Earn Extra Spending Money!

I have been asked a couple of times what I do to make extra money while being a SAHM so I decided to compile a list of all my treasures.
I only have one child at home and I am lucky enough that she still naps so I have time to devote to several different sites, but you may only have time for one or two.  Either way any money earned is that much more than you had to begin with right?  At least that is my motto :)

So here is the list of all the things I take advantage of!

#1 Swagbucks
Swagbucks in a nutshell is a search engine such as Google or Bing.  The difference is that by using Swagbucks to make your searches you will be randomly awarded with "Swagbucks" which accumulate and when you have earned enough you then cash them in for gift cards of your choice.  I (obviously) use mine to get Amazon gift cards, but you can get dozens of different gift cards and even get paid cash by using PayPal!  Check out this link to read a full article on the advantages of Swagbucks and how to earn maximum bucks per day!  If you are ready to sign up just click here and get started!

#2 SuperPoints

SuperPoints is a website that simply pays you in "SuperPoints" for things such as watching videos, and signing up for other offers such as email newsletters as well as other online purchases you may choose to make.  The bonus with SuperPoints is the SuperLucky Button.  It is literally a button that you can click up to 100 times a day (depending on  your member level) and you will randomly be awarded SuperPoints.  Once you accumulate enough points you can cash them in for gift cards (again, I get Amazon cards).  At the basic level you get 30 spins per day and at gold level (which means you have 2 referrals) you get 50 spins per day, and at the Platinum level (meaning  you have 5 referrals) you get 100 spins per day.  My little princess loves to click the button and gets down right giddy when she wins points for me!  The only catch to SuperPoints is that it is by invitation ONLY!  But guess what you are in luck!  I happen to have some invite codes to pass out!  All you have to do is either comment on this post that you are interested or leave me a comment on my facebook page that you want an invite and I'll hook you up!

#3 Inbox Dollars
Inbox Dollars is the program that pays you to read emails.  You simply sign up and within a day you will begin to receive emails.  You simply open the email and click the link confirming that you read the email and voila you get paid! So as to be up front, these emails are advertisements.  I typically get 2 emails a day (give or take) and some of the offers I actually take advantage of (such as business cards, printer ink etc) and in that case you not only get paid to read the email but you get bonus money for the purchase you make.  There are actually other ways to earn money with Inbox Dollars as well.  You can complete surveys, take advantage of special offers, watch videos, play games and more!  When your account reaches $30 you can cash out and they send you a check!  Pretty sweet deal!  If you would like to sign up for Inbox Dollars just comment on this post or my facebook page and I'll be happy to send you a link with a referral bonus worth $5 to get you started!

#4 Reward Port
Reward Port works in much the same way as Inbox Dollars.  The only difference is this site works on a points system, when you earn enough points you are able to cash them in for gift cards (wanna guess which ones I get?).  So in the interest of not repeating myself I will simply say.... comment on this post or post on my Facebook page and I'll send you a link with a referral bonus worth 250 points to get you started!

#5 RewardPort Surveys
This is a sister site to Reward Port (Bet you couldn't have guessed that) and it is exactly what it sounds like!  It is simply surveys.  This site however doesn't work on a points  system.  Each survey is worth a dollar amount and when you reach a balance of $25 you can cash out with gift cards!  If you would like to sign up for RewardPort Surveys simply click this link and sign up to get started!

#6 Global Test Market
This site works in the same way as RewardPort Surveys.  You are sent opportunities to take surveys and you receive points for each survey completed.  When you accumulate enough points you can cash out and actually receive a check for $50!  If you would like to sign up for Global Test Market please comment on this post or my Facebook wall and I'll set you up with a referral link that will give you 20 points to get you started!

#7 Toluna
And last but not least is Toluna online Surveys.  Again this is simply online surveys that rewards you with points that can then be redeemed for cash (yes these actually send you a check!)  If you want to read a full article HERE ya go!

That's it guys!  I personally set up a separate email account for these programs so as to keep my personal email box from getting too cluttered.  I can now veg out in front of the TV, click a few times and cash in!  All of these programs are ones that I have personally used and gotten rewarded for!
Now here is the disclaimer:  I don't want anyone to misunderstand me, you are NOT going to retire on the money you make from surveys or any other online program such as these.  These are not intended to replace employment income and is by NO means a get rich quick scheme.  I typically earn $50-$100 per month in gift cards and cash by doing ALL of these programs.  Enjoy!
**All pictures courtesy of Google Images

Make Curtains out of Sheets

I have had the same sheer green curtains in my bedroom for over 2 years which was fine except that my mother gave us a new comforter set this past Christmas which was maroon and beige... no green in sight!  I have left the same non matching curtains up anyways because I have not wanted to spend the money to buy new curtains.  I recently saw an article on making curtains out of sheet and I just so happened to have a set of neutral beige sheets in my cabinet that I didn't use!

