Hey Chicagoland…Northwest Indiana…Southern Wisconsin…Da Region…

Are you freezing your dupa off yet? Holy crap,  I am. We even had to turn the heat up *gulp* to a whoppin’ 69 today. Like a heat wave in here…let me tell you.  I’m sure NIPSCO is bearing it’s snarly teeth and grinning at all of us with these negative temperatures.

If you are anything like myself, all you feel like doing is bundling up in flannel pj’s, reading books, clicking through blogs and going to bed early. Bor-ing.

Winter is the PERFECT time to get to Chicago and enjoy the INDOORS. With parking and admission fees, I understand how spending a day there can be like taking a mini-vacation. That’s why you have to plan ahead and enjoy it on the cheap. The last thing you want to do, is have to pay for parking three different times because you are visiting three different places…only to realize they were all only a few blocks from each other.

How to start planning:

• Figure out where you want to go and visit the attraction’s website. Some will offer “free” days or printable coupons. Many will tell you exactly where to park, how much it costs and if it’s validated or not.
• How will you get there? Are you driving? Can you carpool with another family to share parking/gas/toll costs? How about taking the train and forming your visit around one of the stops. If you are planning to take the South Shore, and are bringing children, try to ride on a weekday as they have a Family Fare rate. It states:

“We encourage families to take day trips and give their children the opportunity to experience the benefits of train travel.  One child 13 years of age or younger rides free with each adult on weekday off-peak and all weekend/holiday trains.  An off-peak weekday train is any westbound train scheduled to arrive in Chicago after 9:30 a.m. and any eastbound train scheduled to depart Millennium Station before 3:30 p.m. and after 6:30 p.m.  At all other times children from 2 to 13 years of age must have a reduced fare ticket.”

Also, if a station has an attendant on duty, be sure to buy your ticket at the window. If you don’t, they will charge you an extra $1.00 when you purchase on the train. If there is no window attendant, you won’t be charged.

• If you are driving, compare parking rates. Weekends vary from weekdays; street rates vary from lot rates. Parking garages can suck down your money in a hurry.
• Planning on eating? Check out the restaurants within walking distance of your destination. Click through their websites for coupons or specials – or see if Restaurant.com has a certificate you can buy ahead of time…especially at the end of the month when they are 80% off! 

What to cheaply do:

• Art Institute of Chicago: Free Winter Weekdays – Jan. 3 through Feb. 4th – Normally $18 admission fee, children under 14 free. 2011 Free Hours: Target Free Thursday Evenings, offering free admission from 5:00 to 8:00, return on February 10 and continue through May 26. Beginning in June, free hours will move to the first and second Wednesday of every month with free admission all day long. If you can’t make it during a free time, and you are a Chicago resident, be sure to show your ID for a $2.00 discount. They also offer “Family Events” to cater to families with children.
• Garfield Park Conservatory: Admission is free and parking is free, just south of the Conservatory’s main entrance. Programs and events are planned there as well
• Adler Planetarium - Check the website monthly for Discount Days. Only on the discount days, you can buy a pass for two shows and the Atwood Experience – Adults $17, Children ages 3-11, $15 – which isn’t so bad considering you are getting free admission. Like any attraction, if you have a big family or planning on attending many times throughout the year, you may want to compare a Membership to individual tickets to see where you’ll get your biggest savings.
• Museum of Science and Industry: Free admission days: Jan. 24-28 & 31 – Feb. 1,8,14,15,22 – June 1,2,6,7,8,9 – Sept. 6-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30 – Oct. 31. I know the museums tend to be more crowded on free days, but try to get there early, or later in the afternoon. My thought is that many school groups would tend to be there towards the middle of the day. Also, since school is back in session during September, it may be more crowded. Before you go, just get it in your head that you will have to move slowly and display a little more patience on those days. Parking is $18 per vehicle.
• The Field Museum: 2011 Target Free Second Monday Dates: Feb. 14th & March 14th. Other 2011 Free Days: January: 3, 11, 13, 18, 19, 23, 24, 26, 31, February: 2, 3, 8, 9, 15, 17, April: 11, May: 9, June: 7, 13, July: 11, August: 8, 29, 31, September: 1, 6, 7, 12, 13, 20, 21, 27, 29, October: 3, 5, 6, 10, 24, 25, November: 2, 7, 14, 21, December: 1, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 20, 22. Parking is $16 for the first 4 hours, $19 thereafter. Avoid attending during Bears games.
• The Shedd Aquarium: Monday/Tuesday Community Discount Days: Jan. 23,24,25,31 and Feb. 1,7,8,14,15,28. Feb. 20-24th is the Community Discount Week. Bank of America also sponsors discount weekend dates (with card & ID). Again, avoid during Bears games.
• Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier: Kraft Free Family Night: Thursday Evenings from 5-8 (Free for everyone!), Target Free First Sundays: Free admission on the first Sunday for ages 15 and under – $10 for each adult. Here’s a coupon to print for $1 off each admission, up to four. Expires June 30, 2011.

