Tony’s Pizza gave me the opportunity to try their newest spin on personal take and bake pizza, the new Crispy Crust pizzas. Considering the price of these pizzas, I thought I would review them and share my finding as they are very reasonably priced.

The first thing you will notice about these pizzas is that their crust is not round like most personal sized pizzas, but “scround” as they put it.. sort of square with round edges and the crust is actually air baked to reduce trans fat and produce a crisp, light crust.

Personally I found the pizzas reminiscent of high school cafeteria food. They were edible but the flavor wasn’t great. The crust certainly was crisp and light though, and priced at around $1 for a one, which would feed two people (they are pizza, and still a bit heavy on calories, so I wouldn’t recommend eating an entire pizza yourself), I would consider them in the future.

Overall I would say that if you are generally busy and need something that you can quickly heat up and eat, these are a great value but if you are feeding a family and prefer to spend a bit more for higher quality products, there are other take and bake products out there.

For those of you out there that would like to try this product, I have five coupons left for free pizzas. Just drop a comment and I can mail one out to you. Tastes vary and I would be curious if others share my thoughts on this product.

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My pick this week goes to Simon at Realm of Prosperity and his article titled Changing the Price from Dollars to Work Hours When Shopping. This is something I have done for years. I’m not sure why I started doing this but it just made sense. I usually do this for consumables or ’stuff’ that will simply not be around very long and compare the price of that stuff to how many hours of my life I would have to give to the man in order to pay for that stuff. The post is succinct so I won’t even quote it this time but it’s worth the read.

Addition goodies this time around:

• Financial Freak Show discusses thoughts about persistence and excellence in Cocaine Excellence,  spurred by the program called Cocaine Cowboys. I’ve never seen the show myself but I’ve watched Blow with Jonny Depp which is a similar story of being persistent and creating excellence in everything you do. Now you just have to take that and apply it to legitimate business
• Though it’s old news now, Jim at Bargaineering highlights the University of Idaho’s free personal finance courses. When it first launched I ran through some of their info, and it certainly is full of good stuff.
• The Dough Roller talked about 7 Lessons Learned from a Failed Attempt to Refinance a Mortgage. This post stuck with me as I had just gone through a refi. Mine was successful but only because it wasn’t my first go-around and I had learned the 7 lessons before. Number 4 especially is helpful to keep you cool and calm during the whole process.
• Five Cent Nickel shares some interesting info from research at the University of Pennsylvania in Savers vs Spenders. The info suggests that opposites attract even when it comes to money matters.  I think that’s life’s way of balancing things out and it’s no accident.
• More on money mistakes and learning from them, Matt at Financial Methods writes Why do We Need Financial Hurdles to Overcome? His thoughts relate well to the workforce. Work experience will usually be favored over a green degree. If ya don’t get what I mean, go read his article.

That’s it for today so have a great weekend!

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The hospital stay was uncomfortable in many ways. For one, there wasn’t much, as parents, my wife and I could do to help our daughter. She has RSV which is a respiratory virus that, in adults, resembles the common cold but in infants and young children is life threatening. Our daughter couldn’t breath well and it was just hard to sit there and watch while being so helpless.

Another thing that made the stay uncomfortable, dare I say it, is the money. Hospital stays are expensive, even with insurance! I couldn’t help but think, “boy this is gonna cost us” while we were in the ER. Then when they decided to admit my daughter, the thought again crossed my mind but at that point I realized there were more important things going on. I also realized that we have an emergency fund for just this sort of situation, an emergency.

So today’s linkworthy pick is an older post by The Monevator called Emergency Funds: The ten essential steps. This article has some great and usable pointers about how people should deal with emergency funds, myself included. I still have personal conflicts with how I deal with my emergency fund, primarily number 5 in the steps, know an emergency when you see one.

Because of these tips and others I have picked up around the web in the last year, I shouldn’t be worried about money when my daughter has to stay in the hospital, but I do until my wife gives me a good kick…gotta love wive’s for keeping us short-sighted men in line.

