budgetsmartgirl

Archive for June, 2010|Monthly archive page

The Budget Smart Girl Newsletter for June 2010

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on June 30, 2010 at 1:55 pm

Summer has arrived so I thought I’d focus on travel, Fourth of July entertaining and ways to keep cool. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

Theme Parks
Are you thinking about visiting one of the many theme parks this summer? The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has put together brief list of attractions to help save time and money and is available in the “Fun Tips” section of the website www.TicketForFun.com.

Home Away from Home
The thing I hate about traveling is being away from home and all its comforts but did you know vacation rentals, like those from www.HomeAway.com , are inherently a better value than hotels, even costing more than 50 percent less per square foot, in side-by-side comparisons? They also provide more for the money in the way of space, privacy and amenities such as private pools and game rooms. Plus, with the extra bedrooms, travelers can save even more by vacationing in groups and sharing the costs, as well as by utilizing the kitchen to prepare meals instead of dining out. HomeAway.com features more than 215,000 vacation rentals across 120 countries, many of which are offering special offers for the summer. Travelers can also check www.VacationRentals.com, which is dedicated to vacation rental deals.

Tips from Cooper Tire
Okay, I’ll admit I don’t check the pressure in the tires on my car has often as I should. These tire maintenance tips provided by Cooper Tire prove that it’s costing me money. For example, did you know checking tire tread is so easy it only requires a U.S. penny? And simply knowing the proper air pressure for your tires can improve fuel efficiency by 3%, resulting in a savings of 9 cents a gallon at the gas pump?
The Rubber Manufacturer’s Association recently released reports that indicate more than half the cars on the road have at least one under inflated tire — a scary thought considering that the only part of the vehicle that touches the road are the tires. In addition to being a hazard on the road, under inflated tires are also the cause of more than 1.2 billion gallons of fuel that is wasted every year.
Test air pressure: Under-inflation causes excessive stress on the tire, and can create irregular wear, which shortens the lifespan of tires and can also cause tire failure. What’s more, proper air pressure can improve gas mileage by more than three percent – reducing drivers’ gasoline consumption and expense.

1. Check your owner’s manual or tire placard (or sticker) attached to the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove box door, fuel door or trunk for the correct tire inflation pressure for your vehicle.
2. A common myth is the tire pressure listed on your tires’ sidewall is the optimal pressure – in reality it’s the maximum pressure.
3. When you check the air pressure, make sure the tires are cool — meaning they are not hot from driving even a mile.
Examine tread: Bald tires can skid and slide on pavement, and are more likely to be damaged by potholes and other road hazards. The tread on your tires should be more than 2/32 of an inch deep. If it isn’t, the tire must be replaced.
1.You can perform a simple test using a US penny. Put the edge of the coin into the tread, with Lincoln going in headfirst. If the top of Lincoln’s head is covered by tread that means you’re driving with an acceptable amount of tread. If the top of his head is entirely visible, it’s time to replace the tire.
2.To help you see tread depth, most tires have a built in “tread wear indicator.” These are narrow bars of smooth rubber in the tread grooves. When the tread is even with the bars, it is worn down to the minimum level and should be replaced as soon as possible.
3.While you’re examining your tread, also look for signs of uneven wear or damage (i.e., cuts, cracks, splits, punctures, bulges and impacts.) These conditions shorten the life of your tires and if not corrected, further tire damage or failure will occur.
Should any of these checks reveal the need for required maintenance – or when in doubt about the condition of their tires – drivers should take vehicles to a tire dealer for a professional inspection.

Fourth of July Entertaining
What types of foods do you associate with the Fourth of July? Probably hot dogs, hamburgers and anything cooked on the grill. Maybe for dessert it’s red, white and blue cupcakes, or strawberry shortcake. If holiday meals are getting just too predictable, causing guests to turn down your party invitation, it might be time to rethink the foods you serve.
While I have to admit grilling is a perennial favorite at my house, this year I’m thinking more picnic type foods. Items that don’t take forever to put together, and you don’t have to worry about keeping them warm. Here’s what I’m thinking about-

Drinks
Instead of the standard ones like lemonade, try fruit flavored ones. Not mixes, but drinks you can easily put together yourself using real fruit. As strawberries and raspberries are in abundance right now try adding them to lemonade. You can put the lemonade into a blender and add about a cup of chopped strawberries and blend. And how about just adding some fruit, like blueberries, to a soda like 7-Up. If you get the wide topped one-liter containers you can just put the blueberries straight into the bottle. Let it stand in the refrigerator overnight and you’ve got a drink that’s changed color and added some natural fruit flavoring, try using raspberries too.

Appetizers
Sometimes my favorite items at restaurants are appetizers. They’re also great if you’re heading out to listen to a concert on the Fourth. Or maybe you’re going to watch the fireworks and need just a light snack to take with you. I also like to serve appetizers when guests are stopping by after they’ve been to another venue and already eaten. They’re not too filling and you don’t feel bad about not serving your guests something to nibble on. An easy one is to take a tortilla, spread it with cream cheese with chives, and add some slices of turkey or chicken, you can also add some fresh basil, roll it up, and cut into pinwheels. A couple of other easy ones are flavored cream cheese piped into cherry tomatoes, and mini quiches. You can also get ready-made mini fillo shells in your supermarket freezer. They cost less than $4 for 15 shells.You can add just about anything to them and as they have a neutral flavor, they work well with both savory and sweet fillings. I like to add chicken, tuna, or egg salad to them.

It’s Picnic Time
If you’re heading out for the day, or even just staying at home, a great way to celebrate is with a backyard picnic. One way to save some time is to buy a large loaf of uncut bread, slice it in half horizontally and start layering it with herbed mayonnaise, mustard, cold cuts, cheese, tomatoes and peppers. You can leave it whole and have guests slice off what they need. If you are taking it out and about with you, I prefer to wrap everything individually and assemble it once we arrive at the picnic site. It prevents the usual soggy bread, and it doesn’t take that long to put it all together. If you’re having guests over and want to turn it into a real party, why not give each guest a ‘picnic’ box with their name written on it. Inside you can add a sandwich, maybe wrapped in some red white and blue paper, and cut in half to reveal the filling. Put in some of those red and blue corn chips, a little dish of salsa for dipping, and a cookie/brownie, or a container of fruit salad.