Now I'm no seamstress.  I do own a sewing machine but only because it came as a package deal when I bought some furniture from a friend several years ago.  Typically when I need something sewn I call my mother and ask her to do it for me.  But this time I decided to put my big girl britches on and do this project by myself!

Soooo... here goes!

Step 1:

Most instructions say to use two twin sheets, however, I only had one queen size sheet, so I laid the sheet out on the floor and cut it in half.

Step 2:

Fold a 2 inch seam across the top of the sheet (the part that will go through the curtain rod).  Using a heavy starch iron the seam to hold it in place.  You could use pins to accomplish this but I like the iron method better)

Repeat this process for the side using a 1/4 inch seam.

Step 3:

Sew the side seam first then sew the top seam.  

That's it!  It's that easy!!  Who knew??

Yes this is my real bed and yes I made it up just for this picture... don't judge me!

My Life Binder

I honestly racked my brain trying to come up with a "Frugal Friday" post for today and to be honest with you I came up desperately empty handed (minded)!
So I decided to let you in on my project this week.

Introducing my Life Binder!

I originally saw this idea on Pinterest, but the one I found was way to fancy for my taste so I adapted this simple version!

You will need

1 binder 

1 package tabs

Notebook paper

Pen/Marker

As you can see, I didn't get to fancy with it!  I had some tabs that I picked up at a garage sale and I used a marker to write my categories in.

These were the tabs I used, of course you can use as many or as few as works for you!

:

Menu:

I use this tab to plan and keep up with my family's meal menu

Chores:

I have a chore schedule and I use this tab to keep it handy 

Shopping:

I use this tab to keep a running shopping list.  When I go through my weekly store ads and coupons I will start a list here and add anything I may find myself low on throughout the week.  I don't know about you but I can't count the number of times I've started a list then misplaced it, never again!

To Do:

This tab is pretty self explanatory, I keep a daily list of things to accomplish.

Calendar:  

I keep a blank calendar page that I fill in each month so that I always have a calendar handy with all of that months events in one place.

I keep my sales ads handy in the back pocket of the binder

There are tons of printables online that can be used as well, but I'm way too cheap... errr frugal to use the ink to print them out :)

Hope this helps you keep your home more organized and orderly!  

Have a great weekend everyone!

Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill

I don't know about you but sometimes I cringe when that electric bill comes in the mail.  I have made it my goal to keep my electric bill under $200 in the summer months, under $150 in the winter months and under $100 in the spring and fall months.  Now for those of you thinking I must live in a two room shack or an apartment to keep it that low let me assure you I do not!  My home is a three bedroom, two bath, kitchen and dining room, a living room and a den.  How is that possible you ask... well let me share!

1)  If you are not using it, turn it off!
I'll start by stating the obvious; turn off lights, TVs computers and other electric devices when not in use.  That's a no brainer.  But did you know that even if some appliances are turned off, if they are still plugged into an outlet they are STILL pulling power?  I just recently found this out and it blew my mind!  So, when your cell phone or laptop charger is not in use, unplug it from the wall.  If you have multiple devices you may want to invest in a docking station that you can use to charge every device on one outlet then in the morning when you remove the devices you simply unplug one outlet and you're good to go. 
When your computer is not in use, be sure it is not just sitting there with the screen saver on constantly, either put your computer to sleep or even better turn it off if you are not going to be using it for a while.  Also, keep your printer turned off when not in use.
If you really want to go a step further, be sure to unplug other electronics such as TVs, DVD players and gaming systems when not in use, or when you leave for the day.  If it is troublesom to reach behind the entertainment center, plug everything into a power strip that you can simply turn off; power strips do not draw electricity when turned off. 

2)  Be mindful of your thermostat setting
Set your thermostat as low as your comfort level will permit. Each degree over 68°F can add 3 percent to the amount of energy needed for heating your home.  I typically keep my heater set on 65°F throughout the winter months.  Now this obviously means that you cannot run around in shorts and a tee shirt inside your house in the middle of January (unless you are living in Texas this year where it has been 70° every day for two weeks now!)  But if you wear sensible pants and a long sleeve shirt or a light jacket or sweater and socks you will still be toasty warm. 
If you have a fireplace use it, if you have a blower on that fireplace use it!  Firewood is fairly easy to come by, and I actually see signs from time to time for free firewood if you just come cut it and haul it off.  Now I realize that is not an option for some, but if you have able bodied men in your life that would be willing to spend an afternoon cutting some wood, you can have a winter's worth of heat at little to no cost!  Simply check your local newspaper, Craigslist or Freecycle for listings of free or inexpensive firewood.  Also put the word out there to your friends that you are willing to cut down and remove small trees for free if you can use the wood. 
Lastly, during winter time, try to open the blinds and curtains to let in as much sunlight as possible.  Light equals heat and will go far in adding a degree or two of heat to your home!

