Raising a child is never easy, but the teenage years can get truly turbulent! From family rows to fitting in at school, our teens are more moody and self-conscious than ever. Unfortunately, all these new stresses and tantrum-inducing hormones can wreak havoc on your teen’s skin, creating breakouts and acne.

Acne can cause the confidence of even the most outgoing teenager to plummet, so it’s vital that your child knows you’ve got their back. Overzealous parents sometimes panic in their quest to give their teen clear skin and make choices that can actually worsen the condition.

If you want to help your teen deal with acne, make sure you avoid these five common mistakes: 

1. Over-cleansing or exfoliating

 One of the most common mistakes people with acne make is over-cleansing or exfoliating too roughly. It seems to make perfect sense to scrub away the dirt and impurities that cause breakouts. However, over-cleansing can actually cause your body to retaliate and produce more sebum to compensate for the natural oils you’ve stripped away, leading to more acne.

If your teens want to exfoliate, advise them to do so no more than once or twice a week. Help them find a gentle, ph-balanced cleanser that won’t irritate the skin or cause further inflammation. 

2. Trying too many products at once

 When you and your teen are desperate to clear up a bad case of acne, it can be tempting to try every product out there that promises to stop breakouts in their tracks. However, adding too many new products to your teenager’s skincare routine at once can have unintended side-effects. Selecting products that are wrong for your adolescent’s skin type and combining certain ingredients can cause dryness, oiliness or even increase acne.

Help your teen by making sure they don’t introduce too many new products into their skincare regime at once and remind them to be patient. Remember: Some treatments take time to work and shouldn’t be abandoned prematurely. 

3. Reaching straight for a well-known product

If it’s on TV or endorsed by a celebrity, it’s gotta be good, right? Not necessarily. There are a lot of big-brand acne treatments on the market that may be ideal for some skin types but not others. Do your research by checking balanced Proactiv reviews and skincare studies to find the best regimen for your teen. The number of products out there can be overwhelming and choosing the wrong one could actually make your teen’s skincare situation worse. So it may be best to consult a professional before diving into treatment. 

4. Putting off seeing a dermatologist

 Whether it’s to do with money or a busy schedule, many parents put off booking an appointment with a dermatologist for far too long. As an investment in your teen’s self-confidence, it’s a small price to pay. Some acne can’t be treated with over-the-counter medication alone. To treat acne effectively, a tailor-made skincare routine may be necessary. A skilled dermatologist can give you and your teen some simple skincare tips to treat acne and advise you which products best suit his/her problem skin. 

5. Making acne a big deal

More than likely, your teen thinks that his or her skincare woes are the end of the world. While it’s important to be sympathetic (never tell them they’re over-reacting!), it’s also not a good idea to join them on the freak-out wagon. Don’t pester them over the little things and do whatever you can to limit their stress, as stress hormones play a big part in causing breakouts. Simply be supportive and offer advice when and if needed.

Believe it or not, acne affects up to 50 million Americans annually. So, while it might feel like it, you and your teen are far from alone. Like most of the awkward parts of growing up, this too shall pass. In the meantime, just focus on keeping your teen’s self-confidence up and helping them manage their skincare routine by avoiding the common acne mistakes listed above.

The Importance Of Proper Construction

If you’ve ever managed to get outside of the United States and see a third-world country, you’ve seen what unregulated architecture can be. One of the reasons homes in the US have the quality they do has to do with exceptional standards that all new property must live up to. There are different standards for different properties.

As an example, you’re not going to have a handicapped parking spot required in your driveway, but even the smallest public building would. Before you buy a home, find a way to vet its safety record. Ensure that it is in compliance with all local codes. Here’s a handy list of seven that are especially important. If you’ve got a property that’s been in the family for decades, you’re not excused.

Oftentimes older systems can corrode, or cease their proper functionality. Consider your electrical system. Would you trust a non-upgraded electrical system from the 1930s? Yet some people never fix problems like this, and are surprised when a short in the wires near corroded plastic sets a mouse-nest on fire and burns the house down. Following are three safety upgrades that are stylish, but can be integral to your home’s security.

