Born Free

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2014-09-09T17:54:00.001-04:00

BORN FREE HAS MOVED AND IS NOW:

The Busy Budgeter

Located at: BusyBudgeter.com

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If you are not automatically redirected, click the link above for all the same great Tips, Tricks and Money Saving Ideas with a new look!

Goodbye and Hello! Born Free Grows Up!

2014-09-04T22:21:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited to announce that just as we hit 3 million pageviews, Born Free Northern Virginia is finally growing up into a big girl blog. :) I'm officially moving to my own private domain website. This gives me tons of exciting opportunities and is long overdue.

I originally started this blog during the pregnancy of my first son as a way to keep busy while resting. I expected my Mom to be my one and only fan. What it became is much larger than I ever could have expected and writing grew to mean a lot to me. You guys grew to mean a lot to me. I found friends locally who love the same things that I do, that I never would have discovered without this outlet. I found out that I'm not alone in my love of all things budgeting.

When I move this weekend, Born Free Northern Virginia will take on a new identity as it grows up.
The Busy Budgeter struck me as the perfect name because while I give tips and tricks on living a simple life, decluttering, organizing, budgeting, and easy recipes, everything is written from the perspective of budgeting. I'm a fan of the bottom line, what will this cost you?, what will you save?, and is it worth it?. We all have way too many things on our plates right now, and we need inside information to save money easily.

Starting this weekend, you can find us at http://www.busybudgeter.com/. Because of the way that these emails are set up through the free blogger site, I won't be able to take you all with me. You'll be able to head to the new site this Sunday, September 7th 2014 at 6pm and you can subscribe to my email list there. You'll still be able to go to http://www.bornfreenorthernvirginia.com and it will redirect you to the new site.

Thank you so much for all your support over the years, and I can't wait to start the next leg of this journey!

I pay $41.00/month for my iPhone Plan! Ting Review.

2014-09-03T16:39:00.000-04:00

I pay $41/month (an average of $32/month!) for my iPhone and use it all the time through Ting! Between me and my husband this saves us over $1,000/year! It's available everywhere that Sprint is and the service is great!

One of the few luxuries we have is our iPhones. It's such a useful tool that's fully integrated in my life. I can blog on my iPhone (Blogger), keep our family calendar up to date (COZI), track my calories (Myfitnesspal), my pregnancy (What to expect), my work outs, my weight, my steps and sleep quality (Fitbit) , handle task lists (Reminders), get directions based on my current location (Maps), do my banking (Mint), upload memories for my son to his life book (Moment Garden), play free music (Amazon Music), find out how close my husband is using his gps coordinates to get dinner ready on time (Find iPhone), and plan my meals for the week then create a shopping list in ten minutes (MealBoard). Needless to say, the iPhone is almost a necessity for me.

The downside to the iPhone is the monthly bills! Two years ago, we were paying $202 for two iPhones through ATT with unlimited everything. Last year, we switched to Sprint and paid $170 for the same. The service is not as great with sprint as ATT, for instance you can't surf the internet or use data while you're talking on the phone but the few minor hiccups were well worth $30/month to me

Then I found out about Ting.

Benefits of Ting:

1. There's no contract! Try it for a month. If you hate it, just cancel!

2. You can bring any phone with you from Sprint at no cost.

3. You'll use the Sprint Network and won't notice a difference in service if you already use Sprint.

4. It's so cheap! My bill is always under $41, my husbands averages $57.00, both with heavy use.

5. You can check what your bill will be before you sign up! I entered 12 months of text, data and voice usage from past bills for both my husband and I before I made the switch. It generates the average bill amount for me. I already knew what I would be paying before I signed on.(click here for their website to use this feature)

6. Everything on wifi is free, which includes iMessage to other iPhone users (including photo texts!)

7. Ting roams to the Verizon Network at no additional cost to you for voice and text. This ensures that you can get a signal wherever you are!

8. They run bad ass promotions that show they know you won't leave if you sign up (see the last paragraph).

9. It's free to tether! They even encourage it! You can run your laptop or your iPad off of your iPhone's data.

10. Very transparent charges. You don't have to worry about hidden anything. (See the chart at the bottom of this post).

11. You can save $25 on your first bill by signing up using this link!

My Last Bill With Ting.

When I heard about Ting, I was intrigued but figured the service was horrible, or that there was hidden fees. I waited 6 months until my contract with Sprint was up before I tried Ting! I could have saved $600 if I had just done it then! It was easy to transfer service, I never had to bring my phone anywhere, and my phone was only out of order for about 15 minutes during the change over. I haven't noticed any difference in the service and they have an awesome app that let's you know what you've used and based on that, what your estimated bill would be.

If you don't have sprint and don't have a sprint phone, you'll have to get a Ting capable phone (just like your ATT phone wouldn't work with the Sprint Network). You can go to the Ting website here, and they'll assist you in selling your phone and buying a capable device. It's a bit like eBay, so as long as you're buying and selling a similar device, the costs should be nominal. They also have warranted refurbished phones for purchase although they would be more expensive.

I haven't found any drawbacks with Ting, as long as you use the estimated savings calculator before you switch. Just to make sure you aren't one of the 2% of users that wouldn't save money by switching.

If you have questions, I'd love to answer them. There's very few companies that get brand loyalty from me (Wegmans and USAA), but Ting has officially made the list.

Promotions:

Use this link for a $ 25.00 credit when you sign up!
Early Termination Fee: They'll pay 25% of your early termination fee up to $75.00. (Click here)

iPhone and Samsung: They'll pay any difference in price for buying and selling the same model phone if you don't have a sprint compatible device.(Click here)

Small businesses: if you have 6 or more devices for your business, send them your last few bills. If you won't save money switching to Ting, they'll send you a foosball table! (Click here)

22 Free and Cheap Date Nights in Northern Virginia! Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, Alexandria, and DC included.

2014-09-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

FDR Memorial at Sunset: Washington, D.C.

Let's face it... Northern Virginia is not a cheap place to live. Friends from out of state gasp at how much we paid for a 900 square foot townhouse. If you commute to work (which is likely to be a half hour or more!), you're going to spend a fortune in gas from the constant braking/ accelerating thanks to the traffic on our lovely Interstate system. But there's a beauty here too. I love this place. I love the access that I have to so many amazing places. If you look out of the ordinary there is so much for this area to offer you, especially in the name of cheap love! (That didn't sound right did it?)

Whether it's your first date (Don't be boring and do the dinner thing!), or you're 7th anniversary and you have 6 kids, Try out a few of my favorite date nights in Northern Virginia!

1. Blueberry picking at Great Country Farms (Loudoun County):

There's plenty of other pick your own farms in Northern Virginia but Loudon definitely has the most diverse. Great Country Farms is my favorite because they have blueberries! Pick a ton, freeze them and you'll be eating blueberry pancakes to commemorate your date for a while! Pack a picnic to bring with you. Click here to head to Great Country Farms and then click here for a full listing of Loudon county pick your own farms.

2. Cosmic bowling at Bowl America:

Is it a little lame? Sure. Are the shoes pretty goofy? Yup. But it's also an absolute blast! Cosmic bowling is when the lights come down and the glow in the dark features come out. They even have glow in the dark balls! Games and shoe rental can get more expensive than I like (I have mentioned I'm cheap right?), but look on the website for Bowl America (who has a heavy presence in NoVa), right now they have a 25 cents per game and 25 cents per hotdog promotion going on all weekend! Click here for the bowl America website.

3. Potomac Nationals ball game:

I'm not a sports fan, I barely know anything about sports at all. But I love heading to P-nats games. They have dollar nights for every Monday night home game (click here for their website), where hotdogs and tickets are each a dollar. Parking is $5.00, but it's well worth it. I was so excited about this date, I wrote a full write up on it... Click here for that.

4. FDR Memorial at Sunset:

Quite possibly my favorite place in the world. It's beautiful and meaningful, and if you pack a picnic, it'll be the best date of your life. Click here for more info.

5. Manassas Airport:

We did this not too long ago. Pack up a picnic, beach chairs or camp chairs and take them out to the airport. It's a small airport but fairly busy. Set yourself up in the grass before sunset and pack a blanket to keep warm. You can watch the planes take off well into the dark and it's always one of my favorite places. If you have particularly cool friends, have them meet you with the same. We did that and had a blast. Click here for the airport website.

6. Planetarium:

Air and Space Museum's Saturday Star Parties- click here for the link. Meet up in Sky Meadows State Park on assigned nights (click the link to check the schedule) to look at the night sky with both amateur astronomers and astronomers from the observatory. And of course... Pack a picnic!

7. Potomac River Waterfront Park at sunset:

While we usually avoid the Woodrow Wilson Bridge like the plague, there's a good reason to head over there. There's a beautiful park on top of the bridge on the Maryland side. The views from there are stunning (and occasionally of accidents on I-495) and both sunset and sunrise will take your breath away.Click here for more info.

8. Geocaching:

You don't have to be in NoVa to try this out, but thanks to our zillion people living in close quarters, it makes it a great place to get into it. Geocaching is the epitome of frugal entertainment. You and your date register for free at this website, then type in the zip code you want to head to. You'll enter a real life treasure hunt where you follow the instructions that will lead you to the treasure. The treasure might be anything from a log book to an Xbox. I should mention that geocaching rules state you must leave something of equal or greater value if you take the treasure.

9. Hiking at Prince William Forest Park:

There's an entrance fee per car to enter the park, about $7.00 but I would pay the 20 per year if you live close for unlimited access. You can click here for updated information. It's absolutely serene and beautiful. You'll have no idea that you're in the middle of Northern Virginia. They have ponds and deep woods and the bathrooms are all clean (am I the only one that thinks about these things?) This is also several beautiful spots for a picnic.

10. IKEA:

Head to Ikea to plan your dream home then stay for hotdogs! IKEA is like my vacation home. Seriously, I'm there that often. Besides the $.50 hotdogs, we love the showroom. We love walking through and planning what our future house (you know, the house we'll have once our babies learn not to destroy things and we have enough saved that we feel comfortable spending money on decorating) will look like. If you have kids, they also have free child care for a bit in smaaland. You can find their website here.

11. Biking/Walking the Mount Vernon Trail:

This trail winds along the Potomac River and offers breathtaking views and tons of greenery. There's no fee, and it's one of my top picnic spots. Click here to head to their website for more info.

12. Free Yoga at National Harbor or Lorton Workhouse Arts Center:

Are you a yogi? Head over to the sites for Lorton Work House Arts Center and the National Harbor to check for updated information about their free yoga days. Both are done outside during nice weather and would be a great date!

13. Free outdoor movies at (tons of places! Stonebridge Towne Center in Woodbridge and National Harbor are my favorites):

Outdoor movies are amazing for so many reasons! You can bring a picnic or your own snacks, you can bring the kids (this is perfect for a toddlers first movie!). These are typically only available in the summer, so plan accordingly and follow the facebook page of National Harbor (found here) and Stonebridge (found here) for updates. If you live in Prince William County, save yourself all of that trouble and just follow Prince William County Moms page (found here), she'll list events for any Prince William area outdoor movies.

14. Gravelly Point on the Mount Vernon Trail:

You can walk the Mount Vernon Trail in Arlington, or you can head right here for a memorable picnic. If you spread out your blanket and lay down, the planes fly directly over your head (closer than you would think! I swear I could see duct tape on the door of an overhead plane once). You can get some really cool photos with he planes overhead as well. This park is right on the shores of the potomac and offers beautiful views of the DC monuments. Click here for directions- The link goes to the yelp page for the park, which has both directions and the reviews. The reviews say it all.

15. Screw the traffic, stay in and have a cooking date night:

Tough week at work? Sick of traffic? Drop the kids off at the babysitters house and stay in. You can plan an amazing meal right into your grocery budget. Make it something that's a little time consuming but well worth it. My dream cooking date night meal would be sweet and sour pork with vegetable eggs rolls, fried rice, fortune cookies and pistachio ice cream. All done by hand:) You can do some of the food prep work ahead of time if it helps. Cooking together is fun, sensual and builds team work skills (which really, team work skills is pretty much essential to a good marriage).

16. Washington National baseball games-

If you're a huge baseball fan and would get more out of the Major League game than the Potomac Nationals, they do have dollar nights! If you take the Metro up (just a few dollars) and take the nosebleed seats, you can go to a game very cheaply. If your not really into baseball, I would stick to the P-Nats which are amazing and fun. Click here for their website.

17. Ingham family Mystery Challenge:

If you have a bit to spend and want to splurge (a little!), try the Ingham Family Mystery Gift Challenge. Each of you is given an envelope with the exact same amount of cash. It can be anything from $3.00 to $50.00, hit a mall (Potomac mills is kind of big for this!) and coordinate your cell phone clocks. You have 1 hour to spend exactly that amount of money on your partner in gifts. Read the full instructions here but to date, this has been my favorite date night ever!

