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Frugal Family

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Frugal Family

Frugal Family Fall Meals and Deals!

As you’re pulling out the sweaters and the knit hats, don’t forget to pull out the Frugal Fall Family recipes. Great, local produce available at deliciously low prices.

Trader Joe's – 1309 Beacon Street, Brookline Meal and Deal: Fall means football, especially here in Jamaica Plain and Brookline. The Patriots are just getting hot and the season should prove to be an exciting one. So don’t just turn to any old game time snack.  Head to  Trader Joe's, located at 1309 Beacon Street in Brookline for their Guacamole Kit. For only $3.69, you get a fun package of tomatoes, a jalapeno pepper, garlic, a lime and avocados. All you need to do is peel, chop and smush and you have some yummy dip for celebration purposes. Pick up a bag of Soy and Flaxseed Tortilla Chips for only $2.49 to complete this Frugal Fam Meal and Deal! Good Through: Until further notice   Johnnie’s Fresh Market – 1028 Beacon Street, Brookline …

James

10:14 am on Wednesday, October 5, 2011

It ... this ... wait, what? How are $3 chocolate bars "frugal," even if that's a discount from the usual exorbitant price?   more ›

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Frugal Family

Frugal Family - Stay and Knit a Spell!

The Fall is all about hitting the books, taking advantage of all of the autumnal activities New England has available and even prepping for the chilly months with some lovely knitted items!

Girls in Action Deal:  Frugal Family comes across a number of amazing deals on a daily basis, but here’s one that is going down in the tomes of Frugality and Awesomeness.  Bikes Not Bombs, located at 18 Bartlett Square in Jamaica Plain, has a great all-girl program called Girls in Action that teaches young girls (ages 12-18) about physical activity, self-esteem, health and even how to fix their own bikes!  This great opportunity runs each Thursday from Oct. 17 – Nov. 23 and is not only a great frugal find – the cost of each class is based on a sliding scale from $25 - $50 – but it’s a fantastic opportunity for young women.  All female members of  the Frugal Fam should know how to balance a budget AND fix a bike! Good Through:  Until …

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Frugal Family

Frugal Family Frolicks into Fall

Whether you’re packing lunch boxes for the little ones or grabbing coffee for the bigger ones, Frugal Family has a deal for you.

We’ve got something for the health-conscious, hair-conscious and more in this week's Frugal Family column. And it’s up to all members of the Frugal Fam to stay on the look-out for local deals. If you find one, share it with us in the comments section. Hankering Deal: Now that September is in full swing and the schools are popping with activity, some Frugal Family members face this daunting question: what can I pack in the kids’ lunch boxes that they won’t throw away or trade for Little Debbie Cakes? Head over to City Feed and Supply at 672 Centre St. in Jamaica Plain. For the month of September, they’re having a great deal on delicious and nutritious fruit leather. These goodies come in assorted flavors and are two for $1. Good Through: …

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Frugal Family

Frugal Family Fashion Finds and Budget Bridesmaids

Frugal Family knows your heads are in the books, but check out these brain-busting bargains in Jamaica Plain and Brookline!

We’ve got something for the fashionista, something for the kid-at-heart and even a slice for the carb-lover in this week's Frugal Family column. And it’s up to all members of the Frugal Fam to stay on the look-out for local deals. If you find one, share it with us in the comments section. Mint Condition Deal: Mint Julep is a sassy boutique located at 1302 Beacon St. in Brookline that every fashion-lover should visit at least once while riding the C line. The store offers bright articles of clothing and to-die-for accessories that will make you want to break the budget.  But you don’t need to. Check out the store's website for a little bit of online sale shopping that can keep your wardrobe and your wallet full and satisfied. Good Through…

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Frugal Family

Frugal Family - Clothes Edition

Each week Frugal Family brings you word of deals at local stores in or near JP and Brookline.

Frugal Family Fav:  Urban Renewals, located at 122 Brighton Avenue in Allston (right down the street from Brookline!) is a great place to shop for all members of the Frugal Family. The store is huge and offers endless racks of clothing for adults and kids, household items, furniture, jewelry, electronics and much more.  The elders in the Frugal Fam are appreciated here too!  On every Wednesday, seniors who are 50 and older can take advantage of 50 percent off most items.   Frugal Family Fav: You love thrift and consignment stores, but you thirst for upscale products!  Head to the Atrium Matt, located in Chestnut Hill at 300 Boylston Street and visit Second Time Around.  This store is a treasure chest of designer labels – all at consignment…

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Frugal Family on the Move

Are you planning a Sept. 1 move? Check out these frugal ideas.

