No-Bake Chicken Pot Pie
I am a sucker for a good savory chicken pot pie, and this one is so easy to put together and such a crowd pleaser!
Now for the super secret ingredient: I use sweet potato instead of russet. There, I said it. This adds a bit of sweetness like the corn.
Enjoy this very little prep recipe!
NO-BAKE CHICKEN POT PIE
This Chicken Pot Pie is super easy simply for the fact that it’s cooked on the stove, you only put it in the oven to bake the crust – IF you even want the crust! Don’t want to mess with it, or oven too hot? Simply scoop the mixture straight from the pot into a bowl and serve with biscuits.
WHAT YOU NEED:
3 C Frozen mixed vegetables (corn, green beans, peas, etc)
1/2 C diced carrot (if not in your frozen bag of veggies)
3 C. diced grilled chicken (next time you grill, toss on extra chicken for this recipe!)
2 pie crusts or phyllo dough
1/2 C. small diced sweet potato (remember, the smaller the pieces the faster they cook)
1/2 C diced onion
3 cans cream of celery (make your own!)
salt/pepper to taste
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
Heat pan. Coat with butter/olive oil. Once hot, add in your potato, onion, and raw carrots (if you don’t have them frozen. Saute until soft. Add in 3 C. frozen mixed veg. Turn down the heat to low. Gently mix.
After the veggies have softened in the pan (about 8 mins) add in grilled chicken and the cream of celery. Add in 1/4 C of milk or half/half if it’s too thick… shouldn’t need any though. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 mins. While it’s simmering, place a pie crust in the bottom of an 8×10 dish. Get it to fit as best you can. Poke a few holes in the dough then bake until it’s done. Be careful not to over bake. Should take about 8 mins.
Give your mixture a taste. Add in whatever seasonings your family likes… add in some garlic, herbs, or some crushed red pepper for a little bit of spice. We love garlic so I’m sure to add some of that ? Once the crust is done, remove and then pour the chicken pot pie mixture into the dish. Then put the other pie crust on top. Use the trimmed edge pieces of dough to fill in the gaps. Poke a few holes in the dough.
Bake for 10 mins until the crust is done. Remove and serve hot! If planning on freezing you can make in a pie tin and wrap in aluminum foil and freeze OR you can scoop out sections and place into freezer bags or containers.
FROM:hearthookhome.com
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Mmmm, tacos! If you don’t enjoy tacos we can’t be friends.
What’s worse than no tacos? Wanting tacos and having no taco seasoning packets. What??? Nooooo!
This doesn’t mean you don’t get tacos, though. Make your own!
To make this super quick homemade taco seasoning, you should already have all of the ingredients. It tastes better than store-bought, and it’s not until you add the cumin that you can really tell it’s taco seasoning.
This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. It is designed for about two pounds of ground beef. Use half for just a pound or double it up (or triple it!) to store and use later. Kinda like a squirrel hiding his nuts for winter.
What you taco bout?
Mix all seasonings together and cook/crumble your ground beef. Remember that each batch (as written above) is enough for about 2 pounds of meat.
Add in the seasoning like you normally would with packet taco seasoning, mixing in with about 3/4 cup water and let it simmer. Prepare your vegetables for tacos, and heat up your taco shells. You, my friend, are taco golden!
FRoM:hearthookhome.com
$20 Break
After finding out that $20 is the most common amount carried in cash, I figured out a suggested break-down that best optimizes the $20 into bills and coins.
Look It Up
A survey from Bankrate found that most common amount carried in cash is less than $20 and that 40% of consumers (varying by gender, age, and income) carry less than that on a daily basis.
In general, $20 makes sense because it would meet your needs on a daily basis, save your butt in a short-term crisis, and not break the bank if lost/stolen.
Personally, it gives me peace of mind to have $20 petty cash both in my car, purse, and work/home junk drawer … you just never know when it will come in handy, do you?
Break It Down
So, let’s say $20 is the right amount. After contemplating it (because I got “dime” for that), below is how I would break a $20 to make the most combinations of exact change. And, good thing too because a post from Lifehacker agrees with me!
– $10 bill (1)
– $5 bill (1)
– $1 bill (4)
– $0.75 in quarters (3)
– $0.10 in dime (1)
– $0.10 in nickels (2)
– $0.04 in pennies (4)
BY: moolamom.com
Not So Petty Cash
In today’s day and age why would anyone need any cash at all – let alone practically use it as carry on luggage at the airport? Let me carry on a bit about how important it can be to carry cash on hand at all times.
Cash Catch-all
Building on a previous post ($20 Break), I thought it might be useful to highlight some of the many reasons that $20 cash might come in handy.
