Frugal Tip: Printing Coupons Should be Cost Effective

If you are a big-time couponer that prints multiple coupons per day, you may want to think about your printing costs and whether or not it is really worth it with your current printer.  If maintaining your printer is costing you more than it should, you could be in need of an upgrade.

Expensive printers are not necessary.  Color printing is also not necessary unless you have a store that requires it.  Look for a basic model if simply printing coupons is what you need your machine to do.

When finding your printing costs for coupons, you should consider these items:

1. Cost of the printer
2. Cost of the printer ink
3. Cost of paper
4. Average number of pages ink cartridge covers

Yahoo Finance recently listed these printers as cost-effective and budget friendly.  All are priced $130 or under.  The cost per page takes ink alone into account.

• The Canon Pixma iP4820  - 4.7 cents per page
• Epson Stylus NX625 All-in-One Printer - 3 cents per page
• Epson WorkForce 520 All-in-One-Printer - 2.8 cents per page
• 
  The HP Officejet 6000 Wireless - 4.8 cents per page
• HP Officejet 6500A Plus e-All-in-One - 2.7 cents per page

Those printers might be great in an office setting, but you know as well as I do that cost per page should be much lower for coupons and can be with some frugality!  After much research, I have come up with a printer I believe to be the "ultimate coupon machine"! 

My "Ultimate Coupon Machine" is the Brother HL-2240 Mono Lazer Printer.  It is currently priced at $79.99 at Staples.  This is a basic black and white laser printer with no bells or whistles.  A high yield ink cartridge prints an average of 2600 pages per ink cartridge.  Staples sells the toner for an outlandish price of $78.  Brother Black High Yield Toner Cartridge (TN450) can be found at Amazon for $44.79, however I've been able to locate it through various online deals several times for no higher than $15.90.

The average print cost......$.006 per page.  That's around half a cent.  Now that's frugal coupon printing!  Even at the Amazon price, your printing cost would be $.017, which is far better than ANY of the printers listed by Yahoo Finance.

Have you considered your printing costs?

Cut Your Insurance Costs Today & Save Money

One great way to save some money in your budget is to review your homeowners and auto insurance policies.  Having low deductibles and not shopping around for the best rates can be wasteful!

When my husband and I got married our insurance agent gave us a top notch insurance policy.  We felt good that we were covered fully.  But as time went on, we realized we were paying for unnecessary things and wasting our money on premiums.

After making a small homeowners claim after a storm, we realized low deductibles ($250) were not doing us any favors.  Our small $1000 claim increased our yearly insurance premiums over a period of years which cost us more than the claim itself.  We realized we would have to have a claim for several thousand dollars before it would be worth it.  The same went for our car insurance.

Here are a few tips to help you cut your insurance costs.

Tip #1
Increase your deductibles and pay for small claims yourself.  This will make a significant difference in your premiums!  It will be cheaper in the long run.  Increasing your deductible from $250 to $500 can save you 15-30% and going from $500 to $1000 can save you up to 40%!

Tip #2
Shop around for rates every few years.  Use your current policy to look for the exact coverage for less.  Having your homeowners and car insurance with the same company should qualify you for a discount.

Tip #3
Ask for low mileage discounts.  Most insurance companies give discounts for low mileage drivers.  I work from home, so one of our vehicles gets very low mileage.  We get a significant discount for this.

Tip #4
Ask your insurer what other discounts you could be taking advantage of.  There are a lot of them and chances are they'll find one for you that can save you at least a small amount.

Tip #5
Keep a good driving record and don't make small claims.  Small claims increase your premiums making it counterproductive to use your insurance at all.

Tip #6
Reduce collision and/or comprehensive insurance on older vehicles.  If you are paying for full coverage and your vehicle is only worth a few thousand dollars, you may need to look into this.  We all want to be covered in the event of an accident, but your coverage is only going to pay for the Kelly Blue Book value of the car at the time of the accident.  Reducing your collision or comprehensive will only reduce the coverage on your vehicle.  You will still have insurance covering the other accident and driver, should there be two vehicles involved, and you will still carry insurance on yourself and your family.

I encourage you to look into your insurance today and see what you can save!  Let us know if a simple phone call saved you money!

Shop the Meat Markdowns for Savings on Meat

I lucked out on this post-Memorial Day meat markdown at Walmart.

