Not Your Moms Couponing

Let me first start off by saying that I know that living in Ephraim you don't really get your choice of to many stores to shop at, BUT Walmart does match pricing on advertised sales. I also know that there aren't many ads that come to this small town either, BUT I am pretty sure that there are family and friends that can mail you ads from up north, or you can make a visit up north. I also know that there aren't many coupons that show up in the mailbox AND most don't get the newspaper, BUT there are tons of coupons that can be found online and if you have a printer than you are set!! Also if you have a computer and a laptop (or two) then you can maximize your coupon printing!
Now I know that couponing sounds really lame and to much work and its not worth it, BUT YOU ARE SO WRONG!!!!!!!
I had a food 4 less ad and I live in a place where there is a food 4 less store, but walmart will match! All of this stuff would have cost me $27.16 with tax. ( 8 lbs of hot dogs or 8 packages, 1 lb of ham lunch meat, 2 packages of 16 count pads, 4 bottles of Shampoo/Conditioner, 4 female deodorants, 4 male deodorants) I however shopped the sales and used coupons that I had printed off of the internet.

I only ended up spending $3.16 with tax :)
Surprised? Well let me tell you that I had 4 computers that I printed from to get a total of 8 $2 off coupons for the farmer john hotdogs. Most sites will only allow for 2 coupons per item to be printed from one computer. The hot dogs were on sale for $0.98. Which meant that the rest of the money was being used for other items. ( Most stores have coupon policies that will not allow them to give you cash back or in store credit, but it does allow you to use the rest of the discounts for the same transaction.) I also had $1.50 off of the ham and 2- $1.50 off of two right guard deodorants. The deodorant was 10 for $10. The shampoo and conditioner was 2/$3 and with each bottle of shampoo/conditioner you got a free degree deodorant. I also was able to get the pads for $0.70 because I had coupons as well.
Now to be honest, I don't like pads, I prefer tampons. However if there was an emergency such as I ran out of tampons, the store sold out because there was some kind of natural disaster, or someone needed something super absorbent to stop bleeding then I would use them (great to put in first aid kits!!!), and since they were free after I had used coupons of course I will take them.
Now not every shopping trip is as great as this was, but I have also gotten free shampoo and conditioner at Walmart in the travel size section because I had used a coupon that did not exclude travel sizes. Look at the coupons you are using and see what it does or doesn't exclude. You will be amazed at the things you can get, even clearance items!!! Those are my favorites.
Another thing, if you ever make it up north Target is a great store to shop at as well. Target's website has store coupons. These store coupons can be combined with manufacture coupons and you get double the discounts! For example here is a target coupon and a manufacturer coupon.

I can save $2 on this toothpaste.
I love coupons and it is my way of helping make our dollar spread, because we aren't the richest people and because I don't work so we live off of one income.
OH P.S. I use to hate the Parent's Choice (walmart brand) diapers with a passion, but they are new and improved like the box says and they are WAY WAY cheaper than the other brands. I save at least 4 dollars on every box that I buy and I get the same amount.

Home Made Syrup

I just had the best home made syrup ever!!!! For those who don't have syrup at home and want waffles or pancakes and not have to run to the store to get the syrup, here is a recipe for you.

1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
1/2 c buttermilk (or for those that don't have buttermilk 1/2 c milk and 1/2 tsp of vinegar)
melt altogether to a saucepan on the oven. Once it starts to boil, let it boil for 3 minutes. It will foam up, but don't worry it is normal. Take away from heat and add:
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
it will start to bubble and foam again, but don't worry it is normal. You can wait for it to settle or enjoy right away. If there are any leftovers (which I highly doubt there will be) you can warm it back up on the stove or pop it in the microwave.

Its so sweet, buttery, almost caramely taste and texture that you don't have to butter what ever you are eating. I do warn that it is not the healthiest syrup, but when you want to indulge in your breakfast here you go.

*one batch of syrup will take care of one homemade batch of waffles

waffles
2 eggs
1 3/4 c milk
1/2 c oil
4 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 c flour

thank you Thank you!

