Simple Tip #2

It seems like every time one of our kids has a fever, we run out and buy a new bottle of Tylenol or Advil.  While cleaning the medicine cabinet the other day, I came across four bottles of almost new medicines. To keep our medicines in neat and organized, I went out and purchased two things...a package of labels (actually name tags) for $2 and a few small rectangle baskets for a buck at the dollar store. I labeled each basket with the type of medicine; kids pain relievers, cold/allergy, misc. medicines, etc. This is a really easy and cheap way to organize your medicines. Plus, you aren't digging through your cabinet in the middle of the night when someone wakes up sick. 

 Labels and baskets

Organized meds!!

Money Tip #1

I mentioned in my "about me" that I used to be a working mom. I always thought I would be a working mom, but the stress just got to be more than working was worth. I had a 40 minute commute each way. I was so exhausted when I got home, I did not feel like I was being a good mommy or wife. I knew this wasn't for us. By the time I figured out daycare, gas, a couple of lunches out a week, and clothes for work, I really wasn't making that much at all. By the time we cut out things we really didn't need like, eating out a few times a week, shopping for too many "wants", and just watching a bit more how we spent our money, I knew we could swing me staying at home. In order not to feel completely financially deprived, I decided to start watching a few kids in my home. I didn't want to do it just for the money. I do love kids, plus it was nice to have other kids for our own kids to interact with.  It was the best decision I have ever made! I have never once looked back about working outside of the home.

If you are trying to make that decision, but don't think you are quite ready to stay at home all the time, look into other options.  I have many friends who work a few days out of home and a few days are spent home without work. It never hurts to ask if your current employer would be up for that. 

I will try and give some tips each week that help us save some money without a second full-time income.

Money Tip #1

Limit your shopping! This takes some time to give up, but you just have to do it. I used to shop about once a week at Target or the shopping mall. I was "bargain" shopping, but it was for stuff I really didn't need. It just sat in the closet or cupboard and took up space. I probably spent $30 a week. Take that times for weeks a month and you have a savings of $120. You aren't going to need all of those clothes or whatever your weakness may be. Think about some of your recent purchases and see if they were really "needed". I'll bet you will be surprised. Good luck!

Weekly Menu January 30-February 5

This week I am going to try a few new recipes I found via Pinterest! I marked them each with an "*". They are all sounding pretty good. My goal is to keep my grocery total for the week to right around $90. I figured up the cost of these meals, and it is right at $90. This is without coupons, so it could be lower if you use them or there is a sale.

Weekly Menu January 30-February 5
Monday: Macaroni & beef with cheese*, apple slices, baked beans
Tuesday: Pork chops, baked potato, corn casserole
Wednesday: Chicken crock pot Parmesan*, garlic bread, cheesy broccoli
Thursday: Taco ring*, carrots, apple slices
Friday: Leftovers or pizza?
Saturday: Lunch: Grilled ham and cheese, yogurt, banana slices
                Dinner: Out to eat or pizza?
Sunday: Lunch:Homemade frozen meal
              Dinner: Chili soup

Treat of the week: Brownie strawberry cupcakes *

Grocery List: 4 lbs. ground beef, taco seasoning, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, (2) 8 oz. crescent rolls, green bell pepper, salsa, lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream, chicken breasts, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, olive oil, sliced mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, tomato sauce, (2) box macaroni elbows, brownie mix, strawberry cake mix, eggs, apples, baked beans, pork chops, potatoes for baking, garlic bread, frozen cheesy broccoli, bananas, yogurt, kidney beans, tomato juice, soup crackers, chili seasoning, creamed corn, sweet corn, Velveeta

Feel free to email for any recipes. I will include the new ones I am trying this week. I don't always follow the recipes exactly. My family doesn't like onions, for example. Instead of using onions like it calls for, I use onion salt instead. I always change up the recipe to make the dish more likeable to our family.

Brownie Strawberry Cupcakes from Jen DelMuro

Ingredients

• 1 (19.5 ounce) package brownie mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package strawberry cake mix
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 3 egg whites

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 48 muffin cups with paper liners.
2. Whisk together the brownie mix, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup canola oil, and 1/4 cup water in a bowl. Stir just until fully incorporated, about 50 strokes; set aside.
3. Mix the cake mix, 2 tablespoons canola oil, 1 1/3 cup water, and 3 egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
4. Spoon the brownie batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each cup 1/3 full. Spoon the cake batter over the brownie batter, until muffin cups are each 2/3 full.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes. 
6. Top with vanilla icing

Simple Tip #1

If you are wondering how to reuse plastic shopping bags and old tissue boxes, I have a great tip for you! I do not buy trash can liners for the bathrooms, because I use the plastic shopping bags. They can get out of control so I use an old tissue box by stuffing the bags inside. I have one under each bathroom sink and they are very handy. Nothing fancy, but it is very practical. A way to save dollars on trash bags, plus you can feel good about recycling!

 

Weekly Menu: January 23-29

One of the best things I have done since we have been married is create a weekly menu. I am not good at "creating" a meal from what I have on hand. I like to know that I have all of the ingredients I need before I start preparing a meal. Plus, it really helps me when doing my grocery shopping. I CANNOT shop without a list..just ask my husband!  This has come in even more handy since we recently moved from a town with two grocery stores and a Walmart, to a town with NOTHING of the kind! This is a very simple menu for the upcoming week. I usually sit down on a Thursday and create our menu.

Menu for Week of January 23-29
Monday: Spaghetti, Cheese bread, apple slices, green beans
Tuesday: Lemon-peppered chicken breasts, baked potatoes, slice bananas, bread (frozen bread loaf)
Wednesday: Hot ham and cheese melts, cheesy potatoes, left over green beans
Thursday: Taco bar--hard shell tacos, seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, and taco sauce, apple slices
Friday: Left over night
Saturday: Lunch.....Nachos (use beef and toppings from taco bar and sprinkle over tortilla chips, bake until cheese is melted). Dinner.....Night out
Sunday: Lunch.....Using a frozen meal that I prepared last week. Dinner....Frozen pizza, fruit of choice, carrots


Grocery List:
spaghetti noodles, frozen cheese bread, apples, green beans, boneless chicken breasts, lemon pepper seasoning, potatoes, bananas, frozen bread loaves, hamburger buns, Canadian bacon, cheese slices, hash browns, sour cream, 2 packages of shredded cheddar cheese, hard shell tacos, ground beef, lettuce, taco sauce, tortilla chips, frozen pizza, carrots