• Thanksgiving on a Budget

• by krupp

Tis the season for parties and giving, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend too much money along the way. There are plenty of ways to celebrate the occasion without breaking the bank. Here are five:

1. Decorate with nature. Hosting a get together or simply want to spruce up your home? Look outside. There are plenty of decorative fall finds in your backyard! Gather pinecones and put them in a bowl as a centerpiece. Use the beautifully colored fall leaves as place cards or to spread along your tablescape. Acorns littering your yard? Dip them in gold paint (a couple of dollars at any craft store) and add them to your festive scene.

2. Make it potluck. Instead of hosting a dinner party and preparing everything yourself, ask guests to bring a dish to contribute. Not only will it make it a more memorable “sharing” event, it will save you time and money!

3. Go to a farmer’s market. Looking to save money on fall vegetables? Go to your local farmer’s market to stock up. You can’t beat the variety — or the price!

4. Make a list and check it twice! A great way to save money is to jot down what you need on a piece of paper or your handheld device and stick to it when you’re shopping. Try not to deviate from your plan and get caught up in buying “extras” you really don’t need.

5. Keep it simple. Thanksgiving is all about spending time with people you care about and showing them how much you appreciate them, not over-doing it. Keep it simple and you’ll be thankful you did!

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Tags: autumn, budget, fall, giving, save, savings, thanksgiving

Posted in Primerica, Tips |

• Fall into Savings

• by krupp

10 Ways to Save This Fall
Holiday events, gifts and grand meals are just around the corner! Unfortunately for most, that means overindulging and overspending become the norm. It’s fun while it lasts, but who wants to live with that kind of regret? Not you!

There are tons of super fun things you can do, make and see that won’t break the bank. So this season, don’t “fall” into bad habits, “fall” into savings, instead. You’ll be glad you did!

10 Fun (and Easy!) Ways to Save

1. Cook hearty meals. Fall is all about feeling cozy, so break out those comfort food and soup recipes! You can cook in batches and freeze them for convenience. Plus, cooking in a larger quantity (i.e. for 6-8 instead of 3-4 servings) saves you time, too. Want to up the ante? Use your handy crockpot instead of the oven for energy efficiency savings, too!
2. Enjoy the great outdoors. It’s not too hot and not too cold. That means it’s the perfect time to get out and explore! Most parks are free, so lace up your sneakers or hiking boots and make exploring nature a family affair. Another way to make it special and save? Pack a picnic and eat al fresco!
3. Take advantage of special sales. Stores and shopping sites are ramping up for the holiday season. Make a list of what you need to buy and keep a lookout for the best price. Sales aren’t just on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Stores will be having sales weekly (if not daily!) for the rest of the year.
4. Make some gifts. With so many online resources, it’s easy to find simple, affordable and adorable handmade gift ideas for the ones you love. Get a head start on making gifts now so you don’t feel overwhelmed later.
5. Adjust your thermostat. Fall is a perfect time to turn off the AC and open a few windows. Also, if it gets chilly, simply light a fire in the fireplace or add a sweater to your outfit. These are easy ways to save money on your heating bill.
6. Light a fire. Fun is about being together, not fancy outings. Have a fire pit and a backyard? It’s a great time of year to roast marshmallows or hot dogs and make s’mores. Kids love simple luxuries like that and it’s relaxing for adults to sit back and gather around the fire. Plus, you can find affordable fire pits at your local hardware store for as little as $30.
7. Weatherproof your home. Simple things like weather stripping, adding extra caulk and changing the direction of your fans to push warm air down can cut down on expenses in the winter.
8. Get out of dodge. Airfares and other modes of transportation are cheaper in the fall and winter months. Treat yourself to a getaway and you could save!
9. Put your gym membership on hold. The weather is nice outside, so why pay to exercise indoors? Ask your gym if you can suspend your membership for a couple of months and save!
10. Look for free stuff. Tis the season for all kinds of fun outdoor activities and mini celebrations. Check your local paper and local discount websites to see what’s happening in your area for free (hello, lighting of the Christmas tree!) or for a reduced price.

Remember, you can still have fun this fall and save along the way. Just be creative and look around you. Savings are everywhere!

