The Frugalista Files

Frugalista boycotts Thanksgiving 2009

Gobble up, my Frugalistas. I'm not doing Thanksgiving this year. There, I said it. Normally, I'm at a friend's house or flying to Chicago to visit my family. But this year, I am underground and THANKFUL for a day off to focus on my writing and me. They are one in the same these days.

A few things factored into my decision to un-Thanksgiving. I didn't want to spend money flying for the holidays. I didn't want to be responsible for bringing a dish to another person's home. My home is not in condition to have guests over. I have to work the Friday after the holiday. 

I just want to watch television, write my book and talk on the phone. I just want the REALLY simple life because these days, my life is a tad hectic.

I don't really bring up the holidays around my friends because I don't want to be cajoled or pitied into a T-giving celebration. 

I am thankful for friends, my health, a bank account, opportunities, Body Magic shape wear. I am thankful for my new hairdresser, Kenny.

I will be thankful for a low key day.

What are you doing for Thanksgiving? Do the holidays stress you? I will have some black Friday specials posted tomorrow. 

XO,

Fruga Redux

Free WiFi at airports from Google during the holidays!

When I found out that Google will offer free WiFi during the holiday season at airports, I squealed with glee. The free WiFi  is offered from now until Jan. 15 at participating airports. I spent about $7 at Atlanta's airport burning up the WiFi, last month. I hated spending the money, but I have an addiction to feed. We all know I'm a sucker for free WiFi.  So when you're traveling, you will be able to play on Facebook, Twitter and The Frugalista Files blog for FREE!  I am warm and fuzzy on this freebie.

Here is the list of participating airports:

    * Austin (AUS)
    * Baltimore (BWI)
    * Billings (BIL)
    * Boston (BOS)
    * Bozeman (BZN)
    * Buffalo (BUF)
    * Burbank (BUR)
    * Central Wisconsin (CWA)
    * Charlotte (CLT)
    * Des Moines (DSM)
    * El Paso (ELP)
    * Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
    * Fort Myers/SW (RSW)
    * Greensboro (GSO)
    * Houston (HOU)
    * Houston Bush (IAH)
    * Indianapolis (IND)
    * Jacksonville (JIA)
    * Kalamazoo (AZO)
    * Las Vegas (LAS)
    * Louisville (SDF)
    * Madison (MSN)
    * Memphis (MEM)
    * Miami (MIA)
    * Milwaukee (MKE)
    * Monterey (MRY)
    * Nashville (BNA)
    * Newport News (PHF)
    * Norfolk (ORF)
    * Oklahoma City (OKC)
    * Omaha (OMA)
    * Orlando (MCO)
    * Panama City (PFN)
    * Pittsburgh (PIT)
    * Portland (PWM)
    * Sacramento (SMF)
    * San Antonio (SAT)
    * San Diego (SAN)
    * San Jose (SJC)
    * Seattle (SEA)
    * South Bend (SBN)
    * Spokane (GEG)
    * St. Louis (STL)
    * State College (SCE)
    * Toledo (TOL)
    * Traverse City (TVC)
    * West Palm Beach (PBI)

Is Google taking over the earth? What is your favorite airport? Do you travel with your laptop?

Frugalista Files readers are VIP at Friday Book Event

Hello, Frugalistas! I'm a co-partner of The Girl on Top -Miami LIVE event. Basically, career expert Nicole Williams is doing a tour for her latest book, Girl on Top: Your Guide to Turning Dating Rules into Career Success.

The book signing will have cocktails, swag and 40 percent off discounts at The Limited from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday at The Limited at Dadeland Mall, 7535 Kendall Dr., Miami. You'll also get career advice from Nicole while you are there.

Please register to join the fun!

Frugalista

Have you ever used a dating principle to get ahead at work? Do you stroke the egos of your male bosses? I hear it works. 

Frugalista lost her swag!

Greetings, Frugalistas!  So I got back last night from a MARHHHVELOUS weekend at the first Blogalicious conference, a networking event for women bloggers of different ethnicities. I laughed. I cried. I networked at the W hotel in midtown Atlanta. :)  I had so much fun.

The thing about blogging conferences (or any conference for that matter)  is that they are rife with sponsors who are looking to get their products in front of tastemakers and influencers.

The swag (stuff we all get) was plentiful. Our registration bag was the size of a small village. At the different sessions and meetings,  registrants were offered free lotion, hair care products, eyelashes, blankets and Barbie dolls. I had oodles and oodles of stuff.  

