Great Christmas Gifts Under $15

Your list is long, and your money is short.  So how do you manage to give a great gift that will be well received and valued?  It's easier than you think. Remember the saying, "It's the thought that counts?"  Well, that is very true on a variety of levels.  First of all, you are giving a gift to someone because you are thinking of them.  Second of all, you need to give thought to what the recipient likes, needs, or would enjoy to ensure that your gift hits the mark.  There is nothing worse than giving or receiving a gift that screams, "I just grabbed the first thing I saw because I am expected to be giving you a gift!" 

STEPS TO THE PERFECT GIFT:  Begin your gift giving by making of a list of the folks for whom you'll be buying.  Next, go down through the list and think about each person as an individual.  What do they enjoy?  Do they have any specific needs?  Now, make a few quick notes answering those kinds of questions beside each person's name.  Your gift does not need to be expensive.  It does, however, need to be carefully considered.  Your goal is for the recipient to open their gift and think, "Wow! How did they know? This is so perfect!"  Taking the time to complete these few, quick steps will ensure you give great gifts that are spot on with your recipients.

SOME IDEAS.  Here is a list of inexpensive gifts that will help you get started.  Hopefully, these ideas act as a springboard to get your creative juices flowing. 

• Basket with kitchen gadgets.
• Hat, scarf, and gloves.
• Box of all occasion cards and a nice pen.
• Photo album with pictures of a special time or event.
• Deck of cards with a book of several card games.
• DVD rental certificates or coupons.
• Lottery tickets.
• Customized family photos in a collage frame.
• Candle set.
• Specialty coffee or tea and a mug.
• Fancy bath soaps and lotions.
• Small radio.
• A houseplant.
• Slippers.
• Book by a favorite author.
• Pizza pan and boxed pizza mix.
• Bath towels.
• Small tool kit.
• Wallet or change purse.
• Tarts and a burner.
• Emergency flashlight for the car.
• Small lamp.
• Brush and comb set.
• A clock.
• Cookbook.
• Seeds and a garden trough.
• An ornament.
• Box of favorite candies.
• A bottle of wine.
• Car wash accessories.
• Book of stamps and stationery.
• A manicure or pedicure set.
• Fuel coupon.
• A belt or scarf.
• Board game.
• Hobby supplies.
• Laundry basket and detergent.
• An audio recording of special memories, a poem, a story, or bible scriptures.

Blessings and may your gift giving be joyous and merry!

Frugal Seasonal Entertainment and Opportunities

With the holiday season upon us, it can be especially tempting to spend extra money on entertainment for the family.  You know what I'm talking about.  The great new holiday movie at the mall beckons.  There's a fabulous Christmas theatre production that is getting rave reviews.  TSO's latest concert has you salivating.   All are highly entertaining, but they all come with a price tag, and usually a steep one at that.

So, does this mean you just have to be content sitting at home taking in Charlie Brown's Christmas for the umpteenth time?  Nope.  You've got some awesome options available to you, and they are all absolutely free. Read on.  (For the record here, I love Charlie's Brown's Christmas.  We watch it every year. It's my favorite holiday classic!)

To get you started, here are just a few things our family enjoys.  Once you get in the mode of thinking along these lines, you'll find all the information you need to attend such offerings by checking out the websites for local organizations in your area.

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK:  Like many municipalities, our town sponsors a three-day event called The Illumination of the Veteran's Memorial Park.  The historic log cabin, train caboose, covered bridge, gazebo, and train station are all decorated and open for touring.  Along the pathways are imaginative and enticing holiday displays presented by the local churches and businesses.  This year there were laser light shows, merry-go-round rides, and horse and buggy rides complete with photos in the the Christmas sleigh all free of charge to anyone in attendance. That wasn't all. Patrons were treated to choral concerts presented by the local high school choir, several church choirs, and even some spontaneous carolers!  There was even free popcorn, coffee, and hot chocolate.  The event culminated with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus aboard the town's fire truck on the final evening.  It truly just doesn't get any better than strolling around with those you love in a lightly falling snow, cup of hot chocolate in hand, enjoying sparkling Christmas lights amid the sounds of beautiful seasonal songs.  A great evening out and all absolutely free. 

SPIRITUAL EVENTS. Want to enjoy a musical treat?  How about spending a Sunday afternoon enjoying the chorale cantata presented by an area church?  Or perhaps you would rather attend a play.  Tis the season for great children's programs!  Churches and other spiritual centers typically present a wide array of holiday events ranging from plays and live nativity presentations to special services and holiday dinners.   Such events are usually free or by donation for anyone who wishes to attend. 

REGIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION OFFERINGS.  Check the website for your regional park district for events and programs.  Better yet, asked to be placed on their mailing list.  We receive a quarterly publication from Five Rivers Metroparks in our area that is brimming with great things to attend and enjoy. From educational classes to outdoor exercise, park district events have it all.  Some of the free offerings noted in our Park Guide Winter Edition include winter backpacking excursions, step-by-step nature photography classes, birding workshops, parents and kids nature programs, luminary walks, crafting classes, and even a few cooking classes!  Many of the seasonal events, such as the luminary walks, also include live seasonal music along with holiday snacks to be enjoyed by a woodburning stove inside one of the several inviting nature centers.  These types of events are always among the favorite seasonal activities for our kids.

CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING.  Spend a few hours at your area food pantry sorting donations.  Help pack care packages for our troops overseas.  Take an elderly neighbor to the grocery.  Such activities are not only good for your community, they are also good for your soul.  While you can and should embrace volunteering opportunities throughout the year, they seem especially rewarding during spiritual seasons.  Take your kids along and help them actively learn what it means to treat others as they would wish to be treated.  There is likely no other free activity that packs as much intrinsic reward as volunteering in a way that helps others. 

With a bit of thought, there are a plethora of activities and events your family can enjoy for little or no cost.  We find that these types of events, compared to the pricier options,  are the ones we actually enjoy the most.  I wish you the same.

Holiday Gift Idea: Peppermint Bark

With the holiday season upon us, it's time to whip up an awesome holiday treat that's easy to make, inexpensive, and has that wonderful WOW factor from anyone who tastes it.  This candy makes an impressive gift for family, co-workers, unanticipated holiday visitors, neighbors, and friends.  It is so simple to make and tastes heavenly.  The following method is my favorite for gift giving because it is so pretty.  However, if you prefer, the following recipe can be completed using only white or dark chocolate alone.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

One 12 oz bag of dark chocolate chips.
One 12 oz bag of white chocolate chips.
2 tsp vegetable oil.
About 30 starlight peppermints or 5-7 candy canes, standard size.
1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract.

STEP ONE:  Put your peppermint candies into a sturdy gallon size freezer bag.  Place the bag onto a wooden cutting board and crush the candy to the desired-size pieces using a wooden rolling pin.  You can also place the bag onto a cement floor and carefully use a hammer to crush the candy.

STEP TWO:  Line a rimmed baking pan with wax paper.

STEP THREE:  Place the white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl or in a heat safe bowl placed over a pan of steaming water until just melted.  Mix in 1 tsp of vegetable oil.  (The purpose of the oil is to simulate tempering of the chocolate.  This will keep the chocolate shiny, give it a nice "snap" when it's broken, and prevent white spots from appearing.  These spots occur in untempered chocolate due to the cocoa butter rising to the surface of the chocolate.)  Pour the melted chocolate onto the wax paper covered cookie sheet and spread it around with a wooden spoon or spatula until it is evenly spread to the edges of the pan.  Set aside.

STEP FOUR: Heat the dark chocolate in the same manner.  Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract.  Pour this mixture over the white chocolate, which should be just slightly set.  Use a knife to swirl the chocolates around a bit to create a marbled look. Just a couple of swirls is all you need; otherwise, your chocolates will blend together too much and no longer look pretty.

STEP FIVE:  Immediately sprinkle the desired amount of the crushed peppermint candies over the top of the chocolate and carefully push them into the chocolate using the palm of your hand.

STEP SIX:  Place the cookie sheet in a cool place until the chocolate is well set.  Once set, break the candy into the desired sized pieces.

STEP SEVEN:  Store the candy in an airtight container.  If the candy is to be used as a gift, place it into decorative party bags or holiday tins lined with wax paper.  Keep in a cool place prior to eating or giving as a gift.

Your Home, Your Haven

You don't have to spend a mint to have a wonderful, comfortable, inviting home.  Your home should be a place that brings you peace and happiness.  It should be inspired by the needs of your family and the amenities that serve your values.  Think about the homes you've visited that you enjoyed the most.  In almost all cases, I can virtually guarantee those homes weren't the ones with the latest gadgets and rooms full of brand new furniture.  They were, most likely, homes where you felt nurtured and welcome.  A place where you could have a nice time and felt really comfortable.

When I think of my favorite homes, I always think of my grandparents' house.  Their furniture was an eclectic mix of furniture acquired from a variety of sources ranging from family heirlooms to garage sale finds.  The kitchen table was ancient and most of their dishes didn't match.  The beds were covered with handmade quilts, and the floors with older braided rugs over hardwood floors.  It was always neat and tidy and seemed to always smell of some scrumptious baked good my grandmother had in the oven.  A vase of freshly cut flowers could be found on the kitchen table in the summertime.  When my brother and I would spend the night with them, it was absolutely delightful to snuggle down in the freshly laundered sheets that had been hung out to dry in warm summer breeze.  Even though they didn't have significant financial resources, they took pride in their house, keeping it spotlessly clean and well-maintained.  It was a home full of love and joy.  It was the perfect home, one in which visitors were always welcome and very, very comfortable.  It was a home that has always inspired me.

