Since school is in session, evenings can be a mad dash for dinner, especially if your kids are engaged in fall sports. My first recommendation is to get a crockpot. I have been trying some new recipes lately and really liked this apricot chicken—five ingredients and it tasted great. Apricot Chicken Recipe 1 teaspoon dried minced onion flakes 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1/4 teaspoon ginger 4 frozen chicken breasts or equivalent amount of frozen chicken tenders [if not frozen, reduce cooking time] Place all ingredients in crockpot and stir, then set for 6-8 hours on low. I…

Rain is in the forecast for the latter part of the week, so rather than sit inside and suffer, there is plenty going on at Bridgewater Commons Mall this week. Here is your events list: Thursday: There are two weeks remaining for the “Shop Smart, Look Fab Thursdays” at the mall. Spend $75 on Thursday Sept. 22 or Sept. 29, and visit the Redemption Center [purchases must be made the same day as redemption] to receive a $10 Shop Etc. gift card in exchange for showing your receipts. Friday: If you’re looking for a fun date night on Friday, call Maggiano's Little Italy, and reserve your place at …

While attending a Moms Club meeting, the consensus was that most of us wish we had more photos, and we all felt guilty about not doing anything with many of the photos we do have [other than creating folders for them on our computers]. Right now is a great time to schedule photographs, before the holiday rush, and emerge with professionally printed photos that are ready to be framed, as evidenced by the many deals that are currently being offered. Life keeps on moving, so if you never freeze the frame, you’ll someday miss having those memories [I know my husband and I don’t regret the photos …

If you’re an Apple fan, or if you’re contemplating purchasing a product, there are some great free workshops in the week ahead. A full listing for the month is available here. Here are this week’s free workshops: Wednesday: From 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., attend iWork for iPad Hands-on Workshop, which addresses the redesign. From 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., learn about the OS X Lion Experience and OS X Lion desktop operating system. Thursday: From 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., discover and explore iPad 2; from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., the OS X Lion Experience OS X Lion advanced desktop operating system; and from 4 p.m. to…

While out at a local park recently, another mom mentioned her kids enjoyed the summer so much that she wanted them to keep swimming through the fall. We were on the same wavelength because I had been thinking the same thing for my daughter. At the age of 3, my daughter loves the water and is becoming increasingly more fearless. But since she can’t swim, I am constantly trying to relocate her into shallower water, which she protests vehemently. It is time for swim lessons. My thoughts on why swimming is important for kids: Swimming lessons are imperative for kids to prevent drowning and …

This week, we’re going to try something new in our Frugal Family column, and give you the down and dirty deals for Bridgewater Commons Mall. It’s back-to-school shopping time and clearance racks abound, so stock up for next year on the summer stuff. Be sure to clip some coupons to score some great deals on fall fashions as well. And events at the mall are scarce this week, but did you know that Bridgewater Commons has a free HealthHike program? Participants begin their walks at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and at 9 a.m. on Sunday via the movie theater entrance at the top level of the …

With just about three weeks until the school bell rings, there is still time to do some planned back-to-school shopping. There are plenty of deals going on and you can easily amass this year’s school supply horde without breaking the bank. I am including a “college” category, since some parents are purchasing a lot more than pens and pencils and need to set up a mini-household. Here are my picks for the best back-to-school deals in Bridgewater this week:College$3.50-Room Essentials Fast Dry Towels; Target through Aug. 20.$4.50-Room Essentials Queen-sized pillows; Target through Aug. 20.$6.99-…

Changing your oil is a straightforward process, but costs vary widely throughout Bridgewater from a low of $19.99 to a high of $34.95 [and this last one was the only one that didn’t include the filter in the price, so it would actually cost more]. It definitely pays to shop around, since you can save over 40 percent in some places, as we found. As to when oil needs to be changed, opinions vary. My father, who is not a mechanic but maintained all of our family’s cars [all of which survived at least a decade], always said oil should be changed every 5,000 miles, while the filter could be done …

