SAVE 100% ON YOUR NEXT SHOPPING TRIP

   I have featured a lot of deals on our air over the last year and  I have finally found the true secret to saving. 

     Last night I stopped at Ikea to pick up an extra curtain rod.   If you ever visit the massive, Disney World-esque, discount, did I mention massive? furniture store in midtown…  then you understand why traipsing through it in high heals and a  skirt is nearly impossible.  Yet somehow they make you walk the 10 football fields worth or merchandise before you can get to the register.   So natually, I hit the register with not just a curtain rod but more than $100 dollars worth of bad throw pillows and useless juice tumblers.

       After holding up the line by  fumbling through the self scanning check out with my basket of things I don’t need… I realized I left my wallet in the car.     “VOID ORDER ON AISLE FIVE!”     Angry, angry people behind me!  Yikes folks, if you don’t have spare time… DON’T go to the Ikea! 

        On second thought… they should be angry… they spent hundreds and I saved 100% by realizing on the embarassing walk back to my car that I don’t need any of that stuff.   

   Sadly, I had made the same discovery days earlier when I went to the mall to pick up a suit for my husband.  The suit was already paid for but I found lots of “must haves” on the sale rack while I waited for the alterations lady to go to the back. 

    Right in the middle of Neiman Marcus, I made the same Ikea mistake… forgot my wallet.   I put the items on hold and vowed to return.  I mean, they were such deals, I just had to have them! 

   I have not returned to either Neimans or Ikea today to fetch my “must haves”.  I have saved a bundle and realize those ”must haves” hardly live up to their name.   

   SAVINGS TIP: THE NEXT TIME YOU SHOP… LEAVE YOUR WALLET AT HOME AND GIVE IT 24 HOURS! 

pS.. I gave you a tip… so no following me to the mall to steal my wallet that out of my car where it obviously gets left quite often. 

GET “BENDY” AND “BUFF” FOR THE KIDS

     I know a lot of women who attend Pilates at Urban Body Studios near City Hall East because of the legend of the adorable instructor.    So imagine how excited we were to hear that our fabulous Pilates instructor was also a really good and philanthropic person! 

     Scott Wilson helped start “Care from the Core”, a summer long series of Yoga and Pilates on Saturday mornings in Piedmont Park.   

     Essentially, the classes are free and give you a great excuse to exercise, enjoy the park, and meet new people. HOWEVER, if you care to give a donation…  ALL THE MONEY GOES TO A GREAT CAUSE– The Atlanta Children’s Shelter.  I love Atlanta but the streets  of our city are not the place for children to start their lives. 

      I hope to see some of you at Care from the Core this summer. It’s great to take a stroll through the fresh farmer’s market after the class and support local farmers.  Plus, their produce is better and cheaper than the grocery store. 

     Thanks Scott for caring enough to start this amazing program!!!

BUY ME SOME PEANUTS AND CRACKERJACKS

Me and My Boys at the Game

CHIPPER JONES UP TO BATME AND MY BOYS AT THE GAME!

    Each year my husband and I attend a Braves game or two but a few months ago he came to me and said it’s time to get behind the local boys and start a tradition that we can keep for years to come.  So we bought season tickets. 

    Last night I was reminded of how great it is to be at the ball field on a beautiful pre-summer night.  The game, the music, the crowd, the food, the food, the food.    Peanuts, pizza, corn dog pups, fries, nachos, and cold beer.  Yup.. I had some of each… (I am not kidding)   I only regret  that there were not enough innings to get to the brownie sundae.  (stay tuned for my next blog this week on free fitness in Piedmont Park– I’m gonna need it)

      So I over indulged… so I spent a little too much.  But I was reminded after swiping the ol Amex with the food vendor for the 20th time that hanging with the Braves this summer doesn’t have to break the bank (or the belt)  it  can be  one of the cheapest, coolest deals in town! 

      Seats go for as little as a dollar!  I saw a bunch of ads on the jumbo tron for BOGO seats!  (i also saw a lot of cute kids and cute kisses on the tron)  and for a couple of bucks you can get the fam to the game on the MARTA. 

      I am a big believer in using and embracing my city!  Not sure what took us so long to get season tix but I am thrilled about our new family tradition!  Our busy schedule may prevent going to a lot of the games but I am happy to share our seats with friends and family… any way you look at it… a great deal.

GOOD GOOG!

Google 411!  Where have you been all my life.  (or more accurately, where have I been?) It seems everyone but me has been using this amazing service. 

    FREE… for those of you keeping score at home!  And if you were someone like me who used 411 far more than I should have.  This is a great savings.

     I HATE (strong words) looking up phone numbers.  When I want them.. I want them now!  I still look up words in the dictionary on my desk like 20X’s a day but NO WAY am I looking up a phone number.  So I racked up quite the 411 bills.

          Now all I have to do is call 1800-goog-411 and I can get connected, get the number texted and even get a map sent to my phone.

    Good Goog that is a good deal! 

SUMMER DEALS

   Some of my greatest summer memories are swimming in the pool  until my eyes are so saturated with chlorine that I can hardly see my brothers cheating in marco polo.  Eating cheap hot dogs by the pool… the bun all wet from my dripping hair.   Rolling around in the Florida grass making up dance routines with my sister for so long that my skin is itching with summer. 

