Bargain Blog

Grilling on the cheap

2008-07-09T13:53:27Z

Had barbecue grilled split chicken breasts at some friends' house in Virginia over the weekend. Moist and tender. Secret? Mark says he boils them for a few minutes before putting them on the grill, a good practice with bone-in meat that takes longer to cook. I had never heard of that, but apparently it's not too big a secret as indicated by this exchange at Yahoo Answers, which recommends you "boil the chicken in hot water for a few minutes before you place it on the grill. This will help make sure the insides are cooked before you finish it on the barbecue for the great grilled flavor." Says to do that regardless of whether the chicken is boneless. So here's the deal: you can enjoy a tasty, satisfying meal on the grill on a bare bones budget. Harris Teeter has split chicken breasts on sale for 98 cents a pound until Tuesday. Make some grilled shrimp skewers (EZ Peel white shrimp on sale at Teeter for $2.99 a pound, regular $6.99), put some corn on the grill (sweet corn is three for 99 cents at Teeter) and we're talking yum-yum on the cheap. Perfect summer meal, too.

Blueberry goodness

2008-07-08T20:44:53Z

For a $3 donation, you can enjoy a two-blueberry pancake breakast prepared by Cheesecakes by Alex at the Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market on Saturday. Five bucks gets you two plates. Proceeds help the market, which is having its Blueberry Celebration Day on Saturday from 6 to noon. The market is housed in the old National Guard Armory building across from War Memorial Stadium at Yanceyville and Lindsey streets.

Great deal for the dog days of summer

2008-07-07T18:34:51Z

Thinking about a getting a pooch or kitty? You might want to take advantage of the Guilford County Animal Shelter's special this week on adoption rates. Through Friday, adoption fees for dogs and puppies will be $55. Fees for cats and kittens will be $47.50. Those fees are half those charged normally for adopting animals. The special comes as the shelter tries to reduce the number of animals that have to be euthanized to ease crowding. Adoptions are open to North Carolinians who can prove they live here. Available for adoption

Backyard barbecue bargains

2008-07-03T20:31:17Z

Ribeye steaks at Lowes Foods (semi-boneless) for $5.99 a pound (regular $9.99), pork baby back ribs at Harris Teeter for $2.99 a pound (regular $5.99), four 28-ounce cans of Bush's baked beans for $5. Food Lion also has a buy one, get one free deal on Breyers Ice cream. On a related note, I mentioned some outstanding beer deals yesterday and neglected to point out Food Lion has Bud Light, Miller Lite and Coors Light for a very tasty $11.44 per case. Cheers.

Cheaper by two dozen

2008-07-02T19:57:47Z

"Bart, a woman is like beer. They look good, they smell good, and you'd step over your own mother just to get one!" — Homer Simpson Bucking the trend regarding rising prices on just about everything these days is beer. Two words: high fives. This week, Bud Light, Coors Light and Miller Lite are on sale for a price that makes me want to raise a glass of the foamy amber goodness and celebrate: $11.88 a case at Harris Teeter (limit two). And just in time for your July 4 fireworks/"staycation" extravaganza. Cheers. Update: Harris Teeter has cases of Yuengling for the same price.

A bright idea: Outlet free bulbs

2008-07-02T17:34:16Z

This seems like a pretty cool gadget: a portable light bulb socket you can pretty much stick anywhere. The "StickUp Bulb" is on sale at Hamrick's for $2.99 (regular $5.99).

Still getting more bang for your buck?

2008-07-01T19:29:34Z

Story in today's News & Record regarding North Carolina continuing to ban most types of fireworks despite other states relaxing what's allowed. That had me pondering whether soaring gas prices has sparked a decline among North Carolinians going south of the border for the good stuff. The News & Record story points out it's illegal to buy the more powerful fireworks in South Carolina and bring them back here, although that hasn't stopped many people from doing so anyway. But higher gas prices might prove to be a better deterrent. Volunteers Donna Daniel (left) and Brean Southern wait for customers at the TNT Fireworks tent on High Point Road on Friday. Maggie Sartin/News & Record

Tax rebate check advice

2008-07-01T16:38:01Z

So have you spent your tax rebate check? Saved it? Still waiting for it? By July 11, most people should have received their economic-stimulus check. More info. from IRS here.) Visitors to this site can share what they've done with them and post photos. The blog Wise Bread has writers talking about spending their rebate checks in thrift stores, paying bills, or putting the money into savings accounts.

Something good to watch on your 'staycation'

2008-06-30T20:40:14Z

Get any of the first six seasons of "24" at Best Buy for $16.99 for your "staycation".

Pretty sweet deal on ice cream

2008-06-25T15:56:17Z

This week at Harris Teeter: Buy one, 56-ounce container of Harris Teeter brand ice cream, get two free (save $9.58). I've had all kinds of ice cream, including the more expensive name brands. But here's the scoop: Harris Teeter is pretty good. A relative brought some over during a cookout and I was surprised at how good it tasted. Not that I had any preconceived notions that just because it's a store brand it's going to taste awful, but I was still impressed.

Something fishy on July 4

2008-06-25T13:04:48Z

As mentioned on Fox 8's Web site, you can fish for free in North Carolina on July 4. No license needed. Normally, residents 16 and over pay $20 for a one-year license to fish inland waters and $15 for coastal waters.

News & Record file

The fix is in

2008-06-24T15:54:16Z

Been to a repair shop lately? You're not alone. The economic downturn has been good to repair shops because people are looking to extend the life of their used stuff than buy new. Locally, I've noticed bicycle shops that offer repair services aren't exactly hurting for business either. I recently brought my bike in to Performance Bike off Westover Terrace in Greensboro to get the chain replaced but was told the wait would be several days due to high demand for services. On Friday, I dropped it off at Re:cycles off Spring Garden Steet for some repair work and business appeared to be brisk there too.

Holy cow! Free Chick-fil-A food

2008-06-23T20:54:56Z

As mentioned at Taking Stock, Chick-fil-A will award a free combo meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) to customers dressed like a cow on July 11. The chain's 1,200-plus restaurants have designated the annual event as Cow Appreciation Day. If you decide to wear just a cow accessory such as a cow-style hat, vest or purse, you get a free entree such as a sandwich. Details here.

Gas cards, vacation giveaway at Goodwill

2008-06-23T14:28:43Z

Call it a victim of its own success. The Goodwill store on Battelground Avenue has been so successful since it opened five years ago that it's in dire need of a makeoever. "It is our top store in terms of productivity, donations, sales," said Chris Gorham, spokesman for the Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, which has 15 stores. "It was just getting a little run down." About 1,500 to 1,800 shoppers visit the store weekly, he said. The store will remain closed until July 16 so crews can spruce up the interior including replacing well-worn floors, adding new light fixtures, painting walls and the ceiling. When it's back open, customers can register to win a week-long vacation at a Sands Resort and one of several $50 gas cards. Registration ends July 20.

Not Two-Buck-Chuck...

2008-06-20T19:26:16Z

...But Wal-Mart is hoping to lure the masses with another entry into the super value wine category. The world's largest retailer has introduced a private label of California wines named Oak Leaf. The price? Less than $3 a bottle. Even if the taste isn't, the price is right.