1. Don’t go overboard. Halloween is now reported to be the 2nd most expensive holiday of the year, right behind Christmas. . It is easy to go overboard on spending if you like to decorate your house or yard with plenty of Halloween decorations. One way to save a lot of money is to skip the expensive décor and make your own decorations.

2. Carve a pumpkin. The easiest decoration that is also fun for kids is carving a pumpkin together. For just a few dollars, you can create a memorable annual tradition with your child and decorate your front porch or window at the same time. Save the seeds and find a recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds, as well.

3. Get crafty. You can find plenty of inexpensive Halloween decorating projects from books in the library, local family magazines distributed free at libraries and schools. Easier projects include making ghosts to hang in the window made out of string, glue and waxed paper. Doing a project with your children will be much less expensive and far more memorable than shelling out $100 for decorations at the local party store.

4. Save on admission. This is the time of year for pumpkin festivals, Halloween fairs, hayrides, haunted house tours and more. Prices for these family events vary widely, from free to as much as $20 a head. Check the local calendar section in community newspapers and magazines to find inexpensive events. Look for admission coupons in the newspapers and magazines as well.

5. Check on-line. Also check the Web sites of Festival sponsoring organizations to find printable coupons for reduced admissions. Check to see if your local grocery store sells discounted tickets for seasonal festivals and events either on their Web site or at their customer service counter in the store. Finally, many schools, churches and places of worship offer free festivals and fairs as family-friendly alternatives on Halloween.

Stephanie Nelson is the Coupon Mom. Her web site, www.CouponMom.com, has 6 million members, and she is established as the nation’s top expert in couponing across the country. Stephanie has been on every major national television talk show and taught millions how to save money for the past 11 years. She has been called ‘”the rock star of the recession” by the Washington Post and her book, The Coupon Mom’s Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half, is a New York Times best seller.

Retailers similarly jump the gun by stocking shelves with cable-knit sweaters while patrons browse in tanks and flip flops. And though New York Fashion Week highlighted the latest in skin-baring looks for next spring, we’re tasked with finding frugal ways to cover up for fall. Consider the following roundup of my favorite trends based on the top ways to afford them.

STAPLES FROM SPRING

Bright Colors
Spring always brings out the freshest colors to combat the dreariness of winter. Thankfully, you don’t have to store away that fuschia jumper when the first brisk breeze hits your city. Pair it with black tights and a blazer for an on-trend outfit that won’t cost you a dime.

Peplum
This vintage look is still going strong in fall thanks to the continued popularity of ensembles from eras past. Replace sandals and sleeveless tops with long-sleeved blouses and cap-toe pumps for a sophisticated style.

Sporty
In a post I wrote covering spring trends for The Stylish City earlier this year, I highlighted the use of athletic-inspired apparel in everyday wear. That trend is carrying over from spring into fall, where a terry-cloth sweatshirt looks casually chic atop a white button-up and matchstick pants.

LAST YEAR’S CLASSICS

Riding Boots
A look once dominated by American designer Ralph Lauren, everyone from Gucci to Givenchy is embracing the equestrian trend. Riding boots are still all the rage and slide comfortably over jeans and leggings for both work day and weekend looks. If you failed to pick up a pair last year, don’t fret; grab this coupon from FreeShipping.org and score your new fall faves with free shipping and $20 off.

Cozy Knits
Cozy sweaters never go out of style, something I’m thankful for when I wake up to several inches of snow. Create a fresh look for fall by taking a cue from Target’s new Kirna Zabete collection and pair a fuzzy sweater with your favorite skirt.

Military
Olive drab and excessive gold buttons are here to stay, influencing such designers as Victoria Beckham and Alexander McQueen. Opt for simple femininity à la Mrs. Beckham by wearing chunky black boots with a fitted, jersey-knit sheath and black belt. Military hat optional.

FRESH FINDS FOR LESS

Statement Collar
Collars with bling aren’t just for Fido anymore. The runways were abuzz with heavily adorned collars, ranging from gems to spikes to busy patterns. Since this look is as fleeting as your dog’s newly washed smell, keep it cheap by finding detachable, one-of-a-kind creations on Etsy, or DIY with a cheap button-up or two from Target.

Navy Peacoat
Though the oversized coat dominated designer collections, the classic navy peacoat was also spotted on the runways. Conventional wisdom suggests you make this trend an investment piece since it never really goes out of style. However, it doesn’t hurt to look for bargain buys on eBay or Old Navy.

Wine
Tangerine Tango was all the rage at the beginning of the year, and fall is taking a similarly scrumptious approach to its go-to color: wine. Alexander Wang showcased the earthy hue in oversized coats, while Donna Karen kept it feminine with dresses in bordeaux. Embrace this trend in any form you want, but be sure to keep your complexion in mind; think brick red for warm skin tones and plum reds for cool skin tones.

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Kendal Perez is a frugal fashionista and bargain shopper who helps fellow shopaholics find hassle-free ways to save money. As the marketing coordinator for Kinoli Inc., site manager for a family of money-saving websites, Kendal has the resources to be an extreme couponer but prefers a less complicated approach to staying in-budget. Kendal has been quoted in such media outlets as People StyleWatch, CNN Money, FOX, ABC, NPR and Kiplinger Personal Finance. For savings tips and more information, visit HassleFreeSavings.com.

Welfare may seem like a charitable measure for struggling families. But it’s a self-perpetuating trap when it becomes the only way of life parents know how to teach their children, who then know nothing else to teach their own children, says Virgil Brannon, founder of the non-profit I Am Vision Inc.

“Living on entitlements becomes a way of life for recipients when it’s handed down from one generation to the next because the family loses any tools it might have once had to forge a life based on self-discipline, achievement and challenging,” says Brannon, author of Democratic Coma (www.DemocraticComa.com).

“It’s no different from the child who grow up being given material thing he wants, along with excessive praise that’s not deserved. One child may be from a poor family and the other from an affluent family, but both are at risk for growing up without the skills necessary for success.”

Brannon’s non-profit organization mentors disadvantaged children, helping them develop the values, understanding and knowledge they need to be motivated and equipped to succeed. He has found that coaching children to manage their lives as they would a business helps them not only develop good habits and skills, it also teaches them some essential business lessons:

•  Your life is your business: Our business is how we act, speak, the way we dress, how we treat ourselves and how we treat others. Like any other business, it is expected to grow and prosper and to do that, we must invest in it. Part of that is feeding the mind with the information needed to make good choices.

•  The people you meet and the friends you make are your clientele: Treat all people with the respect you would any customer or potential customer. Our relationships can elevate us if people feel their treated fairly, honestly and with respect.

•  The more you provide or produce, the more you advance: Business involves providing a service or product. Business people do not care about excuses; they care about what you have to offer them. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what color you are, if you have something they need – and a reputation for integrity — they will come to you for it.

• Your appearance means everything: You must look the part to get the part. The secret is to look as though you already have it to obtain what you want.

Parents should teach their children to be business-like and to think like a professional, Brannon says.

“That includes giving them the best education possible, including learning at home about history, civic duty and different cultures,” Brannon says. “In business, people are expected to display good manners and to communicate with others, from a firm handshake to looking others in the eye and speaking clearly and correctly.

“That is the most important investment we can make.”

About Virgil Brannon

Virgil Brannon is a private investigator and the founder of I Am Vision Inc., a non-profit program that embraces and empowers youth with academic and leadership challenges. His goal is to promote the personal growth of socio-economically disadvantaged youth and their families by encouraging their dreams and providing members with a roadmap for success. Brannon attended Shepherd’s Care Bible College and received his master’s and doctoral degrees in ministry religious counseling.  

It turns out dogs are not only good for our health; finding missing people; and helping disabled people live independent lives – they’re good for kids’ report cards, too!

Canines have been found to improve the immune system and reduce blood pressure, among other health benefits. They help rescuers and law officers, blind people and those with limited use of their hands and arms. Now we have another reason to celebrate man’s best friend.  

