Four Costly Wedding Expenses You Weren’t Expecting

August 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When you’re newly engaged, you’re most likely giddy with romance and excitement. Once you have the ring on your finger, it’s hard to think about anything besides flowers, favors and bridal fashion! In our culture of wedding mania, it’s easy to get carried away with every last detail of your Big Day – until you get the big bill.

Because talking about a wedding budget is so utterly unromantic, most brides-to-be blow through their available cash before they even get to their cake tasting appointment. Thankfully, cash-strapped brides don’t need to borrow from friends and family, or assume a high interest, high-risk bank loan to cover unforeseen wedding planning expenses. A budget-savvy bride can apply for plaingreenloans online for a quick and painless solution to affording these four major unexpected wedding expenses.

Invitation Postage

Sure, you were planning to drop a good chunk of change on high-end save-the-date cards, invitations and thank you notes – but most brides-to-be conveniently forget about the high cost of actually mailing these tiny works of art.

Today, the average wedding includes almost 200 guests, and most fancy invitations cost far more to mail than a typical greeting card. With total postage for each piece of stationary you’ll most likely mail per invitee, it’s important to budget at least $2-$3 per person – and that can add up quickly (and unexpectedly)!

Wedding Gown Alterations

You may have found the dress of your dreams, and plenty of lucky brides are gifted their gorgeous gowns by parents or loved ones. But it’s easy to forget that your dream dress won’t fit perfectly off the rack, and alteration costs normally hover around a hefty percentage of the gown’s original price tag!

Even if you found a wallet-friendly bridal gown, making it unique isn’t cheap. In fact, if you’re planning to add delicate lace sleeves or a stunning jeweled waistline detail, plan on dropping another few hundred dollars on that “affordable” dress. And that’s before size alterations like shortening a hemline or tightening a baggy bust.

Marriage License Fees

In a veritable flurry of champagne bubbles, it’s easy to forget the reason behind a costly wedding day – the marriage itself! And Uncle Sam won’t let you off the hook easily. The cost of applying for a legal marriage license varies depending on where you live, but could cost anywhere from $50 up to $250!

Feeding Your Vendors

All those professionals you booked for your big party – like your band, photographer and videographer – will expect a meal on your dime, and wedding etiquette dictates you need to feed them. With average per-head venue costs clocking in around $100, that’s a big chunk of money you never knew you needed to spend!

Planning the wedding of your dreams is exciting, exhilarating – and very expensive! Prepare for unforeseen costs before the Big Day, and save yourself lots of financial worry. We’re curious – what wedding expenses crept up on you while planning your own party? Do you agree or disagree with our list?

Filed Under: Green Living Budgets Tagged With: , , , ,

Save Money Shopping for Sensational Summer Dresses on Sale

March 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Every woman loves to have a sassy summer dress that’s comfortable yet chic and trendy. However, there’s no need to pay full price for it. With today’s increasing economic challenges it becomes even more important to have great shopping skills as well as know how to get a steal of a deal. There are many ways that you can shop smarter without sacrificing quality or design.

One of the best ways that you can save money is by shopping for dresses in the sales section of your favorite clothing store. Searching the sales rack for a style you like can save you time and your hard earned money. Whether you are crunched for time, prefer to stay in your pajamas, or simply want to find the best deals worldwide, you can try browsing online stores until you find that perfect summer dress at a fantastic price.

Shopping for summer dresses online also offers the ability to find styles and designers that may not be available to you in your local area. You can find something that is not only a great deal, but also avoid that embarrassing moment when another woman shows up at the party wearing the same fun summer dress. Online competitors often offer a much lower price than the dresses hanging on the racks in the local store of the same style and quality.

Some of the greatest bargains can be found if you’re patient and can find trends that last. At the end of the season, stores significantly slash their prices, giving you an opportunity to get unbelievable discounts, as well as stock up on a few dresses for next season. Make sure to keep an eye out for coupons that can give you additional money off of your favorite summer dress styles to increase your savings.

While looking for a summer dress that is stylishly fresh and brilliant, remember to use these tips to not only look smashing but to shop smart.

Filed Under: Green Fashion Tagged With: , ,

Thrift Store Fashion Adventure

December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Being fashionable while on a budget can be nearly impossible if only retail store sales are considered. A far less expensive route to fashion is using thrift stores and consignment shops.

Romancing the Thrift Store

Think of thrift store shopping as an adventure. They are out there, so find out where they are first. They may be hidden in a strip mall or some odd part of town. They may be lurking in nearby cities as well. Their names could be familiar or something completely strange and even exotic. First find out where the treasures may lay, then plot out a course to obtain the jewels among stones.

How about Lunch?

A fun part of the thrift store adventure is to plan a morning of fashion hunting followed by lunch. Perhaps some of the jewels won’t shine so brightly once considered more closely, while others could assemble themselves into a stunning outfit. So after lunch, it is time to make decisions and bring home the fashion.

Bargaining

Sometimes thrift stores will come down on their prices if asked. Consignment shops may do so too, especially if the fashion was given an asking price and a rock bottom figure. The fact of the matter is that whoever put up the clothing for consignment wants the items to move, so it never hurts to offer what may be a reasonable compromise on price.

