Cheap Blondes

With New Year’s resolutions and after-holiday-weight gain, many consumers are interested in diet programs and gym memberships this time of the year. Businesses who cater to the weight-loss crowd take advantage of this interest by offering special promotions for about the first 10 weeks of the year.

Check out our column in the Wednesday edition of The Daily Times for tips on getting the biggest bang for your buck with diet and fitness programs!

If you are in the market in Blount County, we’ve compiled some information to help you get started. We sound like a broken record, but as always…do your homework (the information listed below is not guaranteed and are not paid advertisement nor are they endorsed by Cheap Blondes).

Here are the January promotions we know of for food programs…

• Jenny Craig*-loose 20lbs for $20 (*does not include food cost)
• Weight Watchers*- Registration fee waived, free online trial, free meeting
• Nutrisystem* – 2 weeks of food free
• LA Weightloss*- offering 30% off through the end of the month

Health Clubs/Fitness Programs–

With health clubs, take a look online if they have a website at the different promotions they are offering. Many clubs have a set fee that can be broken down into monthly payments. Other clubs vary in their pricing. Some will not reveal their prices because they want to get you in the door.  Try to gather information about several gyms before deciding on one and don’t let a skinny sales rep in a nice sweat suit talk you into something you’re not sure about!

With most clubs, take advantage of free week to 2-week trial memberships at several clubs. You could work out for a couple of months before you have to pay for anything and you will know for sure which one you want to join!

Each club has their own system with contracts and enrollment fees but just know that the price point for this area is between $20-$30 a month.  This really won’t change even after the New Year’s rush.  What you may get now that you won’t see in a couple of months are extras, like free food programs, personal training or discounted enrollment fees. As always, shop around!

In Blount County, you have a few options:

• Curves http://www.curvesinformation.com
• Jazzercize http://jazzinmaryville.com
• Quick Fitness 24/7 http://www.justfitness247.com
• Ladies Total Fitness: http://www.ladiestotalfitnesstn.com
• Cherokee Athletic Facility
• Dyna Body
• Fitness Concepts
• National Fitness Center (formerly Court South on Alcoa Hwy.) a new facility is opening in Maryville on W. Broadway in the fall.
• Rush Fitness Complex in Alcoa http://www.therush247.com

Ask your friends where they workout and see what their experience has been like and what they are paying. When you join a health club, ask about friend referral discounts. For example, at Ladies Total Fitness in the mall you can get a free month for every friend you refer and a free lifetime membership if you refer six friends.

So if you join LTF, be sure to write the name “Sarah Herron” on your referral line. Sarah has five more friends to go before getting the free lifetime membership

Know of other health club or food program promotions or tips? Email us at cheapblondes@gmail.com!

When the winters get cold, the cheap get organized! Now is a great time to clean out closets since you’re trapped indoors! Plus, staying organized is a crucial part of spending less. Even better, you can make money by selling unwanted and unused items or donate them for a tax write-off.

For small donations, you can check with your local church to see if they distribute clothing and other items to people in the community. At our church, Fairview UMC, they offer a clothing closet to the community that coordinates with the food pantry. Many police and fire departments also accept donations, like the Maryville Fire department, who are currently accepting donations for Coats for the Cold. If you want to donate specifically to the homeless, contact Knox Area Rescue Ministries at (865) 690-0939.

If you have done a major clean-out and need to donate a large amount of stuff, we recommend the following charities:

Habitat Home Store
212 College Street, Maryville
open for shopping Mon-Sat 9-5
open for donation drop-off Mon-Sat 10-4

They will pick up larger items/large volume donations- call 379-9299 to schedule a pickup. They accept virtually anything: Furniture, Appliances, Household items, Building Materials, Clothing, Books, and More

Goodwill
145 N. Calderwood, Alcoa
984-5296
open for shopping Mon-Sat 9-6 and Sunday 1-5
open for donation drop-off Mon-Sat 10-5

They will pick up larger items and large volume donations- call 584-7726 to schedule a pickup. They accept most things like household items in good, usable condition.  They do not accept: Refrigerators, items that use gas or oil, baby car seats, box springs or mattresses.  Call to confirm questionable items.

