Plan now, spend less on holidays

Deborah Morris - Contributing columnist

It is easy to overspend during the holidays. I suggest you write down what you want to spend and stick to it, and have a list of everyone you plan to buy gifts for to keep track of purchases. Be flexible. Don't buy anything unless you find a deal. Holidays can be a stressful time. Starting now will help relieve the financial burdens.

Ways to save

■ Earn free minutes when you shop at Kroger. Link your shopper's card to your i-wireless account, and every time you spend $100 in the store, you'll get 20 free minutes of airtime added to your i-wireless phone.

■ Beginning Jan. 1, when you sign up to volunteer for a day of service with a participating organization (and your service is completed and verified) you'll get one day's admission to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme park.

■ A list of free and cheap stuff to do at Walt Disney World.

■ Free Orlando Magicard with savings on attractions, accommodations, restaurants and shops from Orlando/ Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

■ Get $20 off a $100 purchase of Laugh & Learn and Go Baby Go! toys.

■ Celebrate family game night with coupons from Hasbro.

■ At Westin Hotels, a "funning" concierge leads guests on three-mile runs three mornings a week, free of charge. At more than 100 Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, free running route maps and GPS armbands are delivered to your room. Another free option is to plan your own run. Check out MapMyRun.com.

■ Free program from Prevention magazine to chart your walking.

■ Watch free seven-minute webisodes of Smart Girls starring Amy Poehler. Each webisode celebrates individuals who are changing the world by being themselves.

■ Free Wine Spectator School class on wine.

■ Create a profile at Fitlink and find workout partners in your area with similar abilities and interests.

■ Weight Watchers Smart One Desserts $4 coupon.

■ Download October's free audio book from Simply Audio books. This month's book is Dracula. (Offer in middle of Web site.)

■ Dress up like Jimmie Johnson and show your Team 48 spirit and you could win. Send a photo of yourself in costume to Lowe's Halloween Costume Contest, c/o Track Record Magazine, 1000 Lowe's Blvd. 3EMM Mailcode, Mooresville, N.C. 28117. Include your name, address, city, state, age, e-mail address and phone number.

■ Fall Harvest Celebration, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at Springhouse Garden, 6041 Harrodsburg Road, Nicholasville. $5 to enter pumpkin-carving and decorating contest. Proceeds go to Ronald McDonald House. Free homemade chili, hot dogs and apple cider.

■ Free Halloween event at Michaels Craft Store, 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 31. Kids get a free trick-or-treat pail, a free Crayola pencil topper demo with Crayola Model Magic Fusion, a Make It Take-It Halloween frame, a free balloon and candy.

■ Seventeenth Annual Howl-o-ween Costume contest for dogs, 1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Incredipet, 306 Southland Drive, and for other pets, 2-2:30 p.m.

■ Howl-o-ween Tricks for Treats, noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at Lexington Humane Society, 1600 Old Frankfort Pike. Bring a treat for the shelter animals from the LHS wish list, and meet the animals. Kids can enter the costume contest and bring trick-or-treat bags. Raising Canes will provide food, and Great American Cookie Company will have cookies.

■ Halloween event at Applebee's Park for your dog. 6-8 p.m., Oct. 22. $5 a person ($4 a person if you dress up your pet). Live music, vendors and food. Proceeds benefit Lexington Humane Society.

■ YMCA of Central Kentucky's Fall Festival. Free. 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 23 at North Lexington YMCA, 381 West Loudon Ave. Games, costume contest, music and more.

■ Military Family Day, Oct. 25 at Keeneland. Free general admission for all active and inactive military members and their families. Keeneland is collecting items for holiday care packages for service men and women.

■ Pink Day, Oct. 29 at Keeneland Raceway. Wear pink to the races. Ladies-only "Play the Ponies" wagering contest. A $20 ticket package includes reserved grandstand seat, general admission, handicapping seminar, lunch, program and commemorative pink wrap courtesy of Embry's. Call Diane Frasure, 219-0772, Ext 250.