Eating Out on the Cheap

                This was from a wonderful night out at an Ethiopian restaurant where I paid full price but it was so worth it!

I loooooooove food and I can eat a ton of it! Most people look at me and underestimate my eating power, let's just say I can out eat my husband any day, well unless I am sick or it's a candy eating contest or... Anyways, we have a weekend ritual of going out to eat, and after our Panera debacle I was determined to save money and actually fill my stomach this time.

And that is where great advertising steps in, aka Olive Gardens never ending pasta bowl deal! I don't know about where you live but $8.95 for a bowl of pasta that I can refill as many times as I want plus bread and salad, and I don't have to cook sounds like a steal to me! To sweeten it even more I had a $4 off two entree coupons! We went and we conquered,  everyone walked out of there with a full belly and our pockets still somewhat full. Son A helped the cause by eating a kids pizza, 4 bread sticks and 2 plates of salad, he really knows how to get his money's worth! 

Of course a night out wouldn't be complete without some classic behavior from the A and B, on our walk into the restaurant we had to jump onto the sidewalk, touch the grass, touch the leaves, attempt to steal some rocks, look for bees and than cry because their were "scary" people in there! Okay, the people were a little freaky I have to admit, but being the adult I didn't think it was appropriate to start crying too.

Later the people ended up sitting behind us and B couldn't pull his eyes away from them, which is always super awkward for those being starred at and those trying to keep the kids from starring. "Please stop starring at the weird people behind us, even though I probably wouldn't be able to help myself either if my back wasn't to them." Who came up with social etiquette anyways, don't they know it would have been easier if we were just allowed to stare? 

*I feel I can make the above statement because having twins puts you on freak show status and people just unabashedly stare at you and make comments within hearing distance (I am seriously amazed at what people will say out loud).*

 To top off the awkward staring, both of the boys drank a whole cup of juice in the first 5 minutes which led to a serious sugar high and using the seats as a trampoline. Hope the people behind us wanted a ride with their meal! 

Our night was much more filling and cost us about the same as Panera, so I will chalk this one up to a success!

Cheap Labor Day

Because all my money disappeared on this Labor Day:

(None of my kids were born on Labor day)

This weekend we went to Macaroni Grill with a Buy One Get One coupon, checkout The Dish on their web page for future deals! The manager ended up comping us the meal because we had to wait 40 minutes for our food. We didn't complain about the wait but he wanted to make sure we had a positive time. So thanks Mr. Macaroni Grill Manager!

Saturday we hit the MX track near where we live, my husband bought a year membership for $15 ( not a bad  price at all!) So we head out there as often as we can.

Don't worry I was just taking a picture, I was not actually riding without a helmet.


Sunday I went to our local grocery store because they were taking 9% off your grocery bill, plus they always double coupons that are $1 and under! Love my store!!
 We also went to a friends Church picnic that evening, so dinner only cost me a pack of cookies!

Monday we took the kids to the Zoo, it cost us five dollars and two pints of my husbands blood. Okay, before you get freaked out he donated blood and got two tickets to the Zoo. Than for the kids tickets we got a 50% discount on the kids tickets with my husbands military ID. So five dollars for a couple hours at the zoo, and yes, it was only a couple hours because we forgot the stroller... carrying three kids around all day can wear a person out!

On the way home we got drinks at Sonic during their happy hour! Did I ever mention I hate paying full price for anything?

And than we picked up pizza at Little Cesar's, they have a large pizza for $4 on Mondays! I can't even get a frozen pizza that actually tastes good for that much! We have instituted pizza Monday at our house and we all look forward to it, me because it's a break from cooking and my husband because it's something unhealthy.

So the total cost for a weekend of fun was: $19 + Gas = A happy budget!

Frugal Friday: Hairdoo

I hate getting my hair cut! I have had the same hairstyle since I can remember, and not by choice! The hairdressers tell me that I have the thickest hair they have ever seen ( It has been compared to a horses tail... thanks...). Because of my hair thickness it leaves a lot to be desired in the cool haircut area, no matter how its cut it always looks the same...

Anyways, now that I whined about my thick hair ( which I really do appreciate), lets talk about saving money!

Getting your hair cut/ colored can be a gut wrenching experience fo ryou and your wallet, so I have a few ideas.

Color your hair at home, I know a lot of you are probably doing this but let me reiterate color your hair at home. If you have any questions about this you can ask your hairdresser they usually have some great tips!
And use your coupons when you buy that hair color!

Go to a beauty school for your trim. They maybe newbies but their prices are unbeatable and they often have fresh ideas. I got my hair cut and colored at a school, and all the decisions she made had to be run past the teacher, so unless she accidently chopped a huge chunk out it was pretty safe. I got a great hair cut and all over color for $16! You can't beat that!

I suggest schools for any type of beauty service, my husband and I just got a couples massage at a massage school for $25, thats at least a fourth of the regular price! .... I might need to book another appointment...

So google yourself a local beauty school and get a cheap cut!

Horrible picture (thanks for smiling babe!) but it's the best I had of my hair cut!