April 22, 2001

Buy Bulk Salsa and Freeze Some for LaterOne of the best deals I've found is buying salsa or taco sauce in bulk containers. Freeze in recycled plastic containers.

 

Make Plans for Your LeftoversPlan weekly menus with two large cuts of meat to roast and then plan leftover dinners with the leftover meat. Also, use leftovers for sandwich meat for lunches. - Joan

 

Homemade Fruit Juice PopsiclesHomemade popsicles made from fruit juice are much more economical and healthier than pops bought from the store. And if you are just a little bit creative, you can make layers, and combinations that are fun for your kids.

 

Leave Unused Coupons for Another ShopperWhen shopping with coupons, if I decide not to buy the designated product. I leave the coupon for the next buyer. I'm just paying back for what others have done for me. Nancy

 

Flour Tortilla Roll-UpsNeed a quick breakfast or afternoon snack for the tikes? Spread some peanut butter on a flour tortilla, roll it up, microwave it for about 12-15 seconds, serve with milk. They get protein, grains and calcium in less than a minute!

 

Make Your Own Organic Baby FoodI wanted fresh organic baby food for my daughter which wasn't always easy or affordable. So I would puree/mash a lot of food at one time, usually in my blender then put the mixture in ice cube trays until solid.

 

Vanilla Balls to Freshen FridgeTo get rid of nasty smells in the fridge or freezer, dirty ashtrays, and musty closets, and/or smoky cars or trucks, soak a cotton ball with vanilla and let sit over night. This really works.

 

Banana Fritters from Leftover Pancake BatterUse up leftover pancake batter by dipping banana chunks into it to make banana fritters. Fry them up in a deep fryer until golden brown. Then roll in cinnamon and sugar.

 

Getting Fat out of Ground BeefAfter draining the fat from ground meat, place the meat on a brown paper bag lined with paper towels. Fold the bag over and squeeze. It's amazing the amount of fat that comes out! Jen

 

Microwave Ground BeefWhen cooking ground beef for a recipe, I simply place the raw ground beef in a microwave steamer basket, then put the basket onto a microwaveable bowl. I microwave the ground beef until done and the grease from the ground beef drains from the steamer basket into the bowl.

 

Using Extra SquashExtra cooked squash can be frozen in ice cube trays, then added to soups and stews for additional nutrition.

 

Salsa Canning TipI got this tip from a neighbor. Instead of cooking my homemade salsa for canning on top of the stove, and having the tomatoes cook to a liquid, I put the mixture into my roasting pan and baked it in my oven for 4-5 hours, stirring every hour.

 

Reusing Plastic Containers For FreezingI recycle cottage cheese and sour cream containers to freeze bulk purchases of ground beef in. I have discovered that 1 lb. of ground beef fits in a 16 oz. container.

 

Check Soda Cartons for CouponsWhile consuming a 24 pack of soda, be sure to check the underside of the cardboard insert between the top & bottom layers of cans. You will frequently find coupons (still valid) associated with previous promotions. Angela

 

Reusing Glass Jars For Canning And Food StorageAfter I get done with my spaghetti sauce jars, I clean them and use them for canning. It saves money on buying mason jars. These are the spaghetti sauce jars that are the heavy canning jar type.

 

Large Roast Means Lots of LeftoversWhen making Sunday roast, buy one large enough to make roast beef sandwiches with the leftovers. On another night make roast beef soup with leftover vegetables. Have it all the same week or freeze and save it for another time.