Guest Post: 8 Tips to Save on Dining Out

by

Andrea Woroch

Residents and visitors of New York and Los Angeles are currently enjoying Restaurant Week; the annual event when high-end restaurants open their doors to people of all incomes with specials on prix fixe menu items. If you're lucky enough to be in these cities during the festivities, you can enjoy the crème de  la crème of cuisine without the typical price tag.  

But what about the rest of us? Living in other parts of the country can leave you feeling a little left out of the gourmet experience. Happily, there are many ways to save on dining, whether it's at your favorite diner or the best restaurant in town. Read on for tips to enjoy a tasty evening without overindulging your financial appetite.

1. Tune Your Radar
Since celebrity chefs congregate in big cities like New York and Los Angeles, you may assume Restaurant Week is only available in those locations. Wrong! If you live in or near cities such as Denver, Chicago, Charleston, Ann Arbor and San Diego, you have access to great food for less, too. A quick Google search should educate you on the timeframe and participating restaurants in your area.

2. Get Rewarded for Research
By now you know to never enter a new restaurant without first reading reviews. Sites like Yelp.com dominate restaurant review resources, but sometimes you can also find a voucher for additional savings. This is especially true for new restaurants hoping to build a customer base.

3. Facebook It
Social media enables you to get personalized recommendations from people you trust the most -- your family and friends! Before trying a new restaurant or selecting one in your city, ask friends for advice. You may discover a new favorite spot or know to avoid an over-hyped establishment.

4. Use Tech to Save
FourSquare is a popular app for restaurant deals, but be sure to broaden your technological horizons for extra savings. The Coupon Sherpa mobile app has coupons to popular chain restaurants, while BiteHunter aggregates local restaurant deals by cuisine and/or location.

5. Fill Up During Happy Hour
Happy hour is a great opportunity to try a new place you've been curious about, or afford a high-end restaurant you wouldn't otherwise try. Drinks and appetizers often fill you up before the main course anyway, leaving the rest of the evening to take in a movie or hit up your favorite ice-cream joint for dessert.

6. Get Free Meals for Kids
Dining as a twosome can be expensive; add in a child or two and you're looking at a hefty dinner check. Thankfully, most chain restaurants offer free meals for kids under a certain age on particular days. Consult this list for the when and where, and schedule your family date night accordingly.

7. Share for Savings
The easiest way to cut down on your dining bill is to order only one appetizer, entree and dessert. You can enjoy a three or four-course meal on the cheap by splitting it with your dining partner. Thanks to enormous portion sizes, you'll leave the restaurant with a slimmer waistline and heavier pockets.

8. Don't Forget Daily Deals
While you may be suffering from daily deal fatigue, sites such as Groupon and LivingSocial are still great resources for trying new restaurants for less. Typically, new companies partner with daily-deal sites to drive traffic and build a customer base. That means drink and appetizer specials, 50-percent off entrees and more big savings. 

Andrea Woroch is a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. She has been featured among top news outlets such asGood Morning America, NBC's Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. You can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.

SAVE THE DATE: Annual Global Marathon set March 6-8

Women in Engineering and Technology: Inspire. Inform.  Change the World is the theme of the National Engineers Week Foundation’s annual Global Marathon. Set for March 6-8, 2013, the Marathon is a free, worldwide online forum for women in engineering and technology to meet virtually and share their stories of personal, educational, and professional challenges and successes. It is the only global event for women in engineering and technology offered in conjunction with International Women’s Day, March 8.

This year, the Global Marathon offers more opportunities than ever for attendees to pro-actively help shape and elevate the conversation for, by and about women. With the global platform as a launching point, participants are encouraged to champion the Marathon and create their own opportunities to expand conversations. Champions create local satellite programs – via the web, phone or in person - ranging from office coffees to visits by professional women at local universities. For more information, interested participants should visit www.inxpo.com/events/globalmarathon.  They can also email the Marathon team at engineeringwomen@eweek.org. 

Topics for the three-day event are:

·         March 6 - Leadership: Never Underestimate the Power of Example

·         March 7 - Emerging Leaders and Entrepreneurs: Inspiration at Work and University

·         March 8 - One Woman At a Time: Change the World

This year’s Global Marathon Chair is Gayle J. Gibson, Director for Corporate Operations for DuPont.  The Vice Chair is Danielle Curcio, Chief Software Engineer, Raytheon Company.

