I agree with Rob MacD. Why wait until a holiday to show that you care for your spouse or significant other? Rather than deal with roses that are marked up several hundred percent for the week preceding, I'll wait until a non-holiday weekend, and the wife and I will go out.
If you're an Italian lover, you owe it to yourself (and your loved one!) to try Fettuccine Alfredo the right way. Trust me, the Olive Garden way is WRONG. Step 1 (this is the only not-so-frugal part): go get a half-pound of really good Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. This will probably run you $10, but it's worth it. The pasta can just be 1 pound (1 box) of standard boxed fettuccine, and all you need besides that is 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and 6 tablespoons of butter. You'll want the parmigiano finely grated (like big pieces of sand), but I cheat and just throw it in a food processor to get it that way. ;)
Boil your water (add some salt for flavor), and cook the pasta for about 7 minues, slightly underdone. Drain it in a colander immediately after. While the pasta is cooking, put the butter over medium heat until melted, but don't let it color. As soon as it's melted, take it off the heat until the pasta is ready.
When the pasta is drained, put the butter back over medium-high heat, and pour the pasta and cream into the pan. Mix it all together for 2 to 3 minutes so the cream coats and soaks into the pasta - very little of it should be left in the pan. Then toss in 1 1/2 cups of the parmigiano (if you bought a half-pound you'll have a little more than that) and mix it all together to let the cheese melt, probably no more than a minute more.
Add pepper to taste and serve - sprinkle any extra cheese over your dish. That's it! It takes less than 20 minutes, the only costly part is the cheese, and you will NEVER want to have "Olive Garden" alfredo again, I promise you.
I'm a home health nurse and oftentimes carry my lunch with me in a cooler. When I see someone with the "Need Help" signs at an intersection, I'll offer my sandwich, a cold drink or whatever food I have with me. I've never had anyone reject it and more times than not, they will tell me "God bless you" for whatever I've given them. I realize they would probably preger money, but they're also happy for something to eat or drink. At least those that I've met.
Our daughter was conceived on Valentine's Day. You could say she was our most expensive gift to each other, but definitely the best. Every year we snuggle up and mark the occasion by reliving the moment. Not original, but definitely fun and it doesn't cost anything.
Two thirds of your list apply to me right now. Except, I'm a recent grad with two degrees who makes a salary a family of four could live on. Who's making lifestyle choices now?
I've never really liked Valentine's day. I think it's too commercialized and I'm always sad that it's only for couples (even though I'm dating). Single people need love too!
Every year I throw an anti-valentine's day party. Any one can come, couples and singles, except you're not allowed to act like a couple during the party. I keep down costs by making it potluck. There is always some kind of cooking contest theme involved to make it a little more fun and challenging.
While this advice is not directed towards Valentine's day and lovey-dovey stuff....it's a good, cheap time with friends...spread the love around people!
We switched our policy this year on 7/1/08 to a high deductible HSP. We never received a copy of the policy which, of course, we should have pursued. We just met our deductible of 3000 by the end of 2008 only to find our after receiving our first EOB for 2009, that the deductible year begins on 1/1/09 (calendar year instead of policy year). Although Aetna credits your deductible met for 2008, which was 1000, this somehow does not seem to work.
If we were to switch back to lower deductible 7/2009, we would never receive the full benefit of the one year policy period since it starts twice in one policy year. It seems that the policy should be prorated. Has anyone else encountered this problem? thanks.
Xin, This is a very helpful series you are working on. Can you offer some PayPal 101. If a person was to blog for these ad sharing websites would they need to open a business pay pal account or could they receive $$ without having to pay a percentage associated with the premier and business plans. If they do pay for the business and/or premier plans I imagine those expenses are deductible. Thanks for any clarity/advice you can offer.
A - Award (make a homemade award to present)
B - Bear (just something small)
C - Cookies (nothing like homemade cookies)
D - Decorate (the bathroom mirror with "love")
E - Explore (new things that make you laugh with one another)
F - Frame (the favorite photo for the desk at work)
G - Games (find free games or ideas for games on the internet)
H - HUGS (give plenty of hugs and give more)
I - Ignite a fire (either in the fireplace or ....)