The other linkworthy of this week include:

• J.D. Roth shares additional information about savings account planning in How Much Should You Have In Savings. He shares some pointers from a book I have yet to read called Why Smart People Do Stupid Things with Money
• One more on funds, Frugal Dad talks about a different kind of fund. The Entrepreneur Fund is an awesome idea. Becoming self employed is very scary and very risky because you never know if your idea will actually go through and you will be able to support your family on the projected income. So instead of jumping in without a plan, Frugal Dad gives tips on preparing a fund ahead of time and building on it when profits come in to support your family while self employed.
• It may have been better to link to this in January when everyone was spurring up for new year’s resolutions but it’s still early. Financial Samurai shares things he learned after his 35 days without spending any money on junk. It’s more about goals than junk and he has some great tips to reach your goals. He has some expensive tastes but managed to pass up the temptations and reached his goal.
• No Credit Needed gets deep with Some Thoughts About Thinking. It’s a good idea to just stop whatever you are doing and think about thought sometimes, or think about nothing at all. In our current age of data overload, our brain needs a break at times. TV doesn’t count.
• Finally, The Digerati Life talked about Measuring Job Satisfaction. Another thing that’s been keeping me busy lately has been job interviews. I can’t share too much info right now but the company is pretty huge and I’m really excited but the interview process is long and difficult. This post talks about different things to consider in your current job to see if you are fully satisfied and happy or if changes need to be made.

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I thought today I would bring some attention to a very cool new series called Personal Finance Comics over at Credit Card Finder. The series is exactly what it sounds like, comics focused on personal finance and personal finance people. Yesterday’s comic featured none other than J.D Roth from Get Rich Slowly (one of the biggest names in PF). This is the fourth comic and the previous comics were pretty good too. Swing over and check em out.

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Not to be redundant of yesterdays post but after reading through these, I had to post this guest post. These are some very creative ideas to keep things under budget and still very memorable.

Time is running out really fast as the 14th of  February is just a few days away so if your mind is still stuck and you are confused regarding the gifts you should give to your loved ones please don’t worry because we are going to share 9 unusual effective frugal Valentine’s Day gifts ideas which will help you to make your Valentine Day more special and much more romantic. So without further ado here is the list.

Create a Website – Does your loved one spend most of his/her time online? If the answer is YES then you should think about creating a website on this valentine. Create a website/blog with a romantic domain name where you can upload all your pictures, write about the moments you spent together, express your feelings for them etc. Trust me; you can do a lot without having to spend enough money depending on your creativity. (Editors note: This is an awesome idea and something I have thought about for more than just valentines day. Websites are cheap now and live forever on the web. They are a great gift idea for many occasions)

Google Adwords – If your partner uses search engines daily then why don’t you shock them by telling them how much you love them through Google Adwords. You just have to create an Adwords account, target the keywords your partner searches the most, write some ads and you are set. You can use these ads to direct them to your personal website or other landing pages of your choice.

Gift Wrap yourself – Okay, If you are still reading the article then your partner might not be spending too much time online. No problem. Instead of wasting your money on common gifts like cakes, chocolates, cards wrap yourself with gift paper on this Valentine. (Editors note: Fried Green Tomatoes anyone? Saran wrap dresses are hot!)

Create a ringtone – Do a Google search for “create ringtone” and you can find tons of free applications which will help you to create your personalized ringtone. Record a message for your loved one in your own voice and then set it as ringtone on their mobile phones so that they can hear it every time their phone rings. (Editors note: been there, done that. Works like a charm)

Romantic poem – Are you good in writing? Yes! Then use your writing skills in writing a poem expressing your feelings for your loved ones. Don’t worry if you don’t have any prior experience of writing a poem. Anything original and genuine can do wonders which are not possible even with expensive gifts.

Shoot a video – Okay. Still reading? Create a small video about your feelings for your partner. Disclose some of your secrets (If there are any). Tell them why they are so special for you. What things you like about them (and maybe few which you don’t like). Talk about the beautiful moments which you spent together. You can also try singing (If you are not a bad singer like me)

Take a break – Take a break from your busy life. Leave your mobile phones and laptops at your home and go to some quite place where you can relax in peace and spend some quality time with your partner far away from the traffic and noise of the city.

Couple’s massage – Spend some quality time together by going for a relaxing couple’s massage where you and your partner will be massaged simultaneously. Alternatively, you can also get some scented oils from the market and give massages to each other.

Cook at your home – Why waste your money on going out for dinner when you can save money and spend some more quality time by cooking at home. But make sure that you have all the things required so that you don’t have to run to the market at the last moment for groceries.

About the author: Gagandeep Singh works for Adrenalin, Australia’s leading online suppliers of unusual Valentine’s Day Gifts like driving V8 Supercars, Skydiving, mountain biking etc

Image by Pink Sherbet Photography

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Today we have a guest post from Tom Becker all about saving money during Valentine’s day. Personally I used to go all out on Valentine’s..flowers, chocolates, fancy dining. If only I had known these tips earlier

It might be an understatement to say that things can get a bit out of hand when it comes to expenses and Valentine’s Day. Sometimes it’s hard to restrain your spending when it’s on the one you love. However, when money is tight and you really can’t afford to go all out for Valentine’s Day, it’s important to know how to save some money.