Desserts
Would any holiday celebration be complete without something sweet to finish off the day? One of my favorites, and an alternative to a pie, is a fruit pizza. You can use a regular pizza crust, and I know some people like to use crescent rolls as the base. The first layer is cream cheese sweetened with some powdered sugar. Then you just start layering on whatever fruit you want. Another dessert that’s really simple and makes an impressive centerpiece is Baked Alaska. Choose between pound cake and even brownies. And you can either make one large Alaska or individual ones. It’s basically a layer of cake topped with ice cream, some people also use a layer of fruit, and then the whole thing is covered with meringue. Here’s a link to a recipe in case you’re not sure how to make a meringue http://www.ehow.com/how_13800_make-meringues.html. It’s then placed in a 425-degree oven for about 10 minutes, or until the meringue gets slightly golden brown. And don’t worry, the ice cream doesn’t melt because the meringue protects it, or at least should protect the ice cream if you’ve sealed all the edges correctly, if not, you’ll have ice cream melting in your oven! Another important thing is to serve it straight away. You can experiment with different types of cakes and ice cream combinations to come up with your own unique Baked Alaska. I love dark chocolate cake and cherry ice cream. It’s also a great way to use leftover cake.

Throwing Your Own Party
If you’re thinking about throwing your own party this year here’s a site I found that not only offers ideas, but also has virtual invitations you can send to your guests. Save money and some trees!
www.evite.com

Cards
I know some people like to send greeting cards for just about every occasion and if you’ve shopped for cards recently you know some of them are now in the $4-5 price range. Here’s a site where you can send a virtual card for free.
www.happydaycards.com

Ideas for Inexpensive Things to Do on The Fourth of July
•Check your local area for free concerts
•Some local parks have rides and games for the children… and those young at heart. Phone your local city office to find out what’s planned in your area.
•Plan a potluck picnic to spread the cost of food with others. If you don’t want to host the party at your house rent a picnic shelter at the park, maybe the other party goers will share the rental cost with you.
•And for even more variety, have a progressive potluck party, where you start with appetizers at one person’s house, main course at another, and then dessert at yet another house. It’s a way of assuring the cleanup and cost isn’t down to just one person or family.
•Go hunting for seashells.
•Independence Day gets many people thinking about their ancestors, make a scrapbook with cuttings from the country they came from and any other information you have about them and pass it down to the next generation.
•It’s a holiday, just relax with a good book. It’s the ideal time to start reading before summer’s over.
•Visit an historical site and learn more about the history of America.

Staying Cool This Summer
Doesn’t seem that long ago we were worried about keeping warm while saving energy and now we have to figure out how to cool our homes without breaking the bank. I have to say I’m dislike air conditioning, so if I can find an alternative to keeping cool, I will. Here are some tricks I found that help.

Get Chores Down Early
While it’s still cool, I try and get chores like vacuuming done as early as I can. Also, if I want to make a recipe and need to use the oven, I do that before it gets too hot outside and over heats the house.

Use Alternative Cooking Methods
We think of the slow cooker as a fall and winter cooking appliance but it can come in handy in the summer too. It radiates very little heat, saves money and you can get a meal cooked without heating up the kitchen. Plus, if you’re heading out for the day, dinner’s waiting for you.

Fans
I wish my house had more fans because on some days when you’re tempted to turn on the AC, sometimes turning on a fan (ceiling and free standing) in each room does the trick.

Be a Basement Dweller
I’m always surprised at the difference in the temperature in different parts of the house. In summer we spend more time downstairs watching TV where it’s cooler and there’s a patio door we can open. And I’ve known some people even switch bedrooms in the summer so they can sleep more comfortably in a cooler part of their homes.

Technology Can Heat Things Up
When I write my novels, I use a laptop. It’s great in the winter, free heat, but in the summer, after an hour, it’s uncomfortable. You’d be surprised just how hot your home can get having a couple of computers running. Once again, I’ve found cutting down on the time we have computers running cuts down on the heat we generate.

Watch the Weather
And what makes you more irritable and rushing to turn on the AC than walking into the house after you’ve been cutting the grass? I try to keep ahead of the weather by watching for days when it’s not going to be so hot and humid and doing outdoor chores when it’s cool.

Eat and Drink Light
Don’t know about you, but when it’s hot and humid, I don’t always want a heavy meal. Stick to sandwiches and salads and yes, I know it’s tempting but experts say to stay away from alcoholic beverages when it’s hot.

The Blog-Good Earth Giveaway

In The Blog on June 28, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I’m a member of BlogSpark and every now and then, they and various companies send me new products to try and if I like them I can tell you about them. This time they and the folks at Good Earth sent me a package of one of their new dinner kits to try. It was the Mediterranean Chicken with angel hair pasta and I have to say it was easy to put together, you just need chicken, milk and some oil. The taste was great and I’ll definitely be checking out the other three varieties. And the good news is one of you is going to win a prize package-

Here is all the details the new meals and contest details-

Enjoy cooking a sophisticated, restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home. Each variety includes vibrant and flavorful sauces along with specialty ingredients like sweet basil, white wine and dried tomatoes. Delicious dinners that allow you to keep a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing taste, Good Earth dry dinner kits are perfect for whipping up a no-fail, five-star cuisine in less than 30 minutes. 100% whole grain, no trans fat, no artificial flavors, no artificial preservatives, no MSG – just add meat and, voila! Dinner is served. Coming to stores this June, Good Earth dry dinner kits offer a selection of four delectable meals:

Mediterranean Chicken with angel hair pasta
Spicy Citrus Glazed Shrimp with angel hair pasta
Herb Crusted Chicken with mushroom risotto
Tuscan Chicken with penne pasta.

One lucky reader is going to win everything you see in the above photo. All you have to do is either leave a comment or e-mail me telling me which flavor you’d like to win. I’ll pick one at random and as it’s a holiday week and weekend coming up, I’ll keep the contest open until midnight on Wednesday July 7th, 2010.

This week on Budget Smart Girl. I know lots of people are already heading out of town so there will be just one article this week, the June Newsletter. It has travel tips, how to stay cool this summer and some tips for Fourth of July entertaining.

Have a good week and a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July holiday.

More Summer Travel Deals

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on June 25, 2010 at 2:22 pm

I had so many tips and deals sent to me, I decided to split them into two articles so here’s the second one. There will be more bargain travel tips in next week’s newsletter too.

What to Look for When Booking A Hotel Room
The folks at Travelocity www.travelocity.com sent these tips-

Dos and Don’ts of booking an opaque hotel:

DO: Choose an opaque hotel if price is more important to you than hotel name or exact location. You’ll get access to unpublished hotel rates at a huge savings – as much as 45% off. So here’s an example –the opaque rate at a 4-star Chicago hotel is just $95 per night – 55% off the regular rate.

DON’T: Choose an opaque hotel if you’re a brand loyalist or need a specific location. While you’ll get general location (i.e., Midtown Manhattan vs. 5th and 53rd), the trade off is that the consumer doesn’t know the name of the hotel until the booking is complete.

DO: Make sure the hotel has all the amenities you require for your trip. Make sure to book through a site that shows amenities such as pool, courtesy breakfast, non-smoking, high-speed Internet and shuttle service before making a decision.

DON’T: Book on a site that doesn’t allow you to see customer reviews of the properties. Traveler reviews and ratings on things like cleanliness, location, staff and service, room quality and more are vital to making an informed decision.

DO: Consider the kind of trip you’re taking. If it’s a business trip, an activity-filled vacation, a last-minute getaway or a whirlwind city tour, an opaque hotel is probably a good choice for you.

DON’T: If you’re a hotel junkie, a stickler for thread count, or in general will consider the hotel the make-or-break of your entire trip, this might not work for you.

For Those of You in Los Angeles or Traveling to California
Pacific Park is LA’s only free admission amusement park, with over 12 rides and over 20 games and fun for kids of all ages. Pacific Park, located on Santa Monica Pier, just launched the Inkie’s VIP pass for 2010. With limited availability, this pass gives Unlimited ride wristband for personal use throughout 2010. To find more information on everything the pass offers, and more about Pacific Park, click here: http://www.pacpark.com/vip.php?navheight=short

More Expert Tips
The following tips are from travel and tourism expert Gaylene Ore, president of Ore Communications, Inc. in Granby, Colorado

1. Take a single-destination trip. Instead of a driving trip incorporating several stops, head for one destination. Cities where attractions are accessible by foot or public transportation can help cut costs. While large metropolitan areas like London and New York may come to mind, that doesn’t rule out smaller, more out-of-the-way places. Even in Telluride, Colo., visitors have no need for a car at all once they arrive (there’s a free shuttle bus system and the world’s only energy efficient free gondola).

2. Consider going all-inclusive. Staying at one resort that offers a multitude of services, amenities, and activities can mean significant savings on everything from gas to money. For those who like to try their hand at many activities – and then get tired or bored, and want to move on to the next – an all-inclusive destination can offer all kinds of choices in one location (no more traveling/driving to get to the next thing), at no additional cost. And all-inclusive doesn’t need to be only a large hotel in a Mexican resort city. Today, many choices exist – think about cruises, upscale “camps” and dude ranches.

3. Think “off-season” or “shoulder season.” If you’re still deciding where to go, think about places that are not in peak season during the summer. For instance, many ski resorts offer great climate, scenery, activities and off-season pricing in the summer. Many places – especially in the Midwest and west, where schools are back in session in mid-August – start lowering prices again then. Look for shoulder seasons are the end of summer, too. A dude ranch vacation can mean savings of up to 50 percent in September.

4. Bypass the rental car. If you won’t absolutely need a car when you arrive at your destination, use public transportation to get there when possible. Airport shuttles, buses, and trains offer good alternatives. If you’re in an area where you’d be using taxis frequently, however, compare costs to determine if a rental car would be more economical. Better yet? Try vacationing in places where you can walk to everything. Even in the wide reaches of the American West, walkable towns abound.

5. Get out of your car. Even if you are taking a vacation by car, think about constructing a trip that isn’t all driving. Go hiking, bicycling, or horseback riding. You’ll save money and likely lose a few inches, too.

6. Think about incorporating agritourism into your vacation. Visit farmers’ markets or stores with local produce, and make your own lunches or dinners. Buying straight from the source saves in the big picture, too: You eliminate food’s travel and transport, and lessen your carbon footprint.

7. Incorporate an educational component to your vacation to get more “bang for the buck.” Colleges and universities often offer classes and programs in great places at great prices (for alums and non-alums). There are “camps” to learn everything from a new sport to how to paint. And not all are pricey; at Fresh and Wyld Inn (www.freshandwyld.com) in western Colorado, you can take a half-day organic cooking class (with lunch) for $40, and stay at the historic, award-winning bed and breakfast for $71/night.

8. Ask about discounts. No matter where or when you travel, be sure to ask about any discounts. More lodging properties, restaurants, and attractions than ever are offering discounts this year thanks to a still-sluggish economy, but you may need to ask to find out about them.

9. Go coupon crazy. If you have chosen attractions to visit, go online and search the Web for your activity and the word “coupon” before you go. Many places offer two-for-one, free lunch, kids-free or percentage-off coupons online. Print them out and bring them along to save.

10. Think outside the (lodging) box. Bed and breakfast inns, historic inns, and rentals of condos, townhomes and houses all can offer interesting, value-priced accommodations. In many areas, hostels are no longer just for the college crowd. Home exchanges are becoming popular vacation options, and some Web sites listing exchanges also list homes in which the owners are open to renting part of their homes without an exchange. Also consider trading homes with a friend or relative, or house sitting.

For those of You in Pennsylvania
Seems like there are lots of good things to see in the state…

DelGrosso’s Amusement Park, run by the oldest family-owned manufacturers of pasta sauce in the United States. The park’s celebration, called “Summer Thunder,” is the signature event, officially named in 1986, after 40 years of fireworks displays at the Amusement Park.
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park offers a day pass to the park is only $15.95, which includes both the amusement park and the water park, and DelGrosso’s relationship with local accommodations provides reduced rates to amusement park guests for overnight stays. www.delgrossos.com, click on amusement park at the bottom of the screen.

