"Shop for a Cause" Raising Money for Heart Association Monday Night

Beauty, health products on sale.

Stop-n-Shop Vendor Fair to Benefit FHS Senior All Night Party

Event is 1–6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at the Fridley Community Center.

Do your holiday shopping at the Fridley Community Center, 1–6 p.m., Dec. 1, 2012, and support the Fridley High School Senior All Night Party. The Stop-n-Shop vendor fair will include: Snacks and Beverages available at the event.

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Shopping Scene 'Ridic' at Fridley Stores

Tweets and Facebook posts from early Black Friday sales told the tale.

People on Twitter and Facebook told it like it was at Target and Wal Mart in Fridley Thanksgiving night, as seen in the Storify above.

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Vote for Your Favorite Fridley Place to Buy Garden, Yard Items

Readers' Choice poll ends at 9 p.m. Thursday.

Where do you like to go when you don't have what you need for the garden or yard? Vote your preference in the Readers' Choice survey below: Explain in the comments why the location you chose received your vote. If your favorite place isn't listed, tell us in the comments and we'll add it.  Voting ends at 9 p.m. Thursday. The winner will be determined by the Patch editor, based on poll results, your comments and reviews in our directory. For official rules, see the attached PDF. We’ll announce the winner on Friday. And after you vote, sign up for our newsletter to be notified about who wins. Here are some of the past Readers' Choice winners:

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Black Friday Commercials

Do you have a favorite?

While almost every commercial break this week features a Black Friday ad, The Patch wants to know your opinion. Is there one you love? Hate? Do you prefer Walmart's AC/DC's "Back in Black?" Or Kohl's rendition of Rebecca Black's "Friday?" Let us know in the comments.

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More Merriment, Less Money: Throwing a Great Holiday Party on the Cheap

This Holiday Season, enjoy a festive celebration—even on a tight budget—with these tips.

The tough economy has caused cutbacks and compromises in almost every area of life, and its impact on holiday party planning is no different. But that doesn’t mean ‘tis the season to forgo celebrations. There are plenty of great ways to throw a festive holiday party on a small budget if you plan ahead, decide what you can afford, keep it casual, take stock of what you have on hand and use it. One way to keep costs down is by keeping your guest list down to a handful of your closest friends, advises Erin Huffstetler in the About.com Guide. “It is possible to create a classy bash for 12 on a $150 budget,” says Midwest Living magazine. “You may just need to change the way you think about parties.” Huffstetler suggests exploring several ideas …

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Moms Talk: How Do You Explain Budgets to a 4-year-old?

My child's need for 'adventures' is turning into a drain on my wallet.

With almost a full month of school under our belts, we're starting to develop a sort of rhythm to our new life. Every weekday Vi and I grab the bus to school, I drop her off, and I get her again once the bell rings.  While her father and The Bass are still at work and daycare, we have a couple of hours every afternoon to simply hang out together, having a snack, reading stories, and doing a little cartoon-watching while I make dinner. Our routine is mostly down pat—I bring something small to eat and drink, we head to the library, read books together in the children's room for an hour or longer, then catch the bus back home. At this point, the librarians all know our names and our favorite chair in the corner, and that Vi is obsessed with …

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Amy Paddock

8:37 am on Thursday, September 29, 2011

It is hard. We all get into a routine, and forget that it affects how our kids view money or perhaps more likely - what money means. Things change, and kids don't understand it. I have been there, so I understand. One fun event turned out kind of fun. We couldn't afford restaurants either when my child was young. So, we made menus at home as an art project, (cut out pictures from magizines) with …   more ›

Frugal Fridley Family: Feed, Entertain the College Kids

Keep your pocketbook full while the kids are home.

Are your kids heading home from college this week? Entertain them, feed them and keep them busy with this week's Frugal Fridley Family. (These work for high school kids with summertime on their hands as well.) Snap Fitness 6528 University Ave. NE, Fridley Deal: Are you on summer vacation and want a good deal on a good workout? Snap Fitness is offering three months for $99 dollars for anyone with a student ID. Expires: End of summer Adiago's Pizza Factory 2052 Silver Lake Rd. NW, New Brighton Deal Buy one large pizza, get second pizza half-off Expires: Good every Thursday Bob's Produce Ranch 7620 University Ave. NE, Fridley Deal: Chicken dinner for four for $12.49 Expires: June 4 La Casita 5085 Central Ave. NE, Columbia Heights Deal: Late-…

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Frugal Family: Backyard Grills, Calla Lillies and a Wookie Suit

Deals nearby or a drive away.

Here are five deals in Fridley and nearby. What's your favorite local deal? Share it in comments. Mill End Textiles 240 Osborne Road, Fridley Deal: 40 percent of fabric Expires: Increasing discounts through store closing on May 30 Bachman’s 8200 University Ave. NE, Fridley Deal: save $120 on Mini Calla Lilies Expires: limited time only Brand Name Deals 1000 E. Moore Lake Dr., Fridley Deal: Full-body Star Wars Chewbacca costume for $149—and other deals Expires: As supplies last (there's only one Chewbacca suit, but lots of other stuff) Central Park Liquor 8101 Highway 65, Spring Lake Park Deal: signup for e-newsletter and get information on monthly specials Expires: on-going Menards 5351 Central Ave. NE Deal: Basic 14-inch charcoal kettle …

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