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Archive for April, 2009|Monthly archive page

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Save Time…Save Money

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on April 30, 2009 at 2:30 pm

Days are getting longer and I don’t know about you, but my ‘to do’ list is getting longer too. I’ve been spending most of my spare time in the yard, cleaning flower beds and getting rid of last year’s leaves. For me, anytime I can save a few minutes here and there means I can spend more time doing what I love most…and yes, saving money too. Here are some things that work for me.

Make A List
Making a ‘must do’, and ‘try to do’ list, really helps keep track of valuable time. Here’s a Web site dedicated just to lists www.tadalist.com. And if you have trouble remembering certain dates try www.memotome.com. You can sign up for an account at both sites, and best of all, they’re entirely free.

Speed Cleaning
Experts tell us we shouldn’t be overly obsessed with the odd dust bunny or cobweb, but it really pays to clean as you go. Keeping up with the chores each day ensures things don’t get out of control. I used to devote my Saturday mornings to cleaning the house, but then opted to spread various chores over the whole week. Thursday I set aside for vacuuming, and Friday is laundry day, etc. For some speed cleaning tips check out www.dallasmaids.com/tips.htm

Errands
Here’s one of my biggest time wasters, running errands. One day it’s getting the printer cartridge refilled, one day it’s a trip to the pet store, the next it’s a stop at the post office. I finally decided the best thing to do was to sit down and make a list of everything I had to do that week and check if any could errands could be grouped together.

Oh, Those Lines
One thing that gets me really frustrated is the time I waste in line at my local post office. It seems no matter what time I go there the line is out the door because only one service window is open. Here are some strategies you can use. When I do finally muster up enough courage to get in line, I buy stamps in rolls of 100, and make sure I have enough stamps of other denominations to keep me going for at least another month or six weeks. You can also purchase stamps online at http://www.usps.com/. And lots of post offices now have self-service machines which really speeds things up.

A Little Help From My Friends
Sometimes we Budget Smart Girls need a little help getting through the day. Hiring outside help to do certain chores can make sense, even for the budget minded. If you’re taking time off work, and hence losing money, to get something done, think about how much it’s going to cost to get someone else to do it for you. What’s cheaper, giving the work to someone else, or taking a day off work to get it done?

Use the Internet
If I’m looking to buy something, instead of visiting stores to compare prices, I do a search online before I head out the door. It not only speeds things up by narrowing down what I want to buy, but also gives me an idea of what the average price is, and who’s got the best deal.

Timing’s Everything
I’ve made a note of when all the major stores in my area open for business. The supermarket opens at 6 a.m. the drive up window at the bank. 7 a.m. and both the library and warehouse store, 10 a.m. That way I know where I’m heading first and won’t waste time backtracking and waiting for the doors to open.

Be an Early Bird
Have you noticed dentist and doctor’s offices always seem to be running late when you arrive? It pays to be the first patient of the day. In some cases that might mean a 7.30 a.m. appointment, but there’s less chance that the doctor is running late because another patient didn’t show up on time.

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Meet The Meal Makeover Moms

In Budget Smart Cook on April 30, 2009 at 2:25 pm

dot-com-logoIf you read the first issue of the Budget Smart Girl’s newsletter, you probably remember the Meal Makeover Moms, Janice Newell Bissex and Liz Weiss. They’re both registered dietitians and their Web site www.mealmakeovermoms.com is all about making meal times easy. Here they share some of their tips and yes, some mouth watering recipes.

Budget Smart Girl (BSG)-Your goal is to help busy families eat better. Food prices have gone up and continue to rise, so do you think it’s more of a challenge now? And how can people work around higher food costs?
Meal Makeover Moms (MMM)-Yes, it is a challenge. Money certainly is a lot tighter now than it has been in the past few years for many families and food prices have risen as well. One of the easiest ways to keep food budgets in check is to prepare meals at home. Dining out costs more, so we recommend eating in more often.

