News Flash! Free Ice Cream at the Elkton Walmart

On Saturday, May 30th, from 11 am to 4 pm (or while supplies last!), they will be handing out free, full servings of frozen treats! Here is the link to get the information on what is being handed out: http://instoresnow.walmart.com/Food-Center-Ice-Cream.aspx

Two Low Cost Camps

I was reading the newspaper this morning and saw 2, great, low cost camps that are for children who are interested in nature and conservation.

The first camp is for ages 8-14 years old. It is given by the Md. Dept of Natural Resources at the Fair Hill Nature Center. There are 6 different sessions offered on Saturdays starting June 13th. Cost for all sessions is $10. This is part of the Maryland Junior Ranger Program. For more information or to register your child call (410) 398-1246.

The second camp is a residential program for middle school students that runs from August 3 – 7. Application deadline is June 12th. The cost is $125 with partial scholarships available. It is called “Land and Water Connection” and is given in Dorchester County. More information is found here:
http://www.cecilscd.com/2009landandwater.htm

Some Free Events this Weekend!

I found two events that are free and look like fun for families. The first is the Conowingo Pool is having free admission this weekend. Pool hours are 11 am – 7 pm. They are trying to drum up memberships. Enjoy the pool free this weekend. 4948 Conowingo Rd., Darlington, MD. (410) 457-5554.

The second free thing for families is put on by the Lifesong Christian Church. Sounds like they are going all out with kids crafts, Ninja slide, puppet show, sack races, face painting, prizes, etc. It takes place on Sat., May 30, from 10 am – 6 pm. The address is 424 Old Field Point Rd in Elkton. (410) 392-8083. http://www.cecilwhig.com/calendar/?showdate=2009-05-30

Community Calendars Make Finding Activities Easier

I read a wonderful article on The Simple Dollar a few days ago about 10 great web sites to find free/low cost entertainment for the summer. I looked at the web sites and decided that some were worthy of exploring.

“Community Calendars http://www.google.com/search?q=community+calendar
Just add your city and state to the above Google query to find the community calendar for your own town. Community calendars are loaded with interesting and enjoyable free events, from community dinners to farmer’s markets in your local area. It’s also worth searching for the community calendars of cities and towns adjacent to where you life.”

I used my librarian skills to refine the search and came up with several searches that brought me wonderful information on Cecil area calendars as well as PA, DE and Harford County. So you don’t have to search all those areas, here are my results:

http://www.elktonmd.net/ This is a web site where you can post things on the calendar and has free classifieds.

http://www.cecilwhig.com/calendar Cecil Whig’s online calendar, which differs from the newspaper calendar.

http://cecilobserver.wordpress.com/community-calendar/ A blog by someone in Chesapeake City that includes a calendar.

http://www.americantowns.com/de/middletown/events This is an events calendar for Middletown, DE. Not much on it but it does have things.

http://www.thekentcountynews.com/calendar/ Kent County News community calendar.

http://www.hdgtourism.com/calendar.php#8 Havre de Grace’s tourism board calendar.

http://www.ourquarryville.com/index.php?pageId=calendar For Quarryville, PA.

http://newark.de.us/downtown/Events.htm Newark, DE (Newark night is June 6th!)

If you want to search other areas just use the google link above and add in the town. If you need to add in the state too (like for Newark) put it in quotes like this: “Newark, de” than you will get a more exact search.

Laundry Stain Removal Web Site

Here is a great web site on how to remove laundry stains:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/stain/

This page has a search box where you can enter the type of stain and get step-by-step instructions on what to use on the stain and why it works. At the top of the page are other things to click on such as Stains A-Z. I had fun with the stain finder.

This page is part of the University of Illinois Extension Center web site. The link to the general page on Money management is packed with information on debt, frugality tips and credit card "smarts". Some things apply to Illinois but many things don't.

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/jdc/moneymanagement.html

I give it an A+.

Minor League Baseball – Great Fun, Big Savings

My husband likes to take one of our daughters to a Wilmington Blue Rocks game. In Middle School, when she made the honor roll, she got a free ticket. He would just have to buy one for himself. Parking is cheap and, if you don’t load up on too much food,the night can be pretty cheap. An alternative to the Blue Rocks is the Aberdeen Ironbirds. Both of the web sites offer different dates and times for game specials so look over the web sites carefully.

In addition to the teams’ specials, Minor League baseball has teamed up with Kraft to offer a buy one get one free special (BOGO to those of us who live for these things!). If you bring a Kraft Singles package wrapper to the ballpark, you can buy one ticket and get one free! Only on Tuesday nights from May 12th to Sept. 1. Details are here: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/kraft_landing.jsp

So enjoy a fun night out!

Another Grocery Salvage Store

A few weeks ago, someone asked the Cecil County Freecycle Discussion List, what are everyone’s favorite places to shop for bargains. I sent in a link to this blog and to my articles on thrift and consignment shops and salvage groceries. One of the other people on the list responded that there is another grocery outlet in Lancaster called Amelia’s Grocery Outlet. I looked at the web site and it looks like worthwhile to investigate if you up that way.

My “New” Purses

Yesterday morning, as I was getting ready for work, I lost a shoe in my closet. This sent me on a searching expedition through out all the junk in the closet. I took out almost everything from the left side of the closet and left it out while I went off to work. Since we are moving, I thought I would go through all the “goodies” when I returned home.

Last night I went through my collection of purses and my “long-lost” shoes from the back of the closet. I threw some out (the wonderful straw bag with the broken handle that I won’t fix) and designated some for the Goodwill. Then I looked at the purses. As I had taken them out I thought, “I love this one! (or that one).” But many needed to be cleaned.

I took a scrubbing pad to one and cleaned up the outside and set it to dry. Another one, that I have saved for about 6 years, I threw in the washer. I don’t think it was supposed to be washed but I figured it was the washer or the Goodwill or trash bag. It washed up well but I need to rewash it with some stain remover. Then it will be usable again.

Now I have 3 “new” summer purses! They are like new to me since some of them have been in the closet for years! So, go through your old purses and rejuvenate them rather than running out to buy a new one

A Few Good Blogs

I haven’t been posting much this week. We are busy getting ready to move in June. I was also sick one day (not swine flu!). Anyway, I thought I would post some links to some of my favorite web sites.

The Simple Dollar is one of the most popular blogs on personal finance. For good reason! The author, Trent, writes wonderful articles on frugal living, how to save money, how to get out from under debt, etc. Today’s article is a fine example of a great frugal living article. He also has in depth reviews of personal finance books that are very useful. I highly recommend Trent’s web site.

One of the other great personal finance blogs I read is Get Rich Slowly. This is written by a guy who also was thousands and thousands of dollars in debt. Now he is out of debt and writes a great blog.