Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
~Albert Einstein
Monday, January 19, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Frugal Friday...
I have always tried to be frugal where I can... clip coupons, turn lights off when I'm not in a room, keep the heat low... little things like that. In these economic times, every little bit helps and I thought it would be good idea to share a frugal tip every Friday.
One of the most important tips (or advice) I can offer is to plan your meals and do your grocery shopping with a list... The later being the most important! There was a time when I used to go grocery shopping without a list and I would just "wing it". I would purchase duplicates of things I already had at home... sometimes not buying what I may have needed to make a specific meal or recipe. It was a disaster!
But then, I started making a list of what I needed... and then, I started paying more attention to the grocery store sales circulars... and then, I would try to match up coupons I had with items that were on sale (for even more savings).
And, now, I plan the dinner menu for the entire week, by going through the circulars (and coupons). So, I not only shop with a shopping list, but I actually have a plan! LOL I try to make at least one or two new recipes each week (because eating the same things all the time is boring!).
Here's what I do... First, I try to get an idea of what we'd like to have for dinner the coming week. I check what I have on hand (from my small stockpile that I've managed to build) as far as meats, dry goods, etc. Then, I check the sales circulars to see what is on sale, go through my coupons, plan the menu and then I start my shopping list (combining ingredients I may need for new recipes, together with staples or necessary items I need)
I also shop at 3 different grocery stores to try to get the best deal. (They are all local so there is no money wasted in gas).
This was my dinner menu for this week... In addition to what I needed to make each meal (what I didn't already have at home), I also purchased some staples/necessary items and few extras...
Total spent: $56.00 (that was with a few coupons totaling $1.10):
Sunday
Salisbury steak, noodles, peas
Monday
Chicken stir fry over rice
Tuesday
Chicken Francaise over linguini (*new recipe)
Wednesday
Leftovers
Thursday
Steak, twice baked potatoes, carrots (We didn't have this on Thursday night because it was too cold outside to grill... Instead, I had a smoked sausage in the freezer and made a meal from that. I will move this meal to next week or the week after)
Friday
Breakfast - Pancakes & sausage
Dessert: Apple Crisp (*new recipe )
Saturday
Chicken croquettes, mashed potatoes, corn (*new recipe)
By making a shopping list (and sticking to it), planning the weekly menu, comparing grocery stores sales circulars, I've been able to save money each week... like I said before, every little bit helps!
One of the most important tips (or advice) I can offer is to plan your meals and do your grocery shopping with a list... The later being the most important! There was a time when I used to go grocery shopping without a list and I would just "wing it". I would purchase duplicates of things I already had at home... sometimes not buying what I may have needed to make a specific meal or recipe. It was a disaster!
But then, I started making a list of what I needed... and then, I started paying more attention to the grocery store sales circulars... and then, I would try to match up coupons I had with items that were on sale (for even more savings).
And, now, I plan the dinner menu for the entire week, by going through the circulars (and coupons). So, I not only shop with a shopping list, but I actually have a plan! LOL I try to make at least one or two new recipes each week (because eating the same things all the time is boring!).
Here's what I do... First, I try to get an idea of what we'd like to have for dinner the coming week. I check what I have on hand (from my small stockpile that I've managed to build) as far as meats, dry goods, etc. Then, I check the sales circulars to see what is on sale, go through my coupons, plan the menu and then I start my shopping list (combining ingredients I may need for new recipes, together with staples or necessary items I need)
I also shop at 3 different grocery stores to try to get the best deal. (They are all local so there is no money wasted in gas).
This was my dinner menu for this week... In addition to what I needed to make each meal (what I didn't already have at home), I also purchased some staples/necessary items and few extras...
Total spent: $56.00 (that was with a few coupons totaling $1.10):
Sunday
Salisbury steak, noodles, peas
Monday
Chicken stir fry over rice
Tuesday
Chicken Francaise over linguini (*new recipe)
Wednesday
Leftovers
Thursday
Steak, twice baked potatoes, carrots (We didn't have this on Thursday night because it was too cold outside to grill... Instead, I had a smoked sausage in the freezer and made a meal from that. I will move this meal to next week or the week after)
Friday
Breakfast - Pancakes & sausage
Dessert: Apple Crisp (*new recipe )
Saturday
Chicken croquettes, mashed potatoes, corn (*new recipe)
By making a shopping list (and sticking to it), planning the weekly menu, comparing grocery stores sales circulars, I've been able to save money each week... like I said before, every little bit helps!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tasty Tuesday - Recipe time!!
This is a recipe from Pampered Chef
Taco Ring:
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion (diced)
1 package taco seasoning mix
2 (8 oz.) packages of Crescent rolls
1 cup shredded cheddar
Toppings
1/4 cup of chopped black olives
2 tomatoes (chopped)
Bag of shredded lettuce
1 large green or red pepper (optional)
Salsa and/or sour cream
Brown the ground beef, drain excess fat. Mix in the package of taco seasoning and onion. Set aside.
On a large pizza stone or baking pan, separate the crescent roll triangles and assemble them in a circular pattern with the small edge of the triangle inward towards the center. (You want to create a donut shape with a small hole in the middle)
Place meat on the crescent roll towards the "hole" to form a ring. Sprinkle shredded cheese over top of meat.
Then take the outer corners of the crescent rolls, lift them up over the meat, press and seal on the inside edge of the crescent roll (when finished this will look like a big donut or ring)
Bake at 350* for 15-20 minutes. Carefully slide onto large plate.
Then fill the "center" of ring (on the serving plate) with your "toppings: shredded lettuce, tomatoes, olives, peppers. You could put small dollops of sour cream "dotting" the ring... or just throw the toppings into individuals serving bowls and everyone fixes their own taco ring...
Simple... Delicious... Enjoy!Landscaping 101...
Over Memorial Day weekend of last year, we finally decided to spruce up our front yard. I will tell you that I am not the kind of girl who likes to become one with the dirt and grass and bugs and all that. (And, now you know why I don't have a garden LOL)
Anyway... something needed to be done with the eyesore in my front yard. My husband did most of the work and I mainly supervised, planned the area in question and shopped for the items! (those are very important jobs)
This is what the area we landscaped looked like when we first purchased our home a few years ago:
(Click on picture for full size image)
And THIS is what it looked like after we finished:
(Click on picture for full size image)
Nice improvement, huh?
We did add some landscaping lights along the backside of the pavers, as well as another Hosta plant in the front (left).
I couldn't be more thrilled with the results!
Anyway... something needed to be done with the eyesore in my front yard. My husband did most of the work and I mainly supervised, planned the area in question and shopped for the items! (those are very important jobs)
This is what the area we landscaped looked like when we first purchased our home a few years ago:
(Click on picture for full size image)
And THIS is what it looked like after we finished:
(Click on picture for full size image)
Nice improvement, huh?
We did add some landscaping lights along the backside of the pavers, as well as another Hosta plant in the front (left).
I couldn't be more thrilled with the results!
A brand new year...
Boy does time fly! I knew I hadn't blogged in quite some time, but didn't realize it was so long ago... Needless to say, this past summer kept me busy and before I knew it, the holidays were upon us.
I have many new things to share as I hope to become a more faithful blogger in this new year.
I have many new things to share as I hope to become a more faithful blogger in this new year.
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