A Deal for Getting Organized

Don't worry. Organize yourself, Get a deal and you'll feel better. Invest in a few little tools can make a big different in helping you feel organized and in control. This week, the Container Store is offering 20% off everything in the store. What a bargain!

To help you out, here are a few of my favorite things that you can get at The Container Store. BTW - Most of these items will make great stocking stuffers.

Cooknook Cookbook Holder. ($12.99) Install it underneath your kitchen cabinet. You'll be able to easily read your recipes without losing your counter space. Fold it up underneath the cabinet done.

Magnetic Tape ($1.99) Make a magnetic out of almost anything with this flexible tape. Me? I make magnetics out of old game pieces, but you can use it on postcards, picture frames, and pens.

Monkey Door Hooks ($9.99) Whimsical and purposeful, these monkeys are a fun addition to a mudroom, bathroom or kids room. Hooks can be used for towels, backpacks, umbrellas and more!

Undershelf Baskets ($12.99) Add instant storage to your cabinets with these baskets. Great way to keep your baking supplies organized, your plates neatly stacked, and your linens nearby!

Conceal BookShelves ($9.99 - $12.99). Wickedly cool to use - Make a stack of books look like they float in the air. Holds about 15 lbs, and stacks 16 inches high. This product is definitely a form and function product that's nice to have!

Waterbottles ($3.99) and Waterbottle straps ($3.99). Leakproof bottles that are ergonomically designed and waterbottle straps for hands free lugging around of your water.


Booksling ($4.99) You'll always remember where you left off in your book when you use a booksling.

Title Nine Blowout Sale

Looking for a cheap deal or bargain on fashion forward performance to wear for the gym, yoga class, or when exploring the outdoors? Then look no further than the Title Nine Blowout Sale coming to Boston, Thursday, October 15 - Sunday, October 18. Great savings (up to 60%) on shorts, pants, running shoes and hiking gear, swimsuits, bras, tees and shoes! You'll never look so good breaking a sweat and saving money. Logistics listed below:

Hours:
======
Thursday & Friday: 10 am - 7 pm
Saturday: 10am - 5 pm
Sunday: 10 am - 4pm

Location:
=======
Redstone Shopping Center
117 Main Street
Stoneham, MA 02180

MasterCard, Visa, cash and checks. No gift cards or Discover (boo hoo!)

Saving Money Buying Toys

Attention, recession weary shoppers! You can save money buying toys this holiday season. With a little effort and some planning, you can buy great toys and save some money doing it. Start shopping early this year. With this recession, less inventory will be stocking the shelves during the holiday season.

How to figure out what the hot toys for 2009 will be. Mark October 28th on your calender. Its the day that Toy Retailers Association will announce the Hot List of "It" toys for the upcoming holiday season. Return to this entry on 10/28, select "Toy Retailers Association" and you'll get redirected to the list!

A Few Thoughts on Where to Shop...
Toys R Us. While the rest of the country celebrates Christopher Columbus, you'll find me at Toys R Us annual toy sale where Buy One Get One Free Hasbro Games is happening.

Michaels. Almost every week, Michael's Craft Store offers a 40-50% off one item at the retail price. Great selection of arts and crafts, puzzles, and model toys. And at this price, why not pick up something you can donate to your local Toys for Tots campaign.

Wal-Mart. Wal-mart will be offering more than 100 toys for $10 each during the holiday season. Additionally, Wal-mart will match any local competitor's advertised price on the same toy product if it falls below $10.

Borders and/or Barnes and Noble. Good selection of speciality toys and games which can often be bought at 20% - 30% discount when you use a coupon. Just google "Borders" or "Barnes and Nobles" and "coupon" to find the latest promotion.

Luxury Sample Sale Boston Design Store

Furniture. Lighting. Flooring. Rugs. Art. Accessories. Antiques. Oh, my! Time to hit the Luxury Sample Sale at the Boston Design Center this weekend. It's quite the treasure hunt for extraordinary, unique home furnishings. Great place to pick up an designer accent piece or conversation item for your great room of yours at bargain prices. Up to 75% off! That's nice!

Admission is $10. Paid parking available nearby. 10 - 5 on Sat (10/3); 12 - 5 on Sun (10/4)

Visit Boston Design to pre-register and enter a chance to win $500 shopping spree and other prizes.

Time to buy that new rug you've been thinking of...
Happy Shopping!

The Perfect White Shirt

Time to re-stock the closet with timeless classics for work and play. This week, my focus was on affordable white shirts with classic style. Why? I'm dashing out of the house awful early these days, and I just want to grab something that always looks good with whatever I'm wearing for the day. My favorite look for fall is a stark white French Cuff shirt. Classic. Timeless. And looks as good worn with jeans as it does with a designer pantsuits. Luckily - it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Check out my finds below...


Lands End Modern Long Sleeve: $49 (and currently 20% off at Lands End Shops within Sears). Affordable no-iron dress shirt with a bit of stretch. Nice French cuffs too! An excellent basic utility dress shirt.

Ann Taylor Cotton French Cut Shirt. $70. Nice V neck and rhinestone button cuff links. If you can't afford diamond cuff links, rhinestone buttons may be the way to go!

BrooksBrothers French Cuff Shirt. $89 or 2 for $149. Tailored fit. with French Knot buttons at the cuff. Definitely a prepster's fashion statement and one of Oprah's favorite picks for Fall last year. Seems pricey, but its quite a bargain. High quality. Maintains it shape. Great cut of fabric. I buy one every year. Love them!

FYI - What's old again is new. You can always update that old white shirt you have hanging in your closet. Spruce it up by replacing the buttons with french knot buttons (sold at JoAnn Fabrics. 4 for $1.89). Tres trendy (and thrifty too!)

Pizza

Nothing like a good pizza pie to kick off a holiday weekend. I've just prepped my dough and toppings for my own little celebration. I thought I'd share my favorite recipes for homemade pizza that you can make for your family and friends. Better yet, save yourself effort by making a simple pizza dough and provide the toppings. Let your guests have fun doing the rest.

Recipes. Here are two great recipes for homemade pizza dough. You'll save time making these recipes. They're quicker to make than ordering take-out and much cheaper to make than buying a pre-made pizza.

King Arthur Flour - Easiest Pizza You'll Ever Make. Great basic recipe that is easily completed by hand. Consider adding 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil and 1 tablespoon of a herb (e.g., rosemary or Italian seasoning) for an extra flavor boost.

Sarah Moulton Food Processor Pizza Dough. Another great recipe but this recipe requires you to use a food processor rather than hand mix. Try making her Middle East Pizza or Grilled Southwestern Pizza. Fantastic combinations of flavors that can bring out the very best in your pies!

Music. When I make pizzas, I play Italian music. I think music adds alittle something to the dinner. So head off to the library, and check out compilation of Italian bistro music or perhaps so Pavarotti. Or download some songs:
- songs for your Italian dinner. recommended by my friend Robert
- the ideal Italian dinner party - recommended by Global Journey
- The Godfather and Cantable for the Violin and Guitar - by LastFM

Games. While the pizzas are baking in the oven, it's always good to have a few activities planned to keep friends and family entertained. A few ideas listed below that are fun for both adults and kids.
- Personalize Chef Hats.
- Kitchen Charades
- Hot Pizza (a twist on the "hot potato" game)
- Trivia (take a few cards from a Trivia Pursuit Game and pass them around for guest to read and ask others for answers)

Tent Sale. Cheap Deals on the Holiday Weekend

When most folks think of Labor Day; they think Back to School. When I think of Labor Day, I think great Tent Sales where the bargains are many, the merchandise is good, and the deals are cheap. Here are a few great tent sales that I'm aware of. If you know of any great warehouse sales or tent sales this weekend, let me know and I'll post the information.

