Frugal Fun: Ball Mason Jars

Well then...it's been a looooong time since I did a Frugal Fun post.  I have no excuse.  I've been living frugally, but not updating you with the random way I've been doing it.  I really don't think you all mind too much.  This, though, was revolutionary for our family, and even though it seems super simple now, if this frugal tip eluded me for 7 years, maybe it eluded you, too.

Scot and I aren't overly worried about the whole plastic storage container thing.  Yes, we like to reheat leftovers in glass dishes, but the container that just sits in the fridge?  Doesn't have to be glass.

With Scot's old job, he ate his breakfast and most dinners at home, and if he wasn't taking a sandwich to work for lunch (half the time), he was taking leftovers.  In plastic containers.  That he would either eat cold, or he would heat it up -- gasp -- in the plastic container it was stored in.  I know, I know.  Not our preference, but we didn't feel a few reheats in plastic a week was really that bad.

Now, though, on the weeks he works, I'm packing a whole day's worth of meals for him to eat.  That's breakfast, lunch, and dinner, people!  That would be a lot of reheating in plastic, and well, we realized we weren't cool with that [totally a personal preference!].  So then began the research on the best glass storage containers out there.  The ones that didn't leak (need that for all our soups!), that were the most cost effective, so on and so forth.

Can I tell you I was shocked at the price tag on those puppies?!  7 or 8 dollars for a single 2-cup glass storage container?! A single one!! That was just for the brands you could find at Target.  Pampered Chef and those high-end places sell them, too, and not for 7 bucks.  BUT, we really didn't want to be using plastic anymore.  In order to stave off biting the bullet, I even sent him to work with a glass bowl for him to dump his food into to cook it.  Let me just say this: that only happened once.

So off to Target I went.  To spend $30 on 3 or 4 glass containers that may or may not leak.

As I approached the "food storage" aisle, though, there on the endcap were these adorable Wide-Mouthed Ball Mason Jars.  I stopped and looked.  I picked up a pack of 4 (for only $5!) and started thinking.  These were 16oz.  They were glass.  And since people use them for canning, something told me they wouldn't leak.  And ummm...hello....they were tons cheaper than what I had come in for!

I picked up 2 packs.

Leftovers pictures are linked!

I love them and let me tell you why.  They are easy to eat out of due to the wide mouth.  They reheat meals well.  It's astounding what you can get to fit in those 16oz -- a true man-sized portion! I've put noodle dishes, rice dinners, soups, and even a huge slice of lasagna in them -- and in the last couple months, nothing has leaked.  At all.  Partly, I think, because I can put the food in when it's hot now, and I screw the lid on while it's still warm, and it seals up really well.  They're also super easy to clean!  My only issue is their lack of stackability.  The glass doesn't quite like to sit on the metal lid very well.  It likes to scoot and slip.  Still thinking of a way to solve that problem, but I'm more excited that I was able to get 8 times the product for almost the same price.  (Update: I found that putting old plastic yogurt or frosting lids on top help QUITE a bit! Little pieces of rubber would work, too, like the kind you get for inside cupboards to stop slipage.)

Seems pretty frugal to me!

Also, if you're wanting to save even more money, just save the short and squat 16oz salsa jars (or the like). These do leak a little, so if you have soup, don't put it in!

Frugal Fun: Veggie Burrito Bowl

I love Chipotle and the fresh food, but I recently decided to make my own Chipotle favorite and was beyond pleased with the results.  Everything is over on the food blog, but it was such a money saver that I thought I'd share it on here, too!

Regular Chipotle Veggie Burrito Bowl: $6
Home made version of a veggie burrito bowl: less than $2 per bowl

For all the yummy details, go here!

Frugal Fun: Tea

When I was home on vacation, I got very used to going over to the coffee pot, and pouring myself a big mug of tea.  And I told myself that as soon as I got home, I would make tea in my very-rarely-used coffee maker.

How is this a money saver? (and a time saver!)

With only 2 tea bags, I can make an entire (12 cup) pot of tea that is available for me all day long.  And for me, this is great, because I need my morning cup of tea like most people need their coffee.  And I typically like to have another mug-full of caffeine around 2.  And I get about 5 mugs of tea out of that pot.  That's over half the cost saved!  You can't say no to that!

