Yes, there are many places to spend big bucks in Malibu however enjoy this beautiful town for an afternoon and spend less then $20 for a day vacation. The Adamson House Tour  is a guided tour through the house which contains its original furnishings and is decorated with the renowned Malibu Potteries tile. Trained volunteer docents relate the history of the house, details of its architecture and furnishings, and the history of the family that lived in and created this distinctive home. And what does this all cost -$5.00 per person includes a house tour. 

The Malibu Lagoon Museum adjoins the Adamson House and contains a collection of artifacts, rare photographs and documents depicting the colorful history of Malibu. The museum tour takes the visitor from the early Chumash Indian era through the Spanish California culture. Here is an excellent opportunity to relive the genteel and romantic ranching days of the famed Rindge and Adamson families. Learn about dramatic episodes in Malibu’s rich history: the Malibu Railroad; the 17-year legal battle over a Malibu highway; the Malibu movie colony; the Malibu Dam, and much, much more. Admission to the Museum is free.

Take a walk through the Cross Creek Malibu Country Mart outdoor shopping center (the parking is free). Now there are a lot of upscale places in Malibu however there are many great choices for the Frugal Divas among us. Malibu Howdy’s Taqueria in Cross Creek village has counter service and most items on the menu are under $10 and they are fantastic. Great tacos, great salads, and great breakfasts if you get there before eleven thirty.  There is a Starbucks for those just in the mood for caffeine and a snack. 

Travel about a mile and a half further up the coast and try Malibu Seafood Company  (they have a free parking lot) on PCH. Counter service with most items around $10 (I had an out of this world ahi tuna burger with fries for $8.95), grilled seafood dinners around $15. They have their own parking lot. Fabulous location across the street from the beach. Go to the upper deck seating for the best ocean view.

Beautiful museum, enjoy the laid back atmosphere, walk where the stars really shop, and great food all make Malibu a fun day away for Los Angelenos in need of an ocean view and a relaxed atmosphere.

The AMC Theaters have made some changes to the AMC MovieWatcher Club,you will have to decide if their new loyalty program AMC Stubs is worth $12 a year ($6 dollars is the one time incentive for Movie Watcher card holders). Rewards will now be decided on purchase price and equal $10 for every $100 you spend on tickets and concessions.  The other changes include upgraded popcorn and fountain drinks for free every time you come in and no online ticketing fees on movietickets.com and fandango.com. The $10 rewards are redeemable for anything you like including gift cards.

As many of you have realized, going to the movies is an expensive propostion. The break at AMC is that tickets before noon on the weekends are around $6 or $7 so if you are taking the kids for a treat get them up early. It will save you $2 to $2.50 per head, and for adults the savings are almost $5 per ticket. The senior discount for the after matinee hours is $1. Really is that what someone gets for living to sixty plus years.  They give seniors a bigger break on Tuesdays when their tickets are $6 or $7 all day.  Students get a discounted day on Thursdays (prices vary around $8.50 and $9.50). 

If you are still going out to the movies and getting tickets online, the $100 will add up quickly. However with the annual fee, you have to wait until the $200 mark before you get a real reward.

Shoes have many good qualities. They are loyal. Gain a few pounds and your jeans will turn on you.  However you have to gain a lot of weight to out grow your favorite pair of pumps.  They wait quietly at the back of the closet until that perfect occasion when only red heels with white polka dots will do.  And you can try on endless pairs without taking off your clothes.

The best place to spend countless hours looking, trying on and maybe even buying – DSW. So much more than those three letters. It’s a place to hang out and meet other people. If only they served beverages and light snacks, one could easily spend the entire day there. I don’t know whether it’s the sheer choice of all those aisles or the friendly salespeople or the unbelievable prices that make this a such a great destination.

And like everywhere else, it’s more fun if you join the club. It costs nothing and you start getting little notices. Before you know it, points start accumulating, coupons are in the mail, and you are on your way to even greater savings.

This is the type of hunting that I’m talking about. They send me a $10 coupon good for any purchase over $10, I buy a $55 pair of Anne Klein loafers (listed at $79 on the AK website), that are reduced another 50% on clearance to $27 and use the coupon – bringing the grand total to$17 dollars and change plus tax.    

Tell them your birth date and they send you a $5 coupon good for that month. Hey, it may not seem like a lot but it’s more then the other stores are doing for me. DSW, a company that helps you look good without spending too much money.

And this is a great place to buy gifts items-socks, bags, slippers, and gift cards.

The Gap is back!  They have made some great choices and gone back to basics this season and it is a pleasure. Good cuts, interesting little details, and friendly salespeople make this a fun experience.  And the store sales make this a great place for the whole family. Kids, babies, men, and women shop the great offers for savings. 