3) Be aware of the settings and use of your large appliances
Keep your refrigerator at 37°- 40° F and your freezer at 5°F; these temperatures are completely safe for food storage and will save you significantly on your electric bill over time.
Use the self-cleaning cycle on your oven only for major cleaning jobs. Begin the cycle just after cooking dinner, this way the oven is already hot.
If you know you are going to need to rearrange oven shelves to accommodate cooking, do so before turning your oven on – and don’t peek at food in the oven! Every time you open the oven door, 25°-50°F is lost, not to mention the change in temperature can affect your cooking times and turnout of food.
Only run your washing machine when you have enough clothes to fill the machine (this same rule applies to dishwashers), and set your water temperature to cold when possible.  I only use hot water to wash sheets and towels.  This also eliminates the need to separate light and dark colored clothes, with a cold water setting you will not have to worry about the colors running.  Even where hot water is necessary for your washing, you can rinse clothes in cold to conserve energy.
On nice days dry your clothes outside!  I realize this may seem primitive to some, but once you realize that the typical household clothes dryer will cost you about $0.70 per load and you do the math, it may very well seem worth it!  If you have never had a clothes line, or have one but have never used it, read up on the benefits you just may be surprised!


4)  Take small steps
Did you know that incandescent bulbs use 75% more electricity than screw-in fluorescent bulbs, and flourescents last at least 8 times longer.
Clean your light fixtures regularly, if the light is having to filter through a dusty cover, it produces more heat, therefore sucking more energy.
Open windows on a nice day.  When the temperature outside is favorable open windows and doors and give your air conditioner/heater a break.  I even go one step further and put a fan in front of an open window to draw some of that fresh air inside!

These steps alone may seem trivial but if you combine even a few of them you can see significant savings on your electric bill in no time!

Earn a little extra each month!

I think by now everyone knows that I use Swagbucks to earn a little extra spending money each month, but I have a couple of other tricks up my sleeve too!  I thought I'd share this one with you!

Toluna is an online survey company that pays you for your opinion!  You simply sign up and fill out a personal information survey and start earning!  You will get emails alerting you that there is a survey possibility for you and you simply follow the link, answer the first few "classification" questions to see if you qualify and if so you fill out the survey and are awarded points.  You will get anywhere from 5-10 survey opportunities per week, if you wish to take them you can, if you are busy on a particular day you can simply delete the email and move on!  Award points vary depending on the survey length, that varies anywhere from 5 minutes to 45 minutes and you can earn anywhere from 1000 points to 20,000 points in one survey.  You are informed up front the approximate time it takes to finish the survey, so you know what you are getting into before you ever start.  You can also take short "vote" type surveys with typically one to three questions and earn 15-45 points instantly.  You can then cash those points out for gift cards, sweepstakes entries or cold hard cash (that's my choice of course).  I have received actual checks from this company so I can assure you they are for real!  I love to fill out the surveys while I'm watching TV at night, or during nap time when I'm finished with all my coupon cutting!  

Now, please don't misunderstand, the is not going to replace your income.  Unless you spend every waking moment filling out surveys you will not likely earn enough to pay the rent!  However, I typically do one or two surveys a day and get an average of 2 $20 checks per month.  That helps feed my garage sale addiction!  So head on over to Toluna and get started and I hope this gives you a little boost in your spending money as it has me!  

Get Fit Without Joining a Gym!

I have never really worried about my health until recently.  I stepped on a scale and realized that I am at my highest weight ever.  I started taking inventory of my diet (what I was eating, not the diet I was on!) and my exercise (or lack thereof!)
I decided to make some changes and of course I made it a point to do so while spending as little money as humanly possible!

There are lots of ways to get exercise without having to pay a monthly gym membership.  You just have to think outside the box!  There are, of course the obvious choices such as exercise videos and walking around your neighborhood.  For me, I HATE exercise videos.  I have about 1,574,586,037 of them (And that is really not that much of an exaggeration!) and I use them only when the weather or my childcare situation makes any other option out of the question.  But, how about some other options?

1.  Go to your local high school track
Most high schools leave their tracks open to the public during non school hours (for obvious reasons).  There are some general rules such as no bicycles, strollers or pets allowed onto the track.  There is typically a sign outside the track with each campus' regulations.  I personally like this option because it helps me to keep track of how far I've walked/run.  The track has rows and each one is numbered 1-8, if you simply start on row 1 and each time you make a round you move one row over you don't have to try to remember how many rounds you have made.  Four laps around the track is one mile.  Don't think you have to get out there and run a full mile (or more) on your first day out.  You can start out by walking or a walk/run combination.  One popular choice of runners is to run the strait parts of the track and walk around the corners, this gives you rest time, while still burning calories and helping to strengthen your cardiovascular health.