      None of these things cost very much.  I don’t remember going to many expensive camps or on long family vacations in the summer.  We had the luxury of living in Florida so we played all day in the Florida sun.  

     As I researched my “Summer Deals” story, I found more and more Atlanta families planning on sticking close to home and enjoying the basics of summer this year.  It is a symptom of the economy but I think the outcome may be families finding enjoyment in the simple pleasures of a sun drenched summer.

     My husband and I have taken to riding our bikes everywhere we go on  the weekends.  On my bike I found free arts festivals and ice cream parties at Fire House 19 in the Virginia Highlands.   I found Free Yoga and Pilate’s in the park.   This weekend we cut through Piedmont park several times and I was thrilled to see the new multi-million dollar renovation to the public pool.  It is beautiful!!  And cheap!!  2 dollars a day for kids OR 365 dollars for the year (dollar a day) gets the whole family in for the year!!

      I discovered half off depot.com selling half price tickets to things like the acquarium.  I found reading programs at the Atlanta-Fulton County Library led by actual child development experts (FREE).  We found free bowling, free movies, free arts and crafts… you name it! 

    I will be updating my list weekly on www.CBSATLANTA.com so log on and ENJOY!  

     Let’s fall back in love with summer (on a budget!)

GOOD DEEDS

sumer scarf!

 

     Here at CBS Atlanta we LOVE our daily feature that Tracye Hutchins does called “good deeds”.    So when the daughter of one of our viewers said her mom made me this scarf because she enjoys knitting to help her arthritis… I was so touched.  It felt so great to be the recipient of the good deed. 

Thanks KATIE!!! And Thank you Elizabeth!  You guys are amazing!  See above… Stephany wants to borrow it this winter!

Shred-tastic!

Shred Girls!

    Saturday’s, CBS Atlanta “Great Shredder Event” was beyond successful!  We had a ball meeting so many of our viewers but the best part of all:    More than 60 Tons of paper is shredded and on it’s way to the recycling plant! 

12-thousand viewers joined us to stand up against ID theft and help the environment. 

I loved the day, loved the turnout, loved the responses we got, and loved the 4  shredding companies who made it happen.  5 Star, Georgia Document Destruction, Tripple A Security Shredding, and JW Mobile.

Turner field was the perfect location.  We got a little sunburned and I endured one of my least favorite things in the world.. a portable powder room. (that makes it sound better).  It was all worth it!

 

Thanks Atlanta!

You’re a “DIRTY DOG DEAL”

I am clean! A cheap visit to the spa!

You have probably heard of a self service car wash but I found a self service dog wash!  No kidding.  This weekend I discovered “Glamour Paws”  a brand new pet boutique in Virginia Highlands.

     Yes, the collars, treats, beds, and accessories are $$$ boutique prices…. BUT…. tucked away in the back room is a pretty cool deal! 

    On Sundays the chic dog spa turns into a self service dog spa.  For $10  you can come in and use all the dog spa equipment and products to wash, pamper and dry your pet! 

    It is a really fun single person or family outing.  For 10 bucks your pet is clean and you get to have some fun playing in a super cute dog spa. 

   I took a very dirty “Sally Pete”  my humane society rescue. 

Nayala is working at the dog spa for the summer. She helped us learn the ropesGlamour Paws, Virginia Highlands

Glamour Paws, Virginia Highlands

Great Shredder 2 !!!

HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE SEEN MY COMERCIALS ON CBS ATLANTA!!

Just a quick note to let you all know that planning is going really well!  My awesome colleague and producer, Kara Pesavento is making sure you guys can get in and out at

TURNER FIELD, MAY 9TH

I am really getting excited.  We have SO MANY trucks and have some other great resources for you.  Like electronic recycling.

A lot of the plans we made are because you guys gave us so many suggestions! 

THANK YOU!  CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!  ALMOST A MONTH AWAY

Boosting Economy One Puppy at a Time

A gift from Stephany Fisher’s Daughter

Sally

    Okay, I can clearly say I am doing my part.  This little floppy eared, four legged, cute as a button, wallet drainer came into my life a few months ago.  The Atlanta Humane Society offered a pretty good deal on our pup (and truth be told, I would have given more money to the fabulous shelter). 

      It was an impulse  purchase…  I had a Friday off, my husband put down his blackberry for a few hours and we made an impulse purchase at the pound. 

    In the weeks and days that have followed… I have been a sucker for Madison Avenue pet purchases.  The treats, the toys, the organic food, the collars… it doesn’t end!  They sell it to you under the guise that this pup is ”your best friend”.  My best friend lives in Tampa… I don’t spend this much on Melissa! 

     I discovered our neighborhood pet store.  Boy is it cute (and EXPENSIVE) but I tell myself I am helping a local small business. 

   I discovered the guilt of a working dog parent so a neighbor is now acting as a “danny”  (a dog nanny for those of you who are following my madness). But I tell myself I am helping a friend who is out of work. 

     As of last week our little monster has all her shots so she can go to obedience school. 

    Let me tell you ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!    This season I am reminded of how much I pay in taxes… Public school for this pup!  It’s back to the shelter for her training.  They offer a discount.   

   I mean, I am a consumer reporter.  I can’t humiliate myself any longer with my over the top pet purchases.