18. Pinterest project date night:

All of those amazing projects you would love to do on pinterest, but take some sort of skill that you don't have (woodworking is my achilles heel). This develops the same team building skills as the cooking date night and gives you something in addition to just your memories for your money. You can build a new kitchen table, create a family mission statement, or any project that you're both excited about!

19. Arlington National Cemetery:

This is both a powerful and awe inspiring place that will make you really appreciate one another. We're very blessed to live so close to it. Besides walking through the tombstones of soldiers that gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country, you can see JFK's tombstone and the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I'm incredibly proud to say that my husband served in the changing of the guard ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and you won't be disappointed by the dedication of the men that serve there. Click here for more information.

20. Dollar Night at Arlington Cinema and Draft House:

This is a full movie theater that has tables at every seat and offers $2.00 movie nights (usually on Mondays and Tuesdays), you can order full meals, elaborate snacks (nachos are amazing!) or draft beer! Click here for their movie schedule.

21. Cherry Blossoms in DC!

If you plan to head up to see the cherry blossoms, take a good camera (or at least an iPhone) and check out some of the free monuments. The weather is normally beautiful this time of year (March/April) and it's the perfect time to play tourist. You can use the metro and pop on and off to see what interests you most. Try out Bens Chili Bowl if you plan to stay for lunch (only pack a lunch if you have a backpack cooler- you won't want to lug a traditional cooler around). Click here for cherry blossom info. Click here for Ben's Chili Bowl information including menu and prices (the photos are mouth watering).

22. The National Zoo:

This amazing place is completely free if you do it right! Pack a picnic (take the stroller if you must, sans baby to stash your stuff in- no one will be the wiser), take metro up (parking is $25 if you'd rather do that but they run out of parking right after they open) and print off a zoo map from the website online (they charge for copies there). The absolute best time to go is off season (we went on an unusually warm day in February and had the time of our lives. It can get really hot and crowded there in the summer.

Click here to follow my local NOVA boards on Pinterest!

Gravelly Point: Arlington, Virginia courtesy of www.dcnaturephotography.blogspot.com

Cheap Eats Menu Plan. 7 days, 21 meals, 3-6 people. $100.

2014-08-29T07:18:00.001-04:00

Fair warning... I'm just entering into my second trimester of pregnancy and am having a tough time eating. Bagels and cream cheese seem to be the only thing I can keep down in the am so they're here to stay for a few weeks. I also have aversions to chicken, oatmeal, black beans, and meatballs which makes life a little difficult some days. Let's just say we'll have some interesting meals for the next few weeks.

Click on the meal name for a recipe. We use MealBoard which stores all your recipes, generates your shopping list, organizes by aisle in the grocery store and gives you a total price for your list. I round my prices up, so it's usually a little lower. You can find out more about MealBoard here.

If you love these ideas, feel free to put your email address in the box to the right and I'll email you our menu plan every friday morning.

We have a freezer and pantry stocked with veggies, and we always get extra lettuce since we both love salad. We also have a club pack of vanilla yogurt from Wegmans that we can add to breakfasts or snacks. (I adore pineapple in yogurt!)

*Just click the link to pull up recipes

AUG 23 - SATURDAY
breakfast	Light and Fluffy Pancakes
breakfast	Apple Pie Filling
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
AUG 24 - SUNDAY
breakfast	Sarah's Applesauce
breakfast	Awesome Breakfast Casserole
lunch	Easy Chili-Cheese Dog
dinner	Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
AUG 25 - MONDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Easy Italian Pasta Casserole 2
AUG 26 - TUESDAY
breakfast	Cereals
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Sloppy Joes Spark:)
AUG 27 - WEDNESDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Tater Tot Casserole
AUG 28 - THURSDAY
breakfast	Cereals
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Pepperoni or Sausage Pizza
AUG 29 - FRIDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Macaroni And Cheese, Squash And Green Beans

Adjusted shopping list for pantry items

Produce
	apples, 18 cups for Apple Pie Filling
	banana, 2 per person for Cereals

Bread and Bakery
	bagels soft, 9 for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	hamburger buns, for Sloppy Joes Spark:)
	hot dog buns, 6 for Easy Chili-Cheese Dog
	pizza crust, 1 for Pepperoni or Sausage Pizza

Meat
	OSCAR MAYER Selects Uncured Angus Beef Franks, 6 for Easy Chili-Cheese Dog
	package Jimmy Dean 50 % less fat Pork Sausage, 1 12 oz for Awesome Breakfast Casserole

Baking Goods
	brown sugar
	chocolate chips
	cornstarch

Dairy
	butter
	Cheddar cheese, 2 packages for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	cream cheese, 2 packages for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	eggs, 4 for Awesome Breakfast Casserole
	flour tortillas, 12 for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	KRAFT 2 % Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, 2 packages for Easy Italian Pasta Casserole 2
	milk- whole, 3 cups for Macaroni And Cheese, Squash Ad Green Beans
	sausage or Pepperoni, 1/2 package for Pepperoni or Sausage Pizza

Breakfast Foods
	cereals, 2 serving for Cereals

Canned/Jar Goods
	tomato paste

Oils & Dressings
	Extra-virgin olive oil

Pasta/Rice/Beans
	regular long-grain white rice, 1 cup for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	whole wheat penne pasta, 3 cups for Easy Italian Pasta Casserole 2

Snacks
	almonds

Frozen Foods
	servings baked tater tots, 4 for Tater Tot Casserole

International
	prepared enchilada sauce, 1 1/2 cups for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	refried beans, 1 can for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas

In Cart
	2 oz cups

Full shopping list

Produce
	apples, 18 cups for Apple Pie Filling
	apples - peeled, 4 for Sarah's Applesauce
	apples as a side, 2 for Krusteaz Light and Fluffy Pancakes
	banana, 2 per person for Cereals
	dry onion soup mix, 1 (1 ounce) envelope for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	lemon juice, 3 tablespoons for Apple Pie Filling
	onion, 2 for multiple recipes
	onions, 1/3 cup for Easy Chili-Cheese Dog

Bread and Bakery
	bagels soft, 9 for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	hamburger buns, for Sloppy Joes Spark:)
	hot dog buns, 6 for Easy Chili-Cheese Dog
	Italian seasoned bread crumbs, 1/2 cup for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	pizza crust, 1 for Pepperoni or Sausage Pizza

Meat
	condensed cream of chicken soup, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	extra lean beef, 1 pound for Tater Tot Casserole
	extra-lean ground beef, 1 lb for Easy Italian Pasta Casserole 2
	ground beef, 1 pound for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	ground round, 1 lbs for Sloppy Joes Spark:)
	lean ground beef, 2 pounds for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	OSCAR MAYER Selects Uncured Angus Beef Franks, 6 for Easy Chili-Cheese Dog
	package Jimmy Dean 50 % less fat Pork Sausage, 1 12 oz for Awesome Breakfast Casserole

Baking Goods
	all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	all-purpose flour, 6 tablespoons for Macaroni And Cheese, Squash Ad Green Beans
	cornstarch, 1 cup for Apple Pie Filling
	Heart Smart Bisquick mix, 1 cup for Awesome Breakfast Casserole
	krusteaz Pancake Mix, 2 cups for Krusteaz Light and Fluffy Pancakes
	sugar, 1.33 tablespoons for Sloppy Joes Spark:)
	white sugar, 4 3/4 cup for multiple recipes

Dairy
	Cheddar cheese, for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	cream cheese, 9 tablespoons for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	eggs, 4 for Awesome Breakfast Casserole
	flour tortillas, 12 for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	KRAFT 2 % Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, 1-1/2 cups for Easy Italian Pasta Casserole 2
	KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese, 1/3 cup for Easy Italian Pasta Casserole 2
	low-fat shredded cheese, 2 cups for Tater Tot Casserole
	milk, 1/4 cup for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	milk- whole, 3 cups for Macaroni And Cheese, Squash Ad Green Beans
	mozzarella cheese shredded, 2 cups for Pepperoni or Sausage Pizza
	sausage or Pepperoni, 1/2 package for Pepperoni or Sausage Pizza
	skim milk, 2 cups for Awesome Breakfast Casserole

Breakfast Foods
	cereals, 2 serving for Cereals

Canned/Jar Goods
	Campbell's® Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup, 1 can for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	cream of mushroom soup, 2 cans for Tater Tot Casserole
	green beans, 1 can for Macaroni And Cheese, Squash Ad Green Beans
	pineapple slices, 3 can for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices

Oils & Dressings
	mustard, 1.33 tablespoons for Sloppy Joes Spark:)
	vinegar, 1.33 tablespoons for Sloppy Joes Spark:)

Pasta/Rice/Beans
	elbow macaroni, 1 box for Macaroni And Cheese, Squash Ad Green Beans
	regular long-grain white rice, 1 cup for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	whole wheat penne pasta, 3 cups for Easy Italian Pasta Casserole 2

Sauces & Spices
	catsup, 1/2 cup for Sloppy Joes Spark:)
	chili, 1 can for Easy Chili-Cheese Dog
	ground cinnamon, 2 1/2 teaspoon for multiple recipes
	ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon for Apple Pie Filling
	pancake syrup (or honey or berries), 1/2 cup for Krusteaz Light and Fluffy Pancakes
	pepper, 1/2 tsp for Awesome Breakfast Casserole
	pizza sauce or tomato sauce, 1 can for Pepperoni or Sausage Pizza
	spaghetti sauce, 1 jar for Easy Italian Pasta Casserole 2
	taco seasoning mix or burrito seasoning mix, 1 package for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	Worcestershire sauce, 1.33 tablespoons for Sloppy Joes Spark:)

Frozen Foods
	servings baked tater tots, 4 for Tater Tot Casserole

International
	prepared enchilada sauce, 1 1/2 cups for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	refried beans, 1 can for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas

Uncategorized
	dry au jus mix dry au jus mix, 1 (1 ounce) packet for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese, 1/3 cup for Easy Chili-Cheese Dog

What You're Missing at The Dollar Tree: Best Teaching Products!

2014-08-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

Classroom tools for only $1 at The Dollar Tree

I've always loved the dollar store. I love picking up storage containers and stationary there. When I quit my job last year to open up my own home daycare, I realized the true value of a dollar store. The local Dollar Tree has amazing resources for learning, all for $1.00! Crayons, stickers, workbooks (I love the Pre-K ones!), learning posters, reward stickers, chore charts, kids books, coloring books, calendars, clocks, hall passes, you name it!

Here's a few of my favorites from the Dollar Tree in August (their stock rotates with seasons but they always have a teacher aisle).

1. Educational Wall Posters

Dollar Tree Classroom Wall Posters

Not only do they usually have the adorable kitty posters with the "Hang in There!" motivational phrases, but they have lots of educational posters. The alphabet, fractions, counting, the periodic table, etc. They do a great job of including most subjects and all ages. For $1.00, you actually get two posters, since each poster has a different one printed on each side (usually in the same subject and always in the same age range). These posters are impressively large as well, and come wrapped in cellophane so you can keep them undamaged until you're ready to hang.

2. Hall passes, Stickers, Rewards and Awards

Dollar Tree Stickers and Rewards

Hall passes, awards, coupons, and fun handouts. If you need recognition items, they have it! They not only have tons of stickers, but they have popular character stickers too (Sophia the First, Jake and the Pirates, Mickey Mouse). Pencils, pencil toppers, you name it, they have it.

3. Flash Cards

Dollar Tree Flashcards

They have flash cards in several different categories. From first words, to numbers, colors and shapes, to easy matching games for pre-k. They also have a good selection of flashcards for older grades, like multiplication, division, and grammar flashcards.

4. Calendars, Charts and Learning Clocks

Dollar Tree Chore Charts, Tables, and Clocks

This is my favorite category! They have huge blank wall charts. You can make them into chore charts, potty training charts, subject completion charts, homeschooling charts, anything you can list! The calendars are huge, (as large as the posters), and each one has two sides so you can choose the colors that work best for your space.

5. Work Books

Dollar Tree Workbooks

I'm always really impressed with the quality of the work books here, I use the Pre-K ones with my two year old. They have a huge assortment of popular characters, subjects and age ranges. They go up to about 5th and 6th grades. For $1.00 each, you can buy several topics that meet your age range and work through them one at a time. Thats what we do. He grabs the book he likes, and we can do it together.

6. Classroom Decoration, Wall Decor

Dollar Tree Wall Decor/ Classroom Decorations

Dollar Tree has tons of options for sprucing up your classroom walls. They have matching die cut outs, like government, the alphabet, ketchup and mustard, dogs and cats, animals, signs to label parts of a classroom (Reading Center, Art Center, Music Center etc.), cowboy and wild west, etc. They come in packets with tons of items so you can fill a whole wall. A few months ago, I went in and bought die cut stars and put all the kids names on them and taped them to the wall.

