Prime Day is coming! Get your Amazon Prime Free Trial!
Everyone who shops online is talking about Amazon’s upcoming Prime Day! Did you miss the big announcement from Amazon or our blog yesterday? Amazon announced that they are breaking out a new shopping holiday! They are going to be having Prime Day. Exactly what is Prime Day going to be? Prime Day is a one-day shopping event on July 15, 2015, with more deals than Black Friday. Prime members can shop exclusive deals from electronics, toys, video games, movies, clothing, patio, lawn and garden, sports and outdoor items and more. It is important to note that Prime Day is for Amazon Prime members only. Because of this, it is a great time to try Amazon Prime.
Thinking about trying Amazon Prime? There is a 30 day Amazon Prime FREE trial available! This would be an awesome time to try Amazon Prime. With the Amazon Prime Free Trial you would be able to grab all of the great Amazon deals that pop up on Prime Day. Amazon Prime Free Trial members enjoy all the same benefits as paid members. If you sign up today, your FREE trial will take you the Prime Day shopping period.
Signing up for the 30 day Amazon Prime FREE trial is easy! Just follow any of the links here in this blog and look for the Start Your 30-day Free Trial button. To sign up for the Amazon Prime free trial, your account must have a current, valid credit card. While you won’t be charged for your free trial, you will be automatically upgraded to a paid membership plan at the end of the trial period. It is easy to turn off your Amazon Prime membership renewal on the Amazon website.
Beyond the FREE Two-Day shipping there are so many more benefits to having the Amazon Prime Free Trial. They include Unlimited Photo Storage, Prime Instant Video, Prime Music, and access to the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. The savings can be HUGE! It is a perfect time to try the Amazon Prime Free Trial. You’ll be able to take advantage of all of the great deals we will bring you, and not worry about paying shipping.
Prime Day: More Deals than Black Friday!
Have you heard the news? Everyone who is anyone in the online shopping and bargain hunting, deal finding world is talking about it! Did you miss the big announcement from Amazon today? Amazon announced that they are breaking out a new shopping holiday! They are going to be having Prime Day. Exactly what is Prime Day going to be? Prime Day is a one-day shopping event on July 15, 2015, with more deals than Black Friday. Prime members can shop exclusive deals from electronics, toys, video games, movies, clothing, patio, lawn and garden, sports and outdoor items and more. It is important to note that Prime Day is for Amazon Prime members only.
Sound exciting? I sure think so! Amazon has always proven to be one of the leaders in Black Friday deals – they are a personal favorite and a Pinching Your Pennies favorite for sure. I love the deals from Amazon and this news of midsummer deals that are supposed to be better than Black Friday is so exciting! If you are a Prime member – mark your calendars, set your alarms, and stay tuned to Pinching Your Pennies because you won’t want to miss any of the deals! Here at Pinching Your Pennies we’ll be watching and waiting with you and we’ll bring you all of the most up to date info and breaking deals. We’ll have links and other helpful info. We are definitely excited!
Don’t have Amazon Prime? We will be bringing back a couple of our favorite blogs this week that will show you all of the perks and reasons to become a Prime member. There are so many perks and great reasons to love Amazon Prime. I have had Amazon Prime for years and love it. It is worth every penny. This Prime Day shopping event will just be another great perk!
Here’s what Amazon has to say about Prime Day.
Prime Day: More Deals than Black Friday – Exclusively for Amazon Prime Members!
Prime Day is a global shopping event, offering more deals than Black Friday, exclusively for Prime members. On Wednesday, July 15 new and existing members will be able to shop thousands of Lightning Deals, Deals of the Day, and will receive unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping. Members will find deals starting at midnight PDT, with new deals starting throughout the day, as often as every ten minutes. Not a Prime member? Try Amazon Prime today and get immediate access to deals on July 15.
Prime members can find deals on products across categories including electronics, toys, video games, movies, clothing, patio, lawn and garden, sports and outdoor items and more. Members will enjoy deals on items perfect for summer adventures, their to-do list, family road trips, back to school supplies, and everyday essentials. Prime members can shop on any device, including smartphones and tablets and enjoy deals anytime, and anywhere.
Are you as excited about Prime Day as we are? Do you love Amazon Prime? Tell us about it! We might use your comments in a future blog. We love hearing from you!
Fireworks safety tips!
