In Stanley & Danko’s bestselling book The Millionaire Next Door, they conducted a detailed study of the immigrant backgrounds of American millionaires. When listing the “Top Ten Ancestry Groups of American Millionaires”, they determined that over 400,000 American households with Irish ancestry had attained millionaire status. Pretty impressive. One of the proven strategies used to create their lofty economic position: the extreme frugality of first and second generation Irish immigrants! You have to love it – 400,000 Irish millionaires can’t be wrong! When March 17th rolls around, do honor to St. Patrick with fabulously frugal fun!
If you’d care to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with one of the finest Irish movies ever made, rent “The Quiet Man” from the library, whip up an obscene amount of popcorn with extra butter, take the phone off the hook, and enjoy a fabulous Irish fest with some fantastic Irish cinema. A truly hunky John Wayne, gorgeous redhead Maureen O’Hara, one of the best kisses ever caught on film, and rolling Irish landscape, all on the privacy of your own silver screen.
McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes! Yup, I know. High calorie, fake sugars, artificial colors, faux flavors, served in a cup that won’t decompose for a good 10,000 years. Trust me, I’m well aware of the health and environmental repercussions of this addictive frozen green McCrack. And if I don’t get at least one of them every March, somebody’s going to get hurt. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
If you have kids at home that want to decorate the house or better yet, if you’re feeling energetic and want to throw a party for the neighborhood kids, have fun! Save big bucks by skipping the party supply store and hit the Dollar Store instead. You’ll find adorable St. Patrick’s Day décor and party favors for a fraction of the price.
If the weather gods are being particularly kind, get online to http://www.st-patricks-day.com and find a nearby St. Patrick’s Day parade – they’re everywhere! Pack a picnic, spend the day outdoors, soak up some fresh air, sunshine and Irish good luck. What could be better?
If you have a bone deep need to enjoy some more fantastic Irish entertainment in person, it’s totally understandable, and incredibly easy! Get online to find the Lord of the Dance Tour nearest you! When buying tickets, do yourself a frugal favor and aim for the lower cost seats just a few feet away from the primo seats. You’ll often save $20 or more per ticket, which will add up huge if you’re traveling with a large group.
If you see the Lord of the Dance and get hopelessly addicted, start saving a couple of bucks every week to get yourself to Nashville, Tennessee this July for the 2011 North American Irish Dance Championships at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel from July 1-5, 2011!
Looking to honor the Irish by way of your kitchen? Yearning for a solid excuse to take a time-out from your lo-carb diet with a plate of potatoes? Get online to www.Foodnetwork.com and find yourself some melt-in-your-mouth spud recipes to go with a huge slice of baked ham. Carbs be darned, St. Patrick’s Day only comes once a year! Frugal On!
