All new parents will quickly learn that an attractive, award-winning toy may or may not make the grade for your toddler.  Usually, the more expensive your purchase, the less of an impression it makes on Junior.  After several repeat episodes of buying toys designed by "experts" to "stimulate" this or that part of the noggin, we are sadly disappointed with a banished toy and empty wallet.  

The ugly truth is most of us seek out gizmos that will occupy our kiddos to give us extra time to "get stuff done" around the house.  Many of the great classic and even good modern toys aren't that expensive, but require more direction from parents.  This means you can check your child at the toy bin and go about your day.  There's no need to rent a POD out back to stock all the toys in--your best bets are always the simplest and least expensive options.

A word to the wise: if you are genuinely seeking toys that help develop your child's creativity, you'll need to "help" them learn how to play.  It is far easier to buy a $70 delux music table and let them do their thing for hours--it's another to actually reveal the possibilities of a set of $10 blocks.  Here's a peek at some of the best toys you can buy for Princess under $15.  

Toys with Sound
Regardless of where you stand with yammering toys, gird your loins for a repeat marathon of the same songs.  Most of the table toys that have a music and learning option cost well over $40, so to keep things frugal opt for instruments. Little ones will love the Baby Einstein Count and Compose Piano for just $14.99 or The Farmer Says by Fisher Price at only $12.99. Xylophones, maracas, whistles, or even make your own percussion studio out of old water bottles and beans.  Leap Frog makes a fun set of complicated maracas, but Junior will have just as much fun with the real thing.

What to avoid: One-trick-pony toys like the Tickle Me You-Know-Who that do one thing and stop. Before buying that singing monstrosity ask yourself what your child can learn from it.

August is the christened month for tax-free savings across several states in the union. If you live in a chosen state, you've either heard about your particular weekend or been brave enough to shop it. The government-won't-take-any-of-my-money incentive offered for back-to-school shoppers may be an attractive one, but will it actually save you more money than any other shopping window?

• Check your state's guidelines on tax-free items and limitations.
  Some states include computers, clothing, school supplies, and even other merchandise in the non-taxed category. My Lone Star State, Texas, only includes clothing under $100, backpacks under $100 for elementary and secondary students, and certain layaway items. Tennessee, on the other hand, includes clothing and school supplies under $100 and computers under $1500. Review your specific location before shopping.
• Only shop if you take a list and stick to it.
  Tax-free weekend is a veritable feeding frenzy and don't assume you won't fall victim to the herd mentality. Unless you have an itemized list of needs, perhaps a few wants, the sales may seem too good to be true. And no kid needs a new backpack every year. Keep backpacks 2-3 years and consider shopping at resale digs for higher end bags at cheaper prices.
• Go early. Never go late.
  Have you been to a Chinese buffet after rush hour? The beef and broccoli somehow leapt into the lo mein, sweet and sour sauce has been drizzled on the crab meat, and your shoes reek of soy sauce...the whole scene looks like a flavored Jackson Pollack. Your poor mall will be pillaged just the same after a few short hours and you'll get zero service. Check ahead for extended hours and only go early in the morning. Any later than lunch and you'll get no service and have to hunt through bonfire clothing piles rather than neat stacks of jeans.

If you don't have a vision plan with your health insurance, prescription glasses can cost a fortune.  The last time I went shopping for new glasses my total for glasses was going to be around $350 which included designer frames, prescription lenses and a non-glare coating. 

I also looked at buying some new prescription sunglasses which also totaled at about $350.  All together I would have had to spend $700 to get new glasses and sunglasses and $700 was not something I wanted to part with.  

So what do you do to save money on prescription glasses?  Shop online.  I purchased the same pair of designer glasses, with prescription lenses and a non-glare coating online for $175.

Here's how I saved over 50% on my glasses.

1.  Get your prescription from an optometrist.

2.  Shop in stores for the frames you want.  Jot down the brand name and model number.

3.  Ask to get fitted for frames at the store and ask for that information.  They should give you the size of frames you need and the distance between your pupils.

