Feb
04

Chummy Recipes: Blueberry Buckle

Posted by Cheapo McFrugalpants with 2 Comments

port.man.teau \port-’MAN-toe\ :a word or morpheme whose form and meaning are derived from a blending of two or more distinct forms (as chummy from cheap and yummy)

January = Winter

Winter in the Midwest = Boredom

Boredom = Eating

*can someone please tell me WHY I am overweight, again?*

Let’s not look at this recipe as a dessert per se, let’s consider it more of an…um…immunity booster! Why yes! In the midst of cold and flu season, we could all use a little shot of make your arse fat antioxidants…right? Well, here ya go! It’s time to pull out those yummy blueberries that you hand picked and froze last summer. You did do that, didn’t you? If not, make a note to do that this summer…it’s good for the soul.

Anyway, my awesome mother-in-law recently gave me this recipe for a simple Blueberry Buckle. *I’m eating it as I type speak* Hot or cold, breakfast or dessert, it’s just really tasty…and, even better…really simple. Nothing fancy going on here…just some old fashioned goodness.

Blueberry Buckle

Batter

  • 3/4 c. sugar
  • 1/4 c. butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 2 c. frozen blueberries
  • 1/2 c. milk
  • 2 c. flour
  • 2 t. baking powder
  • 1/2 t. salt

Topping

  • 1/2 c. sugar
  • 1/3 c. flour
  • 1/4 c. butter, softened
  • 1/2 t. cinnamon
  1. Pre-heat oven to 375
  2. Coat 9×9 or 8×8 pan with non-stick spray
  3. For Batter: Mix sugar, butter & egg. Stir in blueberries and milk. Fold in flour, baking powder & salt. Lightly press into pan.
  4. For Topping: Mix sugar, flour, butter & cinnamon until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over batter.
  5. Bake 45-50 minutes

*I had to bake a little longer since I used an 8×8 pan, in which the batter was a bit thicker. Also, I use cane sugar, sea salt and organic ingredients. You can use “normal” ones…if you like those types of poisons. *wink*

Hope you enjoy!

**Also, just want to give a HUGE thanks to Rachel at A Southern Fairytale for helping me through this new recipe plugin. Muchas gracias!**


Filed under Desserts, Recipes
Feb
04

Freebie Deebie: Coffeemate

Posted by Cheapo McFrugalpants with No Comments

I know you all been waiting for today! It’s Free Flavor Friday with Coffee-Mate on Facebook!

They are giving away 100,000 coupons for a free bottle of Coffee-Mate Creamer…Today only!

I don’t know how long this will last, but hurry over and get yours. Says it will take 2-3 weeks to arrive in your real-life mailbox.


Filed under Coupons, Freebie Deebies
Feb
03

Valentine Memories (& Giveaway!)

Posted by Cheapo McFrugalpants with 155 Comments

I will admit…when I was in elementary school, I actually liked AND looked forward to Valentine’s Day parties.

Seriously.

Making paper crafts out of doilies and construction paper hearts…(do they still do these things at school?)

Being the nerdiest most creative with my card collector box…

Bringing home my class list and hand selecting each card that would be appropriate for each person…(heaven forbid I give an “I Like You” card to the snot nosed boy)

Admiring the pile of red-dyed candy (I hate red dye), cupcakes and cookies that collected at the end of each of our desks…

Yup…those were good times. Yep. Yep.

I can’t ever remember my parents making a big deal out of Valentine’s Day, nor have my husband and I ever cared too much about it. Though, my mom always tried to make it special for me. As a child, and even up through the teen years, my mother would always have a little something special laying on my bed when I came home from school. The gifts started as little stuffed animals with tiny heart boxes of candy, slowly morphing into the latest cassette tapes (yikes!) and make-up. Regardless of what the gift was, it was the element of surprise that was so special.

Since we home school, our son doesn’t do Valentine class parties (are there still class parties at public school?) Though, he does give little cards out to his friends…and of course, I try to surprise him with a little something laying on his bed, just like my mom always did for me. Over the past eleven years, coloring books and Hot Wheels have turned into legos and gift cards. Even now, one thing that always wins is a stuffed animal. I know so many parents that feel “over run” with stuffed animals, but for some reason,  kids just love them…and adults do too!

If you need an idea, Build-A-Bear Workshop has three super-cute, QUALITY Valentine’s pals to choose from: Cute and Cuddly Love Bug, Sweet Dreams Love Bear and Huggable Love Bug. Aren’t close to a store to pick one up? No problem, if you order online by 11:59 pm tonight, they will guarantee delivery by February 14th!

Just remember…it really IS the thought that counts. Whether you spend 4 cents or 40 dollars, just make sure your gesture makes someone feel special. Heck, nothing says love like a heart shaped pizza, ya know? *wink* And…just to help you out a bit, Build-A-Bear Workshop wants to give one of you a $25 gift card for you to spend however you would like!*

**Congrats to Ellie for winning! Please check your email and get back to me ASAP. Thank you to everyone who entered…hope you all have a Happy Valentine’s Day.**

Three Ways to Enter:

  1. Leave a comment telling your ideal Valentine’s Day gift.
  2. Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect, RSS feed or Facebook page. (all links found at the top right of this blog) Leave a comment telling me which one. (only 1 entry)
  3. Twitter this:I want @ItsToni to help me win a @buildabear $25 gift card for my Valentine #giveaway http://bit.ly/fpK09O (leave a comment letting me know you tweeted)

A winner will be picked on Wednesday, February 9th at 1:0o pm CST – using Random.org. The card will be mailed directly from Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Good luck and Happy Big Puffy Heart Day!

Honest Blogger Found Here: I am part of the Ambassabear program. The products I reviewed and am giving away are provided to me at no charge by Build-A-Bear Workshop. As always, 100% my opinion.


Filed under Giveaways
Jan
21

Frugal Friday: Winter Does Not Equal Hibernation

Posted by Cheapo McFrugalpants with No Comments

Hey Chicagoland…Northwest Indiana…Southern Wisconsin…Da Region…

Are you freezing your dupa off yet? Holy crap,  I am. We even had to turn the heat up *gulp* to a whoppin’ 69 today. Like a heat wave in here…let me tell you.  I’m sure NIPSCO is bearing it’s snarly teeth and grinning at all of us with these negative temperatures.

If you are anything like myself, all you feel like doing is bundling up in flannel pj’s, reading books, clicking through blogs and going to bed early. Bor-ing.

Winter is the PERFECT time to get to Chicago and enjoy the INDOORS. With parking and admission fees, I understand how spending a day there can be like taking a mini-vacation. That’s why you have to plan ahead and enjoy it on the cheap. The last thing you want to do, is have to pay for parking three different times because you are visiting three different places…only to realize they were all only a few blocks from each other.

How to start planning:

  • Figure out where you want to go and visit the attraction’s website. Some will offer “free” days or printable coupons. Many will tell you exactly where to park, how much it costs and if it’s validated or not.
  • How will you get there? Are you driving? Can you carpool with another family to share parking/gas/toll costs? How about taking the train and forming your visit around one of the stops. If you are planning to take the South Shore, and are bringing children, try to ride on a weekday as they have a Family Fare rate. It states:

“We encourage families to take day trips and give their children the opportunity to experience the benefits of train travel.  One child 13 years of age or younger rides free with each adult on weekday off-peak and all weekend/holiday trains.  An off-peak weekday train is any westbound train scheduled to arrive in Chicago after 9:30 a.m. and any eastbound train scheduled to depart Millennium Station before 3:30 p.m. and after 6:30 p.m.  At all other times children from 2 to 13 years of age must have a reduced fare ticket.”

Also, if a station has an attendant on duty, be sure to buy your ticket at the window. If you don’t, they will charge you an extra $1.00 when you purchase on the train. If there is no window attendant, you won’t be charged.

  • If you are driving, compare parking rates. Weekends vary from weekdays; street rates vary from lot rates. Parking garages can suck down your money in a hurry.
  • Planning on eating? Check out the restaurants within walking distance of your destination. Click through their websites for coupons or specials – or see if Restaurant.com has a certificate you can buy ahead of time…especially at the end of the month when they are 80% off! 

What to cheaply do:

  • Art Institute of Chicago: Free Winter Weekdays – Jan. 3 through Feb. 4th – Normally $18 admission fee, children under 14 free. 2011 Free Hours: Target Free Thursday Evenings, offering free admission from 5:00 to 8:00, return on February 10 and continue through May 26. Beginning in June, free hours will move to the first and second Wednesday of every month with free admission all day long. If you can’t make it during a free time, and you are a Chicago resident, be sure to show your ID for a $2.00 discount. They also offer “Family Events” to cater to families with children.
  • Garfield Park Conservatory: Admission is free and parking is free, just south of the Conservatory’s main entrance. Programs and events are planned there as well
  • Adler Planetarium - Check the website monthly for Discount Days. Only on the discount days, you can buy a pass for two shows and the Atwood Experience – Adults $17, Children ages 3-11, $15 – which isn’t so bad considering you are getting free admission. Like any attraction, if you have a big family or planning on attending many times throughout the year, you may want to compare a Membership to individual tickets to see where you’ll get your biggest savings.
  • Museum of Science and Industry: Free admission days: Jan. 24-28 & 31 – Feb. 1,8,14,15,22 – June 1,2,6,7,8,9 – Sept. 6-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30 – Oct. 31. I know the museums tend to be more crowded on free days, but try to get there early, or later in the afternoon. My thought is that many school groups would tend to be there towards the middle of the day. Also, since school is back in session during September, it may be more crowded. Before you go, just get it in your head that you will have to move slowly and display a little more patience on those days. Parking is $18 per vehicle.
  • The Field Museum: 2011 Target Free Second Monday Dates: Feb. 14th & March 14th. Other 2011 Free Days: January: 3, 11, 13, 18, 19, 23, 24, 26, 31, February: 2, 3, 8, 9, 15, 17, April: 11, May: 9, June: 7, 13, July: 11, August: 8, 29, 31, September: 1, 6, 7, 12, 13, 20, 21, 27, 29, October: 3, 5, 6, 10, 24, 25, November: 2, 7, 14, 21, December: 1, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 20, 22. Parking is $16 for the first 4 hours, $19 thereafter. Avoid attending during Bears games.
  • The Shedd Aquarium: Monday/Tuesday Community Discount Days: Jan. 23,24,25,31 and Feb. 1,7,8,14,15,28. Feb. 20-24th is the Community Discount Week. Bank of America also sponsors discount weekend dates (with card & ID). Again, avoid during Bears games.
  • Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier: Kraft Free Family Night: Thursday Evenings from 5-8 (Free for everyone!), Target Free First Sundays: Free admission on the first Sunday for ages 15 and under – $10 for each adult. Here’s a coupon to print for $1 off each admission, up to four. Expires June 30, 2011.

Chicago Family Fun is endless. I have only mentioned the more popular attractions, but there are many, MANY lesser known museums and theaters that would probably be more “stroller friendly” and way less crowded. The Chicago Cultural Center would be a good place to start looking for these types of places.

Even if you don’t live in Chicago, take these tips and apply them to your own area. Overall, plan your trip, save as much as you can and JUST.HAVE.FUN!

More Frugal Friday


Filed under Family Fun, Freebie Deebies, Frugal Friday
Jan
20

Thrifty Thursday: Key Fumbler

Posted by Cheapo McFrugalpants with 1 Comment

How much time do you think you spend fumbling around with keys…only to drop them in the snow…pick them up…find the right one…and drop them again?

How many times do you SWEAR you have the right key but it just doesn’t want to work? And because you just must drive yourself insane, you keep trying it over and over knowing that it will unlock at any second?

I don’t know any of this from experience of course…I’m just sayin’. *yeah right*

Here’s an easy trick. Paint the tops of your keys with nail polish.

For each key that needs to be marked, use a different color. It’s much easier to remember that my office key is red and the work kitchen key is orange and so on and so on. Also, if your children are using the keys, it’s much easier to say, “Use the PINK one,” instead of trying to pick out the correct key for them. Now, I know you can go out and buy those little inexpensive rubber thingys to put on your keys, which will help lower your insanity level just the same. But, why buy them if you happen to have nail polish laying around?

Quick and simple time saving remedy!

More Thrifty Thursday at Coupon Teacher


Filed under Thrifty Thursday
Jan
19

BOGOF Stayfree Printable Coupon

Posted by Cheapo McFrugalpants with No Comments

Ooohhh! Another Buy one get one free printable coupon is available! (only allowed me ONE print – hurry, they go fast!)

This one states, “Buy One Get One Free – Buy any 1 Stayfree 14 ct.-24 ct. and Get One free up to $3.00.” It also says, “Available at Dollar General” – but it’s not a Dollar General coupon. So, if you are using elsewhere, you may need to wait until they are on sale for $3 and under to truly get the freebie.

Or…

If you have a local store that already is having a Buy One Get One Free Stayfree sale…you can get TWO for free with this coupon. Here’s how:

  • Get Two Stayfree Packages: One costs $2.49 (prices is just for explanation’s sake), the second is free, according to the store sale
  • Give the cashier the coupon for the free item.
  • Since there is only one charge in the register, this coupon will take off the only charge.
  • Therefore, you get TWO items for FREE!

If a store is NOT having a buy one get one free sale, use this coupon ALONG with another coupon for more savings. For example:

  • Get 2 Stayfree items: $2.49 + 2.49 = $4.98
  • The BOGOFree coupon above will take off $2.49, equaling $2.49 for two
  • Now, if you have one, give them $1.00 off mailer coupon, which will take another dollar off of the original Stayfree item – now you will only pay $1.49 for two packages.

Understand? It’s rather easy really. If you need more explanation, I would be more than OVERJOYED to help you! Matter of fact, I’ll keep explaining forever until you DO get it. Just contact me. *wink*


Filed under Cheap-o-nomics 101, Coupons
Jan
19

[Almost] Wordless Wednesday

Posted by Cheapo McFrugalpants with 1 Comment

Food Porn. Who knew carrots could be so darn funny? *12 year old girly snicker*

More Wordless Wednesday


Filed under Wordless Wednesday
Jan
18

BOGOF Minute Maid Printable

Posted by Cheapo McFrugalpants with No Comments

Just a quick heads up…If you “like” Minute Maid on Facebook, you can print two coupons for Buy One Get One Free Juice (hit the back button to print a second coupon.) That’s a FAB deal – especially if you pair it with a store sale.

Hurry…I don’t know how long it has been available or how long it will last.


Filed under Coupons
Jan
17

Save Your Dough…On Bread: Part II – Cinnamon Raisin

Posted by Cheapo McFrugalpants with 2 Comments

By now, I’m sure you are all super-baker-pros at making your own Homemade Bread. I can smell it now…the warm yeasty scent wafting through the kitchen as the family waits anxiously for the first slice, only to burn their tongues and fingertips. Mmmm…okay…so maybe there is really flour everywhere (and I mean EVERYwhere), kids are screaming and each person is gagging at the strange smell of last night’s pot pie drippings burning at the bottom of the oven. Regardless of the situation in which you belong, at least you are baking your OWN bread…right? Maybe?

For those of you who have baked so much bread you are now sick of it and are giving it away to friends…I have a variation for you! My family loves cinnamon raisin bread and have asked me, “If you ever have a coupon, could you buy some next time?” Uh…let me think about this…NO. Yes it’s yummy, but the loaves are expensive, small and dense. So, I took it upon myself to alter our already loved bread into something they would enjoy.

How did it turn out?

WONDERFUL!!!

To be honest, we like it better than the original recipe…for snacking and toast…not necessarily for ham sandwiches. Here’s all you have to do:

  • Make the dough just as the recipe states.
  • Plump a handful of raisins. More if you like more, less if you like less. (duh) Don’t know what “plumping” is? Put your raisins in a bowl, cover with water and put in the microwave for a minute. Drain and pat dry. Really, all you are doing is re-hydrating them a bit so they aren’t hard in soft, baked items. Good to do before adding to sweet breads or cakes as well. Oatmeal cookies? The raisins should be chewy; don’t plump. Anyway…back to the bread.
  • Take the dough out of the bread machine and roll into a “sort of” rectangle.
  • Poke the raisins down in to the dough. On my first try, I just sprinkled them over the dough. They ended up falling out when the bread was sliced.
  • Sprinkle the dough with granulated sugar and a good coat of cinnamon. The more cinnamon you add, the darker the “swirl” will be in your finished product.
  • Roll the dough TIGHTLY into a loaf. More rolling equals more swirling. Again, on my first loaf, I barely rolled the dough. It had one swirl and a gaping hole in the center (because it wasn’t tight enough.)
  • Tuck the ends under and pinch all of the seams. Place seem side down in a sprayed loaf pan, cover with a tea towel and let rise (just as the recipe states.)
  • Follow the recipe for rising and baking times.