Salvation Army
1413 East Broadway
983-7155

The Salvation Army website has a guide online for what donation items can be valued at on your taxes as you weigh your options between donating or selling your items:
http://www.satruck.com/donation-value-guide

If there isn’t anything on our list of free events to entice you out of the house, here are a few low-cost activities around town:

Holiday Express at the UT Gardens
• Nov. 25-28 12 p.m.-8 p.m.; Nov. 29 12 p.m.-6 p.m.; Weekends Dec. 4-Jan. 3 Fri. & Sat. 12 p.m.-8 p.m. & Sun. 12 p.m.-6 p.m.; Dec. 25 2 p.m.-6 p.m.; Dec. 28-29 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
• U.T. Gardens on Neyland Dr.
This 4,000 foot railway display features 10 model trains running through miniature landscapes decorated for the holiday season. Admission is $5 (children under 4 are admitted free). Call for group/special viewing scheduling.
974-7141

Trolley Ride of Lights

November 4, 2009 – January 30, 2010  Enjoy a guided trolley ride of the spectacular Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays. Downtown Gatlinburg Contact Info: (865) 436-0535 Admission: $5.00

Classic Movies at The Palace in downtown Maryville

We recommend you buy tickets at The Palace in advance and get there early for a seat!

• December  17 and 19: The Palace Theater Film Club presents: White Christmas with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney.

Join us for an annual tradition with the ol’ 16 mm original projector. Tickets $5.00 Show Time 7PM Children 9 and under free with a paid adult.

• December 18: The Palace Theater Film Club presents “It’s a Wonderful Life with Fred McMurry and Donna Reed.

Tickets $5.00 Show Time 7PM Children 9 and under free with a paid adult.

The Tennessee Theatre

December 18,19, 20 at 8pm
A Christmas Carol (classic movie)
$8 adults, $6 seniors and children

order tickets online!

Family Photo

While the family is in town, get a family photo taken at the Townsend Visitor Center. Starts at $10 (no sitting fee) visit website for more info: http://www.marygracephotostownsend.com or 727-871-0210

ALL PORTRAITS ARE TAKEN BY PHOTOGRAPHER MARY GRACE AND ARE READY INSTANTLY. Indoors with the Center’s Grand Hearth (decorated) or outdoors with backdrop of Smoky Mountains.

Knoxville Arts and Fine Crafts Center
Christmas Gifts to Give

December 21st, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Students (ages 7-12) will make & wrap five unique gifts perfect for mom, dad, grandparents and friends. Encourage your child to experience the joy of creating & giving from the heart. Dress in old clothes as we will be painting and pack a lunch. The cost for this event is $40 ($8 per gift). Call 523-1401 for more info.

Read our latest column about free holiday events in Blount County, Knoxville, Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains! In Wednesday’s paper www.thedailytimes.com (Life Times section)

Here is a list of the events we mention in our column:

Locally in Blount County:

• 12/12 Jaycees Parade, from Midland to downtown Maryville on Broadway at 11 AM
• 12/12-12/13 First UMC Maryville choir presentation, 7 PM
• 12/13 Fairview UMC choir presentation, 6 PM
• 12/20 Fairview UMC “Appalachian Christmas” 6 PM
• Through December, visit the tree display at the Maryville Courthouse.
• The Blount County Library, free crafts for kids. See www.blountlibrary.org for more information.
• 12/26 Kwanza Celebration at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, call 983-1954 for more information.

