saving money - again!

[pianistimo]

any more tips on saving money?  my mom had this one.  buy a cheap timer for the sprinkler so it is not randomly left on too long.  also, we already bought a thermostat that you can set to more precise temps and also set temperatures and times automatically. 

cut the hose to the dryer to 1/2 the length or less (air moves out faster). 

now, i am back to cereal.  those cereal boxes are killing us.  2.95 or 3.00 for a box of cereal.  i'm making homemade cereal again.  you know.  granola.  i have all the ingredients now.  also, thinking of making muffins and breakfast goodies on sunday for theweek.  my sister-in-law cooks whole casseroles which she freezes to thaw and serve during the week. 

also, if you have babies - diaper liners save on the # of diapers.  you just throw the liner and use the diaper twice. 

anything else?  just wanted to be saving a bit more since the price of gas is taking a bigger chunk.

[ramseytheii]

any more tips on saving money?  my mom had this one.  buy a cheap timer for the sprinkler so it is not randomly left on too long.  also, we already bought a thermostat that you can set to more precise temps and also set temperatures and times automatically. 

cut the hose to the dryer to 1/2 the length or less (air moves out faster). 

now, i am back to cereal.  those cereal boxes are killing us.  2.95 or 3.00 for a box of cereal.  i'm making homemade cereal again.  you know.  granola.  i have all the ingredients now.  also, thinking of making muffins and breakfast goodies on sunday for theweek.  my sister-in-law cooks whole casseroles which she freezes to thaw and serve during the week. 

also, if you have babies - diaper liners save on the # of diapers.  you just throw the liner and use the diaper twice. 

anything else?  just wanted to be saving a bit more since the price of gas is taking a bigger chunk.

Tell us how to make granola!

Walter Ramsey

[johnny-boy]

Here's a big money saver. Prepare two large casseroles for the week.

So you don't get bored, switch to the other one every other night. I'll make a bean/rice/corn hot sauce type casserole for one and maybe a big pot of homemade potato soup with fresh baked whole wheat bread for the other. I'm vegetarian, so naturally I choose these kinds of casseroles. But choose your own favorites. The point is you have two main meals for the week at a minimal cost.

The food budget in most households is the big dollar busters. By making a couple meals in bulk, it saves quite an amount of money in a month’s time.

Best, John

[pianistimo]

thanks for the ideas.  keep them coming!

ok.  the granola recipie.  i can't find it.  i think the page fell out of my cookbook. 

www.unclephaedrus.com   has some good recipies.  don't know if they'd have it there.  basically all you do is put a lot of oatmeal in a bowl.  melt some butter and brown sugar together (enough to soften up the oatmeal) and pour it over and mix.  add nuts, raisins, dried fruit.  bake at 350 on a flat sheet until it's all browned.  put into a plastic container when cooled.

i have a really good taco casserole from my mom - too, if anyone wants it.  also, she makes the best chicken curry - but that has to be fresh.  basically cooking in any form saves you money.  and drinks!  we made a peach margurita last night that couldn't be copied in any restaurant (we thought).  you know - putting extra peaches in and blending it really fine.

[pianistimo]

www.hungrybrowser.com/phaedrus/archives.htm

www.hungrybrowser.com/phaedrus/mostpopular.htm

yet.  i still don't see a granola recipie.  will do another search.

well.  i found grape-nuts.  www.hungrybrowser.com/phaedrus/m0428W04

now, why did grape-nuts bring ads below about pet diapers?  hmmm.

[pianistimo]

i just made my own version this morning.  here's how it goes.

dump 3/4 of those large 42 oz round oatmeal containers full of oatmeal (can be the semi ground if you want) into a large bowl.  sprinkle with lots of cinnamon and add chopped nuts.  melt 1 stick of butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 c. approx. of olive oil (softens sugar if it is hard), and some vanilla.  pour it over the oatmeal mix.  stir until blended.  preheat oven to 350 or 400 and bake in a large pan (i use my lasagne pan).  it doesn't really matter if it's 1/2" thick.  just stir occasionally while it's in the oven.  forget how long to brown it - but probably 10-15 minutes.  maybe 20 at the most.  you don't want to burn it.  susan

i forgot.  don't add the raisins when you cook it.  they get too hard and sometimes burn.  add them afterwards when it's cooled.  then, divide it all up into large ziplock bags.

ps you can use almonds or pecans (or any other nut or combo of  nuts).  not sure how cashews bake - but pecans are my favorite.  the batch today was pecans and it smells really good out of the oven.

[pianistimo]

i feel like cooking today.  here's my mom's recipie for 'impossible taco pie.'  you can't ruin it.

impossible taco pie (casserole)

1lb ground beef
1/2 c. chopped onion 

cook and drain

add:  1 1/4 oz. taco seasoning
1 can enchilada sauce
1 4oz can chopped green chilis

spread mixture in baking pan

add one can of drained kidney beans on top.

combine in blender or cuisinart:
1 3/4 c. milk
3/4 c. bisquick
or cornmeal with a little baking poweder and salt
3 eggs

pour over the top of the casserole and bake 35-40 minutes in preheated 350 or 400 degree oven.  take the casserole out and add grated sharp cheddar cheese to the top.  put back in and bake for 8-10  minutes more.  serve with sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, avacados (all chopped and spread on the top).

[thalbergmad]

You could always switch your computer off for a month.

That would save some money.

Thalxxxxxxxxxx

[pianistimo]

i've thought of that, actually.  it would save time for me in a big way.  maybe next month.