J - Journal (recapping the past & looking forward to the future)
K - Kisses (of course)
L - Listen (to romantic music - by candelite for more points)
M - Mesmerize (a smiple look in the eye, says it all)
N - Naughty (in which ever way you seem fit)
O - Obtain (favorite foods, candles, candy)
P - Playful (nothing is more fun then acting young at heart)
Q - Quarantine (yourself for some alone time)
R - Rub (your partners feet, back...)
S - Snuggle (hold on tight)
T - Toast (to another year of plenty of love)
U - Utilize (your time)
V - Visualize (your dreams together)
W - Walk (hand in hand)
X - Xtra (love, kisses, smiles, and laughter)
Y - Yearn (to spend time together)
Z - Zip (the two of you in one sleeping bag)
I am overwhelmed with my underwater situation. I bought a very nice condo in the beginning of 2004. It was my intention to keep it for a couple of years and sell, knowing that things would be tight budget wise. Well even a year after my purchase I found I had already lost the $20K I put down plus another $20K in value. I just found that an identical unit 2 doors down sold for $127K and that took a while. I owe $302,000!!! I know it isn't right to walk away, I did take on this responsibility but I really can't afford it. I've run up my credit cards to stay afloat and can't continue this any longer. I have be advised to just let it go and it's killing me since I've just missed my third payments on the mortgage and home equity...that was the way the original loan was issued in two parts. I've tried short sale with no lookers.
I'm open to any suggestions...
Desperate in Michigan
ermm.... I also think whoever wrote the original article about Denver doesn't know how to do math: "This adds up to an awful lot of money - a total of over $4.6 million, divided among about a thousand panhandlers. That's an average of about $50,000 per active panhandler per year" That's off by a whole degree of magnitude.
Shaun already pointed out the math error, but it actually bugs me to read that math error quoted here on Wise Bread. $4600 a year isn't really all that much for a person to live on. I kind of understand why people want to be homeless, though.. The book Into the Wild is really good and describes how a young rich guy left society to explore life. When you have lots of stuff you need more stuff to maintain all the stuff you have.Anyway, Paul's article is pretty interesting.
This year, I'll be framing a copy of our wedding vows and making a mixed tape (actually CD) with one song for every year we've been together and the last one will be the song we danced to at our wedding.
Yup, I'll definitely review some more. Bukisa is really really new so there isn't too much data yet. I will review other ones I've been with for a while.
Last V-day, I presented my bf a picture of us and framed it. He does not have any photos of us in his room. So, I figure it will be nice to have a picture of us. It was inexpensive.
This year, I plan to give him a box of kinder's happy hippo and we could share it.
The favorite gift I ever got for Valentine's Day was a box filled with cutout construction paper hearts in red and pink. On each one was written one thing my boyfriend at the time loved about me. It was really sweet... inexpensive, and that he took the time to notice each of those things really meant a lot. I ended up pulling out one a day for a few months and reading them for a morning pick-me-up.
After 9 years living in Chicago, I'm way too cynical. Example - One the way to work one morning, I saw a car stranded between the exit ramp and the main street. While a couple people stayed in teh car, one person was walking along asking exiting drivers for gas money. I drove right by, wondering how three adults could be out and about without even a couple dollars between them. A few weeks later, I took a different exit and saw the same car, same people, same scam. Sure enough about 3 months later I saw them at my exit again.
Lately I've seen signs announcing that people are "houseless" rahter than "homeless." I was houseless for along time too, but I had a perfectly nice apartment.
Here's a tip I just used. When I went to visit my daughter out of town, I was afraid to run up bills on my phone because I have a local plan. I went to Walmart and bought a Tracfone that came loaded with minutes and a card for a few extra ones.
By doing this, I was able to control how much I spent and not go over minutes. Good deal!
I agree with Rob MacD. Why wait until a holiday to show that you care for your spouse or significant other? Rather than deal with roses that are marked up several hundred percent for the week preceding, I'll wait until a non-holiday weekend, and the wife and I will go out.
