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Archive for May, 2010

Planning a Wedding on a Budget Part 9/10 – Wedding Favours

[ 0 ] May 31, 2010

If you missed my last post about wedding decor ideas, see it here: Planning a Wedding on a Budget Part 8/10 – Flowers and Decorations.

Thinking more and more about DIY wedding favors to save some money? Believe it or not, even divas who feel like they don’t have the crafty bone in their making can create fun wedding favours.

Today, I’ll offer some great wedding favour ideas for you to choose from, plus tips on where you can get supplies for wedding favours in Canada for less.

Donations in Lieu of Trinkets

One of many popular wedding favour ideas is making donations on your guests’ behalf to a charity of your choice. Instead of receiving a trinket for the house (that may not always match decor), guests feel good about helping a bigger cause.

Andrew and I decided to donate money to Sick Kids. Here’s how it works:

  • Contact Sick Kids (or foundation of your choice) for wedding donation information
  • Tell them how many guests & they’ll suggest donation amounts per person
  • Sick Kids ships stationery, including cards with message for guests & envelopes
  • They also send a tax receipt for the donation made

The cards they send you are easy to assemble and look really elegant. When guests give you a gift at the wedding, you hand them an envelope. We’re also going to give our guests a small decorative box with two chocolates inside as an added “Thank you”.

Chocolate or Candy Gift Boxeswedding favour boxe

Sweet treats for your guests don’t just say an extra “Thank You”; they actually become part of your decor too! Place candy boxes on their plate beforehand, or give them out in the receiving line. Here’s where to buy discounted mini chocolate boxes in several designs to match decor:

  • Creative Bag Stores – They’ve been supplying custom gifting supplies since 1983. Shop the Wedding Section for mini pre-assembled boxes decorated with ribbons, bags, tissue paper & more in a multitude of colours.
  • Party Packagers Stores – Discover seasonal themes for weddings, packaging for favours, personalization options & more.

To be even more frugal, make your own mini origami boxes . Head over to Staples, Wal-Mart, Michael’s or other stores that offer decorative paper in bulk. Use one sheet to make a box following the easy steps. Don’t worry – because paper will be folded and refolded during this project, your boxes will be sturdy and never flimsy.

Inside these boxes, put a couple Lindt or Ferrero Rocher chocolates. I think these are perfect as they come in decorative paper for an elegant touch.

Traditional Wedding Favours, Frugally Modernized

For traditional favours, there are lots of ways to please your guests while being frugal. These following traditional gifts can be found for under $5 at dollar stores, bargain shops, outlet centres and more (compared to $10+ preassembled by boutiques). Why pay full price when you can pay half or less! I suggest choosing items in clear or neutral shades so they easily blend with any decor:

  • Clear glass cup coasters – include four per couple or guest & tie a ribbon around them
  • Clear cylinder candle holder – find clear boxes at Party Packagers, layer tissue paper at bottom & tie with ribbon
  • Ceramic candy dish – place tissue paper flat, fill with candy, wrap in clear cellophane & tie top with ribbon

More Ways to SaveLove song CD

When you and your hubby are enjoying a romantic dance, a lot of couples will make their way to the dance floor too. What better way to share your love than to create a CD with classic love songs? This is a great wedding favour idea that saves you money while offering a personal touch.


What will you be using as table place cards? Instead of folded stationery, pick up miniature picture frames and insert their name and seat number in the frame. This can double as a wedding favour!

I hope you enjoyed these tips. Do you have any of your own to keep things frugal when planning a wedding?

Be sure to tune into the next post: Planning a Wedding on a Budget Part 10/10 – Planning the Honeymoon. Learn how you can enjoy an unforgettable honeymoon without going over budget.

Other Planning a Wedding on a Budget posts to check out:


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Cottage-approved Clothing for 50% off at Coldwater Creek

[ 0 ] May 28, 2010

coldwatercreek

I love summer afternoons at the cottage and evenings around the fire. And when summer calls,  so does my need to completely purge the wardrobe and freshen up my style a bit. Okay – a lot.

