Frugal is fabulous. Nabbing hand-me-downs is a great way to economize on costly household goods. The only drawback is staking your claim on an item in good time, because these sites are becoming increasingly popular and that fridge you’ve been eying could get snapped up from right under your nose!

If you’re suspicious of anyone who’d give their stuff away for free, don’t be. It taps into a simple and honest truth: most people just want to get rid of their old things without having to pay to have it thrown out. They also don’t want the hassle of getting rid of it themselves. You come along, take it off their hands and keep it, and everyone’s a winner (you are the real winner though, with your new oak chest of drawers).

All great hunts should begin on Gumtree, a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of freebies. You can find everything from dining room tables and beds to sofas here, and it’s all available to you on the proviso that you pick up the items yourself. If you don’t have a car this may be a bit tricky, but where there’s a will there’s a way to get it all home.

Try and only commit to picking up items that you’ve already seen a picture of online. Most postings do have a picture so with a bit of nous you can avoid the dodgy listings.

For more freebies, join your local Freecycle group. This is a grassroots global organisation that connects people who have things to give away with people who want free stuff. The idea is that if we swap and share, then we aren’t filling landfills up with unwanted items – consider your green credentials guaranteed!

The newest free site on the block is Snaffleup. You can browse through the listings before signing up, and the search engine results show postcodes so you can pick items that are close to you. Once you’ve signed up, the search is even prioritised by postcodes in your area, making what can be a painstaking process much easier.

Another novel way to get free goodies is to swap. Swapping is fun and useful because it can save you stumping up cash in favour of bartering with your unused household items. Also, people value things differently, and that old freezer sitting in your garage might be just what Joe Bloggs is looking for. The possibilities are endless.

Swapz is the largest and most established swapping website. Membership is free and you have the opportunity to swap with people nationwide.

On Swap It Shop not only do you get to swap for new goodies, but you also earn Swap It points that you can use to buy new things without spending a penny! The only downside is that there isn’t any furniture on the site, but they’ve got everything else.

Bargain hunt for the cheapies

Look up the house clearance section on Gumtree to find loads of sellers desperate to sell off unwanted things quickly, especially now with the trend for downsizing. Prices aren’t set in stone, so with a bit of haggling you could find yourself walking away with a real bargain.

You should also check stores that offer great deals on household items – Ikea and Argos are particularly cheap. While the stuff s a bit basic, when pulled together correctly you really can create a polished and clean look. Also, a few pretty accessories will make a big difference – if you can get the bigger items on the cheap you’ll have enough left over to buy some attractive bits and pieces to pull the look together and make your pad look fantastic!

My Deco is another great website for saving on household items. Go to the ‘Shopping’ tab at the top and then look under ‘special offers’, or select a room that you want to shop for. Once you’ve done this you can sort the results by price – choose low to high – and see what bargains are out there. The really useful thing about this site is that you can upload a picture of your room and plan it with 3D furniture, paint, wallpaper, flooring and accessories. It’s a great way to get an idea of how a room will look before you buy anything.

The Invitations
Invite guest to wear a Cars tee shirt to the party if they have one. And, bring along their favorite Cars or Cars 2 toy. Purchase themed invitations or make your own with construction paper and some Cars stickers for decoration.

Room Decorating Ideas
The easiest way to decorate for a party is with themed tableware and lots of balloons! Select Cars 2 paper tableware, centerpiece, banner, and any other birthday decorations available that you like. If you don’t want to sink a lot of money in decorations and already have some Cars or Cars 2 Movie toys, just set them around randomly about the room. Also, a Cars 2 Movie poster will make a great party decoration and double as a gift! If you own one, have a Cars movie playing on the TV as background.

Party Games & Activities
A few ideas:

1. Toy car race. Do you have any race games? If not, set up your own down a long hallway.
2. Race Car Pinata – always a “hit” at any party.
3. Hot Race Car – play this like the classic Hot Potato game, but use a toy car instead.
4. Pin the Tail on the Donkey – Don’t forget this classic party game.
5. Cars 2 Party Game – Available in most party supply stores.

