Penny Wise, Dollar Short

Mile High On The Cheap

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:39:00 +0000

If you live in the Denver Metro area, be sure to check out http://www.milehighonthecheap.com

Golden West Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:55:00 +0000

If you’re a home owner, sooner or later you are going to be faced with a plumbing problem. Knowing which plumber to call and wondering who you can trust to do a good job won’t be a problem if you live in the Denver Metro area. Golden West Plumbing and Heating, Inc. is a family owned and operated company that takes their commitment to you seriously.

Golden West Plumbing and heating is fully licensed and insured and use the latest technology and equipment so you can be assured that you job will be done right, the first time. Clean cut, experienced technicians are available for 24/7 to provide you with the fastest and most professional service in the Denver metro area.

If you have a routine maintenance need or a midnight emergency, Golden West Plumbing and Heating, Inc. will respond quickly to your call and provide you with straight forward pricing with no surprises when the job is completed. They are also experienced, licensed and insured to handle any heating, air conditioning or electrical problems.

Golden West Plumbing and Heating, Inc. offer the highest standard of customer service and would be glad to provide references upon request. They are members of the Better Business Bureau. Please visit their web site at http://www.denvercoplumbing.org.

Social Lending.net

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:15:00 +0000

In these tough economic times, we are all looking for a way to survive the higher cost of living, the lower return on our investments, layoffs, cut backs and furloughs. Weather you would like to increase your income or if you need to borrow money, you might find an opportunity at a web site called “Social Lending.net.”
At http://www.sociallending.net/ you will find all the answers to your questions about person to person lending (sometimes called peer to peed lending, or social lending). Because social lending can be risky; Social Lending.net explains the advantages and disadvantages of lending money through a social lending prospect verses a traditional lending institution.
Social lending can be hazardous to the lender if proper due diligence has not been preformed. If you think you would enjoy playing “banker” all the information you need to get you started is at Social Lending.net.
There are many reasons why you may need to borrow money. Maybe you have poor credit, or you are too high of a risk to the traditional lenders. Possible you are student needing money for college, or perhaps you want to borrow money from a relative or a friend but would like to make your loan “official” Social Lending.net offers advice and tips on how to begin the process of peer to peer lending and outlines the advantages of person to person lending.

Gone Fishing

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:52:00 +0000

Literally! I will be on a long weekend, fishing, canoeing, camping and relaxing until June 17th!

See ya then!

20 Fun Things To Do With Your Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:11:00 +0000

Spending quality time with your kids doesn't have to cost a bundle. Here are 20 inexpensive ideas for a fun summer.

Have a picnic. Find a cool shady spot, spread out a blanket and have a picnic.

Play games outdoors, Frisbee, catch, hide and seek, or make up games.

Lie in the grass and watch the clouds make shapes.

Pick up litter. “Adopt” an area in your neighborhood and keep it litter free.

Start a collection. Look for “cool” rocks, bugs, leaves, sea shells, (depending on your area), these are all free and fun to look for and collect. Coins or stamps are also fun to collect.

Dance. Turn on some music and “rock & roll”. This is not only fun, but good exercise too!

Read and write poetry. Encourage your children to be creative! Have a poetry reading.

Explore thrift shops.

Dress up in costumes, have fun applying make up and crazy hair styles. Let your kids “do” your hair/make up.

Attend the county fair. Enter a hand made item at the fair.

Go camping. If you don’t have time/finances to take a “vacation” type camping trip, camp in your yard or living room. Bring out the sleeping bags and spend the night.

Learn magic tricks. Who doesn’t love a good “trick”!!

Fly a kite.

Go to the library. Teach your child how the Dewey Decimal System works!

Make a video and post it on You Tube.

Visit the airport.

Visit a farmers market.

Have a tea party.

Cook/bake together.

Be sure to laugh with your child.

Wise Spending

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:35:00 +0000

Spend Spend, Spend, this is what the government wants you to do with your economic stimulus rebate. They are counting on you to shuffle on down to the closest retail store and leave your money. Mega retailer, Wal-Mart, reported a 4% increase in sales for the month of May, and determined that the increase was a direct result of the stimulus rebate.