Bonus!

Dollar Tree Papers and Dry Erase Calendars

While you're there, check out the other offers they have. They regularly stock dry erase boards, dry erase calendars, papers, art pads, construction paper, glue, scissors, crayons, etc. Don't forget to go find my personal dollar store favorites... stationary and Betty Crocker kitchen utensils. Click below to read about my favorite buys at the dollar store for your home.

Organizing using containers from the Dollar Tree

The Best Quality Kitchen Utensils are at The Dollar Tree!

Happy Shopping! Did I miss any of your favorites?

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DIY Project - Kid Proofing Your Dining Chairs in 30 min, for $4.00

2014-08-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

Recently, while visiting friends, we noticed that they had an immaculate house despite having 3 kids under the age of 4. How is that even possible? We had long given in to the idea of not having nice things until our youngest is about 7.

One of the dirtiest parts of the house is our kitchen chairs. At 2, our little Squishy is old enough to sit on his own and eat, but man does he make a mess! (Okay, part of this is our fault for having dining chairs with white cloth bottoms). Our friends have absolutely beautiful dining chairs that they covered the bottoms of in clear vinyl. When the kids are old enough, just remove the vinyl.

This project took us about 20 minutes for 4 chairs and cost about $8.00 (you shouldn't spend more than $4 though!) buy your clear vinyl from either the walmart fabric department or at Joanne's using the 50% off coupon they send out every month. This was a last minute idea for us and we rushed out to get the vinyl without price checking.

The vinyl wipes off so easily! Even if you forget to wipe the chair right after the meal and the food dries.

If your fabric chairs are already gross, remove the fabric and wash. Then cover with vinyl. Worst case scenario is that the fabric won't come clean in which case you spend another $4.00 on new fabric.

Needed Items:

Screwdriver

Vinyl - about 1 yard for 4 chairs

Staple Gun - not absolutely necessary but it will make this really easy.

This is so easy, it barely needs a tutorial. Just flip your chair upside down and see how the fabric seat is attached. In this case (and all Ikea chairs) there are 4 screws that connect the seat to the chair. Unscrew those and remove the seat. The fabric is attached by an elastic string. If you want to wash it, peel it off and throw it in the wash. If it's still new and clean, grab your vinyl (we didn't even measure, just eyeballed it- 1 yard of vinyl did 4 chairs with quite a bit extra left over) and fold it around the seat, stapling the edges to the wooden back of the seat.

Then screw the seat back onto the chair and you're all set! It was super easy. It took us less than 30 minutes to do all 4 chairs (most of that was time was trying to hunt down the staple gun). They look great and stains wipe right off. Now if only there was a way to protect the wooden chair back from Squishy's maple syrup covered hands.

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This weeks menu of cheap, easy meals. Less than $100/week. Week ending 8-22-13

2014-08-21T15:37:00.000-04:00

We're aiming to have a restorative and relaxing week after all the traveling and last minute preparations for Jon's new business venture. There's nothing quite like gathering everyone around the table for a home cooked meal. Watching my two year old throw peas on the wall while my husband and I play rock-paper-scissors to see who has to do the dishes. It's a beautiful thing.

Fair warning... I'm just entering into my second trimester of pregnancy and am having a tough time eating. Bagels and cream cheese seem to be the only thing I can keep down in the am so they're here to stay for a few weeks. I also have aversions to chicken, oatmeal, black beans, and meatballs which makes life a little difficult some days. Let's just say we'll have some interesting meals for the next few weeks.

If you love these ideas, feel free to put your email address in the box to the right and I'll email you our menu plan every friday morning.

We're heading to an investor dinner on Saturday night (for Potomac Ale Works, Prince William County's first brewery!), so we're good for that night. I snagged a 10 pound bag of potatoes at the Price Rite (similar to Aldi Grocery) for $3.00 last week, so there's a lot of potato dishes!

*Just click the link to pull up recipes

AUG 16 - SATURDAY
breakfast	Hungry Man's Hash Browns W/ Scrambled Egg
lunch	$5 Dinner Mom Mac N Cheese
dinner	Dine Out
AUG 17 - SUNDAY
breakfast	Breakfast Burritos
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe
AUG 18 - MONDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie
AUG 19 - TUESDAY
breakfast	Cereals
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
AUG 20 - WEDNESDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Tortellini With Peas And Cheese
AUG 21 - THURSDAY
breakfast	Cereals
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Ham and Pineapple Dinner
AUG 22 - FRIDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Slow Cooker Cream of Broccoli Soup
dinner	Scalloped Potatoes 'n' Ham Casserole Recipe
dinner	Best Brownies

Our Shopping List (not including staples, duplicates and unnecessary items)

Produce
	banana, 2 per person for Cereals
	cream of celery soup, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans for Slow Cooker Cream of Broccoli Soup
	dry onion soup mix, 1 (1 ounce) envelope for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	fresh tomato, 1/2 cup for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe
	green onions, 2 for Ham and Pineapple Dinner
	green pepper, 1 for Hungry Man's Hash Browns W/ Scrambled Egg
	onion, 6 for Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Bread and Bakery
	bagels soft, 9 for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	brat buns, 6 for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe

Meat
	banquet sausage, for Breakfast Burritos
	condensed cream of chicken soup, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	lean ground beef, 3 lbs for Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Deli
	fully cooked ham large, 2 cups (plus leftovers!) for Scalloped Potatoes 'n' Ham Casserole Recipe
	Italian sausage links, 6 for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe

Baking Goods
	Original Bisquick™ mix, 1/2 cup for Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Dairy
	(4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, 3 cup for multiple recipes
	butter, 2 stick for multiple recipes
	chedar cheese, for Breakfast Burritos
	cream cheese, 9 tablespoons for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	milk, 1 1/4 cup for multiple recipes
	powdered nondairy creamer, 3/4 cup for Scalloped Potatoes 'n' Ham Casserole Recipe
	provolone cheese, 6 slices for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe
	torilla wrap, 5 for Breakfast Burritos

Breakfast Foods
	cereals, 2 serving for Cereals

Canned/Jar Goods
	condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 (10.75 ounce) can for Slow Cooker Cream of Broccoli Soup
	pineapple chunks, 1 cup for Ham and Pineapple Dinner

Sauces & Spices
	green pepper, 2 cups for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe

Frozen Foods
	frozen peas, for Tortellini With Peas And Cheese

Uncategorized
	dry au jus mix dry au jus mix, 1 (1 ounce) packet for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	tortellini, 1 bag for Tortellini With Peas And Cheese

Full Shopping List (Unedited, including staples, duplicates and unnecessary items)

Produce
	banana, 2 per person for Cereals
	chunks of peeled potatoes, 10 cups for Hungry Man's Hash Browns W/ Scrambled Egg
	cream of celery soup, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans for Slow Cooker Cream of Broccoli Soup
	dried minced onion, 2 tablespoons for Scalloped Potatoes 'n' Ham Casserole Recipe
	dry onion soup mix, 1 (1 ounce) envelope for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	fresh tomato, 1/2 cup for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe
	frozen chopped broccoli, 2 (10 ounce) packages for Slow Cooker Cream of Broccoli Soup
	garlic, 2 teaspoons for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe
	green onions, 2 for Ham and Pineapple Dinner
	green pepper, 1 for Hungry Man's Hash Browns W/ Scrambled Egg
	large potatoes, 6 for Scalloped Potatoes 'n' Ham Casserole Recipe
	onion, 1 for Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie
	onion, 1 cup for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe
	onions yellow or white, 3 for Hungry Man's Hash Browns W/ Scrambled Egg
	small onion, 1 for Slow Cooker Cream of Broccoli Soup

Bread and Bakery
	bagels soft, 9 for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	brat buns, 6 for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe
	Italian seasoned bread crumbs, 1/2 cup for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

Meat
	banquet sausage, for Breakfast Burritos
	condensed cream of chicken soup, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	lean ground beef, 1 lb for Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie
	lean ground beef, 2 pounds for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

Deli
	and cubed ham, 2 1/2 cups for Ham and Pineapple Dinner
	bacon, 8 slices for Hungry Man's Hash Browns W/ Scrambled Egg
	fully cooked ham, 2 cups for Scalloped Potatoes 'n' Ham Casserole Recipe
	Italian sausage links, 6 for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe

Baking Goods
	all-purpose flour, for $5 Dinner Mom Mac N Cheese
	all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup for multiple recipes
	all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons for Scalloped Potatoes 'n' Ham Casserole Recipe
	baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon for Best Brownies
	brown sugar, 2 tablespoons for Ham and Pineapple Dinner
	confectioners' sugar, 1 cup for Best Brownies
	cornstarch, 2 tablespoons for Ham and Pineapple Dinner
	Original Bisquick™ mix, 1/2 cup for Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie
	unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/3 cup for Best Brownies
	unsweetened cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons for Best Brownies
	white sugar, 1 cup for Best Brownies

Dairy
	(4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, 3 cup for multiple recipes
	American cheese, 1 cup for Slow Cooker Cream of Broccoli Soup
	butter, 1/2 cup for Best Brownies
	butter, 2 stick for multiple recipes
	butter, 8 tablespoons for multiple recipes
	chedar cheese, for Breakfast Burritos
	cream cheese, 9 tablespoons for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	eggs, 12 for multiple recipes
	milk, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans for Slow Cooker Cream of Broccoli Soup
	milk, 1 1/4 cup for multiple recipes
	powdered nondairy creamer, 3/4 cup for Scalloped Potatoes 'n' Ham Casserole Recipe
	provolone cheese, 6 slices for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe
	torilla wrap, 5 for Breakfast Burritos
	whole milk, 1 cup for $5 Dinner Mom Mac N Cheese

Peanut Butter Jelly Aisle
	honey, 1 tablespoon for Best Brownies

Breakfast Foods
	cereals, 2 serving for Cereals

Canned/Jar Goods
	condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 (10.75 ounce) can for Slow Cooker Cream of Broccoli Soup
	pineapple chunks, 1 cup for Ham and Pineapple Dinner
	pineapple juice, 1 1/3 cups for Ham and Pineapple Dinner
	pineapple slices, 3 can for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices

Oils & Dressings
	cider vinegar, 4 teaspoons for Ham and Pineapple Dinner
	prepared mustard, 2 teaspoons for Ham and Pineapple Dinner

Pasta/Rice/Beans
	elbow macaroni, 1 box for $5 Dinner Mom Mac N Cheese

Sauces & Spices
	julienned green peppers, 2 cups for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe
	paprika, 3/4 teaspoon for Scalloped Potatoes 'n' Ham Casserole Recipe
	pepper, 1/2 teaspoon for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe

Snacks
	salsa, 1 jar for Breakfast Burritos

Beverages
	dark beer or nonalcoholic beer, 1 bottle for Homemade Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe

Frozen Foods
	frozen peas, for Tortellini With Peas And Cheese

Uncategorized
	dry au jus mix dry au jus mix, 1 (1 ounce) packet for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
	parmesean cheese, for Tortellini With Peas And Cheese
	tortellini, 1 bag for Tortellini With Peas And Cheese

Like me on Facebook! Pretty Please?

2014-08-20T15:34:00.000-04:00

If you get a chance, click here to head to my facebook page and like it. The Facebook page is a great way to share quick tips and projects that don't warrant an entire blog post. You can find out where you can get Sistema lunch containers for only $2.99 this week, or how my latest project worked out (slow cooker applesauce and DIY body wash were both major wins this weekend!) Plus, you can say "Hey!" and make my whole day better!

Santa Fe Rice and Beans Recipe: Feeds 6 for $3.00!

2014-08-20T07:16:00.000-04:00

Let me introduce you to the cheapest, most delicious dinner in the world. If you need to reduce your grocery bill quickly, this dinner will do the trick. One dish makes enough to serve 2 adults and 4 children for two meals! We usually finish it up for lunch the next day. If you happen to be on a rice and beans budget, then what better dish than rice and beans? You can add an easy veggie or fruit to this to make a complete dinner. We had leftover apples in the fridge so we served this with apple slices.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked white rice

1 can black beans (use what you have, this tastes great with kidney beans as well)

1 cup of corn kernels (frozen or canned)

1 1/4 cups of salsa, diced tomatoes or diced tomatoes with chilies (like rotel)

1 cup sour cream

1 cup of Mexican cheese (we've used cheddar, monterey jack or a taco blend that wegmans sells)

Optional:

Toss in anything around the house you think would work with it.

Examples: chilies, spices, cream cheese, sliced olives, chopped onion, chopped green pepper, whatever floats your boat.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cook the rice according to package directions, combine all ingredients, reserving half of the cheese to sprinkle on top. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer to a greased baking dish (about 2 quart) and spoon ingredients in.