Meat coupons are few and far between and if you are not careful, buying high priced meat can ruin your budget.  It took me a while to figure out how to save money on meat, but now that I know how to find meat markdowns, I've been able to save hundreds per year.  Here are some tips.

Know Your Store's Procedures for Marking Down Meat
If you shop frequently at a store, keep an eye on the meat expiration dates and watch when they get marked down.  Or, simply ask the meat department when they mark down meats.

Shop after the Holidays for Meat
Stores buy meat heavily for the holidays.  What doesn't sell gets marked down within the next few days.  I snapped the photo above at Walmart at 11 pm on 6/1/11.  There was a HUGE quantity of chicken marked down from Memorial Day.  I purchased 8 packages that were dated 6/5/11 and saved close to 50%.  I've found great pork prices after New Years and grat ham prices after Easter as well!

Shop Early in the Morning or Late at Night
This is definitely true for my stores.  My Giant Eagle marks down meats in the morning, while my Walmart marks down meats at night.  I almost never find meats marked down in the middle of the day.

Freeze Your Meat
If you shop the meat markdowns it is important to eat it right away or freeze it right away.  Since the meats are nearing their expiration dates, you wouldn't want to keep it in your refrigerator for too long.

Combine Meat Markdowns with Coupons when Possible
Prepackaged meats are also marked down when nearing expiration or during overstocks.  I love to combine these deals with coupons. 

Budget for Meat Markdowns
Purchasing meat during markdowns will lower your budget for the following weeks.  Be sure to set aside some of your grocery budget for the next meat markdown.  If you stalk the markdowns and stock your freezer, you will never need to buy meat at full price again!

If you have a meat buying tip be sure to tell us about it in the comments.

Frugal Gardening Tips: Aesthetic Gardens

You can spend a small fortune on plantings and landscaping around your home if you aren't careful.  There are definitely some ways to save.

Use Perennials Instead of Annuals
Perennials are plants that come up every year.  The cost of perennials might be more expensive to start with, but in the long run you'll save quite a bit.  There are lots of hearty perennials that will winter over in even the coldest climates.  In addition, the time you spend planting will be quite minimal after the initial planting.

Perennial Swap
You can fill your yard with perennials for FREE by exchanging perennials with your friends!  If you have ever been to a perennial farm, you probably know they continuously split the perennials to sell.  You can do this yourself.  Once your perennials are established you can take a section of them (down to the roots) and replant them.

Mix Permanent Plantings with Perennials
Perennials are less expensive than shrubbery, so mix it up.

Use Perennials in Pots
If you already have perennials in your yard, split them and use them for fillers in your pots.  At the end of the season you can plant them in a different location in your yard.

Start your Annuals from Seeds
You'll save a bundle by spending a little time growing your annuals.  I planted my seeds in the pots I wanted them in and covered them with saran wrap.  I kept them in the garage in front of the window to get started.

Use Permanent Ground Cover Instead of Mulch
Using permanent ground cover will cost you more in the beginning but will save you more money and time in the long run. 

If you love flowers and potted plants, you can spend hundreds every year.  With a bit of thought, you can save a bundle!  How do you have on gardening?  We can all learn from each other, so leave your frugal tip in the comments below this post.

Simple & Frugal Ways to Say Thanks

As my kids get older I find myself looking for ways to save on gifts of gratitude.  With three kids involved in so many different sports and activities, we are forever trying to think of the best "token" of our appreciation without breaking the bank. 

One of the best ways to say thanks is to have your children write a note of thanks inside an inexpensive card.  A simple "Thank You" is probably all that is really needed.

If you want to add a little more to the card, there are lots of handmade and thoughtful gift ideas out there.  You can probably make the cute and personalized teacher gift pictured above for FREE if you have most of the materials on hand.  How Does She will show you step-by-step, with super easy instructions!

If you have less time and creative juices on hand, you may like my idea pictured above.  I purchased those coffee cup thank you cards in a pack of 12 at Walmart ("Thanks a Latte" & "Thank You Very Mocha") and scored those $10 Starbucks gift cards for FREE with my Swagbucks!

It was super easy and I think my kids teachers will enjoy a few peaceful cups of coffee this summer on those cards.  These are pretty versitile, and work just as well for swim coaches, baseball coaches, tutors, piano teachers and more!  I try to keep these on hand for last minute emergency gifts.

Did you thank someone frugally this year?  Tell us about it!

