Sometimes, we take our best friends for granted. They are there when we need a shoulder to cry, someone to laugh with or simply someone to help guide us in the right direction with life’s decisions. So, this Best Friend Day, June 8, might the perfect way to show your BFF just how much you love them. Although we can’t all afford a gift worthy of their awesomeness, there are a few frugal ways that can help you show your bestie just how much you care. With these simple ideas, you should be on the right path to having a great Best Friend Day without having to spend too much money.

1. Take the Time to Call
If you and your friend tend to be busy most of the time or live far apart then one of the best things you can do is make some time for a call to celebrate the day. You can do this on your phone or the computer, to suit your needs and your friends. A video call might be a better option as it will allow for more interaction and will actually help you keep up with your day while you talk, so you don’t get too far behind. You might also feel like this is more like hanging out than talking on the phone. The two of you can paint your nails together, watch a movie or simply goof around while catching up. This simple gift can mean a lot to you both too, so make sure you schedule a chat date that suits both of your schedules.

2. Reminisce Together
One of the greatest things about having a best friend is the ability to sit back and reminisce together. If you can, take the day to hang out and go over all of the things that your friendship has gone through. For instance, you might put on some of your favorite childhood memories in order to relive the feelings you both went through in the early days of your friendship. Another fun option is to gush over your old year books if you shared these day together. It is always fun looking over the people you shared so many experiences with while laughing and recalling old memories. This might help the two of you improve your bond even more, which is certain to make you feel even happier to have such a friend.

3. Do Something You Love
Usually, having a best friend means you have someone that has a lot of common interests with you. So, instead of forking out a lot of money on gifts and expensive food, you might want to take the time to do something you love. For instance, go out dancing together or keep it cheaper by dancing at home. You can turn on your favorite music and let your cares melt away or dance with your favorite video game. Another great option is yoga. You don’t have to take a class for this to be fun with your best friend either. You can even follow some of the latest trends of having a beer or enjoying some wine while stretching away. If you love tennis or another sport, then find some time for a game. Of course, you can also window shop, get your nails done, or go to the movies together. Whatever makes the two of you happy will certainly make your day unforgettable.

4. Pig Out Together
For most of us, eating with our best friend can be one of the greatest pleasures in life. So, this Best Friend Day get together to have a pig out session that is suitable for your friendship. You can enjoy this activity in many different ways. One of the more common ideas is to throw your diet to the wind and have a cheat day by ordering all of your favorite foods. You might want to surf around for deals before you begin with this, so you can still save some money. If the two of you love to cook or bake, then hit the kitchen and have some fun with it. You can even have a glass of wine or two while you whip up your favorite dishes and treats together. This meal can really help you to bond together and will make you feel nostalgic for the days you’d pig out together as teenagers or young adults.

5. Customized Jewelry
Nothing says friendship quite like customized jewelry. This is probably one of the most common gifts between friends that has been a tradition for generations. Today, you can find all sorts of amazing friendship jewelry on the market. You can go for a more sophisticated look, which will cost you more money or you can keep it simple with a cheap item you might have bought as a child. As a matter of fact, going to pick out such an item is always a great outing for friends and will help them to make a joint decision on the jewelry. Of course, you can always make your own items too, which is a fun activity that can kill some time. There’s always the classic friendship bracelet, but you might want to look into DIY necklaces too.

6. Order a Photobook
If you want to make a great impression on your best friend, then a photobook might be the perfect way to show them just how much you care. You can always go through your expansive collection of photos of the two of you and pick some of your favorites. Usually, around this time many photo websites will have great deals on photobooks since we are in between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Thus, you should be able to get a book at a great discounted price, if not for free. Of course, you can always take things into your own hands and scrapbook the book for your friend. This homemade touch is certain to warm your best friend’s heart and make the book even more treasurable.

7. Give Them a Shout Out
Some friends don’t need a lot to feel special. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to help your friend feel like a million bucks is to give them a shout out on social media. You might want to take some time to plan out a post that tells your best friend just how you feel about them. The post will look even better if you include fun photos over the years, so people can see just how much you adore each other. Of course, you should keep the photos as flattering as possible, so you don’t wind up with your bestie asking you to take the post down due to the photos. This easy way to show some love won’t cost you a cent and will let everyone else know how special your friend is.

8. Best Friend Crafts
Sometimes, the best way to celebrate your friendship is to sit back and have a craft day together. There are so many best friend crafts to choose from that you’re certain to choose something that suits the both of you. One great idea is to enjoy a day of scrapbooking. However, you can spice things up by making matching art for each other. For instance, you can paint a mug, so you always have something to remember each other every morning. You might also consider making friendship bracelets as a shout out to your childhood. There are also activities you can do to enjoy crafts like an adult. For instance, there are classes that will allow you to drink wine while painting a picture together. No matter what you choose to do, you’re bound to have a lot of fun.

9. Enjoy a Getaway
Overall, sometimes the best thing you can do for you and your friend is to take some time to getaway together. This is certain to help you both relax and spend the time bonding that you’ve needed for some time. There are many getaways that won’t cost you a fortune too, so don’t be afraid to give them a try. For instance, you can try camping if you don’t mind spending time outdoors. Another option is to hang out by the lake or beach as these locations won’t cost you a fortune if you live close by. If you don’t want to go far then stay at one of your homes for a staycation. You can have an at home spay day or just sit around catching up on gossip, movies and TV shows. No matter how you choose to enjoy your getaway, make sure the time is dedicated to the two of you.

10. Reconnect with an Old Friend
Even though you probably have a best friend to celebrate, now might also be a great time to reach out to the best friends you’ve had throughout your life. You might be surprised as to how much fun this can be. If you don’t already have contact with these people, then try to look them up on social media and send out a message. Don’t be upset if some do not remember you though, as friends from earlier years may not have the same memory capacity as you do. However, you might have a lot of fun reminiscing with the friends that do remember you. The nostalgia alone can help brighten your day immensely. You never know, you might even find a new friend that you communicate with often.

Celebrating Best Friend day is the perfect way to show your friend how much you appreciate having them in your life. This day is time to put stress behind you and enjoy the company of the person that makes your life fun and more rewarding. With these tips, you should be able to have a good time without stressing about money.

Spring is finally in full swing and summer is just around the corner, which means your local farmers’ market has more than likely opened up again. Shopping at the farmers’ market can be a real treat in more ways than one. Not only are you able to grab some fresh produce that isn’t treated with harsh chemicals, but you’re also able to support your local farmers, artisans and more. This can be a very rewarding experience that will make life exciting for the whole family. Of course, shopping at the farmers’ market can be pricey too. Luckily, there’s a few things you can do to cut back on your spending there. So, get ready to make the most of your weekends as your budget shouldn’t hold you back this year.

