Summer blockbusters mean lots of things: excitement, drama, peril, animation, pratfalls, talking animals, jokes about body parts.
They also mean a nice break from reality in a dark and air-conditioned room. In some areas of the country that’s a really welcome respite.
But given that the average cost of a movie ticket is more than $8, movies can put a hurt on the budget.
That’s why this week’s giveaway is a $10 Fandango gift card.
As someone who doesn’t drink coffee, I’m always bemused by the reaction when I offer Starbucks gift cards as a giveaway. The last time I did this I got 226 entries. For a $10 card!
Then again, it’s summer and even though I don’t care for the bean I do have to admit that the cold drinks at Starbucks are pretty refreshing and tasty.
That is, unless they trash them up with coffee.
Win this week’s $10 giveaway, though, and you can order whatever you like.
I like Liliana Vasquez’ style. Not just her sartorial sense, but her common sense. Here are a couple of examples of the blogger and author’s advice:
“Labels don’t define us – they’re just little pieces of cloth that tell you how to take care of your garment.”
“Remember: Style can’t be bought. It comes from confidence and creativity.”
“Age is nothing but a number, but our style has to evolve as we get older whether we like it or not.”
“You don’t have to adhere completely to the fashion world’s rules to curate your own style.”
Vazquez, who blogs at The Cheap Chica’s Guide to Style, from her smart, practical and, yes, thrifty advice. “The Cheap Chica’s Guide to Style: Secrets to Shopping Cheap and Looking Chic” is this week’s giveaway.
Dallas resident Bernie Carr sees no reason that city dwellers can’t be ready for trying times. Having written The Apartment Prepper blog for several years and having written “The Prepper’s Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster,” Carr has made preparedness more accessible to a lot of folks who don’t own bunkers.*
Now she’s taking on a new audience: kids.
Not to scare them into stockpiling skateboard wheels and Fruit Roll-Ups, but rather to make the idea of getting ready for any challenge – be it power failure or hurricane, earthquake or zombie apocalypse – less frightening.
Her new picture book, “Jake & Miller’s Big Adventure: A Prepper’s Book for Kids” (Ulysses Press) is designed to show young readers that it’s smarter to be prepared than scared. While imagining an amazing trip (deserts, mountains, jungle, a cave) they pack the supplies they need to stay warm, fed and safe.
Carr has donated a copy of the book for this week’s giveaway. Whether you’re a parent or a teacher, whether you live in Tornado Alley or on the Ring of Fire, Jake and Miller’s story can show kids that getting ready isn’t scary – it’s smart.
It’s summer and it’s hot. Beat the heat, if only temporarily, with a frou-frou cold beverage at Starbucks.
Some people say that hot tea and hot coffee are actually more cooling. They may be right.
To me, though, an iced tea or cold soft drink or even plain old water is what I want when I’m feeling hot and sticky.
Full disclosure: I don’t generally go to Starbucks because, well, frugal. But this week I’m making it easier on some reader’s budget by giving away $10 worth of SB gift cards.
Lemonade, iced coffee, Frappuccino, iced tea, something called a Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher — take your pick, as long as it’s under ten bucks.
Summer is in full swing in Anchorage, by which I mean the garden is planted and the clouds came back.
A little rain, even, although not nearly enough. After weeks of relentless sun I have to admit that it was good to see “normal” weather again.
Some people refer to clouds and rain as “state fair weather.” I don’t agree. State fair weather requires low-40s temperatures plus enough wind to blow the rain sideways. What good are carnival rides and barbecued turkey legs when it’s actually nice out?
But as with every summer, I’m losing track of time in a huge way. Look at the clock and it’s 6 p.m. The next thing you know it’s 10:30 – who let that happen?
Losing track of blogging, too, i.e., I haven’t written much lately. Let’s play catch-up.
Lauren Greutman, who blogs at I Am That Lady, can put to rest most coupon myths. For example, as the mom of four young children she doesn’t have time to turn couponing into a full-time job.
Nor is her pantry full of prefab potatoes, salty snacks and garishly colored cereals; in fact, her family eats gluten-free and organic.
That’s why she wrote an e-book called “How to Coupon Effectively: Learn How to Save Thousands Per Year Spending Only 2 Hours Per Week.” She’s offered to donate a copy to give away this week, to help some lucky reader save money without getting calluses from clipping those Qs.
The TSA-friendly travel bag is always a wildly popular giveaway. And why not? Nobody wants to pay more for a .64-ounce tube of toothpaste than a 4.6-ounce one.
If you’re planning a trip over the long Memorial Day weekend, this bag of toiletries – all TSA-compliant – means you won’t have to check a bag.
It’s also great even if you’re not flying, since it’s easier to toss these toiletries into your overnight bag than to start stuffing in full-size shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and the like.
When I announced my fifth anniversary giveaway, at least one reader pointed out that it isn’t the anniversary of five years’ worth of writing but rather the fifth birthday of my first-ever post (April 30, 2010).
Duly noted. Sorry about the misstatement.
Now let’s get on with the important part: the fact that you still have time to enter and the fact that the prizes are really swell thanks to some very generous fellow bloggers.
How swell? Glad you asked.
In 2010 I was living in Seattle but traveling a lot. Having recently obtained a college degree in midlife and quit an apartment management job, I was happy finally to be able to go places: Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, London, Phoenix, Anchorage.
Although I made my living writing for MSN Money, I wanted another place to sound off. On April 30, 2010, I started this website as my playground for words.
I couldn’t have imagined the changes that would take place in five years’ time. But really, how many people can accurately predict their futures?
Now I’m no longer living in Seattle, working for MSN Money or traveling very much. Still got the degree and the website, though — and a wonderful relationship.
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of my first post, I’m having a really big Friday giveaway.