Thursday, September 15, 2011

Quick and easy breakfast!


Always on the run and grabbing a donut for breakfast? Here's a healthy breakfast you can make in 2 minutes or less! You need 2 eggs, 2 Tablespoons milk, 2 Tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Coat a 12 oz. microwave-safe coffee mug with cooking spray. Add eggs and milk; beat until blended. Microwave the mixture on high for 45 seconds and then stire. Microwave about 30 to 45 seconds longer until the eggs are almost set, then top with cheese and season with the salt and pepper. Instant "omelet" in a cup! Tah dah!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

What would you like to order?


OK...I haven't "groveled" for inputs regarding blog topics, design, suggestions, etc. since the end of July (that's pretty patient for me)! So, here we go...What would you like covered in this blog (anything is fair game as long as it ultimately has to do with saving money or getting the most for your money)?
I also am open to great charity donation sites as you've seen over the past couple of years on this blog.

What would make you want to read my blog daily? What would convince you to invite your friends and family to sign up to read this blog?

Thanks in advance (please send ideas)!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Can't let 9/11 pass without an entry...


OK...normally I am all about donations, remembering to help others, being patriotic, etc...Bear with me if I don't do a heavy, monumental tribute to 9/11 - I tend to avoid watching the old newsreels, don't hide in my room to avoid another attack, and try to just treat it as another day...you can't change what happened, but if you make it a huge holiday, you are simply prolonging the pain and adding to ongoing fears and hatred. I agree with those that say you should go out and help someone on 9/11, but do we really need to relive the day with the horrible sights and sounds? I was there - I saw both planes hit the Towers, I was lucky to be later for a meeting there! I saw people jumping, was unable to enter a building over two stories, couldn't call my friends or family to tell them I was ok though thousands were not, and then watched the towers fall...help someone but don't prolong the tragedy! Check out 911day.org for volunteer opportunities and ideas!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Help the Penny Pincher become AZ's Greatest Couponer!


Yours truly has entered a contest here in Arizona to be The Valley's Best Couponer (or some amazing title like that!)...I had to tell how much I saved on average per month grocery shopping (a minimum of $150 if you are curious) and that I spend a total of $350/month maximum for three adults at home plus 6 dogs, a bird and fish...including food for all, toiletries, cleaning supplies, paper goods AND prescriptions...not too shabby, eh?!

I naturally mentioned that I blog on these cost-saving topics too...so, do me a favor....please?!!!!
Share my blog site with friends, relatives, people you don't like and want to spam (just kidding!!!), etc. so that if they check they will see how many people I reach with this blog! Thanks in advance!


Thursday, September 8, 2011

Quick, filling and healthy breakfast ideas!


I've recommended the hungry-girl.com site several times and will do so several more no doubt! In fact you can sign up for their recipes and food finds emailed to you daily by going to hungry-girl.com...WAIT! Don't go yet...finish this post first!

A sampling of great filling yet low-cal recipes from this site caught my eye in a recent issue of "Redbook" magazine. My favorite:

Turkey Scramble - In a large skillet coated with non-stick cooking spray, cook 2 oz raw lean ground turkey with a dash of salt and pepper. Add 5 egg whites and scramble...mix in 2 chopped-up slices of cooked turkey bacon and then top off with 1/2 cup chopped tomato (yuck - I'm not a tomato fan, but I know many of you are!) and another sprinkle of salt and pepper (only 250 calories, 9.5 g. fat)!

Another great idea is the "Oat-rageous chocolate-chip pancakes" - OK, NOW go to the hungry-girl site!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Giving warms the heart and warms the homeless!


In Arizona it's often hard to remember that fall is upon us and cooler temperatures will be chilling those who are homeless throughout the winter months. Start thinking now to help those less fortunate...here are some easy ways to help:

* Visit www.socksnundies.org for a guide to organizing a drive for underwear for the homeless (this is a great scouting or class project)!

* Donate your family's outgrown coats - check www.onewarmcoat.org/donatecoat.php to find a donation site near you!

* Volunteer at a local shelter or soup kitchen - check out www.homelessshelterdirectory.org to get more information.

* Provide a blanket and clean sheets for a homeless child with a $35 donation at www.covenanthouse.org/donate/gift-catalog.

* Click on www.clicktogive.com/End-Homelessness.aspx. You can click it once a day at no cost to you and the site's sponsors will donate to the National Alliance to End Homelessness every time you hit "Click to Give." This one is too easy to pass up...go there now!

Friday, September 2, 2011

Smart Savings...Don't Forget!


I enjoyed Redbook's (Sept.2011) article entitled "There are no dumb ways to save!" I still think some of the ideas were a bit silly (though not necessarily dumb!) - such as giving yourself a tip every time you give yourself a manicure or putting $2 in a can every time you do a load of laundry! These are kind of annoying to remember if you ask me. But I did like the idea of checking with my bank to see if they have a free text-message service that will ping me to remind me to move money into savings. I am going to check that out!