Here's some cheap fun

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Not employed but not unemployed

An update: I resigned from that job that I got last month, but I'm not unemployed. I'm just a freelancer now and that feels really good. The full-time gig was too much for my many other side projects.

The biggest goal will be feeling the need to get out of the PJs -- you can do a lot of work in your jammies while drinking coffee and talking to the dog.

It'll be good though. The house will once again be clean all the time (my procrastination tool) and I'll be able to get back to the gym and finally review all these fitness DVDs for Shrinkingsisters.com that are clogging the home office floor.

So that's what's new in the zoo.

You want coupon codes? I've got coupon codes

Thanks goes to Dealcatcher.com, a fantastic site for online bargain shopping. Sign up for their e-mails and save big bucks:

Aeropostale 30% off - use coupon FRIENDS08 (Exp 11/23)

Alternative Apparel 40% off - use coupon CEF183 (Exp 11/26)

Ann Taylor 30% off - use coupon FRIENDS08 (Exp 11/23)

Ann Taylor Loft 30% off - use coupon FRIENDS08 (Exp 11/23)

Art.com 30% off - use coupon FF2008 (Exp 11/21/08)

Eddie Bauer 20% off - use coupon FRNDSAVE (Exp 11/24)

Land's End: 20% off - use coupon SHARE with pin 00008692 (Exp Unknown)

New York & Co 30% off - use coupon 9815 (Exp 11/26)

Quicksilver 40% off - use coupon FFN8 or FFN81 (Exp 11/23)

Ralph Lauren 30% off - use coupon HOL2008 (Exp 12/8)

Roxy.com 40% off - use coupon FFN8 or FFN81 (Exp 11/23)

Rugby 30% off - use coupon HOL2008 (Expires: 12/8)

Sports Authority 25% off - use coupon TSAFEPL (Exp 11/23)

Shop Ecko 30% off - use coupon FRIENDS (Exp: 11/23)

Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be disillusioned bloggers

Laid off no longer!

When the Laid-Off Gourmet is no longer laid off (as of next week), what does she do?

Go work and still keep this puppy going.

The posts will be more sporadic, but just because I'm working again doesn't mean I'm not on the lookout for a bargain or a cheap-o recipe!

Stay tuned! Better yet, subscribe with the RSS feed and you'll never miss a post.

My sis and I will still be posting on Shrinkingsisters.com, so check us out there.

Good luck to everyone else in their job searches.

Free food on election day roundup

Tuesday promises to be fruitful no matter your political persuasion. Here's a little roundup of the free swag you'll get just for voting:

Starbucks! Free tall coffee just for sayin' "I voted."

Ben & Jerry's! Free scoop of ice cream from 5-8 p.m.

Krispy Kreme! Free star-shaped doughnut with red, white and blue sprinkles to each customer wearing an "I Voted" sticker.

Here's how you've gotta work it. Starbucks first, because you only need to say you voted. Then Ben & Jerry's because everyone's getting free ice cream. Then save Krispy Kreme for last because they may nab your "I Voted" sticker, thereby removing any physical vestiges of your voting (just in case any other freebies, like booze, pop up).

There are other deals in some parts of the country but these deals are nationwide. Know of any others?

A mani-pedi with a PediPaws saves money

I'd seen the TV commercials, gotten the spam e-mails. But when the PediPaws dog nail trimmer finally showed up at Bed, Bath & Beyond (the Beyond part), I finally bought one. Twenty bucks, no shipping and handling, no telephone up-sell.

I was going to go the cheapo route and use a Dremel on his nails because I had read that it worked just as well. But do you want to inhale a cloud of dog nail dust? (Didn't think so.)

We used the PediPaws today on Mr. Lucky and it worked great. The guard kept his nail dust corralled and kept us from mangling his tooties. And the $20 it would have cost for a nail trim at the vet paid for the gizmo.

The holidays will be tight, so here's where you can find Black Friday ads

There are many Black Friday ad spotters out there, but TGI Black Friday neatly organizes the holiday ad circulars and also lets you know when they'll be released.

So far, Toys R Us has released its Big Toy Book and among the bargains: a free $25 iTunes gift card with the purchase of an iPod Touch (so don't think that Toys R Us is just for kidstuff).

And for more money-saving holiday tips, check out my pal Stacey's blog Frugal Holiday Tips.