Top with the reserved cheese. If you forgot to reserve cheese- don't worry, it will still be delicious.

Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes. Then remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes.

If you don't have foil. Don't stress, it'll be fine. Or you can bake it for 30 without the cheese on top, then add the cheese and finish cooking for another 10 minutes.

Costs of goods figured at Aldi.

Cost:

Rice: $ .25

Black beans: $ .55

Corn: $ .49 for 1 can

Salsa: $ .57

Sour cream: $ .60

Cheese: $ .94

Total: $3.40 to feed 2 adults and 4 children for 2 meals.

Cost per meal: $1.70

Cost per person: $ .29

Just for illustrative purposes- if you could eat this for 3 meals a day, every day for a month, then your monthly grocery bill would be $153 or $39 a week! (But don't do that! We have much better options for just a few dollars more).

The Secret to Getting Free MP3's for Life...

2014-08-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

One of the best things that I've learned over the last three years is how to get any music you want without ever paying for it. We're pretty cheap (have you figured that out yet?) and likely wouldn't be spending money on music if these ways didn't exist.

1. The Library

Your local library stocks thousands of albums, all available to you for free. Head over to amazon (or iTunes) and make a wish list of all your favorite songs, note the album that the song is on. Head to your library website and reserve the albums. Most libraries have online reservations where they pull the requested item and you just drop by and pick it up. Get a few albums at once. You can then import them into your computer and they will save as MP3's. With iTunes, this happens automatically. As soon as the disc is recognized by the computer a notification will pop up asking permission to import the songs to iTunes. You can then connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to transfer the music to your device.

While there's no feasible way of enforcing copyright laws on this (the same way you don't plan to get in trouble if you borrow your friends CD and import it), I'm not suggesting that you illegally download music that you haven't paid for. But you can keep the downloaded music for as long as you have the CD out (four months in our library and then you can renew it by bringing it back in). If you have an awesome library, then they'll likely have popular albums out as soon as they are released. Save time for popular songs by getting albums like "Now that's what I call music", which will have songs from the current top charts. Shout out to the Prince William County Library for being completely awesome and stocking Joe Purdy.

2. Amazon Prime Music

This service just launched recently and it's amazing! If you already use amazon prime for free shipping on amazon products and free movies (much like netflix), you know that at a cost of only about $5.00/month (but you pay yearly), the benefits are huge! You can borrow kindle books through the amazon prime lending library and now you can get MP3's for free through their service. It works much like the Prime Movie service. They have a huge selection of songs available at any time and you just save them to playlists so that you can listen to them as you wish. I found almost 70 songs from them and have been listening happily for about 4 days now.

3. Pandora, Last, Radio, Soundwave, Spotify etc.

There are about a dozen free apps and websites that you can stream live music of your choosing from. All of them are great options. We play the Mumford and Sons channel on Pandora almost 24/7 at our house. It's cooking music, cleaning music and relaxing music. Even Xbox has free music options!

I will say that when there's an artist that we particularly want to support, we'll bite the bullet and buy the MP3 to support that artist (Joe Purdy and Rusted Root comes to mind immediately). Our goal here is not to deny artists the money that is due them. If we didn't have the above options for free music, then we would just use pandora and not buy music. By using these options, we're more likely to purchase products/songs from that artist after we've fallen in love with them.

Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make Right Now. Recipes Included.

2014-08-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

Our Weekly Menu Plan

Week Ending 8/15/14

We're super excited to be headed to Virginia Beach for the weekend! We have $100 budgeted out of vacation funds for the food for that trip for the 3 of us. We'll be meeting family out to eat so eating in the hotel would defy the purpose of the trip. We used the grocery budget savings of that trip to have some more expensive meals this week (Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches are about $25! But I've been craving them and wanted to take advantage of a short grocery budget week).

If you love these ideas, feel free to put your email address in the box to the right and I'll email you our menu plan every friday morning.

Want to know how I plan these menus every week? Click here to read my step by step fail proof Menu Planning Post.

P.S. Beef Stew, shown above, was amazing!

Meal plan for next week

AUG 09 - SATURDAY
	Vacation- Dine Out
AUG 10 - SUNDAY
	Vacation- Dine Out
AUG 11 - MONDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Broccoli Cheese Soup Carrots Peaches Dinner Roll
dinner	Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches
AUG 12 - TUESDAY
breakfast	Muffins and Bananas
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Slow Cooker Beef Stew I
dinner	Cherry Bars Recipe
AUG 13 - WEDNESDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
AUG 14 - THURSDAY
breakfast	Yogurt, Raisins, Toast, Tea
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Easy Calzones
AUG 15 - FRIDAY
lunch	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Easy Baking Powder Drop Biscuits
dinner	Sausage Gravy
dinner	Best Scrambled Eggs Ever!

SHOPPING LIST:

(Omitting all of the duplicates and pantry staples, a full shopping list will be posted below this one).

Estimated Total: $100.00
*Likely will be less since I estimate up.
Update: I ended up spending $97.64 but I included childrens vitamins and mascara, which obviously weren't on the list.

Produce
	carrots baby, 1 can for Broccoli Cheese Soup Carrots Peaches Dinner Roll
	celery, 1 stalk for Slow Cooker Beef Stew I
	large tomato, 1 for Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches
	onion, 5 for multiple recipes
	potatoes, 3 for Slow Cooker Beef Stew I

Bread and Bakery
	bagels soft, 9 for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	frozen unrisen dinner rolls (rhodes)., 16 whole frozen, un-risen dinner rolls (I use Rhodes, can for Easy Calzones
	hoagie rolls, 6 for Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches
	wheat bread, 6 slices for Yogurt, Raisins, Toast, Tea

Meat
	beef stew meat, 2 pounds for Slow Cooker Beef Stew I
	deli roast beef, 1/2 lb for Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches
	ground beef, 1 pound for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	maple flavored sausage roll, 1 package for Bill's Sausage Gravy

Deli
	deli ham, 1/2 lb for Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches
	pepperoni, 1 pound for Easy Calzones

Baking Goods
	each) cherry pie filling, 2 cans (21 ounces for Cherry Bars Recipe

Dairy
	butter, 1 cup for Cherry Bars Recipe
	Cheddar cheese, for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	cream cheese, 1 package for Broccoli Cheese Soup Carrots Peaches Dinner Roll
	deli turkey, 1/2 lb for Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches
	eggs, 9 for multiple recipes
	flour tortillas, 12 for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	milk- whole, cup for Muffins and Bananas
	provolone cheese, 1/2 lb for Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches
	whole milk ricotta, 15 ounces for Easy Calzones

Canned/Jar Goods
	Campbell's® Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup, 1 can for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas

Oils & Dressings
	Italian dressing, 1/2 cup for Baked Italian Sub Sandwiches

Frozen Foods
	broccoli, 2 bunches for Broccoli Cheese Soup Carrots Peaches Dinner Roll

International
	prepared enchilada sauce, 1 1/2 cups for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	refried beans, 1 can for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas

Uncategorized
	almond extract, 3/4 teaspoon for Cherry Bars Recipe
	mozzarella, 1 1/2 cups for Easy Calzones

Complete Unedited Shopping List:

Produce
	carrots, 4 for Slow Cooker Beef Stew I
	carrots baby, 1 can for Broccoli Cheese Soup Carrots Peaches Dinner Roll
	celery, 1 stalk for Slow Cooker Beef Stew I
	crushed tomatoes, Three 15-ounce cans for Easy Calzones
	fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons for Easy Calzones
	Fresh parsley leaves, for Easy Calzones
	garlic, 1 clove for Slow Cooker Beef Stew I
	garlic, 3 to 4 whole cloves for Easy Calzones
	onion, 2 1/2 for multiple recipes
	potatoes, 3 for Slow Cooker Beef Stew I
	whole medium onion, 1 for Easy Calzones
	whole small to medium onion, 1 for Easy Calzones

Bread and Bakery
	bagels soft, 9 for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	frozen unrisen dinner rolls (rhodes)., 16 whole frozen, un-risen dinner rolls (I use Rhodes, can for Easy Calzones
	pizza crust, 1 for Pepperoni or Sausage Pizza
	wheat bread, 6 slices for Yogurt, Raisins, Toast, Tea

Meat
	beef broth, 1 1/2 cups for Slow Cooker Beef Stew I
	beef stew meat, 2 pounds for Slow Cooker Beef Stew I
	ground beef, 1 pound for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	maple flavored sausage roll, 1 package for Bill's Sausage Gravy
	white wine (or chicken broth), 1/2 cup for Easy Calzones

Deli
	pepperoni, 1 pound for Easy Calzones

Baking Goods
	all-purpose flour, 3 1/4 cup for multiple recipes
	all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 cup for multiple recipes
	all-purpose flour, 5 tablespoons for Broccoli Cheese Soup Carrots Peaches Dinner Roll
	All-purpose flour, for Easy Calzones
	almond extract, 3/4 teaspoon for Cherry Bars Recipe
	baking powder, 2 1/2 teaspoons for Easy Baking Powder Drop Biscuits
	confectioners' sugar, 1 cup for Cherry Bars Recipe
	each) cherry pie filling, 2 cans (21 ounces for Cherry Bars Recipe
	Pinch sugar, for Easy Calzones
	raisins, 1 cup for Yogurt, Raisins, Toast, Tea
	sugar, 2 cups for Cherry Bars Recipe
	white sugar, 1 tablespoon for Easy Baking Powder Drop Biscuits

Dairy
	butter, 1 cup for Cherry Bars Recipe
	butter, 4 tablespoon for multiple recipes
	Cheddar cheese, for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	chilled butter, 1/2 cup for Easy Baking Powder Drop Biscuits
	cream cheese, 1 package for Broccoli Cheese Soup Carrots Peaches Dinner Roll
	cream cheese, 9 tablespoons for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	eggs, 9 for multiple recipes
	flour tortillas, 12 for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	margarine, 1/2 cup for Broccoli Cheese Soup Carrots Peaches Dinner Roll
	milk, 2 to 3 tablespoons for Cherry Bars Recipe
	milk- whole, cup for Muffins and Bananas
	milk- whole, 2 1/4 cup for multiple recipes
	mozzarella, 1 1/2 cups for Easy Calzones
	mozzarella cheese shredded, 2 cups for Pepperoni or Sausage Pizza
	Parmesan, 1/2 cup for Easy Calzones
	sausage or Pepperoni, 1/2 package for Pepperoni or Sausage Pizza
	whole eggs plus 1 whole egg, 2 for Easy Calzones
	whole milk, 4 1/4 cups for multiple recipes
	whole milk ricotta, 15 ounces for Easy Calzones
	Yogurt, 3 (adults and preschoolers only) for Yogurt, Raisins, Toast, Tea

Canned/Jar Goods
	Campbell's® Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup, 1 can for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	chicken bouillon granules, 2 tablespoons for Broccoli Cheese Soup Carrots Peaches Dinner Roll
	peaches, 1 can for Broccoli Cheese Soup Carrots Peaches Dinner Roll
	pineapple slices, 3 can for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	strawberry jam, 5 teaspoon for Yogurt, Raisins, Toast, Tea

Oils & Dressings
	canola oil, 1/4 cup for Muffins and Bananas

Pasta/Rice/Beans
	regular long-grain white rice, 1 cup for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas

Sauces & Spices
	bay leaf, 1 for Slow Cooker Beef Stew I
	Black pepper, for Easy Calzones
	Fresh basil leaves, for Easy Calzones
	Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon for Easy Calzones
	Marinara Sauce, warmed, for serving, for Easy Calzones
	paprika, 1 teaspoon for Slow Cooker Beef Stew I
	pizza sauce or tomato sauce, 1 can for Pepperoni or Sausage Pizza
	red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon for Easy Calzones
	Salt and ground pepper, for Easy Calzones
	salt and pepper to taste, for Bill's Sausage Gravy
	taco seasoning mix or burrito seasoning mix, 1 package for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon for Slow Cooker Beef Stew I

Frozen Foods
	broccoli, 2 bunches for Broccoli Cheese Soup Carrots Peaches Dinner Roll
	dinner rolls frozen, 5 rolls for Broccoli Cheese Soup Carrots Peaches Dinner Roll

International
	prepared enchilada sauce, 1 1/2 cups for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas
	refried beans, 1 can for Campbell's Kitchen Easy Beef Enchiladas

Baking
	muffin mix, 1 for Muffins and Bananas

Tools of the Trade: Batch Cooking (Electric Griddle for about $17!)

2014-08-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

Batch Cooking: Tools of the Trade ( Electric Griddle for $17!)

