Nicole

Stockpile Tip: Clipboard Inventory Lists!

Hello again, savvy savers! Today’s Stockpile Tip is an easy one! Clipboards! That’s right! Organize your stockpiles by using a clipboard, simple paper, and keep tracking of your inventory! This will help you keep up-to-date with product expiration dates, quantities, and help you know whether or not to pass on this weeks sale; as sales as cyclical, if you have more than six of more products, you may be able to skip this sale and wait for the next! A simple stockpile sheet, hung by your products, will save you time, money, and effort on your next shopping trip!

Here’s to saving!

2 Comments

Tips From The Man Cave: Economic Reasons To Have A Gym Membership!

Guest Post, Tips From The Man Cave:

Hello again from the comfortable depths of the man cave! Time to give out a little more money savings advice from a man’s perspective.

One of the ways I help save money in our household is with a gym membership. You might ask, how can a recurring gym membership save you money?

Here’s a few reasons how:

1) Of course the main reason to join a gym is the direct benefit it does for your overall health, but what could it do for the health of your wallet? For one it could have an affect on your health insurance. Depending on your specific insurance company, there are many discounts available for be proactive about improving your health in this way.

2) Other smallers ways to get more out of you membership come from amenities many people fail to grasp for how good it really is. Showers could be used to drop your water bill and the towels if provided by the gym would be one less thing to have to run through your own machines at home. Many gyms provide saunas and even whirlpools. You really can get a lot for the relatively small amount of money you pay for your membership. Many gyms offer classes and other ways to make really get some enjoyment out of the time you set aside to improve your health.

3) Joining a gym also forces your hand a bit to get the most out of it. When you try to work out at the house you may be inclined to blow it off, but when you are paying a set amount for access to the gym it becomes harder to give in to that urge to let things slide. As much as it is about getting yourself healthier to enjoy life to the fullest it also can give you a sense of accomplishment to set a goal ans then reach it. Maybe it would be adding a few pounds to your bench press or cutting a few minutes of your run time.

4) One last thing could make a gym membership worth while; a racquetball court. The gym at the University of Southern Mississippi had several courts and I spent a good bit of my time there as a student playing friends, and losing a bit more weight with every game. I was a bit chunky in high school.

Hopefully this has at least given you a few ideas on how to get the most from a gym membership.

Wishing you good health and a healthy bottom line.

Daniel “Daddy Bear” Roberts

0 Comments

Neapolitan Trifle Recipe!

Good afternoon, savvy savers! Today’s recipe is for one of my families favorites, my Spring and Summer Neapolitan Trifle! I can make this dessert from ingredients solely from the Dollar Tree, use frozen cake, cupcake, and cookie scraps crumbled to save money, and aside from the berries which I often buy on buy-one-get-one-free sales from Winn-Dixie, I can make this dessert for under $4.00, which consists of fourteen 1 cup servings. The Trifle dish itself was purchased at Walmart for $4.98! This is a favorite recipe, and one that I find works best made the night before, which allows the juice, pudding, and layering-medium of choice to meld together!

Neapolitan Trifle Pudding Ingredients:

10 cake slices, or cupcake crumbles (6 cups of crumbles, if used)
1 lg. container (12 oz.) whipped topping
2 lg. pkgs. vanilla instant pudding
2 pts. fresh or frozen strawberries
1/4 c. maraschino cherry juice
Maraschino cherries & pecans, or cookie toppings; on this trifle I used Breyer’s chocolate sauce from the Dollar Tree!

How to make Trifle Pudding:

1) If using fresh strawberries, hull, wash, slice and add sweetener to taste; a good rule of thumbs for making a simple fruit glaze is one tablespoon of water to 1/4 cup sweetener. Once the fruit is glazed, let stand ten minutes.

2) Line a trifle bowl with cake slices, or cupcake crumbles, if that’s what you have on hand.

3) Make the vanilla pudding according to instructions on the package; add 1 tablespoon cherry juice.

4) Sprinkle the cookies, lady fingers, cake slices, or cupcake crumbles with maraschino cherry juice, then put a layer of pudding, strawberries and whipped topping.

5) Repeat step 4 with a second layer and end with the whipped topping.

6) Arrange quartered strawberries on the top of the trifle, seed-side out.

