Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Summer Clearance
Tip for the day make sure you check your local CVS pharmacies and Dollar Generals they are marking down all of their summer items. I got some flip flops for next summer for my kids in a size bigger than they are now and some water bottles had a whole basket full and only paid about 4.00. So check your stores clearance CVS has 90% off and Dollar general is 70 % off soon to be 90%.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
I just love this
I almost forgot about this, I had it book marked and I was going through my bookmarks and thought I would share. Its a little lady on youtube and she'll tell stories while she tells you how to cook like your living in the depression. Cheap good food how it would have been made back then. Take a minute and watch one of her videos. You'll love her just as much as I do.
http://www.youtube.com/user/DepressionCooking
http://www.youtube.com/user/DepressionCooking
Natural Remedy For Cradle Cap
So one day your bathing your baby and realize she has yellow scales on her head what is that? Its cradle cap its just an overproduction of the oils in the scalp and its very common in newborns and infants. So how to get rid of it you ask well go in your kitchen and break out the olive oil rub a little on her scalp and put a warm cloth over her head for about 3 minutes after that use a come and gently scrape away what has come loose. Then shampoo normally with baby shampoo. Repeat process again the next day and your cradle cap worries should disappear. No costly shampoos to buy no doctor visit, and its all natural can't beat that.
Healthy foods for under $1
Rice brown or white- can be stored up to two years so it makes a good deal of economic sense to buy in bulk. If you buy 20 pounds or more you can find rice for less than 50 cents per pound. It is one of the most economical foods on the planet with a 100 calories of cooked rice costing roughly 3-4 cents.
Oatmeal- a cup cost roughly 20 cents.
Potatoes- There are several types of potato but most you can find for between 40 to 60 cents per pound.
Eggs- A dozen eggs here typically costs about 1.50 which works out to about 12.5 cents per egg so for a typical two egg portion it would cost you 25 cents.
Popcorn-Loose kernels cost around 75 cents per pound. A typically microwave packet contains 2.8 ounces of dry popcorn kernels which comes out to roughly 13 cents if you pop it yourself.
Apples- Depending on the sale you can find apples sometimes 4 for 1 dollar which would make them 25 cents per apple. Red Delicious tend to be the cheaper more abundant variety.
Watermelon- During the summer you can find watermelon for about 40 cents per pound.
Beans- Most dried beans cost around 88 cents to 1.00 per pound and it makes alot more than one serving.
Bananas- Currently bananas run between 40-60 cents per pound.
Kiwi's- You can often find these on sale for 3 for 1.00
Cantaloupe- In season it typically runs about 19 cents per pound and even out of season it runs about 60 cents so still a good deal.
Carrots- typically cost about 50 cents per pound for the larger variety and around 1.25 for baby variety.
Lentils- Like beans lentils cost about 80 cents to 1.00 per pound very cost effective and filling.
Nuts- typically a pound of almonds or walnuts during the right season will run you about 2.98 per pound even pecans in the right season will run you that much per pound. 1 serving is approximately 1.5 oz and there are 16 oz to a pound so each serving would cost you about 30 cents per serving.
Oatmeal- a cup cost roughly 20 cents.
Potatoes- There are several types of potato but most you can find for between 40 to 60 cents per pound.
Eggs- A dozen eggs here typically costs about 1.50 which works out to about 12.5 cents per egg so for a typical two egg portion it would cost you 25 cents.
Popcorn-Loose kernels cost around 75 cents per pound. A typically microwave packet contains 2.8 ounces of dry popcorn kernels which comes out to roughly 13 cents if you pop it yourself.
Apples- Depending on the sale you can find apples sometimes 4 for 1 dollar which would make them 25 cents per apple. Red Delicious tend to be the cheaper more abundant variety.
Watermelon- During the summer you can find watermelon for about 40 cents per pound.
Beans- Most dried beans cost around 88 cents to 1.00 per pound and it makes alot more than one serving.
Bananas- Currently bananas run between 40-60 cents per pound.
