Busy Mommy Media» Frugal Entertainment

Movies on a Budget

Lorie — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:43:01 +0000

Going to the movies has always been one of my favorite ways to spend a fun evening out. As a mom of four, going to the movies does not happen very often because with snacks the movies can cost my family of six over $70. For me that is just too much money to spend on one evening of fun with my family. There are so many other fun things we can do that have a much cheaper price tag. The best way to save money on movies will usually include waiting instead of watching it as soon as a new movie hits the theaters. Here are a few of my favorite ways to save money while still enjoying movies with my family.

Library

I love many of the services my local public library offers, but I especially love the ability to check out movies. My library usually gets new movies as soon as they are released on DVD, but getting one of the one or two copies that the library has can sometimes be hard. I have learned to check online to see when the library gets a new movie and I place a hold on the movie. I seem to get new movies a lot quicker this way instead of waiting for them to be on the shelf when I actually go to the library. While checking movies out at the library is free, there can be fines for turning in movies late. My library lets their patrons check out movies for one week. Make sure you know all the rules on checking out movies at your library or this method of watching movies might not be so frugal after all.

Redbox

Another place my family likes to get movies from is Redbox. Redbox machines are found at many restaurants and retail stores such as Wal-Mart. The boxes are usually red, though my Wal-Mart has two, one red and one blue, and you get your movies directly from the Redbox machine. The DVD movies will cost you $1.20 a night, which is charged to a credit or debit card. One thing I really like about using the Redbox service is that you can also reserve a movie online before you go to pick it up. This makes getting your movie quicker when you get there and you can check out the movie by yourself instead of looking on the machine and having a big line of people waiting behind you. Right now if you reserve a movie online for the first time, you can get that movie for free. Again, make sure you do not forget to take these movies back on time to prevent additional charges.

Netflix

Another service I really enjoy is Netflix. I only use the unlimited streaming and pay $8.00 a month. It is really nice not having to worry about getting a movie and just coming home and picking one out from Netflix. You can stream online or through a device like a major gaming console such as the Wii. My kids also enjoy all the kid shows on Netflix and are even able to stream movies with their Nintendo 3DS, though there is a limit to how many movies you can stream at the same time. I feel like I get a lot out of the $8.00 I pay per month. This is a great way to watch a movie at home. Go to Netflix to sign up for one free month of service to see if you like it.

Amazon Instant Streaming

When I bought my Kindle Fire I also received one free month of Amazon Prime. This gave me the chance to try out the instant movie selections that are available from Amazon. I also learned that during most days of the week Amazon has specials on certain movies, most of which are new, for only .99 cents. You have to rent the movie that day, but you have one month to watch it and 48 hours after you start to watch it to either complete it or watch it again and again. My family has been able to watch several great movies this way. They also offer several movies for $1.99 each throughout the weekend. You do not have to have the Prime Membership to get in on these deals. Go to the Amazon Instant Video page and check on the right hand side for the daily deals.

Matinees

Every now and then a movie will be coming out that I want to watch when it is released at theaters. One example of this is the new movie, The Hunger Games. I read the whole series and I am really looking forward to watching the movie when it comes out. I can still save money on the movie by going to the matinee. Actually, if we take our whole family the matinee is the only way I will take them. This can save you some money if you must watch the movie as soon as it comes out.

Dollar Movies

Dollar Movie Theaters are not everywhere, but if you have one available, take advantage of it. If you are willing to wait then you can go out to the cinema and watch newer movies for a great price. The price is so great even the whole family can go. So, look around and if there is a Dollar Movie Theater in your area.

Could an Amazon Kindle Save you Money?

Lorie — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:17:28 +0000

We all love freebies. If you own a Kindle (or even if you don’t), you could be getting some great freebies on books because Amazon has free downloadable books all the time. If you love to read, this is a great way to save money on books.

I love getting the opportunity to read the first book in a series for free. This way, I get a chance to see if I will like the series before buying any of the other books in the series. I like to use eReader iQ to keep up with all the freebies, they have a great list.

If you own a Nook, you can also sometimes find the same freebies through Barnes and Noble. I do not own a Nook so I don’t know much about those freebies.

The great thing about Kindle freebies is that you do not even have to buy a Kindle to take advantage of the freebies. Here are some ways to take advantage of all those freebies without a Kindle and save a lot of money on books.

