Giving birth to the first grandbaby on both sides of the family has its pros and cons. I've never had to purchase more than four items of clothing for my daughter. She has all eyes on her alone (still debating if this is a positive, given her personality). Her toy bin is filled to the brim. But one pet peeve that has sprouted and taken roots is incessant comments from the family at large wanting to see photographs. Apparently posting religiously on Facebook isn't enough for these photo hounds--they want something sent to them personally.
While the days of the portable photo book are over (ahem, grandparents) people have difficulty seeking out photos of the new bundle, regardless of ease. Here are some creative ways to display your photos for next to nothing and calm the raucous out-of-town relatives.
Use basic software to make a video photo collage. Windows Movie Maker offers a free download (for Windows OS only) that makes it a cinch to add photos and/or videos with music, titles, and audio. If you own a Mac, use iMovie to do the same. I made my first 8-minute show within 2 hours and it brought my mother-in-law to tears. Burning to a disc with a printable label will only cost you around $3 per DVD
Shutterfly now offers free, customizable sites for you to upload your pictures easily and allows viewers to order prints. You can enroll specific family members and friends to your site to avoid stalkers. The baby templates are really fun and inviting. Flickr is another great spot for photo organization with editing and sharing capabilities.
Scrapblog provides a free service to create online scrapbooks. There are many free designs and other available for a small fee. If scrapbooking is your diehard hobby, you can purchase all those lovely stickers and background sheets for a fraction of the cost. Publish your work into a soft cover book with 20 pages for just $9.99.
My precious 10-month-old is quickly approaching her first birthday. The first year has been a roller coaster ride of experiences, but I'd have to say the biggest quandary in babydom has been the multitude of folks who've inquired about her first birthday party. For a one-year-old.
If you have been planning the party of the year for your little drooler, I don't mean to leave your cake out in the rain. But I tend to lump pre-verbal birthday bashes in with toddler fashion shows. There's something very displacing and parent-centered about the both ordeals.
The most disconcerting aspect of not just baby, but all child celebrations is the money spent. Between $200-400 bucks on average are spent for every party. If you have four kids that's $1000 each year. If parties are an absolute must, at least be reasonable with your checkbook and follow some guidelines for yourself:
Parties for children under 2 are for you, not your children. As long as you can accept that and are content to have a party for yourself, enjoy. Since we've been mercilessly railed at for protesting the one-year cake eating photo-op, we will have a small family gathering with some angel food cake and strawberries. Kiddo can dive into a $10 dessert rather than a fancy $30 custom made thing. Grandmothers can get their picture and adorn the one-year-old with a couple of gifts to spare our friends from having to bring something.
Don't try to outdo the Joneses. Maybe Princess next door got five clowns, a petting zoo, or a trip for 10 to Libby Lou. What you don't see is that her ego is probably as inflated as that bounce house daddy rented. I've even been to a 6-year-old American Idol Bash where parents rented a stage and had t-shirts made for all the guests.
Temperance can be excruciatingly hard for your little one to understand, but it's crucial for her to have some perspective about yearly celebrations. Start small--limit guests to one for each year (5 year olds may have 5 friends come) and keep it as small as possible so you don't disappoint the following year.
DIY decorations and food. Store-bought cakes can be as high as $50. And they don't even taste that good. Learn how to make your child's favorite cake and invite him to design it. He will have much more fun for 80% less. Let kids make their own invitations on the computer.
Opt for hot dogs and chips. You'll want to cut the hot dogs in half for little children and give them more if they finish. But don't forget to ask about allergens to wheat, peanuts, lactose, etc. so you can have an alternative available. Blow your own balloons, hang streamers, and blow up a few beach balls for summer fun.
Forget about the popcorn; pair these classic southern movies with delectable themed dishes for a movie night to remember.
Hollywood has long drawn inspiration for the silver screen from strong southern women. Characters like Scarlet O’Hara depict the power of southern women to overcome insurmountable odds, face their weaknesses and change, while immersed in a culture that rarely does. Celebrate this southern sisterhood by pairing these classic films with classic southern dishes that appear in the films or complement them. As God is our witness, we’ll never go hungry on movie night again …
Guess how much a one-day pass to Disney world costs? $67. Unless you only plan on sending one family member to the park, multiply that by three or four and then by four or five days and your trip will quickly become a burden. Is there any way to visit the world's best parks within a reasonable budget?
Yes and no. You will pay a ton of money when you go to Sea World, Disney, or Busch Gardens. Even at discounted rates, the entrance fees alone are prohibitive. But if you've been saving over the last year and are dead-set on making the trek across the country, take advantage of these money-saving tips to stretch the vacation dollar.
1. Buy tickets for multiple days. The more days you plan on visiting a theme park, the cheaper your daily rate will be. To give you an idea of how much you'll save, a two-day pass (with fast pass) to the four main parks in Disney is $158 adult/$133 child. Enjoy the same liberties with a five-day pass for just $229 adult/$195 child. If you are going to make the big family trip, take a few extra days for virtually no additional cost. Sea World offers a second day free ticket for $73 adult/$69 child.