And…New for 2010, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts presents the “Hershey Sweet Adventure Pass.” From July 2 through August 31, the Pass is available to guests who stay three or more nights at Hershey Lodge, The Hotel Hershey or Hershey Highmeadow Campground. The attractions pass is valid during a guest’s entire visit and entitles the bearer to unlimited visits to Hersheypark, ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, The Hershey Story and Hershey Gardens. The cost for the Hershey Sweet Adventure Pass is $89.95 for ages 9 through 54 and $69.95 for ages 3 to 8 and ages 55 and older. The longer guests stay, the bigger the discount.

(For more information, visitors can call 1-800-HERSHEY (1-800-437-7439) or visit www.HersheyPA.com.)

Free $30 Gas Card
And if you happen to be in Pennsylvania, Allegheny Mountains www.alleghenymountains.com is offering a summer promotion which is a gas card for folks visiting attractions in Altoona/Blair County Pennsylvania. Visitors will receive a $30 gas card after spending a minimum of 2 nights in a local area hotel. (Visitors should inform the hotel of their interest in this promotion upon arrival). Attractions include: two family themed fun parks, Blair County Ballpark, museums and landmarks as well as outdoor recreation hotspots (hiking/biking trials, streams for fishing, kayaking and canoeing, etc).

,

The First Annual Budget Smart Girl’s Summer Travel Deals Guide

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on June 23, 2010 at 5:12 pm

When you’re on a budget or money’s tight, you sometimes feel like a vacation or at least a few days getting away from it all. Travel isn’t always cheap so I thought I’d put together a couple of articles with tips and deals. When I put out the call to PR companies hoping they could offer some advice, well, my e-mail box quickly filled up. So that got me thinking. We already have the BSG Annual Holiday Gift Guide, so here for the first time is the BSG Summer Travel Deal Guide. There will be more on Friday and travel tips in next week’s newsletter.

Tips From Hotel.com
Nicole Hockin, travel spokesperson from www.Hotels.com offer these tips-
•Aspen and Snowmass are affordably delightful in the summer with art, music, theater and the rodeo. Snowmass Village Free Summer Concerts – Snowmass Village, CO, July 1 – August 19, 2010. Stay at: L’Auberge D Aspen
•Want to see it all then head to NYC this summer for a concert on every corner. Central Park SummerStage, Broadway in Bryant Park, Friday morning summer concerts by The Today Show and Good Morning America, and the New York Philharmonic in the parks are just a few of notable performances you can catch. Stay at: Roosevelt Hotel New York
•It’s great that Los Angeles freely shares much of its talent all summer long with artistic festivals and performances. Grand Performances Summer Festival, Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series, Garden Concerts for Kids at the Getty Center. Stay at: Millenium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles
•The nation’s capital, Washington, D.C, is a great destination for experiencing a lot on a small budget. Some of my favorites include: Military band concerts on the steps of the Capitol, the 4th of July celebration, and The Millenium Stage at The Kennedy Center. Stay at: L’Enfant Plaza Hotel

Visiting St. Louis
Did you know the historical city is home to over 105 parks and gardens, 200+ miles of area bike trails, and more free major visitor attractions than anywhere else in the United States?
Guests to the Millennium Hotel St. Louis can take advantage of the hotel’s Bike the Arches program, where the property provides complimentary bicycle rentals and St. Louis Riverside Trail maps for active guests to explore downtown and the Gateway Arch grounds.
The 10-mile St. Louis Riverfront Trail follows the Mississippi River’s west bank from the Gateway Arch in Downtown St. Louis to North Riverfront Park, passing through several of St. Louis ‘ oldest neighborhoods, just north of the Gateway Arch.
Additionally, active families looking for a place to play this summer can book the hotel’s Family Friendly See It FREE Package, which includes:
•Standard or Superior Accommodations for Two
•FREE Breakfast for Two
•FREE Overnight Parking
•Guide of FREE St. Louis Attractions featuring the St. Louis Zoo, Grant’s Farm, the St. Louis History and Art Museum and many more!
Packages start at $119.00. To make reservations, please visit the Millennium Hotels & Resorts website at www.millenniumhotels.com/stlouis and use the booking code SEEIT, or call directly at 1-866-866-8086.

Burn Notice
One of my favorite shows on cable TV is Burn Notice, seems the Trump hotel has a burn notice deal-
1. TRUMP INTERNATIONAL BEACH RESORT – “Burn Notice”*Total savings is 33.5% per night
Summer is steamy in South Florida. But at Trump International Beach Resort, while you may get hot and sun kissed, you won’t get burned by extra fees. The oceanfront, Mobil 4-star resort, located in the exclusive enclave of Sunny Isles Beach, is turning up the heat with a smoking hot summer deal. Available to family’s who stay in a suite June 1st through August 31st, the resort’s “Burn Notice” package offers an assortment of amenities at no extra charge, and further waiving the many hidden fees often discovered during checkout. The components include:
•Daily full American breakfast at Neomi’s Grill;
•Complimentary valet parking;
•Waiving of daily $15 resort fee;
•Free internet access;
•Sun-protection amenity upon check in;
•Daily cool-down ice cream for the kids;
•One in-room family movie rental;
•$100 dining credit that can be used at Neomi’s Grill or Sushi Lounge OR $100 spa credit for the resort’s award-winning, full-service Aquanox Spa .
Based on a two-night stay in a suite, the package is designed to accommodate a family of four (two adults, two children). For reservations, guests must call 877.761.6243 and mention the “BURN NOTICE” package or visit www.trumpmiami.com. Package based on availability.

