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.

Listing your home as for sale by owner means that you can save a lot of money. Of course, you should still have an open house to bring interested parties to the home. Listing an ad in your local paper promising free drinks and appetizers is another great way to bring more people to the open house. Unfortunately, paying for catering can be quite expensive. Thankfully, there are ways to save money in your kitchen while preparing for an open house.

The number one thing to remember when preparing food for an open house is to keep it simple. It takes time to get ready for an open house. You have to clean the house, put out the signs, and make sure the home looks its absolute best. If you try to prepare dishes that are time consuming, you’ll have to invest even more time in cleaning.

A great way to save money and time is to prepare store bought cookie dough. Not only is it easy to make, the cleanup is easy as well, if you use aluminum foil. Also, fresh baked cookies give a home an inviting smell, which makes the home more appealing to buyers. You could also choose to bake cinnamon rolls or bread. Just make sure the aroma is one that homebuyers will find inviting.

When it comes to appetizers, the freezer aisle can be your best friend. There are a number of high quality appetizers to choose from and the prices are much more affordable than catering. Just make sure the appetizer is easy to eat and not messy.

Of course, if you want a homemade appetizer, you can’t go wrong with this recipe:

Gorgonzola and Prochuto Pears with Warm Honey Dipping Sauce
20 pears, cut into six wedges each
1 pound of gorgonzola, cut into thin slices
1 pound of prochuto, cut into strips
2 cups of honey
2 tablespoons orange zest

1. Take a slice of pear and a slice of gorgonzola and wrap them in a piece of prochuto.
2. Combine the honey and orange zest and microwave for 1-2 minutes or until hot.
3. Place the dipping sauce in the middle of a large platter surrounded by the pears.

Little kids can be quite picky eaters. They also seem to be drawn to those expensive TV dinners created just for them. The fact that these TV dinners can cost a small fortune isn’t the only reason to stay away from these quick fix meals. A quick look at the nutrition label shows that they are loaded with calories, fat, and sodium. The key is to trick your children by creating fun meals for them and serving them in a fun way. This week, let’s save money in the kitchen, while still making dinnertime fun.

First things first; think about which meals your children love most. This will give you an idea of what recipes to start looking for and how to go about creating a healthy version they will love. For example, if they like macaroni and cheese, use whole wheat pasta and a low-fat or fat-free cheese that melts easily.

Of course, we can’t forget about presentation. One idea that seems to go over really well is lunchroom trays. These trays can easily be found at many department stores for around $2 each. This is a fun presentation because it makes little kids feel grown up. Another plus is that it keeps all the food separated and every parent knows how important that can be.

This really is easy to do. Just start with their favorite meals and make them yourself. You can feel proud serving your children healthy meals and your wallet will love the extra cash you have leftover each week. Of course, what would this blog be without a recipe to get you started?

Healthy Bagel Pizzas
Serves 2

4 mini whole wheat bagels
8 tablespoons organic pizza sauce
½ cup 2% shredded mozzarella cheese
16 slices of turkey pepperoni

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Split the bagels open and top each half with 1 tablespoon sauce, 1 tablespoon cheese, and 2 slices of pepperoni.
3. Bake until the cheese melts, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Serve with vegetables, fruit, and fat-free pudding.

Does your family enjoy Mexican food? If so, you probably head to your favorite Mexican place at least every other week. But, why? Mexican food is easy to prepare at home. Plus, many of the dishes contain the same ingredients, making it easy to prepare four different meals in one night. This week, let’s discuss having taco night at home.

The typical family of four would spend the following on a night at their favorite Mexican restaurant:

Drinks $8
Appetizers $5
Four entrees $32
Dessert $12
Total $57

A meal at home on the other hand is much more affordable!

Nachos
Tortilla chips $3
Cheese sauce $4
Refried beans $1
Sour cream $2
Green onions $1
Salsa $3

Tacos
Tortillas $3
Taco shells $2
93% lean ground beef (1 pound) $5
Taco seasoning $1
Lettuce $2

“Fried” Ice Cream
Caramel swirl or vanilla ice cream (1 pint) $4
Frosted Flakes cereal $4

Drinks
2 liter of soda $2

Total: $37

Note that you can use leftover nacho toppings to top the tacos. You can also save money by purchasing a kit that includes soft tortillas, taco shells, and taco seasoning. A few other ways to save money include buying 80-85% lean ground beef, making your own tortilla chips and taco seasoning, and serving water.

