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Memorial Day is right around the corner. Are you ready? In the spirit of helping you plan for your big party, we here at LiveBetterCheaper are here to present you with a comprehensive checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything.

Acting as a three-day weekend for most, many people like to celebrate Memorial Day by hosting their own barbeques and cookouts (extra day, warmer weather, might as well!). Since it should be a stress-free day for you to relax, we’ve taken the liberty of compiling this list so you have nothing to worry about…except for getting everything, but that’s a post for another day.

For your party, make sure you have the following:

1. Which Day?: Having a three-day weekend means you’re free to host it on any day you want. Maybe have it on Saturday to celebrate the weekend, perhaps Sunday so you can watch and/or listen to the Indianapolis 500, or Monday on actual Memorial Day.

2. The Right Space: Depending on how many guests you invited (oh yeah, send out invitations or create an even on Facebook. Your choice), you need something that can comfortably fit everyone. If that’s your backyard, great. If you need a bigger space, consider a park that already a grill in the space, or make sure you can take one in.

3. Cooperative Weather: Granted, there’s nothing you can actually do about this. Forecasts can change in the blink of an eye. Of course, a little weather shouldn’t keep you from celebrating. If it’s sunny and nice, you can enjoy the outdoors. If it rains, consider a tent or a canopy. Also provide activities and entertainment accordingly depending on the weather.

4. Decorations: Now we move on to the stuff you are in control of. Since it’s a patriotic holiday, go ahead and utilize miniature American flags and the colors red, white and blue. For best results, don’t go too over the top. After all, simplicity works.

5. Food: Since it’s the unofficial kickoff to summer, treat it like it. Much like most places do with the Fourth of July, if you can put it on a grill, it’s fair game. So hot dogs, burgers, steaks, brats, ribs anything really.
   But don’t forget the vegetarian/vegan friendly dishes. After all, you need to accommodate all of your guests.

6. Drink: Soda, water, beer, wine. Again, anything is fair game.

*DISCLAIMER: If you serve alcohol, make sure everyone is of age.

7. Ice: This seems to be the one thing that most people forget, so this gets it’s own category, and to put more emphasis on it: Don’t forget the ice!

8. The Right Attitude: Yes, this is the obligatory checklist item to remind you that this is a day to relax and enjoy, not to stress. Enjoy it!

We hope this has been helpful to you, so go ahead, send out this invitations, reserve your space (if necessary) and as always, have a great time!

Looking for an affordable grad gift your grad will love come Commencement Day? Laptops and cell phones make a  great grad gift, but they’re extremely expensive. Plus, most grads already have these items. So what can you buy that will be memorable and affordable? Check out these grad gift ideas below:

Make Your Own Gift Basket: Create your own (inexpensive) gift basket will all the items the grad in your life will need. For instance, if they’re going off to college, pack a basket full of hot chocolate or coffee, towels,  paper cups and plates, cleaners, shampoo and conditioner, notebooks, and other dorm essentials. You’ll help them out without shelling out a ton of cash.

Tech-Worthy Gifts:  Buying everything they need for college or their new adult life can be overwhelming. Help them out by buying extension cords, cord organizers, car chargers, or energy (and money) saving light bulbs. Or, find out if they need any small appliances like a toaster or blender.

Music Lovers: Invest in funky headphones, speakers for iphones or ipods, or keep it simple with an itunes giftcard. If they’re into vinyl, buy them vinyl record frames so that they can display their favorite albums in style in their new dorm room or apartment.

Fuel for Thought: Keep them going strong in their new job or college classes with a few months’ supply of k-cups or coffee grounds. If java isn’t their thing, create a gift box full on non-perishables like macaroni and cheese, pasta, sauces, rice, and soups. Throw in a recipe book to complete the gift.

Practical Help: If your grad is headed to a new city, buy them a city map, gas cards, or subway token. You can also compile a list of the top places you think they should visit in that city and a travel book or two. Adding a check or cash never hurts either!

We hope you’ve learned that you can still get creative and give an awesome gift without going broke. What do you plan on buying your grad this year? Share below!

According to a stat made up for the purposes of this blog post, there is a cabin fever epidemic that’s plaguing the nation (blame the extended winter and the rainfall). Thankfully, there is a cure, and it’s the subject of today’s article, where we present to you 10 fun activities that will get you outside, and best of all, it won’t cost you a dime (or a nickel or even a penny!).

No, that is not a typo. As they like to say, the best things in life are free. Since we’re heading into the summer months, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get outside and end this funk. What exactly can you do? Here are a few ideas:

1. The Park: State parks aside, most places won’t charge an admission feed to go hang out there for an afternoon. Once you’re in, endless opportunities away, go for a run or a bike ride, let the kids play on the playground, learn about the ecosystem, let the pets play. The possibilities are endless.
2. Get Active: Yes, we just alluded to this, but getting active is something you can do anywhere as long as you have a space and the motivation to do so. Walk or run around the block, go for a bike ride. You can even get a few friends together and get a pickup sports game going.
3. Walk The Dog: Even the pets need to get out and be active. Besides, walking the dog is good for both you and the dog.
4. Outdoor Yoga: Yoga is good for both the body and mind. Sure, you can do this indoors, but moving it outside is less confining and may even be more relaxing depending on where your space is.
5. A Day on the Lake: Everyone’s favorite Fourth of July activity. This is perfect for those who have a boat and a body of water in proximity. Just get a few friends and head out on the lake for a few hours. You could also take up swimming, tubing, canoeing/kayaking or even cliff diving if that’s possible.
6. Go To A Parade: Generally a staple of most major holidays. Enjoy the outdoors, partake in the festivities, you might even get free candy in the process (win!).
7. Outdoor Concerts: Concerts don’t always have to involve big famous rock stars and you certainly don’t have to cost and arm and a leg. Music is all around, you just have to know where to look. Check out free performances in the park or at the local arts garden. You get to enjoy free music and support the local scene.
8. Volunteer Work: Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is doing something that’s good for someone else. Join a local volunteer group and spend a few hours cleaning up an area or building a home or simply hang out with a family for a day.
9. Stargazing: What might be one of the most relaxing things on this list. All you need is a clear night and an open space. If it isn’t noisy out, that’s even better.
10. Festivals! Art Shows! Exhibits! Granted, most major festivals or exhibits might charge admission, but every once in a while, you’ll luck out with the free once. Take some time to admire some art, discover a new local business or think of it as an opportunity to surround yourself with other like-minded people.

Of course, this is only some of what you can do. There are plenty of entertaining (and free!) things to do out there. Which only begs one question:

What are you waiting for?

Spring break is the time when people want to go to the best places irrespective of how expensive the trip might end up being in the end. But who wouldn’t want to spend less money and not exceed the budget?

Here are some top destinations for Spring break where you can not only have the time of your life but also save money while doing so-

Jamaica: Home to so many music festivals, if you are looking to drink and party, this is the place for you. It is also an amazing place to go if you want to enjoy a variety of beaches. And if you are looking for adventure, well you could climb the 700-foot cascading waterfalls of duns River Falls. The best part about going to Caribbean and Mexico though is definitely the fact that ‘APPLE VACATIONS’ could give you 3 all-inclusive nights starting at $581.

Cancun: Yes, that amazing deal mentioned above would make your trip to Mexico totally worth it. After all, it is surrounded on three sides by lagoon, bay and sea. Again, if you are seeking adventure, Cancun is naturally situated in subtropical jungle perfect for exploration so you could just hop on a jet ski or charter a boat for some deep-sea fishing and spend a leisurely day at sea. Besides, I am sure everybody has heard college students talk about going to Cancun for Spring break. It’s just THAT great!

The Big Island, Hawaii: Hawaii super sale on ‘APPLE VACATIONS’ has a brilliant offer of 3 nights starting at $752. So if you want to enjoy the dazzling lava show of Hawaii’s volcano to the island’s flowing waterfalls and lose yourself amidst nature’s true wonders, you should definitely choose to travel to The Big Island.

Panama: Another brilliant place to spend the vacation is Panama. It offers a variety of world-class attractions. So if you don’t feel up for going to Caribbean, you can still find similar types of beaches at this place. It is also a top destination for adventurists, eco-tourists history buffs, beach lovers, families and romantics.

San Jose: Okay enough with the beaches! If you’re looking to go to one of the most cosmopolitan cities of Central America, San Jose won’t be a disappointment. It is such a diverse vacation experience that you are guaranteed to not regret it. You could use the ‘Enjoy the Life of Luxury on an All-Inclusive Luxury Vacation’ deal and make the most on whatever trip you decide to go to.

Don’t hesitate to create a memorable Spring break or even celebrate a romantic occasion and check out our coupon site to save  with Apple Vacations!

When it comes to weddings, even the best of us can get a little carried away. It’s supposed to be your “special day” and you want it to be perfect. The bad news is that weddings are notoriously expensive. The good news is that they don’t have to be. Here are some great tips for keeping you in the black as well as the white:

1. Personal Electronics: Rather than hiring a band or a deejay, do what a lot of people are doing nowadays and take advantage of your extensive collection of music. Opt for using your iPod or laptop with rented speakers. You’ll save a lot of money on a deejay, and you’ll be sure that all of your favorite songs will be played.

1. Vintage Clothing: You can find a lot of great deals online when it comes to vintage wedding dresses. If you’re not into the traditional wedding gown, you’ll have your pick of affordable dresses. Try searching out EBay Etsy or specialty vintage shops.  The same goes for men. Consider eschewing a tux in favor of a suit and you will save a bundle.

1. Two in One: Rather than having to pay for everything separately, find a venue that offers catering, or is beautiful without the need for decoration.  Some places will include both and this is a great way to save money on food delivery costs as well as decorations. Most importantly, it cuts down on the stress of having to deal with several different companies.

1. Guest List: Speaking of menus, keep your guest list short. You will be tempted to invite everyone you’ve ever met, but just consider the cost per plate (even with buffet). Stick to the people who are most important to you. Those are the ones who will be there to remember it with you later.

1. DIY: Whenever possible, do it yourself. This includes invitations, place cards and decoration. You can save a lot of money just making your own invitations, and there are great online printing services from which to choose. This also allows you to be a lot more creative with the style.

1. Never on a Sunday?:  Not anymore. By switching your wedding from a Saturday to a Sunday, you’ll receive a lot cheaper rate.

1. Combine your sites: Consider having your ceremony and reception in the same place. This is a lot easier on the guests, because they don’t have to worry about travelling. It can also save you the cost of booking two different places. Restaurants can be a great option because you can get food and plenty of seating. Consider having guests sit at their tables, rather than in rows for the ceremony.

Weddings can be extremely expensive, even when you have the best of intentions, but following these tips will free up just a little more money to celebrate the real treat: that wonderful honeymoon.

Are you picky while deciding a flavor when it comes to buying yourself a cookie? Because the good news is that you can now not only pick amongst eight different flavors but also satisfy your pickiness by getting yourself or your loved ones a cookie cake that looks exactly how you want it to look. Hence, there is no need for you to compromise now on ready-made cookies that fail to accommodate your personal taste.

Besides what would be a better opportunity to lighten up your day with personalized cookies than on Easter? Using Mrs. Fields will enable you to do all of this while saving money on your orders and also by giving you 15 per cent off any order. How great is that? But the best part about Mrs. Fields is that it won’t only personalize cookies for you but you could also use it to personalize a platter.

Won’t it just be awesome to surprise your kid on Easter with his cutest photo on the platter that comes with his favorite cookie flavor? You could also order a personalized cookie tin that you could continue using even after Easter is over. They even come in different sizes so you’d be free to buy the one that fits perfectly with your needs.

But some things are to be enjoyed in the moment even if they don’t last.

These personalized cookies are so special since its not everyday that you get to pick every single thing about them according to your own choice. Let’s do a step-by-step creation of a cookie cake on Mrs. Fields.

Would you like a round or a heart shaped decorated cookie? Well, that primarily depends on the person that you are planning on surprising it with. If it’s for your husband/boyfriend then it might be a good idea to go with the heart shape.

Do you like peanut butter or chocolate? Well, you could choose from eight different types of flavors.

What’s your favorite color? Yes, you can make sure to ask Mrs. Fields to personalize the cookie frosting as well.

Coming to the best part about cookie personalization- What would you want your personal message to be?

Isn’t it just great to have all of this personalization especially if you are a real cookie fan? Go ahead and make your Easter more special than the previous years and a lot cheaper as well!

You can find many deals for Mrs. Fields at our coupon site CouponChad.com!

Happy Easter.