1. Movers Deal: Here’s a Frugal Family deep, dark secret. Yes – it’s TRULY frugal and fabulous to get a group of people together and help each other move from home to home. But if you’ve been especially good with the budget throughout the year, you might want to treat yourself to movers. And once you’ve experienced trained and professional movers, you may never ask a friend to help you move again. Try Dragonfly Movers in Jamaica Plain for all of your moving needs.  They’re fast, efficient and won’t charge an arm and a leg.  Call soon to make your appointment, as they are in high demand! Good Through: Until further notice. 2. Furniture Deal: There are lots of great places to look for furniture right before the big move. Ask other members of…

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Frugal Fam Looks To Autumn

Summer is such a goody bag of fun activities and Jamaica Plain and Brookline still have some fantastic frugal gems to take advantage of. But in this week’s Frugal Fam, we begin to look towards the awesome autumn bargains too!

Deal:  The smallest Frugal Fam boys and girls love dreaming up stories and fanciful tales of faeries, dragons, spacepeople and so much more.  Treat your young kids to a day of teeny magical homes!  For only $5, families are invited to come to Dane Park in Brookline and hear the popular children’s story “Fairy Houses” by Tracy Kane. Then everyone will be invited to build their own fairy homes. Participants are encouraged to bring natural materials to use for their fairy houses and children are welcome to come in costume to add to the feeling of enchantment.  Register through the Brookline Recreation Department . Good Through:  Event takes place on October 1   Deal:  In every Frugal Fam there is at least one member who is absolutely batty …

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Frugal Family

Partyin' with the Frugal Fam

Just because you’re watching your purse or wallet, it doesn’t mean the partying fun needs to stop.

This week our "Frugal Family" columnist offers tips on giving parties and not breaking the bank. Location This may seem like a no-brainer.  Clearly, there’s no cost when you have your event at your home or apartment.  However, the event might be too large for a tiny third floor dwelling and the idea of having 50 people over makes you envision human sardines.  Check in with your place of worship.  They may offer you one of their function halls for a small fee or donation.  Both Boston and Brookline offer low-cost permits that allow you to rent a park space for your event, as well.  Certain fees apply, and you need to fully read the application deadlines and rules, but wouldn’t it be a blast to have your party at The Larz Anderson Park  or …

Constance Cervone

7:42 am on Wednesday, August 10, 2011

For electronic invitations, readers may also want to try the fabulous www.PaperlessPost.com   more ›

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Frugal Family

Brides, Bands and Budget Fun at Frugal Family

How much arts and music can we pack into a Frugal Family Summer? We’re blowing your budgeting minds with great deals this week! We’re also helping out the brides and grooms – to-be with an amazing Frugal find at Fenway!

JP Music Festival Deal: We at Frugal Family have always known how many amazing musical artists in and work in Jamaica Plain. But now, for the first time ever, this talented town will be getting its very own music festival!  The amazing JP Music Festival will take place on Aug. 20, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and there will be over 12 bands rocking the scene. The event is free and there will be food available for purchase.  All proceeds from the food will go to support the Boys and Girls Club of Boston. Spend a delightful and delicious, frugal day at Jamaica Pond, celebrating these rising stars and staples of the music community. Good Through: This event will take place on August 20, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.   JP Concerts at St. John's Episcopal …

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Frugal Family

Top Secret Hints from the Frugal Family Budget Book

Each week here at Frugal Family, we find the best bargains in JP and Brookline. Today, we’re going to refresh our budget knowledge and take a look at some exciting and helpful hints.

Know Thyself: Before you can be a truly effective Frugal Family member, you need to take an in-depth look at your financial life. Make a date with yourself, order a coffee from Starbucks in Brookline and create a detailed spreadsheet of how much money you have coming in and how much money you have going out each month. Don’t cheat!  Be specific! If you have five student loans, list them all! If the Frugal Fam kids are involved in 10 afterschool activities, document the cost of all of them! Know what to expect financially so that in months ahead you can become a budget warrior.  Lists, Lists, and More Lists: As my own Frugal Mother used to say, “Never leave home without a list.” Whether you sketch your list on the back of an envelope, or …

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