budgetsmartgirl

Posts Tagged ‘Thanksgiving’

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Thanksgiving Made Easy

In Budget Smart Cook on November 22, 2011 at 4:22 pm

Thanksgiving, or any meal for that matter doesn’t have to be fancy and expensive to be great and memorable. Here are some tricks I’ve learned along the way-

 

Stuffing

Sure, you can make it from scratch but I’d rather concentrate on another dish. However, many years ago when I got tired of stuffing tasting the same year after year I decided to add a few ingredients and here’s what I came up with-

Jazzed Up Stuffing

1 16 ounce package of Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing mix

1 large onion, chopped

2 medium sized carrots, finely diced

1 8 ounce package of mushrooms, sliced

2 stalks of celery, finely diced

2 tablespoons oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Grease a large baking pan.

Make stuffing according to directions.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Add onion and cook until transparent.

Add carrots, celery and mushrooms and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring often and until the vegetables are tender.

Add the vegetable mixture to the stuffing and mix well.

Spoon into the baking pan and cook for about 20 minutes until it’s heated through.

If there’s any leftover, it makes a great stuffing for pork chops. Just make a slice in each chop, fill with some stuffing mixture and cook.

Pumpkin Pie

I know it’s supposed to be a traditional dish but last year I tried something completely different and  made a pumpkin and cranberry bread pudding in the slow cooker. It was delicious, easier to put together than a pie, and it didn’t tie up valuable space in the oven. Another good thing you can go away, do some other chores, and don’t have to worry about it.

Here is a link to the recipe I used. The only thing I changed was I opted for cooked cinnamon rolls instead of cinnamon bread. One because I couldn’t find bread, and two, cinnamon rolls were on sale and I had a coupon. I’m making this again this year and I know you’ll love this recipe too. And if you want every meal to use leftovers, this one makes a wonderful breakfast…that is if you have any left after Thursday!

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Pumpkin-Cranberry-Bread-Pudding

Mulling Spices

Two years ago I was given these mulling spices as a gift. They’re delicious in both apple and cranberry juice but I’m always looking for ways to use them in different ways. I mentioned the bread pudding. It called for milk so I added some  of the spices to the milk, simmered it for about 20 minutes and used it for the pudding. Just a simple way to make things taste even better. I’m guessing drinking the spiced laced milk would also be good on a cold winter’s night.

 

Gravy

I don’t know why but gravy is something most people seem to panic over making. Not that I don’t like homemade gravy but when premade is on sale…this jar was 89 cents, I think it’s one time store bought is better and sometimes cheaper than making it yourself. Something I like doing is adding carmelized onions and sauteed mushrooms too.

Leftovers

I don’t think it would be a holiday meal without leftovers. I look at them as free meals and freedom from cooking for a few days. Here’s something I make when I can’t think of anything else to do with them-

 Turkey and Vegetable Chowder (serves 6)

  • About four cups of leftover mashed potatoes
  • 1 cup leftover sliced carrots
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 sticks of celery, finely chopped
  • 3-4 cups of chopped leftover turkey
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  1. Heat the oil in a large pan, add the onion and cook over medium heat until soft, about five minutes. Add the celery and cook for another five minutes.
  2. Mix the flour with the stock and set aside. Add the rest of the stock to the pan, and then add the cooked carrots, potatoes, and turkey and stir.
  3. Add the flour/stock mixture and heat until smooth and thickened. Stir in the corn, peas and milk and season to taste. Simmer for about five minutes before serving.

Some Good Stuff on the Web

Here is a great article I found last week if you’re thinking of trying something new this year-

http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/8-creative-thanksgiving-side-dishes-143000556.html

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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It’s Almost Thanksgiving…make the most of this week

In Budget Smart Cook on November 21, 2011 at 7:23 pm

Meatless Monday will return next week.

Most of us think of holidays as being budget drainers but sometimes they can also save you money-

Make Your Own Stock

 

Here’s something I’ve been doing for a couple of months, making my own veggie stock and freezing it. And what better week to get a good supply of vegetable trimmings than Thanksgiving. I use a freezer bag and each time I peel carrots, chop onion, celery, broccoli I put leftover pieces in there. When the bag’s full I put the contents into a large saucepan, add 4-8 cups of water, depending on how many veggie trimmings I have. Throw in some peppercorns and a couple of bay leaves and let it simmer for about an hour.  I strain it and then put it into storage jars that can be used in the freezer or you can use freezer bags or even ice cube trays.

Make Your Own TV Dinners

 

Here’s another thing I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember, making homemade TV dinners. These ones are more healthy than the prepackaged kind and a great way to use leftovers. On Thursday any leftovers you have and yes, if you don’t want to eat the same thing for a week, make some TV dinners. I bought these divided plates many years ago and they’re perfect. I slip them into freezer bags, freeze them and then microwave them for quick meals.