Railings

In houses that have more than one level, a railing is going to be something which is eminently recommendable in maintaining the safety of occupants. But it doesn’t have to be a bare-bones metal construction fastened with utilitarian bolts. A wooden railing with a finely sculpted motif recommending its appearance can actually add a certain elegance to the house.

For the staircase that’s a bit dangerous because it lacks a rail, or that upper hallway looking down on the entertainment center, a well-designed rail system can increase the property’s safety and artistic appeal. If you buy right and don’t spend too much, property value increase alone could pay for the investment over time.

Fire Alarms

You need some sort of fire alarm services in NJ and elsewhere, and according to AlphaFireNJ.com, “there is no one size fits all approach”. And you want those fire alarms you install to work. But you don’t want them to be static. They should be monitored, and experts should install them to ensure that they are working correctly.

Something that has a certain hipster-chic to it is the installation of a traditional “public” fire alarm system in a house. Some workrooms may need a sprinkler, and you can remove the ink cartridge on the pull-down if you like.

This can be a more effective way of waking everyone in the house up, too; sometimes you’ll sleep through a conventional residential alarm. But get the type used in schools and commercial buildings, and nobody will be able to stay under the covers.

This can additionally be used as a surrogate intruder alarm if you’re not the kind to keep guns on your property. If you suspect an intruder and want him gone, pull that fire alarm. He’ll probably have to find new dungarees somewhere once he’s done running.

Wiring

You may have old sockets in your home. More tenured properties often have electrical systems which stretch back decades. These can become dangerous, as mice can bite away their insulating portions, and materials can naturally wear out.

Rubber becomes gritty and brittle over time, as does plastic. These items can make leaving an electrical system in an older property alone a substantial risk, and could cause that property to violate code. Getting past this can be done with an upgrade, and while you’re at it, you might get outlet covers that are stylish, and install additional plugs where necessary.

Expressive Safety

You don’t have to sacrifice style for security. Just choose safety options which can be configured to match your tastes, and don’t be afraid to get creative!

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Author’s Bio

Wendy Dessler

Title: Super-Connector at OutreachMama

Wendy is a super-connector with OutreachMama and Youth Noise NJ who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition. You can contact her on Twitter.

One of the best things about winter is that we get to put on our knitwear and relish in the warmth of our home but this season often turns into a financial nightmare, when 50% of our electricity bill is spent on trying to heat up our home. There is this misconception that we can’t have a warm home and a reasonable electricity bill at the end of the month but the fact is, it is possible, with a few simple tweaks done to your house.

First off, take full advantage of the sun by opening windows and the curtains during the day and closing them before it gets dark, so you will have warmed up your home and have less use for the thermostat. Speaking of which, investing in a programmable thermostat means it won’t keep the temperature unnecessarily high when nobody is home, and it will work less when the fireplace and other heating sources are running. This piece of gadget is known to cut costs by around 30%. Closing fireplace escapes when there isn’t a fire and other gaps around the house are more ways of keeping much of the warmth inside the house and the cold at bay.

Unlike summer, where barbecues in the backyard are always a good idea to keep the house cool and to avoid having to sweat it out in the kitchen, winter is the time to use the stove and the oven to cook, while warming up your house at the same time. That’s the thing about energy efficiency, you have to work with the seasons by adapting and doing small changes when the weather changes, so that your home can be warm or cool enough, depending on the season you are in. There are more ways you can keep a warm house this winter, without raising your electricity costs, as the following infographic proves.

The watch was invented to tell time. However, many people today take this gadget for granted. As we move deeper into the digital age, less of the younger generation wear watches. In a recent survey, only 37.2% of young people aged 16 to 34 used their watches to tell the time. Over 30% of the respondents in the survey saw watches as either fashion statements or pieces of jewelry.

This is understandable considering that more than two thirds of the adults in the US own a smartphone and many of them depend on their phones to carry out many tasks. However, if you’re in the 70% that understands the importance of having a high-quality time piece, then you’re probably trying to decide which watch to purchase.

