Cake Mix Cookies

/0 Comments/in /by Wildrose21

This is a very fast and easy way to make cookies.  Simply  follow the cake mix directions and add 1/3 cup of pureed strawberries to the mixture before baking.

I have used banana puree in a banana cake mix, too.

After baking, I freeze them in an air-tight container.  Then I just take them out and warm up one (or two) at at time in the microwave.

Keep Yogurt Fresher Longer

/1 Comment/in /by judy

Store yogurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese containers upside down in your refrigerator.  Less air gets in that way and they keep fresher longer.

With the rising prices of food, this can help you conserve your food dollars.

Note:  To prevent possible leaks, place the upside down container in a saucer or small dish before you place it on the refrigerator shelf.

Vaccum in the Dark

/Updated /1 Comment/in /by Alexsmomi

This tip may seem counterintuitive but hear me out.  If you have a headlight on your vacuum, vacuum your non-carpeted floors at night with the room lights off.  You’ll be amazed at what you’ll see (yuck!) but it is so satisfying when you can see you are getting EVERYTHING.

When I first told my husband about it he thought I was crazy.  He tried it and was instantly sold on the idea as was my 14 year old son.  Now both of them do it and neither of them vacuumed before!

Easily Thread your Sewing Needle

/Updated /9 Comments/in /by JerrieH

This is the best sewing tip I’ve ever learned.

To successfully thread a needle every time, wet the needle eye and then wet the tip of your thread (spit will work fine…lol).  The moisture on the needle attracts the moisture on the wet tip of your thread and makes you able to thread your needles so much easier –  especially with older eyes!

This tip also works to thread your sewing machine needle.

Free Soup from the Freezer

/1 Comment/in /by judy

I always keep two plastic bags in my freezer, one for vegetable scraps and the other for chicken bones. When the bags are full, I get out my metal pasta strainer.

Next, I dump out all of the  bones and scraps from both bags into the strainer and put the strainer in the soup pot.  I cover the scraps and bones with water, add salt and pepper, and simmer for about 2 hours.
After a couple of hours, I remove the strainer, taste the broth and adjust the seasonings, if necessary.  I cut all the meat off the bones and return to the soup and discard the scraps.  Finally, I add any leftover
 pan drippings, vegetables, rice, pasta or noodles.
Then I enjoy my healthy, practically-free, freezer soup!
Note:  if you don’t have a metal strainer, you can just cook everything in the pot and then strain when the simmering is completed.

Save Money on Your Insurance

/0 Comments/in /by judy

It pays to check your home owner’s insurance policy on a regular basis.

I had a jewelry/fur rider for years. When the price of gold reached all-time highs I sold much of my jewelry and gave away a lot of it to my daughter. And, I haven’t owned a fur coat in years. I looked at what I had left that was covered by my policy and decided it wasn’t worth it to keep it. I am now saving $89 per year.

It also pays to review your auto insurance policy as well.  Now that I am not driving so much I got a $37 per quarter rebate on my auto insurance.

It pays to read your policies and not pay for what you don’t need.

Make Your Own Washing Soda

/0 Comments/in /by queenbee

You can make your own Washing Soda for mere pennies!  It is basically Baking Soda that has had the water cooked out of it.  You can find Baking Soda at your local Aldi store for about 49 cents per pound.

To make:

Pour a 1 lb. box of baking soda on a cookie sheet.  Spread it out evenly.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 1 hour.  Stirring 2 or 3 times during the baking process.  Let it cool and store it in an airtight container so the water vapor in the air does not convert it back to baking soda.

DIY Onion Soup Mix

/2 Comments/in /by judy

I love making my own mixes.  I make them fresh and in just the amount I need.  This saves me time and money.

Just mix these ingredients and you will have the equivalent of one envelope of onion soup mix.

  • 1/4 cup dried onion flakes
  • 2 Tbsp low-sodium beef bouillon granules
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp parsley flakes
  • 1/8 tsp celery seed
  • 1/8 tsp paprika
  • 1/8 tsp ground black pepper