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Tags: budget, fall, gifts, holiday, save, savings, Tips

Posted in Primerica, Tips |

• Fall into Fun

• by krupp

 

20 Inexpensive Ways to “Fall” into Fun
The days are getting shorter. The weather is becoming cooler. Leaves are turning and peak holiday season is right around the corner. The fall season is made for family fun—and it can be easy on the wallet, too! Check out these 20 cheap ideas to have fun this fall:

1.  Visit an apple orchard. It’s apple season and that means it’s a perfect opportunity to get some fresh air and pick some apples! Find an orchard near you, gather a bushel and try out some yummy apple recipes. Caramel apples, anyone?
2. Frolic in the fall leaves! The leaves are turning (and falling!) so make raking in the leaves a fun event for you and your family by playing in a pile of leaves. Sometimes good old fashioned fun is the best of all!
3. Have a pumpkin-carving contest. Gather family and friends and get to carving. You can have various categories like spookiest, best design … you name it! Tell your guests to BYOP (bring your own pumpkin!) and all you need are some carving utensils and newspaper.
4. Get a head start on your Christmas photo. Fall is a perfect backdrop for a cozy Christmas photo opp. Get a friend to take the picture and have fun posing!
5. Make a Halloween or fall festival costume. Sure, you could pay big bucks at the store, but odds are you have the makings of a costume in your closet already! Check out Pinterest for ideas and stop by the dollar store or Goodwill for the extras.
6. Go to a pumpkin patch or corn maze. For just a few bucks, you could have a fun family outing. Check your local listings for a pumpkin patch or corn maze near you… and don’t forget about the hayride!
7. Be thankful. Fall is a time for family and giving thanks. Who do you want to give thanks to? Write a quick letter or make a card to let them know you care.
8. Play at the park. Whether you’re flying a kite or getting up a game of flag football, fall is the perfect time to have some good — FREE — fun!
9. Pick pine cones. Create a beautiful and natural display with handpicked pine cones! Spritz some festive essential oils on them or toss in some cinnamon sticks for a wonderful holiday smell.
10. Show Betty Crocker who’s boss. Tis the season for baked goods! Try out some new recipes and smother your loved ones in home-baked goodness!
11. Have a cozy movie day. Gather your family, put on your pajamas and make some popcorn! Movie day is a great, inexpensive way to spend quality time together the whole family will enjoy.
12. Take a hike! It’s the perfect way to get exercise and “ooh and aah” over the changing of the leaves.
13. Collect or donate food to your local food bank. Part of being grateful for everything you have is giving to those who aren’t as fortunate. Grab a few extra staples at the store or clean out your pantry and offer it to someone in need.
14. Purge before the holiday surge. The holidays—and gift-giving season—are right around the corner. Now is the optimal time to clean out toy boxes and closets. Take your items to a donation center so that others can use them.
15. Make a wreath. Add a little something special to your door and adorn it with an inexpensive homemade wreath! Whether you choose fresh foliage from the great outdoors or silk flowers and ribbon from a craft store, there are tons of curated ideas to choose from online!
16. Get a jump start on homemade holiday gifts. Whether you’re knitting a scarf or decorating ornaments, fall is the best time to get your craft on!
17. Host a chili cook-off. Nothing says fall like a big bowl of chili! Have your friends over and sample different recipes!
18. Create a thankful tree. Cut out some tags or pieces of paper. Ask your friends or family to write down what they’re thankful for. Hole-punch one end, tie a loop of ribbon at the end and place it on a tree or plant.
19. Go on a nature scavenger hunt. Fall is a great time to be outdoors. Up the fun factor even more by creating a nature scavenger hunt!
20. Have a soup swap. Invite friends and family over for a soup swap. Each person brings 4-6 pints of soup, made from their favorite recipe, with a recipe card attached. Everyone swaps soup and takes it home to their freezer. Not only is this a great way to stock up, but you’ll also have new soup recipes for the ones you really like!

It’s easy to have fun without breaking the bank.
Focus on the things that made your childhood special and pass them on. Create new traditions and memories. No matter how you spend the time, you can definitely Fall into fun this season!

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Tags: Apple, bake, budget, fall, festival, give, halloween, holiday, leaves, play, pumpkin, thanks, thanksgiving

Posted in Primerica, Tips |