If you're an Italian lover, you owe it to yourself (and your loved one!) to try Fettuccine Alfredo the right way. Trust me, the Olive Garden way is WRONG. Step 1 (this is the only not-so-frugal part): go get a half-pound of really good Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. This will probably run you $10, but it's worth it. The pasta can just be 1 pound (1 box) of standard boxed fettuccine, and all you need besides that is 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and 6 tablespoons of butter. You'll want the parmigiano finely grated (like big pieces of sand), but I cheat and just throw it in a food processor to get it that way. ;)
Boil your water (add some salt for flavor), and cook the pasta for about 7 minues, slightly underdone. Drain it in a colander immediately after. While the pasta is cooking, put the butter over medium heat until melted, but don't let it color. As soon as it's melted, take it off the heat until the pasta is ready.
When the pasta is drained, put the butter back over medium-high heat, and pour the pasta and cream into the pan. Mix it all together for 2 to 3 minutes so the cream coats and soaks into the pasta - very little of it should be left in the pan. Then toss in 1 1/2 cups of the parmigiano (if you bought a half-pound you'll have a little more than that) and mix it all together to let the cheese melt, probably no more than a minute more.
Add pepper to taste and serve - sprinkle any extra cheese over your dish. That's it! It takes less than 20 minutes, the only costly part is the cheese, and you will NEVER want to have "Olive Garden" alfredo again, I promise you.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Oops! I meant "prefer", not "preger".
I'm a home health nurse and oftentimes carry my lunch with me in a cooler. When I see someone with the "Need Help" signs at an intersection, I'll offer my sandwich, a cold drink or whatever food I have with me. I've never had anyone reject it and more times than not, they will tell me "God bless you" for whatever I've given them. I realize they would probably preger money, but they're also happy for something to eat or drink. At least those that I've met.
Our daughter was conceived on Valentine's Day. You could say she was our most expensive gift to each other, but definitely the best. Every year we snuggle up and mark the occasion by reliving the moment. Not original, but definitely fun and it doesn't cost anything.
Two thirds of your list apply to me right now. Except, I'm a recent grad with two degrees who makes a salary a family of four could live on. Who's making lifestyle choices now?
I've never really liked Valentine's day. I think it's too commercialized and I'm always sad that it's only for couples (even though I'm dating). Single people need love too!
Every year I throw an anti-valentine's day party. Any one can come, couples and singles, except you're not allowed to act like a couple during the party. I keep down costs by making it potluck. There is always some kind of cooking contest theme involved to make it a little more fun and challenging.
While this advice is not directed towards Valentine's day and lovey-dovey stuff....it's a good, cheap time with friends...spread the love around people!
We switched our policy this year on 7/1/08 to a high deductible HSP. We never received a copy of the policy which, of course, we should have pursued. We just met our deductible of 3000 by the end of 2008 only to find our after receiving our first EOB for 2009, that the deductible year begins on 1/1/09 (calendar year instead of policy year). Although Aetna credits your deductible met for 2008, which was 1000, this somehow does not seem to work.
If we were to switch back to lower deductible 7/2009, we would never receive the full benefit of the one year policy period since it starts twice in one policy year. It seems that the policy should be prorated. Has anyone else encountered this problem? thanks.
A fancy schmancy home cooked meal, complete with candles and the kiddos in bed early so mommy and daddy can enjoy adult conversation.
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I use my personal account, and there is no fee.
Xin, This is a very helpful series you are working on. Can you offer some PayPal 101. If a person was to blog for these ad sharing websites would they need to open a business pay pal account or could they receive $$ without having to pay a percentage associated with the premier and business plans. If they do pay for the business and/or premier plans I imagine those expenses are deductible. Thanks for any clarity/advice you can offer.
A - Award (make a homemade award to present)
B - Bear (just something small)
C - Cookies (nothing like homemade cookies)
D - Decorate (the bathroom mirror with "love")
E - Explore (new things that make you laugh with one another)
F - Frame (the favorite photo for the desk at work)
G - Games (find free games or ideas for games on the internet)
H - HUGS (give plenty of hugs and give more)
I - Ignite a fire (either in the fireplace or ....)