Altering the Course of Clothing

If the bargain fashions don’t quite fit right, many dry cleaners offer minor alterations for reasonable prices. Dry cleaners are also often good at fixing broken zippers and finding matches for odd buttons.

The thrift store fashion adventure can be made into a fun outing that results in one or more complete outfits for a fraction of retail store prices, even when on sale. The fit can be tailored inexpensively at dry cleaners as well.

Filed Under: Green Fashion Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Benefits of Online Shopping

December 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Many women enjoy shopping. In fact, one recent study showed that the average women spends three whole years of her life shopping for clothes, food, accessories and other household goods. However, there are many benefits to avoiding the stores and making your purchases online instead.

First, online shopping is extremely convenient because it allows customers to shop from the comfort of their home. Purchased items can be shipped to almost any location and generally arrive within a week. For rush orders, items can be received overnight. The prices for items purchased online are generally comparable to what you find in a retail store. However, many online retailers also offer the opportunity to enter a discount code or coupon code during check out to receive extra savings such as free shipping or 10% off of the entire order. A quick online search for a special offer code will bring up lists of websites that maintain these discounts and coupons. These extra offers are usually not available in stores. In addition, online purchases are often exempt from sales tax, which will provide additional savings to the shopper.

Online shopping is also a great way to avoid crowded stores. It saves on gas and other travel costs. When you shop online, you don’t need to worry about an item being out of stock in your size or favorite color. If you find something unavailable at one store, you can easily shop at another. In fact, some websites will even compare the same item in a variety of stores to make sure that you get the best price. Finally, online shopping can make it easy to buy and send gifts to friends and loved ones for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions. Many online stores will even gift wrap the package for no additional cost.

Filed Under: Green Living Budgets Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

How to Wear a Scarf

December 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Adding a scarf to your outfit is a fun and functional way to enhance your look. Scarves come in a variety of colors, patterns, fabrics and sizes. Whether you choose a scarf to keep your neck warm or just as a fashion accessory, choose a design that complements your personal style.

There are many ways to wear a scarf. One of the most popular techniques is achieved by creating a slipknot and looping the scarf around your neck. Start by folding the scarf in half to form a loop. Put the folded scarf around your neck and bring the ends together at the front of your neck. Place the two loose ends through the loop and tighten the scarf to achieve this look. Scarves worn this way will be secure and won’t fall off. Another option for wearing a scarf is to wrap it around your neck one or more times and leave the loose ends hanging over the front of your collar bone. A different variation of this style can be achieved by letting one end of the scarf lay on your back. A shorter scarf can also be worn in this style, but you may need to add a pin to secure it in place. A scarf can also be used to protect your head and hair in cold or snowy weather. Wrap the scarf once around your head and once around your neck with both loose ends hanging over the collar bone. Finish this look by tying or pinning the ends together. Finally, consider wearing your scarf as a belt for a unique look.

A scarf can be a wonderful addition to any outfit. Whether you choose to drape it, wrap it, wear it for warmth or just for style, there are a variety of options for this popular fashion accessory.

Filed Under: Green Fashion Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Fashion Tips for Short Women

December 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

If you are a short woman, it can be difficult to find clothes that fit properly or flatter your figure. Generally, any women under 5′ 3is considered petite and should follow a few easy fashion tips that can help lengthen your body and create the illusion of height.

1. Choose monochromatic colors or one solid shade for your entire outfit to create an illusion of length. Wearing different colors on the top and bottom will cut the body in half and make you appear shorter.

2. Wear dark colors instead of light colors, which will help lengthen your body. Dark colors are also slimming, which is an added bonus.

3. Avoid wearing Capri pants. In order to appear taller, you should choose a pant style that covers your shoes. In addition, straight pants are more flattering than flared pants on shorter women.

4. Select pants or skirts that are high waisted. This will also help lengthen the body and create an illusion of height. Pants that sit low on the hips can cut the body in half and make a woman look short.

5. Wear a thin belt with your outfit instead of a thick belt, which will also cut the body in half. Also, choose a belt that blends with your outfit instead of one that contrasts in color. Avoid anything with busy patterns or bright details.

6. Choose a shoe that blends with your outfit. Although heels can help increase your height, it is not nessasary to wear the highest heel you can find. Instead, choose something with a medium heel height and make sure it blends well with your outfit.

7. If you want to wear a pattern, avoid horizontal stripes. These can make you look shorter than you really are. However, vertical stripes can be very flattering for short women and help make you look taller.

Filed Under: Green Fashion Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Self Defense Tips For Women

December 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Pepper spray training in Guantanamo
Image via Wikipedia

Unfortunately, there are many people out there who have no problems with attacking a woman to get what they want. Fortunately, there are classes and information out there to help women to protect themselves in that scary situation. There are some very important things every woman should know to avoid being the next target.

First, avoid making yourself an easy target. Being distracted makes you a perfect candidate for a predator. Be aware of your surroundings and those around you. Texting and talking on the phone makes it obvious that you are not paying attention and an attacker can use the element of surprise to their advantage. Walk with your head high, look for potential danger signs, and be alert.