2.  Check with your friends who have a gym membership and solicit them to take you along as their guest.  Most gym memberships allow members to bring a guest to take advantage of their benefits.  This is great for more reasons than the obvious.  It gives you an instant workout partner!  I have a friend who has been paying a membership for months on end and hadn't been to the gym since October, but as soon as I asked to go along with her, she has been with me several times!  Some people just need to have that companionship while working out to help eliminate the fear that everyone will be watching you!

3.  Use those body movement detecting video games.  I have a Nintendo Wii and haven't taken advantage of it much.  I actually found a Zumba workout/game at a garage sale and it is quite fun!  I also have a Wii Balance board with some games that go along with it.  These are great because you can keep track of your weight and progress!  If you don't already have these games they can be found very reasonably priced at used video game stores and online.  You can try Craigslist and Ebay for even better deals.  And the best part of it, they are actually very fun!

I hope I have given you some ideas on how to get yourself in a little better shape without the weight coming out of your bank account!

Household uses for Bananas

Banana peels were once only good for a good laugh when someone slipped on them... well no more!  I have heard that they could be used to remove warts, so I decided to find out what else they could be used for and was shocked!  This underutilized treasure has several household uses, here are just a few!


1.  As previously mentioned, the enzymes in a banana peel will help dissolve a wart.  Simply tape a piece of the peel over the wart daily until the wart is gone.

2.  Use Banana peels (or pureed peels) in your soil to help your garden or house plants grow! Bananas are high in potassium which is wonderful for your soil.

3.  Use the peel to shine your shoes... don't laugh it really works!  The same concept applies to house plants, they will gleam using this technique.

4.  Apply peels to minor cuts or burns as a pain reliever, or apply to bug bites to relieve the itch.

5.  Tape a piece of banana peel on top of a stubborn splinter, the enzymes will force the splinter to the surface and out!

The banana itself may be feeling a little left out about now, so here is a great use for the fruit!

1.  Bananas can be used as a natural face mask.  Simply mash up the banana into a paste then apply to your face and neck.  Let it sit for 15-20 minutes then rinse with cool water.  Your skin will be left smooth and pores will be smaller!


2.  It is rumored that if you add a whole banana to the pan with your pot roast it will prevent it from getting tough!  **NOTE** I have NOT tried this trick myself, although I think I may, it sounds interesting!  

Make your own Swiffer Supplies!

I'm all for anything that simplifies my life and Swiffer is one of those things, however, the refills are expensive and who has room to keep several bottles and boxes on hand at all times?

The first thing you will have to do is to hack into the bottle.  The Swiffer solution bottle is designed to be used once and then thrown away, ergo you must purchase another bottle to refill the solution.  It is actually very easy to do, you simply boil a pot of water and turn off the heat, hold the cap part of the bottle in the water for 10-20 seconds to soften the plastic.  Then you will be able to twist off the cap and use fingernail clippers or small scissors to clip off the locking tabs under the cap.  Voila, now you can refill the bottle and reuse it as usual! 

You can actually refill the solution with a couple of different things.  You can use a mixture of 1 part PineSol (or any other concentrated cleaning liquid) to 3 parts water; or 1 part amonia, 1 part vinegar, 4 parts water.  

Happy Swiffer-ing!!!

Simple Recipe for Homemade Bathroom Cleanser

Bathroom Cleansers such as Scrubbing Bubbles and Soft Scrub can be expensive, even with coupons!  So I have found this SIMPLE   solution!

12 Ounces White Vinegar
12 Ounces Liquid Blue Dawn Dishwashing Soap
1 Bottle (I use an old Windex bottle)

Step 1
Pour vinegar into microwave safe bowl and heat for 2-3 minutes until hot, using funnel pour vinegar into spray bottle

Step 2
Add soap to vinegar, place lid on bottle and gently shake to mix

That's it!
You now have a POWERFUL cleanser.  It works great for soap scum on showers and bathtubs, toilets, sinks... you name it!  Simply spray and wipe.  For stubborn jobs allow to sit (even overnight) and wipe clean, easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Save Big with Consignment Stores

Everyone who knows me knows I rarely if ever pay "full" price for anything!  I love a bargain!  One of the places I find that I can find a treasure at nearly every trip is Consignment stores.

What exactly is a consignment store?

  Well, it is a store where people bring their used merchandise to be sold by the store's owner in exchange for a portion of the sale price.  People can take their items to the store and the store is responsible for pricing and displaying them, and in return the keep a percentage of the price paid.  

What can you buy at consignment stores?

