In August, we will celebrate our Five Year anniversary of living in Michigan. It's crazy how time flies!! It wasn't until about two years ago that we discovered G.B. Russo & Son, located on 29th Street, close to Breton.  I drove by it a million times because I loathe 28th Street, but I never knew what it was!

I feel like Russo's is like a secret club: either you know about it or you don't. I've spoken with many people in Grand Rapids that have no clue about it or they speak praises. So now EVERYONE should know what a great, local grocery store Russo's is!  You know it's going to be an amazing store the minute the doors open and you get a whiff--it's a combination of bread and spices that makes your stomach growl.

G.B. Russo & Son has been in business for 110 years! You know they're doing something right! You can shop for a variety of items from wine, beer, sausages, take-home homemade meals and more! I can literally browse the aisles for an hour if I'm without my kiddos! To introduce any newbies, I thought I should do a virtual mini-tour.  If you're local, I would be SO happy to give you a real one.

Since I'm a huge fan of beer and wine, we'll start with the good stuff.  If you are looking for a HUGE selection of wine, beer and liquor at great prices, head here. They have aisles of wine to browse.  My favorite section is the bargain area, of course.  Look for carts lined up in the middle of an aisle with marked down wine. I've scored some bottles at almost 75% off. This is a great way to try new brands or stock up for a party.  They have a weekly email list I suggest signing up for so you can get a heads up on which wines are on sale for the week!

Across the store on the front wall is the beer area.  There are SO many varieties of local and craft brews to check out.  On the weekly email list, they'll also let you know if there's any beer specials. I like to pick up cases for $10...last week it was a Great Lakes Brewery one.

Tip: Right across from the beer coolers, you'll see the rack of Day-Old bread...if you're lucky! Those loaves freeze up well and you can make garlic bread or crumbs from them.

I love their deli for the variety of sausages and sliced deli meat that is hard to find elsewhere. For our #PizzaFridays, we can't do without their pizza pepperoni--a larger variety perfect for snacking, also. The mild Italian sausage is amazing, of course, but be sure to also try the new chicken varieties! Many times, they'll have items to sample.  The deli case offers sandwiches, antipasto options such as olives, pasta salads and more.  You can seriously drool for at least 10 minutes.  On the back wall, past the deli you can find take-home meals in small and large sizes.  The lasagna is SO good.

I love to look at the bulk spice area on the back wall.  You can find chili flakes, fennel and anything else you might be looking for.  I like to put the bulk spices in mini labeled mason jars and store them in our pantry.

The other aisles offer a variety of specialty items. We have our go-to items that we always grab: Pastorelli's Pizza Sauce is the BEST! Right now they have a 99¢ pasta sale with hard-to-find shapes like orzo, ditalini, mini stars and more. I stocked up our pantry for upcoming soup season!

Aside from the tried and true items Russo's always has available, they also frequently have new products to try.  Last trip, I spotted this Chicago Mix popcorn by G.H. Cretors that lasted...oh....one night. It was THAT good! Even our new pug Leia was begging for some! I also saw some quinoa chips which will be perfect for our next beach day.

Looking for a gift?  Check out the housewares area! During their anniversary party, I won a gift basket and the pie pan that was in there is the BEST--it's a bit larger than normal and it has a metal crust protector. I'll be sure to share a photo next time I make pot pie!

Keep in touch with G.B. Russo & Son on social media:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest

Stay tuned...tomorrow I'll be sharing Ricky's Chicken Marsala recipe made from items we bought at Russo's.  I had a health scare last week and he's been cooking up a storm for me.  I can't believe he's sharing this recipe!

Have you ever shopped at Russo's? What's your favorite thing to buy?

Disney on Ice is coming to Grand Rapids! #Giveaway #DisneyOnIceInsider

I received something of value from Feld Entertainment as part of their Insider Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.#DisneyOnIceInsider

Ah, the magic of Disney!  My girls have totally been hit by the bug and they have been asking non-stop about Disney World.  Time to start planning! (It's going to take a few years to save up!)  I keep wondering when the Frozen phase will end....it's time to let it go! (pun intended)

A few years ago, we took the girls to see Disney On Ice and they absolutely loved it.  They still  remember how much fun they had and details of the show.  This year, this will be the twins' major birthday present. I am thinking we will get dressed up, go out for dinner and make it truly memorable.  The best part of seeing Disney shows is that they are fun for the whole family.  The girls love that I know all of the songs and can have fun with them! 

If you've never been, Disney on Ice is truly a fun experience! You can hear all of your favorite songs, see characters and experience a completely unique show each time. Some parts of the country have Frozen on Ice, others have Princesses & Heroes. Click here to purchase tickets to a Disney On Ice show near you!

