Halloween is right around the corner and it's time to start thinking about costumes. Let's face it. Halloween costumes aren't the best investment when funds are low. After all, most costumes only get worn once and then stay in the closet for a few years before being donated. Don't get me wrong, donations are always a wonderful thing. But, the focus of this week's blog is to discuss ways for you and your family to save money on Halloween costumes while also spending time together.

Homemade costumes are a wonderful way to save money and spend time together. Not only can you come up with amazing costume ideas, but you can also think of ways to reuse old costumes. First, sit down with your family and ask each person what they want to be for Halloween. Once everyone has an idea of what they want to be, you can start gathering supplies to make the costumes together.

Many Halloween costumes and accessories can be reused to make new costumes. For example, capes from vampire costumes can be used for superhero, witch, or even medieval costumes. You can also take just about any costume and add a bit of fake blood and makeup to create a new character, such as a dead cheerleader. Also don't forget all the items laying around your house that can be used in Halloween costumes. Sheets always work well for ghost and toga costumes, but they can also be wrapped to create part of a belly dancing costume. You can also spray paint silk roses for the perfect accessory to a dead bride costume. All it takes is a bit of creativity.

One last tip is to remember that Halloween makeup can be made from common household ingredients. For example, fake blood can be made using corn syrup and food coloring. Not only is homemade Halloween makeup less expensive, but you also don't have to worry about the makeup being harmful if accidentally swallowed by little ones.

‘Tis the season for that super sweet kernel of candy corn that everyone can agree reminds them of Halloween past, present, and, most likely, future! Besides eating all of that candy corn that may be lying around your home this week, you can also play some fun and simple games with these bright candy kernels.

Send the kids on a Candy Corn Hunt. You can do this a couple of different ways. Create a path of Candy Corn that they must use to hunt around and cannot sway from the path. Alternatively, hide small bags of candy corn around your yard and send the kids on a traditional hunt.

• Fill a large pumpkin pail with candy corn and see who guesses the number of candy corn. Whoever guesses closest, wins! Share the Candy Corn with everyone.
• Create Candy Corn Artwork with heavy card stock, candy corn, and a glue stick. This may get messy, but will be fun!
• Make Candy Corn Strings, just like popcorn. Decorate the room and front doorway with the Candy Corn Strings.
• Make a homemade batch of Candy Cor. A great idea for older children.
• Make Candy Corn Krispie Treats by adding in candy corn to this favorite recipe.
• Play Candy Corn Fooz Ball. Using a large table surface set up two kids at different ends of the table. The children throw candy corn to the other child, who must block it from going through and making a goal. The child can block it using a solid cookie cutter. (Make sure it is one that will not scratch up your table.)
• Make Candy Corn Sculptures using frosting to hold the sculpture together. (Make sure to place paper down on your table to keep the mess minimal.)
• Finally, send them home with bags of the sweet stuff!

Halloween makeup is not only expensive, but it can be a problem for people with allergies as well. While you can get creative with regular makeup that's hypoallergenic, there are more creative ways to make Halloween makeup. Believe it or not, you can save money on Halloween makeup by turning to your kitchen and be health conscious at the same time.

First of all, instead of using harsh dyes on your hair, why not use Kool-Aid? Kool-Aid comes in a large variety of colors, but you must use caution. Kool-Aid powder can be mixed with conditioner and applied to the hair, left to set for 10-15 minutes, and rinsed out. It's best to do this right before heading out and then wash the Kool-Aid out as soon as you get home. Otherwise, you could end up with blue hair for a couple weeks to a couple months.

What if you want to add a bit of texture to your face, such as icky scabs? You can create this look by using a paste made with oatmeal, corn syrup, and food coloring. If you want a variation of color, it's best to mix oatmeal and enough corn syrup to create the desired texture and then apply it to the area. Then use a paint brush and food coloring to add a variation of shades. For example, there might a bright pink around the scab because it's infected. The center of the scab would be dark red which would resemble dried blood. If you wanted to get really gross, you could mix corn syrup with green food coloring to create a nasty looking infection on the scab.

