Surprises @ the Dollar Store!

Suprises @ the Dollar Store!

Let's start by acknowledging that not all items are $1, and the stock is inconsistent, but like most strategies in the bargain hunting world, if you can wait for what you want and pounce when you see it cheap, you can do very well at the dollar store.

Everything from housewares (wine & drinking glasses) to school & office supplies (envelopes, notebooks, paper) to food (rice, olives, soda) can be picked up for rock bottom prices.  It's gotten so that I don't go into the Dollar Store unless I am willing to spend a little money because I know I will inevitably find something I find useful and wallet friendly!

A couple of weeks ago I bought reading glasses at the dollar store.  My eye doctor upped the prescription to 175.  I leave the glasses all over the house because you never know when you are going to need them.  I must have 8 or 10 pair strewn about.  I wasn't going to spend $100 to replace the weaker 125's.  I picked up what I needed for $2 a pair at the dollar store.

It won't surprise you to learn that I color my own hair.  I pick up throw away shower caps (10 in a package) for $2.  Steel wool - both with soap and without - useful both for cleaning and for stuffing holes that miniature critters seem to squeeze through.

Electrical items and tools are usually available, as are toiletries like cotton swabs (I cut the cotton tops off and used them as skewers for my most recent party!) and toothpaste.  A few months ago, they had an unbelievable selection of designer ties.  My son, the Jerry Garcia tie fan, was the happy beneficiary!

When it comes to food, I'll admit it's tricky.  Much of this merchandise is grey market and that includes the food.  Read labels!  However, I am Italian and have become famous for my fried olives.  Guess where the $1.59 bottles of green olives come from... 

Credit Card Reminder

We are approaching the end of the quarter (March 31) and many credit card companies change the categories eligible for extra - usually 5% - cash back.  Next month, just in time for Spring cleaning, Discover will be giving 5% back on purchases at home improvement stores.  Chase Freedom is giving 5% back @ Lowe's, movie theaters and restaurants.  Don't forget to put a small piece of masking tape on your card listing the categories earning extra cash back.  I'll remind you about this again at the end of June and again at the end of September!

Three Buck Chuck!

If you enjoy a nice glass of wine, run - don't walk - to your nearest Trader Joe's for the best $3 bottle you'll ever have.  I am a big fan of  Consumer Reports magazine.  Every November they do their Holiday Gifts issue and they include a list of tasty wines.  This year, CR recommended Trader Joe's Charles Shaw Merlot. Two weeks ago I finally got to Trader Joe's on 14th Street and I was dumbstruck by the wall of wines available - all for $2.99!  I tried the Pinot Grigio (white) and the Shiraz (Red) and both were excellent!  I cannot wait to go back and try Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, etc.

I would love to hear from you w/ reaction to the blog, or with tips for saving money, or both!

Next time, an almost free vacation in New York!

Keep calm & carry on...Lori Bores

Shop 'til U Drop - 4 Men, Women & Children

Shop 'til U Drop - 4 Men, Women & Children

Like any red-blooded American woman, I love to shop.  Actually, like any woman anywhere, we are gatherers. This can frequently come into conflict w/ my equally strong urge to save money...but it doesn't have to.  In this post, I will share some of my secrets to buying what you need without busting your budget.   

Note that since you guys are usually more focused on the bottom line, I hope you will enjoy this post, and if your female partner adopts some of these suggestions, please express appreciation in an appropriate way.

My ex-husband once told me I was a hero to his co-workers because of my thrift.  Too bad he couldn't demonstrate I was a hero to him!  But I digress...

The Magic of Make-up

the magic of make-up

At the risk of alienating my male readers, I want to be upfront and say this post is about skincare and makeup.  Next week, I promise to attract you muscle men with a more testosterone friendly post, but this one is predominantly for the ladies.  Go enjoy the game and be sure to come back next week!

When I was a teenager, I worked for a dermatologist and learned a few facts about skin.  Putting these facts to work in the service of saving money, I can recommend a number of low cost skin care products that will make you beautiful without breaking the bank.

Hair & Makeup

Hair & Makeup

Doesn't everyone - OK especially women - feel good when they look good?  Growing up in the 60's, I used to fight this concept.  I wanted to be valued for my intelligence, not my puffy Italian hair.  Well, I've grown up and realized that looking gorgeous not only makes one feel good, it's power!  We are visual people.  The first impression is a lasting one and Aristotle said, "Personal beauty is a greater recommendation than any letter of reference."

