SavvySugar

Meet Our New Food and Entertaining Video Channel, YumTV!

partysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:43:19 -0800

I'm a huge fan of PopSugar Rush and BellaTV - that's why it brings me great honor to introduce our new food-related video channel, YumTV! We're creating an exciting lineup of original shows that will debut every week. YumTV is your ultimate guide to all things food, drink, and entertaining. We'll show you how to throw the perfect party, cook killer apps, browse the farmers markets, shake up creative cocktails, and much more!

In today's first episode, we talk about one of the most important side dishes of the Thanksgiving meal, mashed potatoes. To learn how to add a punch of color to our basic mashed potatoes recipe, watch YumTV now!

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm Thankful For . . .

SavvySugar — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:30:29 -0800

This Thanksgiving I'm thinking about how grateful I am for all of the good things in my life, especially the fact that I'm employed. This has been one out of control year in terms of the economy, so let's focus on the positives today.

Maybe you didn't get a raise this year, but at least you still have a job when so many others have lost theirs. Or maybe you lost your job but you've had a loving support system to carry you through the hard times. Take this feeling of gratitude and try and apply it each day, especially when it's a particularly rough one.

What are you thankful for?
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How Money Are You: Trip to the Grocery Store, Thanksgiving

SavvySugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:30:52 -0800

Thanksgiving grocery shopping led me to two different grocery stores (Safeway and Trader Joe's), and as luck would have it I still missed a couple of items on my list. I'm hosting a few friends for the holiday and can't wait to make all of the traditional holiday treats, with a twist, of course.

If you've been to the store to pick up your own Thanksgiving feast ingredients than you may have some good luck on the quiz that asks about how much some of these items cost. How money are you?

Take the quiz

Holiday Tip: Ask Yourself If You're Buying Too Much

SavvySugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:30:51 -0800

Well-fed guests are a Thanksgiving hostess's goal, and that frame of mind often leads to a meal that would feed 20 more mouths than are seated at the table. Sure you can send some people home with leftovers, but you're spending much more than necessary if your feast is big enough to feed a small army. You can still have your roasted turkey sandwich with stuffing and next-day mashed potato pancakes without spending twice the money needed to create a bountiful holiday table.

When you're going through each recipe, consider how much people will really eat. Do you really need five different kinds of cheese for an appetizer platter or is three a more realistic number? With all of the options at the table, do you really need to triple the stuffing recipe or will doubling it more than do? Desserts are one area that can get way out of hand - at the end of a big meal, will your guests reach for four different types of pie, or is two the magic number? Before you head to the supermarket checkout, ask yourself if you are buying too much - if you estimate the leftovers will last more than a few days, the answer may be a conclusive "yes."

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How Money Are You: An Organic Thanksgiving

SavvySugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:30:11 -0800

Cooking for a crowd doesn't have to cost a fortune, especially if your guests are supplementing your dishes with their own contributions. Thanksgiving is one holiday that many people celebrate by going all-out, from the rich food to the number of courses offered, and some are indulging in an organic feast even when they might have cut back on organic groceries in their daily lives. Do you know how much organic Thanksgiving food costs compared to its nonorganic counterparts? Take the quiz!

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Which Thanksgiving Leftovers Are Allowed on the Plane?

SavvySugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:15:18 -0800

Can you imagine watching a container of your mom's famous sweet potato casserole being thrown into the garbage? Me neither. Leftovers are considered by many to be the best part of Thanksgiving.

If the plane ride home from your Thanksgiving destination is quick enough that leftovers will survive the travel time, it's a given that you'll want to take that home-cooked goodness back to your own kitchen table. Don't let your giddy anticipation of a day-after feast get squashed by TSA regulations; learn which items will pass safely through security when you read more.

Independent Traveler got in touch with a TSA representative to find out, once and for all, which food items are OK to bring through security. The good news is that not all of your Thanksgiving leftovers are against the rules, and the bad news is that you may hold up the security line if you do bring certain items.

Good to go: You shouldn't get into trouble when you bring turkey and stuffing.
Kind of OK: You can take pies, cakes, and other bakery goods through security, but don't be surprised when your food is pulled aside for additional screening.
Destined for the trash: Mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, creamed spinach, etc. will most likely be declared too gel-like to pass security.

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November Must Have Tips

SavvySugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:30:55 -0800

The telling chill in the air means there's no denying we're in the final stretch of 2008. There may only be eight weeks until the ball drops, but there's a whole lot packed in to two months time and we must start preparing. November has me thinking about how to stay on track with my finances when Thanksgiving dinner, traveling, gift buying, and a rising heating bill are happening at once. Check out my must have tips for this month!

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How Money Are You: The Cost of Flying During Thanksgiving

SavvySugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:45:54 -0700

The cost of air travel is something that fascinates me, perhaps because it's difficult to know when a fare is a deal or more expensive than it should be. One thing is certain about air travel: It's especially pricey to fly during the holidays compared to other times of the year. What do you know about the cost of traveling on two of the most popular days of the year, November 26 and November 30? All answers are based on buying round-trip, economy class tickets one month ahead of time.

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Take the quiz

Would You Celebrate Thanksgiving Early to Save on Airfare?

SavvySugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:30:50 -0700

Fall has arrived, and with it comes the reminder that the holidays will be here before we know it. Airfare expert Rick Seaney suggests getting the family together for Thanksgiving one month earlier than it's regularly scheduled time to save money on airfare. Prices are at their most expensive over the November holiday and he says you can save a fortune by carving the turkey and watching football in October instead.

It's one thing to celebrate Valentine's Day one day late to save on the cost of dinner, but how do you feel about Rick's idea of organizing the whole family for a faux-Thanksgiving?

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Travel Tip: Where to Find Comfort When Your Flight Is Delayed

SavvySugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:15:06 -0700

Flight delays are out of your control, but finding comfort while waiting could be in your hands. Depending on the length of your layover or delay and the time of day it occurs, you might consider becoming a VIP. It's not uncommon for airlines to sell one-day passes to their VIP lounges, where you'll find a more comfortable atmosphere than the bustling gates, Internet access, and refreshments.

The passes aren't exactly cheap - Delta charges $50 for a one-day pass - but the cost could end up being completely worth it depending on the status of your flight. Keep this option in mind when you're traveling during particularly busy times like Thanksgiving, when weather and flight schedules can be more unpredictable than usual.