saving money

Kitchen Reorganization on a Budget!

Abby H.

We’re at the point in kitchen renovation where we need to put the kitchen back together. I was tired of eating out of the myriad boxes in my living room.

Being on a budget, I looked for simple and easy ways to make our kitchen work better for us. Our pantry is long (about 1 meter) and narrow. It’s such a pain. So much of it is inaccessible.

I cleaned out a bunch of the clutter as I unpacked the boxes. My mom gifted me these cool white baskets (which you can find on Amazon here).  She previously used them to store fabric. I put my label maker to good use and labeled the white baskets with the following categories:

  • Soup
  • Sauces
  • Baking Goods
  • Rice and Noodles
  • Oils and Fats
  • Canned Tomatoes
  • Canned Goods
  • Soup
  • Snack Box
  • Snacks (I use this for the overflow of snacks)

I also reorganized the spice cabinet, and I’ll be moving some of the bulk spices to these glass jars from the plastic bags they came in probably later this week.

Moving on to all of the drawers in my kitchen. Yeah. Nine Drawers of various sizes. I lined them with Contact Paper from Dollar Tree– which BTW, is so much cheaper than Amazon or the big box hardware stores. I also lined the cabinets that hold our dishes. I did not line the pantry shelves- They are really long and narrow and I can’t reach all the way to the back.

To contain all of the STUFF in each drawer, I picked up some of these skinny drawer organizers, and the drawer organizers in the picture, which are wider and medium-sized.

The Silverware has a drawer caddy (not shown in the photo, but it goes in the empty drawer), but the rest of the drawers were just a disaster. Now the cooking utensils will be corraled, the batteries rolling around the junk drawer will be contained, and all of the yummy drink powders and drink concentrates (like Mio) are corraled.

So for less than $50, I was able to reorganize the kitchen and spruce it up a bit.

After the kitchen is done and the water heater is installed, we’re having a cleaning service coming to do a post-construction clean up. There is drywall dust all over my freaking kitchen and living room. It’s so gross.

Free Small Entree at Panda Express

Abby H.

This offer was in my inbox this morning. I’m allergic to shrimp, but hopefully one of you will take advantage of this deal!

When you order Wok-Fired Shrimp with your meal on the Panda Express app, you can get any small entrée free*.
Try it now as the offer ends 4/17. Online only.

1. Order Wok-Fired Shrimp with your meal
2. Add any small a la carte entrée
3. Use code “WOKFIRED” at checkout

*Offer ends 4/17/2022. Limit one free small entrée per order. Order must include Wok-Fired Shrimp as part of a bowl, plate, bigger plate, cub meal or family meal. Discount applies after a small a la carte entrée is added to the order and code ‘WOKFIRED’ is successfully applied prior to checkout. Valid only for online orders via Panda Express website and app at participating Panda Express® locations. Tax, service, delivery and other fees still apply. Tax included for free small entrée. Offer subject to availability. Offer is not valid on catering or for corporate accounts and cannot be combined with discounts or cash. Panda Express reserves the right to cancel, suspend, and modify the offer, or any part of it, for any reason at any time without notice, including, without limitation, if any fraud or technical failure impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the offer. Additional restrictions may apply. Void where prohibited.

California Climate Credit- Savings on Your April 2022 Utility Bill!

Abby H.

It’s that time again! On your April California Utility Bill (Which includes PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, Bear Valley, Liberty, and Pacific Power), you will receive a California Climate Credit. For SDG&E customers, the amount is $43.06.

The California Climate Credit is part of California’s efforts to fight climate change. This credit is from a state program that requires power plants, natural gas providers, and other large industries that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution permits. The credit on your bill is your share of the payments from the State’s program.

Rather than receiving your electricity credits in April and October as in years past, the electricity credits have been moved to August and September for 2020 – 2022.

Please know you will still get your climate credits as they will be reflected in your utility bills this year. In fact, in April* your utility bill will include a gas credit identified as the “California Climate Credit.”

Changing the distribution months will not change the total value of the climate credits you receive in a year. The shift will provide bill relief for customers and reduce bill volatility.

 

And if you are looking for more ways to save energy and money, check out Ohm Connect! We’ve been using Ohm Connect for 5+ years and we’ve saved thousands of dollars on our power bill, and earned thousands of dollars in gift cards and cash via paypal!

Veggie Loaded Zuppa Toscana Recipe!

Abby H.

