February seemed to fly by with major holidays like Valentine’s Day and President’s Day to leave your budget a little out of sorts. Luckily, March will be a little easier on your budget with a break from any major gift-giving holiday though, so now is the perfect time to recover a little from the holiday season. That doesn’t mean that it’s safe to shop for whatever you want in the month of March though. In fact, there’s quite a few items that you’ll need to avoid if you plan on saving money in the long run. With any luck, you’ll be able to shop around these no-buys with ease, so you can enjoy larger savings at a later date.

1. Swimsuits
In some areas, the weather may still be a little chilly which would leave some people to believe that it would be safe to go shopping for bathing suits. However, with Spring Break on the way, swimsuits will be at a high meaning you may want to wait until after the major break is over to look for the perfect suit for you. During this time, all new lines of swimsuits will be put out to appeal to students who plan to travel to warmer climates in order to enjoy their break. Once the break period is over, usually in late April, you will find lots of older swim suits on the clearance rack. You will also see a decrease in the new lines of swimsuits since most people will have gone ahead and purchased the look they want for the season. You may want to take this time to stock up on a couple of different swimsuits so you can have options when pool and beach weather officially arrives.

2. Lingerie
A lot of people think that just after Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to go shopping for lingerie. However, lingerie really doesn’t go on sale after the holiday. In fact, you will probably find better deals on lingerie on Valentine’s Day then the period directly after it. If you can hold off for a while, then you will more than likely find better deals on lingerie in the summer months during the iconic Semi-Annual sale that Victoria Secret hosts. This sale is usually followed by other lingerie companies hosting competing sales, so you can take advantage of it while you can.

3. TVs
With the Super Bowl over and all of the big holiday sales, you can kiss TV sales goodbye too. Most of the items on the market now will return to their pre-sale pricing, which won’t do you any favors if you’re in the market for a new TV. Usually, it is best to wait and get a new TV during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. However, you may get lucky during the summer months if you’re still hunting for a TV. There’s often really big sales around Memorial Day, but you may find that some stores will host sales to help make up for the lack of purchases during the summer months. Before you go shopping, make sure you plug in the TV into a shopping app to make sure that it is actually a decent sale before you buy. More often than not, these sales won’t actually save you much at all, so be careful.

4. Vacuum Cleaners
It’s almost time for Spring Cleaning, so of course, you probably won’t find the best deals possible on a vacuum cleaner. There may be small discounts on the must have machine, but if you can hold out on the item then you should. Generally, in April or May the vacuum cleaners will go back on sale, which will allow you to buy a more powerful model that can help keep your home cleaner than ever. This may mean putting off a lot of your Spring Cleaning routine, but it will definitely give you more time to organize and sort through your items before you handle the carpet. If you are in dire need of a vacuum cleaner during this month then you may consider renting one or borrowing one from friends or family. You’ll be thankful you held out on the purchase when you find one that meets your standards and your budget in the upcoming months.

5. Outdoor Furniture
In most areas, March brings some really nice weather that many want to take advantage of. It’s not entirely cold, nor is it so hot that you feel uncomfortable, which makes it the perfect time to get out and socialize. This is why so many people get the itch to buy patio furniture during this month, which retailers are quite aware of. Thus, the price of the furniture is hiked up a little or remains at retail price. If you are a little patient and wait for the upcoming months, you should find amazing deals on the furniture that will make you want to endure the heat just to enjoy your awesome savings. From table sets to fire pits, as soon as the temperatures begin to rise many retailers try to push the items out the door. You’ll also find great deals on them during the Memorial Day sales.

6. Appliances
This time of the year is when a lot of new kitchen appliances hit the market. Thus, you may want to skip out on shopping appliances during the month of March. Since it is wedding season, this also works against you as most retailers know people are on the hunt for wedding gifts as well as items for future college students to take with them for their first semester on their own. Luckily, the prices for these items won’t stay high for long, so you should be able to try out the latest kitchen trends in no time at all. Until then, you may want to consider holding on to your used item to sell at a later date, as many people will pay a lot more than you’d expect for a used appliance. This may even help you put back a little money for the new appliance that you’ve had your eye on.

7. Pools
It may seem a little too early to find yourself shopping for pools, but if you choose to purchase in March you’re likely to pay more than ever before. When it comes to inground pools, most people put in an order to begin the process as soon as the ground has thawed enough to dig. Thus, waiting until March could mean you’re hitting peak season for these orders, which is sure to leave you spending a fortune. If you’ve already waited this long then the best thing you can do is wait for the summer months to die down as this will mean demand is down and you should be able to find the deal you need. Shopping for an above ground pool may also not be wise. The item isn’t really in season yet, so you might have to special order it. However, if your department stores are already displaying them then you will probably find them at retail price, opposed to on sale. The pools and accessories will take a price decrease as soon as the weather gets really hot and sales begin to slow down.

8. International Flights
With Spring blossoming, you may get the itch to travel, especially to locations that you know are beautiful this time of the year. This urge is why the prices for plane tickets can go up substantially during the month of March. During this time, many people are planning a last minute Spring Break or they are looking to book their summer vacations. Although it may sound like a lot of fun to book a vacation last minute, there’s actually a specific amount of time you should begin your search for the special trip. In fact, if you don’t plan ahead a year in advance for some locations, you may end up paying a fortune on your tickets. So, make sure to plan wisely and avoid shopping around in March during the Spring Break and summer vacation rush.

9. Tax Software
In this case, the early bird gets the worm and since tax season is already almost over, you will probably have a hard time catching a good deal on the software you need to do your taxes. However, if you do wait until April to get your software then you will probably stumble across some last minute deals that will save you big money. March just so happens to be in the center of tax season, so people have already either finished up their taxes or still aren’t in a huge rush to do them. This doesn’t make for great sales, therefore most stores can’t afford to put the software on sale just yet. You may luck out and find a price cut with some vendors, but you shouldn’t expect anything great while shopping around.

10. Gardening Supplies
With Spring on its way, a lot of people are starting to get excited about working in the garden again. This causes a surge in gardening supply purchases during the month of March, which makes retailers want to keep their prices steady so they earn more money. Even if the weather is still icy in your area, you will be surprised as to how many partake in pre-seeding which allows them to begin gardening before it’s safe to plant outside. This keeps the price of seeds high too, so you won’t even find a relief in the high prices in this area either. The best thing you can do is wait until Spring is actually here. Most retailers get in lots of plants at once, which rarely ever sell out. Thus, they have to do lots of work to maintain the living plants, which costs them money. Also, many of the plants can’t survive for long in small containers, so you should have your pick of the lot in just a few weeks after the plants begin to show up. Patience will definitely become your best friend when it comes to gardening though, so make sure to hold out until everyone else has started to work in their garden.

March is a great time to save money, especially if you manage to avoid these ten items while shopping. With a little luck, you’ll be able to find an amazing deal later in the year, which will leave you thankful that you did without in the month of March. With all of the savings you’ll find this month, you’re sure to enjoy your Spring Break all the more.