Ah!  The smell of freshly sharpened pencils and plastic wrapped textbooks is upon us.  College freshmeat; get ready for a whirlwind of a year.  Maybe you chose your childhood friend to room with or you went potluck.  Regardless of your bunkmate, you will soon be sharing a blank slate with her.  Ladies especially get giddy after breezing through Bed, Bath, and Beyond, eyeballing the mini-stainless fridge, coordinating desk, and comforter.  Adorning a room need not incur your father's wrath--be smart about outfitting and you can get a study-ready haven for less.

Know your limitations.  Have an accurate measure of the space you'll be living in and ask if the bed is a regular or extra long twin.  Measure all spaces precisely if you plan on buying any electronics or a desk.  Some schools prohibit the use of candles or halogen lamps--know before you buy.

Sheik storage.  If you're short on cash, buy milk crates and spray paint them a coordinating color for an attractive and cheap option.  Score cinder blocks and several 2"X4" wood planks from the home improvement store, spray paint them, and layer for bookshelves.  

Wall wonders.  Head to the thrift store to look for faux vintage tins or a large map for an old world feel.  Sarongs also make fun, cheap wall hangings for a bright beachy motif.  My personal favorite (especially if you have a bunk setup) are large bulb Christmas lights draped across the room.

Divide the space.  You may love your roommate, but at some point in the near future you will want some space to your own.  Depending on the dorm layout, you may be able to put up a curtained divider to preserve privacy.  

Check out Ikea.  If you are fortunate enough to live near one, it's definitely worth a visit for cheap and sheik design on a dime.  If not, the additional shipping costs are reasonable.  Prices can't be beat for all home products from futons and bedding to curtains and bath accessories.  Ikea has the best selection of dorm-like goodies to choose from for far less than traditional retailers.

A top yearly highlight for me is my mother's family reunion in the Texas Hill Country.  Aside from rocky hills and clear blue streams, the Austin area has my favorite attraction--the San Marcos Outlet Malls.  This place is not for the faint of heart.  With over 350 stores, the Tanger and Prime Outlet centers are a beacon of cheap goods for shoppers around the world.  I once got caught in a midnight traffic jam for over two hours trying to get in for Black Friday sales.

You'll need a GPS system and leashes for all the children, but most importantly, come armed with insider information to getting the best deals.

1. Eradicate the word "sale" from your vocabulary.
Women, this tip's for you.  When we see a cocktail dress for $549.99 marked down to just $130 (on the obese clearance aisles) we feel like we've struck gold, cheated the house.  At such a deep discount it's hard to pass up.  I would encourage you to ignore the litany of markdowns in red felt tip pen--would you have bought it if the MSRP were $130?  Outlet malls are notorious for huge price gaps that may not have existed to begin with.  As attendance and sales have skyrocketed over the last decade, owners have wised up to the "outlet=best deals" motto.

2. Avoid crowds at all costs.
Part of scoring a deal is keeping your cool.  When surrounded by mounds of discarded clothing and frantic shoppers snatching up handfuls of jeans, you really need to go away and come back later.  No one can really pinpoint at what point a crowd becomes an angry mob, but basement prices and frenzied deal seekers are a perfect recipe for disaster.  The best time I've found to shop the outlet malls are mornings during the week or, if you must on the weekend, the earlier the better.   

3. Get outlet coupons.
Sign up for those annoying emailed coupons from the outlet mall--they will pay off.  Many offer a flat percentage off purchases from any one store and give additional holiday coupons, food discounts, and current deals.  Prime Outlets and Tanger Outlets keep their promotions up to date.  I wouldn't buy a coupon book, even though they're cheap.  You'll end up spending more to "make up" for the cost of the book.

My husband and I are researching options to transform our screened in porch into an enclosed playroom for our little girl. A recent sale on flooring at our local home improvement store made me wonder which type of flooring would give us the best value.