BSG-You emphasize fruits and vegetables but some people aren’t buying these food items because of the cost. Any suggestions for ways to squeeze in some fresh produce but still stick to your food budget?
MMM-Check out the sale circulars and buy the fresh produce that is on sale and in season. Also, don’t forget about canned and frozen fruits and veggies. They can be just as nutritious as fresh and are often a great value.

BSG-I recently read that many people are now eating at places like McDonalds because they figure it’s cheaper than buying food at the store. It does seem tempting to stop by a fast food restaurant some days, but are there any cheap alternatives at the store? What bargain foods can tempt people back into eating at home? And if you do go to a fast food restaurant, any suggestions for healthful picks?
MMM-Some good values at the supermarket to help steer people away from fast food include things like eggs, potatoes, beans, value-priced family size cereals, whole grain breads and pastas, milk, and poultry or lean meats that are on sale. Planning your menu around the items that are on sale at your local market can save a bundle of money. When eating at a fast food restaurant be sure not to super size your meal! Check out the nutrition facts information before deciding what to order, drink water or low fat milk instead of soda, and make these trips an occasional treat, not a regular habit.

BSG-Your Web site has recipes, any particular ones you recommend we try as an example of a low cost, but yet healthful meals?MMM-Here are a few:
Vegetable Garden Tofu Pie (under $1.00 per serving)
http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/vegetarian/vegetable-garden-tofu-pie/
Potato Ole Omelet (under $1.00 per serving)
http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/vegetarian/potato-ole-omelet/
Slow Cooked Barbeque Beef (under $1.50 per serving)
http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/slow-cooker-soups/slow-cooked-barbeque-beef/

BSG-Your Web site also has the Meal Makeover Mom’s Club, tell me more about that and what people will find there. And tell us about your newsletter, what can we find in it?
MMM-We have over 6,000 members in our Meal Makeover Moms’ Club. Members receive a monthly online Newsletter or Update from us filled with new product news, recipes, favorite finds, notice of giveaways, and mealtime tips. Members can also send us their favorite recipe for us to ‘rescue.’ Our blog, Meal Makeover Moms’ Kitchen http://mealmakeovermoms.com/kitchen/ is a popular forum for sharing ideas and recipes, and our weekly radio podcast http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/podcast/ has a loyal following of moms and dads who listen every week for new recipes and tips.

BSG-Kids…and yes, sometimes adults love to snack. Sometimes the high fat, high sugar snacks are the cheapest at the store. Do you have any suggestions for healthful, bargain priced snacks to slip into the lunchbox or as an after school treat?
MMM-We all love to snack! In fact children get about 25% of their daily calories from snacks. It’s a good opportunity to fill in the nutritional gaps in the diet. We suggest making your own snack bags using snack-size zip-top plastic bags. Fill them will homemade trail mix made from dried fruits, and nuts, pretzels, and whole grain crackers or serve up graham crackers with peanut butter, popcorn, cheese cubes, apple slices, or one of the snack recipes below:

Grab-and-Go Granola Bars
http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/snacks-smoothies/grab-and-go-granola-bars/

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/snacks-smoothies/banana-chocolate-chip-muffins/

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The Blog-More Goodies for a Dollar

In The Blog on April 27, 2009 at 2:25 pm

Remember a few months back when I found a whole aisle of goodies costing just a dollar at the supermarket? I went searching for more and I’m glad I did because they’d added even more items. Here are some things I bought.

photos-for-budget-food-blog-035

All great pantry staples. And I was especially pleased to find the roasted red peppers for just $1. I have loads of recipes that call for roasted peppers and the price often puts me off making the dish. Yes, I know I should stock up on peppers in the summer and make my own, but I never seem to get around to it. At least these will tide me over until summer rolls around. Another bargain was the balsamic vinegar. I love it splashed across tomatoes and mozzarella cheese and it’s another item that can be pricey. And the jar of chopped garlic…well, that not only saves me some money, but now my hands won’t smell like garlic.

