These days everyone is looking for quick and easy dinner ideas. And if that dinner can be nutritious as well, all the better. Over the next couple of weeks keep a look out in your local grocery store ads for beef roasts to be on sale, about $1.47 - $1.97 a pound. Stock up and put a couple extra in the freezer for future weeks. Now take a roast (or two if you have a large family) and use the following three meals for quick and nutritious dinner throughout the week.
1) Crock Pot Roast – This is an easy way to start off the week. Place your roast in a crock pot with water half way up the roast. Season the roast with garlic and onion powder. Check your crock pot manual for cooking time or generally 6 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 6 hours on high. Place potatoes and carrots on top of meat with four hours to go before dinner. Save leftover meat for the next two meals. If you have a large family you will need to make two roasts.
2) Bar-B-Q Roast Sandwiches – Now for the second meal, cut up enough pre-cooked roast meat in a large skillet for your family. Add some diced onions if you wish and cook thoroughly. Next, add some barbeque sauce. Place barbequed meat on buns. Serve with a salad and favorite vegetable or camp-style skillet potatoes.
3) Fajitas – The third dinner is fajitas. Still use leftover beef, roast meat from your crock pot meal. In a large skillet with butter, cook sliced onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms; if you like. After the vegetables are cooked, add the pre-cooked roast meat along with some Italian dressing. Cook until heated through. Serve with tortillas, cheese, salsa, sour cream, or any of your favorite toppings. Have some rice and refried beans to complete this nutritious, quick dinner.
So, you can make a number of quick, easy, and nutritious dinners from an inexpensive beef roast for your family.
Showing posts with label Saving Money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saving Money. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Saving Money – 3 Advantages to Using Cash Instead of Credit Cards
In today’s world, most people are in the habit of using credit card to pay for purchases. However, this habit is getting a lot of people in financial trouble. Using cash to make your purchases have many advantages including…
1) Keep Track How Much You Spend – By using cash instead of credit cards it is easier for you to know how much money you are spending. This will eliminate the surprise at the end of the month when the credit card bill arrives and you didn’t realize you had charged that much.
2) No fees – When you use cash you avoid the possibility of late fees and over-the-limit charges. You won’t have any billing mistakes or overcharges on your account. And you won’t have a chance of damaging your credit record and most importantly risk going in debt.
3) Possible Discount and Accepted Everywhere – As they say “Cash is King.” It is accepted everywhere. When you use cash for payment for your purchases you may even receive a discount from some merchants which will save you even more money.
So, as you can see, using cash instead of credit cards for your purchases has many advantages. You will spend these many when using cash as payment, keep better track of your spending, eliminate fees, and possibly receiving discounts from merchants. But the biggest advantage to using cash is eliminating the risk of going into debt.
And if you would like more money saving tips, information on budgets, and how to get out of debt please visit http://www.savemoneywith.blogspot.com/
By: Rhonda Percell – Wife, Mother of 3 who loves saving money!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Saving Money – 3 Easy Ways to Save Money in Your Kid’s Lunch Box
Packing your child’s lunch for school can ensure that your child is getting a much healthier lunch and include items that they like. It is also a great money saver versus the school cafeteria lunch not to mention better flavor. If you are looking to make your child’s lunch healthier and less expensive follow the 3 tips below.1. Chocolate Milk Instead of Drink Boxes – Yes, it is convenient to buy the drink pouches or boxes and just pop one of those in a day but your child will get more nutrition from chocolate milk that you prepare for them and it will save you money. Just get a reusable drink container, add milk and chocolate, and give it a shake; instant Chocolate Milk. Milk is great for healthy teeth and bones and easy on the pocket book.
2. Use Plastic Containers Instead of Sandwich Bags – Even though sandwich bags don’t cost a lot of money you can help reduce landfill waste by packing lunch items in reusable containers as much as possible.
3. Bake Treats Instead Buying Prepackaged – It is healthier to make or bake your own treats for your child’s lunch such as cookies, granola bars, and brownies. As well as saving money because you are not paying for all the convenient packaging. You will be eliminating many ingredients that you probably can’t even pronounce and the baking time can be a fun family activity after school or on the weekends.
