Teri's Blog

Start “investing” now for FREE!

The tough times are getting tougher. People are coming to us in droves, hoping we can help them put food on the table. That’s why we now have a “FREE Trial” for 4 weeks. Those who have tried us for 4 weeks, have more food and even better food, for less money. They’re emailing us with comments like “answer to prayer”, “lifesaver”… And it is gratifying to say the least! But…

Many are desperate by the time they give us a try. Then, once they finally do, they wish they had started years ago. Just not necessary! Don’t wait until you’re desperate to get started. Begin to “invest” now. And it’s now FREE for 4 weeks. I urge you. Not because we need the business, but because it’s wise and prudent. Why complain about what you don’t have, when there’s something you CAN have!

www.TheGroceryGame.com

A cure for migraines?

This week, a friend of mine has been tormented with debilitating migraines. So aweful! Her struggle reminded me of Joe’s ordeal as a little boy, in about 5th grade. He had migraines so bad, that when they would hit, he would become sick and begin to vomit. Then, he would come home from school, and lay sick in bed under the covers all day and sometimes into the next, just suffering. It just broke my heart to see him like that.

We took Joe to the doctor a number of times, and he got some sort of prescription. Can’t remember exactly what it was, but it only took some of the edge off of the episodes. It didn’t cure him, or make them stop. They would just hit him hard, and knock him down again and again.

I heard that a chiropractor may be able to help. So one day when I got a call to pick him up from school with a migraine, I rushed him down to the chiropractor, who was fortunately just five minutes from the school. Joe was already really sick, and had been vomiting. Just miserable. He went into the office for about 30 minutes, and came out with a big grin on his face! Wow! I almost cried! He went home and slept for while, but had no more pain.

The chiropractor told me that most migraines are from a certain place in the neck that is out. Once that is fixed, and cold compresses were applied, and he was able to lie in the dark and rest, he was fine! The doctor told him that it may re-occur a few more times, and to come in at the onset, before he gets too sick.

The best news is, he only had two more very mild episodes, along with two more chiropractic treatments. And then he was cured for life. He’s never had anymore of those nasty things!

He’s becoming a good MAN!

Father’s Day can be very difficult for alot of people. I have friends who didn’t have the kind of Fathers that they wish they had. I had a wonderful Father, but he’s gone now. Thankfully, I got over my pity party a few weeks ago about that, as we approached Father’s Day. And now, I can just be grateful that I “had” a wonderful Father. Plus I have another reason to celebrate… I’m SO grateful that my boys have a wonderful Father. Greg is an awesome Dad in so many ways.

Greg knew how to raise boys! Greg is more of a disciplinarian than I am. Over the years, I’ve been the “softie”. If it weren’t for Greg, my boys would have probably grown up lazy and selfish, and who knows what else. But Greg wouldn’t allow that. When he was tough on them, most of the time, I just cringed and bit my tongue (of course, sometimes I didn’t do so well on that either). But I knew that sometimes Dads have to be tough to make their boys into men. 

Greg is also a very loving Father. Oh, yeah, totally! He tells his boys that he loves them, and hugs them often. He has always been attentive to their emotional and developmental needs, and proactive about looking for ways to build up their character, spend time with them, and take interest in what they’re interested in. To know Greg, you would think he’s a tough guy. And he is. But his heart is for his boys. Throughout their lives, they have always known for sure that their Dad loves them. I’m so grateful for that!

I’ve been able to watch my boys transform into the kind of man their Father is, a gentleman, and so much more. I watched Joe grow into being a good man and husband. What a beautiful transformation that was at about the same time as Christian. Now, Christian, at 17, is just blowing my mind too. First of all, yesterday (the day before Father’s Day), I reminded him to buy Dad a card. He already had, and had searched high and low and found a particular scuba knife that Greg wanted. All without saying a word, or any prompting from me. That’s the first time he’s self initiated a card and a gift! Wow! He’s finally becoming a man.

But that’s not all… In the past year, we’ve noticed Christian being more and more outwardly focused, and less self focused. Ahhh… a good sign! Nothing against him, just typical teenage behavior. He’s normal! For example, on our vacation in Hawaii, every day, he was constantly right there when we were loading or unloading the car with all our gear, ice chests, etc. and just “doing it”, like a man! “Here mom, let me get that. It’s too heavy for you.” Then, walking out on uneven lava rocks at the beach, just when I saw a gap that looked treacherous, there he was with his outstretched hand. He had waited for me, and kept an eye on me, ”Be careful. I gotcha.” Makes my heart melt. What a good husband he will be!

