Cut out 1 meal a week:)

We've saved money lately by cutting out one dinner a week...instead, that one night a week we have breakfast for dinner! It's actually quite fun. We make potatoes, eggs, maybe an omelet, or waffles. Saves money!

Inexpensive Family Outings!

Right in our own backyard (well, practically). Check out any of the 3 area Nature Centers. McDowell Park and nature center is not far from GAstonia/Belmont. Reedy Creek is near 485 on the North Side near University Area.

We went to Reedy Creek. The Nature Center is FREE. There are snakes, turtles, frogs, and they will take them out for the kids to see! There was also a little "kids corner" play area with hands-on nature experiments. Also at the park are several nature trails (not paved, so grab those jogging strollers or back-pack baby carriers!) that go around ponds, there are pavillions and sports fields, and a great play ground.

The Nature Center has the brochure (for all 3 Nature Centers) and there are a ton of activities for all ages...all free or under $5.

The McDowell one is right on Lake Wylie and has camp grounds!

But if you're looking for a fun and FREE way to spend a weekday morning, picnic lunch, or a weekend family day, we highly recommend one of these parks and Nature Centers!

Fix a Clogged Drain

  Hopefully this can serve as an inexpensive way to fix a clogged drain.  Simply pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain if possible.  Let set for a few minutes, Then pour a kettle of 6 or more cups of boiling water down the drain  to flush it. The combination of baking soda and vinegar breaks down fatty acids into soap and glycerin, allowing the clog to wash down the drain.

 

March Prayer

  I thought I would add a Lent appropriate prayer for this month.  So I am posting a link to the Stations of the Cross.  A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who make the pious excercise of the Stations of the Cross.  http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Stations/face.htm

  Feel free to leave your prayer requests as well.

Recipe: Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce and Peas

This is a great new recipe I am adding to my repertoire. It is fast, easy, cheap, delicious and a one-dish dinner! What more could you ask for?? It comes from Good Housekeeping Vegetarian Meals, although I did not make it exactly as directed.

2 packages (9oz each) fresh (refrigerated) fettucine (I used a box of penne; I think any shape would do)
1 can (14.5 oz) seasoned chunky tomatoes for pasta (I used a can of diced tomatoes)
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce (I used half a jar of leftover pasta sauce)
1/3 cup heavy or whipping cream (I used half 'n half)
1 package (10 oz) frozen peas
freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional) (We topped it with some shredded mozzarella.)

*(I also added about 3/4 lb of ground turkey to the recipe. Any other add-ins such as sausage or onions or herbs could spice up this recipe.)

1. In large saucepot, cook pasta as label directs.
2. Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat tomatoes, tomato sauce, and cream to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.
3. Place frozen peas in colander. Drain pasta over peas. In large warm serving bowl (I used the pot!), toss pasta and peas with tomato mixture. Serve with Parmesan if you like.

______

I think you can see the flexibility to tweak this recipe how you like it. Using a premade marinara sauce added extra flavor without any effort on my part! I usually have all these ingredients in my house, so it's also perfect for those days where it's 4:30 (or later) and I still don't know what's for dinner! I think this is also incredibly affordable, especially since pasta can be had for free with coupons, a bag of peas is less than $1 and canned tomato products are also cheap and can be bought with coupon discounts as well.

Enjoy!

Lend a Hand

One way to save money is by accomplishing many tasks on your own that you would usually pay a professional to do for you.  For example, changing the oil in your car, rotating your tires or painting.  The hope is that this blog would create a community of stewardship and encourage everyone to lend a hand according to their talents.  So if you know how to rotate your own tires feel free to share that with the group by commenting to this post.  Or if you could use a hand painting please make that known as well so we can work together to help each other out.

Money Saving Ideas and Recipes

5 Money Saving Ideas

1.  Refinance your home.  Matt and I were able to get our interest rate down to 4.77% on a 30 year fixed.  This was a quick $100 a month, and closing costs were minimal.  One thing to consider is how long you intend to be in your current home, and if the monthly savings would pay for the additional closing costs.  Your best bet is to get a mortgage guy on your side.  Contact a mortgage company you can trust (we went with Wachovia; we also worked a lot with Churchill Mortgage - Dave Ramsey's endorsed company) - they can be constantly shopping and alert you when the rates dip (they don't dip for long!!).

