Just two days to Frugal Festival Food! Saturday 6/25 in LA!!!!
Two days to Frugal Festival Food!!! I flew in yesterday and am running today around making last minute preparations for the Festival Saturday. Can’t wait to see you there!
Frugal Festival Food! is all over the news! Check me out Friday night at about 7 p.m. on NBC 4 for a preview of raffle prizes and more!
Winners of The Coupon Wallet swag have been announced!
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains.
Tony Crider/Flickr
For many kids, the last day of school is the best day of the year. An eternity of summer days ahead. How simply FABULOUS!
For many moms, the last day of school is the worst day of the year. An eternity of summer days ahead. How FRIGHTENING!
Sending your kids off to summer camp can be a great solution. But what if the cost of summer camp is out of your budget?
How about creating your own summer camp at home? Here’s how to:
- If you only have one child, you may want to get other families to join the fun and organization. A summer camp of only one might not be that much fun, but it still could be done.
- Decide on how long your summer camp will run. It could be one day or the entire summer.
- Come up with
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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…)
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains.
Rubenstein//Flickr
Finding family activities that don’t break my budget and are stimulating is a challenge. As a homeschooler, I am always on the lookout for places to learn and have a good time. We are fortunate to have many wonderful institutions that allow for such activities. Depending on how often you go, membership may save you money. Here are five of my favorites:
- Children’s Museums. Many major cities have invested in children’s museums. These museums are set up to withstand rigorous play and encourage “hands on” activities, as opposed to the normal look but don’t touch rule. A truly fabulous place to go with young children.
- Science Museums. My favorite is the Boston Science Museum. With its proximity to M.I.T., it is hard to (more…)
gwrrty/Flickr
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains
A couple of years ago during the Los Angeles fall fire season I had to decide which of my belongings to pile in my car when I evacuated. The items I left might be burned to a crisp. The stuff I could take with me was limited and therefore HAD to be my favorites.
One of the things I grabbed was my Klutz book
What are Klutz books? They are THE standard in hands-on learning for everything from crafts to science.
Over 33 years ago, three college buddies stood a sidewalk corner and began selling juggling lessons. This turned into the very successful how-to book “Juggling for the Complete Klutz,” which now comes with instructions and juggling balls. People liked it. I mean, they REALLY liked it. These three guys must be making a fortune.
My first Klutz book was the polymer clay book. I bought it used because I didn’t need the clay that the new version comes with. I needed the instructions. I pulled the book apart, put the individual pages into a ring binder, and used it to teach hundreds of students how to work with oven hardened clay.
Then I discovered that many people sell their Klutz books once they have used up the supplies that come with the book. The supplies are good, but the best part is the instructions. So began my pursuit of used Klutz books.
The books are almost always bound with white wire spiral, which makes it simple to find them at a yard or book sale. I just reach in, grab that binding and if I am lucky, there is a fabulous Klutz book in my hands. Instead of paying $10 to $24, I pay a buck. Yipee skipee! Yard sale score!
I have Klutz books on face painting, costumes, table top football, nail art, trick photography, magic, science, car games and more. My latest Klutz acquisition is the “Klutz Book of Animation”
The next book I really want to get is the Superhero Starter Kit
Related posts:
Free movie tickets for kids and families this summer
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.
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
D Sharon Pruitt/Flickr
This is a guest post from reader Marie.
There are countless fun and entertaining events and places all around the USA that we can enjoy either free or at very little cost. These events are geared towards adults, families, seniors or kids. The possibilities are endless. Some examples include:
- Museums to cater to every taste and budget
- Senior Center facilities for fun, food and friendship
- Churches for spiritual support, entertainment and companionship
- Low-cost or free kids entertainment
- Low-cost or free kids fun and educational activities
Museums to cater to every taste and budget
To find free museums, festivities and events in any US city, visit Free-Attractions.com. Select the city of your choice and look at the great free choices available. Always call ahead to confirm as the site has some outdated information. Here are a few examples of free museums in…
New York…
- Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza
- Washington Park
- New York State Museum
- Albany Urban Cultural Park Visitor Center
- Albany Pine BushNew York State Capitol Tour
- Bronx Zoo
- Delaware Park
- Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
Florida…
- Manatee Viewing Center (Apollo Beach)
- Kelly Park (Apopka)
- National Key Deer Refuge (Big Pine)
- Boca Raton Historical Society (Boca Raton)
- Spanish River Park (Boca Raton)
- Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (Boca Raton)
- Desoto National Memorial (Bradenton)
- Manatee Village Historical Park (Brooksville)
- Rodgers Christmas House Village (Cape Coral)
- Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge (Chiefland)
California…(six pages of wonderful free entertainment!)
- Columbia State Historic Park (Coloma)
- Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (Concord)
- Nimbus Salmon/Steelhead Fish Hatchery (Cordova)
- Redwood National Park (Crescent City)
- Jelly Belly Center (Fairfield)
- Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tours (Fairfield)
- Manzanar National Historic Site (Independence)
- UCLA Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center (Los Angeles)
- The Getty (Los Angeles)
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (Los Angeles)
Senior Center facilities for fun and friendship
For a list of Senior Centers in any city, do an advanced Google search and plug in the city or zip code where you want to find a senior center. Most senior centers are open on weekdays and offer not only very low-cost nutritious lunches but also a chance to get together with peers keeping busy with the classes of one’s choice, such as dancing, knitting, crochet, cards, etc.
Churches for spiritual comfort, entertainment and companionship
Many churches in the US offer spiritual guidance, church services, concerts, hikes, crafts, book clubs, Taize, and other programs. To find information on various churches, look for ones near you in the Yellow Pages.
Kids activities
For a variety of free or low-cost entertainment for children, GoCityKids has a handy page that lets you search for activities. Click on your city. If you live in Los Angeles, you will find information on Griffith Park, O’Melveny Park, Westwood Branch Library, and Audubon Center at Debs Park.
Natural Treasures: Mountain trails, beaches, etc.
Don’t forget the natural treasures of our great country – hikes on mountain trails or along the beautiful beaches – fun for all the family. To find local beaches, go to Google and enter “beaches” and the city or state of your choice. To find mountains for hiking, camping and fun, repeat the Google search but enter “mountains in” and the city or state of your choice. Click on items that interest you to find out more details about campsites, costs, etc.
In short, wonderful entertainment, free or almost free, is just a click away on your computer. Start clicking – and have fun!