Freshen up your summer wardrobe by using our Coldwater Creek coupons for 50% off sitewide merchandise. Enjoy these summer faves:


  • Crochet Detail cardigan is perfect for evenings around the fire
  • Lace Detail Pintuck shirt keeps you cool at work
  • Mixed Print Paneled Skirt adds a little hippy to your shake


Get set for summer fun by saving at Coldwater Creek. But this deal ends June 6th, so hurry before the sun sets on this amazing deal.

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Weekly Round-up: Fab Frugality from May 25-28, 2010

[ 0 ] May 28, 2010

Here’s hoping you all had a lovely Victoria Day break. We came back to work on Tuesday to find a bunch of great posts, and the trend kept up all week. Take a look at some of our favourites!

  • Million Dollar Journey - The name really should say it all: Are You Financially Sexy? You’ll soon give the way you view your finances a double take.
  • Financial Highway (again) – My, has air travel changed in the last few years. We get charged for everything. Ray shows you how to Use the Power of Money to Reduce Airline Fees. Put up a fight… airlines might take a hint.
  • Simply Frugal – Taya posted this on the 27th, and I immediately took advantage of the offer: Free Frappuccino Beverage Music Mix. You’ll get to download 10 pre-selected songs for free on iTunes!

And last, but certainly not least:

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Tips to Having a Great Yard Sale

[ 0 ] May 28, 2010

One of my favourite shows right now is Hoarders. It focuses on people who can’t throw anything out. Their home becomes so cluttered that it even affects their way of life. It’s a great show, and it makes me want to clean. No, purge. Purge is a much better word.

One of the best ways to get rid of old items is to throw a garage sale. Not only will it give you more space, but you can actually make quite a bit of money. We’ve thrown together a few tips to having a great yard sale that will get your stuff out of there in no time.

  1. Get The Neighbours Involved. One of the best tips for a yard sale is to get everyone to participate. The more stuff available, the more attractive it looks to buyers and the longer they’ll stay. And the longer they stay, the more likely they’ll buy!

    2. yardsale-2

  2. Pick a Good Date. Try to organize your yard sale on a day that doesn’t fall on the town parade or chili cook-off. If you live near a beach town, long weekends are great! If not, aim for the first of the month when most people get paid and are more likely to splurge on your junk treasures.


  3. Advertise. No one will come if they don’t know your awesome yard sale is on! It may pay to use a little cash to advertise in the local paper. For a more frugal choice, post it online at Craigslist! Or do it the old fashion frugal way and post signs around your neighbourhood.


  4. Think like a Buyer. More items moved means more cash in your pocket, so think like a customer. Ask yourself how much you would pay for each item if someone else was selling it. Also set up your treasures in a way that makes them easy to see. Try putting like products together, like a department store, and remember no one likes digging and working for that gem!


  5. Clean Items. Maybe this is a given, but it doesn’t hurt to mention. Take a little time and make your items look presentable. The better items appear, the more likely it is they’ll be bought. A little soap and water will do wonders.


  6. Get the Kids Involved. Kids love to help Mom and Dad, so have them set up a lemonade or cookie stand. The customers will love the refreshments, and your children can start learning about money.


  7. Call a Charity. Arrange for a charity to arrive near the end of the yard sale to pick up what’s left. Not only will this prevent clutter getting back into your home, but you’ll feel good about helping those in need.

The summer is full of yard sales, so make yours stand out with these tips. Some successful yard sales have been known to rake in up to $400! So what are you waiting for? Start sorting!

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Planning a Wedding on a Budget Part 8/10 – Flowers & Decor

[ 0 ] May 27, 2010

If you missed my last post about wedding entertainment and photos, see it here: Planning a Wedding on a Budget Part 7/10 – Music, Photography & Videography.

Wondering how to decorate for a wedding on a budget? There are so many ways you can save while still creating the most romantic ambiance. Today, I’ll include some tips for wedding flowers on a budget, plus pictures of my frugal centrepieces and more!

