Healthy food, fast and cheap (USA Today)

The usual January diet drill has an unusual proponent in 2010: the fast-food industry. Many of the nation's largest fast-food chains — better-known for their often fatty, high-calorie foods — are loudly touting diet and low-calorie offerings. Familiar brands from Taco Bell to Starbucks to Dunkin' Donuts are rolling out new products and ad campaigns in an attempt to lure calorie-conscious consumers during the month when the $170 billion fast-food industry typically sees sales slide. USA Today reports.

Your Ultimate Shelf Life Guide - Save Money, Eat Better, Help The Environment

Not sure how long that Costco sized salsa bottle will last? Can it be frozen for later use? I was referred to this site by a reader and wanted to share it with my readers. Check out StillTasty.com and learn how long foods last and what you can do to maximize its shelf life.

Condoms and canned goods

What's the last thing people want in a recession? More kids, apparently. According to data-tracking firm the Nielsen Co., dollar sales of products in the "family planning" category, which include condoms and over-the-counter female contraceptives, were up 10.2%. In fact unit sales were up 1.5%, which indicates that consumers are willing to pay higher prices today to prevent crib expenses tomorrow. This is an article run my Time Magazine in mid-2009, but it's full of observations and advice. Read more, click here. 

Living large in lean times

Mens Health Magazine brought together a roster of contributors and peered into the pocketbooks of more than 1,000 men in their largest-ever financial survey to help readers find ways to live better, for less. Read on, and start reaping the rewards.

Happy New Years!  

Restaurant.com Redux

I've written about this site before, but the deep discounts are becoming more and more frequent and the restaurant selection more robust.

Restaurant.com is a great site if you are planning to go out to eat and looking to save a few bucks along the way. This site offers certificates to 11,000+ restaurants. Here's how it works. A $25 gift certificates are available for, say, $10 every day. A good deal if you use the certificate, no doubt. Better yet, promotion codes can push the cost down to $2. Hint: sign up for their emails and wait for the 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% discount offers to hit your inbox.

Prime Steak within Reach

The WSJ notes that the best cuts of beef cuts are making their way into a supermarket near you: Link

Bon Appetit!

BudgetFree Investing

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GivingGrinch.com
BudgetFree for Life!
Editor: Shreyas Nanavati
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Blog: http://www.givinggrinch.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.givinggrinch.com/
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BudgetFree Investing

Having short-term financial security and a long-term savings are crucial SAFETY needs. Whether you invest individually or work with a professional it is important to understand how your money is invested and the risks involved.

Know Your Goals
Planning for retirement is an on-going process. You must know how much income you’ll need to live comfortably, provide adequate health care and ensure financial security for dependents. Online sites like http://www.schwab.com/ and http://www.bankrate.com/ provide tools to help you with this process.

Know What It Takes
North Americans are notorious for living beyond their means. Saving rates are very low and in decline.

Because of this, an above average return on our investments is a requisite to meet retirement goals. To get higher returns, one must take higher risks. A simple example:

Assumptions
Work Life: 40 years
Historical Inflation: 3%
Historical 5-Year CD Rates (lower risk): 5%
Historical Stock Market Returns (higher risk): 8%
Calculator: http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/savings/saving-million-dollars.aspx

Saving $275/month for 40 years (8% market return) will result in a million dollars. Saving $675/month for 40 years (5% CD return) will also result in a million dollars. The difference goes beyond risk and $400/month. Historical information does not account for market timing or inflation fluctuation. In the past 20 years the average stock market return, adjusted for inflation, has been 8%. Over the past 10 years, that number falls to 1%. Since January 1, 2000 the number falls to -4%. Meanwhile inflation rates in the past 20 years have fluctuated between 1% and 6.3%. Higher inflation impacts real income invested in less risky vehicles (CDs, Money Market, Treasuries, etc). Source: http://www.moneychimp.com/features/market_cagr.htm

Bottom Line: Market volatility has hampered the retirement plans of millions – especially the average investor who takes greater risk to make up for lack of savings. I’m not advising you how to invest, but I am pointing out the importance of saving so you are not completely dependent on the market to make up the difference.

Know Your Investments
Underfunding your retirement is unsettling. Not understanding what is in your portfolio is downright scary – especially when the market takes a turn for the worse. Before making an investment decision make sure you understand the investment, its upside and downside. Three suggestions:

1. Beware of False Promises: There is no such thing as a no risk investment or a get rich fast scheme (the only person getting rich is the one selling the scheme). Do not agree to anything on the spot or act on testimonials from strangers.

