Warmer weather is on the horizon as Spring arrives and begins to bring life back to the planet. With warm weather comes outdoor activities, over-heating and generally feeling too uncomfortable to eat at times. Luckily, we can always whip up a smoothie whenever we’re not in the mood to eat in the heat. Most smoothies are healthy too, and can help you get all of the fruits and vegetables that you need in a day. However, smoothies can cost an arm and a leg if you’re not careful. These ten tips will help you reduce the price of your everyday smoothie, so you can eat right without having to pay an arm and a leg for it.

1. Blend at Home
There are some great smoothie and juice chains and restaurants available to the everyday consumer. However, most of these locations can get away with charging a whole lot of money for their product. There’s not a whole lot of competition out there for these restaurants, so the prices they offer don’t have to be competitive. They also blend in some ingredients that could cost quite a bit of money, depending on season, but aren’t necessary in a healthy smoothie. Your best bet to a healthy and money savvy smoothie is to steer clear of these places. You can easily buy the items needed to blend your own smoothie for a whole lot less. In fact, for the price of one smoothie at a restaurant, you could blend six or more in your own home. This will make your blending more health conscious too. You can even invest in smoothie cups that will allow you to have your drink on the go.

2. Skip Pre-packaged
Many companies have jumped on the smoothie bandwagon and produce smoothie mixes that seem to make your life easier. Companies like Yoplait and restaurants like Jamba Juice, have plenty of flavors on the market for you to choose from in the freezer section. However, these packages cost a small fortune when you buy them for everyday use. Since most only contain small servings, you can easily get the ingredients you need for the same smoothie at a smaller price. Skipping these packages will also help you avoid getting too much sugar into your diet, as many of the yoghurts added into these mixes are sweetened and unhealthy for you.

3. Go Light on Fruit
When most people think of smoothies, they tend to want to go with fruit as much as they can. From the classic strawberry banana smoothie to all fruit smoothies from stores and restaurants, this can be a quick way to add too much sugar to your diet. Not to mention, blending fruit alone can cost you an arm and a leg. Some fruits, like berries, require a lot of produce to make a smoothie, so you may find yourself shopping all of the time for items to toss into a smoothie. The best thing to do to save money is to supplement all those fruits with a few grains and vegetables. For instance, leafy greens are a must when it comes to smoothies as they provide so many nutrients and can be stretched incredibly far. You may also want to consider adding in oatmeal. This adds to the nutrition level and will help keep you full for so much longer.

4. Ditch Dairy
A lot of people believe that smoothies need yogurt or milk in order to make them complete. However, dairy doesn’t have to be a part of your smoothie regime. Instead, you can easily replace it with water if you’re looking to reduce the calories that you intake in a day. Other than that, you can use almond milk or other milk substitutes to help create the creamy flavor that you’ve come to love in your smoothie. After some time of this, you may feel a little healthier and your budget won’t be as weighed down by your smoothie choices.

5. Shop In Season
If you’re on a budget with your smoothies, then the best thing you can do is shop seasonal whenever you can. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a smoothie with ingredients that are out of season. One of the best ways to tackle your cravings for out of season produce is to shop for it when it’s in season. From there, you can easily chop up the items and move them into the freezer so you can have them when the craving arises. This will allow you to shop produce sales too, so you can find what you need in bulk in a hurry. Of course, if you don’t like frozen then simply shop seasonal and work with what Mother Earth provides you with. This can be one of the easiest ways to fight off colds, the flu and even allergies.

6. Splurge on the Blender
When it comes to making smoothies, the ingredients are only a small portion of the drink. The blender pays more of a role than you think it does. In fact, if your blender is subpar then you may wind up hating all of the drinks that you make. That’s why, you should splurge on a blender if you know you’re going to be making smoothies frequently. Luckily, there’s a lot of great reviews out there when it comes to purchasing a blender. You may want to do your research this way before you actually make the investment. There are many brands available that can help you make a professional quality smoothie with little effort at all. Plus, if you invest in a great blender it can help you with all of your other meal preparation needs.

7. Go Nutty
Nuts aren’t exactly the cheapest option at the grocery store, but when it comes to your smoothies it can save you some money and improve your overall health. If you have a pecan tree or other form of nut tree in your yard then you’re already doing good. You can get the nut component for nothing at all. However, if you don’t then it is always wise to wait for a sale on bulk nuts. This will cut costs and give you more product to work with. You don’t have to use a lot of nuts in your smoothie either as a little goes a long way. You won’t want to overdo it here either as it will boost calories substantially. The nuts will help you stay full longer though and even offer more nutrition than you’d get at a smoothie restaurant.

8. Seek Recipes
One of the biggest battles when it comes to smoothies is finding good recipes. There’s thousands of
recipes online from people who love smoothies and eat them every day. This doesn’t mean that every smoothie you come across is going to taste fantastic. When it comes to recipes, don’t make bulk batches until you know how the smoothie tastes. This will cut down on waste and allow you to enjoy the process of trying new things. You may want to follow some of the blogs on smoothies too, because if you can find someone with similar tastes to you then you may run into a recipe goldmine. When you seek out recipes you may also want to base your search on ingredients you already have. This will help you to use up what’s in the home, so you don’t have to buy a lot more food.

9. Freeze Leftovers
It’s not always the easiest to make the right portions of smoothies, especially when you’re winging it. So, more often than not, money gets sent down the tube because there are too many leftovers for someone to drink straight away. This can make people not want to enjoy making smoothies anymore. However, there is a solution to the problem. If you like to take a smoothie to work with you each day, then simply freeze the excess in a mug or jar. You can put it in the fridge to thaw over night or you can take it with you frozen for a treat later in the day. You can also turn your leftovers into fun popsicles for the kids. This will teach them to eat healthier while ensuring they also enjoy the food.

10. Shop Clearance
Some people avoid clearance produce at all costs, but when it comes to making smoothies it could be one of the best things you can do. Usually, clearance produce still has some shelf life left so you won’t have to eat it straight away. The best thing you can do is cut it and freeze it right away though. Then, you won’t have to worry about it going bad. However, you could easily take it home and blend it right away too. This will give you a fresh smoothie that you can enjoy for a price that is less than what you’d normally spend on a smoothie. If you find a lot of clearance produce then you will be well on your way to great smoothies without spending as much of your food budget, which will allow you to splurge elsewhere. It will also teach your children not to waste food, which is a great lesson.

Smoothies aren’t just a passing food trend. They’re a great way to get in nutrition, while cooling down the body. With these ten tips, you should be able to find the savings you need to ensure you get to enjoy your smoothies for a lot less money than you’d expect.

In just a few short weeks Peter Cottontail will be hopping around the bunny trail to deliver colorful eggs to children all over the world. If you’re a parent or you have children in your life, then you’re probably excited to have everyone hunt eggs and find lots of delicious treats. Of course, if you’re on a budget then you may have a problem organizing the perfect Easter egg hunt for your bunch. These ten tips will leave you with some ideas that won’t just make this the most memorable Easter hunt yet, but will also make your budget stretch further than you expected it could. So don’t sweat this holiday, because hunting eggs won’t leave your budget floundering for months afterwards.