Kindle on Computer

You can download the Kindle for PC reading app to your personal computer. This download is for Windows 7, Vista, and XP. Your computer system must also have a 500MHz Intel or AMD processor or faster, at least 128MB of RAM, screen resolution of 800×600 or greater, and 100MB of available disk space. I used this for some time and I did get to read my books for free, but after a while it was a little hard on my neck because I was reading on my computer screen for long periods of time, but it still worked, though it would work better if you had a small lightweight tablet PC. You can also download a Kindle app for the Mac computers.

Kindle on Smart Phones

You can download a Kindle reader on many smart phones. The iphone and ipod touch have an app in the app store. The Blackberry phones have a download for the Bold 9000, Bold 9700, Curve 8520, Curve 8900, Storm 9530, Storm 9550, and Tour 9630 models. You will need to type, “amazon.com/kindlebb” into your Blackberry browser to download. The Android phone also has an app for a Kindle Reader in the Android Market. Before getting my Kindle, I really liked reading on my Android phone. I did notice that it ran my battery out quickly though.

New Kindles Available

If you really read a lot like I do, buying a Kindle might even save you money. I bought what is now called the Kindle Keyboard. I also review books from NetGalley and they send the books I am reviewing to my kindle. With the books I have received from reviewing and freebies from Amazon, I pretty much paid for my Kindle. So, for me buying the Kindle was the way to go. Amazon recently announced three new Kindles. Several of these are being offered for a lower cost than older models. So if you read a lot, you may want to check these out.

Lend your Kindle Books

Amazon will allow you to lend your Kindle books one time each for a period of 14 days. If you have friends and family members with a Kindle, this can be a great way to increase your library without spending a lot of money. Don’t know anyone else with a Kindle? That’s not a problem either. Services like eBookFling.com are popping up and will allow you to be matched up with someone who has the book you want to read. You’ll receive points each time you loan a book and you can redeem them for any of the books available.

Kindle Deal of the Day

Amazon has jumped on board the deal of the day bandwagon with their Kindle Daily Deal. They offer one Kindle book at an extremely discounted price each day. Many of these will likely not appeal to you but they do have a few gems so it’s worth keeping an eye on.

Save Money on Family Entertainment with Netflix

Lorie — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:38:24 +0000

This summer I received an offer in the mail to try the Netflix online streaming for one month for free. I am always looking for deals so I jumped at the chance to try this service for free. Initially, I had planned to cancel the service after the free trial ended. I found though that my family seemed to use Netflix more than our current satellite program. My kids love the selections of shows and my husband and I enjoy being able to pick a movie to watch together after the kids go to bed. At $8 a month, the online streaming option is a great deal to add to your family’s entertainment. Here are a few details about how the program works.

Online Streaming

The online streaming option is of the many Netflix option at $7.99 a month plus tax. This feature allows you to select from a list of movies and shows to watch. The selection is limited and not all are new movies, but you will occasionally find some newer ones available. The online streaming can be watched on your laptop or computer. You can also stream through several gaming systems including the Wii, PS3, and Xbox, as long as you have a high speed internet connection. One other way to watch is on your android or iphone by downloading the free app. If you have more than one devise, you can stream more than one movie or show at a time, up to two. My husband and I can pick a show to watch on our laptop while the kids watch a movie in the living room on the Wii gaming system. I really like being able to watch multiple streams as it keeps everyone happy.

Online Streaming Offerings

There are many selections to watch on the online Netflix streaming. They have movies which include drama, horror, Sci-fi, comedies, romance, kid movies, and some classic movies. You can also find a great selection of made for television series. I have watched Heartland, Medium, Teen Mom and several others that I never watched on television when they came out. They also have a lot of kid’s TV shows like Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go, Barney, Bob the Builder, Caillou, Sesame Street, Power Rangers, Spongebob, Dragon Tales, and many more. My kids love all these shows and during TV time will usually pick one of these to watch. I also found that they have Sports and fitness videos and a decent selection of documentaries. So, there is always something to pick from to watch. There is also a great website to help you keep up with what is offered on online streaming called Streaming Soon. I love to see what is coming out and what the most popular shows are that people are watching.