So I have much to be grateful for on this day. And I can look forward to watching them passing this on to their children. (sigh of relief, and picture me sitting back with my feet propped up with a tall glass of lemonade) Phew! Seems like our work is done.

Keeping fresh fish fresh for up to 5 days!

This is fantastic! When Christian caught his 110 pound tuna in Hawaii, we brought home 2 big hunks to make 10 steaks. We packed it in an ice chest with blue ice and checked it into baggage. I was skeptical about it being fresh when we bar-b-qed it 2 days later. I knew it would be “fresh”, or safe to eat, but I don’t like “fishiness” at all.

Here’s the trick. And I don’t know if it will work for up to 5 days, but I’m thinking it may… The deckhand on the fishing boat is a self professed gourmet chef specializing in fish, of course. He said iti could be good as the day you caught it for up to 5 days, if you do this:

Pat the chunks dry with paper towels. Then, wrap them each in fresh dry paper towels, then into a ziploc in the fridge. Then, at least every 12 hours, repeat the process. I lovingly did that (which was a bit of a hassle morning and night, but worth it), and 2 days later, when we bar-b-qed it, it was NOT fishy at all! We caught it about noon on a Monday, and bar-b-q-ed it Wednesday night. Made me crazy to wait that long. I was SO worried I would hate it! I’m VERY picky about my fish! But it was the freshest fresh fish I have EVER had. And I felt it tasted fresher than other fish we caught and cooked the same night. I had steaks for those who don’t like fish. But even people who don’t normally like fish, ate only the tuna, because it was like steak!

We just rubbed the tuna with olive oil, nothing else, and grilled on medium high heat, just a few minutes on each side. We served it with lemon wedges and sea salt on the side. I didn’t use lemon, because it was so good without it. It was awesome!

Make Your Groceries Last Longer

www.TheGroceryGame.com is all about about cutting that big $1,000 a month food bill in half whether you cut coupons or not. Feeding a family is a huge un-necessary drain on the budget. Everyone should just stop eating! Or get on board with The Grocery Game, where families of four are saving an average of $512 a month! In fact, during the 4 week $1 trial, most people save enough to buy a deep freezer. Fanastic! Boy it feels good to be in a business that trully does help people! But then, if you let your food go bad, what good are your savings? So…

Keeping food as fresh as it can be is so important that I decided to write a whole chapter on it in my book, “Shop Smart, Save More”, which was recently published through Harper Collins.  http://www.thegrocerygame.com/con_Shop_Smart_Save_More_Book.cfm

The book is all about saving money on groceries, ease of preparation, and a lifestyle of good eating for less money and less time. The book is actually an amazing education on how groceries are marketed and how to play The Grocery Game and win! But there’s more. Oh, so much more… Chapter 5 is entitled “Storing Your Stock”, and it covers everything about keeping all your food as fresh as it can be for longer periods of time, from meat, fruits and vegetables, cheese, rice, cereal, and more.

So, I guess because of the the book, www.TheGroceryGame.com is featured in this week’s issue of “Woman’s World” magazine in an article about keeping food fresh. Apparently, this is such a hot topic right now, that it has spurred a flurry of press. I’m going to Philly and NY next week to do several more segments on the same subject. That’s sort of how this press world works. Sing it, “One thing leads to another… “

So, at the last minute yesterday, I got a request to go to San Diego for a segment on keeping food fresh to air live this morning. San Diego is only a 3 hour drive, but I have to go the night before. And I already had family and friends coming for a big bar-b-q last night to feast on Christian’s 110 pound ahi tuna (which I knew how to keep fresh as the day we caught it until we could eat it 3 days later, and it was awesome)! So I couldn’t leave until about 10 last night, which got me to the hotel and in bed by about 2AM, and up at 6AM to get to the studio. BTW, I really hate going on camera with 4 hours of sleep. Needless to say, with all of that, I’ve been on the run for the past 36 hours to say the least! Look away I’m hideous!