Jon's family owns this gorgeous beach house in Maine that we've been lucky enough to visit a few times. On the last trip, we found this enormous electric griddle under the counter. We ended up using it every single day! Pancakes, french toast, sausage, scrambled eggs... We could cook a huge breakfast for a crowd in just a few minutes with minimal dishes!

I did a little research and found out how affordable they are. You can get one from Walmart by clicking here for $17.

Using the electric griddle, I can double my favorite pancake recipe (Joy of Cooking Cookbook) and make 40 pancakes in about 8 minutes. We eat a few for breakfast and then freeze the rest in batches of 3. I wrap the stack of 3 in wax paper and then put several wax papered stacks in a gallon freezer bag. When I want to reheat, I microwave for 90 seconds.

They taste just as good reheated as they did the first day!

If you have the money budgeted to spare, this is a great investment to save you some time for years to come. Before purchasing, make sure you think about the size of this griddle and make sure you have room in the kitchen to store it without cluttering up your kitchen.

Quick Breakfast Ideas (5 to 15 minute Breakfasts!)

2014-08-11T07:59:00.000-04:00

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It's also served at the most hectic time of the day. And it's likely the first thing that gets cut when you hit the snooze button on your alarm too many times. I mean really, your exhausted when you wake up and not even hungry.

Breakfast is a great start to the day, it instills a healthy routine, keeps you satiated until lunch, gives you a nutritional balance and helps you set healthy habits to model to your family (or future family). What an extra bonus? Eat Breakfast outside in early morning light, either on your deck or patio (my favorite!), sitting on your front step or even on the lawn in front of your work. Fresh air, early morning light (otherwise known as "blue light"), and a healthy well rounded breakfast is the perfect start to your day.

If you know you're going to hit the snooze button no matter how much I try to convince you not too... Just start simple. Look for make ahead options like our breakfast burritos, which are also portable. Just microwave for 90 seconds and take it with you. If even that isn't going to happen, pack protein bars, fruit, trail mix or peanut butter and granola bars in your car or on your desk. Know what your weakness is and trick yourself into achieving the desirable results.

1. Eggs, sausage, and pancakes

For weekdays, the only way for me to make pancakes is to make them ahead of time. Flip up a batch on the weekends and freeze them in groups of 3, wrapped in wax paper and then stored in freezer bags in the freezer. When your ready to eat, just remove a wax packet of 3, and microwave for 90 seconds. You can do the same to sausage patties or buy precooked sausage. While your microwaving the pancakes and sausage, heat a griddle with butter or cooking spray (we use our misto with olive or canola oil), and break two eggs directly into pan and scramble with a fork.

Eat, then rinse your dishes if you don't have time to run the dishwasher.

Total time: 7 minutes.

2. Oatmeal

You can do the packets, but making your own from a giant tub of quick oats takes the same amount of time. Measure out the oatmeal, add water, sprinkle with salt and microwave (usually about two minutes). Then add toppings. You can swirl in maple syrup and brown sugar or dice up an apple quickly then add walnuts and raisins. Whatever sounds good will work.

Eat, then rinse your dishes if you don't have time to run the dishwasher.

Total time: 5 minutes (chop the apple while it's microwaving if you want to add apple)

3. Waffles with cherry topping and chocolate

This is my favorite decadent breakfast. I usually reserve it for special days although it actually isn't that unhealthy. Much better than donuts or cinnamon buns! You can either make your own waffles ahead of time and freeze using the same method we used for pancakes, or buy premade frozen waffles. Add a scoop or two of canned cherry pie filling (we use the no sugar added kind). Then sprinkle with chocolate chips. You can also do this with other pie fillings. Try blueberry and coconut flakes, apples with cinnamon and walnuts, strawberries with sliced bananas. Whatever you're in the mood for or have around the house.

Eat, then rinse your dishes if you don't have time to run the dishwasher.

Total time: 3-5 minutes depending on toppings and whether you want to warm your pie filling.

4. Breakfast pizza: English muffin version

Breakfast pizza is amazing, but takes a few minutes to cook. Why not do the same with English muffins or bagels? Just toast a bagel or muffin while you scramble an egg and sausage (cut up the frozen sausage and just microwave it). Add the egg and sausage (or bacon) to the muffin and then sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Microwave for 20 seconds to melt the cheese.

Eat, then rinse your dishes if you don't have enough time to run the dishwasher.

Total time: 6 minutes

5. Knock off mcgriddles

If I have a bad love, it's Mcdonalds sausage Mcgriddles. I couldn't even tell you if they still sold them since it's been years since I've eaten at a McDonald's. But they were delicious. Occasionally, I'll make my own. Just heat your pre made and frozen pancakes and sausage. Put the sausage and a slice of cheese between the pancakes (you can scramble an egg and add that as well but I usually don't.) add a dallop of maple syrup to the middle and microwave for 20 seconds. Let cool.

Eat, then rinse your dishes if you don't have enough time to run the dishwasher.

Total time: 6 min.

6. Sausage gravy

Click here for the recipe I use and you can either have biscuits already made, or just use toast in a pinch. This will take the entire 15 minutes but it's so worth it! This also isn't a "healthy breakfast" by any stretch of the imagination. But it's been a family favorite for years and there's no way I can make a breakfast list and not include it.

Eat, then rinse your dishes and store the leftovers if you don't have time to run the dishwasher.

Total time: 15 minutes.

7. Omlets

Decide on your filling- cheese is the most basic and then add anything you have leftover (heck even add a hit of yesterday's sausage gravy!), ham, bacon, broccoli, spinach, pretty much anything can go in an omelet. Butter and warm your pan, add eggs until set, add filling, flip and remove from heat. If your omlet breaks, no sweat. Scrambled eggs with toppings are also delicious:)

Eat, then rinse your plate if you don't have time to run the dishwasher.

Total time: 5-10 minutes depending on topping choices.

8. Pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup

I adore blueberry syrup! You can make your own healthier blueberry syrup (we call it blueberry smash) in just about 10 min. While it's cooking, you can either make pancakes from scratch or read a book if you already have pre made frozen pancakes waiting. In a small saucepan, add a few scoops of frozen blueberries (fresh is fine too), then dribble in a bit of water (about 1/4 cup- more water will make it thinner, less will make it thicker). Bring to a boil for about 5 min. Then add 1/4 cup of sugar and stir. (We have a potato masher that we use to mash it up but it's not necessary and if you want it mashed, you can do the same with a spoon). More sugar is more like syrup, less is more like a mash. We love both. Continue boiling until it's the thickness you desire.

This can also be made ahead and frozen.

Eat, then rinse your dishes if you don't have time to run the dishwasher.

Total Time: 15 minutes

9. Bagels and cream cheese

I don't really think this one needs an explanation:)

Time: 4 minutes

10. Yogurt with granola, jam, or cut up fruit.

Self explanatory.

Time: 3 minutes.

11. Cinnamon sugar toast, apples and peanut butter

Lightly toast bread, butter immediately and then sprinkle with equal parts cinnamon and sugar. Add a sliced apple and a scoop of peanut butter to your meal.

Eat, then rinse your dishes if you don't have time to run the dishwasher.

Time: 4 minutes.

12. Breakfast burritos

I adore these! And it takes only 15-20 minutes to make, wrap and freeze about 20 of them! I make them all the time! Click here for the tutorial. When you're ready to eat, just microwave for 90 seconds and enjoy!

Screw the dishes and just throw your wax paper out. Doesn't that feel awesome?

Time: 90 seconds.

13. Hash browns and eggs.

You can use frozen hashed potatoes or if you made baked potatoes last night and have leftovers (which is usually when I make these), just heat oil in a pan on medium high, dice the potato, and add to the oil. When the potatoes start to crisp, break two eggs into mix and fry.

Eat, then rinse your dishes if you don't have time to run the dishwasher.

Time: 15 minutes.

14. Peanut Butter on Waffles with Raisins

Toast a waffle, bagel or english muffin. Top with a scoop of peanut butter and raisins, banana or sliced apples.

Time: 3 minutes

15. Hungry Girl Breakfast Mugs

Eggs, toast, cheese, and sausage microwaved in just a few minutes Ina. Mug makes an awesome breakfast! Click here for the recipe.

Eat, then rinse your dishes and if you don't have time to run the dishwasher.

Time: 4 minutes

Our Weekly Menu/Shopping List (Cheap, Easy Meals for $7/person perday): Week Ending 8-8-14

2014-08-11T06:00:00.000-04:00

We need to create some extra money in the budget this week, so we reduced our grocery bill for the week to $90.00, by using the giant steaks in the freezer that we got on sale a few weeks back.

We'll have enough steaks for 2 dinners, with leftovers used for lunches and another two dinners (steak salad and beef and broccoli). We even decided to skip the bacon on the cowboy burgers (you know you're dedicated to your budget when you skip the bacon).

If you love these ideas, feel free to put your email address in the box to the right and I'll email you our menu plan every friday morning.

We're heading to a BBQ on Saturday night, so we only need the side dishes and dessert.

*Just click the link to pull up recipes

AUG 02 - SATURDAY
breakfast	Muffins and Bananas
lunch	Hawaiann Pizza Pitas
dinner	$5 Dinner Mom Mac N Cheese
dinner	Aunt Pattys Salad
dinner	Pineapple Upside-Down Cake VII
AUG 03 - SUNDAY
breakfast	Cinnamon Roll pancakes
lunch	Cowboy Burger- ETNT
lunch	Fresh Sesame Cucumber Salad Recipe
dinner	Steak Grilled
AUG 04 - MONDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Almond Butter And Jelly
dinner	Summer Steak Salad
AUG 05 - TUESDAY
breakfast	Krusteaz Light and Fluffy Pancakes
lunch	Baked Beans Hot Dog Corn Applesauce
dinner	Steak Grilled
AUG 06 - WEDNESDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Chicken Salad Pita
dinner	Best Beef and Broccoli
AUG 07 - THURSDAY
breakfast	Krusteaz Light and Fluffy Pancakes
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Ham 'n Swiss Biscuits, Broccoli Cheddar Soup
AUG 08 - FRIDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Sloppy Joes Spark:)

Full shopping List:

Produce

carrots baby, 1 can for Almond Butter And Jelly

club pack romaine, for Aunt Pattys Salad

fresh broccoli florets, 2 cups for Best Beef and Broccoli

maraschino cherries, 10 for Pineapple Upside-Down Cake VII

onion, 2 for multiple recipes

pineapple, 1 for Hawaiann Pizza Pitas

pineapple, 1 can for Pineapple Upside-Down Cake VII

torn romaine lettuce, 10 cups for Summer Steak Salad

vadila onion, 1 for Aunt Pattys Salad

Bread and Bakery

bagels soft, 9 for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices

hamburger or hotdog rolls, for Sloppy Joes Spark:)

pita bread, for multiple recipes

sesame seed buns, 4 for Cowboy Burger- ETNT

wheat bread, 16 slices for Almond Butter And Jelly

Meat

12 oz. beef tenderloin, 2 for Steak Diane

6 strips bacon, for Cowboy Burger- ETNT

ground beef sirloin (butcher), 2 pounds for Cowboy Burger- ETNT

ground round, 1 lbs for Sloppy Joes Spark:)

hot dogs, 5 for Baked Beans Hot Dog Corn Applesauce

Deli

canned chunk ham, 1 can for Ham 'n Swiss Biscuits

ham deli 1/8 th pound:), for Hawaiann Pizza Pitas

sharp cheddar slices, 4 for Cowboy Burger- ETNT

Baking Goods

all-purpose flour, for $5 Dinner Mom Mac N Cheese

all-purpose flour, 2 cups for Cinnamon Roll pancakes

baking powder, 4 teaspoons for Cinnamon Roll pancakes

brown sugar, 1 1/2 cups for Pineapple Upside-Down Cake VII

confectioners sugar, for Cinnamon Roll pancakes

krusteaz Pancake Mix, 4 cups for Krusteaz Light and Fluffy Pancakes

powdered sugar, 1.5 cups for Cinnamon Roll pancakes

refrigerated biscuits (10 biscuits per can), 1 can for Ham 'n Swiss Biscuits

sugar, 1.33 tablespoons for Sloppy Joes Spark:)

white cake mix, 1 package for Pineapple Upside-Down Cake VII

Dairy

(4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, 2 cups for $5 Dinner Mom Mac N Cheese

butter, 1 stick for $5 Dinner Mom Mac N Cheese

cream cheese, 4 oz for Cinnamon Roll pancakes

large eggs, 2 for Cinnamon Roll pancakes

milk- whole, 2 cups for Cinnamon Roll pancakes

mozzarella cheese, for Hawaiann Pizza Pitas

mozzarella cheese stick, 5 for Almond Butter And Jelly

Canned/Jar Goods

baked beans, 1 can for Baked Beans Hot Dog Corn Applesauce

condensed cream of broccoli soup, 1 can for Best Beef and Broccoli

corn, 1 can for Baked Beans Hot Dog Corn Applesauce

pineapple slices, 3 can for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices

strawberry jam, 1 teaspoon for Almond Butter And Jelly

white chicken- canned or fresh, 3 oz for Chicken Salad Pita

Oils & Dressings

balsamic vinegar, 1/8 cup for Aunt Pattys Salad

barbeque sauce, 4 tablespoons for Cowboy Burger- ETNT

canola oil, 1/4 cup for Muffins and Bananas

dijon mustard, 2 tbsp for Steak Diane

Extra-virgin olive oil, for Aunt Pattys Salad

mustard, 1.33 tablespoons for Sloppy Joes Spark:)

vinegar, 1.33 tablespoons for Sloppy Joes Spark:)

white vinegar, 2 tablespoons for Fresh Sesame Cucumber Salad Recipe

Pasta/Rice/Beans

elbow macaroni, 1 box for $5 Dinner Mom Mac N Cheese

Sauces & Spices

catsup, 1/2 cup for Sloppy Joes Spark:)

cayenne pepper, 1/8 teaspoon for Fresh Sesame Cucumber Salad Recipe

celery salt, for Chicken Salad Pita

chipotle or ancho chile powder, 1 teaspoon for Cowboy Burger- ETNT

cinnamon, for Cinnamon Roll pancakes

cracked black pepper, 1 tsp for Summer Steak Salad

garlic powder, for Chicken Salad Pita

low fat mayo, for Chicken Salad Pita

minced onion spice, 1 tablespoon for Chicken Salad Pita

pancake syrup (or honey or berries), 1 cup for Krusteaz Light and Fluffy Pancakes

pizza sauce or tomato sauce, for Hawaiann Pizza Pitas

poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon for Ham 'n Swiss Biscuits

sesame seeds (by the organic foods end cap for spices), 1 tablespoon for Fresh Sesame Cucumber Salad Recipe

soy sauce, 3 tablespoons for Best Beef and Broccoli

Worcestershire sauce, 1.33 tablespoons for Sloppy Joes Spark:)

Beverages

finely ground coffee, 1/2 tablespoon for Cowboy Burger- ETNT

Baking

muffin mix, 1 for Muffins and Bananas

Our Total: $90.00 for groceries for the week.

Our Shopping List (minus pantry items)

*My total ended up being $82.00 at Aldi's for all of the below. I then took $35.00 to the new grocery depot to stock up on veggies and pantry items that will last us for weeks.

Produce
	carrots baby, 1 can for Almond Butter And Jelly
	club pack romaine, for Aunt Pattys Salad
	maraschino cherries, 10 for Pineapple Upside-Down Cake VII
	onion red or vadilia, 3 for multiple recipes

Bread and Bakery
	bagels soft, 9 for Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
	hot dog rolls, for Sloppy Joes Spark:)
	pita bread, for multiple recipes
	sesame seed buns, 4 for Cowboy Burger- ETNT
	wheat bread, 16 slices for Almond Butter And Jelly

Meat
	-----
	----
	hot dogs, 5 for Baked Beans Hot Dog Corn Applesauce

Deli
	canned chunk ham, 1 can for Ham 'n Swiss Biscuits
	ham deli 1/8 th pound:), for Hawaiann Pizza Pitas
	sharp cheddar slices, 4 for Cowboy Burger- ETNT

Baking Goods
	brown sugar, 1 1/2 cups for Pineapple Upside-Down Cake VII
	refrigerated biscuits (10 biscuits per can), 1 can for Ham 'n Swiss Biscuits
	white cake mix, 1 package for Pineapple Upside-Down Cake VII

Dairy
	(4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, 2 cups for $5 Dinner Mom Mac N Cheese
	cream cheese, 4 oz for Cinnamon Roll pancakes
	milk- whole, 2 cups for Cinnamon Roll pancakes
	mozzarella cheese, for Hawaiann Pizza Pitas
	mozzarella cheese stick, 5 for Almond Butter And Jelly

Canned/Jar Goods
	baked beans, 1 can for Baked Beans Hot Dog Corn Applesauce
	condensed cream of broccoli soup, 1 can for Best Beef and Broccoli
	corn, 1 can for Baked Beans Hot Dog Corn Applesauce
	white chicken- canned or fresh, 3 oz for Chicken Salad Pita

Oils & Dressings
	barbeque sauce, 4 tablespoons for Cowboy Burger- ETNT

Pasta/Rice/Beans
	elbow macaroni, 1 box for $5 Dinner Mom Mac N Cheese

Sauces & Spices
	pizza sauce or tomato sauce, for Hawaiann Pizza Pitas

Frozen Foods
	frozen broccoli florets, 2 cups for Best Beef and Broccoli

Menu Planning: Step by Step Part 3 (Using Mealboard)

2014-08-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

If you haven't already read the first part of this 3 part series, click here to check it out. This is a very basic, step by step instructional for how to be a successful menu planner. Part 1 covers the first steps (using both paper systems and MealBoard), part 2 covers how to set up your paper menu planning system, and part 3 tells you how to set up MealBoard and use it if you would rather have an automated ios program do all the hard work for you.

The reason why menu planning is so important is that you can save an enormous amount of money without actually sacrificing the quality of your life. Let's say you eat out 3x per day for every day on a week. We'll assume an average of $4.00 for breakfast (bagel and cream cheese with a coffee), $7.00 for lunch (sandwich, chips and a drink) and 12.00 for dinner (chipotle or diner). You would spend $322.00 in a week to feed two people, or $483.00 to feed three people. Through menu planning, I can feed everyone great meals that they love for between $100.00 - $120.00/week. For two people, that would be a savings of $10,504.00 per year and for three people, that would be a savings of $18,876 per year. Now likely, you don't eat out for every meal. But if you really track your grocery spending carefully, unless you're menu planning, I bet you'll find that it's easy to spend $200.00 or more per week to feed your family.

This doesn't have to be hard though! It's actually really easy! Click here to complete the important first steps (#1-4), then come back to finish your system on MealBoard!

Step by Step Menu Planning Using MealBoard:

5. Download MealBoard (only available on apple products at this time) for a price of $2.99 (if you don't have that money budgeted, consider doing your meal planning by paper- it takes longer and I think MealBoard is well worth the price but you should never spend money that you don't have, even if it's just $2.99.

6. Start adding simple meals! For simple breakfasts, create your own recipes... Bagels and cream cheese, milk and cereal, yogurt and granola, oatmeal and raisins. If you work, plan simple breakfasts for the morning and save the eggs and pancakes for your days off. When you create a recipe, add the ingredients for that recipe (I.e. milk and cereal would list ingredients as milk and cereal) add a recipe for leftovers with no ingredients listed so that if you plan to eat last nights dinner for lunch the next day you can add that to your calendar without adding anything to your shopping list.

7. Start collecting recipes. Now the fun part starts! Head to the recipes section and then the import button. It will give you several choices for recipe sites (almost all of the popular ones are there and they're always adding new ones. Taste of home, Kraft, Martha Stewart, Spark Recipes, and Allrecipes are my favorites.

Browse for a bit and import any recipes you like the sound of. When you import a recipe, the entire recipe will import. It will add the photo, ingredients, and directions to your menu board. It will ask you to choose a category to file it under and you can clarify an aisle for any ingredient it doesn't recognize (I.e. If it says Philadelphia cream cheese instead of just cream cheese it won't recognize it as a dairy product.

8. Figure out how you're going to handle lunch. Will you take leftovers in from dinner? Make sandwiches or salads to bring in? Will you buy lunches? Buying lunches out is still menu planning if you're making the conscientious decision to do that. For instance, if you pack a drink, trail mix and an apple and make the decision to buy a $3.00 six inch subway sandwich every work day, you'll be spending about $15.00 out per week in lunches. Likely that's about what you spend now on one lunch.

9. Create a recipe for whatever you decide for lunch. Don't worry about directions, just enter ingredients. For instance- turkey, muenster and pickles on rye. Then list "lunch snack #1", and "lunch snack #2" as an ingredient. This lets you know to pick up two items at the store that you can use for lunch snacks all week. Word to the wise, if your new at this or on a budget, don't plan 5 different lunches for the week. Plan 2 with three interchangeable snacks (yogurts, granola bars, trail mix etc). You can repeat the lunches and save on ingredients. You can also fill in with leftovers if they fit into your plan. If you drink something other than water, don't forget to add that to your ingredient list. Don't worry about making a side dish and dessert for each meal. We just keep the freezer and pantry stocked with veggies (.49 for cans at Wegmans, and .99 for frozen bags). We usually add a salad to a day, and the ingredients are listed with enough ingredients to make salad for 3 days.

10. Take a look at your schedule and start assigning meals or recipes to different days. Make sure that most of your recipes are quick and easy unless you're a seasoned cook.

11. Add preparation into your schedule book. Note the day you need to prep the slow cooker, the day you need to make ahead the freezer casserole, and the days you need to thaw meats. I freeze any meat I won't be using by the next day and then follow a thawing schedule.

12. Once you're done, switch to the shopping list tab and ask it to sync your list for the week you want. Go through your kitchen and check off anything you already have. Delete all checked items.

13. Go through your list and add estimated prices (round up to the nearest dollar), while you're adding prices, ensure that each ingredient is listed in the right aisle for your store. Once you assign a price and an aisle to an ingredient you won't ever have to do it again. This is a program that gets better the more you use it. The first few weeks, menu planning still took two hours. Now it takes about 10 minutes. It's rare that I have to add prices now. Check out the top of the app- look at the total price for all groceries. Is that number workable for your budget? If not, figure out if you can substitute ingredients for store brands, eliminate unnecessary ingredients, or buy in a club pack to share with next week's menu. If you still can't make that number what you want, eliminate one of your recipes and switch to a cheaper one (it doesn't get cheaper than homemade macaroni and cheese with steamed broccoli or rice and beans... actually, pretty much anything meatless).

You can then email your menu and shopping list to family members (add it to your blog, whatever...) or print it out for the fridge.

Before you get to the store, you can go into settings and arrange your aisles so that they are listed in the order that you would hit them in your store. Head to the store and just check things off as you grab them.

14. Tips and Tricks: If you're packing lunch, you need a small cooler and at least 2 ice packs. It's imperative that you remember (or your husband!) to bring in your cooler at the end of the day, put your ice pack back in the freezer and empty your cooler. I would have a minimum of 2 ice packs per person available in case you forget one day.

For the first week weeks, utilize post it notes to remind you to thaw food, prep food and take your lunch to work. (To this day of I don't leave Jon's lunch hanging on the door knob or leave home post it note reminding him- he won't remember to take it).

Good luck! Come back and tell me how much money you saved!

Menu Planning: Step by Step Part 2 (By Paper)

2014-08-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

This doesn't have to be hard though! It's actually really easy! Click here to complete the important first steps (#1-4), then come back to start your paper meal planning system!

To create your paper planning system:

Set Up A System

Step #5. Find an old binder, fill it with a menu schedule. You can print one here from Passion for Savings Blog. Fill it with blank pages for shopping lists or print these blank shopping lists by clicking here from Cornerstone Confessions. Do you use lots of cook books? Have a page with a recipe index including the recipe name, cook book and page. If you'd rather just print recipes from the internet, print away and then add them to the binder. You can organize them alphabetically or into categories (chicken, beef, pasta etc).

Paper Preparation

6. Get out the menu schedule sheet for next week and add dates. Separate each day into 3 sections: B L D (breakfast lunch dinner). Take a look at your schedule for next week and make small notations of things that will affect your meals (early days at work, event invitations, overtime etc).

Breakfast

7. Start assigning breakfasts. Think simple! If your working, keep to simple breakfasts. Try Milk, cereal and bananas; Oatmeal and raisins; or Bagels and cream cheese. Keep a stash of either protein bars, or granola bars in case you over sleep and need something to grab while dashing out the door. We don't assign things like juice. If we want to have juice in a week, we'll just get a jug and drink a little at will.

Lunch

8. Choose your method for lunches. You can either pack, buy or plan to take leftovers. Planning to buy lunches is still menu planning because you have a set budget and your incorporating a set amount into your menu budget for those meals. A great way to handle that is to know you don't have the organization skills yet to pack a lunch in the morning, and to bring a drink, an apple and a bag of trail mix to work and then hit Subway for a $3.00 6 inch sub every day. $15 in a week for planned eating out isn't bad! If you have a big family, you may not have enough leftovers for lunch the next day unless you double the recipes. If you plan to take leftovers, think ahead. For the first week, since you don't know how many leftovers you'll have with each recipe, have a few days where you can enact the above subway plan if needed.