Chicago Family Fun is endless. I have only mentioned the more popular attractions, but there are many, MANY lesser known museums and theaters that would probably be more “stroller friendly” and way less crowded. The Chicago Cultural Center would be a good place to start looking for these types of places.

Even if you don’t live in Chicago, take these tips and apply them to your own area. Overall, plan your trip, save as much as you can and JUST.HAVE.FUN!

More Frugal Friday

Paper towels, paper napkins, toilet paper, Kleenex, plastic baggies, aluminum foil, plastic wrap – how do we avoid using these convenient items? With today’s lifestyle, it seems nearly impossible, doesn’t it? I know…I feel the same way. To be honest, I don’t know how people get along without using them.  I have read in other frugal blogs how families have stopped the use of paper towels. To be honest, I just can’t give them up. How in the world do you drain BACON without using paper towels? Priorities people, priorities.

When you think about it, spending cash on disposable items is equivalent to just tossing your dollars in the trash. Money is not a disposable item…at least not in my household. You ask, “What’s the remedy, Cheapo?” The only suggestions I can make…is to use less and NEVER, EVER pay full price.

**Nevermind the awful blue wallpaper...it's up next to go**

Here are a few ideas on how we do it:

• Plastic Baggies - aka: Landfill Nightmare. Use them for an hour and toss them aside? No way. I wash and reuse as many as possible. If a baggie has only been used to hold “dry” items, it always gets rewashed. Wet, greasy items? It gets *gulp* thrown away. I try to make a conscious effort to put “wet” foods in reusable, plastic containers in order to avoid feeding the landfill. Using them for lunch box sandwiches? Trying making a reusable sandwich wrap…you could easily make fabric “baggies” too. Here’s how I made mine - Wrap Instructions. For the fellow tree huggers, wax paper bags are a good substitute as well. When you do have to buy them, keep in mind that there are always coordinating Sunday paper coupons.
• Toilet paper- Um…yeah. Well, the least you can do is ALWAYS use a coupon. I’ve also heard…if you squeeze the roll before putting in on a holder, children are less likely to pull off more than they need (because it doesn’t “roll” as easily.) Does it work? I dunno.
• Paper napkins- According to my son…who needs napkins when you have jeans to wipe your hands on? *insert eye roll here* This is an easy one…use cloth napkins. You can even find bulk fabric that you like and make your own. Easy peasy.
• Paper towels- I luvs me my paper towels. Though…I do cut back on their usage. ALWAYS have a hand towel by the sink in which to dry your hands. It’s all too easy to grab for a paper towel, especially if it’s within reach. I’ve now moved my paper towel holder to the other side of the kitchen where they can more easily be used for cooking…not chronic hand washing and drying. What about for cleaning windows? I still use them. I’ve heard of people using coffee filters or newspaper, and I suppose it works. For now, that’s not for me (but will let you know if I try it which probably isn’t going to be anytime soon.) Again, coupons are ALWAYS available.
• Kleenex – Sorry…there is no way around this…an old man hanky is out of the question. All I can say is Kleenex coupons, Puffs coupons, Scott coupons.
• Aluminum Foil/Plastic wrap: Again, use coupons and try and use less. I rarely EVER replace these items. I know it’s easy to just get out the plastic wrap and paste it over your leftovers to stick them in the fridge. Take the time to put things in reusable, washable containers. These two items are quite expensive (for what they are.) Save yourself some money and waste by using them appropriately.