1. Use Your Eyes
Your eyes can be your best asset when it comes to saving money at the market. Although many people like to memorize the produce that is currently in season, just viewing the items for sale can help you make an even wiser choice on the foods that are at their freshest. This is great because seasonal items may come in slower or faster than the guidelines account for. So, try to choose produce that looks good. If something looks wilted and less than desirable, then it’s probably not the best time to buy it or it isn’t a good crop. If you do plan on buying these items, then try to talk the seller into a lower price based on the overall health of the produce. You should also try to eat these items as soon as possible.

2. Shop Bulk
If you really want to add savings to your shopping experience then you may want to shop in bulk, opposed to just buying a few items at each stall. Sellers tend to enjoy selling lots of their produce at once because it allows them to spend less time at the market and more time enjoying their day. You might talk to some of your favorite stands prior to buying bulk too. If you let people know how much you want, then your order might be ready and waiting for you when you arrive. Of course, make sure to have plants for the produce so you don’t waste money. If anything, freeze your excess produce to save you even more money.

3. Barter
The farmers’ market allows you to enjoy an old school feeling whenever you visit. In this sense, some sellers will even let you barter and haggle, which can save you a lot of money. One of the best things you can do is bring items to trade for the things you want. You might ask around to see what some vendors would be interested in trading and then return the next week with the times. If trading isn’t your thing then do a little haggling. There is a respectful way to do this, so make sure to be polite so you don’t offend the person you’d like to purchase from. All in all, this should allow you to have some more fun at the market, while keeping your budget in check.

4. Use Social Media
If you love a specific vendor at the farmers’ market, then it is always wise to follow them on social media if they use it. This will allow you to discover discounts before you even set foot outside. On top of that, you can learn what the vendor plans on bringing to the market each morning. This will allow you to make sure your budget is okay for all of your big plans. You can also follow the farmers’ market in your local area. This will keep you up to date on exciting information, sudden closures and the vendors that will be available. You might even find job opportunities that will help you earn even more money. Sometimes, the market will release special phrases to help you save even more money on the items you love. Connecting on social media allows you to ask questions and connect with other people in your community, which can help you find even more savings while improving your market experience each week.

5. Avoid the Extras
When you step foot into the market, it is hard not to be overwhelmed by all of the delicious smells and fun things to check out. However, it is important to keep your mindset on your budget, so you don’t go overboard. One of the best things you can do is go straight to the booths that are on your list. Hopefully, these boots are mainly produce because coffee, baked goods and prepared foods can often cost more than you like. You might want to hold off on these items until you have purchased the necessities. Flower and craft booths should also be avoided until you see how much money you can play with after necessities. It might be hard to do, but you’ll be thankful for your discretion.

6. Research Store Prices
A lot of people go into the farmers’ market thinking it is going to be the cheapest possible option. This isn’t always the case though. Although many vendors do strive to offer the cheapest items, sometimes they simply can’t cut the price as low as some stores. So, if you’re shopping at the market to save then make sure you do research on other prices in your area. This should help you know what items you should be looking for at the market opposed to which you should buy at the store. Of course, if the items are similar in price then you might want to purchase with local vendors in order to support your local economy and encourage more people to grow natural products.

7. Look Around First
A farmers’ market can be pretty overwhelming, which is why many people buy from the first vendor that catches their eye. However, this can be a costly choice to make as you may find better deals just around the corner. One of the best things you can do is look around the entire market before you make your decision. This will allow you to price all of the items that you need. With this knowledge you can purchase from multiple stands in order to maximize your savings. Doing this also allows you to check out items you might want to splurge on. This will help you make a decision, so you don’t miss out on something you’d prefer to purchase. This is especially helpful with children who want so many items but wind up disappointed when they purchase too soon and miss out on something even better.

8. Make Friends
One of the best things you can do when shopping is actually try to make friends with the vendors. This probably won’t happen overnight, but if you’re a regular shopper at the market then you’re certain to make a great impression on some of the vendors you shop with. Make sure to be friendly and polite while shopping to get your relationship started on the right foot. As your friendship grows, you might be privy to discounts and even the occasional freebie. You might also have better luck purchasing items in bulk or getting in orders during the week opposed to having to wait for the market to open on the weekend.

9. Show Up Late
They always say that the early bird gets the worm, but this isn’t always the case when it comes to the farmers’ market. There will always be some vendors that offer a deal for the early hours, but most of the sales will come before it is time to close up shop. A lot of vendors don’t want to hold onto their items, especially if they are selling food, because it means they will lose out on money. So, coming late might help you see a drop in prices. Sometimes, you might even be able to land a two for one deal, if there is a lot of produce left over. You should always be careful when shopping this way though as you won’t get the prime items of the day. So, check to make sure you’re not getting items that will be bad tomorrow before you embrace your late shopping sales.

10. Bring Cash
These days, most vendors will actually have a card reader to add convenience for their shoppers. However, sometimes these card readers will actually cost you a bit extra. A lot of vendors will charge a transaction fee to help cut back on the money they are charged for using the service. Plus, if they go through many payment programs then they are losing money on the deal too. Some vendors won’t charge this fee if your purchase is over a certain amount, so keep this in mind when shopping. Keeping cash with you will allow you to embrace the advertised price without a fee. It will also help you stay on budget, so you won’t have to stress about spending later on.

Spending time at the farmers’ market can be a blast for the whole family. This shopping experience doesn’t have to force you to spend a lot of money though. These simple tips will allow you to shop with ease, so you can enjoy your purchases without stressing about spending too much. This will also make you feel great about supporting your community.

With summer break just days to weeks away, you may be looking for ways to keep your children busy and active during the summer months. Dance is one way to help kids stay fit while teaching them to follow directions, work as a team and even coordination. However, dance class can be pretty pricey if you’re on a tight budget. These ten ideas should help you save money on the art of dance, which will allow you and your child to enjoy the experience even more. So, get ready to watch your child’s confidence and excitement bloom as the summer is filled with fun dance moves.

1. Know When Your Child Is Ready
A lot of people actually end up throwing away money when they enroll their child simply because the child isn’t quite ready for such a class. Sometimes, this even prevents the child from taking dance again, because parents feel like the money will be wasted again. The key is to know when your child is prepared for such a class. Even though your child might fit the age requirements, it doesn’t mean that its time for the class. You should make sure that your child is comfortable with strangers to begin with, because if they are still going through an extreme stranger danger phase then spending time with an instructor will be stressful, which will cause your child not to enjoy the class. Students should also be able to listen to instructions and follow the rules. Apart from that, students should also be able to sit or stand still when they aren’t instructed to dance. If your child cannot do this then they won’t get the most out of dance and they may even, make the class too difficult for other students.

2. Sibling Discounts
Signing up children for multiple activities can be pretty pricey. However, sometimes, if you have children in the same activity you can actually save some money. You might talk with the instructor or dance studio to see if you can receive a discount to have multiple children in the class. This tends to work out better if the children are in the same age group as they will only be taking up an extra slot in one class. Even if the instructor says its not a possibility, it never harms to ask. It will also allow you to look around for other schools or classes that may offer such a discount.

3. Consider YMCA
Sometimes, private dance lessons and institutes can really hike up the prices of their dance classes. This is especially true if there isn’t a lot of competition in your community. However, you might have a second option to consider. Sometimes, the YMCA will actually offer dance lessons, which won’t cost you a small fortune. These classes might not be specific courses, so if you want your child learning just ballet, then you might have to go somewhere else. The classes might not be as frequent as your typical classes either, but this will give your younger children a break. YMCA dance classes might not offer recitals either, but if you’re there for the love of learning then this is a small price to pay for huge savings. If you’re interested in using the YMCA for classes, then you might call to ask if they offer this service. If not, they may be able to direct you to a YMCA that does or another affordable option.

4. Choose a Class Wisely
When signing up your child for a class, you might have to look at a few options to get your money’s worth. For instance, if your child isn’t set on a certain type of dance then one of the smartest ways to begin their lessons is to have them join a class that offers many different types of dance. This will allow them to experiment with what they love so you can get a better idea of the classes they should be signed up for. Of course, you should also take into consideration length and frequency of the class, as well as your child’s learning style. If your child grows bored of a class after half an hour, then hour long classes won’t allow you to get your money’s worth.

5. Watch Out For Early Registration
Early registration can be one of the best ways to save on some money when it comes to your child’s classes. Some institutes won’t just cut back the cost on registration but might also take a bit of money off of the actual price of each class. However, it is often hard to figure out when registration is, as there are so many seasons. Your best option is to talk to the schools you are interested in and ask them about early registration based on your child’s age. This should allow you to know when you need to sign your child up in order to get these benefits. You might also talk to the school about these benefits to see if they are worth the extra trouble.

6. Ask For a Trial Class
If you’re not sure about your child taking dance, or even about the institute you’re interested in, then you might want to ask if you can have a trial class. A lot of schools will actually allow this to ensure that customers are satisfied with the service before doing all of the paper work. This is a great benefit to you and your child too. For starters, it will allow you to see how your child acts during the class. If they show no interest or don’t seem to mesh well with the teacher or the class, then it’s probably not a right match for you. Of course, even if things do go well, you can always take notes about the class and do a trial class with another school. This will allow you to make a well-educated decision about where your child will learn.

7. Invest in Shoes
A lot of parents try to save money on dance accessories due to the high price of classes. However, this can cost you more money than you realize. One of the best things you can do is invest in a good pair of dance shoes. Although children tend to grow quickly, the decent dance shoes will last the duration they are in the size, so you won’t have to keep replacing them. This can be especially important for older children or students that are planning to be competitive. Dance schools can often give you recommendations based on your student’s needs and your price range too, so don’t forget to use teachers as an asset to help you save money. You can always sell the used shoes later or save them for a younger sibling.

8. Clearance Clothing
The classes aren’t the only expense when it comes to getting your child into dance. You’re also going to need to have proper workout clothes for each student as well as those for performances. Luckily, there are many stores dedicated to dance clothing. You can even find a lot of great items on clearance. Although this will rarely help you with performance clothes, as most teachers have specific styles, you can choose these clothes for basic classes and workout sessions. This should help cut back on your costs, especially since most children will outgrow the clothes quickly.

9. Group Lessons
Many teachers will offer group and private lessons, which gives students an opportunity to learn in their chosen environment. If you’re looking to save money though, you should always go for the group lessons. These might not help your child improve in the fastest way possible, but more often than not children are just taking the class to have fun. These classes are much cheaper than private lessons, so you will save a lot of money. They also allow children to work on social skills while they enjoy dancing. If you don’t want your child in an entirely public class, then you might consider getting a group of friends and family together to have a group class of your own. This might cost more than the typical group class, but still less than a private session.

10. Consider Videogames
If your child is shy or simply isn’t interested in taking a class, then there are other ways for you to teach your child to dance. One of the best ways is through video games. This can help you save a lot of money too, as you will only have a one-time charge for the game. Children will be able to customize their experience through the games they use too, which should suit most children. Best of all, you can enjoy the process of learning with them. This is one of the best aspects of learning through gaming, as your children will react to your participation. Of course, you can also use the games to help reinforce the skills they learn in class, which will also help you get more for your money.

Dancing can be a great way to help your children have some fun in the summer and any other season. Dance courses are very popular, so you can find them in most communities too. With any luck, these ten tips will help you save money on your child’s dance lessons, so they can learn a great skill that will help keep them moving when school is no longer in session.

With summer just a month away, it is important to begin to plan out your sun protection strategies. Summer is one of the harshest times for UV rays and with kids out of school it’s crucial to keep them safe when they are outside playing. Of course, you should consider sun protection all year round too. After shopping for sun gear, you may begin to worry about your budget though, as there’s lots of expenditures that seem like they might break the bank. Luckily, there’s lots of great things you can purchase to keep the suns rays at bay. This should help make your summer and the rest of the year healthier and happier.

1. Bulk Sun Block
Sun block can be pretty pricey no matter what season you’re purchasing it in. This can be rather frustrating since you’re supposed to apply sunblock multiple times on a daily basis. Your sun block consumption is even higher during the summer months, which will add to the price substantially. Luckily, most brands will allow you to purchase their items in bulk. Spray on brands often package their cans in larger packs, so you can enjoy the savings. However, if you really want to save you will need to stick to the classic rub on sunscreen. If you look at wholesale stores or even on your favorite brands website, you should be able to find large bottles of your favorite sunblock. This should help you save money while helping your supply last much longer. Of course, you should always do research on your sun block options, before you use large amounts of a product.

2. Extra Clothing
Unfortunately, summer clothing tends to show off a lot more skin than other seasonal clothing would. This is especially common when it comes to women’s and girls’ clothing. However, if you really want to keep your skin healthy and safe then you may want to look for other options. For instance, when it comes to swim gear, the bikini might not be the best option. Rather, you might want to consider board shorts and a rash guard shirt. This can come in handy for little girls too. Boys can still wear swim trunks but might settle on keeping a shirt on too. If you are going out for the day, consider clothing that is longer, but lightweight. This will help offer more protection from the sun while still allowing you to remain cool.

3. Skip the Tan
So many people go into summer hoping to get a good tan. However, this is probably the last thing you should do. It is especially bad if you begin spring with going to tanning beds, so you’ll look great for summer. Instead of doing this, wait for the sun to naturally tan you. It will take some time, but this just shows that you are protecting your skin from the sun efficiently. A tan isn’t a sign of health. Rather it could cause permanent damage to the skin. Dark tans, especially those caused my sunburns can really be cause for concern. So, don’t worry about the color of your skin. Instead, enjoy the sun but do it in the safest possible manner.

4. Seek Shade
Your best friend in the summer time is the shade. This is especially important when the UV index is very high. Whenever you go out to enjoy the sun, you should always make sure to locate a few shady places in the area. Then, frequent them a few times an hour. This will help take away the burden of the harsh rays while allowing you to cool down your body. If you’re spending a lot of time walking, then make sure to bring an umbrella with you. This is certain to keep you cooler but won’t force you to stress out about the painful rays. Parks tends to have lots of shady areas, so make sure your children stick to them too. Even if it means playing in the lower sections of a play area, keeping to shade can help keep your children healthier.

