Loving Home 7/1/07 Tips To Save Money

Today's plans:
Church
work on decluttering shed & listing for freecycle

Some ways I save $$:
shop clearance aisles or sections
use coupons
utilize grocery sales ads & go to each store buying the things I need that are on sale (all our grocery stores are within 2-3 mile radius of each other, so I don't waste gas)
buy gas at the cheapest place—make sure to keep a full tank and you’ll get better gas mileage
roll windows down, rather than using car ac
buy big bags/containers of stuff (chips, cookies, etc) and make my own individual bags for dh's lunches--much cheaper than the individually bagged snacks
make your own whenever possible
buy clothes on clearance at end of season in next year's sizes
shop yard sales, flea markets, thrift shops & consignment stores
buy coats one size too big, so it will last more than one season
hand-me downs
form a net-work of friends & trade (kids) clothes that no longer fit--i have a lot of people who have kids older than mine that give me really nice clothes for my kids that theirs have outgrown
shop b1g1f or b1g1-50% off
shop double coupon sales
buy in bulk during sales (especially b1g1f sales)
OAMC (Once a month cooking) it really cuts the grocery bill
Wash clothes in cold or cool water instead of hot or warm water.
When shopping for meat, go early (or whenever it is that your particular store does this) and buy the marked down meat, that still won’t expire for a few days.
Eat at home, instead of eating out.
Buy in bulk (like at Sam's) when it is beneficial (you really have to compare the costs though. They aren't always cheaper)
Keep the a/c thermostat at around 80. Keep it at the same temperature. Pushing it up & down throughout the day causes your bill to be higher.
Make the most of driving. If I have several places to go, combine as much as you can so you are not out everyday burning gas. I go to the farthest and work my way back. I don't usually go far from town so this helps in keeping our gas bill down.
I try to stay away from buying chemical cleaners for the house and make my own household cleaners. It's not only cheaper but animal, child and environmentally friendly. I use baking soda, white vinegar & lemon juice as our main cleaners.
Example: save your fruit peelings (i.e., oranges, tangerines, etc., without the white stringy part of the fruit) and add it to a quart jar or larger filled with vinegar. Let it steep for a few days, gently shaking once in a while to mix. Then pour into a spray bottle and you have instant window cleaner, counter top wash, floor mop solution, room deodorizer.
To mop: pour a cap full or two to a bucket or sink filled with water. Mop as usual.
For deodorizer: pour a small amount into a bowl and leave out in the room. It will grab the odors and give off a nice citrus scent (or whatever fruit peel you have used).

Hang laundry on the line, rather than using the dryer.
Home canning
Pay bills on line or deliver them personally
Buy dairy items on sale & freeze (not cream cheese).
Buy meats in bulk & divide into freezer bags (or go ahead and OAMC) when you get home.
Make your own “mixes” or baked goods. Here are a few yahoo groups to check out:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MUFFIN-RECIPE/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DomesticTechnicians/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/STRAWBERRY-RECIPE/
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/BakingMixes/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cookingandbakingmixes/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dinnersinthefreezer/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LargeFamilyRecipes/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homesteadercountry/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lets-cook/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/preservingfoodplus/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ACountryHomemaker/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/frozen-assets/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/squirreltreeoamc/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OAMC/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Meals_in_a_Hurry/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Many_Mouths_Family_Recipes/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Many_Mouths_Family_Recipes/join?yguid=278837269&finish=sub
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Friendly-Freezer/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OAMC_Homeschoolers/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cookingmommies/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingmadesimple/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Frugal-christian/


Here’s a recipe for self-rising flour (that you can make in a pinch, or keep on hand, so you don’t have to buy it pre-made):
Self-Rising Flour
Recipe By : Cherylann
Categories : Mixes
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
Mix together. Store in an airtight container.
Recipe can be adjusted to make more or less.
Yield:
"4 cups (1 pound)"
NOTES : Keep recipe convenient, so you don't have to run out to the store in the middle of a recipe.

Hope these tips help someone else out.

Yesterday’s meals:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches
Dinner: Cheeseburger ‘N Fries Casserole, Baked Beans, Salad
Dessert: Butter Pecan Pound Cake

Cheeseburger 'N Fries Casserole
Recipe By :Cherylann
Serving Size : 8
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 can condensed golden mushroom soup
1 can condensed cheese soup
20 ounces frozen crinkle-cut french fries

Brown beef in skillet. Drain grease. Preheat oven to 350°.

Stir soups into ground beef. Pour into a greased 9 X 13 X 2" baking dish. Arrange fries on top.

Bake, uncovered, for 50-55 minutes or until the fries are golden brown.

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 339 Calories; 26g Fat (70.9% calories from fat); 21g Protein; 3g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 93mg Cholesterol; 318mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 3 Lean Meat; 3 1/2 Fat.

Baked Beans
Recipe By :Cherylann
Serving Size : 8
2 large cans pork and beans
3/4 brown sugar
6 slices bacon -- uncooked and cut into small pieces
1 teaspoon mustard
1/2 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 325°.

Mix all ingredients and bake in a "bean pot" for 2 1/2 hours; stir occasionally.
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 162 Calories; 3g Fat (17.8% calories from fat); 5g Protein; 30g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 8mg Cholesterol; 535mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.

Butter Pecan Pound Cake

Recipe By : Cherylann
Serving Size : 10
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 box Butter Pecan cake mix
3/4 cup oil
1 can coconut pecan icing
1/2 cup chopped pecans -- divided
4 eggs
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350°.

Grease Bundt or tube pan and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped pecans in bottom of pan.

Combine cake mix, eggs, oil and water. Mix for 2 minutes or until smooth. Add remaining pecans and icing to batter; mix well.

Pour into pan on top of pecans. Bake for 55 minutes.

NOTES : May also be baked in a sheet cake pan.
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 240 Calories; 23g Fat (85.1% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 88mg Cholesterol; 40mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 4 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

Today’s Menu:
Breakfast: Cereal, eggs & grits
Lunch: PBJ sandwiches
Dinner: Faux Rotisserie Lemon Pepper Chicken, mashed potatoes and field peas
Dessert: Lemon Bars

Faux Rotisserie Lemon Pepper Chicken
Recipe By : Cherylann
Serving Size : 16
2 whole chickens
Lawry's Lemon Pepper seasoning

Put 1 or 2 whole chickens in the crockpot and sprinkle them with Lawry's Lemon Pepper seasoning, and cook them on high 6-7 hours, or low 8-10 hours.
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 402 Calories; 29g Fat (66.9% calories from fat); 32g Protein; trace Carbohydrate; 0g Dietary Fiber; 170mg Cholesterol; 130mg Sodium. Exchanges: 4 1/2 Lean Meat; 3 Fat.


Mashed Potatoes
Recipe By : Cherylann
Serving Size : 6
6 white potatoes -- peeled and cubed
3 Tablespoons mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons butter
1/8 cup milk
salt and pepper -- to taste

Boil potatoes; drain.

Mix boiled potatoes, mayonnaise, butter, milk, salt and pepper until smooth. Add more butter and milk as needed to make potatoes smooth.

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 183 Calories; 10g Fat (47.3% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 22g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 13mg Cholesterol; 88mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1 1/2 Fat.

NOTES : If potatoes are runny, can add potato flakes to thicken.

Lemon Bars
Recipe By : Cherylann
Serving Size : 24
1 cup unsalted butter -- chilled
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350°.

Cut butter into flour until crumbly; press into an ungreased 13X9" baking pan.

Bake for 30 minutes; set aside to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 325°.

Blend eggs, sugar and lemon juice together; pour over crust.

Bake for 25 minutes; cool.

Cut into squares.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 183 Calories; 9g Fat (41.6% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 25g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 56mg Cholesterol; 13mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1 1/2 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.

Hope you all have a blessed day.~Cherylann