Today is my birthday!! Not nearly as excited as I was in my younger years, but it is kinda nice to hear from so many wonderful people who are thinking of you. Makes me feel so loved!
So I decided against a birthday party this year, I have never been a big fan of celebrating my own birthday. Mainly because I am the party planner in my family, my husband is a trucker with little to no idea on where to even start planning events, and everyone else has so much going on I would feel horrible if they even attempted it! I prefer the small intimate family celebrations, just me, the hubbs, and the kiddos. Take out, movie night, and a homemade birthday cake. Simple and way more enjoyable than feeding a ton of people and cleaning up a huge mess afterwards. Leave the big parties for the kids and holidays!
Still - what are the best thrifty ways to plan a birthday celebration? One way is to make everything that you can! Decorations can get pricey especially if you are throwing a celebration for a child. Everything from banners, treat bags, balloons, tablecloths, plates, etc. Here are a few of thrifty ways to prepare for your next birthday bash:
1. Save everything you can from previous parties. This includes gift bags and tissue paper. If it's salvageable, stick it in a plastic tote and mark it "birthday supplies".
2. Shop around online for those special decorative items that can sometimes cost a pretty penny. Ebay, Amazon, and even Craigslist all are great places to start for new or gently used items that might be hard to find. Don't forget the dollar stores! Helium balloons, solid colored tablecloths, small favors for goodie bags - just watch your dollars and make a list of items you need before going and tossing everything into your cart.
3. Make everything you can! Make the birthday cake - great recipes can be found online along with creative decorating tips. Make birthday banners out of fabric swatches using liquid stitch (fabric glue) to attach letters and other embellishments. Centerpieces are another easy task that can be made with items you already have laying around the house with a little creative thinking, the possibilities are endless!
4. Food - to cook or not to cook? I usually opt to cook! But the key is to keep it simple, healthy, and fast! Fruit & veggie trays are always a big hit, dollar roll sandwiches and pasta are other inexpensive ways to feed a large number of people, and cupcakes! Cupcakes can pull double duty as a decoration in the center of a table or even by letting the kiddos decorate their own!
5. Entertainment can be the most expensive part of any party. Depending on the age and theme, you may want a clown or a rock band! My best advice is to ask family and friends first. Thankfully, we have some very talented and eccentric friends who have done everything from bake cakes to act like pirates at our kids' birthday bashes. Same goes for the band, although a live band at a party has become rare, it's more affordable if you know where to look. We have a youth group at our church that performs all over or community and these teens are really good! We simply make a donation for their performance and they show up and play everything from oldies to hip hop. DJs usually have set prices and time requirements, the best way to score a great deal is to know one or someone who does!
Great websites for more party planing tips:
www.birthdaypartyideas.com
www.stlbirthday.com
Deals of the Day:
Freebies:
www.totallyfreestuff.com
Grocery deals:
Aldis
1 lb strawberries 0.89
Cantaloupe 0.99 ea
Plums 0.25 ea
Schnucks
Dannon Greek yogurt $1 ea
Quaker Quakes Rice Snacks $1ea
Kiwi 3 for $1
Events:
Jungle Boogie @ StL ZOO
July 8th 5-8pm
free
www.stlzoo.org
ToyMan Toy Show @ Machinist Hall in St Charles
July 10th 9-2pm
cost $4
www.toymanshow.com
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Even a Thrifty Mummy has Obstacles!
After a rather unpleasant 4 days of non-working internet service, I am pleased to announce this thrifty mummy is back in action!
I had set a few goals for myself before starting this blog, a big one was to post something everyday. Thanks to some technical issues I am several days behind and may very well just post multiple times over this holiday weekend to get caught up!
Before getting to the Deals & Events around town, I wanted to share a few tid bits that were reinforced during my internet blackout;
1. Keep a "thrifty journal" in your purse. I had a ton of errands I ran this week and spotted some awesome deals I was glad to jot down. I use the notepad on my cell phone so I never have to worry about finding something to write with - pens grow legs and run away from me for some reason...
2. Facebook is a great way to score free samples and local deals. Simply "like" pages of your favorite products and you can score everything from coupons to freebies and even contest where being creative really pays. I missed several give aways this week :(
3. Ask your friends! I am blessed to have friends all over and sometimes a friend in Arizona will know about a new thrifty trend before we ever get wind of it here.
4. Find out when bulk pick up is in your area. Just out driving around the other day I found a Little Tikes playset in almost perfect condition set out for bulk pickup. Heck, I once found two wicker chairs and the lady who set them out ran me the cushions that went with them! She hadn't set them out w/ the chairs because she had considered reusing them on another piece, but when she saw me and we chatted a minute she offered them!