There are various types of watches in the market. You can get great deals on watches of different kinds online from DailySale. However, the LED Watch stands out for being the watch that set the ball rolling for modern smart watches.  LED is an abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode. The term refers to the slabs of silica that are used for the watch display. While advancements in display technology have evolved over the years, other accessories like affordable watch bands have also become widely available, allowing users to personalize their timepieces with style and comfort. The technology was the result of several years of research into semiconductors in the 1960s.

The First of Its Kind

The first watch that used LED technology was developed and launched by the Hamilton Company.  This was the first watch that did not feature any moving parts. It was fully electronic. The time was displayed by pushing on the crown of the watch. This resulted in the production of a small electrical current which would flow through a semiconductor diode.

This watch, known as the Pulsar, came with an 18 carat gold case and was sold at $2,100 apiece. This was the price that a Chevrolet Vega sold for during the same period.

The development of the Pulsar was inspired by a request to Hamilton Company by Stanley Kubrick. He wanted the company to develop a digital clock for his film 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was released in 1968.

The Pulsar was an instant hit. The first 400 hundred watches that were produced in 1972 were sold almost immediately. However, because the circuitry was found unreliable, many of the watches were later withdrawn.

However, with a few corrections, the watch was back in the market. It became one of the biggest watch successes in the US with over 10,000 watches selling every month. The likes of Henry Ford and US President Nixon were seen sporting the watch. Even the Shah of Iran and celebrities like Jerry Lewis and Roger Moore couldn’t resist the pull of the fully electronic time piece.

The Rise of Competition

Following the success of the Pulsar, foreign companies begun developing and distributing different types of LED watches. By 1975, there were more than 80 different models and types available in the market. The competition meant that the price of the watches was driven down. 1977 saw the introduction of the first LCD watch and even greater competition for LED watches.

LED watches remain one of the most convenient ways to tell time. Modern designs make the watch even more cutting-edge. If you’re looking for a convenient and affordable time piece that will also help you make a fashion statement, LED watches are the best option.

Image via Pixabay

Finding a beautiful wedding gift for a pair of newlyweds is often easier said than done. Especially if they already seem to have everything they need. If you don’t know what to buy, this can make gift shopping almost impossible. But getting wedding gift inspiration doesn’t need to be so hard. If you want to buy the bride and groom something they will adore, you just need to think outside the box. So rather of buying them the same gift as all of their other guests, get inspired by these unique gift ideas instead.

Monogrammed Stationery

Monogrammed stationery is a fabulous and functional gift to give to newlyweds on their wedding day. A monogram is a motif which is made up of a person or a couple’s initials. As brides generally change their name after marriage, this gift could showcase your bride’s new initials. You can also opt for a marriage monogram where both the bride and groom’s initials are combined. The motif can then be printed or embroidered onto items such as notecards, notepads, and even towels. These are items they can keep for special occasions or use regularly. Always ensure before ordering this gift that you know the correct spelling of both the bride and groom’s first and last names. This can help you avoid making any embarrassing mistakes when you present your gift at the wedding.

Luggage tags

After their wedding is over, the newlyweds will probably be jetting off on their honeymoon overseas. So why not help them travel in style by buying them matching luggage tags. This is a fantastic gift that can help them look forward to their first trip as husband and wife. Luggage tags can be bought in an array of colors, shapes and sizes both online and instore. Try to choose colors that you know the couple like or use their wedding theme as inspiration. For an added touch, why not also get the tags personalized. They could be embossed or embroidered with their names or initials for instance. This can help to make this simple gift even more personal.

Instagram Album

If the bride and groom are avid Instagrammers, this gift is one they will treasure forever. You can go through both of their feeds and gather photos from special moments they have shared together. You can then have these images printed and put them into an album. There are also printing services which allow you to create Instagram photo books. These hardback books can contain the newlyweds Instagram photos, as well as written text too. Either option can create a wonderful gifts that is appreciated by the couple for years to come. Being able to physically hold their treasured memories rather than viewing them on their phones makes this gift extra special.