That's Entertainment!

That's Entertainment!

One of the many rules I live by is, "Take a Bite out of the Big Apple!"  There are so many entertainment and cultural opportunities in this wonderful city, that it is a crime not to enjoy them. It's why we put up w/ the less pleasant aspects of city life.  An open wallet is one way to be a culture vulture, but let me share a few strategies for soaking up movies, theater, museums & more without landing in the poor house...

Eating Well @ Home

Eating Well @ home

   As a percentage of money we spend, food at home has actually come way down, for reasons both good:  we're eating less red meat, and not-so-good: the growth of processed and genetically modified foods.  There has been a transformation, however, in getting food on the table at home: the way we shop.

Eating Well

Eating Well - In & Out

My Dad says there are 2 kinds of people:  those who eat to live and those who live to eat!  Guess which one I am!   I told you I'm Italian, right?  

So food is much more than sustenance for me.  It's comfort, decadence, seduction, nutrition, joy...this is descending into an eating disorder, so let's get to the saving money part, shall we?

Eating at home, of course, will save you the most, but we all deserve a treat now and then.  It is possible to enjoy dining out - occasionally - and still send your kids to college.  

There are tons of online restaurant deals.  My favorites are on Groupon and Travelzoo.  I've purchased quite a number of delicious restaurant meals this way.  It doesn't even take planning w/ Groupon.  It has a "Now" deals section with discounts available right away.  Consult your computer or smart phone and go.  Everyone does this, and in my humble opinion we all need to get over feeling weird about it.  The restaurants do this to get your business, so if you're there, it's a win win!

groupon.com

travelzoo.com

 

Another of my favorites is "Restaurant Week" which in reality should be called restaurant Season or restaurant Month (not that I'm complaining)!  Twice a year in Manhattan, usually at the end of January/beginning of February (my birthday - yeah) and again at the end of July/beginning of August, some of the best restaurants in New York offer a limited prix fix 3 course menu.  This year it is $25 lunch and $38 dinner.  Frequently they offer wine specials, too.  

Now, these are not restaurants we budget watchers would normally visit, but whenever I can dine at Le Cirque, or Nobu or Bar Boulud for a $38 dinner tab I'm in.  I had lunch today at Lincoln and it was divine!

When the schedule is first announced, I visit Open Table and make 3 or 4 Friday night dinner reservations.  My boyfriend lives in New Jersey and comes into the city most weekends.  Restaurant week menus are usually not available on Saturday night (but it never hurts to ask).  Then I make a birthday dinner reservation for my daughter and/or son to take Mom out.  Then I call traditional working friends to see if they are available for dinner during the week.  And finally, I make a few lunch reservations and check in w/ my ladies who lunch.

Open Table makes it incredibly easy.  You can change or cancel a reservation and then revue the meal when you're done.  You earn points for this and earn a check good at any Open Table restaurant.  Last Friday evening, I took my daughter our to a wonderful new restaurant that was participating in Restaurant Week.  I used my $20 Open Table check when the bill came and without drinks two 3 course meals were less than $60!    

opentable.com

In previous years, Restaurant Week has been held in Brooklyn, Long Island and Westchester.  If you live there, you might want to put a "Restaurant Week" alert on your computer or smart phone so you won't
miss it.

Once you've dined, remember to review the restaurant to build up those reward points.  If you are also willing to write something for Zagat, you will get a free one of this fantastic restaurant guide, too.  

www.zagat.com

During non-Restaurant Weeks, look for prix fix and stick to the menu!  The beverages and coffee add up quickly.  I'm addicted to seltzer, but when I eat out, it's usually tap water, please.  I ask for a wedge of lemon and I'm a happy girl!  Lunch is always less expensive than dinner, and many restaurants have lunch specials to lure you in at this generally less crowded time of day.  So meet a friend for lunch!

At dinner, for savings and health reasons, you can frequently take half of the meal home and have it the next day for lunch.  Or there is nothing wrong with ordering 2 appetizers instead of a higher priced entree. 

Finally, don't forget about Restaurant Trucks.  You can get a very satisfying lunch at trucks serving yogurt, Jerk chicken, Halal delicacies, etc.  Find your favorite cuisine here:

findnycfoodtrucks.com

Next time, we'll talk about how to save food dollars at home.  Bon appetite!

Keep calm & carry on...Lori