Love book made from deck of cards

I am so glad that it is finally time to start making Valentine’s Day crafts. I just love them. Can’t get enough of those hearts and flowers and rainbows and paper doilies.

I found eight lovely and do-able Valentine’s crafts.

1. Little felt heart pins. These are so simple and yet so sweet. Just a bit of felt cut into heart shapes, hand stitched and stuffed with a little pin backing.
2. A garland of love. Print out pictures of your loved one(s) and cut into the shape of hearts. Glue picture on a heart shape red card. Tie heart onto a string. Make a garland of love.
3. 52 things I love about you. This is so clever! Take a deck of cards and punch 2 holes. Use rings or ribbon to bind together (see picture). On each card, write a reason why you love your love.
4. Valentine coupons. Must admit that I made last minute Christmas coupons using this wonderful online tool. You can customize the coupon and print it out. A great idea to help your kids come up with a gift for mom.
5. Rose petal covered bed. I’m not sure if this really qualifies as a craft, but it is such a great visual of the perfect rose covered marriage proposal. Short and sweet video.
6. Heartstring. Turn a cardboard tube into a heart string. Great reuse of cardboard tubing. The messy part is going to be painting the cardboard red. For young kids, I suggest using magic marker. If you are going to make this yourself, you might want to consider spray paint.
7. Heart shaped crayons. Simple and unique craft to make with your kids using that big box of broken crayons you own.
8. Pop-up heart card. This is a unique pop-up design that requires an adult hand and exacto knife…but worth it. Nice.

OK, get busy making those Valentine crafts. And remember, you can make every day Valentine’s Day with just a little love.

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Karen Horton/flickr

A person’s ability to come up with a creative, romantic, and frugal Valentine’s date is a true indicator of that person’s ability to come up with creative, thoughtful, and debt-free lifestyle choices.

We’ve already covered many frugal and creative Valentine’s dates in nine unusual Valentine’s dates that are frugal too, cheap debt-free valentine’s dates, and you calling me a cheap date? You betcha. Browse all three of these articles and you will have enough great date ideas to take you through to your 25th wedding anniversary.

However, these ideas still require you follow some very important rules:

1. Plan ahead. Do not wait until the day before Valentine’s Day to make your plans. Most special dates require advance work. If you are going to take your loved one to a taping of her favorite TV show, you will definitely have to book this ahead of time. Making a portrait of your dear-heart out of soda cans REALLY takes advance notice. So, don’t wait!
2. Pay attention. If you decide that going to a drive-in movie would be a great idea, then make sure that your loved one hasn’t mentioned that she hates drive-in movies. Listen.
3. Gather support. Sometimes you need other people in order to pull off your romantic date. Let’s say you want to have a flash mob marriage proposal. You will need to gather lots of other people to pull that one off. But, you know, people WANT to help you make a great romantic effect. So, ask your friends and family for help.
4. Take pictures and video. So, you manage to pull off this sensational moment, like a sunset helicopter ride over the site of your first encounter. You really must document the moment. My husband and I talked to our not-yet-conceived children at our wedding reception. It’s some pretty cool footage. A total keeper.
5. Once the moment comes, you have to let it just unroll. You can plan and plan, but when the magic moment comes, you have to let it just happen. Don’t get upset if it doesn’t work the exact way you planned. That will DEFINITELY ruin the moment. Just enjoy the moment, and it will be even better.

I hope all these ideas help you to have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with your special someone. Anyone have some other advice?

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Steve Rhodes / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

I must confess I have no clue what teams are playing on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 5), but what I do know is how to throw a party on a budget! Below I share suggestions to lower the costs of drinks, food, and decorations.

Food

• Prepare your food from scratch. It will take you longer, but it will taste better and save you money! Buying pre-made food from the grocery store is always more expensive. Make foods that can be prepped ahead of time or come in large batches so you can enjoy the game or commercials. Try this turkey chilli recipe. Make your own dips and salsas as well.
• Clip those coupons – When it gets close to the game, many stores begin having deals on potato chips and sodas. Keep an eye out for deals and don’t forget to check out our Coupon Database. Just print and save!
• Buy in bulk. If you’re having lots of people over, consider shopping at Costco or Sam’s Club. Just make sure you use everything you buy or you’ll end up wasting money. Newcomers can often get a FREE trial membership from the customer service desk or the warehouse website
• Skip the paper plates. They make clean up easier, but they add to the cost of throwing a party. Instead put the dishwasher to use. Don’t have one? Get friends to help.
• Potluck. You provide an entree, ask friends to bring sides and drinks.
• Pizza party. If you want everyone to chip in for the pizza tab, in the invite say something like “bring a few bucks for pizza.”

Drinks

• Buy drinks in bulk. Make sure to hit the stores ahead of time to get the best deals. Just make sure the drinks whether beer or soda don’t disappear. Many, many, many hosts use the next option to save money on booze.
  
• Bring Your Own Beer (BYOB). I don’t drink so the thought of buying beer for others is ridiculous. It can be so expensive. To cut down on costs, have water or soda available for guests and have them bring their own beer, wine or liquor.
• Make your own drinks – Skip the soda and instead, make lemonade, or strawberry lemonade. It’s cheaper to buy lemons, sugar, and frozen strawberries and blend them.
• Nix the pot luck. Instead of saving money by making your party pot-luck style, save by providing the food, but making everyone else bring the drinks of their choice whether that be beer, wine, liquor, soda, or mineral water. The reason I say this is that alcoholic drinks are much more expensive than preparing nachos, and sometimes pot-lucks turn into a lot of stuff that no one eats and not enough of the few things that are good. You know what I’m saying!

Decorations

• Skip the decorations. This is one party that doesn’t require frilly stuff. Just make sure your home is clean and put together.
• Hit the dollar store. If you really want to have decorations, make sure you don’t pay a lot for things with the teams’ colors or mascots. Hey, next year they may not make it to the bowl.
• Do It Yourself. If you’re watching the Super Bowl, you may already have shirts of one of the teams that you can wear. You can also infuse your home with your team’s colors.

Are you watching the Super Bowl with friends? How are you saving money on your get-together?

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cutiepie company / Flickr

The new year is just around the corner, but we want to take this time to thank you for being part of the BargainBabe.com community. We look forward to inspiring you to save even more money in 2012. Thanks you all so much for making 2011 an awesome year!

~ The Bargain Babe Team

coreycam / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

If Christmas left you low on money, there’s no need to skip the New Year’s celebration. Below I share tips to save money on your New Year’s party. All partied out? No problem. I’ll also share frugal ideas to have fun without throwing a party.

For those having a get-together, save by implementing these suggestions.

1. BYOB (Bring your own booze) – If you plan on drinking, have friends pitch in a bottle of wine. This will help your bottom line as you won’t have to pay for all the booze yourself. Champagne is expensive, go for a nice wine that compliments the food you’ll be serving.

2. DIY noisemakers – You can find noisemakers at the dollar store. Or have little kids make some out of the toilet paper rolls. Just add dry rice or beans, seal them, and decorate.Heck, pots and pans will work in a pinch.

3. Reuse Christmas decorations – Gold and silver ornaments work well for New Year’s as well. Try adding them to a glass vase to add a festive touch.

4. Give out mementos – I’m not suggesting you spend more money on gifts. Instead set up a background and provide a digital camera and props to your guest. You can make New Year’s hats, 2012 glasses, and mustaches out of paper. All you have to do is tape a stick to the side so they can hold on to them. Let them go crazy taking photos. The following day you can email the funny photos.

5. Be your own DJ – No need to hire someone. Have your friends bring in mix CDs or make use of sites that provide free music like Pandora.

6. Timing is everything – The earlier the party starts, the more you’ll have to spend on food. Having your party start a little later can help you get away with serving appetizers and dessert. Potlucks are also fun.

I like to keep New Year’s Eve celebrations casual, and have spent many sitting at home watching the Time’s Square ball drop.

7. Free New Year’s Events – You don’t have to stay in to save money! Do a quick search online for free New Year’s Eve events. Some cities have free fireworks shows. If you’re using public transportation to get around, you may not even have to pay as some offer free rides all night long.

8. Catch up on flicks – If the holidays are your only time off. You might just want to stay in and catch up on movies or TV shows. Movie and DVD services can help you do this on the cheap.

9. Get your beauty sleep – If you have little ones, they may not be able to stay up so get some rest. You can celebrate in the morning over pancakes and eggs. Now that’s a good way to start the new year!

How are you celebrating the new year? I’m going to try and stay up as long as I can, but come midnight I may be snoring.

Robert T Bell/flickr

At this time of year, New Year’s resolutions abound. Most of them have to do with weight or money. Many of these resolutions don’t make it past the first week of the new year.