Favor Ideas
Cars 2 stickers and tattoos make great favor and/or game prize ideas.

Party Food Suggestions
Keep it simple. Typical race track food would be a fun idea. Serve hot dogs, corn dogs, potato chips, popcorn, etc. Serve with canned sodas or juice boxes.

Birthday Cake Ideas
If you’d like to save money and make your own cake, just purchase a couple of the Cars 2 Movie toy cars. Make the top of the cake to look like green grass with a road curving through it and place the cars on the road. Most bakeries will have the Cars 2 Movie themed cakes available, but be sure and order early. I always like to serve party mints and cocktail peanuts with the cake and ice cream.

To Sum it Up
This party is fun for kids or adults! Invite your guest to wear their favorite Cars 2 shirt and decorate with tableware, balloons, and posters. Play lots of fun games that involve racing, serve race track food on themed tableware, and finish up with a Cars 2 Movie themed cake (that you can easily make yourself) and ice cream.

Decide on the Color SchemeMany parents love to decorate the nursery in bright primary colors. Bright reds, blues, greens and yellows are a great way to make the room look cheerful; these colors are also useful in attracting the attention of your baby as his eyes begin to focus. Soft, pastel colors are fine as well, and may be a bit more relaxing to the baby when nap time comes. Soft blue, cream and pastel peach are good colors to consider.

Of course, you can always stick to the pink or blue theme depending on the sex of your baby. Either of these colors can be combined with sand, cream and white shades to keep the space from being overwhelmed by a single color.

Furnishings

The crib, changing table, dresser and other furniture can be anything you choose. If you decide on the bold, primary colors, you may want furnishings that are white to contrast with all of the bright accessories in the room. Should you choose pastel pink, blue or even a light aqua, furnishings may be chosen in a darker wood to contrast with the light shades you use to decorate. Pine or natural finished furnishings work well with any color scheme.

Creative Painting Makes a World of Difference

There are literally hundreds of things you can do with a little paint! When it comes to the nursery, you can really get creative. Many new parents feel that painting soft clouds on the ceiling adds a relaxing touch to the room. Consider painting playful murals on a wall as well. This can be something as simple as a few alphabet blocks, or something more intricate like Disney characters. Just use your imagination!

If your baby is a boy, there are all sorts of options for accessorizing the room. Sports themes, cars and trucks, fire engines, and tractors work well. For girls, think about a princess theme, ballerina, or a fairy tale character such as a mermaid. Of course, teddy bears are perfect for either.

Many people do not want to know the gender of their baby before it is born – they enjoy the surprise. This is not a problem when it comes to decorating the nursery, simply stick to neutral colors and themes such as Winnie the Pooh, or even a beach theme decorated in soft blue and sand colors. Keep in mind that your baby won’t remain a baby for long, so you may want to choose a theme that still work when they are two or three years old to keep you from having to update the decor too soon.

Choose a Theme

Unless you are just into the eclectic look, choosing a theme for your room will help narrow down some of the decisions you will have to make. This theme can be anything you are interested in, such as horses, the city life, nature or your favorite cars. Next, choose a color to work around, as this will also help you in your decorating endeavors. Once you have made these two choices, it’s time to go shopping.

Accessories Make the Difference

Since most dorms won’t let you paint the walls, you are going to have to add accessories to make it feel like a home away from home. Pillows, pictures, bedding sets, and area rugs are all great choices. However, you will also need to consider curtains, plants and lamps. One thing to remember is that your roommate will need to have a say on some of those areas. Of course, you hope you don’t get a roommate that has the decorating sense of a turtle!

In most dorm rooms, you will find two beds, two dressers and two desks. If you are lucky, it will have carpeting, but many floors are nothing more than cold tile. Areas rugs not only add color but also give you warmth on those chilly fall mornings. There are a number of different patterns, shapes and textures available, including flower shaped rugs, colored flokati rugs or even simple, solid colored oval rugs.

