The Cheap Diva

Movies Provide Cheap Holiday Entertainment

Unless you party with the funniest people on the planet, after a while holiday gatherings can feel like a never ending marathon of small talk and big calorie desserts. To keep things fresh and interesting, interrupt the chatfest and play a crowd pleasing movie. There is a movie for just about any crowd. Here are a few of my favorites.

Dr. Seuss - How the Grinch Stole Christmas DVD is a holiday classic for many reasons. It's short enough to appeal to the short attention span crowd (kids and internet junkies who will simply DIE if they have to wait longer than an hour to check their email/Facebook page). It's strikes the perfect balance between sweetness, whimsy and humor which appeals anyone who is a kid at heart. The story and animation are simply entertaining, even after all these years.

What I love about A Christmas Story is that the story is told from 9 year old Ralphie Parker's point of view.  This delightful holiday gem tells is set in the 1940's and tells the story of Ralphie's efforts to obtain the ultimate Christmas present, a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot, Range Model Air Rifle, in spite of the fact that every adult that he tells warns him he'll shoot his eye out. Meanwhile The Old Man just got a strange award (a lamp shaped like a woman's leg), Ralphie's not too bright friend gets his tongue stuck to a flag pole, and Ralphie accidentally blurts out the f-word in front of his father.

Toy Story appeals to the kid in all of us.This animated classic celebrates the joy of toys with humor and a sense of adventure. Cowboy doll Woody is the favorite toy of little boy Andy, and the leader of all the other toys. His fun filled world is suddenly turned upside down when Andy gets a Buzz Lightyear action figure for his birthday. Suddenly, Woody is in danger of being replaced as Andy and all the toys give Buzz their attention. Worse yet, Buzz doesn't know he's a toy. He thinks he's the real Buzz Lightyear. When the two toys get lost, the adventure begins as they work together to get home before Andy moves.

What better way to celebrate a season of shopping that by watchingThe Devil Wears Prada? You don't have to be a style insider to enjoy this fashionable farce. This clever, funny movie features Meryl Streep as Miranda, the ridiculously demanding editor-in-chief of Runway, an elite fashion magazine full of size-0, fashion obsessed slaves. The smart new second-assistant Andrea (Anne Hathaway), has more brains than style which makes her stand out like a pair of fuzzy slippers. Andrea aspires to be a serious journalist and looks down at the shallow fashion world, yet she finds herself seduced by the perks of the fashionable life. Miranda is the boss from hell, but Streep's underplayed, brilliant comic timing make her a fun and fascinating character watch.

 

Holiday Displays Provide Free Entertainment

The holiday season is filled with the splendor of colorful displays that make the season shine. Some of the best, brightest and most beautiful indoor holiday displays are all conveniently located right next to each other in downtown Kansas City.

What better way to celebrate the traditions of the holiday season than a visit to historic Union Station. Union Station is a majestic piece of architecture in it's own right, but the embellishment of holiday themed decorations takes it to a whole new level. A tree of epic proportions takes center stage near entrance bursting with brightly colored ornaments and decorations. This towering tree greet guest near one entrance while a profusion of festive garland and wreaths hang from the ceiling and upper level.

For all it's holiday finery, the big attraction at Union Station is found way in the back. The collection of miniature train displays in back is a fun attraction for kids and anyone who is still a kid at heart. The different miniature train displays reflect the skills and personality of the people that created them. Some train sets are perfectly scaled and historically accurate while some take a more whimsical approach with a random mix of out of proportion toys tossed into the display just for fun. 

Take a leisurely walk across the glass covered bridge from Union Station to arrive at Crown Center without ever stepping out into the elements. The main entrance in front of the escalators has a larger than life holiday wreath that is at least one story tall. Throughout Crown Center and the adjoining hotel you will find an assortment of eye catching holiday decorations. Window shopping at the many Crown Center stores carries out the Christmas spirit, with many stores showing off holiday themed displays.

After an inspiring visit to Crown Center, stroll down the street and take a sentimental journey through the history of Hallmark at the Hallmark Visitors Center. This small and intimate museum showcases a variety of Hallmark gift related products from decades past to the present. The tree display is a must see. These are no ordinary trees. Over the years the creative minds at Hallmark have produced unique Christmas trees made of ornamental woodwork, quilts and a variety of other materials with the ornaments reflecting the theme of the tree. After checking out the trees, be sure to visit the machine that makes bows and take home a souvenir of your memorable visit.

 

Get Your Game on This Holiday Season

Holiday gatherings often involve bringing people together that don't know see each other often. To turn this potentially social awkward situation into a fun time for all, consider introducing a few ice breaker games to the party mix. From poker, to bunko to every card and dice game in between, this Cards and Dice Game set from Z Gallerie is ready for all kinds of fun and games! Housed in an attractive and portable black lacquer , the set features two decks of cards printed with a black and white geometric pattern, and five matching black dice.

Bring on the bling and let the games begin! Complement your the sparkling conversation with this sparkling Bling Dominoes set from Z Gallerie. This glamourous game is embellished with shimmering clear crystals and contained in a sleek and chic case with a clear lid to showcase all those dazzling dominoes in between games. The set makes for an attractive gift.

