I enjoyed my book signing on Mother's Day Sunday at beautiful Mountain Lake Hotel. One of the most gorgeous places on earth is located at the top of the world, 115 Hotel Circle, Pembroke, Virginia. My book is now available at the hotel's gift shop.
Posting about their awesome Sunday brunch at last summer's visit.
MEANINGFUL MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEASPanic has started for those in search of the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Recognizing that gift perfection does not exist should be the beginning of stress relief. I devoted an entire chapter of my book to ‘the art of frugal gifting’. Gift ideas for every occasion and situation are covered. I shared numerous ways to practice this technique, particularly how to do year round so that panic does not translate into overspending your budget. A holiday as special as Mother’s Day should not be overshadowed by stress.
I cannot speak for all mothers yet feel confident in my next statement. They do not long for a gift that requires shuffling or dusting. I have heard the same lament for decades, albeit in hushed tones. I have known people who stressed over de-cluttering, worrying about the giver’s discovery. Baskets, robes, lotions, shirts, umbrellas and perfumes will only demand space unless you are positive the recipient has a need for them.
How many unopened packages of slippers have you noticed? I have lost count of the estate sales where I witnessed the disposal of unused items from years of holiday and birthday gift giving. Homemade freezer meals and an assortment of favorite juices would be a nice change in dinner routine. Your famous Chicken Cacciatore or melt-in-your-mouth mints would be a special treat.
A gift certificate to a mom’s favorite restaurant will earn favor even for the one who loves to cook. Like me, she may prefer the meal prior to or after the Sunday Mother’s Day crowd. We began celebrating in this manner years ago when our children were small. In fact, I will be on top of the world (literally) this year. I will be at Mountain Lake Hotel, doing a signing for my book ‘The Art of Frugality’.
A favorite classic movie or TV show on DVD will provide enjoyment more than once, as will a CD of the music she loves. Forgotten photographs in the appropriate frames may become her conversation grouping for years to come. A handwritten recipe from a loved one becomes family history when displayed with beautiful matting. You can add notations with beautiful handwriting, calligraphy, an engraved plaque, bronzed plating, or from your computer.
Many have limited economic resources and basic necessities seem luxurious. These mothers would welcome gift cards to a pharmacy, grocery or department store to help stretch her income. Additional budget boosters are laundry detergent, over the counter medications, paper products and postage stamps. Toiletries besides deodorant and shampoo continually need replenishing. Cough drops, mints, gum, sports cream, hand cream and lip balm are just a few. Subscriptions to a favorite magazine or newspaper would be a nice surprise. Fresh flowers, favorite snacks and drinks could be something she would never splurge on herself.
Many of these can be free or purchased for pennies by combining sale promotions with coupons. Today’s economic times require careful spending habits. I routinely save 75-90% on grocery and household items. I will be teaching another seminar on how to permanently reduce your cost on these products. The workshop will be at the Bluefield Recreation Department (1780 Stadium Drive) on Saturday, May 14, from 10am-11:30. Grant’s Supermarket is graciously sponsoring this event. Admission for each guest is a canned or non-perishable food item to stock the Union Mission Pantry.
Other mothers have very little space, especially if in an assisted living or nursing care facility. Something as simple as a sun catcher and prism can bring the sunshine inside. A free standing or suction-type bird feeder with birdseed refills would be an added bonus. A bright calendar marked with important family dates will be used all year. Besides the usual birthdays and anniversaries, remembrances of deceased loves ones is special.
The gift of time is priceless. Finding useful gifts for the matriarch of a large family is often overwhelming. Okay, challenging if not impossible! One year my siblings and I gave our grandmother a spring-cleaning certificate. We asked for a list of any projects or chores. Each year afterward, she looked forward to this gift. We washed windows and curtains, scrubbed the porch, painted deck furniture, and brought dirt from the woods for her flowers. One year we painted the outside of her house. Everyone would bring a covered dish and make the workday a party. Nothing seemed like a chore. My only regret is that we did not think of this idea earlier. Those memories with her are a precious treasure, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in this world.
Remember that the thought is truly what counts. The most treasured gifts are often the least expensive or free ones. I cherish the flower pots with painted hand prints and construction paper cards from long ago. A gift from the heart will rival any mass-produced trinket. I recommend functional, sentimental, practical and/or consumable when thinking of a gift. Happy Mother’s Day!
......by Wendi Meredith
published article for
Front Porch Monthly
May 2011 edition
I was invited by the wonderful people at WSLS-10 for another frugal segment. The show aired live at noon on Friday, April 8, 2011. The theme was wedding and baby shower gift ideas. Natalie is expecting her second daughter soon!
Less than $2. was spent to satisfy everyone's preference. In addition to perfect party ingredients, this assortment would make a wonderful hostess or housewarming gift.
A 95% savings is always better than full price. I paid only 25 cents for each soup; the drinks and gum were free. This order was originally $35. I paid a grand total of $1.75!
I recently enjoyed the Sunday brunch at beautiful Mountain Lake Hotel, where the hit movie Dirty Dancing was filmed. I never grow tired of this place at the top of the world.
The convenience of wearing contacts ranks high enough for me to pay full price (begrudgingly!) since I save enough money on everything else. There are a few items that rarely, if ever, go on sale and coupons are practically nonexistent. In 32 years of purchasing cleaners and solutions, I have never found sales for the formula I use. Until recently, that is.
Savings like this are so routine that I find myself believing that 'only half off' is substandard. My book and seminars teach that a grocery budget can easily be permanently reduced by at least 50% ... on average by 75-90%. The total cost would have been $43.65 ~ instead I paid only $3.49.
The turkey and steaks would have normally cost in excess of $55. Instead, I spent $51. on my entire order which included:
The only expense was one pound of organic beef, which we purchased in bulk last winter. Our garden produced the fresh peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and squash. The remaining items were at no cost, from previous shopping trips. Combining sale prices with manufacturer coupons allowed my recipe ingredients (macaroni, milk, cheese, butter, rice, tomato sauce and cornmeal) to be free.
I saved money even though my intended stop was for only one item. The olive oil was BOGO, so I paid half of the regular price. Everything else was either a weekly sales promotion or an unadvertised special, a result of store remodeling. I spent only $3.95 simply because I had my trusty (and very well-worn) coupon binder.
Yes, everything was free. Unadvertised specials and sale prices were good deals. Matching these with coupons made for an excellent shopping experience.
Learn how to save *at least 50%*
Taking advantage of the weekly sales ad paid off with an 86% savings. I had coupons for everything except the Gatorade. The majority of purchases on that deal's shop are included in the photo.
This is one of the frequent questions I receive when teaching the coupon workshops. I joke that no one could afford me if I charged ~ but that I will teach you how to save as much (or more!) than I do. I did a favor for someone special, matching her diaper rain checks with soon-to-expire coupons. I added surprises, most of which were free with coupons. The most 'expensive' additional purchase (milk) cost 99 cents. Three catalina coupons from the register were a bonus. Less than $44. was spent on this shopping extravaganza, so her personal shopping consultant saved over $100.
A well-stocked pantry will save money, in addition to time. Time savings will translate to fewer headaches and less stress.
If you are within driving distance of a Harris Teeter grocery store, they are offering a great deal until June 29, 2010.
Each cold item was either on sale or BOGO. I used matching coupons for even more savings. Surprising, I know! Less than $7 was spent on everything.
