My family loves seeing the latest movies out there, but movie theatre costs have skyrocketed. Here are some things we do to save money...
There are several movie theaters in my town that have discount prices on Sundays. Instead of paying $12 on Friday night per person, we pay $6.75 on Sunday.
Redbox is our source for viewing new releases. For $1.39, we can see the latest movie without having to buy it on DVD.
My family is addicted to Netflix. We stream older and recently released movies, TV shows, and educational shows for less than $9 a month.
Happy Saving!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Cooking Shows Can Save You Money
I found a great cooking show that will give you lots of ideas for low cost meals. If you have access to cable or dish tv, you can find it on Food Network. The show is called 'Sandra's Money Saving Meals'. She breaks down the cost of each meal she cooks, and they look really yummy!
Happy Saving!!
Happy Saving!!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Growing Your Own Food
With the new year here, now is a great time to think about growing your own food. You don't need to live on lots of land to start a small garden and lower your food bill.
I live on 1/10 of an acre, and with a house and space for 4 dogs, it doesn't leave much space for growing food. I have found that pots are a great way to grow food, and are inexpensive to buy.
Seeds can be purchased at your local home improvement store, as well as potting soil and pots. I usually buy my pots on the off season at Target or Walmart when they go on clearance.
Some food items I have found easy to grow: tomatoes, strawberries, peas, potatoes, green peppers, lettuce, baby spinach, and herbs.
There are tons of how to videos online to help get you started. You will need to research what will grow in your climate, and when to start different food items based on that climate.
I encourage you to give it a try, even if its just one food item. A great starter would be herbs. They are super easy to grow. So go on, give it a try. You may just love growing your own food!
Happy Saving!!
I live on 1/10 of an acre, and with a house and space for 4 dogs, it doesn't leave much space for growing food. I have found that pots are a great way to grow food, and are inexpensive to buy.
Seeds can be purchased at your local home improvement store, as well as potting soil and pots. I usually buy my pots on the off season at Target or Walmart when they go on clearance.
Some food items I have found easy to grow: tomatoes, strawberries, peas, potatoes, green peppers, lettuce, baby spinach, and herbs.
There are tons of how to videos online to help get you started. You will need to research what will grow in your climate, and when to start different food items based on that climate.
I encourage you to give it a try, even if its just one food item. A great starter would be herbs. They are super easy to grow. So go on, give it a try. You may just love growing your own food!
Happy Saving!!
Monday, January 7, 2013
Computer Issues
I'm sorry I have not posted in a few days. The cord to my laptop isn't working, and I can't charge my computer to use it. I have all of my photos on it as well, so I can't use another computer to post my $15 a Day series.
I just found out that there is a Blogger app, so I am going to use that temporarily until I can get my new charger cord in the mail.
This has been a total bummer because I use my laptop to working from home, and I can't do that right now either.
I will try to take some pictures with my iPod and post them for the series tomorrow. That's if the pictures are half way decent.
Keep on couponing and cutting expenses. I will get back on track with this new Blogger app tomorrow!
Happy Saving!!
I just found out that there is a Blogger app, so I am going to use that temporarily until I can get my new charger cord in the mail.
This has been a total bummer because I use my laptop to working from home, and I can't do that right now either.
I will try to take some pictures with my iPod and post them for the series tomorrow. That's if the pictures are half way decent.
Keep on couponing and cutting expenses. I will get back on track with this new Blogger app tomorrow!
Happy Saving!!
Friday, January 4, 2013
Number Tally
I have added up the coupon saving/spending, and eating out totals so far this month and added them to the side bar.
I scored big on clothing at Target today using their print coupons. I found out you can use a Target clothing coupon on clearance items. SCORE!! I also found some nice gifts for next Christmas using household item coupons on clearance items. Don't under estimate Target. I have found some really nice decorative items their, and when they go on clearance, I snatch them up!
I will start my '$15 a Day' series tomorrow. I didn't have time with all the money I was saving at Target today!! :)
Happy Saving!!
I scored big on clothing at Target today using their print coupons. I found out you can use a Target clothing coupon on clearance items. SCORE!! I also found some nice gifts for next Christmas using household item coupons on clearance items. Don't under estimate Target. I have found some really nice decorative items their, and when they go on clearance, I snatch them up!
I will start my '$15 a Day' series tomorrow. I didn't have time with all the money I was saving at Target today!! :)
Happy Saving!!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Menu Planning
My Meal Plan & What It's All About
I have a budget that allows $15 per day ($ 5 per meal) for my family of three. After spending several years on a much smaller food budget, I feel blessed to have learned how to feed my family healthy meals for less.
I take advantage of produce and meat sales by buying as much as I can while these items are at a good price. More money up front, but big savings as the month progresses.
I buy Plainville Farms antibiotic free ground turkey and Publix Greenwise antibiotic free meats, so it really is possible to eat healthier food on a tight budget. I have learned that we really don't need to eat meat at every meal, so I try to limit it to one meal per day unless we have leftovers. This has really helped to keep us on budget.
I buy very few pre packaged foods. Other than the pasta, cinnamon rolls, and sour dough bread, everything else is made from scratch.
I grow what I can in pots and on my 1/10th of an acre to help keep my food costs down. It's fairly inexpensive to start and grow from seed.
Meal Plan - January 2013
Breakfast:
1. mixed fruit (2x per week)
2. organic eggs & hash browns (2x per week)
3. banana bread
4. muffins
5. cinnamon rolls
Lunch:
1. home made pizza - add whatever veggies are on sale that week & pre cooked chicken
2. soup & crackers
3. pinto beans & sour dough toast
4. BLT's on sour dough bread
5. garden salad
6. leftovers (2x per week)
Dinner:
1. bbq or honey chicken & veggies
2. beans & rice
3. meatloaf muffins
4. pasta salad with beans
5. chicken & rice
6. crock pot meal - meat, potatoes, carrots, & corn, green beans, or peas (makes 2 meals when I use a whole chicken or large roast)
7. leftovers
Dessert:
fruit
nuts & seeds
stove popped popcorn
leftover banana bread or muffins
I mix the veggies for meals weekly to keep it from getting boring. I also switch the beans out weekly.
I precook fresh chicken for other meals while I am cooking a chicken meal. It saves time later in the week.
Any food money thats left over at the end of the week goes towards eating out. It's a special treat, but not in the budget to buy regularly.
Being on a budget doesn't have to be boring. With a little imagination, we can all make tasty low cost healthy meals.
I have a budget that allows $15 per day ($ 5 per meal) for my family of three. After spending several years on a much smaller food budget, I feel blessed to have learned how to feed my family healthy meals for less.
I take advantage of produce and meat sales by buying as much as I can while these items are at a good price. More money up front, but big savings as the month progresses.
I buy Plainville Farms antibiotic free ground turkey and Publix Greenwise antibiotic free meats, so it really is possible to eat healthier food on a tight budget. I have learned that we really don't need to eat meat at every meal, so I try to limit it to one meal per day unless we have leftovers. This has really helped to keep us on budget.
I buy very few pre packaged foods. Other than the pasta, cinnamon rolls, and sour dough bread, everything else is made from scratch.
I grow what I can in pots and on my 1/10th of an acre to help keep my food costs down. It's fairly inexpensive to start and grow from seed.
Meal Plan - January 2013
Breakfast:
1. mixed fruit (2x per week)
2. organic eggs & hash browns (2x per week)
3. banana bread
4. muffins
5. cinnamon rolls
Lunch:
1. home made pizza - add whatever veggies are on sale that week & pre cooked chicken
2. soup & crackers
3. pinto beans & sour dough toast
4. BLT's on sour dough bread
5. garden salad
6. leftovers (2x per week)
Dinner:
1. bbq or honey chicken & veggies
2. beans & rice
3. meatloaf muffins
4. pasta salad with beans
5. chicken & rice
6. crock pot meal - meat, potatoes, carrots, & corn, green beans, or peas (makes 2 meals when I use a whole chicken or large roast)
7. leftovers
Dessert:
fruit
nuts & seeds
stove popped popcorn
leftover banana bread or muffins
I mix the veggies for meals weekly to keep it from getting boring. I also switch the beans out weekly.
I precook fresh chicken for other meals while I am cooking a chicken meal. It saves time later in the week.
Any food money thats left over at the end of the week goes towards eating out. It's a special treat, but not in the budget to buy regularly.
Being on a budget doesn't have to be boring. With a little imagination, we can all make tasty low cost healthy meals.
Happy Saving!!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
2013 Dryer Sheet Challenge
It has been 4 years since I started cutting my dryer sheets to help save money. Some think I'm weird for doing it, but I'm OK with that because I'm saving money! :)
I cut my dryer sheets into thirds and they work just as good as if I was using a full sheet.
I posted about it back in 2009. You can read the post here.
Go on, give it a try!
Happy Saving!!
I cut my dryer sheets into thirds and they work just as good as if I was using a full sheet.
I posted about it back in 2009. You can read the post here.
Go on, give it a try!
Happy Saving!!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy New Year!!
It's 2013!
A fresh start and a new beginning.
The savings tally starts all over today.
A great place to start saving this year is by printing online coupons. Head over to coupons.com and target.com and let the printing begin!
Lets save LOTS of money in 2013!!
Happy Saving!!
A fresh start and a new beginning.
The savings tally starts all over today.
A great place to start saving this year is by printing online coupons. Head over to coupons.com and target.com and let the printing begin!
Lets save LOTS of money in 2013!!
Happy Saving!!
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