Get in on the act with a classic game of Charades by Z Gallerie. It's a raucous race against time as players mime gestures that give clues to the hundreds of possible topics  while onlookers blurt out possible answers. Charades requires a little skill and a lot of imagination. It's a game that encourages everyone to be a bit of a performer.

 

Holiday Lights Tour

A leisurely drive through neighborhoods or parks featuring holiday lights display can become an easy and casual get together with friends with a little planning. Check local newspapers, tourist website and parks and recreation web sites for locations of holiday lights displays or Google "Holiday lights" or "Christmas lights" and the name of your city or state for local diplays. After choosing a display, invite a handful of people you want to participate in your lights tour. If the number is small enough, around six people, then you might be able to use one minivan for the tour. If the number is larger than six or no one in your party owns a minivan, then take two cars and keep in contact with stragglers via cell phone.

Have guests meet at your home at an appointed time. Don’t serve drinks before the tour. Drinking a lot of liquids before taking a long drive creates a potentially uncomfortable situation for some of the passengers.  Home owners with display lights expect people to admire their handywork from afar, their holiday spirit might not extend to letting a bunch of strangers user their bathroom.  Besides, leaving in the middle of a party to pile into a car for the holiday lights tour disrupts the flow of the party.

Before starting out on your journey you need a detailed map and a copilot in the front passenger seat who can read a map.  As soon as your guests are settled into the vehicle start playing instrumental holiday music softly to set the mood.  Soft instrumental music is more conducive to conversation while subjecting your passengers to an upbeat to the point of annoying songs about Frosty the Snowman will probably receive a rather frosty response.

It helps to have someone acting as a hostess if it’s going to be a long drive. The hostess can quiz passenger on such topics as what are the 12 things listed in the song the 12 days of Christmas or have guests take about their favorite holiday memories. A hostess with an irreverent sense of humor can also act as a tour conductor keeping a running commentary on the displays “and folks if you look to your left you will see the worlds tackiest collection of plastic Santas….”

After the tour is finished, head back to your house for hot drinks like coco and spiced cider and some snacks. Talk about your favorite displays and enjoy a leisurely break from the high pressure holiday season.

Tune In and Chill Out with Great Holiday Music

I wish Santa would deliver some decent Christmas music to the local radio stations. So many perfectly good holiday songs are ruined by singers with weak voices better suited to predictable pop tunes. If you are looking for great holiday music your best bet is to buy it. On amazon.com you can preview samples of the music before buying it.

Josh Groban is one pop star that is clearly not getting by on good looks alone. He has the kind of soaring voice and beautiful range that brings the holiday classics to life in a way that is simply uplifting. His Noel by Josh Groban CD is sure to become a Christmas classic.

The song Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer! serves as an important reminder that listening to "fun" holiday songs can get pretty irritating pretty fast. To ensure that you won't have the lyrics to Frosty the Snowman stuck in your head through the New Year, add some instrumental holiday music to your play list.  Mannheim Steamroller is famous for putting a contemporary twist on the holiday classics. Their best selling Christmas by Mannheim Steamroller CD is worth a listen.

If you're feeling nostalgic for classic holiday tunes such as White Christmas sung by Bing Crosby or The Christmas Song sung by Nat "King" Cole then Christmas All-Time Greatest, Vol. 01 is worth a listen. This compilation CD includes songs ranging from the serious (I'll Be Home for Christmas sung by Glen Campbell) to the silly (Little Saint Nick sung by the Beach Boys).

Make Halloween a Movie Night

Halloween should be just as much fun for adults as it is for kids.  I believe one of the things preventing adults from having grown up Halloween parties is the idea that it has to be some sort of big production.  People look at the pages of Martha Stewart magazine filled with perfectly handcrafted items and homes decorated like  elaborate stage sets and they think "I don't have time for that!"  Don't let your fear of falling short of perfection scare you away from having a great time on Halloween.

Have fun on Halloween by hosting something simple like a movie night.  Pick a Halloween themed movie, preferably something PG, that is fun and light in tone.  I once attended a Halloween party where the main entertainment was a graphic slasher flick that killed my enthusiasm for the party almost as fast as the bad guy was killing off second rate actors.  A party is supposed to make guests loosen up, not lose their appetite.

It's pretty easy to build a general theme around a Halloween themed movie like Ghostbusters.  Since the theme of the movie revolves around ghosts, you can ask guests on the invitation to come as the ghost of their favorite dead person.  The dead person can be someone famous, or an eccentric deceased relative that provides plenty of irreverent inspiration.  Many people don't like to bother dressing up in costumes for Halloween.   To make  everyone feel welcome with our without a costume while still sticking to the spirit of the party you can encourage guests to dress like mourners and wear a lot of black to the party or wear all white for a ghostly effect if they aren't interested in wearing a costume.  

If you feel the need to decorate, throw solid white colored sheets over the couch and chairs that guests will be sitting on.  Turn the lights down a little if you have dimmers.  If you happen to have a solid red tablecloth, maybe left over from Christmas, that would be perfect for decorating whatever you are using as a buffet table.