If you are still sitting on your rebate check, good for you!! A better way to spend your rebate check would be not to “spend” it at all. Here’s an idea: SAVE your rebate check!! Prepare for the unknown, start or add to an emergency fund. Experts say that your emergency fund should equal six months of your income, does it?

Consider buying a Certificate of Deposit, mutual fund or adding the lump sum to your 401K. 66% of Americans don’t have enough stashed away to live comfortable during retirement.

Try decreasing your credit card debt. If you can’t seem to get that credit card debt paid down, now is the time, use your stimulus rebate to decrease or eliminate this debt.

15 Ways To Multi Task Your Toothpaste And Save

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:47:00 +0000

Burns Toothpaste is great for soothing a burn. Toothpaste has a instant cooling effect on burns and helps to relieve the burning feeling, but don’t use it on open blisters. If you burn your tongue, toothpaste will relive the burning in your mouth.

Polisher/ Jewelry Cleaner You can use toothpaste as a silver polisher or a jewelry cleaner. If necessary, let the paste sit on the jewelry over night and then wash it off. Don’t use toothpaste on pearls.

CD/DVD Buffer Squeeze a little paste on a cotton ball, wipe it over the disc to remove scratches off CD's and other plastic like surfaces.

First Aid For Bites Mosquito, bugs, ant bites and bee stings dab a little over the bit, it will sooth the itching.

Crayon Marks On Walls Rub the marks with some toothpaste and a damp rag, then wipe clean. Voila! Crayon marks will disappear.

Spackle If you are out of Spackle, use it as a quick remedy to fill in nail holes, etc. in your walls.

Acne Dab a small amount on a pimple before bed. Wake up and the zip will be gone! If you have sensitive skin, beware.

Nail/Cuticle Cleaner Put this miracle goo on a nail brush and clean under your fingernails!

Shoes/Sneakers You can clean leather shoes with toothpaste by squirting on a little bit where the shoe is scuffed. Then rub with a soft cloth. Wipe it all clean with a damp cloth. Clean rubber soles using an old toothbrush to scrub off scuff marks.

Kitchen Deodorizer Sour milk smells, rancid smelling water bottle/baby bottles, or long forgotten science experiments can be washed with toothpaste and rinsed and the smell will be gone!

Deodorize Hands Wash stinky hands with toothpaste to get out garlic, onion, fish or other bad smells regular soap will not control.

Defog Goggles/Glasses Toothpaste will “defog” your goggles, mirrors, windows or glasses. Wipe it on, clean it off, and the surface will stay fog free.

Cleaner Use some paste and an old toothbrush to scrub the grout/tile/mold due in your bathroom! Cleans, sparkles and smells great!

Remove Ink or Lipstick Stains from Fabric Rub the paste onto the stain for a few seconds, and rinse. This process may have to be repeated several times to do the trick!

Clean Your clothes Iron Scrub the gunk off of the bottom of your iron with a mild abrasive, non-jell toothpaste. Of course, make sure your iron is cool!!!

Healthy, Homemade, Low Cost Popsicles

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:53:00 +0000

Instead of serving ice cream or sugary Popsicles this summer, why not indulge with this homemade, healthy, low cost frozen yogurt treat with fresh fruit!! They are simple to make and oh, so good, even a domestically challenged diva can make them in a snap!!

Here’s what you will need:
1 cup yogurt, any flavor and any combination of fresh fruit that tickles your pallet:
Example: 1 banana, 6 to 10 strawberries, 12/cup of crushed pineapple
Example: 1 banana, ½ cup of blue berries, 6 to 10 strawberries

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 to 6 3 oz paper cups, Popsicles molds, or any small container that can be put in the freezer
Plastic wrap or aluminum foil

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 minute. If you want a smoother consistence, blend longer. When you are happy with the consistence, pour mixture in to the molds until they are two thirds full, cover with plastic wrap, stab the mixture with a Popsicle stick and freeze
for approximately 6 hours and enjoy!!

Deal or No Deal

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:43:00 +0000

When shopping for new furniture, electronics, appliances, or sporting goods, don’t be afraid to ask the salesperson “what his best price is”. Most stores will shave at least 10% off of a big ticket item and it is not unusual for them to take 15% off just for asking. Many companies will also throw in free delivery to earn your business.

Do your homework and let the sales person know that you have been shopping around and are familiar with the competitions products and prices. Take the competitor newspaper ads or sales flyer's with you to back up your claim.

