Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

Guest Post with Sheila Roberts, author of Small Change & GIVEAWAY

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I’d like to welcome Sheila Roberts, author of Small Change, her newest novel to Peeking Between the Pages today. I hope to read Small Change soon and Sheila is also the author of Love in Bloom which I do have on my bedside table to be read. Sheila joins us today with a guest post entitled Fun on a Budget…

Yes, I know, the words fun and budget don’t always go together in our minds. Life doesn’t always feel so fun when times are tight. But, let me assure you, a girl doesn’t have to let a little thing like a lack of money stop her from enjoying life. Really. We just have to redefine fun. Fun doesn’t have to be a trip to Italy, a Caribbean cruise, an evening at the theater or even a fancy dinner out (although I wouldn’t pass up the chance to do any of those things). Fun really has more to do with our attitudes than our pocketbooks.

I had a confirming ah-ha moment when I was watching one of my favorite TV shows: House Hunters International. I love that show. I drool over all the exotic locations and amazing homes, and of course, I say to myself, “Oh, yes. I would like to live there.” But one day I was watching and drooling and I realized that, although those houses were in a lovely locale, I’d still be me, doing the things I do normally: hanging out with my family and friends, playing cards or yakking. And I remembered something someone once said: “Wherever you go, you’re still there.” My enjoyment of life doesn’t depend on where I am or how much money I make; it depends on who I am and how I spend my time. Ha! Knew it all along.

So, what can we do to have fun when money is tight? Start thinking outside the box. Can’t afford the theater? Check out a DVD of your favorite musical from your local library and invite friends over for a dress-up theater night. Have everyone bring appetizers and during admission you can share a bottle of inexpensive champagne. Heck, with what you save on theater tickets you can probably afford a fairly nice bottle of champagne. And no lines for the bathroom! Live near a public beach? Take advantage of it. (Okay, so you won’t be on the Riviera. Think of the crowds you’ll avoid.) Also take advantage of public parks. Let me tell you, I spent many happy hours over the years playing tennis on my local public tennis courts. And my family enjoyed many a picnic at those same courts.

When was the last time you went on a picnic? Summer (and picnic weather) is right around the corner. Don’t worry about packing an elaborate meal. A picnic can be made from almost anything you have in your cupboard.

Speaking of food, scrounging for edibles can be an adventure. My neighbors and I pick berries during the summer and make jam together. In fall, my husband and I go mushrooming with friends. (Now, that is a good time, let me tell you – it’s the grown-up version of an Easter egg hunt!)

Looking for fun with the girls? It’s spring. Consider hosting a plant exchange. Have your friends bring those perennials they’re thinning out of the garden and let everyone dig through the goodies. I went to an herb party last month. We all had so much fun we’re going to make a tradition of it. Everyone brought enough herb starts for each guest, along with a dish using that herb and a recipe. I had a great time and got some fabulous new recipes. Or maybe you’d like to try a chick poker night. No money involved other than the cost of a bag of Hershey’s kisses. Cuz, of course, being chicks, we’re gambling for chocolate. Poker rules can be downloaded from the Internet. Have everyone bring a bottle of her favorite drink and you’re good for an evening of cheap thrills. If you don’t feel like gambling, borrow a chick flick from the library and enjoy a chick flick night. Or have a clothes swap. You may be tired of that blouse or purse, but someone else might love it.

As you can see, the possibilities for fun on a budget are almost endless. We can all learn to live large on little, which is what the characters in my new book SMALL CHANGE learn to do. I loved writing that book and was excited to include money tips and some great recipes for gifts to make using little money and lots of love. It was a real labor of love, because learning to live well and happily within our means is something I want to see every woman able to do. I firmly believe a girl should never let a little thing like a tight budget stand in the way of a great life. Cyndi Lauper knew what she was talking about. Girls just wanna have fun!
__________
What a terrific guest post Sheila! I agree you can have a lot of fun and not spend a ton of money. It’s all in how you look at it. Small Change sounds like such a wonderful book! Thanks again for stopping in to visit Peeking Between the Pages!
__________

About the Book (from Sheila Robert’s website):

Take a trip to the charming little town of Heart Lake, and meet three best friends who you’ll never forget . . .

Rachel, Jessica and Tiffany have money problems – major money problems. Tiffany’s whipped out the plastic one too many times, and now a mountain of debt is about to come crashing down on her. Jessica’s husband lost his job – thrusting this longtime stay-athome mom out into the cold, cruel workforce. And Rachel’s divorce has transformed her from an upper-middle-class mom to a strapped-for-cash divorcee. What are three best friends to do?

