Friday, July 30, 2010

Payday

It is my payday... so I will be off for some bargain hunting for back to school shopping and grocery shopping (my coupons are ready). Oh yea, I have to pay my bills, clean house and do laundry. So... this is going to be a busy weekend for me. I will do something fun on Friday night...I scored free tickets to the STYX concert at the fair (thanks Steve). I will keep you posted on weekend. Have a Fabulous & Frugal day!!!!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Junk Mail

I got a message in my e-mail today from John Cummuta saying that I could pay off my house in 5-7 years and have tremendous wealth. I can get a free CD, so what have I got to lose? I decided to google Mr. Cummuta and read his reviews. Well let me tell you that most of the reviews are negative, there were about 4 positive reviews though. I came to the conclusion that the only one turning debt into wealth here is Mr. Cummmuta. I am just going to keep plugging away on my debt reduction plan, and keep on checking out the books on Amazon.com. Dave Ramsey really seems to be the way to go.
Have a Fabulous & Frugal day!!!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Finding Frugal Info on the Web

Check out recession era cooking.... I have been having a blast with the old time recipes. I have come across frugal cooking tips and recipes, made with what you have on hand. Happy Cooking. Have a Fabulous & Frugal day!!!!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Frugal Dieting

Check out the Jillian Michaels website. All kinds of free tips and weight loss foods and recipes, and drinks as well as excercises to boost metabolism. I see no point in spending money on diet programs when you can essentially get the same info for free via the web.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Books

I am so excited... I got 2 books in the mail today that I ordered from Amazon.com. I bought the Woman's Day Living Fiscally Fit and Yankee Magazines Living Well on a Shoestring. I am super excited to have new reading material for my upcoming camping/fishing trip. I will keep you posted as to weither these are recommended reads or not.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal day!!!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Why I Love Yard Sales

Yes it is summertime. Summer is my favorite season of the year. One of my favorite things to do is hit up the yard sales. Here are my reasons that a good yard sale is hard to pass up.

Yard sales are cost effective. One man's junk is another man's treasure.
You can get great buys on furniture, outdoor furniture, household items, games, books, clothes, camping gear, fishing gear, tools, art, craft supplies. Seriously, you just never know what you will find. I don't even really look at electronics, you just never know if they will work or not. If you are interested in electronics have the seller plug in the equipment and make sure it is in working order before buying.

I try not to dicker too much... hey, these are hard economic times and if someone is trying to make a little extra money... I get it. Yard sales are usually always or at least should be cheaper than going to the 2nd hand store. Just know in your mind if you think things are priced reasonably then don't dicker. If you think that an item is over priced then by all means ask if they will take less.

I have a running list of things that I need, currently I have on my list a carpet cleaner shampooer, cookbooks, office supplies, canning items, books (winter reading), and craft kits (for my grandson). With this running list I have, I will know to grab these items should they be found while out and about.

I like to go first thing on Friday mornings, when the things have not been picked over much. That seems to be the busy time too. Check your local paper and Craigs List for the yard sales in your area. I take the paper with me and cross off the addresses after I am finished, and then move on to the next address. If there are specific things listed on the add that you need, I recommend going to those sales first. Also I have noticed that the more affluent neighborhoods offer a higher quality of merchandise, depending on what you need and what you are looking for.

Remember to dress comfortably, take a water bottle with you and have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

BBQ Elk Steak Sandwiches

When I got home from work this morning I cooked 3 packages of elk steak in the crockpot. I seasoned it with garlic and mustard powder... I cooked it all day on low in the crockpot (while I slept)(I am on the graveyard shift). This afternoon I drained the juice out of the crockpot and flaked up the elk steak with 2 forks ... think chipped beef. I added a bottle and 1/2 of BBQ sauce and let it sit on "warm" for an hour. I toasted some sesame hamburger buns and put the elk steak mixture in the middle. These BBQ sandwiches are absolutely awesome. Guess what I am taking in my lunch today?

