$1 Fruit Smoothies at Burger King

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  This Labor Day Weekend  Burger King is offering small Smoothies for a dollar.  Enjoy

  
  

Homemade Taco Seasoning

In an effort to help stretch your food dollars here is a recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning.

What you'll need:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:
In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients. Store in an airtight container. When ready to use, add 1/4 cup of water to 1 pound of browned ground beef, steak or chicken. Immediately sprinkle with 2 1/2-3 tablespoons of seasoning. Stir to combine. Simmer until liquid is absorbed.


Serving size: 2 1/2 - 3 Tablespoons per 1 pound of meat.


The recipe comes from http://starneslifefamilylove.blogspot.com

Budget Notebook

Another way to budget from Sarah at http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com

A couple weeks ago I shared my really simple notebook daily planner. I use a similar system for my budget. I have tried different fancy-pantsy budgeting tools...on-line thing-a-ma-jiggers that give you all sorts of serious bar graphs and pies and tabulations and what-have-you. I hated them, and they did nothing for me, and I thought they were so much more work than I thought my notebook system is. I explained in the daily planner post how I need to put pen to paper to have my brain work correctly...a computer screen just doesn't do it for me.  Continue reading at http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/2011/09/budget-notebook.html

4 Things I Do to Keep Our Grocery Budget at $200/mo. for a Family of Four

This idea comes from Lydia Beiler blog http://www.parents.com/blogs/thrifty-frugal-mom/2012/05/03/must-read/4-things-i-do-to-keep-our-grocery-budget-at-200mo-for-a-family-of-four/

 This $200 also includes all toiletries, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, diapers/wipes, paper supplies and any sort of item like that.

1. Choose to do Without
While choosing to do without is not really popular or even always a fun, it honestly is probably one of the biggest ways we save.
Some of the ways we do without are:

• Vince takes sandwiches in his lunch almost every day to work. But he has insisted that he doesn’t need both meat and cheese so most days he just has a meat and lettuce sandwich. At first I felt bad but he really doesn’t mind and the savings of not buying all that cheese does make a difference.
• Speaking of cheese, we hardly ever eat cheese just by itself. I use it in cooking but we rarely have it just to eat as a side or snack. Do we not like cheese? No, actually we all love cheese! But it is something we’ve decided to consider a luxury around here to help keep our spending low.
• Orange juice is a splurge item that I get only when I can buy it for $0.99 or less. Again, we all love orange juice but it’s not something we need to have and we can easily eat fruit and get our recommended serving that way much cheaper.
• We don’t buy lots of snack foods. Talk about a fast way to jack your grocery spending up- this is one of them! We actually don’t eat many snacks and if we do they tend to be more things like raisins, nuts, fruit or homemade cookies and granola bars. I still buy chips and crackers sometimes if I can get them for a great price but they are not things that we always have on hand.
• We do several different things to save money on meat. But one of the big ways that we save is simply by not buying expensive cuts. In fact I have a maximum buy price of $2.00/lb. for meats (and actually for cheese too) which means that we don’t often eat things like bacon or steaks. But so far we haven’t suffered and I think we still have a great variety!

One of the side benefits to choosing to do without some things is that you learn to appreciate what you do have even more. For instance, because our sandwiches typically consist only of meat and lettuce suddenly a sandwich with meat AND cheese becomes a real treat and we enjoy it immensely. Somehow I think doing without helps us appreciate some of the little things in life more fully.
2. Don’t be Brand Snobs
When I began using coupons I started realizing that I could save a lot if I chose to be open minded about trying brands than I didn’t typically use. You don’t have to be very smart to figure out that if your usual brand of spaghetti sauce typically costs $0.99 on sale but you can get another brand for just $0.50 using a coupon that you are going to save a bundle! I’ll be honest, there are still a couple of products that I am a brand snob about but overall I purchase whatever I can get for the least amount of money.
3. Cook from Scratch
I grew up in a home where my mom cooked mostly from scratch so I was used to this. And fortunately I enjoy cooking and baking. But it was still convenient to buy pre-packaged things to save time. It didn’t take me long to realize that it also was often a quick way to blow money.
Yes, cooking from scratch might take a bit more time but with a bit of planning ahead I’ve learned that it can be relatively fast too. One of the things I do that helps save time is to cook up large quantities of ground beef and chicken and then put it in the freezer in smaller portions. That way whenever I need a pound of ground beef or 2 cups of chicken for a recipe, I’m saved the time of having to cook it up. I also often make double recipes of a dish and then freeze half of it. Making twice as much of something doesn’t take much longer at all and when I have an usually busy day it’s so handy to be able to just pull dinner out of my freezer. I also apply this same principle to baked things like bread, rolls, cookies and biscuits.
4. Have a Price List
This might seem a bit silly but it does really help. By keeping track of which stores have the lowest prices on certain items I have been able to save a lot. And it also helps me know when something is a good stock up price too. It’s something that takes a minimal amount of time and effort but does pay off.

Date Night at Home

Check out: http://www.themomcrowd.com/30-ideas-for-a-date-night-at-home for some great ideas for date nights at home

Old Wives’ Tales For Homemakers

This post comes from Tipnut:   http://tipnut.com/

This is a read that gives a look at superstitions from back in the day.