I love the 4th of July! Independence Day is one of my family’s favorite holidays – the fireworks, the food, the parades, the camping, the picnics – there are so many fun things to do. We even have a family birthday on the 4th of July – so much fun! We always pack as much fun as we can into the holiday. One of the highlights of our 4th of July celebrations, as well as that of many others, is shooting off fireworks. It is so much fun to attend the big commercially prepared fireworks shows but there is just something about setting fireworks off at home that draws young and old. This fun doesn’t come without risk. Each year thousands of people make trips to their local emergency rooms with injuries related to at home fireworks. Thousands more are burned and injured in ways that do not require medical treatment. Practicing simple fireworks safety tips can help you avoid being one of those statistics and can keep for 4th of July fun at a maximum.
Following a few simple fireworks safety tips can make your next at home fireworks show a safe and fun filled time. As with other safety tips, one of the first steps when looking at fireworks safety tips is making the decision to follow them ahead of time. Last minute decisions can be hectic and not very well thought through. Decisions made ahead of time are much easier to stick with and enforce. Need some fireworks safety tips? Here are a few fireworks safety tips that should help you out.
Buy from a retailer
Fireworks safety being when you make sure you are purchasing legal, safe and reliable fireworks. Swap meets, garage sales and newspaper ads are not the best places to purchase fireworks. Homemade fireworks are not safe. Buy from a reliable store or fireworks stand. You’ll know what you are getting and know they are from a legitimate source.
Read the labels
Make sure you read all the labels and know what you are going to be using. Know the space needed for the fireworks you have bought. Know how much they fire and how high they fire. Are sparks expected to spread 5 feet or 25 feet?
Create a clear area and set boundaries
Designate an area to launch the fireworks. Make sure there is a level spot to place the fireworks and plenty of space around to keep people and grasses/trees safe. Set boundaries for the spectators, especially the children. Make sure everyone remains at a safe distance from the launching fireworks.
Pick the designated lighters
Decide who will be able to light the fireworks ahead of time. Stick with those decisions when it comes time to light the fireworks. Too many people running around lighting the fireworks leads to confusion, chaos and possible injury. Have the lighters or other fireworks lighting tools ready for use before the party starts. Many burns happen from trying to light fireworks with unsafe tools.
Safety and water
Most of us know to have a garden hose at the ready when we shoot fireworks at home. It is also good to have a bucket or two of water ready. (Be sure to watch small children around these buckets of water.) Dispose of used sparklers in a bucket with a few inches of water in the bottom. It is so easy to step on a hot sparkler and burn your feet.
Have more fireworks safety tips? Share them with us – we love to hear from you!
4th of July picnic food!
Yesterday we talked about how much I love the 4th of July! I talked about how Independence Day is one of my family’s favorite holidays – we love the fireworks, the food, the parades, the camping, the picnics. There are so many fun things to do. We always pack as much fun as we can into the holiday. We always seem to be going to at least one picnic or party and we always bring something yummy to eat. Sometimes it seems that the same old recipes for side dishes are boring and over used. This sent me on the search for new recipes for 4th of July picnic food.
Sometimes I get so tired of taking the same old sides when we need to take 4th of July picnic food. Everybody has had them and everybody brings them. I set out to find two new recipes for 4th of July picnic food – a new recipe to make and a new recipe for an old favorite. I found a recipe for a BLT Pasta Salad. It sounds great! I also found a new recipe to make Boston Baked Beans. Yummy! We are making these two dishes and hopefully we’ll find yummy new 4th of July picnic food. Let us know if you try them too! We love hearing from you!
BLT Pasta Salad
Makes 10 servings
Ingredients:
1 16 ounce package medium seashell pasta
1 pound sliced bacon
1 1/2 cups light Ranch-style salad dressing
1 small onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water to cool.
2. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.
3. In a large bowl, stir together the Ranch dressing, onion, and tomatoes. Mix in the cooled pasta. The pasta will absorb some of the dressing, so don’t worry if it seems like too much.
4. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Crumble bacon over the top just before serving.
Boston Baked Beans
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:
2 cups navy beans
1/2 pound bacon
1 onion, finely diced
3 tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
Directions:
1. Soak beans overnight in cold water. Simmer the beans in the same water until tender, approximately 1 to 2 hours. Drain and reserve the liquid.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
3. Arrange the beans in a 2 quart bean pot or casserole dish by placing a portion of the beans in the bottom of dish, and layering them with bacon and onion.
