Monthly Archives:

November 2014

Wednesday Ways To Save: Ways To Save At Petco!

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For this weeks Wednesday Ways To Save, I want to discuss some of the ways I shop at my favorite pet store, Petco! Here a few tips to save at Petco:

  1. Sign-up for the Petco Rewards Card, you will earn 5% cash back on every purchase, a $5 certificate when you spend $100, and receive special coupons. Sign up here! 
  2. Check out Petco’s online coupons here! 
  3. Petco has an awesome price-match policy! 
  4. According to their official online corporate price-match policy, they state that they will price match any local ad within a 20-mile radius of their store. Also, as of May 1st, they will also accept Amazon.com price-matching, via mobile devices! How awesome is that? As Amazon’s awesome Subscribe & Save Program often delves out awesome pet treat, food, and litter deals, this should come in very handy when price matching at your local Petco!
  5. During the holidays be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Holiday calendars, priced around $8.00, which have coupon packs valued at over $50.00 each calendar, and a portion of the proceeds go to the Petco Animal Foundation.
  6.  Be sure to check out the various managers specials around the store; stores can be combined with manufacturer and store coupons, newspaper, printed, and the like. The special will be marked with orange labels, and though many of the products are starting to expire, they can be bagged in ziplock bags, and frozen up to a year. 

 

So, there are a few ways I save at Petco! If you are a Petco shopper, please leave me a comment below and let me know the ways you save as well!

 

Here’s to Saving,

Misty

Organizational Ideas: DVD Binders!

 

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Hello again, savvy savers! Today finds us with another great organizational idea, one that I recently spent some time adding to this past weekend, that of how to organize and de-clutter our families home DVD collection!

When my husband and I moved in together, he came with a huge movie collection. You name it, classic sci-fi, 80’s anything, and of course classics such as Office Space. Of course, this was coupled with my personal collection of over a thousand movies, documentaries, and sitcoms; the rows of Sex and the City, Melrose Place, and Ken Burns Documentaries, still bring a tear to my eye!

So, with a combined collection of over 2,500 discs, I loved having access to hundreds of films and TV shows on DVD, but I did not like the idea of  seemingly trying to camouflage displaying all the jewel cases, old school paper cases, and DVD jackets in my living room, den, and man cave. So, this year we finally got around to ridding our collection of their cases, recycling all of the jewel cases in favor of a simple, streamlined system of DVD binders.

Here are a few trick that I have used to organize our home DVD collection:

  • Use different colored binders to separate television shows on DVD from movie DVDs. This saves time when I’m searching for something specific.
  • Using Binder Tabs, place  washi tape  to label what’s inside the binder; TV shows, films, documentaries, etc.
  • I keep my Blu-Rays, PS4, and Xbox games in their original jackets, stored in my den cabinet, as these items are still viable for home use, are not collectible, and when unneeded can be re-sold or exchanged.
  • For dvds which are not collectible, and to be held in binder, I sub-divide movies by series, sitcom, or genre, and use tab dividers as needed.
  • Did you know, you can request free shipping labels and materials from Greendisk, an electronics recycling service, that takes your techno-trash, and disposes of it in an environmentally responsible manner. 

I went from 11 shelves to seven 300-count binders, which are all stored in the top of my den closet!, saving my home nearly 30 square feet of space! Moreover, I was able look over movies that I did not even remember owning, and since hubby and I have spent several nights at home, re-watching some of out favorite blasts from the past!

What better way to spend the holiday season that re-watching your own DVD collection!

Here’s to organizing,

Misty

 

Chocolate Cherry Cordial Checkerboard Cake Recipe!

Good afternoon, savvy savers! This afternoon I found my family a bit down in the dumps, this combined with my needs to prepare a menu and plan meals for the week, and as I had already completed my coupon shopping this morning, left me in need to find something to cheer my family up without leaving my home, or kitchen, for that matter! Voila! A one-bowl chocolate cake recipe! Most of you, like myself, will have most of these ingredients on hand, and the end result is amazing! I also am a fan of any cake preparations that requires one bowl, and I surely do not feel like emptying the dishwasher at present!

Why call it Chocolate Cherry Cordial Checkerboard Cake? Because it is essentially a Cupboard Clearing Cake. Topped with, you guessed it, Oreos. In a checkerboard pattern. Simple. Easy. Fun. This cake is sure to cheer up even the grumpiest gus. If you’re looking for a recipe to whip up this season, be sure to check out my recipe below:

Cupboard Clearing Cake:

Ingredients: 

2 cups white sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2) Grease and flour two nine inch round pans.
3) In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla, mix for 2 minutes on medium speed of mixer.
4) Stir in the boiling water last. The batter will be thin. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
5) Bake 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the cake tests done with a toothpick.
6) Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Ingredients for Icing and Assembling Cake:
2 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
6 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup Nutella
1 can cherry pie filling
Oreo cookies, or other cookies on hand.

Directions: for Assembling
1) In a medium bowl, sift together the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa, and set aside.
2) Next, in a large glass bowl, cream butter until smooth, then gradually beat in sugar mixture alternately with evaporated milk.
3) Blend in vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy; adjust consistency with more milk or sugar if needed.
4) Fold in Nutella, and let icing rest in bowl, at room temperature for five minutes.
5) Place 1 cake round on cake stand, adding half the contents of one can of cherry pie filling on top, then top with second cake round.
6) Ice cake, then place remaining cherry pie filling centered on top of the cake, when finished crumble Oreos around the top, and reserve several to rim bottom of the cake.

Enjoy!

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Battle-Of-The-Bulge, Budget Style: Gardening To Lose Weight

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Hello again, savvy savers! Today I am starting another new blog series, Battle Of The Bulge, Budget-Style! I will be focusing on ways to live a healthier, more active lifestyle while be able to afford clean, organic, obtainable foods! I believe this series can be worthwhile for many, who like myself, wish to get more in shape, not through crash-dieting but by small attainable lifestyle changes!  All of the changes I propose will be free or affordable, and most meals and plans will contain couponed savings or deals! Fads are fancy, but coupons are a commitment! With that said, here is where I am currently: I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. I am looking to lose 60lbs., find affordable non-gym membership options for working out, and change the way I consume food; this includes meals, snacks, and splurges!

Today I am 31 years young, I am 5’6”, and weigh 198 lbs; I am down one pound since last week. I walk my dogs but beyond this am not terribly active. My lifestyle causes sedentary behaviors; I work-from-home, blog, run two internet businesses, and perform advocacy work online as well. I am an internet-based excuser! Today this changes! Spring has sprung, and so shall I! I have taken up yoga, and have started working out with a pedometer on as well!

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For my 8th post, I wanted to discuss a new measure I have implemented to help in my healthier lifestyle choice, gardening! Did you know that according to the American Heart Association, gardening 1 hour daily will burn up to 400 calories, and considering that the average weekend project tales 4-6 hours, and that maintaining your yard weekly, in warmer weather, will take nearly 1 hour a day, you would, on average burn upwards of 2,400 calories a week! An entire days worth of calories! This is a staggering number! For me, I make sure to water the plants, lawn, and mow as often as I can, as its no longer a chore for me, but an exercise! I love that performing tasks for  hobby can lead to better health!

How awesome is that? For a small, simpler routine,  here is my suggested, and used, gardening workout routine:

  • Pull weeds in 1 flower bed for 10 minutes
  • Rake mulch back into place in all beds, as needed, for 10 minutes
  • Fertilize roses, bushes, and low-lying shrubs for 10 minutes
  • Manually edge 30 feet of driveway, sidewalk, or straight-edged areas, 20 minutes
  • Water front flowers beds, 10 minutes

Also, adding the additional several hours per week that will be consumed by raking, gathering, and bagging Autumnal leaves, will help you lose an additional 150 calories, per two hour session! 