This collection is a little different than my regular lists of vintage tips as some are superstitious (though there are practical nuggets here too). It’s hard to say how old any of them are, how they came about or why they were considered worthwhile to know.
Old wives tales were a simple way to impress upon someone the importance of doing (or not doing) a particular thing, in a manner which would be remembered and easily passed on from one generation to the next. Sometimes you have to interpret the hidden nuggets (ie. maybe salt stopping evil in its tracks was code for pest control, or the dire warning of accidentally boiling over the milk was more about taking care of precious food stores).
The stories could be regionally important, culturally significant, spiritually necessary (in the minds of those who repeated them), or vital to the health of the household budget (remember there was a time when the prices of salt and other pantry items were quite dear).
I’m not claiming these should be taken seriously or are vital information, I just find them interesting and in some cases useful to know. I pretty much kept the collection light, avoiding the death warnings and the evil eye or witch fears…though if you’re interested in that, stock up on sage and salt STAT, lol…nothing too dramatic in this bunch. I hope you enjoy them and they pique your interest as they do for me .

continue reading: http://tipnut.com/old-wives-homemakers/

How To Tell If A Watermelon Is Ripe

This article comes from the Hillbilly Housewife web site:

http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/


Summer is the time for cookouts, picnics, and watermelon. If you’re like me, you can’t wait to break open the first watermelon of the season.
Sometimes your rush ends up in disappointment because the watermelon you’ve chosen just isn’t tasty, which means it just isn’t ripe.
Let’s discuss how to tell if a watermelon is ripe so when you crack it open, it tastes like summer.
The trick to finding a ripe watermelon is to go beyond its appearance. Unlike some fruit, you can’t rely on your sense of sight to determine if you’re about to buy a nice, ripe, juicy watermelon. Take a banana, for instance. If the peel is yellow, chances are it’s ripe. With a watermelon you also have to call on your sense of sound and your sense of smell.
Watermelons, no matter what variety – small round or large football shaped – have a particular sound when you knock on them. A ripe watermelon will give you a “thud” sound when you knock on it with your knuckles. Hold the watermelon close to your ear by cradling it in one arm, then knock on it with your opposite hand; like you’re knocking on a door. You should hear a dull sound, not a high ringing sound. Do this to several watermelons until you get the sound that doesn’t resonate a lot; it sort of disappears into the watermelon. This may not make any sense until you actually thump a few!
The watermelon scent is very distinctive and is another clue to a ripe watermelon. Once you’ve chosen a watermelon with the right sound, you need to use your sense of smell to finalize the deal. Take your watermelon and walk away from the bin so your nose isn’t confused by too much watermelon scent. Get your nose close to the watermelon end and sniff. You should get a delicious watermelon scent.
If your nose is still confused by all the watermelon aromas, walk over to the coffee aisle and do the old wine tasting trick. Clear your nostrils with a whiff of coffee scent. Wait a minute, then sniff your watermelon.
Now that you know how to tell if a watermelon is ripe, dive right into that beautiful pile at your grocery store or farmers market. Bring home a ripe, juicy watermelon for your family today and enjoy the fruit that says “summer is here!”

9 Reasons Debt is Bad for You

A little debt won’t hurt, will it? That’s how it starts. You make a small purchase on your credit card and the next thing you know you have thousands of dollars in debt. But, what exactly is wrong with having a little – or a lot – of debt? A lot, actually.

Debt encourages you to spend more than you can afford.

There’s something about debt that can continue to make you spend, even though you can’t really afford the payments. Part of the allure of debt is the fact that you can get the emotional high from getting new things now, without having to part with the money now. In fact, it can feel like you’re getting something for nothing. But eventually, that spending will catch up with you.

Debt costs money.

Even though debt feels free when you first create it, it’s not really free at all. In general, you pay a price for the debt you create. That price comes in the form of interest. The higher the interest rate, the more you’ll end up paying for your debt. Also, the longer it takes you to pay off and the higher your debt load, the more interest you’ll pay. The only exception is an interest-free loan or credit card promotion.

Debt borrows from your future income.

Anytime you take out a loan or charge something on your credit card, you’re simply borrowing from the money you hope to earn in the future. Do you really want to spend your money paying for something you've already used up and don't get much value from any more?

High interest rate debt causes you to pay more than the item cost.

If you buy a $2,000 on your credit card at 11% and only make the minimum payment, you’ll end up paying more than $3,400. That’s $1,400 more than the furniture actually cost. Even if you raised your monthly payment to $100 and paid off the balance, you’d still pay close to $220 extra. On the other hand, you could save up $100 a month for 20 months and make the purchase with no extra cost.

Debt keeps you from accomplishing your financial goals.

Monthly debt payments limit the amount of money you have to spend on other things, not just retirement, but the trip you always wanted to take or Christmas presents for your family. The more debt you accumulate, the more your monthly payments will be and the less you have to spend on everything else.

Debt can keep you from owning a home.

Credit card, auto, and student loan debt are all considered when you make a mortgage application. If your other debt payments are too high, you may get turned down for a mortgage loan. That means, you’ll be stuck renting until you pay off some of all your other debt.

Debt can lead to stress and serious medical problems.

When you have debt, it’s hard not to worry about how you’re going to make your payments or how you’ll keep from taking on more debt to make ends meet. The stress from debt can lead to mild to severe health problems including ulcers, migraines, depression, and even heart attacks according to a poll done by Associated Press and AOL.

Debt can hurt your marriage.

Debt puts unnecessary pressure on the household’s finances and creates a lack of financial security for your spouse and your children. You may argue about who’s creating debt, how much debt is too much, and who’s responsible for the debt that’s accumulated. These fights can escalate and lead to a breakdown in the marriage.

Debt hurts your credit score.

Part of  your credit score – 30% to be exact – is based on the amount of debt you have. The more debt you have compared to your credit limits and original loan balances, the lower your credit score will be. Even if you’re not shopping for a credit card or loan, your credit score affects your life and the cost of other products and services, like auto insurance.

Written by LaToya Irby.

Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time

Thoughts from Elder Quentin L. Cook

Preparing for a Layoff

According to the experts, many of us will be laid off more than once. So, it's a good idea to be prepared. It's is survivable, but still a very stressful time, even if you are one of the "stars" in your workplace. Stars get laid off, too. Don't expect a layoff to be rational. 


DO NOT look for a new job from your current place of employment! Employers in the U.S. have the right to watch what you are doing with company assets (e.g. your office computer, your office Internet connection, etc. even if you work from home), and they may see that e-mailed resume and/or your many visits to Monster, etc. That can a very quick way to get fired!

You are the most attractive to a potential employer when you are still employed. 



Getting Ready to Be Unemployed
If you've done a little ground work and some planning, you'll feel more in control when the proverbial ax falls. Here are some things you can do in advance of being laid off, both at work and at home.


