One way to get ready for fall entertaining is to have items on hand that make get-togethers easy. Since my husband and I usually rely on family for babysitting, we often feel guilty spending too much time out. After dinner, our friends often join us at home for a drink and dessert. I like to keep some “company” food like Pepperidge Farm cookies or a frozen cheesecake (my favorite brand is the Cheesecake Factory, which I pick up at BJ’s Warehouse.) on hand. Both look elegant on a nice platter. Both must be artfully hidden from my children or husband, who would easily polish them off. In …

There’s one gift of the season that you don’t want to give (or get), and that is the flu. The CDC recommends that everyone older than six months of age get the vaccine. Since it takes several weeks to reach maximum levels of protection within your body, it’s a good idea to get the vaccine as soon as possible. That's because flu season generally starts in October and goes through May. This year’s cocktail provides protection against the influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the 2009’s H1N1 virus. Beyond the vaccine, here are some simply precautions the CDC recommends taking to avoid…

Fall is is in the air and, if you’re like me, you may be thinking it needs to be reflected in your home as well. Seasonal decor often looks to the environment for its cues. In the fall, designers showcase rich browns and burgundies of the leaves, the oranges that speak to pumpkins and the dark velvety colors and textures that add warmth, as the cooler weather sets in. I admire people who are willing and able to collect and showcase seasonal items, which necessitates care and maintenance throughout the years. I have the requisite Christmas gear, but in between, I prefer to improvise, with …

During the summer, many families find exercise outside. Nice weather allows for biking, jogging and walking. As the cooler weather approaches, a gym membership is a worthwhile consideration in order to avoid the pounds from Thanksgiving and Christmas indulgences. As women, there are more and more options for fitness regimens that meet our schedules. Beyond early mornings or late evenings, some programs, such as the last two below, offer defined exercises that take the guesswork out of which machine, what class, etc. There are so many options in life that sometimes having a menu of activities …

When the stock market falls, professionals often declare it the best time to buy. But, for most of us, it is frightening to put our hard-earned money into something that is given to so many fluctuations as of late. There are other savings vehicles like mutual funds out there, but, those, too have their ups and downs. The two most common risk-free savings vehicles are FDIC-backed savings accounts and Certificates of Deposits (CDs). Savings rates are yielding on average less than half a percent, according to Bankrate. Certificates of Deposit (CDs) generally offer a greater return on your money…

In a pinch, summertime entertaining can be as easy as frozen hamburgers sizzling away on the grill, potato chips, a quick green salad and wedges of watermelon all served al fresco. Maybe your guests head inside to use your bathroom. But fall is coming in and so will your guests.  With kids, there are moments inside your house when you have hit rock bottom. What was one “Fisher Price Little People” family hang-out has become a family reunion—the airplane has literally landed, as has the bus and the playhouse. While you were in the kitchen refilling yet another sippy cup, mayhem has ensued. …

I used to scoff when I heard the term “extra mouths to feed,” regarding kids. “It seems so silly!” I thought, “Of course, you are responsible for feeding them.” The cost doesn’t really hit home until you’re sitting in a restaurant, fighting with your child to flip over the coloring page, then find yourself facing the array of kid entrees (let’s recite them together, shall we, “Chicken fingers or hot dogs with fries, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs or a personal pizza”), which cost between $6 and $12. It’s relatively cheap, until you multiply that by your number of children. And, …

You don’t have to be an “Extreme Couponer” to clip a few and save some money. Since there are so many coupons available online, via text messages, through the newspaper and, even purchased online through coupon clipping services or on eBay, it can be overwhelming. In this week’s Frugal Family, we look at matching sale items with online coupons that you can easily print from your computer. This week, we find coupons to match up with items at ShopRite in Hillsborough. Personally, I have two kids who both fit into the upper tray in the shopping cart (but only one can actually sit there, which is…

