My 3 Ingredient Budget Meal

Chicken Noodles with Sweet Peas.

INGREDIENTS
Chicken thighs
Egg Noodles
Frozen Sweet Peas

Boil chicken thighs in salt water for 1 hour in a large pot. 
Throw in a bag of noodles and frozen sweet peas.

EXTRAS: I usually throw in curry powder, paprika, salt, garlic, and a tablespoon of flour or cream cheese, to thicken up the gravy. That would make it more than 3 ingredients, but so what, it's my blog.

It costs about $3.00 - $4.00 per person.

Tip of the Week

Don’t keep up with the Joneses.
Save your Benjamins, baby!

This Weeks Food Shopping List: $27.16

1 Black Beans - 15.00  oz - 0.79
1 Soup - Instant Noodle - 2.47  oz - 0.25
1 Cut Okra - 14.00  oz - 1.77
1 Marinara Pasta Sauce - 26.00  oz - 0.88
1 Large Eggs - 1.00  doz - 1.99
1 Sweet Peas -16.00  oz - 1.77
1 Broccoli Florets - 16.00  oz - 1.77
1 Fresh  Chicken Drumsticks - 4.00  lb - 5.03 (went up slightly)
1 Fresh  Chicken Thighs - 4.00  lb - 5.13 (went up slightly)
1 Rice - Jasmine - 32.00  oz - 3.39
1 Egg Noodle - 12.00  oz - .99
1 Tea Biscuits (Almond flavored) - 4.20  oz - 0.99 (went up slightly)
1 Cheddar Cheese Crackers - 7.00  oz - 2.29 (they went up a lot I have to switch)
SUBTOTAL: $27.16

The Way to Wealth by Benjamin Franklin

 “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” ― Benjamin Franklin

The first American book on personal finance, The Way to Wealth by Benjamin Franklin is still the best and wisest money book ever written. Originally published in 1758 as the preface to Poor Richard's Almanack, this little gem has been through innumerable printings and sold millions of copies to those in search of smart but entertaining advice about hard work, earning and saving money and debt.

Money: A Classic From The O'Jays

This Weeks Food Shopping List: $20.09

1	Black Beans - 15.00  oz	0.79
1	Soup - Instant Noodle - 2.47  oz	0.79
1	Cut Okra - 14.00  oz	1.77
1	Marinara Pasta Sauce - 26.00  oz	0.88
1	Large Eggs - 1.00  doz	1.99
1	Sweet Peas -16.00  oz	1.77
1	Broccoli Florets - 16.00  oz	1.77
1	Fresh  Chicken Drumsticks - 3.00  lb	4.47
1	Fresh  Chicken Thighs - 3.00  lb	4.47
1	Rice - Jasmine - 32.00  oz	3.39
1	Tea Biscuits - 4.20  oz	0.50
1	Cheddar Cheese Crackers - 7.00  oz	1.00

SUBTOTAL: $23.59

Special Promotions:*	-3.50

GRAND TOTAL: 20.09

Tip of the Week

Use  cold water to  wash clothes, your clothes will come out cleaner (hot water bakes in dirt) and your energy bill will be cheaper.

Investing in Essence Magazine

TIME INC (NYSE: TIME )
Time Inc. is an American New York-based publishing company. It publishes over 90 magazines, most notably its namesake, Time.[1] Other magazines include Sports Illustrated, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Fortune, People, InStyle, Life, GOLF Magazine, Southern Living, and Essence Magazine (Essence Communications),  which includes the Essence Music Festival.

For those interested in the buyout of Essence Magazine go HERE. For those interested in investing, here is the rundown on the (TIME) stock:

Open	23.91
Previous Close	23.92
52 - Week Range	18.51 - 25.83 5/21/14 - 7/22/14
Avg Volume (10 days) 479,636
P/E (Trailing 12 mo.)  19.54x
EPS (Trailing 12 mo.) 1.224
Next Earnings Date --

Market Cap	2.6 B
Shares Outstanding	108.9 M
Beta	--
Dividend Yield	--
Dividend	--
Ex-Dividend Date	--
Dividend Payable Date	-

Netflix and Amazon Prime

Last week I ended my relationship with Netflix and Amazon Prime

I stopped letting them use my money like toilet tissue.

