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Nicole

February No-Spend Month Challenge: Day 3 Recap

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Hello again, savvy savers! So, for Day 3, and keeping with our I challenge you all to find new ways to Dine Out At Home!

For for me, I used today’s challenge to create a copycat meal, that could later be used with materials I had on-hand! Here’s my menu:

So, with items on hand, I would be able to pull this meal together, for my husband and I, for under $10.00! Compare this to the retail price of $64.18, minus gratuity and tax, for this same meal! This meal will be on my menu for my April no-spend month challenge, as my current meal plan is already in place!

As well today, I was also able to accomplish:

  1. I woke up at 6:45, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes, grudgingly. (Thanks, Flylady!)
  2. Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner.
  3. I finished one day of  clerking assignments.
  4. I read part of a new review book.
  5. I finished the last chapter of an awesome new book, “And Now I Choose,” by Tam Hodge.
  6. I finished today’s Day 3 No-Spend Challenge!
  7. I cooked from my pantry, three times.
  8. I finished five product reviews.
  9. Read my daily devotional.
  10. I organized my dining room.

So today I saved:

  • I was able to subscribe to a new, free magazine subscription, which will have a combined savings of $11.00.
  • I completed 2 surveys online via Ipsos-iSay, and earned a $1.00 towards my next Amazon gift code.
  • I eat at home three times today, saving our family $8.91. 
  • I recycled, upcycled, and composted one bins of deluge and saved $0.25, the cost of 1 trash bag. 
  • I reconstituted older Scentsy bricks into new wax melts, and saved $4.50.
  • I received $21.32 worth of product review items, which can be placed in my home gift closet!
  • I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.

So, overall today my family saved: $50.66

This months savings goal remaining: $757.75

 

Now that’s a full day! Stay tuned for the Day 4 Challenge tomorrow!

Here’s to saving,

free-christian-valentine-clipart1

 

 

 
Challenge Links:

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10 Ways to Stay Healthier In Winter!

 

 

It’s winter, and that means Flu and Cold season! If you are anything like me, you are always thinking of healthy, affordable measures to help safeguard your family during this germapalooza each year! As a wife of a public educator, it’s one of my main missions to help not only keep germs out of my home, but to keep my family, my husband’s students as healthy as possible, and by proxy, myself, too!

We may not be able to protect ourselves from all the germs in public, but there are a lot of things we can do to keep our home healthy during winter.

For this week’s Tutorial Tuesday, I want to share with you a few of my tried-and-true Winter germ-fighting strategies to help you stay healthier this season. Here are 10 tips to get you started:

  • Change your furnace filters every three months. Filters capture allergens like pet dander, smoke, household dust from the air passing through the filter. Changing furnace filters seasonally keeps these allergens from both re-entering your home, and your families respiratory systems.
  • Stay away from those with visible signs of illness. If someone is displaying cold or flu-like symptoms in a public place, move away from them. Don’t touch them, or their belongings.
    Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, as germs can spread up to six feet in circumference!
  • Wash your hands frequently. Soap and water alone don’t remove the germs from your hands; friction removes the germs, so wash vigorously.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. According to the CDC, the majority of infections are caused by touching something that is contaminated with germs and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces bi-weekly. Examples would be door handles and knobs, toilet handle, sinks, refrigerator handles, railings, remote controls, telephones, and dining room tables; use commercial sprays, such as Lysol, and allow surfaces to fully dry for 1-2 minutes before using.
  • Change bedding weekly. Germs can be spread through shared bedding, so washing it often can prevent that. Duvets, bed skirts, pillows, and other items do not need to be washed but should be placed on a hot fluff cycle for 15 minutes to kill surface germs.
  • Don’t share eating utensils. Honestly, for me, this is a year-round rule!
  • Diffuse essential oils. Essentials oils, such as tea tree, grapefruit, lemon, and cedar oil can clear the air in under 30 minutes, helping to promote wellness in your home and ease sinus discomfort.
  • Eat your veggies! By eating nutritious whole foods, such as three servings of vitamins each day, you will help to build your bodies reserve of B-Complex, Vitamin k, and Vitamin C reserves, all natural agents which help your body stave off infection, and promote cell renewal!

Friends, those are my 10 tips for staying healthier this winter season. Now if you have any tips that you utilize in your own home to stay healthier each winter season, I’d love to hear them below.

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DIY Bath Salts Recipe!

