By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains
wendypiersall/Flickr
One of my favorite mottos is: “You can never do too many art projects.” Many times when I tell this to people, their response is “Oh, but art materials are so expensive.” Oh please! Who do you think you are taking to? Would I suggest doing something if there were not loads of free or highly discounted resources? Of course not.
As stated in the my recent article “How to teach arts and crafts for pennies” most of us have a computer, internet access and a colored printer at our disposal. We might not have these things at home, but they are available for free at libraries and many schools. Staples and Office Depot have great printing departments as well.
A great resource for paper-based art projects is printer manufacturers. They WANT you to have things to do with your shiny new color printer, so they make sure there are some really cool free online projects.
- I particularly like the 3D race car project from HP since finding art projects for young boys is always a challenge. The 3D race car is a color printed cut and fold project. An easy craft that looks good. I suggest using slightly heavier paper than your regular photocopy paper.
- Canon has a mini roses paper craft project that will keep even the most detail oriented crafter busy for quite some time. This finished product will look great as a gift box topper or a hat decoration. Truly for more advanced and patient crafters.
- Epson’s art project site includes some timely graduation-themed invitations, thank you cards and money card. These templates are great for personalizing your own invites and cards. Available for Mac and Windows.
Do you have a favorite free online craft project site?
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If you live near a Rubio’s, print out this coupon for a free reusable bag and bring it into any Rubio’s today, June 8, 2010. The freebie celebrates National Ocean Day. Rubio’s has locations in CA, AZ, NV, UT and CO. One per person. While supplies last, no purchase necessary. Not valid with any other offer/discount.
The Frugal Festival is less than two weeks away - June 19 at the NoHo Performing Arts Center! Check out these new posts on the Frugal Festival blog:
Get your ticket to the Frugal Festival before it sells out!
Movie tix, Free Fun Guide, and excloo coupons in our 25 VIP bags!
If you want to go straight to Goldstar to buy your ticket, click here.
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This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Gardening can be a great way to save money on produce but it can easily turn into an expensive activity if you start shelling out big bucks for the latest gardening gadgets. Here are some ideas to help you sow your seeds frugally so you can reap the financial benefits.
Start your plants from seed – The most cost-effective way to garden is by starting your plants with seeds instead of buying plants that have been started for you. A packet of seeds can run you anywhere from $1 to $3 per packet while young plants cost $2-$15. You can also buy seeds in bulk from gardening catalogs, which often have deals for free shipping. Keep in mind that seeds are usually good for about a year so don’t go crazy ordering more than you can plant or your savings will turn into waste. You can also split the bill and seeds with a friend as each packet contains dozens of seeds.
Become a seed saver – Harvest and save garden seeds from your favorite plants for next season. To let some of your plants go to seed, allow them to flower. Make sure to allow the seeds to dry completely before storing. Once the flower is dry, collect the seed pods. For vegetables like tomatoes squeeze out the seeds, remove the pulp and allow seeds to dry completely. Note that plants grown from Hybrid seeds are not good for saving and replanting. When purchasing seeds make sure they are open pollinated seeds or heirloom seeds, which you can save and later replant.
Invest in a multi-purpose planting tool – Buying tools for specific jobs can end up costing you a fortune. Instead stick to one tool that will do it all. A hori hori knife, which is a cross between a knife and trowel is a great option. This tool is useful for many tasks including planting, transplanting and removing deep-rooted roots. Keep in mind that the best tool you have are your hands! There is also no need for fancy pots to start your plants. Milk cartons, plastic milk jugs, yogurt cups and clear plastic beverage bottles will do.
Host a plant or seed swap – Swapping seeds and plants with friends can help you add a variety of fruits and veggies to your garden without breaking the bank. If you are strapped for space, consider growing different fruits and veggies so you can share with your friends.
Make compost – Making your own compost is the easiest way to save money on fertilizer. If you don’t have the space to make your own, consider having your yard waste picked up. Many cities pick up yard waste that is turned into free compost for gardeners.
Save on water – Water is one of those expenses you won’t notice until the bill comes. Some simple ways to save on water include collecting rainwater by strategically placing containers around your property and investing in an irrigation system or soaker hose. A water timer will also help with the waste of water to help you save on your water bills.