St. Patrick’s Day is a great time to have a bit of fun while celebrating Irish heritage. Although the holiday is mostly filled with non-traditional elements from Irish culture and largely appeals to adults, you will be surprised by how much fun a child can have on the special occasion. These ten tips should help you keep your child busy on St. Patrick’s Day without forcing you to work around the community in order to meet the needs of the whole family. Not to mention, several of these ideas will cost you nothing at all to create, so you can keep your holiday frugal and fun without spending hours looking on the internet for ideas to keep the family busy and festive.

1. Pot of Gold
Leprechauns tend to play a major role in the holiday and it wouldn’t be a true leprechaun celebration without a pot of gold. You can make your pot of gold out of recyclables, old pales or even purchase a simple one from the dollar store for next to nothing. Once you get the pot ready, fill it with fun items like golden candies, your child’s favorite candy, small toys, coupons to get out of chores and much more. Then, find a hiding place for the pot and wait for your child or children to wake up. You can make individualized pots or have the whole family work together to find one pot. You can even add rainbows to the wall and floor to help direct the child to find the pot. This makes a fun game for St. Patrick’s Day morning, that will make your child feel lucky all day long.

2. Garden
There’s no better time to go green by gardening than St. Patrick’s Day. Not only will the Spring weather be rolling in, but you’ll also be able to have a lot of fun with the green concept when it comes to the kids. Try picking out items like clovers to plant in the garden, just to make it more festive. You can also do a little research and find out some of the plants that are common in Ireland and plant those. Of course, you don’t have to keep it themed as you will know what you want in your garden as well as which items will grow in your climate. The act of planting is what is important though and will leave you feeling accomplished and like you’ve done Mother Nature a bit of good. You don’t have to stop with planting though, if you’re still in the holiday spirit. You can make or buy little leprechauns to put in your yard to show off your holiday spirit.

3. Dress in Green
Dressing up in all green is probably one of the most common ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This is a great way to let the kids take the reins when it comes to the holiday. If they have plenty of green clothing, then have them pick out an outfit that shows off as much green as possible. This will allow them to feel like they are taking a bigger role in the holiday. Of course, if there aren’t a lot of green clothes in their wardrobe then you might want to consider making an outfit. If you use simple washable markers, kids can draw on denim to create pants that will stand out, but can still be washed clean later. A little food coloring on a white shirt will also transform it into a bright green that won’t leave your child getting pinched. You can also make ties, hats, bowties and other accessories to suit the occasion with paper, duct tape or scrap cloth. Your imagination is the limit here.

4. Themed Games
If you have a lot of free time on St. Patrick’s Day, then it might be time to pull out some games to help keep the kids entertained. You can transform many of your favorite household games into a holiday theme just by changing around the names a bit. Of course, there’s also a lot of fun things on the internet too. You can download themed Bingo cards, mazes, crossword puzzles and a whole lot more that will work with kids in a wide age bracket. You may also be able to find a whole lot of active games to help keep the kids entertained. There’s even fun online games that older kids will get a kick out of as they learn more about the holiday or simply have a laugh at the game design.

5. Green Food
You might count yourself lucky that the holiday has a green theme, because it may be one of the few times you can get your kids to eat green foods. Of course, if you’re not ready to present kids with a plate full of veggies, you can always transform some of your favorite foods into green works of art. Mashed potatoes are a great common dish that only takes a little food coloring to transform. Not to mention, this food is great for celebrating Irish culture. You can also go a little literary on the holiday and serve green eggs and ham for breakfast. The little ones may love this if they are learning to read and are curious about the food. Apart from that, you can always stick with the classics, like green Jell-o and sherbet. You may even consider having the kids pitch in with kitchen prep so they will be more likely to actually eat the green foods on the menu.

6. Crafts
Like most holidays, St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to break out the craft supplies to have a little fun. There’s lots of free coloring sheets available online, but you can always take your crafting to the next level. Many people especially love making items like clovers to place on the wall or to hang from the ceiling. You can also make your own pot of gold out of paper plates and markers. This is perfect for small games that you may play throughout the day too. You can also make leprechaun puppets out of paper bags or popsicle sticks. Your imagination will keep you busy all day long if you let it. If you’re shy on ideas, then browse around online as there’s so many fun things to make that the whole family will adore.

7. Leprechaun Trap
Everyone knows that catching a leprechaun is a great way to get close to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. So, you may want to have the kids set out a leprechaun trap the night before the big holiday. There’s so many amazing trap ideas online that your whole family should be able to make something that suits their personality. These traps can easily be made with recyclables and other items found around the house too, so you won’t have to worry about spending too much money on them. Once the traps are finished and dried, you can have the kids place them around the home. When they go to bed disable the trap as if something or someone entered and escaped the trap. You may want to leave clovers, a form of gold dust and some treats, like chocolate coins, in the trap for a lovely morning surprise.

8. Leave Out Shoes
Another great way to add to the magic of the holiday is to have your children leave their shoes out before they go to bed. Since leprechauns are often considered shoe makers or shoe repairmen, you can play on this to make your kids anticipate the holiday. With the shoes left out, you can fill them with treats or pranks to help the kids enjoy the special occasion. Try hiding a few pieces of candy in the toe of the shoe and then tie the laces together to make it feel like a trickster came to visit. Kids will love anticipating what will happen to their shoes while they sleep, which will make this holiday more fun than ever expected. For older kids, you may even consider putting money in the shoe, but try to keep it in coin form to make it feel more realistic.

9. See a Parade
Although St. Patrick’s Day isn’t exactly considered a major holiday, there are still many parades around the country and world that are a lot of fun for the whole family to watch. You might want to check to see if there is going to be a parade in your community. If not, you may want to organize your own if you can find enough people willing to contribute to the fun. This should only take some signatures to receive approval from your city board. Of course, if you don’t want to do this you can always take to the internet to find a parade. One of the most famous takes place in Boston where they dye the water green just for the special occasion. The whole family will love watching all of the fun Irish décor as it passes along the famous boardwalk.

10. Teach
There’s lots of fun to be had on St. Patrick’s Day, but we shouldn’t forget the holiday is a celebration of Irish culture and Saint Patrick. You may want to take this time to teach your children about your Irish roots if you have any. You can also create lessons about Irish culture and history. You may even want to incorporate food into your lessons, especially if you have a family recipe that has been passed down for generations. It may be wise to do some research on Saint Patrick, so you can explain the true meaning of the holiday to your children. After these lessons, your child will have a greater grasp of what is being celebrated as well as heritage. Even if you don’t have Irish roots, this is a great time to embrace Irish history and how it affected the country that you live in. Older children may get more out of the holiday if you assign an Irish book to read for the month of March. There’s lots of great options available that you can base on their skill level.

Although it may seem tough to find things for children to do on St. Patrick’s Day, there’s more options than you think. These ten ideas will help keep everyone busy, so you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg on entertainment just to celebrate the special day. With any luck, your kids will come out of the holiday feeling a little closer to the history and fun behind the celebration.