Following is a list of ideas to make your home the best it can be no matter where you live or what your resources.

MINIMIZE CLUTTER.  We all have different levels of comfort when it comes to clutter.  That said, a "busy" or highly cluttered environment has been noted to create negative stress for most people.  Space that is open and easy to move about tends to be much more relaxing.  Do a quick walk through of your home.  What do you see?  Piles of paper?  Shoes and coats tossed about?  Start with one room and pick up or put away the things that are cluttering that room.  Take a look at your knick knacks or collections.  Consider leaving out only a few things at a time for a less distracting area.  Not only will your space be less busy, you'll have less to clean around making housecleaning a snap.

KEEP IT CLEAN.  There are a plethora of excellent, homemade cleaners that making keeping your home clean not only easy, but also inexpensive.  Clean your windows with a vinegar and water solution.  Invest in a few microfiber cloths.  They are awesome for dusting without need of furniture polish, for cleaning windows, and for polishing bathroom counters. (Just remember not to use any type of softener other than vinegar when you launder them or they will use their ability clean well and will cause streaking.)   Toss a cup of vinegar in your toilet overnight and swish it clean the next morning.  Do those dishes as soon as you finish a meal and fold the laundry after every load.  Remember the adage, "If you clean up a little mess, you'll never have any big messes to deal with."  Take pride in your environment.

MAKE IT SMELL GOOD.  You don't have to use costly air fresheners to achieve this.  Eliminate odors in your carpet with a light sprinkling of baking soda, let sit for a few hours, and then vacuum.  Open the windows in the summertime.  Bring in a few pine boughs and make a table arrangement.  Cut some fresh lilacs and put them in a pretty vase.  Bake some cookies. 

GET ORGANIZED.  This is along the same lines as minimizing clutter, but takes it one step further.  Take some time to organize your closets, drawers, and cabinets so you are easily able to find what you need when you need it.  It's much easier and less stressful to cook a meal if you know exactly where the bowl, pan, or utensil you need is located without having to search through every drawer.  Same with your food storage.  Put all of your spices together, baking items together, canned goods together.  Not only will you know where to find something, your preparation time will be enhanced, and you'll minimize the risk of purchasing an item you already have on hand.

MAINTAIN YOUR HOME.  Change the furnace filters.  Address small repairs immediately.  Do a yearly energy audit.  Keep your gutters and downspouts free of debris. 

FINALLY, DO NOT WORRY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE SOMETHING SOMEONE ELSE HAS.  If your home is clean, tidy, comfortable, and a place that makes you happy, does it really matter that you don't have matching sheets, comforter, shams,  and bedskirt?  (I actually love nothing more than cuddling up on my well worn, and often laundered, comforter snuggling up with the family dog every evening.  Not sure I'd feel quite so comfortable if I had expensive and perfect bedclothes.  I'd be hardpressed to allow humans to touch such things let alone the family dog!!)

CONCLUSION:  Bottom line, it is not possessions that make a house a home.  It's the people who live there.  Get to know your values, your needs, and what makes you the most happy and comfortable.  Once you figure this out, you'll have the home of YOUR dreams.

Power Outage Supply Kit

"HONEY, DID THE POWER JUST GO OUT?"  Recently, we experienced a power outage which lasted over 5 hours.  As this extended into the evening hours, we found ourselves without lights and heat.  Since it is still fall here in the midwest, it blessedly did not get extremely chilly.  We would have, however, been in a pinch had we not planned ahead and had some necessary supplies in place.

THINK LIKE A SCOUT.  ALWAYS BE PREPARED.  Always one to plan ahead, I already had on hand several necessary supplies to ensure at least creature comfort during the outage.  A few years ago, the remanents of Hurricane Ike descended upon us with winds in excess of 70 miles per hour for an entire Sunday. The event, aptly dubbed "Hurricanes in Ohio," left folks without power for up to 2 weeks, some longer.  Though this power outage was extreme, it left a powerful message in its wake.  Be prepared for anything.  My inlaws were so affected by that event that they immediately purchased a generator in the event of another such catastrophe!

MAKE A KIT.  Having supplies onhand to take you through a couple of hours or a few days of power loss just makes sense.  Such events are stressful enough without having the added chaos of trying to find a flashlight or candle!! Put your supplies into one of those plastic tubs with a lid, slap a label on it, and put it somewhere you will be able to easily retrieve in the event of an emergency.  You don't want to be hunting around in the dark searching for your emergency kit!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

- flashlights
- extra batteries 
- candles  (jar candles are safer and store better than taper candles)
- matches
- manual can opener
- bottle opener
- portable battery operated radio
- car charger for cell phone
- small amount of cash
- blanket(s)
- a First Aid kit

- We also have a couple of oil lamps on the shelf in our kitchen which serve as decorations in day-to-day life and as emergency lighting during a power outage.  I cannot begin to tell you how many times we've used those lamps. I absolutely would not be without them. If you decide to go with a few oil lamps, you'll also need to be sure to keep plenty of extra lamp oil on hand in an easily accessible storage place.  

