Today was the greatest day there ever was! I got to hang out with some dear friends and eat ice cream. And it was free. And I didn't even have to cheat on my diet.

How's that possible, you ask?

I hosted a House Party!

The fabulous folks at House Party sent me vouchers for FREE Weight Watchers Ice Cream novelties, so I hit the grocery store and picked up Giant Chocolate Fudge Bars, Ice Cream Candy Bars, English Toffee Crunch Bars, Giant Orange Sorbet & Ice Cream Bars, Vanilla Round Ice Cream Sandwiches, and Turtle Sundae Cups.

The fave of the day was, for sure, Ice Cream Candy Bars. Think those delicious Snickers ice cream bars, but without all the calories, fat, and guilt! They are a mere 4 Points Plus, making them the perfect snack or dessert. Those will definitely be making a regular appearance in my family's freezer. Even my hubby and son enjoy them, and they aren't even dieting along with me.

Unfortunately, I have no pictures from the actual party. It turns out plus size gals don't want their picture taken while they are eating, go figure. Haha!

Is it tip of the day time yet? It sure is!

Got leftover Preparation H? Don't toss it. Save it and use it to treat bug bites in the summer.

Tip of the day, my frugal friends!

Store your fresh mushrooms in a paper brown bag and they will last much longer. The cool, dry, dark covering is the trick!

Tip of the day is here, folks!

Looking to rent a tool or other high-cost items that you'd just rather not buy? Check out Zilok and see who has things to offer at affordable prices!

Tip of the day!

Spring is here and lots of peeps are thinking about gardening and landscaping. If you want the most bang for your buck, I highly suggest buying hostas. They come in many varieties but the best thing about them is that they grow large, fast. Every year you can literally split them in half and then double the amount of plants you have. They'll look a little funny for a few weeks but then they will quickly grow into a full, bushy plant again!

Once again your kiddos can bowl for FREE all summer long! Click here to sign them up and they will email you your weekly vouchers once summertime comes.

Our family has participated in this great program for the past couple of years and have really enjoyed it!

Tip of the day for ya!

Avoid buying items you tend to only need once in a while (like once every year or so). If you ask around, I'll bet that a neighbor, relative, or friend has that tent, tool, or other contraption you are after and will let you borrow it.

Why buy when you can borrow?

Free 2 Be Frugal will be taking a little break to celebrate Easter. See you back on Tuesday!

Tip of the day time, folks!

One time while cruising the dollar store my hubby proclaimed we were out of a "serious necessity", paper plates. A quick look at the shelf showed they had 2 brands, one package contained 70 plates, the other 100. He tossed the 100 pack in the cart without a care.

A lesson was learned once we attempted to eat pizza on those dollar store gems. They were, well, for lack of a better term, paper-thin (I mean, really really flimsy). The only solution to use them up and avoid wasting the whole pack was to double them up to make them a bit stronger. Bringing us down to 50 plates. We should've went with the 70 pack (and always did from then on).

Less is more, eh?

Tip of the day time!

Scouting costs can really add up! In my neck of the woods shops that carry the official scouts supplies and apparel are far and few between. And pricey!

Before you head out to the specialty shop for a new neckerchief, vest, or woggle check out ebay first. There are lots of people whose kiddos have moved up in rank and no longer need their old duds. I wish I had known this when my son first signed up as a Lion Cub. But as he is about to move up to a Tiger Cub, I will surely be going second-hand!

Here's your tip of the day:

Wishing for a fancy facial, but lack the funds for a trip to the beauty salon? Try rubbing a thin layer of mustard (the traditional yellow stuff) on your face. After 5 minutes, wash and enjoy the glow!

Tip of the day time is here!

Do you love all the handmade crafty goodies from Etsy? Me too, but I don't always love the prices.

Enter Heartsy. It's like Groupon for crafters and vintage sellers.

Tip of the day, at your service!

Before you toss those egg shells in the trash, put them in your garbage disposal instead. Their abrasive quality will remove any yucky gunk down there in a jiff!

Time for that tip of the day!

Purchase one small microfiber cloth and you can stop buying that liquid makeup remover forever. Rinse when done washing your face and the makeup will not stick to the cloth at all!

Tip of the day for ya!

Bury banana peels in your garden, near your beloved rose bushes and enjoy the free fertilizer! Roses thrive from added potassium, but potassium-rich fertilizers can be spendy.

How about a tip of the day?

Easter is coming! Before you go out and buy a dye kit, head to the dollar store and pick up a package of food coloring. A few drops of these will dye your eggs just as well and you will have it for years! A little bit of that stuff goes a long way!

Tip of the day time!

Are you in the mood for some crafting? I have some great news for you! A friend told me that Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts accepts not only their own store coupons, but also those of competing craft stores. Sweet!

Time for the tip of the day!

What's in season now that it is spring?

-Strawberries

-Rhubarb

-Asparagus

-Fennel

-Peas

-Swiss Chard

-Watercress

-A variety of greens!

Tip time! Tip time! Here's the tip of the day...

Is the look of your home getting old, but you have no money to redecorate and remodel? Think again!

Move the furniture around in your rooms, swap pieces from one room to another (accessories too!) You'll be surprised at what a difference a few changes here and there will make!