SHED Your Stuff!

Earlier this week, the call-in show Radio Times on Philadelphia's WHYY Public Radio featured an hour-long discussion with Julie Morgenstern, author of When Organizing Isn't Enough: SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life.

If you’re interested in learning more about reducing clutter and living a simpler home life, it’s definitely worth a listen!

To hear the entire interview, follow this link.

Menu Plan Monday: Week of 6/30

Last week was a rough one in the Gregg household. As a matter of fact, just about anything that could have gone wrong, went wrong!

Hopefully, this week will get off to a good start with a simple menu plan. I’ll be keeping things very low key, using pretty much only what we have on hand, in an attempt to get us back on track!

Monday – chicken fried rice with lots of veggies
Tuesday – beef stew with carrots and potatoes, homemade whole wheat bread
Wednesday – pork chops with spicy plum sauce, rice, broccoli
Thursday – London broil, homemade macaroni and cheese, broccoli au gratin
Friday – 4th of July cookout in Cape May, NJ!

For more great menu plans, check out Heavenly Homemakers!

Stay-cationing at Get Rich Slowly

Just yesterday, I recommended taking a stay-cation as one way of splurging on the cheap. Coincidentally, JD at Get Rich Slowly posted this article on the topic, entitled "Cheap Vacation: Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown." Check it out for some interesting and helpful tips for stretching your dollar as a tourist right in your own neighborhood!

The Urge to Splurge

One of the frugal bloggers I most admire is Meredith at Like Merchant Ships. Her cheerful frugality is an inspiration every day, but especially during those times when I feel like frugal living is more of a burden than a blessing. Her creativity and positive outlook are a great example for all of us who want to live well and spend less.

Unfortunately, I'm not always as upbeat and inspired as Meredith. Sometimes being frugal just makes me want to scream! I can usually improve my negative mood by reading other bloggers' posts on the topic of cheerful frugality, or reflecting on all the benefits Donnie and I have reaped from a frugal lifestyle. Sometimes, though, I still walk away feeling glum. Then I know it's time for a little splurge.

I've listed some of my favorite ways to treat yourself without breaking the bank below. Please share your own favorite frugal splurges as well!

• Get takeout. Some fast food places, such as Taco Bell and Wendy's, feature menu items that cost as little as seventy-nine cents. Throw in a couple coupons, and you can feed your entire family for relatively little money. If you prepare most of your meals from scratch, the break from cooking and the tasty, unhealthy food will be a welcome change of pace!

• Waste some ECBs. Spend a few of your CVS Extra Bucks on an item you don't usually buy, even if you won't earn any ECBs back. For me, this usually means a Take 5 bar or some Burt's Bees lip balm. I don't lose much ground in the CVS game, but I feel almost decadent buying something that doesn't yield any return!

• Take a stay-cation. Spend a long weekend enjoying your home and local community. Catch up on books you've been meaning to read, or movies you've been wanting to watch. Cook or bake your favorite elaborate recipe. Take a long walk in the local park, or go for a scenic drive around town. Visit the zoo, the museum, or an inexpensive sporting event. You'll feel refreshed and relaxed without ever leaving town!

What are your favorite frugal splurges?

Wonderful Wednesday Freebies

BOSS Fragrances

Benny Bully's Pet Treats

AMBI Skincare

TENA Feminine Products

Coty Beauty, Inc. Fragrances

Ten Ways to Start Living More Frugally TODAY

1.) Start a change jar.

2.) Bake a loaf of delicious, homemade bread.

3.) Do a load of laundry in cold water.

4.) Bring your own snacks to work.

5.) Put a brick in your toilet tank.

6.) Turn off the lights when you leave the room.

7.) Make a list before you go grocery shopping.

8.) Pack your lunch.

9.) Start a coupon collection.

10.) Think before you buy!

What are your favorite "small steps" to savings?

(Almost) Homemade

This week, Donnie and I were able to get great deals on packaged foods at our local supermarket. It’s the first time we’ve purchased prepared food products in awhile, so I thought it was a good time to revisit some of my favorite strategies for transforming packaged foods into delicious, (almost) homemade meals!

• Add ham and green peas to a box of au gratin potatoes, sprinkle with bread crumbs and grated cheese, then bake according to package directions.
• Melt cheese over cut-up, cooked chicken. Serve on a bed of prepared taco rice mixed with corn. Add salsa and sour cream at the table.
• Add cooked rice, cooked chicken, broccoli, and grated cheese to canned broccoli cheddar soup that has been prepared according to the directions on the label.
• Saute a little ground beef with diced fresh or canned tomatoes, then add to a prepared cheesy-noodle side dish.
• Finely chop some cooked pork and carrots, then add to any Asian-style rice or noodle side dish.
• Pour canned chili over cooked rice or potatoes, sprinkle with cheese, and microwave or broil until the cheese is melted. Serve with sour cream and tortilla chips.
• Add cooked chicken and lots of veggies to pasta salad mix, and serve hot or cold.

How do you dress packaged foods up to create delicious not-quite-from-scratch dinners?