Have you ever watched the show called What Not To Wear? It's all about kind, sweet people without a fashion clue. Their well-meaning friends decide that it would be a good idea to secretly nominate them for a makeover. Hidden cameras follow them around for a while, capturing unflattering footage of these poor souls going about their daily business. Then, in front of family and friends (and millions of viewers) they meet the hosts, view the film, get really embarassed, cry and agree to get rid of all of their clothes in order to be given a 5,000$ shopping spree and find the happiness they hadn't realized they were lacking. At the end of the show they usually cry some more, tend to look a lot better and make comments like "I can't believe I used to wear that flourescent yellow jumper" or "I'm so happy that I now know that high ponytails with ribbons are not really appropriate for a 45 year old lawyer". How could you not love this stuff?
So, we've decided to pay hommage to this show by playing a little What Not To Buy ! No, we will not be secretly filming anyone and we most certainly will not be handing out 5,000$ prizes. This is just a simple straightforward post about saving money by not buying flourescent yellow jumpers (and other random and silly things).
1. Do Not Buy Bottled Water. (see our previous post on bottled water titled "The best things in life are (relatively) free". ) We know that this is a LONG post. We got really carried away on that one, so if you don't want to read the whole thing...just skip to the part where we say "don't buy bottled water"
2. Do Not Buy Baby Food. Now of course we are not implying that baby should not be fed, just that you should really consider making your own baby food. Some of our most precious memories are of cooking, mashing and freezing our babies' meals. Knowing exactly what you're putting into your baby's mouth is priceless, and frankly, a lot cheaper than buying jars of baby food. You can find dozens of recipe ideas in cookbooks or on the internet, but really, once you know what is age appropriate food for your munchkin, it's pretty simple. Boil, mash or blend, serve and freeze the excess in ice cube trays for another day. Of course, you may have to buy baby cereal - we never figured out how to make that.
3. Do Not Buy Lazy Vegetables. It's actually not the veggies that are lazy, but the person buying them. A few months ago, at a very dear friend's house, EN noticed a little container of celery in the friend's fridge. Of course, the next thing EN noticed was the price tag - $3.50.....WHAT !!?? $3.50 for a few measly sticks of celery??? Yes, they were rinsed and cut up and possibly had the stringy stuff removed (or not), but you can usually get a whole stalk of celery for less than $1.50. Now, to her defense, this friend realized she had made a spending faux-pas, but as she was going out of town a few days later she figured that she wouldn't be able to get through a whole stalk of celery and it would end up rotting. Hmmmm....okay - but personally, we just wouldn't have bought celery.
4. Do Not Buy Baby Carrots. We know, we know, many of you have forgotten that carrots actually come in sizes other than "baby". And guess what, sometimes they even come with the green frilly stuff still attached to the tops. We don't understand the fascination with baby carrots. They cost a lot (compared to regular carrots), they don't usually taste as good, and they're often wet and, if they stay in the bag too long, can get slimy...gross. Good news : it actually takes less than 1 minute (trust us - we timed it) to peel and chop up a real life carrot.
5. Do Not Buy Clothes That Don't Fit Because They Will When You Lose "X" (enter appropriate number) Pounds. If you feel that you need to lose some weight, then by all means, go ahead. But believe me (that would be EN), if you think that having a skirt a few sizes too small in your closet is going to help motivate you....you're wrong ! It will only depress you. Focus on losing whatever weight you feel you need to lose, and when you achieve your goal, celebrate by buying some new (smaller) clothes.
6. Do Not Buy Junk Food. This includes soda, potato chips (sigh), chocolate, cookies, cake...you get the picture. None of these things are good for you and although it is perfectly fine to splurge once in a while, these items should certainly not make it onto your weekly grocery list. If you do find them there, cross them off and replace them with some grown-up carrots.
7. Do Not Buy Food In Boxes. Most frozen convenience foods can be made fresh at home with a little effort, time, and willingness. They will definately taste better and will be healthier. We know, we know, you all don't have time to cook, or you don't know how to cook, or you just don't like cooking. Sorry, but none of those excuses fly. You may think that you don't have the time, but many meals can be made in less than 30 minutes. Don't like to cook...probably because you don't know how. So, if you don't know how, learn. There are some fantastic websites with recipes for free (so you don't actually have to buy cookbooks and cooking magazines). Some of our favorites are:
http://smittenkitchen.com/
http://www.canadianliving.com/food/
http://www.epicurious.com/
http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipes/index.html
Well, we could likely go on and on...but that's probably enough nagging for one post. We're going to find our kids and nag them now :)
Have a great day
xoxo
The Tightwads
Monday, April 11, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
What's purple and firm and shiny all over ?
Remember our New Year's Resolution? You know, the one where we said we wouldn't buy something simply because it was on sale. Well, that particular resolution was made in an attempt to curb our (okay...EN's) impulsive spending, since it is so easy to justify a third pair of red patent heels with "but they were half off!" What we're learning however is that sometimes it is just the thrill of the sale that is tempting, and not necessarily the item on sale.
Case in point. This week at the grocery store EN was shopping. Keeping away from the center aisles, which is where all the costly pre-packed and processed food is found, she scoured the perimeter of the store in search of the fruits, veggies, dairy products and meats on her list. (Hmmm....all this talking in the 3rd person is weird...I think I'll just take over this entry - EN :) ).
So, there I was, doing a mighty good job of shopping for the items we had identified for the meals we had planned out for the week. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a shelf full of pre-packaged eggplants...on sale. Eggplants were not on our list. They weren't on our list because, except for me, no one in our house likes eggplant, and even I'm not crazy about them. But, the eggplant was ON SALE. I walked over for a closer inspection and found that the packages included about 5 eggplants each (big eggplants!) and the whole lot of them were $1.39. Seriously !!! Who could pass that up (well, maybe lots of people...but not me).
So, into the cart the eggplants went and I actually started to feel quite excited about the possibilities. My mind raced as I imagined all of the delicious and delectable treats I could whip up which would make eggplant fans of my whole family. Fried eggplant slices, eggplant parmesan, stuffed eggplant, eggplant dip...the options were endless. And with so many eggplants, I could try them all !!!! I may have actually been humming in the check-out line.