Teacher Appreciation Week: Lemon Cupcake in a Jar Tutorial

Need a quick and easy gift for multiple teachers? This Lemon Cupcake in a Jar would be the perfect "Thank You" for multiple teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week or at the end of the school year. 

Dee at Bubba Chic created multiple jars and made them look super cute with craft supplies she had on hand.  GO HERE to see how she baked and decorated these goodies for teachers!

5 Products You Should Never Purchase

There are lots of products you can make at home yourself:  cleaners, laundry soaps, dusting sprays and more.  But there are a few things that don't require you to make any special purchases because you likely have everything on hand already.  Here are my top five frugal "recipes" that save me from shopping for extras!  They're so easy, even the busiest person can make them!

Foaming Hand Soap
::Add one tablespoon of concentrated soap, such as Dawn dish liquid to a foaming soap bottle.  Fill with water and shake!  Add more or less soap, depending on how you like it. 

Hair Detangler
::Add up to one tablespoon of conditioner to a spray bottle and fill with water.  Shake and enjoy!

Clorox Anywhere
::Add 1.5 teaspoons of Clorox to a 22-oz Clorox Anywhere spray bottle and fill with water.  Shake and use on hard surfaces!  Kills 99% of germs!

Fabric Wrinkle Releaser
::Add 1-2 tablespoons of liquid fabric softener to a spray bottle and fill with water.  Shake and use!  Works best on cottons and wrinkle free dress clothes.

Bisquick
::Combine the following ingredients and use with any recipe from the Bisquick box!  Stores for months!

8 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup baking powder
2 tsp salt
8 tsp sugar (optional)
1 cup Crisco Shortening

Mix together dry ingredients. Then cut in 1 cup Crisco with pastry blender or fork until it forms a very fine consistency.


Do you have an easy and quick frugal tip?  Share it with us!

Frugal Tip: Time Saving Wrinkle Releaser Recipe

It's certainly no secret how much I hate to iron. My ironing board hasn't been out since last year when I washed and ironed curtains.  You might think we don't wear clothes that need ironing.  No, think again!  My husband wears a crisp shirt and tie with dress pants every day of the week.

Downy Wrinkle Releaser has rescued us from hours of ironing!  It works, but the problem is that it's not cheap! I used to buy Downy Wrinkle Releaser faithfully because it saved us time.  Now I have my own recipe for wrinkle releaser and it works BETTER than Downy.   I've been using this recipe for YEARS.  You won't believe how easy this is!

~~~~~

Homemade Wrinkle Releaser

2-3 Tablespoons Fabric softener

Water to fill spray bottle

~~~~~

Place 2-3 Tablespoons any brand fabric softener into spray bottle. Fill with water. Shake well. Spray lightly on wrinkled clothing. Shake clothing. Hang to dry. This works great and smells wonderful!

