The Frugal Diva would like to thank her family who taught her how to make the most of every dollar. This lesson was not always appreciated. As a teenager nothing is more important then fitting in and not listening to your mom. You really, really, really want the same sweater the most popular girl in school is wearing and you want it now – not when it’s on sale, not in the cheaper version, and certainly not in another color that is not at all cool. My youthful wailing in no way got me the sweater because the truth was we could not afford to spend the week’s food budget on an item of clothing. My teen brain could not hook up the relationship between money, what you could afford, and what you had to do without. It took about twenty years for me to mature and use the lessons learned in childhood.

Now everyone is concerned about scarce resources, turning the lights off when you leave the room, and how to organize meals around less animal protein and more veggies. Growing your own isn’t just for certain substances, if you are in an apartment put some herbs in a pot and use them to liven up meals. If you have a garden try out some vegetables and maybe a small lemon tree. My grandmother composted scraps from the kitchen and used them to help grow the biggest and best blueberries around.

Right now the two biggest food trends are vegetarianism and eating only animal proteins. Let the twain meet with balanced meals – a bit of protein, veggies, don’t be afraid of a few whole grain carbs, and luscious fruits for dessert. Give my aunt a chicken and she would give you back at least two dinners and a delicious soup.

Think about your work or school week expenditures. Multiply them by five and then by fifty and see if the amount justifies the spending. Is that $500 better spent on coffee or as an addition to your wardrobe, a short vacation, or into your bank account? My mother was good at seeing the big picture of how small changes added up to big savings.

Be an original, when everyone is buying the same clothes see what’s out there at flea markets and vintage shops. If you like the mainstream just wait three weeks and it will be on sale. My aunts could turn themselves into glamour queens just with attitude.

Every time my dad told me to turn out the lights when I left the room, I silently screamed.  Why? I will only have to turn them on later when I reenter. It seemed like so much work to my teenage self. Now the only important news is about global warming, care taking our limited supplies of everything, and making sure to recycle.

Let everyone  know your favorite tips from another generation that you use today on The Frugal Diva Facebook page  today!

There are so many mothers these days. Between moms, grand-moms, step-moms, step-grandmoms, moms-in-law, step moms-in-law, surrogate moms, egg donors moms, birth moms, and Heather has two moms, it’s time to start shopping.  It is under three weeks away and if your mother is out of town quickly get to the Internet and save.

Shoppers are forecasted to spend a million hours shopping online for gifts. Time is very valuable. So is money. Coupon & savings expert Jon Lal (founder of BeFrugal.com) has these money and time saving Mother’s Day gift ideas:

· Send her electronic love. Ecards are free and can be personalized then scheduled to send on Mother’s Day.

· Treat her to sweets. Dining out does not have to be expensive if you go out just for dessert!

· Give your time. Consider doing something she will appreciate like chores, mowing the lawn, or something else.

· Toast to her. Check for rebates on alcohol like champagne, wine and more.

· Show her you listen. Mothers want the best for their kids and teach them lessons, like the value of a dollar. Use a coupon and shop smart if you buy her a gift.

Check my post about  magazine subscriptions or get her a museum membership for ideas that last all year long.

Make this day special with choices tailored to your mom.

Art Lover Mom reads the arts section first, collects catalogs, and thought your first grade drawings were influenced by Kandinsky. Take her to your local art museum and have a bite at the cafe.

American History Buff Mom knows the name of every U.S. President, fact checked your homework, and easily quotes what happened on this day fifty years ago.   Head out to the a historical site in your city and have a picnic nearby.

Environmental Mom recycles everything, knows global warming is not a hot flash, and uses both sides of the printer paper.  Spend the day helping out at a beach clean up or food bank.

Design Mom knows what is the new black this year,  how to use Photoshop to make your holiday pictures more interesting, and only sees art films.  Take an architectural tour of your city.

Sports Mom was always at little league and knows all the baseball stats. Take her out to the ball game for some peanuts and cracker jacks.

Yoga Mom stays flexible, eats vegetarian, and believes that meditation will solve all your problems. Here in Los Angeles take her to BryanKest’s Power Yoga Santa Monica Studio for a donation only class and then to Real Food Daily for lunch.  Sit on the beach afterwards and chant OM.

Let me know if you have interesting ways to celebrate Mother’s Day.

We carry them and they carry us through a day’s work, evening out, marketing, and trips to the gym.  Our purses need to have everything from bandages for that occasional blister, lip gloss, all manners of ID, a little cash and some change for the parking meter, hair brush, sun block, keys,  phone and phone accessories, coupons (of course), maybe a laptop or iPad, extra pantyhose, and various unmentionables.  The Frugal Diva watches with envy as The Frugal Dude grabs his wallet and keys to brave the world for an entire day.

Where do we get these fabulous bags and how do we get them at the best price?

6pm.com carries a hugh inventory of everything including backpacks, clutches, and handbags. They are usually my go to place for shoes however the bags are very cute and what’s a great pair of shoes without a bag.

Try  Baghaus for hot, haute bags that include all the latest totes.

Target has lured so many great designers that it is worth your time to cruise the site or stop in person to snap up the latest trend.  Summer is for fun and they have wonderful selections of fringed and print bags.

Have fun shopping out there and let me know your favorite finds!

A few weeks ago, the Frugal Diva had the pleasure of hearing Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks speak. This company is committed to making sure that manufacturing stays here in the USA. There was not the usual “well if we could we would” excuses instead you will start to see mugs and other products that carry the Made in the USA label appearing in coffee shops across the country.

