A serious post about the economy, and what this blog is all about (and a request for your input)

You may have seen the April 27 edition of Time magazine and their cover story about "The New Frugality," which examines how dramatically the current recession (or is it a depression?) has affected all of us. They feature 15 people who've been affected in some way by the economic crisis in their "Thrift Nation" piece, and the stories are excruciating to read.

In short, a lot of us are in a lot of pain, financially and emotionally. And we're reacting by undergoing a collective sea-change in consumer habits. According to Time's poll, 48 percent of us think the economy has gotten worse, and a combined 50 percent of us think it'll be at least 1-2 years before things improve. Whether it's that gloomy outlook or just downright dire financial circumstances, we're all reacting to the current economic climate.

Because so many of us are now un- or under-employed--or fear we might be if the economy gets worse--our spending habits have changed dramatically. 63 percent of us have cut back on entertainment since the downturn, and that number jumps to 72 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds. And it's not just how much we're spending that's changed, it's what we're spending it on. An Associated Press story today details how we're all cutting back on luxury items, and switching from status labels and brand names to cheaper store brands. Also, the U.S. Commerce Department reported today that consumer spending is down for the third straight month, and income growth is down for the second straight month. We're all feeling the pain, and it's showing in big, measurable numbers.

The one tiny bright spot in this is that consumer saving habits are changing, too--more of us are trying to put away what little extra we have instead of further inflating our personal debt. It's far too early to tell if this trend will continue, but a Gallup poll earlier this week indicates that at least a third of us who are already cutting back on spending plan to continue our newly thrifty ways.

Hopefully, that means we're all in good company here at Budget Girl, so the budget-minded posts will continue with gusto.

As I was reading the Time story, however, and casting a sidelong glance at this blog, I wondered how glib all of the happy shopping posts might sound to those of us who are watching our spending with tight fists and knotted stomachs. To be clear: do I honestly expect that most of you are going to be blithely clicking your way to all of those deals I dutifully summarize for you throughout the week? Absolutely not.

What I do hope is that some of the tips and deal alerts come in handy for those of you with limited budgets who are trying to update your wardrobe for interviews, or look for ways to continue to take care of yourselves--haircare, skincare, etc.--while stopping at the drugstore more often instead of going to the cosmetics counters at the department store. Or perhaps I can just help those of you looking to have a little fun still be able to do so without spending next week's grocery fund.

For the record, I've been cutting back, too, so the recent downturn has put those budget skills I'm so proud of to the test in ways I never anticipated. And I'm surviving (knock wood), and hope you are, too.

For all the fashion-happy fun I try to have here, I do take the budget aspect of it very seriously. And that's where you come in. Your input is invaluable to me--input on what you're spending (and where and how), what you need, what your thoughts are on how our individual lifestyles are transforming during the economic downturn. I'd love to know how you're getting by, and hear any rants, confessions, suggestions, ideas--really, anything--any of your thoughts about this blog and about you. You can leave those thoughts in the comments section here, or if you're more comfortable with something less public, then please drop me an email at chickonabudget@gmail.com.

I'm confident we can all get through this together, and our collective knowledge on how to survive is key to that survival. Don't be bashful--let's hear what you have to say.

A Budget Girl Book Review - Great party guide for those of us on a budget

Love to entertain, but afraid you'll go broke planning a party? Never have any good ideas for what to serve, or how to serve it? How about a quick reference guide that'll help with all of the above? InStyle magazine's InStyle Parties may be the one and only book you'll need to keep handy to answer all of those questions.

I find this book especially helpful, whether I'm looking for specific ideas and recipes, or just using it to do some internal brainstorming. They cover everything from invitations to decorating to recipes, so you're covered beginning to end on any kind of soiree you want to throw.

Invites? It gives you a basic guide for how to word them and when to send them out--and being a stickler for basic etiquette, I strongly approve of this tip-of-the-hat to social custom. While the InStyle guide notes that you can order custom invitations from your local stationery store, Budget Girl would like to note that you can create beautiful invitations all by yourself with the help of a computer and cardstock (along with any kind of snazzy or handmade papers you want to add to the mix) that you can pick up at Target or an office supply store. Much, much cheaper that way, and you can create something truly you.

Will there be any tippling at your party? The guide gives you a rundown on how to stock a basic bar, from booze to glassware. It also offers a short primer on different liquor, beer and wines, and tells you how much alcohol per person to plan for (recipes will come a little later).

The food section is a little lean, but that may be my personal bias (I love to cook, and think party food should get LOTS of attention). Still, it does give you some pointers on how to design a menu, along with a few suggestions for basic party fare such as cheese plates.

The first section concludes with guides on tableware, decor, and--the most important part--the hostess (with a quick reminder of what your responsibilities are to your guests).

And then we're on to the good stuff--party ideas! The main subsections cover dinner parties, holiday parties, occasions and theme parties, and summer parties, with multiple sample party ideas under each category, including sample menus, recipes for those menus, bar drinks (with recipes), and suggestions for decor, tableware and invitations. And there's a timetable for each party idea, beginning with the invitations and going all the way down to when to prep and serve the food.

The recipes are all simple to prepare (and some look quite delicious), and the ideas for decor and tableware are basic enough that any of us on a budget can use them as a starting point and find our way to a fabulous party look at a much lower price. Stick with fresh, seasonal foods, and your food budget for parties will go a long way. I'll write more about that later (but not now, since this post is all about the party guide). As party books go, this one's pretty complete for guiding you through the process from concept to party time; couple that with your own budget ingenuity, and you'll be your own belle of the ball.

Top-quality skincare at budget prices, from Nottingham, England--Robin Hood would approve!

You may have heard the raves about the Boots skincare line for awhile now--outstanding skincare products that work well on sensitive skin, and priced for those of us on a budget. It's been stateside for a couple of years, but for awhile it seemed our European friends would have the Boots skincare line all to themselves for eternity.

Created in 1849 by John Boot in his first pharmacy store in Nottingham, England, Boots has been providing women on the other side of the Atlantic with outstanding and inexpensive skincare for more than 150 years now--made with quality ingredients, and never tested on animals (you may have noticed by now that I prefer cosmetics makers who take a cruelty-free approach to their products).

They also make cosmetics and bath and body products, but their skincare line is the real standout, especially the Boots No. 7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum. European women went wild for this product when it was first introduced, and for good reason. It's super-light and non-greasy, and with 4 weeks of continued use, you'll notice fine lines reduced, pores minimized, and skin brightened. This is a permanent fixture on my bathroom shelf, so consider me one of the legion of fans. Considering the astronomical price of similar products (La Mer? Stri-Vectin?), Boots No. 7 is a steal at $21.99, and you'll find it at Target or CVS drugstores.

I use it with their Time Dimensions moisturizers, which have to be the best-smelling products I've ever used (no, really--you won't believe how wonderful they smell!). I can't quite put my finger on whether it's a sweet scent or a floral scent--probably somewhere in between--but it smells absolutely heavenly. And at $17.99 for a decent-sized jar, it's just right for my budget.

Love those fun, trendy costume jewelry pieces?

Have a few hundred (or more!) each to spend on them? Yeah, me neither. I don't mind spending a little cash on truly nice jewelry, but I'm always hesitant to drop huge sums on pieces that are more trendy than classic. Or sometimes I'm simply unsure a piece is something I'll like six months from now.