Just a few things I had to share! One other I wanted to show today was my receipt from WAG:
![]()
I highlighted the coupon amounts, my total, as well as the amounts I saved. All the coupons I used were from last weeks Sunday paper and I ended up saving $25.88 between SC/MNFC/Sale items! No, not extreme coupon worthy but yes, I saved $25.88 on items we needed this week! Plus - $5 register rewards coupon printed so it was like only spending $20.88!
I will be uploading photos from our weekend crafts soon and tomorrow I will have all the latest couponing deals lined up and ready for you!
On to our DEALS of the DAY:
Freebies:
Bowl for free @ any Brunswick Bowling Alley
7/1-7/4
description: Everyone gets 1 free game each day through the holiday weekend!
www.brunswickzone.com
Kids eat Free @ Bellacino's Pizza & Grinders
Sunday - Wens
www.hamptonbellacinos.com
Yard Sales:
The Garage - indoor style flea market @ the Lemp Brewery
every Saturday 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
www.thegaragestl.com
Plan ahead for this one! St Joan of Arc Flea Market
Saturday 7/9 & 7/10 5821 Pernod off Hampton Ave - enter through the parking lot
Deals:
Old Navy Summer Styles starting at $5 now through the 4th
Like "Tiny Prints" on Facebook and send a free card to our troops - make sure to follow their instructions on where to enter their address - great way to show support for our troops this Independence Day.
Check out these links for deals updated daily;
http;//stlo.stlouuisdeals.com
www.stlouis.halfoffdeals.com
Events:
JB Blast
what: Fireworks, music, food
where: Jefferson Barracks Park
when: 7/1 events starting at 7pm - ending after fireworks which begin at 9pm
cost: FREE
Rockin on the Landing
what: live music along the Mississippi River Front
where: Laclede's Landing in Downtown St Louis
when: 7/2 - 7/4
cost: FREE
VP Parade
what: annual Veiled Prophet parade through downtown St. Louis
where: Parade begins on N 4th Street and turns onto Market St ending at 20th street
when: 7/2 @ 10 am
cost: FREE
To checkout all the events Downtown this Holiday weekend visit www.celebratestlouis.org
Sweepstakes & Contest:
Ultimate iCarly Insider Sweepstakes
http://ads.nick.com/sponsors/2011/hp/veer/
Win a Mega George Foreman Grill
www.tnpride.com
Photo Contest - a great site for all the latest competitions
www.photocompete.com
For us writers out there:
www.writersdigest.com/competitions
www.writingcontest.thenovelette.com/
I had set a few goals for myself before starting this blog, a big one was to post something everyday. Thanks to some technical issues I am several days behind and may very well just post multiple times over this holiday weekend to get caught up!
Before getting to the Deals & Events around town, I wanted to share a few tid bits that were reinforced during my internet blackout;
1. Keep a "thrifty journal" in your purse. I had a ton of errands I ran this week and spotted some awesome deals I was glad to jot down. I use the notepad on my cell phone so I never have to worry about finding something to write with - pens grow legs and run away from me for some reason...
2. Facebook is a great way to score free samples and local deals. Simply "like" pages of your favorite products and you can score everything from coupons to freebies and even contest where being creative really pays. I missed several give aways this week :(
3. Ask your friends! I am blessed to have friends all over and sometimes a friend in Arizona will know about a new thrifty trend before we ever get wind of it here.
4. Find out when bulk pick up is in your area. Just out driving around the other day I found a Little Tikes playset in almost perfect condition set out for bulk pickup. Heck, I once found two wicker chairs and the lady who set them out ran me the cushions that went with them! She hadn't set them out w/ the chairs because she had considered reusing them on another piece, but when she saw me and we chatted a minute she offered them!
Just a few things I had to share! One other I wanted to show today was my receipt from WAG:
I highlighted the coupon amounts, my total, as well as the amounts I saved. All the coupons I used were from last weeks Sunday paper and I ended up saving $25.88 between SC/MNFC/Sale items! No, not extreme coupon worthy but yes, I saved $25.88 on items we needed this week! Plus - $5 register rewards coupon printed so it was like only spending $20.88!
I will be uploading photos from our weekend crafts soon and tomorrow I will have all the latest couponing deals lined up and ready for you!
On to our DEALS of the DAY:
Freebies:
Bowl for free @ any Brunswick Bowling Alley
7/1-7/4
description: Everyone gets 1 free game each day through the holiday weekend!
www.brunswickzone.com
Kids eat Free @ Bellacino's Pizza & Grinders
Sunday - Wens
www.hamptonbellacinos.com
Yard Sales:
The Garage - indoor style flea market @ the Lemp Brewery
every Saturday 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
www.thegaragestl.com
Plan ahead for this one! St Joan of Arc Flea Market
Saturday 7/9 & 7/10 5821 Pernod off Hampton Ave - enter through the parking lot
Deals:
Old Navy Summer Styles starting at $5 now through the 4th
Like "Tiny Prints" on Facebook and send a free card to our troops - make sure to follow their instructions on where to enter their address - great way to show support for our troops this Independence Day.