I’ve posted my copycat Zuppa Toscana recipe before and it’s good, but this recipe is better! Heartier, more filling, and best yet- Loaded with Veggies. We got all of the veggies from our Yasukochi Family Farms CSA box. To learn more about these awesome produce boxes, check out my post here.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb of Italian Sausage (hot or mild, your choice)
  • 3 T. crumbled cooked bacon (I like the kind from Costco)
  • 2 T. Butter
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 ribs of celery, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 T. Italian Seasoning
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 3 medium potatoes, sliced into bite-sized pieces (I left the skin on- it’s up to you)
  • 1-quart chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 bag triple-washed spinach
  • 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk (or 12 oz milk of your choice)

Directions:

  1. In a large stockpot, cook and crumble Italian Sausage
  2. Add in bacon and heat  until sizzling
  3. Add butter, onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until onions are translucent (about 10 minutes).
  4. Add garlic, and herbs/bay leaf- cook until fragrant.
  5. Add broth, and scrape brown cooked bits off the bottom of the pot.
  6. Add Potatoes, cook on medium with the lid on the pot until the potatoes are soft (about 15 minutes).
  7. Remove lid, turn the stove up to high, add spinach. Stir and incorporate the spinach until wilted.
  8. Turn the stove down to low, add milk, and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
  9. Remove Bay leaf prior to serving.

This makes 10-12 servings. Serve with bread of your choice. I like to top with a little parmesan cheese.

Notes/Substitutions:

  • If you prefer Kale, substitute for the spinach and add another 5-10 minutes of cooking time.
  • This soup keeps well in the fridge for up to a week, and it freezes well.
  • If you are a vegetarian, substitute 2 cans of rinsed/drained cannellini beans in place of the Italian sausage (or meat-free Italian sausage), and use crumbled vegetarian/vegan bacon. Use Vegetable broth, and 12 oz. alternative milk (I like almond or hazelnut for this recipe). Add in 1/2 t. Fennel Seed, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (to mimic the flavor of Italian sausage) when using beans.

 

March 2022- New Month, New Coupons!

Abby H.

file000786402730Here is your monthly reminder!  A new month means new printable and electronic coupons!

The printable coupon market is slowly coming to an end. Smartsource no longer offers printable coupons, and you may notice that there are fewer coupon inserts in your Sunday newspaper. This is in favor of more offers available on apps. But if you love printable coupons….

  • Coupons.com (printable coupons, e-coupons, and a cashback app)

One of my favorite websites is the Sunday Coupon Review.  It helps me plot out scenarios in advance and I can email friends to ask for coupons in advance. Remember if clipping coupons isn’t your thing, but saving money is, check out my list of Smartphone apps that can save you the big bucks! New offers are added on the Smartphone Savings Apps all the time!

Some of the food on sale throughout March includes:

  • March is National frozen food month.
  • Between March 13-17th (St. Patrick’s Day) Corned Beef, Potatoes and Cabbage are all Dirt Cheap. Stock up!
  • During Lent, seafood is inexpensive.

For a complete list of types of foods and items that will be on sale, check out this post on the cycle of sales.

Here are a few of my favorite new coupons:

Save $2.00 on any ONE (1) Ito En Matcha Green Tea bag (20ct) OR Any ONE (1) matcha LOVE Japanese Matcha + Green Tea Teabags (10ct)
Save $1.25 on any THREE (3) Del Monte® Fruit Cup® snacks, 4-pack
Save $1.25 on ONE (1) Silk® Oat Milk, 64oz
Save $0.75 on any ONE (1) Del Monte® Veggieful™ Riced Veggies, any style
Save $0.55 any ONE (1) OIKOS 5.3oz Single Serve (Core, Pro and Triple Zero)
Save $2.00 on any (1) TYLENOL® PM product, SIMPLY SLEEP® product, or ZARBEE’S® Adult Sleep item (excludes travel & trial sizes)
Save $2.00 ONE (1) PHYSICIANS FORMULA® Product
Save $3.75 on ONE (1) 3 lb or larger bag of Beyond® Dry Dog Food
Save $3.75 on ONE (1) 3 lb or larger bag of Beyond® Dry Cat Food

Inflation Sucks: Stretching your Grocery Budget

Abby H.

Inflation is taking its toll across the board. Wherever you look, prices are going up, up, up.

It’s horrible because Cost of Living increases are not keeping up, so we are working as hard as ever, and our money is buying less.

Depressing to say the least. Here are some ways to stretch your money further and keep your family fed. And this is all practical stuff, I’m not going to tell you to grow a garden or dumpster dive. If you want to do those things, by all means, go ahead.

