If you're a foodie, Halloween is just as much about the treats as it is the tricks. Halloween food recipes give you a chance to flex your creative cooking muscles. You can transform a once mild-mannered cookie into a witch's hat, or a simple bowl of salsa into a bloody snack. After all, Halloween is the only holiday when your guests thank you for serving them brains, severed fingers, and eyeballs.These recipes cover everything from appetizers, to the main course, to desserts galore. Best of all, these simple recipes contain only a few ingredients, so you can assemble your Halloween party … [Read more...]
Angela Colley
10 Cheap DIY Halloween Decorating Ideas (Indoor & Outdoor)
Halloween brings out the kid in most of us. The air starts to cool, pumpkins appear on grocery store shelves, and before you know it, you've turned your front porch into a mad scientist's lab.Every retailer from Macy's to Target offers Halloween costumes, decor, and party supplies. But while you might love those animated, life-sized Frankenstein inflatable decorations, you don't need to drop hundreds of dollars to decorate for Halloween.Whether you throw a Halloween bash, or just want to impress the neighborhood trick-or-treaters with your haunted mansion, you can decorate on a budget … [Read more...]
6 Unusual Places to Get Free Stuff & Coupons Online
Coupons are great when it comes to saving a few pennies here and there, but it's not always easy to clip them out of the paper or remember to print them before heading to the store.Thankfully, the Internet has changed the couponing game, making it easy to find nearby deals and discounts, and even the occasional free sample. A little plunking around online during your lunch hour can yield a lot of discounts and freebies in some unusual places. Where to Look For Coupons The next time you're searching for a deal, look no further than these sites:1. Instagram Instagram is a social … [Read more...]
How to Sue Your Landlord – Is It Worth It?
When you sign a lease, you have certain, reasonable expectations: Your home will be clean, safe, and your landlord will be available to perform (or hire someone to perform) repairs. When you move out, you expect to have your security deposit returned, so long as you leave the place clean and undamaged.Most of the time, everything works out. However, sometimes, things aren't so easy. You move in only to realize you've signed a lease with a slumlord who won't make repairs, violates landlord and tenant laws by showing up at odd hours, and just treats you unfairly. Or, you move out and never … [Read more...]
8 Common Tax Deductions for Job Search Expenses
Searching for a job can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience - and worse yet, it can be extremely expensive. But if you're tax-savvy, you may be able to recoup some of your job search expenses in the form of tax deductions. Follow the rules regarding what you can write off, and save all documentation related to every write-off you take. And don't make the mistake of overlooking the deductions you're due - ultimately, it can add up to a great amount, and every bit you save may go a long way in helping you get through a rough patch. Eligible Job Search Expenses 1. Expenses Within … [Read more...]
10 Good Places to Volunteer – Opportunities & Organizations
There are plenty of reasons to volunteer your time for a good cause. I do it because I believe in the work, and while that's enough for me, I certainly get a lot more out of it than I initially expected. I have volunteered for most of my adult life rescuing dogs and assisting in animal shelters. In addition to this gratifying work, I've also learned web design, public relations, and copyediting - all career skills that have bolstered my resume, made me more hireable, and turned me into a more effective worker.If you find yourself with some extra time on your hands, why not consider … [Read more...]
Managing Money With Roommates – 8 Do’s & Don’ts
Living with others isn't easy. Several years ago, my friends and I decided to get a house together. We were all incredibly excited and made promises to split everything evenly, from rent, to utilities, to chores. However, it wasn't long before the problems started. One roommate was constantly late in paying his portion of the bills. Another was obsessed about splitting every cost, even the $0.99 dish soap.I learned pretty quickly what works and what doesn't in a shared living environment. There are specific things you need to make a part of your routine, and others you must make a point to … [Read more...]
Best 11 Fun, Free Things to Do in New Orleans, LA
For more than 175 years, "The Crescent City" has been a popular tourist destination for Mardi Gras. However, there are plenty of great reasons to visit any time of year. One of the oldest cities in America, New Orleans boasts a rich and unique culture and a lengthy history, and offers countless forms of entertainment - and countless ways to spend money.But you don't have to drain your bank account to have fun in New Orleans. In fact, there are numerous free attractions to help you save money on vacation while still having a memorable time. Free Attractions in New Orleans 1. See a … [Read more...]
Subsidized Housing & Government Rental Assistance Programs
If making your rent each month means bottoming out your checking account, you aren't alone. According to the Center for Housing Policy, housing and transportation costs have increased 44% since 2000, while household incomes have increased by only 25%. Today, moderate-income households spend a whopping 59% of their annual income on housing and transportation - more than ever before. With that in mind, it's no wonder that, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, more than 4.9 million U.S. households receive some sort of federal assistance.While government-subsidized rent … [Read more...]
How Much Rent Can I Afford? – Calculating Monthly Rent Payments
If you're looking for an apartment for rent, you need to first figure out how much rent you can afford per month. Of course, you'll be limited by your income, and property managers and landlords will account for that when you submit an application. But what they won't account for are your other living expenses - you must do that yourself. Just because you get approved to rent a place doesn't necessarily mean you can afford it. After all, vaulted ceilings or extra rooms won't make up for a personal budget deficit if you simply can't afford them.However, if you consider your situation and … [Read more...]
9 Organizing Ideas for Small Spaces & Apartment Storage
I live in a small duplex with one closet, a tiny pantry, and four cabinets. I'm also a bit of a hoarder, so finding storage solutions has been a challenge. At first, I piled stuff behind doors, in bins, and anywhere else I could hide it. But that isn't practical long-term, so I had to find better solutions - and cheap ones at that. After all, I'm a renter. I don't want to buy a bunch of high-priced organizational tools I won't be able to use once I move.Fortunately, there are a number of affordable storage and organizational tips that can be utilized to save a great deal of space, and make … [Read more...]