My favorite fruit salad……cut up leftover canned fruit..(can also just cut up a couple of cans of each if you like)…..(pears, peaches, etc), put in a container in the freezer, (along with juice)…and 1/8-1/2 tsp almond extract (sorry I never measure, just pour some in)….when you have enough, add some frozen fruit, ie: strawberries, mixed berries, or bananas…if you like….(I like it slushie, but my husband doesn’t, so however you like it….)…serve…would be good over vanilla ice cream for desert too, or with a dollop of whipped topping….dd
From: Anonymous
Hi Tawra, 4 weeks ago I got my hours at work cut
from 30 to 20 per week. The timing is never
right: Between gas & food steadily increasing.
Did I panic? Well yes for a day or two. I have
always been frugal but my husband and I obviously
got a little too comfortable with our spending.
I sat down with pen & paper to try to figure out
the new budget. Then it dawned on me.
Alone my husband and I were spending $3.00 per
day on 2 coffees, that’s $21.00 per week, $84.00
per month. This doesn’t even include the gas to
get there so lets make it an even $100.00. Coffee
is made at home now for pennies.
We use only my car instead of the truck and save
over $200.00 on gas!!!!!!!
Now that I’m working 3 days a week instead of 5,
I head to the grocery store at 7am while the
hubby and kids are still eating breakfast and
stock up on the 50% meats, dairy, bread etc.
My garden will grow carrots, lettuce, radishes,
tomatoes, chives, parsley & snow peas. free,
free, free!
I have always been proud of being a frugal momma
but over time I failed myself and fell off the
wagon. I’m back on the frugal wagon and I’m
proud to report we actually made MORE money this
month having me home. By having more time at
home I can plan meals better, save on gas to &
from work etc.
Imagine! I lost approx $550.00 gross per month
and saved over $600.00 just by a few frugal
adjustments!!!!!
I plan on challenging myself to save an
additional $50.00 this month!!!
Hi Tawra and Jill,
Wanted to share this with you. We are on a vacation for an out of town family wedding. We wrapped vacation plans around the wedding to make good use of the gas and time away from the office and school.
Here is what I am so pleased about that is really working out well for us. I brought my crockpot to the hotel room. When we leave in the morning for a daily adventure to the pool, or state park, or site seeing, I put dinner in the crockpot. One dish meals has been the focus. Today, I have a roast with carrots and potatoes cooking as I write.
I brought disposable plates and utensils from my bargain stash. Last night we ate on “Penguin plates” from the clearance shelf. Tonight, I have Valentine’s day plates. We don’t care! We just want to eat on a plate that is disposable.
I have an ice cooler in the room to keep lunchmeats and mayo cool for making lunches during the day, not to mention water to drink. And I have brought along a knife for cutting veggies, etc.. I visit the local grocery just down the street to plan the next day’s meals. I am being careful only to make enough to feed us for the meal because leftovers would spoil. And the “salad mixes in the bag” in the produce section have been a welcome addition to our meals this week. I have even cut open the bag to mix the dressing right inside the bag without an extra bowl.
The savings has been incredible! And the time savings has been even MORE inviting! When we have explored and played for a whole day, the kids are so tired. We go to the room and get everyone clean and in PJ’s. Then dinner is served! No whining at a restaurant while we wait for food to come to the table. No late nights because they are in pj’s and fed by bedtime. And thank God, no fast food.
I clean the crockpot and prepare for the next day.
Last night we were exploring in a state park to watch the sun set at 7:30. One of my son’s looked at me and said, “Mom I am hungry.” We went to the room and the smell of dinner cooking met us. MMMMM…a warm bath, and a warm tummy. He fell asleep quickly after a day’s adventures.
Life doesn’t have to be expensive to be enjoyed. Even with the out of town events that make a pull on the budget, there are still so many ways to make those trips incredible without throwing money needlessly away.
Robin in CA
Some motels will not allow hotplates or crockpots, but for those that will - this is a GREAT idea - and almost effortless! (Which is what I love about a crockpot anyway!)
