Take the Free Way to Entertain

There are lots of opportunities out there for all occasions to take a free or discounted way of doing something, yet so many get stuck in the same routine that they don't take advantage.  Something like sending out invitations via email (like evite) is fast, easy and very affordable.  Who says you have to have cute paper invitations that need to be mailed out?- Don't let your kids be the ruler!
Look for ways that cut costs that really don't matter.  Really think about it first, even those small costs because they all add up.

Having some friends over?  Think out of the box there.  You don't have to be predictable!  Go for something simpler rather than trying to impress, or better yet, do a pot luck.  There can even be a theme to make things more fun. This can save you time and money and everyone can even bring copies of their recipes to share.
Make the focus on the time together rather than what you're serving.  Distract your guests with something new and different- a game night, a movie, even making something together like carving pumpkins!  Better yet, get your guests involved in the preparation.  Have a make-your-own-calzone night.  Having the guests create will provide a fun activity, allow for any special tastes, surely make for some good laughs, and distract from a fancy meal you may typically make. 

Get those creative juices flowing!  There are tons of ideas out there.  Make them work for you.  Comment your own ideas and look for a "part 2" to this later.

Hunt and Gather

Don't know what's for dinner again?  I sure hope you've realized that there are plenty of options within your pantry and fridge on any given day.  Dinner doesn't have to be planned out to be balanced and fast.  Start with something that inspires you (or just a bag of pasta) and go from there.  A can of tuna, parmesan and butter, some peas... I've got almost all the food groups!  Hey, you know you don't even have to have meat in every meal.
Some of you may be saying to yourself that you practically live this way.  Dinner wouldn't be on the table half the time if you didn't already do this, but for those that set such high standards for yourself that you can't even keep up with them yourself and end up getting take out, STOP!  Try the 'hunt and gather' method and dinner can happen.