5 Tips to Minimize Food Waste with Kids

Please join me in giving a warm "Frugal Family Fun Blog" welcome to my guest, Debbie Lillard, from SpacetoSpare.com for today's post! Debbie is the author of Absolutely Organized – A Mom’s Guide to a No-Stress Schedule and a Clutter Free Home, and she has generously offered her best tips to help minimize food waste with kids. Picky eaters can quickly bust your budget, and Debbie offers tips that help save money as well as the environment.

---

Does this happen to you? You come home from food shopping and the kids tear into all the new bags of food yelling, “Whadya get?” before you have time to unpack. New snacks are ripped open, meanwhile you have 4 half-full bags of cookies, pretzels, and crackers in the cabinet, but somehow those just don’t seem so appealing. My children are 7, 10 and 13 so I go through this about once a week. I hate to waste food, so I’ve had to come up with some simple tricks to finish one thing before we start another. (This is one of my Absolutes of Organizing).

1. Healthy After School Snacks - When they get home from school they are famished – so put out what you want them to eat on the table. If it’s easy, they’ll grab it. I often do cheese & crackers, chips and salsa, cookies and milk or a big bowl of grapes.


2. Party Trays -The day before you go food shopping, check the cabinets for half full bags of snacks and use them up. To make these more appealing, put them in a decorative serving tray. I have one with three compartments so I might do: nuts, pretzels and chips or cheese, crackers and cut up peppers. If your kids like dip, put that out in a little bowl.


3. Mix It Up -Produce doesn’t last long so I find myself with black bananas quite often. For this reason, I always have a big container of vanilla yogurt on hand for smoothies. Toss one cup of yogurt, one cup of fruit juice and whatever fruit you have: bananas, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries into the blender and let it whip. I like to add some crushed ice at the end. These make a great after-school snack or breakfast. A little whipped cream on top makes it even more appealing. And who can resist a bendy straw!


4. Buffet Style - Left over meals are an economical way to save food and money, but if you have picky eaters, they won’t like the sounds of this. Again, on the day before I plan to food shop I have a “Pick Your Own” dinner or lunch. I will categorize the food by protein, starch and fruits & vegetables and put it all out on the counter. Everyone in the family gets to choose one of each and that’s the meal! If you don’t have enough left-overs to round out the meal, make one new thing that the kids love like oven fries or pasta, this will make the meal seem fresh.


5. A better lunch – It’s so easy to go for convenience these days when it comes to packing lunches. I used to buy big boxes of school snacks at BJ’s and just use them until they were done. Now I’m trying to be more environmentally & health conscious, so I invested in some key lunch box items to do both:

Small stainless steel drink bottles– no more plastic.

Cloth napkins – no more paper

Reusable containers – for cut up fruit, snacks and sandwiches

Foil – to wrap other items ; I tell the kids to bring it home to recycle.

Thank you, Debbie, for sharing these wonderful tips with us!

Do you have any other tips to share? I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and share your ideas with us!

10 Tips to Get the Most Out of Library Book Sales (Guest Post from Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile)

I hope you will join me in welcoming Lynn to Frugal Family Fun Blog for this gem of a guest post with lots of valuable money-saving tips. Thank you, Lynn!

Update: We have a guest post up on Lynn's blog today. Be sure to visit her!

Hi. I'm Lynn, mom to a 2 year old lover of books, and I blog over at Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile, where we record and review everything my son reads. We're delighted to be guest posting at Frugal Family Fun today. When it comes to frugal, and fun, it's hard to beat your public library. While visiting the library and borrowing books is wonderful, there is also a certain joy in owning your own books. That's where the subject of today's post comes in -- getting the most out of library book sales.

As a child, I remember descending the stairs of my local library once a year, entering a small room jam-packed from floor to ceiling with books and eager patrons elbowing each other for the best selections. The excitement was palpable. My mother would buy me a brown paper bag for a set price and set me loose to fill it. I was in heaven. Now I am fortunate enough to live in a city with a huge public library that holds book sales multiple times per year.

Fresh from our most recent sale this week, I am sharing 10 tips for getting the most bang for your buck out of library book sales. Our focus is on children's books, but many of these apply to all types of books.


1. Go early. When they're gone, they're gone, and the best selection will be in the opening hours. If you are a Friend of the Library (my husband signed our family up as a stocking stuffer last year for $25), check to see if there are free members-only preview sales the night before.