Excited, I got home and immediately announced that the eggplant was on sale! My proclamation was met with a 9 years old's "Gross", a 7 year old's "What's eggplant?" and a 40 year old's "Why did you buy eggplant?" Only the dog was excited (but then again, she's always excited). Undettered, I was intent upon using up every last bit of ... the many eggplants I had purchased...ON SALE !
Well, good intentions do not a meal make. It has been 4 days since the great eggplant purchase. Despite the fact that there have been 4 suppers made during that time (not to mention lunches), the eggplants remain un-used in the refrigerator. Not being a regular eggplant purchaser, I don't even know how long these poor vegetables can keep before they are no longer edible. But they are on my mind (obviously). Tomorrow is a day at home with the girls - I foresee some creative culinary adventures starring the aubergine in our very near future. Anyone wanna come over for supper?
xoxo The Tightwads (well, Economia Nia actually ;) )
Case in point. This week at the grocery store EN was shopping. Keeping away from the center aisles, which is where all the costly pre-packed and processed food is found, she scoured the perimeter of the store in search of the fruits, veggies, dairy products and meats on her list. (Hmmm....all this talking in the 3rd person is weird...I think I'll just take over this entry - EN :) ).
So, there I was, doing a mighty good job of shopping for the items we had identified for the meals we had planned out for the week. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a shelf full of pre-packaged eggplants...on sale. Eggplants were not on our list. They weren't on our list because, except for me, no one in our house likes eggplant, and even I'm not crazy about them. But, the eggplant was ON SALE. I walked over for a closer inspection and found that the packages included about 5 eggplants each (big eggplants!) and the whole lot of them were $1.39. Seriously !!! Who could pass that up (well, maybe lots of people...but not me).
So, into the cart the eggplants went and I actually started to feel quite excited about the possibilities. My mind raced as I imagined all of the delicious and delectable treats I could whip up which would make eggplant fans of my whole family. Fried eggplant slices, eggplant parmesan, stuffed eggplant, eggplant dip...the options were endless. And with so many eggplants, I could try them all !!!! I may have actually been humming in the check-out line.
Excited, I got home and immediately announced that the eggplant was on sale! My proclamation was met with a 9 years old's "Gross", a 7 year old's "What's eggplant?" and a 40 year old's "Why did you buy eggplant?" Only the dog was excited (but then again, she's always excited). Undettered, I was intent upon using up every last bit of ... the many eggplants I had purchased...ON SALE !
Well, good intentions do not a meal make. It has been 4 days since the great eggplant purchase. Despite the fact that there have been 4 suppers made during that time (not to mention lunches), the eggplants remain un-used in the refrigerator. Not being a regular eggplant purchaser, I don't even know how long these poor vegetables can keep before they are no longer edible. But they are on my mind (obviously). Tomorrow is a day at home with the girls - I foresee some creative culinary adventures starring the aubergine in our very near future. Anyone wanna come over for supper?
xoxo The Tightwads (well, Economia Nia actually ;) )
Sunday, March 20, 2011
When life gives you rotting bananas....
There are few things we hate more than waste. Waste results in unnecessary garbage, pollutes our environment and tends to cost money. In our home, we have learned to deal with waste in one of the following ways: we recycle, we re-use, we re-invent, we compost and we discard. By paying close attention to how we manage our waste, and by carefully making purchases which will ultimately produce the least amount of waste, we have reduced the amount of stuff that we simply throw out by a whole lot.
One of the things that we hate to simply get rid of is food. Whereas many people hate leftovers...we LOVE them...in fact, we thrive on them. It is rare that you will find us composting or throwing away food - because unless it is spoiled (and it should not get to the point where it is spoiled) there is always something to do with it. So, cheese rinds are kept in the refrigerator or freezer until they can be used to flavor soup, leftover spaghetti sauce goes through a metamorphosis, becoming a delish chili and seen-better-days-veggies are tossed together into stir-frys.
And bananas....well, bananas present their own unique challenges. Have you ever noticed that bananas can go from "just perfectly ripe" to "yikes...what the heck am I going to do with all these rotting bananas" in about 4 hours ??!! What a crazy fruit ! So, in an attempt to keep you all from tossing these nutrient rich treats into the compost heap or (yikes) the garbage bin...here are a few suggestions for your rotting bananas.
1. An over-ripe banana may be yucky to eat, but works really well in a smoothie. Try mixing a banana with some milk or soy milk, frozen yogurt and some frozen berries. Or, try making our 7 year old's favorite drink: banana milk. Put some milk in a glass, blend in a banana...ta dah...banana milk !
2. Over-ripe bananas make delicious dessert. How about some Banana's Flambé (also called Bananas Foster (we think))? Melt lots of butter and combine it with brown sugar in a sauce pan. When hot and bubbly, add some sliced up bananas and heat them through. Add a splash of cognac and, if you are feeling particularly ambitious, set a match to it....flambé ! (no worries if you are too afraid of singeing your eyebrows..the flame adds only dramatic effect and no flavor). Pour over ice-cream or pound cake or both. YUM !
3. Bake a banana bread. Here is the most fantastic banana bread recipe ever, adapted from the Jewish General Hospital's cookbook called Panache. Not only is it delicious, it makes plenty. There is enough batter to fill a loaf pan and a bundt pan (or three loaf pans). Freeze what you won't consume immediately or share with your friends. And, speaking of freezing...if you find yourself with lots of very ripe bananas but no time to use them before they are no longer usable...pop them into the freezer. Just thaw them on the counter when you are ready to bake with them...we are convinced this makes them even sweeter. Keep in mind that freezing them may make the skin and flesh turn a bizarre dark brown / black color...this is normal :)
BEST BANANA BREAD EVER RECIPE (our version)
It takes about 20 minutes to whip this together, and another hour to bake.
Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat or whole grain flour
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
4 large eggs
2 1/3 cups sugar (we use a mix of brown and white sugar)
1 cup vegetable oil
8 very ripe bananas (we know, we know...that's a lot of bananas !)
1/4 cup sour cream or applesauce or plain yogourt
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cups walnuts or chocolate chips (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Whisk together to blend well the flours, cinnamon, and salt.
In another bowl beat the eggs, sugar, and oil.
