12-9-09 NEW BED FROM SANTA

The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Tonight we picked up a mattress and box springs off of Freecycle.
This thing looks brand new!
It's a Beauty Rest and has a matching box spring.
Christopher needed another mattress set as he was complaining his was getting uncomfortable to sleep on.
I was thinking about the getting the $90 bed at the thrift store
but decided against it because I didn't need another complete bed.
My friend Kendra was going to give me a mattress but I didn't want her to feel as though she had to help me every time I needed something if I could try to do for myself first. She's a very generous person!
It's when you can't get anywhere without trying first before you ask for help is the way I see it.
So we brought the mattress set home tonight and told Christopher it was an early Christmas present from Santa. Santa dropped it off at one of his helper's homes.
It was too big to fit in the sleigh is why he got it early.
Santa was very generous to give us a nice mattress set for FREE!!

12-9-09 SUPPER & DESSERT

CHICKEN MARSALA WITH MINI FARFALLE

1 box of Macaroni Grill Chicken Marsala with Linguine Dinner Kit
.75 cents
(already used linguine out of box for something else so it's just the seasoning
so I will split the cost of the product in half.
Was $5--Manager special for $2.49--minus $1 coupon made it $1.49)
1 box of Mini Farfalle (bow tie pasta) .50 cents
1/2 package Chicken Thighs $1.80
1/2 package Onion Soup Mix .38 cents
2 cups water
2 pouches Instant Mashed Loaded Baked Potatoes FREE

In crock pot add dry soup mix and 2 cups of water.
Place chicken thighs in water.
Cook on low for about 6 hours.

Remove chicken from bone and
follow directions on package of Macaroni Grill dinner kit.
Boil Farfall pasta according to package direction.

Remove water and soup mixture from crock pot and put into a small pot over medium heat. Whisk in some water and flour to make a gravy.
Make instant potatoes according to directions on package.

Serve pasta and chicken with potatoes and gravy.

TOTAL COST FOR MEAL: $3.43
Makes 6 servings @ .57 cents per serving
(one serving for Tony's lunch on Thursday)

Dessert

COOKIES AND CREAM FUDGE

2 cups broken up chocolate and cream filled cookies .33 cents
(1/3 pkg of cookies from Dollar Tree)
1 bag chocolate-peanut butter chips .99 cents
1 tub cream cheese frosting .50 cents

Melt chips in medium sized bowl in microwave.
Stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth.
Slowly stir in tub of frosting.
Then stir in one cup cookie crumbles.
Spray 9x9 baking dish with cooking spray.
Spread fudge into dish evenly.
Sprinkle remaining cookie crumbles on top of fudge
and lightly press them down into fudge.

Put in refrigerator for a couple hours until firm.
cut 5 squares by 5 squares for 25 total squares.

TOTAL COST FOR FUDGE: $1.82
25 servings @ .07 cents a serving

12-9-09 20 TIPS TO SAVING MONEY ON HEATING BILLS

No school today.
It's getting pretty windy outside as I hear things fall over under the carport.
Supposed to be in the 40's then start dropping this afternoon, brrr, down into the teens.
The next few days with highs in the 20's.
Also add in there that we could have wind gusts up to 55 mph!
BRRRR Wind Chills!
Check out videos from today.
Second video shows small branch coming down out of tree and hitting car trailer.
VIDEO #1
VIDEO #2

So what are some cheap ways to keep the house warm and the gas bill from sky rocketing???

1. Throw rugs down on floors.
I keep a large rug on my tiled kitchen floor and a rug on the bathroom floor.

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2. If the sun is shining out open the blinds and curtains to let the sun in during the day.

3. At night close the blinds and drapes to help hold the warm air in.
If it's really cold out I hang blankets up over the main doors and windows.

4. Use blankets to block drafts underneath doors.
Instructions to make your own draft stopper for doors.
You could also use an old pair of panty hose or tights and fill with rice.
Tie ends or use rubber bands.

5. Run humidifiers or vaporizers.

6. When using your oven leave door open when done so warm air can escape into your home.

7. Use electric blankets or heating pads. At night or even the day when lounging.

8. Wear layers of warm clothes, long johns, socks, slippers, shoes or a hat if needed.

9. Use flannel sheets or down comforters on your bed.

10. Keep busy! You'll be less likely to notice the cold.

11. Wall plate insulators.
Drafts can sneak in through the outside walls from your electrical outlets and switches.
Save money by making your own!
I went to the craft store and picked up cheap white foam sheets.
Use white as it is probably cheaper and no one will see them!
Remove the cover and trace the pattern onto the foam sheet.
You want to cut just smaller than the cover itself so it will fit snugly inside the cover.
Screw plate back in place with foam insulator in place.

12. For windows with drafts I have used duct tape along the edges where air could be felt coming in. You could also caulk them.

13. Insulate your hot water tank/ pipes.
I picked up an insulated blanket at a church sale brand new for $2.00!!

13. Keep doors closed to closets and cupboards.
No need to heat that space unless it
gets really cold out then leave cupboard doors open that houses your plumbing.

14. Lower the thermostat a couple degrees to save money on heating.

15. Make sure furnace and filters are clean.

16. Clean vents.

17. Drink warm drinks such as hot chocolate and tea.

18. I use painter's or masking tape and run it along the cracks of closed doors to keep any unwanted drafts out.


19. Don't block vents. I at times rearrange furniture during the Winter months so the furniture such as beds, sofas or tables are not blocking or sitting over top the vents.

20. Get a tax credit for using qualified Energy Star products.