Saving with Netflix Streaming

My family does not go out to the movies very often because with a family of six to get in and get snacks will cost us around $75. I can get a whole year of Netflix for $96. I’m willing to wait for movies to come out on either Redbox or wait until it comes out on Netflix online streaming. I have also been paying $75 a month for a satellite TV service. I found after the first month of the Netflix Online Streaming that we could really do without the satellite service and save a bunch of money just by using the online streaming. I also found a lot of my TV shows that I like to watch can be found online for free. So, I find this a huge savings for our family. Netflix occasionally offers specials like when you refer a new member who signs up for the free month trial and you will get a discount on your bill (at the time of this writing). You can always sign up online for the free month and try it out to see if it works for your family and if it will save your family money.

Frugal Kid Birthday Parties

Lorie — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:18:22 +0000

As the fall approaches, I know it’s time to start thinking about birthday parties for my kids. Three of my four kids have birthdays in the fall, so I start planning early. I also have twins, whose birthday falls two days after Christmas, so I have to really budget for that party. Being frugal does not mean you don’t get to have fun birthday parties. With a little pre-planning you can plan a birthday party for your child that does not cost a fortune.

Budget

At least a few months before the party make a budget for the party. Make categories for what you want to do at the party and set price limits within those categories. Setting limits for your party will help prevent you from overspending.

Guest List

The number of guest you decide to invite will affect how much your party will cost you. Limit your guest to family and a few close friends of the child. I know several parents who set the number of friends as to the child’s age. For example when the child is six, they can invite 6 friends.

Invitations

Invitations can be really expensive if you go and buy them. One thing you can do to save money is to make them at home. Use your craft supplies to make them. You can also use your computer to make and print your own invitations. You may even be able to find some premade invitations online that you just print off. I have also bought some nice invitation cards.

Place for Party

You can spend a lot of money having parties at many favorite children’s restaurants. You can save money by having the party at your own home if you have enough room for your guest. If you have it at home you will have more clean up after the party. Also, look at having your child’s party at a local park. Having a party at the park can be really nice in the warmer weather. Many will let you use the shelter for free, but you will probably have to sign up, so plan early.

Decorations

Don’t go wild on your theme, it will cost you more money when looking for party decorations. Once you have decided on the theme look around your house to see what you already have on hand to use for decorations. I like to store decorations and reuse them. I can also find ideas in my craft supplies. You can also find decorations at the Dollar stores that may fit into your budget. Balloons are a party favorite that I like to get at the Dollar Tree. I don’t feel guilty about buying them there.

Cake and Food

The food at your party can be an area that you can save money. Have the party at a time where your guest have already eaten and just have cake and ice cream. Buying a cake at the store can cost you $20-$30. You can make a cake at home that will cost you a fraction of that. Just remember it does not have to be perfect. There are a ton of party cake ideas online that you can do yourself. If you must do food, buy things like finger foods that will be cheaper than a main meal. You can also make boxed pizzas that can be cooked at home. When serving drinks, serve Kool-aid in a punch bowl and add things to match your theme. Also, pick a Kool-aid with a color that matches your theme. This will save you since soft drinks will cost a lot more.

Birthday Gifts

Make sure to set a budget for the gifts you buy your child. Consider homemade gifts since many kids already have a ton of toys. You can also set aside money each month for your birthday fund. You should even put money in the fund even if you don’t have a birthday that month. This will allow you to have more money when the actual party month comes around.

Include Your Child

Make sure you ask your child what is important to them. One year I was trying to save money and did not buy extra decorations. I was informed by my child that they wanted balloons. Since it is their birthday, why not get what they want, within limits. Your child may also have some great ideas on themes for the party. They can even be a big help in making invitations and other decorations, so be sure to include them.

5 Frugal Camping Tips

Lorie — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:54:31 +0000

Fall is soon approaching. One great family activity to do in the fall is camping. It is a great way to enjoy time with your family and since the weather is cooler it makes camping outside easier. Camping can be a very expensive family fun activity, but usually in the fall rates go down for camping sites. Camping is also a great way to make a lot of great family memories. Here are a few tips to help make fall camping a little easier on the family budget.

Plan Ahead

As soon as you know the date you want to take your family camping, you can go searching for sites. Many of the good camping sites will be gone if you wait too long. One to two months in advance is good. Look around for the best prices before you decide on one spot.