5. Find a Good Hat
Summer is the perfect time to channel your inner fashionista. A good hat makes the perfect accessory for some summer fun. Wide brimmed hats are especially great during the hot season, so you might begin your search for the perfect beach and garden hat as soon as the fashion lines hit the market. These hats not only look great when you’re hanging out on the beach, but they help protect you from the sun. A wide brimmed hat can easily prevent the sun from getting on your face and much of your body. Of course, you can keep it simple with a baseball cap or other form of hat that has a brim. However, visors might not be the best option, as they will leave the top of your head exposed to the rays. All the same, your choice of hat can really make all the difference in the summer. It is certain to give your eyes and skin a break from the harsh rays.

6. UPF Clothes
UPF clothing is a recent addition to the skin protection that we can find in local and online stores. This clothing is designed to help prevent the dangerous UV rays from targeting your skin through your clothing. A lot of UPF clothing comes in bathing suit form, which makes beach and pool time a lot safer. However, it may help to use cover ups even in these clothes as bathing suits tend to not cover much skin. Luckily, more fashion brands are beginning to use UPF in their fashion lines too, so you might find that some of your favorite clothing items will offer this important protection in the future. For now, you might have to browse online for clothing that uses UPF.

7. Sunglasses
Your skin isn’t the only thing that needs a bit of protection from the sun. You should also work hard to protect your eyes. A pair of sunglasses is one of the best ways to do this. You don’t have to spend a small fortune on these though, as even sun glasses from the dollar store can help keep your eyes safe. However, if you typically wear glasses then you might want to consider getting a prescription pair or transition lenses, so that you won’t have to worry about choosing your prescription glasses over eye protection. There are accessories that clip onto your glasses to help you have sun protection without forcing you to remove your current glasses. Soon, we may even see contact lenses that adjust to the light to ensure you are protected.

8. Drink Water
It doesn’t matter if its summer or winter, you should be drinking the recommended amount of water on a daily basis. This is not only good for your entire body, but it will help your skin out too. When you drink a lot of water, your body has the ability to heal more efficiently. So, when you’re exposing your skin to the harsh UV rays, your skin has the ability work through the damage so that you don’t have to heal quite as long. It may even help cut back on your chance of getting a burn if you take all of the proper precautions.

9. Research Remedies
Although we can try very hard to prevent sun damage, it isn’t always possible. Sometimes, the unthinkable happens and we end up with a sun burn. However, the way we deal with these problems can help prevent further damage along the long. Some may even help ease our pain and heal our bodies quickly. One of the best things to try out is aloe vera. You can take this from a household plant or buy a special gel from the store. This natural remedy is designed to help you heal quickly while reducing the sting of the burn. Vitamin E can be crucial when dealing with this problem too. Of course, you may also browse around online for more remedies. One unusual tip is placing brewed Earl Grey tea on a rag and letting it sit on the burn. These remedies will be trial and error though, so you will have to experiment to see what works best for you.

10. Watch UV Index
One of the greatest steps you can take all year round is watching out for the UV index. You can easily do this with a weather app, or simply look it up daily. The UV index can make or break your day if you’re trying to protect your skin. Most of the time, it is safe to go outdoors with sunscreen, but there are some days, particularly in the summer, when the UV index might encourage you to stay indoors as much as possible. Generally, wearing sunscreen, plenty of clothing and staying in the shade, should ensure you will be safe while outdoors.

Hands down, sun protection is one of the best things you can provide for your health. Although it might not seem like the sun is doing a lot of damage, you may find that your health is greatly affected by the problems UV rays can cause. These ten tips should help you save a lot of money on your sun protection methods.

Memorial Day is coming up on us at lightning speed. So, it might be time to consider how you’re going to spend this holiday with your kids. More often than not, Memorial Day activities tend to cater towards adults. From drinking at a barbecue to checking out all of the amazing sales, kids often end up tagging along behind their parents. There are lots of great ways you can help your children enjoy this holiday, or at least get something out of it. So, if you’re at a loss for how to entertain your kids during this long weekend, then you might want to check out these ten simple tips that are also incredibly easy on the budget.

1. School Cleanup
For a lot of students, the long Memorial Day holiday actually marks the first weekend of summer vacation. So, it might be time to help them cleanse themselves of all that the last school year had to offer. There’s a pretty good chance that there is a backpack filled with about 6 months’ worth of old homework, trash and who knows what else somewhere in the home. To celebrate the end of term, you might have your student dump out the contents and get rid of everything that isn’t needed. You can set a limit for art projects, papers and tests that can be saved for the memory book while everything else can be recycled or thrown away. Once the school work is out of the way, check out their old school supplies. Some of these items can be used for the upcoming school year while others might not even be worthy of your craft bin. Of course, if your students aren’t out of school then they can easily begin this process over the long weekend. However, you might not want to throw anything away until the year is officially over. When everything is clear, wash the backpack and put it away for the next school year.

2. Summer Clothes Fashion Show
If you like to put away clothes for each season, then now is certainly the time to pull out your boxes of summer attire. Once everything is down, have the kids put on a fashion show so you can see what items they will need for the upcoming summer. Having kids try everything on will allow you to judge tightness, shortness and overall quality of the clothes. Plus, it will let younger siblings enjoy some of the older sibling’s hand-me-downs for the first time. You can also have the kids show off their new items too, just to boost their confidence. Once you have all your clothes sorted, you might consider donating the discard pile to a thrift store that supports veterans or the current troops.

3. Check Out a Parade
One of the most kid friendly things that happens on Memorial Day is the parade. Your own town might put on their own parade, but if this isn’t the case then you can easily watch one of TV. You can also visit a local town that might be have a parade. No matter how this works out, a parade will not only excite your children, but will help them learn more about the message of the holiday. To make the occasion even more fun, you might dress the kids up in red, white and blue clothing to celebrate. You can also try to get some of the veterans to stop and talk to the family about their stories and the stories of those they have lost.

4. Sign up For Summer Activities
Although summer isn’t officially here for a few more weeks, now might be the time to get your kids registered for summer activities. Most local community centers and YMCAs will have their list of activities up on their websites to help you make the right choices and plan accordingly. You might even be able to register the kids online, so you won’t have to worry about the long registration process. You might also check out other activities like martial arts, dance and gymnastics. Swimming lessons and other water activities should also be considered, especially if you are signing up for a community summer program. Getting ready for these activities might also save you some money by allowing you to take advantage of early registration perks.

5. Make a Schedule
Without a doubt, adjusting to having everyone home from school is pretty rough. Having aimless children can be the worst part of summer though. So, instead of letting your kids flow from one hour to the next, you should get them on a schedule as soon as possible. The long holiday is the perfect time to work out this schedule though, so you don’t have to stress about getting it done in just a few minutes. In the schedule, you should consider their activities, but also pencil in playdates, chores, field trips and even homework that you assign them. The schedule will help prevent everyone from getting bored and spending the entire day snacking in the kitchen or watching TV.