But it was worth it, because I love my friends at “San Diego Living” channel 6. They’re so nice and they have a great show. Of course, we only had time to touch the tip of the iceberg on the subject of keeping food fresh. But I think it was a nice and informative segment. Here’s a link to it. And if you want to know about a hundred times more on how to keep food fresh or if you plan to continue to eat for the rest of your life and would like to cut your cost in half, I guess you’ll have to buy my book! :) (That was a “run on” sentence, I know. But I’m on the run)

http://www.sandiego6.com/content/sandiegoliving/default.aspx

My best friend

Sitting here enjoying this beautiful ocean view makes me wish I was with my best friend. For those of you who know my sister, Karen, you will agree… There’s no-one quite like her. As I attempt to write about who she is, I know that words will fall short.

My sister has always been clear headed, wise beyond her years, hard working even as a young girl, and giving of all she has to so many and in so many ways. Don’t know how she manages to spin so many plates. But if you show up on her doorstep, she’ll invite you in, probably feed you, and stop everything she’s doing to enjoy the moment. She has the ability to do it all gracefully and graciously. She’s also hilarious! Her sense of humor has made me lose control too many times to count. Her kids and husband adore her, and also find her to be all the things that I and all who have the privelege to know her also adore about her. She’s a Proverbs 31 woman for real!

As kids growing up, we were very different. It wasn’t until our Mom died, when I was 19, and she was 16, that I found I had a true friend. The best friend I ever had. Like my mom, I can call her anytime, and talk about anything. She trully cares, listens, and gives me wise advice when I ask for it.

When I wanted to start The Grocery Game, I called Karen, who was a wise saver but didn’t like coupons. I needed someone like her to be my guinea pig, and help me iron out the kinks. She agreed, because she loves me and is that kind of a person. Fortunately, she loved it, and started working for us part -time, then full time. I could not have done it without her every step of the way.

Now Karen is the General Manager of www.TheGroceryGame.com. She’s the true strength and brains behind all that I do that’s good. Karen thrives on being able to make it all happen behind the scenes. In fact, I know she doesn’t like me even saying these things. Picture her with her nose to the grindstone and loving every minute of it. She’s said many times over the years, that nothing gives her a greater charge than having a challenge, or working on a resolution to an issue. And she pulls it off… ALWAYS! Her brain should be willed to science. She remembers every detail, keeps perfect records, is totally organized in business and her personal affairs… Shes one of my wisest counselors. I do nothing without consulting with her, and getting her seal of approval. And if you ask her a question to which she doesn’t know the answer, she’ll not stop until it is solved. Most of the time, she’s the one at the helm, steering us through all the issues, new development, and anything else that you see and love about The Grocery Game. A round of applause, please!

There were many times over the years when I was weak, and she was strong. She pulled me out of many pits, believed in me, and cheered for me. I might have quit many times or taken the wrong path, if she had not been there to hold onto.

We’ve been best friends for about 30 years now. We’ve raised our kids together, laughed together, cried together, worked together, and had so many good times together, I could write a book on her!

Did you ever know that you’re my hero?
You’re everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.

I’m so blessed to have Karen as my sister and best friend.

Condo vacations rock and save $$$!

I’m staying in a condo in Hawaii for our vacation and loving it! For a long list of reasons, I prefer to stay in a condo, even over a 4 star resort. Of course, if you know me, if I stay in a 4 star resort, I got a deal! But even with a “deal”, condos save more and are better for me and my lifestyle. Saves money, saves time, more enjoyable, more relaxing…

Saves Money. You can usually book a 2 bedroom condo in a good vacation location for half the cost of a 4 star resort for one tiny room. But that’s not all. We’re just getting started on the savings potential of a condo vacation…

The cost of food and drink is a mind blower at hotels and resorts vs. what you can do in a condo. Unbelievable! I quit those years ago for our vacations! Of course, I don’t want to cook or do dishes on vacation. I buy easy breakfast options, like cereal, bagels and cream cheese, frozen breakfast hot pockets, etc. But on this trip, I’ve been making breakfast burritos. It’s so easy, and the guys love it! To save on dishes, I buy paper plates, and I’m still saving vs. going to a restaurant for breakfast. Sure, we can still go out to breakfast or lunch if we want to. But we have options! Yesterday, we ate breakfast at Hawaiian Style Cafe, where the locals eat in Waimea. VERY good!

