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2012 Second Quick Tip Week: Delicious Fruit Dip Recipe

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Fishhawk)

Our Quick Tip Week is in full swing. Today, we land in the food category for a 2-ingredient fruit dip to save you energy and time.

Quick Tip #5: Delicious Fruit Dip Recipe

With all the vast assortment of fruits in season, my kids love dipping their fruit during our meal and snack times. In keeping up with my growing kids, this quick and delicious fruit dip saves the day.

Ingredients:

    • 8 oz. block of cream cheese
    • 7 oz. container of marshmallow crème

Directions:

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, place the unwrapped cream cheese block and soften in the microwave.

2. Add container of marshmallow crème.

3. Stir and refrigerate until cold.

This light and refreshing dip is a family favorite that is often served at parties with fruit platters. As our family continues to eat our fruits and vegetables, this delicious fruit dip encourages my children to eat more.

As you seek options for your family and event planning, try this delicious fruit dip recipe. Berries and melon are our favorites. Enjoy!

Question: How do you serve your fruit?

Register Review: CVS – June 11, 2012 Edition

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In adding a Quick Tip Week beginning Sunday, I wanted to slip in a register review. With an incredible visit at CVS on June 11, 2012, I decided to share how I snagged 10 items for 20¢. Yep! For less than a quarter, I restocked my cleaning supplies. Let me show you how I did it.

I had a total of $10.75 in Extra Bucks (store credit) due to expire on June 11, 2012. Needing to make a run, I checked the Sunday insert.  I found a great deal on Irish Spring body washes on sale at 2 for $7 and get $4 in Extra Bucks when you purchase 2.

Since nothing else in the advertisement caught my attention, I turned to my rain checks which do not expire at CVS. I found three rain checks to boost my savings while stretching our dollars.

1. Scrubbing Bubbles: Purchase 4 at $3 each and receive $4 in Extra Bucks when you purchase $12.

2. Schick Shaving Gel: Buy one at the sale price of $2.79 and get a $1.80 Extra Buck.

3. Irish Spring: Purchase one at the sale price of $2.99 and receive a $1.99 Extra Buck.

After writing my list, planning my purchases, and gathering my coupons, I headed out to my CVS with my youngest daughter.

Finding the Merchandise

When we arrived, I scanned my CVS Extra Care Card at the red coupon machine. The machine spit out a series of coupons. I scanned again resulting in more coupons. On my third scan, I received the message to try back tomorrow for more coupons.  (My card is now a special card since it works multiple times. 🙂 )

In looking over the new coupons, I found none to match with my planned purchases, so I placed them in my CVS envelope and began shopping. After discovering that my store’s stock was low and lacking creativity to adjust my list, I decided to leave. But I had to use my Extra Bucks, so we traveled to another CVS store.

This other CVS had everything in stock. So, we gathered our savings and went to checkout.

Transaction #1

  • Greeted the cashier and explained I had 2 transactions and a total of 3 rain checks. (Cashiers appreciate knowing what you plan to do.)
  • Handed cashier my Extra Care Card and my bag attached with my Green Bag Tag (which earns $1 in Extra Bucks for every 4th scan – only one scan allowed per day) 
  • Placed rain check and 4 Scrubbing Bubbles on the counter where he rang them up at $3 each.
  • Placed rain check and 1 Schick Shaving Gel on the counter where he rang it up at $2.79.

Subtotal: $14.79 ($3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 2.79 = 14.79)

      • Used manufacturer’s $2 off 2 Scrubbing Bubbles coupon
      • Used manufacturer’s $2 off 2 Scrubbing Bubbles coupon
      • Used $10 Extra Buck coupon (from Huggies promotion spend $25 and get $10 in Extra Bucks from a previous week)
      • Used $.75 Extra Buck coupon (from a previous week’s candy promotion)

Total coupon discount: $14.75

Tax: $0

Total: $0.04 paid in cash 🙂 and received $4 Extra Bucks (from Scrubbing Bubbles rain check) and $2 Extra Bucks (from Schick rain check – rounded up from $1.80 to $2)

Transaction #2

  • Smiled and watched the cashier scan my Extra Care Card that I put on the counter.
  • Handed cashier my rain check and put both Irish Spring body washes on the counter. He rang the first one at $2.99 from the rain check and the second rang up on sale at $3.50 (2 for $7).
  • Needing a filler item, I added 1 caramel single ($0.33) which did not bring the total up enough, so I added a second caramel single ($0.33).

NOTE: I could round down my Extra Bucks and lose the $.51, but I do not like to lose savings. So, I find a filler item(s) to bring my total up or a little past $0.

