Do you love going out to eat?

So many Americans love going out to eat. I have heard by lots of viewers that they are not willing to sacrifice going out to eat. Many due to exhaustion of working a full days work. Here are some tips on keeping your out to eat expenses down.
1. Look at your local restaurants and see what day they offer for the kids to eat free. Make a list you can keep in your purse for those exhausted days.
2. Keep the local flyer's on coupons on restaurants. Many times there are good deals for the family. Keep a little folder and put it in the car you frequently use.
3. If your not tired of fast food restaurants, like McDonald's, etc. Use the dollar menu! A family of 4 can eat for about $8.
4. Drink water when out to eat... This is the most expensive item on most restaurant menus. On average it only cost the restaurant 28 cents for the cup and 3 cents for the soda. So when you pay $1.99 for a drink. Your giving them a huge profit. A drink at a restaurant cost more than a 2 liter at Wal-mart.
5. Use www.restaurants.com to get a gift card cheaper for a restaurant
6. Keep a cash system on how much you are going to spend in a week or month on restaurants. When your out of money, thats its... Don't spend anymore!
7. If you love to eat really expensive ask for a gift cards to that restaurant for Christmas or birthdays. This will help off set the cost to you.
8. Get on the restaurants email list. Many times they send coupons over email (Zios is very good at this)
9. Plan ahead if you know you go out to eat on Sundays because of church and the time crunch. Make a crock pot meal Saturday that you can just plug in before you leave for church. Learn your schedule!
10. Look for free items! For veterans day Applebees, Golden Corral, Hy-vee offer free meals. Also for firefighters on firefighters day Baskin Robbins offer free ice cream to all.
11. See if the company you work for offers deals for using corporate savings. For example Sprint has a website all employees can use for deals. Are bank also does this.
12. Eat lunch instead of supper. Huge savings! Some times the same meal is $2 more for supper than at lunch.
13. Share meals with your spouse. Get an appetizer and one meal. This is usually filling enough to get you home!
14. Keep a goodie bag in your car if you travel a lot or have sports events... This will allow you to make it home to make a meal if you prefer to eat at home.
15. If your not to hungry, and have kids with you at a nice restaurant order a kids meal. This is usually cheaper. Check the prices though!

Louisburg Cider Mill

What a great field trip for the kids during the Fall. Enjoy the aromas of freshly made apple cider. This is one of my favorite spots to take my kids.

October 2009 Ciderferst & Craft Fair
September 26th & 27th and October 3rd & 4th
Huge Pumpkin Patch - Corn Maze - Craft Fair
Fresh Cider Making - Cider Donuts - Live Music
Food - Picnic Area - Kids Activity Area
Hay Castle- Hayrides

http://www.louisburgcidermill.com/events_calendar/october/

Waterfest Lenexa Free

The 10th annual Waterfest is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 1, 2009 at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa, 87th Street and Lackman Road.

More info on link:http://www.raintorecreation.org/Waterfest.html

Lenexa Great BBQ June 26th and 27th

This event is Free on Saturday but admission is on Friday. So to make it more affordable for you BBQ'ers check it out on Sat...

HOURS:Friday 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more info.
http://www.ci.lenexa.ks.us/parks/bbq.html

Things to do while its raining

I know its can get so boring with it raining days after days. Here is a list of indoor activities that can keep your dollar the same and your kids from killing each other.


1. Go to a local mall and find the kid play place (in Olathe there is a place called zonkers in the great mall and they have a large free kids play place in the mix of all their other things.)
2. Go the library for a story time or to play on the computers
3. Have a movie day.. Where you pop some popcorn and get into pjs and make it fun... You could even invite some friends to watch too!
4. If there is no lighting and its warm let the kids play in the rain, I know when I was little playing the rain was a blast...
5. Play games indoors
6. Make homemade playdoh and play with it afterwards
7. Make homemade cookies or cakes or brownies
8. Find a craft that you have always wanted to make the kiddos and have fun!
9. Pick a day called yes... This is the day while one kid can ask you to do whatever they want within reason of course. You can make meals of their choice and do it with them. Whether its barbies to movies, to playing games. You will find your childs interests that day and help with bonding
10. Organize and clean out a room, I do this with the kids bedrooms. This allows them to declutter, I rearrange furniture and redecorate and clean the entire room including the ceiling fans and windows. My kids love the look afterward. I ask them to help accordingly, whether its just sorting toys.

Kansas City Chalk & Walk Festival

This is somewhere I would like to go, I now personally crown center is very nice. However I have not been to this event. Unfortunatley would not be able attend so if you are there please let me know your thoughts on this event.

Friday, June 19 - Saturday, June 20

Admission: FREE
Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Crown Center Square

Kansas City River Market

This is a free attraction for the whole family to enjoy. The farmers market is a great experience for kids to see all different types of vegetables and maybe you can pick some out to make something wonderfully homemade with your kids. Usually a vendor will work with you on prices which can make this trip a win win for all to enjoy. If this is not close to you then check for a local farmers market however I feel this trip is well worth it. There are also many other attractions there that do cost money however. Totally try to stay in budget! Thats the key, if you want to enjoy have a budget before you go. Here is the link, so you can check out the attraction before you go. Have Fun!

http://www.kcrivermarket.com/index.php

Vacation Bible Schools

Vacation Bible schools are a great way to get your kids to have a great fun filled week for free. Not only do they get to learn about Jesus, but they teach them how to accept them into their hearts. This free activity could be the most life changing event for kids. Don't miss out on the fun.... If you do not have a local church, look around at your signs on your churchs near your home and see if its something your kids could enjoy. Who knows you may find some great friends and great church home this way. Pray about where God wants your kids and he will lead you! Have a great time!

