Penny-pinching strategies: frugal or foolish?
Plus: Top news of the week: School districts scramble to hire teachers, Blacklion plans to close, Robinhood shutting Charlotte office, Green Party to appear on ballots
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Column: A recession is in the forecast, so it’s time to examine some smart and not-so-smart ways to save cash
Columnist Colleen Brannan writes that to save money, beware of the Costco vortex where you can easily spend $300 when you only went for a rotisserie chicken; revive the brown-bag lunch tradition; and join AARP for awesome discounts even if you’re not really a senior citizen. “If it’s good enough for George Clooney, count me in,” Colleen says.
by Colleen Brannan
With recession clouds looming, we’ll all soon be in belt-tightening mode, but that means different things to different people. By definition, frugal means sparing or economical with regard to money or food. So there’s frugal and then there’s downright foolish. If you’re driving 20 miles to South Carolina for cheaper gas and booze or making kids lie about their ages at kids eat free night, you’re giving frugal a bad name.
However, penny-pinching can be a game if you know how and where to play. Even better, saving in one area to splurge in another makes me want to yell “Yahtzee.” Here are some ideas, ripped from my penny-pinching playbook:
Seek out no-cost entertainment
There are a lot of free things to do around the Queen City:
Bank of America’s Museums on Us offers cardholders free general admission to many local museums the first full weekend of every month. Locally, that includes The Mint Uptown and Randolph locations, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center and Levine Museum of New South. As luck would have it, the next one starts today (Aug. 6), so go get your culture on. Keep in mind the offer is limited to the cardholder, doesn’t apply to your whole group and is not transferable, but it can save one adult $15.
Camp North End is hosting free outdoor ’80s and ’90s movies on the jumbo screen every Thursday at 8 p.m. through Sept. 8. While you’ve already missed “Purple Rain,” “Top Gun” and “Dirty Dancing,” there’s still time for “The Goonies,” “Hook” and “E.T.” Note they do not allow outside food and drink.
People-watch at SouthPark Mall: Find a bench and enjoy all the mall has to offer, from lovers’ quarrels and teenage handholding to people talking loudly on their cell phones or getting their steps in. It won’t cost you a thing — except for the things you can’t unsee or unhear, like people stealing change from or bathing in the inside fountain.
Embrace your age
I wasn’t psyched the first time the AARP magazine showed up at our house (for my husband, of course). But then I realized a $12 annual membership meant major savings on everything from rental cars and hotels to Amazon Prime, online printing at the UPS Store and wireless plans. (Dirty little secret: You can join at any age.)
When you turn 60, a whole world of grocery discounts is open to you. Harris Teeter offers a 5% senior discount on Thursdays, and Publix does the same on Wednesdays. On the first Tuesday of every month, Walgreens offers a 20% Senior Day discount online and in-store to those 55+. Of course, there are obvious exclusions like alcohol, tobacco, stamps and lottery tickets. But why is dairy on the excluded list?
Food is one of your greatest opportunities to save
Take your lunch: Remember back in grade school when it was dorky to be a brown-bagger? With more people back at the office, it’s time to make it cool. We all know a trip to the grocery store is more economical than eating out, and this is especially true for lunch. Consider that a gourmet bagged salad at the Teeter or Trader Joe’s costs under $4 while a visit to Chopt is $10+. That’s a big difference between $20 and $50 for weekly lunches. Do that all week and take your $30 savings to happy hour on Friday.
Hit happy hour menus: McCormick & Schmicks from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on weekdays is my go-to before uptown concerts and sporting events. On Tuesday, three of us popped by at 6 p.m. before the Alicia Keys show at the Uptown Amphitheatre. One flatbread pizza, three fish tacos and some truffle fries cost a total of $20 + tip, essentially $10 per person. Same goes for Ruth’s Chris — just two blocks down on the same side of the street, the happy hour menu is Monday thru Friday from 4-6:30 with a steak sandwich or cheeseburger and fries for $10.
Do it yourself: Poppy’s Bagels used to be one of my favorite eateries in town, but I couldn’t believe it when a baker’s dozen bagels (14) became $27.49 (one bagel with plain cream cheese is $3.99 and flavored is $4.99). And they don’t even slice them! Instead, for half the price, buy two 6-packs of Thomas’ bagels for $10 and a tub of Philadelphia cream cheese for $4. And if you’re just not the DIY type, note Panera’s baker’s dozen (13) is $9.99 and tub of cream cheese is $2.99, less than half of Poppy’s price.
Tailgate: With Panthers football season approaching, it’s smart to tailgate, because once you enter the stadium, everything is expensive. Take beer, for example. A case of Bud Light at the grocery store costs less than $20. One 16-oz. medium beer at the stadium is $10.50.
