We Had a House Fire | My Busy Mom Solution

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July 8, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Amazon, Hacks, Online Shopping Leave a Comment

I wanted to share with you my life lesson to hopefully become something that helps you and your family in the future – might even save someone’s life.

As some of you know, we moved in the middle of March. I quickly had an alarm system installed and decided not to go with the alarm systems smoke detectors. Instead I had an electrician come out for work and when he was out here, I had him look at our smoke detectors. I also replaced all of our smoke detectors batteries.

Smoke Detector Tip: Put 9-Volt Batteries on your Amazon Subscribe & Save every 6 months. That way you are reminded to change your smoke detectors twice a year!

We Had a Home Fire

Last week, I was home alone working. The kids were at the park, the cat and I were sitting in my office. All of a sudden the smoke detectors went off. Typically, my first instinct is to assume the battery. Only I smelt it. Something was burning. Immediately I called 911 and ran to a neighbors house to drop off our cat. The neighbor ran back with me and he shut down the electricity and HVAC circuit breakers while we tried to trace the source of the fire. We couldn’t find it and assumed the attic due to the top floor having the most odor.

After the fire department came out, we discovered our instincts were correct and the HVAC indoor unit had a small electrical fire in the attic. My neighbor shutting down electricity was the right thing and aided in changing our outcome.

Busy Mom Tips

The point of my email is to share lessons that I learned to help you too.

Lesson 1: Shutting Down the Electricity

First, if you are in a safe situation and you can access your home circuit breaker panel(s), flip the entire unit off. In our case, the breaker was the farthest thing form the electrical fire.

Lesson 2: Get Alerts When You Are Away

Second, I am not always home. I wanted a future solution in case I was out. I called my alarm company and they installed smoke systems that will alert my alarm company (the same detectors I declined before) and me if a fire occurs. Perhaps your alarm system has this type of smoke detector too.

Mobile Alert Smoke Detectors

Don’t have an alarm system. No worries. there are smoked detectors with mobile alerts. You could pick up this one I found on Amazon in my Home Store. This smoke detector sends text alerts to your phone if the smoke detector goes off.

A more expensive option is the Google Nest Protect smoke detector. It will also send an alert to your phone if the detector goes off.

If this fire happened while we were away, 911 would not have been called until it was visible to neighbors and at that point, maybe too late!

Lesson 3: Reminder – Smoke Rises

Lastly, I re-learned is that alarms are best at the highest point of the home (where ours went off) and at stairwells, as smoke rises.

All is okay. Shutting down the electricity prevented the electrical fire from continuing and spreading. The fire was contained in the unit. Our ceiling, roof and attic are otherwise okay. Want to know what I grabbed (other than the cat)? My computer. Only my computer from which I write you now.

Chances are if I was not home, our house would not be here today! Grateful to be able to write you all this email today. Quick thinking, Quick acting. My my lessons become future fire prevention for you!

Disclosure: I am not a fire expert, please contact your local fire department, your local electrician or the American Red Cross for fire safety tips.

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Bake and Take Recipes | Meal Trains and Meal Exchanges

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June 7, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, Facebook, Hacks, Home Improvement, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Recipe, Social Media Leave a Comment

Tired of preparing dinner each night? Bake and take recipes might be your busy mom solution! Details on how to get a weeks worth of throw in the oven meals for your family. What is a meal train, dinner ideas for neighbors, and hosting a girls night out party with a meal exchange ideas.

Bake and Take Recipes

Bake and take can mean one of many things. It can be an opportunity where people get together for a meal exchange. A bake can take can be an easy recipe for a new baby meal train. It can be a meal recipe you for bringing dinner to neighbors who have medical issue or are experiencing tough times.

Whatever the reason, we have the best bake and take recipes for parties, meal trains, neighbors and friends.

Bake and Take Party

Fist let’s address a Bake and Take Party. This is most appropriate when you are not in quarantine. Similar to a cookie exchange, only a meal exchange. Invite 5 to 7 people (too many people can be quite challenging.)

For a meal exchange party, each person brings the same dish x number of times. For example, for five people, each person brings the same meal in five different disposable foil pans. Exchange meals among friends and at the end of the night, go home with five different dinners for your family. This meal exchange can be done by prepping or baking the dish ahead.

Another option for a take and bake party is you bring your ingredients. Together, friends can sip wine and prep five dishes. Each person goes home with a meal prepared that they can make later that week for their family.

Bonus if your final bake and take meals can be frozen for easy prep on a busy night. For for a take and bake recipe exchange party, you will need Freezer Bags and/or Aluminum Disposable Pans.

