rachaelvoorhees / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I’m bowling on the cheap this summer and I want to share — ok, brag — about how I’m doing it. Since I signed my sister up to receive free bowling passes we’ll be spending quite a bit of time at our local AMF.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
EvelynGiggles/flickr
My kids recently went to see “The Lorax” and when they came home, my son proudly told me that he discovered a great bargain. From opening until 11:59 a.m., tickets for any movie are $6. After noon, the price jumped almost twice as much.
This got me thinking about the various ways to save money on movie theater tickets. Yazmin also has 12 easy ways to save money at the movies.
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:
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
TFDuesing/flickr
If you want something you don’t have the money for, figure out how to make it. (I’ve already talked about getting things by swapping or repurposing).
Personally, I have found that learning to make something is the best way to go. I get what I need, and I know how to repair it. Here are my five favorite sites to go to when I want to learn new things:
- General instructions - Instructables - You can learn anything from how to carve a pumpkin to how to build your own computer to how to construct a rocket ship. Instructables has more pictures and instructions than videos.
Sarah_Ackerman / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I’ve come across even more ways to save money on movie tickets, so I’m combining an older post (which you can see here) to share a total of 12 ways to save on movie tickets. I also included a list of sites that offer free movie screenings below.
Second-run movie theaters – I’m lucky to have a theater nearby that plays movies only a few weeks old. It makes me feel like I’m not missing out on a movie when everyone is talking about it. And you can’t beat the price – a fraction of mainstream theaters.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
nSeika/flickr
No matter how you educate your children, it is pretty hard to miss the start of the new school year. While parents of students going to traditional schools are saving money on school supplies, parents of homeschoolers, like me, look for ways to save money on curriculum.
There are as many different ways to homeschool as there are homeschoolers. But in general it breaks down to either following traditional academic age/grade appropriate guidelines on what a student should know (so that you can pop your kid back into a traditional curriculum at any time and they wouldn’t be behind) or following a child-led curriculum, called unschooling in some circles.
If you are following a traditional curriculum,
Taking your kids to a baseball game doesn't have to be pricey! Credit: kkinjo/Flickr
There are 5 1/2 weeks before the World Series begins on Oct. 19 – plenty of time to go to a baseball game on the cheap with deals found by guest writer Andrew Kardon of JoeShopping.com.
It’s a summertime rite of passage: pack up the kids, trek to the ballpark and show your family why baseball is America’s Pastime. With ticket prices dropping along with game attendance, it’s easier than ever to have a great time at the ballpark and leave with money in your wallet. Use these 10 tips for great deals on tickets, souvenirs, concessions and more.
A Legoland trumpeter beckons visitors. Credit: Elfidomx/Flickr
Just had to share this hot deal that I heard about from The Freebie Blogger. Florida teachers can get a FREE yearlong pass to Legoland Florida just by showing proof of their occupation. An annual pass is normally $159 for adults and $129 for kids, so this is a hot deal!
Is this for real?
Yes! Bring your most recent paystub, Florida photo ID, valid professional or temporary FDOE teaching certificate, print
Beverly & Pack / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Stop throwing away your expired coupons! Instead send them to military families overseas to use for up to six months after the manufacturer’s expiration date.
You’ll be helping service men and women save money on groceries when they shop at their on base commissionaires. This is not time consuming, difficult, or costly since you’re already clipping coupons.
Organizations like
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Three things I love – freebies, Estee Lauder skin products, and flash mobs. How cool is it when all three come together?
Estee Lauder teamed up with Flash Mob America to do three flash mobs at the same time in three different cities as a promotion for their new face product, Idealist. Robert Schultz did the choreography. Flash Mob America then sent teams off to the different cities to execute the dances. What a coordination feat! They video taped all three events and made the super cool video you see below.
Now, if watching this video isn’t enough, get to your nearest Estee Lauder counter on Thursday, July 21, 2011 for a free “deluxe” sample (not sure what that is but I hope it means it is big) of their new product, Idealist. All the typical caveats about “until supplies run out” apply so I’d get there early. I’m taking my daughter so we can get two bottles. I’m not sharing.
I especially love free makeup samples. They are perfect for dropping into the travel bag so I don’t have to lug big bottles of cosmetics when I go on a trip.
And it’s no secret that I love flash mobbing as a free family activity. I flash mob with my teenaged daughter. It’s a wonderful way to spend quality time with my teen, and I get a free dance class with some of the top dancers in Los Angeles. I have flash mobbed at Universal CityWalk, Santa Monica Beach, a wedding, and The Grove in Los Angeles. I’ve also flash mobbed on two television shows - “Modern Family” and “The Bachelorette.”
If you are interested in flash mobbing, sign up at Flash Mob America or Google “flash mob”+”name of your nearest city.”
Even the doggie is mad at Netflix. Credit: _tar0_/Flickr
Angry comments. Ticked off customers. Skyrocketing bills. There’s been a lot of nasty fallout from the Netflix price hike scandal (in case you missed it, bills are increasing 60%). Time for good news: I found five options for movies that are cheaper than Netflix!
1. Get a $5 credit on Amazon Instant Video
Ed Yourdon / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz. The Fourth of July holiday is fast approaching. I’ve come up with four frugal and fuss-free activities to celebrate independence day.
- Free entertainment – Even if you are hosting a get together with friends, make sure you take advantage of the fireworks. Instead of buying fireworks, which are illegal in some states, head to local parades and festivals. Search online for
AngryJulieMonday/Flickr
A newish site called barHappy lists happy hour specials in 18 major cities across the country. Within a city, you can click on a map for bargains by neighborhood. Pretty snappy. I also like the site’s slogan: Don’t worry, barHappy!
In Los Angeles, there are 905 bar specials listed, from $2.75 drafts at Sports Harbour in Marina del Rey to 50% off appetizers at Michael’s Bar & Grill in Burbank. Other cities include
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains.
One way to get famous and rich is to become a reality TV star. Once you are a star, people want to give you lots of free stuff and have you show up at their parties and openings. Plus, the food on a TV set is usually REALLY good. Think of all the money you would save.
If this is one of your dreams, here are five links to find out who is casting and some of the shows that they are currently casting: (more…)
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains.
photon/flickr
It’s hard to believe but the end of the school year is not far away. Parents are starting to make plans about what to do with their kids during summer break. For many, taking a vacation with their kids is out of the question. Summer camp might be possible for a week or two. If you don’t want your kids vegging in front of screens the entire summer, here is my list of 100 frugal and fun projects and adventures you can create with your family.
- Cover your sidewalk with chalk art.
- Sell lemonade from your homemade lemonade stand.
- Make jewelry out of noodles.
- Finger paint.
- Acquire articles of clothing and accessories to fill a costume box.
- Plant a garden.
- Go to museum free days.
- Volunteer. (more…)