Read more at: http://www.job-hunt.org/layoffs/preparing-for-a-layoff-office.shtml

Homemade Fruit Leather

3 lbs fresh fruit, washed and hulled/pitted, etc.
1 cup of 100% fruit juice {use 1/3 cup per pound of fruit}
1-2 TSBP sugar, if desired

Wash fruit and remove the hull/ pit, etc. Slice in half and place in a pot on the stove. Add fruit juice and cook fruit until it's soft. Add sugar if you'd like. I've made it with and without- we loved it both ways, so I opt to leave it out. However if your fruit is tart, it might be good to add a tablespoon or two.

The next step is to blend/ puree the fruit until it's super smooth. You can do this in a variety of ways, depending on what kitchen gadgets you have. I love my immersion blender and it works great for this- just stick it in the berries and blend. It took about 10 seconds to make a smooth puree. I blended it for about a minute just to make sure I got all the chunks. You can also transfer the fruit to a blender and puree it that way.

 Pour the puree onto 2 jelly roll pans lined with parchment paper. You might want to trim the paper down a bit so that the side doesn't fall down into the puree. Mine did once and that fruit never dried out.

Set the oven to 170 degrees and prop the door open using a wooden spoon. As I said before, I've tried many recipes for fruit leather and I think this is the step that made the most difference! As the fruit is drying, the moisture needs somewhere to escape. Just be sure to keep any toddlers out of the kitchen or block it off with a baby gate.

Dry the fruit in the oven for 6-7 hours. Check it at 6 hours and see if you can peel it from the parchment paper. The fruit will still be slightly sticky. You don't want to make it crispy by cooking it too long! If it all peels up- it's done! If you still have portions that aren't cooked, put it back in the oven for another hour.

Once it's all done, before removing it from the parchment paper, cut it into strips. Then peel the paper off. There's no need to take time to roll with plastic wrap or wax paper or anything- just stick all the strips in a ziplock bag. Stick it in kid's lunches, serve as a snack, etc. 

Save on Prescription Drugs

The cost of prescription drugs can be an enormous drain on the budget. Enjoy this great article which gives some excellent suggestions on how to treat the high cost of prescription drugs.

http://www.walletpop.com/2011/02/15/savings-experiment-treating-the-high-cost-of-prescription-drugs/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl9%7Csec1_lnk3%7C201866

How to De-Crapify Your Home: A Start-to-Finish Guide

While it's no epidemic, it's hard to argue that most of us have a little "too much stuff". Whether you've got a little or a lot more clutter than you'd like in your home, here's a start-to-finish look at how to streamline your Spring cleaning.

Getting rid of your stuff can be difficult. Things have value to you, whether you've formed a personal attachment to your stuff or you believe you'll have a practical use for it... someday. Most of the time, "personal value" means guilt and "someday" never comes.

We're not talking about going ultra-minimalist here, but rather making a concentrated effort to only keep the things in your life that you use and actually matter to you. To do this, we're first going to take a look at identifying the crap in your home, then how to get rid of it so you're not always just throwing it away, and finally discuss some methods for actually maintaining your crap-free lifestyle. Let's get to it.

Continue reading at: http://lifehacker.com/5804927/how-to-de+crapify-your-home

What Is Food Storage?

The Utah State Extension Service defines food storage this way “Proper food and water storage can assist families in case of a disaster. When a disaster strikes it may be impossible to obtain food and water, even at the supermarket. Therefore it is important to have adequate food storage and water available in case of a disaster. The Civil Defense recommends storing food and water adequate for each family member for two weeks.” In a nutshell food storage is food that you store for a time of need. In today’s world we see many needs for food storage either with a natural disaster or a disaster of an economy lurking all around us

The $5 Savings Plan

A new tip that I had read on several blogs, of removing and saving $5 bills whenever one lands in my wallet. You may not accumulate a large amount, but a small amount may grow into a significant amount with persistence.  You may even find yourself paying closer attention to the money in your wallet.

Tracking Spending and Expenses

To build a realistic financial budget, start by figuring out where your money goes now.  There are three steps to creating a budget:
1) Identify how your money is currently being spent.
2) Evaluate that spending to see if it meets the financial priorities you specified in Lesson 1.
3) Track your ongoing spending to make sure it stays within those guidelines (or to understand how your budget needs to be revised).
If you happen to use Quicken, Microsoft Money or other such software, you're in luck. These programs generally make it easy to draw up a budget.
In Quicken, for example, every time you make a deposit, write a check, pay a credit card bill or dispatch an electronic payment you are asked to assign it to a particular category, such as "salary," "clothing," "groceries," "child care" or "health insurance."
You can also create subcategories, dividing "auto" expenses into "fuel," "insurance" and "service." The program comes with a set of categories that handle most of the basics. You can edit the list to create categories that make better sense for your particular household.
The drawback, of course, is that entering and categorizing all of your income and outflow is a tedious chore.
You can reduce the tedium by judiciously selecting categories. Let's say you are only worried about tracking your spending for recreation and leisure pursuits. You could create categories that cover those types of expenses, and let everything else accumulate under "miscellaneous revenue" or "miscellaneous expense."
The problem with that approach is that you forgo the opportunity to spot problems in other spending areas that you may not even be aware of.
A better solution is to track expenses using electronic banking. That way, you can download your payments and deposits directly from the bank, rather than having to enter them by hand.
The downloaded banking transactions generally show up without any categorization - meaning you'll have to add the categories by hand. But if you use a credit card that is issued by a bank that permits electronic access, then the downloaded charges from your card sometimes do come with categories attached (they aren't always right, so check them).
Either way, once you've got your spending tracked by category, drawing up a report requires only a few clicks of the mouse. Even better, such programs often have an automatic budget-creation feature that scans your spending in the past in order to estimate how much you'll spend going forward.
If your finances aren't wired, you can still get a good handle on your spending the old-fashioned way. Start by getting all your records together from the past 12 months, including pay stubs, loan proceeds, withdrawal slips, canceled checks and itemized credit-card statements. Then go through them and compile totals for your income and expenses in a set of categories that makes sense for you.
At the end of this exercise, you may still have a sizable lump of spending that's undocumented - typically, the money you withdraw in cash and then spend on day-to-day needs. If this portion of your budget seems to be getting out of hand, keep a journal for the next four weeks in which you record every nickel you spend. You can use those results to extrapolate how your cash is being spent throughout the year.
Now that you've got a good picture of where your money is going, you can proceed to evaluate which parts of that spending should be raised or lowered.