  • Take advantage of local food distributions. I post information about them each month for locations in San Diego County. Here is the list for February 2022.
  • Inventory your Pantry, Fridge, and Freezer. Knowing what you already have is a good first step. Here is a link to my Inventory Sheets on Canva.
  • Go Meatless 1-3 times a week. Meat is getting crazy expensive, and there are so many tasty, meatless meals out there. I’ll be doing a meatless recipe round-up later this week.
  • When cooking meat, add additional protein to your meals by incorporating lentils or beans into your recipes. I love adding in a can of drained/rinsed kidney or black beans when I make ground beef tacos. I use 1 15-ish ounce can per 1/2 lb of ground meat.
  • If beans and lentils aren’t your jam, bulk up meals with rice, noodles (I love the protein noodles), or a grain like quinoa (which is also high in protein).
  • Bulk up meals with fruits and veggies. Canned, frozen, or fresh- whichever is in your budget. Stores like 99 cents only and Grocery Outlet have great deals on fresh and frozen produce.
  • If you have kids in school, take advantage of free breakfasts and lunches. In California, there will be free lunches for school-aged children permanently. Other states have similar programs.

 

Tea Collection: Take An Additional 25% Off Sale & Clearance!

Abby H.

Tea Collection is hooking us up, now through 2/21/2022! Don’t miss an extra 25% off Sale & Clearance. Lots of beautiful styles at even more amazing prices.

Deal: Extra 25% Off Sale & Clearance
Code: FEB25OFF
Valid Through: Thursday, February 17, 2022 through Monday, February 21, 2022

Fine Print: Receive an additional 25% off sale & clearance prices at Teacollection.com. Offer valid from 2/17/2022 through 2/21/2022 at 11:59 PM PT. Applies to select third party products, where stated. Excludes Sets. Discount taken pre-tax. Cannot be combined with other promotions. No adjustments on previous purchases. Not redeemable for cash. Limited to stock on hand. Please note: costs have increased due to growing challenges in our supply chain. Tea Collection has added a 0.75 cent fee to all orders. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to service@teacollection.com.

February is Fun for Seniors at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

Abby H.

If you have a senior in your life and you want to send them on a frugal adventure, check out this sweet deal!

The kids posing with Jefferson’s Sloth

During the month of February, all visitors age 65 and older receive free admission to the Safari Park. Enjoy the sights on an Africa Tram, see the platypuses and other Aussie species at Walkabout Australia, wander through Tiger Trail, take a stroll around Mombasa Lagoon, and relax with refreshments on the patio at Kijamii Overlook. There’s a world of sights to see—all at the Safari Park!

For more information about Seniors Free, check out the Seasonal Events section of our FAQ page.

Seniors 65+ must present valid photo ID at turnstiles for free entry. Parking is not included.

My kids love the Safari Park, and while we are waiting for our tax refund to renew our zoo/safari park membership, this deal is definitely a must-do for anyone over 65!

The kids love Meerkats.


Some frugal tips for visiting your local zoo/animal park (These are all true for the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, your local parks may differ)

  • Bring your water bottles, and fill up at the drinking fountains/filling stations all over the park.
  • Pack your own snacks/lunch. There are tons of picnic/eating areas all over the parks.
  • Bring some cash for 1 treat/toy/souvenir. With cash, you have a firm budget.
  • If you are a zoo/safari park member, you may get a discount in the shops/restaurants (check online).

February 2022: New Healthy Freebies From Social Nature!

Abby H.

 If you are into Organic/Natural/Healthy products, then Social Nature is right up your alley. Sign up and apply to sample products that you are interested in. I get probably 1-2 products to sample each month. And most of the time it’s full-size products, not just a tiny sample.

Social Nature has rounded up products that are available to try at a local grocery store or mass merchandiser near you.  Apply to Try the products that interest you to see if you’re a match here.

Here are some of the new sampling opportunities:

  • Primal Kitchen Mayo
  • Primal Kitchen Dips
  • Primal Kitchen Plant Based Queso
  • Brainiac Kids Applesauce
  • Ocean’s Halo Seaweed Snacks
  • Parmesan Crisps by Joyfull Bakery
  • Maxine’s Heavenly Soft Bakes Cookies
  • Seal the Seasons Frozen Fruit
  • Hand-Crafted West African Bowls by AYO Foods

And one of the things I love about Social Nature is that they don’t leave our friends with food allergies out.

There are sampling offers for Gluten-free, nut-free, meat-free foods frequently.

Canadian Friends- You are in luck, there are sampling opportunities for you too! So if you love trying new products, check out Social Nature!

Looking for Help? Check out Care.com!

Abby H.

Whether you need a babysitter, nanny, elder care, or a little help with chores/housework, care.com can help!

Care.com is the world’s largest online destination for care. They connect families with caregivers and caring companies to help you be there for the ones you love.

We’ve used Care.com to find Respite Workers to help us with the kiddos. Care.com has several plans, and they will help you find your perfect caregiver with 20% off Premium Membership (Discount applied at checkout- Use Promo Code: JOINCARE20).

It’s free to sign up and browse– I recommend that if you are looking for a helping hand around the house or an occasional date night sitter, check out Care.com.