Black Friday - will it be the same old thing?

Ah...the lure of Black Friday.  Deals beyond your wildest dreams or the same old thing.  It seems like everyone is posting their Black Friday ads by "sneaking" them out to the public.  Or better yet, some companies are even having their sales a week early.  I saw that Old Navy had 50% off everything IN STORE on Saturday.    CRAZY.

I did a lot of research on Black Friday and found its best to go to a site that lists the best deals per website. For example, it will tell you that its best to go to Target to buy legos and go to Bestbuy to get a vacuum.

Another thing that I found helpful is that most sites let you sign up for an email that blasts you daily deals, Black Friday ads, etc.  I love that both Walmart.com and Amazon have awesome daily deals over the Christmas holiday season.

I really like the site Black Friday.  It lists the Black Friday sales for all kinds of companies.  The company names are listed on the left-hand side of the webpage.  It also lists early sales and all types of information on the best products, etc.

The Verge  did a nice article on where the best buys for XBox 1 and PS4.  I know last Christmas our "family gift" was an XBOX 1.  We still use it and really like it.  I would suggest to get the Xbox 1 Live Gold membership.  It gives you so much more..and even includes tons of work out selections.  The fitness programs on XBox 1 making working out at home so easy and fun.

The Huffington Post has listed their 16 best Black Friday deals.   It seems, like most other sites, to be comprised of TVs, laptops, and tablets.

Forbes did a nice article about the percentages you save at the various stores.  My problem is that the first 3 stores on the list (JC Penney, Macy's, and Rite Aid) are all pretty expensive and usually start with the full retail value and then start marking down.

JCPenney: 65.44%

Macy’s: 53.52%

Rite Aid: 53.34%

Meijer: 50.85%

Sears: 50.19%

Walgreens: 46.74%

Office Depot ODP NaN% and OfficeMax: 43.89%

Ace Hardware: 41.01%

Kohl’s: 39.89%

Staples: 38.56%

Honestly, in closing, I have to confess that I'm not sure if I'll venture out on Black Friday.  I may just shop online....

DEALS DEALS DEALS !! ITS DEAL FRIDAY:)

Just saw Retailmenot.com has a BOGO Starbucks coupon.  You can find the link here.  I plan on using mine while shopping with my daughter.  Nothing like mother-daughter bonding over a yummy good holiday drink.



I did some research and found the following RedBox coupon codes:

Text MOVIENIGHT, MOVIE TIME, or DEAL to 727272 to receive a unique (weekly?) code for a free 1-night rental!

Also, get a free rental when you text APPNOW to 727272 and download the Redbox app on iOS or Android, and get a free 1-night rental when you check out through the app.

More Codes (Enter On-line):

• REDBOX (new customers only)
• BREAKROOM
• DVDONME
• DVDATWAG (Walgreens)
• DVDKROG (Kroger)
• CHANCEMONOP
• DVDATWEG (Wegman's) 
• THURSDAY
• FRIDAY
• VNNDR5D
• RENTMEPLZ

Target has 40% off select bedding plus another $5 off today only.  Enter code TGT4QBJF for an extra $5 off $50.  If you use your RedCard then you save 5% on top of that.

For the The Body Shop enter the promo code STAYWARM to get free shipping.  You can also enter the code BEMERRY to get 40% off selected items.

If anyone is interested in getting more codes and freebies, please feel free to head on over Deals plus

Thanksgiving is a week out! Here's some of the recipes I plan on using

Thanksgiving is a week out.  I'm currently going through my pantry inventory to make sure I have all my ingredients.  I've also starting cleaning the house so everything will be perfect for our guests.  Doing a little bit every day, having the kids help out, making a list and dividing it up...all help the holiday season go smoothly.    