2. Volunteer. If you really want first dibs, sign up to volunteer for the sale. I don't know what the official rules are about snagging books for yourself when you volunteer, but in the last city I lived in, the crafts section was always completely empty, and those kindly older women working the checkout line looked mighty smug about it.

3. Set a budget. This is fairly obvious, although admittedly, I don't usually do it. It might work especially well if you have older children with you. Give them each $5 (or less, depending on how much books cost) and let them figure out what they can buy.

4. Go late. Check with the library about the last few days of the sale. Prices might be cut in half, or the fill-a-bag sale might only be brought in on the last day. I know I also recommended going early. It's a trade-off between greater availability and the best bargains. Last year, I found that I was struggling to fill an inexpensive bag with books we really didn't want on the last day, so I limited myself to the first day of the sale this year.

5. Be neighborly. This tip makes the whole experience more fun. At large sales, ask others around you if they're searching for a particular topic and ask them to let you know if they see what you're looking for. If you feel weird asking, you can also just express your thoughts loudly to your young child: "I hope we can find you some books about cars!" This inadvertently scored us four great finds last week.

6. Choose wisely. Check board books for chewed corners (my personal peeve, which eliminates most board books at the sale), and especially every page in pop-up and lift-the-flap books for missing sections. If you see a book in great condition by an author you know and love, don't waste time reading it -- toss it in your bag and move along. It's a keeper.

7. Put your kids to work. If, like me, you visit the sale with your child(ren), put them to work. How much they can do will vary by age, of course, but even my two year old helps out. We have a rule that he's allowed to run around as long as he stays in the same aisle as me. I engage him by asking him to deliver books I pick to a pile on our stroller and to yay or nay borderline choices. Hotwheels from my purse buy me extra time when he matter-of-factly declares that he is "all done!". At the last book sale we attended, someone had set their three year old on the floor with a PDA playing movies. I don't recommend that approach, but it seemed to work well as a tactic to block us from a few shelves full of good books...

8. Go through all of your selections one last time before you buy. Ask yourself if you really want to own the book or if you'd be content to borrow it from the library.

9. If you get a book home and realize that you don't like it, fear not. Use sites like paperbackswap.com or bookmooch.com to trade for other books that you would enjoy more. I suspect many use the big book sales expressly to get books for trading online. I don't have that kind of drive, but you can use it selectively for books that you change your mind about once you get them home. Personally, we pop them right back into the library donation bin.

10. Feel good -- your purchase is helping to keep our libraries running!

Do you have other tips? We'd love to hear them. I already have the next sale marked on my calendar...

Top 5 Hobbies for Tightwads

Life on a budget doesn't have to mean giving up hobbies or special interests. Here are some of our favorite hobbies that will save you money!

1. Gardening -- Growing your own organic produce is good for the environment, and saves lots of money. Kids love to help in the garden, so it is a good way to get the entire family involved as well.


2. Sewing -- Make your own curtains, tablecloths, place mats, or clothes. 


3. Knitting/Crochet -- Knit or crochet blankets, scarves, hats, gloves, socks, dish towels, or baby booties.


4. Cooking -- Forget about eating out, and treat your family to a home-cooked meal.


5. Car Repair -- Learning how to maintain your own car can save your family lots of money, and be a source of pride. 

What are some of your favorite money-saving hobbies? I would love to hear about them! Leave a comment and share your ideas with us!

Top 5 Big Purchases (that are worth the money)

Mark and I are very methodical about large purchases. We plan ahead, research the latest reviews, and patiently wait for things to go on sale. Here are some of the things we have found to be the BEST buys for the money (i.e. big purchases that are really worth it):

1. Digital Camera -- We use the Nikon D40, and purchased an open box model from Amazon's Warehousedeals.com. I use it every day, and with small kids, I love how it takes photos instantly. It is an entry-level SLR camera, which makes it very easy to use. Since it was over $25, we got free shipping!

2. Vacuum -- Our household has two cats. These two cats shed. A lot. When we finally saw a Dyson D14 listed on woot.com, we scooped it up. This had been on our wish list for a long time, and our only regret is that we did not get one sooner. It is an engineering marvel. On woot.com, every purchase has just $5 shipping!

3. Bread Machine -- This was one of those things I thought I would never use, but the cost of bread kept going up and up and I noticed that many of the store-bought breads contained high fructose corn syrup. I had a few gift cards for Macy's and ended up putting them together toward the Cuisinart model. Now we use it all the time for pizza dough, breads, and even soft pretzels. Yum! I just load in the ingredients, select the cycle, and push "start". It does all the work! Plus, I love how the house smells when I am baking bread.

