February, 2004

SENIOR DOLLAR STRETCHERS
by Mary K. Morgan



If you were my Valentine,
I’d be your little honey.
And together we could
save plenty of money.
We could go far,
we could go wide.
All through each day,
we’d smoothly glide.
Being careful with a buck,
never leaving things to luck.
Planning carefully is the key,
to lots of fun for you and me.


“Nature abhors a vacuum.” And my closets are proof of this fact.

It’s time to do a little house cleaning and clear out some of that valuable stuff you’ve been saving for way too long. If you haven’t used it in a year or so, chances are you can live without it. Turn it into cash buy using the Bargain Box feature in the daily paper. The ads are free for items under $200. You can’t beat free. They have a liberal policy and several ads can be run each month. Someone wants your goodies. Be sure to look in the ads for bargains on things you may be looking for. Contact numbers are in the paper in the classified section. Think of it as sort of a cheap E-Bay for the less techy set. Look at all that space in your closets! Looks like a vacuum, hum...

Happy Groundhogs’ Day! February 2, 2004

If you are going to send any cards for this holiday, you will probably have to make your own. And that could be fun in itself. Going out for a Groundhogs’ Day toast might be just the excuse you need to get together with a friend.

A perfect place to celebrate might just be The Pasta House on So. Lindbergh, where all pasta dishes are half-price from 3 PM to 5 PM, Monday through Thursday. Even the small orders are half-price. Needless to say, I’ll make any excuse to go, even a GHDay celebration.

Let’s all keep our fingers crossed that Puxatawny Phil doesn’t see his shadow and go back into his hole for six weeks. A mild winter means savings on the utility bills, and all of us can use a break at this time of year. Of course, if we don’t like Phil’s prognostication, we now have our own groundhog at the St.Louis Zoo. Beats the potbellies pig we used for a few years.


“You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.” .
Abraham Lincoln (1809-65)

Definitive proof that Honest Abe was a dollar stretcher. And how would the man who made that quote want you to celebrate his birthday? By squandering money? I think not. Abe would like to be remembered in a more simple, back-to-the-basics way, like a trip to the library to check out some videos and a leisurely nature walk around the beautiful path at Jefferson Barracks Park. Built with a grant from Taco Bell after the flood of ‘92, it is a lovely place to get some exercise and commune with Nature.


“I’ll have that twenty-five pound, heart-shaped, box of chocolates, please.”

Don’t be bashful, my sweet. Go right into your favorite drugstore branch on the morning of the fifteenth and check out the Valentines Day candy markdowns. Remember, in a day or two, it will usually go down to 75%, or more, off to make room for all the Easter candy! Ask the manager for the exact date that the deep discounts will begin, then be there when they open. He who hesitates...

A Tribute to Bacchus: “Bottle of wine, fruit of the vine...”

I know a secret, and I’m ready to spill it. Or perhaps, pour it. Globe Drug Stores have some of the most unusual wines at rock bottom prices. If you have always wanted to host a wine tasting party, this is your place to shop for the potables. I can almost guarantee that you will be impressed with the unusual finds and bargains as well as the knowledgeable sales people. My favorite branch is the Broadway location.

Pick up unique, hand-painted wine glasses at the dollar store, identify each guest’s glass with a charm or do-dad and let them take them home as a souvenir. Another happy hunting ground for wine glasses is at local garage sales. Honestly, everything else can be found at the dollar store, napkins, crackers, cheese, chips, pretzels, you name it.

And while you are in the neighborhood...

A free tour of the Anheuser Busch Brewery at 12th and Lynch Streets would sure hit the spot. Just in case you are looking for a little outing, the hours are Mon.-Sat. 9 am to 5:30 pm and Sun. 11:30 am to 5:30 pm. Call 314-577-2626 for details. Both tours and parking are free, as well as a product tasting at the conclusion. Hard to beat the price.


Headline: Washington Decides Not To Toss Dollar Across The Potomac

Who could blame him? That very same dollar could buy some very interesting items at Deals or Dollar Tree stores today. So, I suggest that on February 22, you and a few thrifty friends visit a true, single-price dollar store and see who can find the best deal. George would be proud to be the father of a country where so many good buys are to be had for a dollar.

Maybe someone can bring a prize for the cleverest shopper, but nothing over a dollar, please.



“On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.“

Were you ever a Girl Scout? If the answer is, “Yes”, you have just one more month to take in the Today's Girls, Tomorrow's Women: Girl Scouts in Greater St. Louis, 1918 to Today Exhibit at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. Call 314-746-4599 for specifics. Or go to www.mohistory.org

“My bags are packed, I’m ready to go...”
Kevin and Sue McCarthy have a great travel show on 550 KTRS on Sunday mornings from 7 to 9 AM. One their regular features is “Deals and Steals”, a summary of travel bargains that might just fit your budget. I’m always amazed by the trips they find at very reasonable prices. Check out their eight day, China Discovery tour on their web site. You won’t believe the price! www.kevinandsuetravel.com


I’ll get you to use a computer somehow, if it takes me all year!

If you are a novice, go to the library and ask the librarian to help you connect to the internet. Now ask for help finding a search engine. There, that was easy enough. Now, the reward for your bravery. The Drury Hotels web site (search: Drury Hotels St. Louis coupons) has many, many good coupons on it. Bargains and buy one/ get one offers for attractions around town. Get there, select your favorites and hit Print. Your copies will be waiting for you at the deck at the bargain price of ten cents per page.

Another great St. Louis coupon site is townplannerstl.com . Take a look and see how many different offers posted here will save you money. You’ll be impressed, and enriched. I especially like the two for one Gingham’s Restaurant offer, because that’s where I pick up my copy of the Senior Circuit each month! And when I do, I always wonder how many of my fellow diners are paying twice the check that a dollar stretcher would pay.


Those bargains are out there, I can spot them a mile away. And when I do, I’ll pass them on to you. Nothing would make me happier than to save all of you a few bucks. Hey, that would really add up to big savings!

Looking forward to seeing you in March, there should be some good deals blowing in the wind.