Yogurt Camparison

Summer is officially over.
I had my last frozen $4.00 yogurt from the YOGO truck, which includes one FREE topping.
YOGO is SO GOOD!.
But, I'm done eating another one until next Summer.

I  love a good bargain! 
Compared to high priced yogurt at some other places.

Where is the Yogurt?

Under the expensive azzed toppings.

Tax-Free Savings Accounts Everyone Should Have

See more of your hard earned money!

Health

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Retirement

401(k) plans for profit business employees

403(b) plans for nonprofit institutions employees

457(b) plans for governmental employers employees

Commuter/Transportation

WageWorks

PayFlex

TransitChek

Did I miss anything?

Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) maybe? I hated it.

Tip of the Week

If a spontaneous purchase is over $100, wait 24 hours before you buy.

Invest in the Most Hated Companies

The Cable Companies

Time Warner Cable [NYSE: TWC] - Has seen share prices rise nearly 400%, Since 2009

Comcast [NASDAQ: CMCSA] -  Its share price has risen 200% since 2004.

Don't take my word for it, do your own research.

Lunch Challenge Booboo.

I broke down and brought lunch today.

$2.00 Pizza
$2.00 6 Garlic Knots.
$4.00 Total

It wasn't too bad.

Fancy Money Saving Meal

My daughter is in a cooking mood these days so she made a Hawaiian dinner with Pineapple, Rice, and Scallops! She said it was a budget meal under $10 per person, AMAZING! 

INGREDIENTS
$10 worth of scallops. - divided into 2 servings
1 Pineapple worth about  $2.00 - split into 2 halves.
Remaining $8.00 . . .
Assorted Veggies - onion, garlic, parsley, scallops
1 orange - - split into 2
Butter or Olive Oil
1  Cup of cooked rice
Salt.

Bake the whole pineapple for  about 15-20 mins, and then cut into halves.
Saute the veggies, fruit, scallop with butter & salt in a pan for 10 mins.
Scoop rice into one part of the halved pineapple
Pour veggies and scallops into the other portion of the halved pineapple.

Makes 2 servings. about $10 per serving.
Fancy and Frugal

How to Make a Money Ring

Wishful Thinking

The Amazing Way Your Money Grows

Tip of the Week

You can only save very little? 
Every week take $5.00 from your wallet and put it in a shoe box for 52 weeks

$5 x 52 Weeks = $260

At the end of the year, buy yourself a nice Cruise ticket to the Bahamas. 
Double it ($520) and take your girlfriend or boyfriend with you!

Millionaire Calculator

I'll be a Millionaire in 15 years!
Use the calculator below to see when you will be a Millionaire!

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A Penny Doubled = Million Dollars in 30 Days!

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The 5 PERCENTER

I just signed up for Orbitz Rewards Dining. 
I  will earn Orbucks at a rate of 5% Percent on qualified dines. BTW,  I'm a serious foodie.
They actually have 100's of restaurants in the hood already signed up, even my favorite, IHOP. IHOP!!! I LOVE IHOP!!! 

Those tiny 5% off's go a long way,  I can use them for Airfare/Hotels, when I decide to go someplace. I earned a few Orbucks for my Flight/Hotel to DC for Black History Month (to visit the monument to the man of peace. Dr. Martin Luther King) and I used them for my trip to Essence. 

Orbucks I have left: 
$14.33

4-Day Cruise to Bahamas for $159

This is FRUGAL HEAVEN oh WOW!
WEBSITE:  Carnival Cruise
4-Day Cruise to Bahamas for $159

Arnold Donald, a native of New Orleans, and the president and CEO of Carnival Corp., the largest cruise line in the world, is leading the way for the next generation of Black CEOs. The 59-year-old at the helm of Carnival has a huge challenge ahead as detailed in the cover story of `the May 2014 issue of Black Enterprise magazine.

