Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Well, I guess grilled cheese is better than tuna fish...

When we went a few years ago, we were also on a tight budget. My husband and I decided to attend the dreaded time share presentation - we received either discounted or free passes to a variety of shows for attending. I think it was worth the 90 minutes of our vacation for the savings - but we are good at saying "no" so there was not the worry of purchase!

One of my most favorite memories was breakfast in Paris - it was so beautiful and well done, I actually thought I was in Paris for a bit - our kids were about the same age as yours when we went, but two boys so they stayed back at our place while my husband and I went, our hotel had a Tasty Kreme and they were just as happy with that.

Fremont Street is something both of your kids will enjoy - it's an incredible experience for free! http://www.vegasexperience.com/

There's a lot of free stuff to do, just google before you go and get ready to be super hot - we live in Florida and everyone told us it would be a different "hot" not as bad as here, but hot is hot~!!

Fabulous story and recipe - thank you so much!!

I think it's on "Slice" because he is now a pizza delivery driver. And I think people are angry because of the way the story is written - his wife still has closets full of clothes and jet ski's and many items that might have been sold to help with their new lifestyle - maybe the people donating the money to the private school should have paid it towards the unpaid mortgage instead. I would think having a roof over your head and consistency in where the children living would be more important to their education than private school. Just my opinion. The story certainly doesn't show them in a very good light.

colts, we've been doing this as well with my mom and dad. Since my son moved away and i'm still used to cooking for him and all his friends, I freeze the leftovers and invite my mom and dad over for dinner every Sunday and she takes home all my frozen leftovers. She hates to cook but is a great bargain clothes shopper so she brings me clothes, I give her food - win/win!!

Gosh, after reading the menu for the Dogwood Tavern, I think I might have to plan a trip north to visit my cousin that lives there!

Savour, can you post your chicken schnitzel recipe? And Healthygirl, just ask your mil for advice. She will be so happy - trust me on this as I am the mother of two boys!!

Here are some more:

Oh, http://www.pie-tanza.com is in Falls Church City, and is really good. http://www.dogwoodtavern.com is a small sports bar kind of place in FC City, and the food is quite good. http://www.clareanddons.com is a very casual spot with a laid-back atmosphere-- food is decent to good.

I think it might be helpful if you have a free moment to maybe send them a note and say exactly what you've put on here. They may have great food and just bad business sense. Or they may have suck food and bad business sense, but I think I would at least give them the opportunity to prove themselves.

I would send a letter with some recommendations, and then try back in a week or two maybe during the day for lunch.

You've got to feel sorry for people trying to start a business right now in this economy, i'm sure they would welcome the advice.

Due to new food safety laws, we are not supposed to serve food that is prepared by random school families so I either have to get local rest. donate at a low cost or make it myself in the school kitchen.

I just received an email from a local italian place that will give me a pan of lasagna that will feed 20 people for $75. I think for cost involved, I might just buy frozen ones from Sams Club, even though they won't taste nearly as good!

One of our school parents own a Thai rest. so I might see what they will sell me at a discount.

We have our Hispanic Heritage Festival in the fall and serve traditonal Spanish foods at that time, otherwise I would just do some easy tacos! I'm thinking of the following menu:

Lasagna from Sams, salad, italian bread and a small cannoli

General Tsao chicken or maybe orange chicken, fried rice, egg roll and a fortune cookie

Moussaka, greek salad, pita bread with maybe some hummus and a small piece of baklava.

Now I just have to figure out if I can make this happen for $5 a dinner!

Coming from Pittsburgh, I must say there is nothing better than french fries and brown gravy - but this looks heavenly!

My husband has been hit by that Ed. He feels guilty that he is spending money to start with when so many of our friends don't have jobs and then tries to cut back when we are out, not so much because he is cheap, he is usually a way overatipper, but feels guilty that he shouldn't be spending the money.

I on the other hand, will try to save the economy the best I can, and am on my way out now to buy baby shower gifts and then take my parents out to dinner.

Everyone, share what you have!!

Pooch - that made me lol - you are exactly right!

I personally hope they arrest him and the only food he is given in jail is peanut butter products. Never knowing from one day to the next which came from his plant...