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Saturday, March 26, 2011

5 Ideas for Healthy After School Snacks

5 Ideas for Healthy After School Snacks

3 Home Remedies to Cure Acne

3 Home Remedies to Cure Acne

10 Cheap Toys You Can Make for Your Dog

10 Cheap Toys You Can Make for Your Dog

Recipe Lion - Quick and Easy Recipes

Recipe Lion - Quick and Easy Recipes


This is the greatest site for recipes. I love the slow cooker recipes to do you my freezer cooking days.

Use Google to Plan Your Wedding

by Christina on March 26, 2011 ·

I’ve been a longtime fan of all the resources that Google offers.
With just a few clicks of your mouse you can create online spreadsheets, send e-mail, start a blog, find a destination and much more.
And now Google has added wedding planning to its list of resources.
Essential, the Google Wedding Planner is a collection of some of their most useful services.  You can create a wedding site on Google Sites,  and edit photos on Picnik and share them using Picasa.  They also have links to dozen of Google Docs to help you budget for your wedding, create your guest lists, and manage all the details of your special day.
This is probably one of the simplest online wedding planning resources I’ve seen.   What do you think?  Do you have a favorite FREE wedding planning website?
You may also like:
Thank you Northern Cheapskate!

Frugal Living : A House Cleaning Money Saving Tip with Baking Soda

Frugal Living : A House Cleaning Money Saving Tip with Baking Soda

Gosh, baking soda has a million uses!

Thanks Penny Pincher....another great money saving tip!

Frugal Living : Use Baking Soda to Clean Pots with Burned-on Food

Frugal Living : Use Baking Soda to Clean Pots with Burned-on Food

Saving pans is saving money!

Thanks Penny Pincher!

TCN Cooking Classes: Cooking Technique – How to Blanch Vegetables

Many vegetables require blanching first before freezing. So here is a way to do it yourself and save lots of $$'s.


TCN Cooking Classes: Cooking Technique – How to Blanch Vegetables

Thank you Penny Pincher!!

Friday, March 25, 2011

7 Reasons Why Your Budget Might Not Work

7 Reasons Why Your Budget Might Not Work

The one thing I hear the most from people is "we tried a budget once and it didn't work". Well, did you ever wonder why? Here are 7 reasons to think about.....if you are serious about having a budget to stay within.

The Best Times to Travel on a Budget (for 70 Destinations)

Thinking of going on vacation. Take advantage of off season times for the lowest rates.

The Best Times to Travel on a Budget (for 70 Destinations)
From Tip Hero

5 Ways to Welcome Spring on a Budget

Great money saving tips for going into Spring from Tip Hero

5 Ways to Welcome Spring on a Budget

Frugal Living : The Temperature on Your Hot Water Heater is Probably Higher than it Needs to Be

Frugal Living and thrift mean knowing the really heavy hitting money saving tips like this one. We probably should have told you about this tip back in the summer, but nevertheless, you can still implement this amazing money saving tip to a lesser degree and save money on electricity or gas bills, right now.
Your hot water heater uses energy (either electricity or gas) to bring the entire tank of water up to the temperature to which you have the gauge set, and to hold the water at that temperature. Now, if you’re temperature gauge looks like the one on my hot water heater, it’s marked with ‘LOW’ and ‘High’ and about 4 notches in between. If you have the gauge set to ‘HIGH’ you’re likely paying to keep the water at a temperature that is so high you would never think to stand under it in the shower. Think about it: when was the last time you got in the shower and cranked the water as hot as it would go? Probably never.
Right now, in November, the gauge on my hot water heater is set right in the middle. On days when I want a nice hot shower (yes, we all have those days), I do turn the water as hot as it will go. The temperature of the hot water is nice and steamy, not scalding like it would be if the hot water heater was set at ‘High.’ 
Most people use hot water every day and this means that the potential to save money with this tip is huge. Get down to the basement and lower that gauge!

(How about sucking fresh water right out of thin air? Pretty cool isn't it, saving that kind of money? Today's money saving tip is being sponsored by Ecoloblue and they have a
 
serious money saving technology that will allow you to slash your water bills dramatically. Twenty cents a gallon and you can produce 8 gallons per day - no other cost!)
How to save power and save water to the max?
When it comes to utility bills, the prices have only gone up. Opening your water bill and your electric bill gets more and more painful as the years pass. So, what are the solutions? How to save water, how to save power? Is there any quick fix?  How can we conserve water and save money? A rain barrel, cistern, or an atmospheric water generator? Or, is it just a matter of improving our habits and reducing our water consumption? How about electricity, it’s becoming very expensive, so how do we save electricity? Energy efficient light bulbs, solar panels, or a geothermal power system? Or, again, is it more about our habits and can we lower our power bill if we become more self aware and manage our power usage better? It’s all of the above! Frugal living and thrift mean changing your habits to save water and save power, but also discovering and employing the best technology and tools to make your home more sustainable.
*Ok, this is the last time we’ll give you the link to the article about this week’s Thrifty Blogger. If you haven’t already, check it out!