Hopefully, these ideas will have given you some much-needed inspiration before you start shopping for your gift. If none of these are suitable, consider the interests and personality of the bride and groom. This should help you generate even more potential gift ideas which they will love to receive.

The holiday season is officially here and with it comes presents, cold weather and cabin fever. A great way to conquer all three is to have some crafts ready to go for your kids. Let your kids get in touch with their creative side by doing any of these photo crafts.

1.)  Photo Ornaments. The best ornaments are always the homemade ones. Get your kids involved by creating photo ornaments. Have each child pick out their favorite picture, a clear globe ornament and a decorative ribbon. Simply put the photo inside the ornament and tie the ribbon to the hook to give it a little more style. If your kids want to show off a bit of their creative side they can decorate the ornament with glitter, stickers, puff paint or metallic sharpies.

2.)  Self-Portrait. Real photos are not always the only option. Let your kids show off their own creativity by having them create a self-portrait. You can find some quality paper and colored pencils and give them free range with the portrait. To make it a little more special, use a Frameology frame to display the portrait. A nice, quality frame will let your kids feel proud of showcasing their work.

3.)  Photo Blocks. When your kids get older, their toys are no longer their most prized possessions. If you want to let your kids keep some of their older toys, but make them a little more “grown-up” have them create photo blocks. Grab their old wooden blocks and a bunch of different photos. Select 2-4 photos for each block, leaving at least 2 sides empty. Mod Podge the photos onto the block by putting a layer down first, attaching the photo and topping it off with a few more layers of Mod Podge. To make it even more creative, have the photos correspond with the letters and numbers that are left open on the blocks.

4.)  Holiday Cards. Gifts that come directly from kids are always the most treasured. They are usually simple, but always come from the heart. If you want your kids to give a personal gift to their grandparents or anyone else on your list make it even more personal with holiday photo cards. No need to purchase cards online, homemade ones are an even better choice. Take a picture of the kids in holiday attire and attach the photo to folded cardstock. Let the kids write a note or draw a picture inside the card that is personalized for each recipient.

5.)  Scrapbook. A scrapbook is a great way to capture all of the memories that you develop over the years. It is also an excellent way to spend time with your kids. Having a theme for either each scrapbook or for each page in the scrapbook is a good way to help your kids – and yourself – remember all of the memories that you have had. Grab the kids, grab your photos, grab some craft supplies and get scrapbooking.

Getting your kids involved in crafts and home decor will allow them to get in touch with their creative side. They will learn new things and use their imagination to create their own masterpi

You’ll want to know that your children are in safe hands, no matter what the age of your child is. That’s why it is important to know how to tell a good babysitter between a bad or inexperienced one. There are certain questions and characteristics that are telling ways to see if who you’re hiring is going to be able to do an efficient and safe job. This is your child after all and you’ll want the best for them no matter what.

Finding the Babysitter

While you may not want to go to any old website and pick straight from them, you should look into using a babysitting directory. Find a babysitter looking through their direct-curated directory. You’ll be able to find a babysitter that has ratings, reviews, credentials and pay rates. Having a babysitter means doing the right research before you decide on one as you will want to ensure your child is in the safest hands possible, and means it will allow you to enjoy your time out without worrying about what is going on at home. One of the best ways to do this is by setting clear expectations with your babysitter ahead of time which helps to ensure everyone is on the same page and that your children are safe and attended to in a way that meets your standards.

This is the hardest part of finding a reliable source. Now that you have that, it’s time to scour through the many different profiles of people you’ll come across. Who do you want taking care of your child while you’re away is the question. In order to answer that question, you should be equipped with some questions of your own.

Basic Questions to Ask Potential Babysitters

 You should narrow down the search to a select group of sitters based on what you found out about them online. They’ll most likely have great reviews, but what really counts is how you feel about each of them individually.

One of the first questions you’ll want to ask them about is their direct experience with children. This will be telling information to see how they’ve grown up around taking care of others, if they have their own brothers and sisters that may be the first place acquiring some of their skills.

Get a feel for their babysitting style by asking what it is they think children like about them. There are sometimes when babysitters will like babysitting different aged children better than others. Make sure that your child is in that age range so they can benefit off of their care. Ask what type of activities the children and them will be doing.

Conflict Resolution Questions

You’ll want to know what their method or philosophy is when watching kids as all people raise their children differently and how you or they react to the kids can be different. Some of these questions include if they’ve ever had a difference of opinion disciplining the child as opposed to how a parent would like it and how they as a babysitter would handle it.

Check to see how they are in emergency situations and if they’ve ever dealt with one and how they would react in a similar emergency with one of your children. All of this can play out as a nice interview and give you just the right amount of information you’ll need to make the decision with your new babysitter.

Outside Resources & Making the Final Decision

Babysitters often will have old experience that you can base some of your decisions and potential conclusions on. Don’t be afraid to ask for references or find them out by yourself through reviews. You’ll be able to talk candidly with them about how a babysitter is and how much their children actually like them. See if there was anything they didn’t like about the person and take that into account. What could or couldn’t be a big deal to one person could be the deal breaker for you.

Once you’ve narrowed it down to just a few babysitters have a setup for your children to meet them for the first time in person for a kind of play date. See how they interact with the kids and get a normal conversation going with them. It is a great way to get an overall feel for how they are as a person. It doesn’t have to be a nerve-racking affair either, just hang out and get a good time going with you, them, and the kids.

Most importantly, follow your instincts and go all the way with someone who clicks the most with you guys and your kids. Some people may sound perfect but end up being direct in real life or something is just off about the situation. Go with who you feel will watch and protect your children best.

James Blewitt served honorably in the Marine Corps before receiving an Associates in business and then founding his online consulting company in 2003. His main focus is spotting the current online trends and finding how they can make life easier for business owners as well as the individual consumer. He currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA

Few phrases strike greater fear into parents’ hearts than “driving age.”

Well, other than “I passed my driving test!”

Facts are facts. Most American teens learn to drive before they graduate from high school. And, slowly but surely, they use what they’ve learned on the streets and highways around their homes.

That’s great news for freedom-starved teens. For terrified parents, not so much.

Fortunately, terrified parents can fight back, or at least mitigate the risks of teen driving. Which are extensive: According to the Centers for Disease Control, which tracks teen road deaths, more than 2,000 teens died in car crashes in 2013. Some 242,000 suffered injuries grave enough to warrant emergency room admission.

Teens get into trouble on the road for all sorts of reasons. One of the most prevalent, and arguably the most urgent priority for driving safety advocates, is distracted driving. That includes habits like texting, grooming, eating, or simply daydreaming behind the wheel. According to car blogger Alex Perdikis, distracted driving is undoubtedly dangerous — but it’s also preventable.

Distracted driving prevention starts with parents. So does teen driving safety in general. Here’s a look at six safe driving practices to teach your teen — and how, just maybe, to get them to pay attention.

1. Put Down the Phone, Period

Nothing is more important than your teen driver’s life — not texts, not snaps, not calls, not navigation, not anything else they could possibly do with a smartphone while they’re operating a motor vehicle. The cardinal rule of teen driving is simple, straightforward, and brutal: put down the phone, or else.

2. Pull Over to Call or Text

Appendix A to the cardinal rule of teen driving is just as clear: pull over to call or text. If something is so important that it can’t wait until they arrive at their destination, your teen should feel no qualms about pulling to the side of the road and taking care of business before proceeding. It’s important that you set this example yourself whenever your teen is in the car with you.

3. Check Lights Weekly

All systems go? Check first. Get your teens in the habit of performing basic safety checks on their vehicles every week, even if you do the same. You don’t want your teen to get pulled over for the ol’ busted taillight — nor do you want their headlights to fail on a dark country road, with potentially disastrous consequences.

4. Give Fewer Rides

Teens fortunate enough to have reliable access to vehicles of their own naturally want to strut their stuff. That very often means giving their less well-endowed peers rides. It’s the nice thing to do, and it makes them look good anyway.

But it’s also dangerous. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, teen drivers’ crash risk escalates sharply for every additional passenger they carry. Even though it’s less efficient, driving solo is always safer.

5. Assume Everyone Else on the Road Is Dangerous

It’s all about defensive driving. If your teen doesn’t have a healthy fear of his or her fellow drivers, you’re not effectively communicating the risks of sharing the road in the age of distracted driving. “Watch out” is the watchword here.

6. Obey the Speed Limit

This sounds like a no-brainer. Maybe it is. But, as every parent knows, teens don’t always use their brains.

Teens need to obey the speed limit for an obvious and not-so-obvious reason. The obvious: Crashers are likelier — and deadlier — at higher speeds. The not-so-obvious: Teen drivers are more likely to get pulled over anyway, and excessive speed carries hefty fines that, no doubt, you’ll require your teen to pay themselves.

Sadly, the not-so-obvious argument might be more persuasive than the obvious one. But, hey, whatever keeps them safe.

Shopping for men isn’t always the easiest of tasks. When special occasions come around, it can be difficult to hone in on items that he’ll actually use and enjoy. If you’re looking for ways to make an upcoming anniversary memorable, keep these creative gift ideas in mind and make his day. No matter his passion, you’ll find the right fit.

For the Outdoorsman

If your guy is obsessed with all things outdoors, you have plenty of options to work with. If you’re looking to make this year’s gift a standout, consider his interests. Does he love hunting? Consider planning a special hunting trip with his buddies. Not sure you’re up to the task of gathering gear and picking the hunting spot? Use Guidefitter.com, a website that connects hunters to guides who can plan the entire trip. While it’s definitely a splurge, this provides the gift of experience and memories, and is sure to be a memorable present he’ll adore.

The Runway Guy

If you’ve managed to snag yourself a fashion forward fellow, you’re likely already the envy of your friends. However, having a fashionable hubby does come with its set of challenges, namely, when it comes to gift shopping. If you have a hard time picking the right shirts and are clueless as to his style when it comes to men’s accessories, consider Trunk Club. This is a cool subscription service that pairs up your fella with a personal stylist, who then sends him some great threads every month. He can buy what he likes, and send back what he doesn’t. Hint, hint: Maybe your guy is the opposite of a “fashionisto”; this could be the perfect gift to get him on the fashion track.

An Adrenaline Junkie

If your guy is constantly giving you pause by trying out the most dastardly of dares and isn’t satisfied until he’s tried every activity under the sun, check out FunSherpa.com. A cool experience gift site, it’s designed to help you locate all the local activities in your area, meaning you can feed into your guy’s adrenaline needs. Whether that be a pass for him to race a roadster on the track or jump out of a plane on a skydiving adventure, this is a gift that’s sure to knock his socks off.

The Traveler Extraordinaire

If you guy is constantly on the road for work, or he just has a love for travel that can’t be denied, consider making him a travel pack designed to help him handle anything he encounters on his travels. Grab a new Osprey pack and fill it with all of the travel essentials he needs to make his next trip more enjoyable. It could be a cushioned neck pillow that keeps his head cradled on that long red eye, or perhaps it’s a cosmetics case for his face wash shave gel, razor, and all the essential grooming goodies. Put the cherry on top of this already wonderful gift with a surprise weekend away for the two of you and make this anniversary gift one that keeps on giving.

Additionally, if your significant other also has a desire for motorcycles, and you have enough savings, consider surprising him with a new or used one. Then plan a thrilling road trip together, exploring scenic routes and new destinations while strengthening your bond as a couple. Take the opportunity to share his passion for travel and motorcycles, making this a unique anniversary experience.

For the Beer Lover

If your husband loves a good brew and prides himself on his knowledge about all the local craft beers, play to his hops sensibilities with some beer lover’s gifts. It could be a home brewing kit that he can use to craft his very own sips (along with a set of bottles he can use over and over again to serve his creations to his buddies), or perhaps it’s a guided tour of a local brewery so he can get the low down on all the processes that go into his favorite beverage.

