Glo Worm Toy can save you money

After stumbling upon a blog of a glo-worm replacement, I’m amazed at how this world reinvents itself. I guess that what’s we humans do best. And I guess there’s some truth behind the cliche that we always try to build a better mousetrap.

So when it comes to saving money, do you use grocery coupons to save 10 cents here and 20 cents there? Or do you not use coupons because it’s not going to add up much? I know a lot of people that are afraid of using coupons because they feel embarrassed using coupons. I think that’s because of the government’s food stamp program in the early 60’s when the government wanted to help lower income families with their food budget. People these days are too proud and don’t want to show others that they cannot afford something.

If you are one of these people, get over it. One more thing, take the money you saved on your grocery run and put it in a jar. If you use coupons religiously, I promise that your jar will be full of money by the end of the year. To get you started, here’s a link for grocery coupons. And if you’re really out saving money, be sure to print all the coupons here at RetailMeNot.

Roy’s the Best

Our last trip to Rancho Mirage in the desert was quite memorable. Temperatures reached into the 100’s and everyone kept cool by staying in. Shopping malls were packed. Restaurants were quiet. Golf courses were empty. By 5:00pm, the temperature dropped a degree. People came out to eat.

We had reservations at Roy’s Restaurant, our favorite Hawaiian fusion restaurant. Everything is good on the menu. That’s pretty rare to find these days. Anyways, I decided to order outside the fixe prix menu. Its not about money even though this blog is, but once you add up the individual dishes, it comes out the same or more.

This night, I chose to share the appetizer with my wife. Then my choice was the Mongolian Grilled Pork Tenderloin which was succulent. You do have to ask them to cook it well done if you don’t want any pinkness. It is served on sweet yam mash and a side of veggies. Delicious!

If I managed to whet any of your appetites, please email me for a promo code to save $20 off your meal for two or $40 off meals for four or more. Since you’re at it, please like my blog.

Stem can save $$$ in your kitchen

Want to know a way to save some money in the kitchen? Take a look at Stem. With Stem, you simply stick it into an orange and voila, you can spritz up your salad with orange juice. Stick it into a lemon and have lemon spritz. Stick it into a lime and have lime juice spritz.

Stem is a wonderful, innovative idea that will save you money at the grocery. Instead of buying a bottle of lemon juice or lime juice, you can now use Stem with your favorite fruit and use it to spray it on your salads.

Buy one or buy a dozen. Only $4.99.

Dinner for $4 and more

How often do you go out for dinner? If you live in the US or plan to visit the US, be sure to check out the list of restaurants and deals at Restaurant.com where you can pick up certificates at a substantial discount. For example on my last trip to Palm Springs, I managed to try out a quaint Thai restaurant with a $25 gift certificate that I had purchased for $10. Now you can too by going to Restaurant.com and entering the coupon: EXCLUSIVE. With this coupon, you can buy a $25 gift certificate (valid for any food purchase at a select restaurant) for only $4.

 Still hibernating? With Spring around the corner, this may be the time to take advantage of MooseJaw‘s incredible up to 50% off North Face. Note that NorthFace offers a lifetime warranty on all of its clothing. Just bring it back to where you purchased it and they will send it back to North Face for repairs. Moosejaw offers free shipping for all orders over $49.

Need a haircut? First Choice Haircutters have a reminder service on their website. Add a reminder and receive a $2 off coupon. Or visit Tylenol and print out a $2 coupon off your next bottle of Tylenol. Fight off a cold by using Cold-FX. Here’s a $2 coupon for your next bottle. And you might as well print this coupon too for $1.50 off an Aveeno Moisturizing lotion.

Save with Coupons in Vancouver

Ask and you shall be rewarded. If any of you are in Vancouver or planning to go there, here’s some coupons for cheap eats. 

1. Kitsilano Sushi – 1 free California roll with $20 spent.

2. FreshSlice – Free XL slice of pizza with a large drink.

3. Kishu Japanese Restaurant – Save 40% off their Happy Hour specials.

4. Sushi Bang – 1 free California roll with $20 spent.

5. Nirvana – Get 15% off meals.

6. King’s Chinese Cuisine – Save 15% off meals.

7. Wing Kee Restaurant – Get 2 free pop with order.

8. Harambe Restaurant – Get a free appetizer or dessert for orders over $25.

9. BC Sushi – Get 25% off take-out orders.

If you’re looking for fine dining, here’s more coupons for you to choose from. Also for this week only, save 15% off Rexall with this coupon.

Groceries and Air Travel

I love food and buying it at Sobey’s is the best thing you can do for your wallet and future vacations. Sign up today and choose to convert your Sobey points to Aeroplan. If you are diligent in collecting enought Aeroplan points to fly somewhere international then selectively pick items that yield the greatest points as you fill your Christmas hamper with groceries.