So, as you can see making a few simple changes can make your child’s lunch less expensive and healthier.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Save Money on Gas – 3 Easy Tips to Get Better Gas Mileage in Your Vehicle
These days’ people are trying to save money where ever they can. Everyone wants to save money on gas. Below are three easy things you can do to your vehicle to insure it is getting the best gas mileage possible and save you money at the gas pump.
1. Proper Tire Inflation – Check your vehicle owner’s manual to see what the recommended tire pressure is. By having your tires inflated to the proper poundage you will get better gas mileage. Get in a habit of checking your vehicle’s tire pressure at least once a month and especially before long trips. Experts say you can lose up to five pounds of tire pressure over the course of a month and this is even worse in the cold, winter months.
2. Clean Air Filter – Check to make sure your vehicle’s air filter is clean. It is good to check this at every oil change and typically needs to be replaced every 12,000 miles. However, check your vehicle owner’s manual for your manufacturer’s recommendations. Your driving conditions have a great effect on your air filter. Someone who drives on dirt roads every day or someone that drives in a polluted metropolitan city will need to replace their air filter more frequently than someone who drives mainly on paved highway without pollution.
3. Regular Vehicle Tune-Ups – Check your owner’s manual to see when your vehicle should receive regular tune-ups. Something as simple as changing your vehicle’s spark plugs and wires can help you get better gas mileage in your vehicle.
So, as you can see that regular vehicle maintenance can greatly increase your gas mileage and save you money on gas.
And if you would like more information on saving money please visit our website at http://www.savemoneywith.blogspot.com/
By: Rhonda Percell – Wife, Mother of 3 - Who Loves to Save Money!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Save Money With – 5 Meal Planning Tips that You Can Start Using This Week to Save Money
Our grocery and food portion of our monthly budget is something we have great control of. If we spend just a little bit of time planning our meals and menus we can save a lot of money each week.
Here are 5 meal planning tips that you can use this week to save money on your food bill.
1. Shop Once a Week – Sit down and decide what you are going to have for dinner each night for the next seven days. Remember to look at your local grocery store weekly ads and try to plan your meals around the meat and produce items that are on sale. By shopping once a week you will save money on gas because of eliminating extra trips to the store and also not having a chance to pick up un-needed items on each grocery trip.
2. Go Vegetarian – Once a week have a meal without meat. Beans are very cheap while still providing a great source of protein for your family.
3. Cook in the Crock Pot – Cooking in your crock pot is a great way to save both time and money. You can buy and then cook inexpensive cuts of meat in the crock pot. Not only will you save money but your evenings will be more enjoyable by having your dinner almost prepared when you get home.
4. Breakfast for Dinner – Kids love breakfast foods but often we don’t have the time in the morning to make pancakes, waffles, and French toast. So why not treat your kids to Breakfast for Dinner once a week, add some eggs, and fruit. You will end up with a cheap and healthy meal that your kids will love.
5. Eat From the Freezer – It is helpful to keep a list of items that our in your freezer on your refrigerator so you can see and plan meals from things you already have in the freezer. This will help you not waste food that you bought on sale and froze for a later date. It is also helpful to make a double batch of a meal that your family loves and put one in the freezer to have on another night. This will help on those busy nights to have something easy to prepare from the freezer instead of catching the drive-thru or take out.
So, as you can see, these are just five meal planning tips that you can start using this week to help you save money on your food bill.
And if you would like more money saving tips and healthy living tips please visit http://www.healthymomsforahealthyfamily.blogspot.com/
By: Rhonda Percell – Wife, Mother of 3, Healthy Mom and Owner of Healthy Moms for A Healthy Family
Here are 5 meal planning tips that you can use this week to save money on your food bill.
1. Shop Once a Week – Sit down and decide what you are going to have for dinner each night for the next seven days. Remember to look at your local grocery store weekly ads and try to plan your meals around the meat and produce items that are on sale. By shopping once a week you will save money on gas because of eliminating extra trips to the store and also not having a chance to pick up un-needed items on each grocery trip.
2. Go Vegetarian – Once a week have a meal without meat. Beans are very cheap while still providing a great source of protein for your family.