While I was at the store I used the coupons I’d found in the Eat Better America book I received and more of the coupons I’d received for recycling. I’m happy to say I saved nearly $16 on last week’s grocery bill. Hope I can do as well next time.

Coming up this week on Budget Smart Girl…how saving time can actually save you money. Plus, remember the Meal Makeover Moms? They’re back to share more tips and have some budget friendly recipes to share with us.

Have a good week.

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The Budget Smart Girl Newsletter-April 2009

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on April 25, 2009 at 2:19 pm

Issue 1, Number 4
Sorry this is arriving in your e-mail box a little later than usual. It’s been a busy month but I’m slowly catching up.

Entertainment
The warmer weather is here and sometimes relaxing in your backyard is about as good as it gets…and it’s free. Maybe it’s catching up on some reading or even watching birds or other wildlife. Here’s an article by Stephen Kress who’s the author of many birding books, including the Audubon Backyard Birdwatch Pocket Guide about ways you can make your yard critter friendly. It not only provides food and shelter for them, but can even add value to your property. And did you know you can even get your yard certified by the National Wildlife Association? Visit www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/ for more details.

Budget Smart Girl(BSG)-What are some easy (and if possible low cost) ways to attract birds to the backyard?
Stephen Kress (KS)-The best way to attract more birds is to mimic natural habitats. This can be done by:
1. Reducing the amount of close-cropped lawn- let some lawn grow into taller meadow which provides seed for birds.
2. Planting native, bird-friendly trees and shrubs.
3. Creating natural leaf composting piles under trees and shrubs.
4. Creating a brush pile from fallen branches.
5. Creating a bird bath in a shallow container such as the lid of a garbage can.
6. Making a bird house or drill 1 and ¼” holes in dead trees.
7. Planting garden flowers that attract birds like sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, purple coneflower and leave the heads on past flowering to provide seed.
8. Purchase a bag of bird seed and plant it to grow milo, millet and sunflowers.
9. Document your success in bird attracting with a BirdCam.

BSG-Once you start feeding birds, should you continue to do so even during summer?
KS-It’s not necessary to keep feeding birds once you start, as bird seed is only a supplement to the diet of most wild birds and birds move between neighboring feeders, rarely becoming dependent on one feeder.

BSG-Sometimes people want to feed wildlife but can’t afford to buy seed all the time. Any suggestions for pantry staples that are also suitable for birdfeeders?
SK-Birds will eat peanut butter which can be mixed with corn meal.

BSG-Is there anything you should definitely not feed to birds?
KS-No, but scrap breads, etc. will attract mostly House Sparrows and Starlings which compete with native birds. Avoid feeding suet (beef fat) in hot weather.

BSG-Any suggestions in where to buy inexpensive bird feeders, birdhouses and birdbaths?
KS-There are many plans for home-made bird feeders, bird houses and bird baths in my book the Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds. 2006 Cornell University Press. I enjoy documenting the success of my bird attracting projects with the BirdCam by Wingscapes www.wingscapes.com

BSG-How about other backyard visitors like butterflies. Any tips for attracting them?
KS-Butterflies are best attracted by garden flowers that are appealing. My favorite native butterfly attracting flower is Purple Coneflower. Help the butterflies and birds by avoiding the use of toxic pesticides and herbicides on backyards and gardens.

It’s Party Time
When you’re watching the pennies, the last thing you want to do is skimp on your child’s birthday party. Here’s an article written by Penny Warner with Balloon Time Helium Balloon Kits with some great ideas that are very budget friendly. For more information visit www.balloontime.com

Birthday Parties on a Budget
In these challenging economic times, we’re all looking for ways to give our kids memorable birthday parties without breaking the bank. Here are two unique ways to celebrate this special day, with quick and easy tips for money-minded hosts.

