by admin on September 10, 2009
Autumn approaches with subtle signs. Weather changes and warm toned fallen leaves spread across lawns signaling the change of seasons. Families bundle up for nature walks at town parks. Fall festivals arrive with vendors selling handmade arts & crafts, carnival entertainment & delicious fair food. Their are many ways to have fun on a budget in Long Island, NY.
Have a yard cleanup party
Invite friends and family over and ask everyone to bring their favorite seasonal dish and have a potluck while you’re at it. This is a great way to clean up your yard and have a fun get-together inexpensively. Stop into
Fairway in Plainview check out their current store circular with savings.
Take a nature walk
A nature walk will let kids and adults alike, see how colorful nature can be. Collect leaves of different colors and shapes to make collages, pictures and crafts. One fun idea is to put all the collected leaves together and put them under a clear table covering for a fun fall look. It may help your little one to spend more time eating their veggies at dinner.
The kids can create a Fall Treasure Box decorating the outside walls of boxes such as hat, shoe or gift boxes. For more craft ideas, stop in any Long Island Michaels Locations and find a huge selection of crafts and much more. Before you head out, check out Michaels Weekly Circular for special discounts and sales.
Make it a Baking Night
It’s the perfect time to begin teaching little ones about cooking and measurements. Children of all ages, benefit from kitchen time activities. Spending time together making a delicious recipe connects the family, creates a memory and enstills positive feelings about finishing a task from beginning to end.
Using a recipe will also develop their ability to follow directions, one of the most important skills a child needs for a successful school experience. Get all your ingredients at your local Long Island Grocery Store.
by admin on August 13, 2009
To bag or not to bag, that is the question? Is your teen heading to high school? Will they bag a lunch or go directly to the cafeteria lunch line? Will they want a back pack or carry their books?
If you have kids, like me, who are also in the elementary or intermediate levels they will want and NEED a back pack for their school supplies.
Sales have begun, take advantage of the savings. Don’t wait until the last minute (which is never the easier softer way). Take it from me, I am always the last minute mom running through stores with empty shelves hoping they have something left on our school supply list. This year, it will be different. I learned my lesson.
by admin on July 15, 2009
Hair is the ultimate accessory. If your hair looks good, you look good!
Dry, brittle hair caused by stress, environment, hair abuse or even herditary issues is a top complaint. Beauty experts give helpful suggestions and top of the line products target this problem advertising their magic solution.
Healthy hair starts from the inside- out. When your hair has shine and bounce, you feel confident and look fabulous.
Feed Your Hair with vitamins. Got a CVS or Walgreens in your neighborhood? Before you shop, check out the weekly Health & Beauty sales in your area with online store circulars.
Be Careful, don’t commit hair abuse! What really matters is the daily handling; this is what creates the most stress — and potential damage — to your tresses. When you’re home for the day and expecting to be alone give your hair a vacation. Skip the products and give it a rest!
Trim Your Troubles. As the ends of your hair get older and damaged by rough handling, they become prone to splitting, get regular trims, at least 1/2 inch every four to eight weeks. “Hair grows (on average) half an inch per month, so trim to maintain healthy ends. Get on your way to healthy hair and check out these professional Hair Salons such as Brittnay & Co in Franklin Square, Cactus Salon and Day Spa , Jon Megaris Hair Salon in Plainview, Cartel The Salon in Huntington offer savings, deals & coupons.
Use Natural Products. Nobody can tell you how often you have to shampoo your hair. When you feel your hair is dirty, wash it gently, with a shampoo that works on your hair. Try to use natural and organic hair-care products. Many commercial shampoos, conditioners, and rinses contain chemicals that in the long run can damage the hair. Daily or regular shampooing, rinsing, and conditioning with natural products can help keep hair healthy and beautiful. When applying shampoo, be sure to massage the scalp, as this activates circulation and energy flow, and stimulates hair at the roots. Look for hair care products with wheat germ, jojoba, and/or coconut oil, keratin, vitamins such as biotin, vitamin A, E and essential oils. Healthy hair starts at Puritans Pride. Save big on their natural hair products for men and women as well as other organic products.
Get rid of buildup & dull hair. Damage in most cases can be the result of a build-up of shampoos, conditions, and hard-water particles. These build-ups can deprive your hair of the bounce and sheen for which you bought the shampoo and conditioner in the first place. Clean your hair thoroughly to rid it of hair-care products and residue. Try a shampoo specially designed to remove build-up. Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar Rinsing your hair after shampooing with the apple-cider solution of apple-cider vinegar and water (half and half mixture), will restore the acid mantle, which is essential to a healthy scalp and clean, shiny hair. Try Grocery stores such as Pathmark and Waldbaums that carry this product and have weekly specials for all your hair care needs. Remember, massaging your scalp will also boost your circulation, and then rinse to help your hair shine. Now apply your conditioner. This should be done every two weeks. Hard Water If you wash your hair consistently with hard water, which has more metal ions, when combined with soaps, these metal ions leave a residue that when left on your hair will make it dull and dry.
Dry Naturally, as much as possible, avoid using electric hair dryers, hot curling irons to prevent hair damage and let the hair dry naturally. Squeeze the water, and then use a towel to blot your hair. Your hair will love the softness of a great towel. Target has a great choice of towels at low prices. This way you’ll have moisturized, healthy hair. Also, avoid heat and prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Be Gentle With Your Hair. Wet hair stretches and snaps more easily than dry hair does, so be extra-gentle with it. “Use a wide-tooth plastic comb while hair is wet; then, once it’s towel-dried, switch to a good brush and avoid wooden combs; wood can have microscopic divots that snag hairs and stay clear of plastic-bristle brushes. The proper bristles of a brush are important for keeping your hair healthy. A combination of natural boar bristles on either a round or flat brush is best for dry hair while soft, rubber-toothed wide-paneled brushes are best for damp hair.
by admin on April 20, 2009
I can smell the flowers. Spring has arrived, some feel the misery of allergies from the high pollen content. As long as you don’t feel the financial pinch from your wallet ‘cuz it’s party season. This is a time for outdoor festivities. Can you taste the cotton candy?
If your body severely rejects the spring environmental triggers, why not consider an indoor birthday party for your child? Don’t want the messy after party house? Consider party themes at center that offer coupons, deals & savings.
Party ideas:
- Bowling is not only America’s favorite past time but a fun inexpensive party theme for all ages. YourLI has neatly created a Long Island AMF Bowling page with current list of all AMF Long Island Bowling locations with special savings coupon attached.
- Safari Stan’s Pet Center in Carle Place offers 3 hour parties which include: Behind the Scenes Tour, 1 hour with a Pet Counselor to bring in any animals your child would like to see and hold and Goodie Bags for all children.
- Party Jungle in Commack is an interactive all-inclusive private party center created to please any animal lover. $100 off party coupon.
Watch your budget! Looking for the perfect gift for your family member does not have to break the bank. It’s not hard to save a few dollars if you stop impulse spending & plan your shopping trip.
One way easy way to keep costs low, look for deals running in weekly circulars, with today’s technology you can view circulars on line which is quick, convenient & green friendly. Take a lunch break and look through the store circulars, try to tie in weekly sale items with coupons.
Birthday parties should be about the fun and not indulgent unnecessary expenses, have an attitude of gratitude and the treasured memories will follow.
by admin on April 14, 2009
Reading a post from a ‘Twitter Mom‘, a woman informed the group that Dunkin Donuts is making April 21st ‘Iced Coffee Day’ to support the troops. Purchase an Iced Coffee for $.50 and you will help the Homes for our Troops project. Homes for Our Troops builds or engineers homes that are wheelchair accessible for severely injured veterans. Maybe you don’t have the time to volunteer, stop into your local Dunkin Donuts on April 21st for ‘Iced Coffee Day’! With just a little effort you can change the world, by purchasing a $.50 iced coffee you will be supporting a great cause. If you don’t like Iced Coffee give a delicious iced cup of java to your neighbor or coworker as a small act of kindness. It’s amazing how even the small ‘pay it forward’ acts can change your mood with those ‘feel good’ hormones while changing the world.
Dunkin Donuts wants you to spread the word. Learn more about the Homes for Our Troops cause on Dunkin Donuts web site and make it ‘viral’ by posting it to your Facebook profile or Twitter it.
Get the word out!
by admin on April 1, 2009
I heard the buzz weeks ago. In one of our Monday “meetings of the minds”, we received news the ‘Coupon Queen‘ would be contributing her tips and advice to yourLI.com. Intrigued, I immediately Google searched her name. I struggle with grocery spending. Weekly trips total over $250. If I am lazy, careless and hungry bringing just my wallet to the supermarkets, I can quickly go over budget. Jill’s weekly tips and strategies on saving money grocery shopping and coupon clipping will help us make better choices as consumers.
Smarter spending= more $ in the bank. It’s about saving money and living a happier, healthier, stress free life. Why struggle? Most of us, like me, never considered that we CAN stop and think about the purchase before the impulsive buy. I am a victim of the supermarkets. I buy things on sale, and I don’t even know what it is! I see colorful packages, and I grab for two boxes. Most of the time, I buy in abundance for fear my kids will not have enough choices. Wow! I’ve said it. It’s true! My guilty mom parenting always ends with spoiled food left untouched, uneaten and ready for the garbage. Breaking the cycle and admitting the problem, is the first step. I welcome Jill Cataldo, as a mother and as a consumer.
Jill Cataldo, the Coupon Queen, is a mother of three and has perfected the craft of saving money by “Super Couponing.” Get educated! Jill saves hundreds of dollars on grocery spending, why not learn from the Coupon Queen? Her helpful tips will benefit any family size. Join me and other families on Long Island who have already learned and are practicing Jill’s technique and save BIG, too! It’s simple, I just regret not starting it sooner. Thankfully starting over is our PRESENT!
by admin on March 26, 2009
Summer Camp can be a stressful and expensive process, but it also has benefits. Summer Camps in Long Island provides children with the chance to develop character, learn valuable life skills, make new friends, and discover new interests.
The keys to finding the right day camps in Long Island are to first ask yourself and your child a few questions. What do you and your child hope to achieve from the camp experience? Does your child have any special interests that they want to explore? Once you’ve answered these basic questions you will be able to select the type of summer camp appropriate for your child.
During these hard economic times finding the right summer camp may be a difficult since you may need to work late hours and weekends not leaving much time to go to open houses to see the campus and facilities.
Luckily there is the National Camp Association (NCA) a FREE public service organization dedicated to helping parents find the right camp for their children. All NCA camps are accredited programs that have met strict standards including health, safety, quality programming, and have been evaluated by NCA staff.
Click, print and SAVE with yourLI.com:
Buckley Country Day Camp in Roslyn provides a unique and enriching summer program for today’s youth. They offer a summer filled with fun, challenge, and life changing experiences utilizing their grounds and facilities available through the Buckley Country Day School. At Buckley the daily camp experience becomes a combination of sounds of laughter, enthusiasm, and learning. The self-confidence of campers grows as they are challenged by their activities and exposed to new programs. The sense of community at Buckley is one of the greatest strengths. Another plus is for each camper to feel the bond of being a special part of the group in a nurturing environment is essential.
Camps ‘R’ Us in Baldwin as well as locations in Hicksville, Bellmore, Valley Stream are summer camps for children ages 3 through 15. They foster social interaction and personal growth, enriching the hearts and minds of campers in a nurturing environment. The program was founded for one reason – working families on Long Island need safe, affordable and convenient summer day care for their children. Campers enjoy a variety of age-appropriate activities, including Swimming, Bowling, Indoor/Outdoor Sports Recreation, Shades’ Famous Game Room, Arts & Crafts, Special Events and Theme Days. Optional field trips are also available.
As summer approaches, keep an eye on yourLI summer section with deals and coupons for summer camps in your area.
by admin on March 20, 2009
While cleaning my counters from the daily paperwork, I stumbled upon the back of my IKEA circular. FREE Breakfast until 10:30 from Friday 3/20 – Sunday 3/22. I am not sure if you need the above coupon to present to the restaurant, so call before you go.
AND don’t forget your coupon: get a $50 IKEA gift card when you spend $250 or more from yourLI.com.
Happy Shopping!
by admin on March 11, 2009
I’m not going to sing like American Idol’s Megan Joy Corkrey did with ‘Rockin Robin‘, but I rock at finding deals and coupons for yourLI.com AND TWEET about it, too.
Yes, you heard me: Tweet. If you haven’t heard about twitter.com, you should. It’s a great on line resource for businesses as well as a social site. I use Twitter for yourLI.com to ‘tweet’ (Twitter language) deals.
Become a fan of yourLI.com on Twitter. I tweet 10-20 HOT deals a day in both Nassau & Suffolk county, click on the link BACK to yourLI.com, and you will get the deal directly.
yourLI.com Twitter page
by admin on February 20, 2009
Most of us, when saving money, will cut out restaurant dining. We tend to budget. But why compromise your sanity? On days that I am rushing around after work with the kids, the last thing on my mind is cooking for my picky eaters. Pizza or Chinese usually gets me off the hook. You don’t have to eat out every night, BUT you CAN think about eating out or having food delivered in at least once a week. Here’s a few ways to save on restaurant meals:
Enjoy the Specials: Many restaurants are putting into policy “economy specials.” They know that families are budgeting, and they have a business to run. Start checking out the deals when you walk through your town.
FREE DEALS at yourLI.com: Buy 1 Large pie, get ONE 14″ PIE FREE at Royal Pizzeria in Patchogue located at 711 Medford Avenue. Buy 1 Burrito, get 1 Burrito FREE from Avocados in Bayport located at 955 Montauk Hwy. Buy 2 Heroes, get 1 FREE from Michael Anthony’s Pizza in Centereach located at 1759 Middle Country Rd.
This is the spot? We all love our 5 star restaurant service and entrees, but if you’re dining a family of five on tight funds, sometimes you have to compromise. There are many delicious restaurants that are diamonds in the rough with small cozy atmospheres and tasty entrees; they can be a hit for the whole family on a budget. Local ‘mom & pop’ restaurants usually offer better food for lower prices. Plus you won’t have to be uptight thinking your children are the only ones with voices, families like yours will be hitting the same spots! The kids can feel comfortable to be themselves and you can relax.
I’m FULL! Appetizers can be a meal. My mother used to say, “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach!” I liked to eat the appetizers and struggle through my main course. Appetizers, in some restaurants, can be the meal!
What’s better than savings? FREE savings! FREE appetizer at 101 Bar & Grill in Bellmore located at 2565 Bellmore Avenue, try their Steamed PEI Mussels, BBQ Chicken Sliders or Baked Clams. FREE appetizer from Murphy’s Bar & Grill in Mineola located at 234 Old Country Road.
Leftovers, the ‘poor man’s lunch’, never tasted so good. After eating appetizers you may be full. Don’t force it, just save it for tomorrow’s lunch leftovers. Also eating Buffet style can easily fill you. Shovel enough on your plate and you can enjoy it for next day dining.
Use coupons. If you have a booklet of mail coupons, use them. If you can’t be bothered looking through the mess of them, let me help.
Deals from yourLI.com: Cugini Pizzeria & Restaurant in Plainview located on 1048 Old Country Road has 30% OFF deals on certain days OR $2 OFF any large pie DAILY! $10 OFF your check at Pronto Restaurant in Babylon located at 111 Deer Park Avenue, they have a delicious selection of pasta dishes. Complimentary Bottle of Wine or DESSERT Platter from Borrelli’s Italian Restaurant in East Meadow located on 1580 Hempstead Tpke.
Bon Appetit!