Subtotal: $7.15

      • Used manufacturer’s $.50 off Irish Spring coupon
      • Used manufacturer’s $.50 off Irish Spring coupon
      • Used $4 Extra Buck coupon from transaction #1
      • Used $2 Extra Buck coupon from transaction #1

Total coupon discount: $7.00

Tax: $.01

Total: $0.16 in cash 🙂 and received $4 Extra Bucks (from Irish Spring purchase 2 and get $4 in Extra Bucks) and $2 in Extra Bucks (from Irish Spring rain check rounded from $1.99 to $2)

For a total of $0.20, I purchased $21.94 of merchandise which is a savings of 99.0%, and I have $6 in Extra Bucks for a future savings trip.

In using time wisely to find items my family needs and pair those items with sales, rain checks, promotions, and coupons, I continue stretching our dollars. These savings are possible which is why I share them with you. Not every visit results in these deep discounts, but some do.

Be patient, wait for the sales, and combine as many savings strategies as you can when you shop. I break down these shopping trips to help you in stretching your dollars. Keep learning and saving while using time wisely. Happy stretching!

Question: Just for fun, on what else could I have spent my quarter? 🙂

Free On-line Garden Clubs

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Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Gardens are great! Besides producing food for your family, a garden offers lots of teachable moments from watering and growing to fertilizing and harvesting. Our family enjoys the garden, especially eating the strawberries.

Realizing how fortunate I am to have garden experts as neighbors, I know that without their help I would not have known where to begin.

Now that our garden is underway, I feel confident seeking answers to my questions from garden clubs. Questions like, “What does it mean when my onion stalks wilt?” or “How do I harvest my basil?” can turn up answers quickly while sharing tips and tricks for added growth.

With lots of garden clubs, I can browse multiple sites to find specific answers to my questions.

The following is a list of free on-line garden clubs, compiled by Katie in South Bend, IN, originally posted on the Krazy Coupon Lady’s web site on May 27, 2012:

  • Home Depot Gardening Club:  Sign up for this free club and receive over $300 in coupons, a free newsletter, access to online how-to videos and demonstrations, monthly lawn care tips catered to your region, and advice from experts.
  • National Home Gardening Club:  Sign up for their free membership and have access to an online community, expert advice, and printable coupons for home improvement stores. You will also have the chance to enter one of their many contests.
  • Buzzy Seeds Club:  By signing up for their free newsletter, you will have access to expert gardening information and be notified of specials and sales on Buzzy Seeds products.
  • Springhill Nursery:  Join their free club and receive an e-newsletter with gardening tips, a free catalogue, and a $25.00 coupon good on your first order. You will also be notified via email of any upcoming sale events.
  • Burpee Seeds:  Join their free club and receive an online newsletter, full color catalogue, a savings certificate, and have access to gardening tips via their online forums. Burpee also gives out samples if you email them and request them!
  • Nature Hills:  Join their free gardening club and receive their color catalogue, a free issue of Gardening magazine, and a free pair of pruning shears. You can also enter their many contests or browse their online gardening information!
  • Kids Gardening:  The folks at Kids Gardening offer a variety of tips, activities, and products designed just for kids. Enroll for free and have access to their online forums, free catalogue, videos, and more!
  • Brecks:  Brecks offers seeds and bulbs straight from Holland and wants to help make your garden an amazing one! Enroll in their free club for an online newsletter, color catalogue, and savings certificates. You will also have access to the gardening tips they offer on their website!
  • Gardens Alive:  Enroll and receive a free gardening catalogue plus a savings certificate of $25.00. You will also have access to the many tips and expert information via their website!
  • Grow Organic:  If you are interested in organic gardening, enroll for free membership into this site! You can request catalogues, access tips and information, download helpful booklets, and so much more. There is also an extensive online shopping forum.
  • Blooming Bulb:  If you are a gardening newbie, this site offers helpful information on planting a variety of plants and bulbs. Just click on the name of the plant you are planting, and you will be given how-to instructions. Sign up for their free e-newsletter as well!
  • TreeDazzled:  Sign up to receive ten free conifer tree seeds! Just leave a comment on their site and submit your information, and your free seeds will be mailed to you.
  • Wildseed Farms:  Sign up to receive a free newsletter, catalogue, and flower identification guide! You may also download their newest catalogue and access professional planting tips.
  • Gardening Savvy:  Visit Gardening Savvy which is a place for folks to come together and share about gardening, how to grow vegetables, flowers, herbs and fruits as wells as share gardening tips and reviews. Membership is free!
  • Better Homes and Gardens:  Visit this site to download free landscaping plans, access expert information, and chat with others about your gardening dilemmas! It is free to join and there is a wealth of information waiting for you!

If I find two sites that disagree, then I’ll ask my neighbors. But for the most part, these free garden clubs will point me in the right direction.

In using time wisely to seek answers and expert advice, visit one (or more) of these free on-line garden clubs. If you find one that you frequent often, sign up for their newsletter which will come to your inbox. Happy tending!

Question: Where do you find answers to your garden troubles?