Not a problem. What, you doubted that I have a few go-to sources for way-cheap cheap chic? You must know me better than that by now.

One of my more recent finds is a little out-of-the-way website, shopthelook.net. They specialize in costume jewelry and just a few accessories such as scarves and headbands, but they have a fun and edgy selection, and the prices are super-low.

See the ring to the right there? Notice the resemblance to a famous designer style? (*cough* Cartier *cough*) That'll set you back $10, and that's representative of their prices for everything (most are in the $10-$14 range).

They also have a sale section, and you can sign up for their email list to be notified of specials. Oh, and free shipping with a purchase of $50 or more. If you're making a smaller purchase (say, that $10 ring, for example), you'll find their shipping rates low as well.

Swimwear (and more) on sale this week at Target

Get 'em while they're cheap. Target is running a great sale this week on all of its mix-n-match swim pieces. If you haven't been lately and seen what's on the racks, they have a good selection of patterns and styles, so there's something to suit just about every body type. The individual top and bottom pieces are on sale for $14 each, and their one-piece suits are on sale as well.

If you haven't braved the dressing room to buy a swimsuit in awhile (hey, we've all been there), and aren't sure what will look best on you, surf over to stylelist and take a look at their swimsuit guide that shows which styles look best on different body types. It's a great resource (as is so much of their site).

Being able to pick up a stylish swimsuit (that looks good, too) for $28 is a rare bargain these days, so take advantage of the sale this week.

They have several other of-the-moment casual separates on sale this week as well, including the Xhilaration boho dress for $18, down from $24.99. It comes in several patterns, and would look fabulous paired with a fitted denim jacket.

And one more sale item to note in this week's Target ad are the Gilligan & O'Malley bras, which are on sale 2 for $20. For those of you who don't know, the Gilligan & O'Malley line at Target is made by Victoria's Secret. Please, no stampeding, and yes, I know that's a heck of a deal compared to what the VS lingerie goes for these days.

Happy shopping, and don't forget the sunscreen!

A quick tip on a couple of nice--and inexpensive--home decor sources

We all like to have a nice living space, one that reflects who we are and makes us feel relaxed and happy. But most of us don't have the budget to hire an interior designer, so we put together what we can, the best we can. And we try not to spend a king's ransom in the process.

There are so many ways to find decorating ideas we like--Pottery Barn and other home furnishings catalogs, home magazines like Dwell and Metropolitcan Home. But taking those ideas and translating them into something usable and affordable is the real challenge. IKEA is always a great place to browse, and so are Target and eBay. As I've mentioned before, eBay is a marvelous place to hunt for home decor items (as well as fashion, jewelry, shoes and accessories), and I've accumulated a list of favorite sellers over the years. It's time to share a couple more with you.

If you like Asian themes or accents, then check out the offerings of Chinese Traditional and Fun Alliance. Both began as eBay sellers, but have gone on to have stand-alone online stores. I've purchased extensively from both of them over the years, and have a pretty nice collection of original Chinese watercolors and calligraphy paintings from them. Their prices are astonishingly good, and the sheer volume of paintings and scrolls that Chinese Traditional offers may just overwhelm you. The scroll I've pictured here is from their site. Oh, and shipping is included on all of their pieces--so a good deal just got a whole lot better.

Fun Alliance, hosted by Kam Leung, offers a slightly different selection of items, and you'll find things like yixing teapots, textiles and bamboo sculptures in addition to original paintings and scrolls. And, Kam's a funny guy. He writes travelogues from his ongoing adventures and posts them on his site--along with gorgeous photographs--so you may get distracted for awhile reading all about Kam's trips. Two of my favorite pieces came from his eBay sales several years ago--a watercolor of two horses, and an especially stunning watercolor of plum blossoms. Kam has a great eye for art (he re-sells pieces he buys and sometimes commissions from local artists), so you can be confident in the quality of the pieces he sells.

I think you'll have fun browsing those two stores, and if Asian art isn't your thing, just wait a bit. I'll be back soon with more out-of-the-way stores with great finds.

When was the last time you took a vacation? - Part 2

Now that I've gotten your attention about the importance of taking time off from work once in awhile, let's expand a bit from super-inexpensive weekend getaways to something a bit more ambitious.

Think package deals and discount offers, because you can save huge amounts of money by going that route. But how do you find out about them? Especially the super-secret, really great discount offers for airfare and hotels and package deals? Email, of course. If you google "discount travel website," you'll get more than 5 million results. Not all of those are going to be discount travel sites, obviously, but it does give you an idea of what's out there. Take a look around using a search engine, and find a few that offer email lists you can subscribe to. The two primary newsletters I keep a close eye on are Travelzoo and Vacations to Go. The first is a kind of clearinghouse for every manner of travel or vacation deal you can imagine, and the second is all about cruises (and more about that in a moment).

If you sign up for Travelzoo's newsletter, you'll get an email every Wednesday with their top 20 travel deals, which can range from airfare deals to discounted vacation packages to killer rates on hotels. They primarily link to other travel sites, so they're a good clearinghouse to keep an eye on. And if you don't want to wait for your weekly email, you can always surf over to their site and see what deals they're linking to. They even feature a "deals near you" search feature so you can look around for those inexpensive weekend getaways I talked about in Part 1 earlier today.

Vacations to Go is strictly about cruises, and they REALLY have the lowdown on all the lowest cruise prices. I have a love-hate thing with cruises, and I've been on three of them. And had a blast every time. The "hate" part comes from the fact that you're on a ship for most of the trip, and even the shore stops are brief and limiting, which is frustrating if you like to explore--which I do. But I also love cruises. The ships are beautiful, and if you just want to relax, you can sprawl out on a lounge chair all day, gaze at the sea, sleep, read, drink, or all of the above--whatever helps you relax. Cruises are also marvelous values, because everything is included (except booze). The food is usually outstanding, and with impressive variety, and--my number one favorite thing about cruises--there's 24-hour complimentary room service. You'll be amazed how quickly you become happily accustomed to having coffee and croissants (or whatever on the menu strikes your fancy) delivered to your room at whatever hour you desire. It's almost impossible to match the value for hotel and dining that you'll get on a cruise, so keep those in mind if you just need to unwind for a few days. If you live near a port, you can find 3- and 4-day cruises for about $199 per person, and if you're looking for longer excursions, the deals are even better when you break it down on a value-per-day basis.

In addition to those two sites for tracking all deeply discounted travel opportunities, sign up for emails from the big travel booking sites like Orbitz and Travelocity. They won't give you the smorgasboard of packages the big clearinghouse sites do, but they will alert you to steep discounts on air travel and hotels.

If you can sock away $50 or $100 a month, or save up a little overtime pay, the travel deals--really, really good travel deals--are out there by the score; it's just a matter of keeping an eye out for them, and snagging the one you want when you see it.

When was the last time you took a vacation? - Part 1

Here's a pot-kettle-black moment for you, because I'm the world's worst at never quite getting around to taking time off work, even though I know the break will refresh me mentally and emotionally and keep my stress at healthier levels. I do try to get away on weekends whenever I can, though, which is easier on the budget, and still rewards me with some much-needed stress relief.

