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November

Every Bar has a secret, every Starbucks has a huge steamer that forces hot air into milk which creates a foam. You can take soy milk, or non fat lactose free milk(yes I do) and turn it into a foamy cream that you will honestly enjoy. So buy your Great Value Coffee at Walmart for less than 7.00, then buy an Aerolatte for about $20.00. Voila you have endless fancy coffee for a fraction of the cost of any Starbucks or gourmet coffee shop, it does a great lowfat milk shake as well. I bought my Aerolatte on Sunday, it was my birthday gift to me. I should have wrapped for Hubby, because I will no longer be longing for fancy coffee I cannot afford.

Here is a video of how it works.

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Category: budget, cooking Tags: budget, cooking, Frugal Living, Frugality Leave a Comment

Aspirin Honey Mask

October

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I have heard about this concoction for a few months. After pricing the exfoliaters I like I have decided to try it. I always have honey on hand, and aspirin is cheap. I used two old aspirins that I found in an emergency kit, they were from 2006. I also added some water, next time I am skipping the water. I have a pedestal and mortar so I can use that instead, then you add a teaspoon of hone. With my old soft toothbrush (oral B) I gently rubbed it in. Remember my skin is extremely sensitive, it did not activate my skin at all. I had found a video where the woman’s skin was beautiful, and she explained why but this video shows you better how to do it.

Since I have tried this I will no longer buy exfoliaters they don’t do what this does for a fraction of the price.

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Category: Frugal Living, budget Tags: bargains, beauty, budget, Frugal Living, recipes, videos 2 Comments

Ways to Save on Clothes

October

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About five years ago I read an article that changed my life. I cannot remember where or who wrote it but after I read the article or perhaps it was a book I no longer shop the same way.

I have in the past talked about clown clothes, you know the clothes they make for large women in these large crazy prints so you won’t notice how large the clown is coming at you. When I looked in my closet I had more clown clothes than I care to even think about. And nobody thought I was thinner for wearing hideous prints.

This article said that shopping for clothes should be like shopping for furniture, think solid colors that go with many different things. Pick from your own taste four different colors you like, and could interchange with each other. Pants, skirts, jackets and suits should be in those colors. Your casual tops can be in any color you like. Your dress tops and shirts can be in prints if you like them but they don’t have to be. The four colors can mix and match.

Saturday I headed to one of my favorite boutiques after a stop at Dillards, actually I was going through Dillards to see what was “in style”. My favorite boutique is a Goodwill that happens to have top of the line clothing at prices most people cannot believe.

I have known my rules for shopping for years now so it is easy for me to walk away from colors that don’t work, styles I don’t like, and clothes I don’t love. I did find a myriad of wonderful things. I always do if I take time by myself and shop as a smart prepared shopper. When I go in and look for something specific is when I can get frustrated. The one shirt I would buy at Dillards that was on clearance was $41.00. I walked out of Goodwill with three bags full for four people(mostly stuff for me) with less than $100.00. There is nothing like that kind of power shopping.

As I was looking a mom and daughter were looking for dresses, the daughter could not believe the brands. Yes Talbots, Liz Claiborne, DKNY are all there. I did end up finding a Liz jacket that fit like a glove. Good Taste rarely goes out of style. You have to find the things in your size, style and color. It does take time, and no there are no perks from thrift shopping other than more money in your pocket and the knowledge that the rich mom and daughter next to me finally saw what I have known for years “never pay full price”.

Four Colors you like that will intermix
Don’t buy bad styles you don’t love
Don’t buy clothes you don’t love
Casual tops can be print and fun

And last but not least “Never pay Full Price”. Think of clothes like a great car, you are not willing to buy a new car but want one that looks good and lasts.

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Category: budget, clown clothes Tags: bargains, budget, Shopping 2 Comments

Preparation Work

October

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Preparing for the flu or a stomach virus works! About a month ago I read we need to have hands on things for anyone that may be ill in your family. As long as you don’t go overboard it works!

Gator had been acting a bit odd on Monday and Tuesday. I did my best mom face to not give in and ask him if he felt okay. I did ask more than a few times if he was okay, but I never said the “felt” word. With Dunk I learned if you give a kid an inch he will take a mile. Anyway the nurse called me on Tuesday and told me Gator will ill and needed to come home.

Today I am happy to report I just took him to school. I will share with you my magic solution to get him over the stomach flu!

Everytime I would think about it I would pick up some illness supplies each time I would pick up other groceries.

I saw a report that said by the time you are sick, you are too sick to do the shopping for the stuff you need. So here is my magic list!

Chicken Ramen Noodle Soup (the broth in it is supreme)

Sprite or seven up

Those plastic Popsicle liquid tubes (freeze a few the moment someone is sick)

Kleenex boxes (didn’t need this but eventually I will use them)

Saltine crackers (perfect to eat with the soup)

straws( yes they are fun, but they also give you protection from spreading germs)

There you go the magic illness supply list is complete. That way you never leave the house, the kid is absolutely to rest, sleep and hydrate until they are perky like Gator was last night. We new he was much better!