7) Add chocolate sauce around the strawberries; the sauce will spread out.

8) Refrigerate to chill before serving.

9) Enjoy!

2 Comments

Cleverly Couponed Crawfish Etouffee!

Good morning, savvy savers! I hope this weekend is shaping up to a wonderful time for you! With that said, its time for another recipe! Today, I will be sharing the Lady Prefers To Save’s Crawfish Etoufee! I make this recipe whenever I can, as my husband, a fan of all things emanating from the Crescent City, loves crawfish more than chocolate, sports, and napping, with the exception of New Orleans Saints Football!

With that said, and with all of my recipes, I buy what’s in season, and as we are entering crawfish season, there is no time like the better that to make my husband’s favorite Etouffee recipe! Also, crawfish buy-the-pound is currently on a B1G1 free special this week at Winn-Dixie. The seasonings are from Dollar Tree, the butter is bought in bulk at Sam’s Club, and the trinity mix, the celery, onions, and bell peppers, are by way of discounted produce from SavingStar.com, previously bought, blanched, and flash-frozen!

I can make this recipe for under $8.00, which will feed six people.

I will be diverting from my normal recipe today in only one way, we will be using the crock pot!

Cleverly Couponed Crawfish Etouffee Recipe:

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 pound crawfish tails, shelled and deveined
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
1 cup tomato, diced
1 tablespoon creole seasoning
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
hot sauce to taste
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice (1/2 lemon)
1/4 cup green onions, sliced
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
2 cups white rice
4 additional cups chicken stock or broth

Directions:
1) Make a roux by melting the butter in your crockpot, on high heat, and cook until it starts to brown.
2) Sprinkle in the flour while mixing and simmer until it turns a dark brown, about 10-20 minutes.
3) Then add the chicken broth, and whisk into the roux, and wait for it to boil; this takes about 10 minutes before straining the solids from the broth combine.
4) Add the onion, celery and peppers to the roux and cook, on low, for 6 hours.
5) Once your roux and trinity mix has cooked down, add the garlic, thyme, tomatoes, creole seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce and simmer for 20 minutes.
6) Fold in the shrimp, and cook 20 additional minutes, on low.
7) Season with hot sauce, salt and add pepper to taste.
8) In a separate rice cooker, cook two cups white rice, with 4 cups chicken broth; add a pinch of salt as well. Cook for 20 minutes, then cut off the rice cooker, and while it is covered, let it sit for an additional half hour.
8) Back to the crockpot, mix in the butter, lemon juice, green onion and parsley, and again taste for seasoning.
9) Plate this dish by ladling two scoops of Etoufee onto a bowl, then add one large ice cream scoop of cooked rice to the center of the dish.
10) Garnish with additional parsley and lemon juice.
11) Enjoy!

2 Comments

Penny Pinching Pineapple Blueberry Crockpot Dump Cake Recipe!

Good morning, savvy savers! Today I wanted to share with you one of my go-to brunch ideas, my favorite crockpot dessert recipe for Penny Pinching Pineapple Blueberry Crockpot Dump Cake! This recipe is also a favorite of mine when company calls or comes by unexpectedly, as this cake bakes in two hours, and can be ready after a grill-out, brunch, or unexpected, mid-week dinner. Keep in mind, this receipe is rich, and I suggest it be served with whip cream or vanilla ice cream.

With that said, I can make this dessert for $6.50, including both ice cream and whipped cream purchased at the Dollar Tree, which will feed 8.

Penny Pinching Pineapple Blueberry Crockpot Dump Cake:

Ingredients:

1 (21 ounce) can blueberry pie filling
1 can (6 ounces) crushed pineapple
1 (18 1/4 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Directions:

1) Butter a crockpot.

2) Place blueberry pie filling and entire can of pineapple in the slow cooker.

3) Combine dry cake mix and butter, then sprinkle over filling.

4) Sprinkle the pecans on top of the cake mix.

5) Cover and cook on low for 2 hours.

6) Serve warm in bowls, topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

7) Enjoy!

0 Comments

Organizational Ideas: Guest Post From The Joyful Organizer!