With the economy floundering and so many people un- or under-employed, it's not realistic to suggest that somebody hop a flight to Europe and get away for a couple of weeks. Most of us are in no position at all to take a vacation like that, but if at all possible, we should still make an effort to take some kind of break, even if it's just for a weekend.

Why is it so important? Well, our very lives--and even our job security, believe it or not--may depend on it. A study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health explored how much stress the American worker is under these days, and it probably won't surprise you to learn that the answer is that we're all pretty stressed out. Forty percent of workers say they're very stressed out by their jobs, and 26 percent say they often feel burned out at work. That has a negative effect on productivity, so even when you think you're working your hardest, you could be putting yourself into a situation where mistakes (or worse) are more likely. Here's an excerpt from the study that should get your attention:

Short-lived or infrequent episodes of stress pose little risk. But when stressful situations go unresolved, the body is kept in a constant state of activation, which increases the rate of wear and tear to biological systems. Ultimately, fatigue or damage results, and the ability of the body to repair and defend itself can become seriously compromised. As a result, the riskof injury or disease escalates.

In the past 20 years, many studies have looked at the relationship between job stress and a variety of ailments. Mood and sleep disturbances, upset stomach and headache, and disturbed relationships with family and friends are examples of stress-related problems that are quick to develop and are commonly seen in these studies. These early signs of job stress are usually easy to recognize. But the effects of job stress on chronic diseases are more difficult to see because chronic diseases take a long time to develop and can be influenced by many factors other than stress. Nonetheless, evidence is rapidly accumulating to suggest that stress plays an important role in several types of chronic health problems—especially cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological disorders.

That's serious stuff. The great paradox is that we're all the most reluctant to take time off from work at the times we probably most need to. If you absolutely cannot take time off work, or you don't have the funds to take a "real" vacation--or both--then at least try to plan something to get away for a weekend, or even a long weekend, if you can spare just one day off from work.

I know how tough it is to plan a getaway, even a simple weekend affair, when you're already counting pennies at the grocery store. But if you can squirrel away just a little extra cash, there are some pretty good deals out there, and some strategies for getting the maximum bang for your mini-vacation buck. When I plan a weekend away, I usually do one of two things.

My quick-and-easy (and cheap) weekend away usually involves picking a destination a few hours from home, and then looking for budget motels in the area. Living in California, I'm fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful park land as well as interesting small towns to escape to, so it's never too hard to find someplace to go. But no matter where you live, there's bound to be something an hour or two down the road to explore and get your mind off all the stresses of work. Discounted motel rates are not that hard to come by, especially if you have a AAA membership (which offers discounts for more items than you may be aware of), or have a frequent-stayer membership at a hotel chain--those are free to join, and offer rewards ranging from points redeemable for gift cards, to free motel stays. And almost every hotel chain offers such a program, so check their websites for information on how to join and what the benefits are.

My favorite, and the one where I'm a frequent-stayer member (even though I don't stay that frequently!) is Best Western. Their inns are all independently owned, and there's been a big push in recent years to renovate the motels. As a result, there are some pretty nice Best Westerns out there, and their rates are still in the budget range. My points have been accumulating for a couple of years, and I'll have a free stay or two available to use after my next weekend away (most likely at the lovely Fireside Inn, pictured above, in Cambria, California). We'll probably only be able to get away for a single Saturday night, but we'll stretch the weekend out by leaving at daybreak on Saturday and enjoying a liesurely drive up the coast (so thank goodness gas prices are stable, and I drive a fuel-efficient car), and then taking our time coming back on Sunday. Most hotels offer a complimentary breakfast these days, so that's one meal we don't have to pay for, and a quick internet search will turn up other budget dining choices along the way. If you do just a little homework, you can find countless ways to save money on trips like this, and make them a semi-regular reality.

If that's even too much for your budget--and it often is for mine--when was the last time you went camping? That's probably the most inexpensive getaway you'll find, and there are few things as refreshing and soul-renewing as getting away from city (or even suburban) life and sleeping outdoors. It requires so little to make one of these trips--a tent and sleeping bags are the bare minimum--and you don't have to have top-of-the-line, super-expensive gear (sorry, REI). If you have a discount sporting goods store in your area, such as Big 5 Sporting Goods, watch their sale circulars, because you can often pick up the basics for camping at really deep discounts. eBay has some sellers who specialize in discounted camping gear, such as The Bargain Outfitters or Timberwolf Sports.

Even Target and KMart carry camping gear, and often close out last-season items at clearance prices. Still too much? Ask around. Chances are, you have a friend who's well-stocked for these weekend expeditions, and he or she would probably be happy to lend you their camping gear for a weekend. And always watch craigslist, because people sell (cheaply!) or even give away camping gear that's been cluttering up their garages.

Once you've got the gear covered, you're a couple of mouse clicks away from a wealth of information on where to camp in your area. No matter where you live, you'll have a state park or national forest or recreation area with a campground within easy driving distance, and the fees are generally in the $5-$15 per night range. Plan out a couple of easy and cheap meals (cold or heated on a camp stove) for just a few dollars, and you're ready to go. For under $100--and maybe for less than $50--you can go to sleep listening to crickets chirp, and wake up to birds singing, and hear nary a car horn or car alarm. Clear your mind, take a lot of deep breaths, and come back home better armed to fight another day.

Happy Earth Day--shop green!

While I always shop with my budget in mind, I also try extra-hard to be a green consumer as much as possible. Fortunately, as more and more green options become available, the prices get better and better.

So in honor of Earth Day, I want to remind you all that in addition to looking great and living well, we should also do our best to live green. A recent discovery of mine makes this easier than ever: Priscilla Woolworth's Eco-Friendly General Store. Think of them as a green version of Restoration Hardware--they carry eco-garden products, eco-home products, green pet stuff, eco-friendly personal care products, books, gifts, and on and on.

Many of my other favorite stores are doing their part for Earth Day, too. At the Body Shop, you'll get the organic cotton canvas bag pictured here, free with any $30 purchase. The Body Shop is already high on my list of great green retailers, because their packaging is made from recycled materials, and their products are all from sustainable sources. They're also cruelty-free (no animal testing).

Cost Plus World Market is offering a free canvas tote with a $10 purchase, and they, too, carry a good assortment of organic, free-trade and eco-friendly products. Budget grocery chain Fresh & Easy--a favorite of mine, and within walking distance of Budget Girl's domicile!--is also offering a free canvas tote with a minimum $10 purchase. With all these canvas bags being given away, I hope we're all making the effort to keep a few in our cars or folded and tucked into our handbags so that we can finally kick the disposable bag habit.

And to move beyond shopping green to truly living green (on a budget!), be sure to visit my dear friends' site, Green Grrl's Excellent Eco-Adventure. And note that they're permanently listed in my favorite links along the left side of this page, so they're always just a click away. They're completely committed to turning the not-so-green house they recently purchased into a truly green home. They're documenting their progress blog-style and letting us share in the fun.

Mother's Day discount and free gift at Ice.com

Here's a deal for you from Ice.com--just in time for Mother's Day--that hits all three of my top budget shopping strategies. Free shipping? Check. 20% discount on your purchase? Check. Free gift with purchase? Check. And it's a nice one, too--a multi-colored cultured pearl necklace, valued at $100 retail. You'll need this link to get the freebie and discount.