6. Research Water Activities
Getting through summer without some fun in the water is practically unheard of. However, your kids are going to have two full months of water activities to enjoy, so it might be time to sit down and research a few newcomers to add to the classic activities that you’ve played for years. You and the children might sit down and look for ideas online. From there, plan out the items you need to make the top activities a reality. Activities that require similar supplies should be considered first as it will save you even more money. Branching out like this will help broaden your kids’ creativity while keeping them from getting bored. You should be able to find so many ideas online, that everyone might end up playing rock, paper, scissors to see which exciting activity will make the cut this year.

7. Backyard Camping
You don’t have to spend a fortune to go on a camping trip. In fact, you can enjoy the activity in your own backyard. The Memorial Day holiday is one of the best times to kick off your backyard campsite. All you need for this is to pitch a tent that can be left up throughout the summer months. You might also consider adding a fire pit to the area or some way for children to stay warm if the summer nights do wind up cold. Once the basic site is set up then stock up on treats, like items to make smores. You can help the children have fun by staying up with them and singing songs or telling ghost stories. The campsite can even become helpful while children are playing outside as it will offer a shady area for games, like cards.

8. Patriotic Foods
It almost doesn’t seem like it’s officially summer without a whole lot of patriotic food. Memorial Day is the best time to try your hand at some of these fun foods. You can even invite the kids into the kitchen to help you out with this. You can stick with the classics like parfaits, pies and jello, but you might also branch out with items like fruit pizza. There is an abundance of recipes online, so choosing some patriotic foods will be a breeze this year. You may even branch away from the sweeter foods and try a few savory or healthy dishes too.

9. Listen to Stories
Memorial Day is all about honoring those that have fallen in the line of duty. So, now might be a great time to take your children to a place where they can learn more about these extraordinary people. One great place to go is a nursing home or VA hospital. There should be plenty of people willing to talk about their parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and even spouses that fell in line of duty. Not all of the stories have to be about war if you have concerns about your children’s age. In fact, many people would probably talk about the person’s life instead and honor their memory in this way. Another great place to visit is a memorial site, which often has curators that share stories or simple stories printed on placards. If you can’t find people to share stories, then the local library is an excellent resource. You should be able to find novels and other books to help learn more about the fallen soldiers. Video streaming websites can also be helpful as there are many interviews of this nature to enjoy.

10. Getaway
A lot of people choose the Memorial Day holiday in order to get in their summer getaway. Often, the summer crowds haven’t made their plans for vacationing yet, so you might be able to find a deal in some locations. However, many locations will be off limits if you want to save money. You might want to browse around online to see which family friendly locations are up for grabs at a cheap price. Vacations don’t have to take place far away either. You might consider staying close to home and visiting the beach or lake instead. Of course, the time is ticking so this should be done as soon as possible. If not, then you might use the holiday to plan out your vacation that will occur later in the summer or even in the fall.

Memorial Day is a great day for spending quality time with your children. These ten ideas should offer you a more frugal way to help them celebrate that also helps to plan the holiday around their needs. With any luck, you’ll be able to prepare for their summer vacation period during this holiday too.

Sending your children to their first official year of kindergarten can be frightening, intimidating and depressing. One of the main problems today is many children are showing up to their first day of kindergarten and they aren’t at the accurate education level to move right along with the class’s curriculum. With Pre-K programs skyrocketing in price, many of the requirements for kindergarten must be taught at home. However, many parents have no idea what their child is supposed to know before they drop them off on their first day. These tips should give you frugal ways to help prepare your child for school, while still keeping your playtime fun.

1. Tracing
Tracing can be one of the best ways to have fun while preparing your child to go to school. To begin with, this activity is an easy way to start your child out on writing letters, numbers and their name, which are all required for kindergarten. You can let your child trace on paper to help them get the motion of the pencil or crayon, which is another requirement for school. Of course, to add some fun to the task, let them trace away in sand, shaving cream and anything else fun you can think of. You may even consider bringing out the paint and brushes to help out. This activity also teaches kids to sit down and concentrate, which is another must when it comes to school.

2. Drawing Crafts
Whenever you can, you should pull out the pencils and crayons to help your child get the hang of using these writing utensils. The more comfortable your child is with the proper use of these utensils, the easier it will be for them to jump into their school work. You can do all sorts of things to help them with this. For instance, you might ask them to draw a variety of their favorite things. You can also have them write letters, numbers and their name in bubble letters and so on. Another option is to have them go over coloring sheets. Spending at least 30 minutes a day on this type of craft helps build up motor skills while teaching your child to sit down and work on an assignment.

3. Puzzle
Puzzles can be one of the most efficient ways to help your little one learn early logic skills. Puzzles come in all shapes and sizes too, which can allow you to customize your puzzle time towards your child’s needs. The best thing about puzzles is they not only work to help with logic, but they can teach the alphabet, numbers, animals and so much more. There are even puzzles that make noise for kids that love audio interaction. Having your child sit down to work on a puzzle also helps with their patience skills. This can really come in handy in school and will make it easier for your child to work through harder tasks.

4. Flash Cards
One of the cheapest ways to teach children new things is to use flash cards. These are particulary great for children getting ready to go to kindergarten. Flash cards can be played during meals, before bedtime or even while you’re waiting for an appointment or in the car. You can make flashcards to suit your child’s needs too. The alphabet and numbers are always a wise choice, but you can also add in cards for shapes, colors, animals, transportation vehicles, clothes and so much more. You can even begin to help your child work on sight words, so they will be reading before you know it. Flash cards make it easy to create a reward system too, so your child will actually want to play it. You can even use your flash cards as a memory game, which will help your children learn even more.

5. Crafting
It is important that your child knows how to use scissors and glue, so crafting is one of the best ways to prepare them for this requirement. Luckily, crafts won’t break the bank, so you can do a lot of them without having to worry about finances. One great option for this is to make paper bag puppets. Kids will love cutting, gluing and coloring their puppet. When it’s complete, they can make up stories to help improve on their creativity and imagination. You might also consider crafts that utilize motor functions too. For instance, you can have children do some work with beads. Kids will love showing off what they made and may even love to give them as gifts to loved ones. There are so many craft options available that you should be booked full throughout the summer.

6. Relay Games
Helping your child get up and burn some energy is always a great way to help with the learning process. There’s a long list of athletic relays that can help your child learn motor functions, keep fit and have fun. However, there are many other relay games you can let your child play. For instance, you can assign them various tasks around the house to see how fast they can do them. One example would be to have them collect a pencil, then a paper, write their name, tie their shoe and so on. This will help them get in the mindset of listening to what their teacher has to say while allowing them to work on tasks they will commonly do in school. Another great way to add to this to help your child learn how to stand in line quickly, which is another essential for school.