Restoration Hardware. Sept 3 - 7. Rugs, lightening, furniture, and linens available at steep discount. Additionally, Restoration Hardware is offering an additional $25 for every $100 spent.

Eastern Boarder. Sept 4 -7 in Leominster, MA. 40 - 50% off all things snowboarding related. Great opportunity to upgrade your bindings, buy new boats, or grab a fashion jacket at discount.

Reebok and Rockport. Thru Sept 7. Stoughton, Ma. Shoes, hats and workout gear. You'll never look so good heading out to the gym!

LL Bean Outlet Sale. Sept 4 - 7. Concord, Nashua, & Claremont NH. Save up to 70%. Technically, this isn't a tent sale, but honestly, the discount too good to pass up.

Happy Shopping.

A Step Ahead of Christmas with Cheap Deals

I was telling someone this weekend that the secret to enjoying the Christmas holidays often rests in the ability to think of Christmas well ahead of day. Advanced planning is the only way to save money, time and effort in preparing for the holidays. So, start now in order to enjoy a hassle free holiday. Here are a few tips to get you started...

Be a perennial shopper. Keep an eye out throughout the year for great sales and clearance items that you can take advantage. Pick a theme an build gift baskets around it by filling it with end of season items, great sales items, and clearance items that you find throughout the year. Examples: (1) Flip flops, beach ball, beach towel, beach chair (with fan!), frisbee - all for $23. (2) Golf shirt, Scrabble (golf version), box of golf balls, and magnetic poetry - golf version - $25. (3) Stainless steel coffee thermo, 3 lbs of gourmet coffee, NY Crossword Puzzle book -$18. (4) Hand painted needlepoint canvas, assorted threads, needlepoint scissors, and needle case - $20. Great stuff. Cheap Prices. True Bargains.

Store Gifts in One Location. It's just easier to keep everything in one place. I put all gift purchases in an armoire. And organization is key to saving effort. In the armoire, I've got gift bags set up for the different themes, labelled with the intended recipient's name. I toss items in the bags, so everything is pre-sorted come the holidays.

Make your gift list. I keep my gift list in my armoire. I cross names off the list as I stock the gift armoire with purchases. This helps me keep track of who I've bought for, what I've bought, and how much inventory I've got left to work with.

Know your sales. I've been tracking my favorite stores for so long, I know when the best time to do my shopping. Every Columbus Day weekend, Toys R Us runs a Buy One; Get One Free Hasbro Game Sale. LL Bean Outlet runs a 50% off Canvas Tote bag sale. Michaels runs 25% off Everything in the Store Sale. And yes, every year, I'm there stockpiling, games, tote bags, and arts & crafts at deep discount.

Yard Sales, Garage Sales, Estate Sales, whatever - just go. You'd be amazed at the great gifts that you can be found at bargain prices. A copper weather vane (great gift for a friend's barn), original edition Scrabble (for a crossword enthusiast), antique tools and hinges (for a woodworking hobbyist), and a cordless cookie gun and cake decorating kit (for me, the baker- even I need a luxury every now and then.)

Knowing What Plants to Grow

Ever get frustrated trying to figure out which plants will work in your garden or why a plant isn't thriving? Get yourself an EasyBloom Plant Sensor ($49 -60)and take the guesswork out of what to plant. This tool monitors your soil environment (e.g., sunnlight, temperature, humidity, soil moisture and drainage) and then provides you with plant recommendations (e.g, what to buy, how to care for it, pruning, fertilization, etc.) specific to your garden's conditions. So you save money by buying the right plants upfront, and save effort because you'll know what does/doesn't work for your garden.

And it's easy to use. Leave the sensor in your garden for at least 24 hrs, then hook it up to your computer's UBS port. It connects to the Easy Bloom website and turns the sensor's readings into recommendations for plants for your soil environment. Once you've received your results set, you can then filter based on desired bloom color or season, plant height, drought tolerant, deer resistant, and other features.

Christmas is around the corner. EasyBloom Plant Sensor is a great gift for a beginner gardener, anyone who has moved and has a new garden to set up, and co-workers with lots of plants in the office.

Related Links:
Buy on Amazon
EasyBloom website
Plan A Garden

Good Paint vs Cheap Paint

I've decided to paint the living room. A color selected (wild ochre), but not after the great debate on paint brand. When you're trying to manage a budget, save money, find a bargain or save yourself some effort - how do you tell the difference between good paint and cheap paint? Is Behr paint different from Valspar or Olympic? Who is Benjamin Moore and why should we buy his paint over Sherman Williams? How much is too much to pay for a can of paint? Is $50 can of Benjamin Moore that much better than $30 can of Behr?

The answer - Yes. Paint professionals will tell you "You get what you pay for." Price is a good indicator of quality. While good paint and cheap paint look the same when you pop off the lid, the differences lie in the materials used to make the paint (technically speaking, it's the binders, pigments, and additives). How long the paint lasts, how easy it is to apply, scrubability, mildew resistance, sheen, and hiding (e.g., how it hides surface imperfections all depends on these ingredients.

To learn more, here's a great article "Why Pay More for Paint" by Scott Cohen of Fine Homebuilding. You'll learn how paint is made, how to select paint based on your project, and when to turn to Ralph Lauren, Laura Ashley and Martha Stewart. (Answer: for unique color, textures, and finishes).

Related articles:
What paint type is for you?
Short cuts that make painting less of a chore
Estimating the amount of paint to buy
Paint Calculator

A Cool Dip on a Hot Summer Eve

No better treat on a hot summer night than a quick swim or dip in a refreshingly cool pond or lake. And it's a much better bargain and much cheaper deal than installing a pool ($75K because installation requires blasting through alot of ledge , renting a Chatham beachhouse ($3K/wk), joining the Westford swimclub ($700/year),or snagging a day pass to use at Stonehedge Inn to use their spa's pool ($20). And there's no maintenance to be done, so you always save time and money. Net, net - Your local public lake or pond may be your best bargain for a cool dip on a hot summer eve.

Springs Brook Park, Bedford MA. - The swimming hole by which all others should be judged by. This place must be one of greater Boston's best kept secret. Fantastic man-made pond with underwater filtration system that keep the water clear and the muck away from the sandy bottom, aqua slides and water parks for the kids, basketball & volleyball courts, picnic areas and a snack bar. Well-staffed with lifeguards and a super clean bathhouse to boot. $7 per person (all day); $3 after 4 p.m., Free after 5PM. Truly paradise has been found in suburbia.


Other great swimming holes (though none as delightful as Springs Brook Park) include: (1) Walden Pond, Concord MA ( $9 /person daily) and (2) Crystal Lake, Newton MA. ($10/person daily)

And after cooling off at Spring Brook Park, end your day with an ice cream at Bedford Farms Ice Cream Stand. Delicious!

Kitchen Wisdom

A few simple tips to a better baking experience based on lessons learned in the kitchen. Ahh, the kitchen wisdom I've learned through trial and error and few good cookbooks! These tips should save you some effort when working in the kitchen; the substitutes should help you save some cash by avoid the overstocking of your shelves with ingredients rarely used.

Meringue: For the stiffest of egg peaks, beat your eggs whites in a well-chilled metallic bowl rather than a plastic bowl.

