Cheap Ways To ...

So I'm thinking of throwing a little "1/2" party for my daughter, Madilyn, when she turns 6 months old. I saw the idea a couple of places on the Internet, so I can't take credit for the cute idea.

It will just be a small party for the family at our home, and I'm thinking of some ideas for it. I thought you might have some ideas as well. In the comments below, let me know if you threw one of these for your kid and even if you haven't, share some ideas you might have. Remember to keep it "cheap"!

The centerpiece for a "1/2" party is always the birthday cake. This could be a regular sized cake cut in half then decorated to say "Happy 1/2 Birthday, Madilyn," or it could be a half-moon shaped cake decorated. I think I'm going to go with that option.

To continue the "half" theme we can serve:

• Ice cream that comes in half vanilla/half chocolate cartons
• Arnold Palmers (half tea/half lemonade)
• Coffee with either half & half or half coffee, half hot chocolate
• Pastries and/or cookies cut with a crescent cookie-cutter

For a gift, my husband and I can get her several "half dollars" with the year on them to go in her piggy bank! When she's older we can tell her about the special party she had when she received them.

What else should we serve? Any ideas for decorations?

Since the party is three months away, I have time to make what I need, plus I can take my list of things to buy and watch out for sales!

Oh—we could encourage guests to come in "half" costumes and see what they can come up:

• half man/half woman
• half adult/half baby
• a costume cut in half
• a half moon (also known as a plumber's costume — get it?)

Any other ideas?

Posted by Cara Davis at 09:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses much more; He who loses faith, loses all." —Eleanor Roosevelt

Posted by Cara Davis at 08:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Kohl's is promoting a sale with their lowest prices of the season. There are even items for $2 in the clearance section. I found several I was interested in buying, but when I went to check out, the shipping was more expensive than the total amount of my items, so I didn't buy them. However, you might want to check it out. If a shirt you're interested in is listed for $2 and ends up being $4 because of shipping, it's still a good deal if you need the item and would pay more for it elsewhere.

Posted by Cara Davis at 02:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity." —Thomas Wolfe

Posted by Cara Davis at 02:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Suntrust has a promotion where they'll donate $100 to a charity of your choice for opening a new account with them through the end of the year. If you're in the market for a new bank, this is a good way to go. You can also opt for a $50 gift card instead of the donation, but that would just make you feel like a real heel, wouldn't it?

Here are some other sites that donate to charitable causes when you use them:

• Sites like GreaterGood.com and iGive.com are called “charity malls” and give a percentage of the purchase price to a charity of your choice.

• Goodsearch.com is a search engine that donates 50 percent of its ad revenue to the charity of your choice when you use the site.

• FreeRice.com is an online vocabulary game donates 10 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program for every word and definition you get correct.

Posted by Cara Davis at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As the author of Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot, I'm looking to research the costs of raising a baby from pregnancy through the toddler years for a new book. Share your experiences through a simple and brief online survey I've created, and feel free to contact me with any questions or additional ideas you might have!

Click here to take the survey.

Posted by Cara Davis at 08:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"I have enough money to last me the rest of my life, unless I buy something." —Jackie Mason

Posted by Cara Davis at 06:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mom and I were at Target this morning when we saw orange storage bins and Tupperware in the seasonal section for Halloween. The storage bins were 56 gallon size and were on sale for $3.77 each — which they claim is the lowest price of the season. My guess is if there are any left they'll probably go on sale after Halloween even more. And those orange-topped Tupperware-ish plastic storage containers will probably go on sale as well. I'll keep an eye out. Storage containers are expensive, and who cares if they're orange? If you need 'em, get em while they're on clearance.

In fact, the orange bins, which do have black tops, making them definitely look Halloween-ish, would be great in a little boys room for all those toys.

Here's an article I found today about Cheap Kids' Room Makeovers. The first idea they suggest is using storage containers as functional decoration! Check it out here.