Have you own ideas on these money-suck products? Leave a comment and share with us!

More Frugal Friday

Do you cook at home a lot? don’t even say no

Yes, it takes time.

Yes, it takes planning.

Yes, it takes very little skill.

So, why should we bother when it’s so easy to hit the McDrive-Thru or sit down at the local Round-the-Block?

Cooking at home is cheaper, healthier and, gosh darn it, it just tastes better! if this is common sense, then why don’t more people do it?

Any cook knows that you need quite a selection of spices to make all of your dishes taste like perfection. And, any cook knows that this can quickly empty your wallet, as spices are expensive! I’m not really talking about the garlic and onion powders that you get for $1.00 per bottle at the local general store. Ever price curry, coriander or nutmeg? Ai yi yi. Can you say ripoff over-priced?

My good friend Michelle recently posted an article about her spice cabinet. It got me to thinking about my own pantry and how I need to refresh some of my spices as well. She mentioned buying her herbs and goodies at a local spice shop. Hey! We have a health food store in our town! I’ve been there many times before, but never really noticed the HUNDREDS of bulk spices behind the counter…and all organic too!

Oh.my.gosh. Fifty cents an ounce for organic onion powder? A buck twenty-five an ounce for curry? A healthy, frugal dream!

See that little, itty-bitty, tiny one ounce bottle of curry? In an “I’m-in-the-middle-of-cooking-and-we’re-out-of-curry” moment, my husband picked this up at the local grocery store. The cost? OVER FIVE BUCKS!!! *passed out* Since it was an “emergency”, it had to be okay.*grrr*

See the large, 3.2 ounce bottle of organic caraway seed  to the right of the one ounce waste of money? $1.80. Um..hello? Only a buck eighty! I even brought my own empty bottle to the store in order to avoid using wasteful plastic baggies. You can fill’er up or just buy any amount you please.

Other ways to save on spices? Obviously, grow your own in the summer, dry (or freeze)  them and use all year. Herbs are easy and lots of fun to grow – even get your kids involved! They can taste them straight from the plant along with getting a sense of accomplishment for growing their own foods.

Another way to save – check the fresh, herbal section of your grocery store. Kroger has organic herbs in the produce department that are often marked on clearance. Pictured is a container of organic thyme that I bought for $.45. I’m drying it on a paper towel and will store in a small spice jar. I also found organic mint to use for mojitos hot tea…again for $.45. I’ve never used dried, powered mint before, but foresee some mint brownies in our future. If people can do it with pot, I can do it with mint. *right?*

Get to cooking already, would ya? *wink*

More Frugal Friday

Now it’s time to get them addressed, stamped and out in the mail. Typically, I prefer to have my cards all sent by the weekend after Thanksgiving…um…not this year. Anyway, if you have put off this card tradition as well, it’s time to stop procrastinating because Christmas is only TWO weeks away. Unless you are sending Happy New Year cards instead…or Valentine’s cards if you are REALLY bad.

Get out your debit cards people. Buying postage for all of your holiday wishes can really add up! I tend to give out around 100 cards…at $.44  each, that’s $44.00 JUST in postage! I hate it. It seems like there would be a better way to spend that forty-four dollars. So, how do we do it? How do we wish all of our loved ones a Merry Christmas without breaking the bank? Here are just a few simple ideas:

• Send Christmas postcards instead. It only costs $.28 each (as of May 1010) – almost half price.
• Design e-cards and send digital wishes. Okay…so it’s just not the same…but you can feel good about saving money and not wasting paper.
• Personally hand out as many cards as possible. Why send your neighbors a card when you can walk across the street and personally hand it to them.
• If you are sending a gift package, include the card as well. If you are already paying shipping, why pay an extra $.44?
• Do you have a large church family or workplace? How about an “In House Post Office.” Our church does this each year and helps to save a TON of stamps for everyone! Basically, this is how it’s done. Someone wraps up a “mailbox” and puts a slot in the top, in which to put cards. For a reminder and convenience sake, you could also place a basket on a stool next to the entryway for easy drop-off. You will need a volunteer to sort the cards by last name into hanging folders in a file box. At church each Sunday, people can then check the file folder for cards that are addressed to them. It’s a great system that they have been doing for years. Something like this may allow people to give cards that they normally wouldn’t be able to “afford” to give.

How do you save on Christmas card postage? Share your ideas with us!

Honest blogger found here: As a CSN preferred blogger, I receive gift codes for help in the promotion of CSN store links. As always, 100% my opinion.

If you are a social blogger, then you already realize how expensive blogging conferences can be especially if you are a junkie. We’re talkin’ ticket costs, hotel rooms, airfare, food, drinking money, taxi’s…go ahead and add it up. Without having a sponsor, you really have to save your schekles throughout the year to be able to attend some of these pricey events which are totally worth it.

Thought maybe you wouldn’t be going to BlogHer ’11? Here’s some good news! From now until December 31, 2010, the good people at BlogHer are offering 20% off the already early bird price for registration! Regular price for the two day, all conference pass is $299 + fee. Early bird pricing until February 28th is $198 + fee. Until the end of the month, you can get your ticket for a total of $163.35!! Use promo code: BlogHerGift. Stack those savings and get your ticket NOW!

BlogHer…it’s what’s for Christmas.

More Frugal Friday at Life As Mom

Beautiful. Peaceful. Relaxing. Wonderful.

Why did it take me ALL summer to get here? No television, no internet, no phone – not even a signal omg the first time I thought I was going to die

It’s the simple things.

Rocks.

Sand.

Water.

Splashing. Jumping. Creating. Dreaming.

And it’s all free. The beach is free. The parking is free. Even the crazy people watching is free.

Our latest hangout has been Lake Michigan’s Central Beach at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. I’ve been told it’s not a “real beach” because it’s not an ocean. But, it LOOKS like the ocean – just smaller waves and a bit different smell. Same kind of tan which is all that counts, right?

It’ll do…oh will it do…

Even though Summer is on it’s way out…at least in the Midwest…you still need to be mindful of protecting your skin. Did you know for everyday sun protection, The American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 providing broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays to all exposed skin? Are you protected? Take this quiz to find out. When you are finished, don’t forget to take the skincare pledge to put your “skin first.”

**Congratulations to @Ida_Sessions and Bartholomew Henry for winning! Please email your shipping address. Thanks to everyone else for stopping by and entering!  Hope you enjoy what’s left of the summer!**

To help you along on your Frugal Family Fun day, Eucerin would like to give TWO lucky readers a sun care package which includes: Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Hand Creme, Everyday Protection Face Lotion SPF 30, Everyday Protection Body Lotion SPF 15 and a Eucerin Health & Wellness Journal ($25 + value!)

Three ways to enter – be sure to leave a comment for each one!

1.) Leave a comment letting me know your favorite summer fun activity

2.) Follow my blog, somehow (Google friend, RSS) and let me know that you did/already do.

3.) Twitter this: I want to protect my skin with a $25 Lotion giveaway package from @ItsToni and @EucerinUS #giveaways http://bit.ly/a80zry – come back and comment

Be sure to have your entries in by Friday, September 10th at Noon CST. Two winners will be chosen and notified – so be sure to leave some sort of contact info.

While you are waiting to win, don’t forget to grab your free Eucerin sample over on Facebook.

Good luck…and see you at the “not real” beach!

Honest Blogger Found Here: Eucerin products were given to me solely as a gift from BlogHer. I’m spreading the love because skin cancer is real people. I care. Please protect yourself. As always, 100% my opinion.

Holy wow! Look at all of those hands go up!

I was a child once. I remember the time that I just HAD to bring home that little stuffed black bear from the Smokey Mountains. I just HAAAD to…it needed a home. Of course, my dad bought it. My mom, on the other hand, preferred something more practical – like these little markers that all stuck together end to end. Guess what I used more? The markers. Guess what I loved more? The bear. Guess where they both ended up? In the next yard sale.

As a family, we do like to travel whenever possible. Whether it’s a drive across the country or taking the train to Chicago, the three of us love spending time together and experiencing anything we can. Early on, I knew I didn’t want my house full of overpriced little toys from each trip or vacation. To me, they are a waste of money. By the time you get home, the “toy memory” typically has already been broken, kicked under the van seat or has immediately been replaced by the DS or IPod. It’s just not worth it.