A Great big thank you to Jessica for an awesome Spotlight night! We had so much fun learning how to make some fun flowers for hair, clothes whatever! She did such a great job inspiring us all to be crafty! If anyone has any pictures of their flowers they would like to post that would be great, I forgot to bring my camera that night! Also if you want to check out Jessica's AMAZING fun blog http://justenoughstyle.blogspot.com/ Happy Hot glueing!

TONIGHT!!!

Our friend Jessica Womble is teaching us some tricks at our sister spotlight night! So come to the church @ 6:30, bring a gloo gun (if you have one) some fabric scraps, a friend and a smile!

Hope to see you there! Spread the word!

Sister Spotlight Night

A great BIG Thank you to Cindy for the live tutorial and the wonderful tips and tricks for decorating cakes! We had so much fun learning and watching! Here's some pictures of some of the cakes, we didn't get them all but they all turned out so cute and creative! thanks everyone that came and keep your eye out for a handout with all of Cindy's tips and recipes!

Baby Shower

Thanks to all of those that came to the baby shower last week. We had tons of fun! We wish you the best Sarah, Quichee, and Stephanie.

BABY SHOWER TODAY APRIL 22

There is a baby shower today for Quichee Stallings, Stephanie Jacobson, and Sarah Adams today.
Its at 2 at the Church. Please come and enjoy a good time! If you were wondering they are all expecting boys!!!!!

who needs store bought?

I have been given a few recipes that can help with costs. The first is home made wheat thins.

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup oil
1 cup water
Mix dry ingredients. Add oil, salt, and water mixture. Knead as little as possible to make a smooth dough. Roll dough very thin. Score with a knife and desired size. Prick each cracker a few times with a fork. Sprinkle dough lightly with salt or onion salt. Bake at 350 until light brown and crisp; about 30-35 minutes

The second I would like to share is Graham Crackers

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup oat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup + 1 tbsp. sugar
1/3 cup butter
1 tbsp. milk
1 tbsp. honey
Sift flours, sugar and soda into a mixing bowl. Heat butter, honey, and milk until melted. Pour into dry ingredients and stir until smooth. Let chill one-half hour to 45 minutes. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick. Prick crackers with fork as they come out of the oven.

Hope you enjoy!

Whats for dinner?

This recipe comes from my moms blog http://homeandtherange.blogspot.com/ She got it from Brandy of ThePrudenthomemaker.com website. It was surprising how easy and good this recipe is.

Chicken Fried Steak (minus the hen)

2 2/3 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup dried onions
1 1/2 - 2 cups water
2 eggs
2 tsp rubbed sage
2 tsp Lawry's Perfect Blend Chicken and Poultry Seasoning
3 tbsp oil for frying

Gravy
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
3 cups milk (can use powdered milk)

Mix first six ingredient. It should be wet and stick together well. If it does not, add enough water until it does. Form into six patties and fry both sides until browned. Meanwhile, whisk soup and milk together to make gravy. Lower heat to simmer and pour gravy on patties. Flip them over to coat both sides with gravy. Cover and simmer on low for 10-15 minutes, checking occasionally to make sure that they don't stick or burn.

You can do it too!!!

Who needs to go and buy really nice cakes? You can make your own special cakes just like the pros do.
Okay...so it may not look exactly like the pros but it can look pretty close.

This cake took me around 3 hours, but that includes the baking time and cooling time.
Fondant is now my new best friend and there are so many things that you can do with it on cakes.

Marshmallow Fondant:
5 cups marshmallows
1 1/2 tbsp water
1 lb of powder sugar
* you can add both food coloring and flavors to your liking and taste

Just melt the marshmallows and water in a microwave safe bowl until melted and then add the powder sugar. Its as easy as that. If you plan on using it right away I made it first and put it in the fridge for about 30 mins or so to cool it down and then brought it back out to get to room temp. Just have a flat surface with powder sugar on it and roll it out. You want it some what thin. You can add food dye and then use cookie cutters or free hand designs to put on.