How about instead of trying to STOP doing old things, one decides to START doing new things.

Here is a list of 10 new things that one could easily start and continue:

1. Commit a random act of kindness at least once a day. I love doing nice things for random strangers. It makes me feel good and it helps the world feel good. You can download preprinted cards, make your own, or just do an act spontaneously. The card on the right has been paid forward so many times it is starting to fall apart. Bet it has some great stories.
2. Give someone a compliment. It could be the supermarket clerk or the mailman or the boss. Doesn’t matter. It just has to be real and sincere.
3. Give yourself a compliment. Yes, a real live “wow, that was good” compliment every day. Sometimes the person we neglect to admire is ourselves.
4. Spend at least 20 minutes a day doing something you enjoy. Gardening, dancing, yoga, pretend fencing, whatever. This is not about losing weight (although that would be nice). It is about appreciating that you have a healthy body that can move and breath and see and hear. Yep! Life is good.
5. Stop and smell the roses – literally. There are so many wonderful smells in our environment, but we don’t always stop and notice them. Freshly baked cookies are my favorite, but I also love the smell of crayons.
6. Write a personal letter to someone. Oooooh! This is a good one. Personal letters have gone out of style. You know, the ones that the postal person delivers. These can be to someone that you know, but they can also be letters to people that you read about or whose work you admire, or military personnel.
7. Go through one drawer or small area of your house or office every day and organize it. Just a small area. Something easy to handle so that it doesn’t get overwhelming. Toss things out, give to charity, or offer to your local freecycle list. This includes getting rid of old bottles of spice, white out and decade-old vitamins and buying fresh new bottles if necessary. An old clumpy bottle of white out isn’t going to do anyone any good. A new bottle can be obtained at the 99 cent store.
8. Spend at least 20 minutes a day studying something that you want to learn more about. Maybe it’s fly fishing or a new language or how to use all those features on your phone.
9. I have a friend who spends New Year’s Day shredding old documents and cleaning up her files. This is a good goal and activity.
10. Start each day with a smile. It doesn’t matter what is going on in someone’s life. Finding something to smile about might help and certainty won’t hurt.

Most of these new things don’t cost a cent but can add so much value to anyone’s life. John Lennon said that “Life is what happens while you are making plans.” I plan to relish the gift of life every moment. I hope you do too.

catd_mitchell / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

Seems like every year we make resolutions only to break them, but could it be that in the end we are saving money by not sticking to them? Below I calculate the amount of money spent on meeting New Year’s resolutions and share tips to getting them done on a budget.

I will get fit.

A gym membership costs about $40 a month (if not a lot more). In a year, you’ll spend $480! Can’t afford the gym? Get in shape on a budget with our tips. Heck, you can even make money while you exercise. How about taking up a part-time job as a dog walker?

I will read more.

New books cost $10 – $20 at bookstores. If you buy one every month you’ll spend between $120 – $240 a year. The solution? Head to the library for classics and new books for free – as long as you return them on time. You can also download the classics for free on your iPad, iTouch, or iPhone. I recently downloaded Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice for free! Have a Kindle? Here’s how to get free ebooks for your Kindle.

I will quit smoking.

Not only is this good for your health and those around you, but it will cost you. I did a search online for Nicorette Gum and found it for $68. NicoDerm Patches cost $156. Together it cost $224 and depending on how long it takes you to quit it will keep adding up! Don’t make this a reason not to quit. Smoking costs you lots, too. Bobbi shared a while ago how quitting smoking can save thousand of dollars a year. To lessen the cost of quitting smoking, keep in mind that some health care providers will cover some of the costs of quitting.

I will work on my finances.

Getting your finances in order can be a daunting task that’s why many rely on the expertise of financial advisers. Working with a CPA can cost up to $1,500 a year. Though this may seems like a hefty price to pay, keep in mind that professional advice can save you money. Planning for the future? Here are six cheap ways to stay on top of your finances and financial management tools to track where your money is going.

Although many of these resolutions carry a high price, look at the long-term benefits. To make it easier on your wallet, tackle one resolution at a time. What do you want to accomplish this year?

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What type of calendar are you after? stevegarfield / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

It’s that time of the year when companies give out free calendars to promote their products or business. Getting your hands on one doesn’t mean you will have to shell out money. Below I’ve listed several sites offering FREE 2012 calendars. If you know of more free calender offers, let us know in the comments!

Joyce Meyer Ministries – This site is offering a 13-month free calendar. All you have to do is create a free account. You’ll most likely get bombarded with emails, so I suggest you don’t use your business or personal email. The calendar includes scripture from the bible. Limit one per person, per household.

Women’s Health – The National Women’s Health Information is offering their annual free calendar again and they still have copies. You can find an English and Spanish version. Last year, they ran out of the English language calendar so jump on the opportunity.

Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants – The 2012 Financial Fitness Calendar was designed to provide you with year-round tips to improve your financial health. How awesome is that?! The bad news is the calendar will only ship to those that live in the state of Virginia. Don’t live in Virginia? Download the free PDF version.

New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants – If you live in Jersey, you’re in luck! The society of public accountants is also giving out free financial fitness calendars. You must be a New Jersey resident to request a copy. All you have to do is fill out a short form with basic information.

Hyland’s – If you are preggo or have children, I found a calendar just for you. To get the free baby calendar you’ll need to provide some personal information like your birthdate and answer some questions about where you buy children’s meds. It shouldn’t take more than a couple minutes to complete. There’s an English and Spanish language version that includes information about your baby’s’ first year.

Vistaprint – The online supplier of printed and promotional materials is offering a free custom wall calendar. It’s unclear when this promotion will end, so get a move on it! You can upload family photos and design your own calendar. This would make a really nice Christmas gift. You will need to pay for shipping, which can be as low as $4.

Sincere Escrow – This business is offering free calendars while supplies last. The calendar includes paintings by an artist who is in the real estate business. The paintings are truly beautiful. There’s a limit one per household. To receive the calendar, you’ll have to email them to ask for one.

For more options, check out my post about free calendars from last year as many of them are giving out calendars this year as well. You also might want to keep an eye out at your local dentist office, supermarkets, bakeries, and insurance and notary public offices as these businesses tend to promote their business by giving out free calendars. I already scored a calendar from the dentist I’m going to for my root canal.

Markus Rodder/flickr

Tired of the usual Thanksgiving traditions? Want to put the giving back in Thanksgiving? Try these 10 ideas.

1. Volunteer on an organic farm in Italy in exchange for room, board, education and culture. I’m sure there would be a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner on an organic farm. There are farms willing to take volunteers all over the world.
2. Help out at a food bank.

   Get involved with your local shelter and work on preparing and serving food to families that don’t have a home go to for the holidays. I know of a young couple with no children and limited family who have been doing this for years. It IS their Thanksgiving tradition.

3. Spend the day creating a home garden. Depending on what area of the country you are in, what you can do will be different. Make your goal to have a meal of homegrown foods next Thanksgiving.
4. Create or attend a food swap followed by a homemade potluck meal.
5. Make seed bombs and walk around your area seed bombing vacant lots that need more loving. Next Spring you will see the beauty of your efforts.
6. Adopt a family for the holidays. Give a needy family a basket of food so that they can have a special holiday with their family.
7. Gather needed winter supplies for the homeless. Spend the time and money you would spend on a big dinner making hygiene kits and handing them out.
8. Offer your services to a local volunteer group to help out on the latest international disaster. Don’t count yourself out just because you don’t have special skills (EMT, RN, teacher, or minister.) As long as you can be caring and calm while living in horrible conditions, you will be welcome.
9. Invite someone you do not know to stay at your house during Thanksgiving or vica versa. You can find free places to stay and people who need free places to stay at CouchSurfing or Servas. It goes without saying that one has to be smart about such arrangements, but there are truly lots of wonderful people out in the world just waiting to be met.
10. Spend the holiday truly giving thanks. Call your loved ones and thank them sincerely. Buy a dozen flowers and hand them out one at a time to your neighbors, the grocery clerk, the babysitter, the postal person, your teacher, hair dresser or random person on the street. Pay it forward. Hand out the love and it WILL come back to you. Make sure to remember to keep it stress free.

That’s my 10. Do you have any ideas to add?

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wuestenigel/flickr

Now that Halloween is past us and we’ve eaten all the candy corn and miniature Snickers bars that we can hold, it is time to turn our attention to one of my favorite of holidays – Thanksgiving. Although Thanksgiving has become as commercialized as all the rest of our holidays, you can still create a special family event that brings years of memories without destroying the budget.

Here is a list of ten wonderful frugal and homemade Thanksgiving decorations.

