If the New Year is beckoning you to become a health fanatic, then you might be a little nervous about how you’re going to afford your new resolution. Health food can cost an arm and a leg, especially if you plan on buying food that actually taste good. Not to mention, the cost of workout equipment, gym memberships and everything else that goes along with being health. If you’re thinking like this, then it’s time to calm down and make the health thing a reality. There’s a lot of ways you can enjoy getting healthy without ever having to spend an arm and a leg on the lifestyle. So, whether you want to lose weight or improve your quality of living, these tips will help you meet your goals frugally.

1. Embrace Water
One of the biggest favors you can do for your body is to drink water. A lot of people live on a diet of sodas, energy drinks, juices and other high calorie and high sugar beverages. This can do so much damage to your body, in the long and short term. Apart from adding calories to your intake, the sugar content alone can really knock your body out of balance. The diet versions of these drinks are worse yet, due to the chemicals known to cause damage in the body. Water is a great low calorie option, which is totally natural for us to drink. Although it might not have the exciting taste of sweet or carbonated drinks, it does help flush the system and get rid of the nasty toxins that don’t do the body in favors. Apart from hydrating, water also helps in many other ways. For instance, if you drink a glass before each meal it will stop you from over-eating. Drinking a glass when you wake up kick starts your metabolism while drinking a glass before bed helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. Even drinking a glass of water before a shower will help reduce your blood pressure. So, cut the calories this year by keeping water your drink of choice.

2. Don’t Overcook
Sometimes, it’s hard to plan for a meal for just one, so we often overcook. It’s just as easy to overdo it when you’re cooking for a family or large group of people though. Rather than going a little overboard on the meal, try to keep portion sizes in mind. You don’t have to cook enough for everyone to eat massive amounts. This only encourages people to take more than they need, which leads to weight gain and other unhealthy behaviors. Even if you plan on whipping up a big batch of food and eating the leftovers later, you may be asking for trouble. Often, leftovers go forgotten, which could lead you to waste a whole lot of food and money. One of the few foods you should make in bulk batches is soup, but make sure you pull out the portions you’d like to freeze before serving the meal to your family.

3. Start a Garden
One of the best things you can do for you, your family and planet Earth is to start your own garden. A lot of people are intimated by growing their own food, but it’s actually easier than you think. Of course, some foods are easier to grow than others, but you may find that the best thing to do is to try your luck at many different types of food and see which produce works its magic for you. Even if you don’t grow the foods you eat more often, growing food can still help you learn new healthy recipes based on the foods that do grow. You may also be able to sell or trade your excess produce, which will also work in your favor when it comes to saving money in the grocery department. The best thing about growing your own food is you know you don’t have to worry about extra chemicals, which can harm your family. Plus, when children know where their food comes from and actively help in the process, they’re more than likely going to eat healthy.

4. Cut the Meat
Although eating or not eating meat is entirely a personal choice, you can improve your health by cutting down on the meat you do eat. Eating a lot of meat can mess with your digestive system and cause you many problems in the future. This is especially true when it comes to red meats as they are known to cause problems, including stomach cancer, if you eat them frequently. Of course, sausage and other processed meats have also been linked to major problems. Fish and other white meats aren’t bad for you and have many health benefits, but one of the best things you can do for your system is cut down on meat altogether. This is a great way to save money too as you can easily have a vegetable stir fry or salad night to help keep your system feeling strong. You don’t have to dedicate every night to a vegetarian dish either, rather choose a night or two a week to give your body a break from meat. There’s lots of great vegetarian and vegan recipes out there, so perhaps this year you’ll find something you love.

5. Avoid Bad Oils
Oils aren’t exactly the best for your body, but all oils aren’t made equal either. There’s actually some oils that are designed to help your body function better. So, the best thing you can do is research before you plan your meals. Often, people tend to rely on vegetable oil and poor oils like Crisco to cook most of their meals. This can really harm the body and cause problems like clogged arteries and weight gain. Although deep frying food isn’t great for you in the first place, you can make the food a bit better by using oils like peanut oil to cook. Many people tend to use olive oil on just about everything too, which doesn’t work out in many cases because the oil is only meant to heat at a certain temperature. So, before you cook with oil, look around and see what options you have. You may be pleasantly surprised.

6. Walk/Run
Forget the gym, one of the key ways to keep healthy is to simply walk and run. Walking is such an important part of the day because it gets the body functioning properly without making you feel worn out. If you work at a desk job then you probably see the importance of walking after a long day of sitting. Try to plan out a 30 minute walk each day, so you can burn excess calories and even relax a bit. You can always add more time to your morning walks as you feel comfortable. If you do a lot of sitting, you should try to get up and walk for a minute every 20 minutes. This will give your eyes a break and help keep your body healthy. Running is a crucial way to stay healthy too. A recent study found that running for as little as 50 minutes a day can substantially help your body. If you’re not fit enough for running at the moment, then begin by running for a minute at a time while walking for a few minutes. This routine will help you move into a more consistent run that will help you lose weight while improving your cardio system.

7. 20 Minute Rule
Again, office work is becoming one of the biggest contributors to health problems. It’s easy to spend all day sitting on your computer and returning home to sit some more. However, this isn’t doing your body any favors. If you can, stand up from where you’re sitting at least every 20 minutes. Of course, this doesn’t work in places like movie theaters, but it is easy to do when it comes to sitting at work or home. If you want to get more out of the 20 minute rule then practice a yoga move, walk up and down the stairs or do pushups or sit-ups every 20 minutes. Another 20 minute rule to keep in mind has to do with the computer. Many spend hours on end on the computer, which is almost a necessity in today’s busy world. However, if you can, stare at something at least 20 feet away, for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This will help prevent permanent eye damage.

8. Eat At Home
When it comes to food, the best place to get yours is straight from your house. It’s pretty much common knowledge that fast food isn’t going to do your body any favors. Even fast food salads can do a number on your health, which will leave you feeling bogged down and unmotivated when it comes to working out. Not to mention, most of these foods have addictive properties, which could leave you in more trouble than you think. Even sit down restaurants can cause problems in regards to your health, especially if the restaurant doesn’t let you know what’s in the food. When you cook from home you have absolute control over what you’re eating. This will allow you to alter your meals to suit your health, so you can get fit and healthy.

9. Portion Control
For many people, portions sizes are the main reason why they gain weight. It’s hard to know just how much you should be eating, especially when there’s lot of great items to eat sitting in front of you. One key rule here is to start the meal with a salad with light dressing, if any at all. This will ensure you get your vegetables for the meal and you begin to fill up. Drinking a glass of water before a meal can also help you with portion control as it will make you feel full before you overeat. Of course, keeping true to portions isn’t all that hard. Always remember that meat should be no bigger than the palm of your hand and starch should be no great than 1/4 of your plate. The rest of your place can be dedicated to vegetables. When you keep to these rules, you should find yourself losing weight and feeling healthier.

10. Active Hobbies
If you absolutely hate the gym and paying its fees, then you may want to consider transforming your hobbies into something that will help keep you fit. For starters, if you like any sports then that’s a great way to keep in shape. Everything from football to badminton can help you lead a healthier lifestyle without forcing you to pay a pretty penny. If sports aren’t your cup of tea then you might want to consider dancing, hiking, yoga or anything else that gets your body moving for some time. Some people even take to their gaming consoles to help keep them fit. You can easily buy workout routines like Tai Chi and other martial arts here, which allows so many to have fun while they exercise.

Keeping fit in 2016 will be one of the easiest and cheapest thing to do thanks to these simple tips. Before you know it, you’ll be leading a healthier lifestyle that will allow you to feel more confident about yourself as well as your ability to keep up with the challenges of the day.

There’s no doubt about it, with record heat waves over the Christmas holidays and other extreme weather and natural disasters occurring, it’s time for us to pay a little more attention to what’s going on with the planet. Although many want to do their best to make a change, it’s often hard to figure out what you can do on a tight budget. Thankfully, there’s a lot of simple things you can do to help the planet out, which won’t cost you a thing. Now you and your family can be a part of history as the country and world change to work with the Paris Agreement, so we can try to mend our planet.

1. Go Paperless
The average mailbox is filled with junk mail that the receiver never requested. Everything from credit card offers to advertisements that generally hit the trashcan faster than they were printed. This really adds up as the days pass us by, which means there’s a lot of unnecessary waste. Even if you recycle, it’s better to prevent the added printing from occurring in the first place. So, you might want to join the non-solicitation list. This tells companies not to send you their junk, so you can simply enjoy mail and help the planet. Not to mention, the temptation of the credit card offers will be totally gone, leaving you with more freedom. Junk mail isn’t the only problem though. If you’re still getting most of your bills through the mail, then you may want to see if you can get paperless bills and bank statements. Also, you might want to consider ditching your paper invitations to parties. Inviting people electronically has become more popular anyway. With all of the paper out of your life, your carbon footprint will be squeaky clean.

2. Change Your Shower Habits
After a hard day, it’s often difficult not to want to take a long relaxing shower. This can be a huge waste of water though, which is one problem that the world needs to deal with. One way to remedy this is to simply cut back on the time spent in the shower. You shouldn’t take more than 5 to 10 minutes to get clean. This is actually better for your skin too, as long exposure to hot water can dry out the body. If you’re having trouble keeping the time, then play music while you shower. You could also use the water only for rinsing the skin. Many people even tend to skip showers every other day, which is also great for the skin. Another option is to change the shower head. Sometimes your water company will upgrade you to a water efficient shower head if you meet the income requirement. They really aren’t incredibly expensive though. However, some of the newer models use next to nothing in regards to water, but feel as if they are using a lot, which is perfect for those who love long showers. Finally, if you can, skip the blow dryer and other accessories that use a lot of power.

3. Recycle
One of the best and easiest things you can do is go through your garbage. You’d be surprised by how many things you can reuse when you go through the trash you would typically throw away. Items like glass bottles and some containers can be reused around the home, which will come in handy for storing items and keeping your home well decorated. If you don’t have space for the items, then see what your county offers for actual recycling. Usually, you can recycle most things, but some counties do require you to do a bit of work for this. If you have spare material items in the home; such as furniture, clothes and toys then you might want to consider donating them instead of throwing them out. Even torn clothing can be mended to make someone else happy. Last but not least, not all food must be thrown in the garbage. Often you can use it for composting, which is perfect if you have a garden or a flowerbed.

4. Hit the Power
You might not realize how much damage you’re doing to the planet when you leave items running all of the time. Even if you’re really great about turning out the light when you leave a room and keeping the heating or cooling at a reasonable level, you’re still missing some major things in the home. One of the worst things is your cable box. It pulls a lot more power than you realize and it’s always on. In fact, even when you hit the power button on your devices, the items are still drawing power. This is a huge waste of electricity and money. So, one of the easiest ways to get rid of this problem is to unplug items when they’re not in use. Of course, it could be inconvenient to do this with television sets and so on, but it will save in the long run. Another option is to get a smart surge protector. This will actually cut off the flow of electricity to items that aren’t working. Although these items are a bit pricier than regular surge protectors, they can help save you more money than you’d expect.

5. Laundry
In this day and age, it’s really difficult to find the time to do laundry by hand. Although this would be the best way to save energy, it’s not exactly realistic. There are things you can do to cut down on your carbon footprint in regards to your washing machine and dryer though. For starters, you should shop for energy efficient appliances. These use very little water and power, so you won’t have to stress about that. No matter what kind of washer you have, you can always wash everything on cold if you want to save some money. Of course, one of the easiest ways to cut back in regards to laundry is to hang your clothes out to dry. This eliminates an appliance from the picture, which is sure to make you and planet Earth a bit happier.

6. Commute
One area you can really change when it comes to your carbon footprint is your morning and afternoon commute. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning to go to work or school, there’s a few ways to cut down on the fuel you use. If you don’t live far from work, then try to walk to and from the destination. This will do your health a lot of good too, and will even save you some major money on fueling up your car. If it’s a bit too far for mere walking, then you might want to consider getting a bike. This will help you go further faster and is still a great way to get in a workout without ever having to give up your free time. Of course, these options aren’t always available. If you can’t find a way to do this, then you might want to consider taking public transit or organizing a carpool. Carpools are perfect for neighbors that have children of a similar age and will certainly help out your wallet.

7. Plant Food
If there’s one gift you can give to the planet and your family, it’s planting fruits and vegetables. This is a great way to keep nutrients in the earth, add oxygen to the atmosphere and keep nutritious food on the table. Sure, it’s a lot easier to plant food if you have a garden or large yard. However, if you happen to live in an apartment complex or simply have no space, you can work around this slight dilemma. In fact, using hydroponics is a great way to conserve water while you plant. This requires you to keep your plants in a bucket or basket, which can be purchased for next to nothing in dollar stores and department stores. There’s also special plant hangers that will preserve space while making gardening a lot of fun for you and the family. By planting food, you’ll teach your children how to eat right, which will offer them years of health and satisfaction. Plus, they’ll also know how to take care of themselves, in regards to food.

8. Meatless Monday
The meatless Monday movement has gained a lot of steam over the past year and has helped the country and the world out, in regards to pollution. However, if you still don’t know about this movement, you may be pleasantly surprised as to how easy it is. Basically, you choose one night a week and your family goes without meat. It doesn’t have to be a Monday and it doesn’t have to be the same day every week. If you’re not sure how to prepare a meal without meat, there’s lots of recipes online. You don’t have to stick to a pasta dish each night either, so don’t stress out about the carbs. Participating in Meatless Monday will help out your family’s health while taking a lot of the burden off of the planet. Meat processing factories almost rank worse than cars, so by reducing your meat intake it will feel like removing several cars off the road for the planet!

9. Shop Second Hand
A lot of people love to shop, but the fact of the matter is, most of the brands we’ve grown to love aren’t helping out when it comes to the environment. From emitting toxins into the air to using products that harm animals, these companies reap a lot from the harm they do. Instead of going out and buying brand new items every time you need something, you might consider shopping at yard sales or thrift stores. This will allow us to get more out of each item that is produced, so we don’t have to do as much harm to the environment by buying new things over and over again. Of course, you should also consider donating your used items too. There’s no need to waste something that is still functioning and able to serve a purpose to some.

10. Rethink Your Period
No one likes to deal with their period, or the accessories that go along with it. So, thinking about using green personal care items might seem a little scary. There’s actually many new products on the market now that cater to your needs while also reducing your carbon footprint. For starters, the menstrual cup has gained a lot of popularity this year. This cup has the same principles of a tampon, but is actually safer to use because it doesn’t absorb the blood. The cup is easy to sanitize and will actually save you a lot of money in the long run. Fabric pads are another green design that works for many women and follow the same principle rules as the absorbent pads. Also, new panties hit the market which allow you to go pad and tampon free as the fabric absorbs the blood, so it won’t ruin you clothing or embarrass you.

There’s lots of easy ways to go green in the New Year, which should make you and your family feel better about your role in the world. These tips are not only great for the planet, but will save you money in the long run too. So, now you can feel like you’re doing your part as the world works hard to make the major changes our planet needs.

New Year’s is one of the most common times for people to travel. Apart from all of the holiday festivities earlier in the week, this period is when people want to break free and start their new year off with a bang. Of course, traveling and finding entertainment during this time can be a huge hassle. Not to mention, it may cost you an arm and a leg if you’re not careful. Luckily, there’s a few things you can do to avoid the high prices, so you don’t have to begin your fresh start on the wrong financial foot. So, pack your bags and let these ten frugal tips guide you to an extraordinary holiday.

1. Stay With Loved Ones
If you’re going to be away from the home, then you may want to travel somewhere where you know people. This can be a huge asset if you’re looking to save money on hotel costs. This will allow you to spend time with friends and family too, which will make the holiday seem even better. During this time of the year, hotels skyrocket in price, especially if you didn’t have time to plan ahead. So, finding a loved one to crash with will ensure you won’t even up in the hole before the fresh year even begins. Plus, sometimes it’s hard to even book a hotel room during this time frame, so you might end up spending ages looking for a place to sleep if you plan on playing your hotel by ear. Even if you’re not staying far from home, you may want to try to stay with the loved ones you’re celebrating with. This will help prevent potential accidents, which flourish during the late night celebration.

2. Extend Your Vacation
Sometimes, the best way to cut down on the rate of your hotel or airline costs is to make your vacation last a little longer. Sure, this may sound like it’s going to make you spend more money, but when you add it up you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised. For starters, the best airfare tends to happen a couple of days after New Year’s, which will mean your return flight will cost you a lot less. Typically, January 5 is the best time book your flight home, which gives you four extra days of rest. Hotels are also more affordable after the holidays, because there is a sudden decline in business. Also, when you stay at a hotel for longer, you should be able to get a reduction on the price of your room. Last but not least, when you vacation a little longer, you’ll be able to relax and feel renewed for when you do return to work and your real life. This will help you get a great start on your brand new year.

3. Drive
Since it’s already so close to the last day of the year, you may find that booking a flight is nearly impossible to do, unless you’re willing to spend some big money. Thus, driving may be the only feasible option for your holiday plans. If you’re not going across the country, then a New Year’s road trip could really add a lot of fun to the holiday. Generally, the price of gas will cut down on your spending opposed to paying for an airline ticket. Plus, if there’s more than one person going along then this will be the most frugal option. Taking your car with you will also give you the freedom of not having to take taxis everywhere you go. This alone could help you cut down on your spending. Don’t worry about parking though because most hotels will offer this for free with the price of your room. Of course, you should make sure to follow driving safety tips, especially if the weather isn’t convenient.

4. Show Up Early
When it comes to going to holiday events, the best thing you can do is show up to the event early. In some cases, this may mean spending most of your day at the event. So it might be wise to do a bit of research before you choose exactly what you plan on doing for the countdown. For instance, most people claim that you need to arrive at Time Square by 3 in the afternoon if you plan on seeing the ball drop. This can mean lots of time on your feet. Other events aren’t as demanding when it comes to when you should arrive, but it’s always wise to be there a reasonable amount of time early. This might not be as big of a deal for small town events, but if you’re doing anything in the city then be prepped to do a lot of waiting. It’ll all be worth it when you’re having the time of your life though, so don’t stress just be aware of time restraints.

5. Find Entertainment Alternatives
If you’re not in the mood for waits that will consume your entire holiday, then you may want to look around for some alternatives. You may be surprised as to how many events big cities and small towns will host for this holiday, so make sure to do a bit of research before you actually book any tickets. Whereas a big event may seem right up your alley, you may find something that’s even more exciting than the typical New Year’s activity. Even if you already think you have your night planned out, it’s never a bad idea to come up with a plan B. This will allow you to bypass any hiccups that could make your night less than perfect. Simply researching what’s available may not just you entertained from dusk til dawn, but it could even save you a pretty penny in the long run. So, this year, do a little looking around, you may find a brand new tradition locally or in a faraway city. Or, you could find a whole new way to watch the iconic New Year’s countdown.

6. Think Small
Many people tend to make huge plans for the holiday, because they feel like it’s a great way to ring in the new year. However, you may be surprised as to how amazing a small celebration can be. If travel is your main concern, then don’t travel far. Try looking at nearby cities or towns to see if there is going to be a celebration that will be fun for you and your family. Keeping close by allows you to start fresh in a new environment, but won’t force you to have to book a hotel room or book an airline ticket. Not to mention, a lot of smaller venue events are more affordable if not free, which is sure to suit your budget more than the large scale event you might have originally thought of. If there’s nothing close by then consider traveling a little further. Hotels outside of tourist areas shouldn’t cost you as much as cities would, so you’d still be able to save.

7. Keep to the Budget
It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling half way across the world to celebrate the New Year or if you’re going to a nearby town, you should always know what your limits are, so you don’t make any spending mistakes. Make sure you look up expected costs for your trip before you leave, this will let you know what the full price will be, so you can make sure you have it covered. You may want to plan to budget in a little extra money though because sometimes prices aren’t what they were expected or an emergency arises. Once you have your budget set and ready to go then ditch your credit or debit card. If you’re not comfortable with leaving it at home, then keep it in the safe in your hotel room. Carrying cash will help you keep track of your spending and will ensure you see money as something tangible and finite.

8. Be Prepared
Some of the biggest money mistakes happen because of people being ill prepared for the event they plan to attend. One of the biggest things to consider when you go to an event is the weather. Sometimes, it may seem like it’s a clear day out, but before you know it the temperature drops or it begins to rain or snow. If you can, try to bring a coat with you or have a plan allowing someone from your group to leave to get weather gear if an emergency arises. Also, food and water is a major must. Many people, especially those at Time Square, have to stand for hours on end, so having food and water is going to be crucial when it comes to making it to the event. You should always plan on staying hydrated anyway. Of course, it’s often better to bring these items on your own as buying them at an event will be ridiculously expensive.

9. Avoid Vendors
One of the worst temptations during this time of the year is outdoor vendors. Sometimes, after standing for long periods of time waiting for an event, you may be tempted to fall prey to the vendors in the area. Generally, these vendors will sale comfort foods, easily portable snacks and warm beverages at a price that may not make you think twice if you’re over hungry or tired. Of course, it isn’t just foods and drink that can tempt you into spending a small fortune. They often sell glow sticks, souvenirs and items designed to make kids beg for them. If you can, try to find a place that is vendor free or buy these items in advance so you won’t feel pressured to spend your hard earned money on overpriced junk. Although these items will cost you upfront, some of the souvenirs may even force you to pay more for your luggage when you bring them back home with you.

10. Use Rewards
If you’re still trying to get a good deal on an airline ticket or hotel, then you may want to go ahead and check out what your rewards card can do for you. Whether you have a credit card that offers points or miles, or a simple hotel rewards club card, then you may be surprised as to the deals you can find, even though it’s last minute. Sometimes, you may even be able to buy a full ticket with your rewards, depending on how often you traveled this year. If you’re not sure where you stand with your card, then call and ask. You could be privy to some major savings that you didn’t even know about. With any luck, you may even be able to get a travel package, which could cover the cost of some of your activities too, which will certainly save you some good money.

Having a blast during New Year’s isn’t hard to do, but money can ruin your plans in no time flat. These ten tips should help point you in the right direction when it comes to finding savings so you can make the trip of your dreams. Whether you’re going near or far, you should be able to find the perfect solution to your last minute travel and entertainment problems.

Although the holiday season may make us all feel warm and fuzzy inside, it’s still important to remember that this time of the year is always when crime surges. Between packages left by the door and pricey presents sitting pretty under a tree, it’s no wonder that criminals choose the holiday months to cash in on their bad deeds. It doesn’t matter if you’re staying home for the holidays or if you want to travel with loved ones, there’s a chance you and your items could end up in danger. Luckily, there’s some precautions you can take to help cut back on your home being a target. These techniques cost little to nothing to pull off and will ensure your holiday won’t be ruined by those looking to cause harm.

1. Set a timer
There’s two indicators that a house is empty, which could cue a burglar to come up with a plan to rob you. The first is a lack of lights for a said period of time and the second is lights that are always on. You can easily avoid this problem, and a huge electricity bill, by placing your lights on a timer. These can be purchased for next to nothing to begin with, and you can set them to come on and go off when you’d normally get home from work and go to bed. Some timers are even controllable through your phone, so you can hop on the program and turn on a light or two to give the empty house a more lived in feel. This should stop even the more experienced criminals from targeting your home. If you think the lights alone aren’t enough, then you can also place a timer on your TV or a radio to add a little noise to the mix. This can also come in handy if you have pets that get a bit lonely while you’re gone.

2. Talk to a Neighbor
In the good ole days, you used to spend lots of time with your neighbors. Between barbeques and family outings, there was no reason to think twice about the people on your block. Nowadays, neighbors aren’t usually as friendly as they once were and sometimes people don’t even know who their neighbors are. This can be a problem especially during the holiday season. If you plan on leaving the home for the holidays or if you are supposed to receive packages during this time of the year, then a friendly and trusted neighbor can be a huge asset. Letting your neighbor know what’s going on in your life can help prevent crime from happening. For instance, if you tell your neighbor you’ll be leaving for the holidays then they can always keep an eye out for suspicious behavior. Also, neighbors can help you by collecting mail on your porch that may otherwise be stolen. This doesn’t mean you should share with neighbors you don’t trust though, but it might be wise to try to build a relationship with at least one person that lives around you. Also, you could gather the neighborhood and talk about starting a neighborhood watch to help safeguard everyone during the holidays.

3. Hold Your Mail
Sometimes, the neighbor trick doesn’t always work. Not to mention, during this time of the year many mailboxes are broken into. So, if you’re expecting pay checks holiday cards and other items that may be of a financial gain then you might want to consider asking the post office to hold your mail. This can come in handy even if you aren’t’ going on a trip. With your mail being held at the office, you can go in to pick up items whenever you feel like it and you won’t have to worry about things going missing. Of course, if you don’t want to deal with all of the hassle of having your mail held, then you could always get a PO box. This holds the same principle and will allow you to feel more secure about your mail all year long.

4. Set Up Home Surveillance
If you’re worried about what goes on in your home, then you may want to consider setting up a little home surveillance in and around the home. Don’t worry though, this doesn’t mean you need to spend thousands of dollars just to protect your family during the holiday season. Instead, you can easily set up home surveillance on your own. Between mobile phone and webcams, you can inexpensively set up cameras around the home. Simply set them up to work with laptops or a DVR system and your home will be under surveillance as long as the power is on. This can come in handy if you are staying home for the holidays as it is easy to run these devices while you’re away from the house for a few hours. You may even be able to watch a live feed on your phone. Of course, if you plan on traveling then you may not have as efficient of an experience. DIY security systems can be unreliable, especially if a battery goes dead or you lose power in the house at one point in time. If you do want to reduce the risk then shop around for a system that suits your needs and budget. Often you can find older models online. Most of these new cameras will also allow you to send a live feed to the phone, which means you can travel without thinking twice.

5. Never Pack in Public
Once again, in the golden days, you could pack up your car in broad daylight and the neighbors would probably wave goodbye as you drove down the road. However, today, packing in front of an audience can lead to some major problems. First of all, you’re sending a huge alert that you’re leaving the house for a little while. Although it may not be your neighbors that pick up on the signal, it could be someone willing to do your family harm. Thus, it’s always best to load up your vehicle in a garage if you have one. If you don’t then simply pack it up in the dark. It may be best to do it in the early hours of the morning before you leave, so your items won’t sit outside unsupervised all night. Also, you may want to try to leave while it is still dark too. This will prevent others from realizing you’ve gone.

6. Use Illusions
If you don’t want to sink a lot of money into a home security system or deal with headache of installing a DIY system, then illusions may be your best bet when it comes to tricking a criminal. One of the best things you can do is add a beware of dog sign to your yard. This will let people know your dog isn’t on the friendly side, even if you don’t actually have a dog or your dog is the biggest love bug on the planet. Another idea is to add security stickers to your window. May it be from a security company or a simple Neighborhood Watch sticker, this could detour criminal activity. If you want to be even more menacing, then buy fake cameras to place outside of the home. This is a tactic that many businesses use, which helps detour criminal activity substantially. These cameras don’t cost much at all and are simple to install.

7. Don’t Advertise
We live in a world of over-sharing, which can be a huge problem if you’re not careful. One thing you should never do during this time of the year is post you’re going on vacation on your social media pages. Sure, telling a neighbor or friend about the trip so they can help out is one thing, but telling everyone on your friend list is another. You can easily allow someone you don’t want to gain access to your personal life into your personal business, thus offering them an invitation to come see what you have worth stealing in your home. Even if you manage to keep things hushed about your trip, your friends and family might not. So you may want to ask people not to share photos until you’ve returned home, or you can simply block yourself from being tagged until you’re ready for people to know about the trip. You should also never let people know what gifts you have under your tree. This may be harmless, especially when you’re just talking with other parents about the “it” gifts of the season, but letting people know what is under your tree could be opening an invitation for theft.

8. Mind the Decor
Believe it or not, but your holiday decor can aid a thief in robbing you. For starters, if you choose to place you tree by a window then make sure your blinds or curtains are shut at all times near that area. A tree placed near the window is basically an open invitation for some criminals. It means they have to do very little work for the items they want and can often go undetected until the criminal is long gone. So, if you can, you should always place the tree out of the public’s eye. Another major problem is setting up holiday lights. Often, people will string the extension cord through a window in the house, which makes the window easy to get through for a criminal. This is especially bad if you leave the home. If you do choose to light your home this way, make sure you have backup security to deal with window, or simply remove the cord when you leave, so you can lock up efficiently.

9. Lock Up
It may seem like common sense, but locking up the home is the best way to prevent others from coming into it. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget to lock up some windows or the back door, especially if they’re rarely in use. However, during the holiday season you should make sure to take as many precautions as possible. You may even want to cut off pieces of an old broom to block sliding doors and windows. This will help add more protection to areas where a lock may be more fragile. You may want to get into a ritual of checking all the doors and windows before you leave the home, so you won’t have to stress all day. Also, if you have an alarm system, always make sure to alarm it, especially during this time of the year.

10. Ignore Solicitors
Sure, the holiday season brings many people to the door, but one key rule to remember is don’t open up for anyone you don’t know. If the person is delivering a package, then you’ll either know the package is coming or they’ll simply leave it behind. Other than that, holiday visitors like religious solicitors or those selling goods for a charity are not something you should open up for. Although the people may have the best intentions, you never know who they truly are. In fact, they could use religion as a way to get into your home, so they can take inventory on the items they may be interested in stealing. It is also an easy way to get most people to share what they will be doing for the holidays. So, save yourself a bit of trouble and simply don’t bother with these visitors at this time.

Keeping your home secure is always a priority, but the holidays bring a whole new world of challenges that can leave you wondering how to keep your family safe without breaking your budget. These ten tips should help you find the perfect way to secure your home from those who aim to cause harm.

With only a few days left until the big day, you’re probably trying to get all of your holiday items wrapped up and ready to go. With such a tight budget during this time of the year, you may wonder how you can cut down on the price of wrapping your gifts. Wrapping supplies can add up in price, which will certainly leave you regretting some of the larger items you bought this year. Luckily, there’s a few things you can do to save big time when it comes to getting the gifts wrapped up and under the tree. These ten tips won’t just give you a frugal way to keep your wrapping paper expenditures down, but it will also help you get creative with your gift wrapping.

1. Recycling
Using recycled goods as wrapping supplies is a time honored tradition that’s not only good for your wallet, but can help save the planet too. When it comes to wrapping with recycled goods, the sky is truly the limit. If you’re looking for a classic wrapping paper, then you might want to stick to newspaper or comic strips. This will bring a lot of fun to the gift while also allowing you to get rid of some of the papers that have been stacked at the door for months on end. If you have a lot of brown bags around the house then these are equally good and offer a better way to conceal the gift, thanks to the thick paper. Simply cut the bag and let it work its magic. You can always draw designs on the bag too, which is sure to help you feel festive. If you love to be creative with your wrapping paper, then you can also use generic wrapping paper that has been left over from birthdays or other occasions. Simply use the blank side and then let your imagination run free with your favorite markers. Magazines, old maps and sheet music are also great for wrapping paper, especially if you plan on throwing them away anyway. Last but not least, you can turn food containers into helpful boxes. For instance, oatmeal containers are great for wrapping awkwardly shaped items and cereal boxes can easily be transformed into a box for clothing items.

2. DIY Embellishment
If you like using cheaper wrapping paper, but still want your present to stand out then a DIY embellishment is one of the best ways to go. You can get really creative here too, without having to worry about spending too much of your budget. For starters, one of the best embellishments is a homemade paper snowflake. This only takes one piece of paper per snowflake and you can pretty much enlist the entire family in helping out. Another excellent option is a sweet and delicate doily, which can be purchased for next to nothing at most thrift stores. You can keep things natural too, if you want to celebrate the season. For instance, you might want to see if there are any spare leaves, twigs or pinecones outside. The twigs and pinecones can easily be applied to add a touch of natural beauty. Leaves are great too, but will need to be sealed before they end up crumbling everywhere. You can easily use modge podge to glue it to the wrapping paper to create a stunning effect.

3. Cheap Baskets
Gift baskets are becoming increasingly popular, which is why it may be wise to begin shopping for baskets at places like the dollar store. If you can find a store where everything is a dollar then you’ll be doing a world of good. These baskets can easily be decorated with colored plastic wrap too, which will create a wonderful holiday surprise. Of course, these basics usually only cater to smaller gift baskets, so if you’re looking for something aimed for a sports fan or even a wine and cheese basket then you might have to broaden your horizons. Sometimes, hobby stores will have really nice baskets on sale, which should help you save a pretty penny. Also, thrift stores are always a great option to check out. Baskets don’t just have to be for gift baskets though. You can also use them for gifts that are awkwardly shaped. This will help conceal what the gift is, so the recipient will never guess.

4. Scrap Fabric
Bringing elegance to your gifts is easy to do when it comes to fabric. If you tend to sew often and have a lot of scrap fabric, then this tip is for you. Large amounts of fabric can be used just as wrapping paper and will create a sophisticated look that your loved one’s will marvel over. Of course, it may seem tough to wrap with fabric, but there’s many online tutorials that may have you wrapping with fabric whenever you get the chance. Fabrics also come in handy as gift bags too. If you’re not too shabby with sewing, then you should be able to whip up quite a few bags in no time at all. This is perfect for gratitude bags for parties, but they can also work as quick stocking inspired bags for candies and other small gifts. You can find scrap fabric just about anywhere too. Even if you don’t have it in your own home, many craft stores will place already cut or out of fashion fabric on clearance. You may even get lucky and find some holiday prints.