VERO BEACH HOTEL & SPA – “A Little Motherly Entice”*Total savings is 50%
Moms are always quick to give a little motherly advice. And that’s why this summer, Kimpton’s oceanfront Vero Beach Hotel & Spa will entice moms with a bit of their own advice: disappear for a day, get a massage and unwind. Overworked moms will have a chance to focus fully on relaxation with the “Moms Sunday Night Retreat” special, where she can bask in the sun, immerse her feet in sugar-white sand and exhale all tension during a soothing massage. Starting at $199, the components include:
•Sunday night stay in a luxurious Premier Room;
•50 minute in-room massage;
•Welcome amenity that includes a water bottle and snack;
•Free chaise lounge for the beach;
•Late, 2 p.m. check-out on Monday afternoon;
•Complimentary Wifi;
•Complimentary wine during wine hour in the hotel’s lobby;
•Complimentary valet parking.
“Mom’s Sunday Night Retreat” is valid June 1 – August 31, 2010. Reservations can be made at www.verobeachhotelandspa.com by entering SUNSPA in the rate code box, or by calling 1-866-602-VERO and requesting “Mom’s Sunday Night Retreat” package. The promotion is based upon availability (excluding all taxes and gratuities). Blackout dates apply.

Homewood Suite Deals
Homewood Suites www.homewoodsuites.com has great deals this year, with a summer rate “great getaway” which offers guests a 20% off select rates when booking and paying at least seven days in advance (for stays May 28 – September 6, 2010). In addition to this, Homewood continues to offer “endless summer” where guests receive 15% off select weekend rates when booking two consecutive nights (Thursday arrivals only) for stays starting on June 1 and ending September 12, 2010. This upscale, yet value-packed all-suites hotel also offers “suite” deals for seniors who can save 15% this summer. Lastly, Homewood includes in the room rate a free full breakfast, plus weekday dinner and drinks.

Are You A Discover Card User?
Discover Card in partnership with Six Flags is offering its Card Members a family four-pack of tickets for only $99 (at least a 30 percent savings for families) starting September 1st, just in time for a last minute Labor Day weekend getaway. Additionally, Cardmembers can enjoy several exclusive benefits throughout the park, including:
Instant five percent CashBack Bonus savings on purchases made throughout the park – food, souvenirs, snacks and more.
• Exclusive “Coasters After Dark” perks- Card Members get to stay after the park has closed, to enjoy rides without the long lines!

Best Western Hotels
By staying twice at Best Western hotels between June 20 and August 15, members of Best Western Rewards (the chain’s free loyalty program) can earn a free night voucher, which can be used at any Best Western hotel in the United States and Canada. Learn more and register for the promotion at www.bestwestern.com/summer. This promotion also includes 250-point bonus for booking online at http://www.bestwestern.com and a 1,000-point bonus for those who pay for their qualified stays with the Best Western Rewards World MasterCard®. There is a limit of one voucher per Rewards member; elite members can earn up to two vouchers. Vouchers expire on December 25, 2010. The promotion is only open to Best Western Rewards members in the U.S., Canada and Caribbean.

Head to Walmart
According to the American Society of Travel Agents, Orlando is the hottest travel destination this summer. But to enjoy family fun-time, mothers don’t have to break the bank! They can count on Walmart to be their low-price leader – even when they are miles away from home.

Here are a few ways moms can save money on their Orlando vacation this summer:
• Walmart is a great resource for discounted park and event tickets, including the first-ever Walmart Ticket Bundle, which features discounts on tickets to the most popular attractions at Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. This Walmart-exclusive discount can help families save $15-$32 per ticket bundle.
• Walmart provides unbeatable prices on all top souvenirs, including character apparel and theme park memorabilia, including the newly opened Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.
• With everyday low prices at Walmart, moms don’t have to worry about the rising checked -baggage fees or the 8 oz. liquid rule on airlines because they can purchase basic travel items at Orlando-area Walmarts.

Earn Points
Points.com, the world’s first and only loyalty-program management site. Consumers who join www.Points.com (membership is free) can use the site to track their participation in many of the world’s leading frequent flyer and hotel guest programs, leading to easier redemptions and ultimately saving money!

Three ways to save money this summer with Points.com:
•Book your entire trip, from travel to accommodations, with reward points you’ve already earned or didn’t even know you had
• Stretch your reward points as far as possible by collecting, tracking and monitoring your points online
•Use Global Points Exchange (GPX) to trade your reward points with other points/miles holders—and with anyone, not just friends and family.

Doubletree Hotels’ offerings

• “Exploring Trees Inside And Out” Traveling Tree Museum Exhibit: Doubletree Hotels’ and the Arbor Day Foundation has partnered to present this traveling tree museum exhibit, which is at Los Angeles’ California Science Center, now through September 26, 2010. The three-year tour of this environmental education exhibit, which began in 2008, helps inspire children to explore the natural beauty of the great outdoors with a spacious, 2,500-square-foot exhibit. Here, kids can crawl inside giant tree logs, smell different tree scents, become a forest creature in a real-time animated blue-screen experience, play in leaves and more. Entrance to the museum and exhibit is free and would provide your readers a vacation option that is not only fun and inexpensive, but also helps educate kids about the importance of the environment.

• Sweet Deals by Doubletree webpage: Doubletree Hotels has a variety of ways to help people savor the summer with a variety of affordable packages and offerings through its Sweet Deals by Doubletree website. Travelers can choose from several deals that best suit their vacation needs, from special Advance Purchase packages for maximum savings, to a booking a vacation for more HHonors points! For example, families who book the Bed + Breakfast package, will receive great accommodations plus a complimentary Breakfast buffet for up to two adults and two children (12 and under staying with adult hotel guests in the same room) each morning. www.doubletree.com

, ,

The Blog-Quick Meals Using What’s in the Garden

In The Blog on June 21, 2010 at 4:48 pm

I spent a good part of Saturday morning weeding and cleaning the herb garden. I first planted it about six years ago and one thing I’ve learned is herbs are fast growers. They also give basic foods some gourmet flavor too. After moving from the herb garden to cleaning the area around the pond, I decided a quick supper was just want we needed. With some many herbs on hand, I found a cheese pizza in the freezer and topped it with chopped tomatoes (fresh and sun dried) and chopped herbs, like oregano and basil. It made the low cost pizza taste a whole lot more expensive.

Many of the experts I’ve featured on Budget Smart Girl keep in touch with me and it’s always great to hear what they’re doing. Remember Danny Kofke the author of How To Survive (and perhaps thrive) On A Teacher’s Salary? He contacted me to say he was going to be a guest on HLN’s The Clark Howard Show. Last week he sent this link so I could share it with you.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2010/06/14/howard.family.savings.cnn?iref=allsearch

This week on Budget Smart Girl Today it’s officially summer and whether you’re packing up the car for a long road trip, heading out on a plane or just staying close to home, we’re all looking for bargains… maybe even some free entertainment. This week, two articles about ways to save on travel and some deals and places to visit across the country.