4. In a saucepan, combine molasses, salt, pepper, dry mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil and pour over beans. Pour in just enough of the reserved bean water to cover the beans. Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil.
5. Bake for 3 to 4 hours in the preheated oven, until beans are tender. Remove the lid about halfway through cooking, and add more liquid if necessary to prevent the beans from getting too dry.
4th of July recipes – yummy desserts!
One of my favorite holidays is just around the corner. I love the 4th of July! Independence Day is one of my family’s favorite holidays – the fireworks, the food, the parades, the camping, the picnics – there are so many fun things to do. We even have a family birthday on the 4th of July – so much fun! We always pack as much fun as we can into the holiday. We always seem to be going to at least one picnic or party and we always bring something yummy to eat. We have some favorite 4th of July recipes that we seem to use every year.
4th of July recipes vary from family to family. Some families are all barbeque and others are all sandwiches and chip – no matter what it is, the 4th of July is a holiday where food is part of the fun. No matter which kind of 4th of July recipes you are using, I bet most of you are looking for a recipe for a treat! The first of the 4th of July recipes below is one of my family’s very favorite recipes. We have this treat on lots of occasions and take it to lots of picnics and parties. The second is simple but super cute and it looks great on the table. If you are still looking through your 4th of July recipes for a dessert to make – try one of these! If you try it, let us know how you liked it. We love to hear from you!
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Makes 16 servings
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
4 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup white sugar
2 8 ounce packages cream cheese
1 8 ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 6 ounce package strawberry flavored Jell-O
2 cups boiling water
1 16 ounce package frozen strawberries
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the pretzels, 4 1/2 tablespoons sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan.
2. Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Set aside to cool completely.
3. In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread evenly over the cooled crust.
4. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.
5. In a medium bowl, stir together the gelatin mix and boiling water.
6. Mix in frozen strawberries, and stir until thawed.
7. Pour over cream cheese mixture in pan. Refrigerate until completely chilled, usually at least 1 hour.
Red, White and Blue Shortcake
Makes 1 9×13-inch cake
Ingredients:
1 package yellow cake mix
1 8 ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 pint blueberries, rinsed and drained
2 pints fresh strawberries, rinsed and sliced
Directions:
1. Prepare cake according to package directions and bake in a 9×13 inch pan. Cool completely.
2. Frost cake with whipped topping. Place blueberries in a square in the corner, and arrange sliced strawberries as stripes to make an American flag.
3. Chill until served.
Ironing tips and tricks – for when you have to iron!
Yesterday we talked about ironing and how much I dislike it – it truly is one of my last favorite household chores. I shared some tips to help you avoid having to iron. I know those tips weren’t for everyone, some people really want to skip those shortcuts. Some people just love ironing! I know people who are thrilled when they press a shirt to wrinkle free perfection. I know people who are driven to iron everything in their closets – everything! They love it and couldn’t be happier than when they are standing over the ironing board with the iron in one hand and a can of spray starch in the other hand. That will NEVER be me! Even though I really dislike ironing, sometimes it has to be done. These must iron times led me to come up with a list of ironing tips and tricks to use when there is no choice but to drag out the iron.
Clean your iron
This might be the most important of the ironing tips! A dirty iron won’t heat correctly and could ruin your clothes. Don’t forget to clean the holes in the iron plate, use q-tips to clean the in the holes.
Use distilled water
Always use distilled or boiled water in you iron. Using distilled water will help prevent deposits that will build up in your iron and potentially ruin your clothes.
Start in the right place
Iron the parts of your garment in the right order. Start with the collar, cuffs and hem of the garment. Ironing these from the inside out can help them keep their shape.
No more shine
Tired of seeing that shine on your dark colored garments? Ironing dark colors can leave a sheen on the fabric. Turn your garment inside out when ironing and the sheen will not be visible on the outside.
No more creased layers
Avoid creasing the bottom layer of a garment when you are ironing by placing a thin piece of cardboard between the layers of your garment. For example, when ironing a shirt, placing cardboard between the front and back will keep the unwanted creases away.
Use straight lines
Make ironing easier and make your clothes last longer by ironing in the right direction. Ironing in circles can stretch the fabric and make your garment look out of shape. Use straight back and forth motions when you iron to make your clothes last longer.
Don’t iron on embellishments
If you have decorative buttons, trims or other embellishments on your garment do not iron on them directly. Turn the garment upside down or use a clean towel to put a bit of fabric between the embellishment and the iron’s plate.
Hang up your clothes
This last tip may seem like common sense but this is a critical step and one of the best ironing tips out there. After you iron something, place it directly on a hanger. This will keep your garment looking freshly ironed and it will help avoid new wrinkles from being stacked or laying them down in a pile.
Have more ironing tips? Share them with us – we love to hear from you!
People aren’t ironing their clothes!
Once in a while you will meet someone who loves all aspects of domestic life. Believe it or not those people do actually exist. They love doing housework and thrive on domestic chores. They might have a favorite few chores but there always seems to be one that comes out on top. I know a few of these people who love a domestic chore that I absolutely hate. These crazy people love ironing their clothes.
I can’t understand why anyone would love ironing their clothes. It seems like such a foreign idea. When it comes to ironing, I try to find every way I can to avoid it! There are lots of ways people can avoid ironing their clothes. Here are a few tips for people who hate ironing their clothes:
Buy Wrinkle Resistant Clothing
This is one of the ways many people avoid ironing their clothes – they just buy clothes that do not need ironing. I find myself using this strategy quite often. Dress clothes, tshirts, pretty much all types of clothing can be bought in wrinkle resistant fabrics and styles.
Wrinkle Releaser
When Downey brought Wrinkle Releaser onto the laundry scene, people who were avoiding ironing their clothes rejoiced. I use Wrinkle Releaser quite often and it is a great way to get your clothes looking great without ironing.
Steam
Using steam to remove wrinkles from clothing is another way people are skipping ironing their clothes. Hang your wrinkled shirt nearby while you take a steamy shower. Many of those wrinkles will just steam away.
Damp Rag
Have a wrinkle or two that you need to remove and you are not home close to an iron? Use a damp rag to slightly dampen the wrinkled area and the wrinkle should disappear.
Blow Dryer
Using a blow dryer to remove wrinkles is another great idea. People who want to skip ironing their clothes use the heat from a blow dryer to remove wrinkles.
Flat Iron
I’ve used this tip a time or two! It works especially good on collars, cuffs, hems and placket. I know lots of people skip ironing their clothes and touch up shirts as they straighten their hair. Super easy!
Quick Dryer Removal
As soon as the dryer is done, remove your clothes and fold them or hang them up. This is a great way to reduce the wrinkles that you end up having to remove. People who dislike ironing their clothes have been doing this for years.
Have another tip or strategy people can use for avoiding ironing their clothes? Share it with us – we love to hear from you!
Save up to 65% by purchasing a Sam’s Club membership now!
Do you have a Sam’s Club membership? If not, now is a GREAT time to get one! Having a Sam’s Club membership means you will be getting big savings. Shop and get groceries for your family including fresh produce, USDA choice beef and yummy prepared meals. Stock up on baby items like diapers and formula plus home care basics at amazing values. Shop for name brand apparel and the latest mobile phones and tablets – all for less than you would spend at other stores.
If you have been thinking about trying a Sam’s Club membership now is the time to do it. These membership deals are only available once in a while and only available for new members. Right now at Zulily you can get one of two different Sam’s Club membership packages and get a great deal. You’ll get a Sam’s Club Plus membership and some great freebies! Get started by choosing one of the two membership packages below.
Sam’s Club Best Membership With Party Food
For $45, receive a one-year Sam’s Club Plus membership, a $20 gift card, and more than $20 in Instant Savings for free cupcakes and pizza.
Sam’s Club Best Membership With Back-to-School Clothing
For $45, receive a one-year Sam’s Club Plus membership, a $25 gift card and $20 in Instant Savings offers toward kids’ jackets and jeans.
As a Sam’s Club Plus new member, you’ll also receive:
- $10 in Cash Rewards for every $500 in qualifying purchases, up to $500 annually.
- $120 in special members-only Instant Savings offers (Must redeem voucher by Aug. 31, 2015 to receive these offers. Offers are valid 30 days after voucher is redeemed to activate membership.)
- More than $4,000 in additional Instant Savings offers, valid for a limited time between June 24 and July 19, 2015 (Must redeem voucher to activate membership by July 19, 2015 to receive these additional Instant Savings offers)
- Early shopping hours, 7 am Monday – Saturday (hours may vary by club).
