Any Words of Wisdom Before I Call the Gym?

My husband wants to join the gym near his office. He tried to drive a hard bargain with the staff, but it seems he was unable to get them to budge from their initial offering. Have any of you had any luck getting gyms to waive their initiation fees or lowering their monthly prices? I’m … Read more

Week Two: The Failure & Success of My Challenge

Two weeks ago my husband challenged me to avoid paying full retail prices for thirty days. For the last fourteen days I’ve been trying my hardest to adhere to the rules. I will admit that some purchases have been easier than others. Overall I’ve had a lot of success while grocery shopping. I now search … Read more

Sales Tax Holidays in DC and Virginia

It seems the good old Maryland General Assembly denied a tax holiday for the state of Maryland until 2010. Lucky for us, Virginia and DC are just a stone’s throw away. DC’s sales tax holiday runs August 2nd-10th and applies to all supplies, clothes, shoes, and accessory items that cost $100 or less. Virginia’s sales … Read more

Holding Up the Lunch Line with a Coupon

I met my friend M for lunch today at a local chain restaurant near my office. In an effort to continue my quest to avoid paying full retail prices for 30 days I brought along a $5 coupon from my Entertainment book. I arrived late, as usual, and poor M looked like she had been … Read more

Initial Lessons: Avoiding Full Retail Prices for Thirty Days

Last Sunday my husband presented me with an interesting challenge. He asked if I could avoid paying the full retail price of anything and everything I purchased, (with the exception of gasoline), for at least thirty days. I accepted the challenge and drove off to the grocery store determined to succeed. Within a minute of … Read more

Picking up Freebies

I am constantly amazed by the number of products I can pick up for free each month. Tonight I picked up a six pack of bottled water from Giant and a travel size body lotion from Bath & Body Works. I also stopped by the Elizabeth Arden counter at Macy’s where I picked up a … Read more

Back to Home Cooked Meals

I haven’t bought or paid for dinner for the last four days. On Friday, we headed to my in-laws for a backyard barbecue, followed by dinner out with my parents on Saturday, back to my in-laws on Sunday and finally leftovers from Saturday’s dinner on Monday evening. I was rather happy to let others do … Read more

Can I Avoid Paying Full Retail Prices for 30 Days?

Last night, on the way home from dinner with my family, my husband issued me a challenge. He asked if I could avoid paying the full retail price for everything I purchase over the next thirty days. I’m always up for a good challenge and this one has really peeked my interest. There are three … Read more

Saving Money on Dinner

Late nights at work always result in random choices for dinner. Last night we ate grilled cheese at 10 o’clock at night. Tonight we ate grilled chicken without any sides. Every so often work seems to get the better of us. With no children in the house and no need to rush home we sometimes … Read more

Inexpensive, All Natural Skin Care Treatments

The summer weather has arrived and my skin is already breaking out from the heat and humidity. None of my usual remedies appear to be working so this afternoon I turned to the Internet for an inexpensive, all natural solution. I found a remedy I liked and gave it a try. I sprinkled a half … Read more