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FREE FAMILY FUN

How to Have Family Fun Cheap

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Not everyone has enough money to visit places suggested as perfect for family outings. There are a lot of things people want nowadays, but with a family you have got to be budget-conscious to have fun. Here are soome ideas for how you can have family fun on a budget.

Steps

Figure out what matters most to you. Is it:
- your home?
- your family?
- your food?
Prioritize the things that matter. All of these are important of course, but what do you enjoy the most? If it is all of them, you'll need to consider how you can juggle between them, to stretch your dollar as far as possible.
Think about the sorts of things you like to do. It may be learning; outdoors activities; eating out; movies or other ideas. Once you have thought about these things, the next step is to consider the ways that you can do these things without it costing too much, or perhaps even for free.
Look at the following activities and suggested "low-cost" or "free" alternatives. See which ones appeal to you and come up with more of your own alternatives as well:
- Learning activities: Visit the library. Libraries offer several resources that can be of great benefit for free or for a very low joining fee. You can borrow books (fiction, non-fiction, craft, art, hobbies, language, math, science etc.), music and reading CDs, DVDs and videos and even games and toys at some libraries. Save by not buying these things but borrowing them for the whole family; take the whole family to the library for regular visits, so that everyone can make their own choices. Libraries also offer a lot of activities such as "meet-the-author" sessions, book reading evenings and children's clubs. All of these are a great way to meet others and to have an enjoyable time.
- Rent movies and stop cable TV subscriptions: Get rid of cable TV costs through regular movie borrowing or cheap rental from DVD stores. Initially there will be withdrawal symptoms but soon you'll discover that between the movies you can borrow for free or rent for low prices and the free-to-air choices, you'll have plenty to watch. All the extra time you gain to spend together as a family is an enormous bonus!
- Increase your knowledge: You can learn a lot of new things from reading books (the ones you've borrowed from the library). A great way of learning is to base the learning on a famous novel. For instance, after reading a novel like Little House on the Prairie, your family could follow up the reading by borrowing books on farming during different periods of history. Learn together the different ways people have done things and how they are done today.
- Take up craft or homesteading activities: Try craft books, "free fun" books, homesteading books (old-fashioned knowledge and tips), games books and science books (kids love the experiments). You could have a fair in your house - make up the games and have events like balloon dart-throwing.
Make the most of city life. Cities offer a lot of free events - hit every free event imaginable with your family and enjoy them. These include parades, outdoor concerts, national day celebrations, marathons, charity runs, food promotional fairs, art displays, children's events and more. Keep an eye on the newspaper or internet for upcoming freebies to attend. Many museums and galleries have "free days" where you can visit for nothing at all. Don't forget to take a packed lunch or meal and plenty of water. Saves queueing as well as money!
Visit garage sales. What other people no longer want, you might get for a song. make it a day's event to trawl around garage sales in your area. Even the haggling can be fun and you never know what you might find.
Take a "field trip" downtown. Many cities, towns and villages have amazing buildings in their central district. Pack a great lunch (sandwiches, drinks etc) and catch the bus in to go "sight-seeing" as a tourist might. You can glimpse animals outside the zoo on the way, ride the elevator to the top of the biggest building to look out the windows and if you and the kids look presentable and well mannered and you ask the receptionist at the top office nicely to look out the window they'll probably say yes. Learn all that you can about the buildings from plaques on the walls, signs or a library book on the history of your area. If you become really knowledgeable, you might even end up telling tourists in the area more about what they're looking at!
Shop wisely. Visit the bulk buying area at the grocery store and save money on the things you need (don't buy things you don't use just because they're cheap - it's still a waste of money if you won't use it.)
Have a "junk food party" at home. Save on restaurants or fast food places by letting the kids enjoy the fast food at home. When shopping, buy the "junk food" items and store them at home for special days. Another way to make junk food stretch is to only buy some of the junk food (like a burger each) and then cook the rest at home (store brand or homemade fries/soda pop, for instance). It'll taste a lot better and it goes a lot further. If you do want to eat out, buy the burgers and split the fries, take your own drinks and extra food items with you and eat it all in the park instead of inside the restaurant. (Take the picnic gear and it'll feel 100% better than staying in the restaurant!) Do the same with take-out - only order some of it (e.g., the pizza) and make the rest at home (e.g., the salad, the rice, the wings, the sauces etc.)
Be home savvy. Learn some enormously useful skills that 'll save you a lot in the long run. For instance, learn to sew and use your hot glue gun. Visit the dollar stores for bargains and also visit used (secondhand) stores and thrift stores, which have a lot of goodies that people don't want anymore but are still in terrific condition. Learn to dress up old stuff! Finding a bargain can in itself become a real addiction and as you learn more, you'll find more bargains.