Another installment form Money Magazine.

Wheat Waffles

Makes 8 waffles
2 cups flour (1 cup white and 1 cup wheat)
4 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. honey or sugar 1 3/4 cup milk
6 tbsp. salad oil 2 eggs
Mix dry ingredients together, including nonfat dry milk. Stir in remaining ingredients. For lighter waffles, separate eggs. Beat egg whites and carefully fold in.

Live on $14,000 a Year

Oh yes ladies and gents you did not read wrong. I am 100% serious. My family of 4 lives on about $14,000 a year. We are not in debt, and own our home and both our cars. Want to know how we do this all and still save money? Well I am going to share some tips that have helped us along the way. I promise that if you just try some of these tips and tricks I will share today, you will notice a HUGE, GIGANTIC, TREMENDOUS difference in your spending habits and the balance in your checking account will no longer create stressed frown lines. You will be filled with nothing, but smiles knowing you are doing alright in the finance department.

Ready or not, let's get started.

Go to her blog at http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/2012/06/how-does-she-live-on-budget.html  Lots of great ideas.

Understanding Credit Card Debt

Are you in credit card debt and only making the monthly minimum payment on your credit cards? If so, you will be paying a lot more than your original balance and your payments will last for a long time.

This chart shows how much you'll pay and how long it will take to become debt free if you pay a 2 percent monthly minimum payment on your credit card. Note that even with interest as low as 12% on a $1,000.00 debt, you'll end up paying an additional $373.00 in interest and it will take you 5.7 years to pay it off. With higher interest rates, the payments last longer and you'll pay more.

Consider paying just a little more toward your debt with the highest interest each month and you'll save significant time and money. This chart shows that with as little as an additional $10 payment per month, you will pay much less interest and will pay for a much shorter duration.

Minimum Payment Comparison Chart $1,000 Credit Card Balance Interest Rate 12% 13% 14% 15% 16% 17% 18% 19% 20% Total if you pay monthly minimum (2%) $1,373 $1,425 $1,482 $1,546 $1,620 $1,704 $1,804 $1,924 $2,073 Years to pay off the loan 5.7 6 6.2 6.4 6.75 7 7.5 8 8.6 Total if you pay monthly minimum plus $10 each month $1,208 $1,231 $1,255 $1,280 $1,308 $1,336 $1,367 $1,400 $1,435 Years to pay off the loan 3.3 3.42 3.5 3.57 3.63 3.7 3.8 3.9 4 By paying $10 more each month, you save this amount $165 $194 $227 $266 $312 $368 $437 $524 $638 Source: National Endowment for Financial Education

Have I Done Any Good?

Just thought you might like a little music.  The Official Music Video, "Have I Done Any Good?" featuring Alex Boye and Carmen Rasmusen Herbert.

Setting Realistic Financial Budgets

Most people avoid creating a financial budget and fewer still stick to one. But it doesn't have to be painful.

If you're the type of person who always has plenty of cash, knows exactly where every penny goes and never has trouble paying bills, skip this chapter. You're either too rich or too smart to need it.
For the rest of us, unfortunately, making - and sticking to - a budget is the essential tool for ensuring that our money gets used the way we need it to. Even if you're in the happy situation of having plenty of income, the homework involved in drawing up a budget can be instructive, since you may find that you are spending more than you wish on items like DVDs, electronic gadgetry or restaurant meals.
Drawing up a budget is usually pure drudgery enlivened only by the reality of staring your foolish spending habits in the face. Why do you have a luxury sound system if neither you nor your spouse listens to it? In fact, one of the chief impediments to budgeting is that most people would rather not know how they really use their money.
It's bad enough to learn this kind of information on your own. It's even worse when a spouse or significant other finds out, since it usually confirms his or her worst fears - and provides new ammunition for future "discussions."
Take heart. Any spending mistakes you're making are probably common and not impossible to kick. Moreover, the bulk of budgeting's pains are at the beginning.
After you have a budget in place - and you've fine-tuned it with a couple of months of actual spending - tracking your expenditures becomes almost automatic.
If your boss at work were to ask you for an analysis of the department's spending, you'd figure it out quickly enough. Budgeting your household should be approached in the same businesslike fashion. A variety of electronic tools can make the process easier.

Another in the series about budgets from Money Magazine  http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/lesson2/index2.htm

Copycat and Clone Recipes of your favorite Brand Items

• Do you wish you could eat out every night, but find that with your current budget you can't afford to eat out once a month?! Now you can enjoy the taste of your favorite restaurant dish in your own dining room. These are not the actual recipes, but the taste is so close your taste buds won't know the difference! 

  
  

  A great web link for copycat recipes  http://www.budget101.com/frugal/copycat-clone-recipes-163/

10 Steps to Making a Financial Budget

Learn how to budget by following these 10 steps on how to bring your spending under control.