For snacks set up a popcorn buffet.  Mix a large batch of plain or lightly salted popcorn with a sweet candy like M&Ms in one larg bowl.  Mix another large batch of plain popcorn with chex mix or some sort of trail mix for a saltier take on popcorn and then mix up a third batch in a third bown of popcorn and another type of candy, maybe gummy worms.  Even if you mix candy and popcorn equally, it's still a lot cheaper than serving popcorn by itself.  For drinks you can serve soda pop and regular tea.  You don't want an overly flavorful tea that is going to clash with the popcorn. 

If you are concerned about the party dying when the movie isn't on, buy a few halloween themed games, like Halloween bingo, at your local toy store to bring your party back from the dead.

Now That's What I Call Halloween Music!

Just because your party guests look like they might be dead is no excuse for playing deadly dull music at your Halloween party. Have a great time at your next Halloween party with hauntingly great tunes from the Now That's What I Call Halloween music CD, also available as a digital download. This music collection is packed with enough party favorites to help your ghoulish guests get their groove on. 

Packed with 18 spooky songs, Now That's What I Call Halloween is the ultimate Halloween playlist. From soulful classics like I Put a Spell on You sung by Nina Simone, popular pop tunes like Dead Man's Party, retro classics like Monster Mash, rock classics like Devil Inside by INCXS to downright creepy movie themes like Tubular Bells from the Exorcist this music compilation has it all. The variety of tunes embraces the spirit of Halloween perfectly and is perfect to leave playing in the background at any haunted holiday gathering.    

Be More Adventurous on a Budget

Media images of dare devils skydiving out of airplanes, adrenalin junkies risking serious injury in extreme sports or action heroes dodging bullets are so common it's easy to get brainwashed into believing that unless you are risking life and limb you are the world's most boring human with no sense of adventure. The good news it that you can be a little more adventurous and break out of a boring rut with breaking a bone. My definition of adventure is trying new things and being open to new discoveries and the possibility of embracing an experience that is unfamiliar. Approaching adventure as simply something different from you normal routine opens up a world of  possibilities. Here are a few suggestion for being more adventurous without going broke.

• Take the path less traveled, literally. I recently went to the park and noticed a walking trail along the edge of the park hidden by trees. I can't remember when I had ever taken this trail instead of my usual route. On impulse I decided to walk the unfamiliar route just to see where it leads. It eventually lead back to the park of course, but it was fun to take a fresh approach to visiting my favorite park. Mix up your walking or driving route once in a while and see something new.
• Embrace other cultures, especially if food is involved! Local festivals are a frugal way to explore the sights and sounds of other cultures (like India Fest 2015 pictured here). Cultural festivals offer a multisensory experience allowing you to discover the colors and patterns associated with various cultures, listening to native music, tasting authentic food and touching the products that are for sale.
• Meet new people for the purpose of learning and engaging in activities you find interesting. Let a popular website like meetup.com introduce you to a wide variety of  activities and people. If you feel stuck in a rut, getting together with interesting people and sharing ideas and experiences can help you learn how to take a fresh approach to both personal and professional interests.
• Get off the couch and plan a trip close to home. A short staycation or day trip focused on destinations within reasonable driving distances are a fun and cheap way to rediscover some of the great attractions in your own back yard. Check tourist and travel web sites for inspiration or imagine if you had guests visiting from out of town. Where would you take them to have fun?

Find Fun and Affordable Events in Your Area

Allevents.com is a budget friendly cure for boredom. I am always on the lookout for interesting things to do but local lifestyle web sites often feature expensive entertainment events that are far outside of my budget and so far outside of my neighborhood I would spend more time driving to and from the event than enjoying it. When I checked out allevents.com I was surprised and delighted to discover just how many fun and frugal things there were to do in my area that I had never heard about.

When I visited allevents.com and started looking for things to do within my zip code I was impressed by the variety of affordable events near me. I found charity events, spiritual gatherings, business networking meetings, health and wellness related events, live concerts, art classes, sporting events and more. What separates allevents.com from other event web sites is that it doesn't just focus on major events and big ticket entertainment in big cities. Whether you live in the heart of the city or the fringes of the suburbs, allevents.com is a terrific resource for finding a variety of affordable entertainment and events close to home. If you look up your area on allevents.com and find very little going on that interests you, it's easy too expand your search to neighboring areas that are a short drive away.  

Fresh Ideas for Summer Dining by Bed Bath & Beyond

Casual outdoor dining is often a sloppy affair filled with miss matched food containers, clunky insulated food totes, and drippy bags of melting ice. Stop setting for bland dining experiences and give your outdoor dining an upgrade with stylish outdoor dining essentials from Bed Bath and Beyond.

The Fit & Fresh Aruba Insulated Beach Tote in Black is perfect for the beach, the park, or any casual outdoor gathering. This casual yet chic black and white beach tote features thick insulation to keep your food and beverages fresh. This roomy beach tote has enough space to hold books, towels, flip-flops, clothes and other beach essentials and enough style to pass as a fashion statement. 

The Primula The Big 1-Gallon Iced Tea & Cold Coffee Brewer makes it easy to whip up tasty hot and cold beverages for a party or everyday enjoyment. The gallon size thirst quencher is ideal for brewing hot and cold tea, infusing fruit flavors into water, infusing mint or lavender into tea, and even chilling cocktails. 

 

These clever Fit & Fresh Smart Portion Chill Containers keeps food fresh without messy wet ice packs. The containers include removable ice packs to keep food chilled. A space saving stackable design makes these a great choice for picnic baskets and beach totes.

Have Fun Indoors this Summer!

Forget sunblock, I say the best way to avoid sunburn is to stay indoors and avoid the sun altogether! There are plenty of ways to beat the heat during the summer that won't burn through your budget. For example, museums sometimes offer free admission. To shop indoors, stroll through local enclosed shopping malls, antique malls, and enjoy shopping events, like women's expos, at local convention centers.

Enjoying that epic flick on the big screen is cheaper if you take in a matinee and skip the snack bar. Check out the web sites of local movie theaters for any discounts and deals they are running. A cheap alternative to going out for a movie is enjoying a movie at home. Check out the movies at your local library. If you don't find your favorite flick at your library you can ask the librarian to order it for you or buy it cheap online. If a movie DVD, like The Devil Wears Prada, is more that a few years old you can often find it super cheap on amazon.com or ebay.com. I recently purchased a blockbuster movie DVD for under $5.00 online!  

The easiest way to stay active while staying indoors is taking advantage of your local community centers. Many community centers offer exercise classes, exercise equipment and some community centers even have indoor pools! If sweating in public isn't your idea of a good time, check out the variety of fun classes offered by local community centers and community colleges.

Cheap Summer Entertainment

There is much cheap entertainment going on during the summer that even a couch potato like me has a hard time staying home! From free outdoor art fairs and farmers' markets to women's expo events, there are plenty of fun and frugal ways to enjoy the summer. To find cheap summer entertainment in your area check out tourist web sites for you state, such as the  visitkc.com, and web sites for local parks and convention centers. Also check out your local library to pick up local magazines which often feature an entertainment and event section. For one of a kind shopping keep your eyes open for estate sales, flea markets and craft shows.

Enjoy the Prairie Village Art Fair this weekend.

Get a Life without Going Broke!

After a long winter of hibernating in true couch potato style, I am always desperate to get out of the house and have some fun. However, it can be challenging to find local events that are cheap, fun and close to me. Local lifestyle web sites and magazines often promote events that involve high ticket costs, a loooong drive for me, or both. 

I had no idea how many frugal and fun things there are to do in my own back yard until I discovered allevents.in!  At allevents.in I found an amazing variety of activities to do that were not only cheap, they are all a short drive away. The list of events I found at allevents.com include charity walks, wellness events, live music, dancing events, family friendly events like a circus, adult fare like swimsuit contests... gatherings for various kinds of hobby enthusiasts and food related events.

Allevents.in features the type of low key, budget friendly events that don't get mentioned in local lifestyle magazines and web sites. I will still visit the major lifestyle web sites for my metro area to find out about major events, like the annual designer show house, but allevents.in is now my go to resource for frugal and fun activities close to home. 

Show Yourself some Love this Valentine's Day

I love Valentines Day, I just hate the propaganda generated by retailers who generally ignore platonic expressions of love.  Instead they repeatedly bombard shoppers with the message that Valentines Day is for Romantics only and if you don't have someone in your life buying you cheap lingerie and cute teddy bears then you are a total loser and you should hide out in bed all day until Valentines Day passes or Prince Charming shows up on a white horse, whichever comes first. 

This Valentines Day instead of waiting for a romantic partner (who may not be that romantic or may not even exist) to show their love through high calorie candies, show yourself some love by pampering yourself and/or expressing your innermost passions.   Pampering can be as cheap and easy as visiting a local beauty school that does facials and massages.  Check out beautyschoolsdirectory.com to find a fabulous school near you. 

Think about what you are passionate about, and then start thinking of ways to get in touch with that passion.  Love music but hate buying CD's or downloads, click on over to Pandora Radio and listen for free. Pandora not only lets you listen for free it will find new music similar to the tunes you love based on melody, instrumentation, rhythm, vocals, lyrics etc. so you discover even more music to love.  If you love the great outdoors, head out to a local park for a scenic walk or call your local gym to see if they have a rock climbing wall.  Love art?  Check the web site for your local museum to see if they offer any free day or special discounts. Interested in romance? Check out a romantic comedy or trashy romance novel from your local library. No matter what you do this Valentine's Day, do it with love!

Have More Fun Hibernating at Home

When it's freezing cold outside I'm tempted to stay home and hibernate until the spring thaw, but I can only stay inside watching hours of HGTV before I go stir crazy. The key to keeping my sanity and enjoying time spent at home is having a variety of things to do. Here are a few tips to having more fun at home without spending a fortune.

• Hit your local library and stock up. Checking out a variety of books, entertaining DVDs, exercise videos, books on CD is sure to keep things interesting when you need a break from TV reruns and endless emails.
• Do something active just for the fun of it. Check out a belly dancing DVD from the library, dance around to your upbeat music like a pop star, do Tai Chi or some other stress relieving exercise.
• Express your creative side by making something. Try out new recipes, practice a craft, or simply set you dining table in an attractive and inviting manor.
• Play dress up. Experiment with new looks using the makeup and wardrobe items you already own. For example, apply eye shadows in new ways, treating your everyday eye shadow like an eye liner or mix separates in you wardrobe in ways you have never worn before.   
• Freshen you space by rearranging your bookcase displays, removing visible clutter from your space, clean like company is coming so you can enjoy a clean home.
• Pamper yourself. Instead of rushing through your beauty routine take time to enjoy the sensual texture of the moisturizer as you apply it to your skin, appreciate the beautiful color of the polish you are applying to your nails, and treat yourself to a facial mask or hair conditioning treatment.

