Welcome home Lindsey Vonn, Our home town hero Today March 31, 3:30

Welcome home Lindsey Vonn the Olympic champion and World Cup winner.  I feel like I can claim her twice.  Once from being a Minnesotan and the other for living in Vail.  So stop by and welcome her home while enjoying some complimentary music and refreshments.


The Lindsey Vonn homecoming celebration will be Wednesday, March 31.  Vail is happy to welcome home Lindsey Vonn from her Olympic and World Cup successes!  Join us in Vail Square in Lionshead at 3:30pm.  Music, complimentary refreshments and Lindsey Vonn!

Made in the Shade -Taking care of your eyes and your wallet with deals on Oakley $29.95

With our lovely sun here in Colorado you have to take care of your eyes!  Good sunglasses don't come cheap except today.  Check out the styles of Oakley sunglasses starting at $29.95 at 6PM.com.  It doesn't get better than that.

Ditch the dryer and get that fresh air smell from fresh air instead of a scented sheet

So here in Colorado our air is really dry!  And we have over 300 days of sunshine.  So why not take advantage and hang your clothes to dry.  Get a drying rack (check out Amazon) and put it out on a deck or inside just next to a window.  Your clothes will be dry in no time and you'll save energy and be a little better to the planet.  If you feel like some things get a little stiff air drying you can spritz them with a bit of water and put them in the dryer for a quick tumble for a couple of minutes before you put them away.  But remember, that pure fresh air smell only comes from fresh air.

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Epic savings with the Epic Pass

Vail Resorts is doing it again!  I get the feeling that this might be the last year they give away the bank.  The Epic Pass gets you unlimited, unrestricted skiing at all of the Vail Resorts family ski areas for $599.  Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge, Heavenly and A-Basin.  That can give you skiing from October to June. They have a slightly less expensive option for just 7 days on the hill if you don't think you'll ski more than that.  Ten days of skiing would be less than $60/day.  For the 2009-10 season the daily ticket window price was $98/day.  You need to put down $49 now to secure your $599 price.  The only way to beat that price is to get a job with the company.

How much do you spend on coffee? Get it for less

So obviously the cheapest fix is to make it yourself.  Think about how much you spend just stopping to grab a cup joe everyday on the way to work.  Lets just say it is about $3.50 for your latte and of course you might need a little "with it" so that adds another $2.50 now you're up to six bucks and you haven't thrown the rest of your change into the tip bucket yet.  Lets say you do that 5 days a week. That is $30.00 a week multiply that by 52 That is $1560.00 a year.  What can you do with $1500?  So here are a couple of ways to save.  Go to Coupons.com  and find a coupon for Eight O'Clock Coffee and Caribou Coffee.  They also have coupons for Tetley Tea and Good Earth Tea if you're not a coffee lover and make it at home.  If you still want the convenience of  having someone else make it for you, you can stop by the register counter (there is a stack of cards right on the counter next to all the impulse purchase stuff) of Ace Hardware in Vail and get a card for a $1.00 off at the drive thru Xpresso coffee shop right in the Ace parking lot.  Now start thinking about what you're going to do with $1500 extra bucks!

Free 6" Mighty Mo at the Smiling Moose Deli Edwards

Check out the Vail Daily page A22-23 for all the details on the free 6" Mighty Mo at the Smiling Moose Deli in Edwards.

 

The Mighty Mo!

Our CHEESEBURGER GRINDER...Half a pound of chopped sirloin, with melted American cheese, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, banana peppers, red onions, mayo, drizzled with oil and vinegar and sprinkled with salt and pepper.

Bag and Pack sale

The Bag and Pack is having a big spring sale 30-50% off.  I saw Patagonia, Icebreaker, Mountain Hardware and Royal Robbins.  All sorts of stuff in all sorts of sizes.  Gear up for next season and save some bucks.  They have locations in Avon and Vail.  Check out  The Bag and Pack on Facebook.

Don't spend a fortune on new jeans

A few weeks ago I saw a special for some designer jeans.  They were on sale for over $100.00.  That still seems really really expensive to me.  Not to mention going shopping for new jeans sometimes feels like punishment.  You try on pair after pair (and you have to go to several different store to get a variety of brands) and then you get them home wash them and they don't fit like they did in the store.  Well I know of a store that sells a ton of different brands and the fit is the same after you get them home and wash them.  Not to mention that they usually only cost about $6.00 a pair.  What is this magic store you ask?  The Thrifty Store in Edwards or Eagle.  I have a friend who likes to think of buying at a thrift store as renting her clothes.  At those prices she feels like she can buy something she might not wear a lot and then when she's through she can re-donate it and someone else can get some more enjoyment from it.  So go get a new spring outfit without spending a fortune.  Or go clean out your closet and donate it so someone else can go buy a new spring outfit.

Getting the most from your Grocery Store

According to ABC News Americans spend the most money on;
1. Houses
2. Cars
3. Credit
4. Groceries
5. Health Care

So it stands to reason you can save the most money when you save on those five things. Most grocery stores offer a "rewards" card. So sign up for it. It doesn't cost anything and it gives you discounts on products (check the weekly circular) and some services. As you spend at the grocery store you accrue points which are good for gas discounts (oh we hit another of the big five) and photo prints (cheaper than printing your own) for example. So if you haven't signed up do it now. There are also some that allow you to add electronic coupons to your card so when you buy the specific product you automatically get a discount. Saves clipping and printing of coupons. But remember, a coupon doesn't save you anything if you wouldn't normally buy that product. It's like the cute skirt that is super cheap but doesn't really fit. You may as well have burned the money. Of course, you can get a tax deduction for a charitable gift when after months in your closet you finally realize it will never fit and it is time to donate it.

The Library can save you money on Magazines

We are lucky here in the Vail Valley. We have beautiful libraries with big comfy chairs in front of fireplaces. Both the Vail Library and the Avon Library are peaceful places to hang out. They carry a ton of different magazines which means once a month you can head to the library and read the new issue of your favorite magazine, uninterrupted by the phone, laundry and a dirty house waiting to be cleaned. Also the library has a lot of online subscriptions so you can access several magazine web sights that require a special web subscription, like Consumer Reports. The Vail Library user name is vaillibrary and the password is vaillibrary. Both libraries offer online downloads of audio books too. Download on to your MP3 or ipod and listen on the run. Not only do you save money with all the library has to offer but you save the earth too because you don't have a stack of old magazines piling up in the landfill.

Free pastry at Starbucks 3/23 only until 10:30 am

Print a coupon for a free pastry at Starbucks.

20% off coupon on Target Bedding!

Check out the 20% off coupon at Target for their bedding.

Free music downloads on Amazon

Now it may not be the latest release but Amazon has a whole section of free downloadable music. Which is not pirated, all legal. We got some great Christmas music to play at our Christmas party. And there is usually some cool ethnic music available too. We got an album of Tango music. Now all we have to do is learn how to Tango. On Valentine's we got a whole album of love songs. If you don't find something that tickles your fancy in the free section they have a lot in their "deal" section. Right now they have 100 "hand picked by their editors" albums for $5.00 ea.

Kick the toxic cleaner habit

All these synthetic super anti-bacterial cleaners are creating "super bugs" that are more and more resistant. It is time to go back to natural cleaners. I use distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle in the bathroom and in the kitchen on the counters. If I need a little more cleaning power I use a little baking soda. To really bubble things up I use both together. I like the foaming reaction. It saves room under the sink too. You only need two items. Studies have shown that vinegar kills 99% of germs. That is the same as Lysol. The smell doesn't last too long and is certainly better for you than the toxic fumes of harsh disinfectants. So toss the toxic and have a healthier house.

Pressure cooker is on!

