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FREE Canning/Jar Labels from Martha Stewart
This is a fun FREEBIE, especially for summer time and fruit preserves.
Get FREE Canning or Jar Labels from Martha Stewart.
Find more FREE Stuff on Frugal Coupon Living.
Thanks, Stretching a Buck
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Guest Post: 7 Tips to Gardening on a Budget
With the economy the way it is, home gardening is on the rise. Personally, we started gardening this year and are prepared to reap the benefits soon! While preparing and maintaining a garden is hard work, it is also rewarding… emotionally, physically, and can be easy on the wallet! Here are some quick key lessons I’ve learned to help me garden on a budget…
1. Select an area for your garden/Size of your garden– Always consider the amount of space you will have to garden (including a “working” area for you to move around in). Whether it’s a small section or a large space, make sure iron out exactly how much space you’ll have for your garden.
2. Research your options– With the internet at your fingertips, you can google anything! It takes no time to figure out what you’ll need to prepare for your garden!
3. Consider the climate– Before you select which vegetables you would like to plant, consider the weather! The last thing you want to do is to invest in planting a vegetable in the wrong season/weather (only to find nothing growing and wasting your time/money)!
4. Select your vegetables– When selecting your vegetable that you would like to plant, consider the amount of space you’ll need and what work will be involved.
5. Determine a budget– Figure out as much of the costs up front as you can. Depending on your space, consider things like Will you select raised beds? Do you have all of the gardening tools you’ll need? How will you protect your garden? Here are a few budget-friendly alternatives to consider when preparing your garden…
- Landscape Cloth (for weed prevention) = Newspaper
- Landscape Stakes/Spikes = Wire Hangers
- Buying Gardening Tools = Borrow Tools (if possible)
- Buying a Trellis = Use Old Broomsticks or Wood
6. Keep a journal– Keep track of everything you’re doing, particularly if this is your first time! This helps you keep track of potentially costly mistakes and help you make better decisions or alternatives for the next season! See an example journal on Amazon.
7. Involve the Family– First… cheap labor! Second, it helps create family memories together and bonding. Third, if you consider the family’s opinions/input, the more interested in it they will become. If you allow the kids make suggestions about planting certain vegetables and allow them to help out in the garden, the more likely they are to eat them!
With our fingers crossed we will have a successful garden this season! Hopefully these frugal gardening tips will help inspire and motivate some to consider gardening. It has truly been a blessing for my family and hope that it is for yours as well!
Cristi, author of The King’s Court IV is a full-time working, wife and mother of 2 who’s been blogging since December 2009. The goal of The King’s Court IV is to provide lots of money-saving tips, great store deals, fabulous recipes, and share the stories of family life for all to enjoy!
WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.
Publix Weekly Ad Recipe: Not Fried Chicken
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Budget Recipe: Easy Potato Leek Soup
It’s that time of year when soup sounds good just about every night to make us feel warm and cozy. This one fits the bill and it’s cheap too. Probably the most expensive thing in this recipe is the optional bacon; but if you are stockpiling, you may already have some in your freezer! If you don’t have any, it really is optional – perfectly tasty without it.
POTATO AND LEEK SOUP
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 leeks, chopped (can do white part only or all of it – your preference)
2 tablespoons flour
4 cups chicken stock
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup low fat milk
Optional: Crumbled bacon on top when served
- Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat.
- Raise heat to medium-high and add onions and leeks. Sauté gently until soft.
- Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes.
- Gradually stir in stock.
- Add potatoes, bring to a boil. Reduce to Medium-High until potatoes are fork tender – about 10-15 minutes.
- Stir in milk and salt and pepper to taste.
- Puree soup in a blender. Return to pot on low until ready to serve.
Serves 6.
Enjoy!
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Kraft Food and Family
This might be a nice email to receive in your “coupon” email account. Since you probably have a nice stockpile of Kraft foods (as there are always coupons and sale combinations out there) sign up Here for their Food and Family emails for recipes, savings, and more. I actaully LOVE their Kraft Food and Family magazine. It is sent quarterly and has not only great coupons but nice recipes. I have asked my girlfriend, Becca, a number of times where a recipe is from and she has referred back to that booklet.
Sign up Here.
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Guest Post – Graham Cracker Toffee Bars
This DELICIOUS recipe comes from Sarah at A Thrifty Mom!
Thanks, Sarah
When I was little I was addicted to sugar…but now that I am an adult I am more excited about a good salad, than dessert. But this recipe is one of those that still makes me want to eat the whole pan, I LOVE them!
Start out by smashing one package of graham crackers ( not the whole box just one of the clear packages inside)
Once you get the crackers all smashed up, put in the bottom of a 9X13 pan
pour one stick of melted butter on top
Take a fork and make sure the cracker crumbs are well coated with butter
Then press down in a flat even layer in the bottom of the pan.
Place in an oven at 350 degrees for 12 min
this will create a crust
While still hot out of the oven pour one can of sweet and condensed milk ( not evaporated)
Pour in a thin even layer over the whole crust
Top with what ever you like, I use about 1/2 a cup of the following
- chocolate chips
- peanut butter chips
- nuts or ( i use sunflower seeds, my friend who had a daughter allergic to nuts made it this way and I LOVE it so, I have never switched back)
- coconut
- M&Ms candys
While still hot place back in a 350 degree oven and bake for another 25-35 mins till edges are golden brown. Let cool at least 30 mins…..and enjoy
This is what Matt and I did to the pan in ONE night……I am telling you this is one of my favorites! Hope you enjoy them too.
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FREE Nestle Recipe Book
You can find a similar cookbook here.
WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.