Martha Stewart.. This is reality calling!
Welcome back!
Photo from Flickr
I have been a Martha Stewart fan since I was a teenager. My mother and sister used to make fun of me for my Martha Stewart obsession. I have always admired how she has such attention to detail and makes sure that things are done properly. I do recognize and always have, that she tends to go a bit overboard on some things. I have been a loyal reader of her magazine and I used to watch her show on NBC. I bought her products and I was even going to go to a book signing.
As the recession hit, I continued to watch her show. She had on guests like Jim Cramer who was talking about stocks and the stock market. While this is helpful to some, it is not helpful to all. While the rest of the country geared up for the recession, to me it seem as if it was business as usual at Martha Stewart Omnimedia. I watched her show to see if she would have money saving tips for the average American household, but I never saw anything of the sort. Eventually I got fed up and just stopped watching her show. Last week I read an article that said that viewership was down for her show. I was not surprised.
My annoyance did not stop with her television show either. I continued to read the magazine but I soon found myself feeling betrayed. I felt like the Martha magazine was targeted to a different audience, one that had not been effected by the recent recession. Recipes and crafts in the magazine still required pricey ingredients and pieces. While she talked about the recession did she actually realize what the average middle class household was going through? The final straw for me was a piece about what every woman should have in their closet. While the pictures were beautiful, the clothing was outrageously priced.
I eventually started reading the magazine Real Simple. I like this magazine because I feel like it has the same quality as the Martha magazine but that it is more accessible to the average middle income house hold. They too have their out- of touch artciles too, but not as bad.
Even though I have been annoyed by Martha Stewart’s constant bragging about the vacations she goes on or the show about designer dresses, I do not hate her and I occasionally do watch her show. I just wish that she would realize that we aren’t all millionaires and target her show that way. I bet if she did, her ratings would go back up.
The Art of Canning
Harvest fresh from the Garden
One weekend not to long ago I received my first lesson on how to can tomatoes. I have always been interested in the process but I have never had the chance to learn until now. My mother-in-law called me one Saturday and asked me if I would like to learn how to can tomatoes from their garden. I am always up for learning new things, especially if it was save me money down the line. So off I went to learn how to do it.
The process was relatively simple. Here is a quick breakdown.
1. Wash your tomatoes in a cold water bath to wash off dirt. Inspect them for holes, mold and anything else that you would not want to eat.
2. Boil your washed tomatoes for about 2 minutes or until the skin starts to peel.
3. Peel the skin off the tomatoes, cut into medium size pieces and put into a bowl
4. We choose to leave the seeds in our tomatoes so we simply mashed them with a potatoe masher.
5. We made sure to boil our Mason jars and lids prior to starting this process- This is VERY important.
6. We filled each jar, leaving about 1/2 inch unfilled at the top.
7. We submerged each jar in boiling water, using a canning pan, until each jar made a “pop.” You must wait until you hear the “pop” noise to know that the jar is sealed. Do not store jars that do not seal as the contents will spoil.
I had a lot of fun learning how to can tomatoes. I think I may actually do it again in the future. If you are interested in canning, I would picking up a book on how to do so at your local library. The process may look overwhelming but it is actually pretty easy. Happy Canning!
Affodable Halloween Menu That will be Sure to Spook Your Guests
I love Halloween, it is my favorite holiday of the year. This year I decided to host a halloween dinner in my home. My goal was do throw my party as inexpensively as possible. I scoured the internet religiously for ideas for my spooky menu. I finally figured out what I am going to serve, and I will share it with all of you.
As a rule, I do not serve “gross” food. I came across many recipes that were so unappetizing that there was no way that I would ever eat it, such as kitty litter cake. (which looks like a box of used kitty litter) So without further ado here is my Spooky Menu.
Appetizers
Deep Fried Blisters with Blood Dipping Sauce (Deep fried ravioli with marinara sauce)
Crushed Mummy Brains with bone shaped bread (Garlic Hummus and pita bread cut into the shape of bones)
Steamed Maggots (Gnocchi thats been cooked)
Pumpkin Cheese ball with crackers
Moldy Monster Brain Dip with skin pieces to dip (Spinach dip in a hollowed out bread bowl, using the innards of the bowl for dipping)
Dinner
Roadkill Spaghetti Sauce on a bed of worms (Marinara with meat on top of linguini)
Poison Leaf Salad (Basic salad with many colors of lettuce leaves)
Garlic Bread
Dessert
Pumpkin Pie with whip Cream on top
Chocolate worm Mousse
Recipes
Deep Fried Ravioli
This Recipe is super easy and looks like it was very difficult to make.
1 package of pre-made ravioli with cheese filling
1/2 cup of milk
1 cup of Italian Bread crumbs
3 cups of oil heated to 350 Degrees
Simply dip each ravioli in the milk, then into the bread crumbs and then into the oil.
Make sure to coat each ravioli completely with bread crumbs.
When you fry your ravioli do not crowd them in the pan. they cook for about 3 minutes. Make sure to watch them. They will need to be flipped half way through frying.
Place the ravioli on paper towel to absorb excess grease when done.
Steamed Maggots
1 package of pre-made gnocchi that just needs to be boiled
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup of olive oil, heated over medium flame in a frying pan
3/4 cup of parmesan cheese (optional)
Boil the Gnocchi according to the directions on the package or when they begin to float. Scoop them out of the pan and put them into the hot frying pan with oil. Fry the Gnocchi for 1-2 minutes. Add red pepper flakes and cheese. Place a toothpick in each piece of Gnocchi and arrange on a creepy platter.
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
1 store bought cheese pall
2 olives that have been cut width wise (eyeball Shape)
1 slice of red pepper, cut into a jack-o-lantern mouth shape
Push olives into the cheese ball to make eyes and red pepper to make the mouth Add crackers.
Moldy Monster Brain
1 Small to Medium Sized Bread Bowl
2 cups of Spinach Dip (I buy mine pre-made from the store)
Hallow out the bread bowl, reserving the inside. Scoop the dip into the bread bowl. Tear the reserved bread into dipping size pieces. You can make a face on the bowl like the cheese ball above.
A Beautiful Yard
I have always taken pride in how my front lawn looks. I believe that it is a representation of one’s home. In years past I have usually done the yard work myself. I have also spent quite a bit of money on my landscaping in the past. This year, however, my landscaping is going to have to be done on the cheap. I am collecting tips and ideas on how to make my yard look as beautiful as possible for as little as possible. I thought that I would share my what I have learned in the past couple of weeks with all of you.
First of all, I have learned that planting from seeds is much less expensive than buying plants that have already started growing. But, if you are like me, with only a slightly green thumb, this may not work for you either. Seeds seem a bit intimidating to me, they’re just to easy to kill. However if you are seasoned professional, go for it. I will be buying the already grown plants, in my experience, they’re a lot harder to kill.
Be imaginative when it comes to planting containers. Lots of things can double as a flower planter. If you like a more traditional look, keep an eye out for a good sale on them. In my experience, it is a good idea to buy a quality piece for a bit more money because the piece will last for many planting seasons. I caught a sale at Target a few years back, and the planters that I bought are still going strong. If you are however in need of some planters, I would suggest Ikea. They have wonderful plant pots and window boxes at very reasonable prices. I think I will be making a trip to my local Ikea and pick up some planters.
Overall, look for a deal when it comes to landscaping. Flowers can always be bought cheaply. I heard recently that The Home Depot is the place to buy flower this year. I saw a report on my local news saying that they had slashed prices even further to help those who are pinching their pennies. If you do the landscaping yourself, you not only have a beautiful yard to enjoy, but you will be left with a sense of pride of what you created. Be brave, go for it! I bet you will be amazed at what you can create.
If anyone has any ideas or tips to save money, on landscaping please let me know so I can pass your tips along. Happy Landscaping!
Brunch on a Budget
When I think of brunch, I think of elegant food and mimosas. I also think about how expensive it can be to host a brunch in your home. I recently had the pleasure of having my mother and her boyfriend to brunch at my house. I love to entertain, but it can be pricey.
I was delighted at the thought of having my mother over for the first time since I had moved into my new home. However, the dread of how much a brunch meal was going to cost set in. Rather than freak out about the situation. I decided that I would spend as little as possible and still have a wonderful brunch. Brunch is supposed to be a mix between lunch and breakfast foods.
I started my planning with by looking online for traditional brunch menus. I searched many websites so I could get a well rounded idea of what to serve. After I had a good idea of what kind of food I wanted to serve, I looked up some brunch recipes. I took stock of what I already had in my pantry and went from there. I found some wonderful recipes on the Food Network website. Not only were some of the recipes inexpensive to make, but they were sophisticated. From these recipes, I made a shopping list.