4. High Speed Internet -- This allows Mark to occasionally work from home. When he works from home, we save money on gas and car maintenance. We also get to enjoy lunch together as a family. Priceless.

5. Apple Computer -- I know these seem terribly expensive, but Apple computers are amazingly well-designed. They think of everything. They are easy to use, and virtually virus free. The iLife suite makes it simple to create fabulous videos, photo albums, web pages, music, and so much more.  

What big purchases were you most happy with? I would love to hear about it! Leave a comment and share your stories with us!

Free Books!

My mother-in-law first told me about this tip, and I am so glad she shared it with me! If you are a literature junkie, be sure to check out DailyLit.com to read books for FREE via email or RSS. Lots of children's titles are available too. It is so easy to sign up and get started. First, browse their collection of books to find the title you want. Enter your email address, and click subscribe. Most books are available in several segments that require less than 5 minutes a day of reading. The best part -- no late fees from the library! For more information, click here.

Save Money on Electronics

One of the questions I am asked quite frequently is "How do you get the best deals on electronics?" Here are some of my favorite tips to save big bucks on that new digital camera, laptop, or other electronic purchase:

1. Network: Let everyone know that you are in the market to buy a (insert electronic name here). Often a friend of a friend may have exactly what you are looking for, or know of a place that is having good deals, so it never hurts to get the word out.
2. Buy Used: Place an ad on Craigslist. It is free, and you may be able to snag a good deal. Also, browse eBay for listings on used items.
3. Try Refurbished: Check out Amazon Warehouse for great deals on refurbished electronics. Our digital camera came from here (Nikon D40), and we have been so happy about this purchase.
4. Open Box Models: I went to a large electronics store to buy a sub-woofer for Mark. I asked about the Open Box model and got a substantial discount. It even came with the same warranty, just no box -- they wrapped it in bubble wrap.
5. Other Deals: If you have not checked out Woot, you should. Woot features one item a day (usually deeply discounted) and they sell it until it is sold out before offering another item the next day. No matter what you buy, the shipping is always just $5!!

Help with Taxes -- For Free

Dealing with taxes might not be much fun, but you may be able to take advantage of some good free resources to make filing your taxes a little less painful. Here are some of my favorites:

Go to itsdeductible.com for a FREE download from TurboTax that helps you get the biggest deduction for your charitable donations. You will get an accurate value for your donations, plus you can easily import your list to TurboTax.  For more information, click here.

For more FREE help with taxes, visit H&R Block for a free federal edition and e-File. 

Frugal Generosity

Do you want to continue with charitable giving while still saving money? If you are low on funds, there are plenty of other creative ways to be generous to those who are less fortunate. Here are some of the best resources that allow our family to give more while spending less cash:

1. Click to Give -- Visit thehungersite.com and click the yellow button. The site's sponsors will deliver food to the poor every day you click the yellow button. Sign up for their free reminder email service, and they will send you a free "Seek Peace" bracelet! 
2. Volunteer Your Time -- Visit volunteermatch.org to find local volunteer opportunities that match your schedule and skill set.
3. Give Blood -- If you are eligible, consider donating blood. Visit givelife.org to find a local blood drive and set an appointment. It is important to remember that giving blood saves lives.
4. Donate Your Hair -- If you have long hair and would like to try a shorter style, visit locksoflove.org for more information on how you can donate your hair to be made into wigs for cancer patients. I did this several times, the most recent was while I was pregnant with Clara. I figured if I was not color treating my hair, I might as well grow it out so someone else could have it. After the pregnancy, I treated myself to a new style (and color), and donated over 10 inches of hair!
5. Try a Micro-Loan -- Kiva.org lets donors choose a specific entrepreneur from a developing country to help empower them out of poverty. Loans start at just $25 and once a loan is re-paid, you can re-lend it to someone else in need, donate funds to Kiva, or withdraw your funds. We always choose to re-lend it and make sure our donation helps the most people. Kiva also has gift certificates for Valentine's Day!
6. Donate to Goodwill  -- With your upcoming Spring cleaning, be sure to set aside any clothing items, small appliances, household goods, or furniture to be donated to Goodwill. The sales of your donations help fund job training and other career services that help people become successful at work. Click here to find a Goodwill store near you.

Has your family made use of these programs, or do you plan to use any of these for the first time? Do you know of any others I forgot to add? I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment and share you ideas with us!

Top 10 Cheap and Healthy Foods

Epicurious has a fabulous article on some of the best money-saving ingredients (complete with recipes). This is a great resource, and you can find the list here.