Consumer Reports has a feature in the August 2009 issue detailing types of flooring and what you get for the price. Here are six:

Solid wood/Bamboo

• Pros: It’s made from a renewable resource, which makes it a popular choice. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times.
• Cons: Shouldn’t be used in bathrooms or other places where moisture is present. The wood can discolor and tends to dent and show wear quickly.
• Cost: $7-$12 per sq. ft.

Engineered wood

• Pros: Easy to install and may be refinished if needed.
• Cons: Damaged easily.
• Cost: $5 to $10 per sq. ft.

Plastic laminate

• Pros: It’s tough and the finish is often better than some wood.
• Cons: Shouldn’t be used for bathrooms; can’t be refinished.
• Cost: $4 to $8 per sq. ft.

Vinyl

• Pros: Easy to install. Most cost efficient. Best for bathrooms and budget kitchen remodels.
• Cons: It looks like vinyl, which isn’t popular or pretty.
• Cost: $3 to $7 per sq. ft.

I have a trove of garage sale memories from my childhood.  Mom and I always woke at the crack of dawn-thirty, loaded up with ham and cheese kolaches, and headed out to the garage sale circuit, bleary-eyed and eager.  The night before we highlighted our favorite spots and mapped out a route for assured victory. 

The most interesting aspect of the yard sale has always been the wide variety of stuff.  It would be just as fascinating to craft a personal narrative based solely on stuff relegated to a garage sale as The Things they Carried.  

Sentimentality aside, shoppers are cutthroat at these places.  They come in posses, groups of six or more, and will ruthlessly snatch items from your clutches.  Serious buyers know that the goods go quickly, within the first 45 minutes, so gird your wallet and obey the following:

1. Plan your attack.
Check the Thrifty Nickel-type papers, newspaper, and community sheets for local sales.  I haven't had much luck with online database sites, but it can't hurt to try Yard Sale Database.  Craigslist is quickly becoming a solid site for reliable garage sale postings--you'll usually get a better description than the classifieds.  Hit neighborhoods that have multiple sales in one area to save on gas and browse a wider variety of options.

2. Get up early.
You want the best, chinch on rest.  If you have your heart set on an antique sideboard at one spot, call the night before for more details and get there fifteen minutes before it begins.  Most of the attractive sale items are picked up within the first two hours.

3. Hit the nice spots in town.  
It's no secret that folks who have a bit more dough generally buy nicer things.  Make it a point to scope out the wealthy parts of town to buy a once-used patio set for dirt cheap.

4. Dress for success.
A little rain can scare away the bulk of shoppers leaving you huge bargains.  Wear covered toe shoes and bring a rain jacket--you'll reap big savings from sales that have relocated to the garage or indoors.

5. Bring a bag.
Pick up your recyclable grocery bag before heading out the door.  If you're juggling children, Barbie houses, and glassware, you'll need a tote to help you out.  Make sure you let the seller know it is clearly a shopping bag and not a purse.

I woke up today with a hankering for pancakes. Having remembered the buckwheat mix in the pantry I was double excited--satisfying a craving while maintaining a semblance of healthy doesn't happen every day. But opening the box killed my morning moment. Thousands of creepy crawlies wove in and out of my delicious mix in a synchronized dance; thanks weevils, none for me today.

A federal study estimates that nearly 96.4 billion pounds of spoiled food is thrown out every year. That's 122 pounds per family toss from restaurants, pantries, and refrigerators. Having been a champion "when in doubt, toss it out-er", I am tired of seeing my hard earned dough go to bacterial waste. Use these tips on the best ways to store food to enjoy unspoiled food and keep your trashcan waistline slim.