Storybook Party
Turn your child’s favorite book into a birthday fantasy world and watch the “characters” come to life!

Invitations
Photocopy the cover of your child’s favorite book, such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire or Harriet the Spy. Replace the title with the name of your party, such as “Luke Melvin and the Goblet of Fire Party” or “Stephanie the Spy Party.” Add party details in the empty spaces or around the edges. Ask the kids to come dressed as a favorite character from the selected book.

Decorations
Check out a bunch of similar books from the library and set them around the room. Reproduce items or scenes from the story using construction paper, posterboard and markers. Inflate helium balloons, download and photocopy the faces of the characters, and tape them to the balloons so they float around the room. Hang pictures or phrases from the book on the wall or use them as placemats.

Games and Activities
What’s My Line?

Read first lines from a variety of favorite stories and have kids guess the titles. Or, read lines of dialogue from the book and have the kids guess who’s talking.

Trivia Quiz:
Ask trivia questions about the featured book and have teams race to answer.

Write It Yourself:
Have the kids brainstorm a new plot for the featured book or turn it into a comic book.

Scene It:
Act out a favorite scene from the book, with lines and parts for everyone.

Refreshments
Choose foods from the book or make your child’s favorite foods and give them names inspired by the book, such as “Potter’s Pot Pies” or “Spy Soup.”

Birthday Cake:
Make a rectangular cake and decorate it to look like the book cover (you can have a photo cake made at the bakery if you prefer).

Favors
Send the kids home with a copy of the featured book, or a goody from the book, such as a Harry Potter wand or Harriet the Spy magnifying glass.

Bazillions of Balloons Party
Balloons are a fun and festive way to celebrate a birthday. Kids love helium balloons – and parents love how easy and inexpensive a balloon party can be!

Invitations
Inflate balloons with helium, write the party details on balloon in permanent marker, put balloons in individual boxes, and hand deliver them to guests for a surprise inside.

Decorations
Greet the guests and set the stage by first decorating the front of your home with bazillions of helium balloons. Tie them to the mailbox, float them from the trees, line the driveway or walkway, and surround the door with balloons.

Next, decorate the party room with even more helium balloons—tied to furniture, attached to door handles, around doorways and tied to lighting fixtures. Don’t forget to fill the entire ceiling with balloons for a dramatic look! (Tip: Buy a Balloon Time Helium Balloon Kit as they typically help save both time and money.)

Games and Activities
Step-and-Pop:
Tie a helium balloon to one ankle on each player. At the word “Go!” have the kids try to step on and pop each other’s balloons – while keeping their own balloons safe!

Pick, Pop, and Perform:
Write fun challenges on small pieces of paper for each of the players, such as “Do a silly dance,” “Hug a friend,” “Sing a pop song” and so one. Insert them into individual balloons, inflate the balloons with helium, tie them off and let them float around the room. Have players pick a balloon, pop it and perform the challenge inside.

Stuff a Superhero:
Blow up a bunch of balloons. Divide into teams and have teams choose one superhero from their group. Have the superhero put on a large set of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. On the word “Go!” have the kids stuff as many helium balloons as they can into the superhero’s outfit within a two-minute time limit. Count how many balloons were stuffed to find the winner.

Balloon Monsters:
Buy a balloon animal kit, give the kids some long, thin balloons, and let them make their own balloon monsters. Provide stickers, markers and other decorations and let the kids embellish their balloons.

Refreshments
Make balloon-shaped snacks, such as cheese and round crackers, round sandwiches, spaghetti-os or veggie rounds. Then serve a “round” of drinks.
Birthday Cake:
Make a balloon cake using round pans, frost it with your child’s favorite color and insert the end of a licorice whip on the side for the string. Decorate the balloon with mini-balloons (available at party stores.)
Favors
Send the kids home with a bag of balloons, a balloon animal kit or their own balloon bouquet.

