Raquel
So, my 16th is in October, and my house is pretty small. I have a basement, but it needs to be remodeled. The floor is cement, the walls are brick and the overhead beams are visible. My backyard is middle sized and I have a trampoline and a small pool (Like 10 ft diameter).
I wanted to invite like 17 people (assuming all of them can come) and celebrate during the end of the summer, like September, so we can use the pool and trampoline? I have an iPod and speakers I can set up to play music. My mom wanted a smaller number and just a sleepover because we really can't afford much, but I figure that all we really have to buy is food, and I was thinking when it gets dark we can pile into the basement and watch a movie.
How does this sound to you guys? Do you think it could use anything else? Or any other ideas? Any suggestions would be great! I just want this to be enjoyable and within my budget.
Answer
Hey! congrats on the sweet sixteen. i have planned budget parties for me and my best friend combined every year since i turn 15 (i will be 18 this year). this year will be the ultimate. we keep our budget about $50 or less (trust me, this is an incredible feat) and this year, there's gonna be about 70 people (no typo. as in SEVENTY). trust me girl, you can do this too. 70 may be way too much for you but you can at least do 20-30 for a good sized crowd, not too much for your mom to handle either, all while staying in your budget.
here's how you do it:
- decorations = $0. that's right. don't pay for decorations. you're playing in big girl territory at 16. we're not 7 anymore. no balloons. all you need if you want a pinch of pizazz, grab those christmas lights and tastefully light up the place
-food = very little. start the party at about 7PM. this is late enough that people are not going to come hungry. obviously you need some, i mean, when was the last time you went to a party with no food? never. get some chips (not too much. chips aren't a big seller). the big seller (surprise, surprise) veggie and fruit trays! don't buy them pre-made. that's a ripoff. get some fruit and vegetables at the grocery store and cut it up, and put 'em on plates. people love this option (i'm a chip girl myself, i don't get it).
- drinks = max $20. again, a word of advice from past experience, pop doesn't go. what does? BOTTLED WATER. head to costco or ALDI (definitely visit aldi, it will blow your mind!). pick up a few cases. wanna mix it up? buy those little crystal light drink mix powder packets, the single servings. you want pop? go for it. but be super prepared for extras.
- cake = $2. have your mom, or do it yourself, make the birthday cake.
trust me. YOU WANT A CAKE! you can't have a party with out the cake. cake mix at aldi is $.89 and frosting is even cheaper.
- music = $0. never a dj, always an ipod. its a great idea. everyone can change the song to what they want, and people will have a blasty-blast!
girl, if you can pull this off, you will be a savvy party planner!
you can do it!
Hey! congrats on the sweet sixteen. i have planned budget parties for me and my best friend combined every year since i turn 15 (i will be 18 this year). this year will be the ultimate. we keep our budget about $50 or less (trust me, this is an incredible feat) and this year, there's gonna be about 70 people (no typo. as in SEVENTY). trust me girl, you can do this too. 70 may be way too much for you but you can at least do 20-30 for a good sized crowd, not too much for your mom to handle either, all while staying in your budget.
here's how you do it:
- decorations = $0. that's right. don't pay for decorations. you're playing in big girl territory at 16. we're not 7 anymore. no balloons. all you need if you want a pinch of pizazz, grab those christmas lights and tastefully light up the place
-food = very little. start the party at about 7PM. this is late enough that people are not going to come hungry. obviously you need some, i mean, when was the last time you went to a party with no food? never. get some chips (not too much. chips aren't a big seller). the big seller (surprise, surprise) veggie and fruit trays! don't buy them pre-made. that's a ripoff. get some fruit and vegetables at the grocery store and cut it up, and put 'em on plates. people love this option (i'm a chip girl myself, i don't get it).
- drinks = max $20. again, a word of advice from past experience, pop doesn't go. what does? BOTTLED WATER. head to costco or ALDI (definitely visit aldi, it will blow your mind!). pick up a few cases. wanna mix it up? buy those little crystal light drink mix powder packets, the single servings. you want pop? go for it. but be super prepared for extras.
- cake = $2. have your mom, or do it yourself, make the birthday cake.
trust me. YOU WANT A CAKE! you can't have a party with out the cake. cake mix at aldi is $.89 and frosting is even cheaper.
- music = $0. never a dj, always an ipod. its a great idea. everyone can change the song to what they want, and people will have a blasty-blast!
girl, if you can pull this off, you will be a savvy party planner!
you can do it!
Does anyone have any tips on how to feed and cloth a large family? I have 9 children and I need advice!?
emmarose
We live on a tight budget. Can anyone who has a big family give me some of your tips about penny-pinching ideas. How can you afford clothing? What is your monthly food bill? Any advice is good advice for me! Thanks so much!
Answer
You can get school clothes for the kids to grow into after the season ends and they go on clearance sale.
Yard sales for summer clothes, play clothes, bicycles and things like that.
I grew up in a family of nine, we ate a lot of beans and beef stew, spaghetti, things we could make large amounts of that were healthy but economical. Chrismas our main gift was a group thing like a trampoline or something all could use then a little personal gift.
We shopped at costco or places we could buy all toiletries and food in bulk so it cost about half of the regular price grocery stores.
We went to day old bread stores for all the cookies and goodies for sack lunches and of course bread. We bought extra for the freezer to stalk up when they had a lot of the things we used.
We clipped coupons and once a month took all our glass cans and plastic to a recycling center and redeemed them for cash.
We did all our wash in cold water unless it was rank and used a clothesline to dry them.
I don't remeber the food budget but it wouldn't be relevent because I am middle aged now.
You can get school clothes for the kids to grow into after the season ends and they go on clearance sale.
Yard sales for summer clothes, play clothes, bicycles and things like that.
I grew up in a family of nine, we ate a lot of beans and beef stew, spaghetti, things we could make large amounts of that were healthy but economical. Chrismas our main gift was a group thing like a trampoline or something all could use then a little personal gift.
We shopped at costco or places we could buy all toiletries and food in bulk so it cost about half of the regular price grocery stores.
We went to day old bread stores for all the cookies and goodies for sack lunches and of course bread. We bought extra for the freezer to stalk up when they had a lot of the things we used.
We clipped coupons and once a month took all our glass cans and plastic to a recycling center and redeemed them for cash.
We did all our wash in cold water unless it was rank and used a clothesline to dry them.
I don't remeber the food budget but it wouldn't be relevent because I am middle aged now.
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