Dining and trying out new restaurants is perhaps one of my favorite things to do.  Luckily I don’t leave in a major city where restaurants with good food are popping out everywhere, because kaching kaching… this could break your bank account.  Andrea Woroch, a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. offers a few tips on dining out the frugal way.

1. FourSquare Deals
Members check-in to various locations on their mobile phones using this service, but did you know you can also receive offers for freebies and discounts simply by letting FourSquare know where you are? Check out a recent segment on FOX & Friends for a “how to” on using the app for restaurant savings.

2. Track Daily Deals
Restaurants are one of the most common frequenters of daily deal offerings, so it pays to keep an eye out for vouchers that can greatly reduce the cost of dining at a new or favored eatery. Just make sure you read the small print and are aware of expiration dates and exclusions. For example, most restaurant vouchers don’t include drinks.

3. Get Happy
Eating early isn’t just for our elders. Happy hour ad early bird deals have become more common as restaurants try to fill in slow-traffic times. For example, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill offers full-size appetizers for under $5 before 6 p.m., plus $3 drink specials.

4. Split It Up
American restaurants usually overload our plates — unless they’re into nuvo cuisine — so there’s often enough food for two in a single order. You can cut your costs down to around $20 by simply sharing an appetizer, entree and dessert with a friend or date.

5. Gift Yourself
We tend to think of gift cards in terms of what we can offer others, but they’re actually very useful for individual purchases. Sites like GiftCardGranny.com let you purchase gift cards for several restaurants at a discounted rate, yielding immediate savings of up to 50 percent.

6. MatchPin
If you live in one of nine major cities, you might download the free MatchPin app. Membership brings you offers, rewards, contests and announcements from a variety of local restaurants.

You can also get deals through Facebook.  A lot of restaurants, especially the big chain ones, offer lots of deals if you like them on Facebook.  I’ve had free salad from Noddle Co. or free meal from Pei Wei when they’re running a promotion for new menus.  I have to credit my dear hubby to find all these deals.

Keep in mind that you can still enjoy lives and save money at the same time.  Just a little self control, avoid instant gratification, and some creativity will do the justice!

Blake Lively never seems to fail in the fashion department.  Her effortless sense of style is among the most sought after in Hollywood.  In this image, Blake wears a gorgeous purple Marchesa number along with other fitting pieces.  Get this look easily at fraction of its cost with these styles from Dalia MacPhee, Guy & Eva, AMI Clubwear and OPI Nail Lacquer!

1. Dalia MacPhee Dress – $280 (www.daliamacphee.com)

2. Guy & Eva Earrings – $15 (www.guyandeva.com/shop)

3. AMI Clubwear Shoes - $25 (www.amiclubwear.com)

4. OPI Nail Polish – $8 (www.opi.com)

Eight years ago, I walked down the aisle

It was the happiest day of my life

I finally married my best friend, the man who would’ve given me the world to make me happy

Someone who would’ve done anything in order to marry me

I remember saying to my parents… He was the best thing that ever happened in my life

Years had gone by

Two kids later….along with many laughs and tears

We’re still together

Happy Anniversary, my dear hubby!

These tips are written by Abby Nelson from http://www.nannyclassifieds.com.  I think it’s important for working moms to understand what to expect from nannies and how to build a good relationship with them.  Being a working mom is already a difficult situation but when you add in a nanny, things get even more complex.  How do you handle balancing the relationship- making it professional in such a private setting?  What can you do to make it easier?  Here are ten tips on common challenges with nannies and how to resolve them.