The Bojangles 20-piece Jumbo Tailgate comes complete with chicken, fixins, biscuits and tea for $42.99 — which may sound like a lot until you pay $14 per person in the stadium for chicken supremes and fries. A Dasani water is $5 per bottle at the stadium concession stands, while a 10-pack at Walmart is $19.99. Many don’t know Bank of America Stadium guests are allowed to carry in two sealed water bottles per person. By bringing your own, a family of four saves about $24.
And, so it doesn’t appear I am picking only on B of A Stadium, how about the $15, 24-oz. White Claw at both the Uptown and PNC amphitheaters? A 12-pack of 12-ouncers at the store is about $18. You’ll find me in the parking lot.
Buy store brands on things that don’t matter to you. Again, this is subjective. For me, it’s coffee and creamer. There’s a reason Walmart has blown by competitors and leads the grocery store category. Their Great Value brand prices are no joke, with over 100 categories from body wash to paper products.
Let’s go to the lightning round with a quick game of “Frugal or Foolish”:
Ride light rail without paying, hoping not to be caught (there’s a $50 fine). FOOLISH
Buy your wine at Trader Joe’s. FRUGAL
Stop tipping at restaurants. FOOLISH IF NOT CRIMINAL (says the mother of a server) They work hard, and tips are their wages.
Buy your pizza at the Teeter. Every Monday most HT 16” pizzas are $7.99. FRUGAL
Cancel your home delivery paper and read recycled ones at Starbucks or the office. FOOLISH AND GERMY
Negotiate renewals like Sirius XM when promotional period expires. FRUGAL (I got it to half what they were asking.)
Have a business meeting in the Costco cafeteria (Hot dog and a drink are $1.50) FRUGAL Pick up a $4.99 rotisserie chicken while you’re there.
Keep the thermostat at 78 to save on electric bill. FRUGAL BUT BOCA RATON-ISH
Dumpster dive behind the grocery store for expired goods. FOOLISH
Wash and vacuum your own car instead of cruising through the Autobell. FRUGAL BUT UNLIKELY
Just think: If you start practicing frugality during the week, you can save up enough to go to Steak 48 or feed your online shopping habit on the weekends.
Colleen Brannan, a Charlotte-based public relations professional who owns BRANSTORM PR, believes thrifty is cool, recession or not, and finds double couponing as thrilling as Carowinds. Email her at colleen@branstorm.com with your money saving tips, or leave them in the comments.
Today’s supporting sponsors are Heartwood Tree. With over 42 years serving our area, Heartwood has evolved from a group of passionate tree climbers to an award-winning, nationally recognized industry leader. Heartwood’s staff of expert arborists have the knowledge and experience to care for your treescape as if it is their own. …
… and Soni Brendle:
This week in Charlotte: West Charlotte High coach fired over explicit texts; groundbreaking on the former Eastland Mall site; Blacklion says it is closing but a new retail venture plans to take its place
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Politics
Green Party gets spot on ballot: (Raleigh News & Observer) A federal judge ruled Friday that the Green Party should have a spot on the ballot in November’s election. The Democratic Party had argued that the Green Party should remain off the ballot because of questions about the validity of voter signatures submitted to the State Board of Elections. Making Green Party candidates eligible could siphon votes from Democratic candidates, including in the U.S. Senate race.
Atrium Health PAC funded election: (Axios Charlotte) Atrium Health’s political action committee spent $16,000 in the 2022 city council race, according to its filing with the Federal Election Commission, which is nearly double what it spent in 2019. The PAC was more selective this election and gave checks to only six candidates as opposed to giving out checks to all contenders like it did the past two elections.
Education
School district bonuses to lure teachers: (WFAE) As Charlotte-area schools scramble to fill teaching positions, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is offering recruitment and retention bonuses as high as $7,500 for high-need schools. Bus drivers will be paid a higher hourly pay, and substitute teachers, cafeteria managers and after-school staff can expect bonuses and incentives. Iredell-Statesville Schools will offer low-cost child care for employees at some schools.
West Charlotte coach fired: (Observer, subscriber-only) Ryan Copeland, a West Charlotte High School coach and former dean and teacher, is no longer employed at the school after he exchanged sexually explicit messages with a female student. The incident happened just a month before he was named Queen City conference girls soccer coach of the year. WCNC reported Friday that he had been fired.
Local news
Eastland project underway: (WBTV) City officials and developers broke ground Wednesday on a redevelopment at the former Eastland Mall site. Last month, Tepper Sports & Entertainment pulled out of plans to build the Charlotte FC headquarters and a soccer academy on a portion of the property. Developer Crosland Southeast and the city are looking for a replacement but say plans for apartments, townhomes, affordable housing, recreational areas, offices and retail space will continue regardless. The development will be called “Eastland Yards.” The Ledger live-Tweeted the groundbreaking ceremony.
No changes on masking: (Ledger 🔒) As Covid cases increase, health director Raynard Washington said Mecklenburg County is considering no changes to masking rules because the community has the tools it needs to combat the virus.