Looking for More Party Favors?
One catalog that’s chock full of party favors and at budget smart prices is Oriental Trading www.orientaltrading.com. And don’t forget the local dollar store. They have just about everything you need from favors to paper cups at prices that can’t be beat.

Reading
Can’t decide what to read next? Check out www.dearreader.com You can sign up to receive the first chapter in the genre of your choice…yes, for free.
I seem to be on the mailing list for anything related to books and writing and I was sent a catalog from discount bookseller Edward R. Hamilton, www.hamiltonbook.com. Lots of good books and prices to match.
Anyone read Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki? Even if you didn’t you might want to check out Kiyosaki’s new book, Conspiracy of the Rich, The 8 New Rules of Money. He’s offering it for free one chapter at a time. www.conspiracyoftherich.com

Freebies and Coupons
You know you’re supposed to eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day, but sometimes it’s not that easy. How about drinking some of those fruits and veggies instead by sampling the V8 Fruit Fusion? Not sure you’ll like it, visit www.tryv8.com for a $2 coupon.
Someone told me about this site www.eatbetteramerica.com and I’m glad they did. It not only has some yummy good for you recipes but when you sign up you’ll also receive a coupon book with $1 coupons for items like cereal and frozen veggies.
And here’s a site I stumbled upon and oh, so glad I did. www.frugalfreebiesanddeals.com Sign up to receive their newsletter and you get a daily list of freebies, links to coupons and other stuff that makes a Budget Smart Girl smile.

Get Crafty
Here’s a site that also came to my attention last week www.favecrafts.com Sign up to receive more free patterns that you’ve probably got time to make.

Winners and Losers
Since starting Budget Smart Girl, my mailbox is now the recipient of anything related to money, finance and trends connected to those two things. I received this one just last week. A recent report regarding foods that are winners and losers during the current economic slump. Seems sandwich materials like jams, jellies and PB are hot. So are canned goods and frozen entrees. The losers… restaurants and organic food. So why did I decide to pass along this information to you? Well, what’s bad for them is good for us. I expect that restaurants will either lower their prices or find other incentives to lure us back. And watch for organic foods to come down in price too.

Consumer Information
Ever read a copy of the Consumer Information Catalog? Okay, it doesn’t make for the most exciting of reading but it’s full of great info you can send for. Some are free while others are reasonably priced on topics like cars, education, federal programs. www.pueblo.gsa.gov

Perking Up Cheap Meals
A couple of weeks ago I saw the flavored tubs of Philly Cream Cheese were on sale for $1. I love cream cheese and think it’s one of the best bargain foods around. I bought the chive and onion, and their new spinach and artichoke flavors. It’s a gourmet treat on crackers but this week I found another use for it. Next time you’re cooking something like sausages or hamburgers try serving them with mashed potatoes made with one of these flavored cream cheeses instead of butter and milk. It really gives them a different and yes, a gourmet taste.

Gardening
Okay, the trend toward growing your own food seems to have really taken off. Have a Home Depot near you and want to learn how to grown your own vegetables? You’re in luck because on May 14th, Home Depot is offering a free clinic on how to do just that. Visit www.homeimproverclub.com and click on Do It Herself Workshops to register and also check out some of the other free workshops. The skills you pick up from these clinics could save you a ton of money.

In the May Newsletter
Recipes, book review, reader tips will be back along with how to dress for less this spring and summer and expert tips on getting the perfect haircut for less. And be sure to send me more of your tips about how you’ve saved money. Take care.

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The Cost of Convenience

In Budget Smart Cook on April 23, 2009 at 1:57 pm

For us budget conscious cooks, we’re often torn between purchasing more convenience type foods that will give us some extra time or making everything from scratch.

But do you have to feel guilty if you spend a few extra dollars heading to the salad bar at the supermarket rather than putting together your own at home? I think you have to look at each situation as it arises. And now and then we all have emergency situations.

One place I’ve found that usually has some decent prices on ‘heat and eat’ foods is the deli at the supermarket. The prices are a bit higher than making the food yourself, but an occasional trip there won’t put a dent in your budget. And it’s a better choice than the fast food restaurant. Foods I’ve found with some good prices are the rotisserie chickens, oven roasted potatoes and vegetables. They also have some good deals on specials of the day, often lasagna or some type of fish.

Here are a few other foods I’ve found ideal for those emergency situations.

A bag of shredded coleslaw, especially the type with shredded carrots. A quick and easy side dish. If I have some in the fridge, I’ll pair it with homemade peanut and soy dressing. I also like the broccoli slaw that goes great with blue cheesing dressing and chopped roasted walnuts. It pairs ideally with chops, burgers or veggie burgers.

Speaking of burgers, I always make sure I have a packet of turkey burgers and veggie burgers stored in the freezer, plus a packet of hamburger buns.

A couple of bags of mixed vegetables, like baby corn, broccoli, sliced red pepper, perfect for a quick stir-fry

Phyllo and puff pastry dough. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a recipe for Phyllo dough and I can’t imagine spending an hour or so making puff pastry when you can get a package of both these items for less than $5. Perfect for a speedy pot pie.

Pizza crust. I always have every good intention of making my own, but whenever I pass the pasta aisle I see the prepackaged ones on the top shelf and can’t seem to leave the store without one.

Salad dressings-these days I make most of my own but I do keep one or two on hand for those just in case days. Not so much for salads, but types like Italian or vinaigrette dressings are great for a quick marinade for chicken or fish. The taste will make everyone think you spent hours on the recipe.

Frozen potatoes, I do make my own to freeze, but once again keep prepackaged ones on hand.

Quick cooking, frozen chicken breasts. Look for the type that doesn’t have to be defrosted before you put them in the oven. They can be pulled out of the freezer and on the table in 30 minutes.

Some type of packaged frozen fish, quick to defrost and cook and really versatile. And perfect for a quick dish like fish tacos.

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Sometimes It’s Not Such a Bargain

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on April 23, 2009 at 1:53 pm

The main goal of every Budget Smart Girl is obviously to save money. But sometimes buying the cheapest item isn’t always the best option for your pocketbook. I’ve found that for each big ticket item I buy it pays to look all the features as well as cost. Here are some of the checklists I use for doing just that.

How Long Do You Plan to Use It?
If it’s an item I know I’m going to be using on a daily basis and something that’s going to get a lot of wear and tear, I don’t mind spending a bit more money. These days you have to factor in the cost of replacement parts. And if it goes into the repair shop, labor costs too. Just those two things alone can add up to more than you actually pay for a bargain brand.

How Much Are You Really Saving?
I always write down all the brands I’m interested in buying along with their prices and so I know I’m comparing apples to apples, etc. Sometimes what looks like a bargain in the store isn’t that great a deal when you actually compare features and also warranties.

Ask Around
When I’m in the market for a big-ticket item I’ll often ask friends and family for their recommendations. I know some people do have bad experiences with certain items that aren’t necessary the manufacturer’s fault. And yes, some people are particularly picky, but on the whole if everyone tells me they’ve had a bad experience with a company or product, I’ll cross it off my list. On the other hand, if everyone tells me they’re pleased with their purchase; I’ll feel happy about handing over a bit more money.

Ask About Warranties
Someone told me you can tell how reliable a product is by how long the manufacturer gives on a warranty. The longer, the more reliable. Also, look at how much service will cost you once the warranty runs out. And how about refills and parts, are they easy to get? And can you just pop down to the local store and buy them? Is the company or manufacturer likely to go out of business? This can sometimes make warranties obsolete and replacement parts impossible to find.

