Tag: frugal frankie

Featured Healthy Living Links – Local Resources

February 21, 2016MBEhleUncategorized

If you missed our recent Special Edition, the Medical & Health directory – have no fear! We offer digital files of our special sections for view online, found at: https://www.franklinshopper.com/digital-editions/special-editions

We are happy to share some hand-picked local resources, we are proud to partner with and highly recommend! Click any of the names/links to find more information.

*Denture Center Inc.
*Visiting Angels
*John L. Grove Medical Center
*PinnacleHealth Women’s Cancer Center
*PinnacleHealth Cardiovascular Institute

Have you visited one of these local businesses? Leave your review in the Comment section below!

Valentine’s Night Out Planning Pointers

February 7, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Coupons, DIY, Projects, Seasonal

Many couples go out for a night on the town in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Romance typically prevails on such nights, but there’s more to planning Valentine’s Day dates than just roses and chocolate. The following are a few tips to make sure this year’s Valentine’s Day date night goes off without a hitch.

· Make a dinner reservation. Restaurants fill up on Valentine’s Day, so make a reservation no matter how frequently you may patronize the place you want to go to. Nothing derails a dinner date more quickly than being told there are no tables available.

· Cancel the reservation if you must. If plans change and you cannot make it, be respectful of the restaurant and call to cancel your reservation. No-shows cost restaurants substantial amounts of money, especially on popular dining out nights like Valentine’s Day.

· Arrange for transportation. If you plan to open a bottle of wine or make a champagne toast while out on the town, arrange for a car service to pick you up after dinner or use public transportation. Drinking and driving is dangerous, and local law enforcement may even have checkpoints set up to protect residents from drivers who might have celebrated a bit too much.

· Bring cash. Few restaurants remain cash-only, but bring cash with you anyway just in case your card won’t swipe correctly. You don’t want to embarrass your date by leaving the restaurant to go get some cash, so prepare for this in advance.

· Review the menu. If you or your date has special dietary needs, peruse a restaurant’s menu before making a reservation so you know there’s something for both of you. If Valentine’s Day is a first date, ask your date in advance if he or she has any food allergies or dietary restrictions.

TF162875

Home Trends In 2016

February 1, 2016MBEhleDIY, Home Improvement, Projects, Repair

Trends in home remodeling and decor tend to come and go. Something that is popular for a little while can fall out of favor when the next new idea comes along. New trends are always on the horizon, and 2016 may encourage homeowners to try something new.

· Metallics and metals are back. Although stainless steel accents in the kitchen have long been popular, the glistening look of metal and metallic shades are back in a big way. Inspired by the 1950s and 1970s, brass, gold and metallic finishes are popular right now.

· Texture: Texture is a big component of interior design. Furniture and accessories featuring faux fur and natural fibers are becoming popular. Pieces adorned with cozy materials can seem more inviting. Organic shapes, such as tables looking like the tree trunk they were cut from, also are expected to become more popular.

· Artisanal touches in accessories: It’s all about getting back to basics, with homeowners desiring pieces that are one-of-a-kind and handmade rather than mass-produced. Expect to see more accessories that are made by hand or in small batches, like pottery or handwoven textiles, as homeowners are increasingly turning to independent artists and artisans when decorating their homes. Homeowners can even support independent artists when choosing art for their homes. For example, YourArtGallery.com provides an online marketplace for artists to showcase and sell their work, and buyers looking to support independent artists can rest easy knowing that 90 percent of all image royalties go directly to the artist, a stark contrast to the roughly 50 percent offered by more traditional galleries.

· Fabric on the walls: Walls also will be covered in texture and pattern. Textiles will increasingly turn up on walls and in places they haven’t traditionally been seen. Patterns may lean toward floral, tropical and indigenous artisan weaving designs.

· Pinks and blues: Expect to see pale pink and blue in various design applications. The Pantone Color Institute® released a blending of two colors, Rose Quartz and Serenity, as their 2016 Color of the Year. This has impacted color trends through all areas of design – including home touches. These colors pair well with mid-tones, like browns and greens, as well as the increasingly popular metallics.

· Smart homes: Technology is changing the way people look at their homes. Water-resistant music systems for the bathroom, wirelessly operated Bluetooth devices that turn on lights or appliances from a smartphone and even fixtures that use technology to self-clean are turning up more and more.

Home decor trends are always changing, adding new life to homes and keeping armchair interior decorators on their toes.

SH162892

Medical & Health Directory Special Section

January 29, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Healthy

The Franklin Shopper is here to keep you up-to-date and connected with your community.

Just released, our latest Medical & Health Directory!

A special supplement to The Franklin Shopper.

Featuring: Physicians, Hospitals, Rehabilitation, Therapy Centers & Health Services Information

Pick up your copy of The Franklin Shopper or download the special section online!

Click Here to download the Medical & Health Directory

Slow Cooking = Convenient & Delicious

January 23, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Cookout, DIY, Organize, Recipes, Seasonal

Slow cooking has become very popular in recent years. The convenience of slow cooking, which allows home cooks to begin preparing meals in the morning or afternoon and then enjoy a delicious dinner without having to put in much work after a day at the office, no doubt plays a big role in that popularity.

Slow cooking also allows home cooks to experiment with various ethnic cuisines. For those who love Mexican food and slow cooking, the following recipe for “Pork and Shrimp Posole” from Andrew Schloss’ “Cooking Slow” (Chronicle Books) makes the perfect meal.

Pork and Shrimp Posole

Makes 6 servings

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
21/2 pound boneless pork shoulder (picnic ham), trimmed of most of the exterior fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium Spanish onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 fresh long red chile or serrano chile, seeded and minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup good-quality, low-sodium chicken broth or fish broth
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 15-ounce can posole (whole hominy), drained and rinsed
12 ounces large (26-30 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime
3/4 cups chopped fresh cilantro

Preheat the oven to 200 F.

Mix together the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper on a sheet of aluminum foil. Toss the pork pieces in the seasoned flour to coat completely.

In a large Dutch oven, pour enough olive oil to coat the bottom generously and place over medium-high heat. Heat until the oil is shimmering hot. Working in batches as needed to avoid crowding the pot, add the pork to the hot oil and cook to brown nicely on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer the pork pieces to a plate as they are finished. When all of the pork is browned, set aside. Do not discard the remaining flour mixture.

If the pot seems dry, add more olive oil and return to medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and saute^a until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Add the chile and garlic and saute^a until the garlic is aromatic, about 30 seconds more.

Add the reserved flour mixture and stir until dissolved in the oil in the pot. Cook, stirring constantly, until the flour toasts lightly, about 1 minute. Add the broth and the tomatoes with their juices and stir to mix well. Return to a simmer and season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Return the pork to the pot, along with any juices that accumulated on the plate. Stir in the posole. Cover, transfer to the oven, and cook until the flavors have blended and the pork is fork-tender, about 6 hours.

Remove the pot from the oven, uncover, and stir in the shrimp and lime juice and zest. Re-cover and set aside and let the shrimp cook in the steam until firm and opaque throughout, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and serve.

PC15C749

Save $ with our New App!

January 20, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Coupons, Saving, Shopping

Are you in savings mode? You’re not alone! The after-holiday season means planning ahead and saving money on future expenses like vacation, summer spending, & current needs like home repair, family necessities and more! Luckily, we have several tools available to help you save money.

Shop Local! Using our helpful new app, you can save money while shopping locally!

Franklin Shopper App – NEW! Our New APP let’s you browse local savings, as well as view Hours, Location & More! Free to Download!

The My Franklin Shopper mobile app is your source for local shopping and the hottest deals in town. Receive instant notifications when there is a deal closest to you.

Make Garage Organization Go Smoothly

January 18, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Cleaning, DIY, Home Improvement, Projects, Repair

Garages tend to fall victim to disorganization during the winter, when homeowners want to hurry inside and get some respite from the cold. As a result, many homeowners resolve to clean their garages come springtime.

Cleaning a disorganized garage overcome with clutter can be an all-day job, so homeowners would be wise to reserve a springtime Saturday or Sunday to get their garages back in order. Upon designating ample time to clean their garages, homeowners can then utilize a few additional tips to make the project go as smoothly as possible.

· Empty the garage. The first step when organizing a garage is to empty it completely. Old machinery and rusted lawn and garden tools have a way of disappearing in garages, and those items may remain there for years if the garage is never emptied. Once you have emptied the garage, you might be surprised to learn just how much or even how little space you have to work with.

· Clean the garage top to bottom. After you have emptied the garage, give it a thorough cleaning. Cleaning the garage serves multiple purposes. A clean garage is less likely to be overcome with dirt and/or critters, both of which can contribute to the deterioration of tools and machinery stored in the garage. In addition, you may be less likely to let a clean garage fall back into disorganization, saving you the trouble of reorganizing the garage next spring.

