If you have kids then it’s probably hit the panic period, when it comes to the annual Valentine’s Day party your children’s school puts on. Depending on the class and the school, you’re probably required to bring in Valentine’s for the entire class. You may even be asked to participate in the party or bring something special for the class to enjoy. If you’re on a tight budget, then this may be hard to do as the price quickly begins to add up. The price tag can be even worse if you’ve signed up to be one of the classroom parents for the school year. Luckily, there’s a few ways you can get around the price of your party, which may even leave a little budget for you and your special someone to enjoy.

1. Find Out What’s Going On
Sometimes, it’s easy to get worked up when it comes to school parties. The notes may imply that snacks, cards and attendance are required, especially if it’s your child’s first year of school. Before you go out and spend a small fortune on things for the party, you may want to stop and check out the party notice one more time. If you’re still uncertain of what’s required, talk to the teacher. You can set up an appointment or ask when you pick up your children or drop them off. Of course, if you do want to participate in bringing goodies then it might be wise to feel out what the other students’ parents are bringing. This will help you bring a more original snack, so your food doesn’t end up getting thrown out. If you’re signed up for decorations then talking with the teacher is still a wise idea, so you’ll have a general idea of what you need to spend on the party. You may want to check out the requirements for valentines, as some schools won’t allow characters, require them for the whole class and other rules that may not be written down for you to follow.

2. Double Duty
One thing you may want to try out when it comes to your child’s party is purchasing items in a combo pack when you can. For instance, if you want to give out valentine’s day cards and candy then look for the assortment that sells the two together. Most popular candy brands do this, so it shouldn’t be hard to find the right price for you. This will definitely make things cheaper, unless you choose to DIY your valentines. Another thing to keep in mind, when buying items for the party, is to purchase with a coupon that allow you to get something free with your initial purchase. When it comes to treats, these BOGO deals can really make a difference in how much you end up spending. You may even get lucky and find a snack and beverage deal that will take away most of the cost of the party.

3. Use the Printer
Sometimes, the party slips people’s minds and they wake up remembering that their child will have to bring 30 or more valentines to their class in the morning. If you’re broke, busy, tired or all three then you might want to turn to your old friend: the printer. You can quickly find free templates online for free that will make the kids in the class smile brightly. You can even print out multiple valentines on one sheet of paper, so you’ll minimize waste in this activity too. Of course, if you have plenty of time to get the cards printed out then you may want to look for exciting valentines that allow your child to show off their art skills or personal interests. This could bring more fun to the party and will help your child feel like they have a greater understanding of the holiday. Plus, it’s a whole lot less work for you.

4. DIY Cards
It seems like valentine’s day cards used to be made with love, rather than bought in a store. Now, you can easily take a step back and have your kids go retro for the holiday. Making your own cards can be a real treat that will help you get to know how your children feel about their classmates as well as their artistic tendencies. You might want to start out with helping the kids cut out a bunch of hearts. This is a great way to start off the DIY valentines and, if you use bulk construction paper or printer paper, it won’t cost you a lot of money. From there, you have the kids color the hearts, with paints or crayons, add glitter or sequences and other fun add-ons that will make each valentine special. You may also want to help the kids come up with cute valentine’s slogans. If you’re running dry on these then the internet will certainly help you find the perfect messages for each student. You might also buy a bag of snack candies or lolly pops to add the final touches. Without a doubt, the kids’ DIY valentines will be the star of the occasion.

5. Shop Carefully
A lot of people quickly head to the dollar store of choice when they get their list of Valentine’s day names. This can work in your favor sometimes, but often you end up spending more than you should on the cards. Although the initial price tag may seem smaller than department stores, you’ll probably find that the boxes also have fewer cards in them. This means you’ll have to buy two or three boxes, which will add up to even more money than you’d likely spend at a department store. Sometimes, you can find a great deal here though, but don’t go with your first option. Instead, shop around to see if you can work out a better overall price. The same thing goes when it comes to shopping around for items to go with the valentines. For instance, candy and balloons are probably best purchased at a bulk store, so you won’t have to stress individual prices.

6. Save the Extras
Without fail, it always seems that there’s a few extras in every single box of valentines bought. Generally, these end up winding up in the trash, which is a waste of money. The excess valentines can grow quickly if you have more than one child too. So, instead of tossing them away, put them in a safe place and pull them out next year. You may find you have enough mixed valentines to pass out to your child’s entire class. This will also allow your child to give a wider assortment of valentines, which may be more fun and suit the classroom better. Of course, you can do the same thing for some candies and accessories. For instance, if you had a birthday party at some point then you may want to use the left over balloons to add to the valentines. Themed pencils also add up in the home and make a cute little gift for the kids to enjoy during the school year. With all of the extras, you may end up paying nothing out of pocket for your child’s Valentine’s Day fun.

7. Take to the Kitchen
Whether you’re required to take Valentine’s Day snacks or you just want to do something nice, buying snacks can be a huge costly burden that will send your budget over the edge. One of the best things you can do here is make your foods from scratch. Cookies can be one of the cheapest items to make, especially if you keep them simple. Another great option is cupcakes. You can whip up the batter with just a few ingredients and red or pink icing is a breeze to make without forcing you to spend a penny. Kids are pretty easy to please, so you shouldn’t have to go to extra lengths to make them feel loved with treats. Of course, you may want to ask your child’s teacher ahead of time for a list of known food allergies before you take to planning. Once you’re cleared to try out your recipe, you may want to bring the kids in to lend a helping hand.

8. Go Natural
Another way to keep your Valentine’s Day treats frugal is to give the kids natural goodies. You can easily cut apples and serve them with peanut butter for a healthy snack that won’t leave them with ants in their pants. Vegetables with dips are another great option that won’t cut into your budget either. If you want to get creative, then ants on a log are usually a favorite for little kids that love a little fun with their food. Sure, you may not be as cool as the parent who splurged with ice cream or pizza, but the other parents will thank you when their child comes home slightly less hyperactive thanks to your snack. Plus, you may not want to add on to the calories the children are taking, which will show them how to make wise eating choices.

9. Utilize the Wardrobe
Many parents love to go out and buy their child a whole new outfit for the holiday party, when there’s really no reason to do so. Most kids have something red, pink or white in their wardrobe so you might want to start there. You can always add to the child’s attire by using heart appliques, as well as little cupid cut outs. You can print these and cut them out to place on the child’s clothing. Plus, your child might love sharing their holiday accessories with friends who admire the wardrobe add-ons. If you love to spice it up with a Valentine’s Day outfit, then make one yourself. Have the kids choose an old shirt, turn it inside out and use colored paints to write love messages, hearts and anything else that shows off the holiday fun. It’ll be a great rainy day project that the kids will love to show off at the party.

10. Consider the Teacher
A lot of students love to get their teachers gifts, especially when it comes to the holidays. So, your child may want to pass on a little love to the person who works hard to teach them every day. This doesn’t mean you have to go all out for the gift though. In fact, you may want to keep is as simple as a special cupcake or cookie made especially for the teacher. Your child may also want to make a special valentine, which is another great option. However, if you do want to splurge here, you might want to consider creating a cookie or soup in a jar or something else you can easily make at home. Your child’s teacher will be especially pleased to receive the thoughtful gift, especially if it’s homemade.

Your child’s Valentine’s Day party at school doesn’t have to mean you need to spend a small fortune to keep the event fun. There’s lots of ways you can cut back on spending while also ensuring your child has everything needed to fit in with the class. With a few simple tricks, you should be able to have a little extra money for the babysitter, so you and your special someone can have a Valentine’s Day celebration of your own, without having to worry about pinching pennies.

With winter here and spring on its way, you may be faced with some major problems caused by the poor weather conditions. May it be a blizzard or a tornado, it’s always best to have a game plan so you and your family can get through the tough time with as little stress as possible. One of the major hazards of this time of the year is power outages. With the weather at its coldest you may wonder how to stay safe while it may be hard to get around. Of course, keeping your family fed and happy is also a concern as power outages can be just as stressful for children as adults. These ten tips should give you a few options to help you maintain calm in the household while ensuring everyone is safe and sound.

1. Consider Backups
Ending up in the dark when you’re not expecting it can really make a situation more stressful and frightening. There’s generally not a way to predict power outages, so the best thing you can do is keep some backups in a place where you know you’ll be able to get to them. One of the best things to have is a generator, but these can be pretty pricey if you’re on a tight budget. Not to mention, they aren’t cheap to run either. However, if you find yourself in the dead of winter then it could be one of your best options for staying warm. Another great option is a fireplace or a wood burning stove. These are perfect for a small amount of light, but they’ll also allow your family to keep warm, which is more important than light in most cases. Candles and flashlights are also another must have, so make sure you have plenty on hand. Candles may burn down quickly, so it might be wise to buy an abundance of cheaper candles for emergencies. You should also keep spare batteries on hand. Last but not least, solar chargers will come in handy for some generators, lights or simply to keep your phone on in case you need emergency assistance.

2. Think Perishables
Usually, if the power is only a temporary problem, your food should be fine as long as you keep the refrigerator and freezer closed. However, if you’re looking at the power being out for some time then you may want to jump into action when it comes to some of your foods. If the power is out due to some reason other than the weather, you may want to consider grilling up some meat. It will take your mind off of the outage and will provide a nice meal for the family and maybe even some of the neighbors. If the weather is bad, then you might want to consider cooking the meats over the fire. You may also want to consider making up hot cocoa over the fire so you can get rid of some of your dairy. The kids may even calm down if you offer them ice cream, which will help you get rid of some of the food that may spoil. Finally, if you’re worried about some of the food then place it in a cold bag and stick it back in the freezer. This should help keep it cold for longer.

3. Emergency Supplies
A power outage can be a bad time to be without emergency supplies. You should always have a few gallons of water in the home, so you can be prepared to handle a situation such as this. Often, power failures during a weather emergency could also hint at a problem with water, especially if you’re dealing with a situation like a tornado. You won’t want to be without bottled water during this time because it’s always best to be safe and avoid potentially dangerous water. A first aid kit is another must in a power outage. If it’s not daylight outside then you or someone in your family could trip and fall, thus leading to an emergency. Burns are also more common as people have to work with fire to keep warm and gain light. Of course, it’s wise to be prepared for anything, so pack a first aid kit with a little bit of everything.

4. Think Out of the Box
You will have to get creative when it comes to keeping your family at ease during this time. One of the best things to do is come up with fun snacks. All you have to do is channel your favorite camping hacks here. S’mores are a great option, but you can always substitute the ingredients to suit what you already have on hand. Cereal mixed with chocolate and nuts is also a great way to keep the kids happy, especially since it’s a snack they’ll have to eat slowly. If you have hot dog supplies on hand, then this is a simple meal idea. Finally, you can easily make popcorn with kernels and oil placed over the heat. You can also have the kids build a fort in the living room. This will help create extra warmth while allowing the kids to make happy memories of the outage. Of course, make sure to keep the tent far enough away from the fire, for safety. If you don’t have a fireplace, then use colored paper to cut out flames and tape them on a flashlight. The kids will love the extra touch.

5. Prep Food
If you know you’re going to be without power or that the weather may become too bad to sustain power, then you might want to prep some emergency foods. This can be particularly fun if you invite the whole family to participate. One of the best options is granola bars. They’re easy to make, can be customized to suit your taste buds and they contain lots of energy. Soups are another must have food in the cold weather and they can easily be reheated over a fireplace or wood stove. Any kind of meat jerky or dried fruit is another must as these foods can last for quite some time and provide great nutrients in an emergency. All of these foods can be put in the freezer for some time and are easy to unthaw in case an emergency happens. Plus, if you’re lucky enough to avoid a power outage, your family will still love chowing down on them. Another great option to prep ahead of time is trail mix or nut mixes as they’re good for the body and will help provide the energy your family needs.

6. Work Around the Elements
Keeping warm or cold in a power outage can prove to be one of the hardest parts of the situation. Luckily, there’s a few things you can do to prepare yourself to deal with this problem so you don’t have to feel too much discomfort. If it’s cold outside during your power outage then you should cover your windows with thick blankets or close the drapes, if you have them. This will help prevent the draft from keeping the house colder than it has to be. You should also make sure everyone’s wrists and ankles are covered and you should try to wear a hat that covers the ears. This helps keep the body from getting rid of its own natural heat, which is what you need when you’re fighting off the cold. Of course, layers will also come in handy here. If you have one, you may want to heat up some hot water over the fire and place it in a hot water bottle. Placing this in the bed or on your feet can really warm things up. Exercise is another no-brainer that will help keep the body feeling more comfortable. If it’s hot then you have a few options. Covering the windows is also good here, to block the heat from warming up the house. Tin foil also works in this case, but make sure to place the correct side outward. You can use a battery operated fan or mister to keep cool too. If you can get cold water, then wet a rag and keep it on your forehead. Ice packs will also do the trick, if you’re willing to open your freezer.

7. Keep Informed
In times of emergency, it’s important to have something that will keep you in touch with the outside world. One of the best things to have on hand is a battery operated radio. You can usually buy these for fairly cheap and they pick up AM and FM radio waves. If you look in the camping section of your favorite department store, you may even be able to get a flashlight, radio, TV combination that runs on batteries. This can really come in handy, especially during tornado season. Of course, if you have a device to prolong your battery use for your phone then this could also be a great way to keep in touch.

8. Have Fun
Sometimes, the best thing to do when you’re in a power outage is to try to make it as fun as possible. You can easily come up with a few games to play to keep the kids busy, especially if you have board or card games lying around the house. This may also be a great time to catch up on one another’s lives. Talking and telling stories should make the time fly and will allow you to feel closer to the family. If you have arts and crafts supplies, then you might want to pull them out and have the kids get creative. Since there won’t be any distractions, the kids may even have more fun. Reading is another great option too, especially if you take turns sharing pieces of your favorite book.

9. Consider Sanitation
One major problem with a power outage is it could be just the beginning of your problems. You may find you have trouble with your water too, especially if it’s so cold that the pipes end up freezing. Luckily, there’s a few things you can do to help keep your family safe from illnesses like dysentery. For starters, you should keep hand sanitizer in your first aid kit or in the home. This will allow you to cleanse hands if you have an electric water heater or if the water is tainted in some way. If your pipes freeze, you should flush the toilet only when necessary. Also, it may be wise to use paper plates, paper towels and plastic utensils as doing dishes with no hot water could lead to problems.

10. Transportation
It’s important to consider transportation when it comes to an emergency. However, if you have an electric garage and you end up in a power outage then you’ll need to know how to get out of the garage manually. You may need to brush up on this in the manual so you can be prepared. If it’s snowing, make sure you have shovels on hand because you’ll probably have to clear a path to get out into the storm. Apart from that, you should also keep extra fuel on hand as you’ll be driving slower. Finally, never ever run your vehicle in a closed space.

