"Save More. Do More"

The state of our economy is affecting many of us across the country. We still have to live life and have fun. In times like these, we need to be frugal. I'm not saying be cheap; I'm saying spend smart. Frugality is becoming a trend within all industries; hence the growing popularity of Groupon, Living Social, etc. Being a recent college graduate who hasn't started a career yet, I am always looking for ways to save money. Like many, I am not one to let a limited bank account constrain my appetite to live, experience, learn. Groupon and Living Social have become my best friends.

My parents just showed me this new thing called The Entertainment Book. This coupon book is AMAZING! It's provides you with thousands of dollars in savings every year. All you have to do is become a member by going to the website. You can get online deals as well as order the yearly issued book filled with coupons. The great thing about the book is it gives you a list of all your local businesses and establishments, therefore encouraging you to experience new things.

Deals and offers from The Entertainment Book include:

• Fine Dining
• Casual and Family Dining
• Fast Food and Carry Out
• Entertainment and Sports
• Travel and Hotels
• Retail and Services 

The Entertainment Book is only $35, which is a reasonable price considering they're giving you $17,100 in savings. You receive a membership card when you sign up, which is what you take with you and present when attempting to use a deal or coupon. It's really easy to sign up. All you do is go to the website, and type in your zip code in the space provided at the top of the page. It will give you The Entertainment Book local to your area and you can begin saving for one whole year!

The Virginia Grill

My boyfriend and I recently used one of the Fine Dining deals. We wanted to try a new restaurant for our weekly date night, so we looked through the book and found the Virginia Grill in Occoquan, Virginia. The restaurant is like one of those small, unknown establishments that no one would ever know of, but still serves awesome food.

I love that the restaurant is in Occoquan, which is such a quaint, old, small town 15 minutes from my house. Founded in the 1700s, the town is located right on the Occoquan River. Even though it is so close to my house, I never go there, which is sad because there are small boutiques, shops and really cute restaurants with picturesque views. Virginia Grill ended up being right on the water, with a nice view of the river. It was cold that night so we weren't able to enjoy the big patio they had, but the inside worked fine. 

Anyways, I'm rambling here. I ordered the seafood pasta, which had crab meat, scallops and shrimps topped with a cream base sauce. It was AMAZING! My bf Jo had the classic meatloaf with homemade mashed potatoes and veggies. To top the dinner off we ordered a half carafe of pinot grigio, my all time fav wine. I loved that they offered their wine carafe style, just like in Europe! All in all the dinner was delicious, the environment was relaxing and picturesque and we were able to save $15, which was the cost of Jo's entre!

Hopefully my long, boring story will make you want to go and sign up to receive your personal Entertainment Book! "Save More. Do More."