Fruitfully Frugal

Community Resource Project

2010-01-19T08:34:00.001-08:00

UTILITY PAYMENTS

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can offer income-eligible residents of Sacramento, Sutter, or Yuba Counties a credit to their utility bill. HEAP is available for customers of PG&E, SMUD, or those who heat their home using wood, propane, or oil purchased from a vendor. Along with the utility credit, clients will also receive valuable information about energy conservation and practical tips on how to save energy and keep your utility bill at a manageable level.

The amount of HEAP assistance is calculated based on:
- Household size
- Household income
- Percentage of income spent on energy bills, known as the energy burden.

Other factors considered include funding availability and the cost of energy within the county where the household resides. HEAP provides one payment, ranging from $217-$362 every other calendar year.

Please remember, HEAP is not an entitlement, but an assistance program. HEAP will only credit one utility company and that credit will take 8-12 weeks to appear on your utility bill. If you receive a HEAP credit, you are still responsible for paying your utility bill while the credit is being processed.

WEATHERIZATION

Weatherization is a process through which a series of home-improvements are made that increase the overall energy efficiency of the home. The aim of the Housing Division’s weatherization program is to assist eligible, low-income families by providing education and services that facilitate energy conservation. These services are intended to reduce energy consumption in homes through the replacement of inefficient appliances (when appropriate) and minor repairs, making the home more energy efficient. Participants will also receive valuable educational materials that provide useful energy saving tips and information.

The weatherization program installs many energy efficiency measures, including:
• Attic insulation and venting
• Replacement of broken glass
• Door weather-stripping
• Installation of low-flow shower heads
• Installation of gas inserts in existing wood-burning fireplaces

(For more information on the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District program visit our Green Partnerships page.)

The weatherization program is available to all income-qualified residents of Sacramento, Sutter, and Yuba Counties. Both renters and homeowners can qualify for the program.

Once a weatherization specialist determines a household’s eligibility, a trained technician will assess the dwelling for energy conservation needs. A typical inspection includes testing the home for air leakage and a Combustion Appliance test to ensure the safety and efficiency of older appliances. During the inspection, our technicians determine which measures are most cost effective for each individual dwelling. Consequently, consumers will realize significant savings on their utility bills. On average, weatherization may reduce utility bills by approximately $200-$250 per year.

A note from the editor's of Fruitfully Frugal: Our intent is to deliver information, not to abuse or suggest utilizing services for which you are not rightfully eligible in order to save money, and in turn 'cheat the system'. For those that qualify, we've made available the above assistance programs.

FREE Teeth Cleanings in Sacramento

2009-07-02T15:06:00.000-07:00

Scccrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech.

As you come to a screeching halt upon reading the headline, I'd like to announce that it is a well known secret (still reaming from the title, you missed this joke, didn't you) that Western Career College has free dental cleanings. Our dependable sources (a.k.a. someone from my church) have used this for years with great satisfaction. Our pleasant and resourceful staff (you guessed it, me) checked into the limitations: none, other than a child must be older than 3 years of age.

The cost is absolutely free. Here's how it works:
Students attend Western Career College and work towards gaining their degree in Dental Hygiene. You (ah, so lucky..and unsuspecting) are their guinea pig. They will clean your teeth and the cleaning will be inspected by a full fledged, real life, master instructor (I threw in all the fancy titles..).

PROS: Although they're not ("pros", that is), who can beat the low, low price of FREE?!
Bring your I-Pod, Walkman or MP3 player and headphones and catch up on a great audio book!
Because the students are being graded on their performance and final outcome, (and they've already spent thousands on their schooling), you get a very detailed and thorough cleaning.

CONS: If you need it now, you're in trouble - the waiting list can be months from now, but there's a cancellation list.
You're gonna' be here for a while...2 hours in the hot seat to be exact. But again, who can beat the low, low price of FREE?!