Posted by Cara Davis at 06:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Looking for practical advice and feedback about your wedding ideas? Martha Stewart's Wedding message boards have a DIY section where readers dialog about how to create their own crafts for their wedding. Click here to check it out ...

Posted by Cara Davis at 07:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Amazon.com has a great deal on a set of sheets right now. Pike Street Ultra Soft Sheet Set (in king, queen or full) is just $14.99. That's 81% off retail. The sheets have gotten very positive reviews. Stock up!

Posted by Cara Davis at 09:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I cannot believe this.

Posted by Cara Davis at 01:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here is an adorable idea for decorating with pumpkins this fall from iVillage.com. Cheap tip: Use stray buttons you already have around the house.

Also from iVillage, check out more ideas for DIY costumes.

You can also spray-paint pumpkins and gourds. My friend Anna, who put together my wedding reception, spray-painted pumpkins gold (the theme of my wedding) and mixed them with fall foliage and candles for the centerpieces. They turned out beautifully!

Posted by Cara Davis at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Low-Fat Apple Tarts

Spinach and Feta Cups

In my quest to find cheap, simple, low-fat fare, I read about the benefits of phyllo dough. Not only is it low in fat and has no cholesterol, it gives the feeling of decadence. Whether you use for in sweet or savory recipes, it has an irresistible crunch.

Instead of using phyllo sheets, which can dry out easily, I picked up some pre-made phyllo cups at Wal-Mart for about $1.50. Here are the two treats I came up with.

Low-Fat Apple Tarts

I filled the pre-made phyllo cups with half a can of apple pie filling (which is fat-free) and topped with Cool Whip.

Spinach and Feta Cups

I drilled olive oil on half a drained package of chopped spinach and mixed in garlic & herb seasoning. After filling the cups with the mixture, I topped with reduced-fat Feta cheese.

Since the phyllo cups are pre-baked, I only baked the cups for each recipe for 5-7 minutes at 350 degrees.

Posted by Cara Davis at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have a friend named Kyle who is often an inspiration for this blog. He has made it a practice to buy expensive things from Costco ... mainly electronics. If they break or develop a problem, Costco is great about allowing you to return the item or exchange it.

Kyle bought a Lexmark laser printer last year and got an error this week that would cost $500 to fix. He only paid $400 to begin with, so off it's going back to Costco. If he bought it at another retailer, he might not have that option.

He also regularly watches Craigslist on items he's thinking about purchasing, like tires and rims. He watched a set go from $700 to $500 — which would be the cost of new tires alone. So essentially he will be getting the chrome rims for free.

What "practices" do you follow to regularly save money — on big or small items? Post your answers in comments.

I like to "barter" services for other services. For instance, right now I'm building a website for a friend who has a small business making accessories for babies. She pays me in product. With me having a nearly 3-month-old, this is worth more than cash!

Posted by Cara Davis at 02:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here are a few new recipes I’ve been trying on my low-fat diet. They use common and very economical ingredients.

This fat-free black bean dip has the creamy taste of beans, the bold flavor of cilantro and a sweet aftertaste thanks to the yogurt in the recipe. It makes a great appetizer, and tastes fabulous with baked pita chips.

Fat Free Black Bean Dip

These Pita Chips also go great with soup, which is our main course below. After baking the chips, I sprinkle salt on top for extra flavor. I store them in a gallon-size plastic bag to keep them fresh.

Baked Pita Chips

I tend to cook with what I have on hand. I hate going to the store to buy ingredients for one meal. So that’s where this soup came from. There are lots of varieties to this soup online. The great thing is you can’t make it wrong. Whatever you have on hand that you think would be good in the soup will probably work.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

½ cup fat-free chicken broth
4 frozen chicken tenderloins
1 can mushroom soup
1 can sliced potatoes (do not drain)
½ package frozen mixed vegetables

Mix all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on high until chicken is completely done (about 4 hours). Serve with baked pita chips.

