Thanksgiving can be an expensive affair. The cost of a turkey large enough to feed the family alone can put a severe dent in your budget. Here are a few tips for a fun, inexpensive Thanksgiving celebration:

Write a menu plan and stick to it. Plan on how how much food you will need based on how many will be attending. This helps to avoid overbuying.

Organize a Pot Luck. Has Aunt Tilly offered to bring a side dish? Let her. If lots of relatives and friends are attending, arrange a potluck. Every one can bring their favorite side dish.

Cheap produce still makes delicious sides. Don't worry about making your meal a 5 star affair with things like caviar or fancy mushrooms in your recipes. There are a lot of great mashed potato recipes out there to fancy up your meal.

Not normally a fan of bulk retailers like Sam's Club? Make an exception for your Thanksgiving feast. There's no better time than Thanksgiving to buy big bags of potatoes or frozen veggies, or cases of drinks.

Use coupons. You won't believe the savings. Click here to browse the available coupons. Match them to items that you are willing to try . There are currently some great ones for Thanksgiving favorites.

Decorate and set your table cheaply by hitting your local dollar store for colorful napkins and turkey centerpieces. Also if you have children let them make hand print turkey place mats using just paper and paint. Your guests will probably appreciate seeing your child's work of art. Or go here or here for instructions on how to fold your napkins into turkeys.

Is entertaining a problem? Burn some dinner music from online site that offer free downloads, or preselect your favorites from your CD collection and condense them into one CD. Will there be lots of kids in attendance? Rent a children's movie form Redbox (just $1 a day per rental) or print out coloring sheets for them to color right at the children's table. Break out the board games for an after dinner fun fest.

Have a fun and inexpensive Thanksgiving!

Have ideas and tips of your own. We would love to hear them.

I've been posting some great Veteran's Day freebies throughout the week , but here is a compiled list with a new addition:

Applebees -Veterans and active-duty men and women are entitled to a free entree at Applebees on Veterans Day. Just identify yourself as a vet or member of the military, and order a entree free of charge!

*NEW*Chicago Uno Grill If you purchase one entree or individual pizza, you'll get another one free on Veteran's Day at Chicago Uno Grill. Show up in uniform, or with a picture of you in uniform or with your military ID and you're entitled to the deal as a veteran or active-duty member of the armed service. No coupon necessary!

Krispy Kreme With over a dozen of delicious varieties to choose from, you'll have your pick of a free donut at Krispy Kreme on Veterans Day. To honor America's service men and women, Krispy's giving veterans and active military personnel who visit any participating U.S. Krispy Kreme store on Veterans Day one free donut of his or her choosing.

Outback Steakhouse If you're active-duty military or a veteran you can also grab a free Bloomin' Onion and beverage at Outback Steakhouse.

Health & Beauty
Prilosec OTC sample

Dentek Triple Clean Flosss Picks

Magazine Subscriptions
Free Subscription to Town & Country Magazine

Store Freebies
Free Sun-Rype Fruitsource Bar at at GNC


Nearly Free
This offer for a free Veggie Tales DVD is not entirely free because you do have to pay $2.99 shipping and handling, but $2.99 for a Veggie Tales DVD doesn't seem like a bad price, especially for a Christmas gift!


Coupons
Click here to het a coupon
booklet with $55 worth of savings from Nabisco!

Don't forget to print the newest coupons from here


Holiday Freebies/Upcoming Events

Free Santa Photo and Other Family Fun Events at Bass Pro Shops. Click here for dates and details.


Know of any other freebies or other fantastic deals? Please email me and tell me all about them!

Today, June 5th, is National Doughnut Day!

In honor of the delicious occasion, Krispy Kreme is giving away a free doughnut to all customers--no purchase necessary.

Dunkin' Donuts is also giving away a free doughnut with the purchase of a beverage.

As I always say, it's probably best to call ahead to verify that your locations are participating!


Know of any other free doughnut events today? Please leave a comment and let everyone know!