Kiwi's- You can often find these on sale for 3 for 1.00
Cantaloupe- In season it typically runs about 19 cents per pound and even out of season it runs about 60 cents so still a good deal.
Carrots- typically cost about 50 cents per pound for the larger variety and around 1.25 for baby variety.
Lentils- Like beans lentils cost about 80 cents to 1.00 per pound very cost effective and filling.
Nuts- typically a pound of almonds or walnuts during the right season will run you about 2.98 per pound even pecans in the right season will run you that much per pound. 1 serving is approximately 1.5 oz and there are 16 oz to a pound so each serving would cost you about 30 cents per serving.
Lots of Tips for the Day
I found this looking for frugal food tips so I thought I'd share all of them. Enjoy!
* If you are one egg short when baking a cake, substitute one teaspoon of cornstarch instead.
* Do you want to prevent mold from growing on cheese? Wrap it tightly with a sugar cube and store it in the refrigerator.
* Are you out of oil and need to grease a skillet? Rub it with half a potato. Pans "greased" with potato don't smoke at high temperatures like oiled pans do.
* Does your brown sugar harden like a concrete block? To keep it soft, store it in a glass jar in your refrigerator or in a plastic bag with a piece of bread or apple inside.
* Don't let insects ruin your dry foods! Put a bay leaf into containers of pasta, flour, rice and dry mixes to keep them away.
* If your mayonnaise separates or curdles, mix 1 teaspoon mustard and 1 tablespoon curdled mayonnaise in a bowl. Beat it with a wire whisk until it is creamy. Add the rest of the mayonnaise slowly and blend well.
* To keep a fresh fruit salad from turning brown, sprinkle the sliced fruit with lemon juice.
* Is your granulated sugar lumpy? Place several saltine crackers in the container and cover it tightly.
* If you have a block of cheese that has dried out, don't throw it away? Store it in freezer. When you need to grate it for a recipe, slice it thinly, without thawing. Frozen cheese crumbles easily. It is perfect for making macaroni and cheese.
* Do you need to freshen dried out coconut? Place it in a strainer over a steaming pot of water for a few minutes.
* If you don't want to throw out a stale loaf of bread, sprinkle it with water or milk and wrap it in aluminum foil. Bake it at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes to soften it. Loaves of Italian or French bread need to be baked for 3-5 minutes more, with the foil open for the last few minutes.
* Sticky rice? Rinse it thoroughly with warm water to wash out the excess starch. This will cause the grains to easily separate.
* Sticky pasta? Add salt or oil to noodles while the water is boiling.
* Did you over-salt a recipe? Add a little vinegar and sugar and then taste. If it is a recipe for stew or soup, add a raw potato to absorb the excess salt.
* Does your recipe have too much sugar? Add a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar.
* If you are one egg short when baking a cake, substitute one teaspoon of cornstarch instead.
* Do you want to prevent mold from growing on cheese? Wrap it tightly with a sugar cube and store it in the refrigerator.
* Are you out of oil and need to grease a skillet? Rub it with half a potato. Pans "greased" with potato don't smoke at high temperatures like oiled pans do.
* Does your brown sugar harden like a concrete block? To keep it soft, store it in a glass jar in your refrigerator or in a plastic bag with a piece of bread or apple inside.
* Don't let insects ruin your dry foods! Put a bay leaf into containers of pasta, flour, rice and dry mixes to keep them away.
* If your mayonnaise separates or curdles, mix 1 teaspoon mustard and 1 tablespoon curdled mayonnaise in a bowl. Beat it with a wire whisk until it is creamy. Add the rest of the mayonnaise slowly and blend well.
* To keep a fresh fruit salad from turning brown, sprinkle the sliced fruit with lemon juice.
* Is your granulated sugar lumpy? Place several saltine crackers in the container and cover it tightly.
* If you have a block of cheese that has dried out, don't throw it away? Store it in freezer. When you need to grate it for a recipe, slice it thinly, without thawing. Frozen cheese crumbles easily. It is perfect for making macaroni and cheese.
* Do you need to freshen dried out coconut? Place it in a strainer over a steaming pot of water for a few minutes.
* If you don't want to throw out a stale loaf of bread, sprinkle it with water or milk and wrap it in aluminum foil. Bake it at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes to soften it. Loaves of Italian or French bread need to be baked for 3-5 minutes more, with the foil open for the last few minutes.
* Sticky rice? Rinse it thoroughly with warm water to wash out the excess starch. This will cause the grains to easily separate.
* Sticky pasta? Add salt or oil to noodles while the water is boiling.
* Did you over-salt a recipe? Add a little vinegar and sugar and then taste. If it is a recipe for stew or soup, add a raw potato to absorb the excess salt.
* Does your recipe have too much sugar? Add a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Frugal Tip of the day
So you've made dinner and now you have left over veggies or left over meat, put all the left overs in a saved butter tub and freeze it. Do this with several meals and when your tub in the freezer is full its time to make soup!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Frugal Gift Idea
Chocolate Covered Spoons
What You Need:
* Plastic spoons
* Baker's chocolate
* Wax paper
* Candies (optional) Crushed peppermints work great or mini marshmallows
Here's How:
1. Melt baker's chocolate in the microwave or on the stove, following the instructions on the box.
2. Allow the chocolate to cool slightly.
3. Dip a spoon in the chocolate, fully coating the bowl.
4. Sprinkle candies onto the spoon, if desired.
5. Place the finished spoon on wax paper to dry.
6. Repeat until all of the chocolate is gone.
Tips:
1. Use white and dark chocolate together to create a swirled look.
2. Top the spoons with cookie crumbs or other pantry leftovers to cut the cost even further.
3. Use a baggie or plastic wrap to package the finished spoons; tie them shut with a piece of ribbon or string.
You might want to also purchase a coffee mug to put them in, you can get them at the dollar tree for a dollar and put 6 spoons per cup.
What You Need:
* Plastic spoons
* Baker's chocolate
* Wax paper
* Candies (optional) Crushed peppermints work great or mini marshmallows
Here's How:
1. Melt baker's chocolate in the microwave or on the stove, following the instructions on the box.
2. Allow the chocolate to cool slightly.
3. Dip a spoon in the chocolate, fully coating the bowl.
4. Sprinkle candies onto the spoon, if desired.
5. Place the finished spoon on wax paper to dry.
6. Repeat until all of the chocolate is gone.
Tips:
1. Use white and dark chocolate together to create a swirled look.
2. Top the spoons with cookie crumbs or other pantry leftovers to cut the cost even further.
3. Use a baggie or plastic wrap to package the finished spoons; tie them shut with a piece of ribbon or string.
You might want to also purchase a coffee mug to put them in, you can get them at the dollar tree for a dollar and put 6 spoons per cup.
Readers
If you read my blog please feel free to share any comments or frugal hints or tips in the comments. I'd love to get you all involved!
Frugal Tip of the Day
Next time you make that roast or whole roast chicken save some of the leftover meat and make pot roast sandwiches or shepards pie, or chicken salad for another meal. You'll get two meals for one. Saves you money and time!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Reuseable Lunch Containers GO GREEN!!
ReUseable Lunch Containers
With just a few snips, you can create a set of cool, eco-friendly, reusable snack and sandwich containers from juice cartons and milk jugs. They're food-safe, easy to rinse clean, and absolutely free, so it's no biggie if they get tossed accidentally. Let your kids decorate the boxes with stickers and permanent markers for an even more personalized look.
Idea from family fun magazine..
SANDWICH BOX:
1-gallon milk jug
Marker
Scissors
Thumbtack
Adhesive-backed Velcro dot
SNACK BOX:
Juice or milk carton, in any size from a half-pint to a quart
Scissors
Adhesive-backed Velcro dot
SANDWICH BOX: Mark a clean 1-gallon milk jug as shown.
2. Cut along the lines with scissors. To make the crease lines, use a thumbtack to pierce a row of dots at 1/4-inch intervals across each side of the jug, 1 3/4 inches up from the bottom.
3. Fold the flaps at these dotted lines, then open them and fold them in the opposite direction along the lines (this will make the flaps easier for your kids to open and close). Fold up the box and add an adhesive-backed Velcro dot closure.
4. SNACK BOX: Use a clean juice or milk carton. Cut off the top, then cut the sides into flaps as shown. Carefully crease the flaps, then fold them down and add an adhesive-backed Velcro dot closure.
With just a few snips, you can create a set of cool, eco-friendly, reusable snack and sandwich containers from juice cartons and milk jugs. They're food-safe, easy to rinse clean, and absolutely free, so it's no biggie if they get tossed accidentally. Let your kids decorate the boxes with stickers and permanent markers for an even more personalized look.
Idea from family fun magazine..
SANDWICH BOX:
1-gallon milk jug
Marker
Scissors
Thumbtack
Adhesive-backed Velcro dot
SNACK BOX:
Juice or milk carton, in any size from a half-pint to a quart
Scissors
Adhesive-backed Velcro dot
SANDWICH BOX: Mark a clean 1-gallon milk jug as shown.
2. Cut along the lines with scissors. To make the crease lines, use a thumbtack to pierce a row of dots at 1/4-inch intervals across each side of the jug, 1 3/4 inches up from the bottom.
3. Fold the flaps at these dotted lines, then open them and fold them in the opposite direction along the lines (this will make the flaps easier for your kids to open and close). Fold up the box and add an adhesive-backed Velcro dot closure.
4. SNACK BOX: Use a clean juice or milk carton. Cut off the top, then cut the sides into flaps as shown. Carefully crease the flaps, then fold them down and add an adhesive-backed Velcro dot closure.
Home Remedy Pink Eye
As a mom I know the dreaded feeling in the stomach when your child wakes up with crusty eyes, the oh god they've got pink eye you freak out cause its so contagious and you don't want the other kids getting it so what to do...
Lipton Tea bags to the rescue or generic works too if its Orange Peoke which is the same tea in Lipton.
Place the tea bags under a warm stream of water making sure to get the entire bag damp, then place bag over affected eye for 10 minutes. Do this 3 times per day at least more if child will tolerate. This will essentially suck the infection out of the eye and also soothe it in return.
For breastfeeding mothers, a few drops of breast milk in the affected eye will also get rid of pink eye and unclog blocked tear ducts.
Lipton Tea bags to the rescue or generic works too if its Orange Peoke which is the same tea in Lipton.
Place the tea bags under a warm stream of water making sure to get the entire bag damp, then place bag over affected eye for 10 minutes. Do this 3 times per day at least more if child will tolerate. This will essentially suck the infection out of the eye and also soothe it in return.
For breastfeeding mothers, a few drops of breast milk in the affected eye will also get rid of pink eye and unclog blocked tear ducts.
Tip of the day
Save your old Shampoo bottle, when you buy a new bottle put half of the new bottle in the old bottle and fill to top with water. Most shampoos work exactly the same when diluted with warm water, so you'll get two bottles for one.
Homemade Beauty
Exfoliating Mask (dry skin)
Use it to: Calm and soften skin
Why it works: Soothing and anti-inflammatory, oatmeal contains beta glucan, a soluble fiber that creates a thin, moisture-retaining film on the surface of the skin. It exfoliates dead skin. The egg whites soften and smooth dry skin.
What you need: Egg whites and oatmeal
How-to: Mix the egg whites and oatmeal in a bowl. Put the mixture on your face. Leave it on for five minutes. Rinse with water
Body Exfoliator (all skin types)
Use it to: Slough dry skin off heels, knees and elbows
Why it works: The fruit acid loosens dead skin cells.
What you need: Orange, granulated sugar, olive oil
How-to: Cut a fresh orange in half and squeeze the juice of one half into a bowl. Add ¼ cup granulated sugar or you can use sea salt and ¼ cup olive oil and then blend into a moisture rich scrub. Next, rub the exposed side of the other half of the orange over the knees, elbows, heels, and any other dry spots. Slough off the dead skin by rubbing in the mixture. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Toner (combination to oily skin)
Use it to: Fight breakouts
Why it works: Its high acid content makes skin inhospitable to blemish causing bacteria.