Well you can buy just about anything from clothes, toys, household items such as pots and pans, home decor... you name it, you can likely find it on consignment!

Why buy consignment as opposed to new?

Well the main reason is to save money.  Items at consignment stores are typically priced well below retail.   In addition to that you can find unique items that you may not be able to find new.  It is not unusual to find a vintage, one of a kind beautiful item and pay very little for it!

Are the items at consignment stores low quality?

What you have to remember is that consignment store items are used, however, the store owner is usually particular about the items they accept at their stores.  They typically inspect all merchandise for damage or defect and only accept the highest quality items.

You can take advantage of Consignment stores from the other side of the fence too!  Contact a consignment store in your area to find out when and how to take your items in to make a little extra money!

My favorite thing to shop for at consignment stores is clothes.  I typically go to my favorite consignment store twice a year and pick out a new wardrobe for little princess, once in March and once in September.  In March I pick out spring and summer things and in September I pick you... you guessed it, winter things.  Some consignment stores even allow Lay-A-Way!  I can get a complete wardrobe consisting of at least 15 complete outfits, including shoes for around $150!  That would cost me significantly more in any store, even WalMart!  

Where do I go?  

I have a couple of favorite Consignment stores in Longview.  Hopscotch on Tyler St. Downtown is one of my favorites, another is the Tree House on Pine Tree Rd.  But I have recently discovered a couple of alternatives!  I recently found Change of Hands and am super excited!  This is an online consignment store!  When a friend turned me on to this page I have to admit I was a bit skeptical, but I have been watching it for a couple of months and it is really interesting!  She posts pictures of items she has available in albums separated by gender and size.  If you want to purchase one of the items, you simply comment on the picture "Sold" and the page owner will then send you info on how to pay through paypal and then ship you the items, it's that simple!

Another great find is Peace Love and Swap.  This one is really awesome!  First of all, it is absolutely free, this sale takes place at various places around East Texas and you take clothes and items that your child can no longer use and get to pick out items to replace them with!  So in other words, if you take ten shirts to the event, you get to pick out 10 items other's have donated for FREE!  You can't beat that!  They actually have a swap coming up in Tyler, so go like their facebook page and get ready to swap your little heart out!

I hope I have encouraged you to go check out a consignment store in your area and see what kind of treasures you can find, happy hunting!

Make your own cooking soups

I have recently discovered a money saving and simple home solution to buying soups that I use for cooking. 
It started because I was making a recipe that called for cream of chicken soup, which I thought I had.  I called down the street to my trusty friend and sure enough she didn't have any either.  So rather than make the ten mile trip to the nearest grocery store I decided to scour the Internet and my pantry for supplies and recipes to make my own.  What I discovered was that I could make and freeze several kitchen staples for a fraction of the cost of buying canned (we all know that soup coupons are few and far between!)
So I now have a freezer stocked with cream of chicken soup, french onion soup and chicken stock.  The next time I make a roast I will be making beef stock as well!
So here are my finds, I hope you will love them as much as I do!

CHICKEN STOCK

1 chicken carcass with some meat remaining 6 cups water 1 onion, quartered 1 large carrot, cut into about 12 pieces 1 teaspoon garlic, crushed 1 teaspoon ginger 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon celery seeds

Place chicken carcass in medium sized pot and just cover with water (about 6 cups), bring to boil and then simmer over a low heat for one hour. You may need to keep adjusting the temperature from time to time as some liquid evaporates. Skim fat from the top of the broth. Add onion, carrot, garlic, ginger, bay leaf and celery seeds and continue to simmer for 3 hours, stirring once or twice. Allow stock to cool uncovered. Strain into a storage container and either use immediately or freeze for later use. This one is great for putting the tidbits of meat left on a baked chicken to good use! CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP 4 cups milk 2 tablespoons all purpose flour 2 tablespoons canola oil 2 tablespoons white sugar 2 cups finely chopped, cooked chicken 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder Make a white sauce of milk, flour and oil. Add chicken and mix together. Add sugar, salt, pepper and garlic powder (more or less to taste). Mix well and simmer for 20 minutes over low heat. If soup is not as thick as desired, mix a small amount of cornstarch with a small amount of water and add to soup, simmer for an additional 10 minutes. FRENCH ONION SOUP 1 tablespoon butter 1 large onion, sliced 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1 (10oz) can beef bouillon 1 1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce Melt butter in medium saucepan. Add onion and sugar. Cook and stir 5-10 minutes, until lightly browned. Add bouillon, water and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer 10-15 minutes. This one is super good for making homemade Salisbury steak! Happy souping!

Recipes for Laundry Soap, Fabric Softener AND Stain Remover!

I have been asked a lot lately if I have any recipes for "Make Your Own" laundry soap, I actually have two!  There is only a slight difference in the two, but be sure to read the directions fully before starting.

