What family doesn't enjoy a night at the movies? Unfortunately, the economy has made it harder for families to enjoy this activity. A simple night out at the movies for a family of four, plus drinks and snacks, can cost close to $75. In a rough economy, most families simply can't afford this type of entertainment every week. Thankfully, there are ways to enjoy movie night at home. This week, let's bring back family night by enjoying a few movies. There will even be money left over for drinks and snacks.

First, let's discuss the movies. There are several options that will help families save money. Pay Per View movies cost around $5. Movie rentals from a local video store are slightly less. But, the biggest savings comes from online rental services. These services can save families a ton of money. For example, most companies offer 3 movies out at a time for around $25. That's 12 movies a month. Just think how much 12 movies would cost at the theater! Best of all, family movie night can be enjoyed all evening long. Everyone can choose a movie they love.

Now what about snacks? Movie theaters make most of their money by charging outrageous prices on simple things like popcorn and soda. For example, a large bucket of popcorn costs around $7 and a large soda costs around $5. You can recreate the entire movie experience for less than $20!

2 liters of pop $6
4 boxes of movie theater candy $4
1 box of microwave movie theater popcorn $6

As you can see, it's much more affordable to enjoy movie night at home. You could even afford to make nachos and hot dogs if you wanted. And, once you discover how much money you can save, you may want to invest in a movie theater style popcorn machine.

Movies don't have to be reserved for the theater to be good. In fact, movies are even better at home. So why not gather the family together this evening and enjoy a few movies? This is truly an activity you can afford every week.

If you're one of the moms-to-be who are sticking with a closet of baggy t-shirts, oversized cardigans and flowy tunic tops this season, it's time to take things up a notch and dress up in one of Spring's pretty dresses! Pregnancy can take its toll on your emotional health and well-being, and dressing up a few days per week can help you get your positive energy back! Here's a close look at some of the season's hottest dresses in the maternity department:

Maxi Dresses: The Maxi Dress is the perfect cover-up for the mom-to-be who wants something that isn't cut to fit too tight, and still looks fashionable. Maxi dresses are designed to flow outward from the bust line downward, and will give you a nice silhouette. Pick yours in a dark jewel toned color for a sophisticated and classy look.

The Tunic Dress: The Tunic Dress is a must-have for any mom who wants to relax during the day but still look pulled together. These dresses are designed to flow outward from the waist and won't cinch or pinch in any way. Get yours in a bold Spring hue, or go for a geometric print if you want something more eye-catching.

Printed Halter Dress: The halter dress gets dressed up this season in bold, vivacious prints. Enjoy your day shopping around town or relaxing with some girlfriends in a black and white, red and white, or splash of tropical colored prints that are aligned with this season's trends. Look for Asian-inspired prints such as lotus flowers, Chinese calligraphy and orange blossoms for an extra fashionable touch.

The Front-Tie Dress: When you're looking for a simple and stylish look for the day, go for a front-tie dress designed with an extended waist tie that goes right over the baby bump. The flattering cut and wide elbow sleeves like this Maternal America Front Tie Dress are perfect for days that demand a casual but chic ensemble.

¾ Sleeve Empire Waist Dress: The empire waist dress is a super-flattering cut for moms-to-be at all stages of pregnancy, and you need to pick out yours in bold prints and Asian-inspired designs. Look for one with a ¾ sleeve that works well for both day and night.

Have you ever wondered how fast food restaurants keep their prices so low? Take a close look at their menu and you'll notice that many of the items contain the same ingredients. This is also a wonderful way to save money in the kitchen. Instead of buying bags and bags of ingredients, why not consider preparing a menu that revolves around only a few ingredients? Not only does this save money, but it ensures that everything you purchase actually gets used. This week, I'll share tips on how to prepare a menu that saves money and time. I'll even throw in a couple recipes.

