Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Free huggies sample in the mail today .

From Target .

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Count down to New Year's Eve ! On a budget

I have had old LBD for New Year's Eve . I spruced it up with a sparkly pin . H&M , Asos, Tibi , express , I have bought and find reasonably priced dresses. EBAY like I always say is your best bet. Renttherunway.com has dresses as low as $50. And you get high end designer without it staying in your closet forever, plus they do dry cleaning . Look on Pinterest or polovore for ideas if you can't pick one look . And ring in the new year under $ 50 for your outfit . You're going to need the extra money for drinks & food :) 

Out with the old in with the new ...

Stores are clearing their racks for new inventory . January is a great month to find rock bottom prices on clothing . And semi-annual sales . Last year I went shopping to old navy , express & Victoria's Secret . I spent less than $100 and saved close to what I spent . Plus I received a coupon from old navy for $20 off. 

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Chocolate cranberry oat bars

1 c dried cranberries 
1/4 c orange juice
1 1/2 c flour 
1 1/2 c oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c soften butter
1 1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
4 squares Bakers semi- sweet chocolate ( chopped)
1/2 c planters pecan pieces

Preheat oven to 350. Combine cranberries and orange juice in a microwaveable bowl . Microwave for 30 seconds. Then let stand for 10 minutes . Then mix in rest of ingredients until  well combined.

Spread dough into a 13x9 baking dish . Bake 20-22 minutes or until center is set .

Looking for chocolate and peppermint ? Look now further ... It's probably in your pantry already .

1 pkg Bakers semi-sweet squares (8oz) pkg
1/4 tsp peppermint extract 
1 sleeve Ritz crackers
1 peppermint candy cane ( crushed)

Double boil or microwave in a small bowl the Bakers chocolate . Stir until completely melted . Blend in peppermint extract .
Dip crackers into melted chocolate , completely coating crackers. Place onto wax paper. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane . 
Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 

Monday, December 8, 2014

Cookies anyone ?

Either make cookies and give them as gifts or throw a cookie exchange party . Both affordable and yummy ( of course).

Come inside and warm up with a hot cocoa themed party for guests.

Make your favorite hot chocolate & give your guests all sorts of treats to mix in it . From peppermint sticks to caramel dipped spoons . Get creative and enjoy a budget friendly and warm holiday get together .

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Easy 1 2 3 holiday crafts you can find a Dollar tree.

Buy mugs at the dollar tree . Get your colored sharpies out and decorate . Let the cups sit out all day so the sharpie stays on . You can DIY on plates too . Then let it bake in the oven on a very low temp to make sure it stays in place . 

Free item from moving sale . Brand new & perfect for my dining room.

My Dad found this at a moving sale . Picked it up for free! Now it's a beautiful accent in my dining room . 

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Christmas Tablescape on a budget .

You can find this from Dollar tree and walmart . Look expensive but save money to get through the holidays .

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Save money buying a home at closing . I'm going to share what I just did .

Bought my first home ! All on my own . Yay !! The price was $99,500. For a raised ranch home built in 1965. I offered $95,00, and sellers pay $2,500 at closing . It was accepted. I saved $8,000 in the last 2 years and brought that for closing costs . After closing I ended up paying a little over $93,000 for the home ( because the sellers contributed towards closing costs), and had money left over for 2 mortgage payments . I also got a credit for first time home buyer in the state of VT for $2,600. Yay ! 
Negotiate the price and always try to get sellers to help out at closing . You can also ask $3,000 more of the purchase price and sellers pay all of closing . Banks should already know that . There are also local and government programs to help you with down payment & closing ( if you qualify). Hud is one of them . If you live in my area ( Saint Johnsbury , VT) rural edge is a non-profit organization that has classes & people to work with you in the housing dept. USDA helps families with costs too. It helps to do your research & go to a home owners class. Most banks require the class these days anyway. 
Write out your goal and start saving in a account from which you can't touch it . Like a cd savings . That's what I did . All on my own. With a car payment , rent , loan payment & heat + utilities . I got divorced 2 years ago and lost everything . The only thing I wanted back was my own home . Proud of where I am . Last year I was still going to court . Today I'm drama free , and feel at home again . It's a great feeling .

