Here is another great free cookbook. I love cookbooks but I'm running out of room in my house to put them. So I choose to just download this and save it to my desktop so it is always within reach.
http://www.sun-maid.com/freebooklet/intro.html
Showing posts with label frugal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label frugal. Show all posts
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Frugal with a Flourish: 10 Ways To Use Mason Jars in Your Home
I love this article...who doesn't have Mason jars around the house...you can even pick them up at thrift stores and yard sales very inexpensively and reuse them all over y0ur home...this would be a great way to reuse and repurpose other jars from items you have used up like salsa, mayo, jelly...and the list goes on...
Frugal with a Flourish: 10 Ways To Use Mason Jars in Your Home
Frugal with a Flourish: 10 Ways To Use Mason Jars in Your Home
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Thrift Store Savings
In an effort to make our money go farther and still enjoy the thrills of shopping (retail therapy) I enjoy a good trip to the thrift store. We were in Fort Collins, Colorado and they happen to have an outstanding Good Will thrift store and everything was half off! That is definite music to my ears! I have to admit..it will cost at least another $20.00 to ship a lot of this stuff off for my grandson, Jiovanni...but compared to regular price for all these clothes and books, it is still a huge bargain. I found several denim overalls for him at 75 cents a piece that in the store are at least $20 each and tons of those hard, cardboard books that on a good day run at least $5 each.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
A Budget Guide to Surviving Christmas
Here, I have put together a guide to help you have a fantastic Christmas, without having to face the New Year with some serious debt to consider.
First, avoid taking out store cards. As tempting as '10% off' sounds, these cards are often disguised as a money saving option but can get very expensive, as well as making it easy to accrue a large amount of debt in a very short space of time.
Secondly, chop up the credit cards. If there is plastic cash available to you then there is a greater temptation to buy.
Wait until your bonus is in your bank account before you spend it. Businesses have had a tough year and therefore bonuses may not be as high as they have been previously.
Christmas shouldn't be all about lavish gifts. Explain to people that you are trying to control your spending this year, so look out for small token gifts which will mean something to that person rather than forking out on something expensive.
Try to spread the cost of Christmas by starting your shopping as early as possible. This will prevent panic buying situations on Christmas Eve.
A personal budget listing how much you have to pay out on essentials like bills and the mortgage will give you an idea of your Christmas budget. By reviewing and analysing your income vs. outgoings, you will highlight areas where spending can be cut down.
If it is possible, try and spread the payment for presents over a period of time. This will mean that you don't have to pay lump sums all at once. Give yourself time so your finances are not hit in one go.
Get crafty! Instead of forking out on decorations, entertainment and cards, have a go at making your own. Get your kids busy making bunting and paper snowflakes, send e-cards and plan games to play on Christmas morning. Not only will you save cash, you'll have lots of fun too!
Victoria Poolman is a freelance writer who writes for many UK businesses. For debt management plans, she recommends Debt Advice for Women who provide a specialist service just for women.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victoria_Poolman
First, avoid taking out store cards. As tempting as '10% off' sounds, these cards are often disguised as a money saving option but can get very expensive, as well as making it easy to accrue a large amount of debt in a very short space of time.
Secondly, chop up the credit cards. If there is plastic cash available to you then there is a greater temptation to buy.
Wait until your bonus is in your bank account before you spend it. Businesses have had a tough year and therefore bonuses may not be as high as they have been previously.
Christmas shouldn't be all about lavish gifts. Explain to people that you are trying to control your spending this year, so look out for small token gifts which will mean something to that person rather than forking out on something expensive.
Try to spread the cost of Christmas by starting your shopping as early as possible. This will prevent panic buying situations on Christmas Eve.
A personal budget listing how much you have to pay out on essentials like bills and the mortgage will give you an idea of your Christmas budget. By reviewing and analysing your income vs. outgoings, you will highlight areas where spending can be cut down.
If it is possible, try and spread the payment for presents over a period of time. This will mean that you don't have to pay lump sums all at once. Give yourself time so your finances are not hit in one go.
Get crafty! Instead of forking out on decorations, entertainment and cards, have a go at making your own. Get your kids busy making bunting and paper snowflakes, send e-cards and plan games to play on Christmas morning. Not only will you save cash, you'll have lots of fun too!
Victoria Poolman is a freelance writer who writes for many UK businesses. For debt management plans, she recommends Debt Advice for Women who provide a specialist service just for women.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victoria_Poolman
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Thrifty Decor Chick: Giveaway Weekend!
