Ironic, coincidence, or  just the inevitable star crossed event – September is National Coupon Month and the month The Frugal Diva was born.   How appropriate that my birthday falls in the month for celebrating savings.  Coupon usage was up 17% in 2009 and as a nation we are very interested in keeping more of our hard earned paychecks.  When economists tell us to spend more they never tell us where to get the money.  For those who are not trust fund babies, lottery winners, or living off the grid, coupons and budgeting help keep us ahead of higher prices and able to maintain our lifestyles.

The I Love Coupons site is right in sync with the our philosophy for strategizing  coupon savings.  And the most important rule is number 4 – if you don’t need it, don’t buy it!  The most expensive item you own is one you never use.  Even if it was half off  with a 30%  discount, there is no point to buying an item that will sit in your closet, stay in your pantry, or be relegated to your garage.  Check them out every day this month for everything you ever wanted to know about coupons and more.

A great way to figure out how small savings add up is to use the Daily Dollar app from the Live Solid Facebook page. Small changes (and small change) add up quickly into dollar savings.  Save that caramel macchiato latte for a once a week treat instead of every day and you are about $20 a week, $80 a month, and $1000 a year ahead.  Calories are another savings, these drinks are just milkshakes masquerading as coffee.  Yummy as a once in a while treat, they will torpedo any diet plans when imbibed on a daily basis.  The Live Solid website follows up with great advice on living a healthy lifestyle on a budget, relationship money issues, college funds, and retirement.  I was honored to be put in their Live Solid Hall of Fame.

She had me at the title Shoo, Jimmy Choo however Catey Brown comes through with solid financial advice and forms to keep you on track. Combining wit and pratical tips she advises women in their twenties how to start out with good financial habits that build a foundation for future security. 

On September 6th this year I will be in Seattle enjoying the company of old friends, eating crab they caught out of the nearby waters, and being ever so grateful for my relationship with The Frugal Dude.

The Frugal Diva cannot tell Two Buck Chuck from Chateau Lafite-Rothschild so it was up to my friends to inform me of this new policy at many restaurants – free corkage. You bring the wine and they provide the glasses, you sip and they serve, you pay nothing and they stand by at your service. In an effort to brave the new realities of consumer spending, many restaurants allow patrons to bring in their own wine at no fee. 

This is a great perk for those who have an extensive collection and for those who stop by a market and pick up a decent bottle for $12. Twelve dollars is just about what a  glass of wine goes for in many places and you will be getting four full glasses for the same price. When choosing restaurants for a night out this usually leads to a minimal savings of at least $50. 

Opentable.com is a great place to check out which restaurants are letting you bring wine at no charge. Some like the Daily Grill only allow it on Tuesdays, others such as Roys are continuing it every day on a month to month basis, and I Cugini in Santa Monica allows it anytime. On the Open Table left hand side they have free corkage and BYOB listing for restaurants in every city.

Policies change quickly so always call to verify before making a reservation.

T shirts, and all types of gear for students at a great price manufactured right here in downtown Los Angeles.  American Apparel   means back to school specials for kids in and out of uniform available online. Buy a cotton pique multi pack of three high quality unisex polos for $87 or a three pack of ultra soft Tees for $42.

While teens are the target market, there are plentiful items for kids that include organic and natural  play dough, organic cotton clothes, and fun hair accessories. Even if they are mocked on Sex and the City, a scrunchie keeps the hair out of your eyes and off  your neck on hot days.

They might not be the first place you think of for maternity however there is a fun selection of tops and leggings.  They will see you through the final days of summer discomfort and you can lounge in them after the baby arrive.

The ads are not my favorites however let’s support this local business and their efforts at not only manufacturing here but keeping it sustainable, donating to local schools, and encouraging employees to bike or bus to work.

The Frugal Diva loves a night out under the stars with music or movies and all for free in LA. Take a night off and venture out to one of these great events or bring the kids for a free concert or movie.

Enjoy free outdoor movie screenings every Wednesday night at 8pm at Westfield Century City on the Level 2 Dining Terrace. August 25,50 First Dates and Sept 1, Jaws.  Spend $20 in the Dining Terrace and enjoy the beer & wine bar free

Getty Center off the 405this Saturday night August 28 and parking is free after five while the galleries stay open until nine. With a “skyscraping blend of the ambient and the anthemic,” the Antlers make music that is at once simple and immense—dream pop with an epic storyline. The critically acclaimed trio crafts its delicately powerful melodies with a fervent, artful earnestness that captivates listeners with lyrical surges, sweeping strings, and starry, sonic layers of postrock.

And take a day to tour the Central Library downtown with it’s impressive atrium art and globe chandelier

Into September we have The Culver City block party on Wednesday Sept. 15 in  Downtown Culver City .  Music, deals, and great food for a fun night out.

Don’t miss out on a chance to enjoy the last weeks of summer!

The vacation the Frugal Dude had been talking about since we first starting seeing each other was Mount Rushmore. It took him fifteen years to convince me and now I wished that I had acquiesced sooner. Fabulous does not even start to describe it.  And frugal is the other great thing about traveling to South Dakota. 

For me sitting at the computer till I get the best price for a hotel room is fun. Some like to sit at the blackjack table in Las Vegas and try to win. The Frugal Diva likes to sit and be assured that she will save after checking all the sites and then seeing what Trip Advisor thinks. It’s not a bargain if the the place is dirty, miles out of the way, or rundown.   And the winner is Microtel Inn  of Rapid City.  At $56 and change before taxes it was an outstanding bargain. Clean and modern rooms with a free continental breakfast, free shuttle from the airport,  pool for the kids, and a great location for easy access to all the attractions.  We were staying in Rapid City as our base for four days of our vacation so the savings were considerable.

The other big expense for the trip was a rental car.  Instead of picking up the car at the airport, I was advised by Brandon at the local Enterprise Car Rental Agency to simply get the car after we were settled in town. The price was almost half without all the fees, taxes, and add ons that come with airport pickup. Whenever possible use this approach for car rental.  Not only is it cheaper, they sent a courtesy pick up and the woman gave us great local information about the area.  They included a placard for parking at Mt. Rushmore which saved us another $10 since it was good for the entire visit. So the $315 that we paid for ten days of car rental was reduced to $305. My vacation was already made and I hadn’t even seen anything.

Awsome, inspiring, amazing describe Mt. Rushmore and the effort it took to blast these images out of the mountains.  You can return as many times as you wish for the single $10 fee.  Saturday night they do a movie about the history of the area and turn the lights on after dark.  There were approximately 400 people that worked at Mount Rushmore during the carving process from October 1927 to October 1941 supervised byGutzon Borglum.  Between the films about the history of Mount Rushmore, the ranger talks, seeing the heads from every angle, and hiking the area you can easily spend a full day and return in the evening. 

In a few weeks I will fill you in on Rapid City and the other great attractions in this area including the Crazy Horse Monument, the Badlands, Custer State Park, and Spearfish Canyon plus eats, shopping, and entertainment.

This is like a great bargain basement however instead of plowing through racks, you just click and see what tempts you.  BadJoan.com puts the fun back in online shopping deals.  No membership and no login just  see what’s new, check out the brands, and $4.99 flat rate for shipping. Bad Joan deals in overstock which means items come and go quickly. As Frugal Divas, you know that if you miss one deal another is coming down the road.

Bad Joan is skewed to the young and hip however there are deals for all ages including shoes, eye wear, and roomy tops that flow over jeans. Check out the final sale page where prices are even lower.  An item that protects your skin and looks chic such as this cute crocheted hat is offered for $14. This Vanitas top is lovely for summer and wearing through the fall for $19. If these items are gone by the time you get there just click back to the final sale page for new discounts.

There are measurements for most of the items to give you a better idea about fit.  As always when purchasing clothes on the Internet it is best to stick with brands you know for better sizing results and always check the return policy page.  Bad Joan has a strict return policy and every item you send back requires another shipping fee.  There are no returns on final sales.  The tradeoff is great prices for name brands.

The freshest fruits and vegetables,  the easiest meals, and the coldest beverages are what summer is all about.  While The Frugal Diva sips her Fresh & Easy  Ginseng and Honey Green Ice Tea , she notices the almost instant meals that can be made from this weeks specials.  Just throw the asparagus and already marinated chicken or pork on the grill, turn over, toss on a plate, and dinner is served. 

1.99/lb fresh&easy asparagus
2 for $8 fresh&easy Marinated Chicken or Pork (when you buy multiples of 2)

And here are my lunches to pack for work. 

2 for $5 fresh&easy BBQ Pasta Salad (when you buy multiples of 2)

And a few quick dinners.
20% off on assorted easy dinners and frozen treats 

For dessert add some organic strawberries for $2.99 or maybe some cherries for $2.99 a pound.  They also have all the ingredients for Smores, you can wrap them in foil and leave them on top of the grill for a gooey nostalgic sweet.

Try some of their every day specials like over 4 lbs of mixed grill for $9.99 including sausages, beef patties, and chicken. 

My favorite thing about Fresh & Easy, last year they donated $450,000 to California schools.  Shop for Schools and Donations to Neighborhood Groups are two ways they give back to their customers. And that makes them even more of a bargain.

Disclaimer: Fresh and Easy sends The Frugal Diva occasional samples and gift cards plus her stepson works there as a buyer.

This city is just a little bit of heaven on the California coast.  First time travelers to Los Angeles do the the whole Hollywood-Disneyland route however second time time travelers and natives know that Santa Barbara is just ninety minutes away.  And when you get to this serene town of beaches, mountains, and Spanish style architecture you will be thinking “Yes, this has everything that makes California dreaming a reality.” 

If you are looking for freebies download the 101 Free Things To Do In Santa Barbara and look for offers on the Santa Barbara Visitors Site.  Julia Child lived in Santa Barbara and one of her favorite restaurants was La Super Rica taco stand at 622 N Milpas St Santa Barbara, CA 93103. Eat like the Queen of Cuisine for under $10.

The boutique Santa Barbara Museum of Art has suggested admission on Sundays and they rotate from classic to Asian to modern art exhibits. For $5 tour the Santa Barbara Mission or enjoy the park and outdoor vistas for free. 

Day trippers, one nighters, or for a leisurely weekend, you will find Santa Barbara is an upscale town with frugal finds.

Frugal Divas know some little luxuries save the day.  Picking up that rotisserie chicken instead of cooking, getting a mani pedi, and treating yourself to a clean house when you come home from work.   Every now and then wouldn’t it be nice to leave in the morning and come back to a sparkling space.  My friend Suncana is offering a great deal for first time users of her Clean to Shine service. 

With $30 off, give in to temptation and come home to the sweet smell of eco friendly products and all your recyclables finally on their way to another life.  Divas need to use their time well so take a night off and see what’s out there in the big wide world.  Go to a networking event, visit with friends,  or finally take that square dancing class that you talked about for the last two years. Sometimes we need to save money and sometimes we need to save time for the things that move us forward.