If you are going to pay for your purchase in cash, let the salesperson know that and ask them if there is a discount for cash. Many times there is.

Don’t hesitate to haggle for a deal, most merchants are willing to do what it takes to make a sale.

Recycle Soap Silvers

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:16:00 +0000

What do you do with all those annoying little slivers of soap that no one wants to use? I always hate throwing them away so I have been looking for ways to use them up. Here are a few ideas!

Put the slivers in a spray/pump bottle, add some water, and shake! The annoying little slivers will turn in to liquid hand soap! Or, you could just buy liquid soap to begin with and you wouldn’t have this problem!!

If you have children, let them soak the left over soap in hot water to soften it, then they can press the softened soap into molds or cookie cutters to create tiny bath soaps for the bathroom. Oatmeal can be added to give the soap an exfoliating element. Essential oils can be added for fragrance. This makes a great “hand made” gift for teachers or grandparents.

In the 80’s, “Soap on a Rope” was a popular gift to give. Turn your “recreated”, jazzed up soap slivers into “Slivers on a String”! (Or a ribbon!)

You can rub soap shavings on a door hinge to stop the squeaks, or rub them on the runner of sliding doors or windows that stick. Rub soap on a sticky zipper to make it zip like new.

Break soap slivers into very small pieces and use to hand wash delicates.

Crochet a “bath mitt” with a pocket to hold the soap slivers, or cut a slit in a sponge to put the slivers in. Now you can scrub-a-dub dub with your body mitt to use up the scraps of soap.

Lay a few pieces of soap in your flower beds to keep pest from snacking on your flowers.

While bathing, wet a new bar of soap, and press the sliver into it until they stick together, TaDa! Problem solved!

Cute Ideas to Help Small Children Learn to Save

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:52:00 +0000

I apologize for not having posted in several days. My step-dad passed away last week, so I have been busy with family details. I'm back now and I hope you enjoy this post with a couple of cute ideas to help small children learn to save a few pennies!!

Instead of letting a child load the tooth brush with paste, tell them to brush their teeth with a “rain drop”. A small dab of past in the shape of a rain drop is all the paste they need to have a good brushing job.

If your child is learning to use the “big” toilet, I’m sure he/she loves to use a lot of toilet paper!! Instead of flushing paper down the drain, put a box of facial tissue close by and teach them to use only one sheet per visit!

Shampoo is another fun thing to squeeze out of the bottle!! With bath crayons, draw a small circle on the tile in the amount you wish them to use. This way they have a reference as to how much to use.

Make My Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:08:00 +0000

Would it make your day if you found a stash of cash hidden in a long forgotten hiding place? One out of every 10 people has approximately $1000, somewhere, in a “forgotten” account.

It’s estimated that there is $32 billion sitting in lost or forgotten accounts. These “accounts” could be from unclaimed life insurance proceeds, utility deposits, savings accounts long forgotten, stock dividends, lost tax refunds, and pay checks that were never picked up.

By law, banks, insurance companies, utilities, and many other business are required to surrender inactive accounts to the government for safe keeping. If you can prove that you are you and the person entitled to the money, the government will be happy to hand the money over to you, without any charges or fees.

To find out if a windfall could be yours, go to www.unclaimed.org or www.missingmoney.com and take a look in your state. Check every state that you have ever lived in and enter all the names you might have gone by, such as your married or maiden name. If you don’t see your name, but think that you do have money coming to you, call the state’s treasury department and ask them to check for you.

Beware: There are companies that will gladly charge you a fee to look for this money. It’s so simple to do on your own that you won’t need to hire anyone.

Don’t "Flush” Your Money Down The Drain

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:57:00 +0000

Alex Wilson states in his book Your Green Home, that water will be a far greater challenge to humanity in the 21st century than energy. Here are a few tips for living a little greener, saving a little water and saving money on your water bill.

If you could cut just one minute off of your daily shower, you would save 2,000 gallons of water per year. Install water saving shower head. These are relative inexpensive and easy to install.

If you have a one leaky faucet that leaks a drop of water per second, this is enough water to fill 16 bathtubs full of water per month. Fix Leaky faucets!!

If you have a swimming pool, cover the pool when it is not in use and save 15,000 gallons of water. This is the amount of water that evaporates yearly.

Install a new water efficient toilet. 30% of the water in most homes is flushed down the toilet. Many cities offer rebates on your water bill if you install a new water saving toilet. Don’t use your toilet for flushing trash like facial tissue or cigarette butts. If your can’t purchase a new water saving unit, put something in the water tank to take up the space of water, so your tank will stop filling sooner.

Don’t let the water run while you are brushing your teeth. Wet the brush then turn off the water. Turn it on again to rinse!

Don’t let the water run while you are shaving!

Don’t let the faucet run while you clean vegetables.

Run your dishwasher and clothes washer with full loads.

Don’t use running water to thaw anything frozen.

Keep a pitcher in your kitchen sink. If you need to let the water run to get hot, catch the water in a pitcher and water your plants with the “extra”.

Keep a bottle of water in the frig for drinking so that you don’t have to let it run from the faucet to get cold.

Don’t over water your lawn! Deep soak the lawn so that moisture will soak down to the roots where the water is needed most. When cutting your lawn, leave the grass at least 3” tall. This will promote water retention in the soil. Water early in the day (before 10:00) to prevent evaporation; don’t water when it is windy. Don’t allow your sprinklers to land on the sidewalks, or drive ways. When it is time to fertilize your lawn, apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed. The fertilizer will make your lawn grown as well as increase the need for water.

Xeriscape your lawn, plant drought resistant shrubs and plants; many cities offer free classes on Xeriscaping. Use Mulch around trees and plats to hold water in.

When washing your car, don’t let the hose run, instead use a nozzle.

Install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinkles to eliminate unnecessary watering.

Place a bucket or barrel at down spouts to catch rain water. Use this water for watering your yard and plants.

Make Your Own Fun and Save!

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:18:00 +0000

Homemade Bubbles
1/2 cup dish detergent
5 cups water
1 teaspoon oil
Mix all ingredients together and have suds of fun!

Play Dough
4Cups flour
1 ½ cups of water
1 cup of salt

In a large, flat bottomed bowl, mix flour, & salt with a spatula. Add water slowly, mixing as you pour. Additional water may be added if needed, but the dough should be very stiff. Knead for 10 minutes. Dough is ready to use when texture appears soft and smooth.

When the little artist is done playing with the dough, it can be stored in an air tight container. For longer lasting dough, store in the refrigerator!

This dough can also be sculpted, or cut into creations that can be bakes in the oven set at 325 degrees. Baking time depends on the thickness of dough, usually ½ hour per ¼ inch thickness. When your project is done baking and cooled, you will be able to paint it!

Is the cost of fresh milk, “Milking” your grocery budget?

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:55:00 +0000

The cost of a gallon of fresh milk has risen almost as much as the cost of a gallon of gas. If your looking to cut down on your grocery bill but still want to drink milk, try replacing your milk consumption with a little powered milk.

I know what you are thinking,,,,,,,YUCK!! Most people don’t like the taste of powered milk, but if you are sneaky you can introduce powered milk to your family by mixing it with the good stuff a little at a time. Try mixing one third powered to two thirds regular milk. Use the regular milk jug, make sure the milk is very cold and no one will know the difference!! When cooking and a recipie calls for milk, always use powered milk. Noone can tell the difference when dry milk is used in recipes!! Using powered milk in this way will be a huge savings in your weekly grocery tab.

What else can you use powered milk for? I’m glad you asked!!!

Sooth itchy, insect bites, poison ivy, or a throbbing sunburn by mixing 1 ½ cups of powered milk, a quart of water, two tablespoons of salt and a few ice cubes. Apply the solution to the infected area with a cloth to sooth the burning and itching.

Milk is a natural skin softener. Add 1/2 cup of powdered milk into the tub as it fills, then lay back and enjoy a soothing bath as your skin is naturally softened!Pamper yourself with a milk facial mask.
Use ¼ cup powered milk, mix with a little water, just enough to form a paste and apply to your face. Let it dry, then rinse! This at home, inexpensive, do it yourself facial will feel as good as any facial you receive at a spa!!
If you would like a spa like exfoliation treatment uses the same recipe as above but add a tablespoon of oatmeal. This makes an amazing skin softener as well as exfoliates.

Make a soothing, inexpensive make up remover. Mix three tablespoons powered milk and 1/3 cup of water to the consistency of heavy cream. Apply to your face, remove with a soft cloth, and rinse with tepid water!

If you have fish that has been in your freezer a little too long, place the frozen fish in a bath of milk until it thaws. This will make your fish taste (almost) like a fresh catch!

Want your week old corn on the cob to taste like it was picked from the field this morning? While you are preparing the water to boil your corn in, add ¼ cup of powered milk. Boil your corn as usual; the added milk will make the corn taste fresher and sweeter!

Treat your plants to a bath using 1/3 cups of dry milk and 2 cups of water. Mix thoroughly; use a soft cloth to wipe dust off of your plant foliage.

FISCAL FITNESS

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:01:00 +0000

Barbara O’Neill, PhD, DFP, Extensions Specialist in Financial Resource Management, Rutgets University Cooperative Extension, (With all this following your name, how can you not be a financial guru?!) has four tips for “fiscal fitness”.

1. Pay yourself first by saving at least 10% of your total income every paycheck. If possible, have it deposited automatically into a savings account before you are tempted to spend it.

2. Save $1.00 a day by putting change in a can or jar, or by reducing daily expenses by $1.00. You should be able to save about $50.00 a month or $600 a year. Increase the amount to $2.00 per day, plus loose change and you’ll have over $1,000 in savings!

3. If you put $10.00 per day ($300) monthly toward paying off an $8,000 credit card balance at 16% interest, you could pay off the credit card debt in THREE years instead of decades.

4. Paying just $1.00 a day more than the minimum payment due on a $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 credit card balance with 17% interest will save you $7,624, $12,615, and $16,168, respectively in interest payments!

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:51:00 +0000

Here’s a great money saving website for those with children, www.swapbabygoods.com. This is a great place to go to save tons of money on the things you buy everyday for your family. It’s a website where you can swap your children’s toys, clothes, books, DVD’s, furniture, etc. They also offer coupon swapping and discussion forums and a news letter! Check it out!!

Dryer Sheets, Not Just For Dryers

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:27:00 +0000

A fabric dryer sheet has many uses besides adding fragrance and removing static cling from your clothes in the dryer. They are multitasking little fibers new and recycled! Here are numerous penny saving ideas to stretch your dryer sheets.

Use the fragrance sheets to freshen the air in your home by placing over the heating/air conditions vents.

Tape one to the top of your ceiling fan to spread the aroma.

Place an individual sheet in a drawer, or hang one in the closet.

Place a couple of sheets in the bottom of the dirty laundry basket.

Tuck one under the seat of your car and in the glove box.

Leave several in the RV or camper while it's in storage.

Stick a sheet in with your vacuum bag.

Leave a sheet in your luggage before storing.

Place a sheet among seldom read books or photo albums.

Stick a sheet in all of your shoes!

Roll up a dryer sheet in your toilet paper roll. Each time you spin, it releases a little freshness into your bathroom.

Slightly wet a sheet and use it to scrub the scum, soap build up and minerals out of your shower.

Fabric softener sheets are designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television and computer screen with a used sheet to keep dust from resettling.

If you are a fiber artist, run your sewing needle through a sheet prior to sewing, to prevent the thread from tangling.

Use a used sheet in your fiber art.

Take a used dryer sheet, spray insect repellent into it. Then dab on the back of your neck, legs and arms.

New dryer sheet are great for repelling mosquitoes on your patio, just hang a sheet near by and mosquitoes will leave you alone. Take some along on a picnic so the ants will not invade your party.

Place a sheet in the bottom of your trash cans before you add a trash bag. The dryer sheets will absorb any liquids that get through as well as adding a pleasant fragrance.

Here’s an idea I have read about, but haven’t tried: Use fabric softener sheets to clean baked on foods from cooking pots and pans. Place a dryer sheet in a pan; fill with water, and let sit overnight. The next day the stuck on food can be wiped away! The antistatic agent apparently weakens the bond between the stuck on food and the pans surface.

When you think your dryer sheet is finally used up, use it in flower pots to cover the hole in the bottom to keep dirt from coming out!

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Sun, 11 May 2008 17:33:00 +0000

Happy Mothers Day!

Eat Out Without Sabotaging Your Budget!!

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:39:00 +0000

I love to eat out! I know, I know, cooking at home is probably half the cost of eating out, but for me, if I can’t eat out once in a while, life wouldn’t be worth living!

According to the National Restaurant Association, wholesale restaurant food prices rose 7.3% in 2007, the largest increase in three decades. I don’t even want to know what the increase will be in 2008. If you’re like me and want to eat out once in a while, here are a few tips for saving a little dough and not completely blowing your budget.

Watch for coupons. When you are scanning that Sunday paper for those valuable grocery coupons, keep an eye out for dinning coupons. Purchase an “Entertainment Book”, or join Restaurant.com for some great values. Do a Google search for on line printable coupons. When we are going to eat out, my husband will say “Where do you want to go?” and I always say “Let me see what restaurants we have coupons for.”

Split a meal! Typically, restaurants serve huge portions. Order one meal and split it with your partner.

Control yourself!! Eat half your meal, and box up the rest. Today’s left overs are tomorrows lunches!! Now your meal price was just cut in half!

Always order Water! Most beverages are around $2.00 each, for a family of four, that’s $8.00 just for beverages!

Always, always, skip dessert! With desserts running around four bucks each, who need them? Save the calories, save the fat, save the dough!

Go with the lunch bunch! Lunches are always cheaper! At our favorite Mexican restaurant, for the exact same meal, lunch is $2.00 an entree cheaper!

Choose wisely. You don’t have to go to the most expensive place in town to have a great meal or a good time. Choose a moderately priced restaurant and save.

Sign up and join the club! Sign up for restaurant emails, I get tons of coupons and even free meals by signing up for e-mails from all my favorite places to eat, including fast food. Many establishments have reward programs that offer point’s for dollars spent that can be redeemed for free meals or complimentary items such as an appetizer or dessert. Don’t forget to join the birthday clubs, most offer a free entree for the birthday person!

3 Yummy Meals Under $10.00

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:25:00 +0000

Chili Pot Pie
Shopping List
1 lb. Ground Turkey - $3.50
16 oz. Can of Tomato Sauce - $.99
15 oz. Can of Black Beans - $.69
15 oz. Can of Whole-Kernel Corn - $.69
2 packages (8.5 oz. each) dry corn muffin mix - $.89
Taco Seasoning - $.79
12 oz. Can of Evaporated Milk - $1.19
2 Eggs - $.99
Total - $9.73

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
Cook ground turkey in a skillet until all is browned. Drain any fat off of meat. Stir in the taco seasoning, tomato sauce, corn, black beans and 3/4 of the can of evaporated milk. Bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for five minutes. Stir occasionally. Pour mixture into baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine corn muffin mix, eggs, and remaining evaporated milk. Stir and then spoon the mixture evenly over the turkey mixture.
Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Homemade Pizza
Shopping List
Ready-to-cook Pizza Crust - $2.13
Pizza Sauce - $1.25
Shredded Mozzarella - $2.50
1lb ground beef $3.50
Onion cut up $.50
Total $ 9.88

Open the pizza crust container and spread it out on a cookie sheet. Follow the instructions on the package. Top the crust with pizza sauce, ground beef, onion, and cheese. Bake until the cheese is bubbly.

Turkey Meatballs & Spaghetti
Shopping List
1 lb. Ground Turkey - $3.50
Spaghetti $.99
1 Can of Spaghetti sauce $.99
½ cup of bread crumbs - $.50
1 Large Egg - $.39
A dash of salt
A dash of pepper
Total: $6.37

Bring two quarts of water to a boil, add spaghetti and cook for 10 minutes.

Combine turkey, salt, pepper, bread crumbs, & egg in a bowl. Shape the meat mixture into one inch ball-size meatballs, placing them in a skillet to brown. Cook, turning often until meatballs are cooked clear through.
Drain Spaghetti, add sauce and meatballs.

When is Cheap Too Cheap?

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:33:00 +0000

I asked some of my friends “what are some of the wackiest things you have ever done to save money”. Here are a few of the more “interesting” ideas:

When you go to a fast food restaurant, always take a hand full of ketchup, salt, pepper, mayo, napkins, etc. This person said she never buys these items!

Never buy toilet paper, use news paper or magazines like they did years ago. (eeegads!!)

Eat dog food.

Marry a man who is handy and can do repairs around the house!

Never buy sandwich bags, instead use the plastic your newspapers come in, use bags from frozen veggies, or bags that cereal is packaged in.

Go around on garbage day and pick things out of the trash to sell on Craigslist.

Here is my favorite: For wedding flowers one lady said she went to a cemetery the night before her wedding and picked up the fresh flowers.

I may be cheap, and I may be frugal, but I’m not sure all of these money saving tips are for me!! Hope you found them as interesting as I did!!

I Won't Tell Anyone That They're Fake!

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:46:00 +0000

Love flowers, hate to water and weed? I have always been an avid gardener, always giving my plants and flowers lots of tender loving care. However, the cost of plants and water has caused me to reevaluate my love of being a novice horticulturist. For the last couple of years I have “planted” fake flowers. I can purchase enough fake flowers at the dollar store to fill all my flower boxes for $20.00. If I were buying “real” plants, I’d get about three plants for this price.

The “flowers” can be plucked out of the ground in fall, washed down with the hose, stored and “replanted” in the spring! Every few years I will have to replace some of the faded flowers, but in the mean time, I have a beautiful flower bed that is much cheaper to “plant” and maintain than real flowers. The best part is that from the street, no one can tell that their fake!!

Save On Hair Cuts

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:02:00 +0000

If you enjoy going to the stylist, beautician or barber to get your hair cut, skip this post! If you’d rather save some money on hair cuts, read on! Learn to cut your own hair or at least learn to cut your children’s hair. We all know that going to a salon is not cheap. Where I live the average kids cut is $12.00. If you have two children and each get their hair cut once a month, that’s $288.00 on children’s hair cuts a year. The average adult price range is about $20.00 monthly. That is $240.00 a year for one adult. One adult and 2 kids total $528.00 a year, plus tips. For me, that is a lot of money!!

When my kids were growing up, I always cut their hair. I used to pay for my own cuts, but I was always unhappy with the cut and would go home and cut it over myself! I finally decided that I might as well "just do it" myself! It is not difficult to learn and the thing about hair is that it will always grow back!! Here are a few links that will guide you in learning to cut hair.

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/8663_cutting-hair-scissor-cut.htm

http://www.hairfinder.com/howto/how_to_cut_hair.htm

http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/598_cut-style-mens-hair.htm

http://www.howtodothings.com/fashion-and-personal-care/a2795-how-to-cut-your-own-hair.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Kids'-Hair

Cleaning Supplies You Can Afford!

noreply@blogger.com (Madison Mancinelli) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:38:00 +0000

Here are a few money saving ideas to use for cleaning jobs around the house. Most are more economical than buying packaged cleaners.

All Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1 tsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp. liquid soap into 1 quart of water. For moping floors, use a pail. For cleaning counter tops and appliances, use a spray bottle.

Bleach substitute: Soak item in lemon juice for 15 - 20 minutes and then wash as usual.

Brass and Copper Cleaner: Combined vinegar and salt to make a paste, rub with a soft cloth.

Drain Cleaner: Weekly - put ½ cup of baking soda in drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water. For clog - put ½ cup of baking soda in drain, followed by 1 cup vinegar.

Furniture Polish: Mix ¼ cup white vinegar and ¾ cup of olive oil, rub with an old sock.

Mold Cleaner: Cut a lemon in half and scrub. If abrasive is needed use a little salt.

Room Freshener: In a spray bottle mix a few drops of your favorite essential oil with 2 cups of water.

Rug Shampoo: Mix ½ cup mild soap, 2 Tbs. of vinegar with 1 quart of water. Whip into a foam. Apply the foam with a sponge mop and scrub. Let dry thoroughly, and then vacuum.

Scouring Powder: Combined 1 Tbs. baking soda and 1 Tbs. salt; for non abrasive cleanser just use baking soda.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, spray on some vinegar and scrub. If you happen to have dentures and use denture cleaning tablets, take 3 overnight denture tablets and drop into toilet bowl; let soak overnight, then scrub.

Window Cleaner: In a spray bottle mix ¼ cup of vinegar into 1 quart of water. Unlike packaged sprays, this will not streak your windows. Use black and white newspapers instead of paper towels to clean windows, they work much better. A great way to save a few pennies and recycle!