Photo by QuintanaRoo

• In order to adapt to the new bargainista way of life and lure budget travelers, hoteliers have adopted a trend from our friends across the pond: The micro-hotel. For just $100, here are two Manhattan hotspots.


• This chunky soup hits the spot for fall evenings when all you have in the pantry are cans of beans and tomatoes.


• A mini magnetic board: a frugal craft that’s perfect for school photos, business cards, or other small ephemera. And you can easily swap out the fabric to fit the season.


• Eleven essential books that have found a permanent place on Trent’s bookshelf.


• Is there such a thing as a “frugal spender”? Some reflections on frugality, saving and our spending habits.


• Party-planning tip for kids: use those cute little single-serving playdough tubs as anchors for signs at parties.

• Denial’s not just for addicts. Fiscal Fizzle has 15 Signs You’re in Financial Denial, plus steps to start taking toward financial health.


• Give what you can, without regrets. The Simple Dollar explores the attitude we should approach charity with.


• Wise Bread is now doing a series of podcasts called The Dealista hosted by
  Linsey Knerl and Lynn Truong. Check out the 50 Best Deal Sites post.


• If you have infants and toddlers, check out Frugal Dad’s post about how to minimize your expenses: including setting “gift boundaries.”


• With apples coming into season, try a new recipe like Betty Crocker’s Grilled Caramel Apples. Delightful!


• Looking for a simple way to make someone’s birthday special? Skip to my Lou has an idea.


• Bargain Babe has details about Hotel.com’s half off sale now through Oct. 15.

 

• Treasuring Thrift: NPR’s review of the new book, 'In Cheap We Trust'.
• Individuals slashed their borrowing in July by the largest amount on record: Consumers Cut Debt By Record $21.6B In July.
• Brilliant idea for playing makeup with young daughters: Make Faux Makeup.
• Dare to disagree with Dave Ramsey? Trent at The Simple Dollar does: “Five Ways I Disagree With Dave Ramsey”
• On 9/9/09, 9 couples married in 99 Cent Only stores. The ceremony was held in aisle 9 and each couple paid $.99 for the wedding. See the photos.
• Wojciech Kulicki of Fiscal Fizzle is on a simplicity rampage: The High Cost of Financial Clutter.

You know fashion has gone frugal when it’s cool to carry your summer wardrobe into the fall. MyItThings.com has the rules for wearing it the right way: think layering, opaque tights and boots. And a surprise tip: accessorize with black for instant fall feel.

• Shoestring magazine lists their Top 10 Budget Fashion Bloggers and tips about staying budget and fashion minded throughout the year – not just in September.
• Want to look good in your fall wardrobe? Interval training has been in the news lately for its weight loss advantages. Goodyblog has tips for doing it on your own.
• The “Flea Queen” shares tricks for knowing where and how to look for thrift-store bargains.
• Planet Green says find everything you need at a local thrift store to make a personalized dress-up box for kids.

Elsewhere on the Web:

• Skip to my Lou has adorable free printable labels – perfect for lunches and back to school items.
• Money Saving Mom has details on a free slice at the Cheesecake Factory when you donate two canned soup items.
• Mr. Free Stuff has a list of 101 restaurants where kids eat free.
• Fiscal Fizzle reviews two fun books – one for children and one for “dirty little money-grubbers.”
• The Simple Dollar has tips on reducing spending without making yourself miserable.

Man vs Debt who has a great guest post by Miranda Marquit which links to 25 essential items you can make for cheaper and better at home, like laundry detergent, cosmetics and even candy.

Elsewhere on the Web:

• The Frugal Girl offers a balanced perspective on living frugally: in essence, you don’t have to make yogurt if you don’t want to.
• The Simple Dollar has a guest post written by Vicki Robin who’s written a book called Your Money or Your Life. She unpacks the notion of “financial independence.”
• The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced six new recalls on window blinds and shades because of reports of three recent strangulation deaths—and seven near-deaths from strangulation—due to cords. Check GoodyBlog for details.
• Toys R Us is offering 20% off a new baby item when you trade in an old car seat, crib, stroller, etc.
• And finally, if you ever had the crazy desire to make your own stickers, here’s how to do it.

