The $1 movies, bowling bargains, and free tech camps abound this summer. See my blog page about
Summer Camp and Activities for Kids (nationwide) - 2017 above.
This blog provides information, tips, and strategies to help you live WELL by living frugally and making your resources S-T-R-E-T-C-H.
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- TIMESHARES - The Good and the Bad
- WESTSIDE VBS 2017 - NEW!!! and CONTINUALLY UPDATED
- SUMMER CAMPS AND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS (NATIONWIDE) ...
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Friday, May 5, 2017
Taking the pinch out of Christmas - OC and LA specific
For families with children, Christmas time is a magical and costly time of the year. Especially if one parent has decided to stay home to raise the kids, money can be tight. Here is a way a parent not employed outside the home can leverage their flexibility to create comparable economic value for their home. What I mean is you can increase your budget either by bringing in more income, or reducing expenses. This is where Mattel comes in.
Mattel is a large toy manufacturer. Most of you will know the company. For those of you who do not, think - Barbie and Hot Wheels. Mattel is located in El Segundo, California and at their facility they have a large laboratory called "Imagination Center" where one can sign up to become a toy tester. The testers they target are children under 10, but mostly under 8, and the moms of such children. For participating in the test group, the child is given a toy and (sometimes) a gift card. The test is usually an hour or so. For the kids, they really just want to have the kids play and answer a few questions. Sometimes they ask that the kids bring a friend. Then, it becomes an interesting and fun play date adventure.
Not only is this a great way to collect some neat toys you know your children will want for Christmas but the gift card can help to buy additional presents. Now, this next statement may offend, shock, or whatever the reader...but here goes. If your child is young enough, they may not even know that they were given a toy. You can discreetly put that toy to the side until a later time, such as Christmas or Birthday. You will know the child likes the toy as he/she picked it out. If your child is of school-age (6+), I don't even suggest you try it. Nonetheless, you do have the gift card.
You must sign up to be a toy tester and respond to their email when they send out testing opportunities. Here is the link. http://www.mattelimaginationcenter.com/
Not only is this a great way to collect some neat toys you know your children will want for Christmas but the gift card can help to buy additional presents. Now, this next statement may offend, shock, or whatever the reader...but here goes. If your child is young enough, they may not even know that they were given a toy. You can discreetly put that toy to the side until a later time, such as Christmas or Birthday. You will know the child likes the toy as he/she picked it out. If your child is of school-age (6+), I don't even suggest you try it. Nonetheless, you do have the gift card.
You must sign up to be a toy tester and respond to their email when they send out testing opportunities. Here is the link. http://www.mattelimaginationcenter.com/
Monday, May 1, 2017
Hertz Rental Car Drive Out of Arizona Special

Hertz is having its travel deal from Arizona again. You rent a Hertz vehicle to drive one-way out of Arizona for as low as $7.99 a Day. Although on the Hertz website it states that the pick up location is Phoenix - Sky Harbor Airport, Hertz location in Phoenix on Bell had the same rate. In fact, if possible, you will get better pricing if you go to the non-airport location so as to avoid the airport surcharge. Here is the direct link to the special - https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/rental-car-deals/arizona-travel-deals. The special ends on June 18, 2017.
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