Check This Out...you won't be disappointed...I rarely share giveaway information but this looks like a good one!
Thrifty Decor Chick: Giveaway Weekend!
Thrifty Decor Chick: Giveaway Weekend!
Use Up Leftover Mashed Potatoes and Other Useful Ideas
Use up leftover mashed potatoes
Make potato patties from leftover mashed potatoes. Simply add an egg to 2 cups mashed potatoes, form into patties and fry in a pan with a little oil. You can add meat, seasoned breadcrumbs, cheese or onion for extra flavor. The first reader tip shares another way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.
USE FOR LEFTOVER MASHED POTATOES:
We use leftover mashed potatoes to make potato soup. Simply thin it down with milk or water until it is the consistency you want, bring to a gentle boil and then top with bacon, cheese, chives and sour cream. An absolute favorite in our house. If you don’t have quite enough, add a can of creamed corn to stretch the recipe. — Daisy, Canada
REUSE PAPER TOWEL TUBES:
I store my shoes on a shoe rack on the closet wall. I noticed that the U-shaped wire made indentations on the leather of the shoes. I now stuff TP cardboard rolls into my shoes first, THEN slide the tube onto the U-shaped wire support. It keeps the shoe from resting against the wire of the rack. I adjust the length of the tube to suit the shoe; sandals get a paper-towel tube. — Sandra N., e-mail
I use the tubes from paper towels, the few I get, to roll linens in so they don’t crease and wrinkle. Works well for me. — Liz, e-mail
RE-CREATE:
It can be hard to see the potential in thrift-store or recycled items, so I like to approach the problem from the other direction. I browse the high-end stores to find ideas that I like, then search for ways to re-create them. A $200 feather trimmed chenille throw was re-created with a $20 Target chenille throw and $40 of feather trim from my local upholstery shop. Granted, it’s still a major splurge. But when company is over, it makes my beat-up, cracked leather love seat look lux. — W. Herdman, e-mail
REUSE A CEREAL BOX:
You can cut apart cereal boxes and make templates for measuring quilting pieces or make stars, bells, etc., and cover them with foil for Christmas decorations. The lightweight pasteboard is useful for many crafts. — Pat, e-mail
ANOTHER MAN’S TRASH:
I remember my neighbors looking at me oddly when I picked two sets of draperies out of their garbage can. (I had their permission, of course). I didn’t see old draperies. I saw new bags for groceries. It took me an enjoyable afternoon to make the totes and have been using them for two years now. They are sturdy and wash beautifully. My neighbors’ trash is my treasure, funny though they still think it’s trash. What will it take for people to understand that we can be better stewards of our money, our environment and our time? — Julie, e-mail
SHAKE TO MAKE:
With using mason jars as drinking glasses, you can also create iced tea (from a mix) right in them. Put the powder in and then add the water, put the lid on and shake. I love how convenient this is. I use jars from spaghetti sauce this way, too. — Cricket, e-mail
See more ideas at http://frugalvillage.net/
Make potato patties from leftover mashed potatoes. Simply add an egg to 2 cups mashed potatoes, form into patties and fry in a pan with a little oil. You can add meat, seasoned breadcrumbs, cheese or onion for extra flavor. The first reader tip shares another way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.
USE FOR LEFTOVER MASHED POTATOES:
We use leftover mashed potatoes to make potato soup. Simply thin it down with milk or water until it is the consistency you want, bring to a gentle boil and then top with bacon, cheese, chives and sour cream. An absolute favorite in our house. If you don’t have quite enough, add a can of creamed corn to stretch the recipe. — Daisy, Canada
REUSE PAPER TOWEL TUBES:
I store my shoes on a shoe rack on the closet wall. I noticed that the U-shaped wire made indentations on the leather of the shoes. I now stuff TP cardboard rolls into my shoes first, THEN slide the tube onto the U-shaped wire support. It keeps the shoe from resting against the wire of the rack. I adjust the length of the tube to suit the shoe; sandals get a paper-towel tube. — Sandra N., e-mail
I use the tubes from paper towels, the few I get, to roll linens in so they don’t crease and wrinkle. Works well for me. — Liz, e-mail
RE-CREATE:
It can be hard to see the potential in thrift-store or recycled items, so I like to approach the problem from the other direction. I browse the high-end stores to find ideas that I like, then search for ways to re-create them. A $200 feather trimmed chenille throw was re-created with a $20 Target chenille throw and $40 of feather trim from my local upholstery shop. Granted, it’s still a major splurge. But when company is over, it makes my beat-up, cracked leather love seat look lux. — W. Herdman, e-mail
REUSE A CEREAL BOX:
You can cut apart cereal boxes and make templates for measuring quilting pieces or make stars, bells, etc., and cover them with foil for Christmas decorations. The lightweight pasteboard is useful for many crafts. — Pat, e-mail
ANOTHER MAN’S TRASH:
I remember my neighbors looking at me oddly when I picked two sets of draperies out of their garbage can. (I had their permission, of course). I didn’t see old draperies. I saw new bags for groceries. It took me an enjoyable afternoon to make the totes and have been using them for two years now. They are sturdy and wash beautifully. My neighbors’ trash is my treasure, funny though they still think it’s trash. What will it take for people to understand that we can be better stewards of our money, our environment and our time? — Julie, e-mail
SHAKE TO MAKE:
With using mason jars as drinking glasses, you can also create iced tea (from a mix) right in them. Put the powder in and then add the water, put the lid on and shake. I love how convenient this is. I use jars from spaghetti sauce this way, too. — Cricket, e-mail
See more ideas at http://frugalvillage.net/
Thursday, December 2, 2010
How to Become More Self-Sufficient
How to Become More Self-Sufficient
Take a look at this great information that would help all of us save our valuable funds, today, and every day!!
