Simple Ways to Cut Costs in the Home — and Out

If you’re looking for ways to cut costs on everyday items around the home and in your day-to-day life, these simple tips can help you get started.

  1. Lower your thermostat. When you leave for work for the day, turn down your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees (or switch off the air conditioner in the summer). This could lower your bill up to 15% throughout the year. Also, consider applying inexpensive shrink film to your windows during the winter for added insulation.
  2. Stop speeding. To save money on gas, drive the speed limit instead of over it. This can raise your fuel efficiency by up to 17%!
  3. Make coffee at home. This also goes for eating out, grabbing a snack, or going out for happy hour after work—limit these outings to once or twice a week instead of every day.
  4. Check the thrift store. Before you buy something new, such as an air conditioner or a winter coat, visit the thrift store or consignment shop first. You could save a great deal of money on something that’s in perfect condition!

5 big bills you can cut fast [Bankrate]
Lower Your Monthly Bills Checklist [Real Simple]
30 Ways To Cut Your Monthly Expenses [Lifehack]

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends! What are you thankful for this year?

Baby Barnaby’s Cafe: Tasty Breakfast That’s Not Just for Kids

If you’re looking for a great breakfast spot in Houston, locals will likely point you in the direction of Baby Barnaby’s Cafe. This stylish eatery features a ceiling painted with rainbow stripes, local artwork hanging on the walls, and leather booths that provide a cozy place to enjoy a hot breakfast and a strong cup of coffee. There’s even a covered outdoor patio that makes an enjoyable place for breakfast or brunch on cooler Texas days.

Baby Barnaby’s is a sister restaurant to the small Barnaby’s chain, and it serves many of the same unique breakfast dishes. The green eggs, buttermilk waffles, and Bob’s Healthy Plate are some of the most popular items, and the restaurant even serves freshly squeezed juices straight from the juicer. In addition to breakfast, Baby Barnaby’s Cafe offers a classic American menu of high-end diner food and Tex-Mex favorites, as well as a small wine list for adult guests.

Baby Barnaby’s Cafe
602 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-4229
www.barnabyscafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/baby-barnabys-café-houston-2

Sip a Cocktail, Listen to Live Jazz at Prohibition Supper Club & Bar

Enjoy an evening of hand-crafted cocktails, sultry jazz, and delicious dinner at Prohibition Supper Club. This swanky, unique cocktail bar boasts that it's Houston’s only true supper club, and its location inside of the historic ISIS Theatre still maintains much of its early-1900s charm. The bar portion is decorated true to 1920s style, complete with bartenders dresses in traditional garb, plush furnishings, and moody lighting cast from the elegant chandeliers.

The 3,000-square-foot restaurant features black and white tiled floors and mirrored walls, as well as a granite bar and an outdoor patio. If you want to see a show with your meal, there are prix fixe dinner options that go along with vaudeville shows and musical performances in the attached theater.

Prohibition Supper Club & Bar
1008 Prairie St
Houston, TX 77002
(281) 940-4636
www.prohibitionhouston.com

Dance the Night Away at Howl at the Moon in Houston

Houston is home to quite a few great live music venues, but Howl at the Moon is a local favorite that stands out amongst the others. This lively bar, dance club, and music venue hosts some of the most exciting parties in the city, making it a go-to spot in the Houston nightlife scene.

The venue portion frequently books an eclectic array of local acts and nationally touring musicians, spanning genres from hip hop to pop and even hard rock. The spacious dance floor offers ample space for you to rock out to your favorite band or get down with your friends to a DJ spinning the latest dance tracks. Howl at the Moon is known for its 86-ounce buckets of booze, but the numerous bars also offer classic cocktails and a great selection of beers.

There are often elaborate parties for holidays like Halloween and New Years Eve, but it also makes a great place if you’re planning your own birthday or bachelor party.

Howl at the Moon
612 Hadley St
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 658-9700
www.howlatthemoon.com

Happy Veterans day!

Today is a day to honor the men and women who have bravely fought and continue to fight for our country. Thank you for your service!

Election Day

Today is Election Day. Be sure to get out and vote!

Easy and Healthy On-the-Go Snacks

Whether you’re going on a summer road trip or just going to the gym, there are always times in your life when you could use a healthy snack to keep you going. Rely on these simple, on-the-go snack recipes for a boost of energy — whenever you need it!

Gorp [eatingwell.com]
This unique take on trail mix includes a tasty and nutritious mix of nuts, dried fruit, and dark chocolate chips for a bit of added sweetness. Make a big batch and keep it sealed in an air-tight container at home, then scoop out just as much as you need for those days when you’re just too busy to stop and eat.

Baked Kale Chips [allrecipes.com]
Instead of grabbing a bag of fattening potato chips when you’re feeling hungry, make this crispy kale chips at home. These offer the same salty flavor and satisfying crunch as traditional chips, but with much less fat and calories.

Spiced Apple Crisps [bbcgoodfood.com]
If you frequently crave sweet treats throughout the day, replace your usual chocolaty indulgence with these spicy, sweet apple crisps. Their only ingredient is dried apples and a bit of cinnamon, but they still offer a deliciously sweet taste that is sure to satisfy.

Oxheart: Try a Foodie Twist on Texan Cuisine

Oxheart may consider itself a Texan restaurant, but it’s a world away from the local barbecue spot. Upscale and stylish yet still comfortable and welcoming, this often-buzzed-about eatery serves some of the most creative takes on Texas cuisine in all of Houston.

The menu is split into two distinct six-course menus: the vegetarian Garden Menu and the omnivorous Tasting Menu. The dishes always change to accommodate which ingredients are currently in season, but past menu items include a stew of preserved alliums and Indica rice, lightly smoked wild boar with pork Thailande, and Japanese roots and a sofrito of dried shellfish. Drink pairings can be added to either of the menus for an additional cost, and each libation is carefully chosen to perfectly complement the rest of your dining experience.

Reservations are recommended at Oxheart, and they can be made via the restaurant’s convenient website.

Oxheart
1302 Nance St
Houston, TX 77002
(832) 830-8592
www.oxhearthouston.com

Spaghetti Warehouse: Twirl a Fork Into Tonight’s Dinner

There’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of pasta, unless it’s enjoyed in the company of family and friends, of course! At Spaghetti Warehouse you can do just that, as this popular chain eatery specializes in hearty Italian fare served in a warm, welcoming ambiance that’s perfect for large parties.

No matter if you’re celebrating a birthday or just the end of the work week, Spaghetti Warehouse always offers a table large enough for a group and a menu of pastas, homemade meatballs, seafood dishes, and the famous 15-layer lasagna. There are affordable wine options to pair with your meal, as well as beers and cocktails and a long list of Italian desserts. With reasonable prices on very large portions and a fun, lively atmosphere, Spaghetti Warehouse is always a reliable dinner choice.

To make a reservation at Spaghetti Warehouse, visit the restaurant’s website.

Spaghetti Warehouse
901 Commerce Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 229-9715
www.meatballs.com/?page_id=29&st=TX&locid=13

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