Of course, one of the most important pieces of Halloween makeup is fake blood. Because this type of Halloween makeup is often used so close to the mouth, it's important to use non-toxic ingredients. Here's a recipe to get you started that is perfect for little kids who want to celebrate Halloween.

Fake Halloween Blood

1 cup of light corn syrup
¼ cup flour
Red food coloring

1. Mix the light corn syrup and enough flour to crate a thick blood texture.
2. Add enough food coloring to get the desired color of blood.
3. Place inside a squeeze bottle of easy application.

Fall is a perfect time for kids to be active outdoors. Even though the temperature has started to drop, there still can be plenty of warm days. Windy weather that can accompany fall is a natural invitation to fly kites. Rather than buying kites for the kids, make it more fun and build and fly kites together. Kids love both crafts and kite flying. So this should be a double winner with most.

This project and activity can be done with parents, grandparents, teachers, babysitters, and more. Any adult who works with children may find this beneficial to them. Kite building guides and instructions can easily be found by doing a simple internet search. Supplies to build and fly kites can easily be found at most large craft and hobby stores. There's another fun activity kids love: shopping for project supplies. Let the kids pick out their plans and supplies (within your pre-set budget, of course).

Once the guides have been found and the supplies purchased, adults can help the children build the kites. The backyard or neighborhood park may be the best place for building, as there will be plenty of room. This especially is true the more people there are participating in the activity. Adults may decide to simply instruct and let the kids do the rest or to join in on the construction of the kite. When the kites are finished, they may need to dry, depending on materials. If so, kite building and kite flying might be separated into two different days. Just be sure the children know ahead of time to avoid surprising them with that news when they least want to hear it. If no drying or other waiting is necessary, go ahead and fly your kites!

When kite flying time has arrived, be sure the children have on comfortable footwear suitable for running. This fun outdoor activity involves plenty of that and a grassy open area is best for flying kites. This leaves plenty of comfortable running space and also helps prevent kites from getting snagged on things like tree branches. Safety first, of course!

Sources:
http://www.kitebuilder.com
http://www.blueskylark.org/zoo/class.html

Fall has finally arrived along with all the wonderful things that go with the season. It's the perfect time to spend time with your family baking pies, sitting around the bonfire, watching football, or even going apple picking. Not only is apple picking a great way to save money and get exercise, it's also a wonderful way to spend the evening with your family.

There are literally thousands of apple orchards located across the United States. Not only are apple orchards simply gorgeous, but you can save money by picking the apples yourself. Best of all, orchards also have fruit stands where you can try new varieties of apples before you go apple picking. They also have cakes, pies, turnovers, and other delicious treats made from the apples picked fresh from the orchard.

Let's not forget all the exercise your family will get as they make their way through the orchard. Orchards usually span many acres, especially if the orchard has several varieties of apples to choose from. Not to mention that carrying your apple loot back to the car can also burn quite a few calories.

What do you do with all those great apples after you get them home? While you could just eat them, why not continue your family night by making some delicious treats with the apples? You could bake pies, make apple bread, dip the apples in caramel, etc. There are thousands of delicious apple recipes available online. You could even make pie filling and can it for later use. The sky's the limit when it comes to freshly picked apples.

Family night doesn't have to cost a fortune. Sometimes all it takes is taking a tradition from long ago and introducing it to your children. Chances are you probably already buy apples for your children so why not take them to the orchard to pick their own? Not only will you save money, but you're helping the environment by purchasing local produce rather than fruit that was shipped from across the country.

