How to save money for Thanksgiving!!!!

In america during holiday season families waste approximately 25% or more of all food prepared. 

Norman Rockwell's painting "freedom from want" looks picture perfect to the type of ideal thanksgiving dinner most of us know. Those faces of anticipation around the Thanksgiving table have probably permeated all of our ideas of the holiday. Norman Rockwell's idea of Thanksgiving involves turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, and green beans, however it does not mean that you have to be obligated to any of these dishes especially if these dishes have gone uneaten previously. Consider scaling back to save money, time, effort, and waste. Here are some helpful tips to help you save money.

Tip 1 

Consider using smaller plates. Many people tend to take more food and become wasteful when using larger plates. By using smaller plates people are more likely to finish all of there food. 

Tip 2

Buy seasonal and off brand items. Food cost have risen drastically over the years so consider going to the nearest farmers market to stock up on seasonal products for your feast. Purchase off brand products which taste just as good if not better than your name brand products. Guys its only the nae your paying more for.

Tip 3

It's so easy to decorate during fall season use what you have on hand. With Thanksgiving being in the fall season you can find a lot of decorations right in your backyard. 

How to get donations on special events, or advertisers for projects

You can get money to help fund your project, whether it is a special event, magazine, or anything in between. How? Well its simple. Special events can assuredly generate revenues especially if it is well planned. If you are repeating a past event, you are in a better position to know how to reduce your costs as well as predict your net income.Special events  provides an opportunity to invite new people and thus broaden your constituency. No other form of fundraising can bring so much pleasure to both the organizers and the participants. Special events can be both rewarding and fun. Special events signal to the public at large the numerical strength of your constituency and the resulting leverage that you can bring to bear on any issue your group might decide to tackle. Successful events become traditions in their own right, drawing old and new participants each year. Focus on small to mid sized companies locally and understand the information that is readily available online. It's not hard at all, just take your time and put in effort and you can actually develop some superior relationships that work. 

1) Research and make a list of companies that can coincide with what you have in mind for your project and appeals to your values. 

2) Make contact, with technology being so advanced these days many think it is easier to send emails or mail. It is best to start off by making a personal connection lie a phone call or a meeting. This is how you convince them your awesome. When they ask "Do you have anything we can look at"? You of course should reply, "Yes" then give them your pitch. This works especially if you have a clearly mutual benefit. Your not selling here your simply making a connection that benefits everyone.

3) Have a specific request ready. When requesting donations it is best to have a nicely crafted template for the type of donation you are requesting.If you are requesting food talk a little about what the food is for and who will benefit.

 Offer an opportunity that promotes their business at your event. Ask if they have flyers or some sort of marketing material about their business they would like displayed at your event. Follow up with an email. Because mainly business owners are busy, email and phone calls are usually a good way to follow up from your in person meeting. 

4) Make your appreciation known. Even if you do receive a donation send a thank you card that includes a photo from your event. This encourages them to donate again in the future. 

Saving Money on Halloween Costumes

Halloween is now less than 4 weeks away, however you can still decide on a perfect costume for you and your little one(s). It's always a good idea to start early to avoid the late crowd that occurs late in October. Consider these 3 strategies to avoid spending a whole lot of money on a costume.

1) Look at what you already have on hand. Is your child in sports? If so he or she could use their uniforms for a costume. A child who plays soccer, football, or basketball could go as a soccer player, basketball player, or football player.              
    If your child is in dance, or cheerleading you can use these also

2) Check craigslist, yard sales, and thrift stores. There are already a bunch of costumes up for sale on craigslist. Start searching now and don't forget you can negotiate the price with the seller. 

Yard sales and thrift stores often have alot of costumes that are in great shape and have only been used maybe one time.

3) Buy clothing with a Halloween costume in mind. If you are planning on purchasing your children certain clothing items such as a raincoat. Consider buying one that looks similar to what the child desires to be such as a Spongebob rain coat or fireman.

Also children's pajamas can double up as a costume. 

Saving money on decorations during holiday season

With the holidays vastly approaching the best way to save money and also the easiest way to save money on decorations is to decide you will not be spending money on decorations.