Tips

Try this fun home fair game: use an old fridge box, cut out holes for your heads (box laying sideways) and take turns being the "groundhog" sticking your heads out with the rest of the family shooting at the heads with squirt guns and even the hose! See if the "groundhog" can duck back in fast enough.
When you shop, plan an 'at home restaurant type meal'; it'll still be cheaper to make it at home. Buy a bag of shrimp or a fancy fish. Don't buy the stuff and still go out to eat. If you stick to it and make the out-of-the-ordinary meal at home, it will be cheaper than going out.
Another good at-home meal is making burgers and hot dogs but make all of the fixin's: Cut up tomatoes and cook bacon, heat up some hot dog sauce n' sauerkraut. Have it all out to make your own ultimate burger or hot dog.
When reupholstering, you can use a scrap fabric that's "close to", if not perfectly what you want, and staple gun the thing to the underside of the chair or other item that you're doing up.
Curtains are a three step process, anyone who can use scissors and a sewing machine can do it.
To get your hands on a sewing machine: If you think hard, you probably know someone who has one. They could show you how to thread it, if you can do this you can work it. Another place to try is thrift stores; leave you name and phone number with a request for the next one that comes in.
Swags are just flowers you like and that match your home, arranged on anything you can bend into a swag shape (hanger, a stick): Just hot glue them until they look good. It's a great past time to pull apart old arrangements and "refresh" them by giving them a rinsing and gluing them like this.

Warnings

Don't go to a federal or government building asking to look around unless you know in advance that they allow tours. They will only say "no" and they may not be polite about it either.

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Have Family Fun Cheap. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

I Can't Afford Prom! Charities Can Help or Maybe Just Some Tips on Saving.

Prom is way too important for your teen to miss. Every child should have the oppourtunity to go. I have some tips on saving money for the dress or tux rental and where to shop or even apply for help if you really don't have the money.

Tell your son or daughter to go through all of their clothes and "toys" and have a garage sale to raise the money for the tux or dress and tickets. You could also help out bygoing through your own goods!

Have them start clling relatives to do errands for pay to raise the money. They can offer to mow or weed landscaping. Babysit or clean. They could even organize a much needed garage for a neighbor. Don't limit their customers just to relatives.

Check ALL of your used stores, open your phone book to find the nearest. Often there are plenty of dresses to choose from for under $20.00. Alterations may only run a few dollars if you just need a hem up or if you are creative, you and your daughter may just have fun sprucing up a less than perfect dress.

Next check out the stores. Inform your child that they have X amount of dollars to spend and that is THAT. This way you both won't have to feel bad when you see the prices. You can find a dress for $30.00-$40.00 fairly easy in the stores' clearance. Don't forget how to use accesories to spice up a plain gown. The used stores are almost never out of jewelery. Use several long chain necklaces to form a belt on a plain black dress. Buy some arm length gloves or short lacey ones if they look great. These are fairly cheap accessories.

Look in your phone book or call all of the tux rental stores to see if there are any coupons available. Or see if a discount is available for groups and get your son's friends together to all go in on the same day for rentals.

There are several charities for prom gowns and tux rentals all over the states and even in Canada. I have included links to the lists of them. If you feel you may qualify for any of them plaese click over and check these out.

Remember to go over prom safty with your teens. Each year as I am sure you are aware, many die involved in alcohol and drug related issues. Also remember to find out with who and where your child will be. Let them know you will pick hem up if they get into trouble and to just call you. Most of all enjoy one of your most precious memories of your child's life!

http://wy.essortment.com/waysfindreal_tuln.htm
5 ways to find a cheap dress

Sharon Stone's Charity to help the needy. They offer help to poor students in need of prom gowns and tuxedos.
General Information
Planet Hope is a non-profit 501 c3.
1-800-314-HOPE

Here is a list of state by state individuals willing to help and programs in these states.
http://www.glassslipperproject.org/yostate.htm

An even more extensive list for wikipedia!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charitable_Prom_Organizations

I AM SUCH A CHEAP Mom I Shop Garage Sales For.

I think I may have let on by now that I own very few items that are bought new. I love a bargain, what can I say?

