Free Museum Entry Every Month!

Did you know that you can get free entry to hundreds of museums in the U.S. just by having the right credit/debit card? This is news to me. Why is it that we often don’t know about these added benefits? Too lazy to sift through your provider’s website? Yeah, me too.

Bank of America offers a “Museums on Us” program. All you need is to show your BofA credit/debit card and your photo ID to gain one free general admission to a participating cultural institution. This is for the Cardholder only, so be prepared to pay for others…or if they have their own, they’ll get in free too!

At Bank of America, we believe in the power of the arts. That’s why for the past 24 years, during the first full weekend of every month, Bank of America has offered our valued cardholders free general admission to more than 225 cultural institutions in dozens of cities across the US where our customers live and work.
BANK OF AMERICA WEBSITE

Simply punch in your zip code or city, state and find one nearby. Visit in your own city or when you’re on vacation.

close up photography of cherry blossom tree — Photo by Bagus Pangestu on Pexels.com

Look at some of the great places on the list – even where the world famous celebrity-packed MET Gala is held every year:

Portland Japanese Garden (Portland, OR) – $18.95 value
LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) (Los Angeles, CA) – $20-$25 value
Shedd Aquarium (Sundays Only) (Chicago, IL) – $39.95 value
Houston Museum of Natural Science (Houston, TX) – $25 value
The Metropolitan Museum of Art – The Met Fifth Avenue (New York, NY) – $25 value

Be sure to call ahead as there will be COVID protocols in place.

Poor (Wo)man’s Charcuterie Board

If you’ve ever assembled your own fancy charcuterie (say shar-koo-tur-ee)/cheese board to pair with your favorite wine, you know it’s not as cheap as it looks. Sure, you can grab a couple blocks of average cheeses (think sharp cheddar and mozzarella), but let’s be honest, that’s just a boring cheese and cracker situation.

So how do you get the good stuff on a budget? If you like variety like I do, it’s going to be pretty wasteful (and expensive) if you get some big ol’ chunks of stinky cheeses. Let’s first determine what makes a fun and delicious charcuterie plate.

Cured meats
Cheeses
Nuts
Fruit/Veggies
Sauces/Condiments
Crackers/Bread

The expensive part is the meat and cheese. Surprise, surprise…I have the way you can enjoy this for a small group (2-4) and not break the bank.

Cured Meats – Go to your grocery deli counter and ask for 1/4 lb. of your favorite options (salami, turkey, etc.). No need to buy several full packages as a full platter of goodies will be plenty to fill your belly.

Cheeses – Some specialty grocers (Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods Market, New Seasons Market) have random hunks of cheese, that are essentially odd shaped end pieces, thrown into a basket near the cheese area. This is where you find those ridiculous $39.99/lb options. All you need is a tiny sliver to enjoy. Can you imagine getting normal size blocks varying from $14.99/lb – $39.99/lb. Forget about it!

Nuts – Depending on what kind of nuts you like, this could be a little bit pricier. Grab one of those snack pack single servings you find at the checkout counter.

Fruit/Veggies – This one’s already a fairly cheap option. I love apples with cheese, and you only really need about a half of an apple between 2 people. I usually rummage through my crisper to see what I have. I added carrots in the platter above. If you want your plate to be pretty too, berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries) and kiwi are good choices).

Sauces/Condiments – I’m a real saucy broad, so this is my favorite add. Great options include: jellies/jams, mustards, and honey.

Crackers/Bread – Let’s be honest, while we love our carby options, they are just a vessel in which to get the tasty treats to our mouths. Grab a 99 cent grocery store baguette or any generic cracker you enjoy.

If you know of any other grocers that have an end piece cheese basket, let me know in the comments below!

For your viewing pleasure…look at the color the fruit brings.

Pet Freebies ‘a Plenty!

RetailMeNot has an amazing list of pet freebies (or super cheap)! You can find all the details on their website, but here’s a quick list of the restaurants and companies that participate. Remember, these are for your furry friends…not just human treats/services at these places!

13 Restaurant Deals and Freebies for Pets

Chick-fil-A: Get doggy treats at the drive-thru.