2. Don't Gamble With Money You Can't Afford To Lose: The less you can afford to lose, the more conservative you should be in your choice of investments. A young person with a long-term horizon can absorb more risk because they have the benefit of time. If you’re close to retirement a volatile portfolio can wreak havoc on your golden years. Tip: If you are meeting your investment goals and want to invest for fun set up a separate account that is isolated from your essential savings.

3. Diversify: Don’t put all your money in one stock, bond, fund family, sector, commodity, industry or region of the world.

Self-Help
Even if you choose to work with an investment advisor it is important to understand a wide-range of investment topics. My recommendation is to subscribe (or read at the library) one or more of the following every month: Kiplinger’s, Money Magazine or Smart Money. These magazines cater to a general audience. If you are new to investing, don’t get frustrated if topics seem foreign. Over time you will gain familiarity.

Know Your Advisor’s Place
If you choose to work with an investment professional, remember you are buying their service and they must work for you and your interests. Interview several before settling on one. Although I personally do not work with an investment professional, I would recommend a fee-based advisor rather than one who makes money on commission (annuities, mutual funds and frequent trading generate a lot of commission for a broker).

Secure Your Short Term
Make sure your current financial needs are addressed. For advice on an Emergency Fund, see my September 2008 Newsletter: http://givinggrinch.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html


BudgetFree for Life Consulting
Tailored for individuals, couples or families, this package comes with all the training, tools, techniques and support you’ll need to live BudgetFree for Life. It’s an affordable way to bring fiscal and personal balance to your life. To learn more, check out my 60 second presentation:

Reader Tips

Survival: Explore the Bulk Section and Eat Healthy for Less

The food industry makes it easy for us to eat processed foods, but they good for us or the environment. With food prices rising and incomes shrinking it’s time to make grains and beans the centerpiece of our diets.

Begin your day with whole grain cereals topped with nuts and dried fruit. For lunch combine whole grains with beans, veggies and a sauce or dressing. For dinner casseroles, pilafs and stir fries. Need a quick snack? Try Bulgar, couscous, instant black beans or re-fried beans with veggies. Submitted by Susan B. in Hancock, Michigan

Social: Road Trip Clip

I clip coupons from restaurant chains and keep them in the car to use on road trips.

Gifts for all Seasons and Reasons

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Website: http://www.givinggrinch.com/
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Gifts for all Seasons or Reasons

Gift giving, in this country, is a social norm and therefore a social need in our hierarchy. We’ve all received gifts for which we have little or no use. Unknowingly, we may have given gifts like this as well. For many of us gifting can be time consuming and expensive. With the holidays behind us, now is the perfect time to get this year’s gifting in order – GivingGrinch style.

Imagine always having the perfect gift – something personal that anyone would appreciate – on hand. I have three gift ideas you can make today, but first the criteria I came up with:

1. Something personal (preferably homemade)
2. Something anyone can use
3. Ability to make and store in bulk
4. Economical to make, but not something others will find cheap
5. Long shelf life

Spices and Rubs
There are tons of spice and rub recipes available on the web. One you can buy at the store is Emeril’s Essence. Instead, make your own and “spice it up” as a gift. Mr. Lagasse provides this recipe on his website, http://www.emerils.com/. Adjust the ratios to make in bulk.

• 5 tablespoons sweet paprika
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1/4 cup garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons cayenne
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons dried thyme

Spice/Rub Shelf life: Dried leafy herb mixes will last 1-3 years, ground or powdered herbs retain freshness up to a year.

Homemade Herb Infused Olive Oil (for drizzling or dipping)

1. Choose your herbs. Popular choices are rosemary, basil, mint, tarragon, thyme or marjoram. Another option, whole garlic.
2. Wash and thoroughly dry the herbs. Slightly tear or bruise the herbs so that they release their aroma and flavors.
3. Heat olive oil over a low flame until warm (not hot). Use a pot or pan with a wide base, like a sauce pan, to evenly warm the oil.
4. Stuff herbs into bottles. A little goes a long way.
5. Pour oil into bottles.
6. Let the bottles sit for a while until cool.
7. Place cork or rubber top on bottle and set in a cool dark place for about a week. If you use garlic, refrigerate the oil to avoid botulism.
8. Strain out herbs or garlic and you’re ready to consume or gift.