This week Hillsborough Patch is premiering a new series of articles delving into family-oriented services, activities and products that are fun, educational or simply useful. If you have an idea for a future article or are a local business-owner with information to share, please contact the author to share!Our premier article of the series looks at the extended family. When considering travel, those of us with dogs and cats have furry friends to consider. Options abound for services that are available to step in and provide care and feeding, when human parents are away.  Be sure to consider …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for car care, hair care and pet care.As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below.Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Ridge Tavern, Basking RidgeDeal: Happy Hour (Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m.): sliders $2 each; flat bread pizza $5; buffalo wings 50 cents each; potato skins $5; chicken fingers $5; $1 off wine, beer and mixed drinks.Good through: Not Stated Gymboree, Basking RidgeDeal: Try…

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for your oil changes and car services, salon services and a break with your four-legged friend. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions:   Dolce, Basking Ridge Deal: Your visitors can enjoy up to 20 percent off on accommodations, plus free breakfast for two adults, as well as for any children under the age of 12. Book here and use code DSE.Good …

This week, Frugal Family found deals on dinner, women's fitness and more. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions:   Henry’s Fine Jewelry, Basking RidgeDeal: $50 off a purchase of $200 or more via this printable coupon.Good through: Dec. 31.McGrath’s Paint & Hardware, Basking RidgeDeal: Free 2-ounce sample of Benjamin Moore paint, $40 off $500 purchase and free key cut viathese printable coupons.Good through: Expires 30 …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for entertainment, entertainment, entertainment. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Kings, BernardsvilleDeal: Whole trimmed beef tenderloin, $7.99 per pound. Pepsi 2-liter bottles, five for $5. South African cold water lobster tails, $5.99 each. California seedless red or green grapes, two pounds for $5.Good through: June 23 Walgreens, …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for groceries, cosmetics, movies and more. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: ShopRite, BernardsvilleDeal: Cantaloupe, 99 cents per pound. 15-pack Bounty paper towels, $9.99. Klondike Bars, $1.77. Peaches, 79 cents per pound. Ronzoni pasta 77 cents. Shop Rite large eggs, $1.59.Good through: June 18 Kings, BernardsvilleDeal: Coca Cola five for $…

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for lean ground beef, soda, digital cameras, T-shirts, diapers and more. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: ShopRite, HillsboroughDeal: Boneless chicken breast, $1.99 per pound. Starkist solid white tuna, 77 cents. Eggland’s Best large eggs, $1.88 per dozen. 80 percent lean ground beef, $2.18 per pound. La Yogurt, 10 for $2.90.Good through: …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for summer vegetables and barbecue basics.  Don't see a deal that's out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too? Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: RiteAid, Basking RidgeDeal: Rice Krispy Treats eight-count package or Pop Tarts $1.88 per package; Kellogg's Cereal Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops, Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies, 8.7 to 16.5-ounce sizes just $1.88 …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for clothes for your tween, diamond jewelry and a dinner out. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: RiteAid, Basking RidgeDeal: Pampers Easy-Ups or Jumbo Packs of diapers $9.99 ea and Garden Decor, Planters, Wind Chimes or Stakes 50 percent off with Wellness card.Good through:  May 28 ShopRite, BernardsvilleDeal: Boneless chicken breast, $1.99 per…

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with some great deals. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions:Caffe Piazza, HillsboroughDeal: Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday guests can enjoy the Family Special. For only $39.99, you can have a takout meal for four to six people, including your choice of chicken dish, pasta dish accompanied with special salad and homemade bread.Good through: No …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for dinners at home or on the town. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Papa John’s, HillsboroughDeal: This coupon offers a variety of deals, notably two medium, two topping pizzas for only $7.99 each.Good through: June 5 Taste of Crete, HillsboroughDeal: Printable coupon that offers several good deals, notably buy one, get one free gyros and 20…

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for shopping and dinner. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Payless, Parsippany, Bridgewater, HillsboroughDeal: Buy one, get half off everythingGood through: May 16 Brooks Brothers, BridgewaterDeal: Get three Golden Fleece polos for $129Good through: May 16 Staples, Parsippany, MadisonDeal: Buy two, get one free Avery 1 1/2-inch, 2-inch and 3-…