With the raising price of gas and groceries and unemployment effecting my family personally, I have started this blog to share with my family, friends and everyone else some the tips I have discovered to save YOU money as well as the environment and get healthy at the same time. My wish is to have a new blog each morning so check back daily and pass along to your family and friends if you like what you read.
General Tips
Pack lunches instead of buying at school or work. It’s healthier anyway! Items can be assembled the night before and packed as you are leaving.
Cook/Eat at home instead of fast food or restaurant - you can find recipes on the web that have free recipes to make your favorite fast food right at home. Saving you time and money. Every Friday is Pizza Night at our house. We make our own dough and each of us make our own custom pizza or calzone. We even add cornmeal to the bottom of the pan for that authentic pizzeria effect! Note: Using a bread machine cuts down on time and effort! You can find them at local yard sales or thrift stores for under $10.00. I personally own 2!
Pizza Dough
INGREDIENTS
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons white sugar
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups bread flour, olive oil, salt, white sugar and the yeast mixture; stir well to combine. Beat well until a stiff dough has formed. Cover and rise until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Turn dough out onto a well floured surface. Form dough into a round and roll out into a pizza crust shape. Cover with your favorite sauce and toppings and bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
If possible forgo packaged convenience foods and make from scratch. This may take a little more time at first but the pay off is BIG in health and money savings! Always keep flour, bread, eggs, milk, sugar and butter on hand. You can make a lot of things from these basic staples.
Go to the Library for movies instead of the movie store. Many libraries have a great selection of DVDs available for loan.
Make cleaning products and beauty products at home. You can save a hugh amount of money by making deep conditioning for your hair as well as toothpaste. There are many websites where you can get these recipes for free. One of my favorites conditioners is:
Deep Conditioner
Ingredients
1 small jar of real mayonnaise
1/2 of an avocado
Instructions
Put together in a medium bowl and squish together with your hands until it's a minty green color. Smooth into hair all the way to the tips. Put on a shower cap or wrap your head with saran wrap. Leave on for 20 minutes. For deeper conditioning put a hot, damp towel around your head over the saran wrap. And if you have really long hair and only need deep conditioning at the ends, cut the ingredients in half and apply only to the ends and just wrap them.
Grow your own food. Packets of seeds can be purchased for a dollar, and will produce much more in your garden. You can also share/trade extra with neighbors, family, friends or donate to local food banks.
Keep a list for groceries on your fridge. Each week write down what you need as you remember. This not only helps you plan your budget, but it also prevents return trips to the store, that can ultimately lead to overspending.
Shop alone - this will save lots of money and frustration
Find recipes on the web to make your own drink mixes. Chocolate syrup, coffee drinks, and more can be made from scratch. One of my favorites is:
Frozen Frappuccino - Makes 2 "Grande" Drinks
3/4 cup double-strength coffee, cold or use next day coffee to save money
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 cup low-fat milk
2 cups ice
To make drink, combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until ice is crushed and drink is smooth. Pour into two 16-ounce glasses, and serve with a straw.
CARAMEL For this version, add 3 tablespoons of caramel topping to the original recipe and prepare as described. Top each glass with whipped cream and drizzle additional caramel over the whipped cream.
MOCHA For this version, add 3 tablespoons Hershey's chocolate syrup and a handful of chocolate chips to the original recipe and prepare as described. Top each glass with whipped cream, if desired.
Mocha Frappuccino
Ingredients
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 tablespoon granulated sugar, plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/3 cup strong coffee
1 cup ice
Directions 1. in a blender, combine everything but the ice, and blend until sugar has dissolved. 2.add ice and blend until smooth (sometimes you will need a bit more ice).
Fruit Smoothies
Freeze canned fruits in plastic bags (keep juice in container in frig).
Add juice, frozen fruits and/or combo of fresh fruit with ice in blender. Blend until mixed. No need to add sugar. We think these taste just as good as the ones you can purchase for twice the amount of money!
Check out co-ops, share programs & food banks. They can save you hundreds on your food bills. My local food bank allows anyone from any income purchase food boxes including protein only boxes at a substantial discount.
Don't be afraid to go to more than one store. Shopping the deals in each store will save you far more than the gas you will spend. I ALWAYS start at my local dollar store first. Many now carry fresh produce and high quality canned foods. Occasionally we can get ice cream and brand names for only a $1.00!
Buy Generics. These days generics are JUST as good as the name brands, and are often made by the same company.
Buy food NOT convenience!! Convenience foods cost a lot more, because they save you time, but there are other ways to save time and be frugal. Dice all your veggies at one time, shred enough cheese for all the meals you will need it for this week, make extra and freeze, find recipes that cut steps, but don't use convenience foods. These will take a huge chunk out of your budget real fast.
Turn unwanted books into cash. Do you have old books in good condition? Log into the below link - type the ISBN number into their data base and see how much they will pay you for your unwanted books. They will even mail you a pre-paid envelope to mail in the book.
http://cash4books.net/index.php?ref=69259
"Love and time, those are the only two things in all the world and all of life that cannot be bought, but only spent." Gary Jennings
Wishing You a GREAT Day! - Sue
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