Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Dollar Store Deals [Video link]

I'm sure there are 99¢ Stores or Dollar Stores some where in your neighborhood. At one time they were known as the "5¢ and 10¢" or the "Five and Dime". Woolworth's was one of the original American discount stores which disappeared in 1997.

Here is a video I found about shopping in dollar stores. You may also find it helpful.

MSN video: Dollar store deals


From About.com, here is an article that also shares the same thought on Dollar stores:

Dollar Stores - Top Ten Dollar-Store Deals



Just be careful though, just because it costs a dollar, doesn't always make it a deal!

Dollar Store Duds

Every dollar store is different and carries different items. Make it an adventure to explore one.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Recipe: Indian Style Rice

This is a simple rice dish that you can make to go with the Indian dishes that I posted before.
I was able to find the cloves, cinnamon, and cumin in a 99¢ Store. The green cardamom pods you can find in an Indian spice shop. Remember to remove the whole spices (cloves, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pods) before you serve!
I used regular long grain rice (as that's what I had on hand) and the results came out nicely.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/2 cups basmati rice
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 (2 inch) piece cinnamon stick
  • 2 pods green cardamom
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seed
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Place rice into a bowl with enough water to cover. Set aside to soak for 20 minutes, then drain.
  2. Heat the oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, and cumin seed.
  4. Cook the spices all the while stiring for about a minute, then add the onion.
  5. Sauté the onion until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
  6. Add the drained rice to the pot/saucepan.
  7. Cook and stir the rice for a few minutes, until lightly toasted and coated with the flavored oil.
  8. Add salt and water to the pot, and bring to a boil.
  9. Cover, and reduce heat to low.
  10. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all of the water has been absorbed.
  11. Let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork before serving.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Which Sales to Target When, Throughout the Year


Just saw this on the Saturday Early Show on CBS and thought to share it with you. Some of us know this already but it bears mentioning again...


Different Products Tend to Go on Sale at Same Time Each Year; Planning Around That Timetable Can Help Save You Big Bucks!


It's said that timing is everything - and that certainly applies when it comes to finding things on sale. Getting the best bargains is all about timing, and knowing which deals to look for, when.

When's it best to buy a bike? Computer? Cookware? So much more?

Hitting big sales when you're out shopping may feel like a matter of luck, but the truth is, if you put a little forethought into it, you can time your shopping to find sales on major items throughout the year.

On "The Early Show on Saturday Morning," Jason Cochran, editor at large of AOL's WalletPop.com, highlighted months spanning the seasons, discussing the kinds of items usually on sale at the different times, and why.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY: LINENS, BICYCLES, FURNITURE

Linens: January is always the time of the white sale ever since department store owner John Wanamaker introduced them in Philadelphia in 1878. It's thought he did it because it was normally the slow time for such sales, and now it's a tradition. Back then, sheets were available mostly in white, hence the name.

Bikes: It's simple: Few people want to be out in the snow, breathing cold air. That's a warm-weather thing. So bike shop owners need to make their rent, and they'll deal.

Furniture: Many manufacturers, such as Crate and Barrel, get their new stock in January and February, and they need to clear their old stuff to make room.

APRIL: COOKWARE & ELECTRONICS

Cookware: May and June sees lots of newlyweds and graduates, and because cookware is a big gift for them, stores stock up and make deals. Join the crowd for discounts. (There may be another bump in late summer as college students head off to school.)

Electronics/TVs: The big Consumer Electronics Show happens every January (it was last week in Las Vegas) and by the spring, the new models are rolling out. The old ones need to go. Last year's models are still pretty cool; they were getting us excited only a year ago.

AUGUST: SWIMSUITS, COMPUTERS, LAWN MOWERS

Swimsuits: Don't get warm-weather stuff at the start of the season, in May. Get it now, because everyone will have purchased by now and the clearance sales begin. Don't wait until fall or winter for swimsuits- they won't be on the floor anymore at all.

Computers: especially mid- to low-end, are in good supply because of all the college kids going to school.

Lawn Mowers: As with the bathing suits, fewer people are thinking about warm-weather things like mowing lawns come the end of the season. There are big sales to be had here.

OCTOBER: SCHOOL SUPPLIES, JEANS, APPLIANCES

School supplies: School supplies are marked way down because everybody has already supplied themselves. Get next year's now -that's the key to a lot of things. Plan ahead! It feels silly buying this stuff so far ahead, but the deals can stack up. If you buy at peak season, there may be no incentive to mark down.