What is a Meal Train

I meal train is an effective way to organize meal giving to a person or family for births, surgeries, illnesses and during tough times. A friend group or family community comes together to coordinating dropping off a home-made meal for a family who could use help.

If cooking is not an option, alternatively, you could coordinating restaurant delivery (like pizza or a local restaurant) or send a restaurant gift card for the person/family to use at their own time and need.

Mealtrain.com is a great resource for creating a group meal sign up, organizing meal giving, and scheduling meals to a calendar.

Bringing Dinner to Neighbors

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s the importance of those in close proximity like immediate family and neighbors. Bake and take recipes are great for neighbors. You can rotate the responsibility of meals, each person assigned a different night of the week. You can also, bless an elderly, sickly or a neighbor in trouble with the gift of a home cooked meal.

Consider hosting a bake and take party for the neighborhood or create a meal train for a neighbor who could a little extra help.

Social Distance Meals

Let’s take bake and take a step further. During quarantine and times of distancing, social distance meals are an option. Again, choose 5 to 7 people and each person is assigned a day.

The social distancing parties can work one of two ways. Let’s use our party of five people again.

Option 1

Each person is assigned a day. On your assigned day, that person prepares (and bakes) five of the same dinners. They drive to five separate houses leaving the dinner on the step or front porch. This gives each party goer five nights of meals, only preparing dinner one night.

Option 2

Similar to a meal train, each person signs up for one day to bless a friend/neighbor in need with a meal. That person is assigned the job of putting a meal on the porch for the calendar date they have scheduled.

Bake and Take Recipe Ideas

For bake and take recipes, it is very important to know allergy and diet restrictions. We looked for easy recipes, casserole dishes, or throw in the oven meals that were free from many common allergies. Before hosting a bake and take party or meal train, get each persons dietary restrictions and any foods for which they may have an allergy.

This easy Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole is a dump recipe you can quickly prepare and bring to a neighbor or friend. | Neighbor Food Blog

Everything bakes together in one dish with this Chicken Parmesan Casserole Recipe. | Happy Go Lucky Blog

Want a good-for-you dinner option for your neighbors? This Creamy Chicken Quinoa and Broccoli Casserole is quick and easy, a comfort dish that is like a big gentle hug. | Pinch of Yum

This savory Slow Cooker Beef on Rice with has a flavorful gravy. Serve it over a warm bed of rice. If you are exchanging with a large group of people at once, bring Uncle Ben’s 90 second rice. So easy and quick. | Le Creme de la Crumb

This nutritious minestrone soup is protein packed with red kidney beans and great northern beans. Exchange with frozen dinner rolls. | Little Spice Jar

With just 5 ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep, this Dump-and-Bake Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is an easy dinner that cooks in one dish! Cook ahead and reheat. Consider serving with a mixed salad bag. | The Seasoned Mom

Another easy prep. Try a dump and bake easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta Casserole. | Lil Luna

This kid-friendly comfort food casserole is great for exchanges. Shepherd’s Pie is a traditional Irish dish made with a saucy ground beef, peas, and carrots and topped with a mashed potato crust. Easy and tasty. | Savory Nothings

A family favorite casserole for us. This creamy tuna noodle casserole is loved by all ages – kids and adults. Goes perfect with a steam fresh veggie. | Mom Dot

Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is a quick and healthy crock pot recipe that’s perfect for busy nights. Add all the ingredients in the crock pot then push on! Serve with frozen dinner rolls. | Iowa Girl Eats

This super simple chicken pot pie recipe is made with buttermilk biscuits! | I Heart Recipes

Looking for more ideas? Take a look at our printable meal plans including meatless dinners, chicken dinners, pasta dinners, Mexican dinners, Italian dinners and even salad dinner ideas.

Freezer meals are so friendly when it comes to meal exchanges. Take a look at these make-ahead Freezer Crockpot and Dump Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.

Enjoy these Busy Mom Hacks and Tips including an mom tip for making multiple meals in one night! Pin to Pinterest.

Overnight Camping at Night Hacks

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May 31, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Frugal Living, Hacks, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media, Summer, Travel 4 Comments

Ready for the great outdoors? Take a look at our Overnight Camping Hacks and Tips. Save these creative camping crafts, campfire games, and recipes to complete your list of things to do while camping at night!

Overnight Camping at Night

Ready for an outdoor adventure overnight? These Camping at Night Hacks and Tips will provide you with creativity and life tips to get you through an outdoor adventure. Additionally, read through for a list of Things To Do While Camping at Night. Games, activities and traditions to start with the family on your next camp trip!

Before your camping vacation, take a look at these camping ideas including

Camping Hacks and Tips (our original post, filled with camping tips and goodness!)
Easy Camping Recipes
Foil Packet Meals including our Campfire Hot Dogs and Cinnamon Rolls Baked in Oranges
Camping Packing List
RV Packing List

For a kids overnight or sleepaway camp, take a look at Summer Camp Hacks and Tips. For a girls weekend, enjoy these Glamping Ideas.

Overnight Camping Hacks

We took some of our beloved Camping Hacks and Tips and stepped it up with new Overnight Camping tips and ideas.

Keep your personal sleeping space clean. This shoe basket camping hack keeps all shoes out of the tent and the sleeping area free of mud and dirt. | Sunny Simple Life

Hitting the road in an RV? Save this RV Packing List from Frugal Coupon Living. A camping checklist resource to get you organized.

Busy the kids with their very own Camping Journal and Logbook from Frugal Coupon Living. This can be added to each year.

To prevent cool air from escaping seal the top of the cooler with a DIY cooler cover. Recycle an old foam sleeping pad or yoga mat and cut the foam mat the exact dimension of the cooler interior. | Cabela’s

Bring solar lights to illuminate your campsite. Stake them around the campsite (especially near your tent stakes to prevent tripping) or mount in an inverted Terra Cotta pot. | Starling Travel

Speaking of lighting, freeze water jugs before you go. Use them as your drinking water as they melt. You can also illuminate water jugs with a head lamp with this creative Camping at Night Hack. | Instructables

This camping hack is perfect for your tent. Don’t trip over tent stakes by marking them off with bright pool noodles. | Source

Also consider these LED light up ten stakes to prevent tripping over stakes in the night.

Safety first with this unique camping hack. Keep sharp knives safely tucked away in pieces of pool noodles. | Kid Friendly Things to Do

Staying for awhile? Start stockpiling your bread tags for this next overnight camping hack. They make great clothespins for drying clothes or other line items. | REI

I highly recommend water boots/shoes when camping, however it can be inevitable a pair of cloth sneakers gets soaked. Have extra newspapers. Newspapers can line a table, help start a fire or speed up the drying process overnight. | According to Elle

This camping food hack is the best. Have your own on-the-go-traveling pantry. Have easy to access to your food and close the hatch at night to keep the critters out! | Mountain Campingz

For sleeping, turn a pool float into a bed and cover with a sleeping bag, blanket and/or sheets. Just like a blow up air mattress only frugal friendly. | Meg for It

Things To Do While Camping at Night

Get creative with these fun nighttime camping activities that go beyond the standard board game and ghost story.

You can partially prepare this camping arts and crafts idea at home. Write on white paper, your child’s name in sharpie. Once you go camping, collect nature (leaves, sticks, twigs, etc) to create this adorable camp art, a nature name activity. | Mrs. Jones Creation Station

Paint glow in the dark walking sticks. By day you see nothing, by night a fun glow! You can use a glow in the dark paint, glow in the dark spray or even glow in the dark tape. | Creek Line House

During the day, talk about constellations. What is a constellation? a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern that is traditionally named after its apparent form or identified with a mythological figure.

While it is light outside, make this camp craft, a Stellar Constellation Viewer for Kids. At night, stargaze around the campfire and talk about the constellations on your viewer that you also see in the night sky.

Make dessert! Everyone loves a classic s’more recipe. Once the sun goes down, twist up your camping dessert recipe with our Campfire Cones! Less messy (maybe) and fun!

Want to try something different? Make colored fire. Packages of colored fire crystals or pine cones are sold at most camping supply stores or online on amazon. If you want to make your own, you can visit these DIY colored fire ingredients.

When thinking about things to do while camping at night, don’t forget story time. Use a flashlight and your tent to make a shadow puppets show. This How to Make a Shadow Puppet tutorial is very helpful. | Fine Art America

Outdoor Games at Night

Get ready for a strike with this glow in the dark bowling game using glow sticks and 2-liter water bottles. (As seen in our Summer Bucket List.) | Growing a Jeweled Rose

Have wondered how to play Flashlight Tag outdoors? We have the answers, great for camping it is similar to Flashlight hide-and-seek.

Flashlight Tag Directions: Similar to hide and seek. Everyone carries their own flashlight but only the person who is IT has their’s on. Instead of tagging with hands, you tag with light. Once you’ve been tagged, you turn on your flashlight, point it toward the sky and stand still. Another player can free you by crawling in between your legs (or tagging you). Once everyone is frozen IT wins and the game starts.

Before everyone hides, establish a perimeter (area you cannot go past.) This is especially important for campsites or unfamiliar areas.

We have plenty of other games you can play! Print our night games for youth. This includes Glow Sardines, Flashlight Tag, Gloweyball, Ghost in the Graveyard, Firefly, Kick the Can in the Dark, and Night Statues.

To get your free outdoor games for kids at night, subscribe to our emails and look for a link and password in our inbox. The access code allows you to access and download all of our free printables, as well.

Speaking of flashlights, don’t forget our other free printable. Our Flashlight Scavenger Hunt download (see more Scavenger Hunt Ideas.)

To get your free flashlight scavenger hunt printable, subscribe to our emails and look for a link and password in our inbox. The access code allows you to access and download all of our free printables, as well.

What didn’t I think of that?! Camping Hacks and Tips for the great outdoors. Pin to Pinterest.

Enjoy these Camping Recipes for dinner, snacks, breakfast and lunch. Pin to Pinterest.

Inexpensive Backyard Landscaping Ideas on a Budget

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May 17, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Hacks, Home Improvement, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media Leave a Comment

Create a beautiful outdoor living space with these inexpensive backyard landscaping ideas on a budget. Weekend project ideas for your patio and yard including lighting idea, inexpensive projects, garden hacks and outdoor design tricks.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas

When we moved, it was at the end of winter the beginning of spring. Every day our yard was showing a new sign of life. It was beautiful and I marveled at the surprises this backyard would unveil.

You see, our new home backs against the woods with a beautiful little creek that runs into the Potomac. Nature had done it’s own work and I was willing to let nature take care of itself. My husband saw this differently. He saw that heavy rains would bring high creek levels. He saw lower areas that would hold mud. He saw that the grass would grow uncontrollably, perhaps above the boys shoulder. I dismissed his warnings and told him the yard would take care of itself.

Woops. Two months into living here and the grass (in areas) is as tall as the boys shoulders. I have begged my husband to look into landscape help, ASAP. While he is looking for help, I am searching Pinterest for low-cost backyard landscape ideas to perfect our natural space.

So here we go… figured I would share with my frugal friends too!

Backyard Landscaping Ideas on a Budget

Create an instant backyard water feature with your downspouts. Lay down plastic trash bags on the ground as a liner. Pour over river rock and add plants and mulch. When the rain water travels down the spout and over the rocks, it provides a beautiful rock water feature. | Woo Home

This genius backyard hack mounts flower baskets on wooden posts. Doesn’t that beautifully line the walkway? | Cottage at the Crossroads

Damage from sun, snow, salty air, wind, or rain? Don’t purchase new wood furniture on products that are weathered. Renew weathered wood with this front door home improvement project. Just add Howard Products SunShield Outdoor Furniture Wax with UV Protection.

Set the ambiance with lights. This is a very easy tutorial on how to string lights from natural elements like tree limbs using galvanized buckets and concrete. (As seen in our Backyard Movie Ideas) | Ida klipper och klistrar (in English)

In our cheap patio ideas, we shared this cheap patio lighting idea. Even a small backyard can bet transformed by hanging string lights in potted lamp posts. Great a glow with pots of beautiful flowers. | I Should be Mopping the Floor

Take an ugly fence from drab to fab with this DIY Horizontal Slat Fence. Transforms your outdoor space on the cheap. | Fresh Mommy Blog

Create a beautiful backyard ambiance using Christmas Lights (even when it isn’t winter!) Shop Wayfair for Lights.

Transform your seating area and dinning area with this step-by-step DIY Patio String Lights Tutorial. | Place of My Taste

Tired of weeds? Did you know this newspaper hack will prevent any grass and weed seeds from germinating; the ultimate weed solution. Important to note that unlike WeedBlock Barrier fabric, it will decompose after about 18 months. | Rosemary on the TV

Transform your garden fence with this marble hack and cheap backyard landscape idea. Drill holes, insert colored marbles, and watch the light create a beautiful rainbow sun catcher. I get you will spend more and more evenings outside enjoying the colors of the sunset! | Garden Drama

Planters can be expensive. Did you know you can upcylce a Styrofoam cooler into a DIY Planter! | Salvage Sister and Mister

Have a place to hold beverages. This can be something that goes outside and inside or stays outside on the patio. This DIY Beverage Tub comes with two SVG files.