Storage: Cool, dark place

Homemade Jam

My family picks berries every year to make jam. I asked my Mom to send me a starter recipe. Here is her No Cook Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe:

1. Measure 1 1/2 cups sugar into bowl.
2. Add contents of one Ball Company Fruit Jell Freezer Jam Pectin pouch (available at large grocery stores)
3. Stir until mixed
4. Crush fruits, 4 cups (crushed) and add to pectin mixture.
5. Stir 3 minutes
6. Ladle jam into clean jars leaving half inch headspace; apply lids.
7. Let stand until thickened (about 30 min.)

Yield: Five 8 ounce jars. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze for longer storage - up to one year.

So there you have it - gifts with personality and utility without tasking your mind or breaking your bank.

Reader Tip: Fill a brand name prescription medication for free. Even with insurance, brand name drugs are expensive. In order to get people to try their medicine, pharmaceutical companies often offer a free or discounted trial. The best place to check is their website. For example, Vesicare has a free 30-day prescription form you can print out. If you prefer, they can mail you the form.

Grocery Tips and Organics

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BudgeFree for Life!
Editor: Shreyas Nanavati
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Setting the stage for 2009

In December I attended a personal finance seminar; the speaker mentioned that 80% of our money decisions were emotional in nature. Eighty percent can be debated, but the point is valid. A lot of our money is spent to fulfill an emotion. On occasion it’s OK. There’s a saying - you can take all the good ingredients off of a pizza and it’s still a pizza, but nobody will want to eat it. The same can be said for living a balanced life. BUT, if money is spent chasing short-term emotional fixes this pattern will repeat over and over. Bottom line: money used to replace or distract us from attaining important, sustainable needs is unfulfilling and expensive.

You don’t have to clip coupons, crunch numbers, live on ramen noodles or learn how to use a spreadsheet to get control of your money matters. You just have to understand what is necessary to live a balanced life and how you’re meeting those needs in the short and long-term. There are many approaches, but I’m biased, I believe in the BudgetFree for Life system. Learn more by visiting my website: http://www.givinggrinch.com/.

Get More in 2009

This year guest writers will share their unique perspectives and insights. Some will touch on budget advice; others will share insights on living a more balanced life. If you would like to guest write, drop me a note with your idea and expertise: contact@givinggrinch.com. I would love to work with you.

Grocery Tips, but first Organics

The drop in oil prices has brought price relief for many of our survival and safety needs - food and gas, for example. Unfortunately, the economic outlook is tenuous and personal consumption has contracted. This does not mean you should cut corners on quality foods. Check out the tips at the end of this article to get more for less the next time you’re at the grocery store. If you have any suggestions on this subject, send them my way.

A few thoughts on how to get more bang for your buck when shopping for organic foods. Organic foods are grown without the use of pesticides, hormones, chemical additives or antibiotics. Unfortunately, the cost for these products is prohibitive for many.

Fruits and Vegetables

According to Greenopolis.com, fruits are in constant threat from pests and therefore subject to more pesticides. A rule of thumb - thick, inedible skin will protect the fruit from pesticide build up. Examples include avocados, bananas, pineapples, kiwi, mangos and papayas. In addition, vegetables such as onions, broccoli, asparagus, frozen peas, frozen corn and cabbage, are less susceptible to pests and therefore require less pesticide.

Conversely, fruits and vegetables with thin or edible skins will take in pesticide residue that will not wash off. Some of the worst offenders: apples, celery, strawberries, lettuce, pears, spinach, potatoes and carrots. FoodNews.org provides a reference guide rating 43 fruits and vegetables on their pesticide load.

Meats & Dairy

The DailyGreen.com states that meats typically contain less pesticide than plant-based foods, but non-organic meats still come from animals nourished with hormones to speed growth, antibiotics to resist disease and pesticides in their feed. The same can be said about milk, although residue detection is rare and of low concentration, concerns arise because this product is a staple of a child’s diet.

Grow your Organics

Growing your own greens is convenient, cost efficient and environmentally friendly. A simple 4 foot square box will produce one meal’s worth of vegetables for one adult per day. A Rutgers University nutritionist noted that gardeners – especially children – became so enthusiastic about growing their own food that they eat more vegetables and less junk food. For more information on how you can start your own square-foot garden visit squarefootgardening.com.