Tune In to Acapella Holiday Music

Nothing ruins my holiday spirit faster than turning on the radio and hearing some pop star with limited talent singing a classic holiday tune badly.  To do a Christmas song justice requires real singing talent. This is why the idea of holiday songs performed by acapella groups is so appealing. Acapella groups entertain with their singing talent, not sythesizers and other musical gimmicks.  

I was delighted when I turned on the radio and heard the song That's Christmas to Me performed to perfection by the acapella group Pentatonix. Pentatonix first claim to fame is winning a singing competition on TV and their album That's Christmas to Me shows that this group is no one hit wonder. The digital version of the album is available for only $4.99 on amazon.com and it includes such holiday classics as Silent Night and Santa Clause is coming to town. Having these holiday classics performed acapella style by a contemporary singing group makes them sound appealing fresh and yet still familiar. 

The Great Christmas Light Fight

The battle for the the most brilliant holiday light show is back! The Great Christmas Light Fight turns holiday decorating into a competitive sport. I loved watching this show last year and I by a who new season of truly amazing holiday displays.

In this televised Christmas lights competition, 4 families compete each week  for a chance to win $50,000, which is almost enough to cover their light bill!  These 20 families from across America go to extremes to transform their homes for the holidays with over-the-top designs.  The Great Christmas Light Fightpremiers Monday, December 8 (8:00-7:00 p.m., ET/PT). Design stars Michael Moloney and Sabrina Soto (from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition) serve as judges for the series. 

 

How to Save On Halloween Costumes, Candy and Fun

Here are some money saving tips for Hallownne from coupon Mom Stephanie Nelson. Halloween  is now reported to be the 2nd most expensive holiday of the year! Even though we don't exchange expensive gifts on Halloween, it is easy to rack up big bills on costumes and candy. The good news is that there are many easy ways to save money on Halloween expenses without compromising on the fun.

1. Be creative. It can cost $35 to $50 for many popular children's costumes at party stores,  which adds up quickly if you have more than one child. With a little creativity, you and your children can make easy costumes with items you have around the house. You can also shop at a local thrift store to buy vintage clothing to use as costumes.

2. Research ideas on-line. My favorite costume idea resource is FamilyFun.com, which lists 100 easy and inexpensive costumes you can create at home -- whether you have a few hours or only a few minutes to put an outfit  together. 

3. Don’t overbuy. If you live in a neighborhood, you will most likely be buying candy to give out on Halloween night. The challenge is to avoid overbuying -- who wants  bags of leftover candy when the kids come home with far more than they need?  If you are nervous your stash won't last, consider buying       Hershey's Kisses or similar chocolate candy that you can use later  for holiday baking. 

4. Look for coupons. You can also save money on candy and costumes by watching for store sales and       coupons in the Sunday coupon circulars or in your mailbox. Find coupons in the Sunday newspaper ads throughout October.         

5. Carve a pumpkin. The easiest decoration that is also fun for kids is carving a pumpkin together. For   just a few dollars, you can create a memorable annual tradition with your child and decorate your front porch or window at the same time. Save the seeds and find a recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds, as well. 

6. Get crafty. You can find plenty of inexpensive Halloween decorating projects from books in the library, local family magazines distributed free at libraries and schools.  Easier projects include making ghosts       to hang in the window made out of string, glue and waxed paper. Doing a project with your children will be much less expensive and far more memorable than shelling out $100 for decorations at the local party       store. 

7. Save on admission. This is the time       of year for pumpkin festivals, Halloween fairs, hayrides, haunted house       tours and more. Many schools and churches offer free festivals and       fairs as family-friendly alternatives on Halloween.Prices for these       family events vary widely, from free to as much as $20 a head. Check the       local event websites or the calendar section in community newspapers and       magazines to find inexpensive events.  Be on the lookout for       admission coupons in your local paper and check the web       sites of Festival sponsoring organizations to find printable coupons for       reduced admissions.  Your local grocery store may sell       discounted tickets for these events either on their Web site or at their       customer service counter in the store.

Stephanie Nelson is the Coupon Mom. Her web site, www.CouponMom.com, has       7 million members, and she is established as the nation’s top expert in       couponing across the country. Stephanie has been on every major national       television talk show and taught millions how to save money for the past 14       years. She has been called ‘”the rock star of the recession” by the       Washington Post and her book, The Coupon Mom’s Guide to Cutting Your       Grocery Bills in Half, is a New York Times best       seller.

Get the Best Hotel Room Deals with Tingo

The cheapest way to travel in a group is to travel with other cheapskates like I do! Whether your travel companions are friends or family, traveling with other Cheap Diva's pretty much guarantees your travel costs will stay under control. Another benefit of traveling with other Cheap Diva's is that you can learn some great money saving strategies from them.