In February, Disney on Ice Passport to Adventure  is headed to Grand Rapids!  Here's more info about the show:

Embark on the ultimate sightseeing holiday with all your favorite Disney characters inDisney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure.  Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy on a journey to the magical worlds of Disney’s The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Panand Lilo & Stitch.  You’ll explore the Pride Lands with Simba, Timon and Pumbaa; voyage under the sea with Ariel and all her aquatic friends; tour London with Peter Pan and Wendy, before flying to Never Land; and travel to Hawaii to visit Lilo and Stitch.  Upbeat music, loveable characters and exciting destinations make Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure a holiday you’ll never forget.

Ready to take an adventure here in Grand Rapids? I'm giving away FOUR tickets to the opening night of the show at Van Andel Arena!  (Febrary 26, 2015 at 7:00pm!)

Enter below:

Disney On Ice: Passport to Adventure Tickets!

Summer Fun in GR: Standale/Walker Concert Series!

 

We just made it through our first week of summer vacation and I am already going a bit crazy!  It's time to fill up our summer with some fun FREE events around town!  Nothing is better than some outdoor concerts during our short season of warm weather.

Details!

Where: Walker Community Park (700 Cummings Ave)
When: 7:00-9:00 PM

The Line-Up:

 
June 19 – The Adam’s Family (50/60's Music) 

• FB: facebook.com/theadamsfamilyband 

July 10 (– Deep Greens & Blues (Indie Folk Rock)

• FB: facebook.com/deepgreensmusic
• Twitter: @DeepGreensMusic

July 24 – FreeHand (40′s Music)
 
August 14 – Boogie Woogie Babies (Big Band)

August 28 – The LazyBlue Tunas (50-80's Cover Band) 
 

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for an evening of music, food vendors, kid's face painting,  children's coloring contest and appearances by Chowie, the Chow Hound mascot. Note: this is an alcohol-free event.  

Rain cancellations will be posted on the Downtown Development Authority website at ci.walker.mi.us/business/dda.

Feel free to "Like" the Facebook page to keep updated on events! 

If you have any events you would like me to write about, feel free to email me: beingcheapiseasy (at) gmail.com!

What plans do you have for summer so far?

My new project: Shopping Matters

I have created a quick survey for people interested!  Tours will start this fall!

I have been working on a major project lately.  To be honest, it's been quite overwhelming!  I have decided to finally write about it to get the word spread around! 

When I found out about this program, Shopping Matters, I was so excited.  Then, I realized there wasn't even one in existence in the Grand Rapids area! 

What is Shopping Matters?  It is a branch of the No Kid Hungry campaign.  I will be guiding tours in local grocery stores and educating people about healthy and affordable meals.  You all know I can save money, but I feel people don't realize that healthy cooking is VERY affordable on a budget. 

Here's where I need your help!  I need to gauge my interest.  I have set up a form to get more information about everyone.  I would like to start these by the end of fall.  The more people I have signed up, the easier it will be to set up the tours in different stores.

There are two different types of tours you can take: a general tour or a WIC tour.  All information will be kept confidential, don't worry!

I will keep you all updated on this program as more details get ironed out.  I would love some helping hands, as well!  

Spread the word!  If this program may be of interest to anyone you may know, pass on the survey!

Calling all GR Mamas!

Sign up here!

As you may know, I love testing products.  I've done it for years and I'm not really sure how I got started doing it.  I get a lot of questions about it, if you have any just email me!

Most opportunities are from taking surveys through various websites.  My favorite local (Grand Rapids) place is Innovative Consumer Research.  They focus on testing food for babies (8 months and up) and toddlers.  Gabby tests food about 2-3 times a month and it really helps!  You get paid in Meijer gift cards, which we use for diapers and Gabby even "worked" enough for her own car seat!  The twins have only tested once, but we have been getting more opportunities lately for their age range.

Sign up here!

Each testing lasts 20-60 minutes and the gift cards range from $20-30, depending on how many samples you try.

The facility is located by 52nd and Patterson, on the SE side.

If you are interested in signing up, follow this link.  I would love if you used my name as a referral, but I understand if you prefer not to! Right now they have a referral contest where we are both entered to win $100 gift card!  Even if you don't have little ones, spread the word to your friends and family!

Not a parent of a little one?  I would recommend signing up for Contract Testing.  They are located off of the Beltline by the mall, where the Western Michigan campus is.  Usually you are either tasting a food or testing a paper product and they pay cash, which is nice.

If you are more inclined to try surveys, I love Focus Forward.  They offer high paying surveys and online focus groups.  Best tip: follow on twitter (@focusfwd) to get more opportunities.

Questions?  Don't hesitate to ask!  I have tried most online survey companies and I can tell you which ones are awesome (and which ones aren't worth your time!).

REMEMBER:  Never, EVER pay to join a survey or testing company!