Question: How Much CASH Should I Take on 5-Day Vacation?

Answer: $300 for food and drinks. The average dinner is $30, lunch is small bites (no more than 7 bucks), breakfast is usually free at some hotels.

Dinners $150 

Drinks $75

Lunches $35.00

Tips $40

Total $300

Alligator Balls

If you are uncomfortable with turning over your credit/debit cards to total strangers, then by all means pay with cash. Most credit/debit card companies will place a hold on your card if they see charges coming on your card from another state or country. To prevent this from happening, always let your credit company know when and where you are traveling. Honestly, I like the hold on my card, until I get back.

Of course, pay your hotel and flight with your card online before you leave home.

Essence Music Festival Budget Calculators

This was based on my actual budget for Essence 2013.
Now divide the result above by 6, 8, 9, or 12 months in the calculator below: This would be the monthly amount needed to save for the festival.

How To Grow Money From Trees

This is a magic ritual that has netted me several thousand dollars. Please follow the instructions to the letter, because ritual spell work is very precise. You will need:

• A Green Envelope
• $100 Dollars
• A White Ribbon
• A Plant Pot
• Dirt
• Seeds for any tree.
• Water

On the 3rd night of the waxing moon at midnight, put the hundred dollars into the envelope. Tie the envelope with a white ribbon. Place the envelope at the bottom of the plant pot. Fill the pot with dirt. Place the seeds in the dirt and water.

Now this is the most important part . . . recite:

Tree, Tree, Tree
Bring to me, me, me
Money, Money, Money
From the Trees, Trees, Trees!

You must be completely naked as you recite this poem.
You must recite this poem completely naked at midnight for 30 days.

After the 30th day, dig up the envelope, put some cloth on, and carry your azz to the bank.
Congratulations! You've saved $100!

My Money Saving Tips to Save for Vacation!

1. Save $52 per week for one year. $52 x 52 weeks = $2704
2. No Spend Sundays!  (stay home and don't spend a thang)
3. No Electricity once a week (Fri-Sat)  (except for laptop, 2 scented candles are romantic and relaxing)
4. Dinner once a week (on Friday) 
5. Lunch once a week (on Friday) 
6. Alcohol once a week (on Friday, not everyday, lol) 
7. Cut your own hair (every New Moon, snip a little off)
8. Manicure your own nails. (it can be done)
9. Walk (don't drive or take public transportation)
10. Basic Cable (most shows are online for free, anyway)
11. Last but not least, cellphone, buy a 1000 minutes for $100 a year. (nobody talks on the phone much anymore.)

Social Security Retirement Income Estimator

Hi Everybody . . .

Here is your Financial Calculator for the Week.

Social Security Retirement Calculator

Depending upon your current earnings, Social Security can be a significant part of your retirement income. However, you will still need additional retirement income, so don't stop paying into your 401k and IRA's. It could be the difference between a plate of neckbones and a prime steak. 

If you see that your Social Security benefits will cover your food, clothing, and shelter, GREAT!  But pray that SS will be there when you retire.

Cover your azzes and prepare for your future.

A Great 401K Calculator.

I'm cutting off the house phone and increasing my 401K.

My 401K has been very good to me and it's about time it gets more love. 

With the increase, I'll have half a million by the age 65. 

Click on Old Abe to go to my favorite 401K Calculator:

http://www.paycheckcity.com/copcctransition/401kcalculator.asp

Tip of the Week

Before you buy, wait ten seconds, and put that cash back in your pocket.

My $1.00 Mini Vacation

Relaxing on my terrace is my mini vacation that doesn't cost me a dime, well maybe a dime or two. 

Actual Costs:

• Drinking a Pina Colada cost less than $.50cents ($1.39 for 2 quarts)
• Listening to Bob Marley on the radio for free.
• Eating a green salad about $.50cents per plate
• Sandals free. (a gift)
• Sunshine free

Total cost: $1.00

My body is well rested for another grueling work week.