Your Money Back
Also, does the manufacturer feel so confident about their product that they’re willing to give you a money back guarantee? And how long is this good for…two months, three? When we first moved into our house I realized gardening would be a lot easier if I bought a tiller. I visited several DIY stores but then saw an ad for a mail order tiller manufactured by a company that had been around for a long time. It was about $50 more than the ones I’d seen in the store, but what caught my attention was the machine came with a guarantee of free lifetime blade replacement. However, the thing that really convinced me to buy it was I could use it for a whole year and if I wasn’t happy (even after 365 days and maybe using it every day) I could get a full refund. I’m happy to say I loved it so much I never had to take them up on their offer. But it’s nice to know it was an option. And it made me feel more at ease about handing over my money.

Purchases for Your House
If you plan to live in your home for a long time, I think it’s more budget savvy to go with the higher end brands for items like water heaters, furnaces. It’s never fun waking up to a cold house or a cold shower when it’s 30 below. Plus, you’ve got to wait for the repair guy to stop by and as we all know some of these service calls can be around $100 an hour… and that’s before any work’s done. Four years ago we decided to replace our sump pump. Now as the pump in our house seems to be in continual use, we opted to buy a more expensive brand. This particular one gives us a lifetime replacement warranty. You don’t even have to deal with the manufacturer. You just take it to the store and get a new one. We’ve had to do it once and it was nice to know it was an option.

What About Clothes?
Okay, I know I’m always looking for bargain prices when it comes to clothes, but a few years ago I did start buying some higher end basic wardrobe pieces. Black pants, jacket, raincoat, and pumps. As I know I won’t be wearing them on a daily basis, I’m confident they’re going to last me a long time.


Free Financial Planning for the First 250 Readers

In Uncategorized on April 20, 2009 at 10:33 pm

I was sent information about Simplifi that’s a free and easy to use Web site that lets anyone plan for their financial future. It doesn’t launch until next week but they’re offering Budget Smart Girl readers a chance to give it a test run before it goes live. It’s limited to the first 250 people who log on.
Go to http://privatebeta.simplifi.net. The code is Dbxpaf5n

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The Blog-Special Day Means Giveaways

In The Blog on April 20, 2009 at 2:50 pm

This Wednesday is Earth Day which means lots of promotions and giveaways from companies promoting their environmentally products. Be sure to check your local stores and supermarkets because many will be giving away free samples of organic foods and cleaners or handing out coupons. Here’s one to check out on line from Reynolds Wrap. Seems you have to download the coupon for a free sample of their new recycled version on Earth Day. Here’s the link http://tinyurl.com/7uwlmo.

Well, the relatives have headed back home and it’s back to my normal schedule. I finally ventured out into the yard on Saturday and started to clean up the grass and flowerbeds. Lots of work ahead and it looks like we’re in need of either some deck repair or even a new deck. Guess it’s time to get some estimates.

Speaking of all the yard work ahead, saving time in the kitchen is a must this time of the year. Here’s a link to a great article by Alison Ashton called Kitchen Timesavers. http://tinyurl.com/dela8r. And yes, yours truly was quoted in it.

Coming up this week on Budget Smart Girl…the cost of convenience and how to tell if it’s really a bargain.

Have a good week.

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Pantry Staples

In Budget Smart Cook on April 16, 2009 at 2:10 pm

As someone who loves to cook, I’ve always been obsessive about keeping lots of supplies on hand for cooking and baking. However, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized just how valuable a well stocked refrigerator could actually be. I got up one morning to find the fridge had broken and everything had melted. Not wanting to risk food poisoning, I just decided to toss everything and start again. That’s when I knew that having a well stocked kitchen can actually save you money. Here are some of the items I keep in the pantry, fridge etc. If you haven’t already got a good supply, try buying a few items a week. Another plus is, impromptu meals become are a breeze.

