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

Save on Knitting Patterns FREE

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

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.
check out
Legal Aid

 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!