1. Budgets are a necessary evil.
They're the only practical way to get a grip on your spending - and to make sure your money is being used the way you want it to be used.
2. Creating a budget generally requires three steps.
- Identify how you're spending money now.
- Evaluate your current spending and set goals that take into account your long-term financial objectives.
- Track your spending to make sure it stays within those guidelines.
3. Use software to save grief.
If you use a personal-finance program such as Quicken or Microsoft Money, the built-in budget-making tools can create your budget for you.
4. Don't drive yourself nuts.
One drawback of monitoring your spending by computer is that it encourages overzealous attention to detail. Once you determine which categories of spending can and should be cut (or expanded), concentrate on those categories and worry less about other aspects of your spending.
5. Watch out for cash leakage.
If withdrawals from the ATM machine evaporate from your pocket without apparent explanation, it's time to keep better records. In general, if you find yourself returning to the ATM more than once a week or so, you need to examine where that cash is going.
6. Spending beyond your limits is dangerous.
But if you do, you've got plenty of company. Government figures show that many households with total income of $50,000 or less are spending more than they bring in. This doesn't make you an automatic candidate for bankruptcy - but it's definitely a sign you need to make some serious spending cuts.
7. Beware of luxuries dressed up as necessities.
If your income doesn't cover your costs, then some of your spending is probably for luxuries - even if you've been considering them to be filling a real need.
8. Tithe yourself.
Aim to spend no more than 90% of your income. That way, you'll have the other 10% left to save for your big-picture items.
9. Don't count on windfalls.
When projecting the amount of money you can live on, don't include dollars that you can't be sure you'll receive, such as year-end bonuses, tax refunds or investment gains.
10. Beware of spending creep.
As your annual income climbs from raises, promotions and smart investing, don't start spending for luxuries until you're sure that you're staying ahead of inflation. It's better to use those income increases as an excuse to save more.

Another lesson from Money Magazine

Help With Dinner

This web site allows you to enter what you have on hand and will give you some ideas for meals to fix.  http://www.myfridgefood.com/index.php

Goals For Setting Priorities

Top 10 things to know when budgeting your money and setting financial priorities.

1. Narrow your objectives.
You probably won't be able to achieve every financial goal you've ever dreamed of. So identify your goals clearly and why they matter to you, and decide which are most important. By concentrating your efforts, you have a better chance of achieving what matters most.
2. Focus first on the goals that matter.
To accomplish primary goals, you will often need to put desirable but less important ones on the back burner.
3. Be prepared for conflicts.
Even worthy goals often conflict with one another. When faced with such a conflict, you should ask yourself questions like: Will one of the conflicting goals benefit more people than the other? Which goal will cause the greater harm if it is deferred?
4. Put time on your side.
The most important ally you have in reaching your goals is time. Money stashed in interest-earning savings accounts or invested in stocks and bonds grows and compounds. The more time you have, the more chance you have of success. Your age is a big factor - younger people (who have more time to build their nest egg) can invest differently than older ones. Generally, younger people can take greater risks than older people, given their longer investment horizon.
5. Choose carefully.

In drawing up your list of goals, you should look for things that will help you feel financially secure, happy or fulfilled. Some of the items that wind up on such lists include building an emergency fund, getting out of debt and paying kids' tuitions. Once you have your list together, you need to rank the items in order of importance (if you have trouble doing so, use the CNNMoney.com Prioritizer for help).

6. Include family members.
If you have a spouse or significant other, make sure that person is part of the goal-setting process. Children, too, should have some say in goals that affect them.
7. Start now.
The longer you wait to identify and begin working toward your goals, the more difficulty you'll have reaching them. And the longer you wait, the longer you postpone the advantage of compounding your money.
8. Sweat the big stuff.
Once you have prioritized your list of goals, keep your spending on course. Whenever you make a large payment for anything, ask yourself: "Is this taking me nearer to my primary goals - or leading me further away from them?" If a big expense doesn't get you closer to your goals, try to defer or reduce it. If taking a grand cruise steals money from your kids' college fund, maybe you should settle for a weekend getaway.
9. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Although this lesson encourages you to focus on big-ticket, long-range plans, most of life is lived in the here-and-now and most of what you spend will continue to be for daily expenses - including many that are simply for fun. That's OK - so long as your long-range needs are taken into consideration.
10. Be prepared for change.
Your needs and desires will change as you age, so you should probably reexamine your priorities at least every five years.

These tips come from Money magazine.

Top 10 FREE Family Events in Utah: August

Here are August's Top 10 Free Family Events in Utah, courtesy of Rachel from Fabulously Free Utah!

It's August. The last month of summer. And for some, not even a whole month. The frantic school shopping, followed by the frantic rush to get in those last few fun activities. Here is a list to get you going and to make the last month the most memorable.

1. Clark Planetarium: Passage to Pangaea- Friday August 3 the Clark Planetarium will be premiering their newest IMAX film, and you have a chance to take your kids for free. Every child who sculpts a dinosaur and brings it to Clark Planetarium by 10:45 that morning will receive free admission to the movie.

2. August is the month of City Days. Midvale, Alpine, Salem, Lindon, Highland and Payson are all hosting their city celebrations this month. Which means, your pick of parades, park activities and fireworks shows. If you're bored on a Saturday night, chances are that there are fireworks going off somewhere.

3. August is also the month of the farmer's market. The valley is bursting with farmer's markets for the next couple of months. Although the produce at the market is not free, the atmosphere and typically games and events for kids are. You never know what you're going to find at your local market from petting zoo's to face painting. Check out markets in South Jordan, Millcreek, Gardner Village, Downtown Salt Lake, Provo, Thanksgiving Point, and Park City and more.

4. Cool Air Concert Series - If you're looking for a fun way to beat the heat, be sure to check out Snowbird's Cool Air Concert Series on their plaza deck. The last two concerts of the series will be held August 4 and August 11, each beginning at 6:00. Bring a picnic dinner, some chairs and a blanket and enjoy the local music.

5. South Jordan International Days: With the Olympics coming up, this is a great time to teach your kids about cultures from around the world. Be sure to check out South Jordan's International Days, August 14-18. You can attend the Opening Spectacular, or one of the country spotlight shows, featuring Costa Rica and Siberia. For younger kids, costumed dancers and musicians from around the world will be at the South Jordan Library August 17 at 11:00 and 1:30.

6. Kite Festival: There are few things more mesmerizing than dozens of kites flying through the air. Which is why I will be at Daybreak's Kite Festival at SoDa Row on August 18. There will be kite demonstrations, exhibitions and activities such as face painting, crafts and games as well as performances by local ethnic groups. Kids can show off their kite in the Kids Kite Parade.


7. Ferragosto Italian Fair: Another great opportunity to teach your kids about other ethnicities will be at the Ferragosto Italian Street Fair, August 18. The festival celebrates the traditional Italian arts & crafts, music, dance and delicious food of the Italian communities living in the Salt Lake Valley.