Still want more?  Well how about recipes for stain remover AND fabric softener too!

Happy sudsing!!

Laundry Soap

Recipe #1

You will need:

1 cup Borax 

1 cup washing soda 

natural bar soap (you can used fels-naptha but it is somewhat hard to  find at grocery stores but you can also get it on Amazon for around $3.00) 

essence oil if desired 

five 1 gallon containers 

Directions:

Grate the soap bar in a pot, add 4 cups of water and heat on low until the soap completely dissolves. Then add borax and washing soda, stir until completely dissolved and then divide equally into your gallon containers. Fill the containers to full with tap water and allow to thicken overnight.  Use 1/4 cup per laundry load.

Recipe #2

1 bar of soap, grated (you can use any unscented bar soap such as Ivory or Zote)

2 cups baking soda (NOT washing soda)

Directions:

Add grated soap and just enough hot water to cover it in a saucepan and heat on medium low heat until soap is melted.  In a large pail (perhaps a 5 gallon bucket) pour 2 gallons hot water.  Add melted soap and stir until combined.  Add baking soda and stir again to incorperate.  Use 1/2 cup per load

Fabric Softener

1 part hair conditioner (I know right... who knew!!)

1 part white vinegar

2 parts water

Stain Remover/PreTreater

Recipe #1

1 cup hot water

1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 hydrogen peroxide

Recipe #2

2 quarts hot water

1/2 cup ammonia

2 tablespoons liquid laundry detergent

Directions for both Recipes:

Mix ingredients together and store in spray bottle.  Spray directly onto stained clothing and allow to sit.

Make your own Bisquick!

I don't know about you, but Bisquick is pretty  much a staple in our pantry.  I use it at minimum weekly, and love it.  But the problem comes in because it is expensive and there are rarely coupons for it.  So, I went online to search for recipes to make my own.  There are several out there and I tried many of them, THIS is the ONE!!!  This mix can be used exactly like any other baking mix.  You can use the same Bisquick recipes as you always have, but using this will save a fortune!

10 cups Flour
1/2 cup baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
2 cups Shortening

Mix dry ingredients together then cut in shortening until fully incorporated.
Store in ziplock bag in a cool dry place

Think I'll use this tonight when I make breakfast for dinner!  Yummo!!

If you like the idea of making your own (fill in the blank).  Be sure to check out this post to learn how to make your own cream of chicken soup and more!

Vacuum Sealer

My mother is the Food Saver queen of the world.  That woman puts EVERYTHING in a food saver bag!  I always thought she was crazy when I was growing up.  I remember thinking..... use a zipper bag for goodness sake and move on with it! 
Now that I'm all grown up and my mother has given me a Food Saver of my own I know better!  I keep my Food Saver on my counter and use it almost daily. 
What is the difference in a Food Saver bag and a zipper bag you ask... well I'm glad you did!  The difference is day and night!  A Food Saver system removes all the air from the bag then seals it.  Anyone who has spent any time in the kitchen knows that air and the moisture in it is the main component for spoiled and molded food.  It is virtually impossible to remove all the air from a zipper bag yourself. 
So, what do you use the Food Saver for exactly?  I use mine for the obvious things like frozen meat and vegetables.  But I use it for so much more than that.  I keep my dry yeast in one and keep it in the freezer, this makes the yeast last for a very long time!  I also make my own chicken stock and french onion soup for recipes and freeze them in 1 cup individual bowls, then keep them frozen in bags.
When you have left overs you can put them in divided plates and freeze them in Food Saver bags and voila... homemade TV dinners!
Homemade bread is perfect for freezing and having ready in a flash!  I make up several loaves around the beginning of the winter and keep them in the freezer, any time company pops in for the holidays I always have fresh bread on hand!
The bags are microwave and dishwasher safe; you can even boil them!  Not only that, they can be washed and reused!  How's that for frugality?
As you can see the possibilities are endless for this wise investment.  The unit and the bags can be found at Wal-Mart, Target and places like that, or they can be ordered online.  There are even store brands available for the bags and "Seal A Meal" has it's own version of the unit available.  They sell for anywhere from $50-$200 depending on the bells and whistles you want with it. 
I highly recommend it to all my fellow frugal friends!

Make your own Febreze!!!

If you are anything like me I LOVE my Febreze!  But the problem is that that even with coupons it can still cost upwards of $5 per bottle, and let's face it, a bottle doesn't really last that long!  So I scoured the Internet looking for the best recipes I could find to make my own and here is what I came up with!

1/8 cup of fabric softener
2 Tbsp baking soda
32 oz spray bottle (consider using an old Febreze spray bottle)
hot water

OR

1 cup fabric softener
1 cup white vinegar
2 cups water

OR

3 cups water
3 TBS fabric softener
3 TBS rubbing alcohol

Who knew it was that simple??  With the variety of recipes available, everyone is sure to have all the ingredients on hand for at least one of these!