Half Price Books has a great Summer Reading Program which you'll definitely want to check out if you have kids who love reading as much as mine do!

Children 12 and under can earn a free $3 gift card to Half Price Books each week they read (or are read to) for 15 minutes at least five days.

This program ends July 31, 2009. Check out the details here.



Other children's/family freebies:

Grocery/Food Freebies

Free Quaker Mini Delights or Rice Cakes sample -2 flavors to choose from

Free Sample of Total Cranberry Crunch Cereal

Free Bag of Riceworks Gourmet Brown Rice Crisps -- Printable Coupon

Baby

3 Free Pamper Rewards Points: HAPPYHOLIDAY089

Free What to Expect When You're Expecting Book

Free Sample Kirkland Signature Supreme Diaper

Health/Beauty Freebies

Free Sunsilk Shampoo sample & Coupon

Free CankerMelts Sample

Free Always Infinity Pads sample

FREE Sample of Move Free Advanced

Free Bausch & Lomb Pre-Moistened Lens Cleaning Tissue

Pets
Free mighty dog up to $0.99

Restaurant Freebies
Join the LongHorn Steakhouse LongHorn LowDown Club & Get a Free Appetizer

Other
Free TurboTax 1040EZ & Simple Returns + Free Efile

H & R Block Free Edition + E-file

Consumer Panels

Introducing The Harlequin™ Teen Panel
www.HarlequinTeenPanel.com

parents link: https://www.harlequinteenpanel.com/S...5&fromdetect=1

"Harlequin will be launching a new line of Teen fiction books in the future. These books will be different from the books that Harlequin publishes for women today. In addition to our new line of books, Harlequin has also just launched a Teen Research Panel for young readers ages 13 to17 who are U.S residents.. This panel will be similar to Tell Harlequin research panel in that it is strictly for research purposes and we will not try to sell your teen anything or sell their information to third parties. Teens will be asked to fill out fun quizzes; they’ll participate in discussions and will also receive FREE books (approximate retail value of $10-$15 per book?) and have a chance to enter into sweepstakes (with your permission).If you have a teen who would be interested in joining our fun new panel please click below to find out more about Harlequin™ Teen Panel, and how your teen may qualify and register to be a part of it and how you may provide your consent to your teen’s participationOnce you have given consent as well as your teen’s email address, name, age and country of residence we will email your teen and ask them to complete our first quiz to see if they qualify for our panel. If your teen qualifies, another email will be sent to you with a link to our Panel Consent Form.Thank You,Tell Harlequin Team and The Harlequin Teen Panel Team"


NesCafe Taster's Choice panel

"The Tasters are a group of influential and active adults that help spread the word about NESCAFÉ TASTER'S CHOICE. This elite team also provides feedback on NESCAFÉ TASTER'S CHOICE products, promotions and marketing efforts as well as trends in the marketplace. In exchange, Tasters can receive promotional items, samples, and coupons to share with friends, acquaintances, and others in their community. In addition, Tasters can complete simple weekly activities and earn points that can be used to redeem great rewards in our online store."


Become a Maker's Mark Ambassodor and get Free Stuff. Must be 21+

Upcoming Freebies-Mark your calendars!

Free Bottle of Suave for Ladies -- Starts 1/14/09

Quaker True Delights (Begins 1/16/09)

Upcoming Events
IHOP - National Pancake Day on 02/24/09

Shopping tools
Betty Crocker Organizer -Betty Crocker has partnered with Cozi to bring you a FREE online organization tool. With Cozi at your fingertips, you'll have access to customized grocery lists, recipes, and more. And, Cozi's shared family calendar is great for planning, from everyday meals to special parties.

Restaurant Freebies
Barnes & Noble / Starbucks - Free Cappuccino Until 10/31/08

Free Bob Evans Kids Meal and Drink with sign-up
Sign up today and receive email updates promotional offers and more plus get a coupon for a free Kids Meal and Drink with confirmation email!