When looking for pillows, choose a couple that will go with your theme, as well as your colors. A good reading pillow will come in quite handy and nothing can beat an oversized body pillow for a good night’s sleep. If you are a little bit decorating-challenged, then look for sets of throw pillows sold with complete bedding ensembles.

Pictures on your wall should be tasteful, so you don’t offend your roommate. Some are sold as complimenting pieces to your bedding sets, but you don’t have to go that route. Choose pictures that will give you a sense of inspiration, such as your favorite athlete or sports teams. Don’t put expensive paintings or other decorations up. They could disappear.

If you replace anything that comes with the room, such as curtains, make sure you keep the originals in good shape. This could also include dresser drawer pulls, curtain rods, light switches, and the like. You don’t want to be charged for losing a dingy old pair of curtains!

A Few Final Thoughts

Remember that your space is yours but your roommate has to look at it, as well. You don’t want to spend your evening trying to avoid the kaleidoscope on the opposite wall. If you are in doubt about the annoyance factor of any of the accessories you intend incorporating in your dcor, just ask. It might prevent problems later on in the semester. Even though the semester is only a few months long, it can seem like years in the wrong dorm room.

When the bride is going to the church for the wedding, the car should be beautified as per taste of the bride. It should portrait her persona and the wedding theme. Some girls might like a simple and formal decoration, while others would like funniness added to it. Decorating the ‘getaway’ car is the privilege of the couple’s friends and relatives. It can also be done by a professional who will do the job as per your desire.

A classic flower garland or wreath can be used for beautification of the wedding car making car look eye-catching. Do not use flying decorations or shoe-polish symbols painted on the car, as guests can get upset. The flower wreath is normally put on the bonnet securely tied. Put flowers all over the car to decorate it. You can also use bunches of flowers.

Put a ‘just married’ banner along with some colored ribbons and a flower garland. Ribbons are an inexpensive means to make car look graceful. Take care not to decorate the car too much. The car will then appear to be a party car. Either you go for washable paints or anything else for the signs; your point should be legible to everybody. Use pink ribbons for summer weddings, while cream color ribbons are suitable for upper-class weddings. For a formal kind of organza colored ribbons would be best. The ribbons can be arranged all over the car, or can be placed in shape of bows.

A widespread manner to embellish the getaway car is to fasten beer cans to the bumper, using thread and a large hand-painted ‘just married’ banner. It’s common nowadays for people to try new creative ways of decorating wedding cars with interesting messages and signs. These messages are often scribbled on the windows, but make sure that driver’s view is clear. Use liquid chalk for such messages as they are easily removable, and safe for the car’s paint. There are eye-catching heart-shaped magnets which can be used for the couple’s. The best part is that they can be easily removed or attached. Tie some ribbons or balloons to the car antenna to attract and get noticed.

There are many wedding ideas on a budget that would make it cheaper. Photos are an important part of your wedding as they will store the memories several years later. Instead of looking for an expensive photographer who will charge you thousands of dollars for the many pictures you need, look within the family circle and see if you have anyone who has the expertise of taking photos. If you happen to get one, you will have made a big time saving on your wedding without watering it down. You could also look for a visitor to take some photos using a disposable camera to help give a different perspective.

Though flowers may look cheap but if they are many to decorate your wedding they will cost you a fortune. You are likely to get tempted to go for large bouquets which will cost you lots of money and they will go to the dustbins a few hours later. You could brain storm with your wedding planners and maids on how to cut down your flower budgets. Some wedding ideas on a budget may look simple but they will be noble in making your wedding cheap. Settle for affordable decorations and use single buds in slim vases together with a simple centerpiece. It will look a great idea and many people will not know that your objective was saving.

Most people go for dinner rehearsal in five star hotels; they end up spending lots of money. You could choose to have a cheaper one in your friend’s house. Most guests are interested in having a good time and not really which hotel they went to especially during rehearsals. This and many other wedding ideas on a budget will help you cut down your expenses, especially those you meet while preparing for the wedding. Some of the guests are your relatives and there is no need to spend so much while it is only a rehearsal. It will be better for you to use that money during the actual wedding.