The Sales

I’ve been holding off buying things like make up and some books I’ve been looking for until this Friday or even Cyber Monday. Look for deals a plenty from Friday onwards. Here are some sites I’ve been checking for codes and free shipping details-

www.dealhunting.com

www.retailmenot.com

www.currentcodes.com

www.dealnews.com

Grocery Bargains

And once the week is done lots of Thanksgiving related items will go on sale. It’s the best time of the year to stock up on non-perishiables ready for next year’s festivities. And right now the best time to stock up on baking and canned goods too.

Be sure to check the Budget Smart Girl site for a new section I’ve just added, Current Freebies. Yesterday I added a link for a free Thanksgiving e-book cookbook.

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A Fuss Free Thanksgiving

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on November 10, 2011 at 5:36 pm

Whether it’s your first time making Thanksgiving dinner or your 21st, the big day can be tough on both your nerves and your wallet. I’ve found the key to any successful and inexpensive holiday meal is lots of preplanning.

Think About The Menu

The first think I always do is think about what I’m going to serve. Will I stick with favorite recipes or go for something new and maybe even more budget friendly? One word of caution here and I speak from experience. If you’re opting for the something new, give it a test run a couple of days before the meal. There’s nothing worse than wasting your time and money on making large batches of dishes no one will eat.

Once I know what I’m cooking I make my grocery list and check flyers for three or four weeks leading up to the holiday. The one thing I love about this time of the year is bargains are plentiful and coupons, well sometimes you have more than you can organize. Best thing is lots of non-perishable items are on sale which is when I stock my pantry or freezer for a good six months.

 Some of my favorite buys are cans of Mandarin  oranges…great for salads in the spring and summer. Pineapple for stir frys, pumpkin for soups and desserts, and soup, mushroom and chicken always seems to go on sale and they’re perfect for sauces for pot pies. In fact, I had coupons for soup last week and my local store was selling them for 60 cents each so I have a shelf load of soup now. I even buy butter, margarine and flour for pastry making and store it all the freezer. Stuffing is another buy now, use later item. And things like cranberries that can be frozen and used when they’re double the price in the spring and summer. And yes, if you’re not sick of turkey by the end of the year, it’s on sale and freezes perfectly.

Get it Done the Day Before

One thing I’ve learned to keep you from going insane the day of a big meal…and also freeing up oven space, is to cook a few items ahead of time. I always make desserts a couple of days before and just reheat them in the microwave. I’m also relying more on my slow cookers for vegetables. Speaking of which I always cut and chop all the vegetables the day before too. Most stores have prepackaged items like chopped veggies and fruits but they can take a big bite out of your budget and are always way over priced.

 Spread Out the Cost

One way to ease your budget during the holidays is to get others to bring along dishes. I know most people ask if they can bring a pie but with so many people watching their money these days I don’t think anyone will raise an eyebrow if you assign each guest one sidedish or dessert.

Buffet Style

And one way to really make things simple is to go with a buffet style meal where guests can help themselves and sit anywhere they like.

Decorations

Once again Mother Nature provides lots of free table decorations this time of the year, acorns, leaves, twigs, sections of branches that have snapped off in storms. And look for those mini pumpkins you can buy at the store, sometimes you can get them for around 3 for $1 if you wait almost to the last day.

Here’s a photo of one of my first flower arrangements I’ve made since starting my new hobby-

Think About Leftovers

One thing I love about big meals is the leftovers. Think ahead to what you’ll do with the turkey, stuffing, vegetables. I often make soup, frittatas with the vegetables, and what I can’t use, I freeze.

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Let The Shopping Begin

In Georgine Saves Blogs on November 8, 2011 at 6:01 pm

 

 

Here is Georgine’s November blog post. (I love the idea of the clothespin for holding the coupons you’re using that shopping trip).

Let the holiday shopping begin! November is the kick-off month with special deals and sales in holiday baking and cooking products, and of course, gift-giving suggestions!

Black Friday has notoriously been named the beginning of what’s to come. There are many online deals to be found that will help you avoid the crowds and frustrating long checkout lines. If you can wait, many extra deals will be found on Cyber Monday (11-28, the Monday after Thanksgiving) even some of those that were offered in stores on Black Friday. No matter what the weather is in your area, you will be warm and dry because these will be on your computer!

Wal-Mart has issued this press release. For the first-time, at Kohl’s you will get $15.00 in Kohl’s cash every time you spend $50.00 starting Black Friday 11-25 through 11-27.Also for the first time, Macy’s will open all its stores at midnight after Thanksgiving and close at 11:00 pm on Friday 11-25.  Target announced that it will also open doors at midnight for specials and plans to stay open for 23 hours too.

 If you are looking for Electronics Black Friday Deals try Amazon.com to let your fingers do the ordering. TVs, stereos, camcorders, and GPS devices will be on sale. Whenever you order online always look for coupon codes (I post the ones I know on my site or you can try Google to find a code); these will save you extra at the checkout. A great site is Shop At Home where you will always find the most current codes, coupons, and FREEBIES!

