Frugal Friday

Today's topic: birthdays!

With a tight, tight budget, we can't afford big to-dos and fancy presents for the kids' birthdays. One thing that makes their birthdays special every year is all the goodies they get for signing up with local birthday clubs.

Many restaurants offer birthday freebies for kids. Check the restaurant's website, or ask a cashier when you're in there. I know that Burger King, Sonic and Captain D's all have birthday clubs. These usually send out a coupon for a free kids' meal around the time of the child's birthday. Burger King only offers a regular hamburger meal, but most offer their choice of main course for a kids' meal.

Other places have goodies, too. Most AC Moore craft stores have a birthday club, and the child receives a $5 gift card good on anything in the store. Toys R Us offers a club that as of this year sends a $3 gift card. (It used to be only $1!) In addition, if you stop at the customer service desk, they can get a paper crown, a balloon, and get to push around a specially decorated birthday cart.

Try other places, as well. For example, Coldstone Creamery, a very expensive ice cream place, offers a birthday club for EVERYONE. You can find theirs at http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/Birthday/birthday_club.aspx

We have a blast every year redeeming the children's various freebies and gifts. (It helps that my two have birthdays only 2 1/2 weeks apart, so we can knock out a lot of them at the same time because they come so close together.)The only thing it costs me is gas, and since I try to plan things to go along with errands I'm going to run anyway, it really doesn't cost much at all. It's a great way to make your kids feel special without putting yourself in the poorhouse!

posted by Homeschool Help Web at 6:44 PM |