I receive a decent number of emails from folks casting a new TV show related to saving money. But the guy casting this Pro Bargainers show actually called me and asked me for feedback and answered my questions about the show he described. My take: two thumbs up.
So if you’ve thought about responding to a casting call but hesitated, don’t miss this opportunity. Email Zach at tv_casting19@yahoo.com for more info. You can always opt not to participate later! He is mainly looking for folks in the LA or NY area.
Wahoo! If you missed this year’s Frugal Fest, watch it on video! Many thanks to Herber Lovato for making this piece. Love the music!
I was invited onto NBC to talk about the Festival the night before (June 24, 2011). Check out my conversation with Ana Garcia on Nonstop LA!
View more videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com.
Cool new website alert! Reader Annette shared a new site called SplitStuff.com that her husband started and that is most active in the Los Angeles-Orange County area. It’s still very new, so there’s not a ton of activity, but the basic premise is pretty neat so I wanted to share it. Annette writes:
It’s for people who want to get together and buy in bulk to save money. I use SplitStuff mostly to get my produce from local farmers. My friends and I get bulk prices and we take (turns) making the pickup. Other people use it to organize childcare co-ops, get group discounts on classes, or even buy a lawnmower that will be used by three or four neighbors.
I saw splits for charter cruises,
I’m a casting producer in Los Angeles working on a new TV show about families that are serious bargain hunters! I came across your website and thought that you or some of your readers might be perfect for our show! Our show information is listed below. I would love to chat with you more about this and also see if there is anyway for you to help us spread the word about this exciting opportunity!Is your family the thriftiest in America? Do you refuse to pay full price? Are you always on the lookout for the best deals?
Calling all coupon experts, yard sale fanatics, thrift store wizards and super savers for a brand new show on a major network! This show will be the chance to put your skills to the test in a fun competition and prove once and for all that you and your family are the ultimate bargain hunters!
If you live in the Los Angeles area and your family will do anything to save a buck please email your story and a family photo to Ellen Rakieten Entertainment: familycasting@rrstaff.com.
I’m guessing a lot of you fit the bill!

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!
We compiled a complete list of raffle and door prizes at Frugal Festival Food! this Saturday, June 25, in LA. Yowza!
Did you win one of two copies of “Money-Saving Recipes” in yesterday’s giveaway? Winners have been announced.
Final ONLINE Festival cookbook giveaway is today for “$5 Dinner Mom.” We saved a good one for last.
Today’s cookbook giveaway is for “Money Saving Recipes,” which you can also nab as a door prize at Frugal Festival Food! this Saturday in LA if you get there early (doors open at 11 a.m.)
The winners of Friday’s giveaway of “Wildly Affordable Organic” have been announced!
Test your coupon know-how in the Albertsons and Shortcuts Coupon Challenge at the Festival! Guess what the prize is?

Win a $100 Target gift card in the 11:30 am raffle on June 25 at Frugal Festival Food! Credit: Mattastic!/Flickr
Door prizes are first come first serve starting at 11 a.m. on June 25 at Frugal Festival Food! For a timeline of important Festival events, like the 11:30 a.m. $100 Target gift card raffle, go here.
I totally want to win the cookbook in today’s giveaway! Here’s your chance to win “Wildly Affordable Organic.”
The winners of “Gluten-free on a Shoestring” have been announced!

Win this book today at FrugalFestival.com
WE ARE HAVING A FOOD SWAP AT FRUGAL FESTIVAL FOOD! on June 25 in LA. Wahoo!
Don’t forget to enter your recipe in our contest to win fabulous prizes!
A new site makes saving money on groceries easy and helps you plan your grocery trips.
The winners of yesterday’s contest for “Vegan on the Cheap” have been announced!
Today’s lightening giveaway is for “Gluten-free on a Shoestring.” Don’t miss out!
We are super psyched to announce there will be a food swap at Frugal Festival Food on June 25!!! Make sure to reserve a spot now.

Tips on preserving summer fruit at the Festival!
Want to learn how to preserve summer produce that is ridiculously low-priced? Albertsons specialist Heidi Diller will show you how at Frugal Festival Food! on June 25 in LA.
Today’s book giveaway is for “Vegan on the Cheap.” Contest ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. EST so make sure to comment today for a chance to win.
Comments poured in for yesterday’s contest to win “Poor Girl Gourmet.” The five winners have been announced!
Don’t miss the first ever festival to save money on food! Frugal Festival Food! is June 25 in LA and supports the LA Regional Food Bank. Get your tickets now!
The five winners of “Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half” have been announced on the Frugal Festival site!
Today’s book giveaway is for “Poor Girl Gourmet,” a cookbook that sticks to a $15 per meal budget.Contest ends 11:59 p.m. EST tonight, June 14, 2011.
More free food announced at this year’s Frugal Festival Food! Libertine will be passing out bacon-wrapped tater tots at the in-person event June 25 in Canoga Park. That line is going to be long!

The original pizza salad
The ONLINE Frugal Festival kicks off today with two events:
- A Recipe Contest to win $25 Restaurant.com gift cards, AllRecipes memberships, and a copy of the Frugal Festival eCookbook.
- A Daily Book Giveaway to win Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half. FIVE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW!
I couldn’t help it, but I already entered a recipe for pizza salad, pictured above, into the contest. All details for how to win the Recipe Contest and Daily Book Giveaway are on the Frugal Festival event website. Use the above links to access them.
If you are in LA on June 25, make sure to get tickets to the in-person Frugal Festival Food!
Swag bags for Frugal Festival Food! on June 25 just arrived!!! Man, these Envirosax reusable bags are niiiiiice. I’m surprised they only sell for $9. You get one free with admission!
Plus, here’s where to park for free at the Festival.
Frugal Festival Food!
Canoga Park High School
6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Canoga Park, CA 91303
June 25, 11am-2pm
We have 100 amazing books to give out at Frugal Festival Food!
- 80 are door prizes for the event June 25 in Canoga Park
- 20 are recipe raffle prizes for the ONLINE event June 13-24
Plus, we’d really like to borrow your megaphone and/or two large water cooler/dispensers (like the ones you see at sporting events) so we can serve free water and lemonade.