Voila! You now not only know how to make one type of homemade bread…but you’re not really an expert with two!


Filed under Breads, Recipes
Jan
14

Frugal Friday: Money Is Not Disposable

Posted by Cheapo McFrugalpants with No Comments

What are your feelings about disposable household items? Ya know, the ones on which you spend too much money, use for a few minutes and lackadaisically throw away to only sit in a landfill for eternity (unless you have a GREAT recycling program.)

Paper towels, paper napkins, toilet paper, Kleenex, plastic baggies, aluminum foil, plastic wrap – how do we avoid using these convenient items? With today’s lifestyle, it seems nearly impossible, doesn’t it? I know…I feel the same way. To be honest, I don’t know how people get along without using them.  I have read in other frugal blogs how families have stopped the use of paper towels. To be honest, I just can’t give them up. How in the world do you drain BACON without using paper towels? Priorities people, priorities.

When you think about it, spending cash on disposable items is equivalent to just tossing your dollars in the trash. Money is not a disposable item…at least not in my household. You ask, “What’s the remedy, Cheapo?” The only suggestions I can make…is to use less and NEVER, EVER pay full price.

**Nevermind the awful blue wallpaper...it's up next to go**

Here are a few ideas on how we do it:

  • Plastic Baggies - aka: Landfill Nightmare. Use them for an hour and toss them aside? No way. I wash and reuse as many as possible. If a baggie has only been used to hold “dry” items, it always gets rewashed. Wet, greasy items? It gets *gulp* thrown away. I try to make a conscious effort to put “wet” foods in reusable, plastic containers in order to avoid feeding the landfill. Using them for lunch box sandwiches? Trying making a reusable sandwich wrap…you could easily make fabric “baggies” too. Here’s how I made mine - Wrap Instructions. For the fellow tree huggers, wax paper bags are a good substitute as well. When you do have to buy them, keep in mind that there are always coordinating Sunday paper coupons.
  • Toilet paper- Um…yeah. Well, the least you can do is ALWAYS use a coupon. I’ve also heard…if you squeeze the roll before putting in on a holder, children are less likely to pull off more than they need (because it doesn’t “roll” as easily.) Does it work? I dunno.
  • Paper napkins- According to my son…who needs napkins when you have jeans to wipe your hands on? *insert eye roll here* This is an easy one…use cloth napkins. You can even find bulk fabric that you like and make your own. Easy peasy.
  • Paper towels- I luvs me my paper towels. Though…I do cut back on their usage. ALWAYS have a hand towel by the sink in which to dry your hands. It’s all too easy to grab for a paper towel, especially if it’s within reach. I’ve now moved my paper towel holder to the other side of the kitchen where they can more easily be used for cooking…not chronic hand washing and drying. What about for cleaning windows? I still use them. I’ve heard of people using coffee filters or newspaper, and I suppose it works. For now, that’s not for me (but will let you know if I try it which probably isn’t going to be anytime soon.) Again, coupons are ALWAYS available.
  • Kleenex – Sorry…there is no way around this…an old man hanky is out of the question. All I can say is Kleenex coupons, Puffs coupons, Scott coupons.
  • Aluminum Foil/Plastic wrap: Again, use coupons and try and use less. I rarely EVER replace these items. I know it’s easy to just get out the plastic wrap and paste it over your leftovers to stick them in the fridge. Take the time to put things in reusable, washable containers. These two items are quite expensive (for what they are.) Save yourself some money and waste by using them appropriately.

Have you own ideas on these money-suck products? Leave a comment and share with us!

More Frugal Friday


Filed under Frugal Friday, Save The Earth