Sorry it took so long to get back. We moved and are almost done unpacking finally. We had to wait to get our internet hooked back up. But im back now and ready to get the ball rolling again. Since I live in a new town with lots of stores, I can find many more deals. Before we only had 4 stores to choose from. But I live in a much bigger town and have at least a 100 stores to pick from. I will be checking out all the stores, finding their mark down sections, ask when they mark down their dairy etc, and seeking outlets. If you havent done this in your town, its the only way your gonna find the deals so start asking around.
I was so used to knowing where everything was, what days t0 hit up each store, and how I could cut back on everything in our last home. Now its all new. I have to figure out where to cut back in every aspect of our new home. My old house was a newer built one so it was pretty energy effeciant. This house we have now is over 40 yrs old. Old windows, hardly any insulation, etc. Slowly but surely we will be updating but keeping the integrity of the style of the home. First thing were gonna do it get insulation blown in the attic and walls. Then were replacing all the old windows. This should help out a ton. Until then its turning the temp back, wearing warmer clothes, and taking advantage of day light sun coming in and keeping the lights off.
I will keep you posted on what I find, what I do, and my journey though it all. Until next time...
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Recycling Clothes & Gear the right way
You know how it is, you either have way too many clothes, or lots of clothes that just dont fit anymore but wished they did. So here are plenty of ways you can put your clothes to good or prevent this from happening again.
1. Buy what you need only. No matter how cute it is, do you really need it? One exeption would be if you bought this years after season clothes in a size larger for next year. Those put in a box for next year.
2. Seek used whenever possible. There is a wide veriety of nearly new items available, buying used lets you conserve on everything from raw materials to energy. And you will save money too. Consignment shops, thrift stores, and garage sales are great places to find gently used stuff for way cheap.
3. Find friends and family who could use your items. Dont let your sentimentalist talk you into keeping everything.
4. Get your hand me downs back later if you have more children. This way you are really recycling.
5. Repurpose items. Use old towels for kitchen rags, socks for dusting etc.
6. Donate your items to cherity. Goodwill and Salvation Army are great places. Also check out your local homeless shelters, and womens shelters. They can always use items. Call ahead and see what they need.
7. Dont forget you can get a tax deduction for donating your clothes.
8. If donating isnt an option, try www.freecycle.com . This organization has a free email list for almsot every region. You submit messages of what you want to get rid of and people respond.
9. Another great place is www.freepeats.com which has a $4.95 lifetime fee. Limited on regions but consentrates on maternity and children items.
One thing for sure is your doing the earth good by doing any of these things. You will be helping others care for their children without the added expenses. Its a win win situation for everyone.
1. Buy what you need only. No matter how cute it is, do you really need it? One exeption would be if you bought this years after season clothes in a size larger for next year. Those put in a box for next year.
2. Seek used whenever possible. There is a wide veriety of nearly new items available, buying used lets you conserve on everything from raw materials to energy. And you will save money too. Consignment shops, thrift stores, and garage sales are great places to find gently used stuff for way cheap.
3. Find friends and family who could use your items. Dont let your sentimentalist talk you into keeping everything.
4. Get your hand me downs back later if you have more children. This way you are really recycling.
5. Repurpose items. Use old towels for kitchen rags, socks for dusting etc.
6. Donate your items to cherity. Goodwill and Salvation Army are great places. Also check out your local homeless shelters, and womens shelters. They can always use items. Call ahead and see what they need.
7. Dont forget you can get a tax deduction for donating your clothes.
8. If donating isnt an option, try www.freecycle.com . This organization has a free email list for almsot every region. You submit messages of what you want to get rid of and people respond.
9. Another great place is www.freepeats.com which has a $4.95 lifetime fee. Limited on regions but consentrates on maternity and children items.
One thing for sure is your doing the earth good by doing any of these things. You will be helping others care for their children without the added expenses. Its a win win situation for everyone.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Important Message !!!
This will be my last post for possibly a week. Im moving in 2 days and its getting harder and harder for me to get to the laptop. We are suppost to get our internet service the day after we move but we will see if we do or not. So hope this post last you a few days. I encourage you to go out on your own and find some freebies! Ive given you a few post this week that should help you out. So good luck and see you in a few days. Wish me luck too!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
You have a money saving routine?
Just about everday I have a routine I do. I didnt realize this until recently. Im pretty predictable. Ive never been one to be "routine" and "predictable" and it simply just throws me that im that way now. Just to give you an idea, here's what I do about 5 days out of the week.
1. Walk the girls to the school bus
2.Pack a lunch for the twins on our walk
3.Walk with a neighbor around the town (2 miles)
4.Come home
5.Walk up to Safeway/Walmart looking for deals. (2 miles)
6.Come home
7.Check the mail
8.Walk to get the girls from the bus stop
9.Cook Dinner
10.Dishes
11.Laundry
12.Go to bed
Yep, its pretty sad but this is what I do almost everyday. I keep thinking to myself "Geez Im boring."But you know what? Im not boring. Im saving us money and living my life. Here's why I do these things everyday.
Go for a walk. -Its exercise and makes me healthy. I get out my jogger/stroller . Im in comfy clothes, and ready with my ipod. Sometime's I listen to music to relax and sometimes the twins will watch a movie on it. The girls are each 30+ lbs now so I get a work out pushing 60+ lbs in a stroller. This also saves me gas. And I get to chit chat with my friend/neighbor.
Pack a lunch-I pack the girls each a whole wheat sammie with homemade jelly, a fresh fruit cut up, and sometimes crackers or cereal. This alone saves me money. They usually get hungry on our second walk (they smell fresh bread baking in the store). So instead of getting a snack everyday, I pack a lunch which saves me a bundle.
Go for another walk. My next door neighbor likes to take walks too so I usually will walk with her right after I get back from my other walk. This saves me gas money. Its 2 miles to and from so it can really add up. One quick ride up to the store everyday adds up to a full tank of gas I have to purchase later. This gets me exercise and feeling healthy.
Safeway/Walmart-after I get home from taking the girls to the bus stop, I get on my computer, blog and check my many sources for deals. I will print out any coupons that I think I will use or get items for free. I put them in my purse so I wont forget. This way I know what I clipped when im in the store and dont have to remind myself and get them out. I hit up Safeway first looking in my usual markdown areas. Deli, dairy, meat, produce, and sometimes a shelf they put out with steals and deals. This is how I buy all my yogurt. Then its to Walmart if I have coupons. I will again hit up their clearance sections and sales. Usually its food and home items I will buy. Rarely will I ever buy clothes. It has to be almost free before I will buy it.
Dinner-Dinner will consist of chicken. Right now is the season to buy chicken(legs and drumsticks) and I can get it regularely for 88cents-99 cents a pound. I throw it in the oven at 4pm for 1 hour. This way all I have to do it do the rest of dinner and not worry about the meat. Vegies is also whatever is in season. Carrots and celery are cheap so I incoorporate those into the meal. Im getting pretty good at making differant chicken meals. No one is bored of it yet.....
Laundry-I choose to do it at night, usually when we are sleeping. Thankfully I have a 1-6 hour delay button. This saves us money on our electricity bill. I then put it in the dryer when I get up early in the morning. All items that can be hang dried are hung up all day until the night when I go in to put another load in. I make my own soap at a cost of 1 cent per load.
So there you have it. Im regular and predictable now. It being this way saves me money, and gets me exercise..... then im okay with it. I will proudly stand up and say "Im predictable and boring!". And I still have money in my pocket from saving so much money and a full tank of gas. Can you say that?
BUT......Im moving in 8 days. This is all going to change and im freaking out a little bit.
Cons:
No neighbors to walk with.
No Walmart (which is okay with me).
No routine walk plan.
Old house to update.
New schools
Dont know anyone
I have to start over and find all the hidden mark down spots everywhere.
Im scared but excited.
Pros:
Trader Joe's and Whole Foods within 2 miles of me (yipee!)
Safeway
Target
Michaels
Goodwill
You name it, its there. All within minutes of my new home.
A better school system
Family within 10 minutes of us
A chance to meet and gain new friends
So im excited and scared. The countdown begins......
1. Walk the girls to the school bus
2.Pack a lunch for the twins on our walk
3.Walk with a neighbor around the town (2 miles)
4.Come home
5.Walk up to Safeway/Walmart looking for deals. (2 miles)
6.Come home
7.Check the mail
8.Walk to get the girls from the bus stop
9.Cook Dinner
10.Dishes
11.Laundry
12.Go to bed
Yep, its pretty sad but this is what I do almost everyday. I keep thinking to myself "Geez Im boring."But you know what? Im not boring. Im saving us money and living my life. Here's why I do these things everyday.
Go for a walk. -Its exercise and makes me healthy. I get out my jogger/stroller . Im in comfy clothes, and ready with my ipod. Sometime's I listen to music to relax and sometimes the twins will watch a movie on it. The girls are each 30+ lbs now so I get a work out pushing 60+ lbs in a stroller. This also saves me gas. And I get to chit chat with my friend/neighbor.
Pack a lunch-I pack the girls each a whole wheat sammie with homemade jelly, a fresh fruit cut up, and sometimes crackers or cereal. This alone saves me money. They usually get hungry on our second walk (they smell fresh bread baking in the store). So instead of getting a snack everyday, I pack a lunch which saves me a bundle.
Go for another walk. My next door neighbor likes to take walks too so I usually will walk with her right after I get back from my other walk. This saves me gas money. Its 2 miles to and from so it can really add up. One quick ride up to the store everyday adds up to a full tank of gas I have to purchase later. This gets me exercise and feeling healthy.
Safeway/Walmart-after I get home from taking the girls to the bus stop, I get on my computer, blog and check my many sources for deals. I will print out any coupons that I think I will use or get items for free. I put them in my purse so I wont forget. This way I know what I clipped when im in the store and dont have to remind myself and get them out. I hit up Safeway first looking in my usual markdown areas. Deli, dairy, meat, produce, and sometimes a shelf they put out with steals and deals. This is how I buy all my yogurt. Then its to Walmart if I have coupons. I will again hit up their clearance sections and sales. Usually its food and home items I will buy. Rarely will I ever buy clothes. It has to be almost free before I will buy it.
Dinner-Dinner will consist of chicken. Right now is the season to buy chicken(legs and drumsticks) and I can get it regularely for 88cents-99 cents a pound. I throw it in the oven at 4pm for 1 hour. This way all I have to do it do the rest of dinner and not worry about the meat. Vegies is also whatever is in season. Carrots and celery are cheap so I incoorporate those into the meal. Im getting pretty good at making differant chicken meals. No one is bored of it yet.....
Laundry-I choose to do it at night, usually when we are sleeping. Thankfully I have a 1-6 hour delay button. This saves us money on our electricity bill. I then put it in the dryer when I get up early in the morning. All items that can be hang dried are hung up all day until the night when I go in to put another load in. I make my own soap at a cost of 1 cent per load.
So there you have it. Im regular and predictable now. It being this way saves me money, and gets me exercise..... then im okay with it. I will proudly stand up and say "Im predictable and boring!". And I still have money in my pocket from saving so much money and a full tank of gas. Can you say that?
BUT......Im moving in 8 days. This is all going to change and im freaking out a little bit.
Cons:
No neighbors to walk with.
No Walmart (which is okay with me).
No routine walk plan.
Old house to update.
New schools
Dont know anyone
I have to start over and find all the hidden mark down spots everywhere.
Im scared but excited.
Pros:
Trader Joe's and Whole Foods within 2 miles of me (yipee!)
Safeway
Target
Michaels
Goodwill
You name it, its there. All within minutes of my new home.
A better school system
Family within 10 minutes of us
A chance to meet and gain new friends
So im excited and scared. The countdown begins......
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Free broth anyone? SAVE YOUR MONEY!
I just dont see why people buy broth when you can get it for free anytime you cook. Its easier than you think to make, super healthy, and taste so much better. You can make any type of broth you want. Fish, poultry, vegetable, pork, beef, etc. You name it. You can do this while your doing dishes after dinner, or during the day when kids are in school. Make it fat free, low sodium, or even no sodium.
Here's what you need:
Animal carcass or left over dinner bones
lots of water
large pot
salt (optional)
Take your large pot, put in the bones, and add alot of water. Put on medium high heat and boil covered for 1-2 hours. Cook until bones fall apart.
Once done, drain into a large bowl over a strainer ( to catch bones etc). Set broth aside.
Go through bones and pick out any usable meat and set aside in fridge for another meal or freeze for soups later.
Throw out bones.
Put boneless broth back into pot and cover.
Put into fridge and leave over night or all day.
Before dinner (or next day) pull out and you will notive a layer of fat hardened and floating on the top.
Scoop out all fat (super easy) and save for later if you like. Rich in Omega 6 fatty acids. Or you can throw it out.
You can use this broth for that day to use or scoop 1 cup portions into freezer bags for later. I freeze mine in 3 cup portions. This way I dont have to use many ziplocks.
This can be done with vegetables as well. Save vegetable ends, and herbs for later in the week to make broth. Add all vegetables into a big pot with water and boil for about 45 minutes. Strain and put in fridge. Freeze into 1 cup portions or use that day. Fat free and FREE!
Or you can go pay $1 a can for broth in the store. Your choice.
Here's what you need:
Animal carcass or left over dinner bones
lots of water
large pot
salt (optional)
Take your large pot, put in the bones, and add alot of water. Put on medium high heat and boil covered for 1-2 hours. Cook until bones fall apart.
Once done, drain into a large bowl over a strainer ( to catch bones etc). Set broth aside.
Go through bones and pick out any usable meat and set aside in fridge for another meal or freeze for soups later.
Throw out bones.
Put boneless broth back into pot and cover.
Put into fridge and leave over night or all day.
Before dinner (or next day) pull out and you will notive a layer of fat hardened and floating on the top.
Scoop out all fat (super easy) and save for later if you like. Rich in Omega 6 fatty acids. Or you can throw it out.
You can use this broth for that day to use or scoop 1 cup portions into freezer bags for later. I freeze mine in 3 cup portions. This way I dont have to use many ziplocks.
This can be done with vegetables as well. Save vegetable ends, and herbs for later in the week to make broth. Add all vegetables into a big pot with water and boil for about 45 minutes. Strain and put in fridge. Freeze into 1 cup portions or use that day. Fat free and FREE!
Or you can go pay $1 a can for broth in the store. Your choice.
Easy on the pocket DUMPLINGS
Yes, you heard it. Dumplings. Ever made them? I never did until I started trying to find frugal dinners on the net. Now anytime I make a soup or stew, I jazz it up by throwing in some dumplings. Its super yummy and filling.
2 tbsp vegetable oil
3/4 cup water
1/4 instant milk (or instead of water and dried milk just add 3/4 cup of milk)
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Mix dry ingredients then add wet ones and stir until mixed together.Drop dough into simmering liquid of choice, and cover for 15 minutes. Allow to set for 5 minutes.
Cornbread Dumplings
Do the same as above except reduce flour to 1 cup and add 1/2 cup of cornmeal. And then prepare the same way.
This is expecially yummy when you use anything involving tomatoes or beans. mmmmmm
2 tbsp vegetable oil
3/4 cup water
1/4 instant milk (or instead of water and dried milk just add 3/4 cup of milk)
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Mix dry ingredients then add wet ones and stir until mixed together.Drop dough into simmering liquid of choice, and cover for 15 minutes. Allow to set for 5 minutes.
Cornbread Dumplings
Do the same as above except reduce flour to 1 cup and add 1/2 cup of cornmeal. And then prepare the same way.
This is expecially yummy when you use anything involving tomatoes or beans. mmmmmm
Monday, February 2, 2009
Recycle and get creative
For me its hard to come up with craft idea's on my own. Working at a craft store for 10+ years you might think I should know this stuff, but no. But if I see something done, I usually can figure out how they did it and figure out a way to do it cheap.
Now days its a must that we recycle. With our landfills filling up like crazy , its our job to fix what we have done. Recycling is a MUST. So to encourage your kids to recycle, it seems like a task in itself. If tought early, kids wont think its a task. Now days it seems parents need to be tought, not kids. But now there are thousands of books, lots of web sites and even classes in local craft stores that who you how to be creative and recycle. Here is a site that I found that can help you out. Not only can you find recycled gifts, but you can find hundreds of other craft idea's.
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/
-Free patterns
-Green Crafts =Earth Friendly crafts
Indoor and outdoor gardening
Nature Projects
-Holiday Crafts
-Blogs -craft blogs you can check out any time
-Free printables
There are 1,000's of projects you can try out for free. From detail instructions to pictures you can see of each project.
http://www.recycledcrafts.craftgossip.com
This is a cool site. Has some places where you can buy items but a ton of good idea's. From old sweaters turned bags, to a trash planner. Lots of blogs you can check out or just get inspired by.
If you have any eco friendly sites that might be of interest to everyone, email me!
Now days its a must that we recycle. With our landfills filling up like crazy , its our job to fix what we have done. Recycling is a MUST. So to encourage your kids to recycle, it seems like a task in itself. If tought early, kids wont think its a task. Now days it seems parents need to be tought, not kids. But now there are thousands of books, lots of web sites and even classes in local craft stores that who you how to be creative and recycle. Here is a site that I found that can help you out. Not only can you find recycled gifts, but you can find hundreds of other craft idea's.
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/
-Free patterns
-Green Crafts =Earth Friendly crafts
Indoor and outdoor gardening
Nature Projects
-Holiday Crafts
-Blogs -craft blogs you can check out any time
-Free printables
There are 1,000's of projects you can try out for free. From detail instructions to pictures you can see of each project.
http://www.recycledcrafts.craftgossip.com
This is a cool site. Has some places where you can buy items but a ton of good idea's. From old sweaters turned bags, to a trash planner. Lots of blogs you can check out or just get inspired by.
If you have any eco friendly sites that might be of interest to everyone, email me!
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