Taco / Chili Powder

from Tightwad Gazzette - Taco / chili powder.

6 T. chili powder

4 1/2 teaspoon cumin ( I find this cheaper at dollar stores usually)

5 t. paprika

3t. onion powder

1/8 - 1/4 t. ground red pepper

We use several T. per mix per pound of meat.

Seasoned Salt

From Tightwad Gazzette - Seasoned Salt

8 Tablespoons salt

3 T. pepper

2 T. paprika

1/2 T. onion powder

1/2 T. garlic powder

Cheaper and no MSG!

Pan - A Cakes-A

Pancakes

1 cup whole grain flour

1 T. sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 beaten egg or 1 HEAPING T. soy flour

1 cup water plus 5 T. dry milk powder

2 T. cooking oil

Add water if not cake batter consistency. Cook on hot greased griddle until bubbly and turn. Cook until browned.

My Healthier Pancake Recipe

My Healthier Pancakes #FatLessDiet version

2 cups whole grain flour NOT WHITE

2 T. honey or 2 T. raw sugar

2 tsp baking powder

sprinke of sea salt ( I ALWAYS use half what recipes call for on salt.)

1 T. soy flour

2 1/4 T. golden milled flax seed ( dark is ok but shoes up more)

5 T. dry milk flour OR 2 cups milk and omit water

2 1/4 cups water - or more for correct consistency

1 T. oat bran

1 T. raw wheat germ

Cook on a hot, greased griddle about 1/3 cup batter per pancake until bubbly then turn and cook until done to your likeness.

It's a Giant Cookie Charles Brown!

Hershey's Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie with my #FatLessDiet (see Facebook) changes

5 T applesauce with 1 T. olive oil

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

vanilla extract is not needed in most recipes - omit - I haven't used it in over 2 years and it's a source of alcohol in the house - also the imitation vanillin isn't safe IMHO.

1 egg

1 cup flour - we use whole white wheat or graham

1/2 tsp baking soda

Mix and add half bag special dark chocolate chips.. it's legal since special dark is healthier.. LOL

Grease pizza pan or spray oil lightly. Lightly press batter onto pan leaving several inches from the edge. Cookie will grow! Cook 20-25 minutes at 350 F.

If you don't tell anyone it's got whole wheat (grain) flour in it they will NEVER know - Chocolate chip cookies are darker in coloring anyway.

My "cousin" who is rather large and a spinster found out what I was making the cookies from and went and 'tattled' on me to everyone at a huge family gathering.

The adults didn't want them but the kids didn't care - they said " They're great and we will eat them all then..." out of the mouth of babes....

No Aluminum For Me Pleasel

NON-aluminum baking powder

1 part baking soda or 1/4 tsp.

2 parts cream of tartar or 1/2 tsp.

I have read where some studies have shown that using aluminum cookware, drinking from aluminum containers can contribute to aluminum deposits in the brain - which is also found in Alzheimer's patients. Interesting.

Look for bulk cream of tartar on online shopping websites or at your local co-op.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chewies Lowfat Cookie

My #FATLESSDIET version of Betty Crocker's Chocolate-Oatmeal Chewies

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup applesauce (replaces fat)

1/4 cup skim milk

1 heaping Tablespoon soy flour (replaces egg)

3 cups quick or old fashioned rolled oats

1 1/2 cups whole grain flour (add a bit more if too wet though it will be sticky wet)

1/2 CUP baking cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 sea salt

Oven 350 F

Drop onto un-greased cookie sheet or pizza pan. Cook approx. 15-20 minutes or until kinda firm.

THEIR recipe with margarine/butter, egg amd milk have these stats:

1 cookie =

100 calories

5 g fat (3 sat)

15 mg cholesterol

sodium 75 mg

13 g carb (1 fiber)

2 g protein

exchanges = 1 starch,1/2 fat

I don't know all this about my version but I know it has NO FAT unless minimal from whole grain flour (look st your packages label). It has more sugar but from apples. It has more protein because of the soy. I used half the salt called for in the original recipe.

Play- Dough, Clay-Dough Doesn't have to Cost you Dough.

Play Clay

1 cup white flour

1 cup water

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1/2 tsp salt

food color of choice

Cook in saucepan ( not your favorite one).

Stir with wooden spoon until dough wads up onto spoon.

