The Savvy Life

1. Write a love letter and mail it to your significant other – even if you live in the same house!
2. Make a No Utensils Dinner at home.  Spaghetti could be an adventurous dish to serve.  Don’t forget the candlelight.
3. Skip dinner and go out for a glass of wine and dessert at your favorite restaurant.
4. Make chocolate truffles together.  
5. Leave love notes where they will be found throughout the day.
6. Make their favorite homemade treat and ask a friend to deliver it to them at work.
7. Bundle up and go stargazing together.
8. Re-enact your first date.
9. Find a beautiful journal and start a memory book of your favorite times together.
10. Frame a photo of the two of you and give it as a gift.

By Melissa Tosetti

The Savvy Life's personal shopper Mandy Kendall has gathered luxurious and affordable items that will turn your home into a cozy retreat.   From candles and comforters to velvety throws, the items she's picked will create ambience and warmth and may even help reduce that heating bill.

I especially love this shawl wrap for just $16.95.  With that shawl, a cup of coffee and a Sherlock Holmes book - I wouldn't move from the couch for hours!  

To see all the items Mandy has picked, visit her Savvy Life Home Comforts page. 

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Each week, Mandy finds the best deals from Shop.com on essentials that fall in line with The Savvy Lifestyle including items for the Home, Food, Wardrobe, Beauty, Travel and Entertainment.

What I love about Mandy is that she “gets it”.  She is a long time reader of The Savvy Life and understands the nuances of living savvy.  She recognizes that Savvy Women want classic, quality items at affordable prices.

Like eBates, there are major benefits of using Shop.com including great deals, cash back, e-gift registry and more.  Registering with Shop.com is simple:

1.       Start by visiting www.shop.com/mandykendall. 

2.       Click on Sign In at the top of the page, and follow the New Customer prompts.

3.       Be sure to visit The Savvy Life’s Trend Shop each week to see the new items Mandy has picked out exclusively for you.

Just how long can you eat using only the ingredients you already have in your kitchen? 

Often, we get into the mode that a well-stocked pantry needs to be static.  Everything in your pantry should be consumed within three months.  That is money sitting on your shelves.  If you see something sitting there for three months, eat it or donate it to a shelter and don’t buy it again.

An added benefit of the pantry challenge is that it forces you to get creative.  You’ll look at canned soup and dried pasta a little differently as you figure out how to make a meal from what you have on hand.  Over the years I’ve received a lot of feedback from readers who have come up with new family favorites based on the need to get imaginative while taking on the Pantry Challenge.

The longest any Savvy Life reader has gone without having to buy groceries (outside of milk, eggs and fresh produce) was three months!  Let me know how your Pantry Challenge goes.  Drop me an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Note: This challenge does not include the food in your emergency kit.  You should always have enough non-perishable food and water set aside to sustain you for 3 – 7 days.  Keep your emergency food and water supply in a waterproof bin along with your other emergency items.

Here in the Bay Area, you can see evidence that the economy is starting to improve.  I've heard many friends talk about how their companies can't hire fast enough.

One conversation that has come up several times over the last few weeks is that as the economy improves, will our spending habits deteriorate?

It's easy to watch your pennies when you have to - because you have to.  The challenge is to make every penny count when you have an abundance of them.  If you can do that, your chance of achieving true wealth is almost guaranteed.

Jason Wu, made famous by designing First Lady Michelle Obama's inaugural gown, is now launching a line exclusively for Target.

Since Isaac Mizrahi first made it cool in 2002 to partner with Target, high-end designers have been following his lead, some more successfully than others.

The launch is scheduled for February 5^th, but Fashionista.com has published photos of the line.

It reminds of the whimsical style of Zooey Deschanel, but that those of us outside of Hollywood could actually wear.  If the dresses are a bit too short for your comfort zone, the purses and scarves may better suit your wardrobe – a perfect infusion of spring.

I’m very excited about this line and look forward to visiting my favorite Target store in Foster City, CA when it officially launches.

According to Fashionista.com, nothing in the line is priced over $59.95 so you have an opportunity to add classic pieces to your wardrobe at very affordable prices. 

If you like what you see, grab it quick. Most designer lines at Target are for a limited time only and rarely go on sale.

Growing up, I only saw my mom's fine china a handful of times.  Now, she brings it out on a regular basis, in celebration of "ordinary days".

You don't have to break out the china on a daily basis, but striving to make each meal special can transform your eating experience.

Food is a major part of our culture.  Take the time to add a touch of ceremony to your meals by making them look as nice as possible.  It's a small thing that will make a big impact on your "ordinary days".

This Wednesday, January 25th, I will be giving a one hour teleseminar focused on Savvy Travel and Entertainment.  The seminar is hosted by Ameriprise Financial and is free of charge.  If you're looking for tips on how to have fun in 2012 without going broke, you don't want to miss this free event!  Details are listed below...

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
12:00 noon to 1:00 pm

Ameriprise Financial invites you to join us for a special presentation by Melissa Tosetti, author of the financial lifestyle book Living The Savvy Life.

Hosted by Roman Quisol III, CFP®, ChFC®, CRPC®
Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial

During this complimentary presentation, the following topics will be addressed:

• How to entertain at home for less.
• Where to find admission discounts for museums, movies and more.
• How to plan ahead for dining out.
• How to use restaurant coupons.
• How to budget for vacations.
• Where to find those great vacation deals.

Space is limited. Please call 650-288-3977 or respond to this invitation to make a reservation by Monday, January 23rd for you and your guests.   A toll free number will be provided to you a toll free dial in telephone number.

This is an informational seminar.  There is no cost or obligation.