Monday, July 26, 2010

Northern Michigan Easy Kids Crafts - Beach Jewelry

If you're headed up north for a summer, Michigan vacation - here's a great project for the kids (and adults too!).

Before you hit the express way, stop by JoAnn Fabrics, Michaels or Hobby Lobby and grab a pack of "blank rings". Blank Rings feature a ring with a flat top; you can use the flat top for anything from fun and funky puzzle pieces to cool charms and more.

When you get to your Northern Michigan destination, make sure you visit one of the Great Lakes.
Have the kids find some shells, flat rocks and fossils.

Take your "collection" home and clean it off really good. You can also opt to buy a Rock Tumbler from Hobby Lobby ($40 retail - use 40% Off One Item Coupon). A Rock Tumbler will turn the rocks into amazing pieces of stone jewelry.

Now take the cleaned collection and hot glue or super glue to the Blank Ring top base! - Excellent project and what a great way to make cost effective Christmas gifts!

Fancy, Cheap, Afforable Hoummous Dip Appetizer

Looking for an easy appetizer that won't break the bank? Check out this couldnt-be-more-simple dip idea that can be used with Spinach Dip, Hoummous, Cream Cheese dips, Bean dips and more!

All you need to make this adorable dip is one bell pepper and olives for eyeballs.

INSTRUCTIONS
Cut off the pepper in half.

Scoop out the core parts of pepper and discard

Use the top half of the pepper as the main part of the octopus. Use a dab of dip to attach Olive "eyeballs".

Cut the second half of the pepper to form "legs". This can be done by cutting the remaining part into ring circles, then making one slice in each circle; twist to create "legs". Or, cut remaining half down center, forming two semi-circles of pepper. Slice to create "rainbow" shapes. Use as legs "hidden" under the "water".

Serve with cracker tray, tortilla chips/ Fritos, cheese cubes or veggie stix!

Simple Kids Crafts with Food FUN Melon Fruit Watermelon Projects

I LOVE this super simple and fun Kids Craft Idea; MELON CARVING!

Watermelon is in season now and you can get a half or whole melon super cheap. You're going to cut it up anyways, so why not have some fun with the fam?

All you need to do Melon Carving is a sharp knife or two and (optional) melon scoop. Remember - get a SHARP knife. Dull knives are dangerous because you have to apply more pressure to cut.

COOL MELONS
After your melon has been carved, you can add tealights to the interior for a lighted effect.
Or, let the kids get extra creative and paint the melon.

If you want the best deal on melons; check local sales papers and also see if the city in which you live offers "home grown" produce. For example, Auburn Hills has weekly "Farmers Markets" (every Thursday) throughout the summer. This allows home-growers to sell their produce to the public. By attending these events (which are free) not only can you save a ton of cash but you also get the best produce money can buy! As fresh as it gets!

Fast & Easy Kids Sandbox - Portable Kids Play Ideas

If you're looking for a *dirt cheap* sandbox for the kids (or grandkids), check out this awesome idea featured in Disney's Family Fun Magazine (Aug 2010 issue).

Go to Wal-Mart or Meijer and pick up a large, clear, thick plastic storage container (they recommend the wheeled option since sand can be heavy).

When its time to play, wheel the sandbox out. When play time is over, throw the lid on and store!

Best of all, when the kids are done with the sandbox, you can reuse the containers!


Free Red Robin Gourmet Burger Coupon Exp 8 / 8 / 10

Free Red Robin Burger Coupon Printable


Ok, so maybe its cheating a little, but I signed my son up for the mailing list and he was sent a free burger coupon (He's turning 5 on August 1st). So if anyone has a child and wants to get a free burger, just print the coupon. Obviously, they dont ask 5 year old for I.D.

You can also sign up yourself and your family on the mailing list. You will each be sent this same coupon for your b-day. Here's a little tip; every restaurant sends "free dinner" b-day coupons; so make sure you space them out as so that you can actually USE the coupons. Clearly, you cant use an Outback coupon, a Red Robin, an Old Country Buffet and a Longhorn in a day. So when you register you b-day, take that into consideration.

(To print coupon, click the image above. It will take you to my public photobucket account. You can then print it in whatever size you like. I usually print in gray/black in only with the "fast draft" setting. These big coupons kill ink cartriges!)

Dollar Tree Stores International Delight Coffee Creamer Vanilla

Check out this deal; 10.1 oz bottles of Vanilla International Delight Coffee Creamer available at many Dollar Tree locations (Michigan). The giant size, 32oz bottles of Coffee Mate creamers retail for about $4.00, making it a better deal to purchase three (3) 10.1 oz creamers from The Dollar Tree; total cost: $3.18 - total ounces; 30.3!

Use the Dollar Tree Store Locator to find your nearest Store

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Quick & Easy Room Dividers - Cost Effective / Cheap

If you want a quick and easy room divider, check out two awesome options.
First, IKEA (Canton, MI) has shelving units (no tools required!) On sale of around $65 a pop. In this photo of my spare room, I am utilizing two of the $65 wooden units. They are relatively easy to assemble.


I also picked up storage boxes from IKEA on sale for $1.99 each. The boxes are an ugly blue checkered - a few cans of spray paint later, most of them are now tan. I still have a few to go - but the 25 boxes I picked up would have cost $10 a piece had I have bought tan ones as opposed to the $2 ugly ones and spent $10 on paint.

