Saving Money

I think I'm going to try to start posting maybe once in a while about how I've saved us money this week. You know, some tips or tricks I've used. I don't know how often I'll do this though. I've been really into trying to save us money while also trying to fix better meals so we don't always eat frozen dinners or microwave meals every night.

This past week, I searched the ads in the local paper and cut coupons to decide on the grocery list and menu for the next week. I usually do this, but during this past week I was a little more diligent. I found that Publix has their Campbell's soup for $1.39 verses Walmart's $1.50. I checked the ads over several times before going to the store and buying the soup. I didn't want to go through all the trouble and have Walmart not honor the ad. Their AdMatch thing is very particular. It has to be the exact same item or they won't accept it. Which is kind of a pain but oh well. What made this more awesome was I had a coupon for $1 off 3. I know that doesn't sound like much but since I didn't know when they were going to be on sale again, I decided to use it. Plus, I love their Sirloin Burger with Country Vegetables. That one's my favorite. Thankfully, Walmart accepted it. This week, our bill was under $90. Granted, we got a few extra things but we try to keep it under $100 a week.

One of the extra things we got was a hand mixer. My wonderful hubby just randomly decided to get me one this week, though I'd said I just needed it sometime before Thanksgiving so I could make some Snickerdoodles cookies. Except I can never find cream of tartar anymore. So I plan on subbing baking powder for it and the baking soda. I'll let you know how they turn out. Last time I made them, everyone loved them. :) Even though I just completely omitted the cream of tartar. They turned out ok.

At least now I can make his pancakes easier next weekend with the hand mixer and my new mixing bowl set (the other extra thing we got!).
Kayley

Mmm..pancakes

So my hubby eats frozen pancakes for breakfast sometimes. I forgot to put another bag of them on the list this past weekend. Yeah, that was dumb but I thought he had enough for the week. So on Saturday I looked up a recipe for pancakes . I made some for me(that didn't turn out as great at first) but the ones I made for my wonderful hubby turned out good. He actually likes them! The only thing I was worried about was not having baking powder. I used baking soda(yeah, thought for sure I had some powder!) I only used like a 1/4 of a teaspoon but when I make them again I'll have baking powder so I can make them properly.

They were a bit flour-y tasting and I think that was because I don't have a sifter. I'll have to remember to mix them better next time too. So for the next batch, I'll need powder and a better bowl. I used a plastic container. Lol.

They were kind of thin, which was his only complaint. Hopefully when I have baking powder they will come out bigger. But if not, oh well. I'll make him more.

To mine, I put some cinnamon on one side while the other was cooking. In his, I shaved up some pieces of leftover chocolate candy and sprinkled it into the mix before cooking them(he likes the chocolate chip pancakes but doesn't eat much chocolate. Go figure. Lol)

When they were cool, I froze them individually on a cookie sheet then when they were done I bagged them up in sandwich bags and put them back in the freezer. I'll have to get the air out better next time so they don't get frosty. They haven't yet and hopefully they won't. He's still eating them so they must be good! :D

Til next time!
Kayley

Pumpkin Obsession

So I've made another blog for things that aren't about writing. I'm sure writing will spill over into here anyway since it's what I do, but at least I'm not just talking about that.

Has anyone else noticed the obsession with pumpkins this time of year? I don't mean just the dozens of them sitting outside stores waiting to be grabbed up, carved and gutted. It's food wise too. Dunkin Donuts, McDonald's, Barnes & Noble cafes, and Starbucks all have pumpkin or pumpkin pie flavored items in their arsenal.

I personally have tried the pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice latte from McDonald's. The pie was so-so. I liked the sweet potato pie they had last year better (with whipped cream!). The latte, however, was delicious, also with whipped cream. Now, it doesn't come with the cream, you'll have to ask for that separate, and I know some places charge for it, but it is well worth it. It makes the latte perfect!

I wonder when the rest of the fast food world will jump on the pumpkin bandwagon? Or is it too late for them this year?

Signing off,
Kayley