Hey Sal,
“I just moved into a place with a larger than average patio/deck. I’d like to have a “patio party” to show off the new place, but I am low on funds and ideas. Where should I start?”
- Leslie, River North

Leslie,

Summer is upon us, and doesn’t it feel good? It’s time to make good use of that patio before, a) it gets too hot and sticky, or worse, b) you blink and summer is gone!

No matter how you slice it, hosting a party is an expense. Cups, ice, glasses, hors d’œuvres (it simply isn’t possible to get away with no food, unless you want people raiding your pantry when they’re a couple of glasses deep), etc. But there are some simple ways to cut back on costs.

Try these top three:

BYOB - This isn’t rude, it’s economical. Ask people to come packing and you’ll save yourself a bundle. Have fun by making a game out of it (asking guests to bring the craziest named bottle of wine they can find, or only bring bottles with certain color labels (tie it into your decorations!!).

Limit Decorations - You look around your place and new patio and you think it looks bare, but picture it with 30 people crammed in. Try to put decorations only where they’ll have the most impact and be appreciated. Suggestions? Front door and tablescape.

Cut the Guest List - Do you really need to invite that one friend of your friend’s because she invited you to her birthday eVite bar party for 200 people? No. Try to surround yourself with only your best friends (better friends will also be more respectful of your space and you’ll have less of a disaster on your hands come morning).

One final thing to consider: co-hosting. Split the cost with a friend and go in on the party together. But be careful, make sure you’ve got a lot of friends in common, or you’ll end up doubling your guest list and saving no money!!

Don’t forget to invite the PLRG girls!

(This advice column is brought to you by the ever graceful, polished and in-the-know, Sally Jackson. Sally is happy to offer her tips and guidance on everything from relationships to fashion to saving money. If you have a question for Sally, go ahead and send your question to Info@PoorLittleRichGirls.com with subject “Hey Sal”)

There are few things that get a PLRG’s heart racing quite like a delicious prix fixe menu at an outrageously low price. So, when we heard about the Yelp Eats Restaurant week, happening from June 1-7, we almost had a coronary. For one week only, 25 of Chicago’s hottest restaurants will be offering 3-4 course menus for just $25!

We can’t wait for the Pan Seared Scallops at Blue 13 and the Filet Medallions at Kinzie Chop House. Plus, many of the featured eateries have already opened their patios, so you can dine for cheap al fresco!

Check out the entire list below and see menus at  Yelp.com. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time and mention the Yelp Eats promotion over the phone. 

(Lacey Brenly)

It was a few weeks ago that I came upon one of the most helpful websites I’ve visited in a while. I was standing in front of my fridge, door open, trying to figure out what I could make for dinner. I had some leftover veggies (broccoli, asparagus and bell peppers) and your typical staples (pasta, rice and breadcrumbs), but I wanted to do something more creative than just throwing it all into a stir fry. 

I went to my computer for help and stumbled upon Supercook.com. It’s free to sign up, you input all the ingredients in your fridge and pantry (everything from olive oil to onions) and out comes recipes for meals you can make with the stuff you already have. As you scroll down further in the recipe list, it begins to serve up recipes you can make with just one additional ingredient, or two additional ingredients and so on.

In my case, I had everything I needed to make a delicious pasta dish- all I needed was shrimp. A ten minute, $10 trip to the grocery store later, and a gourmet dinner for two is served. Supercook.com is the next best thing to having a personal chef. 

(Lacey Brenly)

Last week, Kevin explained how kicking that latte habit can make a big difference to you wallet. But, late in the work day, just the thought of drinking another cup of that sludge (which they call coffee) in the break room makes you ill. In situations like these, it’s always important to be prepared. Stash a few packets of Starbucks’ new instant coffee, Via, in your desk drawer to manage your caffeine cravings affordably.

Via is the first instant coffee to actually taste like a freshly poured cup of Starbucks’ joe. Just pour the packet (think those Crytal Light individual drink mix packets) into a cup, add 8oz of hot or cold water, stir and enjoy! At just $10 for a box of 12, you can get your Starbucks fix for only 83 cents a cup and avoid the temptation to splurge on a $6 MochaLatteCino Swirl with extra syrup and whipped cream. 

(Lacey Brenly)

February is so hot, that we couldn’t bring you just one 5 in 5 recipe. We thought it’d be extra hot to make a whole meal out of 5 in 5 recipes, topped off with a Hot Asian Soy-Chile Mayo. What could be more perfect!?

Thai Carrot Soup
Serves 2

• 1 32 oz box Carrot soup
• ¼ C creamy Peanut butter
• 1 tsp crushed Ginger (or ½ tsp dried ground Ginger)
• ¼ lb small salad Shrimp
• 2 TBL fresh Cilantro, chopped (or mint)

Optional:

• ¼ C Radish, thinly sliced
• ½ C Bean sprouts
• ¼ Scallion, sliced
• Juice from ½ Lime
• ½ Tsp Sriracha

In a medium to large soup pot heat first 3 ingredients for 4 minutes on medium high. Add shrimp and warm through for 1 minute. Stir in optional items if desired. Garnish with cilantro and serve with Asian Panini.