To the egg mixture, slowly mix in the flour mixture. Once combined, mix in the bananas. Then, add and mix in the remaining ingredients.
Pour into 3 loaf pans or 1 loaf pan and a bundt pan (greased and lined with parchment pan). Bake in the middle of oven for about an hour (or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean).
Could this be any easier ???!!!!
xoxo
The Tightwads
One of the things that we hate to simply get rid of is food. Whereas many people hate leftovers...we LOVE them...in fact, we thrive on them. It is rare that you will find us composting or throwing away food - because unless it is spoiled (and it should not get to the point where it is spoiled) there is always something to do with it. So, cheese rinds are kept in the refrigerator or freezer until they can be used to flavor soup, leftover spaghetti sauce goes through a metamorphosis, becoming a delish chili and seen-better-days-veggies are tossed together into stir-frys.
And bananas....well, bananas present their own unique challenges. Have you ever noticed that bananas can go from "just perfectly ripe" to "yikes...what the heck am I going to do with all these rotting bananas" in about 4 hours ??!! What a crazy fruit ! So, in an attempt to keep you all from tossing these nutrient rich treats into the compost heap or (yikes) the garbage bin...here are a few suggestions for your rotting bananas.
1. An over-ripe banana may be yucky to eat, but works really well in a smoothie. Try mixing a banana with some milk or soy milk, frozen yogurt and some frozen berries. Or, try making our 7 year old's favorite drink: banana milk. Put some milk in a glass, blend in a banana...ta dah...banana milk !
2. Over-ripe bananas make delicious dessert. How about some Banana's Flambé (also called Bananas Foster (we think))? Melt lots of butter and combine it with brown sugar in a sauce pan. When hot and bubbly, add some sliced up bananas and heat them through. Add a splash of cognac and, if you are feeling particularly ambitious, set a match to it....flambé ! (no worries if you are too afraid of singeing your eyebrows..the flame adds only dramatic effect and no flavor). Pour over ice-cream or pound cake or both. YUM !
3. Bake a banana bread. Here is the most fantastic banana bread recipe ever, adapted from the Jewish General Hospital's cookbook called Panache. Not only is it delicious, it makes plenty. There is enough batter to fill a loaf pan and a bundt pan (or three loaf pans). Freeze what you won't consume immediately or share with your friends. And, speaking of freezing...if you find yourself with lots of very ripe bananas but no time to use them before they are no longer usable...pop them into the freezer. Just thaw them on the counter when you are ready to bake with them...we are convinced this makes them even sweeter. Keep in mind that freezing them may make the skin and flesh turn a bizarre dark brown / black color...this is normal :)
BEST BANANA BREAD EVER RECIPE (our version)
It takes about 20 minutes to whip this together, and another hour to bake.
Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat or whole grain flour
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
4 large eggs
2 1/3 cups sugar (we use a mix of brown and white sugar)
1 cup vegetable oil
8 very ripe bananas (we know, we know...that's a lot of bananas !)
1/4 cup sour cream or applesauce or plain yogourt
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cups walnuts or chocolate chips (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Whisk together to blend well the flours, cinnamon, and salt.
In another bowl beat the eggs, sugar, and oil.
To the egg mixture, slowly mix in the flour mixture. Once combined, mix in the bananas. Then, add and mix in the remaining ingredients.
Pour into 3 loaf pans or 1 loaf pan and a bundt pan (greased and lined with parchment pan). Bake in the middle of oven for about an hour (or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean).
Could this be any easier ???!!!!
xoxo
The Tightwads
Monday, March 14, 2011
Disney on a dime
We Tightwads feel really lucky to have just spent a week during March break in Orlando visiting Universal Studios and the Disney World Theme Parks with our girls. Actually, truth is, this was our third visit in about 2 and 1/2 years. Very "un-Tightwad like" you may be thinking, but the there is a way to make a Disney vacation affordable. Each time we have gone, we have done things a little differently. So, here are our simple tips on how to save some bucks while not missing out on the fun.
Tip 1: If you are going to stay at a Disney resort, think about one of their budget hotels. Disney classifies their resorts as either Budget, Moderate, or Luxury. The difference is the quality of the rooms, the hotel amenities and the proximity to the parks. Truth be told, we have only ever stayed at the Budget hotels, (we are Tightwads after all :) )for a few reasons. One reason is obviously the price, and the fact that we don't really care too much about the hotel, as our main reason for going to Disney World is to ride the roller coasters and to see the Princesses. Spending time at the hotel is not high on our list of priorities, especially since you are free to dine at and visit the Luxury hotels if you wish too.
We have stayed at both All Star Movies and All Star Sports Resorts. The latter, which was where we stayed this last trip, was by far a better experience. Our room was newly renovated, the pool was fantastic, and transportation to the parks was super easy using the shuttle buses, which run regularly and are free for resort guests. In some cases, the shuttle buses travel to all 3 All Star Resorts (Movies, Sports and Music) before heading to the parks, and then on the return as well. Due to it's location, All Star Sports is the first pick up spot of the 3 and the first drop off spot. Incredibly important since first on pretty much guarantees you a seat on the bus (much appreciated by tired little legs), and first off means you are back in your room sooner rather than later (again, much appreciated by tired little and not so little legs).
Although when we stayed at All Star Movies our room had not been updated in a long while (think aqua laminate furniture - yikes!), in both of our stays in Budget Resorts the staff was Disney friendly, and the rooms were spotless.
Tip 2: If you are staying on site, choose a meal plan. The first time we went to Disney, we actually drove (how can two girls travel 24 hours to and fro without arguing for a moment, when they can't even make it home from school without wanting to pull each others hair out is a mystery to us...but we digress). That time, we rented a condo/hotel with a full kitchen. We had breakfast in our hotel, packed a lunch and had dinner back at the condo. Definitely a money saver - but having to cook during a vacation sometimes sucks. Our second trip, we just paid as we went....and did we ever pay! Eating at the theme parks is costly! So, this time we got a meal plan, made our reservations before we traveled, and enjoyed being able to eat our meals, and snacks, without having to pay for anything but tips. Nice.
Tip 3: Don't get suckered into buying stupid souvenirs. Yeah...that Goofy hat with the floppy ears is really cute when you're riding Splash Mountain...but what are you going to do with that thing when you get home??? Same goes for Mickey ears, Fantasia hats and Fairy wings. Unless you are convinced that you will cry with regret for years because you passed on this purchase ...pass.
Tip 4: Take pictures of your pictures. We think that some of the funniest pictures ever are the ones that are taken of you when you're on these crazy rides. Your mouth is wide open because you're screaming with fear or excitement (or both), you have this psychotic look in your eyes, and the Goofy ears on the stupid hat you're wearing are flopping in the wind. Hilarious ! and if you want to take the memory home, it will cost you about 20$. Now, although we didn't do this ourselves, we did see other riders taking out their cameras and snapping photos of their photos as they were being displayed on screens in an attempt to lure you into purchasing them. When EN commented to another lady that this was a smart idea, she said that the pictures come out a bit blurry....but we bet they're still funny.
Tip 5: Speaking of pictures...Disney has a great service called PhotoPass. There are photographers scattered all over the parks, ready to snap your picture, which is then loaded onto a PhotoPass card. When you get home (or even in certain locations in the parks), you can view your photos, email them to friends for a limited time, and purchase them. They are really nice, but again, pretty expensive. We learned that if you give your own camera to the photographer, he or she will take the same shot with it..and then you have essentially the same pose...for nothing. Pretty smart huh?
Tip 6: We're actually not sure how we feel about this...but it IS a money saver...and we did see lots of people doing it. Picture the scene. You are having a buffet breakfast. The food is aplenty, and, generally quite yummy. You load your plate with things that are fried, sauced and generally unhealthy. To compensate, you grab a few apples or bananas. Lo and behold, after scarfing down your meal, you find that you have no more room for the fruit you lovingly chose. What to do???? Putting it back would be unhygienic, throwing it away is wasteful. Oh, how about just tucking that banana into your backpack, for a snack when you feel peckish...you know, instead of buying a banana later on. We did this once with a couple of apples. EN felt guilty, FF didn't think about it too much (he wasn't carrying the backpack!), but when the girls were hungry a few hours later..tah dah...Disney magic...the apples made an appearance.
Tip 7: If you decide to go to Universal Studios (do go ! the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is phenomenal), stay at a Universal "affiliated" hotel. These are MUCH cheaper than the 3 Universal hotels and most offer transportation to the Universal Parks, and extra hours, so that you can enter the park an hour early - a must, especially if you go in a busy season. We stayed at the Fairmount Inn...it was great. The price was reasonable, the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, the room was basic but spotless, the pool was great, and a yummy continental breakfast was included.
Tip 8: If you book your Disney vacation on-line through the Disney website, check it periodically, up until your departure date. If there is a sale that comes out after you have booked, Disney will honor it. Thanks to this good advice, we saved 350$ this year. With the money we saved we could have bought about 15 sets of Mickey ears !!! (but we didn't).
Tip 9: Set a spending budget and stick to it. This is really easy if you have a meal plan, because your food costs are already accounted for. There are so many nice things to buy both at Universal Studios and the Disney Theme parks. Decide how much you want to spend on souvenirs and gifts, and stick to it. If you're traveling with children, it's doesn't hurt to remind them that they can't have EVERYTHING they see.
So, although a Disney vacation can be costly, it doesn't have to break the bank. Shop around, cut corners that don't really matter to you, and enjoy a beautiful and magical vacation...it really is one of the happiest places on earth.
Happy travels
xoxo
The Tightwads
Tip 1: If you are going to stay at a Disney resort, think about one of their budget hotels. Disney classifies their resorts as either Budget, Moderate, or Luxury. The difference is the quality of the rooms, the hotel amenities and the proximity to the parks. Truth be told, we have only ever stayed at the Budget hotels, (we are Tightwads after all :) )for a few reasons. One reason is obviously the price, and the fact that we don't really care too much about the hotel, as our main reason for going to Disney World is to ride the roller coasters and to see the Princesses. Spending time at the hotel is not high on our list of priorities, especially since you are free to dine at and visit the Luxury hotels if you wish too.
We have stayed at both All Star Movies and All Star Sports Resorts. The latter, which was where we stayed this last trip, was by far a better experience. Our room was newly renovated, the pool was fantastic, and transportation to the parks was super easy using the shuttle buses, which run regularly and are free for resort guests. In some cases, the shuttle buses travel to all 3 All Star Resorts (Movies, Sports and Music) before heading to the parks, and then on the return as well. Due to it's location, All Star Sports is the first pick up spot of the 3 and the first drop off spot. Incredibly important since first on pretty much guarantees you a seat on the bus (much appreciated by tired little legs), and first off means you are back in your room sooner rather than later (again, much appreciated by tired little and not so little legs).
Although when we stayed at All Star Movies our room had not been updated in a long while (think aqua laminate furniture - yikes!), in both of our stays in Budget Resorts the staff was Disney friendly, and the rooms were spotless.
Tip 2: If you are staying on site, choose a meal plan. The first time we went to Disney, we actually drove (how can two girls travel 24 hours to and fro without arguing for a moment, when they can't even make it home from school without wanting to pull each others hair out is a mystery to us...but we digress). That time, we rented a condo/hotel with a full kitchen. We had breakfast in our hotel, packed a lunch and had dinner back at the condo. Definitely a money saver - but having to cook during a vacation sometimes sucks. Our second trip, we just paid as we went....and did we ever pay! Eating at the theme parks is costly! So, this time we got a meal plan, made our reservations before we traveled, and enjoyed being able to eat our meals, and snacks, without having to pay for anything but tips. Nice.
Tip 3: Don't get suckered into buying stupid souvenirs. Yeah...that Goofy hat with the floppy ears is really cute when you're riding Splash Mountain...but what are you going to do with that thing when you get home??? Same goes for Mickey ears, Fantasia hats and Fairy wings. Unless you are convinced that you will cry with regret for years because you passed on this purchase ...pass.