The second room divider option is to go to Burlington Coat Factory (TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc) and find some clearance curtains that you like. I got these ones at the Taylor, MI Burlington Coat Factory - nice, thick, green (sage) suede - on sale for $9 each. The curtain rod was also $9. Now I can block off my computer desk and "junk" when guests are in the spare room - plus I have a ton more storage with my IKEA shelving units.

TJ Maxx Clearance Candles - Taylor, Bloomfield Hills, Auburn Hills Michigan

This week I stocked up on some TJ Maxx Clearance section candles. Great name brand variety; Yankee Candle and more. The candles at the Bloomfield Hills, Auburn Hills and Taylor, MI locations retail for $15-$20, are regularally priced at TJ Maxx for $10 but clearanced down to $3.99-$5.00. There's also some great decor; vases, candle holders and greenery marked as low as $3.00.

Another great place to check out if you're looking for votive holders is Burlington Coat Factory (Taylor, Auburn Hills). Go to the bath section and look at their selection of clearanced TOOTHBRUSH HOLDERS. They have some amazing mosaic glass (red tones, blue tones or brown tones) marked down to $3.50-$3.99. These work perfect for tealights or votives; similar pieces selling at Pier 1 Imports for $20. Why pay more?

Friday, July 23, 2010

Disney Store CARS Remote Playsets $3.99! Tow Mater - MI

Fantastic find! Located in the Disney Store in Auburn Hills, MI (along very back wall to far right) there is a display rack featuring $30 Disney CARS kids remote control playsets with Tow Mater - marked down to $3.99! I grabbed one for my lil guys b-day (Aug 1st). There were about 6 pieces left as of last night. Great deal for gifts or resellers!

Note; these are BIG playsets! Box measures roughly 19" long by 12" tall and 7" wide!

HP 60 Black Ink WalMart $13 Mismark Price! HURRY!

(7/23/10) Walmart in Auburn Hills has a display rack of HP 60 Ink (Black) that is half mismarked. The top half of the display features the inks for only $13 each while the bottom 4 rows are marked at normal price, $18.75 each. Stock up if you use HP 60! That $5+ savings per ink!
I got 6 of them (basically 2 totally free inks!)

I noticed this mismark this morning. There is still about 50 more mismarks on the top rows.

NOTE; the HP60 mismarks are NOT in the HP ink isle. They are on their own display which is located to the LEFT of the ink section if you are facing the back of the store. If you do not go to this display you will not find the mismark.

* I am unsure if the mismark is available at other locations. Go to the Auburn Hills location (next to Great Lakes Crossing).

Target - $4 Wall Mirrors; Black or White FULL LENGTH

Yet another deal you simply can't pass up! At Target stores you will find full length wall mirrors for $4 a pop. Available in black and white. They do not come with installation items, but I bought the "easy to install" "hole free" hangers that come in packs of 3 for about $3 a pack. The hangers are super easy to use. They're basically two sided tape that easily removes from the walls. One pack (three pieces) holds one mirror with no complications.

Art Van Clearance Center RULES! Westland Taylor MI

If you're looking for AWESOME deals on furniture, the Art Van Clearance Centers in Michigan are off the hook. I got this suede chaise for $57!! The throw pillows were only $5 a pop and they threw in the gorgeous lamp for $25. You just can't beat that! Keep in mind that with the clearance centers you may be buying floor models, so inspect your items carefully. I have been a loyal Art Van Clearance Center shopper for over 10 years. I have never gotten "bad stuff". My fav locations are Westland (Wayne Road) and Taylor (Eureka Road).

IKEA Tuesdays - 15 Pc Meatball Dinner ONLY $2.49 - Canton MI

Want an awesome dinner on a budget? Head to IKEA in Canton, MI and grab a 15 piece Meatball dinner for only $2.49! Each dinner includes the awesome IKEA meatballs, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and a veggie mix.
This same dinner is about $6.00 every other day.
No purchase needed to get the deal!
IKEA DIRECTIONS:
41640 Ford Road
Canton, MI 48187
(734) 981-6300

Breakfast for a BUCK at IKEA Canton Michigan

You just cant beat this one! Shop at IKEA and get in on their $0.99 breakfast deal! NO PURCHASE needed! Each breakfast comes with eggs, potato and meat. Amazingly large breakfasts for a BUCK!

IKEA LOCATION:
41640 Ford Road
Canton, MI 48187
(734) 981-6300

Kirklands Outlet Center $13 Clearance Lights AUBURN HILLS Mi

Want a killer deal on lighting? Check out the Kirklands Outlet in Auburn Hills, MI for amazing pieces of decor at huge price cuts. These specific lights that I scored were about 75% off retail. They're absolutely gorgeous (photo kinds sucks). I also got the little oil warmer in the center for only $5.00 at Kirklands Outlet (Retail $12 - $16).



KIRKLANDS OUTLET LOCATION:
Kirkland's Outlet Store
4104 Baldwin Rd
Auburn Hills,MI48326-1223

How to Use Michigan Cheapskate

Well Hello!
If you landed on this blog it's likely because you are like me; if you could get paid to take an item, you would! I am constantly on the prowl for the ultimate bargain on the finer things in life; from $2 shelving units to free groceries, this is the #1 place to find the most amazing deals in Michigan!

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