Don’t open your wallet, I bet you have everything to make these DIY Glowing Outdoor Orbs for about $1 to $3 (if anything!) | The Art of Doing Stuff

These DIY Fire Pit was only $60! Consider it a weekend project. You could later add a homemade fire pit bench. | Keeping It Simple Crafts

This couple took a $20 yard sale armoire and upcylced it to cover unsightly wires from a meter reader and electrical box. They turned the other half into a vegetable garden bed. | Shabby Glam

As seen in our garden hacks and tips, try this pot-in-pot method, so you can switch plants almost instantly. | Florida Friendly Plants

Patiently wait and watch this bean pole teepee plant grow. Such a fun and inexpensive backyard idea that also acts as the perfect DIY fort and hangout for the kids. | Artful Parent

Have an area of the lawn that is brown and isn’t growing? Hiring a landscape designer can be costly. Instead, replace dead grass with a DIY Rock Garden. Save money by replacing turf with rocks! | Home Talk

Transform your flower beds with this garden hack. Put your terracotta pots within the grown and assign each pot a different herb. | Town Mouse

Add charm and character to your area with rock wall edging against a colorful flower bed. | Pine and Prospect

Take an eyesore like a HVAC unit or garbage cans. Hide these ugly items with easy to install decorative fencing. | All Things Mama

Solve the problem of mud and dirt on your shoes with this frugal-friendly up-cycled wood pallet walkway. Such a beautiful garden idea and a stray from the traditional stone path. | The Homespun Hydrangea

Look at these DIY Midsummer Nights Backyard Lighting Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Save these Garden Tips and Hacks when creating your own perfect space. Pin to Pinterest.

18 Creative IKEA BILLY Bookcase Hack Ideas

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May 10, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Hacks, Home Improvement, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media Leave a Comment

Eighteen Creative IKEA BILLY Bookcase Hacks and Ideas. Get inspired with these low cost IKEA home decor ideas for those with million dollar taste.

IKEA BILLY Bookcase Hacks

IKEA Billy Series

The IKEA Billy Series has been around over 50 years. Developed in 1979 by the Swedish designer Gillis Lundgren, IKEA has sold over 60 million units of the bookcases worldwide. Obviously it’s a popular series. Well the world has gotten more creative and the platform of Pinterest has been created. This media sharing has inspired many Billy Bookcase creative designs with an IKEA low-cost price tag.

IKEA BILLY Bookcase Ideas

We have found same amazing Billy bookcase IKEA ideas. Enjoy this list of the top 18 IKEA BILLY Bookcase ideas. Show us what you design after being inspired by these IKEA hackers.

If you want a floor to ceiling custom built in, get started with this BILLY Bookcases cheat sheet and stacking formula. Turn IKEA BILLY Bookcases with glass doors into the most perfect built in you’ve ever seen with this full tutorial. | Vintage Revivals

Turn your shelving unit into a craftsman dream by adding trim. Adding molding to IKEA BILLY bookcase makes it look like an expensive built in unit. | Blesser House

Get crafty for the kids! Turn a white bookshelf into a life size DIY dollhouse. Touches of paint, wallpaper, craft paper and dollhouse furniture and you have a complete home. | The DIY Village

This BILLY bookcase lighting hack adds illumination to any space! Best of all, Jamie doesn’t even have to flip a switch this this remote control lighting trick! | Southern Revivals

This BILLY bookcase hack closet idea is perfect for someone who lacks the IKEA closet PAX wardrobe space. Lauren has quite the experience with IKEA storage units too. Her entire room has intricate plans! | Blesser House

Make your book shelf pop with this DIY hack with billy bookcase drawers. Turn your BILLY book shelves into a colorful dresser. | Infarrantly Creative

This built-in day bed and reading nook transformed this playroom. The hidden gem is created form two different sizes of IKEA bookcases. | House Homemade (Also seen in our Reading Corner Ideas for Kids)

I gave my husband these plans and begging him to make this IKEA billy bookcase entertainment center for only $300! It would resolve our “no entertainment center” problem by 1,000s! | Amanda Katherine

Look at this home improvement hack! Cover an ugly AC Wall Unit with an IKEA bookcase hack. | Design Evolving

This BILLY Bookcase bedroom idea is perfect for a little girls room. Combining a dresser and IKEA book shelf and then paint for the most adorable pop! | Designer Trapped

Need more storage in the kitchen? Custom build a pantry with this IKEA bookcase idea. Compare the price! You can buy IKEA pantry cabinets for around $400 or buy a 15” BILLY bookcase (with a door) for just around $100! | Run to Radiance

Look at this great idea! Take an IKEA bookcase and install over a door or entryway! | The Accent Piece

Revamp your playroom with this painted IKEA bookcase storage unit. Perfect for organizing – so easy on the eyes. | Blesser House

Paint the background of your custom bookcase like this IKEA playroom idea. Love that pop of green! | Centsational Style

Think outside the box and transform your kitchen island by adding a billy bookcase island with IKEA butcher block. | Golden Boys and Me