Check out these links for deals updated daily;
http;//stlo.stlouuisdeals.com
www.stlouis.halfoffdeals.com
Events:
JB Blast
what: Fireworks, music, food
where: Jefferson Barracks Park
when: 7/1 events starting at 7pm - ending after fireworks which begin at 9pm
cost: FREE
Rockin on the Landing
what: live music along the Mississippi River Front
where: Laclede's Landing in Downtown St Louis
when: 7/2 - 7/4
cost: FREE
VP Parade
what: annual Veiled Prophet parade through downtown St. Louis
where: Parade begins on N 4th Street and turns onto Market St ending at 20th street
when: 7/2 @ 10 am
cost: FREE
To checkout all the events Downtown this Holiday weekend visit www.celebratestlouis.org
Sweepstakes & Contest:
Ultimate iCarly Insider Sweepstakes
http://ads.nick.com/sponsors/2011/hp/veer/
Win a Mega George Foreman Grill
www.tnpride.com
Photo Contest - a great site for all the latest competitions
www.photocompete.com
For us writers out there:
www.writersdigest.com/competitions
www.writingcontest.thenovelette.com/
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Summer Time in the City: Top 60 Free Things to Do + local sweepstakes
Top 60 FREE things to do this Summer in StL & nearby areas:
1. Visit the Saint Louis Zoo
2. Grant's Farm (parking is $11)
3. Tower Grove Park Wading Pool
4. Carondelet Park
5. Suson Park-kiddos will love all the animals
6. Science Center (park in Forest Park)
7. History Museum
8. Art Museum
9. Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour
10. Union Station
11. Cahokia Mounds
12. Craft Alliance Gallery
13. Golden Eagle River Museum
14. Soldier's Memorial
15. World Bird Sanctuary
16. City Gardens
17. Art Hill in Forest Park
18. Botanical Gardens (free for city residents on Wens before 11 am)
19. Old Court Hose
20. Faust Historical Village
21. Purina Farms
22. Cathedral Bascilca of St Louis
23. Jefferson Barracks Park & museums
24. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
25. Babler State Park
26. St. Louis Public Library central branch
27. Citizens National Bank Park
28. Columbia Garden Conservation Area
29. Cliff Caves County Park
30. Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
31. Antique Row along Cherokee Street
32. Holocaust Museum and Learning Center
33. Concordia Seminary
34. St Louis Fire Department Museum
35. Laumeire Sculpture Park
36. St Louis Car Museum
37. Tilles Park
38. Mississippi River Front & Lacledes Landing
39. Brentwood Park
40. Willmore Park
41. Turtle Park
42. Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
43. Soulard Market
44. Old Post Office & Customs House
45. The Green Center (open to public Wens only)
46. Eads Bridge (great lookout point)
47. James Thomas "Cool Papa" Bell Memorial
48. Historic Daniel Boone home & Boonesfield Village
49. Theis Farm
50. The Muny
51. Jewel Box
52. Faust Park
53. St Louis Walk of Fame (Delmar Loop)
54. Katy Trail
55. World's Largest Catsup Bottle (drive by)
56. St Louis Skate Park
57. July 4th fireworks/ VP parade
58. St Joe's Park (lake swimming, fishing, sand dunes)
59. Benton Park
60. The Wabash Frisco and Pacific Railroad - this does REQUIRE a $4 donation per ticket, kids 3 and under are free, but I had to add it!
Believe it or not there are more free things to do, so keep checking in as I update on the latest events. If you need help or have questions about any of the places I listed above, leave a comment or you can send me an email @ thriftystlmummy@aol.com
Deals of the Day:
Freebies:
Captain D's - Thursday get 2 free kid's meals w/ the purchase of any adult entree at regular price (dine in only) please check w/ your local restaurant for details
Tin Can Tavern & Grill 3157 Morganford Rd - 2 kids eat free from kids menu per adult purchase between 5pm - 9pm, 12 years & younger, Mondays - Thursdays
Grocery Sales:
Aldi's has cantaloupe for $0.99 and strawberries $0.99 per lb
Shop n Save - coupon Thursday! $10 off purchase of $50 or more (work that to your advantage!)
