Top Christmas toys for 2014 Black Friday shopping and best U.S. prices

Toy Retailers Association announced its 2014 Dream Toys List on November 5. Each holiday, the UK/Ireland toy vendor group rates the 12 best children's toys. Just in time for your Black Friday Christmas shopping, here's what toys will top every kid's wishlist to Santa. The list includes best U.S. pricing so parents can shop smart and put those toys under the tree!  Top Christmas toys for 2014 Black Friday shopping and best U.S. prices

Unsubscribe from Shopping Emails and Save Money

For most of our married life, we've lived debt-free. Then we hit hard times and rang up $22,000 in debt. We paid that all off a few years ago and have stayed solvent since. Not only has this helped our budget, it's helped our relationship. Money is the root of problems between couples. This holiday season, for peace on earth, in your home if not the world, cut spending. Do yourself a financial and emotional health favor. Read on Unsubscribe from Shopping Emails to Save Money

Budget Christmas Shopping Tips for Big Families

I shop for about 30 people at Christmas, including kids' giving tree gifts. I'm also a tightwad mom. As a Catholic Christian, I don't feel right buying lavish gifts I can't afford. Kind of spoils the real reason for the holiday. Here are penny pincher shopping tips to save money, keep costs low and buy meaningful gifts for everyone.  Tightwad Mama's Common Sense Christmas Shopping Tips

Teach Kids an Attitude of Gratitude, Not Entitlement This Christmas

Picture Christmas morning--shiny-eyed children happily enjoying their presents. Very idyllic. Unfortunately, reality is often more like green-eyed, greedy ingrates crying over gifts. Not exactly the ideal holiday spirit. And who created these selfish monsters? Mom and Dad (and indulgent grandparents, family) Experts blame the "I want it now" generation on parents, said the Daily Mail in 2011. Here are parenting tips to curb Christmas gimmes, teach an attitude of gratitude and save money! Teach Kids Christmas Gratitude, Not Greed--And Save Money

Tightwad Mama's Common Sense Christmas Shopping Tips

Don't get me wrong--I love buying presents for people. Well, I should say I love gift giving. But I hate spending too much. I will not spend more than I can afford. I have a long shopping list of people to buy for at Christmas. Four kids and their three significant others, 15 extended family members, husband--and I buy several church giving tree gifts. I'm also a tightwad mama, by necessity and choice. Here are penny pincher shopping tips to save money, keep costs low and buy meaningful gifts for everyone.Tightwad Mama's Common Sense Christmas Shopping Tips

Best Personal Calendar, Planner, Organizer Apps Online

Okay, I admit it--I am an organizer-ophile. I find it therapeutic to wander the planner aisle in Barnes & Noble. When I get a new cellphone, the first thing I play with is the calendar function. But I am also a tightwad--I will not pay for organizers apps or software. And I don't have to, nor do you, when there are so free utilities available online. Just in time for holiday shopping. To snag the best deals, Christmas shopping requires organization, planning and budgeting. Here are the best organizer apps on the net. read more

Best Book Gifts from Scholastic Top 100 Children's Literature Picks

Children's literature mogul Scholastic came out with a "bucket list" of must-read kids' books in its most recent issue of Parent & Child Magazine, says the Sun Times. Here's a look at the recommendations listed in their "100 Greatest Books for Kids."

* According to Scholastic Parent, they created the list to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the National Education Association's "Read Across America Day" on March 2. That day also commemorates the birthday of beloved children's author and illustrator Dr. Seuss (a.k.a. Theodore "Ted" Giesel). Read more

Best Black Friday Toy Picks from Parent Gurus

Written for Christmas, 2011, these were the top toy picks for last year. The good news is that for 2012, you'll be able to pick up good deals on these. Some are educational and some are just plain fun. With Black Friday this week, parenting gurus are exploring toys and creating shopping recommendations. It has asked kids to test and evaluate various toys. Parents look not just for low prices but also lots of educational bang for their toy-buying buck. Here are the top picks.

