Saving Can Be Addictive

Whether it's a change jar, a checking account that rounds your purchases up to a full dollar amount, or a credit card that gives you cash back, saving can be addictive.  Just give it a try.

Try purchasing a change jar (I know that's spending unnecessarily, but it will be worth it in the long run) that calculates the change as you put it in the jar.  Or, how about adding one to your Christmas list.  Another option would be to keep a pad of paper beside of your change jar and adding the change each time you drop coins in the jar.

How about one of those checking accounts that round your purchase up to the next full dollar amount and puts the balance of your change into a savings account.  Wait a while before looking at your balance, you'll be surprised how fast the dollar amount increases in your savings account.

Finally, if you can, setup a credit card to make all of your monthly purchases.  Most credit cards, and some debit cards, now pay cash back.  Discover has been doing this for some time.  They pay 1% cash back on all purchases, up to a certain dollar amount per year.  They also pay 5% cash back on different categories throughout the year.  This is a great way to save.  Once your cash has accumulated, you can retrieve your earnings and put them into a high interest paying savings account.

As your savings accumulates, you will find saving can be addictive.  The more you save, the more you will try to save.  Give it a try!

Dropped my Thermostat a Couple of Degrees

A few days ago, I was going to be away from home for over 12 hours, so I decided to drop my thermostat a couple of degrees.  I was tired when I arrived home, and my thermostat was the last thing on my mind, so I didn't move it back upon arriving home.

The next morning, I realized it, but didn't feel chilled at all. Since I was leaving early in the morning, I decided to leave the thermostat.  After that, I didn't think about it for a couple of days. By that time, I realized I could keep my thermostat down at the lower level of 67 degrees in my home while I was home, without feeling at all uncomfortable.

So today when I left, knowing that I would be gone for at least 10 if not 12 hours, I decided to drop my thermostat a couple of degrees....

Pasta

The simple title of this article, 'Pasta', says it all.

Pasta is a great ingredient for budget meals.  Here are a few of the past a recipes that I use to keep my budget in tact, when it comes to grocery shopping.

Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1/2 box rotini pasta
1 cup sliced, diced or cherry tomatoes
1 cup green, red, or yellow peppers (mix it up or use one color, whatever fits your budget)
1 small can black olives (I prefer whole, but choose your favorite style)
8 ounces mozzerella
8 ounces Italian dressing

Directions:

Cook pasta and drain, as per directions on the box.  Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. 

Baked Spaghetti

I use a couple of variations of baked spaghetti, to keep it interesting.  One includes sausage, the other pepperoni. 

Ingredients:

1/2 box angel hair pasta
1/2 can Hunts pasta sauce (I recommend Hunts because of the value and taste in comparison to others.)
1/4 lb bulk Italian bulk sausage or 1/4 pack pepperoni
8 ounces of mozzerella

Preheat oven to 425 degrees, while you are cooking the pasta. If you chose the sausage for your baked spaghetti recipe, fry the sausage stirring into small pieces, at the same time you are cooking the pasta.

Strain the angel hair pasta.  Add the pasta sauce and the sausage.  Stir ingredients and then pour into a small Pyrex baking dish.  Top with mozzerella.  Bake 10 to 15 minutes, until cheese darkens to your liking.

If you chose the pepperoni option, skip the sausage in the above recipe.  After you have topped the angel hair pasta and sauce with mozzerella, add a layer of pepperoni to the top of the cheese and follow the baking instructions above.

Penne Rigate and Sausage

Ingredients:

1/2 box penne rigate
1/2 can Hunts pasta sauce
1/4 lb bulk Italian bulk sausage, or your favorite sausage (sliced kielbasa works well in this recipe as well)

Cook the penne rigate as per the directions on the box.  At the same time fry the sausage.  Strain the pasta , add the sausage and sauce.  Top with parmesan or your favorite cheese.

Enjoy these budget recipes, or mix it up a little to fit your taste!

Free Doritos Locos Taco Thanks to Pagan

Thanks to Angel Pagan's stolen base in the second game of the World Series, America will enjoy a free Doritos Locos Taco from Taco Bell. For a few years now, Taco Bell has been teaming up with MLB, to give away tacos in certain circumstances for the World Series. This year, it was a 'Steal a Base, Steal a Taco' Promotion. And, since Angel Pagan stole a base, now everyone in the United States can get a free Doritos Locos Taco from Taco Bell between the hours of 2pm and 6pm on Tuesday, October 30th, 2012. If you would like more information on how to get your free taco, you can visit www.mlb.com/stealataco.

Free Family Fun Pass

Enjoy a Free Family Fun Pass from Scott Brand Products.  With the Scott® Free Admission Family Fun Pass, you get a free admission to your favorite attractions, such as miniature golf, go-carting, bowling, zoos, museums and many more, when you sign up for an account at their web site.

Here's the link for free family fun!  https://www.scottbrand.com/offer/familyfun?WT.mc_id=email-102512-nonmem-GymPass

Enjoy, and don't forget to enter your email address so that you can follow this blog for great ideas on an inexpensive way of life and more freebies for everyone!

Homemade Halloween Costume

Don't forget to save money this Halloween by making your own homemade Halloween costumes.  With the internet, you can find easy to make costumes at your fingertips.  In addition, homemade costumes are usually a much bigger hit whether you are attending a Halloween party or you are going trick or treating in your own neighborhood.

Here are a few links for some costumes that you might enjoy.  All are very easy to make.

Homemade Tin Man Costume  http://montytravels.quazen.com/recreation/parties/homemade-tin-man-costume/  This one is the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.  We made it for the Annual Halloween Party this year, and it was a big hit!

How to Make a Headless Halloween Costume  http://www.bukisa.com/articles/380783_how-to-make-a-headless-halloween-costume  This one is always a big hit.  The costume can be made for male or female.  Above is a picture of my 2009 Halloween costume made from an old wedding gown.

And finally, How to Make a Homemade Dalmation Costume.  http://www.bukisa.com/articles/380837_how-to-make-a-homemade-dalmation-puppy-costume  This is probably one of the easier costumes one could ever attempt to make.

So, decide what type of simple homemade costume you would like to make this Halloween.  Then search your closets, look in all of the old boxes in the basement or attic, and head to your local Goodwill or other resale shop to put together that costume that will be the life of the party!

Free Folgers Sample

For all of you coffee drinkers out there, Folgers is offering a free sample on their facebook page.

Follow this link:  https://www.facebook.com/folgers/app_341777675917999  , like their page, and then fill in the form to request a free sample of one of Folgers gournet flavors.

Don't forget, follow this blog, and we'll be sending out more free sample links and more ways to save!