Frugal Family: Gourmet Trucks and a Windfall

FOOD TRUCKS: Last Tuesday, I took the family out to the gourmet food trucks, and the fare was delicious. People meandered around the eight trucks searching for the best item of the night.  There were some very tough choices to make: Thai food, sliders, tacos, crepes, sushi, French baked goods or tapas.

We tried several things and loved everything. Our family of four ate crispy gnocchi; a buffalo chicken slider; a Vietnamese pork slider; a beef dip slider; a Thai lettuce wrap; an "ultimate taco"; french fries; a nutella, banana and strawberry crepe; two éclairs; and a banana split s’more. All for $28. I consider that a pretty good deal, considering the exceptional quality of the offerings. The vibe is great, too: kids, camp chairs, and gastric goodness abound.  Bring your empty stomachs to 11081 Winners Circle, Los Alamitos, 90720, on Tuesdays from 5 to 9 p.m.  

EXTRA, EXTRA!  I heard from a reliable source that Los Alamitos will make the food trucks a regular thing on at least one Thursday a month (with hopes of increasing it to a weekly event, according to city officials) from 5 to 9 p.m. in the U.S. Bank parking at 10942 Pine St., Los Alamitos, 90720 (Pine and Katella). The first night at this location is THIS THURSDAY! The lineup looks impressive: Cajun on Wheels, French Fries LA, the Flip Truck, Rancho A Go Go, Swinging Kitchen, Twist Burgers, Oh for Sweets Sake, and My Tornado Potato.

FREE MONEY: California's unclaimed-property law requires businesses to annually report and deliver property to the state controller's office after there has been no activity on the account for three years or more.  I’m pretty good at keeping track of money, so I never dreamed that I would have “unclaimed money.” Sure enough, my husband and I had two results in our unclaimed-property search: a $20 deposit on a water service account from 15 years ago and $2,600 in unclaimed property from an escrow company we used in the purchase of a home 10 years ago.  The $2,600 check came this week.  It’s worth your time to check it out. Let me know if you find anything.  Search the California Unclaimed Property Database 

ACTIVITIES: Do something different. How about archery? The Archery Outpost at 10714 Reagan St.  Suite B in Los Alamitos has open lessons on Saturdays at 9 and 10 a.m. Ages 10 to 18: $15 each week. If you do not have your own archery equipment, you can borrow theirs.  Visit its website at archeryoutpost.net/

Don’t keep it a secret. Please shoot me an email or leave a comment if you know of a great deal around here.  momtalksaks@gmail.com