Cool, Play, refrigerate.

This will MOLD if you don't refrigerate....

Recipes to Save By... Biscuits

These are real recipes that my family uses every week.

We use whole grain flour, not white (it's been bleached and stripped of the healthiest parts).

I started out by replacing one cup of white for the whole grain then worked my way away from refined white flour forever. It's not good for your colon.

If you have a gluten allergy you shouldn't be using "white" flour because it's wheat - use oat flour instead and adjust liquids as needed.

Biscuits........

2 cups flour

2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup applesauce... yes applesauce

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

3/4 cup water

5 tablespoons dry instant milk

Cook at 425 F for approx 15 minutes.

We use margarine, jelly, or BULK mix gravy ( a bit healthier than scratch gravy) to go with the biscuits.

If you want to make it even healthier, add some milled flax seed. The gold isn't as easily noticed as the brown - if you're hiding it from the family. :) Flax has omega 3 which I was told by my Doctor is good to fight high cholesterol.

Mamma Mia! Homemade Pizzeria !

We just made a homemade pizza.

It's healthier because I used whole grain flour to make the crust and veggies and it's cheaper than the local pizzeria. I also used Fat Free cheese.

Maybe it's not a lot cheaper for this one, but I still have flour, sauce, organic spinach and cheese enough to make several more AND it's healthier. That's worth a lot....

from Tghtwad Gazzette books (with my changes) - Thick and Chewy Pizza Dough

1/4 cup warm water about 110F

1 package of dry yeast (HUGE expense)...I buy by bulk at warehouse store and use 1 Tablespoon per packet called for.

1 t. sugar

set aside for about 5 minutes or until bubbly and frothy...

1/4-1/2 cup water

2 cups whole grain flour

1 T. oil

1/2 t. salt

Mix and spread onto pizza baking sheet. Add sauce, and veggies, meat etc..

Cook at 425 F, 15-20 minutes.

Recipes to Save by... Cowboy Stew

Cowboy Stew ... successfully cooked on woodstove start to finish with all metal pan.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil .... in pot first

1 pound Italian flavored ground turkey ( or whatever you have).. cook until browned

1 can pre-cooked beans - your choice.. I change what I use each time.

If you use Ranch Style omit tomato sauce.

1 can corn

1 can carrot slices

1 can green beans

1 can green peas... or mixed veggies for a nice change

I can stewed tomatoes or tomato sauce

Bring to boil about 5 minutes and serve.

KNIT yarn

Old T-shirts, sweat shirts, knit tops can be made into a bulky yarn! Cut from side to side in about 1 inch strips. Cut and slit each end with very small hole. Lace next strip through one end and pull through to make one continuous strand of knit yarn to up-cycle into whatever you can crochet or knit with bulky yarn.

The legs of small sweat pants, knit pants, sleeves from the tops and socks can be cut into loops for the TOY weaving looms. You can make a bigger loom for the larger loops with a piece of cardboard and push top thumb tacks. Make a rug !!

Thinking about cutting T-shirts spiral for yarn next time..???

FREE Crochet Knitting Patterns

FREE patterns for crochet and knit on these websites....

http://www.readheart.com

http://www.lionbrandyarn.com

http://www.berroco.com/pattern_library.html

http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php

http://www.crochettoday.com/patterns

http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory.php

http://www.hassdesign.com/.../IP/FreePatterns/

http://www.dailycrocheter.com

http://www.dailyknitter.com/patternsdetail.php?type=MS

http://www.knittingdaily.com/

http://www.knitscene.com/webprojects.asp

http://www.garnstudio.com/index_lang.php

http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/kategori_oversikt.php

http://www.vogueknitting.com/free_patterns.aspx#stitchnation

http://www.knitty.com/librarycovers.php

You can also borrow pattern books from the library. There are some really cool updated new patterns in the newer books!

Always check the goodwill or thrift stores, used book stores before you decide to buy new.

Push Pops UpCYCLED

Orange sherbet push popsicle tubes (plastic ones) and holders can be reused. Wash and use them for cake pops (as seen in the cake decorating isle) and/or use the plastic push holder as a 'base with handle' to hold and twist while making decorator icing roses...

Cherry Picking!

"Cherry Picking" for sale items!