Move Your Money

I’ve been to many weddings where large flower stands were everywhere: the bride’s house, the church and the reception hall. I didn’t see behind the scenes though… friends of the bride were transferring all the flowers from place to place before guests arrived! Now that’s a brilliant way to save money.

Here are some other decorations you can move around:

  • Bows - From church pews to doorknobs & corners of tables at reception hall
  • Bouquets - Bridesmaids can place them on the head table after entrance at reception hall
  • Potted Plants – From bride’s/groom’s house to steps/stairs at the church or venue

Centrepieces

Centrepiece 4
My DIY centrepiece with
“Hope” and “Believe” stones.

Floral centrepieces are beautiful, but there are other more frugal options that still make an impact. DIY wedding decorations are easy to make, and they add a personalized touch to the decor. You can find materials at your local dollar store, craft store and Wal-Mart. I shopped at DOLLARAMA for all my supplies, including gorgeous vases for just $2! On the right is what my centrepieces look like. The flower in the middle is from a silk bouquet of 10 flowers I purchased for $4 at Wal-Mart.

Here are some ideas for DIY wedding decorations:

  • Fish bowls or short round vase – Fill with water and/or rocks with floating candles and/or silk petals
  • Narrow vase filled with sand – Insert two silk calla lilies & one greenery stem
  • Tall vase – Filled with ball ornaments, frosted acorns, boa feathers & long branches

Bouquets

Bouquets tie in with your dress and the dresses of your bridesmaids. While searching for the perfect bouquet, I noticed something: flowers are EXPENSIVE! But that doesn’t mean I couldn’t figure out ways to do wedding flowers on a budget, hehe.

Here are some tips on keeping the bouquets & corsages frugal:

Silk Flowers – You can choose the exact colours that match decor such as linens at the hall and bridesmaid dresses. Visit local flea markets for companies that specialize in silk flowers. There will be a larger selection to choose from (more than a craft store), and you can bargain with the owner if you’re purchasing in bulk. Also, you can make this bouquet on your own using ribbon to tie the stems together.

Fuller for Less – If ordering bouquets from a flower shop, ask the representative if more baby’s breath, lilies of the valley and rosebuds can be added to your bouquet to make it seem fuller. Then, ask what flowers will be in season during your wedding and try incorporating those into bouquets. These discount wedding flowers won’t be as expensive as more exotic types, therefore helping you stay below budget.

Where & When

Your choice of both wedding venue and date may already help you out in the decor department. For example, halls may already be decorated with lights and a holiday theme during the months of December and January, so you have less to worry about.

Do you have any tips for DIY decorations for weddings or other ways to save? I’d love it if you shared!

Next Week…

Planning a Wedding on a Budget Part 9-10 – Wedding Favours: I’ll be offering some tips for discount wedding favours or alternatives like donating to a charity on behalf of your guests.

Other Wedding on a Budget posts to check out:


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Cloth or Disposable Diapering? What’s Better for Baby & Your Budget

[ 4 ] May 26, 2010

I’m so excited that my brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first baby this summer! With this news come happiness for them, excitement for me at becoming an aunt and lots of talks about baby stuff, like diaper decisions.

Yes. Diapering decisions. Plural.

Do you use cloth or disposable diapering? What kind? What about a service?


The Green Choice

Did you know it takes a disposable diaper up to 500 years to decompose? Babies can use up to 6000 diapers equaling up to 2 tons of waste in the landfills. See how cloth diapers are not only great for the earth, but your wallet too:

  • Can be reused for the next baby or be made into wash rags
  • Cotton decomposes in only 6 months
  • Cloth diapers contain no harmful chemicals which results in fewer rashes

A baby with fewer rashes means you save on creams and lotions, as well as having a happier baby. And a happy baby means a happy mommy!

cloth diapers


The Cloth vs. Disposable Debate

Choosing between cloth and disposable diapers is a personal choice, and not one to take lightly. It’s true that disposables can be much easier to handle, especially on trips away or at daycares that specify disposables only. Our friend Cindy from Get Along Home averaged her cost difference to being only about $25 in savings. “I think my sanity is worth $25,” she tweeted. (Find her @GetAlongHome.)

