I have said it so many times I am like a broken record, but one of the best reasons to be frugal is because it allows you to have extra money to give back to those who have less than you. But I have the best kind of giving back opportunity EVAH. You get to give back to those who have less than you, but it doesn’t cost you a darn thing. How awesome is that?

My hubby and I (well mostly my hubby, but I am his arm candy) have had the opportunity to work with this a.maz.ing local organization called Kids Food Basket. In a nutshell, they provide food to kids who most likely aren’t getting it at home. The local school system is providing lunch and often breakfast, but then what. Well the founder discovered the “then what” and it was children digging through the dumpsters behind the school. Kids Food Basket was born.

Well Pepsi is giving away a whole bunch of money to different charities as part of their Pepsi Refresh program. And Kids Food Basket is in the running for a $50,000 grant that will provide FRESH fruits and veggies to the kids they serve. To say this is huge is an understatment. But here is the deal, the winner is chosen by vote. You can vote once a day two different ways. First, you can vote on the web at the Pepsi Refresh site. On the site, you can vote for up to 10 charities a day so poke around and see what else is out there. Just make sure to send one of those 10 votes our way. You can also vote by texting 101423 to 73774.

Again, you can do each thing once a day. For infinity. Ok, until the end of August. Yesterday Kids Food Basket was in 240th place. Today they are in 28th. Can you help me put them in first? We love this organization so much that tonight my dear hubby dressed up as a juice box and threw out the first pitch at the local minor league game. That is some serious love. If he can make a slight fool out of himself to help kids not go hungry, can you send a little text? Thanks so much for your help!!

photo courtesy of my lame phone

*this post is submitted to Frugal Friday at Life as Mom

   It is almost midnight and I just got home from an amazing event on the other side of the state where one of my favorite local organizations won the 2010 Governor’s Service Award for Outstanding Volunteer Program. My hubby just happens to be president of their board so he got to hang with the governor all evening. I was his arm candy. So congrats to Kid’s Food Basket and all their amazing volunteers.

Anyway, it is super late and I have no posts waiting in the wings so I thought I would instead let you read other people’s brilliant ideas and I can go to bed. It is a win-win. Well at least a win for me anyway. Hopefully you will find some good stuff as well. So here are some great outdoor summer fun activities I am looking forward to trying with my kids.

• Homemade Sidewalk Chalk from Petit Elefant
• Life-size Bubble Recipe from Petit Elefant
• Painting with Water from 4Tunate
• Everything from “2 Weeks of Summer Camp” at Impress Your Kids
• Totally ripping off my friend Parenting in Blue Jeans’ Summer Bucket List

What about you? What “frugal” things do you like to do in the summer?

This post is linked to Frugal Fridays at Life as Mom.

    Do you Groupon? It keep hearing and hearing and hearing about it. Unfortunately it hasn’t made it to Grand Rapids yet (lets make that happen shall we Groupon), but I am waiting for the moment when I can get a massage for pennies on the dollar. How about Seize the Deal? They are supposed to be “coming soon” as well. Come on people, mama needs a massage!! Thankfully we have Hop In Deals although I haven’t found any massages yet.

Basically these all work in a similar way. There is a deal of the day that is at an incredible discount. The way these companies negotiate the discount is by promising the merchant that a minimum number of people will sign up. You sign up if you want the deal and if enough other people sign up, it is yours. The minimum isn’t reached? The deal is off.

I have seen deals for restaurants, dental work, hair salons, and yes, massages. It is a great way to save money on things you would do anyway or maybe a way to treat yourself to something special (like a massage- are you sensing a theme?). Even if you don’t see your cities listed, get signed up through the links above. That way you will be the first on the list to get deals when they come to your city?

Have you tried any of these sites for deals?

For more frugal tips, head over to Life As Mom.