Getting through a power outage can be a big struggle, but being prepared will make life a bit easier. These ten tips will allow you to cover all of the major elements so your time in the dark can be fun, comfortable and safe. Before you know it, the power will be back on and you’ll be ready to prep for the next time something gets in the way of your day.

When it comes to being in college, the quality of food isn’t exactly on the top of the priority list. In fact, anything that tastes good or can be eaten on the go usually trumps the nutrition value. So, there’s no wonder why so many college students end up feeling sick or malnourished after only a few weeks of being at college. Since money is a huge concern for college students, there are a few ways you can utilize your budget while still eating healthier meals. These ten tips will help you beat the top ramen blues, so you can become a quick, easy and cheap eater without having to sacrifice your taste buds or your favorite cravings.

1. Enjoy Water
One of the best ways to cut down on your urge to snack is to drink plenty of water. Water fills the stomach without adding extra calories to your diet, which is great on many levels. Plus, water helps filter out the toxins in the body, which will keep your healthier even if you’re eating poorly. If you find yourself eating too much at meals, then drink a glass of water before you eat. It will jump start your metabolism and make you feel like you’ve had plenty to eat. Thus, when you do buy food, it will last longer. The best thing about water is you should be able to get it for free around campus at water fountains, or in your cafeteria. If there is a charge for water, then it might be wise to buy bottles in bulk or grab a portable container with a built in filter. This should handle most of your needs for a price that won’t take away from your entertainment budget.

2. Reduced Price Produce
If you tend to be a healthy eater or you find yourself getting sick a lot, then you might want to look around the reduced price area in your local grocery store. Usually, this food is about to meet its expiration date and the store needs to clear it as soon as possible, so the price is dropped substantially. Using this method will cut down on your food budget quite a bit and won’t leave you starved for nutrients. You should keep an eye out for both fruits and vegetables though, so you get an even balance to your meal. Fruits are perfect for snacking, but are also great for infusing water, especially if you’re beginning to feel sick. If you’re living on cheap oatmeal for breakfast, then this is also a great way to spice things up. The ramen diet won’t be as bad with reduced price vegetable add ine. Of course, if you’re looking to eat healthier, then you can work around the produce to find a recipe that’s quick, simple and cheap.

3. Fat Food Isn’t the Answer
Sure, it’s hard to get around the lure of indulging in your fast food cravings, especially when you’re in college. With no one to cook meals and the cafeteria not always appetizing, fast food may feel like the best option to turn to, especially with more chains having dollar menus worthy of exploration. However, if you plan on staying healthy in college or at least keeping to your budget then fast food is not the way to go. It may be a dream to live on pizza alone, but before you know it the calories and the dollars will add up. Not to mention, a fast food diet will leave your body feeling sick in no time at all. If you’re an athlete, you may notice you’ve slowed down a bit, whereas less active students might feel fatigued or notice a weaker immune system. Plus, these foods are addictive, which means you’re going to want to eat them often and you’re probably going to gradually want to buy more and more items.

4. Know Your Body
Part of growing up is discovering what makes you tick. Food is a big part of this, so while you’re in college you may want to think about what your body needs and how you feel when you eat certain foods. There’s no cheat sheet to this either, as everyone’s body tends to work differently. However, there are a few things you can count on, in most cases. For instance, grease tends to be terrible for your skin and can really make you feel foggy and downright unhappy. Eggs are a great food if you’re in need of a boost for studying or you have a test to take. Grains are perfect for long days where you need the extra boost of energy. This food may be best when you have back to back classes all day and can’t catch a break to eat. For most people, sugar isn’t a great thing to keep in the system either. Too much sugar can lead to some major health problems down the line. Of course, you should experiment with adding and subtracting foods from your diet to see which foods you should be eating. This alone will help you cut down on spending, as you will be able to plan the most efficient diet plan for you.

5. Get a Griddle
Dorm rooms can be small and if you don’t have a shared kitchen cooking for yourself may seem near impossible. Microwaves take up way too much space as do indoor burners, so one solution to this crisis is the griddle. This flat top cooking machine will allow you to make some of the best breakfast food in the dorm. You’ll be able to whip up pancakes, eggs and even the almighty bacon for all of your friends in no time. Of course, that’s not its only specially. Griddles are perfect for hamburgers, steaks, chicken, grilled veggies and the ever so famous grilled cheese. You should be able to whip up your favorite cheap meals without skipping a beat. The best thing is, the griddle will fit on your desk when in use and can be moved to under the bed, a corner or just about anywhere else thanks to its slim design. They’re really easy to clean too and you can purchase attachments to make all sorts of other foods.

6. Microwaveable Meals
If you have room for a microwave, then it could be a valuable alley when it comes to your food situation. This doesn’t mean that you get to eat ramen every single day though. The microwave opens up a world of possibilities that will allow you to enjoy a wider range of nutritious foods. Today, there’s a lot of frozen meals on the market. Some of these aren’t the best for you, while others are oddly health conscious. Simply read the labels and go from there. Another great concept that has become popular recently is one mug meals. There’s a whole lot of recipes out there that can be cooked in one simple mug. From macaroni and cheese to your favorite desserts, you name it there’s a recipe. If you don’t have a mug, or you want to make a big portion, don’t sweat it as some of these meals can be made in a bowl too. You can also make steamed vegetables, spaghetti and rice in the microwave, which will make life easy when you’re trying to keep it on a budget.

7. Handle Stress
When it comes to budgeting money for food, stress can really put a wrench in the plans. Stress eating can cause you to make poor decisions on the food you buy, or it could cause you to eat more. If you find your grocery bill growing in price, then you might want to stop and evaluate how bad your stress levels are. You can easily reduce your stress levels though, especially with your college campus as a resource. Try going to the gym or taking a yoga class to work out the tension. If you’re still having trouble, then talk to a guidance counselor or your room advisor. There’s also lots of places to go on campus for calm meditation. Crafts are another simple way to take away stress that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. With this problem under control, you should be able to minimize your calorie intake.

8. Take Vitamins
If you’re living on a ramen diet, or something equally as bad for you then it might be time to consider vitamins. Highly processed foods rarely have the nutrients you need to survive. In fact, you can become malnourished by eating them, which will really put pressure on your studies and your livelihood. A simple multi-vitamin is probably one of the best routes to take, but if you know your body needs something else then don’t worry about going there too. Most schools will cover this problem in the on-campus health center, so try to make an appointment there. Sometimes, the on-call doctors will even prescribe the vitamins to you so you can get them for next to nothing. If you do need to buy the vitamins, then consider doing so at a bulk store so you can get more for your money.

9. Avoid Vending Machines
Vending machines can be a huge trap when it comes to college students. They can be found outside of classes, near door rooms and around just about any activity. They’re filled with junk food and sodas, unless you’re lucky enough to have the salad vending machines. Plus, the prices have been heavily escalated, so they earn more money. The thing is, they’re convenient. So, a lot of the time hungry students will pay the extra cost for the junk food just to satisfy their hunger or thirst. This can be a quick way to lose a lot of money though. Luckily, it’s easy to avoid the vending machine’s call by simply carrying a drink and a snack with you. Your favorite snacks can easily be bought in bulk and a simple reusable water bottle will ensure you’re covered for the day. With snack time taken care of, you can save your quarters for doing laundry.