Saves on lunch, and I still don’t have to make it! Since we have a fridge, I can throw sandwich makings and drinks into an ice chest each day. I also pack a bag of chips, bread, cookies, paper plates, napkins, etc. We take off for the day, and when we get hungry, we pull into a picnic area, or tailgate it! Everybody makes their own sandwiches. Tip: I splurge on squeezable mustard and mayo. SO much easier on vacation for everyone to make their own! Love it for beach days here in Hawaii. We don’t have to leave our spot for food and drink. Besides that, we like remote snorkel spots. There are no concessions off the beaten path!

We eat dinner out! We’ve saved plenty of money on other meals. So we stop for dinner before going back to the condo. For night snacks, we have ice cream sandwiches, microwave popcorn, and lots of other fun vacation junk!

Saves time to stay in a condo. I figure we don’t waste valuable vacation time looking for restaurants, trying to find parking, and sitting in restaurants waiting for food three times a day. Eating out for dinner each night is special, unless we’re wiped out, and want to stay in, like last night, I made a simple spaghetti dinner. When we do eat out for dinner, we eat where the locals eat. Nothing fancy. Just yummy, and cheap!

Parking is SO much better in a condo! If you stay at a hotel or resort, sometimes, you can walk 15-20 minutes to get to your car. Our car is parked right outside our door at the condo!

Love the living areas in a condo! All four of us can watch a movie at night in the living room. Or most often, the boys go to their room to watch TV, and Greg and I have the living room to ourselves to watch the Lakers!

Staying in a condo is more enjoyable and more relaxing. Greg and I have privacy on our patio overlooking the ocean, having coffee, reading… Kids are sleeping in… I’m thinking they’ll have a “cereal breakfast” when they come crawling out. Very nice… :)

Money found!

It’s encouraging to see that even in these tough economic times, we’re learning to live within our means, get out of debt, then stay out of debt, and build up some savings. Too bad we had to go through this recession to grab ahold of what Benjamin Franklin said years ago, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

I love this thread on our message board for a number of reasons: http://terismessageboard.thegrocerygame.com/showthread.php?t=123739

When I first started www.TheGroceryGame.com, the savings stories were more along the lines of being able to save up for a big screen TV, go on vacation, or re-decorate the house. While those are all great things, we’re hearing more of the scales tipping in favor of getting out of debt and building a savings account. We’ve become wise and prudent. And I think Ben Franklin would be proud.

What really brings a smile to face is knowing that by playing The Grocery Game, these people are not sacrificing quality or quantity in terms of food, personal items and household goods. Most will say that they’re bringing home better stuff, more stuff and for less money. :)

Glad we can have it all, and build a better future for ourselves and our kids, even in these tough times. Now that’s money found!

The Best Things in Life are FREE!

The Best Things in Life are FREE! Yes they are! Especially when it comes to kids and families. Now that my kids are grown, the things they love to recall the most were the things we did for free or almost free. And now that summer is here, we can enjoy our families and create memories without breaking the bank.

I was reminded of lots of things I’ve done with my family for FREE or next to nothing when I was reading our message board today. And I read some fantastic ideas that I never thought of. What a great thread! You’ve just got to read all of this… http://terismessageboard.thegrocerygame.com/showthread.php?t=122368 

Believe me, if you made a calendar to do all the activities in that thread, you would have trouble squeezing it all into one summer for sure! Plus, I guarantee you would spend so very little and have the summer of a lifetime that your kids will NEVER forget!

There were summers we couldn’t afford to go anywhere except for picnics in the park or at the beach. But those were our best of times, really. So many of those days are the ones they still love to laugh and talk about. Nothing like a bonfire at night, after a day at the beach, roasting hot dogs on wire hangers, telling jokes and stories, and laughing hysterically. My kids talk about the summer we put a $15 baby pool in our front yard because our back yard was all dirt. Greg and I got hot and joined them one day. And we had such a blast all 4 of us in this dinky little baby pool making idiots of ourselves, that we did it all summer long. What a memory! There’s SO much. And the list goes on and on. 

So in these tough economic times, let’s forget about what we don’t have. Let’s live in the moment, enjoy what we do have, and create lasting family memories. Now that’s something money can’t buy!