Do you use brown rice, potatoes, apples, eggs, beans, or any of the other ingredients listed in your everyday cooking? I would love to hear about it! Leave a comment and share your ideas with us!

Related article: 8 Tips for Healthy Eating on a Budget

Printable Coupons for Organics

Here is a great list of online printable coupons for organic items:

1. Organic Valley -- Save on milk, cheese, soymilk, and butter.  Each coupon can be printed twice.  Also, click here for a printable coupon for $2 off the purchase of any 2 Organic Valley products.
2. Mambo Sprouts -- Many coupons here for green cleaning products, organic peanut butter, organic chocolate chips, and more!
3. Horizon Organic -- Sign up on their website for free printable coupons for organic milk and butter.
4. Earth's Best Organic -- Register to print a coupon good for $1 off 10 jars of organic baby food (You may print the coupon up to three times), and $1 off any two Sesame Street Earth's Best Organic products (You may print once).
5. Stonyfield Farm -- Register for several coupons for organic milk, ice cream, and yogurt.
6. Brown Cow Farm -- Register for several printable coupons for yummy organic yogurt.
7. Earthbound Farm -- Quiz your knowledge on organic farming and you will receive a coupon (via snail mail) for Earthbound Farm's organic products.  They will usually include a newsletter which also contains coupons!

Know of a good printable coupon for organics that I forgot to add?  Leave a comment and share it with us!

Money Channel on Oprah's Best Life Series

Photo by Cliff Dix Jr

Looking for a good financial podcast?  Click here to find out how you can subscribe to Oprah's Best Life Series for free.  The series includes a Money Channel with Suze Orman.  And it's free!!

Download Suze Orman's New Book -- For FREE

From now until January 15th, you can download Suze Orman's new book, Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan for FREE -- courtesy of Oprah. For more information, click here.

From the site:

This book is copyrighted. You may view and download the file, but you may not copy the file or share or forward it to any other person. Offer expires at 11:59 p.m. CT on Thursday, January 15.

This looks like a great resource for the new year, so be sure to download your free copy and don't miss out!

Come Join Me on Financial Bliss

Good news! I will be a contributing author for the Financial Bliss channel of Blissfully Domestic. I plan to contribute articles at least twice a week and focus on frugality and budgeting. I feel honored to be included with such a strong group of women writers. The site is launching in the next few days, and I cannot wait to get started!

I would love to hear your topic suggestions and article ideas you would like me to write about for both Financial Bliss and Frugal Family Fun Blog.  Please leave a comment and share your ideas with me!

10 Tips for Planning a Family Vacation on a Budget

Emily enjoys a s'more while on vacation in a Virginia cabin.

It's the start of a new year, and for many people it is a great time to evaluate your vacation plans.  Family vacations can eat up a large portion of your budget, so here are some tips to help you find the best deals and get more for your vacation dollars!

1. Know When to Book --The best time to book your airfare is Wednesday from midnight to 1a.m. in the time zone of the airline's headquarters. For example, United is headquartered in Chicago, and Delta is headquartered in Atlanta. This happens to be the time when the computer systems of most airlines purge the records of the reserved but unbooked lower fare reservations. Take advantage of these low rates immediately after this occurs and you will save big bucks.
2. Research Early --  The more time you have to gather information, the better your savings will be.  The trick to finding the best deals is to plan ahead, so start your vacation search early.
3. Consider Camping --  Camping is usually quite affordable, and promotes quality family time.  Turn off your cell phone and re-connect with nature (and your kids) in the outdoors.  If "roughing it" isn't for you, consider renting a cabin.  Many cabins are fully furnished and some even have cable, high speed internet access, and more.
4. Plan a Series of Day Trips --  This can be a good way to maximize your vacation time by spreading it out over several long weekends at a time.  Staying close to home means you will save money on lodging, gas, and eating out.  Explore local attractions and get to know your area.  One year, we challenged ourselves to visit areas that we could travel to on half a tank of gas or less!
5. Pack Lightly --  Several airlines have hiked up fees for checked-in luggage.  Instead, pack lightly and try using only carry-on luggage instead.  For more tips on this, see How to Pack Lightly.
6. Save When Eating Out --  Rather than eating out for every meal, if you stay in a cabin or beach house you may have access to a kitchen to use to prepare a meal or two a day.  Camping is a great time to enjoyed grilled food.  If you do go out to eat, try a large brunch, skip lunch or have a light snack, and then a reasonable dinner.
7. AAA Discount --  Join AAA for tons of travel discounts on motels and other accommodations.  AAA also offers roadside assistance, which is ideal for long road trips.
8. Entertainment Book --  The Entertainment Book offers discounts on rental cars, hotels, restaurants, area attractions and more.  Frequently, these can be purchased for half-price during the summer months.  Order through uPromise for added college savings.
9. Cruises --  Cruises offer an all inclusive advantage.  Most cruises offer plenty of activities for kids and adults.  All meals and lodging are included.  Research early to find the best deals.
10. Disney Vacation -- For 2009, Disney is offering free park admission on your birthday!  Proof of date of birth is required.  Offer applies to guests ages 3 and up and is open to all.  For more information, click here. Disney vacation packages can be most affordable during the off-peak seasons of fall (late Sept - Nov.) and winter (after the holidays, January).

Are you planning a family vacation on a budget for 2009?  Have a tip I forgot to mention?  Leave a comment and tell us about it!

5 Ways to Save Money on Video Games

Emily (at 11 months) was already enjoying video games with Daddy!

Recently, we had a family video game night, and it was tons of fun.  In our household, we have a weakness for video games, and buying new games can quickly become expensive.  Mark and Emily get lots of mileage out of the ones we have, but we are always looking for ways to get good deals on video games the entire family can enjoy. 

Here are some easy ways to save money on video games:

1. Don't Rush --  The latest titles have the highest prices.  If you can wait just a short while, the price may come down significantly.  This is particularly true for computer games.  An added advantage is that you will have access to more reviews of the game to see if it is really worth the purchase.
2. Borrow From a Friend --  See if your friend won't mind parting with a game for a night or two.  Be sure to return the game in the same condition.
3. Swap --  You may be able to swap games with a friend, or set up a free account at GameSwap.com.  You list your old games, mail them when they are requested, and earn credits for new games.
4. Buy Used --  GameFly.com has used games starting at just $7.99 and includes free shipping until January 5th.  Games come with a new case and new manual. They are also 100% guaranteed.
5. Rent --  If your family likes to try new games, you might want to give renting a shot.  At GameFly, plans start at $15.95 per month, and includes free shipping, access to over 6,000 games, and no late fees or other hidden charges.  You may cancel at any time.  Click here for more information.

Does your family have a favorite video game?  Leave a comment and tell us about it!

10 Ideas to Earn Extra Money from Home

In today's uncertain economy, knowing how to make some extra money from your home can be a huge help towards paying those ever-increasing bills. Here are some great ways to earn extra money in your spare time without having to pay fees or leave your house. Great resources for at-home moms or college students!

1. Write for eHow -- eHow has a fantastic Writer's Compensation Program and it is free to sign up. The concept is simple. Everyone is an expert at something. Begin posting articles about what you already know. At the end of the month, if you have made more than $10, you will be paid via PayPal. If you make less than $10, it will be carried over to the following month.
   
2. Design Merchandize -- If you know your way around Photoshop, or The Gimp, consider designing your own t-shirts, coffee mugs, or other merchandize for CafePress. You can open a free shop and begin selling your merchandize instantly. When you earn over $25 you will get a check in the mail! CafePress takes care of the production and shipping of your order, and you can earn big commissions.
   
3. ChaCha Guide -- If you enjoy looking things up online, consider working as a ChaCha guide. Guides earn money based on how many queries they answer. Clients ask questions via text messages, and you are the person who answers their questions. Answer as many or as few questions as you like, and guides have the ability to be paid instantly via a debit card, or paid via check after a few weeks.
   
4. Amazon's MTurk -- Amazon's MTurk program lets you work as little or as much as you want, however the jobs can get boring after awhile. Once a job is approved, you will be paid instantly via Amazon gift card, or have the money transferred to your bank account.
   
5. Start a Blog -- Another great way to earn extra cash is to start a blog and write about what you know. Use Google Adsense program to generate some extra income by advertising on your blog. Also, consider linking into Amazon's Associate program and you can earn commissions for referring traffic to products Amazon already sells!
   
6. Trade in Your Old Cell Phone or iPod -- This process could not be any easier. Go to FlipSwap.com and find the model for your old cell phone or iPod and answer some quick questions about its condition. FlipSwap will send out a prepaid envelope mailer, and you will earn Amazon Gift Cards. It is also good for the environment to keep those old electronics out of the landfill.
   
7. Write an eBook -- Digital documents and eBooks are becoming increasingly popular, and it is a terrific way to earn extra cash without leaving your home or paying fees. Use a word processing program, such as MS Word, and save your eBook as a .pdf which can be uploaded to Lulu.com. You set your own price!
   
