The Cheapskates Guide To Economic Eating

Beach House Broccoli Beef

2011-07-27T23:27:00.000-07:00

For the past 15 years our family has rented a beach house in beautiful Newport Beach, California. We cook home-made meals our family has eaten their whole lives, which touch their hearts with wonderful memories. Everyone asks: "Why do you cook for 34 people... wouldn't it be easier to eat out?"

The answer to this question lies in the looks on their faces when dinner is served and the priceless memories we've made. Even the kids ask: "Is it Waffle Day with strawberries and whip cream yet?"

Economic Eating @ it's finest!

One of our fam's favorites is Broccoli Beef. I prepped the sauce early in the day which made cooking it easier;) Sliced the steak real thin covered it & put in the fridge.

Bought 3 heads of fresh broccoli @ the Newport Beach Growers Market for 99 cents a pound and one bag of broccoli @ Trader Joes. Washed them in"Fruit and Vegetable Rinse" to remove the pesticides, ecoli bacteria, wax and dirt & bugs trapped undernealth. Clean brocolli tastes delicious.

Teriyaki Sauce (Makes 2 cups)

1 Cup Soy Sauce
1 Cup Water
4 nickle size Ginger Root (fresh)
4 Cloves of Garlic quartered & smashed
2/3 Cup pineapple juice
1 Cup Sugar
2 Tablespoons White Vinegar
2 heaping Tablespoons of corn starch in 1/2 cup of water.

In sauce pan add 1 cup soy sauce & 1 cup of water over high heat stirring constantly.
Add 4 nickle sized slices of fresh ginger, 4 cloves of smashed garlic bring to boil and then reduce hit & simmer 10 minutes.
Strain off ginger & garlic and disgard.

Add 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup pineapple juice, & 2 Tablespoons white vinegar. Simmer.

Combine 2 heaping Tablespoons ofcorn starch and 1/2 cup of water.

Bring to boil with wire wisk stir in corn starch mixture, stirring constantly to thicken marinade. Set aside. Add 2 pineapply rings for flavor.

I use Sirloin Steak or Ribeye Steak

Slice into thin strips.
Add 4 Tablespoons of Canola Oil to coat bottom of pan. On high heat sear the thin strips of steak. Searing= bring the pan & oil to high heat throw in meat and quickly brown steak. Searing the meat locks in the juices. Add fresh garlic cloves or garlic powder to steak and sear steak on both sides, salt and pepper to taste.

Set browned steak aside.

Chop up fresh brocolli into bite sized pieces or buy 1 bag of precut brocolli @ Trader Joes.

Add 1/4 cup of water and steam a little brocolli at a time and set aside. (so it doesn't overcook and get mushy.)

When ready to serve heat up marinade with steak, pour over brocolli and serve!

*Serve with white rice.

*The Teriyaki Sauce can also be used to make Teriyaki Chicken just grill some boneless, skinless chicken tenders (I buy mine @ Trader Joes, Smart & Final, or Costco) and pour the sauce over cut up grilled chicken tenders delish!

$1.00 Jimmy Johns Sub Today June 16th!

2011-06-16T10:03:00.000-07:00

My daughter Sunny has been raving about Jimmy John's Subs to me. My daughters say I'm somewhat closed minded when it comes to trying new food. For me to judge it to be "delicious" it has to have the freshest rolls, quality meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, italian dressing... the whole deal. Their grandfather was a chef what can I say?

Ok I tried the roast beef with provolone sub and it was delicious. The roll was amazing, meat & cheese were delish!(For $3.25 you can get a slim with just bread and meat (or with provolone 75 cents extra... I add my own tomatoes & romaine lettuce & red onion) for "The Cheapskate's" touch.)

In June I've been back 2 times already which is the true test... if I like a restaurant I become a loyal customer and can't resist coming back again and again!

Well, today is Customer Appreciation Day at Jimmy John's. From 11 am- 3pm today (June 16) you can taste test for yourself an 8 inch sub for $1.00!

See you in line;)

Hungry For FREE Joe's Barbeque May 4th?

2011-04-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

It's that time again... Joe's Barbeque customer appreciation day!

FREE Meal at Joe’s BBQ ~ May 4th, 2011 ~ Customer Appreciation Day

Joe's BBQ (in Gilbert) will be serving free meals again!

Wednesday, May 4th
11am – 3pm
4pm – 8pm

They usually serve a barbeque beef or chicken sandwich, coleslaw & drink delish and FREE!

Well worth the wait. See you in line;)

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FREE Einstein's Breakfast For A Year & Free Chic Fil A Breakfast!

