Cheap, Educational Stocking Stuffers for Kids

I have to laugh when I see what stores tout as "cheap" stocking stuffers. I don't consider anything over $5 "cheap" especially not for stocking presents which are typically filler gifts. If my child is getting three or four bigger, pricier gifts under the tree, I can't afford to spend big on the stocking, too. Having four kids to shop for, Christmas is crazy-expensive enough without the stockings.  Read more

Foods Donations for Holiday Drives

Tis the season for giving and my favorite is food drives. I love seeing people come together, across religious and cultural lines, to reach out to neighbors in need. If you're donating, be sure to follow the suggestions list. But if there are no suggestions here's a list of food items that are always needed. I've put in many hours in food banks, food pantries and shelter missions. I've seen first-hands that some foods there's never enough of and some that are donated in abundance. Here's a food bank shopping list.  Best Items to Donate to Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Drives

Black Friday Shopping Strategies

 Black Friday...that 'morning after' when bargain-hunters descend like a swarm of locusts and devour every 'hot buy' in site, leaving exhausted, shell-shocked store employees and ravaged shelves. It's the great American dream in the land of plenty! I've braved this tsunami of shoppers before and have a battle plan to share, worthy of General Sherman himself! This was written about stores in West Michigan, but they're mostly big box stores that are available across the U.S. Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Staples, Menards, Sears and mall chain stores. My Black Friday game plan involves three phases: SURVEY, STAKE-OUT, SIEGE and SWEEP-UP Read more Black Friday Shopping Tips 

Jerusalem Cookbook--Kitchen Must Have and a Lot More

I love to cook--I particularly love to experiment with different ethnic foods. My youngest son mentioned a cookbook he'd heard about on NPR (he listens to intellectual radio, so yeah--brag!) The book "Jerusalem" celebrates this religiously and culturally diverse region through food. I'd forgotten his suggestion until, perusing new books at Barnes & Noble, I happened on a cool book called "Jerusalem." When I mentioned it, Jake quipped, "That's the one I was telling you about!"

The authors, both natives, are agemates but from different poles of the religious (and geographic) map. Yotam Ottolenghi is a Jew from the western side of Jerusalem and Sami Tamimi, an Arab from eastern Jerusalem. Not only do they share recipes and historical information from their own backgrounds, but they include cultural tidbits from the myriad of heritages represented in this "flavorful" city. Jerusalem is a celebration of differences and a tasty mix of similarities. And what better medium than food to share it? I, a Dutch-Irish, native protestant, Catholic convert was proud to recognize many of the terms used and I look forward to exploring it further. Beyond a cookbook, "Jerusalem" is a comprehensive social studies unit. Run, don't walk,  to your local bookseller and get your copy. And for some yummy Mediterranean recipes a la this newb, read How to Make your Own Za'ater. 

Scary Halloween Party Foods and Treats--Cheap, Easy

Want to scare some little ghosts and goblins this Halloween? Make these cheap spooky trick-or-treat party goodies. Ghoulishly yummy, monstrously healthy, these treats will satisfy every vampire, witch, bat, zombie, ghost, mummy and creature on your Halloween party guest list. Set out food in bowls, buffet style. Label each treat, just in case ghouls don't recognize them. Before eating, play the blindfold game. Give each guest a paper plate and blindfold them. Give out samples of each item, tell them what it is and let them touch and feel it before eating. Everyone should be good grossed out. Here's the menu (did I mention this was a cheap, easy party?) Read on for spooky Halloween party food tips 

Where to Find Cheap Wedding Dresses Under $100

Planning a budget wedding? Good girl--you're smart. You're doubtless looking for cheap wedding dresses. I'm the bargain-minded bride's go-to gal for bridal gowns under $100. Some online vendors offer free shipping, too. Check these sources for a cheap wedding dress.   Where to Find Cheap Wedding Dresses Under $100 

Free School Supplies, Big Savings on Back to School Shopping

I can't resist free stuff and dollar stretching opportunities. I not only want the most for my shopping buck, I want it to sit up and bark! That's why I love these back to school promotions from OfficeMax (click for details).  First, spend $150 and get a free $58 value 3-piece bag set. Enter promo code "FREEBAG" at checkout. Also, buy certain ful backpacks, daypacks and laptop backpacks--Tremor, Sweet Melissa, Heartbreaker-- on sale for $18.74-$29.99, and they come stuffed with free school supplies. Links below say $24.98, but backpacks have been price-reduced even farther, saving you 53%! Oh, and orders over $50 get free shipping. Already bought your kid's backpack? Buy another for next year. Or buy one to donate. Operation Christmas Child is gearing up for their annual shoe box giveaway event. You could donate to Toys for Tots or church giving trees. For more back to school cost cutter tips, read How a Mom of Four Saves 80 Percent on Back to School Shopping 

My Bit Fat Cheap Wedding Reception Under $800--200 Guests

My husband and I paid for our own wedding and reception. We paid everything off in advance, incurred no debt and charged nothing. Our cheap wedding reception cost under $800 for 200 people, including food, cake, decorations, music, flowers, equipment and hall rental. This was 25 years ago, but I could still do it today and so can you. Just follow our frugal lead. My Cheap Wedding Reception Under $800 

My Cheap Wedding Under $1,000 for Everything

My husband and I paid for own wedding, reception and honeymoon. We had a cheap wedding, charged nothing and paid it off without going into debt. We paid under $1,000 for a 200-guest wedding, including wedding dress, accessories, tuxedo, invitations, stationary, flowers, decorations, church, music, minister stipend, rental equipment, hairstylist and pictures. Here's how.  My Cheap Wedding Under $1,000 for Everything

Cheap Kids Parties--Throw a back-to-school bash for your kids

Labor Day is a bittersweet holiday. It's a time of summer endings and fall beginnings. Why not start the school year off on a fun note with a back-to-school party? Here's an easy and cheap kids' party plan for students in preschool to middle elementary. You can do this whole party for roughly $2-$3 per guest. Throw a back-to-school bash for your kids 

Cheap Weddings--How We Paid Off Our Wedding Without Incurring Debt

My husband and I are celebrating 25 years of wedded bliss this year. When we got married, we paid for the wedding, honeymoon and most of the reception ourselves. We came back from our honeymoon debt-free and I'm glad we did. Money woes are major relationship-killers. We have friends who were in divorce court before their wedding was paid off. Here are ways to avoid wedding debt.  How We Paid Off Our Wedding Without Incurring Debt

Where to Find Free Prom Dresses

 Spring means prom season for most high school students. Girls eagerly look forward to choosing their dress and accessories. But what happens if you can't afford a prom dress? Prom dresses are expensive. Donate My Dress my dress is here to help. Donate My Dress, partners with several stores and organizations that collect donated prom dresses and give them a second life. Organizations like The Princess Project, The Magic Wand Project, Becca's Closest, The Priceless Gown Project and local area missions and stores provide free prom dresses for high school girls in need. Donate My Dress operates a database of stores and venues where girls can donate dresses or select a free one.  Where to Find Free Prom Dresses