Choose a Spot with Free Recreational Activities

When looking for the perfect camping spot, look for ones that offer some free recreational activities. This will save you money when looking for fun things to do with your family. Some campgrounds have pools, playgrounds, and even basketball and volleyball courts, so make sure and ask about these amenities when checking out possible sites. If you have small children you may also want to check out if they have restroom/shower facilities and you may want to pick a site close to that.

Pack Your Fun

Planning fun activities does not have to cost a fortune. You have plenty of these items at home, so why not bring them with you. Some items to consider bringing include; football, basket ball, volleyball, nets, fishing gear, board games, and cards. You might even want to consider taking bikes if you have the room.

Borrow Camping Gear

Camping gear like tents, tarps, chairs, camping stove and other cooking items can get cost a lot of money. Many people only use these items once a year, so you might be able to borrow their camping gear when they are not in use. Ask your friends and family and see what might be available to you before you go out and spend money on new items. When you are finished with the items, make sure you return them in good order. By doing this you have a better chance of getting to borrow those items again.

Bring Your Own Food and Beverages

Before going camping, plan a menu for all your meals and snacks your family plans to eat while you are camping. Take all the food and beverages you will need for your meal plan. Shopping for food at campgrounds can be very expensive. Don’t forget to bring your own wood and fire starters too. Campgrounds know you will need these items and they will charge more because of the need. There are a lot of great camping recipes online, so check around and see what your family will enjoy. If you have electricity in your site, consider taking items like electric skillets and griddles. These can help you cook a lot of food items your family may need.

Love Inspired Budget Reads

Lorie — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:55:55 +0000

Reading is a hobby that can really put a dent in the budget. I love to read so I’m always looking for ways to cut down the cost. So, when I found these Love Inspired books from Harlequin and Steeple Hill. I was really excited to try them out, since they were a reasonable price.

Love Inspired Books

Love Inspired books come out each month. There are several Love Inspired categories: Love Inspired, Love Inspired Historical, and Love Inspired Suspense. Each month there are several book selections within each category. Each book is under $5. I bought several of mine at Wal-Mart for $4.12 each. If you have a Kindle or other e-readers, you can buy them for under $4. You can also order them from the Harlequin website. All the ones I have read are really sweet stories that have an inspirational and uplifting message. THe are also clean reads. Many are part of a miniseries, but most of the books in the miniseries can be read alone without reading previous books in the miniseries. If you like buying regular books, you will want to get the monthly selections during the month they come out. After the month is over, they do not sell the books except on the Kindle or other e-readers. You may be able to find some online from used booksellers, but pretty much I’ve only found them on my Kindle.

July Love Inspired Selections

Love Inspired

The Farmer Next Door by Patricia Davids (The Brides of Amish Country Miniseries)

The Nanny’s Homecoming by Linda Goodnight (Rocky Mountain Heirs Miniseries)

A Family for Summer by Lois Richer (Love for All Seasons Miniseries)

Pheobe’s Groom by Deb Kastner (E-mail Order Brides Miniseries)

The Daddy Surprise by Ginny Aiken

Mom in Making by Kit Wilkinson

July Love Inspired Historical Selections

July Love Inspired Suspense Selections

The Nanny’s Homecoming Review

The Nanny’s Homecoming is the first book in the Rocky Mountain Heirs Miniseries. The story starts out when the grandchildren of Grandpa Clayton come to his funeral. The town is named Clayton after the family. It’s a small run down town which Grandpa Clayton has plans for even after his death. After the funeral, the grandkids come together for the reading of Grandpa’s will. Grandpa Clayton decides to leave each of them a large inheritance. The only catch is all of them must come back to Clayton and live there for one year. If even one of them does not do this, they all lose their inheritance and the money goes to the other side of the Clayton family, which the family has been in a feud with for a long time. This story focuses on Brooke, a grandchild who came back to live in Clayton after the funeral and breaking up with her fiancé.