Tip 4: Take pictures of your pictures. We think that some of the funniest pictures ever are the ones that are taken of you when you're on these crazy rides. Your mouth is wide open because you're screaming with fear or excitement (or both), you have this psychotic look in your eyes, and the Goofy ears on the stupid hat you're wearing are flopping in the wind. Hilarious ! and if you want to take the memory home, it will cost you about 20$. Now, although we didn't do this ourselves, we did see other riders taking out their cameras and snapping photos of their photos as they were being displayed on screens in an attempt to lure you into purchasing them. When EN commented to another lady that this was a smart idea, she said that the pictures come out a bit blurry....but we bet they're still funny.
Tip 5: Speaking of pictures...Disney has a great service called PhotoPass. There are photographers scattered all over the parks, ready to snap your picture, which is then loaded onto a PhotoPass card. When you get home (or even in certain locations in the parks), you can view your photos, email them to friends for a limited time, and purchase them. They are really nice, but again, pretty expensive. We learned that if you give your own camera to the photographer, he or she will take the same shot with it..and then you have essentially the same pose...for nothing. Pretty smart huh?
Tip 6: We're actually not sure how we feel about this...but it IS a money saver...and we did see lots of people doing it. Picture the scene. You are having a buffet breakfast. The food is aplenty, and, generally quite yummy. You load your plate with things that are fried, sauced and generally unhealthy. To compensate, you grab a few apples or bananas. Lo and behold, after scarfing down your meal, you find that you have no more room for the fruit you lovingly chose. What to do???? Putting it back would be unhygienic, throwing it away is wasteful. Oh, how about just tucking that banana into your backpack, for a snack when you feel peckish...you know, instead of buying a banana later on. We did this once with a couple of apples. EN felt guilty, FF didn't think about it too much (he wasn't carrying the backpack!), but when the girls were hungry a few hours later..tah dah...Disney magic...the apples made an appearance.
Tip 7: If you decide to go to Universal Studios (do go ! the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is phenomenal), stay at a Universal "affiliated" hotel. These are MUCH cheaper than the 3 Universal hotels and most offer transportation to the Universal Parks, and extra hours, so that you can enter the park an hour early - a must, especially if you go in a busy season. We stayed at the Fairmount Inn...it was great. The price was reasonable, the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, the room was basic but spotless, the pool was great, and a yummy continental breakfast was included.
Tip 8: If you book your Disney vacation on-line through the Disney website, check it periodically, up until your departure date. If there is a sale that comes out after you have booked, Disney will honor it. Thanks to this good advice, we saved 350$ this year. With the money we saved we could have bought about 15 sets of Mickey ears !!! (but we didn't).
Tip 9: Set a spending budget and stick to it. This is really easy if you have a meal plan, because your food costs are already accounted for. There are so many nice things to buy both at Universal Studios and the Disney Theme parks. Decide how much you want to spend on souvenirs and gifts, and stick to it. If you're traveling with children, it's doesn't hurt to remind them that they can't have EVERYTHING they see.
So, although a Disney vacation can be costly, it doesn't have to break the bank. Shop around, cut corners that don't really matter to you, and enjoy a beautiful and magical vacation...it really is one of the happiest places on earth.
Happy travels
xoxo
The Tightwads
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Big screen, small price
We love the movies. Our first date was a movie (The Untouchables) and there was a time (pre-marriage and definitely pre-children) when we would go to the movie theater almost every day. There were times when we couldn't go to the movies...because we had seen everything that was playing. From small budget B movies, to foreign films, to animated kid flicks, we would watch it all. Ahh... those were the days. Those of you who have lived in Montreal may remember - those were the days of the Palace, the Leows, the Imperial, and the Egyptian. Charming theaters, each with it's own personality, and all easily accessible in the heart of downtown. We certainly saw our share of duds (a horror movie called Popcorn comes to mind) but only walked out of one movie (one of the Batman movies if you can believe it...the one with George Clooney and Uma Thurman - sucked !).
As we grew up and our time became filled with things like full time jobs and diaper changes, the number of movies we went to necessarily diminished. When on maternity leave however, Economia Nia would pack up baby and baby essentials every Tuesday at 10am to go to "Movies for Mommies". A unique movie-going experience for sure. Mommies (and some Daddies) and their babies watching films with the volume turned down (to protect infant ears), lights dimmed, but not off (to prevent Mommies from tripping as they walked up and down the steps to quiet screaming babies), and a diaper changing station off to the side. For a stir-crazy new mom, it was a gift from heaven. It's really too bad that as we searched for the link to Movies for Mommies, we realize that the big gun theater that offered this service in Montreal when EN was on her maternity leaves, is no longer doing so. Luckily some smaller theaters offer the event though.
MoviesforMommies
These days movies are still a big part of our lives, but with the current cost of going to the theater and our commitment to tight living, it is a "special event" instead of an automatic "something to do". A family of four will easily spend in the vicinity of 35$ for admission tickets alone (and usually more). Of course, no movie going experience would be complete without "the snacks". Remember when the "snacks" were basically your choice of popcorn, chocolate and licorice? You would take your seat (which was utilitarian and not meant to be plush and reclining) and the only thing you would smell would be the butter on the popcorn and maybe the guy behind you who needed a shower. Now, you take your seat and are assaulted with the smells of french fries, pizza and hamburgers. When in the world did movie-going turn into a complete dining opportunity? You can get anything at the movies now. Forget nachos, you can practically order a roast chicken to munch on. Of course, no matter what your fancy, all this snacking is gonna cost you - figure a minimum of 20$ for a family of four (and that minimum is only achieved by having your children feeling deprived). What is a tightwad family to do?
Aha ! We actually know what to do. Yes, we can rent movies through our cable subscriber or a DVD rental place, but nothing beats going to the movies. Solution: The Dollar Cinema. Now, we realize that this is only a solution if you live in Montreal (although there may be similar places in other cities - there must be! ... and if they're aren't, then this is an excellent business opportunity!).
The Dollar Cinema used to be a regular kind of cinema, but instead of closing when the big franchises monopolized the industry, it was reinvented into what it is today. And what it is, is a place where a family of four can watch a recently shown (but now out of the mainstream cinemas) movie, for less than 15$ ...and that includes admission tickets and snacks. Today Economia Nia took the girls to see Gulliver's Travels for a grand total of 12$ and change.
