Best painless "stretching things" budget tips?

[anna08]

I apologize if these are repeats - have read only about 1/3rd of the posts so far!

Someone once told me to use only about a teaspoon of detergent in the dishwasher. I use probably a little more than that and dishes always look great.

We use ECOS laundry detergent which has a "natural" oil content that makes dryer sheets not necessary. We've only encountered a bit of static this winter since we stopped dryer sheets last year.

Whenever I have a recipe that calls for 1lb of meat, I use 1.5lb and then freeze half of the volume of the recipe. We almost always get 2 meals out of a recipe this way.

My inlaws bought me a food dehydrator for Xmas and I have had fun experimenting with this. I have only tried fruits in it and have been really surprised and pleased with the outcomes! Bananas and pineapples are my favorites. The fruit slices are great for travel - especially for WDW where buying fresh fruit can be so expensive. It doesn't need refrigeration and we can take it on the plane, in the parks, etc... and the kids love it! You realize how dried fruit that you buy in the store is loaded with sugar and that it doesn't need it at all.

Thanks everyone for sharing your great ideas!

 

[smiller]

Since Sunday is my only day off, I've started taking nice, long walks around my neighborhood.

I take a few plastic grocery bags with me and collect aluminum cans - OH MY GOODNESS there are so many of them!!! Especially on Sundays after everyone has been out on Saturday night...

I filled one bag (double bagged + third bag to pick up the dirty cans) with crushed cans - it got so full I had to stop collecting cans halfway through my walk.

I scrap the cans for $0.35/lb at the local scrap yard.

So, I figure I:
1. Burned calories on my walk.
2. Cleaned up the environment.
3. Earned a little extra money for my summer trip - "Cans for Canada" as I call it!

 

[pampam]

We just cashed in our pop cans on Saturday and got $.50 a pound for them. = $40.50

DH wasn't sure if he wanted to save them again, because they took up room in the garage, but after our little winfall we will save start saving them again.

 

[smiller]

We just cashed in our pop cans on Saturday and got $.50 a pound for them. = $40.50

DH wasn't sure if he wanted to save them again, because they took up room in the garage, but after our little winfall we will save start saving them again.

$.50! That's great!

I'd say free money is always worth giving up a little space for a little while!

 

[semo233]

do you have a recipe, Please

Sure!

Cinnamon Raisin Bread
1.5 poung bread machine

1 c water
1 T powdered milk
1/4 c sugar
2 T butter
1 egg beaten
3/4 tsp salt
3 1/2 c flour (I use gold medal better for bread)
3 tsp dry yeast

Measure ingredients into pan
select dough setting and start
when cycle is complete, remove dough and cut in half. Wrap one half in plastic wrap.
On lightly floured surface, roll into 12x8 inch rectangle.
Filling:
3 T softened butter
1/3 c sugar mixed with 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c raisins

Leave 1 inch of dough without any toppings. Spread softened butter on dough, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over dough and then spread out raisins.
Beginning with short side of dough, roll up jelly roll style. Seal ends by pinching edge of dough with fingers.
place dough in a 9x5 inch greased loaf pan or on large baking sheet.
Cover and allow to stand 15 minutes.
Repeat using other half of dough.
Bake at 375 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown.

variations:
when loaf is cool, glaze with mixture of 1 cup sifted icing sugar and 1 1/2 T milk.
Substitute brown sugar for regular sugar in filling
Substitute pecans or walnuts for raisins.

I ran out of regular sugar and tried the brown sugar....fantastic! A lot like a cinnamon roll.

 

[bear74]

Sure!

Cinnamon Raisin Bread
1.5 poung bread machine

1 c water
1 T powdered milk
1/4 c sugar
2 T butter
1 egg beaten
3/4 tsp salt
3 1/2 c flour (I use gold medal better for bread)
3 tsp dry yeast

Measure ingredients into pan
select dough setting and start
when cycle is complete, remove dough and cut in half. Wrap one half in plastic wrap.
On lightly floured surface, roll into 12x8 inch rectangle.
Filling:
3 T softened butter
1/3 c sugar mixed with 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c raisins

Leave 1 inch of dough without any toppings. Spread softened butter on dough, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over dough and then spread out raisins.
Beginning with short side of dough, roll up jelly roll style. Seal ends by pinching edge of dough with fingers.
place dough in a 9x5 inch greased loaf pan or on large baking sheet.
Cover and allow to stand 15 minutes.
Repeat using other half of dough.
Bake at 375 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown.

variations:
when loaf is cool, glaze with mixture of 1 cup sifted icing sugar and 1 1/2 T milk.
Substitute brown sugar for regular sugar in filling
Substitute pecans or walnuts for raisins.

I ran out of regular sugar and tried the brown sugar....fantastic! A lot like a cinnamon roll.

thanks have you ever made it in your bread machine?

 

[semo233]

thanks have you ever made it in your bread machine?

I'm assuming you mean through the entire process....the answer is no. I wanted the "swirl" in the middle and I don't like the size/shape of the loaf my machine makes - it is a huge cube and the slices don't fit in the toaster. Since most of the work is in making the dough, I use the machine for that and it takes 2 hours.

 

[bear74]

I'm assuming you mean through the entire process....the answer is no. I wanted the "swirl" in the middle and I don't like the size/shape of the loaf my machine makes - it is a huge cube and the slices don't fit in the toaster. Since most of the work is in making the dough, I use the machine for that and it takes 2 hours.

yes that is what I meant. Thanks

 

[Mermaid02]

I started using white vinegar as fabric softener last week! This is INCREDIBLE. No more static in my laundry and our clothes are unbelievably soft! Just wanted to say thanks and tell others- it really works and no, your clothes don't smell like vinegar!