2011-04-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

Thank you Sunny for these excellent FREEBIES!

Einstein Bros. Bagels
6204 North Scottsdale Road Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85283
Friday, April 8th, 2011 5:30 am Free breakfast for a YEAR to the first 100 customers for the Grand Opening!

Chick-Fil-A

How does a free breakfast sound? From Monday, April 4th to Friday, April 8th Chick-Fil-A will be offering a complimentary breakfast at any of their Valley locations.

There’s no catch here. All you have to do is show up and enjoy some free food to get your day started off right!

See you in line:)

CheapSkates Guide To Nacho's Grande!

2011-03-08T06:49:00.000-08:00

Went to Los Compadres just a little north of Indian School road on 7th Avenue. Here's my find for a "Cheapskate Take-out":
.2 Bags of Chips
.1/2 Pint Beans
.1/2 Pint Machaca Meat
.***Los Compadres Salsa (ask for a little more salsa delish & FREE
(Serves 4 for $8.45)

Take home & heat up the Chips they're fresh, thin, crunchy!

I smash 2 avocados, 2 shakes of garlic powder, & pour in some of the salsa, add a little sour cream, salt & pepper for guacomole.

Hungry For FREE Pei Wei?

2011-01-25T13:48:00.000-08:00

Go to Pei Wei tomorrow or Thursday and pick-up a card that will get you a free order of their new Korean BBQ dish when you bring it back between 1/31-2/6.

Hungry for Los Compadres Enchiladas?

2011-01-16T08:28:00.000-08:00

Los Compadres on 7th Avenue south of Indian School Road has the best green corn tamales! Here's my most "cheapskate" idea, I order mine dry with the red sauce (free/included) on the side. Last night I had some leftover chicken and so I took six white corn tortillas, cut up red onion, cheddar cheese, added some water to the "red sauce" and made "Los Compadres" enchiladas. Delicious, fast, and cheap I mean inexpensive:)

Hungry for a Chipotle Taco (aka small burrito for $2.25)?

2011-01-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

My daughter Emily taught me this deal @ Chipotle you can buy a taco for only $2.25. You order a taco with a small flour tortilla, grilled chicken, rice, beans,corn, lettuce, cheese, sour cream & salsa for $2.25! (This is really a "small burrito" very filling and healthy for you deliciously cheap!

Craving FREE Chocolate Cake @ Macaroni Grill?

2009-07-09T06:59:00.000-07:00

Free Piece of Chocolate Cake at Romano's Macaroni Grill

Craving pasta? Vist the Romano's Macaroni Grill near you and receive a free piece of chocolate cake. Now you can look forward to a delicioius bowl of pasta followed by a scrumptious piece of cake. Hurry this freebie expires 07/20/2009.

Baja Fresh FREE Fish Taco Tuesday July 14

2009-07-09T06:49:00.000-07:00

Long John Silver’s is offering customers a FREE Baja Fish Taco on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 from open tunitl 2:30pm.

Limit one per customer and no purchase is necessary! Available at participating locations.

Thirsty For A FREE 7-11 Slurpee?

2009-07-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendar for July 11th to visit 7-11 for a FREE Slurpee.

On July 11, 7-Eleven stores across the nation are celebrating Slurpee Day with a major giveaway of the slushy drink.

7-Eleven stores will be handing out 1000 free 7.11-oz Slurpees — in any flavor — from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., or until supplies last.

July 3 rd Friday FREE Chick-fil-A 3 count of Chick-n-Minis!

2009-07-02T21:23:00.000-07:00

Today I visited Chick-fil-A and ordered the FREE Chicken Biscuit it was... huge and cooked to perfection. Yes I can't wait til tomorrow morning (Friday July 3rd) to get my FREE 3 count of Chick-n-Minis.
6:30 AM to 10:30 AM. No coupon is needed.

Want A FREE Chick-fil-A?

2009-07-02T05:49:00.000-07:00

This week all Arizona Chick-fil-A locations are offering free breakfast all week! Tomorrow, Monday, they're offering 3 count Chick-n-Minis for free. There is no coupon necessary and you do not need to purchase anything else...just show up between when they open and 10:30 am and you get the free offer. :)

Here's the rest of the week's freebies:

Thursday - Chicken Biscuit
Friday - 3 count Chick-n-Minis

Hate Paying To Have Your Car Washed? $10 Car Wash FREE!

2009-05-31T06:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, so a FREE car wash is off the subject of "economic eating" but when you save $10 or in my family's case $30 (we have three cars) you can buy a pretty good dinner out with the money you save.

