Mix Flour and Water, about 1.5 parts flour to 1 part water to form paste.

Blow up large balloon.

Shred newspaper by tearing into strips.

Dip newspaper into paste mixture and then apply to balloon, repeat until entire balloon is covered in several layers of paper. Allow to dry thoroughly.

Pop balloon.

Place tissue paper square down in front of you, take pencil and place eraser end in center of tissue paper square. Now gently wrap rest of square up around pencil and dip the tissue around the eraser into the paste. Now place on pinata and allow to dry. Continue placing paper as desired.
(You may paint your pinata instead or do both! It’s all yours!)

Once your pinata has dried use box cutter to place an opening for candy and a hole to place a rope for hanging the pinata (make sure you use a structurally strong spot for the rope).

Now it is time to stuff it with candy or toys and hang it up for the party!

For car buyers, that translates into an increased awareness of quality, dependability, and cost of ownership over a simple bottom-line purchase price. And for other motorists, it means getting most out of their current vehicle.

“Regular maintenance and service will help any vehicle owner optimize performance, mileage and resale value,” says Martin Lawson, editorial director for the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). “Add in sensible driving habits, and the combined savings from better mileage and longer life of parts really add up.”

The pros from ASE offer these tips to not only save gasoline, but help extend the life of your vehicle and its components.

* Begin by reading the owner’s manual and becoming familiar with your vehicle. Keep a record of repairs and service.

* Monitor your tires. Under inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. Let the tires cool down before checking the air pressure. Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional. Properly maintained tires will last longer, too.

* Consolidate your daily trips and errands. Some trips may be unnecessary. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can avoid stop-and-go conditions.

* Avoid excessive engine idling. Shut off your vehicle while waiting for friends and family. Modern vehicles do not need long warm ups in cold weather. A minute or so is sufficient on cold mornings.

* Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your mileage per gallon.

* Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually. Use cruise control. (You’ll help your brakes and suspension system last longer as well.)

* Remove excess weight. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage. After family vacations, make sure you remove all unnecessary items, including that rooftop cargo carrier.

* Use windows and air conditioning wisely. Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on – assuming that the system is in good working order. If possible, try to avoid using your air conditioner in heavy, stop-and-go traffic such as traffic jams or holiday weekend back-ups.

* Use the recommended grade of engine oil. Consult your owner’s manual. And for optimal engine life, have the oil and oil filter changed according to the owner’s manual.

* Keep your engine operating at its peak efficiency. A misfiring spark plug can greatly reduce gas mileage; conversely, a well-maintained engine will help you maximize the gas mileage for your specific make and model. Ignoring service engine or warning lights can result in a minor problem becoming an expensive fix.

For example, replacing a malfunctioning oxygen sensor is much cheaper than replacing a catalytic converter, which can be destroyed by an improper air/fuel mix.

* Similarly, ignoring periodic brake pad replacement can result in more expensive required work on brake rotors. Transmission problems should be addressed immediately.

* Replace all filters and fluids as recommended; have engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration, etc.) corrected at a repair facility. Given today’s high-tech engines, it’s wise to have this type of work done by auto technicians who are ASE-certified in engine performance.

For more seasonal car care tips and to learn more about the about the automotive professionals who are ASE-certified, visit www.ase.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Airport traffic crowds a popular public bus route in Miami, where savvy travelers share a frugal commute from Miami International Airport to South Beach. For just $2 a person, they can ride a city bus from the airport to the ocean. There’s no extra charge for the palm trees or the water view.

Whether you’re touring Bangkok or Boston, thrifty rides can extend your travel budget. Here are some to try:

— Share a chauffeur. Ride in style, and split the tab by sharing a limo or Town Car with three or more riders. Divided into fractions, a limo ride can cost less than a cab. Call ahead; by the time you get through baggage claim, your ride will be waiting. Don’t forget about van pools, which work on the same frugal principal.

— Hit the water. In Venice, the water bus will get you from Piazza San Marco to the train station with time to spare. In Bangkok, river buses provide access to numerous points of interest without the stress of street traffic. In Manhattan, the Staten Island Ferry offers a free round-trip water ride, with a no-cost glimpse of the Statue of Liberty.

— Go public. Paris, London, New York and Philadelphia are among the major cities that offer bus or train service from the airport to popular destinations. Greyhound also has service to or from some airports, including Melbourne International Airport in Florida, which is near Cape Canaveral. Concord Trailways has direct connections from Logan Airport and South Station in Boston to a bus terminal in Portland, Maine.

— Start online. Web sites for airports, cities and popular attractions typically include transportation information and directions. Use Google.com/transit to help you map out your public transportation options.
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Sharon Harvey Rosenberg and Myscha Theriault are co-authors of “10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget” and founders of PoshFrugalityNetwork.com.

This list includes a variety of places and opportunities to cover a wide range of interest and ages.

For those of you who are unaware most McDonald’s and Burger King’s have indoor playgrounds for children 2-12 years old. McDonald’s will even give the kid’s a free mini ice cream cone on request and some McDonald’s even have free video games and air hockey tables for the kiddo’s.
You could always go window shopping at a local mall. This is one girls ages 8 and up tend to enjoy this one.
Many major cities offer free entry to many area museums. I found my children really love the local art museum.
Does your town have a $1 theatre? We have a one and on certain days there is $.50 entry! Another local town theatre  you bring your own bowl and get free popcorn. That same theatre has free matinees  for kids during the summer.
Libraries are also a great place to go. Many have children’s sections with play areas. There is often free scheduled activities open to the public.
Check your local city, county and states event calendar’s for great annual, seasonal, monthly and weekly events.