Sometimes I just have to get out and have someone else cook my meal.   Reality is going out to eat is now considered a treat, where before it was the norm.   Here are a few pointers to save some money when dining;

Drinks - Do you really need that beer?   Dining out, it isn't unusual to pay 7 bucks for one. Try sticking to soda, and if you can consider water. Your after dinner coffee, consider making it at home, or have a Dunkin Donut treat on the ride home.

All you can eat Buffet- this is great if you are with a crowd, everybody gets a choice. Many places charge less if you come earlier than the traditional dinner hour.


If you can't finish your meal, ask to have your meal wrapped up. So your meal in reality becomes a 2 for 1 meal.

Consider lunch instead of dinner.   Most lunch menus are lower priced than dinner.

Skip the appetizer - do you really need it? This can increase the price of your meal by at least 5 bucks or more.

Check local newspapers for ads, some will be a dollar amount off, others have a 2 for one special.   Trick is to be the one who doesn't pay.

- Wendy

When I purchase something now, I really have to think, is this something I really need? Is it something I can do without? I only have so much money and I have to make it last as long as I can. So, a lot of consideration goes into every purchase I make now.

I came across a product that I don't have to give any thought about purchasing.   This product, according to Wikipedia,  developed in 1953, is one of those products that you can use for many different things.    Water Displacement, 40th formula or better known as WD-40as originally developed to prevent corrosion, has come to be one of those must have things to have in the house.

Reader's Digest has a really interesting article on all the uses this product can do around the house.

- Wendy

My friend Anthony hosts the Tony Mangia radio show broadcast out of William Paterson University. He sent me an 
invite for to this free event to be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Every month WPSC 88.7FM brings in a local artist into its "Living Room" to hang out and perform, and invites its 
listeners to join in on the fun.
 
This month's featured artists will be The Waking Lights.
 
Everyone is invited to come out and meet the band and the WPSC DJs, AND stay for the FREE live PERFORMANCE.
This is all going down, Wednesday, February 27, 2008, in WPSC Studios, located in Hobart Hall on the William 
Paterson University Campus (300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470).
 
It all begins Wednesday night, with the MEET and GREET at 7pm and LIVE performance at 8pm. Space is limited 
so please  come early. You won't want to miss this!!!!
 
This FREE event is brought to you by WPSC 88.7FM, North Jersey's Independent Radio.
   
BRING YOUR CAMERAS, BRING YOUR AUTOGRAPH BOOKS, and ANY ODD OBJECTS YOU WANT THE BAND OR 
THE WPSC DJs TO AUTOGRAPH... WE'RE OPEN TO ANYTHING.. LOL

-  Wendy

Pizza Hut is one of the few places that I worked at, that I still really enjoy their food.   I enjoy it even more when I have a coupon I can use.   Here's a link, where you can print out coupons for your local establishment.

- Wendy

Here's a few things I am doing to cut down on my utility bills at home.

To start with I am in the process of replacing my light bulbs with the newer compact florescent bulbs, which can save 75% over the traditional light bulb.  They also last longer (so I am not buying new bulbs as soon) and are a step towards making the United States less dependent on foreign oil. Turning off lights and other electric gadgets when not in use, is also an excellent idea.   Popular Mechanics magazine has an article where they compare the different types of light bulbs available today.

I've re thought "do I really need to use that electric can opener, juicer, and electric knives".  For decades folks lived without these things, so can I.


I have lowered the temperature on my hot water tank from 140 degrees to 120 degrees. Not for nothing, I can't tell. Washing the majority of my clothes with cold water makes them last longer and the colors don't fade as quickly. A low flow shower head, uses less water (2-3 gallon vs. 8-10 gallon per minute) and when it comes to hot water useage, these savings will add up quickly.   Hang shirts up to dry, less to put in dryer, less energy used.

Insulating windows, the attic will keep heat loss at a minimum.   Venting the air from radiators makes them more efficient. Radiators are made to fill with water, air in a radiator prevents it from filling to capacity. Insulate your pipes, to keep the hot water in them hot.

Cleaning those dust monsters off the coils on your refrigerator. It will work more efficiently.

Purchase new appliances with a Energy Star rating. You may also be eligible for rebates.

Keep your thermostat down, if you get chilly, put on a sweater.

I have PSE&G for gas and electric, call them and they will do an energy audit for free.   What you will get back is a listing of things you can do around the house to reduce your utility bills. If you don't have them, call your local energy provider, I'm sure they provide the same service.

- Wendy

AOL has a page with all sorts of neat financial tools, that can help you determine how much you can afford to spend on a house, calculate mortgage payments, 15 year vs. 30 year mortgage.

So if you are looking to buy or refinance, this might be a good place to play around.

- Wendy

I came across this web site Restaurant.com where you can purchase coupons for dining places at a discounted price. For 3 bucks you can buy a coupon for 10 dollars.   A $25.00 coupon can be purchased for $10.00. One tip on searching, limit the mileage from your zip code. I who resides in North Jersey got a lot of returns when a 15 mile radius was entered.

I would recommend, calling the establishment before your purchase coupon to insure they still accept them.

- Wendy

Verizon Wireless announced the other day a flat rate plan with unlimited long distance, and minutes. Now Sprint and AT&T what Verizon is offering.   So now may be the time, to review your plan usage and see if this can save you some money.   Another tip, Verizon offers Government employees and discount of around 15%.   Always ask your cellular carrier is they offer any discounts.

I recently got rid of my long distance on my land line, I figured I have the cell phone for that, and to be honest I don't really use the land land that often, its main use is for receiving faxes.

- Wendy

You normally see these deals on Black Friday, but Pathmark is having a 4 day sale on a computer laptop for $299.00. The sale starts today 2/15/2007 and runs for 4 days. I don't have the details on exactly what this machine is, but if you are only using a machine to access the internet, this could be an option. They do require an additional 20 dollar purchase, which isn't hard to do at a supermarket.

- Wendy

It's good to know there are other like minded folks out there, who enjoy freebies.   The Fun New Jersey website has a listing of some stuff you can do for free. With the long weekend coming up, this is definitely a page to check out.

The Freebie In New Jersey website also has a listing of freebies.

- Wendy