Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Kids Eat Free @ La Carreta Mexican (Derry, NH only)

La Carreta Mexican in Derry, NH is celebrating back-to-school by offering "kids eat free" from 2pm-7pm on Mondays and Tuesdays.

35 Manchester Rd
Derry, NH, 03038

If you DON'T have kids, you might want to avoid going there on those nights - ha ha!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Lowe's FREE Build and Grow Clinics for Kids!

Saturdays at 10am.

What could be better than having fun with your child and giving them a sense of accomplishment when they've created something new...come build with them.  A new wooden project every week.  Best of all, it's FREE!

Click HERE to get started.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Money-Saving Banking Tips

First-off, it is usually pretty easy to find a bank that will give you a "free" checking account, especially if you are willing to sign-up for direct deposit.  Don't pay for an account if you don't have to.  Be sure to check out your local credit union, too.  Sometimes they have the best deals.  You may even find a bank that will offer free checks, etc.  Shop around and don't be fooled by the "gifts" they offer if you open an account (a toaster, for example).  Having a free checking account or free checks will save you way more oney in the long run.

Most banks have no fee to use their own ATMs, but some even offer a limited number (per month) fees or will reimburse you for a limited number of fees (per month) when using another bank's ATM.  Make sure you understand the terms - for some banks, there is a specific "network" of banks in a program together where your fees will be forgiven while for other banks it may be for any ATM you choose.

Open a savings account for each child in your family and encourage them to put money away.  This will teach them great lessons about sacrifice and hard work as well as saving.  For very young children, any money they receive for birthday gifts should be deposited into the account immediately.  We also have a giant piggy bank in my daughter's room in which we deposit our daily pocket change.  When it fills up we deposit that money into her account.  It's a great way to save without thinking about it.

In addition to opening the accounts for the kids, you might want to think about having a certain sum of money directly deposited or automatically transferred into thier accounts each month.  Again...money you don't see (maybe $10 or $20 per month perhaps?) won't be missed. 

Is there anyone else you want to save for?  I've done this for my Goddaughter.  I decided that when she is older I will want to be able to give her a significant monetary gift when she graduates/gets married/buys a home.  Instead of worrying later where the money will come from, I opened an account in trust for her and started saving $10/month since she was little.  I don't miss the money because it is such a small amount, and it will be saved and ready to go when we need it (plus it will earn some interest over time).

Nowadays, savings accounts don't earn that much interest.  Although you may be required to open one, and keep a minimum amount of money in the account (mine is $5), consider opening a money market account.  These generally act similar to savings accounts but will earn more interest.

A Certificate of Deposit (CD) at your local bank is an ideal way to save money and make interest if you have money sitting in an account that you're not currently using.  This guarantees earnings and will typically earn more interest than a saving account.  You're in a great situation if you're saving a chunk of money for something specific and know what the timeframe will be (when you will need the money).  If you have money in a CD or have money to put in CD's at the bank, here's another tip...

Distribute money in as many accounts as you can (maybe in $1,000 increments), staggering their maturity dates. You won't have a large chunk of money stuck in a low-paying CD should interest rates increase, and you lock in the higher rates on some accounts if interest rates decrease.  Another benefit - should you have to tap into the CD before it's maturity date, you can close a couple small accounts if that's all you need, instead of closing one large account (this will save you money when paying the penalty).

Have a birthday or holiday coming up and don't know what to get for someone?  Think about getting a savings bond.  You will pay half the face value (a $50 bond will cost you $25).  These are especially great for kids because they will need to wait a while in order for it to earn interest.  Again, this is guaranteed earnings...the recipient will at least cash in for the amount you paid, or more if they don't cash it immediately.

Perhaps most imprtantly, be aware of how your accounts are set-up.  If the account is for a child, be sure the account is "in trust" for that child and that YOU (and your spouse or maybe that child's parent) are the trustees.  This means the child does not have access to the account (cannot withdraw from the account) but you can, and should anything happen to you, the money will go to that specific child. 

Also, be sure there is more than one name on all your accounts.  It is best for husband and wife (or child and parent) to have each other's names on all accounts, even if the accounts are used separately.  This will come in handy should someone pass away, the money will not go to probate court - where the spouse (or parent or child) will need to fight for it.  Since thier name is already on the account, they will have access to it.

Friday, August 20, 2010

More Meal Deals and Kids Eat Free!

This baseball season, if the Red Sox win, you can go to the 99 Restaurant the next day, and for each adult meal purchased, you can order a kid's meal for free!

T-Bones and Cactus Jack's - Kids eat free on Sunday August 22nd and Sunday August 28th.  Eat-in only.  Kids 12 & under.

If you eat at TGI Friday's, even occasionally, be sure to sign-up for their "Give Me More Stripes" program to earn points.  1 point for every $1 purchased with food.  For every $100 you spend, they will email you a coupon for $8 off a future purchase.

Papa Gino's and D'Angelo's - sign-up for their Rewards Program.  For every $50 you spend, you'll get a $5 coupon credited to your rewards card.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Kids Eat Free!

Follow the links below to find restaurants in your area where Kids Eat Free!  Be sure to check the details of the offer, as some are for specific days of the week, etc.

MyKidsEatFree.com

KidsMealDeals.com

KidsEat4Free.com

Also, Mondays, 5-7pm Kids eat free (with purchase of adult meal) at Smokey Bones.

If you know of any restaurants that offer free kids meals, let me know so we can pass along the savings!

Friday, August 13, 2010

A New Twist on an Old Favorite

Who doesn't like Mac & Cheese? Do you and/or your kids eat it often enough for you to be concerned about it's nutritional value? Unless you're eating it as a side dish, turn it into a meal!

Throw in some frozen veggies as your water is boiling, then add a can of drained tuna, OR diced ham OR shredded chicken (leftovers from last night's dinner, perhaps) and there you go...a well-rounded meal!

I also add frozen veggies to my Hamburger Helper (or Tuna Helper). For $1/box (store brand) it's an inexpensive and easy meal.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Cheap or Free Movies at the Theatre!

Don't forget to check your local cinema to find cheap or free movies for kids during the summer...these are the 2 I know about:

AMC Theatre - They call is "Summer Camp". This will be the last week for this (Tuesday, Aug 10). 10AM there will be a mystery kid's movie showing for $1 admission (ticket price is same for kids and adults). Don't forget to get the Kid's Snack Pack...a small drink, kid-size, popcorn, and gummies...a better value than getting a small popcorn and regular drink.

Regal Cinemas - They call it "Free Family Film Festivals. 10am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Check your local thtre listings to find out what's playing. I believe these run through the 18th and 25th of August, and they're FREE!