Get Your Frugal Freak On

Hi there!  Yes, I know, I’ve been gone almost a week.  I decided to take a real Christmas holiday, and I totally slacked off from Thursday to yesterday.  Which meant – no posting.  However, I doubt many of you spent your holidays reading web sites, so I don’t think you missed me too much.  As it should be.

But now I’m back (albeit not from outer space, but rather, Chicago).  And I did my first of TWO segments for Fox 9’s Morning Buzz today.  I’ll also be on air Thursday, so please tune back in if you can.  If not, there’s always Tivo, or DVR, or VHS, or the Internet…

Moving on.  Today’s segment was all about cheap, fun New Year’s activities for the denizens of the Twin Cities.  However, since not all of you are from the TC, I want to highlight one of my ideas in particular, as I feel it’s fairly universal.  Instead of whooping up the New Year at a bar or restaurant, why not hit the great outdoors?

Many state and local parks offer candlelit walks along their trails, with big roaring fires awaiting you at the end.  So you can save money, get some exercise, AND experience a rare… experience.  New Year’s Eve we will all witness (if it’s not overcast) the full, blue moon.  Do you know how rare a blue moon is?  They only happen once in a, well, you get the idea.

After witnessing this natural wonder, you can head back in and settle down before a romantic fire (or DVD, or cable, or the aforementioned Internet) and toast the New Year with a nice, inexpensive bottle of Proseco.  Perfect.

Cheap New Year’s Fun For Cheap, Fun Twin Citians:

Secrets of the City/Red Stag Supper Club located north of downtown:  FREE New Year’s Eve Party.  Free music starting at 11 PM, free truffle oil popcorn, free champagne toast, plus drink specials and prizes.  Must be 21 or older.

Brit’s Pub New Year’s Eve Bash:  FREE live entertainment – Cool Britannia, a British tribute band that covers everyone from the Beatles to Coldplay.  Music starts at 8:30 PM.  They will also ring in the British New Year at 6 PM with bag piping and champagne.

First Avenue Main Room’s Deep Space Danceteria:  $5 advance, $15 at the door.  Moonwalk contest, Tang drink specials, a photo booth, and a champagne toast.  DJ’s include Classix and SovietPanda (yeah, I don’t know who they are, either).   

The Medina Entertainment Center, Boogie Wonderland:  $20 advance, $25 at the door, plus a $2 facility charge.  Doors open at 7 PM, and music starts at 8 PM.  This is also a 21+ show.  PS – I love, love, LOVE Wonderland.  They are the shnizz, people.  

MinneHAHA Comedy Club in the lower level of Anthony’s Parkway Grill:  $20 advance, $25 at the door.  Prime rib buffet dinner for just $20 at the Grill.  The comedy show starts at 8:30 PM, and afterwards, there’s live music upstairs by Eagle River. 

Fort Snelling Candlelight Walk and Skate:  Start on your Resolutions early and take a stroll through Fort Snelling State Park under the light of the Blue Moon.  Walk along their candle lit 5k trail from the Visitor Center to Shelter A with warming fires on both ends of the trail. 

Tune in tomorrow to learn what I learned this holiday shopping season, see pictures of a good-looking actor man, and be asked a second, deeply important question.  But first!  The FIRST deeply important question (to me, anyway):

Do you listen to podcasts?  And, would you listen to a podcast created weekly by yours truly (that would be me, The Cheap Chick)?