In Knoxville:

• 12/13 “Walk Through Bethlehem” at Churchstreet UMC from 1-6 PM (www.churchstreetumc.org for more info)
• 12/19-12/21 Living Christmas Tree at Thompson-Boling Arena (reservations recommended: www.knoxtree.org)
• 12/13 Yes We CAN—build largest food can Menorah for Second Harvest, 4 PM in Market Square.
• 12/12 & 12/19 Market Square Holiday Market, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• 12/12 Knoxville Museum of Art Family Day, free admission
• 12/12 Blount Mansion Open House, 12-4 p.m., free holiday tours and music
• 12/11 Comcast Christmas at Chilhowee Park, 6-8 PM. Call 215-4248 for more information
• Driving tours of lights at Chilhowee Park every night from 5- 10 PM

Sevier County:

• 12/12, 12/13, 12/19 & 12/20 “Gatlinburg Winter Magic Tunes & Tales” on city sidewalks.
• “Winter Magic” light displays every night through February

Smoky Mountain Parks:

• 12/12 “Festival of Christmas Past” at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Call 865-436-1291 for more information.
• 12/19 “Holiday Homecoming” at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 828-497-1904 for more information.
• Search for snow! Check road conditions, driving tours and hiking trails at www.nps.gov/grsm

Check out our latest column on how to find and create cheap and often free gifts! Click here: Dec. 2nd Column

We received an email today in response to our column. Thanks June for sharing this great tip from your Aunt Vi!

Read our full commentary on how to shop Black Friday in Wednesday’s Cheap Blondes column!

Exclusively published every week in the Life Times section of The Daily Times! www.thedailytimes.com

To book The Cheap Blondes to speak at your next event, church or community group or for more information on couponing & bargain shopping seminars, contact them at cheapblondes@gmail.com

Here are The Cheap Blondes best value picks for Black Friday shopping!

We are only posting what we think are great deals based on price, not necessarily the best product.

We are also only listing items in store because online is a great place to shop but not always a guarantee.

Here are OUR Black Friday Top Picks by Category

*Remember, verify these sales in the newspaper and note the timing limitations on the sale!

Laptop:

Best Buy- HP G60-507DX $197
Best Buy- Sony NW235 $399

Notebook: Office Max-Acer Aspire 10″ $149.99

Blu-Ray Player:

Walmart- Magnavox NB500MG1F $78

Best Buy- Insignia NS-BRDVD3 $99

27″-32″ Television:

Target- 32″ Westinghouse LCD HDTV $246

40″-50″ Television:

Walmart- 42″ Samsung Plasma $548

GPS:

Target-Tom Tom XL340S  $97
Best Buy-Garmin Nuvi 205w $99

Small Appliances:

Target- Chefmate Kitchen Appliances (slow cooker, toaster, coffee maker, sandwich maker) $3

Wal-Mart-5 qt Digital Slow Cooker $13

Large Appliances:

Sears- Kenmore High Efficiency Washer and Dryer $579.98/Pair

Gaming Systems:

Best Buy- Xbox 360 Pro 60GB Holiday Bundle (Lego Indiana Jones and Kung Fu Panda) with Tony Hawk Proving Ground & NBA 2k9 $299.99

Walmart- Xbox 360 Arcade Holiday Bundle (Sega Tennis and arcade pack) w/free Guitar Hero III + Wireless Guitar $199

Apparel: Old Navy- Performance Fleece Tops for Kids and Adults $5

Toys:

Toys R Us–Furreal Friends S’mores Pony $99

Target—60 Piece Barbie Doll and Furniture Gift Set $29.99

Kmart—Razor Ripster $35

Amazon: Black Friday Deals all this week!

*Remember—no sales tax is charged and you can get many items with free shipping

Amazon is obviously checking leaked Black Friday deals and offering LOWER prices than many retailers, especially electronics and popular gift items. Check their daily deals all this week for the items on your gift list!

www.amazon.com

Wal-Mart

Shop Black Friday deals now at walmart.com–click on the ad

You can buy many Black Friday specials NOW online and get free shipping, site to store (meaning you will pick up the item at your local store)

If what you want isn’t offered online, check your store information on the website to view their sales ad and a map of the store where Black Friday specials will be located!…Remember, those big-ticket specials will not be located on the shelves or even near the appropriate department. Instead pallets will be located in the aisles. Be sure you know where to go!

Read our column every Wednesday in the Life Times section of The Daily Times! www.thedailytimes.com

Each week, we offer readers practical tips on how to find cheap ways to live and GIVE well!

For information on our couponing and bargain shopping seminars or to book The Cheap Blondes for a speaking engagement at your next event or gathering, call Amy at 865-207-6298.