That's how I found out about tingo.com. My penny pinching travel companion was bragging about how she got a great deal  on hotel rooms through tingo.com, then after paying for the room she later got a partial refund because the price of the hotel room had dropped after she paid for her reservation. This is what sets tingo.com apart from other hotel deal web sites. With most deal web sites you pay one price and that's it, the deal is done and the price doesn't change even if the price of the room goes down after you pay for it. With tingo.com you get the lowest price no matter what. If the price of the hotel room you reserve goes down in between the time you pay for it and the time you stay at the hotel, tingo.com will refund you the difference. My frugal travel companion was delighted to discover that on top of getting a good hotel deal to begin with, she would receive a $100.00 refund because the price of her hotel room had dropped after she paid for it.

The up side of tingo.com and other travel deal web sites is that you can save some serious cash, but it always pays to be aware of the drawbacks. If you reserve a hotel room through a deals web site and you cancel your trip or your hotel experience is pure horror story, you might not be able to get a refund at all. So go ahead and take advantage of travel deal web sites, but be aware of both the risks and rewards before spending your money. If you weigh the risks against the rewards, you may find that deal sites like tingo.com can definitely make travel a very rewarding experience.

Art Fairs Offer Free Entertainment

I think attending any art fair has the potential to either be a miserable or wonderful experience depending on your strategy or lack of strategy. The annual Kansas City Plaza Art Fair going on September 19 through 21 is such a major attraction that attending the art fair definitely requires a strategy.

Before deciding when to attend any fair, it helps to decide on an agenda. Why are you attending this art fair? Are you attracted to the free entertainment such as free music concerts? If there is a specific performance you want to enjoy be sure to arrive at the art fair at least a half an hour before the performance starts. This will give you time to find that all elusive parking space, find the stage area and have enough time to left over to snag a good seat.

Are you a serious shopper looking for original art pieces to put in your home? If you are a serious shopper then maybe you want to hit the art fair the first day they open as early as you can get there. Visiting the art fair the Friday it opens means beating the weekend crowds. The downside to attending first thing is that it might be harder to negotiate prices down since the vendors may not feel pressured to unload their merchandise until near the end of the art fair.

My agenda in attending any art fair is simply window shopping. It's fun to look at the kind of creative designs you find at art fairs that you won't find at your local mall. I am not a serious buyer and I couldn't care less about live concerts, so I my strategy is to attend the art fair on the last day and be there when it opens. By the last day the serious shoppers have come and gone and on Sunday people like to be leisurely and shopping attractions don't get seriously busy until noon. At least that's what I am hoping.

Do you like sampling new foods? There are plenty of vendors selling enticing, but not always health food. If you want to resist temptation and save some cash, eat a full meal before heading out to the art fair and keep a few granola bars on you to snack on when that overpriced art fair food starts to tempt you. Where ever you live I encourage you to check out your local art fairs, they are wonderful forms of free entertainment.

 

 

 

 

Find Free Summer Concerts!

I laugh when I see the ads for high priced music concerts. I am not paying top dollar for tickets to a live music concert when there are plenty of free concerts going on throughout the summer! To find free summer concerts all I have to do is check out my local parks and recreation web site for free concerts in the park. For a completely free entertainment experience I can pack my own food and drinks to avoid spending money on overpriced junk food at the concert. Other outdoors events, such as 4th of July festivals or arts and crafts festivals, often provide free family friendly musical entertainment.

Enjoy good food and good music at your local farmer's market. Some farmer's markets have free music concerts going on during the farmer's market to keep shoppers entertained. At some shopping centers bargain hunting isn't the only form of entertainment. Rock out at the Zona Rosa shopping complex in Kansas City, Missouri with their summer concert series that fetures all flavors of music from rock, blues and funk, favorites from the 60s, 70s, 80s pop, celtic, country, to great original music thrown into the mix.

Designer Showhouse Offers Cheap Entertainment

After a long winter stuck inside watching countless hours of HGTV I am ready to abandon my couch to see fresh decorating ideas in person. Luckily the arrival of spring means fabulous designer showhouses throughout the country are opening their doors. To find a designer showhouse in your area type "design showhouse" and the name of your state into a search engine.

Here in Kansas we have the fabulous 45th Symphony Designers Showhouse going on April 26 through May 18. For me the annual Symphony Designer Showhouse is a must see event because they do an amazing job of showcasing local design talent. An older mansion with elegant architecture and lots of character is chosen for the showhouse which creates an ideal backdrop for the variety of designs featured.

A designer showhouse features a variety of design styles. I walk into some of the decorated rooms and I am either awed by by the brilliance of the design or aghast at the shocking bad taste of the room. Either way it makes for great entertainment.

Avoid 5 Outrageous Special Occassion Costs

Prom or no prom, you can save big on special occasions with these tips by consumer expert Andrea Woroch.

Some experts project this year's prom at just under $2,000 per couple. Two grand for one night? Consider these outrageous costs for prom compiled by Prom Girl and learn how to cut expenses without cutting out all the fun!

Prom Dress - $100 - $400

• Head online to liketwice.com for big discounts on designer apparel, including 80-percent off gowns from Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs and more.
• Peruse local consignment shops like Plato's Closet or Buffalo Exchange for gently used formal wear, or do it Macklemore-style and head to the nearest thrift shop.
• Rent stunning designer gowns for a fraction of retail prices with RentTheRunway.com, a popular online service offering celebrity-worthy formalwear starting at just $75.