2.  Pickup the phone and renegotiate "the givens."  Contrary to popular belief, EVERYTHING is negotiable.  If its not, don't buy it.  We've recently had some success with something as simple as internet costs.  These companies are hungry for business - everyone is cancelling or downgrading service.  If it means keeping your business, they'll work with you.  My conversation with Time Warner was to get a "new customer" promo since I had been with them for a couple years.  Naturally, the first customer service person says no - get a manager on the line and talk person to person.  You'll get what you want - particularly if you can leverage some additional business (maybe a free long distance phone line).  Be creative - it works!!

3.  Think about your purchases.  Before you go to the grocery store make a list of exactly what you need and stick to it.  Also, at the grocery store use the 10 second rule.  If you see something that is not on the list that you want to buy, stop for 10 seconds to think about whether or not you really need it (yes a full 10 seconds!!).  For larger purchases use the 30 day rule.  If you decide you need to upgrade your computer, give it a 30 day thought before taking the leap.  If after 30 days you still think it's a wise purchase go for it.

4.  Start preparing dinner before you are starving.  We know from experience - just tonight we ended up at Olive Garden because of this.  If you're starving at 6pm and have not started dinner, the convenience of eating out becomes awfully enticing!!  Prepwork on Sundays helps - so does freezing leftovers (red beans, roast & casseroles work well).  But fight the addiction - we're stuck and can't get out.  Does anyone know of a "Eating out" Anonymous group we can join?!?!?

5.  Tithe.  Tithing is a beautiful thing but sometimes a sensitive subject.  Its 2-fold.  First, its just the right thing to do.  Whether its at your parish or your favorite charity, we need to remember that no matter how little we think we have, someone always has less.  I'm always moved by the Gospel reading of the widow who gave from her "need" not her "want."  The reality is everything we have is a blessing from God - we're called to be good stewards of what God gives us.  The other piece of tithing is what it does for us mentally / spritually / psychologically.  It forces us to put what we buy in perspective.  Suddenly, we're having deep conversations with ourselves about needs and wants and where we need to put our money.  Initially, you look at a paycheck and wonder "Where will this money come from?"  Give to God first - the rest will work out.  I've heard countless stories like the fishes and loaves.  It sounds cliche and is forgotten in our society, but God does indeed provide for all our needs.  Just trust!

***********************************************************

This recipe comes from a New Orleans Native.  It is easy to prepare and easy on the budget.

Red Beans and Rice

Ingredients:

1 lb. dry red beans

1 chopped onion

1 lb. andouille (or smoked) sausage

salt

pepper

Cajun seasoning of choice (i.e. Tony Chachere's creole seasoning)

2 qts. water

1 stick of butter

Soak red beans in water overnight.  Cut sausage into bite sized pieces and brown in a large pot.  Remove sausage and add a little butter.  Add onion and sautee for 5 min.  Season with salt, pepper and cajun seasoning to your liking.  Add beans, water and sausage and bring to a low boil over med-low heat for 2 hours.  Keep uncovered and stir frequently.  You may need to add water as the beans cook.  Make sure the water always covers the top of the beans.  Add 1/2 stick of butter when beans are cooked right before you serve.  Serve over white rice.

Employment Opportunities

Please feel free to comment to this post with any employment opportunities you hear about.  

Prayer

This post will have a monthly prayer on it.  Please feel free to comment with personal prayer requests.  Also, remember in your prayers the petitions others leave on this blog.

Heavenly Father,

  We pray this month that we may give hope to others while they struggle with economic difficulties.  Please help us to live as Christians trusting in you and knowing that you will always guide us and take care of us.  We trust in your Divine Will for our lives.

Our Lady of Hope...Pray for us.

Amen

http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/hope.htm