Asian Panini
Serves 2

• 1 Pear, thinly sliced (Asian pear or Anjou)
• 1 can Tuna in water, drained
• 4 slices Brie cheese (rind cut off)
• 2 large Tortillas (Spinach, Wheat or Flour)
• 4 Tbl Hot Asian soy- chili mayo, divided (see recipe below)

Optional:

• ¼ Cucumber, thinly sliced
• ¼ C shredded carrots
• 1/4 C cabbage, sliced thin

Heat skillet or Panini press. Spread mayo on both tortillas. On one half of the tortillas: Layer 2 slices of Brie, half of the tuna, pears (& optional ingredients if desired). Fold tortilla over, spray pan with a non stick spray and cook Panini for 2 minutes on each side. Serve on side of Thai Carrot soup.

Hot Asian Soy-Chili Mayo

• 4 Tbl Hellmans Mayo
• 1 Tbl low sodium Soy sauce
• 1 Tsp Sriracha (Asian hot chili sauce)

Mix to combine. Can be kept in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

(Kristin Hamzik)

Every January 1st many women resolve to stick with a new and improved workout plan- one that they’ll actually enjoy. However, by mid-month most will wake up, take one step into the frigid winter air and head right back inside for their comfy sweats within a matter of seconds.

This February, melt away your workout freeze with a Bikram Yoga class at Bikram Yoga Chicago in Lincoln Park or Wicker Park. This 90-minute workout held in a 105 degree room will transport your mind to the tropics while your body gets the workout that it deserves.  

Bikram Yoga Chicago is currently offering a special for unlimited classes for 31 days for only $29.00. Detox your body and get that healthy glow that not even a tanning bed can give you this time of year.  For more information visit www.105f.com.

At the risk of sounding like a TJ Maxx commercial, the Lobster Fisherman’s current dilemma is your “shopporunity.” Due to the economic downturn and its perception as a luxury food item, lobster sales are down. Waaay down. Last year, lobsters cost $4.50-$5 per pound, but this year they have dropped to $2.80-$4 per pound. This drop in price has nothing to due with the quality of the lobster, but rather with the basic principles of supply and demand. 

So, if you ever wanted to live like a queen and feast on this delicacy, now is the time. The bang for your buck is unreal with lobster tails selling for $6 right now at Dominick’s. Many other grocers are offering great prices too. We think this would make a perfect luxe New Year’s day dinner (if you aren’t too hung-over to cook a meal).

For some easy and yummy Lobster recipes, click here and here.

(Lacey Brenly)

Ladies, we are so sorry we did not find out about this deal sooner. We really just assumed that a place like Morton’s was always going to be out of  our price range and let it fall off our radar. Let this be a lesson to all PoorLittleRichGirls that you can have your steak (and seafood too!) you just have to keep an eye out for specials.

In honor of their 30th Anniversary Morton’s is offering a three course meal for $49.50 per person. Now, this is not some chintzy ”tasting” or “sharing” menu. Each dinner includes a choice of salad, a filet, choice of shrimp, scallops or crab cake, choice of side and choice of dessert. Although $50 is still not a cheap meal, when you consider that a filet at Morton’s normally runs around $39 a pop, this anniversary special is really a great value.

Being that this is an anniversary deal, it is only available until December 31, 2008. The special is available until midnight on December 31, so it’s a great idea for a fancy New Year’s Eve dinner. Honestly, we dare you to find this kind of menu package anywhere else. (And, if you do, please let us know of course!)

We heard about  a cheap movie club from a reader who emailed us when we first started the website. Then, a few months later, our PR Bombshell, Lindsey came to us talking about a way to see movies for $5. We were intrigued, but with all the information we are bombarded with from day to day, it ended up in the back of our minds somewhere. But, when the ABC News feature ran last month (Chic but Cheap) and we were highlighted alongside this much talked about Five Buck Movie Club we felt like the cosmos were trying to tell us something- “Spread the word of the Five Buck Club! It will save your readers money!” Well, Universe, you spoke and we (finally) listened. 

This is, honestly, one of the best deals we have ever come across. In recent years it has become increasingly expensive to go out to the movies. Between rising ticket prices and costly concessions it can run around $20 just to catch a flick. Kerasotes Theatres feels your pain, PoorLittleRichGirls, and doesn’t want you to miss out just because you’re pinching pennies.

If you’re willing to wait a few weeks after a film has been released, you pay just five bucks to get in (at participating Kerasotes Theatres). Thats’ more than 50% off! (A regular adult ticket price is $10.75) It’s free to join the Five Buck Club and so easy to sign up online. They’ll send you a card in the mail, then each Thursday they’ll send you an email with the movies, theaters and show-times for which you are eligible to use your Five Buck Club card. 

(Lacey Brenly)

Personalized gifts really show how much you care about the special people in your life…Not to mention a spectacular PLRG way to save some cash!

With these simple and unique gifts you will look like you spent a small fortune and an entire year preparing. (The truth will be our little secret!!) Happy Holidays!

Homemade Holiday Gifts

Extracts:
Vanilla
Mint

Vinegars:
Tarragon
Raspberry

Oils:
Basil
Chili

Candies:
Chocolate Bark
Pecan Turtle Brittle

Spice Mixes:
Italian Seasoning Mix
Mexican Spice Mix

Liqueurs/Flavored Liquors:
Limoncello
Pomegranate Vodka
Raspberry Vodka
Coffee Liqueur

Cookie Mixes:
Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Condiments:
Mustard

(Kristin Hamzik)