Frugal Fridays: Three questions

Crystal at Biblical Womanhood posed 3 questions to us for this Frugal Friday, and since they seemed kinda fun, I thought I'd join in this week
Here are the questions:

1. What is the best resource for frugality you've found (book, magazine, website, etc.)?
2. What is the best deal you've gotten recently?
3. What is your best idea for a creative and inexpensive gift?

My answers:

1. Miserly Moms: Living on One Income in a Two-Income Economy by Jonni McCoy. Okay, so this is the same book that Crystal put, but I completely agree with her. I've never read anything that was as practical, do-able, and inspiring as that book. I checked it out from the library a couple years ago, and through reading it, the Lord completely changed my mindset from "I'm torn between work and home" to "I want to be home with my kids, so I'll do whatever it takes to be more frugal so it's possible." She includes lots of recipes for making things from scratch and tons of ideas for saving in other areas too. She also has books called Miserly Meals and Frugal Families, for those interested.
2. The best deal I've gotten recently has to be my CVS deal yesterday afternoon. They are running a promotion this week "Buy $20 in Clearasil products, get $20 in ECB (store credit coupons that print in 2 days. For a full description of the program, read here.) I had a $10 ECB to use from my purchases the week before, and this week they decided to give everyone a free $5 ECB, plus a $5 off a $20 purchase coupon (these printed for me at the register). So I bought 4 Clearasil face cleansers for $4.99 each, and used my ECBs and coupons. I paid nothing OOP, and tomorrow I will be getting $20 ECB back! It's a great deal!
3. The best idea I have for a creative and inexpensive gift came from a friend of mine. Some of our friends from church are getting together and sending a huge care package to a family we know. The husband has been out of work for awhile now, and they have 3 young children. And it's Christmas time. And bills have to be paid. Enough said. So anyway, my friend turned to me and said, "Hey, why don't you send them some of your stash of stuff that you have been getting from Walgreens and CVS?" Okay, so why didn't I think of that???!!!!! I'm so glad that she mentioned it, because we have a surplus of household items that we love to share with others. I was able to get a big box ready for them, complete with several toothpastes, new toothbrushes for all of them, shampoo, conditioner, face soap, deodorant, dish soap, laundry detergent, candles, medicine, and lots of other things too! This was our original goal with all the couponing I've been doing, that I wouldn't just save us money, but that we'd be more prepared to give to others too.

So those are my answers. What are yours? If you want to participate, head on over to Biblical Womanhood for instructions!