With the major holidays finally over, you may be wondering how you’re going to get rid of all of your debt without paying a small fortune in interest. Credit card debt can be a huge pain to knock out, especially when you’re already on a tight budget, but there are ways to help you become debt free in less time than you’d expect. This will not only help with your budget, but will also improve your credit. Best of all, each of the ten tips should be stress free so you won’t have finances on your mind all of the time. So, get ready to buckle down and let your credit card bills disappear faster than you thought possible.

1. Say No to Minimum Payment
No matter what your debt is, you’re going to get a bill each month that shows you the minimum amount of money you can pay on your balance. This number is usually surprisingly low, but this is done so that more and more interest can build up on your account. Although you should never not pay your minimum payment, you should also always try to pay a bit extra. You can put as much money on your credit card as you please, so if the debt is high then you may want to tighten your belt and simply pay as much as you can afford to help knock down the debt. If you can’t put a lot of extra on it then every little bit helps. Try rounding up to the dollar to add in a few cents extra, or simply throw on $5 whenever you can spare it. This will help cut back on the interest for good.

2. Set Aside Spare Cash
We often forget just how much money we lose when it comes to change. For a while, try to carry cash for your weekly spending money so you can put back more money for your debt. When the week is over, toss whatever spending money you have left in a jar. By the time you pay your credit card bill, you should have extra money to put on your bill, without ever having to save for it. This will help cut back on your interest immensely and will show you just how much money you’re throwing away on a daily basis. You might also consider putting your splurge money into a jar once a month, this will still allow you some luxuries but will also cushion your payment even more. Another way to set aside cash without forcing yourself to be too disciplined is to create a swear jar or bad habit jar. This will help you put back cash quickly and will improve your character.

3. Watch Interest
Interest is one of the worst things about credit cards because it increases the amount you have to pay back on your purchases. However, if you’re careful with interest then you can make your credit card work for you. For instance, if you plan on spending a lot of money on a card do it during a no interest period. Some companies will offer this when you open up your credit line with them. This will give you time to begin paying off the balance before interest kicks in for a larger sum of money. If you’re unhappy with your interest rate after some time then ask your credit card company for a reduction. If your credit has improved or you are a long term customer then they may consider doing this. If not, you may want to stop spending on this card and work on paying it off, rather than accruing more debt on that specific card.

4. Transfer Balance
Most people tend to have more than one credit card now, which is okay as long as you don’t build up too much debt on both cards. However, if you want to reduce your credit card debt then you might want to consider transferring your balance from one card to the other. This is especially great if you have a card that has a lower interest or no interest at all for a period of time. This will allow you to begin paying larger payments while you don’t have to worry about all of your money being eaten up my interest costs. Some cards will even offer incentives to convince you to do this, so you may end up getting a discount on the money you already owe. Of course, make sure you research to make sure this move will actually save you money in the long run. You should also make sure not to put more money on the card that you transfer your balance from. Instead, you may want to consider closing that account or putting the card in a safe place so you’re not tempted to spend with it.

5. Don’t Indulge
After charging lots of items for the holidays, you may want to take a brief hiatus from spending sprees until you get your balance under control. To do this, you may want to set some pretty strict rules for yourself. For instance, you may not want to put any charges on your card unless they are for an emergency. This will allow you to pay off the balance, rather than forcing you to fill like you’re making no progress at all. If you do have to use your credit card to pay bills, then you may want to consider only putting essential items on it when you absolutely have to. Don’t look at the credit card as a way to increase your flexibility between pay checks or to help make life easier. It may even help to place the card in water and freeze it, so you can’t have access to the numbers or physical card.

6. Stop Splurging
One problem many people face when paying off credit card debt is fighting the urge to buy more things. From shoes to fast food, spending money comes naturally especially if you put your debt to the back of your mind. However, if you’re serious about paying off your cards then you may want to put the splurging on hold for a while. This is especially true when it comes to using your credit card. However, you should avoid splurging with your debit card or cash too. This will allow you to hold onto more money that can quickly be placed onto your credit card. This extra bit of money will go towards the principle balance, rather than the interest. Before you know it, your lack of fast food trips will have done wonders on your credit card balance.

7. One Bill At A Time
A lot of people make the mistake of wanting to overdo it when they begin to pay off their debt. They will put excess money on each bill, which will end up getting them nowhere fast. One way to help ease the pain of paying off credit debt is to simply stick with the one bill at a time plan. This requires you to pay all of your bills, but allows you to put extra money on one of the credit cards. You can choose to do this on the lowest balance or perhaps the card with the most interest. Then, when you pay off the balance of that card you can move the payment you would put on it and put it on another bill. This will help keep things from getting overwhelming, so you can feel a lot more comfortable with managing debt while preventing yourself from creating more due to an over extended budget.

8. Consolidate
Another way many people choose to tackle their debt is to consolidate their bills. This usually happens when someone has too many bills to pay in proportion to their income. Consolidating debt allows you to pay one lump sum payment that will help knock out bills faster. Often consolidation companies will take on the debt, so you only have interest based on their plan. Consolidating bills can help cut back on monthly spending too and will allow you to rest easy because your debt won’t wind up with a collection agency. There’s lots of consolidation companies though, so do a little research to see which will work best for you before you enter into the consolidation process.

9. Set Goals
When it comes to working off your credit card debt, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to set goals. This will allow you to sit down and think about how much you would like to pay off in a specific amount of time. With a goal set, you’re more likely to follow through on your plan opposed to if you were just going to wing it. You don’t have to set extreme goals right away though. Instead, start small and offer yourself a small reward when you reach this goal. Then, move up your standards to pay off a bit more of the debt. Once you get into the routine of working towards your goal, it will seem like second nature to put more money onto the debt. This will also help you from getting overwhelmed by the debt, which is sure to bring more encouragement to your mission.

10. Earn Extra
At the end of the day, one of the best ways to cut down on your credit card debt is to bring more money into the home. This doesn’t mean you have to take on a second or third job to pay off your credit cards though. However, you could utilize your talents to help earn money. For instance, if you’re good at a craft then you could always try selling some of the items you make online. There are also craft fairs and conventions that make it easy for you to turn a profit with your items. Baking is another way to add to your funds, especially if you have a decent place to conduct a bake sale. Selling all of your old items might help out too, especially if you have quite a few clothes, antiques and toys that you don’t want anymore. Finally, you can always pick up a temporary job like an Uber driver or dog walker. This should help you earn more, so you can easily toss the extra money onto the debt.

More often than not, we tend to overspend during the holidays, which leaves us wondering what we were thinking later on in the year. These tips will help make the burden less stressful, so you can find financial freedom again and raise your confidence as a consumer.

Wedding season is on its way, which means you may be scrambling to find a venue if you’re planning on tying the knot any time soon. The wedding venue can be one of the most expensive aspects of a wedding, which is why it’s always good to try to cut costs as much as you can. Not to mention, you may find that booking a venue can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re not working with a lot of time. There are a few options for those who procrastinated or simply want to get married sooner rather than later. With a few budgeting tricks, you’ll find that you can have a dream wedding in a fabulous venue without spending a large fortune.

1. Backyard
If you’re looking for a really cheap venue idea, then nothing will save you money quite like hosting the big event in your backyard. Of course, this does bring a few obstacles like noise levels, capacity and the weather, but when it comes to saving some money this is certainly the way to go. The best thing about backyard weddings is it allows you to have the freedom you want to create the perfect style for you. You can add in just about any theme and can customize the service to suit your own individual values and needs. You can also transform your wedding into a reception with just a little bit of work, which will save you even more money. You don’t have to stick to your own backyard either. Don’t be afraid to ask parents, other family or friends to use their yard if you think it would help create the perfect atmosphere.

2. Small Chapel
Not everyone fantasizes about getting married in a huge cathedral or church. In fact, there are many people who are drawn to the charm of a small chapel when they think about saying their vows. When it comes down to it, choosing a small chapel over other venues may be one of the wisest choices you’ll make about your wedding. These locations generally won’t charge as much to perform the service, which will save you quite a bit of money in the long run. Smaller chapels also have less space, which means you may not have enough room to invite a lot of people. This can help cut down on the reception food prices, which is just an added bonus to the mix. Plus, many of these chapels will bundle the price of the pastor with the rental of the space so you won’t have to worry about any other bills popping up. You also won’t have to buy as many decorations, which is sure to make your budget go a whole lot further.

3. Public Park
If you live in an area with a park with lots of space, then you may want to consider hosting your wedding there. This will still give you the lovely outdoor setting that a backyard would, but you’ll have more space to invite more people to your big day. Usually, you can host an event at a public park without having to spend a small fortune on permits. Some parks may not even require you to have one, which will save you a whole lot of money. However, this also means that you may have to set up early in order to avoid someone else taking your space at the park. Of course, make sure you follow all of the rules of the park while using it and clean up afterwards in order to avoid fines and to help keep the park a safe and clean place for everyone.

4. Lake/Beach House
You might think that renting a place by the water might cost you a fortune, but when you tally up how much it actually does cost and how much it can save you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Lake and beach homes tend to be a bit on the cozy side, especially if they’re rentals aimed towards adults on vacation. Despite the price, you’ll be happy to know this rental can work for triple duty. Since the scenery is beautiful, you can use the location as a great place to have your wedding. It’s also perfect for wedding photos, which will give you more options when it comes to hiring a photographer too. Once the wedding is over, you can host a beautiful reception at the lake or beach house, which helps prevent you from reserving space in another location. Then, when the day is over, you can use the rental for your honeymoon location thanks to the romantic setting.

5. Las Vegas
When it comes to keeping things frugal, but still having a whole lot of fun, Las Vegas is probably one of the best answers to your wedding venue search. Las Vegas pretty much has hotel deals year round, so you can avoid spending a fortune on your honeymoon room from the start. In fact, if you call up the hotel and let them know you’re on your honeymoon then you may receive even more discounts. When it comes to the wedding itself, you can choose from a wide variety of wedding chapels. These chapels often have themes too, so you can really let your personality shine when it comes to how you get married. With the wedding and honeymoon room taken care of cheaply, all you’ll need to figure out is where you want to host your reception if you do have guests come to your wedding.

6. Farm
Rustic weddings are a huge trend these days, which makes it smart to try to book your wedding on a farm. Many people don’t know where to begin when it comes to planning a southern or rustic inspired wedding. One of the best things you can do is call around and ask if any farms rent out their property. You might be surprised as to how many do so to bring in a little extra income. Farms are one of the best places to set up for a wedding too. If there is a barn, then you already have the perfect background for the main event and it can be opened up to reveal the reception after the big event. The rustic design of the barn will also make the perfect look for all of your wedding photos. Generally, these themes are pretty cheap when it comes to decorative items too. In fact, by choosing this you can enjoy DIY decorations, which will help cut even more money off of your wedding bill.

7. Your Church
If getting married in a church is an important thing for you, you may want to skip out on booking a church that is larger though. If you, or your family, are a member of a church then you should be able to book the church and preacher without a problem. Most small churches don’t charge a whole lot either, so you shouldn’t have to put down a lot of money in order to book the church for your wedding. Being a part of this community will also help out in more ways than just a discount on the venue. In fact, your church should be able to provide both you and your future spouse with helpful advice and gifts. Some may even help you with pre-marriage counseling before you tie the knot. Many churches now even have a kitchen and dining area so you’ll be ready for the reception. Not to metion, it’s always refreshing to have a pastor you know marry you.

8. At Sea
Looking for unique ways to get married might be a bit on the hard side, especially when your’e just sticking to land. However, you may want to consider spending time at sea to start your wedding off on the right foot. One of the best ideas is to have your wedding while on a cruise. This will allow you to avoid the huge guests list as most people won’t be able to overcrowd things as you say your vows and enjoy your special day. Most cruise lines will allow you to plan out these weddings with a small deposit. You can also get married at places like Niagra Falls on a whim. These locations tend to have captains that are ordained and willing to make your vacation special. Of course, you should call ahead to make sure there is an ordained captain as not all captains are ordained like rumors might suggest. By doing this you’re taking care of your honeymoon too, so you won’t have to deal with double the bill when you get home.

9. Community Center
Most cities and towns have plenty of community centers in the area, which often prove to be a great place to tie the knot. Not only are the centers large enough to host lots of guests, they’re also considerably cheaper than many other venues around town. You usually only have to put down a small deposit to rent a community center room for a little while. Most of these rooms are quite empty as well, which will give you a chance to show off plenty of decorations. Of course, you will have to make sure to get the permits you need for music, beverages and more before you can successfully host your wedding and reception in the community center. You should be able to find all of the information you need for these items when you go to book the space though, which will make your wedding planning a whole lot easier.

10. Court House
The idea of eloping for many people is quite romantic and in today’s world it is easier than ever. Most court houses are the perfect place to elope, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Of course, choosing to get married at the courthouse doesn’t mean that you can’t have an audience. Most courthouses now offer a small chapel where people can witness your vows. The best thing is, the price tag won’t put you over the edge as you will only be paying for your marriage license, certificate and a small fee for the service. Some court houses will even allow you to choose between a variety of services, so you can still get the religious experience or a simple exchanging of the rings.

Getting married should be a great experience, so worrying about the expensive price of a venue shouldn’t have to be so high on your list of wedding stress. These ten venue ideas should help you save some money while helping you to create your dream wedding.

Food box subscriptions have been trendy for the last couple of years and they’re gaining even more steam this year. With subscriptions becoming one of the hottest trends for millennials, the food boxes are a hit amongst those who want to spend more time cooking their own meals and less time on fast foods that aren’t good for you. However, the only problem is many people have to grapple with the dilemma of whether or not these boxes are cost effective, especially on a tight budget. There’s many things you should consider when it comes to these boxes though. With these ten tips to consider, you may find yourself trying out one of the many food subscriptions boxes available.