Admission to the Dollar Cinema is 2$ for everyone, any day of the week, and any time of day. All snacks and drinks are 1$ (plus tax). Yes, the popcorn bags are not huge (hmmmm, saving money and calories...this keeps getting better), and the candy selection may be more limited than what you have gotten used to (you know, the way things used to be), but who cares. The seats are comfortable and were recently changed so they have that convenient cup holder thing, which is great for keeping your 1$ drink. And, the staff is really friendly. At the movie today, EN accidentally knocked her popcorn on the counter after paying for it. The employee (who may have actually been the owner) smiled and immediately passed over another full bag of popcorn. We have a feeling that the 16 year old kid at the Mega-Plex wouldn't have done that.
It is true, that if you're used to the modern day cinemas with their glitz and bright lights, you may be initially turned off by Dollar Cinema's more austere decor (and the fact that it is located in a mall that has really seen better days). But instead of focusing on what it is not, focus on what it is - a charming, low key, super affordable movie going experience.
http://www.dollarcinema.ca/
Happy viewing:)
xoxo
The Tightwads
As we grew up and our time became filled with things like full time jobs and diaper changes, the number of movies we went to necessarily diminished. When on maternity leave however, Economia Nia would pack up baby and baby essentials every Tuesday at 10am to go to "Movies for Mommies". A unique movie-going experience for sure. Mommies (and some Daddies) and their babies watching films with the volume turned down (to protect infant ears), lights dimmed, but not off (to prevent Mommies from tripping as they walked up and down the steps to quiet screaming babies), and a diaper changing station off to the side. For a stir-crazy new mom, it was a gift from heaven. It's really too bad that as we searched for the link to Movies for Mommies, we realize that the big gun theater that offered this service in Montreal when EN was on her maternity leaves, is no longer doing so. Luckily some smaller theaters offer the event though.
MoviesforMommies
These days movies are still a big part of our lives, but with the current cost of going to the theater and our commitment to tight living, it is a "special event" instead of an automatic "something to do". A family of four will easily spend in the vicinity of 35$ for admission tickets alone (and usually more). Of course, no movie going experience would be complete without "the snacks". Remember when the "snacks" were basically your choice of popcorn, chocolate and licorice? You would take your seat (which was utilitarian and not meant to be plush and reclining) and the only thing you would smell would be the butter on the popcorn and maybe the guy behind you who needed a shower. Now, you take your seat and are assaulted with the smells of french fries, pizza and hamburgers. When in the world did movie-going turn into a complete dining opportunity? You can get anything at the movies now. Forget nachos, you can practically order a roast chicken to munch on. Of course, no matter what your fancy, all this snacking is gonna cost you - figure a minimum of 20$ for a family of four (and that minimum is only achieved by having your children feeling deprived). What is a tightwad family to do?
Aha ! We actually know what to do. Yes, we can rent movies through our cable subscriber or a DVD rental place, but nothing beats going to the movies. Solution: The Dollar Cinema. Now, we realize that this is only a solution if you live in Montreal (although there may be similar places in other cities - there must be! ... and if they're aren't, then this is an excellent business opportunity!).
The Dollar Cinema used to be a regular kind of cinema, but instead of closing when the big franchises monopolized the industry, it was reinvented into what it is today. And what it is, is a place where a family of four can watch a recently shown (but now out of the mainstream cinemas) movie, for less than 15$ ...and that includes admission tickets and snacks. Today Economia Nia took the girls to see Gulliver's Travels for a grand total of 12$ and change.
Admission to the Dollar Cinema is 2$ for everyone, any day of the week, and any time of day. All snacks and drinks are 1$ (plus tax). Yes, the popcorn bags are not huge (hmmmm, saving money and calories...this keeps getting better), and the candy selection may be more limited than what you have gotten used to (you know, the way things used to be), but who cares. The seats are comfortable and were recently changed so they have that convenient cup holder thing, which is great for keeping your 1$ drink. And, the staff is really friendly. At the movie today, EN accidentally knocked her popcorn on the counter after paying for it. The employee (who may have actually been the owner) smiled and immediately passed over another full bag of popcorn. We have a feeling that the 16 year old kid at the Mega-Plex wouldn't have done that.
It is true, that if you're used to the modern day cinemas with their glitz and bright lights, you may be initially turned off by Dollar Cinema's more austere decor (and the fact that it is located in a mall that has really seen better days). But instead of focusing on what it is not, focus on what it is - a charming, low key, super affordable movie going experience.
http://www.dollarcinema.ca/
Happy viewing:)
xoxo
The Tightwads
Monday, February 14, 2011
Our love ain't cheap.
Valentine's Day! Sigh. A day of marketing genius. It's difficult to remember (or to even care) about the origin of this holiday amid all the roses, heart shaped chocolates and red wrapping, but St. Valentine's Day did start out as a religious holiday. It appears that Valentine was a common name for Christian martyrs and two in particular are honored on the 14th of February: Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni. St. Valentine's Day was established as a special day by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD (way before Hallmark), yet the day first became associated with romance when Chaucer wrote the poem Parlement of Foules in 1382. Translated into modern English he wrote :
For this was Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate
Awwww.....Chaucer wrote this poem to honour the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia, who eventually married when they were each 15 years old !
In 1969 Pope Paul VI, perhaps disheartened by the way the holiday had morphed into what we see today, deleted it from the Roman calendar of saints holidays, although still allowing for its religious observance. (We know what you're thinking...what religious observance???)
Anyhow, as we all know, today Valentine's Day is a day in which people express their love for each other by offering flowers, sweets, cards, and hopefully something sparkling. This gift exchange used to be reserved for lovers, but the great marketing geniuses of the world realized that not everyone has a lover. No worries, because they also realized that most everyone has a parent, a sister, a child, a cousin, a friend, a classmate, a teacher, a boss, a mailman, a dry cleaner. And if you don't...don't worry...you still have yourself ! That's right ladies and gents, there are now Valentine's Day cards and gifts designed for everyone on your Facebook friend list.
It's no wonder then that a lot of cash gets spent on this day, with some reports stating that on average, a person will spend about 170$ on gifts. Men typically spend more than women, probably because they have more to make up for, but the difference really ain't that big. So, before you go and open your wallets, we thought it would be a good idea to question some of the more common Valentine's Day offerings.