Once I got to the grocery store, I priced out everything I would need. I chose generic or store brand goods where I could. I spent less than $15 on my whole meal! My brunch, looked beautiful and tasted delicious. It looked as if I had spent a fortune. I simply took everything I had bought and put it in nice serving dishes. My table looked beautiful.
We all had a wonderful time. My guests were very impressed with all of the yummy foods that were available. I will include my menu for those of you who are interested. As always, continue to enjoy entertaining in your home, just remember it does not have to be expensive to do.
Brunch Menu
Fluffy scrambled eggs with a dash of seasoning salt
Cinnabon cinnamon rolls from Pillsbury
A cheese filled coffee cake (store bought)
A container of “mini muffins” which included blueberry, lemon and bananna nut (store bought)
A bag of frozen blueberries, strawberries and raspberries
Fried potatoes with onion
Coffee
Tea
Orange Juice
Milk
I am not a Degenerate!
It comes as no surprise that times are hard, and seem to be getting harder. Many Americans are having to decide what bills they can afford to pay. While budgeting and careful planning may help, sometimes there is just a shortage of available funds to pay the monthlies. As, the cost of living seems to continue to rise, the dollar seems to be stretched further than ever.
When you have missed a payment or are late on a payment these days, creditors are quick to let you know it. While you are clearly do owe them, do not allow yourself to be tormented and harassed by creditors. You have rights and there are laws for your protection from harassing creditors.
Unfortunately, I have had to start making tough choices recently. I just do not have enough money to pay everything on time. I like many Americans am doing the very best that I can.
I was prompted to write this post by an event that happened this week. My husband and I live in a very nice community, which we usually do not have a problem with. Last week, I received a call from our town’s water department. My check had been returned. I was so embarrassed, it had merely been an accounting error on our side. I returned the call to the water department to let them know that I would fix this mess right away. In the same phone call, they said that they would not take a check from my household anymore, due to my irresponsibility. Instead of arguing with the woman on the phone, I told her I would drop off the payment at the end of the day.
Two days went by since I had re-paid my water bill. I thought all was fine, until I got a call from the water department. The woman left a message on my phone at 8 am. in the morning. Her message that was left on my phone was incredibly rude and demeaning. Apparently I had not paid the bill correctly, which was a simple miscommunication. In the message she went on to demean my character and my husband’s character. I was shocked at the brazenness of her call and I was angry.
Later that afternoon, I went into the water department to pay my bill and set the woman who had made the call strait. I told her that I am not a bad person due to an accounting error. Further more, I asked her if she treated everyone who had issues with their bills in this manner. I reminded her that we are in the grips of a very serious recession and that a little compassion for people’s struggles might be in order. The woman did not seem to even register what I had said, and her rude service continued through out my business there. As a bill payer/ customer, you do have rights and you should be heard.
I was utterly shocked by her rudeness. There was absolutely no call for it. My husband was appalled at the treatment I had received as well. He jokingly said, that I should tell them that I was going to dig a well, and that they could keep their city wanter. This was a tricky situation, where I as the customer was not heard. Because it is a city service, I just have to deal with her behavior. I told my husband that the whole situation reminds me of a Simpsons episode where, Homer insults the local garbage men and does not have pick up service for months, causing his rubbish to pile up in his yard.
While I was clearly in the wrong for my accounting error, I still deserver to be treated with dignity and respect.
Top 10 Ways to Redecorate A Room Spending Next to Nothing
During this economic crisis many are learning that their home really is their castle. People are spending more time at home due to the economic issues. People are once again returning to those dining rooms and living rooms that were neglected by eating out and going out for entertainment.
Spending more time at home, sometimes gives people the “itch” to redecorate. Well, in these difficult times, it is not feasible to go on a spending spree to redo a room in your house. However, there are ways to spruce up a room and still spend very little. If you must buy items to redo your room, try the thrift store, garage sales and Ikea. So without further ado, here are my top ten ways for redoing a room on a tight budget:
A Can of Paint
This is my favorite way to redo a room. I love changing the color in a room. When you paint a room it becomes your special space. It’s like leaving a mark saying that you were here. Paint does not have to be expensive. I usually look in the returns section of the paint store. You can get really nice colors at a fraction of what you would normally pay. The best thing about paint is, if you don’t like it, paint it another color!
