Black Bean Brownies

Looking for a healthy, but sweet and delicious alternative to your typical dessert?  Check out this fantastic recipe for black bean brownies.  Oh, and of course, inexpensive!! :)

I've been making these for over a year now, and they really are good!  My kids and husband all approve of these brownies, which if you know my family, this means a lot! :) 

It's so great not to feel guilty giving your kids a dessert before bed.  These brownies are packed full of protein with no refined sugar!  My only tip is to cook them a little longer then the recipe calls for.  I cook them for 22 minutes, and they come out perfect every time!!

Here's the full recipe:

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/09/06/no-flour-black-bean-brownies/

DIY Teacher Gift

It's that time of year again!  Summer is coming, school is ending, and it's time to thank those teachers for spending all year teaching our kids.  I wanted to come up with a gift that was practical, something the kids could help with, and frugal at the same time.  So here it is, a Pen Planter!

 

This is really simple, but I think really cute.  Here's what you need:

1 Empty can
26 Pens (plus or minus depending on the size of your can)
Ribon
1 Plant (any plant will be fine!)
Optional:  Measuring tape and marker


All you need to do is line the can with the pens.  Place the tabs of the pens inside the can, so they are secure.

I had purchased three 10 packs of pens at the Dollar Tree, and used 26 on the can.

Then carefully plant your flower inside the can.  You can rinse off any excess dirt with some water.  And finish it off with a pretty bow!  (Optional: You can also draw ruler marks on your ribbon to make it look like a tape measure, which would be really cute!  But, when I tried this with my ribbon the maker ran.)

And there you have it!  A practical teachers gift for under $10!  I know any teacher would be proud to display this on his or her desk!! :)

Dollar Tree Wall Decor

 

Sprucing up a room will new pictures can be expensive.  With our family being on such a tight budget, every purchase matters!  That's why instead of purchasing expensive new pictures, I checked out The Dollar Tree.  With a little imagination and a DIY attitude almost anything is possible at The Dollar Tree!

Check out my DIY set of 4 picture frames for $6 (plus tax)!

I wanted some black and white art work for my bathroom, so I wondered around The Dollar Tree and found some black picture frames and then found black and white place mats.

I cut out the place mats to fit the frames, and was able to fit 2 place mats per frame.

 

 

And there you have it.  A quick, inexpensive, pretty update to my bathroom!  Hope I have inspired you to do some DIY Dollar Tree art work as well!!

FREE Cone Day Today!!

FREE Cone Day Today at Dairy Queen!!

http://www.dairyqueen.com/us-en/

Make sure to check with your local Dairy Queen to make sure they are participating!

Easy Meatless Gluten Free Dinner

During Lent my family does not eat meat on Fridays.  For me, it's a small sacrifice that I traditionally practice.  However, finding meatless dishes my whole family enjoys is a bit more difficult, especially on a budget.  Here is one I came up with:

Crust-less Egg and Veggie Bake

Ingredients:

8 Eggs
1 Head of Broccoli
1/2 Pint of Grape Tomatoes
1/2 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Chop the broccoli into bite size pieces and cut the grape tomatoes in half.  Saute in olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.  Saute until tender.

Let cool for about ten minutes and then place the vegetables in a pie pan.  Then mix the eggs together and add cheese.  Pour egg and cheese mixture over the veggies.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked through.  Hope your family enjoys this as much as we did!  Enjoy!!

Tips to Save Money on Laundry

As a stay-at-home mom, I try and save money any way I can.  In my house, laundry pretty much consumes my day (or at least it feels that way)!  We are a family of 4, and I do at least 2 loads of laundry a day.  This is a huge expense, with laundry detergent, fabric softener, and electricity.

Laundry detergent is something that with the right sale, and coupons I am usually able to purchase pretty inexpensively.  My favorite coupon site, livingrichwithcoupons.com, breaks down deals at grocery stores and pharmacies, and locates the matching coupons.  I highly recommend this site!  I usually pay about $1-$2 for a 50oz. container.

However, for whatever reason, I'm not able to purchase fabric softener and cheaply as I can purchase laundry detergent, so I decided to make it myself.  And honestly, it works!!  It works better then some of the cheaper brands I have purchased!!

Here's what you need:

5 Cups Water
3 Cups White Vinegar
1 Cup Hair Conditioner (Any brand or sent you choose)

Simply put all of the ingredients into a container and mix well.  If you shake too hard, it can foam so be careful.  Use the amount that you typically would in the wash.  I put it in my Downy ball.  And it works!! 
*A quick tip - Put the ingredient list on the side of the container you used, so you can remember for next time.

As far as saving money on electricity, what I try to do is hang up at least one load of laundry a day.  In the summer I put the clothes on the clothes line outside, but in the winter, it's a little tricky.  In the winter I put at least one load a day on my drying rack downstairs.  It takes about 12 hours to dry, and cuts the electricity I would have used with my dryer in half.  It's really not that time consuming, and saves money!

A special thanks to CaliKim29 on YouTube for the fabric softener recipe!!

I hope I have helped inspire you to save money on laundry!!  Happy savings!

Kate

10 Tips to Being a Great Couponer

Saving money on groceries is one of the easiest ways I save money!!  With all of the coupon match-up sites available today, it really is easier then it has ever been.  I have been couponing for about 4 years now, and have been able to consistently cut my grocery bill down by at least 25%.

Here are my 10 Tips to being a GREAT Couponer: 

1. Plan

• Go to the grocery store with a clear plan and a list.  Know exactly what you need and how much you are going to spend. 

2.  Give yourself time to plan

• Planning for a grocery trip with coupons takes time.  I spend about 30 minutes every evening searching for deals and cutting coupons.  You need time to evaluate what you need for the week and learn what is available to you on sale.

3.  Have a budget

• Have a weekly grocery budget, and don't budge!  Try and buy as much as you on sale, and stockpile any extras. 

4.  Keep your coupons organized at home and at the store

• Staying organized is key!  I take the inserts out of the paper, and file them by date.  As I need them, I find them and then clip the coupons for a specific trip.  I then have them organized in an envelope as I go through the grocery store.  If you're not organized, you'll never be able to find the right coupon!

5.  Find your favorite coupon matchup site and check often  

• My favorite coupon match-up site is livingrichwithcoupons.com, it gives you a list of what is on sale at specific grocery stores and pharmacies.  It then tells you what coupons correspond with the sale items.  They really do all of the hard work for you!  
• During the week different coupon match-ups are added; and a lot of times it is worth going back to a store to get a cheap or even a free item with coupons.

6.  Be flexible...only buy what's on sale 

•  Try and adjust your family meals to what is on sale.  If there's a good sale on chicken buy a lot of it, and put it in the freezer.  But always stick to your budget!

7.  Get a Raincheck...don't get discouraged

• A lot of times stores run out of a sale item quickly, especially if you are able to get it cheap with a coupon.  However, most stores will give you a raincheck, either at the customer service desk or right at the register.  The following week, once the sale ends, the item is typically fully stocked again.

8.  Have a stockpile area

• Create a space in your home to put all of your extra groceries.  Make it visible, and check it often.  This way you will know what you have in your home, and what you need. 

9.  No children allowed!

• Grocery shopping with young children is never an easy task.  Grocery shopping with coupons and kids is almost impossible!  You need to stay on task and buy what's on your list, and that's not always easy with little ones.  Try and schedule a time where you can go shopping by yourself, even if it's late at night or early in the morning - that's what I do

10.  Donate!  

• Finally, if there's a good deal, and you can stay within your budget, try and donate as much as you can.  Make friends with the people at your local food pantry and find out what they need.  Once you build up your stockpile, you will love being able to donate to those in need!

Couponing Tip of The Day

Since you are typically only able to print 2 coupons per computer, what works for me is the buddy system!  I have a good friend who also coupons, and when there's a good deal on an item I need, I ask her to print the coupons for me, and I do the same for her.  If we didn't have plans to see each other that week - we meet half way and share coupons!  What's better then couponing and seeing your best friend!!  If you don't have a friend who coupons, reach out on my FB page - what do you have to lose!

Free Birthday Stuff!

What better then celebrating your birthday with FREE stuff!!  Thanks thepennyhoarder.com!!

http://www.thepennyhoarder.com/100-places-will-give-free-stuff-birthday/#

Looking to save some money on your energy bills this winter?  Great article below!!

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/budget/cut-heating-costs

Any expecting mom or dads? Great information on getting breast pumps through your insurance. I was able to do this through my insurance about 10 months ago!! Thanks livingrichwithcoupons.com!

http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/2013/04/extreme-couponing-tip-how-to-get-a-free-breast-pump.html?utm_content=bufferd31a4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer