Just like school supplies, there are keys to getting the great deals.  Read on for your Tuesday Tip:

1. Shop Your Closet – I don’t care how big or small your closet or drawers are, there are things in there you have forgotten about.  Pull out everything and evaluate.  This is where everyone should start.
2. Have a plan and make sure that plan is discussed with your kids – This is key.  Especially if you are on a budget, the kids need to know how much they have to spend.  It’s ok for your kids to know about budgets. Budgets don’t mean you are poor.
3. Buy Basics now, wait for the rest – I know this is not true everywhere, but here in the Pacific NW we have good weather through September and usually into October.  Which boils down to still wearing summer clothes.  Get as little as you can get by with, because there will start to be big clearance in October for all the back to school clothes.  Everyone needs to have a few new outfits, but they don’t need the whole years worth.
4. Accessorize – This is just another cheap way for girls to change an outfit.  I personally am not super good at it, but my daughter is.  Just adding a scarf or jewelery changes the look enough to be different.
5. Outlet Malls – Buyer beware!  Just because it’s an outlet mall doesn’t make it cheaper, but do take the time to go because you will find cheaper items if you look around.  There are deals to be had there and often times coupons.  Make your way to the office before you start to shop and ask for a coupon book.
6. Clearance – The summer clothes will start going on clearance real soon to make way for the fall clothes.  Everyone wears layers, so buy those summer clothes at a deep discount and just add a jacket or sweater.  They will sell the fall tanks and t-shirts, but what’s the point of that?  Except the price.
7. Thrift Stores - Yep we do plan on hitting a few for this.  We live in a time when pretty much anything goes, so get out there and be yourself and find something original.
8. Yard Sales – I know for some it seems so wrong, but I know my kids will wear shorts for at least the first month or 2 of school.  I was at a sale and got 2 nice plaid shorts for my son.  They were $1 each.  My theory?  He only needs to wear them twice to get my money’s worth.
9. Start shopping now and don’t try and do it all in one day.  I know for busy people this works best, but that just ends up costing you money as you don’t care what you get as long as you get it all done.  Figure out a way to spread it out and search ads for specific deals.
10. Have a Plan – I know I said this already, but know how many jeans, shirts, sweatshirts, and so on that you will need.  Don’t over buy which will just end up costing you more.

Not enough ideas, well don’t worry.  I have actually covered this before, so head over and check out what I had to say the first time.

Please feel free to add to this list.  We all like money saving ideas.

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UrbanSpoon Rocks!  Yep, it’s true and I use it all the time.

Have you used it?  I use it before I buy my gift certificates through Restaurants.com or Groupon.

I loved grilled vegetables.  If you look through you see that I like to grill green beans and potatoes and summer squash.  I had gone to the farmers market and picked up quite a bundle of veggies.  After a busy week I realized I had not eaten all of them and they needed used.

That night for dinner they all went on the grill.  I knew there would be plenty of left overs, and I was prepared.  I took all the leftovers cut them up into small pieces and threw them in the fridge.  The next morning I gathered all my goodies and prepared my frittata.

I had no clue how to make a frittata.  All I knew is I had had one a year ago at a restaurant and I knew I could totally make one.  After a little research on the internet, I was set.

I used all the eggs I had, which was 5.  I added a little milk, since I was short.  I used all the grilled cut up veggies, green beans, onions, zucchini, crooked neck squash, even some extra corn.

In a non stick, over safe pan I sauteed them just to warm them up.  Then I poured in all the eggs that had been beaten with milk added.  Once cooked all the way through from the bottom, I added a little bit of Parmesan cheese on top (next time I am using Goat cheese) then broiled until it was cooked through.

I slid it out onto the plate and barely got a picture before my daughter and I devoured it.  She has been asking ever since for another one.  So tonight on the menu is grilled veggies in prep for tomorrows breakfast.

What do you put in your frittatas??

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This is company I have never used before.  In my excitement to save 2% on a number of companies I chose to go through ebates.com.   I have done this in the past with Hotwire.com and it worked so perfectly, so I was not worried at all about doing this again.

I found the best deal and it was with Priceline.com.  I needed a room for 6, which I had specified.  All the companies had nearly the same price for the exact same room, so I chose the cheapest, and the best % cash back.

The Hotel I booked only has a King or 2 Doubles.  Before I booked the room I had called the hotel and asked how many could fit in a room with the breakfast and was told of the 2 room types and that yes, 6 people could fit into one of the rooms.