This weekend and next weekend if you drive to 44th Street and Mc Dowell Road that's 1702 N. 44th Street CleanFreak Carwash is having it's grand opening and giving a FREE Carwash, Turtle Wax, and Vacuming. They even give you a little wet paper towel to wipe down the dash.

The drive alone through the automated car wash felt like "Autopia" at Disneyland:)

www.cleanfreakcarwash.com

PF Chang's FREE Lettuce Wrap With Entree Purchase & Coupon

2009-05-29T04:57:00.000-07:00

In celebration of the chipping skills of PGA tour pro Briny Baird, P.F. Chang's China Bistro is giving away their signature lettuce wraps with the purchase of any entree.
This freebie is said to be the result of a bet, with Briny Baird being the winner by teeing off from 375 feet in the air atop the Omni Hotel and landing the golf ball inside a bulls-eye 230 yards below in the outfield of PETCO Park, also known as the home of the San Diego Padres.

Getting the coupon is easy just visit: http://www.pfchangs.com/briny/default.aspx and print up the coupon. My daughter Emily grabbed it up she loves PF Chang's and it's a good lesson in economic eating for her:)

Coupon must be redeemed by 06/14/2009.

Want a FREE Rootbeer Float?

2009-05-29T02:21:00.000-07:00

Want a FREE Rootbeer Float? Then head over to your nearest Sonic Drive-In June 3rd because Sonic is offering FREE Rootbeer Floats 8-12am on June 3rd! Sonic's treat.

Tuesday is $1.25 Fish Taco Day @ Rubio's

2009-05-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

Tuesday
Great dinner & dessert deals tonight...

Don't forget every Tuesday is $1.25 fish taco day at Rubio's (2:30pm - close) and $1.00 scoop night at Baskin Robbins! Great inexpensive night out! :)

Free IKEA Breakfast

2009-05-24T00:22:00.000-07:00

Free Breakfast at Ikea Today Through Monday

If you go to Ikea today through Monday you can receive a free breakfast.

Want A FREE DOZEN Krispy Kreme Donuts?

2009-05-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

Today "Donut Dan" is giving away a FREE dozen donuts to his first 100 customers. Just print up your SMARTSHOPPER card at www.ABC15.com drive to your closest Krispy Kreme's and you'll get your FREE dozen fresh delicious donuts on the house. (If you're one of the first 100 customers there.) I just picked up mine on Thomas/28th Street and there was no wait:)

$2.50 Corleones Philly Cheesesteak & Coke

2009-05-22T13:33:00.000-07:00

Chuck and I just came back from eating at Corleone's on Mill Avenue. Today Friday May 22nd all day they are offering a 6 inch philly cheesesteak sandwich with grilled onions and cheesewiz AND a coke for only $2.50. Go to www.abc15.com and print out your SMART SHOPPER card to take advantage of the great deal. I printed out two so Chuck and I had lunch with drinks included for $5.00! There was only 1 person in front of me. It's good at all three locations Camelback, Mill & ...

Joe's Barbeque Customer Appreciation Day!

2009-05-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

May 6th Wednesday is Joe's Barbeque Customer Appreciation Day FREE Food

Wednesday May 6th, Joe’s Real BBQ in Gilbert, Arizona, is celebrating its annual customer appreciation day by serving free barbecue! Enjoy your choice of pecan smoked, Pulled Pork Sandwich or Chopped Brisket (simmered in their famous BBQ sauce) Sandwich, fresh homemade coleslaw and award-winning BBQ Pit Beans.

Joe’s Real BBQ has won “Best Barbecue” from the Arizona Republic and Phoenix New Times for several years.

Joe’s Real BBQ has been celebrating this “Free Food” day annually for over 9 years and has given away over 32,000 meals! This year they hope to serve more than 5,000 people at this enormously popular event. Customers will also get to meet the “Real Joe” behind Joe’s Real BBQ. Fellow co-owners Tim and Tad Peelen will also be on hand to personally thank customers all day.

“Giving away free food is a way to thank all of our regular customers who have supported us since 1998,” said Joe Johnston, founder and co-owner of Joe’s Real BBQ. “It’s also a way for us to introduce our restaurant to people who have never tried us before.”
The free meal event runs from 11:00 AM to 3 PM, and then 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday May 6th, 2009, at their restaurant located in Gilbert. Customers are encouraged to be in line by 7:30 PM to be able to receive a free meal before the event ends at 8:00 PM.

