CLEANING OUT YOUR FRIDGE

 If you are like me, you hate to throw away leftovers from your meals. I usually put them in a container with a lid. In a few days, weeks, months (?) you are looking for a quick snack or an extra something to add to your meal. Then, you remember those leftover green beans or fruit salad in your refrigerator. Ah, there they are. Hmmm, how long have they been there? My mantra-"When in doubt, throw it out."

How much good food do you throw out because you have no idea how long it has been in the fridge? My answer: I started dating the container. 

I keep some masking tape in a drawer by the fridge.

When I pack up my leftovers, I put a strip of tape* on it and add the date. 

*Extra tip: Turn the end of the masking tape down to make a tab. Then, you have a tab on the container that is easy to pull off when I use the food. Be sure and turn the tape under after you tear off the strip for your container. 

Happy Eating Leftovers!

Saving for Vacation or a Rainy Day

Try this new way to save for a vacation or a rainy day. 

Several years ago I read about a lady who decided to stop spending $5 bills. Instead, she would but them in a jar and when she got enough she would invest them in something that would earn more money than the jar (which was $0). 

I mulled that over and decided I would give it a try. I proceeded to put every $5 bill I got into a box. However, instead of reinvesting it, I would use it as spending money for our yearly vacation. We would use it for eating, souvenirs, attractions...whatever. We didn't use it for gas, hotel, car rental, or airfare. 

I have been doing this for about ten years and it has worked out really well. My plan has extended to include $1 bills (sometimes) and my husband's pocket change. We have had anywhere from $300 to $700 to spend on our vacation. The longer the time between vacations; the more we have to spend.

Try it; you'll never miss those $bills and loose change...and you'll love counting the money when it's vacation time.

Tiny Tidbit for Today-Saving Money

Walmart Savings Catcher-

If you don't already know about this, listen up. 

Do you shop at Walmart? Try their 'Savings Catcher'. You will love it. (Click on link above.)

Go to link above.Set up an account. When you get home from Walmart, post your Transaction No. and date to your account...and wait. 

Walmart will then check to see it you could have bought a product(s) that you could have gotten at a lower price elsewhere. If so, they will give you the difference. It is amazing how fast your account will build. 

When you have enough dollars to buy what you want, you can ask for a Walmart gift card. Or, you can apply the gift card to help pay for your groceries.

Testimonial: After a few months I had enough to buy a small vacuum cleaner for small pick-ups.