Old canning Lids?
Continuing on the theme of recycling and using, I saw this post on someones blog - sorry, forgot who's...
Recycling Canning lids - I don't have a lot - just started... but I hate throwing them away! So here are some ideas for them - we need pictures but that is my only complaint - being the visual person I am :)
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60768970.tip.html
Cutting Down on Winter Costs
As winter approaches I think of drafts, fuels costs, keeping the family warm inside and the cold outside... This is the frugal side of me. So....
I am doing a search on making Draft Stoppers.
Sites with Pictures (I like because I am a visual learner :)
http://www.ehow.com/how_2177895_inexpensive-draft-stoppers.html
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11565
Quilted Houses - very cute!! http://www.mccallsquilting.com/golden/mg25_pattern/
http://www.ehow.com/how_17253_make-draft-dodger.html
For those who can crochet - http://www.sarahanns.com/crochetworks/dawg.html
For Christmas - Santa and Snowman http://www.sewthankful.com/KWIKSew3279.html
Crafty Kid - Kitty Cat http://www.kraftykid.com/Craft%20Ideas/Draft_dodger_door_stopper_craft.htm
TUTORIALS!!! AND PICS - I am in Heaven!!!
http://jenyu.net/pj/stuff/draftstopper/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/notmartha/sets/72057594068949613/
http://www.cymek.com/?q=node/103
Good Ideas, no pics :(
http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/sew/draftstp.shtml
http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa011099.htm
http://www.informationandreferral.org/Simple%20Draft%20Stopper.pdf
These will definitely save you money this winter. Back East you always use such things but here in California, they are not as common :)
In addition, if you get really crafty you might be able to make some to sell!
Creamed Tuna & Peas
In order to cut down, I have been following a "$40 Emergency" food plan. Found here - http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/40dollarmenu.htm
This is one of the recipes on the plan and can I say Yummo! I was skeptical - it did not sound good to me and it didn't look great either. But IT TASTED DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!! I did add poultry seasoning to make the Tuna tastes better. I also served it over white rice with applesauce and corn bread.
Creamed Tuna & Peas
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- 1/4 cup margarine
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 15 oz can peas
- 6 oz can tunafish
Begin by melting the margarine in a 2-quart saucepan. Use a fork or a whisk to stir in the flour making sure it is smooth. Gradually stir in the milk. If you have a whisk you can go a little faster because a whisk can beat out any lumps. If you are using a fork then go very slowly so you can keep the mixture smooth. When the mixture is smooth stir in the sugar, salt and pepper. Cook and stir the sauce until it begins to boil. Allow it to boil for a full minute by the clock. Now remove the sauce from the heat.
Drain the peas and the tuna. Stir gently and reheat only till boiling again. Do not overcook or the peas will get mushy.
Serve over buttered toast or biscuits or rice or noodles. Makes 4 servings. This dish is inexpensive and surprisingly delicious. The salt may be replaced with celery salt or garlic salt if desired.
To use Frozen peas instead of canned, simply replace the canned peas with 2 cups of frozen peas. Allow the sauce to reheat for a minute or 2 so you will be sure the peas are cooked through. Do not overcook the frozen peas either. This is vital for a good dish.
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What to do with Expired Coupons or Ones you will never use ?
I read this at another blog and thought I would pass it along to you all!
For our military families stationed overseas, food costs are very high. Most families shop at the commissary but staples such as bread and milk cost significantly more than in the States. Many military families overseas are one income families and the high cost of groceries can really strain their budget.
There is something you can do to help. Overseas commissaries accept coupons 6 months past their expiration date, but coupons overseas are scarce. This is where you come in, you can send your expired coupons to these military families overseas. This is a great way to support our troops and only costs you the price of a stamp.
If you are interested in supporting our troops in this way please email -
at coupons4troops (at) comcast (dot) net and they can give you more information. If you are a military family stationed overseas and would like to receive coupons please them, They would love to send you some coupons.
Blessings
Flossie
20 ways to survive tough times!
http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2008/10/20-ways-to-survive-tough-times.html
Frugality should be a life long GAME!!
I like to think of budgetting and finding the best deal a game. In this economy you need to be aware and look. I have one grocery store that is near me and its prices are always so much higher than a grocery store 6 miles away. The same products and very different prices.
Example Smucker's Jelly - one store - $2.50, other $0.99
Jiffy Peanut Butter - one store - $2.58 and the other $4.60
Go figure - these are not specials but every day prices. So shopper beware! I have been following a website on how to feed a family of 4to6 on a set emergency budget. Soem of the prices are very different but... I spend $52 on a week's worth of groceries. They have menus planned out, etc. I have always been a frugal shopper - being the oldest of 6 probably teaches you this - thanks Mom!
Go check it out!
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/index.htm
Emergency $45 menu http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/40dollarmenu.htm
Emergency $70 menu http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm
she gives you menus, recipes, shopping list - it is great!! One thing I did learn in trying to take control of my budget was to write a menu each week - this does not mean you need to be militant and most weeks I take leftovers and "create" new meals, etc. It does help your family know that there is a plan, not to eat itmes without checking and it helps you when you get into the store NOT to by more than you planned :)
Another good budgetting website is www.livingonadime.com
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PS I also want to talk to you who are out there and think you can not come home and be a stay at home mom. If it is on your heart, then God wants you there! I did it! My husband and I went from making a lot of money to little but with coming home comes the freedom to cook, the freedom not to worry about commuting, eating out, and oother convenience items.
My brain is fried and I mean to write but I can't right now...
Here is a new website I found:
http://www.homespunliving.blogspot.com/
GREAT!
Let's Begin a Budget
Whether you have a lot of money or a little, you are a big company or a little, you need to know what is coming in and what is going out. This is the nuts and bolts of beginning a financial plan. Many in the finance world will use big words and lots of jargon to intimidate you but don't let it.
So to get started we need to do two simple things:
1. What do you have coming in? What is your income?
- List out your weekly or monthly income
2. What is going out? Where are you spending money?
- This one is tougher unless you have more money than you know what to do with :) This is probably not the case if you are readin this.
- List out everything you spend money on. The big ticket items are easier to identify. Start here. The smaller items may take more work and follow through. For a week to month, write down everything you spend money on - food, movies, dinner out, gas, ice cream, pedicures, lunches out, etc.
Once you have your arms around this, we will be putting together a "Statement of Income".
Blessings,
Flossie
Welcome!
On this website, I will try to give information on budgetting and cutting costs. I previously was in the finance world and I find that people believe that you need money to make money or that being in debt is the way to go. I am on a forever search of how to reuse, repurpose and refresh the things I have. Come along!
Please share all and any ideas you have!
Blessings,
Flossie
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