1. Separate Egg Colors
One of the problems many families and communities face when it comes to Easter egg hunts is the fact that some children always seem to get more than other children. May it be age difference, athleticism or simply egg hunting skills, some children just don’t get their fair share of eggs which just brings tears. So, you might want to take some time to separate the eggs via color. Just before the hunt begins, reveal a color to each child. They can then pick up the eggs that are that color. With a good even mix of colors, each child will have the same amount of eggs and treats. You may even find the kids work together more in order to find all of the eggs that have been hidden. This allows you to separate the prizes by age too, so everyone will get age appropriate gifts and treats on the special occasion.

2. Make a Map
If you want to teach your children how to follow instructions while having a whole lot of fun, then a map is the way to go. This is another great way to separate the eggs for different kids to choose. Plus, if you have a lot of land for kids to hunt on then it can make the hunt more timely and a lot more fun. Simply put your art skills to work and go from there. You can draw a map with pictures of landmarks or you print one based on steps from left to right. Make sure to work on the map based on different ages though as older children will be able to decipher hidden messages and clues, where younger children will be better off with pictures or counting small amounts of steps.

3. Night Time Hunt
Sometimes, waiting for the morning is too much to handle, which is why a night hunt might be a new tradition you love to enjoy. Of course, if you prefer following the whole Easter Bunny routine then you can always re-hide your eggs for a game of night time hunting. One way to do this is to use glow in the dark paint when you make your eggs. This will allow children to see them as they wander around in the dark. Another option is to paste tiny reflectors to them and have the children go out with flashlights. Remember to keep safety first in mind though. Try sending the kids out in glow in the dark clothing or reflectors and make sure you enjoy the hunt in a fenced in area without any potential dangers to worry about.

4. Community Hunt
If you can’t come up with the budget to have your own Easter egg hunt, then you shouldn’t have to worry about sitting this year out. There’s a lot of events in the community that you can check out that will suit your budget perfectly. In fact, most community centers will host a free Easter egg hunt for kids of certain ages. This is a prime time for your children to have a blast with kids their own age. You can even use the eggs they find there to put on your own Easter egg hunt. Some schools will even invite their students to enjoy an early Easter egg hunt, which is always fun to watch. Last but not least, many churches will put on an Easter egg hunt during Sunday School or after the Easter service and meal is over. So, you may want to plan on going to one of those events.

5. Bulk Candy
One of the main expenses for Easter is the candy that goes into the eggs. Many people try to customize this to suit children’s wants, but this can be entirely too expensive. One of the best things you can do is grab a bulk bag of candy to fill the eggs. Usually, these bags will have a little something for everyone, so you won’t have to worry about anyone not being happy with their finds. You can even get off-brand candy to help lower the prices too. If you subscribe to a warehouse store, then you may even get lucky enough to grab the traditional chocolate bunny in bulk so you can get a discount on getting all of your children the prize.

6. Natural Egg Color
Egg dye can be a pain to purchase, especially if you have a lot of eggs to dye. There’s lots of natural ways to dye your eggs though. Many of the items are commonly found in your own home, which is an added bonus. For instance, you can dye your eggs a lovely shade of yellow simply by taking the peeling from yellow onions and boiling them in with the eggs. Then, refrigerate it all when everything is boiled. The eggs will come out colored and ready for the hiding. You can also do it with beets, cabbage, carrots and so much more. Simply look around online for more tips to give you a natural rainbow that won’t make your home smell like vinegar.

7. DIY Bunny Suit
If you love to have an Easter Bunny at your hunt, then you probably already know that buying or renting a suit can cost a small fortune. If you end up buying a costume there is no guarantee that you will be able to wear it the following year too, which could make it an even bigger waste of money. There are many ways you can make your own costume though. If you’re a whiz with a sewing machine, then you can easily get to work on a furry bunny suit with a simple pattern that won’t cost you a fortune. However, if you aren’t a huge fan of sewing then there are a few tutorials you can find to help you whip up a quick suit in no time at all.

8. Non-Candy Eggs
Candy is one of the most expensive aspects of Easter, especially if you already have plastic eggs. You don’t have to fill your eggs with candy if you’re on a budget though. For instance, you can whip up your own mini-cookies and other baked goods. These should fit into the eggs easily, but make sure to wrap them well in case the egg ends up breaking. Another option is to fill it with small coins that you have lying around this house. This is especially great for younger kids who may not have an allowance yet. Finally, you can fill the eggs with items like coupons to get out of chores or for an extra dessert and so on. Your kids may fall in love with the new prizes, which is sure to make your future Easters a lot more frugal.

9. Skip the Basket
Traditionally, many kids have big baskets that they use year after year. However, if your child is celebrating with their first basket then this can be a big of a problem for your budget. Lovely baskets are nice and all, but they aren’t always efficient, especially in the first few years of Easter egg hunting when they tend to be too bulky and heavy. Instead of going this route you may want to consider using a pail or a bucket. If you have one lying around the house, or the sandbox, then you’re already set to save a lot more money. If you’re not working with real eggs, then using a tote bag would also come in handy. This is great for younger kids too because it’s light weight and easy to work with. Some older children may be interested in weaving their own. There’s many tutorials online and the materials don’t have to cost you a fortune.

10. Egg Trade
Another option that will prevent you from spending a fortune on candy and toys is to fill the eggs with tickets instead. This method could work in a few different ways. For instance, you can purchase some prizes instead of filling the Easter basket with goodies for the morning. The prizes can each have a ticket number ranging from small to large. This will give the kids a chance to buy items they want based on what they found. Another option is to auction off items using the tickets. This can be a lot of fun and will help the kids learn the worth of what they have. Last but not least, you can have the kids trade eggs for those that they want amongst each other. This will help them bond while allowing them to learn how to negotiate.

Easter egg hunts are one of the highlights of the holiday, but they don’t have to leave you scrambling for money. These ten tips will help you plan the perfect Easter egg hunt that won’t force you to pour money into it. Now, you can finish off the early year holidays with ease, so you can begin to prep for summer fun.

April is a great month filled with weather changes, holidays and the beautification process of the Earth. With all of the rain coming in, many people take to stores to engage in some retail therapy. This might not be great for your budget, especially if you try to shop for a few different categories this season. Luckily, there’s a specific ten that you should be avoiding unless the deal is too good to be true. So, put on your galoshes and get ready to shop until you drop, because these ten categories are sure to help you avoid spending a small fortune when you go shopping in the month of April.

1. Easter Supplies
As you know, Easter is in the month of April this year, which means lots of people will be shopping around to find some of the best Easter deals on the market. If you shop before Easter then you’ll know that you’re probably not going to find a deal on supplies like chocolate, toys or baskets. Items tend to go on sale after Easter, but the price drops tend to not be worth shopping fully until a couple of weeks after Easter when the interest in Easter goods is long gone. During this time, you can get chocolate bunnies and other items at an irresistible price. Online stores will also take part in this, so don’t be afraid to shop online for some pretty awesome deals too. Before you know it, you’ll be set up in chocolate and prepped for next Easter thanks to the deals in May.

2. Laptops
Laptop sales tend to peak two times during the year. The first is during the summer when kids are home from school and a new group of college students prepare for their first semester at a university. The second is during the holiday season. So, it’s not a surprise that during the spring time there aren’t’ any great laptop sales moving in. For technology, the Spring time is buzzing with new releases too, which makes sales on items a little hard to find. Your best option is to wait until summer rolls around. However, if you need a laptop in a hurry then buy an older model or something refurbished to tide you over until you can actually find a great sale.