Have a good week

, , ,

Cold Treats for Hot Summer Days

In Budget Smart Cook on June 18, 2010 at 2:09 pm

Yesterday was hot and humid and it got me thinking about cold treats you can make when the temperature soars.

Smoothies
It’s 6 a.m., it’s already hot so the last thing you want to do is eat breakfast. On those days there’s nothing I like better than a smoothie. Just about any fruit and some milk can be turned into a creamy treat. Summer fruits are cheap now, making it another way to eat a low cost meal or snack.
One of my favorite combinations is strawberry and mango. Just this morning I made a strawberry yogurt smoothie. About ¾ milk, ½ cup strawberry yogurt and a handful of chopped strawberries. And then there’s this one–
1 ½ cups chocolate soy milk…my favorite is the Silk brand.
1 banana, peeled and sliced.
2 heaped tablespoons of smooth peanut butter
Place the soy milk, PB and banana in the blender and mix for 30 seconds.

Make Your Own Smoothie Kits
Remember these were on my list of items I won’t ever buy readymade? You can use fresh fruit or even frozen ones. When I used to have a membership to Costco, I’d buy a few of their 5 pound bags of fruit, mix them altogether and then divide them into single servings and store them in freezer bags. All you need to do is add milk, soy milk or yogurt and for a lot less than the store mixes.

Make Your Own Frozen Treats
Children really love frozen treats but if you check the ingredients on most brands you’ll see sugar, artificial colors and flavors listed high on the list. They wouldn’t be so bad if they were an occasional treat but during summer they’re a daily snack. An alternative is you can make your own and get the kids involved too.

I bought a Popsicle mold for $2.49 from the local supermarket. It makes six frozen treats and I use 100% fruit juice, everything from grape to papaya. I even used left over chai tea once. And if you ever have any leftover smoothie mixture you can turn that into a frozen treat too. They take a couple of hours to freeze so it’s a good idea to make them the night before or first thing in the morning. Try adding some chopped fruit to the juice too.

Lemonade
I love lemonade as is, but sometimes I’ll put it into a blender and add strawberries or blueberries…very interesting color combo. One time I even threw in some leftover chopped ginger…very refreshing.

Ice Tea
Combine ice tea with lemonade and it’s the best thirst quenching drink of the summer. Sometimes I’ll make ice cubes from this combination and use them in plain ice tea, no sweetener required.

Shandy
Okay, this one’s for grown up and it’s a British drink called a Shandy. Fill half a glass with 7 Up or Sprite and half with beer or if you want to keep it light, lager. The two mix together on their own and it’s one of the most refreshing drinks when it’s hot.

Fruit as Ice Cubes
One thing most of us do on a hot summer day is load our glasses with ice. The only drawback is when the temperature rises, turn you back, they’re melted and your drink’s too watery. When it’s really hot I switch to frozen fruit for ice cubes. Added bonus, you’ve got something to eat when you’ve finished drinking.

A State Fair Treat
I’ve been making this frozen treat since I tried one at the state fair many years ago. My version is a lot cheaper than the $5 they charge at the fair.
Peel a banana, insert a Popsicle stick into it and put it into the freezer for about or hour or so. While that’s freezing, melt some chocolate and dip the banana into it. You can even roll it in chopped nuts or candy bars. Place it on waxed paper and freeze until the chocolate is set.

Cool Glasses
And one trick to keeping everything cooler longer is to put glasses and pitchers in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes before you use them. I even do this with bowls for salads and cold soups.

, , ,

Buy It or Make Your Own

In Budget Smart Cook on June 16, 2010 at 6:08 pm

During every trip to the supermarket I ask myself is it cheaper for me to buy that item already prepared or should I make my own. It’s not only money that I base my decision on, time plays a factor too. Here are some guidelines I’ve come up with and items I will and won’t buy already prepared.

Time/Convenience
If you’re short on time then opting for readymade makes perfect sense. One great example is potatoes, whether they’re mashed, oven roasted etc. I keep at least one package of each in the freezer or pantry. And the great thing is instant potatoes taste a lot better than they used to and they’re always on sale too.

Nutrition
If it’s not only your wallet you’re watching, but your weight, sodium or fat intake then going the homemade route makes more sense.

Check the Season
Right now the produce department is brimming with berries, green beans, corn, etc. During the summer months I opt for buying fresh veggies, but when a particular vegetable or fruit isn’t in season, I’ll choose canned or frozen. Another example is red peppers. I love roasted red peppers but they can be pricey. I have found some good deals but when the prices go low…like right now, I’ll buy them, roast them myself and then store them for future use.

Things I’ll Never Buy Readymade

Fruit, Vegetable and Cheese Platters
They look tempting but they can run about $20-25. They’re easy to put together yourself and I can’t imagine handing over that much money for something that wouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to do yourself.

Flavored Oatmeal
I used to love the individual flavored packages of oatmeal… that was until I did an interview and we got onto the subject of premade foods. The interviewee pointed out the true cost of these little luxuries. Now I make my own and add things like chopped dried fruits and they’re just as good, if not better.

Soups
Sometimes I’ll buy soups to keep in the pantry if the price is right, or like last week, I had two $1 coupons for a brand that was on sale. However, most of the time I’ll make my own. It’s cheaper, you control what’s in there and it’s a good way to use leftover items like vegetables and cooked chicken.

Individually Wrapped
Lots of supermarkets have a special section with items that are washed and prepared for you and individually wrapped like potatoes, onions, etc. But have you seen the price for such convenience, $2 for one onion! Think I’ll pass on those.

Smoothie Mixes
Manufacturers must know we’ve gone smoothie crazy because each week another premade smoothie mix hits the stores. I’ve checked the ingredients on most of them and it’s just chopped frozen fruit. How easy and inexpensive is it to get a freezer bag and make your own mix.