SAVINGS: We usually pay over $100 per session at our dentist every year, per person. For us, the savings would be $200+ per year. It's practically money in your pocket when you think of it - prevention is the best medicine!

To contact (our respondents and staff [again, me] are deeply offended you would have to verify this information):

Western Career College
8909 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95826
(916) 361-1660 Mapquest

Sacramento City College
Guidelines and more information on free cleanings, how it is mutually beneficial.
3835 Freeport Boulevard
Sacramento, California 95822
(916) 558-2111 Campus Map

Save on cleaning products & disinfectants for the home

2008-12-08T10:53:00.000-08:00

What can we buy for less than $1, use as mouthwash, removes stains from clothing, whitens teeth, disinfects cutting boards, and is used in hospitals?

I have received this email twice now in the last two years. (My annual email, you could say!) In especially these economic times, it is fitting. However, Fruitfully Frugal is not just to do with money, but time and space, as well. One bottle will save space versus ten bottles of cleaning agents, including your window cleaner! Time is saved because we know and trust this little brown bottle (yes, another hint) ... no more reading labels for 'green cleaning'. Buy in bulk and stock up...here's the email;

"This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana (a doctor's wife), and I want to share it with you. She was over recently for coffee and smelled the bleach I was using to clean my toilet and counter tops. This is what she told me.

"I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little ole bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. What does bleach cost? My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell youabout peroxide.

"Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? NO!!! Why? Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better!

"Did you also know bleach was invented in the late 40's? It's chlorine,folks! And it was used to kill our troops.

"Peroxide was invented during WWI. It was used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops and hospitals. Please think about this:

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe.) No more canker sores, and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead ofmouthwash..

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.

4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect withou t harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue.

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

11. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water.Repeat if necessary.

12. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.

"I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no home should be without!

"With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner!"

Autumn Give-Away!

2008-11-29T10:20:00.000-08:00

I have posted my first official give away. I am giving away 1 lb of pumpkin fudge to one lucky winner. Click here for more details: Autumn Give-Away!
Have fun!!!

Free Educational Sites!

2008-08-21T17:21:00.000-07:00

Back to School! Here are some great Free educational sites for the whole family. Whether you are in public school, homescooled, college, or just want to learn something new, there is something here for everyone! Please leave us feedback if you like one of the sites given! Have fun!

http://www.wannalearn.com/ } Over 350 categories of free, first-rate, family-safe online tutorials, guides and instructionally oriented Websites including; academics, computers, financial manangement, crafts and hobbies and much, much more! A great place to start.

http://www.homeschool-curriculum-for-life.com/free-homeschool-printables.html } A good source for free homeschool printables.

http://www.powa.org/ } A college level on-line writing assistant. My daughter used this in highschool and passed her college entrance exam into English 1A at 16. I used it as an aid while in English 1A and got an A in the class.

http://oldfashionededucation.com/} A complete K-12 on-line curriculum. Yes, it's FREE!

http://free.ed.gov/ } Teaching and learning resources from federal agencies.

Freebies that are great for those with kids!

2008-08-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

This ad has been routinely posted on Craigslist:

"Free Haircuts!!! Free haircuts given by licensed stylists! You will get the haircut you want. We are located at 1250 Howe Avenue (Howe & Hurley - Old Navy, Ross center, 15 minutes away from the Church of God). Our studio is located in the back of the Supercuts salon. You enter through the front of Supercuts and walk to the back. Please print this add and bring it with you. If you need help when you get to the salon please just ask for William (we donʼt mention free haircuts in front of paying clients for obvious reasons) Men, women and children are welcomed (children must be able to sit in the chair without crying)
No Appointments!
Walk in Wednesday 8-6 From 3:00-5:00
Thursday 8-7 From 9:30 - 4:00
Friday 8-8 From 9:30- 4:00
Please come in with freshly shampooed hair if possible, Thank you!
Questions? Call 924-5979"

Now, the ad states the dates of 8-6 through 8-8, however, this ad routinely shows up online ("routinely" being at least twice a month). If you are looking to get haircuts for your family of 4, this is undoubtedly a money saver and is well worth the phone call to 'William' (or the receptionist) at the number above.