What you need: Parsley, apple-cider vinegar and tea tree oil
How-to:
Place a handful of parsley (a skin-clarifying herb) into a French press and cover it with ½ cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, and then plunge and let the liquid cool. Transfer to a spray bottle along with a splash of vinegar and 4 drops of tea tree oil (an antiseptic), shake well, and spritz on a freshly cleaned face. (Store the spray bottle in the fridge.)
Beer (flat and dull hair)
Use it to: Pump up flat, dull hair
Why it works: Yeast and hops help to swell the hair shaft and plump the cuticle, adding volume. The acidity of the beer helps remove built up products residue.
What you need: A rich beer with a high yeast content works best (no light beer)
How-to: In the shower, after you've shampooed, pour a bottle of beer over your hair. To avoid the smelling like a eau de liqour cabinet, rinse briefly with fresh water.
Deep Conditioner for Hair
Banana: Mash one banana with 2 Tbsp olive oil until smooth. Apply liberally throughout hair. Cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap and allow to sit for 20 minutes. Wash and condition as usual.
Exfoliating Body Scrub
Fill a resealable container (like Gladware) with brown sugar or salt (I prefer brown sugar it smells nicer). Pour in olive oil until it reaches the top of the salt. Cover and use the next time you shower. The salt will scrub away dead skin cells, giving you a healthy glow and the oil will moisturize your skin. This is a great way to rejuvenate skin
and can even help make that cellulite a little less noticeable.
Use it to: Calm and soften skin
Why it works: Soothing and anti-inflammatory, oatmeal contains beta glucan, a soluble fiber that creates a thin, moisture-retaining film on the surface of the skin. It exfoliates dead skin. The egg whites soften and smooth dry skin.
What you need: Egg whites and oatmeal
How-to: Mix the egg whites and oatmeal in a bowl. Put the mixture on your face. Leave it on for five minutes. Rinse with water
Body Exfoliator (all skin types)
Use it to: Slough dry skin off heels, knees and elbows
Why it works: The fruit acid loosens dead skin cells.
What you need: Orange, granulated sugar, olive oil
How-to: Cut a fresh orange in half and squeeze the juice of one half into a bowl. Add ¼ cup granulated sugar or you can use sea salt and ¼ cup olive oil and then blend into a moisture rich scrub. Next, rub the exposed side of the other half of the orange over the knees, elbows, heels, and any other dry spots. Slough off the dead skin by rubbing in the mixture. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Toner (combination to oily skin)
Use it to: Fight breakouts
Why it works: Its high acid content makes skin inhospitable to blemish causing bacteria.
What you need: Parsley, apple-cider vinegar and tea tree oil
How-to:
Place a handful of parsley (a skin-clarifying herb) into a French press and cover it with ½ cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, and then plunge and let the liquid cool. Transfer to a spray bottle along with a splash of vinegar and 4 drops of tea tree oil (an antiseptic), shake well, and spritz on a freshly cleaned face. (Store the spray bottle in the fridge.)
Beer (flat and dull hair)
Use it to: Pump up flat, dull hair
Why it works: Yeast and hops help to swell the hair shaft and plump the cuticle, adding volume. The acidity of the beer helps remove built up products residue.
What you need: A rich beer with a high yeast content works best (no light beer)
How-to: In the shower, after you've shampooed, pour a bottle of beer over your hair. To avoid the smelling like a eau de liqour cabinet, rinse briefly with fresh water.
Deep Conditioner for Hair
Banana: Mash one banana with 2 Tbsp olive oil until smooth. Apply liberally throughout hair. Cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap and allow to sit for 20 minutes. Wash and condition as usual.
Exfoliating Body Scrub
Fill a resealable container (like Gladware) with brown sugar or salt (I prefer brown sugar it smells nicer). Pour in olive oil until it reaches the top of the salt. Cover and use the next time you shower. The salt will scrub away dead skin cells, giving you a healthy glow and the oil will moisturize your skin. This is a great way to rejuvenate skin
and can even help make that cellulite a little less noticeable.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Awesome Website
Quite a few months back we were gung ho on a budget we kinda slipped off the bandwagon it happens I suppose. But while we were on our budget I came across a website I really found quite helpful for couponing. So I figured I'd share that with you today www.couponmom.com , she provides a weekly list of deals for several stores and she gives you the percentage of how good the sale actually is on the item. If this site doesn't help you save a buck I dunno what will. Check out the Grocery deals by state tab. The account with that site is free as well so sign up and have a look around I promise you'll find it useful.
Re-Purposing those Baby Food Jars
GEL AIR FRESHENERS
Make them from liquid potpourri or from scratch ~ they make great gifts!
2 cups of distilled water
Essential oil/fragrance of your choice
4 packages of knox gelatin
Food coloring (optional)
Heat 1 cup of water almost to a boil. Add the gelatin and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat add another cup of distilled water, 10-20 drops of oil/fragrance, and food coloring if desired. You can replace food coloring and oil/fragrance with pre-made liquid potpourri (available at most craft stores, candle shops, etc.). Just make sure it's the concentrated kind or it won't retain its smell. The procedure would be the same. Heat 1 cup of the liquid potpourri, almost to a boil. Stir in 4 packets of Knox gelatin, until dissolved. Then stir in 1 cup cool liquid potpourri. Pour the mixture into clean baby food jars and set at room temperature overnight until "set". You can place the jars in the refrigerator if you need them to set more quickly, but be aware that the smell will permeate the fridge. For gift giving, you can decorate the baby food jars by wrapping with material, or glueing on wallpaper, stickers, wrapping paper, etc.
To use, place the jar on the stove top (not directly on the burner!) while cooking, heat in a potpourri burner, or simply set out on a table and enjoy the aroma.
Make them from liquid potpourri or from scratch ~ they make great gifts!
2 cups of distilled water
Essential oil/fragrance of your choice
4 packages of knox gelatin
Food coloring (optional)
Heat 1 cup of water almost to a boil. Add the gelatin and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat add another cup of distilled water, 10-20 drops of oil/fragrance, and food coloring if desired. You can replace food coloring and oil/fragrance with pre-made liquid potpourri (available at most craft stores, candle shops, etc.). Just make sure it's the concentrated kind or it won't retain its smell. The procedure would be the same. Heat 1 cup of the liquid potpourri, almost to a boil. Stir in 4 packets of Knox gelatin, until dissolved. Then stir in 1 cup cool liquid potpourri. Pour the mixture into clean baby food jars and set at room temperature overnight until "set". You can place the jars in the refrigerator if you need them to set more quickly, but be aware that the smell will permeate the fridge. For gift giving, you can decorate the baby food jars by wrapping with material, or glueing on wallpaper, stickers, wrapping paper, etc.
To use, place the jar on the stove top (not directly on the burner!) while cooking, heat in a potpourri burner, or simply set out on a table and enjoy the aroma.
Lets get this Party Started
So, I was at the library yesterday with my kids and was going through some of the isles there looking at the cookbooks and books and thought hey I'll look up a frugal living book, to my surprise there wasn't many. I was sort of disappointed really especially now days with the economy being how it is. So I figured I'd start a little book of sorts of my own online in blog form. So here I am.. In my blog I hope to give lots of frugal tips for moms as well as home remedies and also give some re-purposing ideas for items you may usually throw away. Hopefully I help all you mommies save a little money which makes everyone happy at the end of the day.. I'll hopefully have a tip for the day for you as well so lemme get this party started and get to the tip of the day..
Tip of the Day: Buy block cheese and shred it put it in a zipper freezer bag and freeze it. Only take out what you need when you need it it thaws quickly and your cheese won't go moldy before you use it all. And if it sticks together a little bang on the counter will take care of that.
Tip of the Day: Buy block cheese and shred it put it in a zipper freezer bag and freeze it. Only take out what you need when you need it it thaws quickly and your cheese won't go moldy before you use it all. And if it sticks together a little bang on the counter will take care of that.
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