I highly recommend this preparation, I usually spend a lot of time worrying about my sick kids plus figuring out what to buy when and how much. This time I just gave what he needed when he needed it. I still have plenty of supplies for the next illness except the Sprite. Gator did not crave rice, but I always have rice on hand.

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Category: kids Tags: budget, kids Leave a Comment

Honey’s Beef Stew

October

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I am giving Honey the credit for this stew. Grandpa still loves to buy meat, and double packages were on special last week. He told me the general rule is one will be tender and one will be tough. His suggestion was to cook one as a roast and one as a stew, especially if the roast is very tender. Cooking of the other one as stew meat would assure it to be tender as possible.

Don’t tell Grandpa he is as brilliant as he is! The last time he gave me two roasts I cooked both as roasts and one was tough as leather! I know I will confess to Grandpa he called it correctly. What you do is trim the beef into bite size pieces, I make enough to save for lunches for a few days so I cook it all but you could make two or three stews out of it.

Roast you have trimmed and cut into bite size pieces

1 Tbsp of Tone’s beef base (whatever brand you find)

1/4 cup of flour

Salt, pepper and seasoned salt to taste

1 lb or more of carrots

2 big potatoes or whatever you have

1 onion

celery if you have it (I didn’t)

2 cups of water

1 6oz can of tomato paste

a can of tomatoes or diced tomatoes (if you have it)

can of peas (if you have it, I did)

The ingredient list is not as important as how you cook the meat, the technique is what makes the beef tender. I know I sound like a know it all but remember I spent my childhood wanting and craving good beef stew, now that I can make it I know what went wrong all those years. You need a great pot, cast iron works best because it can maintain the temperature. Take a little bit of olive oil and place it in the pot. Meanwhile take the trimmed, cut up beef and toss it in the flour with salt, pepper and seasoned salt. Then you put the meat in the pot that is fully flour coated. This will allow the meat to brown, but not fully cook. It will only take a few minutes of you turning and tossing until all sides are brown but not burned or fully cooked.

Once it is browned, put in two cups of water, beef base and cover. Cut up the vegatables, but don’t worry about the tomato paste or peas. Toss in the pot all at once (another very important step) all the veggies, and salt, pepper and seasoned salt to taste. Let it come back up to bubbling, Then about two hours from serving put in the tomato paste. Right before serving put in the can of peas. The diced tomatoes can be put in whenever you like.

This stew should cook 5-6 hours in total on very low heat for the entire time except when you are browning your meat.

This stew will be tender and flavorful, but the flavor is centered around slow cooked beef.

Oh I know you are welcome, once I tried it this way I knew I had to share with you the easiness of this recipe!

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Category: recipes Tags: budget, cattle, Frugal Living, Frugality, recipes Leave a Comment

Glass Bargain Finds

October

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I am a garage sale person. Hubby is an addict. While I was shopping potential goats which I would not buy he was garage sale hunting, when he finds a good one I get to go. This was an estate sale. What you are seeing I got for $10, plus some more “junk” hubby bought. This stuff will be used immediately. The copper jello molds were a part of my childhood. As we changed homes the main thing I would see is the molds in the kitchen. Anyway I thought I would buy some to keep me grounded to my childhood. This glass measuring cup I have wanted for years, if only I can keep from breaking it or keep the boys from breaking it. The glass containers I found all over the little house, some were dirty some were clean. I plan on using them for storage in the bathroom. I love glass in the bathrooms!

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Category: Garage Sale Tags: budget, Frugal Living, Frugality One Comment

My Budget oh my Budget

October

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I am running very late today. My allergies are in full force of trying to make me drip, sneeze and drain into a pool of human flesh. My family and I except for Hubby all get allergies from October till February. I have been trying to clear up and clean up which of course is causing more dust, which I am allergic to. Hopefully soon I will get better, I have this spray but it tastes awful. After this morning I have to use it regardless of the taste, this is no way to try to breathe air.

So where do I begin? Layoffs are happening at my Hubby’s work. At this moment he doesn’t intend to take the voluntary retirement. Although he could if he wanted to, but since he is actually too young to retire for life it seems hard to do. There will be layoffs if they don’t have enough volunteers. Next month we will know if he is safe or not. No one really knows who or what department they will choose, or how they will come up with the people they will lay off. As a precaution the administration is keeping it close to the vest the criteria, only that they intend to be fair. Hubby and I totally understand the need to do layoffs, his job is dependent on the housing market with a focus on new construction or remodels. Few people are building or remodeling, the company says the outlook for them is long term recovery. They did lay off maybe a year ago, but they did not lay off as many as other companies.

Now the same day we read online the layoffs were officially happening Hubby got the news that he had to stay off work for a week. Seems somehow he injured or re-injured his elbow in the middle of the night. He woke up in agony, after going to the doctor there is something wrong with his bone, he is on predisone to get the swelling down. Next month he will see the orthopedic. For one week he is taking FMLA, the Federal Medical Leave Act. His company gives him a few days and the option of FMLA. One week is a few days too many without FMLA. You don’t get full pay with FMLA, you get partial pay.