I've shopped often at Ice.com over the years, and have always been satisfied with the quality. In addition to the generous discount deals they offer seemingly non-stop, they also offer the option of paying in installments (interest-free, no credit approval required). They've come in handy for me on many a birthday, Christmas and, yes, Mother's Day.

There's no minimum order requirement to get the free pearl necklace, so browse around and get a little somethin'-somethin' for your mom--or yourself.

One of my favorite catalog companies you've never heard of: Body Central

Why do I love Body Central? Well, naturally--their prices are amazing and their styles are up-to-the-minute. I received their latest catalog in the mail yesterday, and saw several new additions worth passing along.

I don't even remember how I first discovered them; I think I just ended up on their mailing list somehow a few years ago, and I've been happily shopping them ever since. They're part of the same corporate family as the Body Shop stores you've probably seen in your local mall (the clothing stores, not the bath and body product store that I also love), and they've been around since 1973.

Most of their styles tend toward the fitted and sexy, sometimes a bit too much so for my taste, but those are far outnumbered by the great deals on must-have pieces. This year's biggest trend, the maxi dress, is well represented at Body Central. I like the one pictured here, a steal at $32.50, and oh-so-flattering with that vertical stripe and empire waist. They have several other maxi styles available, all ranging from $24.50 to $32.50.

Another item I have my eye on is the tattoo design tee, very reminiscent of the much more expensive Ed Hardy styles. This one will set you back $9.50 (no, that price isn't a typo). They have a few different styles in the tattoo art tees, too, so you have more than one to choose from.

You'll also find tops and dresses with jewelry-like embellishments, jeans, capris, shorts, and a huge array of tees, tops and summer dresses. Most items in the catalog range from $15 to $30, which won't strain anybody's budget.

They also feature an impressive selection of accessories, from belts and jewelry to handbags and sunglasses (and a slightly smaller selection of shoes), and as with the clothes, you'll find the prices irresistably low.

They feature a "deal of the week," that you can be alerted to via email by signing up here, and their sale prices are, well, even more insanely low than their regular prices.

I've yet to find any coupon codes for Body Central, but their prices are so low and their shipping charges reasonable, so they still rank at the top of my favorite online retailers.

Rue La La et ooh la la!

Once in a great, great while, I come across a true designer bargain. Now, keep in mind--what Budget Girl considers a bargain has certain parameters. A designer purse marked from $700 to $400, for example, does not fall within those parameters. It may be utterly fabulous, but I'm far too practical a soul to splurge to that degree.

But sometimes, when all the planets align, there are true designer deals out there to be had. And my new favorite bargain destination is the invitation-only Rue La La (fear not, the details on how to get your invite are below).

Enter: Rue La La. They open members-only online "boutiques" several times a week, each featuring a specific and very desirable designer. Recent seletions have included Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Robert Rodriguez and Anne Klein Boutiques. You'll find true couture fashion--for women and men--as well as sportswear, and all manner of accessories and shoes. They've also recently begun including home furnishing boutiques--just last week featured boutiques Villeroy & Boch and Henkels cutlery.

Items featured are all from current-season lines, at discounts ranging from 30 to 80 percent off retail. Some of the items are still several stratospheres above what I consider budget prices, but I recently picked up a fabulous designer knit dress for $29. It's worth browsing the boutiques each day to see what's out there, especially if you're looking for classic wardrobe essentials--the kind that are worth a little extra investment.

Membership at Rue La La requires no obligation on your part, but it is invitation only. Once you get the invite and sign up at their site, you'll get emails a few times a week alerting you to upcoming boutiques and the day and time they'll debut on Rue La La's website, and it's up to you whether you want to surf over and do some browsing. If you'd like an invite, send an email to me at chickonabudget@gmail.com, with the words "Rue La La invite" in the subject line (and your email address will never, ever be used or passed along for any other purpose). I'll have the invite sent over to you within 24 hours of your request, and then you can shop to your heart's content.

I heart I Heart Ronson!

The trend of cutting-edge designers at discount retailers continues, and I couldn't be happier about it.

Rushing to line up behind Target's brilliantly successful move to bring cusp-of-fashion designers into the discount level is (drumroll!) J.C. Penney. They've added several good designer lines the last couple of years, but the addition of Charlotte Ronson's I Heart Ronson line brings the retailer up to a whole new, tres haute level.

The line debuted online in February, and has now made it to the racks of most J.C. Penney stores. Ronson has been designing for almost 10 years, and specializes in an ultra-cool urban hipster look. It's casual and fun, and the J.C. Penney pieces are priced in the $20-$50 range, which makes the line must-have cheap chic.

According to the Los Angeles Times, J.C. Penney "soft-launched" the line for spring with a limited selection in stores, but will ramp up the selection for summer, with that lineup hitting the stores this month.

As more and more retailers rush to follow Target's example, we all reap the benefits, with cutting-edge fashion finally within our limited-budget reach. Viva fashionistas!

I am a budget wine crusader. You should be, too.

Good wine is a necessity of life for me.
~ Thomas Jefferson

It's good for your heart, it's loaded with antioxidants, French women drink it daily and stay thin, and it tastes so, so good. What's not to love about wine?

And why aren't you drinking it more often? If you do drink it often, then just consider yourself part of the choir as I preach on.

Far too many people are intimidated by the very idea of wine, either because they don't know much about it, or because they think the only good wine is expensive wine (not true). Or if they aren't intimidated by it, they're unimpressed with it, because they've just grabbed random bottles on sale at the supermarket without understanding anything at all about wine.

While you don't need to take a sommelier course to become a savvy wine buyer, a little know-how will lead you to some good wines, and also give you that great lightbulb moment when you realize that you can get some very good wines for under $10 a bottle, and some spectacular wines for $20 or less. Gone are the days when anything under $10 sat shoulder-to-shoulder with Boone's Farm and jug wines; it's easy to find drinkable wines for bargain prices if you're armed with just a little knowledge. But you need to be willing to try, and you'd do well to learn a little about basic varietals and the countries that produce the best versions of them. The three things to remember are read, taste, and take chances.

Read. It's easy to be overwhelmed with the amount of information out there--in books and on the internet--so try to find one good comprehensive source. I highly recommend Karen MacNeil's The Wine Bible, which is truly encyclopedic (and a hefty 900+ pages), but also very reasonably priced. The link I provided takes you to Amazon, with their oh-so-affordable price of $12.97, a considerable discount off the cover price. MacNeil covers all the varietals--the different wine grapes, such as cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay--and all the major wine-producing regions around the world. Within those chapters, she also covers the major producers in each area as well as some of the more notable wines for each. Her writing style is fun, passionate and knowledgeable, so it makes for an easy and enjoyable read.

Robert Parker, one of the most respected wine critics in the world, has published a good glossary of wine terminology on his site; read it A to Z. And more specifically regarding budget wines, look for Robert Parker's "value list," published in his Wine Advocate (usually in late August). His recommendations on that list are reliably good wines that won't clean out your bank account. A summary of his 2008 list is here. When you're at your local wine store--or, if you have one in your area, Beverages & More--pay attention to the hang tags on the wine shelf. Most wine merchants post the positive ratings their wines have gotten, so pay attention to them; they're usually a good guide if you're at a complete loss for what to buy.