Revamp your entryway or even your garage with this custom mudroom built ins From IKEA white bookcases for $300! | The Kim Six Fix

Find a similar IKEA mudroom hack using white bookcases with full design inspiration and links. | House homemade

This might be my most favorite BILLY Bookcase hack. It is so easy and really makes your shelf look like a million bucks. Hide the holes in your BILLY Bookcase with DryDex Spackling. Goes on pink and dries white. How satisfying! | Centsational Style

IKEA BILLY Bookcase Planner

Inspired? Become your own interior designer with the help of the IKEA Billy Bookcase Planner Tools. Create your perfect storage and home improvement solutions. Plan online at IKEA and you’ve completed your design you can add it to your cart and order it online – easy.

Visit IKEA Planning Solutions

Speaking of these IKEA BILLY Bookcase ideas, take a look at these Reading Corner Ideas for Kids. Pin to Pinterest.

Claim more home project ideas with these Older Home Improvement Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

How To Make Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

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April 11, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Easter, Facebook, Hacks, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media Leave a Comment

Intimidated by the Instant Pot? We have the easiest recipe! How To Make Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs in only five minutes plus a Hard Boiled Egg hack that will create easy to peal hard boiled eggs!

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

These might be many reasons you have put the Instant Pot aside since receiving it as a gift or perhaps ordering it Black Friday for yourself. Trust me, I get it. The Instant Pot cooker can be quite intimidating.

If you have been hesitant getting started with the Instant Pot, making hard boiled eggs and easy way to get started. Like really easy. Additionally, they store very easily in the refrigerator making them easy to grab for a quick low calorie snack.

We have a five minute Instant Pot recipe and a Hard Boiled Egg Life Hack that will create the perfect hard boiled eggs. Perfect because they are the perfect firmness and so easy to peel!

Instant Pot Boiled Eggs Recipe

Makes 12 eggs
Cook time: 5 minutes

Only a few simple ingredients and supplies to make the easiest hard boiled eggs ever! Never make eggs the same. Learn about 5-5-5 method for making hard boiled eggs, discover the best Instant Pot egg holder for your electric pressure cooker, and follow this hard boiled egg kitchen hack for creating perfectly easy to peel eggs.

Ingredients:

12 large farm fresh eggs
2 ½ cups water

I love to serve my hard boiled eggs seasoned with Lawry’s Seasoned Salt – so yummy!

Supplies:

Instant Pot
Bowl of ice water

Egg Holder:

Though it is not required, an Egg Holder can help create the best cooked eggs. This 18 Egg Cooking Rack fits a 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot Duo electric pressure cooker.

You also can purchase an egg holder for a 3-quart pressure cooker.

Save this Boiled Eggs recipe for later. Print your recipe and add it to your recipe box or recipe binder! This is my favorite Recipe Binder – I get tired of printing the same recipe over and over. A binder keeps me organized and gives me a place to store my recipes.

How To Make Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living

Scale

Ingredients

12 eggs
2 ½ cups water

Instructions

Add 2 1/2 cups of water to the bowl of the Instant Pot.
Place one dozen eggs in the water.
Put the lid on the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and seal the vent. Set to pressure cook on high for five minutes.
When the cook time is up, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release the pressure.
Hard Boiled Eggs Hack: Remove lid from Instant Pot and transfer eggs to a bowl filled with ice water.
Allow eggs to cool in the ice bath for 20 minutes before peeling to create perfect easier to peel hard boiled eggs.

Recipe Card powered by

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs Recipe. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs Directions

Do you have five minutes of time? If so, that is great because Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs only require five minutes. Follow these step by step directions to make cooking hard boiled eggs easy peasy.

First, add 2 1/2 cups of water to the bowl of the Instant Pot.

Second, place a dozen eggs in the water.

Put the lid on the Instant Pot and seal the vent.

Set the pressure cook on high setting a timer for five minutes on high pressure.

When your cook time is up, allow the Instant Pot to naturally quick release the pressure.

Next, follow the steps to this boiled egg hack!

Hard Boiled Eggs Hack

Ice is an incredible hack to creating the most perfect, easy-to-peel Hard Boiled Eggs. This is true of cooking in a pressure cooker or on the stove top.

Once your hard boiled eggs are done cooking and your Instant Pot pressure has released, transfer your eggs to a bowl filled with ice water.

Allow your eggs to quickly cool in an ice bath for 20 minutes before peeling.

This hard boiled eggs hack make easy to peel eggs. After submerging in water, the eggs peeled perfectly.

I love to serve my hard boiled eggs seasoned with Lawry’s Seasoned Salt – so yummy!