8. South American Festival: Your family will be well traveled by the end of the summer, especially if you attend Bountiful's South American Festival on August 24-25. Ten countries will be represented at the festival, so enjoy the South American foods, folklore, music, dance and share friendship with people from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Ecuador.


9. Frontier Bank Community Concert: Another opportunity to hear some great music under the open sky is at Deer Valley Amphitheatre on August 22, from 6-8. Come hear the Detonators. bring a cooler full of snacks and dance the night away.

10. Davis County Fair: If you are a County Fair lover, the Davis County Fair is one you don't want to miss. Pony rides, science discovery, live music and diving dogs. For my children, a day in heaven. August 15 to 18 at the Legacy Events Center. Don't miss it!

Just A Thought

76 Healthy Recipe Substitutions

This list comes from Greatist.com  http://greatist.com/health/healthy-recipe-substitutions/

1. Black beans for flour
Swapping out flour for a can of back beans (drained and rinsed, of course) in brownies is a great way to cut out the gluten and fit in an extra dose of protein, Plus, they taste great.

2. Whole wheat flour for white flour
In virtually any baked good, replacing white flour with whole wheat can add a whole new dimension of nutrients, flavor, and texture. Because whole wheat includes the outer shell of the grain, it also provides an extra punch of fiber, which aids in digestion and can even lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

3. Unsweetened applesauce for sugar
Using applesauce in place of sugar can give the necessary sweetness without the extra calories and, well, sugar. While one cup of unsweetened applesauce contains only about 100 calories, a cup of sugar can pack in more than 770 calories! This swap is perfect for oatmeal raisin cookies.

4. Unsweetened applesauce for oil or butter
Don’t knock this one till you’ve tried it. The applesauce gives the right consistency and a hint of sweetness without all the fat of oil or butter. This works well in any sweet bread, like banana or zucchini, or in muffins (like in these low-fat blueberry muffins)— and even with pre-boxed mixes!

5. Almond flour for wheat flour
This gluten-free switch gives any baked good a dose of protein, omega-3s, and a delicious nutty flavor. Check out these classic butter cookies for a simple example.

6. Avocado puree for butter
They’re both fats (albeit very different fats) and have nearly the same consistency at room temperature. The creaminess and subtle flavor of the avocado lends itself well to the texture of fudge brownies and dark chocolate flavorings. Check out this recipe for perfect proportion guidelines.

7. Brown rice cereal with flax meal for Rice Crispies
Brown puffed rice has the same texture as conventional white rice, but with half the calories. The flax adds extra fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and phytochemicals to the mix without compromising flavor!

8. Marshmallow Fluff for butter and sugar (in frosting)
Replacing the fat and sugar in frosting with marshmallow achieves the perfect consistency with many fewer calories. While two tablespoons of marshmallow has just 40 calories and 6 grams of sugar (and no fat!), the same amount of conventional frosting can pack up to 100 calories, 14 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of fat. Need we go on?

9. Natural peanut butter for reduced fat peanut butter
While they may appear better than traditional Skippy or Jiff, reduced fat versions of peanut butter can actually have more sugar — and an extra-long list of artificial additives— than the classics. Natural peanut butter (preferably unsalted) provides the same sweetness without call the extra junk.

10. Vanilla for sugar
Cutting sugar in half and adding a teaspoon of vanilla as a replacement can give just as much flavor with significantly fewer calories. Assuming the recipe originally calls for one cup of sugar, that’s already almost 400 calories cut out!

11. Mashed bananas for fats
The creamy, thickening-power of mashed (ripe!) banana acts the same as avocado in terms of replacing fat in baking recipes. The consistency is ideal, and the bananas add nutrients like potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6.

12. Nut flours for flour
A word of caution: Nut flours don’t rise the same way as wheat flour so an additional rising agent might be needed when replacing more than ¼ cup of wheat. Many gluten-free blogs detail how to streamline nut flour-based baking. And while these flours are typically higher in calories and fat, they also have more fiber and protein.

13. Coconut flour for flour
High in fiber and low in carbohydrates, coconut flour is a great partial substitute for wheat flour in baking recipes. Be careful, though — using more than half a cup at a time could allow the flour’s bitterness to take over. Substitutes can be tricky in baking, so when using coconut flour, be sure to add an equal amount of extra liquid!

14. Meringue for frosting
Made from just egg whites and sugar, meringue can be a great fat-free substitution for traditional frosting. Feel like going a step further? Take a torch to it. Lightly charring the edges of the meringue can add a nice caramelized flavor. (Not to mention a cool visual effect!)

15. Graham crackers for cookies (in pie crusts)
Who doesn’t love a fresh baked cookie-crust pie? Next time, refrain from the traditional sugar or Oreo cookie crust and grab the graham crackers. Reduced-fat graham crackers offer the same consistency and flavor with about half the calories of the conventional options.

16. Evaporated skim milk for cream
It’s the same consistency with a fraction of the fat. Evaporated milk tends to have a bit more sugar (only about 2 grams), but the major drop in fat content is well worth the switch.

17. Stevia for sugar
The natural sweetener stevia is lower in calories and up to 300 times sweeter than sugar. But watch the grocery bill — this fashionable sweetener can also cost up to 5 times as much as granulated sugar.

18. Prunes for butter
In brownies and other dark baked goods, minced baby prunes make for a perfect butter substitute while cutting more than half the calories and fat.

19. Cacao Nibs for chocolate chips
News flash: Those chocolate chips actually start out as cacao nibs — the roasted bits of cocoa beans that then get ground down and turned in to chocolate. Opting for these unprocessed (or at least less processed) morsels cuts out the additives and added sugar in chocolate, while also delving out a healthy dose of antioxidants.

20. Brown rice for white rice
When white rice is processed, the “brown” bran layer gets stripped away, cutting out essential nutrients (like fiber). Opt for brown rice for a fuller nutritional profile.

21. Quinoa for couscous
While couscous is made from processed wheat flour, quinoa is a whole-grain superfood packed with protein and nutrients. Bonus points: They have almost the exact same texture.

