They changed their programs late last year, but there are still benefits to using a Starbucks card.  After you receive a card, the first step is to register it at Starbucks.com.  As soon as  you register your card, the benefits start.

Once you register, you’re at the Welcome Level. This level provides you with:

• free drink on your birthday
• free wi-fi (2 hours / day)

After you earn 5  stars (or 5 items purchased), you receive:

• All Welcome level benefits
• free flavored syrups and soymilk
• free refills on brewed coffee.  (Now, some literature states that you receive free refills on tea as well, but a store recently told me it was only good for coffee.  Since I don’t drink coffee that was annoying, and I’m not sure if individual stores decide whether or not to provide tea refills.)

At 30 stars, you are at the Gold Level.  Gold Level rewards include:

• All Welcome and Green Level benefits
• Personalized Gold Card and welcome packet
• Exclusive offers and coupons
• FREE drink with every 15 additional stars!

It pays to continue using the same card when you purchase items at Starbucks.  If you receive a card as a gift, you can transfer the balance at the Starbucks site.  If you’re going to spend money there anyway, you may as well earn rewards! I’ve never had a problem with them loading the card for me before I made a purchase if it was close to empty.

I’m curious — what’s your favorite reward card? Starbucks and Paradise Bakery are mine!

How can the average mom compete with that?  Usually, we can’t!  What we can do is  make our Thanksgiving table look great without paying an arm and a leg, though.

Inexpensive items from the local discount store and things found in nature can be combined to create an elegant yet inexpensive Thanksgiving table. Here are some decorating aspects to focus on that will save you the most money while spiffing up your Thanksgiving table at the same time:

Linens
Tablecloths and napkins can be prohibitively expensive, but if you’re only using them on special occasions, you can get away with cheaper options.  Dollar stores often carry lovely tablecloths at a fraction of the price that you would pay at a high-end department store.  They might not last as long as more expensive ones, but if cared for properly and only used for special occasions, they will stay in good shape for several years.

You can find inexpensive cloth napkins at some dollar stores as well.  You should also check outlet stores for discontinued or slightly blemished napkins.  You even find deals on coordinating tablecloths there, too.  Lastly, if you’re good at sewing, you may even consider making your own tablecloth and napkins.  This allows for a truly unique look that could also become a wonderful family heirloom later.

Centerpieces
A pretty centerpiece adds a nice touch to any table.  For Thanksgiving, you can make one at very little cost with items found in nature.  Mini pumpkins, squash and other fall vegetables can be arranged with nuts to create a delicious centerpiece.  To really bring a finishing touch to the centerpiece, you could find an inexpensive cornucopia at your local craft store and put these items in it.

Fall flowers also make wonderful centerpieces.  If you grow your own, simply pick some in various colors and arrange them in a vase. You’ll have a beautiful, fragrant centerpiece at no cost whatsoever!

Of course, there probably won’t be much room left on the table for a centerpiece by the time you put all the traditional Thanksgiving food on it.  If space is a concern, taper candles are a simple yet elegant alternative.  You can find  candle holders at discount stores at very reasonable prices.  By placing leaves or gourds around them you can create an elaborate look without taking up too much room.

A beautiful Thanksgiving table isn’t necessary for enjoying the delicious food set upon it,  but it certainly adds a nice touch to the holiday and lets your guests know that you value their company.  With a little imagination, you can decorate the table and still have plenty of money to spend on dinner.

You know you’d like to get him something nice, but maybe an expensive gift isn’t in the budget. These six frugal ideas for a special father are sure to make the father in your family feel loved and appreciated.

1. Let the children make him a T-shirt with their hand prints on it.
This craft is quite easy and your children will love the opportunity to make a mess just for Dad! Purchase fabric paints in Dad’s favorite colors and a new 100% cotton T-shirt for each child to decorate. Put the fabric paint on a disposable plate and then have the children place their hands on the shirt. Follow washing instructions after the paint has dried. You may want to have the children sign and date the shirt so Dad can see how much the children have grown.

2. Support Dad’s dreams by opening up a “dream fund” for him.
You don’t have to fill the entire fund up immediately, but you can add a little here and there every year to help him make his dream item a reality. Maybe you could save change in a decorative coin bank or contribute as little as $5.00 a month. Before long there will be a good sized amount in the account and he’ll be well on his way to getting that dream tool or new big screen TV.

3. Purchase a small ad in your local newspaper.
Many newspapers will run special advertisements for major holidays, and that would include Father’s Day. Run your own ad to let Dad know how much he means to you and how much you love him. Just remember to put his name on the ad & purchase that day’s paper (just in case he doesn’t get his own that day) or someone else’s dad might think the ad is for them!

4. Give Dad a gift card specifically for his next gas robbery fill up.
Gasoline prices change every day – and generally not in the most beneficial way for your wallet. Not only is this gift practical, it will also let him keep that much money in his pocket for the week. He can either put the money that he saves into his dream fund or splurge and take Mom out to dinner one night!

5. Dress up Dad’s grillin’ habit & poke some fun!
If he’s like most men, he has an uncontrollable urge to grill. Get him an awesome barbeque apron to celebrate his manliness. You could even get a solid color apron and decorate it yourself with those wonderful fabric paints the kids used on his shirts to write “Kiss the Cook” or “Never Trust a Skinny Cook.” Throw in some cool grilling toys just for fun!

6. Plan an outing for the entire family to enjoy on Father’s Day.
This might be something as simple as a picnic in the park to something more elaborate like an entire day of fishing or hiking with him. Whatever his favorite activity is – sports, tinkering, card games, or just watching TV – do that activity with him. He’ll appreciate it more than you contributing to his cheesy tie collection!

I hope these six frugal ideas for Father’s Day have helped inspire some creative ideas of your own. Remember, as long as you let Dad know you love him, he’s sure to be happy.

One of the ways we save is by watching for “oops!” paint at the local home improvement stores. There are usually 5 – 15 gallons of paint near the paint mixing area that are marked down at least 50%.  This paint either wasn’t picked up by a customer after the color was mixed in, or the customer changed their mind before purchase.

It’s a gamble, but if you’re patient — you can usually find colors pretty close to what you’re looking for.  In the last few years, we’ve purchased paint to re-paint both boys’ bedrooms, our bedroom, our kitchen and even the outside of our house!  Two weeks ago, my husband noticed 2 gallons of a color that were similar to what we wanted for the back room so he picked them up.

He mixed them with a gallon of white to lighten up the color, and our back room is now half-painted — at half the cost!   Our patio no longer looks like a patio, but just another room in our home.

If you’re not too picky, and you have a little time before you begin painting, check out the oops! paint in your local home improvement store.  If you find a gallon that looks great, but you need more than a gallon – they can usually match the paint for you. You’ll pay full price for the 2nd gallon, but you’ll still have saved money.