Hello 2015!

Hello again!  It's been awhile since I've blogged!  I am now living in central Ohio with my family, husband, two kids and three cats.  We just bought a house and made the move from DC to Ohio over the holiday season.  

So now I'm 'fru-girl' in Ohio.  It's going to be interesting exploring Ohio again after living in two of the more expensive cities in America.  Stay tuned for more posts about family, Ohio living, becoming home owners, cheap eats, Ohio finds, paying off debts and more.  

Cheap Eats - lunch - Egg Sandwich

As a new stay at home mom, being able to economize is key to keeping my sahm status.  That's why cheap eats are right up my alley!  

My latest go-to item has been the classic egg sandwich.  Full of protein to keep me full until dinner time and indulgent enough to keep my snacking habit under control.  And the best part - it's cheap!  

Single Egg Sandwich with White Cheddar and Chives

1 egg cooked in a crate and barrel egg ring with tsp butter = .22 cents

2 slices of Double Protein Arnold's Whole Wheat Bread = .44 cents

1 oz Cabot cheese (Vermont white cheddar) .36 cents 

(Chives from window garden - free!) 

Total cost - $1.02 pretty good!!

Variations to keep it interesting: 

Copycat Starbucks Veggie Egg Sandwich 

Labrea Ciabatta Roll = .75 cents

1 oz Monteray Jack = .31 cents

1 egg = .22 cents

2 pepper strips diced = .5 cents

Throw peppers into scrambled egg and cook in nonstick pan. Top with Monteray Jack cheese.  

Jalapeño and Cheese Egg Sandwich 

1 egg cooked in a nonstick pan with tsp butter = .22 cents

2 slices of Double Protein Arnold's Whole Wheat Bread = .44 cents

1 oz Cabot cheese (Vermont white cheddar) .36 cents 

Diced Jalepeno = .4 cents 

Total cost - $1.06 

13 months of Walter!

Today Walter is 13 months old!  

Wow!  

The art of Thrifting

Thrifting is an acquired skill of practice and of knowing what to look for, and not being afraid of all the weird stuff you will see along the way.  You can find phenomenal deals at a thrift store for your home and family.  Usually all your cheap finds require are a deep clean and they are good as new, saving you some serious cash!  

What I look for: 

Kids clothes 

Plastic toys (little people, fisher price) 

Depression glass and Carnival glass

Books

Computer equipment

Appliances 

Useful kitchen items - Pyrex, casserole dishes, juice glasses, air poppers

Retro kitchen dishes

What I've found...

A blabla for .99 cents

1960s candy dish for 3.25

33 Little People for $6

 

It's a cheap adventure - if you're on a budget who doesn't like a cheap thrill!  Have fun thrifting!  Share your best finds on the comments below!  

Whole Foods on the cheap!

First of all, did you know that you can go to the customer service counter and ask for a free snack for the children when you walk in?  Walter was delighted with his  animal crackers and organic apple juice and a sheet of stickers!  

Sorry for the blurry picture… I had Walter in the ergo carrier in front of me.  

Secondly, there are fantastic deals on special buys on Fridays. For example today September 20 they are having a sale on smoke salmon for 4.99 for 4 ounces.  In past deals, they have done great prices on grass fed beef, fresh fish, chicken wings and more!  These special buys at whole foods are usually my 'stock up' days.

Also, in the email that they send you about the special buys you can scan a barcode to get all the coupon savings in one scan. It saves time and you don't have to clip coupons!  

Also, go in with a list and stick to it in less something is on sale and you have a coupon. If you see something you want and it's not a list and not on sale… I have resorted to just take a picture of it and buy next time it's on sale.  Getting derailed in whole foods is very dangerous and can cost a lot of money!  Here are my "wants" for next time… Fresh Pierogies, crepes for lunchboxes and vegetable pot pies! Yum!

You Really Need A Haircut!

Last summer when I knew I was having a son, I decided that I should learn how to cut men's hair since there would soon be two in the house with ever-growing hair.

My husband was ready as my first test subject while I watched a couple YouTube videos, grabbed scissors and a buzzer and went to work!  I didn't do so bad!

Now I've been cutting his hair for over a year.  A cheap haircut costs around $15 total for men, so by my estimate for a monthly haircut by 'Salon Stephanie' has saved us $180 this year.  Once Walter starts needing haircuts that savings will double!

Packing a lunch

Packing a lunch is truly a gold mine of savings.  My husband takes a packed lunch to work every day (and luckily he prefers leftovers from last nights dinner!).  I pack it the night before after dinner, rounding up whatever is left over and adding to it with sliced fruit, an occasional V8, veggies and string cheese.  Bringing a lunch instead of buying a lunch can save $5-7 dollars a day!  For one person and on the low end that's $25 per work week.  Not only is it cheaper than your bought lunch... It is also generally healthier!  

Here's some examples of packed lunches that I put together for Jon:

Mini meatballs and red sauce,noodles

Parmesan in a separate bag

Sliced up orange and yellow peppers

Granola bar

Blueberries

Taco bowl (leftover taco meat, rice with tomato and jalapeños, black beans)

Peeled orange slices

String cheese or Babybel

Carrot sticks

Hummus

Bavarian sausages and sauerkraut with mustard

Carrot sticks

Slices of Swiss cheese

Yogurt with fruit

Try a week of packing your lunch the night before and see how it works for you!