Coupons!

Coupons can be a great thing.  My danger with coupons is buying something I really don't need (or is very nutrition).  It's a great deal if the items are things you really do need, but watch out!  :-)  I've linked a couple of good online coupon sources.  Feel free to post links you also find reliable!

http://coupons.smartsource.com//index.aspx?Link=5S2ZUA6PWPEPO

http://www.couponmom.com/

A very simple and inexpensive breakfast

Toast a piece of bread (preferabely, whole wheat).  Spread peanut butter on top, drizzle a little honey and mix in with peanut butter.  Slice up a banana.  Seve with juice.  This is one of my favorite breakfasts!  Quick, simple and nutritious!  :-)

Making a list. . .checking it off!

This might be a "duh" statement, but one way to save some extra coins at the grocery store is to go with a thorough list!  Unfortunately, this does take time before going to the store, but it pays off!  Then, stick to the list once you're in the store!  This is my current list routine:  The night before, I go through what I am planning on making for the next few days and check the refriderator, freezer, produce basket and pantry for what items I need for those recipes.  Then, I check what I have and don't have for snacks.  Then, I think through what we need as far as household items go (toilet paper, paper towells, shampoo, etc.).  I have recently started keeping paper and pen on the refridgerator for the family to write down items as the week goes on, but this has yet to really catch on yet (maybe someday. . .).  Then, I order the list by isle in the grocery store.  This helps me zip through a lot faster and I'm less tempted to wander and browse!  I also do my grocery shopping very early in the morning--this is easier with kids and with WIC purchases!  Happy shopping!

Food on a Road Trip

I took a road trip with my kids recently.  I was very pleased I only spent approximately $25.00 total on food for all of us!  How did I do this?  I will share my plan of action. 

--I had a case of bottled water in the car.  

--I only drank bottled water while driving.

--I filled my kids' sippy cups with water and refilled with water every time we stopped.

--At each stop for gasoline, I allowed the kids to pick out ONE packaged cracker snack.  Each of these cost 50cents to $1.00.  I also picked one up for myself.

--I planned to stop for lunch.  We paid about $10.00 total for lunch, each way.  We ate chicken sandwiches, fruit slices and juice.

Tip I learned:  stopping every hour or so is not only good for everyone to stretched their legs and use the "potty," but it also helps in alertness.  One of the dangers of drinking so much soda and coffee (and consuming high sugar snacks) is while they initially give you a burst of energy, they also bring your alertness even lower than it started--causing you to consume yet another high sugar energy "booster."  Drinking water, eating fairly healthy and stopping freqently had the same effect, was healthier and cost soooo much less!  This tip seemed to work great on this trip.  We'll see if it holds next time I find myself on the road.  I would be curious if anyone else has any great nutrition and cost saving tips for road trips, with or without kids! 

Produce Trash Bag?

Get more bang for you buck with produce bags! I try to make sure I don't tear the bags as I'm putting fruit and veggies in it, then after we get home I wad them up and place them in the diaper bag. Presto--diaper trash bags! This saves me from having to buy "disposable diaper bags" and those extra pennies can go towards keeping fresh produce on the table!

Make your own Broth

Here's a fun tip on how to save $$ from having to buy Chicken broth--make your own!  Don't discard the bones when you buy bone-in Chicken.  After you have cooked the chicken, place those bones in a slow cooker (or big dutch oven).  Cover with water.  Simmer for hours and hours.  I usually simmer mine for about eight hours.  THEN discard the bones.  Spoon the broth into icecube trays and freeze.  Then pop the frozen broth cubes into freezer bags.  When you need broth, just melt as many as you need for your recipe!

Repeats

To stretch out those dollars, try (for a month) a scheduled menu.  On Mondays and Tuesday, serve Beans and Rice (or similar) for dinner, on Wednesday and Thursday a Chicken and rice dinner, do a homemade pizza on Friday night, then let Saturdays and Sundays be open for suggestions from your family.  It sounds a little bland on paper; but there are many ways to slightly vary those meals, it keeps planning and grocery shopping easier and it will also save a few dollars too!

Car Food Box

A tip on how to save some mega $$ when in the car.

We've all been there.  We're out and about with the kids (or just ourselves) and hunger strikes!  What to do?  The strong temptation, of course, is to pull through the drive through window of a nearby fast food joint.  If you're looking for a way to tame the fast food monster, save some money, yet not let hunger linger on--consider keeping a box of food and drinks in the car.  It doesn't have to be huge or elaborate, just functional.  We keep a small box in the back of our van filled with cheese/cracker snacks, juice bottles, water bottles, a jar of peanuts, a few bags of dehydrated fruit, and plain crackers.  Make sure anything you keep back there is "non perishable."