“Dogs not only help children learn to read, they help children learn to love reading,” says Michael Amiri, coauthor with his wife, Linda, of the children’s book, Shellie, the Magical dog (www.shelliethemagicaldog.com). “And that’s true of for children with and without learning disabilities.”

A Minnesota pilot project called PAWSitive Readers finds that trained therapy dogs helped 10 of 14 grade-school participants improve their reading skills by one grade level. Additionally, a University of California study showed that children who read to the family dog improved their ability by an average of 12 percent.

Amiri discusses five reasons why dogs help kids learn to love reading:

• No embarrassment: “Most of us have memories of reading out loud in class,” he says. “Though we may have been proficient readers, the fear of stumbling on a word in front of everyone was a constant source of anxiety.” Dogs are excellent for unconditional, nonjudgmental love; they won’t laugh if and when mistakes happen.

• Confidence boosters: “I never had a dog while growing up, which is too bad because I think I would have had an easier time gaining self-confidence,” says Amiri. As an adult, he discovered the many benefits of dogs through he and his wife’s very special Maltese, Shellie. She’s often the center of attention in their community at pet-friendly restaurants, where she laps her water out of a martini glass. And she has a full-time job as the greeter at Linda’s hair and nail salon. “If a little dog can give me, a grown man, more confidence, imagine what it can do for kids,” he says.

• Polite listeners: Like humans, dogs are social creatures and most enjoy the sound of a calm voice speaking to them. Many – except perhaps the most energetic breeds – seem to enjoy curling up on a rug and listening to a story being read aloud. They don’t interrupt (except for the occasional ear scratch or to sniff a body part) and they often show appreciation for the attention.

• A fun approach to schoolwork: Too often, when children think of studying, they think of time spent hunched over a desk struggling alone to work out problems and memorize lists. Interacting with a lovable, fuzzy friend for an hour of homework is an appealing alternative.

• Win-win: A canine-student reading program is a great way to help service dogs-in-training learn patience and discipline. Dogs are trained to help veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, the blind, and people who use wheelchairs, among others. These dogs in training help children, while children improve a dog’s service abilities.

About Michael and Linda Amiri

Michael Amiri grew up in New York City and became an actor in local theater productions and television commercials. Linda Amiri is an entrepreneur, the owner of a successful hair and nail salon. Their personality-plus Maltese, Shellie, is a popular community character, who puts in a full day of work every day as a greeter at her “mom’s” salon. She’s the inspiration for the first in a series of children’s books that will address topics and issues of concern to children. 

Why do we pay to watch scary movies?

Irwin Yablans, creator of the “Halloween” films that forever changed the genre, says the answer’s easy.

“When done right, a horror movie evokes an involuntary response involving fear, excitement, repulsion and fascination,” says Yablans, (www.irwinyablans.com),
author of the new memoir, The Man Who Created Halloween. In it, he details his rise as a successful independent producer, sales chief for Paramount Pictures and head of Orion Pictures. His masked creepster Michael Myers, who debuted in 1978, spawned a wave of iconic horror characters, and a new way to do business in Hollywood.

“Too many commentators focus on the cost of making a film, and how much the lead actors were paid,” he says. “But, from a producer’s point of view, the most important money question is: Is our movie worth the $10 ticket price?”

Yablans shares his views on why we love to be horrified:

• Universal appeal: Horror will always tantalize the masses because it touches a visceral emotional response within everyone – unlike other genres. Not everyone finds the same things funny, for example, but just about everyone finds the same things scary, he says. “Horror connects on that most fundamental level. A truly frightening boogieman, a likeable protagonist and sympathetic victims puts audiences right in the shoes of the characters being chased,” he says. 

• The difference between horror and horrible, and fan loyalty: As a boy, Yablans grew up in a poor tenement in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, listening to radio shows that relied on “theater of the mind” narratives, which captured the imaginations of listeners. He used this approach with the Halloween film series. “Too many of today’s horror films rely on blood and guts to coax gross-out responses from audiences,” Yablans says.“ ‘Halloween’ was successful, in large part, because it played more on the mind, where fear lives.” Horror fans tend to give new movies the benefit of the doubt, and if the first one is good, then they’ll return for parts 2 and 3, he says.

• Cost-effective: Most of the greatest horror film franchises began with modest budgets, including “Night of the Living Dead,” $114,000; the first “Halloween,” $320,000; “The Blair Witch Project,” $35,000. Each of those movies were wildly successful, grossing millions. The “Friday the 13th” series, inspired from the success of “Halloween,” has earned a worldwide total of $465 million. “There have been many failures, but the genre is one of the best bets in the film industry,” he says.

• Great marketing: Yablans’ legendary horror series appropriated a children’s holiday, Halloween, and made it exciting for adults. “Everyone wants to be young again – at least sometimes,” he says. Other successful horror franchises – “Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Friday the 13th” and “Scary Movie” copied Yablans’ branded approach: recognizable titles, costumes or makeup and theme music.

About Irwin Yablans

Irwin Yablans is the executive producer and creator of the “Halloween” film series, which forever changed the horror genre and the old studio system. His new autobiography, “The Man Who Created Halloween,” details a true rags-to-riches tale of a boy who grew up in a roach-invested tenement in Brooklyn to become the man who transformed society’s view of a children’s holiday. Yablans’ influence in Hollywood includes setting the standard for a new breed of independent producers and filmmakers, the discovery of famed director John Carpenter and advocating for studio support of one of the most acclaimed films in history, Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now.” 

In unveiling the new metric, Gallup chairman Jim Clifton described the effort as a way to count the number of “good jobs” around the world. “In what is perhaps the world’s most pressing problem today, of the 5 billion people age 15 or older, 3 billion want a good job, but there are only 1.2 billion of them to go around,” he wrote. Existing data “lump the lousy jobs together with the good ones. … Do you think Guatemala’s unemployment rate is really 4%? Or that Iran’s is 15%? Our data suggest the real unemployment rates are much, much higher.”

That figure is a scary one, in times where a single income family is a thing of the past and many dual income families struggle to make ends meet. Furthering this issue, an article released by Bloomberg today showed the crippling costs of childcare are contributing to unemployment woes for women.

Parents are sitting out of the labor force if they judge that their potential wages are exceeded by the cost of child care. Fifty-four percent of workers who lost a full-time job between 2007 and 2009 earned less than they had at their previous position, according to data as of January 2012 compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wage gains for non-management staff rose 1.3 percent on average in the 12 months through July, the worst performance since 1965, the Labor Department jobs report showed.

The article goes further to outline that average center-based childcare costs between $4600 – $15,000, depending on the state of residence – more than 10 percent of median household incomes for two-parent families in 40 states. For many couples, relocating close to families that can provide free childcare offers a solution to rising childcare costs and dropping incomes. However, for many, one parent must choose to sit out of the workforce to be able to afford to provide for families.

How are you coping with childcare costs?

Prophets and philosophers throughout history have spoken of the potential calamities embedded within lies.

“Relationships are ruined every day because of lies,” says former IBM executive Cathy Holloway Hill, a life improvement consultant and author of “Lies, Love & Life,” (www.chollowayhill.com). “Think about the collapse of our economy starting in 2008 – it didn’t happen because bankers and other key players were honest and acted with integrity. It happened because of lies. But the most damaging lies are the ones we tell ourselves.”

“Self lies” cause us to perpetuate a cycle of failure, she says, and the first step in reversing the pattern is recognizing them.

Hill has developed three questions – a Lie-Q test – for people who can’t seem to find success, whether it’s in romance, weight loss, finances or just general contentment.

• Have you ever told yourself, “I’m too old for that”? That’s just one of the many common self lies. Others include, “I will never find true love;” “I’ll never get out of debt;” “I can’t change who I am.” While the briefest of analyses demonstrates how illogical these lies are – people find true love, get out of debt and change every day – we persist in believing them. If you tell yourself you can’t, you won’t make the real effort required to succeed. 

• Do you pretend to be happy when you’re not? Many of us have pretended to be happy on the job or at home when, in truth, we’re very unhappy. Sometimes we pretend for the sake of others; sometimes because we worry about the consequences of expressing our true feelings. And sometimes, we do it to convince ourselves that we’re happy. Are you happy? If you’re not sure, or if you’re sure you’re unhappy, Hill recommends getting into “self-discovery” mode. Take a close look at the hobbies, relationships, activities and work you enjoy. Determining what they are and working them into your life starts the process of feeling more content, she says.

• Do you think you can’t find a more satisfying job? It’s important to find satisfaction and gratification in our work lives, Hill says. “We spend most of our waking hours on the job so if yours feels tedious, meaningless and dead end, you will be happier if you’re at least working on a Plan B,” she says. Since the economic downturn and soaring jobless rates, the mantra has been, “Be grateful if you have any job at all.” That’s the wrong attitude. “If you have an exceptional skill and are willing to work hard, chances are you can find something that makes you happier. If it’s not a paying job, perhaps some volunteer work on the side,” Hill says. Make a list of your skills and the things you enjoy. Do any of these match job descriptions in the real world? You may be surprised to find that your dream job – or something close to it –is out there. “Why wouldn’t you go for it?” she asks.

About Cathy Holloway Hill

Cathy Holloway Hill is founder of C. Holloway Hill Enterprises, an international consulting, training and professional speaking firm focusing on personal and professional growth and effectiveness. Her guidance is sought by Fortune 100 companies, youth organizations and individuals who want to transform their lives. Hill has a bachelor’s in computer science, a master’s in psychology and numerous life coaching certifications. After 25 years in the corporate world, she walked away from her successful career at IBM in order to pursue her passion – helping people live happier lives. She is a winner of Indiana’s Torchbearer Award for contributions to her state.

Macy’s at Aventura Mall will be the premier South Florida Fashion’s Night Out destination on Thursday, September 6th. Join reality stars Countess LuAnn de lesseps and Julissa Bermudez for a night of fashion, food, music and giveaways. Fashion’s Night Out is an unprecedented global initiative created in 2009 as a means to encourage consumers to shop and support theMacy’s at Aventura Celebrates Fashion’s Night Out with Lineup of Celebrities and Reality Stars The Real Housewives of New York City’s Countess LuAnn de lesseps, Empire Girls’ Julissa Bermudez, Supermodel Niki Taylor and Fashion Star’s Luciana Scarabello host Macy’s Aventura events fashion industry. Last year’s bash featured events in 18 countries and more than 4,500 events here in the United States including Miami. The event is marked with special limited-edition products, celebrity appearances and unforgettable fashion presentations. Macy’s at Aventura Mall will kick off this year’s festivities with a red carpet entrance on the first level Mall entrance for customers at 5:30 PM followed by an evening of fashionable events in store.

CELEBRITY HOSTED FALL FASHION SHOW
6 PM SECOND LEVEL

The crown jewel of Fashion’s Night Out at Macy’s Aventura is the live fashion presentation hosted by The Real Housewives of New York City’s Countess LuAnn de lesseps; Empire Girls’ Julissa Bermudez, Supermodel Niki Taylor and Luciana Scarabello from NBC’s Fashion Star will be presenting the hottest fall trends, including looks from INC International Concepts, Rachel Rachel Roy, Bar III, Material Girl, and other select designers. Seating is limited, please call 305.577.1818 to reserve a space. Customers who make a women’s clothing purchase of $75 or more at Macy’s will receive a free Star PoweRED nail polish and have an opportunity to meet and receive an autographed picture of Countess LuAnn de lesseps and Supermodel Niki Taylor following the fashion show at 7 PM.

SHOPPING PARTY with STYLE NETWORK’S JULISSA BERMUDEZ
7 PM FIRST LEVEL

Empire Girls’ star Julissa Bermudez hosts a shopping party along with Miami Fashion Bloggers Kristin Foley and Niani Tolbert. Fabulous fashion, essential style tips, music and your chance to meet the Style Network star all come together on the first level of the Macy’s Fashion Store at Aventura Mall at 7PM.

SHOPPING PARTY with FASHION STAR LUCIANA SCARABELLO
7 PM SECOND LEVEL

Luciana Scarabello from NBC’s Fashion Star fame hosts a shopping party along with Miami Fashion Bloggers Erika Tapia Schrieber and Ana Ortuno. Shop the season’s must haves, enjoy music and receive style tips on the second level of the Macy’s Fashion Store at Aventura Mall at 7PM.

FLAVORS OF MIAMI SPICE
7 PM THIRD LEVEL

Taste your way through Fashion’s Night Out with samplings from Miami restaurants including: Morton’s – The Steakhouse, il Mulino Cucina Italiano, Cascata Grille, Bongo’s Café and Lario’s On The Beach hosted by Fashion, Lifestyle, Entertainment and Food Blogger Rosa Cordero. Plus, test your taste buds for a chance to win special prizes.

1 Bottle of VOGA Italia Moscato Wine

1 12 oz. bottle of Peach Beer (VOGA recommends using Dogfish Head’s Festina Pêche or Lindemans Pêche Lambic)

3 oz. Triple Sec

2 sliced peaches

2 sliced apricots

1 container of fresh raspberries

1 sliced Granny Smith apple

1 sliced lemon

1 sliced lime

1/2 liter club soda

Pour wine and beer in a large pitcher and add sliced peach, apricot, apple, lemon and lime. Next add triple sec and stir gently. Cover and chill from 2-24 hours (the longer, the better!)

Before serving, top with club soda. Stir gently and serve over ice.

Makes about 15 servings

VOGA’S Strawberry Sparkler

1 bottle of VOGA Italia Sparkling Wine

2 cups strawberries, hulled

2 tablespoons water

1/4 cup orange juice

A few strawberries sliced, for garnish

Mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)

In a blender, purée strawberries and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Combine strawberry purée with orange juice and sparkling wine into a large pitcher of punch bowl. Garnish with strawberry slices and mint.

Lemon Lime ICE

1oz Citrus Rum

1 Fresh Squeezed Lime

1oz Triple Sec

3 oz Lemon Lime Sparkling ICE

Shake with ice and pour into a chilled martini glass

Orange Mango ICE

1 oz Herradura Silver Tequila

1 oz Triple Sec

Lime wedge muddled

Topped with Orange Mango Sparkling ICE

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass

About VOGA Italia

VOGA Italia Wine hails from Italy, the country best known for producing some of the world’s best wine as well as its’ keen sense of style. VOGA Italia encompasses all aspects offering a collection of crisp delicious wine thoughtfully packaged in a revolutionary re-designed bottle featuring a unique resealable cap. Since the company’s inception, VOGA has earned numerous awards and accolades for their sleek and sexy glass cylindrical bottle, presentation and most importantly taste.  The collection retails from $10.99 to $15.99 and includes Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Moscato, and Premium Sparkling. VOGA is available in over 62 countries, hundreds of major cities, and can be found in thousands of the world’s trendiest bars, restaurants and shops. Wherever, whenever, if you are drinking VOGA you are drinking IN Style.

Ribs

Use St. Louis spare ribs that are brined in

1.5 cup salt

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup soy sauce for 1 gallon of water

We brine them for 24 hours, then braise them simply in chicken stock until tender, about 4 hours at 325 degrees.

Frangelico BBQ Sauce

Serves 5 4pc portions of ribs

Sauce

½ bottle Frangelico

1/4c bacon cut small

1 carrot chopped

1 tbsp Chopped ginger

1 apple chopped

1 stalk celery chopped

1 onions chopped

1/2 head of garlic

1 piece of ginger chopped

1 cup apple cider

1 cup orange juice

2 cups of pineapple juice

1/3 c worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon molasses

2 cups tomato juice

2 cinnamon stick

1 cup chicken stock

Soy sauce and salt to taste

Sweat bacon all vegetables and spices, add the Frangelico.  Then add the rest of the liquids and reduce to sauce consistency.  Season to taste.

*Frangelico BBQ Sauce and Rip recipe courtesy of Executive Chef Paul Corsentino