Gabe comes to Clayton to reopen the Lucky Lady mine. He brings with him his small son AJ. Since Clayton is so small there are no daycare centers, so he is looking for a nanny. Gabe meets his new neighbor, Brooke Clayton and even though he thinks she is not very reliable and scatterbrained he seems to connect with her and ask her to be his nanny. Brooke has decided she wants no children and finds every excuse not to take the job, even though she needs the job, is great with kids and seems to make AJ happy. She ends up feeling a connection to Gabe just like he did for her and decides to take the job. Brooke believes she is responsible for her younger sister’s death after Brooke was suppose to be watching her and that has made her want nothing to do with being in charge of kids, and she tries to get over that by taking the job. But when someone starts stalking Brooke to try to get her to leave Clayton and bad things start happing at the mine AJ is placed in danger and Brooke regrets taking the job. Will she ever get over the loss and guilt from her sister’s death? Will the feelings Brooke and Gabe feel for each other ever amount to anything? You have to read, The Nanny’s Homecoming, to find out.

I really enjoyed the story. I enjoyed seeing how much Brooke grows through the story to get over her guilty feelings associated with her sister’s death and I loved the characters. I can’t wait to meet some of the other grandchildren and what happens to them in Clayton. I loved how the author gives us clues in this book for the next book in the miniseries, and that makes me want to read the next book as soon as it comes out.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free digital version of this book from Harlequin in partnership with NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Pick up one of the many Love Inspired July selection as a budget read today.

Planning a Frugal Family Staycation

Lorie — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:40:29 +0000

" src="http://busymommymedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/NATURALBRIDGEFAM1-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />When I became a stay at home mom six years ago, I knew I would have to give several things up. One of those things was fancy family vacations. For several years, my family just did nothing fun during my husband’s vacation time. Last year, I learned about staycations and decided that my family could still have a great vacation just by staying at home and finding fun activities to do. Here are some ideas from my family’s first staycation that may help you when planning your frugal family staycation.

What is a Staycation?

A staycation allows a family to have a vacation by staying at home. This means there are no expensive hotel nights and you can budget less for travel since you will not be flying or traveling very far from home. I was really worried last year that our staycation would not be as fun as a real vacation. I was really surprised that my family was able to have fun, rest, and make some great memories.

Planning a Staycation

One of the biggest differences in a staycation and a vacation is that you have to be a little more creative to find fun things for your family to do. This means you will need to make a plan. Write down the dates of your staycation and plan something for every day. We planned activities that got us out of the house most days of our staycation, but we also allowed some time at home to just relax, sleep in, and enjoy our yard. We also had a flexible schedule so if it rained we could change some things around. I was really surprised to find so many fun things to do right here where I lived. When trying to decide what to do, consider yourself a traveler and search for fun things to do.

What to Do on a Staycation

There are so many things that you can do on a staycation. I like to take advantage of free things already going on in our community. We had our staycation during the 4th of July and there were lots of free fireworks shows to attend. We also had free movies in the park during our staycation that made a nice activity. We took advantage of our local park for our kids to play and to grill out a dinner. My family also saves money by buying a family pass for the summer at a local pool. We took advantage of this and used it a lot during our staycation because it was fun and did not cost us any extra money. Also, look around for trails and State Parks to take your family to that are close by. We visited Natural Bridge State Park and walked the trail to the bridge and it was all free except for our gas and food. You may be surprised at all the fun things there are to do that are close to your front door.

Staycation Rules

Being in your home environment will make it harder for you to not do things that you usually do every day; like make you bed, vacuum, clean your bathroom, etc. You will have to set rules for yourself such as limited chores. This will help you relax more knowing you don’t have to worry about those things.

My 2011 Staycation

Here are some of the things my family has planned for our staycation this year. We are going to a fireworks display, going to a park we usually don’t go to, grilling out away from home, swimming at the pool we have a family pass for, walking a trail, visiting Cumberland Falls, resting, sleeping in, reading some books while my kids play outside, playing family board games, and having an outdoor party with a family that our kids like to play with. We also plan to go to the movies. With a family of six going to the movies is very expensive for our whole family, but since we are staying home we can afford to do this activity. These are just a few things my family has planned for our staycation. The ideas are endless when looking for things to do. One thing I did last year was take pictures of the things we did on our staycation. I plan to do this again as we had lots of great memories from our first staycation.

Frugal Summer Rainy Day Fun for Kids

Lorie — Sat, 28 May 2011 23:59:44 +0000

It has rained and stormed almost the entire time since my kids got out of school for summer vacation. Since the weather hasn’t been cooperating, I have had to look for things to keep them busy but won’t break my budget. I love spending summer vacation with my kids playing outside and going to the park, but those things don’t always work very well. Here are a few things I do with my kids on rainy days in the summertime.

