Welcome Back To Me
6 years ago
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
MPS
its free!
Sorry I missed a couple days on the posting...I was busy building snowmen and laying low celebrating President's Day in style (w/ hot chocolate and snuggly socks!)
Now...the Military Postal Service. We can send packages from our post to any other in Europe (I think) or downrange (to deployed Soldiers) FREE!
Now THAT'S a deal! :)
I'm off to send 4 boxes to some deployed Soldiers!
Sorry I missed a couple days on the posting...I was busy building snowmen and laying low celebrating President's Day in style (w/ hot chocolate and snuggly socks!)
Now...the Military Postal Service. We can send packages from our post to any other in Europe (I think) or downrange (to deployed Soldiers) FREE!
Now THAT'S a deal! :)
I'm off to send 4 boxes to some deployed Soldiers!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A Nugget from the Suze Show-Stick together!
We enjoy watching the Suze Orman Show. One thing she said today really rang true for me. She was talking to this poor girl, almost 21 yrs old, who got a credit card at 18 with a limit of $400. She "spent it" right away and continued to do so with subsequent cards. She...not lying...did not know she had to pay that money back. Seriously??? Parents are responsible for teaching their children financial responsibility. But that's not what I'm here to talk about. I don't even have kids. What I'm here to pass along from her show today was what she said next.
People in your life inflence your financial decisions (or something like that). She was talking about how growing up, apparently this girl has been handed everything. But here is what I took from that statement.
People join support groups all the time. They hang out with like minded people to get through challenges and struggles in their lives. They go out with people who eat healthily when they are trying to lose weight, lower their cholesterol or just be healthier. They exercise and train with people who have the same fitness goals. Why should financial health be any different?
Share your goals with your friends and family so that they can be supportive and you can support them. If you have a neighbor who has similar goals and circumstances, you can really benefit.
At home: Couples or singles living in adjacent apartment? Cook and share meals, split family sized portions that are often less expensive than single servings. Share herbs and spices that a small household might not ever use all of can be divided instead of wasted.
Share coupons with one another.
Going out: Split large entrees with a friend, encourage one another to make smart restaurant choices, and snack at home before going out.
Team up with people who can help you achieve your goals.
People in your life inflence your financial decisions (or something like that). She was talking about how growing up, apparently this girl has been handed everything. But here is what I took from that statement.
People join support groups all the time. They hang out with like minded people to get through challenges and struggles in their lives. They go out with people who eat healthily when they are trying to lose weight, lower their cholesterol or just be healthier. They exercise and train with people who have the same fitness goals. Why should financial health be any different?
Share your goals with your friends and family so that they can be supportive and you can support them. If you have a neighbor who has similar goals and circumstances, you can really benefit.
At home: Couples or singles living in adjacent apartment? Cook and share meals, split family sized portions that are often less expensive than single servings. Share herbs and spices that a small household might not ever use all of can be divided instead of wasted.
Share coupons with one another.
Going out: Split large entrees with a friend, encourage one another to make smart restaurant choices, and snack at home before going out.
Team up with people who can help you achieve your goals.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Love is all you need.
Happy Valentines Day!
Call me a scrooge, but that's all you get. I made a card (two actually) for my sweet husband. We agreed no presents. He got me a postcard and (against the rules) a spaghetti portioner! But it's more a gift for our family than a Valentines gift because we have been talking about it for quite some time. He saw it the other day when he was down the street watching the fire drama unfold. He also got me (really against the rules) a package of roses and Laugh, Live, Love rub ons for scrapbooking.
He spent just a few euro, and I could not be happier. Certainly not happier with some 50euro dozen roses that are going to die in a few days.
Happy Valentines Day. Enjoy the love. It's really all you need.
Call me a scrooge, but that's all you get. I made a card (two actually) for my sweet husband. We agreed no presents. He got me a postcard and (against the rules) a spaghetti portioner! But it's more a gift for our family than a Valentines gift because we have been talking about it for quite some time. He saw it the other day when he was down the street watching the fire drama unfold. He also got me (really against the rules) a package of roses and Laugh, Live, Love rub ons for scrapbooking.
He spent just a few euro, and I could not be happier. Certainly not happier with some 50euro dozen roses that are going to die in a few days.
Happy Valentines Day. Enjoy the love. It's really all you need.
Friday, February 13, 2009
$2-$3? FOR A DRINK???
That's right. Just about anywhere you go, it's going to run you a couple bucks for a beverage. Some days I'd pay $5 for 4 ounces of ice cold fountain Coke! And that's okay! But most days I'd be just as happy with some water to wash down my meal. It's better for my body anyway! So, today's lesson:
Just because it's part of the "meal deal" doesn't mean it is cost effective or even a "deal" at all.
