Do your part to prevent cervical cancer! Take the Pledge…..

What better way to start the year than by celebrating Women’s Self-Empowerment Week, a week long observance that starts on January first. This is a time for women to reflect on and feel good about their accomplishments, role in society, as well as establish new goals for the future.

Although dedicated to women, this week is really meant to be celebrated by men and women.

Self-Empowerment by the shear explanation means to inspire women to have the courage to break free from the chains of limiting belief patterns and social or religious conditioning that have traditionally kept women suppressed and unable to see their true beauty and power.

So to 2009, I say to all of you and I hope that I can heed my own words…..go forth and be comfortable being you, you are beautiful, strong and the best person you can be. This year will bring even greater and more wonderful surprises about you.

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. ”
~ Oprah Winfrey, Motivational Talk Show Host

These are going to be a simple list of things I used or attending weddings of other brides that have used these ideas.

To save money, going with a cupcake tower, which can be cheaper than a traditional wedding cake. (Everyone gets their favorite flavor of cupcake and it is good if you have children attending.

Go simple for the decorations. Stock up on dollar-store ornaments and display them in glass bowls.

Collect pine cones from outside and let them dry. Spray paint silver or gold and pile in jars or vases. Or use them as place-card holders for a dinner party.

Invitations: I had a friend who bought nice paper & printed her own on her computer if you have a program already for it.

You can add your own little pieces of ribbon tied in a tiny bow etc. to dress them up. (you can also add a little silver heart or some little item usually found in craft store for wedding items or even making jewelry

ON RSVP you can also put a phone number on it instead of buying stamps for all of them. (Let your answering machine pick up for them to leave a message, and write that on the RSVP.)

Scour places like Wholesale and Close-out places for good buys on designer soaps and candles.

Buy in bulk at Sam’s/Costco/Price Club and whatever idea you come up with for favors (Candles, soaps, packets of flower seeds) put them in cellophane bags with a bow.(inexpensive but practical, something your guest can use)

For the men in the party, including the groom; Wear black suits instead of tuxes.

With the above in mind, if they all don’t have black suits, you can have them wear khaki pants and black/blue jackets (look in Wal-Mart they are inexpensive and nice enough for one days wearing) They can either purchase their own or you can go halves with them (the husband is responsible for this item)

DJ yourself. Burn your reception music onto a CD to be played during the reception.

You can also use this music as a favor to your guest. Buy blank CD’s and make copies of your reception music put you and your husbands name and your wedding date. (another nice touch is to add a quote, phrase or something that is special to you and your husband) Wrap them in tulle (buy this in bolts-not by the yard) and a ribbon (get this from places like Dollar Tree or again in large quantities or closeouts)

Ask friends, relatives or neighbors for where they have gotten the best deal on things like flowers, candy, gifts etc. Sometimes they are better resources than going to places that advertise for Weddings etc. You will be paying for that advertising.

Frugal is fashionable, no longer a dirty word. And that applies to weddings, too, which can spike into the tens of thousands of dollars — leaving you feeling spent (pun intended) before you even get started.

Having recently been married myself, I speak from experience. When I was preparing for my wedding day (started in March and was married in September 2007) and not having a significant amount of time to do so, I had to pull out all the stops in order to have my wedding look like a million dollars on a meager couple of thousands.

So I scoured books, internet, friends and just about anything I could get my hands on and have come up with a few here.

I do have a confession to make though…..I spent more money on my wedding gown than I really wanted to but that is because we all know…….”it’s all about the Bride”.

Speaking of internet from the previous post.

If you are traveling, can’t or don’t have a laptop, are staying somewhere where there is no access to the internet, then I have an alternative for you.

THE LIBRARY. Yes, that’s right. Every city has one. It is free. You do not have to have a library card or anything except identification.

Using this method is the same as being at home or the office……you sit, you look, you print, you prepare; just about anything you want.

The only cost to you will be the amount they charge for prints; I have payed as little as $.02 to as high as $.05.

Yes, I have had to use this many, many times. It works, its cheap and you are not shelling out any extra money for internet service for a short period of time.

Save yourself a stamp, and avoid late fees by paying your bills online.

You can pay direct to your creditors, or set up automatic bill pay with your bank; and take yourself out of the equation entirely.

I have been doing it for years and have never had a problem yet. It is especially good if you travel a lot or even have to leave the country…..internet is everywhere.

When it’s hot, people want to buy window air conditioners and gas barbecue grills. When it’s cold, they want sweaters and winter coats. And businesses charge a lot more money for these items because the demand is greater then.

Last year, during the winter months, I purchased a commercial size gas grill for $200.00 less than the ticket price was in the summer months. I was not even looking for a new stainless steel commercial grill but could not pass up the price.

Instead of shopping in your normal manner, change it up and make your purchases at times when demand is low. You are able to negotiate then, the stores are willing to offer you a bargain just so that they can get the merchandise off of their shelves or off of their floor space.

New models of big appliances, snow blowers, air-conditioners, grills etc. tend to arrive in the store in early fall. You can look for a good deal on these models. So don’t be shy, just ask and you might be very surprised at what happens.

Here are 17 things that will get you out of most car-related jams. Keep them in your trunk or glove compartment so that they are always handy.

 Maps (even if you have a GPS)
 First-Aid Kit
 Flares or Emergency Lights
 Jumper Cables
 Paper Towels
 Flashlight, portable flash-light, spare batteries
 Energy Bars (or other non-perishable food)
 Drinking water
 Matches and emergency candles
 Brightly colored flag, banner, or “help” sign

These would be more appropriate for Winter Months:

 Cat liter, sand or salt (provides good traction for your climate)
 Snow shovel (they make folding ones)
 Ice scraper/windshield brush
 Extra clothing and shoes, particularly ware jackets, hats and gloves
 Windshield wiper fluid and/or deicing fluid
 Gas-line antifreeze
 Blanket or comforter

This is a day at the spa, not free but fun and economical.

Get a bunch of friends together, go to the local department store (Macy, Lord & Taylor) that has a few make up counters with technicians that can give you a make over for free. Pick a time when someone like Clinique or Lancome is offering gift sets with a purchase of say $21.00-25.00. That is not a lot of money and you could either purchase it for yourself or a gift for someone. With this in mind you have two gifts covered.

Take advantage of the many special holiday gift sets and two-for-one options to expand your giving options or consider gift ideas that will allow you to spread out your giving.

So here is the plan:

1) Get a few friends together for a “Sex in the City” day out.
2) Go to get your make overs and do some shopping for the 2 for 1 or free gifts.
3) Pick your favorite spot for a light lunch with maybe a glass of wine or two
4) Get caught up on the latest.
5) Enjoy your friendships and plan your next event.

“Life is nothing without friendship”

This tip is for Moms, Working Moms, Working Gals & Guys, the Young, the Old and the In-betweens……

The ultimate treat for the ALL of the above on your list or a treat for yourself:

Time to exercise and find your inner peace at the same time. Package a new yoga mat with a couple of DVD’s (yoga and aerobics are a good combo) so you can workout in the convenience of your own home.

This is a frugal tip…..The gym membership “hundreds of dollars” and will you be faithful to the regime? OR do the above in the confines of your home and add some friends make a time of it, like planning a lunch (healthy of course) or dinner; I think you can be creative with this, getting healthy and frugal at the same time. Oh did I mention…..make it fun!