I’m not shopping this year, but I won’t get in the way of those who are doing MINOR retail therapy.
Click here for some some fashion hook ups.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING,
Fruga!
November 2008 Archives
I’ve been asked to review the Peek, a new email device on the electronic scene. The peek is mainly for email, but it does have some texting ability. I tried out the device for longer than a week and here’s my report:
The YAY: It’s adorable! I took it took an urban happy hour in downtown Miami and when I whipped it out, people wanted to know more about it. It’s so slim and fit in my handbang with no feeling of extra bulk. Because it’s mainly for email, it’s extremely easy to use. Whenever you get an email, it alerts you with a nice vibration and "womp womp" sound. I condensed three of my email accounts onto the Peek was able to check out who was emailing me in one place. Also, I took the Peek on a flight. Although I didn’t get new messages, I was able to check emails already registered in the device from a mile high. Also, there isn’t a contract to pay for the monthly service, which is tre cool.
The MEH: I wanted more. Although the device is not marketed to the techies, I would have liked for my emails to register sooner on the device. From the time my email registered on my PC to when it showed up on the Peek was a 20-minute delay. If all the device does is email, then it should do it just as well or better than the rest. It only allowed for me to register three email accounts. I have more than 10.
The SUGGESTION: The Peek is running about $80 to buy with a monthly charge of about $20 per month. I would consider the Peek as a gift for a friend or family member who forgets to check their emails. It’s a good way to get people to be more email friendly. I would love for the Peek to offer like 10 email accounts that you can check and quicker email service. I could see this device becoming very popular among bloggers and people who thrive on smart phones. Sometimes I get sick of my smart phone, but I rarely get sick of my email.
Would you buy an email-only device?
*update* Here’s the chat!
Good morning! For your lunch-time pleasure, I will host a noon chat today at washingtonpost.com to yap about the return of layaway. Click here for more info.
xxoo,
Natalie
the frugalista
P.S. It’s at noon EASTERN STANDARD TIME.
Layaway was a rite of passage for many of our families back in the day. A South Florida writer recently wrote about the resurgence of the retail service. Today’s credit crisis makes it harder for people to use their credit cards to purchase items;however, layaway allows people to pay for an item over time. It’s easier on the wallet than a credit card but still has fees.
Have you ever used layaway? Will you use it this holiday season? What do you think about it?
Last year, the cost to feed a family of 10 for Thanksgiving ran
about $42.26. I can only imagine meal prices going up for this
Thanksgiving. However, here are some things you can do to cut down on
the price:
1.Start shopping now with coupons for dairy and other staples needed for baking and
cooking.
2. Plan your menu and do a holiday pot luck with your loved ones.
3. Don’t be traditional:
use another meat. Some stores are featuring Buy One get One Free on roasts.
4.If you must be traditional, try turkey wings instead of the whole bird.
5. Choose sides such as macaroni, lasagna or other pasta dishes that are made in large quantities.
6. Make punch instead of buying soda.
7. Serve wine instead of
cocktails. Sutter Home has a great $6 Moscato that gets to the
point. Schmitt Sohne has a good Riesling, too. It costs about $8 with
tax.
Here are some more affordable Thanksgiving dinner tips. And even if you spend more than you would like on Thanksgiving dinner, you could have horror tales about the holidays like people in this link!
How are you saving during the Thanksgiving holiday?
Great NEWS! "Frugalista"is an Oxford University Press finalist for "Word of the Year 2008." This is AWESOME! Here’s what Oxford wrote:
frugalista
– person who leads a frugal lifestyle, but stays fashionable and
healthy by swapping clothes, buying second-hand, growing own produce,
etc.
Teehee! Oxford even linked back to the blog! The only thing I would have added to the definition was that frugalistas enjoy good AND cheap wine! I kid! I kid! Frugalistas are so en vogue! Hypermiling, which is the act of using various tactics to get more mileage out of your gas, beat frugalista out for word of the year! I think frugalista is better and the New York Times! agrees. In his column, journalist William Safire said that the word rings his bell. Yes, frugalistas have that effect on people. 
What’s your word of the year?
South Florida news flash! I’m going to be on Channel 4 at 5:30 p.m. giving tips on cheap holiday gifts. Please check me out if you are not stuck commuter traffic.
xoxo,
Natalie
Black Friday be damned! Here are some gift sharing ideas for the holidays. Most of these ideas are centered around experiencing the company of a loved one. That’s what the holidays are about, right? Enjoy!
Museums: Many people work long hours and never get a
chance to check out new exhibits at museums. Most museums/art
institutes have free days or times. For instance, the Museum of Modern
Art in New York is free on Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m. Call your favorite
local museums and ask if they have any holiday exhibits running, and
when are the free times to attend. To find museums in your area, check
out http://www.museumsusa.org/
Care giving: The Christmas season is the perfect time to
share your caring with friends and loved ones. If you know a stressed
out couple, offer to babysit its children for a weekend. Most rushed
couples grapple with child care needs and would welcome the help. Or,
if you have a family member who is a caretaker for an elderly person or
a sick child, agree to do their job for a day. Be sure to get detailed
instructions about how to care for the elderly person or child. It can
be a rewarding experience.
Free Makeup: If you’re talented at applying makeup, offer to makeup a friend. Full disclosure: this gift idea is self serving! I want to step up my holiday makeup game and would prefer a makeup application lesson/session from a friend way more than a gift card!
Picture Perfect: Dig up all the photos of your loved one and
import them into a slide show. People love to see their lives unfold to
a musical theme. Go to slide.com
to create your photographic memory lane. If you are more advanced, use
Soundslides if you already own it. Email the photos to your loved one
and don’t forget the e-card to match.
Write it out: Many people don’t feel appreciated. Write down the Top 25
things you love/appreciate about them. That makes an excellent stocking
stuffer. The person will probably be surprised at how much you care.
Soundtrack: Create a mix CD of your loved one’s favorite songs.
Don’t just think Top 40. Find some vintage goodies that will make the
person mist up with nostalgia.
Sailing Santa: If you live in a warm climate, there’s usually a free
boat show in town. For those in South Florida, the Seminole Hard
Rock-WInterfest Boat Parade features million dollar crafts, decorated
with extravagant lights. For more information, log on here: http://www.winterfestparade.
Remember the Reason for the Season: Christmas is a nice time
to volunteer with your favorite charity. My favorite charity is Dress
for Success, which gives disadvantaged women corporate clothing to
enter the workforce. Pick out a "family charity" and schedule time to
volunteer for it as a unit. Check out Volunteer Match for help, http://www.volunteermatch.org/
What are some of your frugal holiday gift giving tips?