Some Things I Will Buy Readymade

Salad Dressings
I do make my own but I will more a ready prepared one when I have coupons. Seems like I always have at least one on hand. They’re usually for a dollar so on double coupon day that’s $2 off a salad dressing that costs around $3.95. I probably could make one for that price but it’s nice to have one ready and waiting in the fridge if I don’t get around to it.

Spaghetti Sauce
Once again coupons and the fact at least one brand always seems to be on sale swings things in the favor of readymade.

Not Just Things You Eat
And it’s not just food items you can make yourself. One reason I make my own products like cleaning supplies is I know what’s in them. Baking soda and vinegar are my two favorites and I even started making my own dishwasher powder too. It’s really simple to make
2 cups washing soda
1 cup borax
1 cup baking soda
Mix ingredients together in a storage container and use about 1 ½ tablespoons per load. I added some essential oil to mine…lemon or tangerine to give the kitchen a nice smell while the dishes are being washed. If you live in an area with hard water, I’ve found squeezing about a tablespoon of lemon juice to the mix (for each load) helps glasses from turning white. I buy lemon juice in one of those plastic lemons you find in the produce department and keep it with the mix.


The Blog-Two Sites Worth Checking Out

In The Blog on June 14, 2010 at 4:12 pm

I often think wouldn’t it be great to have some experts on hand to help you with things like organizing your house. I saw this on the CBS Early Show site. They’re offering the chance for a family to get a makeover. If you’re interested check out www.cbsnews.com/sections/earlyshow/main500202.shtml Look at the right hand side of your screen and you’ll see Let Us Give Your Family a Free Makeover, click on it and it’ll tell you how to enter.

And every week someone sends me information about a new money or budget related Web site. Here’s one I received just this morning that I thought you’d like to check out www.moneymindedmoms.com If you sign up to join the community (it’s free) you get a free download of 5 Simple Ways to Save $500 by financial expert Suze Orman. It also has some links to money tools and coupons too.

I’m a firm believer that the most expensive item isn’t always the best and recently I was proved right. Every spring I usually buy a few bags of grass seed to fill in the odd bare patch in the lawn. I pay around $4 per bag at one of the local DIY stores. Unfortunately, that store is closed for a year while it’s being remodeled and could I find another store with grass seed at those low prices…no. I finally gave in and purchased a large bag of top quality grass seed for $35 thinking it would last well into fall. Well, it turned out to be a bad buy. The seed didn’t germinate and proved that expensive products don’t always yield the best results. My late father was always one for getting his money back when something didn’t live up to his expectations and I noticed on the bag it said if you’re not satisfied they offer a money back guarantee. So the moral of the story is don’t always think handing over more money for something is better and if you’re not happy with anything you buy, let the company know. Most of them really do appreciate your feedback…both positive and negative, and many are more than willing to refund your money to keep you a happy customer.

This week on Budget Smart Girl-Should you buy things like salad dressing or should you make it yourself? Right now it’s overcast, cool and raining where I’m at but hopefully this next article will come in handy sometime this year…cold treats for hot summer days.

Have a good week

, , ,

More Ways to Stretch Your Food Dollar (and some recipes)

In Budget Smart Cook, Uncategorized on June 11, 2010 at 2:28 pm

Entering the Grocery Challenge contest? Here are some more ways to help stretch your food dollar along with some recipes.

Shop at the Drug Stores
Don’t just think of the supermarket when you’re buying groceries. Sometimes you can get better deals at places like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy.

Friends with Memberships
You might not want to pay $50 for a membership to a warehouse club but for this challenge ask if friends, family or co-workers if they do and stock up some pantry essentials. When I had a membership to Costco I found things olives, sun dried tomatoes and most cheeses were great deals. And if you want to make some ready to eat meals, these stores have excellent prices on essentials like eggs and milk.

Low Cost Snacks
I’m assuming that the price of snacks is included in the challenge and one of my favorites that’s both healthy and low cost is cheese and crackers. Visit most coupon sites and some manufacturer always seems to offer a cheese coupon. Yogurt is another item that is often on sale and most times has a matching coupon. With produce in abundance, fruit kabobs are another quick and easy snack. And you can turn berries and peaches into smoothies.

National Dairy Month
Speaking of all these dairy products. June is National Dairy Month which means a lot of in store specials and coupons on the Internet.

Products with Coupons
While I was shopping this week, I couldn’t help notice how many products have coupons attached to them these days. Even if it’s not a brand you were thinking of buying, if it’s double coupon day it can save more money.

Buy Supermarket Brands
This goes without saying, most of the time you can save money by choosing supermarket brands over the major brand names. I’ve found there’s little difference in taste or quality.

Look High and Low
And I probably don’t have to tell you the most expensive items in the store are placed at eye level. Yep, they know we’re a lazy bunch of shoppers. Most bargains are placed on the top and bottom shelves and that’s the places to look first.

Substitute Ingredients
I sometimes make tuna instead of chicken pot pies not because of cost but just for some variety. Substituting a lower cost item can help stretch your dollar too.

Here are some of my favorite low cost recipes. The first one I came up with when I thought about the wonderful deep fried stuffed poblano peppers at a local restaurant. Delicious but I didn’t want to go to all the trouble of making the recipe myself so this was a quick and easy alternative.

Chile Rellano Casserole (Serves 4-6)•2 4 ½ ounce cans of chopped green chiles
•2 cups, shredded sharp cheddar cheese
•3 eggs, beaten
•3 tablespoons flour
•1 cup of salsa, your choice of mild or spicy
•1 small can (7 ½ ounces) evaporated milk
•To serve…more shredded cheese, salsa and sour cream

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray.
Place the chopped green chiles on the bottom of the dish, top with the cheese.
Mix together the eggs, milk and flour and pour over the cheese.
Pour the salsa on top
(Don’t Mix any of these layers together)
Bake for about 30 minutes or until the center is set and the top lightly golden brown

Blue Cheese Roasted Potatoes
This one I like because it can really add some pizzazz to plain hamburgers or it’s great just by itself.
(Serves 4 or 8 as an appetizer)

•2 pounds of potatoes Yukon Golds are great
•¼ cup oil, olive or vegetable
•salt and pepper
•½ cup of crumbled blue cheese

1.Wash and scrub the potatoes well, but don’t peel them. Cut them into wedges and place in a bowl. Add the oil and a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper. I sometimes use some Mrs. Dash seasoning too. Make sure all the potatoes get coated with the oil and seasonings.
2.Place the coated potatoes on a baking sheet and cook in a 350 degree oven until they’re golden brown…usually about 30-40 minutes. While they’re cooking tear off pieces of foil and make squares about 8 by 8 inches.
3.Take the potatoes out of the oven and place a serving size on each piece of foil and sprinkle them with blue cheese. Wrap them so they look like packages. Serve immediately.

