Sunday, August 15, 2010
Meal Planning & Grocery Shopping
This is a great way to save some money. Plan your meals for the week and make a list for the grocery store. Actually stick to the list. When you are at the grocery look for store brand items , they can save you quite a bit. Always check the meat-sales. Our local grocery store puts the meat from that day in a "meat-sale" section and you can get some great bargains there. The meat is always just from that day and never out of date. They just do not like their meat to carry over to the next day so they mark it down. I can get ground chuck family packs for $2.50!! Steaks are usually $.99 and big roast are always $3.00!!!! Our freezer is always full. If you have to buy name brand ,than always try to use coupons or buy the item on sale. When they have something on sale that you are always using ,STOCK UP!! Like ,for example, the grocery store has tomato juice (that I always use for soups) on sale for $.89 when it is usually $1.09, so I bought the limit of 4 cans !! Now I have it on hand and saved money! You can sometimes get some great deals on closeouts. I got 5 things of Suave Deoderant that was once $1.99 for $.88 each because it was a closeout that they were not going to be carrying anymore. If you really take your time , leave the kids at home, and stick to a meal planning list ,you can save a lot of money at the grocery store.Download our free toolbar
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Save Money At Breakfast
You can save a lot of money if you switch to eating oatmeal for breakfast and with these recipes you can make it an enjoyable experience ,too.
Instant Oatmeal Packets
3 cups oats (quick cooking works best)
salt
8 small zip-like baggies
Process ½ cup oats in a blender (or 1 cup oats in a food processor) on high until powdery. Set aside. Repeat with additional ½ cup oats if using blender. Put the following into each baggie: 1/4 cup regular oats, 2 tablespoons powdered oats, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Store in an airtight container.
To serve, empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and let stand for 2 minutes. Adjust water amount for thicker or thinner oatmeal.
Try some of the following variations:
Sweetened Oatmeal: Add 1 T. sugar
Brown Sugar/Cinnamon Oatmeal: Add 1 T. brown sugar and 1/4 t. cinnamon
Raisins and Brown Sugar: Add 1 T. packed brown sugar and 1 T. raisins.
Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal: Add 1 T. sugar, 1/4 t. cinnamon, & 2 T. Chopped dried apples
Fruit and Cream Oatmeal: Add 1 T. non-dairy coffee creamer and 2 T. dried fruit
Health Nut Oatmeal: Add 2 T. any kind of wheat germ
Chewy Granola Bars
3 cups oats
1 cup flour
1 t. baking soda
2 t. vanilla
2/3 cup butter, softened
½ cup honey
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup mini chocolate chips or M&Ms
Optional: raisins, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts
In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, and baking soda. In another bowl, combine vanilla, butter, honey, and brown sugar; add to oat mixture and stir until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour into a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Lightly press mixture into the pan with the back of your spoon. Bake at 325 for 22 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.
If you cook oatmeal in milk rather than water, the oatmeal will taste creamier. Apple juice, peach syrup, or mixed fruit juice, or even a combination of juices and milk make wonderful new flavors without having to add much extra (if any) sweetener. Cinnamon and nutmeg with chopped apples make a delicious combination. Use your imagination to add whatever you like. (Once, I added hot chocolate mix. That was good!)One last tip for saving money at breakfast: use powdered milk either in part or whole to save money. When powdered milk is cold, you hardly notice a difference, especially on cereal or in recipes. If you think your family will be skeptical about drinking powdered milk, mix it with regular milk. I've served powdered milk with cereal to extended family, and when asked about it later, they never noticed the difference.
Even if your family doesn't want to drink powdered milk, keep some on hand for using in recipes. An added benefit to using powdered milk is convenience. I don't have to run to the store each week for fresh milk since I buy powdered milk in large quantities and make as needed.Download our free toolbar
Instant Oatmeal Packets
3 cups oats (quick cooking works best)
salt
8 small zip-like baggies
Process ½ cup oats in a blender (or 1 cup oats in a food processor) on high until powdery. Set aside. Repeat with additional ½ cup oats if using blender. Put the following into each baggie: 1/4 cup regular oats, 2 tablespoons powdered oats, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Store in an airtight container.
To serve, empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and let stand for 2 minutes. Adjust water amount for thicker or thinner oatmeal.