But you ask "Why not?" and "How will this work for me?" I understand we all want our homes/parties to look festive during the holidays for our guests, so you ask, "What do we do then?". 
Turn on the fireplace, make some hot chocolate, throw some holiday music on and roll up your sleeves cause I have 10 ways to keep that holiday cheer for less than you expected.

1)Plain and simple use what you have
Think about it do you really have to bring more stuff into your home? Go to your storage room and make an inventory of all you have. After all you maybe pretty surprised by all the stuff you already own. Think about how you decorated in previous years and change up your ideas you can mix and match as much as you need to after all how did you make it in previous years?

2)Use as minimum as possible for a chic style. Sometimes you don't have to over do the decorations especially if your dealing with financial issues so there is absolutely no way you should feel bad.

3) Use nature to help you this year! Go outside and gather up sticks and pine cones or whatever you desire and spray paint them. This make for a cheaper way of decorating.

4) Make your own garland. This you can do using cranberries and popcorn. Make sure the popcorn is a day old because fresh popcorn breaks easily.

5) Bake and decorate a gingerbread house. This is fun for the whole family and is also delicious. This also requires some time and planning. This helps teach children the value of time and preparation. 

6) Sew your own stockings. This is very fun and crafty. Your kids will absolutely enjoy this also. You can get about any kind of fabric you already own or even old clothing and use. However, felt is the easiest to use because it cuts very easily. You tube has several ways they can show you how to create your own stocking. 

7) Cut out snowflakes using paper. This is also very fun and exciting for kids. Many kids love to cut up paper anyhow so why not let them create snowflakes with you. You can hang the snowflakes virtually anywhere you desire to create a festive look in your home. 

8) Use old holiday cards for decorations. You can line up your mantle, bookshelves,stairs, or tables. Punch holes in the cards also and string them up along your doorway or etc. like a banner. This is very easy and very cheap especially if you kept cards from previous years. 

9) Set a budget if you simply must shop. If you must shop decide what you plan to buy and what is your limit before you step foot inside a store. Go to the store with a set dollar amount you are going to spend and do not go over your budget.

10) Shop at discount stores. Check out your dollar stores such as dollar tree for holiday decor. You will be pretty surprised at what you can buy for a buck. Also check out yard sales and flea markets too. Many times people get rid of perfectly good holiday decor because they simply want new items. Hey they say one man's trash is another man's treasure. So go treasure hunting!

Saving Money on Conferences

Conferences can become very expensive. Let’s face it, the economy is suffering and not everyone has the money these days to attend. Budgets are being scaled back and often conferences and events are the first thing to get the boot. Many companies choose not to have Holiday parties anymore because its just not very economical anymore.

However, conferences are extremely important for networking. Networking events can be economical in the since and can be very fun. What should you do if your company and or you  just do not have the budget to attend conferences? Here are a few tips to help you save money and still attend:

1. Research places and discounts where you can find deals

Typically conference organizers offer discount codes so you can gain access at a more affordable rate. It benefits both parties: you gain entrance into the conference and the conference organizers gain a super fan. It’s a win win. 

2. If you have a blog show your blogger or press credentials 

If you have a blog or press credentials, this is a great way to attend a conference and save money. The organizers, attendees, and vendors are all looking for exposure most definitely. This is something that you can give and that is  a publicity to them. Don’t sell yourself or your blog short: your small to medium dedicated, niche readership can be just as valuable as a larger blog’s audience.

3. Speak at the conference

Similar to blogs, conferences are hungry for content. So offer your services to speak at the conference. Who knows, you might even get paid. This will also be beneficial for attending and speaking at future conferences.

4. Attend local conferences or just the big ones

You might have noticed, but the economy isn’t doing so hot right now, so why not stay local and attend a conference nearby? I’ve found that the hardest part of organizing meetings at a conference is simply finding the right place to meet; if the venue is local, it takes all the guess work out of your planning.

5. Volunteer to work at the conference for free

Treat it like a job application or that volunteering you did back in high school or for the community. You may have to move a few tables, serve a few people, vacuum some floors, or even pick up some trash, but it will definitely be worth it in the end. As a volunteer you’ll have the same opportunities to network as everyone else.

How to save money when purchasing party supplies

       How to save money when purchasing party supplies

It can get extremely stressful and even super expensive when planning a party. After all, you need to plan the menu, buy decorations you will use on the venue, choose party favors, and attend to a lot of other details for the party. This is the reason one should attend to all the party details and preparations several weeks in advance. Buying party supplies several weeks in advance means you get to buy everything you need while minimizing expenses since you do not have to make last minute shopping trips.