· Look up. Many homeowners fail to make adequate use of the vertical space in their garages. But keeping items off the floor can make it easier to clean the garage and will provide more room for your car or other machinery you don’t want to leave in the driveway or a backyard shed. Install shelves so you can more safely store automotive fluids and cleaners, and hang some hooks or hammer a few nails into the garage walls so you can hang tools like rakes and garden shears.

· Group tools by season. Grouping tools by season can make for a more organized garage and one less likely to be overcome with clutter. Designate one corner of the garage for lawn and gardening tools and another for winter tools like snow shovels or snowblowers. This makes it easier to find tools when you need them. When grouping tools, you can also group items by who uses them. For example, parents can designate one area of the garage for their tools, while kids can get their own area for their toys and bicycles.

· Resolve to park in the garage. One of the best ways to keep a garage organized is to park your vehicle or vehicles inside the garage each night. Parking in a garage protects your vehicle(s) from the elements, and you also won’t be tempted to leave items lying around on the garage floor if you know you will eventually be pulling your vehicle in.

A few simple strategies can make springtime garage organization more effective and efficient.

SH162854

Top Organizing Tips

January 14, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Cleaning, DIY, Home Improvement, Organize, Seasonal

Tired of clutter? Can’t find what you need? Time to get organized! Getting organized can be simpler than it seems. Here is some top advice we found when it comes to getting back on track!

*Vacuum seal bulky items like winter sweaters and blankets during the summer to save space!

*Declutter your countertop by adding hanging utensil containers from the kitchen wall & magnet spice holders on the fridge!

*Consider re-selling or donating gently used items to a local charity

*Tackle the junk drawer! Use a silverware holder to organize miscellaneous items.

2015 Year in Review

January 12, 2016MBEhleSeasonal

Don’t miss The Franklin Shopper’s special release of The Year in Review! Available in print or view our digital copy online!

Click Here

We are proud to continue to support our local community and want to say Thank You to our advertisers and readers for a great 2015!

This special section highlights memorable moments from our local area in 2015!

Best Buys for the New Year!

January 7, 2016MBEhleAdvice, DIY, Organize, Projects, Repair, Seasonal, Shopping

Smart shopping involves making budget-friendly purchases. Never paying full price is a mantra shoppers can follow to help keep their finances in check.

In addition to coupons and other discounts, shoppers can usually score deals based on which time of year they shop for particular items. Each year, various consumer resources offer advice on the best time to buy certain items.

The beginning of the year is often an ideal time to purchase certain items. Consumers who take advantage of sales offered at the start of the new year can save substantial amounts of money. Now that the holiday season has passed, consumers can begin to find deals on items for themselves.

· Clothing: Post-Christmas sales are booming, and stores are looking to sell what’s left of their inventories to make room for spring and summer selections. Even though the weather outside is still cold, sweaters, pants, coats, and more are usually available at a discount come January. It may take some digging through the racks, but there’s an excellent chance to discover some great items.

· Boats: Wintertime is boat show season, but it’s also the offseason for boaters who live in cooler climates. These factors combine to make it easier and less expensive to find a new boat. According to boat-buying retailer Boatline, consumers can probably get one of last year’s models at a good price.

· Air conditioners: If the warm-weather season was particularly steamy this past year, it might be time to revamp the HVAC system or invest in some new portable units. Bankrate offers that the first few months of the year are prime times to shop for air conditioners. While you may not get the latest model, it’s likely you can find a reliable unit at below-market cost.

· Theater tickets: January and February are not especially busy seasons for theaters, which means there will be greater opportunity to get discounted seats for many popular shows.

· Linens and bedding: John Wannamaker was a retail entrepreneur and had a few department stores in New York and Philadelphia. Wannamakers held the first “white sale” in 1878, and since then many stores have continued the tradition. January is a great month to buy towels, sheets, bedspreads, and more at a discount.

· Motorcycles: Riding a motorcycle is a fair-weather hobby, and retailers are aware of this. The easy riders of tomorrow might be able to find great deals today.

· Video games: Those who haven’t purchased their fill of video games for the holidays can benefit from post-holiday drops in price.

· Furniture: Many furniture manufacturers begin to churn out new inventory in February, so last season’s items will need to move quickly. Shoppers can often negotiate some good deals now and upgrade their homes’ decor.

· Wedding-related services: Couples who don’t mind the chilly weather can enjoy steep savings by hosting their weddings in January. Spring and summer are by far the more popular seasons to tie the knot, but reception halls, musical acts, florists, and other vendors may heavily discount their services in winter.

TF161799

Roofing Contractor

Roofing Supply Store