8. Address Envelopes -- If you have neat handwriting or know caligraphy, consider earning some extra money by addressing envelopes. This can work well for political campaigns, weddings, graduation announcements, baby announcements, and more.
   
9. Write Santa Letters -- Writing letters from Santa can be a fun way to earn some extra money. For an authentic touch, have the envelope post marked from the North Pole by addressing your envelope to: North Pole Christmas Cancellation, Postmaster, 5400 Mail Trail, Fairbanks, AK 99709-9999. To ensure delivery in time for Christmas, items should be received at the post office by Dec. 15.
   
10. Join MyPoints -- Join MyPoints for free and earn points for visiting website links that are sent to your email, referring people, or purchasing items through the MyPoints website. Points can be redeemed for gift cards from many different merchants.
    

Have any other great ideas to make money from home? Leave a comment and tell us about it!

Don't miss any of our great money tips!  Click here to follow the Frugal Family Fun Blog!

Blogs We Love!

Money Saving Tips:

Money Saving Mom

Frugal Dad

The Simple Dollar

Budget 101

Frugal Living

Econobusters

Household Organization:

Simple Mom

FLY Lady

Parenting:

Dooce

The Many Adventures of Being Jen

Absolutely Bananas

Soule Mama

Flipflops and Applesauce

Into the Wind

Toddler Activities:

Thrifty Craft Mama

No Time for Flashcards

Having Fun at Home

Preschooler Activities:

Let's Explore

The Write Start

Filth Wizardry

Just for Fun

Ramblings of a Crazy Woman

Creative and Curious Kids

ABC and 123

Montessori Fun:

My Montessori Journey

Chasing Cheerios

Crafts:

Inchmark

Artful Parent

Lovely Design

Crafty Crow

One Pretty Thing

Maya Made

Plum Pudding

Grace Violet

4 Crazy Kings

Blogger Friends

Kelly Rouba

Val in the Rose Garden

Online Shopping -- Getting a Good Deal

If you are looking for some great websites to help you save money while shopping online, MSN's Money Central has an article with 8 top sites for online shopping that can be very helpful.  

I like to combine orders with Amazon and get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.  If you use Coinstar and convert $40 worth of change into an Amazon gift card, you can get an extra $10 gift card for free!  Offer is good now until December 7th.  Details can be found here.

Also, Restaurant.com has great discounts on gift certificates for various restaurants, and if you order through uPromise, you will get an added percentage towards college savings.  Use promotional code THANKS to get 70% off.  Offer is good until tomorrow.

More on Thanksgiving Leftovers

Getting tired of turkey yet?  Give your leftovers some fresh appeal with these great recipes:

1. Paula's Home Cooking -- Includes recipes for Pumpkin Bars and Turkey Pot Pie.
2. Leftover Cranberry Sauce -- Mix with Cream Cheese for a great bagel spread.
3. CD Kitchen -- Easy recipes for leftover turkey.
4. Turkey Casserole Recipe -- Uses leftover turkey and stuffing.
5. Leftover Sweet Potato Cake -- Use up those leftover sweet potatoes and make a delicious dessert.
6. Sweet Potato Biscuits -- Another creative way to use up those leftover sweet potatoes.

Hope everyone had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!  If you have a great leftover recipe to share, leave a comment and tell us about it.

Frugal Gift Idea -- Jar Mix Recipes

Looking for some easy, inexpensive homemade gifts for the holidays this year?  Try jar gift mixes!  Purchase some inexpensive 1 or 2 quart mason jars to get started.  Get the kids involved and you have a great frugal holiday activity the entire family can enjoy.  Here are some great resources to help you add a homemade touch to your holiday gift list.  

1. Soup Mix in Jar Recipes:  Recipes include Minestrone Soup Mix, Vegetarian Black Bean Chili Mix, and more!
2. Cookie Mix in a Jar Recipes:  I plan to try the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Mix... yum!
3. Quick Muffin Mix in a Jar Recipe:  Includes instructions to make blueberry muffins.
4. Brownies in a Jar:  Makes a full 9" x 13" pan.  Delicious and easy to make!
5. Spiced Tea Mix in a Jar:  Well-received by the tea-lover on your list.
6. Lighted Potpourri Holiday Jars:  These are decorative and easy to make.

Be sure to decorate your jar and include a gift tag with instructions to make the recipe.  Know a good jar mix recipe that I did not add?  Leave a comment and tell us about it!