Archive for Dean

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Site Problems Resolved

Sorry everyone, the website was having some problems and some links on the site were not working properly.

I have resolved this issue but please let me know if there are any problems.

Thanks,
Dean

Restaurant.com $25 Certificates for $4

Red WineRestaurant.com is has another 60% off discount coupon.  Use coupon code: "ENJOY".  That allows you to buy $25 restaurant certificates for as low as $4.  This 60% discount can also be used for Dinner of the Month purchases.

Try going the site and entering your zip code to see nearby restaurants that offer Restaurant.com certificates.  Not all $25 certificates can be purchases for $4 so please read the details.  People that live in bigger cities will have more choices of restaurants.  This is a good way to try a new restaurant in your area.

Expiration: 10/08/09

Restaurant.com – Use Coupon Code: ENJOY

Zappos Free Overnight Shipping VIP Membership

White ShoesRight now Zappos is allowing new and old members to sign up for free VIP memberships.  The membership entitles you to free overnight shipping on your orders.  Zappos has recently expanded their product line by not only selling shoes but apparel, bags, watches, sunglasses, jewelry, housewares, etc. 

Zappos is known for the awesome customer service.  One thing I really like about Zappos is their return policy.  If you don’t like the shoe for any reason you can return them for free with the prepaid return labels.  Even if your not a Zappos member I would suggest signing up so if you decide to buy something from Zappos in the future you will get free overnight shipping.

Expiration: Limited Time

Zappos VIP Membership – Free Overnight Shipping

Cheap Photo Gifts From Shutterfly.com

Shutterfly PhotobookSave 30% on calendars and up to 30% on prints at Shutterfly.  You can also get up to 30 free prints for creating a share site.  Offer ends 7/13/09.  Use coupon code: saveprints at checkout.

Shutterfly.com allows you to create affordable and personal gifts for just about any occasion.  So many people have hundreds of great photos saved on their computer, but never print them out.  Shutterfly.com allows you to easily print and share your photos with family and friends at a great price.  Their calendars and poster prints are a great way to fill those empty walls or bare tables at your home or office.

Expiration Date: 7/13/09

Shutterfly.com 30% off select items

Website Technical Issues

Sorry for the inconvinience, yesterday we had technical issues with they website.  I site is now working properly and I will be watching it carefully for reliability.  Please email me at info@mrcheapstuff.com if you experience any problems.

Thanks again,
Dean

Cheap Vacations: Where To Go to Get More For Your Dollar

A European vacation can be pricey thanks to the Euro’s strength against the dollar.  U.S. currency exchange rates have improved somewhat, but there are still much cheaper alternatives to Europe.  Here’s a list of exciting places that won’t break your vacation budget and where the dollar is still fairly strong.


1.  ARGENTINA



Buenos Aires is a sophisticated city filled with great restaurants, culture and nightlife.  Argentina is famed for its excellent beef, as well as Italian cuisine, owing to the country’s many Italian immigrants.  And of course, there’s tango, the beautiful and passionate dance which is known throughout the world.  To get a real feel for Argentina, try some Argentine tango lessons before you leave home.  Look for a teacher who regularly visits Buenos Aires (most of the good tango teachers do) – they can offer you some good travel tips.

To find Argentine tango teachers/dance events in your location, check out:


2. MEXICO



Mexico is one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations, and why not?  It has something for everyone – white sand beaches and clear blue ocean, Mayan ruins, vibrant music and folklore.  For a tropical beach getaway, there’s always Cancun, but for great culture try Mexico City, booming with new museums, a historical architectural revival and an active music and arts scene. The city’s huge Museum of Modern Art has works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and costs just $2.

3. CZECH REPUBLIC



In Prague, you’ll enjoy all the elegance of a beautiful old-world European city without the high prices.  The Czech Republic is known for history, architecture and, interestingly enough, delicious and cheap beer.  There’s history, Pilsner Urquell was invented in the Czech Republic and is probably the most beloved brew in the country. If beer is not your thing, how about a massage and facial? The Czech Republic is also world-famous for its spas.

4. BALI

Bali

Link:  http://www.indonesia-tourism.com/bali/index.html


The Indonesian island of Bali is truly a tropical paradise, far away and exotic yet affordable.  You’ll find some of the world’s best beaches plus a a rich history and culture.  There are numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces. The Balinese are skilled artisans, particularly in woodcarving and in making objects of tortoiseshell and of gold, silver and other metals. The Balinese are also noted for their traditional dance, the distinctive music of the gamelan and for their skills in weaving cloth.


5. TUNISIA

Tunisia

link: http://www.tourismtunisia.com/

This beautiful and exotic North African country offers pristine beaches, Roman ruins, the Sahara Desert, mosques, Andalusian architecture, sophisticated resorts, camel rides, jeep excursions, weavers, and traditional musicians. 

Visit the capital city Tunis’s medina, or old city, founded in the seventh century, to see narrow, winding streets with surprises around every corner.  You’ll see locals wearing traditional robes and barter in open-air markets amidst the smell of fresh bread, spices, and honey-drenched pastries.

6. GUATEMALA

Guatemala

link: http://www.planetware.com/guatemala-tourism-vacations-gua.htm

Guatemala is a land of tropical jungles, active volcanoes, mountain lakes, mountain cloud forests, volcanic beaches and coral reefs. The ancient ruins of Tikal provide a look at Mayan culture with plazas, an acropolis, pyramids, temples and a museum.  Weaving is a popular business with a rainbow of colors found in the villagers’ hand-woven clothes.  Each village has its own unique pattern and color. It is still possible to experience the clamor and color of an outdoor Indian market where handicrafts are made and sold in the same manner as in days gone by.

in the city of Antigua, Guatemala, visitors stroll the same cobblestone streets, enjoy many of the same buildings and monuments that stood when this was regarded as one of the most beautiful capitals in Spanish America. In Antigua and Guatemala City, the celebrations for Lent and Holy Week are still spectacular and attract people from all over the world.

Photo Credit from Flickr
Dean writes:
 
With the global recession I think if you can afford it, now is one of the best times to travel.  Overall the global tourism industry is hurting which mean there are deal to be found.  Hotel rates just about everywhere have been dropping. 
For those of you on a really tight budget you might also want to try these sites.
 
Couch Surfing – Made for the younger backpack crowd.
Hostels.com – Large database with reviews of thousands of hostels.
Kayak.com – My favorite site for airline travel deals.
 
Anybody can recommend other great places to visit where the dollar is still strong?

Cheap Hawaii Vacation – 3 Nights Air/Hotel $299 – Wow!

Beautiful Hawaii I don’t normally post Travel deals but I recently found one of the best Hawaii travel deals I’ve seen in a long time.  It is a 3 night vacation with hotel and air starting at $299!  You have to fly out of LAX (L.A.) and SFO (San Francisco).  This deal won’t last long but if you are looking for a cheap mini vacation this is one of the best prices I have seen for Hawaii.  You can also choose different hotels and islands including Maui, Oahu and Kauai.

I don’t know how the weather is where you live but right now in Honolulu it is about 75 degrees.  Visit Pleasant Holidays for details.  Aloha!

Expires: Very soon

5 Delicious, Cheap & Easy Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow cookers are allow you to make cheap, hearty and easy meals.  Especially around the busy holidays now might be a good time use your slow cooker.  Here are 5 slow cooker meals that you should give a try.

CROCKPOT COQ AU VIN  
 
–6 to 8 frozen chicken thighs
–6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon (regular or turkey bacon)
–8 oz sliced baby portabella mushrooms (they are right next to the regular mushrooms)
–1 cup baby carrots
–1 chopped yellow onion
–3 cloves chopped or minced garlic
–1/2 tsp. black pepper
–1/2 tbsp. kosher salt
–1/2 cup chicken broth
–1 1/2 cup inexpensive red wine (or cooking wine)
–2 large fresh thyme sprigs, or dash of dried, powdered thyme
 
Coq au Vin is French for "Chicken in Wine".  The alcohol burns off, leaving just the flavor, by the way.  This is a great recipe for a holiday or special occasion.
 
First, cook the bacon separately. Dump the frozen chicken into your crockpot and start layering in the rest of the ingredients, including the cooked bacon.
 
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.  Serve with French bread and salad.
 
POT ROAST OR BRISKET
 
2 to 3 potatoes, thinly sliced
2 to 3 carrots, pared and thinly sliced
1 to 2 onions, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 to 4 lb. brisket, rump roast, or pot roast
1/2 c. water
 
Here’s a perfect recipe for a classic cold weather meal.
 
Put vegetables in bottom of crockpot. Salt and pepper meat, then put in pot. Add liquid. Cover and cook on low 10 to 12 hours (high 5 to 6 hours). Remove meat and vegetables with spatula and thicken for gravy if desired.
 
Or you can make this recipe with without vegetables: Season meat with salt and pepper. Add no liquid. Cook as directed.

CROCKPOT 15 BEAN SOUP
 
16 oz. dry bean soup mix
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. celery salt
2 stalk celery, chopped
1 bay leaf
1 dash cayenne (red) pepper
1 tsp. ground black pepper
(optional) 1 sausage, sliced
 
This is a very filling and inexpensive soup.  It’s vegetarian if you don’t use the sausage.  
 
Wash beans thoroughly. Soak overnight, changing water two times.  Drain
 
Place beans in crockpot and cover with 1 inch water.  All all other ingredients except sausage.  Cover and cook on high for one hour; turn to low and cook 6-8 hours.  Stir once or twice during cooking.
 
One hour before serving, check texture of soup.  If it’s too thin, mash some of the beans to thicken it.  Add sausage, if you are using sausage.  Cook for one hour.
 
