School clothes on a tight budget

eBay and Craigslist are well known by now, but they're not the only places to find bargains on back to school clothing. There are a growing number of resale sites offering gently used clothes and many other items.

MyKidsCloset.com is a place to buy and sell kids and infant items. If you can't find what you're looking for, you can make a Wish List to be emailed when the item(s) are available.

If you're searching for name brand clothing at discount prices Once Worn... Not for Long could be just what you need. They carry brands including Gymboree, Children's Place, Guess, and more. The site also features Usborne books, toys, and gifts.

Cheap Kids Clothes boasts over 5000 items in categories including clothing, shoes, books, videos, and holiday. In addition to gently used they also carry new products at well below retail prices.

Taking the time to do some comparison shopping can definitely ease some strain on your back to school budget.

Home Decor - Ceiling Fans

You wouldn't normally think about buying fans at the end of summer, but with the stifling heat coming to an end soon you can think about beauty as well as function, and find some good deals too. Ceiling fans from Farrey's are a great way to complement your home decor while helping to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

For energy efficiency and durability browse the new Craftmade fans in contemporary, traditional, and specialty styles. Or enjoy sleek design and get free shipping in the continental US with Minka Aire ceiling fans. With thousands of products from several well known manufacturers you're sure to find your unique style.

Replace old ceiling fans or add a new one to your home for year-round comfort and beauty.

Free E-Cards!

Don't let Mother's Day, or any other occasion, catch you unaware. Send free e-cards and help save rainforests at the same time by using Care2. You have the option when to send the card, so you know it will be on time.

There are many engaging cards to choose from, including interactive flash and animated images. Categories include standard birthdays and holidays as well as unusual ones such as No Housework Day, Toothache Day, and Panic Day.

So save some money on stamps and take the time to pick out a great Mother's Day e-card at Care2!

Easy Budget Mother's Day Craft

Celebrate Mother's Day with a handmade picture frame. They're quick and easy to make, plus you probably have everything you need already.

Materials

• Picture frame or cardboard or poster board


• Decorative wrapping or origami paper or fabric scraps


• Scissors


• Craft glue


• Photograph


• Optional - Paint


• Optional - Magnet

Instructions
If using cardboard or poster board, use the photograph as a size guide to cut out the frame and a back. If you already have a picture frame, skip this step.

Place the decorative paper or fabric right-side down on your work surface. Put the cardboard pieces or the frame on your material lightly trace around it. If you want to make a collage or don't have large enough pieces of material, you can cut up your material into fun shapes and use paint to cover the other areas of the frame.

Cut out the patterns you just traced. Turn your material right side up and glue them to the cardboard, spreading the glue evenly so there aren't any bumps. Let dry and apply paint if you choose.

Line up your cardboard and backing and position the photograph. Glue it to the backing. If you already had a picture frame, insert the photograph.

Optional - Glue a magnet to the back of the frame

This craft can be done by all ages, even adults. Your mother would appreciate the whimsy of a handmade picture frame from her grown children.

Romantic getaways done cheap

Have you dreamed about a romantic trip to an exciting European location? It isn't as far out of reach as it appears with planning and budgeting. Countries such as Spain and Italy offer many opportunities to create memorable experiences.

Experience the worldly pleasures of Milan, Italy, with its fascinating shops and tempting restaurants. View the Duomo Cathedral, topped by the Maddonnina. The Muso Poldi-Pezzoli is filled with gorgeous home decor items, jewelry, and more. Feast on provincial cuisine such as saffron-scented risotto and pannettone at various restaurants in the city center. Find a great cheap place to stay with Cheaper than hotels - Milan.

 

Navigate the canals of Venice and savor the breathtaking sights of the Piazza San Marco. Spend a day island-hopping to Murano, Burano and Torcello. Shop for classic Murano glass items or exquisite Carnivale masks and enjoy a wide variety of wonderful seafood. Use Cheaper than hotels - Venice to book a base for your adventures that fits your budget.

 

If your perfect romantic trip involves art and architecture, Barcelona, Spain would be ideal. Stroll through the heart of the town to see segments of the Roman wall and La Catedral. Enjoy the myriad examples of Gaudí's work, such as the Palau Güell, Casa Batlló, and La Pedrera. Take a break in the El Born area, filled with restaurants offering many different delicious foods. Cheaper than hotels - Barcelona can help you find a place well within your spending limit.

Let the character of Madrid, Spain charm you with its heady sights and sounds. Visit the extraordinary art museum Museo del Prado and enjoy the stately architecture of buildings such as the Plaza de Cibeles. Indulge your sweet tooth at the Chocolatería de San Ginés. Book your room with Cheaper than hotels - Madrid to save.

 

Using Cheaper than hotels to book accommodations can help you find your ideal balance between comfort and cost. Picture yourself enjoying a romantic getaway in Italy or Spain and make it a reality!