10. Sign Up For a Meal Card
A lot of students end up avoiding the meal card plan for their school because they think the food will be gross or simply that they could eat cheaper without a card. Although if you do plan on living on a ramen diet it might actually be cheaper, but buying healthy foods will never beat the price of the meal card. These cards allow you to eat one to three meals in the cafeteria a day, so even if you want to go with the cheaper one meal a day plan, you will at least get the option of one healthy meal per day. Most cafeterias have a wide assortment of foods too, so you won’t be stuck eating the same garbage you were fed in high school. In fact, you may find that the food is sometimes even appetizing. If your scholarship or student grants will cover your meal plan then it’s a no-brainer move anyway. You won’t want to be shy on meals after the first couple of weeks of school because it will make concentration a major problem.

Being a student is tough enough as it is, so don’t make eating your worst enemy. There’s many ways to enjoy your meals without having to fork over a lot of money, so stop stressing. With these ten tips you’ll have more options than oriental or chicken ramen, which will make your life as a student a little more manageable.

The winter months are some of the best times to get in a little birdwatching. In fact, January 5 was actually National Bird Day, so you may want to get in a little birdwatching to give the special day a late celebration. Birdwatching can be an expensive hobby, if you let be. However, there are many ways you can save money on this relaxing hobby. Between DIY tips and avoiding the hype of some of the trips and equipment, you should feel like a pro in your hobby without having to spend money like one. Now, you can see more birds and learn about them without worrying about how your free time fun is affecting your pocket book.

1. Start Locally
If you’re interested in birdwatching, then you’ve probably heard a lot of magical stories about some of the trips you can take to get your birding started on a more professional level. Of course, you have probably also heard of people doing a Big Year or joining other competitions. If you’re interested in this aspect of birding then you may want to take a few step backs first. Before you get into the big competitions or spending lots of money on traveling, you may want to see the birds that your local area has to offer. You can easily find a list of birds that should be in your area, which can be your first challenge. When you can locate and identify these birds then move to a broader area. You don’t have to start off big though, as even birds in your hometown may keep you busy for quite some time. In fact, you may want to do a little research to see if there are local birdwatchers who may be able to send you in the right direction.

2. Buy Feeders
One of the main things you should consider if you plan on taking up birdwatching is getting yourself a few feeders. This is especially great for the birdwatcher that doesn’t have a lot of time to kill. A bird feeder will help you lure in the birds from your area, so you can get to know the species and habits before you broaden your birdwatching horizons. You may want to do a little research in regards to bird feeders though. Different birds like different foods and have different needs when it comes to eating and hideouts. By understanding the birds that typically live or migrate through your area you’ll be able to bring in more birds to admire. There’s lots of bird feeder tutorials online, or you can save even more money by building your own using recyclables or scrap wood.

3. Keep it Simple
Often, when people take up birdwatching they think they need to buy all of the top of the line gear in order to enjoy and be successful in the hobby. This isn’t necessarily the truth though. In fact, if you’re just starting out you may want to begin with a simple bird guide. This will allow you to work towards identifying birds in your area, so you can see if the hobby is actually something you want to try out. As you progress, you may want to move up to a cheaper pair of binoculars. Of course, if you really get into the activity then you might want to continue to upgrade your birdwatching equipment, but be leery of high tech items that might not be useful at your level of birdwatching. Of course, you should also not buy items you’re never going to use. For most, a pair of binoculars, guide book and, perhaps, a camera should suffice to keep the hobby interesting.

4. Buy Used
If you do plan on going all out when it comes to the equipment, then you might want to consider buying your items used. One quick place to check Is thrift stores or pawn shops as you may be able to find binoculars for next to nothing. There are also many birdwatching websites that sell old equipment that was used for birdwatching in the past. Of course, you can also check out most technology websites, to see if you can find a good deal. Many will actually sell refurbished cameras at a great price. If you have friends that birdwatch, then you might want to talk to them about the best places to buy equipment. They may even be able to offer you a pair of their used binoculars for a good price. Guide books can also be bought used and generally won’t cost more than a few dollars when purchased this way.

5. Download Field Guides
One of the best assets you can have while birdwatching is a field guide. These guides are designed to offer you pictures of birds, details and typical locations that should help you out while you’re identifying the birds you see. Of course, the guides can cost a pretty penny if you buy them in a paper format. One simple way to cut the cost is to actually download the guides. If you have an ereader or tablet then this may help you keep your guide with you at all times. Not to mention, it could make navigating through the contents a lot easier too. The older the guide you buy, the more money you’ll save. In fact, some websites may actually provide you with older guides for free. Generally, you don’t have to worry about missing out on information when it comes to these guides either, because most species are included and their details rarely change.

6. Check Out a Conservatory
If you’re not really sure where you should start working on your birdwatching hobby then a conservatory, or even a zoo, may be a great start. These generally have a wide selection of birds for you to learn about and they are generally cost effective. In fact, many conservatories are designed to assist injured animals or work hard to provide donations to bird related charities. By visiting one of these locations you may even be able to talk to a professional about birds and find out where you should be looking in your local area. This will certainly be a big inspiration when it comes to learning about the species and the things that may entice them to spend more time around you. Of course, this is also a great place to take a closer look at birds that are a rarity. You may gain a whole new appreciation for these creatures, which is sure to make your new hobby something you’ll treasure even more.

7. Join a Group
You may not believe it, but there’s probably a birdwatching group in your community that you never even knew existed. Birdwatching groups are a great opportunity to spend time with other people who share the same interests as you. Not to mention, these groups can provide you with resources and tips that may otherwise cost you a small fortune. When it comes down to it, a group is a great way to even get started in the hobby as you’ll have locals who have already spent time birdwatching in the area and will know how to guide you to find what youre looking for in the hobby. Plus, they may be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to sales on equipment, or what brands are best for birdwatching. Apart from that, birdwatching groups often travel together, which can help cut down on the price of trips. If you can’t find a birdwatching group in your area, then look online. You may not be able to meet with people face to face, but you should be able to keep in touch with a group that has similar interests, which will boost your love of the hobby anyway.

8. Subscribe to a Magazine
One way to keep up with the birding world is to subscribe to a magazine. This allows you to check out some of the best items on the market and will give you technical stats that will keep you moving forward with your hobby. Of course, one of the best things about birdwatching magazines is they often have hints on migration patterns, news about new species and exciting stories from birdwatchers who went the extra mile to see a rare bird. Other than that, these magazines are great for hints about saving money on birding trips, especially trips based on current migration patterns. It will also give you a chance to learn about species you may not get to see. Generally, these magazines don’t cost an arm and a leg and will certainly keep you inspired and entertained while you enjoy the hobby.

9. Cheap Flights
If you really take to the hobby then you may find yourself looking at plane tickets to further your fulfilment. There’s lots of reasons to travel when it comes to birdwatching, so you may end up spending too much money if you’re not careful. You should always look at a variety of travel sites before you commit to a price. You may even be able to get a deal on standby flights if you’re not on a certain schedule. If you’re birdwatching in a specific place for pleasure, then your travel guide should be able to help you out with your flight and find you the best possible deal. Traveling with a group, or for a convention can be a different story though as many conventions will offer group flights for a reduced price. The key is to leave no stone unturned when you look for your flight.

10. Online Courses
Pursuing knowledge of birds might be something you’re interested in if you really take to birdwatching. You can pay a bundle on books and courses for this information, but there’s actually quite a few online courses that you can take for free. This is sure to make your time learning more enjoyable and might even allow you to pick up more information on your favorite species. You can find courses on birds, how to use binoculars or even photographing birds with ease. The best thing about these courses is you can work at your own pace, so you won’t end up falling behind or dropping the course altogether. Apart from being free, you also don’t have to worry about graded work, which will give you the freedom to enjoy the courses.