You can save a lot of money when you 'cherry pick' at stores when they have sales in the newspaper ads. The idea of 'cherry picking' is to get ONLY the sale items you NEED. NOTHING ELSE. Stores use those GREAT DEALS to lure you into the stores hoping you will buy something else. DON'T DO IT!!

Go to the stores that have the sales or even better, use the Wal-Mart Ad-match to save money with out clipping coupons! They have rules so call and ask them or look it up online.!

You buy the exact same item and get it for the ADVERTISED price that's in the ad from the other stores.

Great advice on not wasting time on making sweater that wont fit.. and how to make sure it will before you pick a pattern.

UP-cycling?

Buy ugly afghans and dis-assemble them to reclaim the yarn and make something you like. It's called UP-CYCLING. You can do it with sweaters also... I had a heck of a time figuring out how to get it started though. 'Learn by doing' project.

Reclaim wool and cashmere that have been stained or holes in them. If the sweater is lovely and the defect is in the arm, cut out front and backs for a pillow - cashmere pillow! Another way to get yarn cheap - yard sales, thrift stores. Place yearn skein in an old pair of ruined panty-hose leg and wash/dry if you feel that it's dirty.

Venison , You Say?

If you consume meat, then think about hunting to save money. My eldest child just called to inform me that she just signed-up for our local Conservation Department's Hunting Course. WOW! She's following some of my advice from homeschool lessons. She's going to take the archery skills that I and her Father taught her and use them to save money on her grocery bill! Proud parent!

She's already found that if you hunt in your own state , that buying a resident license is cheaper than hunting out of your home state. She also knows she must pay for a butcher to handle the meat carving or do it herself. Deer are small enough to butcher at home if you have experience, time, help, enough cool weather and a large freezer. I have helped home butcher a hog, a deer, chickens, rabbits and fish. It can be done.

You do need to learn some things about butchering BEFORE you attempt this though. Go to your local county extension office or the Internet and research. You need to know how to determine if the animal's liver is diseased and never, never to use the brain- not even for tanning hides unless it's the Apocalypse and you have nothing else. There's a correct way to butcher an animal so don't WASTE the animal by doing it wrong. Ever see the movie " Into The Wild " ? Perfect examples of what NOT to do.... sorry but that guy didn't research a thing.

What's that? You say you 'did the math' and it costs the same as buying meat at the lcoal grocery store.... I'd much rather 'trust ' WILD meat than what's at the local food mart - really..... You have no idea and don't want to know. Why do you think we have so many virus outbreaks? Now you have more movies to watch. :) EDUCATE yourself!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

We go for drives in the country and find perennial plants that grow on the road easement (not in people's yards or on the "other" side of the fence). We also always buy perennial plants/bulbs plants for our yard. Future owners see it as a plus and we never spend money twice for the same flower bed.

Wood You ?

It's a pretty big expense to start, but owning a wood stove can save you a lot of money through the winter months.

I found one used at a garage sale. Actually, I was at a garage sale and asked if they had one because they had several old fashioned things for sale. I took a risk and asked - never hurts right? Just so happened that his mother was selling hers....YES!

She lived in a different town. That's alright by me! She felt she was getting too old to deal with the work of a wood stove (and it is work and can be dangerous so don't enter into this lightly-(You've been warned.))

I got a great deal but wow that thing was HEAVY! It was what I requested as my birthday present! (July of all months to get a wood stove but that's the best time.)My NOW X wasn't that against the idea because his family is kind of old fashioned (church that wears long hair and long dresses - etc) so I got my wood stove heater for a July birthday gift! I know, I'm not a typical American woman. I warn potential dates. :)

Anyway, I had this sucker lugged into the house after we had built a hearth (gotta do this people or the wall/ floor could catch fire), and wah-lah - free heat! Well, you still have to buy and install the chimney piping. ALWAYS get at least double wall pipes for the attic and anywhere the pipes go through a wall/ceiling!! It gets HOT (like the black pipe just about the stove) and it hurts so it could potentially and probably would ignite wall boards etc. Follow the safety rules or this won't be worth saving money.

I suggest you make a trip to the local County Extension Office and get an instruction pamphlet on wood stove heating, etc. They have a ton of FREE information. Very cool! No pun intended....

I currently have a very OLD, large, historic house which means in translation that it doesn't have much insulation, therefore more difficult to heat. In a hard winter for Oklahoma, I used nearly 8 rick of wood. You can find seasoned wood, have it delivered to your home almost everywhere for $50-60 bucks per rick. (A 'rick' is a certain stacking method that is measured and should allow you to buy the same amount of wood from everyone that uses this method. A 'cord' is a larger amount but not as common here.)

SO, at it's most expensive year EVER it cost me $ 480.00 to heat my home that year. After all the stove, pipe, hearth and set up costs, of course.

Don't forget that YOU must be the one to 'feed the stove' firewood or it will go out and the house will get cold. If you are a lazy, forgetful or way too busy person, I suggest you DON'T heat your home with wood. It can very VERY dangerous. You get up early, stoke the ash and embers and add kindling then sticks then finally wood so your home can warm up in the morning. You can't just leave the wood stove all day either - you must SUPERVISE it (It has a FIRE in it. - enough said?)

So if you are a stay-at-home parent or work from home ( I am BOTH )- it is possible to heat your home cheaper than the alternatives AND you are now OFF-GRID for your heat! We had an ice storm here that knocked out electric for a week and more in other areas. People were scrambling to get hotel rooms in other areas, finding and buying generators, etc. We were warm and toasty and cooked on the stove. No problem!

Some people died and not because of the cold. They didn't have good knowledge or skills about alternative utilities or were just lazy. One man DIED because he put a generator (that's fueled with gasoline,etc) near his window and ran the cord through the window WITHOUT blocking the rest of the window crack from FUMES. Deadly gases come from ANY source of fire! Wood stoves, fires,exhausts from cars, etc. are DANGEROUS. Did I tell you this can be DANGEROUS?

Yes, I know EVERYBODY used to heat with wood stoves... and it's true but these newer generations have NO EXPERIENCE with them or anything other than electric heaters. It's DIFFERENT and must be handled in a different, more careful way. Electric can be deadly too if you aren't familiar with the safety rules. If you decide to heat with wood, educate yourself AND your family first and 'keep the home fire burning' as they used to say.

Stay warm, safe and save money this winter! Forms of heat can be deadly but so can the weather - be aware.

Oh, and if your stove is flat on top, think about buying some cast iron cookware to use when the fire is hot. Lastly, PRACTICE before you NEED it. Have a fire extinguisher near and have smoke alarms everywhere!

I am not responsible in any way, shape, or form for your actions. This is a way to save money - I have a wood stove and it's an idea for you to consider. If you get a stove, it's all your responsibility - you waive and dismiss all possible liabilities from me. It's your idea to actually get one and/ or heat with it.

Do you Qualify ?

http://www.connect2compete.org/cox/

COX is now offering low cost Internet to low income families...who qualify.

Books For Sale! Books For Sale!

If you read my other blogs, you've no doubt learned about my love of books.

We went to the local library book sale and saved a TON of money. I mean, one brown paper sack full of books for $2.00 is quite a bargain considering how much only one book costs new.

Used books may not always be in perfect shape, and that's okay. Life happens. If you have kids and/or pets, then you know what I mean. :)

Sometimes, I find vintage classics or duplicate copies of my favorite books that I resell or give as gits. Last year I found several copies of a certain trendy book and was able to sell all of them but one which I gave as a gift. The profit of which more than paid for my trip to the book sale.

If you want to resell books, I suggest you do a lot of research. 'Buy what you know' and have Internet access to check what price they are going for currently before you buy. But really, $2.00 a bag full isn't too much to lose if you do make a mistake on a book's value. My daughter bought two possible resale books in her bag. After we looked them up, we found out she won't be making a lot of money on them but they are books she likes and can keep them for her family or she can sell them and get her $2.00 back.

Goodwill is a good book place too! Make a Book Budget before you go and get ready to save money! It is recycling too....

Don't buy more than you can carry or care to dust! :)

Is it worth a Penny?

I teach my children to pick up pennies that they find on the ground and parking lot. I tell them it's free money and that no one else likes it because of it's color and value. This has a double message in it. All money is valuable just as all colors are also.

I tell the child to pick up the penny then pull out my calculator and tell them if they spent that amount of time and picked up pennies for an hour they would be making $$$ an hour. Of course, I also tell them that they won't find a pile of pennies but they will find money at times and it's worth the 30 seconds they use to pick it up.

Sometimes they will find nickels and even quarters! One child found $20.00 with no one around to ask if they lost cash. I found $20 at a religious college's holiday light event once - I turned it in to the lady accepting donations that was standing near (lots of people so who knows who dropped it) and told her if no one came searching for it then it's a donation after closing time. Be nice.

It's also good exercise! I tell the children that this is the only job they are eligible for at such a young age so be happy to bend for a penny! (My X told them it wasn't worth a penny...) Guess who has no mortgage? Me. :)

FREE Computer Virus Protection

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-all-versions

Are you a book-a-holic like me?

SAVE MONEY ON SHIPPING and other things.... AMAZON PRIME FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS !! GREAT DEAL>>>>>>>
http://www.amazon.com/gp/student/signup/info?ie=UTF8&refcust=7SSFWFCFFP4CH5SDKQKN22XMCA&ref_type=generic

Breakfast!

It seems to me, that more money can be saved by cooking breakfast at home more than other meals....I have no scientific proof of this statement, but it's a gut feeling. We have several things for breakfast that we fix at home and rotate them.

Malt'O'meal
homemade pancakes/waffles
Toast
homemade muffins
biscuits/scones
oatmeal - instant (we're still getting used to it). Now that we are gettign used to it, we use one packet flavored with one packet of plain/original. I don't that that saves money , but it's healthier.

Boxed Meals !! Get Your Boxed Meals !

I've had a busy week so I succumbed to buying a boxed meal. It's fast!

It was Banquet Home Style something or other - red box(not the movie rental).

  ANYway, It was $3.00 so I bought it. Can of soup with meat and pasta....

I can do THAT!!

SO I am.

The meal tasted decent (Chicken Alfredo) so I bought the least expensive per unit of canned chicken meat, fettuccine pasta, and alfredo sauce. I'd love to make it all from scratch , but that's just not going to happen with my new work and everything else buzzing around....
 I bought enough to equate to two boxed meals because the sauce and pasta was double what I think I needed. I'll be back with the results of the experiment and the total costs late.. yummy!


UPDATE : I fixed my own version of this Chicken Alfredo boxed meal today. I used 1/2 of the cheapest alfredo sauce in a jar, the cheapest canned chicken breast, and 1/2 box of the cheapest fetuccinni pasta. I was tempted to cook the past first then drain and add other ingredients BUT I wanted to prepare lik ehte boxed meal.
I put 1/2 of the sauce in a pot, the can of chicken - the larger size, added enough water so the pasta could cook and added it(broken in thee pieces) I cooked it on low until done. It wasn't too bad for a quick fix meal. The chicken was much better and bigger pieces.

I could have bought the whole grain - or gluten free- pasta to make the meal healthier. if you are gluten free - check the sauce!!

I spent $1.00 on the past and have half left over.
I spent $1.33    on the sauce and have 1/2 left over
I spent $1.88    on a larger can of chicken breast and it was better than the boxed meal!
I spent $1.88 on the second can of chicken to use later
TOTAL $6.09


 The Boxed meal cost $3.00.

This cost me $.045 each meal extra but the bigger /more chicken pieces was worth it.

UPDATE: I tried the Country Chicken with mashed potatoes and biscuits because it had $3.00 worth coupons. It's was pretty good but also feel I can make this at home for about same as regular price but healthier.

I joined italki to learn a language, and you should too! You can find online teachers from around the world. It's free to sign up!

I joined italki to learn a language, and you should too! You can find online teachers from around the world. It's free to sign up!

UPDATE : I applied to be a COMMUNITY TEACHER because, well, I teach... and I'm a native English speaker. I was approved ! Maybe this will make me a few bucks?!

Dumping the Earl !

Sorry Earl, but I'm trying to SAVE MONEY! I'm dumping my favourite tea Earl Grey Decaf. for the generic. I thought I'd really miss the aroma of Oil of Bergamot, but this isn't too bad, with sugar of course!
 I was paying over TEN BUCKS per unit pricing for the Earl but less than four bucks for this generic.  What's in YOUR tea cup?

SAVING MOOLA!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Grey_tea

Swagggggggggg

I'm new to swagbucks and I've not got anything from this website yet but having some fun. Why not have fun and earn these swagbucks? Maybe one of the swagstakes will win!

swagbucks.com

games, movie trailers, cooking shows, comedy.... hey it's ME time so why not earn some online bucks?

