Once A Month Cooking 101 – How & Why You Should be Cooking for Your Freezer If you’re like me, there are days when you really just don’t have the time to cook. Once a Month Cooking, otherwise known as freezer cooking, is a great way to fix that little “problem. Freezer cooking is just what it sounds like…you’re cooking regular meals to fill up your freezer. I know it sounds like a bit ol’ pain in the rear, but it’s really not. You’ll cook once a month and make enough to feed your family for the rest of the month. Here’s the kicker though; not only will you save time, but you’ll also save money! How? Because when dinner is already cooked and planned, you’re not tempted to go out to eat and you’re not going to the grocery store buying food you already have but don’t know … [Read more...]
Starbucks Recipes – Vanilla Bean Scone Recipe
We all have our addictions. For me, it's these scones. Which might be why my budget was taking a hit! So I had to make them at home to keep my sweet tooth happy! Starbucks Recipes - Vanilla Bean Scone Recipe Ok I admit the Starbuck's Vanilla Bean Scones are addicting! That also means they could easily break my budget! So What is a frugal gal to do? Make her own! If you want to stay on budget and not give up this amazing snack then check out this recipe! Ingredients Scones: 2 1/2 cup Flour 1/2 cup Sugar 1 tbsp Baking Powder 1/4 tsp Salt 1/2 cup Cold Butter, cubed 1/2 cup Heavy Cream (you can use this heavy cream substitute if needed) 1 Egg 1/2 Vanilla Bean, scraped 2 tsp Vanilla Extract Glaze: 3 cups powdered sugar 6-7 tbsp Heavy Cream 1/2 Vanilla Bean, … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Cut Your Family’s Transportation Costs
School. Work. Groceries. Sports. Lessons. So many places to go, so much gas to use! Family transportation costs can quickly add up when you’re driving more than you are at home. Fortunately, there are little things you can do to save money on your traveling duties. Read on to find out 5 ways to spend less! 5 Ways to Cut Your Family’s Transportation Costs Carpool Everyone can help save on transportation costs when they carpool with others. Set up a pool with your co-workers, and ask your spouse to do the same. Have the people with larger cars alternate driving days, and anyone that doesn’t drive should pitch in for gas. If you don’t have a big vehicle, you will save on car repair, oil changes, and other maintenance. Even if you are one driving, you will spend less on gas … [Read more...]
Fashion Friday: Celebrity Looks for Less – Reese Witherspoon
Fashion Friday: Celebrity Looks for Less - Reese Witherspoon Celebrity's have some of the best clothes don't they? Well it makes sense when they have a ton of money to spend on clothes! Like this great spring outfit from Reese Witherspoon. It's bright and colorful! View image | gettyimages.com In this picture she is wearing: Jewelry is by Celine The bracelet can cost about $950, the necklace $2,000+ Purse by Givenchy that cost an average of $1,600 for that size strappy sandals by Pedro García that run about $400 Sunglasses are by Tom Ford and are currently $360! That alone is a price tag of over $5,300 and we haven't even added in the shirt and pants! Do you love this look but want it for less? Check out my lower cost version Get this look for under $250 … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Making Your Home Warmer
5 Tips for Making Your Home Warmer With winter weather bearing down on a very large part of the country right now, it’s never been more important to keep your home warm. A cold house can cost you big if you’re not careful, and in more ways than one. High heating bills, doctor bills if your family gets sick, prescription meds and home repairs caused by the cold can all become budget busters very easily. To keep those bills in check, use these 5 tips for making your home warmer to keep your home nice and toasty. Seal the windows For most people, this is a no-brainer, but you would be surprised at how many people know it but don’t actually do it. Taking the time to use a window kit, or even thick trash bags and sealing your windows from any leaks can save you hundreds and not … [Read more...]
Preparing Financially to Become a Stay at Home Parent
Preparing Financially to Become a Stay at Home Parent For as long as I could remember I always wanted to be a stay at home mom. I wanted to go to PTA meetings, be there to chaperone field trips, go to soccer practice, menu plan, grocery shop, and manage the home. The dream has changed a bit since we homeschool the concept of being home with the kids is still the same. Thankfully Hubby and I have been able to make this come true. We got married we weren’t very smart money wise. Basically everything we paid for the wedding went on a credit card. We were young and didn’t care much about budgets and such. But I knew I always wanted to be a stay at home mom so once we found out we were pregnant we had to sit down and figure out if we could make that happen. Then when hubby was deployed … [Read more...]
5 Easy Ways To Save On Groceries Without Clipping Coupons
5 Easy Ways To Save On Groceries Without Clipping Coupons Food budgets consist of the largest portion of many families budgets. These 5 Easy Ways To Save On Groceries Without Clipping Coupons are a great start for you toward staying within your grocery budget. Following these tips can save you hundreds of dollars a month, and potential for thousands per year. Some planning ahead is all it takes to save a lot of money on your family grocery budget. Buy Meat In Bulk: You can almost always get better deals on meat when you buy in bulk. That can be buying a side of beef once per year, or simply buying the larger family style packages in store when they are on sale at great low prices. Shop Clearance Produce & Breads: Almost every grocery store will have a cart or … [Read more...]
Homemade Foaming Soap Trick That Saves You Money!
Homemade Foaming Soap Trick That Saves You Money! Hand soap is something we all need and use on a regular basis (I hope!) Well I have to say I am a fan of foaming soap it seems less 'goopy' (is that even a word?!) then regular hand soap. Plus my kids like it and are amazed by it so it's a bit of an incentive to wash their hands. But foaming soap can cost more than regular soap. I'm not sure why when you can make your own and save a TON of money doing it! Related: 35 Uses for Fels Naptha That Will Change Your Life How you might ask? Well the average bottle of foaming hand soap (without coupons) is about $3. You can get a bottle of regular hand soap for $1.47 on Amazon (no coupons). Using my trick below you can get on the LOW end 5 bottles of foaming hand soap (I tend to … [Read more...]
Tips for Homeschooling as a Working Parent
Tips for Homeschooling as a Working Parent Working parents should be able to homeschool their children, if this is what they decide. A lot of parents decide against homeschooling because they fear they will not be able to devote the right amount of time to it, however, it is possible! Here are some tips for homeschooling as a working parent: #1. Work Together If you’re married and homeschooling, your best bet is to tag team this homeschooling endeavor together. You can take turns teaching lessons, or even decide who will do the majority of the teaching. The other parent can still act as a support system to the whole family. The support system might include helping to aid extra learning lessons or even following up with any assignments that are becoming due. #2. Create a … [Read more...]
6 Ways to Shrink Your Monthly Expenses
6 Ways to Shrink Your Monthly Expenses Do you budget your money and still feel like your bank account is running on empty by the end of each month? The shortage of cash is likely due to your monthly expenses - not the house or car payments, but those recurring fees that pile up throughout the month. Read on to find out how you can shrink your monthly expenses so you can keep more moolah in your bank account! Cancel unused memberships. It's actually been proven that super cheap memberships are paid for month after month, even when the payee isn't using the service. That's because the little expenses are easily forgotten or don't seem worth the hassle of canceling - but they quickly add up! Take a look at the recurring fees you have signed up for, and get rid of any that … [Read more...]