Birdwatching is a great hobby that will offer you insight into the natural world, while providing you with plenty of exercise. These ten tips will help you make your birdwatching hobby go a bit further. Whether you want to keep is casual or go pro, you should be able to find a healthy balance for your life and budget without having to sacrifice the fun you have with this amazing hobby.

Now that the weather actually does look a bit like winter, you may be wondering how you can keep your home, property and family safe from all the hazards that winter brings. For some, this means spending a small fortune for inspections, tools and other precautionary methods that aren’t always necessary. There are a few winter tricks you can perform on your property to help keep everyone safe and healthy during the cold season though. With a few DIY and low cost alterations, winter will look a little less scary. Now, you can sit back and comfort of the warmth of your home as you enjoy the beautiful scenery from the window.

1. Use Ice Repellent
One of the biggest hazards during the winter season is the ice that seems to form just about anywhere. Every year thousands of accidents are called in because of falls due to ice. Ice repellent can be a huge life saver to aid in this problem. You can buy the product in stores for a reasonable price, or you can take the DIY road by using cooking spray. Simply spray the repellent on the sidewalk and stairs before it’s supposed to snow, or every night before the temperature drops and you should be set to go for quite some time. Also, you can use this amazing ice repellent to cover your snow shovel. This will make shoveling snow and breaking up ice a bit easier in the wee hours of the morning when you’re trying to get to work. If you have trouble with ice forming on your car, then you might want to stock up on vinegar. This can actually help get rid of the ice in no time, especially on your windows, so you can get back to enjoying the warmth of the heater.

2. Clear Gutters
If there’s one thing that can really destroy your home, it’s definitely the gutters during a freeze. That’s why keeping your gutters clear during the winter is the best way to keep your home safer. If you end up leaving your gutters unattended then the water and leaf combination may end up attracting pests that you don’t want in or around your home. That’s the least of your problems though. You want to make sure that your gutters are free for moving water to flow, so that when it does snow the water won’t be trapped on top of the gutters and roof. This can cause major damage to the home and will leave you struggling to repair the problem when it’s freezing cold. If you need to get rid of ice in the gutters during the cold, then simply fill panty hose with salt and leave it on top of the gutters. It should help eliminate the buildup.

3. Trim Trees
There’s no doubt about it, trees are beautiful. Whether they’re in full bloom or covered in ice, there’s something fantastic about seeing a lovely tree. However, the trees in your yard can be dangerous to you and your family, as well as your property, if you don’t trim them before the winter months. If your tree is older or has thin limbs, then you could be looking at a ticking time bomb. Before it gets too cold, you want to eliminate branches that look as if they won’t be able to hold the weight of the ice. Other branches that should be removed are those that hang over the home, common walk and play areas or other expensive property. This will prevent a limb from breaking off onto your roof or an unsuspecting passerby. With the tree branches prepped for winter, you won’t have to worry about making an insurance claim or paying out of pocket for damages caused by your tree over a long freeze period. Not to mention, you can dry out the branches you do cut and use them as firewood to help cut back on heating costs

4. Watch the Pipes
Another thing you won’t want to deal with in the cold months is a busted pipe. However, this can be a common occurrence if you aren’t careful. If you have outdoor pipes then you may want to cover them in foam in order to protect them during major temperature drops. Most modern homes won’t have this problem though. One key way to avoid the entire problem is to keep your thermostat set at 60 degrees or higher. This will help prevent the pipes from freezing altogether. Of course, if you don’t want to waste a small fortune on heating then leave your tap running slightly. A few drops of water will help cut back on this. If you’re worried about the water then set up a bucket to catch it. You can later use this to flush the toilet, or for other household cleaning purposes. If you do end up with frozen pipes, then use a space heater to warm them before they burst. This should take care of the problem before you have to spend a small fortune to fix the pipes in the home.

5. Generator/Solar Power
Power outages can be a big problem in the winter, especially if your city doesn’t keep trees trimmed near the electric poles. If you don’t want to have to deal with the problems of not having heat in the winter, then you might want to invest in a backup generator. This won’t cost too much to run for a short time and will keep the home warm and lit when you need power the most. Of course, if you’re not cool with keeping your thermostat low then you may want to consider getting solar power. Normally, you won’t have to pay too much extra to keep the house warm using this form of power, unless you like the feeling of living in a sauna. In fact, throughout most of the year, you should be able to spend next to nothing on power thanks to the solar energy. You may even get money back at the end of the year if you use less power than your solar panels produce.

6. Avoid the Dam
When it comes to winter, one of your worst nightmares is the ice dam. If you’ve never heard this term before then it basically refers to an icy nightmare that can really leave you hating winter as your roof caves in. The best thing about ice dams are they’re totally avoidable. One way to avoid the ice dam is unclear gutters, as mentioned before, which offers a few remedies to help avoid full collapse. All the same, one element of the ice dam that people often overlook is the heating in your home. This is where you can really get into trouble. Basically, the heat coming from your home causes the snow on the roof to melt while the ice around the gutters forces the water to stay in place. One way to avoid this problem is to keep your attic cold during the winter months. You may also want to make sure your insulation is working, to help keep heat in the home anyway. If you want to take extra precautions, then use a roof rake to help the snow move off of the roof before it has a chance to melt.

7. Use Weather Stripping
One of the worst parts of winter is dealing with the drafts that the cold wind brings in. This can be a huge problem for your heating bill. One of the worst things about drafts is they help push the warm air in your home up, which could contribute to an ice dam. So, you may want to go around the home and start weather stripping everything before the seriously cold weather begins. This will allow you to cut down on the heat you use, so you can worry less about the electric or gas bills for the home. Luckily, weather stripping doesn’t cost a whole lot and is easy to install on your own.

8. Maintain Car
Keeping up with your car is one of the best things you can do during the winter months. This will not only save you a lot of money, but it will ensure you have a car in case of an emergency. One thing to consider every day is the air pressure in your tires. The cold air can lower the pressure in your tires, which could leave you with a flat if you’re not careful. You should also keep your car fueled up, just in case you need to go somewhere or travel slowly on the roads during an emergency. Keeping the fluids in the car topped off is also a must to prevent damage to the vehicle. Fresh windshield wipers could also be a huge help during the winter months, especially if the area gets a lot of snow. Also, you should keep a first aid kit and flairs in the car in case there is an issue while you’re driving.

9. Check For Safety
This is probably one of the most important aspects of your winter precautions. Since we tend to use natural gas more in this time of the year and the house is primarily closed, it can be quite dangerous. You should make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector and that its batteries are still current, in order to avoid tragic accidents. Another must is to check your fire alarms. It’s always best to replace batteries and do a quick test to make sure they’re running properly. Your fire extinguisher should also be up to date, just in case of an emergency. Apart from that, it might be wise to have your home inspected and fireplace cleaned before you end up building a fire to keep warm.

10. Watch Your Foundation
It might be wise to try to check out the foundation of your home before the snow begins. You should look for cracks or other abnormalities that might become worse over the major storms. These cracks can let in moisture that could do a pretty good number on your home, particularly when it comes to mold. So, if you catch the problem to begin with you should be able to fix it on your own for fairly cheap. In order to prevent constant moisture on your home’s foundation you may want to shovel snow away from the home. Your gutters can also play a huge role in this problem, so keep them clean and in good repair.