1. Roses, generally long stemmed and red, and a small fortune. Interesting symbol to represent and celebrate what one hopes to be a long and healthy relationship don't you think? Dying flowers (that's right...their fate was sealed the moment they were cut) which will wither and dry out and that have the potential to draw blood with one of their thorns. Nice. How about a potted plant instead? Cheaper, and it will last longer...like your love...awwww....
2. Valentine Chocolate. Sweet, smooth, rich, fattening, and, unfortunately, easily obtained at a drugstore (yuck). This latter fact makes cheap chocolate the perfect "Oh no I forgot today is Valentine's day, and I have exactly 5 minutes to go shopping" gift - so obvious. To complicate matters even more, chocolate of any quality should not be given to those who are diabetic, trying to lose weight, simply watching their weight, breastfeeding, lactose-intolerent, bulemic, or to chocolate dis-likers. Should also not be given to anyone who has children (they will eat all the chocolate).
3. Valentine's Day Cards. They are written by people who get paid a lot of money ("a lot" being a relative term, seeing as how we are writing this blog for nothing), who are able to eloquently, beautifully, and sappily express exactly what you yourself are feeling. Unless you are a modern day Chaucer, chances are you won't feel that you can add anymore to what is already in the card you so thoughfully chose. So, to the heartfelt printed prose, you add simply ...your name (and if you are feeling inspired, maybe an "I love you"). The recipient of this card will likely wonder why they aren't in a relationship with the actual person who wrote the card, but they'll say that they love it, and stick it in the recycling bin within a week. Instead, try making your own card (you know, like you did when you were a kid). Make up a poem (words that rhyme with love : glove, shove, dove, above), and it will be remembered forever - even if it really sucks.
There are so many lovely, inexpensive ways to celebrate Valentine's Day. Making a romantic supper, going for a walk holding hands, renting the movie you saw on your first date, decorating the house with red balloons...the list is long. So, use your imagination, save a few bucks, and remember to spread the feeling to the rest of the year.
Happy Valentine's Day
xoxo
The Tightwads
For this was Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate
Awwww.....Chaucer wrote this poem to honour the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia, who eventually married when they were each 15 years old !
In 1969 Pope Paul VI, perhaps disheartened by the way the holiday had morphed into what we see today, deleted it from the Roman calendar of saints holidays, although still allowing for its religious observance. (We know what you're thinking...what religious observance???)
Anyhow, as we all know, today Valentine's Day is a day in which people express their love for each other by offering flowers, sweets, cards, and hopefully something sparkling. This gift exchange used to be reserved for lovers, but the great marketing geniuses of the world realized that not everyone has a lover. No worries, because they also realized that most everyone has a parent, a sister, a child, a cousin, a friend, a classmate, a teacher, a boss, a mailman, a dry cleaner. And if you don't...don't worry...you still have yourself ! That's right ladies and gents, there are now Valentine's Day cards and gifts designed for everyone on your Facebook friend list.
It's no wonder then that a lot of cash gets spent on this day, with some reports stating that on average, a person will spend about 170$ on gifts. Men typically spend more than women, probably because they have more to make up for, but the difference really ain't that big. So, before you go and open your wallets, we thought it would be a good idea to question some of the more common Valentine's Day offerings.
1. Roses, generally long stemmed and red, and a small fortune. Interesting symbol to represent and celebrate what one hopes to be a long and healthy relationship don't you think? Dying flowers (that's right...their fate was sealed the moment they were cut) which will wither and dry out and that have the potential to draw blood with one of their thorns. Nice. How about a potted plant instead? Cheaper, and it will last longer...like your love...awwww....
2. Valentine Chocolate. Sweet, smooth, rich, fattening, and, unfortunately, easily obtained at a drugstore (yuck). This latter fact makes cheap chocolate the perfect "Oh no I forgot today is Valentine's day, and I have exactly 5 minutes to go shopping" gift - so obvious. To complicate matters even more, chocolate of any quality should not be given to those who are diabetic, trying to lose weight, simply watching their weight, breastfeeding, lactose-intolerent, bulemic, or to chocolate dis-likers. Should also not be given to anyone who has children (they will eat all the chocolate).
3. Valentine's Day Cards. They are written by people who get paid a lot of money ("a lot" being a relative term, seeing as how we are writing this blog for nothing), who are able to eloquently, beautifully, and sappily express exactly what you yourself are feeling. Unless you are a modern day Chaucer, chances are you won't feel that you can add anymore to what is already in the card you so thoughfully chose. So, to the heartfelt printed prose, you add simply ...your name (and if you are feeling inspired, maybe an "I love you"). The recipient of this card will likely wonder why they aren't in a relationship with the actual person who wrote the card, but they'll say that they love it, and stick it in the recycling bin within a week. Instead, try making your own card (you know, like you did when you were a kid). Make up a poem (words that rhyme with love : glove, shove, dove, above), and it will be remembered forever - even if it really sucks.
There are so many lovely, inexpensive ways to celebrate Valentine's Day. Making a romantic supper, going for a walk holding hands, renting the movie you saw on your first date, decorating the house with red balloons...the list is long. So, use your imagination, save a few bucks, and remember to spread the feeling to the rest of the year.
Happy Valentine's Day
xoxo
The Tightwads
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Beans, beans, they're good for your....
...wallet ! What did you think we were going to say?
Ahh....beans. We love them! Well, actually Economia Nia loves them, Frugal Freddie simply likes them. But, whether you love them, like them, or don't really eat them, one thing is sure...they are cheap ! Not sort of cheap, but really cheap ! So cheap in fact, that it doesn't even matter if they are on sale - how can anyone not love that!
So, how many of you out there eat beans on a regular basis (and by regular we mean at least every other day)? Come on, you in the back...don't be shy. Well, we know why you may be reluctant to fess up. For some reason (okay, for a very good reason), eating beans is often equated with...farting ! (note to readers: Economia Nia really wanted to put in a polite euphemism, but Frugal Freddie beat me to the keyboard). Well, polite or not, it's true that bean eating can lead to gas leaking, in some more than others. But, you want to know a secret? Despite what that little children's song says, the more you eat...the LESS you fart ! That's right, your meat-eating, processed-food-loving body actually gets used to digesting wholesome, healthy beans ! It's miraculous !