Refrigerator
•A tube of tomato paste, great for jazzing up sauces, soups, things like shepherd pies. I recently found one made from sun-dried tomatoes so I’m eager to try that one.
•A jar of sun dried tomatoes in olive oil, great for salads, sandwiches and egg dishes.
•Peanut butter
•Sugarless fruit spread
•Low fat mayonnaise
•Miso
•Eggs
•A couple of different cheeses
•Gingerroot that I peel, cut up into pieces, place in a jar and pour vinegar over it.
•Chutney, I have a couple of different types in there, great for soups and sandwiches
•Dijon mustard
•Salsa, either homemade or store brand
•Jar of pesto sauce

Freezer
•A couple of loaves of bread
•Tortillas
•Filo pastry
a package of frozen peas
•Stir-fry vegetable mix

In the pantry•Worcestershire Sauce – no one should be without it.
•Soy sauce, low sodium if possible
•Tabasco, both red and green varieties
•Cans of beans, different varieties, garbanzo, kidney, etc.
•Cans of Chile peppers
•Cans of tomatoes, crushed, some with peppers
•Jars of pasta sauce
•Olive Oil
•Balsamic vinegar
•Sea salt
•Lots of herbs and spices
•Raisins
•Nuts
•Breadcrumbs

I found a great way to keep all the staples organized in the pantry. A couple of years ago I bought two boxes of Mason jars while they were on sale, thinking I’d spend a couple of days canning tomatoes etc. Well, let’s just say I got a little sidetracked with work and never got round to it, so here I was with two boxes of jars taking up space in the basement. I now use them as containers for the staples. I got so carried away with my newly found organizing skills, I even went out and bought one of those label making machines and labeled all the jars.

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Live Green, Save Green

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide, Living Green, Saving Green on April 16, 2009 at 2:00 pm

April 22nd is Earth Day. Even if you don’t consider yourself an environmentalist, living the green life can often save you money. Here are some easy ways things you can do.

Free Exercise
Maybe a pricey health club membership is out of your reach right now, but there’s something that’s free and can really keep you in shape, and that’s taking a walk. It also makes the ideal free activity the whole family can do together. Daylight Savings is already kicked in and with warmer weather on the horizon; it’s the perfect summer workout. And as gas prices might be on the increase yet again, why not dust off the bike, tune it up and head out for a ride.

Another Person’s Treasure
How many times do you get tired of something and toss it into the trash? Okay, I’ve been guilty of this one more times than I care to admit to. But you’ve got some other options. Either sell it and make yourself some pocket money. Donate it to charity and take a tax deduction. If you really want to get rid of it, why not put a sign on it saying it’s free and leaving it at the end of your driveway.

Paint Recycling
Close to where I live there’s a recycling center where you can take items like paint, vanish etc. to prevent them getting into landfills and contaminating the water supply. It’s not only a good way to rid yourself of leftover paint, but the center has shelves of full cans of paint people have turned in for one reason or another. Some of the colors might be a bit wild, which is probably why they’re there in the first place, but if you’re in the mood to try a new color for free, they’re definitely worth checking out.

Leave the Room…
In my house, everyone raises their eyebrows when I remind them to turn off the light when they leave the room. Yes, it’s good for the environment, but it’s good for the Budget Smart Girl’s purse too. And, okay, how many of you leave the cell phone recharger just sitting in the wall? If you really want to know what appliances are electricity hogs I found this neat little item in the Real Goods catalog called Kill-a-Watt. You place it between any appliance and the outlet and it measures the energy used www.realgoodscatalog.com. And another item you might want to check out is their battery recharger. I purchased one last year and I’m gradually switching over to all rechargeable batteries.

Some Web Sites of Interest
I found these Web sites you might like to check out. The Ecomall has links to just about anything related to things like organics, recycling and products that can help save the plant and your budget. www.ecomall.com www.sierraclub.org/tips

Refilling and Bulk Items
Refilling items is a great way to save some money while cutting down on the amount of containers that end up in the landfill. Most co-ops, and many supermarkets, have refill stations where you can take your rinsed out clean containers and fill up on everything from shampoo to coffee. And don’t forget buying items from the bulk bins saves money and uses less waste.

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