5. Kids Artwork
When it comes to the holidays, involving kids in all the activities can be a lot of fun and will allow them to feel like a big kid. One way to get the kids into the holiday spirit is to ask them to draw holiday artwork. You can have them draw on regular sized paper or even on large pieces or rolled paper. Of course, even printed coloring sheets will do the trick. Once the kids have a lot of art work ready to go, you can easily begin the process of wrapping your gifts. Of course, you may have to tape many works of art together before you end up covering a full package, so don’t feel discouraged. However, the final result will be filled with love and holiday spirit.

6. Reuse Last Year’s Bags
If you’re looking to save money within the home, then saving last year’s bags is a great way to do so. This might be a bit of a challenge if you’re giving gifts to people outside of the home, so you might want to practice restraint when it comes to buying expensive bags for others. However, in the home is another matter altogether. If you choose to use bags on gifts then chances are the kids aren’t going to rip into them unless they’re taped shut. Thus, you can easily keep the bags with your other holiday supplies until next year rolls around. Most gift bags can hold up for years, which will allow you to get your money’s worth out of them. Thus, you don’t have to be afraid to splurge a little if there is a bag you really like.

7. Print Out Gift Tags
Another item that tends to cost a bit more than it’s worth is gift tags. These come in all shapes and sizes, from stickers to tie-ons, but can leave your wrapping budget on the high end if you have to provide gift tags for numerous presents. One way to counteract this problem is to print out your own gift tags. You can easily purchase thicker, colored or holiday inspired paper to do this, but regular paper works just as well. You can find an assortment of pre-made tags online, which you can customize to suit your needs. If you simply want to print and cut them out then there’s lots to choose from and most are free. You can also print out tags that allow you to color them, which is perfect for families that have children. Of course, if you’re feeling really creative then you can make your own tags in a photo program, which are sure to impress the recipient.

8. Avoid the Dollar Store
A lot of people tend to think they can get a great deal on wrapping supplies at the dollar store. This is really a trick in most cases though. Yes, you can usually find wrapping paper and other supplies for as low as a dollar, but you have to consider how little you’re actually getting out of the deal. Most of the wrapping paper sold in these stores only have a few feet on them. You can buy a lot more wrapping paper by foot at a department or holiday store for only a bit more than what you would pay at the dollar store. Most other supplies won’t give you the right amount for the money either. Yes, you can find great deals on this stuff on occasion, but make sure you stop and weigh your options before your purchase the supplies just because you think they’re cheap.

9. Bulk Shopping
Truly, one of the best way to shop for wrapping supplies is in bulk. Whether you buy pre-made packages at your local department store or you go to a bulk shopping store to buy large quantities at once, this is usually the best way to get the most out of your money. Bulk shopping allows you to get more per foot and so much more than you could at other stores. Not to mention, with all of the excess supplies, you can store them and save them for next year. Some packaged deals are a great buy too as they will offer everything you need from wrapping paper to bags and ribbons. So, if you can afford to spend a few dollars more on supplies, this is the best way to keep your budget down in the future.

10. Clearance
Although you might need wrapping supplies now, one of the best ways to get more for your money is to hold out until the holidays are over. This will allow you to get all of the supplies you need at a price that has been reduced significantly. So, when you’re shopping you may want to keep an eye out to see if there are wrapping papers or other supplies you’d love to have. Then, head out as early as you can on boxing day and claim your prize at a heavily reduced price. Of course, one trick to the clearance section is to hold out as long as you can, but often the nicer supplies will disappear on the first clearance day. You can also hold out until the middle of the year when Christmas in July sales happen or online stores are simply eager to get rid of old stock so they can move in the newer items.

Wrapping up gifts is part of the fun when it comes to the holidays. However, you shouldn’t have to worry about spending a lot of money on something that is going to be ripped up in a matter of seconds. These gift wrapping tips should help you find just what you need to get ready for the holiday while saving you some extra money that may even help you recover from the tight budget the holiday season created.

It’s probably happened to you at some point or another. That is, you drew the name of a colleague or family member that you didn’t know much about. The dreaded Secret Santa conundrum happens every year and it can be a nightmare, particularly if you’re on a tight budget. There’s a few things you can always get to give the Secret Santa recipient a smile without spending a small fortune though. So, this holiday season, don’t fear the name you draw. Instead, picture how amazing it will be to see your Secret Santa’s reaction to your amazing gift.

1. Sweets
When it’s cold outside, nothing gets rid of the blues quite like some sweet treats. This gift is easy to accomplish and will pretty much please just about anyone. Of course, you might want to figure out if the person you drew is allergic to anything or has dietary restrictions before you follow through with the idea. If everything is safe, then you might want to start planning out which sweets you want to give. Lots of stores will have sweets on sale during this time of the year, so you probably won’t have to spend a lot if you go this route. However, if you want to save even more money then you might consider making your own batch of treats. You can make everything from cookies, cakes, fudge and other candies. Once you’ve whipped up your special gift, decorate it to suit the holiday season and then use colored plastic wrap or holiday bags to create a special gift wrap that will make your homemade item look like it came from a professional shop. Making the treats at home is one of the best options if you do need to work on dietary restrictions. There’s lots of great recipes that can help you alter your recipes too.

2. Portable Beverage Holder
Everyone loves to have a drink handy when they’re working or simply hanging out. So, why not give your Secret Santa recipient the gift of a beverage holder. This truly gives you a lot to work with too, so you can find the best holder for the recipient. If you have someone in your life that likes to be as green as possible then a reusable water bottle might be right up their alley. These come in all shapes and sizes, so look around to see if you find one that suits the recipient’s personality. Health fanatics may swoon over a water infuser bottle. These bottles allow you to add a variety of fruit, which works its way into the water to create a delicious and healthy beverage. Apart from that, there’s always the hard worker that needs that extra jolt of coffee or tea to get through the day. For these recipients, you may consider a travel mug. All of these items can easily be personalized if you want to go the extra mile too.

3. Desk Organizer
The desk organizer is a pretty classic gift, especially if you’re shopping around for a colleague. Although it may seem like a pretty basic gift, you can actually find a wide variety of organizers on the market today. These amazing devices can be customized to suit particular people’s needs as well as the desks they work at. If you’re choosing for a colleague then this can be pretty easy, because you already know size restrictions and the items you need to have at work. Desk organizers can be great for students too, but you may want to find a set that offers a wide assortment of items, so the student can pick and choose the items they need while storing the rest of the items for later use. These days, you can even get character based organizers. Of course, if you really want to show off your DIY skills then you may want to look up tutorials and see if you can create your own special desk organizer for the recipient.

4. Fitness Tracker
When it comes to office work, it’s hard to keep up with how long you’ve been sitting or how many steps you’ve taken. Even if you rely on your phone to keep up with these things you still won’t get an accurate reading. Of course, health is a main concern for most people, so a fitness tracker might be a great way to help your Secret Santa recipient keep track of the things they need to stay healthy. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to spend a small fortune to buy the top of the line fitness trackers. There’s actually a lot on the market that are incredibly affordable and will ensure the recipient will love their gift. You may want to have a few sneaky conversations to find out what type of fitness and monitoring skills the recipient is looking for, so you can shop more efficiently.

5. Phone Stand
In this day and age, a lot of people have their smartphone glued to their hip. So, a phone stand is a great gift for colleagues, friends or relatives. Luckily, there’s a whole lot of phone stands on the market these days, so you can customize the stand based on your budget as well as the recipient’s personality. Today’s market offers sleek designs for the professional in your life or cutesy designs like Panda Bears or kittens. Plus, there’s a lot of different attributes to choose from. For instance, you can find a stand that actually charges the phone or some that work as extra USB ports. The sky is the limit when it comes to this must-have gift.

6. Planner
With the year coming to an end, it may be time to help your Secret Santa recipient prepare for the upcoming year. A planner is a simple and classic gift that will allow the person on your list to better their year. Planners can be purchased in all shapes and sizes too, so you can shop specifically for the person on your list. For instance, if you have a colleague that has a bit of trouble making it to meetings or remembering deadlines, then a desktop planner might be wise. You can get one of these that actually rests on the desk itself, which is perfect for those who end up celebrating the month of March until October rolls around. If you don’t want to take up a lot of space the a simple stand up planner will come in handy. You can even find them with inspirational messages for those who need a little motivation each day. Another great idea for a planner is a simple planner book. You can find them with nice leather covers, or some with personalized themes, like favored movies, sports and so on. These generally have more space for appointments and notes, so they might be great for students or colleagues that are always on the go.

