Molly Sims Reveals the Sex of her Baby on "The Talk"
Pregnant actress and model Molly Sims announces the gender of her baby on CBS's THE TALK: "Everyone has asked me. We are having a baby boy!"
Exclusive: Molly Sims Breaks Baby News
Exclusive: Molly Sims Breaks Baby News
Monthly Focus: 10 Daily Budget Fixes for Newly Engaged Couples
by
Andrea Woroch
Make a few budget tweaks to kick off your wedding savings. Here are 10 easy ways to help you spend less and save more.
1. Dine out less.With an expensive event to save for, look for areas in your lifestyle that can greatly reduce the amount of money you spend. Dining out regularly, for example, eats into your budget to the tune of $200 per month, according to the National Restaurant Association. Cooking at home will not only save money, but also provides a unique bonding opportunity with your soon-to-be spouse.
2. Sell your stuff.
Peruse your closet for clothes, shoes and accessories you haven't worn for a year and start purging. Post the goods online via Craigslist and eBay, or sell through your local consignment shop. The same goes for furniture, home goods and sporting equipment. You can even exchange gift cards for cash on sites
Peruse your closet for clothes, shoes and accessories you haven't worn for a year and start purging. Post the goods online via Craigslist and eBay, or sell through your local consignment shop. The same goes for furniture, home goods and sporting equipment. You can even exchange gift cards for cash on sites
like GiftCardGranny.com.
3. Trim salon visits.
Whether you're a hair-color fiend or addicted to manicures and massages, it's time to trim those salon visits. Let your hair grow out a little longer to stretch time between visits and save on cuts. Give yourself at-home mani-pedis with inexpensive drugstore kits. Though weekly massages may help you relax, make a date with your bathtub and suds it up with a little mellow music to help you unwind.
Whether you're a hair-color fiend or addicted to manicures and massages, it's time to trim those salon visits. Let your hair grow out a little longer to stretch time between visits and save on cuts. Give yourself at-home mani-pedis with inexpensive drugstore kits. Though weekly massages may help you relax, make a date with your bathtub and suds it up with a little mellow music to help you unwind.
4. Movie night alternatives.
Skip the $5 movie from you cable provider for a $1 Redbox rental, or get your cinema fix via online streaming with Hulu. You can also pick up free DVDs at your local library, or swap movies you own with friends for something new to watch.
Skip the $5 movie from you cable provider for a $1 Redbox rental, or get your cinema fix via online streaming with Hulu. You can also pick up free DVDs at your local library, or swap movies you own with friends for something new to watch.
5. Find a side gig.
From weekend bartending (up to $300 nightly) to watching the neighbors kids ($15 per hour), you could supplement your savings with extra cash from a side gig. Just make sure you don't spread yourself too thin with the added workload. Wedding planning takes time, after all, and you don't want to kill yourself saving up for an extra plate of foie gras.
From weekend bartending (up to $300 nightly) to watching the neighbors kids ($15 per hour), you could supplement your savings with extra cash from a side gig. Just make sure you don't spread yourself too thin with the added workload. Wedding planning takes time, after all, and you don't want to kill yourself saving up for an extra plate of foie gras.
6. Nix dry cleaning.
Instead of paying $10 to $20 per item for dry cleaning, use at-home dry-cleaning kits ($13 for 6 pouches), which freshen up your clothes in the dryer instantly. Going forward, check clothing labels for care requirements and try to avoid dry clean-only garments.
Instead of paying $10 to $20 per item for dry cleaning, use at-home dry-cleaning kits ($13 for 6 pouches), which freshen up your clothes in the dryer instantly. Going forward, check clothing labels for care requirements and try to avoid dry clean-only garments.
7. Brew your own cup of joe.
Wake up a few minutes early and make your own coffee. This is one of the most common -- and yet most overlooked -- daily savings tips. With coffee and espresso running anywhere from $1 to $5 per serving, potential savings could reach $35 per week or $140 monthly.
Wake up a few minutes early and make your own coffee. This is one of the most common -- and yet most overlooked -- daily savings tips. With coffee and espresso running anywhere from $1 to $5 per serving, potential savings could reach $35 per week or $140 monthly.
