I’ve been working on the Eating Well on a Budget book and testing some of the recipes I want to include in it. Potato salad, roasted veggies with feta cheese in puff pasty, my own version of ranch dressing, and a roasted chicken and vegetable pizza.

A couple of years ago I was all set to teach a class on promoting your business at my local community education center, but it got canceled due to low enrollment. I kept all the notes I’d written for it and thought rather than waste them I’d turn them into a book, well, an e-book. I’ve also decided to add some budget saving tips too.

I’ve been a cable subscriber for more years than I care to remember, but just recently I’ve not been too pleased with the service. The price went up and it seems like every week they’re taking another channel away from our plan. First of all it was AMC, then Lifetime Movie Network, then Oxygen and the Soap Channel, last week it was WE. They’re the only cable company in our area, and I suppose that explains the cuts and the price increase. We looked at switching to satellite TV, but we also get our high speed Internet service from the cable company and had a note saying if we don’t get cable service from them, our Internet Service will cost $5 per month. I guess some companies know they’ve got you right where they want you.

The gas tank in my car was almost completely empty the other day. I usually top it up when it’s getting close to the E, but just got too busy. I watched in amazement as the price went up and up and I discovered that these days it takes close to $40 to fill up the car. Okay, I’ve had it for some time…well actually back in the days when gas cost under $2. If it wasn’t so hot and humid these days I’d run ‘close to home’ errands on my bike.

For money saving tips visit www.gardenandhearth.com/Bargain-Shopping.htm