Taste. I was very fortunate to live in northern California for a few years, and took full advantage of my location to visit as many tasting rooms as possible at local wineries. Visiting a winery's tasting room is great fun, and you should ask the tasting room staff as many questions as you can think of regarding the varietals they produce in general, and their winemaking process specifically. Most of them are delighted to have an engaged, interested customer, and you can learn a great deal from these people--I certainly did. Wines are being produced all over the country now, so it's highly likely there's a winery within easy distance from your house. And if there isn't, call around to your local wine merchants and high-end supermarkets, because most of them offer regular wine tastings. You'll probably have to pay a nominal fee, but that's usually refunded if you make a purchase. As with visiting tasting rooms, it's a wonderful way not just to taste good wines, but--even more important--to find out what you like. You'll begin to learn, by taste, the characteristics of the major varietals, and understand why certain wines pair better with certain foods.

Take chances! So you're standing in front of that infinitely long shelf of red wines at Cost Plus World Market, most of them are under $10, and you haven't a clue which one to buy to go with dinner. Even the most novice-y of wine novices can make a safe guess (and safe purchase) for a bottle of wine. See that Spanish red blend with the hang tag showing an 88 rating by Wilfred Wong for $7? Go for it. It's highly unlikely you'll pick up a bad bottle of wine; it should at least be drinkable, and you may be pleasantly surprised and stumble on a real winner. And if you just absolutely hate it, re-cork it, put it in the fridge, and use it when you cook. As you take more chances, both your knowledge and your confidence will grow, and before you know it, you'll be a confident wine consumer who sidles up to perplexed-looking strangers to offer a "you know, this one's quite good--we had it with dinner last week, and loved it!"

I firmly believe the world would be a better place if everybody drank a glass or two of wine every night. We'd almost certainly be healthier, and probably a little happier, too. The quality of budget-priced wines has improved dramatically over the last 15 years, so you're almost assured a drinkable bottle if not a stellar bottle, even if you paid no more than $7 dollars for it. I'll continue to share specific bargain wines that I come across, and as this site expands in the coming months, I'll add special sections with my own wine notes I've compiled over the years on my favorite varietals and producers. We may all be cutting back and eating at home more often during these leaner times, but with good wines at pauper's prices, we can still dine like kings in our own modest little kitchens.

One of my favorite jewelry resources: CaratGems on eBay

I've been an eBay member for many years now, and have slowly cultivated a list of favorite sellers I go back to again and again because they offer incredible products at unbeatable prices.

One of my very favorites is CaratGems, who specializes in hand-crafted sterling silver and gemstone jewelry reminiscent of designer Nicky Butler's--and, in fact, CaratGems' jewelry is made by the same artisans--but at a fraction of the price. How much of a savings are we talking about? Well, Butler's pieces run in the $200-$300 range, and most of CaratGems pieces (necklaces, bracelets, pendants, rings and earrings) sell for between $19 and $39.

They've been selling their jewelry on eBay for over 10 years, and have a feedback rating of better than 99 percent. Their jewelry is imported directly from Jaipur, India, where it's crafted by second-generation artisans, and the seller is a GIA-certified gemologist. In other words, he knows his stuff, and stands behind the excellent products he sells.

Most of the pieces feature heavy carat weight in genuine semi-precious stones (such as the piece I've pictured here), and all the designs are trademarked. I've purchased five or so pieces from him over the years, and I'm extremely pleased with the quality (and the inevitable compliments I get). The pieces are unique, comfortable to wear, and a truly good jewelry investment.

Sneak peek for Ulta's big spring sale

Some of you may have already received your latest Ulta sale catalog--what, you're not an Ulta Club member yet? Well, go here, and sign thyself up. They'll shower you with money-off coupons and discounts and rewards certificates based on your quarterly purchases, and they have fabulous sales.

Back to the matter at hand, though: their annual spring sale kicks off this Sunday, and as usual, they're offering a can't-pass-up gift with any $30 fragrance purchase (just in time for mother's day!). This freebie is your choice of one of four straw totes--the apple green is especially gorgeous.

There's also a $3.50 off a minimum $10 purchase coupon, always a good one--my favorite lip color, Max Factor's Lipfinity, is $10.49 at Ulta, so I adore the $3.50 coupons. And don't forget that several of the designer perfumes offer their own gifts with purchase this time of year, so you can get that freebie and the straw tote, and come away with quite the haul. More on the specifics of the sale on Sunday, so keep your eyes peeled for the sale catalog in your mailbox or Sunday newspaper.

One of the best spa experiences you'll ever have--even if you're on a budget!

I've been kicking around a post idea for awhile about my favorite spa, and after getting a couple of impossible-to-pass-up specials via their email list this week, decided that time is of the essence.

Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa in Corona, California, is my happy place. I know I'm not the only person who feels this way, and after you visit the first time, you'll probably agree. This is of special interest to those of you in southern California, as it's just 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles, but if you've been thinking about a visit to our beautiful west coast, Glen Ivy should definitely be on your list of activities.

Glen Ivy isn't just a full service spa, but an honest-to-goodness hot springs and true day spa and resort. We humans have been dipping our toes in the geothermally heated, mineral-rich waters there for thousands of years--first the native Americans, then Spanish settlers, all the way up to current day. The hot springs as a resort has seen many incarnations over the years, first catering to weary travelers almost 150 years ago. It still beckons to those of us who need an "aaahhhhh" day, and does so at a remarkabe price (more on that in a moment). They were the winner of Spa Magazine's 2008 Readers' Choice Award for Favorite Hot Springs and Most Affordable Spa in America.

In addition to a full menu of spa services that can be purchased a la carte, Glen Ivy in Corona features mineral baths (contained in a large pool and several smaller satellite pools that will accommodate two people each) fed by those wonderful hot springs, a therapeutic red clay mud bath, a large lounge pool, saunas, steam rooms, roman baths and large shower and locker areas for men and women, complete with towel service, the use of all of which are included in the resort's very reasonable entrance price of $48 per person on weekends, and just $35 per person Monday through Friday, and is open to all visitors age 16 or older (age 18 minimum for the spa's massage services).

A co-worker of mine had raved about Glen Ivy for about a year before I finally went my first time. My sister was in town for a visit, and we're both spa fanatics, so we decided a visit to Glen Ivy should be on our itinerary during her stay. We went on a Tuesday to take advantage of the lower weekday prices, and each scheduled a pedicure in addition. We were delighted to discover that driving from Los Angeles to Glen Ivy took us against--instead of in--rush-hour traffic coming and going, so that was a bonus. We arrived around 10 a.m., and had no trouble finding a spot to park (also included in the price). The resort resembles a desert oasis, welcoming and lushly landscaped. We were checked in quickly and amiably at the front desk, given an informative brochure to help us find our way around, and made our way to the large shower and locker facilities to change into our swimsuits. We'd heeded the advice on the website to bring a dark-colored swimsuit (alternatively, just bring along an old one that won't mind a few stains) because the red clay mud can leave stains on fabric. The women's shower and locker area is expansive, clean and beautifully designed; we felt relaxed already!