**This works the best with "wrinkle free" dress clothes and cotton!
~~~

What is your best frugal tip? Leave a comment and let us know, or send me an email and your idea could be the topic of my next post!

Saving Money: Cash in on Spring Cleaning

It's Spring and it's time to clear out clutter.  If you haven't used items in years, it may be time to find them a better home!  Here are a few ways to turn your clutter into cash.

1. Donate  Tax deductions are an important savings strategy for some people.  If you itemize on your taxes or have a small business, this is a very important way to lower your taxes paid.  Instead of selling gently worn clothing or toys for a quarter, consider donating it to Goodwill or Salvation Army.  This will help on your income taxes and give you a larger return.  Be sure to get a receipt.
2. Craig's List  If you think your item is worth a considerable amount, try Craig's List.  It is really easy to list items and it costs nothing.
3. Ebay  Be sure to research the item you wish to sell to see what the average going rate is.  If you see similar items selling, try listing your item.  Keep in mind you will have to pay fees to Ebay and Paypal.
4. Word of Mouth  Tell your friends about the items you want to sell.  You might be able to swap items or sell them without having a garage sale.
5. Consignment Shops  f you have a consignment shop in your area, take your items in to see what they'll pay you.  Normally you won't get what the item is worth because the consignment shop does have to sell it and make a profit.  However, this may be the way to go if you don't have time to sell your items yourself.
6. Garage Sales  Though they are a huge undertaking, garage sales may net you some big bucks.  Consider having a group garage sale with friends and share the cost of advertising.  It will be more fun and will probably bring in more traffic.
7. Used Electronic Swaps  If you have used electronics to get rid of, consider Swagbucks, Best Buy, Radio Shack and Recyclebank.  They'll reward you for recycling your items!

How have you cashed in on Spring cleaning?  Have you had a huge success getting rid of your items?

Finding the Best Deal ISN'T Always the Best Deal

Are you a bargain junkie?  Do coupons burn a hole in your pocket?  Does couponing and shopping take time away from things you really should spend time doing?  Sometimes finding the best deal isn't always the best deal! 

When you get caught up in the coupon game and chasing deals you may lose sight of the true reason for the hunt.  I am certain that SAVING MONEY, not spending money, is the true reason most of us began this journey.

Many times that coupon in your binder isn't going to make the best deal.  Have you been guilty of buying it anyway?  Buying 40 items just because they only cost you $.10 each may really end up being a WASTE of your money if your family doesn't use them.

Do store coupons and sales seem to call out your name?  Using that Bath & Body Works coupon every week is probably costing you more than you realize. 

I have a few confessions to make.

1.  I stopped shopping at Bath & Body Works (and other mall stores) years ago. 
Yes, Bath & Body Works is popular and it smells good. But spending money to get a FREE Signature Collection Item is no longer a good use of my money.  I still have FULL Bath & Body Works soap containers on every sink in my house thanks to this Foam Soap Recipe, which is FREE to make.  It may not smell quite as good but I am sure nobody at my house notices.

2.  I don't hit every deal. 
You may get the impression that I am an obsessed bargain hunter --I'm not.  I'm a bargain hunter and I love the deals, but I am not obsessed.  I don't run out several times a day to score the deals I find.  Gasoline in my tank and family time are much more important to me.  The deals may not wait for me, but they'll come back around again sometime.

3.  I don't buy just because the price is great.
Cheryl and Co.  may have a chocolates 90% off and Amazon my have a pan I want for next to nothing, but that doesn't mean I am buying.  These things do cost you money even though they are cheap and it does really add up!

4.  I save without coupons.
Everyone can find little ways to save-without coupons.  My ways may not be yours, and yours may not be mine.  I may not re-use my ziplock bags (even though I should), but I do cut my children's hair every four weeks, make all the birthday cakes at home, make my own foamy soap, and save big by making my own wrinkle releaser.  Cutting back on things we don't need (like junk food), saves me more than buying it with a coupon.

5.  I am not Over-the-Top Frugal.
Hear ye, hear ye...I am not living life so frugally that it is no longer fun.  I have found my middle ground and I am at peace with it!  I realize that saving money in any way is better than not!  But I am not giving up my tile backsplash just because I can live without it!  And I do buy things without a coupon!

So, readers, where are you in your frugal journey?  How do you find your middle ground?

Frugal Living Tips in a Daily Email

Delivered to you five days a week, the LearnVest Daily is packed with money-saving tips and financial how-tos to enrich your life.

What’s Inside:

• Discover the best places to travel on a dime.
• Learn tips to help you build your wealth.
• Plan the perfect dinner party for under $10 per person.
• Understand and manage debt.
• Get beauty tricks for any budget!

Thrifty Inspiration: Pillows Out of Placemats

