MANCHESTER MISSION "SUPPLIES" HELP

Adrienne Lautenbach is on a mission. More specifically..she is spearheading a drive to get school supplies to needy families. She works with Worldwide Lighthouse Mission in Manchester and her goal is to help families near and far. On Saturday, August 29th, she will be coordinating a school supply drive in Manchester. All items gathered will be distributed to local international families in need. She is collecting all the basics..notebooks,pens,pencils..but she says they are especially in need of backpacks. More than ever, in these trying economic times, she says families are desperately looking for a break. School supplies, even the basics, aren't cheap and she is hoping that the public can step up and donate items that will help further the education of less fortunate kids.

SHOP EARLY..SHOP EVERYWHERE

The myth is that if you wait until after school starts....you will get a better deal. Retailers and shoppers say that is simply not true. The logic here is that once school starts...the old pricing policies are back. Very few "clearance sales" exist with school supplies so grab a deal now before they are gone. Adrienne says shop everywhere. Each chain has their own niche for bargains..so plan your trip to hit them all. And don't forget about drugstore chains like Walgreens or CVS. With frugality in fashion again..dollar stores are seeing spike in sales. And for back to school basics, they can provide bargains galore. Off brand, no-name notebooks, pens,pencils and backpacks go for a fraction of other retailers. That said, she advises not to brush off the big boys like Wal-mart,Staples, and Target. Those stores are banking on a big shopping season and in many cases you can grab items for as little as a penny.

"COOL FOR SCHOOL" SAVINGS

School fashions can empty your bank account quickly. So poke around yard sales and garage sales in upscale communties. You might be surprised over the quality of the used gear. Check out consignment stores as well. They are one of the hottest retailing segments and with demand rising for nearly new clothes..they are stocking their shelves at the right time. Parents can fill a closet for a fraction of buying new. Or, you can go the other way and SELL some of your unwanted clothes and get cash on the spot to use for other back to school items. And finally, get online. Scour the countless web stores for bargains. Hit all the main stream sites, but veer off the beaten path and you may uncover hidden gems.

RESOURCES

I strongly urge all shoppers to read Korky Vann's excellent article on Courant.com. It's packed with practical nuggets on getting back to school with leftover cash in the bank. Check it out at courant.com

Also check out World-Wide Lighthouse Missions at www.wwlm.org. Adrienne Lautenbach and Sarah Beckman are doing amazing work getting school supplies to those in need. Please support their drive if you can. The date is August 29th from 10am to 1pm at 723 Main Street in Manchester

RESTAURANTS FEELING THE SLOWDOWN

When cracks started appearing in the economy 2 years ago...it was just a matter of time before discretionary spending took a hit. One industry that has been particularly hard hit has been the restaurant biz.In 2008, dinner traffic at eateries slumped 2%..the number or people eating out for lunch has also fallen. In January of this year. many of the major restaurant chains reported sales drops of over 50%. Chains like Starbucks and Ruby Tuesday's are scaling back in the wake of the sharp pullback in consumer spending. For many of us..spending 50 bucks for dinner and drinks just doesn't add up any more. So where can we go to get restaurant quality food prepared and served in a fine dining atmosphere for a fraction of that? Try going back to school...read on and learn more!

MUNCHIES AT MANCHESTER

Manchester Community College is an amazing resource for learning and career preparation. The beautiful campus is home to many thriving programs for just about any career path. One program that doesn't get as much attention as it should is their Hospitality Program. This includes culinary arts, foodservice management and hotel and tourism management. The culinary arts program offers a unique way for the public to get a taste of what's going on inside. Jayne Pearson is the director of the program and she oversees eager students as they learn all aspects of culinary work. They cook, serve and clean. And anyone can sample their work for just a few bucks. Each semester, reservations are taken for the general public to enjoy the meals they cook..served in a dining room on campus. Lunch prices start at $8 and dinners for $12. And we are talking great food. From Italian to Mexican...Middle East fare to American fare..the variety is endless. On some nights, wine tastings are even scheduled. Full course meals..from soup to nuts. And don't tip your chef/server...simply fill out a comment card and this acts as their "report card" for their instructor.