The Savings is in the Soup!

2008-05-14T22:39:00.000-07:00

One thing I learned from the Tightwad Gazzette was never to waste anything.

Tonight I made what I call leftover soup and boy was it good. The pan was just about licked clean. It was a mexican soup and it consisted of: from the freezer- 1/2 cup left over taco meat, 1 1/2 cup leftover macaroni and cheese, 1 cup corn, from the fridge- 1/2 cup sliced green onion, a tomato that was ready to turn, 1/3 cup left over home made salsa, 1/3 cup picante sauce, and 2 cup home cooked pinto beans. To this I added water, a little beef bullion and about 1/4 tsp liquid smoke. I served it up with some left over home made whole wheat bread, and then we had water melon slices for dessert.

I very rarely follow a recipe for soup. Traditionally, soup always consisted of what was on hand. It is important to have a rich tasting broth and the rest is what ever you need to use up quick. Little bits of meat can be put in the freezer, a left over pork chop, chicken, ground meat. Pasta, rice, beans, bits of left over cooked veggies, water from cooking veggies, you name it. Always save your left overs. You can freeze left over sauces and gravies too. I usually pick a theme; our favorite is mexican. But you can do chicken and rice, Italian minestrone, vegetable beef, etc...

Rich broths can be made from saving all your produce end pieces in a freezer bag. Add some left over bones from a chicken dinner. Any germs left behind will be cooked off when you make the broth. Put it all in large pot and cover with water. Add 1 tbs. apple cider vinegar. Bring to boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer until water has evaporated at least 50%. Strain, and use for soup, or other recipes that call for broth.

Emergency $45 Menu to feed 4 for the week...

2008-04-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

If you're in a pinch with a bare kitchen, we've found a site, The Hill Billy House Wife, that has a menu plan for one week, along with the shopping list and nutritional data, recipes and daily schedule to help you get through an entire week on $45 for 4 people, or $51 for 6.

Even if you don't need this right now, it is informative and some techniques can be incorporated into anyone's current budget so we don't have to 'put our money where our mouth is', so to speak.

All the work is done for you, just right click and save it to your computer or print it out and go to the store. Items were purchased based on prices at the Dollar Store and Walmart. WinCo may be cheaper, and they do accept coupons (unless they are printed from the computer, as many of those are fake).

Also, I double checked and SaveMart does not take competitor coupons, nor does it have a double coupon day program. I spent *GASP* $237 on groceries yesterday, and that was only 6 bags with coupons. Granted, I spent about $40 on drawer organizers, nevertheless...now we know, it's not the name, but the price that matters.

Without further ado, click this link to the HillBilly HouseWife's super cheap weekly menu plan.

Energy Savings Galore - Scientifically Manufactured Heat Generating Plants

2008-04-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

Solar Complexus Americanus

In 1995 the Glasgow Herald described the recent arrival in Britain of a new energy-saving miracle: heat-generating plants. These plants, known by the scientific name Solar Complexus Americanus, were imports from Venezuela.

One plant alone, fed by nothing more than three pints of water a day, generated as much heat as a 2kw electric fire. A few of these horticultural wonders placed around a house could entirely eliminate the need for a central-heating system. And when submerged in water, the plants created a constant supply of hot water.

The Scandinavian botanist responsible for discovering these hot-air producers was none other than the notorious Professor Olaf Lipro. (an anagram of April Fool)

So What is Frutifully Frugal Anyhow?

2008-03-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

Fruitfully Frugal is not just about where to find a bargain, how spot a good deal, or buy a little cheaper. It deffinitely includes some of these things, but it is ultimatley about using what we already have to our best advantage; it's about being resourceful; it's about using our God given time wisely.
I have found it easy to fall into the trap of believing that just because I found a "bargain" I am showing frugality. For instance, I may find a bread maker originally price at $100 now 50% off and I have a rebate check for $25. Wow! Now I only paid $25 for a $100 bread maker. But was that truly a frugal way to spend (in my case) my husbands hard earned money? Will that bread maker pay for itself and more? Will it save me time and energy?
Over the years I have owned many slicers, dicers, poppers, dryers, makers, bakers and fryers. But I have found that I rarely used them. It was just too much trouble to get them out, set them up, use them , then clean them and put them away again. My tried and true Kitchen gadgets have always been the basics: an oven, dishwasher, refrigerator and basic dished and utensils. The contraptions usually sat, uselessly tucked away, taking up precious cupboard space, and dumping a guilt trip on me every now and again for not using it.

STUFF is always pricey! No matter how much it cost.

I would like to introduce you to a favorite author of mine, Don Aslett. He is the master of helping you identify all the junk in your life and moving it out. It is a very eye-opening book and has been very beneficial to me over the years. I highly recommend it.

Time is our most valuable asset, and it is running out rapidly. Life here is just a test: to prove our love for God. We will all one day give an account for how we spent our time. Will it be an account of buying, storing, shelving, dusting, polishing, painting, cleaning, arranging, shifting, organizing, sifting, admiring, sharing and caring for all our stuff?

REMEMBER: EVERY SINGLE ITEM YOU BRING HOME HAS A PRICE TAG!

Imagine for a moment that you live in a tent. All you own, it a cup, a plate, a utensil, a mat, a pillow, a blanket, and two changes of clothes. Your daily home duties are:
1. Fold your blanket (1min)
2. Eat, and clean your dishes (30 min)
3. Bathe; you do have a source I hope (15 min)
4. Dress (2 min)
5. Wash yesterdays outfit (10 min)
6. Sweep out the tent (2 min.)
Total time: (1 hour)
You then have 15 hours (assuming you slept 8) to dedicate to Gods service.

Now of course this is extreme and I am not advocating anyone moving into a tent. The point is, THINGS STEAL YOUR TIME, PERIOD!
If you want to start thinking with a fruitfully frugal mind, begin by "being content with such things as ye have"

Seven Fruitfully Frugal Thought Processes

1. How can I avoid going anywhere today? (saves gas and time)
2. How can I get by without spending any money today?
3. How can I use up all my left overs in a tasty concoction for our meal today?
4. Can I cut back 10 minutes in the shower?
5. Can I use a little less shampoo, toothpaste, laundry or dish soap?
6. Can I substitute something for what I need to buy?
7. Can I possibly do without?

Seven Fruitfully Frugal Time Savers

1. Don't answer the phone; let the machine pick it up
2. Set your alarm clock 1/2 hour earlier
3. Put away the pointless novel
4. Set a 1 hour-on-the-computer rule.
5. Write a list of things to do; scratch off the unnecessary
6. Throw ten things away everyday
7. plan your outings to combine trips

Money Saving Tips for Every Household

2008-03-26T13:19:00.000-07:00

I have thought of soooo many 'fruitfully frugal' things to put on here since reading the book displayed to the left titled "Tightwad Gazette". GREAT ideas to save money...especially in a recession.

Here are some of the ways we've found to save money:

COST: FREE
> Go to PG&E.com with the last 12 months of your SMUD & PG&E bills in hand. Enter your zip code to get started...you can determine how much energy your are using on each electronic or gas item in your home..and ways to save. We just did this for a sister, and

turning off the computer at night will save her around $120 to $300 per year

..I think. Small sacrifice, big rewards.

