Frugal Valentines Day

Of all the holidays we celebrate there is one that I'm starting to not like. Valentines Day. It's not that I don't like this holiday, I just don't like the fact that it seems to be less about love and more about commercialism.

For starters why do things like flowers suddenly have to double in price just because people want to express their feelings for one another? And why do I have to send a valentine to my second cousins?  I thought Valentines Day was for lovers.

Well, I am not without a solution. First of all, I used to tell my husband not to buy me flowers on Valentines Day. I have since changed that because I love fresh flowers and I discovered that Costco has beautiful boquets for a reasonable price that is constant pretty much the whole year through. I also just saw in the Wal-Mart circular that a dozen roses are only $15. Not too bad.

Second are the paper Valentine cards the kids exchange at school. I put a dollar limit on these. And  I do mean $1. I refuse to pay $4 a box (x 2) for something kids are going to open, look at, then throw away. My favorite place to find these little cards is at the thrift stores. They often have popular themed cards for 25c - 75 c a box. Another good time to buy them is the day after Valentines when everything is 50% off and save them for next year.

An even better idea is to have the kids and you for that matter, make your own Valentine cards. There are lots of great sites out there with cute ideas like AllFreeCrafts.com. I especially like the post Valentines Day on a Dime found here. They have lots of cute ideas that I've done myself.

This year I've decided to do some collage cards. I love these! I go through Walgreens Photo and it only cost me 31c for a super cute 4x6 collage photo that I'm using as a card.

Remember, the best gifts really are the ones from the heart.

Live less, live more
Renee


"Please notify me of any new posts"

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Family Meals Under $5 - Taco Bake

Sorry to give you a mexican dish 2 weeks in a row but there were a lot of things on sale this week for the Super Bowl so it just worked out that way. I know you'll enjoy it anyway.
This recipe comes from my tried and true church cookbook. Thanks Melanie for a great recipe.

Taco Bake - $4.21
Lettuce - .25c (.49c a head for leafy green @ Super 1 Foods)
Sour Cream - .24c (.48c 16 oz tub @ Super 1 Foods)
Total - $4.70

1 lb lean ground beef - $1.68 Super 1 Foods
1 15 oz can chili - .78c Super 1 Foods
1 15 oz can tomato sauce - .33c stock up from Trading Co
1 sm onion, chopped - .23
1 clove garlic, minced - .02
1t ground cumin - .03 Winco Foods
1/2 t chili powder - .01
1/2 lb cheddar cheese, grated - .86 ($3.44 2lb loaf @ Trading Co.)
3 oz corn chips - .27 ( $1.97 22oz bag Mission tortilla chips @ Trading Co.)

Crush chips on the bottom of a greased 2qt casserole dish. Brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Add spices, chili and tomato sauce. Stir to combine. Place on top of chips and top with cheese. Bake at 350 for 20-30 min or until heated through.

I would serve this with lettuce, sour cream and tomatoes. I'd only do the tomatoes if you could get them at a good price which seems difficult these days.  If not just leave them out.
I can't wait for summer and fresh tomatoes from the garden!

Live less, live more
Renee


"Please notify me of any new posts"

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Family Meals for Under $5 - Fiesta Macaroni Supper

My Under $5 dinner is a one pot dish that I whipped up before we had to be at a Boy Scout Court of Honor this week. When we have weeknight meetings, dinner can sometimes get pushed back until it's too late and we end up eating really late. That's why I love one pot dinners that can be prepared quickly with ingredients that you're likley to have on hand. This one can be ready in about 30 min.

Fiesta Macaroni Supper - $4.91

1/2 onion, chopped - .13
2 cloves garlic, minced - .04
1 green bell pepper, chopped - .65
1lb lean ground beef - $1.75 ( not the best deal, I've seen cheaper)
1/2 of a 16oz bag of frozen corn, thawed - .49 ( 98c @ Winco)
1c salsa - .61c
16 oz macaroni - .50 ($1.48 3 lb bag @ Super 1 Foods)
2 15 oz cans tomato sauce - .66 ( .33c each @ Trading co.)
1 T chili powder - .05
1 t cumin - .03 ( Winco )

In a large pot cook macaroni till al dente. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, brown ground beef with onion and bell pepper. Add salsa, tomato sauce, corn and seasonings. Simmer 5 min. Add pasta to meat mixture and stir till combined and heated through.

Live less, live more
Renee

"Please notify me of any new posts"

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

A Quick tip

I just wanted to share a quick idea that I had.

When I see a really great deal on something I try to stock up and get as much as I can. This means that I can have 2 of the same item in my cupboards that I paid very different amounts for. When I'm trying to figure out the cost of a meal I have to remember what I paid for a particular item. This can be daunting.

Solution. When I come home from the store I just write the price I paid on the outside of the can, jar, or whatever. Then when I use those items I can easily total my cost.
This will also tell me the average cost of a particular item so I'll know when it's a good time to stock up.

Live less, live more
Renee


"Please notify me of any new posts"

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Swap -n- Share

Today I had a great time getting rid of stuff that's been cluttering my house and picking up a few things that I can use and visiting with friends while doing it!

The ladies organization at my church organized a Swap -n- Share. The idea is that you bring things that you no longer need and take things that you do need or want. At the end the leftovers were donated to a local womens shelter and thrift store. We  also were treated to a delicious lunch.

This is a great way to clear out things you haven't used in awhile and let someone else put it to use.  It always feels good to clear out all of the junk that seems to magically accumulate in our homes. We say we're going to use that thingamabob "someday" yet never seem to get around to it. Why not let someone else. Another benefit is that you don't have to pay for anything. Very frugal.

The next time your cleaning out your closets consider organizing your own swap -n- share.

Live less, live more
Renee

"Please notify me of any new posts"

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Simple ways to save money

I just read a great post from Gayle over at The Grocery Cart Challenge. She talks about how spending a little extra time can really save you money.

Saving money doesn't have to be difficult. Many people are amazed at the fact that I can make an entire meal for only $5. What usually makes this possible is making things from scratch or not buying the pre-packaged, already done for you foods. The Farmers Casserole dinner is a good example of this.

Thanks for the refresher Gayle. You can click on over here to read her post.

Live less, live more
Renee








"Please notify me of any new posts"

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Buying a Used Car - Part 5

Finally, 4 "Must Do's" Before Buying Any Used Car

1. If you are interested in a particular car, ask the dealer or owner if you can take it on a test drive. Try to drive the car under many different conditions, such as on hills, highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.
2. You also may want to ask the dealer or owner whether the car has ever been in an accident. Find out as much as you can about the car's prior history and maintenance record.
3. Getting an independent inspection by an experienced mechanic is a good idea before purchasing any used car.
4. Be prepared to negotiate. Many dealers and individuals are willing to bargain on price and/or on warranty coverage.
   

A penny saved is a penny earned,
--Greg

"Please notify me of any new posts"

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner