Saving Money...by making your own Stock!

In the winter I make a LOT of soups (and freeze them).  Which means I use a LOT of chicken & vegetable stock.  The Dollar Store actually sells 32 oz, chicken & beef stock (MSG free) for $1, which I have been very happy with, but this past winter I have started making my own and discovering how NOT only am I saving money--but my homemade stock is SOOOOOO much yummier!  (Even the kids devour it!)  It takes little time and energy and I make it while making another meal so time-wise it is DEFINITELY worth it...

Let's start with chicken stock and then talk about vegetable stock...

I start with either a whole 3lb rotisserie chicken (that I get on sale at Copp's for $5 every couple months).  I also use chicken thighs or any other boned chicken parts that I have bought.


Isn't he cute???

The first meal is always just enjoying straight up baked chicken--mmmm...and I am happy because I didn't do much work (just prepared the sides).

The next night, I pull off the leftover chicken and turn most of it into another dish like chicken pot pie or chicken & spinach lasagna or fajitas--or something like that.  The skin and leftover bones I toss in a pot and add water until it just covers the bones.  I then gently boil the bones for 1 hour or more. 

Leftover chicken on left, boiling bones and skin on right

After an hour or so, I strain out all those yummy juices and have my broth.  At this point you can salt it. If it is bland you can always boil longer or add some chicken bouillon (I have had to do that on one occasion--I guess that chicken just didn't have much flavor :) )  At this point you can freeze it in muffin tins and then place in a Ziploc bag or freeze it in quart jars (don't fill to the top!) until you need to use it--but I like to take it one step further....

okay seriously--this IS as good as it looks!

I like to add chopped up onion and celery and carrots and seasonings of my choice--like thyme, rosemary, parsley, salt, pepper (and even some chicken pieces).  I will then simmer it an additional 30 minutes and then freeze.  This makes and AWESOME chicken soup base!  When the kids want chicken noodle soup, I will pull it out of the freezer, warm it up on the stove and add some egg noodles! YUM! 

And if you kept track--yes, I got 3+ meals out of one $5 rotisserie chicken.  And if I use chicken thighs, it will be 3+ meals out of about $3 of chicken (buy on sale $0.98/lb or less--I like to stock up at $0.68/lb.)

Now onto vegetable stock...This is too sweet....who would have thought you could make stock from all those vegetable scraps that you compost or toss (AND you can still compost after making your stock...) Check it out!

Think about all those parts of the vegetables that you normally toss--ends of cucumbers, onion skins, pepper seeds & stems.  Start saving all those parts instead of tossing them out.  Put them in a Ziploc bag and store in the freezer until you have 2 bags--then make your own vegetable stock.  Check out this link to give you all the details.  (I have been warned not to save cabbage, zucchini and broccoli parts as that can make your stock bitter.)  Feel free to experiment by adding your own herbs as well!

http://www.ehow.com/how_4767967_vegetable-broth.html

Saving Money... by joining a CSA!

Before you say--"WHAT?!  How does joining a Co-op save me money??"  Let me explain...

Did you know that most Health Insurance Plans will reimburse you up to $200 a year for "Healthy Lifestyle Living?"   Some of these "Healthy Lifestyle Living" items include gym membership (though many have a requirement that you must go certain amount of times a month to get reimbursed), exercise and health classes, and joining an organic co-op.

Two years ago, Rob and I decided to try it out.  We joined a co-op for about $240.  For 18-20 weeks, we then received a 1/2 share of produce every week.  And this half share was more than enough for the four of us! (Note:  We have 2 small children--but we are SERIOUS veggie eaters!) AND most of my garden produce was then able to be frozen for us to eat in the winter.  To make this deal even sweeter--our health insurance reimbursed us $200.  That means we only spent $40 for 18-20 weeks of produce!  AMAZING!  (Just a warning--prices for co-ops have gone up since then and are closer to $300 for 1/2 share, but we still feel that with the amount of produce we receive and the reimbursement--it is WELL worth the cost.  There are also other options if you would like a reduced price/free--such as volunteering to work at the farm in exchange for your share.

Since then, every year we have become members of a local co-op which delivers the produce to my husband's work (it is one of the pick-up sites), weekly.  We are always excited to see what we get and we LOVE knowing our food is organic AND we are supporting local farmers AND we are spending WAY less than if I purchased the produce at the grocery store AND my garden veggies can be saved for the winter.  (Check out all those PROS!)

So put a call into your health insurance and see if they will offer you a reimbursement for your food!  And then check out the CSA's in your area.  (You will want to do this soon--as many co-ops are already filling up for this coming summer!)

Here is a link to the CSA that we use and LOVE
http://www.wholesomeharvestcsa.com/

and here is a listing of CSA's in the Madison area.  Check it out!
http://www.reapfoodgroup.org/atlas/farms/csa.htm

$20 Amazon Gift Card for $10! Today Only!

Right now you can snag a $20 Amazon Gift Card (1 per person) for $10.

You simply order the gift card and tomorrow you will receive an email with your gift card redemption code to use on Amazon. I love Amazon! There are so many day to day purchases I make on this site (including AWESOME diaper deals!)

You can purchase the gift card here
http://livingsocial.com/deals/21336-20-amazon-com-gift-card?msdc_id=47&preferred_city=47&transaction=129547186697297875633

or....if you want to get more BANG for your buck, you can do it through your SwagBucks account and earn 280 bonus Swagbucks ( 450 swagbucks get you a $5 Amazon gift card!  Check out my prior post on swagbucks to learn how you can earn free Amazon Gift Cards on Swagbucks )
http://simplegreensavings.blogspot.com/2011/01/swagbucks.html

If you order through Swagbucks, simply do the following to earn your BONUS 280 Swagbucks.

Go to http://www.swagbucks.com/ (make sure you are logged in)

Click on the middle banner when the Amazon Gift Card promotion comes up.

Pick a "Living Social Deal"  (Depending on where you live, you will have different deals listed.)

Click on the "Continue" button in the popup box.

You will taken to the Living Social Website.

Look on the right hand side of the page and you will see the Amazon Deal listed for Washington DC.  Click on it and order it. 

When you return to your SwagBucks account, you should see your 280 swagbucks credited to your account.

Woo-hoo!  Free money!  And I have some birthdays I need to shop for!  Enjoy!

Free money through Swagbucks!

Swagbucks...I know it sounds kind of cheesy, but it's fun...Since I started using Swagbucks a year ago I have earned over $100 in Amazon Gift cards--FREE--with no strings attached!!!! All I did was do my normal GOOGLE searches on their site! (And you know I don't have much time to be doing searches!

So what is Swagbucks? It's a search engine (powered by Google and Ask) that randomly rewards your searches with "swagbucks", basically points which you can save to redeem for amazon gift cards or other stuff in the swag store. (They have LOTS of Gift certificates, such as Target, JCPenney, Starbucks, etc...)  

I'm sure you do internet searches everyday anyway, why not earn something from them??That's all there really is to it--just do your normal seaches on the Swagbucks search engine instead of your normal search engine, win swagbucks and then redeem them for cash! Find out more, and sign up HERE. When you sign up using any of these links, I'll get referral points too. Then when your friends sign up using your referral link, you'll get even more swagbucks too!

To make the most of your swagbucks account, I recommend setting your homepage to Swagbucks.com OR installing the swagbucks toolbar so you have their search engine at the top of your page.
This is too awesome to pass up!  I LOVE SWAGBUCKS!  (Especially when I redeem my gift cards for diapers delivered to my doorstep!)

648 Huggies Wipes for $7!

I just bought 648 Huggies wipes for $7 courtesy of Toys R' Us.  If you have it shipped to Toys R' Us or Babies R'Us you get FREE shipping!

Great deal for those with/expecting a baby.  Here's what you do...

Go to http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3441647&siteID=CY3NkS.Y9qw-1T1IA1gz7qllzVfJY8Im0w

add 3 Huggies Natural Care Fragrance Free Refill Baby Wipes (216 ct per refill pack) to your cart (or you can pick other varieties).  Each package is priced at $6.99, but the deal is buy 3 for $7.  Choose in-store pick-up to receive free shipping.  Enjoy!

Last Minute Christmas Gifts (or gifts to keep in mind for next year!)

Mint Tea I have made in the past

This blog is for the “last minute, I don’t know what to buy them”, Christmas shoppers.


We all have family members that really don’t need anything. Or how about those people that you want to give a gift to but you don’t know what they would like. For those people, I like to put together some homemade EDIBLE gifts. (Everybody likes to eat, right??) Here are a few things I have done over the years.

Every year, we make baskets of goodies for loved ones. I pick up the baskets throughout the year at garage sales or thrift stores. This year, I scored big and purchased 10 VERY nice baskets for $1 at the Salvation Army. Usually, baskets run me about $0.25 - $0.50 each. In lieu of baskets, I have also used various decorative tins that I have found in garage sales as well as Christmas bags which I have picked up on clearance after the holidays.

In these baskets we place tissue paper and then stuff them with goodies. These goodies usually include bags of various cookies we have baked, homemade bread, and jams or jellies I have preserved for the year. (On the jars, I will write—“For more Jam next year, please return the jar and screw band.” ) I will often receive them back, and for those I don’t, it isn’t a big deal since I usually pick up 12 – 24 jars every year in a garage sale for cheap. But as always I like to encourage reuse of items so they don’t get tossed.

Homemade Jelly

Other things we have put in the baskets have included herbs, dry soups and cookie mixes, and hand sewn napkins, stockings, aprons, etc...

I know this blog is pretty late for this year, but here are some great ideas to keep in mind for next year.

Herbs-I grow my own herbs in the summer. In the fall, I will cut them and hang them to dry for 1 – 2 weeks. I then cut off the leaves and split the herbs between baby food jars (that I have saved or other people have saved for me) and decorate.

Herbs in decorated baby food jars

Dry Soup mixes- Check out these recipes to make your own dried soup mixes. Simply place in a quart canning jar, tape on directions, and VOILA you have created an instant dinner for someone you love. (You could also make your own biscuit mix to accompany the soup mix.) Here are some recipes.

Calico Bean Soup

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Calico-Bean-Soup/Detail.aspx

Chicken Rice Soup

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Rice-Soup-Mix/Detail.aspx

Country Soup in a Jar

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Country-Soup-in-a-Jar/Detail.aspx


Love Soup

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Love-Soup-Mix-in-a-Jar/Detail.aspx


And here is a webpage with a TON more!

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/foodgiftsoup/giftsoup.html



Biscuit Mix-This is similar to Bisquick. You simply add milk and bake! (Add some of your favorite Bisquick recipes to the outside of the jar.)

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/biscuit-baking-mix/Detail.aspx


Cookie Mixes—These you make the same as soup mixes. Layer the ingredients in the jar to make it “pretty” and tape the instructions on the outside.

The possibilities here are endless—Take a look!

http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/christmas/gifts/cookie-mixes.htm

What kind of home-made gifts do you like to give?

60 photo cards for $5.00 Shipped Overnight

I am excited.  I just created a Christmas card and ordered 60 of them for $5.06.  Processing takes a couple of days, but they will be shipped overnight.  At the latest I will receive them on December 15th.

So here is the scoop!

*Sign up for a new account on http://www.new.seehere.com/ (or login to your existing account)


*Create a 4×8 single flat Photo Card

*Add 60 cards to your cart

*Start the checkout process

*Enter coupon code 50cards

*Change shipping time to Overnight.

*Your final cost should come to $4.80 + tax.  (Mine totaled $5.06!)

Take advantage of this deal soon!

Free Wisconsin State Journal Subscription for 13 weeks

Gotta love FREE!  And think of all the FREE coupons you will get with your paper.

You cannot be a current subscriber (or have been a subscriber in the last 30 days) to take advantage of this deal (bummer for me!)  Go to this link and fill out the info.  This is a DELIVERED paper, so you must be in the delivery area (Madison area).

http://go.madison.com/13weekfree

Saving Money....on Portraits

I know you have the MOST BEAUTIFUL CHILD(REN) and of course you want to capture those milestone pictures.  You want a beautiful picture to show your child at each age...and yes we are talking the typical 3,6,9,12,18 month and then yearly and of course family and Christmas portraits AND you want enough to share with family and close friends.  Not to mention they make WONDERFUL (& inexpensive) Christmas/birthday presents to those parent/grandparents/aunts/uncles who have everything.

Before you take your child in for their pictures, realize that you do own a digital camera and you are probably already taking MANY pictures of your children (and if you don't own one, I suggest purchasing one and then keeping it readily available to capture all of those beautiful candids.)  I keep mine hanging on our coat rack on the hallway.  And yes, I am ALWAYS grabbing it.  You probably already have quite a few incredible pictures of your child that you could choose to print as your own collection via printer or take it to a store (via person or email) and have your own collection printed.  Walmart has a standard collection starting at $5 (1 8x10, 2 5x7, and 16 wallets).  Walgreen's also has an Ultimate Family Package currently priced at $9.99 ( 20 4x6, 3 5x7, 3 8x10, 20 Wallets). 

However if you are like me, you probably like to get that good up-close portrait at each milestone taken professionally.  Here are my favorite places to go and how I save.

First of all, before I go I remind myself that I am here for 1 good photo.  I don't need 4 different poses.  Afterall--where am I going to put up all these pictures AND where will they go after I get the next milestone picture done.  There is only so much wall space, and I don't want to pay a fortune for pictures I may only have up on my wall for a few months.  If I have one child, I go to JC Penney.  The staff tend to be VERY good.  They listen to what I want (I don't want props--I want that ONE good picture), and they take their time with me knowing I will not be buying much--they know me well enough now.)  There are MANY coupons out their for JC Penney to get 1 free sitting and then a portrait package (2 8x10, 4 5x7, 4 3x5, 6 wallets for $7.99).  http://www.jcpportraits.com/

Here is a link to their coupons (I will warn you that they change the coupon close to Christmas to be a little more because of the rush.  However, if you look in any parenting magazines from months prior to Christmas you will find the $7.99 deal--this has been consistant for over 4 years now.)  http://www.jcpportraits.com/content/coupons/coupons-print.htm

If you are in LOVE with various poses, you can use the $3.99/sheet coupon in lieu of the $7.99 one.

So do I pay $7.99 for my pictures---No, I pay $4.99!  After each photo session, I am sent, via email, a link to complete a survey.  It takes less than 5 minutes to complete.  I do it immediately when it is sent and print it out.  The coupon is for $3 off your next photo session.  I then save it for our next session.

So what do you do if you FALL in love with another picture or they have made this INCREDIBLE collage.  Well--I always allow myself to splurge from time to time.  I have 2 wonderful collages of Ky & Alaina in my living room.  Each cost an additional $15, but they were worth it.  Sometimes they have another pose I fall in love with and will allow myself to buy it--anywhere from $8 - $12.  But before I buy I always remind myself of my goal.  And I remind myself that I have WONDERFUL pictures that I have taken at home. 

Family & Christmas portraits

JC Penney only gives you 1 free sitting fee with their coupon.  I don't like to pay sitting fees, so I avoid it at all costs (and honestly I think memberships are a waste).  Once a year I try to get the family's picture done as well as a Christmas picture with just the kids together.  For this I go to Portrait Innovations.  http://www.portraitinnovations.com/

They have a pretty good $9.99 package deal with no sitting fees (One - 10 x 13, Four - 3 x 5s, Two - 8 x 10s, Four - 5x7s, And 32 Wallets, for Christmas then add an additional 9 Greeting cards).

Once again, when I am there, I remind myself that I am there for one portrait.  I have lots of pictures at home--I don't need more.  I honestly have never bought more than one pose from them--their prices were just WAY too expensive.  Which makes it easier to leave and you walk out with your pictures in 15 minutes (after choosing your pose). 

So what if you don't have enough pictures for everyone.  Well, you could choose to make your own package through the Walmart deal($5) or you could choose to go back for another sitting (I have done this once before, but due to time prefer not to.)  Or, you could wait until you pick up your photos at JC Penney--they always try to get you to buy more before you leave.  Often they are discounted $5 - $8 a sheet of varying sizes.  Usually my option is the Walmart option.   It's a bit cheaper and I get lots more. 

Where do you like to go for portraits?  And how do you save money?

Saving Money...by having one meatless dinner a week

I cook dinner about 3 times a week.  The other nights we eat leftovers (which are sometimes reinvented) and often we will have one pizza night.

The most expensive item at the store is meat.  You usually spend a minimum of $2/lb for your meat and this becomes the basis for your meal.  By skipping the meat in one meal a week, you will find yourself saving money and creating new delicious dinner alternatives.

Last week I made Baked Ziti without meat (see above pic).  In fact I made 2 pans--one for myself and one for a friend.  One pan for my family lasted 2 dinners and 1 lunch (3 family meals.)  The total cost for making two pans for Baked Ziti--around $1.75.   If I had added meat, the cost would have been closer to $4.75.  The difference really is astounding.

Here are some ideas to make a yummy "no meat" meal.

Tacos or taco salad with black beans or chick peas
Pasta without meat
Breakfast meals make FUN dinners--we usually have pancakes on Sunday night and then the leftovers make yummy breakfasts for the week.

Egg Mcmuffins--if you don't have english muffins, use biscuits or rolls

Egg bakes (put assorted veggies in  and top with cheese)

Grilled Cheese

Grilled peanut butter and jelly (this is MUCH yummier than it sounds)

Quesadillas (take 2 tortillas and put cheese, beans, salsa, guacomole--whatever you like in between and bake either in the oven or microwave)

Nachos--(top tortilla chips with beans, cheese and your choice of toppings.  Heat in oven until melty)

Potato soup (so many kinds!)

Baked potato--have assorted toppings including beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream....

Chili without meat

Vegetable soups of all kinds including squash soup and bean soups

Macaroni & Cheese

and yes there are MANY more! 

So try it out and see what you save...

What is your favorite vegetarian dish?

Don't Toss That PUMPKIN!

*Today I went to HyVee to vote and all their pumpkins and gourds in front of their store are free!  (You don't even have to go in the store--just drive up and grab some!)  I grabbed 3 big pumpkins for pumpkin butter and 3 medium sized sugar pumpkins for pumpkin pie and 8 little pumpkins to stuff as side dishes!*

Halloween is over--that means pumpkins are going on clearance (last year Aldi's had pumpkins on clearance for $1 each after Halloween) and perhaps you have some non-carved pumpkins sitting out as decoration.  Here is what you do to make pumpkin puree and pumpkin seeds (along with some of my favorite pumpkin recipes).  And yes this is quick and easy (and money saving!)  Just think of those yummy homemade pumpkin pies you can make for Thanksgiving!

To puree your pumpkin, first wash the outside of your pumpkin.  Then preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Cut your pumpkin in half and pull out the large seeds. 

Put them in a bowl of water and set aside. 

Then scoop the strings out with a metal spoon (so much easier to do when your pumpkin is cut in half!)  Cut your pumpkin into 2 - 4 pieces (depending on the size of your pumpkin.)  Place flesh down in a 13 x 9 pan with 1/2 inch of water.  Place in your oven. 

Grab your seeds out of the water and remove what pumpkin strings are left and place them on a towel to dry.  I usually leave them overnight. (You can also dry them in the oven.)

Cook the pumpkin for about 2 hours.  I usually wait until the top of the pumpkin skins start to blister (this makes it really easy to remove the skin.)  Here is what it should look like when you pull it out. (Notice the wrinkles in the skin.)

At this point I usually put the pumpkin in the fridge to cool overnight as well as absorb the water in the pan (makes it easier for pureeing). After your pumpkin has cooled the skin should easily pull off (if it doesn't, just remember to cook a little longer next time so the skin blisters--this time you will probably just need to scoop the flesh out.

In a bowl, mash your pumpkin.  Ta-da!  You now have pumpkin puree that is fresh and YUMMY! 

You can freeze the puree for up to a year.  I store mine in 16 oz containers (about 2 cups should fit)--similar to the amount a can of puree would have.  Be sure to label your containers!  (If you want chunked pumpkin--for example the pumpkin black bean bake recipe calls for chunked pumpkin, simply cook for 1 hour and then cut into cubes.  You can also freeze your pumpkin cubes in a container or freezer ziploc bag.)

Now for those seeds--you can bake them in the oven and simply salt them--or here is one of my favorite pumpkin seed recipes!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Spiced-Pumpkin-Seeds/Detail.aspx

As promised my FAVORITE pumpkin recipes--and yes I have many because I love sneaking squash into anything I can--an added vegetable to the kids diet!  If you have some pumpkin recipes you would like to share, please comment on this blog so I can post for others!  Thanks!

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Bread

I was given this recipe from a friend. YUMMY!

3 C. Sugar
1 (15oz can of pureed pumpkin) --about 2 cups
4 eggs
1C. Veg. Oil
3/4 C water
2/3 C. Peanut butter
3 1/2 C flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg

Combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil, water, and peanut butter; beat well. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; mix well. Pour in 2 ungreased 9inx5x3 loaf pans. Bake 350 for 60-70 min or until tooth pick center comes out clean.


Pumpkin Bread

(From Aunt Sally)

This pumpkin bread is very easy and everyone in our family loves it. Sometime I put chocolate chips in it – or dried cranberries. It’s a must at Thanksgiving and Christmas! Lisa likes to spread butter on it – I prefer whipped cream cheese – or just plain is also very good!

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. double-acting baking powder
1 – 16 oz. can pumpkin (2 cups)
2/3 cup salad oil
3 eggs, slightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease well two 9” x 5” loaf pans. In large bowl with fork, mix flour with next 7 ingredients; add remaining ingredients and mix just until blended. Turn batter into pans. Bake about 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely. Makes 2 loaves.

Pumpkin Pancakes

These are especially good on those cold fall/winter mornings.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pumpkin-Pancakes/Detail.aspx


Pumpkin Black Bean Bake


This is great for the fall!

1 lb ground beef
2 cups cubed pumpkin pieces
1 coarsely chopped medium onion
1 15 oz can black beans--rinsed
1 cup corn
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup beef broth
3 oz cream cheese
1 8.5 oz package of corn bread mix
1 egg lightly beaten
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup pureed pumpkin

Preheat oven to 400 F. Cook ground beef, pumpkin, and onion over medium heat until browned. Drain juices. Stir in black beans, corn and salt. Heat through. Stir in broth and cream cheese until blended. Transfer into 9 x 13 baking dish. In medium bowl stir corn bread mix, egg, milk, and pureed pumpkin until just combined. Spoon over beef mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Soft Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies


These are almost too soft to be a cookie...but what a great way to get some extra vegetables into your kids.

1 cup pureed pumpkin
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil, and egg. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Dissolve the baking soda with the milk and stir in. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Add vanilla, chocolate chips and nuts.3. Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 10 minutes or until lightly brown and firm.

Pumpkin Casserole


This is YUMMY! I compare this to sweet potato casserole. A great side dish for Thanksgiving!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pumpkin-Casserole/Detail.aspx


Pumpkin Butter

I honestly haven't tried this recipe--but since I picked up 3 FREE pumpkins at Hyvee today, I am going to can some pumpkin butter (you can also freeze it--and it makes a great gift--think Christmas!).  Check it out!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pumpkin-Butter/Detail.aspx

5 bags of Kraft Shredded Cheese/Cream Cheese for $2.50

Awesome deal at Copp's through next Wednesday October 27!

