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Nov 12, 2009, Need a Gift Idea for Several?

Do you gift to many people and need an idea at a reasonable price? Check out the personalized items at Amsterdam. Perhaps you and a friend or two could go in together and purchase a personalized gift & split the quantity, since most items require you order 50 or more. There are items that you don't have to purchase quite so many, but you have to look around. One year we purchased and personalized pocket calendars which we decided on a favorite quote or saying to be put on them. We bought them on sale at a price of 2 for 1. We then went to the dollar store and bought the clear decorated goodies bags, which come with 10-20 bags in a package, to put the calendars in either by themselves or with a pen or pencil and added a little ribbon and they made a great gift that was useful all year long. The order was split by three of us to give out as gifts to friends, family, co-workers and customers making the cost of order 50 or more much more doable. And we were able to get the nice little leather style calendars. If I remember right the cost was only about $1.50 or less a calendar. Click on the banner or link below to check them out. And don't forget to check out the clearance center!

Have a great day!

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

Nov 9, 2009, Holiday Fund Time

Did you start your Holiday Savings Account earlier this year? If so you would have received that Holiday savings account amount by now. If you didn't start one this year consider starting one for next year, go ahead and get in the habit and start one now putting even just a few dollars in each pay day now and increasing it after the holidays. Think of how much you will have available by next year's holidays. Think of it as a layaway plan, with a year to pay off. Estimate how much you want to save by the holidays next year and take that amount, divide it by the number of paychecks you'll receive by next November (from January - November). Example you want to save $500 by next year and you will have 20 paychecks between now and then, you will need to save $25 each paycheck to have $500 in a year. So in our example the $25 is amount will be the amount you'll deposit into your holiday account each payday. But don't forget to put that amount in your budget also. Remember start small and watch your savings grow.

Need extra cash now, here's a quick tip. Do you get a tax refund every year? If so consider changing your payroll deductions for the next few paychecks and have less taxes taken out (don't forget to change your deductions back after the holidays). This will give you some extra money now and a little less of a tax refund. Don't charge on credit and say you'll pay it back with your tax refund that seldom happens. I know I've been there done that, something always seems to come up that we tell ourselves we need more. So avoid charging remember Think Debt Free.

P.S. I've put up a new crockpot recipe on the Crockpot Recipes - Other page for Holiday Ham & Vegetables with the Holidays rapidly arriving, I thought I find one for them. This is a very quick & simple recipe go check it out.

Have a great day!

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

Nov 6, 2009, Do You Online Shop?

If you like to shop online make sure you sign up on your favorite store(s) website for their emails and specials. Now is the time these store will be especially sending emails for Free Shipping and many other savings. But with any of these offers don't forget to read the fine print below the Free Shipping and specials advertisements. There may be some stipulations attached to them.

Lets talk about that Free Shipping, is it really free? When you read the advertisement you'll notice most will say you have to purchase at least $50, $100 or even more. So is it really free? If I have to spend more that I planned just to get the free shipping then it is not free. Don't fall into the trap, stay on your holiday budget, don't buy more just to save a few dollars on shipping, in the long run you'll be spending more and have stuff you really didn't need at the time. For more tips on shopping online check out the Online Shopping Tips page. Have a Great Day!

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

Oct 26, 2009, What's Next?

I asked if you started your holiday lists yet last time. Hopefully you have. So now that you have your list in hand and you have an idea of what you want to get, it's time to estimate how much spending money you'll need and set a limit or budget of what you will spend. So once you set your budget stick to it - don't go second guessing yourself, "did I get enough for this person or that person", that's where your list comes in, you've already decided what each person is getting.

Start your shopping now, if you wait until closer to Christmas not only will you feel rushed and stressed trying to get everything done at the last minute, but an item on your list may not be available. Which means you may have to rethink your gift idea, which may also mean going off your budget cause your rushed and may buy what ever you can find at most any cost. So start shopping now especially if it may be an item that is popular and may be harder to find at the last minute.

Another great thing to do is sign up at your favorite online stores for their sale emails. Not only will they be pushing items on sale but there may even be specials such as free shipping (shopping at home means no crowds to deal. and have you noticed how there always seems to be more traffic out during the holiday? By shopping online you're also saving by not wasting gas driving around).

A new crockpot recipe is up, go check out the Crockpot Recipes - Soups & Stews page.

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

Oct 21, 2009, Debt and the Holidays

As you can see we've put up some pages on Getting Out of Debt. With the holidays rapidly coming, it will be easy increase and make more debt. So start now make yourself a holiday budget. Decide how much you can afford for spend for the holidays and stick to it. Create your gift list, save even more money by making your own gifts (for ideas see the Holiday Saving Tips pages). If you buy something always check the clearance bins 1st, this also include when shopping online. I've found some great buys in the clearance/bargain basement/ areas of online merchants. Don't create more debt to pay off, remember all the interest on that debt is just money being thrown in the garbage. Make the decision now if you can't afford to pay cash for it you don't need it. Remember "Think Debt Free!"