So leaving the conference, I had an extra bag of "stuff."  I filtered some of the swag, giving it off to the local bloggers. I know Shameeka, who blogs at The Broke Socialite, is doing a shelter run, donating some of the lotion and blankets to the less fortunate in Atlanta.  

When I got to the airport, I ran into a swag dilemma. An airline agent made it clear I would have to check my luggage or get rid of some swag. I had no intention of paying $25 to check a bag due to the stuff I accumulated at the conference.

I thought about giving the swag away to someone at the airport, but for security reasons, I nixed that idea. I didn't want to be put "under watch" for the suspicious activity of giving way items at the airport.  I did the unthinkable. I tossed some of the swag in the trash. I had free rice and other snacks in my swag bag. I was able to save the Barbie doll, make up and some hair care products.  *Le sigh*

I feel pretty bad about being wasteful but I was up against the wall. I'm not a swag hag. It's just that the registration bag for the conference was filled to the top. 

Should I have spent the $25 to check my luggage to keep the swag? Should I have not taken any of the swag? Am I a swag hag?  Do I need to practice the "Swag Surfing" dance to get my swagger back? I can still shake it!

Review of Cheap Products

There's a new site on the world wide web, cheapism. It's a product review of cheap products. Here at The Frugalista Files, the word cheap is not in our vocabulary, but I wanted to shout out a growing blog.  :)

I say the blog is worth a click and a gander. The site does the heavy lifting. I hate buying items that stink. It's better to read the reviews. Go cheapism!

Can you be both cheap and frugal? 

New coupon website

Coupon Sherpa, which is an iPhone application to find deals is now its own website. The Coupon Sherpa site offers up shopping codes and coupons for online shopping.  A sherpa is a member of a Tibetan people known for providing support for mountain climbers in the Himalayas. On the site, you can find hook ups on everything from groceries to eyeglasses.

The site was founded by Luke and Jesse Knowles, who are building a frugal living empire. They have already created a family of cartoon characters named “The Frugals” to promote their network of frugality sites.

I normally check out retailmenot for my online coupon codes, but I will most certainly give Coupon Sherpa a whirl. 

How do you find deals? Do you look in newspapers? Have you used the iPhone application? Have you been to the Himalayas?

Will 'Cash for Clunkers' help the environment?

Today is the last day for the government-funded Cash for Clunkers program, where people can trade in their gas guzzlers for new, more fuel-efficent vehicles on discount. ABC ran an interesting story about how the program probably won't help the environment that much. Boo hiss! 

What do you think about Cash for Clunkers? Was it "green enough" for you? Do you think it helped the economy? Did you get a new car?

Frugalista does China

So a few weeks back, I got contacted by a Chinese journalist named Fu. Apparently, I'm known as the "Frugal Queen" in the Far East! Fancy that! As a Frugalista, I am a citizen of the world, even though my passport may need a few more stamps. :( One day! Anyway, here's the article that the China Youth Daily wrote about me. The article is written in Chinese, in case you aren't fluent, but it included some of my party photos. 

Life is good. Frugal living is great!

Thanks to Fu for writing about this American girl,

Natalie

P.S. Are you addicted to Mad Men? 

Miami Spa Month and Miami Spice

August and September are great months for budget ballers in South Florida. Until the end of August, Miami Spa Month is underway, offering luxury spa packages for only $99. True confession: I've never had a massage at a spa. However, if you can afford the $99, I say have at it. I hear spa massages are wonderful.

Also, Miami Spice is going on in August and September. During Miami Spice, diners can get three course, gourmet meals for $22 (lunch) and $35 (dinner). Now, I WILL participate in a Miami Spice lunch. So yummy! 

So, do you go to spas? Do you plan on participating in Miami Spa or Miami Spice Month? What's your favorite restaurant or spa? If you don't live in South Florida, are there any specials that we should know? Sharing is caring!

Frugalista named Top 40 under 40

Success South Florida Magazine named me one of the Top 40 under 40 Leaders of Today and Tomorrow! Yay! I'll take it! I get a free meal at Morton's The Steakhouse in North Miami Beach. Yes! Reception meals are Frugalista fabulous! That will be one day that I don't have to cook! :)

From the news release:

Over 160 nominees were selected for this honor by political, business and organizational leaders in South Florida. The final 40 honorees were then hand-picked by an advisory committee composed of business leaders in the fields of banking, media, politics, and medicine and community/non-profit leadership. Chosen for their professional accomplishments and tireless efforts to support our community, the 40 award recipients will be honored at a VIP reception. 

I'm wearing a dress from my closet to the event. My one business dress will be taken out of retirement and to the reception!

xo,

Fruggie!