I find that the easiest way to prepare this type of menu is to start with the sales papers. For example, if hamburger was on sale as well as onions and green peppers, I might prepare a meatloaf one night and spaghetti another night. Here are a couple recipes to get you started:

Oniony Mushroom Meatloaf
Serves 8

1.5 pounds of 85% lean ground beef
1 packet of dry onion soup mix
½ cup of sour cream
½ of a large green bell pepper, pureed
½ of a large onion, pureed
2 eggs
1-2 cups of dry bread crumbs
4 ounces of sliced mushrooms
Olive oil
1 (10 oz.) jar of beef gravy

1. Combine the first 6 ingredients.
2. Stir in one cup of the bread crumbs and add more if needed.
3. Put inside a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until cooked through.
4. In the meantime, sauté the mushrooms in olive oil, drain off the excess oil and add the gravy. Continue to cook until heated through.
5. Slice up half the meatloaf and serve with gravy and mashed potatoes.

Quick Spaghetti and Meatballs
Serves 4

½ of a large green bell pepper, chopped
½ of a large onion, chopped
4 ounces of sliced mushrooms
Olive oil
1 (16 oz.) jar of spaghetti sauce
½ of leftover meatloaf, sliced into large cubes
1 pound of spaghetti, cooked

1. Saute the vegetables in olive oil.
2. Once the vegetables are cooked, drain off the olive oil and add the meatloaf and spaghetti sauce.
3. Heat through and serve over cooked pasta with a side salad and garlic bread.

There's something nostalgic about going out for ice cream. This simple treat seems to bring families closer after the end of a long week. Unfortunately, it also seems to suck money from your wallet. The cost of a family of four having simple ice cream cones is around $16 and more expensive treats like brownie sundaes cost around $20. This week, we'll discuss making ice cream cones and sundaes at home. Not only will you save money, but everyone can get exactly what they want.

Four ice cream cones can cost $16. That price doesn't seem too expensive until you consider what you could buy at the grocery store for around the same price.

2 boxes of waffle cones $7
2 half gallon containers of high quality ice cream $11
Total $18

That's enough for at least a week's worth of ice cream cones! The savings get even bigger if you purchase store brand ice cream and cones. That's not all though. Even brownie hot fudge sundaes are more affordable when served at home.

1 gallon of store brand vanilla ice cream $6
2 containers of hot fudge topping $6
1 box of brownie mix $3
Whipped topping $3
Nuts $3
Cherries $3
Total $24

Not only would you have enough ingredients to serve hot fudge sundaes to your entire family twice, but you would have vanilla ice cream leftover for milkshakes as well. What about the king of all ice cream treats though? Can you also save money on banana splits?

1 gallon of Neapolitan ice cream $6
8 large bananas $3
Strawberry sauce $3
Hot fudge topping $3
Pineapple topping $3
Whipped topping $3
Nuts $3
Cherries $3
Total $27

That's enough ingredients to have banana splits two nights in row.

Without a doubt, ice cream night is much more affordable at home. Best of all, if you like having ice cream at home, you'll save even more by investing in an ice cream maker and waffle cone maker. Not to mention that ice cream seems to taste even better when you're kicked back in front of the TV.

I know, I know . . . it seems like the words "maternity" and "style" don't belong in the same sentence. Not long ago, that may have been true: as little as eight years ago, most of my maternity options involved tent-like dresses and shirts with (ugh) bows! Fortunately, today's selection of maternity wear is as unique and stylish as the women who wear it. And best of all, most of it is made in comfortable, stretchy fabrics that flatter the pregnant body and are nearly cozy enough to sleep in (I did it, I admit it). The key to maternity wardrobe bliss is finding maternity clothes that are affordable in the real world. Pregnant celebrities always look great - after all, if you can afford to pay hundreds of dollars for a piece of clothing, you can find just about anything. Here are some great ideas for affordable maternity fashion you can get today.

The perfect maternity pants are the foundation for any maternity wardrobe. It's a good idea to buy 2 or 3 pairs of maternity bottoms in basic colors, then mix or match them with tops as your outfit requires. The most popular type are black yoga-style maternity pants or capris. A pair of brown or tan linen maternity pants also makes a great addition to your pregnancy wardrobe. And finally, a great black maternity top is a must! You can dress it up for church or social functions, or dress it down with flip-flops and a comfortable tee. You can even wear it during that in-between post-baby phase before you can squeeze back into your jeans!

When it comes to maternity tops, the sky is the limit! Kimono-style maternity tops come in every shade and pattern imaginable. Button-down maternity work tops are no longer tent-like and blasé. Instead, they tend to be embellished with center twists, beading or other interesting accents. Regardless of what type of top suits your style, you can likely find it in today's maternity fashions.

It's good to know that pregnant women can throw away their oversized t-shirts and sweatpants, and find something that fits their pre-pregnancy styles. After all, pregnancy doesn't sap you of your pre-pregnancy personality. It gives you an opportunity to discover a whole new you.

There's no denying the fact that times have changed. Prices have gone up while the economy continues to fail. But, that doesn't mean Americans can't cope with such a situation. This blog will be devoted to helping you save money in the kitchen. I'll even include a weekly recipe to help you get started on each week's tip. This week we're going to discuss how slow cookers can help you save money in the kitchen.

Everyone seems to have a slow cooker. They are quite a common gift at weddings or after the purchase of a new home. Even if you don't have one, a slow cooker can be purchased for around $20. This is a case when spending a bit of money can save you a ton of money.

We all know that slow cookers allow you to quickly throw a meal together that will be ready when you get off work, but how can they save you money? It's simple. A slow cooker allows you to buy cheaper cuts of meat that would normally turn out tough if cooked in the oven or on the stovetop. Cuts such as chuck roast and Boston butt become tender and succulent when cooked in a slow cooker. Even tough round steak can become a tender delight. Don't believe me? Just try the following recipe.

Slow Cooked Gravy Smothered Round Steak
Serves 4

8 small pieces of 4 large pieces of round steak, about 1 pound
8 ounces of sliced mushrooms or two 4 ounce cans of sliced mushrooms
1 large onion, sliced
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 pack of dried onion soup mix
Fresh cracked pepper, to taste

1. Place the round steak, mushrooms, and onion into the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Mix the cream of mushroom soup, dried onion soup mix, and fresh cracked pepper together.
3. Pour the mixture over the beef and vegetables and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 5 hours.
4. Serve over brown rice with rolls and a side salad.

Last summer, I bought my niece, who is almost 3, the Candy Land board game. She LOVES it! I was especially surprised that she loved for me to read to her the Candy Land story inside the box about all of the characters on the board. This is probably her first real game, like it was for most of us, and she loved having a player and moving it along the board. The concept of moving forwards and backwards was interesting for her, and she adores the game.

Often, a great idea for a thematic kids’ party is to look around and see what your kid’s favorite games, toys, and stuffed animals, are, and build a party theme around them. Candy Land would make a truly fun and darling party theme for kids under age of 5.

Here are some ideas to bring your Candy Land party to life:

-For your invitation, buy large lollipops and attach a bright colored card with a satin ribbon. On the card, provide all of the party details and hand-deliver them. If you don’t want to deliver sweets, draw a large lollipop and attach a pipe cleaner for a stem. On the lollipop, provide the party details.

-For party decorations, use your child’s favorite primary colors for the balloons, streamers, and tableware. Mix and match colors. For the table centerpiece, have a large colorful bucket filled Cheerios, and stick in large lollipops. If it is a beautiful day, make your own Candy Land path to your front door with different colors on each place. (If it is bad weather, put the Candy Land path around your party area.)

-One of the best ways to organize this party is to have the guests visit each area of Candy Land, where they will do a game or activity. As you reach each station, read out the infamous description on the box before you do your activity.

-As you start off, place a rainbow of balloons together for the kids to walk underneath as they begin their journey. Given it is the start of the game, have a rainbow taste test. Blindfold the kids and have them taste a variety of things, such as white sugar, lemon juice or lemon drops, orange carrots, etc. The taste test can be anything you want to put out, but make sure it utilizes those bright, primary colors. With the kids blindfolded, it will be a real surprise!

-For Gum Drop Pass, have a big jar full of gum drops, and let the kids take turns guessing how many gum drops are inside!

-For Mr. Mint, have the kids enjoy a relay race using a spoon and a peppermint. Divide the kids into two teams and have them race back and forth to see which team can finish first without dropping the peppermint!

-For the Licorice Castle, have the kids make licorice bracelets. Use thin black and red licorice for the bracelet and let the kids string on colorful Cheerios for edible bracelets. Yum!

-For Grandma Nut, make sure the kids have no peanut butter allergies, and if they can, give each child a spoonful of peanut butter and see who can finish it first.

-For Gloppy, have the kids finger paint their own masterpiece with chocolate. They will love this, but be prepared for a mess!

-For Queen Frostine, have a crowning ceremony for the birthday girl, if you are celebrating for a little girl, and provide her with a cape and a crown! If the party is for a little boy, crown him King of Candy Land! Give out fun Ring Pops during the crowning event!

Other fun ideas:

-Let the kids make their own Candy Land house using graham crackers and frosting as glue. Provide all sorts of candies for the kids to decorate their homes with.

Play the Candy Land game! (Gather enough games from neighbors and friends so everyone can play at the same time.)

Make a large circle of Candy Land pieces, and let the kids walk around on the game “board” set to music. When you stop the music, call out a color and the child on the color is out. Play until only one child remains.

-Play King Candy Says like you would play Simon Says

-Play Licorice, Licorice, Lollipop like Duck, Duck, Goose

-Play Queen Frostine May I? like Mother May I? (Let the birthday child be queen or the king.)

-Have the kids decorate giant gingerbread boys with frosting and candies.

For your menu, make sandwiches, cookies, and Jell-O Jigglers cut out into candy cane and gingerbread man shapes. Also, rainbow-colored goldfish, carrot sticks, pudding cups and chocolate milk. Serve peppermint ice cream at this party! A batch of cupcakes topped in a rainbow of colored candies colors would be so fun too.

For favors, the possibilities are endless: the kids can take home candy, of course, or a bright box of crayons and a Candy Land coloring book or printable pages.

In years past, families have gone out for dinner or even to the movies on family night. Due to the economy, nights like these happen less and less often. That doesn't mean families have to give up family night. In fact, there are many different ways to spend time together that cost very little money. That's exactly what this blog is all about. Each week, we'll discuss different ways to bring back family night. This week, we begin with pizza night.

Have you ever really considered the cost of going out for pizza? Many hadn't until the economy began to slump. For a family of four to enjoy appetizers, salad, pizza, drinks and dessert the cost is over $60. When times are tough, this night out is simply not doable. That doesn't mean your family has to go their separate ways. You can still enjoy family pizza night. Best of all, the cost is much more affordable.

Here's a quick list of what you'll need:

1 large bag of salad mix $4
1 bottle of salad dressing $3
1 large box of frozen appetizers $6
2 pack of pre-made pizza crusts $4
1 jar of pizza sauce $2
1 large bag of mozzarella cheese $4
1 stick of pepperoni $3
2 liters of soda $4
1 cake from the bakery $5

Total $35

You can cut the cost even more by preparing your own pizza crust and serving tea or another drink that can be prepared at home.

Gathering the family at home for family night not only saves money, but it allows the family more time to bond. Instead of being packed into a crowded restaurant, you can enjoy each other's company in the comfort of your own home.

Once you discover how big of a hit pizza night can be, you may want to invest in a pizza stone and peel. This way, you get the best crust possible. One last secret is to ask your favorite pizzeria if you can buy dough from their shop. Most pizzerias will sell their dough at a small price, allowing you to enjoy your favorite pizza at home without emptying your wallet.

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the chaos inside the house has just begun. Lunches need to be made, breakfast scarfed down, clothes found and thrown on, and everyone ushered out the door on time. Finding a morning routine that can help everyone in your family stay on track and make mornings run more smoothly is one of the top items on most moms' wish lists.

Don't Curl up for Bed Before Things are Sorted for the Morning
Kids should have their backpacks packed, clothes/uniforms washed and sorted and know where their shoes and additional gear is before they go to bed at night. Even kindergartners should be responsible for getting organized before bedtime. Lunch money or lunchboxes can often be organized the night before a school day, too. Mom and dad can find their car keys, look at the calendar and schedule to sort carpools and after school activities and get themselves organized before bed.

Keep the Television and Computer Turned Off
Waiting for a television show to finish or to check just one more e-mail means less time together as a family, and you'll try to compress a 30-minute morning routine into a 10-minute time span. Keep technology off in the morning, you can save a radio to listen to the weather or morning news, but that's it. Your family's morning routine will go off without a hitch if the technology is turned off.

Insist on Eating Breakfast Together
Allowing everyone to grab and go on their own might seem like the best choice on a hectic morning, but in fact, it may slow you down. Rather than everyone getting in each other's way, and no one getting a healthy breakfast, put mom, dad or an older sibling in charge of breakfast on any given morning. Scrambled eggs and toast for the whole family don't take a lot of time and allow everyone the opportunity to sit down and eat together.

Get up when the Alarm Clock goes off, or When you First Wake up
One of the hardest things about getting out of bed in the morning is fighting the alarm clock. But the longer you fight it, the less time you have in the morning and the more pressure you'll be under. Instead, consider waking up a little bit earlier and don't fight the alarm clock when it rings, either. A smooth morning routine is more likely if you simply realize that you have to get up. Don't fight it by trying to sneak in five more minutes.

A successful morning routine for families helps everyone's day get off without a hitch. Get ready ahead of time, keep the TV off, eat together and get up when the alarm clock goes off. Mornings that start off right turn into great days!

Who doesn't love cakes, candy and pies? While your local bakery probably supplies many of these delicious treats, they do so at a big price. With the economy the way it is, you may have avoided the bakery department, opting for treats that have a lower price and quality. You don't have to though. What I mean is you don't have to opt for less quality. The secret to delicious treats begins in your pantry. This week we're going to discuss the importance of the bakery section of your pantry. I'll even include a delicious recipe.

The bakery section of your pantry should include items that allow you to throw together a sweet treat at a moment's notice. The best and most affordable way to stock this part of your pantry is to wait for sales. Around the holidays, you'll see great deals on everything from cake mixes to chocolate chips. The following is a list of the items I keep in my pantry. Feel free to add any items you wish though.

Cake, brownie, and muffin mixes
Frostings
Powered, granular, and brown sugar
Cocoa powder
Corn syrup
Sweetened condensed milk
Evaporated milk
All kinds of chocolate chips and baking chocolate
Pudding mixes
Graham cracker and chocolate cookie pie crusts
Peanut butter
Flour
Shortening
Baking powder and soda
Different types of candy
Extracts
Pie fillings

Now, what can you do with these ingredients? One thing you can do is make an awesome pan of fudge.

Peppermint Crunch Fudge

1 (12 ounce) bag of white chocolate chips
1 (14 ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
2 cups of crushed peppermints
1 teaspoon of peppermint extract

1. Combine the white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk and heat in the microwave for 90 seconds.
2. Stir until the chocolate is melted and then stir in the crushed peppermint and extract.
3. Pour into a greased 8 inch pan and refrigerate until firm.

There you have it. With around $5 worth of ingredients you can make a few pounds of delicious fudge. Best of all, this recipe can be altered by using different types of chocolate chips, candy and extracts.

Spring Cleaning might not top the list of fun activities that you can share with your children, but in fact, involving the entire family in a spring cleaning weekend is a great way to share memories, collaborate and get the house in order, all at the same time. Rather than waste a weekend watching television or going your separate ways, spend a weekend together as a family. Spring cleaning offers the opportunity for toddlers and teenagers to get involved in your home and provides chances for family bonding, too.

Divide up the workload
Put everyone in charge of a task—be it a room they are responsible for cleaning, a closet they need to sort through, or the regular chores like vacuuming or ironing. Young children can get involved with Swiffer dusters and mops, while older children can pitch in with sorting toys and clothes for Goodwill or Children's Aid. Be specific with kids about what you hope to accomplish. For instance, if your son's room is fairly organized, but filled with clutter, talk about the importance of purging and make him responsible for selecting a few items to donate to charity. Giving everyone a task can help make the workload more manageable.

Get outside and welcome spring, too
Don't confine all of your spring cleaning to the inside, either. Head out and weed the garden, cut the lawn, or plant some spring buds. One teenager handling the garden and another cleaning the living room strikes a great balance. Plus, if the sun comes out on the weekend, it isn't necessary to spend it all cooped up. You can still get the house in order without wasting it inside when the sun comes out.

Stop for snacks and take out
If you are going to spend the weekend cleaning, be sure to break it up with family treats and the opportunity to sit around the table with the ones you love. My family loves monkey bread, made from Pillsbury biscuits mixed with butter, sugar and cinnamon. Start the morning off with a family favorite and break for snacks throughout the day. Finish off with pizza or Chinese food, whatever quick, easy meal your family loves the best. Or stop and make chocolate fondue for dessert. Find photographs of mom and dad when they got married? Or a toy that you'd completely forgotten about from your childhood? Be sure to share with your family now!

Spring has sprung and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious meal? A meal containing fresh ingredients with loads of flavor is just what you need to tackle all that spring cleaning. More importantly, the meal needs to be quick to prepare, while still being healthy. Never fear, I have just the recipe to satisfy your cravings and your needs. Plus, there's even a tasty dessert recipe included.

Chicken or Beef Stir Fry
Serves 4

Olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound of chicken or beef stir fry meat
8 ounces of sugar snap peas
1 large green pepper, cut into strips
1 large red pepper, cut into strips
1 large onion, cut into strips
4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

1. Heat the olive oil and garlic in a wok or large skillet. Be sure to keep the garlic moving though or it could burn.
2. Toss in the meat and cook until almost cooked through. It shouldn't take more than 5 to 10 minutes because the meat is thinly sliced.
3. Add the vegetables and cook until desired texture is achieved and the meat is cooked through. The vegetables should be crisp and not mushy to retain most of their nutrients.
4. Add soy sauce and toss to coat.
5. Serve with brown rice.

Mandarin Dessert Salad
Serves 8 to 10

8 ounce container of fat-free whipped topping, thawed
14 ounce can of fat-free sweetened condensed milk
2 (15 ounce) cans of mandarin orange segments, packed in water
8 ounces of slivered almonds

1. Fold together the whipped topping and sweetened condensed milk.
2. Drain the mandarin oranges and fold into the whipped topping and sweetened condensed milk.
3. Fold in the almond and refrigerator at least 2 hours.

With a little bit of prep time, and some fresh ingredients, you can prepare a meal that's healthy and satisfying. Best of all, you'll even have time to prepare dessert. What more could you ask for, besides a maid to do all that spring cleaning?

When it comes to morning sickness during pregnancy, there are three types of women: those who never feel it at all, those who get moderately sick but are able to function and those whose early pregnancy is a hellish cycle of trying to eat and throwing up. If you're pregnant, you already know which category you fall into. And, unfortunately, there's no way of knowing which category you'll fall into during an individual pregnancy until you're already there. That said, there are several great ways you can help yourself avoid morning sickness, or get through it if you're already there.

Even if you don't think you can eat, there are two things that are vitally important: taking your prenatal vitamin and staying hydrated. Dehydration is one of the leading reasons that pregnant women with severe morning sickness are hospitalized (I was hospitalized for that myself during my last pregnancy). Often, keeping fluids down is easier than the idea of eating. If your morning sickness is making it hard to keep food down, ask your doctor about nutritional drinks. They can have as many calories as a meal and are nutritionally balanced to help you stay healthy. Regardless of what you're able to eat, it's a good idea to keep a journal of when during the day you felt sick, what you've eaten and how much. That way you can always tell your doctor if he/she asks, and you can easily recognize any patterns that can help you out. Many women find that during some hours of the day, they hardly feel sick at all!

Keep these simple tips in mind to help manage your morning sickness, and remember - keep an open line of communication with your doctor. If your morning sickness is disrupting your life and is out of control, your doctor can help. By being proactive and staying in contact with your doctor, you can make sure that both you and your baby stay healthy.