Have a great day!
As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

Oct 18, 2009, Have You Started Planning Yet?

Do you have your Christmas list done yet, you know, a gift list, planning list, cooking list. I know, I know, it's only mid October, but the holiday's are only a short two months away. So it's time to start thinking about it now, and at least start your lists, don't wait until the last minute. You may be able to pick up some on sale items now for gifts or for your holiday cooking.

Need a gift idea for a guy? How about a barbecue rub spice gift jar. Check around in the stores and see if you can find some clearance BBQ utensils, add them to the homemade BBQ spice rub and bingo you have a reasonably priced, great gift. For more gift ideas check out the Holiday Savings Tips pages.

Ok, take a few minutes today, start your lists, and make the holidays a little less stressful by not trying to do everything at the last minute. Have a great day!!!

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

Oct 9, 2009, Be Careful What You Open!

2 blogs in one day? I think this is important to get out there and share.

I was watching a news report on another scam going on, this one has to do with your emails or social networking websites like Facebook. They hack into your computer stealing your email, Facebook or other passwords. Now I know you say I've heard this before, but it bears repeating. So simply put you receive an innocent email generally from someone you don't know. Perhaps it says something like "Check out this Funny Picture" or something that makes you want to check it out. But when you open the attachment its really a virus. Now the hacker can see everything you type including your sign in names & passwords. So the scam they are now pulling is impersonating you by sending emails or IMs to all your contacts/friend saying you are stranded someplace normally overseas and need money, they tell you how & where to wire the money, all using your email or IM so it does look like it's true and from you. One lady on the news believed it and wired $3,000 per the instructions, believing she was helping a good friend, she is now out $3,000, as the hacker/crook is long gone. So if you get an email or IM from a friend saying something like this, Always verify the email or IM is really from them before sending any money.

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

Oct 9, 2009, Gift Jar Recipe - Smokey Flavored Salt

The next time you fire up the grill how about making some smokey salt to cook with and to use in your gift jars recipes . You can use your smokey salt on pretty much anything for a nice bbq taste. To make smokey salt you'll need a couple cups of wood chips, soak these in water for about an hour and then drain the water off. You'll also need 2 -3 cups of kosher or sea salt. Put your salt in an aluminum pan, spread the salt out to thin layer. Put your soaked chips right on the coals, make sure the coal is pushed to two sides of the grill and put your pan of salt on a rack above the coals and in the center of them, so that the salt is not directly over the coals. Cover your grill and adjust the grill's vent holes to a medium heat. Let the salt smoke for about an hour. Let the salt cool and then put in a jar. Store your smokey salt away from light and heat. Enjoy!

Here's another little tip, make some different flavor salts by trying different flavors of wood chips, they make a variety of wood chips from oak, apple and of course the favorite hickory chips. Try substituting your smokey salt for regular salt in your recipes and gift jars for a slightly different flavor. It's time to start thinking about the holidays and what you're going to give. You could even just make a variety of flavors of the smokey salts and make up several small flavored salt gift jars. Have fun.

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

Oct 8, 2009, Cleaning Up Your Credit

Cleaning Up Your Credit - want a better credit score - cleaning up your credit is easy, but takes time...read on...

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Oct 6, 2009, Paying Off Lowest Balance Debt First

Paying Off Lowest Balance Debt First, will this work for you? What other options are available... read on....

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Oct 5, 2009, Paying Off Highest Interest Debt

Paying Off Highest Interest Debt First.... Will it work for you? What other options are there....read on.....

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Oct 5, 2009, Debt Consolidation Agencies (Credit Counselors)

Debt Consolidation Agencies (Credit Counselors) - do they really work, who do I choose....read more...

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Oct 5, 2009, Get Out Of Debt

What can you do now so you can have a better quality of life later or for retirement? Get out of debt. Having debt it makes it hard to save for anything,...... read more here.....

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Oct 2, 2009, Scam Alert

I was looking up a survey panel for more information and ran across something interesting and didn’t realize this was happening with some survey sites, I’ve seen this scam in emails but didn’t know some were trying to pass it off with surveys. So here’s a heads up:

Just a note if you ever receive a check saying you’ve won something or someone wants to give you money for cashing a check and telling you to keep part of the check and wire them part of it back – DON’T it’s a scam. What happens is you deposit the check & by the time it’s figured out, you didn’t get any money and are out the money you sent the scammer. So never assume you are getting something for free. If you really did win something you would not be asked to send money back in exchange for the winnings. Remember legitimate survey sites don’t ask you for money and are free to join, and they don’t send you a check to deposit/cash and then ask you to send them part of it back. If you get one of these counterfeit checks claiming to be from a survey panel, contact the survey panel you signed up with (not the person sending the check, remember they are bogus anyways), so that they are aware someone is using their name & likeness to scam people. One of these such scammers was falsely claiming the money would go towards training to be a mystery shopper. Once again these survey panels would never ask you to send money or make any payment or funds transfer of any kind.