J - Journal (recapping the past & looking forward to the future)
K - Kisses (of course)
L - Listen (to romantic music - by candelite for more points)
M - Mesmerize (a smiple look in the eye, says it all)
N - Naughty (in which ever way you seem fit)
O - Obtain (favorite foods, candles, candy)
P - Playful (nothing is more fun then acting young at heart)
Q - Quarantine (yourself for some alone time)
R - Rub (your partners feet, back...)
S - Snuggle (hold on tight)
T - Toast (to another year of plenty of love)
U - Utilize (your time)
V - Visualize (your dreams together)
W - Walk (hand in hand)
X - Xtra (love, kisses, smiles, and laughter)
Y - Yearn (to spend time together)
Z - Zip (the two of you in one sleeping bag)
Happy Valentine's Day to all!
I seriously doubt Office Depot's coupons are better, if not the same
Seeking multi region code for the subject DVD player. Thanks.
I am overwhelmed with my underwater situation. I bought a very nice condo in the beginning of 2004. It was my intention to keep it for a couple of years and sell, knowing that things would be tight budget wise. Well even a year after my purchase I found I had already lost the $20K I put down plus another $20K in value. I just found that an identical unit 2 doors down sold for $127K and that took a while. I owe $302,000!!! I know it isn't right to walk away, I did take on this responsibility but I really can't afford it. I've run up my credit cards to stay afloat and can't continue this any longer. I have be advised to just let it go and it's killing me since I've just missed my third payments on the mortgage and home equity...that was the way the original loan was issued in two parts. I've tried short sale with no lookers.
I'm open to any suggestions...
Desperate in Michigan
A great way to be frugal on Valentine's Day is to treat every day like it's V-day. Love and respect every day. And it's free!
ermm.... I also think whoever wrote the original article about Denver doesn't know how to do math: "This adds up to an awful lot of money - a total of over $4.6 million, divided among about a thousand panhandlers. That's an average of about $50,000 per active panhandler per year" That's off by a whole degree of magnitude.
Shaun already pointed out the math error, but it actually bugs me to read that math error quoted here on Wise Bread. $4600 a year isn't really all that much for a person to live on. I kind of understand why people want to be homeless, though.. The book Into the Wild is really good and describes how a young rich guy left society to explore life. When you have lots of stuff you need more stuff to maintain all the stuff you have.Anyway, Paul's article is pretty interesting.
was just wondering if someone can help with the unlock code for this machine please? Thanks.
This year, I'll be framing a copy of our wedding vows and making a mixed tape (actually CD) with one song for every year we've been together and the last one will be the song we danced to at our wedding.
Yup, I'll definitely review some more. Bukisa is really really new so there isn't too much data yet. I will review other ones I've been with for a while.
Last V-day, I presented my bf a picture of us and framed it. He does not have any photos of us in his room. So, I figure it will be nice to have a picture of us. It was inexpensive.
This year, I plan to give him a box of kinder's happy hippo and we could share it.
The favorite gift I ever got for Valentine's Day was a box filled with cutout construction paper hearts in red and pink. On each one was written one thing my boyfriend at the time loved about me. It was really sweet... inexpensive, and that he took the time to notice each of those things really meant a lot. I ended up pulling out one a day for a few months and reading them for a morning pick-me-up.
Please count me in for the drawing too. :)
After 9 years living in Chicago, I'm way too cynical. Example - One the way to work one morning, I saw a car stranded between the exit ramp and the main street. While a couple people stayed in teh car, one person was walking along asking exiting drivers for gas money. I drove right by, wondering how three adults could be out and about without even a couple dollars between them. A few weeks later, I took a different exit and saw the same car, same people, same scam. Sure enough about 3 months later I saw them at my exit again.
Lately I've seen signs announcing that people are "houseless" rahter than "homeless." I was houseless for along time too, but I had a perfectly nice apartment.
You could go and give blood, it's helping others and the two of you can spend time together.
Here's a tip I just used. When I went to visit my daughter out of town, I was afraid to run up bills on my phone because I have a local plan. I went to Walmart and bought a Tracfone that came loaded with minutes and a card for a few extra ones.
By doing this, I was able to control how much I spent and not go over minutes. Good deal!