Culver’s: Milk bones at the drive-thru.

Dairy Queen: Ask for a “Pup Cup” (some locations charge a fee).

Dunkin’: Drive-thru treat.

In-N-Out Burger: “Pup Patty,” for $1

Johnny Rockets: Some will cut up a patty for the pooch and some even have menus for them.

Lazy Dog: 3 menu items for $5 each.

Rita’s Italian Ice: Ask for a “Doggy Cup”

Shake Shack: They have an official dog menu!

Sonic: Let your server know and they’ll bring out a treat.

Sprinkles: “Pupcakes” are available at all locations.

Starbucks: The more well-known “Puppuccino” can be found here.

Tim Hortons: Ask your server for “Timbits”.

11 Travel Deals and Freebies for Pets

white and brown siamese cat inside chest box — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Fairmont Hotels: Pet policies vary by location, but many offer lots of perks and freebies for pets.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts: Four Seasons hotel locations that accept pets have super-awesome luxury pet amenities, including dog beds, treats and bottled water.

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts: Several of Hyatt’s pet-friendly hotels offer luxury amenities, but they vary by location, so check before you book.

JetBlue: They have their own unique (and free) pets program, called JetPaws, that’s designed to help pet owners easily travel with their pets.

Kimpton Hotels: Kimpton properties are super pet-friendly! Their official pet policy is that they welcome any pet (not just dogs and cats) that can fit through the door.

Loews Hotels and Resorts: This chain offers a large selection of special items for your pet through their Loews Loves Pets program.

Mandarin Oriental: This luxury chain offers tons of pet-specific perks depending on location.

Red Roof Inn: This is famously one of the few major hotel chains that doesn’t charge a fee for bringing your pet along.

Westin Hotels and Resorts: Some Westin Hotels let travelers stay with their pets for free, but call before you check in because some charge pet fees.

The Venetian Hotel: We don’t recommend that you bring your pet to the actual casinos when you visit Vegas, but they will have a great time staying at The Venetian!

Virgin Atlantic Airlines: Their Flying Paws program allows Flying Club members to earn bonus miles when they fly with their pets.

6 Bonus Pet Deals and Freebies

unrecognizable person holding dog paw on grassy meadow — Photo by Turgay Yıldız on Pexels.com

ASPCA: Fill out the ASPCA’s online form to receive a free Pet Safety Pack.

Petco: Join the Petco Pals Rewards Club, and your pet will receive a special treat and message on their birthday.

PetSmart: Sign up for the PetSmart rewards program.

Pet Supplies Plus: Sign up for the Pet Supplies Plus Preferred Pet Club.

Pet World: For puppies who are still in potty training, Pet World will send two free samples of their puppy pads.

VCA Animal Hospital: Fill out this VCA form to set up a free pet health exam and your local VCA Animal Hospital.

The Perfect Home Manicure – No, really!

Is there actually a GOOD way to get a manicure? Before recently, I thought the answer was NO.

All the cons of a salon manicure (to me):

Gel nail polish
- Requires a refill every couple of weeks.
- Process of removing, it’s a soaking gooey mess.
- Leaves your nails weaker if you remove them.
Regular nail polish
- Starts peeling and chipping within 3 days.
- Waste of money since it doesn’t last.
Currently, and for the past year, I’ve stayed away from any place that could potentially expose me to COVID-19.

I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. My review is 100% my true opinion.

I decided that a pre-vacation manicure is the only kind I’d ever bother with. Not anymore! I FINALLY found the answer to my nail salon woes. An amazing friend warned me to watch out for a special treat occupying my mailbox soon. I love surprises! Finally, my ManiMe gift kit arrived with the following (Cosmetic bag, Miracle Base Coat, Magic Cuticle Pen, instruction booklet, and a $45 gift card!):

I let my kit sit for a couple of days, but because it was a gift, I decided I better open up and read. I lazily skimmed the little booklet to find out that this company custom-sizes the gel applications for your nails. Wait…what? How? I was skeptical, but hopeful. Turns out the ordering process is quite easy.

Create an account on the ManiMe website.
Scan your nails using the Scan Card (see below) or any credit card.
Shop and select your colors/designs (each set is $15-$25).
Wait anxiously for your Stick On Gels to arrive!

