashes to hair treatments can be found on Amazon for an amazing price. Plus, there’s always deals offered, which can leave you saving even more. You can even find body jewelry at a price that will make you jump for joy. Bellybutton rings, earrings and even septum rings will make you want to celebrate.
10. Prime Membership
Of course, one of the best things to get on Amazon is their Prime membership. The membership offers free two day shipping, which makes the price tag of shopping online disappear. Plus, you don’t have to wait forever to get your much needed packages. Also, you get to enjoy free streaming movies and TV shows as well as music and so much more. Typically, the Prime Membership will run you about $100, but there are many sales on this throughout the year. For instance, in March, the price is often slashed in half. Of course, if you buy some Amazon products, you’ll actually be able to get a year’s subscription to Amazon Prime for nothing at all. Mom’s and students are also privy to a reduced price, which is perfect for their tight budget.

Amazon is a great way to find some amazing deals on the items you use every day. Not to mention, they offer great deals on the luxury items you desire. With savings as big as these, you should be able to keep your budget going strong while getting all of the items you need. Plus, with all of the gas you save from not going to the store, you should be feeling pretty good about your choice to shop online!

October has finally arrived, and in many places so has the cold weather. Although October is a month filled with warm activities, delicious foods and exciting holidays, you may find it always weighs heavy on your budget. Luckily, there’s lots of things you can save money on during this autumn month. With these ten great purchases that will save you big, you should be able to maximize your budget, while allowing yourself a little wiggle room in the upcoming months. So, don’t fret the splurge on last week’s pumpkin spice latte, or stress over your children’s Halloween costume’s because these savings are sure to leave you feeling amazing about your future budget.