You could change this meal up a thousand different ways and still save money. And remember, when items your family uses on a continuous basis go on sale, stock up! You’ll save even more money at family night when you have some of the items stashed away. And, if you’re wondering how to make “fried” ice cream, here’s a recipe.

“Fried” Ice Cream
1 pint of ice cream, scooped into 4 half cup servings
4 cups of Frosted Flakes, lightly crushed
Caramel or chocolate sauce, optional

1.Shape the ice cream into balls and freeze while dinner is being prepared and served.
2.Roll the ice cream in crushed cereal and top with sauce right before serving.
Rolling the ice cream in the cereal before serving ensures that it stays crunchy and seems more like it just came out of the deep fryer.

When times are tough, families often give up healthy habits in order to save money. There’s no denying the fact that unhealthy foods are less expensive or that gym memberships can put a strain on your wallet . Luckily, there are creative solutions that allow you to continue living a healthy lifestyle, even when you’re on a budget. That’s exactly what this blog is about. Each week, we’ll discuss easy ways to continue living a healthy lifestyle while maintaining a budget. This week, let’s discuss gym memberships.

When living on a budget, even a $60 a month gym membership can seem expensive. That’s money that could be used towards groceries or other more important expenses. On the other hand, a $25 membership doesn’t seem so bad. This is where places like The Y and community colleges come in handy. For unbelievably low prices, you’ll be able to workout without breaking your budget. Best of all, some places even offer daycare services at affordable rates.

If you want to save even more money, look for free options. Many communities have recreational centers and parks that are free to local residents. This means you’ll have access to walking trails, tennis and basketball courts, exercise equipment, and swimming pools. If you live in a community that charges a small fee, consider volunteering your time in exchange for using the services for free.

The simple truth is that a gym membership doesn’t have to cost a small fortune each month. You don’t have to give up this part of your healthy lifestyle in order to pay your monthly bills. Do a quick internet search, or even open the local phone book, and look for less expensive alternatives. I must offer one last bit of advice though. Read the fine print before signing up at expensive gyms offering low upfront prices. As with many other services, you may get trapped in a longer agreement that requires expensive payments down the road.

Now, what are you waiting for? Get back to the gym and your healthy way of living.

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.

Staying fashionable in a recession is not difficult. All you have to do is be a smarter shopper. While there are many different strategies that you can use to keep your wardrobe versatile, fashionable and current, one of the easiest ways is to avoid paying full price for your clothing and accessories whenever possible. Bargain hunting is how you do this, and it can be a lot of fun.

Clearance Sales
You can get the best deals on seasonal items at clearance sales. The biggest clearance sales are usually scheduled near the end of the season when the next season’s collections are stocked by retailers. At these huge clearance sales you can find great deals on everything from outerwear to accessories. However, while these seasonal events get the most press, they are not the only clearance sales you can take advantage of. Many stores have an area in each of their departments where clearance items are displayed. These discrete clearance sales are great for finding deals on everyday items like layering clothing items, accessories and accent pieces.

BOGO Sales
Another great way to find a deal on fashion items is to wait for BOGO sales. BOGO stands for buy one get one. These sales can be buy one, get one free, which basically gives you a 50-percent discount on each of selected items, or they can be a buy one, get one half off, which gives you 25 percent off each item.

Special Item Sales
The third option that you have for saving money while staying fashionable in a recession is to look for your special fashion pieces in item of the week sales. Many retailers, especially online retailers, have a tendency to feature a special item each week. These items are discounted between 25 and 40 percent. These special sales can help you keep your wardrobe in fashion without breaking your budget.

Selecting Your Bargain Items
The key to staying fashionable in a recession is to be smart about your purchases. While buying clothing and accessories at special sales can save you money, buying the wrong items can both kill your budget and keep your wardrobe from looking fresh. The key is to build a basic wardrobe that can transition from year to year seamlessly and then buy key fashion pieces each season at special sales events to give your wardrobe a current look.