1. Decorate a basket and go for a nature walk. Pick up pine cones, leaves, sticks, acorns, flowers. Come home and create center pieces and decorations.
2. Tie pine cones on string to make a fall garland.
3. Make little elves and fairies out sticks and leaves. Glue on googly eyes. This craft is best done with a hot glue gun so adult supervision is needed.
4. Name Tag Pins -  I love this idea to make leaf name tags for the guests at your Thanksgiving gathering. It was always so hard for me to keep my relatives name’s straight. I only saw them once or twice a year. I always wished that they had on name tags. I highly suggest this idea (or some other name tag idea) if you want to help your kids learn the names of friends and family. I bet that it will help the adults too.
5. Family Banner that becomes a book – Cover a table or wall with wide art paper. Divide the paper in squares. Have everyone draw a picture, make a hand print or leave a message in one of the squares. Afterwards, cut up the squares and make it into a book. Date the book so you can look back over the years. You can also scan each page and make a digital version to send to everyone.
6. Turkey Bread Basket – This craft is made from a paper bag, a piece of card board, paper plates and some decorations. I love this idea because it is frugal AND useful. If you have the storage room, this craft might even make a reappearance for several years.
7. Newspaper leaf rubbings – Make this ingenious craft idea into a garland. Rub crayon on newspaper that is laid over freshly fallen leaves. Cut out and string together. Add a bit of glitter to the edges for a special touch.
8. Painted rocks as place cards – Yes! Yes! I love this craft for the simplicity and long term memory value. Pick up wonderful rocks on your walk in No. 1. Paint and add names of guests. Add a gem for added elegance. Coat with clear nail polish once the paint is dried for a shiny look.
9. Marshmallow Pumpkins – Although technically this orange sugar coated marshmallow is a Halloween treat, I say that it will still work for a Thanksgiving treat. Warning: pure sugar!
10. Twenty more crafts – I just couldn’t decide on just ONE of these cool crafts from the TipJunkie, but I am partial to the Thankful Wall.

I hope these ideas have got you in the decorating mood, because right after Thanksgiving comes Christmas and then it is REALLY craft time.

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L*Ali / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com Yazmin Cruz.

Thanksgiving should be a day were we gather with friends and family to give thanks and catch up, but hosting or attending a large gathering can create anxiety. Let’s face it, there is are a lot of things that need to get done before we can sit down and chow! Below I share 10 tips to keep you sane. Best of all, they will save you money!

1. Skip pre-holiday parties – There are so many parties and gatherings around this time, but you don’t have to go to all of them to be in the holiday spirit. Attend high-priority events, like your company’s Thanksgiving potluck and Thanksgiving lunch at your child’s school, and skip the rest. Not only will you cut the cost of buying hostess gifts, but you’ll have more time to plan your Thanksgiving dinner. You can always go next year!

2. Make a plan – Start planning early! Start making a list of items you’ll need and start looking for specials. Don’t forget to check My Coupon Database to find grocery and drugstore coupons. Make sure to keep an eye on our weekly grocery coupon matches (they’re published on Wednesdays) where I’ll let you know where to find deals on stuffing, potatoes and turkeys.

3. Decorate on budget – Decorations can be as simple as your child’s art work from school. You can also reuse your Halloween pumpkins to decorate your home. A simple centerpiece can be made by cutting the top of the pumpkin, filing it a fourth of the way up with water and adding flowers. Stay tuned for Bobbi’s ideas on frugal Thanksgiving decorations.

4. Delegate tasks – Have friends and family pitch in with sides, desserts, and drinks. It will give you one less thing to do and it will cut down on the cost. Most guests like to stay busy and help out so don’t be afraid to give them tasks when they arrive.

5. Buy inexpensive booze -  If your family celebrates with a glass or two of wine, you must read Bargain Babe’s post about inexpensive Merlot wines and The Reverse Wine Snob’s post on 10 great tasting wines for less than $10. Stock up at Trader Joe’s, Costco, or raid the discount barrel at  your local store.

6. Ditch sitting down - Host an hor d’oeuvre-and-cocktail party! Appetizers cost less than putting a complete meal together and making a signature drink will cut down on the cost.

7. Be honest with overnighters – Many times stress comes from having to accommodate relatives in your home. Tell them clearly whether they can or can’t stay with you and for how long. The longer they stick around, the heftier the bill will be for you (assuming they’re not pitching in when you go out). I’d be very tactful if you’re letting them know they can’t stay with you. Avoid stirring up drama.

