Is it only me that finds it disgusting that Apple (the company) has more cash than the US Treasury!!!

The US Treasury's cash balance is down to $74 Billion and Apple in its cash reserves alone has $76 BILLION. And even in this recession, Apple continues to make more and more money.  Which is more than I can say for our impending depression or recession (purely speculation of course) and our huge deficit.

I mean seriously, does no one see whats wrong with this picture? I love Steve Jobs and Apple don't get me wrong. But here's a crazy idea instead of buying more Apple products, every global citizen could not.  I wonder what would happen if everyone in the world just bought one less additional Apple product (or any other cancer inducing upgrade).

All I know is and I know a lot of industry people will be against this but "I'm going to hoard my cash".  I'm not suggesting or recommending that you all do the same but...think about this...

Companies are hoarding their cash reserves like mad.  Investors dumped their Stocks today and the effect.. Stock Market tanked.  The Bank of New York Mellon, is even going to start passing on fees to high deposit accounts.  What does that say to you ..ahem " Some serious Cash Hoarding is going on."

But in the major media are you not hearing the subliminal Patriotic message: Spend, Spend, Spend and be a good American.  Likes its the every day working class members duty to waste their money to revitalize the economy.  Beware of the manipulation and think of the title of my post.

Stockpile Cooking: Mark Bittmans Sardine Pasta

So part of my challenge this month will be to keep my food costs low by using ingredients in my stockpile.  A couple months ago I scored like 20+ cans of sardines for free at Rite Aid and during NY's crazy triple coupon event at Pathmark loads of free pasta.  So when I came across this Sardine Pasta recipe from the NYT's Minimalist cook Mark Bittman, I know I had hit paydirt.  This recipe is so simple, healthy and tasty.

My Frugal Version (2 servings)

Ingredients

1 handful of Basil
1 can of Sardines packed in Oil
2 servings of dry Veggie Pasta (extra health and fiber kick)
1 clove garlic
Salt & Pepper to your taste (red pepper flakes optional)
1/2 onion
1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice

Directions

Add pasta to boiled water and cook till al dente.
In the mean time...

Chop garlic and onions.  Heat your pan for a minute and then throw in Oil from your can of sardines enough to cover pan.  Toss in onions cook for 2 minutes on medium heat.  Then toss in your garlic and cook for 1 min so flavor seeps into oil.   Add in the Sardines and break apart with your spatula.  Then add in your lemon juice.  Let it cook for about 2 minutes.  Add in seasonings.

Now, drain your cooked pasta.  Then add in to your main pot and mix together. Lastly, throw in your Basil.

Plate and your done!!!!!

COST for two servings: $.20 for half onion (bought onion in July), $.10 for lemon juice (bought lemon in July), $0 for Pasta, Sardines and Basil.

For Mark's original recipe and video, you can click on below link:
Mark Bittman

Sometimes I feel like this at work

"The Scream" by Munch totally characterizes my day.... You know some people think I've taken Frugal to new heights and days like today remind and motivate me as to why I'm doing this.  As a young female worker in Corporate America each penny I save loosens the chain that bind just a little more.

Everyday this week among record breaking corporate profits; I've read an article about another large corporation laying off its staff.  Everyday companies are recycling human beings, bring in the young and cheap to replace the old and loyal.

So yes, I'm going to continue to be extremely frugal and save my 10k. 

Good Bye Time Warner Cable

For those of you living in Queens and Brooklyn, you problem can understand the absolute JOY I felt when I canceled my Time Warner Cable.  I paid $30/ a month for basic Cable channels, awful customer service and constant interruptions to service.  For about a one time purchase of an HD antenna that costs about $150 from Amazon ($75 for me after my Swag Bucks awards); I get even clearer reception on my HD TV than when I was paying for CABLE!  And to top it off, I even have more channels. The only reason I bought the more expensive outdoor antenna was for the Chinese Cable channels.  If you just want basic cable; the $30 indoor antenna I originally got, will more than do that job.  You do want to test it out first if you get the cheaper ones to make sure your apartment receives what you want.  Either way with HULU and all these free premium Cable TV episodes sites, I’m in total Frugal Girl Heaven.  I am just annoyed I didn’t learn about this sooner!

Savings: $360 year  (not to mention mental health improvement from not having to constantly deal with Time Warner Customer Service)

Stockpile Cooking: Hormel Can Chilli with Beans recipe

Hormel Can Chilli with Beans recipe

Ingredients

½ Onion

1 can Chilli

1 Red Bell Pepper

1 handful Basil

½ tablespoon of Asian Chilli Sauce

1 teaspoon Oil

Directions

Chop Onions and Red Bell Peppers separately.  Heat pan, put in oil and coat pan.  Throw in onions cook for 3 minutes on medium heat or when you see slight yellowing.  Toss in Red Bell Pepper, stir for 2 minutes.  Then throw in can chilli and let cook till simmer.  While cooking; toss in your Asian Chilli Sauce and if you want any salt.  Once its simmers, throw in your Basil and turn off stove. 

Too be healthy, I threw the Chilli over brown rice.  Eat immediately. 

August out of pocket to make this meal $0.

Actual cost for 4 servings:  $1 for 4 servings of brown rice; $.20 for onions; $.10  for a TOTAL of $1.30

I already had a ton of these canned chili from my stockpile from when Rite Aid had them for free after coupons so this was a frugal way for me to not go out and buy more meat.  The onions cost me about $.20 and the Red Bell Pepper $.10 because I bought these a while back from my grocery stores random $1 bag of goodies.  The chilli sauce, I saved from prior take out order so free.  You’ll notice the theme of Onions, Red Bell Peppers and Basil a lot this next month.

Tip: Whenever I find good Onions, Carrots, Celery, Bell Peppers on sale; I buy and freeze them.  Reasoning is when you let your vegetables sit in fridge, each day they lose some of their nutrients.  When you freeze them you help stop that.  

Also, if your short on time its really helpful to have pre-chopped ingredients on hand.  On top of saving you time from running to the grocery store again.

If you have free texts on your phone

For you Starbucks addicts out there.  Take a look at what I got in my inbox.  You can start texting from Aug 1- 14.

Rite Aid Run

I have a love and hate relationship with my local Rite Aid.  Some of the employees are just jerks to couponers but dude the deals can be just too awesome to resist.

So today, I went to get the below deal but it was already sold out by the time I got there.

Instead I did the second portion of my planned scenario.  I got 4 HUGE one Liter bottles of Crest Mouthwash. After coupons, I charged $12.69 on my credit card and I will submit for a $10 SCR, making my  total cost for everything $2.69 (tax included).  Considering that at regular price one bottle is $7.29 this is majorly great deal.

But to top it off, there is  another deal going on where if you buy $25 worth (before coupons) of certain Oral Care products they'll give you a $5 up reward at the end of your receipt.  Which if I can get the above Toothbrush deal will make give you a Money Maker deal.

Of course for Rite Aid, you really need to collect coupons.  Which is why when my neighborhood free distribution bags of coupons come around, I take all three delivered to my door and get more.  Usually my neighbors are all too happy to give you theirs because that's less trash for them to deal with.