​Summer is almost here and it's the perfect season for picnics - whether you are heading out to a park, the beach, an outdoor concert, at a game, even your own backyard. 

Picnics are not only a fun way to spend the day, but it's more frugal than eating at a restaurant. A good rule of thumb when packing your picnic basket - the easier to eat the better... like appetizers and finger foods. Drinks are of course essential to any summer picnic, make sure to bring plastic drink cups or glasses!

My friends and I went to the Hollywood Bowl this week to see a concert. Each couple brought food to nosh on and to share with others before and during the show. I wanted to make something that was easy to prepare and easy to pass around to share. The best way to save money is make most everything yourself at home.

Here are 10 essential tips and ideas of what to pack in your picnic basket. Watch out for Yogi Bear!!

PICNIC BASKET OR BAG - Depending on your preference, pack your goodies in either a basket or bag. Although I love the look of picnic baskets (especially vintage ones), I prefer an insulated bag to keep the drinks colder. Some people also use a big cooler or just recycled bags.

PICNIC SUPPLIES - Essential to any picnic basket whether you opt for paper or plastic goods are: plates, utensils, cups, napkins. Pick some up at your local dollar store or grocery warehouse store. Make sure to also bring a separate bag(s) for trash.

BLANKET - If you are heading out to the park or beach where they don't have picnic benches, make sure to bring a picnic blanket or tablecloth to spread out on the grass or sand. Bring an extra blanket if it's gets cooler to bundle up in. You may also bring pillows to sit on if you will be sitting on a hard surface, like we were at the Hollywood Bowl.

MINI SANDWICHES - You can make mini sandwiches with cold cuts and cheese. I used Kings Hawaiian Bread rolls (yum!) and ready made chicken salads from Trader Joe's. I used curry chicken salad and cranberry chicken salad inside the rolls. I brought these at the Bowl and they were a big hit with everyone. You can make 24 mini sandwiches for less than $15... very frugal.

FINGER FOODS - Easy to eat appetizers that you can pass around to the gang is key. Great examples of finger foods are: chicken poppers, cheese varieties, wraps, etc.. For a fancier option - how about sushi.

CHIPS AND DIP - A simple, frugal yet delicious dip to make is guacamole! All you need are avocados, lime and tomatoes. Or, you can opt for ready made inexpensive dips from stores like Trader Joe's. Pick up a bag (or two) of your favorite dipping chips too.

SALADS - Make the classic potato salad or macaroni salad. These are simple and inexpensive to make at home. Other easy salad options are pasta salads or herb salads (possibly picked from your herb garden).

DRINKS - Pack sodas, water and whatever favorite drink you like from a discount grocery or big box store. Several of us brought bottles of wine to the concert - just make sure you pack the bottles securely or in a separate wine cooler or bag - don't forget the corkscrew!

FRUITS -  Pack easy to eat fruits like grapes, strawberries, bananas, cherries, blueberries or pre-cut fruits such as pineapple and the classic picnic fruit - watermelon. 

DESSERT - Select easy to eat pick-up desserts such as cookies (I brought Snookies Cookies - yum!) and brownies or cupcakes.
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Halloween is right around the corner! If you are going to a Halloween party or event and don't want to spend a mint on expensive costumes - you can get creative by putting together your own! 

A must is to visit local thrift stores to see what you can piece together for a bargain. Or get crafty and make or construct your own creative one-of-a-kind costume!


Here are some frugal, clever and inexpensive costume ideas for inspiration. Whether it's couples costumes, group costumes, kids costumes or pet costumes - like the photo above of this cute doggie wearing a fro' wig, cool shades and a gold chain - you can do it cheaply!
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Happy Throwback Thursday! What lessons can we learn from the past? Although our economy has (hopefully) been on the mend. I always try to be smart and savvy when it comes to how much I spend, how and where I invest, and how much I save. 

I've also been watching the stock market, which has been rising for quite a while now. As the saying goes, everything that goes up, usually comes down. Take for instance the housing crash in 2008. I want to be prepared in case the U.S. has a "money bubble". 

We can all learn a tip (or ten) from the past. If you aren't practicing a frugal life, now is the time to start -  just in case our economy doesn't fully recover from this recession. In order for our society to prosper, we must try to live a more sustainable lifestyle. 

Here are 10 thrifty throwback tips and practices from a bygone era:

1. Grow your own -  even if your yard is not large enough for a vegetable garden, you can still grow your own with potted herbs. Save money over time by planting basil, cilantro, rosemary, etc. If you have the space, plant fruit trees which are organic and will give you an abundance of food for years to come. You can even keep chickens that will lay fresh eggs!

2. Don't be wasteful - if it's still usable, don't throw away anything, whether it's food, products, furniture, etc.. For example, be creative with leftovers, squeeze out the last drops of beauty products, create a compost, refinish an old dresser, etc..

3. Make it yourself - are you handy and/or creative? You can save a lot of money by making your own meals, clothes, jewelry, liquid soap, baked goods, etc.. By making things yourself, you can also give these unique items you've created as gifts - instead of buying them from a retail store or a restaurant.

4. Recycle stuff - we all know you can recycle such as items like plastic, bottles, cans, magazines, newspapers, etc.. and get cash for them at your local recycling center. You can also reuse or repurpose some of these same items (with a little creativity) into flower vases, gift wrapping, containers, and other misc. items.

5. Use it - if you have clothes (or shoes) that are perfectly wearable... continue to wear them. Many people (mostly women) buy too many clothes and other stuff. If you have items that you simply don't wear, are tattered or are tired of - you can donate them or sell them at a garage sale. This applies to other items as well.. such as tech gadgets, purses, accessories, bedding, home decor, furniture, etc.. 

6. Walk or bike more - be like an Amish... walk to places instead of driving. Not only will walking or riding your bike save you gas money, they are the best ways to exercise. Have a purpose or destination when you go walking to make it more pleasurable. I walk around a tree lined street and get inspired by the beautiful homes, I walk to the store to pick up some essentials, and most recently I started walking dogs to earn some extra money.

7. Borrow stuff - back in the day, people lived amongst close tight communities where the neighbors all knew each other and would borrow things from each other. Today, we can adapt that same concept. Instead of buying things, you can borrow them - which can save you a lot of money. For example, instead of buying or even renting DVDs, go to your local library and borrow them. 

8. Share things - instead of buying the latest fashion magazine, my friends rotate magazines amongst each other. Carpooling is a means of sharing rides, where everyone involved takes their turn in driving. When traveling with one or more people, bring one set of necessities so that there's no need to check in your bags. Share as many things as possible, such as recipes, books, clothes, meals, tools, etc..

9. Spend less - why pay more when you can pay less for products or services! Before I buy anything, I check whether I can use a coupon, get cash back, get a promo code, ask for a discount, or get it for free! For more tips and ideas of how to spend less on practically everything, click here.

10. Get free stuff - one sure way to spend less is getting stuff for free! If it's your birthday, many places reward you with free treats. For more freebie ideas, click here. The best things in life are free!

Happy Savvy Sunday! If you are like me, I love to indulge in a good cup of coffee or latte or frappuccino at Starbucks. However, it's not the most frugal. But, you gotta treat yourself once in a while, right! You can still have your frappuccino and drink it too - for free!

Here are my top 7 Starbucks savings tips for you coffee lovers!

1. Rewards Card - sign up for their Rewards Program, where you get a free drink after purchasing 12 drinks. It's always a treat to get a free frappuccino with whip cream! Plus, with your rewards card - drink refills are free!

2. Free Birthday Treat - another benefit for signing up for their Rewards Program is that you get a free drink or food on your birthday!

3. Refills - even if you don't have a rewards card, brewed coffee refills are affordable, at only 50 cents during the same visit.

4. Add Chocolate - for that extra yummy taste (for free), add their chocolate powder to your coffee drink! You can also add cinnamon or vanilla powder.

5. Just Water - I often work on my laptop at Starbucks and sometimes I just want to sip on a cup of water. Simply ask the barista for a complementary cup of ice water.

6. Your Own Cup - BYOC, by bringing your own reusable mug, cup or tumbler you can save 10 cents on your drink.

7. Bigger Cup - instead of asking for "room for cream" - order a Tall in a Grande cup or a Grande in a Venti cup. You won't pay any more for a bigger cup, and you won't be wasting precious coffee.

Happy Thrifty Tuesday! I strive to save money as much as possible everyday. So far, I've been fortunate in achieving that. Although at times there have been some unexpected emergency expenses such as car repairs, etc.. When this happens, I make sure I make up for it the following month. 

In a nutshell, these 10 thrifty tips I've listed below have helped me and other people I know cut down on their monthly expenses. I hope these practical tips will inspire some of you to do the same.

1. Create a Budget:  determine a realistic monthly budget and stick to it.

2. Eat at Home:  cook at home as much as possible and eat your leftovers!

3. Shop Thrift Stores and Yard Sales:  stop paying retail for perfectly decent furniture, clothes and more.

4. Use Coupons:  be on the lookout for coupons you will actually use from stores you shop.

5. Recycle:  bring bottles, cans, newspapers, cardboard, etc... to your local recycle center and get cash!

6. Use Rewards or Loyalty Cards:  such as credit card, coffee card, airline card, auto club card, etc...

7. Shop Around:  before buying a relatively expensive item, it pays to shop around for the best price.

8. Get Cash-back: when shopping online, receive cash-back or rebates on sites such as Mr. Rebates.  

9. Dollar Stores:  shop for non-food items such as greeting cards, office, kitchen & laundry supplies.

10. Homemade Gifts:  create unique gifts such as fresh baked cookies, plant arrangements, jewelry, etc...

Happy Frugal Friday! Although most weddings happen in the summer, weddings happen all year long.

If you've been honored to be part of a bridal party, it is customary to throw the bride-to-be a bridal shower. 

You and the rest of the bridesmaids don't have to spend a lot of money to have a fun and memorable party.


Here are 5 money saving tips when throwing a frugal bridal shower party:

1. INVITATIONS - Save money and the environment by not sending paper invitations. Instead, send digital invitations from sites such as Canva, Evite, Paperless Post, etc.. for free!

2. HOUSE PARTY - Instead of going to an expensive restaurant, host the party at one of the bridesmaid's or a good friend's house. Hosting it at someone's house is more intimate and casual. Another option is a shower at the park - picnic style! For frugal picnic ideas, click here.

3. DECOR - You can incorporate colors from the bride's wedding colors in the shower decor. Shop stores such as Dollar Tree or Dollar General for basic party goods. For centerpieces or even as favors, consider potted plants such as succulents and use her colors for accents.

4. FOOD & DRINKS - By making most of the food, this can save a substantial amount of money alone. You can also ask select friends to help out by making it a potluck soiree. Be on the lookout for drinks (water, soda, wine, etc) that are on sale at your local warehouse or grocery stores.

5. PARTY FAVORS - You can get creative and spend very little money with DIY favors. They could be homemade bath scrub, candle in a small tin can, cookies in a pouch, succulent in a small pot, etc..

Happy Thrifty Tuesday! I want to share some money saving tips when it comes to staging a home to sell. When my boyfriend Jim and I bought a house to flip a few years back, I not only wanted to save money on "staging" or furnishing the tiny cottage, but I wanted to spend practically zero money! 

As we got closer to furnishing the house, I was telling Jim... wouldn't it be nice if I could "find" a couch, table, desk, etc.. to save money. Well, wouldn't you know it - the very next day, someone left a perfectly good couch and side table right outside on the curb! Can you believe how the universe was working in my favor!! 

Most of the furniture were generously donated from friends or "found treasures" curbside. They just had to be refinished or painted for a brand new look. You can view the before and after photos on facebook.

Here are my frugal tips on how I saved money (or spent no money at all) on this house flip:

    

Happy Thrifty Tuesday! Fortunately (for most of us) we only have to think about these big expenses every 5 or 30 years! For some, the time frame is less, depending on their circumstances and budget.

If you are considering purchasing any of the 5 big ticket items I've listed below, I offer some frugal tips on how one can save some bucks along the way!

1. HOME BUYING: This is most likely the biggest expense in someone's life, not to mention the biggest mortgage debt - unless you are lucky enough to pay cash! The benefits of owning your own home is a great investment. It's worth the time spent in the house search and the money paid to the skilled real estate agent. First, decide what area you want to live in and what your wish list are in priority order. If you need a home loan, get pre-qualified with the lowest fixed rate possible. If you are selling and buying a home at the same time, negotiate with your agent for a lower commission especially if they are the agent for both transactions. For other ways to save on Housing stuff, click here.
2. PRE-OWNED VEHICLES: In the past, I've always had a new car, I do love that "new car smell".  However, now that I'm a little wiser - I think my next car will be a pre-owned vehicle. Buying a new car depreciates the minute you drive it off the lot. The value of a new car, within the first year alone, can drop by 15 to 40 percent. Look for certified pre-owned cars that are re-condtioned and comes with a warranty. If possible, select a car that has about 25,000 miles and 2 to 3 years old. Do you your research and price comparison before making any final decision. For other ways to save on Auto stuff, click here.
   