Joe’s Real Barbecue is easy to get to from anywhere in the valley. They are located at 301 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, AZ, 85234. Phone (480) 503-3805. For more information go to: http://www.joesrealbbq.wordpress.com or email info@joesrealbbq.com

See you there:)

IHOP IS Giving FREE Pancakes February 24th Tuesday

2009-02-23T19:54:00.000-08:00

Got a taste for FREE IHOP Pancakes? Tomorrow is National Pancake Day lets party!

IHOP National Pancake Day - February 24, 2009 Join IHOP to celebrate National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 24, 2009.

From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., we’ll give you one free short stack (three) of our famous pancakes... no coupon necessary.

Then for lunch head over to Jack-in-the-Box for 2 FREE Tacos (you'll need a coupon for the tacos.)

Want 2 FREE Jack-In-the-Box Tacos?

2009-02-19T11:57:00.000-08:00

Just when I thought the "economy" was taking it's toll on "economic eating" FREE stuff I get this heads up from the "King" of economic eating Scott (thanks for thinking of us:)

Upcoming Jack In The Box coupon: 2 Tacos for free

On February 24, Jack In The Box restaurants offer two tacos for free with this printable coupon. That's the second free food offer we've seen from this fine dining establishment in the past week.

You can read this online at:

http://dealnews.com/280455.html

Want FREE Curly Fries? Like Cinderella You've Only Got til 11:59 PM Tonight!

2009-02-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

My nephew Scott and his wife Jaime are the "King & Queen" of economic eating. They were thoughtful enough to share this one with us today.

Jack in the Box is giving FREE medium curly fries (the ones with a perm) one day only Tues February 10th from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm... follow this link and print the coupon.
http://coupon.hangintherejack.com/seasoned-curly-fries.php

Thank you Scott & Jaime!

Economic Eats For These Troubled Economic Times

2009-02-06T09:12:00.000-08:00

So "Restaurant Girl" drove thru Mc Donalds to order a Sausage Biscuit on their $1.00 menu.

I made homemade gravy like this:

Put 2 Tablespoons of (saved) bacon grease in a pan...
added 2 Tablespoons of unbleached flour... (browned it)...
added milk, salt & pepper to taste.

Cooked an over easy egg.(Trader Joe's always has eggs for $1.49 a dozen.)

We enjoyed buscuits & gravy, sausage patty and an egg for $1.13. My husband loves my economic country cookin:)

Olive Garden Spagetti Dinner For $3.95 Feeds 4

2009-02-05T15:22:00.000-08:00

I should have called this Blog "Restaurant Girl" since I LOVE eating out, but that's already taken:( My father owned a Chinese restaurant in Washington D.C. he was the cook and my mother was the waitress). I remember eating all our meals there, I thought everyone did that. I guess that's why I love restaurants so much it feels like home.

This is my best "economic eating" secrets for eating out Shh... I love The Olive Garden's spagetti with meat sauce.

I order 1 pint of meat sauce with NO NOODLES... take-out which costs only $3.95. (Sometimes they even throw in FREE breadsticks.) I go to the 99 cent store & buy a bag of spinach or Sprouts if they're out. And get a couple of zuchinni which I slice in long thin strips (just like spagetti only no bad carbs;)

At home I cook some spagetti noodles, steam the spinach, and saute the zuchinni strips in a teaspoon of butter covered.

*Left over hamburger buns or hotdog buns (which I throw in the freezer)can be spread w/butter & sprinkle garlic powder on and toast in oven broiler.

Make a delicious salad, serve the spagetti sauce over spagetti noodles, topped with zuchinni, & spinach and it's just like eating @ The Olive Garden!

Feeds a family of four for only $3.95 that's "Italian Economic Eating"!

Any ideas of how your stretch your food dollar$$$?

FREE Denny's Grand Slam Breakfast

2009-02-01T21:17:00.000-08:00

So I put on my red shirt and waited in line 1 hour with all the other Cardinal Fans but I got a delicious Chipotle Burrito valued at $6.00, fresh air, sunshine AND good laughs with very positive people. It was worth the wait!

Did you hear about the FREE Grand Slam Breakfast at Denny's being offered on that Superbowl commercial? Here's the link: http://www.dennys.com/

I couldn't believe my ears and my nephew Scott said: "Are you going to put that on your blog?" Heck yes:)

Denny's Restaurants are giving away free Grand Slam Breakfasts on Tuesday, 2/3/09. Announced during a Super Bowl Ad.

"Every guest from 6AM - 2PM on Tuesday will receive 1 free Grand slam, and 1 free coupon book with 8 coupons in it. Each coupon book has 4 BOGO's, 2- 25% off coupons, 1 coupon good for free dessert , and 1 coupon good for a free order of pancake puppies.

