Banners are one of the most common and effective ways to tell people about a company and its products, services and upcoming promotions. They are cheap and highly customizable; moreover they can be put up in places which attract maximum eyeballs. There are plenty of banner types available for marketers to capitalize on.

With such wide range of options available to advertisers, it has become a tricky aspect for companies to choose the ones that would best suit their business needs. While advancing printing technology has provided creative freedom on one hand, it has also created many loopholes that companies can fail to identify, according to backdrop printing experts at Print Banners.

Hence, it is essential to identify the different types of banners that can be used for marketing purposes; their appealing features and limitations.

Custom Vinyl Banners

Mostly used for their durability aspect; which gives a marketer immense freedom to put them up in unlikeliest of places. If you are printing custom vinyl banners, know that they are heavier as compared to others and can develop creases if not stored properly. Nowadays, vinyl banners come with LED light backdrop to enable attractive digital signage.

Fabric Banners

From custom computer printed cloth backdrops to polyester or satin banners; there are plenty of options available today. They are used for stunning colored graphics; perfect for trade shows, grand openings and presentations. Machine-washable and crease-resistant, unlike the vinyl options, they are good choice for companies that want cost-effective solutions in the smallest time-frame.

Step and Repeat Banners

In case you need custom neutral backdrops for both walls and trade-show booths, step and repeat banners could be the solution. They allow teams to cover up garish and boring backgrounds, so that the audience doesn’t get distracted in keynote speeches and product launches. The company’s logo or pictograph can be incorporated on these banners; to be used in as many events as necessary.

Mesh Type

The permeable fabric in mesh banners, allow wind to easily pass through lifting it up like a sail. One of the best things about this option is its use in harsh climatic conditions; for example a stormy weather. They also look good in high-rises.

Pull-Up or Retractable Banners

Having a retractable set-up makes them for creating instantaneous custom backdrops. They offer double-sided view; which is good for events like trade shows and employment fairs. Pull-up banner stands tend to be around six-feet tall, with customized width options. They are easy to collapse and transport, as compared to pop-up displays.

Suspended or Handing Type

Such banners use cables and rods to have a display above the crowd. Although the installation of such suspended displays takes more effort, they help increase visibility. These can be of any shape or size, depending on the location.

These were only some of the banner types, among many options available today. To decide on the best solution, a marketer needs to have a clear understanding of the budget, location, target audience, brand image and messaging.

Different Types of Banners Used in Events and Their Uses is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

The offer can come innocently enough when you’re at the checkout counter at a department store: “Would you like to apply for our store credit card today? You get an automatic 20 percent discount off today’s purchase.”

Immediately, your answer should be “No.”

Without time to go over the written terms of the contract with a busy cashier, and not knowing how the store-branded card can affect your credit score, among other things, that discount of 20 percent or more doesn’t look so good.

Here are three things to consider before applying for a store credit card:

High interest rates

This should be your first concern because if you don’t pay the credit card bill in full by the due date, you’ll be charged interest that can be a lot higher than with a regular credit card. Why? There’s a higher risk for lenders offering cards to a range of customers who have a range of credit scores.

Store-branded cards have interest rates of around 23 percent. Credit cards from banks and credit card companies can range from 10 percent to 21 percent.

And just like any other credit card, a store-branded card has a penalty APR, or annual percentage rate, if you don’t make the minimum payment on time.

Effect on credit score

Department store credit cards have more lenient lending standards, making them easier for young adults with little or no credit history to be approved for.

Using store credit cards wisely can establish a good credit history. But opening too many accounts at one time can hurt a credit score through what are called hard inquiries. Having too many balances can also be a bad sign, showing the possibility of default.

The cards usually have low spending limits, creating high utilization ratios that show you’re using a high percentage of your available credit and are close to maxing out your credit cards.

Overspending with store credit card

Store credit cards are meant to bring customers back, and credit cards have been shown to get people to pay more for something than they would with cash. And because their credit cards are only accepted at their stores, retailers know you can only shop with it at one place.

Just like a sandwich shop gives you a free sandwich after you buy 10, a department store credit card may offer you exclusive discounts if you spend so much money a year with its credit card.

If you’re not already a loyal customer to the company offering you a 20 percent discount for signing up for its credit card, you may soon be if you accept the offer.

Watch Out for These 3 Problems if Cashier Offers You a Store Credit Card is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

Picking out the perfect birthday gift takes some thought. A gift that doesn’t at first require a lot of consideration but can allow gift givers to add their own personal touch are birthday flowers.

Birthday flowers can be as simple as you want them to be, or extravagant with many types of flowers in an arrangement that can make them stand out from the crowd.

No matter how well you know someone, finding just the right birthday gift that they’ll really enjoy can be difficult. When you first get a birthday invitation, deciding what gift to get them can be the first thing that pops into your mind.

Birthday flowers can easily solve that problem. Since birthday flowers are a unique gift, you may be the only person at the party to bring them. Or, you can have the birthday flowers sent before you arrive, adding a fun surprise to the celebrant’s day.

A bouquet of flowers can fit anyone’s budget. You can pick them up at a grocery store or florist on your way to the party, order them online and have them delivered, or pick them from your yard or in a field nearby.

Ribbons, colorful paper, small gifts, food and other items can be added to a flower arrangement to make them more beautiful.

Birthday flowers by month

To make the gift of birthday flowers a little unique, select flowers that correspond to the birthday month being celebrated. Here are birth flowers by month:

• January: Carnations
• February: Iris and Violet
• March: Daffodil
• April: Daisy and Sweet Pea
• May: Lily of the Valley
• June: Rose
• July: Larkspur and Waterlily
• August: Gladiolus
• September: Astor
• October: Marigold
• November: Mum
• December: Narcissus, Holly, Poinsettia

Picking flowers that are in season is important. It will ensure the gift flowers are the freshest available, providing beauty and scent that will last for a long time.

If you can’t find birthday flowers that correspond to the person’s birth month, no worries. Ask the florist for whatever is freshest. Adding red roses and violets can make the bouquet stand out more, as can chocolates, balloons and other things.

Does everyone want birthday flowers?

You may think that birthday flowers are just for girls or women. Flowers are a traditional gift for women, and one that many men may not give much thought to. What’s easier than picking out a few flowers to give to someone?

Flowers may also not be considered a great birthday present because they only last a week or so in a vase, then have to be thrown out.

All of these assumptions are wrong.

First, flowers are one of those gifts that just exude caring. They smell and look beautiful, so giving birthday flowers to a man is just as much of a caring gift as giving him a case of beer. Neither will be around for long, but the flowers will be a much more appropriate gift in the long term than almost anything else they’ll receive for their birthday.

Second, while flowers won’t last forever, they can be left to dry in the sun and then pressed in a book to preserve the memory. If that isn’t a consideration, then chances are the memory of flowers as a birthday gift will linger a lot longer than anything else that is used for a while and then forgotten.

The bottom line, I think, in giving birthday flowers is that they’re a thoughtful and unique gift on a birthday. That’s reason enough to arrive at a birthday party with a beautiful bouquet.

Birthday Flowers Can Make the Perfect Gift is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

Here are six ways that you can be frugal without feeling deprived:

Realize Your Priorities

First things first, you have to know where your priorities are. Why spend money going out when you prefer to stay home? Why would you spend money on a huge house when you’d rather travel more often? By realizing your priorities, you’ll be able to cut out unnecessary spending and enjoy spending your money on things you actually care about.

Also, instead of saying ” I don’t have the money for that”, you can say “That’s not a priority for me right now.”

People won’t be able to call you cheap if they know where your priorities are. Plus, this keeps you from feeling guilty when you’d rather not spend the money on something you’d rather not be doing.

Barter

You may love doing something, but don’t want to spend a small fortune on it. This may be getting your house cleaned from a professional, getting a fancy haircut, or maybe even hiring a personal trainer. If you have skills that you could trade for these services, or if you can offer something that would benefit the person offering you a service, you can barter for discounts or even free services.

Now, you may not be able to barter for everything. Plus, you never want to offend anyone by lowballing them. But, bartering can be a great way to be frugal without feeling deprived if you do it right.

Find Cheaper Alternatives

If you love coffee, try brewing it special at home instead of spending $5 for a latte. With all of the different ways to brew and enjoy coffee at home, you won’t have to sacrifice flavor for a few dollars. Ready to buy an electronic? Try finding gently used or refurbished phones, tablets, and the like with just a quick Google search.

Just because you are frugal, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy nice things. Being frugal without feeling deprived is all about finding balance with what you love and what’s in your budget.

Have Some (Frugal) Fun

It doesn’t have to cost a small fortune to have fun. In fact, many cities have a lot of free (or relatively inexpensive) options for you, and your family, to enjoy. You can typically find free events or outings on your city’s website, or even by browsing through events on Facebook or Google.

It’s important to go out and have fun. You can be frugal without feeling deprived if you can still find ways around time to enjoy yourself. Eith the money you save on outings, you may be able to have a nice emergency fund, or splurge and pay cash for something you’ve been wanting for a while.

Practice Delayed Gratification

In a time where instant gratification is everywhere, practicing delayed gratification is a great way to be frugal without feeling deprived. In many cases, you can give yourself the 48-hour rule. For example, if you come across an item that you’d love to have, but don’t really need, write it down. Then, wait for 48-hours. Still want the item after that timeframe? Get it (as long as it’s within budget).

Most of the time, you will come to realize that you don’t really need the item or want the item after all. But, if you still do, you won’t feel guilty for purchasing it. This also helps curb impulse buys. If you are going to be buying something that’s a larger purchase ($100 or more), try waiting at least a week.

Cheat A Little

If you make a budget every month, it’s okay to have one day where you cheat a little. You should still budget for it, but you don’t have to be super strict with your budget all of the time. That’s one of the quickest ways to burn out when it comes to managing your money.

It is possible to be frugal without feeling deprived, and you can still live a good life while being smart with your money.

6 Ways to be Frugal Without Feeling Deprived is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

As kids, we’ve always dreamed of growing up into the cool adult with the nice car. We soon discover that dream cars are a dream for a reason: they are expensive. Now, you’re all grown up and still dreaming of that vehicle. But a car lease may be your solution.

How to get a car

These days, it is so easy to get a new car. If you’re looking for a used one, there’s plenty of online sellers who can give you a good deal for one. But the risks is that you don’t know what they did to the car or if anything is wrong with it.

That’s why others opt to get a car loan, wherein a bank or a finance company pays for the car, and the buyer makes the monthly payments. And of course, the car lease.

The car lease is the most enticing of it all because it guarantees a working vehicle for a fraction of the cost compared to car loans. But is it for you? Here are a few pros and cons of leasing that can help you decide if you should take a loan or a lease.

Pros

Lower Monthly Fees. Probably the most enticing aspect of a car lease, the low payments each month allow people who otherwise cannot afford a vehicle. The lease is lower depending on how long your contract will last.

New vehicle every few years. When your car lease is up, you can talk to your dealer about getting to a new car. This eliminates the worry about your car’s value depreciating over time and the need to sell it; another appealing factor for people who do not wish to deal with the headaches of car ownership.

Tax advantages. Business who opt to take on a leased car over purchasing reap the benefits through tax advantages. Aside from the tax advantage, business owners who lease have the advantage of getting an updated vehicle every few years; thus, cutting their costs on vehicle maintenance.

Cons

It’s a rental. Leasing a car is synonymous to renting it for a period of time. And because it’s not yours to keep, you have to take care of it. That means you can’t paint it or design the inside as you want it to look. As much as possible, you want to keep it looking the way it was given to you or face the consequences.

Contracts and Additional Payments. Contracts are sacred. You have to abide by everything that’s stated or else you get the privilege of paying the leasing company a large sum of money. And remember when we said that you’d face the consequences if you don’t take care of the car? The consequence is paying additional for the damages and for going over the discussed mileage.

Pay for it FOREVER. A lot of money goes into a lease. A loan has an expiration date: once you pay the company the agreed amount (plus interest, if any), you’re free, and the car is yours. Whereas with a lease, you’ll be paying for as long as a contract bounds you and if you choose to keep renewing it. If money is not an object, then leasing is definitely for you.

Whether it’s a loan or a lease, you are going to be faced with a lot of payments in the horizon. It’s up to you on which method you are most comfortable with. If you want your vehicle but can’t get approval for a loan, then rent to own car is ideal. They have the power to customize your payment plan and allow you to pay for it on your own terms.

Everything You Need to Know About Car Leasing is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

Many people have car loans. In fact, approximately

Not only are car loans expensive, but they can also be avoided, even if you are on a low income. If you are looking for a vehicle now or soon, here are a few tips to help you pay cash for your next car.

Drive Your Old Car As Long As Possible

If you have a car already, drive it until you can’t drive it anymore (or until it doesn’t make sense to keep repairing it). Why buy a car you can’t afford when the one you have works just fine? Sometimes, you may be envious by the people driving new wheels, or the people who don’t have to manually roll up their windows. However, you have to remind yourself that it’s not worth getting into massive amounts of debt just to own a newer car.

If you don’t have a car yet, now is the time to act like you do. Start saving money as if you have a car note, insurance, and other miscellaneous things to pay for.

Save Each Paycheck

Even if it’s just a few dollars, save money from every paycheck in a new car fund. You can always increase this amount as you earn more or cut out expenses, but try to save something. It may take you a little longer to save enough money for a car, but it can be worth it when you realize you don’t have that extra bill hanging over your head every month.

Save Extra Money to Pay Cash For Your Next Car

Do you get bonuses, raises, or even birthday money? It should go straight into savings when you get it. It may be hard seeing that money sitting in your savings when you feel you deserve to spend it, but that extra money helps grow your savings faster.

For every bonus or raise you get, continue to save it and live off of the income you were making before. Before you know it, you’ll have a nice chunk of change to use for your next car purchase.

Cut Spending

There is always a way to cut some spending in your budget, even if you don’t think so. Do you eat out a lot? Do you leave lights on when you can turn them off? Could you use an old phone instead of a new one? Finding ways to cut your spending can help you pay cash for your next car by offering you a way to save more.

I’m not saying you have to be drastic when it comes to cutting your spending, but I also think that short term sacrifice equals long term gain. If you really want to pay cash for your next car, you won’t mind making changes to do so.

Price Shop

Once you’ve saved enough money to pay cash for your next car, it’s time to go shopping. Since you know how much money you have to spend, now is the time to price shop from dealership to dealership (or online).

Finding a car in your budget can take some searching, but don’t give up. Plus, checking out cars in person may give you the opportunity to find a car that hasn’t been listed yet, and you may find yourself a good deal.

Check Out Sales

Some of the best times to buy a car are right before or after the new year, around the holidays (like Memorial Day), or the middle of summer (when everyone is on vacation). If you focus on buying your car during these times, you may be able to walk away with a better car for less money.

For example, I bought a car last year for $15,400. The car itself was fully loaded and had only been driven for a year before the owner decided to upgrade. My car was worth $24,000, but I snagged it on sale AND was able to barter because I was paying for it in cash.

Buy Gently Used

Just like I mentioned above, you can get really good deals on gently used cars. Sometimes, you are better off getting a car a little newer, because it will most likely still be under warranty and have less mileage than an older used car.

This helps you because you won’t have to worry about purchasing a clunker every couple of years, and you may not have to worry about too many repairs. This, in turn, can help you continue to pay cash for your next car.

Buy From a Private Seller

Private sellers can get a bad rep because of Craigslist horror stories and people not doing their research beforehand. However, you can get some of the best deals by buying from a person rather than a company. My sister bought her 2003 Pontiac Grand Am from a private seller for $1,200, and it’s still running like a champ.

The important thing is to surround yourself with knowledge about the car, come with your cash in hand to barter and make sure to test drive the car and think about it before making any decisions. You may just be able to find a diamond in the rough, all while paying cash.

It can be overwhelming trying to pay cash for your next car, but it doesn’t have to be. Keeping your goals in mind and knowing that you won’t have extra bills to pay can make it all worth it.

How to Pay Cash For Your Next Car is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

These 20 gifts are guaranteed to delight, and they’re all $100 or less. Some are even less than $20.

Kamik Jennifer Rain Boots
$64.99 at Kamik.com
If she’s not one for jumping in puddles, that’ll change once she steps into these cute boots. She’ll love the comfort and the classic style, and they’re available in five colors.

Terrace Jewelry Organizer by Umbra
$29.99 at ContainerStore.com

Mom has collected lots of baubles and bangles over the years and they’re all in a tangle. This three-tier lined wooden box offers a smart storage solution for her earrings, rings, necklaces and even her reading glasses. Drawers can slide out for display or remain neatly stacked.

Grow Oya
$24.95 and up at growoya.com

This clever clay receptacle waters thirsty plants with minimal effort. The Oya is buried in the garden for spring and summer and periodically filled with water. The plants in the vicinity draw the water they need. Because there is less surface watering, weeds are less likely to germinate. Available in three sizes. Wondering what to plant? You can grow these five groceries in your garden.

Tea Forte Rejuvenation Gift Set
$55 at TeaForte.com

If she needs a little “me” time, this gorgeous set will provide just that. In a beautiful gift box, she’ll find 10 green tea infusers, an 8-ounce porcelain cup and a tea tray, perfect for a peaceful and delicious afternoon tea. Is coffee more mom’s taste? These four credit cards are great for coffee lovers.

The Stylestring Classic String Collection
Price: $68 at TheStylestring.com

If mom has (or needs) a little edge, a Stylestring is the ideal accessory. Available in four colors, this versatile, vegan leather strand can be worn seven ways, including as a belt, bracelet and headband. She’ll love mixing it up every day.

Planted in Beauty Starter Kit
$25 at WellWithinBeauty.com

Treat your mom to healthy skin with this set of six organic skin care products that are chemical- and toxin-free. These skincare products are packed with the highest quality plant-based ingredients, which encourage collagen production and protect her skin from environmental stressors.

Reversible Tote Purse
$9.36 at Walmart

The roomy tote will take her from the gym to brunch to the farmer’s market. It’s reversible so she can wear each color as the mood strikes, and best of all, it’s less than $10. Available in several color combinations.

OneLeg
$45 and up at OneLegUSA.com

This ergonomic stool will allow her to tend to her garden in comfort. She can sit and move easily while staying close to the ground and to her plants. Available in four different sizes and seven colors.

Meori Foldable ‘Mom Box’
$35 at US.meori.com

An essential for the mom who needs her own special storage space for the car, the home office or a closet. With “Mom Box” emblazoned on the side, no one is going to mess with her stuff. Collapsible when not in use.

Atlas Coffee Club
Starting at $14 a month at AtlasCoffeeClub.com

Treat your adventurous Mom to a new coffee each month. As a member of Atlas Coffee Club, she’ll receive a monthly shipment of a coffee from a different part of the world, from the Costa Rica to Ethiopia. Each bag has its own beautiful packaging and cultural information. She’ll think of you each day as she brews a cup.

artnaturals Bluetooth Oil Diffuser
$49 at artnaturals.com

A blend of tech and Zen, this Bluetooth diffuser will scent the air with a fragrance of her choosing, play her favorite playlist, bathe the room in soft, colorful light and function as an alarm clock. Add a set of 16 essential oils, including cinnamon leaf, sweet orange and frankincense for $29.

Fischer & Wieser Make Mom’s Life Easier Gift Basket
$74.95 at Jelly.com

Sometimes, the most thoughtful gift is to make mom’s life easier. This basket is filled with “Mom’s” tasty sauces and seasonings from Fischer & Wieser. They’ll come in handy when she needs to whip up a quick, delicious meal. They’re preservative- and gluten-free.

Lano Lips Hands All Over Tinted Balm Trio
$41 at Net-a-porter.com

One for the kitchen drawer, one for the car, one for her purse. If she’s prone to dry lips, these will be her new go-to balms, as they soothe and nourish even the driest lips, thanks to ultra medical grade lanolin. The three tints offer just a hint of color for a little lift on the go.

Glamma Stemless Wine Glass
$14.95 at Papyrusonline.com

Your glamorous grandma needs her own special wine glass. This stemless glass is decorated with “Glamma” in gold foil and comes in a pretty, floral box, ready for gifting.

V-MODA Forza In-Ear Headphones
$100 at V-Moda.com

If she’s using old earbuds for phone calls and music, maybe it’s time for an upgrade. These durable, high-res earbuds deliver great sound for calls and tunes and come with a variety of fittings, sport fins and ear hooks to ensure perfect fit and comfort. They are available in orange, white and black with their own pouch. And if you want to go one step further, 3D printed, color and finish customization is available for an additional fee.

Salt of the Earth Bakery ‘The Whole Shebang’
$37 at TheGrommet.com

With flavors like coffee-infused “The Kona” to the decadent “The Chocoholic,” this box of cookies and brownies will have her grinning ear to ear. The treats are made with sea salts from around the world, for just the right touch of sophistication. The Whole Shebang includes three cookie flavors and three brownie flavors, with plenty to share.

Wahl Hot & Cold Custom Body Therapeutic Massager
$43.23 at MaxWarehouse.com

From a sore back to tightness in the shoulders, everyone has their share of aches and pains. Help mom find sweet relief with this hand-held massager. With variable speeds and seven attachments, including hot, cold and facial, she’ll be feeling better in no time.

Lorena Canals Leaf Baskets
$46 at LorenaCanals.us

This beautiful, cotton rope basket offers stylish storage for anything from yarn to magazines to toys. Soft and machine-washable, these baskets are available in Terracota, Natural and Green to suit her decor.

Philosophy Cleanse, Peel, Treat Trial Kit
$55 at Philosophy.com

If she’s been bemoaning dull skin, three simple steps will have her skin looking glowing, fresh and healthy in minutes. Cleanser and moisturizer are used daily, the peel is used weekly.

Vosges-Haut Chocolate Les Fleurs du Chocolat Collection
$45 at EveryMotherCounts.org

For every sale of this tasty truffle collection, Vosges will donate 20% of proceeds to Christy Turlington Burns’ non-profit, Every Mother Counts, which supports efforts to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for women. Rich chocolate truffles are topped with garden-inspired delicacies, like orchids and bee pollen.

If you have money left over after shopping for mom, here are 11 other smart purchases for less than $400. And if you’re out of cash, take these four steps to stop buying stuff you can’t afford. And whenever you’re shopping, it’s important to keep in mind how your credit card spending affects your overall financial health. You can see how by getting two of your free credit scores every month on Credit.com.

More from Credit.com

• What Is a Good Credit Score?
• How Do I Improve My Credit Score Without Debt?
• 10 Things Everyone Should Know About Credit Scores

This article originally appeared on Credit.com.

Mother’s Day Gifts for Less Than $100 is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

If you are always buying new clothes because you have “nothing to wear,” or if you are tired of seeing a mish mash of items in your closet, a capsule wardrobe may be the greatest thing to happen to your closet in a long time.

A capsule wardrobe will not only save you money, but it will also save you time and frustration when picking out your clothes. Here are a few tips to help you build a capsule wardrobe and save money all year.

Know What a Capsule Wardrobe Is

What is a capsule wardrobe? While the capsule wardrobe doesn’t have a true definition, it is considered as a small collection of fashion pieces that never go out of style. While it doesn’t have a max number of items, it will normally have 15-30 pieces, all of which you can mix and match.

The key to a great capsule wardrobe is having items that can all work together, so you are never stuck with an item that you can’t wear more than once or twice. Since you know that your end goal is saving money, you won’t buy pieces that don’t work well with others.

Pick Your Colors

Most capsule wardrobes consist of black, white, gray, and nude. While this helps you save money, you can build a colorful capsule wardrobe too. Again, the key is to build a wardrobe that will allow you to mix and match.

Some people like to create two separate capsule wardrobes, one for the spring/summer and one for the fall/winter. If you want to go more colorful in the spring/summer and darker in the fall/winter, go for it! Just make sure that the colors work for you.

Choose Based on the Season

If you live in an area where you have all four seasons, you will most likely have to add extra pieces to your capsule wardrobe. Even if you are trying to save money and time, you should choose pieces that work with the weather. No one wants to freeze just to save a little cash!

Even with buying a few extra clothing items during the different seasons, you’ll save a lot more money than someone who buys a ton of clothes every few months! If you choose the right type of clothes, you can transition them to fit all of the different seasons all year round.

Add a Little of Your Style

Once you’ve gotten the basics down ( a nice pair of jeans, simple black tee), it’s time to add in a little of your own style! While sticking to simplicity, get a few cute tops, or a graphic tee that you can wear whenever you want.

It’s important to add a little of your own style to your capsule wardrobe. If you deprive yourself of shopping or buying what you want just to save closet space, you may binge and buy more than you really need. The biggest benefit to a capsule wardrobe is saving money, so add your own flavor when you can.

Go Thrifting

You don’t have to buy all of your new capsule wardrobe clothes for full price! Another great way to save money by building your new wardrobe is to go thrifting. You can normally snag great deals on basics like jeans and t-shirts.

If you decide to go thrift shopping, make sure to pick quality clothing. While there is nothing wrong with buying a $2 t-shirt, it will be useless if you find a hole the first time you wear it. Sometimes thrift shopping won’t yield you a ton of results, but keep trying! You’ll save money and be able to build your wardrobe for a lot less than brand new.

Add/Remove As Needed

A capsule wardrobe is all about trial and error and finding what works for you and your lifestyle and needs. If you add a new jacket because the one you had didn’t work, remember to donate or get rid of the old one! Keeping your capsule wardrobe fresh and minimal will help you streamline your closet, life, and keep your wallet full.

Also, you can make money from the clothes you no longer wear! You could always try to sell them via a consignment shop or online. You may be able to buy new clothes with the money you make from your old ones, meaning even more savings.

A capsule wardrobe isn’t for everyone, but it can be super beneficial in helping you find your personal style and saving money all year long.

How To Build A Capsule Wardrobe & Save Money All Year is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

But what happens if meal planning seems more like a hassle? Here are a few tips and tricks to make meal planning easier and more effective.

Save Recipes

If you have recipes that you could eat all of the time, save them on your phone, computer, or even on sites like Pinterest. That way, if you are feeling uninspired while meal planning, you can take a quick peek at your list.

If you want to stay super organized and make meal planning easier, you can organize your recipes by type (breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.). Try to keep these meals simple and easy prep.

If you are saving your recipes via places like Evernote or your phone, remember to link the recipe or jot down the ingredients needed, especially if the recipe has more than five ingredients. This will keep you from searching for the recipe every time you want to use it.

Make Meal Planning Easier With Themes

To keep yourself from staring at your calendar every time you have to plan your meals, create a weekly theme.

For example, you could make soup on Mondays, pasta on Tuesdays, and so on. Not only will this make your meal planning easier, but it will also keep you from getting bored by eating the same meals over and over.

Make A List

When you are trying to streamline your meal planning, it’s important to stick to a list. It shouldn’t take long to create a shopping and meal list for the week (or however often you shop).

When you are trying to make meal planning easier, a list will keep you on task and make sure you aren’t buying items just because you like the look of them. Also, making a list allows you to see what you have in your pantry/fridge, which could cut down on food waste.

Shop Smart

If you don’t want to be overwhelmed when shopping and meal planning, try shopping on the same day and time every week. For example, I shop every Wednesday morning, because the stores are never busy and I have enough free time on Wednesdays to keep me from feeling overwhelmed.

It’s also smart to check ads and sales before you go. Making meal planning easier isn’t all about saving time, but saving money as well. Checking ads can help you plan your meals around more local and inexpensive items, which will bring your grocery bill down and give you a little more wiggle room in your budget.

Prep Smart

Once you’ve gotten all of your food items, it’s time to prep your food for the week. Since you’ve already made a list of your meals, all you have to do is decide how to arrange your prep time to be as efficient as possible.

If you bought meat, it’s best to start prepping that first, as it may need to marinate or cook longer than fruits and veggies. Cooking this way ensures that everything is complete around the same time and that you aren’t running around more than you should be.

Another way to make meal prepping easier is to just prep the components of your meals vs. the whole meal itself. If you know that most of your meals require chicken, go ahead and bake all of it and shred, dice, or keep it whole based on the recipe. You could also pre-chop your veggies, separate your yogurt into different containers, and get your snacks together in their baggies.

While it may take you a few hours your first-time meal prepping, with a little practice and planning ahead, you should be able to keep your prep time under two hours for the whole week.

Meal planning doesn’t have to be difficult or long. In fact, meal planning can become a fun and easy way to be healthier, save some cash, and reduce your stress.

5 Ways to Make Meal Planning Easier is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

Well, the answer is a big fat NO. Mostly such people are made. They build themselves up or are helped by others who nurture them with positive ways of living. Now you must be wondering what are these positive ways of living that would help with your brain capacity and enhance your life altogether.

The truth is there is no specific way that works effectively for all because of the simple fact that each one of us is unique. Each one of us is designed so intricately, although what our body constitutes is basically the same.

We all crave for that alpha brain, but do we really do the needful to attain superior cognition, I don’t think so. It is time to stop fretting and high time to start acting for our betterment. You could go for the most simple and cost effective ways of cognitive enhancement like:

1. Regular yoga practice, a very relaxing way and effective over long run in improving brain focus and energy. It has proven its worthiness but has to be practised regularly for maximum effect.
2. Solving puzzles and other mental exercises are wonderful tools that could help you with cerebral success.
3. Exercising is yet another common strategy that experts claim to strengthen your mind and body.
4. Last but definitely not the least is nootropics, a scientific marvel that works wonders to get you going without any space for self doubt. You can easily find top nootropic supplements like Alpha Brain at Brain Enhancement Advisor. It’s easy to get and works for everyone. Although its consumption should be guided and it’s always good to have a medical opinion before you try one of these just to be on the safer side.

Nootropics are high in demand as more and more people are becoming aware of its benefits which begin to show after very short span of usage. Its therefore no wonder nootropics like Alpha Brain have gained popularity so quickly because everyone wants to keep up with the fast pace their lives demand. You can find this amazing nootropic stack by Onnit labs online and get it delivered to your doorstep to begin enjoying the benefits of these super pills.

Side Effects and Results

Alpha Brain boasts of plenty of natural ingredients that claim to increase your brain functioning. But of course if you check the ingredient list of these super pills you may also find brain boosting chemicals included. In many of the brain supplements caffeine is one of the common ingredients that you may find on your pill pack.

So there is no wonder how that instant mental energy kicks in. However experts believe that apart from the caffeine content in many such brain enhancers it is the expert combination of ingredients that brings about the effectiveness of the pill. So caffeine or no caffeine these super pills really seem to work.

If you are really in search for something quick acting and effective I’d say Alpha Brain is worth a try. Consumer reviews suggest no side effects so far, thus reinforcing the fact that it’s safe to use for almost anyone. Although pregnant women, individuals with health complications and people below 18 years of age shall consume Onnit Alpha Brain pills once you check with a medical practitioner.

Possibilities of Brain Enhancement — Alpha Brain is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.