If you’re on the hunt for creative anniversary gifts, consider your hubby’s passions and use this list as a jumping off point to find the perfect fit. You’ll be sure to make this year’s anniversary one to remember!

So, were are getting to that time of years when it’s all parties and going out. There is Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas too, all in a short space of time. Maybe you want to hold a party for one of these great occasions, but the cost of it all is holding you back? Don’t stress! Read the below suggestions on how you can raise enough cash to pay for everything, without dipping into your own money at all.

There is basically three main way you can hold a party for free. You can either sell stuff that you have to cover the cost of your shindig. You can ask for donations to cover the cost of the party, which can be a bit more tricky. Or you can pick up some extra work and use the extra you make to fund your do.

Sell Stuff

First of all selling stuff is a good way to raise some funds for your party or festive celebrations. But what have you got, that others will buy? Well, your first port of call should be to clean out your home.

Is there anything that you no longer want or need? Then that is a prime candidate to be sold. It can be anything from the old toys in the attic that you had when you were a kid, to a sofa you don’t need anymore because you are getting a new one.

Garage Sale

Once you have your items, then you need to decide how you are going to sell them. Many people opt to hold a garage sale in their yard. These are good for getting rid of all those bits and pieces that you no longer need.

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It’s usually people from around your neighborhood that will come, but you should get the word out and let friends and family know as well. While you might not earn a fortune this way, it is quite possible that you can raise enough money to fund your party. Let people know what you are holding it for too, and that might help them be a bit more generous with their offers.

Online Auctions

If you want to access to a wider market for what you are selling, then it can be a better idea to use an online auction site. Remember the more people that see your items, the more likely it is that you will make a sale. So make sure you consider your keywords carefully when you write your listing.

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Also as people can’t see the item in real life, you will need excellent photos from a lot of different angles to help them decide that they want to bid on it. Basically, any additional information, written and visual, can help close the deal.

A lot of people sold gifts that they have received but didn’t like on auction sites. This makes it good for the seller, as they are gaining money for something that was just taking up space. It also is good for the buyer as they often get the item at a reduced price.

However, there are something that you just can’t sell on auction sites like gift cards. If you’ve been given a gift card that you know, you will never use trade them in for money at shops like Cards2Cash.

Get Donations

Ok, so I’m not suggesting that you ask people to just give you money to hold a party. That would be pretty silly. But you can hold your party in aid of a charity. You would need to sell tickets to the guests, then after the costs of the party are covered, the remainder of the profit goes to the charity.

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First of all, you need to pick a charity that you f would like to support. Once you have official approval from the charity you have decided to work with, you can approach stores and businesses and ask for donations. They may donate in items, which save you having to buy them, or give cash donations.

Remember that no one is obliged to make any donations, and you should be polite at all times. It is also important to keep an accurate log of the money you have received and spent so that the charity can see that they are receiving all that is due to them.

The advantage of this method is that while it can take a lot of hard work, you are not just holding a wonderful party, but you are also helping people.

Earn Extra

Another way of holding a celebration without paying for it out of your own money is to do some additional extra paid work. There are quite a few small-scale ways of working to pick up some extra cash.

First of all, you can ask for some extra shifts at work to cover the cost of what you are planning. If you do this be sure to put the additional money that your earn aside t stop you spending it on anything else other than party supplies.

Or, how about completing some easy surveys on the internet and getting paid for it? There are plenty of survey sites out there they are always recruiting people. You probably can’t make an entire living out of it. But if you start a couple of moths in advance you will be able to save up a considerable amount towards the cost of your planned celebrations.

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Something else that entails giving your own opinions is paid user testing. This is where you are given a list of internet sites to try out. The testing company will record your interaction with the sites, and ask you to use your mic and comment on them as you go. You can earn about $10 per site you review so this makes it a great way of getting some extra income.

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Then there are paid reviews. We all know how much influence both bad and good reviews have on us when we are buying things from the internet. That is why sellers are so keen to have reviews that they will pay you for them. Some sites pay you for your own reviews, while others pay you for voting for other reviewers work. Check out this comprehensive list and explanation for some guidance.