Now their loyalty program is tied into getting a GapCard and I only endorse the idea if you are going to pay it off every month.  They give you 20% off your first purchase and subsequent offers including free shipping off the website.  Please check with the website since offers are usually time limited.  You can also try the outlets for further reductions.

Now what did I find on sale at The Gap. Two lovely knit tops suitable for work that were half off and reduced to $24.99.  A great shirred T-shirt that concealed instead of revealing for $29. You can always wait for the next sale.  This was at the Marina Marketplace store, 13455 Maxella Ave in Marina del Rey, CA. Jessie helped me in the dressing room, giving expert advice on sizes and styles and Mark helped me at the counter telling me about all the deals – present and future. 

After years of not being in the shopping mode, I am rediscovering that looking good is part of feeling good.

Nicolle Kelly, owner of Clockwork Translations, has high standards for affordable dining out.  So when she mentioned Gang Lung Jip -3250 W. Olympic Bl. #305 Los Angeles, CA 90006 (323) 731-9770 -  in the Koreatown Galleria , I knew it was going to be great…and it was.

A huge salad with typical Korean veggies and tuna and tilapia for under $6!  This is topped with a spicy dressing and served with seaweed soup. All this in a fun food court where you can indulge your love of Sanrio afterwards. After walking around the shops you might need a treat so try the Cake House with beautiful pastries and coffee.

Don’t miss the supermarket on the ground floor.  Interesting produce, massive selections of soy sauce, raman, and kimchi. Be adventurous and try some new condiments, kitchen products, and spices.

Now many of you may have heard of the wonders of the Olympic Spa. This is an indulgance that can be as low as $15 for spending time in the simple soak to $100 for an hour and a half spa treatment called Pure Bliss Aromatherapy Massage and Body Scrub .  This spa experience begins with the Akasuri Body Scrub. After a citrus jojoba bead body polish, a full session Korean Deep Tissue Massage with aromatherapy oil blend  and stimulating essential oil scalp massage followed by a botanical facial massage and chamomile mask. They even wash your hair at the end. Now you will be spending time walking around with other naked ladies so it is not for the modest. Gentleman, this is a great treat for your beloved for Valentine’s Day!

Divas like to be in shape. And that means at some point we have to exercise. Cheapest is walking. For those of you in colder climes, there is the mall.  And it will give you a chance to keep an eye on an item until it goes to it’s lowest price. For those of us lucky enough to be in Southern California, walk everywhere. If you need a few items at the market, try walking. It’s a twofer – you burn calories and save on gas. Walk out your front door and walk for a mile in any direction. Walk to the post office. This is the best way to start exercising and the best way to save on gas.

Now this is going to sound very unfrugal however joining a gym might be a good investment if (and this is a big if) you are going to use the facilities. I recommend the larger chains such as 24 Hour Fitness.(The Frugal Diva is a member however receives no compensations for mentioning them). They have more classes (aerobics to zumba), keep up the facilities nicely, you can use a variety of locations, and they probably will not be closing down any time soon. Remember to look for deals and bargain, bargain, bargain. They need members and you have all the power. Read the contract carefully and look for any hidden charges.

Ask for the free 7 day pass to see if it fits into your schedule. It should be either near home or work. The classes that you are interested in need to be at times that you can attend.  Remember if you don’t attend at least once or twice a week, this is a waste of money. The more you attend, the better the deal. The other benefit of the gym, it is a great option when you don’t have money to spend on other activities. It gives you choices that make you healthy and keep you out of the mall.  Saturday morning might be a yoga class, swimming, and a sauna – your very own day spa experience.

And many locations have Kid’s Clubs where children can hang out while you exercise.  This is fun place with activities,  games, and close supervision.  Kids’ Club availability, rates, and hours vary per location.

Good health is the best wealth.

As divas, we all need a night out and as we know live theater is an unparalleled experience – it is also an expensive experience. That is why I am going to tell you about a theater ticket service in Los Angeles and New York so amazing that no one even believes it exists. Theater Extras allows you unlimited access to a variety of small and large theaters, musical performances, and special events around town. Memberships may be used in either Los Angeles and New York so if you travel back east, you can use it to see all that they offer there!

Theater Extras has two levels of membership. The Marquis Plan is $99 per year and entitles its subscribers to up to 2 tickets per event. That means you can bring a friend or spouse, return a social or business favor, or ask someone who is a person of interest romantically. Your guest thinks you shelled out big time for tickets while you smile graciously. The Premier Plan is $175 per year and this package includes up to 4 tickets per performance. Both are based on availability. There is a $4 per ticket processing fee, which is automatically charged to your credit card each time an order is placed.  They donate a portion of all processing fees to Broadway Cares and Equity Fights AIDS.