8. Encourage bonding  – Plan cheap activities that will help people bond. It can be as simple as having them head to the park while you cook dinner (it may just be me, but I get so stressed when there’s a lot of people in the kitchen while I’m trying to cook). You can also have them watch the parade or some football.

9. Take a headcount – Knowing how many people to expect will help you figure out how much food to buy. It will also keep you from spending extra money. Sure, leftovers are tasty, but not when they spoil.

10. Keep your cool – Don’t forget what Thanksgiving is all about!  Simply reflecting on what you’re thankful for will help minimize stress without breaking the bank on pricey massage therapy. You’re probably the only one who will notice those extra details you feel are essential.

Zager Family / Flickr

Halloween is behind us and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I love Thanksgiving because it is a time for family, reflection and thanks. The following activities can help you create a special day.

1. Make a Thanksgiving scrapbook. Every year, take a picture of who you sit down with. Note who is the oldest and who is the youngest. Enter in any special relationships (Aunt Josie just got engaged to Fred) and where people are currently living. Over time, this will become a treasured family album.
2. A variation on a scrapbook is a yearly
   
   video. Have everyone say their name and age and what they are thankful for. These will be precious memories in the years to come.
3. Find a story book that is representative of how you feel about family. Read that story to the youngest kids each year. Ten years down the road, you will find everyone sitting around waiting to hear you read the story.
4. Schedule an activity that gets everyone up and moving. If you are in a warm weather environment, you can take a jog or have a flag football game. If you are in the colder climates, check out these 39 indoor games from Family Fun or try Bargain Babe’s three family games that involve quick thinking. You will have a much more pleasant and memorable day if you have thought about planned appropriate activities that you can do. Consider the age, interests and abilities of your guests in order to have ideas that won’t fall flat.
5. Tell everyone that you are going to be going around the table and asking what people are thankful for. This will give everyone a chance to think about it and talk to the younger kids. I suggest that you don’t delay eating for this, but have this be the dinner conversation.
6. Make place tags. There are many great ideas for making Thanksgiving place cards. This is a fun activity for kids to do ahead of time.
7. If you happen to be in the Boston area, go to Plimoth Plantation. This is a very interesting field trip that gives you and your family a good picture of what it must have been like during the early years for the European settlers and their interaction with the Native people. You can even eat your Thanksgiving dinner there. But hurry, the seats are selling out fast.
8. Make individual salt and pepper cellars out of walnut shells. Certainly a different idea from Martha Stewart.
9. If you are having a potluck dinner, have everyone bring recipe cards of their dish and exchange cards. You can even take pictures and upload them to this fall recipe template.
10. Make a Give Thanks center piece. This is a print, cut and fold project that I love! I’m going to make this one for sure.
11. Learn the art of napkin folding. If you have kids, teach them to fold the napkins prior to the day of the event. Then on Thanksgiving, have them create napkin art. This will give them something to feel that they have contributed to the dinner. It is also a skill that they will have for life. I still know how to make pretty napkins folds that my mom taught me many years ago.
12. Plan to watch at least one of these 21 movies about Thanksgiving. Many of these can be found for free online or for cheap download. You can also find these movies at thrift stores and yard sales – especially if you still have a VHS player.

I love the potential of Thanksgiving. Use it wisely as a time to say “I love and appreciate you” to those special people in your life.

lordog / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

Don’t get me wrong, I love apple and pumpkin pie — served warm with a scoop (or two) of vanilla bean ice cream. These pies complete a Thanksgiving meal. But if you’re in charge of dessert this year, change it up a bit and try your hand at making one of these six non-traditional turkey day sweets. (If you’re in charge of the bird, here’s how to cook a perfect turkey.)

Flan

If you’ve never tried flan, you’re missing out! This is a custard topped with caramel that’s similar to creme brulee. I’ve taught several friends how to make this decadent dessert using my family’s recipe. I like that it’s so easy to make and it keeps well in the fridge so you can make it ahead. The Food Network’s Ellie Krieger has a pumpkin flan recipe similar to mine. You can either use ramekins for individual portions or make one to share. If you’re traveling, don’t flip it till you arrive or you’ll end up covered in caramel.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

I recently shared a list of five sources for free Thanksgiving recipes and one of those was MarthaStewart.com. Last year, I made Stewart’s pumpkin cheesecake recipe and enjoyed it as I wrote a term paper. It was was creamy and velvety. There will be no last minute term paper writing this year, but I am making this cheesecake again. You may have already noticed that I love pumpkin as I’ve shared two pumpkin bread recipes. If you don’t, cheesecake is so versatile that you’re bound to find one you like. Stewart has a variety of recipes for this dessert.