22. Zucchini ribbons for pasta
Thin strips or ribbons of zucchini are a great stand in for carb-packed pastas. Plus, it’s one excuse to skip the boiling — simply sautee for a few minutes until soft.

23. Olive oil for butter
When cooking eggs, this simple switch is a great way to cut down on saturated fats while getting a healthy dose of essential omega-3 fatty acids.

24. Turnip mash for mashed potatoes
While one cup of mashed potatoes made with whole milk racks up about 180 calories (and that’s before the inevitable salt and butter), a cup of mashed turnip (which doesn’t need milk or butter to get that creamy consistency) has only 51 calories. Add some fresh herbs in place of the salt and it’s a much healthier stand-in for classic mash.

25. Grated steamed cauliflower for rice
Cut both calories and carbs with this simple switch. The texture is virtually the same, as is the taste.

26. Mashed cauliflower for mashed potatoes
Just like the turnip mash, mashed cauliflower has only a fraction of the calories of potatoes and it’s nearly impossible to taste the difference. Got picky eaters at the table? Try mixing half potato, half cauliflower.

27. Rolled oats for breadcrumbs
While breadcrumbs can pack extra sodium, using rolled oats seasoned with herbs is a great way to sneak another whole grain into any meal.

28. Dry beans for canned beans
Canned beans are convenient, sure, but they also tend to have excess sodium and plenty of preservatives. Plus, even though the canned versions are dirt cheap, dried beans are even cheaper! It may take a little more work (just some simple soaking and boiling), but this switch is still well worth it.

29. Prosciutto or pancetta for bacon
Bacon is often the go-to for that smoky flavor in savory dishes (and even in some sweet ones). But opting for a few slices of prosciutto or pancetta can help cut both calories and fat. While bacon has about 70 calories and 6 grams of fat for two slices, prosciutto has just 30 calories and 4 grams in an equally weighted sample.

30. Two egg whites for one whole egg
One egg yolk holds more than half the recommended daily cholesterol for the average adult. Trading out the yolk for a second white will cut out the cholesterol while doubling the protein. If making a dish that requires more eggs, keep one to two yolks for their rich vitamins A, E, D, and K content, but consider swapping out the rest.

31. Whole wheat pasta for regular pasta
Just as with bread, whole wheat pasta beats regular with a higher fiber content and about 50 fewer calories per serving (depending on the brand).

32. Crushed flax or fiber cereal for bread crumbs
Crushing a fiber-rich cereal and mixing it with some herbs makes an easy lower-sodium substitution for traditional breadcrumbs.

33. White-meat, skinless poultry for dark-meat poultry
The biggest chicken debate to date: white meat vs. dark meat. And the white meat has it beat — lower in calories and fat, higher in protein and iron.

34. Olive oil spray for olive oil from the bottle
Oil glugs out of the bottle, leading to overly-greasy dishes. Using a spray bottle is a great way to cut down on oil while still getting the non-stick benefits. A little mist is all that’s needed!

35. Egg Beaters for egg yolks
A solid substitution for many egg dishes (like omelets or frittatas) — and even for something more complicated, like Hollandaise sauce.

36. Bison for beef
Higher in B vitamins and lower in fat, bison is a great substitute for the ol’ beefy standard. (When available, of course.)

37. Ground Turkey for ground beef
Ground turkey (or chicken) is a great substitute for ground beef to cut down on saturated fat and calories. Reminder: Because of the lower fat content, ground poultry often ends up drier than beef, but a few tablespoons of chicken stock can solve the problem in a snap!

38. Quinoa and ground turkey for rice and ground beef (in stuffed peppers)
More protein and antioxidants in the quinoa and less fat in the ground turkey make this an all-around healthier option for this popular side dish.

39. Coconut milk for cream
Coconut milk is a great substitute for heavy cream in soups and stews. And don’t be turned off by the word “coconut” — it doesn’t taste like the sweetened shredded kind!

40. Spaghetti squash for pasta
Roasted and pulled apart with a fork, spaghetti squash is a great low-carb and lower-calorie substitute for pasta.

41. Greek yogurt for sour cream
Half the fat and calories, yet the taste and texture are virtually identical. Plus, nonfat Greek yogurt offers an extra dose of lean protein.

42. Arugula, romaine, spinach, and/or kale for iceberg lettuce
All greens are not created equal. Darker greens usually mean more nutrients like iron, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Sorry, iceberg’s just not cutting it anymore — go out and get some grown-up greens.

43. Pita for bread
One 4-inch whole-wheat pita runs around 80 calories and only 1 gram of fat (though there is some variation from brand to brand). Two slices of whole-wheat bread typically comes in at around 138 calories!

44. Greek yogurt for mayo (in tuna/chicken salad)
Add some herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice, and they’ll taste almost identical. Plus, this swap will save on calories and fat, and provide an extra dose of protein.

45. Plain yogurt with fresh fruit for flavored yogurt
Pre-flavored yogurts often come packed with extra sugar. To skip the sugar rush without sacrificing flavor, opt for plain yogurt (or better yet, plain Greek yogurt) and add fresh fruit and/or honey or agave for a hint of sweetness.

46. Nutritional yeast for cheese
The taste and texture are a little bit different, but the creamy gooiness is pretty comparable. Instead of topping that taco with cheddar, try a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavoring with much less fat.

47. Lettuce leaves for tortilla wraps
It’s not a perfect swap, but forgoing the carbs for fresh lettuce is a fun (and easy) switch that can lighten up any wrap or taco dish.

48. Corn tortilla for flour tortilla
Half the calories and fat. ‘Nuff said.

49. Nuts for croutons (in salads)
Every salad needs that extra crunch. But rather than getting the extra carbs (and often fat and sodium) that come with croutons, try some lightly toasted slivered almonds, pecans, or walnuts.

50. Whole wheat bread for white bread
You’ve heard it all before, but it’s just that important! Whole-grain wheat beats out processed white with a complete nutrition profile and better flavor and texture.