Pudding pies are my husband’s favorite because they’re light and naturally low fat. And pudding pies have come a long way. Kraft has Oreo pie shells and Oreo flavored pudding with oreo chunks! And the pie is just as low fat as the other pudding pie recipes (about 5g fat in the pie shell and almost fat-free pudding).

Low-Fat Oreo Pudding Pie

Posted by Cara Davis at 08:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm a big proponent of decorating your wedding with items you can keep and use in your home afterward. Because my husband and I married in November, we have lots of wonderful fall decorations that I get to pull out each year. They remind us of our wedding and they help us not spend money on making home beautiful in the fall.

This is my "table scape" I put together this morning. I bought the purple tablecloth and napkins 70% off at Joann's a couple of years ago. I think I paid $6 for both of them. The silver chargers and coasters were a gift from my mom. They're from Target, so they're not that expensive either.

The basket was apart of a baby gift we got earlier this year. The floral pieces, leaves and candles are all from our wedding decorations. The baby pumpkins were purchased from Wal-Mart for $5 (for 6).

The wreath/candle combo is in our foyer. The wreaths are on sale now from Wal-Mart for $8 ... a little more than I normally like to spend, but these days convenience is more valuable to me. I don't have time to go to multiple stores to find or make one for cheaper.

Again, the candles and leaves are from our wedding. I bought the string of pearls for a quarter at a yard sale two years ago and have used it in another decoration in my house before.

The plant pictured here is called a croton. These are fabulous to decorate for fall with. I have two potted crotons on either side of my front door. They're exploding with rich fall colors. Each plant was $12 from Wal-Mart. These are in abundance in Florida and do well in moderate sun. We have several planted along the walkway to our front door as well. They're hearty, big, beautiful and easy to maintain.

Posted by Cara Davis at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

According to a National Retail Federation's Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, the average American plans to spend almost $65 this Halloween season on things like costumes, candy and decorations. This is up from approximately $60 last year.

Nearly 60 percent of people celebrate in some way, spending an estimated total of $5.07 billion nationally.

Looking for ways to save? Parents magazine has eight adorable handmade costumes (like a bee, dragon, superhero and more) for your little one. You might just pick up and idea or two for grown-ups as well.

My favorite is the ballerina – with the tutu made from strips of wax paper, plastic bags and mesh onion sacks! Cute and cheap.

Posted by Cara Davis at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There's a promising new show that begins airing tonight on ABC called "Pushing Daisies." It's part romantic, part whimsy, part murder-mystery. The visuals are nothing short of eye-candy, with bright colors and fun shapes. And from what I hear, the writing and storytelling are excellent. The premise is that the main character, Ned, has the ability to bring people back to life with one touch, but if he touches them again, they die forever. In the season premier, Ned brings his childhood sweetheart back to life ... which makes for a difficult reunion considering they can't touch!

Here's a review: "'Daisies' dazzles eyes, warms heart"

Here's ABC's homepage for the show: "Pushing Daisies"

Posted by Cara Davis at 07:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'd like to recommend a movie if you haven't seen it yet. The Ultimate Gift is a film that came out last year based on a book by the same name written by Jim Stovall. It is one of the most stirring and impacting movies I've seen in a long time.

I wrote an essay about the film for Everyday Woman magazine and I'll post a portion of it on this post so you can get a feel for the plot.

There is also a family resource kit to coincide with the book and the movie that is a great way to introduce the values found in the film to your children.

So if you're looking for a unique gift for a birthday or the upcoming holiday season, I highly recommend this DVD, which just released in August. The film stars some major actors including James Garner, Drew Fuller, Bill Cobbs, Lee Meriwether and Abigail Breslin.

The Season of Giving
By Cara Davis

Emily is not your ordinary pre-teen. Sure, she’s got the spunky attitude, trendy clothes and vocabulary that makes you scratch your head (where did she pick up “poser”?) But she also has an amazing view of life.