5-5-5 Method for Eggs

When cooking hard boiled eggs, some remember the 5-5-5 method. Five minutes of electric pressure cooker, five minutes of rest before opening the lid, five minutes of an ice water bath. (However, we did 20 minutes and they turned out perfectly. Consider me a perfectionist or maybe just truthfully a forgetful mother.) Both time worked perfect staying true with the 5-5-20 or 5-5-5 method.

Making eggs for Easter? Take a look at these Inside Out Hard Boiled Easter Eggs. We also have many creative Easter Egg Dying Recipes and Ideas for thinking outside the egg carton!

Instant Pot Cheat Sheet

We have a wonderful Instant Pot Cheat Sheet. This cook time chart provides the ultimate list of Instant Pot Directions. The directions list all the possible things you could want to cook in your Instant Pot including Instant Pot Eggs.

Access Instant Pot Cheat Sheet Digital Download

I keep a copy of these Instant Pot Tips in my Recipe Binder. (Another suggestion would be to laminate this cheat sheet and keep it beside your air fryer. Laminating this instant pot tip guide will keep it clean and easy to wipe.)

Figuring out which Instant Pot Duo is right for your family works best for your family can be tricky. Read more about What Size Instant Pot Do I Need? Pin to Pinterest under your kitchen and recipe boards.

You can find many Instant Pot Recipe Directions in our Instant Pot Recipes and Instant Pot Dinner Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.

Everyday Busy Mom Life Hacks

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March 8, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Hacks, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media 5 Comments

Busy Mom Life Hacks. Everyday mom solutions for moms on the go. From morning routine, to app that connect your family, the crazy sock tip and a dinner solution that will become a a weekly tradition!

Busy Mom Life Hacks

We were in survival mode for two years. Does anyone else go through a season where you are barely making it? This season was a bit too long but I was working full time plus a part-time stay at home mom with twin newborns and a 14 months old. As they grew, the chaos seemed to grow too. More to do, more to accomplish, a never ending to do list trying to win at both work and home.

I wasn’t winning and I had to come up with solutions. First, I learned to balance both work and life/family. I am still working on that one. Second, I began organizing our family in my own family command center – The Busy Mom Binder.I tested this binder on other busy mothers to see what was missing. They were so great and I think I have a very helpful product for you!

Once those things were set in place, I began researching Busy Mom Hacks. These were hacks and tips that would help this mom functionally organize her home. Some of these mom tips I was already doing, others I asked around and inquired what other busy mothers were doing to bring order back to their home….

Thus, our …..

Busy Mom Hacks

I get it guys, I am so busy too. I work and raise three kids and cart them to and fro from after school activities In order to get a hold and re-organize my life, I created the Busy Mom Binder. This keeps your family command center in one spot. It easily organizes your home, your kids and you and gives you a place to direct your husband when he asks that home/kids question for the 100th time – wink!

Get the Busy Mom Binder Digital Download!

This Mommy Hook has saved me many times on a grocery run. I look it to my stroller and run around grabbing what I need. It also holds the diaper bag pretty well!

One of the biggest gifts I have given myself is Grocery Delivery. I hardly visit the grocery store anymore except for a quick forgotten run or to hit the hot bar for a lunch for dinner entree. You can get grocery delivery from 1.) Peapod (what I use) 2.) Instacart (seems to be the most popular) or 3.) Amazon Fresh.

Put things in a laundry basket as you’re going about your day that need to be put away. Then when you go upstairs for bed, put everything away; things like toys and random things from my kids’ rooms. If you lay things like scissors, though, remove them from the path of the child. | Love Love Love Blog

Days of the Week Drawers. Use plastic drawers like these to organize school clothes and help mornings go a little more smoothly. Brilliant! You can find a similar drawer units at Staples.

My car and house keys are on a Retractable Key Chain attached to a carabiner. This is one of the best ways I keep my hands free, especially unloading three kids from car seats and carrying all their stuff! It especially saves me from loosing my keys. I always know they are attached to my bag with a carabiner. I do not even take the keys out of my bag to unlock the door – they stay attached to my bag handle. (You can watch my video here!)

Is the end of a busy day calling for a glass of wine? This Wine Bottle Stopper and Stand has been the most amazing solution for my glass of wine. No more crying over spilled wine in the refrigerator. Since they no longer sell this exact stopper, try this Silicone Stopper and this Wine Bottle Stabilizer Stand.

