Eating out on a Budget

In these tough economic times, we've cut back a bit on eating out, but I've become quite the deal hunter in finding places to eat out on a budget. One of my favorite places to eat fairly cheap is the Red Rock Casino Buffet using the 2 for 1 coupon. I had been cutting the coupon out of the Review Journal religiously and using it on the weekend. Previously, the coupon had been in the paper daily with a 3-4 day expiration date. You can still find it daily, but it can now only be used on the same day. I'm not sure if it's in Saturday's paper or if you can get the 2 for 1 on the weekends any longer, but it's still a great deal for lunch or dinner during the week. The coupon from the R.J. can be used at any Station's Feast or Fiesta Buffet.

Another place we've eaten cheap is Islands restaurant in Summerlin. Kids eat free every Tuesday and my husband and I found a great way to eat cheap ourselves. My husband likes to order the endless bowl of tortilla soup for about $6 and I usually order something we can split. He can refill the bowl as many times as he wants and I've snuck in a few bites myself. We've eaten out for about twelve bucks.
In the bar area only, adults can enjoy Happy Hour Monday through Friday 4-7pm with half priced appetizers and $1 off beer and well drinks. You can definitely fill up on a few appetizers and make a dinner out of it.

Gordon Biersch at Boca Park (Across from the Suncoast) offers Happy Hour from 3-7pm every day and Reverse Happy Hour from 9pm to close. Menu items start at $5. Draft beers are $3, $2 off all wines and $5 for Martinis and other specialty drinks. These prices are effective on the patio and cocktail area only. We ordered 3 items between $5 and $7 each and left feeling very satisfied. They also have a location on Paradise, but be sure check their website for Happy Hour specials since all locations have different Happy Hour deals.

Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo

Here's a little activity to take advantage of before it gets too hot. It's a nice little trip to take the kids on that seems like a world away, plus it's free.


There's an oasis at the Flamingo hotel that is filled with wildlife just roaming around. It gives kids a chance to see some exotic birds up close and personal. The habitat is lush with foliage from around the world. You can stroll on winding walkways alongside streams and waterfalls, or on bridges over lagoons and ponds. Benches scattered throughout give you a chance to sit back and enjoy the view.


Here's a link to a video preview. http://www.vegas.com/video/attractions/flamingowildlife/full_index.html

It‘s Easy Being Green

Earth Day was Wednesday, April 22.

You can do your part to conserve and “be green” by switching your grass landscaping to water smart landscaping. Making the switch can save you up to 75 percent on your annual water bill. You may also be able to earn a rebate or receive special recognition with monetary benefits.

Here’s how…

The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) is offering a $1.50 rebate for each square foot of turf that you convert to water smart landscaping and up to a $25 rebate for attaching a qualifying rain sensor to your sprinkler system. Go to www.snwa.com or call (702) 258-SAVE to receive an application and for more details.

In Northern Nevada, the Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) sponsors an annual award for the best water-efficient landscape in its service area. Local landscapers and landscape suppliers support prizes for customer submittals of landscapes that have aesthetic qualities while promoting water conservation. This year's award winners received up to $1,000 in prizes for entries evaluated on aesthetics, efficient irrigation system, plant selection and mulches. Visit www.tmh2o.com for more details.

Another option…

You can also “bank green” by switching to E-statements and banking online. If every American signed up for online statements, the money saved could send 17,000 students to college. If every American just paid their credit card bills online, it would save $2 billion a year. (Source: The Green Book, Three Rivers Press, NY, 2007.)

Last year NFCU members that are enrolled in E-statements and our online bill pay services saved approximately 711,560 pieces of paper, 1.2 million envelopes and $190,000 in stamps. Our members are eco-ceptional!

You can join Nevada Federal Credit Union and bank green too! Visit www.nevadafederal.org or any of our Las Vegas, Reno, Sparks or Pahrump, Nevada branches and join today!

Green Dreamers Art and Science Fair

Here's another cheap activity for the family.

