Free hair cut

One way for me to save money is by cutting my son's hair. We would take him every month to get his hair cut and each time costing between $10-$20 depending on where we went. We purchased a men's hair grooming kit for $29.97 a Walmart years ago and one day I just attempted it and found it wasn't that hard. Over the years it has gotten easier but it helps that he likes it short especially in the summer months. He usually goes with a #3 but today had me do a #2. I have lost track of how many times I have cut it but I know the trimmers have more than paid for themselves several times now.

My Little Garden

First I must tell you that I live in the woods and get very little sunshine in my yard. This makes it very hard to grow much. However, in the past I found I could grow things in pots on the deck because different times during the day its gets sun and then this year I experimented and found I got enough sun to grow cucumbers in one of my flower beds.

We had fun planting and watching things grow but the harvesting has been the best! Nothing like fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and greenbeans. I hope to experiment with other things next year.

These are the flowers my 9 year old daughter planted. She started them indoors as seeds and then when they got bigger she transplanted them to this pot. She loves going out to see the colors of the flowers and to watch the bees pollinating them.

This is our cherry tomato plant and it has been providing us with a handful if delicious red cherry tomatoes almost daily.

There are 2 cucumber and 1 squash plants planted in between the hostas as an experiment. The squash start to form and then die so not too sure what is going on there. The cucumbers have been great and if you can see we have a few more than will be ready soon.

My son (13) wanted to plant also and he picked out a Chinese Lantern and something else. However, we had some small pots with seeds that had blown over and I guess the Roma seeds planted themselves in his container because he now has baby Roma tomatoes growing.  He was disappointed at first but now find its cool that this happened the way it did.

My daughter also planted green beans and snap peas from seed all in this pot. The snap peas did not do well but she has been able to harvest the green beans 3 times now with enough for her and some for me to taste.

These are mints that I originally planted about 5 years ago. At the end of the season I just cut it all back and then it keeps coming back. There is mint, pineapple mint and my favorite chocolate mint. I've never really used the, except maybe in some tea. Maybe I should look up other uses for them.

We planted this tomato by itself in a pot. Not sure why but we only have 3 tomatoes on it and no new blooms and it came from the same pack as the following 3.

There are 3 tomato plants in this container and they are doing well supplying us with fresh tomatoes at a steady pace and not overwhelming us.

Next year will continue with the tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers. We will plant more greenbeans and maybe a few other things. We also said next year we will cage the tomato plants for extra support.

Keurig

One of favorite kitchen appliances has got to be my Keurig. I received this free about a year or 2 ago from my sister who had gotten it as a gift and didn't want it. Along with this she sent the carousel to hold the k-cups and a ton of different brands and flavors of k-cups. Over the time that I have gotten this wonderful item I have purchased and received a ton of the k-cups. These k-cups are neither economical or earth friendly which was starting to way on my conscience but I did not want to give it up. I had to find a way to make it a cheaper and greener appliance. After searching on Amazon one day I came across a product that I thought would help me in this feat....the solofill reuseable K-cup.

After accumulating enough free amazon gift cards I ordered one and it cost me $0 even with shipping. I couldn't wait to try it! Needless to say this newest invention has helped me save money, keep trash out of the landfill, and also allowed me to continue using my Keurig without all the guilt. I love being able to buy my favorite brand coffee, filling my k-cup and having my coffee whenever I want.

Classic Belgian Waffle

Classic Belgian Waffle

2 cups cake flour (see notes, I used reg flour and cornstarch)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, separated
2 tablespoons sugar (I use Splenda)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (I use 1 tsp)
4 tablespoons, unsalted butter, melted (I use Country Crock Light)
2 cups milk (I use skim)
non-stick cooking spray

Directions
Preheat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions. In 1 medium bowl sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a second bowl use the wooden spoon to beat together the egg yolks and sugar until sugar is completely dissolved and eggs have turned a pale yellow. Add the vanilla extract, melted butter, and milk to the eggs and whisk to combine. Combine the egg-milk mixture with the flour mixture and whisk just until blended. Do not over mix. In third bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Using the rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the waffle batter. Do not overmix! Coat the waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray and pour enough batter in iron to just cover waffle grid. Close and cook as per manufacturer's instructions until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.
*NOTES - If you don't have cake flour, take a 1 cup measuring cup and add 2 tablespoons corn starch in it and then fill the rest with flour. For this recipe you would do this twice.


I got this recipe from foodnetwork and it is by far our most favorite of any I have found so far.

Freecycle

I just wanted to take a few minutes this morning and say a few things about one of my favorite places to get free things along with get rid of items I no longer want or need. Over the course of time that I have been with freecycle I have gotten so many wonderful things. For example, just this past month I have refurnished my sons bedroom. I freecycled all his furniture that he no longer wanted (loft bed and matching dresser) and I have gotten a full size futon, storage coffee table, storage end table, and a 27" TV...all for FREE!!! Out went his little boy room and in came his teenage room. Today I have a bunch of stuff listed to get rid of and am anxiously awaiting the items to be taken. I love the fact that this allows things to stay out of the landfill.. So if you don't already belong what are you waiting for! You don't want anyone else's belongings??? Well they may want yours that you no loner want. Stop throwing things away and let someone else appreciate them.

Bookmarks from recycleables

About a month ago I came across myplumpudding which had this wonderful idea...bookmarks from cereal boxes, but I took it one step further by laminating them to make them last longer. Well then I thought why stop there? Why not from labels, soda cartons etc..... These make adorable gifts. You can add them inside a card, a stocking, or put them with a book for a cute gift. I will be offering these for sale for $1.00 which includes shipping. If you purchase 2 or more the first one will be $1.00 and the others will be $.75 which includes shipping.

I will be offering some of these free to the first 20 followers of my blog. So far I have 4. Please comment and let me know the easiest way to contact you to get your mailing information. Not sure how to promote this as I am new to all of this but please spread the word. I will be offering this through the month of July.
Thanks for looking!

SwagBucks

Since January of this year I have been doing swagbucks. I was referred by a friend and fellow blogger at sparing-change . I was hesitate at first but slowly became engrossed with it. However, I have learned to manage my time better and spend a little time in the mornings and a little time in the evenings trying to earn a few swagbucks. Since January I have been able to donate to different charities and earn different gift cards. My favorite is earning $5 Amazon gift cards. I have been averaging 5 of these a month! That's $25 for hardly any work. I add these to my Amazon account and use them on stuff I want or need and on gifts. I also make sure I combine these with the free shipping so I actually pay nothing at all out of pocket! Each 450 swagbucks can buy you a $5 Amazon gift card. It really doesn't get much easier than that! If you have never tried it or possibly never even heard of it. Hop on over and check it out!
http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/vking713