Winter can be one of the worst times of the year for home repair, so you may want to avoid dealing with it altogether. These ten tips will help you cut down on the need to constantly monitor your home while adding to the security and frugality of the home. Before you know it, winter will be over and you’ll be able to enjoy a secure home that isn’t in dire need to repair due to the poor weather.

If you’re keeping up with your New Year’s resolution, then you might be looking at a very rough few weeks. Quitting a smoking habit can be one of the toughest things to do, especially if you’re not mentally prepared. Many people try to throw money at the problem thinking that it will help ease the pain and frustration of quitting, but often this doesn’t help in the slightest bit. There are many things you can do to help yourself quit that doesn’t involve spending a lot of money though. With these ten suggestions, you should help find the courage and patience to stop smoking without having to spend a fortune on patches and medications that might not even help. So, take a deep breath and get ready to kick your bad habit for good.

1. Talk to Your Doctor
Over the counter patches and supplements can lead you down a dead end when it comes to quitting. Not to mention, they cost a small fortune and the price tag will only continue to grow while you try to slowly cut back on the amount that you smoke. Rather than throwing more and more money on the problem, you might want to make an appointment to talk to your doctor. If you’ve been with your doctor for a while then he or she probably knows quite a bit about your health and should be able to offer some suggestions that will help your body prepare for the change. These tips could really be a game changer, as each person’s body reacts differently to the change. Your doctor may also be able to find you a support group. Last but not least, if you think a prescription is the answer to your problem then it might be wise to ask. Usually, if the medication is prescribed, health insurance companies don’t have a problem covering most, if not all, of the costs in order to avoid further health problems.

2. Change Your Diet
If you’re craving a cigarette after you eat, then you’re probably indulging in the wrong diet for the moment. Soda, tea, coffee, alcohol and greasy foods all enhance the flavors of cigarettes, which could make you want to smoke more than ever. Luckily, there’s some foods and drinks that will make your cigarette taste terrible, so you might want to eat them more often or at least add them to the end of the meal or snack to help fight the need for an after dinner smoke. These foods, of course, include fruits and vegetables. It might be best to go on a diet that includes these foods anyway as they will nourish your body and make you feel healthier, which might ease the pain of withdrawals. Milk is another great thing to drink if you’re quitting smoking. Milk helps build up mucus and will make cigarettes taste terrible. So, if you have to have a cup of coffee or tea then you might consider adding milk to the beverage to detour the craving. Last but not least, water is a must when you’re quitting smoking. Try to drink at least the recommended amount, so your body can flush out toxins.

3. Join a Group
Whenever you make a big life change, it’s always good to have a support group around you. Friends and family are always great to talk to, but if they haven’t been through what you have then they might not always provide the support you need. Most communities will offer free support groups through churches or community centers. A simple search online or a phone call should allow you to find a group. Of course, it might take a couple of meetings to see if the group is right for you. If not, there’s typically more than one support group in an area, as quitting smoking is quite common. Of course, if you don’t have the time or need for a face to face group, there’s lots of online groups that can help you out. In some cases, these are even better because they allow you 24/7 access to support. Of course, joining a local and online group might be the most efficient way to get passed smoking.

4. Workout
If you’re having trouble taking your mind off of smoking, then it might be time to get active. Working out allows you to keep your entire body busy, so you won’t have time to go through the withdrawals of smoking, including the habits you created when you were a smoker. Exercise boosts the endorphins in your body while allowing you to focus on one thing at a time. Running is supposed to be especially good for those who want to quit smoking. Plus, the cardio exercises will help you heal your lungs a lot faster, which is important in the quitting process. If you can, take up a physical activity for hobby. Even if it’s something slow paced, like hiking or yoga, you’ll still be doing your body a lot of favors, especially as it breaks through the desires of smoking.

5. Meditate
Meditation has been in the media a lot lately due to its amazing healing properties. This is one of the reasons why meditation is a key to helping you kick your smoking habit for good. Many people tend to want to smoke more when they’re under a lot of stress, which is something meditation helps you release. For decades, people have you using anti-smoking tapes to help them cut the habit, but when you look at the core of these tapes, the goal is to make you want to stop smoking through soothing voices and a hypnotic message. When you think about it, these tapes were merely encouraging meditation, which is an action you can do for free without the tapes. The best thing about meditation is it allows you to fixate on an idea, so you can make it a reality. Thus, with a clear mind and a goal set in stone, your meditation time will ensure you work through your smoking cravings.

6. Keep Your Hands Busy
One of the main problems smokers have is the fact that their hands often go with nothing to do, whereas when they were smoking their hands were busy. This habit is enough to make a lot of smokers pick up the habit again. Rather than let your hands go without, you should try to find something to keep them busy. One easy way is to carry around a pen or pencil with you. When you feel the need to smoke you can pull out the device and hold it or play with it until the need goes away. One of the favored choices by most ex-smokers is a lollypop though. This helps recreate the action of smoking by allowing you to keep something in your hands as well as your mouth. This distraction may be just enough to get you through the craving.

7. Avoid Smokers
If you did a lot of social smoking, then you might want to reconsider your next get-together as being around smokers can make you want to smoke again. Between the smell of the smoke and the sight of everyone smoking, it’s very easy to fall back into the habit, which could end up forcing you to go back to the habit. Sometimes, it’s for the best to cancel social engagements when you’ll be around smokers. This is especially the case during work breaks as you might end up in the smoker’s circle out of sheer habit. You should, of course, let those around you know that you’re trying to stop smoking so they know not to bring up the subject of smoking around you and so they don’t begin to smoke in front of you. If smokers can’t stop smoking around you then it might be time to reconsider who you spend time with, at least until you feel like you’re in the clear of the cravings. However, being around smokers in general can cause you to go back to smoking, even if you’ve stopped smoking for quite some time.

8. Create Schedules
One way to cut the cravings is to keep yourself so busy that you forget all about wanting to smoke. Sometimes, life will settle this for us as work, home, family and friends can truly take up a lot of time. However, you might want to begin scheduling your day until you’ve gotten past most of the cravings. For instance, if you can, pick up a hobby on your days off. Trying something new will make you feel refreshed, which can help take your mind off of the habit. If you don’t have a hobby you’re interested in, then try volunteering somewhere. You may be surprised as to how much this will help you cut down on the need to smoke. Of course, this might also be a great time to tackle a big project in the house, such as cleaning out the garage or going through your closet. As long as your mind is set on something and you’re busy you should be able to make it through the task.

9. Stay Stress Free
Although it’s easier said than done, keeping your mind stress free is one of the best ways to avoid going back to smoking. It’s hard to avoid stress altogether, but taking the necessary precautions whenever you can will do a world of good. For instance, don’t take on the extra workload at the office unless you absolutely have to. If you have a stressful visit with relatives coming up, then find something that will keep everyone feeling peaceful. Small stressors can add up too though. You might want to ask for help around the house more and steer clear of people who add a little extra drama to your life. If you’re able to keep the unnecessary stress out of your life, then you should be able to work past the cravings until you can handle the stress levels for efficiently.

10. Know Your Reasons
At times, you’re going to feel as if you don’t want to stop anymore. So, it’s important to have a list of reasons as to why you’re quitting nearby. You may want to come up with more than it just being your New Year’s resolution though because often this motivation isn’t going to help. One thing that might help is to print out pictures of diseased lungs and a series of ailments you can get from smoking. A list about your family and friends may also come in handy. To make things even better, you might want to ask loved ones for a letter expressing their desires for you to quit. This is especially great when it comes from your children. Goals in life, including achievements with health and exercise are also important. Before you know it, you’ll probably have a pretty hefty list of reasons why you’re willing to go through the struggle to quit smoking.