Every day is Earth Day at the Springs Preserve! But on Saturday, April 25, they'll celebrate "What On Earth Day" to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth’s environment with our Earth Day Olympics, scavengers hunts, special tours, live entertainment and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission to the exhibition and performances are free to the public, standard ticket prices apply for admission to museums and galleries. Here’s the link.

http://www.springspreserve.org/html/visit_concerts_earthday.html

Feed a Famiy of Four for $10 a Day

I was watching the news this morning while serving breakfast from a $4 box of cereal, and packing a lunch bag filled with items well over 99 cents, when a story came on about "feeding a family of six for less than $7 at the 99 Cents Only store." My initial reaction was "yea, right!" I figured they'd pack the basket with canned and boxed, unhealthy choices, but to my surprise the store was filled with fresh produce and dairy. The manager explained that a little more than half the store is food. I certainly wasn't aware of that.

The reporter and nutritionist scanned the produce section to find broccoli, zucchini, strawberries, mangoes and more. They also visited the dairy section to find some nutritional, inexpensive choices there as well. I didn't even know the 99 cents store had a produce section.

They did mention that you won't find fresh meats or too much in the whole grain category, but they proved that you could certainly fill a basket for a family of four for $10 per day. I think I'm going to give it a try and see how the quality compares to the grocery story. I don't have much to lose.

Here's a link to the story
http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=10228661&nav=menu107_2_1

A Step Back in Time Saves a Dime

I went to the movies with my husband recently and got sticker shock. We had forgotten how expensive it was to go to the theater. Even at the matinee, I paid $7.50 per ticket. I looked at the evening ticket prices and couldn’t believe they had gotten up to $10. That can turn into an expensive activity.

I tried taking advantage of Jen’s advice to use the coupon out of the Entertainment Book, but the theater we went to didn’t accept them. If it had, that would have brought the price down to $6.50 per person.

So here’s my advice for you parents looking to take your family to the latest release without breaking the bank: go to the drive-in. We’ve been going to the drive-in since my son was born and it puts a whole new spin on the night at the movies. They have all the new releases and it’s only $6.25 per person and kids 12 and under are free. And it’s only $4.25 on Tuesdays. You can take your own popcorn and drinks, so you’re not paying those crazy concession stand prices and you avoid the concession stand fight with the kids. If the kids get restless, they can run around outside, bring games, whatever. People with trucks tailgate and bring chairs to enjoy it outside.

You get a cool experience plus save over $20 for a family of four. The drive-in here in Vegas is located at 4150 W. Carey Ave. You can find movie times on Fandango.com.

In the News: NFCU’s SVP of Human Resources Discusses Unemployment Trends

Our Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Michael Traficanti, was asked to comment on a recent survey that AARP Nevada conducted regarding how employers of the three largest counties in Nevada found that about one-third of them are having trouble filling both management and non-management jobs today.

Michael points out that when you look at who is being laid off, it's not surprising that employers are having a hard time finding seasoned workers.

Click on the audio player below to hear the full interview.

You can also review the results of the AARP Nevada employer survey online at www.aarp.org/NV.

Interesting article on Payday Lending

A reporter from the RJ called last week asking for some help with a story he was writing about credit unions getting into the payday lending game. Actually many credit unions - like Nevada Federal - don't offer the traditional payday advance product because we don't change (or even have) the annual percentage rate (APR) with the amount borrowed like most payday lenders. Our payday advance product comes with a set fee and only varies if the member does not have direct deposit... and it's only ten bucks difference.

Nonetheless, we were happy to provide the reporter some information and we referred a member over to him to be interviewed for the article. Check out the article at the link below:

http://www.lvrj.com/business/43023597.html

Tax Day Can Be Rewarding.

It’s dreaded tax day. While some of us may have waited until the last minute to file, we all anticipate the always needed cash return.

