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

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.

DEAL OF THE DAY! Cheapskates RULE!!

There is an all out battle to be the cheapest person in our newsroom.  A fabu game of one upsmanship to bring our viewers the “DEAL OF THE DAY”. 

      Honestly, my producer Aurora Nelson has gone from intelligent news show producer to a crazed, stary eyed, coupon searching, free loader   Just kidding Rory!  But honestly, she can’t stop.  Each time I bring in a deal she has to trump me. 

    In the past month our 4pm show has basically told you how to live for free on a weekly basis.  Everything from free food, to free eyebrow waxes.  We’ve had free yoga and free resume copies… you name it, we have found it.

    It has been so much fun that I want to invite all of you to join me.  Send me your deals of the day to feature on CBS Atlanta news at 4 and 11! 

     Come on kids, let’s be cheapskates together!!!!!!

PS, my favorite was the $ 2.99 Oil Change at Buckhead Auto Center on Piedmont Road.  Seriously, you can get up to 5 oil changes for $2.99 each.  At those prices you can change it as often as you undies!

SALVAGE GROCERY SHOPPING

So I thought this sounded like garage sale or junk sale food shopping!  HARDLY!  It is sooo cool, this is like the the TJ Maxx or Marshalls or Ross of Grocery shopping.  All the scratch and dent and overstock goes to these stores.  Check out my deals!  I even found Organic!!!!

KIM’S SALVAGE GROCERY DEALS

 

 

 

 

 ITEM                                 SALVAGE                     PUBLIX

                                      

Tylenol Cold

 Day/Night 24 pack                    $2.99                               $5.39

 

One A Day Women’s

 Pre-natal                               $7.99                                $16.99

 

Campbell’s Chunky

Sirloin Burger 18.8 oz            $0.99                                $2.39

 

Campbell’s Cream of

 Mushroom Soup 8oz            $0.50                               $1.66

 

Annie’s Organic Ginger

 Vinaigrette Dressing        $0.50                               $4.19

 

Speed Stick 

24/7 Fresh Rush                     $1.29                               $3.89

 

Iam’s Savory Dinner

Dog Food 13.2 oz                  $0.33                               $1.09

 

Lean Cuisine

Chicken Club                      $1.50                               $3.39

 

Amy’s Organic Bowls

Santa Fe Enchilada             $2.00                               $5.69

 

Amy’s Organic

Soy Mac and Cheese         $1.00                               $3.79

 

TOTAL:                           $19.09                            $48.47

 

 

TOTAL SAVINGS                                             $29.38

FOR A LIST OF ALL SAVAGE GROCERY STORES GO TO MY CONSUMER PAGE ON WWW.CBSATLANTA.COM

 

 

CHEAP DATE

     The old adage “it’s the thought that counts”  well if you put a little thought to your giving this Valentines day you will save money and save face with your loved ones! 

    Take a look at the flower challenge I did on the 4pm news.   I made a flower arrangement for 5 dollars!  All I needed was a pair of scissors, an overgrown lawn, and little creativity. 

Wendy is loved! Big Buck Bouquet!

Kim’s 5-buck flowers!

      I cut the greens from my yard!  Furthermore, my husband wins because I just brought myself flowers! 

    Another V-day secret… If you have been avoiding eating out due to the bad economy… Valentines day may be the perfect time to break your new budget habits.  Most restaurants are offering some amazing deals to attract people in the bad economy.   

    I will be hosting an engagement party for my dear friend Tess.  I am making homemade treats with local produce to save and and still have a chic party!  I will give you all the details on my cheap party planning next week!  Including where I get locally grown produce for a fraction of the cost! 

Standby!

I AM AN IDIOT AND SO ARE YOU!

   You heard me!  Today I interviewed, Ken Clark, author of  “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting out of Debt”. 

      It is hard to find any of us who don’t carry some kind of  credit card debt.  I mean, afterall, for the past 10 years the companies have been luring us in with skymiles, trinkets, t-shirts, bonus points etc. 

   But come on, we can’t waste time trying to blame someone else because we lived above our means.  SO LET’S DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! 

   I read the guide last night and there were some things I didn’t know… for instance, did you know that you may not want to pay your credit card bill using your bank account?  This way you can keep them away from your account and your balance.  Seems a little bit weird but you may want to check it out in chapter about the “silver bullets”.  There Ken talks about bargaining with the credit companies. 

     He is online, http://www.kenclarkcfp.com/?cat=11  pretty informative.  

   I don’t normally endorse products for our viewers to buy but you can always just check out the website.  I just feel very strongly about debt.  It can and does happen to almost everyone and I would love to see us all get out of it before we are 80 (unless you are 78, then 80 sounds like a good goal!)

ps… remember to come to my shredder event at Perimeter Mall on Saturday!  See you there!