7. Play Dates
Encouraging your child to spend time with other children is another great way to help them prepare for school. Knowing how to socialize, share and be kind to others is a skill that is best learned before your child is placed in a setting with a lot of other children. As your child grows more comfortable with other children, you may try to leave them with a supervising adult for some time and offer the same favor to other parents. This will help children get used to being without their parents for a longer period of time, which can make the transition to kindergarten a lot easier. With separation anxiety gone, your child will be able to learn without distraction.

8. Reward Manners
Helping your child develop good manners is one of the best things you can do for your family, your child, their peers and teachers. Manners are very important in school and will help your child make friends easier while being more successful in their school work. In order to encourage good manners, you might want to come up with a reward system. This will show children that manners are rewarded, so it becomes second nature to them. You should especially concentrate on pleases and thank yous, as well as overall courteous behavior.

9. Chores
A lot of people are hesitant to give younger children chores to do around the house. However, chores can be very rewarding for young children and their parents. These chores can even make sure your child is ready to take on the tasks that school will bring to the table. This doesn’t mean your child should have a long list of chores, nor should they have some of the harder chores in the household. There are many items they can accomplish though. For instance, picking up their toys is one of the most important things you can teach your child. You can also assign them simple tasks like feeding and watering the pets, collecting dirty dishes from around the house, cleaning flat surfaces and so on. You can actually find lists from professionals that will help you choose your child’s chores based on their age group.

10. Read
Hands down, reading to your children is one of the best things that you can do for them. This is not just valuable bonding time that helps your child ease into their sleep routine. Reading actually helps a child build up a strong vocabulary from a very early age. This helps with their language skills and allows them to progress in other aspects of school too. On top of that, reading helps your child develop a love for books which will help them fall in love with learning. Last but not least, reading with your child can also help them recognize sight words faster. This might even encourage your child to feel confident enough to read before they even enter school.

Helping your child prepare for kindergarten can be bittersweet, but it’s absolutely necessary for their success. These simple tips should help you prepare your child without having to invest lots of money in programs and activities for your child. Before you know it, your child will expand their confidence while showing you just how smart they are.

The high school graduation period has begun, which means there’s lots of future college students trying to get in last minute money to help with one of the most expensive journeys they will ever take. For many students, college seems a hopeless endeavor that they will never be able to afford. Luckily, there’s still time to get ready for college and make it a more frugal experience. These ten tips should help you put back money to help you get by during your first year of college, so you can stress less about finances and more about how you’re going to get that lengthy paper finished before the deadline that is just hours away. So, don’t let your graduation become the beginning of a stressful summer as there are ways to get a frugal start to the college experience.

1. Grab a Summer Job
Without a doubt, one of the best places to begin your journey is to grab a summer job. Usually, places in the mall, fast food chains and even some retail stores begin hiring like crazy just before summer begins. So, with any luck, you can land a good job to help you save up. You might even consider working full time if you can find the right job, so you will be able to put back the money you need to cushion your first year. There is an added bonus to having a job though. It will provide you with the much-needed work experience you will need to land a job later. This will ensure that if you need to get a part time job while you’re at school then you will have something to put on your resume to help out. Of course, if you can’t find a job, in the traditional sense, there’s still lots of options out there for you. You might consider doing landscaping for your community, babysitting or even looking for work online. You will be surprised by how easily it is to create work to help you save up a small nest egg for college.

2. Search for Used Textbooks
If you’ve already enrolled in your classes for autumn semester, then you may want to get a head start on looking for the used textbooks you will need for the course. Some professors like to post this information early, but if they don’t you may try emailing them to see if you can get a list of their course requirements. Having your book list early can really help you save money. For starters, it will allow you to purchase books before they are in demand. This tends to cut down on the price quite a bit. If you can’t find the book right away, then you still have the whole summer to keep your eye out for the book at a decent price. You might also be able to find a student selling their copy. Most students want to ditch their excess books at the end of the year opposed to the beginning, so you might get a better price quote as the end of term arrives.

3. Tour Your College
Believe it or not but touring your college can also help you start college life off on a frugal foot. Of course, this option isn’t available to anyone, so don’t spend your hard-earned money to tour if the campus is across the country. However, if you can’t physically tour a campus, many university websites are now offering 3D tours that new students can check out free of charge. You can also use Google Maps or a similar app to check out the surrounding area. Touring your school will give you a chance to check out many elements of college life though. For starters, you will be able to see the cafeteria and the food it serves. This will allow you to choose if a meal pass is something you should invest in. Another great thing about touring is you get to see the dorms, so you will know what appliances and other items you can keep with you. It will also give you a general idea of transportation, so you can invest in a bike, transportation pass or simply just drive. This will allow you to plan your money accordingly.

4. Thrift Shop
The thrift shop can quickly become your best friend when it comes to college shopping. For starters, you can purchase cheap appliances there like a coffee maker, microwave and so on. These can come in handy for students planning to live in an apartment or those looking to cook in their dorm. Thrift stores also offer a surprising number of decorative items that you might want to consider for your new home. You may even find simple furniture to make things a lot cozier. On top of that, you might get a head start on your new college wardrobe. Clothes offered at the thrift shop are often in good shape and won’t break the bank.

5. Research Simple Recipes
If you’re skipping out on the meal plan to save money, then knowing how to cook for yourself is essential. Of course, dorm living presents its own problems for those wanting to cook. Unless you have a shared kitchen, you’re going to be limited to microwaves, hot plates and other simple appliances to cook with. Luckily, there’s a ton of great recipes out there that cater to the limited options that students have. You won’t have to stress about living on a ramen only diet over the next four years, as these recipes even cater to different diets. You may even find some great coffee recipes too, which will keep you out of your local café.

6. Learn to Budget
Hands down, one of the most efficient things you can do before heading to college is learn how to budget. This information isn’t widely taught in school, so ask your parents to show you the ropes. If they aren’t able to help you then look around online as there are so many financial lessons that can help you get the hang of the task. It doesn’t matter if you’re uncertain what your budget will be as just knowing how to come up with a budget will help you plan better when you do know what money you will have to work with.

7. Pick Up a No Cost Hobby
Before you head off to college, it might be time to make sure you have a hobby that isn’t going to cost you money to do while you’re at school. One great example is learning to play an instrument. Having your instrument on hand will give you a great chance to blow off steam and may even help you make some friends. Photography is a great option too, if you already have a camera. Of course, you can also work on photography with your smart phone, as many organizations are beginning to give this photography a category of its own. Journaling is another great option, which can be completed with in an old notebook or on your computer’s word processing program. If you have yard and thread on hand already then crocheting, knitting and embroidery are also great options. You can even try your hand at drawing.

8. Skip the Credit Card
A lot of students apply for credit cards as soon as they reach 18. May it be just for emergencies or to help supplement your cost of living, this can be a huge mistake. Credit cards are a fast way to get into debt, especially if you don’t have a secure job to keep up with the payments. The interest on cards designed for students can be astronomical too. So, it is best to avoid the temptation altogether. Instead, you should put your excess money into savings where it can gain interest. This will give you an emergency fund that won’t harm you in the long run.