A New Rug
Carpeting a whole room is really pricey. If you have horribly stained carpet and you cannot afford to replace it, try buying an area rug. Area rugs do not have to be pricey. Most retailers like Target and Walmart sell them. You do not need an area rug that costs thousands of dollars. You can also check on line for a rug as well. I would also suggest your local thrift store. In many cases the cost of the rug and a shampoo is cheaper than buying one new. Believe it or not, an area rug can change the whole feel of a room.
Re-arrange Your Furniture
I know this sounds silly, but it can totally change your room. I constantly try this trick. It drives my husband crazy, but it allows me to show off the room and furniture in different ways. I can breath some life into an old boring room. Just be careful when moving furniture around to not hurt yourself. Also, if you have wood floors make sure not to drag furniture, as to not scratch the floor.
Switch Out Art Work
This is a great trick to give an old piece a new life. If you are redoing your room and there is a print that is hanging in another room, try hanging it in your new room. You can bring in new colors and patterns through artwork. If you don’t have any artwork, try and create something yourself. I know this might intimidate some, but give it a try, you might surprise yourself. If you are not artistically inclined, but you have children, try hanging some of their artwork.
Accessories
This is the easiest part of changing a room. Again, take things from other parts of the house. Picture frames are usually interchangeable. Use a large bowl as a centerpiece on your coffee table, or a breakfast tray. Glass items such as a vase can also bring new color into a room. The thrift store is a great place to shop for accessories. I never buy them new at any stores, they’re too expensive. I would also suggest garage sales.
Change Photos in Picture Frames
I always try to rotate pictures in the photo frames that I have. This is great way to update the look of your room. Wedding pictures, family photos or pictures of friends are great to swap out. Choose different pictures of loved ones and events to showcase.
The Infamous Couch Cover
I am the victim of dated furniture. My husband and I have handed down furniture. It is not the prettiest but, it is comfortable and clean. However, neither of my couches match. A quick way to fix ugly, dated, and dirty furniture is a couch cover. These can be pricey so look for a deal. You can also have your furniture re-fabriced. As always, when it comes to doing these things, they can be pricey, so shop for a deal. Keep in mind it should be much cheaper than replacing the furniture you have.
Throw Pillows
Throw Pillows are a wonderful to update a room. They can be easy to sew if you do not want to buy them. I do not own a sewing machine and am inept at sewing but, I managed to sew some very nice pillows that lasted forever. If the whole sewing thing is not for you, they can be purchased very cheaply. I would recommend Walmart or Ikea. I recently bout 4 pillows at Ikea for under $10. They’re soft and comfortable.
A New Bedspread
This is the best way to redo a bedroom for little or no money. If you have a reversible bedspread, you can switch sides for a while. If you have a duvet, try switching out duvet covers, which is usually inexpensive. Ikea has wonderful duvet sets which usually include the duvet and pillow shams. The thrift store is another wonderful place to buy new bedding. Just make sure to wash it well before using.
Change the Lighting
Properly lighting a room is very important. Lighting of a room either showcase a room or hides it in darkness. Try to move your lamps and lights around to evenly light your room. Try to avoid dark corners. You will be amazed what a difference an extra lamp can make to the appearance of a room. You can purchase lamps inexpensively. If you do choose to buy a lamp second-hand, be careful with the electrical components, the unit may not be up to code.
These few tip can totally change the look of a room. As always, try to make do with what you have. Walk around your house and take stock of what you have, this will help you re-arrange things in your home and give your treasures a new life. Have fun!
Resources for Recent Layoffs
540,000 jobs were cut last month, and this month is looking to be worse. It is a scary time to be employed and unemployed right now. Strong stable companies are shedding jobs in an effort to help their bottom line. However, where does that leave the receiver of a pink slip?
Well, if you have recently received a pink slip you are not alone. I came across a statistic the other day that said 70% of Americans know someone who has been effected by the economic downturn or laid off. In looking at that stat, it is amazing to me to see how rampant this really is.
As I was searching the net for information to aid those who have been recently laid off, I came across this article on Mashable.com. They have an article that lists the best 30 websites for those who are jobless right now.
This database of websites is wonderful! It is very rare in the vast universe that is the internet, to find such a detailed and concise list. The database, has sites not only how to find a new job, but how to manage your money until you do.
Ben Parr, the author says,
“But the worst time to panic is when you are laid off and lose your main source of income. We live in a new and powerful era of communication, one where we can find support, gather news, and network without ever leaving our computers.”
