Halloween Hacks for The Mum on a Budget

Halloween is one of my absolute favorite Holidays! There's trick or treating to look forward to, pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING & of course, dressing up as something other than yourself for a change. 

This year, we kept it pretty simple. We got creative & made costumes out of items we already owned, we went trunk or treating instead of trick or treating (when you have smaller children, this is ideal because they don't have to walk nearly as far & often times they end up with a lot more candy) & we carved & painted pumpkins at home. I even got adventurous & made homemade pumpkin pie from scratch! My point being, you don't need to put out a lot of money to make the Holidays enjoyable. Here are some of my tips to keep Halloween cost-effective & fun!

#1 CHECK OUT LOCAL FREE EVENTS ONLINE

I'm always finding so many fun, free events on google, facebook, & even my city's event website. You can even find coupons for food or activities or discounted tickets for sale, so be sure to check back every couple of days because they are always posting awesome events for the whole family & even just for adults!

#2 GET CRAFTY!

Hot glue, fake flowers & an old headband can be transformed into a flower fairy crown! One of Dad's old t-shirts can be cut into a cape for your little superhero! Even the dollar store is a treasure trove of potential costumes - all it takes is a little hot glue & some imagination! 

#3 SAVE ON PUMPKINS

I'm not saying by any means that you should ditch pumpkins altogether, but shop smart. Local roadside pop-up shops & pumpkin patches can be great for a photo op, but their prices are usually outrageous! You'll be spending upwards of $15.00 per pumpkin! Instead, check out your local supermarket. Walmart, Target, & Smiths (if you are local to Utah) usually all sell their pumpkins under $5.00 each. It may be tempting to carve pumpkins earlier, but they tend to get mushy & gross by the time Halloween comes around. Wait until the week of & you'll not only save money, but you'll also save yourself from having a rotten pumpkin smelling porch for the next month!

#4 DOLLAR STORE CHALLENGE

Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on decor, why not host a crafting night with your girls? Here's the kicker though. You can only use items from the dollar store! Pinterest has hundreds of step-by-step tutorials for everything from wreaths to centerpieces, even for the craft-impaired! If you're feeling naughty, you can even break out a bottle of wine to ensure that it's a fun-filled giggle fest! 

#5 DON'T GO BROKE TRYING TO MAKE IT MEMORABLE

This one should speak for itself. If you are like me & you have little ones, you know exactly what it's like trying to resist the urge to go overboard. The photo ops, the events, the costumes, & the candy. Halloween can get really expensive when you're trying to make it perfect for your kids! But here's the thing... will they really remember if their hat was a different shade of blue than their costume? Are they going to remember how much effort you put into decorating the doorway just like that post you saved on Pinterest,  or are they going to remember making not-so-perfect streamers with you & dancing to The Monster Mash in the kitchen with you instead? What kids really value above anything else is TIME. The time we spend with them is what truly makes the Holiday memorable, & that is what we need to remember. 

Autumn Glamping Hacks

Who loves camping? I know I do! Camping is one of those wonderful bonding experiences that if done right, can truly set you up with wonderful memories that you'll want to relive again & again. At least once a year, Dohnovan & I like to go "Glamping" at a little place called Defa's Dude Ranch in Hanna, Utah. It's not quite as grimy as camping, because we have four walls & a bed, but it's still not very glamorous either, because all you have is four walls & a bed. WE LIVE FOR IT! 

Although it's always fun to take these trips spontaneously, we have learned that a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring that our vacation is much more comfortable & fun for everyone involved! Here are a few things we have learned over the past couple years that have made the biggest difference in our "Glamping" experience!

#1 BE PREPARED FOR ANY KIND OF WEATHER

If you have ever spent any time in Utah, you'll know as well as we do that we can (and probably will) experience several seasonal changes in a single day! It's best to make sure that whatever shoes you choose to pack will keep your toes warm & are durable enough to survive rain, snow, & lots of dirt! Dohnovan & I prefer to go glamping during the off-season because it's likely that we will have the campground to ourselves, but it's also very likely that we will experience much colder temperatures during that time of year so we always pack plenty of warm socks & double up on them at night to ensure that our toes stay nice & toasty!

Pack a heavy duty coast & a lighter coat. This always comes in handy because the temperature varies throughout the day & in the evening I like to throw on something a little thicker while we roast marshmallows around the fire. It also makes the world of difference to somebody else if they didn't come prepared & need an extra layer! It's also nice to keep a rain poncho on hand in case you're surprised by a rainstorm while you're away from your campground. The hubby doesn't mind braving the weather, but I prefer to keep one in my coat pocket just to be safe!

#2 KNOW WHAT YOU'RE COOKING WITH

When I think of cooking while camping, I usually think of roasting hot dogs or throwing hobo dinners into the fire & hoping for the best. This year we discovered the power of meal prepping & the added bonus of having an old fashioned wood burning stove! We cooked everything from hamburgers & breakfast burritos to chili & steak with potatoes, & all we needed was a cast iron skillet & some tin foil! If you are traveling somewhere you've never been before, always inquire about their heat sources when you are booking. If you only have a fire pit to cook with, bringing a little grill will make the world of difference to your stomach! If you are fortunate enough to have access to a wood burning stove, you will be able to cook most of the same things you make at home. Just throw them in a skillet or wrap them in tin foil & set them on top. Soon you'll be enjoying your first tasty meal in your cabin!  

BONUS GLAMPING HACK

If you have access to any outlets, a little coffee maker would be a great addition to your camping gear. You'll be able to heat water for soup, hot chocolate, or even wash any dishes you might have brought with you AND you'll be able to have fresh coffee in the morning by a nice toasty fire! Now THAT sounds like Glamping to me!

#3 BRING YOUR OWN FIREWOOD

This one should be a no-brainer if you're already a camping expert, but for those of you who aren't; most campgrounds DO NOT PROVIDE FIREWOOD! Chances are, by the time you've arrived at your campground, you are miles away from any gas station or local store that would carry it, so be prepared to bring an axe or purchase wood beforehand. Defa's Dude Ranch does carry firewood, but if you go during the off-season (like us) then you might find that everything is closed up & there is no way to access it without an employee so BE PREPARED. 

#4 BRING EASY FIRE STARTERS

Technically I suppose this is still part of hack #3, but make sure to bring easy fire starters, such as lighter fluid & easy kindling. We bring paper plates & cups so we can use them in the fire afterwards. It cuts down on cleanup tremendously! We also recommend bringing duralogs to keep the fire burning longer throughout the night. Your cabin will still be nice & toasty when you wake up!

#5 DON'T FORGET TO ENJOY YOURSELF!

This should go without saying, but remember that you are there to have fun! Don't be afraid to explore, take lots of goofy pictures, stuff your face with smores & cuddle up by the fire sharing stories. Camping doesn't have to be stressful - remember, you are there to get AWAY from the stress of everyday life! These are memories that you'll treasure for a lifetime, so don't sweat the small stuff!

What I Wish I Knew Before I Got Married...

The day I said "I do" was without a doubt, one of the happiest days of my life. The day we became husband & wife, we kissed, we danced, we drank, & we had the most epic cake smash anyone has ever seen... yet at the end of the day, it was all a big blur. It went by so quickly it seemed, & yet the months leading up to it had dragged by. 

As time has passed & I have had more time to recollect the events of our wedding, I've realized there are so many things that I wished I had done differently. Things that I had put hours of work into that made no difference in the end. Purchases I regretted making or stressing over & ones I wish I would have made. Even though our wedding was one of the most magical days of my life, I definitely would have done some things differently if I could go back & do it again... however, I'm perfectly content never having to do it again!

#1 DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF, BECAUSE IT IS ALL SMALL STUFF

I spent hours putting together lists of things I needed to purchase,  people I needed to contact, things I needed to do, & stressing about the smallest things like a flower girl basket (my Grandma ended up custom making one) & matching photo frames that we almost didn't end up using! I went to multiple different stores again & again, I bought things impulsively that I never ended up using at all, & yet I never even noticed most of these things on the actual day. In fact, I don't think anyone did! I wasted so much time stressing over the small stuff that I didn't even realize how unimportant it all was. I gave myself panic attacks daily, so you can probably guess how ridiculous I feel looking back now. Save yourself the stress & focus on the things that are most important to you. Prioritize the things that you know will stand out in your memory, & don't sweat the small stuff, because it's all small stuff.