 If you do not have much of a budget, you should keep a few things in mind to save money. 

First thing you should do is to set a budget for the party you are organizing. Setting a budget helps you decide on what theme to go with for the party and what decorations you will purchase. This will help you find all the supplies you need for the party without spending a lot of money. Carefully choosing a supplier to buy from is another way you can save money.

Dollar tree and Dollar general are good places to start if your budget is the bare minimum. These places carry a lot of party supplies for only $1. If you don't see some of the items you are looking to purchase at these stores I suggest going to Party City or even online and bid on items on sites such as EBay or even Craigslist. Craigslist is a useful tool because sometimes a lot of people are giving away items for free. 

Oriental Trading is by far my favorite online website to purchase items from. They are very inexpensive and you can do a lot of personalizing of products. Keep in mind keeping on budget will help you guarantee the success of your event. 

How to Save Money on Music for your Wedding or Event

       How to Save Money on Music for your Wedding or Event

 

•  Decide if you want a live band, a DJ, a small ensemble or soloist.  As you know a live band will cost the most because of the number of musicians and the equipment they need to bring and the cost isn't cheap for them. Determining the style of music you want will determine the type of musicians you hire. If you want classical music, a woodwind quintet, string trio or soloist will do fine. If you want jazz, you probably want a quartet. If you want rock, urban hip hop, or R&B a live band or DJ is your best option.

• Call local music schools and conservatories if you decided on a classical or jazz ensemble or soloist. Ask if their musicians play at outside functions. The school may put you in touch directly with students or may facilitate the request for you. When negotiating fees, be aware that musicians usually charge a standard "first hour" rate per musician and then reduce that hourly rate for subsequent hours.
• Make a list of the songs you want played. You can find wedding music by looking online or asking the musicians you plan to hire. Have a clear plan of when you want music played, such as before the ceremony, the processional, the recessional and during the reception. (courteousy of Ehow.com)

•  Interview DJ's and ask to attend an event they're working to get a sense of their personalities. Since you're paying the DJ, you should be able to look through his/her song selection and make a list of songs you want played. He or she shouldn't dictate what songs to play unless you ask them to select for you.
•  Hear a live band play at a function so you have an idea of quality. Some bands have little or no experience playing at weddings, so try to pick a band that has experience. Ask to see a copy of their playlist and select songs appropriate for the reception.

                               How to Really Save Money!!!!!!!!

Ask a Friend or Family Member to PerformYou probably know at least one person who is musically inclined. Most friends or family would be honored to sing or play an instrument at your ceremony. The added bonus of having a truly personal performance at your ceremony will mean something to them, and you.

Download Your Own MusicNo one knows your taste in music better than you do (maybe with the exception of your future spouse). So why not provide your own music for your wedding? You can have any song or any style you desire. You can either have the music played straight from a playlist on your MP3 player, or designate someone to take requests and manage the music. All you will need to do is rent the proper equipment.

Hire Someone New to the BusinessIf you do not feel comfortable hiring a non-professional to be in charge of your reception music, consider hiring someone new to the DJ business. The more well-established someone is in the profession, the more they will charge. Just make sure you are not the new DJ’s very first wedding, and get at least one recommendation.
Check Craigslist or different ads that people may advertise on and don't forget to negotiate!!!!!!!

Why do most people spend so much money on weddings only to get divorced later?

Back in the day weddings consisted of mainly of a celebration of friends and family; who helped the bride and groom. Family and friends helped the brides and grooms by sewing outfits, preparing the food for the reception, and helping by setting up the location of the event. Typically, a lot of brides chose to wear something that they had in their closet; mainly it was not white and worn again after they took their vows.  The purpose of a wedding has changed drastically; now it is all about a showcase for their guests. The concepts of a marriage use to be about a communal celebration that was for the creation of a new household; now it seems like everyone is trying to have an elaborate event that people can talk about for generations to come. The wedding industry has seemed to take over as a consumer rites business. It no longer celebrates a family coming together as one; it is now a business that proves to create a large amount of revenue off of its consumers. Spending $16,000 on a 2010 wedding reception is likely to be around average, Wedding Expo producer Brad Buckles said. And that is just the reception. (Kris Sherman The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash. “Brides-to-be in search of economical elegance. “McClatchy-Tribune Buinsess News. 03 Jan.2010) People need to get back into old school celebrations and be more wise about their spending when it comes to having a wedding. It does not have to be so costly when it comes to having a wedding especially when there are alternatives to getting what they need at a fraction of the cost.

        Spending $16,000 on just a reception is not a good way to start out a marriage during tough economic times like today.  The wedding industry has vastly shaped our way of thinking about a typical wedding. It promoted the commercialization of new traditions such as wedding rings, bridal salons, and gift registries. The industry have even introduced bridal shows in which it costs money to attend for chances of winning prizes that they could use towards the weddings of brides and grooms.  

       The media and the public can be obsessed with celebrity lifestyles, marriages, and divorces. Many big extravegant marriages are likely to lead to divorce. Take Kim Kardashians 72 day marriage, the estimated cost of her wedding was to exceed 10 million dollars. 138,888 dollars per day was the estimated cost of this marriage. This is the very reason why I want to help people money. With the divorce rate being so high its a shame some of these so called celebritity/artists spend all these millions of dollars on a wedding only to end up divorcing months or years later. To me that was a waste of money especially when there are starving and homeless people in the world who could've benefited with some sort of donation.

The Miami Dolphins wide receiver married Basketball Wives star Evelyn Lozada in an evening ceremony on the Caribbean island of St. Martin on Wednesday July 4,2012, and no detail went undocumented and I am sure no costs were spared.

It's been one heck of a week for Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson -- and it's not going to get better any time soon, -- as RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned that despite the NFL star's desperation to win back his estranged wife, she will not be returning for a second round.

Radar online previously reported that Chad Johnson's personal issues started last weekend after he was arrested and booked on charges of domestic violence.Within 24-hours the Dancing with the Stars alum was dropped by his football team, The Miami Dolphins, then had his reality show, Ev & Ocho canceled by VH1, then had his alleged mistress spill details of an illicit affair that she claims went on up until weeks before his marriage and finally, had his wife of 41 days, Evelyn Lozada files for divorce. Wow what a heak of a week for Chad Johnson. 41 DAYS OF MARRIAGE GUYS WAKE UP!!!

This is the point I am making. Why spend all this money for just a show for the world to see if you are not truly in love with someone and desperately want to spend the rest of your life with that person. It just doesn't make sense.

The lavish formal wedding emerged as a cultural ideal by the 1950s in part because it embodied Cold

 War liberal values-the post war belief that democracy and capitalism were intertwined and that

communism, which threatened both, needed to be countered with government spending and force, if

necessary.

       The cost of a wedding often times stem from the traditional ways of the wedding; wedding

ceremonies, the dress, the ring, the wedding cake, and the wedding veil all have significant parts of

traditions from around the world. The wedding is one of life's primeval and surprisingly unchanged

rites of passage. Nearly all of the customs we observe today are merely echoes of the past. Everything

from the veil, rice, flowers, and old shoes, to the bridesmaids and processionals, at one time, bore a

very specific and vitally significant meaning. Today, although the original substance is often lost, we

incorporate old world customs into our weddings because they are traditional and ritualistic.

Saving money for that dream getaway!!!!

Saving money is not as easy for others who do not have as much to earn. Our country is in a recession and we barely have money saved for the future plans we like to have for ourselves and our families. We mostly spend our money for bills, food, gas and the material things we like to have. We all want to go on a vacation because we want to relax and enjoy our time besides working. Here are some tips to save money for your vacation.

1.      Have a savings account that is not easily accessible.

2.      Reduce eating at restaurants, movie theatres, and shopping.

3.      Research online for the best deals.

4.      Sell things you no longer need.

If you have a savings account, you can add as much money as you would like or automatically transfer funds from your checking account. Be sure that you’re account is not easily accessible because if it was, that would defeat the purpose of saving. Also, reduce other activities that require you to spend like shopping or eating at restaurants. Instead, try to shop for things you need and not want and cook at home instead of buying out.

Saving for your dream vacation definitely is not as easy, but if you really want to have that getaway, then you should start saving now!

Also look into time shares. Often you can find deals just by going on a 2-3 hour presentation and only spend $200 for a 4day 3 night stay. I know this because I have done a time share vacation before. I booked for $119 and received a $75.00 visa gift card that paid for my hotel taxes which was the only other thing I had to pay for in the end. I also received a $100 off any additional stay to one of their Wyndham hotels. The time share was an exhausting presentation and very tempting I may add to purchase but as long as you continue to say NO you are all in the clear.

What do to with money you got from your wedding or engagement party?

I understand that now a lot of my friends and family are getting married some earlier than others some way later in life. People are posting on Facebook that they are engaged or have gotten married. So what do you do with the money that you receive as gifts? What steps do you need to follow when it comes to your finances? Can you or will you make a smart decision to invest your money? .
Clear your debt
Even if you’ve managed to stay out of debt for the wedding (by saving, keeping it frugal or asking for financial assistance), chances are- in this day and age- both partners already have some form of debt  (It might be credit card debt, a student loan debt, a repossession of a vehicle, etc.). Experts suggest that the best possible move you can make as you start a life together is to get rid of as much debt as possible. You might have been given some money as part of your wedding, and there is no better way to invest it than shaving off some of the debt.
Use A Term Deposit
If you’ve come into a bit of money from the wedding, it’s the perfect opportunity to set it aside as savings or as an emergency fund. Whatever style of savings- term deposit, shares, high interest savings account- you’ll benefit even further by setting up a regular deposit to augment the initial capital. Use interest on your side, and make the next decades easier by investing some money now.
Think About Retiring
You’ve just started your lives together but it’s not too early to think about how you plan to fund your retirement. It’s easy to get compound interest working in your favour if you invest in super early enough and while it might seem like a far-distant use of your wedding presents, you’ll be grateful you did it a couple of decades down the track.
House Deposit
Probably you’ve already started saving for a house. Most couples I know get married long after they start discussing things like houses and families. Often they’re living together and saving together by the time they get hitched. But the money you receive at a wedding can be a great booster to your house deposit savings. It’s crucial to not jump the gun however; as frustrating as renting or moving back in with the olds can be, it’s far better to have a secured loan that you can afford than to overexpose ourselves for a house.
Treat Yourselves
Chances are you’ve got a long time to save and budget and work, so while all the above options are fantastic, it’s important to remember to allow space in our lives to enjoy ourselves. Maybe it’s a chance to invest in a household item you need, or really want. A beautiful table setting or refined manchester. Or perhaps, it’s money for a holiday before you get down to the task of being a grown up. It’s all about saving sensibly and in a manner that allows us still to enjoy ourselves.

How to save money during Wedding season

According to Forbes.com; More than 61 million Americans will attend at least one wedding this year, and they’ll spend at least $30 billion in the process. Guests usually shell out about $339 according to research done by American Express. So how can you save money during wedding season for both the guests and the bride. 
For Brides here is how: #1 start planning early. If you are a bride on a budget and want to save money I suggest you research before you start spending. #2 Go to thrift stores and bargain basements to find some of your items on your checklist. #3 Hire a wedding planner. This person normally has relationships with vendors and could possibly get you cheaper rates than you can yourself, plus it saves you some headache of trying to do everything yourself. #4 If hiring someone is simply out of your budget then ask friends and family if they know of anyone or if they can help you coordinate your event.
 For Guests here is how: #1 if you can not afford to purchase a gift simply get a card. Anything is better than nothing and now they have cards in the dollar tree for .50. #2 if you want to save money on plane fare or hotel stay start planning early if you can, sometimes the couple may block off rooms for good rates if they have done it ahead of time. Just simply ask the bride and groom. #3 if you don't have any extra money for clothing, makeup, etc. Simply ask someone if you could either borrow clothes or do your makeup for you if you do not know how to apply the makeup yourself. Pretty much 3 out of 5 women wear makeup so why not ask. If you don't know anyone with your size whom you can borrow a dress from simply go to a thrift store such as Goodwill they tend to have formal dresses for approximately $8-$12 depending on what location you go to.

These are just some simple ways to help cut some of your costs but of course their are more ways to save money. More ways will be discussed on later dates.

Thank you!
Trista Baker-Event Planner
www.eventsonabudgetconsultants.com