Cheesecake: Avoid having your cheesecake crack as it cools by running the knife around the edge of the pan as soon as you remove it from the oven to cool.

Buttermilk. If you don't have buttermilk on hand, use the following substitute. For every one cup of buttermilk needed, mix one cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar.

Ledges on Edges. -Eliminate the unwanted rims around the edges of muffins and breads. Grease your pans on the bottom and half way up the sides of the pans.

Flaky Pastry. For the lightest, flakiest dough, use butter not margarine. Make sure the butter is well chilled. And grate your butter rather than use pastry knifes.

Chocolate Substitutes. Always best to use the type of chocolate called for in a recipe. In a pinch, use one of these substitutes: (1) 1 ounce unsweetened = 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon cooking oil. (2) 1 ounce semisweet = use 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate & 1 tablespoon sugar.

Melting Chocolate. Make sure the bowl you're using to melt the chocolate is clean and completely dry. Else, you're likely to create to lumps.

Soft/Stale Crackers. They make great cracker crumbs. Crush them, place them in an air tight container, keep them on hand in the freezer to use as a topping on casseroles or a coating for baked chicken or fish.

Cracker Crumbs: Save yourself the headache of clean up. Crush your crackers in a plastic ziploc bag and by using a rolling pin or a large drinking glass. Leave the bag open so a bit of air can escape as you complete the rolling.

Baking Pan Substitutions. I try to minimize the number of pans that I own. Here's how to manage your inventory of pans by using substitutes. - 10" bundt= (2) 8" x 2" rounds

- 10' x 2" round = 9" x 9"x 2" square

- 12 cup muffin tin = 8" x 4"x 2" loaf pan = 9" round = 8" square

(Note: baking times will vary depending on pan size, so you may need to adjust times slightly).

Check out Getting Serious with Baking Substitutes for additional tips on ingredient substitutes.

Easy Dinner Idea

I can never understand why most folks think lobster is too special to make for dinner any old day of the week. Price per pound, Lobster is cheaper than most cuts of steak. Most local markets are willing to steam them for you for free. And, it's a great summer meal that doesn't require you to heat up the kitchen. So, if you're looking for a dinner bargain that's easy to pull together, here's the main course suggestion and a few sides to round it out that makes a great complete dinner during the summer when you don't want to heat up the kitchen.

Lobster. Estimate 1 - 1/2 lb per person. Steam it at the market approx 1 hr before dinner. Store in a plastic bag or a cooler to keep it warm/hot.

Corn on the Cob. Some people grill corn; others boil it. Me? I steam it in the 5- 6 qt crockpot. Shuck the corn. Place in crockpot with 1 cup of water. Cook 2-3 hrs on low. (Yes. It's that simple.)

Clam Chowder. Grab yourself a few pints of Legal Seafood's Clam Chowder at your local market or BJs Warehouse. Place in crockpot. Cook on warm 2-3 hours.

Coleslaw. Make it yourself, grab the semi-premade Fresh Express bag and some Kraft Coleslaw dressing, or pick up a container at your deli.

Ice Cream Novelities. Go retro and pull together a selection of your favorite Ice Cream treats from your youth (e.g, drumsticks, ice cream sandwiches, italian ices, dillybars, etc.)

Havaianas Flip Flops

Attention Fashionistas! Save money while you look good this summer. Head to your local BJs Warehouse where you can buy Havaianas' flip flops for $8 (normally $44).

Havainas flip flops are often referred to within the fashion industry as the "rolls royce of flip flops". These flip flops are on the pages of the hottest fashion magazines (e.g., Vogue, InStyle, etc.) and on the feet of some of the world's biggest celebrities (e.g, Gisele, Jennifer Aniston, etc.).

A summer staple on the cheap, cheap! Hurry. Supplies are limited. This bargain won't last too long.

New England Book Mobile

About to head out to my favorite bookstore - New England Book Mobile on Needham Street, Newton. It's a truly a booklover's adventure. Shelves and shelves of books; the type of store you go into looking for one book but end up exiting with an arm full; a place to get lost in for just a few minutes or a few hours. And honestly, a bit overwhelming - so many books, so little time to read them all. All books organized by publisher. Excellent room of book bargains. Great selection of children's books supplemented with games, Klutz crafts and other wickedly cool things. Net, net - A great place to grab a good read.

Book Fair EveryDay Values include
20% off Paperbacks and Hardcovers Every Day
30% off New York Times Best Sellers (Hardcovers)
40% off 50 best selling cookbooks
Spend $50. Get a choice of 1 yr subscription to Bon Apetit, Gourmet, or Conde Nast Traveler.


Added Bonus: Today's Boston Globe features a 30% coupon off retail price for a one item. Nice savings particularly if you have a specific book in mind.

Looking for some inspiration - here's my short list of good reads to buy:
That Old Cape Cod - Richard Russo
The Condition - Jennifer Haigh
Perfection - Julie Mentz
The Girl Who Played With Fire - Steig Larsson

Directions to New England Book Mobile
Rte 128, exit 19A - 1 1/2 miles on right

Advanced Coupon Strategies

Here's the scoop on finding the real deals using coupons. These simple advanced coupon strategies can really help you save money.

Combine Coupons. Increase your savings by combining a manufacturer coupon with a store coupon for the same item. Hint: Take your savings to the next level, by combining these coupons during a store sale and/or coupling it with an in-store rebate.

Buy Multiple Papers. If the Sunday paper contains a good set of coupons, it may make sense buy another copy of it. Sometimes, you need to spend $3 on the extra paper to get an extra $15 saved in coupons - not a bad trade off. Hint: Some stores will discount their Sunday paper on Monday, so you can save even more money.)

Buy Out of Town Papers. Sunday coupon inserts vary region to region. Buying an out of town paper can score you coupons on products that you would otherwise not get.

Make A Coupon File. Carry your coupons with you wherever you go, so you can use your coupons on the fly. Talked with my nephews the other day, and within 5 minutes of the conversation, I forked over $35 in discounts and free passes to the movies and a museum. Hint: Organize them in a pocket file organizer with the 12 folders. Leave the organize in your car or carry it in your purse.

Double Your Savings. Find out which stores double coupons and up to what amount. At these stores, prices may run higher in generally, but a double coupon will still net you a great deal.

Buy an Entertainment Book. By July, the price for this book has dropped to $5 (from $30 in Nov). My edition offers 4 separate $5 coupons at my local supermarket. So, the $5 purchase nets me $15. In addition, the book is loaded with great coupons for the movies, the driving range, and a large variety of stores that I purchase at frequently. Chia-ching!

Sign up for Email Alerts. Register online at your favorite stores for email alerts and advance notice of sales. Hint: To manage the large volume of email, I have these alerts to a seperate email account that I use strictly for coupon tracking only.

Go to Coupon Sites. While there are hundreds of online coupon sites, here's my short list of the best of breed of e-coupons . I like these sites because: (1) the discounts are fresh, (2) the deals are reliable, and (3) the interfaces are easy to use. Coupons.com, CouponMom, Smartsource, Retailmenot, and Couponcabin.

Lowell Folk Festival - A Great $10 Date

Nothing like a good cheap date or a bargain to give this girl a thrill. Here's this week's perfect summer weekend pick for a great date for $10 or less.

