Send a "Wicked" Valentine

The promotion department of the Broadway Musical "Wicked" has come up with a nice little gimmick for those of us who love the show's music.

You can customize a free Valentine's card for your love with images and music from the soundtrack.

Of course, there is also a link to buy tickets to the show or download (not for free) the songs from iTunes or buy the album from their online store.

I love the show and have seen it with my daughter three times. As the bargain queen, I buy the cheapest seats (first row in the top tier during the week) and we bring our binoculars.



I'm sure there are going to be other great free email valentine sites. Please let my other readers know about them buy placing a comment.

Be My Valentine!

2010 Super Bowl XLIV Commercials

What does this posting have to do with bargains?

You didn't have to spend Sunday afternoon watching the Super Bowl just to see the commercials. Think of the time you saved.

Here they are.



Click here to see all the commercials.

Send Baby Mail just like the Super Bowl E*Trade commercials

If you liked Elf Yourself, then you are sure to life Baby Mail. You can type in your message and it will translate into a male or female voice (your choice) with a video of a baby.

You can upload your own pictures and record (via phone or mic) your own voice.

Send a Baby Mail. It's sure to crash the servers in the next 24 hours and make lots of money for E*Trade.

The same group that is bringing you Baby Mail for E*Trade is bringing you Avatarize Yourself for McDonalds.

Be the first to send these to your friends.

Enjoy.

Grammar Girl - quick and dirty grammar tips

Want to sound like you went to an Ivy League school? Use proper grammar. Want to sound like an illiterate boob? Don't use proper grammar. It's pretty basic.

I must admit that I am not always the Queen of Grammar, but I know a link to someone that is:
Grammar Girl.

Using proper grammar in resumes and letters to potential employers is a sure way to improve your chances of getting hired.

If you are unsure of your abilities in this area, ask for a friend to help you by proofreading your work.

Another fun site for the grammar minded is A Way With Words radio program.

Now... please don't start sending me emails correcting my grammar. I'm working on it.

Rights and Responsibilities when you turn 18 years old

I am constantly amazed when I talk to 19 and 20 year olds to find out that they have already trashed their credit or were taken in by some scam on the internet. Or worse, that they have unwittingly committed and been convicted of some minor crime that is going to be on their record for the rest of their lives.

When someone turns 18 years old in the United States, the rules of the game change.

It is important that you know the rules so that you don't pay for your ignorance. If you have teens that are turning 18 or have turned 18, make sure that they are aware of their new rights and responsibilities. They will save a ton of money by NOT making mistakes that have high fines or lifelong consequences attached to them.

This is a link to a pamphlet created by the California Bar Foundation entitled:
"When you become 18 - A survival guide for teenagers"

http://www.calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/publications/Becoming-18.pdf

This pamphlet is specific to California law, but much of it is true no matter where you live in the United States. Many other states have created similar pamphlets, so if you live elsewhere you can probably find one specific for your state by searching for "turning 18"+"name of state"

Make sure your teen is educated in their new rights and responsibilities.

Fix sagging auto headliner for a dollar

When I first moved out to sunny (translation: HOT) southern California, my poor aged east coast car reacted badly.

First, my rear view mirror fell off my wind shield. The intense heat melted the glue and the weight of my 50-foot rear view mirrors just caused them to plop onto the floor - yikes!

Then, the fabric on the inside roof of the car started to sag. What the heck? I never saw such a thing. Apparently the intense heat of the sun pounding on the roof has some chemical reaction with the foam that is between the metal and the fabric and horribly enough, the fabric starts to sag into the car. It can get so bad that you just can't even drive the car anymore.

Before I could even find out what to do to solve my problem, I had to figure out what to name my problem in order to search for a solution. It took quite awhile before I figured out that people in the automotive repair world call this geriatric auto ailment a "sagging headliner." Who knew? I thought a sagging headliner was a past-her-prime thespian's body condition prior to plastic surgery.

First, I called around to find out how much it would cost to get a new headliner put in. The estimates varied, but all of them were higher than the value of the car.

Then, I decided to find out how to fix it myself. I am an extremely good researcher and a fairly awesome do-it-yourselfer, but when I found these instructions on how to take out the old lining, scrape off the old foam, cut a new liner, spray the new liner and glue it back in, I decided there HAD to be a better way.

Then, finally I found one little website that advertised these little buggers...


These are called, appropriately, Saggy Stoppers. You can find them in most auto repair stores. They sell 6 of them for between $4 and $6 dollars. This was amazing! But then, I recalled that this little metal screw with a clear plastic top was exactly what my mother used to use to keep the armrest protectors on the couch in our living room.

So, I found a local upholstery shop (they DO still exist) and bought a dozen of these little babies for a dollar! Screwed them into the headliner in a lovely pattern and no more problem.

For those of you who still want to try and replace your headliner yourself, here is a video to show you how to do it. Good luck!

Really Really Free Swap in Pasadena on Saturday, January 30, 2010

For my bargain friends who are in the Los Angeles area.... there is a Really, Really Free Swap and Potluck on Saturday, January 30th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

(Note to my readers that are not in the LA area.... don't be bummed that this swap isn't near you... find out how to have a free swap and create one in YOUR area. They are easy and fun.)

The Really Really Free Swap this Saturday is being put on by the Arroyo Time Bank which is a barter group centered in the Pasadena, California area. I am looking forward to learning more about this barter group and meeting some really cool people. Of course, I'm looking to score some great swap items as well.

So, here are the particulars:

Arroyo Center for the Arts
145 N Raymond Ave
Pasadena, CA 91103

Free parking is available in the surrounding streets north of Walnut and in the Courtyard Marriot parking lot for 90 minutes. The Armory is easily accessible from the Memorial Park Gold Line stop.

Free Food - Free Fun - Free Music - Free Clothes

You can bring your kids. They will have fun and find new toys.

Bring things you don't want and take whatever you want! You can also share
your skills, stories, smiles, friendship and ideas.

Rumor has it that there might be dancing - yahoo!

Additional information:

As with any swap, it is good manners to bring gently used swap items that are in good shape. If it is broken or dirty, don't bring it.

Free swap, means free swap. You bring stuff you don't want anymore and you put it down and leave it on the table. Someone else comes by and says, "wow, I like this" and now that item belongs to them. Ta-da! Really, really free swap.

I've been informed that the potluck is optional... but again, good form is to always bring something to a potluck.

See you there.