Remember surveys are fun and free, don’t be scammed! If it sounds too good to be true, it very well may be, so always verify with the survey panel. Have a great day!

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

Sep 26, 2009, Saving Money By Participating in Surveys

I have been doing surveys for almost a year now on several different survey sites. No not making much money, yet. But what I've noticed that if you are somewhat consistent, honest with your opinions and look like you're going stay with them more than just short term, that more opportunities will be available for you. Last week I received a package from Synovate to test a product for a couple weeks. At the end of this time period I will be requested to fill out a survey on the product for my honest opinion. This is a regularly used product that would probably cost $5 or more for the two weeks if purchased in the store, my cost free - and a few minutes of my time to answer some questions about it. I know I like free products - how about you? To Join the Synovate Panel click here.

My daughter has been doing surveys for a much shorter time than I have and has made a lot more money. I think she's in a better age group than I am, LOL. Anyways she was telling me the other day about one of the survey panels she participates in, that she received two weeks worth of cereal to try out and give her opinion on. She also signed up for the So as you can see by participating in Synovate after I told her about my test product. She said they emailed her back and told her they didn't have anything for her right now. I told her to just be patient because when I first signed up they didn't have anything for me to test either.

If you're in your 20's or 30's, and/or a parent of younger children, you will probably receive more paid survey requests and test products, than people in my age group.

So remember when you join one of these survey panels be patient, don't expect to make much money at least not right away. For more survey panels/sites check out our Surveys and Money page. Have a great day!

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

Sep 12, 2009, Get Ready for the Holiday with Gift Jars Recipes

The holidays will soon be upon us, are you planning on making your own gifts? How about making some gift jars? For ideas and recipes for those gift jars check out the Gift Jars Page and the Holidays Savings Page.

Did you know that you can save half the cost if not even more on those spices you buy in the little jars? Instead of throwing those jars away when they are empty and buying a new one, buy your spices in the little bags and refill your jars instead. These spices can normally be found on an end isle by the produce center. They are normally labeled as an ethnic product, but most are the same spices that are in the jars. Most of those packages are about 50 cents for the small bags and between $1 and $1.50 for the larger ones. Also you can buy those packages as whole seed and using a coffee grinder, grind your seed fresh to use in your spices. So the next time you buy spices remember to check them out first. Remember Saving Money Makes Cents which turn into $$$$$. Have a Great Day!

As always,Saving Money Makes Cents

Sep 2, 2009, Camp Chili Recipe

We tried this recipe this past weekend and really liked it. It was a lot of work and was cooked in a dutch oven so we will probably only make it on weekends if we want to make it fresh from scratch. But it was great, so if you have the time I suggest making it fresh from scratch, but I've also modified the recipe to cook in the crockpot and save some prep time. I'll put in parentheses the dutch oven way in case you want to make it fresh and either cook it in the dutch oven or in the crockpot.

Camp Chili

1 or more pounds of steak cut into 1 inch pieces (or chop the steak coarsely for a heartier chili or substitute hamburger meat - we used beef sirloin)
1/4 pound of bacon, chopped (thick bacon is better)
1 cup diced onions (white)
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp pepper
1 Tbs ground paprika
1Tbs ground cumin
2 -3 tsp minced garlic (or 3-4 cloves fresh garlic minced/chopped finely)
1 (15oz) can of chopped tomatoes (or 2 fresh large tomatoes chopped)
1 can chopped chilies (or for fresh use 2 large jalapenos and 1 medium pasilla chili or 3 poblanos instead of the jalepenos & pasilla, whichever you use the chilies need to be roasted, peeled, de-seeded, de-veined and chopped)
1 can beef broth
Water - if needed

Brown bacon, add onions and continue browning until the onions are soft, remove bacon and onions from bacon fat and put them in your crockpot. Mix flour, salt and pepper together in a bowl, then dredge the beef in the flour mixture and put the the flour covered meat into the skillet and brown it. For the rest of the recipe go to the Crockpot Recipes - Other page. Enjoy!