1. Establish a Business Relationship – Be professional. Make sure you pay your nanny on time and in a professional manner. Some people think of a nanny as a paid friend, but that’s not true. You are her employer and should always treat her with professionalism and respect. Make sure that the relationship begins professionally as well. Make a contract that clearly lines out what both parties expect.
2. Communicate – One of the main problems parents and nannies face is a lack of communication. How can the nanny know what you expect if you do not ever tell her? Don’t assume anything. After all, you know what they say about assuming.
3. Provide clear direction — This is actually a part of communicating, but it’s so important that I gave it a separate section. If your nanny is falling short of your expectations, give her feedback. You may be feeling upset or resentful about something that the nanny did not even realize was an issue.
4. Pay well and offer bonuses for a job well done — In addition to paying nannies a fair wage, giving thoughtful bonuses, such as a gift card at their favorite coffee shop, can be used as a reward when nannies hit milestones or accomplish specific goals.
5. Motivate – Pay is not the only motivator. Be positive and uplifting. DON’T talk down to your nannies. If you respect them, they’ll respect you. Think about it- how would you like to be treated? And remember, a motivated nanny stays around longer.
6. Be home on time — Your nanny has a life outside of her work, and when you are running late, even by 15 minutes, it affects her plans. Try to be home on time and always pay your nanny for any extra time when you are late.
7. Work as a united front — Try not to contradict the nanny in front of the kids. When you are home with the nanny, let her run the show. Part of this is agreeing on the rules. If you cooperate beforehand, the children will never have an opportunity to exploit weakness.
8. Seek the nanny’s input — Give your nanny enough autonomy to do her job well. Talk with your nanny. Ask her how things are going and if she has any suggestions for how to make the days more enjoyable and easier for everyone. She’s been with your children all day, she might have some great suggestions that you would never have thought about.
9. Accept or move on – No nanny is perfect. Heck, even Mary Poppins annoyed her employer. What you have to do is decide. Is the issue large enough to fire her over? Have you discussed it clearly? People are just people. They have their own ways of doing things. If you can’t take it, then just move on. Don’t give yourself extra stress.
10. Let go – Speaking of moving on, sometimes it’s time to let go. If a nanny has become unsatisfied, burnt out, or otherwise unsatisfactory, just let go. Don’t worry; you will be able to find a replacement. It’s not worth your stress or trying to throw money at her. Burnout just happens. Part as friends and keep going.

So, there you go. Ten tips on how to make the most of your situation. And remember, the most important thing in this equation is your children. Your nanny is not there for you, she’s there for them. Make sure they are in a loving and comfortable environment, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

Last week I was watching one of my favorite Bravo’s Reality TV show “Rachel Zoe’s Project” and there was a scene where Rodger was asking Rachel if he could go to Vegas and have guys night out.  Rachel, mind you was eight month pregnant was so annoyed by him.

Rodger:  “Babe, I love you…  Are you busy this weekend?”

Rachel:  “Why?  What do you want?”

Rodger:  “You know this weekend is Superbowl weekend.  Do you mind if I go with the guys and watch Superbowl in Vegas?”

Rachel:  “No and don’t even think about it!!  How rude for you to ask that question??  Do you realize I’m 8 month pregnant and can barely drive?  You’re going to leave me here while you’re having fun with the guys?”

Rodger:  “How is that rude?  You can go and have fun with the girls too if you want”

Rachel:  “But I don’t want to go with the girls.  I want to go with you.  And how dare are you asking me if I’m busy or not?  You’re expecting me to be occupied so you can have fun with the guys?”

Rodger:  “Babe, it’s Superbowl weekend and it’s just one night”

Rachel:  “You have 24 hour from Saturday and I expect you to be here on Sunday”

Rodger:  “Thank you Babe!  Can I get you anything right now’

Rachel:  “No, I’m perfectly fine”

Ok, I may not quote the exact conversation.  If I did it would be kind of sick, wouldn’t it?  This whole conversation is a typical conversation that my husband and I have almost every month.  Whenever he goes out hanging out with his buddies, I would totally get annoyed.  Then he asks me if we have any plans, and I would say no.  Then he’d say if we don’t have any plan he would go out with his buddies.  Then I said at least I stay home with the kids.  Then he would tell me to go out with my girlfriends which I would refuse anyway.  It’s so typical.

I guess the million dollar question would be, why is it that after getting married and having kids, men are still in need of socializing while women are trapped in their own prisoner?  No one forbid us to have fun and sure once in a blue moon is not going to hurt our kids.   Why is it so hard to gather a bunch of women to have girls day/night out?  Even if we do hang out, we prefer to tag the kids along.  If we don’t, then we would still be talking about kids.

Have our kids become our lives that we cannot be part with?