Free or Nearly Free Frugal Findings

The Chicago Homeschool Expo - It's affordable - Cool New Homeschool Expo (Convention or Conference, whatever you want to call it). The price is fantastic. And there's free giveaways on their website. I've had the opportunity to meet the CEO by phone, Randi St. Denis. They have billboards going up on 290 and 355. Is that cool or what? It's coming to Chicagoland, August 6, 7, and 8. Bob and I will be doing a workshop.


Two for One at TGIF until June 22, 2009

Where Kids Eat Free in Chicagoland

Something Free at Arbys, every Wednesday Summer Special Through August

Free piece of pie with any drink every Wednesday, at Baker's Square

Free Way to Make Cool Father's Day cards and letters

Free Father's Day Gift: Give him what he's always wanted - Time with you.

Don't miss free fun cooking lessons: Also, this is my favorite frugal cooking site for June and it's free to watch, frugal to make, depression style.

Next two June For Better, For Worse, For Keeps Marriage Conferences are free, but RSVPs are needed:
Father's Day Weekend - Cherry Grove Church of the Nazarene, Cadillac, Michigan (and grandmas are even making free cinnamon rolls)
Saturday, June 27 - Bethany Baptist, Harwood Heights, Illinois (free lunch also)
Information, Directions, and RSVP to Bethany Baptist

Free advice on what to read at the beach: Moeller's favorite June Reads. The books aren't free, unless you want to come over and borrow our's. (Warning: The Miracle book has a little free taco sauce on it. The Faithful women book has been put into water, only once.)
70 Years of Miracles
Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God

Coming Next Week: Many of Bob's TV shows are soon going to be on youtube. Here's a free sampling of what's up so far:
Jon and Kate Plus 8 - Can Their Marriage be Saved?
How Can I Change My Bad Attitude

What We're Watching on TV for free, this summer. (If you can't get this show on air, then watch it streaming live, during the show on Total Living Network) Fill your Mind with the good stuff this summer: Phil 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things: Aspiring Women

Turn You Radio on: Listen in to PrimeTime Chicago (Moody Radio 90.1 FM) on Monday, June 15, 3:00-4:00 Pm CST, Bob and Cheryl will be on with Host Steve Hiller and Producer Michelle Strombeck. The topic: Jon and Kate Plus 8 - Can Your Marriage be Saved? (How we made it 30 years! Happy Anniversary Bob and Cheryl) Listen online, if you aren't in Chicago.

Free cool music: Listen to Urban Praise with Roy Patterson. Bob is on with Roy, every Thursday, 4:30 Pm. If you are not in Chicago, you can listen online. Moody Radio 1110 AM.

For Free (youtube link): Email Let me Hold You a Little Longer free youtube promo, makes a good I Love You to a parent or child today!

Free Fun - Have fun this summer. Go to more than one Fourth of July parade. More than one fireworks display. Make a picnic with Carr's Whole Wheat Crackers (Our favorite) and Le Fromage... but surely go on a picnic, before June is over.

Seven Ways to Survive the Great Recession: Stretching the Loaves and Fishes

Matthew 14:19-21 And Jesus commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

1. I have started carrying fruit or a Ziploc bag of dry cereal with me.
I can't tell you how many times it has stopped me from getting fast food
or ice cream. I just hand the kids a banana to stave off their hunger
Now, that it's summer, we are carrying a small cooler with us filled with water.

2. When I go to a store, I search online first for a coupon. I did this five
times last week, and found a coupon, for each place I was going. Some
places like Jiffy Lube, will take a competitor's coupon. You have to arrive
at Jiffy Lube, with the coupon or sale ad. I have taken in coupons from
other oil places for $10 off and Jiffy Lube honors the competitor's
coupon. Also, go before 10:00 a.m. and save $10 at Jiffy Lube. Then, there's amazing friends like the Pedersons and Davenports, who change their own oil. We have been looking online before we leave the house for years and have found some amazing deals.

3. Also, when we go to a store or business, we check online to see what their sales are. Then, we are able to compare with other store's sales. (The only thing to watch for: some places don't have the same sale in the store, as online.) My friend Nellie tries to limit the number of times in one month, that she enters a store. "Out of sight, out of mind" is her motto. If shopping is your hobby, maybe you better get a new hobby, or head to the "vintage boutiques!"

4. Yes, I know this idea sounds like it's from the middle ages, but the master mixes are good for savings. I did one up today. I can go to my bakery and buy five muffins for $10 or make 2 dozen for 49 cents, total. hhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmm Is that a savings?
http://www.ehow.com/how_4699071_mix-pancakes-cookies-waffles-more.html You can google other dry mix recipes, that might appeal more to you. I use canola oil, but then keep the mix in the frig. It will keep for one month, in the frig. The recipe usually call for shortening, but they will kill you quicker. You can also use 1/2 whole wheat flour. My friend Elyse makes the Master Mixes and says it does save money and time. She has four kids and needs something quick and cheap in her kitchen repertoire. She is a low maintenance person, so this can't be that hard to do. Also, if you don't want to do this, the master whole wheat mix at Trader Joes is great.

5. http://freebies4mom.com/ is a good sight. Here's one deal on there today:
http://flatbreadmelts.digiorno.movies.msn.com/default.aspx
Starting tomorrow Monday, May 18, you can get a free coupon for a certain DiGiorno product. They have other specials, check each day or each week. Some are better than others. But even, if you find one good deal a week, it's worth checking.

6. Last summer, with gas prices, we took staycations and stayed home, telling our kids that the garage really did look like Universal Studios. This summer try your vacation summer, at a friend's home. So, beware, I may be driving into your driveway. In other words, "Bless" a friend or family member, with your presence this summer. You are invited to my home also, if you don't mind six kids and three dogs! We are alot of fun and make a mean pot of potato soup. Bonus for coming to Chicago: kids ride free on the Chicagoland Metra trains, on the weekend.

7. It's not just inexpensive groceries, but remember it saves to use those to make inexpensive meals.