3. Cook in the Crock Pot – Cooking in your crock pot is a great way to save both time and money. You can buy and then cook inexpensive cuts of meat in the crock pot. Not only will you save money but your evenings will be more enjoyable by having your dinner almost prepared when you get home.
4. Breakfast for Dinner – Kids love breakfast foods but often we don’t have the time in the morning to make pancakes, waffles, and French toast. So why not treat your kids to Breakfast for Dinner once a week, add some eggs, and fruit. You will end up with a cheap and healthy meal that your kids will love.
5. Eat From the Freezer – It is helpful to keep a list of items that our in your freezer on your refrigerator so you can see and plan meals from things you already have in the freezer. This will help you not waste food that you bought on sale and froze for a later date. It is also helpful to make a double batch of a meal that your family loves and put one in the freezer to have on another night. This will help on those busy nights to have something easy to prepare from the freezer instead of catching the drive-thru or take out.
So, as you can see, these are just five meal planning tips that you can start using this week to help you save money on your food bill.
And if you would like more money saving tips and healthy living tips please visit http://www.healthymomsforahealthyfamily.blogspot.com/
By: Rhonda Percell – Wife, Mother of 3, Healthy Mom and Owner of Healthy Moms for A Healthy Family
Save Money With – 5 Easy On-the-Go Dinners for Busy Nights Instead of the Drive-Thru
Many families have multiple activities for each family member. This can lead to some very busy nights and no time to eat dinner at home. Unfortunately many families opt for the Drive-Thru window on these nights to feed their family. Not only are they eating unhealthy foods, they are also wasting a lot of money on their food budget.
So here are just five options you can make to bring along on those busy nights.
1. Salad – You can make a salad for each family member and place it in a plastic container. Top the salad with plenty of veggies, some chicken or tuna, and maybe even a sliced hardboiled egg. Sunflower seeds are also a nice, healthy salad topper. Bring along some forks, napkins, and some rolls and you have a great on-the-go meal.
2. Hamburgers РYes, hamburgers! But ones you make yourself from lean hamburger you bought on sale from the store. You can top the burgers with cheese, saut̩ed onions and mushrooms, and ranch dressing. Put on toasted French bread and wrap in tin foil to keep warm.
3. Soup or Chili – On a cool night you can bring along a homemade soup or chili in some thermoses. Remember to bring spoons, napkins, and maybe bread or rolls to complete this meal.
4. Wraps – Use tortillas to make a wrap instead of the traditional sandwich. You can add chicken, tuna, or leftover steak, grated carrots and cheese, sunflower seeds, fresh spinach, and ranch dressing.
5. Homemade Subs – Make your own sub sandwich just the way you like it instead of going to the sub shop. Just buy sub rolls at the grocery store and add all your favorite fillings. Remember you can add grated carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, and spinach to get some great healthy nutrients in your sub. Bring along some cut up veggies and ranch dressing to complete this on-the-go meal.
So, as you can see, if you plan ahead you can save a lot of money on your food budget and also feed your family a much healthier dinner. Let’s face it even a plain tuna sandwich would be healthier than the heart –attack in a box from the drive-thru and cost a lot less money.
And if you would like more money saving tips and healthy living tips please visit http://www.healthymomsforahealthyfamily.blogspot.com/
By: Rhonda Percell – Wife, Mother of 3, Healthy Mom and Owner of Healthy Moms for A Healthy Family
So here are just five options you can make to bring along on those busy nights.
1. Salad – You can make a salad for each family member and place it in a plastic container. Top the salad with plenty of veggies, some chicken or tuna, and maybe even a sliced hardboiled egg. Sunflower seeds are also a nice, healthy salad topper. Bring along some forks, napkins, and some rolls and you have a great on-the-go meal.
2. Hamburgers РYes, hamburgers! But ones you make yourself from lean hamburger you bought on sale from the store. You can top the burgers with cheese, saut̩ed onions and mushrooms, and ranch dressing. Put on toasted French bread and wrap in tin foil to keep warm.
3. Soup or Chili – On a cool night you can bring along a homemade soup or chili in some thermoses. Remember to bring spoons, napkins, and maybe bread or rolls to complete this meal.
4. Wraps – Use tortillas to make a wrap instead of the traditional sandwich. You can add chicken, tuna, or leftover steak, grated carrots and cheese, sunflower seeds, fresh spinach, and ranch dressing.