2. Search for tickets online. Our favorite spots for hot tickets include Tickets2You.net, Six Flags main site, Ticket Mania, and Official Ticket Center. The most attractive reason for buying online is the low cost of multi-day passes. You'll also get reduced rates for single day visits too.
3. Use your club cards and memberships. If you belong to AAA, Sam's, Costco, or other wholesale clubs, discount tickets are usually offered in conjunction with your membership. Many of their discounts include full package deals with hotel and attraction bundled. Check your current discounts from AAA.
You can spend as much or as little as you want on parties these days. Birthdays are big business, and as a parent, the pressure is on to make your little kid’s big day a memorable one. Is it possible to pull it off on a budget? You betcha.
Use what you have. Like Merchant Ships is a champ at this and throws old fashioned, simple birthday parties. Her party pictures are beautiful and inspirational. Her secret? Consistent thrift store and yard sale shopping and an eye for quality finds.
Get simple. Some of the most creative and successfully executed ideas I’ve seen are ones that take a simple object from childhood and expound upon it, like these party ideas: lollipop, pajamas, zoo or barnyard animals, Legos, candy, cookies, cupcakes, garden party, bugs … the list is endless. Even borrowing themes from adulthood can make for ultra-cute kid birthdays, like this neck-tie party or an ever-popular tea party.
Get inspired. Ideas abound online, so borrow them! Just because some spend money on specialized stationery and unique party favors doesn’t mean you can’t recreate some projects at home on your own. Pick and choose what you feel comfortable tackling.
Holiday spirit. If you’re using colored plates and napkins, try to score some after a holiday – like after Valentine’s for a heart-themed party in August. Or buy pastel-colored candies for treat bags after Easter for a June birthday. Think ahead when bargains are available to see how they can be used later in the year.
We are definitely sizzling here in the southern, sultry Texas sun! Setting record temperatures and electricity use is no longer new news. Summer seems like it would be a blast if you can survive the thirty-foot walk to your car oven, manage to cool it within half an hour, and then find some indoor refuge that will probably cost money. Unless you're a fan of the 4:00 AM park play date, head to the craft store to stock up on supplies for these fun crafts with the kids--all just $10 or less!
TODDLER TIME
1. Chalk Bodies Get a roll of butcher paper or several pieces of poster board, crayons, markers, and chalk. Keep the fun contained to the kitchen to avoid a creatively redesigned sofa. Trace body parts with the markers or crayons, cut out, and then redraw on a concrete surface outside, in the shade of course. Experiment with different shapes.
2. Color Conundrum You'll need a box of lemon Jello and ice cubes frozen with different colors--use food coloring to make red, blue, and green cubes. Follow the directions for making the recipe with ice and add different colored cubes to your gelatin. Make predictions as to what color they will be. Enjoy a cool, fresh treat after the Jello hardens! 3. Percussion Party Save a few water or soda bottles over a few weeks for this project. Add rice, beans, pasta, coins, and anything else to each bottle separately. Glue the lid of each bottle with super glue to prevent a choking hazard. Practice hitting the bottles on a carpeted surface, shaking them like maracas, or banging together to experiment with various sounds.
EARLY ELEMENTARY
4. Macaroni Mania Noodles are super cheap from a discount store. Buy three or four varieties along with acrylic gloss paint, craft glue, white primer, and paint brushes. Arrange pasta on wax paper to create macaroni men, houses, cars, or other shapes. Glue together and let sit for at least two hours. Apply acrylic paint and let sit for another two hours. Enjoy playing or displaying your child's new creation!
It's seems like too much to expect inexpensive, delicious, and wallet-loving all in one meal. I either go for the $.99 menu or begrudgingly dip into my wallet for the $1.99 fruit salad substitution. This new fast food and cafe health kick is nice and all, but why should I dish out big bucks for a thimble-full of healthy?
I've checked out our options at the nation's most popular hangouts and found some surprising results. Menus have changed for the better--in price and cholesterol levels. While the immortalized french fry will always grace the plastic trays of many Americans, know that you have options to preserve your health and ingest a tasty meal at the same time. These are some of my favorites:
Denny's Good for You Menu I haven't been a fan of the 24-hour diner since childhood road trips, but I'm quickly changing my tune after a recent meal at Denny's. They launched a Better For You menu last March that is both healthy and affordable with goodies like yogurt and granola ($2.49), fresh fruit ($2.49), wheat pancakes, turkey bacon, and chicken sausage. Better yet, the Create-Your-Own Grand Slam substitution charges for healthy options are just $.49, compared to $1.50 at most restaurants. And kids eat free Tuesdays, Thursdays, and (at some locations) Saturdays. I'll be back! Applebee's Weight Watcher's Selection You'll want to visit Applebee's on a splurge night. Prices are a bit higher, averaging $12.99 for the Weight Watcher's Selection menu, but you won't be disappointed. All nutrition information is posted in the menu for you to do your own points tally. My favorite is the Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake--delicious sweetness wrapped in a guilt-free glaze.
