By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
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.
- 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.
- 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. (more…)
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
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:
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. (more…)
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.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
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:
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.
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!
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Markus Rodder/flickr
Tired of the usual Thanksgiving traditions? Want to put the giving back in Thanksgiving? Try these 10 ideas.
- 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.
- Help out at a food bank.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
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.
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! (more…)
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
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.
- 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.
- A variation on a scrapbook is a yearly
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- Thaw your bird - The best place to do this is in the fridge. It may take up to (more…)
