If you are going carb free this year, stop reading right now. The Frugal Diva is celebrating National Spaghetti Day today! Before we had an official name for comfort food, there was spaghetti (not pasta). Long strands to twirl on your fork, a variety of sauces, and low cost ingredients, made for a dish that satisfied in every way without breaking the budget.

Let’s check out at some new and old variations.

Vegetarians take a look at light and easy  SPAGHETTI WITH BROCCOLI BALLS.

Another healthy option is whole wheat spaghetti with salmon courtesy of Giada De Laurentis

Easy to make with pantry ingredients red pepper, garlic and olive oil at the 99 Cent Chef.

For the real deal bolognese recipe go to Emeril.

Let me know your favorites.

When it’s time to go out with friends, try one of these great happy hours at restaurants that are too pricey for dining.

Flemings, an upscale steak house has 5 cocktails, 5 wines by the glass and 5 appetizers. $6 each, served at the bar until 7 PM.

The Yardhouse wins the appetizer selection with half price pizzas, chicken lettuce wraps, and Pastrami, Turkey Burger or Veggie sliders for $6.95.

While McCormick & Schmick’s wins for the best burgers during a happy hour featuring a half-pound cheeseburger along with steamed mussels and more.

Even Mortons gets into the act with bar bites starting at $6 with a newly added smoked salmon pizza.

If a health food store and big box store had a child it would be called Sprouts.  This is a full service market that combines a fabulous produce department (about 40% of the store) with a natural food store’s selection of everything else at great prices.  What does that mean to the average shopper?  If your shopping list includes fresh produce,  organic cereal, whole wheat baguettes, eco friendly cleaning products, grass fed beef, and a teaspoon of rosemary this is the place for you.  And with their low shelving, you can find everything you need quickly plus there are no mainstream brands to impede your search. This is for families who want more fresh and additive free food in their diet at the best prices.

While their organic produce section is still pretty small, organic products can be found everywhere else in the store.  Organic eggs, yogurt, and milk in the dairy case. Bottled organic juices, organic honey, and even organic breads under the Sprouts label on the shelves. They carry all the brands you would expect to see in any of the other health food chains however most of the prices are better and with weekly specials you can stock up when prices are really fantastic.  Especially on their own Sprouts brand of vitamins.

About that teaspoon of rosemary, I mentioned. This is something new for me, spices in bulk.  How many recipes do we pass up that have an unusual herb or use a bottle that has been there since we moved in? This is an opportunity to try out something new without wasting money.

Bulk buying is also possible for nuts, chips, and candies (better to buy a little then gorge on a lot).

Wednesday might be hump day to some people, for The Frugal Diva Wednesday is shop at Sprouts day since items from the previous weeks specials and the new specials are available. Twice the possibilities for savings!

Those who live in Los Angeles know that we have plenty of cultural events besides touring Universal Studios. Pacific Standard Time is a collaboration of cultural institutions celebrating the birth of the L.A. art scene. In October 2011, over 60 cultural institutions will make their contributions to depicting the L.A. art movement from 1945 to 1980. To start off these exhibits and events, there will be a free museum day on October 2nd for those listed on the PST website.

If you can’t make it this Sunday, check out Free Museum Day devoted to showing you how to get in free everywhere in the world. The Frugal Diva always checks this site before going out of town. Why pay when you can just play?

Now Divas occasionally we may have to pay for tickets however there are websites for theaters that make is easy to save on entertainment.

Goldstar has an amazing selection of tickets to theater, sporting events, wine tastings, and even some trade shows. They are in several cities so plan ahead when you are traveling.  I have used this website many times and always got good seats in the promised section and they keep a record of your transactions in case you want to recommend a production.

Theater tickets for a year with a subscription to Theater Extras

Gift Certificates to these sites also make wonderful presents for birthdays and the upcoming holidays. You pick the amount and send it in a Holiday card.  All the time avoiding traffic and parking hassles. That’s how divas do it.

Travel is a luxury and we all need a little down time. Californians have the distinct advantage of living in a state where there are national parks, sophisticated cities, deserts, Disneyland, and everything in between. For flying Southwest Airlines is my favorite, great fares, egalitarian seating, and for most fares you can make changes without a penalty.

They have several destinations in Southern and Northern California and a stop in Reno for the Lake Tahoe area. Lake Tahoe is a bargain during the spring and summers when non skiers can enjoy the beautiful lake, bike and hike the mountains.  Take the North Lake Express into town or if you wish rent a car (try fatwallet.com for good rates).

Now for the trains. Amtrak has great routes and prices throughout the state.  They have all kinds of specials so look for deals on their site. And remember, you can board a train with your shampoo and not have to go through security. Sit back, enjoy the scenery, pack a lunch, and arrive refreshed. There are bus connections from most stations.  While train travel does take longer, remember at the airport you have to arrive 2 hours early, wait in line, and sit on the tarmac while your plane waits for clearance. Train travel takes the same amount of time and you can relax the whole way.

Now as a Los Angelena, it is hard to separate me from my car. And what could be better then knowing you can leave anytime, stop anywhere, and come home anytime. With music or a book on CD (get them from your library), even four hour stretches on the freeway become pleasurable. This is the type of vacation where you can follow your whims, make reservations from the road, and check out yard sales, festivals, and diners. Find the lowest gas prices with GasBuddy.com, pack snacks and water, make sure your phone is charged, and your car is ready for the road.

Travel divas, let me know your favorite California destinations, deals on hotels, spas, and attractions.

The Frugal Diva has been using uprinting.com for over a year and is very pleased.  This is the place when you want business cards, brochures, and everything else you need for a small business at a great price.  The bonus is that they print mostly on recyled and sustainable paper with soy ink.

My favorite part is the helpful customer service and easy site navigation.   Figure out your estimate online, set up an account, and get your printing done in usually 3 business days. There are larger companies out there (who shall remain nameless) that offer free enticements however by the time you finish it’s the same price or more without the nice customer service and better paper choices.   While the rest of the country phones in, The Frugal Diva is able to walk into their Los Angeles offices and check out everything in person. Oh yes, that means I never pay shipping.

First time users should try the free file proofing. You get to interact with them, see if your files need any changes, and get a feel for the company.  After you submit a proof you can still make changes and upload a new proof without cost.  Printing is permanent so ask for samples of their work and samples of the paper you will be getting.

Gift Card Granny has 81 student discounts savings.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 19-million students enrolled in higher education institutions across the country. Whether you’re gearing up for your first day on campus or are counting the days until graduation, make sure to take advantage of your status as a student while it lasts.

http://www.giftcardgranny.com/blog/student-discounts/

Besides the prize of a degree or just learning something, students get to partake in many savings around town and around the Internet. Here are some other ways to save as you pay your way through school.

JourneyEd.com has all the best software and fantastic prices for those enrolled at a degree giving institution.  They will need verification of your student status and then you are free to roam this site for Microsoft, Adobe, and some good deals on hardware.

Before you start the school week, take a break with the Laemmle Sunday Night Student deal.  For all shows that start after 6pm on Sundays, Students with ID are $7 and  popcorn is $1 for Small, $1.50 for Medium and $2.00 for Large.

Amtrak will help you get home for the holidays with a student discount.

Yapta.com will make sure that plane ticket is the cheapest even after purchase. Track prices for free.

Get the the Student Advantage Card, the nation’s largest student discount program, giving students access to thousands of discount locations across the country, near your campus and online. Get a full year of savings for only $20.

MOCA offer students half price tickets at $5.  The American Association of Museums allows you to quickly check if there is a discount in your area or a free day.

Stores and restaurants near your campus have plentiful discounts and coupons for students.  Remind them you are a struggling student who needs every break they can get.

The Frugal Divas likes to know that they are getting the best deal possible and with travel there are so many options.  However who has the time to track every price change. And once you book who even wants to think about the fares and rates.  That’s why for airline tickets and hotels  Yapta.com is a great idea.

At no cost to you, they track prices and let you decide if this is a good deal. I’m going to quote from their website since they explain it so well. “Yapta is intended to help you get a handle on fluctuating travel prices so that you know when to “buy low”. Yapta conducts daily price checks on the specific flights and hotels that you choose, and alerts you when prices drop or when they fall within your budget.”

Plus they will let you know when a price drops after you have purchased. More valuable information from their website:

“Already booked an airline ticket? Yapta can still help you save. Most U.S. airlines have “guaranteed airfare” policies that enable you to claim a travel credit if the price of your flight drops after booking it. Not many people know that the policy even exists – nor do they bother to check the price of their flight after purchasing it. Yapta will track the price of the flights you’ve already booked and – if the price drops below what you paid – it will alert you when you’re eligible for a refund or travel credit from the airline.”

This is a great service for those who are overwhelmed by the myriad of prices and restrictions out there. Bon voyage!

Read about Summer Fun With The Frugal Diva in Westside Today!