OBAMA FAMILY SLOW COOKER CHILI
 
-1 can kidney beans (do not drain)
–1 lb lean ground turkey or beef
–1 green bell pepper, chopped
–1 large onion, chopped
–5-6 medium tomatoes, chopped (include seeds and all)
–4 chopped cloves of garlic
–1 tsp cumin
–1 tsp oregano
–1 tsp basil
–1 tsp turmeric
–1 or 2 tsp chili powder, depending how spicy you like your chili
–1 tsp salt
–3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
 
Yes, this is President-elect Obama’s actual chili recipe, slightly adapted for crockpots.  He provided it to a New Hampshire newspaper a year ago, even before the first primary election.
 
Chop up the tomatoes, garlic, onion, and bell pepper. Add to the crockpot. Open the can of beans, and pour in the whole thing. Add the ground meat. Stir in all of the spices and the red wine vinegar.
 
Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours, or on high for 4-5. I cooked our chili on low for 9 hours.
 
Season with a bit more salt, to taste.   Serve over rice.  Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream.
 
EASY SEAFOOD CHOWDER
 
–1 lb of white fish (such as cod)
–3 cups of chicken broth, canned or homemade
–9 baby potatoes 
–1 cup frozen corn
–1/2 white onion
–1/2 cup sliced carrots or baby carrots
–heart of celery
–3-4 cloves of garlic
–1/2 tsp. black pepper
–salt (to taste, especially if using homemade broth)
 
–2 cups frozen shrimp (to add later)
–1 cup heavy whipping cream (to add later)
 
I love creamy seafood chowder like this.  It’s filling enough for a meal.  Serve with rolls on the side.
 
Chop up all the vegetables.  Partially thaw the fish in the microwave, and cut it into chunks.  Put all ingredients in the crockpot except for the cream and the shrimp.  Cook on low for 8 hours, or until the potatoes are tender. 30 minutes before serving, stir in your cup of cream and the frozen shrimp. Turn your crockpot to high for and cook for 30 minutes.

Photo Credit

Stack And Tilt Review

Are you an amateur Golf player and want to have the best swing on course? Or maybe you are already a golf professional with occasional problems in your swing? Whichever is the case; the Stack and Tilt Golf Swing will change your game forever and teach you to make the best swings. In order to evaluate the stack and tilt package, let’s examine some of its salient features.

However, before we do take a look at its details, shall we peek at its history? The stack and tilt golf swing was carefully devised and developed by two master swing teachers- Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett over a course of twenty long years! The benefits of such a careful, time consuming golf swing development clearly shows in the product as many golf professionals have now shifted to this pattern with fabulous results.

The stack and tilt method ensures that you get he maximum power and distance behind your swing. It achieves this by training you to keep your own weight stacked over the ball during the swing back-lift. And following this, when you do make the swing, the method trains you to put your weight forward and the swing bottoms out right in front of the ball making full contact. The best thing is that you can repeat the swing pattern shot after shot!

Professionals who have shifted to the Stack and Tilt golf Swing have noticed a number of benefits. These include improved swing plane, better grip, a more comfortable posture, accurate alignment with the ball, ball position and vastly improved game tempo. These benefits arise out of a number of analyses you can do with the package. For example, the Stack and Tilt Golf Swing makes it possible for you to self-analyze your posture, backswing, downswing and even the follow- through after the shot! A detailed shot analysis is also possible studying different aspects such as slice, hook, fat and thin shots.

So what does the Stack and Tilt golf swing package, priced at slightly less than 20 dollars comprise of? Well, the product contains Stack and Tilt videos that provide comprehensive, easy to follow coverage of the technique. Besides this, there is a set of 3 very useful Getstacked DVDs that set-out step-wise directions for the golf swing right from the fundamentals. The DVD instructions are from the master Swing teachers themselves. The Stack and Tilt golf swing package is also offering a special, limited-period, game DVD from its makers.

If you are into golf, then do go in for the Stack and tilt golf swing if you intend to learn and practice the hottest swing pattern on the course!

$4.99 Boston Market Value Priced Meals – Plus Free Cupcake Coupon

Boston Market ChickenBoston Market has lowered the price of its five value meal-size deals from $5.99 to $4.99.  For those of you tired of the fast food burger and fries this is a quick and cheap meal.  There are over 600 location nationwide.  By the way, there are no Boston Market restaurants in Hawaii.

Here are the 5 new $4.99 meal deals

  • 1/4 dark piece Chicken and Gourmet Side (anything from their new Borracho Beans and Brown Rice to Mashed Potatoes and Gravy or their famous Mac & Cheese)
  • Pastry Top Chicken Pot Pie
  • Meatloaf and Gourmet Side
  • Three Side Item Sampler (for those who can’t pick just one)
  • Side Salad and Bowl of Soup – including their Chicken Noodle and Chicken Tortilla soup – both filled with Boston Market’s famous rotisserie chicken

And of course, all of these items come with Boston Market’s signature corn bread.

Boston Market Free Cupcake Coupon

Promotion Expires: Unknown