For example: getting cash discounts, making untraceable purchases, splitting a bill, tipping, paying tolls, dodging fees (i.e. ATMs), avoiding credit card issues (i.e. denied), giving donations, budgeting, accessing cash-only venues (i.e. vending machines), funding short-term emergencies, and avoiding credit card fraud.
Cash and Carry
Personally, I can think of a few pickles I’ve been in (or times I’ve been tickled pink) where this $20 saved the day. The best example was when I was visibly pregnant and trying to catch a plane, but desperately needed a snack. The Starbucks line was knee deep so I cut to the front, quickly left a $5 bill on the counter, grabbed a banana, made eye contact to ensure an agreement was made, and flashed a guilty smile as I dashed away to make my connection.
Cash Clash
According to an article published by Bankrate, 9% of people go about their day cashless; while petty, I hope this post inspires them to ready for their next cash-only moment!
BY:moolamom.com
From (Retch) Rags To Riches
Want to know about my best baby time-saver used around the home? Join me in this adult-version of hide and seek with the diaper rag as your playpal!
Seeing that I’m 39wk pregnant as I write this post … babies are on my brain and I’m actively equipping our house to welcome a new one! Although it’s been 4yr since an infant has joined us, I remember one thing: there will be lots (and lots and lots) of spit-up. My trick to a quick clean-up is a hidden burp cloth strategically concealed under every mattresses, couch cushion, floor basket, rug corner, etc. That way whenever the eruption occurs, I have a diaper rag within reach and don’t have to waste my time – which is my $ – getting up to retrieve one. Plus, the added time saved also helps me get to that spew before it soaks into fabric or other materials … extending the length of my possessions. So, no more excuses – well, except to eventually teach the lil’guy how to say “excuse me” after his burps when the time is right!
BY:moolamom.com
Fast Asleep
I rest easy knowing that the 4-7-8 trick helps me fall asleep fast. If you’re tired of missing ZZZs and want these $$$s, then this post is for you!
Sleeping My Troubles Away
With a 6wk old to care for, sleep is a hot commodity. Thankfully, sleeping when the baby sleeps is no longer a problem because during my 3rd trimester I solved my tossing & turning and learned how to fall asleep fast. After trying vitamins, scents, eye masks, white noise, ear plugs, temperature adjustments, baths, massage, and other remedies I “sleep”-walked right into Dr. Weil’s 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise.
Some Pillow Talk
No need to look it up in a dream dictionary; here is how 4-7-8 works:
- Exhale completely
- Inhale through your nose to a count of FOUR.
- Hold your breath for a count of SEVEN.
- Exhale through your mouth to a count of EIGHT.
- Repeat the cycle 3 more times.
Mr. $andman, Bring Me a Dream
This was no daydream or nightdream; the 4-7-8 solution literally helped me fall asleep fast in under a minute. According to a Sleep.org article, sleep latency is on average 15 minutes. Theoretically, using the 4-7-8 trick shaves 14 minutes off of every night’s sleep … which is 5,110 minutes/year or 85 hr/year; at a self-imposed rate of $25.72/hr, this is saving me$2,186.20/year!
You Should Sleep on It
Tired of losing precious minutes each night that could be better spent? Whatever your reason for sleep deprivation, stop counting sleep sheep right now and try out this 4-7-8 tool. It’s a dream come true. However, while I hope this works for you … there are no money back guarantees in life. If all else fails, then go ahead and take a sleeping pill tonight or a nap tomorrow!
BY:moolamom.com
5 Tips to Clear Out Your Couponing Inventory
FROM:couponchief.com/
If you are a married couponer like me, you have heard these phrases from your spouse before (I know I have!). I hate to admit it, but sometimes they are right. I tend to find a good deal and jump on it regardless of how much I have in my inventory.
There comes a time in every couponer’s life when we need to clear out space. Personally, I do it regularly. It keeps my husband happy and gives me room to stock up on other awesome deals!
These are my 5 best tips by on what to do when [you think] you’ve bought all you can buy.
Actually use your Inventory
Come on…you know what I mean. If you are anything like me, you have bought all you can buy. You name it, I have it in my stockpile right now. The key is finding a way to use it,meaningfully.
I found a great deal at Target on AXE gift sets and now they are a staple birthday gift from me throughout the year. Thanks to Kroger, my deep freezer is stocked with enough chicken for 10 Thanksgivings.
But it’s not about gathering deals, it’s about effectively using the materials we find. I have found it is great to make a weekly meal menu to help find a way to use all the items I have. It gives me the chance to cook up new and interesting things for my family too.
If you examine the contents of the freezer and pantry you can build menus for the entire week and optimize what you already have in the house. This will also lower your weekly out-of-pocket cost and make space for even more deals!