DIY Bath Salts Recipe!
Hello again, savvy savers! For this weeks Beauty On A Budget Post, I wanted to share my DIY Bath Salts Recipe! I can make a jar of bath salts for around $1.00, and so this recipe makes for a budget-friendly at-home spa staple, as well as an excellent idea for the upcoming holiday gift season, for those looking to go the DIY-route! Here’s how to make it:
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Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Ingredients
  1. 3/4 Cup Coarse Sea Salt
  2. 1/2 Cup Epson Salts
  3. 1/4 Cup Baking Soda
  4. 1/2 Teaspoon Sweet Almond Oil
  5. 12 Drops Essential Lavender Oil
  6. 10 Drops Food Coloring (optional)
  7. Dried Lavender (optional)
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine: coarse sea salt; Epsom salts, and baking soda; blend well.
  2. Transfer dry mixture to clean glass jar or lidded container.
  3. Add your essential oil and almond oil, stirring gently to incorporate.
  4. Please note, I personally do not feel the need to color my bath salts, should you chose to do so, add 10 drops of a coordinating food color per batch.
  5. Also, when in season, I will add lavender removed from the stem, grown organically from my tiered herb garden to my batches; I pour a four of my mixture into a jar at a time, then add the lavender, and continue until the jar is filled.
  6. If making this product for others, be sure to add a label, or a hang tag to the jar, indicating what the product is, as well as usage and storage suggestions, especially for those with small children and pets.
Notes
  1. This DIY is super simple, smells amazing, and is nourishing to your skin!
  2. Gift Giving Idea: Considering that a jar of this super luxurious, organic salt blend, paired with my Homemade Brown Sugar Citrus Body Scrub, and Homemade Warm Honey Eucalyptus Body Butter, placed in a basket, makes for a trip of affordable, organic DIY beauty product gift for under $6.00, per person!
The LadyPrefers2Save https://theladyprefers2save.com/
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February No-Spend Month Challenge: Day 3 (Dine Out At Home)

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Hello again, savvy savers! A new day, a new challenge! 

 

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Did you know, that the average American eats an average of 4.2 commercially prepared meals per week. In other words, as a nation, on average we dine out between 4-5 times a week. This number equates to 18.2 meals in an average month, nearly a 1/3 of our meals consumed!

What kind of money are we talking about here? Considering that the average American spends $12.75 per meal, may not sound too exorbitant, but wait until you see the real math… that is $232 a month, and $2,784.00 annually! 

What’s more staggering? Many low-fat, nutritious meals can be made for under $2.00 per person, per meal, a savings of nearly $40.00 weekly, all-in-all a 90% savings; all funds which could easily help you snowball debt!  So, for just this one budget change, you can pay for an entire months worth of couponed groceries, for a family of four! I know it can be done, I do it weekly! 

Now with that said, I still firmly believe in the idea that part of living well, spending less, and living frugally only means something if these measures help you, and your family, live freely! Yes, you should be able to splurge on meals from time to time, just not this month! And I am also aware of the upcoming Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day weekends vast approaching, and in the spirit of laissez bon temps rouler, I have devised today’s challenge!

So, for Day 3, and keeping with our I challenge you all to find new ways to Dine Out At Home!

That’s right! Come up with a list of a list of copycat meal options, restaurant-style fair, savory bits that can be made at home this month, from what you already have on hand!

  • Use your favorite search engine and find recipes that will help you empty your freezer, deep freeze, stockpile, and pantry items.
  • You should find a few meals, nothing crazy, just a few! 
  • Search for specific chain favorites; for me I love Applebee’s Walnut Bondies!
  • Have fun!
  • Be Creative!

Stay tuned for the Day 3 Challenge recap this evening!

Here’s to saving,

free-christian-valentine-clipart1

 

 

 
Challenge Links:

17 Comments

February No-Spend Month Challenge: Day 2 Recap

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Hello again, savvy savers! So, for Day 2 I challenged you all to come up with a list of a list of meals, with all of the staples being comprised of your freezer, deep freeze, stockpile, and pantry items. We needed to come up with:

  • 13 Breakfasts
  • 13 Lunches
  • 13 Snacks
  • 13 Dinner Options
  • 13 Desserts

 

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So, here is what I came up with:

Breakfasts (using frozen eggs, bacon, cheese, Homemade Greek Yogurt, and stockpiled cereal): 

  • Homemade Greek Yogurt Parfaits x 9
  • Cereal x 13
  • Bacon, Eggs, and Toast x 4

Lunches (using frozen cold cuts, Thanksgiving pulled turkey slices, and frozen grilled chicken breasts):

  • Almonds, Cheese Crackers, Cheese rounds, with celery, and Crystal Light x 10
  • Tossed Salad with Turkey, light vinaigrette, and Crystal Light x 8
  • Chicken Salad, and Crystal Light x 8

Snacks (using frozen fruit and cheese):

  • String Cheese and grapes x 7
  • Almonds and Gala Apple Slices x 7
  • Strawberries and String Cheese x 7
  • Blueberries and Walnuts x 5

Dinners (made from stockpile and freezer):

Desserts (made from pantry items): 

  • Jello-o Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups x 7
  • Gluten-Free Brownies x 7
  • Brownie flurries with leftover brownies x 7
  • Diet Coca-Cola Slushies x 5

 

As well today, I was also able to accomplish:

  1. I woke up at 6:30, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes, (just sans shoes indoors, as we’re a no-shoes indoor household!) (Thanks, Flylady!)
  2. Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner.
  3. I finished one days work of work-week, clerking assignments.
  4. I worked on my lesson plan for my new project, teaching couponing/savings classes at my local community college for an hour.
  5. I read part of a new review book.
  6. I finished today’s Day 2 No-Spend Challenge!
  7. I enjoyed a Free Chik-fil-a- frozen latte!
  8. I cooked from my pantry, three times.
  9. I mailed off a package of coupons for Coups For Troops.
  10. I worked on ten product reviews.
  11. I finished all of my daily blog posts on time!
  12. Read my daily devotional.
  13. I rented two free Redbox movies, which I will enjoy tonight!
  14. I cleaned out my kitchen drawers as part of today’s Monday Deep Cleaning Project! (Thanks, MoneySavingMom)

 

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So today I saved:

  • I was able to subscribe to a new, free magazine subscription, which will have a combined savings of $12.00.
  • I completed 2 surveys online via Ipsos-iSay, and earned a $1.00 towards my next Amazon gift code.
  • I submitted ten receipts to Receipt Hog, (if you wish to join please use code drog2894 when signing up) which earned by $175 coins, or $0.40. 
  • I eat at home three times today, saving our family $8.91. .
  • I pre-packed a weeks worth of lunch meals for my family, which saved us $6.89.
  • I recycled, upcycled, and composted one bins of deluge from today’s deep clean challenge, and saved $0.25, the cost of 1 trash bag. 
  • I rented two free Redbox movies, a savings of $2.48.
  • I enjoyed a free Chik-fil-a frozen latte, for free!
  • I received $19.34 worth of product review items, which can be placed in my home gift closet!
  • I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.

So, overall today my family saved: $58.94

This months savings goal remaining: $808.41

 

Now that’s a full day! Stay tuned for the Day 3 Challenge tomorrow!

Here’s to saving,

free-christian-valentine-clipart1

 

 

Challenge Links:

17 Comments

Punxsutawney Meatless Monday Crockpot Chili!

Punxsutawney Meatless Monday Crockpot Chili!
Serves 6
Hello again, savvy savers! It's time for another Making More Out Of Monday Meals Recipe! Did you know that the three largest Chili Cook-offs in America each year are on Grundhog's Day? This seems right on cue, as so much of the country is currently enduring blistery, cold, and snow bound this morning! So, with Punxsutawney Phil predicting six more weeks of winter today, and in the spirit of Meatless Monday's, here is my recipe for Punxsutawney Meatless Monday Crockpot Chili!
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Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
8 hr
Total Time
8 hr 30 min
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
8 hr
Total Time
8 hr 30 min
Ingredients
  1. 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  2. 2 medium yellow onions, thinly diced
  3. 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly diced
  4. 2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
  5. 2 tablespoons hot sauce
  6. 1/4 cup chili powder
  7. 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  8. 2 cups Boca Crumbles (can be substituted for ground turkey, beef, or pork)
  9. 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  10. 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
  11. 1 14-ounce can tomato sauce
  12. 2 pounds soaked/hard boiled overnight kidney beans
  13. 1/4 cup coarsely chopped green chiles
  14. 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
  15. 1 cup Sour cream
Instructions
  1. In a skillet, heat your oil on medium heat.
  2. Once simmering, add the onions, bell pepper, garlic, and chiles.
  3. Add your seasonings, and cook for 10 minutes, continuously stirring.
  4. Cook until fragrant and your trinity is translucent.
  5. Add the boca crumbles, and cook for an additional 4 minutes.
  6. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.
  7. Slowly fold in your hot sauce, drained kidney beans, tomatoes, and tomato sauce.
  8. Check your seasonings, and re-salt as needed.
  9. Cover and cook 8 hours on low.
  10. Before serving, taste and re-salt as needed.
  11. Serve with the cheese and sour cream.
Notes
  1. Be sure to check out my other crockpot recipes on Pinterest at: https://www.pinterest.com/LDYPrefers2Save/crockpot-slow-cooker-recipes/
The LadyPrefers2Save https://theladyprefers2save.com/

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Weekly Menu & Stockpile Shopping Trip!

valentine's day menu

 

Happy Monday, savvy savers! This week is starting off to a sunny, yet chilly start here in Dixie. Thankfully, this weeks menu is going to be a breeze, and consists of Cupboard Clearing ideas, so stepping out to the market is not necessary! I am cooking and prepping solely from what is in my deep freeze pantry, and stockpile this week! I have spent nothing for this weekly menu plan, part of my 30-Day No-Spend Challenge! 