Finally, you could hire a good planner to give you advice on how to cut down your wedding budget. There are also many other wedding ideas on a budget you could settle for to cut down your expenses. Such include avoiding expensive wines and beers, music DJs, custom gowns and cakes and similar things. Get simple good music that will suit your occasion. I hope you liked the tips but there are far more fantastic ideas you need to know. You can save tons of money if you take action and use the following tips.

Oversized Vintage Posters and Prints

Although many old photographs are frequently small in size, that doesn’t mean you have to be limited to small pieces of wall art. If you are lucky enough to still have the negatives for the photos, you could have enlargements printed from them. However, even if you only have one small print, you can still use it as the basis for a larger piece of art. By using a scanner, you can transform the photograph into a large digital file. You can then have the file printed on a large photo or poster printer to create an eye-catching vintage poster or print.

Vintage Photo Collage

If you have a collection of old photographs that you are especially fond of, consider transforming them into a photo collage. Although there are picture frames designed specifically for the display of multiple photos, you can also use a scanner, computer graphics software and a printer to create your own custom photo collage. Start by collecting the old photos that you would like to use. Then, play with your overall collage layout by laying the photos over each other in various ways. When you find an arrangement that you particularly like, take a photo of it for future reference. Then, scan the photos, enlarging them if necessary. You can then print the photos individually, overlapping and attaching the printed copies to a backing board. Or, overlap them digitally using your graphics software, so that you only need to print the completed design.

Enhancing Vintage Photos

In some cases, you might find that your old photos have become a little worn and torn over the years. If this is the case, try using computer graphics software to repair them. Once you’ve scanned the photo, use photo retouching tools within the software package to recreate torn areas or to remove bends and creases. You might be amazed how much better your old photographs can look after this kind of treatment. You can also use the color adjustment controls of the software to create interesting visual effects. For example, you could add a beautiful vintage sepia tint to a scan of a plain black and white photo. By using these methods, you can actually improve the appearance of your vintage photos, without altering the originals.

Color scheme: Having a color scheme for your office space is both simple and gives a very stylish look to the entire area. The general preferred trend is to select two dominant colors and one minor color. Things like coffee mugs, pens, and office accessories on desks or tables can be shaded in the two dominant shades, and the minor shade can be used for things such as paper clips or other tiny objects.
Wall colors: When painting the office walls, try to pick a color that reflects the spirit of your business and do not be afraid to go bold and try out an accent wall. Depending on your industry, different colors are more appropriate. If your business is staffed by more creative types like designers feel free to go for walls with more pizzazz. If your business is in a more conservative industry it is safer to go with the neutral colors. The great thing about painting walls is it will not cost you a fortune, just make sure to pick high-quality paint that will last a long time to avoid having to repaint your office often.
Decorate your walls: Bare walls gives the office a dull feeling and because of that energy can affect the mood of your staff. Add some tasteful framed photos or paintings to your wall. You could invite local artists to display their artwork on your walls allowing you to have free office decor and they get exposure. Many retailers sell paintings and photographs at a discounted price as well.
Get rid of your clutter: With a clear desk comes a clear mind. Make sure to empty unnecessary items on your desk once a week at least, keep items you do not use often put away in a drawer. A pencil desk drawer would be a good place to keep items you use often but not enough to have sitting out, allowing you to grab them quickly when needed but off your clean desk. They are usually about $50 and a worthwhile investment. Add a photograph or two of loved ones and friends in a frame that goes along with your office’s color scheme.
Add a Chair Mat: Not only do these mats help protect the flooring, carpet, linoleum, tile, or hardwood floor under the harsh rolling feet of your desk chair but they add style to your office as well. Bamboo mats add a unique look to your office and are longer lasting than the standard rubber mats. These typically cost a little over $175 but they will last longer than rubber mats in the long run. Bamboo chair mats last at least 8-10 years while cheap rubber mats sometimes last only 2 until they begin cracking.
A stylish office chair: Some people think to just turn to office depot or Ikea for their office chair in order to save money. Not only are these chairs not attractive in design but they also will not last very long. It is much better to invest in an ergonomic chair that is going to provide you with the right support for your body type and help you avoid serious injury that can occur from sitting in an office chair that provides no support. While a good ergonomic office chair will cost upwards of $200, it will also last you many years and almost all come in attractive, stylish designs. I like to think of office chairs almost like a car purchase, you expect your car to last you a long time and you will spend the extra money to make sure it looks good and keeps you safe. Same goes for an office chair, only they are about $20,000 less yet you still spend more time in a chair everyday.
Make your office more green: A small or large potted plant in your office, depending on the space, will make the atmosphere more pleasant. Make sure to consider how much light the plant will require before putting it in your office. Fake plants also provide a similar effect and can be bought at wholesalers for a very reasonable price.

