Whether you've always wanted to take mom to Mexico or splurge on a day at the spa, here are some easy tips for saving up dinero for Mothers Day and all year round!

1. Save money at the grocery store

The grocery store can be a big drain on your wallet, but it doesn’t have to be. Consider buying more frozen fruits and veggies, which many nutritionists say are just as healthy for you as fresh produce because they are picked and frozen at their peak of ripeness. Buying frozen broccoli, peas and blueberries lowers your shopping budget but not your nutritional value.

Also remember to keep your eyes focused on the register at the check out counter. Americans lose between 1 and 3 billion dollars a year in scanning errors because of human error or because sale prices have yet to be entered into the computer.

2. Read for free!

Instead of buying the latest bestseller for $15 or more, take a visit to the library or go to PaperbackSwap.com and trade books with other likeminded readers. It’s also a great way to clear the clutter from your home!

3. Be a smart home shopper

Before you buy new furniture, check out furniture sites like Craigslist.org and Freecycle.com, where people post things to give away for free instead of tossing them in the trash. Just put in your zip code and see what goodies you can score, from TV's to furniture and everything in between!

4. Consider the online goldmine

Flash sale on websites like Gilt Groupe and Fab.com offer designer duds and accessories for up to 60 percent off. And ShopItToMe.com takes it one step further by acting like your own personal sale shopper: Simply sign up and fill out your size and favorite labels. When they go on sale in your size, you'll get an email alerting you.

Holiday time is the right time to toss what’s old in your cupboard and stock up on what you need for Thanksgiving and Navidad entertaining. Try these easy tips for streamlining your kitchen and saving money at the supermarket -- just in time for las festividades!

1. Check Expiration Dates

Anything that is past due gets the boot. Better to be safe than sorry! Start by looking through your spice rack. How long has that onion powder been hanging around? The rule of thumb is that herbs and spices keep their flavor for six to 12 months. The best way to tell if your dried herb or spice still have flavor is to give it the crush test. Crush a pinch between your index finger and thumb: you should immediately get a rich, full aroma. Also, color fades with time: Do your red spices look brownish and your green herbs grayer? It may be time to replace them.

2. Make Counter and Cupboard Space

You need loads more counter and storage space when you’re entertaining. Consider hanging your pots and pans to give you coveted cupboards inches, and either put away or give away handy kitchen gadgets sitting on your counters that you haven't used in years.

3.  Save Money at the Grocery Store

Fresh produce can add up quickly, so don't overlook frozen fruits and veggies, which tend to be cheaper. And nutritionists say they might be healthier for you because they are picked and frozen at their peak of ripeness. Another trick: Buy paper products at discount stores instead of the grocery store. You can also save money at the grocery store by keeping your eyes focused on the register at the checkout counter. Americans lose between one and three billion dollars per year in scanning errors, either because of human error or because sales prices have yet to be entered into the computer.

You’ve already rid your home of the things you no longer use. Next is finding smart ways to keep it organized and chic. “The trick to making spaces look polished and finished is allowing the eye to see open horizontal spaces and only keeping visible what looks stylish,” says Helene Segura, an organization and productivity expert with LivingOrder in San Antonio. Try some of these fine-tuning tweaks to make your home show-ready.

La Antesala
Add a classic-style coat rack (with a wood base and metal hooks) on the wall, which gives everyone a place to hang up their belongings when they walk through the door. “If you have a larger entry, consider mudroom pieces that come in styles that range from locker room flashbacks, to country-chic, to gorgeous teak,” says Segura.

La Sala
If your functional furniture lacks a little jazz, opt for a clean, contemporary look. Consider spray-painting pieces in a cream color to add instant glamour. Forget utilitarian storage boxes. Instead, try ones that are made out of posh materials, such as velvet, leather or horn. Add rustic accents with bronze or wooden baskets. “For a uniform look, purchase varying sizes in the same style or buy sets of three in multiple colors within your color palette,” says Segura.

La Cocina
Families spend much of their time here. So keep it spacious. After you’ve cleared counters and used all of the cupboards and the upper reaches of the cabinetry, all that should be visible are neutral-colored earthenware containers to store grains, sugar, flour or any other foods. 

El Dormitorio
If you’re using the area under your bed to store items, add a sham or trimming to hide what’s underneath. Also don’t cram the space. “Use long, rectangular plastic containers sorted by category,” says Segura. They make it easy to find what you need later on.

El Baño
Cabinets with glass-paneled doors create the effect of open space. Eliminate the cluttered look inside by using neutral-colored fine ware jars to stash bathroom supplies. “Tame what’s hidden in the bottom cabinets with a combination of bins with brushed nickel, stainless steel helper shelves or drawer systems,” says Segura.

With our hectic schedules, it’s unlikely that we’ll be treating our homes to a full-on session of squeaky-cleaning this spring. But experts say that we can actually shave time from long hours of cleaning if we scrub the grime right away.

For example, if we reassess our rutina de limpieza, we may discover that some of our habits actually keep things dirty, merely spreading around el polvo, according to Debra Johnson, an expert and training manager with the nationwide house-cleaning service Merry Maids.

And if we divvy up the work into several steps by “setting aside a couple of days a month to focus on cleaning,” says Johnson, our casitas will stay cleaner for longer. Here are some more easy-to-implement steps you can try.

1. Dispose of clutter. Before you start cleaning, get rid of whatever you can’t put away, says Johnson. Divide your clutter into three groups: “junk,” which you will simply toss; “charity,” which you will give away; and “undecided,” which will be put away in a box until a later date.

2. Use appropriate amounts of cleaning product. “Most people use too much,” which leaves residue behind, says Johnson. Any dirt will then cling to the residue.

3. Swipe the dust. “Microfiber is the best tool for removing dust, and not as much product is needed,” says Johnson. Start by wiping and see how clean the surface will get before applying product. “Make sure to use a plush, rather than thin, cloth.”

4. Steam-clean. Use a high-temperature canister steam-cleaner to quickly bust grease and grime on the more challenging surfaces, such as oven grill trays, windows and mattresses. To avoid water residue, use the least amount of steam.

5. Clean your gadgets. Remote controls, game stations, DVD players and telephones are often overlooked. All-purpose cleaners dredge out the dirt that easily accumulates in the nooks from constant touching.

6. Dust first, vacuum last. Clean each room or piece of furniture from the top down. Start by dusting higher surfaces or furniture. Finish by wiping lower items and vacuuming the floors.

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/fatihhoca

My life has recently taken flight, filling out with events, lunches, projects, workouts and deadlines that make my head spin. While friends have suggested using organizational tools like iCal, I wondered if there is more behind calendar mastery than carrying my device. Sure enough, as expert David Allen -- author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-free Productivity -- explains, there is.

Choose One Format
“A calendar is a basic tool for making sure you meet your agreements. There’s no silver bullet,” says Allen. That said, to be a master scheduler you should commit to one singular go-to format. Whether it’s iCal, Google Calendar, Outlook or the tacked-to-the-kitchen-wall variety, pick one.

Color Code
Whether they’re in paper or digital format, add all of your time commitments and invitations (even if you’re not sure if you’re going to make it) to your calendar. “Synchronize your personal with your professional, and insert all your data in one place so you can quickly glance the overall landscape,” says Allen. Consider adding a color-coded system for instant organization. Set a different color for friends/family, work, volunteer, networking and career development.

Make it Portable
Size is key. Ideally, you want to have access to your calendar at all times, so whenever you receive an invite -- over lunch, via Facebook or through email -- you can quickly look at your calendar to see if you’re free.

Always Consult Your Calendar
“Don’t tell people you’re going to do something until you have looked at your calendar,” says Allen. “Make a note, then get back to where you can look at your calendar before you make a decision and commit.”

Consider Your Options
“A calendar is a tool for making commitments in life, keeping agreements with yourself and keeping clear on what matters to do,” says Allen. Think first: Does this matter to you? It’s OK to say “No” if it doesn’t.

Photo Credit: @iStockphoto.com/Ridofranz