Money Saving Tip:
Time to start thinking of the holidays, and perhaps start some of the planning and perhaps even start gift buying now (1 or 2 gifts a month). Don't wait till the last minute when money could be tighter. Start early the holidays will be here before you know it. Picking up an item or two now will save money, time and perhaps give a little less stress later on. Let the holidays this year be stress free. Looking for some ideas check out the gift jars page or the Holiday Savings page for more money saving gift ideas. If you'll be making your gifts, start getting your supplies together now to make putting the gifts together easier later.

And remember when shopping online at your favorite online stores to check the clearance pages first, you may find a great gift there at great savings.

Aug 30, 2009, Barbecue Rub Recipe

Labor day is just around the corner which means barbecues!!! So here's another Barbecue Rub to try out.

Barbecue Rub #2

3 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon ground coffee
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon pepper
Want a little kick to your barbecue rub add
1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Mix the ingredients all together in a small bowl. Sprinkle the rub on your meat and gently rub it in. If you wish coat your meat, chicken or seafood with a tablespoon of olive oil first and then sprinkle on the rub, pressing gently to help it stick to the meat. Barbecue and enjoy!

Remember dry rubs keep for up to a month, so mix up some extra to use later for last-minute meals or double, triple this recipe and make it for a gift. Store in those little canning jars or store in tightly-sealed container. Enjoy

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Money Saving Tip

When traveling whether for business or vacation besides buying the Entertainment Book (Get your 2010 Entertainment Book today and save big on dining, travel and much more! Plus, order now and receive FREE shipping!), a couple last minute places to check for coupons to save on dining out is in the yellow pages of the local phone book, when you get to your hotel room, pull out the phone book and see what coupons are in it. Don't forget to check out the hotel's information binder in your room also, sometimes you'll find a coupon in it for dinning out or perhaps for a museum or other place you may plan on visiting. Also when you're checking in, see what coupons / flyers are on in the lobby or the check in counter.

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

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Aug 20, 2009, Make Money With Surveys

Can you make money with surveys? My take on doing surveys....

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Aug 19, 2009, Free Samples and Coupons

Do you like getting free samples, some of those free samples make great travel items, you don't have to take up room in your suitcase or overnight bag for the same full size item. Check out the featured advertiser below. What I like about them is the fact that I can get all kinds of free samples and coupons & not have to mail a thing or spend money on stamps, I just fill out the online form. They send you an email whenever there is a sample item or offer available, and if it's an item you can use just fill out the form and wait for you free samples to arrive. And who doesn't like free stuff. Click on the banner or text link below to sign up and/or check them out. Have a wonderful day!

Get the Free stuff from Qualityhealth.com. Coupons, Discounts, samples and special offers products, including Free Samples

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

Aug 13, 2009, A Quick Update -- It's Here!!!!

The new 2010 Entertainment coupon books are available now. And the coupons can be used as soon as you get your book. Another great thing the book is good/valid for the next 15 months. Lot's of great 2 for 1 dining out, local attractions, shopping and traveling coupons. Get one for your local area and if you are planning a vacation or have a favorite mini vacation spot you visit all the time get one for there also and save each time you visit. This book will pay for itself after just 2 or 3 uses. The book in my area has 200 dining discounts, 80 attraction discounts, over 200 shopping discounts, movie discount...... the list goes on. The book I bought last year paid for itself just by using the $5 off groceries coupons we used, not to mention the movie coupons I gave to the kids to use, so those two items alone more than paid the book and saved me money. Have a great day!

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

Aug 12, 2009, Chicken & Biscuits (or Dumplins')

Chicken and dumplins was one of my most favorite meals growing up when my grandmother made it. Of course the dumplins was the best part. Here's a slight twist on the Chicken and Dumplins' recipe.

Chicken & Biscuits (or Dumplins')

2 - 3 cups cooked chicken cubed
1 - 10 oz can cream of chicken soup (condensed)
1 - 10 oz can cream of mushroom soup (condensed) if you don't like mushroom use another can of the chicken soup
1 - 14 oz can chicken broth
1 cup water
Pepper to taste
1 - can (8 - 10 biscuits) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
or if you prefer dumplins' follow instructions on your bisquit box mix for dumplins'

In crockpot mix mix soups, chicken broth, water and pepper. Add cooked chicken and mix again. Then cut up your biscuits in to 4ths or bite size pieces and stir into the soup & chicken mixture. If making dumplings instead of biscuits, let your soup & chicken mixture heat up 1st and then drop your dumpling batter in you soup mixture by the spoonful. Cover your crockpot and cook on low for 6 or more hours, if you're home while this is cooking give it a stir occasionally, if not don't worry just give it a stir when you get home. Don't forget to check out the Cook at Home pages for more crockpot recipes. Enjoy!

As always,
Saving Money Makes Cents

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Aug 10, 2009, Saving Money Makes Cents Resources

Saving Money Makes Cents Resources

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