Smart Spending moves to WordPress. Come see our new home
Come along with Mr. Cheapskatin’ as Smart Spending changes addresses. This move won’t cost you a cent.
The latest entry might help you find air fares for spring break and summer travel that won’t leave a hole in the ol’ piggy bank.
Bookmark our new site (http://blogs.ajc.com/smart-spending-blog/) and be sure to sign up for the RSS feed.
Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2008 > November
November 2008
Seasonal Savings: Upcoming Free Events
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Grammy-nominated trumpeter Russell Gunn performs a free show at Apache Cafe on Saturday. Photo: Kwaku Alston
Entertainment writer Shane Harrison gives you tips on events that are free or cheap.
We don’t have to take our wallets out to have a good time. There are loads of fun things to do around metro Atlanta that won’t plunge you into economic turmoil. Here are just a few:
SANTA COMES TO TOWN
Get in the spirit with the Stone Mountain Village Christmas Celebration. Santa will make his entrance at 6 p.m. with the Athol Bagpipes, antique fire trucks, floats and a procession of elves and marching bands. The village also brings in live music, sponsors letter-writing, marshmallow roasting, the lighting of the tree and fireworks following the parade. It’s all free, but if you feel like parting with a few dollars, you can stock up on holiday goodies at the Stone Mountain Village Market, where they’ll have Christmas crafts, baked goods and gifts. 6-8 p.m. Nov. 28. Free. Stone Mountain Village, Main Street, Stone Mountain. 770-498-8984.
APACHE GIVES BACK
Grammy-nominated, Atlanta-based trumpet master Russell Gunn headlines Apache Cafe’s customer appreciation night, with support from Chaz and DJ King Smitt. 9 p.m. Nov. 29. Free. Apache Cafe, 64 Third St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-876-5436.
A GIFT OF MUSIC
The year’s final installment of the chamber music series Music On the Hill will offer performances of Beethoven’s “Archduke” Trio and Ravel’s Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello. The players are violinist Olga Shpitko, pianist Tim Whitehead and cellist Charae Krueger. 3 p.m. Nov. 30. Free. Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive N.W., Atlanta. 404-237-8621.
FREE JAZZ
Gary Motley, director of jazz studies at Emory University, leads the university’s four jazz combos and the 18-piece Emory Big Band in a night of music that covers the jazz waterfront from Charlie Parker and Wes Montgomery to Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock. The ensembles perform in the Emerson Concert Hall at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. 8 p.m. Dec. 2. Free. 1700 N. Decatur Road N.E., Emory University, Atlanta. 404-727-5050.
BRIGHT IDEAS
More local cities are cranking up the power for their annual Christmas tree lighting. Snellville plugs in at 7 p.m. Dec. 1. Activities include photos with Santa (nominal fee), holiday festivities and music. The event is free but unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots will be accepted. Snellville City Center, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville. 770-985-3500. On Thursday, it’s Kennesaw’s turn to light the lights. The Cobb city’s program includes an inspirational children’s choir performance from St. Catherine of Siena, caroling, and free hot chocolate, coffee and cookies. 7 p.m. Dec. 4. Free. Kennesaw Depot, 2828 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-422-9714.
Read other money saving tips at Your Money, and see a list of all of more upcoming free and cheap events.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Friday’s On My Mind, But Not For Shopping
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ll walk the extra mile for a bargain. Maybe even a mile and a half. But, to me, venturing out to the stores on Black Friday is akin to running a marathon — while carrying loaded shopping bags.
Count me as one who doesn’t get the rush of rolling out of bed early on a day off from work, fighting the throngs to squeeze into a parking space narrowed by an SUV sandwich, bumping into crazed shoppers who apparently get released from home confinement once a year and standing in lengthy checkout lines while seasonal employees on their first shift figure how to ring up your items.
Those who crave adventure, I understand. Since there is no nearby blizzard-shrouded mountain to climb or 10-foot wave to surf, Black-and-Blue Friday might have to do for survival satisfaction.
I have planned a little gift-buying on Sunday morning, when the Black Friday fever has subsided. Am I correct in assuming the prices will not have changed? The shelves will not be empty? The stores’ seasonal workers will not have resigned in frustration, leaving checkout lines unmanned?
For those who cannot resist the siren’s call, here are some tips for how best to stretch your Black Friday bucks. And another piece of advice.
Are you a Black Friday doer or avoider? Do you believe there are one-day-only bargains to be had?
If you are so inclined, go ahead and run your marathon. (But be careful out there. It’s a jungle.)
As for myself, I’m spending Friday walking … between the couch and the fridge for Thanksgiving Day leftovers.