51. Avocado mash for mayo
Half a mashed avocado is a great substitute for mayo on any sandwich. Both give some moisture, but avocado packs a big dose of vitamin E and cholesterol-checking monosaturated fat. And while a typical two-tablespoon serving of mayonnaise has about 206 calories and 24 grams of fat, half an avocado has only 114 calories and 10.5 grams of fat.

52. Sliced tomatoes for tomato sauce (on pizza)
Cut out the extra sodium, sugar, and preservatives by replacing jarred tomato sauce with fresh sliced tomatoes. The texture is a bit different, but the flavor is much more vibrant and fresh!

53. Frozen or Fresh Fruits for canned fruitCut down on excess sugar and preservatives by choosing fresh or flash-frozen varieties.

54. Veggies for pita (as a dipping tool)
Forget the pita. Fresh veggies work as killer dippers with hummus and contain both fewer carbs and more vitamins.

55. Cauliflower puree for egg yolks (in deviled eggs)
For that devilish Southern favorite — deviled eggs — try replacing half the yolks in the filling with cauliflower puree. The taste remains the same, as does the texture, but without the extra dose of cholesterol.

56. Quinoa for oatmeal
Cooked with milk (cow, almond, hemp — whatever’s on hand) and some cinnamon, quinoa makes a perfect protein-packed hot breakfast.

57. Edamame hummus for regular hummus
While hummus might look innocent from the sidelines, it’s on our list of potential dangerfoods, packed with more than 50 calories in two tablespoons. That’s why switching to an edamame-based hummus can help reduce the danger (read: fat and calories) while still providing a delicious dip.

58. Kale chips for potato chips
Who would’ve guessed that a leafy green could make such delicious chips? When lightly tossed in olive oil and some seasoning (salt and pepper, paprika, or chili powder work well) and baked, these curly greens turn into a delightfully delicate crunchy snack with less fat than the classic fried potato chip.

59. Dark chocolate for M&Ms (in trail mix)
The problem with most trail mixes? They pack in the sugar-filled, candy-coated chocolate and dried fruit. Instead, make your own trail mix with unsalted nuts and dark chocolate bits (lower in sugar), which are high in free-radical-fighting flavonoids — a benefit that completely outweighs that candy-coated sweetness.

60. Popcorn for potato chips
Lower in calories and fat, natural popcorn without pre-flavored seasonings is a great snack alternative to replace those oily, super-salty potato chips. Try made-at-home flavors by adding cinnamon, chili powder, or Parmesan.

61. Steel-cut oatmeal for instant oatmeal
Chewy and a little crunchy, these guys are nothing like their instant oatmeal cousins. While rolled oats are — literally — rolled into a flat grain, steel cut oats are diced whole grains that maintain more of their fiber-rich shell. Rich in B vitamins, calcium, and protein, steel-cut oats also lack the added sugar that often comes with instant varieties.

62. Banana ice cream for ice cream
No milk, no cream, no sugar… but the same, delicious consistency. It’s simple: freeze bananas, then puree.

63. Sweet potato fries for French fries
Opting for sweet potatoes rather than the traditional white adds an extra dose of fiber, and vitamins A, C, and B6. Plus, it cuts out roughly 20 grams of carbohydrates per one-cup serving. Just don’t overdo it!

64. Frozen Yogurt for Ice Cream
Picking frozen yogurt over ice cream can help cut down fat content!

65. Low-fat cottage cheese for sour cream
They both add a creamy texture to many dishes, but sour cream is packed with fat while low-fat cottage cheese is packed with protein.

66. Pureed fruit for syrup
Both sweeten flapjacks or a nice whole-wheat waffle, but pureed fruit warmed on the stovetop with a bit of honey packs much less sugar than classic maple. Plus, it provides an extra dose of antioxidants and vitamins.

67. Herbs or citrus juice for salt
You heard it here first: Food doesn’t need to be salted to taste good! Fresh herbs and citrus juice can provide just as much flavor without the added risks of excess sodium intake.

68. Garlic powder for salt
Just like fresh herbs, garlic powder can provide a flavorful-punch without adding sodium. A word of warning, though: don’t mistake garlic powder for garlic salt.

69. Low-sodium soy sauce for standard soy sauce
The taste is virtually the same, but choosing a low- or reduced-sodium variety can cut down sodium intake by nearly half.

70. Homemade salad dressing for bottled dressing
By making dressing from scratch at home, it’s easy to cut out the added sugar, sodium, and preservatives typically found in pre-made dressings. Try mixing vinegar or lemon juice and oil in a 2:1 ratio and flavoring with spices like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and pepper!

71. Seltzer water with citrus slice instead of soda
Instead of sugary sodas, opt for a glass of sparkling water with a few slices of citrus — grapefruit, lime, orange, and lemon all work well — for a little extra flavor.

72. Skim milk for whole or 2% milk
Fewer calories and fat with the same amount of protein makes this switch well worth it.

73. Cinnamon for cream and sugar (in coffee)
Cutting out the cream and sugar in favor of a sprinkle of cinnamon can cut up to 70 calories per cup. Plus, cinnamon can boost metabolism.

74. Soda water for tonic water
Yes, it’s clear and bubbly, just like soda water, but tonic water is actually full of sugar. Adding plain soda water and a pinch of lime gives almost the same taste with 32 grams less sugar per 12 ounces.

75. Oven or pan-frying for deep frying

Yes, those chicken tenders are deliciously greasy, but by foregoing the oil bath for just a misting of oil in a pan or oven, it’s easy to cut fat without sacrificing flavor.

76. Steaming for boiling
While both are great options for meats and veggies, steaming is king because it removes fewer nutrients from vegetables. While boiling can leech out some of the better nutrients (hence why water turns green after boiling broccoli), steaming keeps all that green goodness inside the veggies.

Emergency Comfort Kit

This idea came from a school teacher.  These kits are placed in a large barrel in each classroom and used in the event that there is an emergency at the school.  It would be a good idea for home too.

Family photograph
Travel game
Book
Emergency contact card: allergies, medications, Dr's number, our phone numbers
Wipes
Water bottle
Granola Bar
Notepad with pencil and crayons
Letter from mommy and daddy

They suggested using a 1 gallon clear zip-lock bag for these.