After 2 or 3 shows you have paid for the membership! You check online for new shows and order any time of the day or night. These include plays at the smaller more intimate theaters and some larger venues too. And some weeks there are also musical events, films, and comedy at various sites around town. If something is booked before you have a chance to order just skip to another play on the list or wait and see if it is available on future dates. Print out a confirmation page and present it at the box office for your tickets.

Could this be simpler? You can go as often as you like, alone or with a guest, see one, two, three or four things in the same week. All for less then $9 per month for the Marquis Plan and $15 per month for the Premier Plan plus $4 per ticket (there is a fee for no shows). The best part is attending performances that you never would have even known about and being surprised with a spectacular show.

Go to Theater Extras for more information. And remember this also includes shows in New York where you can reach them at info@theaterextras.com.  Ask about some of the available shows and prepare to be dazzled.

How to build your business  by being social the old fashioned way. Go out and meet people where you have interests in common.  Activities where you are excited to participate will be better for you and your business.

Take a class. The Santa Monica Community College  is still one of the great deals of all time. Fun classes in art, writing, and sailing. Classes to help you improve your job skills include computers and languages. This is a great place to do just a few classes or work towards an undergraduate degree.

Do a sport at your local park, join a gym or class, you will start meeting people that sweat near you. Try Power Yoga  they have classes all day long and payment is by donation only.

Join your alumni group. They have them for everything – colleges, high schools, summer camps.  Most universities are helping network alumni who are in job transition.  Northwestern University has a great local club NU Club of LA (disclaimer, the Frugal Diva is co-president).

Help out a group you like. Volunteer at an animal adoption sanctuary such as St. Bonnie’s, teach people to read at the library, feed the homeless with Meals on Wheels.  There are so many opportunities and the person they benefit most is you. Nothing makes us feel better then taking the time to forget our own problems and concentrate on others.

You will meet people, help others, and as a by product people will learn who you are and what you do.

When it comes to food, join the club. You may not have gotten into the sorority you wanted, the country club you desired, or the hip night spot. However we can all join Costco, Ralphs, and Vons.

Pay attention to the specials and coupons making them work for you. You don’t make blueberry muffins in the dead of winter when they are $7.00 for a teeny carton, you make them in the summer when there is a bumper crop. Two large cartons for $4.00, means muffins for everyone. Freeze the leftovers and dole them out when school starts.

Everything goes on special at one time or another. If possible stock up everytime your brand of laundry detergent, toothpaste, or pickles become a loss leader.  Swoop, pounce, hunt down the foods you love. Save time and money by  having everything handy for dinners and lunches.  For every ready made frozen dinner where you pay for packaging and advertising instead of real food, you can cook up a home made casserole and divide it into freezer containters.   Be healthy, be happy, and save money. 

Now you don’t have to get fanatical. A rotisserie chicken from the market saves time that might be used for better activities. Paired with a salad, a baked potato, or a cooked vegetable this will save your life when work, kids, and obligations become over whelming. Better to pick a healthy prepared food and dress it up for dinner then to wear yourself out at the end of what is probably a too long day.  And use the leftover chicken, to make a bountiful chicken soup the next day with ready made broth, fresh carrots, fresh celery, and potatoes or pasta. 

Imagination makes for the best recipe. 

Once I forgot to pick up cheese for a cheese cake recipe. Presto, instead of cheesecake it turned into a flan. As long as the ingredients are fresh, you will get something that tastes good.  It may not always be great but even professional cooks have an off night.

Now the one thing that makes for good taste and good nutrition is good produce. The best source that I have found are ethnic markets. You will find greens you never knew existed, small local apples, plums that ooze with juice, bok choy that was picked yesterday, and herbs by the armful at prices that are shockingly low.  Make friends, ask someone next to you for a recipe. Sample the spices that are priced way below supermarket prices. Interesting breads, new brands of yogurt, beans you never saw before, different kinds of rice, exotic teas, prepared foods at a great price-these are just a few of the new experiences open to you. Indian, Cuban, Asian, Russian, Middle Eastern or check out what your city has to offer. They all provide a unique experience and a window into another culture.

These are some of my favorites.

Nijiya Market at 2130 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 for ready made sushi, Japanese snacks, Asian vegetables, and a huge selection of soy sauce and miso.

Elat Market at 8730 W Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90035 has fabulous produce and herbs at unbelievable prices and homemade hummus. Please note they are closed on Friday night and Saturdays and all Jewish holidays.

Grand Central Market at 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013 is a food court with produce stands or a produce court with food stands. Buy cheap veggies, authentic Latin spices, or pick up from the various ready to go food stands. They are open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM>

Surfas at 8777 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232 for all things gourmet. When you need that one special item that will make a meal outstanding, stop at Surfas for sprinkles for cupcakes, all manner of baking tins, exotic cheeses, infinite varieties of chocolate, or dried herbs. They are decently priced for non imported items however this is not bargain shopping.   

Explore and let me know what you’ve found in these fun markets and your favorites.