Jul

13

Cold Pasta Salad Recipes

July 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment


If you are trying to save money on your grocery bill, take the time to browse the wide variety of cold pasta salad recipes, available today. Whether you choose to look through your printed cookbooks or search for a recipe on the Internet, chances are you’ll find just the pasta salad recipe, for the occasion.

Even though the price of pasta is on the rise, along with the price of everything else, it’s still a great value for your money. It’s filling and leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator… I’ve been known to eat it for breakfast. (In my opinion, it’s better than cold pizza.)

There are SO many ways to make pasta salad! You could easily whip up a different recipe a couple times a week and chances are no one would complain. It’s that versatile.

At my house, the two most popular cold pasta salad recipes are spaghetti salad and tuna salad made with small seashell pasta. But there’s no rule that says you can’t get MUCH MORE creative than that.

Making pasta salad is a great way to use leftovers. Honestly, almost anything goes. This type of salad is delicious with chicken, bacon, shrimp, ham, pepperoni, turkey and crab.

Yummy add-ins include: olives ( black or green), onions, cheese, peppers, diced tomatoes, bacon bits, hard boiled eggs, pickles and just about anything else you are hungry for.

Watch this video to learn to make a quick pizza pasta salad. The recipe consists of just a few basic ingredients that won’t overextend your food budget.

If you have a favorite cold pasta salad recipe that is easy on the budget… we are all ears! Please post the recipe or recipe link, below.

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Jul

3

Win Groceries!

July 3, 2008 | 132 Comments

Subscribe to this feed, either in a reader or via email, for your chance to win $20 in groceries. (Winner will have a choice of a grocery store gift card or a $20 deposit, in their PayPal account.)

You will receive 5 extra entries if you mention the contest, on your website or blog. Post the URL below, to receive your additional chances.

You will receive 10 extra entries, if you order the eBook package.

Winner will be chosen in a random drawing on 09/30/08 and will be notified of win via email. Good luck! :)

Photo by: Kate Elliott

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Jul

2

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

July 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment


If you do a lot of baking, chances are you use sweetened condensed milk. It has been a staple in American pantries, since 1856.

You might find it surprising to note that this yummy product was created in effort to reduce the number of food poisoning cases, which resulted from the lack of proper refrigeration methods, at that particular time.

Being safe to drink and extremely wholesome, sweetened condensed milk was given to countless infants and small children who thrived on it. The results were such a success that it has been credited with significantly reducing the infant mortality rate in the United States and Canada, alike.

Sweetened condensed milk was also distributed to soldiers, serving in all branches of the military, during the Civil War. It was this wide spread usage that made the product and Eagle Brand® a household name.

Unfortunately, it is not inexpensive. Even the generic store brands tend to be quite pricey. (Especially with current prices, on the rise.) The good news is you can make it at home, for a lot less. Better yet, it’s very easy to do.

The following recipe is equivalent to a 14 ounce can:

1/3 cup boiling water
¼ cup butter (softened)
¾ cup sugar
½ t. vanilla
1 cup dry skim milk

Combine all but the dry skim milk, in a heat-proof bowl. Process with electric mixer, until well blended.

Add the dry milk. Mix until smooth and thickened.

Cool to room temperature. As milk cools it will continue to thicken.

This recipe can be refrigerated, for up to two weeks, in an airtight container. It also freezes well and will remain somewhat soft, in your freezer. (To use straight from the freezer, stir for two minutes before adding to your recipe.)

What is your favorite recipe that uses sweetened condensed milk, as an ingredient? Please post the information, here.

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Jul

1

8 Ways to Save Money on Your Grocery Bill

July 1, 2008 | 1 Comment


1.) Don’t go to the store hungry. It is ALWAYS best to go shopping, shortly after a meal. Studies have shown that hungry consumers often spend $25-50 more, per shopping trip, than those who have recently eaten.

2.) Go shopping by yourself. Chances are you will spend less money when you are alone. Let’s face it; it’s not easy say no to hungry family members, especially when they look at you with puppy dog eyes.