This redesign of an old series is dedicated to exploring the town from a family-oriented and frugal perspective to offer families deals on the greatest activities and merchandise. And this week is all about kid-friendly activities. Since back-to-school items are hitting stores, it often seems that non-school age kids get left out. With some planning now, you can easily add a few fun [and fairly frugal] activities to your kids’ calendars that will have them feeling very excited about the fall. Dance classes offer an outlet for energy, as well as provide structured play that helps kids learn to…

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for back-to-school computer items.As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below.Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Apple Store, Bridgewater MallDeal: College students and faculty and staff in all grade levels, buy a new Mac for school by Sept. 20 and get a $100 Back to School Card to spend on apps for studying, doing homework, getting organized and more.Good through: Sept. 20 Splash Salon…

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for clothes and a celebration of dogs with the Somerset Patriots. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Aeropostale, Bridgewater MallDeal: $10 off your purchase of $50 or more via this printable coupon.Good through:  July 31 Jiffy Lube, BridgewaterDeal: $5 off a Signature Oil Change via this printable coupon.Good through: Jan. 1. Target, …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local businesses for deals on can appointments and pizza. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Autosport Honda, BridgewaterDeal: Call to set an appointment and they will run a complete tire test and perform a four-tire rotation with this printable coupon.Milano Grille, BridgewaterDeal:  Buy any pizza, get the second at half-price; buy one dinner get the second 50 percent off; 15 percent …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for produce and other summer items. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Melick’s Town Farm, BridgewaterDeal: Beginning in July, Melick’s is open seven-days a week [10 a.m. to 6 p.m.] for the growing season. Produce available this month includes: peaches, plums, nectarines, lettuce, corn, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant and potatoes.Good …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for clothes and electronic games. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Aeropostale, BridgewaterDeal: $10 off your next purchase of $50 or more with this printable coupon from the Short Hills Mall.Good through: June 30 Best Buy, BridgewaterDeal: Blackberry Playbook, $499.99. Nook, $139.99. Samsung Galaxy Tab, 10.1-inch, $499.99. “The Pursuit of …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for lots and lots of electronics. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Aeropostale, BridgewaterDeal: $10 off your next purchase of $50 or more with this printable coupon from the Short Hills Mall.Good through: June 30 Best Buy, BridgewaterDeal:  Samsung 3D Blu-Ray disc player with built-in WiFi $166.99. $18 DVDs: ”Hall Pass,” “The Green Hornet…

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for digital cameras, T-shirts, diapers and more. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Best Buy, BridgewaterDeal: Nikon Coolpix L22 camera $79.99. Verizon Samsung Activate phone free with two-year activation. AMD Athalon 2 Dual Core Processor 320GB hard drive with Windows 7 and webcam, $349.99Good through: July 11 Target, BridgewaterDeal: $6 …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with some great deals. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Fit Zone Health Club, BridgewaterDeal: One month free with EFT sign-up via this printable coupon.Good through: No stated expiration RiteAid, Basking RidgeDeal: Rice Krispy Treats eight-count package or Pop Tarts $1.88 per package; Kellogg's Cereal Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with some great deals. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: TGI Friday’s, BridgewaterDeal:  20 percent off your table’s entire order via this printable coupon.Good through: July 23 Aeropostale, BridgewaterDeal: $10 off your purchase of $50 or more via this printable coupon.Good through: May 31 Zales, BridgewaterDeal: $50 off your purchase of $300 or more via this…

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with some great deals. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Basking Ridge RiteAid, Basking RidgeDeal: Purex laundry detergent 50-ounce size for $1.97; Crest toothpaste, 99 cents (includes $2 off towards next purchase); Oral B manual toothbrush 99 cents (includes $2 off towards next purchase).Good through: May 21 Morris Mixed Martial Arts, Basking RidgeDeal: Two-…

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for dry cleaning and vehicle maintenance. As always, if you don't see a deal you know is out there and want to make sure your neighbors can enjoy it too, just add it to our comment box below. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Bridgewater Park Cleaners, BridgewaterDeal: 50 percent off order for new customers or dress shirts dry cleaned for 99 cents per shirt (minimum of six) via this coupon.Good through: May 31 Midas, BridgewaterDeal: Oil change for $19.99, including tire rotation and free …