I love my pressure cooker. The amount of money this actually saves in nominal but the time savings is unbelievable. So pressure cookers use less fuel because they cook things faster. But because they cook things faster you can buy dry legumes and use them almost as fast as canned at a fraction of the price. I decided today that I wanted to make minestrone. Well I pulled out the pressure cooker and in 48 minutes I had beautifully cooked organic chickpeas. Un-soaked, dry hard little pebbles to plump (low sodium) delicious chickpeas in 48 minutes. I cooked enough so I can throw some in the soup and make hummus with some. I love hummus. I have a very simple stove top pressure cooker without a gauge. It cost me about $10.00 bucks on sale. But if a pressure cooker kind of freaks you out investing in an electric pressure cooker with a gauge will give you peace of mind. I do admit that when I first started using it I had a small explosion, the evidence is still visible on the kitchen ceiling. But I've been using it for years now and haven't had any other mishaps. Check out Amazon for a varied selection.



Free Web Counter

Eye spy a bargain

Every year when I go to the eye doctor for my exam I have them give me a copy of my prescription. I can then shop for glasses anywhere. There are several online options for really cheap. But when you buy online you haven't held them in your hand and haven't tried them on to see how you like them. Some of the online sites have a "try them on" feature. You upload a photo of yourself and then electronically try on different glasses. I already know pretty much what looks good on me and by looking at the dimensions of the glasses you can get an idea how they'll fit. Then you just plug in your prescription into the order form and in a couple of weeks you have new glasses. I love my new prescription "goggle glasses" I ordered from Eye Buy Direct. They only cost $40.00. You can get glasses for as low as $9.00 a pair. That includes the frame and perscription. Eye Buy is currently doing a buy one get one free promo. I've also ordered from Zenni Optical and been pleased.

Get an Organic Sleep for Cheap

How much do organic cotton sheets cost?? If you have to ask you can't afford it. Thank god for Target They have nice soft organic sheet sets (on sale right now) for less than $40.00. That includes fitted sheet, flat sheet, and pillow cases and they come in a variety of colors. How cool is that?

Oil change can give you change back

It's a dirty job but somebody has to do it. If you go to your local oil change shop you can spend 10 minutes getting there and half an hour waiting for them to change the oil. Then you can spend $35.00-$50.00 for the privilege. I went to Walmart ( I hate going to Walmart but sometimes it is better to go to Walmart than to drive one or two hours to go somewhere else) and bought a oil drip pan (a plastic pan that the oil drips into and then gets contained in the bottom) a couple of car ramps (if your car has low clearance) an oil filter wrench and a socket wrench. These are tools you'll use everytime you change the oil so its worth an upfront investment. Then when you're ready to change the oil (check your owners manual for suggested oil changing intervals) you'll need to have all your materials ready. New filter and oil. Your manual will also tell you how much oil your car should take. It usually takes me about 20 minutes to change the oil That saves me about 20 minutes and the materials cost about $11.00 so I save any where from $24.00-$39.00 every time I need to change the oil. Remember to wear old clothes you don't mind getting dirty. I also wear a hat and clear protective glasses and rubber gloves so I don't turn into an oil bomb. Go to About.com for a quick tutorial.

Cooking from scratch is cheap

If you cook at home instead of eating out you know you'll save money. But if you cook from scratch instead of eating pop in the microwave pre-prepared foods you'll also save money AND be eating better. When you have control of the ingredients you can eat much healthier. Like avoiding extra fat, sodium and chemical preservatives. Using a crock pot can make it easy too. Pop all the ingredients in before you leave for work, or play and when you come home it is hot and ready to eat. Add a salad and you have a quick great, healthy meal. If you make a big batch of chili, or whatever, freeze some and have your own pop in the microwave ready made meal for later. It doesn't take any extra time to make extra servings. Right now Sears has the Hamilton Beach 4 qt. Oval Slow Cooker on sale for$9.99. Free pick-up at store pick-up in Silverthorne.