Once I was in and booked I had to do a double of take of what I booked.  I thought I had booked 2 doubles, but it was not.  I had actually booked a room that Embassy Suites doesn’t even list on their site or advertise and the reservation office didn’t even know they had.  After much investigation into the matter I discovered that although Priceline offered 5 different room options (for the one I booked) the Hotel only has a couple of these rooms.

I have booked a lot of hotel rooms, but never have I been so confused.

I immediately contacted Priceline.com who told me I needed to take it up with the Hotel.  The Hotel told me I needed to take it up with Priceline.  I again went back to priceline and kept getting canned messages of “sincere apologies”.   Each one saying “we don’t offer a service where you can select how many people”,  followed by “we hope your customer service was a pleasant experience”.

I had to back up and see for myself so here it is:

Priceline does NOT allow you to pick how many people you would like to put in a room.  Sure enough, if you go straight to their website that option is not available.  Why would anyone book a hotel room without specifying how many people you could put in that room??

Priceline does contract with other companies (ie, ebates, Kayak.com, BookingBuddy.com, Travelzoo.com, plus others I am sure) that do offer the service of selecting how many people you will have in that room. What they DON’T do is honor that request.

Also in my latest dealing with Hotwire.com I became aware that I could cancel the whole thing and be reimbursed.  That is very reassuring, because there are times when we make mistakes or things come up.

And last but not least the BIGGEST FAIL of all – I could have gotten the whole thing cheaper directly through the Hotel itself!!  Yep, now I am stuck with a wrong reservation, it will cost me more later.  I thought for sure these companies were saving me money every time.   Can you read the word SUCKER written across the top of my head?

It’s almost the weekend.  My ambition is low.  My plan was to be out hitting yard sales all morning, but alas here I sit.  I still don’t get out a ton (since my back surgery) so reporting in on great deals is not happening.

Although I do need to tell you I did go to Target with my daughter.  She needed some workout clothes.  I had printed off the $5 off C9 coupons from the Target website (sorry they are gone).  She also got some of her hair color. I had 1 – $5 off when you buy 2 and a Target  $5 off when you buy 2, so I stacked them.  Anyways, I only had 4 coupons that day, but each coupon was $5, so $20 in coupons.  Even the gal running the register was impressed.

Other than that, it’s been a slow week.  All that to say I am going to do the 5 Questions so you can continue to get to know me and see what I am about.  So without further ado

1. What were your school colors?
Green and Yellow.  Although when I got my letter jacket I just got Green and White and I was not alone in that thinking.

2. What’s the best compliment you ever received?
Since my back surgery the compliment has been “You are taller”.  I do love this compliment and yes it’s true, I am somewhere between and 1 and 1.5 inches taller.

3. Do you buy cheap or expensive toilet paper?
I am always searching for good deals and trying to save money.  BUT toilet paper is one item I refuse to track down.  Instead I go to Costco and buy their brand.  After trying some other brands I think Costco feels Expensive.
4. Have you ever had a surprise party thrown for you? Or have you had one for someone else?
I have not had a surprise party thrown for me and I don’t think I have thrown one for anyone.  Wow, I need to add that to my bucket list.  Although I should back up and say we are trying to put together one for my dad, and  I am 99% sure he never reads my blog.

5. What is one material possession that you “can’t live without”?
Heated seats in my car.  Even yesterday it was a tiny bit chilly when I went out so I turned it on low.  Definitely a Money4This item when you purchase a car.

Alright, I am now off to enjoy my weekend.

I love when 2 great deals come across at the same time. The best part about these 2 deals is in my area they are right next door to each other making it a perfect date night.

You can start off the night at Split and get $50 worth of Cocktails, wine, and bistro fare for just $25.  That is the deal that ezDeal is offering today.  This is a locally owned restaurant that uses local ingredients.  Plus the proceeds from these sales goes to the Beaverton Education Foundation.  To find out more about this deal head over to ezDeal.

Once you have enjoyed a nice relaxing meal and had cocktail or glass of wine you walk right next door the cinema and enjoy a movie of your choice at a great price.

Mobba is offering a 4 pack of tickets for just $26, not only that but they are VIP tickets and there are no expiration dates.  With Mobba you make your purchase online and they send you the item within 1-2 weeks, but there are no shipping and handling costs.  This is such a great price on movie tickets, grab yours today.

