With October finishing up its final days, you may be champing at the bit to enjoy all of the sales that are happening in the month of November. Between Thanksgiving deals and Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales, you’re sure to find just about everything you need when it comes to the holiday season. Often, November is the month when most households end up spending the most amount of money, so try not to fret if you’re working with a tight budget. There’s actually a few items you should be looking to buy during this month. So, if you have to pick and choose what you’re shopping for then look no further than these ten awesome items that will have the best sales this month.

1. Candy
With Halloween finishing up on the last day of October, you’re sure to want to hit the Halloween aisle come November the first. Here, you will find exciting deals on candy that will keep your family in sweets for the rest of the year. Most stores will move Halloween themed candy to the clearance aisle first, so try to grab these items before they’re all gone. They generally take a huge price decrease, so you might end up buying them for around 75% of more off. Once the Halloween stuff takes a hike, many stores will even move regular bags of bulk candy to the clearance aisle. Although you can buy these year round, stores purchase too many of them in October and must, therefore, move their stock as quickly as possible. Halloween candy isn’t the only must have grab in November. When Thanksgiving is over, you can get a great discount on Thanksgiving themed treats too. No matter what you buy though, make sure to freeze it or store it properly so you can enjoy it for much longer.

2. Baby Supplies
When you come across Cyber Monday and Black Friday sales, chances are you’re going to see a whole lot of baby goods that will make you squeal with delight. If you’re expecting, know someone that is or you already have a baby then now is the time to get some of those items you’ve had your eye on. Most local clothing stores and baby supply stores will have great door buster deals, so don’t hesitate to brave the cold to see what you can find in your own area. However, if you feel like your baby bump might get in the way of your shopping then have no fear, because online stores will offer some pretty amazing items too. Of course, you’ll have to make sure you keep an eye on websites like Amazon who only offer deals for a short time and have a limited stock to sell. You should also be careful not to jump into any deals you may not actually want. A little pre-shopping before the big day can save you a lot more money than you’d expect.

3. Military Supplies
Veterans Day takes place in the month of November, which is the perfect time to celebrate all things military. Luckily, this is also a great time to buy a whole lot of military supplies on sale. Some stores that sell official uniforms will have great sales this month to help honor veterans and make their working life a little bit cheaper. Apart from uniforms, you should be able to find ribbons and patches needed to finish off your uniform or to help you remember all the honors you received while you were serving. If you can prove you’re a veteran then you should also be privy to free food on the special day, so make sure to keep a look out for these deals. If you’re not a veteran, then don’t fret. This is still the perfect time to buy memorabilia for the veteran in your life. There’s some beautiful collector’s pieces that may make the veteran in your life feel proud over the holiday season.

4. Gaming Consoles
There’s some pretty awesome things coming out this year when it comes to gaming consoles, but you know all of the stores are going to hold out on the best deals for Black Friday when they do their most business. XBOX will be coming out with an upgraded console that features a lot more memory at a price that rivals what you paid for your current XBOX One. PlayStation will have a few releases this season, including the highly anticipated Virtual Reality add on that many gamers are going crazy over. Even Nintendo will roll out some awesome bundles for the 3DS if you’re interested in upgrading. These deals will only happen during Black Friday week though, so don’t expect to find them throughout the month or even as the holidays near.

5. Election Memorabilia
November 8 marks the end of the election season, which may feel like a relief to many. However, if you’re still looking to grab a few items that will help you remember this election season then November is the time to do it. You should be able to find t-shirts, banners, bumper stickers and so much more to help you remember your favorite candidate of the season. Even those Republicans and Democrats that did not make it past the RNC or DNC will have memorabilia items for sales in order to get rid of the stock. You might also find Halloween masks of your favorite politicians or items proclaiming you didn’t vote for the other candidate. Whatever your cup of tea is, make sure you grab your items just after the final voting date before they disappear or skyrocket in price.

6. Laptops
Without a doubt, Black Friday and Cyber Monday is one of the best times to grab a laptop. The deals are incredible and you’ll be able to get a whole lot more for your money than you would during any other time of the year. This is especially great if you have a student in your life who may be working on an outdated machine that makes getting research papers in a real hassle. This Black Friday/Cyber Monday there are some amazing predictions on laptops that will have you forgetting all about your Thanksgiving Day feast. For instance, it is rumored that Chromebooks will be less than $100 in some stores, which certainly won’t break the bank. Other mainstream machines will go for a low price too, so start looking around to see which laptops are up your alley, so you’ll be ready to jump on the deals before they’re all gone.

7. Photo Printing
Tis the season to get out all of those seasonal greetings that people love so much. However, as the holidays near you may notice the prices of your prints will go up substantially. The month of November offers many great deals when it comes to photo printing though, especially if you wait until Black Friday to make your purchase. If you’re aiming to get your holiday cards printed early then now may be the time to get in those holiday photos, so they’ll be ready to be upload them to the service and send them out for the holidays. You don’t just have to rely on cards during this time though. In fact, if you just want to update the pictures in your home, or you need to print out pictures for loved ones then now is the perfect time to jump on some deals too.

8. TVs
Black Friday has been known for TV sales for years now, as they are one of the most anticipated buys of the season. The unfortunate news is TVs sell out quick on Black Friday, but there’s no harm in trying to get the best deal possible. Black Friday will see similar deals that you saw last year, which should help you plan out your game plan. Of course, there will be lots of name brand items on sale during this time, but you should also consider looking at off-brand items too. These will sell slowly while the name brands fly off the shelves, so you might have better luck working on ordering one of these items. If you do miss out on the Black Friday deal you were after, then try to grab something awesome on Cyber Monday. In the past couple of years these deals have rivaled Black Friday, so you never know what your patience may get you. You should always make sure you know what you’re looking for in regards to a TV though, so you don’t overspend on something you don’t need or end up spending too much on something that isn’t really worth the money.

9. Clothes
Often, clothes take the back burner during the month of November, but you can really find some great deals on some of the best fashion items. As the month begins to end, you should find outstanding deals on autumn fashion since December will show the first signs of winter and a whole new fashion line. Apart from making room for the new clothing, you should see plenty of deals on Black Friday too. Many stores will offer 50-90% off of their stock, so if you’re shy on something then this is the time to go shopping for it. Often, stores like Old Navy will even open up their doors early for sales that will blow you away. Better yet, this store also holds a huge raffle that could allow you to win up to a million dollars. Other stores follow similar gimmicks, so if you want to have a little fun with clothes shopping this month then look around to see what your local area has to offer. Of course, Cyber Monday will also host great deals, but make sure you know how clothing from the stores fits you, so you don’t have to battle with returning numerous items after a shopping spree.

10. Food
Without a doubt, November is notorious for food considering we have one of the biggest feasts of the year during this time. It’s also a great time to find food on sale, if you know how to shop carefully. After the Thanksgiving madness has come and gone, many of your holiday staples will hit the sales shelf. Items like stuffing, cranberry sauce, pie filling and items you can use again for the next feast will be ready and waiting for you with a pretty good discount. You can even grab a turkey or ham at a surprising price. These items can be used for meals throughout the year if frozen properly or can be bought cheaply for you Christmas meal that will be coming up in a mere month. November is also a great month to buy the last of the autumn produce, so make sure to stock up on your favorites before you have to spend a small fortune on them.

The month of November is certainly one of the best times to save money if you’re feeling like the shopping bug is overtaking you. Luckily, the sales offered this month can be seen any other time of the year, so make sure to hop on your favorite websites or visit local stores to ensure you get the most out of the November shopping experience.

Once the joy of Halloween passes, you may find that your family is stuck with a whole lot of candy. Although most families seem to have no problem making their way through the stash of goodies, you may find that there are some candies that no one is willing to touch. Of course, if you try to monitor your child’s sugar intake then you may end up with a lot more candy than you expect long after the holiday has passed. Luckily, there’s a lot of great ways to handle the candy epidemic in your home that doesn’t involve throwing out your excess candy. Better yet, these candy tips shouldn’t force you to spend money to get rid of your candy stock.