3. High-End Mattress
There’s not really any specific sales for mattress in the month of April, especially when it comes to high end models. Sure, you may be able to find one at a reduced price, but nothing will help you save money quite like waiting just one more month to shop. May is the perfect time to grab a new mattress, particularly on Memorial Day. This usually helps you find the mattress for you at a price designed that way too. You should always make sure to know what you’re looking for when it comes to mattresses though, so shop around before you do any actual shopping. If you can’t wait until May this will be the best possible way for you to get more for your money.

4. Linens
If you want to buy linens, then you should always aim to shop for them during January. This is when the infamous White Sale occurs, which offers linens at some of the best possible prices around. However, the month of April is pretty dry in this department because most stores are putting out new stock after getting rid of so many items during the month of January. Another reason why April is a no go when it comes to linens is we are now in prime wedding season. Linens are one of the most common gifts for newlyweds, so you’ll end up shopping in the height of all the overpriced goods. It’s also time for students to start planning their year at the dorm or in their first apartment. So there will be many others shopping in this category too. Thus, it might be best if you simply wait it out or look on clearance websites to find the linens you need.

5. Summer Goods
Although it’s not the best time to buy Spring clothes, it’s also not a great time to buy Summer clothes either. The month of April is when the stores begin to roll out the gear for next season, especially in climates that are already getting hot. So, bathing suits, shorts and tanks are probably items you should bypass, even if you find something adorable that you must have. It’s best to wait until the month of May when these clothes will be flying off of the shelves thanks to the amazing Memorial Day sales. You will also find great deals on clearance swimwear once all of the other clothing is added to the lineup. Make sure you shop early though, so you can some great fashions for less.

6. Baby Supplies
January is another great month for baby sales, which can mean April is a time to avoid buying some of the newest and greatest technology. April is actually a time when new products are released and many tech item reveal their debut products. So, the odds aren’t in your favor during this time. Of course, if you’re desperate for baby gear then there is always a way to find items that won’t cost you a bundle. For instance, you can get freebies all year long, but you have to be careful. It’s hard to wait on baby items, especially when the due date is fast approaching, but waiting until April is over will be in your best interest.

7. Rain Gear
April showers may bring May flowers, but it may not be the right time to prep for those long and rainy days. Rain gear tends to take a price intake during the month of April because everyone needs it to stay warm and dry. Rain gear can include jackets, boots and hats, so try to avoid this section of the store at all costs. Of course, if you’re desperate for some rain gear then you may want to try to make your own online. There’s a boatload of tutorials online, so make sure to browse around to see if there’s any that struck your fancy. Hats and raincoats are both simple to make, even if you only have supplies to make a simple, one-time item. You’ll save a bundle and will learn how to protect your skin from the rain.

8. Tennis Supplies
Tennis season is officially upon us, which means buying gear to play the game is going to cost you a whole lot of money. With lessons and tournaments going, you won’t be able to find an appropriate sale on these items, so try to refrain if you can. If you need supplies you might try borrowing them from friends or paying a small rental fee. Of course, you can always check out thrift stores to see what they have in regards to the game as well. Tennis equipment as well as clothes and shoes will set you back a bit, so wait until the season is in mid-swing before you brave shopping for your own person items.

9. Wedding Gowns
Bridal season is here, so if you’re waiting to buy your dress then you may want to continue to do so. Since most people have a wedding between February and October, you’ll end up struggling to find the appropriate dress for your body. Since prices are high your budget shouldn’t be burdened with shopping early for a gown. There will also be less of a selection because so many people will have shopped around the same period of time as you. Instead of doing this, try waiting until the autumn. You may even want to work your whole wedding around this time. It will bring lots of discounts on your dress and everything else.

10. Golf Gear
With the weather warming up, more people are wanting to get outdoors to hit around a few golf balls. So, if you don’t have the gear you need to play you may want to sit this one out until the weather is too hot to make being outdoors enjoyable. Even rental prices will skyrocket, so try to stay away from the golf course if you can. You can always try thrift stores, but the quality of clubs isn’t always there. Shop for this gear during the Father’s Day week or when the weather is too cold to enjoy playing the sport.

April isn’t the best time to shop for a lot of must-have items, but patience will help you get through this trying time. With any luck, you’ll be able to save money thanks to all of the things you can’t buy this season. Don’t get too used to not shopping though, because May brings so many sales that you’ll have to double blink.

With April Fools Day is coming around the corner in a couple of weeks, thus you may want to figure out a few ways to have some fun in the work place. However, many adult pranks usually come with a price that will hit your wallet more so than anything else. Luckily, there’s a few classic pranks that many people in the work place may not suspect coming. These pranks can cost next to nothing or may even be entirely free. So, this year, don’t let April Fools Day pass without having a little fun with it. Just because you have to be at the work, doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate this once a year time that allows you to act a little childish.

1. Jello Supplies
If you’re looking for a classic prank that is sure to get a few laughs, then you may want to take a note from Jim from The Office. One of his more iconic pranks was placing a stapler in a Jello mold. You don’t have to stop with just a stapler though as you can have a whole lot of fun putting just about anything into Jello. You may want to refrain from using personal items or any form of tech though, because you don’t want to have to pay for an item if it breaks. However, basic office supplies are the perfect option for this prank. You can even mix up the various colors of Jello that you choose to use to send a more personal message to the person being pranked. There’s lots of tutorials online if you feel like this prank is right up your alley. Best of all, it won’t ruffle too many feathers, so there won’t be a backlash from the fun prank.

2. Move items
A lot of people get so used to their work environment that any slight change might throw them off a bit. You can easily use this to your advantage to help make the people of habit think twice about what they do on this holiday. One way to do this is to simply move things around. For instance, you can move their desk an inch to the left and their chair an inch to the right. If they make it to the chair without falling then they will at least spend the day wondering what’s off in their cubicle. You can also move around their office supplies. For example, try placing the pens where the tape would normally go and so on. The subtle changes may even throw people off enough so that they have to ask what is different about their space. You can do this on a large scale or a small scale depending on the lengths you want to go and what your boss and coworkers will tolerate.

3. Healthy Sweets
Everyone loves a good snack to hit the sweet tooth around mid-day, which makes this type of prank the perfect option for many offices. One way to accomplish this is to bring in a box that is known for sweets. For example, a donut box is the perfect option, but you can always use cakes or cookies too. Before you bring in the box empty out the sweets and fill it with vegetables and healthy dips. Your colleagues will still get a nice snack, but it won’t be the sweet treat they’d originally wanted to munch on. You can also make sweets out of healthier items. For instance, you can grate carrots and turn them into cookies. They’ll still taste decent, but they won’t be the cookie people expected. If you want to be a bit meaner, then consider covering onions so that they look like caramel apples. One bite into the prank and your co-workers will regret not remembering it’s April Fools Day.

4. Wrap It Up
Some pranks simply deserve to be obvious and the wrapping prank is one of them. If you really want to be difficult then bring a bunch of plastic wrap to work before everyone else shows up. You can wrap up cubicles in plastic wrap to make it hard for anyone to get in and sit down. Luckily, this trick is easy to clean up too, so no one will get in trouble for lack of productivity. You can also use wrapping paper or newspaper to complete this funny prank too, just don’t spend a fortune on the items you choose to use. You might also be a little prepared for clean-up, especially if the person you pranked has an inkling that you’re the one that did it.