This takes me to my Budget panic, I had just figured out how to make it after double electric bills for two months, but that was with full pay. I will have to figure out deeper cuts in our checkbook. It will be a tough Christmas season, I already have a couple huge bills coming due. Once we pay those we will be home free, but the relief only comes after the bill is paid. This Christmas I plan to be creative with the kids gifts, it will not be what they expect. I have an idea, if Hubby will agree. It could be fun and cheap, while giving them a place to get exercise and have fun. Whether he agrees or not the reality is I have to be creative, there is no extra money.

That is reality for me and many others. While I cannot tell you what I plan I can give you ideas of things. I plan on searching and finding options. Gator from time to time reads my blog. So I have to keep it secret until after Christmas, but if it works it will be fun!

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Category: Frugal Living, Uncategorized, budget Tags: budget, Frugal Living One Comment

Breakfast Ideas

October

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It is getting cool even in Texas for a few hours. Crock-Pot Oatmeal is a great breakfast for these days. If you have not tried it I suggest you try it. The Link is HERE.

If eggs, cheese and hashbrowns are more like you enjoy the Link is HERE.

You can always make what we call breakfast pizzas. You use cheapy can of biscuits, some of my pizza sauce, and about a tsp of mozzarella cheese. Work the biscuits out to be thin and flat, they will still rise but you get room for sauce and space.

Another thing we do for breakfast is bean and cheese chapulas. Take Fat Free Refried beans, or your own homemade beans pureed, with a sprinkle of cheese on a tostada. Heat for about 3-5 minutes.

We try doing either fiber rich or protein rich breakfasts, they both are great for your brain and body.

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Market Change

October

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Hubby came home one day from work all excited. He said Walmart had a new brand we had to try. I asked what the name was, he said it was called Great Value. Funny since Great Value has been around for years at Walmart.

Lo and Behold I entered Walmart last night for a few staples. There in the center aisle was a plain white label marked sugar called Great Value. The pretty blue package was gone, the price seemed about the same as the pretty blue Great Value pure cane sugar I buy. Interesting choice of marketing by Walmart, I have yet to try the new packaged sugar but my guess is the sugar is just the same.

I went to the coffee aisle just to check on the coffee I have been drinking for the last five years I know. It is Great Value Arabica Coffee with a red label. Sure enough no red label, only a white label with the Arabica kind of coffee. While I am sure Walmart is convinced this will sell more, buying the white label with the blue lid seemed wrong. I kept looking back to make sure my red label was gone! It was the same price, after this long I know exactly how much my coffee is.

If you haven’t tried Great Value, many products taste great if not better than more expensive brands. My coffee is the best I can find, smooth yet strong. Some of the products are not exactly great but the price makes trying them worth the time!

Just so you know I am not crazy, I took a picture of the coffee!

Update 10/26/09 This is indeed the same exact coffee. Trust me I would know, I bring my own coffee to every place I vacation.

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Category: Frugal Living Tags: budget, cooking, Frugal Living, Frugality Leave a Comment

Free Chik Fila Sandwich

September

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September has begun and with it the dove season is in full swing. The tradition in our family is that the season begins, but you hold off for the big hunt until Labor Day. Hubby brings his buds over, the ones he has hunted with since he was a wee lad like Gator. This is their day, I am not to go to the farm that day. It is a private affair. In other words, it is a Male Bonding Day. They barbeque, they talk about life and stories and in the middle of all that if they get the urge they will hunt a dove or two. As the boys have grown the ability to attend this event is a milestone, can you hang with the big boys? Can you shoot without being embarrassed? Can you be the kid they love the most? All three of my boys look forward to the day, no one more than Hubby.

All four will load up supplies, chairs, drinks and snacks then the big meeting will happen in the middle of the “pasture”. They hunt the same place every year. One year three years ago they stayed out there until 2 AM. I called and the big boys were amazed it was so late, they had gotten caught up in stories and time had slipped their minds. As Dunk put it best, “I used to think it was about hunting, it is about them getting together and chillin”. The hunting is like an afterthought.

I will be a hunting widow for one day and one day only. I can go out and hunt any other day I want to. I am not a big rifle hunter, I like small nice handguns. Handguns and hunting really aren’t made for each other, I guess you could say I like hunting coke cans.

On that day I am thinking about heading to Chk-Fil-A or maybe not. For me it is a long drive, but for most it is a short skip. Either way all you have to do to get a free sandwich is go to Chik-Fil-A wearing a team shirt. Our family has many team shirts, so that part is easy.

The details are HERE.

It should be noted that as I shopped yesterday the stores are really empty. Many are struggling under the high costs of electricity and gas. We as a family carpooled to the big city, for a library run and to get dogfood and coffee. We rode with Dunk to college, he was thrilled (not).

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