It took quite a while to receive my first shipment, but they just launched a huge Instagram campaign, so the influx of orders probably overwhelmed them. (I put in a 2nd order and it reached my door in just a few short days.)

My first application was a bit of a disaster and I had decided that it wasn’t for me. Turns out that if you actually do it correctly, the results are somehow better…whodathunk?! I applied them and then had to clip the sides and the end with a nail clipper and file the end. It took way too long to do, and I just wasn’t looking for that kind of time suck. I couldn’t understand if they are customized, why are they fitting so poorly? I showed another friend who just received her order and asked her if she had the same problem. She didn’t. When she saw the photo I sent, she asked if I put them on upside down…YEP! DUH! That would pretty much explain everything. They actually didn’t look all that bad, but it wasn’t a fun process. Here’s the upside down version for your viewing pleasure:

If only I had watched the video below for best results (although, they don’t specify which side to apply).

Would you believe my first application lasted 18 days before I pulled them off? (and yes, it’s just that easy) You add a top coat that keeps everything sealed in.

Application #2 went so much better – quick and easy! Incredible when things work as they are supposed to when you use it properly.

The nice thing about ManiMe is that they ask for your feedback on each individual nail. I was unable to do this until the second set and noticed my middle and ring finger were a bit too thin. I emailed customer service with the photo attached to let them know and they gave me credit for an entire new order with the size fixed!

I can honestly say that I am a fan! I really don’t care to get a manicure any other way now. I’m still all about a nail salon pedicure, however, as the polish stays for weeks the way it’s supposed to.

Added Bonus! While the ManiMe Stick On Gels are great, somehow they also have top notch products to help make it an overall great manicure:

The Miracle Base Coat: Yeah, yeah, yeah…miracle schmiracle. Well, this is the best base coat I have ever tried. Do you have ridges in your nails? This baby will smooth them right out.
Magic Cuticle Pen: Okay, now we’re using the word magic? Normally when you push back your cuticles, it is dry with some skin residue left behind (yum!). This one uses a natural oil infused ceramic stone that softens and pushes everything back nicely.
Max Top Coat No. 2: How many times have you used a quick drying top coat to still end up having dewy and delicate paint that ends up getting mucked up? This one claims to dry in 30 seconds and I cannot deny that it is true!

Give it a try! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Click the link to try ManiMe today!

And now for everyone’s favorite part…how can you Beaverellitize (aka stretch those BUCK$) this? In each set, you get 15 Stick On Gels (hint: you only have 10 fingers). If you don’t mess your original 10 up, you have those remaining 5 to use with the extra 5 on another set! So essentially, 2 sets = 3 sets.
If the tips start to get a little worn, do a quick file at the tip and apply another layer of top coat and you just extended the life again!

Get Your Very Own Stylist, Just Like the Stars!

While in Covid lockdown, I have been missing my thrift store hauls and clothing swaps. I was really getting sick of looking at the same old clothes in my closet. I generally think $6 for a piece of clothing is expensive at the thrift store, but I figured since I’m not spending money on a garbage bag full of dresses, that I could explore a subscription clothing box service.

I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. My review is 100% my true opinion.

I started with the ever-popular Stitch Fix. I had a coupon deal, so that encouraged the idea in the first place. Welp, the cheapest item was $42! NOT in my price range. You do put a $20 deposit that will apply to your order, but if you don’t keep anything, they keep your $20. I’m not about that life (I’m not just going to give away money for nothing!). Turns out, I received a couple of cute sweaters and some pants that fit perfectly. I live in leggings because I either can’t get pants pulled up over my thighs, or if I do, the gap in the waist is at least 2 inches. I decided if I had to keep 1 piece, it would be the perfect pants. They are now the most expensive pair of butt huggers I own at $78. I will not be returning to this service. I’m wearing the pants in the photos. If you don’t mind paying the big bucks, you can try them here: Try Stitch Fix and get a $25 credit