Health & Beauty Freebies
Free Sample Imodium

Sunsilk Shampoo samples and coupons

Remifemin 40 Tablet Sample

Free Sample of the New Airborne Original Zesty Orange

Another Free sample of Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Treatment

Free sample of Serenity TENA products (many choices)

Grocery/Food Freebies
Free sample of Folgers Coffee

Hot Sauce Sample

Splenda with Fiber sample


Pet Freebies
Free sample of Nature's Recipe Farm Stand Selects Chicken Recipe Canned Dog Food


Free Magazine Subscriptions
Forbes

Free Subscription to Automobile

1 issue O at Home Magazine


Kids/Upcoming Events
Kids Spooktacular Party at Borders - Check to see if your location is partcipating!
You're invited to a ghoulishly good time at your local Borders and Waldenbooks Stores. Dress up the family in Halloween Costumes and enter our super-cool costume contest. Gather around for creepy, crawly tales during storytimes. Then the frights and fun continue with games, activities and more. Saturday October 25, 2pm - 4pm.

Halloween Freebies
Halloween Music Downloads from Bacardi

Restaurant Savings/Deal Alert at Restaurant.com

Take 60% off Dinner of the Month Club Purchase. Use the code SAVOR . Valid 10/21/08 through 10/26/08.

Take 60% off $25 Gift Certificates. Pay $4 when you use the code SAVOR. Valid 10/21/08 through 10/26/08.

Hey Everyone!

I told you yesterday I would be back with some more fabulous freebies...so here I am!


Grocery/Food Freebies

Updated-The correct number is 800-453-8311-Thanks, Jennifer!!

Sample Bottle of Veggie Wash-Veggie Wash® is the all-natural way to remove wax, soil and agricultural chemicals from produce. Please callto request a FREE sample bottle of Veggie Wash. Be sure to leave your name and address. Please allow 2 - 4 weeks for delivery. Thanks, Jill!

Household/Other freebies
Free eco-friendly Aveeno tote bag from Cookie Magazine
Enter the UPC information from any two (2) AVEENO© products and receive a free eco-friendly AVEENO© tote bag!Limit one gift per household. Promotion starts 10:00AM EST on September 15, 2008 and ends on December 31, 2008 (or when supplies are exhausted). ARV of the gift is $15 each. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. Shipping in the U.S. only.


Please consider making a small donation to this wonderful charity that is offering this freebie!

Free address labels from PVA

Baby Freebies
Free Decorative Decals for your diaper genie -3 very cute choices


Free Magazine Subscriptions

Free Subscription to Maxim

Coupons
Join the Beech-Nut family -"Sign up for our free e-newsletters, and we’ll send you informationcustomized to your baby’s age, plus helpful tips and money-saving coupons each month." Special offers link is at bottom right of page.



Upcoming Events/Kids

I posted this a few days ago, but now I've found a link:
Toys R Us Geoffrey's Birthday party - 09/27/08

Kids Birthday Party at Borders (09/27/08 , 2-4 PM)
Bring the family for games, storytimes, activities, and more! Show the kids your skills at "Hokey Pokey" or just sit and enjoy a storytime together. While you're enjoying the event, kids get a free cookie with any large beverage purchase at our Seattle's Best Coffee cafe.

I would love to hear about the freebies, coupons, or deals you've found. Please email me and tell me all about them!

Coupons
Free Coupon Organizer from Dollar General & Kraft -Sign up for the newsletter(email) and the first 20,000 customers who join/update their profile will receive this free coupon organizer from Kraft! Plus, once your profile is updated, you'll instantly become a member of the all-new Dollar General ® Savings Zone. The Dollar General Savings Zone delivers exclusive offers, tips, recipes and much more right to your inbox - on top of the benefits you already enjoy from Dollar General. If you are one of the first 20,000 customers to update your profile, you will receive an e-mail informing you of delivery of your free coupon organizer.

Household Freebies
The Drops - Toilet Odor Eliminator Sample

Free Matters of the Heart Will & Estate Planning Kit -- American Heart Association

Health/Beauty Freebies
Free Sample of Airborne

Resurgence 3 Step Regimen Sampler

Another Nicorette Sample Starter Pack

Another Free Sample of Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons

Yet Another Free Sample of Always Infinity

Ultra Xcid

Platex Sport

Sunsilk


Photo Freebies
25 Free Prints - Rite Aid

Consumer Panels/Product Testers
Join the ELLE Inner Circle—an exclusive online reader panel where the most in-the-know readers connect for ELLE opportunities and to make their voices heard. Share your opinions on a variety of products and services featured in ELLE, receive product samples, and complete exclusive surveys, helping us shape the look and voice of ELLE.

Join the O at Home Style Squad Reader Panel. Join our elite group of home enthusiasts – become a member of the O at Home Style Squad Reader Panel.We'll periodically send you short surveys asking you to share your point of view with O at Home on the latest home products, design trends and more. With each survey you complete, you'll be eligible to win great prizes such as AMEX gift checks to put toward your next home project.

Free Events/Upcoming Events
Free Admission on Your Birthday to Disney World or Land—It's Our Gift to You! Since birthdays are the one celebration we all share, let's start with the most magical present of all: free admission on your birthday during 2009 to one of the Theme Parks of Walt Disney World® or Disneyland® Resorts*! *Offer does not entitle Passholders or multi-day ticket holders to cash refund or credit. Proof of birth date required upon admission. Visit disneyparks.com for details and to register for the birthday ticket.


All You Magazine~Yes You Can! 2008 Events~At Various Walmarts

Join All You at our annual Yes,You Can! event. Get your Yes,You Can! Make the Holidays Easy Sample Bag. Presented this year by Suave,Crisco,Carefree and others. October 25th or 26th ,2008-10Am-4PM at various Walmart Stores~

The Yes, You Can! program is scheduled to take place EITHER on Saturday, October 25th OR Sunday, October 26th from 10:00am - 4:00pm. **Event stores and dates may be subject to change.

I would love to hear about the freebies, deals, and coupons you've found. Please email me and tell me all about them!

Giveaways
Don't forget to enter the three fabulous giveaways I have going on if you have not already done so!

Wild Dill Children's Clothing Giveaway-($30 Gift Certificate!)

Nola Meadows Studio Giveaway (Jewelry-$20 gift Certificate)

LilyBugs Giveaway (Bottle & Sippy Cup Learning tool-Your choice of LilyBug)

Health & Beauty Freebies

Free Sample of Airborne

Free Sample of Benefiber Fiber Drink Mix

Grocery Freebies

Sturdiwheat Pancake Sample-Call 1-800-201-9650 to request your FREE 6 oz. Sturdiwheat Pancake Sample! (Thanks, Megan!)

Free Sample Bear Naked Fruit & Nut Granola

Photo Freebies

Free Photonotes -Upload a photo, choose a polaroid picture frame, type a message in the font of your choosing, and email to family, friends, etc

8x10 family portrait with no sitting fees - JCPenney Portraits

Household/other Freebies

Free Sample Gorilla Wood Glue

Free Mr Clean Magic Eraser

Free Beautiful Personalized Italian Postcards - Barilla

chelsey henry laptop sleeve

Free Mobile Phone Strap/Charm Thanks, Jillibean!

Kids Freebies

Children's Books: 'King of the Frogs' & 'Jack and the Beanstalk'

Baby/toddler Freebies

Free Member's Mark (Sam's Club) formula samples

Goodnites Boxers or Shorts

Pet Freebies

Greenies

Store/Restaurant Freebies

Free Breakfast at IKEA September 19-21 Until 10:30 A.M. **This offer is not valid in Houston, Hicksville, Pittsburgh & Seattle.

Free Coffee Smoothie at Smoothie King Sept 18

Free Magazine Subscription/Bookletss

Sunset Magazine

Debt-Free Holidays Handbook-(Thanks, Jenna!)