Well my favorite time of the year is here... GARAGE SALES! This is the time of the year I find allot of things that can really run up a tab when bought new through the year.

I always keep track of which child needs summer clothes and keep their sizes jotted down. I look for like new items. Shoes, I usually find the kids sandals and swimsuits used. Summer toys too. pools and sprinklers, bikes and roller skates, I always look for these things.

On a bigger note I look for school clothes and back packs. I have all summer, so I hold out for the right style and newest looking clothes I can find. Allot of times I can find most of their clothes for the next year used. I often find their dress shoes used too. I will usually end up buying under garments, socks and sneakers new. That's quite a deal considering the under garments and other new purchases I mentioned add up to about $100.00 for my two children. (that does include supplies). I also look for pencil cases and pencils and any other goodies I run across that are new looking and fall under school supplies.

I like to look for big toys my kids are wishing for and anything close to them. If I luck out and find the item new enough I save it for their birthday or Christmas, which ever is closest. I have found a Nintendo Game boy with a case and several games in the box. That was a great birthday present and unexpected since we normally don't buy such a big present. I have also found allot of games and cars with race tracks in boxes for our son. Radio control cars too. Those usually cost allot new. I have raised my kids this way so they are thrilled if they get the thing they are wishing for new or near new! The little ones don't even know the difference.

Other great buys are Tupperware. I love Tupperware. I will not buy it new though, it costs too much. Too much when I can buy it at the used store or at a garage sale. I just picked up a ten piece set of fridge containers for $5.00. This is a lot of containers that would run more than $50.00 and it is so new looking I would not be surprised if they never used it! Anyways, I also buy our drinking glasses and dishes. (the kids do dishes) We go through allot of glasses. Even at the dollar store you don't pay a quarter a glass.

The trick is to not just buy junk and stuff. Buy what you need. What is on your list of things to buy? Can you find them at a garage sale? If you're like me, the answer is likely yes.

How Do You See A Teen Mom? How My Mother Saw Me Through. (WHAT I GAVE MY MOM FOR MOTHERS DAY)

Memories came flooding to my head, burning my eyes in our small town grocery store yesterday; "Mom, there's that pregnant girl" my daughter whispered.

I was 15 when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. She is now one month shy of that age.

I saw myself yesterday. I saw my own mother standing there too.

Clinging to her mother for dear life, this girl quietly and not too obviously shamefull. I knew it was hard for my mother then. Not until now did I realize what kind of strength it actually took. There she stood guarding her daughter's feelings. Her head up high as if to say go ahead look a little longer. Dare to say something to my daughter.

As my own daughter gets closer to that age, I find myself often reliving those feelings. Praying to God she does not have to face the feelings and struggles I did. I wonder if I have the will and strength within myself to protect and provide the same quality of support my mother did.

Could I be tough enough through those glares? How about the whispers. Would I be able to hold my own tears in for what she would be feeling, losing and facing? Would I be strong enough not to show my tears so that she may know I can handle "it" through the times she cannot?

I urge all of you to think about the courage and drive it takes a teen mom to face the world. She has to face her peers, teachers and family every day.

Smile and say hello the next time you come face to face with a young mother. She is a child who must become what it takes the rest of the world years to accomplish. An adult. She won't have the luxury of living on pasta and rooming with friends through college. Responsible for her childs' well being, nutrition and growth, she must hurry up and create a future for herself so she can provide one for her own child. How long did it take you to find your career and home? Have you yet? She may be a child now, but soon whether she or anyone near her likes it, she will be an adult.

Hope her mother is as wonderful and strong willed as mine was (and is). Wish for her at least for some person to stand half as strong as my mother did for me. A teen mom needs someone to tell her she is still beautiful, smart and wonderful. That she will be a great mother. Someone to let her know that she is such a capable person that her own child/children will turn out just as wonderful as she is. That no matter what else life may have in store, that someone will love them and be there to lean on.

The Nat'l. Crisis Pregnancy Helpline 1-800-521-5530

http://www.teenage-pregnancy.org/resources/ list of links including pregnancy options (abortion and adoption)counselors teen parenting guides.

http://dmoz.org/Kids_and_Teens/Health/Teens/Pregnancy/ extensive list of links to resources from personal teen mom stories to specific programs (financial and legal help, ect.)even a link to help you "break the news" to your parents.

