If you’re looking to shave some fat from your Spring clothing budget, why not give secondhand shopping a second thought? Consignment shops these days are courting customers from all income brackets with top notch presentation and pristine pre-worn items. You can save some serious cash without sacrificing an iota of style if you hit the right spots in our two towns. Maplewood in particular is a Mecca for second secondhand shops. On Ridgewood Avenue alone you’ll find three offerings that offer fashions to fit most everyone in the household, and the town's newcomer to the category, Always …

Whether you want to produce produce or some fab flowers, here's what you need to get your garden going — on any budget — in two terrific towns: Before heading out to buy anything, depending on your gardening prowess your best bet may be to hit one of the local libraries in Millburn or Maplewood for a gardening guide to steer you through the all the stages you’ll need to navigate to grow a great garden, from prepping to planting to producing fruits worthy of your labor. (A quick visit to Maplewood’s Hilton Branch revealed two shelves stocked with practically every gardening niche under the sun…

It’s the first — and for many most favorite — meal of the day. Thanks to many local eateries, it’s also one of the most affordable. From hot cakes to hot coffee, bagels to breakfast sandwiches, here are some affordable, delicious options that really do put the "special" in breakfast specials! Here are some scrumptious — and savvy — options locally. First stop, Maplewood: Kari’s Café sits cheerfully on a bustling corner of Springfield Avenue and owner Kari Capone has been expanding her menu to fit the needs and tastes of her customers. Already a cozy go-to spot for gourmet coffee, and fresh …

Longing for warmer weather? Why not try to work a little sunny sentiment into your winter waning décor? Here are five spots to hit in our three towns for finds that fit any budget from $5 to $50 on up. South Orange: Ultimate Upholstery & Drapery- Tucked behind a small storefront on Valley, you’ll find a great resource for breathing new life into old furnishings and witnessing the transformative powers of fabrics and prints firsthand on the pieces being worked on in shop. It’s also a perfect place to give your old throw pillows a spring facelift by creating custom covers that could be as …

Maplewood and Millburn-Short Hills both give you great incentive to go the Recreational Center route: Maplewood rents out spaces at both DeHart Park and the charming Civic Center in Memorial Park to residents and non-residents (the later at a nominally higher rate). Program Supervisor Michelle Wesley says that most of the coveted weekend spots fill up 4-6 months in advance, but some spots are still open. Prices differ for larger versus smaller specified rooms, weekend versus weekday, but your best bet on a budget is the Civic House where the smaller of the two rooms room will run you $30 an …

Here are some cute, clever ways to express your sentiments come Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank — or the hearts of those you’re gifting! First stop, South Orange! Victors Florist: When it comes to Valentine’s Day, a rose by any other name will still cost you an arm and a leg. “It’s about supply and demand,” explains florist and owner Lenny Zieff. “I pay almost double for my roses this time of year.” A basic dozen roses will set you back $85, but there are plenty of other less costly — albeit less traditional — floral options ready for romance like lilies, irises, carnations and …

Looking to shake the snow off your boots and shake your booty in preparation for the warm weather that will (fingers crossed) soon be here? Why not ditch your dreary winter mood for some motivation - and moves - that’ll get you in the sort of shape you’ll want to flaunt come warmer temps? Our three towns are bursting with great places to shop goods and services sure to keep you in tip-top tone year-round. Here are some of the fiercest fitness deals and steals going on right now in Millburn, Maplewood and South Orange: First stop, Millburn for the Sneaker Factory: General Manager Geoff Clark …