I’ve also added herbs like oregano and substituted feta cheese for the blue cheese for a really Mediterranean flavor. And if you’re a vegetarian, they’re great all by themselves or pair perfectly with veggie burgers.

Vegetable Stuffed Poblano Peppers
A few years ago I was asked to write an article on low fat Mexican cooking and had to come up with three recipes, this was one of them. It makes the most of inexpensive beans and vegetables. If you can’t find poblano peppers, green peppers work too.
(Serves 4)

•4 poblano peppers, small to medium size
•1 tablespoon oil
•1 cup of chopped onion
•1 medium size carrot, grated
•2 small zucchini, cut into bite sized cubes
•1 15.5. can pinto beans
•1 10 oz can enchilada sauce, mild or spicy to your liking
•1 teaspoon chili powder
•1 teaspoon oregano
•1 teaspoon cumin
•Salt to taste
•1 cup shredded cheese, divided. I use a sharp cheddar because it has a strong flavor and you end up having to use less cheese.

1.Wash and cut open one side of the peppers, leave the stalk intact, but remove all the seeds and membranes, rinse and place in a large saucepan filled with water. Cook the peppers for about five minutes until they turn a deeper green color. *Make sure you put a lid on as I’ve found although poblano peppers aren’t that spicy, you can get some ‘pepper fumes’ that fill the kitchen. Drain and set aside.

2.Heat the oil in a medium size saucepan, add the onion and cook for about 2-3 minutes.

3.Add the zucchini and carrots and cook for about ten minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chili powder, oregano and cumin and make sure all the vegetables are coated.

4.Add the pinto beans, stir and remove from the heat.

5.Add ½ cup of shredded cheese and stir until it’s melted.

6.Pour about half the can of enchilada sauce into a casserole dish.

7.Stuff each pepper with the vegetable mixture and place on top of the sauce. Pour the rest of the sauce over the peppers and cover the casserole dish with foil.

8.Place in a 375-degree oven for about 15 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the pepper and return them to the oven until the cheese has melted.

Serve with salsa and sour cream, or for a more substantial meal, you can serve them on top a bed of rice and warmed tortillas.

, , , , ,

Putting a New Spin on Everyday Dishes

In Budget Smart Cook on June 9, 2010 at 4:29 pm

One drawback to being a budget smart cook is things can get repetitious. You have a list of foods and meals you know are budget friendly and you make them over and over again. It’s happened to me and I’m sure you’ve also faced the same dilemma. Here are some ways I try to put a new spin of some favorite meals.

Tacos
How many times have you served tacos? And how could you possibly make them different? I’ve not changed the recipe just the way I serve them. Sometimes I serve ‘taco stacks’. I use corn tortillas and layer them with the usual taco fixings, ground beef or chicken, shredded cheese and lettuce and chopped tomatoes. I top everything with a corn tortilla and put a dollop of sour cream and salsa in the center.

Just last week I decided to make fish tacos but I’ve been using the same recipe for years. I had some leftover taco seasoning and fish sticks and while the fish was baking, I sprinkled the seasoning over the top and let it bake into the breading. You can serve them with soft or hard taco shells, taco sauce, shredded lettuce, cheese and sour cream and you’ve got an easy, inexpensive meal.

Meat and Potatoes
I call this the quick and easy, inexpensive ‘pot roast’. Put a layer of cubed potatoes in a roasting pan top with chopped carrots and onions; add some salt and pepper and then top with chicken drumsticks or Italian sausages. Cover with foil and put in a 375-degree oven for about 30-40 minutes. Remove the foil from the roasting pan during the last 15 minutes of cooking and give the meat and veggies a stir a couple of times to make sure everything gets uniformly golden brown. This is a really delicious dish that tastes like it cooked for hours.

Individual Dishes
Sometimes individual servings can give familiar foods a new look. I’ve made individual pot pies, meatloaves. I’ve also piped mashed potatoes into what I call ‘bird’s nests’ onto a baking sheet and dusted them with cheese. Bake them for about 10 minutes or until they’re warmed through and the cheese has turned golden brown. Eat as is or fill them. I sometimes use ground beef and vegetables for a different take on shepherd’s pie.

Pasta
Try using different pastas in some of your recipes. No more elbow macaroni for the macaroni and cheese, try ones like penne. And even give the way you serve it a different twist. Put it in individual dishes and top it with thin slices of tomatoes, (even try sun dried tomatoes) top with roasted breadcrumbs and cheese and grill until golden brown.
And spaghetti with marinara sauce never has to be plain again. Cook spaghetti as usual, drain and add two beaten eggs and about half a cup of cheese. Put into a casserole dish and bake in a 350 degree oven for about ten minutes or until mixture is set. Let stand for about five minutes then slice into wedges, pour sauce over each piece and top with some more cheese and broil until the cheese starts to bubble. Serve with marinara sauce on the side.

Pizza
Who says pizza always has to be flat? Try putting pizza dough into muffin pans, put about a tablespoon of pizza sauce onto the dough and then layer with your favorite toppings and bake as usual.

Potpies
I usually top a potpie with short crust pastry, but once in awhile I’ll use phyllo or puff pastry. It doesn’t cost much more and a box of phyllo pastry goes a long way. And I even make burritos using phyllo pastry too.

Burgers
Everyone thinks hamburgers are budget friendly but they can get boring. I’ve been trying lots of veggie burger recipes and also salmon and tuna ones too. Best thing is they make the perfect light meal for a hot summer night. And don’t use a regular hamburger bun. I like things like Italian or French breads, even cheese topped focaccia bread that I buy when it’s on sale and store in the freezer.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 36 other followers