This is a wonderful idea. My husband and I have been doing something similar for three years now when we go on summer vacation. Each summer we go on a three week camping vacation across the US taking between 3 and 5 kids which could have gotten expensive with eating out every meal. The first year we explained to the kids that to do more activities we would be eating sandwiches every day for lunch and eating breakfast and dinner at our campground. At first there was grumbling but after we explained the saving and benefits they were all happy to help. We rotate sandwich making duty and who cooks dinner between the kids and adults and it has worked out great. I can feed us all for around $300 for three weeks and this includes ice.
awesome ideas… thank you for sharing…
i am soon to be a full time work at home mom and well, i am looking at my crockpot with love in my eyes bc i know i can make homemade delicious one pot meals for pennies… (i know i can!, thanks to you tawra, mike and jill!)…
i thank GOD everyday for you and this website… you have helped me sooo much… and i know i will be getting more help as i will have the time really dig into the info you have on the website and make this work for me and my family, so i can work at home and save money on gas and etc…
thank you sooooo very much tawra, mike and jill…
and my dh thanks you too…
I would love to hear more from anonymous about camping. My family is taking a 3 week car/tent camping trip this summer and I would LOVE to get more tips about a long vacation on a budget. (first time ever!)
Tawra, sounds like another e-book for you to write with gas prices like they are!!!
Great comments, Robin in CA. I’ve not thought about taking a crockpot on vacation, but will now. We typically stay in motels w/ free breakfast as well as microwave & refrig to keep our lunches & leftovers cold (or warmed up). We are in a motel program where we earn bonus points for free nights. It usually takes about 3 yrs to earn the stay, but that’s ok with us! We do it thru Best Western and AAA, but there are similar programs w/ other chains (Choice Hotels, Trip Rewards, etc). Thx to Robin and to the Kellams.
my brother and sis in law used to take their crock pot and coffee pot with them whenever they went on vacation… with 4 kids, and not too much money, they had to save somewhere… and they always booked a room with a kitchen (like an efficiency)… and bc my other brother used to work for howard johnson’s he would book the room for my brother and sis in law and the savings was alot!… i think they paid (at that time) $15/day for the efficiency… and actually, it looked like a 1 bedroom apt…
thanks for sharing everyone
I am not sure if this is were I should post this but here is some of my best camping advise.
*Don’t over pack the clothes they take up precious storage space. Bring everyone seven days worth of outfits (shirt, shorts or pants, socks and underwear), light jacket, bathing suit, tennis shoes and sandals. On day six we find a laundry and I wash the clothes while my husband takes the kids to the park. I enjoy having a break and the kids are not under foot.
*Plan out your route in advance. This way you can look for cheaper campgrounds (I use the internet) before you get to the destination. State Parks and National Parks usually have the best camping rates. Try to avoid KOA’s and other chains they can get expensive. The National Park pass has saved us alot of money in the last couple of years. It gives your family entrance into all the National Parks and Monuments for $80 per year. State Parks and National Parks also have activities planned for the kids (Jr.Ranger Program) and interesting speaker for the adults during the summer. Most of these parks are built around lakes, mountains or interesting historical events which adds to the learning process. You can also try freecampgrounds.com. Most of these sites are free or up to $10. We use these sites when we are just driving though and need a place for the night.
*Plan your meals. We eat in which saves a huge amount of money. Plan your meals for the trip just like you would at home that way you know what you are going to need. I usually grocery shop once a week on vacation (another time to leave the kids with dad). We take three coolers, one for dry goods, one for cold storage and one for the daily lunch that we pack. The big trick here is getting the kids and hubby to help. I have a duty chart which list who helps during which meal and who packs the lunches for the day. If the kids don’t help they can expect to sit out the fun activity of the day. I have only had to do that once.
*Don’t run out and buy expensive camping gear. Try sending out an email to your friends and family explaining your trip and ask if they have any gear they will loan you with the promise it will be returned in good condition. You would be surprised how many people will just give you their old coleman stove just to get it out of their garage. If you don’t get any responses try places like craigslist, garage sales or the thrift store.
*Take enough money for a couple of nights in a motel. Unexpected events might happen and staying in a motel is easier. Nothing is worse than pitching a tent in the pouring down rain except a child with a stomach virus while camping. You don’t have to stay any where fancy just being indoors helps.
*Avoid theme parks and other expensive activities. We usually do two expensive activities per trip, last year we rafted and went horseback riding. The rest is filled in with swimming, hiking, riding bikes and visiting free or cheap museums in towns that we travel through. Do some research before you leave home and look for county fairs, interesting historical parks or museums close to were you are going.
I hope this info has helped you.
Thank you anonymous for the camping tips. They were great!
Instead of a crockpot, I have taken an electric frying pan with my family to use in motel rooms. I can cook for all 3 meals with just this one item.
Ideas include:
breakfast: omlets, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, toast
lunch: grilled cheese, ham & cheese, pizza sandwiches
supper: hamburgers, hotdogs, you can even heat up soup!
I find it much more versatile than a crockpot.