Northern Cheapskate

Frugal. By Nature.

Plan Your Holiday Grocery Shopping Now

Plan Your Holiday Grocery Shopping Now

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There's an interesting thing that seems to happen every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The deals on groceries and household goods disappear.  Instead of coupons and deals on cereal, diapers, and laundry detergent, you'll see store ads brimming with "big savings" on televisions, jewelry and toys. As merchants scramble to sell big ticket items for the peak gift-giving season, those of us trying to save on the everyday stuff will have to figure out a new strategy. Plan your holiday … [Read more...]

Finding Things to Be Thankful For

Finding Things to Be Thankful For

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photo credit: Jodi Womack It's been a tough year for us. No pay raise for the fourth year in a row.  A leaking basement. Two major car repairs. One broken water valve.  Several flu bugs that knocked us out for days.  An eye injury.  A foot injury.  Not to mention that gas, food and clothing prices took a big jump. It has been a challenge to keep a positive attitude.  I remember one particularly bad month, in which we paid more than $4,000 out of our savings to cover a multitude of bills.  … [Read more...]

Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake Recipe

Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake Recipe

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I realize some might consider this statement Thanksgiving blasphemy, but I really don't like pumpkin pie.  I think it is the consistency or the blah-ness of it.  I know, I am weird. Anyway, the perfect cover story is to just bring this delicious pumpkin praline cheesecake to any Thanksgiving dinner, so I don't have to call attention to my horrible pumpkin pie distaste - or worse, be forced to choke down some pumpkin pie - yikes! As I recall, the original recipe called for gingersnaps … [Read more...]