Roasted Winter Root Vegetables

3 parsnips washed, peeled and cut up
3 small potatoes washed, peeled and cut up
several baby carrots cut up
several radishes cut up
toss in a bowl with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
salt & pepper
(I did not measure these)
bake at 400F for 40 minutes, turn after 20 minutes

Eat right away- yummy! You could throw some onions in there too.

CVS Deal of the week

I went to CVS in a snowstorm armed with some Cottonelle coupons from their website.  When I scanned my CVS card at the kiosk I got 2 more Cottonelle coupons- you can stack CVS coupons with manufacturer coupons.

I bought 2 each 18-pk Cottonelle toilet paper @ $10 each, 2 tubs each Cottonelle wipes @ $2 each, 1 pk Cottonelle wipes refill @ $2 each, and 1 pk Kotex-U liners @ $1.49 each= $27.49 (before tax).

I had 3 each $0.50 off Cottonelle coupons for the toilet paper and wipes and 1 CVS coupon for $3 off Cottonelle and 1 CVS coupon for a free tub of wipes when I bought 1 pk of Kotex-U.  I also had $10 ECB from a previous transaction and a $5 off CVS coupon for completing a CVS survey online.  My total after coupon was $6.06 (with tax).  I got $10 more ECB back.

I also got a coupon for 10% off all Beauty purchases for joining the CVS Beauty Club.

Happy New Year!

(Ok, I'm a little late.) 

There is this wonderful blog called Couponing To Disney.  The author teaches you how to save money by shopping wisely and how to put that money aside for a trip to Disney (or whatever else you want to save up for).  She also gives you some great tips on Disney World trips.  Two years ago in 2009, I decided to have a garage sale in the summer and I also kept track of all the money I saved from bargain shopping, etc.  Last year in 2010 I decided to try to double my efforts and we were able to go on a short Disney trip (mainly because of a large refund from the gas company).

This year in 2011 my goal is to save 2 and a 1/2 times the amount I saved that first year.  What I do is tally any extra money that comes in- rebate checks, gift cards earned, prescription reimbursements, gifts received (money or gift cards), anything won, any money made selling things (garage sale, etc.), and any other unexpected money that shows up.  I do not count regular paychecks or any store rewards credits such as Extra Bucks, catalinas, etc.  I have been doing Swagbucks for a little while and I have earned a few Amazon gift cards, but I'm not that into it.

So, let the games begin! (Oh and maybe we'll plan another little vacation if everything goes well.)

WFMW- Christmas Gift Ideas for Teachers

Money is still tight with everyone this year so I was trying to think of some inexpensive but nice teacher gifts.  First of all, I have some teacher friends and they all say- no coffee mugs or apple-themed items please!  They get a lot of those.  Most teachers would really appreciate a handwritten note from your child more than anything.  Homemade ornaments or crafts are nice too.  In my opinion a gift card, even in a small amount like $5, makes a really great gift.  You can pair it with a candy bar or mints or gum.  I usually save some $5 Target gift cards throughout the year to use as gifts.  There was also an iTunes promotion on $10 gift cards a few weeks back.  In addition to her regular teacher, my daughter also has some other helpers, bus drivers, etc.  I usually give them candy or mints.  You can usually find stuff on sale around Halloween time- just don't get Trick-or-Treat packaging!  Different color M&M's look really cute in a plain jar with a bow.  A really easy treat to make is pretzel-kisses-melts.  Just put one layer of mini pretzels twists on a cookie sheet and top with one Hershey's Kiss (any flavor).  Melt in the oven on 250 for a few minutes until soft (watch closely).  Immediately top with one M&M- I use red and green.  Cool and store in a Ziploc bag or other container. Very yummy salty and chocolate snack!

More WFMW at We Are That Family.

Menu Plan Monday August 30

Here's what I have planned for this week- but you know it doesn't always work out!

Monday: Stuffed Pepper Casserole (I had in the freezer) with Field Greens salad
Tuesday: Crescent roll hot dogs (ok I know, I have to use them up)
Wednesday: ??? (I don't know yet)
Thursday: Macaroni & Beef (grass-fed beef), local green beans
Friday: Slow cooker chicken taco meat
Saturday: left-over buffet

More Menu Plan Monday here!

(My new blog starts Wednesday September 1st)

What to do with extra school supplies?

The stores are still practically giving away school supplies this week. Here are 3 things you can do with the extra school supplies you bought.

1. Donate them to a food pantry. Food pantries often give out school supplies this time of year.
2. Donate them to a local school. Each year teachers spend hundreds of dollars of their own money to buy school supplies for their classrooms.
3. Save them to put in a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child- coming in November.

Changes are coming!

Look for my new blog 90 Days of Change starting September 1st!