• Fruit
  Aside from pineapple and mango, most fruits last much longer left uncut and unpeeled. Seal in a plastic bag or wrap and keep them in a temperature-controlled drawer in your fridge. Don't put them on the top shelf if your fridge tends to freeze out the upper level (like mine). Keep cut melons separate from other fruits to avoid giving them too much acidity. Squash, tomatoes, and oranges actually taste better when stored at room temperature. Oddly enough, bananas don't spoil as quickly in the fridge--the outside may brown sooner, but they will be fine inside. Add several drops of lemon juice to cut fruit to avoid browning.
• Meats
  Freezer burn is my archenemy. I stare at the meat initiating a should I/shouldn't I debate that always ends with an angry Chipotle run. Separate the meat into family specific portions--this will help you buy in bulk and not waste. Vacuum seal unused selections and freeze. Fresh meat will remain edible up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator or 4-12 months in the freezer. Still Tasty has a fabulous list detailing how to store all meats imaginable.

The sleek, new hybrid vehicles and effortless front-loading laundry machines are quickly becoming the standard.  But it doesn't take a math whiz to compare their price tags with traditional electronics.  Buyers have little clue as to their investment costs and the return value.  How much will you save on investing in these energy efficient products in the long haul?  

Front Loaders
Before discussing which machine to buy, you might be interested to know that you can reduce the cost of each load to just $.14 if you wash with cold water.  Both electric ($.69) and gas ($.55) cost much more per load when using hot water.  I don't notice much of a difference--and we are experts at filthifying clothes.  If you wash with mainly hot water you'll spend $226 per year as opposed to $11 on cold loads.  Add $.11 per load for water.

If you opt to purchase those quiet, energy efficient front loaders be prepared to fork over the cash.  The average front loader is $270 more than a top loader (that's $540 for a pair).  Not only do front loaders use less water they also use less energy.  Your clothes aren't agitated as much and don't need to be dried as long.  If you currently use a lot of hot water for laundry, you'll save as much as $137 each year with a front loader.  Cold water savings are much less at $28.  If you average out the price of laundry for a front loader, you'll save roughly $75--so in about four years the up-front costs will be recouped.

Bottom Line: Keep your current washer and drier spinning for as long as possible.  Your biggest savings in the laundry business is the cost to heat your water.  Wash on cold and hang dry whenever possible.  Save money for a new unit while you wait for them to expire and then consider buying the front loaders.  Also research repair centers in your area to make sure they will repair your machines--one large manufacturer has been dabbling in bankruptcy court for quite some time, so don't bank on any warranty.

Here's an expensive joke.  Why do the product engineers put toilet paper and butter at the back of the store?  To get consumers to the other side--only after shuttling you by Easter cupcakes, bagged salad, and makeup aisle.  We all know that if you shop while hungry, you can tack on an extra $30 in food for that growling stomach. Grocery, especially superstore, shopping can be more devastating to your wallet than a gourmet meal.  Be aware of the traps grocery stores set for you and heed the following advice:

1. Stick to the outside aisles of the store for most purchases. 
Take a mental walk through your local store--fruits and vegetables along the side, dairy in the corner, meats in the back.  The most wholesome, complete foods and ingredients are along the outer edges of the store.  Take an experimental stroll one day to observe (and leave your wallet in the car for good measure).  Write down every aisle that contains prepackaged, processed foods and keep them off-limits for future grocery trips.

2. Don't buy rice or noodle mixes.
Riceroni and Hamburger Helper devotees need to compute some math.  Macaroni and rice are among the cheapest food products, staples in diets around the world.  Do a quick search to find rice and noodle recipes, toss some ground beef or chicken in the mix and you have dinner for much less.  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Seasoned-Noodle-Mix/Detail.aspx

3. No cut vegetables or fruits allowed.
A pint of cut pineapple (in season) is currently going for $8.99.  Sharpen your knives and get to work!  A whole pineapple is just $4.99 at my store--it's fresher and yields much more than the pre-cut stuff.  This goes for bagged salads, snack packs, and vegetable trays.  These items come with a 40% markup or more, so toss in some elbow grease and get friendly with the knife.