If you are in need of even just a listening ear, please list it in our classifieds or contact me directly at lullabell@frontiernet.net

I FIND Benefits of Phone Counseling Services

Every year thousands of women go through a transition of one type or the next. This can include things such as divorce, the death of a spouse, relocation, family illness, a new job and much more. This may not seem like a big deal, but women life transitions are something that can be quite difficult to deal with. If you are struggling with one of these areas in your life you need to look into the benefits of phone counseling.

Below are some of the biggest benefits that phone counseling has to offer women who are in a transition stage.

1. First and foremost you will have somebody to talk with when things get bad. This sure beats trying to hold in your feelings. And not only will you have somebody to talk with, when you sign up for phone counseling you will be able to make sure that you are dealing with a professional.

2. You can get phone counseling regardless of where you live, or when you have time to talk. For many women this is much easier than having to go to an office for counseling sessions. If you have access to a phone you can take advantage of phone counseling services.

3. All of your calls are kept private so that you never have to worry about your business getting into the street. This is one of the biggest benefits of talking to a professional via phone counseling as opposed to any other way of venting your problems.

4. Anytime you need help your phone counselor is only a call away. Again, this easy access is one of the biggest advantages of phone counseling. If you feel down and out on a particular day you can call your counselor to discuss your problem.

As you can see, phone counseling and women’s life transitions go together hand in hand. If you are going through a transition phase in your life and are having a tough time, there is no better option than a phone counseling service. The four benefits listed above are just the tip of the iceberg.

About Author

Nancy Fagan-Murphy, M.S. is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in women’s relationship and life transition issues. She is the author of “The Complete Idiot's Guide to Romance” and “Desirable Men: How to Find Them” and the founder of www.WomenAndTransition.com.
">Source: ArticleTrader.com

I Had So Many Children I Didn't Know What To Do...

We all have choices in life. We rarely get to know if we've made the right ones, but there are the rare occasions that we are given a hint that we may have.

Let me paint you a picture.
Somewhere out there is a trailor set in the middle of a farm on a quiet hilltop. Inside is a 1, 2, 3, and 4yr old simulating mexican jumping beans.
Ok I'll back up, I have a 14yr. old a 1 yr. old and 6yr. old. (I chose three life sentences spaced far apart).
My younger brother chose to get child rearing over all at once, hence a 2, 3, and 4yr. old.
His ventures in life have sent him to Texas for three days and left the children in my care.
Did I mention this is a trailor?

Now any one will figure it takes alot of patience and attention to manage several small children at once. Just how much? Every last ounce you can muster!

I decided yesterday that non stop planned activity would work best here so I announced at breakfast "Today is the dog's birthday and we will be having a party!"
A loud series of yays, three falls from the chairs, a bloody lip and one bowl of cereal on the floor later, we start baking a cake at 8am.

The weekend was very enlightening. I have come to the conclusion that parents of more than small child need help.
I don't mean that sarcastically now, I just mean you guys definatly need certain things.

Time for yourself is a must. Even if you only set aside one hour a day (after they are asleep) you need to do this every day.

Utilize your parks and yards. Take part in free activities that keep them busy. Use the library preschool hour. In doing these things you many find a much needed friend. If you can't get out i suggest using the internet to find friends and support. TheJesusClub is a place to find inspirational information and meet other friendly people looking for friends through prayer. Or if you are looking for parenting information and tips Click here to join ClubMom it is free and there is also a "cafe" where parents meet to chat.

However you spend your me time, be sure to make it an unbreakable date. I have only seen four days worth of this lifestyle and I'm charishing this me time more than ever!

I Had to Cope With An Unwanted Relocation / Move

Moving is especially difficult for children.

They give up the most. Home, friends, best friends, school and their neighbourhood. Generally, the older the child, the more difficult the move, because the importance of peer connections increase with age.

TALK TO YOUR FAMILY ABOUT THE MOVE

Explain why the move is necessary. List the advantages of the new location that children might appreciate.

Infants and toddlers simply are confused by the change in surroundings.

Preschoolers tend to miss certain places, such as a favouite park or daycare. Younger children tend to miss familiar people--for example, a favourite teacher, school, or even their own bedrooms.

Under the age of six may worry about being left behind or being separated from their parents. It's important to them to be able to express their feelings and fears about the move. They react well to having a task or job to do--like being responsible for boxing up their favourite toys and labelling these boxes. This gives them a sense of some control over the move.

Children 6-12yrs. worry about who they'll eat lunch with and if they'll like their teacher. They tend to be concerned about how their routines will change. So, if your children are in various structured activities (like sports, other lessons and activities), it is important that they continue these activities.

