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Creative Deployment Activities for Military Kids

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Deployments can be difficult for anyone, especially the kids. They look at time differently than we do which is why it is so important to keep them busy during a deployment. There might be a lot going on in your community so it is a good idea to fill your calendar with fun events as you find out about them. You should also plan some activities you can do with your kids that will help pass the time.

Composite of Calendar Pages and Clock

Here are some creative activities you can do with your kids during a deployment.

Plan to send a monthly care package and have your kids participate in it. Let them go with you to the store to pick out what you will send. When it comes time to package it all up, let them help with that too. They can put the items in it or they can draw inside the box. It is a great way to keep them connected to their deployed parent. It would be fun to do a holiday or seasonal themed box every month.

Another great thing you can do is create a countdown chain. Create enough links based on when you think the deployment will be over. Have your kids take turns tearing off a new link each day. If you need to add links later, that’s alright. Just try to explain to your kids why you have to do that. If they are young enough, you might not have to explain at all and can just add links as you need to when they are asleep.

Mother and daughter scrapbooking

Taking a lot of photos during a deployment is also a great idea. You can print them out and have your kids work on scrapbooks of all the fun activities you have done. The kids can decorate with stickers and markers and make the pages their own. It can be a great thing to show their mom or dad when they get home from deployment.

Weekly get-togethers are another great thing to do. This is especially true for the younger kids who are not in school yet. It is good for the parent at home as they will be able to spend some time with other children going through the same thing that they are. Find a group of other deployed spouses with young children and ask to see if anyone wants to set up a play date. You might be surprised at how many others would love to do something like that to pass the time.

For older children, you can have them make a deployment bucket list. They can add any parent approved activity they would like to do during the deployment. You can have them paint and then write it on a Popsicle stick and put them in a mason jar. As the months go on, you can do each of the activities that they have picked and make a record of it. This would go along well with the scrapbook.

Deployments are stressful but they don’t have to be boring. There is a lot you can do to help your kids have fun, even when a parent is far away.

What creative activities do you and your kids do to pass the time during a deployment?

Reduce the Festive Debt: 6 Ways to Not Overspend During the Holidays

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The holiday shopping season is here!  Whether we like it or not, military families need to start thinking about the holidays. This time of year can be really stressful for people, especially if you are on a tight budget. So what can you do about it?

reduceChristmasdebt

6 Ways to Avoid Overspending During the Holiday Season

  1. Write out your budget and stick to it. I do this ever year. I write out everything we need to purchase from what we will eat on Christmas Day to the teacher’s gifts. On this list, I write down a spending limit on each gift for everyone. Then, when it is time to go shopping, I know what my budget is. The amount you spend on each member of your family will be different for everyone depending on your income and budget.
  2. Share a meal with friends. When you are a military family it might not be feasible to spend the holidays with extended family. Instead of having a meal for just your family, why not get together with others to make a meal together? You won’t have to buy every single ingredient and you will be able to save a little money that way. It is also nice to spend time with friends if you can’t be with your family during the holidays.
  3. Shop the sales. When it comes to buying presents for my kids I am all about the sales. I start checking them early. I want to be able to find the things I want for a discounted rate. I can save a lot of money this way, it just takes some time to figure out which stores have what toys on sale and when they are offering their discounts. You might also consider layaway. This is when you save an item at the store and pay a little bit on it each time you go in. You can take it home when you have paid for it in full. This might be a much better option than putting something on a credit card and trying to pay it off after Christmas. Check if your favorite stores offer this plan.
  4. Make homemade gifts. You can bake some yummy goodies and give those out at gifts too. It is really cost-effective to do this and can be a lot of fun. Most people really enjoy baked goods around this time of year so you can’t go wrong there. If you don’t like to bake but are crafty, there are a lot of different things you can make as gifts. Take a look at the MilitaryShoppers Pinterest boards for ideas.
  5. Stay home. For the past several years we have not gone anywhere for the holidays. The price of airfare is way too high. It would really blow our budget. We have been able to have a nice family Christmas in our own home and it has been great. Our kids wake up in their own home and we don’t have to go anywhere all day long.  This isn’t always an option for everyone but there is something nice about a simple Christmas at home and it will save you a lot of money in travel expenses.
  6. Pick a name. My family is quite small so we don’t do this but I think it would be a good idea for large families. Out of all the adults in the family, you buy a present for 1 person. You get assigned a name and you buy for that 1 person. It can be a fun way of giving for Christmas without having to buy something for every single person in your family.christmas, holidays, technology and shopping concept

The holidays can be a stressful time but they don’t have to be. Try some of these tips to keep your budget under control during this time of year. You will be thankful you did when the credit card statements arrive in January.

What are your tips for reducing debt and spending less during the holiday season?

Donate Your Halloween Candy to Troops Overseas

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Halloween is THIS week. This mean lots and lots of candy. At least in our house. Too much candy. More than my kids need or should even be eating. Usually my kids enjoy the candy for a few weeks and then forget about it. I know in a lot of homes this is the case. There is just too much candy.

What can you do with your excess Halloween candy?

Donate Your Halloween Candy to Troops Overseas

Do you know of any another organizations that will send candy to the troops?

You could always throw the candy away but how about donating it to the troops? This can be a great way to give back and a great solution to what you should do with excess Halloween candy. While you can always just package up the candy and send it to someone you know that is overseas, you can also work with these 3 organizations. They will make sure the candy gets out of your children’s hands and into the mouths of service members around the world.

  1. Halloween Candy Buyback is a great program where kids can give their candy to a local dentist. The kids will then receive a prize such as little toys, toothbrushes or foods and services. It just depends on the dentist. The dentist will then send the candy to Operation Gratitude. You can find a dentist who participates on the Halloween Candy Buyback website.
  2. Soldier’s Angels is also another place you can send your candy. They have a limit of 10 pounds and would like the candy you normally love to be sent to the soldiers.
  3. Operation Stars and Stripes encourage you and your children to let the houses you go trick or treating at know that they can donate to the troops as well. The candy is used to fill stockings for their Operation Holiday Stockings Campaign.

It might just be candy but it is worth a lot more than that to the soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors living far from home. When the troops know that they are being supported, it is a great boost for morale. It is a great way to tell them that we care and that we support them. It makes their jobs a little bit easier.

Candy from home means they don’t have to skip Halloween. They can celebrate in their own way from overseas. When the candy gets to them, they can share it with everyone, pick out the pieces they love and trade for other ones. It is like what they used to do with their friends growing up. It can be a great way to make their time over there a little better.

Related: Celebrate Halloween with MilitaryShoppers Military Kid Photo Contest

Giving candy to troops can also teach children about how to be generous with what they have received. By helping package up the candy, they can see that it is going to a good place. They will be able to learn what it means to give of yourself to help someone else. That is a very good thing and will help your kids be a little more generous and will teach them the importance of charity. It is also very important for kids to know how they can help the men and women in the military.

Donate Halloween Candy to Troops Overseas

You could always throw away the extra candy but how about donating it to the troops?

Do you know of any another organizations that will send candy to the troops? Have you donated your Halloween candy to these organizations in the past? Tell us about your experience.

 

Military Spouses Don’t Wear Rank…Or Do They?

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Military spouses don’t wear rank…or do they? Technically they don’t. Military spouses know this, but mixed signals are given on the subject of military hierarchy. My husband became a chief in August 2013 and I attended the spouse welcome and education night. They gave us 2 books: Guidelines for the Spouses of Chief Petty Officers and Social Customs and Traditions of the Sea Services. I quite possibly could have been the only person that read both of those books that night. Some things were very helpful and others were very outdated. The subject of spousal rank structure came up once.

Additionally, even though there is no rank among spouses, your presence as “the Chief’s spouse” is significant. You are a natural role model for others coping with the challenges of military life.

Regardless of your intent, you will be a role model to junior sailors’ spouses and the example you set will have an impact on the other spouses at the command.

I agree with those statements. I don’t wear my husband’s rank, nor do I want to. Being myself and a positive role model for other husbands and wives is more important to me. I have a good friend that is an officer’s wife and one that is the spouse of a sailor still going through EOD school.

Some of my friends’ husbands are higher rank than my husband but we’re all friends. Why should rank matter?

Some spouses take the military hierarchy very seriously. They feel a sense of entitlement, that they have worked hard over the years and deserve their due. Really? After years of being part of the military community and watching your spouse rise in rank, you’ve experienced a lot. I understand that. Why do you assume an air of superiority?

Do Military Spouses Wear Rank?

A friendly smile and a helping hand can go a long way for all military spouses, whatever their service member’s rank.

The first thought that comes to mind when thinking of my family is pride. My father retired as command sergeant major. I am proud of his accomplishments. I continue to have the same sense of pride for my husband and his advancement. I don’t feel entitled to anything. I do feel special, I will admit. I’ve always thought I was part of something special by being a member of the military community.

When I attended the new chief spouse education night I thought it was quite interesting and somewhat surprising, that the master chief leading the night said not only were we special but that we deserved our due. He specifically said that we do not wear our spouses’ rank, but that we were not to fraternize with lower ranked spouses just as the new chiefs were not to fraternize with lower enlisted. I spoke up. There was no way I was going to let that comment pass. When I said I had friends with spouses of all ranks he said I needed to reevaluate my relationships. Seriously. “Though you do not wear your husband’s rank,” he reiterated, “it is up to you to decide if having those friendships puts your husband at risk of fraternization.” It is recommended that you do not maintain relationships with spouses of lower enlisted. I went home and told my friend we couldn’t be friends anymore. We both laughed.

While rules of etiquette are important to follow, always keep in mind that no rules will replace a warm heart, a friendly smile, and the sincere desire to share in the fellowship and camaraderie of the sea services.

This quote from Guidelines for the Spouses of Chief Petty Officers makes me smile. While what the master chief said was contradictory, this statement should bring it all back in focus. Sure some military spouses have more “mileage” than others. You’ve struggled with multiple moves, repeated deployments and last-minute changes. You’ve experienced a lot and learned a great deal. Why not share that knowledge with the younger generation and help them in their journey rather than put them down? A friendly smile and a helping hand can go a long way.

Military Spouses Don't Wear Rank

Offer a smile instead of asking “don’t you know who I’m married to?”

Have you met a spouse that wears rank? How do you handle military spouse hierarchy?

Delicious Last-Minute Celebratory Dinners

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How many of us have received an exciting phone call from our spouse with great news? A passed test. Or imminent promotion. Even better, do you have amazing news to share with your partner? A new family addition! Or pay raise at work.

Either way, you don’t have much time to plan an elaborate meal or maybe you don’t have the nerves to put together a 5-course spread. You JUST found out the news yourself. Tempted to make reservations at a fancy restaurant? Or order take-out?

Save money with MilitaryShoppers’ 10 great ideas for a delicious last-minute celebratory dinner at home.

10 Ideas for a Last-Minute Celebratory Dinner

Looking for an affordable way to celebrate a promotion at work? Spaghetti and meatballs is always an easy Italian treat.

  1. Homemade Pizza. Making your own pizza at home offers a special touch. It’s simple to bake a pizza at home with pre-made dough purchased at your military commissary. While you are at the commissary, don’t forget to pick-up sauce, cheese and your favorite toppings to create a scrumptious pie.
  2. Gourmet Burgers. Everybody loves a good burger! Grab some beef, turkey or veggie patties to grill and include your cheese of choice and burger toppings like bacon, mushroom, onions or anything else that comes to mind.
  3. Ice Cream Sundae. Times like this don’t happen often! If you can’t have the fancy dinner, celebrate with an elaborate dessert. It’s easy to put together a tasty and huge ice cream sundae on a budget. You can splurge and eat it first, especially if you are eating for two.
  4. Macaroni and Cheese. Add bacon, spinach or anything else that you love to this traditional American dish.
  5. Chicken and Rice. A can of cream of chicken soup adds flavor to the rice. Use it to cook the rice and grill chicken breasts seasoned with salt and pepper.
  6. Savory Beef Stew. Despite what you might know about making beef stew, you can quickly assemble a fast and affordable recipe. Check out the spice section for packets of beef stew mix, grab some meat and frozen veggies. There you go! Let it simmer and enjoy.
  7. Spaghetti and Meatballs. The pasta aisle gives you plenty of noodle choices, in case you aren’t a spaghetti fan. Your meat section will most likely have pre-rolled meatballs available for use or you can also try out the frozen food aisle. Drop those suckers in your tomato sauce to cook through (if you go the raw meat route, make sure they are well done before serving) and boil your pasta. Presto, a tasty Italian treat!
  8. Breakfast for Dinner. My husband LOVES his western omelet, no matter the time of day. Why not have a celebratory dinner that reflects his favorite breakfast meal? My man is also a fan of French toast, so I’d put together a nice egg and French toast dinner.
  9. Chicken Noodle Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Chicken noodle soup would be a perfect dish especially for the cool evenings. All you really need is chicken broth, celery, onions, carrots and chicken.
  10. Tacos. The spice section can help you with seasoning protein for a delicious South-of-the-Border meal. Pick up your favorite toppings like cheese, salsa or whatever else your taste buds desire.

What’s your go-to recipe for a last-minute celebratory dinner? Share it with the MilitaryShoppers monthly recipe contest for a chance to win. Winners are selected each month.

10 Inspirations for a Military Fall Photo Session

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Autumn is a photogenic season. The vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of the changing leaves transforms any military post from blah to beautiful.  Perhaps you’ve decided to take fall family photos but don’t want to go the usual sit on the front porch with a pumpkin and smile route.

Happy baby girl in a black hat and coat smiling

 

Not sure how to start? Need inspiration?  Looking for ideas? Try to take more creative family photos this autumn with 10 tips from a military spouse. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to capture beautiful moments. You don’t need to hire a professional photographer to take pictures of your family. Practice your photography skills and maybe this year you can save money by taking your own Christmas pictures.

Here are 10 ways to photograph the autumn season with your military family.

  1. Choose a Memorable Place. Are you near the location your spouse proposed to you? If you are within driving distance of the place you took your wedding photos or newborn pictures, those could be great locations. Shooting in a previously used location can bring back great memories and show how your family has grown and changed since those original photos were taken.
  2. Invite the Neighborhood. Fall photos don’t have to be specifically immediate family. Consider asking your friends if they would like to join the fun and capture some great moments too. It can be tough on friendships when the military requires you to move. Make it a priority to take pictures with your friends and your children’s friends at each military installation.military fall photo session
  3. Use Photo Props. What sentiment are you trying to convey? Do you want specifically Halloween pictures or more autumn and harvest-type settings? If you choose to create your own photo set, think about potential props first. Are the supplies you want readily available or will you make them? Do you have the time and patience to make special backgrounds or should you simply make a quick trip to the local garden supply center or local farm stand?
  4. Show Your Silly Face. Don’t be too serious. Let your kids have fun. Watch them as they throw leaves at each other or search for the perfect pumpkin. Great photography doesn’t have to be planned. The best pictures are those you never expected to get.
  5. Snap It with Your Smartphone. You don’t have to have expensive camera equipment. Take pictures with your smartphone. You’ll be surprised how beautiful pictures can turn out these days with advanced technology.
  6. Keep the Camouflage. If your spouse is deployed, take something special of theirs to the photo session so that they will be part of the family pictures. Many friends have used part of their spouse’s uniform: boots, dog tags or cover. You could even have your children or family pet dress in military style to portray the pride your family has in the military.
  7. Stay on Post. Why not take some snapshots at your current military installation? It could be a park, a bridge, the lake or ocean, a forest or even a meadow. The photos don’t need to scream I’m on a military base, so don’t limit your thoughts to a picture in front of the base sign. There are beautiful locations just waiting to be discovered.
  8. Showcase Your Family’s Personality. If you are a close affectionate family, let it show with hugs and kisses. If you spend your days giggling and having fun, let it shine through in the pictures. Think beyond the standard sit up straight and smile directly at the camera routine. Laugh, hug and throw leaves at each other. Be yourself.
  9. Go Beyond Pumpkins. Yes, when most people think of taking fall photos they picture autumn leaves, pumpkins and haystacks. What about flannel lumberjacks shirts or football jerseys?
  10. Let Your Kids Lead. Ask them for ideas. You don’t have to create some magical and amazing setting. Don’t over think it. Less is more. Go to a pumpkin patch and have fun or pick up a few fall items and decorate your home. Remember, this is supposed to be fun. You are capturing family moments not creating stress. Enjoy the fall season and enjoy your family.