“Women remain under-represented in engineering in most parts of the world,” said Gibson.  “The Global Marathon creates a community that connects women engineers of all ages with a platform for collaboration across borders and employment sectors.  It is powerful to be part of a large group and I always tell women ‘never underestimate the power of example.’ I have met so many women in all stages of their careers who underestimate what they have to share. The Global Marathon is about empowering women both personally and professionally – it is an experience that stays with attendees long after its conclusion.”

Major sponsors of the 2013 Global Marathon include ExxonMobil, Motorola Solutions Foundation, and Bechtel.  Additional sponsors include DuPont, Motorola Mobility Foundation, and Raytheon.

To register for the 2013 main event, go to here.  Join the Facebook community.   

About National Engineers Week Foundation

The National Engineers Week Foundation works year-round to sustain and grow a dynamic engineering profession critical to public health, safety, and welfare.  The Foundation supports engineering outreach, education, and celebration through a network of thousands of volunteers in its partner coalition of more than 100 professional societies, major corporations and government agencies.

For more information, visit www.eweek.org.  

Print Coupons

• $0.75 off any ONE (1) Wrigley's Gum Car Cup
• $3.00 off two JOSE OLE products, 16oz or larger
• $0.75 off one Welch's Light Grape Juice Beverage
• $5.00 off any Weight Watchers Scale by Conair
• $1.00 off two Johnsonville Sausage products
• $1.00 off on any TWO Keebler Crackers
• $1.00 off TWO 3 Big Roll Brawny Paper Towels
• $0.85 off ONE Truvia Natural Sweetener

Guest Post: Do’s and Dont's for Buying Clothes Online

by

Kendal Perez

Innovations in online shopping have made the Internet an increasingly popular outlet for fashion. From technology that promises the perfect fit to widgets that allow you to discuss your potential purchase with friends, virtual clothes shopping is on the rise.

With e-retail spending projected to increase 62 percent by 2016, it's no wonder this trend is on an upward trajectory. However, anyone who's shopped for clothes online knows the defeat of getting the wrong size, or discovering a store's version of bordeaux is actually fuschia. As a fashion-obsessed online shopper, I've had my share of both failure and success. That's why I've compiled these do's and don'ts to make your next online experience a positive one.

DO Know Your Budget
When shopping online, inventory from nearly any merchant is at your fingertips, presenting both an exciting and perilous opportunity. Before perusing your favorite retailers' offerings, determine a spending threshold so you don't tempt yourself with items priced beyond your budget. As you browse for coveted items, remember taxes and shipping fees will add to the price of your selection.

DON'T Forego Making a List
Be a proactive online shopper and take stock of your closet to determine key items you need. It's easy to get distracted by the full-price "new arrivals" and the super-cheap "final sale" offerings, and a list will help you stay focused. Be wary of high-priced trends and spend the most money on classic pieces that transition well through the seasons. Consult Glamour.com for 10 items every woman should have in her closet, then shop (and spend) accordingly.

DO Find a Coupon Code
Before you hit up your favorite fashion sites, look for promo codes to determine which site has the best deals. Some retailers such as Kohl's allow you to use more than one code, so make sure you know these details before checking out. You can find coupons and free shipping deals for Kohl's and other retailers from sites such as FreeShipping.org.

DON'T Buy at First Sight
I rarely buy an item the first time I see it online. That's because I know every "new arrival" will eventually go on sale when it becomes old news. When you find a full-price item you love, bookmark it and monitor the cost over the next few weeks. Though waiting is the hardest part, I saved $50 on a pair of wine-colored skinny jeans by holding out for a 50-percent off sale.

DO Read the Return Policy
It's important to know the details of online return policies since you may be responsible for return shipping if the item doesn't work out. Check here for a list of stores that offer free return shipping, and remember most retailers will cover the cost if you're simply exchanging the item for a different size or color. Some big retailers allow you to return a garment to their local store, so know your options before you click "purchase."