 

[disneyfan55]

So many money saving ideas here. I love this thread.

Currently there is just my DH and myself at home. I purchased a free-range whole chicken (larger then the regular ones) on sale for $2.75. I roasted the chicken with veggies. We ate two dinners from that with different side dishes. Then my DH took all the meat off the chicken. I cut it up added some frozen peas, mushrooms, left over celery, carrots. Basically whatever was in the frig and freezer. Make chicken and dupplings for our third and fourth dinner. It was so good and we had four meals off that one chicken. I know this isn't orginal, but I was really amazed. And I saved a little more for our next Disney trip.

In addition to this I actually boil the bones for chicken broth and use it for soup.

 

[disneyfan55]

One thing I do is try not to waste not only food but things you really don't think of as waste maybe. I rinse off and save the rubber bands on vegetables, all plastic bags - from groceries, bread, fruit etc. I use the smaller ones to collect all the items for compost or for dirty diapers, dog poop. I use the larger ones as trash can liners. I reuse plastic containers etc. I use the other side of the paper for grocery/reminder lists. I just try to reuse and recycle, in fact I did get a book about this at Barnes and NOble called Don't Throw it Out. While I did do many of these things, I did learn a lot. I also subscribed to Frugal living-many ideas.

 

[pampam]

Hams were on special here for $.99 a lb. We got a 10 lb. one, the smallest they had. It was too big for us to eat right off, so I sliced ham steaks for 2 meals, ham slices for breakfast, then roasted the ham for another meal. More ham slices for another breakfast, another dinner with cold ham, and made 2 casseroles with the leftovers. Last nights scalloped potatoes were yummy. I boiled the juice-drippings from the ham to make split pea soup, and froze the ham bone for another batch of pea soup. That makes at least 11 complete meals. Plus I bought another ham for the freezer. At $.99 a lb. thats pretty cheap (and delicious) eating.

 

[hsmamato2]

In addition to this I actually boil the bones for chicken broth and use it for soup.

oh yeah...my motto is pick that chicken till it begs for mercy!

 

[MELSMICE]

I started using white vinegar as fabric softener last week! This is INCREDIBLE. No more static in my laundry and our clothes are unbelievably soft! Just wanted to say thanks and tell others- it really works and no, your clothes don't smell like vinegar!

How much vinegar do you use? Do you put in the fabric softener dispenser or right in with the water that the laundry goes in?

 

[disneyfan55]

oh yeah...my motto is pick that chicken till it begs for mercy!

Funny, but in reality a whole chicken can provide many meals.

 

[disneyfan55]

How much vinegar do you use? Do you put in the fabric softener dispenser or right in with the water that the laundry goes in?

I put in about 1/2 to 3/4 cup that I just pour into the rinse. I also sometimes use some during the wash if there are any especially dirty or smelly items. It helps remove odors as well I have found. I use vinegar for cleaning as well and have found many helpful tips if you just search vinegar!

 

[Mermaid02]

How much vinegar do you use? Do you put in the fabric softener dispenser or right in with the water that the laundry goes in?

I put it in the fabric softener dispenser- there is a fill line on mine so I'm not sure how much it actually is.

 

[dfchelbay]

One that I use is that I when I have left over cooked veggies, I freeze them to use in soups and stews. Saves left-overs and time too!

One other thing I freeze is any scraps of veg (like the harder asparagus stems, the scraps of celery, broccoli, cauliflower) I cut all these up, lable and put in a large ziplock to add to soups, stews. I otherwise may have tossed these parts since most of the family picks out stems and we really don't eat the harder part of asp. When chopped small, they are a good addition to soup and stew!
**************************************************************************************

This gave me a great idea. DH eats aspargus all the time. He cuts off the tips and bottoms of the stems and throws them in the garbage. I think I will tell him not the throw them away, but throw them outside for the bunnies. They eat at the birdfeeder everyday. They would probably like a fresh vegetable better than bird seed anyway.

 

[tinkermom23]

How much vinegar do you use? Do you put in the fabric softener dispenser or right in with the water that the laundry goes in?

I don't usually measure so when I put in my last load I did so I could tell you... I only use about 2 tablespoons. And I put it in the wash with the laundry detergent, start the water, and then add the clothes.

I use it mostly for getting odors out of things, but I think it actually blocks all fragrance. I use dryer balls to cut down on static but I don't know about softener...

I know I should probably put it in the rinse cycle, but I don't babysit my washer and I would miss the rinse cycle every time!

 

[disneyfan55]

One that I use is that I when I have left over cooked veggies, I freeze them to use in soups and stews. Saves left-overs and time too!

One other thing I freeze is any scraps of veg (like the harder asparagus stems, the scraps of celery, broccoli, cauliflower) I cut all these up, lable and put in a large ziplock to add to soups, stews. I otherwise may have tossed these parts since most of the family picks out stems and we really don't eat the harder part of asp. When chopped small, they are a good addition to soup and stew!
**************************************************************************************

This gave me a great idea. DH eats aspargus all the time. He cuts off the tips and bottoms of the stems and throws them in the garbage. I think I will tell him not the throw them away, but throw them outside for the bunnies. They eat at the birdfeeder everyday. They would probably like a fresh vegetable better than bird seed anyway.

I have been doing this with the veg, especially the parts no one eats stems etc. for about a year or so. I never really thought of it before I read it on a tips (I think Frugal living) site. I do use the asp to eat as well. THey taste fine.