Know of any economic eats? Let me know I'll pay it forward.

Vicky Taylor
http://vtaylorgroup@yahoo.com
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/taylorvicky

Seize A FREE Ikea Breakfast

2009-01-30T13:07:00.000-08:00

Ikea is giving away FREE breakfast with a FREE cup of coffee Friday, January 30 thru Sunday, February 1st TIL 10:30 am!

Click here for the details.

Let's Seize the Day :)

Want a FREE Chipotle Burrito?

2009-01-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Then take your "economic eating" appetite to any Chipotle the Saturday BEFORE the Super Bowl, (while wearing something red of course), and get your FREE, burritos, taco, bowl or salad! That's January 31 st!

All Arizona Chipotle restaurants will offer a free burrito, taco, bowl or salad with no strings attached the day before the big game.

All you have to do is go to any Chipotle between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday January 31st wearing red.

Chipotle calls it the "Big Red Pep Rally."

Found any great "economic eating" finds want to share the wealth?

Want FREE TACOS?

2009-01-20T10:57:00.000-08:00

Wednesday (tomorrow) January 21, 2009 from 2:30 pm to closing time Rubio's restaurants are giving away...

Free fish tacos for you because of the Cardinals win! Talk about a great economic eating deal!

Cardinals fans will get a free fish taco at Rubio's restaurants in Arizona now that the home team has won Sunday's NFC Championship and is heading to the Super Bowl.

The offer will be valid on Wednesday, January 21st, from 2:30 p.m. to closing time.

Fans must visit Rubio's website http://rubios.com
click on "Get A Free Taco" and print the free fish taco or soft drink coupon, provide a valid e-mail address, and present it at the restaurant.

Costco "Party Central" of Economic Eating

2009-01-16T12:42:00.000-08:00

Is it just ME... or does anyone else think Costco is the "Party Central" when it comes to economic eating... horsdevours and appetizers (FREE Samples)?

When I go to my "Costo Party" I pretend I've had gastric bypass and can only eat the tinyest of bites. Yesterday it was 12:00 and I was STARVING and needed strength to do my grocery shopping. First I was treated to 1/4 slice of bagel with cream cheese & salmon, next hot chicken soup with veggies, then visited the silver dollar pancake stand... followed by a lipsmacking hot wing. Oops... I almost forgot the orange chicken/brocolli rice cup, and my dessert? Organic almonds and cranberries. Costco has offered a variety of appetizers/horsdevores delicacies like Duck with wild rice, Roast Beef, mini Quiche, Pumpkin Pie and Kirkland mocha lattes mmm:)

Still hungry? You can fill up on all-beef Polish Sausage with saurkraut, onions, relish & mustard and bottomless Coke for $1.50!

Done any economic eating? Want to share the wealth? We'd love to hear from you!

Vicky Taylor
http://MeeJun@Juno.com

Maizie's Cafe & Bistro Home of the Monday $3.00 Charbroiled Angus Hamburger

2009-01-13T16:22:00.000-08:00

My name is Vicky Taylor and I am a cheapskate who loves eating economically... BUT it has to be DELICIOUS. I don't know how I got this way, but I get great pleasure saving money on meals especially when they're cheap, I mean inexpensive. Everytime I find a new restaurant deal I want to share it with others so they can save and have the amazing experience I've enjoyed, especially in these economic hard times. So here's my newest find...

Mazie's Cafe & Bistro (Central Avenue just south of Camelback)
4750 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona
Monday 4:00 PM - $3.00 Charbroiled Angus Hamburgers (Mouth-watering!) (Fries Included)

So my 27 year old daughter Emily told me "She had just eaten this delicious hamburger, the best one she had ever tasted" at Mazie's on Central & Camelback "and you'd like it Mom cause it was only $3.00." I had my doubts because Emily has what I consider weird tastes, her favorite foods are Sushi, Boba Drinks, Pho Tai Soup, and Chai Tea Lattes. But the thought of a $3.00 Angus Burger got my attention. Chuck (My husband ) and I headed to Maizie's promptly at 4:00 pm to avoid the crowds.(The decor reminded me of Postino's.)

We ordered the charbroiled Bistro burger with lettuce, tomatoe, red onion, mayonaise, & a dill pickle spear, served on a toasted very light chabata roll for $3.00 PLUS it came with fries. Our $3.00 charbroiled burgers were mouthwatering, delectible, cooked med-well to perfection. Truly a cheapskates economic eating find. Can't wait til next Monday at 4:00 pm, maybe I'll see you there!

Let me know any "economic eating" finds you have.

Vicky Taylor
http://MeeJun@juno.com