Saving on Organics at the Grocery Store

I like City Market produce. I think they have a good selection of Organics on sale this week and lots of other good fruit. Organic spinach or baby greens, 16oz. clam shell for $3.99 and organic peeled carrots $1.00 a pound and organic lemons 2lb bag for $2.99. Cantaloupe 2lbs for a $1.00 and the little yellow mangoes 2 for $1.00. Lets not forget the 5 pound box of clementines for $5.99. All natural ground beef $3.99 pound. Cascadian Farms organic cereals 2 for $5.00. Organic milk $2.50 for half gallon. It is still a better deal to buy a gallon of milk but only if you'll use a full gallon. Tropicana orange juice is $2.99 a carton. There is a coupon for a $1.00 off an Organic Valley product in the Optimum Wellness magazine available at City Market in the produce section. That makes the Organic Valley eggs $2.69 a dozen. Check out the blog Organic Deals and Coupons to find even more ways to save.

Comparing insurance rates is boring but can save you a bundle

I filled out one of those online forms at www.netquote.com, and got several quotes back. I'd had the same insurance for years. But just for the heck of it I filled out the form and to my surprise almost every other insurance company was going to be cheaper for the same kind of coverage. Now when you fill out that form you have to be really interested because you have to give them your telephone number and a lot of times an agent will call you. So it isn't just a quick deal with instant online information. You can go to several individual web sites and get a quote without having to speak to someone but then you have to go to multiple sites and fill in the information at each site. I suppose it is 6 of one half dozen of the other. But the fact remains that insurance companies like to give out low rates at first to entice you to go with their company and then little by little they up the rates every time you renew. We switched both our car and home insurance and saved over $600.00 a year. It might be boring but you can save a bundle for just the cost of a little bit of your time. So go check out the Progressive chick and see what she can do for you

Tomorrow is the last of the free Unlimited Adventure Series

So this is your last chance this season to go to one of the Unlimited Adventure Series sponsored by the Vail Symposium

So Beyond What the Mind Can Imagine with Les Guthman
Thursday, March 11 2010, 6:00pm
View Our Calendar Film director and producer Les Guthman has produced three of the 20 Top Adventure DVDs of All Time, according to Men’s Journal magazine. He will share his awe-inspiring film clips that follow the greatest expeditions caught on tape from the historic first whitewater descent of the Tsangpo Gorge, the "Everest of Rivers," to his film with climbing legend Reinhold Messner. After the presentation, head over to the Tap Room in Vail Village for an exclusive after party with Guthman; 5 bucks gets you beer, food and entrance into a prize drawing! Thank you to our sponsors: Town of Vail Public Library, Town of Vail, Coors Tap the Rockies, Vail Daily, The Tap Room, Antlers at Vail, Red Bull, Plum TV, TV8 Vail, 4 Eagle Ranch, Nova Guides, KZYR 97.7, Chicks with Picks, Radio Shack of Avon, Greg Stump Productions, PSAV, and Dogma Athletics.
Location : Donovan Pavilion, Vail
As part of our Unlimited Adventure series, this program is FREE!

Vail Athletic Club Bargain

Whether you're in it for the fitness machines, the classes or the tri-bathalon (sauna, hot tub and steam bath, my personal favorite,) and lets not forget, the climbing wall, the Vail Athletic club is awesome. And for a short period they're doing their own "Epic" membership. $400.00 for the 2010-11 ski season. Put $100.00 down before April 15 and pay for the rest before the start of next ski season and you have unlimited membership. You save $175.00 now that's a deal.

Replace or Fix?

So you skied a little too close to a tree or got a crampon rip in your pants. Sometimes these can be easily fixed on your own. You could bring it to a professional to fix which is still probably cheaper than just tossing and replacing. But if you're pretty handy with a needle and thread and can use a pair of scissors you can do a pretty good job yourself. DON'T use duct tape except in extreme conditions. It isn't designed to be washed and just makes a sticky mess on your clothing. Instead buy some K-tape which comes in clear and a variety of colors. It is designed to be washed and keeps the waterproofing of your garment intact. It is available at most outdoor stores. Sometimes in the case of a rip it is better to get at it from the backside/inside. Start by opening the lining of the garment. Usually if you turn a coat inside out you'll see on one of the sleeves a section of seam that is sewn on the outside which is where you'll open up the lining. Then access the rip area. Sew the two sides of the rip together with a zigzag machine stitch or a whip stitch by hand. Then cut a rounded (square edges catch and start to peel off easier than round corners) piece of Kenyon K-tape and cover your sewing. Then resew the lining seam and turn your garment right side out and you're good to go. A small hole on a pair of pants you can just cut a piece of the tape and put right over the hole from the right side. See how easy that was.