As a gardener trying to save money, what do you do to save green?
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Today only! Print out a coupon for a free box of Nabisco cookies with purchase.
Through tomorrow at noon EST a Charlotte Russe sale has apparel is 30-50% off online and in stores. What a deal!
Get a free sample of Bounty paper towels for a limited time. The deal is through Sam’s Club but you do not have to be a member.
Here is a Quiznos coupon for a small sub, drink, and chips for just $3. That’s a huge bargain! Print this coupon out TODAY as I doubt it will be around much longer.
Get a free bumper sticker from Vista Print when you check my WalletPop blog this afternoon.
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I am so excited it is garage sale season. I like looking at what people are selling because it is a glimpse into their lives. But mostly I like going to garage sales because I love the idea that you can find something amazing for almost nothing. Hosting a garage sale is not as fun, but if you prepare ahead of time it is an easy way to make a few hundred bucks.
1. Display is key. Cleanliness REALLY helps sales. A damp rag removes dust and dirt quickly. Presentation is key. Put everything on tables and benches so people did not have to get down on the ground to look at items. Back up option is to display items on blankets or in buckets. Clothes have a much better chance of selling if they are hung up. ?
2. Don’t sell crap. Shoppers driving-by will get turned off if they see dirty, broken, or extremely low-quality items. Also, the vast majority of clothes don’t sell so keep your expectations in check.
3. Price your items right. Bigger items that are clean and in top condition can go for as much as 50% of what you paid for them. If they are worn or damaged, reduce the price even more.
4. Make the price obvious. People may be too shy to ask or think you are ripping them off if you are not upfront about your prices. Put stickers/tags on each item. In the past I recommended pricing by category (i.e. $1 pile, $2 pile) but with this system you either have to remember what category each item was in, rely on the honesty of the buyer to tell you, or keep a master list of everything.
5. Be friendly but not in-your-face. I like to greet each person and find a simple hello opens the door to conversation about prices and specific items.
6. Be willing to negotiate. Many, many, many folks go to garage sales for the thrill of negotiating a deal. I’m not saying you should artificially inflate your prices, but keep in mind shaving off a dollar or two can make a sale. I accept most prices suggested by customers as people often have a set price they are willing to pay. As soon as traffic starts dying down, roughly two to three hours after the start time, cut prices significantly. Wouldn’t you rather make a buck or two off an old pair of shoes than drag them to Goodwill?
7. Drop prices early. If not a single customer has shown interest in an item during the first hour of the sale, when you will get the most traffic, cut the price. Don’t wait for someone who is willing to haggle. They may never show up!
8. Publicity will make or break your sale. The morning before, post your sale on Craigslist. In the post list with prices your top items, any hot brands you are selling, unusual items, and mention if you have a free pile. The more detailed you are, the better the chance someone looking for these items will find you. If you have enough free items, post them on Freecycle.org (free membership required to post).
The night before your sale make 5-10 signs. I like to write in bold letters “SALE” with an arrow pointing to my yard on manilla folders. In smaller letters I write the date and start time. The address is usually irrelevant because yard sales are a visual magnet.
9. Get started early. The morning of the sale haul your stuff out while keeping your items grouped by price, which makes it easy for customers to assess what you have. Be prepared for aggressive “early birds” who will want to wheel and deal before you have finished dragging everything else out. Do you want to make sales while still laying out your stuff? Decide ahead of time.
Good luck and have fun!
Don’t forget to join the reader contest to win a $249 Kenmore mixer, donated generously by Sears. The 400 watt mixer has a tilt back stand, comes with a 3- and 5-quart stainless steel mixing bowls, and has an LED light so you can watch the action. It weighs 25 pounds and has a 5 year limited warranty. This mixer got three out of five stars by reviews on Sears.com. Read the product page for even more details.
To win, like the Kenmore and BargainBabe.com pages on Facebook. If you are already a fan of one, make sure you fan the other. Fan both pages by Wednesday, June 9 at 11:59 p.m. PST to be considered. One winner and two runners up will be randomly selected. Good luck!
Today is National Donut Day and Krispy Kreme is giving away free donuts. Dunkin’ Donuts requires any beverage purchase to get a free treat.
Get 70% off at Restaurant.com now through June 7, 2010.
