Frugal Happenings 4/15

Good morning everyone.  WOW here we are at the half way mark of this month!  Generally by this time I have my garden planned and tons of yard work done.  Not so much this year.  I did get an opportunity to work in the yard some this week, but we are a ways off from gardening.

We started with snow and cold rainy weather this week.  We managed to warm up and got to almost 80* for a couple days, which was heavenly!  We awoke to rain this morning, cooler temps and we have snow coming in tomorrow!!!!!  Not much - but snow none the less.  UGH!
Oh well - soon we will probably be complaining about the heat - LOL.

My fugal week:

• I got a chance to pull out the last quarter of the garden I didn't get done last fall.
• Picked up tons of sticks that I am saving for the neighbor, as they do backyard fire pit nights once in a while
• I did manage to get several areas of the yard cleaned up - berry patch and a couple big flower gardens
• Mowed the front grass
• Aired out the house and no heat for about 3 days
• Printed out a lot of forms for G.  Getting  many of our affairs organized
• Changed out the bedding from winter covers to summer
• Line dried fleece throws and bedding - YAY!
• Got my hands on 2 gallon glass jars with lids for future storage
• Pickled a quart of brussel sprouts.  I used leftover pickle juice - a few jalapenos and a pound of trimmed sprouts.  Simmered it all together for about 15 minutes and put in quart jar.  Refrigerator type pickles - using what I had!

• Picked a bouquet of tulips and daffodils
• Made up a list for whenever I run to Rural King,  Have it divided into different stores in that area - only go when I need something from several different stores in the area.
• I did run to Kroger and got a gallon of milk and 2 - .99 bags of seedless Halo type minis.  That was it this week for groceries.

Meals this past week:
From scratch lasagna (small one)
Small serving of leftover lasagna and a nice salad
Sloppy Joes and roasted mix veggies (potato, carrots, onion, sprouts)
Fried pork fritters, mashed potatoes and corn
Deconstructed egg roll skillet
Burgers and fries - Burger King 2/$6 burgers (I was tired)
Philly beefsteak 'like' French bread pizza and salad

Pineapple pretzel fluff for desserts


It sure felt good getting outside this week and actually getting my hands dirty.  I got scratched up working in the berry patch - but that's ok.  I was outside working, which was great.  I was sore, but it didn't last long - I sure did sleep good!
For now, back to doing inside things!


What have you been up to?  Any good deals?
Look forward to hearing from everyone.

Prayers for health and happiness for each of you.  May you be blessed with a great week.
Blessings from our humble home to yours.

Dinner and Dessert

I think from Tuesdays post I can say we all like yummy and simple meals and goodies.  Not everything has to be complicated to taste good.
I am giving you a couple recipes from my meal plans this week.
I hope you enjoy them!

PINEAPPLE PRETZEL FLUFF

1/2 C butter melted
1 C sugar - separated into 2 - 1/2 c measures
3 C of small broken pretzels
8 oz. cream cheese - room temp.
8 oz. container Cool Whip - thawed
20 oz. pineapple pieces (I used 2 home canned pints) drained.

Preheat oven 350.
Drain your pineapple (keep juice for other uses), and set aside.
Melt butter in a saucepan and add 1/2 C sugar and stir until sugar is melted.
Spread broken pretzel pieces into a 9 x 11 pan (I covered with parchment- no mess).  Spread butter/sugar mix over pretzels and mix it all up.  Place in oven for 10 minutes.  COOL COMPLETELY!
Mix final 1/2 C sugar and cream cheese until smooth.  Add in Cool Whip and pineapple and mix.  Break apart pretzel mix (it will be like solid chunks) and add into the mix.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
**The pretzels get coated like sugar coated nuts do.  They actually taste like nuts when in the fluff mixture.
**I think this would be wonderful with about any kind of fruit added.
THIS IS SO GOOD! 

This what the pretzels look like after being in oven - before breaking up and adding to fluff.



