davidsilver / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
This past weekend I went looking for an inexpensive pizza stone, but luck was not on my side. The cheapest stone was $40. Ouch! Luckily, a thrifty friend told me I could make my own pizza stone for much less. Here’s how.
After doing some research, I learned the stone sold in fancy stores is similar to ones found at home improvement stores, but for about $5. Woot, woot! I’m all over this do it yourself project.
natebeaty / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
When it’s cold outside, I crave warm stews like this chicken and hominy recipe. This stew is a traditional Mexican dish known as Pozole. The red chiles give it the heat and color. Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list! You can find all the ingredients in your grocery stores’ ethnic aisle.
This spicy stew is perfect with a little lime when you are all stuffed with a cold. Don’t worry! You can control the heat and still enjoy a bowl if you don’t like spicy food. It’s usually made with pork, but I make it with chicken because I’m allergic to pork.
Get Sunday coupon inserts through a super cheap subscription!
I’m part of a program to get valuable Sunday coupon inserts by subscribing to one of 20 papers in California or Utah. Many of these deals are valid for renewals, too. One perk is that you can buy additional Sunday papers to get tons of extra coupon inserts!
The Orange County Register is a particularly good deal.
Owenfinn16/flickr
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
A watery glass of luke-warm coffee is a bummer. A good cup of coffee is a treat. A glass of perfectly made iced coffee is a spiritual experience!
Years ago a barista taught me the secret of correctly made iced coffee. The secret is so simple and easy that it is a constant wonder to me that so few coffee shops make so-so iced coffee. Learn my secret and save yourself a few bucks while sipping a delightful beverage.
Here is the secret:
I'm baking cookies for Valentine's Day. What are you doing? chollingsworth3 / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Every year the prices of candy, chocolate, and roses balloon during this time. Instead of overpaying, I rather spend time in my kitchen making inexpensive treats to give out for Valentine’s Day. Below I share quick and easy recipes to make and share with others.
Steve Rhodes / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I must confess I have no clue what teams are playing on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 5), but what I do know is how to throw a party on a budget! Below I share suggestions to lower the costs of drinks, food, and decorations.
Food
- Prepare your food from scratch. It will take you longer, but it will taste better and save you money! Buying pre-made food from the grocery store is always more expensive. Make foods that can be prepped ahead of time or come in large batches so you can enjoy the game or commercials. Try this turkey chilli recipe. Make your own dips and salsas as well. (more…)
Learn to save money at Starbucks! kktryj / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
It’s no secret that I love coffee. A while ago, I even revealed my coffee addiction was costing me major moolah because I was charging my purchase. I’ve reformed my ways since then. If you can’t give up the trips to Starbucks, I share five tips to saving money while still getting your fix.
Glenn scored a FREE trip to Catalina Island on his birthday!
This is a guest post by longtime reader Glenn, who last year scored $199 in birthday freebies for $4 + tips. This year he redeemed 34 birthday offers worth an estimated $413.51, for just $26.54 + tips. Yowza!!!! Here are excerpts of his story:
Get Sunday coupon inserts through a super cheap subscription!
I recently joined a program to get valuable Sunday coupon inserts by subscribing to one of 20 papers in California or Utah. Many of these deals are valid for renewals, too. One perk is that you can buy additional Sunday papers to get tons of extra coupon inserts!
The Orange County Register is a particularly good deal.
We ate these homemade granola bars in no time!
My husband and I eat a fair number of Nature Valley granola bars, which run us about $3 for 12 pre-wrapped bars, or about $.25 a bar. Could I make these myself? Here’s my version of a recipe I found in my favorite cookbook, The America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.
I have not calculated exactly how much this recipe costs to make, but it yields three times as many bars as one box from the store and tastes a lot better!
What do you make instead of buy to save money?
Find a beer sale! Credit: DeusXFlorida/Flickr
Jennifer sent a tip on a super useful website called SaveOnBrew. The site shows beer sales near you. Simple and awesome! She says:
I am not sure if you have seen the website www.saveonbrew.com yet. It is a website that lets you put in your zipcode any where in the US and will show you all the advertised beer on sale. This should be a great money saver with the upcoming holidays!
You can customize a search by zip code or address, type of beer, store, container type, and more.
Can't wait to make a Buche de Noel! Telephone Melts / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Tis the time to haul out the bakeware! I love baking, especially in the cold weather months, as it warms up our home. It’s been really cold in L.A. lately! Below are a few dessert recipes I’m planing to make for our different Christmas celebrations.
Gingersnap Pear Cheesecake – In my post about non-traditional Thanksgiving desserts, I said how much I love cheesecake because of it’s versatility. For Christmas, try one with pears and a gingersnap crust. The flavors complement each other wonderfully. Best thing is that if you know how to make a basic cheesecake, you can have this done in no time. Another thing I like is that it travels well to parties and it can be made ahead of time.
Yummy winter produce! Credit: delriophoto/Flickr
Now that we’re nearing the official onset of winter (Dec. 22), it’s time to think about what fruit and veggies are in-season, i.e. cheap. This list comes from Fruits and Veggies More Matter. Click on each link below for recipes and health benefits of that particular edible.
If you aren’t able to print out this list, prices generally indicate which produce is in season. My winter favorites include oranges, clementines, pomegranates, kale, tangerines, and sweet potatoes. I also just learned a new delicious recipe for Brussels Sprouts – saute them with bacon!
Belgian Endive
Brussels Sprouts
Buttercup Squash
Get $10 back when you buy Raisin Bran! Credit: GoodNCrazy/Flickr
Linda read my shelf-clearing Raisin Bran escapade and sent in a hot tip!
Be sure & send in for the $10 gas card from Kellogg’s for the Raisin Bran cereal. Go to www.2.kelloggs.com/AARP/
rewards , then click on the rewards tab.All you need is 10 upc’s off of certain Kellogg’s cereals, including Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, Crispix, Corn Flakes & more. You don’t even have to have the receipts. You are allowed 5 per household & you get it in a pre-paid Mastercard that can be used towards gas. Expires 12-31-11 Enjoy!!!!!!!!! Linda
I checked it out and this is a hot deal! The rules are quite simple:
This code expires today!
Eating out is one of my favorite things to do. But aside from fast food joints, restaurant coupons are rare. I use Restaurant.com to drop my tab by 25-40%, an incredible savings. TODAY ONLY, you can get a $25 gift certificate to a restaurant of your choosing for $2, plus earn 30% cash back through Ebates – which means you pay just $1.40!!! Coupon code below.
We’ve also suggested electronics gifts, gifts at Sears, toys for kids, mens’ shavers, gifts for teens, unique and quirky gifts, and All You mag gifts. Tomorrow’s edition covers gifts for men and women. We’ll finish the gift guide on Dec. 9 with the best overall gifts.
If you’re new to this site, here’s how Restaurant.com works. You have three gift options on Restaurant.com:
