Thursday, September 30, 2010

Enjoy a weekend out on the town!

Port of Toledo shipyard, Maumee River Toledo, OhioImage via Wikipedia
Looking for fun things to do this weekend but don't want to spend a lot of money?! Look no further. Having a night on the town doesn't mean you have to break the bank. Being open-minded and making a couple of small changes is all you need to do the trick. And who knows, you might end up finding that a change in scenery is just what you needed.

Here's a list of this weekends festivities, all which are free of cost:

First Friday Series, Outdoor Movie Night
@ Historic Downtown Perrysburg
Friday, October 1, 2010

Life in Miniature: Ceramic Netsuke from the Silverman Collection
Travelers Through Ancient Lands
FREE Presentation: Adornment in Clay
@ Toledo Museum of Art
Toledo, OH
Firday, October 1-3

Light and Landscape - UT Dept. of Art Exhibition
UT CVA Gallery
620 Grove Place (next to TMA)
Toledo, OH

Bobby Bare Jr. is performing at The Village Idiot Friday, October 1.

Hidden Treasures of the Hayes Museum
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Hayes Presidential Center
Fremont, OH
All weekend!

Free activities aren't necessarily boring or a waste of time.  Plenty of people have been attending these events for years, so you won't be the only person there.  Organizations and volunteers put these activities together for people to enjoy their community more and to get involved.  Besides, don't they say some of the best things in life are free?

If you come across anything else of interest, please feel free to post and share your information!!


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4 FREE things to do this month

There is nothing like finding a great deal. You can get great enjoyment bragging to your friends about your new item that you got for next to nothing. But there is something the is better than a great deal, and that is something that is FREE!
                What’s the catch? Nothing! For the month of October these limited free items are up for grabs.
Free Mascara
                Print the coupon below and then visit any Sephora within a JCPennies and receive a free tube of Buxom mascara. This offer is valid through October 22, and like many deals supplies are limited.
Free Cookie
                Yum! There is nothing like a chocolate chip cookie from Great American Cookie Company. In honor of National Book Month, Great American Cookie will give any customer who brings in a gently used children’s book a free cookie of their choice.  Every book donate will go to local charities. This is a great way to not only get a free tasty drink but also a great way to give to charity.
Free Restaurant Gift Card
                Ok now this deal isn’t 100 percent free but is still a great deal and like receiving free money. Go to restaurants.com, submit a valid email address and pay two dollars to receive a $25 dollar gift certificate to local restaurants. This is a great way to revisit your favorite restaurant or check out that new fancy restaurant you have been dying to try.
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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Be green, to save green: At your local farmers market

Farmers' market in Stroud. GloucestershireImage via Wikipedia

Want a new and less expensive way to shop for produce? Then stop by your local farmer’s market. Farmer Markets are not only a green way to shop for produce but it also is a great way to support local farmers.
Most farmer markets are year around and you can find the best deals at peak months between late May and early October.  Because all of the produce is locally grown, prices are more competitive and some item prices can be negotiated, especially if you make yourself a regular customer and get to know you salesman.
Another tip when looking to save money at farmer markets is to go at the end of the day.  Hauling all of the days produce back to storage can be a pain for sellers, not to mention produce expires quickly. By shopping an roughly a half hour before the shops close is when you can find great deals the “early bird” shoppers may have missed out on.
 Lastly, buy produce of the season. Now that fall it is a great time to stock up on apples, pumpkins and sweet potatoes. If you tend favor strawberries or watermelon you may be out of luck. When your favorite produce is not season it means vendors are going to need to import your produce from other states or countries.
Ready to check out some of your local farmers markets, here is a list of local farmers in Northwest Ohio.
Downtown Bowling Green Farmer Maket
            Open: May – October, Wednesdays 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
121 East Wooster St.
Bowling Green, OH 43402

                   Westgate Farmers Market                 
                         Open: Weekdays 8am-5pm; Sat 7am-4pm; Sun 10am-4pm.
                  525 Market St.
 Toledo, OH 43604
Perrysburg Farmers Market
                               Open: May –October, Thursdays 3-8 p.m.
Louisiana Avenue at Front Street
Perrysburg, OH 43551

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Sunday, September 26, 2010

Why Don't We Clip and Save?

When hearing the word “coupons,” its kind of hard not to think of this compulsively cheap shopper: the shopper that many people don't want to be labeled as. But is this the only reason why so many people don’t take the time to “save away” or are they just too lazy?

I can’t speak for everyone, but I know that for the longest I never really understand the great benefits of coupons. I knew that with coupons you could save a cent or two, but after hearing so many stories about families that have saved over hundreds of dollars from using coupons I am truly convinced! After watching the story of the family with 4 kids and how they paid less than a $1 for a $267 grocery bill I was ready to start clipping coupons out of every newspaper I could find and going online printing any and every coupon that appeared!!!!

Yes…it all sounds very time consuming, but I’m curious to know just how time consuming could it be?! Or…maybe, just maybe too many people are self conscious about taking out a book of coupons when going to the grocery store. When you really think about it, there are coupons all around us…so why aren't people using them?! One women once said the Sunday newspapers is like free money being thrown at you. Maybe other people don’t know how many coupon offers are out there. With a little shoulder shrug I truly have to say…I don’t have an answer. But I’m going to find out! In the mean time you must check out the clip below, it will have your ears and eyes wide open!!!

Mom Feeds a Family of Six on $4 a Week

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Savings Advice

Example of an American grocery store aisle.Image via Wikipedia
Although the recession is officially over, expanding your savings is still a top priority.  Groceries are still at the top of the monthly expenditure, making many budget in other areas.  With a little help and discipline, you too can save a lot of money each month.

One easy way to save money on grocery purchases is to use credit cards that offering cash back or points on grocery purchases.   For instance, Chase Freedom Visa and Citi Diamond Preferred rewards Card both
offer no annual fee card that either offers a 5% cashback in rotating categories (Chase) and 5 points for purchases made at supermarket (Citi).  Just be sure to pay your card in full as too many credit cards can be dangerous if you build up debt.

A simple rule that I use is to only purchase one thing a month on my card, then pay it off.  Not using your credit cards can hurt you believe it or not.  Not using your cards can lower your limit on the card and possibly, close your account.  


Here are a couple of quick tips to save money in advance:
  •  Go shopping alone
  • Have a budget and stick to it
  • Don’t shop hungry
  • Plan your weekly meals in advance
  • Scan your cupboards and fridge before leaving
  • Keep a running list of items you need
  • Break your list down by store and plan your outing accordingly
  • Buy store brands
  • Buy the Sunday paper for coupons and flier
  • Clip coupons for name brand items
  • Check the store’s website for printable coupons
  • Watch for “double coupon” days
  • Stack manufacturer and store coupons
  • And of course, pull them out to make checkout easier
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