It’s a great time to try a Sam’s Club membership. If you are already a member, what is your favorite part of shopping at Sam’s Club? Let us know, we love to hear from you!
Homemade Ice Cream – Make it in a bag!
Yesterday was the first official day of summer; the summer heat is officially here. For many parts of the country, the heat of summer has been here for weeks or even months. We have all been trying to beat the heat in a variety of ways. One of the all time favorite ways to beat the summer time heat is to have homemade ice cream.
Almost everyone I know LOVES homemade ice cream. There are more flavors of ice cream than you can count, meaning it is easy to please almost everyone with a dish of ice cream on a hot afternoon. Homemade ice cream is so versatile. You can have it plain or with an infinite amount of toppings. There are so many choices when it comes to homemade ice cream. It is one choice everyone seems to enjoy.
There are lots of things you can do at home to make homemade ice cream. There are all sorts of machines and contraptions that promise frozen deliciousness. There are big electric ice cream makers and small people powered ice cream makers. One way of making ice cream is a hit with all the kids and it doesn’t require you to own any kind of machinery. Homemade ice cream can be made using a couple of plastic zipper bags. Have you even made homemade ice cream in a bag? Try it at your next family party or summer time gathering. Here is our favorite recipe for making homemade ice cream in a bag.
If you use this recipe, let us know how you like it. Did you add any toppings or mix-ins? Do you have a favorite recipe for making ice cream in a bag? Let us know! We love to hear from you!
Make Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag
Makes about eight half-cup servings.
Ingredients:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 cups half-and-half cream
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 bag crushed ice
4 cups coarse salt
For each person you will need:
2 pint-size zipper plastic freezer bags
1 gallon-size zipper plastic freezer bag
Gloves or towel to protect fingers
Directions:
1. In a pitcher or large measuring cup, stir together the whipping cream, half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla extract until sugar has dissolved.
2. Pour about 1/2 cup of mixture into a pint-size plastic bag and seal carefully, squeezing out extra air. Place each sealed bag into a second pint-size bag, again squeezing out extra air. Seal carefully.
3. Fill each gallon-size plastic bag about halfway with ice and add 1/2 cup coarse salt. Place one sealed small bag into the large bag, squeeze out most of the air, and seal the large bag.
4. Wear mittens or thick gloves, or wrap the bag in a towel to protect hands against the extreme cold. Shake and massage the bag for about 5 minutes or until mixture thickens into ice cream. Add more salt and ice to the outer bag if ice cream hasn’t formed after 10 minutes of continuous motion.
5. Remove the outer pint-size bag before you open the inner bag so you don’t get any of the salty ice on your ice cream!
Father’s Day Recipes!
Father’s Day is almost here! Do you have big plans to spoil the dads in your life? We do! We love to try fun new recipes and make yummy new treats for dad on Father’s Day. We always do a fun bbq for dinner but breakfast, lunch and dessert will be all new. I’ve found some great recipes to try this Father’s Day! Do you have some favorites that you make on Father’s Day? Share them with us- we love to hear from you!
Father’s Day Casserole
Original recipe makes 1 9×13-inch baking dish
Ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) package bulk pork sausage
3 cups frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
1/4 cup milk, or as needed
1 (16 ounce) can refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
5 eggs
Directions:
1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the sausage. Cook and stir until the sausage is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
3. Drain and discard any excess grease. Stir in the hash brown potatoes, cooking and stirring until potatoes are browned, about 5 minutes more.
4. Line the bottom of the prepared baking dish with a layer of buttermilk biscuits, splitting the biscuits in half to completely cover the dish.
5. Spread the sausage and hash brown mixture evenly over the biscuits, and sprinkle the Mexican cheese on top.
6. Whisk together the eggs and milk in a bowl, and pour over the cheese.
7. Bake in the preheated oven until the eggs set, about 25 minutes.
Pepperoni Roll Up Bread
Original recipe makes one – 1 pound loaf
Ingredients:
1 (1 pound) loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
1 egg, beaten
4 ounces sliced pepperoni sausage
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Roll frozen bread dough out into a rectangle. Brush dough with beaten egg.
3. Arrange pepperoni, mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese over the dough. Sprinkle on the Italian seasoning.
4. Roll up dough like a jelly roll and pinch seam to seal; place, seam side down, on prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until golden.
Grandma’s Sour Cream Pound Cake
Original recipe makes 1 10-inch Bundt Cake
Ingredients:
2 cups butter, softened
3 cups white sugar
6 eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground mace
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan or 9-inch tube pan.
2. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla with the last egg.
3. Pour the flour mixture into the bowl alternately with the sour cream, mixing until just incorporated. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and spread it smooth.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Cool for at least 10 minutes before inverting pan onto a cooling rack, and tapping out the cake.
5. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
Save Money for Father’s Day – Skip the Card!
Have you bought your Father’s Day cards yet? If you are like me, you haven’t. Strolling down the card aisle with all of the pictures, jokes and sappy lines makes me a bit nauseous. It isn’t the silly sayings and bad jokes that turn my insides around. It is the crazy prices on the backs of the cards that always make me feel a little ill.
With greeting card prices on the rise, you can easily spend over $5.00 buying just one card. If you add music, pictures, embellishments the prices climb toward $10.00. Yikes! If you are a bargain shopper like me, you see that as enough money to buy another gift! Who wants to waste money on something that ends up in the trash hours or days later? I sure don’t. This thought of not wasting money on cards has sent me on a quest to find things to use when gift giving, instead of store bought cards.
Make your own card.
I know it sounds a little bit like a trip back to preschool but it really can be fun and inexpensive. Use scraps of things that you already have around the house. Recycle old cards and pictures from magazines and ads. Use a photo and make a card that dad or grandpa will love. Use anything you have around the house, just make it yourself without spending money on fancy supplies or embellishments.
Make a gift tag.
Simple could be the answer. How often do we read a card and then toss it after the party is over. Do we appreciate the gifts with fancy cards more than those without cards? Cards are rarely important to me. I read them and then usually do not give them another thought. I have started to just make a simple gift tag for many of the presents we give. Quick, cheap and easy.
Think outside the envelope.
I have really thought about cards and why we are so much in the habit of giving them. We usually use them to convey and idea of love or appreciation. Why not use something other than a card? One of my new favorite ideas is to use a children’s book. Picture books look cute on top of a gift, even when giving the gift to an adult. You can get a themed book and write a note or two on the inside cover, just like a card. For Father’s Day consider a book about dad or grandpa, there are lots of cheap favorites at places like Amazon, Walmart or your local book store. Some great and super cheap books can be found in new condition at your local thrift shop.
It must be a store bought card.
There are some situations when you may feel like you absolutely have to buy a card. Shop smart when buying a card. Check the dollar stores. Our local Dollar Tree has a great selection of cards and they are just $1.00. Stores like WalMart have $.50 and $1.00 sections for every occasion including Father’s Day. Look for card multipacks with a number of different greeting cards for a great price.
Whatever you choose to do: make a card, use a gift tag, use a book or buy a card, remember to pinch your pennies!
Father’s Day – Free or cheap gift ideas!
Father’s Day is right around the corner, are you ready? For many of us Father’s Day is a very special day where we can honor our fathers, grandfathers, brothers, sons, friends and anyone else who has loved us and helped us grow. There are ads everywhere giving us great ideas of things we can give those we love for Father’s Day. If you are like me, because we love all of these people so much, it would be easy to spend hundreds of dollars on each and every one of them. Retailers want us to do just that and they are trying to win our purchasing dollars with those ads. But what if we don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend this Father’s Day?
There are lots of great ideas for Father’s Day gifts that don’t cost much at all – some are even free! Most of the dads and other loved ones in our lives don’t need expensive gifts. In fact, most of these men would rather have something meaningful. There are lots of great Father’s Day gifts that are free or cheap plus meaningful. Here are a few great ideas for free or cheap Father’s Day gifts.
Give Dad a coupon
Does dad have a favorite activity? Is there a chore or job you can do for dad? Create a coupon or gift certificate for it! This can be a great free Father’s Day gift idea – all you are giving is your time. Make the coupon or gift certificate personal by including something special about the activity and why you chose to give it to dad this year.
Give Dad a poem
Let you dad know how much you love him by writing him a poem. Put your feelings on paper and dad can read them whenever he wants. If you don’t want to write your own poem you can find one online. It can be simple or complex. It can be handwritten or typed. You can illustrate it or leave it plain. You can pick up a nice frame at the dollar store and frame the poem for him. All of these different ways of giving dad a poem for Father’s Day are sure to make him happy.