We hit the mud bath first, because both of us were dying to try it--we read the brochure more closely later, and realized that's recommended AFTER the mineral baths (oops!) so we'll know better next time--and took turns coating each other head to toe with the slippery stuff. You'll love the mud--it smells wonderful--and can purchase some to take home with you at the bargain price of $18 for a 14.5 oz. jar.

We settled into lounge chairs to bask in the sun while the mud dried, then helped each other rinse off in the outdoor shower nearby. It was a warm day, so we were delighted to see a table with complimentary ice-cold water to keep us hydrated; they have a couple of these stationed around the resort, and also offer a smoothie bar as well as a cafe with light and reasonably priced fare.

After the mud bath, you can take advantage of the Grotto (for an additional $25), which is an underground cavern--literally, a quick elevator ride down--where you'll be misted with cool mineral water and "painted" with an all-over green moisturizing masque containing sea kelp and aloe vera, which smells even better than the mud masque (amazing, but true). Then move into the hydrating chamber to let the masque do its magic, and enjoy a cup of green tea or a crisp green apple in the cool mist chamber. No appointment is necessary for the Grotto, but there may be a waiting list on very busy days. Here are the other areas of interest (all included in the price of admission):

• Lap Pool—the perfect pool for swimming laps or performing aerobics.
• Vista Spa—relax while taking in majestic views of the valley.
• Saline Pool—heal aching muscles and joints with an epsom salt soak.
• Terrace Pools—a designated quiet area shaded by surrounding trees.

Once all the mud was washed away, we headed for the mineral baths, which were warm and wonderfully soothing. We spent the rest of the day (before AND after our pedicures) lazing about the lounge pool, chatting and reading magazines, and were both sad to see the day come to an end. We left with lovely pink toes, and refreshed and lifted spirits, and vowed we'd be back.

I was smitten with Glen Ivy, and immediately signed up for their email list when I returned home. If you do so, you'll receive frequent discount offers. I'll be back on my birthday next month to take advantage of their free admission (must be on your actual birthday, and you must show ID for verification), and also have my eye on their current specials:

• On April 21, 22, 28 and 30, Glen Ivy is offering 2-for-1 admission for their President's Special stress relief package. This is an email-only offer, but if you sign up for their email list any time before April 30, you'll receive the email with the President's Special offer.


• Now through April 20, you can purchase $100 Glen Ivy gift cards--which may be used for admission to the resort as well as spa services--for just $75 each, and if you purchase two gift cards, you'll get a free Glen Ivy admission pass. That's a fantastic deal! The gift cards must be purchased online to get the special sale price.

You can (and should) sign up for their email list here, and be the first to find out about upcoming promotions. I can think of no better way to treat yourself to some serious stress relief than to spend a day at Glen Ivy. Even if you forego the separate spa services, you still get a day of incredible pampering (and that wonderful mud bath!) and lounging in and by the pools for that low admission price. It's a beautiful place, it's relaxing, and after you experience it for the first time, you'll promise yourself you'll come back often.

A quick p.s. to those of you outside of southern California: check out Spa Finder, and sign up for their email list. There are many great spa specials out there to be found, especially as spas try to stay competitive in such a tough economy. You can search for the deals on Spa Finder, and keep up with the latest offers via their email news letter.

And a little something for the man in your life

Here's a great (and inexpensive) buy for father's day, graduation or just to make someone's day. Jewelry Shopping Club offers one deal per day, at a greatly reduced price and with free shipping. Each day's special is posted at 10 a.m. west coast time, and often sells out quickly.

Today's is a men's bracelet, with smooth hypo-allergenic stainless steel loops and a rubberized black band. It's a nice, sleek design, which makes it appropriate for any setting. Length is 8 1/4 inches, and the stainless steel loops are each 1/2 inch wide. It's $12.99, inclusive, and comes in a free gift box.

Weekend sale roundup - lots of great discounts out there through this weekend only

I'll just cram these all in a quick post so that you have the who-where-when-how-much-will-I-save.

Victoria's Secret: You can still get the $20 of $100 purchase with the 09SPRING coupon code, or you can get 25 percent off one item through Sunday only, and the code for that deal is 25SAV

DSW Shoes: $10 off a $50 regular-price purchase, either in store or online. Click on the link to get a printable coupon, or use code GETTEN for online shopping.

Express: Get an additional 20 percent off clearance prices (some already as much as 50 percent off); no code needed, discount is given at checkout. Online or in store.

Cost Plus World Market: Family & Friends sale weekend, where you'll get 25% off home furnishings, decor, gifts and more. You'll need to sign up for their email list at the link (or sign in to your account) to get the discount or printable coupon, which you can then forward to--of course--friends & family.

It's time for springtime BOGO at Payless

This is another retailer you should revisit if you'd previously written them off as too cheap-looking or not fashion-forward enough. Their styles are fresh and updated, and they've brought in designers for their own lines in much the same way Target has.

In addition to the mainstream Dexter and American Eagle brands (and those include men's shoes, too, incidentally), Payless now carries shoes by designers Abaete, Lela Rose, alicia + olivia, and zoe&zac, and that's not even the entire list. If you're passing up Payless because you think they have nothing to offer, you're missing out.

Their line of handbags has been similarly updated, so you can do quite well on both shoes and handbags without breaking the bank--especially when their BOGO promotions are underway.

I've been frustrated in the past when I saw a pair of shoes in one of their Sunday ad circulars but arrived at my local store to find it out of stock in my size. Fortunately, you can shop from Payless' website now and have the shoes shipped to your local store for pickup, which saves you shipping charges (you can also have them shipped directly to your address, but unless you buy $50 or more, you'll have to pay shipping charges). Unless I'm on a browsing mission, that's the only way I shop with Payless anymore, and it's wonderfully headache-free.

Their spring lines have the usual assortment of strappy sandals and colorful flats, but you'll also find very up-to-the-moment stacked-heel platform sandals and romanesque flat sandals.

And because this post is coming around just a week shy of Earth Day, I also want to point out Payless' latest charitable endeavor:

Payless ShoeSource® will contribute $1 to The Nature Conservancy'sPlant a Billion Trees Campaign for each resuable bag purchased from 4/13/09 to 12/31/09 and $1 from each zoe&zac™ branded product sold between 4/13/09 and 5/4/09. Payless ShoeSource® will make a minimum total contribution for 2009 of $100,000 from the sales of these items and other merchandise in 2009.

Go check out what's new on their website, take advantage of the BOGO promotion while it lasts (now through May 4), save the shipping charges by having your order sent to the store, and take it all home in a reusable bag--save some money, do a little good for the environment, and look fabulous from the ankles down.

Don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on eyeglasses? You'll love this.

Budget Girl is, to some extent, also blind-as-a-bat girl. Okay, not really blind, but I am far-sighted, and have worn glasses since second grade. About two weeks ago, my favorite pair of glasses broke irreparably. I've spent the ensuing couple of weeks sulking over the dearly departed frames, and wondering where on earth I was going to find the money to buy new glasses. Those of you who wear them know they can be hideously expensive.

I'd just about resigned myself to digging around for a Lenscrafters coupon, when I saw a mention on a craiglist forum today for Zenni Optical. Insane prices, they said. I figured it was worth taking a look, so off I went.

Insane doesn't begin to describe it.