9. Look for Discounts
Another great way to prepare for college life is to begin to search for discounts online. Your student ID card can take you far when it comes to saving money. For instance, some stores will take a percentage off of your clothing when you present your ID. You might also be able to get into the movie theater at a discounted price with the ID. Even restaurants help out students at times. However, it’s important to know which stores actually do this. Some upperclassmen might help steer you in the right direction with this, while some of it will be trial and error. You should also look up online programs to help you. For instance, Amazon Prime offers a very cheap option that gives you the free shipping and streaming TV that will cut down on your budget. There are many online programs though, so use your summer wisely.

10. Seek Out Grants and Scholarships
A lot of students reach the end of their summer year and feel as if it is too late to get grants and scholarships. This couldn’t be further from the truth though. There is no such thing as too late to gain these amazing forms of educational aid. The only thing is, you have to apply for them. So, during your summer break, you might start looking around for grants that suit your needs. There’s lots of great online forums for this, so sign up for a few and get to work. You can even keep these websites close by and use them when you have a break in college. You can keep adding grants and scholarships to your funds until you finally finish up with school. Don’t forget, you can plan ahead and look for your master’s studies too, if you plan on going that route.

Preparing for college is still an option even though it is dangerously close. These ten tips should help you prepare to live a frugal lifestyle while you’re out and enjoying your new life. With these tips to guide you, money should be less of a stressor for you, so you can get the most out of your college experience.

The first days of Ramadan are just around the corner, which might leave you wondering what you’re going to do with the kids while they’re asked to fast. Since much of this holiday will take place during summer break for many children, there will be a lot of extra time on their hands which might make the holiday even more challenging. Luckily, there’s lots of cheap ways you can work with your children to keep their mind off of fasting and on the meaning of the holiday. These fun activities might become some of your favorite traditions and will help you and your kids make lasting memories that they will one day be able to share with their own children.

1. Good Deeds Calendar
Good deeds are an important part of the holiday as well as life in general. So, you might want to consider helping your kids make a good deeds calendar. This will help inspire them to do good while also reminding them to do so when they are busy. You can make this calendar out of just about anything, so have a little fun with it. There’s lots of ideas to inspire you online too, which will allow you help the kids follow instructions, if that is a task you are working on too. You can help the kids pick good deeds based on their age group too. For instance, you can schedule in good deeds for the community like helping the elderly or picking up trash. You can also help kids pick good deeds for family, friends and even their school. Once the calendar is complete then consider helping the children get a good start on their deeds, so they can begin to use the calendar straight away.

2. Fasting Chain
Without a doubt, fasting can be one of the toughest aspects of the holiday, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. For children, fasting can be rough. So, a fasting chain might help them to get through the experience. You can begin your chain on the first day of Ramadan. All you need for this is construction paper and glue, or similar supplies. Children can make a chain link for every day of the holiday. Each link can be attached and then cut off to represent the day of fasting. This will help everyone see their progress and how many days of fasting they have left. Of course, you can also reverse the chain and have the children add one link each day of Ramadan. This will give them a full chain on the last day of the holiday, which will show them the progress they have made. You can spice up the chain by adding a verse from the Quran for each day of the holiday.

3. Dhikr Beads
Dhikr Beads are a great way to share culture with children. These prayer beads come in all shapes and sizes, so you can allow kids to show off their individuality with these amazing beads. If you want to make more authentic looking prayer beads, then you might head to your favorite hobby shop. Often, you can find a coupon that will cut the price of these beads down immensely. Of course, you don’t actually have to use beads to make your bracelets look amazing. You can also make your own beads out of old magazines, newspapers and so on. You might check online for a few tutorials for making your beads. String is another crucial item for this task, but you might consider using yarn for younger children that are still working on their motor functions. The kids can wear their bracelets or give them to loved ones.

4. Sadaqah Jar
Doing good deeds makes life an amazing thing. So, you might want to consider helping the kids make a Sadaqah Jar over the holiday. This might be one of the first crafts you choose to work on as it will help inspire children to pick up loose money while they’re out and about. This jar can be designed to suit your child’s creativity. All you need is an old jar, which can easily be taken from the refrigerator or purchased at a thrift store. You can use paper, paint or anything else to decorate it. Once it is finished, help the kids pick up change from around the house and community. Kids will love keeping their eye out for sparkling money, which will add to the fun of the holiday. When you finish collecting, present the jar to someone in need.

5. Ramadan Drum
A Ramadan drum can add a lot of fun to the holiday, even if it does end up driving parents nuts. A drum is a very simple thing to make and you can do this with a wide variety of items found around the house. You should also consider making your drum out of recycling materials to do even more good for the world. The drum can be decorated to suit your child’s desires, which will help make the craft even more fun. When it is complete, children can use the drum to wake up family members during the holiday or simply to use during Ramadan songs.

6. Bookmarks
Chances are, you will spend a lot of time reading during the Ramadan holiday. Thus, making bookmarks are a great way to enjoy the holiday all the more. Bookmarks can be made with a large variety of supplies that cost next to nothing which will make the craft even more enjoyable. Kids can create bookmarks that are based on the holiday, their favorite things or even simple colors. You can also work on bookmarks to present to friends and family as gifts. These bookmarks might even inspire your children to spend more time reading. They will also allow them to keep track of their studies with ease.

7. Hanging Lanterns
One fun craft to make for your night time meals are hanging lanterns. These lanterns can help set the mood as you finally get to break bread each night. The lanterns can be made of a lot of things too. For starters, you can use mason jars and candles. Simply decorate the jars with paper mache and you’ll be ready to go. You can easily make paper covers for electronic candles too, which will help set the mood for the festivities. Of course, if you don’t want your children working with actual lights then they can easily make pretend lanterns out of construction paper. These make great decorations too, which will help make your home look even more welcoming.

8. Tile Art
Another great craft that is perfect for all ages is tile art. All you need for this craft is a few ceramic tiles which can be found for cheap at dollar stores, craft stores or even home improvement stores. You will also need paint, markers or tissue paper. Finally, you’ll need a spray on sealer. Children can decorate their tiles based on their interests or the holiday with the supplies you choose to work with. One popular design idea for Ramadan is to have the children make the phases of the moon. Once the tile is completely dry, take it outside and spray on the sealant. This will lock their art onto the tile, so you can use it and wash it. The tiles can be used for a wide variety of things. You can place them together on the wall or floor as a unique decoration. You can also use the tile as a hot plate or a place to put your cooking utensils.

9. Read Books
For young children, understanding Ramadan can be something new and exciting. Older child, on the other hand, may want to find characters they can relate to in order to amplify the experience. Thus, reading is one of the best tools you can use during this holiday. Believe it or not, but there’s a lot of books about Ramadan for children. These books can be purchased based on your child’s age too, which will help make the experience even more valuable. You can find many of these books at a fair price online and in your local book stores. You can even talk to your library to see if they have any books or if they can borrow some from other libraries. This will give you a cheap way to keep the kids busy while heightening the experience for them.

10. Help Cook
Food is probably going to be on the mind on your children for quite some time during the fasting period. So, one way to help them deal with this is to invite them in to cook. This can be one of the major traditions of the holiday too, as there are so many recipes that should be passed down from generation to generation. Younger children might be given small tasks to help complete. For instance, setting the table or adding the final touch to some dishes is an easy feat they can accomplish. They can also work on easier items like moon cookies, which is sure to make them happy. As they grow, you might teach dishes that escalate in complexity. Each year, your child can learn something new, which will help them pass on traditions in the future while allowing them to contribute to the table each night.

Fasting during Ramadan doesn’t have to leave the kids feeling uncomfortable. These ten ideas will help you keep them busy while allowing them to grow a stronger connection to the holiday. Before you know it, they will be pleading with you to help them makes these items because they will have so much fun with them. This should help keep your Ramadan more enjoyable on a tight budget.

It’s almost time to celebrate Mother’s Day again, which can leave a lot of people on their toes. This day is a great time to honor your mother and make her feel special. However, if you’re married with children then you might be wondering what you can do for your spouse to help make Mother’s Day even more special. There’s a bundle of great ideas that will help you shower your spouse in gifts. However, if you’re on a tight budget your options might be limited. These ten ideas should make most mother’s feel adored on their special day without forcing you to break the bank. So, don’t let this year pass without showing your spouse that you admire her parenting skills and appreciate all they she does.

1. Breakfast in Bed
Breakfast in bed is probably one of the most common ways to show your spouse that you appreciate all that she does. So, for Mother’s Day, hop out of bed early, wrangle up the kids and get to work on her favorite breakfast foods. You might consider letting her sleep in a bit longer too, so you may want to put off cooking until a reasonable hour if you have children that like to wake up at the crack of dawn. If your kids are older then make sure they put in a little effort into the meal too. When it’s time to serve, let mom enjoy in peace and give her the option of resting longer if she so chooses. This is certain to help start the day off right, while giving your spouse some alone time that she probably rarely sees.

2. Free Food
One thing that might not already be on your radar is the free food that many restaurants offer on Mother’s Day. There are many national chains that go the extra mile to give mom a nice treat on Mother’s Day, so make sure to look around to see what you can find. Of course, if you have local restaurants that you feel might be giving away freebies then give them a call to confirm. You can even grab a nice dessert for your spouse at no cost to you with restaurants like TCBY around. With any luck, your spouse will be able to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner without having to spend a penny.

3. Photobooks
Moms that love pictures of their kids are certain to enjoy a photobook. This is especially true if your walls are already covered in photos and you have no more space for others. Photobooks can be on the pricey side of the spectrum though. Luckily, many of the most popular websites are always offering free codes and discounts, which make the books incredibly affordable. If you are signed up for any baby websites or you’ve bought photo products recently then chances are you will find one of these deals in your inbox soon. Make sure you hurry and design your book though, as they don’t ship as quickly as you would like in some cases.

4. Help the Kids Made Crafts
Generally, schools are fairly good at helping kids make projects for Mother’s Day. However, sometimes these projects can be less than appealing. Some children also aren’t at the proper age for school, so they go without a gift for mom. In order to make your spouse’s day amazing, you might want to sit down and work on a Mother’s Day craft to make the day special. There are lots of options to choose from based on your children’s age group. All you have to do is browse for some cool ideas, pick up the supplies and allow your spouse to take a break so you and the kids can work your magic without her finding out. You might find that working with the kids is a lot of fun and will allow you to see a whole new side of their creativity.

5. Gift Basket
A gift for your spouse doesn’t have to be pricey and it certainly doesn’t have to sparkle. One great idea is to fill a basket up with lots of great supplies that you know your spouse will love. For instance, her favorite snacks are always one of the best options. She can even hide the snacks in a special place so that the kids can’t help themselves to her special treats. Bath and body products are another great option that should make her feel appreciated. If you’re feeling lucky, then you might want to browse the clearance bins for movies, books and music that might bring a smile to her face. All of these supplies together, should make a great gift that she won’t soon forget.

6. Girl’s Night
A lot of the time, moms end up neglecting their friends because their family most certainly comes first. It’s hard for most moms to get a night out without having to worry about a sitter or how much sugar the kids are going to consume at their grandparents’ house. So, this Mother’s Day, or around the general time frame, give her a carefree night out with the girls. Try to get in touch with some of her friends to help organize a special surprise. With a little help from the girls, your spouse should be able to blow off some steam without having to worry about cleaning up after children or having to choose a family friendly restaurant.

7. Spa Day
Sending your spouse to the spa might be out of the question financially, but that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy a spa day on Mother’s Day. Try to pick a time when the kids are playing or napping in order to help out with the spa day. You can even send the kids to grandma’s house to help make the spa day even more relaxing. When everything is quiet and peaceful, give your spouse a manicure and pedicure which includes painting her nails. You should also offer her a massage to help ease the tension in her life. Of course, supplying her with everything she needs to enjoy a nice bubble bath, facial and more is also an essential part of her amazing spa day at home. This shouldn’t cost you a lot of money, which will make the day even more relaxing for your spouse. If you can’t swing a full spa day for your spouse, then allowing her the time to soak in a hot tub might be one of best possible gifts.

8. Purchase Plants
Flowers are probably one of the top gifts that mothers receive on their special day. However, flowers can be incredibly pricey and don’t last long. Rather than purchasing a gift that is going to be temporary, you may want to consider purchasing a plant instead. More often than not, a plant will cost a fraction of what a bouquet would. The plant will also be able to produce flowers throughout the season for years, so your spouse will be able to enjoy them for much longer. Plants will also help offer beauty for the home and may even help rid the space of some pollutions. Caring for a plant might also help your spouse find a tranquil period during the day and a hobby that will allow her to get out of the house for a while.

9. Love Letter
It isn’t often that you have a chance to express your love for your spouse with the children running around. So, you might want to take the occasion to rekindle your romance and share how you feel about her. Love letters only really require a pen and paper to complete, so this can be the cheapest gift of all. Make sure to share your true feelings in the letter, so that your spouse still feels your love. You might also mention how your love has grown due to her parenting. The letter is entirely up to you though. It will certainly warm her heart more than a cheesy card too. Plus, not using the card will help you to write freely without the card’s message distracting you.

10. Give Her a Break
Hands down, the best thing you can do for your wife is give her a break. It doesn’t matter what she does with her break, as long as it isn’t interrupted. Try starting out the day by taking over her morning chores and getting the kids up and ready while she stays in bed. You might consider taking the kids out to the park, the movies or any other activity that will keep them out of your spouse’s hair for a few hours if not the whole day. While the day comes to an end, handle feeding, bath and bed time so your spouse can kick back and relax. This will help her feel rejuvenated as well as appreciated.

Giving your spouse an extra special Mother’s Day doesn’t have to revolve around the money you have in the bank. These quick and simple ideas will allow you to surprise your spouse with something special that will certainly warm her heart. With these ten options, you can make your spouse feel out of this world for the day, which is sure to make the whole household happy.