Portland not your city??  That’s ok, click and find out what your city is offering today.  If it’s better than mine don’t tell me, I might get jealous. 

Fred Meyer is having a sale this Friday night and Saturday.  Here are some coupons that will go great with that sale.  You will see that each coupon has a specific time that it can be used to pay close attention to that.

There are some great coupons like Save$3, $5 or $7 on apparel, shoes or accessories $19.99 our up.  Check it out.

I love summer and I love grilling.  Yep, you have heard me say that over and over.  I grill everything.  Mini pizzas, large pizzas, dessert, and whole meals.  I also grill fruit.  Check out this beauty I just found with vanilla sugar.

Today I made Grilled Veggie Sandwiches with Marinated Mozzarella and some with Goat Cheese.

I slice my veggies and drizzle with EVOO and salt and pepper.  You will see that I was using marinated mozzarella and I did use some of the herbed oil they were packed in as well for extra flavor.  I had left over carmelized onions that I heated up and added as well.

I used good quality crusty garlic bread (that was in the day old section marked down) that was already sliced.  Again I used some of the herbed oil on the inside of the bread for added flavor.

I topped each sandwich with caramelized onions, grilled veggies and cheese.  This is the mozzarella cheese, sliced, so the sandwiches go together easier.

I also used goat cheese too.  My daughter and I liked the goat cheese so much better.  It becomes so creamy when it’s melted and goes great with grilled veggies.  Yes, that is bacon in the background.  We also tried BLT’s on the grill.

I place the sandwiches right on the grill.  I have the heat on medium to medium high.  You will need to watch the sandwiches, but you want it warm enough to melt the cheeses.

Once the cheese is melted and there are grill marks on your sandwiches you will know they are done and ready to eat.

I hope you didn’t want to see pictures of them plated and ready to eat, because my family ate these so quickly I couldn’t even grill them fast enough.

With the veggies from the farmers market this meal was very frugal.  The mozzarella is spendy, but worth the splurge and even though the cheese is gone I have kept the herbed olive oil.  I will use it for sure, maybe on my potatoes.

What did you grill this week??

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Works for me Wednesday
Things I love Thursday

Here in the Pacific NW were are at peak season for Yard Sales.  The sun has arrived, the relaxed schedule is in the air and the trips are planned and the open weekends are designated Yard Sale days for families.

I have heard so many people say they will make $200 over a weekend.  Honestly, if that is all I could make, I would probably just write it all up and donate, and enjoy my weekend.  There is no reason not to make more money.

Prepping For the Sale

1. Look through your house and garage.  Find some big things.  Make it worth your time.
2. Price everything – I hate going to sales and have to guess or offer my price.  If I can’t see prices, I leave.  It’s too much work for me, I at least need a starting point.
3. Organize like things together – People looking for fishing poles will stop if they see 2-3 poles together and a tackle box.  Same with baby items or books.  Make it easy and give them a reason to get out of the car.
4. Use tables – get as much as you can up off the ground so EVERYONE can dig.
5. Ask a friend to join you – the more stuff  you have the better it will look and the more people with stop.
6. Advertise – we like craigslist for that

Driving Traffic

1. Don’t post a bunch of items for sale on a little poster.
2. Do purchase bright colored poster board for your signs – from there keep its simple.  Add the word SALE and an arrow.
3. Use the same color for ALL your signs – make it easy for them to find you and not off to another sale.
4. Put the signs up at all major intersections – Don’t leave out any between those intersections and your house
5. Check signs half way through the day.
6. Take down your signs at the end of the day – I hate when people leave their signs up and wait for the city to take them down.

Day of Sale

1. Have your money box ready
2. Gather as many bags as you can for people to put purchases in
3. Keep things organized – especially when it’s slow, go fold clothes
4. Keep big ticket items in clear view – it makes people stop.  If they sell early on ask if you can keep the item for a few hours, put a sold sign on the back.  You want people to get out of the car.
5. Price your stuff to sell – but don’t price it so low you don’t make it worth your time.  People are going to offer you a different price, so have it high enough you feel comfortable giving them a lower price.  It’s a win win.
6. Have a lunch plan before the sale starts.  You don’t want to have to use your proceeds to purchase your lunch, have a plan.

After the Sale

1. Itemize all your things
2. Haul them off
3. Give them to friends
4. Don’t keep anything – that’s one reason you had the sale was to get rid of stuff
5. Count your money – it should have been successful

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