The Frugalista Files

Television goes digital

Wow! It's finally here. Our television is now digital. I only got cable, last year. I considered dropping it to save expenses. I even tried to cut a deal with my provider but that didn't work. I know I couldn't get a better deal on my service because television was going digital. I could drop cable and get that converter box for about $50, but part of me is just too addicted to The Real Housewives franchise on Bravo. LOL

For those without cable service, did you get the little box? Do you think it's worth it to go ahead and pay for cable? Do you think cable companies will be stingy on the specials, now? Does your cable have outages? *raises both hands*

Free resume and printing at Office Depot

Office Depot is providing free copies of resumes, up to 25 single-sided pages, as well as free faxing to five different domestic numbers, up to 25 pages in total. More info here.  Out of all the freebies I post, I think this one among my favorites. Faxing is rather expensive if you don't have your computer rigged for it.

Yay!

Have a great day and thanks Sonya for the tip!

xo,

Fruga

Free shake from Wendy's today *Wednesday*

Free Frosty-cino Shake from 3-5 p.m. today at Wendy's in the Miami-area.

Slurp!

Thanks, Jewel, for the tip!

Frugalista speaks to students at Florida Memorial University

I'm going to talk to students at Florida Memorial University today about blogging! Yay! Fruga loves the kids and blogging!

What do you like about blogging/blogs?

MasterCard Savings program review and $25 card giveaway

Hello, Frugalistas! MasterCard launched a new program called Mastercard Savings that allows debit and prepaid cardholders discounts with certain merchants. The prepaid card looks like a gift card, but it's different  because you can keep loading it with money. 

The  cardholders have to enroll in the MasterCard Savings program hook ups at savings.mastercard.com. Once you sign up, you choose what type of merchants you would prefer for your discounts. When I enrolled, I picked apparel for sure. Among the stores where MasterCard Savings enrollees can get discounts are Lands End, Armani Exchange and The Container Store. The discounts range from 5 percent to 20 percent. Some offer free shipping. :)

The prepaid card is like a mobile bank account. It even has some fees just like banks do, so be careful. 

Another warning: It cost $9.95 to purchase the prepaid card and $9.95 to activate it.

If you would like to be considered to win one of four $25 prepaid MasterCards, please leave a comment with your email below on what you would do with the money. 

These giveaway cards have no activation fee. Yay! ;)

National Donut Day today

Hmm. Click here for more info. I won't be participating. I am back exercising and a moment on the lips, forever on the hips!

Have a fabulous, fun and frugal weekend.

I'm having a giveaway next week so be sure to tune in at this same bat channel! :)

xoxo,

Frugal

Would you date to save money?

Wow! I ran across this blog post on facebook about how in this spotty economy, some women may be more likely to take a date from a guy they have no interest in for  financial reasons. I mean, dinner and drinks can get expensive. Some women are open to the "dating meal plan."  Hmm. If you like the guy, you would probabaly be flattered if he splurged on a nice date, no? It becomes a little prickly when you take the freebies from the guy who you have zero interest in! That's how feelings get hurt and bitter love songs get made.

I think it depends on your dating style. Some women date just to have fun, others to try to meet their soul mate. 

Honestly, it can make a difference in your lifestyle if you date a traditional guy who pays the majority of the time.                                                  

What do you think? Have you ever gone on a "first-of-the-month-date" because money was tight and you wanted entertainment/ a warm meal? Is it tacky?  Do you split the bill when you go on a date?

Free float night at Sonic *today*

Free root beer float from 8 p.m. to midnight on Wednesday at Sonic. For more information, click here.

Burp! :)

Thanks, Paradise A., for the tip.

Peter G. Peterson vows to donate $1 billion through foundation

Hello, Frugalistas! I read this Newsweek essay by billionaire Peter G. Peterson, who is a retired co-founder of The Blackstone Group, a financial advisory firm. Peterson, who is the son of Greek immigrant father who saved money and practiced philanthropy, has vowed to create financial awareness about America's national and personal debts and committed $1 blillion to his  Peter G. Peterson Foundation. His foundation is like a think tank/financial charity. Organizations with programs and ideas that help Americans make smarter money choices may get grants.

From the essay:

For the first time in my memory, the majority of the American people join me in believing that, on our current course, our children will not do as well as we have. For years, I have been saying that the American government, and America itself, has to change its spending and borrowing policies: the tens of trillions of dollars in unfunded entitlements and promises, the dangerous dependence on foreign capital, our pitiful level of savings, the metastasizing health-care costs, our energy gluttony. These structural deficits are unsustainable. Herb Stein, who served alongside me in the Nixon White House as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, once drily observed, "If your horse dies, I suggest you dismount." And yet, we keep trying to ride this horse.

Wow.

What do you think about his $1 billion committment? If you had $1 billion to donate to a charitable cause, what would it be?  Do we Americans need to change how we spend, save our money?

Free music from Amazon

Whoa!  Amazon.com has some free downloads. I checked out the playlist. Some are a bit vintage. Tone Loc anyone? All good. Whatever moves you!

What are you listening to? Do you have the new Eminem? I like the song Ego by Beyonce. 

Thanks for the tip, Richard!