Try some of the following variations:
Sweetened Oatmeal: Add 1 T. sugar
Brown Sugar/Cinnamon Oatmeal: Add 1 T. brown sugar and 1/4 t. cinnamon
Raisins and Brown Sugar: Add 1 T. packed brown sugar and 1 T. raisins.
Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal: Add 1 T. sugar, 1/4 t. cinnamon, & 2 T. Chopped dried apples
Fruit and Cream Oatmeal: Add 1 T. non-dairy coffee creamer and 2 T. dried fruit
Health Nut Oatmeal: Add 2 T. any kind of wheat germ
Chewy Granola Bars
3 cups oats
1 cup flour
1 t. baking soda
2 t. vanilla
2/3 cup butter, softened
½ cup honey
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup mini chocolate chips or M&Ms
Optional: raisins, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts
In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, and baking soda. In another bowl, combine vanilla, butter, honey, and brown sugar; add to oat mixture and stir until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour into a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Lightly press mixture into the pan with the back of your spoon. Bake at 325 for 22 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.
If you cook oatmeal in milk rather than water, the oatmeal will taste creamier. Apple juice, peach syrup, or mixed fruit juice, or even a combination of juices and milk make wonderful new flavors without having to add much extra (if any) sweetener. Cinnamon and nutmeg with chopped apples make a delicious combination. Use your imagination to add whatever you like. (Once, I added hot chocolate mix. That was good!)One last tip for saving money at breakfast: use powdered milk either in part or whole to save money. When powdered milk is cold, you hardly notice a difference, especially on cereal or in recipes. If you think your family will be skeptical about drinking powdered milk, mix it with regular milk. I've served powdered milk with cereal to extended family, and when asked about it later, they never noticed the difference.
Even if your family doesn't want to drink powdered milk, keep some on hand for using in recipes. An added benefit to using powdered milk is convenience. I don't have to run to the store each week for fresh milk since I buy powdered milk in large quantities and make as needed.Download our free toolbar
Friday, August 13, 2010
Sewing For Baby
I am wanting to start with some great sewing websites that I found for sewing accessories for babies. If I did not do a lot of sewing when my son was a baby , I do not know what we would have done. What, with sewing diapers and stuff, it really saved a lot of money!! You can find a lot of places online for sewing patterns.
Free baby sling and carriers patterns
Free Maya Wrap baby carrier pattern
Great resources for making cloth diapers - FREE
Free Cloth Diaper Patterns
How to sew a fitted diaper
Martha Stewert Tea Towel Bib
Martha Stewert Felt baby shoes
Free info on sewing cloth diapers and training pants
Free patterns for making baby toys and there is even one for making a cloth book
These are just a starting point for some items that you can sew yourself and save some money. Reuse bigger clothing to make baby stuff ,like toys etc. Reuse blankets and more. Use your imagination.
Download our free toolbar
Free baby sling and carriers patterns
Free Maya Wrap baby carrier pattern
Great resources for making cloth diapers - FREE
Free Cloth Diaper Patterns
How to sew a fitted diaper
Martha Stewert Tea Towel Bib
Martha Stewert Felt baby shoes
Free info on sewing cloth diapers and training pants
Free patterns for making baby toys and there is even one for making a cloth book
These are just a starting point for some items that you can sew yourself and save some money. Reuse bigger clothing to make baby stuff ,like toys etc. Reuse blankets and more. Use your imagination.
Download our free toolbar
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Survival Blog
I am working on a few ideas and hope to have some new stuff on here soon!! Stay with me. Download our free toolbar
Friday, July 30, 2010
Frugal Lifestyle Tips - 21 Simple Ways to Save Money
Financial debt can certainly consume you in more ways that one. It can rob you of sleep, it can cause major anxiety, it can interfere in your marriage, and it can cause you a severe bout of depression. While some of these go hand in hand, there are a growing number of financial debt affects that can result in an unhealthy lifestyle.
With the worldwide failing economy, there has to be certain things we can do to alleviate some of that burden. Well, there are quite a few practical money saving tips that can economically benefit you and your family. Let's take a look at some of those things.
1) Drink Water: The beverage you drink on a daily basis should be water. Not only will this save you money, but consuming at least 8 full glasses of water each day is extremely healthy for you.