DON'T Spend More for Free Shipping
While free shipping promotions seem pretty commonplace these days, most retailers have minimum order requirements. If you don't want to spend more than $50, adding a bunch of items to your cart to qualify for the free shipping threshold of $75 doesn't make sense. You're essentially paying an extra $25 for "free" shipping and loading up on items you wouldn't otherwise buy. Bad idea!

DO Read Reviews
Online reviews aren't just for electronics and Amazon users. Most fashion retailers enable customers to review clothes they've purchased, and these insights are extremely helpful for potential buyers. In some cases, reviewers will let you know if an item runs small or big, or if there are style defects that aren't obvious on screen.

DON'T Skip the Sizing Chart
Despite the potential of TrueFit, ordering clothes online can be daunting if you're not familiar with the retailer and their sizing standards. Study the charts offered for each garment and take the time to measure yourself as suggested by the retailer. Doing so will reduce the likelihood you'll need to return something because it doesn't fit.

DO Sign Up for Savings
Regardless of whether you're shopping online or offline, it's important to know the best time to score a good deal. Sign up for your favorite e-retailers' newsletters and deal alerts so you know when sales are happening. Set up a separate email account for these notifications to keep your personal inbox from being inundated with marketing messages. The sense of urgency created in these notifications often inflates the value of the deal, so remember to practice restraint.

DON'T Go Crazy with Store Cards
Store credit cards can be tempting, as most of them boast free or reduced shipping costs and other perks for online orders. However, these cards carry high interest rates and can negatively impact your credit score. If you have good credit and shop at the store frequently, getting a store card might be a good savings strategy. Strict management of my Limited Couture Card enables me to enjoy the free shipping perk without racking up debt.

Kendal Perez is a frugal fashionista and bargain shopper who helps fellow shopaholics find hassle-free ways to save money. As the marketing coordinator for Kinoli Inc., site manager for a family of money-saving websites, Kendal has the resources to be an extreme couponer but prefers a less complicated approach to staying in-budget. Kendal has been quoted in such media outlets as People StyleWatch, TIME Business & Money, FOX, NPR and Kiplinger Personal Finance. For savings tips and more information, visitHassleFreeSavings.com.

Coupons to Print

Breakfast

• SAVE $1.00 off any ONE Kashi® Berry Fruitful or Blackberry Hills™ cereal
• SAVE $1.00 on any ONE Kashi® Soft n' Chewy Bars
• SAVE 40¢ when you buy ONE BOX any flavor Fiber One® 90 Calorie Chewy Bars OR Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies
• SAVE 75¢ when you buy any ONE BOX Fiber One® cereal listed: Fiber One® Original • Fiber One® Honey Clusters® • Fiber One® Raisin
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy any flavor Yoplait® Fruplait™ Yogurt Multipacks (Void in LA, NJ, ND, NV & TN)
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy any flavor 32 OZ. Mountain High® Yoghurt (Void in LA, NJ, ND, NV & TN)
• SAVE 75¢ ON THREE when you buy THREE any flavor/variety LÄRABAR®, ÜBER® OR JOCALAT® bars
• SAVE 75¢ when you buy ONE BOX Multi Grain Cheerios® OR Multi Grain Cheerios® Peanut Butter cereal
• SAVE 75¢ ON THREE when you buy THREE any flavor/variety Pillsbury® Toaster Strudel® OR Toaster Scrambles® Pastries OR Pillsbury® Pancakes
• SAVE $1.00 ON TWO when you buy TWO BOXES any flavor General Mills cereals listed: Cinnamon Toast Crunch® • Cocoa Puffs® • Lucky Charms® •

Health & Wellness

• $1.50 OFF any Gas-X® item 18ct or larger (Redeem at Walmart)
• $1.50 off any ex-lax® item 24ct or larger (Redeem at Walmart)
• Save $1.00 on Advil® Congestion Relief OR Advil® Allergy and Congestion Relief
• Save $1.00 on any one (1) South Beach Diet® Product or 4-pack of Smoothies
• SAVE $2.00 GOOD ON ANY NEO-SYNEPHRINE® PRODUCT
• Save $2.00 on any Breathe Right® product (10ct. or larger)
• Save $1.00 on Any Sundown Naturals® Vitamins or Supplements
• $1.00 OFF any one (1) Atkins Frozen Meal (Walmart)
• SAVE $3.00 on Florastor® probiotic (Available at Walmart)
• SAVE $1.00 GOOD ON ANY ALKA-SELTZER® ANTACID OR ALKA-SELTZER PLUS® COLD PRODUCT