COST: Roughly between $3-6 per pack (buy with coupons and in bulk to save more)
> Change out your regular light bulbs to energy saving bulbs. A five pack will save you $12 in lighting per year...but that's just on the usage of the bulb...think in terms of the heat produced by regular bulbs...that will raise your indoor temperature, and raise your cooling costs in the summer. Switch to cooler energy saving bulbs in the summer, and heat producing regular bulbs in the winter.
(Side note: this also makes it safer around children, as the surface around the bulb is much cooler. Do not touch the bulb, however, as it still hot to the touch)

COST: FREE
> Shade trees from SMUD. Call SMUD's partner, the Sacramento Tree Foundation, and make a community forester and in 10 days the trees will be delivered with stakes and ties. All you do is plant them. When the trees mature, you will save up to 40% on your home's cooling cost. You can view trees at SMUD.org, and click on the name of the tree to see the photo of the mature tree.

COST: FREE

> "WASHINGTON, DC —Free and green. Those are the goals of a pilot program launched today by the U.S. Postal Service that allows customers to recycle small electronics and inkjet cartridges by mailing them free of charge." Click here to read what is allowed or for more information.

COST: FREE other than some gas to pick up items, but save by having them meet you half way - in a very public place like Starbucks (but don't buy a Frappucino...or you just raised the cost of this money saver!)
> Welcome to Craigslist. Don't buy brand new large items...after the first time you use them, they've lost much of their value, as they are now 'used'. Visit Craigslist for many items such as: furniture, rugs, business, home, children's clothes, farm equipment, even livestock...there are even free items. Many people list free items that you need only go pick up. Look at this fabulous table for free right now, and the ad reads "Very nice table in great condition. Only have 3 chairs." Do you know that it is the new decorator style to have mismatched chairs? Take advantage! (Oh, and sorry, I already emailed about the table and chairs..but you can come over and see them anytime you'd like! Unless someone else gets them before I do!)

COST: FREE
> Online BillPay is a saver! It will save you time, checks, postage, envelopes, and the chaotic paper trails all over your home of lost or misplace bills. It is now safer than ever and we put it off for years for fear of the internet, but now wish we had done it sooner. Most banks offer this free service to their customers. Log In online to your bank account and begin to enter in all your bills. You can have reminders sent to your email for when each bill is due. Save on postage, envelopes, and checks since they send it directly to your biller from the bank...you don't even have to write out a check.

COST: FREE
> Go paperless...when you sign up for BillPay, select to receive online bills and to stop receiving them to your home. It will save so much time and the chaotic paper trail, not to mention, it is good for the trees!

COST: FREE
> Save on excess wasted mail and junk mail...mail a letter to: DMA 6 East 43rd St, New York, NY 10017 requesting that your name(s) be removed from "all the direct mailing lists they service". It will take about 3 months for junk mail relief. You should/could also go to to Experian, Equifax or TransUnion and put a stop to Pre-qualified offers for credit. It does not hurt your credit, however, if you do not plan to sign up for a credit card in the next 5-7 years, it could potentially prevent identity theft. (Never throw away an application in the trash...diamond shred it or burn it on an aproved burn day.)

COST: Half your monthly expenses (read on for explanation)
> A great way to stress less at the end of the month and to pay down your debt quicker (saving hundreds or thousands, depending on your debt, in interest charges) is to take your monthly payment and cut it in half. If you pay a bill of $500 each month, pay $250 every two weeks from your paycheck. You will be less stressed because you will 'have more' from each paycheck. Why does this work? There are 12 months in a year, but 52 weeks...when we pay per month, we are saying there are only 48 weeks...we lose 4 weeks, or one whole month! But when we pay every two weeks, we are adding one full month's payment of $500 directly to the principal. And when we do this to a 30 year mortgage loan, we cut off 6.2 years!!! You go from a 30 year loan, to paying it off in just 23.8!! Now that's a tip you can take to the bank!

COST: $14.99 - $32.99 each (depending on what you get and where, up to $124.99 for the roman shades shown below at Target)
> Introducing...dunt dun-nuh-nah.....(insert drum roll, please)Black Out Privacy Drapes.
They block out light (to give you a better night's rest so you can be more efficient at work)and insulate against heat or cold. These can be found at JCPenney's, Anna's Linens, Linens n' Things, and KMart even has ones that you can just attach to your existing drapes so you can keep the look you already love, these are about $7 more than purchasing the already lined drapes, so we would suggest that you purchase them when on sale or with a coupon.