Make Christmas baskets
The holidays always bring the best deals of the year – which means a ton of additional inventory. To make room for it all, I like to make gift baskets and give them away as Christmas gifts.
This past year I had a ton of make up, creams, and perfumes in my inventory. So, I bought baskets from Michael’s for 70% off and filled them up with the extra items. I was able to get my Christmas shopping done for a fraction of the cost!
Be a fairy (yes, a fairy!)
We currently live in an apartment building, meaning I have dozens of neighbors within a few short steps. When I find a REALLY good deal, I tend to buy a lot (all of it). When this happens, I end up with too much, so I’ll leave gift boxes on my neighbor’s front steps. Who wouldn’t want to come home and find Weatherby dog treats, toothpaste, toilet paper, and packs of rice?Anything that can’t be of help to you, can be of tremendous help to someone else.
Start a donation box
If you have FREEBIES cluttering the bottom of the pantry or closet, you might want to consider putting together a donation box. Fill it with items that can benefit the local food pantry or homeless shelter. There are always people in need who can benefit from what we find for free.
I know it can be tough letting go of those items items that you scored such a great deal on, but those items also make donations! Things like rice, canned goods, toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner can truly go a long way to helping the needy.
Care packages for the homeless
My group does packages for the homeless. We take gallon size Ziploc bags and fill them with bar soap, gummy snacks, packs of crackers, toothpaste, and deodorant. These are all things that we get for little to nothing out-of-pocket that can go a long way to other helping other people.
These are just a few examples of how to utilize your stock, how to rotate your stock, and how to make use of things that you have in your house. Why would you do that? To make space for more deals!
Everything You Need To Know About “Doubling Coupons”
FROME:couponchief.com/
One way to use coupons that may seem confusing is doubling your coupons. You might have heard this mentioned on a blog or two, and thought “Doubling my savings?! That sounds great!”
But then you realize you have no idea where to begin. Doubling your coupon savings is actually much easier than you might think. In this post you’ll find out what to do to ensure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck (literally!) when you’re clipping those coupons.
Defining Double Coupons
First, let’s define the term double coupon. Some people may use this term to refer to different things.
A double coupon is when a store doubles the value of your manufacturer’s coupons (up to a certain amount).
However, a double coupon could also be the combination of a manufacturer’s + store coupon, thus increasing the amount you are saving. This is not technically “doubling,” but can have the same effect as a store doubling the coupon value, in that it can save you twice as much.
The main difference is that in the first case, you’re doubling the savings on one coupon. In the second, you’re doubling amount of coupons used.
Know when the deal is being offered.
Some stores offer double value on coupons every day, but many only offer to double on spe
I’ll talk a little more about that second notion of double coupons later, but let’s start with the store offer of double coupons. There are several things you need to know in order to make sure you’re making the most of your coupons when a store offers to double their value.
Stores only offer to double coupons up to a certain amount.
That amount is usually 50¢, 99¢ or $1.00. You’ll want to make sure you know this information about your particular store, as this will impact which coupons you use. For example, if the cap at your local Harris Teeter is 99¢, your 75¢ coupon is actually of more value than a $1.00 coupon, because it will end up saving you $1.50.
cific days. You might find that your Kroger offers double coupons every Tuesday, or your Winn-Dixie offers them the first week of the month.
There are usually restrictions that apply to this deal.
The store may have a limit on how many of the same coupon you can use at double value. You’ll want to know this ahead of time, because you wouldn’t want to get to the register with your four bottles of ketchup only to find that the double coupon value only applies to two of your 50¢ coupons. You’ll still save money, but you don’t want to be disappointed when the savings don’t add up as anticipated.
You may need to be a member of the store’s loyalty program.
in order to take advantage of the double coupon offer. You know what I’m talking about – that handy little card you’ve got attached to your keychain that you use at stores like Winn Dixie or IGA. Check with your store to see if this is the case. If it is, make sure you have them scan your card before giving them your coupons.
The “DO NOT DOUBLE” coupons.
You might be asking, “But what about those coupons that have DO NOT DOUBLE printed on them.” It’s important to know what that means. That message is for the store, not for you.
When your grocery store uses a manufacturer’s coupon, the manufacturer reimburses the store for that amount. If your store has offered to double coupons, they are offering to lose that amount of money on your purchase. The store cannot ask the manufacturer to reimburse double the amount of the coupon.
So, what does all of this mean for you?
Well, in many cases your DO NOT DOUBLE will ring up doubled anyway, and you don’t have to worry about it. If it doesn’t ring up, your cashier may go ahead and override it for you. However, there is the chance that your store simply won’t double that coupon that has that phrase printed on it.
Check with your preferred grocery store to see how they handle these coupons. It will be helpful to know this before taking advantage of the double coupon deal.
Whether or not your store offers double coupon deals will vary based on where you live.
There are many lists to be found online that will tell you which stores in each state offer double coupon deals. For example, Publix, a major southern grocery chain, offers double coupon deals in some states and not in others. Things like this are good to know when vacationing or moving to a new place. You’ll want to do your research to make sure you’re getting the best deals available.
There’s one last thing you’ll want to keep in mind when doubling your coupons.
As I said before, a store loses money when they offer to double your coupon. Why are they willing to do this? It’s done in the hopes that someone will come to their store for the coupon deal and stay for all their other shopping. In this sense, it can make them money. So, for instance, if Susan normally shops at Publix but decides to go to Harris Teeter for the coupon deal and does all of her shopping there, Harris Teeter comes out ahead. Even if they lost an extra $5.00 or so on Susan’s purchases, they’ve gained a shopper.
You want to keep this in mind, because your store didn’t intend for you to only come in for the things you can double all of your coupons on. That’s just a loss to them. Does this mean you can’t do this? Absolutely not! Any good coupon user knows this is how it’s done. It is just good to know the store’s goal in making that offer. So when your cashier looks at your stack of 25 coupons and seems less than thrilled, go out of your way to thank them and show how grateful you are for their store. It might make your shopping trip more enjoyable!
Now, let’s get back to that second idea of doubling your coupons.
While this isn’t technically what is meant by that term, this is another way to “double” your savings when shopping. Certain stores offer weekly or monthly store coupons. These are different than manufacturer’s coupons.
As I explained in number 5 above, a store takes a loss on the double coupon offer. In the same way, that store will take a loss if they offer store coupons. You know all of those coupons that print out at Target that are (no pun intended) targeted at you based on your purchases? Well, those Target coupons are an offer from Target to cover the amount of the coupon.
The manufacturer’s coupon is an offer from the manufacturer to cover the amount of the coupon. When you go through your Sunday paper and clip that coupon for 75¢ a particular cleaning spray, the manufacturer of that cleaning spray pays the store for that discount.
What does all of this mean for you as you use double coupons? Typically you can’t combine two store coupons or two manufacturer’s coupons. However, you can combine one of each. If you’ve got a coupon for $1.00 off paper towels that printed at the end of your Target purchase, and you combine that with your $1.00 paper towels coupon from the manufacturer, you’ve just saved $2.00! So, in effect, you’ve doubled your coupons, not the value of your coupon, but still come out with double the savings!
Whether or not you are taking advantage of a store’s double coupon offer or stacking two coupons together to double your savings, you are able to save more. Now that you’ve got the basics of doubling your coupons, you are well on your way to saving twice as much when you shop! Way to go, shopper!
Little Tikes TotSports T-Ball Set only $9.59 – Best Price!
Get those little ones outside and moving! Check out this Little Tikes TotSports T-Ball Set at Toys R Us for only $9.59! Available in BLUE or PINK, this is the BEST price we could find today. Amazon, Walmart, and Target are all $15+!
Shipping is FREE on orders of $19 or more, or ship to your store!
Cardholder Deal – Farberware 4-pc. Mini Spatula Set only $3.49 SHIPPED!
Hurry over to Kohl’s, where cardholders can pick up the Faberware 4-Piece Mini Spatula Setfor only $3.49 SHIPPED! On sale for $4.99, use promo code SUNTAN30 and promo codeJULY4FREE to get free shipping!
While you are there, go ahead and pick up this Faberware 2-Piece Mini Tong Set as well, for only $2.70 SHIPPED! Use the same promo code, SUNTAN30 and JULY4FREE to score free shipping!
Macys :: 3-Pc Comforter sets starting at $19.99 (reg. $80) – Add Small Beauty Item for FREE Shipping!
Now through 7/17, you can score 3-Piece Bedding Sets at Macy’s for only $19.99! Normally $80, these are marked down once to $49.99, and finally down to $19.99! We found 6 different choices and patterns! Perfect timing to send any kids off to college with a nice, fresh bedding set….or cheap enough to spruce up your own room! I like change every now and again!
Also, add a small beauty item to qualify your entire order for FREE shipping!
Dr. Smith’s Diaper Rash Spray ONLY $5.99 at Dillons {Kroger}!
Need some diaper rash spray? Through 7/17/16 Dillons {Kroger} has these 3.5 oz. bottles of Dr. Smith’s Diaper Rash Spray on sale for $7.99 (normally $9.99) and we’ve got this $2/1 printable coupon that’ll get that price down to just $5.99!