5. Post It
Most offices have a whole lot of post it notes lying around, so you can use this to your advantage. However, you may want to consider bringing your own post it notes if you are afraid you might get in trouble. You may want to invest in post it notes that are a different color too. Once you have enough of the sticky notes, and enough means a whole lot, you can apply them to someone’s desk area. You can make messages, draw out pictures or simply just cover everything in the area with one of the sticky pieces of paper. These will take a while to clean up, but if you do take the time to add in a special image or message it will be well worth the time you have to put into it.

6. Balloons
Another simple and cheap trick is to fill a room with balloons. You may get a little winded on this one, but the results will certainly be worth the effort. Best of all, balloons won’t cost you an arm and a leg to purchase and you can always send some home with people who have kids when the prank is over. There’s many great tutorials on how to accomplish filling a room with balloons too. So, you won’t have to go through the headache of winging it before work begins. Another option is to place a balloon where someone sits. If they commonly don’t look where they’re sitting, then the pop of the balloon is sure to startle them as well as other people in the office. There’s lots of other ideas for balloons too, so try to plan out something unique that no one would ever expect from you.

7. Keyboard Fun
If you already know how a keyboard operates then you should be ready to pull some funny pranks that will have some of your colleagues stumped. For instance, you can easily switch the letters on the keyboard around to bring a bit of confusion to those who type while looking at their hands. You can also put colorful tape on the keys to make it hard for people to figure out which letter is which, if they don’t know the QWERTY keyboard well. Of course, you’ll need to be able to put the keyboard back together too, so you don’t have to end up replacing it. If you’re not tech savvy then you may want to consider bringing an old and broken keyboard to the office and hooking it up. When the keyboard doesn’t work, you can laugh at the confusion of your colleague. You may even be able to get away with simply unplugging the keyboard from the mother board to get the same effect.

8. Ransom Items
many offices, people love to have pictures, toys and other personal items on their desk in order to bring comfort while they work. If you have a decent relationship with someone at your office, then you might consider taking one of their items for ransom. You can even go as far as leaving a suspicious note and demanding something like a soda or a lunch date out of them. You can also leave clues behind to help them find out what you did with the items. This prank won’t work on everyone though, so make sure you’re careful as it could cause a problem that your boss may not appreciate dealing with. Make sure all the items are returned to their previous location before the person you took them from goes home for the day.

9. Insects
Not many people are fans of insects, so you can do a whole lot with insect pranks. One idea is to take a Styrofoam cup and make a large hole in it. Then write on a sticky note stating that there is a huge spider under the cup. Find a great place to leave it, so people will spend the day dealing with the heebie jeebies and looking for the non-existent spider. Another cheap and easy option is to leave plastic bugs in awkward places around the office. For instance, you can place them in drawers, on the toilet paper or even in someone’s chair. The more creative you get the better the scare factor should be. There’s many great tips for these pranks too, so browse around for even more ideas.

10. Spooky Emails
A few years ago, many people received emails asking them to look for something in the corner of an image. After a minute or so of looking a scary figure would pop out. These emails can be perfect for office pranks, especially since they now come with less obvious designs. For instance, you can send a document asking someone to proof read, then when they get to a certain section something pops out at them. There’s numerous scary emails gags out there, so you’ll have to do a little research to find a website that suits your needs perfectly.

April Fools Day doesn’t have to be skipped simply because you’re a grown up and you have to go to work. These ten tips should help you plan a little bit of fun when the big day arrives. Of course, you should always be considerate of underlining issues that people may have when you plan your pranks. If you follow a little precaution and you keep the humor light, there should be a little fun had by everyone.

The month of March is dedicated to the fascinating and empowering history of women. With special occasions like International Women’s Day, you may find it hard not to feel the need to celebrate throughout the month of March. Luckily, there’s lots of great ways to do so which won’t cost you a small fortune. With the budget out of the way, you may find that this month is a great time to help your whole family understand the powerful role women have played throughout history and in today’s world. So, let your feminine pride show this March and enjoy celebrating with these ten tips.

1. Visit a Women’s Monument
March history month is a great time to familiarize yourself with monuments dedicated to women. If you live near one, then it might be time to head to the monument to check out and celebrate the girl power of past. This is a great way to show children the great things achieved by women as well as showing them how to give the recognition people deserve no matter their gender. Of course, there aren’t many women’s monuments in the U.S.A., so you may not be able to physically travel to one. However, you can easily find monuments online that will give you a 360 degree tour. You can also look up powerful women and write your local government requesting a special monument. It may be a hard task, but if you’re successful it will definitely give you a sense of pride.

2. Visit a Nursing Home
Not all women who accomplish great things become famous. In order to truly celebrate the history of women, you may want to head to a nursing home in your community. Here, you will get to meet the women who made history even if their name wasn’t added to a text book. These women will have taken part in wars, fought social stigmas, raised families, worked hard on their passions and so much more. The best thing about this way of celebrating is you will also help make the day of someone who may be feeling lonely. You might even consider writing down or recording the stories you hear while there. You could even put them all in a special book to donate to the nursing home so the patients can read through their stories with pride.

3. Listen to Speeches
In this day and age, we have access to so much media that it proves to be a great resource when celebrations like Women’s History Month rolls around. This month, you may want to take some time to go back and listen to some of the speeches that have helped define women, their role in society and their rights. You can go back pretty far in time to hear women talk about race, gender and sexuality equality, so choose a topic that you may not understand fully or one that you’d simply love to hear. Since this year hosted a huge March on D.C. for women’s rights, you will have easy access to these speeches too. You never know what you may learn while listening, so open up your mind and enjoy. You may also feel moved to write your own speech, or have the children write one too. With inspiration like this, women from all races, creeds and social backgrounds can find strength to progress and push forward in the future.

4. Research
Women’s History Month exists because more often than not only a few womens’ names rise to the top of the mind when we think about history. This month may be the perfect time to get to know some of the other women who made big changes in our history. You can look from a social, science or political perspective to suit your own interests. You may even consider drawing names out of a hat to see who you should research. No matter how you make the decision, remember to keep an open mind while you look into your new historical figure’s past. This is a great assignment for children too and will help them discover more women so they can find inspiration to make changes for their own futures. Of course, you can also stick with an old favorite, but make sure to share stories about her with the people in your life.

5. Take a Course
If you’re not sure where to even begin celebrating Women’s History Month, then you might want to sign yourself up for a course on the matter. Your local community college or university should have quite a selection of courses, including women’s literature or an introduction to women’s history. Both of these courses will open your eyes to new topics and help you celebrate the women who have made your life a bit easier. You can also look online for free courses to help you out too. There’s numerous websites dedicated to bringing college courses to the general public, so browse for a topic that suits you. Even some Ivy League schools will offer their list of courses so you can get the best quality education around. You won’t get graded on your work for these courses, but the lessons will be well worth your time and energy.

6. Teach Others
One way to celebrate Women’s History Month without even touching your bank account is to share your own knowledge. This is especially important when it comes to the younger generation. If you know a lot about a particular person then share that story with your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. It doesn’t have to be about a famous person either. Talk about family and friends who have served in the military, worked as nurses and doctors, protested and marched. No matter what the story is, if it involves a woman’s strength then let it out to the world. You can even do this by posting on social media. The sky is the limit here, so become a teacher this month and let others know how important women are.

7. Celebrate a Strong Woman
There are women around the world that bring inspiration to others on a daily basis. Many of these women are unseen or unheard of, but that shouldn’t stop you from celebrating them this month. If you want a frugal option for this then you can easily choose a woman, or several, in your life and write them a letter explaining how they inspire you. If you’re okay with spending a little money then invite a woman out for dinner. You can talk about her past, present and future as well as the ideas that helped her get there. You’ll feel amazing afterwards and will have contributed to learning more about such a rich history, even if it won’t be found in the text books.

8. Donate or Volunteer
This month, there’s lots of charities that can be helped in the name of all women who have worked for our present rights. If you want to do something special then find a charity that is based solely around women. There’s a lot out there ranging from women’s rights in other countries to helping homeless women in our own. You can even find education based charities or charities designed to help women escape from abusive homes. The charity is totally up to you. If you have money to spare then this is a great time to donate; however, if you’re trying to stay on a budget then you might want to volunteer to help them. Most charities are always looking for a few extra hands, so call around to see what you can do.

9. Trace Ancestry
One important thing you can do for Women’s History Month is to actually learn more about your own history. One way to help make the details of your family’s role in the rights of women is to begin learning about the women who came before you. You can use popular sites like 23andMe or Ancestry.com, or you can even hire an investigator. Of course, asking family members to help out with information may be the cheapest way to get your answers. You may find that the women in your bloodline led incredible lives that will blow you away. As you learn about them, you may want to pick up a craft or hobby that they used to love too. It doesn’t matter how many generations you go back, as learning about even your grandmother will help pass the story of your lineage down to the next generation and on.

10. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Women’s History Month doesn’t have to be all about learning about history though. It can also be about making history in your own special way. For instance, you may want to try something out that you’ve always wanted to. May it be bungee jumping or choosing to shoot for your dream career. You may also want to try creating something. From painting to crochet, your options are endless here too. As long as you’re stepping out of your comfort zone, you’ll certainly make history in the minds of your children and the people you hold near and dear to you.

This March you’ll certainly feel empowered by all of the women in your life and even yourself. These ten tips should help you find amazing ways to celebrate the month while helping ensure the future is on a better path. With any luck, March will become a new favorite time to celebrate your own beauty and the beauty of the women who came before you and those who will follow you.

With the clocks springing forward and the weather warming up, you may find that it’s time to start preparing for the Spring time. One of the best ways to get ready for the seasonal change is to plan out something to do to celebrate the Spring Equinox. In some cultures, this date is actually a holiday that celebrates the renewal of life. That doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune to have a lot of fun though. This March 20, you may be surprised by how amazing Spring time fun can be even on a budget. So get ready to bring in the season of renewal without adding to your budget, because these ten tips are sure to help you make the most of the special day.

1. Build a Kite
The Spring months often bring a lot of wind to the table, so what better way to celebrate then to build a kite with the family. Kites are easier to build than you may think, so don’t overthink it when you make the plans to do so. You can probably find items to build your kite around the house, but if not they are usually a lot cheaper than you may think. Once you have all of the supplies, try to work from a basic tutorial unless you are an experienced kite maker. This shouldn’t take you long and will allow each family member to get a bit creative on their own personal kite. Of course, if the family falls in love with the hobby then you can always work on more intricate designs or enter a kite contest. Simply flying the kite around will help keep the fun of Spring alive though.

2. Organize Clothes
Spring is all about starting fresh, so you may want to take this time to freshen up your closet. Winter is mostly over so it might be time to start putting away the abundance of cold weather clothes that you have out. Once you’ve put these items away then go through the old warm weather clothes that you have. Rediscovering clothes can be a lot of fun, especially if you love to pass down clothes to younger kids that no longer fit the older kids. This is also a great time to discover clothes that were bought on clearance but never worn. Often, people forget these items so it feels like a holiday to check them all out again. When you have your new wardrobe in order, then you may decide to go buy something new in order to celebrate the seasonal change.

3. Celebrate the New Year
In many cultures, the Spring Equinox is actually a major holiday. People celebrate this seasonal change as an official New Year as everything is returning to life and food is in abundance. Nowruz, for instance, is celebrated in many Middle Eastern countries and even features a ball dropping to celebrate the change. You can catch this footage online, which could be an excellent way to bring in the big occasion with the family. You may even consider coming up with a special meal to celebrate. There’s lots on this holiday and other Spring Equinox celebrations from around the world online, so it could be the perfect occasion to learn and try something new.

4. Hand Out Seeds
Nothing says Spring like beautiful flowers popping up around the community. You may also find it the perfect time to add a garden into the spare space in your yard. Luckily, seeds don’t cost a fortune, so you might end up with more than you could possibly need. This could be the perfect time to get to know your neighborhood or community better. If you take to the block or even a local park and hand out seeds to people you meet, then you’ll be doing the planet a huge favor while bringing the community together. You can even add information about saving the planet onto the seed packets, which will help bring light to the problems we’re facing. This gift is sure to make you feel great. You might also check in with your local government to see if there is any place you can plant seeds outside of your own property. If there is such a place then you can pass out the seeds to kids and help them begin planting. This will allow you to share the joy with the next generation.

5. Balance an Egg
One Chinese tradition is trying to balance an egg on the day of the Spring Equinox. It is said that the egg will be able to balance due to the Earth’s position to the sun. If you can balance the egg, then you are meant to have good luck for the rest of the year. This little project can be a whole lot of fun for the kids in your life. You might want to bring out at least a dozen eggs though, just to see if any of them balance. This may take more than luck to accomplish, but the magic of the project is sure to help your children appreciate the celebration and learn something new about another culture.

6. Create a Bouquet
The rejuvenation of flowers in the Spring time is one of the best sights, so to celebrate the Spring Equinox you may want to pick a few flowers and make a bouquet. You can check out all sorts of flower arrangement websites to help out too, if you’re feeling like keeping your bouquet professional. This bouquet can be added to the home or given to someone special in order to brighten their day. If you’re feeling really ambitious, then you can pick many flowers and make a bouquet for the patients at a hospital or nursing home. Sometimes, flowers don’t arrive by the time the equinox rolls around, but you can easily make up paper flowers to feed your need for their beauty until the real flowers begin to bloom. There’s numerous paper flower tutorials, so you should be able to recreate some of your favorite flowers in an assortment of colors.

7. Color Run
The color run is an Indian tradition that helps celebrate the joys of the Spring Equinox. However, over the years this has been transformed into a marathon in many other countries. So, if you’re feeling ambitious and in shape you may want to register yourself to join in on the fun. While you run, you will be dowsed in colored powder, which will leave you looking awesome after the race is over. If you want to experience this with your children or friends, but don’t want to run then you can easily make the powder at home and simply throw it at one another. This could become a favorite tradition in your family and will give you more insight into how other cultures celebrate the rebirth of the earth.

8. Clean Community
Another easy option to help celebrate the Spring time beauty is to give back to Mother Nature. You can walk around your own community and pick up any garbage you see on the ground. This will be a great step into ending pollution and preventing some animals from eating the dangerous garbage. You might also want to get others involved in this task, which could bring the community together to celebrate the magic of the Spring Equinox. Cleaning up garbage isn’t the only way to clean the community though. You can also work on lowering your carbon footprint and bringing awareness to others, so they can follow suit. No matter what you choose to do to keep your community clean, it will certainly help make a difference and allow you to feel connected with the planet that we live on.