Kraft shredded cheese and Cream Cheese is on sale for $1.50 each.  Buy 5 and use this coupon to get your cheese for $2.50!  That's $0.50 a bag.  (Press the back button and print the coupon a second time and you can buy 10 bags of cheese for $5.00.)  Cheese freezes great!  And what a great way to save money!

http://brands.kraftfoods.com/kraftcheese/index.html

Being Green with keeping your house warm!

I am excited to tell you it is October 17th and I have YET to turn on my heat--and yes we have crappy windows and such that let in ALL the outside air!  Here are a few tips and tricks I have learned to help keep the house warm without turning on the heat.

*Open window coverings on your southern facing windows. The sun will naturally heat your home during the day. 

*Look into insulating curtains for at night.  I actually made some of my own for around $10 a window.  They pull up like roman shades and I put additional molding on the sides of my window with hinges to "clamp" the curtains down on the side when the window is closed.  I attached the curtains with velcro to the top of the window which helps eliminate air leaks at the top. (If you want more info on these let me know otherwise here is additional info below.

Here is info on how to make sure the curtain is insulating: http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-living/articles/21685.aspx

And here is info on how to make an insulated curtain.  (If you buy the insulating fabric at JoAnne's they have instructions included.)  http://www.ehow.com/how_4479972_make-insulated-curtains.html

*Close drapes at night--they insulate a little so they will help keep some of that cool air out. 

*If you have a sunporch area or room with many windows that heats up from the sun, make sure that hot air has access to the house.  You may want to use a box fan to blow the warm air into your home. 

*If it is warmer outside then inside--open those windows!  However, once the temp on the outside becomes cooler--CLOSE THEM.  We have been lucky with some upper 70's days here and there.  I have really taken advantage of these days to warm my house.

*Cook/Bake.  Yes I am serious.  I have been doing a fair amount of cooking and baking the last month to help keep the house warm.  I will often bake/cook double batches.  Then I can freeze for later or share with a friend now.  After I turn the oven off, I will open it up to let the heat warm the house  (of course I am careful to make sure that my little ones are in another room and don't come near the stove.

Of course there are the standard things you can do as well---buy insulation tape for around windows and doors.  I like waiting for a windy day and then I take a candle around any spots that may leak air from the outside.  If the flame dances, I know that I have a leak and then use insulation foam/tape/rubber to block the leak. 

If you have drafts coming from under your door, you may need to buy a new door sweep--these are relatively inexpensive and slide easily on the bottom of your door.  Definitely worth the investment.

So what do you do to help keep your house warm?

Being Green with your heating bill- installing a programmable thermostat and scheduling it to SAVE you money!

When Rob and I purchased both of our houses the first thing we did was to install a programmable thermostat.

It just made sense.  We could save money by turning the heat down when we were gone and when we were sleeping (and we didn't have to REMEMBER to turn down the heat!)  With winter coming this is one of the smartest way to reduce your heating bill.  Energy Star estimates people save $180 a year with a programmable thermostat.  I am pretty sure we save more than that at my home--and I am a stay-at-home mom.  Below I give you some info on purchasing and installing your thermostat and then scheduling it to SAVE you money!

Currently you can buy a programmable thermostat for as cheap as $17 at Menards.  If you want one that you can schedule weekends differently than weekdays it is as cheap as $24.  And don't forget that you can put this purchase down as a tax deduction under the Energy Star Credit Act (you will get 30% back.)

These thermostats are surprisingly easy to install.  I have personally installed 2 myself.  They come with easy instructions.  It is a matter of placing a battery in them, turning off the circuit breaker that leads to the thermostat and then connecting a few wires (and of course turning the circuit breaker back on.)  Don't let installation scare you from making this wise purchase.  It can be done in under an hour.  Last time I did it, it took me 20 minutes.

Here is how we program our thermostat to save us money.  At night we reduce the heat to 65 degrees.  I make sure to put my daughter in 2 layers since she is not old enough to keep blankets on her.  I then have the heat lower to 60 degrees around 7 AM. 

We often get up at 7 and head out of the house for errands, storytime, workout, etc....  Your house will not instantly cool to 60 degrees so don't panic at this cold temp.  The 60 degree mark just tells your furnace when it needs to turn on. Your house will slowly cool down.  In fact, usually I am home by noon and the house (in the winter) may be around 63 degrees.  I will then override the thermostat and turn it up to 68.  When you come home and feel that your house is chilly--it will remind you to do this.  You can ALWAYS manually override your set temperature--and it will stay overridden until it is scheduled to change.  (So if you head out again, you will want to remember to turn it down again if you don't have that scheduled.) 