Good afternoon, savvy savers! With a new week, comes new challenges, and among these challenges are way to bring peace and utility to our day-to-day lives, and here at the Lady Prefers To Save, we like to help you accomplish this task through a weekly blog series, called Organizational Ideas! For this weeks Organizational Ideas Series Installment, we will be having a guest post by the very talented Bonnie Dewkett, blogger, professional organizer, and economist from The Joyful Organizer®!

Here are Bonnie’s tips for creating organization, through economizing, as seen on her blog, The Joyful Organizer:

Getting organized will save you money. However, we can all take it a bit further. Here are a few tips that are easy to integrate into your daily life that will save you money. Involve the family and you’ll have an even greater chance of success.

Go Meatless-Going meatless for at least one day a week helps you be healthier, save the environment and of course, saves you money. Beans and other vegetarian products are much cheaper than meat.

Call your service providers-Give all of your service providers a call and ask them for a better deal. Most people are fearful to do this, but the worst thing they can say is that they have no better offers. Don’t be afraid to switch providers if someone is offering a better deal that benefits your family.

Buy in bulk-buy the items you use frequently in bulk. Good candidates are toilet paper, toothpaste and sponges. Make sure you will use the entire amount before it expires. Also, take the wholesale membership costs into account.

Use a programmable thermostat-This allows you to turn the heat down while you’re gone during the day and turn it back up before you arrive home. Making these small adjustments every day can add up to a big savings.

Save with apps-Use coupon apps such as Coupon Sherpa and Retail Me Not. These allow you to look for the best deal and sales even while you’re in the store.

Use grocery delivery-While there is usually a delivery fee it is often less than the time and gas you’d spend grocery shopping. Plus, if you are going hungry or with kiddies, you’ll surely make some impulse purchases.

Make it visual-If you have a long term financial goal, such as a trip to Disney World, use a visual reminder to save. A drawn thermometer that you color in or a jar full of coins.

Walk Away-If you’re shopping online and like something, put it in your cart and walk away. Since the store is probably using cookies to track you, they will often send you a reminder with a coupon in a day or so.

Use natural cleaners-Making your own cleaners with vinegar and water will save you a lot of money over time. Maximize the savings even more by using cloths that you can wash and reuse over and over again.

Stay In-Instead of expensive family movie nights out, buy a Netflix subscription and stay in. Make home made microwave popcorn and even bake cookies to make it an entire evening of fun.

Swap with friends-Swap kid’s clothing, toys, meals, and even baby sitting services with your neighbors and everyone saves time and money! (You can also use sites such as Free Cycle.)

Library-Use the library. It’s shocking that people forget it even exists. They allow your o read books for free! Most libraries have movies and music as well.

Thank you again to Bonnie for her wonderful organizing tips! To find out more about Bonnie, check out her blog The Joyful Organizer, and her professional organization site, The Joyful Organizer®! Also be sure to check out and subscribe to Bonnie’s iTunes Radio show, The Joyful Organizer as well!

Here’s to staying organized!

0 Comments

Weekly Meal Planning Menu: Feed A Family of 4 This Week, For Only $28.39!

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 $28.39!

This week we will be having:

Monday
Breakfast: Mini meatless mushroom frittatas, Fruit cups, and Juice.
Lunch: Grilled Cheese sandwiches, with Humus dip, sweet potato chips, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Walnuts and String Cheese.
Dinner: BBQ Chicken, Green Beans, Baked Potatoes, with Corn Muffins, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies.

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

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.

Thursday
Breakfast: Cereal of choice, with fruit cup, and milk.
Lunch: Grilled Mushroom Paninis, Crystal Light, and Sweet Potato chips.
Snack: Hummus and crackers, with grapes.
Dinner: Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus, grilled chicken,and tossed salad, with milk.
Dessert: Dutch Cocoa Cupcakes, with Cream Cheese Icing.

Friday
Breakfast: Smoothies.
Lunch: Tossed salad, with walnuts, grapes, blueberries, 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.

Saturday
Breakfast: Pancakes, with sausage, and milk.
Lunch: Grilled Chicken sandwiches, with Sweet Potato chips, and Crystal Light.
Snacks: String Cheese and grapes.
Dinner: Grilled hamburgers, with steamed corn on side, pasta salad, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Coffee Shop Pudding Trifle

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: Hot fudge sundaes, with splenda fudge topping!

0 Comments

Older Posts

Newer Posts

Nicole

search