Why you should have a well stocked pantry

The question to the why is, of course, to save money and stretch your budget to the limit.

The Captain and I are very blessed to have the privilege of having access to our local air force base commissary.  We always shop the seasonal case lot sales, take advantage of monthly sales and plan for our purchases with their listings of sales on the internet.  

Last year we bought a case of Kraft Mayonnaise that cost us 75 cents per bottle. Big savings and we didn't have to worry about buying mayo for over a year. 

My favorite case lot sale included Pepsi products that equated to a 2 liter bottle of soda for 35 cents each. We stocked up with massive quantity buys since we go through a fortune in Pepsi products.  Yes, we saved a ton of money on that one sale.

Although I have not been a member of Sam's Club type of store, I am sure similar savings can be found if you take the time to find those bargains.  Make sure those big purchases are for items you often use and won't just sit there in the pantry.

Click here for a well written, informative article titled "Why to Have a Well-Stocked Pantry."

Tips to Find Pallets and Reclaimed Materials

If you are reading this blog, I know the "if it is free it is for me" mentality is your mantra!

The DIY blogs and websites are bursting with fabulous projects using wood pallets.  I haven't paid much attention to them since I don't have wood pallets readily available and had no idea where to start.  Until now!!

One of my newest blog discoveries, Old World Garden Farms, has a very informative article on how to find wood pallets and other reclaimed materials.  Although many of these found objects are not free, but are usually next to nothing compared to buying new stuff.  

Click here to go to the article.

7 Weird Ways to Save $4000/Year

Yep, it says weird ways to save money.  It doesn't involve making any cuts or changes to your current budget and savings methods.  Having said that, making little changes to our spending habits along with doing some of the weird little things that may seem insignificant, we can have extra money to either save for something special or stretch the monthly budget to a comfortable level.  It all adds up!

The Captain and I have utilized weird ways of making a little extra money, like using Bing to do searches and get paid in Amazon gift cards.  We accumulate the gift cards until we have enough for a purchase we have set as a goal.  While it didn't put money in our pockets, we were able to purchase a little treat just for doing searches on the internet.

We also use Google AdSense on all of our blogs to make actual money.  Check it out if you haven't already.

Filling out surveys and watching videos is another way to make money on the internet for those who have the time to dig in and do those things.  We have done those too and were paid in Amazon gift cards.

Rewards points from charge cards can certainly add up.  We are awaiting our first $50 Red Lobster gift card just for using our charge card.  Of course we have come up with a plan to just filter all the expenses through the card and pay the card immediately so we don't accumulate a balance . . . just valuable points.

I could go on and on with little things you can do, but you get the idea.  Think outside the box!  Click here for those 7 weird says to save $4000/year.

DIY Stain Remover

Can't wait to try this DIY Stain Remover

 that was sent to me by a friend.

Original source unknown!

1 tsp. Dawn dish washing detergent

3-4 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide

couple tablespoons of baking soda

Scrub on with a scrubbing brush. 

Upcycling Thrifted Clothing

A thrift store can be a sewer's delight.  You can find an unlimited supply of awesome and unusual buttons, buckles, sewing hardware and fabric that will save you lots of money.  It just takes time to go through all that stuff!

Justine at  So Country Chick, gives us lots of ideas on saving money, click here for the original article. While you are there, take some time to check out more of her ideas that are always geared toward saving money.

How To Freeze Everything

Leftovers tend to linger in the refrigerator too long and end up in the trash. 

Wasted money!

One of the things I like to do is freeze the leftovers in single serve packets. Some items, like spaghetti sauce are difficult to break up for a single meal after it is frozen.

Freezing food is one of the best ways to save money in the kitchen.

Click here for an awesome article on how to freeze everything!

All about fresh produce

One of the ways we waste way too money is not knowing how to deal with fresh produce.  Most of my produce purchases are spur of the moment. 

With a little planning and knowledge, throwing away expensive produce will be less of a problem.

Click here for an excellent post about fresh produce (helpful tips for what and when to buy) from Ruth at Living Well Spending Less.  She also discusses frozen fruit and vegetables and organic vs non-organic. 

Learn how to stop wasting money on produce!