On Monday, President Obama held a LinkedIn meeting, where he took questions from job seekers. For those interested, you can see the video here. Since his perspective is national, I thought it would be interesting to hear from a local recruitment agency about opportunities that are available in the Basking Ridge area, and the general climate for job hunters. I spoke with Phil Chappel, owner of P. Chappel Associates, Inc. located at 5 Lyons Mall, Basking Ridge, who is a staffing expert with more than 30 years of experience. P. Chappel Associates also is an affiliate of NPA, a worldwide …

Menu planning can be a daunting task, and, at times, I’ve even let my concerns postpone planning get-togethers with family or friends. I enjoy cooking, but since we’ve had kids, have found that preparing for company by cleaning/tidying the house, making the kids presentable and preparing food can be the perfect storm (especially since I often start out with an idealistic image in my head). For instance, for my daughter’s third birthday party, in August, I invited 50 people. I had everything planned out. Ten minutes before everyone arrived, my daughter had an accident. As guests were arriving…

As a mom on the go, I understand that sometimes things need to slip. For instance, this morning, I did drop my toddler off at preschool wearing no makeup, and sporting an unfortunate assortment of athletic clothes that would surely get me a quick ticket on TLC’s What Not To Wear show (in my defense, this did follow a sleepless night tending to a teething baby). With two young kids and a part-time job, I find that the first thing to  get written off the schedule is generally something personal, for me. Like haircuts. The inspiration for this article are my faded highlights and lackluster hair …

As the cooler season approaches, travel beckons. With only a few months until Thanksgiving and a little longer until Christmas, the time to book flights is now. Whether family is coming in, or you’re headed out of town, the internet has made many of us our own travel agents. Online travel services provide an excellent means of comparing pricing not only among carriers, but also around certain dates. Farecompare, a discount pricing search engine, states that the cheapest day to fly is on a Wednesday and you'll get the best price if you book on a Tuesday at 3 pm. Some quick tips to help you …

Sundays are family day at my house. We try to avoid making plans and instead spend the day doing things around home, as a family. Aside from the mundane aspects of organizing our household for the week ahead, including cleaning and laundry, it also can mean taking walks together, playing in the backyard with the kids or going out to eat. Brunch always feels like such a treat. There’s always a selection of food that offers something for everyone and it is the perfect meal for lingering. Here are some fabulous brunch options in and around Basking Ridge: Ridge Tavern RestaurantAddress: 55 South …

The sudden change in weather that has brought us some wonderfully cool nights got me thinking about painting the interior of my house. Summer is mostly too hot for unneeded makeovers, but spring and fall (or thereabouts) are great times for opening the windows and applying a fresh coat of paint. With paint comes makeovers, and since we recently created a bright, fun new room for our toddler out of a former guest room, this article is about frugal ways to makeover rooms. Inspiration First, you don’t have to be an interior decorator, you can just be a copycat or snoop around area shops for …

One of the most important lessons my parents taught me is the beauty of compound interest. By saving even just a little money in decent investments at regular intervals, your money will regularly grow over time. Thanks to my parents’ good planning, I feel blessed to have escaped college loans entirely. My mom always said that every generation should “do a little better than the one before,” and I really want to provide at least the same for my kids. My husband (who worked his...um hindquarters off paying for college independently) agrees. I personally think that when you set a goal, you need …

As we enter August, it is officially the final full month of summer. If you’re like me and dread the impending cold, planning a trip can take the sting out of the fall. Basking Ridge travel agents wholeheartedly agree with this game plan and offered insight into deals that are currently being offered. With kids headed back to school, deals abound due to fewer travelers hitting the sky or the sea. Ellen Johnson of Ridge Travel (3 Lyons Mall, Basking Ridge; 908-953-0700) said, "Fall is an excellent time to visit Disney, which is less crowded at that time of year." Her pick for the best fall …