This is why I set my temperature so low.  If I am staying in the house for the morning, the house getting colder will remind me that I need to raise the temperature.   It takes seconds to override the thermostat and turn the temperature up.  I like to err on the side of saving money (if I leave) vs. simply overriding the temperature if I am staying in the house.

You can put more settings in your thermostat if you know that you will be in and out several times, but since my schedule tends to vary I just have the same two settings for night and day.  I love coming home after being gone all day and realizing that my heat was not on--I did not pay to heat an empty house.  Of course you will have the first 10 - 20 chilly moments of being in a 60 degree house, but most houses like ours have an efficient heating system that will heat the house back up pretty quickly.  Honestly, when we are coming from 10 degrees outside, I really don't notice a 60 degree house being THAT cold.  (After all it is much warmer than outside!)

If you are going to be gone several days, you can change your thermostat to manual vs. programmed.  This means you can set it for one temperatures while you are gone.  We will often set our house around 55 degrees if we are going to be gone several days.  Remember you don't want your house to get too cold--because your pipes could freeze--many kitchen sinks are located on an outside wall meaning the pipes there get colder than the rest of your house.

So buy your thermostat, install it, and figure out what temperatures and schedule works for you.  Start watching those heating bills FALL!  You will be amazed by the savings!

Salvation Army is BACK on the East side!

I am SO excited.  The Salvation Army has reopened its store.  It has a new location on East Washington near the mall.  It is located in the old "Tuesday Morning/Furniture Deals & Steals" building!  I visited the store yesterday to check it out.

I found much of their stuff VERY reasonably priced.  There were many toys for around $1 and clothing starts at $0.69 for shorts!  I also saw sheets starting around $0.99.  This store is much larger than the last store, and appears to be a bit better organized.  I spoke to the manager while I was there and he assured me that they would begin tag sales in the next several weeks (i.e. 50% off all red & yellow tags).

I bought Ky a lightning McQueen car with buttons and sounds for $1, but that was all.  I know I will be back soon!  (I gotta get Alaina some size 6 tennis shoes.)

In the old Salvation Army store I had many AWESOME scores such as snowpants for $0.50 and a $100 ice cream maker for $2.99.  (We broke a part to mine, so when I saw this ice cream maker I snatched it up!)

If there are some random things you need--definitely give this store a try!

Shopping Aldi's

If you haven't shopped Aldi's before, this post may make you panic.  You probably have heard the rumors that this is the "poor people" store and they have horrible food, but I am going to challenge you to give them a chance.  Did you know that the corporation that owns Aldi's also owns Trader Joe's?  In fact, you will find some of the same products at both stores (sometimes labeled differently though.) In this blog post, I am going to tell you "how to shop" Aldi's and what to expect as well as give you a rundown on prices of some of their food--items that I specifically stock up on at their store because I know I won't be able to find it for less elsewhere. (If you are familiar with Aldi's skip down to the list below to see what my "buys" at Aldi's are.)

When you arrive at Aldi's be sure to bring a quarter, cash (or a debit card) and bags for your groceries.  Aldi's uses a "quarter" system for your cart.  You deposit the quarter into the cart to unlock it, do your shopping, return the cart, and get your quarter back.  They escape the extra costs of cart corralers by doing this quarter system (and pass the savings to you).  Honestly, I wish other stores would do it.  You never see a random cart in the parking lot of Aldi's.  People always return them because they want their quarter back. 

They also do not have baggers.  Therefore, they will ring them up and return them to the cart.  You bag your own groceries on a counter provided.  (Another way to pass savings to you!)  If you do not bring your own bag, you can use boxes found throughout the store, or purchase a bag.  I think they cost $0.25 each.

Aldi's only accepts cash or debit cards.  This is another way they keep their prices down.  They don't have to pay fees to the credit card companies and they don't have to take the time to cash checks.  You cannot purchase your groceries without cash or a debit card.

Aldi's carries many regular items and then some seasonal items which often includes brand name foods (including some Trader Joe stuff!) as well as toys or gadgets (just like your local grocery store would.)  Often these seasonal items are pretty good buys.  If I see something I like, I usually wait a few weeks and they will start knocking down the price to get rid of whatever they have left to make room for the new stuff.  I have bought nice pajamas for Ky for $2, soccer balls for $2 and inflatable pools with built in sprinklers for $3.  Besides seasonal items, Aldi's will often clearance foods that are getting close to expiration.  I have bought ground turkey for $0.29/lb (I bought 10 lb and then just froze it all!) and whole wheat bread for $0.15 a loaf (bought 8 loaves and froze it all!).  Mondays & Tuesdays are usually the key days of the week to look for clearance items.  (At least that is my experience with the Aldi on E. Wash in Madison.) 

As far as pricing, Aldi's produce prices vary often just like other grocery stores. With that said, I almost ALWAYS buy my produce at Aldi's.