NOTE:  If you're using Celestial Seasoning's Tea, use 3 tea bags as their teas tend to be on the weaker side.  I use them for my herbal teas in the evening. :)

Frugal Fun: Everlasting Candle

So I totally got this idea from fellow blogger and friend, Kjerste.  (Hi, Kjerste!)  And this year, I was bound and determined to try the tip out.

After searching high and low in stores for a little candle-lit candle tart, I finally just ordered one off Amazon.   Like this one.  And then I took an old candle that I love/d and scraped out the old, dead remains and put them in a baggy for future use.  I got a little tea light and put it all together and let me tell ya what!  I got to smell my favorite candle all day long.  And the next day, too.  And tomorrow, as well.

Pretty neat, huh?

You go from this:

To this:

Frugal Fun: Re-purposing Clothing

 

Why as I showing you a picture of t-shirts?

Because they're t-shirts and not onesies!

They used to be onesies, but since Drew isn't wearing onesies anymore, I converted them to regular t-shirts  by simply cutting off the bottom section and ironing a crease at the bottom of the shirt and sewing a hem!  I'm so excited that he has more than 8 shirts to wear now!  And when I go to the Goodwill from now on, I won't be passing up those mint-condition 24 month onesies for 50 cents anymore!

What have you re-purposed recently?

Frugal Fun: Beans

This may not be fun for everyone.

I totally understand that.

BUT -- if you happen to eat beans a lot, or make hummus regularly, then you should listen up.

You can save a bundle buying beans dried and cooking them yourself.  You can use them right away or freeze them in 1.5 cup increments in little baggies until you need them.

Here's the math for Chickpeas, which is a slightly more expensive legume (comparing to black beans, pintos...)


2 cans (3 cups total) chickpeas = 2 dollar (and as much as 2 dollars per can in some stores)

1  1lb bag (2.5 cups dried/6 cups cooked) = 2 dollars

were you ready for that?

That's 4 can's worth of chickpeas in one little 1lb bag of dried chickpeas.  That's at least half the price.  That's like 50 cents a can!

Now if you can find cans of chickpeas for around 50 cents a can, grab some, because you never know when you'll just need some and the freezer's empty of them.  But also be aware that canned chickpeas (and any bean for that matter) lose some of their nutrients through the process of canning.  They also have a ton of salt in them.

So ... curious to know what to do?  I don't want to rewrite everything, so just take a peek here.

Frugal Fun: Spice It Up

In cooking, I love to use spices.  Mostly your basics, but I have a few favorites that are harder to come by in the regular market or just plain expensive due to their availability in only the most expensive glass jars.

In comes Whole Foods or any other market that sells spices in bulk.

You heard me correctly.  You can buy spices in bulk.  And I do.

When a spice is running low, I just write it down on my shopping list and know to go to the bulk section of the store and not the baking isle! You will save so. much. money. this way.  I promise.

I just bought sweet basil for under a buck and it didn't all fit in my container at home!

Don't have a container for a spice?  Not a big deal, keep it in the baggie or use an old container or a cleaned-out baby-food jar! Slap a label on it and you're good to go!

Frugal Fun: Couponing

First off, let me say that I am no expert at this whole couponing thing.  I am not an extreme couponer.  I am new at this and I do it to save our family money. (Thank you, loans!)

I do not stress about it.  If it's a busy week or the boys are sick, I don't do it.

I only coupon at places I already frequent.  For me, this is important.  I don't want to drive all over creation or take an entire morning to do it.  I have 2 little dudes and I love hanging out with them.  So for now, I stick with CVS (walking distance from the house) and Target and Walgreens, which are right next to each other and where we go on a weekly basis anyway.

I stay away from food coupons - I only look at household products I will use:  soap, detergents, shampoo, razors, feminine products, TP, paper towels, batteries, toothbrushes/paste...etc, etc.

I do get things for free or almost.  Just yesterday I got $5 dollar toothbrushes for 99 cents each with register rewards!  Last week, I got Revlon nail polish (typically 5 something a bottle) for free!  The hard part is not buying something just because you can.  So I have a list of the things I buy.  Things I use.