The second service I tried was Nadine West. I looked at a lot of blogs that listed out a bunch of services, and this one only showed up on one of them. It talked about the prices being reasonable. While I was waiting for my delivery, I got a call from a number that I didn’t recognize that went to voicemail. Nadine West herself called to thank me for supporting her small business. While that was nice and all, I really don’t want to talk to Ms. West. If you like that extra special personal touch, you’ve got it here. My shipment arrived and the first thing I noticed was that the items ranged from $16.99-$32.99. I tried on each of my items (6 total), but it turns out I didn’t set up my style profile well. For example, one of the items was a flowy, very wide, comfy dress. No way…I only wear tight fitting or at least a dress that cinches at the waist. I’m going to give this one another try though now that I made updates to my profile and added notes. I’m wearing the shirt I kept in the photos below. You can get a delivery every 2 or 4 weeks. If you’re interested in trying this one out, click here: Try Nadine West and get a $10 credit



Cute shirt from Nadine West

The last service, I tried 3-4 years ago…my favorite online clothing retailer, ThredUp. They are a second-hand online clothing store. I have sold items I’ve picked up from thrift and consignment stores for a total of $5,300 in the last 5 years on this site. The prices for the items I received were $13.99-$35.99 (4 items under $20). Obviously, this is more my speed. I didn’t love my box overall, but I did keep 2 items (10 came in the box). The denim jacket in the photos came from here. I added copious notes about what I didn’t like about the choices, and I’m going to try this again and I expect to have better results after they read what I have to say. This subscription is every 2 months. If you’re interested in trying this one out, click here: Try ThredUp and get a $10 credit

Every closet should have a classic denim jacket.

I love surprises and mystery boxes, so this is very much up my alley. Ultimately, I still like the thrift store hauls better.

The Bag Lady

by In California, you no longer hear “paper or plastic” at the grocery store. Actually, I don’t know what they say now because I’ve been bringing in my own bags for years and have them already on the conveyor belt like a good little tree hugger. I know that not everyone is a fan of having to remember to lug in their reusable bags, but I just can’t think of a good reason to not do this.

When I first met Mr. Beaverelli, he kept talking about ChicoBags this and ChicoBags that. So what? It’s a bag that tucks into itself, woopty-do. Well, he was so into them, that he bought his mother and me one for Christmas and threw it in our stockings. I started to keep it in my purse and one of my biggest obsessions was born. I now have about 12-15 that I keep in my purse, my desk at work, my gym locker, a couple in the house and several in my car. If I don’t have one on me, I actually go into a small panic. Mamarelli can’t leave home without hers and always asks for more as one of her presents. I’m also extremely protective of them and I brought some food to my former boss once and she asked if she could take my bag home. She still razzes me for my reaction…I looked at her and said, “you have to bring this back to me!” I’ve since gifted her a couple of her own and I got a text the other day telling me she understands now why I am so attached to my “Chicos“.

Why ChicoBag brand is so great:

They are compact and can fit in your purse or attach to it with the carabiner that is included.
You can (and SHOULD) wash them in the washing machine. (I hang dry them)
They offer many different styles. Original, Vita (my favorite), sling, travel (small backpack), duffel, tote, and more!
The rePETE line is made from recycled plastic bottles! (also includes reusable utensils and other goodies)
Bring them everywhere! Grocery store, department store, farmer’s market, use as an overnight bag…endless possibilities.

Get Free E-Books Legally!

Mamarelli (aka my mom) took forever to buy into the e-reader, specifically Kindle. She loved going to the thrift store, paying 50 cents for a book she could hold in her hands, and let it whisk her away to another world. She reads so fast that she didn’t want to keep buying new e-books to feed her fix. Low and behold, I discovered BookBub…the website where you can get deeply discounted or FREE e-books!

Once you sign up, be sure to update your settings: select your categories, follow authors, and track your books.
Don’t have an Amazon Kindle? That’s okay, they list e-books for these retailers as well: Barnes & Noble Nook, Apple iBooks, Google Play and Kobo.
They often have the first of a series for free…then if you’re hooked, you’ll have to buy the rest.

So if you’re a used book reader and were on the fence because you didn’t want to pay full price for a book, it’s time to take the leap. There are no excuses!

3-in-1 No Sew Upcycle T-Shirt (gift bag, headband and tote)!

by I’ve come to the realization that I’m not quite as satisfied unless my craft is an upcycle. It’s just not the same when you walk into Michael’s and purchase an assemble-yourself kit. I’d rather keep something out of the landfill and re-purpose it into something useful and fun.

I don’t know how to sew and I don’t have the patience to ever learn. That means my glue gun comes in handy when I’m putting together a costume, outfit…or bag!

As you probably know, 85% of my clothing comes from a thrift store (usually Team Amvets Thrift Store). Once I saw the idea of making a T-shirt tote, I had to look for some interesting designs. It then came to me…why waste trees by using wrapping paper? Or even a gift bag…I THINK most people reuse them for someone else’s gift, but they might only have a life of 3 holidays until they end up in the trash too.

What better use of an old T-shirt than making it into a gift bag for a baby shower, birthday, Christmas or even a “just because” gift? Not only is it an adorable way to present a gift, but it’s a usable gift itself! A collapsible tote to take with you to the grocery store, department store, farmer’s market, an overnight bag…the possibilities are endless. Let’s take it 1 step further and not let those scraps go to waste either. Make a headband with flower embellishments.

What you need:

A t-shirt of your choosing (the larger, the better)
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Glue sticks
Extra t-shirt/t-shirt scraps for additional embellishments

Step 1: Cut above the bottom seam.

Step 2: Fold the shirt in half and cut the sleeves off.

Step 3: While still folded, cut around the neck.

It should look like this:

Step 4: Go to the base of the shirt and cut about 3 inches up with about an inch between each cut.

Step 5: Start tying the corresponding flaps to each other and double knot them.

It will look a little something like this after you finish the line…but you’re not done yet.

See this gap here? I’m sure it would be okay if you don’t put tiny items inside, but I like a nice, solid bag…

Step 6: Tie the flaps next to each other to close up those gaps. Double tie these as well.

Ta-da! This is actually acceptable as is…but not as much fun as it can be.

Step 7: Take one of the sleeves and cut into 3’s. Make sure the middle section is larger (this will be your headband)

Step 8: Make a rose out of the smaller strip.

Put a dot of glue and make a triangle at the corner.
Start to circle the fabric around the center. Run glue down the strip.
Be sure to twist the fabric to add some texture.

Look how cute these are!

Step 9: Attach your rose embellishments to the headband with the glue gun.

All done!

Right here, you have “wrapping” for a Christmas gift, a Valentine’s gift, a birthday present for the poet/child/nerd in your life.

An Easy Way To See Your Savings Grow (As Painless As Possible)

Several years ago, Mr. Beaverelli ran across a money saving idea on Lifehacker. We thought, hey, what is the harm in trying this? Nothing at all! That’s when the Beaverelli $5 Fund was born.

Here’s the one and only rule:

If a $5 bill passes through your hands, you must put it in the fund.

But what if I break a $20 bill for an 89 cent item and they hand me back three $5 bills? Too bad…put it in the pot!

You’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up. We used to carry cash more often, but even though we almost strictly use cards, we still tend to slowly increase our dollars. Over the past 5 years or so, we’ve managed to save a total of over $3,000.

What do you want to save for?

Spending money on vacation – tips, gambling, street fairs…
Dig in during the holidays and have a little extra to spend on presents for your loved ones.
A new piece of furniture.
That cool gadget.
A larger flat screen.
A rainy day – you never know when it might turn into an emergency fund.

I Have Unclaimed Money From 25 years Ago?! Score!

No, I do not have unclaimed money from 25 years ago…but Paparelli does! $82.00 in fact!

One of my Facebook friends posted a link to Unclaimed Property Search in California. You have to look yourself up, right? So I did and found $20.22 due to me from about 10 years ago. Then I was on a roll and got obsessed with looking up everyone I know in California. Turns out Mr. Beaverelli has $18.98, Broelli has over $30, I even found a friend with close to $400! Now I could have just posted the link on Facebook for everyone to look themselves, but I really wanted to be the bearer of good news, so I collected a bunch of screen shots and started delighting my friends and family.

Achiever Beaver

The Buck$ $aved Here