Pregnancy can leave you with uncontrollable breakouts, oily skin and a slew of skin problems day in and day out. As the seasons change and temperatures start to drop, you might also start to notice your skin becoming more dry. The Fall months call for a change in your skincare routine and an update to your makeup bag. Here are some important makeup tips to keep in mind when you're pregnant during the Fall season:

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Even if you have oily skin, the cool and dry months ahead mean you need to protect your skin from the harsher weather. Make sure you're wearing a high-quality moisturizer under makeup, and apply it right after you cleanse and tone so that your skin stays soft and smooth. Keep in mind that dehydrated skin may be prone to breakouts, so you'll need to keep your skin as moisturized as possible.

2. Stick with warm tones. From your lip color to your eye shadow, Fall shades call for rich golden browns, deep purples and berry reds. Use these colors to freshen up your look for Fall, and try a mineral makeup brand to keep your skin looking flawless when hormones are raging. Avoid cream-based makeup that can make your skin appear oilier than it really is. When you're breaking out regularly during pregnancy, you'll need a mattifying, soothing makeup line that will keep your skin looking healthy.

3. Use oil-blotting sheets throughout the day. Pregnancy can make your skin produce more oil than usual, but you don't have to load up on face powder just to maintain your flawless look. Use oil-blotting sheets throughout the day so you can keep your skin clear and free of oil buildup.

As always, don't forget to wash your makeup off before you go to bed at night. Use a gentle, moisturizing cleanserthat breaks down dirt and oils, and then follow up with a light exfoliant at least twice per week to keep skin as clean as possible. Finish your nighttime routine with an emollient-rich moisturizer to pamper those skin cells and wake up refreshed and rejuvenated.

It seems like everywhere you go in the fall, there's the smell of apples in the air. You may find fresh baked pies in the local bakery, hot apple cider in cafes, and even apple butter at local craft fairs. All these treats are incredibly tempting, but the prices can be a bit expensive. Instead of giving in to all those highly priced treats, why not save money and make them in your own kitchen?

First of all, saving money begins by saving money on fresh apples. While many grocery stores now offer a large variety of apples, the prices can be a bit high. Not to mention that these apples are usually shipped in from another state or even from across the county. Instead, why not visit a local apple orchard? Apple orchards have the largest selection of varieties and the best prices. You'll save even more money if you pick the apples yourself.

Next, find good recipes. Nothing is worse in the kitchen than preparing a recipe and it turning out to be a flop. Instead, choose recipes from sources you've come to trust. Ask your mom for the pie recipe she made when you were little. Ask your grandmother for that special apple cake recipe. Or, turn to some of the top recipe websites, such as Kraft Foods.

I hope I've given you reason to trust my recipes and if so, I hope you enjoy this one as well.

Easy Apple Bread
Makes 1 Loaf

4 large Honey Crisp or Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and chopped
¾ cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1. Cook the apples, water, and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat until fork tender.
2. Allow the apples to cool.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4. Cream together the butter, sugar and eggs with an electric mixer.
5. Stir in the apples, flour, and pecans.
6. Pour batter into a nonstick loaf pan.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted in the center of the loaf and comes out clean.

Every day, more and more families lose part of their household income. This means that some of the things families have taken for granted over the years are suddenly out of the question. Take football tickets for instance. When a household income is suddenly cut, it can be impossible for a family to afford season tickets. Thankfully, there are many inexpensive ways for your family to enjoy football night without spending a fortune.

First of all, if your family simply enjoys football, why not go watch local high school football games? Not only are these games more affordable, but it's fun to support a local team. Plus, many high schools charge less than $10 per ticket. High school students can even get in at a discounted price. Not to mention that the snacks are more affordable.

When times are tough, don't forget that some of the best games can be watched through satellite and are included in the price you're already paying. For special games, you may have to pay to see them on pay-per-view, but if the game is really important, everyone can pool their money together to pay for it.

If times are really tough, you can also listen to games on the radio or sometimes watch them online. If you're looking for a game that isn't local, satellite radio is a good option. You can even find online radio broadcasts by visiting the team's website.

As you can see, there are a number of different ways for your family to enjoy their favorite football games for less money. Best of all, you can prepare snacks at home for a fraction of the cost that the stadiums charge. Let's take a look at what I mean.

