Food & Drink

Although there are package deals to be had geared towards
getting away for a romantic night, not all of us are in the
position to jet off to Chicago with our mate on February 14th
for a night of good eating, theatre and a posh hotel.

Who really has the cash right now to pay for the airfare for two, a sitter for the kids and tipping a doorman several times all in recognition of one night?

But that's not to say Valentine's Day shouldn't be recognized -- I've always been a big believer in doing something special for your significant other on the 14th. Even if it is an appreciation that is somewhat forced, it does remind us not to take our partners for granted (at least for one day).

Here are a few ideas on how to treat your sweetheart without getting walloped with a big bill at the end of the night.

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Come Super Bowl Sunday, the pressure will be on the New England Patriots and New York Giants as they battle in Indianapolis for NFL glory. And it will also be on you, as you aim to plan the Super Bowl party to end all Super Bowl parties - without sacking your savings account. Here are some tips for hosting a Super Bowl party that doesn't blow the budget.

by Kyle Woodley, InvestorPlace Assistant Editor

Fast-food companies face a two-headed monster after every New Year's Day: empty resolutions and even emptier wallets. While most people who swear off greasy-bag lunches will fall back off the wagon at some point, they'll spend January testing their self-control - and usually, their holiday overspending will help keep the debit cards sheathed, at least for a month.

By Rick Aristotle Munarriz

These should be exciting times for Wendy's (WEN):

• The company spun off its Arby's sibling last year, freeing it to focus on its flagship burger-flipping chain.
• In September, for the first time in its 42-year history, Wendy's reformulated its signature sandwich.
• Just last month, the fast-food giant reentered the Japanese market,
• And, it's hoping to give the breakfast market another crack soon.

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Do you want to look back on your New Year's resolution list and shudder in shame? We thought not. While it's hard to cut back on your spending, don't worry. You're certainly not alone. The year has just begun and there's plenty of time to break bad spending habits and make good on your resolutions to save more. To keep you motivated we've scoured our archives and have come up with 10 pain-free ways to help you keep your financial resolutions for the next 12 months.

(CLICK ON PHOTO TO LAUNCH GALLERY)

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1. Save on minutes

One place to look for savings is your cell phone plan. We're not suggesting that you ditch your phone -- far from it. However, how many minutes do you really use? And is your current monthly package truly meeting your needs? Always shop around before you commit to an agreement. Better yet, don't commit to a contract that will tie you down or slap you in the face with penalties for leaving early. By shopping around you can see what options are available -- not just with the competition but with your current provider. Use this comparison shopping information as your negotiation leverage and ask for a better deal. To learn more, check out Shopping for a Cell Phone Plan? This is as Easy as it Gets.

Your savings: about $180 per year if you get the basic 150 minute voice and data plan.

By Dawn Kawamoto, The Motley Fool

Champagne? Check.

Noisemakers? Check.

TV set turned to Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve? Check.

Party game to kill time as you wait for the clock to strike midnight? We can help with that.

Gather your friends and family to try your hand at some New Year's Eve trivia:

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New Year's Eve is coming up fast and if you plan to stay up and celebrate it, then you know it's traditional to have something sparkling and we don't mean diamonds.

If you do get diamonds, then congrats! If you're like the rest of us, you know we mean champagne, prosecco, sparkling wine or bubbly - whatever you want to call it. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario, the biggest purchaser of alcohol in the world, has quite the selection of drinks with bubbles. Some cost more than a mortgage payment, some cost less than a bus pass. It all depends on your budget and taste.

Some of the bottles listed will be bigger than the standard 750 mL bottle which will naturally affect the price. We focused on champagne because it's the drink most closely associated with New Year's celebrations.

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As the days run out on 2011, everyone likes to look back at what's gone this past year.

Every week Walletpop Canada examines what products are being recalled, and regularly checks the Federal Government's site Healthy Canadians, to see what's been pulled off the shelves and removed from the grocery store.

There has been a steady list of recalled items found in every room of the house: male sexual enhancement drugs and herbal weight loss drinks to sports equipment, cars and toys - there are now a regular list of items that retailers and consumers need to be made aware. And another reminder - recalls don't expire.

So what items are repeat recall offenders?

Let's be honest - a new sweater, a pretty piece of jewellery or even a new electronic gadget - it doesn't measure up to chocolate does it?

As Forrest Gump said, "life is like a box of chocolates" and we all want to indulge.

The sweet cocoa treat is intrinsically linked to the holidays and its the perfect item to give to friends and offer at the holiday parties.

Each family has a favourite for sharing during parties and drop-ins - so what chocolate confections are always on your table during the holidays Canada?

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I bet you didn't even know this.

Thanks to the Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code, when the scanner price of a non-stickered item is higher than the shelf price, or any other displayed price, shoppers receive that item for free (up to $10). When a price is affixed to the item, the lowest price between the scanner price and the sticker price is applied and when two items are incorrectly priced, the first item will be free up to a maximum of $10, while the second item will be sold at the correct price.

Pretty sweet, huh? More than 10,000 retail outlets and grocery stores across Canada offer this little-known freebie that applies to all UPC code and price look-up merchandise, with the exception of prescription drugs, as long as the store is a participating member of the code. Unfortunately, liquor stores are not and I wanted to find out why.

Related Links:

• The QR Code Question: The Coolest Things Available by Barcode
• Secrets to Save More Money Now - Part Two
• 10 Ways to Save on Groceries

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