Use whatever you have on hand as a weapon. Just because you don’t have a gun or can’t get to your pepper spray quickly does not mean that you are not armed. Use things on hand, your heels and keys can be useful when in a struggle. Don’t forget that your body is also equipped with elbows, nails, knees, and feet can all be used as weapons to fight off an attacker.

Aim for three targets on an attacker. Every part of an attacker’s body can be a potential target, but there are three parts that are more vulnerable than others. Hurting eyes will impair his vision. Aiming for his throat can take his ability to breathe long enough for you to escape, and for a man, aiming at his groin is always a good way to disarm him so that you can run for help.

All women have the ability to fight for themselves, especially when backed into a corner. Hopefully, they are tips that will never have to be used, but can be life saving if they are.

Filed Under: Need To Know Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

How To Host A Party On a Budget

December 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Orange juice.
Image via Wikipedia

With an economy that is less than fruitful, going out is not always easy. Hosting a party in your home can be just as much fun without breaking the bank. Here are some simple steps to help you plan a budget friendly party that is sure to be a blast.

1. Use decorations from a discount store. Dollar stores always have items like wrapping paper, small candles, and other items that can be used to inexpensively decorate your dinner table or the rest of the home. Wrapping paper makes a great tablecloth that when the party is over you can throw the entire mess out.

2. Pick a theme. Picking a theme adds another element of fun to your party, but also allows you to find creative ways to add to your decor. A halloween party can have candy in bowls as decoration or even little pumpkins. Decorate pine cones for a fall party.

3. Make a budget prior to purchasing any items. Make sure that you know how much you can spend and what part you need to earmark for food, decorations, and miscellaneous items.

4. Do not serve alcohol. Instead, make your own specialty drink using less expensive ingredients like soda and fruit juice. It will add a special touch to your party and alcohol can be very expensive.

5. Serve food items that are less expensive at that time of year. A fruit basket made of in season fruit can be a popular dish. Check out the grocery ads the week before your party to plan a meal around what is on sale.

Sticking to a budget can help you to create a party that is free of stress and enjoyable for all of your attendees. The more you save, the more parties you can host in the future!

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Green Living Budgets Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Secrets of Savvy Tag Sale Shoppers

December 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Women who frequent tag sales know the secrets of finding great items at low prices. Tag sale shopping can not only save you a lot of money, but it can help you find unique items for your home and closet.

Shop Early or Late
Showing up at the very start of the sale can be the best choice for people looking to score specific items. Early birds will have their choice of the full inventory and chances to pick up more popular items.

On the opposite side of the coin, shoppers who wait until the final hours of a sale, or even the last thirty minutes, can usually get the best deals on whatever is left. The last hour of a tag sale can be a great time to find pieces of jewelry to take apart of use for craft projects, furniture to refinish, or mismatched tableware to create unique centerpieces.

Take Time to Dig
Shopping on tables or racks of clothes can be time-consuming. Come prepared to do some digging, this is how many people find their best items. Sifting in piles can unearth items that others may have missed.

Oftentimes you will find full boxes of kitchen items, books, or CDs that are just waiting to be sorted. If you don’t see prices on things you unearth, don’t be shy about asking the people hosting the sale. You may be able to negotiate a good deal.

Make it Enjoyable

Take a friend or a child along to help sort. You’ll have another set of eyes to hunt, another opinion about what items to buy, and someone to chat with as you make your way through the sale. Shopping at tag sales can be a lot of fun. Once you have the right mindset, you will enjoy spending time browsing tables and looking for the next great find.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Green Home Decor Tagged With: , ,

Survival Kits for New Mothers

December 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Survival kits are no longer just for adventurous explorers or soldiers in the field. New mothers now have survival kits made especially for them. Survival kits can be put together too, and instructions abound on the Internet regarding what the kits might contain and how they can be assembled.

Symbols and Gags

Rather than overly practical things like diapers and a doting grandmother to take care of the baby while Mommy takes a nap, new mother survival kits contain small items that symbolize something or are meant to elicit a chuckle. Since the symbols or gags may not be obvious, the survival kits generally come with a nicely printed key of explanations. A penny may be for thoughts, and a notepad and pencil for recording the thoughts of a new mother. Tissues may be for drying the tears of the baby and the mother. A pacifier could be intended for comforting either the baby or the mother.

Room for Creativity

Home-assembled new mother survival kits open the possibilities for using creativity with the symbols and gags. Very personal meanings can be given to common items that can be found in drug stores, craft shops or just laying around the house. An eraser can be included to rub out the common mistakes that new mothers make, which would be quite appropriate for a grandmother to give her daughter who has become a new mother.

Chances for Connections

The beautiful part of the survival kit for new mothers is that the symbolism can forge connections between family members and friends that did not exist before. A simple symbol like a penny for the mother’s thoughts can open up communications at a depth never before attained. Simply the act of putting together a survival kit brings a powerful message about caring.

Survival kits are easy to assemble and will cause the new mother to smile appreciatively.

Filed Under: Need To Know Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts