Anni Sofferet
Anni is a full-time freelance writer and owner, creator and designer of InventiveHomeImprovement.com, RationalSelfDefense.com, and MyMoneyLifeLessons.com. Her accomplishments on YCN include the Rising Star Award, Best of AC, and Hot 500.
You can find Anni's writings on Yahoo! Finance and Yahoo! Shine, as well as Yahoo! Movies, News, Your Wisdom and YCN. Outside the Yahoo network, Anni is a published novelist with degrees in English Literature and Sociology. She undertakes freelance work for private clients, as well as such companies as Demand Studios (eHow), DeWalt and Break Studios.
Anni's areas of expertise include economics and finance, based on her experience as a former small business owner and manager. Her four year DIY renovation of an old house taught her much about home improvement and decorating, wisdom she enjoys sharing on her DIY women's website and articles. In addition, Anni has owned and trained rescue dogs for over 10 years and loved them for over 20. She currently owns 4 rescue dogs and writes about her experiences to help pet owners everywhere improve the life of their furry friends.
In her free time, Anni has enjoyed crafting since she was a little girl. Her grandmother taught her how to sew and knit, while her grandfather taught her woodworking. Anni enjoys making her own clothes, knitting sweaters for the family (dogs included) and creating holiday and home decor. Putting her woodworking skills to good use, Anni likes to build furniture and home accessories.
Anni is also passionate about philosophy, politics, psychology, economics, classic literature and poetry. On the lighter side, Anni is a classic movie buff and enjoys British comedies (all of them). She also plays the piano and guitar.
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You can find Anni's writings on Yahoo! Finance and Yahoo! Shine, as well as Yahoo! Movies, News, Your Wisdom and YCN. Outside the Yahoo network, Anni is a published novelist with degrees in English Literature and Sociology. She undertakes freelance work for private clients, as well as such companies as Demand Studios (eHow), DeWalt and Break Studios.
Anni's areas of expertise include economics and finance, based on her experience as a former small business owner and manager. Her four year DIY renovation of an old house taught her much about home improvement and decorating, wisdom she enjoys sharing on her DIY women's website and articles. In addition, Anni has owned and trained rescue dogs for over 10 years and loved them for over 20. She currently owns 4 rescue dogs and writes about her experiences to help pet owners everywhere improve the life of their furry friends.
In her free time, Anni has enjoyed crafting since she was a little girl. Her grandmother taught her how to sew and knit, while her grandfather taught her woodworking. Anni enjoys making her own clothes, knitting sweaters for the family (dogs included) and creating holiday and home decor. Putting her woodworking skills to good use, Anni likes to build furniture and home accessories.
Anni is also passionate about philosophy, politics, psychology, economics, classic literature and poetry. On the lighter side, Anni is a classic movie buff and enjoys British comedies (all of them). She also plays the piano and guitar.
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Featured Contributor
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Education/Experience
4 year renovation of an old House, B.A. in English Literature and B.A. in Sociology, published novelist.Interests
Home improvement and decor, woodworking, poetry and writing, dogs and holidays, building websites, playing the piano, and trying to play the guitar.Motto
Imagination and pigheadedness will make your dreams come true.Affiliations
Home Improvement Website
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Outdoor Decorating Ideas for Your Patio, Porch, Deck, GardenBring your outdoor spaces to life with these colorful decorating ideas.
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Sunny spring bedroom decorating ideasDip your bedroom decor in the brightness of a spring morning.
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Primitive kitchen makeover ideasDiscover how to bring old-country charm even to a modern kitchen.
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Decorating Ideas that Encourage Children to ReadDecorate your child's room with irresistible reading nooks.
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Create classic elegance in your bedroom decorBring classic elegance to any bedroom with a few simple changes.
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Decorate your home with beautiful candle arrangementsCreate beautiful candle arrangements to decorate different rooms in your home.
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Sunny kitchen table decorating ideasDiscover simple ways to brighten your kitchen table with sunny decor.
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First Person: We Saved a Small Grocery Store With a Cash MobSpreading the word via social media, Cash Mob event organizers united a community around a struggling grocery store.
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First Person: The 3 Ways I'm Saving Over $2,000 a Year on GroceriesWhile still eating healthy, flavorful food, I managed to cut my grocery bill by 45% using three simple tips.
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Decorating ideas for small nooksDiscover ways to decorate the forgotten smaller spaces in your home.
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Summery girl’s bedroom makeoverFrom hanging bright messages on the wall to adding a tropical bed skirt, this summery girl's bedroom makeover is fun and easy.
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Modern eclectic decorating ideasWith a little whimsy, you can liven up your modern decor and give it an eclectic feel.
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Seattle’s Best First Date SpotsWow your first date with something Seattle is famous for.
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Best Seattle Farmer’s Markets for Local ProduceFrom seasonal to year-round farmer's markets, Seattle offers a rich variety of fresh shopping alternatives.
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Decorating ideas for tiny bedroomsDon't give up on decorating a tiny bedroom. Instead make it beautiful and inviting without cluttering the space.
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Painted bedroom makeover ideasDiscover how to breathe new life into your bedroom by simply painting over old things.
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Colorful summer table setting ideasDiscover simple ways to bring color and functionality to your summer table setting.
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First Person: Managing Our Finances in a Medical EmergencyWhen a medical emergency slashed our income by 40%, I found ways to reduce my household costs and raise emergency cash.
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First Person: Selling Our Motorcycle for 25% MoreRather than accept a trade-in offer from the dealership, we sold our motorcycle ourselves for an additional $1,350.
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3 Unique Modern Decorating Ideas to Take Your Breath Away"Wow!" decorating ideas that will change your room completely.
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Landscape with Garden ElevationsDiscover five different ways to add elevation to your garden and increase the beauty of your landscaping.
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Home Decorating Crafts with Cheap FramesDiscover different ways to decorate your home with cheap craft store frames.
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Sunny home decorating ideasAdd a unique, colorful touch to your rooms with a few sunny decorating ideas.
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Refreshing bathroom decorating ideas for springDiscover fragrant, decorative tips for refreshing your bathroom this spring.
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Budget kitchen makeover ideasDiscover six ways to reinvent your old kitchen without spending a fortune.
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First Person: How to Be a Good SalespersonWhether I was selling baby clothes or firearms, I was always the best salesperson in every store, simply by relying on six tenants.
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First Person: Easy Ways to Make Money in CollegeLooking for ways to make high income without clashing with my studies, I came up with three easy ways to make money in college.
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First Person: The Secret to Finding a Better Paying JobWhen searching for a better job, I focus on polishing my resume, conducting a wide job hunt and preparing for the job interview. Then I complete the process by negotiating for a high base salary.
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First Person: The Secret to Success in a New JobIn all my new jobs, there were three steps I followed to ensure early and enduring success.
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First Person: 4 Most Common Workplace MistakesInexperience in the workplace often results in mistakes that can derail a career if not corrected early.
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Blending your widescreen TV with your decorDiscover different ways to blend your widescreen TV with your decor, or to hide it completely.
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Bring home the beauty of coastal decorDiscover how you can create the charming, soothing beauty of coastal decor in your own home.
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Budget spring decorating with bright colorsDiscover cheap, colorful ways to decorate your winter rooms with the brightness of spring.
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Easy Spring Landscaping IdeasDiscover smart ways to landscape your garden this spring and make upkeep a breeze.
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Laundry Room Organizing TipsFrom an indoor clothesline to extra storage space, organizing your laundry room will make doing laundry easy.
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First Person: Preparing for a Job InterviewConsulting with managers in corporate America, I discovered four principals to follow when preparing for a job interview.
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Get Organized with Homemade ShelvesIt's easy to install additional shelves in your cabinets and closets. Here are four options for organizing your home with shelves you can put up yourself.
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First Person: Maximizing My Teenage Earning PotentialWhile our friends were babysitting at $5 an hour, my siblings and I found ways of making over $100 a week by cashing in our skills.
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First Person: Writing an Effective ResumeSeeking the advice of an experienced hiring manager, I revised my resume to give it a strong professional edge.
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First Person: Attracting the Best Employees to My Small BusinessWhether I was hiring an employee for my flower delivery service, my flea market booths or to manage the company office, there are certain steps I followed to attract the best person for the job.
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First Person: The 2 Keys to Any LoanTo cut the cost of my interest payments on my mortgages, car loans and credit card debts, I pay close attention to two important points.
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First Person: Working From Home Saves Me $3,000 a MonthBy switching to working from home, I was able to implement three changes to my lifestyle, which cut my costs by $2,960.
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First Person: 3 Things You Should Never Wear to WorkRegardless of the formality of your workplace, there are 3 types of garments you should never wear.
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Charming lamp makeover ideasWhy throw away your old lamps when you can change them completely with a charming makeover?
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Preparing a room for easy paintingNext time you want to paint a room, prepare it with these easy tips. Your paint job will be easy and clean-up a breeze.
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Decorate your home with rocking chairsDiscover charming ways to decorate more than just your porch with rocking chairs.
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Growing Tomatoes in My BackyardMy first time growing tomatoes in my backyard, I harvested around $100 worth of tomatoes over a 5 month period.
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My Easy Living Room MakeoverDespite my small budget, I gave my living room a whole new look for spring.
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Building a Simple, Affordable Skylight CoverDiscover a simple way to cover your skylight with a beautiful blanket, which can be easily removed come winter time.
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First Person: Negotiating My Starting SalaryI knew that all my future raises would be a percentage of my hiring salary. It was, therefore, important that I get the best salary possible.
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First Person: I'm Not Shopping the Sales AnymoreSome sales actually cost me more under the guise of saving me money. Avoiding them kept $100 in my purse.
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First Person: We're Saving Over $500 a Month on Our Family DogsBy making three changes to the way we raise our dogs and shop for them, we've cut our pet costs by over 70%, without diminishing the quality of care we offer our furry friends.
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First Person: I Keep My Credit Card APRs Around 7%After paying 28% APRs as a young credit card user, I learned to avoid the trap of high interest rates with three simple tips.
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First Person: I Saved $3,750 by Paying More InsuranceIn one year, I had three reasons to be happy I paid more in insurance premiums.
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First Person: Cutting My Grocery Bill by 70%Though I've cut my grocery bill by over $1,500 a month, we now enjoy better, healthier food.
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First Person: I Cut My Winter Heating Bill By $150 Without DiscomfortWith a few simple changes to the way I use my home, I cut my heating bill by $158 in one month without reducing my level of comfort.
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Ideas for Spring Cleaning Your GarageDiscovering simple ways to organize my garage while cleaning it, made my spring cleaning project easier. Now my garage feels roomier and stays clean longer.
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Budget Blue Bedroom IdeasFrom wicker baskets to worn out garden benches, these budget blue bedroom ideas will give your space a sunny seaside feel.
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Budget Dining Room Decorating Ideas for SpringWelcome Easter and the summer month's with a budget dining room makeover that looks as bright and sunny as the weather outside.
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Affordable spring porch makeoverEnjoy the flowers and sunshine from the comfort of your beautifully decorated porch. With a handful of affordable ideas you'll complete your porch makeover on a budget.
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Modern living room decorating ideasChic and sophisticated, modern living room decor is surprisingly easy and cheap to achieve.
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Dramatic bedroom decorating ideasTo feel like a queen in your own home, decorate your bedroom like a royal bed chamber in the palaces of Versailles or Windsor
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9 Smart Closet Organizing TipsWith a few common sense ideas you can organize your closet to it looks good and makes finding things super simple.
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Painting Your Home with Bold ColorsPainting walls with bold colors will impart an unmistakable, unique personality to your living space.
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Decorate Your Home with Window BoxesAdd window boxes to the exterior of your home and enjoy a suspended blooming garden both indoors and out.
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Refresh your home for spring with 5 decorating projectsFill your home with an atmosphere of blooming beauty this spring.
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Cute Easter decorating ideasFrom chocolate egg balls to funny-faced eggs, decorate your home or office with whimsically cute Easter crafts.
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Shabby chic bathroom decorating ideasTurn your bathroom into a Victorian postcard with these charming shabby chic decorating ideas.
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Create a romantic garden retreatOn a porch or in your garden, creating a romantic garden retreat is easy. It's the perfect project for spring and summer.
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How to brighten your rooms for springDiscover simple, decorative ways to add light to your life.
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First Person: I Generated $1,600 in Extra Cash in 1 MonthInstead of the usual garage sale, I tried a few creative ways of making extra cash and in one month I filled my savings account with over $1,600.
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First Person: I'm Saving Close to 40% on My Airline TicketsExperience has taught me how to cut the cost of my airline tickets and still get the kind of flight I want.
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First Person: I Quadrupled My Credit Card Rewards PointsBy being smart about how I use my credit cards, I quadrupled the number of points I earn and the value they offer me.
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First Person: 7 Questions I Ask Before Buying a CarIn addition to the sale price, there are factors that will determine the overall cost of my vehicle. I make sure to ask the following 7 questions before I sign the dotted line.
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First Person: My Refinance Saved Me More Than Just My Mortgage PaymentRefinancing my home not only lowered my monthly payment but resulted in additional savings with no out of pocket expenses.
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First Person: I Cut My Tax Bill By $1,500Though I failed to keep a record of $3,000 in deductible business expenses, I was able to track down the receipts by doing a little research.Also published on:
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First Person: Easy Coupon Deals Saved Me 18% in One MonthBy focusing on easy to use, high-yield coupon deals, I easily saved $280 this month.
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First Person: The Downside of Debt SettlementFar from a magic cure, debt settlement involves three major downsides that present their own financial difficulties.
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Money-Saving Spring Cleaning TipsThey're tried-and-true cleaning tips from the days of our grandmothers, and they still work great today, saving us time and money!
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Spring Painting Ideas for Your HomeYou don't have to paint your whole house to give it a fresh look.
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First Person: Taking a Hit on My Upside Down Car Loan Saved Me in the EndDespite selling my car at a loss, I saved money in the long run by removing the financial burden of owning a car I didn't need.
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First Person: We Cut Our Utility Bills by $245 a MonthWith a few simple steps, we've lowered the cost of 6 utilities by close to $250 a month with no inconvenience.
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First Person: Improving My Fuel Economy Saved Me Nearly $500 a MonthWithout replacing my vehicle for a fuel economy car, I found ways to improve my fuel efficiency, which translated to $482 in monthly savings.
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First Person: The New Bank Fees I’m Watching Out ForWith the introduction of new bank fees or the increase of old one's, I am liable to pay around $550 in credit card and bank fees annually. Here's what I do to avoid this.
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First Person: I Make the Most of My Outlet Shopping TripsBy switching to shopping at outlet stores instead of the mall, I saved over 63% on my purchases, without compromising on quality or variety.
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Decorative organizing ideas for avid hoardersIf you collect as much stuff as memories, here are some decorative organizing ideas to bring order to your living space.
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7 elegant bedroom decorating ideasDiscover unusual ways to add elegance to your bedroom without spending a fortune.
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Charming kitchen dining nook ideasImagine a sunny kitchen nook, filled with color and charm. It's easy to create this homey spot in your own kitchen.
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First Person: Yes, Car Lease Payments Are NegotiableUnderstanding how a lease price is assessed by a car dealership made it easy for me to haggle for the best price.
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First Person: My Credit Card Minimums Nearly DoubledWhen a 0% promotional rate expired on my credit card, I tried to manage my debt with new credit card promotions. But I made four mistakes that increased my minimum payments by over $200 in one year.
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First Person: I Lowered My Credit Card Interest Rate by 16%By not taking "No" for an answer, I managed to convince my credit card bank to lower my interst rate by 16%, which saved me $140 a month.
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Inexpensive decorating solutions for your homeDiscover beautiful ways to fix those eye-sores in your home, from adding imitation crown molding to painting old surfaces with textured illusions.
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First Person: My Car Is Costing Me an Extra $5,000 a YearThe true cost of owning a car goes well beyond auto insurance, car payment, maintenance and fuel. In fact, I spent over $5,000 in unavoidable expenses I had not budgeted for initially.
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First Person: My Daily Spending Added Up to $15,000 in Credit Card DebtReviewing my annual credit card summary I realized that I spent over $15,000 on nonessential expenses that seemed small on an individual basis, but which added up to a heavy debt burden.
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First Person: I Cut My Tax Bill by Over $1,800Following the advice of my accountant, I took steps to track my home business expenses and reduce the tax I had to pay on my 1099 earnings.Also published on:
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First Person: Smart Planning Saved Us $300 a Month on Our MortgageThe financial steps we took before applying for our first home loan reduced our interest rate by 2.5%.
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First Person: The Downside of Building My Dream HomeI thought that building my dream home would mean that I would never have to bother with another home improvement project. Instead, I was faced with a lengthy construction period and unintended consequences that made it difficult to sell my home later.
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First Person: Selling a Used House in a New NeighborhoodWhen we bought our dream home we didn't realize that selling it two years later would be unusually difficult and costly, because we were now selling a used home in a new neighborhood.
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First Person: I'm Saving 25% on My Grocery Bills Without CouponsAs an experienced supermarket shopper, I've discovered ways to save money on my groceries without the hassle of cutting coupons.
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First Person: 3 Real Estate Mistakes I'll Never Make AgainAfter buying five homes over the years, there are three costly mistakes I've learned to avoid.
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First Person: We're Raising a $1,000 Vacation Fund in 4 WeeksIn the next four weeks we intend to curb our spending habits and set aside $1,040 for our March getaway.
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Turn Wilting Valentine’s Day Roses into Everlasting Home DecorDon't let your roses die this year. Instead dry them, then turn your Valentine's Day flowers into charming home decor using one of these arrangements.
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First Person: I Owed Back Taxes on Income I Didn't Even EarnWhen someone else's income was reported under my Social Security number, the IRS put a lien on my tax refund, and my tax horror story began.Also published on:
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Save money by avoiding these decorating conventionsDon't spend a fortune on home decor. Instead make cheaper, lovelier substitutes at home.
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First Person: I Raised $1,500 in Extra Cash in One MonthBuy cashing in on my skills and assets, I succeeded in raising close to $1,500 in one month, and I am still making extra cash this month.
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Supporting Small Businesses in SeattleSmall businesses give Seattle it's vivacity and variety, which is an excellent reason to support them. Here are my family's favorite unique spots.
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First Person: Switching to 'Budget Entertainment' Has Saved Us $1,020 This YearFinding cheaper ways to enjoy the same old past-times has cut our entertainment costs by 67%.
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First Person: Eating Healthy, at Better Than Half PriceBy finding cheap venues for quality health foods, I reduced my grocery bill by over 50%.
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Revive your old furniture with a cheap makeoverYou don't have to invest in expensive slipcovers. Instead give your old furniture a facelift with these charming decorating ideas.
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Decorate your home with thrift store bargainsScarves, old tea pots, pewter jugs and other eclectic thrift store bargains can grace your home with beauty and charm.
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Turn Old Books into Sophisticated Home DecorWith a little glue, rough twine or a ribbon you can turn old books into sophisticated home decor.
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Whimsical Ways to Decorate Your HomeSet your imagination free with these unique ideas for spreading a little whimsy through your rooms.
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Cheap and Easy Fireplace Makeover IdeasTurn your tarnished old fireplace into a charming focal point that will change your room completely.
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Budget Blooming Garden IdeasStart planting as early as March and turn your garden into a blooming, beautiful spot, perfect for leisurely afternoons.
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Budget Decorating Ideas for a Boring BedroomWith a little imagination and even less money, your boring bedroom will bloom with charming decor.
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Imaginative ideas for a kitchen makeover on the cheapYou don't have to be a decorating guru to find inspiration for the perfect kitchen makeover.
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First Person: The Home Business Deductions I’m AvoidingAlthough I work full-time from home, there are home business deductions that my accountant advised me to avoid.
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First Person: 4 Steps to Trim My Monthly Expenses By $1,300By looking for ways to reduce my four highest expenses, I was able to achieve big savings with relatively small changes.
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My Staycation Ideas for Seattle ResidentsWith so many beautiful sites less than one hour away from Seattle, planning a staycation is easy. And these are my family's favorite destinations.
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First Person: What Selling My Gold Jewelry Was Really LikeOnce I discovered the formula by which stores value jewelry, I was able to compare offers despite the fluctuating price of gold. And in this way I was able to optimize the sale price of my gold necklace.
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Decorate your home with glass bottles and jarsInstead of recycling, turn unwanted wine bottles or pickle jars into home decor.
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Discover unique ways to divide a room in twoIf you can't afford to move into a bigger home, consider dividing your rooms in half. Then you can have two rooms in one!
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Faux painting ideas with a sea spongeDiscover the decorating power of a sea sponge!
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First Person: I Retired My Credit Card and Switched to DebitThe danger of getting into debt and paying high interest with my credit card finally convinced me to seek a better option with a debit card that offers me cash back points.
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First Person: Why I Keep Falling Into DebtAfter juggling debts for many years, I came to recognize different money fallacies that encourage me to keep spending when I should be paying off my debts.
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First Person: Declining Home Values Have Us Stuck in an Empty NestWe always dreamed of moving to a smaller, cheaper home after our son moved out. But we didn't count on our current home becoming an obstacle.
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First Person: Financial Travel Tips for a Hassle-Free VacationIt seems that every vacation teaches us another important money tip, and these are our favorites.
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Super-simple modern decorating ideasWith a few cheap and easy steps, you can turn your old-fashioned room into a stylish modern living space.
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Unique centerpiece ideasGive ordinary bouquets a rest and put together something whimsical for your centerpiece.
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First Person: Furnishing My Home on a Small BudgetOver the years I've furnished twelve different homes by hunting for affordable shopping venues.
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Home decorating ideas with unique paperTurn old maps into globe decor, or Oriental cloth paper into origami art -- these ideas and others will inspire you to decorate your home with unique paper.
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First Person: Autopay Was a MistakeThe convenience of paying my bills with autopay sometimes came back to haunt me.
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First Person: The 6 Credit Card DealbreakersTo enjoy the benefits of my credit cards without the penalties, here's what experience taught me.
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First Person: Teaching My Son to Value MoneyOver the years, I taught my son the value of working to earn his allowance, which in turn led him to appreciate everything he got.
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First Person: Full-Time Worker, Full-Time MomHere are the tips I used to juggle work and motherhood, which reduced the stress brought on by school breaks and sick days.
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First Person: Using My Phone to Save MoneyInstead of paying full price, I've discovered ways to use my phone to hunt for discounts.
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First Person: I Cut the Cost of Car Ownership by $223 a MonthWhen I couldn't sell my expensive vehicle, I decided to keep it and look for better ways to cut my cost of owning a car.
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First Person: Online Marketing More Than Doubled My RevenuesAs the owner of three successful websites, I use several free marketing strategies to promote my content.
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Homemade clock decor ideasDiscover how you can make clock decor yourself. It's cheap and easy to personalize your clocks to your lifestyle and home.
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Front Door Privacy IdeasThe window in the middle of your door is beautiful, but what about a little privacy? The following ideas will give you the best of both worlds--privacy and light.
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Try these unique and creative ways to display your houseplantsFrom a pitcher filled with underwater plants to a tea set herb garden, add a little whimsy to your home or office with these unique houseplant ideas.
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First Person: I Didn't Just Ask for a Raise, I Earned ItWhen a new position opened where I worked, I pitched myself as the best person for the job and asked for a raise to match my new responsibilities.
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First Person: Shopping Smarter, Spending LessBecoming a savvier shopper not only saves me money but helps me get the best product every time.
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First Person: We’re Getting More Out of Life for LessWe've found ways to keep life's little pleasures going strong, while cutting our overall cost.
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First Person: 6 Ways I Control My Urge to OverspendExperience has taught me to avoid my bad shopping habits with 6 helpful money tips.
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First Person: Creating My Own Career RoadblocksWorking for corporate America, I learned to avoid situations that will get in the way of my career advancement.
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First Person: A Facebook Page for My Business?Thanks to social media, I can spread word of my online business with very little effort.
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First Person: Charging My Way to Free MoneyBy always shopping around for the best credit card rewards program, I've found a great avenue to free money.
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First Person: Bulk Purchases Don't Work for My HouseholdAs a savvy homemaker, I've come to realize that bulk purchases, which appear to save me money, often cost me more in the long run.
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First Person: The Purchases I No Longer Make With My Debit CardA series of bad experiences taught me when I should avoid using my debit card or risk having my bank account drained unexpectedly.
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First Person: I Always Pay the Right WayI've learned to pick the smart payment option for all my finances, which saves me money and hassle.
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First Person: 6 Ways We’re Saving $800 This WinterDespite colder temperatures, we've found ways to stay cozy this winter while saving money.
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First Person: The 5 Financial Rules I Live ByThere are 5 money lessons that saved me hassle and money over the years.
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Cheap modern decorating ideasDiscover the simplicity and charm of modern decorating, and how easily you can implement it at home on a small budget.
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Super-simple budget decorating ideasDiscover one-day decorating projects that will change your home completely.
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Budget Valentine’s Day decorating ideasDiscover cheap but stunning ways to decorate this Valentine's Day.
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Budget Valentine’s Day Gift Wrapping IdeasThis Valentine's Day, make your gift wrapping as unique as your love.
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First Person: 6 Tricks That Stores Play on Their CustomersNot every coupon has a silver lining. Learning to recognize which sales work for me has saved me money and kept me from falling into discount traps.
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First Person: From Hobbies to ProfitsWith a little forethought, we found a way to make money from the things we love best.
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First Person: Celebrating Valentine’s Day on a $50 BudgetThough our budget is smaller this year, we plan to have a Valentine's Day to remember.
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First Person: Protecting My Personal Finances During a DivorceMy boss, who was an attorney, gave me this advice about my divorce: "Take steps to protect your personal finances now!"
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First Person: Cleaning Up My Credit Score Saved Me More Than $2,000 a YearThough I had no money with which to pay down my debts, I found other ways to raise my credit score and save money on my mortgage, car payment and credit card payments.
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First Person: I'm Fighting Back Against Identity TheftOver the years my identity was stolen a few times, and I've learned to avoid common identity theft traps ever since.
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First Person: 6 Easy Ways I'm Stretching My Purchasing PowerAn old supermarket receipt showed me how much prices have risen in the last two years. So I'm fighting back by changing the way I spend my money.
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First Person: The Downside of CashI've learned from experience that using cash can really cost me. Unless I take the following precautions.
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First Person: Why I OverspendSometimes I overspend because I'm being bad. But sometimes it's the right thing to do.
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Home decorating with fruitOrnament your home with the beauty of fresh fruit coupled with fruit-themed decor.
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Fun decorating ideas with a touch of classDiscover amusing ways to add whimsy and class to your home or office.
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First Person: The 7 Types of Bad CoworkersLife in corporate America was sometimes too colorful for my taste, especially when dealing with the following personality types.
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First Person: I'll Never Write Another CheckA series of bad experiences taught me that paying with a check can really cost you.
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First Person: The Credit Card Fees I Refuse to PayYears of experience taught me how to avoid credit card fees, even the hidden ones.
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First Person: My Checking Account Is Working for MeI chose my checking account based on its perks and free services.
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First Person: We Happily Spend More on Auto InsuranceA recent car accident, taught us the value of a good auto insurance policy.
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Converting holiday decor to winter decorWith a little imagination you can use your holiday decorations as winter decor.
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Seattle Neighborhoods for First-Time HomebuyersSeattle offers many charming neighborhoods to first-time homebuyers, depending on their budget and lifestyle choices.
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Adorable, Local Baby Shops in SeattleSeattle plays host to a few charming baby wonderlands that every parent should visit.
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First Person: Cutting the Small Luxuries, Saving $700 a MonthI've changed the venue, but I still find ways to have my little luxuries on a budget.
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First Person: 4 Easy Cuts Are Saving Me $1,000 a MonthBy overhauling my household budget in four major areas, I managed to cut my expenses by over $1,000 a month.
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First Person: The Benefits of OverspendingGoing into debt made financial sense this holiday season.
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First Person: Managing the Fallout From My Holiday SpendingI've restructured my personal finances to accommodate the fallout from my holiday shopping.
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First Person: Leveraging My Holiday Gift CardsWhen I don't like my holiday gift cards, I sell or trade them and get more out of the season's gift giving.
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Turning Old Calendars into Home DecorRecycle your old calendar into charming art for decorating your home or office.
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Cheap Home Alarm IdeasIt's easy to install a cheap home alarm system that will alert you to intruders and protect your home while you're out.
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First Person: My 9 Money Resolutions for 2012Here's how I plan to pay for past mistakes and avoid new ones in 2012.
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Budget Home Improvement for 2012Organize and jazz up your home with these simple ideas, to make 2012 a better year.
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Budget Decorating Ideas for 2012Just a few changes can give your living space a new, fresh look for the new year.
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First Person: Raising Money for All My Holiday ShoppingAfter spending 300% more than I budget for this Black Friday, I've come up with inventive way to raise $1,900 in one month.
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12 Unique Christmas Tree Decorating IdeasBreak the mold this year with unique Christmas tree themes that tell a charming holiday story.
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Cozy Holiday Decorating IdeasWrap yourself in holiday decorations that add a touch of cozy comfort to your celebrations.
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11 Budget Thanksgiving Decorating IdeasWith a little imagination and very little cash, you can decorate your whole home for Thanksgiving.
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First Person: 5 Tips that Cut Our Winter Heating Bill in HalfThey're not rocket science, but these simple energy saving tips helped us cut our winter heating bill by 50%.
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Post-Halloween Decorating IdeasHalloween might be over, but the holiday season is just around the corner. Discover fun ways to decorate your home post-Halloween.
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First Person: The 6 Financial Lessons of a Car AccidentA car accident doesn't only change your perspective on life, but on your car insurance and the financial hardships that an accident can cause.
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First Person: 5 Money Mistakes That Are Easy to AvoidWhen I asked friends and family to share their worse financial mistakes, here's what they told me.
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First Person: What I'd Tell My 20-Year-Old Self About MoneyWith 20/20 hindsight, I'd give myself four tips to a more successful financial life.
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First Person: Making $100 as a Sandwich LadyWith an idea inspired by a movie, I made $100 and got to spend more time with my friends.
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How to Make a Large Family CalendarDon't settle for a small store-bought calendar. Instead, make a large family calendar in a frame or on a large mirror. You'll have enough room to accommodate everyone's appointments.
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9 Budget Halloween Decorating IdeasDiscover the scariest, cheapest, best ways to decorate this Halloween!
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Home decorating with thrift store findsGlass bottles, costume jewelry, pewter vases... Discover how to put these common bargains to uncommon use as you decorate your home.
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First Person: Celebrating Halloween on a $55 BudgetHalloween doesn't have to be expensive, as our family proved by celebrating on $55.