Lowell Folk Festival. Doesn't matter how your musical tastes run, there is something for everyone at this festival - the largest of its kind in the country. Polka, Bluegrass, Jazz, Gospel, Zydeco. Quebecois, Western Swing, honky-tonk, brass bands, and many more. Definitely, a fun time and the potential for dancin' in the streets. Music is free at one of 6 outdoor venues across the City. Ethnic foods and arts/crafts also available. It must be good - New York Times just identified it as one its top picks for a summer getaway!

And while you're in Lowell, check out these other great things to do...

Visit the Lowell National Historic Park. Take a canal boat tour and explore the Merrimack River. $10

Boott Cotton Mill Museum. Visit the weaving room. Learn about the Industrial Revolution, the labor movement, and the rise, fall, and rebirth of Lowell. $6

American Textile History Museum. Learn all about the history of textile manufacturing revolution in America. Current exhibits are quite good. $8 -but save yourself some money and use a $2 off coupon available.

Cheaper Hotel Rooms

Just coached a friend through how to stretch her vacation dollars by saving money on hotel rooms. Reserving a hotel room is often the most expensive part of your travel plans. Try some of these great tips on saving money when booking your hotel room.

Bypass the 800# and call the hotel directly. Call the on-site reservation desk and get the deals and rewards associated with the particular hotel. Ask for package deals. and always end with "Is this the best offer you can provide?"

Ask at Check-In. When you arrive at the hotel, ask if any value-added options or room rates reductions have become available since you booked the room.

Celebrating a special occasion. Let the hotel know if you're celebrating a special occasion. It's one of the easiest ways to get a free upgrade.

Know how important the view is. If you're not interested in the ocean view or the size of the room doesn't matter, try negotiating for an alternative view, smaller room, or room in the hotel's annex at a lower price. If you're not going to enjoy the view, why pay for it?

Select off-season locations or of-peak times. It's no secret that room rates are cheaper in the off season and off-peak times. Travel right before or after the peak season for a favorite vacation hotspot. Traveling for a weekend? Select a hotel that caters to business travelers. On the weekends, these hotels are likely to have more rooms available and at cheaper rates.

Choose a University. University often rent their dorm rooms in the summer for a fraction of the price of a hotel. I have a niece who snagged a great room at Cornell Med School Dorms in downtown NYC for $30 a night. Might be no thrills rooming, but it's a bargain hard to beat.

Beware of hidden fees. Make sure you understand what services are available as part of your room rate. It's not uncommon for hotels to charge extra for services as newspaper delivery, wireless access, or parking. It's often less expensive to go off property for these things (e.g., buy the paper at local newsstand, surf for free at a local bake shop or park a few blocks away from the hotel property). If these services are part of a packaged deal and you have no plans to use them, negotiate these services out for a lower rate.

Call the local Chamber of Commerce. You can often get lower hotel rates through special offers at local Chamber of Commerce.

Use your memberships. If you're a AAA member or AARP member, have an Entertainment Book, membership can often save you 10-20% off a room rate.

Free Pastry @ Starbucks on 7/21

I'm beginning to think that I'll never pay for another cup of coffee or a sweet treat anymore. It seems like almost everyone is offering an incentive to get buyers into their storefronts. Anyhow, here's the latest way to save some money with little or no effort...

On Tuesday, July 21, stop by your local Starbucks and get a free pastry to go with your morning brew. Promotion runs from store's opening until 10:30 or whenever pastry runs out. Promotion celebrates Starbuck's new line of breakfast goods baked without artificial preservatives, colors or trans fats. Just show your coupon to your barista.

Saving Money by Winning at Rebates

Filing this week's rebates for Staples purchases - $26 of back to school supplies (e.g., pencils, pens, and highlighters) for free. Thus far, in July, I'm getting $80+ cash back in rebates. Thought I would share my tips for winning at the rebate game. It takes some effort and time, but you can save alot of money redeeming rebates.

Know your threshold for following through. According to a recent Aberdeen Group survey involving 175 companies, redemption rates on rebates is 58%. So, if you don't submit the paperwork and can't handle the wait time, rebates aren't for you. You're likely to pay more for the item than if you waited for the item to go on sale.

Be disciplined. Most folks think they'll process the paperwork, but never get around to it. Give yourself a deadline (e.g., 48 hrs post purchase) to complete the paperwork.

Avoid losing the rebate on a technicality. Follow directions. Most rebates are rejected because the consumer failed to follow the directions correctly (e.g., used the wrong bar code, incomplete information, wrong UPC code or rebate receipt code, using a PO box when physical street address is required, missing box top etc.)

Know what's required. Understand the deadlines for submission, rebates available per customer, rebates per physical address, special instructions, proof of purchase requirements, etc. Sometimes the cost and effort of processing the rebate outweigh the value of the rebate.

Make copies. Make copies of all documents before you mail them. If you need to contest a rebate rejection, you'll need your backup.

Track the time. Mark the process time on a calender so you can follow up if you're in non-receipt of your rebate check within a reasonable time.

Watch the mail. Some rebate checks can look like junk mail,so watch the mail carefully to avoid accidentally tossing them out. Once you receive it, cash it. Most checks have an expiration date.

Free Book Download On Monday

Free giveaways are a great thing in a recession, don't you think? Just caught wind of a great free book give-away courtesy of Miss Oprah Winfrey that starts on Monday, July 20. Save yourself some money; reap the benefits of a great bargain and a good read too!

On Monday, just sign in to Oprah.com and get your free download of Jill Ciment's novel "Heroic Measures" a taut, moving, accomplished novel set in a fraught, post-9/11 New York... about real estate, dog love, and a city on alert. and an elderly couple and their dachshund. Critics' comments include include "Poignant"; "Boldly Conceived" and "lively and edgy".

Need a head start and some motivation to download? A Chapter 1 excerpt is available online and featured in the July 2009 "O" magazine.

Great bargain for readers on a budget. Enjoy!

7/20 note: download available for 48 hrs, starting at 11:00 a.m. today

The $10 Date. Saving Money, Having Fun.

Spent a recent weekend on a great date that I'd like to share with those of you looking to save some cash, do something a little different, and have some fun without draining your wallet. Another fun time for $10 or less.

Head out for a fantastic ride on the MinuteMan Bikeway (also know as America's Rail Trail) in Lexington Center. Ride, walk, run or rollerblade yourself through Bedford, Lexington, Arlington and Cambridge.

Get yourself a a good lickin' at Rancatore's Ice Cream Shop in Lexington Center for a freshly made ice cream cone (The chocolate cinnamon chip , anyone?).

Catch a revolutionary re-enactment. Head over to the Battlegreen Common (also known as Lexington Common) - the site of the opening shot of the American Revolution (i.e., the shot heard around the world) where you're likely to catch a revolutionary re-enactment on the weekends.

Wander through the National Heritage Museum. (Free Admission) Founded by the Freemasons (who count George Washington, Ben Franklin, Paul Revere and John Hanna amongst its members), it celebrates the traditional history of the American Revolution and popular culture. Current exhibits include the Enchanted Clocks of George McFadden - a series of whimsical cuckoo clocks from the man who also created Boston's historic Enchanted Village. And A Penny for Your Thoughts: Postcards from the Golden Age, 1898 -1918

Staples Back to School Sale

April showers bring May flowers and Staples Back to School sales in July. aBck to school deals are a great way to stock up on supplies and save money too. Last year, I stock my home office completely with the weekly deals at Staples.

This week's weekly flyer features $.01 (penny) deals, $1 deals, Easy Saver Rebates, and a special $5 off $20 purchase coupon. Most deals are limited to 2 items per customer (so don't forget to drag your spouse along, ring his purchases separately, and double your supplies and savings). These deals end on July 15. Read Coupon Sudoku (below) to max. saving money.

Penny Deals
Staples pencils 8ct. 1¢ (until 7/15)
Staples Copy Paper 1 ream for 1¢ (Final price after you submit $3.68 for an online rebate)

Dollar Deals
Photo Paper 4″x6″ for $1 (Final price after you submit $8.99 for an online rebate.)
Pencil cases, $1
Stapler, $1
5 " scissors 2pk., $1
BIC Wite-Out Quick Dry, 2 Pack, $1
Pink Wedge Erasers, 3 Pack, $1
Sharpie Major Accent® Highlighters, Assorted, 6 Pk, $1
BIC Velocity Stick Fashion Pens, Assorted, 5 Pack, $1
Scotch Magic Tape, $1

Coupon Sudoku
And now for alittle Coupon Sudoku - my term for how to line up your purchase to maximize your savings in minimal time:

Scenario #1: Spend less, Save 50%+
Buy the tollowing items:
(2) of every dollar deal ($16)
(2) reams of Copy Paper ($3.69 each)
==========================
Subtotal: $23.38
Less $5 off $20 coupon = $18.38
Less $7.36 in rebates($3.68 x 2, for the reams of paper)=
$11.02 (final price)


Scenario #2: Get more money back than you actually spent.
Buy the following items:
(2) Staples Photo Paper ($9.99 each,)
(2) Staples Pencils 8 Ct ($.01)
========================
Subtotal: $20
Less $5 off $20 coupon= $15.00
Less $17.98 in rebates ($8.99 each x2 for the photo paper) =
$2.98 net profit - Yes, you make more money than you spent


Random Note: And since there is almost always a McDonalds near a Staples Store, you might as well celebrate Free Coffee Monday. Get a free 7 oz iced Mocha or an 8 oz hot McCafe Mocha at participating McDonalds from 7 am to 7 pm.

Sears Friends & Family Discount Today

As if Free Starbuck's Ice Cream wasn't enough to make your smile, here's another great way to save some money. Go to the Sears Friends and Family VIP event today. Save yourself an extra 5 -15% on almost everything at Sears in store ( 6 - 9 p.m. ) and online (6 p.m. - 4 a.m)

4 great ways to save:

• 15% off women’s, men’s and kids’ apparel, accessories, fine jewelry and shoes1 (apply to regular, sale and clearance price)
• 5-15% off Lands’ End merchandise (in-store only)
• 5% off savings on TVs 40 inches and larger, digital cameras, GPS and DVD players. (You're probably looking at $50 - $60 savings)
• Additional 10% off Kenmore appliances (already on sale for 20%). Time to get that stainless steel bachelor fridge you've been eyeing!

Happy Shopping!

Free Starbucks Ice Cream

Now, here's a sweet deal for Facebook fans looking to save some money ($4) and enjoy some ice cream too! Win a free pint of Starbuck's Ice Cream. This promo runs through July 19th. One coupon per household address. Click here to access the link, then follow the instructions.



Four choices of ice cream flavors:

Caramel Macchiato

Mocha Frappuccino

Java Chip Frappuccino

Coffee





FYI : I'll be get the java chip frappuccino and sandwiching it between two giant Oreo cookie lids (purchased at Ocean State Job Lots). So feel free to drop and enjoy Don't know what to do with your print, check out the recipes available at Starbucksicecream.com

Key Lime Pie. 4 Steps to Deliciousness

Needed to whip up a quick dessert for some unexpected guests stopping by. After raiding the pantry, I decided whip up a Key Lime Pie. Next time you're caught in a similiar situation, save yourself some effort and time driving to the market, waiting in line, etc. Once you read the recipe, you'll realize how easy it is to make. Costs $4 to make from semi-scratch; $14 to buy at the market. The $10 saved buys an awful lot of Ice Cafe Lattes this weekend.

Ingredients:
1 Ready Made Graham Cracker Pie Crust
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup Key Lime Pie
Whipped cream
1/4 finely chopped walnuts
2 limes, thinly sliced, for garnish

Step by Step:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees

1. Using an electric mixer, combine the milk and egg yolks at slow speed. Gradually add the lime juice. Mix until well blended and mixture has thickened.
2. Poor batter into the graham cracker pie crust .
3.Bake 8-10 minutes. Cool and refrigerate until chilled.
4. Top with whipped cream, chopped walnuts and lime slices.

Free Fun on Friday

As most of you already know "free" and "Friday" are two of my favorite things. Free chocolate, free books and now, free museum admissions and movies - all available to you on Friday (tomorrow). So, after you register for your free chocolate bar and the chance to win a free book, save more money on Friday by visiting a museum or watching a movie for free.

Free Fun Fridays . The Highland Street Foundation is providing free admission to a designated Massachusetts museum or attraction for ten Fridays this summer. The event listings are:
7/10 - JFK Museum
7/17 - Boston Harbor Island Ferry (free rides to the Harbor Islands!)
7/24 - Franklin Park Zoo
7/31 - Boston Children's Museum
8/7 - Plimoth Plantation
8/14- Stone Zoo
8/21 - Peabody Essex Museum
8/28 - MFA
9/4 - Springfield Museums


Free Friday Flicks. And after a day at a museum, why not grab a beach blanket and head over to Hatch Shell for a Free Friday Flick. Free Outdoors Movies, sponsored by the MA Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and WBZ Radio. All movies start at sundown (8:30 pmish)
7/10 - Kung Fu Panda
7/17 - Get Smart
7/24: Madagasascar: Escape 2 Africa
7/31: Mama Mia!
8/7 - Star Wars: The Clone Wars
8/14: Inkheart
8/21 - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
8/28: Iron Man

Save Money by Repairing Your Own Window Screens

Decided to tackled the job of replacing window screens in my house today after receiving a vendor's estimate of $425 for 12 windows. Nothing like a recession to bring out your inner Do It Yourself and save some cash. Spent $30 on supplies. Saved $395. My husband did the first few screen replacements, then it was my turn. I was surprised how easy it is do and how you can save alot of money by doing it yourself. Once you know what you're doing, it takes about 20 minutes per screen. Check out my step by step instructions:

Materials List:
Buy a screen kit at your local hardware store which includes enough screening material to do a few windows (e.g., 3-4 windows).

Purchase the individual materials if you're planning on doing alot of windows:

Measuring Tape
Masking Tape
Replacement Screening
Screen Rolling Tool
Sharp Razor Tool

Step By Step Instructions

1. Remove the window screen from the window frame and clean it.
2. Place screen on a hard flat surface larger than the actual screen.
3. Pull the rubber edging out from the old screen.
4. Pull out the old screening.
5. Measure the new screening from a roll of replacement screening material. Measure to the outer edge of the screen frame, then leave 1 inch more all the way around the frame.
7. Place the new screening down on the frame. Tape down each side. Make sure screen is taunt.
8. Measure and cut 4 lengthes of new rubber edging. Each length should be sized to fit one length of the window.
9. Starting in a upper left corner, press the rubber edging firmly back into the frame's groove. The edging should rest on top of the screening material. Work all the way around the frame. Use a screen rolling tool (it looks like a small pizza cutter.) to push the edging into its groove. Note: I found it handy to use a screw driver to push the rubber in at the corners.
10. Trim any excess screen material using a razor tool.

Now you're ready to put the screen back in the window. Yes, it's that easy to save some money!