Stop spending big money on all natural body oil and hair conditioner

Quit spending big bucks on body oil. Go to the grocery store and buy an organic safflower oil and add 20 drops of lavender essential oil to 2oz of safflower oil, shake well. I love essential oils. I use the same safflower oil base and add peppermint essential oil for a a good foot rub. I add eucalyptus essential oil to help with a stuffy nose. For a great hair treatment, warm one ounce of safflower oil in hot water. After it has warmed rub into the ends of your hair and work upward to your scalp. Massage lightly and let sit for 20 minutes, then wash your hair like usual. To make your hair nice and shiny and remove the scale buildup from commercial products make a rinse with 1 tablespoon cider vinegar to 1 cup filtered water.

Free cultural entertainment with Kirsten Gum

Vail Symposium lectures are cool. Invite your friends and share a drink afterward. The Unlimited Adventure Series is coming to a close so go have fun. Thursday, March 04 2010, 6:00pm

View Our Calendar Explore mother nature’s resources with adventure traveler and noted sports commentator Kirsten Gum. Kirsten has covered sporting events from the Tour de France to World Cup Skiing. Her current television show on the Travel Channel, Treasure Hunter, illuminates the extensive treasures that we pass by every day. After the presentation, head over to the Tap Room in Vail Village for an exclusive after party with Gum; 5 bucks gets you beer, food and entrance into a prize drawing! Thank you to our sponsors: Town of Vail Public Library, Town of Vail, Coors Tap the Rockies, Vail Daily, The Tap Room, Antlers at Vail, Red Bull, Plum TV, TV8 Vail, 4 Eagle Ranch, Nova Guides, KZYR 97.7, Chicks with Picks, Radio Shack of Avon, Greg Stump Productions, PSAV, Dogma Athletics, Bookworm of Edwards, and Arriesgado.

Location : Donovan Pavilion, Vail

As part of our Unlimited Adventure series, this program is FREE!

Get out of town!

Heading down to the airport? Depending on how many of us are traveling and how long our trip is driving down and parking in the shuttle lot at $6.00/day can be a good bet. If we're going to be gone for a long time or just one of us is traveling taking CME from the transportation center can be a better deal. Just $59.00/person (one way) before tip. Of course if you can hitch a ride with a friend or find someone heading down to Denver (try the ride share on Craig's list) you can take RTD for around $10.00 each way from a variety of metro locations. Remember to pack light. Airlines are charging for checked bags and who wants the hassle of a bunch of luggage to keep track of. Happy travels!

Cutting cost on entertainment

Even heading out for a movie can get expensive. But we buy a group of ten tickets which can be used all at once or one at a time. They give us the matinee price for the later movie times. We're looking forward to seeing Precious this week, the Academy Award nominated film. It is nice to get out every once in a while. Check out the current listings for the Edwards Theater

Gas is almost $3.00 a gallon!

With gas at almost $3.00 a gallon this week now is the time to make sure your car is in prime running order. One of the big things to keep your car from guzzling gas, besides not driving it, is making sure your tires are properly inflated. It will say on the side of your tire what the best pressure is for your particular tire. Use an in expensive tire gauge to check. A lot of gas stations also have a gauge on their air pump. Of course, we all know that heading down valley or over Vail pass can save you money at the pump. In Dillon if you have a City Market card you can save $.10/gallon when filling up at the City Market gas station. Down valley you can save at Loaf 'N Jug gas stations.