On the other hand, there are a variety of reasons to consider cloth diapers:

  • To save, make your own diapers with help from Diaper Jungle
  • Cut back on laundry expenses by using 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar instead of dryer sheets to save $40 a year
  • Some people have saved up to $1200 a year using cloth
  • Save more on laundry by drying diapers on a line

Tests have shown babies in cloth diapers potty train faster than those in disposables. And fewer diapers mean savings on extra laundry. And it’s so much easier on the parents! How much money do you save with cloth diapers? Figure out your own savings with this calculator from DiaperPin.com.


Cloth Diapering Service

New mothers everywhere are raising their hands and shouting Hallelujah for these little businesses. For a very affordable weekly flat rate (usually around $20), the diapering service brings fresh diapers to your door and takes the dirty ones away.

Here are a few reasons to look into this handy service:

  • No wasting extra money on electricity & washing detergent
  • Most services use a green method of washing
  • No spending gas on extra trips to the store since you can reserve as many as you’d like


Frugal cloth diapering is a great way to not only save the environment, but your money, too. And if it was good enough for your grandparents, it’s good enough for your little bundle of joy!

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Planning a Wedding on a Budget Part 7/10: Music, Photography & Videography

[ 0 ] May 25, 2010

If you missed my last blog on budget wedding inivations, see it here: Planning a Wedding on a Budget – Part 6/10 – How to Save on Invitations

When a lot of couples look back on their wedding day, it’s all a blur because everything goes by so fast. Have you hired a videographer and photographer yet?

Today, we’ll talk about booking important aspects of your wedding including budget-friendly videography and photography services and the DJ — all very important parts of your wedding day.

photography

Score Deals at Trade Shows

If you want professionals experienced in filming, photographing and reading a crowd, but you want to keep your budget in mind, visit wedding tradeshows to find reputable companies with amazing offers. Why?

  1. They create specially priced packages specifically for the tradeshow.
  2. Companies are competing with each other to get your business, so you get more services for less.

I mentioned before that I booked with a wedding reception DJ from a tradeshow and saved $525 plus got all the perks!

Save on Videography & Photography by Asking the Right Questions

If you don’t ask questions and negotiate, you won’t get discounts. Get the pros to consider waving extra fees by asking the following questions:

  1. How many years of experience do you have?
  2. Do you charge by the hour, by the package, or both?
  3. How long will it take you to complete videos or photos after the wedding?
  4. Do you go to both the bride’s and groom’s house to take pictures while they get ready? Is there an extra charge for going to both homes?
  5. Does the photography package include engagement photos? (I noticed many would discount this part greatly…try to bargain with them!)
  6. Can guests access photos online, and is there an extra charge?
  7. For videographers: do you charge extra for more than one video?
  8. For photographers: do you provide all edited photos on a CD? (You can print many of your fav photos for less!)

Additionally, ask to see:

  • References
  • Examples of their work

Questions to Help You Save on DJ Costs

Show the deejay you’re prepared and knowledgeable by asking good questions (see below). He/she’ll be be less likely to try to trick you into overpaying.

  1. How much time do you need to set up at the venue?
  2. Do you act as the DJ and MC? Is there an extra charge for this?
  3. What type of song lists do you provide? Do you have music from different eras and cultures?
  4. What type of lighting and props do you have? Do you charge extra to use them at the wedding?
  5. How involved would the couple be in choosing the type for music for the night? (My DJ created a profile for Andrew & me online where we can choose what music NOT to be played, our favourite songs, etc.)
  6. How much of a deposit is required to secure the wedding date?
  7. How much do you charge for overtime should the party last longer?
  8. Are you insured? (Insurance protects you if a guest gets hurt or reception venue is damaged due to equipment malfunction.)