It takes me on average about 2 hours a week to do the couponing and also buy the products.

Tips on how I make it easy.

I use this website to help me out.  It's a HUGE time saver, picking out the very obvious "match-ups" from the Sunday paper (which I buy at Walgreens) and all the local ads for stores I shop.  Of course, you have to do some looking yourself, but that's the fun part. (For me, at least!)

I can't be picky with brands, and if I am, then just be on the look-out for coupons specific for the brand.  For me, I have 2 brands I don't want to deviate from for specific products.  Shampoo and my razor.  Other wise, I don't care what brand my mascara is (although I have a strong preferences) or the brand of my toilet paper as long as it's not thin and scratchy.

I only buy something if it's both on sale and if I have a coupon.  It's even better if I have 2 coupons (one manufacture and one store).  And it's even better better if there are Register Rewards or Extra Cara Bonus' with it (store money for me to use toward my next purchase).

For instance:  Diapers.  On sale at CVS for $8.99.  That's great and all, but with a Mfg coupon for $2 off, that only $6.99!  Even better is that I have a $1 off coupon from the CVS Flier AND it has $2 Extra care bucks.  Which means that I pay $5.99 and get 2 dollars back.  So it's like paying 3.99 for a pack of diapers.  Pretty sweet!

CVS has a coupon-giving machine.  It spits out 2 coupons when you scan your card and they are random (and may or may not be helpful) and are only good with your card.

Walgreens has a coupon booklet in the store they put out at the end of every month for the following month.

I have a binder with those page protectors in it.  I have labels on the top corner of each one denoting what types of coupons go in.  I also have 3 sleeves just for store specific coupons (ie: CVS, Walgreens, Target) so it's easier to "match-up" coupons with sales.  I clip ones I think I could use (coupons that are for products I use) and I put them in their sleeves.  The sleeves are see-through, so that's nice.

I keep all the old Smart Source and Red Plum inserts from the Sunday paper in the binder for future access (until the coupons are expired)

I look at things on line sometimes, but it's easier for me to have the print copy in front of me for easy comparison.

There are so many sites out there to help you out if couponing is something you want to do.  It's not hard if you organize a little and don't stress about it.

I'm sure I could say more, but my boys are waking up from their naps and I think I hit all the high points.

Frugal Fun: Funny Wrapping Paper

Wow.  It's been a while since I've done a Frugal Fun post.  Sorry about that.  Especially since I live frugally and I probably have about a dozen posts I could do right now!  For now, you get this one.

It fun. It's easy.  And it's practically free.

If you get the Sunday paper for the coupons (a frugal post in and of itself!) then save the comic pages!

I'm planning on very "funny" gift wrappings for this upcoming Christmas (if not under the tree, then definitely stocking stuffers!) -- and birthdays and just-because-gifts, too. 

There are so many inexpensive ways to wrap gifts - paper bags plain or colored on by kiddos.   Have large pieces of paper your kids have artfully painted or colored or just scribbled on and you want to put it to good use?  Yup.  Wrap something in it.   Scraps of cloth and ribbon.  The options are there.  Don't resort to spending 3 bucks on a rolls of shiny red paper with silver snowflakes on it this year!  Be resourceful.  Have fun.  Live frugally!

Frugal Fun: Foaming Soap

I love Bath and Body Works foaming soaps. They seem like such a treat to me. If you go at just the right time (read: when they have their major sale) you get them for a pretty good deal, too.

But then they run out, and the major sale isn't going on, and if you're like me, you won't go back until the sale is on. Which could be a while.

Here is where the frugal tip comes in.

Instead of replacing the wonderful foaming soap with plain ol' regular liquid SoftSoap, save the foaming soap dispenser and make your own foaming soap!

Here's how:

• Rinse out foaming soap dispenser of any left over soap
• Fill the dispenser 1/3 of the way full with anti-bacterial SoftSoap
• Add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (I found Sweet Orange scented essential oil at Whole Foods on sale for a little over $2 and used that in combination with some Lavender I had I hand.)
• Slowly fill the rest of the bottle with warm water.
• After cap is replaced, gently shake bottle until soap and water are fully combined.

Enjoy having fun foaming soap for literally pennies!