SouleMama, a crafty blogger and author has a new book that released last week. Handmade Home is a collection of 30 sewing projects that’s all about using thrift fabrics and everyday materials. She also has a beautiful blog, where she’s currently savoring what’s left of summer.

Here’s what’s happening on some other of our favorite frugal blogs:

• Shoestring Mag: It's finally cool again to be thrifty.
• Bargain Babe: The Credit Card Act just took effect. How will it affect you?
• Fiscal Fizzle: Say goodbye to your landline. Its days are numbered.
• Dollar Store Crafts: Make scrap paper dolls to keep your little ones entertained.
• Frugal Dad: Keep your clunker! And save cash.
• Makes and Takes: Be a restaurant copycat – eat your favorites for less.
• Taste of Home: Use your abundance of garden tomatoes for this low-fat relish.
• Fiscal Fizzle: You can improve your finances in just 15 minutes.
• Joy’s Hope: A hilarious look at the dark side of Freecycle

These adorable save-the-date cards are perfect for foodies in love. Adding unique touches to your wedding doesn’t have to be expensive and it can really pack a personal punch.

Elsewhere on the web:

• Tipnut says with the right preparations, you CAN paint laminate furniture and it WILL look good. Here’s a tutorial.
• Money Saving Mom has details concerning the Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel accepting new applicants for its surveys and freebies.
• Multi-tasking is out. Mono-tasking is in.
• Looking for a way to get more readers to your personal blog? Tip Junkie has details on how to host a giveaway to promote your blog.
• Lifehacker has tips on landscaping for cheap.
• The Homespun Heart has a tutorial on cute, crafty chore boards for your little ones.
• Fantastic Find links to several free downloadable cookbooks.

Thinking positive can have a huge impact on every area of your life, including finances. Download this 5 Good Things Booklet and find good things to focus on in your financial life.

• Recession haggling: Shoppers are scoring deals on cell-phone plans, meat, furniture, even nursing homes, according to TIME magazine.
• Cash isn’t dead: Fiscal Fizzle lists 10 places you’ll need it.
• Get “eco-thrifty”: Rubbing Nickels coined the idea that being ecological and being thrifty go hand in hand, especially when your household includes the mantra reduce, reuse and recycle.
• Instant gratification: The Simple Dollar talks about what fast food and credit cards have in common.
• Cocktails, anyone?: Shoestring magazine has ideas for alcohol on a budget.

Summer vacations continue as families prepare for the beginning of school. Here’s a look at some traveling tips that will save you a few bucks this summer.

• CNN takes a look at how to avoid airline luggage fees.
• SaveMoney.com has tips on saving on a rental car.
• BudgetTravel.com has traveling news and budget tips for domestic and international travel.
• Check out Go Frugal’s travel on the cheap series, “Go Frugal in …” which has covered New York City, Dallas and Orlando.

Other frugal finds of the week:

• Dolans.com says look at your Internet, cable and cell bills to trim costs.
• If you’ve recently discovered that you’re pregnant, don’t overlook important legal and insurance issues.
• Borders Rewards has a new round of coupons available here.
• Click around www.oldnavyweekly.com each week to find hidden coupons with clues.
• Dollar Store Crafts has Hip Decoupage for Ceramics.
• Fabulous & Frugal has an incredible budget bathroom makeover.
• Money Saving Mom has some frugal fun with pudding.

• The Digerati Life unpacks Mint.com’s new redesign and blog called MintLife. The above picture (Mint Map) compares 16 major foreign currencies during this recession as they relate to the value of the U.S. dollar.
• BillShrink takes a look at why women seem to be bearing the brunt of job cuts.
• Fiscal Fizzle has tips on what to do if you’re looking for a job in this anti-job climate.
• It’s not all bad news! David Bach describes why now, more than ever, is a great time to buy real estate.
• Makes and Takes shares a recipe that makes two meals from one whole chicken.
• Wisebread reminds us of the rich resources available at the local library.