Note:  I've seen the above-referenced lamps online recently for as little as $7.06.  The oil will run about $7.99 for 32 oz.

- You should keep nonperishable foods, canned meats, fruits, and vegetables, and several gallons of water on hand at all times.   

-If you take medication, keep it all in one place so it will be easily accessible in the event of an emergency.  Refrigerated medication should stay cold for several hours as long as you keep the refrigerator door shut. 

SOME ADDITIONAL FACTS.  A half full freezer will remain frozen for up to 24 hours.  One that is completely frozen will remain frozen 48 hours or longer.  (Tip:  If you don't have your freezer completely full, place a few gallons of water filled 2/3 full in the freezer.  Your freezer won't be working as hard on a daily basis and you'll have water available in the event of an emergency in addition.  Keep in mind, however, that you should only open the freezer and refrigerators when absolutely necessary during a power outage.)

FINALLY:  It's also a good idea to make sure you always keep your vehicle's gas tank at least half full since most gas pumps are powered by electric.  If a power outage extends longer than a few hours, you'll be prepared should you need to travel somewhere.

The Power of Old English Scratch Cover Oil

In keeping with one facet of the frugal creed, that facet being repair or restore, our family likes to keep our furniture and cabinets looking fresh and new with Old English Scratch Cover.   I actually love this chore because this product is inexpensive, easy to use, and can make furniture and cabinets look almost brand new in no time.  We use it routinely on our kitchen cabinets, living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture.  My favorite use?  I love, love, love cleaning up any wooden garage sale or thrift store finds with this oil since it magically restores a tired, scratched up piece to next to new condition. I've used it on a well built, but very dirty and slightly scratched, bookcase found cast along the side of the road.  The transformation was miraculous.  The piece is absolutely gorgeous!  The best part?  This product is inexpensive and a snap to use. 

Since seeing is believing, I thought it would be fun to show you the before and after of a wooden medicine cabinet I polished up recently.

Here's the "before" picture of the bathroom cabinet I treated.  So you can get a better idea of the condition of the wood prior to my using the polish, I took a closeup photo of the bottom shelves.

 The white areas are little scratched areas in the wood.  Other than these worn areas this cabinet is in excellent condition.

TIME TO POLISH:  I broke out my trusty bottle of Old English Scratch Cover for dark wood and poured a small amount to a paper towel. (Note, you need to be very careful not to get this solution on your clothing or carpet because it will stain.)  Next, I applied the oiled paper towel to the cabinet, using circular movements to work the oil down into the scratches. 

This is a side-by-side comparison.  The left side is done and the right side was not yet complete.  See the difference?

Here's another before.

And after.  Amazing, isn't it?MOVING ON: I then applied a liberal amount to the rest of the cabinet.  When I was all done, I simply tossed the paper towel into the trash (do not flush this!) and thoroughly washed my hands.  After allowing the oil to sit for a few minutes, I took a clean, soft cloth (aka old white T-shirt gleaned from the rag box in the garage for just such a purpose!) and buffed the remaining oil off of the cabinet.  I continued to buff the cabinet until it developed a nice shine.  Truly, this cabinet looks almost new, and this whole process took just about 5 minutes total to complete. 

WHERE TO FIND THIS PRODUCT:  Old English products are available at stores like Target, WalMart, Lowe's, etc.  You can also buy it online.  It runs anywhere from $4.79 to $5.99 depending on where it's purchased.  Since there are coupons for this product (check the Sunday newspapers and the Old English website), I usually only purchase when it is on sale and I have a coupon.  Using these techniques, I normally never pay more than $3.75 for an 8 oz. bottle.

Here's the link to the manufacturer for more information and coupons:

http://www.oldenglishpolish.com/sf2_scratch.shtml

And, here's another link to Amazon.com.  This one provides further testimonies to the magic of this product. 

http://www.amazon.com/Old-English%C2%AE-Furniture-Polish-Scratch/dp/B000PECDCE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1290819223&sr=1-3

Good luck and happy polishing!

6 Ways to Find Extra Cash

Wouldn't it be great to "find" extra money from time-to-time?  A holiday is just around the corner and you have relatives coming to visit. A child has the opportunity to go on a special field trip in a few months.  You want to donate to a special cause or charity that's meaningful to you.   You've worked really hard to grow your savings, pay off debt, and live more consciously.  So, what are your options for finding cash for just such things?  Well, there are actually quite a few.  Now's the perfect time to get creative.  Once you come up with one idea, the great ideas will just keep flowing.  Below are some tried and true strategies for "finding" extra cash in ways that will benefit not only your wallet, but your physical and emotional state as well.


HAVE A GARAGE SALE.  Take a couple of weekends to go through your closets, attic, basement, kid's rooms and identify any items that haven't been used in awhile.  Review your home library.  Books you've read, but don't think you'll read again?  Toss 'em in the garage sale pile.  Same for movies and video games.  What about your kitchen cabinets?  Does anyone really need three omelet skillets?  And those drapes you took down two years ago thinking you'd alter them for another room?  Really, if you haven't done it by now, you're not gonna do it, so put them in the pile for the garage sale.  By going through your things you've not only found items to sell for extra cash, you've also done away with some household clutter and hopefully done a little organizing in the process.  This strategy is a win on lots of different levels.


SELL ON EBAY OR CRAIG'S LIST.  Follow the process above for fleshing out items to sell and put the best stuff on Ebay or Craig's list.  We've had excellent success with both of these services. 


ADJUST YOUR WITHHOLDING.  Increase your number of exemptions for a few pay cycles and then put the number back to your regular withholding amount.  Note:  Only do this if you're sure you'll be getting a tax refund for the year.  Getting slammed with an unanticipated tax bill sort of defeats the purpose.  If you are interested in using this strategy, contact your Human Resources Department.  They will be able to guide you through the process.

RECYCLE.  If you've been following me for a while, you'll know that I'm a big advocate of taking advantage of a lazy Sunday afternoon for a nice long walk.  We have some great country roads in our area that we walk fairly regularly.  Why not get your exercise, do something good for the environment, and fatten your wallet?  How?  Just take along a trashbag and pick up the aluminum cans you find along the road.  We used to make a game out of this when our kids were younger seeing who could find the most cans on a given walk. (One outing was especially lucrative when my youngest son hit the jackpot. He actually managed to find a $20 bill!) Once you've collected a nice pile of cans, smash 'em down, and head for your local recycler.  Makes for some nice pocket money.

START A CHANGE JAR.  At the end of each day, toss all of your change into a can or jar.  If you're saving for something in particular, it's a helpful motivator to put the name and even a picture of what you're saving for on the jar.  Once the jar is full, take an evening to roll the coins.  You can do this with the kids.  They'll benefit from spending time with you, improve their skills with counting, and see that small amounts of change can add up to significant amounts of money.  Watching the dollars add up as you roll the coins makes a more powerful impact on a child's mind than simply taking the coins to the bank to go through the change counter.  There's just something about actually touching those coins that speaks to the merits of saving.  And, yes, adults can be impressed, too.  One evening after rolling the spare change we'd been saving for several months, we ended up with a grand total of $140.  Woo hoo!!

PLANT A BIGGER GARDEN.  If you are a gardener, plant a few extra tomato plants, a couple extra rows of corn, and maybe a few more green beans than you think you'll need during any given growing season.  Then take some of your bounty and set up a roadside stand or sell your wares at a local farmer's market.  Specialty vegetables are usually very easy to sell because they are novel and interesting.  Garlic and popcorn are two excellent sellers as they are bit more difficult to acquire at the farmer's market than say corn and green beans.  You'll be surprised at the extra cash you can make doing this, and you'll meet some great folks in the process.

When You Must Buy New Stuff

It's a fact of life that most things will wear out sooner or later.  How we handle the process of replacement can either save us money or end up costing us big. 

Let's use a refrigerator as our example.  Even though you've grown accustom to the cracked door handle and the broken bin, you've noticed your elderly refrigerator is now beginning to make some odd noises.  What do you do?

a.  Let's go shopping today and buy, buy, buy!
b.  Start checking the sales and buy the first time you see the item on sale.
c.  Research the product, start checking sales, talk to folks who are knowledgeable about the item you need, and wait to buy until several promotions are available at the same time on the item.

If you said (c), you've got the processed nailed, and you're already saving a ton of money.  If you'd like to learn a little more about how the "ultimate savings strategy" works, read on.

Most Important:  DO NOT Wait Until Your Current Refrigerator No Longer Works.  Nine times out of ten, you'll start seeing the signs you need to start thinking about buying a new one.  The door has been repaired and even the bungee cord is no longer keeping the door closed.  The ice tray isn't freezing the way it used to.  The unit seems to be running longer than it once did.  The time to begin shopping is before a crisis.  Once the thing goes completely out, your back's against the wall, and I absolutely promise that you'll spend a ton more than you would have with a little advance planning.  Crisis happens, but whenever possible, do your best to plan ahead a bit.

First, Identify Exactly What You Need.  In this case you need a basic refrigerator with a freezer.  (More on wants later.) 

Next, measure the space where the item will be placed.  When you've measured, do it again.  You need to be absolutely certain you have your dimensions correct.

Plan to Purchase an Energy Efficient Model.  To restate the obvious, this action will save you money throughout the life of your appliance, and it's good for the planet. There are also certain rebates that are connected the energy saving capacity of the item. Win-win-win. 

Determine Your Price Range Now.  Determine how much you are willing and able to invest in your new refrigerator.  Having a price range in mind will help ensure you get the highest quality of appliance you are able to afford while also spending an amount that is comfortable to you.  How do you determine a price range?  The research step will give you a good ballpark idea of what your item normally costs before any reductions.