Thanks again to ThriftCultureNow!!

Frugal Living : Barbecue it all & Save Money

The summer is a great time to take advantage of all the delicious, fresh foods that are in season. It’s also a great time to dust off the barbecue and save a few dollars. The trick to saving money and lowering your hydro or gas bills is to cook all of the food for a particular meal, on the barbecue. So, instead of cooking the meat on the barbecue and all of the side dishes on the stove, do it all on the grill. You can save on hydro and/or gas by doing all of your cooking with one appliance, and cooking outside will help to keep your house cool.
This may take a little planning, but you can barbecue virtually anything. Fold vegetables into tinfoil pouches with olive oil, skewer them, or roast them on a pan. Use the side burner on your barbecue to cook starches like rice or pasta, and soak ears of corn (husk and all) in a little water, then toss them on the grill. Heck, you can even make dessert on the barbecue; try grilling fresh fruit and serve it with a little ice cream for a tasty treat.
Use your imagination, save some money, and enjoy outdoor cooking and eating while you still can.
[When the snow flies, or merely for a change of flavor, ditch the energy hoggin oven for
Ronco
small and efficient, counter top rotisserie from Ronco - Today's money saving tip sponsor]


How to save power and save water to the max?
When it comes to utility bills, the prices have only gone up. Opening your water bill and your electric bill gets more and more painful as the years pass. So, what are the solutions? How to save water, how to save power? Is there any quick fix?  How can we conserve water and save money? A rain barrel, cistern, or an atmospheric water generator? Or, is it just a matter of improving our habits and reducing our water consumption? How about electricity, it’s becoming very expensive, so how do we save electricity? Energy efficient light bulbs, solar panels, or a geothermal power system? Or, again, is it more about our habits and can we lower our power bill if we become more self aware and manage our power usage better? It’s all of the above! Frugal living and thrift mean changing your habits to save water and save power, but also discovering and employing the best technology and tools to make your home more sustainable.

A big thank you to ThriftCultureNow.com

Frugal Living : How to Save on Electricity Bills or Gas Bills when Cooking

Frugal living means watching the pros for money saving tips and great ideas to enrich your life! You know when you watch a cooking show and the host has all of the ingredients that will be used in the dish they’re cooking, prepped ahead of time, lined-up on cutting boards or in bowls by the stove? Well this is a really good habit to get into, if you want to learn how to save on electricity bills or gas bills.
When you haven’t cut-up, diced, or minced all of your food items beforehand, you draw out the cooking time, using more energy to run the stove, and probably over-cooking whatever it is that you’re making in the process. To increase efficiency in the kitchen, do all of your food prep before you even turn a burner on. You don’t want to turn on the stove and add the garlic to the pan, only to find that you haven’t chopped the next 3 ingredients!
Give it a try and see how much time and money you can save.

(Today's money saving tip is being sponsored by one of the smartest cooking solutions
 Ronco
out there, the Ronco Rotisserie is all about thrift. Save Space, Save Time, Save Electricity and Save Money!)
How to save power and save water to the max?
When it comes to utility bills, the prices have only gone up. Opening your water bill and your electric bill gets more and more painful as the years pass. So, what are the solutions? How to save water, how to save power? Is there any quick fix?  How can we conserve water and save money? A rain barrel, cistern, or an atmospheric water generator? Or, is it just a matter of improving our habits and reducing our water consumption? How about electricity, it’s becoming very expensive, so how do we save electricity? Energy efficient light bulbs, solar panels, or a geothermal power system? Or, again, is it more about our habits and can we lower our power bill if we become more self aware and manage our power usage better? It’s all of the above! Frugal living and thrift mean changing your habits to save water and save power, but also discovering and employing the best technology and tools to make your home more sustainable.
*If you haven’t already, you’ll want to check out this week’s Thrifty Blogger who’s all about ‘Budgeting in the Fun Stuff.’

Thank you Penny Pincher!!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

"A budget takes the knots out of your marriage. It gives you oneness and unity." —Dave Ramsey

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Homemade Play Dough « Mommy Hates Cooking

Homemade Play Dough « Mommy Hates Cooking

Thank you Mommy Hates Cooking!

Frugal Living : is it Time for a New Toilet? Dual or Low Flush Toilets are the Way to Go

Frugal Living : is it Time for a New Toilet? Dual or Low Flush Toilets are the Way to Go

Thanks Penny Pincher and Thrift Culture Now!

Frugal Living : Let your Food Cool First & Lower Energy Bills

Frugal Living : Let your Food Cool First & Lower Energy Bills

Thank you Thrift Culture Now!

Frugal Living: Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent - MoneySavingQueen - March 2011

Frugal Living: Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent - MoneySavingQueen - March 2011

Thanks Money Saving Queen!

