Starbucks going out of business
Okay maybe not on a nationwide scale, but the Starbucks I always go to could be in danger of closing because I may soon be switching my loyalties to another coffee shop.
My three-year love affair with Starbucks has been nice but in the back of my head I’ve always felt like I’ve been settling. Today, though, on the way into work I saw a simple sign that read “The Bean is coming.” My heart literally raced as I held up traffic to scour the area for more information.
And YES, there it was - The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf logo! Sure it’s not on the most convenient route into work, but their creamy vanilla latte is well worth the extra mile out of my way.
Since moving to Texas, I’ve always had my list of California places that I miss and that I have to visit whenever I go home:
1. Islands
2. Ruby’s Diner (found one in the Houston airport)
3. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
4. In ‘n Out
5. BJ’s Pizzeria
6. City Bagelry
Now if only I could convince Islands, In ‘n Out and City Bagelry (not likely since this is a small mom & pop bagel shop) to move to my city, living here for the rest of my life could be possible.
Filed under Finances, Food/Wine | Comment (0)More free breakfast this week
Are you ready for the Breakfast Wars of 2009? Following on the heels of Denny’s free Grand Slam breakfast offer last week, Chick-fil-a is offering one free breakfast item each day this week between 6:30 and 10:30am at participating stores (excludes dining halls and schools).
Here’s what they’re giving away free at my local store, although it seems the free items vary by location:
Monday – Chicken Biscuit
Tuesday – Chick-n-Minis
Wednesday – Sausage Biscuit
Thursday – Chicken Biscuit
Friday – Chick-n-Minis
Saturday – Sausage Biscuit
I’m actually kind-of bummed because a few stores in other states are giving away Cinnamon Clusters, which look divine! Although not divine enough to make the trek to another state…
From what I can tell, Chick-fil-a locations in Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Alabama and Ohio are participating in some form or another. Apologies to the rest of the country world (can’t forget my Canadian/other international readers), but I’ll be sure to have an extra Chick-n-Mini for you. :-)
Even if you are located in these states, I’d recommend calling your local Chick-fil-a before you make the trip since items vary and it seems a limited number of stores are participating for the entire week.
Filed under Deals, Food/Wine, Saving Ideas | Comment (0)A $200,000 slice of lasagna
I almost had a slice of $200,000 lasagna last night.
Being frugal I decided to forego dining out in favor of leftover lasagna for dinner, making it “fresh” by steaming some Italian squash as a side. While the squash steamed, I prepped the lasagna by halving it and covering the plate with a paper towel.
Maybe I was tired from last night’s evening out or perhaps the squash fumes made me high, but whatever the reason I didn’t notice that I’d left the fork on the plate when I put it in the microwave. Most sane people know metal fork + microwave = bad news.
And I now count myself among those people. Luckily I hadn’t wandered too far from the kitchen so I heard the popping noise that ended up being sparks. Running to the microwave, I slammed open the door, grabbed the paper towel – which by now had caught fire – and hurled it into the kitchen sink.
Thank God I played basketball in high school because my aim was dead on and it soon fizzled out under a stream of cold water.
Sundays are one of my favorite days, usually reserved for fun activities like jogging, watching movies or reading a good book. Calling the fire department, sweeping up charred house remains and filing an insurance claim…not on my list of fun Sunday activities.
Next time I will be more careful.
Filed under Finances, Food/Wine | Comment (1)Saver in the City’s five for Friday
As the clock slooowwwly ticks toward the weekend, here’s a round-up of the articles that caught my eye or taught me something new this week. Because really, who works on Friday?
Jim at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity reminds us what to do if you’re ever in a car accident. Seriously, write this stuff down and keep it in your glove box…
In the “I learned something new this week” category, apparently human flesh can freeze in 10 minutes when temps hit -40 degrees. So, in case you’re in one of the areas affected by this week’s arctic freeze, prevent yourself from becoming a human popsicle with Ashley’s easy (and cheap!) recipe for Baked Potato Soup at Wide Open Wallet.
Hmm, after reading Fabulously Broke in the City’s ideas for things to do when you’re stuck inside, I’m actually excited about all the cold weather headed to Texas.
In these rocky economy times, building an emergency fund has never been more important, or more daunting. Simply Saving makes it look, well, simple, with her post about 21 ways to create an Emergency Fund.
Finally, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard 2009 could be the year buying a new car trumps buying used. Deep discounts, incentives and lower financing options abound, but before you buy be sure to read Negotiation Training Info’s tips on buying a new car.
Champagne tastes on a beer budget
Sure, your 401(k) has become more like a 201(k) and your annual raise is on hold until “further notice,” but that doesn’t mean you have to forego a little celebratory bubbly on New Year’s Eve. If you haven’t already bought your beverages for this evening’s festivities, here are five perfectly snazzy champagnes* that won’t break the bank:
Ballatore Gran Spumante ($7.99): For those who prefer their sparkling wines on the light and sweet side, the Ballatore is comparable to Martini and Rossi’s Asti Spumante, but half the price.
Cristalino Extra Dry, Rosé Brut ($9.99): Deep pink in color, this Rosé has a raspberry and watermelon nose and tastes of cherries, strawberries and minerals.
Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut NV ($12): With its flavors of pear, lime and balsamic, this brut recently outscored a $150 bottle of Dom Perignon in a national taste test of 540 wines by 500 consumers.
Wilson Creek Almond Champagne ($16.95): If you’re lucky enough to live in southern California (or you live in a state where wine may be shipped), this sparkling wine is a gold-medal winner with just a hint of pure almond. Yum!
Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut ($18): Known for being consistently good, this sparkling wine is said to have “apple strudel aromas joined by whiffs of strawberry and mild nuttiness.” Sounds tasty to me!
*Only sparkling wines made using grapes from the Champagne region of France may truly be called “champagne.” French law also dictates that all sparkling wines made in that area must be made by a special process called the traditional or champagne method. Only then, may it be called Champagne. That said, “Sparkling wine tastes on a beer budget” just didn’t have the same ring to it so I used a little artistic license…
Filed under Deals, Food/Wine | Comment (0)