photo credit: The Country Cook
Using coupons is a great way to
stretch your family’s budget.There are available coupons for things other than
groceries too, like restaurants, toys,and even vacations. Experiment using coupons
to help you save up to 90% to try new products you wouldn’t normally buy but
will practically put to use.
Buying one or more Sunday papers
that include coupon books, is a great way to get stocked up on savings. Check out
websites, like www.thecouponclippers.com that
offer coupons for cents on the dollar or www.coupondivas.com that offer tutorials
to help you get started in the couponing game. Maybe you have a friend who will
give you their coupons? It never hurts to ask especially if those savings are
being tossed in the
trash.
Make it a goal to only buy grocery items on sale and with a coupon. Plan meals around those purchases.
Whether you are new to couponing or a seasoned saver, one of the first
steps you need to consider is how to store and organize your coupons. I would
suggest you always carry your coupons with you. Even though you think you’re just
running into the store for one item, you might see something on sale or on the
clearance rack that you have a coupon for, so you do want to keep it
handy.
It might work for you to tuck your clipped coupons into a simple
envelope. Or mark several envelopes with categories. Or store them according to
expiration dates. Do what works best for you.
Maybe you’d prefer, as I
do, an expanding file that is wallet size and easy to carry in your purse. Make
sure it has tabs on top of the dividers. Mark each with the product category so
you can find what you're looking for at a glance. I normally add my most recent
coupons to the back of each divider, so that the oldest ones(most likely to
expire first) are in the front.
Did you realize that whether you like or dislike a product, if you write
to the company, they likely will send you coupons? I've done it myself and was
thrilled for what I have received. Free items even! It's worth some time and being
able to email a company makes things quicker than ever before.
And did you know that expired coupons can be mailed to military
families? They're able to use them in their base stores up to six months after
expiration. One site to check out for details is www.coupsfortroops.com.
Thought I'd share a few Do-It-Yourself recipes to help stretch that
budget.
NATURAL STAINLESS STEEL CLEANER
Wipe off any major caked on grime using a rag. Pour about a tablespoon or
so of olive oil on a folded paper towel. You don’t want too much oil or you’ll
leave streaks of oil on the fridge, but you want enough that it does the job. You
may have to experiment a bit.
Wipe the fridge or appliance “with the grain” of the steel. Look for what
direction the metal seems to naturally go. This stroking method worked better
than using a circular motion, which left some streaks. You may have to reload your
paper towel once or twice with more oil to cover the whole surface. Wipe off any
excess oil using a dry paper towel.
HOMEMADE LIQUID FABRIC
SOFTENER
6 c. hot water
3 c. white
distilled vinegar
2 c. hair
conditioner (any brand)
In
large (microwave safe) bowl, mix vinegar and hair conditioner together it will look
a tad clumpy). Place bowl in microwave and heat
for a minute or two. This will ensure the ingredients will blend together. Remove
from microwave and stir. Add hot water and mix
to blend. Pour mixture into a one gallon container and store in laundry
room.
Use same
amount as you would store-purchased softener. (though I always use about half as much as the label
says).
Note: Be sure to shake bottle well before adding to
dispenser, downy ball or directly in rinse cycle. (I had an extra large bottle of
Downy already, and just added this mixture to it. It works great and I still get
the fragrance from the Downy.)
I have a friend who raves about this DIY
recipe for HOMEMADE SPRAY STARCH. She refuses to ever buy it again.
Simply add 2 TB. cornstarch to 2 cups water in a
spray bottle.Shake and spray. VOILA!
This dessert would be a lovely addition to
your Thanksgiving menu.
It comes from my blogging friend, Brandie, aka The Country
Cook. She is well known for her amazing desserts. She gave me permission to use
her photo.
PUMPKIN PIE DUMP
CAKE
1 (15 ozs) can pumpkin puree (not pie
mix)
1 (12 ozs) can evaporated milk
3 lg. eggs
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 (18 ozs) box Spice (or yellow) cake
mix
1 c. butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350. Spray 9" X 13" baking dish
with nonstick cooking spray. In medium bowl, combine pumpkin puree, evaporated
milk, eggs, sugar and cinnamon and blend until smooth. Mixture will be thin. Pour
into prepared dish. Sprinkle dry cake mix over top of pumpkin mixture. Bake for
55-60 minutes. It might be a bit jiggly in middle when done. It will continue to
set up as it cools. Cool at least 30 minutes before serving. Dollop each serving
with whipped cream. Refrigerate any leftovers.
"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds
today.
Have you used one to say thank you?" - William Arthur Ward
.jpg)