To find ways to help make you way through a bumpy economy check out Your Money.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Turkey Day: Let Others Do The Heavy Lifting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When I observe a holiday, my oven gets the same consideration. No workin’? No cookin’.
Lately, Thanksgiving Day dinner has come courtesy of my neighborhood supermarkets. This time, I’m relying on Publix, whose meals start at $43.99. Kroger, my occasional choice in previous years, beats Publix’ lowest price by four bucks.
(Why did Mr. Cheapskatin’ opt for the costlier package? Good question. Publix is more convenient, and it offers a turkey-breast-only entree for us white-meat lovers.)
It’s not too late to place an order. The chains are closed on Thursday but usually keep regular hours on Thanksgiving Eve, when most customers fetch their meals.
Have you gone the grocery store route on Turkey Day? Is it worth giving the oven a rest?
One other option I’ve tapped before is Boston Market. Its dishes are pricier, with this year’s entry point at $52.99. But my taste buds tell me they are slightly more appealing. Outlets are open on Thursday morning for pick-ups, which suggests to me the grub might be fresher.
Have you found other take-home alternatives to the supermarkets?
For me on T-Day, a pre-cooked bird is the word.
To find ways to help make you way through a bumpy economy check out Your Money.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment |
Diversions on (less than) a Dime
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A netful of rainbow trout being moved from the Summerville Trout Hatchery into the Chattahoochee River in July 2008. This weekend, more trout will be added to the river for Georgia Fishing for Vets Day. Photo: Scott Bernarde/sbernarde@ajc.com
Entertainment writer Shane Harrison gives you tips on events that are free or cheap.
It’s easy to have a good time without spending any of those dwindling dimes. There are loads of fun things to do around metro Atlanta for far less than it costs to keep a major industry afloat. Here are just a few:
TROUT BOUNTY
Saturday has been designated Georgia Fishing for Vets Day. This is a program for veterans and active military personnel. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will be stocking a portion of the Chattahoochee with trout in the morning. Military personnel with a current ID will be issued a free fishing license. Volunteers with outdoor organizations will help attending veterans with casting lessons and equipment, and food and beverages will be provided. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 22. Free. Chattahoochee River NRA-Palisades Paces Mill, 3445 Cobb Parkway S.E., Atlanta. 404-927-7318.
FREE FOOD FACTS
If we are what we eat, then maybe we should all learn a little more about the roots of our food traditions. That’s just what you’ll get in “Key Ingredients: America by Food,” an exhibit organized by the Smithsonian Insitution. The show runs through Jan. 4. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. Also, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 28. Closed Nov. 27, Dec. 24 and 25, and Jan. 1. Free. Hapeville Depot Museum, 620 S. Central Ave., Hapeville. 404-669-2175.
FREE ’CRACKER
It’s “Nutcracker” time again. The Gwinnett Ballet will hold its Family Day celebration where excerpts of the dance will be performed. There will also be face painting, crafts and refreshments. Personal cameras welcome. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 22. Free. Hudgens Center for the Arts, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, Duluth. 770-623-6002.
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY
Things will be brighter at Atlantic Station beginning Saturday. “The Lighting of Atlantic Station” will power up a quarter of a million lights throughout the eight-block district. There will be family-friendly festivities throughout the day. The lighting ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. with a live TV broadcast on WXIA. It also offers the season’s first glimpse of 2008’s “It’s Snowin’ in the Station” series of snowfall shows around the Grand Christmas Tree. Noon-8 p.m. Nov. 22. Free. Atlantic Station, 171 17th St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-733-1221.
FOR A SONG
Choral classics are on tap as the Emory Mastersingers and the Emory Women’s Chorale take the stage in Emerson Concert Hall at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts on the Emory University campus. The program include’s the Kyrie from Duruflé’s Requiem and Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols.” 4 p.m. Nov. 23. Free. Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, 1700 N. Decatur Road N.E., Emory University, Atlanta. 404-727-5050.
Read other money saving tips at Your Money, and see a list of all of more upcoming free and cheap events. Remember, it pays to save.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Not In The Cards This Holiday Season?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
To this holiday shopper, the gift card has been a friend in need — taking care of my needs — and a friend indeed.
Uncertain about the likes and dislikes of the intended gift receiver? No time or inclination to fight through the crowded aisles in search of a particular present? Head straight to the gift card rack.
With it, your loved one could purchase whatever he/she pleases. And you avoid the risk of, metaphorically speaking, buying a square peg to fit into a round hole.
Have you tossed gift cards into holiday stockings? Or are they not your thing?
This shopping season, gift cards are getting a bad rap, fueled by a spate of bankruptcy filings by chain stores. Some, like Circuit City, have pledged to honor gift cards for the time being. Others, like The Sharper Image, are turning them down.
Consumer experts say spending on gift cards could drop 6 percent during the holidays. Besides the bankruptcy concerns, they cite a preference by gift-givers to find bargains on the shelves rather than buy a card — which, of course, cannot be reduced in price.
Studies indicate that one of every four gift cards is not redeemed within a year, which means they could expire or decline in value. That baffling statistic explains why Consumer Reports calls the card phenomenon “the gift that keeps on taking.”
Gift cards are getting a bad rap. If the recipients elect to let them expire or wait until a store enters bankruptcy, that’s their prob. I believe they are a legitimate alternative to the item hiding under shiny wrapping paper and a bow.
Here’s a web site with advice on recourse with your card when the applicable store is about to go belly-up.
This site provides several options for getting the most from your gift card.
And here’s one about unloading a card for cash.
Will you be hesitant to hand out gift cards for these holidays? Would you rather not receive them?
For me, they’ll be a friend for life. Until, that is, I get burned by one.
To find ways to help make you way through a bumpy economy check out Your Money.
Permalink | Comments (41) | Post your comment |
It’s Money In The Bank
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I coach basketball, so banking is on my mind these days. My players are encouraged to use the backboard from certain spots on the court for bank shots.
I’m enamored with another form of banking: the online kind. A few years ago, I began paying most of my bills on the trusty laptop. The main attraction was convenience, but I quickly discovered it is cheaper.
When snail-mailing checks, we tend to date them before the due date. We never know how long it will take for the recipient to receive and process the payments, so we play it safe and ship it early to avoid a late fee.
With online banking, we can date the payment on the last possible day and duck the penalty.
We also save on stamps. Not bad at 42 cents a pop.
Have you tried online banking? Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?
Or have you shied away? If so, why?
This article is a bit outdated but speaks to the growth of paying bills electronically.
For me, it’s as sweet as a nothing-but-net, three-point basket.
To find ways to help make you way through a bumpy economy check out Your Money.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment |
The Gospel of Free Fun and a Hill of (Canned) Beans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Candi Staton. Photo: Robert Shanklin.
It’s easy to have a good time without spending your hard-earned money. There are loads of fun things to do around metro Atlanta for far less than it costs to bail out the auto industry. Here are just a few:
A HEAVENLY VOICE
She concentrates on gospel music now, but Stone Mountain resident Candi Staton scored a big pop hit with “Young Hearts Run Free” back in 1976 (it was a No. 1 R&B hit, too). She’ll sing and sign her new CD, “I Will Sing My Praise to You,” which was release on Oct. 21. Upper level at Borders. 5 p.m. Nov. 15. Free. Mall at Stonecrest, 2929 Turner Hill Road, Lithonia. 678-526-9880.
CAN DO
The Atlanta Chapter of the American Institute of Architects presents “Canstruction,” an exhibit of canned goods constructed into extraordinary, colorful sculptures. Teams build giant sculptures — anything from castles to cartoon characters — and then all canned goods will go to the Atlanta Community Food Bank after prizes are awarded to winning constructions. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 14; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 15; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 16. Free. Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St. S.W., Atlanta. 404-523-2311, underground-atlanta.com.
A POSSE OF PIANISTS
Pianists Alpin Hong, Joseph Meeks, Robert Henry, David Watkins and Sarah Stedman and the Kennesaw State University Orchestra will mark KSU’s certification as an All-Steinway School. Reservations required. 8 p.m. Nov. 15. Free. Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw. 770-499-3214.
HAIL TO HOSEA
In “Unbossed and Unbought: The Hosea L. Williams Collection,” photographs, documents and artifacts chronicle Williams’ involvement in the struggle for civil and human rights. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; noon-6 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2-6 p.m. Sundays. Nov. 16-Feb. 15. Closed Nov. 27-28, Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1. Free. Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-730-4001.
SWEET SOUNDS OF SISTERHOOD
Tennessee’s Peasall Sisters gained their greatest measure of fame singing on the Grammy-winning soundtrack from the motion picture “O Brother Where Art Thou?” The trio will perform a free concert of their Carter Family-influenced bluegrass and gospel music at Roswell United Methodist Church at 3 p.m. Nov. 16. 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. 770-594-0512.