Not Feeling Them? If the Chemistry’s Wrong, Move Along

Sometimes, you just don’t “click” with a pro. If you find this is the case, keep looking. You don’t want to spend your day posing for a photographer you don’t feel right about.  Instead, continue your search and choose a photographer who puts you at ease for the best pictures.

Contracts – A Must

Every professional should offer a contract. A basic wedding photography contract should include:

  • The package they’re offering with quantity & sizes
  • The promise that they’ll be the photographer
  • Any applicable discounts or bonuses
  • The time that they’ll arrive at the bride’s/groom’s home for photos
  • The hours they’ll work
  • How long after the wedding photos will be ready
  • Cost of overtime
  • What the engagement photo package (or discount) will be
  • Breakdown of deposits & due dates

If a part of the package still seems pricey, try to negotiate more before signing. Triple read the contract before signing; if for some reason you go to court for an issue in the future, written and signed contracts take precedence over verbal promises.

Extra Saving Tips

If you’re trying to save as much as possible, then consider family and friends who might have a talent for filming and can help you out. It can be your wedding present!

Create even more photos for your album for less by putting a disposable camera on each table at the reception. Encourage guests to take pictures of each other throughout the night!

Coming up next week…Planning a Wedding on a Budget Part 8/10 – Flowers & Decorations. Don’t miss it!

Other Wedding Planning on a Budget posts to check out:


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Forget Vendetta. V for Viator & the 7% Coupon

[ 0 ] May 25, 2010

Yes, we just came back from the May 2-4 long weekend, but to be honest, my mind’s still in vacation mode. (Boss, you didn’t read that.)

If you’re like me and you still have a lot of places to go and things to see, you’ll welcome Viator with open arms. And while you could cross the border with open wallet, too, I’m going to tell you about the affordable trips you can enjoy right here in Maple Town.

But first thing’s first: redeem the free FS Exclusive Viator Canada coupons for a limited time to get 7% off tours and activities!

Now onto the good stuff:

  • Montreal City Guided Sightseeing Tour - I know firsthand how romantic touring Old Montreal & the Notre-Dame Basilica can be
  • Victoria by Seaplane and Ferry from Vancouver - See the world from a new perspective & do it on the cheap with this tour of the Gulf Islands
  • Niagara Falls Evening Lights Day Trip from Toronto - Experience the wonder of nature with a technological twist that brings The Falls to life
  • Toronto Inner Harbour & Island Cruise - Learn more about the city’s past & present while taking in gorgeous urban scenery

What are you going to do this summer?

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GameStop in Your Tracks for 20% (Coupon Good for Today Only!)

[ 0 ] May 24, 2010

There are two types of people – those who can and those who can’t. When it comes to video games, I unfortunately fall into the latter group because I can’t play to save my life. And although it happened years ago, I still find myself talking about the time I pulled Zangief’s Spinning Piledriver. Yeah, that’s right…Street Fighter, dude!

If you’re one of those who can, you’ll be delighted to take advantage of these free GameStop Canada coupons:

Here’s a taste of what you’ll find:

  • Dante’s Inferno
  • Red Dead Redemption
  • Total War Battle Pack
  • Assassin’s Creed: Director’s Cut
  • Bioshock 2

Try your hand at a new adventure – it won’t cost you much. Order from GameStop today, and watch for falling prices!


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Welcome our Newest Frugal Friend, Nadine @ Save Money in Winnipeg!

[ 0 ] May 21, 2010

I’m pleased to welcome the newest addition to our frugal blog roll, Save Money in Winnipeg. Nadine, the Fabulous Saver behind the blog, works tirelessly to find the best deals around, not to mention features some pretty cool product reviews and giveaways for Canadians! Her motto: Stretch your dollar and have fun doing it. When you think about it, what could be better than that?

Whether you’re from Winnipeg, or any other great Canadian city or town, check out Nadine’s blog – you’ll be amazed at the great discounts and sales she finds and shares daily!


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