7. Desk Accessory
If you’re shopping for someone that works in an office, then a desk accessory can make life so much easier. There’s a lot to choose from too, which means you won’t have a hard time finding the perfect gift for your Secret Santa recipient. If you know the office gets a bit too stuffy or warm, then a small desk fan may lend a helping hand. These are usually battery powered and will move air enough to make the office bearable. A mister is another great idea for warm offices, especially when the cooling goes out in the summer. A paperweight may also come in handy for a colleague or student, especially if they have a hard time keeping important paperwork on the desk. If the person doesn’t have a name tag then you might want to get creative and have one specially made for them. It’s not as expensive as you think it is. Another easy idea is anything that provides extra USB ports, because, let’s face it, two is simply not enough to keep up with today’s device savvy lifestyle.

8. Earbuds
Music over sharers can be really annoying, whether you’re at work, school or even on the street. It’s hard to keep earbuds for long periods of time though as they often break due to everyday wear and storage. So, you may want to consider buying your colleague a new pair of earbuds, or two, as your Secret Santa gift. You can base the ear buds on your own budget as you can find them for next to nothing or you can pay an arm and a leg for them. Earbuds even come in all shapes, colors and themes, so you can truly personalize the gift to suit the recipient, if you so choose. The best thing about this gift is it will encourage work productivity for the recipient, while also preventing you from having to hear another song of theirs on repeat for hours on end.

9. DIY Craft
The holiday season is a great time to channel your crafty side, especially if you’re looking to save some money on your Secret Santa gifts. So, don’t be afraid to give one of your crafts as a gift. One of the more common things to do is make a candle that is filled with holiday cheer. You can choose scents that remind you of the season and decorate the outside to show your joy for the holiday. You may also want to consider wrapping up some of your homemade jam or pickles. These tasty treats will make anyone pleased to receive them and will show you put some heart into your gift. One of the more recent trends is passing on one of your recipes in a mason jar. These are particularly popular when it comes to cookies or soups. The best thing is, it’ll allow the recipient to enjoy a little home cooking without having to put in all of the work. If you want to spread the holiday spirit, then you can make the recipient their own personal holiday ornament or wreath. If the recipient is religious, then a hymnal angel might warm their heart.

10. Gift Cards
Sometimes, it is simply too hard to find the perfect gift for someone. Or, perhaps, you’re just strapped for time and don’t really want to spend hours waiting in a checkout line. This is where gift cards come in. You can find a gift card for just about anything these days. You may choose to buy one for a local department or clothing store, or you might know of a restaurant or café that the recipient happens to love. The best thing is, you can buy a gift card from anywhere. There’s even many websites online that will sell gift cards at a reduced rate, so you can get more for your money. If you actually want a tangible gift card then you may want to hurry or else the gift may not arrive in time. Of course, often enough you can simply print out the gift card.

Having a Secret Santa gift exchange can be a lot of fun if you’re not worried about blowing your holiday budget or buying the recipient something they’ll hate. These ten gift ideas should help you find something that will strike the recipients fancy without forcing you to spend too much. Now, you can actually enjoy the holiday party, because you’re sure to win at least a smile with your well thought out gift.

The holidays are a great time to spend time with family and friends while spreading the warmth of the season. The only problem is, with gifts and feasts being planned, the budget often tends to be too strapped to pay for entertainment. Luckily, there’s lots of great ways to celebrate the season when you don’t want to stretch your budget even further. In fact, you may even be able to find a lot of activities that are totally free. Now, you can enjoy the holiday season with a little less stress because you’ll be able to keep the kids busy over the holiday break while having a bit of fun yourself!

1. Caroling
If you can’t find anything to do during the holiday break or on the weekends, then you may want to try your hand at caroling. You can go as a family or recruit a list of people to go along with you. You’ll have a blast organizing your favorite songs and sharing a bit of joy with your neighbors. Of course, you may want to plan out a route before you go, especially if you live in an area that doesn’t like to be disturbed. If you don’t want to go from door to door then you can easily do some caroling in a local park. Of course, if spending time singing outside isn’t your idea of fun then you can always talk to a church about singing there when there aren’t any services. This activity shouldn’t cost you thing either. You can even download sheet music, which will help everyone know the notes and lyrics that they should be singing.

2. Donate to Charity
Although you may get a few eye rolls, asking the family to go through their things for charity is a great way to spread holiday cheer. This will really help the family understand the holiday isn’t just about getting new things, but also that you should be giving too. Plus, if you explain to the family that some people won’t get anything for the holidays, they may be more willing to part with items they don’t wear or play with anymore. You may even want to donate items like old ornaments and holiday décor to help those who want to decorate but can’t. Of course, you can also spend a bit of money buying new items for charity too. For instance, Toys for Tots is a great way to donate, but it only accepts new toys as donations. You don’t have to spend a lot to make a difference here. Another great thing to give during the season is food. Canned food is important for many families that have so little, so make sure to go through your pantry to see if you can spare anything. Finally, hair donations are appreciated all year long, but you could make a child happy for the holidays if you choose to donate your hair for a wig during the giving season.

3. Make Holiday Ornaments
This is a great way to keep the kids busy while also decorating your tree. You can make ornaments out of just about anything, so let your imagination soar. One of the more common ideas is to use foam plates. You can have the kids draw on them and then shrink them down in the oven. If you have lots of pinecones outside of the home then you can also use those to make an assortment of holiday ornaments. Simply add glitter to the cones or place them on the tree as is. Of course, one of the more common ideas is the snowman ornament. All you need is a plain bulb and some paint to complete this activity. Simply add white paint to one of your child’s hands and then place the bulb in their palm. Then slowly rest the fingers on the bulb. Once you remove the hand, let the paint dry and then return to paint the details of the five little snowmen you just made on the bulb. Of course, you can dress up old bulbs in a variety of ways, so browse around to see if there’s any craft ideas that are up your alley.

4. Holiday Show Marathon
If the weather outside is truly frightful then you might want to keep everyone indoors and enjoy some quality time. One way to keep everyone entertained during this time is to have a holiday show marathon. You can have each person pick out a holiday show or movie to watch, which is sure to warm up the cold day. If you don’t already own some holiday movies then you might want to check and see if your streaming service has any to pick from. During this time of the year, most will have a wide variety of films to keep the whole family entertained. Of course, cable also has a lot of options and you may even be able to get some of the shows on On Demand, so you won’t have to catch them when they air on the specific channel. You can make hot chocolate, popcorn and other holiday treats to enjoy while you watch the films too!

5. Visit Hospital/Nursing Home
When it comes to making the most out of the season, one of the best things you can do is simply spend some time visiting a nursing home or a hospital. During this time of the year, many people who are sick or elderly often don’t get a lot of visitors for one reason or another. This can cause severe loneliness which can often make health issues worse. So, rather than spending money on holiday activities, you may want to consider spending a bit of time at a nursing home or hospital. You can simply sit around and talk with the patients if you want. You bring along some books to read to them. You may even bring a group with you so you can organize a play, caroling or other activities to bring a little joy to these people. Most of the time, the patients are happy just to have someone stop by to see them, so don’t feel like you need to bring gifts or food if your budget doesn’t allow it.

6. Bake Cookies
Nothing says holiday fun quite like baking some of your favorite cookies. During this season you may want to spend some time in the kitchen helping the kids develop an extra special cookie for Santa Claus. Kids can come up with the ingredients they’d like to use and decorate them to show off their creative side. You can try out a whole bunch of different recipes too, which will help you create frugal snacks for the holidays and it keep the house warmer by using the oven. Apart from that, you can have the kids write down their recipes in special books, so they can recreate the cookies next year. If the kids are pleased with the recipe they choose then it can become your traditional cookie, or you can try a little something new next year. This could also be a great memory that your kids may pass down to their own children in the future.

7. Hot Cocoa Party
If you want to spend a little time with friends, family and neighbors but you don’t have the money for a huge holiday bash, then you may want to consider a hot cocoa party. This is probably one of the most frugal parties you can have. The best thing is, you can make a variety of hot cocoa to suit all of your guests. Some will want theirs’s made with milk, while others prefer the lower calorie option with water. You can use simple packets to make your hot cocoa or you can whip it up from your favorite recipe. The options are endless. Of course, you shouldn’t forget the toppings, such as whipped cream or marshmallows, either as these will please your guests. Usually, most people won’t drink more than a mug or two of hot chocolate, so you won’t have to splurge too much. It will also make people feel warm as the holiday spirit shows. If you want to go even more in depth, you might ask people to bring their favorite snacks to pair with the warm beverage.