Stadium Snacks for a Family of Four"
Hot Dogs $24
Drinks $12
Popcorn $10
Total: $46

Snacks at Home"
Hot Dogs $10
Drinks $2
Popcorn $4
Total: $16

That's a huge savings. Not to mention, that you'll never miss a play heading to the snack bar.

You may long to wear muumuus and oversized sweaters during the last few months of pregnancy, but you don't have to compromise fashion and style just to be comfortable. The last trimester can be one of the most challenging to dress comfortably in, but there are some key pieces you can add to your wardrobe that will make you look chic, stylish and super comfortable. Here are your best picks for the casual wardrobe during the third trimester:

The Leggings and Tunic Combo
A pair of stretchy leggings in black or brown paired with a printed tunic are a great fit for the mom-to-be during the last trimester. Look for leggings from the maternity department instead of going a few sizes up on regular styles for the most flattering silhouette. The sky's the limit when it comes to tunic tops and stick with bold printed designs and v-neck or scoop neck cuts to make the most of this look.

The Flowing Summer Dress
A loose, flowing summer dress is perfect for the last trimester of pregnancy because it not only helps you stay cool, but is also flattering to your growing figure. Stick with dresses that have empire waistlines and wide straps so that you can stay plenty comfortable all day long.

The Long Black Skirt
A long black skirt is an important staple for your maternity wardrobe, and is a great choice for special occasions and events that demand a little dressing up. Stick with a skirt made with stretchy material and a modest slit to create the most attractive silhouette.

Bootcut Pants
Bootcut pants and not flare leg or skinny jean types are the best match for you during your last trimester, and are a staple for weekend errand-running and casual days at home. Look for a pair of bootcut pants made with either a stretch or lightweight linen material for the ultimate fit. Just make sure it's from the maternity department so you're not struggling with the waistband.

The Button Down Shirt
Whether you're gardening or shopping for groceries, a well-fitting button down shirt is a great match for casual days during the third trimester. Look for stretch cotton blends that will accommodate for your baby bump, and consider wearing a tank or tunic top underneath for some extra support.

Depending on where you live, you've probably experienced a major change in the weather. The nights and even the days have become much cooler and fall is in full swing. What better way to spend a cool fall evening than to spend the evening cuddling in front of a fire with your sweetie? This weekend, skip the restaurants and save money in your kitchen by spending a night at home.

First of all, I suggest starting the meal off with a hearty soup. For example, you may choose to serve a pureed butternut squash or pumpkin soup, both of which can be purchased at your local grocery store, but taste much better when homemade. Not to mention they're less expensive when made at home. If you and your sweetie don't care for soup, a hearty appetizer can also be prepared. For example, you could make mushrooms stuffed with Italian sausage and cubes of fresh mozzarella.

Next, you'll want a hearty meal. One of the most popular meals to serve in the fall is turkey and dressing. Believe it or not, this hearty meal can be prepared in less than an hour. The key is to choose a boneless turkey breast. Also, shake things up from the average turkey dinner by choosing a different seasoning blend and new side dishes.

What would a fall dinner be without dessert? There are a variety of wonderful desserts to choose from. You could prepare a classic pumpkin pie or an apple cobbler. Or you could choose to change things up with this recipe.

Cranberry Apple Pie
Serves 6

2 pre-made pie crusts
4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
2 cups of fresh cranberries
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons butter

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line a pie pan with one of the pie crusts.
2. Mix the apples, cranberries, sugar and cinnamon together, pour into the pie crust, and dot with butter.
3. Top the fruit with the second pie crust, crimp the edges, and slit the top crust.
4. Place the pie pan on a cookie sheet and cover the edges of the crust with aluminum foil.
5. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly, removing the foil in the last 15 minutes of baking.

Football season has finally arrived and what football fan doesn't love to tailgate? Unfortunately, going to the big game may not be affordable in today's economy. That doesn't mean you and your family have to give up tailgating. In fact, you can actually tailgate from the comfort of your own backyard. Not only is the parking great, but you'll have the best seats in the house when the big game starts.

First things first: setup your backyard up to reflect the love of your favorite team. Decorate the deck with the team's colors, have a radio set up to play the team's song until the game starts, and just make it look like you're actually at a tailgate party. You could even bring your truck around to the backyard for the drinks and appetizers.

The next thing is to get creative with the food. There are a number of different ways to celebrate the love of your favorite team in the food you prepare. For example, if you love the Tennessee Vols, prepare a dish that Tennessee is known for. Another tip is to create drinks that feature the team's colors. For example, you could blend orange sherbet and milk to create the first layer of a Tennessee Vols milkshake and then create the other layer by blending vanilla ice cream and milk.

Last, but not least, enjoy the game in the backyard. Either listen to the game on a radio or purchase a portable TV to watch the game. Of course, if it gets a bit nippy outside, you can always enjoy the game inside as well. That's one of the biggest advantages to tailgating at home.

This year, instead of paying a fortune for seats that aren't so great, gather your family around to watch the big game at home. Not only is this a more affordable option, but you'll never miss a great play thanks to the power of replay.

Exercising regularly is important for your health and well-being during pregnancy, and you need to wear clothes that are both comfortable and functional. While skin-tight clothing will help you move easily through that step aerobics class or yoga routine, it might not be the best choice for when you are having a baby. Here are some essential pieces of workout clothing that every mom-to-be needs throughout her term:

Moisture-Wicking Tee: A slightly fitted workout shirt is a great way to cover up the baby bump without adding too many heavy materials to your workout. Look for shirts made with a stretch fabric so that they can accommodate for your baby bump.

Well-Fitting Shoes: A pair of soft-soled shoes that fit you well are essential for working out in during pregnancy, and you may be surprised to learn that you need a half size or full size larger during your second or third trimester. Get your feet fitted for a new pair of workout shoes so that you're not compromising the health of your ankles and knees when working out.

Wide-leg Yoga Pants:
Wide-leg yoga pants will help you move freely and also allow your skin to breathe. Look for styles with a slightly flared cut to elongate your figure. These stylish pants are also great for lounging in on those days when bloating and tenderness rule the day!

Maternity Windbreaker Jacket: If you plan on exercising outdoors, or need to walk or drive to the gym during the cooler months of the year, you'll need to cover up with a lightweight windbreaker. Make sure it's designed for the pregnant mom so you're not adding unnecessary pressure to the baby bump.

Stretch Crop Pants: If you're heading to a fitness class in town, a pair of stretch crop pants made for the mom-to-be can be a flattering addition to your maternity workout wardrobe. Look for crop pants made with a stretch material so that they can accommodate for your baby bump and create the most flattering silhouette. Drawstring pants will last you for several months of pregnancy because they're completely adjustable.

From well-fitting shoes to stretch crop pants, you can put together a great wardrobe that not only suits your style, but also helps you move freely throughout your workout session.

Do you love going to the movies just to get your hands on some of the delicious snacks? So do I. Unfortunately, even if the movie tickets are a decent price, almost all theaters charge an arm and a leg for their snacks. For example, a large soda usually costs $5 or more! You could buy three 2-liters for that price. That's not all though. Popcorn, nachos, and candy all cost a small fortune. Instead of heading to the movies, why not enjoy a membership at an online DVD rental site and *save money in your kitchen making those delicious snacks at home*?

What movie theaters don't want you to know is that many of the snacks you purchase can be bought at your local grocery store for less. You can even find boxes of movie theater candy for around $1 per box. You can also buy a bag of tortilla chips and a bottle of cheese sauce for what one serving of nachos costs at the theater, maybe even for less. In fact, the prices are so much better that you could even afford to make some of those treats gourmet.