Time to research!  There are a plethora of online sites offering a wealth of information.  Just be sure the sites you review offer trustworthy information.  Consumer reports, manufacturer sites, even marketplace reviews of an item (think of the reviews found on sites like Amazon.com) will provide you with some product information as well as comments from those who've purchased similar items.  Through your research you'll learn it is really, really common for one manufacturer to produce several different brands.  For example,  Whirlpool now owns the Maytag Corporation.  Some of the brands made by Whirlpool include Maytag, Kenmore, Admiral, Kitchen Aid, and of course, Whirlpool. 

Identify Your Wants.   Side-by-side.  Top freezer.  Bottom freezer.  Ice/Water on the outside door.  Split shelves.  And the list goes on.  Your wants should be based on the needs of your family vs just because you think a (insert the cool feature here) is a must have.  Remember, the goal here is to save money while ensuring your purchase fully meets the needs of your family for many years to come.

Go and Look at Several Different Models.  You'll want to physically look at several of the refrigerators you've identified through your research thus far.  What may have looked great on paper may not pass the "touch it/test it" review.  How does it feel when you open and close the door?  Are the shelves sturdy?  What about the bins?  Are they well made so as not to break with frequent use?  The purpose of the "touch it / test it" review is to identify the highest quality appliance that meets your needs and falls within your established budget.

Be Patient and Wait for the Right Time to Buy.  Okay, you've found the perfect refrigerator for your family.  Why wait?  Because it will end up costing you a boatload more if you don't wait for the best possible buying situation.  So, you're asking, what is the ideal situation?  Using our refrigerator example, here's a recent strategy.  The economic stimulus program was offering a $100 rebate for appliances that met certain energy saver criteria.  Individuals were required to apply for the rebate and were sent an email notifying of acceptance.  The rebate was good for a set period of time.  Our example family, knowing their 20 year old refrigerator was not only failing, but was also no longer energy efficient, had been watching closely for upcoming sales.  A holiday noted for excellent appliance sales was just around the corner.  Watching the ads online and via the local newspaper, our shoppers saw that the store in which they'd completed their "touch it/test it" was having not only a holiday sale, but also an early bird special in addition to offering an additional 10% off for those who opened a store credit card. (Note:  Opening a new credit card of any kind has an impact on your credit score and thusly is not the best strategy for everyone, especially folks trying to qualify for a mortgage loan.) Thinking fast, our example family checked to see if the manufacturer might also be offering any incentives or rebates.  Jackpot!  The perfect buying situation!  They arrive early to the store armed with rebate data and bought their new refrigerator with confidence knowing they'd gotten the best possible deal.  They were even able to work out an additional deal to get the delivery charge refunded via a Visa gift card, which they were able to use when grocery shopping a few weeks later!  The buying experience was pleasant, and our example family was able to make the most cost effective purchase possible simply by using the above referenced techniques.  They were well prepared by the time they finally made their purchase.  You, too, can have the same results with a bit of preparation, research, and patience.

Sweet! Homemade Chocolate Sauce.

Chocolate syrup. Need I say more?  When you find yourself with a huge craving for chocolate - you know what I'm talking about now - a splash of chocolate sauce can fix that craving before you have the chance to wolf down a handful of candy bars! 

Yummy stuff for sure, and it is so very versatile. We use it as an ice cream sundae topping, add it to our coffee to create mocha coffee, mix it with milk, and even drizzle it over fresh strawberries or apples.  We find the homemade version to be far superior to the store versions, and it's a snap to make.  It's also very cost effective when compared to the name brand versions as well as most of the store brands. 

There are a ton of recipes for chocolate sauce out there, but our favorite is the one found in Jonni McCoy's book, Miserly Meals. Her book also contains a bunch of other great recipes for soups, vegetarian dishes, main dishes, mixes, dressings, breads, and desserts, etc. If you'd like a copy, you can find it at http://www.amazon.com/Miserly-Meals-Healthy-Recipes-Serving/dp/0764226134.   

I can almost taste that wonderful chocolatey flavor just thinking about it.  How about we make a batch now?  Great!  Let's get started.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

TIME TO COOK!

In a large sauce pan combine 2 cups of sugar with 1 cup of cocoa.  Add 1/4 tsp of salt.  With a whisk or large spoon mix together until all these ingredients are well combined.  It'll look like this.

Now, add 1 1/4 cups of water.  Over medium heat, stir the mixture well.  While it is heating, stir the mixture every once in awhile until the sugar has completely dissolved.  Take care not to allow the sauce to boil.  Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the pan from the burner and allow it to cool a bit.  After the sauce has cooled, add 1 T of vanilla and mix thoroughly.  Carefully pour the finished chocolate sauce into the storage container of your choice (I use a wide mouth quart canning jar).  Label the lid and add the date if you so desire.  The chocolate sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.  Each time I make a new batch, I thoroughly wash and dry the old jar, ring, and lid and reuse them.  (Remember the frugal mantra!  Recycle, reuse, repair.)