Read this laundry tip carefully. I can never find the right time to get laundry washed and then put in the dryer. Either I forget to switch it or I leave the house and the wet laundry sits. This is my solution. 1.) I set a timer on my washer. If I know I will return home in three hours, I start the laundry in 2 hours with a delayed timer. 2.) I set an Alexa reminder for when it is complete “Alexa, give me a laundry reminder at 4:30 PM.” … and that is how I get my laundry done as a busy mom!

If you find yourself on the go with a need to run through a drive through, try this Dollar Store shower caddy for holding happy meals and other to-go meals. (As seen in our Car Hacks.)

Prepare your snacks and lunch. Always prepare for the unexpected, that is my motto. So I do snacks and lunches at night. This allows me to prepare for a busy morning and limits my to-do list trying to get out the door. Have a grab and go snack station (for morning or afternoon) like Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom. You can pick up a children’s lunch planner in our Busy Mom Binder.

Turn your veggies into characters! Jane Stine is a super hero. Quote straight from her “Here’s my best parenting hack. You know how kids always want Paw Patrol yogurt or Disney waffles or whatever? Bring your own stickers to the grocery store and start sticking. Today we’re having Winnie the Pooh brand spaghetti squash. It goes perfectly with Toy Story broccoli.”

So rest is everything to us. I sleep trained my kids and they have been sleeping through the night since 15 weeks of age. When my son started waking early has a 3 year old toddler, I began the solution of a green light letting him know when he can get out of bed. The Hatch Baby Night Light and Time-to-Rise light was our solution (we actually don’t use the night light.)

Create an app folder on your phone. Put inside apps that usually waste time like social media apps. “Stop and Think” before you open this folder! Any since we might be loosing your attention on social media, make sure you are on our email list!

Speaking of apps, this is one your want to organize your family, especially if you have older kids with smart phones. The Cozi Family Organizer App connects calendars, lists, and more to everyone! A three time award winning all, with Cozi you can:

Keep events and activities all in one place
Keep and share the grocery list in real time
Store recipes, plan meals, and shop for ingredients
Use from any mobile device or computer

Read this quote from mom hack influencer, Marleni…

We use the Cozi calendar app for more than just appointments. We use it for groceries too. If it’s not on the list, it doesn’t get bought. And with it synced to Alexa, we can update while we are in the kitchen. The calendar keeps us all on the same page with games, practices, appointments and special days as well as the needed items. The kids also made their Christmas Wish List in cozi this year.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself. I have told you in other posts how I wash my hair once a week. The day before I wash it, I load up my hair with Argan Oil. So there are days, where my hair is just too dirty. On those days I use dry shampoo (Living Proof is my favorite dry shampoo!) You can follow According to D for four days of dirty hair ideas!

Have a daily cleaning list. This keeps you on top of house maintenance. You could also use our less than 1 hour a day deep cleaning checklist. Often 20 to 30 minutes. If each day holds too much, split it among your spouse and among your kids. In our Busy Mom Binder we have a deep cleaning checklist, daily checklist, a monthly declutter challenge and chore chart for kids. Get inspired with these KonMari Method Ideas.

Each week, triple at least one dinner recipe that freezes well. Eat one and freeze the other two for busy nights! It doesn’t take that much longer to make a double or triple amount of a dish, than a single amount. This is a great idea for over the weekend and eventually your frozen meals will add up! This is a great way to pay it forward as well, especially when you sign up for a meal train or gift a dinner to a neighbor or elderly couple. Tip from Mary Ann at Menus 4 Moms.

Make a daily quiet box. This is a box pulled out each day for a set amount of time. Each box is assigned a different day. This is a quite time where mom is free to catch up on work, house hold chores or time to herself. With each box there is a new discovery. If you have two boxes for each day of the week, you can ensure these toys/activities feel pretty new each time they are pulled out (only two times a month!) Idea on Babies and Kids Review.

I don’t know why socks are such an issue but we all complain about them! This Sock Hack is great. First, for younger kids socks, wash them in a mesh bag. This keeps all socks together so they are not lost in the deep dark abyss. Second, try this Crazy Sock Trip from the Thrifty Couple. Each family member has a different color/style of sock, so in the laundry 1.) socks match 2.) you can quickly identify which sock belongs to whom! Genius.

Don’t Forget! Keep a do not forget list by the door. Laminate this list and hang it on your door with a Command Brand strip or Velcro. You can write on it with a dry erase maker and wipe it off with a wet paper towel. No need to leave the house and return home because you forgot something!

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Also enjoy these Life Hacks and Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

Also enjoy these Winning Car Hacks and Tips – for a mom always on the go! Pin to Pinterest.

Busy Mom Solutions | Round Parchment Paper

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February 22, 2020 by Frugal Coupon Mom Filed Under: Amazon, Hacks, Online Shopping Leave a Comment

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