My Thanksgiving menu will be as follows:

• Turkey
• Ham
• Mashed potatoes
• Smoked Gouda mashed potatoes
• Turkey Gravy
• Sausage and cornbread stuffing
• Deviled Eggs
• Homemade Bread
• Scalloped  potatoes with 4 cheeses
• Cauliflower Gratin
• Green Beans Almondine
• Brussel Sprouts with Pistachios
• Multi grain Rice Pilaf
• Pumpkin Pie
• Apple Pie

My go-to website has always been FoodNetwork.com.  I love the way its set up.  I love its variety of recipes.  I've been cooking long enough to know where I can change an ingredient and know where I can't.  That being said, the whole website just makes cooking a whole lot easier. 

Here's a few of the recipes I plan on using:

Turkey-I usually buy a medium sized turkey. I look for a 12-14 pound turkey.  There are 2 ways I make a turkey.  One way is to roast the turkey in the oven  I take various fruits and vegetables and place them inside the turkey. I then use a turkey dry rub seasoning.  I really like almost all the recipes from Food Network's Patrick and Gina Neeley (find their full recipe here)

2 Teaspoons Kosher Salt

1 Teaspoon Ground Pepper

2 Teaspoons Dried Thyme

2 Teaspoons Dried Rosemary

1 Teaspoon Dried Sage

1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

The other way I cook a turkey is to smoke it in our electric smoker.  I really like Alton Brown's Honey Brined Smoke Turkey Recipe (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/honey-brined-smoked-turkey-recipe2.html.)   He actually uses a grill, so I improvise the cooking method with my electric smoker.

Ham- I love ham.  My kids love ham.  I like to buy the spiral hams and I think they are just easier to prepare.  I've had my share of Honey Baked hams, and although I love them I do not love the price.  For my family, we tend to buy the Aldi brand of spiral ham.  We bake it exactly like the recipe dictates, but sometimes add either a "wash" of Dr. Pepper, Coca-Cola, or a wash of orange juice.  

Mashed Potatoes- I like the classic mashed potato recipe.  Sometimes I may add a little kick...either garlic, or smoke Gouda cheese, or sour cream.  

My basic recipe is as follows:

Russet Potatoes

1/2 and 1/2

Butter

Salt 

Pepper

Sausage and Cornbread Stuffing -   I  loosely follow the recipe from the Bob Evans Sage Sausage package. For those of you in the south, where oftentimes Bob Evans is not sold, I'm sorry but you'll have to substitute Jimmy Dean.  

• 1 pound Bob Evans Savory Sage Sausage Roll
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 1 (14 ounce) package cubed cornbread stuffing
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 2 1/2 cups turkey broth
• 1/2 cup melted butter/ or 1/4 cup melted butter and 1/4 cup olive oil

Green Bean Almondine - Easy, easy....

Salt

Green Beans

Butter

Lemon Juice

Sliced Almonds

Go Tribe!

There's a new book out that I cannot wait to read.  The book is called "Glory Days in Tribe Town" and is written by Terry Pluto and Tom Hamilton.  I tried to purchase the book on amazon,com, but they are sold out. I did see the book in stock [online] at Books a Million.  The link can be found at http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Glory-Days-Tribe-Town/Terry-Pluto/9781938441356?id=6164883980175.

Stay Safe While Shopping

Outsmarting the bad guys is proving more difficult every day.  Target was hacked.  Home Depot was hacked.  Personally, my credit card information was stolen.  So many things to worry about...sometimes I think about just paying cash for everything.  I realize I can't as a credit card it almost a necessity for online shopping.  

I was listening to my local AM radio station (shout out to Bill Wills and WTAM in Cleveland), and they were talking about what to do and not do when shopping for Black Friday.  This article is a definite must read before embarking on any shopping venture.  Andrew Smith and Matt Granite were nice enough to post "8 Ways to Outsmart Hackers", and the link can be found at (http://www.wkyc.com/story/money/personal-finance/ways-to-save/2014/11/18/matt-granite-safer-shopping/19208831/)  
Here's what their article says:

1. Use Cash! Obviously this technique is only recommended when you're shopping with a major well-established retailer who will honor a receipt and return your cash if you have a problem with merchandise.

2. Use a Pre Paid Credit Card! Hands-down my favorite way to shop online or in-store. I recommend Bluebird by American Express - a completely free way to pay, with added free checking and saving features.