9. Sign Up For Spring Activities
Spring is filled with activities to keep the whole family busy. So, this Spring Equinox, you may want to sit down with the family and check out which activities are offered and if you can work out the scheduling. Usually, soccer, track and baseball are starting up, which are all great group activities that can be played by most of the family. You may look into hiking, photography, and other classes that will get you outdoors and enjoying the beautiful weather. Apart from that, you can register for activities that will simply keep the body moving. This is a great way to celebrate the New Year and will certainly help bring up your health. Another option is to start children on swim lessons at an indoor pool, so the whole family will be ready to take on the pool when summer arrives.

10. Picnic
Another classic option to celebrate the Spring Equinox is to pack a special picnic for the family. You can take your meal to a National park, local park or even just the backyard. If the weather doesn’t cooperate with you then you could always eat the picnic on your living room floor as the change will certain excite the children. When packing your picnic, try to keep seasonal ingredients in mind in order to make the most out of the season. You might also want to pack some games and activities to keep everyone busy, especially if you choose a park that doesn’t have a playground to entertain the kids. You may even want to turn your picnic into a romantic date for someone special. All in all, as long as you keep the foods frugal then you should be looking at a cheap activity that will build lots of memories.

A shift in seasons can always change the way we go through life. These ten tips will help you celebrate the Spring Equinox without forcing you to spend a whole lot of money. This will certainly make the fresh Spring time air seem even more inviting.

Tax season often makes people really happy. With many getting tax credits and a refund, this season often brings a huge boost to the economy because money tends to burn a whole in people’s pockets. However, if you’re trying to keep things frugal then you may want to consider treating this year’s tax return a bit differently. There’s many ways you can transform the money you get back during tax season, so you can worry less about what’s going on with your finances throughout the year. If you’re not sure where to begin then keep your check in the envelope and check out these tips. You’ll find that tax season will be your new favorite time to save.

1. Don’t Touch It
The first thing you should consider doing with your money is putting it away straight away. If you can, take the check directly to the bank and don’t look back. You’ll want to deposit it in your savings account, or an account that will allow it a special place to grow by gaining interest. You have many options here, so make sure to shop around to see which bank will give you the best deal on interest when it comes to your savings. If you don’t want your money in a bank, then consider buying a safe for it. The money won’t grow while in a safe, but it will sit there until an emergency arises or you find a good investment. Many people who fear electronic collapse often go with this method as it will ensure you always have cash on hand. Of course, make sure you have a great hiding place for the money and that no one knows you’re storing money in the home, as this could bring about some major problems.

2. Pay Bills
It may not sound like the fun thing to do, but using your money to catch up on bills is probably the best thing you can do for your finances. If you’re falling behind on anything then it may not be an option not to pay those things off. Try to put money on as many of these bills as you can so you don’t end up paying interest fees or, worse yet, collection agency fees. Once these bills are good to go then you may want to toss extra money on a bill that collects interest. Student loans, cars, mortgages and even your car insurance will benefit from having extra money put on them when you can afford it. If you’re good when it comes to bills then you might want to consider paying something off. This will give you extra money to spend each month instead of your typical tax return splurge time.

3. Invest
With bills out of the way and a sizeable savings account, you may want to do something to help your money grow. This is where investing comes in handy and can help just about anyone make their money work for them. Investing sounds pretty complicated, especially if you’re new to the task. There’s lots of friendly aids around to help you out though. You can also hire a stock broker to help you make the right decision. Of course, the best thing you can do for yourself when investing is to spend lots of time researching, especially when it comes to the companies you want to invest in. With a little luck, you’ll make a wise investment choice so your money can grow. This also means you’ll need to keep up to date with stocks too, so you’ll know when to sell to make a profit.

4. Necessary Repairs
It’s pretty easy to overlook all of the repairs that need to or should be done. If you have a car that’s been on the fritz then you might want to take your tax return and get it the tune up or repairs that it needs to go strong for the rest of the year. This will allow you to drive without worrying about having to pay huge fees in the future. The house is another area to look for improvements. Perhaps the house needs some new shingles or a new coat of paint. You might also check out the pipes and ventilation as well as inspect the water heater. If you don’t need to repair anything then you may want to consider improvements that could raise the value of your home. New countertops or cabinets, for instance, are smart ideas that will even make you feel more comfortable in your home.

5. Stock Up
If there’s nothing on the list that is an absolute buy, then your tax return money might be best used as a way for you to stock up the home. For instance, if you see a good sale you may want to stock up on the basic groceries you know your family goes through frequently. If you have a deep freeze then try to buy as much meat as you can, so you don’t have to worry about grocery shopping for a while. This can help you if you find yourself in a bind with money too as you won’t have to worry about budgeting in for these items. Food isn’t the only thing to stock up on. You should also consider personal items like soap, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products and more. Toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, trash bags and other must have items are a good option to buy too.

6. College Fund
Another great option for those looking to make a difference with the tax refund money is to set it aside in a college fund for your child or children. Most banks will happily do this for you and you can even have a separate account for each child. Make sure the account you choose for the fund will gain interest while your children grown and prepare to go to a high education establishment. There are also other programs that will help your college money grow. The government is even willing to help in regards to this with their 529 plan. This plan is based on your state and either works as a savings fund for college money or a pre-paid tuition plan for qualifying institutions. You may want to do some research into this to ensure it’s for you, but it could be a great way to invest your money in the future, while also helping out your finances and your child’s.

7. Emergency Savings
Without a doubt, if you don’t have an emergency fund for your household already then now is the perfect time to get one started. An emergency fund can be for anything from dealing with car problems, loss of a job, medical problems or even to help entertain while family or friends visit. Most middle class households should have at least $500 in savings to deal with problems such as these. However, if you can add and keep more in the account then you should always do so. This will help you from getting yourself into a major financial bind when something bad comes up. Plus, if you keep the money in the bank you’ll easily be able to grow your savings so you’ll be ready if the unthinkable happens.

8. Upgrade For Efficiency
If you’re happy with your home then it may be time to get to upgrading the appliances. This doesn’t just mean go out and grab any item you want though. Rather, try to find an item that is going to make your home more energy efficient. This isn’t really a hard task in today’s world, considering most companies try to incorporate energy star into everything they make. This means the appliance will use less power, which will save on your bills and your carbon footprint. You should look into refrigerators, stand alone stoves, washers, dryers and even surge protectors. If you need a computer or other devices to work then you should also consider investing some of the tax money there too. You can even get another tax deduction on some of these items next filing season, so hold on to your receipts.

9. Holiday Savings
Another great way to help your budget out is to put the tax refund money back for holiday spending. Every year, it seems like crunch time during the holidays because there is so much spending going on that it’s hard to keep up. By having a nest egg handy you won’t have to worry about your credit card bill skyrocketing, nor will you have to spend all of your paycheck on gifts. The savings you gain throughout the year will even help you buy more gifts, so you’ll get even more out of putting the money back. You can also dip into the money for emergency birthday gifts, which could help you out of a bind when you’re invited to an unexpected party.

10. Vacation Fund
Although this one may feel more like a splurge, you’ll be happy you did it when you’re stressed out from work. Putting the money back to take a nicer vacation is a great way to help save your budget in the future. Vacations tend to be pricey but with some money put back, you won’t have to worry about more going on your credit card while you’re there. Not to mention, vacations help with overall health. Thus, you will be less likely to make inconvenient splurges. You also won’t have to worry about getting depressed as much or getting burned out with your job. This will prevent you from taking unnecessary sick days that may not be paid for. Of course, the time to bond with your family will be priceless too, which won’t make you think twice about saving your refund for another vacation when next year’s returns come in.