What ideas do you have for military fall family photos?

 

Don’t forget to submit your Halloween photos to MilitaryShoppers’ Military Kid Photo Contest. You will be entered to win a $100 Toys R Us e-gift card.

 

Early Detection Saves Lives

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With deployments, PCSing, constant employment searches, financial instability, your kids’ homework and all of the chaos that comes with military life, it’s easy for you– the military spouse– to forget about your health.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and while we are bombarded with pink items available for purchase at our favorite stores, this month is the perfect reminder that women need to take time for our health needs. We must do our monthly breast self-exams. It’s non-negotiable. It’s a necessity for our health and wellness.

Early detection is the key to conquering breast cancer.

Early detection is a combination of 2 regular screenings. First, women are advised to do monthly breast self-exams. Every. Single. Month. Not once in a while. Not when they think about. Not the day before a doctor’s appointment. Every month. Secondly, women are advised to have a clinical exam every 3 years during their 20s and 30s. Starting in your 40s, women are recommend to have an annual mammogram. For women who have a 15 percent higher risk, Tricare covers mammograms beginning at age 30. These basic screenings– clinical exams and mammograms– are covered by Tricare.

Breast cancer research conducted at Johns Hopkins Medical center states that “40 percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.” With early detection the survival rate for breast cancer is 98 percent. That statistic alone should make breast self-exams a priority in your life.

4 Ways to Remember to Do Monthly Breast Self-Exams

When was the last time you did your self-exam? More than 31 days ago?

Here are 4 ways to remind yourself to do a monthly breast self-exam:

  1. Create an account with Early Detection Plan. It takes 5 minutes to set up reminders for monthly breast self-exams and routine clinical check-ups. Besides the website, smartphone users can download the Early Detection Plan app for either iPhone or Android.
  2. Pick 1 day each month that’s your self-exam day. Make this date easy to remember.  Many women choose either the first day or last day of the month. Or you can choose the same date as your birthday. For example if your birthday is July 23, you simply make it a routine to do your self-exams in the shower on the 23rd of every month.
  3. Schedule a reminder. Do your breast self-exam today and then schedule a reminder on your electronic calendar. It will send you a text message alert every month. Have the reminder say that “40 percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump.”
  4. Choose an BSE accountability buddy. Ask a sister, aunt, mother or close friend to be your breast self-exam (BSE) accountability buddy. We have friends who kindly remind us to exercise or eat healthy. Breast self-exams are necessary for healthy lives for women.

Want more information about breast self-exams?

Visit Susan G. Komen’s website, American Cancer Society’s website or National Breast Cancer organization’s website. These websites, along with many others, explain in detail how to conduct monthly breast self-exams.

Understanding In-State Tuition Options for Veterans Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill

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Understanding the Veterans Access, Choice And Accountability Act of 2014 can be quick and easy. Section 702 specifically states:

The Senate amendment would amend section 3679 of title 38, U.S.C., by adding a new subsection (c) to require VA to disapprove courses of education provided by public institutions of higher learning that charge tuition and fees at more than the in-state resident rate for veterans within three years from discharge from a period of at least 90 days service in the military, irrespective of the veteran’s current state of residence, if the veteran is living in the state in which the institution is located while pursuing that course of education.

Pursuant to subsection (c), this provision would apply to veterans using the educational assistance programs administered by VA under chapters 30 and 33 of title 38, U.S.C., and to dependent beneficiaries using Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits during the three years after the veteran’s discharge. If the veteran or dependent enrolls within three years after the veteran’s discharge, the requirement to charge no more than the in-state tuition rate would apply for the duration the individual remains continuously enrolled at the institution.”

This law was written to help veterans transition from the military to civilian world through higher education and now includes benefits for their spouses and children using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Previously, public schools were able to charge veterans out-of-state fees if they did not meet in-state requirements. With the passage of the Veterans Access, Choice And Accountability Act of 2014 schools that want to continue to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits must offer veterans in-state tuition or lose those funds.

In-State Tuition for Veterans Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill

What questions do you have about the in-state tuition for veterans bill?

It can be difficult for veterans and their family to establish in-state residency with the amount of moving the military can require. This bill will now bring relief from these burdens for those planning on taking classes July 2015 or later, as this is the deadline for schools to offer in-state tuition to veterans and their family.

Not all public schools will make this easy however. While they must offer in-state tuition, they can still mandate that you prove your intent to stay in that state and eventually become a resident.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for example requires veterans and their family to prove they have established “domicile” in Virginia. This intent to remain in the state can be established by not only physically residing in Virginia but also changing records to the state. The standard one-year wait most civilians are required to prove they have made Virginia their home is waved for veterans and their families. They can begin classes on the next term once their review has been processed.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Offers In State Tuition to Veterans

 

To take advantage of in-state tuition veterans and their family must begin college courses within 3 years of separation from service. As long as they are enrolled in courses they will be able to continue using this benefit. Again, schools have until July 2015 to offer in-state tuition so be sure to consider this and your timeline for enrollment. Contact the college or university you wish to attend in order to definitively know their policy. Currently, Student Veterans of America has an interactive map outlining state laws and legislation regarding this matter.

What questions do you have about the in-state tuition for veterans bill?

10 Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

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Halloween can sneak up quickly on military families. As the days in October fly by, don’t feel pressured to spend big bucks for elaborate store bought costumes for you and your children. You might have the makings of the perfect DIY Halloween costume already in your house. Shop the closets in your home for different items that can be put together for a cheap and clever Halloween costume. Take a quick trip to your local dollar or discount store to complete a costume by purchasing accessories that won’t break the bank.

Why spend a lot of money on costumes you might not be able to keep? Storage space (or lack of storage space) for military families is important. Especially because your kids (or even you) will most likely want to dress up as something different next year.

Here are 10 easy and cheap ways to create clever DIY Halloween costumes for less than $30 and made in less than 30 minutes for you and your family.

10 Easy DIY Halloween Costume Ideas

Shop the closets in your home to put together for a cheap and clever Halloween costume.

Witch/Wizard

For girls, pair together a black shirt and skirt or black dress and add black tights. You can also use anything that’s mostly black (and maybe even sparkly?). For boys, wear all black and use a black bedsheet folded as your cape. Head outside to find a thick stick to shave down as a wand. Swing by the dollar store to get a pointed witch or wizard hat. You can also purchase face make-up for an added effect or girls can raid mom’s makeup bag for dark lipstick and use black eyeliner to draw warts on their faces.

Angel

Wear a white shirt and white pants or white dress. Take a cardboard box (from your last PCS) and cut it out to the shape of wings. Poke 2 holes in the center for a rope. Use extra-large cotton balls and glue them onto one side of the cardboard wings to cover its entirety. Finally, use gold pipe cleaners to twist to the top of a headband and create another halo to attach together.

Pirate

For girls, wear a white shirt and red skirt (or if you have anything two-toned or striped). For boys, wear a white shirt and light-colored jeans. You can create an eye patch with black cardstock paper and use an elastic band to keep it on your head. Run to the store for a red bandana. Does the store have a red stuffed bird or parrot? Strap it on your shoulder if you find one.

Mummy

10 Easy and Cheap DIY Halloween Costumes

Are you a DIY Halloween costume guru? Share your tips to making a creative costume.

Wear all white underneath. Depending on your preference (and possibly the weather), you can use toilet paper (preferably extra strong toilet paper) or white bandages to wrap all around your body. You can get cheap bandage packages at the dollar store.

Grapes

Wear either all green or all purple. Travel to the discount store and buy packages of balloons that match your color. Blow them up and use safety pins to put them on your outfit. Are you doing a family costume? Use thick rope with about 3 feet to spare between each person to be a grapevine!

Tourist

It’s pretty likely that you’ve acquired at least 1 touristy shirt from your travels. Or maybe a Hawaii shirt? Wear your souvenir or Hawaiian shirt (why not add a lei too?!) with a straw hat and tie your camera around your neck. Do you have a fanny pack? Stick that around your waist and carry a paper map. If you’re feeling ambitious, tow a small roller luggage bag.

Ghost

Ready for an easy one? Use old white sheets and drape them over head. Cut holes where your eyes would be and voila! You’re a ghost.

10 Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Don’t forget to enter MilitaryShoppers Halloween Photo Contest. Simply share 1 photo with MilitaryShoppers this month and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a $100 Toys R Us e-gift card.

Pumpkin

Wear an extra large solid orange shirt. At the store, buy sheets of black felt and decorative vine rope. Outline and cut out the pumpkin’s face and glue (or you can safety pin) the felt cut-outs on the orange shirt. Use plastic bags or newspaper to make the pumpkin shape underneath the T-shirt. Wear the vine rope as a necklace.

Cat and Dog

For a cat, wear all black, orange or gray. For a dog, wear brown, black or tan. Buy felt to match your color and enough to make ears and a tail. Cut the fabric to shape the ears and glue it on an headband. Pin on the tail to your back with the remainder of the felt and make sure it’s in the right shape. Use black eyeliner to draw whiskers and pink/salmon colored lipstick for your nose.

10 Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Children can raid mom’s makeup bag for eyeliner and lipstick to create cheap Halloween costumes.

Super Hero

Wear clothing that matches or all the same color. Use colored duct or construction tape to outline your superhero letter or number on your shirt. Does your character wear a mask? Buy a couple yards of fabric and cut out eyeholes. Or does your character wear a cape? Do the same and tie the cape around your neck.

Are you a DIY Halloween costume guru? Share your tips for creating a costume in the comments section.

 

Apples, Apples and More Apples in October

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Apples are an American favorite. As they say, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The reason for this saying came because of all the health benefits you can get when you eat apples. Apples contain vitamin C which is an immune booster. They are also really good for your teeth.

You can easily grab an apple for a snack, put one into a lunch box or serve them at your parties. They are a healthy food that are easy to keep around the house. Even my very picky 7-year old loves them.

In addition to eating them, many people also love using apples in their decorations. From pictures of apples to putting artificial apples around the home, there is something really comfortable and warm about apples.

Apple Recipes for Autumn

Do you like to bake with apples? Celebrate National Apple Month by trying these tasty recipes shared by military spouses.

October is National Apple Month! To celebrate National Apple Month, here are some fun facts about this favorite fruit.

  • Did you know that there are thousands of different types of apples? From Fuji to Granny Smith to Pink Lady, each one has its own look and taste to it. A whooping 2,500 different types are grown in the United States. But less than 20 varieties comprise 90 percent of apple production in the United States.
  • The largest apple ever picked weighed 3 pounds.
  • Apple trees take 4 to 5 years to produce their first fruit.
  • Apples are members of the rose family.
  • It takes 36 apples to make 1 gallon of cider.
  • Some types of apples are best for eating; others are better for cooking.
Apple recipes

October is National Apple Month.

Did you also know that it is possible to grow an apple tree from the seeds of your apple? It can be a fun project to do with your kids.

Do you like to bake or cook with apples? Celebrate National Apple Month with these great apple recipes from MilitaryShoppers readers.

Apple Recipes

Don’t wait until Thanksgiving to enjoy apple pie. Bake a pie today.

Hot Ginger Apple Cider With Applejack– This would be perfect for a cool fall night!

Baked Apple French Toast– Yum! You can start your mornings with this yummy apple breakfast.

Apple Stuffed Chicken Breast– If you want to include apples into your main meal, you should try this one.

Apple Cream Cheese Coffee Cake– This would be great for a playdate or a get-together with some friends.

There is just something about an apple that makes you want to bake or use it to create a yummy meal! Which recipe do you want to try?

Apple recipes

Did you know that apples are actually members of the rose family?

Don’t forget to enter the MilitaryShoppers recipe contest with your own yummy recipe! You will have a chance to win a $50 commissary shopping spree. Enter today!