BTW I've downloaded coupon printer but it's never been able to finish setting up....

Water

We are catching rainwater from the roof to water animals and plants instead of just letting it wash away down the hillside into the park.

Like ·  ·  · March 14, 2010 at 3:38pm
as posted on Facebook

RECIPES

These are real recipes that my family of five uses every week.
We use whole wheat white or red flour. I started out by replacing one cup of white for the wheat then worked my way away from refined white forever. It's not good for your colon.
Like ·  ·  · January 4, 2011 at 9:49am
as posted on Facebook

Biscuits........ we need a double batch.

2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup applesauce... yes applesauce
1/4 cup shortening/ lard.... I haven't tried oil yet. (It's okay, makes a bit tougher bread though)
3/4 cup water
5 tablespoons dry instant milk

cook at 425 F for approx 15 minutes.
I'm going to try to cook this on the wood stove also.

We use butter or margarine, jelly, or gravy to go with....


 UPDATE : We've since found out that my youngest son has Celiac Disease and are now using Gluten Free Oat Flour.

Crafts

We saved $1.75 on stuffing for a pillow my daughter wants to make. It was on clearance on the after Christmas sale because it was advertised to be used as a blanket of snow. It might work better as quilt batting.

Like ·  ·  · January 22, 2010 at 12:43pm
As Posted on Facebook

Wood !

If you've known me, or followed me, for any length of time you already know that I use wood to heat. I LOVE it! Yes, it can be a pain to clean, haul, chop, and you must use CAUTION, but it's just something that I NEED! I've been experimenting...

This is the second winter, I think, that I've tried cooking on the wood stove. Well, I did cook on it during the big ice storm several years ago, but I mean on a regular basis. I'm getting talented at doing this so maybe I'll add it to my LinkedIn profile! :)
As I say, wood stoves can be dangerous but if you insist on getting one, or already own one, START COOKING! This saves money, energy and it's kinda fun. It brings out the Homesteader in me!

Must Haves : Cast Iron Cookware, Heavy pot holder (cotton best), Stainless Steel (all metal) cookware and utensils.
If you don't follow these recommendations, you will ruin something.

 These stoves get HOT.
AND, be so so careful about keeping kids away from the area. NEVER get large amounts of fluid near stove or if you must be very careful not to spill. I wouldn't want to see what might happen if cold water were spilled on a very hot stove!

Good results have been cooking ground meat for tacos, chili, stew, beans,pancakes on a griddle,frozen fries with two cookie sheets  (one on top like a lid). I've also heated up frozen burritos this way and corn dogs but I always forget to turn them often and get a burnt - DARK BROWN - side.

I ordered a stainless baking pan with slide on lid from Lehmen's catalog (I think - I'll check one day) to try baking biscuits. you have to turn them and they look different.... but they are edible.
I tried a frozen pizza with foil over the pan but it didn't do so well... but again, edible.

We're all too spoiled anyway, and who KNOWS when you may need a wood stove for emergencies.
I SAVE TONS on heating bills. My historic (old, un-insulated) house is huge and multi-stories so the heat must go UP!
USE EXTREME CAUTION! If you FORGET things a lot.. just DON'T get a wood stove.. please.

Tax Man Cometh !!!

It's time to think about taxes again.... I know, it's NOT April YET, but i like to start getting things in order. I have used Turbo Tax ONLINE filing for years and happy with it. I've also walked friends and family through using the website. It's been very accurate, even when my mom owed taxes. YIKES! She took them to another, in town brick and mortar , famous tax filing business. Guess what? Turbo Tax was correct! Unfortunately, it cost her to find this out. I was just worried about her actually owing. No one including myself had owed in all these years. Better safe than sorry! There was an issue with her not working part of the year while she was caring for my father during his illness. She's NOT in trouble. :)

I don't know how much Turbo Tax can help you save, but just filing fees alone will be a savings, at least it has been the norm for me and mine. At least check it out. it doesn't cost anything until the end. At least that's been my experience. If you're offered to pay before the end, just say NO THANKS.
The GREAT NEWS is that I'm getting a refund! Show me the MONEY , Uncle Sam!