DECONSTRUCTED EGG ROLLS
1/4 C diced onion
1 lb. ground sausage
1 - 16 oz. package of coleslaw mix
2 cloves of garlic - minced (or garlic powder to taste)
1 tsp. ground ginger
salt to taste (or add soy sauce)

Brown sausage and onion.  Add other ingredients - cover and cook for 5 minutes.  remove lid and toss together.
I serve with a can of Asian noodles to give a crunchy texture.
YUM
We are having this tonight!


There you go!  A couple easy recipes that are still very frugal.
Hope you enjoy!

Convenience Foods

We all get busy and just don't have time to sometimes make a meal completely from scratch.  Sometimes we rely on convenience  items to make our meals semi-homemade.
I keep some things on hand just to make life easier on a busy day.  They are great fill-ins as well, when I cant (or don't want) to go the store.  Emergency stashes of certain items could be a life saver.

I generally always have a variety of canned soups on hand - both condensed and cream.  I do like to make my own soups and keep 'cream of' mix on hand, but sometimes it just  pays to keep some on hand.  Makes a quick lunch or dinner item when added with a sandwich.  Soups can be added as ingredients to other dishes as well.

I also keep beef and chicken canned broth on hand.  Most times I make my own stock - but that isn't always possible.  Another standard is bouillon  beef, chicken and ham - is always in my pantry.

I have a nice variety of store bought canned veggies and fruits on hand.  They add in nicely to garden produce that is put up, and there are just some things I don't grow and/or can or freeze.

I have been known to buy an Aldi pre-made fresh pizza and add more ingredients.  I can't remember the last time I purchased a frozen one.  Many, many years ago I had a REALLY bad experience with a frozen one - and well, let's just say I won't take that chance again! 

I generally keep at least a couple graham cracker pie crusts in the freezer.  I also have pie crust rolls or actual crust in pans (frozen)  just in case I need something quick (always purchased on clearance).

I keep a nice variety of canned meats on hand as well.  I get canned chicken, Spam, corned beef, tuna, salmon, and sometimes beef.  These are for convenience sake and IN CASE we have a scenario when we can not cook (SHTF).  I saw a few weeks ago that WM sells almost 1 lb.-12 oz.  cans of cooked ground beef.  I may think about adding a couple cans of that.

Of course I have spice mixes - purchased and homemade, gravy mixes (just add water), and baking mix.  I like to make my own baking mix for biscuits, pancakes, and waffles - but I also keep a couple boxes of pre-mixed stuff on hand.  I always have cake mix and brownie mix on hand for a quick dessert.  I think there are even a few packs of cookie dough mix around here.

I sometimes have some sort of potato (shredded, fries, tots, etc.) in the freezer.  Once in a while I may have meatballs in the freezer as well.

I have evaporated milk, instant milk, powdered butter, eggs, peanut butter and vanilla for those 'just in case' times.  They are convenient to keep to add to recipes and for the instance you can get to the store.  They take up very little room.  I keep a box or 2 of stuffing mix and instant potatoes as well.  Those come in handy in a pinch.  Potatoes are a wonderful thickener for soups and stews.

I use my own pizza and spaghetti sauces and my own salsa.  Haven't purchased any of those in ages.  I DON'T buy mac n cheese boxes either.  It is so easy to make and I always have everything I need.

I keep a couple boxes of shelf stable Velveeta around and generally have a couple jars of cheese dip/spread.  We are cheese lovers - and I generally have lots of blocks of hard cheese in the frig - but always keep some on the shelf as well.  I usually shred my own - I just don't like the fillers/anti-clumping ingredients they put in purchased shredded.

Most of my stock up canned goods are purchased on clearance.  I get pie crusts and such ONLY on clearance.  I have a love for either Aldi products or store clearance - they add greatly to my convenience foods for a fraction of the cost.


WHAT are your favorite convenience foods or ingredients to keep in the pantry?
Is there anything you WON'T buy?
Look forward to hearing from you all.

Frugal Happenings 4/8

Good morning everyone.  Woke to sunshine this morning - that just makes my day!  It takes the simplest things to make me happy!