A lot of ideas for green living are little more than the things our grand-parents did without thinking. Recycling just made sense to them – not recycling cans, bottles, etc., but actually re-using. If something had a second use, why throw it away?

So why not start by thinking about what you throw in the trash. Do you need to throw it in the trash at all? Can glass bottles and jars be cleaned and used for storage? Or for home-made food like jams and preserves? You don’t make jams or preserves? Your own will be a lot healthier, will probably taste better, and will almost certainly save you money over store-bought items. See how one green living idea – recycling glass – suddenly leads to another?

What about plastic bottles? Cut the bottom off and turn upside-down and they can be used as water reservoirs for house, greenhouse and garden plants so they get water on hot days when you can’t be there. You don’t have house or garden plants? Apart from the potential of growing your own vegetables, plants convert carbon dioxide to oxygen so they benefit the environment. Whether it’s the Amazon rainforest or a plant in you lounge, growing things are good for you!

More tips on living green? How’s your car running? If it’s in tune in will not only pollute less it will save you money. Can you walk some places instead of taking the car? Not always practical but every single trip you make on foot does the planet good and does you good too.

Do you overheat your house? If you’re getting up a sweat just going up and down the stairs, try turning down the thermostat. If it gets a bit chilly try putting on another layer of clothes rather than wandering around in shorts and t-shirt in the middle of winter! Think about energy-efficient light bulbs too.

Then there’s the food you eat. Does it all come out of cartons? If you can grow some of your own it can make a difference to your health, it’s more eco-friendly and, depending on the amount you grow, it can have a big impact on your budget. Oh, and of course it’s better for your health to be outside exercising too.

Have you noticed how most tips on living green also save you money or make you healthier? Noticed how straight-forward they are? There are lots of other things you can do, of course, but you shouldn’t try to change the world overnight. If you try to take massive steps and fail, it puts you off. Instead, do small things that succeed. As each of us does a little more it brings about a huge change globally. That’s what I call practical green living, and ordinary folks like you and me can do it every day.

Though there are some that are apt to name their cars, this is not really a way to show off your personality to everyone on the road. One of the most common ways to show who you are with your car is through bumper stickers or window stickers. All who have been stuck in traffic on the freeway or have simply had their attention distracted by the car in front of them have encountered family stickers on the back window of cars or a bumper sticker that says something along the lines of “Honk if you love penguins!” These types of stickers are short, inexpensive, and fun ways to make your car show off your personality.

Another fun way to show who you are, as well as to protect the interior of your car, is through car seat covers. These decorations come in many different styles, from Hawaiian flowers to plaid patterns and everywhere in between, car seat covers are a great way to show how much you like who you are and how you want your car to reflect your personality. Of course, car seat covers did originally start out having a merely practical purpose of covering the seats of a car, but they have evolved to protect the seats while providing a wonderful way to make a car stylish and individual. Utilizing car seats is another relative inexpensive way to jazz up a car and make it your own.