Jul 1 | Canada Deals
Well, I thought it was high time I had a sale on the products in the Simply Frugal Store!
For a limited time only, save 50% off almost all of the products in the Simply Frugal store! This includes:
- The Budget Binder Kit (most popular!)
- The Grocery Conqueror Kit (the best bang for your buck)
- The Menu Planning Printable Kit
- The Recipe Binder Kit
Use coupon code: summersale
Expires: July 6, 2020.
This is a great time to purchase some tools that will bring organization and help eliminate stress when it comes to your finances and kitchen tasks.
Visit the Simply Frugal store here.
Exclusions: The Holiday Planner, The Summer Bucket of Fun!, and The Labels Kit.
Jul 1 | Free Ebooks, Freebies
Last month as you all may remember, I featured quite a number of posts that I dubbed March Mixes. Each post featured a recipe for DIY baking and cooking mixes keeping convenience and saving money on your grocery budget in mind.
I offered the ebook for free to email newsletter subscribers, but now I’d like to make it readily available for everyone! (Though, I’d still love it if you sign up for my free email updates!)
So, please head here to access your free copy of March Mixes: DIY Mixes for Convenience!
Jun 22 | Household Tips
Here are 7 smart uses for mason jars that you’re sure to love!
Mason jars can be found in almost any store these days. While they are easy to find brand new, thrift stores and garage sales are also great places to find older mason jars in great shape.
But for starters, many of us will already have some empty mason jars around the house. Even empty glass pickle jars are useful! Here are some inventive and fun ways to reuse empty mason jars.
Mason Jars for Bathroom Storage
Mason jars are also great for storing bathroom supplies like cotton balls, cotton swabs, makeup sponges and even little soaps. You can also store bobby pins. I have found they are especially great to hold makeup brushes or toothbrushes.
Mason Jar Sewing Kit
All you need to create a mason jar sewing kit is fabric, batting, spray paint and of course the mason jars. Here is how to make them:
- Spray the lid whatever color you want it to be.
- Then, use the lid of the mason jar to draw a circle on the fabric; you want the circle to be about an inch wider then the jar.
- Cut the fabric circle out.
- Turn the lid upside down and place it on the fabric circle. Using a hot glue gun put a line of hot glue almost all the way around the lid and start folding the fabric over onto the lid bunching it as you go. When you are about 3/4 of the way around the lid, take the batting and stuff it into the opening of the fabric so it is on the top of the lid. You want it to be even and poofy. Now glue the last section of the fabric to the lid.
- Now on the outer piece (the rim) you will need to make a line of hot glue. Press the fabric covered section of the lid into the outer piece and let it dry.
Now you can fill the inside of your jar with sewing essentials like thread, thimbles, sewing needles, mini scissors, buttons… etc. Once you’ve filled it, screw the lid onto the jar. Because of the fabric, the lid will be a little difficult to screw on. Now you have a beautiful little sewing kit with a pin cushion lid! These make great little gifts for teachers, moms or anyone really! They’re handy to keep in the car in case you have a little fashion emergency that requires a little sewing, such as a button that has popped off. (or a broken soccer shin pad in my husband’s case!)
Mason Jars for Pantry Storage
Mason jars are great for pantry storage solutions. Make your own labels and use them to organize your pantry. (I love these printable Chalkboard ones from Lia Griffith.) The larger mason jars are great for items like pasta or rice. Mason jars are a great solution because they’re decorative and because they’re made of glass, so you can see exactly what’s in them.
Mason Jar Cookie or Soup Gift
This is a simple gift idea that can look beautiful when everything is carefully layered in a mason jar. The best way to layer the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies, for example, is to start with an ingredient like flour and add the other white ingredients like baking soda, baking powder and salt which will mix in with the flour. Next, add the quick oats or M&Ms or chocolate chips. Finally, add the brown sugar and/or white sugar. Tie a ribbon around the top of the jar and add a tag with the directions on what wet ingredients they will need and directions on how to bake the cookies.
For the soups you can add different beans or noodles and other spices and dry ingredients the soup calls for. Again, layer the ingredients in a way that it looks visually appealing. Don’t forget the instructions on how to cook the soup.
Mason Jar Gift Containers
Mason jars make great little gift containers for things like a DIY manicure kit. Just get all the manicure must-haves like a few different shades of nail polish and some nail art supplies. You can find some super cute nail art supplies at dollar stores or Amazon. Take everything out of the packages so it will fit into the jar better. Then, to fancy it up a bit, wrap some of the smaller items in tissue paper and tie it shut with a little thin ribbon or twine. Add a few cotton swabs and cotton balls and you have your manicure in a jar all ready to give as a wonderful gift!
Mason Jar Luminaries
This idea is so simple and beautiful! Simply grab a mason jar and a string of battery operated fairy lights. Place the lights into the jar, then turn them on and place anywhere around the house or even on the deck!
Mason Jar Apple Pies
Apple pie in jars? It’s true! You can make adorable mini apple pies in mason jars! I have another blog post with instructions on how to make Mini Apple Pies in jars.
Related mason jar articles:
See how mason jars are so useful and fun? How have you put mason jars to use in your life?
Jun 19 | Frugal Living, Grocery Saving Tips
Here are the best pantry staples to keep on hand at all times
This list of 18 food items that you should always keep in your pantry, will help you create frugal, healthy, and quick meals. When you keep these pantry staples on hand, dinner time is so much smoother. These items will help you to feel great about your grocery budget and what you’re feeding your family.
I would highly recommend buying in bulk, the items you know your family loves, to get the best bang for your buck.