1. Freeze It
Without a doubt, candy can go bad if you leave it long enough just like any other food. Before you know it, you may bite into something stale or tasteless that might turn your stomach. There’s one easy way to make your candy stash last a whole lot longer though. That is, freeze it. Simply place chocolate and other candies that may go stale in a bag and place them in the freezer. You may find that this will help you keep everyone from overdoing it on the candy too, especially children who try to sneak candy when you’re not looking. Apart from being able to keep the candy good for longer, the chocolate is perfect for cold desserts that the whole family will love. For instance, you can easily toss your child’s favorite candy in a milkshake for an occasional treat that will keep you away from pricey ice cream restaurants.

2. Bake It
Since the weather is cooling down and the holidays are around the corner, you may want to consider firing up the oven and baking a few treats. Your Halloween candy will make a great addition to any treats you choose to bake. For instance, you can choose your favorite brand of chocolate candy and melt it away into a brownie mix or cake. This will add the perfect flavor to the mix that will drive the family wild. You can even crumble some of the candies on the top of the cake to add style and flavor. These treats can be given away as holiday gifts too, especially to co-workers. Decorating Thanksgiving cookies will also be a breeze with all of the candy corn your children collects. This candy makes a great tail for turkey cookies, which will have all of your family and friends excited about dessert.

3. DIY Advent Calendar
Halloween pretty much sparks a long list of holidays that will be heading your way in the blink of an eye. This makes it the perfect time to start building your very own advent calendars. The Halloween candy your children collect can really help make the holidays great. All you need to make your own calendar is some cardboard, markers and, of course, your leftover candy. Simply glue together cardboard if you can’t find a thin enough box. Once you do this, add shelving to separate the sections on the calendar. This can also be made with cardboard, but you can do it with thick paper, like poster board, as well. When you have everything ready then cut doors into the calendar. You can make a calendar for just about anything too. For instance, Thanksgiving, winter break, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s are just a few of the options. You can even give away the calendars if you’re feeling generous.

4. Snacks
Believe it or not, but you can make healthier snack options with some of the candy as long as you keep the candy aspect to a minimum. For instance, trail mix is a great after school snack or a snack for a sporting event to help kids keep up their strength. Simply use candies like M&Ms to the mix with nuts, raisins and other classic trail mix treats. Oatmeal bars are another great option when it comes to healthier snacks for the kids. These power bars can be made with even one snack size piece of candy, so you can keep your child’s sugar intake under control. If you’re not worried about the sugar aspect, then try popcorn balls with your child’s favorite candy in there. Another option, which is often a family favorite, is to melt your favorite candy into a batch of rice crispy treats.

5. Rewards
If your family works with an incentive method then you may want to use your Halloween candy to save you some money here. You can set aside some of the candy for your children to enjoy for the holiday. However, the rest can go into a stash for rewards. You can hand out a piece of candy for just about everything. For instance, the small pieces of candy, like bite sized chocolates, make a great reward for getting chores done on time. Other candies that have pieces, like candy corn, M&Ms, Skittles and so on are perfect for homework time. You can open a package and distribute a single piece for correct answers. These also make great teaching aids for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and fractions. Apart from that, you can make goody bags of the candy and children can trade their points in for the sweet treats.

6. Donate to Servicemen
Giving back to the community is always great and will teach children how to be generous and respectful of those who protect them on a daily basis. When you’re finished with your Halloween candy, you might have the family sit down together and place a variety of candy into goodie bags. These can be delivered to police stations and fire stations to help say thank you to the men and women who serve the community. You might also want to include drawings or thank you notes to make the gift even more special. If you want to thing bigger, then there is actually a program that allows you to donate your candy to military members that are deployed. This will deliver your candy to a sailor or soldier who could use a pick me up while they’re away from friends and family.

7. Liven Up Hot Chocolate
There’s no doubt about it, when the weather cools down nothing warms the body and soul quite like a mug full of steaming hot chocolate. Although most hot chocolate is pretty sweet on its own accord, you may want to use your leftover Halloween stash to add a little extra to your favorite drink. Generally, it is best to do this over the stove, but you can also easily add the candy with a microwave too. Simply begin making your hot chocolate in the typical way. As the drink blends together then unwrap a couple of pieces of candy and add them to the drink. If everyone is torn by the candy they’d like to add, then simply pour the chocolate and crumble the individual candy into each mug. The drink should be hot enough to melt the chocolate on contact, so simply stir it in and serve the drink when it’s cooled enough for your child.

8. Christmas Decor
Halloween candy can really amp up your Christmas decor game. Each piece of candy can go far when it comes to crafts, especially when it comes to the candies that aren’t Halloween themed. For instance, you can use the foil wrapped candies in a clear ornament to create a colorful look that everyone will be drawn to. Another option is to create cute frames and other shimmery designs that will add fun to the season. There’s lots of great craft ideas for candy online, so make sure to browse around and find something fun and adorable that the family can make. You can also use your candy to decorate your gingerbread house. This will save you some money too and will allow you to have more diversity when it comes to your decorations.

9. Piñata
If your family loves to host birthday parties with piñatas then you’re in luck, as your Halloween candy can save you a whole lot of money when it comes to this party accessory. When the time comes for your party, simply pull your leftover candy from the freeze and wait for it to thaw. This is so the candy won’t create moisture in the piñata. Then, you simply add the candy to the piñata and get ready for the fun to begin. You may have to buy a little extra candy if your Halloween stash wasn’t large enough, but this should still cut back on the amount you spend. If you’re feeling ambitious, then build your own piñata to save even more money.

10. Candied Apples
Take a recipe out of your favorite Halloween cook book when you transform your leftover candy into candied apples. You can start this task by following the classic candied apple recipe. Then you simply melt the chocolate and layer it onto the apple. After sitting in the fridge overnight your apples should be ready to be enjoyed by the whole family. You can also use some of the candies, like candy corn or M&Ms to decorate the outside of the candy. This idea is perfect for late Halloween parties, but you can also sell the apples to bring in a little extra money for the holidays. If you’re not dedicated to selling your sweet creations, then send them out as gifts to friends and family. The tasty treat is sure to lift spirits, especially in places like the office.

Halloween candy doesn’t have to hang out in your home for months after the holiday. These handy tricks will help you find simple ways to get rid of the candy taking up space in your home, or to keep your family from going to town on it. With a little luck, your candy stash will make its way through the home, so you’ll have plenty of space for holiday leftovers and sweets that will be coming your way in no time at all.

Although autumn is just beginning, it’s never too early to start thinking about the cold months that will be here before you even know it. Purchasing winter clothes for a whole family can be a whole lot of financial strain, especially when you cater to everyone’s fashion sense. Of course, there’s still plenty of ways to get more out of your winter attire without having to spend a fortune in the stores. With a few techniques, you should be able to maximize your wardrobe while helping create a fun look that everyone will love when the snow begins to fall and the days feature an icy chill.

1. Think Functional
When you shop around for attire throughout the year, try to keep its functionality in mind. For instance, you can actually do a lot with a hoodie. Not only are these items great for the autumn chill, but they can go very far in the winter. From keeping kids warmer in the home to cut down on heating bills to adding an extra layer of warmth under a jacket, the hoodie is a must have for the season. The hoodie can also be worn during a run in the winter to help take the edge off of the cold while still making sure your flexibility isn’t compromised as you work out. Undershirts are another must have item in the winter and throughout the year. An undershirt, especially shirts designed to maintain a healthy body temperature, will help keep the core warm in the winter while cooling things down in the summer months. Any clothes that can be added to in the season are great winter finds too, so think of a few scenarios for a clothing item before you add it to your must buy list.

2. Thrift Store
A lot of people find thrift stores to be intimidating and some don’t want to buy second hand clothes. However, if you’re on a budget and you want to transform your winter wardrobe then the thrift store is the place to go. When it comes to kids’ clothes, most winter jackets are worn only a few times before they are outgrown. This leaves the clothing looking newer than ever, which will make your child look and feel cool while keeping warm. Adult clothing is sometimes sold in a practically new state too. In fact, many people have found clothing with the tag still on it at the thrift store so you may luck out and find the style you’ve had your eye on for quite some time. You can also find snow suits and other items that would normally be incredibly expensive, so make sure to grab these items so you have more money to spend on signature pieces.