CHOW DOWN AFTER LABOR DAY

The next chance to sample the student work is coming. Joan Pearson says she expects to release the upcoming dates around Labor Day. But act fast..reservations are limited and the meals go quickly. All of the key information is found on their website: www.mcc.commnet.edu For the students..they get immediate feedback on their creations and service. All ages are enjoying the program at Manchester Community College..some take the courses for fun..others are looking to use their education as a launching pad for a rewarding career. Some numbers to ponder:

* By 2014, the culinary industry will employ 13.5 million people

* There will be a 15% increase in jobs over the next 5 years

* The employment rate for the industry will grow faster than all others

SIZZLING SUMMER FUN HAS FIZZLED

2009 will be remembered as the year that summer took a holiday. Never before in my 18 years as a New England resident have I seen such a dreary,depressing summer. All the old stand by hot weather activities have been grounded. Beach day?...what's that? How's your tan?..still pale white. Soccer, baseball, boating...the weather has made those staples of summer sketchy. So what's the fall back plan..how do we salvage a good time as the clouds and rain continue to reign? We could book an expensive getaway to a remote island...but not many of us have a lot of money to throw around these days. Always searching for budget friendly places...I recently took a look at a North Branford entertainment center that provides inexpensive fun for all ages..rain or shine.

SUMMER SAVINGS AT THE CONNECTICUT SPORTSPLEX

In a perfect world, the summer sun would never end. And at the CT Sportsplex in North Branford..if that were the case, they would have all their bases covered...plenty of ball fields..some of the best soccer and cheerleading camps in the state and a full service OUTDOOR season of activities. But take a look at what's inside and you will find amazing alternatives tailor made for the drizzly cool summer we are getting used to. It's called the Fieldhouse Family Fun Center and it mixes classic arcade games with cutting edge sporting activities. And the best part...you can enjoy it all for small prices. Buy their value packages and you can pack a full day in, with loads of kids, for a suprisingly low cost.

BUMPER CARS MEET LACROSSE?

The centerpiece of the Fieldhouse is a new attraction called Cyber Sport. There are only 3 of its kind in the country and the game is addicting. Players ride around in bumper cars holding a small lacrosse type stick. Two teams face off and the aim is to scoop up a spongy ball and hurl it into a goal that stands about 10 feet off the ground. The games last 8 minutes and good passing skills are a must. Penalties can be called for ramming one bumper car into another and an electronic scoreboard keeps tally. Naturally, kids can't get enough of the game..but the General Manager, Don Westfall, tells me that once adults try it...they get addicted too. The Grand Opening price is grand..3 full 8 minute games for just $7.50. The Fieldhouse also has an eye popping laser tag arena. A multi level arena with glow in the dark laser zapping fun. Younger kids will love the Playscape...a jungle gym of fun that provides an unlimited amount of fun for 8 bucks..and that includes arcade tokens and soft drinks.

DONT FORGET THE FUN PACKS

Buy in bulk and save a bundle. Here are some examples of the value deals at the CT Sportsplex:

Family Fun Night: every Sunday from 5pm to 8pm a family of 4 gets dinner, all you can play laser tag, playscape and 60 arcade tokens for just $50

Playscape Pack: A full day pass and free soft drinks and 20 arcade tokens for just $8 dollars a person

Laser Tag Fun Pack: Two rounds of laser tag (4 games), 20 arcade tokens and free soft drinks for only $13.

Want to know more?...Check out their expanding web site at www.ctsportsplex.com

DONT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM

For those who already belong to AAA..this is not news. For decades they have provided members with invaluable resources and savings for everything travel related. But in this new era where every dollar counts, taking advantage of their expertise can mean huge savings on that summer vacation. The range of services has expanded through the years. We all think about the maps and travel itineraries they can crank out for the traveler. But the scope of their ability to save consumers money has ballooned through the years. From booking hotels and flights..to crafting the ever popular "stay-cation"...AAA has seen a spike in membership.

CARLOADS OF SAVINGS

Jim McPherson has been a fixture in AAA offices in Connecticut for years. If there is a way to cut costs on travel...he is the one to talk to. And we did just that for his perspective on shaving a few bucks off trips near and far. We discussed the pros and cons of renting a car as opposed to packing the family into your personal vehicle. He noted that many people have leased cars and have to watch their mileage carefully. If they go over the pre-set mileage in the lease agreement, they will get hit with substantial fees. Couple that with sinking car rental rates and the choice is clear. He says AAA can secure rental cars for as low as 25 dollars a day with unlimited mileage.