Breakfast On The Go

Save yourself some time and money with an innovated product for eating breakfast on the go. Cool Gear's EZ's Freeze Cereal StayFit cereal kit. It's a plastic dual chamber container that keeps your cereal separate from your milk until you're ready to eat it and the milk stays colder for a longer period of time. The leak proof container features a cereal bowl with a built in spoon, and a twist off milk jug with a build it freezer pack. Fill it with your favorite cereal (e.g., Cherrios with flaxseed, cinnamon & a dash of Splenda) and milk or fill it with a mid morning snack like fruit (e.g., sliced nectarines & blueberries) and yogurt flavor (e.g., vanilla).


I pack one up in my lunchbox. I love the time it saves me waiting in line for an over-toasted bagel at my local gym that I buy after my workout as I head out on the daily errands. Also, love the cash it saves me. A bagel and coffee typically runs me $4; Cereal to Go brings the cost of breakfast down to 50 cents. Now that's a nice money saver!



You can buy one at the Christmas Tree Shop under the product's old name "Cereal to Go" for $2.99. You can also purchase this item at The Container Store and Staples for $3.99 (on sale) and $4.99 as well as several online outlets such as Cooking.com, HGTV Marketplace, and BonTon.


Love this product? Check out other innovate products for snackers at Cool Gear's website.

Free Book Friday

Free and Friday - two of my favorite things and one of the more popular marketing strategies these days. First, there were free doughnuts on National Doughnut Day, then free chocolate as part of Mars Chocolate Relief Act, and now, free books! That's right, a free book giveaway every Friday.

Each week, Free Book Friday features a new author, does a book review involving the author's current publication, an interview podcast or written Q&A , and hosts a drawing to win free signed copies of the featured book. One entry per IP address. Winners selected randomly every Friday. Great way for a thrifty reader to save money. Site created by Jessica Brody, author of The Fidelity Files.

Note: I think this is much better deal than Harliquin Free Book Friday offer. Buy two or more of their books on Friday and they'll give you their weekly featured book absolutely free! But I guess it all depends on what kind of brain candy you like to read on the beach.

FireFly Turns Bottles into Lights

Shopped the aisles of Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) this morning and discovered my new favorite gadget. It's called FireFly. It's a bottle lid that allows you to convert any standard wide mouth water bottle into a lantern. FireFly's unique lid design includes an LED light that spreads light throughout the bottle. I'll be saving time, money and effort today because I'm buying several FireFlys for 2009 Christmas season at the EMS 20% off one item sale going on now through July 14th

FireFly includes variable light settings so you can have a nightlight for stormy nights, a trail mark for an outdoor adventure, or a reading light for enjoying your latest good read the control is at your finger tip! Net, net, it makes a long lasting lantern for anywhere (i.e., camping, dorm room, apt., car. etc.). Takes 3 triple A batteries. Waterproof. Costs $20. Perfect for your favorite camper, night time runner, college student, or someone like me who reads in the dark while her spouse blissfully slumbers.

Available at EMS, REI, and Dick's Sporting Goods.

Save Money With a Fun Daytrip

Here's a great day trip for those of you out there trying to saving money and still maintain a sense of fun and a lust for adventure. Great time, a variety of activities, and a tasty lunch for $10. Fun way to spend an afternoon.

After dropping off the suitcase donations for foster children, here's how the day unfolded.

Yard Sale. Stopped at a yard sale along Main Street, West Newbury. Snagged a nice terra cotta wine cooler for $.50 (retail price = $30!). Yard sales are a great way to treasure hunt for odds and ends and save some money in the process.

Maudsley State Park. Walk, bike, horseback ride, or informal picnic through this historical site. Enjoy its 19th century gardens. Use your Massachusetts ParksPass and park for free; Otherwise, pay $2. Great way to get some fun exercise.

UpperCrust Pizza, Newburyport, MA. Grab a slice of award winning thin crust pizza and an icy soda. Enjoy streetside or head to the waterfront to eat while you watch boats come and go. ($10 for 2)

Oldies Marketplace, Newburyport MA. Wander this indoor/outdoor marketplace along Newburyport's waterfront. The place is filled with gently used items, antiques, and collectibles. I always feel like I'm treasure hunting in someone's attic when I come here. Fun place. You can find some really gems there.

Crowd-pleasing brownie recipe

Listing a brownie recipe today that will make your mouth water while you squeal with delight once you realize that by modifying 1 recipe 3 ways you can save time baking and effort when creating a crowd pleasing dessert. Served these brownies up on Father's Days to rave reviews. And actually, I was rather embarrassed because these brownies are so easy to make!

Using either Baker's One Bowl Brownie recipe or your favorite box of brownie mix (Note: I recommend Ghiradelli's Double Chocolate brownie mix, )prepare according to directions. Then, add another ingredient or two to give your basic brownie a flavor boost. Let them think you slaved in the kitchen for hours to prepare these desserts. Little do they know, a few key add-in ingredients is all it takes to great brownie flavors. Save yourself some time. Save yourself some effort. Check out these recipes.

Espresso Brownies. Add 2 Tablespoons of Maxwell Instant Coffee to your mix. Delicious!

Cranberry White Chocolate Pistachio Brownies. Add 1/2 cup of dried cranberries, 1/2 cup of Hersey's White Chocolate Baking Pieces (aka morsels), and 1/2 cup of Pistachio nuts (shelled, of course!). A bite of these brownies silences the crowd.

Peppermint Brownies. Unwrap 16 York Peppermint Patties. After baking your brownies according to direction, place the York Peppermint Patties on top of the batter. Place brownies back into oven for an additional 3 minutes of cooking. The patties will melt during this time in the oven. Spread the melted patties over the brownies. Cool 30 minutes. Yum!

Suitcase Donations for Foster Kids

Read about a sad problem with a happy "feel good/do good" resolution in today's Boston Globe. Displaced foster children come and go , carrying their belongings in a sad black trash bag. I also learned foster children, on average, move 4 times. Sad. Very Sad. Think about it - if you were a kid and all your belongings were carried in trash bag, wouldn't you feel sad, worthless/not valuable, disposable like trash? Wouldn't it be good if they could have something of their own to carry their belongings in? To give themselves a sense of ownership, permanency, home?Thankfully, there is a Suitcase Donation Initiative for Foster Children that supports this need. Great way to pay forward alittle kindness and help with little to no effort.

Locally, this initiative is being organized in Haverhill. A suitcase drop off is being held this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with three drop-off points coordinated at Triton Regional High School, Pentucket Regional High School, and Masconomet Regional High School.Haverhill not convenient? Consider working with one of your own community groups or employer and launch an initiative within your own community. Starter Kits and Guidelines are available online.

Time to clean out the cellar, attic, and closets of old suitcases, gym bags, and duffel bags. Put them to good use by donating to this cause and help put a smile on a kid's face.

Grand Slam Getaway For Cheap

Crazy mascots, great stadiums, budget friendly tickets, between inning entertainment, and giveaways galore (e.g., bobble heads ,anyone?) make minor league baseball one of the summer's best entertainment deals. It's a chance to see great talent, since many a minor league player today becomes a superstar tomorrow. And at most parks, tickets cost less than $10.

Best kept secret? Buy one ticket, get one free on Tuesday Nights at participating minor league stadiums. Simply bring a Kraft singles wrapper to the ball park box office for a steal of a deal.