2) Eat Out Less: Stay at home and cook more often verses going out to eat. You can still have that scheduled Friday or Saturday night evening out, but otherwise stick to cooking at home more throughout the week and you will be surprised at how much you save in a year's time.
3) Ditch That Daily Morning Latte: You know that daily morning latte that you think you have to have on the way back home from taking the kids to school? Ditch that, you don't need it. Make your own at home and you'll save a bundle in just a month's time.
4) Dryer Vent Seal: Make for sure your clothes dryer has a dryer vent seal. This is an air leakage control device. We have one on ours and it's definitely a money saver.
5) Grocery Shopping Online: Try doing your grocery shopping online. Sometimes you are able to save a considerable amount of your hard-earned dollars by doing this. An added plus, you will save on gas and time as well.
6) Downsize To One Car Family: Downsize from a two car family to a one car family. Look at some car pooling options as well as re evaluating your family's transportation needs.
7) Homemade Gifts: When giving gifts, look into your creative side and make your gifts verses buying them. Maybe you love scrapbooking, or perhaps you like to crochet. Most people appreciate the homemade gifts better than the expensive store bought.
8) Your Children and Finances: Teach your children early on that money doesn't grow on trees, as the old saying goes. An allowance is a good thing for them to learn the process of earning money. Furthermore, instill in them the importance of saving.
9) Phone Bill, Internet, and Cable: If you haven't done so already, look into combining all 3 of these into one bill. You can save a bundle by dong this. I know Charter and AT &T has some good deals.
10) Combining Insurances Into One Bill: A lot of people have their medical, life, and home insurance all through one company. A lot of insurance companies offer this. It's worth checking into, as it can save you money.
11) Online Coupons: There is a wealth of information on the Internet, including coupons. Just type in the type of "printable coupons" you are looking for into Google.com and you will come up with a lot of sites to check out.
12) Timeshare Vacation Deals: We all get those calls don't we? Would you like a "free vacation?" Well, of course there is always a catch for these deals. You often have to sit in on an hour or hour and a half long sales presentation. A lot of people take advantage of this. This can save you a ton of money. Type "timeshare vacations" into Google.com and you'll find lots of options.
13) Saving Leftover Foods: After meals if you have quite a bit of leftovers, don't throw it out! Freeze it and make something different with it for another meal time. Also for small leftovers, save it for lunch for the next day.
14) Yard and Rummage Sales: If you have time for these, go to them! Often times, you can find some really good bargains. And there are some people that have clothing items for sale that have never been worn (with the tags still attached) at extremely low prices. These items may be just your size and what you've been looking for.
15) Walk Instead Of Drive: Whenever possible and when in walking distance, leave the car in the garage and walk to your destination. Not only will you save on fuel and wear and tear on your car, you will also get some needed exercise.
16) Saving Coins: Coins can add up quickly. At the end of each week, gather any extra coins that have accumulated in your car and your purse, and keep them in a piggy bank or a good size container. Every so often take those coins to the bank and either put the money in your checking account, savings account, or just get the cash for it. This is great for saving up for vacations or home improvement projects.
17) Enjoy Time At Home Instead Of Going Out: Have friends over or have a family night instead of going out. If your family enjoys these planned special nights, make it a weekly routine. You'd be surprised at how much you will save in a year's time doing this.
18) Store Credit Cards At Home: Instead of keeping your credit cards in your wallet or purse, store them at home in a safe place. This way, you will resist the urge to buy on impulse. Use them only for emergencies.
19) Set Your Bills On Automatic Bank Draft: Instead of writing out checks each month, save on both time and stamps and schedule your bills for automatic bank draft.
20) Save On Electric: When you're away from home or during the night, adjust your thermostat. Do this for both heating and cooling.
21) Online Freebies: There are tons of freebie websites. You may have to take a quick survey to get those items for free. It only takes a few minutes, take advantage of these sites and do the surveys. It is well worth it to save a few bucks.
Article Written By Tammy Embrich
Tammy is an Internet marketer, article marketer, and ghostwriter. You can find more grandparenting and parenting articles, tips, and personal experiences, as well as photos and recipes at Grandma's Home Blogger Place
Download our free toolbar
Download our free toolbar
With the worldwide failing economy, there has to be certain things we can do to alleviate some of that burden. Well, there are quite a few practical money saving tips that can economically benefit you and your family. Let's take a look at some of those things.
1) Drink Water: The beverage you drink on a daily basis should be water. Not only will this save you money, but consuming at least 8 full glasses of water each day is extremely healthy for you.
2) Eat Out Less: Stay at home and cook more often verses going out to eat. You can still have that scheduled Friday or Saturday night evening out, but otherwise stick to cooking at home more throughout the week and you will be surprised at how much you save in a year's time.
3) Ditch That Daily Morning Latte: You know that daily morning latte that you think you have to have on the way back home from taking the kids to school? Ditch that, you don't need it. Make your own at home and you'll save a bundle in just a month's time.
4) Dryer Vent Seal: Make for sure your clothes dryer has a dryer vent seal. This is an air leakage control device. We have one on ours and it's definitely a money saver.
5) Grocery Shopping Online: Try doing your grocery shopping online. Sometimes you are able to save a considerable amount of your hard-earned dollars by doing this. An added plus, you will save on gas and time as well.
6) Downsize To One Car Family: Downsize from a two car family to a one car family. Look at some car pooling options as well as re evaluating your family's transportation needs.
7) Homemade Gifts: When giving gifts, look into your creative side and make your gifts verses buying them. Maybe you love scrapbooking, or perhaps you like to crochet. Most people appreciate the homemade gifts better than the expensive store bought.
8) Your Children and Finances: Teach your children early on that money doesn't grow on trees, as the old saying goes. An allowance is a good thing for them to learn the process of earning money. Furthermore, instill in them the importance of saving.
9) Phone Bill, Internet, and Cable: If you haven't done so already, look into combining all 3 of these into one bill. You can save a bundle by dong this. I know Charter and AT &T has some good deals.
10) Combining Insurances Into One Bill: A lot of people have their medical, life, and home insurance all through one company. A lot of insurance companies offer this. It's worth checking into, as it can save you money.
11) Online Coupons: There is a wealth of information on the Internet, including coupons. Just type in the type of "printable coupons" you are looking for into Google.com and you will come up with a lot of sites to check out.
12) Timeshare Vacation Deals: We all get those calls don't we? Would you like a "free vacation?" Well, of course there is always a catch for these deals. You often have to sit in on an hour or hour and a half long sales presentation. A lot of people take advantage of this. This can save you a ton of money. Type "timeshare vacations" into Google.com and you'll find lots of options.
13) Saving Leftover Foods: After meals if you have quite a bit of leftovers, don't throw it out! Freeze it and make something different with it for another meal time. Also for small leftovers, save it for lunch for the next day.
14) Yard and Rummage Sales: If you have time for these, go to them! Often times, you can find some really good bargains. And there are some people that have clothing items for sale that have never been worn (with the tags still attached) at extremely low prices. These items may be just your size and what you've been looking for.
15) Walk Instead Of Drive: Whenever possible and when in walking distance, leave the car in the garage and walk to your destination. Not only will you save on fuel and wear and tear on your car, you will also get some needed exercise.
16) Saving Coins: Coins can add up quickly. At the end of each week, gather any extra coins that have accumulated in your car and your purse, and keep them in a piggy bank or a good size container. Every so often take those coins to the bank and either put the money in your checking account, savings account, or just get the cash for it. This is great for saving up for vacations or home improvement projects.
17) Enjoy Time At Home Instead Of Going Out: Have friends over or have a family night instead of going out. If your family enjoys these planned special nights, make it a weekly routine. You'd be surprised at how much you will save in a year's time doing this.
18) Store Credit Cards At Home: Instead of keeping your credit cards in your wallet or purse, store them at home in a safe place. This way, you will resist the urge to buy on impulse. Use them only for emergencies.
19) Set Your Bills On Automatic Bank Draft: Instead of writing out checks each month, save on both time and stamps and schedule your bills for automatic bank draft.
20) Save On Electric: When you're away from home or during the night, adjust your thermostat. Do this for both heating and cooling.
21) Online Freebies: There are tons of freebie websites. You may have to take a quick survey to get those items for free. It only takes a few minutes, take advantage of these sites and do the surveys. It is well worth it to save a few bucks.
Article Written By Tammy Embrich
Tammy is an Internet marketer, article marketer, and ghostwriter. You can find more grandparenting and parenting articles, tips, and personal experiences, as well as photos and recipes at Grandma's Home Blogger Place
Download our free toolbar
Download our free toolbar
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