OR..go one step further, a great decorator's look, with financial benefit (that's how you'll share the idea with your husband, k?). Seriously, thermal window blinds go one step further to insulate and save more, since they are right up against the window, as opposed to hanging an inch or two away from the wall on a drapery rod. They form a wall to insulate the outdoor temperature from affecting your indoor temperature. This one is found at Target.

COST: FREE (assuming you own fans or get free ones on Craigslist)
> In the Sacramento summer, leave off as many lights as possible (unless you're in a room with energy saver bulbs (wink), and leave the drapes pulled closed over windows on the hot days. At night when it cools down, open all the windows and situate some fans in front of these openings...if there is a slight breeze in the front of the house, put fans at the fron tof your house facing into your home to draw in the cool air. Put fans at the back of your house to blow out the heat. Turn on ceiling fans to push the heat down since hot air rises. You are essentially mocking a whole house fan. In this case, we are just using many fans!

COST: Depends on purchase (see below for details)
> If you have a large purchase to make from a department store, when the item is on sale, take advantage of their lay-away program as opposed to putting it on a credit card. You will generally have to put down 10% to have it held. You make payments towards the purchase price. If you purchased on sale for 10% off with a credit card with an APR of 20%, you lost our 10% and you cannot use your credit card for emergencies until you pay down the balance. Lay-away is free to use, and there is no interest. They will hold it at the sale price until you pay it off. You get the best of all their services! Now that's what we call 'GREAT customer service!'

COST: Depends (see below for details)
> Do not make 'special trips' to the grocery store. Our grocery store has postal service and our bank stationed in it. Go grocery shopping (coupons in hand) when you know you will be 'in the area' of the grocery store. We like to go after church since it is less than 10 blocks away and on our route home. When shopping, buy bulk items that go well with one another and can be used in more than a few dishes.

COST: FREE
> Visit your local library for internet, documentaries, do it yourself magazines and books, instead of rental or purchasing them yourself.

If you have tips to share....leave us a comment!

Ranch Dressing Mix

2008-02-21T16:52:00.000-08:00

I picked up a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch mix at the bag-your-own grocery store, on sale for 98 cents. The box of four would have cost $3.88 bringing the cost down to 97 cents per packet. First ingredients included not-so-healthy Maltodextrin and Monosodium Glutamate. Our family goes through the ranch quick. Salads, pizza, quesadilla's all get dunked in their favorite sauce. This recipe cost me $2.00 to make. I pick up the ingredients at the bag-your-own grocery in the bulk section. I have been making this for years and always get compliments on it. The recipe makes an equivalent of 40 packets of ranch. That comes to 5cents a packet. The same amount if bought by the packet at the store would cost me $38.80. This is a savings of $36.80. I probably refill my stash 3 time per year which is a savings of $116.40 per year. It takes me about 10 minutes to whip it up. That equals 30 minutes per year. If this were a job I would be worth $232.80 an hour! Impressed? I usually store my container in the refrigerator in an airtight tupperware. It stays nice and fresh that way.

To make the mix

18 squares of saltine crackers (use the cheapo brand)
2 cups minced parsley flakes, crushed
1/2 cup instant minced onion
2 tablespoons dry dill weed
1/4 cup onion salt
1/4 cup garlic salt
1 tsp fine ground pepper
1/4 cup onion powder
1/4 cup garlic powder

1. Put crackers through blender on high speed until powdered.
2. Add parsley, minced onions, and dill weed.
3. Blend again until powdered.
4. Dump into bowl.
5. Stir in onion salt, garlic salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
6. Put into container with tight-fitting lid.

To make salad dressing

Mix 1 tablespoon of the mix into 1 cup of mayonaise. Slowly stir in a little at a time, one cup of buttermilk. Refrigerate.

Pure Raw Unfiltered Honey

2008-02-19T13:23:00.000-08:00

I pay $12.99 for a quart of pure raw unfiltered honey at the health food store. YIKES! Am I nuts? I am currently looking for a better deal, but sometimes the benefits outweigh the cost. Of course, I can buy an inferior product for much cheaper, but a little research solidified my conviction that pure raw honey is the way to go!

Consider these facts:
Honey is an antimicrobial agent and antioxidant
It's anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral
Has cancer-preventing and anti-tumor properties
Boost energy levels
Heals wounds
antioxidant
reduces cholesterol
Mixed into a glass of milk or chamomile tea will induce a good nights sleep
and there is so much more that a little on-line research will reveal.
Yet all these benefits are reduced up to 75% and some completely gone with a regular store-bought cooked honey.

Hmmm...last time I went to the doctor's office, I had to put 20 miles on my vehicle to get there and back. I had to wait about 30 minutes to see him (time is money). I paid a co-pay of $10 for the visit and then $15.00 for the perscription. Because it was an antibiotic I also puchased some acidophilus for $8.00 to replace all the good flora that the antibiotc will destroy, leaving me more susceptible to future exposures. Not including time, mileage and gas, that adds up to $33.00. I think I would rather have that jar of honey. And did I mention how yummy it is? Try it in your next cup of tea, or spread atop of a piece of toast with Peanut Butter. MMM

Pleasing Potatoes

2008-02-16T22:12:00.000-08:00

Last night we enjoyed a favorite 'Tightwad Gazzette' meal: Baked potatoes topped with cheese sauce, broccoli and bacon bits. I served it with cucumber slices and carrot sticks. The cheese sauce is made with NF milk powder, left over cheese pieces that I save in a ziplock bag in the freezer, and thickened with cornstarch. Garlic, onion and mustard powder boost the flavor of the sauce. We ended the meal with home made Black Berry Cobbler and ice cream. The blackberries were from a fun summer family outing of black berry picking. I estimated the entire meal to be $7.00. Not bad for two adults and three teenage kids. I made extra potatoes and bacon for breakfast burritos in the morning. I used the bacon grease to fry the potato's in and scrambled a dozen of our farm fresh eggs. This and the bacon topped with cheese and hot sauce went into flour tortilla's. This breakfast kept the kids satified till dinner. No lunch needed. The breakfast cost was about. Both meals were very filling and satisfying.

Cards; Counting the Cost

2008-02-15T05:05:00.000-08:00

It seems like I am always buying cards for someone and for some ocasion. Birthdays, holidays, Christmas and Valentines being in the lead, thank you notes, invitations, sympathy, thinking of you, new house, new car, encouragement... the list is endless. What a market. Cards are always a great way of saying to someone, "You are on my mind! I love you! I am thinking about you!" But boy, the prices of some of those cards! They can be really expensive. $5 and even more.
Walmart and Winco offer 40% off there entire selection of cards. Then there is the Dollar Tree where you can get cards for .50 each. They also offer packages of invitations and thankyou cards for $1. They usually have a pretty nice selection. Another great place to stock up on all kinds of cards is at thrift stores. I try not to pay more than .10 per card at thrift stores. You can put them away in a drawer somewhere and the next time you need to cheer someone up, Walla! So lets see, I need a birthday card for little M. I can go to the local grocer and purchase one for $2.99, but of course, I will look for any value cards at $1 each. Well, hmmm.. I have to go shopping and the bag your own grocery store offers 40% off theirs. That would bring a $2.99 card down to $1.79. A savings of a $1.20 which I will put in my savings for that swimming pool. But wait, I need to run by the dollar store so I can pick up a card for .50 which would be a savings of $2.49. WAIT! Let me go check out my stash from the thrift store. Aha! here is a darling card I only paid .10 for. Now I have $2.89 to put toward a pool. If I do this 4x per month for a year, I will have saved $138.72 toward that new pool for the kids!