Weekend Wind-Down: Halloween

After a very long week dealing with everything that is spooky about Halloween, we have finally reached the end of the week!  I hope some of the ideas that have come up this week will help in the next couple before we hit a Halloween that is finally on a Saturday!  That’s right, everyone!  You don’t have to worry about getting up in the morning!

But before you go off and get too crazy, check out some of these websites I found that were really great for Halloween.  There are hundreds of blogs and websites out there based completely on this holiday.  I couldn’t wade through all of these, but I’ve found quite a few that are very interesting and the most helpful.
 
These particular sites are really great in my opinion.  They might even help you throw that party you want, or come up with a fantastic costume idea if you’re going to one.  If you agree or disagree, just let me know!  I want to find sites in the future that are actually what you want to read!

• 1.    Candy Alternatives – Candy is obviously the most popular item to give away to those cute kiddies on Halloween… but what if you really don’t want to support the sugar rush?  If you’re too conservative and give something like apples and granola bars, trust me when I say those trick or treaters do not want them.  They might not come back next year.  This link is a fantastic website that gives some very inexpensive alternatives to giving candy.  Check it out.

• 2.    Haunted Houses – If you’re one of those people that really go crazy with decorations and want to create one of your own haunted houses, this website has some great ideas and lots of pictures.  However, I caution you.  This site is not about saving money when it comes to those decorations.  Use this for some awesome ideas… but please be creative in their actual implementation.

• 3.    Dirty Dancing – In honor of Mr. Patrick Swayze, who died last month, I can guarantee that there are going to be a lot of couples dressing up as Baby and Johnny Castle from Dirty Dancing.  This blog post has some ideas for making these costumes on the cheap and having them actually be recognizable.  RIP Patrick, you are a legend.  And Happy Halloween.

• 4.    Pre-Gaming – Yes, I know this term is normally used for a completely different purpose.  But no.  This is not about that.  This is a link to many different free online games that deal with a Halloween theme.  It’s to help you get into the mood for this holiday.  Have a good time!

Check out those sites!  They really are fantastic!  Anyway, I hope you all have a fantastic, relaxing weekend and that you have found some awesome ideas for this Halloween!  Come back tomorrow for some DIY Costumes.

Weekend Wind-Down: Hidden Fees

It’s finally Friday!  Congratulations on making it through another week!  I hope you are able to relax a lot more this weekend.

Today is the Hidden Fees version of the Weekend Wind-Down… and I am not happy.  I’ve probably spent way too much time hunting down articles and blog posts on this subject than any of the other themes.  I have found 4 for you to look at, but I really need your help.

Do you know of any good blogs or sites that deal with these issues?  Please tell me.  I need to know.

Well since you cannot tell me before I post the ones I have actually found, here they are:

• 1. Finance Ideas: I had really high hopes for this blog.  An entire blog about our theme!  But… when the author says advice, to me at least, it just seemed like common sense.  There was nothing new.  I hoped maybe you would find it more helpful than I did…

• 2. Letter Lover: This blogger normally is lighthearted, but she is very serious in this post about ATM fees.  It reads a little like a rant, which is not my favorite thing in the world, but she gives some really good ideas for people that have the option to switch to another bank because of those types of fees.  Check it out.  You might learn something.

• 3. Consumer Reports:  This was by far the best article I found this week.  It does not directly relate to hidden fees and scams, but it is very valid to the conversation.  Have you ever been in a place where “Free WiFi” is available?  This article lists some of the problems and viruses that can come with that claim.  Be very careful because viruses can be a hidden cost later on, long after you’ve left the hot spot.

• 4. Bob Bly: Bob Bly writes copy.  Pretty much that means he writes for marketing purposes.  “But that’s not all, if you buy in the next 20 minutes” type stuff.  Well, this blog post talks about the use of the word “Free” in the subject line of an email.  There are very interesting results…
  

I hope you all enjoyed the adventures of M— Man because I can tell you that he’s feeling a lot better now that many of his problems have been solved.  The Flying Dollar has officially been grounded and its pilot’s license revoked.  Thank you for your help in solving this mysterious dilemma.