A HEAP OF TROUBLE
Big Trouble in Little Five Points is a monthly night of really fine bands put together by Pop Death Squad. It takes place every third Thursday of each month at Star Bar. Here’s this month’s line-up: Atlanta quartet the Judies, fronted by stick-thin rock dynamo Warren Ullom; fellow Atlantans Tendaberry, Morehouse alums who meld post-punk and soul; and Nashville pop-rock outfit How I Became the Bomb, out promoting a new three-song EP, “Volume I: Who Dares Wins,” which is downloadable for free at the band’s official site. 9 p.m. Nov. 20. No cover. Star Bar, 437 Moreland Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-681-9018, www.starbaratl.com.
Read other money saving tips at Your Money, and see a list of all of more upcoming free and cheap events. Remember, it pays to save.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment |
The Last Cuts Are The Deepest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s not only my holiday gift cravings that has me making a list and checking it twice.
As the economy pummels our personal savings, many of us are poring over expenditures and jotting down those that we might be willing to relinquish. If you’re like me, you whittle away until you wind up with a precious few that may appear as luxuries to others but are essential to you.
I’ve trimmed back in many areas, but there are three seeming splurges that I cannot white-out.
Cable TV and high-def for my sports viewing.
Concert tickets for my rock ‘n’ rollin’.
And beer.
OK, call me indulgent. But life ain’t worth living if we must abandon all simple pleasures. Overall, my belt is tighter by three notches from a year ago. Fewer trips, clothes, nice meals. I refuse to pull it so snugly that I cannot breathe.
Has the recession impacted your spending on what many would consider optional stuff?
If so, what is off-limits to your sacrificing?
By the way, if you need gift ideas for me: more sports cable channels, choice seats at the concert hall … and a six-pack.
To find ways to help make you way through a bumpy economy check out Your Money.
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment |
(Store) Branded For Life: Going Generic
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For years, decades even, I would reach past the store-brand green beans in the canned vegetable aisle and flip the name-brand option into my cart. The price gap was never much more than a quarter, so why take a chance on an item for which I’d never seen a TV ad?
When Mr. Cheapskatin’ started to take over my soul, I took a flier on the cheaper stuff. You could have knocked me over with a kitchen aroma when I found the difference in taste was negligible.
Sure, it’s green beans, not something whose savoriness we really care about. So I tested various goodies with name recognition and compared them to what once were commonly called generics.
Some (beans, orange juice, frozen chicken) passed my taste test, others didn’t. (Pizza out of a box is bad enough; the store-brand, to me, is indistinguishable in texture from its container.)
What are your favorite and must-avoid foods that carry store brands?
I have found a greater contrast with products such as paper towels and napkins. For me, the store brands tear more easily or soak up less liquids.
Packaging of cheaper goods can be a pain. Some items seem more challenging to open.
Are you a fan of non-edible store brands? If so, whaddaya like most?
The mega-groceries are increasingly rolling out more of their own offerings. Publix has 2,300 choices, Winn-Dixie 1,500.
By some estimates, between 33 and 40 percent of shoppers give it a regular go on the so-called generics. An Information Resources Inc. study determined that about 30 percent considered high-income swallowed their pride and grabbed store brands in the year’s second quarter, up from 20 percent during the first.
The web abounds with one man’s (or woman’s) opinion on best-to-buy and best-to-avoid store brands. Here are [two]:(http://www.squidoo.com/bestgeneric) and (http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/05/saving-money-by-buying-store-brands-7-products-that-work-for-us.html best/worst).
Others pitch tips on how to decide.
How do you determine whether to sample a store brand? How often do you switch permanently? I think back to all of those quarters I would have saved by chowing down on store-brand green beans. They would have paid for a lot of desserts to wash out the veggies’ taste.
Read other money saving tips at Your Money
Permalink | Comments (60) | Post your comment |
Discount Diversions: Auction Gawking to Chili Chomping
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This wooden Christ figure by Frank Applegate of Santa Fe, N.M., is from the collection of Chuck and Jan Rosenak anddates from circa 1925. It’s among the items in the Slotin Art Auction on Saturday, Nov. 8, in Buford.
Entertainment writer Shane Harrison gives you tips on events that are free or cheap.
It’s easy to have a good time without spending your hard-earned money. There are loads of fun things to do around metro Atlanta that won’t break anyone’s failing bank. Here are just a few:
Art for Everyone
If you appreciate art, then there’s sure to be something for you at the Slotin Art Auction. An extensive selection of folk and self-taught art, Southern pottery, paintings and more will be for sale, but looking won’t cost you a thing. Bidding might be tempting, though, because there will are 920 lots up on the block, including an extensive selection of face jugs. 10 a.m. Nov. 8. Historic Buford Hall, 112 E. Shadburn Ave., Buford. 770-532-1115.
And Now for Something Completely Different…
Ten schools from Florida and Georgia send their top wakeboarders to the 2008 Southeast Collegiate Wakeboard Qualifier. They’ll be competing for three spots in the Collegiate National Wakeboard Championship next year. 9 a.m. Nov. 8-9. Free. Aqualand Marina, 6800 Lights Ferry Road, Flowery Branch. 850-209-3568.
Munch and Mingle
Cabbagetown’s sixth annual Chomp and Stomp combines chili cook-off and bluegrass festival into one big hootenanny. The cook-off will feature chilis from both individuals and restaurants. The former mill village and intown artist mecca will also host and artist’s market. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 8. Free admission; $5 chili tasting. Cabbagetown Park, 200 Tye St. (at Kirkwood Avenue), Atlanta.
Salute Our Veterans
There are many ways to pay tribute to our nation’s veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Veterans Day parades take place in many locales, including:
Marietta (assembles by the church and ends at Marietta Square. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 11. Roswell Street Baptist Church, 774 Roswell St., Marietta. 770-794-5260.)
Atlanta (from West Peachtree Street near Pine Street, south on Peachtree to Marietta Street, then on to Centennial Olympic Park. 11:11 a.m. Nov. 11. Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Centennial Olympic Park Drive N.W., Atlanta. 770-458-7934.)
Dawsonville (ends at Dawsonville County Middle School. 3 p.m. Nov. 11. Chestatee Regional Library, 342 Allen St., Dawsonville. 706-265-6278.)
Click here for more Veterans Day events.
Read other money saving tips at Your Money, and see a list of all of more upcoming free and cheap events. Remember, it pays to save.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment |
Good Things Come In Small-Priced Packages
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As autumn soon gives way to winter, our thoughts turn to such cold-weather concerns as bundling up.
There’s another sort of bundling that smart shoppers should ponder: packaging, or “bundling,” telephone, television and Internet services with one provider.
It’s almost always a money-saver, along the lines of obtaining home and auto insurance from the same company. Providers pitch a combo price that tends to beat buying the services individually. Another benefit is paying one bill per month, rather than two or three. And knowing whom to call when something goes amiss.
I’ve been with one name-brand firm for a few years. The other day, my caller ID flashed a rival. Answering it, I heard an offer that whips the tar out of my current package. When I contacted my provider, it declined to match the deal, so I’m leaning toward a switch.
Before signing the dotted line, make a priority list. Is unlimited long-distance calling, a ton of cable TV channels or ultra-fast Internet most important? Then look at areas where you can live with less than the optimum, such as a limited menu of channels or no high-def.
Here’s a website with more advice:.
The packages can get pretty complicated. Check out a provider’s web site to confirm what any combination entails, or review it thoroughly with the service.
So, as you bundle up for the oncoming chill, be aware that a great bundling deal can deliver a little warmth. Have you saved on bundling?
Read other money saving tips at Your Money,
Permalink | Comments (34) | Post your comment |
(Au) Natural Gas: The Naked Truth
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Don’t jump to another page. Yes, this is an entry about gas, a subject with which we are obsessed, but not the type you pump into your car before going into the convenience story to buy a Big Gulp.
No, this is about the gas that warms your home. Natural gas. The good news is, you won’t have to gulp big as you pay your bill.
Costs are trending downward. That’s a blessing to those of us with variable plans, with which rates are adjusted monthly. That’s opposed to a fixed rate, where customers lock in, generally for 12 months.
With prices falling, one option is to consider a shorter fixed plan, such as six months offered by some companies. Otherwise, variable may be the way to go.
Are you on a fixed or variable plan? Happy with your choice?
The Georgia Public Service Commission provides an excellent price comparison chart for both options, plus a senior citizen menu. The most helpful column in the chart is “apples-to-apples” price per therm.
A few years ago, at the recommendation of Clark Howard, I jumped to Walton EMC. Every time I’ve checked, I patted myself on the back. You will notice on the PSC summary page that Walton pitches the lowest standard fixed rate. Kudos to Fireside Natural Gas for providing the best variable and senior citizens plan.
Have you switched companies lately? Any regrets?
As more competition invades the state, prices could dip further. One newcomer is Stream Energy, which takes a direct marketing, word-of-mouth approach designed to eliminate expenses accrued by established outfits.
Exercise caution while changing plans. Some companies charge a switch fee, and there could be hidden fees. Ask for a breakdown of your potential bill before signing on.
And if you save money, celebrate … with a Big Gulp.
Check out other money saving tips at Your Money
.JPG)
Services »
