Cheap Ways To ...

I think this is local to Orlando but Panera is celebrating 10 years in the area by offering some local deals:

Weekly Anniversary Coupons

September 1st - 7th:
Purchase any Sandwich or Salad & Receive
a Kids Meal for $.10

September 8th - 14th:
Purchase any Sandwich or Salad & Receive
any Fountain Beverage for $.10

September 15th - 21st:
Purchase any Egg Sandwich & Receive
a second Egg Sandwich for $.10

September 22nd - 28th:
Purchase any Hot Espresso Beverage &
Receive a second Hot Espresso Beverage
for $.10

September 29th - October 5th:
Purchase any Cookie & Receive
a second Cookie for $.10

October 6th - 10th:
Receive at $10 Panera Gift Card with any
Purchase of $50.00 or more

In addition, the website says "customers will also have the chance to receive random acts of kindness in the form of Panera Gift Cards. There will also be weekly live radio remotes where customers will have the chance to win cash & prizes. Each week there will be special promotions enticing customers to visit the cafes daily. The Grand Prize giveaway is $10,000!"

Posted by Cara Davis at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Smithsonian is offering free general admission for you and a guest to hundreds of museums and cultural venues nationwide on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. Check out which museums are participating, then download your free pass here.

Posted by Cara Davis at 06:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This blog describes what many of us do when we realize our pantries are full but we have no food, if you know what I mean. This blogger calls it an "Eat Down." Dig through your pantry and see what creative combinations you can come up with to use up the food you have. Then, make a list of the rest of the ingredients and either find recipes and buy new ingredients at your next store visit, or just keep the list with you on grocery trips so you can find things to combine with them to use them up.

Posted by Cara Davis at 02:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I entered a Zappos contest a few weeks ago and I'm a finalist! I had to take a picture of myself in "mandals" (man sandals) ... A poll is located under the video. I'm entry #3. Vote me for me and I get $100 to spend on Zappos, which I will use for someone in need (me! just kidding).

http://www.jimkukral.com/vote-for-zappos-mandals-entries/

Posted by Cara Davis at 08:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A cheap and green way to care for your skin and avoid unsightly shine is to use lemon instead of prepackaged cosmetics.

Planet Green suggests the following one-ingredient recipe:

• Before bed, apply straight, fresh lemon juice to your face with a clean makeup brush. Leave on for five minutes. Rinse. Temporary redness from the citric acid is normal.

• In the morning, combine 10 drops of lemon juice with one half cup of water. Apply with a cotton ball and do not rinse.

Posted by Cara Davis at 07:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Visit any participating Chick-fil-A wearing your favorite football team’s attire or logo on Labor Day, Sept. 1, 2008, from 10:30 a.m. until close and get one free order of Chick-n-Strips (3-count).

Posted by Cara Davis at 07:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's a flyer for an Ikea sale this weekend.

Posted by Cara Davis at 09:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Have you heard of ChaCha? It's an online messaging system, where you can text a message and live guides research and text an answer back to you. Anyone can apply to be a guide (I was recently accepted although I haven't completed the registration process) and you can earn anywhere from .10 to .20 per answer. One mommy blogger said she's made $130 this month. Worth a shot if you've got more time than money on your hands!

Posted by Cara Davis at 06:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thanks to this blog for a preview of a free personal finance software that looks fun and easy to use: Mint.com.

Posted by Cara Davis at 10:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Monday night I made northern beans with ham and cornbread. Delicious warm comfort food -- perfect for a rainy night.

2 cans northern beans
1/2 package of cubed ham

Heat beans and ham together on the stove in a pan.

Then I just made mini corn muffins from a package. We crumbled the corn muffins in the bottom of a bowl and added the beans. Delicious!

Posted by Cara Davis at 06:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of my husband and my favorite foods is the Black and White Quesadilla from Baja Burrito. Our Baja recently closed down, but even before it did, we started creating our own at home. Baja's was a white cheese quesadilla with black beans and cilantro, topped with guacamole and sour cream ... with a side of salsa, of course.

We make ours a little more simply, but it makes a delicious and filling meal or snack any day of the week.

This is a favorite quick dinner for us.

Black Bean Quesadillas

spray butter
flour tortillas (taco size)
mexican blend shredded cheese
can of black beans (rinsed and drained)

Spray a skillet with butter spray for cooking and turn heat to med-high. Place a flour tortilla facedown and load with shredded cheese and beans. top with flour tortilla. Flip with a large spatula after a few minutes when bottom tortillas begins to brown. Remove from skillet once the other side has browned.

Cut into triangles with a pizza cutter and serve immediately with sour cream.

Posted by Cara Davis at 06:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Loving Starbucks' new Chocolate-Banana Smoothie? Here's a DIY version.

Posted by Cara Davis at 01:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Click here to get a free same of Post-It Notes' new recycled, earth-tone, earth-friendly products.

Posted by Cara Davis at 06:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Great party ideas for summer celebrations and holiday parties. Enjoy!

Posted by Cara Davis at 01:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You'll need even more cash for your next Disney trip. The park adds $4 a person to prices on Sunday.

Posted by Cara Davis at 07:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)