Eat Mexican Wednesday - raise funds for kids

Who doesn't like Chipotle?
Gotta love those chicken burrito bowls topped with a heap of guacamole and splash of hot sauce.
So if I'm making you hungry and you're feeling charitable, I've got a deal for you.
Swing by Chipotle Mexican Grill at 1608 Cortez Road. W. in Bradenton between 5-8 p.m. on March 10 and the restaurant will donate half of all purchases made to Manatee High School. It's all part of a one-day fundraiser coordinated by Chelsea Pillsbury, a Manatee High senior and a Chipolte student brand ambassador.
All you have to do is swing by the high school today, grab a fundraiser flyer, then hand it to Chipotle employees when you make your purchase.
So go ahead and smile as you bite into that burrito or taco.
You just helped out some local kids.

Natalie Alund
Staff Writer

For Italian lovers

It's that time again.
Italian Days at Publix.
That means buy one, get one on voluminous Italian items throughout the store.
Two Classico sauces for $2.47
Two Progresso bread crumbs for $1.89
You get the idea.
You can save and have lots of yummy pasta meals.
So what are you still reading this?
Get to the store!

Natalie Alund
Staff writer

Help needed on destination weddings

It's wedding season and I have an adventurous friend who wanted to get married in the Caribbean this spring. Of course, everyone has a nutty friend who thinks everyone will be excited about their wedding in an exotic land, when in reality everyone is grumbling behind the bride and groom's back about the cost. But in the case of my friend, they did a good job makiing it affordable for people by setting up a wedding cruise package to the Bahamas offering attendees discounted prices. So if you are planning a big event and want people there, make sure you try to help them out by looking for the best possible deals.

_Robert Napper, staff writer

Don't buy the warranty

You go shopping for a big ticket item – i.e., a sweet flat screen TV -- and what does it come with, if you choose? An extended warranty.
Don’t do it.
The extended warranty, that is.
According to Consumer Reports, stores play on the fact electronics are a big investment, scaring you into buying an extended warranty.
It is basically a way to get you to pay way more for the item than you need to, a very profitable deal for the retailer.
If you are concerned about not having an extended warranty, purchase your electronics with a credit card that offers extended warranty protection. Many credit cards do.

_Vin Mannix, staff writer

Back off with pushy sales people

Resist sales pressure when buying large appliances: I’m in the process of buying a new dishwasher, and I saw a Sears ad for one of them that interested me at 20 percent off, with an extra 5 percent off if I used my Sears credit card to make the purchase. When I called for information, the first person was unable to give me enough detail about the cost, so they transferred me to a salesperson in the appliance department. He was able to tell me more details about the sale, but tried pressuring me, saying I could get a combined 25 percent off the machine, but only for that day. He claimed that the same price might not apply the following day. And when I asked specifics about the machine’s warranty, he was unable to give them. Mushy cost and warranty information and pressure sales tactics do not cut it with me, so I rang off and will buy elsewhere.
Sara Kennedy Staff Writer

Small gifts say a lot

Every year I save big bucks by baking cranberry-pumpkin cakes to give as gifts to family and friends. I make a huge batch and split it into small loaves, which I freeze. Then, when I need one, I just reach in and haul it out, wrap it up and by the time I get to the recipient’s home, it’s defrosted and ready to eat. This year, I have a couple left over and they’ll make nice Valentine’s Day gifts for elderly relatives, who appreciate being remembered. I lavish the little cakes with pink frosting for a festive air.

Sara Kennedy Staff writer

Debt-free holiday shopping tips

The thrifty among us are cruising now, because we didn’t charge anything on credit cards in the way of holiday gifts.Over the weekend, I was in a party store, where all the holiday items were 60 percent off. This is the time to buy for next year. Out comes the debit card. Really gorgeous sets of holiday cards that sold a couple of weeks ago for $19.95 each cost me just $2 per box. I was competing for them with a circuit judge who said she sends 100 cards each year for professional reasons, and she probably saved a bundle. Gift tags, bows, gift wrap, wreaths, etc. all are 60-75 percent off. I buy them now and put them in plastic storage boxes in my attic so that at Thanksgiving next year, when I go up there to get the wreath, they’re all ready and waiting. It has a secondary advantage, too: You’re more likely to write holiday cards if you start early, and if they’re already purchased, you can start while you’re supervising the Thanksgiving turkey in the oven.

Sara Kennedy Staff writer