Gift Cards Save U $$$

My husband and I are now using gift cards as a way to stay in our Spending Plan when it comes to eating out.



At the first of the month, we buy gift cards to a few of our favorite lunch places. The amount of these gift cards can determined by looking at a few months worth of bank statements and tallying up how much you spend on eating out. We usually have personal cash each week so we take a little of that from each of the weeks and lump it into gift cards.

Now my husband has a gift card to Jersey Mike's, Flame Broiler, etc. and he knows that's what he can use for the month. It puts a limit on his spending, but it also gives him freedom to eat out whenever he chooses.

You can also do this with Target, Wal-Mart, Stater Bros., Albertsons, or wherever you shop regularly. Figure out your grocery bill for the month (or for every two weeks) and buy gift cards at the first of every month.

This really helps us stay on track and within a budget that's reasonable!

Who needs Starbucks?!

Cappuccino Cream
Courtesy of Kraft.com

A very frugal thing to do is to make things from scratch - the more you make from scratch, the more money you save. I found this recipe off kraft.com and it is to die for!!!

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 cup brewed strong MAXWELL HOUSE Coffee, at room temperature

1/2 cup milk

1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

Make It!

BEAT cream cheese in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add coffee and milk, beating until well blended. Add dry pudding mix and cinnamon. Beat on low speed 2 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes or until thickened. Gently stir in 2 cups of the whipped topping.

SPOON into serving bowl or 10 dessert glasses.

REFRIGERATE several hours or until ready to serve. Top with remaining whipped topping just before serving.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Substitute Prepare as directed, using PHILADELPHIA Cheese and COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping.

Substitute 2 tsp. MAXWELL HOUSE Instant Coffee, dissolved in 1 cup hot water, for freshly brewed coffee

Leftover Rice

Whenever I make rice I seem to always have leftovers and I hate to throw it out. The other day I was watching Robin Miller on the Food Network and she likes to morph one meal into the next using leftovers, and this is her cure for the extra, cold, clumpy rice we all have after a delicious night of Chinese food!

• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 cup dried blueberries, plus more for garnish

Directions

In a medium saucepan, stir together all ingredients and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently until the pudding is thick and creamy. Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish, as desired, with additional blueberries or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Andie's alternative:

Omit cardamom and use 1/8 tsp of nutmeg; or omit cardamom altogether.

Use dried cranberries, they're usually cheaper, but taste just as great!

Free bowling this summer

Register with Kidsbowlfree.com for 

2 free games of bowling every day, all summer long!

How it works is you purchase a Family Pass starting at $23.95, this includes the two games PER PERSON PER DAY!!  The Family Pass also 

covers up to four adult family members.  

It is a one-time payment good for the entire summer.  

It's a great deal if you and the kids enjoy bowling!  Have a picnic lunch before or  after and it's a Free Day of fun.  If you go two times the pass pays for itself, but remember you can go EVERY DAY!!!

 

To find the bowling alleys in your area that are offering this program, go here.