I found a pair of half-rimmed glasses almost identical to my broken pair, and after waiting a few minutes for my eye doctor (the delightful Dr. Pachman) to fax me my prescription for reference, I purchased a pair with lightweight lenses and all the premium coatings for $25.85--including shipping. They probably heard my squeals of joy all the way up in San Rafael, where Zenni's lab is located. Yup, these are Made in the USA glasses, too. I have no idea how they do what they do, but it's an amazing deal.

They have a huge variety of frames, including plenty that are truly leading-edge fashion frames that'll rival any of the designer frames you'd find in your local optical boutique. The most expensive frames I saw on their site were $29.95, but they start as low as $8.00. You can have tinting added (and turn them into prescription sunglasses) for $4.95. Or, if you're feeling extra-posh, you can order photochromic lenses (like the expensive Transitions lenses) for an extra $39.95 if you want to go totally over the top. However, to their bargain-driven credit, Zenni points out on their info page for them that photochromic lenses never darken as much as most people like, and seldom darken at all from inside a car with UV-blocking windshield, so they recommend you just go for the $4.95 sunglass tinting. Here's what you get with every pair:

High quality stylish frame

Thin and Light 1.57 index lens

Anti Scratch Coating

Full UV Protection

Lens edge polishing and beveling

Quality Hard Eyeglass case

Microfiber Lens Cleaning Cloth

Full Guarantee

If you're wary of ordering online without trying them on, then take the time to go to the mall and find an optical shop, and spend a little time trying on frames. Figure out what you like, take notes, and then go back to Zenni's site and find an equivalent pair. Delivery takes about a week, so I should be getting mine early next week. And I'll probably give in to temptation and order a pair of prescription sunglasses tomorrow (with the frames I like, it'll cost me a whopping $18).

And now that I've pointed you to the cheapest-ever eyeglasses, I have to give a shout-out to my favorite contact lens store. Because I sit in front of a computer all day, I have problems with dry eyes, and the only contacts I can wear that don't drive me nuts are Acuvue's Oasys lenses. They're great, but they're spendy. AC Lens, by far, has the best price on them. I found them after an internet search for online contact lens stores a couple of years ago, and I've been a devoted customer ever since. The lowest prices anywhere, you can always find a coupon code for free shipping or a discount (or both!), they ship quickly and have great customer service.

So, there you are. No matter what kind of vision correction you choose, there's an online retailer out there who'll save you a substantial amount of money. Now I think I'll go order those prescription sunglasses!

The LA Times Festival of Books - Feed your head! It's fun, and FREE!

For those of you who are in Southern California, we're less than two weeks away from my favorite event ever--the Los Angeles Times' annual Festival of Books, held on the campus of UCLA on April 25 and 26. I'm a life-long bookworm, and when I first attended way back in 2000, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven

If you've never been before, it's two days of books, authors, current events discussions, kids' activities, cooking demos, and more, on a scale you have to see to believe. The first book festival was held in 1996, and was an immediate success. It now sees more then 130,000 attendees each year and is the country's biggest and most prestigious book festival. And you thought LA was filled with shallow people who never read! It does this lit lover's heart good to see so many people turn out for an event centered around the book.

There's an impressive list of speakers and panelists, found here, most of whom also do book signings in designated areas after their appearances (good to know for those of you who collect books). A sprawling event on UCLA's beautiful campus, the festival also includes nearly 300 exhibitor booths representing booksellers (many of whom offer discounts to festival attendees!), publishers, literacy and cultural organizations. There are cooking demos by celebrity chefs, and countless activities and performances for children (and those of us who are kids at heart). The dining options have evolved nicely over the years, and there's now a pretty impressive food court set up, and vendors for the usual ice cream, bottled water and frozen lemonade stationed around the festival area. The weather is always glorious, too (so don't forget to bring your sunscreen). You can review the schedule of panels and speakers here, or look for the special section for the festival in this Sunday's Los Angeles Times (April 19).

Admission is free, but you'll need tickets to get into the formal author events. Tickets will become available on Sunday, April 19, 2009, at 12 noon through Ticketmaster.com for a nominal fee of $.75 per ticket. Tickets will also be available at select Southern California Ticketmaster locations including select Macy’s locations, Ritmo Latino, at the Beverly Center’s information booth. These tickets are free with a $.75 service charge both online and participating retailers. In the interest of promoting literacy, Ticketmaster has reduced its normal service charges to this nominal amount. There will be a small number of tickets reserved for same-day pickup at a special area at the festival, but they begin handing them out at 8 a.m. and they go fast. I was there last year at 7:15 a.m., because I'd missed my Ticketmaster window of opportunity, and there was already a line of over 100 people in front of me!

And for those of you who aren't in the Los Angeles area, don't feel left out--a quick google search turned up similar book festivals all over the country, including festivals in Baton Rouge, Philadelphia, Tucson, Nashville, South Dakota, Atlanta, Austin, Delaware, Brooklyn, and on and on. Seek out these events, because they're great fun.

Tired of mismatched dishes and drinkware?

It's not often you get a chance to replace everything in your cabinet at once--most of us just don't have the budget for it. But here's your chance, if you live near an IKEA store. It probably doesn't surprise any of you that Budget Girl is a huge IKEA fan, but this is an unusually good deal, even by IKEA standards.

For one day only--Sunday, April 19th--you can pick up their Startbox Plus for more than 50 percent off its usual low price. For $39.99, you'll get a service for six of dishes, silverware and glassware (including wineglasses!). It's in a clean, basic white, which makes it perfect for any occasion, and any decor.

If that bargain isn't one you need at the moment, you can still stop by and check out their new summer inventory. Most people think of IKEA as a place for inexpensive assemble-it-yourself furniture, but they have a great selection of colorful, seasonal items for summertime entertaining and decorating, and at the expected IKEA prices (think Pier I for those of us on a budget). I like the set of two etched glass hanging tealight holders, $4.99 for a set of 2, and the colorful sandwich trays, $1.49 each, which are reusable and great for outdoor entertaining. Take that, Martha Stewart!

And if you get there in the morning, you can enjoy breakfast on IKEA Friday through Sunday. It's their 99-cent breakfast--a generous helping of potatoes, bacon and scrambled eggs--and coffee, gratis for this weekend only. The restaurant usually opens before the main store does, so check your local hours to find out when breakfast is served near you.

One of my favorite products ever, with a free trial

Beauty on the outside begins with what we put into our bodies, no? If you're counting calories, or just want something on hand at work when you're too busy to leave the office for lunch, boy have I got a deal for you.

Okay, my own personal testimonial first: I LOVE Andrew Lessman's Secure meal replacement shakes. Really, really love them. I bought some on a special on HSN a couple of years ago, and I'm completely addicted. I'd long been fond of making smoothies and protein shakes using various protein powders I picked up at places like GNC or Trader Joe's, but Secure just blows them all right out of the water. They aren't chalky, they don't have a weird taste (or aftertaste), and they're delicious. They're also loaded with lots of vitamins and minerals, as well as a healthy amount of soy protein per shake. You can mix them with water, milk or soy milk; you can mix two together, like the chocolate and coffee flavors, and you can blend them with frozen fruit.