5. Homemade Subs – Make your own sub sandwich just the way you like it instead of going to the sub shop. Just buy sub rolls at the grocery store and add all your favorite fillings. Remember you can add grated carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, and spinach to get some great healthy nutrients in your sub. Bring along some cut up veggies and ranch dressing to complete this on-the-go meal.
So, as you can see, if you plan ahead you can save a lot of money on your food budget and also feed your family a much healthier dinner. Let’s face it even a plain tuna sandwich would be healthier than the heart –attack in a box from the drive-thru and cost a lot less money.
And if you would like more money saving tips and healthy living tips please visit http://www.healthymomsforahealthyfamily.blogspot.com/
By: Rhonda Percell – Wife, Mother of 3, Healthy Mom and Owner of Healthy Moms for A Healthy Family
How to Save Money – 5 Simple Ways to Lower Your Monthly Budget
Money is tight for many people these days and even if you aren’t feeling the crunch everyone can stand to save money on their monthly budget. When you used to hear “A Penny Saved Is a Penny Earned” is true. You can take those saved “pennies” and put them in an emergency fund for unexpected expenses in the future.
So, here are five things you can do today to save money on your monthly budget.
1. Cut Extra Features On Landline or Eliminate Landline – Many times the phone company gets you to bundle with extra feature so you can save say $5.00 a month, but if you don’t use those features and they cost more than $5.00 you are wasting money. If you have a cell phone consider eliminating the long distance feature on your landline. You may want to eliminate your landline altogether if you have enough minutes on your cell phone and don’t use your landline that much anyways.
2. Cut Extra’s From Your Cell Phone – When money is tight consider cutting extra’s from your cell phone service such as text messaging packages. You can even call your cell phone provider and have them put a text block on your phone so you won’t receive any text messages from anyone and therefore not have to pay the $.20 a message to receive a text message. You may also want to check into going to a lower minute package if you do not regularly use all the minutes provided on your current plan.
3. Cut Extra Channels on Cable or Satellite TV – Stop paying for movie channels that you probably don’t watch much anyways. Check your local library to see if they offer free movie to check out just like you check out books. You may also look into a lower priced channel package. It’s unbelievable but even with all the channels available there are still times there is nothing good on TV. This is a time you can spend with your children playing games instead of mindlessly watch TV. If money is extremely tight for your family you may want to consider cancelling your cable or Satellite TV for now. If you still have internet service you can watch many TV shows and movies free online.
4. Lower Your Broadband Internet Speed – If you have broadband internet you may want to check in to lowering the broadband speed. This can save you sometimes $10 a month and you won’t even be able to tell the difference in speeds.
5. De-Insuring an Extra Vehicle – If you have multiple vehicles that you drive you may want to consider de-insuring one for six months to a year and only using one or two of your vehicles. Just make sure you check with your insurance agent first and then fill out a de-insured certificate with your state transportation department if necessary. This certificate can often be completed online.
As you can see these are just a few way you can save money on what you may have thought to be fixed expenses in your monthly budget. Even if you save just $10 each in a couple of these areas that could be $30 to $40 you could be saving in an emergency fund each month.
And if you would like more money saving tips and healthy living tips please visit http://www.healthymomsforahealthyfamily.blogspot.com/
By: Rhonda Percell – Wife, Mother of 3, Healthy Mom and Owner of Healthy Moms For A Healthy Family
So, here are five things you can do today to save money on your monthly budget.
1. Cut Extra Features On Landline or Eliminate Landline – Many times the phone company gets you to bundle with extra feature so you can save say $5.00 a month, but if you don’t use those features and they cost more than $5.00 you are wasting money. If you have a cell phone consider eliminating the long distance feature on your landline. You may want to eliminate your landline altogether if you have enough minutes on your cell phone and don’t use your landline that much anyways.
2. Cut Extra’s From Your Cell Phone – When money is tight consider cutting extra’s from your cell phone service such as text messaging packages. You can even call your cell phone provider and have them put a text block on your phone so you won’t receive any text messages from anyone and therefore not have to pay the $.20 a message to receive a text message. You may also want to check into going to a lower minute package if you do not regularly use all the minutes provided on your current plan.
