Break Time

Between moving and other things, I'm taking a month or so off.  Will post more then.

Moving?

How to Make Moving Cheaper

As every person who moves knows, you need boxes, sometimes a lot of boxes.  It's amazing how much junk one can accumulate!

Anyway, the other day I was at Lowes and noticed moving boxes for sell.  The small boxes were around $.75 a piece.  Two days later I went to the grocery store just after it opened for the day and noticed, as the employees busily restocked shelves, there were empty boxes on almost every aisle. "Can I have some of those?" I asked an employee in the produce section.  I left the store that day with more boxes than groceries.

• If you give your local grocery store advanced notice they sometimes will save boxes for you.
• My sister also tipped that schools can be a good place to ask if you have connections. As she said, "Lunch Ladies empty a lot of boxes." 

Money Moment-Credit Card Interest

  

I love the convenience of a credit card.* It is so much more convenient to swipe the card when getting gas than to go inside to pay.  Online shopping is another one of those things.  Yes, I use a credit card.  However, I have never paid interest.

When I use my card, it goes on the budget as money spent for the month.  Before the month ends I go to the bank's convenient online banking website and pay the card off in full.  A credit card is a tool to help save time at the register not an excuse to spend more money than you make in a month.

*If your card is constantly pounding interest out of you, I suggest switching to a debit card.  For either card, make sure the money is in your account before you run off and spend!

No Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bites

Originally the recipe I found called these "No-Bake Energy Bites" which is just a fancy way of making a cookie sound healthier than it really is.  These are really good and super easy.

No-Bake Bites
1 C oatmeal
2/3 C coconut shredded
1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C flax seed or wheat germ
1/2 C chocolate chips (optional)
1/3 C honey
1 tsp vanilla

Mix it all in a bowl and chill for 30 minutes.  Once chilled roll into balls.  Makes 15-20 one inch balls. Store in the refrigerator.

Peanut Butter Rice Crispies

I love these!  Maybe even more than popcorn.

Over medium heat bring to a small boil:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups peanut butter

Quickly pour over:

6 cups of rice krispies (we have used chex as well)

Mix.  Place in a greased 9 X 13 pan and allow to cool.

(Some recipes say to first mix it in a bowl and transfer to the pan after. I like to avoid dished and extra steps, so I mix it directly in the pan.)

Once cooled melt:
1-2 cups chocolate chips

Spread over rice krispies.

I melt my chocolate in the microwave. I cook it about 45 seconds, stir, 15 stir. And another 15 after that until melted.  I also like to put a little peanut butter in the chocolate chips. I think it helps melt them faster and gives it a good taste.

Cool, cut into small squares and enjoy.


I know, so not healthy!  But really, really, good!