Oh, and did I mention that each shake has fewer than 70 calories per serving? Yes, I thought you'd like that part. They're a guilt-free meal replacement, and Mr. Lessman is generously offering a FREE 30-count variety pack right now through his company's website--you only pay $7.95 shipping--so get it while you can (because I have no idea how long he'll offer such a great deal). I've already ordered (and received) my variety pack, and I can assure you there's no catch and no obligation to buy anything else--but I bet you'll be back for more once you try them. You get a sample of all six flavors in the variety pack: chocolate, coffee, vanilla (my favorite), peanut butter, pina colada and mixed berry. And they're all good.

And as a shout-out to my dear friends, the GreenGrrls, you might also be interested to know that Lessman's ProCaps Laboratories production facility is a green operation, running on 100 percent solar power. If you want to feel good about buying great products from a company that takes environmental responsibility seriously, you'll be hard-pressed to find one with more integrity than Lessman's. Your money is truly well-spent there.

I keep a large canister of the vanilla Secure on hand (you can buy it in canisters or in boxes of individual servings), and use it to make my oh-no-I'm-late-for-work, running-out-the-door breakfast. I mix in 1 cup of unsweetened soy milk, and either 1 cup of frozen blueberries, or, if I'm in the mood for something more tropical, 1/2 of a frozen banana and some frozen mango chunks. A quick spin in the blender, and I have a delicious breakfast that's actually good for me. A little protein, some vitamins, a little fruit--win! And a delicious "win," too. Go, now. Take advantage of the free offer, and have a smoothie on me.

Budget-priced evening dresses, made in the USA!

We're on our way into wedding and vacation season (and, for those of you in high school or with daughters in high school, prom season). What to wear, what to wear?

How about something gorgeous that's made right here in the USA, and priced from $35 to $65?

I first discovered Buy in America's site when I was looking for a cocktail dress to wear on a cruise about five years ago, and I've been back several times since then. I'm seriously considering ordering that pretty little number to the right of this text, in fact. They've been in business since 1986, making and selling formal and cocktail dresses in the fashion district right here in sunny Los Angeles.

Their variety is good (they also offer plus size gowns), and they offer accessories such as matching purses and shawls as well. They ship same or next day, and have a reasonable return policy (always important to consider when shopping online).

If you have a big occasion coming up and nothing to wear, or just want to re-stock your closet with a Little Black Dress, you should definitely check out Buy in America.

Free (almost) genuine gemstone jewelry

What budget girl wouldn't love that? One of my favorite sites that I check regularly for guilt-free impulse shopping is Silver Jewelry Club. They offer four pieces of jewelry, each for 15 minutes each, and there's a countdown clock under each piece. If you miss out on one, keep your eyes peeled and it may come around again (but no promises).

Why do I say "almost" free? Well, you do have to pay a flat $6.99 for shipping, but that's infinitely reasonable considering what you get in return--high quality sterling silver and genuine gemstones, usually in the 1-carat range. I've bought many, many pieces from them over the years, and I've always been impressed with the quality of the gemstones. It's one of the things I'm rather picky about, so getting stones that are intensely colored (the amethyst is never faded, the garnet always deep red) is what keeps me coming back again and again and again.

Their usual offerings are rings, earrings and pendants--and if you don't have a chain for the pendant, you can add on a sterling silver box chain--a sturdy link, not a delicate, easy-to-break link like a cable chain--with your choice of lengths, for $4. Again, a great deal.

It's a great way to build a casual jewelry wardrobe, and also a great place to go to pick up an inexpensive (but quality) gift for someone.

Eco-friendly designer fashions coming to Target

You may already have noticed my fondness for Target fashions--who wouldn't love a company that had Isaac Mizrahi designing for it? Mizrahi has, sadly (for those of us on a budget), moved on to bigger and better things at fashion house Liz Claiborne, but Target continues to bring cutting-edge designers to its shoppers at un-designer prices as part of its GO International program.

Next up is Loomstate, the work of designers Rogan Gregory and Scott Mackinlay Hahn, featuring clothes for men and women made entirely of 100 percent certified organic cotton.

If you were to pick up anything from these designers' lines at a boutique, they'd run you hundreds of dollars per piece. At Target, they'll be priced from $14.99 to $44.99, and will feature shirts, shorts, dresses, jackets, themed tees and swimwear. As with the other GO International designers, these will be available for a limited time only. The line debuts in stores on April 19 and will be gone by May 16, so act quickly.

The men's pieces will go nicely with the Converse canvas shoes Target now carries (full time, not a limited run), and the women's with the new Miss Trish of Capri sandals that recently hit the shelves there. Designer pieces at Target prices--ah, the democratization of fashion!

When shopping can make the world a better place

The suggestion sounds ridiculous, but hear me out: Global Girlfriend, which is part of the Greater Good network of sites (which feature the click-a-day sites including The Hunger Site and The Breast Cancer Site) features handmade artisan products ranging from jewelry to soap to clothes, and a portion of every sale will help improve the lives of women around the world. What's really amazing are the shockingly reasonable prices on everything in their store--anybody on a budget can shop there, find beautiful items, and not go broke doing so. Because I think it's important and worth stating in its entirety, here's the lowdown from their site explaining what they do and how they do it:

Global Girlfriend was created in 2003 to help women worldwide gain economic security while providing you unique products and a simple way to help women in need. Our fair-trade boutique offers a line of trend-setting, women-made, fair-trade products including stylish apparel, accessories and gifts with one purpose -- helping women in need help themselves. We believe passionately that economic opportunity for women holds the promise for real change in the world; because when women have an income, they reinvest in themselves and in their children's health, education and nutrition, building stronger families and communities over time. Many women try desperately to make a living selling their artisan-quality goods but find that they have little access to market opportunities. Through fair-trade practices, Global Girlfriend brings the work of these disadvantaged groups directly to you. Global Girlfriend believes in forming long-term partnerships that provide women a fair living wage with equal employment opportunities, healthy and safe working conditions, technical assistance and development strategies to foster prosperity and reduce poverty.

• Women Made
  We know that economic opportunities for women holds the promise for real change because with a sustainable income over time, a woman invests in her family's health and education -- things that really help break the cycle of poverty.
• Fair Trade
  We also know that for women to thrive, those opportunities must reflect fair working conditions, many times non-traditional ones like working from home, and access to resources that provide a gateway into the global economy
• Eco-Friendly
  We share one earth and it must be healthy for us all to thrive. We support women in producing products that solve their community environmental issues, producing healthier children, rivers, skies and world.

Global Girlfriend directs the charity royalty from each purchase to Camfed (Campaign for Female Education), a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating poverty in Africa through the education of girls and the empowerment of young women. Camfed works directly with girls and women in rural areas of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana and Tanzania, providing educational and economic opportunities.

The charity royalty from each purchase at Global Girlfriend is directed to Camfed's seed money microgrant and microcredit program. Camfed's seed money micro-grant program is uniquely run by young women for young women, creating a bond of female solidarity that is integral to its success. Young women in the seed money program receive an initial microgrant, which they do not have to repay, in order to launch a small business venture, thus benefiting themselves, their families, and their entire communities.

With mother's day, father's day and graduation all just around the corner, a lot of us are budgeting carefully to find something nice to give to those we love. They have a huge variety of items, and there's something for every budget. They also offer a low, fixed shipping price of $3.95. We can all feel good about where our money is going, and also have the pleasure of giving something truly lovely and unique. That's a win-win situation for everybody.