Search Results for: blog entertaining on a budget

Entertaining Your Little Ones

When you have little ones running around it can be hard to entertain them day in and day out. Their little attention spans require a wide range of activities to keep them busy and as a single mom running from one thing to the other all day it can be hard to think of simple things to keep them from getting bored during the day. I’m not sure what people did before the internet, but lucky for you, there are a ton of fun ideas to do with your kids, especially during the winter months when you can’t send them … Continue reading →

Summer Entertaining on the Cheap

Save money when you use the following strategies for summer entertaining on the cheap. Keep the Food Simple Food and drinks are one of the biggest expenses when it comes to summer entertaining. You can reduce this expense in several ways, most notably by keeping everything simple. Do summer favorites, such as hot dogs and burgers with some salad and pasta or pasta salad to round things out. Desert can be inexpensive, too, from freezer pops for the kids to fresh cut watermelon. Reduce the Meat Kabobs on the grill are great because they reduce the amount of expensive meat … Continue reading →

Grilling on a Budget

With Memorial Day on its way and summer not far behind, you may be thinking about dusting off that grill and getting the party started. Here is how to spend less on grilling this season. Skip the Paper Products If you will be entertaining more than once, skip the paper products and invest in some pretty plastic pieces that can be reused. This will make a lot of financial sense. If you score thrift stores and clearance racks, you’ll probably wind up spending less than the paper products even for just one use! Go Light on the Meat Make sure … Continue reading →

Summer Entertaining: Loving the Luau

If I have to see Party City’s TV commercial for cheap luau gear one.more.time… If you’ve been living under a rock, news flash: Party City is having a massive sale on everything you need to throw a backyard summer luau, save for the poi, lomi salmon and Kalua pig. I was born and raised in Hawaii, as such I’ve attended more than a few authentic Hawaiian luaus. They’ve all been memorable parties and I certainly see why people living outside of the 50th state would want to recreate the festivities. Unfortunately, unless you have a large budget and can ship … Continue reading →

Budget-Friendly Commencement Ideas

Who says you have to drain your bank account to celebrate your child’s graduation? Even penny-pinching parents can honor their son or daughter’s academic success in style. The key is to think frugally and creatively. For example, while you may not be able to serve up a five-course meal for 200 at a fancy restaurant, there are ways you can feed all of your graduate’s friends if you budget carefully. One way is to select a themed buffet. Mexican food makes for a great buffet option and you can spice up the meal by offering fun options such as a … Continue reading →

Designing a Per Diem Expense Budget

As a small business owner, you may find yourself spending most of your time “doing the business” instead of planning and preparing. In fact, most people I know who start their own home businesses have learned how to plan and budget as they went along, picking up business skills and organizational details “on the job” so to speak. You may find that in addition to your overall budgets and bookkeeping that you need to learn how to design a per diem expense budget. If you travel to conferences or workshops, or find yourself traveling at all in the line of … Continue reading →

Cold Outside? Stay Inside – A Fun, Frugal Idea for Entertaining Your Kids

The brisk cold winter days have approached. In fact, some states have already had their first dump of the white flaky stuff. Which would be great, because children love to play in the snow. However, not all of us are lucky enough to get the great snowfall this early, so children tend to avoid being outside in the bitter cold. So what do you do with them? Sure, you can take them to movies, the arcade, bowling, skating, etc. But all of that costs money. How do you entertain children inside all winter long on a budget? It’s not as … Continue reading →

Have a Kickin’ Kindergarten Graduation Party

They may be little, but graduation day is still a big deal for kindergarteners.  Young kids love to celebrate and while mastering the ABCs and 123s may not compare to earning a college degree, it warrants some type of ceremony. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank honoring your little graduate.  Rather, keep the shindig simple by selecting a theme that yields itself to inexpensive fun.  For example: Books:  Ask your child’s teacher what books the kids read in class during the course of the academic year.  Then, select a few titles and incorporate them into the theme.  You … Continue reading →

Affordable DIY Grad Day Decorations

Pinching pennies is no fun; however, finding ways to create memorable graduation day decorations without breaking the bank is sure to bring a smile to your face. Instead of getting despondent about not being able to afford expensive embellishments for your graduate’s party, consider buying budget items and jazzing them up at home.  For example, rather than splurging on pricey banners from the store, make your own at home using your laptop and printer.  You can personalize the look by choosing a fun font and some festive images that will enhance the commencement theme. Another way to save on party … Continue reading →

Party Like It’s 1999

Throw a fabulous New Year’s Eve party blow out for same cost you might have paid 13 years ago. If you want to leave your old budget back in 2012 and have a fresh start in 2013, don’t blow it first thing on an expensive New Year’s Eve bash. Instead, party like a millionaire  even if you are still wearing the 90s grunge look. Recycle Christmas Decorations Most Christmas or Chanukah decorations that are in silver or gold will work well for a New Year’s Eve bash. Work with the decorations that you already have, such as placing silver ball … Continue reading →