1. Camping Gear
Camping season has finally come to a close, which means it’s now the perfect time to grab your camping supplies for the upcoming year. Camping supplies encompass a wide variety of items too. Obviously, tents are going to hit the shelves at a majorly discounted price. In some stores, you can buy this item for up to 50% off, especially if the store is expecting newer models in the upcoming season. Clothing is another major sales item during this time of the year. Long johns, jackets and water proof gear are great example of items you can buy now, that won’t just save you money for the next camp season, but will also save you money when it comes to winter apparel. Apart from clothes and tents, you should be able to find sleeping bags, cooking gear and even some weapons and fishing poles, which will make prepping for next season even easier. Not to mention, since it’s still early, you may actually be able to get a few camping trips in before the weather is too cold, which will allow you to enjoy your new purchases.
2. Fine Jewelry
The holidays are one of the prime times for jewelers, which means the prices can skyrocket in order to keep up with the demand and make more profit. With the holiday season right around the corner, you may want to get any fine jewelry shopping out of the way before it’s too late. Now, is the perfect time to pick up something sparkly if you plan on surprising your someone special with a beautiful gift for the holidays. Of course, you will miss out on holiday releases if you do this, but these items are usually passing trends that aren’t worn or cherished for decades anyway. If you choose to shop early, you can find a classic piece that will be cherished and passed down through generations. Of course, now is the perfect time to grab an engagement ring or wedding band, if you plan on making a romantic move during the season. October is the off-season for weddings, so it may be the right time to plan a small wedding, if you haven’t already begun the process. The holiday season is also proposal season though, so buying ahead of the time will help you stay prepared for the big event and save you major money.
3. Food
Although the real feasts don’t begin until next month, October has its fair share of reasons to pig out for less. In fact, October is actually National Pizza Month and many stores will offer a wide variety of discounts that will make your pizza purchase taste even better. If you’re a vegetarian, then you may want to hit your favorite stores on October 1, because it’s World Vegetarian Day, which means huge savings on all of your favorite veggie brands. Coffee lovers may want to enjoy one last cold beverage on October 4, in honor of National Frappe Day. Your sweet tooth will also rejoice for National Cheesecake Day on October 21! Of course October is also the home of Oktoberfest, which will bring you lots of sales on sauerkraut, sausage, beer and other German foods after October 4, when the celebration comes to a close. You may also want to take advantage of the low prices you’ll get at your local apple orchard or pumpkin patch, as all of this delicious produce will be in season and ready to be picked. Not to mention, with Halloween around the corner, you’ll want to save all of the pumpkin fillings for baked seeds and pies later on in the season!
4. Candy
Although less nutritious then all of the food offered during the season, you should still be able to find some awesome deals on candy. First of all, Halloween is at the end of the month, which means the big variety bags of candy will be on sale. Whether you plan on handing out candy or not, this can be one of the best times to buy huge assortments of your favorite treats. Of course, if you’re looking for something a little more intricate, then you’ll be pleased to know all of the customized candy from summer will be on sale. Thus, you can find great deals on red, white and blue dipped strawberries and other summer time creations. You may want to browse online for these treats, as there are many websites offering surprising deals on their leftover stock. You should also be able to find candied apples at an exceptional price since apples are currently in season.
5. Halloween Costumes
Although Halloween may be coming up later in this month, it’s still a great time to buy your Halloween costumes. However, there are a few tricks you should consider when you look for costumes during the month of October. For starters, you should always start in the clearance section. There’s lots of costumes that were put on clearance last year, which will quickly be reduced even more in order to make room for all of the costumes that will hit the clearance rack when this Halloween is over. You may be surprised by how many popular costumes you can find on the clearance rack. Of course, if you’re not satisfied with the costumes in your local stores, there’s lots of online costume stores that have a huge variety of clearance costumes. You may also be able to find the materials needed to make your costume amazing at a great price. For instance, some fabrics may be on sale as well as the basic accessories, like fangs, makeup or special gloves.
6. Cruises
If you’re already stressing about the holidays, then you may want to enjoy a little time away from the chaos. During October, cruises are a prime price, which will allow you to save big time on a well-deserved vacation. This is especially great for people who may not get a chance to take leave during the holiday season as it will help you rest up before you have to deal with hustle and bustle of the next couple of months. Although prices are best if you choose to go on your cruise during October, you can still save big time by simply booking your cruise during this month too. You may want to keep your plans off of time prime season, but with some careful planning, you should be able to cash in on some great deals.
7. Mammograms
October is National Breast Awareness Cancer month, so it’s no surprise that many hospitals and doctor’s offices are offering reduced price mammograms to any women that books during the month of October. This is a great idea for women who may not have the test completely covered by their insurance policy. Of course, you may want to talk to your doctor about the prices to see if there is actually a reduction in your area as not everyone will participate in this bold move to help prevent breast cancer. If your doctor or hospital is participating, then you may want to book an appointment as early as possible as there is sure to be many women who want to take advantage of the generous offer. Of course, you may also want to spread the word, so every woman has a chance to get the test completed.
8. Disneyland
If you want to send the kids into a frenzy of joy, then now is the time to grab a Disneyland vacation. If you plan a trip around the last 3 weeks of October to the early weeks in November, then you’ll be privy to some awesome Disneyland prices. Of course, with the price reduction also comes less crowds because these short weeks are the Disney off-season. You’ll be able to enjoy cheaper hotel rates, food in the park and possibly even ride tickets if you choose to travel to Disneyland during this time of the year. The good news is, since Disneyland is in California, you won’t have to worry about the weather being bad during your trip. You’ll probably experience mild weather, which may make it an even greater time to enjoy a mini vacation.
9. Harvest
Autumn weekends are the greatest because it’s the perfect time to check out your local produce. A lot of pumpkin patches, apple orchards, vineyards and corn fields will offer a lot of activities for your family to enjoy at a price that will make everyone happy. The best thing is, you can pick food for the family at a price that will probably have you picking your jaw up off of the floor. Generally, you can pay ahead of time to pick a certain weight of food. When you take the food home, it’s easy to can, freeze or cook it up to make your meals stretch further than ever. It’s also a great time to teach your family about where food comes from first hand. Also, since it’s autumn, you’ll probably be able to book a walk through a corn maze or a special hayride when you check out the local harvest.
10. Dog Adoptions
October is also dog adoption month, so now is the perfect time to bring a furry friend into your home for the holidays. Most animal shelters and charities like SPCAs will have better deals on dog adoptions during this month. Some may even waive the adoption fees, so you won’t have to pay a cent for your new pet. The best news is, your dog will already be fixed and vaccinated, if not the clinic will give you a voucher to have the procedure finished for no out of pocket cost. Of course, since it is October, you may not be able to adopt a black dog because many shelters ban adoptions of cats and black dogs during this month due to cruel activity. However, if you do fall in love with a black dog, then you can put in the paperwork for your adoption and take your new friend home as soon as Halloween is over. Not all shelters operate under this procedure though, it often depends on your area and past problems in the region.

October is a great month for saving on so many things you may have already thought about buying, and many that you may not have even considered. With these ten things saving you cash, you may find the month to be a lot more fun than you ever thought possible. Not to mention, you may even feel a bit more relaxed as you prepare for the upcoming busy months, this holiday season.