This week we will be having:

Monday
Breakfast: Meatless Monday low-fat Mozzarella and Spinach Omelette, with Green Tea.
Lunch: Almonds, Cheese Crackers, Cheese rounds, with celery, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Almonds, and Gala Apple Slices.
Dinner: Crockpot Three Bean Chili, cooked with Boca Crumbles, with Diet Cola.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Green Tea, Coconut Milk, and Strawberry Smoothie; made with Truvia.
Lunch: Freezer Cooking Chicken and Dumplings, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Frozen/Thawed Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Roll-ups; in lieu of taco shells I use Romaine Lettuce Sheets.
Dessert: Gluten-Free Brownies.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Baked Frittata Cups, with Unsweetened Almond Milk.
Lunch: Taco Salads, with crystal light.
Snack: Grapes and apple slices.
Dinner: Crockpot Chicken Curry, steamed peas, and crystal light.
Dessert: Homemade Gluten-Free  Truvia brownies.

Thursday
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt, with fruit cup, and Unsweetened Almond milk.
Lunch: Tossed Salad with Turkey, light vinaigrette, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and apple slices.
Dinner: Grilled Turkey Burger Patties, sweet Potato Fries, with Crystal Light.
Dessert: Brownie flurries with leftover brownies; we use Edy’s Sugar-Free Ice Cream.

Friday
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt, with fruit cup, and Unsweetened Almond milk.
Lunch: Tossed salad, with homemade Greek Yogurt dressing, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Strawberries and two pieces of Sugar Free Chocolate; candy is used as melted drizzle for berries.
Dinner: Barbecue Pork, Steamed Green Beans, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Diet Coca-Cola slushies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt, with fruit cup, and Unsweetened Almond milk.
Lunch: Chicken Salad, and Crystal Light.
Snacks: String Cheese and grapes.
Dinner: Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Quinoa, and lemonade.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups.

Sunday
Breakfast: Bacon, Eggs, and Toast, with Unsweetened Almond Milk.
Lunch: Grilled Sausages, Steamed Broccoli, Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese, with Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and walnuts.
Dinner: Crockpot Orange Chicken with Almonds, Steamed Peas, and crystal light.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups.

 

 

As well, here is my weekly stockpile shopping trip, purchased on 1/31/15; all goods which will be used in my pantry, blanched, frozen, or used for freezer meals! Here’s what I purchased:

 

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Sam’s Club:

  • 2 1-Gallon Jugs of Italian Dressing, $4.01 each
  • Split Chicken Breasts, $0.69/lb; 10 lb. pack
  • Boulder Sweet Potato Fries, $1.81
  • Simply Right Grain-Free Cat Food 18 pound bag, $8.81
  • 2 3-Packs of Libby’s Pumpkin Mix, $0.91 each
  • 3 piece Neutrogena Body Wash & Oil Gift Set, $5.71 each

Used: $5.00 Sam’s Gift Card Credit (from Savings Catcher Savings)

Total Spent: $27.88, Plus Applicable Tax

 

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Winn-Dixie:

  • 4 Jumex Juices, $0.49 each
  • Candied Orange & Lemon Peel Tubs, $0.25 each
  • Ripe Banana Bags, 2/lb for $0.39
  • 2 Marshmallow Fluff Cups, $0.39 each
  • (2) 1-Liter Coke Bottles, $0.99 each; Submitted for a $1.00 iBotta App, and only paid $0.50 after rebates
  • 2 Zapp’s Chips, 2/$2.00
  • 2 lb bag of Cabbage, $0.49/lb
  • 3 bags of Yaki Nori, $1.00 each
  • Tomato, $0.89 each; submitted for $0.25 Checkout51 Credit
  • 2 cloves garlic, 2/$1.00
  • 2 Tubs Move Over Butter, $1.19 each
  • 1 Quart Fat Free Land-O-Lakes Hal and Half, $1.39
  • 1 cucumber $0.50; submitted for SavingStar 20% back credit
  • 1 Roll of Rollos, $1.19; submitted for full rebate back on SavingStar
  • 3 pound bag of Bolthouse Carrots, $1.29
  • EarthBound Farms Salad Tub, $3.99; used $1.00 Earthbound Farms Coupon

Total Spent: $20.78, Plus Applicable Tax

 

So this week I paid $49.66 for $181.23 worth of groceries and home goods, all of which went to replenish my stockpile, freezers, and pantry! 

 

Here’s to saving,

free-christian-valentine-clipart

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