Tuxedo Rental - $100 to $150

• Compare costs between tuxedo rental shops as prices can vary while styles and options are similar.
• Use coupons to save on tuxedo rentals from department stores. For example, you can save $10 to $20 off tuxedo rentals from Bealls when you use the coupon app from Coupon Sherpa at checkout.
• Avoid renting accessories like cufflinks and pocket squares -- no one will notice the lack of wrist bling or chest fluff.

Hair, Makeup & Nails - $30 to $275

• The easiest way to save money on this expense is to DIY. Pinterest is a great source for prom updos and makeup ideas that talented friends or family members can help recreate.
• Have you teen select one service to get professionally done and cost-share; the other two services can be done at home.
• For teens opting for a less formal hairstyle, schedule a routine hair appointment the day of prom for a professional styling at a pre-budgeted expense.

Dinner - $25 to $130 per person

• Host a multi-course dinner at your house and either prepare it yourself or get it catered. If you go the latter route, order only appetizers and the main course; prepare a side salad and dessert yourself for cheap!
• Order discount gift cards to Fleming's, Claim Jumper, Fogo de Chao and other upscale restaurant chains from GiftCardGranny.com for up to 15-percent off face value. Prom goers can use these cards to pay for dinner and score built-in savings!

Limousine Rental - $200 to $500

• Request the oldest (but cleanest) model of limousine available and get the full price upfront as some companies include a driver's tip and fuel surcharges into the final bid while others exclude these expenses.
• Don't rent more limo than you need. If your teen is grouped with two other couples, there's no sense in renting an eight-passenger stretch limo when a cheaper six-passenger vehicle will do.

The Best Budget Travel Web Sites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hate it when getting info on the web is  more time consuming and frustrating than picking up the phone and talking to an actual human. After spending over an hour on my car insurance web site updating my account information to get info on what kind of car rental discount I could get through them, their web site told me every single car I was considering renting is not available at the car rental place close to me. I seriously doubt a car rental business would be completely out of cars so I will call the company during regular business hours and see what my options are. 

After this frustrating experience I decided to never visit that web site again and focus on travel web sites that provide me with information without wasting my limited time and patience. One web site I like is AAA auto club. Because it's an auto club web site it's geared toward road trips and traveling within the U.S.A. It's a great resource to plan a trip, get maps and guidebooks, and find tourist information on the kind of destinations (like the midwest and small cities) often ignored in flashy upscale travel sites.

If the thought of a staycation makes you a feel a little stir crazy and you want to get out of town without going for broke, visit the Budget Travel web site.  Budget Travel offers plenty of insider tips on stretching your travel dollars inside the U.S.A. and abroad. Check out their recommended 10 Most Useful Travel Websites before planning that dream vacation so you can have plenty of money left over for tacky souvenirs!

The Best in Oscar Fashion

I'd like to thank the Academy...for years of glamourous red carpet fashions! The red carpet is the ultimate fashion show, with actors often recieving more media attention for their red carpet look than their Oscar nominated peformance. If you aren't up for the endless marathon of acceptance speeches and just want to indulge in the best (and worst) of Oscar fashions, here are some of the best places to check out red carpet looks.

 

A beautiful actress walking dow the red carpet looking every inch the star in a fabulous ensemble is an entertaining fantasy of the glamourous Hollywood star. A beautiful actress walking down the red carpet in a major glamour don't is just as entertaining, in a "what was she thinking?" kind of way. For an in depth look at the Oscars visit http://oscar.go.com/red-carpet. To get your fill of Oscar fashion peruse the online or print version of In Style magazine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the best Oscar fashion is on film, not on the red carpet. For gorgeous period costumes, and equally gorgeous sets, The Great Gatsby Starring Leonardo Dicaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, et al. is a real winner!

Enjoy Your Favorite Music for Under $50.00

While gadget addicts are racking up big credit card bills buying high tech music players and accessories, I will be rocking out to my favorite tunes without diving into debt thanks to two affordable music gadgets that have impressed me with their performance.

The moment I clip on the SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip 8 GB MP3 Player to my shirt I instantly tune out the world and tune into my favorite music. The sound quality is surprisingly good for such a small device. The earbuds are comfortable and offer such depth and richness in tone that I don't feel the need to upgrade to a more expensive earphone. The menu is easy for nontechnical people like me to navigate successfully and it has fun features like Go list for your absolute must listen to tunes. My last MP3 player did not have a clip and now that I have the convenience of a clip on MP3 player I am never going back to clipless!

I am phasing out my music CDs (yes I still have some of those relics lying around) to make the switch to digital tunes but I'm not ready to invest in a major MP3 speaker system so I bought a cheap iHome iHM60GY 3.5mm Aux Portable Speaker.  It won't make the walls vibrate, but mini speaker does have size defying sound. The compact design provides surprising volume and bass response in a small space-saving speaker that fits in your hand on your desk, packed into your tote bag for short trips etc. The built-in rechargeable battery means you can take your tunes anywhere.

See Sexy Lingerie and Spectacular Light Diplays on TV

At the risk of sounding like a Grinch, I am not a fan of all the cutesy Christmas TV specials filled with more sappy sentiment than a Hallmark store. Just when I was ready to turn off my TV and curl up with a good book, I found a few Holiday specials that appeal to my stylish sensibilities.