Get 15-25% off at Old Navy, Gap and Banana Republic online for three days only! Ends Sunday, June 6, 2010. Get the coupon code here.
Do you live near a Friendly’s? They are giving away free ice cream scoops to celebrate their 75th anniversary on Saturday, June 5, 2010.
Get $5 off a purchase of $15 or more using this World Market coupon that is good in stores through June 6, 2010.
Fetch your pooch a free treat from Three Dog Bakery courtesy of WalMart.
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
adwriter/Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Summer is the time to have fun but you may find yourself sitting at home bored if you’re broke or just trying to stay on budget. Here are some sizzlin’ ideas that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
Beach – If you live near the coast, the beach is one of the best places to head to when the weather gets warm. The best part is it’s free, though you will likely have to pay for parking. Pack a snack, apply some sunblock and grab your swimsuit and in no time you’ll be having fun in the sun.
Museums – Many museums are free or have free days. Some may ask for a suggested donation that you do not have to pay, like the Met in New York City. Many museums also offer free admission later in the day. Check the museums’ website for more information or call and ask if they have free or discounted rates. If you are a student or teacher, you may also qualify for a discount or even free admission! If you are a Bank of America customer, you can get free admission to participating museums, plus zoos, science centers and botanical gardens.
National Parks – Parks in general are great places to escape to when you can’t seem to peel yourself off of the couch. If you’re tired of your local park or just want to explore new scenery, head to a national park. Most national parks are free. For those that usually charge an entrance fee, there are national park fee-free days. Here are this year’s dates:
- June 5-6, 2010
- August 14-15, 2010
- September 25, 2010
- November 11, 2010
Find more free attractions near your area and share with us what you plan to do to combat boredom without breaking the bank during the summer days. Got kids? There are plenty of ways to cheaply entertain kids.
You may recall I hired two bloggers, Mike and Bobbi, for BargainBabe.com a few months back. I’ve just hired a third writer, Yazmin Cruz, so you will see her byline regularly on the site, starting with her post on free things to do this summer.
I hope you enjoy Yazmin’s ideas and tips on saving money!
~Julia
aka Bargain Babe
PS. If a post has no byline it was written by me!
Go straight to the Frugal Festival blog to get all the latest info.
We’ve got some amazing raffle prizes in store for the swap, including a two-night hotel stay at the Holiday Inn in Santa Monica, a waterproof iPod boombox, and an 8GB iPod in hot pink! Everyone who comes to the swap will receive one raffle ticket with admission, which is $5 if you bring clothing/media/housewares to swap and $10 if you come as you are. VIP tickets, with front-of-the-line passes, freebies, and more, are $15. Tickets are being sold exclusively through Goldstar. Admission is free at 2 p.m.
Drop off your swappables from 10-noon, then chill while we organize and sort everything from noon-1. The swap is from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, 2010. What to do while we are sorting your swappables? There are a ton of restaurants, thrift shops, and stores within walking distance of the NoHo Performing Arts Center, 11020 Magnolia Blvd in North Hollywood, where the swap is being held. I compiled a list of places to eat and things to do.
Directions from every direction! You shan’t get lost on your way to the swap with these guidelines.
Read all about the Frugal Festival raffle prizes, things to do after dropping off your swappables, and get directions on the Frugal Festival blog.
D Sharon Pruitt/Flickr
This is a post by reader Marie.
We may be on a tight budget, but there’s still a bagful of tricks to keep the kids happy all summer! They are only young once, and we want to give them many happy memories of these glorious carefree days. Here are five ideas to entertain children cheaply.
1. In fine weather, it’s important to wean kids away from the television or computer and get them out in the open for some exercise. A trip to the local park – preferably with a friend – is a special no-cost treat your kid will really enjoy.
2. If you need to stay home, make a portable sandbox for your backyard. Fill a large plastic bin or even a large plastic under-bed bin with sand and let toddlers make sandcastles or mud pies to their heart’s content!
3. On summer evenings, hold a freeze-tag party for your kids and some of their friends. They will enjoy waving glow-in-the-dark sticks (12 for $1 each from OrientalTrading.com) in the backyard.
