Let Your Landlord Know Your're Leaving: Just because you know you're planning to move at end of month doesn't mean your landlord does! Look at your lease to see how many days notice you must give your landlord before you actually leave. Once you’ve determined this, you will need to provide your landlord with a written notice of your intentions. If you do not let your landlord know you’re leaving, you could end up paying for another month’s rent. For a sample of a notice to vacate, click here.

Clean Up The Apartment: In order to get as much of your security deposit back as possible, you’ll want to leave apartment looking as clean as you possibly can. The less landlord has to do to prepare your apartment for new renters - more likely you will get your security deposit back. For example, if you painted any part of apartment another color, ask your landlord if he plans to paint it back to original color. It may be less money for you to paint it yourself than for him to take money out of your deposit. Also, cost of renting a steam cleaner (available at most grocery stores) might be cheaper than what your landlord will charge in cleaning fees. For some helpful cleaning tips, check out this cleaning tips forum.

Here are some pearls of wisdom from these parent experts to those just starting out on party circuit... INVITATIONS The rule of thumb passed down by experienced Moms and Dads is to invite same number of party guests as your child's age. Resist temptation to invite every child in your child's classroom. Be discrete and avoid hurt feelings by mailing invitations home instead of passing them out in school. A manageable party is a more enjoyable one both for party attendants and for you!

PARTY TIME AND DURATION An hour is sufficient for toddlers and pre-schoolers when naptimes are still an issue. Plan your party when birthday child will be freshest and best able to handle all excitement, perhaps a morning brunch is best. For older school age children, a two to three hour party at any time of day is a safe bet; evening parties and sleep-overs are popular options for pre-teens.

RSVPs Always include an RSVP date and phone number on your party invitations. In event of a guest failing to RSVP, a cordial call on or after your RSVP date is perfectly acceptable. Sometimes mail is delayed and other mishaps occur, and you need to be sure that invitation was received. In addition, knowing exact guest count is necessary for planning purposes. GIFT GAFFES Children may sometimes express their true, and not necessarily polite, feelings about a gift they have received. In advance of party, explain to your child that it's necessary to thank all gift-givers with equal enthusiasm, no matter what gift. Impress upon your him or her that each guest feels their gift is special, and that it's thought behind it that counts.

If you plan to open gifts at party, make it early before kids are tired, cranky and hyped with sugar. Of course, this issue can be avoided entirely by opening gifts after guests have departed, a time-saving practice which prevents embarrassment of party child making ungrateful comments.

COMPETITIVE GAMES There's nothing wrong with good old-fashioned competition; it gets adrenalin going and cranks up excitement. Just make sure that elements of each game are manageable for age group you are inviting. A trial run with party child prior to party will likely head off any problems.

In addition, small gifts such as a lollipop or small trinket given to every player for completing game is preferable to awarding one large prize to winner only. Planning a craft activity or end-of-party reading time will involve all guests, even quieter ones.

SIBLINGS SHOWING UP UNINVITED Be very clear on your party invitation by using name of guest invited. Some people will ignore obvious and do what's convenient for them anyway, so have a few extra goodie bags on hand for siblings who just show up.