Amp up the taste of a boxed dessert mix!
Chances are if you have been using coupons for any amount of time, you might have a lot of boxed cake and brownie mixes in you food storage or pantry. Don’t let the ease of opening a boxed dessert mix simply taste like every other one you’ve made. Rather, kick it up a notch with a few simple extra ingredients you already have in your pantry.
General Tips and Tricks:
- If your boxed dessert mix contains cocoa powder or chocolate substitute the water for coffee. The coffee brings out the sweetness of the chocolate.
- Try substituting the oil with applesauce, canned pumpkin or even Greek yogurt!
- Once the batter is poured into the pan(s) tap lightly on a level surface to get the air out.
- Sift the dry ingredients first! This will ensure your batter isn’t clumpy and no air bubbles arise.
Brownie Mixes
There’s typically nothing special in the mix other than flour and cocoa as the main ingredients, making boxed brownies a little bland. To make your brownies super delicious once the batter has been mixed well add a cup full of semi sweet chocolate morsels and give one final stir before placing in a greased pan. Consider adding peanut butter once you’ve added into the pan, simply swirl the amount desired in.
For a added touch once your brownies have cooled sprinkle with a little powdered sugar for a extra sweetness. Mint flavored frosting can also pack a punch for delicious brownies
Cake Mixes
No matter what flavor of cake mix you purchase there’s several ways you can fool your guests into thinking you made your cake from scratch. By knowing these simple tricks your next cake will be eaten up in no time:
- My favorite thing to do is to actually skip the eggs and the oil and just add a can of diet soda to the cake mix. Try experimenting with flavors like orange soda with a white cake mix or Diet Cherry Coke with a chocolate cake mix.
- If using a white, yellow or chocolate cake mix substitute whole milk, coconut milk or buttermilk for the water. If using buttermilk you may need to add a extra splash or two to get the liquid consistency you’re looking for.
- Add 2 TBSP of all purpose flour, 1 egg and 1 TBSP Sugar to any cake mix. Doing so will result in a “heavier” type cake.
- If baking a chocolate or white cake mix throw in a cup of semi sweet chocolate morsels. This will make the batter a little more moist. You can also put mini semi sweet chocolate morsels or chocolate savings on top of the icing for an extra special touch!
- When whipping up a carrot cake mix leave out the shredded carrots that are provided and grate your own.
- To give a white cake mix extra depth, after the cooling process poke holes with a straw into your cake. Prepare a box of your favorite flavored Jell-O using 1 C cold water and 1 C boiling hot water. Pour half the mixture over the cake and let it sit for 4-6 hours.
- When using a chocolate frosting add 1 tsp of butter along with ½ tsp of vanilla extract to loosen up the icing and get a better flavor.
- Add a package of pudding mix right out of the box to make your cake moist.
What are some thing that you do to amp up the taste of a boxed dessert mix?
Check out the deals in today’s The Screaming Penny email newsletter!
Check out the deals in today’s The Screaming Penny email newsletter!
Dates on Food Labels
Dates on food labels can be confusing to everyone. Have you every heard something like this at your house? “Hey honey, is this salad dressing still good?” Or, have you ever questioned whether or not it’s safe to feed your family something from your pantry?
After selecting food items, it’s up to you to take care of them properly. It’s important to read food labels to see how what you are buying should be stored and to pay attention to the dates and codes on the packaging. Heck, pay attention to the dates while you are shopping too, to minimize waste!
I have heard so many stories about people who either use expired foods and are fine and an equal amount of tales of people getting very sick from using food that is past the date.
I don’t know about you, but I get so confused by the wording and the codes on food labels. I found this food label definition information from Consumer Reports:
“Use by,” “best if used by,“ or “quality assurance” date:
The last date the product is likely to be at peak flavor and quality. One of these dates is often placed on foods such as cereal, which may decline in flavor and quality. It doesn’t mean the food is unsafe after that date.
“Sell by” or “pull”:
An indication, to the retailer, of the last day on which a product should be sold. It takes into account time for the food to be stored and used at home. You should buy it before the date, but don’t have to use it by then. You should be able to use milk, say, for up to about seven days after the sell-by date.
Pack or package date:
The date the food–fresh meat, for example–was packed or processed. Consumers can tell which package is fresher and choose that one. A pack date isn’t an indication of safety.
“Expiration”:
For most foods, this indicates the last date on which they should be eaten or used. Eggs are an exception: If you buy federally graded eggs before the expiration date (which must be no more than 30 days from when they were put in the carton), you should be able to use them safely for the next 3 to 5 weeks.
“Born on”:
Initiated by Anheuser-Busch, it’s supposed to let buyers choose the freshest beer. According to the company, its beer is freshest and tastes best within 110 days from the born-on date.
Coded date:
A series of letters or numbers or both used by the manufacturer to track foods across state lines and, if necessary, recall them. The code isn’t meant as a use-by date.
Other words to the wise:
As a rule, high-acid canned foods such as tomatoes can be stored on the shelf for 12 to 18 months; properly stored low-acid canned foods such as meat, fish, and most vegetables will keep 2 to 5 years. Don’t use a can that’s bulging. If perishable foods are packaged and frozen properly, they will be safe to eat after the expiration date, although the food may suffer freezer burn if it’s stored for a long time. And if a food bears a date without words? Unfortunately, you’ll have to guess what it means.
Here are a couple of valuable links to help with further questions:https://www.foodreference.com/html/tc…shelflife.html
Back to School, Thrift Store Style!
I actually love shopping at thrift stores. I love thrift stores more than I love yard sales! With back to school shopping starting up I always make it a point to visit my local thrift stores. In my area we have Deseret Industries, Savers and a few random thrift & consignment shops.
I know lots of people don’t even want to step foot into a thrift store. It’s funny cause I figured my sister was one who would never shop there, but then I found out that’s where she buys all of her purses. Too funny!
Well I refuse to pay full price for things (seriously!) I shop the sales, buy grocery’s from the ad prices, and use coupons. Contrary to popular belief thrift store are not all grubby & gross. You can buy lots of name brand items, frequently with tags still attached! I suggest if you haven’t gone in to dig through the treasures at the local thrift shop, you give it a try. You might be surprised.
Yes there are things that they sell at thrift stores that there is no way I could buy. I personally wouldn’t buy underwear, socks or shoes at thrift shops (call me crazy).
Jeans and coats are things that for sure we buy at thrift shops! For myself for the summer I went and bought a bunch of casual skirts that I can wear every day.
Here are a few tips to help you find some great cheap school clothes at thrift stores.
1. Investigate Your Local Thrift Stores
The first step to finding cheap school clothes in thrift stores is to know your local thrift stores. Do a little scouting before you do your heavy shopping to help you figure out which stores have the best finds. It’s also helpful to know what days thrift stores have sales and what their return policies are. Take a chance and ask your friends, chances are they are shopping there too! At our local Savers if you take in a donation they will give you a couple for 20% off your next purchase (I always find something to donate before I go shop).
2. EEK… Take your kids with you.
I know I know. I hate shopping with my kids too, but… it’s good to have them there with you so they can try on a few things. Most thrift shops have a no return policy. Another reason is that things might sell before you get back. On days where our stores have big sales they sell the good stuff quick! There’s no sense in buying school clothes – even super cheap school clothes – if they don’t fit. If you can’t or won’t take your child with you, for whatever reason, at least make sure you know their size, what looks best on them, and their likes and dislikes.
3. Inspected by #MOM
No one wants to look like they are wearing thrift store clothes. Watch for rips and stains. Again, since typically there is a no return policy you don’t want to buy something you just have to throw away – if you do, what is the sense of trying to pinch your pennies.
4. Go to college! (or at least away from home)
If you have older kids, I highly suggest shopping at thrift shops near universities. The students that are going home for the summer or graduating, don’t always want to pack everything up – they donate good stuff! Another thing is that if you have older kids they might be embarrassed to be in a thrift shop in your home town.