Get financially fit, that’s what! Together, they start a financial support group called The Small Change Club – challenging each other to bring balance back to their checkbooks, and their lives. Even though frugality is a lot harder than they ever imagined, these women are about to learn some very important lessons: that making a series of small changes in their spending habits can make a world of difference . . . and some things in life, like good friends, are truly priceless.

With money tips, recipes, and a great story, Sheila Roberts walks the average woman through today’s rocky financial landscape.

About the Author (from Sheila’s website):

Sheila Roberts lives on a lake in the Pacific Northwest. She’s happily married and has three children. She’s been writing since 1989, but she did lots of things before settling in to her writing career, including owning a singing telegram company and playing in a band. Her band days are over, but she still enjoys writing songs. When she’s not speaking to women’s groups or at conferences or hanging out with her girlfriends she can be found writing about those things near and dear to women’s hearts: family, friends, and chocolate.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have 1 copy of Small Change by Sheila Roberts courtesy of the author to share with one of my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries tell me what you like to do with your friends that doesn’t cost a lot of money.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only. The book will be sent to you by the author. I will draw for the winner on Saturday, May 8, 2010. Good luck everyone!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. This is good stuff! That is what makes her book such a treat (my review is up today!). No need to enter me of course, but I did really enjoy this book!

  3. having fun with friends today without spending money…. a group of homeschool moms (and their children) are getting together to play

    reneesuz82(at)msn(dot)com

  4. I have just read Sandy's review of it and I must say that it sounds really interesting. Great post!

  5. This would be a "new to me" author for me to read. Sounds like a great book!!!

    My friends and I get together at one of our houses (a different one each month) and sit back and discuss everyday stuff, vent, and laugh!!! We let the kids play together and just sit back and enjoy each others' company.

    ktulanko AT aol DOT com

  7. Great guest post! It makes me think go when we took Vance to Bermuda – he wanted to move there. When I told him he'd still have to go to school if we lived there, it made him think.

    I play bunco with friends – it's a lot of fun and only costs us each $5. Every once in a while you win too.

    Please enter me. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

  8. What a great post! I am thinking that I may have to steal a few of those ideas since we are a little tight in the wallet right now. I particularly like the one about the musical movie night! Awesome post! I would love to win a copy of the book, so please do enter me in your giveaway!!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  9. It looks like a great book and I loved her post. Thanks for the chance to win.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  10. We are fortunate to have many great paths to walk around lakes, so when spring hits, it's a great time to take advantage of them.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  12. My friends and I like to go the bay in my city and walk the waterfront trail. It is a nice walk, and a great time with friends. Cost nothing but a bottle of water.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

  15. This book sounds great.
    I am a follower and would like to be entered for this giveaway.
    cherylbaryl@hotmail.com

    I think the best thing to do for entertainment is to read books and blog with friends and talk to friends about them. You can just go to the library and don't have to pay anything.

  18. What a neat book! I'd love to be entered. My friends get together weekly to play boardgames. Fishing at the local lake in the summer is a favorite, too.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

  20. Just being together. Watching movies on TV. Eating junk food. Staying up late talking. Gosh, just thinking about this makes me miss her!
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    libneas[at]aol[dot]com

  21. My friends like to sit outside around a fire and talk. Its the best time

    thansk!

    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

  23. Great post. Who needs a bunch of money when you're surrounded by best friends? There's always something fun to do if you think about it.

    I'd love to read this book. Thanks

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  24. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this contest. Please enter my name in the giveaway for the books.

    pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

  28. My favorite thing to do that costs nothing basically is talk on the phone. I can spend hours upon hours on the phone with my friends.
    I also enjoy going to lunch with them too.
    chirth7@yahoo.com

  32. We love to save money. One of our favorite activities is a walk around the lakes, and it costs nothing. And it's good exercise.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  34. I love inviting my friends over to my home and sitting on my front porch with a glass of lemonade, chatting and catching up on our lives. Costs almost nothing!

  37. Hey Dar, sounds like a great book.
    Please enter me.

    I am a follower

    I will post about it on Mon.

    forevereading at gmail dot com

  41. I can NOT go to sleep without reading for an hour every single night. You can 't even imagine how much I love t read. This book sounds very interesting. I hope I will get the chance to read it. Thank you. Eileen

  45. What a wonderful idea for a book. You had some very good ideas for activities in your post. Those wonderful houses not only come with big price tags, but upkeep considerations. Who wants to clean 5 or 6 bathrooms every few days?

