Friday, December 12, 2008

Saving Money in a Month of Spending: Part 3, Baking to Save

Money Saving Mom always talks about having baking days, but I never got into the swing of things until recently. I very quickly found that it is saving me a lot of time, effort and money. I now try to bake at least once a month. I try to bake bread, rolls and muffins (breakfast), and sometimes breakfast breads but I plan on including waffles next time.



Even if you are not too much into baking, there are also simple ways to save money when it cometo cooking. When you cook a meal such as meatloaf, casseroles or pasta, make a double or triple batch and freeze a meal. I did this during my day of baking and made enough meatloaf cups for two meals and meatballs for two, all out of the same mixture (I use the same recipe for both). I also quadrupled my batch of chicken and broccoli alfredo casserole so I was able to freeze three casseroles and have dinner for that evening.



They looked better after they were cooked. :) It was the first time I did meatloaf in the muffin pans. My family loved it!

Another way of saving money when cooking is to try not to throw anything away. I recently tried to freeze bread without foil and found out very quickly that bread turns hard this way. The whole loaf was not any good to eat, but I hated throwing it away so, "voila!" I made stuffing for Kinsley and I to have for lunch for a few days. Also, I have found that when bananas are going bad and I don't have time or don't want to make muffins right away, I can freeze them. All I do is dice them and put them in one-cup baggies to use for muffins. Tip: They don't look real appetizing after they thaw, but they work great in muffins.
bread stuffing

Is there anything you do in the kitchen to try and save money? How do you keep from throwing things away. Let me know, I would love to hear your ideas.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Saving Money in a Month of Spending: Part 2, Christmas Lights: Cheap Family Fun

What better to do at Christmas than to go look at Christmas lights. My family did this recently. We loaded up the car and drove around town. The whole family loved it, even my 19-month-old was saying"ooh," "ahh," and "pretty." This took about 45 minutes and then we headed home and had hot chocolate and cookies. It was really fun and the family had a great time together.

Our favorite neighborhood in Mt. Pleasant was the neighborhood surrounding Dellwood and going toward Southgate. They had a lot of people who really did an outstanding job this year. Check it out, your family will be sure to enjoy it!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Albertsons Sale Highlights

Albertsons sugar 2/$3

Kraft Cool Whip 10/$10 & JELL-O pudding 4/$2
11/16RP $1 off 2 JELL-O pudding & 1 Cool Whip
Final: $1 for 1 Cool Whip and 2 puddings

Martha White muffin mix $1
11/9RP $0.55/2
Final: $1.45 for 2

Keebler pie crusts 10/$10

Libby's pumpkin 10/$10

Albertsons buns and bread $0.78

Progresso Soup 2/$3
12/7SS $0.50/2 or $1.10/1 here or $1/2 here
Final: As low as $0.40

Planters nuts 2/$5

Kroger Sale Highlights - Free deodorant and candy!!

Del Monte whole pineapple $1.97

Anjour pears 10lb./$10

Red globe grapes w/ seeds 10lb./$10

Oscar Meyer Lunchables 10/$10

Kroger brand breakfast or smoked sausage 10/$10

Fresh baked french bread 10/$10

Kroger black pepper 10/$10

Kroger pasta sauce, 26oz. 10/$10

All laundry detergent $3.49
$1/1 Small and Mighty here or $1/1 Free & Clear here
Final: $2.49

Air wick air freshener 10/$10
$1/2 here (must register)
Final: $1 for 2

Sure Naturals deodorant 10/$10
$1/1 here
Final: Free

Ban invisible solid 2/$3
10/12SS $0.75/1
Final: $0.75

Kroger toaster pastries or oatmeal 10/$10

Challenge spreadable butter 10/$10

LifeSavers, peg bag 10/$10
10/19SS $1/1
Final: Free

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Brookshire's Sale Highlights

Betty Crocker Cake Mix $0.79

Gold Medal flour 2/$3 (limit 2)

C & H sugar, 4lb. $0.99 (limit 1)
11/16RP or 10/12RP $0.35/1
Final: $0.64

Philadelphia cream cheese

Food Club vegetable oil $1.99 (limit 1)

Jello-O pudding 2/$1
11/16RP $1 off wyb 2 Jell-O pudding and 1 Cool Whip

Super One Sale Highlights

Food Club large eggs $0.98

Green Giant boxed veggies $0.78
$1/2 here (must ad match at WM)
Final: $.28 each wyb 2

Fryer Leg quarters, 5lb. bag $0.37lb

Dole Classic salad $0.98

Food Club biscuits 4/$1

Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Wheaties or Reese's Puffs $1.98
11/9SS $1/2 Wheaties; 11/16SS $1/3
Final: As low as $2.96/2 Wheaties

Hatch diced tomatoes w/ green chilies 3/$0.99

4lb. bag oranges $2.98

Monday, December 8, 2008

Saving Money in a Month of Spending: Part One, Free movies


Here it is, my first savings tip. I tried this yesterday for the first time and I love it!! Redbox is the "red box" as you go into Wal-Mart that has a big sign that says,"$1 DVDs." I was always leary of it, but after reading more online I decided to try. It was easy and fast and to top it all off there are free codes. Every Monday you can get a free code online. You can either sign up here at redbox.com or google it every Monday. since this is an on going thing my husband and I are making Monday's family movie night. We pop popcorn and watch a movie. The best part about it is, that it is free, as long as you turn the movie in by 9pm on Tuesday (if not it is only $1 a day).

The free code for today is:
12/8/08 - 23MJT7

All you do is touch the square on the screen that says "enter promo code" and it will lead you through the rest. You will need to give them a credit or debit card number (just in case you don't return it).
To top it all off during the Month of December and the first week in January you can get an additional free rental on Sunday at any Wal-Mart location of Redbox.

Here are those codes:
12/14/08 - 11MOMS4UA

12/21/08 - 11MOMS4UN

12/28/08 - 11MOMS4UT

01/04/09 - 11MOMS4UA


Do you have any more free entertainment tips for us.

Saving Money in a Month of Spending

My husband and I are taking the month of December and trying to save money. With all the money that is spent on Christmas (dinner, presents, parties), we decided we should go frugal in a few other areas. Over the next week or two I thought I would share a few ways that we are cutting back and economizing and maybe even challenge you to join in and do the same. If you have any ideas to share then comment or email me at smile0104@hotmail.com. I would love to hear them. Stay tuned today for my first frugal idea and tip.

CVS Update!! - Free lip product and free nail polish

Yesterday when I went to CVS I found a stack of coupons next to the ads on the stand. In the sheet of coupons there is a $3/2 Sally Hanson nail polish coupon. Most Sally Hanson nail polish is on clearance for 50% off. I got two for $1.25 each and got them both free. I took two sheets of coupons, but I wouldn't take anymore than that each time you go in. We want CVS managers to look upon us as people who play the game fair. :)

Also, use the $4/1 Maybelline coupon in yesterday's paper and take advantage of the Maybelline b1g1 lipstick sale.