Frugal Fun: Breakfast Cookies

I know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but do you ever run out of the house, kids all fed and dressed, snacks packed, grocery list/sand pails/books to return all in the car ready to go, and realize as you're backing out of the driveway, Oops, I forgot to eat breakfast. Again.

Am I the only one who does that? On a consistent basis?

Well no more! Thanks to a blogging buddy, I found a fantastic recipe for these way yummy Breakfast Cookies. I had my first one today and I went all the way 'til lunch without getting hungry. It was amazing! I'm now also kicking myself for not making these 6 months ago when I found the recipe. I don't think my freezer will ever be without these!

Because I wanted to "feature" these cookies as a fun frugal tip, I actually went to the trouble of calculating how much each cookie costs to make and while .50 cents may seem like a bit, realize that just one cookie is an entire breakfast. You'd probably have to eat 1 and a half or 2 whole Kashi bars to equal just one of these bad boys. And those Kashi bars are not cheap.

So go get a big mixing bowl and don't make the same mistake I did. Gather the ingredients and make these and never face 10 o'clock again with a growling stomach.

Frugal Fun: Yogurt Containers

So my friend Kjerste does these Frugal Friday posts on her blog and I've tried quite a few of them and I really enjoy her tricks and secrets to keeping things, well, frugal. Today, I have a tip of my own to add. It's simple, really, and not even photo worthy.

Let me first ask a question.

Do you eat yogurt? Out of those big containers? And then throw them away?!

STOP!!!

Save the containers and use them to freeze soups, stews, chili and, well, you get the idea. It's the perfect portion for 2 people and then you're not stuck staining your Tupperware or using your Tupperware when you really need it for immediate leftovers!

I got the idea from a seasoned mom and I about kicked myself for not thinking of it first! So go and rummage through your trash and get the yogurt container you threw away this morning and stick it in the dishwasher. It'll clean up like new and you'll have perfect portioned soups saved up for those nights when you just aren't feeling the cooking thing.

Save Some Money

Just like we're told as kids, money doesn't grow on trees! Being a med-student wife the past 4 years has taught me a lot about saving money. Even though we're in residency now, and Scot gets a pay-check every 2 weeks, we still have to live almost just as tight as we did in med school. (Thank you, loans, for that!) Anyway, here are a few tricks and tips I thought I would share with you all. I'm sure there are more than these, but this is what I have on the top of my head at the moment. :)

• Drink water - I know, sounds silly, but we save so much by not buying teas or sodas or special juices! (speaking of, we get the frozen concentrate juices at the store instead of the pre-made stuff!)
• Don't buy junk food! Not only is it expensive, it's not good for you.
  
• Make your own cleaning supplies! The Internet is full of recipes for glass cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, toilet/tub cleaner, and more! Not only is it cheaper, but it's better for the environment!
• Make your own detergent (both dish and clothes!)
• Add white vinegar to the rinse cycle on your dishwasher to get dishes spot-free - you'll save a ton with only this change!
• Cut coupons (here's a site from a friend!) and meal plan to avoid over or unnecessary buying.
• Buy food in bulk if possible - especially ground meat. Brown it all at once and divvy it up into 1lb proportions and freeze it. Saves time and money!
• Eat in and have friends over.
• Have date night be a movie in and home made popcorn.
• Make your own ice cream! It only takes 5 minutes!
• Utilize your library! Books, movies, CDs...
• Cancel cable and use Hulu.com instead! (along with the movies from the library, of course)
• Buy a pack (or two) of blank cards with pretty designs. They work for thank you, get well, miss you, sorry, and even happy birthday cards! You can find a pack of 12 for what you would spend on one 'fancy' card. (But, being a card person myself...you just need the 'fancy' cards sometimes!)
  

And just a time saving tip if you have little ones and have a hard time getting out the door Sunday morning for church:

• Set out every one's clothes the night before
• Pack snacks if you need them the night before and put them with your Bible by the door
  
• During Saturday night bath-time, shave your legs! (or wait until they're out and in bed) One less step to do the morning of!
• Have an easy breakfast or a pre-made the night before pop-it-in-the-oven breakfast ready to go, like baked oatmeal.