Where's the Food?

I don't know if you've noticed, but We Americans are getting larger, and not just in Texas!
I heard on the news recently, that my state of Oklahoma is 2/3 obese or overweight!
I admit I've put on a few pounds too, but this is awful!

 I'm taking the SNAP Challenge... LOL...
Can you eat on the allowance amount of the Gov't Food Benefits you would receive?

We are doing it and it's not that difficult. I think I will lose weight though because I'm not spending as much on snacks. I make most everything from scratch though so that really helps.I also know exactly how much per MEAL that I can spend and stick to that budget even if it means compromise.

Figure your food budget for the month, then divide by 31 days NO MATTER HOW MANY DAYS THAT MONTH HAS. It's better to over budget, than to under budget.Then divide by how many meals a day you prefer. I prefer three. That will give you the total amount you have to spend PER MEAL. Think of it as a game! But remember, for many people this is reality. If you pray, pray for change in our Gov't!

 Today for lunch, Wee One and I had a family size can of Cream of Chicken Soup with crackers. it was way too much food and filled us up. This totaled less than $2.00 for the soup and about .70 cents for the crackers... with plenty left over.

When I was feeding five people, we were spending less than $500.00 a month on the food bill.
 Have fun and SAVE MONEY! Let me know what you're trying.

Language Lessons/ Games for FREE

We are having German Language lessons today and I popped online to find some free games....
Googled it...

Die Farben auf Deutsch = The Colors in German
http://www.digitaldialects.com/German/Colour.htm



Of course with all inks in this BLOG, I am not responsible for error of any kind of problems. I just use the internet, I don't own it and am not responsible for it. :)

Hot Cocoa... How sweet it is!

This morning I'm sharing with you my way to save money on that cup of chocolaty goodness. I'm NOT a coffee drinker, so I drink hot cocoa and hot tea when it's cold outside.

ALWAYS, when you shop, look at the price per ounce. COMPARE items even in bulk sizes. Sometimes the bulk actually costs more, or in my case, has added an artificial sweetener that I DON'T want. I make my own. I don't have time to heat milk and be all fancy and proper. I'm a home schooling, college attending, single mom for Pete's sake! Who's Pete? That's another story.. .already been told way back in history.

 I already buy powdered milk. EWWWW, you say? Believe you me, I used to buy fresh milk from a local dairy and pasteurize it myself, I get it. BUT, I did the math and figure I get ONE GALLON FREE buying dry milk . Of course, I buy the huge box because it happens to be the least expensive PER OUNCE. If your store doesn't do you the courtesy of figuring this out for you and presenting it on the shelf near the item, it's okay you can do it yourself! Actually, in my local neck of the woods, Wal-Mart and Dollar General do this for me. THANKS!! waving....

Take the milk.... well don't TAKE it, just think about it. If it costs $ 14.00 for the big box and it has 64 ozs then do this math. I prefer the handy calculator while in the grocery store.
Type in 14.00 divide by 64 =.21875 this means COST PER OUNCE. You can figure what it costs to re-hydrate etc etc etc  until the cows come home.. Did I mention that I love puns? snicker....

I heat up my water in a HotPot super fast boiling machine. Gotta love that thing and I got it new in the box at GoodWill for five bucks!

 I add one T. sugar, 1 t. cocoa powder (more if I want a more dark chocolate flavor), and 1 T dry milk powder and STIR. WhaLaa!

It's NOT the best but you can adjust and save money doing it.... Have a great day and tell me how you saved money doing it!
THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH IT COSTS PER UNIT....then make yourself eat only one portion/serving and don't hog the entire box of cookies. That won't save you money... : P

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Save On Legal Help

I have no clue how much money I have saved by getting free legal help/ being my own lawyer (ProSe) for certain cases. But you really need to learn some courtroom procedures.... I've spent well over $21 k on lawyers and they didn't "do" much to help. I spent some time just cleaning up their mess.
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 January 19, 2010 at 11:38am

AS I POSTED ON FACEBOOK

As Seen On FaceBook...

I started a GROUP on Facebook called "A Penny Saved...." I'll have to look when because I just don't recall at this moment. I was hoping to save (and brag a little) about how much I was saving and also to help others learn to save, encourage them that even small savings are worth the effort. I hope you enjoy and I hope you Save Money!