Again, I don't know why my articles are not showing up online with the Phoenix so I am posting here to keep them all online. It really was in the paper this week and my picture was in COLOR! How fun – if I liked the picture. I went yesterday and spent a little more than I probably should have to get a professional headshot photo! More on that later. On a different note, I was called last night to be in a TV commercial as a background extra today for $75. Sure, why not? Gotta love those odd jobs! Before going to Blissdom09, I was called to test cosmetics by sitting in a sweatbox. Fortunately, I was on my way out of town. I thought, now they want my sweat. I've gone beyond beyond. Next week I plan to post all the frugal bloggers I met at Blissdom. If you are reading this and want your name included, comment below. AND, if you want to try to win a free car care kit from Rain-X including new windshield wipers, head over to Reviewsings to comment. Now, to the article, finally.)

Take Advantage of After-Holiday Sales:

Move over hearts, here come the shamrocks. And after that, the Easter eggs. With several holidays approaching, the stores line the shelves with colorful merchandise to draw the eye and tempt the consumer, especially the children of the consumer. As soon as the holiday is over, these specialty items are quickly moved to the sale rack as new merchandise arrives. Start planning your frugal shopping now to get ahead of the game.

To use your time wisely, take a note of which stores are actually selling things you want to buy on sale so you know exactly where to head the day after a holiday. The stores clear out old inventory by marking down the price either daily or weekly, depending on what they want sold the fastest.

Food items typically sell out first because they are edible and people are learning to take advantage of the sales. Children don't mind red sprinkled cookies in their lunch box for a couple of weeks and the vast array of candies last a long time.

One danger I find with stockpiling sale food is overindulging when treats are in the house. I can't buy 20 boxes of Little Debbie Valentine's cakes and put them in our pantry because we will eat them one after another. Just because a food item is on sale, doesn't mean we need it in our house in bulk. Personally, I need to find a good hiding place that mice, our dog or our kids can't find as I dole out the sugar snacks between healthy alternatives.

Like stockpiling food you don't need, if you aren't going to use a cut-out happy heart wall hanging or smiling St. Patrick's platter, keep moving on to things you will use. Because of the longevity of non-food items, buying these things on sale allow you to make the holiday more festive the next year at a cost less than buying plain paper goods. Napkins, tableclothes and festive dinnerware become heavily discounted, often dipping as low as 60-80% off before clearing the sale racks. Printed balloons and streamers can often be used for several occasions.

In addition to great seasonal sales, watch for stores going out-of-business. When I find one, I head straight to the paper goods aisle because there are usually many pretty napkins and table pieces that allow you to entertain beautifully without the enormous cost of buying full price and kids love picking from a bag of fun napkins for their lunches. When you mix and match creatively, you can extend the life of much of the seasonal tableware by pairing the colorful selections with solid pieces.

I've been guilty of coming home with a whole bag of goodies– the words forming on my lips, “Honey, I saved you all kinds of money today.” I am still learning the part of organized frugality where you stop spending on anything that doesn't fit neatly onto the shelves you already own, the part where simplicity rules the pantry. If you are going to stockpile sale items, make sure you inventory what you have stashed in various hiding places before going shopping again. You certainly don't want ten years worth of old Valentine's candy and faded napkins taking up space in the back of the closet, creating fire hazards and potential mice bait and depriving others of their good use.

Spread the priceless gift of love with the special people in your life this Valentine's week. It costs nothing to smile, say a kind word, call a friend, hold a door open, or carry a bag of groceries to someone's car.

Send your frugal tips to Sarah at sarah@peppel.com.

I am posting this article here since it didn't seem to go online with the paper. Here's my latest on Frugal Living in the The Phoenix! Rereading it, I realize it is a little rapid-fire on the ideas but hopefully there will be something you can use!

Bring on the chocolate: dark, chewy, crunchy, creamy, sugar-free, you name it. Valentine's Day is almost here and there are many ways to share your affection without breaking the bank.

In my family, this little day of feasting, candy and flowers falls right about the time the budget and diet are just getting back into shape and the cold winter air chills the plans for an evening out. Given these factors, we started a tradition when my girls were little. One snowy Valentine's Day when going out wasn't an option, we pulled out all the china, dressed in our finest, cooked and cleaned and waited for Daddy to come home with flowers for the table. The girls enjoyed it so much that now they have the table set before I even decide what to cook.

Why let a day about love fill you with financial dread? From gifts to dinner, there are multiple options to show love creatively this year without spending a fortune.

Starting with cards, communicate your affection through technology for a quick and easy gesture. The launch of online sites like e-cards.com, bluemountain.com, and hallmark.com let you send a free card via e-mail complete with animation. If you are the tactile type and need to send greetings on paper, your computer offers many options to make and print your own customized cards. If you are feeling extra creative, pull out the old ribbons and lace and make an super-special creation for little expense or effort.

If you plan ahead and save last year's cards, you can cut off the front covers and paste them to construction paper for a whole new look. On the topic of planning ahead, make sure to stock up on supplies after the holiday when everything goes on mega-sale. When you buy cheap, you can afford to be generous the next time.

For dinner, eat in if you can. Pull out the fineries that never get touched. Remember those lovely wedding dishes you carefully selected that never get used because they need handwashing? Dust them off and let them see the light of day. Check the Christmas sales for red candles. Polish those tarnished candlesticks. If you don't want to share your special dinner with the kids, feed them early and put them to bed. Enjoy a quiet evening later over candlelight and music. If you really need an evening out, watch for coupons. Find a BYOB restaurant and take your own wine.

If you feel that the day isn't done without flowers, do your homework. Online florists are always running specials. Ask yourself if your loved one needs a dozen or will a smaller bouquet do this year? Perhaps pair a delicate vase of several lovely roses with the perfect little box of decadent chocolates. Women love pretty flowers but few will resist chocolates on the side.

If you want to give a token of your affection, again, do your homework. Sometimes the simple but thoughtful gifts mean the most. Write a poem, burn a CD or make a tin of brownies with red sprinkles.

Framed pictures always make special gifts. Pictures can also be made into placemats with a little gluestick, construction paper and self-sticking laminate. Pull them out year after year, adding to them as the kids grow. By the time they leave for college, you will have a whole collage of loving memories.

If you don't have special plans for Valentine's Day, visit a nursing home or shelter or invite an elderly neighbor in for dinner. Find a way to make someone feel special and you will reap the joy in return, a free fringe benefit to generosity of the soul. Send your frugal tips to Sarah at sarah@peppel.com