​What can you buy for a dollar these days? It turns out, plenty of things that are sometimes better (and of course cheaper) than at the big box discount stores! One can save a lot of money without compromising quality. I've organized a couple of parties with items purchased mostly at dollar stores!

Visit your neighborhood dollar stores ... such as Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, 99cent Only, Dollar General, Dollar King, etc.. to find great dollar values!

Here are my Top 10 Frugal Finds at various Dollar stores:

1. Stationery Supplies - notebooks, envelopes, pens, glue, tape.
2. Kitchen - utensils, sponges, sandwich bags, trash bags, foil, seasonings.
3. Cards - greeting cards for every occasion and holiday.
4. Snacks - chocolate bars, candy, cookies, chips.
5. Party Supplies - balloons, gift bags, paper cups, paper plates, decorations.
6. Cleaning Supplies - glass cleaner, cleanser, sponges, mops, brooms.
7. Personal Care - toothbrushes, cotton balls, hair accessories, facial tissues.
8. Storage - great assortment of baskets, bins, containers, boxes.
9. Household Items - batteries, trash bags, glassware, mugs.
10. Kids Stuff - toys, coloring books, seasonal costumes, crafts.

     

      

     

Tax day is April 15th. If you didn't procrastinate, you filed your taxes a long time ago and may have even received your refund (like I did:). 

In either case, go out and celebrate the end of tax season by taking advantage of all the freebies and discounts these eateries have to offer.  Plus, a bonus HydroMassage treat too!

Thanks to SavvySugar, here are 15 great ways to enjoy the 15th of April, tax day! There are some fun ones, like #5 and #7. Enjoy!

1. Arby's: Grab yourself free value-sized curly fries or potato cakes at participating Arby's locations, only on April 15.
2. Beef 'O' Brady's: Get 15 percent offyour entire bill on April 15. No coupon required.
3. Boston Market: Get two Half Chicken Individual Meals with two homestyle sides and cornbread for $10.40, only on April 15.
4. Buca di Beppo: Bring your family or friends to Buca di Beppo to enjoy a 4 Eat For $40 menu. Offer expires April 18.
5. California Tortilla: Say the secret password "taxes shmaxes" to your cashier, and get free chips and queso with an entrée purchase. Valid only on April 15, while supplies last.
6. Cinnabon: Participating locations will be giving out two free Cinnabon Bites from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 15, while supplies last.
7. Great American Cookie: Satisfy your sweet tooth with a free regular Original Chocolate Chip Cookie at participating locations on April 15.
8. Hard Rock Cafe: Love to sing and perform in front of a crowd? Sing for your supper, and get a free dinner entrée. Only at participating locations on April 15 from 5 to 7 p.m.
9. Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt: Fill your cup with as much frozen yogurt and toppings as you want for $4.15. Offer only available on April 15, when you claim a coupon from Orange Leaf's Facebook page.
10. Papa Murphy's: Enjoy a large pepperoni pizza for just $5, only at participating locations on April 15. No coupon needed.
11. Pinkberry: Try the new Pinkberrygreek for free during snack hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday in April. No coupon necessary.
12. Schlotzsky's: Enjoy a free Original Sandwich when you buy a 32-ounce drink and a bag of chips on April 15, only at participating locations. No coupon necessary.
13. Sonic: Grab any drink or slushy 50 percent off at participating Sonic drive-in locations. Valid all day on April 15.
14. Sonny's BBQ: Dine in at Sonny's BBQon April 15, and get a platter of Sweet & Smokey or Dry Rubbed Ribs with two sides and bread for half the price. No coupon needed.
15. Taco Bell: Buy a Freeze, medium soda, or any single Loaded Griller for $1 during Taco Bell's Happier Hour from 2 to 5 p.m. every day for a limited time only.

BONUS FREEBIE TREAT - HydroMassage: Bring this coupon to participating locations to receive a free HydroMassage between April 14 and April 18.

