Be the blogger...no, really!

I often post my insecure need for inputs on this blog (what, you hadn't noticed...?)
I have some new posts in the works, but meanwhile, if you have any great deals, money-saving hints or just interesting ideas for posts, please e-mail me at HBEdm@aol.com. I promise I will credit you with the ideas (or not, if you prefer to be mysterious and anonymous!). Help me survive what is currently a minimum of a 50-hour work week...I don't have as much writing time as I would like, but, hey, I've got to make a living too! Thanks!!!!

Cheap drugs!

OK, now that I have your attention...(not seriously though!)...You probably already know that generic prescription drugs can cost 80% less than their brand-name equivalents, but not all generics are available at all pharmacies.

Check out "medtipster.com" and enter your drug name and zip code to locate pharmacies in your neighborhood that carry your generic version! Just a spoon full of sugar...

Great bulletin board idea!

Create an attractive, personalized bulletin board for your home or dorm room (see "redbookmag.com"). Use a cheap yet spiffy-looking picture frame (a Goodwill or garage sale find??!), an Exacto knife and a role of adhesive-backed cork (check out office or craft stores for this!). The "how-to's" are fairly self-explanatory...a project that is both quirky and corky! :D

Nail some savings on your next manicure!

The Sept.10th issue of "Redbook" recommends taking your own bottle of polish to your next manicure appointment. Apparently salons frequently add thinners to old enamels to extend their lives. This practice can cause bubbling and peeling and you still end up paying the same exorbitant price for their polish! There's something to think about!

Happy 60th Snoopy!

Celebrate Snoopy's 60th Birthday (that's a lot of "dog years"!) by purchasing a vintage tank or t-shirt at "welovefine.com" It will be $22 well-spent as a percentage of every sale will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (and you will look really cool too)!

Free Museum Day!

Free Museum Day is Saturday, Sept. 25th. The key word here is "free" - Smithsonian Magazine's annual museum day allows free admission to hundreds of participating museums and cultural institutions nationwide. Check out "Smithsonian.com/museumday" to download your free tickets!

Budget Fitness

In a budgeting frenzy, I've recently canceled a number of things that no longer seem quite so necessary - my home phone, a lot of channels on my satellite TV service and, unfortunately, my gym membership. But there may be hope for me to get some much needed exercise without the gym. Check out "fitorbit.com" to connect with a virtual trainer. You get your own personalized plan with meal plans and workouts for only $10 per week. Admittedly this is more than I actually paid for my LA Fitness membership, but at least it allows me a bit more flexibility with my crazy schedule as I never seemed to get to the gym often enough. And the last time I used their trainer, it cost $100/month! This seems like a pretty good deal...let me know if any of you try this!

Kibble and (trivia) bits!

Over the past year, I've made it quite clear that I love dogs and am always looking for ways to help shelters and dogs in need. "Redbook" (6/10) suggests playing trivia at "freekibble.com". Each day that you play, the site donates 10 pieces of dogfood to an animal shelter. (And yes it does appear that a LOT of games are needed to provide the greatest benefit!)

Feel good by doing good

Here is an opportunity to help women in developing nations build better lives. Check out "madebysurvivors.com" to shop, host a "Shop for Freedom" party or sponsor a child.
A note...I have not tried this site yet and would recommend checking it out well before putting money into it...I am very trusting but want to be sure where the money goes to first!

Get your just "desserts!"

Looking for a decadent and yet diet-ready dessert for guests or just for you? Here is an amazing and super-fast solution from "Redbook" (6/10). Use frozen phyllo shells (most grocery stores stock them) and spoon low-cal pudding (from pudding cups) into each shell...yum! And it even looks fancy!

Forever young (and cheap)!

Penney's may be catching on to me! They, like Kohl's, are now sending out coupons via the newspaper that require a $25 purchase to use their $10 off coupon...OK, admittedly this is still a deal as there are few limitations on the promotion (though "FREE" seemed a lot better to me!). But I can still justify this change in "bargain" by using the coupon for holiday shopping...but heck if I will use it for myself now...not just a penny (Penney?!) pincher...just cheap in general... HA!