New Uses for Toiletries

I stumbled across this post, while searching for ideas for this weeks post. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I just figured I'd share it with you. :-)

One of my favorites is the hair conditioner as shaving cream. I've done this for years and it works great, and even if you buy the cheap kind it's usually cheaper than shaving cream.

I've done a whole post on clear nail polish in the past, so you can check that out here if you want to know more about it.

Check-out the article for ideas ranging from lip balm to eye shadow and everything in between.

Meal Plan Monday

Monday- BBQ at Friend's House
Tuesday-  Chicken Stirfry
Wednesday- Burgers, Tater Tots, Veggie
Thursday- Chicken Tenders on Salad
Friday- Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Veggie
Saturday- Pretzel Coated Chicken Nuggets, Pasta, Veggie
Sunday- Breakfast
What's your menu for the week?
Don't forget to link up below!

Friday Favorites- This One is for Girls Only!

One of the best things I ever did as a woman is start tracking my fertility. What does that mean exactly? Well for one it is keeping track of when your period happens, but it can be sooo much more than that. If you are trying to conceive, there are tons of things you could be looking for to improve your chances. Also, tracking can help you to realize if something is wrong with your menstrual cycle.

I've found the best online tracker for me is fertilityfriend.com. I track pretty much everything, and it keeps it all in one neat place for me. I have the VIP version, as I need some of the more advanced stuff due to some infertility issues, but the basic is suitable for someone just trying to know more about how their body works. They also have courses for you to learn how to chart. Once you do it for a little bit, it becomes really simple. Honestly I was surprised by how much our body tells us, and how it tells us.

I really found it all empowering, and I hope you do too.

On a side note, if anyone would like me to send them an email invite for the website, it would be helpful. Each invite accepted gets me a few days of vip service added on to my account, and for each person who purchases the vip I get 30 days, as do you. :-)

Publix Trip 5/26/11

I spent $20.21 for $93.36 worth of groceries, saving $73.15 or 78%!

Here's the match-ups:
(6) Crystal Light BOGO $3.91
   -(2) B2G1 Coupon from 4/3/11 SS
   -(4)$1/1 HERE
   -(1)$1/3 Target HERE

(2) Breyer's Ice Cream BOGO $5.99
   -(1)$1.50/2 Target HERE
   -(1)$1.50/2 Facebook promotion HERE

(2) Luigi's Italian Ice BOGO $3.19
  -(2)$1/1 from 5/1/11 RP

(2) Split Chicken Breasts $1.79/lb ($3.99 and $3.35 total)

(2)Kashi Pita Chips 2/$5
   -(2)$1/1 HERE

(2) Lance Creations 2/$4
   -(2)$1/1 HERE

(4) Yoplait Yogurt
   -(4) Free Product Coupon

(3) Heinz Ketchup 40 oz $1.99 (Note this size is cheaper than the current ad, but lasts only until the end of the Yellow Advantage Buy Flyer)
   -(3)50¢/1 from 5/22/11 SS

(1) Zephyrhills 24pk $3.99 (Great for the hurricane kit)

(1)Sundown Vitamin D $2.99
(1)Sundown B Complex $3.99
   -(2)$1/1 from 4/17/11 RP
   -(1)$6/2 from Green Advantage Buy Flyer

-$5/$25 purchase Save-a-lot Coupon

Good trip. First week officially under the new policy, and they still took overage. It seemed they were waiting on some to see if the order total would not be in the negative, so I guess that is how my store interprets it. One of the days when I have a chance, I'll have to ask them specifics on the overage. I plan to visit another Publix later that supposedly sells Pepsi Throwback because there is some free Pepsi just waiting for me. If I go, I'll come back and add it here.

*Edit*
So I made it to the other Publix yesterday and was only able to get 2 Pepsi Throwbacks, but here's the how that one matched up:
(2)Pepsi Throwback BOGO $4.99
   -(1)B1G1 Facebook Promotion (no longer available)

Total spent: 30¢(tax) Total Saved: $9.98 Total worth: $10.28 Percent Saved: 97%

That makes the grand total for the day:
Total Spent: $20.51 Total Saved: $83.13 Total Worth: $103.64 Percent Saved: 80%

Now I just need to go back and get more Throwback, as I have 3 more coupons still. :-/

Frugality: Saving on Produce Through Community Supported Farms

So recently my husband and I bought a share in a Community Supported Farm. A community supported farm is a farm that is basically run by people taking ownership in it. Some farms have you help with work, others have you provide monetary support. In return you get a share of the harvest.
So why did we do it?