Chick-fil-a It's no secret that Chick-fil-a offers, hands down, the best and healthiest selection of fast food on the market. Salads are under $6 and the yummy chargrilled chicken sandwich is just $3.25--make it a meal with a wheat bun, fruit ($1 more), and freshly squeezed diet lemonade for a super tasty lunch. And don't forget to dress like a cow this Friday for a free meal!
The good news is prices are settling back down after last year's spike in food costs. Whereas food rose an average 5% across the board during the 2008 summer, it has now deflated to more reasonable costs. But it still doesn't change the cha-ching price tag on feeding a group of people this Independence Day. The median price for a pound of hamburger patties, lettuce, cheese, tomato, and pickle is $11. If you are the lucky host this year, give more to your guests while staying within your budget using the tips below:
1. Buy food in bulk. Dust off the Sam's or Costco membership and buy your buns, burgers, pickles, tomatoes, and chips in bulk. Buying cuts separately can double your cost according to Patrick Johnson, owner of D&R Supermarket. Opt for cheese, lettuce, onions and other sides at the regular grocery store to reduce waste.
2. Let your guests bring something. You aren't a bad host by letting your friends pitch in. No one likes to show up empty handed, so rather than say "um, no thanks, I think we have everything", tell them to bring sodas or a side of beans--the more specific the better. They will enjoy contributing just as much as you do.
3. Sale away. Most stores are vying for your dollar around popular cookout times. Right now Kroger is offering $.99 16 oz. packages of strawberries and a 12 slice packages of Kraft singles for $1.47. Head to Tom Thumb for $.99 Ball Park franks (16 oz.) and 93% lean ground meat for just $3.99. Check out weekly specials at your preferred store's website. And don't forget about Walmart's price match guarantee!
Anyone who’s been to New York City has seen the landmark red-and-white ticket booths where scores of people line up to snag discounts on Broadway tickets. If you don’t have the time or energy to stand with them, check out some other ways to see a Broadway plan on a budget.
Members Only The Theatre Development Fund has a membership program that offers advance tickets for less than $35 for some Broadway shows – similar to the discount you’d get from standing in line at the red-and-white “TKTS” booths, which TDF operate. Eligible members are students, educators, union members, senior citizens or a civil service employee (including armed forces or clergy). The annual membership fee of $27.50 can be made up in the savings on a single show. If you live more than 100 miles outside of NYC, the annual fee is just $12.
Promo Codes When you're buying anything online, search for a promotional code. Broadway tickets are no exception. Whether you’re buying through Telecharge and Ticketmaster or from a theater box office (which can save you booking fees), you can use codes found on Playbill.com, TheaterMania and BroadwayBox.com. Codes can save you 20-50%.
Bring the Kids On select nights, Kids Night on Broadway offers kids ages 6-18 a free ticket to see a participating Broadway show for free when accompanied by a full price-paying adult.
I once had a frugal co-worker surprise the pants off of me when she announced she bought some concert tickets. The tickets were expensive – well, they were the normal price – but I had never seen her splurge like that before. She explained to me that she doesn’t like to spend money on material items, but has no problem with spending it on experiences – especially when shared with friends.
It made sense, and I liked the concept. New research from San Francisco State University backs it up. Researchers found that “buying life experiences” leads to greater happiness for the person and those around them.
"People still believe that more money will make them happy, even though 35 years of research has suggested the opposite," said Ryan Howell, assistant professor of psychology at San Francisco State University. "Maybe this belief has held because money is making some people happy some of the time, at least when they spend it on life experiences."
So go ahead, blow a little dough on something that will be memory-making, like a big-name concert or a weekend trip. Make room for these splurges in your budget, and you can enjoy them guilt-free. Local coupons, like those in the Entertainment Books for sale, can save you some money while you do it. Most coupons are buy one, get one free deals, so they make sense to use with a friend, and they include coupons and discounts for local attractions and entertainment.
Shared activities and experiences don’t always have to be expensive. Meeting for coffee can be a small indulgence that satisfies your need to connect more often.
The theme-park capital of the world draws nearly 50 million visitors each year. Children young and old flock to Central Florida’s warm year-round temps to experience fantasy at its finest.
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This week Go Frugal is honored to host the latest (187th!) edition of the Festival of Frugality. We were overwhelmed by the number of great money-saving ideas sent in, so let’s get right to it!
It's fun to watch people in public these days. The instant hand sanitizer folks have totally capitalized on public fear of the hiney flu and are raking it in big time.
Cool weather inevitably brings a sense of mourning to our loss of fresh (and cheap) berries and melons. What's left are gourds, squash, and virtually nothing sweet. Fear not, produce lover.
"Go Frugal" Blog
Welcome to the FreeShipping.org "Go Frugal" Blog, where each day you'll find valuable tips and money-saving ideas from some of the web's foremost deal-hunters, savvy shoppers and cost-conscious bloggers.