If you still want to make your Valentine’s a special day, but not spend too much cash, here are some tips that may help you do just that.

1. Attention to Detail: Some of the coolest, most romantic, and most memorable restaurants, are also the least expensive. Cozy eateries, quaint diners, and dive bars can be great memory makers. Sometimes the characters you meet and the atmosphere of the place itself can make your date a more special occasion than any upscale restaurant dining experience.

2. Cupid Coupons: Coupons can be a great way to give your sweetheart something special without breaking the budget. Look for things that you can do yourself that would really surprise your darling. The coupons might be for cooking, cleaning, fixing things around the house, taking the kids out so that he or she has some alone time, or whatever, so long as they are for something special that you might not normally do.

3. Pampering is Free: Pampering might be one of the best inexpensive ways to make a Valentine’s Day romantic on a tight budget. Run a bath complete with candles and wine, offer a foot, hand or full body massage, give a facial, or maybe just wash and brush her hair to show how much you care for and appreciate her.

4. Day Trip: A drive in the car to somewhere romantic, unique or that is special for the two of you (such as the spot where you first met) can be a great way to spend the Valentine’s Day – and it might only take the price of gas to get you there. You might decide to bundle up and take a romantic walk once you are there, do a little exploring, or maybe even pack a picnic lunch if the weather allows in warmer climates.

5. Flowers: Other than jewelry and dinner, flowers can be one of the costliest Valentine’s Day gifts. While it’s hard to deny that many women won’t be a little disappointed if they don’t receive flowers, you can often save quite a bit of money by purchasing them at a supermarket rather than having them delivered or buying them from the florist.

6. Frivolities: Sometimes there is a difference between making Valentine’s Day special and just going overboard. If you’re looking for ways to save money this Valentine’s Day, consider avoiding those costly, yet somewhat frivolous items like balloons, stuffed animals (unless there is a hidden meaning), and other silly treats that so many stores thrust at you each February.

7. Focus on Your Sweetheart: Your Valentine’s Day doesn’t always have to be expensive to be special, especially if you know your sweetheart well. You might be able to play into his or her hand cheaply. Maybe she’s a pizza and beer girl, and is easily pleased. It could be that a cozy night in with a good movie and some popcorn is all it takes to hit her fancy. The point is that it’s not always the high-priced gifts that will make your love happy. If that’s the case, why spend several hundred dollars on dinner or a night out when he or she would be happy at home or with a $40 dining experience?

8. Watch the Wine: When it comes to wine or champagne for Valentine’s Day, it doesn’t always have to be pricey to be good. There is a huge selection of unique, yet reasonably priced wine out there, and you don’t necessarily have to spend $30 or $40 or more for a good bottle. There are so many mid-range labels available now that you can often find a gigantic selection of very good wines for between $5 and $15.

Editor’s note: I usually overdo things on the romantic side..breakfast in bed while I serenade my wife with Sinatra. On top of that, I always film it so my wife can be embarrassed for me all over again later. Ya, it takes a bit of time to prepare, some time to practice the song and make the food but it’s cheap and always enjoyable

Tom Becker writes about saving and investing money for MoneyCompare.com.au, an Australian comparison website where it’s easy to find a savings account stash some money for a rainy day.

Image by blmurch

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I’ve got a bit of catching up to do here but I wanted to bring the light to some great articles I read during the last quarter of 2009. My personal favorite for this group has to be Anna’s article from ABDPBT titled What Everybody Ought To Know About Buying a New Mattress, my favorite for obvious reasons.

Anna’s post gives some tips about how to deal with the salesmen and gives some info about the mattress industry that I certainly didn’t know. Check out the article, especially point #1 and if you’re still not convinced that you should start saving and eventually throw out that twenty year old mattress and invest in your health a bit more often, check out this other article from Anna about living luxuriously without mortgaging your family’s future.

And some other greats from approximately the same time period…

• DINKS Finance discusses Couples Finance. Michael talks about the dynamics between he and his wife when dealing with their family finance, how that effects their relationship and how their relationship and individual personalities effect their finances. I think they have a pretty good system going and one we can all take note of, especially this line right here, “The only suggestion that I would stress would be to communicate with your partner“.
• More on household finances, My Money Blog shows How to Create a Completely Automated Financial Household. There, an imaginary couple is used to portray many different methods and products that can help automate your finances to a very fine point. I think this is a great idea and have done automation on our finances to some degree.
• On the other hand of financial sense there is the world of consumerism. Financial Freak Show talks about how ever since he embarked on his journey against debt, the commercials and marketing ploys of the world seem ever louder and more aggressive. Don’t give in! It’s all worth it in the end.
• Frugal Dad gives some great advice most of us can use titled How To Not Suck at Everything. This was actually a guest post but talks about things you can do to feel better about yourself and improve your life. Tips include telling yourself why you love you, stop measuring yourself up to others, and laugh at yourself.

