Cheap and Cheerful Chatter: Bzz Agent -- Word-of-Mouth Marketing

If you like sampling free stuff and telling your friends about new products, check out BzzAgent. It is totally, 100% legitimate. A friend told me about it and I recently signed up. So far, I've been on "campaigns" for AveenoBaby and ROC Night Cream. It is fun to try the free products, plus you get coupons and sample sizes to pass out to others. If you've got some time over the holidays, complete the online sign up and you are ready to roll. Tell them I sent you and be sure to let me know your experiences.

Money Mantra #11: Quit While You're Ahead

Repeat after me: I will not do any last minute shopping. I will not do any last minute shopping. I will not do any ... Got it? Remember that holiday gift list that you carefully created and pledged to stick to? Ah, yes, that one. It is ok to "quit while you're ahead". After all, how many of those last minute, add-on gifts end up being favorites? Be happy with the gifts that you've chosen, give them with a loving heart, and focus the other magical parts of the holidays. And those after Christmas sales? Avoid the impulse buys. Only get things you really need and will use up in one more Christmas season. Otherwise, stay home, brew some coffee and curl up with the See's Bridge Mix. After all, New Year's resolutions are right around the corner.

Favorite Things: Kiehl's for Him

Are you still wondering what to get for the man who has everything? My man is getting some Kiehl's love this year. Their products are fresh, just manly enough, and well priced. Check out the selections for him. And while you are at it, add in some Grapefruit bath gel or Lip Balm #1 for yourself.

Cheap and Cheerful Cooking: Paula Deen's Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients

For the cookies:
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 stick salted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1/4 cup molasses
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting work surface
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the icing:
1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Red and green food coloring, as desired
Assorted sprinkles, as desired

Directions
Using a mixer on low speed, cream the brown sugar and butter in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Mix in the eggs and molasses.

Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in another bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix with a spoon. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap; place in the refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350. Let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, until pliable. Line 1 or more cookie sheets with parchment paper. Take about 1/2 cup dough at a time and roll on a floured surface until - to 1/4-inch thick. Cut out shapes with 5-by-3-inch gingerbread boy and girl cookie cutters. (Re-roll the scraps.)

Using a spatula, transfer the cookies to the prepared cookie sheets, leaving space between them. Refrigerate the cookies for 20 minutes, then bake until they just begin to brown at the edges, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool slightly, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the icing: Combine the confectioners' sugar and milk in a bowl. Leave white or divide among bowls and add food coloring. Decorate cookies with icing; use a pastry bag to pipe eyes, mouths, buttons and bow ties. Top with sprinkles.

Favorite Things: The Christmas Gift by Francisco Jimenez

Centered on the struggles of a poor family, this beautifully written and illustrated book speaks to the true meaning of Christmas. I highly recommend this book as a way to talk to your children about what it means to really give and receive a gift. The full text is presented in both Spanish and English. It is available from many online booksellers or call your local bookstore. It will be a Christmas gift you won't soon forget.

Cheap and Cheerful Cooking: "Homemade" Iced Sugar Cookies

Want to know a fun and easy shortcut? Grab a Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix, a tub of vanilla frosting, some festive sprinkles and you're in business. I "doctor" up the store bought icing a bit with powdered sugar or even with peppermint extract and these cookies pass as totally homemade. Shhhhh, the secret recipe is out. I won't tell if you don't.

Favorite Things: Stella & Dot Jewelry

Madge showed me this super duper jewelry website this weekend. Such cute items in a wide variety of price points. And just in time for that last minute shopping for a little gift "from you to you". Go ahead. Window shopping doesn't cost anything. Also, last time I checked Santa was still accepting lists and I believe you can link your Santa quite easily to this page.