Tax return season can be pretty exciting, but you shouldn’t jump ahead of yourself and splurge on things you won’t need in the near future. These ten ideas will help you get more out of your refund money, so you can enjoy the perks of a frugal budget for much longer than expected.

With the Spring Equinox only a couple of weeks away and the weather clearing up, you may be getting an itch to start cleaning up your home. Spring Cleaning is an annual tradition that can help you get your home off to a great start before the summer months arrive and the kids are constantly home from school. The only problem is many of the products that we use to clean aren’t exactly eco-friendly. They also don’t help out when it comes to the monthly budget. There are ways to get a brilliant deep clean in your home that won’t cost you a small fortune though. So, prepare to get your hands a little dirty, because Spring Cleaning season is about to hit in full force.

1. Use Rags
Many people tackle their tough jobs by using paper towels to clean them up. This is probably only good in regards to convenience, because you can simply throw the paper away and get a fresh sheet to carry on the job. However, using paper towels can really add up in the long run. You can go through roll after roll, especially if you’re cleaning up the whole house. As each sheet of paper towel hit the trash can, you’re not only wasting a tree product but throwing away whatever chemicals you have used to clean your home. Neither of these are great for the environment. Not to mention, using so many paper towels will add up in price, especially since using one isn’t always good enough to clean up a mess. Alternatively, a rag is a great option to get the job done. You can use an old towel or wash cloth as well as other clothing items. You might also want to see if your local dollar store has rags in a set as the low price will be worth it. This will allow you to simply wash an item after you clean with it. Rags also allow for more scrubbing capabilities.

2. Mold
Mold can be one of the biggest culprits to take care of when it comes to Spring Cleaning. Since the house was often closed up during the winter, you may find rooms with little ventilation, like the bathroom, have a good amount of mold that needs to be tackled. There may also be mold lingering outside of the home from constant moisture. These problems can be taken care of without chemicals though. Usually people use bleach to tackle these problems, which can sometimes work. However, there’s a cheaper and more natural approach to this problem. That is, vinegar. You can buy a bulk bottle of white vinegar for next to nothing. All you have to do is soak the molded area in the vinegar for a little while and you should be good to simply wipe the mold away. In harsher cases, you may need to do a light scrub, or spray the exterior of the home with the water hose. If this doesn’t work, then do a second soak. Before you know it, you’ll be mold free though without the use of a chemical.

3. Wood
Whether you have just a few items of wooden furniture or you have full hard wood floors, taking care of the wood in your home is incredibly important. Although cleaning it usually doesn’t take much, you may want to go to greater lengths in order to protect the wood and to leave it looking new for years longer. One way to do this is to use castile soap to clean it. This is gentle on most woods and will give it a fresh look that will make you feel like you’ve accomplished a job well done. Once your floor has dried then go over it with some essential oils. Usually orange, lemon or cedar oils are the best for this job and will leave your home smelling fresh too. You don’t need a lot of these oils to work either, just make sure you dilute them before using them. These oils will also help keep dust at bay, which is important if you have allergies. If you have scuffs on items, then use baking soda to remove them. Before you know it, your floor will look like it was just installed in your home.

4. Stains
Pets, children and clumsy behavior can leave your home covered in stains. It’s almost impossible to avoid this problem on the carpets, countertops and even the furniture. Luckily, there’s lots of great ways to get rid of the stains without having to pour chemicals all over them. For starters, peroxide is a simple way to get rid of stains on the carpet. Simply mix it with water and pour it over the stain. After it has soaked for some time, wipe it up and enjoy a stain free carpet. Lemons are another amazing option here. These great citrus fruits can take care of stains on your clothes, countertops and even on the cutting board. They even work for pots, pans and the microwave which may have food caked on. Lemons will leave the home spelling nice and fresh too, which will save you money on air fresheners.

5. Air
Most households keep the windows closed during the winter months, which can cause bacteria to build up as well as smells that aren’t exactly satisfactory. This causes many people to buy expensive air deodorizers that can add too many chemicals into the air you breathe. There’s many natural alternatives though. For starters, if you can leave the house windows open for just 15 minutes a day then you will get rid of some of the toxins while adding a fresh burst of air into the home. If you still don’t like the smell in your home, then consider using essential oils in a diffuser or dehumidifier. Many oils have antibacterial and anti-fungal principles anyway, which will help your health out. Another option is to consider a Himalayan salt lamp. These help cleanse the air as well as other health properties. Of course, make sure you’re careful here as many brands have been recalled. Finally, if you’re willing to sink money into the problem, you may want to grab an air purifier, which will even help reduce allergies when Spring begins to bloom.

6. Carpet
Vacuuming frequently can help keep your carpet looking and smelling good, but sometimes you may want to go a bit further when it comes to the care of your carpets. If you’re looking to deodorize safely then you can easily whip up a mixture of essential oils and baking soda. Simply let the oils dry in the mixture and then sprinkle it on the ground. You can really make the home smell amazing this way and many essential oils will kill bacteria that may be lingering in your carpets. If you have pets or kids then you probably have a whole lot of stains in the home too. These can easily be fixed with vinegar and a bit of heat. Simply pour some vinegar, or a vinegar and water mixture onto the stain, then place a damp cloth over it. Once your iron is heated up you can place it over the cloth and you’ll be good to go. With summer making a rapid approach this year, you may want to consider a little flea prevention too. This can be done by adding borax to the carpet whenever you vacuum.

7. Reusable Bins
Tackling closets, the garage, basement or attic can mean going out and buying a whole lot of cardboard boxes to keep your items organized. Whether you’re putting away winter clothes, saving your child’s favorite toys or simply storing junk, cardboard boxes can be a huge drain on resources and the planet. Instead of storing items in these, consider using a bin for everything. Sure, you will still have to spend money on a bin but it won’t be a whole lot more than you’d spend on the cardboard boxes. The best thing about the bin is you’ll get a good seal on your items. This will help keep dirt, dust, moisture and bugs out of your personal belongings. So, when you go to open them up again you won’t have to worry about cleaning up a huge mess or being surprised by a bug that might not look very friendly.

8. Weeds
The inside of your home isn’t the only thing that needs cleaning. You may find that after months of not even being able to see your lawn that you now have a ton of weeds that are growing and spreading faster than you’d like to admit. You could go the easy route and spray all of the weeds with a weed killer, but this may destroy your lawn and it isn’t exactly the best thing for the environment. You can easily take care of the weeds that have already popped up by spraying them down with apple cider vinegar. This will knock out the weed from the root and will keep it from coming back any time soon. Apart from that, you may want to grab some corn meal to add into your soil. This will help prevent the seeds of weeds from spreading, so you won’t end up with a crisis on your hands.

9. Dust
Anyone that gets allergies knows that dust can leave you sneezing all day every day. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do for dust without using sprays to counteract it. The first thing you can do is open up the windows. This will help move air in so you’ll feel great and will have a lot less clean up to do. Another option is to get a floor mat, which will help you from dragging in any extra dirt and dust when you come through the door. If your allergies seem particularly bad, then you may want to consider enclosing your mattress to help protect from dust. You should also vacuum it whenever you change your sheets. Decluttering the home will help cut back on dust too and will ensure the dusting you do have to do will be fast and easy. Finally, if the air is particularly dry then turn on a humidifier to help bring moisture into the air that will help prevent some dust from building up.

10. Glass
It’s pretty easy to neglect cleaning the windows when you have a million other things going on, which is why you should probably do a good job when Spring Cleaning rolls around. It’s easy enough just to spray some chemicals on the window for a quick clean, but you may find natural solutions help keep the windows looking good for much longer. If you have a waxy feeling on your windows, then you should clean them with soap and water before you do anything else. This will allow the gas to shine through and look better for much longer. When this is dry then go over them with a little vinegar to give them the shine that you see advertised on all of your favorite window cleaners. If you clean your windows and mirrors with a sponge, then you will reduce the amount of streaks on the glass. Of course, if you have a lot of birds in your area you may want to consider decals or blinds to help prevent accidents.

Spring Cleaning time doesn’t mean you have to force your budget or use an over-abundance of chemicals. With these simple tips your house should smell incredible and look great too in no time at all. So, ditch the bottles this year and enjoy cleaning the way Mother Nature intended.

If you’re expecting or you have a child in diapers, then you may have developed a fear for this costly part of having a baby. It seems like diaper duty never ends, which can be a problem if you’re on a tight budget. Diapers and wipes aren’t exactly on the cheap end of the spectrum and with all of your other new expenses, you may wonder how you’re going to be able to keep up with the constant demand. Luckily, there’s several ways you can keep your baby in diapers without spending the small fortune you might think. These ten tips should help you cut back on your spending, so you can worry less about diaper money and make more time for your bundle of joy.

1. Try Generic
There’s a lot of big name diapers out there, but for each of these brands you can easily find a generic option that is equal in quality. Of course, that doesn’t mean all of the generic brands will do right by you. If you choose to try out a new brand, make sure to shop for a smaller package. This will allow you to see the quality of the diaper without being forced to spend a lot of money on a bulk buy that may not even work for your child. It will also ensure that you won’t end up with a lot of diapers if your child is allergic to them, which happens more than you think. Generic diapers will still add up in price, but every little bit helps when you’re saving money. You should also try out generic brands from stores that you trust. Dollar store brands may not be up to par with other department stores, so shop carefully and ask others how they feel about generic brands before shopping.

2. Shop in Bulk
One of the best things about diapers is numerous stores will sell them in bulk batches to help you keep up with the constant demand. Each store will offer a variety of different bulk sizes, so you should be able to customize your shopping experience to your budget or your child’s needs. These big boxes will help you get through a longer period, so you may not have to go on diaper runs in the middle of the night. Of course, you should always do the math before you buy in bulk. Calculate the cost of each diaper and compare it to the costs of other stores. Sometimes, the biggest of the packs aren’t the best of price, which could leave you paying more than you should.

3. Open Box Deals
Open Box deals still aren’t as popular as they should. Basically, these deals offer a product at a discounted price. The only catch is the product has already been opened. Of course, the company inspects the items before offering them for resell, so you don’t have to worry about getting something that has been tampered with. You can find Open Box deals on a wide variety of websites, so make sure to look around to see what suits your needs. Amazon actually has an Open Box store especially for baby supplies, which can help you save a whole lot of money if you don’t mind getting an open box of bulk diapers. If you’re a member of Amazon Prime or Amazon Mom then you’ll still be able to take advantage of your free shipping perks too, which will cut back on your spending even more.

4. Free Samples
If you’re looking for any bit of assistance when it comes to diapers and wipes then the internet is certainly the place to look. Many companies will send you free samples of their products in order to win out your business. You can even write to the companies to see if they will send you special coupons on products to help you out. There are also special programs that will offer you free samples of a wide variety of baby products. More often than not, you will get samples for diapers and wipes. If you have a newborn or one on the way, then you can easily apply for a lot of welcome boxes that will help you out with many baby needs. Usually these boxes come with a small pack of diapers or samples as well as a variety of wipes. So, make sure you sign up for as many of these as possible. Finally, there’s lots of coupons around that can help you get major discounts and freebies.

5. Membership Programs
When it comes to saving money, you may want to look into memberships to help you out. There’s lots out there that do a wide variety of things. For starters, you can get a membership like Amazon Mom, which will allow you to take a 15% discount off baby necessities as well as the perks of free shipping. This should help keep you in the savings while adding a whole lot of convenience to your now busy life. If you have a wholesale store near you then you may want to grab a membership to that as well. This will help you to buy diapers and wipes in bulk, which is sure to make life a whole lot better, especially when the baby is going through so many diapers. Last but not least, you can sign up for perks with your diaper company. Many will put codes on their diapers which will add up to give you freebies and more.

6. Earn Points
It pays to be loyal when you’re buying diapers and wipes in more ways than one. For starters, it lets you feel secure that your child isn’t allergic to a certain brand and that you’re not going to deal with leaks as often as you might with other brands. On the other hand, it lets you get great deals on the items you’re already gong to purchase. Many diaper and wipe companies offer rewards now, in order to keep company loyalty. For instance, they will give out special codes for customers to type into their membership page. These rewards tally up and eventually you will be able to earn freebies. Of course, these memberships also offer free coupons to help you along your way too.

7. DIY wipes
Recently, baby wipes have been in the news quite a bit and not in a good way. A lot of brands can actually harm your child’s skin if used too much. This factor, on top of the high price of keeping the wipes stocked has left many parents turning to alternative measures. Usually, this means whipping up your own baby wipes for a fair price. There’s a whole lot of recipes online that can help you guide your way into making your own wipes for your child. Most involve paper towels, water and essential oils, so you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg on the items. You may even find the wipes are better for your child’s skin overall. To make things even better, you can always use coconut oil after each change to help prevent rashes and other problems.

8. Trade Ins
Chances are, if you had a baby shower then you probably ended up with a whole lot of newborn diapers to contend with. This is a great start to your new journey into parenthood, but you may end up with too many diapers in the same size. Generally, new born diapers only fit babies up to 8 pounds, which many babies surpass at birth or after a couple of weeks of life. Luckily, you don’t have to just throw out or sell all of the diapers collecting dust in the closet. Instead, you can take them into a retailer and trade them in for an appropriate size. This will help save you even more money as well as space in the home. Most retailers will do this, but make sure to ask before you go in so you don’t waste your time.

9. Go Cloth
If you really want to cut back on the spending, then cloth might be the way to go. This is a greener version of diapering and won’t force you to keep paying for diapers. The downside of cloth diapers is you’re going to be doing laundry a whole lot, but if you have an energy efficient machine you should be good to go. There’s a huge variety when it comes to cloth now too. For starters, you can go with the classic diapers that must be pinned up. These are sure to always be on the market and are a cheap way to save money while promoting cleanliness. They do make special clothed diapers now though that Velcros shut and are easy to get on and off.

10. Ask Around
Knowing people can really help you find what you need for you and your child. If you have a lot of friends that are parents or family members who have recently had a baby, then you maybe in lucky. Often, these households will have extra diapers that no longer fit their child anymore. Since the packs are open completely they may have to hold onto them. If you ask the right people, they may be willing to pass over the diapers to you. Another option is to ask charities. You may be surprised by how many people are willing to help you when it comes to diapers. In fact, there’s even a National Diaper Bank. So check out this charity and others, in order to keep the diaper purchases in working order.

Ensuring your child has a clean diaper and plenty of wipes can be a trying feat. These ten tips should help you find your way to a healthier budget and child. I’m sure, with a little luck and know how, you’re going to stress a whole lot less about diaper duty.