Another great way to save money is to start canning. If you don't have a garden it still can save you money if you buy the produce while it still in season.

This is what I have done in the last two days.

(8) pints of Bread & Butter pickles, I used cucumbers from my garden.
(5) Pints of diced tomatoes, from the garden
(4) pints of Blueberry Syrup
(5) Pints of Blueberry Jam

I purchased the Blueberries from the Shipshewana flea market for $1.70/# which figured to be just over .85/ pint. Which is cheaper than you can get them anywhere around here. The other positive is I didn't have to pick them, so it also saves me time.
Another great thing about canning is that you can give these items as gifts at Christmas and you'll have no rushing around at Christmas trying to find gifts.



I will say you do start off spending a little more out of pocket but the investment in the jars will be well worth it. Also, they have had coupons for the jars in the paper so you can also save on those.

I bought some of my pints at garage sales and I bought some at Rural King on sale for $6.49 - the $1.50 MQ = .42/jar. If you put stuff from your garden in them then you only have the jar price and that is cheaper than any canned veggies right now!

I have also recently canned chicken and potatoes that I picked up at Kroger for almost nothing.

If you haven't canned before please consider doing it to help you cut your budget.

(Hint: If you use the package of Mrs. Wags Bread & Butter Pickles, I reccommend NOT packing your cucmbers first as the directions indicate. I would add the cucmbers to the liquid and then put into jars. You will use less jars and have more pickles per jar. As you can see in my photo the cukes shrink after adding the hot liquid and causes them to floatwith extra room.)

I love to collect cookbooks and I also Love Gooseberry cookbooks. Right now they are offer a selection of cookbooks for only $4.95. These make great Christmas items.

I found this great neat recipe for Cupcake Bites/Pops @ Bakerella. After I found it I just needed a reason to make them. Morgan came home after her Bible study last Monday at told me she had to bring snacks. Well, I was so excited, I am not sure she was, but I was, because that meant now I had a reason to try my hand at these neat little cupcakes.
I did not use chocolate bark, instead I used chocolate, because I had plenty of it. Unfortunately this did not work so well, next time for sure I will try the bark. I think the chocolate doesn't set up as well as teh bark would have. Also, my cake was very moist and I think it posed a problem in the long run.
However, this was my first attempt at them and I usually learn from my mistakes. I also have an idea to use buckeye filling (peanut butter & powdered sugar) in them next time.
These were the best of the bunch. The others turned out not so pretty, perfectly edible but not pretty!
Hopefully the next batch will be much improved!

I purchased these Bagels the other day on clearance and my intention was to put them in the freezer for my daughter to eat out of when she wanted them.

Well, Saturday around here is a Fin For Yourself Day and I decided to make these yummy bagel bites. I used all of this stuff from my stockpile.
What you need is spaghetti sauce and the toppings of your choice. I chose pepperoni and shredded cheese.
Top your bagels with your selected toppings then heat in oven for 10-15 minutes at 400.

You can always make these ahead of time by adding your toppings, put them in the freezer to freeze for about 30 minutes(leave them on the cookie sheet, that way they will freeze individually). Then after they have frozen put them a freezer bag for the kiddos to grab as needed. If you go with the freezer method it is better to put a little sauce in between the layers so they freezer together better and your cheese will not fall off.

Go here for a FREE Bread cookbook. Only while supplies last. Compliments of Fleischmann's.
You can never have too many cookbooks and if you do, you can always give this with a gift basket as a housewarming gift or wedding gift.
(Edit: Helps when I give you the link)

If you have diabetes and struggle with finding great meals to cook then go here and sign up for your free Living Well magazine, three cookbooks, and a Meal Planning Guide. This a great site to help you manage your diabetes.

Last night as I searched the web going through sites that I have not visited in awhile I came across thses great cookbooks that you can download from ConAgra Foods.
There are 4 different ones and if your anything like me you will want all four!
Go here to get your today!