Fantastic List of Ingredient Substitutes

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Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Has this scenario ever happened to you? You wrote out your menu and grocery list, went shopping, and your week is on track. Then your plans change, and you need to make a dish for work or to help a family in need.

You piece together a plan and start to prepare the dish only to discover that you are missing one ingredient. In using time wisely, you don’t want to go to the store or find a neighbor that has a spare cup of sugar. What’s a girl to do?

For those of you cooks, who can change the recipe to fit what you have on-hand and the dish comes out perfectly, you might not need this list. But the bakers, who tend to ruin the entire dish when making a substitute, will appreciate this tip.

I found the following fantastic list of ingredient substitutions originally presented by Mary Jo in Denver, Colorado through the Krazy Coupon Lady network:

  • Eggs (baking) – applesauce, mashed banana, yogurt.
  • Eggs (cooking) – mayonnaise.
  • Ketchup – 1 cup = 1 cup tomato sauce, 1 tsp. vinegar and 1 Tbsp. sugar
  • Prepared Mustard – 1 Tablespoon = 1 Tbsp. dried mustard, 1 tsp. water, 1 tsp. vinegar, 1 tsp. sugar.
  • Hot Sauce – Three-quarters tsp. cayenne pepper and 1 tsp. vinegar.
  • Red Wine – Beef broth, apple cider, vinegar, or just plain water.
  • Milk – Thinned out yogurt, water, cream, half-and-half.
  • Buttermilk – One cup of milk plus 1 Tbsp. of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for five minutes after mixing.
  • Sour Cream – Plain yogurt, drain water off in a sieve.
  • Soy Sauce – Kosher salt and granulated sugar dissolved in hot water.
  • Vinegar – Lemon and lime juice or white wine.
  • Bread Crumbs – Cracker crumbs, oatmeal, or matzo meal.
  • Cottage Cheese – Farmer’s cheese or ricotta cheese.
  • White Sugar – Brown sugar, confectioner’s sugar, honey or corn syrup.
  • Jam – Canned fruit drained and mashed.
  • Baking Soda – Baking powder but triple the amount.
  • Molasses – Three-quarters cup of brown sugar and 1 tsp. cream of tartar (per cup of molasses).
  • Mozzarella – For pizza or lasagna, jack cheese and Parmesan.
  • Pepperoni – Salami.
  • Allspice – Half tsp. cinnamon, quarter tsp. ginger, and quarter tsp. cloves (per teaspoon of allspice).
  • Beef or Chicken Broth – Bouillon mixed with 1 cup of boiling water or vegetable broth.
  • Butter – Margarine, shortening or lard.
  • Unsweetened Chocolate – 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa plus 1 Tbsp. shortening or vegetable oil.

NOTE: When I first read Mary Jo’s post, dated June 5, 2012, I starred the post in my Google Reader. Later, I clicked the link, and the post was gone. Since it was a great article to which I cannot link, I copied and saved the article. Now you can read Mary Jo’s article Put Me In, Coach: Hit a Savings Home Run With Recipe Substitutions  from my unedited copy.

As you continue using time wisely and prepare to feed your family, reach for this list of substitutes when your plans change. I know this list will save the day for me because one of my favorite marinade recipes calls for soy sauce which I ran out of twice last summer. (I did stockpile, but we still ran out more than once. :-)) Happy saving!

Question: What substitutions would you add to this list?

2012: Garden Journal – June Edition

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May was a great month for our garden. The rain and the pruning resulted in new and continued growth.

In addition to watching the garden, my children take turns watering the garden twice a day. My daughter had this responsibility during the school week. But with summer, my son wanted his turn as well. No matter who waters, I appreciate the extra help as we watch our garden change.

Strawberries

Since losing strawberries in April, our plants rebounded and are growing again. To deter the birds, I plan to purchase a net within the next week to protect our fruit.

Tomatoes

Our one cherry tomato plant produced 5 tomatoes. We harvested 4 of them while one continues to grow. The other cherry tomato plant has 5 green tomatoes growing. I am looking forward to harvesting those this month.

  

Cucumbers

Our two plants are beginning to show the prickly buds under the flowers. Growth is slow, but steady.

Onions

Thought I killed the onions. The green stalks had shriveled to brown, so I decided to remove them from the garden. To my surprise, I uprooted 3 perfectly round, white onions.

Realizing that my onions were doing well, I replanted them and continue to water. Though the pictures show the stalks as brown, the onions are alive and well. (Did I mention that I am new to gardening? Guess I should just let them grow. Oops!)

Lettuce

Our bibb lettuce and Romaine took off this month. With lots of pruning and focused watering, the lettuce has grown sturdy and tall. I look forward to watching our spinach take off once the plants sprout.

 

Though still waiting on the bell peppers, carrots, and spinach to produce, our family watches the growth, waters the squares, and harvests the fruit.

 

In using time wisely, I find our garden a source of joy and excitement for our entire family. Happy tending!

Question: Did you harvest any items from your garden this month?