• It's truly a great way to get veggies. For $30 a week, we will get a big box of organic fruit and vegetables. Sure we will occasionally have to pick up other things at the store, but it will provide much of what we need and then some.
• People in general need to eat more fruits and veggies. If you pay for something, you'll probably be inclined to find a way to eat it before it goes bad. Also, many people skip veggies and fruits at the store because they are too expensive, and organic is even more so.
• It helps a local business. By buying from a local farmer, you are helping them to profit, which in turn leads to them spending and hiring. If you buy from the supermarket, sure the store will profit, but it also means that a person across the country is profiting too.
• It helps the environment. When produce is shipped across the country (and world), it just means lots of gas is used, and also a lot of packaging. If it doesn't grow in your area at that time of year, chances are it came from somewhere else, and traveled a long way to get there.
• Variety. We'll get a variety of produce each week, which means not just eating the same three veggies, and getting more of the rainbow of foods available. Here's a look at some of the things my farm will be giving us, not all at once of course.

I'm actually quite excited, but unfortunately we don't get our first box for a long time. We live in South Florida, and now is when a lot of crops go out of season. It's really just to hot for many plants to grow. But I've heard both i heart publix and Southern Savers discuss their memberships in similar programs, and they love them. I hope you will consider looking for one in your area!

For more info on Community Supported Farms, or to find one near you, check out local harvest.

Hurricane Season

Next week starts the beginning of Hurricane Season here on the Atlantic side. Now is a great time to make sure you are ready for a hurricane.

Here is FEMA's page on hurricane prep.

 So what should you be doing to prepare now?

• Have a plan for your home. Where will you store outside furniture? Do you have shutters? Do you know how to install them? What about boats?
• Make sure to keep up on tree and shrub maintenance. Dead branches can lead to serious damage.
• 72 hr kit! If you think you can run out to the store when a hurricane warning goes into effect, you are mistaken. Stores quickly run out of the essentials. Also be sure your 72 hour kit is portable, should you have to evacuate you will still need it. Not all shelters provide food, and stores can be out of it if trucks can't get to them.
• Know your evacuation plan. Know which roads are evacuation routes (designaed evacuation routes generally mean that if there is a mandatory evacuation then traffic on those roads will only flow out of the area). Have an idea where you will go. Do not count on shelters, they are crowded and are meant for the people who truly have no place to go. If you have a relative you can go visit, do that. Other wise you'll need to make sure you know a way to book a hotel fast. Also when they say evacuate, you should ready to go the minute the evacuation order is issued.
• Always keep your gas on the full end. When a hurricane watch is issued, people will go buy gas. This leads to long lines, high prices, and gas shortages. Save yourself the trouble and keep gas in the car, (and possibly a container at home).
• Have cash on hand. Similar to gas, some people end up withdrawing all the money a bank has. You also can't be sure that you'll be able to use credit and debit cards as the machines depend on phone and internet lines, which could be damaged in a storm. That being said you don't need to keep all of your money as cash or large sums, just enough to be able to pay for gas during your evacuation and possibly more food, housing, etc.
• Have a plan for your animals. Animals can't go in most shelters and shouldn't be left in the home to fend for themselves. Have a plan for either a kennel to hold them or to take them with you.
• Have all your documents ready. Anything you might need to prove should be in it. In other words, birth certificates, deeds, insurance documents, vaccination records, financial records, pet records, even school records (during Katrina, many children left the area, but had trouble enrolling in school in a new area because the school had no idea what classes they were taking or had taken and their grades.)
• Here is a post from the past which was from an event where our local emergency response team (they are the ones who decide to issue an evacuation )and several local people discussed things to do for disasters

I encourage you to plan now, so you are ready if a hurricane should threaten.

New Uses for Plastic Margarine/Butter/Yogurt Containers

A lot of food we eat comes in plastic containers. Just think about it. Spreadable butter, margarines, sour cream, cream cheese, dips, yogurt, hummus, and even some cheeses like feta or cheese spreads. That's a lot of plastic. Here's some handy tips on what you can do with it.

• Sorting and organizing. Many of these tubs are great for storing the pieces to a board game or keeping the puzzle pieces you just sorted seperate, or for storing all sorts of things like paper clips, beads, etc.
• Use it for painting. We used them for the edging in portion of painting rooms, or you can use them for small painting projects, or for painting with the kids.
• Make it into a piggy bank. Decorate, cut a slit in the top, and voila a fun way to save money.
• Pet food storage. Great for traveling with pet, and you can also use them as a water bowl on the go. I also use a large container for storing pet food in my 72-hour kit.
• Seed starters. These little containers are great for starting some seeds, just be sure to drill some holes in the bottom first.
• Paint them and use them as gift baskets for various holidays. Great for giving to your kids friends with candy inside or some other yummy treat.
• Use them in bathroom drawers to keep like things together and clean (like cotton balls).
• Create a travel sewing, first aid, or other kit in them. They can fit easily in glove boxes, diaper bags, or under a seat.
• Turn them into scoops. You can use them in the big bag of cat food or they can be lots of fun in a kiddy pool or sandbox (or even the beach, they'd be great for castles!)
• Donate them. Lot's of schools, day cares, churches, etc. use them for arts and crafts projects.
• Recycle them. Not all cities do, but a lot do recycle them.

That's just some of the many uses for them! If you have an idea for a use, please share below, and I will add it to the list.

And a word of warning, which you can follow or not, the type of plastic that these containers are made out is not meant to be heated, in fact microwaving them can leach chemicals from the plastic into the food. So while it may seem like a good idea to make them into your personal tupperware collection, it's really not that wise of an idea. Besides you can get plastic containers fairly cheap, and it's sooo much easier when you can see your leftovers in your container. ;-)

Meal Plan Monday

Monday- Pierogies, Veggie
Tuesday-  Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Tomatoes, and Broccoli
Wednesday- DIY (we decided we weren't terribly hungry come dinner, so we just ate some leftovers and such)
Thursday- Grilled BBQ Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Veggie
Friday-  Tilapia, Brown Rice, Veggie
Saturday- Chicken Cordon Bleu, Couscous, Veggie
Sunday- Left-overs or Breakfast
What's your menu for the week?
Don't forget to link up below!

Friday Favorites- Recipe

I made this recipe for Nutella Cheesecake Brownies the other day, and they were soooooo yummy.
The only thing I would change is for the cheesecake layer, cream the cream cheese and sugar first, then add the Nutella, then each of the eggs one at a time.

They were really simple to make, but oh so yummy. Definitely on my favorites list.

Publix Trip 5/19/2011

I spent $29.70 for $77.53 worth of groceries, saving $47.83 or 62%!

Here's the match-ups:
(2)Wishbone Salad Dressing BOGO $2.89
   -(1)$1.25/2 HERE
   -(2) $1/1 Great Deals on Great Meals Coupon
(2) Kraft BBQ Sauce BOGO $1.65
(2) Dentastix BOGO $3.59
   -(2)$1/1 HERE
   -(2) $1/1 from "Who Loves You?" Booklet
(2) Ocean Spray Sparkling Cranberry BOGO $3.99
   -(1) $1/1 that came with a free sample.
(2)Juicy Juice Juice Boxes 2/$5
   -(1) $1/2 from "Simple Summer Pleasures" Booklet
(1) Publix Toasted O's Cereal $2.49
   -(1) $1/1 Publix Baby Club Coupon
(1) Publix OJ $4.99
   -(1) $1/1 Publix Baby Club Coupon
(4) Carnation Evaporated Milk 99¢
   -(2) 50¢/2 HERE
(3) Yoplait Yogurt 8/$6
   -(3) Free Product Coupons
(1) Country Time Lemonade $2.99
   -(1) $2 off wyb 2 Kraft BBQ Sauce Peelie found on BBQ Sauce
(2) Sundown B Complex Vitamins $3.99
   -(2) $1/1 Peelies
   -(1) $6/2 from Green Advantage Buy Flyer
(2) Breakstone Cottage Cheese Doubles 20/$10
   -(1)$1/2 Printable (Offer from Kraft First Taste)
(1) Strawberries 2/$5
(1) Asparagus $3.44
(1) Tomato 84¢
(2) Organic Valley Milk 2/$7
   -(2) $1/1 HERE

Trip was good, nothing exciting. I did however get a copy of the coupon policy, and as you can see so far they are still letting me do overage... *crosses fingers* that it remains true after the official start date.