Free sippy cup or water bottle with Juicy Juice

Check below to register and recieve your free sippy cup or water bottle. http://www.juicyjuice.com/Login/Register.aspx

Check your local library

I personally was checking our local library and found tons of educational or fun things to do with my children during the summer. They had movie nights for the whole family to spanish classes for kiddos. Even if you do not find what you are looking for check with other neighboring towns and make it a field trip for the kids. Could be great day filled with the library and a picnic at a new park. Free ideas for the wonderful summer filled with little adventures for the kids!

Music in the Park Overland Park

Bring your family! Bring a picnic! Bring a chair! But leave your wallet at home because these concerts are always FREE!
Music in the Park is offered each Sunday, in the summer, from:
7 to 8:30 p.m. Santa Fe Commons Park81st and Santa Fe Drive

2009 Music in the Park Series - Sunday nights
June 7 Overland Park Orchestra Classical
June 14- July 5 Overland Park Civic BandShowtunes, Variety
July 12 The 312th US Army Reserve Band Patriotic, Standards
July 19 The Dixie Doodlers Dixieland
July 26The Rain Dogs Modern Bluegrass
Aug. 2 51% Blues Band Blues and Jazz
Aug. 9 Jim Cosgrove and the Hiccups Children’s Music
Aug. 16 Heart of America Barbershop Chorus A-Cappella Barbershop

http://www.opkansas.org/_Res/Things_to_Do/Arts_and_Music/music_park.cfm

Mahaffie Stage Coach Free Thursday Evenings

I totally suggest going and visiting these grounds if you have never visited before. There is tons of history about kansas right here in the city of Olathe. They have different events going on throughout the summer, they also have a flyer describing the different events.
http://www.olatheks.org/Mahaffie/Events

Mahaffie Stage Coach Family Fun Event

Tuesday June 9th in Olathe, this event is Free to all from 6-8P.M. The olathe civic band will be playing that night as well.
Click below for more info:
http://www.olatheks.org/Mahaffie/Events

Cedar Lake Fishing Derby FREE!

June 13th Fishing Derby in Olathe is Free!

Here is the info:

FREE EVENT & FREE GIVEAWAYS!Saturday, June 13* Rainout Make-up Date June 20Cedar Lake (South of 151st on Lone Elm Road)Ages 3 to 15 and 60 plus (Participation limited to the first 600)
Gates open at 7:30amParticipants must register in personRegister from 8am to 10amFish from 10am to 12pmFree lunch from 12pm to 1pm (Hot Dog Lunch for the entire family)Trophy presentation from 1pm to 1:30pm

http://www.olatheks.org/ParksRec/Fishing

Cabelas

June 13th: The kids fishing derby is going on. They are also providing hot dogs for the kids that participate. They have different age groups for each child. To have fun click the button below for more info. This is only in Kansas City as well. So double check your area.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/community/aboutus/retail-detail.jsp?detailedInformationURL=/cabelas/en/content/community/aboutus/retail/retail_stores/kc/kc.html&cm_re=retail*left*kc

Bass Pro Shop

Free Summer camp at Bass pro shop. May 30 through July 5 on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6pm. They are allowing kids to have free laser shooting in the gallery, free casting pond, free shooting range, free crafts, free photos and so much more. Please check your local Bass pro if not in Kansas to make sure. Great family outing. Click below for more info...

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&appID=163&option=3&template=circular.cfm&catalog=jun1_insert_tab&rfx_versioningid=036&storeID=49

15 Free things to do in the Kansas City Metro

1. The arborteum (Overland Park)
2. Deanna Rose Farmstead
3. Celebration at the station on memorial weekend
4. Zoo for moms on mothers day
5. Tons of Bike/walking trails
6. The plaza lights during thanksgiving and christmas
7. Nelson Atkins museum
8. Old Settlers Day (olathe)
9. The library has tons of programs that are free!
10. Kaliedoscope
11. Cave Spring Historic Site and Nature Center
12.Free Friday night flicks at Crown Center
13. Childrens Peace Pavillon
14. Lakeside Nature Center
15. Splash pad at Loose park

There are so many more things, and post your comment if you know of more for my viewers.

Free Photos

Go to artscow if you have not become a member and receive tons of free photos. There are also codes online that you can google to get more free. I this week used my free 8x8 photobook for free. I only paid for shipping. I will let you know how that goes. But so far so good.


Artscow.com

Free Aveeno Hair Care

Here is a simple way of getting FREE hair care products. Check out the website fill in the information you will have a sample sent to your house. I am not sure of the size.

https://secure.startsampling.com/sm/100630/raf.iphtml?memberid=CRAIGNELISHA@YAHOO.COM&item=100632&button=Share+the+News

Redbox Free Rental

Todays free Monday Code is 89ZQJ3. This expires at Midnight tonight.