Local Sweepstakes (new section as suggested by a friend):
"Lucky Day Car Giveaway" @ Marty Cancila Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram - 2175 N Hwy 67 N Lindbergh Florissant MO 63033
details: Test drive any 2011 Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep and be entered to win a new vehicle ($30,000 towards purchase) no purchase necessary valid now thru 8/31/2011
Win a Chevy Cruze - visit http://www.gleesingtheusa.com/ for details now thru 7/15/2011
Springfield MO vacation Package - http://www.vacationfun.com/ hurry ends 6/25/2011
Western Wear Package - http://www.silverdollarcity.com/ now thru 10/29/2011
click on special offers and packages, they also have other sweepstakes occurring all the time, so bookmark their site.
As always - be careful and fully read sweepstakes rules and regulations, although I do a quick scan it's best to check them out so you understand what you are entering!
Look for future give aways coming straight from yours truly, Thrifty Stl Mummy!!
Next post - thrifty summer crafts, recipe ideas, and party planning on a budget!
1. Visit the Saint Louis Zoo
2. Grant's Farm (parking is $11)
3. Tower Grove Park Wading Pool
4. Carondelet Park
5. Suson Park-kiddos will love all the animals
6. Science Center (park in Forest Park)
7. History Museum
8. Art Museum
9. Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour
10. Union Station
11. Cahokia Mounds
12. Craft Alliance Gallery
13. Golden Eagle River Museum
14. Soldier's Memorial
15. World Bird Sanctuary
16. City Gardens
17. Art Hill in Forest Park
18. Botanical Gardens (free for city residents on Wens before 11 am)
19. Old Court Hose
20. Faust Historical Village
21. Purina Farms
22. Cathedral Bascilca of St Louis
23. Jefferson Barracks Park & museums
24. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
25. Babler State Park
26. St. Louis Public Library central branch
27. Citizens National Bank Park
28. Columbia Garden Conservation Area
29. Cliff Caves County Park
30. Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
31. Antique Row along Cherokee Street
32. Holocaust Museum and Learning Center
33. Concordia Seminary
34. St Louis Fire Department Museum
35. Laumeire Sculpture Park
36. St Louis Car Museum
37. Tilles Park
38. Mississippi River Front & Lacledes Landing
39. Brentwood Park
40. Willmore Park
41. Turtle Park
42. Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
43. Soulard Market
44. Old Post Office & Customs House
45. The Green Center (open to public Wens only)
46. Eads Bridge (great lookout point)
47. James Thomas "Cool Papa" Bell Memorial
48. Historic Daniel Boone home & Boonesfield Village
49. Theis Farm
50. The Muny
51. Jewel Box
52. Faust Park
53. St Louis Walk of Fame (Delmar Loop)
54. Katy Trail
55. World's Largest Catsup Bottle (drive by)
56. St Louis Skate Park
57. July 4th fireworks/ VP parade
58. St Joe's Park (lake swimming, fishing, sand dunes)
59. Benton Park
60. The Wabash Frisco and Pacific Railroad - this does REQUIRE a $4 donation per ticket, kids 3 and under are free, but I had to add it!
Believe it or not there are more free things to do, so keep checking in as I update on the latest events. If you need help or have questions about any of the places I listed above, leave a comment or you can send me an email @ thriftystlmummy@aol.com
Deals of the Day:
Freebies:
Captain D's - Thursday get 2 free kid's meals w/ the purchase of any adult entree at regular price (dine in only) please check w/ your local restaurant for details
Tin Can Tavern & Grill 3157 Morganford Rd - 2 kids eat free from kids menu per adult purchase between 5pm - 9pm, 12 years & younger, Mondays - Thursdays
Grocery Sales:
Aldi's has cantaloupe for $0.99 and strawberries $0.99 per lb
Shop n Save - coupon Thursday! $10 off purchase of $50 or more (work that to your advantage!)
Local Sweepstakes (new section as suggested by a friend):
"Lucky Day Car Giveaway" @ Marty Cancila Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram - 2175 N Hwy 67 N Lindbergh Florissant MO 63033
details: Test drive any 2011 Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep and be entered to win a new vehicle ($30,000 towards purchase) no purchase necessary valid now thru 8/31/2011
Win a Chevy Cruze - visit http://www.gleesingtheusa.com/ for details now thru 7/15/2011
Springfield MO vacation Package - http://www.vacationfun.com/ hurry ends 6/25/2011
Western Wear Package - http://www.silverdollarcity.com/ now thru 10/29/2011
click on special offers and packages, they also have other sweepstakes occurring all the time, so bookmark their site.
As always - be careful and fully read sweepstakes rules and regulations, although I do a quick scan it's best to check them out so you understand what you are entering!
Look for future give aways coming straight from yours truly, Thrifty Stl Mummy!!
Next post - thrifty summer crafts, recipe ideas, and party planning on a budget!
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