Grocery Shopping Tips & Tricks

• Stick to a prepared shopping list to avoid impulse purchases
• Size Matters: In order to avoid raising prices, many of the products are now being packaged in smaller containers.
• Grocery shopping while hungry leads to the unnecessary purchase of junk foods that provide a quick fix.
• Cut down on more costly convenience items like pre-cut fruits and pre-mixed salads.
• Avoid fresh vegetable spoilage by buying frozen alternatives when applicable.
• Eat more greens and beans, cutting back on expensive meat products.
• Avoid convenience stores, they usually charge higher prices for less quantity than discount grocers.
• Grocery stores carry on average 45,000 items. In order to improve their bottom line, they rarely raise the price on top selling items (people would notice), rather, they raise rates on specialty products or non-food items.
• Try store brand products, but check prices…sometimes to name brands cost less.
• Use store discount cards, but still comparison shop, discount card promotions are not always the better value.
• Grow your own vegetables helping feed both a physiological need and, quite possibly, a social or esteem need.
• Purchase non-perishable items in bulk (or when on special). Suggested by Clarence in NYC!

Thank you for reading this month’s letter. I wish you a BudgetFree Life in 2009.

Water Consumption

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BudgetFree for Life!
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A Giving Grinch Commentary: Give back to Mother Nature (and your wallet)

I never understood the stigma against tap water. I grew up drinking from a faucet, most of us did. Today people pass up drinking fountains for a $2 bottle of… Dennis Miller once noted “Evian spelt backwards is Naïve,” and I think he was onto something.

Last year, in America alone, we spent over $11 billion on bottled water. What is the cost of this once free resource? According to http://www.thegreenguide.com/, it costs 1.5 million barrels of oil annually to produce the over one million bottles of water we consume daily takes and every year over 22 billion empty plastic bottles wind up in the trash.

Don’t misunderstand; I grew up in a corner of God’s country free of industry and pollution and water tasted like water should. These days I live a large metropolitan area and the tap water tastes of the urban environment. Still, there are win-win solutions. Consider home filtration products, like PUR, Brita or your refrigerator water filter (replace it annually and the water tastes great). Not only is it a cheaper solution for you, it is better for environment.

This just in, research has proven that we really don’t need to drink 8 glasses of water a day. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/health/article3574829.ece

I’m not trying to be preachy; I drink bottled water from time to time, it has its time and place, but hopefully this column makes financial and environmental cents of the matter.

And now, some of your suggestions…

Physiological Tips

• Use a power strip to turn your devices on/off when not in use. Suggested by Shefali in NYC!
• Close walk-in closet and bathroom doors when heating/cooling rooms. Suggested by Sonali in Bangkok!
• Let dishes in the dishwasher air dry instead of heat dry. Suggested by Sonali in Bangkok!
• Keep your freezer full (an empty freezer uses more energy to remain cold than a full one. Suggested by Kaen in Bangkok!
• Shop at discount, outlet or big box (Costco, Sam's) stores for your basic clothing needs (T-shirts, socks, etc). Submitted by Shefali in NYC!
• Purchase non-perishable items in bulk (or when on special). Suggested by Clarence in NYC!
• Use mail-order drug providers (ExpressScripts, MedCo) for routine prescription refills. Submitted by Sonali in Bangkok!

Safety Tips

• Study your employers benefits, many offer insurance (life, disability, etc) up to one year's salary (or longer) for a deeply reduced fee. Submitted by Sonali in Bangkok!
• Request periodic job reviews to know how you stand with your employer. Submitted by Shefali in NYC!
• If your company is experiencing trouble, stay ahead of the game by networking, looking for alternative employment opportunities. Submitted by Sonali in Bangkok!

Social Tips

• Make your own gifts (jams, jewelry, knit-wear, etc)! Submitted by Sonali in Bangkok!
• If you have friends in common, go in on a gift together; usually you can give a nicer gift for less by splitting the cost. Suggested by Saheli in San Francisco!
• Visit your library to quench your reading, movie and music fix. Submitted by Clarence in NYC!
• Don’t shop to curb your stress – exercise instead. Submitted by Nick, NYC.
• Shop for trendy clothes during the off-season for a deep discount (winter clothes after Christmas, summer clothes in the Fall). Submitted by Sonali in Bangkok!