Dear @thenewcheap.....

 

 

 

My girlfriends and I would love to plan a weekend getaway. None of us have ever been wine tasting and would like to try it. We want to get out of Augusta, but don't want to end up somewhere that's for couples. We each have about 200 we can spend and that has to include the hotel!
           
Pleeeeeease can you help us out?!

Sincerely,
Mommy’s who need to get out.



 Dear Mom in need of a break,

A weekend centered around wine tasting is a great idea for moms! A $200 budget is more than enough for a great weekend! Here’s the plan. I fully understand that a vacation doesn’t truly feel like a vacation if you don’t leave your area. So, it’s important to get away from Augusta so that you can relax. We must also keep in mind that in the event that something happens with the children, a mom would need to get home quickly. I would scan a 2 hour radius from home for a small winery. Why a small relatively unknown winery? You mentioned that no one in the group has been to a wine tasting, so it’s better to start small. Once you’ve been to a couple of wine tastings and know if you enjoy the event, then maybe splurge on a nicer one. Because let’s be honest, I could give you ladies wine out of the garage, and as long as you don’t hear a child cry for an hour it would be a great time spent by all. Wineries are usually nested in bubbling areas to provide for visitors to the winery. Find a hotel, with a large suite style room. I grew up in a house full of women and I know that when women are getting dressed, it is a team event. So, there’s no need to make your group run franticly up and down the hall for contouring tools (I mentioned a make-up technique, I deserve a 1000 points). Another benefit of having a suite style room is the number of people that can fit into these rooms comfortably. Pack snacks, and I’m not talking goldfish or fruit snacks! While the ladies are getting ready, you’re going to want to snack on something. Each lady should bring a snack for the group that everyone can share while getting dressed. 
One of the benefits of this weekend is that you don’t have someone kicking you in your back all night, so while we want to save money, don’t over cram people into the room. If someone is short on cash in the group, bring an air mattress. Because once the attempt to navigate the club scene fails (you’ve been out of the game to long, and  plus you have cheerio’s in your purse!) you’ll end up in the room watching movies with everyone is falling asleep where they can. Make sure you select a hotel that serves breakfast, this will cut down on food and travel cost! 
Travel...there are so many taxi services available for you ladies to travel with.  Share the cost of travel and keep it to a minimum.
Shopping: I’m a realist, you’re not going to get this many women together and there not be gossip and shopping! Set aside the money that you want to shop with, and spend only that. Spend that money on only yourself! This weekend is for you, so no need to feel like you have to get something for everyone back home. The present that they will receive is a happy refreshed mom upon her return. They will be alright if you don’t bring them back something, and let’s be honest, when’s the last time you bought something for yourself? Some extra tips; choose a hotel that has a loyalty/rewards program and join it. After your stay, you’ll receive the reward points for future travel that can be used on the next “Mommy weekend”. Encourage everyone to bring their favorite wine to share while getting ready. Wine tasting is just that, a small tasting! So, it’s important to get your wine fill before and/or afterwards. Research the restaurants in the area prior to your trip to see who offers the best deals/specials for your party size. Most importantly, enjoy yourselves and get some much needed and well deserved R&R!
                                                                                                                   -@thenewcheap

Cooking with @TheNewCheap- Chicken Tortilla Soup

Alexus Nance is a chef, who received her training from Johnson & Wales - Charlotte . During her time in college, she got the opportunity to experiment with mixing the new knowledge she was obtaining and her limited budget as a college student.  Alexus will bringing those lessons learned to the New Cheap.  If you're looking to make great meals, while stretching your money: keep an eye out for these recipes by Alexus!

 

 Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 large chicken breast, large dice

1 ½ cup rice, white

whole onion, diced

chicken stock (32 oz whole container) (Swanson brand)

taco powder (2 mild packets)

frozen corn, whole bag

minced garlic, 1 tablespoon

1 can of Rotel (red and green chilli)

Toppings:

Salsa

doritos

sour cream

shredded sharp cheddar cheese

clantrio

A lemon

MOP:

1. Marinate diced chicken in lemon juice and 1 pack of taco powder for 1 hour

2. Saute chicken in a little bit of oil (do in a soup pot)
or a pan thats big enough to hold all the ingredients

3.Add the onion and garlic to the chicken cook until both are   slightly browned.

4 Add the chicken stock and water ( as desired, depends on how soupy you want it to be or just enough water to cover the rice)

5. add the rice and corn, cook until the rice is almost done

6. Add the rotel, season with taco powder & cumin ( to taste)

7. Add toppings, squeeze lemon into soup

Fashion for the New Cheap By Briana Young

Men, I've got to tell you... 2015 it's time to start stepping out of your comfort zone, and moving into the spotlight. Before you start adding up potential cost for the spotlight, know that I'm definitely a "New Cheap-er". I know there is a way to get the look you've always wanted to but for far less than you thought you'd have to pay!

Personally, I LOVE to save and look good while doing it! So, when I talk with male clients about their fears of upgrading their wardrobe and I hear cost being one of the major setbacks, it upsets me a great deal! In an effort to give others a glimpse at dressing for this “New Cheap” lifestyle, I will be posting outfit combinations that will literally shock you for how NEW Cheap they are! I've been styling for a long time. I think the biggest problem men have is not stepping out of their comfort zone to find great pieces that fit their budget. Stay tuned on The New Cheap to stay up to date with the latest trends, at reasonable prices!
 

 

Every man needs a dark denim button up, grey chinos, and great accessories to match! Your pockets will love you, and the ladies will too! Check the links below to check out these items! Dress in style for less than $55!

Denim Shirt: http://www.walmart.com/ip/36248681?productRedirect=true

Grey Chinos: http://www.hm.com/us/product/42188?article=42188-F

Textile Belt: http://www.hm.com/us/product/23169?article=23169-B

Shoes: http://www.hm.com/us/product/42569?article=42569-B

Hat:http://www.hm.com/us/product/85821?article=85821-A

Socks: ralphlauren.com

Don't forget to tag us in your pics, and show us how you styled this look!
 

520

This past weekend I got the chance to fly out to Tucson Arizona for a weekend of relaxing and catching up with friends. Ten years ago I was a college freshman who used Tucson as one of my playgrounds, as my college was in a neighboring town. Getting the chance to spend a weekend reminiscing was amazing. This amazing weekend cost me next to nothing for how much fun I had. Starting off with travel to the airport, I was able to search and find park and fly deals offered prior to my trip. This way, I didn't have to pay or bother someone with taking me to the airport. The price to leave my car was about $4 a day which is far less expensive than a cab. This also allowed me to leave and arrive at any time without being constricted by someone else’s availability. Once I got into Arizona, I was picked up by a friend and taken directly to IN and OUT! This is my favorite fast food restaurant, so I was excited!  In and out is pretty cheap for the quality food they offer, so this wasn't a major expense!  And it was only for ONE meal, didnt eat there everyday!

For the majority of the trip, I stayed with friends. This was important, because hotel costs can get very expensive. Typically when you are in a different city, you'll want to try to local food. That is definitely what I did  this trip.  BUT you must also challenge yourself to monitor your spending. Set an allowance for each day. Also take a free meal where ever you can. If your friends are offering to cook instead of going out, take them up on it! However, if you must go out, make sure you scan for the best deals prior to going out. My credit card was offering a deal for money spent at a certain sports bar that's nationally known. That was the first option for were my group of friends choose to watch the game. Normally  I would stay alway from bars to watch sporting events but when out of town I had to readjust. The best thing you could do is search for the best deal.

While I was there, I got the chance to go to the foothills. The foothills are an amazing desert terrain prefect for hiking and bike riding. Why is this a great option?? Because when you’re flying to a city to catch up with friends a hiking trail offers the perfect place to do so. Walk the trail and chat about the happenings of each other's lives. If you have noticed yet, the way your friends choose to hang out after college drastically changes. Gone are the days of drinking until you pass out. Don’t be the friend who still fights to hold on to the life style like Frank the Tank! Going on a hike with a friend also allows you get a workout in, because if you spent the weekend eating Mexican food, you’ll definitely need to work off the LBs! If drinking is your thing and you want to do a lot of it while on vacation, just buy a bottle prior to arriving to your location. Never meet your friends for just drinks, drinks can be had at a hotel or home for a fraction of the cost. It was a great weekend, and I didn’t over spend. I actually spent less than I set aside as my budget. Hopefully you are able to use some of these techniques for your next travel!

It's your Birthday!!

This past weekend I celebrated my birthday. The older you get the
easier it is to forget that you’re having a birthday (thank God for
the endless Facebook notifications). How you celebrate your birthday
changes as you grow up. Gone are the days of drinking the entire day
away. Now, you want spend your day with loved ones and live a new
cheap life style! So, how do you do this? How do you have a good
weekend without spending all your birthday cash (the amount changes
the older you get folks)? One of my favorite things about my birthday
is the birthday coupons I receive. Whenever I go to a new restaurant, I always
ask if they have an online membership. I join while sitting in and
eating, and throughout the year I’m bombarded with emails on new features and
deals being offered. The real jewel of the membership is the birthday
coupon! Once a year, these restaurants send out coupons for your
birthday! There are two ways you can proceed with these coupons; you could
keep them for yourself or share them with people who are taking you
out to eat over your birthday weekend. If you choose to keep the
coupons, you can eat at some of your favorite restaurants for a fraction of
the cost. If you choose the other alternative, when people ask to take
you to dinner, offer your coupon during payment. It’s a very nice
way to say thank you for taking you to dinner! An extension off that is
using them on a date! Don’t feel ashamed about using coupons on a
date, if a potential life partner can’t respect your savviness for
saving money…. They are not the one!!

So go sign up for the online memberships for your favorite restaurants
the first chance you get! Also, Happy birthday to me!!