Take nachos for example. What does the average theater offer? Usually you get cheese sauce and jalapeno slices and that's it. At home though, you could top your nachos with queso cheese sauce, slices of grilled chicken, and cubes of avocado. You could even get fancy with the whole menu by preparing snacks that match the theme of the movie you're watching that night.

But, let's talk about popcorn. This week, why not kick back with a movie and this delicious treat?

Chocolate Covered Nutty Popcorn
8 cups of plain popped popcorn, cooled
3 ounces of sliced almonds, toasted
3 ounces of sliced pecans, toasted
6 ounces of melted milk chocolate
6 ounce of melted white chocolate

1. Place the popcorn on a nonstick cookie sheet and toss with the nuts.
2. Drizzle each of the melted chocolates over the popcorn and nuts and allow to harden.
3. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Take kids on a colorful tour of history with the use of a boat tour. Many cities have them available, some even free of charge. Even if your city does not have a boat tour, you could check with a neighboring city or state. Boat tours are a great outdoor activity for the summer because it keeps kids learning, but also lets them have fun at the same time. Just don't forget to dress everyone for the weather and include some comfy boat shoes. Here are just a few of the interesting boat tours around the U.S.

Sam Houston Boat Tour - Port of Houston Authority
The Port of Houston is one of the busiest in the world. Take the Sam Houston Boat Tour with your kids so that they can see firsthand what happens along the Houston Ship Channel. Though Houston's ship channel is one of the busiest, this public boat tour remains free of charge. Just be sure to make reservations in advance. A beverage is provided, but be sure the kids have eaten, as no food is allowed. Because customs and security measures are strictly enforced, the kids can get a great lesson in what that entails firsthand.

River Tour Blackstone Valley, RI
Kids can board the Blackstone Valley Explorer in Blackstone Valley, Rhode Island. This one-of-a-kind riverboat will take them on a fun and educational tour of the river. Parents may opt to take the kids on the general tour or to utilize the River Classroom Program. This unique program combines boating with hands-on activities and lessons. Both tours are informative and offer beautiful scenery and fun.

Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY
The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New York offers exploration in education in a variety of ways. Parents will no doubt have the kids first tour the boat museum and participate in hands-on learning. The beautiful St Lawrence River is the perfect setting for such an extensive boat collection. Here kids can not only participate in educational boat tours, but also in a wide variety of activities. Field trips can be customized to fit the needs of each group of kids.

Sources:
http://www.abm.org/
http://www.portofhouston.com/samhou/samhou.html
http://www.rivertourblackstone.com/

Who doesn't love fresh baked goods in the fall? Plus, many people have fond memories of baking cookies with their parents when they were growing up. Wouldn't you like to create those memories with your kids? Then why not spend a family night baking some of your family's favorite goodies? This week, let's look at a few tips for baking with the family.

Keep it simple. This should be a fun family night activity. For that reason, it's best to stick with simple recipes. That way, you have a better chance of the recipe turning out right and everyone feeling successful. If you choose to have a baking night every week, you could gradually add harder recipes as the family feels more and more comfortable with basic baking techniques.

Give everyone a job. Instead of one person doing all the work, split up the jobs and let everyone help out. One person could measure the ingredients. Another person could stir the ingredients together. Someone could roll out cookie dough and someone could get the baking sheets ready. If you're working with small children, just make sure that adults are in charge of any dangerous steps, such as working with the oven.

Choose a theme. If you have several kids each one could pick a recipe that revolves around a certain theme. For example, all the recipes could be apple recipes. Another way to implement themes for smaller families is to create cookies that are all decorated with a certain theme. The theme could be a certain football team, holiday, or even fall in general.

Share the wealth. After all the baked goods are finished, why not go around the neighborhood and share? You could also give some of the baked goods to friends and family. This way, your family gets to enjoy baking without overindulging in sweets.

Family night doesn't have to be the same thing every night. As you can see, there are so many different ways to enjoy a night at home without spending a fortune. Best of all, nights like these give you something to work on and later enjoy.