8. Redeem reward points.
According to a study by Colloquy, the average household participating in loyalty programs -- like those offered by credit cards -- earns approximately $622 in rewards annually, and fails to redeem $205. If you're guilty of leaving 200 bones on the table, now is the time to start redeeming those points. Get gift cards to use toward wedding expenses or try to pay for a portion of your honeymoon travel expenses with the points.
According to a study by Colloquy, the average household participating in loyalty programs -- like those offered by credit cards -- earns approximately $622 in rewards annually, and fails to redeem $205. If you're guilty of leaving 200 bones on the table, now is the time to start redeeming those points. Get gift cards to use toward wedding expenses or try to pay for a portion of your honeymoon travel expenses with the points.
9. Use your tax refund wisely.
The average tax refund in 2011 was nearly $3,000, according to CNNMoney. If you're fortunate enough to receive that kind of sum again this year, open a high-interest savings account and deposit the refund immediately. Then, review the W4 you have on file with your employer and adjust your withholding. You don't want to miss out on an extra $250 of income each month going forward.
The average tax refund in 2011 was nearly $3,000, according to CNNMoney. If you're fortunate enough to receive that kind of sum again this year, open a high-interest savings account and deposit the refund immediately. Then, review the W4 you have on file with your employer and adjust your withholding. You don't want to miss out on an extra $250 of income each month going forward.
10. Mass transportation for massive savings.
For city dwellers, vow to take the subway or bus to work instead of a taxi to yield a savings potential up to $20 per day. For those who cab it around town because alcohol is involved, many props to you. However, you may consider electing a sober driver or ween yourself from the costly activity altogether.
For city dwellers, vow to take the subway or bus to work instead of a taxi to yield a savings potential up to $20 per day. For those who cab it around town because alcohol is involved, many props to you. However, you may consider electing a sober driver or ween yourself from the costly activity altogether.
Andrea Woroch is a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc.
Monthly Focus: Plan the Honeymoon of Your Dreams
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| A Crescent Honeymoon (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
With nearly 70% of all engaged couples living together before their wedding day, many already have everything they need for their married lives. What if wedding guests could give the couple something they definitely don’t have? Something so much better than standard wedding presents? Brides and grooms are raving about the gifts they have received on Honeymoonwishes.com where their friends and family can choose from the couple’s dream list of honeymoon experiences to give as wedding gifts, including romantic dinners, golf outings, massages, sightseeing excursions, and more.
Newly engage couples simply register with Honeymoonwishes.com, choose their honeymoon destination, and then choose which activities, outings, meals, etc. they would like to have gifted. By registering for their honeymoon, couples can get the honeymoon getaway they’ve always dreamed of. And Honeymoonwishes.com isn’t just for wedding couples. Wedding guests love it too. Hundreds of thousands of wedding guests have enjoyed Honeymoonwishes.com for its simplicity, ease of use with shopping online, and because they know that they are buying a gift that won’t be returned. The site not only allows wedding guests to view the bride’s and groom’s honeymoon gift wishes and purchase those gifts directly from the site, but also has a social tool allowing weddingguests to become part of this special time interacting with the couple and their destination.
Launched in 2003, Honeymoonwishes.com directly connects brides and grooms to resorts, cruise lines, and travel companies in destinations around the world. Many of Honeymoonwishes.com’s gift registry options are specific to the resorts, cruise lines, andwedding venues that couples choose, making the site much more than just a cash collecting service. And there is no guess work when using Honeymoonwishes.com. The items that are available have been carefully selected by Honeymoonwishes.com’s team and are tastefully showcased.
Using Honeymoonwishes.com is simple. A bride can simply register for free on Honeymoonwishes.com and with the help of their significant other choose their honeymoon location from the site’s list of resorts, cruises, and destinations worldwide. Once they have selected their honeymoon location, couples then choose which “honeymoon experiences and memories” they would like to have, such as snorkeling and diving excursions, hikes, tours, golfing, massages, romantic dinners, and more. Couples then send theirwedding guests a link to their Honeymoonwishes.com registry where guests can make their gift purchases.