Tips for saving at the Theatre!

My little princess turns 4 this weekend and ALL she wants for her birthday is for her and her BFF to go see the new Chipmunks movie at the theatre. 

I typically do not frequent the theaters because it cost a small fortune!  Well, I was super excited when I met up with my old friend from Tyler Area Coupon Club this week and she shared with me her tips for saving money at the theatres! 

Here's the nutshell of it:

Tip #1:

     You can purchase a refillable popcorn bucket for an initial cost of $17.50, which sounds like a lot, but you get refills throughout 2012 for only $3.50 so it can pay for itself quite quickly!  (if you are caught up and already have a bucket from 2011 you can trade it in for a FREE large drink when you purchase your new 2012 bucket!)

Tip #2:

     Tuesday is stimulus deal day!  You can purchase a small popcorn for $1, small drink for $1 AND a boxed candy for $2.50.

Tip #3:

     Super-Saver pricing: Any movie starting between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM is only $5.50/person!

These prices and specials are good at any Carmike Cinema in the East Texas area.

Please check out the full article with Pam over at Tyler Area Coupon Club! 

If you live in the East Texas Area she is a great resource for couponing tips as well! 

Be sure to like her Facebook page and tell her PV sent ya!

Price Matching at WalMart.... To be or not to be

By now I'm sure everyone knows that WalMart will match any other stores advertised sale price.  I have heard several people who say that it is just too much trouble to take advantage of.  Well I say it is absolutely NOT too much trouble!  I do this most of the time, especially now that no stores in my town double or triple coupons anymore.  There are a few things that you will want to do before you take off to shop that will ensure you have a seamless experience.
First: I highly encourage you to print a copy of WalMart's price matching policy and keep it with you.  This way if you run into an issue with a cashier you will have the information you need readily available.
Second: Read and familiarize yourself with the policy before you go shopping.  You will avoid the sticky situation of arguing your point with a cashier only to be proven wrong with your own copy of the policy this way!
Third: Remember that you do NOT have to have the ad with you in order to price match!  This is a common misconseption that people think they have to lug a copy of every single sale ad in order to take advantage of this.  I simply make a list at home making sure that I list the product description (including size), the sale price as well as the store. 
Finally: Be NICE to your cashier!  The old addage is true, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar!  When I get to the register, I place the items on the conveyer in the order I have them on my list so that I'm not searching down my list for a sale price while there is a line of impatient patrons are about to mob me!  Also, I tell the cashier before she begins that I will be price matching, this way she is prepared. 

Just remember, WalMart has this policy because they want you to shop at their stores.  You are not torturing the cashier by taking advantage of this incentive!  But your attitude can torture, so be nice!

Just to give you an idea of what you can save, here are the details of my last trip!

White Bread (4)
WalMart price: $1.00
Albertsons price: $0.69
Saved: $1.24

Sweet-n-Low (2)
WalMart Price $1.74
Albertsons Price $0.77
$0.75/2 manufacturer Q
Saved: $2.69

C&H Sugar (5)
WalMart Price $2.82
Brookshires Price: $2.00
$0.50 manufacturer Q
Saved: $6.60

Blue Bell Ice Cream (2)
WalMart Price: $5.97
Brookshires Price: $3.99
$1.00 manufacturer Q
Saved: $5.96

Shredded Cheese (2)
WalMart Price: $2.32
Brookshires Price: $2.00
Saved: $0.64

International Delight Coffee Creamer (2)
WalMart Price: $2.98
Brookshires Price: $1.79
$0.55 manufacturer Q
Saved: $3.48

Frosted Flakes Cereal
WalMart Price: $2.94
Kroger Price: $1.99
$1/2 manufacturer Q
Saved: $2.90

Total WalMart pricing:        $50.00
Total after Price matching:   $33.84
Coupons:                              -$7.35
Total OOP:                            $26.49

Save BIG when Buying Meat

Do you gasp every time you hear the cashier gives you the total at the grocery store? 

A huge part of most people's grocery bill is the cost of meat.  There is no doubt that meat is expensive, but there are ways to cut that portion of your grocery bill significantly. 

1.  Most grocers discount meat that is nearing it's expiration date at least once a week.  I recommend you call or visit your local grocery store's butcher and ask him/her when they typically put discounted meat out.  Now, granted this meat is not going to last much longer in it's current condition.  The trick is to do one of two things; either buy something that you can use within 48 hours, or you can immediately freeze the meat and it can be saved for weeks if not months.