I would encourage all to take a quick glance at his database. This is a wonderful resource. I hope that this helps to those of you who have recently recieved that dreaded pink slip
Don’t Waste What You Have, Eat your Leftovers
Not to waste is not a new concept to America, just a forgotten one. Survivors to the first depression learned a very valuable lesson, don’t waste anything. Take for instance my grandfather, who is a survivor of the great depression, he saves everything. One day I was in my grandfather’s den, and I noticed that he had a stack of used carbon paper. I asked him why he was saving used carbon paper. He replied that it could always be used again.
Grandpa may be a bit on the extreme side of not wasting but, he’s got a point. Get the most out of what you do have. I am amazed at how much stuff we as a society throw away. It is true that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Instead of throwing things in the garbage, such as clothing or furniture, donate it if possible. There are plenty of needy people out there.
One of the best ways not to be super wasteful is to realize how much food you actually throw away. When I actually started to look at how much food that I was throwing away on a weekly basis I was shocked. My most common food that was thrown away was left-overs. I always put away dinner that went uneaten and took dinner home from restaurants that was uneaten as well. I always had the best intention of finishing my leftovers but, it never happened.
Then I got smart, looking at how much food was actually being thrown away was upsetting. I worked hard to pay for that food, not throw it away. I started to eat my leftovers in my fridge religiously. Not, only was I not wasting but, my grocery bill went down because my food was lasting longer.
My pledge to start eating my leftovers in my fridge, changed the way I did my monthly shopping. I realized that whatever I cooked, I was going to eat until it was gone. I started to cook food that kept well for a few days and was as tasty tomorrow as it would be when I cooked it. Chili, stew, soup, and casseroles are great leftovers.
You can even make leftovers fun. Have a leftover night. Leftover night is where you cook all of the leftovers at once. When other time can you eat Chinese, pizza and pasta at the same time. It can actually be really fun. We used to do this when I was a kid and I loved it.
I won’t say that I don’t throw any food away, I do, but it is a lot less. I hate to throw food away. I recognize how lucky I am to even have food. Really try to eat your leftovers. However, a word of caution, be careful how long you keep leftovers. Know the shelf live of things, and usually as a word of caution don’t eat leftovers that have been in the fridge for more than a week.
How to Save Money on a Date; Have it at Home
Date night just seems to be getting more and more expensive, to share a nice night out with a loved one. My husband and I have ditched the traditional date route, of dinner, dancing and a movie. Instead we have decided to have our date nights at home. To many this could sound lame, but it’s actually really wonderful. Date night at home really does have its benefits, especially when the weather is really nasty. We started our at home date nights about a year ago, when we were so stretched for cash, that we could not afford to go out.
Home can be the most romantic setting with a little effort. Set the mood, light some candles. When my husband and I do date night at home, we usually refrain from cooking, unless we cook a special meal for each other. While there is still a cost for ordering in, it is much less than dining out. Plus, we don’t have to go out in the cold weather. We can also have a bottle of wine with dinner at a much more reasonable price. Plus, there is the added benefit of not having to drive home after enjoying a bottle of wine with our dinner.
We will usually rent a movie, pick one from our on-demand from our cable provider, or watch one of the favorites that we own. Keep your romantic evening going in front of your television. Think of your living room as your own personal movie theater. Make popcorn and pick up candy to make it feel more authentic. Even though the movie and snacks may cost money, it will still be less that one would spend on one ticket at the movies. Sometimes we’ll even move our movie night into our bedroom so we can snuggle up together, which you can not do at the movies.
Date night at home allows a lot of freedom to do whatever you like, with your special someone. However, when you are having a date night at home, it is important to remember that you’re on a date, let the dinner dishes soak in the sink. Would you get up and do the dishes at a nice restaurant on a date? If you have children, see if they can stay at a friend’s house for the night. Date night at home, is still a date.
Be flexible with date night at home. Sometimes my husband and I will watch a move, or television. We have even slow danced during nice dinners in our own living room. We’ve also had mock picnics in our living room. Why not? Dinner and a movie doesn’t have to be the order of the evening, do whatever you and your spouse enjoy.
Date night at home can be so much fun. Some of my best dates with my husband have been at home. I actually prefer to have a home date night with my husband than go out. With the current rescission, things just seem to keep getting more expensive. I would prefer to save the money. When I actually think of the value of a dinner and a movie, out, I often don’t feel that it was worth it. So, give it a try, a date night at home. See where it takes you.