Happy Thrifty Tuesday! What are you doing this long Labor Day weekend? This weekend is the unofficial end of summer (boo!). However, it's a great time to get some shopping done or book some last minute travel plans.

If you have been thinking about buying some new clothing, electronics, or back-to-school items - there are some great Labor Day deals and discounts to take advantage of. 

Here are 10 of my favorite deals from SavvySugar.com.

1. Target: Up to 60 percent off Summer clearance. Save up to 20 percent on select clothing and up to 20 percent when you spend $150 on select furniture.

2. Old Navy: Save 25 percent on online order with code ONTAKE25. Ends Aug. 28. 

3. Macy's: 20 percent off with free shipping on a $99 purchase using the code LUCKYU. 

4. Pier 1: Big savings, including 25 percent off outdoor pillows and cushions, discounts on outdoor furniture, 20 percent off drink dispensers, and 20 percent off lanterns. 

5. Lowe's: Discounts include 10 percent off major appliances, 20 percent off grills, and more. 

6. Best Buy: Save up to 30 percent on major appliances, save $50 on iPhone 4S and 5, and other discounts on TVs and other electronics. 

7. Travelocity: 50 percent off select hotels. Save an extra 10 percent using the promo code 10SUMMER. 

8. Southwest: One-way flights as low as $69. Book by Aug. 29.

9. Virgin America: Great affordable flights from $79 each way.

10. Hotels.com: Extra 12 percent off for 12 days only with the code 12FOR12. Offer ends Sept. 1. 

Happy Thrifty Tuesday! My thrifty tip for today is ... never pay full price when you shop online! There are a few good online cash-back shopping portals out there. I'm highlighting a company called BeeSavy (pronounced savvy). Not only do you get cash-back when you shop but if you refer friends you earn money too! Listed below are the benefits of shopping online through BeeSavy's portal. Take the sting out of online shopping... sign up for a FREE account today! Click here to join.

Find Any Product At The Best Price!
With one search, BeeSavy compares prices from trusted stores, finds you the best coupons, and gets you cash back! Their comparison shopping engine goes above and beyond by including not only list price, tax, and shipping, but also cash back and coupon discounts—all in one simple interface.

Get Cash Back & Coupons From Your Favorite Stores
Find the best price on any product, get cash back from over 1,500 trusted online retailers, and find exclusive money-saving coupons at BeeSavy!

How Cash Back Works
Stores pay BeeSavy a sales commission for sending shoppers their way, and BeeSavy uses the commission to pay you cash back. We just need an email address so we can notify you when your cash back has been credited.

Coupons You'll Find Nowhere Else
BeeSavy not only scours the web for the best coupons, we also work directly with retailers to get you exclusive coupons you won't find anywhere else.

Refer Friends and Earn Commission Forever!
Other sites pay you a small, one-time commission for referring friends. BeeSavy pays you great commission on all of your referrals forever. We even pay you on all of their referrals up to seven (7) levels deep!

Take the sting out of online shopping... sign up for a FREE account today! Click here to join.

Happy Frugal Friday! Summer (un)officially starts this Memorial Day weekend. Here in Southern California, the weather already feels like summer came early. There are so many frugal ways to enjoy this summer season. Get ready, summer fun is here!

You don't have to spend a lot of money (or any money) to enjoy summertime activities. If your budget is tight, but you still want to feel like you're on a mini vacation or staycation. Here are 10 fun, fabulous and free ways to enjoy summer.

1. The Beach - If you are lucky enough to live within driving distance to a beach (or a lake or a river or even just a pool), take advantage as much as you can this summer. Go early so you can find a good parking spot nearby, for free of course! Pack some essentials - such as food, drinks, reading materials, sunglasses, beach chairs, towels, etc.. and just relax and maybe even work on your tan!
2. Street Fairs - Check online for local summer fairs in nearby towns or cities. Admission is usually free and there are always lots to see and taste. We recently came back from the nations largest single day street faire in Carlsbad, CA. We didn't buy anything, but many vendors offer free samples. It's a fun way to spend the day and a great way to walk off the delicious rotisserie chicken lunch that we shared for only $6.00 !!
3. Summer Concerts - Many local communities offer free outdoor summer concerts. This is a fabulous way to enjoy your city's music scene and learn about new bands and hear great music. Check your local listings throughout the summer.
4. Stroll Old Town - This is one of my favorite things to do, in any season! Most areas have a downtown or old town with quaint local stores (vs. chain stores). Leisurely stroll and stop in at the shops and maybe grab a little bite to eat at one of the cozy cafes. I enjoy checking out little antique shops. This is a great way to discover little gems for one-of-a-kind treasures.
5. Farmers Markets - Hit your local farmers market early so you get the freshest produce. Support local growers (vs. big box supermarkets), often times they are cheaper and offer a much better quality. Most vendors offer samples too! You can also shop for healthier organic options. Make a shopping list of items you might need ahead of time, so you won't overspend.
6. Scenic Drives - Go a little off the beaten path to areas where you normally wouldn't drive to. Make sure it's not too far so you won't waste money on gas. Map out your destination ahead of time. Make sure to stop when you can to take in the sights.
7. Picnics At The Park - Pack a light picnic lunch and drive (or walk) to your favorite park. Pick a quiet, shaded spot and enjoy your meal. Bring some music or reading material if you plan to go by yourself.
8. Explore New Neighborhoods - This is a great way to feel like you are exploring a new neighborhood in another state or country! Pick a neighborhood, park your car, then meander around their downtown or residential area. I love walking around quaint residential streets with beautiful homes, I get inspirations on how I can improve my own home's curb appeal.
9. Flea Markets - One of my favorite destinations to shop! There are several flea markets or swap meets happening every Sunday. I usually find unique, one-of-a-kind gifts or something for myself for dirt cheap. Don't be afraid to negotiate with the vendor. Most of them would rather sell the item(s) vs. take it back home with them.
10. Go To The Museum or Zoo - Most communities offer "free to the public" admission days. Call your local zoo or museum ahead of time and take advantage of these great local attractions.

Happy Thrifty Tuesday! I will be posting new blog tips every Thrifty Tuesday and every Frugal Friday. Here's the first Thrifty Tuesday post...

Even though it's ultimately more frugal and cheaper to eat in vs. going out, sometimes it's a nice treat to get together with friends or just eat something that you normally won't make for yourself or your family at home. 

Food for me (and for most people) is one of the life's greatest joy and pleasure! You really can have your frugal cake and eat it too.

Here are 15 frugal food tips for anyone to use in order to save money when going out to eat at restaurants. Bon appetite!

1. Set A Budget: Allocate a certain amount of money when going out. For example, if you limit yourself to spend only $15 - then you won't be tempted to order anything higher than that.
   
   
2. Just Appetizers: I just did this the other day at one of my favorite French restaurants. I ordered the appetizer version of one of their main entrees. Not only was the appetizer portion enough, but any bigger would be too much food.
   
   
3. Cash Back From Restaurants: Maximize your dining experience by getting cash-back from your favorite local restaurants. You also have a chance to win monthly jackpots. This program from MOGL is currently available in California only, but are expanding nationwide soon.
   
   
4. Split Your Meal: Save money by splitting an entree with or without an appetizer or salad with another person. The bonus is that you won't be tempted to overeat.
   
   
5. Snap Up Deals: Be on the lookout from daily deal sites such as LivingSocial or Groupon. Redeem restaurant deals that you know you will really take advantage of.
   
   
6. Eat Your Leftovers: Often times, you or someone in your group have leftovers. It's quite wasteful to throw away perfectly good food that you already paid for. Ask for a doggie bag, make something creative with your leftovers the next day, chances are it will taste better too.
   
   
7. Coupons: Take advantage of restaurant coupons you get in the mail or in Sunday papers. Clip out coupons you know you will actually use.
   
   
8. Order Takeout: If you are in the mood for your favorite restaurant cuisine, place your order to go. You not only save money on the service tip, but you don't have to order drinks since you already have something at home to drink with your meal.
   
   
9. Restaurant Vouchers: Get discount vouchers to your favorite restaurants at Restaurants.com. Most $25 gift certificates or vouchers cost only $10 or even less when they have special promotions!
   
   
10. Membership Discounts: If you have a membership with AAA or AARP, you can get great discounts on restaurants such as Mimi's Cafe, El Torito, Denny's and more.
    
    
11. Order Water: Instead of sodas, coffee, tea, or juice drink water – it’s free and has zero calories.  Try adding lemon or a slice of cucumber in the water.
    
    
12. Yelp It First: Before going to a restaurant I've never been to, I always check it out on Yelp first. I read the reviews and check out their menu for entree selection and prices. Often times, you can get a sense of if this is a restaurant you want to try. 
    
    
13. Skip Dessert: Although this is very tempting, often times your main meal was more than enough. You don't really need that plate of chocolate cake a-la-mode! But, if you have to have dessert, split it amongst the group you are dining with.
    
    
14. Earn Rewards: Research which credit card offers the best percentage back when you use that card when paying for going out to restaurants. You can earn 5% quarterly on purchases at restaurants from certain credit card companies.
    
    
15. Potlucks: A slight take on "going out to eat", host a potluck party outdoors with friends. It’s more fun, saves you money, you can be loud and you don’t have to tip.
    

There is an upside to turning a year older. Here’s some sweet b’day perks, courtesy of Real Simple magazine. Check with each merchant to make sure these birthday offers still apply.

AVEDA: Birthday-club members receive a free product – up to a $25 value – custom blended with the aroma of their choice to be redeemed within two months.

BASKIN-ROBBINS: You’ll receive an e-mail coupon for a free scoop of ice cream and a discount on a birthday cake when you join the Birthday Club.

BEN & JERRY'S ICE CREAM: Sign up to be on their Chunkmail list and receive a free ice cream scoop for your birthday.

BENIHANA: Sign up for the  Chef’s Table e-newsletter and you will get an e-mail with a gift certificate for dinner worth up to $30 to be used during your birth month.

BJ's RESTAURANT & BREWHOUSE: Sign up for their E-mail Club and receive a complimentary yummy Pizookie dessert for your birthday.

COLD STONE CREAMERY: Sign up for its birthday club and receive a free treat on your special day.

DSW: Loyalty members, who participate in a rewards program, get a $5 certificate that’s good through the member’s entire birthday month.

EXPRESS: Customers who are store credit-card holders receive a $10 coupon to be applied toward their next purchase during their birth month.

IHOP: By joining the Pancake Revolution, you’ll eat for free three times – once when you sign up for IHOP’s mailing list, once on your birthday, and once a year after you register.

NEW YORK & COMPANY: Store credit-card holders receive a coupon for up to 25 percent off purchases (in store and online), valid during their birth month.

OLD NAVY: Subscribe to Old Navy e-mails and receive $10 off purchases of $50 or more (online and in stores) for two weeks during your birth month.

RED ROBIN: Enroll in the eClub or the Red Royalty program and score a free burger!

RUBY TUESDAY’S: Sign up for the So Connected list at rubytuesday.com and get a free burger on your birthday and other food and bar redemption offers during the year.

STARBUCKS: Toast your day with a free cappuccino (or any another drink of your choice) when you have a My Starbucks Rewards card. The more you use it, the more freebies you can get, including gratis syrup and refills.

VICTORIA’S SECRET: Angel credit-card holders receive either a $10-off coupon for in-store purchases or an e-mailed coupon code good for $10 off online during their birth month.

PLUS a birthday gift for your pet …

PETCO: Register Fido’s D.O.B (or adoption date) in the Birthday Club and get 10 percent off products during that month.