Starbucks also launched the Create Jobs for USA fund together with Opportunity Finance Network in November 2011 to provide an easy and convenient way for Americans to help other Americans. A $5 donation at Starbucks stores or createjobsforUSA.com gets you a red, white and blue Indivisible wristband to wear and show your support. To date they’ve raised over $7.5 million and loans are being given out to community businesses across the USA.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to have a latte! To read about their success so far, visit CreateJobsforUSA.org.

The Frugal Diva likes to emphasize the positive. With Olympic uniforms made and on their way to London, let’s concentrate on how we can shop American.

These are brands manufactured here in Los Angeles.

American Apparel clothing at great prices is manufactured right here in downtown Los Angeles employing 5000 workers. Llet’s support this local business and their efforts at not only manufacturing in the USA but keeping it sustainable, donating to local schools, giving their employees ESL classes, access to health care, benefits, and encouraging workers to bike or bus to work. 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 hair out of your eyes and off your neck while working out. Check out a store near you.

The word diva practically screams out for fabulous pjs, robes, and slippers to wear for lounging and even for sleeping. Bed Head Pajamas answers the call with unique prints and lux fabrics. Normally they are a little pricey however they have a big warehouse sale in August and for those not in Los Angeles, take a peek at the sale page on their website.

Single Dress sells to many upscale department stores however you can snag something on their online sale page for for a great price. Scroll down for the deals at the bottom of the page. All made right here in Los Angeles.

Let me know about your favorite made in the USA clothing, accessories, and shoes. I’ll be happy to add them to the list.

Do you want pickles that have traveled halfway around the world? Why send a fish from across the ocean when we have two coasts and numerous lakes?  Do you need out of season fruit picked thousands of miles away. If there is one time you want to shop local it’s where nutrients are concerned.  Shelf life shouldn’t be into the next millennium for food.

What I like about Annie’s Organics is that there really is an Annie.  Annie lives on her certified organic farm in Connecticut with her husband and two daughters, where she grows a wide variety of vegetables and flowers for her local co-op and farmer’s market.  She remains the inspiration and corporate conscience for the Annie’s family of products. Her products are a twofer – organic and grown in the USA.

Lundberg Family Farms has been producing rice in California since 1937. They have branched out into other rice products such as chips, rice cakes, and rice flour however most of their products are still organic and sustainably farmed plus they participate in the Non-GMO Project.

For the best local fruits and vegetables try the farmer’s markets. My only problem was figuring out where and when.  This site solved all my problems. LocalHarvest.org has all the markets nationwide so you can keep up with any changes, find out what’s fresh that day, and plan your weekly produce shopping.

Let me know your favorite local provisions and they will be added to this ever growing list.

There is still stuff being made in America. Let’s give them our support.

Burt’s Bees natural, earth-friendly personal care products are made in the US. They not only make great products, they try to package them with a view towards sustainability.

In California, we love Dr. Bonner’s products since they are organic and smell delicious.

Buy organic teething clothes manufactured here in L. A. by my friend Sasha Taylor for her company Bodhi Babies.

Your pet should also buy American with these Amish pet supplies. They are great accents for a craftsman style home.

While we are shopping for Fido, let’s get him some fresh food at Freshpet Natural Pet Food.

We started these sports so lets support American made gloves for baseball, softball, and football. The Nokona Athletic Goods business plan has historically emphasized buying raw materials in the United States, while employing highly skilled leather crafters from the small town of Nocona, Texas, who assemble each glove by hand from more than 20 individual pieces of leather.

Let’s add to this list. Send me more companies that you know about!

The Frugal Diva thinks every day should be Earth Day. Recycle, repurpose, and replenish, it’s the best way to be thrifty.
Since no one is an authority on everything,  here are my favorite resources for going green.

Let’s start with one of my favorite activities, spring cleaning.  Yes, I am a bit of a neat freak and love nothing more then to take everything off my pantry shelves, clean, and reorganize. Sometimes you just  have to admit that you are truly never going to use that bottle of caraway seeds. This site has so many great tips Planet Green on how to use kitchen staples instead of toxic cleaning products, ways to repurpose items, and how to recycle electronics.

Find ways to celebrate Earth Day 2013 0n April 22nd.  You can start now with small acts that will help you and your community.

Even Amazon has gotten into the act with a shopping green page that includes clothes, household items, energy saving  light bulbs, and kitchen wear. When sending a gift you can also send a message about sustainability.

Learn that green in terms of clothing no longer means hemp sacks at Care2.  This site also gives great tips on crafts and healthy homes.

Energy Star is a government backed program with energy saving tips for home improvement.  Learn how to lower fuel bills by getting rid of drafts and having better insulation.

And for those who garden, Organic Gardening has 20 budget tips and even how to grow herbs indoors for apartment dwellers.

Let me know if you have other helpful sites and I will update this post.

Celebrate Earth Day with these great offers from companies committed to the environment.

BeFrugal has noticed a growing trend right now for some stores to offer a discount to shoppers who donate or recycle items. Here are 4 examples:

a. Donate clothing (from any brand) at H&M and get a discount voucher for a future H&M purchase. You’ll get a 15% off coupon for the item of your choice for each bag of clothes you donate (with a limit two bags per day)

b. Instead of throwing it away, bring in your old hair styling tools. At Sally Beauty Supply bring in a used styling tool to save $5 off a new one $24.99+ (code 444568) or $10 on a new one $59.99+(code 444569).

c. The Blues Jean Bar is offering 10% off new jeans when you bring in a pair of jeans to donate to charity, 15% off when you bring in two or 20% off when you bring in three pairs of jeans in April.

d. Cosmetic company MAC offers a free M·A·C lipstick of your choice when you return their 6 of their primary packaging containers to a MAC counter or MAC Cosmetics online.