Save more on Black Friday with JCP coupon

https://e.jcpenney.com/pub/sf/ResponseForm?_ri_=X0Gzc2X%3DWQpglLjHJlYQGsvYhzahAhzftWcCzgJe76Imvehrov9VXMtX%3DWQpglLjHJlYQGgGiyya2uzbItfSzbYCIrTpwzguGbwL&_ei_=EhEPvzyl7fNpyUL61nMqCx0

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Spruce up your hallway with simple dollar store items .

Hurricane holders for candles , picture frames and an old table you may already have . Won't cost a bundle and it's inviting . 

Friday, November 14, 2014

Saved on holiday baking supplies .

Price chopper had coupons for a lot of baking items this week. Plus I had coupons from the newspaper . Saved almost $20!

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Girls day out for free ! After coupons

First 2 hot chocolates & candy samples at Lake Champlain chocolates . Free tasting weekend . Then shopping at Bath & body works with a coupon off FB . And bonus coupons with each purchase , also  free . ( not pictured was a free panty & candle from Victoria's Secret after coupon) much success .

Monday, October 13, 2014

Recreate outfit under $30

Scarf .99c, cardigan Oldnavy $4.00, skirt Maurice's ( free after coupon ), tights $9.00, booties $14.00

Friday, October 3, 2014

Easy apple butternut squash soup

2 containers of butternut squash soup
1 c Apple sauce

And cook as directed on soup pkg . Serve with French bread.

Apple cinnamon bread pudding

1 bag of cinnamon swirl bread ( cut into cubes )

In a seperate bowl mix : 2 eggs, 1 1/2 tbs vanilla, 1 tsp rum extract , 2 c milk , and wisk . Add Apple cinnamon instant oatmeal , 1/2 c brown sugar and 1/2 bag of sliced apples. Then add to bread mixture .
Put into a baking dish . Set for 30 minutes. Then bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until moist like cake . 

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Marmalade meatballs

1 bag frozen meatballs
1 c orange marmalade
1 bottle Catalina dressing
3 tbs worsteshire sauce

Combine all ing in a bowl , then slow cook for 3 hours . 

Blackberry cobbler

1 container / 1 bag blackberries
1c sugar
3 tbs cornstarch
1 tbs lime juice
1/4 c cream soda

Stir together in a small pot on medium heat until it thickens . Then pour into a baking dish or soufflés . 

Topping: 
1 pkg biscuit batter 
( use cream soda to substitute water in biscuit batter ). 
Mix as indicated on pkg
Scoop onto berry mixture.

Bake at 350 until biscuits are golden and berries are bubbly. About 15 - 20 minutes 

Freebie from proctor & gamble

Monday, September 15, 2014

Pumpkin walnut chocolate chip cookies

I'm in the fall spirit and made these yummy cookies for the season . You can use any chocolate chip cookie recipe and add 1/2 c pumpkin & 1/2 c of walnuts . Cook for 10-12 minutes . 

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Weekend freebies

From myfreeproductsamples & Recyclebank 

Rain checks

Almost never happens . But if a store is having a sale & out of the product ask if they could give a rain check . Which you can use later after the sale has ended. This applies to certain stores , make sure you know the policy . 

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Weekend freebies !

Myfreeproductsamples & Recyclebank 

3 meals under $20

I bought all of this under $20 today at price chopper. I will make creamy chicken vegetable pasta, cube steak w/ yellow squash and pasta , I bought bread  to have peanut butter sandwiches or grilled cheese . 

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Cat food high value coupon from Purina

Sign up to Purina and the company will send you emails & coupons in the mail . This is what I received today . My cats will appreciate it . 

Outfit under $20

The scarf .99c, blouse $6.97, shorts 4.00, sandals $1. All from EBAY , JCP and Oldnavy .