Frugal Living: Save Money with Homemade Cleaners like Cornstarch to Clean Greasy Hood Vents

Frugal Living: Save Money with Homemade Cleaners like Cornstarch to Clean Greasy Hood Vents

Thanks again Penny Pincher!

Frugal Living: Another Thrifty Cleaning Solution with Potato Skins

Frugal Living: Another Thrifty Cleaning Solution with Potato Skins

Thank you Penny Pincher!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

How to make homemade Wheat Thins

Two Peas and Their Pod show you how to make homemade Wheat Thins. I’m definitely trying this recipe soon as I love Wheat Thins and would love them even more if I could re-create them at home!

A Recipe & Meal Idea

All of this is on Sale at Publix until Weds......great easy dinner



March 21, 2011 
 A Recipe & Meal IdeaI just finished cleaning up dinner and it was so good that I thought I would share the recipe and suggest a little meal deal for you guys.
I had planned to do a cream cheese roasted chicken but when I looked into the fridge there was no cream cheese to be found!! But…I did have some Philadelphia Cooking Creme!  I hosted a Philadelphia Cooking Creme House Party and everything I made was a HUGE hit. So I figured why not play around a bit.
Here is what I ending up doing…it was a huge hit!
Ingredients:
Whole Chicken
Philadelphia Cooking Creme (about 6 ounces)
Salt & Pepper
Olive oil or your favorite vinaigrette dressing
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Gently lift the skin from the chicken carcass with your finger. You want the skin to stay intact on the bird! Don’t remove the skin just separate it from the bird trying not to rip it. I use a sweeping motion at the top of the breast then at the bottom. Repeat around the thigh. You can use a spoon if you would prefer but I find it easier to use my finger -easier to prevent rips.
Put the Cooking Creme in a pastry bag. I used Italian Cheese and Herb tonight. If you don’t have a pastry bag just use a ziploc and cut one corner. Pipe the cooking creme in between the skin and the chicken. Just push the skin to spread it evenly over the breast and around the thighs and legs.
Brush the chicken with a light layer of olive oil or vinaigrette. Then salt and pepper to taste.
Bake the chicken for about an hour or until done!
The chicken was so moist and had wonderful flavor. The best part is that this is a quick and inexpensive meal! The prep only takes about 5 minutes. I threw on some butter beans to simmer when I put the chicken in the oven and once I took the chicken out to cool, I quickly wilted some baby bok choy with ginger and garlic. My total time of active cooking was only about 10 minutes!!
Meal Idea
Whole Chicken, approx $5.50 (currently $1.39/lb–you might wait as it will be $1.19 in upcoming ad)
Philadelphia Cooking Creme, $2
Vigo Rice, 65¢
Green Beans or Squash, $1.29/lb
Use the following coupons
-$0.50/1 Vigo rice .50  3/13/2011 RP Insert (exp 12/31/11)
-$1.50/1 Kraft Philadelphia Cooking Creme blinkie
-$1.50 off Chicken wyb Philadelphia Cooking Creme peelie (exp 6/30/2011)

If your store doubles, you pay $5.44 for the whole meal!  That is like paying $1.36 per person…I think we will have this one again very soon!!

Thanks I Heart Publix!!

Frugal Living : Homemade Coffee Face Scrub: thrifty and nourishing

 

Don't waste your money on face scrubs and cleansers; they're expensive and often contain harmful ingredients. Instead, reuse your coffee grinds and treat yourself to a homemade, invigorating face scrub. Simply take some old coffee grinds (let them cool first), cover your bar of soap with them, wet your hands, and lather up. Wash your face as you normally would. The grinds not only act as a gentle scrub, helping reduce dead skin cells, but coffee is also a natural source of anti-oxidants,  is said to reduce redness, and firm-up skin. Nourish your skin at home, for no extra cost!

This thrifty health tip is more of a beauty tip, because looking great and feeling great can go hand in hand with a fat wallet! So many beauty treatments can be performed at home. This is a money saving tip that will keep you looking your best and save you a bundle.

Thanks Penny Pincher and http://www.thriftculturenow.com/

Frugal Living : Cool a Fever with Cabbage

The next time you or your child has a fever, try this amazing home remedy. Since the Dioscorides era, cabbage has been used for its healing properties including its ability to reduce fevers. Tear a leaf from the near center of the cabbage and, with the heel of your hand, pound the central vein of the leaf a little. Then, place the entire leaf on top of the head. This may sound (and look!) a little odd, but it really works. Give it a shot. Don’t waste your money on expensive, over-the-counter drugs. This method is also much safer than taking drugs.

Cabbage is so cheap! Seriously, year round, if you live in North America, a cabbage should be 1-3 dollars and one will go a long way. The medicinal properties are a bonus, but quite typical for many plants. Our culture (not Thrift Culture :), Western Culture) has lost touch with home remedies, but home remedies work and they can save you a ton of cash!

Thanks Penny Pincher and ThriftCulture.com