Jeans: Jeans are also subject to back-to-school sales since so many parents dress their kids in them. They're durable and can be work a few times before being washed. Stores have lots left over after the back-to-school rush. Also, since so many product lines come out in the spring, the pricing heat has cooled off many styles.

Big appliances: New models for appliances come out around now, so the big stuff (washers, dryers, compactors) are on sale. Really, there is very little difference between the washer of 2010 and the one of 2011. Get last year's. If you miss October, no problem: Black Friday is the next month and the appliances, once again, are marked down.

DETAILED LIST OF WHAT TO BUIY, WHEN

January:
Linens (it's white sale season)
Christmas cards
Wrapping paper
Furniture (new lines arrive February at Crate and Barrel)

February:
Weddings (May-Sept is peak season. Honeymoon cheaper, too)
Home theaters (Super Bowl sales)
Bikes (new models are released this month and in March; get old ones)
Boats (better prices to clear docks for new models)

March:
Video games (new titles come out Nov and Dec; cheaper by now)
Gardening tools (plan ahead for gardening season)

April:
Cookware and kitchen accessories (sales for graduates and newlyweds now)
Electronics (Japanese manufacturers release new models; old models marked down)
Televisions (ditto)
Office furniture (home businesses often start up after Tax Day, so there are deals for the higher traffic)

May:
Vacuum cleaners (new models come out after spring cleaning)
Snow blowers (of course)
Winter coats (of course)
Mattresses and box springs (new models on their way)

June:
Gym memberships (January is worst: resolutions and weather)
Hardware (Fathers Day sales)
Paint (people paint during hottest days, ergo, lots of competition)

July:
Heating items/oil for your home
Furniture (second wave of year's new product arrives August)
Suits (spring suits on sale)
Appliances (Fourth of July weekend sales)

August:
Computers (back-to-school volume creates deals)
Lawn mowers (peak season is passed)
Swimsuits (same reason)

September:
Patio furniture (it's big, and Walmart and Target need to make room)
Houses in the suburbs (school will have started-most people move by then)
Shrubs, bulbs, trees (that you can store until spring)
Wine (latest vintages are coming out)

October:
School supplies (clearance)
Cars (dealers are clearing lots of old models)
Big appliances (washers, dryers: new models rolling out now)
Jeans (post back-to-school)

November:
RVs (dealer clearance, and owners sell them before winter)
Outdoor and camping equipment
Black Friday biggies: electronics, appliances
Candy (post-Halloween)

December:
Air conditioners - in summer, people pay up to alleviate the misery, but in winter, stores can't move them
Champagne (lots of stock for New Year's)
Wedding dresses

© MMXI, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala


I bought a large tray of boneless skinless chicken breasts when they were on sale and stored in the freezer until I could figure a variety of things to do with them. A 32 oz. container of yogurt is on sale this week for $1.99 at the supermarket so I bought it to make this dish.
Since I have a craving for Indian food, I decided to take a trip to Kalustyan's and pick up a small packet of garam masala and green cardamom pods. You can probably find garam masala in your local supermarket in the spice section or make it yourself. Recipe below.
Chicken Tikka Masala is such a popular dish in England that it has become the national dish. It is grilled kabobs of chicken simmered in a creamy tomato sauce. I cooked the chicken in a pan to show that it can be done without a grill. Besides, it is a snowy 29°F outside.

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes

Marinade
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground red pepper
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 piece minced ginger (about 1 inch long)
  • 6 bamboo skewers (soaked in water)

Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 jalapeno, minced
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala (recipe below)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream (can use half & half to lighten the dish)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Prepare and cook the Tikka:

  1. Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl and toss chicken chunks to coat. Thread chicken on skewers, place in a shallow dish and pour marinate on top. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator for an hour.
  2. After an hour, discard marinade.
  3. Grill or broil chicken, turning occasionally, to cook through about 8-10 minutes. If you don't have a grill, you can cook in a large saute pan.
  4. Remove from grill and set a side while you make the sauce.

For the Masala sauce:

  1. In a large saucepan, heat butter and add garlic and the jalapeno. Cook 1 minute.
  2. Stir in coriander, cumin, paprika, garam masala and salt. Cook until fragrant.
  3. Stir in tomato sauce.
  4. Simmer 15 minutes.
  5. Stir in cream and simmer until thickened about 5 minutes.
  6. Remove chicken from skewers and add to the sauce.
  7. Simmer 5 minutes until chicken is warmed through.
  8. Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice.

Garam Masala is an Indian spice mix. If you can't find it in your area, you can make a quick version by mixing:

  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

This mix can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Recipe: Aloo Saag or Saag Aloo (Indian Spinach and Potatoes)


I bought a 5 pound bag of onions and a 10 pound bag of potatoes at $1.99 each when they were on sale at Pathmark. These are the staples of many a dish and the price was so good I couldn't pass it up.
Aside from making latkes with them or hash, I had a craving for Indian and found this recipe courtesy of Food.com
I didn't have whole cumin seeds so I used ground. I had a box of frozen chopped spinach which I had bought on sale for 80¢ so I used it defrosted. Results came out fabulously! My notes are in parenthesis.

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 large potatoes, cubed (the smaller the cube, the faster it cooks)
  • 400 g spinach or 400 g chard leaves, stalks removed, roughly chopped (could substitute a box of frozen chopped spinach)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (I used a microplane to make it easier on my knuckles)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic cloves, coarsely chopped (I find 1 clove does it)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala (a mix of spices available in spice markets)
  • olive oil
  • butter
  • salt

Directions

  1. Fry the cumin seeds in a heavy bottomed pan in a bit of oil and butter until just starting to brown.
  2. Add the onion and fry until it too starts to brown.
  3. Add the potato, garlic, turmeric, ginger and garam masala and fry until the potato starts to soften.
  4. Unless you are using a non-stick pan, you may need to add water and cover to keep the potato from sticking and to help it cook. The first time I did this 1/2 cup of water at a time and it took about 20-30 minutes but I now prefer to parboil the potatoes, which means you add less water and it only takes about 10 minutes to finish off from this point.
  5. Add the spinach or chard and cook until it collapses over the potato.
  6. Salt to taste.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Numerous violations at NYC Supermarkets

I wrote earlier in this blog that you should always watch the screen when you are at the supermarket. I've personally caught items ringing up wrong prices mainly at supermarkets that don't allow you to create and print up a shopping list from their online websites.
I've said it before and will say it again, make a shopping list!
Keep a pen with you and write down the price next to the item so that you can check it against the receipt. Bring the sales circular with you to show the checkout person and bring it to the attention of the Store Manager. I've even warned fellow shoppers waiting behind me to watch the ring ups!



Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Happy New Year!

It's a new year and a great way to start fresh!

Try to pay off all those outstanding bills first and then try not to live beyond your means!
That means take 1/4 of your paycheck and put it away for rent/mortgage, give yourself a food budget for the week and stick to it (only buy what is on sale and REAL food not junk food), and put the rest into the bank.

Every Sunday go online and check the supermarket circulars for sales and print your shopping list. STICK TO IT! Best to stock up on frozen vegetables. Tortillas and bread freeze nicely too.

Condensed soup can be pretty handy in the kitchen to help make a quick meal. If it's on sale for $1 or less, buy it. I tend to buy Cream of Mushroom or Cream of Chicken to use in recipes (sometimes even using the ones on the can)

Don't feel like you are living poor or unreasonable for doing this. Look at all those celebrities and reality "Housewives" (probably your neighbors too) that are going through so much financial trouble with large credit card debt, foreclosures, and living paycheck to paycheck. It's scary!

In a world where we live with technology and everyone wants the newest gadget, you can always find online someone who is selling their old one for a cheaper price than buying it new in a store.
Do your research.

If you are a slave to fashion and must buy a new wardrobe every season, you should DEFINITELY sell your old wardrobe FIRST before buying anything new. I know some people that buy more shoes than they have feet or occasions to wear to. Crazy!
Classic looks are best. They never go out of fashion and some pieces you can keep for a long time as fashion is a cycle and will come back again.
Men's wear hasn't changed in centuries and thus they can wear a classic suit until it falls apart.
Women on the other hand are a bit more fickle. You are best to buy and wear separates and mix and match, changing it up a bit with accessories like a scarf or necklace. Costume jewelry can be just as pretty as the real thing.

If you have a bunch of friends that also have a large wardrobe and accessories that they don't really wear anymore, you can do a closet swap. Everyone meets at someone's house for say, lunch or cocktails and brings a suitcase of items they want to swap. Everyone chooses an area in the room to present their wares and you all walk about trading one item for the other. In this way, you all get new items to wear. What ever that isn't swapped or taken is then either donated to charity for a tax deduction, or sold on ebay.