SAVING BY STAYING..OR GOING

The big trend these days is staying close to home for vacations. Fortunately for Connecticut residents, we have a plethera of fun spots to hit..well within our reach. And the smart planner can grab discount tickets through AAA and other travel agencies to a myriad of hotspots. From Mystic's Aquariums and Seaports to Lake Compounce in Bristol to Six Flags in Massachusetts, savvy planners can enjoy the fun at a fraction of the regular cost. Karen Christiana of AAA says the key is to plan ahead. Give them enough time and they can wrangle hot deals on local hotspots or hotspots like Florida. It's a buyers market and hotels and resorts like Disney world and Universal Orlando are practically begging for business. Plan ahead and you can get a lot of vacation for a little amount of money. For more info on AAA and their services...their website is very helpful at www.discover.aaa.com

A SAD FAREWELL...

Over the weekend, the FOX61 family lost an amazing friend and colleague. Alice Morrin was killed in the tragic murder/suicide in Vernon late Sunday night. We lost more than anyone can imagine. Alice was such a pure soul and her smile and friendship lit up the newsroom every single day. She was so key in creating this segment for FOX61 and she always put her heart into every assignment she produced. I had the honor having Alice in my life for the last 14 months. Everyday, without fail, she was there with encouraging words and a spirit that captured every heart in the newsroom. She was smart, compassionate, joyful and caring. She put everyone else's needs first. She was genuine and real and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE in the FOX61 family loved her. She would bring her two beautiful daughters into the newsroom for visits and they were the shining light in her life. They adored their Mom. Her youngest daughter even appeared in one of our news segments and was so incredible. In her final days, Alice was given a promotion..she would become the executive assistant to Rich Graziano, our general manager and publisher of the Hartford Courant. Rich couldn't have made a better choice and she was so thrilled with the trust he had placed in her. For that, I thank you Rich. She was bubbling with excitement over her new job. Her final days were filled with hope for the future. We will NEVER forget you Alice and we will miss you every minute of our lives.

CHIC SAVINGS AT CONSIGNMENT STORES

The need may have been driven by the collapse in the economy..but now it's a full fledged trend. And those who are flocking to consignment stores are part of nearly every income level. It's now considered "cool" to treasure hunt at consignment stores and retailers specializing in used goods. The way a consignment store works is very simple: anyone can bring in gently used items..from clothing to housewares..and have the store owner stock the items for sale. When a customer purchases that item...the owner gets a cut of usually around 40%. Not bad since the store has the overhead of the retail space and staff. It's slightly different at re-sale stores. They will give you cash or credit on the spot for your stuff.

"JUST LIKE NEW"

That's the name of a store in Glastonbury that is quickly gaining a reputation for stocking high end quality merchandise at Wal-Mart like prices. The first step is finding good stuff. Owner Helene Kapelewski says they look at any and all items brought in and then comb through the lot to find the best. Once the store accepts them for consignment....they are cleaned and presented in her well organized and friendly shop in the Putnam Bridge Plaza. The person bringing in the item gets at least 40% of the proceeds once the item is sold. All clothing and accessories must be in current style,in season, and in perfect condition. Sandy Bryan knows first hand what kind of deals can be found at "Just Like New". In her first trip to the store she snagged a pair of Nine West shoes that normally cost over 50 dollars for just 7 dollars and change.

NO "KIDDING"..FIND RE-SALE BARGAINS FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Parents, more than anyone, understand the need to save a buck wherever and whenever they can. One spot all parents should at least check out is "Once Upon a Child". With 5 Connecticut locations, the used clothing/accessory store is a gold mine for deep discounts on all things children. And like "Just Like New"...they want your used items. Every day, except on Sundays, they will appraise your items and if accepted..they will slap cash in your hands or give you a check or a store credit. The place makes perfect sense for parents whose children have outgrown their old clothes, toys or strollers. Before anything is out on the shelf for sale...each item is cross checked with government recall lists and given every safety check possible.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If your looking for mint condition upscale clothing and accesories and are smart enough not to be suckered into outrageous retail prices...check out "Just Like New" in Glastonbury. The staff is friendly and helpful and the merchandise is top notch. Best of all...the prices are stunningly low. And if you have stuff that needs a new home..bring it in and you could soon have a nice chunk of change with very little effort. Moms and Dads...do your wallet a favor and pay a visit to "Once Upon a Child". They have a need for strollers and equipment!

