What Did You Do Frugal Today??

[leasmom]

Maybe I can use the gift certificate ideal for my sister's daughter. But, my two other nieces, I couldn't because their mom-(sil) might get it from the mail and use it. I sent pictures addressed to my nieces with comments on the back and she never gave it to them until I mentioned it and then she just showed the and put it away. When my sister sent clothes, she never told them who they came from. Only when my sister asked them if they got it did they find out! So, with them I have to be careful...

But, thank you...that could definately work with my sister.

[nagymom]

Yes I love those gift cards and certificates! My granddaughters ask for them for b'days now because they enjoy shopping. I told my m-i-l last year to start buying them Wal Mart gift cards instead of gifts. She can just insert them in a card. No shopping, no wrapping and no hassles getting to the post office. I was just telling dh last night that we need to remind her soon. Otherwise she has a tendency to buy age inappropriate things that the kids don't need nor usually want.

It sounds as if all you can really do is buy whatever and pray they get it. Follow up with a phone call to let them know it's coming.

Jayne

[Songberries]

I don't know what's wrong with people these days and gift giving. I have a sil who will take things back and get something else. She also does this before the kids can open it, then buys something else for herself or the kids, but tells the kids it's from her. The last time I had her name for Christmas I bought them each journals, really nice ones (5 in all) I wrote in the front of each, like ya do with books. She told me the one I got her was awful (it was a big spiral one that had thoughts on each page, I loved it) apparently one of the thoughts said something about if God was a women, I didn't read through the whole thing, but gosh, it was just one she didn't like, cross it out, ya know. Anyway she complained so much I bought her another one that didn't have the little thoughts throughout. She said journals weren't an appropriate gift for her boys. Gosh, they were old enough to be able to write in them! Next time we have their family I'm ging to buy them a star or something! Sorry to vent, but she just really frosts my cookies! (sorry, that's kind of a Utah saying)

Carol

[Vjumpstart]

What's so bad about frosted cookies? I like my cookies frosted!

[Songberries]

V - yup, I like my cookies frosted too. It's kind of a funny saying, but for some reason around here it means it really makes ya mad!

Ok, I wanted to share something with everyone. I am one of the staff writers on Mormon Chic.com, and my recent article is now on the site, so if anyone wants to go look at it it's here -

http://www.mormonchic.com/images/200...hly-banner.jpg

then just click on the box that says pet treats, which has a picture of my dd Sloan and our beagle snickers. Don't worry, no one will try to convert ya to Mormonism! I just had to share, I hope I don't offend anyone with a reference to religion.

Carol

[Songberries]

I got these hints in a newsletter today, and I thought I'd share them -

To make quick garlic butter, squeeze a clove of garlic through a garlic press with a small amount of butter for perfect garlic butter for some quick toast or to season veggies, fish, chicken or whatever!

Before discarding your empty mustard jars, get a little more out of it by making a tasty salad dressing. Depending on how much mustard is left in the jar, add about 3 or 4 tablespoons olive oil and 2 or 3 tablespoons vinegar (red or white wine vinegars work well), and a clove or two of minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and shake well. You'll have a wonderful mustard vinaigrette is.

Geraldine from Detroit says that adding a little milk to the water when boiling vegetables will help keep their colors bright.
Janice from Wisconsin sent in this tip, handy for when you're buttering lots of corn on the cob: melt a stick of butter in a pan of hot water. The butter will float, to butter corn, simply dip in the pan, the butter sticks, the water doesn't. Roasting chickens or turkeys breast-side down will help keep the breast meat moister.

I loved these, I thought they were good!

Carol

[leasmom]

LOL!!! I couldn't help but laugh at that one. I've heard some colorful expressions living 3 yrs in Appalachia, but that one tops it all...only Dolly Parton could've come up with something better!

Well...I went and took the package back. It only came to $6 instead of $15-Yippee!!! I had to go on the far side of town and so while I was over there I stopped by a farmers stand that I had seen a few times. I got 3 cantalopes for $1 and a huge basket of green chilies that I will be roasting and making a green chili sauce out of as soon as I learn how via the internet.

Just for clarification: Yesterday when I said I got a huge bag of Red Chili-I didn't mean chili that has tomatoes, beef, beans, etc. I meant hot peppers. These are Pueblo Chilies and they aren't very hot too me-(of course I eat everything blood sucking red!!! As in hot sauces-I have a collection!). Green chilies are mild but they can get hot right before turning red. So, that's what I meant.

One year in Tennessee I got a basket of Cayenne Peppers that I dried and made into dried cayenne, of course, that I used to this day on nearly everything!

I also got the phone, I got some insurance on it this time...same phone I got the last time so hopefully this time it won't go dead on me after two weeks-GE Brand. Apparently, they must know they'res problems with the phone because I've never been asked to get insurance on a cordless phone before, but okay.

Still haven't decluttered that closest...I swear I will do it today! And maybe over the weekend I'll make the Sour Cream Pound Cake, cause I've got a huge container that my sister dropped off to me from her landlord.

[EMMJEAN]

I spent my day baking.
I baked 24 chicken and cheese cups.
And 24 cupcakes.
All are sealed and in the freezer for lunches.
My family loves them. So I plan to make a lot more of them using up leftovers. Can't wait to make the taco ones. We always have leftovers when we have tacos.
Emmalee

[Vjumpstart]

I was VERY unfrugal today!

I had to get some new tennies, but...... Because of extreamly flat feet which causes knee, hip, back, and neck pain and headaches, I can't go get the ones at some place like the dollar store. I went to the local sporting goods store and bought a pair of New Balance that (along with my orthotics - special things to put in my shoes to combat the flat feet) are supposed to help with all the problems. I can't believe how much a GOOD pair of shoes costs! The total, including tax, was just over (are you sitting down?) $96.00!!! They had better last me for at least 5 years!

V.

[leasmom]

I now what you mean about those cup meals...dd loves them too! I made nacho cheese and chicken once, I didn't have leftovers from tacos recently but next time I'll do it too!

Oh, Vjumpstart, I started buying Nikes which up front aren't frugal but in the long run they are. I used to go through shoes fairly quickly because I have almost flat feet too but since buying the Nikes I only have to buy them once a year! So, it's an investment!!!