Frame a photo
I love this idea! Surprise dad with a framed photo – capture a special memory. Find a favorite photo of a special event or memory with your dad. Print the photo yourself or get it printed at a local store. You can get a frame without spending much money at all – there are usually quite a few at your local dollar store. Frame the photo and write a note about how much that memory means to you. This will be a Father’s Day gift that dad will treasure forever.
Make a book
This is another Father’s Day gift idea that I just love. Make dad a book that tells him all of the reasons why you love him. Make your own book or use a small photo album from your local dollar store. You can put one reason that you love your dad on each page or use a couple of pages for each reason. Decorate the pages, include a few pictures too. Dad will have a constant reminder of all of the reasons that you think he is special. This is another Father’s Day gift that dad will treasure forever.
There are so many more good ideas out there for free or inexpensive Father’s Day gifts. Have an idea to share? Let us know, we love to hear from you.
Stay cool in the summer without using the air conditioner!
It’s getting hot out where I live and in some parts of the country it is getting REALLY hot. When it gets really hot we all seem to have the same goal – staying cool! I am one of those crazy people who likes it to be cold so the summer heat makes me try almost anything to stay cool. I have a couple of kids who are just like me – they hate being too hot. Does that sound familiar? Yesterday we talked about beating the heat and staying cool by making popsicles. Today it is a more serious topic. How do you beat the heat and stay cool in the summer without using the air conditioner?
Face it, using the air conditioner is expensive. I hate seeing the electric bills during the hot summer months. They can be at least twice what the bills are during other months. Every summer this makes me look for ways to stay cool in the summer without using the air conditioner, I’m determined to save money on those bills. There are a few easy ways to do this.
Close the blinds
This is an easy way to stay cool in the summer without using the air conditioner! Research has shown that about 30% of the heat in your house in the summer comes from the windows. Keeping the blinds closed will help keep out some of the heat. Closed blinds can reduce the temperature of a room by up to 20 degrees. South and West facing windows are especially important to close the blind on and block the afternoon heat.
Pull the curtains
If you don’t have blinds, pull the curtains. Or even add heat blocking curtains to a window with blinds. You can stay cool in the summer without using the air conditioner if you keep that heat from shining in the windows.
Get a ceiling fan
If you don’t have ceiling fans, get some. They are an inexpensive improvement. Then remember to set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise. Ceiling fans need to be adjusted seasonally. Set them counter-clockwise in the summer and run them at a higher speed. The airflow produced will create a breeze that will make you “feel” cooler. You’ll be able to stay cool in the summer without using the air conditioner.
Open the windows
In many areas the temperatures drop after the sun goes down. Open the windows and let the cool night air in to cool your house. Use fans to pull the air in and create a cross breeze. Opening the windows at night is another easy way to stay cool in the summer without using the air conditioner.
Turn on the fans
Use the fans in your house to stay cool in the summer without using the air conditioner. Exhaust fans can help pull hot air out of the house. Add table fans or floor fans to areas where increased airflow will help cool rooms.
Turn off the oven
This is a fun way to stay cool in the summer without using the air conditioner. Use the barbeque, microwave or crock-pot to cook your meals. Don’t add heat to your house by prepping meals with the oven. Plan ahead and use the oven at later night after the windows are open and the sun has gone down.
Have more ideas to stay cool in the summer without using the air conditioner? Let us know. We love hearing from our readers.
Popsicles – Keep cool with a yummy treat!
It’s getting hot out where I live and in some parts of the country it is getting REALLY hot. When it gets really hot we all seem to have the same goal – staying cool! I am one of those crazy people who likes it to be cold so the summer heat makes me try almost anything to stay cool. I have a couple of kids who are just like me – they hate being too hot. Sometimes that also means finding creative or fun ways to keep the whole family cool. There is one way to keep cool that is tasty and fun! Popsicles – everyone loves popsicles in the hot summer!
Popsicles – there are so many kinds and they are almost always yummy! From the cheap Otter Pops to more expensive gourmet popsicles to homemade popsicles, these cold treats are a summer favorite. It seems to can freeze almost anything and it becomes a treat. In my house we make a lot of popsicles with yogurt or pudding or fruit puree. I am always on the lookout for more ideas and more ways to make yummy popsicles.