For more information about Honeymoonwishes.com, please visit http://www.honeymoonwishes.com
Coupons to Print
Household Items
Personal Care
Food & Grocery
- $1.00 off 2 General Mills Kid cereals
- $0.75 off Multi Grain Cheerios
- $0.50 off One Package of LAND O LAKES
- $1.00 off one Resource ThickenUp Clear
- $1.00 off two Pure Protein Bars
- $0.40 off one Frigo Italian Style Cheeses
- $0.40 off one Dragone cheese product
- $0.40 off one Treasure Cave cheese product
- $1.00 off one Kashi steam meal
- $1.00 off 4 LARABAR or JOCALAT bars
- $0.75 off any Cascadian Farm product
- $0.75 off 2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough
- $0.40 off 2 Pillsbury or Grands! Sweet Rolls
- $0.40 off one Stella cheese product
- $0.75 off TWO MorningStar Farms Veggie Foods
Pet Products
Historical Beauty in Pictures
We were driving today through the country, and I happen to take some of these photos of what I saw on our way home. I can't wait till I get my new camera for my birthday from my hubby *hint hint hubby*. I love photography, and I truly believe that pictures are not worth just 1000 words, but more.
I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.
Monthly Focus: Guest Post: 12 Things Your Wedding Can Do Without
by
Cara Davis
When planning a wedding there are almost always non-negotiables. The dress. The photographer. The location. The groom (hopefully). But there are plenty of things you can change, compromise or completely do without on your wedding day. Here are a few of them, and how each can help you put your money where the most important things to you are -- Maui anyone?
1. Save-the-Dates
Skip the printed postcards announcing your wedding date and use e-vites, Facebook, email and the old-fashioned phone to spread the word to out-of-town guests. If you're committed to hardcopies, check out TheWeddingChicks.com for free, elegant printables.
Skip the printed postcards announcing your wedding date and use e-vites, Facebook, email and the old-fashioned phone to spread the word to out-of-town guests. If you're committed to hardcopies, check out TheWeddingChicks.com for free, elegant printables.
2. A professional wedding planner
If you're fairly well organized, you can get away without the services of a professional, so long as you have some reliable people to delegate to, like your mom and maids. Don't use this as an excuse to not do your homework and get referrals for the services you do spend your money on, like flowers and catering. For some digital help, check out this article from Mashable on the best wedding-planning apps.
If you're fairly well organized, you can get away without the services of a professional, so long as you have some reliable people to delegate to, like your mom and maids. Don't use this as an excuse to not do your homework and get referrals for the services you do spend your money on, like flowers and catering. For some digital help, check out this article from Mashable on the best wedding-planning apps.
3. Relatives twice removed
The more you can trim you guest list, the more money you'll save overall. Keep the invite list to the must-haves, then send out a wedding announcement (perhaps with your photo) to the masses when all is said and done.
The more you can trim you guest list, the more money you'll save overall. Keep the invite list to the must-haves, then send out a wedding announcement (perhaps with your photo) to the masses when all is said and done.
4. Large bridal party
While it may look impressive in wedding photos, a large bridal party is going to cause more headache and strain on the wallet than you need. Ask your closest friends and family who are willing to help you pull off your big day, and assign other tasks to those you feel just need to be involved somehow (user, parking attendant, server, greeter, etc.)
While it may look impressive in wedding photos, a large bridal party is going to cause more headache and strain on the wallet than you need. Ask your closest friends and family who are willing to help you pull off your big day, and assign other tasks to those you feel just need to be involved somehow (user, parking attendant, server, greeter, etc.)
5. Matchy-matchy dresses
Don't even pretend you're going to find a magical dress that looks good on all the girls that they'll treasure forever. Ain't gonna happen. Choose a theme or color and allow the girls to find their own dresses that fit them (and their wallet). Provide accessories as your gift instead. If you're still not convinced, take a look at these mismatched bridesmaid dresses on Pinterest and reconsider.
Don't even pretend you're going to find a magical dress that looks good on all the girls that they'll treasure forever. Ain't gonna happen. Choose a theme or color and allow the girls to find their own dresses that fit them (and their wallet). Provide accessories as your gift instead. If you're still not convinced, take a look at these mismatched bridesmaid dresses on Pinterest and reconsider.
6. Professional hair & makeup
For some, this is a non-negotiable, and if it is, don't feel guilty spending money on it. But, if you have a friend who's great at hair and/or makeup, enlist their services and splurge by buying new makeup and hair products that you'll have for the honeymoon and months to come (and don't forget to tip the person who ends up doing the job).
For some, this is a non-negotiable, and if it is, don't feel guilty spending money on it. But, if you have a friend who's great at hair and/or makeup, enlist their services and splurge by buying new makeup and hair products that you'll have for the honeymoon and months to come (and don't forget to tip the person who ends up doing the job).
7. Tuxes
Weddings aren't the formal affairs they used to be. If you're wanting a more laid-back and personality-infused wedding, allow your guys to relax and wear suits (ties, bow-ties, suspenders or not...) They'll love you for it.
Weddings aren't the formal affairs they used to be. If you're wanting a more laid-back and personality-infused wedding, allow your guys to relax and wear suits (ties, bow-ties, suspenders or not...) They'll love you for it.
8. Formal wedding registry
Brides and grooms are getting married later in their 20s, and the need for a formal or traditional wedding registry is waning. Take advantage of new services like CardAvenue, an online wedding registry that allows you to register for gift cards from national retailers -- from restaurants to home stores.
Brides and grooms are getting married later in their 20s, and the need for a formal or traditional wedding registry is waning. Take advantage of new services like CardAvenue, an online wedding registry that allows you to register for gift cards from national retailers -- from restaurants to home stores.
9. Dinner
No one's coming to the wedding for the Cornish game hen, folks. Let's skip the formal dinner and do something fun and themed instead - perhaps a self-serve brunch for an 11 a.m. wedding, or a dessert buffet for a 2 p.m. one. You'll save a bundle and it'll be more fun for you and your guests.
No one's coming to the wedding for the Cornish game hen, folks. Let's skip the formal dinner and do something fun and themed instead - perhaps a self-serve brunch for an 11 a.m. wedding, or a dessert buffet for a 2 p.m. one. You'll save a bundle and it'll be more fun for you and your guests.
10. Alcohol
If drinking at your wedding isn't that important to you, skip it. You'll be amazed at how much this will ease your wedding budget. If you do feel strongly about it, choose one drink you'll be serving, or purchase your liquor at a big-box warehouse store.
If drinking at your wedding isn't that important to you, skip it. You'll be amazed at how much this will ease your wedding budget. If you do feel strongly about it, choose one drink you'll be serving, or purchase your liquor at a big-box warehouse store.
11. A "wedding" cake
When ordering the cake for your wedding, don't mention that it's for a wedding. It will automatically double the price. Order a birthday cake, in whatever style you want (three-tiered, etc.). The difference is that bakers make wedding cakes with four layers and cake and three layers of filling. Birthday cakes have two layers of cake and one layer of filling. We seriously doubt your guests will notice.
When ordering the cake for your wedding, don't mention that it's for a wedding. It will automatically double the price. Order a birthday cake, in whatever style you want (three-tiered, etc.). The difference is that bakers make wedding cakes with four layers and cake and three layers of filling. Birthday cakes have two layers of cake and one layer of filling. We seriously doubt your guests will notice.
12. Party favors
Unless you can pull this off for cheap and in a non-tacky way, I wouldn't sweat the wedding favors. Instead, sprinkle your tables with Hershey's Kisses, or provide little treat bags to fill at a candy station on the way out. A votive candle with your wedding date on it is not going to last long in anyone's house, except for your mother-in-law's. And even that's questionable.
Unless you can pull this off for cheap and in a non-tacky way, I wouldn't sweat the wedding favors. Instead, sprinkle your tables with Hershey's Kisses, or provide little treat bags to fill at a candy station on the way out. A votive candle with your wedding date on it is not going to last long in anyone's house, except for your mother-in-law's. And even that's questionable.
Weddings expert Cara Davis is the author of Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot and blogs from her home in Orlando, FL, about cheap ways to spend and save at CheapWaysTo.com.
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