#2 DON'T RUSH TO CHOOSE YOUR BRIDAL PARTY

One of the hardest decisions you have to make as a Bride-to-Be is choosing your bridal party. At first, it may seem like an obvious choice. You may have a close circle that you have been friends with for years, but things can change. One of my best friends was set to be my Maid of Honor, but had some drastic life changes prevent her from being able to help me as much as she originally thought she could, so the responsibility fell to my sister. I rekindled an old friendship with someone I had once been very close with not long before the wedding & wished it wasn't too late to make her a part of the Bridal party & I almost had a falling out with another bridesmaid who was nearly replaced entirely. Circumstances change throughout the planning process, so make sure that whoever you choose is up to taking on that responsibility & that they are someone you know will be a friend for life. Thankfully it all worked out in the end, but my husband was smart to take his time before choosing his Groomsmen. If I had done the same, it could have prevented a lot of unnecessary stress for both me & my Bridesmaids! 

#3 SPLURGE ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS

As much as your wedding day seems like the perfect occasion to let your creative flag fly, there are some things better left to the professionals. I poured hours of labor & hundreds of dollars into making our floral centerpieces, the Bridesmaids Bouquets & the Groomsmen's Boutonnières, only to find a florist at the last minute who would have charged me $200 less than what I spent on doing it with my friends. Not only would it have saved me so much time & effort, but I could have used that extra money to put towards a videographer - an investment I WISH I would have made. An additional shooter is a valuable asset when booking your photographer because you can be sure that all the important moments are captured. We decided to book The Utah Photo Lounge instead of doing a typical guest book & it was one of the most worthwhile investments we made! Each guest received a photo strip as a wedding favor & the other copy was placed in a book for them to sign. We even received all of the digital copies so it was like having an additional photographer! All of our guests are still talking about it months later. 

Be sure to consider what you'd like to experience as a guest at your wedding so you can make an educated decision on the worthwhile expenses, but be sure to stay true to what makes your relationship unique. Your wedding is an expression of who you are together!

#4 YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYBODY

Your wedding day is a lot like throwing a big party for all of your family & friends, but what nobody tells you is that it's a party that everyone has expectations or opinions about. Some people will inevitably want to play some part in the planning process or feel as though their input on your choice in apparel is more valuable than a decision you spent months making. You may come to realize that your fiancé doesn't share your excitement for the color scheme you've wanted since you were a little girl or that your future in-laws don't agree with your choice in venue. Whatever the case, try to strike that delicate balance between knowing that the wedding isn't just about you, & knowing that in the end it is still your day. I spent a lot of time trying to convince one of my Bridesmaids to wear something she wasn't comfortable in, & in the end I catered to what she wanted & she was willing to meet me in the middle. My husband did not share my enthusiasm for the color scheme, but once I changed it up a little bit, he was more than willing to cooperate. Don't let yourself get so stuck in your own wants that you compromise someone else's comfortability. If your fiancé or your bridal party feels as though their needs are being met, they will be much more willing to go the extra mile. That being said, it is still your day & it will mean more to you and your fiancé than to anyone else involved, so don't stress yourself out trying to please everybody.

#5 DON'T BE AFRAID TO DELEGATE

Even if you don't like asking for help, it is necessary when planning & orchestrating a wedding. Especially if you are having it in an unconventional venue or somewhere that doesn't offer full wedding services. Everything from the chairs being set up & put away to helping the Bride go the bathroom needs to be delegated, & the big day is not the day to determine who you're going to rely on. Plenty of people will offer during the planning process, so don't be afraid to take them up on it! Make use of family members & friends who are not part of the bridal party so they still feel as though they are involved.  They can greet people at the door, they can pass out wedding favors, they can help the vendors set up & take down. Whatever the need, don't be afraid to ask for help & definitely don't wait until the last minute!

#6 TAKE SOME TIME TO BREATHE

I was in such a rush to get ready, then get to the altar, then to get through the ceremony, that I forgot to BREATHE. I know it's a lot of stress leading up to the big day, but when you finally get there, slow down & be present in each moment. There are so many wonderful things that you'll want to be able to look back on, so don't be afraid to step away & calm your nerves. I know there's a lot of people who want to see you, want to know what they are supposed to do next, want to know if you're okay, but there is no shame in taking a moment for yourself. Having a few moments of calm in the midst of the wonderful chaos is the best thing you can do to ensure that your big day is as wonderful as you hoped it would be.