Upcoming Free Events
Go to museums free on Sep 29
Saturday, September 29, 2007 is Museum Day, a nationwide event celebrating the United States’ cultural offerings, where participating museums and cultural institutions offer free admission to Smithsonian readers, and (lucky you!) visitors to the Smithsonian.com websitePrint the free admission card.

Upcoming Events/Kids
Toys r us: Geoffrey birthday party on 09/27/08 from NOON -3pm
"We were at Toys r us yesterday and got a flier about this. They have lot of activities for kids like coloring, Polly pocket, moon sand, Care bears, strawberry shortcake etc. People may want to call and verify if it's in their area too" -Michelle (Thanks, Michelle!)

Upcoming Events/Restaurant Freebies

World's Largest Ice Cream Social

Free Ice Cream - Cold Stone Creamery on 9/25/08, 5-8pm



From site: "A nationwide event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, customers will receive a free 3 oz. serving of either Wish Child Emily or Wish Child Jack's creation and can donate to Make-A-Wish. These creations were made using two of Cold Stone Creamery's new ice cream flavors, Nutter Butter and marshmallow. Emily combined Nutter Butter ice cream with yellow cake, Kit Kat Candy, and white chocolate chips. Jack mixed marshmallow ice cream Oreo cookies, chocolate chips and fudge. "



Grocery Freebies

Free Sample of Quaker Simple Harvest multigrain chewy granola bars



Health & Beauty Freebies

Free Sample of The Healing Formula Cream -For diabetics, etc



Sample of John Freida shampoo





Centsible Buys



Kroger

3 readers emailed me about this fabulous toliet paper deal the past few days (Thanks Kim, Melissa, and Toni!!!)



Cottonelle Toliet Paper -$ 0.99

$0.50 coupon here (which will be doubled at Kroger)

Free with coupon

The best part, this coupon can be printed monthly!



WalMart


Silk Soymilk, $2.98

$2.25/1 printable

$0.73 after coupon!



South Beach Living Frozen Pizza

$2/1 printable

FREE after coupon!



Preparation H Wipes (10-ct.), $2.98

$3/1 printable

FREE after coupon!



Remember, prices may vary by location!

Do you know of any other coupon match ups that make foo free or very inexpensive items, please let me know!

Reminder: Enter the Sweet Life Giveaway and the Flaky Friends Giveaway! Also, check back this Friday and Tuesday for new giveaway coming up!

Have a great day and enjoy the $aving$!

~Jamie

The freebies are sparse today but there are some great in store kids events coming up!

Free Information and Booklets, etc
P.A.D. Kit & Plavix-September is P.A.D. (Peripheral Artery Disease) Awareness Month



Tempur Pedic sample & DVD

Free Kraft Maid Kitchen Idea Booklet

$20 off Cutivate for Dry Skin Relief & information

Baby
Free Enfamil Samples

Kids
Wink Toy Company Free BittyWink

Upcoming Events/Kids
American Girl Craft Creations- Michael's
Join us for Doll Craft Creations on September 20.This FREE event at Michael's craft stores offers girls the chance to create adorable doll tees and purses. Visit your local Michael's on Saturday, September 20, any time from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to join the fun.

Pottery Barn Kids-STAR WARS Event
Coming to Galaxy Near You! Bring your kids to meet their favorite Star Wars™ characters in action at a special event at participating Pottery Barn Kids stores. Bring your camera and get ready to experience the Force in person.Priority tickets are available for this event. Visit a participating store anytime prior to the event day to pick up your complimentary tickets.*Special notes about this event: Pottery Barn Kids stores cannot confirm which characters will appear. Circumstances beyond the control of the organizers may necessitate substitution, postponement or cancellation without prior notice.* Limit 10 tickets per person. One ticket per person required for entry to priority line. Lineup order within the priority line is on a first-come, first-served basis.Click here for info and participating locations, dates, and times.