Take a Vacation (Cheap Fun Week)

Having fun doesn't have to ruin your finances. This week we're exploring the offbeat, new and old means of entertainment. And if these don't do it for you, well you can just take a hike--for free!

Okay this might seem like the craziest idea during a down economy, but jeeze don't you just need to getaway?

Actual there are quite a few deals available particularly on what most people think of as luxury or superfluous vacations like Las Vegas or a cruise. Bookings for both have been down. Vegas was actually believed to be recession proof but that's not proving to be true. Cruises are available for as little as $200/person for the Caribbean. That's because in 2008 many people planned close-to-home vacations due to high fuel prices which translated to high airfare.

The deals may not last for long as fuel prices are on their way back up. But if you want to get away for spring break or have a flexible schedule now is a good time. Expedia and Kayak have some nice deals for cruises and I'm sure there are others out there.

Jet Blue just announced Recession-Proof Vacation Tickets. If you are worried about losing your job, JetBlue is trying to make it easier for you to gamble on that vacation. The airline said on that customers who buy a ticket between February 1 and June 1 and lose their jobs could be eligible for a full refund if they notify the airline two weeks before the flight. They've also got some nice deals on their site.

At our house we're gearing up for a big camping trip this summer. I've found a cargo box for the top of the car on Craig's list for $35. I'll also invest in some good walkie-talkies so the kids can explore and keep in touch. Other than that we've got all the stuff and lots of destinations to choose from. And maybe, just maybe I'll sneak away with a friend on one of those cruise deals.

The Pinochle Party (Cheap Fun Week)

Having fun doesn't have to ruin your finances. This week we're exploring the offbeat, new and old means of entertainment. And if these don't do it for you, well you can just take a hike--for free!

Like every other kid I never realized how cool my parents were. But now I have these great memories of their frequent parties. As we kids got older those parties fizzled away, but today I'm here to rally to bring back the Pinochle Parties.

I'm not sure how much pinochle was played at the parties. When they weren't playing my parents and their friends were often trying to hypnotize each other or the women were in the kitchen attempting to pierce each others ears. Yep, the Pinochle Parties sure made for great memories (Hey Robby, wherever you are. I had so much fun in our rocket ship. Your mom was nice to remove her pots and pans so we could blast off.)

You just can't buy that kind of fun. I know poker parties are big with the guys in our neighborhood, but other card games naturally invite the whole family. Only one problem I have no idea how to play. But not to worry the Card Game website lists the rules for every game. All you need to do is add the usual party food and beverages, break out the folding table and chairs and set the kiddies up with a DVD.

Throw a Coupon Party (Cheap Fun Week)

Having fun doesn't have to ruin your finances. This week we're exploring the offbeat, new and old means of entertainment. And if these don't do it for you, well you can just take a hike--for free!

It started out as a question on a yahoo group that I belong to and since then it's been building into cheap fun. Some women that I know started trading grocery shopping strategies via the group forum. Now they meet on Sunday afternoons to peruse the grocery store fliers and coupons. Because no one really buys just what is offered in the Sunday circular they openly trade their coupons over coffee at one hostesses home. Some of these families claim that they save 50, 60, 70% or more on their grocery bills by using coupons. And now that they've added the Sunday gathering they're having a good time doing it.

They're also swapping tips such as excel spreadsheets, coupon organizing systems, grocery store shopping strategies...even bagging methods that quicken the unloading time.

Coupons are coming back into fashion. The way my friends formed their group is informal and designed to be fun as well as thrifty. Others have turned their penny saving snipping into businesses such as Be Centsable and the Grocery Game.

To form your own Coupon Party is simple:

1. Gather some friends
   
2. Everybody brings coupons and store circulars
   
3. Share your tips and tricks
   
4. Add some munchies and beverages.

Now for a few coupon tips:

• Say you have a store coupon for $5 off a $20 purchase and you also have some individual product coupons. Hand over the $5 off coupon first while your total is more than $20, then use the other coupons to lower the total even more.


• Shop stores that double coupons.


• Shop stores that match competitor prices.


• Don't just match your coupon to the picture of the item, match up the bar codes, you will often find the coupon is good for less expensive items.


• First you should look for sales. Then check to see if there are coupons for those same sale items.


• Combine the manufacturer's coupon with a coupon offered by the store.

Don't just rely on newspapers. For online coupons checkout these sites:

• CouponMom
• HotCouponWorld
• AFullCup
• Target
• DealCatcher
• Albertson's
• PrintClipCoupons

Happy Clipping!

photo by kyz

Cheap Fun Week: Blingo!

Having fun doesn't have to ruin your finances. This week we'll explore some offbeat, some new and some old means of entertainment. And if these don't do it for you, well you can just take a hike--for free!

B-L-I-N-G-O!

Bingo isn't just for seniors anymore. Sputnik Cafe (part of the Hi-Dive) has taken the geriatric pastime to the hip side and renamed it BLINGO. Hostess and member of the Denver cool kids, Brandi Shigley, added a twist to the game by combining it with an ever changing fashion show. But that's not all that's cool about this game night.

First off it takes place on Mondays from 9P to 12A. Your first Bingo card is free...yep it's still a traditional Bingo card. After that each card is only $1. To keep the night cheap you can drink Miller Lites for 1 buck each (sorry Coors).

But friends, that's not all. There's even free music brought to you by DJ Instamatic. Plus, if you score BINGO there are cash and fashion prizes. Not a bad way to welcome in the work week and have some cheap fun.