PS – I’m also sorry that this week was so serious.  I promise next week will be more entertaining (and still very helpful)!

Weekend Wind-Down: Everyday Purchases

It’s finally Friday! I hope you have had a good week and are ready to have a wonderful weekend! I hope it is relaxing for all of you.

Without any more ado, here is the Weekend Wind-Down, Everyday Purchases edition! Each one of these links takes you to one of articles that I found to be the most interesting or helpful to fit with this week’s theme! If you get the chance, please go visit them and enjoy someone else’s writing!

• 1. Weakonomics – The Weakonomist has put a great, fresh perspective on the concept of saving money by cutting down on drinks, like coffee. Not everyone has an undeniable addiction. Some people may only buy something from them once a month. How much does coffee cost people like that? Read this and find out, from a witty, opinionated writer.

• 2. Pets Best – The start of this entry is extraordinarily disheartening for pet owners. 80% of new pets in shelters and pounds were given up because of job loss or other economic reasons. The article has 8 ways to cut back costs of pet care. They are well thought out, and although one of them deals in coupons, which is not my personal goal, they are all worth reading.

• 3. Adobe – This blog entry by Scene7 highlights the part of brand loyalty in the realm that I never touched – the internet. He explains how much easier it for consumers not to have brand loyalty while shopping online. It’s a different perspective (since it is told from the perspective of someone inside a corporation) and really interesting to read.

• 4. 24/7 Mom - Did you know that mosquito bites will stop itching after you put a small dab of toothpaste on the bite? Trisha @ 24/7 Moms does. She also has creative ways to use salt, newspaper, dryer sheets, and random other things that can be lying around the house. You know the 3 R’s. No, not Reading, Riting, and Rithmetic (although as a future teacher those are important), but Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

Come back tomorrow to see some great craft ideas made from material that I 100% guarantee is in every single person’s home! Have a wonderful weekend!

Weekend Wind-Down: Organization

Welcome to the first edition of the Weekend Wind-Down!  Every Friday, in order to welcome the weekend into our lives, I am going to post the top blog posts or articles that I read that week on the theme.  I promised to do all the internet and newspaper surfing for you, so this is where you hold me to it!

Friday is, for most in this country,
a day with mixed emotion.
The morning moves too slowly for comfort.
The weekend just a notion.

The afternoon "becomes" quite soon
and you feel the thrill of home time.
Until that Saturday morning feeling
you're free to waste your own time.
     -- Kendo Monkey

So without any ado, here are the top blogs and articles for the week of 9/14 - 9/18, all of them dealing with organization!

1. Organising Queen: Marcia is a new mother whose passion is about organizing.  She posts about every other day with a new idea on how to organize for the business or home (she also has a free ezine, if you're interested).  This entry is about organizing the refrigerator.  I chose this one because it is my personal downfall - I can never figure out a way to set up the fridge so I know what's in there...
2. Neat and Simple Living: Ariane is really good at what she does.  She has an entire blog dedicated to helping those she calls "hoarders."  I personally have always just said "pack rat" but hers seems little more polite ;-)
3. Get Organized Tips: Carmen has a new idea every couple days on how to get organized.  I purposefully did not choose a single post for this Weekend Wind-Down because she has a 2-part post about organizing the junk drawer, which seems to be my overarching motif and metaphor for organization!
   

Tomorrow, I am going to start another weekly special!  It's Do-It-Yourself Saturday!  Come back to find some easy crafts made from recycled materials or items you can find for next to nothing.  These can be given as gifts for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, or just to yourself for being to thrifty!

If I get more initiative (or just more confidence in my crafting abilities), I'll even put up some photos of my own process in making them!  However, if you want easy crafts right now, with how-tos and advice, check out my friend Kaylen's blog.  She is also a college student, so she has to work within her budget, so don't be afraid of really expensive supplies!