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7 Ways to Save on Pretend Play Toys

By WTOP Staff

Now that school has started, it won’t be long before the cold weather comes and playtime heads indoors. So, if you’re like most parents living in a four-season climate, you’re probably thinking of ways to entertain your little ones, and keep them occupied, in the house.

One inside activity that generally is a hit with toddlers and young children alike is pretend play. That’s when little ones imagine they’re princesses, police officers, chefs or anyone else that strikes their fancy (including good old mom and dad).

However, the cost of dress-up and pretend play props can quickly add up. Princess dresses alone can cost you up to $80, and elaborate play kitchens can set you out a few hundred dollars, if not more. So, stocking the playroom with store-bought items probably isn’t the best option if you’re on a budget.

The good news, however, is that there are easy ways to spark your child’s imagination for less. Here are seven ways to save on pretend play props:

Raid your own closet. There’s no one little kids want to be more than their own mom or dad. So, before you give your old clothes and costume jewelry to charity or toss the items in the trash, consider passing them along to someone who will appreciate pretending to be you: your child. From experience, I can tell you that kid-friendly bracelets, old bachelorette party crowns, wallets, shoes and hats work especially well for indoor toddler dress-up play.

Bring out the off-season gear. In other words, encourage your little ones to play with the out-of-season apparel, accessories and gear you have around the house, including both the adult and kid versions. In the fall and winter, this could mean stocking the dress-up play bin with swimsuits, goggles, raincoats, rain boots, snorkeling equipment, sand toys and your other summer and spring accessories. And during the warmer months, hats, gloves and scarves can provide hours of budget-friendly entertainment.

Halloween costumes are your friend. If you have saved costumes from Halloweens past, you’re in luck. They’re perfect for dress-up play, so take them out of storage and into your child’s play area. If you don’t have old costumes around the house, however, you’re not totally out of luck. You can save ones from this coming Halloween, and hitting the sale racks on the day before Halloween, on Halloween day, or immediately following the holiday all are great ways to score costumes for less.

Transform cardboard boxes into just about anything. In the age of online and warehouse shopping, there’s a good chance lots of cardboard boxes arrive at your house. Next time one arrives, be sure to save it. The boxes can easily be repurposed into do-it yourself play kitchens, play boats and pretty much anything else your child can imagine. Pinterest is a great resource for cardboard box transformation inspiration — searches on the site for “cardboard box kitchen” and “cardboard box boat” bring up a host of ideas, with options for the crafty and non-crafty alike.

Turn empty food boxes into play food. Smaller boxes taking up space in your kitchen cabinets and freezer can also come in handy. Instead of stocking your child’s play kitchen with fake food, consider transforming empty food boxes (think frozen meal and cereal boxes, for example) into real-looking food toys. To make the repurposed boxes as sturdy and easy-to-clean as possible, fill them with paper and then cover them with clear packing tape.

Opt for useful play kitchen accessories. Before you buy special play kitchen cooking utensils, raid your own kitchen for kid-friendly accessories (think extra measuring cups, wooden spoons and non-breakable plates) that can do double duty as toys in your tot’s cooking area. And if you’re going to buy any cooking accessories for playtime, make an effort to opt for those that have other uses beyond just serving as toys (such as tea sets whose cups are safe for holding liquid and drinking).

Leverage friends and family. Finally, with the holiday season approaching, there’s a good chance friends and family will soon start asking you what your little one wants as a gift. So, if there’s a certain playtime prop you know your child will enjoy but you can’t imagine shelling out your own money for it, you can always mention the item to loved ones (and you can do the same in answer to birthday gift questions as well).

What’s your best tip for cutting the cost of playtime props? Share it below.

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7 Ways to Save on Pretend Play Toys originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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