Teaching others to live frugally is my expertise, and there is nothing better than finding a deal in the grocery store on food, as I tell many of my students. I love to save money, and I love to buy food, so combining the two, is a winning combination in our household. Did you know that some of the most healthy foods you can eat are available for $1 or less in your local supermarket? Here are a few of my favorites:

Potatoes – It always makes me cringe, because many assume that eating potatoes in whatever form, constitutes getting a dose of a vegetable. Not so if they are fried. However, enjoying some healthy oven baked potato skins or simply a loaded baked potato, both with the skin on, you will be getting almost a half a day’s worth of Vitamin C. Potatoes are also a really good source of potassium. Looking for a little extra beta carotene? Try some sweet potatoes or yams instead.

Apples – Need I seriously say more? Remember the old saying, “an apple a day…” well – it can certainly help. And apples are inexpensive, an absolutely perfect snack both in portion size and calories and since they come in such large mixed bags, you can enjoy them well into the second week.

Oats – I love that for about a $1 I easily get a weeks worth of oats and create wonderful breakfast recipes, muffins, cookies and more! Oats are really high in fiber and in complex carbohydrates . They also boast right on the package that they have been shown to lower cholesterol too.

Watermelon – Oh, how I love a great big watermelon. And no, I will admit I have yet to find an entire large watermelon that is $1, however when you compare the size of the enormous fruit, to portion and then cost, it is one of the most inexpensive fruits out there. It is the perfect summer fruit to keep hydrated, and gives you Vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene.

Eggs – a half dozen cost less than $1 and last nearly a whole week if you eat one a day. They are also a great source of protein,and the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which our bodies need to help ward off eye problems and other ailments.

Bananas – Still one of my favorite fruits, even though I consumed so many of them during the exclusive banana diet. These little buggers are one of the best fruits out there and can be found for as low as .10-.20/banana. This allows at least a banana a day for more than a week on nothing more than a buck. Can’t beat that!

Spinach – Don’t you roll your eyes at me. Spinach is absolutely one of the best green leafy veggies out there and can be added to so many different recipes. You can also add it to a traditional salad and nobody is any the wiser. My kids get at least one healthy dose of spinach in their salad every single week, and I add it to all kind of recipes by chopping it.

Broccoli – This was a hard one for me to add as a favorite, because I have never really been a fan. However, I have shopped around and found some really delicious broccoli oriented recipes and now I am definitely a fan. Broccoli is an inexpensive vegetable and can be prepared or added to dishes in a variety of ways.

and now for my #1 favorite item that is less than $1 per serving….

Coffee – It has been boasted that coffee has stood up to the tests of time, and is now considered a way to help ward off heart disease and cancer. If this is the case, I might never suffer from either ailment because I certainly drink a lot! It certainly is not an edible food, and is typically consumed in its liquid form, coffee served with your breakfast can actually help you eat less or smaller portions, and help even speed up/boost metabolism a little. Just remember that if you are actively seeking a healthier lifestyle and trying to perhaps lose some weight, the addition of the various creamers out there, might not lend itself quite as nicely to your plan.

and to throw one more in for good measure….

Tea – Working much the way that coffee does, only to a lesser degree, tea in inexpensive and packed with a variety of cancer fighting goodness. Plus there is such a wide variety of styles, strengths and flavors available, you  simply cannot go wrong.

Anyone who has followed me on my blog for any length of time, knows I have a few picky kids, and I also happen to have the pickiest kid I’ve ever met in my life. So do you have a picky eater in your family? If you do, there are a few tips that can help. It is also really nice to know, that most children do learn to love more foods as they get older.

Tips for Picky Eaters

1. It is important to remember that most children cannot possibly eat as much as we as adults do. They have small stomachs, and do better with extremely small portions. If you are interested in getting them to try new things, keep the portions very small and allow them to ask for more. Serving meals on little sectioned plates (like a bento box) can be perfect, because it helps keep the portions down, but looks appealing to the child.

