I Cooked a Pork Tenderloin ($1.79/lb) - Here's How

Pork tenderloin was cheaper than chicken at the store today, so I bought one. I've never been a big pork fan, but I may change my mind. This was very easy to cook, didn't take long, and it turned out fabulous.

This video shows how to cook a tenderloin -- and I like this video because she did what I did: I just put that baby in the oven. No throwing it into a frying pan first to get some saute action going. No sirreebob and I don't think foregoing that step was a problem at all.

Tex-Mex hint on leftovers: take a corn tortilla, put in some pork, a couple of avocado slices, some cilantro, and some shredded cabbage. Fabo taco. Addicting. Truly.

Spam. More sold every day, might as well laugh about it ....

Frugal Habits Feeling Good - Frugal Isn't Just a Trend

A new study of consumer shopping habits in the United States is revealing that people aren't planning are changing back from their new "tighter" ways of spending, should the economy bounce back.

Apparently, Americans like the feeling of getting good deals, looking for bargains, and living more simply. Good, right?

Well, the retailers aren't happy about it. They're busy trying to figure out how to deal with this new consumer mindset. Some retailers are planning on downsizing, others are considering being "one-stop" shopping stores.

And, of course, who's setting pretty among all these retail stores? The big warehouses like Sam's Club and Costco, and ... yes ... WalMart.

Video - How to Make a Solar Oven

and here's a short version of a nice homemade solar oven on wheels ...

Should You Be Stockpiling Food? How do you stockpile food anyway?

Last year, there was already talk of stockpiling food. As in, the federal government was stockpiling - buying up storable food in enormous volume from such places as Best Prices Storable Foods. Last month, there were news stories of China stockpiling food, too, because of the big drought it's been facing.

And, sure there's a need for a government to have food in ready demand when something like Katrina hits.

But what about our economy? Should we stockpile food in preparation for transportation halts, bank closures, or food shortages? And if so, how do you do that, anyway?

FDIC Letter Threatens FDIC Insolvency - This is Big News But What Does It Mean to You?

Today, there was big news that maybe isn't getting the attention it deserves: the head of the FDIC has sent a letter to banks and thrifts across the country, explaining to their CEOs that the FDIC must raise its fees, as well as be paid the big surprise extra premium payment that it voted for itself last week, otherwise the FDIC will become insolvent in a matter of months.

That the FDIC is even hinting that it may be insolvent at any time is spooky stuff, and I'm thinking more than adequate to start some folk on a run to their banks.