Public Library

I love my local public library. There are so many fun things for kids to do there. Most libraries around here have a children’s room. The kids can come and play with toys, read books, play games on computers and my library even has a television in the children’s room so they can watch DVD’s or play Wii games. We also look for books to check out to read at home. Most libraries also have a Summer Reading Program. My library has activities throughout the week like cooking, painting, movies, Wii games, and story hour. They also feed the kid’s lunch on those days, which helps my food budget. So check and see what your library has going on this summer. My kids could spend most of the day at the library. Another nice thing is it has air conditioning and it is nice to get out of the heat during the summertime, rain or shine. The best part about it is it is all FREE.

Movie Day

I have movie days a lot on rainy days at my house. I start in the morning by getting my homemade pizza dough ready. I also make popcorn and some kind of treat for this event like rice crispy treats. I get most of the movies FREE from the public library or I use what we already have at home. If I want a newer movie, sometimes I will rent a movie from the Redbox for $1.00. At lunch time, we have pizza while watching the movie. If I pick the right movies my kids are happy most of the rainy day.

Free Printables

I find lots of free printables online and print them for my kids. They love coloring and making crafts so sometimes we just color when it rains. Here are a few of my favorite free printables sites.

TLSBooks.com

Crayola

Kidzone

Game Day

Game Day is another activity my kids love to do when it is a rainy day. We own a Wii and a Play Station 2 so my kids can play those games. I have four kids, but my kids even enjoy watching someone else play. I love that most of the Wii games also have games that are active for my kids. Since I already own these systems, this activity does not cost me anything. There are lots of places online that have free and appropriate games for kids. Here are a few game sites that my kids enjoy.

Baking Days

My kids love the kitchen and I love teaching them about baking. On rainy days, we like to make things like chocolate chip cookies, no bake cookies, quick breads, muffins, and cakes. My kids learn about measuring and working as a team and are rewarded with a nice treat after it is all over. I think that baking days sometimes feel like harder days for me, but they are also a lot of fun.

Indoor Playlands

This may be your last option since it might cost some money and may not be the most frugal. Lots of restaurants, like McDonald’s and Burger King have playlands. Every now and then, I will take my kids for lunch there and then they can play as long as they want. If I take them and don’t have a lot of money to spend, I go after I have feed them lunch and just buy one soft drink. We have play dates there too sometimes. I usually can read while they are playing so we all enjoy it. The hardest part of the playland experience for me, though, is getting my kids to leave.

Mother’s Day Restaurant Deals and Freebies

Lorie — Thu, 05 May 2011 17:16:23 +0000

Mother’s Day is coming soon. Have you figured out what you are giving your mom for her special day? There are a lot of great Mother’s Day restaurant deals out there, so why not take her out to eat. Here are some of the great deals restaurants are offereing for this special day. I suggest you call ahead and make sure these deals are offered at your location. Some deals are only offered at certain locations.

Carino’s Italian Grill

Carino’s Italian Grill is offering a great deal for Mother’s Day. You will get one free entree for mom when you purchase another meal. This deal is good from May 4th to May 8th. There is a limit to one free meal per table. The free entree includes unlimited soup and salad, choice of chef-select entrees, a mini dessert and a beverage (fountain drink or tea). You can expect to pay $12-$15 for an entree and add $1 for unlimited soup and salads. Desserts are about $2.50, if you choose dessert. This sounds like a great deal for only about $15.50 (depending on your entree selection) two people can eat out.

Boston Market

Boston Market is offering moms’ free family size dessert when you buy a family size meal. This offer is good from May 6th to May 8th.

Applebee’s

Applebee’s is offering moms’ a coupon for $5 off a $25 order on their next visit if they eat at the restaurant on Mother’s Day. They also have a deal that you can get a $10 bonus gift card when you buy $50 in gift cards.

Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday is offering a free Red Velvet gourmet cupcake for moms’ on Mother’s Day, May 8th.

Starbucks

Starbucks is offering half priced Frappuccinos from 3-5 on May 6-15th.

O’Charley’s

O’Charley’s is offering 20% off purchase on Mother’s Day from 9 AM to 11 AM.

TCBY

TCBY is offering a free frozen yogurt for mom on Mother’s Day, May 8th.

McCormick and Schmick’s

McCormick and Schmick’s is offering free Chocolate Truffle Trio for moms’ on May 6th to May 8th.

IKEA

IKEA is offering moms’ a free breakfast on Mother’s Day. The breakfast includes fluffy scrambled eggs served with hash browns, bacon, and coffee all for free.

Denny’s

Denny’s is offering mom’s a free Pancake Puppies Sundae from May 9th to May 16th. You will need to print this coupon before going to the restaurant.

Eating Out on a Budget

Lorie — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:51:21 +0000

As a frugal mom, I try to make my meals at home to save money. However, there are some times when I allow our family to go out to eat. We like to go out on special occasions and even date nights. I like my children to know how to eat and behave in a restaurant. I usually do not go anywhere expensive. With a family of 6, a family meal out can really add up. Here are a few things I like to do to save money when eating out.

Set a Budget

Before going out, know how much you want to spend. For my family of 6, I usually try to spend $30-$50. I try never to go over $50. We don’t go out much, so when we do it is a treat.

Eat Out on Off Hours

Eating out on hours that the restaurant usually does not have a lot of people, can really save you money. Many restaurants have happy hours. You can usually get an appetizer for half price. I can sometimes eat an appetizer as a meal so this really cuts down on money. Many restaurants also offer lunch time specials. Also, ask if you can order off the lunch menu during dinner time. Many restaurants will let you do this or charge you an extra dollar, but it still comes out saving money and you get a portion size you are more likely to eat at the restaurant. My family enjoys a Chinese all-you-can eat bar. When we go, we try to go on a Saturday during the lunch hours. My whole family can eat for around $32 because of the lunch time prices and my kids are the age that they eat cheaper. So, check out off hours specials as a way to save money at your favorite restaurants.

Rethink or Skip the Drink

Restaurants really add up when you add soft drinks to the meal. Soft drinks are usually around $2.00 a piece but when you add in the tax and tip that can really add up for a large family. Consider drinking water and asking for a slice of lemon. Another thing I like to do with my water is have a mix in packet in my purse and then I can just add that to my water and make lemonade or whatever flavor I have on hand. My family also likes to eat out at Pizza Hut. My waitress suggested one day that to save money we might want to rethink how we bought our drinks. We bought the 2 liters and got three different kinds for less than we would have paid for everyone to have a fountain drink. We all got refills and even took some home. I thought this was a great idea.

Check Out Family Meal Deals

Many restaurants have family meal deals to help larger families save money. Sometimes they are not on the menu, so you should ask your server. I learned this the hard way when my family ate out at Pizza Hut. They have a separate card with the meal deals. We can get two pizzas, breadsticks and a one trip salad bar for every family member, and several 2 liters of pop for around $35. For a family of six, I really think that’s a great deal. So, don’t forget to ask about family meal deals at your favorite restaurant.

Eat an Appetizer and Skip the Dessert

Many times appetizers are like a meal but cheaper than a regular meal off the menu, so consider ordering off the appetizer menu to save money. Desserts are another place you can save money. The portion size is often small for the price you pay. Consider skipping the dessert and maybe buy a gallon of ice cream on the way home and serve that when you get home. You will have plenty of dessert for a whole lot less.

Look for Coupons and Discounts

Many restaurants are now using coupons to get people in the restaurants to eat. You can find coupons at Groupons.com. I also like to look for Entertainment books that come out and are filled with great restaurant coupons. So look around there are some great deals to be found when looking to save at restaurants.

Eat a Snack Before Eating Out

Don’t go to a restaurant overly hungry. Eat a small snack and then you will not be tempted to buy the most expensive meal when eating out. I usually can just eat off of the appetizer menu if I do this and appetizers are always cheaper.

Kids Eat Free

Many restaurants offer a Kids Eat Free day. Find out when that is and take advantage of it. I also like some of the all you can eat buffet type restaurants because you can get kids meals for cheaper or sometimes even free depending on their age.

Consider Fast Food Restaurants

My family is perfectly happy going to a fast food restaurant for a family meal. This brings the cost into my budget. My kids love Subway. I love that they offer healthier meals for my family. My kids always choose the yogurt over the cookie in the kid’s meal packs. We also like Burger King because it has a play land. McDonald’s also have play lands but the one close to us does not. This makes eating out a more of an entertainment time for the family for just the cost of a meal. So, consider fast food as a way to save money.