First Person: 'Girls' Day' Ideas on a Budget

You want to plan a get together for a much-needed girls' day. Everyone is on a budget, though. So what can you do for fun that will not break the bank? Alternatively, is there anything to do that is fun but free? Of course there is.

Celebrate Fat Tuesday with the girls -- for free. Apply for a Mardi Gras party pack courtesy of Zatarain's. Split the cost of an indoor cheese and wine picnic. Host a penny poker night. These creative, but affordable ideas are perfect for a girly get together.

Free Food and Goodies for a Mardi Gras Party

My heart be still. A Mardi Gras party is so much fun. It would be even more fun complete with food that does not cost a dime. In addition, if you are lucky enough to be chosen, you will get a slew of other New Orleans themed goodies and money saving coupons from Zatarain's. That includes Mardi Gras beads and masks.Oh, boy!

Visit the houseparty.com website to apply to host a party. The party is March 8, so get your name in right away. While you wait for notification of whether or not you were picked to receive the party pack, get ready for your party by downloading some New Orleans jazz music to your IPod playlist.

Penny Poker Night and Homemade Pizzas

Playing a few rounds of poker with the girls is a blast. Forget about betting money you honestly cannot afford, though. Instead, have the girls bring their penny jars to poker night. While pennies do add up, losing money from your penny jar is much less painful than risking your rent or grocery money.

Save money by making your own poker night pizza. Each person can donate an item to the pizza making cause. Companies like Kraft offer online coupons you can print out. Take advantage of these offers to cut the expense even further. Keep it inexpensive and fair by divvying up the costs equally among your group.

If it goes well, organize a weekly girls' day penny poker. Make it more fun by pooling all the winnings. Deposit in a community jar and when you have enough someday -- use it to offset the future cost of dinner or a movie night with the group.

Wine and Cheese Indoor Picnic

OK, so you are thinking wine and cheese is not exactly cheap fun for your girls' day event. On the contrary, you do not have to spend an arm and a leg either. There are hordes of economically priced great wines on the market. I do not care what anyone says; high priced wine does not necessarily taste better.

My favorite grocery store in New Hampshire (I live close to the Massachusetts/NH border) has an outstanding wine section. Every week, the store has various wines on sale. I like to support local Massachusetts wineries, but only if the price is not through the ceiling. Check out weekly sale fliers for good deals. There are many nice wines out there for $10 and under a bottle.

Granted, good cheese can be an expensive treat. It is still a far better bargain, though, compared to the girls meeting some place for dinner. As a cheese lover, I find fancy cheese sampler pricing at wholesale food clubs to be a better deal than what the grocery store offers.

Of course, you have to buy in bulk. When planning your girls' day, try to get two of the guests to share the cheese expense. They can then divide and take home whatever cheese is left. Have fun!

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