If you’re like me, you may have already come up with your list of ways to spend it. There are always bills to catch up on, unforeseen expenses or plans to treat your family to something you haven’t been able to afford all year. However, I don’t have to tell you, it’s probably best in these economic times to try and save a little bit of your tax return. I know, easier said than done. But at least think about saving a small percentage to build that emergency fund all of the financial experts keep lecturing us about.

With most regular checking accounts and CD rates currently on the low end, you might want to think about an alternative way to save your money. Now through April 24th Nevada Federal CU is offering $1,000 share certificates at 9% for 90 days. It’s a better return on your money than leaving it in your savings or checking account, and by locking it in for 90 days, you’ll be less tempted to spend that extra $1,000 you may have just gotten back from the government.

This offer is limited to the first 500 new certificates. Hurry in to any one of our branches to take advantage of this great offer.

Go to the link below for more details.

http://tinyurl.com/dzo6f9

Puppet Show Fun

As I've mentioned before, I'm a big fan of all of the free stuff at the library. Well here's a little activity for your wee ones. The West Charleston library is hosting a puppet show tomorrow at 6:30 PM. Little ones can make a puppet and some even get to perform in the show. It's located at 6301 W Charleston, 89146.

Free Activity - Henderson Heritage Parade

Enjoy the outside before it gets too hot. I’ll be taking my son to the Henderson Parade this weekend. There’ll be live entertainment, international food booths, dance and cooking demonstrations, craft booths, a classic car show and parade. It’s a great way to entertain my little one on the cheap, and you know I love cheap. Looks like things kick off @ 10 am. Here’s a link for more info.

http://www.hendersonlive.com/special-events/springparade/

High Cost Summer Energy Bills Can Take a Hike

Hot summer days are just around the corner. To help you take control of your energy expenses, NV Energy offers money saving tips on their web site, nvenergy.com. A few helpful tips listed are:

- Switch your residential energy bill schedule to the Equal Payment option. This payment option takes your average power usage from the last 12 months and divides it into equal monthly payments. You’ll then know in advance what your bill will be each month.

- Insulate your water heater with a water heater blanket. Doing this can reduce heat loss from your hot water heater by 25% - 40%, which could possible reduce your annual water heating cost by 9%.

- Weather strip your windows and doors to keep air conditioned cool air from escaping and you’re a/c unit from having to work double time.

You could also win up to $300 to help pay for a summer electric bill!

All you have to do is pay a bill through SilverLink Online Banking now through August 31, 2009, during our Bill Payer Electric Bill Sweepstakes. Each bill you pay online becomes an automatic entry. So the more bills you pay online, the more chances you have to win. Six lucky winners will be selected…one could be you!

Don’t miss out on the convenience and time saving benefits of FREE Online Bill Payer*… it could help you beat the heat with your high summer electric bills.


Get started now, log in to SilverLink Online Banking.
Click here: https://ssl4.nevadafederal.org/silverlink/Login/Login.aspx


View SilverLink Online Banking Demo.
Click here: https://ssl4.nevadafederal.org/silverlink/Login/Login.aspx?Action=Demo


Learn more about Online Bill Pay.
Click here: https://www.nevadafederal.org/services/slo.aspx#bill_payer


*Bill Payer is free with a checking account and E-Statement service. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. For complete rules and additional important information about our Bill Payer Electricity Hike Sweepstakes, visit https://www.nevadafederal.org/disclosures/bill_payer_sweepstakes.aspx

Fabulous Freddy's Car Wash Coupons

As you know, I’m always looking for a great coupon. One of the many perks of being an NFCU member is the great member discounts the Credit Union offers. Naturally, I knew about our Fabulous Freddy’s member discount, but I hadn’t gotten around to washing my car and printing the coupon until last weekend. To my surprise, our member coupons are 50% off any car wash up to $9.50.

The coupon states “some restrictions apply,” so I was prepared for them to tell me I couldn’t use it over the weekend, but there were no hitches. You can print the coupon as many times as you’d like before the expiration date, and use it any time to enjoy the discount.