5. Don’t go crazy, set a budget!
Just like any other shopping trip you make, set a budget. Thrift shops have great prices, but you don’t want to go crazy – and you can also take this opportunity to teach your kids about value, saving and charity!
Check out the deals in today’s The Screaming Penny email newsletter!
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Keep a Frost Free Freezer
Yesterday I shared a post about keeping a freezer inventory. One way to make the most of the food you have stored in your freezer is to make sure you have a frost free freezer (say that 5 times quick).
I originally shared these tips a few years ago, but it bears repeating. I hate to see freezer waste!
A frost free freezer means just that, frost free.
In other words, you won’t have the task of having to thaw your freezer to chip off all the frozen ice when you have trouble closing the door properly because of the frost build up.
With a frost free freezer, there are heating elements in the freezer walls that cycle through – normally every six hours but can vary depending on the make, model and energy efficiency – in order to melt any ice. There is a thermometer in the freezer so that it won’t allow the freezer to get any warmer than freezing.
A frost free freezer is very convenient however, it isn’t quite as energy efficient as a manual defrost. A manual defrost will also ensure the temperature is steady rather than going through the heating and cooling cycles, which means that if you plan to store food in your freezer for months at a time, you may want to go with a manual defrost. But you will have to manually defrost every few months, something many people don’t really like doing!
It is up to you to decide which type of freezer you prefer, as each have pros and cons.
If your freezer ends to get a lot of frost build-up on the inside, it can be a pain and a waste of electricity – to spend the time defrosting it time and time again. But there are a few things you can do to ensure that your freezer doesn’t get a lot of frost building up.
Open your freezer for a short duration as possible. If you are grabbing multiple things from the freezer, grab them all at once rather than leaving it open while you grab each item out individually.
If you were delayed getting items into the freezer, wipe the outside of the packaging first, so you won’t be adding to the condensation into the freezer. So before you put that package of frozen peas or ice cream into the freezer, take the time to take a dry cloth to them and dry them off first.
Check your freezer’s gasket to make sure cold air isn’t escaping and warm air isn’t entering.
Every few months, clean your freezer’s gasket to ensure it will seal your freezer properly. These things get dirty quickly!!
Another thing to consider is the fuller your freezer is the less frost build up you will have! So there is another incentive for your once a month cooking.
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A PYP Best Blog: Keeping a Freezer Inventory
Just in case you missed this article on keeping a freezer inventory the first time we shared it a couple of years ago, we are republishing it. After I wrote this blog originally, we got an awesome response. This is one of the PYP Best Blogs!
Keeping a freezer inventory a vital step in getting the most out of your freezer cooking experience. It you don’t know what is in your freezer than you won’t be able to properly rotate.
You want to be sure you are getting a great value for all the hard work you go to in shopping, saving, and making your freezer meals.
I don’t like finding a chicken meal that I made a year ago or ground beef meal that has been there for 3 years. How do you keep track of what is in the freezer and how long it’s been there?
Creating a freezer inventory is a great way to ensure your food is still good quality when you eat, it should be a well organized, simple to follow and update. It’s a great way to remember what is in your freezer without even opening it.
My freezer inventory sheet is divided into 3 columns:
Item:
Your freezer inventory should include the item that was frozen and make sure you list how you did it. Did you freeze hamburger patties raw or cooked? Are they seasoned?
Quantity:
Not only do you need to know how much is in each package (like pounds or how many beef patties are in the package). You need to know how many like packages you have in your freezer. Don’t forget to include on your inventory the freezer meals, meats, vegetables, desserts and juices.
I my inventory form I put a little tick mark for each package and then when I use it I cross it out.
Date:
Make sure not only do you write the date on the inventory sheet but also on the package itself. I always try make sure I am using the oldest of the items first to insure great quality and to keep my frozen foods in proper rotation.
I like having the date on my inventory sheet so that when I am making a meal plan I can easily see what needs to be used first, without having to dig through the freezer to figure it out.
With keeping an inventory sheet you can also easily know what you are using the most and you can make an appropriate shopping list.
I have some freezer bins that I try to sort like items into. (Can you tell I hate digging in my freezer?)
Don’t forget to update!
After you go to the work of organizing your freezer and creating your inventory sheet, keep it up! Update your sheet eat time your go shopping. Mark off what you use each time you remove something. The initial task may seem overwhelming but once you have the basics down it is VERY easy to keep up with. The trick my be making sure that each of your family members remember to mark off what they take out.
5 Easy & Inexpensive Home Updates
Oh how I wish I could just blow it up and start all over, but that is not in the budget! I have been working on some easy and inexpensive home updates. Just because it’s simple, isn’t costing you a small fortune and is not taking weeks to do doesn’t mean that it won’t make an impact. Sometimes just the smallest change can make a huge difference in the way your home looks and feels.
5 Easy & Inexpensive Home Updates
1- De-clutter –
Clutter is my number one enemy. Clutter happens, sometimes we don’t even realize how bad it is. We live with it and around it. If you want to refresh a room, the 1st thing I suggest you do is to get rid of clutter. Have a yard sale, donate to good will, throw it out, or find a better way to store/organize. It’s amazing how much different a room can look when you simply clear away the mess.
2 -Add some color with paint
I am not saying you have to repaint the whole room, but you can still easily update a space with paint. Whether you paint an accent wall, refinish a piece of furniture with a pop of color with spray paint or paint the inside of a book shelf, just a simple splash of color is one of the great inexpensive home updates. If you don’t want to take a chance with painting something you already own, just grab up something cheap at the thrift store or from freecycle. A can of spray paint goes a long way and it comes in AMAZING colors!
3- Pillows!
Pillows in bright colors and patterns can instantly add some pizazz to a couch that you are bored with. There are so many cute prints available now, chevron, nautical, polka dots & more. You can usually find great pillow covers from Jane.com. The fun thing with pillows is that you can let the season dictate the shades you choose — use bright vibrate colors & prints for a beachy summer feel or jewel tones & fall colors in the winter.
4- Rearrange your art
Move art around in your house. Hey, how about spray painting your frames! That’s a great update and a great way to add color. If you have a bunch of oak frames, paint them black for a modern look. I also recently found a great clearance sale on calendars. For inexpensive art, frame some pictures from calendars! Anyway, back to what I was talking about, just move things around to places they haven’t been before.
5- Upgrade your hardware
New knobs are an easy way to give a dated dresser, entertainment center or tired kitchen cabinets a whole new look. There are lots of budget family options available. For a fun look and conversation piece, consider grabbing some vintage knobs from a thrift shop or other second hand store. A few years ago I removed all my brass door knobs and took them outside and spray painted them. They are still holding up great.
There you have it – 5 easy & inexpensive home updates. What have you done to update your home on the cheap?
OFF! Deep Woods Just $1.06 Each at Target!
Right now at Target, there’s an awesome gift card deal on insect repellents! Buy three OFF! products and get a free $5 Target gift card. Combine this offer with some printable manufacturer and store coupons for some amazing savings!
Buy (3) Off! Deep Woods, 4 oz – $5.59 ($16.77)
- Use (3) $2/1 Off! Deep Woods product
- Use $1/2 Off! repellent items (Target Printable Coupon)
- Use 10% off all Off! sprays
- Pay $8.19 out of pocket
- Get a $5 gift card
Final Cost: $3.19 wyb 3 ($1.06 each!)
Buy (3) Off! FamilyCare Insect Repellent I Smooth & Dry, 4 oz – $4.99 ($14.97)
– Use (3) $1.00 off any OFF! Personal Insect Repellent
– Use $1/2 Off! repellent items (Target Printable Coupon)
– Use 10% off all Off! sprays
– Pay $9.57 out of pocket
– Get a $5 gift card
Final Cost: $4.57 wyb 3 ($1.52 each!)
Buy (3) Off! Deep Woods, 4 oz – $5.59 ($16.77)
- Use (3) $2/1 Off! Deep Woods product
- Use $1/2 Off! repellent items (Target Printable Coupon)
- Use 10% off all Off! sprays
- Pay $8.19 out of pocket
- Get a $5 gift card
Final Cost: $3.19 wyb 3 ($1.06 each!)