When it comes to ditching a habit, it takes a lot of hard work and struggle. Before you know it though, you’ll be on the road to success, which will allow you to feel proud about what you’ve accomplished. These ten tips should help lead you down the right path, so you can quit smoking without spending a small fortune on products marketed to make you think moving on will be easier.

Although the shopping season is technically over, there’s still a few things you may want to check out in the month of January. Since the holidays are finally out of the way, you should be able to concentrate more on things you need and want for your family and the home. Luckily, January is the month to splurge a little in these areas, so you don’t have to feel guilty over spending a bit more money on items you’ve had your eye on for a while. With savings as great as these, you may fall in love with January even more. So, grab your cash and get ready to save because January is the month to make your dreams comes true.

1. HDTV
A lot of people believe that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the best times to grab a new TV. Although this is sometimes the case, it often isn’t always the best time to splurge in this area. In fact, January brings more HDTV sales than any other month, which will be good for your wallet and your entertainment. This is largely due to the fact that February is typically when the latest models of TVs hit the market. Thus, stores want to clear out as much as they can when it comes to their old stock. For last year’s models, you’ll probably find some pretty hefty savings. Of course, if you’re looking to get a bit more in regards to savings then you might want to go for an even older model. One key thing to do before shopping is to do a bit of research on the newer models vs the older models. You might find that the older models are very similar to the newer ones, which will make your savings go even further.

2. Tax Services
Tax season is rapidly approaching, even if it makes you cringe your teeth when you think about it. Although it might be hard to remove the frustration from this period of time, you can easily reap some benefits if you plan to spend money on tax services in the month of January. To begin with you should start looking at tax software. This will certainly help you get more out of your tax period and may even allow you to finish up your taxes from the comfort of your own home. Generally, this tax software can help you file taxes, but you can also find some software that will help you keep track of the money you need throughout the year which will help you big time in the new year. This software is especially important for those that run their own business or are freelancers. Apart from software, you may be able to find accountants and other tax experts that will help you through the process. Typically, these experts won’t charge as much as they would during the busy season because their time is booked.

3. Winter Clothes
Winter isn’t over just yet, which makes this deal even more fabulous. Although the cold is just beginning in some places, most retailer are ready to clear out their winter stock, so they can make room for the new spring line which will be added to stores next month. This is a great victory for you if you’re looking to buy a new coat, or you simply can’t get enough sweaters. This sale is also great for stocking up for next year, especially if you have children. Try shopping for a size or two larger, so you’ll be ready for the cold when it returns next year. This year’s sales should be even better than last year’s though, simply because winter took its time. Since it was still a little on the warm side in December, less people bought for the cold. This means you’ll not only have a better selection, but retailers will also be more desperate when it comes to moving the stock out of the way.

4. White Sales
January is known for it’s White Sale, which includes a wide variety of options. One of the most popular items to buy during this time of the year is towels. It’s always great to start the year out with a fresh set of towels and with prices taking a 50% dive, you’ll be ready to stock the whole home. Sheets and other linens are another must when it comes to the White Sale. In fact, just about any textile on your list will take a nosedive in price, which means you can totally redecorate your home for next to nothing. The sale isn’t all about the fabric though. Window treatments are also included in this annual sale, so make sure you check out prices on window tinting for your car and home. You won’t be disappointed when the warm summer days return.

5. Workout Gear
Getting in shape is one of the top New Year’s resolutions for people all over the world. Retailers are pretty clued into this major resolution too, which is why workout gear is typically on sale during the month of January. The sale offers a lot of workout clothing, such as track suits, headbands, base layers and running shoes. These items tend to cost a pretty penny on their own, so you might want to grab a few different items in your size and maybe a size or two smaller to help with the motivation process. Clothes aren’t the only thing you should look into though. For starters, there will be huge sales on workout equipment, especially home gyms and treadmills. Weights, workout DVDs and other accessories will also save you quite a bit of money during this month. You should also check out the price on fitness devices that monitor your heart rate, sleep and steps per day. Finally, if you really want to spend some time in the gym this year, then you might want to start looking around for the gym of your dreams because most gyms will be offering discounts for a year’s membership during this month.

6. Early Valentine’s Day Gifts
You might not want to think about another holiday just yet, but the early bird does always get the bird. In this case, if you go ahead and order your Valentine’s Day gifts then you might save a pretty penny. Many stores are already putting out Valentine’s Day items, so you might want to check the prices of these items so you can have a little fun for the big day without spending the money. However, if you truly want to save then you might want to go online and order your gifts. Often, many stores will offer amazing deals on bouquets and chocolates before the Valentine’s Day rush happens. These items can be bought and paid for in advance and later delivered during the big day. This will go ahead and get your planning out of the way, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting your someone special if life gets too busy. Also, you could talk to restaurants to see if you can reserve a table this early, so you won’t have to miss out on a special dinner.

7. Furniture
A lot of companies like to bring out new furniture in February, which like other items on this list, means January is the time to rake in the savings on those items. You should be able to find just about everything you need in regards to furniture on sale during January, which is perfect if you’re planning on remodeling or you have a new home to furnish. Before you spend a small fortune on new furniture, you may want to research the average price of the item, to make sure the deal you’re looking at isn’t just a small reduction. You might also want to shop online to see if there’s any deals that are worth more than local deals. Often, you can get the shipping waived on these items, which will come in handy when you tally your savings.

8. Gift Cards
If you want a great selection on gift card exchanges then now is definitely the time to look around. Since the holidays are over, many people are trading the gift cards they didn’t want for cards they do want, which means there will be a lot more gift cards up for grabs. Also, if you like to buy used gift cards for a lower price then you’ll be happy to know that many of these will be available too. Usually, the website checks to make sure there is a proper balance before selling it to you, but like all purchases like this there is a bit of a risk. Before you choose to buy these items, make sure you do some research on the website. Basic review sites should cover most problems, but running the name of the website through a search engine should also bring up any problems customers have had.

9. Motorcycles
During the winter months, sales on motorcycles tend to drop quite a bit, which means you will be able to get an outstanding deal on a motorcycle. Since no one wants to operate a motorcycle during the icy months, a lot of retailers really have to try hard to make a sale, which will work out in your favor. The best thing about buying a motorcycle is they’re more ecofriendly than your average car. Thus, you may be able to get a tax deduction thanks to the bike. Plus, in most states, you can ride in the carpool lane if you’re on a motorcycle, which will help save money in fuel costs alone. You should always take a safety course and do research before you decide to buy a motorcycle though as if you’re not prepared for one then it might be a waste of money even if it’s a great price.

10. Video Games
Generally, there is a surge in videogames during the holiday season, which can be pretty stressful if you’re a gamer. The games generally begin making an appearance around October and by the time December rolls around there’s too many on the wish list to even count on two hands. Although it may be tempting to buy these games the moment they come out, it’s also wise to let the games wait for a little while. After the holiday season is over, the games usually take a price cut, which will allow you to get them at a more affordable price. Of course, during this time, you’ll also be able to check out some reviews. You might also try renting the game or borrowing it from a friend to see if it’s something you actually want to plan. Often enough, the game simply doesn’t live up to its hype, which will allow you to forget about the extra expense.

The month of January is a great time to spend a little money. These savings are sure to help you leave your home looking and feeling comfortable. Not to mention, it’s the perfect time to stock up on some of the gifts you missed out on during the holidays. With all of the great savings, you’ll feel over the moon about your finances.