Pear Cranberry and Gingersnap Crumble

I found this recipe on one of my favorite food blogs, Smitten Kitchen. I haven’t tried this recipe, but it looks delish! I’m making this for one of my Thanksgiving dinners. It’s easy to transport as you can cover with a baking dish and go. The gooey, warm fruit topped with the crumbly mixture is sure to be a hit. You can also make this with apples. Don’t forget to top with whipped cream.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

End your Thanksgiving meal with warm bread soaked in spiced custard with this pumpkin bread pudding recipe. It only takes 45 minutes to complete and you may already have all the ingredients on hand. A friend once made this for a potluck and it was delicious. I would warm this before serving, although you can eat it cold.

Cranberry, Almond, and Cinnamon Tart

This tart has all the flavors of Thanksgiving, but it’s different enough to stand out at the dessert table. The tart recipe calls for a homemade crust, but to save time you can buy a pre-made one. All you have to do is make the filing and bake it. It will still look homemade and taste delicious. If you don’t like cranberries you can easily switch the jam or preserves to strawberry or raspberry.

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving dessert? What desserts will you be serving on turkey day?

Veteran's Day 2011 Freebies! Credit: US Army Africa/Flickr

I’ve compiled every known Veteran’s Day 2011 freebie, coupon, and deal right here! Proof of service is required to get these deals. There are a lot of repeats from last year, but hey, free is free! Also check with your local museums, orchestras, and community groups for free Veterans Day entertainment and activities!

Applebee’s - Vets get a free meal at Applebee’s on Nov. 11, 2011 with proof of service.

B&B deal – Vets stay free at dozens of B&B’s nationwide on Nov. 10, 2011. Some 515 B&B’s are paticipating. Book your free night soon because these sell out quick.

Car wash - Vets get a totally free car cash on Nov. 11, 2011 at more than 822 participating locations nationwide.

Chili’s - Vets get a free meal at Chili’s on Nov. 11, 2011 with proof of service. Dine in only. Menu limited to six choices. Drinks and tip not included.

Dollar General - Get 10% of on Nov. 11. Look for a coupon in the circular or ask an employee. Online Nov. 11-13 use coupon code VETERANSDAY.

Driver safety - All vets can take a driver safety course for free, courtesy of AARP, between Nov. 1-30, 2011. Spouses also eligible.

Famous Dave’s - Eat for free or get a discount on your meal at Famous Dave’s on Nov. 11, 2011. Varies by location.

Golden Corral - Vets get a free meal at Golden Corral on Nov. 14, 2011 from 5-9 p.m. Dine in only.

Lowe’s - Get 10% off your entire purchase year round with military ID. Not sure this works online, but I know it does in stores.

Home Depot - Get 10% off your entire purchase year round with military ID. Not sure this works online, but I know it does in stores.

Hooter’s - Eat 10 free wings at Hooter’s on Nov. 11, 2011 all day when you buy a drink.

Kmart - Get an extra 5-10% off almost everything with Kmart coupon code VETERANSDAY. Valid Nov. 10, 2011.

Knot’s Berry Farm - Get free admission to Knott’s Berry Farm with proof of service. Ends Thanksgiving Day. Vets can buy six additional tickets for up to $17 each. Eligible person must be present for everyone to get in with the discounted tickets.

Krispy Kreme - (unconfirmed) Get a free donut from Krispy Kreme on Nov. 11, 2011

Mattress - Veterans get a free travel pillow, while supplies last, when they visit any a Sleep Number store (there are 400 nationwide). Vets also get $700 off the Sleep Number i8 and p7 bet sets plus 36 months financing, free standard shipping on all beds, and 30 percent off ALL Sleep Number bedding solutions. Ends Nov. 20, 2011.

McCormick & Schmick’s - Treat yourself to a free lunch or dinner at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants Nov. 13, 2011. Reservations strongly recommended as space is limited. Your free meal comes from a special menu. Entree is free, but I believe drinks, apps, dessert, tax, and tip are extra.

National Parks - Admission is free Nov. 11-13, 2011 in honor of Veteran’s Day. You do not have to be a veteran to take advantage of this offer.

Outback Steakhouse - Munch on a freebie Bloomin’ Onion and coke at Outback Steakhouse Nov. 7-11, 2011.