Jellybean Junkyard made these cute holiday pillows from placemats she found at Target!  Target also sells the matching pillows for $12.99 each, however she saved a bundle by using the $3.99 placemats and turned them into pillows!

Go HERE to read more.

Discount Pumpkins: Large Pumpkins $1.99 at Aldi this Week

This year we were lucky enough to snag about seven wonderful pumpkins from a relative's farm for FREE. 

Pumpkins aren't cheap.  My kids always pick the biggest ones and they can be up to $5 each.  This is a big price for something you are going to throw out in just a few weeks. There are a few ways to get them cheap if you can't get them FREE.

Aldi:  If you live near an Aldi store, pumpkins are just $1.99 this week

Walmart:  Wait until the week of Halloween.  Many stores including Walmart, mark the pumpkins down to get rid of them!

Farmers:  Buy directly from the farmer.  They usually sell them for just a few dollars.

Lowes Clearance Deal Finds - Pots & Urns

I love finding seasonal clearance deals at Lowes and Home Depot.  They really mark down some of their items drastically to get rid of them.  Seasonal items are typically marked down after the 4th of July.

Yesterday I found some great clearance pots and urns!  Some of these urns are regularly priced at over $80 and were marked down as low as $14.99!  Many of the drastically marked down pots were scratched or chipped, but were definitely repairable with a little paint!

I purchased the Eugenia Topiary as a little splurge for myself at Walmart ($33) and didn't want to spend a lot on the pot.  After a little touch up paint, you'd never know this pot was on clearance!

Save Money with Hair Cuts at Home -- an Update!

One year ago, I wrote this post as I began giving my kids haircuts at home.  I purchased a clipper kit much like this Conair Rechargeable Cord/Cordless 21-pc. Haircut Kit.  The kit came with a video that showed how to use the clippers and how to cut hair with the scissors.

I paid around $26 for the kit and decided to give it a try.  I had been spending $20 per month plus tip to have my two boys' get their hair cut at the local barber shop.  The cost of the clippers basically was the cost of one trip to the barber shop. 

I am back one year later to report the success of this venture!  In one year I have NOT ONCE taken my boys to get their hair professionally cut.  I have been so pleased with the results of my cuts, I haven't even worried about getting their hair cut even for pictures!

To clarify, I am not giving buzz cuts!  In fact until last week neither of my boys has ever gotten a buzz cut.  After watching the video that came with my clippers, I have done very well cutting with the scissors!

In the past year I have saved approximately $288!  I also have been cutting my dad's hair, saving him $12 per month, bringing the total to $432 in savings.  (In case you are wondering, my husband still won't let me cut his hair, but that is another story).

If you have been considering giving haircuts at home, I highly recommend purchasing a kit that includes everything including the how-to video.  This Conair Rechargeable Cord/Cordless 21-pc. Haircut Kit sounds even better than the Conair kit I have been so impressed with.  The rechargeable feature is an added bonus!  This kit ships for just $30.50!

Summer Meals: Easy Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches

I recently hit a big sale on pork roasts and stocked my freezer.  With a great sale, I pay between $3-$4 for a 3-lb roast that feeds my entire family.  Pulled pork BBQ sandwiches just happen to be a family favorite at our house.  This is so easy to create on a tight schedule and in a crazy household!

I simply place the roast in my crockpot in the morning, add seasonings, and let it slow cook all day.  10 minutes before serving, I add the BBQ sauce (free on sale), bake some fries and whip up some quick bagged coleslaw ($.99).   The whole meal comes in under $5!

This is my favorite meal to make because my family loves it and it is super easy and cheap!  I would love to hear about your favorite meals!  If you have something quick and easy, yet frugal be sure to share!

By the way, the Hamilton Beach 33967 Set 'n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker is my pot of choice!

What Are You Doing for Fun this Summer?

Eight long years ago, I gave up my teaching career to stay home and raise my children.  One big dream of mine was to raise my kids like my mom raised me.  Four years ago we moved to the country (sort of) so that I could provide wonderful memories for my kids like my mom gave me. 

Almost all of the things I do with my kids (and the many other kids that flock to my home daily) are FREE, like walking in the woods, picking berries and wildflowers, having picnic lunches, riding bikes and so much more.

Along with the free play and FREE outdoor fun, I enjoy tossing in something fun and different each year that we can do at home to keep boredom at bay.

Last year I invested in a small inflatable bounce house like the one above.  These can even be used indoors during the cold months!  The price on these has come down considerably since I bought ours!

This 2010 Intex "Phthalate Free" Jump-O-Lene Inflatable Castle Bounce Bouncer is just $52.95!  We have gotten a lot of use out of ours!  It is still a big hit with all the kids.

This year I am purchasing the Pacific Play Tents Playchute 10' Parachute for $20.67.  I have great memories of using these in elementary school!  These can also be used indoors during the winter months and is small enough for a small group.