8. Make Cards
Sending out cards to those you love is a great way to show you care during the seasons. No matter if your loved ones are near or far, a simple card is a great way to share your feelings while promoting your holiday cheer. However, if you’re on a budget then you may not want to spend a lot of money on cards that are already made. So, fight the kid’s boredom by having them make up a variety of cards to send out to your loved ones. You can use simple printing paper or construction paper to add to the look. You shouldn’t have to splurge on supplies for this project either, as you can usually use what you already have in your craft area. The kids will love doing their part for the holiday and your loved ones will admire getting an original work of art from your family. If you still have time to kill, then you might consider hand delivering some of the cards to nearby friends and family.

9. Story Time
It doesn’t matter if your kids are young or old, story time is a great way to help pass the time during the holiday season. Younger kids will love hearing the classic stories we all grew up on, which won’t cost you a penny. If you don’t already have the stories memorized then you can print out copies of most of the classics for free, in most cases. Others can be purchased for mere cents on an e-reader, which may even provide you with pictures to share with the kids. If the group is more mature then you could read a bit of some of the classis, like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Of course, you can also have a bit of fun by having everyone come up with their own holiday story. Before you know it, you’ll have some family favorites that will impress you. You can also share memories of the holidays from the past, which are sure to bring smiles and lots of warmth to your holiday experience.

10. DIY Gifts
Of course, if all else fails and you want to save a bit of money on your holiday shopping then you might want to consider working on some DIY gifts. Some popular options are items like mason jar cookies, which are so easy to make even the little ones can join in on the fun. Younger kids will especially love making special snowflakes, which only require paper and scissors to make. Wreathes, ornaments and even color sheets are other crafts that will help keep everyone busy while making someone in your life smile. You can easily come up with gifts for teachers, grandparents, friends and neighbors without having to spend a whole lot of money.

With these ten activities, your holiday should be filled with the warmth you desire without forcing you to spend a lot more money. Now, you can easily forget about the financial burdens of the holiday, so you can enjoy the time with your family and friends. After all, the season is best spent without troubles and these ten activities should help you forget all yours!

Decorating for the holiday season can be a world of fun. However, sometimes the decor can really add up when it comes to your budget. Wreaths are one decor item that can really leave a tight budget hurting. They can range from an okay price to costing an arm and a leg, which is why so many people tend to stick with the same wreath for many years. There are a few ways you can avoid the high price of a new wreath though. These ten ideas will help you make holiday decor even more fun while saving you a pretty penny on one of the season’s classic decorations.

1. Candy Wreath
If there’s one thing the holiday season has plenty of, it’s definitely candy. From colorful chocolates to candy canes, there’s candy just about everywhere you look. This is one good reason to turn your abundance of candy into a festive holiday wreath. One of the more common ideas is to use candy canes to form a wreath. The wreath may be slightly fragile if you only use the candy canes to shape it though. So, you might want to create a wreath frame out of items such as cardboard or wire. If you have an old wreath you’d love to spice up, then gather all of your colorful candy and have fun decorating it. You’ll love letting the kids in on this activity too as it will allow them to feel the holiday spirit. Of course, you don’t have to part with your delicious candy if you don’t want to. You may want to consider making faux candy using colored plastic wrap or foil to create candy wrappers. Simply hot glue these wrappers to a wreath and you’ll be ready to celebrate in style.

2. Reuse Holiday Decor
Let’s face it, sometimes we outgrow our holiday ornaments and other decor. So, why not use it to carry on the holiday spirit in a whole new way? One of the more common crafts is to take your older Christmas tree bulbs and glue them together to form a wreath. This can be a fun task for the whole family and will show off your family’s personality through your old ornaments. You may also want to amp up an old wreath by simply using the bulbs as accent pieces. Another fun option is try the same thing out with an old strand of lights. Of course, you could simply wrap lights around a new wreath base to create a bright piece that helps your holiday guests find the front door with ease. Another option is to use garland to create a whole new wreath. There’s lots of great ideas for this, so browse around online or use your creative energy to suit your household’s likes.

3. Paper
Believe it or not, but paper can be one amazing material when it comes to wreaths. One key idea here is to choose some festive scrapbook paper or even gift wrap. When you’ve picked out the assortment you’d like to use then cut it into a specific shapes. Leaves are easy to work with, but if you want to go more in depth then feel free to let your imagination soar. Once everything is cut then glue the pieces into the shape of a wreath. If you want to place the wreath outside then laminate the pieces before you put them together. You can also take strips of paper and weave them into a wreath. This is a fun task for kids and it makes a great indoor accessory. Of course, if the family can’t agree on a wreath then you may want to simply print out a coloring sheet and let everyone decorate their own.

4. Nature
The holidays are a great time to celebrate the beauty of nature, which is why a natural wreath may earn you some major holiday compliments. One classic idea is to have the kids collect a bunch of pinecones. Once you have enough, simply glue them together in the shape of a wreath. You can then add accent items to top the look off. If you have a pine tree close by, you can use clippings to create a fun wreath. Of course, faux pine clippings can be used if you want to use the wreath year after year. Simply take the clippings and glue them in a circle. You may have to do two layers to avoid bare areas. If there’s softer twigs in the area you can also weave these into a wreath or simply glue them together to create a natural look. Real or plastic foods, such as cranberries, popcorn and seasonal produce, can be used as well and will add a burst of color to your wreath. Last but not least, seasonal poinsettias can be glued onto a wreath for a vibrant look everyone will love.

5. Fabrics
When it comes to making a wreath, fabrics open up a lot of options. Ribbon, for starters, is one of the most common decor items when it comes to the holiday season. You can easily use some of your left over ribbon to weave a wreath that will make your guests stunned by its beauty. If you don’t like weaving then you can easily wrap the ribbon around the wreath foundation to create another amazing look. Of course, other fabrics can be used here too. Tulle is one of the more common items because you can shape it into many different styles. If you want to keep the wreath inside then you may consider finding seasonal material to help out. Simply cut it into the shape of a wreath and sew it into a pillow using frugally priced stuffing. You can even make these wreaths into special gifts that will amaze your friends and family. If you don’t want to splurge on festive fabrics then simply get a solid color or go with white. You can use fabric paints to let each child decorate their own, which is sure to bring smiles to their faces.

6. Recyclables
This season, don’t just give to your friends and family, give to planet Earth too. Try to keep your recycling back so you can find items that you can use to create a wreath. One classic item to use is bottle caps, especially if you have a lot lying around the house. These can be glued into the shape of a wreath using a hot glue gun. You can even glue the caps around an existing wreath to give it a bit more dimension. Crushed cans can also be transformed into something beautiful when you glue them into the shape of a wreath. With all of the lovely holiday cans making an appearance on the shelf, it’ll be simple to gather supplies for this exciting project. If you love to have a glass of wine with dinner then chances are you may have some wine corks lying around the house. These can be glued or wired together and transformed into a fun wreath. Of course, it may take a bit of time to collect enough to make a wreath large enough to display!

7. Toys
One way to make a wreath that will make your kids jump for joy is to allow them to add some toys to the mix. You can easily pick up a bare-boned wreath for this task, refurbish an old one, or DIY your own. Once you have the wreath then allow the kids to choose the toys they’d like to use. This is where the real fun begins. Kids can use their own toys or you can find cheap items at the dollar store. Dollar store toys are great for themes though because you can usually find large packs of play toys for next to nothing. When you’ve picked out the toys you’d like then pull out the hot glue gun and get to work. Of course, if the kids are using their own toys then you might want to use twist ties as they may change their mind later on or they might want the toys back when the season is over. Toy wreaths are great to donate to children’s hospitals too. If you really want to get creative you can most likely find bulk mini-wreaths at a great price, which will allow you and the family to decorate to provide for each child in the hospital.

8. Gift Wrap
You may find it to be a no-brainer to use your gift wrap to help you make an exciting new wreath. If you have an old wreath or a wreath frame, then you can easily wrap it up in wrapping paper. You don’t even have to use matching paper. In fact, you can simply use your wrapping paper scraps in order to save even more money on the craft. Once your wreath is all wrapped up, then add a few accessories to create an inspiring and beautiful gift-inspired wreath. Ribbons always add a nice touch and can be used in many different ways. You may also want to add curled strings, paper bows and a name tag to the fun wreath. Although it may not be best to put this wreath directly outside, it will still make a fun decoration that people will love to get a closer look at.

9. Thrift Stores
If you’re not feeling all that creative this year and you still want to save some money then you may want to look around your local thrift stores. Often, thrift stores get lots of holiday donations around this time of the year because many people choose to buy new decor. Of course, you may be able to find the decor items all year long though, so if you’re looking for a good deal then make sure to keep your eye out. Often, thrift store wreaths may not be in the best of shape, so you might want to do a little freshening up before you hang them up. Of course, you may get lucky and find an extraordinary wreath at a price that any store couldn’t compete with.

