The crew at WXYZ Detroit TV 7 went toy shopping and are finding some Early Holiday Toy Deals.

It’s a little harder than it used to be to get a nice Christmas gift for $20 or less.
But that is a reasonable range for families on a budget, or gifts for people outside your immediate family (hostess or teacher gifts, for example). And the typical range for gift exchange parties in the Monroe, Mich., [...]

This post is for my readers in Monroe County, Mich.
The Salvation Army of Monroe County, Mich., is now accepting applications for the “Spirit of Christmas” program.
Application will be available today through Nov. 25 for residents of Monroe County, Mich., who would like to receive food, clothing and toys for Christmas. Applications are available from 9 [...]

This post is for my readers in southeast Michigan:
Huron-Clinton Metroparks will waive vehicle entry fees and boat launch fees on Nov. 11 in honor of Veteran’s Day.
The park district includes 13 sites in a five-county area of southeast Michigan including Lake Erie Metropark, Oakwoods Patropark and Willow Metropark.
For information, call the park offices at (800) [...]

Thanksgiving is one of those occasions when one could feel like you have no alternative to spending money. If you’re going to travel, you’re traveling on an insanely busy weekend. If you’re hosting the dinner or overnight guests, you have to plan for a bigger grocery bill.
But do not spend more money than you need [...]

The For Better or For Worse cartoon in today’s Sunday comics details Mom’s efforts to take away the leftover Halloween candy from her son – with the intention of throwing it away.
My daughter never overdosed on her candy, so I didn’t have to deal with that situation. She would only eat a few pieces at [...]

Halloween seemed to be a little slower than usual this year in my neighborhood in Monroe, Mich.
My neighbor said she didn’t notice as many houses lit up for candy stations when she went around with her son. And I saw a steady amount of visitors, but never felt rushed.
I ran out of candy (see bag [...]

This post is for my readers in and near Newport, Mich.
The Yule Love It: A Frugal Christmas Program will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday Nov. 12 at Newport Branch Library, 8120 N. Dixie Hwy., Newport.
Learn to plan a Christmas you can afford. This program will include: family activity suggestions, gift ideas, gifts you can [...]

Crafts 2000 is one of the craft stores in Monroe, Mich. The Christmas sales flier from Crafts 2000 came in my mailbox Thursday.
Some items of note:

Crafter’s acrylic paint 2 ounce bottles at 50 cents net.
Darice 50-count blank cards in white, ivory, natural, red and green at $2.97 to $5.97 net.
Fleece blanket at $2.97 net.
Mini pine [...]

If you write a letter to, or get a visit from Santa Claus, telling him what you want for Christmas, that list probably focuses on fun and frivolous things.
My standing patter for the Santa visits is “I want a new Barbie doll.” Now, of course, everyone who knows me gets the joke. I really do [...]