NEED SMOOTH SKIN?..TRY "SKINTOLOGY"

Alissa Cote and Alesha Prescher knew they wanted to get into the skin business well before they opened their Hebron spa. But what they found was the lack of a serious alternative to mainstream skin therapy. They both longed to find all natural..all organic ways to promote healthy skin and two years ago they embarked on a mission. They opened "Skintology" on Main Street in Hebron with a lineup of organic, food based makeups and the reaction was strong. With prices competitve with high end department stores...customers found that the all-natural approach to beauty made sense. But what to do about wrinkles?..Surely the only way to eliminate those is with pricey treatment like Botox..right?..Maybe not.

SHEDDING NEW "LIGHT" ON THE WRINKLE FIX

"Skintology" says you can rid of fine lines and wrinkles but not have to fork over thousands to get it done. Their alternative to Botox is simple and a whole lot cheaper. It's called LED Light therapy and a full six sessions runs around $320..a fraction of what you would pay to go under the knife. Alesha and Alissa say the LED therapy diminishes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Other benefits? The treatment can help tighten unsightly pores and promote collagen regeneration. The light treatment is provided by Eminence...an award winning company that also makes the organic makeup featured at "Skintology"

FULL SERVICE..FAIR PRICE

At "Skintology"..they have more than one way to help you relax and look your best. How about a signature facial with an apricot masque rich in beta-carotene...60 soothing minutes for $75.00. Maybe a massage is what you need to melt that stress away. You can be soaked in essential oils like grape seed and jojoba..rubbed into serenity for a full hour for $70. And if your feet are in need of pampering...settle into their chair and have your tootsies coddled with coconut lime or orange creamsicle oils. One hour of that for just $39. Want to know more? Check out their website at www.skintologyofhebron.com

CALLING ALL MOMS....AND DADS.

When Kimberly Danger went on maternity leave in 2000...she had some extra time to fiddle around with developing her own web page. She also had the need to figure out ways to stretch her budget. With a child on the way...every dollar counted. She created mommysavers.com after teaching herself about web design. It started out very simple and rather bare bones. Kimberly only had around 20 pages of content with ways for Moms to save a few bucks.Slowly, interest began to build and now her site boasts 3 million page views per month. So what makes mommysavers.com so appealing?

THE "FACEBOOK" OF FRUGAL MOMS

Kimberly's site is more than just a collection of coupons and links. Users can sign up for free and be given their own page in which to post tips and ideas on where to get the bargains. And when groups are regionalized..it makes it easy for members to share specific ideas and bargains for their particular area. The site also provides useful discussions and articles on personal finance..cooking...crafts and decorating. And the savings can be instaneous. On the site this week..printable coupons for baby formula, toys, food and beauty supplies

ONE MOM MAKING THE MOST...

Melissa Stuyvniski watches every dollar. She has to. With 3 kids, 7 cats, and a hungry husband..she has no choice but to find any and every bargian she can. She stumbled across mommysavers.com a few years ago and credits the site with helping her scope out bargains at her local stores. She even gets personal finance advice from the site. And when she finds a coupon she likes..she prints it out in black and white so she can save on her color cartridge. She has even become a moderator on the site for her region. She scurries around to various stores near her Jewitt City home and makes notes about sales and bargains and then lists them for fellow members. One nugget she especially likes....use vinegar for household cleaning..it's cheaper and can used on just about anything.

WENDY THE WINNER...

Wendy Limauge began entering sweepstakes over 15 years ago. Initially she did it for kicks and maybe to win a few small prizes. Times have changed. Wendy is rapidly racking up some serious sweepstakes wins and has become so proficient that she now teaches others how to cash in. Wendy says every room of her Ledyard house is filled with items she has won by entering sweepstakes. From the flat screen TV in her living room to her computer monitor in her office. Parked in her driveway..a Dodge truck that didnt cost her a dime...she won that in an IGA contest a few years back. And her bank account has been fattened up by her sweepstakes infatuation...she recently won 5 thousand dollars in an online contest sponsored by Burger King.

WHAT IS HER SWEEPSTAKES SECRET?