 The Great Christmas Light Fight turns holiday decorating into a competitive sport. In this televised Christmas lights competition, 4 families compete each week  for a chance to win $50,000, which is almost enough to cover their light bill!  These 20 families from across America go to extremes to transform their homes for the holidays with over-the-top designs.  The Great Christmas Light Fight airs on Mondays, December 9 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET/PT), December 16 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) and December 23 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT). Michael Moloney and Sabrina Soto (from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition) serve as judges for the series. 

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show bills itself as the sexiest night on television. I think it's also one of the most entertaining nights on TV. The show is much more than pretty women prancing down a runway in skimpy lingerie, it's a dazzling spectacle! A typical Victoria's Secret Fashion Show includes live musical performances by hot pop stars, dancers, broadway worthy sets, and long legged models strutting around in elaborate show stopping costumes. Catch the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on Tuesday, December 10 at 10:00 PM ET/9:00 Central on CBS.

Essential Holiday Party Etiquette Tips

With so many holiday social events heading straight at you like a flying snowball, now is a good time to start thinking about holiday party etiquette. What do you wear? What do you bring the hostess? Whether you are the host or a guest this year, luxury resort and ready-to-wear designer Marie France Van Damme has essential holiday party etiquette tips that will make your holiday season go off without a hitch.

1. Prepare ahead of time:  Make a checklist of anything you might need to buy the week before the party and plan your outfit ahead of time to avoid any last minute stress.

2. Make sure you’re comfortable: The last thing you want to be doing is adjusting your clothes every two minutes. Choose elegant and decorative but comfortable tunics that allow you to move and eat as much as you want! I always opt for a sleek and chic silhouette over something flashy: it’s respectful and stylish.

3.     Stay away from denim: People tend to dress too casually – you should try to find a happy medium between casualwear and cocktail attire. Never wear denim. Jeans are not right for a cocktail party or most parties — black pants are much more appropriate. No one is going to the trouble of hosting a party for guests to look like they rolled out of bed.

4.     Travel lightly: Rather than a big oversized bag, bring a clutch. Smaller bags blend better than a big overstuffed handbag, and you can slip things in or out without drawing attention.

5.     Get rid of distractions:  Never bring your cell phone into a party.  Not only do cell phones cause unnecessary distractions, but they also tend to disrupt conversations. When I entertain I have guests put their cell phones in a box. The holidays should be enjoying the company of your family and friends.  Plus the stresses from outside life will not be as present if you leave your cell phone at home or in the car! 

6.     Don’t show up empty handed:Always bring a gift for the hostess to show your appreciation for her hard work. The gift doesn’t have to be over the top – a small gesture such as a bottle of your favorite wine goes a long way.

7.     Never over stay your welcome:  Be respectful of the hosts and leave when the party is over. Be sure to thank the hosts for throwing the party and offer to help whenever you can!

Send Beautiful Email Invitations and Cards for Free

For me receiving email invites is about as exciting as receiving spam. Maybe it's because so many email invites look like spam. Having been on the receiving end of countless uninspired email invites I was shocked by the fabulous designs available for free at paperlesspost.com. Paperless Post offers an impressive selection of invitations and card for a variety of occassions, including parties, holidays and events. The first rate graphics accompanied by clever wording are designed to ensure that these attractive online invites get read, not deleted. Keep Calm and Party On invite.

Rose Floral Ikat I - Navy

 

Banish Boredom and Have More Fun Every Day!

The cure for boredom is simple, try something new! A predictable routine that involves doing the same boring tasks over and over again the exact same way will eventually suck the life out of you like a vampire. Trying something new doesn't have to be a big gesture like sky diving (although that does sound like fun) it can be as simple as taking a fresh approach to things you normally do. Here are some fresh ideas to get you started.

• Are negative coworker getting on your nerves? Tune them out with upbeat music. I bought a cheap MP3 player and stocked it with upbeat music and a motivational tape. Now instead of listening to my coworkers gripe all day, I rock out to feel good tunes. Some of my favorite feel good tunes include Beautiful Life by Ace of Base, Good Feeling by Flo Rida, Aquarius - Let The Sunshine In by the Fifth Dimension, and Hold on Tight by ELO.
• Instead of sweating and swearing through that exercise video you almost have memorized, take a walk in the park on a nice day and enjoy the abundance of beauty nature has to offer. You could also check out your local community center for fun exercise classes like belly dancing or Zumba.
• Actively seek out inspiring ideas. Look at the displays at you local fashion or home goods store. Pay attention to the combination of different shapes, textures, colors and proportions used in an eye catching display. Create your own Pinterest board and collect images that inspire you. For inspiring home decor ideas click on the Pinterest button at the top left to visit my collection of inspiring home decor ideas.
• Shop for something ordinary like groceries in a more interesting way.  Visit a local farmer's market for fresh food and free entertainment. If you are a creative cook visit ethnic food shops for spices and other food products specific to a certain culture
• Laugh more. Find a TV comedy that's funny to you and watch it regulary. Read a book by an amusing author or read a comic strip. To brighten your mood instantly, remember a joke or situation that made you laugh out loud.