If you are getting a meal to go, or eating in a food court type setting, take a small bottle of water with you. This can be a refillable Nalgene or those stainless steel type bottles, or a disposable Dasani (or whatever). Two notes-#1: I'm told it is not a good idea to buy one disposable and keep refilling it. Something about bacteria or the plastic leeching out or something. #2: I get it if you don't want to whip out your stash in a restaurant for fear of embarrassment or being told you can't do that.
Anyway, it is less expensive than $2, that's for sure.
Today at Taco Bell:
1 Nacho Bell Grande (no tomatoes, and BTW, I think I'm going to ask how much for extra tomatoes and when they tell me I'm going to ask for a discount since I don't want any. ;) )
+ 1 cruncy taco
total: $4.88
Same food as a number whatever. Who am I kidding? I know it's a #5. I've ordered it enough times! To be fair, the taco isn't a "supreme", so I'm missing out on a squirt of sour cream and more tomatoes I don't want.
Just because it's part of the "meal deal" doesn't mean it is cost effective or even a "deal" at all.
If you are getting a meal to go, or eating in a food court type setting, take a small bottle of water with you. This can be a refillable Nalgene or those stainless steel type bottles, or a disposable Dasani (or whatever). Two notes-#1: I'm told it is not a good idea to buy one disposable and keep refilling it. Something about bacteria or the plastic leeching out or something. #2: I get it if you don't want to whip out your stash in a restaurant for fear of embarrassment or being told you can't do that.
Anyway, it is less expensive than $2, that's for sure.
Today at Taco Bell:
1 Nacho Bell Grande (no tomatoes, and BTW, I think I'm going to ask how much for extra tomatoes and when they tell me I'm going to ask for a discount since I don't want any. ;) )
+ 1 cruncy taco
total: $4.88
Same food as a number whatever. Who am I kidding? I know it's a #5. I've ordered it enough times! To be fair, the taco isn't a "supreme", so I'm missing out on a squirt of sour cream and more tomatoes I don't want.
Cost of #5? $6.89. That's $2.01 for a drink.
Again, I'm not asking you to give up your favorite. If you really think the meal is better with the Coke (or Dr Pepper or whatever) GET IT. I'd be getting it at Sonic! I'm just letting you know, you have options. They try to make you think you don't. Here's how the conversation went:
TB Guy: WelcometoTacoBellCanItakeyourorder? <--said REAL FAST as though it is one word. That's how our Taco Bell guy is.
Me: One Nacho Bell Grande no tomatoes and one crunchy taco, please.
TB Guy: You want the meal?
Me: No thank you.
TB Guy: Drink?
Me: No thank you.
TB Guy: Wouldyoulikecinnamoncrispswiththat?
Me: No thank you.
TB Guy: Hereortogo?
Me: Here, please.
TB Guy: $4.88.
I'm in and out under five dollars.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Cooking for Two
It seems I have two natural speeds. For one, which I perfected over the course of 20 single years, and for a bunch, which is how most meat is packaged. We need for two. So I am learning how to cook for husband and self, not more. Why? A couple of reasons.
#1, I don't like reheated chicken. I've come a long way where chicken is concerned. Not all the way to "on the bone", but a good distance from "chicken is disgusting". So if we cook a pkg of chicken breasts, there are too many to eat in one meal.
#2, some foods are not conducive to next-day-take-to-work lunch leftovers. Like pulled pork sandwiches. Just too messy. Tacos, same deal.
#3, if you cook way too much, the leftovers just become unbearable. Ever made a GIANT pot of soup (ie vegetable or taco) and then you can't eat it for a year because you are so sick of it?
All of these scenarios end in food thrown away or overeating because we don't want to feel bad about wasting. And that translates to wasted money.
Here is what I'm working out:
Chicken breasts-4 in a package. One night, Fried Onion crusted baked chicken with potatoes and a vegetable. The next night, chicken fajitas (marinate the over the first night).
1 lb hamburger meat-Make 1/2 pound for tacos, and two 1/4 pound patties for hamburgers.
The trick is in the planning. I always knew planning was a GOOD thing!
#1, I don't like reheated chicken. I've come a long way where chicken is concerned. Not all the way to "on the bone", but a good distance from "chicken is disgusting". So if we cook a pkg of chicken breasts, there are too many to eat in one meal.
#2, some foods are not conducive to next-day-take-to-work lunch leftovers. Like pulled pork sandwiches. Just too messy. Tacos, same deal.
#3, if you cook way too much, the leftovers just become unbearable. Ever made a GIANT pot of soup (ie vegetable or taco) and then you can't eat it for a year because you are so sick of it?
All of these scenarios end in food thrown away or overeating because we don't want to feel bad about wasting. And that translates to wasted money.
Here is what I'm working out:
Chicken breasts-4 in a package. One night, Fried Onion crusted baked chicken with potatoes and a vegetable. The next night, chicken fajitas (marinate the over the first night).
1 lb hamburger meat-Make 1/2 pound for tacos, and two 1/4 pound patties for hamburgers.
The trick is in the planning. I always knew planning was a GOOD thing!
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