Why cook on a hot summer night when you can drop by the Ridge Tavern or pick up some fresh produce at Melick's Towne Farm for a nice big salad? There's also deals this week on an assortment of items or programs, including automobile brakes, summer clothing, and summer camp classes in Basking Ridge. As usual, comment below if you know of a deal you want your neighbors to know about. And please check with merchants to see if additional conditions apply: Ridge Tavern, Basking RidgeDeal: Happy Hour (Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m.): sliders $2 each; flat bread pizza $5; buffalo wings 50 cents …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with local getaways that will make you feel like vacation even if you're still in town. We also found deals on an oil change for your car, new fashions 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: Dolce, Basking RidgeDeal: Your visitors can enjoy up to 20 percent off on accommodations, plus free breakfast for two adults, as well as for any children under the …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for jewelry, home improvement projects 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: Henry’s Fine Jewelry, Basking RidgeDeal: $50 off a purchase of $200 or more via this printable coupon.Good through: Dec. 31.McGrath’s Paint & Hardware, Basking RidgeDeal: Free 2-ounce sample of Benjamin Moore paint, $40 off $500 purchase and free key cut via …

Bernards Cafe, BernardsvilleDeal: $8.95 for any whole sub in the shop.Good through: Open BaseCamp Adventure Outfitters Basking RidgeDeal: Last day on Thursday of moving sale before the store relocates to downtown Bernardsville at the end of this month. Summer and spring merchandise, 50 percent off.Good through: June 29 Kings, BernardsvilleDeal: Perdue boneless, skinless chicken breast, $2.99 per pound. Kings Badoit sparkling water, $2.99 each. Brawny six-eight-count paper towels, two for $13. Two-pound Driscoll’s strawberries, $4.99. Turkey Hill or Edy’s ice cream, two for $6.Good through: …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for fabrics and other home accessories, lean ground beef, soda, ice cream, electronics 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: BaseCamp Adventure Outfitters Basking RidgeDeal: Moving sale before the store relocates to downtown Bernardsville at the end of this month. Summer and spring merchandise, 50 percent off.Good through: June 29 Ridge …

Here are some ideas of places to shop for deals — whether picking up some cosmetics, summer's fruits or picking up half-off sliders on weekday afternoons. As usual, comment below if you know of a deal you want your neighbors to know about. Please check with merchants to see if additional conditions apply: Bella’s Burger Shack, Basking RidgeDeal: Half off beef sliders on any weekday afternoon between 3 to 4 p.m.Good through: Indefinitely The Fabric Yard, Basking RidgeDeal: 50 to 75 percent off fabrics and other accessories for the home, including trims, in preparation for store remodeling.Good…

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for fabrics and other home accessories, lean ground beef, soda, ice cream, electronics 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: The Fabric Yard, Basking RidgeDeal: 50 to 75 percent off fabrics and other accessories for the home, including trims, in preparation for store remodeling.Good through: June 25 ShopRite, BernardsvilleDeal: Boneless …

Here are some ideas of places to shop for bargains — or have a little fun sipping free wine — in our area. As usual, comment below if you know of a deal you want your neighbors to know about. Please check with merchants to see if additional conditions apply: Ridge Fine Wines, Basking RidgeDeal: Free wine tastings, 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Beer and spirits tastings 5 to 8 p.m. on Mondays. 20 percent off mixed case of wines (excludes sale items and limited to 750 ml bottles)Good through: Open RiteAid, Basking RidgeDeal: Rice Krispy Treats eight-count package or Pop Tarts $1.88 per package; …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with deals on meals, as well as a variety of other items right around town, and not so far. 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 Vine Restaurant, Basking RidgeDeal: BYOB Mondays: no corkage fees, instead of buying at the bar.Good through: No …

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 RidgeRiteAid, Basking Ridge (locations in the Lyons Mall and The Hills)Deal: 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 21Morris …

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for local meals and a few other interesting 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: Basking Ridge/BernardsvilleVine Restaurant, Basking RidgeDeal: BYOB Mondays: no corkage fees, instead of buying at the bar.Good through: No stated expiration The Somerset Hills YMCA, Basking RidgeDeal: Therapeutic yoga workshop on Saturday, May 14 from 1 - 2:…

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great deals for things to munch on when you stop by the bar at your favorite local hangout. Of course, we also have deals on shoes, computer service 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: Station Pub and Grub, BernardsvilleDeal: A pint of Yuengling and an order of wings for $6 on Wednesdays.Good through: No expiration Rolf’s Restaurant Bar and Lounge…