3. Choose Layers
Your winter wardrobe doesn’t have to be filled with clothing that is specifically designed for winter. Having a wardrobe like this will cost you an arm and a leg. Rather than shopping like this, you should take your whole wardrobe into consideration. You can use just about every clothing item from the year to help fluff your winter wardrobe, which will save you a considerable amount of money. Rather than spending a lot of money on thick long sleeve shirts, layer your autumn long sleeve shirts with a fun t-shirt from the summer months. You can also add a fun graphic tee to a cardigan to spice up your look. Dresses that you wore in spring and summer can be added to with a pair of thick leggings or even jeans and a sweater. You’ll be surprised how much you can add to your wardrobe simply by keeping things layered.

4. Hit the Outlet Stores
If you have to keep up with all of the latest trends and you’re not keen on second hand clothing, then the outlet store is probably your best bet for clothes. If you have one of these stores near you then you should probably frequent it to make sure you get all of the best deals. Usually, a short while after seasonal clothes debut you should find a lot of the items in the outset store. These are usually because too many items were ordered or there may have been small flaws in the design. Of course, most of the clothing in these stores still looks high quality and will be priced so low you won’t want to pass the item up even if it does have a slight malfunction. The sales at these stores will also help you find the best deals on clothes for the season. Thus, the whole family will look like you spent a fortune on their clothing when you will probably manage to come just under budget.

5. Invest in Base Layers
One way to avoid having to buy a lot of clothing for winter is to invest in base layers. These items come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find what makes you the most comfortable. One popular base layer is thermal underwear. This will help lock in the heat under your regular clothing, so you can stay warmer in the snow without having to wear several different layers of clothing. You can get thermal underwear in tops and bottoms and they tend to fit under most clothing rather well. Other than that, these items make great pajamas, so you can get more use out of them than you originally thought possible. Other base layers will offer equal protection, such as athletic base layers. These tend to run a bit pricier though, but you can wear them throughout the year to ensure you get your money’s worth.

6. DIY Accessories
Winter accessories can be alarmingly expensive. During this season, you may want to channel your crafty side in order to show off your fashion sense. This autumn, you may want to check out a few tutorials to get you started on your way to an excellent fashion sense during the winter. One common item to make is your own beanie. You can buy kits to do this if you’re not skilled in crocheting, so you don’t have to stress out about the hat not turning out. Of course, if you do love to crochet then you can probably work on a few different styles as well as colors before the cold weather sets in. Another item to try out is a scarf. You can do this by crocheting too, but there’s lots of other amazing ways to work on the item as well. You may be surprised as to how many different scarves you can make without having ever worked on your skills in the area. So, browse around and see which winter accessories will make you look amazing while showing off your creative talents.

7. Wait For Sales
When it comes to winter clothing, you should have plenty of time to postpone your shopping before the big sales season begins. You may want to hold out until Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales hit your radar as this will be a great time to grab some of the hottest fashions around. Apart from that, there will be lots of sales in the winter months to help clear some stock. Typically, after Christmas and New Year’s, the sale on winter clothes become more frequent, so you may want to use this time to stock up on all of your luxury winter items. For now, just make sure you have the basics so you’ll be prepared for when the wind chill comes in and the snow begins to fall. With a little patience, you’ll be able to set up the perfect wardrobe for next season.

8. Buy Off Season
Although this won’t really help you this winter, you should always try to stock up on winter essentials and your favorite fashions during spring and summer. You may even be able to find some great deals in autumn. Winter clothing obviously isn’t needed during these seasons and many stores would prefer to eliminate it from their stock rather than carry it around for another year. So, as time passes, these items are going to decrease in price over the year so you should be able to get an extraordinary deal on the items. All you have to keep in mind is the size you or your children may be during the winter months. This is probably going to be one of the easiest ways for you to get enough clothes to last the winter without losing out on lots of money though. So, be patient if you see a style you like and hold off on buying your child’s age group appropriate clothes for next year as you’re bound to see if for a fraction of the price later on.

9. Go Wool
Wool is one of the best fabrics out there when it comes to the harsh winter months. This fabric is designed to hold strong for years to come, so you’ll get way more out of your investment. Although wool clothing is slightly more expensive, you can take comfort in the idea that you won’t have to deal with the item wearing thin on your watch. Many companies that sell wool items even offer a lifetime guarantee, so you might want to shop around and find one of these companies before you invest your money. Wool helps keep the body warmer too, so you can use it from socks to a stylish peacoat. No matter what item you buy, the wool is easy to care for and will make taking care of your finances easier than ever when winter shopping.

10. Skip the Brands
Sure, there’s a lot of brand name items out there that pretty much promise the world when it comes to good quality winter clothing. However, most of the brands don’t offer anything that is exceptionally out of the ordinary in comparison to clothing that isn’t name brand. You can easily find a wide assortment of items that will allow you to have just as stylish and well-made clothing without paying the price of the brand. This is perfect for anyone on a budget. Generally, you can find these items in department stores or discount clothing stores, so keep your eyes open for the items you truly need. Usually off-brand clothing is half the price of its counterpart, so you can really save big here. However, before you buy any clothing, brand name or not, you should look at the threading and materials it was made with just to make sure you’re on the right track.

Winter can be one of the best times to enjoy fashion; however, with all of the extra fabric and thought that has to go into each item of clothing, you may end up spending a lot more than you imagined on your favorite looks. These ten tips should help you come up with a few alternatives to not only make your budget work for you, but your wardrobe too.

If you’ve yet to start thinking about your child’s Halloween costume, you’re probably not alone. Halloween can be an expensive and stressful holiday if you allow it to be, but there’s lots of things you can do to shave off the price of the occasion while still allowing your children to have a whole lot of fun. Whipping up your kids’ costumes is one of the easiest and most fun things you can do during the holiday season. No matter their interests, there’s probably something you can find to help make the occasion great for them without spending a fortune on masks and other costume accessories. Before you know it, you’ll have the whole family ready to go trick or treating for well under budget.

1. Ghost
Without a doubt, you’ve probably dressed up as a ghost at one time or another in your own childhood. The classic ghost costume is always a hit and is the perfect last minute costume idea that you can even make it on the day of the big event. One of the easiest ways to tackle this is to take an old white sheet, or a new one from a dollar store, and cut holes for the eyes. If you’re in a rush, then your costume is totally done. If not, then you may want to add some details to the mix. For instance, if you craft some dog ears and add a red nose then you have a simple shout out to the Nightmare Before Christmas. Adding a top hat and other fun accessories will make your look a lot more exciting too. If you want to branch out away from the iconic sheet ghost, then take some old clothes and powder them down. Then add some white makeup and powder your hair. You’ll be good to go for hours as long as there’s no rain. You can even create a time piece with this form of ghost, which might add more fun to the occasion.

2. Athlete
Another fast idea for anyone shy on time is the iconic athlete. If your child is into sports, then this costume will be easier than ever. Simply have the child wear their favorite jersey or a uniform for a team they are actually on. Then, grab a ball and the costume is complete. You can even add blood, dirt and grass to make the look more intense. You shouldn’t rule out anything when it comes to this costume either. For instance, cheerleaders and ballerinas are also easily accomplished by finding items used at home. You may even decide to have the whole family dress up as one team. This is especially fun for basketball, football and hockey. Some people love to spice up the sports look by adding a backstory. For instance, they add fake blood to create an athlete who is an accident.

3. Pokemon
Pokemon is probably going to be one of the most popular costume ideas out there this year, but if you purchase a costume you’re going to be spending a small fortune. Luckily, there’s plenty of DIY ways to achieve the Pokemon look that won’t leave your budget on its way to the Poke Center. One easy way is to simply create a Pokemon’s face on a beanie. All you need after this is items to create a tail or any other stand out feature and you should be good to go. One of the easiest materials to work with as far as this goes is cardboard as it will allow you something easy to mold and paint in a hurry. If a Pokemon isn’t on your child’s agenda, then a Pokemon Trainer is another simple option. Simply mimic some of the looks from the cartoons with clothes your child already has and make Pokeballs out of cardboard. You may even get the whole family, including pets, in on the Pokemon adventure.

4. Princess
Many little girls love to dress up as the iconic princess and, luckily, it is one of the cheapest costumes you can work up yourself. One of the easiest ways to do this is to raid your child’s dress up clothes as there is usually plenty to work with when it comes to creating a princess costume in a hurry. If you’re shy on clothing for the costume, then your best bet is to check out a thrift store. Old dresses can easily be nipped and tucked to create the perfect princess dress for your child. Of course, you can also grab cheap fabrics at your favorite crafting store to come up with a dress. Once you have everything you need then you’re all set to add the finishing touches of makeup and a shimmery tiara. You can even make your own tiara out of cardboard, paint and stick on stones.