The sprinkler pictured above is also a huge hit!  You can purchase the Little Tikes Super Spiral Sprinkler at Walmart for $20 or less. 

Using these "fun day" activities not only keeps boredom at bay, but saves me money!  I buy one or two items per year which costs me less than a single trip to a water park or admission to the movies!  I am certain my kids will be making great momories with fun, physical activities with friends at home!

What do you do at home to keep boredom at bay during the summer?

Make Your Own Bisquick Baking Mix

I really enjoy the ease of using Bisquick for pancakes, Belgian waffles, biscuits, and other quick recipes. I haven't always been able to find it at a great price, and lately just quit buying it.  I have made my own baking mix in the past and am going back to it for a couple of reasons.

• 
  
  It is far cheaper to make your own
• 
  
  It is much healthier when you can control the sodium and add whole wheat flour in place of some of the white flour.
• 
  
  It is easy to keep on hand and mix up a new batch when you run out

This homemade baking mix is easy to prepare and store.  Plus, you can use it in any recipe that calls for Bisquick or baking mixes. Just follow the directions on any baking mix box to make pancakes, waffles, biscuits, and more!

Homemade Baking Mix

8 cups all purpose flour

1/3 cup baking powder

2 tsp salt

8 tsp sugar (optional)

1 cup Crisco Shortening

Mix together dry ingredients.  Then cut in 1 cup Crisco with pastry blender or fork until it forms a very fine consistency.

Store in air tight container.  Will stay fresh for several months if refrigerated.

To make biscuits:  add 1/3 cup milk for each cup of biscuit mix.  Mix and roll out on floured surface. Cut out and bake at 425 until browned.

HOT Price on an Item That Has Saved Me HUNDREDS

Hoover SteamVac Carpet Cleaner with Clean Surge, F5914-900  Was $179, NOW $139.49!

Are you thinking about Spring cleaning?  Don't pay someone to steam clean your carpets and don't rent a steamer!  The Hoover SteamVac Carpet Cleaner has SAVED MY life, my carpets and a a TON of money!

This awesome machine has kept my carpets looking brand new through multiple children, spills, illnesses, potty training, and general wear and tear!  Every time I use it (like this morning) I think how much I am saving!  This would have to be one of the most highly recommended products I have ever owned.  I feel that strongly about it.

Here is the description at Amazon:
This powerful home steam vacuum saves you the expense and hassle of having to rent a steam cleaner and keeps rugs, upholstery, and bare floors (other than hardwoods) looking like new. The powerful 12-amp motor combined with five spinning brushes that operate at either high or low speed lift the usual dirt and grime out of carpets. By pulling on the trigger in the comfortable upright handle, this deep cleaner releases the included carpet/upholstery cleaner and hot tap water. For more stubborn stains or for high-traffic areas, this SteamVac also has a Clean Surge feature, which sends an extra blast of cleaning solution into the stain by simply pressing a button on the handle. When cleaning is complete, release the trigger and the SteamVac forces hot air into the cleaning path so you can do a few dry strokes over the stain. This deep cleaner has two separate water tanks to keep clean water apart from dirty water. The top tank holds the detergent and 1 gallon of hot water and automatically mixes the two so you don’t need to get your hands wet. The lower tank holds the dirty solution picked up from the carpet and unlatches to easily pour out into a sink without spilling. For cleaning stairs or upholstery, this deep cleaner has a long 8-foot hose and a special stair/upholstery nozzle that scrubs out spots. Other features of this deep cleaner include a brush indicator, which informs you that the brushes are spinning; an on/off foot pedal; a handle release pedal; and a 27-inch wraparound cord. The Hoover SteamVac is covered by a full one-year warranty.

This SteamVac has worked miracles, save me hundreds of dollars and numerous headaches!  I thank my friend Kim for recommending it to me!

Themed Dinner Nights Save My Sanity

Weeknight dinners are crazy at my house.  If I am not careful to plan, dinners turn into a last minute catastrophe that can easily lead to ordering take-out instead of cooking.  To make things easier, three days a week I use the crock pot and two days a week are "theme nights".

About a year ago a friend told me her daughter would not spend the night away from home on a Friday night because it was their pizza night.  What she meant was, her daughter loved family pizza night and didn't want to miss it.  The first thing that entered my mind was, "how easy"!

So we adopted Friday night as our family pizza night.  We eat a variety of traditional pizza, gourmet pizzas, frozen pizzas, etc.   It turns out that EVERYONE at my house looks forward to pizza night.  We have pizza and salad or veggies EVERY Friday night.  If I change the menu, everyone gets upset!  This has made my life so much easier so when my son requested a "pancake night".  I recently took him up on this and made Thursday our "Breakfast for Dinner" night.

Now, during the week I plan three crock pot meals and two theme night meals.  Sometimes I change things up a bit but I never change the theme nights!  Those are the nights everyone looks forward to!

How do you save your sanity in the kitchen?