Grocery Shopping

I admit I actually like to grocery shop. I know that is not true for many people. Part of what I love about grocery shopping is getting a great deal. My regular haunts are Trader Joe’s, Farmer Joe’s  and Grocery Outlet. I feel I need to shed some new light on Grocery Outlet. If you have heard of this store, you probably remember that it used to be called Canned Foods. And that was primarily what they sold.  In 1992 they changed their name to Grocery Outlet.

I shop there once a week. I am amazed at how many different products they have now. I would say that in the last year they have made an effort to bring in more “organic” products, yes I said Organic. This week I bought organic juices, organic salad dressings, organic beans, organic cheeses and some organic frozen entrees (for 99 cents!). I walked out with 4 bags of groceries, including 2 bottles of wine and spent $68.00.

And don’t get me started on the wine selection. Every bottle is under $10 and I have found some gems. I have also found some duds, but I can do the same at the BevMo’s 5 cent sale and spend a lot more money in the process.

I shop at the GO on Broadway and 29th in Oakland. When I am in the area, I shop at the one in Berkeley, just off University by the freeway. Either way it is like a treasure hunt each time I go. I never know what they might have (or how long they will have it, so I usually stock up).

Are there any other GO fans out there?

Bills Bills Bills

I am sure I am not alone in the quest to reduce some of my monthly bills. Tightening the purse strings, cutting back, going back to basics. My first attempt at this was to look closely at my phone bill. My landline, not cell phone. I use AT&T, not because I like them but because the choices are somewhat limited. I happen to have my DSL with them, as well. So my monthly bill was for home phone and DSL and second phone line for my fax. My monthly bill was $101.00. That felt like a lot of money to me, especially since I hardly ever use my home phone. The telemarketers use my home phone much more than I do.

So after careful review I scaled back to the most basic phone service I could get: Local $13.50 month, long distance $4.00 a month and 5 cents a minute, second phone line $12.00. And $25 a month for DSL. Now we will be paying under $60 per month. That’s almost $500 a year in savings.

I would love to reduce the cost of DSL, so if anyone has any suggestions for a better provider, I am all ears.

Good Eats

I consider tips on good places to eat to be vital resource info. So last night I had an opportunity to enjoy the catering menu at a new place in downtown Oakland: Banyan 14 - 578 14th Street across from the Federal Building. I met one of the owners, Amy, last week at an Oakland Chamber of Commerce event. She invited me to their open house.

WOW - wonderful flavors, especially if you like coconut and Kamfir lime. You could taste the very fresh ingredients in their Spring Rolls, Chicken Skewers, Prawns and Vegetable Curry. The sesame noodle salad was one of the best I have ever tasted.

They are open for lunch so if you find yourself in downtown Oakland at lunchtime or if you work there and are looking for a new lunch spot, give this place a try.  www.banyan14.com

More Good People

Most all of the contractors and service providers and business owners I know have a website. Shockingly there are still some folks out there with successful businesses that do not use the web to promote their services.

So here are a few more people I like that can be contacted by phone:

All Service Plumbing (East Bay/Tri-Valley) 877.904.7378

Hi-Tech Appliance Repair (East Bay/West Contra Costa County) 510.237.9267

Richard’s Appliance Repair (Contra Costa County) 925.837.9421

Daniel Nelson Computer Troubleshoot (Onsite Repair) 510.222.8953

Judy McHugh, CPA (Danville) 925.855.9450

Birds of a Feather Wedding Planning 510.260.4552

D & S Trucking  (Woman Owned Dump Truck Co.) 510.537.2178

Two Strong Women Hauling Services (East Bay) 510.235.0122

More later…

Good People

Another lesson I have learned in this last year of business is that there are good people out there. People who like to help support other small businesses, people who will give you time to talk about ways to network and market your business. Yes, People Who Need People (thanks Babs). That is one of the reasons my resource list is so long and will continue to grow. I have met so many great business owners and service providers that have helped my clients and as a result have made me look good. That is why I wanted to create a place where I can talk about and promote them. I am just getting started so feel free to ask me if I know of someone who can help with…

I also believe we are getting into a time when the economy is going to push some people to put on their entrepreneur hats and start their own businesses.  And that is a good thing. We get to be creative, figure out what we really need, get back to basics. And stay true to another old adage: Do what you love and the money will follow.

Done Did It

As the old saying goes: “The cobblers kids have no shoes”. Or something to that effect. Such is the life for me who helps others with their To-Do lists. Top of my list has been to start a blog. But when have I had the time to do it. So finally here it is.

In this last year of business one of the things I have discovered is that one of the most important services I offer is the ability to be an implementer. All of my clients have lists of things they need done. I can take that list and implement the steps it takes to complete the task. So from here on in I want to be known as The Implementer (it must be said like you are doing your best Arnold Schwarzenegger imitation).

Now that I am officially launched into the world of blogging you can check back here for lots of useful resource information. You can even subscribe to my blog if you so desire. I have culled lots of info, service providers and products that are very useful in my role as The Implementer. Think of me as a handywoman with great connections; if I can’t Get It Done, I know someone who can.

Here are a few to get this party started:

www.unwaste.com - I visit this place in Oakland on a  fairly regular basis. In the process of helping people clean out garages and closets I wind up with lots of recyclable electronics parts (computer monitors, CD players), metals, batteries, etc. It is quick and easy to drop off these materials and I am helping to insure they do not wind up in the dump. Be sure to say hello to Tim.