Wendy says there are several simple keys to winning sweepstakes. First..set up a dedicated email account for all sweepstakes entries. This will keep you organized and help you quickly find any notifications about the sweepstakes status. After all, no one wants to avoid missing that all important email saying...your a winner! Second, Limauge say's to pay attention to the odds of winning...contests will usually disclaim what the chances of winning a prize are. Focus your efforts on sweepstakes that have a higher probability of paying off. And third..stay local. By checking local stores, TV stations and radio stations..the number of people entering will be limited..thus increasing your chance of winning.

WENDY'S MISSION

Wendy is now passing along all her secrets to winning big by playing free sweepstakes. She has an invaluable resource in the form of the web sites..all designed to help others cash in. Check them out:

www.sweetiesswag.com

www.sweetiessweeps.com

www.lifeinthefreeworld.com

Wendy Limauge will also be speaking on July 14th at 6:30pm at the Groton Library.

THE BIG NIGHT..BIG DOLLARS...

It's that time of year again for students looking for that one final high school memory. Prom time. Preparing for the big night can be a major underatking and a major expense. It's not uncommon for a prom-goer to shell out hundreds of dollars to make sure they look their best and have every detail taken care of in style. Between the dress and tux, the ticket and the ride..it adds up. But with the economy forcing nearly everyone to cut corners..even Prom night has come under the budget microscope.

FRUGALLY FASHIONABLE

At Connard High School in West Hartford a plan has been in place for quite awhile. How to pull off the perfect prom night without breaking the bank. Originally,ticket prices were set at 80 dollars. But with fundraisers..that price was chopped nearly in half. One of the ways they raised money to offset the ticket price was having a "Mr. Connard" contest..basically a male beauty pageant for the senior class. Other revenues came from food and candy sales at school events. Some of the girls were also involved in Prom dress drives..to collect and distribute previously worn gowns..thus saving a huge chunk of money.

ONLINE PROM PRICE BUSTERS

There are a slew of helpful prom planning sites. They offer up practical tips for staying on budget and staying in style. Here are a few good sites:

www.prettyforprom.com

www.promdress.net

www.promspot.com

A DREAM WEDDING WITHOUT THE NIGHTMARISH COSTS

Sure..the groom wants a glitch free wedding day. But ask any bride-to-be and she will tell you the pressure is on them to pull it off. The amount of details to be taken care of can be dizzying...and expensive. The perfect night..weather..location. Impeccable flowers and reliable photographers are essential. The tab can be downright depressing. But dig around and you will find that you dont have to sacrifice beauty to meet your budget. It all starts with getting priorities in line with expectations.

GET ADVICE FROM WEDDING PROFESSIONALS

Candace Dowling is a wedding planner whose sole mission to make dreams come true for the bride-to-be. She runs a company called "Jubilee Events" and says brides on a budget can still pull off that perfect day. One way to save money is to shift from a traditional Saturday Spring wedding to another season or day. Shifting your wedding night to a Thursday or Friday can mean having to pay less for a reception hall and various other related services. She says limiting the open bar to beer and wine can help contain costs as well.

For flowers...I spoke with Elisabeth Zemetis. She runs a floral design company called "Blush" in Madison. Her advice? Choose seasonal flowers and get creative. She displayed an amazing floral piece brightened up with fresh limes that oozed class and simple elegance. Zemetis says dont be shy about asking for roses..they are often more affordable than other cuts and come in nearly every color in the rainbow.

Wedding photographer Eric Langlois produced album after album of stunning still photos. His company, Raw Photo Design, specializes in capturing the essence of each moment. His pictures are jaw dropping and he even has an online registry so that wedding guests can purchase gift cards that can be applied to the cost of the wedding photography..a great option that can be one less thing a couple has to worry about. Guests log on and in quick fashion..the bride and groom can have a pre-paid wedding day shoot.

For top shelf, professionally shot and edited videos..Tom Morlock is a great choice. He can provide a two camera shoot and his editing really makes the final product sing. He uses high quality high definition cameras and can upload wedding highlights to web sites for those who may choose to scale back on full DVD service.

RESOURCES

Jubilee Events
www.eventjubilee.com
203-632-5654

Blush Floral Design
www.studioblush.com
33 Wall Street
Madison,CT 06443
203-915-9102

Raw Photo Design
www.rawphotodesign.com
203-494-2775

Paradigm Digital Video
www.paradigmdv.com
828 Federal Road Suite 2A
Brookfield,CT 06804
203-740-8877