Now there are products out there that claim to help you digest beans and eliminate their noxious side effects. We've actually never tried them, but some bean-eating friends say that they do work. Check out the website for Beano...it's a riot (particularly the link to the "University of gas").
http://www.beanogas.com/
Gas aside, you really can't beat the benefits of eating beans. They are cheap (so cheap), healthy (so healthy!), delicious (really delicious....like really, really delicious), and they look pretty in glass jars (so pretty).
There are basically two ways to purchase beans at the market: in cans and in bags. For a long time we were can buyers, mainly because of the convenience. Recently however we have turned to the dried variety. They are tastier and a much better value for your buck (which is not really that important since the cans are pretty cheap too), but they are also healthier, since canned beans tend to be loaded in sodium and sometimes other preservatives. Plus, we are trying to move away from cans for a couple of other reasons. The first is environmental (it takes a lot more energy to produce and recycle a can than it does to produce and recycle a small plastic or paper bag). Second, we're just not sure what they line those cans with. Maybe nothing worrisome, but we seem to remember reading "something" about "something bad" being used to line cans. So, better safe than sorry.
Using dried beans is really not all that inconvenient. It takes time to soak them and then cook the beans, but it's not like you have to do anything during the soaking and cooking time. Soaking can be done overnight and cooking can be a breeze with the right recipe and the right method (think slow cooker or pressure cooker).
If you would like to become proficient in bean soaking methodology, then there are a plethora of resources available on-line and in most vegetarian cookbooks which describe in detail how long to soak every kind of bean imaginable. We're going to go ahead and assume that you're too busy for that (heck, you're already wasting enough of your time reading this blog), so here are a few simple rules.
1. Most beans can be soaked overnight (about 8 hours).
2. Some beans (namely lentils...which actually may not be officially classified as beans...but who cares), require little to no soaking (we tend to soak them for about 30 minutes, but it's probably not necessary).
3. If you want to increase your chances of not passing gas all night after eating your beans, do not cook them in the same water in which they soaked.
4. Beans should not be soaked or cooked in salted water. This will toughen the bean...add salt after they are cooked.
5. Cook the beans until they are tender...the bigger the bean, the longer the cooking time.
Below you'll find a link which actually lists the recommended soaking and cooking times for some popular beans.
http://www.weblife.org/beanchart.html
So, beans ! They're healthy, cheap, delicious and kinder to your body and to the environment than eating meat is. But there's more! Dried beans can be used as weights for blind baking pie crusts. They can be used to fill home-made maracas, for arts and crafts and to replace game tokens that invariably get lost. You can also sprout beans by placing them in a humid environment. Try doing any of that with a steak.
:) Love,
The Tightwads
Ahh....beans. We love them! Well, actually Economia Nia loves them, Frugal Freddie simply likes them. But, whether you love them, like them, or don't really eat them, one thing is sure...they are cheap ! Not sort of cheap, but really cheap ! So cheap in fact, that it doesn't even matter if they are on sale - how can anyone not love that!
So, how many of you out there eat beans on a regular basis (and by regular we mean at least every other day)? Come on, you in the back...don't be shy. Well, we know why you may be reluctant to fess up. For some reason (okay, for a very good reason), eating beans is often equated with...farting ! (note to readers: Economia Nia really wanted to put in a polite euphemism, but Frugal Freddie beat me to the keyboard). Well, polite or not, it's true that bean eating can lead to gas leaking, in some more than others. But, you want to know a secret? Despite what that little children's song says, the more you eat...the LESS you fart ! That's right, your meat-eating, processed-food-loving body actually gets used to digesting wholesome, healthy beans ! It's miraculous !
Now there are products out there that claim to help you digest beans and eliminate their noxious side effects. We've actually never tried them, but some bean-eating friends say that they do work. Check out the website for Beano...it's a riot (particularly the link to the "University of gas").
http://www.beanogas.com/
Gas aside, you really can't beat the benefits of eating beans. They are cheap (so cheap), healthy (so healthy!), delicious (really delicious....like really, really delicious), and they look pretty in glass jars (so pretty).
There are basically two ways to purchase beans at the market: in cans and in bags. For a long time we were can buyers, mainly because of the convenience. Recently however we have turned to the dried variety. They are tastier and a much better value for your buck (which is not really that important since the cans are pretty cheap too), but they are also healthier, since canned beans tend to be loaded in sodium and sometimes other preservatives. Plus, we are trying to move away from cans for a couple of other reasons. The first is environmental (it takes a lot more energy to produce and recycle a can than it does to produce and recycle a small plastic or paper bag). Second, we're just not sure what they line those cans with. Maybe nothing worrisome, but we seem to remember reading "something" about "something bad" being used to line cans. So, better safe than sorry.
Using dried beans is really not all that inconvenient. It takes time to soak them and then cook the beans, but it's not like you have to do anything during the soaking and cooking time. Soaking can be done overnight and cooking can be a breeze with the right recipe and the right method (think slow cooker or pressure cooker).
If you would like to become proficient in bean soaking methodology, then there are a plethora of resources available on-line and in most vegetarian cookbooks which describe in detail how long to soak every kind of bean imaginable. We're going to go ahead and assume that you're too busy for that (heck, you're already wasting enough of your time reading this blog), so here are a few simple rules.
1. Most beans can be soaked overnight (about 8 hours).
2. Some beans (namely lentils...which actually may not be officially classified as beans...but who cares), require little to no soaking (we tend to soak them for about 30 minutes, but it's probably not necessary).
3. If you want to increase your chances of not passing gas all night after eating your beans, do not cook them in the same water in which they soaked.
4. Beans should not be soaked or cooked in salted water. This will toughen the bean...add salt after they are cooked.
5. Cook the beans until they are tender...the bigger the bean, the longer the cooking time.
Below you'll find a link which actually lists the recommended soaking and cooking times for some popular beans.
http://www.weblife.org/beanchart.html
So, beans ! They're healthy, cheap, delicious and kinder to your body and to the environment than eating meat is. But there's more! Dried beans can be used as weights for blind baking pie crusts. They can be used to fill home-made maracas, for arts and crafts and to replace game tokens that invariably get lost. You can also sprout beans by placing them in a humid environment. Try doing any of that with a steak.
:) Love,
The Tightwads
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