I went on Saturday, which tends to be one of the busiest days for car washes and figured the cashier might have a lot of questions for me or have a hard time ringing in the discount. I was pleasantly surprised when he read the coupon, wrung up my sale and handed me the receipt. No questions asked and he was just as fast as when I pay full price. I had the same experience when we took my husband’s car on Sunday.

This is the best car wash deal around town as far as I know, so if you’re an NFCU member go to the member discounts page to print this coupon and check out our many other great member discounts.
https://www.nevadafederal.org/membership/index.aspx#discounts

Facebook Fans Win with NFCU

Congrats to our season ticket winners. Two lucky Facebook fans won season tickets to the Las Vegas 51s just for being our fan.

We've got more fabulous opportunities to come. It pays to be a fan of Nevada Federal Credit Union.

Driving Without Car Insurance Is Risky Business

Not following basic traffic rules is not a good idea. But, driving around without car insurance in general is really not a good idea. In the state of Nevada if you are driving without car insurance you may be subject to penalties or fines. It could even cost you your license.

So if you are one of the uninsured “driving on the edge” because you don’t think you can afford car insurance, think of all the time and money you’ll waste going to a courthouse to pay a high ticket price. Or, think how much you would have to pay if you were to get into an accident.

Protect Your Assets

Nevada Federal Credit Union has an insurance division that shops insurance companies to help members save money on all of their insurance needs. On average we save our members $1,035.

As an independent insurance agency, we are proud to represent some of the largest and most respected insurance companies in the country, including Allied/Nationwide, Century National, First American Property and Casualty, Hartford, Mendota, Mercury and Travelers.
Whether your driving record is great or somewhat tarnished, we can help.

Call (702) 641-4346 to get a free quote today!

Free Activity - Gardening Workshop

Spring is in the air, if your allergies haven’t already told you! I’m all geared up to do a little planting, but I’m going to be smarter this time around. Since none of my plantings from last year are around to brag about, I figure that this Midwestern girl needs some help gardening in the desert.

The City of Henderson is hosting free workshops throughout the year covering topics that range from growing vegetables and flowers to learning how to compost. This weekend, there are 2 workshops.

Ask a Master Gardner 9:00-10:30 a.m., Saturday April 4

Sustainable Gardening10:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 4

If you need ideas for your backyard, visit Acacia Demonstration Gardens. It is a 2.8 acre site that features 19 distinct gardens, including backyard garden demonstration areas, cactus garden, allergy-free garden, wetlands demonstration areas, animal habitat garden, and a Mojave Desert demonstration area.

10 Free or Cheap Ways to Keep Kids Entertained

As a follow up to our latest blog from Abby about entertaining your family for less, I wanted to share a story I saw on the Today Show, which made me think of a few of my own money saving strategies.

After seeing the story, I felt less guilty about saying “no” to my 9 year old when she had asked to go bowling again last weekend. Don’t get me wrong, $25 isn’t bad for a night out for a family of three, that’s about what it cost us the last time. However, once you get to the bowling lanes, your then faced with the inevitable “I’m hungry” and suddenly the night becomes more like $50 after several runs to the snack bar.

So instead, we played scrabble and had a ball. Plus it was a great way to improve her spelling and vocabulary.

On another note, this is one of the few gifts from Santa she actually plays with. After hearing in this story that re-gifting your kids’ unopened X-mas gifts is a useful money saving tip, I’m now on a mission to do so, being most of them are still in the plastic wrap sitting on her closet floor. Last year, I took it a step further. After she hadn’t opened several of her gifts 3 weeks after X-mas, I returned them and she never even noticed! My husband and I still laugh about it and talk about the money we would have wasted. This year, I figured she was too savvy not to notice, so I didn’t return. But, you can bet I’m about to re-gift whatever I can in order to save money on all those birthday parties she’ll be attending this year.

I think I’m running a close second to Abby’s “cheapness.” :)

Here’s the link to the story I was referring to:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29869445/