2. My best tip, is to allow the children to help you plan out your meals, help make the grocery list and then allow them to go shopping with you. If you allow them to help choose their food, they are more apt to eat it. Allowing children a bit older to help prepare the meal can make a huge difference in what they eat as well.

3. Allow plenty of choices. Everyone needs a little control over their food, and if you allow them to have some power over what they eat, they won’t be as likely to turn their noses up to it. When trying to get them to eat vegetables, it might be helpful to ask them which they would prefer… carrots, green beans or corn. If they get to choose it, they will probably at least eat some of it.

4. Texture aversion is a common problem for picky eaters. Often it is not how something tastes, it’s more about how it feels in their mouth. Many adults do not like the texture of tapioca pudding (I am not one of them, I actually like it). Try serving the food in a different way – perhaps placing bananas in a smoothie or adding well chopped nuts to a muffin or pureeing a vegetable or fruit and putting it in a normal recipe. (check out Missy Lapine’s The Sneaky Chef which is one of my favorite books EVER).

5.When you do decide to eat out, try eateries that offer a wide variety of different types of food. Buffet restaurants work very well for picky eaters. It allows them freedom of choice over what they eat, and in addition, you can encourage them to try something new that they might not have otherwise eaten. Also, when your entree arrives, offer your child a bite of something new on your plate.

6. Do not allow your children to have a snack within about an hour and a half to two hours before you eat dinner. This will actually ensure they are hungry and might be more willing to eat what is being offered. The same goes for beverages – when you are allowing them to drink juice or milk before mealtime, this can often lead to fuller bellies. Limit both food and drink intake before meals.

7.When children are allows to have snacks, try offering them healthy, nutritional choices. Veggies with dip or a bowl of fruit are perfect choices and encourage your children to make better choices as they get older. Also cutting things into smaller pieces can make eating fun. Try a hamburger patty cut into strips, or cheese cubes, or ham cut into bite sized pieces. Making anything into finger foods makes it easier to eat, and more likely to be fun. It’s a great way to introduce new items to their diet.

8. Peer pressure is a terrible thing, but every so often it has its benefits. Often your child might be curious about foods that a friend is consuming. My own picky eater went off to summer camp last summer having NEVER eaten a cheeseburger in her life. Guess what? Yep… she ate them and has eaten them several times since. She didn’t want to feel weird or different by not eating what her friends were eating, and so she tried it.

9. It is fine to allow your child choices at mealtime, but don’t going turning the kitchen into a restaurant. I admit, I did for awhile. I prepared more than one meal a night because Miss Picky wouldn’t try or eat anything. I finally got tired of it, and just began making sure that there were at least one or two things served with dinner that she would eat, and prepared whatever else we all wanted. She was welcome to try it. I did eventually just begin serving her very small portions of whatever I made, and she would try them. Often going back for seconds.

10. Do not approach meal time as a negative time. Keep the struggles for later, and about more important things. Mealtime can be fun and stress free, if you allow it to be. Just be positive and encouraging but not overwhelming.

Last year on my other blog, I ran a poll asking everyone to vote for their top 5 favorite handmade or frugal gifts that they would like to receive. Here is a compilation of the top 10 most chosen answers, and I have to admit, I totally agree.

1. Framed Photograph
2. A scented candle
3. Plate of homemade cookies (brownies, breads, candies and cakes all made the top 20 too.)
4. A CD or USB keychain full of music. (go to wal-mart – they are around $10 for the keychain).
5. Fun coffee mug and a small bag of gourmet coffee or teacup and box of tea.
6. A small houseplant – you can even paint a terra cotta pot to give with it.
7. Journal and pen set.
8. Pretty glass vase, bowl, dish, etc. filled with candies, marbles, stones, etc.
9. Body wash, soaps, lotions, oils, etc. You can get them at discount chains. Find a nice scent, and buy the lotion and body wash and there you go. (Better yet, make your own!)
10. Hand painted, decoupaged, decorated ‘anything’. (In the top 20 the following items were listed – wine or drink glasses, candle holders, shot glass, picture frame, vases, plates or platters, mugs and containers (boxes, baskets, etc.). Go to the dollar store and look around for anything you can paint or alter in some way. Great gift ideas, because you can make something really nice!

Gifts in a jar was the 11th most popular vote. Those are super easy and a really nice gift idea, so consider that too. I love frugality and I love the idea of giving a great gift, for little money. See, Christmas doesn’t have to break the bank.

There’s nothing better than getting a good deal while still getting a nice gift for someone, and feeling happy when its well received. With Christmas quickly  approaching, I thought I would share a nice list of cheap/frugal gift ideas that I posted on my other frugal blog once upon a time. This list isn’t just for Christmas though. It would be good for any holiday or birthday or just as a “because”. If you have any great frugal gift ideas that I haven’t shared on this list, please feel free to leave a comment down below with your idea. At this time of year especially I can use as many cheap gift ideas as I can get or ways to save money and I am quite certain you can too. Wouldn’t it be great to have a $10 Christmas?

You can! Just check out this list or let it get your own creative thinking juices flowing!

1. Journal
2. Book (check out Walmart or Target)
3. Picture frames. Throw in a  picture too.
4. Personally Painted Picture. You don’t have to be an artist.
5. Gourmet Coffee
6. Ornament
7. CD
8. $10 itunes gift card
9. Wall Calendar
10. Gift in a Jar: cookies, brownies, cocoa mix, etc.
11. Greeting Card Set – Make them yourself and its even less.
12. Seed Packets with gardening gloves in a basket.
13. Kitchen Timer
14. Small alarm clock
15. flashlight set
16. magnets
17. a game
18. Puzzle
19. deck of cards
20. movie night basket – coupon for free rental, couple of cans of soda, bag of popcorn and box of candy (you can also get DVD’s for as low as $4 or $5 at Wal-mart.
21. Coffee Mug
22. Package of socks
23. Gloves
24. Scarf
25. Belt
26. Craft Supplies for a craft they enjoy
27. Address Book
28. Bath Poof and Soaps or Shower Gel
29. Body Spray
30. Lip gloss/lipstick in a make-up pouch
31. Bath Salts
32. Candles
33. Christmas Decorations
34. DVD or Video
35. Wallet
36. Crazy Socks
37. Slippers
38. Slipper Socks
39. Sunglasses
40. Notebooks and Pen Set
41. Tea Cup with Box of Tea
42. Mug and Packets of Hot Chocolate
43. Brush/Comb Set
44. Earrings
45. Necklace (check out Rue 21 – COOL STUFF there!)
46. Child’s artwork framed.
47. Post Its and Paper Clips (office supplies)
48. Stationary and Pens
49. Nail Polish, Manicure Set
50. Handmade Recipe Cookbook
51. Hand Towels or Dish Towels
52. Kitchen gadgets
53. Photo Album
54. Potpourri or other nice smelling stuff.
55. Pet toys for the pet owner
56. Travel coffee mug for the commuter.
57. Mouse pad
58. Ear Buds or Head Phones
59. Mixing Bowls
60. Platters or Trays for serving
61. Candy Dish with some candy
62. Hand held mirror, you can find small vanity mirrors for cheap too.
63. Stamps and Greeting Cards
64. Coupon Organizer
65. Homemade breads, muffins, cookies or cakes.
66. Bottle of wine. Some cheap wine tastes great!
67. Set of wine glasses or drinking glasses
68. salt and pepper shakers
69. organizing item (look through an organizing section – there are plenty of things under $10)
70. Can of tennis balls, golf balls, golf tees, etc. Look in the sports aisle for things under $10 for the sports nut.
71. Keychain
72. Markers/colored pencils/crayons and drawing pad/coloring book/tracing paper (depending on age and recipient)
73. Chocolate. No really, chocolate. Have you  no clue what the perfect gift is?
74. Perfume or Cologne
75. Make a whole meal and take it to them.

I had a second list at one point that was called 75 MORE Gift Ideas for $10.00 or less, but I cannot find it at all. So while I’m looking for that, feel free to share any ideas you have that are $10 or less.

Reader suggestions:

• coasters
• 6-pack of craft beer
• a plain shot glass painted by you.
• personalized item from a gift shop.

Have you walked through the grocery store recently? The price of food has gone up drastically in the past year, and it seems it is still on the rise. Trying to stretch your grocery dollars might be something you are focusing on. Obviously we need food; it is a necessity in life. It is certainly something we cannot do without. So how do you save money on something you have no choice but to buy? Here are a few ways to quickly save money on groceries.

1. Make it from scratch. Even if you only substituted your boxed or frozen meals only twice a week with a homemade meal, you could wind up saving $5-$10/week. Do it four times a week and you’re looking at $15-20 worth of savings. If you add it up over a whole year, you are on your way to truly saving some money. Made from scratch meals are definitely cheaper and can be stretched further and if you’re worried about waste, use your freezer to save portions for another day. Better yet, double your meal as you are cooking it and freeze one of them for a later date.

2. Coupons are available everywhere for nearly every product known to man. Clip them, organize them and use them. When you are making a shopping list, grab the weekly ad from your local grocer and pay attention to what is on sale. Perhaps even create your meals around these items. If a deal is particularly good, and you have the storage room, stock up. Use your coupons to bring the cost even further down. The first time you get groceries for $42 that would have cost you $109, you’ll get more excited about the coupons. In addition, it takes about an hour a week or so in organizing, but can save you thousands of dollars a year.

3. Buy in bulk, but only if you actually use the item frequently. Avoid purchasing anything in bulk that will spoil before you use it all. Consider splitting the cost with someone else and sharing the product. Ask someone, you might be surprised at how eager they are to do the same thing. You won’t know if you don’t ask. Buying in bulk definitely saves money, but you want to eliminate the end waste if you can.

4. Before you shop, eat a quick sandwich, or an apple or anything that might make you less hungry. You don’t want to be full, unless you shop exclusively from a list (which I strongly recommend). You’re more apt to not purchase anything because nothing will be appealing to you. If you shop when you are hungry, you will wind up with many items you probably would not have purchased otherwise.

5. Meal plan, make a list, stick to it. The best advice I have for you, make one grocery trip a week if you can help it. Consult the store ads, check out your coupons and then plan your meals ahead of time. Make a list of what you need to prepare those meals. Once you have made that list, go to the grocery store and stick to what you have listed.

I will go more in depth of each of these points in the coming days. It is my goal to help you save money!

What’s your favorite way to save money on groceries?

Handmade Recipe Cookbook

Holy cow I cannot believe that Christmas is just over a month away! I feel like just yesterday we were swimming and running through the sprinklers – how did Christmas get here so fast!?!?!

Want a great frugal Christmas Gift Idea? Try one of these!

Personalized Cookbook

You’ll need:

• A large, white, 3-ring binder with a clear front covering (one in which you can slip a cover in)

• A package of white printer paper

• Clear sleeves you can put in the binder

• Markers, scissors, glitter, glue, and any other craft items along that line

• Your Chef’s favorite recipes! (or just some family favorites)

All you have to do is write down, or type, the gift-receiver’s favorite recipes on the printer paper. Then you can decorate the paper by hand or print some images and paste them onto the paper, and slip the paper into the clear sleeves when it’s all dry.

This is a great gift because not only is it completely personalized and it protects the recipes from damage while in use, but you can keep adding to it and it keeps all the recipes together- you don’t have to go to a bunch of different cookbooks for one meal!

It’s also a good idea to add dividers and mark them ‘Poultry’, ‘Desserts’, ‘Salads’, etc.

Happy gift-giving!