Marriage & Family Archives | Page 76 of 81

Free Wedding Planner Tools For A Fantastic Wedding

According to Dictionary.com, a wedding planner is the person responsible for conceptualizing and organizing the wedding ceremony, the reception, and perhaps the honeymoon. A busy couple can certainly hire a professional wedding planner to take off the load on their shoulders.

However, if you have too much time on your hands and do not want to cast a hole on your pocket, you can take on the role of the wedding planner and DIY your way to your dream wedding!

1. WEDDING PLANNER CHECKLIST

So, you have a ring on your finger. Now what is next? Wedding Ideas Magazine shares checklists and tips for planning a wedding in 12 months, 6 months, and 1 month. The first sentence speaks volumes: “The secret to a great day is to start planning early!” Thus, planning a wedding 12 months in advance with this concise planner sounds like a good idea.

Available here: weddingideasmag.com/wp-content/uploads/files/downloads/Wedding-Ideas-Planner.pdf

2. BACHELORETTE OR HEN PARTY

Whether you are planning your own bachelorette or hen party or you are bestowing the responsibility to your maid-of-honor, coming up with the whole event can be stressful. To help you with this, you can use a guide or a checklist too for 12-24 months, 2 months, 1 month, and 1-2 days before the party.

Available here: weddingideasmag.com/wp-content/uploads/files/downloads/Wedding-Ideas-Magazine-Planning-Tool-Hen-Party-Checklist.pdf

3. WEDDING PLANNER SOFTWARE

Do you know that there is a no-cost wedding planner software available to support you in:

Designing the Floor Plan,
Managing the Guest List,
Tracking RSVPs,
Assigning Seating Arrangements,
Generating Guest List Reports,
Printing the Floor Plan,
Printing Place Cards,
Sharing event information with others, and so much more?

This wedding planner tool is called Seating Arrangement.

Know more about it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AfmxfzEtekfeatures.htm

4. WEDDING WEBSITE

To take your organizational skills to the next level, you can make a website for your special day. You do not need to have major tech skills or digital knowledge to get started with your own website. Simply use the reliable free website builders such as WordPress.com. Website builders already have the template, plugins, and coding for you.

Inside your website, include the guest lists, RSVP forms, meal requests, gift registry, gift wish list, and anything you want to include. Furthermore, with the help of your website, guests can easily collect and share photos on their Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Tidy Up Your Family’s Life In 5 Professional Steps

With a house full of children, life can quickly get a little topsy-turvy! Juggling through the chaos of household chores, family relationships, and work responsibilities can become overwhelming. Luckily, you can adopt a professional system that has been present for centuries.

This system is none other than the “business system”. Businesses, enterprises, and firms are organized because they follow a synchronized structure. Apply this to your home life by following these simple tips:

1. DETERMINE YOUR FAMILY’S CORE VALUES

Core values exhibit what is important in the company and its members. In your case, you must consider what are the important beliefs and morals that you want your family members to uphold. Determine your family’s core values to help guide your every decision. For example, if your family values saving money and hard work then your plans for your next vacation will be based on those values. Furthermore, it will affect how much you will save (i.e., practices) and what you will spend your money on (i.e., strategies).

2. SET YOUR PRIORITIES

Spreading out your energy and time to things that are not necessary can be a waste of your resources. This is why efficient companies set their priorities straight and focus more of their resources on the top priority. Your priorities as a family can be anything that you would like to accomplish in the near future such as exercising together everyday. These priorities are personal and subjective to you.

3. ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE

Most of the firms follow a strict schedule for every employee. Apply this to your family by using a digital calendar to automate your family’s schedule. A beloved digital calendar by most is the Google Calendar, which is available if you have your own Gmail account. Establish a schedule that includes household chores, special events, school works, and etc. You can assign a different color for each child too.

Alternatively, you may use a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and assign a color and a row for each child. It is best to plan the week ahead by making the schedule every Sunday night.

4. PRACTICE TEAMWORK

Cooperation and teamwork can extend the walls of your home too! Join or organize a parenting group including the other parents in your children’s school. Aside from meeting new people, you can save more money by taking turns in babysitting each other’s children. Use WhatsApp or a private Facebook group to exchange your contacts for emergency purposes and to schedule events together. Taking care of each other’s kids are matters of trust so make sure that these newfound friends can be trusted.

5. REVIEW YOUR PROGRESS

As a whole, you must sit together once a week for at least 10 minutes to review your progress in terms of your priorities, your schedule, and your other issues. Talk openly and honestly.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

To increase the positivity and the sense of accomplishment, commend your children for their achievements that week (no matter how big or small it may be).

Sources: 1 & 2

Wedding Related Items You Should Not Be Spending Too Much On

Weddings are special as they celebrate beginnings and possibilities. And, on these special day one can either splurge their savings or follow a reasonable budget.

On the importance of marriage, I resonate what Barbara de Angelis once said:

“The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It’s a choice you make – not just on your wedding day, but over and over again – and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.”

The essence of the marriage is highlighted in the loving relationship of the husband and wife from the wedding day and days to come. To be able to live a comfortable life in the following days to come, the couple must follow a reasonable budget and keep some of their savings for long-term purchases such as a house or a car.

1. FAD DETOX AND CLEANSES

Having a toned and sexy physique for the wedding day is at the top priority of almost every bride. And, there is definitely nothing wrong with wanting to look good for the “Big Day”! Although the body is capable of cleaning or detoxifying itself, our unhealthy lifestyle can slow down that natural process – leading one to feel lethargic, unmotivated, and bloated.

But let us face it, detox and cleanses can be really costly. A 3-day detox in a luxurious Yoga studio can cost you about S$400. As you other find ways to reach your ideal body goal, consider these nutritious yet inexpensive detox ideas:

a. Substitute coffee with green tea

b. Drink plenty of water

c. Workout regularly

d. Get quality sleep

Read the full article here.

2. SAVE THE DATE INVITATIONS

Sending personalized wedding invitations to the guests can cost you hundreds of dollars depending on the size of the event. If your wedding is a destination wedding and RSVPs are crucial, a frugal alternative is to make a private group in Facebook (for free) then post the message including your detailed instructions.

Another cheap alternative is to print customizable announcement templates that are available online. I personally recommend the free printable invitations and envelopes from greetingsisland.com.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

3. DIAMOND RINGS

Since the wedding and engagement are events that happen once in a lifetime, people often rationalize their spending for the diamond rings. Jewelry, in general, is an expensive category in itself. Expensive jewelry plus an emotional event can result to overspending. If you try to spend less, you will feel guilty and cheap.

Thankfully, you can negotiate with the prices by knowing the 4 C’s namely carat, clarity, color, and cut. You may ask the local jeweler if he or she is willing to change the setting of the ring for a discount. That will surely lower down the overall amount.

4. ARTISANAL OR CRAFT LIQUOR

Singapore’s standards for mixology are rising these past few years. In conduction, the companies that offer artisanal or craft liquors are increasing too. If you are thinking of serving these types of liquor at your wedding then, you are definitely splurging!

You can dramatically cut down the cost of the liquor if you hold the reception a private venue, if you serve the venue’s own brand of wine and champagne, and if you instruct the servers to wait before they are asked to refill. Surely, refilling every glass as soon as they are empty and purchasing premium brands will take a tow on your budget.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

3 Quick, Easy, And Affordable Meal Ideas Under S$20

Assuming the basic ingredients including salt, pepper, sugar, garlic, onions, and eggs are available at your home, here are the affordable meal ideals you can simply and swiftly prepare for the whole family:

1. CRISPY ROMAINE SALAD

Increase the vitamins absorbed by your body through this low-calorie dish that takes only 15 minutes to prepare.

INGREDIENTS (SERVING 4 PAX)

1 large Romaine lettuce (S$3.50 per 300g at Quan Fa Organic Farm)

2 medium carrots (S$0.80 per 500g at FairPrice)

0.30 cup of mayonnaise (S$2.65 at FairPrice)

2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar (S$6.50 at Delicia)

1 small clove of garlic

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1 cucumber (S$0.65 per pack at FairPrice)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

DIRECTIONS

Cut the unpeeled cucumber vertically in half then, cut it horizontally into thin “half-moon shapes”. Then, coarsely chop the Romaine lettuce. Get a huge serving bowl and place your cut cucumber and lettuce there. Afterwards, peel the carrots directly into the serving bowl.

On a separate small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper well. Then, add this sauce mix to the serving bowl.

2. VELVET SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH HERBS

Give your good ol’ scrambled eggs a twist by adding fresh herbs. This recipe takes a total of 20 minutes to prepare.

INGREDIENTS (SERVING 4 PAX)

9 eggs

1/4 cup of milk (as low as S$2.40 at FairPrice)

1/4 cup of butter (S$3 per 250g at FairPrice)

1 tablespoon minced oregano (S$4.35 per 15g Mccormick Whole Mexican Oregano at FairPrice)

1 tablespoon minced thyme (as low as S$4 at FairPrice)

2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese (S$5.55 per 125g Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese at FairPrice)

Chives (follow self-preference)

Salt and pepper (to taste)

DIRECTIONS

Whisk the eggs and milk in a medium bowl for about 1 minute. Melt the butter over medium to low heat in a large sauté pan (preferably non-stick). Then, pour the mix of eggs into the pan and gently stir it with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Cook it over low heat.

When the eggs finally lose the “raw look”, put the thyme, oregano, chives, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper in the pan and stir these ingredients to distribute. Immediately pour an additional 2 teaspoons of milk to the eggs once it is very creamy and moist. Finally, remove the egg from the heat.

3. CONFETTI RICE PILAF

This is a colorful compliment to any of your chicken dishes. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare.

INGREDIENTS (SERVING 4 PAX)

1 small onion

1 carrot

1 celery stalk (S$1.60 per pack at FairPrice)

1 tablespoon of butter

1 clove of garlic

1 cup of white rice (as low as S$4.95 at FairPrice)

1 chicken broth (S$1.75 per 60g of Knorr Chicken Cubes at FairPrice)

0.25 cup of water

0.25 cup of Parsley leaves (S$3.85 per 7g of Mccormick Parsley Flakes at FairPrice)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

In a saucepan, heat the butter on medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, garlic, celery, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir all this for 6 to 8 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add the white rice to the pan then store for 1 minute. Then, put the chicken broth and water into the pan while boiling it on high.

Reduce the heat to low then cover and simmer for 16-18 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed and the white rice is tender. Afterwards, you must turn off the heart but keep it covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with the fork and stir the parsley.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Isn’t it incredible that you can make yummy dishes of four servings under S$20? Try it now and enjoy! 🙂

Sources: 1,2, & 3

Household Items You Should Not Be Spending Too Much On

Whether you are living alone or you have kids, it can be difficult to manage your finances regardless of how much you make. One of the best ways to improve your situation is to trim your daily costs. Figure out what exactly you are paying for by knowing which things you are spending too much on.

Reduce your household items spending by following these tips:

1. PAPER TOWELS

Instead of buying paper towels constantly as they ran out, purchase Scotch-Brite’s sponge clothes for S$3.50 at Fairprice. This is an amazing product that wipes as a paper towel or a cloth but absorbs like a sponge. All you have to do is to cut one piece in two to make the most of your dollar. Since you can reuse it, this will last you for a month or so. Not only did you help clean your kitchen but you also help save Mother Nature.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

2. COFFEE FILTERS

A pack of disposable coffee filters can cost you as low as S$2, which you have to restock depending on your needs. Thankfully, they have invented the reusable coffee filters. You can purchase in Qoo10 for as low as S$8.90 – S$11. It can save you so much in the long run!

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

3. COOKING AND BAKING MOLDS

No need to buy perfectly shaped molds for your cookie dough, meatballs, or patties. Use well-cleaned Styrofoam egg cartons instead. Place the ingredients inside to help you freeze each individual portion. Also, you can use this cartoon for potting a small seedling for your garden or for arranging your golf and table tennis balls.

4. COMMERCIAL CLEANERS

You can save more by making your own yet effective counter and shower cleaner mix. For the kitchen counter cleaner, all you have to do is mix water with 5% of vinegar.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

For the shower cleaner, simply mix three parts water to one-part vinegar in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil for an enticing scent. This is useful for the tub, shower door, and walls.

BONUS: WRAPPING PAPER

Use your old fabrics to make a reusable gift bag to substitute for a wrapping paper. Kids would throw the wrapping paper anyway! Just cut one rectangle off the fabric then one long one for the “ribbon”. Sew through the fabric seams. Get the full instructions, here.

Sources: 1 & 2

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