We had quite a weather week.  Monday morning we woke to 2" of snow.  We had record setting rain fall on Tuesday - my oh my it was something - extreme winds and raining sideways.  Flooding was a huge factor all over the state - we even had Interstates flooded and closed.  I don't remember that ever happening before.  We ended up getting 5" of rain in less than 24 hours.  Snow flurries again on Wednesday morning! Crazy wacky Spring!
Snow coming in tonight and then maybe up to 70* by the end of the week.  YAY!

It sure is lovely hearing all the birds sing each day.  What a chorus.  I wish I could differentiate all the different ones.  Sounds pretty.  The squirrels are getting 'frisky' - if you know what I mean.  LOL!  I am going to try and trap Rocky raccoon this week and re-locate it.  Cute as it is, I just don't want it around, especially with garden time coming 'someday'!

My frugal week:

• I ran to Aldi early in the week to get some sale items before the ad changed.  I got 6 lbs. of Brussel sprouts @ 1.29 lb.  Also got a 2 lb. bag of carrots for .99
• Had several cards that needed to go out this week. (lot's of birthdays in Apr.).  I had cards in my stash and stamps here - so no expense.
• Ran the dehumidifier and fan downstairs a lot this week.  We got dampness in the basement after the rains - so that really helped dry it out.
• Ran to the library while out
• Refilled upstairs pantry from downstairs
• Cleaned and refilled all the outdoor feeders
• Picked a pretty bouquet of daffodils and later that night we had a freeze/snow flurries - so they are a little sad looking now.

• Did NOT buy ANY Easter candy on after sales!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (major  accomplishment)
• Ran to Big Lots for 20% off Saturday hoping to find canning lids and maybe pint jars.  NOPE!  I went to 2 different stores, and both had put them up so as not to have to sell with discount.  They had them a month ago.  I mentioned it to the cashier, and she looked rather sheepish and didn't deny it!!!
• I did buy 8 pairs of socks for $4 after discount and I got 4 hot pink (I don't care about color) full size milk crates at $2.76 each after discount.  I bought all they had.  They will be great for downstairs pantry.  I have been searching for some full size heavy ones for ages.
• Weekly cleaning, making tea, meals from home, using what we have, laundry in cold, reading, etc.

Meals this past week:
Baked turkey and parm. roasted brussel sprouts
Turkey sandwiches and salad
Cheesy potatoes/turkey/veggie casserole
Creamy turkey/rice/veggie soup
Large beef/bean burrito and salad
Poor man's Swiss steak, mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts
Mushroom & Swiss burgers and homemade slaw

Had fresh pineapple and pineapple and peaches mixed for desserts.  Ate lots of pickles for snacks.

Not very exciting for sure.  My life is simple and probably boring to many - but that is ok.  I hate drama, so I guess I will be satisfied with boring.  Actually I don't think it's boring, I just chose to do different things from most.  That's me.

What did you do this past week to stretch the budget?  Did you get any great deals?
I think we are all ready for Spring or Fall in other areas.  Weather has just been odd this year all over the world.

May your upcoming week be safe and healthy and may you all be blessed in many ways.
Blessing from our humble home to yours.

Eating For Less

We all love eating and we like good food, but I think we all dread the expense of such.  One doesn't have to spend a fortune to eat well.
I have taken the food stamp challenges several times over the years and proved that EVEN on those limited funds, I could buy a decent amount of healthy food to survive on. (I have walked the stores and added up what I would buy if on those funds).  NO I didn't get steak and lobster - but I don't buy that any way!!  I got good wholesome basic foods.  I am so over hearing the nay-sayers say it can't be done.  IT CAN - it just takes a little effort.

