July 2009 Archives

Prostitute German brothels are offering flat-rate fees for their services because of the bad economy. The clients get to sleep with as many women as they want for one price.

From the Telegraph article:
The "flat-rate sex" promotions, which are based on all-you-can-eat restaurants, have been introduced by brothel owners in a bid to revive trade that has fallen around 30 per cent in the economic downturn.
Other imaginative offers include rebates for pensioners and people on benefits, 10 percent discounts for men who arrive by bicycle or public transport, and free shoe-polishing for customers who stay overnight.

Prostitution is legal in Germany. I get that. But single-fee service for putting out is where these ladies must draw the line. Puritan I am not, but offering a sale on the snatch?  

Hell no!
Ladies, find a new line of work. Seriously. 
What do you think about prostitution? Should sex workers be subjected to the economy like the rest of us? Do you believe that some things can be put on discount? I'm just asking.


Salvation_army If you spend $25 or more in South Florida Salvation Army Family stores on Aug. 7 and 8, you will get a $5 coupon to spend in September. Parents may buy backpacks, school uniforms and jeans for back-to-school clothing.
 
MIAMI/DADE STORES

Store 1                
90 NW 23 St
305 573-4200   ext 236
Store 3                
14701 W Dixie Hwy 
305 940-1188
 
Store 4              
9790 Bird Rd 
305 554-9669
 
Store 5                
8001 NW 27 Ave
305 836-8088
 

BROWARD STORES 

1791  W.  Broward Blvd.
Ft Lauderdale
954 463-3725

310 N. State Rd. 7
Margate
954 979-6999

2300 SW 56th Ave.
Hollywood
954 961-7523

451 E Copans Rd.
Pompano Beach
954 782-3925

7707 Commercial Blvd.
Tamarac
954 721-0705

888 North University Drive
Pembroke Pines
954 433 2160
Have you found anything great from the thrift store lately? Where are you shopping these days?

The Federal Trade Commission is warning homeowners who are facing foreclosures to be wary of shady companies.

There are rogue companies who are ripping off money from homeowners who defaulted on their mortgages. Here's a video you should watch if you are facing foreclosure or you know someone who is dealing with it. It features people targeted by foreclosure rescue scams and advises homeowners in distress that free help is available from the Homeowner’s Hope Hotline at 888-995-HOPE (888-995-4673).


Hbcu 369 (1) Greetings, Frugalistas! I'm in Chicago for the BlogHer convention. This Frugalista is trying to get better at the blogging game. I want to bring you all the best!

An awesome friend-in-blogging, The Broke Socialite, had an emergency so she's missing the convention. She was scheduled to speak but recommended me in her absence. Please stop by The Broke Socialite's blog and send her some well wishes. Meanwhile, I'm going to speak on a panel about blogging about issues other than "mom-blogging," technology and politics. 

I am up for the challenge. Since launching this blog in 2008, it's been nothing but a pleasure. The support, ideas and candor has really kept me going. 

Thank you for believing that frugal is fabulous! I wouldn't change it for the world! I hope you have a great weekend, and I will make you proud!
xoxo,
Fruga

Nightrepair From 5 to 9 p.m. today, Estee Lauder is giving away 10-day samples of its Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex. Check out your fine department stores such as Macy's, Nordstrom's or Dillard's to pick up the freebie. 

Do you use any night creams? Any suggestions? I'm going to get this sample. I'm intrigued!

People_Stephen_Baldwin.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.56 Actor Stephen Baldwin filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday, saying that he owes $1.2 million in two mortgages, $70,000 in credit card debt and and $1 million in taxes.

Do you think if he hadn't quit  "I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!" he'd be in a better financial situation? 

Pastryday

Hbcu 369 (1) So last week was Mercedes-Benz's Fashion Week Swim in Miami Beach. I got a call from a dear friend who used to work in the fashion industry to go to the kick off party. Super Yay! I threw on my Tommy Hilfiger halter maxi dress I bought on sale WITH a coupon from Macy's and we hit Miami Beach. 

My friend tossed a name at the front, and we went to the back of The Raleigh Hotel. We drank from the open bar while a DJ spinned some sounds. Yay!  I knew some folks. He knew some folks. We pranced around the aqua pool.

Most clubs require an entrance fee and for you to pay for your drinks. When you get access to these social sorority events, everything is on them. Companies such as Patron are more than happy to give you freebies. My friend and I saved at least $45 because our drinks were free. We did tip, but we always do.  And let's not forget the swag bags at these events. This one gave us bronzer, which I already have, but a girl can never glow enough, right? Also in the bag was a DHL toy truck (go figure), some weight loss supplements and an Aveda shampoo sample. True, the swag bag didn't hold, say, The Hope Diamond, but it had some practical stuff that I could use right away.  

So we drank and partied for free. I got enough bronzer and weight loss snacks to last me until I can afford a trip to St. Tropez. I spent no cash that night! My friend handled parking, which was like $2! :)

So basically, if you are in the right industry or have the right contacts, people essentially pay you just to breathe at their event. Wow! I guess if you work in a "hot" industry, it's your reward for all of your work, right?
It was just interesting to watch how privilege works. I had a great time. 

I loved the crowd, but is it right? Are certain people favored more than others? Do the privileged pay?

The Frugal Florist Promo shot(1) Hey, Frugalistas! Bridal flowers can easily run $700, which is no small number. I have a guest blog today from John Klingel, author of The Frugal Florist: Do-It-Yourself Flowers on a Budget. Klingel is rapping at us today about how to keep your wedding beautiful and affordable. Klingel is doing a $25 workshop  at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Field of Flowers, 5101 S. University Dr., 
Davie, Fla. Call (954) 680-6888 for more information about the workshop. He may be reached at frugalflorist.biz.

 

 

1.     Get double-duty out of your arrangements, ask a friend or family member to transport ceremony arrangements to the reception, but get them there before the guests arrive.

2.    Labor is always the biggest factor in any job, save the simple things, like sprinkling rose petals on table tops, for friends and family to do. 

3.   Use flowers that are in season.  Most flowers are available year-round because they are grown somewhere in the world but shipping costs can be horrendous.
Do you have any other tips for how to save on bridal flowers? If you are married, how much did you spend on your flowers?

Starbucks-ice-cream Add the Share a Pint of Starbucks Ice Cream application on Facebook and follow directions and you can send a friend (*cough* yourself *cough*) a free pint of ice cream. Starbucks is giving away 280,000 pints until Sunday.

Have you tried Starbucks Ice Cream? Is it addictive?