4. Buy a skein or two of knitting yarn (from $1 a skein) and teach your youngster to knit a scarf!
5. For fun learning time at home, check the education section of 5DollarSoftware.com. I saw many items starting at just $5, including Muppet Kids Sound Patterns: Phonics, Muppet Babies: Thinking and Sorting, and Muppet Kids Beginning Sounds: Phonics. In the area of Science, I saw Kid Science Chemistry and Kid Science: Science Fun for $7.95 each. The list goes on and on, and what’s available will vary every day, so just check when you’re ready to buy.
Bonus tip: It’s easy to find super-cheap treats to give a kid a glorious burst of joy. An occasional candy bar or piece of gum is a memorable climax to a grocery shopping trip. So seek the inner child in you to find the simple pleasures that will make your child’s summer a lifelong happy memory!
Related posts on BargainBabe.com:
Free movie tickets for kids and families this summer
How to teach arts and crafts for pennies
Free family activities in every state
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Get a pack of free seeds to start a garden from One Seed Chicago, a group dedicated to greening urban spaces.
This ColdwaterCreek.com coupon code will get you 50% off online and free shipping with no minimum purchase. Wow!
Get a $5 off $20 Rite Aid coupon for watching a bunch of video ads. I earned my coupon in about 10 minutes.
Expires today! Here is a Borders coupon for 33% off the list price of any one item, good through Thursday, June 3.
Denny’s now offers 20% off to AARP members from 4-10 p.m. everyday plus $1 coffee all hours.
Check out this free subscription to Maxim, available for a limited time.
Check out all the deals and coupons on my WalletPop blog.
Cathy from Chief Family Officer shared four grocery deals at Ralphs this week. Her prices assume coupons are doubled up to $1 off. New to coupons? Check out my post on coupon clipping basics. If you want to take advantage of these deals, make sure to save the coupon inserts you receive in the mail or with your Sunday newspaper. Here’s a great suggestion for how to handle coupon organization.
Nabisco Snack Crackers on sale for $1.88
Buy 2 and use $1 off 2 Nabisco Crackers from 5/16 SmartSource newspaper coupon insert
$1.38 each after coupon
Wish-Bone Salad Dressing on sale for $1.50
Buy 2 and use $1.25 off 2 Wish Bone Dressing from 5/23 RedPlum insert
Or use $0.75 off 1 printable coupon
Final price: as low as $0.50 after coupon
Sobe Lifewater on sale for $0.88
Buy 2 and use Buy One, Get One Free printable coupon
Final price: $0.44 each after coupon
All or Surf Laundry Detergent or Snuggle Fabric Softener on sale for $2.99
Use $2 off 1 Surf Laundry Detergent from 5/16 RedPlum insert
Or use $2 off 1 All Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent from 5/16 RedPlum insert
Or buy 2 and use $1 off 2 All Liquid Laundry Detergent 28 ld or larger from 5/16 RedPlum insert
Or use or $1 off 1 All Oxi printable coupon
Or use $0.75 off 1 Snuggle Liquid or Sheets from 5/16 Red Plum insert
Final price: as low as $0.99 after coupon
Read the rest of Cathy’s grocery deals at Ralphs.
luluisforlovers/Flickr
The list of in-season summer fruits and veggies jogged my memory of a fabulous Brazilian dish I ate last week called Paraiba. It uses lima beans, which are in season. I have not made this recipe, but from eating it I have a good idea of how to make it. Experiment to get the quantities just right. I like this dish because it is simple and very tasty.
Ingredients:
Brown rice, cooked al dente in half chicken broth, half water
Lima Beans, cooked to directions on package or from a can
Cheese (Swiss, Gruyere, cheddar, or mixture), shredded
Steak tips cooked to your liking and seasoned with salt and pepper
Directions:
Cook rice. While rice is cooking, prepare and cook meat. Heat oven to 350. In a clay pot or oven-save dish that you have a lid for, spread an inch thick layer of al dente rice with enough chicken broth to make the rice very moist. Sprinkle a layer of lima beans over the rice. Cover lightly with shredded cheese and heat, covered, in oven for 15 minutes at 350, or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven, toss steak tips on top and serve. For a cheaper version, leave out the meat or replace the steak with whatever meat is on sale.
This is also a great recipe for left over rice. Just make sure rice is nice and moist when you put it in the oven or it will dry out!
