I live in South Florida. They call them "palmettto bugs" to make themselves feel better. But they are roaches. Awful. Yucky. Skittery. OH DEAR GOD IT IS HUGE roaches. They suck. And they come out in record amounts in the summer months. When I lived in apartments I never had roach problems, because I was never on the first floor and because most landlords down here have a contract with a pest control service.
We rent a house from a private owner. He does not have a pest control contract. Our backyard is beautiful. Full of tropical plants like a jungle but with better landscaping. We love it. But... OMG BUGGGGGGGGS!!!!
Here is what I have found that works. Bay leaves. No, I am not kidding. Bay leaves. But you gotta buy them from either a big box store like BJ's or order them in bulk online. Their effectiveness lasts about 3 months, then you have to sweep them out and replace them with fresh ones. But while they are there, the Palmetto Bugs (aka Big A** roaches) will NOT be there. If you buy your spices from the grocery store, just contract an insecticide service, because you will pay more for the bay leaves than you will for the service. But if you buy in bulk, not only are you not adding poison to your house you are saving $ as well.
The more you know.... (rainbow graphic here...) Ding.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Savings for Members of BJ's
Right now BJ's has whole chickens for .89/lb and whole smoked, uncooked shank portion Smithfield hams for $1.39/lb. Winn Dixie also had the same hams for $1.39/lb. So get ready to roast, people. I have a great, easy method for roasting whole smoked, uncooked hams. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy:
What is wonderful about this roast ham is that if you bought enough you will have leftovers for ham salad, ham sandwiches, fried ham with apples for breakfast, and a nice bone with which to make a really good soup. Split pea, black-eyed pea, ham and rice - the choice is yours.
- 1 whole uncooked ham
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 TBS whole cloves
- Preheat oven to 325. Rinse the ham under cold water and remove that plastic thingy from the bottom. Why is it there? I have no idea.
- Cut skin off ham, leaving the fat. You want the fat for cooking, you can cut it away if you don't want to eat it - and if you don't WHAT ARE YOU CRAZY??!!!?? That stuff is GOOD!!!! Just don't overdo it. You don't save a penny if you need a bypass later.
- Whew (smooths hair), sorry about that. Anyway, rinse the ham, trim off the skin. Put a rack into a large roasting pan. Baking racks work fine for this. (Yes, those things you cool the cookies on.) Place the ham on the rack, score the fat and push whole cloves through each diamond or square shape created by scoring the fat.
- Mix together the apple juice, water and brown sugar. Pour over the ham. Cover TIGHTLY with foil. You want the ham to steam and roast at the same time. Roast for 20 minutes per pound. Remove foil. Baste with lovely juices from bottom of pan and roast an additional 1/2 hour to get a lovely browned goodness. Let rest for 20 minutes and then carve and serve.
What is wonderful about this roast ham is that if you bought enough you will have leftovers for ham salad, ham sandwiches, fried ham with apples for breakfast, and a nice bone with which to make a really good soup. Split pea, black-eyed pea, ham and rice - the choice is yours.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Miami Produce Savings
If you live in Miami-Dade county, it is worth a once-a-month drive to Lorenzo's Italian Farmer's Market. They are just north of 163rd street on Dixie Highway. Their produce prices are now about 20% LOWER than Publix prices and their produce is usually locally grown. They have GREAT stuff. Plus they have a corner in the back with quick sale items that are great if you plan to cook them the same day or the next day. I once found a package of hen-of-the-woods mushrooms marked down to $1.29/lb from $12.00/lb!! I made mushroom ravioli that night and it was heavenly! This last shopping trip I got some lovely fingerling potatoes from the quick sale area. I got two pounds for $1.25. They were divine - roasted with butter, parsley, salt and pepper. An example of the savings: their zucchini and yellow squash at regular price are $0.99/lb. Publix had these on SALE for $1.29/lb.
They also have an Italian Market just south of the Farmer's Market. Bargains are more scarce there but they have the quality of Whole Foods at a Publix price. For example, I got their hand-made-on-premises Italian sausage for the same price as Publix, $3.99 a pound, but made the same day so it was much fresher and much more flavorful. They also have Italian cheesecake for $7.99 - I think the same cheesecake at Publix is around $12. They have fresh pasta as well. Not as much of a bargain but oh, SO good! But if you are really into saving money make your own. It is very cheap and super easy. You will need a pasta roller. Look for a post later about making homemade pasta for pennies a pound.
Hope this is helpful!
They also have an Italian Market just south of the Farmer's Market. Bargains are more scarce there but they have the quality of Whole Foods at a Publix price. For example, I got their hand-made-on-premises Italian sausage for the same price as Publix, $3.99 a pound, but made the same day so it was much fresher and much more flavorful. They also have Italian cheesecake for $7.99 - I think the same cheesecake at Publix is around $12. They have fresh pasta as well. Not as much of a bargain but oh, SO good! But if you are really into saving money make your own. It is very cheap and super easy. You will need a pasta roller. Look for a post later about making homemade pasta for pennies a pound.
Hope this is helpful!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Dried beans, people! Do you have them?
Cos you need them. If you are coming up short every month and you stay at home with the kids you HAVE the time for dried beans. They are easily 1/3 the cost of their canned variety and are easily used as a meat substitute. Today I am making an Indian chickpea dish, Chickpeas Moghlai-style, from Madhur Jaffrey's highly-recommended "World Vegetarian". Now, obviously, given the last recipe I referred to, we are NOT vegetarians. We are realists. Most of the rest of the world's population subsist on vegetables first, meat second. My parents' generation had meat only one or two times a week, and sometimes not even that frequently. They were older... born during the Great Depression, poor, and had to eat beans and rice many an evening. And get this - if you make it right, beans and rice are REALLY GOOD. I mean DELICIOUS good. And cheap. And you know I loves the cheap.
So grab yourselves a copy of Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian. I am not getting paid to endorse this. I am not even sure I am not blogging into the wind. But believe me, in lean times that cookbook is a lifesaver. It offers vegetable based meals that are easy on the wallet and are not only Indian, but Caribbean, Central and South American. All good stuff and most don't require any expensive ingredients.
Also, if you have to buy some spices for the dishes, keep them in the freezer. In fact, I keep ALL my spices in the freezer. They last longer as long as you only take them out long enough to measure out the correct amount and put the bottle back immediately. Do not let condensation build up inside the container. Water, light and humidity are the enemies of spices, but I have stretched the life-span of all my spices and herbs by freezing them and handling them carefully (i.e., briefly) when I use them.
So grab yourselves a copy of Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian. I am not getting paid to endorse this. I am not even sure I am not blogging into the wind. But believe me, in lean times that cookbook is a lifesaver. It offers vegetable based meals that are easy on the wallet and are not only Indian, but Caribbean, Central and South American. All good stuff and most don't require any expensive ingredients.
Also, if you have to buy some spices for the dishes, keep them in the freezer. In fact, I keep ALL my spices in the freezer. They last longer as long as you only take them out long enough to measure out the correct amount and put the bottle back immediately. Do not let condensation build up inside the container. Water, light and humidity are the enemies of spices, but I have stretched the life-span of all my spices and herbs by freezing them and handling them carefully (i.e., briefly) when I use them.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Money Saving Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
My 3 year old asks for me to make this about once a week. It is from All Recipes (a site I use frequently). You can change up the veggies to suit what you have on hand.
Two things I do differently:
I won't reprint the recipe here just add a link to it since there are really no significant changes I make to it myself. It will serve you for a couple of days and if you buy chicken leg quarters in bulk you can sometimes find them as low as $.79/lb on sale. Skin them before you make the broth and you save time having to skim the fat later.
Chicken Stew with Dumplings from All Recipes.
Two things I do differently:
- Because it adds more flavor, I usually sweat the carrots, celery and onion in one the healthier tub margarines you can buy before adding them to the broth. Butter is so expensive I save it for things that REALLY need it for flavor. My favorite margarine is Move Over Butter, made from vegetable oil and buttermilk. It is yummy AND less expensive than other "healthy" butter substitute spreads. I can only find it at Winn-Dixie, though.
- I mix the dumpling dough in my food processor. SO much easier and comes together in seconds.
I won't reprint the recipe here just add a link to it since there are really no significant changes I make to it myself. It will serve you for a couple of days and if you buy chicken leg quarters in bulk you can sometimes find them as low as $.79/lb on sale. Skin them before you make the broth and you save time having to skim the fat later.
Chicken Stew with Dumplings from All Recipes.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
RE: CLJ Mom's Meatloaf Comment
CLJ - I forgot to add that I usually grind up my oatmeal in my food processor so the toddlers don't recognize it. They are 2 and 3 and can be picky at times. You CAN use it whole, tho, doesn't change the taste at all and the texture just a little. Probably better to have the whole grain of the oatmeal but if I can sneak the flaxseed and the oatmeal in there without being noticed I feel a little better about them eating red meat.
Also, it may sound paranoid but I always buy a roast and grind the meat at home. The meat tastes a LOT better ---- worlds different from ground beef you buy at the store and I don't have as many fears about e-coli. You know, I have found it pays to know your butcher. Even at a large, big-box chain store like BJ's those butchers will take the time to talk to you about the meats you are choosing and they have all agreed with me that the best way is to buy the whole cut and grind just before cooking. Just too much air and moisture is worked into the ground meat from the surface of the roast as the cell walls are broken down and the moisture combined with the air provides a perfect breeding ground for nasty buggies.
It is cheaper, too. And I am all about the savings. Typically at my BJ's the eye of round 5 pound roast is around $2.59 a pound (smaller cuts cost more), while the hambuger runs anywhere from $2.99 to $3.25 a pound depending on fat content. At regular grocery stores the cost for ground beef, unless it is on sale, is even greater.
I hope I don't have to tell you not to buy what they call "chubbs" - those sausage looking tubes of ground beef. YEARS ago I used to work at a meat processing plant (Bryan Foods, since defunct) and that is the worst, lowest grade ground beef you can buy. If that is all you can afford, I have a GREAT lentil curry recipe I can give you. ;^). Seriously, don't eat that stuff. It should be outlawed.
Also, it may sound paranoid but I always buy a roast and grind the meat at home. The meat tastes a LOT better ---- worlds different from ground beef you buy at the store and I don't have as many fears about e-coli. You know, I have found it pays to know your butcher. Even at a large, big-box chain store like BJ's those butchers will take the time to talk to you about the meats you are choosing and they have all agreed with me that the best way is to buy the whole cut and grind just before cooking. Just too much air and moisture is worked into the ground meat from the surface of the roast as the cell walls are broken down and the moisture combined with the air provides a perfect breeding ground for nasty buggies.
It is cheaper, too. And I am all about the savings. Typically at my BJ's the eye of round 5 pound roast is around $2.59 a pound (smaller cuts cost more), while the hambuger runs anywhere from $2.99 to $3.25 a pound depending on fat content. At regular grocery stores the cost for ground beef, unless it is on sale, is even greater.
I hope I don't have to tell you not to buy what they call "chubbs" - those sausage looking tubes of ground beef. YEARS ago I used to work at a meat processing plant (Bryan Foods, since defunct) and that is the worst, lowest grade ground beef you can buy. If that is all you can afford, I have a GREAT lentil curry recipe I can give you. ;^). Seriously, don't eat that stuff. It should be outlawed.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Apologies
Just re-read a lot of my posts. Typos a go-go... sorry about that. That drives me crazy!! I vow to do better.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
How to Give Back When You Ain't Got Nuthin' Much To Give
This is really only for you true SAHMs out there. If you have a job where appearances count, or if you are really concerned about your appearance this is not advice for you.
However, if you are confident in who you are, and how you want to affect the world, this is right up your alley.
Donate your hair. Seriously. I started doing this when I had my first baby. Hormones make your hair grow fast and thick. Once you get ten inches you can donate your hair to Locks of Love. Children who have lost their hair due to any medical diagnosis (mainly alopecia, but from other reasons as well) will get a real hair wig made from your hair. It takes about a year to grow 12 inches. People generally grow one inch per month. But due to breakage it will take you about a year to accrue enough hair to donate.
Like I said: we don't have extra money to donate to causes. But I can grow hair. And I stay at home and don't have a dress code. It makes me happy to think that a child has nice hair because I have been patient enough to donate. Whenever I shampoo or condition my hair I think I am doing it not just for me, but for someone else who will really appreciate nice, silky smooth hair.
Whatever you believe, whomever is your god, it is good to contribute to the self esteem of a sick child.
However, if you are confident in who you are, and how you want to affect the world, this is right up your alley.
Donate your hair. Seriously. I started doing this when I had my first baby. Hormones make your hair grow fast and thick. Once you get ten inches you can donate your hair to Locks of Love. Children who have lost their hair due to any medical diagnosis (mainly alopecia, but from other reasons as well) will get a real hair wig made from your hair. It takes about a year to grow 12 inches. People generally grow one inch per month. But due to breakage it will take you about a year to accrue enough hair to donate.
Like I said: we don't have extra money to donate to causes. But I can grow hair. And I stay at home and don't have a dress code. It makes me happy to think that a child has nice hair because I have been patient enough to donate. Whenever I shampoo or condition my hair I think I am doing it not just for me, but for someone else who will really appreciate nice, silky smooth hair.
Whatever you believe, whomever is your god, it is good to contribute to the self esteem of a sick child.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Road Tripping Part III - Those that are left behind
There they are. The onions. On the counter. Staring you in the face. Telling you "I'll sprout if you leave me, see if I don't!" Those guilt inducing bulbs. Oh, and the garlic! Don't get me started with the garlic. It'll sprout on you even if you DON'T leave. You know you will have to do something with them so they can be useful once you get home.
So chop those babies up. Onions are easy. Chop them as you would for any recipe and store in quart sized freezer bags. After they have frozen, break them apart a bit by squeezing the bag so you don't have just one big brick of onions but a lovely, shakable bag of individual ones that you can measure out easily.
The garlic is tougher. The best way I have found is to mince the garlic and mix it with a bit of olive oil then freeze in those small plastic ware containers. After your trip when you are ready to use some, let it sit on the counter a bit and then you can spoon out what you need then pop the rest back in the freezer. Of course you can always call their bluff, leave them on the counter, let them sprout and plant them when they get back. That'll show 'em. Then, hey, free garlic! Don't try this with the onions though. They will just rot out of spite.
Carrots and celery. The first thing I would suggest would be that you cut a bunch up into little sticks, soak for 1/2 hour in cold salted water, drain and bring them on the road for healthy snacks. But if you have a bunch (pardon the pun) here's what you do: Handle the celery much like you would the onion. Slice, freeze, break apart in their little baggies so they rattle around in there. Done.
Carrots are more complicated. The easiest thing to do is to give them to a carrot loving friend. Or you could blanch them and freeze them in a little bit of blanching water to use later in soups.
Eggs. If you like egg salad. Make that and take it on your trip, knowing it will only last a day or so. If you don't like egg salad. Boil them and either take them with you or leave in the fridge. If your trip isn't very long they will still be good when you get back. If you are in for a long road trip, don't boil them but separate them and freeze the yolks and eggs separately. Use a cheap ice cube tray, spray with cooking spray and freeze one egg white or one egg yolk per section.
Potatoes. Oh, those wretched potatoes. If you leave them they will sprout. If you try to freeze them in any partially cooked form they will be yucky. Either make a nice potato soup and then freeze it (using up a little of your onions and celery BTW) or give them away.
As far as fruit is concerned your best bet with anything other than citrus is to take it with you to use as snacks on the road. Grapes, apples, mangos, berries - make a lovely fruit salad and you'll have a nice dessert along the way. Bananas need to be left out of the salad. They do very bad things to a fruit salad. It isn't pretty.
Now your citrus is easy. Zest the peel of all your citrus, store in leftover spice jars, little plastic containers or freezer bags and freeze for use in recipes later.(see previous post, Lemons on Sale). In addition to slicing the lemons and freezing, you can also juice all of your citrus and freeze the juice (just be sure to label them so you aren't left with mystery juice),.
Happy trails.
So chop those babies up. Onions are easy. Chop them as you would for any recipe and store in quart sized freezer bags. After they have frozen, break them apart a bit by squeezing the bag so you don't have just one big brick of onions but a lovely, shakable bag of individual ones that you can measure out easily.
The garlic is tougher. The best way I have found is to mince the garlic and mix it with a bit of olive oil then freeze in those small plastic ware containers. After your trip when you are ready to use some, let it sit on the counter a bit and then you can spoon out what you need then pop the rest back in the freezer. Of course you can always call their bluff, leave them on the counter, let them sprout and plant them when they get back. That'll show 'em. Then, hey, free garlic! Don't try this with the onions though. They will just rot out of spite.
Carrots and celery. The first thing I would suggest would be that you cut a bunch up into little sticks, soak for 1/2 hour in cold salted water, drain and bring them on the road for healthy snacks. But if you have a bunch (pardon the pun) here's what you do: Handle the celery much like you would the onion. Slice, freeze, break apart in their little baggies so they rattle around in there. Done.
Carrots are more complicated. The easiest thing to do is to give them to a carrot loving friend. Or you could blanch them and freeze them in a little bit of blanching water to use later in soups.
Eggs. If you like egg salad. Make that and take it on your trip, knowing it will only last a day or so. If you don't like egg salad. Boil them and either take them with you or leave in the fridge. If your trip isn't very long they will still be good when you get back. If you are in for a long road trip, don't boil them but separate them and freeze the yolks and eggs separately. Use a cheap ice cube tray, spray with cooking spray and freeze one egg white or one egg yolk per section.
Potatoes. Oh, those wretched potatoes. If you leave them they will sprout. If you try to freeze them in any partially cooked form they will be yucky. Either make a nice potato soup and then freeze it (using up a little of your onions and celery BTW) or give them away.
As far as fruit is concerned your best bet with anything other than citrus is to take it with you to use as snacks on the road. Grapes, apples, mangos, berries - make a lovely fruit salad and you'll have a nice dessert along the way. Bananas need to be left out of the salad. They do very bad things to a fruit salad. It isn't pretty.
Now your citrus is easy. Zest the peel of all your citrus, store in leftover spice jars, little plastic containers or freezer bags and freeze for use in recipes later.(see previous post, Lemons on Sale). In addition to slicing the lemons and freezing, you can also juice all of your citrus and freeze the juice (just be sure to label them so you aren't left with mystery juice),.
Happy trails.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Road Tripping Part II - The Route
One of the most important things in planning your route is deciding what is important to YOU. Scenery? Entertaining spots along the way? Saving time? Obviously saving time will equal saving gas but even if you don't want to miss seeing Historic Dustyoldville you can plan an effective, gas saving route. Shoot. I don't even need to say this but I will. USE GOOGLE MAPS. It will give you an estimated time and milage.
For instance, we were having to live on the really frugal side of life and had to avoid toll roads as much as possible. The google route line is draggable and will recalculate the milage and time to accommodate your re-route.
Which brings me to gas. Hope you have a smart phone because you will love the gas apps they offer you. I could do a lousy description or you can go to this page and see a really well done one http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/3/prweb8217156.htm, If you don't have a smart phone then keep an eye out for those gigantic signs bragging about their low gas prices, and take your chances, You will likely find one cheaper a little further down the way (always happens to me) but it is your best option.
Also check this little baby out http://www.commonsensejunction.com/notes/gas-tax-rate.html- it tells you the gas taxes by state (scroll down past the ad). If you are traveling through several states budget your gas purchases accordingly. To visit my family in Mississippi I will make sure I leave Florida with about 1/4 tank left to take advantage of the cheaper gas in Alabama. THEN I will fill up because Mississippi also has high has prices.
Where to stay? Join a hotel chain loyalty club. I am a member of two different ones and the perks change a lot but are mostly free nights. Sometimes they are gas cards, Obviously you will want to make sure that the club you choose has many options on your route. I can honestly say I usually go for the cheapest one with either the Baymont or Choice Hotels Clubs and have never been disappointed. And take advantage of the continental breakfasts. While they are nothing but some bagels, pastries and maybe some cereals and muffins, they are FREE and that is one meal a day you will not have to open your wallet for.
Got any more suggestions? Please share?
Next time: what to do with the food left behind.
For instance, we were having to live on the really frugal side of life and had to avoid toll roads as much as possible. The google route line is draggable and will recalculate the milage and time to accommodate your re-route.
Which brings me to gas. Hope you have a smart phone because you will love the gas apps they offer you. I could do a lousy description or you can go to this page and see a really well done one http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/3/prweb8217156.htm, If you don't have a smart phone then keep an eye out for those gigantic signs bragging about their low gas prices, and take your chances, You will likely find one cheaper a little further down the way (always happens to me) but it is your best option.
Also check this little baby out http://www.commonsensejunction.com/notes/gas-tax-rate.html- it tells you the gas taxes by state (scroll down past the ad). If you are traveling through several states budget your gas purchases accordingly. To visit my family in Mississippi I will make sure I leave Florida with about 1/4 tank left to take advantage of the cheaper gas in Alabama. THEN I will fill up because Mississippi also has high has prices.
Where to stay? Join a hotel chain loyalty club. I am a member of two different ones and the perks change a lot but are mostly free nights. Sometimes they are gas cards, Obviously you will want to make sure that the club you choose has many options on your route. I can honestly say I usually go for the cheapest one with either the Baymont or Choice Hotels Clubs and have never been disappointed. And take advantage of the continental breakfasts. While they are nothing but some bagels, pastries and maybe some cereals and muffins, they are FREE and that is one meal a day you will not have to open your wallet for.
Got any more suggestions? Please share?
Next time: what to do with the food left behind.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Aaaand we're back... Road Tripping Part I - Food Prep
Sorry for the long delay but the boys and I have been on a road trip to visit family and I have been busier than a one legged man in... a contest that requires one to plant their foot firmly on opponents' hindquarters.
Anyway. Thought a good topic would be Road Tripping Economically. So here we go.
First of all, resist the urge to buy snack-sized packages of anything. Cheerios, raisins, goldfish, carrot sticks and celery sticks will all with go into small plastic storage containers or Ziploc baggies, Pack what you already have on hand, Don't buy more.
Same goes for water bottles. Just bout everyone has a reusable water bottle or seven lying around the house. Fill them 1/2 to 2/3 full and place in your freezer. Voila - you have ice to help cool down your cooler and for drinking later. Don't buy water you can get for free. And don't reuse purchased bottles from brand name bottled water. They are designed to break down over time and who wants to chance having your little one's genes mutated over a couple of bucks.
Which brings me to VIP (very important point) number 3). Bring a cooler. A cooler large enough to handle a couple of days worth of water, juice, etc. It can be Styrofoam if that is all you can afford, but a good a cooler is worth the investment down the line. We have a cooler we bought for hurricane season (we live in FL) that will keep food cool for up to 5 days (properly supplied with ice, of course).
In your cooler pack your family's favorite sandwich fixins. Ham, turkey, bologna, tuna salad (although use this up in the first day or so). Pack condiments like mayo and mustard. Pack pickles, cheese, lettuce, etc. The choice is up to you.
Also, if you have little kids, pack quart sized containers of milk and juice and just use those to fill up sippy cups. (Again, learned the hard way on this one - toddlers like to SQUEEEEEZE the box because it make such a pretty fountain.). If you are the driver, indulge yourself with high caffeine beverages like red bull, Dr. Pepper, whatever. So this is a little spurge but you gotta stay awake so live a little -- literally,
A couple of days before leaving bake cookies for munching a long the way. Again, you save tons over buying them at the super market. Bake your own bread if you are so inclined but understand that by thy end of the second day it will be too crumbly to use.
Bring a large blanket and make rest/lunch stops a picnic. Gives the little ones a chance to run around and stretch and you aren't paying $4 for a hamburger that will require an additional rest stop down the road.
Next time: Planning your route, booking hotels in advance and finding cheap gas,
Anyway. Thought a good topic would be Road Tripping Economically. So here we go.
First of all, resist the urge to buy snack-sized packages of anything. Cheerios, raisins, goldfish, carrot sticks and celery sticks will all with go into small plastic storage containers or Ziploc baggies, Pack what you already have on hand, Don't buy more.
Same goes for water bottles. Just bout everyone has a reusable water bottle or seven lying around the house. Fill them 1/2 to 2/3 full and place in your freezer. Voila - you have ice to help cool down your cooler and for drinking later. Don't buy water you can get for free. And don't reuse purchased bottles from brand name bottled water. They are designed to break down over time and who wants to chance having your little one's genes mutated over a couple of bucks.
Which brings me to VIP (very important point) number 3). Bring a cooler. A cooler large enough to handle a couple of days worth of water, juice, etc. It can be Styrofoam if that is all you can afford, but a good a cooler is worth the investment down the line. We have a cooler we bought for hurricane season (we live in FL) that will keep food cool for up to 5 days (properly supplied with ice, of course).
In your cooler pack your family's favorite sandwich fixins. Ham, turkey, bologna, tuna salad (although use this up in the first day or so). Pack condiments like mayo and mustard. Pack pickles, cheese, lettuce, etc. The choice is up to you.
Also, if you have little kids, pack quart sized containers of milk and juice and just use those to fill up sippy cups. (Again, learned the hard way on this one - toddlers like to SQUEEEEEZE the box because it make such a pretty fountain.). If you are the driver, indulge yourself with high caffeine beverages like red bull, Dr. Pepper, whatever. So this is a little spurge but you gotta stay awake so live a little -- literally,
A couple of days before leaving bake cookies for munching a long the way. Again, you save tons over buying them at the super market. Bake your own bread if you are so inclined but understand that by thy end of the second day it will be too crumbly to use.
Bring a large blanket and make rest/lunch stops a picnic. Gives the little ones a chance to run around and stretch and you aren't paying $4 for a hamburger that will require an additional rest stop down the road.
Next time: Planning your route, booking hotels in advance and finding cheap gas,
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Request RE Bread Loaf Pan
A reader asked me what type bread loaf pan I use. I use an inexpensive Anchor Hocking glass baking dish I bought at the local Publix. Here's a pic:
$3.99!! That is a bargain for me. And it browns the bottom and sides much better than my metal pans.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Mom's Meatloaf
My mother always made the best meatloaf. She is still around, but at 83 she doesn't cook a lot anymore. Still, she created an AWESOME meatloaf recipe that is ready in less than 1/2 hour. Yes, really. (Including prep. Eat that, Rachael.)
Here ya go:
1 1/2 lb ground beef
3/4 cup plain oatmeal
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup catsup OR 1 small can of tomato paste mixed with water to equal 1/2 cup
1 beaten egg
1 Tablespoon Worchestershire sauce
Mix together and form into mini loaves about 1 inch thick and 2" wide x 3" long. Place on foil lined baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Broil about 6 inches from broiler for 10 minutes.
While meat is broiling mix together:
1/2 cup catsup
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon mustard
1/8 tsp nutmeg (or a few shavings, I use whole and microplane it fresh for each use)
1/4 tsp ground ginger (optional)
Flip mini loaves, coat with a thin layer of the above mixture and then broil for another 6 - 8 minutes.
I usually steam some broccoli, make some instant potatoes (from Big Lots, yes, at $2.00 for a big box) and badabing - dinner is served.
I sometimes add some ground flaxseed just because I like to sneak a bit into my family's diet as much as I can. But don't add more than 1/4 cup. It soaks up liquid and can make your meatloaves dry if you add too much.
Try it and let me know what you think.
Here ya go:
1 1/2 lb ground beef
3/4 cup plain oatmeal
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup catsup OR 1 small can of tomato paste mixed with water to equal 1/2 cup
1 beaten egg
1 Tablespoon Worchestershire sauce
Mix together and form into mini loaves about 1 inch thick and 2" wide x 3" long. Place on foil lined baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Broil about 6 inches from broiler for 10 minutes.
While meat is broiling mix together:
1/2 cup catsup
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon mustard
1/8 tsp nutmeg (or a few shavings, I use whole and microplane it fresh for each use)
1/4 tsp ground ginger (optional)
Flip mini loaves, coat with a thin layer of the above mixture and then broil for another 6 - 8 minutes.
I usually steam some broccoli, make some instant potatoes (from Big Lots, yes, at $2.00 for a big box) and badabing - dinner is served.
I sometimes add some ground flaxseed just because I like to sneak a bit into my family's diet as much as I can. But don't add more than 1/4 cup. It soaks up liquid and can make your meatloaves dry if you add too much.
Try it and let me know what you think.
Lemons on sale
I found lemons on sale at Publix and bought a few, but I didn't use them all before they reached their peak. So here's what I did... thought I would share. I zested the peel from the almost-over-ripe lemons, sliced them, removed the seeds and froze the slices on a plate lined with parchment paper. That way, I have lemon slices to pop into iced tea, lemonade or even plain old iced water. Plus I wouldn't rule out popping them into chicken piccata or chicken, corn and cilantro stew say about 5 minutes before removing them from the heat.
A good rule of thumb is to ALWAYS zest the peel of oranges or lemons before you juice them or use them in a recipe, keep the zest in an empty spice bottle in the freezer. That way you always have zest to add a little kick to whatever you are cooking.
A good rule of thumb is to ALWAYS zest the peel of oranges or lemons before you juice them or use them in a recipe, keep the zest in an empty spice bottle in the freezer. That way you always have zest to add a little kick to whatever you are cooking.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Dudes and Dude-ettes, this lady is SERIOUS
I thought I was good at coupon-ing. This lady brings it to an art form. Thanks to Stephanie Robinson Rial for pointing this out
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/
Whoah.
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/
Whoah.
Homemade Bread
Here is my favorite homemade bread recipe:
Preheat oven to 200 degrees. After 10 minutes, turn oven off. Preheating then turning off the oven provides a warm dry environment for the dough to rise in.
3 1/2 cups flour
2 heaping teaspoons yeast
1/4 cup sugar, or 3 Tbs molasses or 3 Tbs honey
1 tsp salt
mix above together,
Heat 1 1/3 cup water to 115 degrees.
add 2 Tbs melted butter or 2 Tbs oil to water.
Make well in flour mixture and pour in water and oil. Mix together until dough forms. Knead for 15 to 20 minutes. Pour into greased bowl and turn to coat with oil all over. Put in oven and let rise for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes punch down dough, flour a flat clean surface and knead dough until reduced to original size. Place in greased loaf pan and allow to rise until doubled in size. Meanwhile preheat oven to 350 degrees.
After dough has risen, bake for 40 minutes. Cool on wire rack. DO NOT SLICE UNTIL COMPLETELY COOLED!!!!
Store bread in large plastic bag. Do not store until cooled or bread will get soggy.
Obviously this is plain white bread. I often add ground oats, flaxseed, wheat bran, etc. when I do the second kneading. This adds fiber and flavor. Play around with it and see what works for you.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees. After 10 minutes, turn oven off. Preheating then turning off the oven provides a warm dry environment for the dough to rise in.
3 1/2 cups flour
2 heaping teaspoons yeast
1/4 cup sugar, or 3 Tbs molasses or 3 Tbs honey
1 tsp salt
mix above together,
Heat 1 1/3 cup water to 115 degrees.
add 2 Tbs melted butter or 2 Tbs oil to water.
Make well in flour mixture and pour in water and oil. Mix together until dough forms. Knead for 15 to 20 minutes. Pour into greased bowl and turn to coat with oil all over. Put in oven and let rise for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes punch down dough, flour a flat clean surface and knead dough until reduced to original size. Place in greased loaf pan and allow to rise until doubled in size. Meanwhile preheat oven to 350 degrees.
After dough has risen, bake for 40 minutes. Cool on wire rack. DO NOT SLICE UNTIL COMPLETELY COOLED!!!!
Store bread in large plastic bag. Do not store until cooled or bread will get soggy.
Obviously this is plain white bread. I often add ground oats, flaxseed, wheat bran, etc. when I do the second kneading. This adds fiber and flavor. Play around with it and see what works for you.
Make your own cleaners
When we dropped down to one income I started realizing just how expensive brand name cleaning sprays were. What gives? They are mostly water! So I started making my own. Now instead of over $2 a bottle, I spend about 20 cents a bottle. 90% savings? I'm in!!
So here's what you do. A lot of sites will go crazy telling you ratios, essential oils, etc., but here's the real deal: Your mix should be about 1:10 cleaner to water, with a drop of inexpensive dish washing liquid (NOT dishWASHER liquid). So for a bleach cleaner you would use 4 TBS bleach to 40 tbs water. Not that I measure. I just buy one of those empty spray bottles like this:
This is just an example. The ones I buy have markings on them that make the measuring a cinch.
Anyway, make one with bleach and one with ammonia. Same ratio 1:10. Strong enough to do the job but not damage any surfaces. Bleach at Big Lots (can you tell this is my favorite store?) runs about $1.50 a gallon. Ammonia is a little more expensive but not by much. You can get 1/2 gallon for about $1.75. But they last a LOOOOONG time when you dilute them and use them in this fashion. Compare to over $2 for commercial spray cleaners and you are saving tons.
There are two home made cleaners I have yet to make work to my satisfaction: laundry detergent and dishwashing detergent. I bought the Fels-Naptha, the Borax, the household baking soda. I failed. So I just buy the cheapest detergents I can find and use my coupons.
One cleaning item that is totally worth the money? Oxyclean! I have two toddlers and can remove just about any stain with that stuff.
That's todays post. If you have any hints for making household cleaners please share!!!
See you tomorrow... Cheers!
So here's what you do. A lot of sites will go crazy telling you ratios, essential oils, etc., but here's the real deal: Your mix should be about 1:10 cleaner to water, with a drop of inexpensive dish washing liquid (NOT dishWASHER liquid). So for a bleach cleaner you would use 4 TBS bleach to 40 tbs water. Not that I measure. I just buy one of those empty spray bottles like this:
Anyway, make one with bleach and one with ammonia. Same ratio 1:10. Strong enough to do the job but not damage any surfaces. Bleach at Big Lots (can you tell this is my favorite store?) runs about $1.50 a gallon. Ammonia is a little more expensive but not by much. You can get 1/2 gallon for about $1.75. But they last a LOOOOONG time when you dilute them and use them in this fashion. Compare to over $2 for commercial spray cleaners and you are saving tons.
There are two home made cleaners I have yet to make work to my satisfaction: laundry detergent and dishwashing detergent. I bought the Fels-Naptha, the Borax, the household baking soda. I failed. So I just buy the cheapest detergents I can find and use my coupons.
One cleaning item that is totally worth the money? Oxyclean! I have two toddlers and can remove just about any stain with that stuff.
That's todays post. If you have any hints for making household cleaners please share!!!
See you tomorrow... Cheers!
Monday, March 28, 2011
When it comes to toys, Goodwill is your friend
Except for special occasions like birthdays and Christmas, when you are buying toys Goodwill is the place to go. I look at it like toy rental. You buy something super cheap that will entertain your kid for a while, and then you return it when they are no longer interested in it. Saves you a bundle over department store prices and you know that some other kid is going to get the joy out of that same toy when you return it. But please, no one wants a beat up toy with pieces missing. If it is junk after your kids have played with it then please either find a specialized recycling center that accepts unusual items or just trash it. We have Bob's Recycling (yes, BOB's, funny, huh?). He takes batteries, old toys, old phones, everything. Maybe you have something like that in your area.
Also, Goodwill and thrift stores are awesome for holiday decorations. I got 3 holiday themed platters at my local Goodwill to use for Christmas cookies I give to friends. They were 25 cents a piece. The cheapest of these would have been at least $2 at the cheapest dollar store. They were clean, unscratched and very cute.
I bought a giant light up jack-o-lantern with a black cat popping out of the top from Goodwill. It was a whopping $6 (which is more than what I usually spend there) but the thing is almost four feet tall. I figured I would return it after Halloween. Turns out my kids adore it, so we had to find a place to store it until next Halloween. Sometimes bargains can bite you in the bohonkus. ;^) But similar kitchy items at BigLots were over $20. So six dollars was a pretty good investment for happy kiddo memories.
Please share your happy thrift store finds. And locations for good thrift stores in your area. I live in Miami so I am obviously interested in Miami area stores, but others in different parts of the country could benefit from your favorite bargain basement - so dish!!!
Also, Goodwill and thrift stores are awesome for holiday decorations. I got 3 holiday themed platters at my local Goodwill to use for Christmas cookies I give to friends. They were 25 cents a piece. The cheapest of these would have been at least $2 at the cheapest dollar store. They were clean, unscratched and very cute.
I bought a giant light up jack-o-lantern with a black cat popping out of the top from Goodwill. It was a whopping $6 (which is more than what I usually spend there) but the thing is almost four feet tall. I figured I would return it after Halloween. Turns out my kids adore it, so we had to find a place to store it until next Halloween. Sometimes bargains can bite you in the bohonkus. ;^) But similar kitchy items at BigLots were over $20. So six dollars was a pretty good investment for happy kiddo memories.
Please share your happy thrift store finds. And locations for good thrift stores in your area. I live in Miami so I am obviously interested in Miami area stores, but others in different parts of the country could benefit from your favorite bargain basement - so dish!!!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Homemade Pancake Syrup
Here is a recipe for home made pancake syrup that will end up costing you about $1.75 for 3 cups of syrup.I realize this is more than the cheapest syrup I can find - Roddenberry's Northwood Syrup, but this one contains no high fructose corn syrup and that is very important to me.
Pancake syrup:
2 1/2cups white sugar
2 tsp molasses
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract
Combine everything but vanilla. Bring to a boil and boil for three minutes. Add vanilla and pour into jar. Store in refrigerator. Tastes great on pancakes and french toast.
If you like maple syrup add 1/2 tsp maple flavoring or 1/4 cup maple syrup to cooked syrup mixture.
Coupons and Big Box Stores: to use or not to use
Clipping coupons takes time, but it is worth it most of the time. Resign yourself to the fact that you will not use all of the coupons you clip. Coupons work best when combined with store sales, obviously. Otherwise you are better off just buying the cheaper store brand. But when my Publix or Winn-Dixie places items on sale at buy one get one free, you can really rack up the savings by combining a coupon with that offer. For example, recently Publix had Progresso soup (a brand I don't normally buy because it is expensive) on sale bo/go and I had a coupon for 40 cents off, I got two cans for just a little over two dollars, instead of the $4.80 it would have been prior to the sale/coupon combo.
Once caveat, coupons for medicines are never worth it. You will never get the same price as the store brand even when you use the coupon. Don't bother. Or toothpaste, if you have a Big Lots nearby. You can always find toothpaste at Big Lots for a dollar or less per tube. The same stuff you buy at the grocery store for $2 or more. Big Lots does not take coupons but it doesn't matter. For things like toothpaste and mouthwash, Big Lots cannot be beaten. And they have medicines, too. Which brings me to:
BIG BOX STORES: I use BJ's, but you might have a Costco or Sam's Club near you. It appears to be all the same, really. At BJ's I pay $45 a year for membership. I have two toddlers who go through diapers and milk like crazy. They will easily drink up 4 gallons of milk per week. At BJ's the milk is a full $1 less than at any grocery store, even when they run a sale. So if you just consider milk alone, I save $4 a week. $208 savings a year on milk alone, less my $45 membership is $163 dollars. Divide that by my $20 co-pay for doctor visits that is 8 doctor visits for free. Every dollar counts. Plus big box stores take coupons.... and issue their own coupons. Totally worth the membership fee.
Cold medicine, aspirin, allergy medicine, vitamins? Big box stores usually have their own brand which is up to 80% less than you can find anywhere else. Hands down. Even if you buy the grocery store brand you are saving 30% if you buy at the big box store. You buy more, so your initial investment is greater but the price per pill or teaspoon is much less. Again, the membership fee pays for itself.
I bake my own bread. You should, too. Bread is up to $4 a loaf at regular supermarkets. I admit, I sometimes cave when a store has bo/go specials (as long as the bread does not include high fructose corn syrup) or when I am at Big Lots and they have bread for $1.70 a loaf (also with no hfcs). But normally, it is home baked bread for us. A jar of yeast at a regular grocery store is close to $3 for about 8 oz. Two 16 oz blocks of yeast at BJ's is less than $4. Four times as much for a couple of dimes more. Yes indeedy, that is a bargain for me.
Fresh meats at big box stores usually run about 50 cents less per pound. Eggs are about 30% less than at the supermarket.
So when it comes to big box membership stores, count me as a sold-American...with the following exceptions:
Things NOT worth buying at big box stores:
Cheers - P
Once caveat, coupons for medicines are never worth it. You will never get the same price as the store brand even when you use the coupon. Don't bother. Or toothpaste, if you have a Big Lots nearby. You can always find toothpaste at Big Lots for a dollar or less per tube. The same stuff you buy at the grocery store for $2 or more. Big Lots does not take coupons but it doesn't matter. For things like toothpaste and mouthwash, Big Lots cannot be beaten. And they have medicines, too. Which brings me to:
BIG BOX STORES: I use BJ's, but you might have a Costco or Sam's Club near you. It appears to be all the same, really. At BJ's I pay $45 a year for membership. I have two toddlers who go through diapers and milk like crazy. They will easily drink up 4 gallons of milk per week. At BJ's the milk is a full $1 less than at any grocery store, even when they run a sale. So if you just consider milk alone, I save $4 a week. $208 savings a year on milk alone, less my $45 membership is $163 dollars. Divide that by my $20 co-pay for doctor visits that is 8 doctor visits for free. Every dollar counts. Plus big box stores take coupons.... and issue their own coupons. Totally worth the membership fee.
Cold medicine, aspirin, allergy medicine, vitamins? Big box stores usually have their own brand which is up to 80% less than you can find anywhere else. Hands down. Even if you buy the grocery store brand you are saving 30% if you buy at the big box store. You buy more, so your initial investment is greater but the price per pill or teaspoon is much less. Again, the membership fee pays for itself.
I bake my own bread. You should, too. Bread is up to $4 a loaf at regular supermarkets. I admit, I sometimes cave when a store has bo/go specials (as long as the bread does not include high fructose corn syrup) or when I am at Big Lots and they have bread for $1.70 a loaf (also with no hfcs). But normally, it is home baked bread for us. A jar of yeast at a regular grocery store is close to $3 for about 8 oz. Two 16 oz blocks of yeast at BJ's is less than $4. Four times as much for a couple of dimes more. Yes indeedy, that is a bargain for me.
Fresh meats at big box stores usually run about 50 cents less per pound. Eggs are about 30% less than at the supermarket.
So when it comes to big box membership stores, count me as a sold-American...with the following exceptions:
Things NOT worth buying at big box stores:
- Fresh vegetables and fruits: these can usually be bought on sale for less at grocery stores and since you have to buy in bulk the chances of those fresh fruits or veggies going bad before you can use them is a lot greater.
- Cereal (but only if you have a Big Lots near you). Big Lots has their cereal for about 50% less than at supermarkets and about 20% less than at big box stores
- Bread: I have found it very difficult to find bread that doesn't have high fructose corn syrup. I don't buy ANYTHING that has high fructose corn syrup. So I either make my own or buy at Big Lots. For some reason the breads they carry don't have high fructose corn syrup.
- Frozen veggies: unless you have a separate freezer, the bulk sizes just take up too much room in my fridge's freezer space. If you have a separate chest or standing freezer, then it might work for you to buy veggies at the big box stores. Otherwise, you come out better buying smaller amounts of store brand frozen veggies at your supermarket.
- Spices: unless you use them a LOT they will lose their flavor long before you have a chance to use them up
Cheers - P
Saturday, March 26, 2011
This IS your job.
You must look at it this way: saving money IS your job. That... and cleaning... and taking care of the kids... the laundry... the bills...the groceries. Tough love, honey. Saving money is the primary responsibility you have during these times.
Comparing prices between stores; shopping sales; cooking from scratch: these are all things you must do. Forget brand loyalty unless you discover that in a particular case it really means something. For instance, Scott brand toilet paper. It is expensive. But it also lasts longer and works better than most other brands. During REALLY lean times resort to the store brand, but if you find a brand that is more cost effective because the performance is better then stick with it. If the cheaper brand is cheaper because it requires you to use more of it, then you really aren't saving anything. If you can't afford milk, diapers, food, etc., because you're buying Name Brand X then you buy Mr. Cheapie's brand. Otherwise, stick with what works and search for coupons for your preferred brand at every opportunity.
