Trader Joe's – 1309 Beacon Street, Brookline Meal and Deal: Fall means football, especially here in Jamaica Plain and Brookline. The Patriots are just getting hot and the season should prove to be an exciting one. So don’t just turn to any old game time snack.  Head to  Trader Joe's, located at 1309 Beacon Street in Brookline for their Guacamole Kit. For only $3.69, you get a fun package of tomatoes, a jalapeno pepper, garlic, a lime and avocados. All you need to do is peel, chop and smush and you have some yummy dip for celebration purposes. Pick up a bag of Soy and Flaxseed Tortilla Chips …

JP Knit & Stitch – 461 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain   Deal: JP Knit & Stitch, located at 461 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, is participating in the Greater Boston Yarn Crawl this Friday through Sunday. The theme is “Go Green!” and they’ll be featuring 20% off all their green, organic, and fair trade yarns and select organic fabrics.  There will also be a bundle of fun events, including trunk shows, talks, and workshops over the weekend. Stop by on Friday for wine and cheese with local designer, Ann Weaver, who will be debuting copies of her new book, "Craft Work Knit." The store is also …

Martha Eliot Health Center Community Fair - 75 Bickford Street, Jamaica Plain Deal: There are so many reasons to celebrate the fall and good health is one of them. On September 24, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., the Martha Eliot Health Center in Jamaica Plain will host its annual community health fair at 75 Bickford Street. The fair is free and open to everyone. Stop by for family fun, free health screenings, sports activities, gifts & raffles, DDR games, healthy food and live DJ entertainment! Boogie on down in the name of good health!Good Though: The event is on September 24, 2011   Pod – 313 …

We’ve got something for the fashionista, something for the kid-at-heart and even a slice for the carb-lover this week at Frugal Family!  And it’s up to all members of the Frugal Fam to stay on the look-out for local deals!  If you find one, share it with us. Mint Julep - 1302 Beacon Street, Brookline Deal: Mint Julep is a sassy boutique located at 1302 Beacon Street in Brookline that every fashion-lover MUST visit at least once while riding the C line.  They’ve got bright articles of clothing and to-die-for accessories that will make you want to break the budget.  But you don’t need to!  …

Frugal Family Favorite:  Urban Renewals, located at 122 Brighton Avenue in Allston (right down the street from Brookline!) is a great place to shop for all members of the Frugal Family. The store is huge and offers endless racks of clothing for adults and kids, household items, furniture, jewelry, electronics and much more. The elders in the Frugal Fam are appreciated here too! Every Wednesday, family members 50 and older can take advantage of 50% off most items. Frugal Family Favorite: You love thrift and consignment stores, but you thirst for upscale products! Head to the Atrium Matt, …

Dragonfly Movers – Jamaica Plain Deal: Here’s a Frugal Family deep, dark secret. Yes – it’s TRULY frugal and fabulous to get a group of people together and help each other move from home to home.  But if you’ve been especially good with the budget throughout the year, you might want to treat yourself to movers.  And once you’ve experienced trained and professional movers, you may never ask a friend to move again. Try Dragonfly Movers in Jamaica Plain for all of your moving needs. They’re fast, efficient and won’t charge an arm and a leg. Call soon to make your appointment, as they are in high…

“Fairy Houses” by Tracy Kane via Brookline Recreation Department - Dane Park Deal: The smallest Frugal Fam boys and girls love dreaming up stories and fanciful tales of faeries, dragons, spacepeople and so much more.  Treat your young kids to a day of teeny magical homes! For only $5, families are invited to come to Dane Park in Brookline and hear the popular children’s story “Fairy Houses” by Tracy Kane. Then everyone will be invited to build their own fairy homes. Participants are encouraged to bring natural materials to use for their fairy houses and children are welcome to come in costume…

Location This may seem like a no-brainer. Clearly, there’s no cost when you have your event at your home or apartment. However, the event might be too large for a tiny third floor dwelling and the idea of having 50 people over makes you envision human sardines.  Check in with your place of worship. They may offer you one of their function halls for a small fee or donation. Both Boston and Brookline offer low-cost permits that allow you to rent a park space for your event, as well. Certain fees apply, and you need to fully read the application deadlines and rules, but wouldn’t it be a blast to…

First Annual JP Music Festival Deal: We at Frugal Family have always known how many amazing musical artists in and work in Jamaica Plain. But now, for the first time ever, this talented town will be getting its very own music festival!  The amazing First Annual JP Music Festival will take place on August 20, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and there will be over 12 bands rocking the scene. The event is free and there will be food available for purchase.  All proceeds from the food will go to support the Boys and Girls Club of Boston. Spend a delightful and delicious, frugal day at Jamaica Pond, …

Each week here at Frugal Family, we find the best bargains in all of Brookline and Jamaica Plain.  We hunt down the deals and bring them to your attention.  Today, we’re going to refresh our budget knowledge and take a look at some exciting and helpful hints. Know Thyself: Before you can be a truly effective Frugal Family member, you need to take an in-depth look at your financial life.  Make a date with yourself, order a coffee from Starbucks in Brookline, and create a detailed spreadsheet of how much money you have coming in and how much money you have going out each month.  Don’t cheat!  …

Vee Vee – 763 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain Deal: When we sit around the Frugal Family table, we want everyone to be happy, whether they happen to be omnivores, vegetarians, pescatarians, and so on.  (It’s just the breatharians that seem to be impossible to please!)  So we were thrilled when we found Vee Vee at 763 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain and their Vegan Prix Fixe Wednesday specials.  It can be tricky to find a daring deal on vegan fare, so visit this culinary gem and pay only $25 each Wednesday to enjoy a delicious and healthy 3 course vegan meal. Good Through: Until further notice   …

The Fourth of July celebrations might have left you feeling a little tired and all members of the Frugal Family might have hot dog and hamburger hangovers from the several BBQs you attended.  Here are some relaxing options.   Free Essay Classes – Brookline High School, 115 Greenough St. Deal:  Right now the schools are on summer vacation and even the most studious Frugal Kids might be opting to hit the pool instead of looking at their summer reading.  But when the leaves start to change, some of them might start applying to colleges and where there are college applications, there are essays…

The Lantern Festival at Forest Hills Cemetery - Forest Hills CemeteryJamaica Plain Deal:  The Lantern Festival at Forest Hills Cemetery is a well-known and beloved Boston event that draws many people from both inside and outside the city each year. It’s a beautiful celenration that brings neighbors together to remember those who have passed on. The belief is that during this special time, a door opens so that we may “speak” with our ancestors.  Bring some snacks and flashlights for the family and delight in the magic. The event is free, with a $10 donation per lantern.Good Through: Event is …

We’ve got a great bag of Frugal Family goodies this week. We cover technology, beer, wine, and even a fantastic wedding deal! So whether you’re taking a sip of your favorite plonk, surfing the web on your laptop, or getting ready to pop the question – we have it! City Feed and Supply – 672 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain Deal:  Jamaica Plain’s City Feed and Supply, located at 672 Centre Street, is pleasing us even more than usual by starting to sell beer. And what’s better than selling it?  Sampling it!  Attend a free Notch American Session Beer sampling on June 30, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.  Founder…

Despite the fact that June has been feeling a little bit like October with some chilly, rainy days, we know that the Frugal Family will eventually need to beat intense summer heat. But in our search for air-conditioned and educational havens from the heat, we need to look for opportunities on the cheap. Connolly Branch Library - 433 Centre St. in Jamaica Plain The Connolly Branch Library, at 433 Centre St. in Jamaica Plain, has a great program each Wednesday for small children and their parents or caretakers. At 10:30 A.M. kids can pop by the library, at no cost, and enjoy a family-themed …

Longyear Museum – 1125 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill Deal:  Check out the Longyear Museum at 1125 Boylston Street inChestnut Hill to learn about Mary Baker Eddy (1821 - 1910) who worked throughout her life to establish Christian Science in Lynn, Boston, and Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and in Concord, New Hampshire. The Museum contains documents pertaining to her life and the lives of Christian Scientists who assisted her in establishing this worldwide religion.  Admission is free and the museum is open Monday, Wednesday through Saturday:10 AM – 4 PM and Sunday:1 PM – 4 PM.Good Through:  …

Brookline Outdoor Movie Series - Devotion School Field, BrooklineDeal:  The Brookline Outdoor Movie Series brings many Frugal Family favorites together in one place: the great outdoors, friendly neighbors, exciting movies, and the word “free!”  The summer of 2011 features three awesome movies, all with the theme of pirates, and promises to be great cinematic fun for your frugal family.  Each movie begins at about 8:30 p.m. at Devotion School Field.  Bring a picnic dinner!Good Through: Movies are scheduled for July 11, July 18, July 25   Sleepy's - 1385 Beacon Street, BrooklineDeal: Are you …

Spanish in Motion – 633 Centre Street, Jamaica PlainDeal:  Spanish in Motion, with one of its many locations at 633 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, can give your child a wonderful advantage as he or she enters into school.  The truth is that in order to get ahead these days, it certainly helps to speak more than one language.  Spanish in Motion uses top-of-the-line, proven techniques to bring light, learning and Español into the life of your young child.  Register for a free demo course and see all that this organization has to offer.Good Through: Until further notice   Mama and Me New …

Wonder Spice Cafe – 697 Centre Street, Jamaica PlainDeal:  There are few things more scrumptious and satisfying than a meal of tasty Pad Thai.  If you’re in Jamaica Plain, stop by Wonder Spice Café at 697 Centre Street and order this dish.  Delight in some rice noodles mixed with your choice of chicken, shrimp or egg, turnips and ground peanuts.  It’s warm, it’s comforting and it’s a mere $8.50 for a yummy lunch.Good Through:  Until further notice   Purple Cactus Burrito and Wrap Bar – 674 Centre Street, Jamaica PlainDeal:  Calling all vegetarians!  The Frugal Family Frugalista has a yummy …

Sam Adams Brewery – 30 Germania Street, Jamaica PlainDeal:  Take your father, brother, uncle or any sweet guy who has made a difference in your life to the Sam Adams Brewery, located at 30 Germania Street in Jamaica Plain for the ultimate in beer-lovers bliss.  Tour the facilities, see where the beer is born and sample some fine craft beer along the way, for free!  There’s a suggested donation of $2, which is far cheaper than a six pack!Good through:  Until further notice   Blissful Monkey Yoga Studio – 663 Centre Street, Jamaica PlainDeal:  And for the lady who handles the groceries, …