On my last grocery trip I was able to score some discounted meat, here is what I got:  (5) Sirloin pork chops, (2) London Broil Steaks, (3)Boneless tenderized arm Steaks and (4) Texas country style boneless beef ribs.  I paid a total of $20.71 for it all!  That is at least 5 meals worth of meat at just over $4.00 a meal!

2.  Look through grocery store circulars each week and only buy the meat that is on sale.  Plan your meal menu around what you have in your freezer, not what sounds good for that moment.  For example, a month or so ago my local grocers must have had a meeting and decided that they all had too much chicken on hand because for three weeks in a row I was able to get whole chickens at incredibly low prices.  It encouraged me to go out in search of new recipes and be a bit more adventurous with my menu, and now we have a couple of new family favorites because of it!

Hope I was able to help cut your grocery bill a bit!  I gotta go now, headed to pay my butcher friend a visit! 

Be Blessed Ya'll

Thrift Stores.... Are they worth the hunt?

For the longest time I refused to go into thrift stores because I thought the time it would take to search through all the junk hardly seemed worth what small treasure may be hiding.  I had a friend who finally talked me into going with her the the Goodwill one day and I found so many treasures that I thought she was going to have to drag me out kicking and screaming! 
Now I know some have an aversion to wearing second hand clothes, and I can understand that.  However, you can find clothes that are brand new with the store tags still attached, and for a fraction of the price!  But aside from clothes, you can find kitchenware, appliances, furniture, toys, home decor and so much more! 
I love to find things and repurpose them, such as, scrap ribbon and silk flowers that get transformed into holiday decorations and home decor that make GREAT gifts!
You can find furniture that you can spend a very small amount of money and an afternoon's worth of your time on and voila you have a one of a kind piece that you can be proud of.  I have a friend who just found a dresser and side tables for $5 each!  Now THAT'S a steal!

Now before you head out here are some tips...
1.  I do not recommend going when you have a car load of tired cranky kiddos!
     This will not only be stressful for you, but your poor children will not be happy with you either, and you ARE going to have to deal with them when you get home!  So make sure you go when your little ones are well fed and not tired!
2.  Go with a purpose.
     It can become overwhelming really fast if you do not have some sort of game plan going in.  If you are looking for home decor then I suggest staying in that particular area of the store so as to stay on task.  (although I have to say that I rarely follow my own advice on this one!)
3.  Make a budget.
     Just like any other shopping trip it is very easy to just throw things into a shopping cart and then be shocked when you get up to the checkout! 
4.  Remember that you are purchasing used items.
     Be sure to look over all items for any type of damage or defects.  It is ok to purchase things that have some type of flaw that can be covered, masked or fixed, but there is nothing more frustrating than getting something you think is a great find only to get it home and discover that it is useless because of some hidden defect that you didn't notice right away.
5.  Grab it when you can!
     This rule generally applies to clothes or shoes.  If you see it and you think you may be interested in buying it, hang onto it until you decide for sure.  I can't tell you how many times I saw something and thought twice about it only to find it gone when I decided to get it.
6.  The prices are negotiable!
     Unless there are signs to indicate that prices are firm, you can typically ask for a lower price.  I have rarely had anyone turn down a reasonable price offer.  Now, I'm not advocating that you go up to the counter and ask them to take $5 for something marked $50, but it is ok to POLITELY ask "would you perhaps take $40?".  If they say no then you haven't lost anything!

I hope I have given you guys that may not have ever went thrifting before some simple guidelines to follow, and re-inspired you ol' pros out there!

Making the most of free sample deals

I'm going to be out of town tomorrow so I thought I'd post the "Frugal Friday" post a little early! 

Have you discovered the great advantages signing up for sample freebies? 
I use Shop4Freebies and they actually send me a daily email with a list of available freebies.  I have gotten everything from coffee and cereal samples to deodorant and shampoo samples. 
You may be asking yourself "What in the world am I going to do with those tiny samples?"  Well I'm glad you asked!  There are so many things you can do with them, for example, I use the food samples such as cereal or crackers for my 3 year old daughter when we go on trips.  They are just the right size for car ready snacks and I don't have to use zipper bags (which can be expensive)  So it does double duty saving!
As for bathroom samples such as shampoo or soap, I use them when I go on trips away from home.  They are small (perfect for airplane travel) and compact.  I am known for leaving a trail behind everywhere I go, I can't tell you how many times I have left bottles of shampoo or body wash behind after a trip, and most are never recovered.  If I take individual use products I don't have to worry about that, plus it saves me time from having to pack up these items when I leave for home.  This saves both time AND money... great deal if you ask me!
With the recent fires and evacuations that have gone along with them, these sample size items are great for donating.  They are small and can be given to the people who need supplies only for a night or two. 
I hope I have given you some ideas and encouraged you to sign up to receive these freebies if you are not already signed up!  Also if you have a favorite freebie site please share!