Sam’s Club - Vets get a free Hugo cane whether you are a member or not between Nov. 9-11, 2011. While supplies last. Some 36,000 canes will be given out.

7-Eleven - Get a free small slurpee at 7-Eleven on Nov. 11, 2011.

Subway - Eat a free 6-inch sub sandwich from Subway on Nov.11, 2011. Not all locations are participating so call ahead.

Texas Roadhouse - Get a free lunch at Texas Roadhouse from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Nov. 11, 2011. You get to choose from 10 entrees and you also get a non-alcoholic drink. Dine in only.

TGI Friday’s - Buy one meal and get a free meal at T.G.I. Friday’s Nov. 11, 2011. Some menu items excluded. Bring proof or wear your uniform. Dine in only.

Tim Horton’s - Grab a free donut (that looks like a spangled star) at Tim Horton’s on Nov. 11, 2011.

Uno Chicago Grill - Get 19.43% off your food and non alcoholic drinks bill on Nov. 7-11.

Visit The Military Wallet for more regional deals, like at theme parks and zoos.

What Veteran’s Day deals am I missing?

cobalt123 / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

Preparing a turkey for the traditional Thanksgiving meal can be a daunting task. After all, it’s the main dish. Below I share 15 tips to roast the perfect Thanksgiving turkey that is tender, juicy and delicious.

1. Size matters – Allow one pound of turkey for each adult guest at your dinner. For example, if you are serving 10 people, buy a 10-pound turkey. This provides a generous serving of turkey and guarantees extra turkey for leftovers.
2. Thaw your bird - The best place to do this is in the fridge. It may take up to three days to completely thaw so plan ahead! Never thaw a bird at room temperature. You can get food poisoning by letting it sit on the counter.
3. Rinse the bird – Remove the giblets and neck that come inside the cavity of the bird.
4. Brine your bird – Use one cup of salt to a gallon of water and let it absorb all the flavor. Pour the brine over the turkey in a plastic container, cover and keep it in the fridge for 12-48 hours. You won’t need to add more salt later.
5. Pat down – Remove the bird from the brine and pat it dry so it will roast evenly. Dry skin crisps nicely.
6. Avoid a soggy bottom – Elevate the turkey off the roasting pan by using a roasting rack. No need to run off and buy one if you don’t have one. Lift the bird with carrots, onions, and celery. The veggies will roast along with the bird.
7. Add flavor – Add chopped fresh herbs for flavor. I like using rosemary, thyme, and sage. Also, don’t forget to season! I like to add a little paprika to the skin to give it that perfect color. Some folks stick a few peeled cloves of garlic and lemon slices in the cavity.
8. Nix basting – Basting the bird won’t give you crispy skin. It’ll be soggy and it will increase your cooking time as you’ll end up letting the heat escape the oven every time you open it. Instead, see the next tip.
   
9. Add fat – Rub the skin of the bird with 1-3 Tablespoons of butter to help it crisp. Also add herbs and butter under the skin, but don’t go overboard. Too much fat will just just make the meat greasy.
10. Don’t stuff it – A stuffed bird will take longer to cook and make end up undercooked, landing you in trouble. If you insist on stuffing your bird, make sure you roast it until the stuffing has an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
11. Buy a meat thermometer – If you have one, calibrate it before using. Fill a cup with crushed ice and water, and insert the thermometer for 30 to 60 seconds. It should read 32 degrees Fahrenheit (the freezing point of water). If it’s a few degrees over you’ll have to subtract those degrees after inserting the thermometer in your bird. If it’s a few degrees under, you’ll have to add the degrees. This helps give you an accurate reading!
    
12. Take it’s temperature – The turkey is done when your thermometer reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit when inserted in the thigh (make sure it doesn’t touch the bone), before removing from the oven. The temperature of the breast should reach 170 degrees.
13. Let it rest – Before you begin to carve, let your bird rest for about 20 minutes after you take it out of the oven. This will help keep the juices in the meat. Bargain Babe likes to “tent” meat by covering loosely with tin foil, which traps steam and makes for juicier meat.
14. Keep the juices – Don’t waste the juices in the bottom of the pan! Use them to make amazing gravy.
15. Soak the breast – Let the pieces of breast soak in the juices to keep them moist before serving.

Won’t be roasting a turkey on Thanksgiving day? Save money with these non-traditional Thanksgiving meal ideas. What are your tips to roasting the perfect turkey?