3. Shop Deals Online With Us Black Friday and Cyber Monday! We only provide deals from merchants with incredible track records and the highest SSL protection. Obviously data breaches happen but online, your credit card is not handled by a store employee, and the encryption technologies on a safe Wifi network is a good alternative.

4. Do not click on any ad email you receive directly on Cyber Monday, Black Friday or in general. Drag your cursor over any hyperlink to check the legitimacy of a URL before you click it. Even consider visiting a company's website directly but don't just click that link!

5. Get a paper receipt for everything! Some emailed receipts are not always delivered and not every store on earth needs your email address. When asked if you want a paper or e-receipt, I always vote for the hard copy.

6. Cross-check your bills against a credit card statement. Stores make all sorts of errors and with larger crowds and higher volume, a cross-check keeps you prepared.

7. Ditch the debit card! When you use a debit card you're giving someone direct access to your bank account. I never support this method of payment.

8. If a deal link or offer seems too good to be true, it might be - especially on Black Friday. You're welcome to check any deals with us first. Also keep in mind brands like Apple, Uggs, Amazon Tablets, Kate Spade etc are all price-controlled. That means deals past the 60% mark never occur.

Money Money Money...how to apply for scholarships and other ways to find money

So...its been a few days since my last posting.  In my defense, Hoover (my basset hound puppy), had surgery on Thursday.  He required a little bit more attention these last few days.  That coupled with my basement remodel have really put a strain on my time.

I was thinking about what to write in my blog today.  I had a few ideas, but when I heard that Forbes published their latest report on college debt, I knew that I had found my topic!

I absolutely hate it when people say things like "college scholarships are too hard to apply for" or "no one even gets picked" or "impossible"...I have negativity. Sure applying for scholarships isn't easy, but it isn't hard.

Regarding the Forbes article (http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2014/11/17/average-student-loan-debt-rises-tops-30000-in-6-states/), it states "In 2013, 69% of graduates from both public and nonprofit colleges emerged with student loan debt.  (So few for-profit colleges reported the debt burden of their students that they were excluded.)"  The article goes on to list different types of debt and the states with the highest and lowest college debt.   I'm hoping to NOT be lumped into the class of people who have children with large amounts of college debt.

Now I have 4 kids and absolutely cringe thinking about how much college will cost them.  That is why I started having them apply for scholarships NOW and not wait until the senior year of high school.  Information regarding all types of scholarships can be found on the SallieMae.com website.

Lets not forget about the actual scholarship application.  You children most likely will need to submit an essay.  I found that its a whole lot easier to have them write up a few essays before hand.  A quick google search can help you and your child draft the perfect essay. One quick search on google gave me this great website http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-scholarship-coach/2013/01/31/4-ways-to-make-your-scholarship-essay-stand-out.  The article lists 4 ways to help perfect your essay.

Now that I've inspired you, round up your teenager and get cracking.  Good luck!

Cleveland Marathon training season has started. What does your running bra look like?

http://www.clevelandmarathon.com/

So I started my training for the Cleveland Half Marathon.  I try to do it every year and love the fact that I run it with my very dear friend Nancy K. With every near training season, I usually start by going over my running "inventory."  That includes shoes, socks, bras, pants, shorts, shirts, running coats, etc.  I quickly noticed that my bra selection is "neglected" at best.

I read that your running bra should never have a birthday...I'm in total agreement on that. I also  know that your bra needs to fit correctly, support your ta-tas, and be soft/comfy.  Cotton is out and moisture wicking fabric is in.  I hand wash mine and let them air dry.

That being said, here's my 2 cents on bras:

I really like Gracie's Gear!  Her facebook page can be found at:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gracies-Gear/508556439209091



Athleta always has some nice clothing options.  Make sure you sign up for their emails and look for sales and coupons.
http://athleta.gap.com/browse/division.do?cid=46692&mlink=8922089,topNavW&clink=8922089


Runner's World has had a bunch of nice articles on running bras. They can be found at http://www.runnersworld.com/tag/sports-bras

Prevention magazine ranks sports bras and came up with their top 7.  They can be found at http://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/7-best-sports-bras