3.) Shop at your local farm market. This is a wonderful way to save money on your grocery bill. Typically, you will spend MUCH less on the freshest produce available. Plan to visit near the end of the day. Vendors often reduce their prices, at that point, so they won’t have to transport anything back home.

4.) Keep your coupon organizer, in your car. (If you aren’t using coupons, there is no better time to start!) You never know when you might need them.

5.) Don’t buy toiletries at the same store where you buy your groceries… unless you have high value coupons, which will significantly lower the price. You will save money on your grocery bill when you purchase these items at you local dollar store.

6.) Look down when you shop. Why? As a rule, the lowest priced merchandise is shelved below eye level.

7.) Shop from a list and avoid any aisle that doesn’t shelve something that you absolutely need. Going down these ‘extra’ aisles will usually lead to impulse buys.

8.) Buy extra meat to freeze when it’s on sale. You will be surprised at how much money you can actually save, by shopping this way.

You will find many more grocery saving tips and tricks, in the eBook 25 Great Websites and Forums That Will Help You Save Money on Your Grocery Bill. It is affordably priced and packed with information, guaranteed to help you save money on groceries.

The package also includes 3 bonus cookbooks and a complimentary 6-month subscription to Aisle-by-Aisle grocery shopping software.

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Jun

30

Using a Coupon Binder

June 30, 2008 | 1 Comment


Most die-hard coupon users use a large coupon binder or file, of some kind, to keep track of their inventory. You can make your own, similar to the one shown in the following video, or ulitize the resource I have included in my grocery savings eBook package. (Use the coupon code PreRelease, to receive an instant $2 discount.)

Using a coupon binder is a must, for organized shoppers. It reduces your shopping time and all but eliminates the possibility of overlooking coupons, you had intended on using. (When this happens it’s usually the high-value coupons that get misplaced… must be the coupon gremlins!)

If you are new to the world of coupons, you might think that using a binder isn’t necessary. BUT, it only takes 2 or 3 successful shopping trips, for most budding ‘Coupon Queens’, to realize they are totally addicted. If you use this method from the get-go, there will be no need to make a switch.

Please watch this short video, which explains the benefits of using a coupon binder. It really is the easiest way to keep track of your ever growing coupon inventory.

Have you come up with an interesting alternative to organize your coupon booty? Feel free to post your idea below.

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Jun

29

Using a Grocery Coupon Clipping Service

June 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment


Whether you are a coupon novice or the neighborhood ‘Coupon Queen’ there are several benefits to using a coupon clipping service.

Using coupons is a wonderful way to save money on your grocery bill. As prices continue to soar, on just about everything, cost conscious shopping is more important than ever before.

Food manufacturers issue millions of dollars of grocery coupons, every year. Surprisingly, a very high percentage of these go unused.

Think of a coupon clipping services as middle men, of sorts. They regularly obtain coupons, from across the country. The coupons are then clipped, sorted and added to their inventory.

At this point, it is important to note that buying and selling grocery coupons is illegal. When you order coupons from a clipping service or anyone else, the coupons are free. What you are purchasing is the service of locating, sorting, clipping and mailing out your coupon order.

One of the biggest benefits of using a coupon clipping service is variety. As you flip through the inserts that you receive in your Sunday paper, you may not be aware that your coupons are probably somewhat different that those delivered to other parts of the U.S.

You might get a .55 cent coupon for a popular brand of mayonnaise. On that same day, someone on the opposite coast may get a $1, for the exact same product. Clipping services typically have access to all of the various face values, offered for a specific coupon.

I have ordered grocery coupons from Tami’s Coupon Service, for years. Her handling fees are VERY low. She ships orders out very quickly. Please consider joining her mailing list. Tell her Merry sent you. :)

There are several more wonderful clipping services featured in the eBook 25 Great Websites and Forums That Will Help You Save Money on Your Grocery Bill. It is affordably priced and packed with information, guaranteed to help you save money on groceries.

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