1. Diversity
A lot of people are frightened by the price of the boxes before they weigh in how much money they spend on fast food or restaurant meals each week. Each box comes with at least 3 meals to whip up, which if you do the math will end up costing you probably around the same price that it would to go to a restaurant three times. This also leaves you four nights out of the week that are free to practice eating frugally to help balance out the extra expense. Of course, you also have to consider that you will be getting a wide variety of foods in the box that will allow you try out new things and will ensure your diet is balanced and healthy at least three nights out of the week. This will make it easier for you to liven up your weekly diet and enjoy food again.

2. Ingredients
More often than not, when people go shopping they end up buying way too much food, especially when it comes to working with specific recipes. With the food subscriptions, you’re going to get exactly the right amount of food for each recipe. This means you won’t end up wasting any food, nor will you spend money on items you don’t need. The ingredients put in the boxes tend to be organic and high quality too, which you would end up spending even more on if you bought them in stores. You will also receive all of the sauces, spices and other items needed to make your meal which tend to be some of the priciest aspects of some of the recipe. Overall, if you calculate the price of the groceries included in the box opposed to what you would spend on lesser quality ingredients locally, then you’ll see you are working with a better deal when it comes to most subscription boxes.

3. Convenience
For those who hate shopping, the subscription box is one of the best concepts around. Each week, you either update your preferences or leave your box directly up to the company. Then, the company ships the food right to your door. You don’t even have to worry about making a list to go shopping. This can help you save money in many ways. For instance, it keeps you out of the store more often which prevents you from spending any extra money. It also allows you to save gas money and time on shopping, which is something everyone needs to save on these days. Of course, one of the best aspects of the box is you don’t have to plan out three meals a week. This will allow you to enjoy more of your own time and will allow you to let someone else make a decision for you which can help take away some of your weekly burdens.

4. Cultural Lessons
It’s really simple to get into a rut when it comes to cooking. This is especially true when it comes to working with new recipes. Although many would love to try out recipes from other cultures, understanding the recipes or even finding an appropriate recipe can be a wild goose hunt. Even if you do try out a recipe you may not be able to tell if the meal is authentic, especially if you have little experience with the meal. With food boxes, you are sent as assortment of dishes that you may have never even thought to try cooking. With the ingredients laid out before you and the instructions clear, you should be able to try meals from around the world that you are proud to say you cooked. In fact, if you are interested in only cultural meals, you can even order boxes from various countries. This can really broaden your horizons and give you a taste of life you never expected for less than you’d spend exploring restaurants.

5. Play the Field
One of the perks of these subscription boxes is you don’t have to just stick with one. You can order a subscription box from one company one week and if you aren’t happy with it or you simply want to try something else then you cancel without an added fee. Most of the time, you can do this all online so you don’t even have to call or talk about the reasons why you want to cancel. Once you’ve cancelled one box, you can move on to another to see how it compares to the first. There’s lots of subscription boxes out there too, so you can keep this up until you give them all a try. This will allow you to evaluate quality, price and the trustworthiness of each company. If you’re not sure where to start, you can even begin your journey with reviews to see how others felt about the service. After some exploration, you may find the perfect company for your household. You might even want to subscribe to two different companies to give life even more variety.

6. Coupons
Just like regular grocery shopping, you can find a good amount of coupons for subscription boxes. Most of these boxes will offer a significant amount of money off of the first order of one of their boxes. This can slash the price of your box in half, if not more, which is sure to cut down on your weekly budget. You can do this with most of the boxes you try out too, which will save you some big bucks while you explore the food subscriptions on your list. Some of the subscription services will actually allow you to cut a portion off of your bill when you order bulk subscriptions. Some will even work with you by cutting the cost of every few orders to give you incentive to stick with the company. These savings can really add up, especially if you choose to join the company loyalty program.

7. Healthy Options
Dieting can be one of the hardest things to do, especially with so many temptations on the shelves at grocery stores. Luckily, food subscription boxes make it a breeze to get on a diet or to simply eat healthier. Most subscription companies already try to offer well balanced meals, which should get you on a healthier track from the moment you begin cooking with them. However, you can also order special boxes for diets, which should help you find the best way to lose weight while eating great. The best thing is, the food subscriptions help you learn how to cook healthier so you’ll be prepared to stay on your diet even if you don’t continue on with the service. These boxes are also great if you plan on working on a change in your life, like moving towards vegetarianism or at least cutting down on meat. With such convenience delivered to you, you may not want to turn back from the subscription lifestyle.

8. Skip the Restaurant
With food and a delicious recipe already waiting for you at home, you may be less tempted to ditch cooking for the night for a restaurant meal. This is largely because you won’t want to waste the good quality food that you have in your fridge. Not to mention, you will get restaurant quality without having to wait in a line, offer a tip or worry about how many calories you’re actually consuming. Your food box meal will tally in under what your restaurant tab will be and you’ll get the experience of cooking it for yourself. Each meal in these boxes offers the calorie content of the meal too, so you can make substitutions if you need to. Before you know it, your restaurant habit will be long gone and you’ll actually look forward to cooking your own meals.

9. Less Waste
The world wastes way too much food on a daily basis, which has a whole lot to do with how we do our shopping. Food subscription boxes are a great step in cutting back on the amount of food that gets wasted every single night. Each time you cook one of these subscription meals, you won’t end up with days of leftovers so you won’t have to clean out tons of wasted food from your fridge at the end of the week. This can save you time, money and your gag reflex if you end up keeping the food a bit too long. Of course, if you do end up with leftovers from these meals then you can easily compost them without a problem.

10. Togetherness
If there’s one thing people have noticed about the subscription food boxes is how they bring people together to bond over cooking and food. You can easily make the subscription box a basis for a date for you and a spouse or partner. Working together and learning new things will help bring closeness to the relationship. You’ll even have everything set up for a romantic dinner for two when you’re all finished. This may even help you to shut off the TV during meal times, so you can start talking again and enjoy one another’s company. If you have children to cook with then you may be teaching them one of the most important lessons of all. That is, how to cook and what real food looks like. Older kids may even want to tackle some of the dishes on their own, which could be a great way to earn them allowance or simply to teach them how to take care of basic chores. Above all, it will show the whole family that eating healthy and cooking is fun and adventurous.

At first glance, food subscription boxes may look scary when you look at the total price; however, when you weigh the options you may find that they are actually worth quite a bit. After a little exploration, you might feel more comfortable with these boxes, which will help you make the decision of trying one out a whole lot easier.

After not seeing a whole lot of sales in January, you may be pleased to finally have access to some great bargains over the President’s Day weekend. Of course, the idea of a three-day weekend might be even more exciting to you. However, if you’re on a tight budget then keeping yourself or a family entertained can be a major problem. Luckily, there’s a whole lot of action going on during the long weekend, so you won’t have to look far to find something to do that won’t leave you strapped for cash. With these ten President’s Day worthy ideas, you may find your well-deserved long break is more relaxing than ever while still honoring the Presidents of the past, present and future.

1. Visit a National Park
President’s Day is a great time to get in touch with the country and celebrate some of the amazing natural beauty that the country has to offer. This is why the National Park system is offering free entry to many of the parks in country, which will help you find something amazing to do during the long weekend. Most parks have plenty of activities for all ages, but you might have to base your plans on the weather in your area. This can be a great time to learn more about the country though, especially if the park is dedicated to one of the presidents or has national monuments connected to it. It’s also nice to finally get outdoors and enjoy some fresh air since the weather is finally clearing up a little. You may even want to pack up the camping gear and spend the whole weekend enjoying the National Park in your region. You never know what you might learn there and it may become a new place to enjoy frequently, especially if you want to show your appreciation for environment protection.

2. Teach Children Presidential Duties
A lot of people begin their early education believing that the president calls all of the shots, which isn’t exactly the truth. This is why you might want to take the President Day’s holiday to actually teach your children what it entails to be the president. This can help children understand more about the way our political system works, so if they see something frightening on the news it may be a little less stressful for them. Not to mention, understanding the role of the president can help your child respect the position of the job as well as the voting process. There’s lots of great online resources to help you explain the president’s job to children of all ages. You can even find games that will make learning on a school vacation fun.

3. Learn Presidential Facts
More often than not, we don’t learn a whole lot about the presidents of yesteryear. Apart from a few tid bits from the more famous presidents, a lot of information gets overlooked because there is simply too much information to cover in history classes. It doesn’t matter if you’re just beginning to learn about the presidents or you’re in college studying them, there’s always something new to learn. So, this President’s Day you might want to check out some fun factsabout the presidents of past. You may be surprised by what you learn about some of the less famous presidents, which may make you want to investigate more into the achievements the president made during his time in office. You can even turn the new facts into a trivia game that will make learning fun. If you don’t want to spend hours searching a data base full of facts, then simply have the kids choose one president and look up fun facts from there. You can celebrate a new president each year, which will really teach a lot.

4. Study the Constitution
The constitution is the basis of our government, so there’s no doubt that it should be looked at when we honor our presidents. After all, it is their job to uphold the rights provided in the constitution. Many people, however, never actually take a look at the Constitution, which can be a real problem if you’re looking at your rights and want to know what is protected. Thus, you may want to go over this document with the family, so they can gain a better understanding of everything they are allowed in the country. This can also ensure that the presidents uphold their rights as they will always know what they have to write their president, congressmen and other government workers about. You don’t have to go straight to studying the document though. Add a few games to the mix to make learning fun. You’ll be surprised as to how much your children pick up during their day off school.

5. Attend Community Event
You may not know it, but there’s a whole lot you can do on President’s Day in your community. Many local colleges or community centers will host lectures or exhibitions on presidents, which could be a learning experience that you don’t want to miss out on. Although it might not be suitable for the whole family, many of these classes should be free so you might not want to pass them up if you don’t have kids or you have free time without them. Some locations will even host a parade to help the community enjoy the big day. These can be exciting to see, especially if there are contestants dressed as presidents. Apart from these obvious events, there many even be a small fair or community gathering to bring people together. These can be filled with music, food and other exciting activities and games that the kids will be excited to enjoy.

6. Take a Field Trip
Field trips are a great way to enjoy an extra weekend day, especially when it’s a patriotic holiday you’re celebrating. Luckily, there’s lots of great things you can see and do all over the country that will make the holiday meaningful. One great option is to check out a Presidential monument if you have you one nearby. If not, then you may want to check out what you can find at a historical museum in your area. Most of the locations will at least set out information on some presidents if they have it on hand during the holiday. It may surprise you, but an art museum might be a fun trip too. Many art museums will even work up amazing exhibits based around the presidents, which can bring history to life for you. Some museums will even make their exhibits fun for kids, which will be a win-win for everyone. Of course, if you live near Washington D.C. then you have a world of amazing things to check out on the holiday, so you may want to plan out the entire weekend to enjoy it all.

7. Be Active
One of the best things about President’s Day is the fact that there’s so many activities going on, so you should use your time to have a little fun exercising. One of the most common things you’ll find to do is marathons and walkathons, especially those for a good cause. This will allow you to show off all of the hard work you’ve done during the year. There are even more intense races to choose from like the Spartan themed races, so if you’re feeling tough then this might be something worth looking into. Of course, there are other things to keep you active during this President’s Day weekend. This year has seen a lot of different protests from many view points, so get out there and let your voice be heard. This is a great way to exercise your rights that past presidents have preserved for you.

8. Get Crafty
Add some fun to the holiday by bringing out some crafts for the kids. You may not believe it, but there’s actually a whole lot of fun things you can find for the kids to enjoy that involve presidents. A quick look online will find you a wide variety of color sheets, which are pretty much perfect if you’re hitting the road with little ones or simply want a quick and quiet activity that’s suitable for many ages. If you have some time to spend then you might consider making presidential puppets. You can do this with brown bags, socks, printables and popsicle sticks, and so on. Older children may even want to put on a production with their chosen president. Another ambitious idea is to recreate the White House or another monument using sugar cubes, popsicle sticks and so on. There’s lots of other great ideas, so make sure you find something that suits your needs.

9. Rent a Movie
When it comes to presidents, there’s been tons of movies made about them or the movements that they governed through. This may be a great time catch up on some movies that portray some major movements in history so you can learn even more about the men that have lead this country. They have movies based around all ages as well, so you may want to consider looking into some presidential cartoons for the younger children. Most libraries will have plenty of these movies on hand, so you won’t even have to spend a penny to rent them. Of course, most of these are about famous presidents, but they’ll be packed with morals that will help your children learn and grow. For adults, there’s even more options, so you may want to consider looking into a lesser known president to see if he has ever been featured in a movie.

10. Hit the Sales
Of course, it may be hard to avoid the amazing sales that pop up on President’s Day weekend. It might not seem frugal to go shopping, but if you do hit these sales you could end up saving a whole lot of money. For instance, if you’re in need of a big ticket item like furniture or a mattress, then these weekend sales are the perfect time to look around. You should especially look online as there are already rumors of many offers that will blow you away. President’s Day is notorious for having early bird specials too, so if you’re looking for items like clothes or things that aren’t as expensive then you should get up early and explore these great deals. Before you know it, you’ll have stocked up on some great items that your household needs to function properly.

President’s Day weekend is a great time to enjoy the world and learn more about your presidents. With these ten tips, you should find something to keep you busy that won’t force you to spend a small fortune on items or travel. So, now you can enjoy your extra vacation and the money you save on it.

If you shop at Walmart, then you’ve probably fallen into the money hole that includes buying way more than you actually intended on. With this budgeting conundrum, you may constantly be looking for new ways to save money at any Walmart store. Luckily, there are many ways to cut back on how you spend at the store that may not be as obvious as you think. With a few simple tricks, you can actually save big on the items you purchase, even after your shopping trip is finished. So, don’t get angry over your budget when you overdo it in the store, because with a little savvy shopping you’re on your way to cutting back on spending for good.

1. Price Match Guarantee
Shopping at Walmart is incredibly convenient. You can find just about everything you need there without having to waste time and gas to check out competitors’ prices. Most of the time, Walmart offers the best price anyway; however, you may run into a few occasions when Walmart misses a competitor’s sale or simply doesn’t have their price the lowest. This can be frustrating when you’re on a tight budget, but Walmart does offer you a bit of a safety net. They have a Price Match Guarantee, which allows you to bring your receipt back to the store as well as the advertisement from some competitors. If the price is lower, they’ll refund the extra that you paid and you can carry on with your savings. You can even pull up competitor’s ads while you’re in the store to get the price matching, so you won’t have to return later for the refund. Make sure you know which stores are accepted though and keep a look out for scams because some people love to post false information to try to get a one over on the store or unsuspecting customers.

2. Rollbacks
No matter when or where you shop at Walmart, chances are, you’re going to run into some Rollbacks. These items tend to be stocked in heavily populated areas, like the entrance of the store, and are often based on items that people will need at the time. For instance, during the Super Bowl you’ll finally find some awesome Rollbacks on sodas and chips. You can also find these deals on the ends of aisles, but these items are usually extra stock that the store wants to move to clear out before having to move it to clearance. So, keep an eye out because you may find some cool blankets and other things you may have never thought about buying. Another option is rollbacks in the grocery section. You have to keep an eye for these though as they’re not always obvious at first glance. However, you may get lucky and find some great deals on your kids’ favorite frozen treats or chips for your next big party.

3. Enjoy the Clearance
Although Rollbacks are a lot of fun and can help save a lot of money, you will really reap some benefits from the clearance items at Walmart. Each store handles the clearance section differently, so you may have to look around to find the deals. Some stores will have a full aisle of clearance items, especially if they have a lot of items they need to get out of the store quickly. However, other stores will keep the clearance items stocked with their regularly priced items. This requires a hawk eye at times, but if you know what you’re looking for then you should be able to get the savings you deserve. This can be especially fruitful when it comes to meat, produce and bread. The store constantly marks down these items so that they don’t have to throw them out, so make sure you check out the perishables as soon as you begin your shopping experience.

4. Shop Online
Although the physical store and the online store have the same name and logo, you may be surprised to find out they are different stores. This can work out in your favor though as the online store does bring in other retailers so you can find amazing deals on items like furniture that you otherwise wouldn’t find in the store. These sales are also buyer protected too, so you won’t have to stress about the product not showing up. Apart from that, you can pick it up at your local Walmart if you want to make life a little easier on you. You will find better deals on big ticket items online too, especially when it comes to technology bundles. This can be especially great during the holidays, especially if you want to skip out on all of the crowds. Of course, you can also order your prescriptions online to save you a whole lot of time and you can purchase photo prints as well as other customizable décor that will showcase your family and life.

5. Free Shipping
One of the perks that Walmart offers its customers is free shipping. If you go in a store and can’t find an item, then chances are you should be able to find it on the website. However, more often than not, this means shipping costs which won’t save you any money. Luckily, Walmart considered this when setting up their online store, so they offer free shipping from the online store to your local store. All you need is an ID card and your confirmation number and you pick up the item at your convenience. Of course, there are deals online that do offer you free shipping, but they often come at a higher price tag. If you find yourself shopping online more and more, and you don’t want to pick up the item at the store, then you’ll be pleased to know you can actually sign up for a program that offers free shipping on all items. There’s a small monthly fee, but it will more than pay for itself if you’re a frequent online shopper.

6. Price Catcher
Smart phones can be a huge asset when it comes to saving big on your shopping experience these days. Walmart has its own app, called the Price Catcher that does you a whole lot of favors when you choose to shop at their store. All you have to do is download the app, which won’t cost you a penny. Then, every time that you go shopping you simply scan the receipt on your phone and upload it to the app. The app will go through the receipt and registers savings as points, so you can earn money back on the items that you needed to purchase in the first place. It’s as easy as that.

7. Shop Early
One of the best things you can do when you’re planning a trip to Walmart is to shop early. There’s actually a couple of reasons why this comes in handy. First of all, early mornings mean less people to work around. This should allow you to get into the store and get exactly what you need without having to dodge other shoppers or feel the frustration of a crowd. This should also save you money because if you shop directly from your list and go from one item to the next, you won’t end up splurging on things you don’t need. Apart from that, early morning shopping will give you the best clearance deals. All of the produce, meat and other mark downs happen in the morning during quality checks. This could score you awesome deals on items that would normally cost a small fortune, like steaks.

8. Coupons
If you love to coupon, then you already know that Walmart is the store to shop at. The store itself offers many coupons in their ads, so you can always begin saving there. They also have many products stocked that have coupons on them, which will help you save even as you shop. Although these coupons will help you save a lot, the store is open to coupons from many sources too. You can easily print out items that you find online or show them to the cashier from your phone. Make sure the coupon is real before you use it though, or you may find yourself having to wait some time as a manager looks into the coupon. In most cases, they will try to give you the deal, but sometimes coupons found online that seem to be too good to be true simply aren’t acceptable.

9. Know Seasons
When it comes to shopping around, the best thing you can do is know when to shop for specific items. For instance, if you want the best deals on technology then you probably already know that Black Friday is the best time to shop. You can also grab these items around the time of the Super Bowl. If you love clearance items, then late January is the time to shop with Walmart. Their fiscal year ends in February, which means they want to clear out a lot of their items before they have to take inventory. This brings some major savings to you, especially on toys and clothes that sell during the holiday. July is another great time for clearance items, as well as purchasing pool tools before the store needs to clear up space for their school supplies. Knowing when to shop is the best way to avoid spending too much when you don’t have to though, which is sure to help your budget.

10. Grocery Pick Up
A lot of people tend to spend way too much money when they actually go into the grocery store because there are so many items to choose from that are too enticing. Luckily, there’s a service that can help you avoid shopping this way, which can help you keep money in your pocket. However, online grocery shopping is only available in some stores now, so you may not be able to take advantage of it yet. However, you should keep an eye on it and ask your local Walmart manager about plans in the service just to show that there is interest. Even though online grocery shopping might not be available, many stores will allow you to call in a shopping order to make things easier. This is especially handy for the disabled or those who may be sick and don’t want to spread germs while shopping. All you have to do is let customer service know that you called in an order and they will gladly bring out your items for you after you have paid.

Shopping at Walmart can be less stressful than you think, especially when you figure out ways to stop spending more than you want in the store. These ten tips should help you find the savings you want and need, without forcing you to cut back on the necessities your household can’t live without.