Budget Tip - Paying Yourself

Trying to save money by putting a little aside at the end of the month generally doesn't work, because by then it's all spent. You can change that by paying yourself before you take care of other things. Even if it's only $10-20 a month at first, taking a little out of each paycheck at the beginning to set aside can start building up. It might mean having to bring a lunch from home a coupe of times or some other small sacrifice, especially toward the end of the month, but it will be manageable when you see you're actually saving some money finally.

Garage Sale Tips

Spring cleaning will probably involve getting rid of a lot of things you no longer need or want. If you're thinking about having a garage sale to remove as much of it as you can, remember the following tips:

Advertising
In addition to making lots of signs consider posting an ad on places like Craigslist and your local newspaper(s), both online and print. The more exposure the better.

Pricing
People are looking for bargains. They don't care how much you paid for it, or that it's brand new still in the box. Don't expect to get at least half or more that you originally spent, or you'll probably be sticking it back wherever you'd been storing it. Price your stuff low, after all, the whole point is to get it out of your house.

Unsold Items
If you still have things after the sale you really don't want anymore, look into posting them on Craigslist or Freecycle.

Good luck!

No more pizza delivery

Cut corners by making your own pizza instead of ordering. You don't have to buy a pre-made pizza shell, try one of the following recipes to make your own custom pizzas in a variety of ways. You might even discover a new favorite.

Tortilla Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 package of flour tortillas, any size


• 1 can or jar pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce, any flavor


• 1 8oz pkg shredded mozzarella cheese


• Optional - pepperoni slices, black olives, small can of drained mushrooms, chopped onion, diced ham, small pineapple chunks

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°F.
Line a baking pan or baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Arrange tortillas in baking pan and spread sauce on each thinly.
Sprinkle each tortilla with mozzarella cheese and add any optional toppings.
Bake for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Yield: ? servings
Prep Time: About 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5-10 minutes


Taco Cornbread Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. corn muffin mix


• 1 lb. ground beef


• 1 pkg. Taco seasoning mix


• 1 8 oz. pkg. shredded cheese, divided (Cheddar or Mexican blend)


• Optional - lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Spray a 12" pizza pan with cooking spray and set aside. Prepare the corn muffin mix as directed on package. Spread batter into the pan. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes, or until lightly brown.
Brown meat and drain. Add the seasoning mix as directed on package.
Sprinkle 1 cup cheese over baked crust. Top with taco meat, and then the remaining cheese.
Bake for 4 - 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Optional - top with taco favorites such as lettuce and tomato. Try using sour cream and salsa as dipping sauces.

Yield: About 4-5 servings
Prep Time: About 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes


English Muffin Pizza

Ingredients

• 6 English muffins, split in half


• 14 ounces pizza sauce, any kind


• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese


• Optional - pepperoni slices, mushrooms, black olives, chopped onion

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Line a baking pan or baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Arrange muffin halves in baking pan and spread 2 to 3 tablespoons pizza sauce on each.
Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and add any optional toppings.
Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

You can also use bagels instead of English muffins.

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: About 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes


Pizza on a Hamburger Bun

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef


• 1 jar or can pizza or spaghetti sauce, any flavor


• 1 pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese


• 1 pkg. 8 count hamburger buns


• Optional - mushrooms, black olives, chopped onion

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Separate buns and place halves on baking pan. Heat buns for 5 minutes.
Brown ground beef and drain. Add pizza sauce to the ground beef.
Spoon the ground beef mixture onto the bun halves and top with mozzarella cheese.
Add any optional toppings.
Bake for 10 minute or until cheese is melted.


Yield: 16 pizza burgers
Prep Time: About 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Family adventures on a budget

If the warmer weather is inspiring you to get outside but your budget isn't allowing theme park trips, get creative and make your own adventures. Don't just drag your kids along a nature trail in the park, take the camera and search for exotic animals on a safari. Take a picnic with you and add an extra bag for collecting plants and flowers (if allowed) to press at home for lasting memories. Or go out at night to star gaze and imagine you're on a distant island, rather than just stepping out into your own front yard to look up at the sky. You'll probably have a better view in a park anyway.

Flavor Your Coffee

Following the coffee post, it occurred to me that making your own flavored coffee is another way to save some money. So I've compiled some recipes for mixes to premix, shake well, and store.

Mocha Mix

• 1 1/3 cups sugar


• 1 cup non-dairy creamer


• 2/3 cup instant coffee


• ¼ cup nonfat dry milk


• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

Cinnamon Spice Mix

• 1 1/3 cups sugar


• 2/3 cup instant coffee


• ½ teaspoon cinnamon


• ½ teaspoon nutmeg


• ½ teaspoon allspice

Vanilla Mix

• 3/4 cup sugar


• 3/4 cup non-dairy coffee creamer


• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Amaretto Mix

• 3/4 cup sugar


• 3/4 cup non-dairy coffee creamer


• 1 teaspoon almond extract


• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Add a teaspoon or so to taste in your coffee for an inexpensive alternative to store bought brands. Enjoy!