5. Superheroes
When it comes to Halloween costumes, superheroes tend to never go out of style. This is great news for you because you can DIY your child’s favorite superhero or come up with your own superhero without spending a small fortune. Most children’s superhero costumes can start out with a simple sweat suit. Once you have the colors you need then add the accessories using cloth cut outs and fabric glue. If you have cardboard lying around the house, then this is the perfect item to make accessories. From shield’s to Thor’s hammer, you should be able to find the perfect tutorial to help you build your child’s item from scratch. Apart from that, you can easily whip up a cape or a facial mask out of an old sheet or fabric you have lying around. You may even bring the kids in on the project to help fuel their creative interests.

6. LEGOs
Most kids play with LEGOs at some point in their childhood. These iconic toys are actually very easy to transform into Halloween costumes too, which will help ease your costume dilemma for the whole family. All you need is cardboard boxes that are large enough to fit around each person’s body. Once you have the perfect boxes cut a hole in the box to allow the body to pass through it with ease. You can also strap the box around the body to make it easier to get on and off, especially for toddlers who may be potty training. With the box ready to go, cut cardboard into strips and glue it in the shape of a circle on the front of the box. Then cut out a circle to glue on top of this to finish it off. When everything is dry, add a coat of your favorite color of pain and you’ll be good to go. Of course, you can spruce the costume up in many other ways too, so have a little fun with the concept.

7. Animals
Many little kids love to dress up as their favorite animal for the holiday. This is probably one of the easiest costumes to whip up in a hurry and will look totally adorable. Basically, all you need is to start out with a solid colored sweat suit. From there, you can paint on stripes, spots or other distinctive marks to make the animal stand out. Once you have that going on, then you can easily finish off the body of the animal by creating a tail out of fabric, foam or even yarn. If you’re working on animals like a turtle that may need extra detailing, then use cardboard to make it happen. You’ll fall in love with the look as will your child. Finally, for the face of the animal, create a mask out of paper or use paint to make the final touches. You can easily take a beanie and add ears onto it to create the final appearance. Your child may even want to wear the suit during playtime, which will help you get more out of your money.

8. Witch/Warlock/Wizard
Bring some magic to the holiday when you transform your child into a witch, warlock or wizard. A witch or warlock costume has been a classic for many years now and isn’t hard to achieve. The costume is easily achieved with black clothing for both witch and warlock. However, the costume will come to life with the iconic witch hat, but you may consider using a fedora for a modern boy style. Once the clothes are picked out then add some green makeup for a bad witch or warlock or glitter to represent the light witches and warlocks. Then, add the family broom to the mix and your child will look fantastic. You can even use prosthetics to create long and bumpy noses or warts. If a wizard is more your liking, then try to stick with a long robe and find a great stick to use as a wand. If your child wants a Harry Potter type costume then a simple robe, button down top and tie will suffice. You can print out one of the house logos to place on the robe to finish off the look.

9. Mummy
Another classic costume is the Mummy. This is one of the easiest things to do if you’re in a hurry for a good idea, but are still drawing blanks. You can start your mummy foundation with simple white or black clothing, depending on the effect you’d like to make. Once you have this aspect working then consider your options. If the weather is going to be clear, then you may want to save some money by simply wrapping the child in toilet paper. This will make keeping up with the costume easy and is great for younger kids who probably won’t be out for more than an hour or so. If you like the idea of a more traditional costume, then an old white sheet should do the trick. You can even go the extra mile and die the sheet to make it look aged. Once you have this ready to go then rip it up into long strands and begin the wrapping process. You can even add black around your child’s eyes and some brown to represent dry blood.

10. Career
When all else fails, let your child transform into the career they’ve always had their heart set on. You can easily find costume supplies for doctors, vets, lawyers, construction workers and so on, which will make the costume a lot of fun. You may even have all of the supplies you need in your own home, so make sure to look around before you end up going shopping. If you are looking for last minute accessories, then most dollar stores will have exactly what you’re looking for without the high price tag. Some schools will even host their career day around Halloween, so you’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone with a costume like this.

Halloween is designed to be a fun time for kids and families to share. However, with the high price of candy and costumes, you may find it hard to get in the spirit of the fun. These ten tips are sure to help find the creativity needed to come up with the perfect costume for your kids as well as the rest of the family. So get in the spirit of the season, rather than stressing about the financial burden.

Cleaning the bathroom is probably one of the worst things on your to-do list. Apart from having to use chemicals that aren’t exactly cheap, the bathroom isn’t always the easiest place to deep clean due to the tight quarters. There’s a few ways you can get more out of your bathroom cleaning experience though. If you’re pregnant, trying to keep a frugal budget, or simply want to be kind to Mother Nature, you may find some of these chemical free tips to be right up your alley. With a few simple and easy to follow steps your bathroom will look like it was professionally cleaned without forcing you to use several different cleaners.

1. Mop the Walls
One of things that makes the bathroom look and smell not as clean as it should is the walls. Most people don’t think to clean them, but with all of the moisture in the room it could be one of your best options if you really want to create a clean effect. If you have a Swiffer or similar product then this will be easier than ever. Simply place a clean pad or cloth on the device and begin to clean the wall just like you would the floor. Feel free to even use a cleaning solution to help ensure any build up will be removed as you clean. You shouldn’t have to do this as often as you would other cleaning jobs, but if you keep up with it then your bathroom should maintain a whole new level of clean that you’ll be proud of.

2. Clean the Fans
Another item that often gets overlooked when cleaning the bathroom is the fan. This is a crucial item when it comes to the bathroom, especially since it is often your bathroom’s defense against mildew and other foul odors. However, the fan can gain so much build up that it won’t function properly, which is a major problem. Every once in a while, you should take apart the fan with a basic screw driver to clean it. Once you’ve removed the component then use canned air to get rid of all of the dust and particles that are attached. When you have everything cleaned out, then place the fan back in the wall and screw it back in. In order to reduce the amount of buildup you may want to use a special wax to go over the frame of the fan. This will help prevent as much build up over time your fan will work wonders for years to come.

3. Grout
If you have a lot of grout in your bathroom, then you probably know the headache that is cleaning it. Grout can be a pain in the neck to keep free of mold and is an eye sore in the bathroom when it isn’t clean. You can probably spend hours on end scrubbing the grout too, which often comes to no solution whatsoever. Of course, there is one simple way to ditch the bold that builds up on your grout. That is, to soak a cotton ball in bleach and place them around the moldy or strained areas of your grout. Then, turn the bathroom fan on and walk away for several hours. When you come back, remove the cotton balls and rinse away the mold. Your bathroom should look sparkly and cleaner than you’ve seen it in quite some time. Another option for this is to use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to leave the grout nice and clean with items commonly found around the house.

4. Glass
There’s no doubt about it, cleaning glass can be pretty frustrating, especially when you can’t manage to get it streak free. Lots of cleaners on the marker don’t really help with this matter and can leave you scratching your head as to how to get your glass clean without all of the chemicals. One way to do this naturally is to make your own by adding vinegar and lemon oil to a spray bottle. The vinegar will cut through any grime on the mirror while disinfecting it, while the lemon oil leaves that fresh scent that makes everyone feel clean. Of course, if you want to get the streak free look then skip the rag or paper towel. Instead, use a piece of newspaper to do the job. It may sound odd, but you won’t want to use any other method when you see how striking the glass looks. After you’ve cleaned off your glass you may want to consider using a product like Rain-x for shower doors. This will help prevent mildew build up, so you’ll be able to enjoy that streak free shine for much longer.

5. Toilets
The toilet can be the stuff of nightmares, especially when you’re not in the mood to clean. There are a couple of ways to make the task go by a little faster so you won’t have to face the toilet for very long. For starters, vinegar and baking soda will quickly become your best friend when cleaning your toilet. Simply add this like you would a cleaner and let the mixture work its magic. It will get rid of stains in the toilet bowl quickly while disinfecting. Make sure you use a toilet brush to help with the process though, especially when it comes to beneath the rim where the mixture is unlikely to reach on its own. If you have stains in the tank of your toilet, use dental tablets to take care of the problem with ease. Of course, nothing will beat taking the toilet seat off of the hinges so you can clean all of the crevices that often get missed. You can even use a screw driver and a cloth to clean the crease between the seat and the tank. This should leave you with a sparkling clean toilet that you won’t have to think twice about guests using it.