1. Nut or Seed Butter
Nut butters and seed butters are not only great for sandwiches, but can be a great addition to sauces and baking!
2. Pasta
Pasta allows for so many meal options! And with a variety of pastas on the market for various dietary needs, pasta is a real family favourite.
3. Rice or Quinoa
Having rice or quinoa on hand allows for great nutritious side dish options that cook quickly.
4. Canned beans
Dry beans are a great inexpensive option as well, but for quick meals, canned is the way to go! Here are some I like to keep on hand: Pinto, Chickpeas, Garbanzo, Kidney, Black, Cannellini and Refried.
5. Canned tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are so versatile they can be used in things like chili, soups, fajitas, spaghetti and more! I like to have these in my pantry: Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, Crushed Tomatoes and Tomato Paste.
6. Spices
No meal is complete without some seasoning from spices! Even if it’s just pepper and salt! Here are some of my favourite spices that get regular use around here: Onion powder, Garlic powder, Ginger, Cumin, Seasoned Salt, Cinnamon, Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Powder, Dried Basil and Dried Oregano.
7. Applesauce
Applesauce is a great food staple to store in the pantry because it can be used to replace oil in a crunch. It binds all the ingredients together while baking things like cookies, loafs and cakes. If stored properly, it can last 12 to 18 months on the shelf.
8. Canned Tuna
Canned tuna or salmon are excellent sources of protein and omegas that don’t have to be cooked.
9. Stock or Broth
Pre-made stock or broth makes so many meals faster and easier. Some varieties that I like to have on hand are: Chicken, Vegetable, Beef, Bouillon cubes or powder.
10. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a breakfast staple in a lot of homes, especially when the temperature gets cold in the winter. Not only does it make for a great hearty breakfast, it can be used to make oatmeal cookies, granola bars and even bread.
11. Baking Ingredients
Having staple baking ingredients on hand at all times will save you big bucks on your grocery bill. It’s always so much cheaper (and tastier) to create from scratch than to buy something pre-made. Here are the baking ingredients I suggest you have on hand: Flour, Sugar (white, brown and powdered), baking powder, baking soda, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, yeast, oats and chocolate chips.
12. Condensed soups
While you can make your own cream of “something” soups, I highly recommend having a few cans of condensed soup on hand to make meal prep really easy on hectic days.
13. Condiments
Having condiments on hand at all times is something else I recommend to make delicious meals. Here are the ones we regularly keep on hand: Ketchup, mustard, dijon, soy sauce, vinegar (white, apple cider, red wine, rice), BBQ sauce, Worcestershire, honey, maple syrup, peanut butter, mayonnaise and salad dressing.
14. Pasta sauce
Spaghetti is a meal that is on regular rotation here. I don’t over complicate it by having a few jars of pasta sauce on hand. Sometimes I like to add some fresh vegetables like carrots or mushrooms to jazz it up a bit along with the usual ground beef.
15. Tortillas
Tortilla shells are so versatile. They work for taco night, pizzas, wraps and so much more! I even have a recipe for making your own! See the homemade tortilla recipe here.
16. Potatoes
Potatoes can keep for a long time if they are kept in a cool dark place! The same goes for sweet potatoes too.
17. Frozen vegetables
I prefer having frozen vegetables over canned vegetables because I find they are more cost effective and I can control the sodium. (I always have fresh on hand too!) Frozen vegetables make for great quick side dishes and additions to soups or casseroles.
18. Cooking oil
My favourites are olive oil, grapeseed oil and avocado oil. I use each of those oils for stove top cooking, but I only use grapeseed oil and avocado oil for baking because they don’t have a strong flavor.
Related pantry staple articles:
In case you need some easy cheap meal ideas that you can create with some of these staples, I created a list of ideas for you!
Pantry Staple Meals
- Quesadillas: Butter one side of a tortilla shell, place grated cheese and other toppings (meat, salsa, tomatoes, peppers…etc), then fold the tortilla in half and fry until lightly browned and cheese is melted.
- BBQ Chicken: Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker and pour a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce over top. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours. Shred chicken with a fork and serve over buns or potatoes.
- Spaghetti: Brown some ground beef and stir in a jar of pasta sauce after draining the grease. Red lentils also work really well in pasta sauce! Boil your favorite pasta noodles.
- Italian Chicken: Place chicken breast in the slow cooker and pour a bottle of Italian dressing over tip. Cook on high for 3 – 4 hours or low for 5 – 6 hours. Shred with a fork.
- Tacos: Brown a pack of ground beef, turkey or chicken. Drain the grease. Add a packet of taco seasoning and some water. (You can also make your own taco seasoning.) Serve in tortilla shells or crunchy taco shells with your favorite toppings.
- Pizza: Using a homemade pizza crust, store bought crust, tortilla shell, naan bread, pita bread or even bagels, spread pizza sauce over top and sprinkle with mozzarella and your favorite toppings. Bake at 400℉ for about 15 minutes.
- French Toast: Mix 2 eggs with 2/3 cup milk. Dip 6 pieces of thick bread into the mixture until fully coated. Cook in a frying pan on medium heat. Flip once, until both sides are browned.
- Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom or Chicken Soup: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pork chops in an oven safe dish. Mix cream of mushroom or chicken soup with water until smooth. Pour over pork chops then bake for about 25 minutes or until the pork reaches a minimum of 145 °F in the middle. Serve with rice or potatoes.
What are some of your go-to meals using pantry staples? Any staples you would add to my list?
18 of the best pantry staples to have on hand to create delicious, budget meals.