Meals at Home

• SAVE $0.55 On Any ONE (1) Bob Evans® Refrigerated Side Dish
• Save $1.00 When you purchase any two (2) Pepsi® Multi-pack Plastic bottles or 7.5oz 8-Pack Mini cans
• SAVE 40¢ ON TWO when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls OR Grands!® Sweet Rolls
• SAVE $1.00 on ONE (1) package of any Oscar Mayer Carving Board Pulled Pork (or any Carving Board Meats)
• SAVE $1.00 ON FIVE when you buy FIVE any flavor/variety Totino's® Crisp Crust Party Pizza® Products
• SAVE $1.00 ON TWO when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Cookie Dough
• SAVE 75¢ on any one (1) package of Campbell’s® Skillet Sauces.
• SAVE $1.00 on any two (2) packages of ARMOUR® Pepperoni
• SAVE 50¢ on any five (5) Campbell’s® Spaghetti0’s® pastas
• SAVE 50¢ on any one (1) package of Pepperidge Farm® frozen bread or rolls. In the Freezer Aisle

In The Home

• SAVE $1.00 on any TWO Scrubbing Bubbles® toilet cleaning products
• SAVE $1.00 on any TWO Glade® Automatic Spray refill
• Save 50¢ on any 1 Palmolive® Fresh Infusions™ only (16 oz) (Redeemable at Walmart)
• Save $0.60 on any ONE (1) package of KLEENEX® Hand Towels
• BOGO When You Buy One (1) Renuzit® Adjustable Air Freshener, Get One (1) Fresh Accents® Fragrance Holder Free (Redeemable at Walmart)
• $1.50 OFF ONE Pampers Baby Dry Diapers (excludes trial/travel size) de descuento en UN paquete de pañales Pampers Baby Dry (excluye tamaño
• SAVE $1.00 off TWO (2) Packs of Vanity Fair® Napkins
• 25% OFF PAINTS & STAINS 15% OFF PAINTING SUPPLIES
• SAVE $2.00 on Any ONE (1) package of PULL-UPS® Training Pants (Jumbo Pack or larger)
• 50¢ OFF ONE Pampers Wipes 60 ct. or larger de descuento en UN paquete de toallitas Pampers de 60 unidades o más

Personal Care

• SAVE $1.00 WHEN YOU BUY ANY ONE (1) GARNIER FRUCTIS STYLING PRODUCT
• SAVE $1.00 on any two (2) REACH® Toothbrushes (1 ct) (Not applicable on REACH® CRYSTAL CLEAN® TOOTHBRUSHES)
• SAVE $1.00 on any two (2) REACH® Floss Products
• Save $5.00 on your purchase of any TWO (2) Schick® Xtreme3® Disposable Razor Packs (not valid on 2 ct or 10+2 ct)
• SAVE $2.00 WHEN YOU BUY ANY ONE (1) NUTRISSE HAIRCOLOR
• Save $1.00 on any 1 (one) Curél® Moisturizer (7.5 fl oz or larger)
• Save 75¢ on any ONE (1) Dove® Body Wash (12oz or larger) (Excludes Trail and Travel Size)
• SAVE $1.00 on any (1) LISTERINE® Antiseptic Mouthwash, or (1) LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN™ Mouthwash, or (1) LISTERINE® TOTAL CARE Anticavity Mou
• SAVE $2.00 on any (2) TWO Dry Idea® Roll-On or Gel Products
• SAVE 75¢ On any Clear eyes® Product

Coupons Galore - Latest Coupons

Pet Products

• $2.50 off bag Purina ONE beyOnd Cat Food
• $2.50 off 1 bag Purina ONE beyOnd Dog Food

Tasty Treats

• $2.00 off Rich's Ice Cream Cake or Dessert
• $0.75 off 1 Wonka or Crunch candy & card kit
• $1.75 off 2 Wonka or Crunch Candy & Card Kits

Personal Care

• $1.50 off any Gas-X item 18ct or larger
• $1.50 off any ex-lax item 24ct or larger
• $2.00 off TWO (2) packages of U by KOTEX Tampons
• $2.00 off TWO (2) KOTEX Natural Balance Products

Nikon Review and Decorating

Back in November,  my hubby bought me a Nikon DSLR 3000.  I have been playing around with it, buying accessories such as other lenses, light box, external flashlight etc.  At night, I have been studying different blogs and reading as much as I can about photography, where I pin information on my Photography board.  I am even contemplating taking a photography class at the local community college during the summer.

This weekend I was at my brother and sister-in-law's apartment.  And yes.  I took my Nikon with me.  I took random shots of their place.  (First time I have been there, and I knew they had great decorating tastes. My brother and his artistic talent, and my sister-in-law's great taste--can you guess the results?)

My brother and his wife made us dinner and desert. Overall, we were spoiled by those two! They win brownie points.  They made stuffed grape leaves.  STUFFED. GRAPE. LEAVES.  Proves we are special because these are literally made by hand--piece by piece.  There as also an Arabic rice dish called "Uzi" and Fattoush salad. Desert: Strawberry Shortcake! Yum!    Here are some pictures I took:

Take a look at some of the fabulous decorations that I took with my Nikon:

                                                   Love this chair!  It is waaaay better in person.

Coupons to Print

Newman's Own Coupons

• $1.00 off any ONE (1) Newman's Own Frozen Pizza
• $1.00 off ONE Newman's Own Complete Skillet Meal

Pet Food Coupons

• Buy 2 Purina Pro Plan brand Dog Food get 2 free
• Buy 2 Purina Cat Food, get 2 Purina Cat Food free

Glade Coupons

• $2.00 off any Glade Sense & Spray starter kit
• $1.00 off TWO Glade Carpet & Room Odor Eliminator
• $1.00 off Glade PlugIns Scented Oil warmer
• $2.00 off Glade PlugIns Scented Oil refill
• $1.50 off any TWO Glade 4-oz. Jar Candles
• $1.00 off Glade Decor Scents holder or 2 refills
• $1.00 off any TWO Glade Sense & Spray refills
• $1.00 off any TWO Glade Automatic Spray refill

Cleaning Coupons, Freshener & More

• $1.00 off 2 Scrubbing Bubbles toilet products
• $1.00 off any TWO Windex products
• $1.00 off 2 Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom products
• $1.00 off Scrubbing Bubbles kitchen Cleaner
• $1.00 off Scrubbing Bubbles All Purpose Cleaner
• BOGO Renuzit Adjustable Air Freshener
• $1.00 off Dial Liquid Hand Soap Refill

Personal Care & Fitness Coupons

• $1.00 off any two (2) REACH Toothbrushes
• $1.00 off any 1 LISTERINE Mouthwash 1L or larger
• $1.00 off any two (2) REACH Floss Products
• $0.60 off ONE KLEENEX Hand Towels
• $0.55 off THREE boxes of KLEENEX Facial Tissue
• $2.00 off one Campho-Phenique Product
• $0.55 off any 1 Weight Watchers Sweet Bakery Item
• $4.00 off one Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy
• $3.00 off Leslie Sansone: Ultimate 5 Day Walk Plan
• $2.00 off Preparation H wipes products
• $1.00 off the February issue of People StyleWatch
• $2.00 off WHEN YOU BUY ANY (1) NUTRISSE Haircolor
• $1.00 off any box of South Beach Diet Products
• $1.50 off Any (2) Tone Body Washes

Coffee, Beverage & Breakfast Coupons

• $1.00 off Starbucks packaged coffee
• $1.00 off one International Delight Iced Coffee
• $1.00 off (4) Old Orchard frozen juice concentrate
• $1.00 off (2) Pepsi Multi-Pack Plastic Bottles
• $1.00 off JENNIE-O Turkey Breakfast Sausage Roll

Miscellaneous Coupons

• 25% OFF Sherwin-Williams Paints and Stains
• $3.00 off One Chuggington Dvd
• $0.70 off two New York Brand frozen bread