6. Drains
One of the biggest headaches is the bathroom often is the drains. It doesn’t matter if it’s the sink or the bathtub, there always seems to be a clog coming up. This can cost you a small fortune when it comes down to getting your pipes cleared out by a professional plumber. There are a few ways you can stop clogs in their tracks though. If you start to feel a clog coming on, or you simply want to avoid one coming along altogether, then you may want to place white vinegar or baking soda down the drain while running hot water. This should wipe out everything in the way. If you have a close that is giving you problems, then you might want to invest in a drain snake. This will allow you to take care of the problem on your own, so you’ll never have to worry about calling in a plumber again.

7. Fabrics
Your fabrics need to be cleaned well too, which can lead to an overall better smell when it comes to your bathroom. All towels used in the bathroom should be washed every three to four days because they can begin to smell like mildew and aren’t clean enough to dry your skin or wipe your hands on any more. You should never wash your towels with fabric softener though as this will prevent your towels from being absorbent. These items, including any other fabrics you use in the bathroom should be washed on the hottest setting to support cleanliness. This even includes cloth shower curtains even though they don’t come in contact with the shower. Rugs should be washed occasionally, but it may be best to hang them over the shower or bath edge in order to dry after every use.

8. Steam Clean
The bathroom floor is not as germ free as you’d like it to be, even when it comes to regular sweeping and mopping. The best way to truly disinfect the floor is to pull out your steam cleaner. Whether you rent or own your own steam cleaner, the device should be used at least once a quarter to help get rid of buildup on your floor while truly knocking out the germs that linger. Sweeping and mopping prior to doing this will help considerably, so don’t think twice about doing this prior to the steam clean. Once you finish running the steam cleaner over your floors everything should smell a bit better and will look absolutely incredible.

9. Metal
One of the biggest eyesores in the bathroom is often dirty metal, which seems to steal the focal point. The best way to get rid of this is to clean it up with some vinegar. From the water spots on the metal to mildew that builds up around the corners of the faucet, you should be able to get rid of any problems within seconds. Even the tough stains can be cleared up by soaking paper towels in vinegar and leaving it overnight. If you’re missing the shine of the metal, then use some baby oil to buff it and then top the metal off with some mineral wax to make sure the shine lasts for quite some time. Apart from the aesthetic view of the metal, you can also clear blocked faucets and shower heads by using a sandwich or other plastic bag filled with vinegar. Simply tie it to the item that needs to be unclogged and let the vinegar soak in for a few hours. This will make you feel like your showerhead or faucet is brand new, which will certainly add to the cleanliness of your bathroom.

10. Air Freshener
If you really want to add to the finishing touches of your bathroom, then adding some fragrance to the air is the perfect touch. One easy way to do this while also cleaning is to heat up lemon halves in water. This can be done in a matter of minutes in the microwave, so it won’t take up a lot of time. This mixture can coat the tub, shower, sink or even the toilet to add a refreshing scent after you’ve done all of your cleaning. If you’d love a scent that lasts longer then there are many great ways to create your own DIY air freshener. Some of these recipes even include using baking powder which is sure to soak up some of the bad odors too. Other options include burning incense or heating up wax to help keep the room smelling like a million bucks.

Keeping your bathroom fresh and clean is important, but you don’t have to spend a fortune on chemicals to do so. These ten bathroom tips will make all of your guests envious of how clean your bathroom is, which is sure to make you happy. Although cleaning the bathroom isn’t a fun job, you can easily find joy in how it looks, feels and smells when you utilize these tips.

In case you didn’t notice all of the pink this month, October is breast cancer awareness month. There’s lots of events going on this month to help raise money and awareness for breast cancer, which may inspire you to jump in on the activities. Between walkathons and merchandise, you may find that keeping up with the activities costs a pretty penny. There are several ways that you can join in to support the message of the month while helping with fundraisers and donations. So, embrace the month of pink without worrying about money, because these ten tips are sure to help you find one or several ways to tell breast cancer a powerful message.

1. Wear Pink
Pink is the official breast cancer awareness color, which makes it easy to spot people sharing the message in the month of October. This can be a great time pull out all of your lovely pink clothes to show off to the world. If you’re a little shy on the pink front, then you might want to consider dying some clothes so you’ll have plenty to wear. You can even make your own t-shirts to add to the fun of the month and to ensure that people notice the message you’re trying to get across. This is a great way to help children participate too, especially if they have a pink day at school. If your office or the clubs you’re in don’t have plans to work on a pink day then you may want to organize one. This could really bring awareness to a larger group of people and will bring a sense of strength to the message you have to share.

2. Pass Out Ribbons
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to share the message with a large group, then passing out pink ribbons is one of the best options. You can easily and cheaply buy pink ribbon in bulk which will allow you to cut and make tiny ribbons that can be turned into pins. This should only take a few dollars to make and won’t eat up a lot of time either. Once you have your ribbons ready to go then you can pass them out at schools, the work place or even on crowded streets. This will help get the message out to a lot of people, which is sure to spike awareness in your area. With every pin you give you, you will be sharing the message to several people which can do a lot of good.

3. Volunteer
This month, there is bound to be several events that you won’t want to miss out on. From charity concerts to marathons, the list goes on and on. Of course, with all of these charity events, you may find that the price tag is a little steep too, especially if you try to make it to all of the events. This can easily be remedied if you volunteer to help out at the event. This will give you a chance to do a lot of good for the cause without forcing you to miss out on the event. Most events will begin accepting volunteers early, so make sure to get in your application. Although they usually can use all of the volunteers they can get, you might find some of the more popular events can fill up before you know it, so don’t wait. If an event isn’t your thing then see if you can volunteer for another charity that donates to the cause, or for a cancer center.

4. Walk/Marathon
One of the best things about the month of October is the weather is cooling down and there tends to be numerous walk for a cause events going on. This is especially true when it comes to breast cancer awareness walks. Marathons are also incredibly popular during this time too, so if you’re feeling fit then make sure to sign yourself up. Both of these events tend to cost an entrance fee, but if you can get enough donors on your behalf then you should be good to participate without spending an arm and a leg. This will also allow you to work on your own health, so you can set a great example for others looking to spread the word about breast cancer. Depending on the walk or marathon, your winnings may actually go to support a breast cancer charity, which is one of the best gifts you can give during the month of awareness.

5. Pass Out Flyers
Many people are still unaware that October is breast cancer awareness month. You may be able to remedy this and help them find out more about breast cancer when you choose to pass out flyers in your area. Usually, you can get a great deal on bulk flyers from many printing websites. Try to find a coupon code to cut back on expenses too. Of course, you could also print out the flyers on your own or use a copy machine to cut back on spending altogether. Make sure your flyers include basic information on breast cancer, preventive measures and numbers that people who need support can call. With a little information you can help out a lot more people than you ever thought possible. This should help you make the most of the month and protect people with knowledge.

6. Hold a Fundraiser
If you like to plan events and have a bit of money to spend this month, then a fundraiser is a great way to show breast cancer that you’re willing to fight. You don’t have to host a grand dinner party or anything that will cost you a fortune though, so don’t fret. Instead, host a car wash if the weather still permits. Yard sales, bake sales and other common fundraisers will help out too. You can even host a party where guests leave donations to help out with the cause. No matter what you choose, try to keep it on the frugal side while promoting the idea of donations. You may be surprised by how many people are willing to donate, especially considering so many people have had someone affected by cancer in their lifetime. The event may even encourage others to host similar events, which will allow even more money to be donated to the cause.

7. Visit a Cancer Unit
Like many hospitals and nursing homes, those spending large amounts of time in a cancer unit tend to be a bit on the lonely side. For some, having someone to talk to during their time of need can really help make the treatments pass by quickly. Sometimes, the company can even lift their spirits enough to encourage them to heal faster, which is always nice. So, if you really want to do something special for the cause this month you might see if there is a cancer unit that needs guests. You may even consider bringing blankets, reading material and other supplies to make the patients feel a bit more at home. Without a doubt, you will make at least one person smile, which is something money can’t buy.