So, by my routine, all of which I can accomplish before 8 am, or after 6 pm, and will burn 400 calories! No gym membership or lawn service needed! This is an awesome way to put on a few podcasts, listen to a cd, or just have some time to yourself, and your yard, for nothing more than time! I also keep my Shih-Tzu, Sassy with me while gardening to lose weight; I have metal screw-into-the-yard hooks in various places in my yard, which I leash and harness Sassy to, and move her from area to area; so I can bond with my fuzzy-love, lose weight, and clean my yard at the same time!  This is one of my favorite ways to burn extra calories, while creating a more serene home for my family and myself!

Also, if you are looking for other ways to save money, lose weight, and maintain your yard, beds, and landscaping, be sure to check out my frugal garden tips, here! 

Here’s to the Journey!

Misty

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Weekly Menu: Feeding A Family of Four, for Only $24.19!

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Good afternoon, savvy savers! Here is my weekly menu, for which was derived from couponing deals, freebies, and cupboard cooking; I will be feeding a family of four this week for only $24.19!

This week we will be having:

Meatless Monday’s:
Breakfast: Mini meatless mushroom frittatas (substitute the sausage for pan fried mushrooms), Fruit cups, and Juice.
Lunch: Grilled Cheese sandwiches, with Humus dip, sweet potato chips, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Walnuts and String Cheese.
Dinner: Grilled Portobello Mushroom Sliders, Green Beans, Baked Potatoes, with Corn Muffins, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Taco Tuesday:
Breakfast: Cereal of Choice, Milk, and Apple Slices
Lunch: Freezer Cooking Chicken and Dumplings, carrot sticks, and Crystal Light
Snack: Trail mix.
Dinner: Taco Tuesdays!
Dessert: Brownie Ice Cream Sundaes Sandwiches.

What’s On Hand Wednesday:
Breakfast: Yogurt with granola, and juice.
Lunch: Taco Salads, with juice.
Snack: Grapes and apple slices.
Dinner: Stuffed Pork Roast, with roasted garlic and potatoes, with pita bread, and steamed spinach.
Dessert: Homemade flurries, with leftover brownies.

Thrifty Thursday’s:
Breakfast: Cereal of choice, with fruit cup, and milk.
Lunch: Grilled Mushroom and Leftover Pork Roast Paninis, Crystal Light, and Sweet Potato chips.
Snack: Hummus and crackers, with grapes.
Dinner: Turkey Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus topped grilled chicken,and tossed salad, with milk.
Dessert: Chocolate Cupcakes, with Cream Cheese Icing.

It’s Finally, Friday:
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt Smoothies.
Lunch: Tossed salad, with walnuts, grapes, blueberries, left over chicken, and  homemade Greek dressing.
Snack: Granola and fruit cup.
Dinner: Kosher Dogs, With Slaw and Chili, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Pineapple slushies.

So Glad It’s Saturday:
Breakfast: Blueberry Pecan Freezer Cooking Pancakes, with sausage, and milk.
Lunch: Grilled Chicken wrap and Crystal Light.
Snacks: String Cheese and grapes.
Dinner: Grilled hamburgers, with steamed corn on side, pasta salad, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Neapolitan Trifle

Service Sunday:
Breakfast: French Toast Casserole, with Milk, and Blueberries.
Lunch: Grilled Kielbasa sausage , baked mini macaroni and cheese cups, with Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and walnuts.
Dinner: Crockpot Cola-BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches, steam veggies, and milk.
Dessert: Homemade 7-11 Slurpees, with sugar-free syrup! 

Weekly Goals & Reflections: An Additive of Gratitude, Part I!

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Hello again, savvy savers! I wanted to end my weekly posts by bring the week to a close with a post about the reflections on this past week. This weeks reflections are going to be slightly different, in that I want to focus this weeks post, not on what I hope to accomplish, but on what I am most thankful for this past week. I wish to continue this series for the remainder of the year, as an “Attitude of Gratitude-style” post. I will be following this trend for the rest of the holiday season, and each weeks reflections, will reflect the calendar date of each post. I encourage all of my fellow blogging friends, readers, family, and friends-at-large to join in as well.

 

 

So, without further ado… here are the NINE REASONS I AM GRATEFUL THIS WEEK:

  1. This past Friday, my beloved husband, friend, and confident, Daniel, turned the big 4-0, in such a gracious manner, that I was truly proud of him!
  2. This past week, my husband brought home a new fur-baby, Glenda, a rescue, who after a clean bill of health from our family veterinarian, has already proven to be a loving, thoughtful companion, and helps prove that the old adage, “who rescued who,” to be more than the truth, in our case!
  3. I lost an additional two pounds, as part of my healthier lifestyle, and am hopeful to lose more!
  4. This week my website hit 500,000 views; I am truly blessed to have reached so many readers since March of this year, and am grateful for all of my readers!
  5. I am having continued success with my ETSY shop, and am loving all of the positive comments, conversations, likes, favorites, and orders this holiday season!
  6. I have finished up my holiday shopping for this holiday season, and came in under budget!
  7. I plan to take some time this afternoon to clean out, organize, and inventory my deep freezer, freezer, and refrigerators; I am grateful for the abundance of groceries, food staples, and other blessings that couponing has allotted my family this past year. I plan to donate 20% of our non-perishable food staples this week to a local soup kitchen and my husband’s school food drive, so that we may pass our blessings onto others!
  8. I am grateful for falling leaves. I somehow love the quiet moments, early in the morning, where I alone can creep across my yard, to fetch the morning paper, while listening to the crunch of leaves beneath my feet, the glow of brilliant fall foliage in sight, and the feel of chill in the air. I long for the days of Autumn!
  9. Finally, I am grateful for my three overgrown puppies, Sassy, Roxie, and Lady. My girls were so ecstatic this morning to receive a new treat from the store, and just the fact that a binky and ball makes there day, makes mine, too; I strive to be the kind of person my pups think I am!
 
 
So, that’s my list for this week! I love the awesome blessings my life unfolds for me week in, and week out!  What are your goals for the week, I’d love to hear them below in a comment!

Happy Sunday!

Misty

eMeals Ham, Kale & Navy Bean Stew Recipe!

 

Good morning, savvy savers!  Today I wanted to post again about on of the diet strategies I have implemented into my new diet and healthier lifestyle, eMeals! The folks at eMeals have graciously allowed me to partake in a free one-years subscription of their service, and I will be including these meal options into my current healthy lifestyle strategy, and I also wanted to bring you, my readers, information on their services as well. I recently came across a great eMeals recipe,  Ham, Kale & Navy Bean Stew, and wanted to share this with you all!

This meal, part of a slow cooker eMeals meal plan, which feeds a family of 6 affordably, and is a part of a meal plan which feeds each person for only $2.86/person per meal; there are also several other plans available for smaller families as well, which are sure to appeal to a broad range of tastes and preferences.

This delicious Ham, Kale and Navy Bean Stew is served over homey Cheese Grits, and appears on this week’s  Slow-Cooker Classic Meal Plan. Our team devoured the leftovers for lunch, and it would freeze perfectly. If you’re interested in learning more about the convenience of year-round slow-cooker cooking, check out the meal plan here.

Without further ado, here’s this awesome recipe:

STEW:

  • 6 carrots, thinly sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 lb potato, peeled and cubed
  • 2 (15-oz) cans navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (16-oz) package chopped kale (or collard greens)
  • 1 (28-oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 (16-oz) package fully cooked cubed ham
  • 1 (32-oz) carton chicken broth

GRITS:

  • 2 cups uncooked quick-cooking grits
  • 1 (8-oz) package shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

For Stew:

  1. Combine carrots, onion and potato in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
  2. Top with beans, kale, tomatoes and ham; pour in broth.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW 8 hours or until vegetables are tender.
  4. Stir in salt and pepper to taste.
  5. For Grits: Cook grits according to package directions; stir in cheese and butter until blended and smooth.
  6. Serve stew over grits.
  7. Enjoy!

In accordance with FTC Guidelines: I hereby disclose that I received complimentary products from the company being reviewed above, in exchange for my honest opinion and review of my experience.  I was not compensated for this review, but received a free membership. All opinions in the post are 100% my own. Individual results or experiences may vary. Please consult your physician, dietitian, or diabetes specialist before starting any diet. You can obtain more details information about the company, its products, and policies by visiting their respective websites, which will be linked above.