Shop Goodwill Online
A co-worker told me this morning about a website where you can shop online for Goodwill: http://www.shopgoodwill.com/. A great way to bid online for a good cause.
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January 22, 2007
January 06, 2007
Old-Fashioned Fudge Pie
I made this Old-Fashioned Fudge Pie tonight ... haven't tasted it yet but it looks and smells delicious. This recipe is from Paula Deen's "Christmas" magazine from this past year. They make this pie at her restaurant in Savannah, Ga.
Old-Fashioned Fudge Pie
makes 6 to 8 servings
2 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate (I used chips)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell
Whipped cream or ice cream (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Melt chocolate and butter together in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Remove pan from heat and add sugar, then eggs; beat well. Pour filling into pie crust and bake for 25 minutes. Serve warm or cold, with whipped cream or ice cream.
Save Money on Groceries
Coupons aren't the only way to save at the grocery store. This article outlines seven strategies, including downloading your local store's circular to plan your trip around sale items before you enter the store.
January 03, 2007
Save Money All Year Long
Real Simple has posted tips on ways to save and spend wisely throughout the year. Check it out here.
Cheap Ways to Book Report
In 2006, the year of its release, my book Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot sold 5,418 copies through retail. Thanks to everyone who has bought a copy and checked out the blog!
Dresses on the Cheap
The first line of thinking for a bargain bride is to find a dress you could borrow from a friend who is the same size. My aunt wore my mother’s wedding dress a year after my mom was married. Was she scarred for life? Hardly. Each of their personal styles were so different no one noticed it was the same dress. The accessories and bridal party style gave the dress an entirely different look.
Or maybe your mom is hoping you’ll wear her wedding gown—if it’s anywhere near your size, don’t write it off. Take it to a seamstress who can suggest some alterations to make it fit your personality or feel like a more modern dress (with your mother’s permission, of course).
Visit local consignment shops to find used wedding dresses. You can find new and used gowns online at sites like: craigslist.org, eBay.com, www.nearlynewbridal.com and a broker site called www.usedweddingdresses.com.
You can expect to get at least 25 percent off the retail price for a wedding gown by shopping eBay—many times even more. A couple in my church found her dream dress online for just $50 from an online wedding dress store. She ordered two different sizes and returned the one that didn’t fit. The dress didn’t even require any alterations. Be careful when shopping online, though, and make sure the vendor is upfront about return policies. Always buy from the same country you live in.
The non-wedding-dress-dress is becoming increasingly popular for modern brides who prefer simple and elegant styles. Basically any light-colored dress can become your wedding gown—from a simple sheath dress or A-line cut. Consider buying a bridesmaid dress or look through the formal dresses on sale after prom or holiday season. These are also great places to find dresses for your maids. Consider buying something you could potentially wear again.
—Excerpted from Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot
Making Green Choices in the New Year
Often, there are easy steps you can take to reduce your environmental footprint, which seems to be all over the news these days, and at the same time, reduce your bills. GreenerChoices.org, a website from Consumer Reports, offers looks a products and ways to do both. Be sure to check out their "calculators" section.