    My ideas:
    1) When my girls were little, several of us mothers with small children would get together at least once a week. We would take turns "hosting" at our houses. Whoever hosted provided simple snacks and drinks for everyone. It was play time for the kids and a good visiting time for the adults. With us all there, we could relax and everyone kept an eye on the little ones.
    2) Sort of related, but we would trade off babysitting with a few families. We would watch each other's children so the other couple could have a nice date night without worrying about finding or paying a babysitter. We kept it small, just 3 couples with children who were friends. There are babysitting exchanges that work on the same principle – the hours you babysit are put into a "bank" and you can request those number of hours in free babysitting. You may or may not know the families you sit for or who have your children.

  46. librarypat said…
    What a wonderful idea for a book. You had some very good ideas for activities in your post. Those wonderful houses not only come with big price tags, but upkeep considerations. Who wants to clean 5 or 6 bathrooms every few days?

    My ideas:
    1) When my girls were little, several of us mothers with small children would get together at least once a week. We would take turns "hosting" at our houses. Whoever hosted provided simple snacks and drinks for everyone. It was play time for the kids and a good visiting time for the adults. With us all there, we could relax and everyone kept an eye on the little ones.
    2) Sort of related, but we would trade off babysitting with a few families. We would watch each other's children so the other couple could have a nice date night without worrying about finding or paying a babysitter. We kept it small, just 3 couples with children who were friends. There are babysitting exchanges that work on the same principle – the hours you babysit are put into a "bank" and you can request those number of hours in free babysitting. You may or may not know the families you sit for or who have your children.

    April 18, 2010 10:24 PM

    forgot my email
    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

  47. Forgot to leave my email. Tried to delete comment and repost.
    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

  48. About 10 years ago, a group of 8 of us (already very close friends) formed a bookclub. We are still going strong today.

    We only pick paperbacks, and several of the members either get their books used or from the library. Each person hosts once a year and makes a meal for the others. We've had everything from soup and sandwiches to Indian food, but really, it's just an excuse to get together with my best friends every six weeks and catch up.

    This book sounds great. I'd love to read it.

  49. would love to read this book, please!!! My idea of fun with friends is just taking a great, long-free powerwalk and talking. Thank you in advance, kk

  52. I never know whether to leave my entries in one comment or one for each entry, but it looks like most are leaving separate entries for this one.

    The moms from my son's soccer team get together during their practices and walk the track at the school. We get to talk and exercise.
    seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

  53. No need to enter me.

    I whole heartedly agree with your post Sheila. I LOVE House Hunters International. I know I may not get to all of those places, so this is the next best thing. Someday you'll see me on House Hunters looking for my retirement place in Hawaii. Sounds l ike a lovely book. Best of luck!

  56. I love just hanging out at a friend's house rather than having to go out. It saves so much money:)
    email bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

  59. I love going to the beach with friends-packing a lunch-taking great books and laying out and hopping in the ocean.

    chocolateand croissants at yahoo . com

  62. This sounds not only entertaining but informative too. Definitely count me in. 😀

    I'm a follower.

    Marie
    utah91960[at]yahoo[dot]com

  65. My husband I have recently starting pinching our pennies and one of the ways that we try to save some money is by having friends over for a games night. Everyone can bring something to munch on. The kids can have fun and the adults can play games and fun is had by all.

    I am a follower.

    copperpenny12(at)hotmail(dot)com

  66. Enjoyed reading the comments by Sheila
    Please enter me in the giveaway
    JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com

  69. Our monthly book club meets at each others homes & the hostess provides dessert & coffee. And we only pick books that can be found at our library. A fun & inexpensive night for all of us!
    ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

  72. Please enter me in this giveaway – Thanks!

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    And I am a follower!

  74. we would each take a turn to host a games night at our house and supply the meal/treats. Next time someone else did the host/hostess thing. We had great times.

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

  83. Something I like to do with my friends that doesn't cost a lot of money is birdwatching!

  86. SMALL CHANGE does sound like a good book ~ Please enter me

    hawkes(at)citlink.net

  87. A fun thing we do with friends that doesn't cost alot of money is getting together to play card games.

    hawkes(at)citlink.net

  88. I would love to win a copy of Small Change.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

  89. I would love to win a copy of Small Change.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

  90. For fun we go to the National Park nearby and walk or watch nature.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

  91. For fun we go to the National Park nearby and walk or watch nature.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]