So, gather up the family, put on your favorite team's colors, and head to minor league park for some fun. Find more information, including schedules and team stats, check out minorleaguebaseball.com

Wardrobe Malfunction Kit

Act like a surgeon. Be efficient, effective, and ready to act upon the unexpected. By adopting this mantra (and living it out when necessary), I think you'll can save some time and effort when dealing with a problem, and reduce some anxiety & stress. And figure out ways to adopt the mantra in everyday life. So, every once in awhile, I'm going to write about how to apply this mantra to everyday life.

Hence, today, I present you with The Wardrobe Malfunction Kit. Stash these supplies in your car's glove comparement, purse or briefcase, the gym bag, or the office top drawer. Avoid ruining your day with coffee stains, pantyhose runs, and lost buttons but using these wardrobe survival essentials.

Club Soda and a small wash cloth. Pretreat small spills immediately so they don't become permanent stains. Pour the club soda on the stain. Gently blot out the stain. Buy the smallest bottle possible. Once its open, it goes flat and does not good.

Safety Pins. Keep things together when your button pops, the bra strap comes undone, or the arm of your eyeglasses disconnects with the frame. Stash a small assortment(e.g, small gold, black, larger silver) in a tin.

Button Pins. Skip the task of sewing of a button. Avoid threading a needle. Slip a button pin into your buttonhole. It's like an earring for your buttonhole.

Nippits. Save yourself the embarrassment of "high beam" moments. Let your winning smile stop traffic instead. Agree. Awkward to talk about, but easy to address and nice to know there is a solution.

Party Feet. Rescue your feet when your workday shoes give you blisters or burning soles. Nice!

Instant Stain Remover. Eliminate tougher, dried on stains (e.g, coffee, ketchup, chocolate, and ink). Try a Tide To Go pen or Shout wipes.

Garment Tape. Say goodbye to fallen hem lines. Avoid tripping on your pants.

Sewing Kit. Be ready for bigger clothing diasters like a torn hem.

Clear Nail Polish. Save a doomed manicure, stop a run in your pantyhouse, or save your shoelace from further unraveling, with a quick dollop of fast drying nail polish.

Pain Reliever. You'll be everyone's best friend if you can alleviate pain and suffering from a cold, headache or aching muscle.

National Donut Day is June 5

National Donut Day is Friday, June 5. Stop by your local Dunkin Donuts for a free donut with the purchase of any beverage while supplies last. (Note: check last Sunday's coupon flyers for a coupon on ice coffee and tea.) If you're lucky enough to live near a Krispy Kreme donut shop, you can snag a one free doughnut per customer on Friday. No purchase required.

National Doughnut Day started in 1938 as a fund raiser for the Chicago Salvation Army with the goals of raising money for the needy during the Great Depression and to honor the Salvation Army "Lassies" of World War I, who served doughnuts to soldiers behind the front lines in France. Learn more...


Between Free Donut Friday and Free Ice Cream Saturday, if you don't see me waiting in line for a freebie, I'll be at the high school track running laps to burn off the carbs....

Free Ice Cream Cone

Don't forget to swing by your local Friendlys for a free scoop (or dish) of your favorite ice cream on Saturday, June 6th between Noon- 5PM. It's the second annual Free Ice Cream Cone Day. With the economy down and the harsh winter behind us (hello... anyone remember the December Ice storm?!), kick off your summer right with a sampling of your favorite flavor. See you in line on Saturday. I'll be the gal taking licks of the Hunka Chunka Peanut Butter Fudge cone. Yum

The Best of the Beach at Low Prices

Raining today. Sunshine on Friday. This weather report reminds me that its time to pull together my summer beach survival kit. Here are my recommendations on getting the best of the beach at low prices. Save yourself time , money and effort by stocking up on these fun in the sun summer essentials:


Mass Park Pass. Unlimited day use parking pass at Mass state beaches and parks. Great fun to be had at Salisbury State Beach Reservation. Available for purchase at all state parks, the annual pass runs for $35.

Beach Towel. Old Navy's lush and plush beach towel in a nice leopard print is made for sun in the fun. Purrrfect!($12)


Sunglasses (polarized). Get in touch with your inner Jackie O, and protect your eyes from the sun with a great pair of polarized sunglasses from Chili's. Your eyes will never look so good($19)


Sunhat. Yup. Time to invest is a big ole wide brimmed hat from Target so that you age ever so gracefully. ($26)


Patchwork Plaid Beach Bag. Great carry all tote bag from LL Bean for the beach and beyond. Can't tell you the number of people who comment on its cute factor. ($19).


Waterproof Sports Watch. It's good looking. It's waterproof. It's inexpensive. And it's a Timex! Who could ask for anything more? ($15)


Water Bottle. These on the go water bottles from Rubbermaid can't be beat. Great leakproof top. $3.99 for a 20 0z bottle at your local CVS. $9.99 for a 6-pack of the bottles at your local BJs.


Coppertone Nutrashield Sunscreen. Get great skin protection and antioxidants to help reverse those little signs of aging on your face. Great broad spectrum of protection from SPF30 - SPF 70! $9.99 at most mass retailers like CVS, Target, and Wal-Mart . $3 coupon offered by Coppertone attached.

Checking Tire Pressure

Here's a little tip on saving time and effort when responding to "Low Tire Pressure" or "Check Tire Pressure" messages displayed on car's dashboard. Before you head off to the dealership and incur a service charge to fix it, save yourself some time and money by checking the PSI (Pressure per Square Inch) of all tires on your car, including the spare tire buried in the trunk of your car. Don't assume the problem applies only to the car's 4 primary tires. It's often the spare tire that trips the tire pressure warning.

If your car is fairly new, it is likely to have a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system installed. These modules, designed to improve safety and save money, warn drivers of under inflation, leaks, and loss of air pressure within the tire that occurs over time. How does it work? Each tire has a TPM module (usually an antenna within the tire valve), implementing a direct monitor provided by the car's central electronics with a pressure reading by tire and over a wireless link back your display monitor.


A few friendly tips on tire pressure:

- Check your tire pressure regularly for best results on mileage and to maintain the safety of your cars.

- Tires tend to under inflate more in the summer months due to the warmer weather. Under-inflated tires can lead to poor wear on the treads and cause poor/delayed breaking - putting you at greater risk of an accident. Over-inflated tires will give you a bumpy ride. (Hint: Check your ties and scarves. If they have coffee stains, your tire pressure may be too high!)

- Check the Driver side door for the correct PSI (Pressure per Square Inch) for your tires. If this information is not displayed on your door panel, check the owner's manual. Your tires also include a PSI rating. If there is a different between the PSI listed on the door panel and the tire, use the PSI on the door panel. Your tires list the maximize tire pressure allowable; your door panel lists the recommended pressure for your car.

- Don't assume all tires have the same PSI. PSI for your spare tire may be different than the PSI for your four primary tires. Check to make sure each tire is properly inflated for optimal performance and safety.

For more information on tire pressure, check out Car Talk or Ask.Cars.com

High End Wine at Every Day Prices

A walk through my local liquor store yesterday opened up my view about premium wine that comes in a box. I've discovered some great advantages to these wines as I'm trying to optimize my summer entertaining budget: outstanding taste, cost saving, and convenience - the trifecta of a successful party planning.

Since the cost of packaging, shipping, and store is significantly less for the producers of boxed wines,they can afford to sell the wine for less. A $2o boxed wine would be double if sold in glass bottles. Wine can be drunk one glass at a time over several weeks (i.e. an opened box lasts for 4-6 weeks. )With boxed wine being lightweight, portable, and durable, its no surprise that its become wildly popular with boaters, campers, tailgaters, the senior crowd in Naples FL, and yes, even celebrities (Ellen Degeneres and Oprah to name just a few.) And, no special tools required to open the wine. Say goodbye to keeping track of wine opener at your next party!