Quick note: make sure you put a butter cream frosting on the whole outside of the cake. ( 1/2 c softened butter, 1 1/2 c powder sugar, 1 tbsp milk and 1 tsp of vanilla or any other flavor you want) and if you want to put fondant on fondant (like I did with the hearts) just wipe a small amount of water on the back side and stick it.

:) Enjoy being your own bakery chef

Please spread the word and come! It's going to be a wonderful night!

72-Hour Kit Add-In With Little Ones

I was at a friend's baby shower and heard this idea. Rather than try to spend too much money, or guess what size diapers you'll need in case of an emergency, packing cloth diapers is an idea for your 72-hour kits.

They're also great for spit-up rags as well (that's what we use them for, currently). You can easily look up several different ways to fold them and wash them, too. Not to mention, they take up less space. :)

Quick and Easy Homemade Bread

Are you looking for a quick and easy homemade bread recipe? I have just the one. There is no way to mess this one up. You don't even have to knead the dough! Seriously. Sorry I don't have a picture of what it looks like. Just trust me on this one. :) Oh and just as a side note did you know that strawberries are on sale at Kent's? $1.79 is a great price to stock up and make some strawberry freezer jam. Plus it would go great with this bread.

Here is the recipe:

1 package (2 1/2 tsp.) dry yeast

2 cups warm water

1 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt
4 cups flour
oil
corn meal
melted butter

Place yeast, water, sugar, and salt in warm bowl and stir until dissolved. Add flour and stir until blended. Do not knead. Cover and let rise one hour or until doubled in size. Flour hands, remove dough from the bowl and place in 2 rounds (they're not particularly pretty, and yes, the dough should be very sticky and goopy!) on an oiled cookie sheet sprinkled with corn meal. Let rise an additional hour. Brush the top with melted butter (sometimes I just use cooking spray!) and bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees and cook an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven and brush again with butter. Serve warm.

Here's what I love: You are making 2 loaves at a time. You don't have to wait for your yeast to proof. You don't have to knead a thing. Seriously, you stir it all up with a spoon and that's it!

Happy Baking!

~Jessica Womble

Food Storage "Baby Steps"

Angela told me about this website, so I hope she is okay with me sharing it. http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/
at this website you can sign up for what they call "baby steps in food storage" you get a newsletter about every other week (print it out or save it, they will only send you one of each.) These newsletters give ideas of how to improve your food storage on little money and space.

Fruit and veggie tip!

While it's a good idea to stock your freezer with veggies and fruit, it's also good to eat a variety of fresh produce too. one trick I have found to help me eat it before it goes bad: wash and slice your produce pretty quickly after you bring it home. Store in an airtight bag or container. It's so nice to be able to pull out a bag of already chopped veggies for a quick snack. It only take about an hour to do all the chopping (depending on how much you buy) but then it's done and you are way more likely to eat it because it's all ready, and you still get it for the price of fresh food.

A lot of time we pay extra for our food to have it already packaged in snack sized containers "ready to eat" when it only takes a little bit of effort to get it to the "ready to eat" stage ourselves. Don't throw away money and quality for convenience.

(also, most of your snacks like crackers or chips have a serving that equals 100 calories or less, the trick is just stopping at the serving size. Try buying a large box of crackers and dividing it into 'serving sized portions' in a sandwich bag to grab easily instead of paying extra for the pre-packaged "100 calorie" packs.)

Snow College 2nd Ward

Hello ladies! this is the first of hopefully many posts, not just by me but by US! If you would like to be added as a collaborator please send me your email address. This blog is for you to share ideas, websites, sales, methods...ANYTHING that you are doing to be a provident provider. If there is something you would like to learn, post it here and maybe someone will read and be able to help you. Remember that provident living involves budgeting, food storage, exercise, scripture study, anything to help in the future. There are no limits! so start posting and let's help each other become provident providers!

Robert D. Hales talk: Becoming Provident Providers

-Andrea