Buy (1) Off! Clip-on Fan Circulated Mosquito Repellent – $6.99
Buy (2) Off! Clip-on refills, 2-pack – $4.99
- Use (3) $1.50 off any OFF! Clip-On™ Mosquito Repellent
- Use $1/2 Off! repellent items (Target Printable Coupon)
- Pay $11.47 out of pocket
- Get a $5 gift card
Final Cost: $6.47 wyb 3 ($3.24 each!)
Save money by being in shape!
You can save money by being in shape.
As someone who has struggled to stay fit, I realize that eating healthy and being in shape is easier said than done. But for those who are in good shape, you can save a lot of money on life insurance and individual health insurance plans. And as an added bonus, you’ll feel better and have more energy.
Being is shape can benefit your health in many ways—reduced risk of disease, more energy and a longer life, just to name a few. But enjoying a healthy lifestyle and keeping fit could also lead to a healthier bank account.
While you may think that the road to fitness is an expensive one—personal trainers and gym memberships don’t come cheap, after all—working out at home and incorporating more activity into your daily routine will get the job done for a fraction of the cost. And the long-term savings add up, too.
Here are five ways being in shape can help save you money.
You can save money on clothes
If you find yourself going up and down a clothing size every six months, you know that the cost of new clothing can really start to add up. Whether you’re a size 6 or a 16, keeping your weight—and clothing size—consistent means that you’ll be able to wear your favorite pieces longer, and can avoid the financial stress of repeatedly replacing your wardrobe.
Plus, bigger clothes cost more.
You’ll spend less money on transportation
Get your energy boost in for the day by walking or riding your bike to your destinations. You’ll save on fuel, vehicle wear & tear, parking, etc…
You’ll spend less money on unhealthy vices
Whether your vice is smoking, alcohol, or fast food, cutting those things out of your life can not only help you to be healthy, but it will save you money! If you smoke a pack of cigarettes per day, you’re throwing away approximately $3,600 a year.
Giving up unhealthy vices can cut your heart attack risk after one year. You’ll also have more cash in the bank—and who could argue with that?
You’ll spend less money on medication
The cost of medications for chronic health conditions, like heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes can really add up. Adults who participate in regular physical activity will decrease their risk of more than 25 chronic health conditions. Keeping illnesses under control means less trips to the pharmacy and, less money being spent on medication for chronic health conditions each year.
Do you frequently find yourself buying sleep aids or headache medication? Being in shape is also linked to better sleep habits, which may save you money .
You’ll save money on your grocery bill
Over the past couple of years I have lost over 60 pounds with Weight Watchers. One thing I have learned is that being in shape isn’t just about how far you can run or how much weight you can lift. To enjoy a truly healthy lifestyle, you need to keep your diet in shape, too. When you are trying to be healthy you find that spending money on take-out and unhealthy restaurant grub seems like less of a good idea. The notion that fast food is less expensive than making a fresh meal is a common mistaken belief. With a little meal planning and smart shopping, you can eat healthy homemade meals all week for less than you would spend to take your family to the local fast food shop. If you do go out, just make wise choices on what you order, both in health and the cost.
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Summertime can be a busy time with birthdays, graduations, weddings, showers?wow! But no worries, because with Cardstore’s awesome deal you can take care of all your needs all in one shot and be that much further ahead. When you buy any 2 cards, you’ll get 1 card FREE?and soon you’ll be lounging poolside knowing your “to-do’s” are a complete DONE. And, Cardstore lets you schedule cards for up 1 year in advance with their easy-to-use Future Send tool, so get organized for your upcoming celebrations today. Simply select your card, personalize it with your recipient’s name, load photos from your computer, Facebook, practically anywhere you store them, then decide when you want the card sent to your recipient. Buy 2 Cards, Get 1 FREE at Cardstore! Use Code: CCH4621 at checkout, Valid through Tuesday 6/24/14. So, it’s never too early to start thinking about your favorite Aunt’s birthday next month or your anniversary in September. Start making your personalized cards today at Cardstore!
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