Cutting The Cost For Soups and Stews

I just wanted to share a quick tip about a method I use to make a cheap meal even cheaper. We all probably already use leftover chicken or beef to turn it into a second meal of soup or stew. I've found a way to take that frugal meal a little farther, making it even more frugal but still as tasty. So here's how I get the cheapest meal possible from leftovers...when I'm doing the clean up after a meal, it seems there are always just a few vegetables left, but not enough for another meal. I have started keeping a large container in my freezer and I dump that small amount of leftover vegetables in there. I just keep adding to the container after every meal. When I'm ready to make soup or stew, I have a ready source of mixed vegetables without buying any or using vegetables I have in the cupboard. This makes my soup or stew almost a freebie, since it's made of things that might otherwise be thrown out. So, start your veggie container today!

MyPoints.com

MyPoints is a site where you earn points for various activities. You do not actually earn cash, but the points are just as good as cash. There are so many ways to earn that everyone is bound to find something they enjoy. You can earn just by reading emails received from them, you can complete offers, you can earn huge points by shopping through their site, and you can earn by joining other sites that are affiliated with them. They also have an affiliate program, which I have not tried, that pays cash. I personally use my points for emergency gas money since I earn enough for $20 BP gas cards a month. That's $20 I don't have to spend out of my pocket every month. If you're into offers, you could do much better. I typically only read emails. They do not have a referral program, this post is just for your earning enjoyment. If you click on the post title it will take you to their site. Have fun with it!

Frugal living resource

I found this great eBook about frugal living and I thought I would share it with you. If you are like me, every penny counts in these hard economic times, and this book is a goldmine of frugal living tips. If you want to save money, this is your resource! Just click on the post title...

I am soooooo waiting on you guys!

Okay, look, I can't be frugal every single minute of every single day. Well, maybe most days. What I really need is for you guys to start adding your own tips for being frugal here. How do you save money? What little tips do you have the corner market on? Let's even stretch this a bit. How about some tips on saving time, or saving energy? Organizing tips would be a great addition as well. I know there have to be some Dave Ramsey fans out there who can bring a whole new meaning to frugal living, so let's hear it!

I'm planning to continue building my website links on the left, and adding more ideas here. I would like to start an eBay discussion, but I'll need some input from you folks first. What ways other than eBay can a person make some extra money? With your help we can put together some great ideas!

Make your own cleaning products for pennies

I thought I would share with you some of the homemade cleaners you can make for pennies on the dollar. I am using them and most work as good, or better, than the expensive stuff from the store.

Laundry Detergent: 1 cup Fels Naptha or Ivory soap (grated finely)1/2 cup washing soda, 1/2 cup borax. Mix and stir in lidded container. For lightly soiled loads, use 1 T. For heavily soiled loads use 2 T. Estimated cost: $1 for 32 T

Homemade Shout: 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda, 2 T ammonia, 3 C water. Stir together and fill a labelled spray bottle. Spray soiled spots before washing.

Fabric Softener: 1/4 cup baking soda,1/2 cup vinegar. Fill washer with water, add baking soda, stir, then add clothes. Add vinegar to final rinse.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: 1 cup borax, 1/2 cup white vinegar.Flush to wet sides. Sprinkle borax all along the sides and insides. Drizzle vinegar over borax and leave overnight. Next day, scrub and flush.

All-purpose Cleaner and Disinfectant: 1 tsp borax 1/2 tsp washing soda, 2 T lemon juice. In a pint spray bottle, combine ingredients. Add 1 cup very hot water and shake to dissolve. Store indefinitely.

Kitchen Disinfectant: Keep a spray bottle each of white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in the kitchen. Best results come from using one spray right after the other (the effect is in the mixing, but you can't mix ahead). Use to wash vegetables, sanitize counters and cutting boards. More effective than chlorine bleach at killing salmonella, shigella, and e. Coli.

Drain cleaner: For a great once-a-month drain cleaner, pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain, follow with 1/2 cup white vinegar (it will foam). Cover and let sit 30 minutes and then flush with cool water. For stubborn, slow-running drains, pour 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup salt down the drain. Follow this with 2 quarts boiling water. Let sit 30 minutes, then flush with cool water

Oven Cleaner: (No toxic fumes) 3/4 c Baking Soda, 1/4 c Salt. Add enough water to make into a paste, spread it around the oven. Leave overnight (at least 8 hours). Spray w/ water if it has dried. Wipe it up. Spray w/vinegar to get rid of any baking soda residue.

Dishwasher Soap: Equal parts borax and washing soda. I usually make up 2 C at a time and sore in a lidded container. Increase the washing soda if you have hard water.

Wow! I've wanted to do this for a long time...

I am really excited to be able to start this blog, now I just hope others will come along and share. Today I shopped at Aldi's, which is something I haven't done much of, even in my most frugal moments. I have decided that they will become my primary grocery store. You know those Gorton's fish fillets that come in flavors like lemon pepper and garlic butter? At my local store they are priced at $5.45 and contain 2 pieces of fish about the size of a deck of cards. Now don't get me wrong, they are tasty, but expensive. I saw the same product at Aldi's for $1.99 today. I bought two packages of Aldi's brand for less than the cost of one package of the name brand. We had them for dinner tonight and they tasted great. So, here's a break down of my trip to Aldi's as compared to my local store prices:

Item ............................ Aldi's Price .............................................Local Store Price

Fish Fillets ..................1.99....................................................................5.45
Peanut Butter..............1.29...................................................................2.89
Sanitary Pads...............2.29..................................................................4.39
Frozen Gr Beans..........1.29..................................................................2.29
Total.......................6.86...................................................15.02

Get my point here? Would some of you please share some of the stores in your area that offer great deals ( such as Sam's, Save-a-lot, etc) and how much you are saving?