Here are a few money-saving strategies from guest poster, Andrea Woroch, that will save you money this summer at the movies.  Molly

With summer around the corner, Hollywood is about to roll out a slew of sequels, blockbusters and indie films sure to satisfy most people’s craving for easy entertainment. Before making your summer selections, however, you should consider how best to spend your movie money.

According to TIME Moneyland, ticket prices are expected to increase this year thanks to lackluster sales in 2011 — and that’s not including the exorbitant cost of concessions. Don’t let the inflated cost of the cinema deflate your family’s desire to catch the season’s best flicks on the big screen.

Follow these 11 tips to avoid blowing your movie budget.

1. Join AAA
The automobile club offers $8 tickets to Regal, United Artists and Edwards movie theaters. The catch is that you have to go to one of their offices to buy them.

2. Buy Movie Packs
This is the way to go for families. You can buy a four-pack of tickets from Costco, good for a variety of theatres, for just $34.99 and a 10-pack for $82.99. There’s no expiration date and you can use the tickets seven days a week. BulkTix.com also saves you an average of $2 to $3 off a ticket’s face value for seven different chains.

3. Attend Second-Run Theatres
There are several chains that show movies a bit past their prime. If you can wait to see the latest iteration of a Marvel comic, you’ll pay anywhere from $3 to $6 for the same movie.

4. Ask for Senior Rates
If you’re 60 or over, you’ll get a discount from select locations of AMC Theatres. And Cinemark offers Seniors Day every Monday at some locations for seniors 62 and older. Ultimately, it helps to ask the cashier or one of the theatre managers about available discounts for seniors. Just be prepared to show your ID.

5. Skip the Concession Stand
Eat before you head out to the movies so you won’t be tempted by the many treats on offer. Granted this is how theaters make their money, but it’s also how you double the cost of your ticket.

6. Use Discount Gift Cards
Save 10 to 30 percent by purchasing discount movie theater gift cards from such sites as GiftCardGranny. In addition to saving instantly on ticket prices, you can cut the cost of concessions if the smell of popcorn is too tempting to overcome.

7. Swipe Your Plastic
Credit card companies and banks have increased their reward perks over the last few years and some of those include free passes to the theater. Visa Signature offers their credit card holders two-for-one movie tickets via Fandango on Fridays. Deutsche Bank Debit Card users can get one free pass for every one ticket purchased through BookMyShow.com. Ask your credit card or bank about such reward perks and take advantage of the discount.

8. Be Loyal
Kerasotes Theaters has the FiveBuckClub, which sends weekly emails with a list of movies members can see for $5. AMC Theatres offers points toward discounts, concession upgrades and more if you join their Stubs Rewards Program. Check with your local theatres to see if they provide similar deals for loyal customers.

9. Daily Deal It
Though daily deals for restaurants and spa services overwhelm your inbox, you have good reason to search through the clutter. Sites like Groupon and LivingSocial have featured movie theater savings of up to 50 percent, and will likely offer similar promotions this summer. The vouchers typically expire within a couple months so make note of the date and use them up before then.

10. Early-Bird Deals
Matinees can save you anywhere from 30 to 50 percent off prime-time ticket prices, leaving more money in your wallet for warm summer evenings.

11. Say Something
Have you ever watched a movie where the sound system was off enough to drive you crazy? Perhaps you ended up surrounded by a swarm of teenagers who shouted at the screen throughout the film. Don’t be afraid to ask for a voucher or your money back if you have a bad experience. You may be surprised how often theaters will accommodate a polite request.

Andrea Woroch is a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. She has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. You can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.

If you get my weekly newsletter, you most likely read Midge’s situation regarding end of the school year celebrations (if you don’t get my newsletter be sure and subscribe via the sticky note in the upper right corner of the blog). Here are a few thoughts I had regarding her request for frugal party ideas. Molly

Dear Midge,

I’m not sure which event is more exciting to me, the end of the school year or the fact that summer is here! Ok, maybe it’s both. When I start thinking of celebrations, parties or get-togethers I immediately think about family & friends. It’s ultimately the time spent together that makes the memories, not the type of party we attended. So, in my mind, frugal parties are a breeze with a little imagination!

Just a few budget friendly ideas:

• An old-fashioned picnic- you could decorate tables with checkered tablecloths, make sub sandwiches & root beer floats and play games such as bobbing for apples, 3 legged races & water balloon fights.

• Show-and-tell- let the kids show you what they can do!  This idea could take many forms, the possibilities are endless.  You could have a talent contest, a magic show, everyone could try their hand at juggling or even joke telling.  Don’t forget your video camera!
• Camping party- you don’t even have to go anywhere, just set up a tent (or 2) in the yard and make hotdogs & smores over the campfire.  A little star gazing before bed might be fun or even a scary, campfire story (for the brave ones!).

• Yearbook signing- Most kids love autographs, receiving and giving them! If your child has a yearbook there should be a place for him/her/them to collect signatures from classmates or teachers.  Even homeschooling families can do this!  Try this idea: Title a piece of cardstock with your child’s name and school year and let them collect signatures. The cardstock can then be placed inside a sheet protector to be stored in a keepsake binder.
• Post Card Grab Bag- this is not only a fun activity to do over the summer but it encourages pen pals as well.  Have each child write their home address on 3 post cards.  All of the post cards get put into a large bag, each child can then randomly pick out 3 cards (not their own) and agree to send out one each month during the summer. The children can include things they’re doing during the summer or even just silly news/jokes about their vacation time.

I hope these gave you some ideas for your nieces and nephews. Let the summer fun begin!

Love ya, Molly

Frugal party ideas work for me!  To see more Works For Me Wednesday Tips visit: We Are That Family.

Good morning! We’re back it bright and early today- yesterday seems just like a memory (aren’t those lyrics to a song?).  With all the Mother’s Day talk on the blog and in the newsletter, I thought I might take a moment and give you a place to share about your Mother’s Day.  Please take a moment and share what your day looked like yesterday.  You may have children who celebrated with you, you may have celebrated with your mother, or you may have spent the day celebrating in a completely non-traditional way.  To add in a little twist, did your day involve anything related to frugal living?

I’ll start.  My children gave me homemade cards and gifts as well as helping me throughout the day (just a tad more than usual!).  My favorite (and most creative/frugal) gift was from my 6 year old.  She found a rock earlier in the week that was sort-of-heart-shaped.  To her it was the most perfect heart-shaped rock ever.  She decorated it with colorful markers then spread glue on the entire surface and sprinkled with glitter.  She made a homemade card that simply said, “Mom. I luv uoo.” I do believe my own heart melted that very moment. Frugal and fabulous all rolled into one gift.

So, how about you? What are your Mother’s Day traditions?  When did they start?  Where did they come from?

Fabulous Friday is a way to recap the week and give you some frugal tips for the weekend. Please share what you’re up to this weekend! Molly

I’ve been trying my best to keep up with all the end-of-the-year wrap-up activities and events.  It almost feels like the holidays to me, I’ve been in a whirlwind of things to do.  Sometimes when I get in this crazy place, I think about comfort food.  Because the job of comfort food is to …comfort. Everyone has their own version of what comfort food is to them.  Sometimes it’s a certain food you were raised on or sometimes it’s just something plain ole good tasting!  Because I’m a lover of all things food related, I have many choices when it comes to comfort food.  And rhubarb is at the top of my list. Do you know this wonderfully odd fruit?

I don’t remember exactly when I became such a fan of rhubarb.  Maybe it was when we moved to the southern U.S. and it wasn’t readily available to me anymore.  I remember having rhubarb panic in the spring because there were no huge, bushy rhubarb plants around calling my name.  Now that we’re back up north, the rhubarb is plentiful!  I have armed myself with plenty of rhubarb recipes for this weekend.  It’s going to be a picking, chopping, cooking rhubarb party around my house.  And the sweet reward will be when I get to taste my creations.

What do you have planned for the weekend?  Do you use your days off to cook/bake for the upcoming week?  If so, what recipes are on your list?

If you get my weekly newsletter, you most likely read Midge’s situation regarding Mother’s Day Brunch ideas for her husband (if you don’t get my newsletter be sure and subscribe via the sticky note in the upper right corner of the blog). Here are a few thoughts I had regarding her meal prep request for a quaint Mother’s Day meal. Molly

Dear Midge,

I think the best way to approach this Mother’s Day meal is to be surprised!  Does your husband like to cook one meal in particular?  Maybe he’s super at breakfast items, surprising you with a brunch would be his forte!  Does he like to grill?  Suggest something that you know he enjoys grilling and leave the rest of the details up to him.  As we all know, husbands are gifted in different areas. If he’s looking for a suggestion, point him in a direction he’s already comfortable in.  Maybe he’s really awesome at making tacos, why not suggest he make it into a taco salad for a simple lunch idea?

Of course if your husband is the Type A personality type and likes to plan things out, you may nudge him a little and drop a few recipes in his inbox such as:

Raspberry Jam Turnovers

Maple Orange Glazed Sausage

Paprika Potato Frittata

Strawberry Kiwi Champagne Cocktails

Who wouldn’t want these yummy choices?  Here’s to a wonderful and meaningful Mother’s Day celebration.  No matter what meal you are surprised with, may the memories you make as a family be precious.

Love ya, Molly

Ok, I’ll go first.  Because sometimes when other people make a confession first it makes it easier for everyone else, right?  I am one of ‘those people’ with a stash of scrap-booking supplies. I’m not convinced I’ll ever get to it and I won’t get rid of the stash because of the possibility that I might want to scrapbook someday. It would be so fun.  And cute. And my children would cherish the keepsakes.  Hmmmmm…

Then I heard about Digital Scrap-booking.  I’m beginning to rethink the stash of supplies.  Have you heard about this?  I’m not a pro by any means but what a great idea!  Check out all this cool info I found on digital scrap-booking: HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.  I bet this method would be not only more cost effective, time friendly but also a natural solution for my scrap-booking supply clutter issue.

I just know this must be the tip of the iceberg.  Now that you know my confession, do you have anything to share regarding photos, scrap-booking or any ‘stashes’ you refuse to give up?

Do you scrapbook digitally?  If so, will you tell me your secrets?  What do you love about it? What’s not so great?  Will you share some of your favorite info to get me started?  Thanks!  Molly

Scrapbook savings ideas works for me!  To see more Works For Me Wednesday tips visit: We Are That Family.

Fabulous Friday is a way to recap the week and give you some frugal tips for the weekend. Please share what you’re up to this weekend! Molly

How was your week? Are there any fun weekend plans on your agenda? Today, I was thinking about ways to keep frugality fun. I think an easy way to burn-out on frugal living is to stop doing fun things. Living frugally doesn’t mean all fun goes out the window! Check out these frugal friendly fun options:

• Visit your local library.  Libraries are your neighborhood friend.  Not only do they offer classes and clubs but the resources available at your fingertips are astounding!  You’re not just looking for books anymore, there are so many more options.  Most libraries also have flexible weekend hours and usually a great children’s area.  If you haven’t been there lately, go and check it out!
• Collect all your loose change.  Do you already have a jar or container that holds your spare change?  Bring it to the bank for dollar bills and visit your favorite local ice cream shop.  A few ice cream sundaes can go a long way and can create many happy faces!
• Load up and head to the park.  Visiting a park has so many fun, free options!  You might choose a picnic under a shade tree, an afternoon at the playground with your kiddos or even a nature hike or bicycle ride. Outdoors, fun and frugality!
• Try sprucing up your family dinner more than usual.  Bring out your fancy dishes, a few candles and a pretty table cloth.  Having a fancy dinner at home will leave lasting memories and for no extra cost!

Do you have any frugal weekend plans?  What things have you done to keep the fun in frugal living?

I don’t think there’s one among us that enjoys weeds in our gardens or flower beds.  Weeds seem to be the topic of discussion and how to get rid of them.  Mulching is a super simple way to not only keep your plants healthy but cut down on weeding time as well.  Mulching benefits your gardens by:

• inhibiting the grown of weeds from the very beginning.  Not only do weeds look bad, they steal nutrients away from the plants.
• holding moisture in the soil.  The hot sun wont’ dry out your plants as quickly.
• keeping your plants cooler.
• protecting the plant from harsh winter weather.  Fall mulching is important to protect the plant’s roots from extreme frost.
• possibly adding a little nutrition back into the soil (depending on the type of mulch you use).

There are many types of mulches, see which kind works for you and works well in your geographic location.  A little research goes a long way.  Some are free, some are more costly. Some are colorful, others are nature friendly.  Whatever mulch you decide to use, your plants will thank you!

Here’s a list of possible mulching options:

• grass clippings
• wood/bark chips
• decaying leaves
• compost
• peat moss
• straw
• hay
• pebbles, gravel or stone
• landscape fabric
• coffee bean shell

What kinds of mulch work for you?  Do you have a favorite?

If you get my weekly newsletter, you most likely read Midge’s situation regarding prioritizing her spring cleaning list (if you don’t get my newsletter be sure and subscribe via the sticky note in the upper right corner of the blog). Here are a few thoughts I had regarding her request for creative cleaning tips.  Molly

Dear Midge,

I hope this letter finds you well!  Have you tackled any cleaning projects yet?  I’m still procrastinating because I’ve been pulled outside and enticed by the sunshine!

I think the easiest way to organize your checklist is by the room.  Choose one room to work in at a time.  I think adding the bathroom remodel to the bottom of your list may be in your best interest, for now.  I’m afraid if you started the remodel before any of the other spring cleaning chores, you may get sidetracked.  Remodels are a cleaning project all on their own.  I’ll say a quick prayer for you when you start that project!

I like to start with my least favorite project first.  I do this because then I can get it over with and stop thinking about it.  Which one are you dreading the most? Cleaning the baseboards, underneath the bed or the windows (inside and out)?  It seems to me that your teamwork would be best applied in washing the windows.  It might even be a tad funny if one of you cleans the inside while the other cleans the outside (think of all the funny faces you could make through your shiny windows!).  Why not have a little fun with your chores?  It makes them more enjoyable…and the time will probably go by much quicker.

Cleaning the baseboards shouldn’t take long if you also use teamwork and just do a room at a time.  You could do a ‘commercial challenge.’  An ice cream pail of soapy water and a rag for each of you- when a commercial comes on TV, hit the baseboards in that room.  Each of you start at a different side of the room.  I dare to bet you’d be almost done before your favorite show pops back on the TV (this only works if you still watch real-time TV). Does anybody still do that these days?

Bathroom baseboards wipe up in a hurry during your routine bathroom cleaning chores.

As for the spare room bed, dare I ask?  If you’re like me, every square inch is used (that’s why I love using dust ruffles, it hides my storage contents).  That project may need it’s own weekend.

Your projects will be done before you know it, then take your pretty baby out in that sunshine!

Love ya, Molly

Fabulous Friday is a way to recap the week and give you some frugal tips for the weekend.  Please share what you’re up to this weekend!  Molly

What a fun and busy week we’ve had over here at Econobusters (and at home too)!  As we move into the weekend, I can’t help but think of all the possibilities that come with the weekend. It’s to bad weekends are so short because there’s lots I’d love to do.  My days are filled with daydreaming about summer gardens, landscape ideas, family campfires, grilling recipes and the assortment of repurposing projects swirling around in my mind.  Repurposing is at the heart of every frugal family, don’t you think?

We don’t have anywhere to be this weekend so we’re looking forward to some family fun!  Saturday is ‘game day’ in our home so the children are actively discussing which games to choose for tomorrow’s game tournament.  We have quite the competitive bunch!

We may choose a family movie for one night.  Do you have a Netflix membership? Or do you take advantage of Redbox movies?  If Redbox isn’t available in your area, do you take advantage of library rentals?  All of these are frugal choices compared to going out to see a movie at the theater or purchasing a New Release from the store.

We may also grill out for tomorrow’s lunch.  I have a nice round steak thawing in the refrigerator just waiting for a marinade.  A favorite I like to use is a combination of olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, raw garlic and steak seasoning.  I will cut the round steak in strips today and add them to the marinade to rest in the fridge overnight.  Tomorrow we will grill them up and enjoy them in fajitas for lunch.

What’s in store for your weekend?  Do you have any frugal projects you’re working on?  If you’re traveling, how do you make frugal choices for your family while on the road?  Enjoy your weekend, see you back here bright and early Monday morning!

Family weekends work for me! To see more Works For Me Wednesday tips visit: We Are That Family.