3. Cut Extra Channels on Cable or Satellite TV – Stop paying for movie channels that you probably don’t watch much anyways. Check your local library to see if they offer free movie to check out just like you check out books. You may also look into a lower priced channel package. It’s unbelievable but even with all the channels available there are still times there is nothing good on TV. This is a time you can spend with your children playing games instead of mindlessly watch TV. If money is extremely tight for your family you may want to consider cancelling your cable or Satellite TV for now. If you still have internet service you can watch many TV shows and movies free online.
4. Lower Your Broadband Internet Speed – If you have broadband internet you may want to check in to lowering the broadband speed. This can save you sometimes $10 a month and you won’t even be able to tell the difference in speeds.
5. De-Insuring an Extra Vehicle – If you have multiple vehicles that you drive you may want to consider de-insuring one for six months to a year and only using one or two of your vehicles. Just make sure you check with your insurance agent first and then fill out a de-insured certificate with your state transportation department if necessary. This certificate can often be completed online.
As you can see these are just a few way you can save money on what you may have thought to be fixed expenses in your monthly budget. Even if you save just $10 each in a couple of these areas that could be $30 to $40 you could be saving in an emergency fund each month.
And if you would like more money saving tips and healthy living tips please visit http://www.healthymomsforahealthyfamily.blogspot.com/
By: Rhonda Percell – Wife, Mother of 3, Healthy Mom and Owner of Healthy Moms For A Healthy Family
Monday, February 2, 2009
Saving Money – 3 Easy Ways to Save Money While Raising an Infant
Saving money is on everyone’s mind these days and when you have children you really need to save money everywhere you can especially with an infant in the house.
1. Breastfeeding – Nursing your new infant is so important to give them a good head start with all the benefits of breast milk. However, you may want to also consider breastfeeding because of all the money you will save by not having to buy infant formula. You may even consider nursing your infant longer than you did with your older children so you can transition right from breast milk to regular milk when they are old enough. This will save you a lot of money by not having to buy infant formula from the store.
2. Use Wash cloths Instead of Wipes – You can also save money by using washcloths for diaper changing instead of diaper wipes. Your baby’s bottom will thank you because diaper rash is usually less when a baby washcloth that has been laundered in baby clothes detergent is used. Baby will also like it because it is nice and warm compared to the cold diaper wipes.
3. Make Your Own Baby Food – When your infant is ready for baby food you can save money by making your own instead of buying pre-made baby food in a jar. Many times you can just cook some extra carrots for dinner and puree and have home-made baby food for your infant.
These are just a few ways to can save money while raising an infant. With the economy the way it is, we need to save money where ever we can.
And if you would like more information on saving money and other health tips, please visit http://healthymomsforahealthyfamily.blogspot.com/ and sign up for our newsletter.
By: Rhonda Percell – Healthy Mom, Mother of 3, and owner of Healthy Moms for a Healthy Family
1. Breastfeeding – Nursing your new infant is so important to give them a good head start with all the benefits of breast milk. However, you may want to also consider breastfeeding because of all the money you will save by not having to buy infant formula. You may even consider nursing your infant longer than you did with your older children so you can transition right from breast milk to regular milk when they are old enough. This will save you a lot of money by not having to buy infant formula from the store.
2. Use Wash cloths Instead of Wipes – You can also save money by using washcloths for diaper changing instead of diaper wipes. Your baby’s bottom will thank you because diaper rash is usually less when a baby washcloth that has been laundered in baby clothes detergent is used. Baby will also like it because it is nice and warm compared to the cold diaper wipes.
3. Make Your Own Baby Food – When your infant is ready for baby food you can save money by making your own instead of buying pre-made baby food in a jar. Many times you can just cook some extra carrots for dinner and puree and have home-made baby food for your infant.
These are just a few ways to can save money while raising an infant. With the economy the way it is, we need to save money where ever we can.
And if you would like more information on saving money and other health tips, please visit http://healthymomsforahealthyfamily.blogspot.com/ and sign up for our newsletter.
By: Rhonda Percell – Healthy Mom, Mother of 3, and owner of Healthy Moms for a Healthy Family
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