She knows the value of friendship and kindness. She offers both without a promise of either in return.

She appreciates the value of an ordinary day. She and her mom enjoy the simple pleasures in life, like their daily picnic in a city park.

In her 11 short years, somehow Emily has learned how to love unconditionally. When given the opportunity to do anything she wants, she chooses an activity her mother loves—horseback riding.

Emily espouses a childlike faith that’s stronger than the faith of someone who’s beyond her years. She has spent a great deal of time praying and thinking about God and what heaven is like. She believes God hand paints the colors on the backs of butterflies.

Emily has also known unbelievable suffering. After years of chemotherapy and an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant, Emily’s options are fading as fast as the healthy glow in her cheeks. She is dying of leukemia.

Like some other children with terminal illnesses, Emily has been given the chance to fulfill her ultimate dream before her inevitable passing. But Emily’s dream is one that money can’t buy. She simply wants to experience “the perfect day.”

Emily is a fictional character in the book The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall, which has also been made into a movie. But don’t tie your emotional heartstrings back up just yet. While Emily’s circumstances are similar to many young children lining hospital wings suffering the deplorable disease of cancer today, the story isn’t really even about her.

It centers on a young man named Jason Stevens who has grown up swimming in family money. He’s never worked a day in his life and he’s had every pleasure known to man at his disposal. Jason has it made ... until the day his grandfather, Red Stevens, who built the family fortune, dies.

In his will, Jason’s grandfather has a special gift earmarked for him. But he can only receive the gift if he’s willing to go through a series of tests that will teach him the value of life. Jason begrudgingly accepts the challenge—with his eyes only on the prize.

It’s only after Emily and her mother come into Jason’s life that his motivation for achieving that prize changes. While Jason may not be able to save Emily’s life, he can help her fulfill her ultimate dream. After giving her the gift of a perfect day, Jason realizes his life’s purpose is giving back to others.

The Bible says that to whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48). It’s Jason’s choice to give back. By doing so, he gains much more than money. He gains a wealth of gifts like the gift of friends, the gift of family, the gift of gratitude, the gift of dreams and the gift of love.

The concepts found in this book and film cover more than simply “paying it forward.” They uncover the true essence of love and faith. They awaken the soul—a soul that was created to crave meaning, purpose and fulfillment. Since the defining attribute of God is love (1 John 4:8), the soul’s cravings can only be fulfilled by loving others and through a willingness to give all for the sake of others.

What do you have to give? Who is in need around you? Who can you reach? This holiday season focus on treasuring the gifts you give and receive that don’t come wrapped beneath the tree. Start by watching this film or reading the book. There’s even a resource kit available through www.theultimategift.com that your family can work through to help you tangibly experience the lessons found in the story. But whatever you do, remember that your life will be most fulfilled when it fulfills others. Now go, and give …

Posted by Cara Davis at 05:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"The New Mommy Track" is a recent article in U.S. News and World Report about the growing trend of mothers who are gaining flex time in the workplace in order to meet their needs in the home. In this chart published on their site, mothers are doing what it takes to have the best of both worlds: being a home with the kids and providing income for the household.

Today I joined those ranks.

Friday was my last day at Relevant Media Group, where I worked as editorial director over their websites and publications. I was there nearly six years. With the birth of my first child, Madilyn, this summer, I prayed about an opportunity to be with her and still provide the extra income our family needs. A job opportunity arose that is allowing me to become a full-time freelancer from home. My first full-time client is the INSP Networks, which has a Christian women's magazine called Everyday Woman. I will be editing this magazine for a monthly retainer, which allows me the flexible work hours that I need, while fulfilling a need that uses my strengths and experience. I thank God for this.

I have a friend who is a college student who watches the baby three hours a day so I'm sure to have that time uninterrupted. Then my husband comes home in the afternoon and takes over. I believe we will begin to have an unprecedented quality of life. And I'm so excited about this new season.

