Couponing

Some of you may not know it but I LOVE coupons. I love the idea of getting something my family needs/wants at the cheapest price possible. What I love the most is getting essentials we need for next to nothing--and when I find those deals, I stock up! One of my favorite shows is 'Extreme Couponing'. Now I don't take my couponing as far as they do but I now understand the 'rush' they talk about. Let's face it, everyone needs toilet paper, dish soap, shaving cream, etc. So why not get it as cheap as possible?!? My most recent trip to Walgreen's resulted in coming home with this:

4 nail polish, 2 Pure Silk, 2 Barbasol, 3 Dawn dish soap, & 6 Halloween cadies

This trip retailed at $26.42 but I paid $14.16. That's a 54% savings!!! My trip to CVS this morning resulted in a trip that would've cost $74.74 but I only paid $35.68--a 48% savings!! Here's what I got, in addition to the 4 12-packs of Cokes:

2-16 rolls Charmin, 5-Dawn dish soap, 1 16-count Duracell, 2-Herbal Essence shampoo, & 4- 12 packs of Cokes products 

Needless to say I'm quickly growing a stock pile of many different items. Just because we aren't out of some of these items doesn't mean I don't need to get it. We'll always use these things so I get them when the prices are at their best!! My biggest problem now is where to put my stock pile so I'm on the hunt for a storage rack of some kind to put in our garage. If you happen to know of one--let me know!!

The Best, Cheap Dessert Ever!!!

I made a dessert earlier this week for a carry-in at work. I wanted to make something that didn't cost an arm & a leg but was still delicious so I went with a Jello Cake. Now let me tell you, I love Jello Cake not only because it's so good but also you can make it pretty much any flavor you want! The best part is it only cost me $2.56 to make it. That's $0.21 per piece (12 large pieces, that is)!!!! You can't beat that!

All of the ingredients you'll need (minus the Cool Whip)



A little slice of heaven! :)



 Here's the recipe:

1 box of white cake mix
1 large (or 2 small) box of Jello--flavor is your choice
1 container of Cool Whip

Mix & bake cake mix according to the instructions on the box. Let the cake COMPLETELY cool then poke holes all over the cake (I use the end of a wooden spoon). Mix your Jello packets with the amount of COLD water ONLY & mix it very good. Pour the Jello liquid into the holes & on top of your cake. Place in refrigerator for about 30 minutes to set. Top cake w/Cool Whip & place back in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.

Enjoy!

So Thankful!

B-day present from my sis

As I sit here typing this blog, I am very thankful for so many things. I thank God every day for giving me the strength to get through another day. He has blessed me beyond my wildest dream. I have an amazing husband who provides for our family, a wonderful son who is a true miracle, the most awesome family a girl could ask for, & the best friends in the world! I started my day off by making my oh-so-dreaded grocery shopping list but as I was on my way to the stores, it hit me that I am very fortunate to be able to buy food for my family because there are so many people in this world who can't do that. So as I walked through the aisles at the store, I had a different outlook as I shopped. It was irritating or annoying anymore, but a blessing.

I've always been thankful for the things God has given me, but today really opened my eyes for some reason. My goal is to not look at something as simple as grocery shopping as a 'chore' or 'job' but as a gift that I can give my family. So many people go hungry every day & I don't feel that I have any place to whine or gripe about shopping for food.

For the past few years, Brian & I have donated to the Evansville Rescue Mission. I want to continue to help those who are hungry as much as possible, especially during the upcoming holiday season. My new goal when it comes to grocery shopping is to purchase some canned/perishable food on each trip that I can donate to a local food pantry. It may not be a huge donation but every little bit helps!

God bless!

Cookie Monster

I decided to make a couple batches of cookies a couple weeks ago & Logan wanted to help me. He loves to watch my mixer when it's going & he gets so excited!!

 

After I baked the cookies, I placed them on cooling racks like I always do. While washing the dishes, I turned around & saw this...

Needless to say, we have our very own Cookie Monster in the Gaiser household!! He sure is a cute one, though! ;)

Time for Change!

Ok...so I'm going to go on a rant for just a second. I'm sick & tired of going to the grocery store, sticking to my thoroughly planned list, but still walk out spending $100/week for our family of three!!! Granted I'm also picking up some household items (toilet paper, soap, paper towels, etc.) most of the time but this is a huge chunk of money being spent out of our budget! After doing some quick research, I've decided to start making some things that we often use to help cut back on our costs. Here's a list of what I'd like to tackle:

• Bread
• Pizza crust
• Pasta sauces
• Disinfectant cleaner
• Wood cleaner
• Dishwashing soap

Of course I won't tackle all of these at once but I plan to try one (or two if I feel fiesty) a week. I'll keep you up to date on how each of these turns out...wish me luck!!

A Gaiser Favorite

Here's one of our favorite recipes that's definately worth making!

Cheesy Chicken Rice Casserole

1 (3 lb.) chicken

4 c. water

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. butter

8 oz. pkg. chicken flavored Rice-A-Roni

1/2 c. uncooked rice

1/2 c. chopped onion

3/4 c. chopped celery

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Cracker crumbs

Boil chicken in salted water. Remove bones. Reserve broth; skim off fat. Melt margarine in a large skillet. Add Rice-A-Roni & uncooked rice. Brown slightly then add ionion & celery. Cook over low heat 20 minutes. Add contents of seasoning envelope, chicken, cheese, 4 cups broth (if broth is not enough, add water to measure 4 cups). Pour into buttered 9x13 pan or casserole dish. Top with crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Add more liquid during baking if necessary.

Yummy!!! :)

Here are some tips on how to speed up the cooking process:

*I buy 3 lbs. of boneless, skinless chicken breast & cut it into chunks before boiling.

  (It eliminates having to remove bones & most fat after boiling)

*I prep the night before (if I work the next day) by chopping the onion, celery & crushing the crackers

 (Ritz Whole Wheat crackers are the best!)

*I suggest start melting the butter & cooking the rice, onion, & celery at the same time you boil the chicken.

These tips helped me cut the time down quite a bit--and that's always helpful if you don't want to eat dinner @ 8 pm!! Enjoy!