*My Keepon: A voice-activated, motion-sensitive interactive doll that looks like a baby chicken, it's also squishy-soft. This toy is popular with sixth graders of both genders. Read more

Cyber Monday: Make Online Shopping Work for You

Cyber Monday: the biggest online shopping event of the holiday season. After the post-Thanksgiving Black Friday shopping spree, we can enjoy the safer and more peaceful online shopping of Cyber Monday. But even online shopping can be challenging. Every store and merchandiser is vying for your shopping dollar. They ply you with coupons, free shipping and "great deals." How do you navigate the ocean of internet commerce? Here's your shopper's guide to Cyber Monday deals. Read more

Skips the Cellphone Apps, Games for Kids this Season

Popular items for the holiday shopping season are cellphone games and applications for children. Education and health experts say parents should skip all apps. Developmentally, they say, kids need unstructured, creative play, not games like those played on a tiny, digital screen. Here are facts about kids and cellphone apps. Cellphone apps are being used as the new "plug-in babysitter," too. All this digital interaction may hurting kids, not helping them. Read more

Free Barbie Doll and Tawny Horse Set with $15 Purchase

Check your local retail store toy department for "Free Barbie Doll & Tawny Horse" offer. So far, I've seen it at Meijer (in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois) and Big Lots. It may be at Walmart, Target, Costco and Toys R Us, too. Here's how to get it:

* Spend $15 on Barbie products (from the toy department only) and you'll get a coupon for a free doll and horse set ($19.99 value) like the one shown at the left. Products can be clearance and sale items.

* Mail: The original sales receipt (s) with products purchased between 10/1/11-12/31/11 (look for receipts on Barbie products you've already bought). Be sure to get a gift receipt.

* The coupon, available at purchase.

* The UPC codes on the product (if giving as a gift, just cut the code away from the package.)

* $3 check for S/H

Mail to the address on the coupon. Mine says Meijer Free Barbie Doll and Tawny Horse Promotion, P.O. Box 1229, Aurora N.Y. 14052. (Different stores may have different addresses). Must be postmarked by 1/15/12.

Best Christmas Holiday Gifts for Dads

Looking for the perfect gift for dad? Read on for a complete holiday gift-giving list for dads of all ages. Gifts to meet any budget. read more

Best Christmas Gifts for Babies, Infant Gift Recommended Reading List

Best Books to Read to Infants and Babies- Great Baby Shower and Christmas Gifts Read to an infant? Yes, you read that title correctly. Want to raise children to love books? Don't wait. Here is a list of books I highly recommend to read to an infant or baby. Oh and, ahem, these make excellent Christmas and baby shower gifts, too. read more

Holiday Shopping Guide: Make Impulse Buying Work for You

Holiday Shopping Guide: Making Impulse Buying Sales Work in the Shopper's Favor This Christmas finds me shopping far more frugally than ever before. I haven't finished my holiday shopping because I am trying something new this year. I am making impulse buying theory work in my favor, by practicing what I call 'mindful' shopping.
penny pincher holiday shopping guide

Christmas Shopping Tips: Make Impulse-Buying Theory work for You This Holiday Season

Holiday Shopping Guide: Making Impulse Buying Sales Work in the Shopper's Favor This Christmas finds me shopping far more frugally than ever before. I haven't finished my holiday shopping because I am trying something new this year. I am making impulse buying theory work in my favor, by practicing what I call 'mindful' shopping. read more

Cheap Stocking Stuffers for Tween and Teen Girls

Best Inexpensive Stocking Stuffers for Tween Girls I always chuckle when I read some advertisements for inexpensive stocking stuffers. I don't consider $10-$25 for one stocking stuffer 'inexpensive'. Here are useful, fun, creative girls' stocking stuffers regularly priced under $3 each. read more

Health Help for Holiday Blues

Emotional Coping Skills for Holiday Blues The holidays are a time of cheer and goodwill toward men. For some folks. For other people, the holiday season aggravates bouts of grief, loneliness and anxiety. Negative experiences and emotions can be more difficult at Christmas. read more

Holiday Shopping Guide to Save Big Money on Christmas Gifts

Holiday Shopping Guide: Money Saving Advice from a Recovering Shopaholic One of the biggest financial mistakes is to overspend during the holidays. We overspend for many reasons, but the result equals money trouble. I've always been a frugalista, but the holidays are my nemesis. Here are some tips to avoid overspending during the holidays, from a recovering shopaholic. read more

Best Christmas Gifts for Tween Girls

Best Moderately Priced Gifts for Tween Girls Ages 9-13 Tween girls: not teens and not little girls. How do you shop for girls in that age between childhood and adolescence? You don't want kid gifts for gifts that are too old. Here is a holiday shopping guide for preteen girls. Read more

Best Christmas Gifts for Busy Moms

Top 10 Real Gifts for Moms Stuck for a Christmas gift for mom? Here's a guide to thoughtful gift-giving for that special lady! Skip the candy, flowers and cards and give her a gift that shows how much you care! read more