It is the same with every household.  Inexpensive groceries/food can be had with a little effort, thought and creativity!
I realize many have special restrictions to diet - but those can be over come and things can be substituted.  There are many options today for organic foods, gluten free foods, non GMO, etc.
I am going to try to give some basic rules to follow and some ideas of lowering that food budget - then I will list a variety of meal ideas.
I HOPE THIS HELPS

1.  Look for CLEARANCE and MANAGER'S SPECIALS - FIRST!!!!!!!!  The first place I go in the store is to each sections mark-downs and then to the big clearance section.  Produce in my stores have either marked down item throughout the produce department and Kroger has the .99 section (bags of less than perfect produce).  Meat. bread, deli, dairy - they all have markdowns.  REMEMBER items are good for many days/weeks past dates!!!  I then go to the major clearance section and find lots of canned or bottled goods.  I DON'T pay full price at the store for hardly anything!

2.  Garden - fresh is always best.  Eat what is in season.  Learn to at least do basic water bath canning - you don't really need any special equipment for that (just a big pot and lid & jars).  Freeze produce if you can't can.  It can be used in many ways later on.  Plan for the future.  REMEMBER even folks in apartments can garden a little in pots!

3.  Barter/trade - with family, friends, neighbors.  Exchange garden goodies, eggs, canning, baked goods, etc.  One person may be good at one thing and another person is good at something else - do some trade-offs.  It helps both families.

4.  DON'T EAT OUT - cook from scratch.  Plain and simple logic - if you have little funds - stay home!

5.  Explore your library or the internet.  There are so many books and sites that have fantastic, low cost food ideas.  READ a cookbook and try new things.

You don't have to be stuck eating beans and rice when funds are low.  If you plan ahead, watch the clearance sales, and do some of the other things listed above - you can eat great.  A little added every week, could make a huge difference.   Get a few items - maybe spend $5 or $10 extra a couple times a month will help you tremendously.  Don't forget about dollar stores and ethnic stores (you can get lots of goodies cheaper).
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THINK ABOUT
Mix ground beef with pork or turkey to expand for burgers or meatloaf.  Add lots of seasonings and it tastes great.  Mix cooked lentils or beans or oats with meat to make burgers and extend the meat.

Hotdogs may not be the best selections (unless buying whole meat), but they are cheap.  Load up a sandwich with other stuff.  Don't think just condiments - dice tomatoes, shred carrots/lettuce, kraut, chili, salsa, pickles, cukes, you name it!

Mexican can be made very cheaply.  Mix seasoned meat with beans to expend (or rice).  Burritos are fast and easy - wraps can be purchased for 8/10 $1 or better yet, flour tortillas can be made for pennies at home (super easy).  Make taco, Mexican pizza, quesadillas, taco salad (add lots of veggies to extend).  Casseroles are an easy spicy way to have Mexican as well.

Pizza or any Italian dishes.  Make your own crust at home.  You can even get .59/mix (just add water).  Top with whatever you have - can be veggies, leftover meats, cream sauces, tomato sauces, etc.  Mix some meat and cheese with pastas for easy and cheap dishes.

Loaded baked potatoes are a great budget extender.  Top with whatever is left around from the frig.  Get creative.

Soups (no limit to combos), stews, casseroles, quiches (great way to extend eggs with leftovers).  Leftover veggies can be added to soups or casseroles or you can make a 'cream of' soup.

Large cuts of meat can be divided into many, many meals,  Meat can be used in soups, as roast, pulled meat, BBQ, sandwiches, etc.  Buy larger cuts when there is a super sale.

Veggies - think coated and fried, roasted, steamed, mashed - they can even be added to sweet/savory breads
SALADS - potato, egg, meat, pasta, broccoli or cauliflower salad, slaw, chef, regular, fruit.  Salads can be hot or cold.  A salad can consist of anything - meat can even be added for a one dish meal.  We do that often!

Sandwiches of any kind.  Grilled sammies are always good with a bowl of soup.  Open face sandwiches are yummy - top with gravy or cheese.

Make homemade noodles or dumplings and serve with smaller portion of leftover meat.
Calzones (basically stuffed pie crust) can be loaded with leftovers and baked.  Very filling.
Stroganoff can be made with leftover eat - serve over cheap noodles.

Leftover rice or stale bread can be turned into rice pudding or bread pudding for a great and inexpensive additive to a meal or dessert.

THINK cereal or oats (can add all kinds of things) for a quick breakfast.  Breakfast or dinner - biscuits and gravy.
Make you own breakfast sandwiches with homemade biscuits (easy) and egg and any kind of meat.  Wrap and freeze till needed.  Make breakfast burritos - with tortillas and scrambled eggs, veggies, whatever you want!  Same with them - wrap and freeze till needed.
Homemade pancakes or waffles - breakfast or dinner.

SNACKS - homemade salsa or hummus or dip (can use bottled dressing as well) with veggie sticks.  Homemade chips.  Popcorn or crisp chick peas (easy-peasy).  Drain, season, bake at 400 for 20 minutes!
Fruit, sliced, plain, as salad, grilled, make a crisp or pie, add to muffins or over homemade ice cream/ice milk.  Fruit is yummy in a smoothie as well, and can be a substitute for a meal.
Basic homemade cookies, cupcakes, brownies or sweet breads.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Gang, there just isn't ANY reason that a person can not eat well on a limited budgets.  I have read article after article and book after book about eating on $3 or $4 a day (per person).  It sounds impossible - but it ISN'T!!!!!!
I know there are many days that I don't spend that amount of food for the both of us for 3 meals in a day.  We utilize everything - either into a new dish or we eat the leftovers as is.

GET CREATIVE, SHOP THE CLEARANCE AISLES, GROW YOUR OWN, AND EAT WELL!!!

How to Prep Cheaply

We all love Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Big Lots - but Dollar Tree or 99 Cent store is by far the favorite (for me).
There are just so many options of things to get for our stockpile and for prepping for THAT day we never want to see!!

Cleaning supplies of all sorts are available - from dish soap to laundry goods to drain cleaner.  Lots to choose from and the price is right!!!  I do mainly use vinegar and baking soda - but for those who don't - Dollar Tree is the place to stock up.

Freezer bags and storage bags - foil, saran wrap, and wax paper.  ALL paper goods are available, including plates, cups, plastic ware, etc.  Those are nice to have on hand for a time when there may not be the ability to wash dishes.  Disposable foil pans for cooking are also available (great for grills & campfires).

Totes, buckets, and storage containers are available in many sizes.  Plastic storage containers for frig, freezer and cabinets can often be purchase 3 or 4/$1

Duct tape, clear packing tape, small hand tools, razor knives, hand saws, and wire can be purchased.

Solar Lights and battery operated lights.  Candles.  Glow sticks and even hard strike matches and disposable long butane lighters (great for camp fires and grills).  Ours even has jugs of lantern oil.

Health items like toothpaste, mouthwash, alcohol, peroxide, Epsom salts, antibiotic creams, band-aids, Ace bandages, etc.

Shampoo, soaps (liquid and bar), cream rinses, shaving cream, razors, Q-tips, cotton balls, toothbrushes........

Think about stocking up on wooden clothes pins (only place I have purchased them), clothes line, twine, laundry tote bags, hangers, etc.

 

Dish cloths, hand towels, wash cloths, hot pads, Micro fiber cloths.  These are great to have in your own storage and they can also be used as gifts.  Cheaper towels are great for making non-toss paper towels or cleaning rags.

Cheap rain ponchos are generally easy to find - they aren't the best, but may keep you dry in a pinch.  Socks, hats, gloves, and scarves are always good to have on hand.  If things get bad, you'd be happy to have even a cheaper brand on hand.  I have seen umbrellas as well.

Think about flower pots for container gardening, bags of soil and seeds.

All these things are great to have on hand when prepping for an iffy future.  There are just so many items to chose from.
You can also add to your book and simple game selections, and you can even buy a Bible.


All these things and we haven't even mentioned food supplies.  I have found 2 lb. bags of rice for $1, and 1 - 1 1/2 lb. bags of dried beans.  Pasta and canned meats are sometimes good deals as well (it depends on the sales you find elsewhere).  Spices and seasonings and condiments are a decent deal as well.
Dollar Tree is now selling a lot of brand names - but you do have to watch food products.  Often you can get great sales, that far surpass the price of $1.

Don't think you have to spend a fortune to get yourself prepped for THAT day!  It is always the best idea to have things on hand that you MAY need - BEFORE you need them!!!!
Next time you pass the Dollar Tree, stop and give it a look.  You may be surprised.

I can go in and spend $10 - $15 and stock up on all kinds of necessities that I may need (or do use often).
PREP YOU PANTRIES IN A FRUGAL WAY!!!!!

Frugal Happenings 4/1

HAPPY EASTER to all my friends every where!  May you have a glorious day and remember what the day is truly about.

Oh my, here we are in April.  Time is just flying by and we are still having nasty old winter weather.  I am so ready for Spring.  Our 10" of snow from last weekend melted quickly, then we had rain all but one day.  The lake was huge in the backyards again and the mud has been yucky!
I told G the other day I wondered why geese or ducks never stopped in at our rainy days lake.  Two hours later I looked out the kitchen window, and saw 2 Mallards swimming  in the backyard 2 doors down!!!!  That was too funny.

We had Rocky raccoon come by and visit a couple afternoons and evenings.  He was a smaller coon and my goodness that face!  He wasn't the least bit afraid of me - he walked right by me to go get a drink and wash his 'hands'.  However he was intimidated by the kitties, and got away from them quickly.  He is cute - but I just hope he doesn't become a regular visitor.

So many birds are showing back up at the feeders that disappeared over the winter.  Of course the Robins are back, and now see the bright gold finches, cow birds, red-winged black birds, and all the variety of woodpeckers.  So neat.  It won't be long (one of these days in the future) when the hummingbirds come back.

I managed to snap a picture of my squirrel baby coming to get a nut from his 'Momma'!!!!!!  They come running when they see me!

                                        The daffies are starting to flower despite the weather.
It's been another quiet week.
My frugal week:

• Printed the taxes
• Got a 14 lb. Honeysuckle turkey out of the freezer to thaw for Easter dinner. (It's 2 years old)
• Did more spring cleaning - cleaning never ends
• Went out and did some much needed banking, that I have put off for 2 months!  I was quickly reminded why I put it off.  I hate dealing with anything at the banks - especially things that requires them the opportunity to try and 'sell' you something!
• While out I stopped at a different Kroger.  I got a .99 bag of brussel sprouts, some lettuce and grape tomatoes and an .88 HUGE fresh pineapple.
• Filled the gas tank while out - I still had over a half of tank - but topped it off.  Got a .20/gallon discount
• Changed out my watch battery with one I had on hand.  I got 2 packs of watch batteries last year at Dollar Tree - 4 batteries/$1.  They last over 6 months each - not bad.
• Got to watching You Tube and got strayed off path!  You ever have that happen?  I started watching one thing and then got off subject and starting watching videos of abandoned homes!  Interesting.
• G has been working on cleaning out older paperwork again - boy does that stuff add up fast
• Doing all the regular stuff every day

Meals this past week:
Beef and dirty rice and salad
Tuna patties, asparagus and salad
BBQ chops (in crockpot) and mac n cheese
Chicken breast and jalapeno poppers (from freezer) and side salad
Beef hotdogs, leftover mac n cheese & salad
Pasta/crab/veggie salad (all in one meal)
Smoked jalapeno sausage and leftover pasta salad


I currently have my turkey bird in the oven.  We are keeping our meal simple today.  It's just us and we are really trying to eat healthier.  Turkey, roasted brussel sprouts and fresh pineapple for dessert.  That is it!  Lots of turkey will be left for various uses this week!

Mother nature is doing an April Fool for us this week.  Supposed to start snowing tonight with maybe 3" by morning!!!  It will melt quickly - but really!!!!!!!!!!!!  Supposed to stay in the 40's this week.  UGH!
My front grass needs mowed terribly - but it is way too wet and muddy.


I hope you all have a blessed week and I pray you all have great health and happiness in your life.
Blessings from our humble little home to yours!

HAPPY EASTER TO ONE AND ALL