If you want to get a jump on the rest of the shoppers, pre-Black Friday sales events are being held at O.com(this site was formerly called Overstock.com).

Of course, toys will be on almost every list! Bikes are high on the holiday list too and you can get many that ship FREE!

Hardware items to look for will be ladders, heaters, Christmas lights and garland.

You can get a good deal on wedding gowns due to slow sales this time of the year. Boutiques are clearing out their inventory. If you will be a military bride you may win a gown at Brides Across America. Check for the event in a city near you this month.

In the grocery store look for baking products as well as paper and aluminum foil products sales. Many supermarkets will be having FREE turkey or other FREE holiday dinner deals. When you are shopping for your holiday turkey be sure to check if the word enhanced is on the label. If it is it means the turkey has been injected with broth and flavorings. This really means that up to 33% more liquid has been added to boost the taste of your bird, but in reality you are paying more for it because it weighs more, but you are getting LESS meat because that is not where the extra pounds are! While shopping for groceries, Consumer Reports’ Eco-Labels app will tell you the truth behind product labels, and it’s only 99¢ at iTunes. Always check Coupons.com before you head out to the grocery store. Check often as they change coupons constantly! With the hectic pace and extra items on your shopping list, bring a clothespin (the press-open kind) and attach it to your grocery list. Pull your coupons as you place the item in your cart, and then put them in the clothespin for easy access at the checkout. You won’t lose them that way either!

To make sure you get the best product at the best price, I recommend Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper app. It’s filled with great buying advice tips for appliances, electronics, and babies and kids items, and allows you to comparison shop with both online and local retailers. This app is only $4.99 for one year and will certainly save you much more than that! You can download it at iTunes.

If you can stay organized, always make a list, you will get through this month by saving money and time.

http://www.georginesaves.com/

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Coupons Yield a Cheap and Yummy Thanksgiving Meal

In Uncategorized on November 4, 2011 at 2:40 pm

 

 

Here is Marcia’s November blog post and if you’re wondering how to save money on this year’s Thanksgiving feast read on-

Thanksgiving is one of those meals we all look forward to. Just picture it – the juicy turkey (or tofurkey if you’re a vegetarian), the overflowing dishes of mashed potatoes, green beans, glazed carrots and warm rolls, all topped off by apple or pumpkin pie. Sounds expensive, doesn’t it?!

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. By collecting, organizing and using coupons, rebates and special offers, you can prepare a Thanksgiving feast that is both filling and financially frugal.

Turkey. To start, look for deals that will net you a free turkey. Does your supermarket reward you for shopping there by giving you a coupon toward a free turkey once you spend a certain amount? Or, can you take advantage of an annual Office Depot deal offering a $10 Butterball turkey certificate when you place a $125 order (here are the details: http://www.officedepot.com/promo/redir.do?adid=145116)? Even if you can’t get a free turkey, wait until a week or two before Thanksgiving to buy yours, when prices hit their annual low point. You may even want to get a second turkey now for Christmas or New Year’s.

Side dishes and casseroles. Coupons matched with sale prices at the supermarket will bring the cost of your succulent side dishes to a minimum. Watch sale prices and then use coupons on the smallest size package available, to pay the least amount possible out of pocket. Better yet, use your coupons at a store that doubles or triples coupon values. Or hunt down some of the free Idahoan brand potato coupons on eBay or at a clipping service (here are some that are currently available: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=idahoan+coupons&_sacat=See-All-Categories).

Dessert. Homemade desserts are generally the cheapest, so watch for sales on baking ingredients. But if you don’t have the time, frozen pumpkin and apple pies often go on sale right before Thanksgiving, too. There are also some coupons available on eBay for free frozen Mrs. Smith’s pies (here is what I found today: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=mrs+smiths+coupons&_sacat=See-All-Categories).

Appetizers. To help pay for the appetizers, consider tracking down a rebate that will reimburse you for your chips and dip. Here’s a good one worth $20 off a $20.01 purchase of a deli platter: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-20-00-Beer-Rebate-Coupon-off-Turkey-Ham-Deli-Platter-12-31-11-/150685895727?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2315944c2f. Or find a rebate that gives money back on your total purchase; Coors currently has a $10 rebate off a $50 gift card purchase, with no beer purchase required in several states: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-4-10-COORS-BEER-OFF-50-GIFT-CARD-REBATE-NBPR-EXPIRES-01-08-12-/250923168398?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6c2fb28e). The best approach to this rebate would be to buy $50 worth of gift cards from your favorite grocery store, thereby reducing your food costs even farther.

Finally, don’t forget to use up what you already have in your cupboards first. Using what you have will significantly reduce what you have to buy. Before you buy another bottle of cinnamon or bag of flour, check to see if you really need it. Paying less for a wonderful feast is something we can all be thankful for!

Marcia Layton Turner is an avid coupon clipper who saves thousands of dollars a year by using them. She is also the author of Extreme Couponer: Insider secrets to getting groceries for free.

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