Older children--especially teenagers--tend to miss their friends and others in their communities with whom they have developed relationships. Teenagers are most concerned about fitting in. They may react angrily to the move, or even insist that they're not moving. This is due to the total lack of control they have over everything that is important in their lives--friends, school, nieghbourhood.

They are most worried about making new friends, about what will be different in the new school. On the other hand, they are curious about clothing, hairstyles, that kids in the new school will have.

Talk to your children. Let them talk--and really listen to them. Find out what they will miss the most. Avoid reassuring your children before they have had a chance to vent. Avoid saying , "Yes . . . but . . ." and stopping them from validating their feelings it is important to allow the grieving to take it's course. Voice the things you miss too.

Your children may want to leave something behind--bury something in the back yard, plant a tree or shrub. It is also a good idea to make an old nieghbourhood/friend book. Allow them to take pictures before they leave and throw a party even if it is in school.
Remind them to get phone numbers and addresses. Provide them with all of their new contact information.

Call the principal of your children's schools, and try to set up a meeting with their teachers or, if they're in junior high or high school, guidance counselor. The new school may even be able to give you names of students in your child's class who live near your new home. If so, you may want to drop by to meet them and their families before you move in.

Set up the children's rooms first. Take short walks around the neighbourhood. This is a great way to meet new neighbours and new friends. Encourage them to get out, do not let them hide in their rooms.

Check groups your family may have been involved with before the move. Churches, sports, social, organizations and activities. Arrange a tour of your child's school. Locate the library, cafeteria, gymnasium, playground, bathrooms and bus stop.
When you feel more settled, invite immediate neighbours, especially those with children, to a picnic or barbecue, so the kids can get to know each other.
Generally, most children adapt to their new location within about nine weeks; however, for some the adjustment period may last from six months to one and one-half years.

Throughout the move, stay as upbeat and calm as you can; a good plan makes this possible. Your own mood will impact other family members, especially babies, who are particularly sensitive to their mother's feelings. With older children, it's important to be honest about some of the uncertainties you have, but also to be generally optimistic about the move and the positive ways it will affect the family.

Try to stick to your routines. Have meals at the same times as always. If your kids nap, encourage them to lie down at the usual time. Keep to the normal bedtimes. Don't pack things that your children treasure. Take special blankets, beloved stuffed animals, favorite books, and other prized items in a separate bag or box that you can bring with you in the car or on the plane when you go to your new home.

The attitude of the parents is most important in how well a child will cope with moving. See the move as an adventure and focus on the opportunities in moving, the children will then accept the situation as a positive.

Good Evening Everyone!

I hope that all is well. If not please do tell. You can either contact me directly at lullabell225@peoplepc.com or go ahead and post below.

For now I think the way this will work is on a more individual basis. If you need something be specific and try not to be greedy as this is here for the needy. We will be depending on the kindness of strangers and each other here so by all means if you need it name it. If you know someone who needs something name it.
I will try to put you in touch with the correct organization or charitable person.

Now for the second and just as important componant of this site volunteers. If you can please do. Read our comments posted. If you can help contact me.
I will do my best to see that you are put in contact with the needy party. If preffered I will handle all contact.

Think of all of the things you have too much of. All of the things that are not used any more. These just may be the things that can reward you in the greatest way and at the same time mean the world to your neighbor.

GOOD NIGHT FRIENDS

We All Need A Hand From Time To Time

Here is a woman in need
http://helpbuffy.blogstream.com

I am not quite sure of how I will format all of my ideas for this site as of yet.
I just decided it was time to just jump in and do this.
The goal here is to create a site that revolves around REAL people helping other people (mainly parents)
I want to address these topics:
clothing
food
shelter
providing a support circle for parents with out friends

money makers that PROVE to pay out with very little money or no investment
(little money meaning NO more than say $20.00)

donation centers or even one of our own
possibly a hand me down toy and clothing and other goods exchange. (NOT AUCTION)

I REALLY WANT THIS TO BE AN HONEST TO GOODNESS HELPING HANDS CENTER.
so in conclusion for today any input will be greatly appreciated and the link at the top is a woman in need right now. Her husband offers website design and web stuff on the side they could use the business if any one needs the service.

this is a site i am currently exploring as a free money making opportunity
NEVER INVEST YOUR MONEY JUST YOUR TIME.

http://www.mylot.com/?ref=lullabell