Dinner

9. Plan your dinners. This is my favorite part! I love meals eaten together. Choose a mix of recipes. A simple easy dish, a recipe that you guys already love, a brand new recipe, maybe a complicated recipe for a cooking date night one weekend (or a family cooking night!). Unless you're a pro, don't plan recipes for a main dish, side dish and dessert. We've been doing this for a while and still rely on frozen veggies, canned veggies, salads, and pantry staples for meal accompaniments. Often, I don't even feel the need to plan the veggies. I keep the freezer and pantry stocked with veggies ( about .49 cents per can and .99 cents per bag at wegmans) and buy something delicious and in season at wegmans for their club pack price. This week, I got a giant club pack of grapes that we've been snacking on all week. Pick out your 7 dinners but don't assign them dates yet. Just a heads up, recipes that have many ingredients (not counting spices) tend to cost more.

Preparation and Planning

10. If you're using printed recipes, pull them out of the organized section- you'll keep them up front while you're making them this week and then refile them after. Browse through the cookbooks. Mentally note any ingredients in your head that would go bad quickly and that won't freeze. I want you to only have to do one grocery trip for the week, so if any of your recipes have ingredients that don't last or store well, plan for them on the first or second day of the week. I'm a food safety nut so I freeze any meat that I won't use right away. If you're the same, then plan on freezing meat right away and make notations on your schedule of what to thaw on what day. I.e. You're making chicken potstickers on Tuesday and grilled steak on Wednesday. So mark a notation on Tuesday to thaw steaks in fridge before making pot stickers. Some fridges might need two days in order to thaw (that would be my fridge set to the lowest setting... the food safety nut). If you're planning on a freezer casserole for a busy night, pick a day to make the casserole (like a day off or on a day that you're already cooking with that meat). If you have a slow cooker meal planned, mark a notation the night before to mix ingredients in the crock and leave in the fridge, so all you have to do is insert into crock pot and turn on in the am. Then mark a notation to leave yourself a post it note on the door the night before, because you know you'll forget to start it if you don't have a reminder.

*HINT* If you're an avid coupon user, this would be a good time to pull them out and decide what ingredients you can get cheaply. If you aren't already using coupons regularly, skip that for now until you can easily menu plan. We shop at wegmans with consistent low price lists (they change seasonally to reflect the lowest prices of items popular for that season). I'll occasionally coupon, but I mostly use the CPL list to plan. You'll still save tons of money by eating in every day, even if you don't coupon or use flyers (as long as all of your meals aren't lobster, filet mingnon and beef wellington).

Create your Shopping List

11. Write categories on a blank piece of paper (meat, dairy, deli, produce, canned, etc) or use the link on step #5 to have a preprinted list. Think about where the ingredients are in your grocery store. List those areas. Start adding the ingredients from your recipes (even if you think you already have that ingredient!) to the correct category. If you come up with a duplicate ingredient, just add it to the first entry like in the photo below. Check through your kitchen and cross off any ingredients you already have.

Pricing and Budget

12. If you have a pretty decent idea as to what things cost, estimate the costs of each item by putting a small number to the side of it. If you aren't sure, estimate up. Add up the costs of your groceries and decide if that's a manageable number for your budget. If it's not, take a look through the list and decide where you can save. Is there an ingredient that can be cut? Can you cut out mushrooms or similar ingredients from a recipe? Is there a substitute that can be made (purchasing store brands for cheaper or buying in a bulk pack to use the ingredient next week as well)? Is one of your recipes particularly expensive? Can you substitute that recipe out? Can you go meatless one day? After you're all done and you have a final price, add that amount in large numbers to your grocery list. That's your goal amount. We're almost always under our goal amount and if we aren't, something will be getting cut. Our grocery budget for two adults and one child, plus 3 additional children during the days (breakfast, lunch and snack) is between $100-150, depending on what our monthly budget goals are. We average $120.00/week.

Grocery Shopping

13. Head out and buy those ingredients! Store things so they will last until they are needed. Post your menu and schedule on the fridge so you can refer to it every day and ensure things will run smoothly.

Tips and Tricks

14. If you're packing lunch, you need a small cooler and at least 2 ice packs. It's imperative that you (or your husband!) remember to bring in your cooler at the end of the day, put your ice pack back in the freezer and empty your cooler. I would have a minimum of 2 ice packs per person available in case you forget one day.

Good luck! Think of me when you're chilling in Disney World spending the money that you saved!

Menu Planning: Step by Step Part 1

2014-08-04T06:30:00.000-04:00

Do you love the idea of saving a boatload of money through menu planning, but every time you try, it seems to cost you more money? You've come to the right place! No complicated coupon cutting, you don't even need to shop the ads! This is a very basic, step by step instructional on how to start menu planning. This post will be broken into three sections. Part 1 will be the first planning steps. Part 2 will continue with the next steps for those who would like to create their own paper menu planning system. Part 3 will continue for those who would like to use MealBoard, an amazing iPhone app that does all the work for you. You can find out more about MealBoard here, and we'll cover it extensively in Part 3.

Your grocery budget has the most potential to reduce your budget and is also the hardest to reduce because it takes an enormous amount of preparation. If you do it wrong, you'll spend $120/week for 21 meals and then spend another $400 in a week eating out every day because you didn't plan appropriately. It doesn't have to be hard though! Follow these steps to do it the right way and make a significant cut in your budget.

You'll notice that many of these steps have nothing at all to do with groceries. That's because meal planning effects your daily life and it's necessary to have organization in other areas of your life before meal planning becomes a possibility. What if you don't have that organization? Don't worry! I can help!

Assess your life. Seriously, this is the most important step. Some lifestyles are impossible to menu plan for, or at least traditionally. If you work 12 hours a day, hang out with friends every day after work and just make it home in time to crash for the night and start again the next day then menu planning may not be for you. Maybe your weekends are different though? Maybe you can plan to eat at home or pack a lunch just on the weekends. Or maybe you're like us, with a pretty regimented schedule and time in both the morning and afternoon. If you're not like us, don't give up! We menu planned when I worked evening shift, Jon worked day shift, we never had the same day off and were seriously overwhelmed.

Figure out what the toughest part of your day is. What's the obstacle standing in your way to eating at home every day. Do you just not feel like cooking when you get home from work? Consider using the slow cooker and freezer meals that you can plan ahead for.

Figure out how many days you can reasonably eat at home. A number that fits both your budget and your schedule. Figure out where you're coming from. Have you been eating out 7 days a week? Do you know how to cook? Do you have raw meat phobia (don't laugh... I hate raw meat and it took a long time for me to be a full time eat at homer because of that!). If you're coming from a mostly eat out lifestyle, start small. Plan to eat at home 3x/week (mostly on your days off). If you don't know how to cook, start with mostly convenience cooking (my popular post on 15 minute meals would be a great thing for you to check out by clicking here).

Keep a schedule. Either written or on your phone. As soon as you have an engagement (an invitation to a BBQ, scheduled overtime, even a crazy deadline that you'll be stressed out for), write it immediately in your schedule. You're doing this so that when you menu plan, you'll be able to peek at the week ahead and know what days you need meals for. For example, the day you have a BBQ, you'll just plan to make a side dish to bring. On the scheduled over time day, you'll either pack a dinner to bring with you, or you'll decide to set aside $10 to eat out that day. On the stressed out crazy deadline day, you'll either have a freezer casserole ready to go if you plan to do the extra work at home, or you'll plan to pack a dinner that day (even something that you don't have to make like a can of cheddar broccoli soup, oyster crackers, an apple, and trail mix). If you have a family, keep everyone's engagements together. You can sync schedules with your family using something like google calendars or COZI, a free family calendar.

Have a family meeting and make the decision (or don't) to commit to this for two weeks. This doesn't mean that you turn down last minute invites because you don't want your thawed ground beef to go to waste. This means that when you break down and suggest to your husband that you just call in for a pizza rather than making dinner, he reminds you of your goals and doesn't rush to dial dominos. The reason this is important, is that you don't want to waste $100.00 on groceries if you know you won't commit to eating at home. This is why you start small if you haven't been eating at home at all. Make this an easy to reach goal.

Decide how you will track your menus and shopping list- by paper or electronically? If you choose paper, this will take longer and be considerably more work, but if you enjoy it (like a hobby), that may be the motivation for you to continue. If you want to do it electronically, and you have an iPhone, take a relaxing breath. You're covered. You have MealBoard, which is the most useful app that I've ever seen (and the only reason I refuse to give up my iPhone!) We'll go over the steps for both paper and Mealboard in the next two posts.

Coming up... Creating a Paper Menu Planning System
Want to make sure you don't miss the next post in this series? Subscribe by email in the box to your right and I'll reach out to you when it's posted.

Cheap Weekly Menu and Shopping List ending August 1st 2014 (Cheap, Easy Meals for $7/person per day)

2014-08-01T11:30:00.000-04:00

THIS WEEK’S CHEAP MEAL PLAN

Our easy menu plan and shopping list for about $7/person per day

If you like posts like this, just put your email address in the "subscribe by email" box to the right and I'll email you our weekly menu and shopping list every friday morning.

JUL 26 - SATURDAY
breakfast	Sausage Egg And Cheese On A Biscuit
lunch	Spicy Chicken Rolls Salads
dinner	Best Brownies
dinner	Macaroni Salad
JUL 27 - SUNDAY
breakfast	Cinnamon Roll pancakes
lunch	Baked Beans Hot Dog Corn Applesauce
dinner	Sausage Baked Penne
dinner	Aunt Pattys Salad
JUL 28 - MONDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Beef Stroganoff Skillet
JUL 29 - TUESDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Quick Taco Salad
JUL 30 - WEDNESDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Weeknight Ravioli Bake
JUL 31 - THURSDAY
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
dinner	Easy Italian Pasta Casserole 2
AUG 01 - FRIDAY
lunch	Leftovers From Last Night
breakfast	Bagel And Cream Cheese With Pineapple Slices
dinner	Chili, Cornbread, Pears

We're heading to a BBQ on Saturday night, so we only need a side dish and dessert.

Here's the shopping list after we removed the items we have in stock (staples and cheddar cheese that I caught a sale on last week).

Shopping list:

Estimated Cost of This Weeks Groceries: $109.00

A Few of My Favorite Things: Lunch Time: Pack It Up!

2014-07-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

A few of my favorite things…

Pack it up!

I'm actually a bit sad that I now work at home. Okay, that's a gross exaggeration. I love working at home, but I really do miss packing my lunch. Having a beautiful (yet cheap) lunch box packed with all of my favorite goodies. I still get to make Jon's lunch every day (complete with adorable notes- because that's what you do in lunch boxes), and occasionally I get to pack myself a lunch for an afternoon out, but it's just not the same.

So, I turned my longing into a collection of all of my favorite lunch related things. I pay close attention to prices in my blog related polyvore collections, so everything should be reasonably priced, but you should always shop around to ensure the best deal.

Hint: The Sistema collection (reusable plastic food containers) go on sale twice a year and are about 40% off. We use Sistema and love them. They hold up well, are reasonably priced even when it's not on sale and looks great.

Special occasion coming up? You'd be surprised at the impact of a small present tucked into a lunch box. Nothing expensive, but something they can use when they're at work. New pens, Chapstick, a framed photo for their desk, magnet games... anything that can brighten someone's day unexpectedly.

Lunch Time by rosemariegroner featuring a food storage container

Food storage container
etsy.com

Lunch pail
casa.com

Thermos thermo
casa.com

Kitchen gadgets tool
amazon.co.uk

Sistema
$6.73 - selfridges.com

Sistema
surlatable.com

Gap Nylon Lunch Box - lipstick pink
gap.com

CamelBak | Water Bottles, Sport, Filtered, Stainless Steel, BPA-Free
camelbak.com

Camelbak Eddy Glass Bottle
athleta.gap.com

Top 10 Favorite Snacks: Ready in less than 5 minutes!

2014-07-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

Need a quick snack to satisfy grumbly tummies? I've got you covered! Here's my ultimate favorites that can be whipped up in less than 5 minutes. Many are shelf stable and can be transported without a cooler to help keep you out of the drive through.

1.Sliced apples and a spoonful of caramel topping (for ice cream), almond butter or peanut butter.

2. Frozen grapes.

Just buy a bunch. Wash and freeze in a gallon ziplock bag. Pick off a few for a delicious frozen treat.

3. Microwave brownie.

Not your everyday snack, but if you're in the mood to indulge, far be it from me to stop you! Click here for the recipe.

4. Mozzarella string cheese dipped in marinara sauce.

Kind of a quick knock off of mozzarella sticks. You can also freeze a jar of marinara in ice cube trays. Pop the ice cubes into individual baggies and you can heat one or two servings at a time for small snacks.

5. Poor man's cheesecake.

Graham Crackers spread with cream cheese and a bit of jam. This is heavenly and not too bad in calories. Certainly better than the brownie in a mug!

6. Carrots and ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, hummus or hot sauce.

Seriously. Hot sauce. The place back home that we used to order pizza and wings from delivered carrot sticks seeping in the extra hot wing sauce. They were amazing. Which is why I now nosh on carrot sticks and hot sauce, even when I'm not pregnant.

7. Bold and spicy almonds.

Technically this isn't a recipe, but I just discovered them this winter and can't get enough.

I'm going to be trying out a DIY recipe for these soon. Until then, Diamond makes several flavors including habanero BBQ.

8. Trail mix.

Make your own: nuts, dried fruit and chocolate chips. Go nuts, try some with butterscotch chips!

9. Make your own chicken salad crackers.

They sell these in a package next to the tuna cans for almost 2.00 a package. You can easily make your own! Canned chicken or tuna, mayo packets saved from a lunch out, and crackers (Jon has been known to just mix the mayo in the can and eat it… We're classy like that).

10. Crackers, cheese and pepperoni.

Come visit my parents house and they'll offer you a plate of this... Every time. They're deliciously predictable and they know what works.

The Reading Round Up...

2014-07-24T18:49:00.000-04:00

Are you a fellow book lover? I love the way it feels to curl up in front of the fire with an amazing book.
Staying up late because you can't possibly go to bed until you find out what happens next? I'm right there with you. On the off chance you want to take a peek into my library, Here's what I've read this month...

Don't forget to make your library your second home... Not only do they have free books, e-books, audio books, DVD's, but they also have downloadable magazines for your iPad, tablet, or even your computer! Read more about free digital magazines at your library here.

The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass

I love teen sci-fi and dystopian novels. I also have a secret love of all things Bachelor. Cass brought my loves together in one excellent series. After the fall of the United States, A young girl enters a bachelor type competition to win the heart of the Prince. It's a fun, easy read.

A Shadow of Light (Shade of Vampire, Book 4) By Bella Forrest

I'm the queen of free. I haven't paid for a book in a long time. I blame Facebook for the $10.00 that I've spent on amazon for this series so far. Facebook kept advertising it on my feed and I noticed how many 5 star reviews it had. I was intrigued and bought the first book for the introductory price of 99 cents. It was only a few chapters and completely hooked me. I probably would have paid $20 for each remaining book if I had to. It follows the story of a girl kidnapped and brought to an enchanted island over run by Vampires (not the nice ones... no glittering here). There's one vampire that stands above the rest and falls in love with her. He begins to change for her. I realize how insipid this sounds, but if you're into teen sci-fi and you don't mind spending a few dollars (this series isn't in most libraries), you should give it a shot. Then you can blame me when you don't do laundry and dishes for a week because you can't put your kindle down.

A Castle of Sand (A Shade of Vampire, Book 3) By Bella Forrest

See above.

A Shade of Blood (A Shade of Vampire, Book 2) By Bella Forrest

See above.

A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest

See above.

The 100 by Kass Morgan

This is a teen sci-fi dystopian again. It was a great read, and it was a bonus to find out it's also a TV show that's already released 12 episodes. Sweet! After a nuclear war, the few survivors fled to a spaceship that hovers above earth until the radiation dissipates enough for earth to become habitable. 100 juvenile delinquents are sent down to earth to "test" the atmosphere and have to survive on their own.

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

If you've ever read a Sophie Kinsella novel, you know if you love her. I've adored her since I discovered Confessions of a Shopoholic. Like all of her novels, this was a fun, easy, light hearted read that had me smiling at the quirky characters and groaning at the predicaments they found themselves in.

The Undomesticated Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

This was a re-read. Probably my fourth or fifth re-read, but it's one of my favorites and really speaks to my life right now. Samantha and I both went from a high stress all consuming job to a domestic nightmare. I can relate. Reading this made me appreciate what I have and remember where I came from. I ended up baking 4 loaves of French bread while reading this because I couldn't stand reading the sensual way she approached baking without getting the urge to join in.

Spark (Sky Chasers #2) by Amy Kathleen Ryan

This is the second of a series that is fast paced, thought provoking and intense. Refugees from a destroyed earth are heading to new earth in two spaceships. After a generation of traveling, one of the spaceships attacks the other and kills or kidnaps all of the adults on board. Leaving children and teenagers to run the ship, continue the mission and attempt to rescue the remaining adults. What I loved best about this book is how you never really know who the good guys are and the bad guys. Everyone is a shade of gray working under extreme pressure.

Fire Study (Poison Study #3) by Maria Snyder

This series was a total surprise for me. Poison Study won me over with Valek (who next to Dimitri from Vampire Academy is my favorite literary boyfriend ever), but the series carried on with Valek as a minor roll. He would only appear in a few chapters. Snyder's writing is so compelling that I didn't even care. She draws you into a world of magic and crime and politics and you really don't have time to worry about what your literary boyfriend is doing.

Curious as to how I managed to only read books that I love this month? I use good reads, a free website and app that takes books that you review and offers recommendations based on your prior reviews. It's ah-mazing. Seriously, I'm on my third or fourth month with four stars being the lowest rating I've given a book. Usually I have to read 4 bad/mediocre books for every great book when I use the hunt and judge by the cover method at the library. Check them out here... (And follow me while you're there!)

A Few of My Favorite Things: Laundry Organization

2014-02-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

A few of my favorite things…

Laundry Organization

I'm not a fan of purchasing organization and storage products in an effort to organize yourself (read more about that here). I'm a firm believer in establishing the daily habit first and then "prettying it up". Meaning that when I hang my clothes up for tomorrow, they just get arranged on a hanger. It's been this way for months. Now isn't the time to purchase a pinterest worthy garment holder. I can do that when I don't even have to think about laying my clothes out the night before. Establish the habit then invest in it.

However, if this is an already established habit and your looking around for some good deals to spruce up your laundry room (or laundry closet if you're like me), check out my polyvore creation...

Click here for the original board where you can find stores and prices as well.

I love the Tide Bra Bags and have used them for almost 4 years now. I purchased two (each holds two bras) and with almost daily use, they've held up great. It makes it easy to wash bras in the laundry with your regular wash and have them stay perfect and well formed.

The retractable clothes line is a great way to save a little money in the summer by giving the electricity a rest.

The tabletop ironing board is great, especially if you have a front loading washer and can just leave it set up over the washer and dryer.

Head here to look at prices or to purchase...

Costco Membership for only a few dollars!

2014-02-05T10:55:00.001-05:00

LOOKING FOR A GOOD COSTCO MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT?

4 days left to grab a Costco Membership for a few dollars after gift cards and promotions... I've been debating this for a while and couldn't resist.

$55 ($104.47 value) for a Gold Star Membership

Includes $20 Costco Cash Card

Coupons for a 48 pack of Kirkland AA Batteries, a Kirkland Signature Case of Water, a Rotisserie Chicken + $4 off Kirkland Coffee and Albacore Tuna

Valid for new members for their first year of membership only

https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/1013597-membership-bonus-costco-cash-card-coupons?ref=share-post_purchase-copy_box-web-deals&rui=194212395&rpi=149748659

The Chopped Onion Project. Is there a limit to cutting costs?

2014-02-03T11:00:00.000-05:00

Can you be too cheap?

-the chopped onion project-

Chopping onions to save a few dollars. Seems simple huh?

I realized just how many onions we've been using lately. Rather than buying the 12oz bag of chopped frozen onions for $1.00 at Giant, I considered buying onions in bulk to chop myself. Wegmans has a 10 pound bag of onions for $6.99. I could use my mini food processor to dice them two or three at a time while I made dinner. "Easy!", I thought.

As the tears poured down my face and my eyes burned so bad that I thought I was doing permanent damage, My husband kept saying "Are you OK? This doesn't look like a good idea". Then, when I noticed my 17 month old son rubbing his eyes on the floor next to me, I realized that I actually have limits to frugality. In total, It took me about 15 minutes to chop and package those onions to freeze. Those 15 minutes felt like about 10 hours and I still feel like all I can smell is onions when I walk through the kitchen.

At the end of the day, I saved $5.81 for enough onions that will likely last me through three months. While a savings of 54% is pretty impressive on a whole food, it wasn't enough to endure the noxious fumes that plague me to this day. At the end of a year, I would have saved $24.

We'll just live recklessly and buy the frozen chopped onions, 'cause you know, we're extravagant like that:)

Don't be deceived by the ease of the mini processor... You're about to cry.

Born Free

BORN FREE has changed to THE BUSY BUDGETER You will be automatically redirected in 5 seconds.

BORN FREE HAS MOVED AND IS NOW:

The Busy Budgeter

Located at: BusyBudgeter.com

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If you are not automatically redirected, click the link above for all the same great Tips, Tricks and Money Saving Ideas with a new look!

Goodbye and Hello! Born Free Grows Up!

I pay $41.00/month for my iPhone Plan! Ting Review.

Benefits of Ting:

Promotions:

22 Free and Cheap Date Nights in Northern Virginia! Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, Alexandria, and DC included.

1. Blueberry picking at Great Country Farms (Loudoun County):

2. Cosmic bowling at Bowl America:

3. Potomac Nationals ball game:

4. FDR Memorial at Sunset:

5. Manassas Airport:

6. Planetarium:

7. Potomac River Waterfront Park at sunset:

8. Geocaching:

9. Hiking at Prince William Forest Park:

10. IKEA:

11. Biking/Walking the Mount Vernon Trail:

12. Free Yoga at National Harbor or Lorton Workhouse Arts Center:

13. Free outdoor movies at (tons of places! Stonebridge Towne Center in Woodbridge and National Harbor are my favorites):

14. Gravelly Point on the Mount Vernon Trail:

15. Screw the traffic, stay in and have a cooking date night:

16. Washington National baseball games-

17. Ingham family Mystery Challenge:

18. Pinterest project date night:

19. Arlington National Cemetery:

20. Dollar Night at Arlington Cinema and Draft House:

21. Cherry Blossoms in DC!

22. The National Zoo:

Cheap Eats Menu Plan. 7 days, 21 meals, 3-6 people. $100.

Adjusted shopping list for pantry items

Full shopping list

What You're Missing at The Dollar Tree: Best Teaching Products!

1. Educational Wall Posters

2. Hall passes, Stickers, Rewards and Awards

Hall passes, awards, coupons, and fun handouts. If you need recognition items, they have it! They not only have tons of stickers, but they have popular character stickers too (Sophia the First, Jake and the Pirates, Mickey Mouse). Pencils, pencil toppers, you name it, they have it.

3. Flash Cards

They have flash cards in several different categories. From first words, to numbers, colors and shapes, to easy matching games for pre-k. They also have a good selection of flashcards for older grades, like multiplication, division, and grammar flashcards.

4. Calendars, Charts and Learning Clocks

5. Work Books

6. Classroom Decoration, Wall Decor

Bonus!

DIY Project - Kid Proofing Your Dining Chairs in 30 min, for $4.00

This weeks menu of cheap, easy meals. Less than $100/week. Week ending 8-22-13

Our Shopping List (not including staples, duplicates and unnecessary items)

Full Shopping List (Unedited, including staples, duplicates and unnecessary items)

Like me on Facebook! Pretty Please?

Santa Fe Rice and Beans Recipe: Feeds 6 for $3.00!

The Secret to Getting Free MP3's for Life...

1. The Library

2. Amazon Prime Music

3. Pandora, Last, Radio, Soundwave, Spotify etc.

Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make Right Now. Recipes Included.

Our Weekly Menu Plan

SHOPPING LIST:

Complete Unedited Shopping List:

Tools of the Trade: Batch Cooking (Electric Griddle for about $17!)

Batch Cooking: Tools of the Trade ( Electric Griddle for $17!)

Quick Breakfast Ideas (5 to 15 minute Breakfasts!)

Our Weekly Menu/Shopping List (Cheap, Easy Meals for $7/person perday): Week Ending 8-8-14

Full shopping List:

Our Total: $90.00 for groceries for the week.

Our Shopping List (minus pantry items)

Menu Planning: Step by Step Part 3 (Using Mealboard)

Menu Planning: Step by Step Part 2 (By Paper)

Menu Planning: Step by Step Part 1

Cheap Weekly Menu and Shopping List ending August 1st 2014 (Cheap, Easy Meals for $7/person per day)

This is the full shopping list that the app generates based on meal ingredients: (before I clean it up to remove duplicates and pantry staples)

A Few of My Favorite Things: Lunch Time: Pack It Up!

Top 10 Favorite Snacks: Ready in less than 5 minutes!

The Reading Round Up...

A Few of My Favorite Things: Laundry Organization

Costco Membership for only a few dollars!

LOOKING FOR A GOOD COSTCO MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT?

4 days left to grab a Costco Membership for a few dollars after gift cards and promotions... I've been debating this for a while and couldn't resist.