As you can tell with all the new posts on the site today, this also allows me to dedicate more time to this site. Check back often for tips on smart ways to spend and save. In the meantime, check out my other websites:

carandavis.com (my freelancing website)
davisbaby.wordpress.com (Madilyn's blog)

Posted by Cara Davis at 04:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Many employees take advantage of their company's 401(k) program (if you don't, you should!) But now many companies are offering Roth 401(k)s. The main difference is that with the traditional 401(k), you contribute pre-tax dollars and pay taxes when you withdraw. With the Roth, you pay taxes now and withdraw tax-free after you're 59 1/2 years old. Only our contributions will be put in the Roth account; any employer matches will go to a pre-tax account, just like the traditional 401(k). U.S. News and World Report has an online comparison guide to help you decide which program is the best for your money and retirement plans.

Posted by Cara Davis at 04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thanks to my recent gall bladder surgery, I am enjoying experimenting with low-fat recipes. This pizza was created on the fly Sunday when we needed a low-fat lunch fast.

Low-Fat Chicken Pizza

1 tube reduced-fat crescent rolls
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 can chicken broth (optional)
6 frozen chicken tenderloins
1 cup mozzarella cheese (I used fat-free)
1 TB Italian seasoning

1. Preheat oven according to crescent roll instructions.
2. Boil frozen tenderloins in water or chicken broth until done.
3. Roll out reduced-fat crescent rolls on an ungreased baking sheet, flattening the dough to form a single rectangle. Sprinkle Italian seasonings on dough. Bake according to packaging directions.
4. Spread pizza sauce according to taste (I like a minimal amount) over baked crust.
5. Cut boiled chicken into bite-sized pieces and spread over crust.
6. Top with cheese.
7. Bake for 6-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and begins to brown.
8. Cut and serve.

You can use any variation on this recipe. Try bbq sauce instead of pizza sauce for a tangy treat.

Posted by Cara Davis at 03:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm enjoying fresh blueberries in October thanks to a tip my Mom gave me this summer. When the blueberries were at the peak of their season, we bought several quarts to freeze when the grocery store offered their lowest price of the season.

To freeze them without them all sticking together, Mom froze them for an hour on a baking sheet, just far enough apart not to freeze. (We have a large bar pan, so it has a little bit of a lip around the pan to keep the berries from rolling off in transit.) Once they were frozen, she put them in a gallon size freezer bag.

Now when I make these delicious low-fat blueberry muffins, I just pour a cup a blueberries into my measuring cup and reseal the bag. Back in the freezer it goes. I enjoy fresh blueberries all year long.

This technique works with just about any type of berry.

Posted by Cara Davis at 03:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Carving a pumpkin this month? Instead of throwing away the slimy innards, pick out the seeds and toast them for a healthy and delicious snack. You can also use them in soups and on salads.

Click here for the full recipe. The short version is to roast the seeds at 300 degrees and add seasonings when they're finished (they're finished when they look dry on the outside and they smell good).

Posted by Cara Davis at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Calculate the worth of your blog with this website. My personal blog, davisbaby.wordpress.com, is worth $2,822.70, and this site, cheapwaysto.com, is worth $6,209.94!

Posted by Cara Davis at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This post doesn't have anything to do with saving money on your wedding, but since I do have "weddings" as a category on the site, I thought I'd share the latest information from the Census Bureau about marriage. U.S. News and World Report says only about half of married Americans make it to their 25th anniversary. That's down 70% from those who married in the late 1950s and make it to their 25th. The rest were widowed, divorced or separated. The Census Bureau also reported that most Americans who marry still get married just once. About 12.5% of people marry twice and 3% marry three times. At least that's some encouraging news!

Source: U.S. News and World Report, Oct. 1, 2007 issue

Posted by Cara Davis at 06:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)