8. Survivor Potluck
Another way to support breast cancer awareness is to host a potluck for people who have actually survived cancer. Ask friends, family, neighbors and anyone who will listen to donate a dish to the event. This will allow survivors to get together and enjoy food, while sharing their stories with those who may be suffering from cancer or for those living with loved ones who are. This should help others find inner strength while encouraging people that there is life after cancer. A potluck shouldn’t cost you much. In fact, the venue should be one of priciest aspects of the event. You might try churches or community centers to see if anyone will offer you a good price. If you contact churches and community centers, you may even have more people willing to donate dishes, attend the event or donate to a breast cancer charity.

9. Research
Most people don’t really know all that there is to know when it comes to breast cancer. That’s why, you may want to take this month to explore the ins and outs of the cancer. This shouldn’t cost you anything extra than your basic utilities because you can explore the internet as well as free data bases. Some sites will even allow you to ask doctors questions, which can help you learn even more about this disease. Before the month is over, you should be able to detect the signs, know about the treatments and what exactly occurs when cancer grows in the body. You may even be able to visit research centers to learn about the newest tech designed to wipe out cancer more efficiently. By the end of the month, you may not be an expert, but you’ll have a greater understanding which is half the battle.

10. Take Care of Your Health
One of the best things you can do to raise cancer awareness it to take care of your own body. Both men and women should check for breast cancer as both genders can get it. This month, you should try to get a screening with your doctor to make sure you’re in the clear. Many hospitals will even allow you to receive a reduced price on a mammogram due to October being breast cancer awareness month. There are things you can do at home to make sure you’re in the clear too. A self-breast exam should be performed every month for women on the last day of their period. You can also watch out for skin changes such as dark sports or puckering. With a little mindfulness you can ensure you’re healthy. You should also begin to teach your children about self-care and how often they should visit the doctor, so they’ll be prepared when they grow up too.

Breast cancer awareness month is a great time to do your part to help better the world and eliminate a deadly disease that causes so many deaths around the world. Although we have a long way to go in regards to cancer, every little bit helps toward a cure. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune though as there are frugal ways to help out during this important month of awareness.

The autumn months are filled with lots of things to see and do, but it’s also filled with bad weather. This makes it one of the best times to pull out the craft supplies and have a blast. Luckily, there’s lots of autumn crafts that you can make for next to nothing at all. These crafts can serve as great gifts as well as decorations for your home. With a few DIY skills and a little bit of creativity, you’ll find autumn crafts will soon be a hit with the whole family. So, don’t stress out over entertaining the family on the blustery days, because these ten ideas will have everyone having a blast.

1. Luminary
Nothing says autumn like lovely candles and warm lights that set the mood inside of the home while the rain drizzles outside. This season, you can easily make your own luminaries to make your home feel inviting during the cool weather. This craft won’t cost an arm and a leg either. All you will need is a glass container, may it be a cut wine bottle, an old candle container or mason jar. The choice of item is entirely up to you and the look you want to create. You will also need leaves cut from tissue paper, so make sure to grab autumn friendly colors to set the seasonal mood. You can free draw the leaves to suit your needs or trace them from a pattern or real leaves that you collected from outside. Once you have the leaves cut out then modge podge them to the glass and leave them to dry. You may need a couple of coats, so make sure to double check to make sure all of your leaves are completely down before you move on. When everything is dry you can add a tea light, candle or battery operated light to create a cool effect. These luminaries are great centerpieces or simple ways to freshen the house using candles and beautiful decor.

2. Leaf Prints
Keep your younger children excited about the seasonal change by having them sit down and make leaf prints. These can be very exciting for younger children because it allows them to create a form of magic that will surprise them when they make their first prints. All you need for this task is a few fallen leaves. You may want to avoid crunchy leaves though as they won’t work well and they’ll make a huge mess. Once your kids have picked out their leaves, grab a few sheets of paper and some crayons or pencils. Place the paper over the leaf and have the kids color away. This should make a print of the leaf, which can be hung on the wall or cut out and hung from the ceiling. You can also take some leaves and dip them in paint and have the kids use them as stamps. This can bring a lot of fun for everyone. You can even use this technique to make a tablecloth for the autumn months or your Thanksgiving feast.

3. Paint Pumpkins
If you’ve already made your first trip to the pumpkin patch, then you may be trying to decide when the best time to start carving is. In truth, you should probably wait until the week of Halloween to this, but there are lots of great crafts you can try out with your pumpkins that won’t leave them rotting straight away. For instance, you can simply paint them colors and add some glitter for a cute decoration that can be placed inside or outside of the home. Pumpkins can even be used as a numerical marker for your home, which will add a perfect touch to the autumn decor. Of course, if you really want to get your house spooky in a hurry then you can also paint faces on your pumpkins to create the jack-o-lantern look that you’ve dreamed of. This can be a lot of fun for the whole family too and won’t force you to waste money on pumpkins that won’t last to the holiday.

4. Scarecrow
Autumn is one of the best times to enjoy one of the iconic decor items of the season. That is, the scarecrow. Scarecrows do have their creepy vibes, but you can deck yours out to be happy-go-lucky if you so choose. This is a great way to get the whole family in on a project too. Scarecrows really don’t require a lot of shopping for supplies. You can use old clothes or burlap that you might already have lying around. These items can be stuffed with leaves that you find in the yard, which should help take care of a little lawn work too. The face can be drawn on or you can choose cute buttons or other items to add to the decor. Apart from that, you can easily transform your scarecrow into something Halloween friendly when the holiday finally rolls around.

5. Gratitude Tree
When it comes to autumn, there’s lots of things to be thankful for, including the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Thus, you may want to consider coming up with a gratitude tree this season. This can really give you a lot of room to work with because there’s no set instructions as to how to make your own tree. For instance, you can find twigs outside and use them to create an autumn inspired tree. You could also use paper to create a tree that stays on the wall. Even real or faux plants will do the trick for this craft. Once you have the tree figured out and set up then you’re ready to have some real fun. Choose a few scrapbooking or construction paper designs to start. You can cut the paper into acorns, leaves or anything else that gives you the warm feeling of autumn. Once you’ve done this, punch holes into the paper and add some string to make it easy to hang like an ornament. Of course, if you’re using a tree that’s taped to the wall then consider creating little pockets to insert the leaves or use thumbtacks or 3m’s to hang the items from. You can place these decorations in a box and every week or so everyone in the family can write down something they are thankful for. When Thanksgiving comes around, you can all read from the tree and feel the warmth of your joyful lives together.

6. Leaf Globe
The snow globe is an iconic part of winter, which many children and adults cherish as keepsakes for years. Now, you can make your very own globe with beautiful autumn leaves in it. Believe it or not, but this craft won’t cost you a fortune either. All you need is a jar with a secure lid, water, glycerin, a hot glue gun and items to put into the jar. You can really let your imagination run wild here too. For instance, you can keep it simple with a small tree or twigs as your decorative item, or you can go all out and add a full autumn scene to the mix. Whatever you choose should be glued to the lid. Once you’ve got your items glued and they’ve been left to dry overnight, fill your jar with the water and glycerin. Then, you can add in the items you’d like for leaves. Plastic or metallic leaves are cheap and easy to find during this season and will look great for years to come. However, let your imagination run wild here. Once you’ve added in the leaves, glue the lid shut and leave it to dry again. Soon, you’ll have a globe to add to your decor or to pass out as a gift.

7. Wreath
Without a doubt, a cute wreath can be a great accessory any time of the year. However, they are often a bit on the pricey side of the spectrum. You can easily make your own with some cardboard and a few cheap items. Simply start by cutting the cardboard into a circle and then cut out the center. For a great autumn inspired look you may want to glue on leaves from the yard. You can also weave branches, add acorns or pinecones as well as anything else that makes you feel inspired by the beautiful autumn weather. Of course, you can also transform your wreath into a Halloween style. This is easily accomplished with fake spider webs and the cure plastic spider rings you can buy in bulk over the holidays. You can also add pieces of candy, other scary figures and so on. Before long, you’ll have a cute wreath that will have cost you next to nothing.

8. Garland
One of the easiest ways to add to the decor in your home is to create some adorable garland that will bring the autumn beauty inside. One fun way to do this is to grab some leaves from outside. Make sure they are clean and bug free though before you begin the craft. The leaves can be glued to twine or other string to create a beautiful row of colorful leaves that will draw attention to your home. If you don’t like the idea of dead leaves hanging from the ceiling then consider trying the same craft out with fake leaves, which can be bought for cheap at most craft stores. Other than that, you can always create a cute garland using simple sticks and felt or paper. You can spell out your family’s name, welcome, autumn or other message with the twigs on each square of felt or paper. Then string them together for garland that will wow all of your holiday guests.

9. Pinecones
Although pinecones tend to be more of a winter fashion, you can show them off in the autumn too. These simple craft options look great stored in a bowl without any extra work, so imagine all that you can do with them when you channel your creative side. One of the easiest things to do with pinecones is paint them or simply add some glitter. These look great on display and will add a burst of color to the room. If you have younger children, then you may want to transform the pine cones into adorable little animals. These can be used for Christmas ornaments later on too, so you’ll get more out of your decorations.

10. Leaf Bowl
If you really want to make things advanced this season, then try out a leaf bowl. This will allow you to put your craft skills to the test, while creating cool items that will wow anyone who stops by to visit you. All you’ll need for this craft is a bowl in the size that you desire to make, fake leaves and some modge podge. Slowly layer the leaves over the upside down bowl. You may have to do this in sections in order to get it all the way across the bowl. You should also make sure all of the leaves are touching, to give your bowl the strength it needs to be held together. Once everything is modge podged together double check to ensure your leaves are well-coated then leave it to dry. Then, you can easily remove the bowl in the morning and enjoy the fruit of your labor. These bowls are great for potpourri, pinecones and so on, which is sure to give the home even more of that magical autumn feeling.

Making your own autumn decor is a great way to save money on the season as well as to keep yourself busy when the weather isn’t cooperating with your needs. These ten tips should allow you to find some fun for the whole family, which will encourage bonding and adding a festive touch to the home without spending a fortune.

Autumn and winter tend to be a time in which the power unexpectedly goes out. This can be a huge burden on the whole family, especially if everyone is stuck at home during the outage. Once phone and tablets run out of juice then the panic begins to set in, especially with the younger generation. There are a few things you can do to help fight the boredom and fear of a power outage, while showing the family there is life without technology. These ten ideas are sure to help you find the perfect solution for days when your power just isn’t going to function, which may even change the way your family treats its free time in the future.

1. Read a Book
Picking up a book is pretty much a timeless way to have a good time, especially when all of your distractions are out of the way. Once the power goes out, browse through your library and let the fun begin. You can set up lots of candles or flashlights to create a fun reading space too, which is sure to inspire the whole family to follow suit. If there’s younger children in the household, then you may want to find some larger books to read to them too. Children in school can use the time to catch up on their school reading, so they can impress their teachers and give themselves more free time in the near future. During these months, you may want to make more trips to your local library just to ensure you have something on hand to read in case the weather isn’t cooperative. Keeping up this habit may even inspire children to read more when the lights are working. If not, you could try a lights out policy once a week, which will save you money on your power bill. Reading is known to improve the way your brain functions though and will help you relax, so a power outage may be doing you more of a favor than you realize!

2. Pull Out the Games
Nothing says classic family fun like pulling out the board games and letting everyone compete. Games can be a great way to help the family bond together, while also allowing kids to improve certain skills, particularly when it comes to math and logic. Apart from the classic board games, you may also want to teach the children to play more intricate games like chess. Cards are another great option that can be catered to age. Of course, if you don’t have many games around in the home then you may want to come up with a few of your own. This can easily be done with paper and any form of figure that can be used as a marker. Trivia, Pictionary, memory and charades are also games you can do without having to have an actual game in front of you. Whichever games you choose, make sure it helps the kids learn good sportsmanship and how to follow the rules.

3. Get Outside
If the weather isn’t the cause of your electrical dilemma, then use this time to get outside and play. Of course, even if it is the cause, the weather might not be bad enough to prevent you from enjoying a snowball fight or jumping in the puddles. Since there is nothing to steal away your kids attention, you may try to entertain them with sports or outdoor games. Even relay races may take some of the pressure off of the lack of electricity. Walking, jogging and running is another great option that will keep you warm and allow you to get in some exercise. If you have a pet them take it for a walk too, or simply have a blast playing with it outside. You could even use this time to catch up on lawn work, raking leaves, shoveling the walk and so on. There’s endless options when it comes to the great outdoors, so if you have this option available to you make sure to utilize it. The fresh air will do you good anyhow.

4. Hide-and-Seek
Most children love to play hide-and-seek and even older kids will join in on the game if they’re bored enough. Playing with the lights out can be even more fun as it makes hiding and seeking challenging. Of course, this game will have to be designed based on your family’s boundaries. For instance, if the lack of light and noise is bothering younger children then you may want to play in teams or keep the hiding range contained to one room. If you don’t have these challenges to worry about then the sky is the limit. Your whole family will be able to use their creativity for the game too, which should bring lots of laughs later when you find out all of the crazy hiding places that people chose. Make sure to set safety rules too. Also, you might want to have flashlights for the game, just to avoid any unnecessary danger.

5. Clean Up
The whole family might not be as crazy about this idea, but if you have a messy home to deal with then now is the time to tackle it. If it’s daylight then you’ll have plenty of light to clean, organize and get the home in tip top shape. If not, then a flashlight can go a long way in regards to cleaning. You may send the kids to their rooms to start there. Without the distractions of TV, phones, tablets and videogames you may be surprised as to how much your child can get done. Of course, if they do get distracted it’s because of their amazing imagination, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You might want to take the time to fold the laundry, unload and reload the dishwasher or do some sweeping and mopping. Sure, there’s some chores that need electricity to be accomplished, but you should be able to get a lot of the basics without it. You may even get to organize the filing cabinet, like you’ve been promising yourself you’ll do for months!

6. Tell Stories
When it comes to hanging out with no power, there’s nothing quite like telling stories to one another. You can treat your time without power a lot like you would a camping trip, which should add a bit more fun to the situation. Try sitting around a fire, candles or even just a flashlight. Each person can take turns sharing a story in order to keep everyone entertained. Stories can range from scary to fantasy or even a simple personal story from the past week. You may even want to take turns adding to a story for a fun game that will have everyone laughing. This should help bring people closer together and will allow you to get to know each other a bit better. Also, telling stories will help prevent complaining, which will make the situation even more irritating.

7. Craft
When there’s nothing else to do, it’s time to pull out the craft supplies and get to work. This can be anything from simple color pages to making intricate paintings to hang on the wall. Your craft supplies will be the only limit you run into. Luckily, you can do a whole lot with very little too. If you have paper lying around the house, then making paper planes will be a breeze. This will even allow the kids to fly them while the power is out. Paper hats are another fine option that are great for story telling or allowing the kids to play imagination games while the power is out, or even when it’s back on. Once the popsicle sticks and macaroni art ideas have worn thin, you might want to consider getting a jump on upcoming holiday gifts. If this happens before Christmas, then throw together some mason jar recipes to give out to friends and loved ones. You can also try making book angels, which are usually a favorite during Secret Santa giveaways.

8. Learn a Skill
Working with your children to pick up new skills can be one of the best uses of your time when the power is out. There’s a wide variety of items to choose from too, so you can find something you know how to do that they may also be interested in. One of the most realistic things you can teach your kids is how to sew as this will help them further on in life. Of course, musical instruments, art and crafts and even how to play a game of poker are also great skills to teach when you have nothing else to do. If you’re working on a skill of your own then now is the time to practice it, or at least crack open the book that will show you how to start out. Whatever you do, enjoy having the distraction free time to put your full concentration on the activity.

9. Make Snacks
One of the best thing you can do when there’s no power is to make snacks to help comfort everyone in the home. Of course, this poses a bit of a problem when it comes down to cooking. Obviously, if your power is out then this limits many people’s stoves and even if you have a gas burner you might be shy on light. One of the best things you can do is pull out the ice cream and popsicles and let the kids go to town. Sure, you may be headed for a sugar rush, but at least the food won’t go to waste. Another option is to utilize classic campfire techniques. Simply light up your fireplace, use your outdoor fire pit or even utilize a candle to help out. You can easily make s’mores this way, which tend to be a favorite for many. Another fun option is to make popcorn. You can do this over an open flame too using oil, kernels and tin foil. If you want the kids to try it out on their own, you may even be able to pop a few kernels over a candle.

10. Build a Tent
Another way to keep the family busy while bringing some comfort to the lack of light is to build a tent. Gather sheets and blankets from around the house and use furniture to string everything together. Your imagination will take you far when it comes to a blanket tent, so don’t think twice about getting creative. Even if the tent falls, you still have lots of time to rebuild while you wait for the power to come back on. The great thing about indoor tents is they let kids use their imaginations as they play, which will take their mind off of the electronics they’re missing out on. It also offers a great place for the whole family to hang out, read or sleep. Best of all, if the house is getting colder, the tent will help lock in heat so you won’t feel as uncomfortable.

Dealing with a power outage can be a bit boring for the whole family, especially since so many people are attached to their phones and other electronics. These ten tips will not only keep you busy for free, but they’ll also show you that there are great ways to keep busy that don’t always involve a screen. With a little time away from the tech, your life may change for the better, which is never a bad thing!

October is blowing right in, which means there’s a whole new group of shopping challenges to get through. In all technicalities, you could even look at October as the beginning of the holiday season as Halloween jumps in only a couple weeks before Thanksgiving. This probably means your home is in savings mode, but don’t fret because there will be some sales in October that will keep you going strong without spending a small fortune. These ten shopping tips should give you a great start to your autumn, while allowing you to jump ahead for holiday shopping without spending too much money.

1. Costumes
You might think that the best time to get Halloween costumes is after the holiday has come gone. This actually used to be true, but in the past couple of years things have changed a bit. Amazon, for instance, now knocks 70% off of some of their costumes a couple of days prior to Halloween and some will even upgrade the shipping to 1-Day shipping at no extra cost. This can get you an amazing costume that will be right on time for your child’s trick or treating adventure. The Amazon sales do last a while too, as you can still get great deals after the holiday is over, but you may not find the same prices on some of the more popular items. If you’re not keen on shopping online for your costume, then you may want to check out some Halloween stores. The stores that are dedicated entirely to Halloween will probably offer some great steals as they will need to clear their stock faster than party stores will. So, you may find some pretty incredible prices, that may even encourage you to shop ahead for next year or playtime clothing.

2. Jeans
Back to school sales brought some great prices on jeans, but sales on your favorite denim is better in October. Since most people bought their fill of jeans back in August, the stores can afford to put their stock on sale at an extraordinary price in October. Not to mention, with new fall fashions on the shelves, the stores can start getting rid of last year’s jeans to help make room for the new and more expensive items they want to sell. This is a great time to stock up on the jeans the whole family needs to get through the week. You might even consider buying larger sizes for later in the year, or so you don’t have to worry about spending more on jeans next time back to school sales come around. If you shop around, you may find some of your favorite brands may even offer better deals than cheaper brands, which will save you even more money thanks to their more durable designs.

3. Hot Spot Vacations
If you were unlucky enough to miss out on a nice summer vacation, then your luck will change in October. Now is the time to book those hot spot vacations that simply weren’t feasible during tourist season. Trips to places like Hawaii, the tropics and other must see locales won’t cost you as much of a fortune as it would have back in the hot months. This is because the tourist season has dropped and hotels, airlines and restaurants can now lower prices to cater to those who still want to enjoy themselves on a budget. The best thing about going during this time of the year is the hot spots will be less crowded, which is always a must. In some locations the weather won’t be as hot either, which will be a nice change. Cruises are another must to book if you’re looking for a hot getaway to help you relax. You can travel all over the world during the month of October at a price that won’t make you feel guilty. So, get to booking now, so you can get in the relaxation you need to get through the upcoming holiday season.

4. Thanksgiving Travel
If you’re more worried about how you’re going to handle Thanksgiving, then now is also the perfect time to book for that vacation. You should be able to get in your airline tickets without worrying about the high prices of traveling, just yet. However, if you wait too long then the prices will skyrocket. Apart from airline travel, you may want to begin the process of booking hotels. If you’re staying in one place, then make sure to get in your reservations to ensure you have a place to sleep while enjoying your destination. If a road trip is in your Thanksgiving forecast, then you might want to even book the hotels you’ll stay at along the way. You don’t want to end up staying in a dive simply because there aren’t rooms available in hotels you’d feel more comfortable staying in while on the road. Now is also the time to get in reservations for rental cars too, so you’ll be ready to go and get a better deal than anyone who procrastinates during the season.

5. Columbus Day Sales
Not all states celebrate Columbus Day, but most stores use it as a reason to sell a lot of their items. This could be a great time to get a head start on some of your holiday shopping. Columbus Day sales usually encompass a wide range of items. You can find everything from mattresses to appliances on the list of sales items. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should go crazy for every item you see. You may want to consider looking at décor items and smaller ticket items to save on some money. This will be the last sale before Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so if you’re not sure a deal is worthwhile then you won’t have too long to wait before the larger sale arrives.

6. Tacos
Taco fans can rejoice because the month of October brings National Taco Day on the 4th,which is sure to help you ease your cravings at a lower price. You will find deals on tacos just about anywhere you look, especially when it comes to major chains. You’ll probably find free tacos with a visit to your favorite chain, but if not then you should find some with some major discounts on them. Apart from that, local stores will probably get in on the fun too, so you may be able to hop from one location to the next in order to get the delicious food you crave. If you’re not interested in fast food tacos then many stores are jumping on the bandwagon and reducing the price of items needed to make your own tacos at home.

7. Vegetarian Cuisine
If you’re a vegetarian or you’re curious to try the lifestyle, then October is the month for you. Apart from the amazing produce available during this month, October 1 is actually National Vegetarian Day. This will make shopping for items to whip up the dishes you love even easier. Of course, many grocery stores still don’t observe this day, but you will probably have a lot of luck on discounts at restaurants who cater to vegetarian and vegan diets. Even regular restaurants may lower the price of menu items that are designed for vegetarians. This will allow you to get a taste of the food you might eat if you were to follow the diet. Of course, if you’re a vegetarian then you probably know just what meal you’ll want to grab on your special day, which will make the month of October even more exciting.

8. Wedding Supplies
October marks down the season for weddings, which is pretty much good news for anyone who is planning to get married soon or in the distant future. Booking a hall or church to get married in during this time is sure to make you feel like a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders since the price won’t be out of this world. That is, unless you’re booking it in advance for the hot season. All of the supplies you need will be on sale too. So, if you already have a theme picked out then go ahead and buy the dresses, tuxes, décor and anything else you have in mind for your special day. This will cut back on spending in the hot season. Of course, you should be careful with dress planning, especially if you’re buying the dress well in advance. Planning a wedding for this season is probably best though, especially if you plan on keeping it small. It may be harder for people across the country to come to the wedding, but you won’t begin your new life in debt, which is always a plus. So, let your wedding dreams run wild as you’ll definitely be able to afford more when it comes to the months of October and November.

9. Flu Supplies
Like it or not, but flu season is rapidly approaching, which means it might be time to take inventory of your flu fighting supplies. This month is the perfect time to stock up on relief medications, vitamins and other supplies used to fight off and prevent the burden that is the flu, including cleaning supplies. You’ll want to make sure you have a stock of children’s medication too if you have children in the family as taking care of them often trumps your own needs. Since the flu usually begins to make its way into the main stream in November, October is the perfect time to get your shot. It takes 2 weeks for the shot to kick in too, so make sure you get it well in advance so you don’t end up getting sick. Many pharmacies and health clinics will keep the price of the shot down for now. Of course, you may also want to check with insurance to see if they cover the total cost of the vaccination too.

10. Vacuum
If there’s one thing you should probably get to keep your home functioning this month, then it’s a vacuum cleaner. These devices are at a low price during the month of October, so you should be able to upgrade your old vacuum or at least replace a rundown model with a newer version of itself. With all of the mud, leaves and other grime appearing outside, your vacuum will quickly become your best friend when it comes to cleaning. You may even want to upgrade to a model that can help get allergens out of the air. Of course, you’ll also want to consider the design of the model you choose. Many models are a little outdated and get clogged quickly, so you may want to research a little if you have pets or you shed a lot. You may also consider the upcoming pine needle fiasco the household goes through every December. With a little bit of looking around, you’ll find a great match for you at a price that won’t hurt your budget.

October is a month filled with fun that you won’t want to miss out on. However, the fun often cuts down on the budget we have to work with. These ten items should have you enjoying the month of October a little more, without spending as much money. With a frugal October under your belt, you’ll be ready to tackle the holidays straight on.