Monday, September 29, 2008

Great Frugal Deals I Got

Let me tell you. I love cheap deals, its like Christmas in June for me.
This was a really tough weekend for me. My 4 year old and 9 year old had soccer games on the same Saturday plus golf lessons at noon. Now I love my girls but this was also the weekend that two of my favorite church harvest/yard sale events were going on. I had a list of things I had been looking for with one of them being a red vest for Christmas. Now I love Christmas so much that I start playing my multiple tapes and CD's on November 1st. I guess I will always be a kid at heart and I can remember how special my mother made The Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays for me. I will elaborate more on this toward the holidays. back to the list and my red vest. I had been looking for one since last year. I wanted a gently used name brand vest for less than 5 bucks.

Well after debating between the soccer games and yard sales, I decided on soccer. I am a good father and my 4 year old is awesome on the field. We had a good day and I marked the yard sale dates on my calender for next year.

Doing the right thing as a father does pay off every now and then because on Monday I got my deal. I decided to stop by GW(for those who are new "Goodwill") on my lunch break.
As I wandered through the aisle there among the hangers was my red vest and it was a Lands End even better, plus I found a nice gray Ralph Lauren, price $3.50 a piece.

Best of all, picked up a brand new Wilson Golf bag with stand and extra storage, price $5.99

So, I am happy and ready for Christmas this year.

Frugal Frank OTBS

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Thanksgiving in Washington,DC

Well, after a long hiatus I am completing my Washington follow-up.

As I said before this was a great Thanksgiving trip. We arrived at Embassy Suites on Wednesday and had plenty of time to walk around and check out a few museums and map out the next day.

On Thursday, the weather was great. I got up early and jogged around a couple of blocks and came back to the hotel for the complimentary buffet breakfast. I had a delicious western omelet and hash browns. My wife and girls got to pick what they wanted plus had fresh fruit and yogurt. The weather was about 70 degrees and we walked around all day long. The girls got to go ice skating in front of the National Museum and signed the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives.

Later that evening we drove out to Georgetown to see the movie "The Bee" only because I didn't check and see that there was movie theater one block from the hotel in Chinatown at the Arena. After the movie, the girls were exhausted and slept well the whole night.

During the night my wife and I scanned the internet for a local Christmas parade on Friday or Saturday that we could take the kids to. The forecast was for the temp. to drop to the 30's on Friday which I considered perfect parade weather.

We lucked up and found the best little town parade around in Reston,VA. Now, if you go, get up early and get a good spot because this parade gets packed. The parade goes through the Main street of the Reston shopping center which is a cobblestone road with sops and stores all around.
The parade reminded me of a Hallmark movie. The costumes, bands, floats and dancers were top notched. They also had a grandstand with benches that the parade went past with an emcee
announcing each group.
The Reston Center also has an outdoor skating rink but it was too cold with the wind blowing.

On Saturday, our last stop was at the home of Frederick Douglass in Anacostia which is a must see also. The home has been restored and sits high up on a hill. You can see the Capitol Building form the home's front porch.

But except for the hotel ,gas ,ice skating, and movie the trip was pretty reasonable.

Now of course if can give further tips and details if anyone has any questions.

We plan on going back each year because you can not see it all in a few trips and enjoy, plus the educational experiences for the kids is invaluable.

Frugal Frank OTBS