10. Clearance
When it comes to actually shopping for a wreath you may as well hold out until the shopping season is over. The best time to buy a wreath is the week after Christmas as everything goes on clearance. So, you might want to begin your journey on Boxing Day in order to get the best options as things begin to fly off the shelf incredibly fast after the holidays are over. Of course, if you want to wait then you should be able to find a greater deal on a wreath as time passes because stores will want the items off of the shelf as quickly as possible, thus they may reduce the price considerably. You should be able to find a great deal on clearance wreaths throughout the year though, so don’t fret if you don’t find something you want during the holiday sales. One of the best things you can do is look online to see if anything truly strikes your fancy. Summer can be one of the best times for online stores, so don’t feel bad about doing a little Christmas in July shopping.

Wreaths are one of the more common ways to share your holiday spirit with your guests and neighbors. However, you shouldn’t have to spend an arm and a leg to have a wreath of your own. These tips will allow you to enjoy many DIY wreaths, or simply buy one for a price that doesn’t leave your holiday budget strapped.

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season starting up, you may want to start considering which techie gifts you’ll be after this year. Technology is one of the most purchased gifts of the season, which can be a bit of a burden on your holiday budget. However, there are some gifts that will actually save you quite a bit of money when it comes to initial shopping as well as long term use. These items not only make life a lot easier for the recipient, but will help you live a greener and more frugal lifestyle. So, this holiday season, don’t forget to keep long term rewards in mind when you’re doing all of your tech shopping!

1. Energy Star
If you’re looking to make a bold statement this holiday season, then you may want to shop Energy Star products. It doesn’t matter who the recipient is, Energy Star will make life a lot more frugal and efficient. In short, Energy Star items are designed to use less power, which means they’re much better for the environment. Of course, this also means that they’re much better for the power bill too. Luckily, you can find Energy Star just about anywhere these days, so you won’t have to go out of your way to find them. Plus, most new products are designed with it to make them more frugal, efficient and environmentally savvy. Energy Star also doesn’t cost any extra, so you should be able to get laptops, TVs and appliances at a great price with this amazing technology.

2. Solar Charger
Let’s face it, in today’s world we’re always charging something. From our smartphones to tablets, it almost seems like there’s always something to plug into the wall. Although chargers really don’t take up a whole lot of energy, you may be surprised by how much it saves you each year if you don’t have to plug in your devices. Not to mention, if you can avoid using power, it’ll help the environment out quite a bit. A solar powered charger is one of the best ways to avoid using power while using the planet’s natural resources to charge all of your must-have devices. Generally, solar chargers can be pretty pricey, but it also depends on the size of the charger you want. For instance, if you’re looking for a charger that simply gives your devices a boost then it won’t be too pricey. These chargers often hook to the window so the charger can harness as much power as possible. You can also buy larger chargers for camping, but these can be used around the home too.

3. E-Reader
If you love to read then there’s no better way to enjoy a story then on an e-reader. Although many people prefer to read the old fashioned way, it’s actually more cost efficient to use an e-reader. You can choose from a wide range of options here too and many e-readers are more affordable than ever, so you won’t have to worry about spending a pretty penny. One of the best things about e-readers is you can buy books for less money when you buy them in digital form. There’s actually a wide collection of free books online, so if you’re desperate for something to read then you won’t have to search far. Most e-books are also a discounted price, so you’ll save money on new releases too. There are also many apps that can convert your personal book library into free or reduced priced e-books too, so you won’t have to worry about losing out on your favorite titles when you’re on the go. Another great thing about e-readers is they can be better for your eyes then reading on a phone or laptop. You can also consider the energy the e-reader will save. Since the device has a built in light, you’ll never have to us a lamp to stay up late reading.

4. Rechargeable Batteries
There’s a good chance that many of the items on your holiday list are going to require some form of battery to use. From kids’ toys to gaming controllers and emergency technology, batteries are a huge part of the season. Thus, you may want to consider spending a little extra on the batteries and simply buy a battert recharger. Usually, these come with a few batteries, so you’ll already have a small collection of batteries to help keep the household functions going. These rechargers usually only charge AA and AAA batteries though, so you may want to do some shopping around to find a charger for larger batteries. Although it may cost more for these chargers, it’ll be worth it when you don’t have to worry about throwing money away when it comes to the batteries. Rechargeable batteries usually only cost a bit more than the one use batteries too, so you should be able to build up a collection in no time. Having these batteries will help reduce your carbon footprint and will prevent you from having to add batteries to your shopping list every week.

5. Charging Hub
Again, devices seem to be everywhere in the home, which can often mean there’s many different devices plugged in at once. Apart from drawing a lot of power, this can also be very inconvenient when it comes to waiting for a plug to charge your item. Rather than having many chargers do the job, you can transform the way you charge items with a simple charging hub. This hub allows you to use only one plug while charging several different devices at once. These hubs come in many sizes, so you can easily find one that fits your budget or your charging needs. Some of these hubs even double as other items, such as an alarm clock, which is perfect for saving even more power. These hubs are great for families too, so they may be a great gift for everyone you know.

6. Smart Phone
Although smart phones aren’t exactly on the low budget list, they are one of the best tech devices on the market to save you a bit money. A lot of phones these days allow you to make Wi-Fi calls, which means you can lower your minutes on your phone bill, or you can skip the service altogether. You can also download apps that allow you to text via Wi-Fi. Of course, there’s also many apps that allow you to call, text and message internationally, which will help you save even more money if you have family or friends abroad. Apart from helping you keep in touch, you can easily keep track of your fitness thanks to the built in pedometer that will allow you to manage your health with ease. Some even have health trackers that allow you to input your diet and exercise routine to help you stay on track. If you don’t have a GPS then your smart phone can lend a helping hand at no extra cost. There’s also a wide variety of apps, such as gas and shopping apps that help you find the best deals around.

7. Game Console
Game consoles also aren’t exactly the cheapest item on the market, but they can work to help you save money in many other ways. For starters, they allow you to stream videos which means you can ditch the cable channels that you never watch. You can download apps for most of the basic channels, which means you won’t have to give up your favorite shows. Also, with streaming networks you should be able stay entertained without surrendering to the over-priced cable company. If you do love the option of cable then PlayStation actually has their own form of cable, which is competitive with cable prices. Apart from keeping up with shows and movies, gaming consoles allow you to buy games for cheaper which is a huge bonus if you love to keep up with the latest releases. Not to mention, you can share these games with friends on some of the devices, which can help you save money if you work out a way to split the costs or take turns buying the titles. You can even use your console to workout, which means you won’t need to pay a personal trainer or a gym to keep fit.

8. Fitness Tracker
If you like to have a bit more control over your health then you may want to try out a Fitness Tracker. These devices can be worn as watches and look like fashionable accessories, so you can spend less on bracelets. The trackers come with many different options, so you can choose one that fits your fitness needs or budget. All of the trackers keep track of your footsteps and often give a more accurate reading than your smart phone can. Some will monitor your sleep to offer you suggestions to help you get a better night sleep. You can also input calories and other important information to ensure you’re on the right track. If you’re willing to spend a bit more then you can choose tracker that doubles as a watch. The more expensive trackers will even alert you of phone calls and text messages, so you can skip out on overpriced devices like the iWatch.

9. Smart Power Strip
One of the biggest problems with leaving items plugged in is they continue to draw power even when they’re off. This can be a huge burden on the environment as well as your power bill because most items need to remain plugged in. There is a great solution to this problem though. That is, the smart power strip. This special power strip detects phantom energy draws and cuts them off, so when your item is off it is actually off. This can shave a lot of money off of your power bill. Of course, the power strip will also work to protect your devices from power surges that could otherwise destroy the item.

10. Smart Thermostats
If you have trouble keeping your home the right temperature, then you may want to check out the smart thermostat. These thermostats work hard to keep the home comfortable, while saving the amount of power the home draws for heating and cooling. Smart thermostats learn your habits, so it knows when it needs to heat or cool the home and how much. The device and be programmed, but it also works based on the changes of the household, which will help keep your costs down. These are perfect gifts for students moving into their first apartment or newlyweds, but will also make just about anyone a happy camper.

Technology is a great way to keep those on your gift list happy this holiday season, but it can also be a great way to help you and the recipient save a bit of money. With these tips you should be able to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list and maybe even a little something for yourself. With all of the long term savings, your budget should be thriving again in no time.