Take a look at this great information that would help all of us save our valuable funds, today, and every day!!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Frugal Reading
The Ultimate in Frugal Pastime
The local library is a plethora of ultimate in frugal living. You can learn how to do something for yourself; from gardening, to deck building, to plumbing, to grooming your dog. The more things we learn to do for ourselves, the more money you save.
I love borrowing books on CD to listen to on my hour drive to and from work every day; that way my time is not wasted. I can feel like I am still keeping up on my "reading" on time that would otherwise be wasted.
You can borrow magazines that you have been thinking about subscribing to (as a little trial) or just browse through them to get some gift-giving ideas. In my opinion; a home made gift is far better than anything that can be bought in any store.
Often times libraries have sales on books or videos. I just bought a VHS tape on learning to crochet and two brand new cardboard books for my soon to be grandson. I paid a total of 75 cents for all three of these things....very frugal.
For more entertainment ideas; often libraries have movies you can borrow. Our local library doesn't have a very good selection of "entertainment" type videos; but they have a great selection of videos for kids that I borrowed quite a bit when my kids were smaller.
Next time you think you need to head to the store to buy that new book from your favorite author; check your local library....then pocket those $avings.
The local library is a plethora of ultimate in frugal living. You can learn how to do something for yourself; from gardening, to deck building, to plumbing, to grooming your dog. The more things we learn to do for ourselves, the more money you save.
I love borrowing books on CD to listen to on my hour drive to and from work every day; that way my time is not wasted. I can feel like I am still keeping up on my "reading" on time that would otherwise be wasted.
You can borrow magazines that you have been thinking about subscribing to (as a little trial) or just browse through them to get some gift-giving ideas. In my opinion; a home made gift is far better than anything that can be bought in any store.
Often times libraries have sales on books or videos. I just bought a VHS tape on learning to crochet and two brand new cardboard books for my soon to be grandson. I paid a total of 75 cents for all three of these things....very frugal.
For more entertainment ideas; often libraries have movies you can borrow. Our local library doesn't have a very good selection of "entertainment" type videos; but they have a great selection of videos for kids that I borrowed quite a bit when my kids were smaller.
Next time you think you need to head to the store to buy that new book from your favorite author; check your local library....then pocket those $avings.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
School Suppies on the Cheap.
I still have no idea why we have "fund raising" for people to get school supplies for their kids. There are so many sales before school and things are so cheap; I just don't get it. We have a whole "fill the bus" full of school supplies at my place of employment for those that are unfortunate in this community. I went shopping for my own child and even with the expensive $15 calculator he needed for Algebra, I only spent $25.00. Ok, that's not exactly all I spent, a couple of weeks ago I got him a new backpack for $16.00. But still; the problem I see is that people don't know how to tell their children "no". My child doesn't need the $3.00 notebook just because it has some sort of "cool " character" on it. The $ .15 plain blue notebook works just fine and has the same amount of paper in it. If he wants something "cool" on the outside; then get the markers out and let your creativity take control! Besides, from what I remember from being in school; those covers to the notebooks don't last very long anyway. To save money throughout the year; be sure to stock up on, at least,also twice as much as you need to start the school year so that when you need to replenish stuff, you have those lying around (it also saves on those last minute trips to the store which always costs more in the long run).
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