VOILA!  THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

The bubbles on the top settle into the sauce after it's been in the fridge a couple of days.  Although her recipe indicates the mixture can get very thick, we've never found this to be the case.  It is always a very nice consistency and easy to either spoon or poor from the jar.  You will need to be sure to wipe the outside mouth of the jar with a clean, damp cloth after each use since the syrup will crystalize around the lid making lid removal and replacement a little difficult. 

Hope you enjoy this great recipe as much as we have!

No Eggscuses! Save Real Dough on Breakfast Sandwiches

THE SCOOP.  My family really enjoys breakfast sandwiches.  They're tasty, filling, fast, and portable.  They can also be really expensive!  Those yummy, pre-made sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits (think Jimmy Dean or Bob Evans) are tiny and run around $3.99, and that's on sale, for a package of four at a mid price range grocery store.  For a family of four, one sandwich per person per day would cost $28.00 per week.  Yikes!  Since we really like them, I decided to make up a batch and check out the cost to make them at home.  I was very happy with the results!  My finished sandwiches were larger than the pre-made variety and were much less expensive.  In addition, the sandwiches were simple to make, took very little time, froze nicely, and cooked up great in the microwave.  Two thumbs up!

FIRST STEPS FIRST.  GET THE INGREDIENTS.  Because of their normally excellent prices for the ingredients I would need, I purchased the ingredients to make my sandwiches at our local Aldi food store during my next regular grocery shopping trip. I bought three rolls of sausage, five bags of muffins, two packages of cheese, and three dozen eggs.  My total cost for my ingredients was $17.48.  (Note, this isn't the final cost for the 30 sandwiches I made in total since I had leftover sausage, cheese, and eggs, which were used in other meals.  The total cost for the sandwiches is listed below.) For the sandwiches, here's the breakdown per ingredient:

Roll of sausage:       $1.89.   Cut into 11 slices:  $.17/each.
English Muffins:       $1.00.    6 muffins:             $.17/each.
American Cheese:   $1.77.    24 slices:              $.07/each.
Large Eggs:             $1.09.   12 eggs:                $.09/each.

NOW WE'RE COOKIN'.  Once home, I prepared my kitchen to cook and assemble the sandwiches, noting the time I got started. I pulled out two cookie sheets, a skillet, and a spatula.  I cut apart my muffins and placed them on the cookie sheets.  Next, I cut my sausage rolls into eleven slices.  Then I heated my skillet, placed my sausage slices in to cook, slapped on the lid, and turned my attention to placing the cheese on the muffins designated to have that ingredient.  Mid way through the cheese placement, I flipped my sausage over in the skillet.  When the sausage was finished cooking, I placed a slice on the muffins determined to have that ingredient.  I poured the excess grease out of the skillet, retaining just enough to fry my eggs.  Then I cracked open five eggs at a time into the skillet.  Once they'd begun to cook nicely, I pierced each of the yolks so they could cook thoroughly. When they were done, I placed one fried egg on each sandwich that was to have an egg. I finished up by placing a muffin lid on each one and carefully sliding them into a fold over sandwich bag.  When this was completed, I pulled out five gallon size freezer bags, wrote on each bag the type of sandwich and the date, and slid those sandwiches into the freezer bag.  I then placed each bag into the freezer where they could be easily seen and accessed by hungry family members hunting down breakfast.  When I was all done I had five different varieties consisting of six sandwiches each for a total of 30 sandwiches.  Cool!  Noting my finishing time, I found the entire process had taken me just under 45 minutes. 

LET'S EAT!  To cook the sandwiches, one simply needs to place the sandwich on a plate, cover, and cook on high for a minute or so. Cool a bit and consume! 

THE BOTTOM LINE.  HOW MUCH DID IT COST?  So, how much did this endeavor end up costing?  Here's the breakdown:

Sausage muffin:                            $.34/each.    $2.04/six sandwiches.
Sausage & egg muffin:                   $.43/each.    $2.58/six sandwiches.
Egg muffin:                                  $.26/each.    $1.56/six sandwiches.
Egg & Cheese muffin:                    $.33/each.   $1.98/six sandwiches.
Sausage, egg, & Cheese muffin:      $.50/each.   $3.00/six sandwiches.

My grand total to make all 30 sandwiches was $11.76. ($11.16 for the ingredients and $.60 for the sandwich bags.  The energy use was minimal.) 

FINAL VERDICT.  So, was it worth my time?  Yep.  Do I now make sandwiches quite often?  You betcha! 

Ten Ways to Save Money

If you embrace the idea that money is a resource and a tool then you will certainly want to use it most effectively.  Here are ten ways to do just that.

1.  MAKE WISE FOOD PURCHASES.   Think grains, legumes, vegetables, eggs, dairy, and limited meats. Buy such things in their most basic form (no precut veges or convenience packs!) Buy ingredients, not prepackaged meals. If you want a snack food, grab a bag of popcorn kernels (no, not the microwave kind!)  You'll be able to create delicious, nutritious meals that will maintain your health helping you feel great today and saving you medical bills down the pike.

2.  MAKE GOOD TRANSPORTATION CHOICES.  If you only need to travel short distances, consider buying a bicycle with a basket and storage bags.  It'll get you around town, is good for the environment, and great exercise.  Consider public transportation.  Not owning a vehicle saves you the initial cost to purchase, fuel to drive, routine maintenance costs, and need for insurance.  If you do need or choose to drive a vehicle, do your research and buy a good used model that is fuel efficient and is cheap to insure.

3.  USE ENERGY EFFICIENTLY.  Consider an energy audit from your energy provider.  Insulate your home.  Wash only full loads of clothing in cold water and line dry.  Pick up some Smart Strip Power outlets to decrease consumption of phantom energy.  Put lids on pans when cooking on the stove.  Plan to bake multiple items in the oven at one time.  Use a microwave to heat up leftovers.  Cook in a crock pot.  Replace incandescent light bulbs with EFL bulbs or LED bulbs.  Make and use a rain barrel.

4.  BUY THE BEST QUALITY YOU CAN AFFORD.  You'll spend less money long term by purchasing high quality items that will stand the test of time over cheaper, but low quality items you'll likely have to replace in a short period of time.   Think sturdy, high-quality all wood or metal frame furniture.  Stainless steel cookware and bake ware.  Quality tools that come with a guarantee.  Well made, energy efficient appliances.

5.  SHOP GARAGE SALES, EBAY, THRIFT STORES.  Like new, quality clothing and other goods can be found for greatly reduced cost utilizing these resources.  I purchase 90% of my family's clothes and shoes through these venues.  In addition, I've purchased books, cookware, furniture, etc. - all high quality and all at greatly reduced prices.  Some examples include a three piece Pyrex bake ware set with matching lids at a garage sale for $3.00; like new 8 qt. Wolfgang Puck Stock Pot and large frying pan with matching lids for $20.00 on EBay; and How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman for $15.00 on EBay.

6.  GROOMING.  Consider a beauty school or barber college for haircuts.  Do manicures and pedicures at home.  Learn to do simple haircuts at home.  Educate yourself on good skin care (an excellent diet, drinking pure water, breathing fresh air, and a dose of daily exercise will do your entire body more good than any pill, lotion, or make-up!)

7.  BARTER, SHARE, AND TRADE.  Share vegetables and seeds with a neighbor who gardens.  Trade a skill or service.  (I'll watch your kids tonight, if you'll put mine on the bus in the morning.  You need some tailoring done, I sew, so I'll do that for you and you can change my oil and check the air in my tires.  You get the picture.)  Don't be afraid to barter.  This can be done at not only the typical places like garage sales and swap meets, but also at stores.  We've done this when purchasing furniture, replacing appliances, event buying apples at the orchard.  Always remember to be polite and mannerly.  Bullying or rudeness does not constitute bartering.  That's just plain bad behavior!

8.  ENJOY FREE OR LOW COST ENTERTAINMENT.  Take a stroll through your neighborhood.  Visit a free or low cost museum (We have an Air Force Museum at our local United States Air Force base that is totally free and absolutely awesome.  Hours of free and educational fun!)  Invite friends over for homemade pizza and game night.  Libraries offer books, movies, audio books, and programs such as crafting and storytelling.  National, state, and local park districts and reserves offer tons of outdoor activities, programs, and events.

9.   PREVENTATIVE CARE.  Brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly.  Have your eyes checked.  Get a yearly medical evaluation.  Change your furnace filters on schedule.  Fix or repair any leaks, holes, cracks or tears as soon as you discover them.  Evaluate and maintain your home and car on a regular basis.  Ensuring your health, your home, and your vehicles are all evaluated and maintained thoroughly and regularly will prevent costly and unrepairable issues in the future.

10.  EMBRACE RECYCLING.  Aluminum cans, newspaper, copper, and other items can be recycled for money, and it is better for the environment that tossing everything directly into the trash headed to the local landfill.  Choose water bottles that can be refilled and ban the use of (expensive) plastic ones.  Don't be afraid to stop and pick up an item someone has discarded for trash if you can use it.  (Just be absolutely certain the item is truly a give-away or set out as trash.  Kids are notorious for leaving their toys and bikes just about anywhere.  I always ask the owner to be sure the item is truly discarded.)

These are just a few of the methods our family uses to save money on a regular basis.  The possibilities are endless.  Simply dig in and begin educating yourself.  Starting is the hardest part.  Once you take the first step, you'll be on your way.  One idea leads to another and soon saving money every day will become a natural habit!