Going to the Lake

This Saturday I am going to the lake. Here is a list of my must have items.

Beach Towels, and an old pillow
these are crucial items for lounging in the shade.

Sunscreen...need I say more? Remember to apply and re-apply

Large Cooler... to keep my drinks and goodies cold

Water... and Chrystal Light on the go packets (various flavors)
drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. I like to stick my water bottles in the freezer the night before so they are nice and ice cold.

Sandwiches... Probably take Ham or home made Tuna. Keep these in the cooler, and away from the sun. Don't want to risk any food poisoning.

Fruit... Cut up Cantelope and Watermelon, keep this in the cooler as well.

Miscellaneous Snacks.. granola bars and string cheese

A good book and a smutty tabloid... Smutty tabloids to read about other people's torrid lives and be thankful my life is better (on many levels) Also it is fun to make fun of the outfits that the stars of Hollywood are sporting these days. A good book for relaxing after swimming.


I intend on having a fabulous day at the lake.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Creamed Eggs on Toast

This is one of my favorite breakfasts: So easy and quick to make, it is absolutely delish!!

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 tablespoonse all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 1/4 cups milk
6 hard cooked eggs, sliced

Heat margarine in 2 Qt, saucepan over low heat until melted. Stir in flour,salt and pepper. Cook over low heat stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly: remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling stirring constantly for 1 minute. Gently stir in eggs, and heat through. Spoon over toast or english muffins. Serve with fresh fruit.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal day!!!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Simplify

sim·pli·fy   /ˈsɪmpləˌfaɪ/ Show Spelled[sim-pluh-fahy] Show IPA
–verb (used with object), -fied, -fy·ing.
to make less complex or complicated; make plainer or easier: to simplify a problem.

Simplify by definition, to make less complicated or easier. Simplify seems to be all the rage in the frugal world lately. I am trying to figure out how to simplify my life as a whole. After paying off my car a month and a 1/2 ago. My car spent basically a month in the mechanic shop. After replacing the transmission and 2 minor repairs.... I wiped out my savings account and put 1900.00 on my paid off Credit Card. I feel like I took one step forward and 10 steps back. It is going to be a haul before I can get that credit card paid off again. I thought six months ago that I would be simplifying my life by not having a car payment....but feels like I am back at square one. For me now, I will keep working on paying down my debt, I just don't feel as triumphant about the debt reduction as I did 2 months ago.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Low Cal Asparagus Fettucine Alfredo

Asparagus Fettuccine Alfredo is one of my favorite meals of all times. I love fettuccine alfredo, so to add asparagus to it is just so yummy. Go ahead, try it out!

Serves: 1

Preparation Time: 2 min

Cooking Time: 1 min

Ingredients
1 Package Tofu Shirataki Fettuccine Shaped Tofu Noodles (or whole wheat fettuccine noodles)
1/2 wedge of Laughing Cow Light Cheese
1 teaspoon Kraft Reduced Fat Parmesan Cheese
1 teaspoon Fat Free Sour Cream
2 cut asparagus
salt and pepper to taste



Instructions
Rinse the tofu fettuccine noodles very well.

Microwave for one minute (If using regular pasta, bring water to a boil and add a serving of noodles.

Drain water when finished cooking.

Follow instructions on box).

Drain noodles and pat dry.

Microwave asparagus.

Add the cheeses and sour cream and mix.

Microwave to melt cheese.

Cut up asparagus and mix throughout noodles.

Add salt and pepper if necessary.

Been Gone

Sorry to all.. I have been gone for awhile, took a vacation to California to visit my sister (the beach was fantastic) and then a small get-away with one of my best girlfriends at a resort. I have started my shift rotation at work, currently working graveyard...so my life has been topsy turvy for awhile. I am trying to get adjusted to my new shift and will try to post more regularly. Have a Fabulous & Frugal day. ;-)

Frugal Vacation

Wondering if there is such a thing.... looking for tips and tricks for the Fabulous & Frugal Vacation.