Each trip to Sobey’s can easily earn you 100 to 150 points. For instance, buy a medium jug of Tropicana juice and get 10 points. Or pick up some Swiss Chalet dipping sauce or gravy for 5 points. Need waffles? Pick up a box for 10 points. It’s not just the no-name brands that earn you the points. For instance, Maple Leaf anything will yield you the most points. Bacon, deli meats, pot roasts, etc. all yield 10 – 25 points. 

And hurry down to your local Sobey’s to pick up these great buys. Pork loin pack for $1 per chop, wild salmon, scallops or sole for $1 a pack, baby carrots for $1 and crusty rolls bag for $1.

Glutinous Rice Wine

After a long day at the Terra Cotta museum in Xi’an, take a break at a local restaurant and ask for Huanggui which is Chinese for glutinous rice wine. It isn’t sold in Canada nor would you find it in the US so sip it slowly and savor the flavor. The wine was once called ‘jade pulp’ because of the color and texture. It is white like coconut milk and almost as thick. The taste is sweet and addictive to say the least.

When I visited Xi’an for the first time, I had a hard time breathing the air. Most travellers complain about the same thing, air quality which is very poor in this part of the country. We were picked up from the airport and driven to town. On our way in, we witnessed coal burning chimney stacks all over the landscape. It was almost unbearable and it made us drink more bottled water than anywhere else we’ve been.

On the way into town, the Drum Tower can be seen. Originally built in 1380, the Drum Tower served the reign of Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty. It was built to signal the running of time and on occasions, it was used as an emergency alarm. The city wall is the oldest and most complete surviving wall in China which was originally built from 618 to 907. It is 40 feet tall and 40 to 46 feet wide at the top, 50 to 60 feet wide at the bottom. The wall runs 8.5 miles in length and has a deep moat surrounding it. 

Believe it or not, the wall was originally built using layers of dirt and glutinous rice extract.

Shop’n Fly

Forget breakfast central and earn up to 110 aeroplan miles at Sobey’s just by buying the following: Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls and a large jug of Tropicana juice. I did and earned 144 aeroplan miles for under $30 worth of groceries. To join Sobey’s Club, simply fill out an application at your local Sobey’s and you will get a key tag. Scan your key tag every time you shop at Sobey’s and earn points but be sure to elect the option to convert Sobey points to Aeroplan.

Americans across the US are preparing to hit the malls on Friday for Black Friday specials. I’m getting a constant stream of email from my affiliate stores telling me what the deals are and how much savings will be offered. Some stores like RockBottom are already offering 15% off their already low prices but stores like eCost are slashing prices in their bargain countdown section. If you want to buy a Wii for only $99, check back with us and we’ll tell you where you can buy one. They will be in very limited supply but they will be offering one every hour for 10 hours, so 10 of you will be lucky enough to walk away with a Wii for the holidays.

Halloween for Free Seekers

Tonight might not be a good night because the skies are cloudy and the ghosts and goblins will be out in full force. It’s Halloween and tonight is a Friday’s night. Perhaps, next Friday when the skies are clear you can take your kids down to the Telus World of Science and stargaze for free. 

But if you’re looking to be creeped out and you’re in Vancouver, visit the Dunbar Haunted House. Admission is free but please bring a donation. There is a list of good charities to donate to.

Today is the last day to buy Halloween Gift Certificates from the City of Calgary Recreation. These gift certificates give the little ghouls a FREE SWIM. The cost of the certificates is $5.00 for a booklet of 10. If you’re looking for free public skating, mark your calendars for November 11th and check your City of Calgary Recreation website for a local rink.

McDonald’s is offering Halloween certificates at $1 per booklet which entitles kids to a free small cone. Wendy’s has a similiar booklet, entitling kids to a small frosty.

Drive carefully tonight and watch out for the little ghosts, goblins and ghoulies.

Cheap gets Cheaper

The cheap gets cheaper and the rich gets richer. Free with cheap hotels include free breakfasts, free parking, free local calls, free internet access and free newspaper. I guess they figure that if you could afford the five star luxury hotel rates, you can afford to buy yourself breakfast, pay for valet parking and pay a dollar for each local call. I think it is ridiculous.

Travelodge and ThriftLodge has the Stay for Two, Save a Few offer that entitles you to save 15% off if you stay at least 2 nights. Quote the coupon: SP2 to receive this offer. It is good until March 31, 2009 so you have plenty of time to use it. If staying in Calgary, be sure to quote the Meal Deal Package where from $139 per night, you get 2 free breakfast vouchers for a hot buffet breakfast and a large pizza.

If in Barrie, Ontario, quote the Golf Package and get 2 rounds of golf, accomodations and a $20 gift voucher to a Keg restaurant. Or go for the Deluxe Golf Package and get 2 rounds of golf with power cart, accomodations and a $40 gift voucher to the Keg restaurant.

There are more deals on their website. Check it out.