Business
Blacklion to close, Southern Lion to open: (Ledger 🔒) Blacklion, a local home décor institution that’s filled Charlotte homes with furniture and accessories for 26 years, has sold its Pineville building and will close Jan. 31. It will be replaced by a Tryon Medical Partners office. And entrepreneur and UNC system board of governors member Sonja Nichols says she has commitments from most of Blacklion’s vendors to open a new Southern Lion at Carolina Place Mall.
Robinhood closing office: (WSOC) Robinhood, a stock trading app company, announced that it will close its Charlotte office and lay off 82 employees beginning Oct. 1, according to a notice filed with the N.C. Department of Commerce. Robinhood opened its Charlotte office last year in a tower on South Tryon Street and had planned to have at least 150 employees in Charlotte.
Good reads
Charlotte’s oldest map: (Charlotte magazine) Last spring, a longtime Charlottean gave Charlotte Mecklenburg Library a hand-inked map of Charlotte drawn in 1855 called the “Harris Map.” It’s the oldest known map of Charlotte and displays what is now the I-277 loop, showing how small the city used to be. It was drawn by James Parks, the county surveyor, for Samuel A. Harris, a tax collector.
HOAs v. residents: (Observer, subscriber-only) While more than 85% of residents allegedly either support their home owners associations or are neutral about them, other residents refer to HOAs as “the realm of petty tyrants” and “the ultimate power for people with small lives.” Regardless of opinion, the number of HOAs is only growing, with nearly 53% of all homeowners living in an HOA development.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Trust in elections: The Carter Center, which works to ensure free and fair elections worldwide, has organized a bipartisan effort in North Carolina, which it considers a potential trouble spot. The effort is being led by Bob Orr, a former Republican justice of the state Supreme Court and former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts, a Democrat. “Because of its strategic importance as a swing state, North Carolina may be at elevated risk of violence during the upcoming election season, or other disruptions to the electoral process,” the Center warned in explaining its decision. North Carolina is part of a pilot along with Arizona, Florida and Georgia.
Next moves for StarMed: With demand for Covid vaccines and lab testing on the decline, StarMed Healthcare says its next move is developing a rapid-response medical team that can deploy to hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters. It also plans to open four new community health clinics.
CMS podcast: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools re-launched its “Hello CMS” podcast with an episode on the end of the federal universal free lunch program that had given all students free breakfast and lunch since Covid. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible and other podcast platforms.
Kings Mountain casino under scrutiny: The Wall Street Journal reported this week that family members of prominent politicians received shares in a slot machine company linked to the Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain as the casino sought federal approval. The recipients of the ownership shares were consultants, and the politicians say there was nothing improper.
Wednesday Ledger (🔒):
Allen Tate heads to the mountains: Allen Tate Realtors said Tuesday that it has bought Asheville-based Beverly-Hanks Realtors, a move the company’s CEO says solidifies its presence in the N.C. mountain home market.
Ballantyne amphitheater: Showtime is getting closer at the amphitheater that’s being constructed in the huge Ballantyne Reimagined development slated to open in the fall of 2023. The project’s developer, Northwood Office, released a photo of the amphitheater’s construction to show how it’s coming along.
National Night Out: More than 60 Charlotte communities participated in National Night Out on Tuesday, which is an event that is designed to build trust and relationships between police and community residents. The Ledger visited National Night Out in the Back Creek Forest community in the University City area.
Friday Ledger (🔒):
The latest in hiring: Despite worries of a recession, Charlotte staffing agencies and economy experts say hiring is still strong. In North Carolina, there are twice as many jobs open as people who are unemployed, which is creating a hiring challenge for businesses who can’t find qualified candidates to fill job openings. Businesses are getting creative by offering incentives, remote work options and flexible shifts.
Tax hike in your future? Mecklenburg County’s tax assessor says the median value of residential properties has risen 48% since the last revaluation in 2019. That’s an important number, because it’s an indicator of whether you’ll be paying a higher property tax bill once the county does its revaluation next year. We break it all down.
Beer night: The Ledger had a great time meeting Ledger members Wednesday night at our informal happy hour at the Harris Teeter bar in Ballantyne. It was nice to see some familiar faces and meet new friends. We’ll plan another happy hour (closer to uptown) as fall gets closer, so if you’re a paying Ledger member, stay tuned for an invitation.
Ways of Life (🔒):
A new home for ‘Father P’: Charlotte’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral moved the bones of its first full-time priest — “Father P” — back to Charlotte from North Dakota.
In-depth on toll lane proposal: The company behind the I-77 toll lanes in northern Mecklenburg is now proposing a similar project on I-77 south of uptown. What’s the thinking, and how would it work? We break down the 20-page proposal.
Player transactions: Charlotte FC acquired three players Thursday just before the summer transfer window closed: Portuguese midfielder Nuno Santos and defenders Nathan Byrne from England’s Derby County and Adilson Malanda from the second division in France. Charlotte FC also traded defender Christian Makoun to New England for $400,000 in general allocation money.
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I totally get the whole Costco vortex!