3. DIY HOME RENOVATIONS: If you are skilled enough to do most of the home reno yourself or you have a reliable handyman (like my significant other) who can help you do most of the work, this will save you a lot of money vs. hiring a pro. When buying materials or tools, consider using a home improvement credit card that offers a no interest for X months - you just have to pay the minimum payment. Although paint is one of the cheapest ways to transform an area - the cost could also add up. Check out discounted "oops paint" at your local home improvement store, if it's the color you need, you could save up to 75%. For ideas on frugal Home Decor, click here.
4. TECHNOLOGY: Some people have to have the latest gadget... whether it's the newest smartphone, tablet, laptop, computer, television, camera, etc.. If you don't mind having last month's model and if you are in the market for any tech item - consider buying used or refurbished, they work just as good as they did when they were new. Check out sites such as Amazon.com or Geeks.com, to do some research and price comparison. For other ways to save on Technology stuff, click here.
5. VACATION TRAVEL: Planning a vacation is one of the most exciting and the most overwhelming experience at the same time. To save time, one must know or at least narrow down their destination and dates. Read My Top 10 Thrifty Travel Tips for more information on how to save money on your next trip.

Happy Frugal Friday! There are many ways to save money, and there are many ways to waste money also. Don't get me wrong, one should indulge and treat themselves once in a while - when one can afford it and not have to go into debt.

I'm highlighting 5 ways that most people (including myself in the past) throw their hard earned money away. Some money wasters can add up if it continues for a period of time.

By NOT doing these very un-frugal things, one can pocket some extra money instead of throwing it all out the window!

Happy Frugal Friday! Today is officially the first day of summer. Summer is the best time to spend time outdoors, preferably doing enjoyable activities that cost next to nothing. Check out my previous post on Fun and Free Things To Do This Summer. 

Another way to spend a great summer day outdoors plus make some extra money is to have a yard sale! This accomplishes many things for me... I get to purge stuff I don't need or use any more, I get to work on my tan and I make some extra bucks! 

Our neighborhood in Adams Hill is having a huge garage sale Saturday, June 22. If you are in the area, come check our sale. 


Here are some tips and tricks for a fun and profitable yard sale.

Timing Is Everything - pick Saturdays and/or Sundays for your sale, most people do yard sale shopping on the weekends. Open early starting at 7:00 am or 8:00 am and be prepared for early bird shoppers.

Advertise For Free - don't spend a dime promoting your upcoming yard sale. I often post ads on Craigslist a 3 days before and the day before the sale. If possible, include photos of larger ticket items in your ad to entice shoppers to check out your sale. Spread the word about your sale on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter. You can also post flyers on bulletin boards at neighborhood markets or coffee shops.

Have Refreshments - offer complementary drinks, such as water or lemonade in small cups. This is a nice treat for shoppers especially during the summer. 

Organize Your Stuff - instead of just tossing items in a big heaping pile, organize them by like items or category. Make it easy for shoppers to see every item you have for sale. Try to avoid making anyone have to dig through a pile of stuff.

Display Best Items In Front - you want to put your best stuff out near the street when you have "drive-bys" checking out whether it's worth their time to stop. Display items out front such as furniture and other attractive merchandise.

No Need To Price Everything - unless it's one of your big ticket item that your price is firm on, avoid pricing every little item. Your prices should be priced low or negotiable. Let shoppers know if they buy more, you'll give them a great deal.

Have Small Bills - make sure you have enough change and small bills, go to the bank ahead of time and get change for larger bills. Most shoppers have exact change, but there are some that only have larger bills.

Everything Must Go - if you truly want most every item to sell, at the end of the day you can let shoppers know that anything they can stuff in a bag is only $5 (or whatever amount you decide). If there are still items left over at the end of your successful yard sale, pack it all up and donate it to your local thrift store, the items you donate are tax deductible.