Debt Free Christmas: Start Early

Picked up for only $1 a pair

Just this past week I took down the last of the Christmas decorations, so why am I already thinking about next year? The best way to save money is through planning and preparation.

My kids want to "go big" on our outside decorations next year. So after Christmas is a great time to find clearanced items. I also want to build a couple of pieces to add next year, so the sooner I get started the better.

www.1saleaday.com is just one of many daily bargain sites to pick up items to store away for next year. Jewelry is small and easy to store for a year. My nieces, and daughters where excited to get earrings and necklaces that I had picked up throughout the year.

Start putting away 5 dollars a week today. You can even save all of those $5 Target gift cards that you get with purchases.

Many stores also have toys on clearance, that they stocked up with for the holidays. Take advantage of those sales and find a good hiding spot. (I have several around the house.)

Pretzel Sprouts

This morning I asked my kids what they wanted for breakfast. One answered scrambled eggs and toast, the other said scrambled eggs and "the green stuff with salt". Uhm Ok?

After some questions, I guessed Brussels sprouts. She enthusiastically responded "Pretzel Sprouts!" What kid asks for Brussels sprouts? I was married for 12 years the first time I ever had them. My mom didn't like them, so we were never offered. FYI - that means my kids will have to wait at least that long, to try cabbage stew.

We actually really like them in our house. Maybe it's how they are prepared?



Easy and yummy Brussels Sprouts Recipe:

Start by boiling water in a pan on the stove. Meanwhile, cut off the tip of the sprout and remove any leaves that aren't appetizing.

 

 

Once the water is  at a boil add the sprouts. Cook on high until it returns to a boil. Continue to cook for 2 minutes. The goal is bright green and hot through, but not cooked to mush, they should still be crispy when you bite into it.

 

 

Remove from pan, sprinkle with salt. I prefer the large grains of a kosher or sea salt. Serve immediately.

Say Goodbye to Dried-out Markers

As a Pre-K teacher I am in a constant struggle to keep the lids on markers. I have tried a variety of solutions with limited success. While looking through a teacher catalogue I saw this great idea. $7.95 plus shipping, for essentially a piece of scrap wood with some holes drilled? I don't think so.

I had some scrap 2x4's sitting around, so decided to see if I could make them. I had My Vet chop them to 8 inch pieces.

Using a tape measure, I marked each block for 8 holes. (A standard box of markers has 8 different colors)

 Then grabbed a drill with a 1/2 inch bit. Put some tape on the end of the bit to keep me from drilling too deep, and drilled my holes. Went in the house to test it with a marker, and my holes were just a bit too small.

 

So I tried a 9/16 inch bit, which made the holes to big to snuggly hold the lid. Now what?

 

Initially, when the hole was too small My Vet recommended just wiggling the 1/2 inch bit to make a slightly larger hole. (I of course, insisted on using the 9/16.) So I did what I should have done in the first place, and wiggled the bit while it spun, making a slightly larger hole. Those holes worked like a charm! It took a bit of finagling to get the lid in, but once it was there it wasn't going anywhere.

I hit them with a sand block to remove any possible splinters, and walla!

We made 5 in all, 1 for home and 4 for school. I can't wait to test them at school this week!