The iPhone can help you do this. Most stores have apps that will show you the sales fliers for each week. If you are lucky enough to have two or three stores within a mile or two apart, the gas expense won't offset your savings when you visit several stores to shop the sales (i.e., loss leaders). Never pay full price unless you have to. If you have to drive more than 2 miles between stores, then I don't believe the savings are worth it. In that case, either plan to buy the sales item later when you will be in that area or just bite the bullet and eat the cost. But remember they are called loss leaders for a reason. The price has been lowered because, in addition to an agreement with the distributor for a lower price for a bulk order, prices have been raised on other items to offset any losses incurred as a result of the sale item's reduced price. This is why it makes sense to shop several stores. Take advantage of the loss leaders without paying the higher price for the items that have been marked up.
There is another app called, and I quote parentheses included, Shopping List (Grocery List), made by the Hensoft division of Indended Design, of Hamburg, Germany. Folks this app is GOOD. I used the free one (and yes, there is a free one) but it is definitely worth the $2.99 upgrade. You can have multiple lists. You can enter the price per item, per gallon, pound, etc.. It will calculate your shopping list total. You can even enter the sales tax to have it added to your total so you know EXACTLY how much you are going to spend. Tech is cool, am I right? The only pain is you have to enter each item individually and then remember to change the item prices when they go on sale.
Your other option is time consuming, but if you are childless, retired, kids are out of the house for a few hours a day or you're a night owl this activity will work for you. Make your grocery list by hand. Grab the fliers for each of the stores you have within a 2 mile radius and either enter into a spreadsheet or list on a piece of paper the prices of the items you need in columns. Then make a list of what you will buy at which store. I am in no way exaggerating when I say I have saved up to $50 on my grocery trip by buying sales at multiple stores. Get the store discount card and read the fine print. Don't buy 3 for $5 if you have to buy all three and you only need one. But if it is 3 for $5 and you can get one for $1.66 then the savings are probably worth it.
It has been said before but also BASE YOUR MENUS ON WHAT IS IN SEASON AND WHAT IS ON SALE.
Okay - this post is getting long and I do have two toddlers to tend to so I gotta go. But tune in next time: we will discuss the pros and cons of using coupons and big box store memberships.
Interested in a particular topic? Let me know.
Comparing prices between stores; shopping sales; cooking from scratch: these are all things you must do. Forget brand loyalty unless you discover that in a particular case it really means something. For instance, Scott brand toilet paper. It is expensive. But it also lasts longer and works better than most other brands. During REALLY lean times resort to the store brand, but if you find a brand that is more cost effective because the performance is better then stick with it. If the cheaper brand is cheaper because it requires you to use more of it, then you really aren't saving anything. If you can't afford milk, diapers, food, etc., because you're buying Name Brand X then you buy Mr. Cheapie's brand. Otherwise, stick with what works and search for coupons for your preferred brand at every opportunity.
The iPhone can help you do this. Most stores have apps that will show you the sales fliers for each week. If you are lucky enough to have two or three stores within a mile or two apart, the gas expense won't offset your savings when you visit several stores to shop the sales (i.e., loss leaders). Never pay full price unless you have to. If you have to drive more than 2 miles between stores, then I don't believe the savings are worth it. In that case, either plan to buy the sales item later when you will be in that area or just bite the bullet and eat the cost. But remember they are called loss leaders for a reason. The price has been lowered because, in addition to an agreement with the distributor for a lower price for a bulk order, prices have been raised on other items to offset any losses incurred as a result of the sale item's reduced price. This is why it makes sense to shop several stores. Take advantage of the loss leaders without paying the higher price for the items that have been marked up.
There is another app called, and I quote parentheses included, Shopping List (Grocery List), made by the Hensoft division of Indended Design, of Hamburg, Germany. Folks this app is GOOD. I used the free one (and yes, there is a free one) but it is definitely worth the $2.99 upgrade. You can have multiple lists. You can enter the price per item, per gallon, pound, etc.. It will calculate your shopping list total. You can even enter the sales tax to have it added to your total so you know EXACTLY how much you are going to spend. Tech is cool, am I right? The only pain is you have to enter each item individually and then remember to change the item prices when they go on sale.
Your other option is time consuming, but if you are childless, retired, kids are out of the house for a few hours a day or you're a night owl this activity will work for you. Make your grocery list by hand. Grab the fliers for each of the stores you have within a 2 mile radius and either enter into a spreadsheet or list on a piece of paper the prices of the items you need in columns. Then make a list of what you will buy at which store. I am in no way exaggerating when I say I have saved up to $50 on my grocery trip by buying sales at multiple stores. Get the store discount card and read the fine print. Don't buy 3 for $5 if you have to buy all three and you only need one. But if it is 3 for $5 and you can get one for $1.66 then the savings are probably worth it.
It has been said before but also BASE YOUR MENUS ON WHAT IS IN SEASON AND WHAT IS ON SALE.
Okay - this post is getting long and I do have two toddlers to tend to so I gotta go. But tune in next time: we will discuss the pros and cons of using coupons and big box store memberships.
Interested in a particular topic? Let me know.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Cheap Wine
If you are like me, after a day chasing toddlers you like to relax with a glass of wine... or five ;^). Well Gregory Del Plaz has an article on food-friendly wines under $10 a bottle. I have had the 07 Castle Rock Petite Sirah and I can say it is mighty delicious and goes great with cheese burgers or steak.
Catch the entire article here: http://www.snooth.com/articles/wine-reviews/the-return-of-the-cheap-drunk/
Enjoy!
Catch the entire article here: http://www.snooth.com/articles/wine-reviews/the-return-of-the-cheap-drunk/
Enjoy!
Welcome to SAHM Spot, ths Spot for Stay at Home Moms
I finished graduate school two years ago just as the bottom was dropping out of both the economy and the job market. I had an 18th month old and was pregnant with my second. The wages I could get for the jobs available would just about cover parking and day care
I had always blanched at the thought of handing my infants over to another person to raise, and wanted to stay home with my kids until they reached kindergarten age. I feel strongly that the things that shape a child's initial personality and values are learned before a child even learns to talk and I wanted to make sure my little ducklings imprinted on a parent. So since my husband is employed full time we agreed I would be that parent and would stay at home with the kids.
We have had to tighten our belts. Living on one salary with two babies is rough going. But with adjustments and sacrifice we are surviving. I am writing this for people like us. My husband is a teacher. He doesn't pull in 6 figures. We live in a suburb of Miami and the cost of living is high. Milk is over $4 a gallon and bread is not much less than that a loaf.
I want to share what I have learned. And provide a spot where others can share what they have learned as well. Together we can circulate frugal recipes, shopping tips, and a place to commiserate while prices continue to rise while our income remains the same.
If we all pull together we can make it through this rough ride and make fun, happy memories for our children at the same time.
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