Here are some example produce prices at Aldi's and how I have seen them vary

1lb baby carrots $0.99---About every 6 weeks they go on sale for $0.49--this is when I stock up to last me 3 weeks.

Apples $1.99 to $2.99 for 3 lb

BIG seedless Watermelon $1.99 to $3.99

Cantaloupe $0.99 to $2.29 each

Onions $0.99 for 3 lb

Broccoli $0.99 - $1.49 lb

Bananas are ALWAYS $0.39 lb (this is the best price I ever see them!)

Avocados $0.49 - $0.99 each

Oranges 3lb for $1.49 - $2.99

Grapes $0.79 - $1.29

Anyway--usually some fruits and vegetables are at their rock bottom price and that is what I stock up on. 

Here are some other great deals at Aldi's.

You will always find Aldi's milk either the same price or lower than any other grocery store (and usually eggs too!)

Crackers--most boxes are around $1.  Graham crackers are $1.25--I have not been able to find Graham crackers under $2.50 anywhere else! (even with a coupon)

Flour is usually around $1.19 for 5 lb--this is a good price--it will bottom out at $0.99

Rice is $1.49 for a 3 lb bag

Salt for your water softener!  $3.49 for a 40 lb bag (I think it is 40...)

Chocolate chips $1.69

Margarine $0.59 for 1 lb

Yogurt--big containers are $1.59 for plain or vanilla

REAL vanilla  $1.99

Tortilla chips $0.99

Flour Tortillas $0.99

Other good deals include canned veggies or beans for around $0.40 a can, brown/powdered sugar around $0.99 for 2 lb and white sugar is usually around $2.50 for a 5 lb bag.

I shop at Aldi's about once every 2 weeks.  Prior to couponing--this was the main store I shopped at.  I honestly love this store and I don't think there will ever be a time that I don't shop at Aldi's.  I hope you found this blog helpful.  What are your favorite items at Aldi's?

Doubl 10 Coupons at Copp's this Wednesday! (Oct 13!)

I am excited!  This week will be one of my "BIG" stock up weeks.  I save many of my coupons for Copp's DOUBLE DOUBLE Daze! 

Get $25 of purchases and you can double 10 coupons!  (This means you could spend as little as $5 for $25 of groceries--or even better if you have bigger coupons!)

I usually make 2 transactions on these days and get about $50 of groceries for less than $10!

Have fun!

Free floss with coupon

Reach Floss at Walmart is $1.  I purposely wait for this coupon to get my floss for free.  You can print this coupon 2 times per computer, so stock up!

http://www.coupons.com/

(should be located on the second page).  After you print it the first time it will be on the last page--go there to get your seond print.

If you don't see the coupon, enter zip code 90210 and look again.

Free Collage 8 X 10 picture at Walgreen's valid TODAY!

Walgreens is offering a free 8x10 picture collage (as long as you pick up at the store) today!  Place your order by midnight tonight and then pick it up over the weekend.  I have done this offer several times creating nice pictures for relatives for holidays.  In fact the picture above is a Father's Day gift given to Rob created for free frow Walgreen's.  (You can pick up a nice frame for $1 at the Dollar Store!)  Here's what you need to do:

Click on this site http://photo.walgreens.com/walgreens/storepage/storePageId=Special+Offer+Prints


Click on Gifts

Select Collage (on left side bar)

Click on Collage Prints

Create your 8X10 Collage

Use the code FBCOLL at checkout

And select pick-up at your nearest store!
This offer expires at the end of today!  Act fast!

Shopping for Halloween Costumes

I have had a couple people ask me about how to save money on Halloween Costumes.  So here is what I have...

Ask friends/family if they have costumes that you can borrow--or swap with them costumes from last year (if sizes are appropriate).  That being said, I have a 12 month Lion (I think it is a lion costume) if someone would like to use it--let me know.

Garage Sale-- During the summer there are tons of garage saled costumes.  These are fun to buy just so the kids can play dress-up, but then you can also double the use as using them for Halloween.

Saver's --Go to the back racks (by the men's clothes).  I was there last week--they  had TONS of second hand costumes starting at $2.99!!!  Infant to Adult sizes.  In other words--thrift stores are great places to look.

Make your own-- This is what we attempt to do every year.  (Though honestly after seeing Saver's prices, I am SO tempted to ditch the work for the easy cheap costume.)  You will find that you have a lot of stuff around your house already to complete your outfit.  Last year Ky was Bob The Builder--which included putting him in overalls, making him a toollbelt out of a nail apron I had (I also used his play tools), and putting a fireman's hat on his head which I placed a Bob The Builder sticker over the fireman logo.  Cost for this costume $1--for the hat.

Last year Alaina was a pumpkin.  I simply put her in an orange sleeper and cut leaves out of felt which I put her pony tail through.  Cost $0.27 for the felt.

What do you do to save money on Halloween costumes?