For many, the concept of saving money is the New Year’s resolution they’d love to excel at. With our economy just making a comeback from one of the worst recessions in U.S. history, it may seem like saving is not only an option but a necessity. This may scare many, but there’s many solutions you can try to ensure your savings will grow substantially over the new year. Luckily, most of these tips won’t force you to change your lifestyle a lot, nor will they cause you to go without. In fact, saving may be a fun way to gain control over your finances, so you can get back to feeling secure with the money you have.

1. Swap Banks
It’s easy to stick with the same bank year in and year out without ever considering if the bank has your best interest in mind. There’s lots of great banks out there, which are willing to work with customers to help their savings grow. Before you begin your savings, you may want to consider shopping around to see which banks offer an interest rate that will help your savings grow bigger in the upcoming year. You may also want to check to see if your banks rates will be changing in the upcoming year too, so you’ll know how to handle the change in the best possible way. If you’re truly comfortable with the checking options of your bank, then you can always keep your spending money there. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having more than one bank account. In fact, it may even help you forget about the money you put into savings. Simply move your savings into the account with greater interest and then let the money do the talking for you. If you can avoid touching the money over the period of a year, you should be able to rejoice over your success when 2017 rolls around.

2. Keep the Change
We live in a primarily digital world, which is tough when it comes to saving some items. In 2016, you might want to consider pulling out cash to do all of your shopping. Carrying around cash has many great benefits, but using it to save money is one of the best. When you shop with cash, there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to get coins back in return. When this happens when you shop with debit and credit, the coins remain in your account so you can spend them later on. However, if you want to save while using cash, then simply put all of your coins in a jar or a piggy bank. When the item is filled up then open it up and you’ll find a pretty good chunk of money that you never even missed in the first place. This is sure to help you will fundraisers for new items or even a vacation. Of course, you could continue on with the savings by taking the change straight to the bank.

3. Weekly Challenge
If it takes a competition to get you up and moving, then the weekly challenge may be your dream way to save. The most common weekly challenge is to add a $1 into savings for every week of the year. So, the most you will ever have to put back in a week is $52, which doesn’t seem like a whole lot to begin with! You can do this challenge by working forwards or backwards though, depending on your finances. For instance, if you’re still recovering from the holiday season then you might want to start the challenge from the beginning by adding your first dollar to savings on the first week of the year. If you’re worried about having to part with so much money during the next holiday season, then you could always start with $52 on the first week and countdown until the new year. The choice is entirely yours! Either way you plan to add, you will have over $1,000 in savings by the end of the year. You can also come up with your own weekly challenges though. This can be anything from putting back $5 a week to cutting back on a luxury item a week and adding that money into savings.

4. Direct Deposit
For some people, parting with hard earned money can be as tough as nails. So, one of the best solutions to this dilemma is to let your employer do the parting for you. Most employers allow you to direct deposit your pay check. So, you might want to plan a meeting where you ask your employer to set a certain amount of each check back to go into a different account. This savings account will then have the chance to grow each pay period, without you having to see the money that goes into it. With your employer sending the money to the account for you, you can sit back and forget all about the money until you check your balance at the end of the year. This will allow the money to grow and you’ll already have budgeted the money out of your check anyway, so you won’t be tempted to spend it.

5. 401K
If you haven’t already hopped on the 401K bandwagon then you are certainly missing out on something good. You’ve probably heard people brag about their 401Ks and how fantastic their retirement plan is. Of course, this might seem like a total scam if you’re not sure what the 401K is. Luckily, its not a scam! Basically, your 401K allows you to set aside a certain amount of money from each check. This money goes into a special account that you can’t really touch, unless you’re willing to jump through a lot of hurdles. A lot of employers will even match the amount of money that a person puts into their 401K, which will make your money double, triple and quadruple in no time at all. So, you can finally grow money simply by setting aside as low as $20 a pay period.

6. $5 Bill Rule
Carrying cash can truly be a financial blessing in more ways than one. The $5 Bill rule is one of the best ways though, especially if you don’t like saving money. Basically, when you go shopping and break your larger bills, you usually end up with smaller bills that don’t really go far on their own. So, instead of spending these bills, you should go through your change and pull out every $5 bill. Normally, you won’t get one, but on the off chance that you do, take this bill and put in a hiding place, jar or piggy bank. When the year is over, you can pull the money from wherever you were storing and see how much you saved. You may be surprised as to how much you have! So why a $5 bill? Basically, they’re the least likely bill you’ll miss. $1 bills are way too common to save, unless you’re ready to go broke and $10 bills would interfere with your budget substantially.

7. Swear Jar
You’ve probably seen the infamous swear jar on movies and TV. Although this is usually added in for a little comic relief, you’d be surprised as to how much a swear jar can do to change the way you save. Bad habits are pretty much inevitable, so using something like a swear jar to train ourselves to stop is like killing two birds with one stone. The swear jar can even be set up with a price tag on each word. You may find your bad habit is really doing you in financially, which will certainly help you cut out the problem. Best of all, when you kick your bad habit, you’ll have a pretty good amount in savings to help celebrate. Of course, the swear jar doesn’t have to be for just swearing. You can use it to help you keep on a workout schedule, cut other bad habits or even teach the children that not doing their chores will cost them money.

8. Bank the Bonuses
If you work in a place that offers bonuses, then you probably rejoice and do a whole lot of splurging when the money kicks in. Even if the bonus is only $50-$100, you can actually do a lot of good with the money, rather than spending it on fleeting things. Next time you get a bonus, send it to the savings account, rather than letting it sit in your checking account. This will feel like the money was never there to begin with, so you won’t be out anything. If your bonuses are more frequent then you’ll be set to enjoy some amazing benefits when the year ends and your savings account is flourishing. Of course, if you don’t get bonuses then you may consider doing the same thing for your tax return, as a big boost like that could really allow you to reduce financial burden in the upcoming years.

9. Consider Rewards
It would be pretty much impossible to not shop throughout the entire year, especially when special occasions come up. If you do need to spend money shopping or traveling, then use a credit card that offers you lots of rewards. Although you will have to spend money on the interest for the items you purchase, you won’t have to deal with the money disappearing from your account, which could burden your finances. Also, when you shop with a rewards card, you’ll quickly earn cash back, which could help cut down on the interest you pay. Also, many cards will give you travel miles, which is perfect for emergency trips or much needed getaways. If you travel a lot for business, then you may also want to use a hotel credit card to help you will free stays or even great discounts on the price of your room.

10. Be Patient
At the end of the day, one of the best things you can do to save money is to cut down on spending money. Sure, we all want to shop and buy nice things, but often we don’t need them. Sometimes, we don’t even really want them. So, next time you find yourself looking at a big ticket item, or even something you don’t really need then exercise a little financial patience. Try to wait 30 days before you make the final decision to buy an item. You should also do research on the item and look at reviews, so that you understand the item before you buy it. If you’re worried about it disappearing, then put in on layaway to buy yourself a bit of time. You may find that you don’t really want or need the item after the waiting period is over. Or, you may even find a better deal that blows the original deal out of the water. If you do choose to skip the purchase, then toss the money you would have spent into your savings account. It’ll add up in no time at all.

Adding to your savings account in the New Year doesn’t have to be a huge burden, nor does it have to see impossible. With these ten tips you should be able to keep your savings account thriving next year, without ever having to stress about saving money. Before you know it, you’ll be hooked on savings and leading an overall more frugal lifestyle.