Tips When Planning a Happy Father's Day on a Budget

In today's economy, families have to make every dollar count and sometimes that includes cutting back on gifts. However, wonderful gifts for Fathers Day don't have to cost much. With a little thought and creativity, you can make dad's day special without breaking your bank account. In this article, we'll show you how to have a Happy Fathers Day on a budget.

Never underestimate how wonderful a homemade gift can be. It says that you care enough to give of yourself. To make this a Happy Fathers Day, give your special dad a stack of homemade coupons. He can redeem them for hugs, a car wash, getting his shirts ironed, taking out the trash or cleaning up the garage. This really is a gift that keeps on giving because he can use them long after Father's Day is over. Without spending money, you'll let your dad know how much you care.

Everyone knows that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, so use your dad's favorite goodies to make gifts for Fathers Day. If your dad is a pizza lover, buy the fixings for a few homemade pizzas, assemble them, and then pop them in the freezer so dad can have one whenever he likes. Fathers Day gift baskets are always a great idea, so get a large basket from the dollar store and pack it with the ingredients for his favorite meal. For example, put in a bottle of tomato sauce, pasta, grated cheese, and some wonderful fresh bread. Top it off with some homemade cookies in an attractive keepsake tin.

Hobbies are a gold mine for great gift ideas. If your dad loves the outdoors, build him a summer survival kit. Pick up an inexpensive knapsack or duffle bag and fill it with items such as sunscreen, insect repellant, a nifty hat or a pair of shades from the dollar store, a first aid kit, and a refillable water bottle. He'll love this thoughtful Fathers Day present! If your dad loves spending long days fishing, get some new gear for his tackle box.

Hooks, lures, weights and bobbers are all inexpensive and every angler needs them. For the dad who loves golfing, you can get a great Fathers Day golf present online for under twenty-five dollars. A monogram kit will give dad a classy way to mark his golf balls, and you can order a kit at Overstock for less than twenty bucks. A chipper net will allow your dad to practice his short game wherever he is. You can order one from Bass Pro Shops for about $15. Just make sure to order your gift in plenty of time for it to arrive in time for Father's Day.

Having a Happy Fathers Day doesn't mean being unhappy with your bank balance. Start shopping early and keep on eye out for bargains on your dad's favorite things. Read flyers, keep an eye on online sales, and even consider going in together as a family on one big gift instead of several small gifts. Reducing the cost doesn't mean reducing the value of how much you care about dad. Just remember that your love and time are the only gifts your father needs.

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Snootz gives the Teenie Beanies a tour of Beanieland. www.badgersoup.com



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Have Your Dream Prom On A Budget

Between the gown, the hair style, the shoes, dinner and the limo rental, prom costs can really add up! If you can't drop hundreds of dollars on one night, don't despair! There are plenty of ways to enjoy prom night without breaking the bank.

The Dress

You don't need to spend $500 on a custom gown to look fabulous. Here are a few tips for dressing up on a budget:

*Shop consignment stores in your area. These shops carry used clothing that's still in great condition, but priced substantially below retail value. Locate stores in your area and call ahead to see if they carry teen gowns, since some shops specialize in women's business attire or children's clothing. To find a really great deal, visit consignment stores in wealthier communities - they always have the best selection.

*Borrow a dress from a friend. Buying a new dress for every formal dance isn't just expensive - it can be wasteful! After all, what good does it do you to have five fancy gowns sitting in your closet, collecting dust? Raid your friend's closets to see if you can swap - no one's going to remember what everyone else wore three years ago. Or, if you want to set yourself apart, see if your friend will let you add sequins, beads, rhinestones, ribbon or new fabric trim to update the dress.

The Dinner

You don't need to have filet mignon to have a great prom night. Check out these tips for having a great, inexpensive prom dinner:

*Try lunch instead. If you're heart is set on the nicest restaurant in town, do a prom day luncheon instead. The food will be just as good - but for lower prices. Plus, you can use all your extra time between lunch and the dance to do something fun - like going to the movies or doing manicures and pedicures at home with your friends.

*Split an entree with a friend. Nice restaurants will often serve steaks as large as 18-20 ounces - definitely enough for two people to share. Splitting the meal won't just save you money, though. You won't be weighed down with all that food, so you'll be able to shake it all night long.

The Shoes

A fancy pair of heels can set you back well over $100, on top of all the money you've already spent on your dress and prom night activities. But is it really worth it?

*If you're wearing a long gown, consider going with decorated ballet flats instead of heels. After all, no one's going to see your feet! You'll save money and you'll be more comfortable as you dance the night away.

*If you've chosen a short dress and need nice shoes that people will see, check out discount shoe stores and keep your eye out for sales. Or wear an old pair of shoes from your closet or a friend's. Be realistic - are you going to wear the shoes the whole night or will you take them off to dance? If you plan to lose the shoes as soon as you walk in, don't blow your budget on that pair of Louboutin heels.

Prom night is supposed to be a magical night - but you won't enjoy it if you're stressed about how much money you've spent! Planning a prom on a budget doesn't have to mean scaling back your dreams or settling for less. You can have the night of your dreams - and still leave some money in your wallet - by taking the time to find low cost alternatives like these.