It’s almost time for Mardi Gras again, which means you may have to jump through some hoops to share this holiday with the kids. Although many Mardi Gras activity are based around adult entertainment, you may be surprised as to how much fun you can have with the kids during this period of celebration. Although you may not end up in the middle of the action, you’re sure to have the time of your life while teaching your kids a bit more about this iconic holiday. The best thing is, these tips won’t leave you scrambling to fix your budget as they are mostly cheap and easy to create at home from items you already have around the house. So, this Mardi Gras, don’t get stuck skipping the fun, instead invite your kids in on the action and enjoy their response.

1. French Breakfast
One of the more iconic aspects of New Orleans is the world-famous Café Du Monde, which many people love to hit up when they’re in the area, especially during this time of celebration. You may find it fun to recreate this environment for the kids. You can easily whip up café au lait at home with very little effort to teach children about this iconic French drink. Of course, you don’t have to make it with caffeinated coffee, you can use decaf or even hot chocolate for the same appearance. Another classic to add to the table is fresh beignets. You will be surprised as to how easy these are to make, especially if you enlist the kids to help out with all of the mixing. You could try out other French foods during the celebration too, like crepes. There’s enough breakfast ideas to last throughout the entire Mardi Gras experience if you want to turn the week into a cultural lesson.

2. Beaded Necklaces
Mardi Gras beads are hands down one of the most iconic aspects of the celebration, so have a little fun by making your own. These are great party favors if you do end up having a party to celebrate and they can save you a lot of money. You can make your Mardi Gras beads out of a wide variety of options that you probably have lying around the house already. For instance, if you have macaroni, or larger noodles then pull them out. These can be colored with markers and put on strings to make cool beads that will help young children work on their motor functions. Another great option is to use old magazines that may be collecting space in the home. Have the kids pull out colorful pages and then roll small strands into cute little beads. This also works with construction paper if you don’t subscribe to magazines. When the kids finish rolling up the paper, each strand can be glued and strung to your favorite form of string. Finally, if you have old party jewelry or beads around the house then you can use the items for a more authentic look.

3. DIY Masks
One of the more fun elements of Mardi Gras is getting to wear a unique mask that shows off a new side of your personality, or at least your personality for the event. People love to pick out elegant, frightening or even funny masks to use too. However, these can be pretty expensive to buy in the market, even if you shop out of season. One way to celebrate the occasion is to have the kids sit down and make their own masks. This gives them an extra special touch that can help them have more fun and show their personality and creativity. You can approach the masks in many ways too. For instance, you can cut out shapes from paper and cardboard and then color in the detailing or use a print out to sort out the details. If you’d like to take your task a little further, then consider making them out of paper mache. If you really want to transform it into an art project you can make them out of a ceramics kit that can usually be purchased fairly cheaply at a hobby store when a coupon is used.

4. Pick up French Words
Mardi Gras can be a great time to learn a few lessons in the French language. There will already be a wide assortment of French words for the kids to see each day of the celebration so try to use this to your advantage. You can make flash cards out of the words you see and use the internet to translate meanings. Of course, if you’d like to take the learning experience a bit further then you can find online lessons for absolutely nothing. These lessons will offer print-outs and other supplies to help make the language a touch easier. Pronunciation guides will also be available which will really come in handy. Apart from that, you can find apps and games online to make learning the language fun. Your family may even fall in love with the language and keep learning it well after the celebration is over.

5. Teach Ballroom Dancing
Masquerades and balls are a big part of the Mardi Gras experience. Although you might not think your kids will enjoy ballroom dancing you could be surprised as to how quickly they can pick it up. Most communities will have ballroom dancing lessons at a decent price, but if you don’t want to sink the money into a temporary hobby then you can find numerous tutorial videos online that will help you figure out the ropes. Once you have a basis for the activity down then the kids can take out their masks and dress up while having a blast dancing. Learning ballroom dancing early on could also help later in life when they need to know how to slow dance for school formals and so one. You can also make the activity feel fun, so they don’t resent it when they’re older.

6. Go to a Parade
Even if you don’t live anywhere near New Orleans, you may find that most communities will do something to celebrate Mardi Gras. It may not be a huge deal, but you should at least find a small parade in your neck of the woods or a community close by. Of course, if there is absolutely nothing in your area then you can always tune into celebrations from around the world online. Many streaming services will offer live broadcasts of the parade and more, so the family can see how the holiday is spent in many different locations. You can also have the kids come up with their own holiday parade after viewing some of the exciting examples online.

7. Cook
Nothing says a celebration quite like getting in the kitchen and making up something delicious to celebrate. There’s a wide assortment of dishes that go hand in hand with the holiday, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding the perfect meal ideas for your household. One such idea is jambalaya which is a New Orleans staple. This dish can be pricey due to the sea food that is in many of the recipes, but you can always substitute with chicken or vegetables to suit your needs, tastes and budget. A King’s cake is also a lot of fun to bake and may be more to the kids liking, particularly when it comes to decorating. Mardi Gras also has routes in Italy too, particularly Fat Tuesday, so you might want to consider some Italian dishes to add to the menu. Before you know it, you’ll have tried out a lot of great items that may even become a regular on your kitchen table.

8. Find Kid Friendly Events
Mardi Gras tends to be centered around adults in most cases, but there are many areas where you can find children’s activities to help keep the kids entertained. For instance, if you were to plan a trip to New Orleans during Mardi Gras then you would probably be surprised to see how many activities are actually family based. Of course, there are some areas of the city which should probably be avoided if you don’t want children exposed to certain behaviors or extremely large crowds. Otherwise, there is plenty to do in this city and many others that will give your child the Mardi Gras experience. You may want to look on your own city’s website to see what is happening during this celebration so you can plan accordingly.

9. Experience Music
If you’d like to keep things simple, but you still want to celebrate then consider walking the kids through the holiday by sharing some amazing cultural music. You can trace the holiday back to the beginning by throwing in some classical music and then move your way into the iconic New Orleans jazz. This is a great way to help children appreciate songs and to understand some of the cultural elements of the holiday that may not be as obvious through other means. There are plenty of holiday classics available too though, which can help get everyone in the mood to celebrate. You should be able to stream all of this music and more on streaming services. If you’re lucky, you may even run into a service that has special playlists just in time for the big celebration.

10. Mardi Gras Lessons
Many people never learn the origins of Mardi Gras, which is something you can remedy with your children. So, you might want to take the time to explain how the holiday relates to different cultures as well as how it kicks off the beginning of Easter so they can have a better understanding of what the holiday is all about. You can find lots of resources online that can help you to approach this holiday for different age groups too, which will come in handy. You should even be able to find color sheets or work sheets to help you out with your task. Once your kids get the hang of the holiday meaning then go over how it is celebrated throughout the world. Everyone will get a kick out of the celebrations and it will broaden kids’ horizons while helping them become eager to learn about other cultures.

Mardi Gras can be a great time to have some fun with your kids without spending a small fortune. This celebration is both a great time to learn about the world around you and to cut loose a little. These ten celebration ideas should help make this holiday kid-friendly and enjoyable for the whole family, so you won’t ever have to skip over Mardi Gras again.