These are just a few of the fun summer popsicle recipes we’ve tried. They are all really yummy and a great way to beat the heat. Try them and see what you think. Have a great popsicle recipe? Let us know! We love to hear from our readers!
Nutella Popsicles
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup milk
6 tablespoons chocolate-hazelnut spread (such as Nutella)
Directions:
1. Stir cream, milk, and chocolate-hazelnut spread together in microwave-safe bowl.
2. Microwave until chocolate hazelnut spread is melted, 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
3.Pour the mixture into ice pop molds and freeze until set, 3 to 4 hours.
Frozen Blueberry Yogurt Pops
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
1 cup Ocean Spray Blueberry Juice Cocktail
1 cup Ocean Spray Fresh Blueberries, cleaned and rinsed
1 (6 ounce) container fat-free vanilla yogurt
8 wooden craft sticks
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in blender. Cover; blend on high speed 15 to 20 seconds or until smooth.
2. Pour into 8 frozen pop molds (2.5 ounces to 3 ounces each). Cover, insert craft sticks, and freeze for 2 hours or until completely firm.
3. To serve, dip outsides of molds into warm water to loosen.
Fudgecicles
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup white sugar
3 cups milk
Directions:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine pudding, sugar, and milk.
- Pour mixture into small plastic cups (if you do not have ice pop molds) and freeze.
- When set, place a wooden craft stick into them (if you are using plastic cups). Serve when frozen.
Fresh Fruit and Yogurt Ice Pops
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and sliced bananas, mixed
2 cups plain or vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup white sugar
8 small paper cups
8 popsicle sticks
Directions:
1. Place the mixed blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, sliced bananas, yogurt, and sugar into a blender.
2. Cover, and blend until fruit is chunky or smooth, as desired.
3. Fill paper cups 3/4 full with fruit mixture. Cover the top of each cup with a strip of aluminum foil. Poke a popsicle stick through the center of the foil on each cup.
4. Place the cups in the freezer for at least 5 hours. To serve, remove foil and peel off the paper cup.
Clean with vinegar! Let’s talk the kitchen!
Yesterday we talked about my endless search for a good cleaner. It seemed that I never could find just the right cleaner. I talked about how I’d find one cleaner that worked great on the counters but that same cleaner was awful on the sink. Or it worked well in the shower but did nothing for the bathroom mirrors. Pretty soon I found myself with more cleaners than I could count and a cleaning routine that was a hassle. I needed to find something easy. I needed to find something that worked in more than one location. That’s when I found out you could clean with vinegar.
Yesterday we talked about how much I like to clean with vinegar. We talked about all of the ways you can clean your bathroom with vinegar. It works so well and the bathroom shines after you clean with vinegar. There are so many different things you can do. Today we can talk about another room in our home to clean with vinegar. Let’s talk about cleaning the kitchen.
If you want to clean with vinegar, the kitchen is a great place to start. These are a few of my favorite kitchen “clean with vinegar” tips.
Microwave
I think microwaves can be one of the messiest things to clean. Food often gets spilled or caked on and then dried. If you have kids old enough to use the microwave, you know what I mean. Put equal parts of vinegar and water in a microwave safe bowl. Float a toothpick in it to minimize the chance that the water will explode. Microwave the mixture for 5 minutes. Let it sit in the microwave for an additional two minutes. Take the bowl out very carefully, it will be hot. Wipe the microwave down. Even the bad stuck on food will come off easily.
Fridge
Clean with vinegar and your fridge will thank you. Wipe down insides of the fridge with a vinegar and water mix. The fridge will sparkle. You can also clean hard water deposits from the ice and water dispenser.
Dishwasher
I know that cleaning the dishwasher can seem silly but it is a really good idea. Clean it outside with equal parts of vinegar and water. Clean the inside by running an empty dishwasher on a high heat setting and adding a cup of vinegar to the dishwasher before you start it.
Faucet
Is the end of your faucet or sink sprayer caked with hard water? Cleaning with vinegar is a great way to fix that! If the ends of your faucets are removable, try soaking them in diluted vinegar overnight. If they are not removable try saturating a towel in vinegar and wrapping it around the sprayer head or faucet.
Sink
I fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water in equal parts and spray down the sink. I let it sit for a couple of minutes and then wipe with a sponge. Perfect! It gets stubborn hard water stains out beautifully.
Have more ideas on ways to clean your vinegar in your kitchen? Share them with us. We’d love to hear from you!