And for the catching up part, I wanted to link back to a few posts that focused on someone I love…me!

• Len Penzo let me throw some questions at his magic 8 ball that pertained to predictions for 2010. The ball had some pretty interesting things to say.
• Brian at My Next Buck was gracious enough to let me share one of my big money mistakes with his readers in his Financial Foul Up series. This gives me another opportunity to laugh at myself I guess
• Kelly at Almost Frugal let me share a little about myself and tell about how I am trying to be more frugal in my life in her This is What Frugal Looks Like series.

It’s been a very eventful 2010 so far and I am still working on getting all caught up with everything but I’m on my way there and should become more regular around here soon.

Image by geishaboy500

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Delayed gratification is something that kids now don’t even hear about anymore . Everything in today’s world is “on demand”. You can get any TV show, movie or video clip on your TV or on the computer, any time you want. Listening to music is no longer a passive activity and you can download any song you like from the web, or right from your phone or music player to listen to instantly. Just about anything you can think of is available in a very short amount of time but is that really good for us?

I could go on and on about the problems instant gratification create such as the credit crisis, obesity, etc. but today I want to talk about delayed gratification.

My wife and I have been married for four years and we have been sleeping on a mattress that was handed down to my wife when she was still living at home. Honestly, I have no idea how old it is but it has been growing ever more uncomfortable as each day passes. I’m not the slimmest guy and my back really doesn’t appreciate the mattress’s shape nor it’s firmness. My wife doesn’t seem to have a problem with the mattress but I believe that’s more an emotional attachment she has created with it rather than her being comfortable or not though she is in much better shape than I.

Lately I have been noticing the mattress more than ever. One of my new years resolutions was to get in shape (surprise surprise) but I have actually been sticking with it this year and worked out in some form every day in January and so far every day in February too. Because of this, I have been pretty sore and much more tired than my previous sedentary self. I wake up in the morning and feel like I slept for only a few minutes.

We have been shopping around for a mattress for about two years now. The first time we decided to get a new mattress was before we started paying much attention to our money but we knew we didn’t want to put it on a credit card and that a new mattress was just too expensive to buy at the time. So we put it off. We didn’t realize we should start saving for one because it didn’t seem like that big of a deal at the time but come around the time when I started paying attention to money a year ago, we started putting a good amount of money away just as an emergency fund. That money and several other money pots have continued to grow since then and this week we were able to buy a new mattress with cash from our savings.

This was a big purchase. Anyone that has ever purchased a mattress will know there are mattresses in the lower hundreds to those costing upwards of a few thousand. Having stopped into the mattress stores half a dozen times over the past two years, my wife and I knew this and we were never able to look past the numbers. This time was very different. I didn’t feel the strain of money in the back of my mind while looking at the mattresses. I was able to focus on the bigger picture, the comfort and rest we will get sleeping on a new mattress. We were able to pick out a mattress that cost more than we would have thought spending on a mattress any previous visit.

This was unprecedented for me, being so money conscious for the past year but it was a good feeling because I knew we had money in our savings, separate from our emergency fund, separate from any money we had put aside for anything else specifically. This was money put away to buy a nice mattress and here we were buying one. Knowing exactly what we wanted and how much we had to spend made me so at ease I was even able to haggle a bit and had a couple hundred dollars knocked off the price.

I only had buyers remorse for about ten seconds as I climbed into bed on the old mattress as the new one hasn’t been delivered yet. As I climbed into bed I thought about the price for a split second..then I rolled over on our current mattress and as my leg and shoulder went numb, the remorse quickly passed but the feeling of satisfaction from having waited, and saved for the mattress will stay with me every time I sleep on the mattress because I know it was a smart, conscious decision.

That is the feeling of delayed gratification.

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Over at Almost Frugal, she runs a very cool series called This Is What Frugal Looks Like where she interviews others to find out what they do that is frugal, traditional or unusual. I had the opportunity to join her list of interviewed. I probably fall into the more unusual category of those she has interviewed but it was great fun and hte series is pretty popular because readers can find out what real people actually do in their daily lives that is frugal, not just frugal theory.

So head on over a check out my interview there: http://almostfrugal.com/2010/01/28/this-is-frugal-pffirewall/

And thanks so much for letting me join in the fun, Kelly!

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