My favorite - Black Box Wines of California

Digitial BookStore Debut

Discovered a new digitial bookshop website that's worth checking out - Scribd. What iTunes did for music; Scribd plans to do for the written word. Think of this website as a social network for , readers, booklovers, publishers, writers, and information sharers at large. Feature rich in social networking tools, Scribd also offers books, magazines, powerpoint presentations, resumes, legal briefs, sheet music, recipes, and other sorts of documentation.


As a book lover, you can enjoy sneak previews, current great reads, exclusives from best selling authors, "first look" excerpts from new writers, etc. So, before you head out to your local independent bookstore, check out the latest BookPages, or go online to Barnes and Noble or Amazon, check out Scribd. It will help save you time in deciding what to read next and save money since the sneak previews and excerpts are substantial.


As a writer, you can upload your documents and share with it with the community (millions of readers) or only those people you use for free. Most popular document formats are accepted. You can also sign up decided to sell it within the Scribd estore.

Scribd's system is designed to allow any document available on its site to be read on different gagdets (e.g, a computer, a mobile device, or an electronic reader like Amazon's Kindle.). With this type of versatility, its no surprise that Scribd is positioning itself as THE online destination for readers.

Free Chocolate on Fridays

Fridays just got a little sweeter. Mars Snackfood is giving away a quarter of a million full-size packages of chocolate on its Free Chocolate Fridays, now through September. Visit Real Chocolate.com every Friday where the first 250K consumers can get a coupon for a full size package of their favorite Mars product (e.g., Twix, Dove, 3 Musketeers, Snickers, Milky Way, or M&Ms.) One coupon per email address; 4 coupons per household.

The Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act is part of a new campaign to highlight its chocolate made with 100 percent cocoa butter at a time when Hersey's has switched to cheaper ingredients to manage its costs during this economic downturn.

Let's hope the auto makers launch similar campaigns!

Your Next Summer Read

Long or short, serious or light, contemporary or classic, what makes a great summer read is a matter of personal taste. It's quite a challenge to figure what to read next. I'm not sure what Oprah's planning on reading on her Kindle III, but I've pulled together my list of 2009 Good Reads of Summer by some of my favorite authors to help you find your own good book to read this summer.


The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafron. Highly touted page turner that explores the themes of obsession, art, money, love, and good and evil against the backdrop of 1920's Spain. If you're in the mood for an old-style good read, you might also want to read Zafron's previous novel Shadow of the Wind - a great read about murder, madness and doomed love.


The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larson. The highly anticipated follw up to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Edgy and fabulous and I've been told wraps up with an ending that leaves you saying "Wow".


Very Valentine by Andrianna Trigiani. Colourful cast of characters showcase tricky family dynamic at play in Manhattan and Italy in a story about heart and humor. It's a chic flick book of the highest order. If you like this book, check out some of the author's other books such as Lucia, Lucia or Big Stone Gap

The Last Secret by Mary McGarry Morris - A thriller about the consequences of one family's crimes of the heart. Mary McGarry Morris is also the author of Songs in Ordinary Time - an Oprah Pick of the Month (but don't hold this against her. She is really a terrific writer!)

The Given Day by Dennis Lehane. This historical novel brings to life Boston's troubled past in 1918-1920 from one of America's finest crime writer. Lehane is the author of some other great Boston based mystery novels including Mystic River and Gone, Baby, Gone.

Wish Upon A Hero

Everyone has wishes. Anyone can be a hero by granting one by. Now there is a social network site focused on helping others where anyone can post a wish or a need, which in turn is answered by someone who offers to help make the wish come true. Check out WishUponAHero recently featured on ABC World News with Charlie Gibson. No wish too big; no hero too small. It's the ultimate do a good deed, pay it forward, feel good about yourself kind of website.

Wishes are wide in range and include anything from range from books and puzzles for a bedridden mother of 5, cloth diapers for a new mother, a birthday card and $1 for a 7 yr old with ADD, to helping fund raising efforts for a police officer with cancer. Hundreds of wishes are posted daily. You choice which wishes you want to grant. (Be careful. It's addictive._

I think what's great about this site it provides you with a direct simple efficient way to give someone a moment of happiness, make an impactful difference in someone else's life by granting a wish, or spreading a little good old fashion random acts kindness. Nice. Very Nice. Check it out.

Be Someone's hero today. WishUponAHero.com

Book Reviews

Beach and Books always seem to go together just like popcorn at the movies or beer and wings at the local pub. Whether you've got a trip beach planned or just hoping for a lazy summer day to curl up with a good book, I've pulled together a list of my favorite book review sites so that you'll have an easier time figuring out what to put in your book bag this summer. Enjoy!


Goodreads. Great site to get recommendations on books to read by people just like you.


Indibound.org. The book portal for independent booksellers across the country. Enter your zipcode and get recommendations from local booksellers in your area.


Bookbrowse - Truly a booklover's community. Great review site and hand-picked recommendations for read-alikes (e.g., if you like this book, try this one.)

TimesOnline - London Times Online Arts & Entertainment section has a great book review section. You'll get a great understanding of what books are flying off the shelves in the US and across the ocean.

BookListOnline : Book reviews from the American Library Association. Who better than a librarian to recommend your next great read?

Dedicating this blog post to Colleen P - the reader of readers always in search of her next great book.

Is your spice pass its prime?

Are your spices pass their prime? Cleaned out the spice drawer today. Found it hard to figure out which spices were no longer fresh. And at $4-5 a jar, I wasn't tossing alot out until I figured out what was still good. Sharing my research on how to figure out what's worth keeping.

1. Check the bottles for "Best Used by" date.

2. If you have McCormick spices, go online and use McCormick's Fresh Tester. Enter the code found on the spice jar's bottom to discuss how fresh the jar. (sad for me - my double fine dried mustard is older my marriage by 8 years!)

3. If you have Spice Islands, Durkee, Tones, Dec A Cake and Trader Choices spices, you just need to know the life of spices and how how to decode the series of black numbers and letters (not the UPC code) printed on the bottom or side or the spice container. The first number indicates the year of the decade the spice was produced. The second letter refers to the month (e.g., A - January, B - February; C-March, etc.)

General Guidelines for the Life of Spices - Spice Freshness
Ground Spices : 2-3 yrs
Whole Spices: 3-4 yrs
Seasoning Blends: 1- 2 yrs
Herbs: 1-3 yrs
Extracts: 4 yrs

Stamp Out Hunger

Saturday May 9 is the annual Letter Carrier's Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Keep your local food pantry stocked by supporting your mailman's "stamp out hunger" food drive this Saturday, May 9th. Your mailman/letter carrier will be collecting donations of non-perishable food items (e.g., canned meats and fish, canned soups, pasta, vegetables, cereal, rice, etc.) for further distribution to food banks and pantries in your local communities.


So, get in touch with your inner boyscout, and help make this food drive a success. All you need to do is place your food donation in a bag at your mailbox on May 9th before your mailman/letter carries arrives. He'll pick up the items for delivery to the pantries and food banks.

Interested in learning more or spreading the word, check out these links:
HelpStampOut Hunger - About the Cause

Help Stamp Out Hunger - Press Release

AFL-CIO Blog