#8: The last bit

My Mom is an expert with a spatula.  I've never seen anyone with talent like hers.  But for the rest of us, here is a tip for using up the last remnants in food jars.

Peanut Butter:  add a half cup of oatmeal, some milk, sugar, dried fruit, whatever floats your boat.  Let sit overnight and in the morning enjoy a nourishing cup of soaked-oatmeal!

Mustard:  Add a little olive oil and some vinegar to create a lovely salad dressing.

Catsup:  Fill the container half-way with warm water, shake then pour into any soup meatloaf, or casserole that has a tomato base.

love always,
JEnny

#7: Gifts

Somehow I think I grew up in a family with a  wrapping paper problem.

Ever since I can remember, my Mom has saved wrapping paper off of presents and it's one thing I haven't been able to escape.  I'm a little embarrassed to admit; I do it, too.

Here is a fun way to re-purpose used wrapping paper without looking uber-cheap:  Run used wrapping paper through a shredder and use it as packing in gift bags or boxes.

love always,
JEnny

#6: Pizza, anyone?

 Here's an awesome one:  Did you know that you can use the bottom of your cast iron pan as a pizza stone?!?  I've always wanted one but never had the big bucks to shell out.

Homemade pizza can cost under $2 for an entire pizza.  Here is the link to a homemade pizza crust that really tastes like a store bought one but takes only a few minutes to make (scroll about 1/6 of the way down the page).

love always,
JEnny

#5: Credit Cards

 This is a really good one I just heard:  erase the stored credit card numbers from your online accounts.  I think this one could easily save me a few dollars each month, because it's almost too easy to pop onto Amazon or iTunes or some app store.  "It's only 99cents!!"  Well, those certainly add up!  I'll have to think twice if I have to run out to the car, find my wallet, and reenter all of those numbers just for one little dollar item.

love always,
JEnny

#4: 30 Day List

I read recently that a good way to keep an eye on minor spending (the kind that can add up so quickly) is to keep a thirty day list.  You simply write down the little things you think about purchasing and then wait 30 days before you actually purchase them.  Knowing myself, I'm sure I would not return to purchase that tube of chapstick or mp3.  How about you?

love always,
JEnny

Tip #3:Utilities

One time my friend had a technician at her home looking at her air conditioning.  He told her that if she left her fan on all the time it would better circulate the air in her home and the air conditioning and heater would kick on less, thus saving her money on her utility bills.

love always,
JEnny

#2: Tires

So over Christmas break I had a lot of extra time on my hands, especially after I was bedridden with the flu for several days.  Having run out of things to read or watch, I decided to check out past episodes of Mythbusters , a show I had not watched before but came highly rated by my 13-year old ;)

On this particular episode the guys checked into the myth that under-inflated tires create worse gas mileage and found it to be true.  You'll have to watch the episode to hear all of the cool ins-and-outs.

So today's money saving tip is:  Check your tires regularly to save money when driving.

Steps:

1.  Find out what your car's tire pressure is supposed to be at.
2.  Acquire a tire pressure checking device and use it regularly (I'm reading weekly, I think every time I fill-up will do).
3. For even better savings, take the time to find out which gas stations near you offer free air.  You won't actually be saving anything if you end up spending $1 for air every time you fill up!!

Here is an interesting discussion about the science behind why cars lose air pressure in the winter.
 

Safe driving!!



love always,
JEnny

Today is Day #1

"Wait, what?!?"  you say. "Two letters in one day!!"

Yes, it's true.  Maybe I've turned over a new leaf ;)

Actually, in the spirit of New Year's Resolutions, I am making one I'd like to share.

This is going to be a fun and challenging year for me as I try mixing full-time school, part-time work, part-time Homeschooling, and full-time parenting.  One of the biggest challenges I see in this year for me will be a financial one.  Working only part-time will mean less money.  But my goal is that it doesn't have to mean that we feel like we have less money.

Moving into this house, one of my goals has been to create a home where my older kids would feel loved, welcomed, invited, and a part of the family.  I know there has to be some hurt in their hearts from the years I was away and I am doing everything in my power to at least make now as warm and welcoming as possible.

This has included for me making a place for each of them in my home, welcoming them at all times, making sure that there is enough food, or pillows, or whatever that they don't feel like a second-class member of this family.  Because they never will be.

Everyone was excited about my new plans.  Everyone, that is, except for Daniel.  Daniel has seen this last year the difficulties I have placed us in due to my poor planning, and I am certain that he is worried big time when he hears we are about to live on less.

So my number one goal this year is to find ways to live the best we've ever lived while living with less than we've had.  I've been reading and thinking and making plans.

So far the rules of the game are:

1. We will still have all the luxuries I have already provided:  internet, cable (it's actually free, but...), phone service, plenty warm house, etc.
2. We will NOT end up eating only "beans and rice", like I have threatened in other hard times.
3. The kids will not feel like we are poor.
4. I will NOT skip birthdays, holidays, or other "fun" things for our family.

And yet:

5.  I will have approximately half the income from working as I had before.


I have decided that I am going to make a goal to learn one new money-saving trick every day for the whole year.  Things that will help me use less or make what I have stretch without the kids feeling the pinch.  Real, usable things that I am excited to pass on to you.  Here we go:

Tip #1:  Milk

I have found that if you buy whole milk instead of the 1% or 2% I'm assuming you usually use, you can mix it with water and it will taste just the same as the milk you usually buy but it will go so much farther!  I have been trying this for about a month now and have worked out the details:

1 gallon 1% or 2%  = approx. $2.50

1 gallon whole milk = about 30 cents more

whole milk can be mixed about 1:2 with water to create a milk that tastes just like the other

1 gallon "Mommy milk" = $1.05 

This can be done with soy or almond milk, also, I just haven't experimented with the amounts yet.

love always,
JEnny