10 Thankful, Thrifty Things: Cheap Tickets, Free Hotels, CNY and Saving Soap...

Chinese New Year is next week, and that means festivities are ramping up here in Hong Kong. I always look forward to this time of year. Firecrackers, orange trees, dragon dances, cherry blossoms, traditional foods...so much fun!

I'm also thankful for The Ronald McDonald House and all they do for families around the world. I was blessed to volunteer at the RMH here in Hong Kong today. One of the regular local volunteers, Candy, makes the most amazing homemade Hot Chili Sauce. Today, I mentioned how much I like it and she gave me a jar! Thank you, Candy!

I'm also thankful that it is raining in Australia. My friend and former coworker, Jane, posted this picture today. I think it is a touching shot. (PC Pamela Schramm.)

We are part of a wonderful international community. Last week, we had a little gathering of "awoks"(adults with out kids--(at home:)). Some were back visiting, some are getting ready to leave, and some of us still call this city home for right now. New Zealand, US, and Canada all represented here. Thankful for these people who love Jesus and love each other, and thankful for the Autys who hosted.

Our son needed to fly home earlier than he had originally thought because of some college issues. American Airlines wanted to charge us $3000.00 USD!!!! to change our ticket to an earlier day. That was NOT going to happen. I had some points with the same airline, but since it was a last minute flight, I was looking at 120K points for a one way economy ticket from HK to Philly. I didn't have or want to use that many points, but I kept checking several times a day, and sure enough, a business/first class ticket showed up for 70K points and $62, so I snagged it. My son got the enviable opportunity to fly in a sweet lay flat seat for his 13 hour flight, after his steak dinner. I have never been able to do that. And that, my friends, is nothing but mother love. Here he is back in Philly with his girlfriend. 

A few things on the thrifty front:

I have a pair of slippers that were wearing through on the the bottom. I found a child's fleece jacket on the free table at work, and it yielded enough material to add two extra layers to the bottom of my slippers. I cut them out and rough-stitched them in. Not only are they softer, they are much "cushier." 

How many small, almost used bars of soap can you add to a bigger bar? In this case, the answer is three.

I told my kids that the only thing I wanted for Christmas was cheese and coffee, and they delivered! This is only a portion, but today we enjoyed some Wisconsin Cheddar from Abby and some Starbucks from Lee, (who happens to work there). 

I know it's a little thing, but I get free trash bags every month from our apartment security guards. We get a receipt in our mailbox when our landlord pays the management fees, and our guards stamp it and give us our free trash bags. It makes me smile every time!

I needed to get in a free night at a hotel within the IHG group before my annual certificate expired, so last Friday, Mike and I spent the night at the Crowne Plaza in Causeway Bay. Had a little fruit platter waiting for us, and we had nice view. Room was comfy and we slept in. What more can you ask for?

In other news, we are trying to eat up all the leftovers before Chinese New Year break begins next week. Do you know where we are going? I'll let you guess!

Thanks for those who participated in my contest a week or so ago. The winner was Jon Seah, who correctly guessed 4 out of 5 of our favorite eats.

That's a wrap for this week. Tell me...what are you most grateful for this week?

Free Cheese and Chick-fil-A, Conspicuous Consumption? All You Day 17

This morning I read an article in Time magazine by Bill Saporito in which he encouraged "the rich" (one had to assume he wasn't talking about himself, though I'm sure he's quite comfy, particularly as related to world salaries) to spend conspicuously. Consume, consume, consume so the rest of us can enjoy a little of your wealth--that was his basic message. Quit hoarding, quit saving, start hiring; but most of all, spend us out of this recession! By the time I was done reading, I was just a bit hot under the collar. Conspicuous consumption? Really, Bill?? Do you think that will solve the problem? I LOVE that people are saving more, spending less and learning to be happy with what they have. The rich are saving too much, says Bill? Well, perhaps that's why they are rich to start with. Do I think we should be greedy? No! But I disagree that the answer for America is to spend conspicuously. Keep saving...live BELOW your means, give generously as God directs...but spend just for the sake of spending. Oh, please.

That being said, here are a few deals for you:

Do you like New England Coffee?? I do! Their blueberry blend is my favorite, but I save it for a treat when I am in Maine. Right now they are offering a free iced-coffee tumbler for 4 UPC's from their products, no receipt required. Here's the form: http://www.newenglandcoffee.com/docs/TMI%202011_Form.pdf



How about some free Mini Babybel Cheese??? Print a "try me free" form here: http://www.thelaughingcow.com/files/2011/06/BEL18721_3_MBY_Online_TMRF.pdf

"Like" PF Changs on facebook, and tomorrow, July 6th, they are going to post a coupon for  free lettuce wraps. mmmm.

If you live by Chick-fil-A, don't forget that Friday is Cow Appreciation Day. Dress up head to toe like a cow and get a whole free meal...going on ALL day. If you wear a partial costume, you get a free entree. This will help with the All You challenge!! Friends of mine are "cowing" it all day and going to 3 different locations. Wow! Check out the details: http://www.cowappreciationday.com/

I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.

Day 17

Today I took my son to Walmart so he could pick up a few things, and I happened to walk by a display of Mountain Dew 4-pack bottles for $2.00, and a light bulb went off. When we drive to Maine, we go full-steam ahead. 21 hours of driving. We take turns and pull over if we get sleepy. But invariably, when we stop for gas, Mike buys an overpriced  Dew because he likes it cold. Not this year! I won't be adding that to my grocery total. I bought the 4 pack and will keep it in the mini-cooler. Total; $2.00

Breakfast: french toast, milk
Lunch: egg salad (with light mayo on wheat), watermelon, leftover soup, cupcakes from the neighbors, water
Dinner: Italian marinated chicken breast on the grill, potatoes on the grill, summer squash*, cukes*, angel food cake, milk