Creating a Greener Family: Peppermint Bark

Creating a Greener Family: Peppermint Bark: Years ago I was in Philly for a work trip and brought peppermint bark. I have loved it ever since, but could not find it. So I decided like ...

Weekly groceries bill under $60

Time to reduce the household bills so ends don't just meet they overlap - I'm going to start with my groceries and see if I can get it under $60 per week for a family of 4 - including my 2 teenagers.  I have done a base list of must haves for the week - which is basically cheap meals so I can spend more money on building up my stock.  Plan is to spend $40 on musts for the week and $20 on stock or things that will last longer than the week so I don't have to purchase them within the next weeks budget.  Plus I'm going to search items on sale and coupons to help me out.  Once I have done the shop (Saturday) I will post my list and recipes that I plan to cover.  It will be tough the first few weeks (Christmas day shop will not be included).  Plus I will be cooking with ingredients that I have in stock so that will help me out.  Currently I'm spending about $100 + on groceries so that has to stop.  If you know of any really good cost cutting recipes that I could use, please post them.  My children both buy lunch at school so I don't have to buy lunch stuff for them but my husband takes his lunch with him.  I will be looking at children's lunches down the road but everyone has to start somewhere - plus we have a dog so will be including dog food as well.

Christmas Shopping

How do you do your Christmas shopping - all at once, through out the year, last minute, online?  I have very few to buy for and tend to leave it to the last minute - I would love to do it earlier but usually budget plays a big part, so have to work it around this.  Plus get all the goodies for Christmas Dinner etc.  This year I have got one gift so far and the budget is very slim - I'm going to have to be a little creative - maybe you can to.  Doing homemade gift vouchers - not a lot of fun on Christmas Day but at least it is something that they can redem once the budget gets a little fatter.  Or if they have a special trip or event coming up next year you could give that in the form of a gift - Just make a little voucher up saying pocket money for basketball camp.  I know it looks like the cheats way out but sometimes you don't have a choose.  Plus you could go to a dollar store or Walmart and spend $20 to make a really fat stocking!  Lots of candy will do that.  What ever may happen I hope you have very happy holidays and remember it is not about the gifts it is about happiness and togetherness so enjoy.

Creating a Greener Family: Coffee Creamer

Creating a Greener Family: Coffee Creamer: I had dinner parties for years with two of my dear friends. We would go to each others place and one of us would cook all the dinner. Three ...