Homemade Granola Bars & More

A few years ago I decided that I wanted to eliminate processed food from my family's diet.  I started out thinking we would be so healthy and eat wonderful food.  What I didn't realize is that I would have to learn how to make quite a few foods from scratch that I use to just buy at the store.  During my learning curve (my poor family) I made graham crackers, yogurt, grape nuts cereal, bread, crackers, pretzels, pasta (which really is easier to just buy), and many dinners.  What I learned is that this all ties into food storage.  How many of you have buckets of wheat, flour, sugar, oats, etc in your basement and have them for a "just in case" type incident?  I know I did, but now I have learned how to make really fun things with my food storage.

This month we are storing baking goods.  This includes yeast, baking powder, baking soda, salt, oil, chocolate chips, etc.  Along with baking items I feel that we may all need a lesson in baking from scratch.  I know I have said it before, but we all need to know how to make food with our stored items before an emergency and we have to cook everything from scratch.  It took me MANY attempts to get my bread right and with 5 hungry children the bread needs to come out edible.  

Now I know we are all busy and we all can't spend hours every day (which is what pioneer women did) making all our family's meals from scratch, but I want everyone to make a goal to try one new food item a month and practice making it from scratch.  During my "from scratch" months I made marshmallows and graham crackers for our vacation.  Those were yummy s'mores!  If you couldn't run to the store what would you need to know how to make? (oh, and P.S.-I do buy some boxed items at the store now.  I couldn't keep up with the demand. :)

If you would like to try graham crackers click HERE to view my favorite recipe.  

This post has my favorite granola recipe. Click HERE to read. 

**A great way to learn anything is to google it.  This is how I got many recipes and learned how to make many items that I didn't know the first thing about. ** 

Every week I make bread, and I also make granola bars for my kid's lunches.  It is simple and quick and you don't even have to turn on your oven!

Easy Granola Bars

In a large bowl mix 2 C oats & 2 1/2 C crispy rice cereal and set aside.
In a small saucepan melt:
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C corn syrup
Let it come to a boil, stirring constantly, and remove from heat. Add:
1/2 C peanut butter (crunchy is a must!)
1 t vanilla 
Stir until the peanut butter melts.  Pour over the oat mixture and stir quickly because the sugar mixture will harden.  Pour into a 13x9 greased pan and press with your palm until flat and even.  I like to press on it until it is quite compact so it doesn't fall apart when you cut it.
Melt 1/2-1 C chocolate chips in the microwave and smooth over the top of the granola bars.  Once the chocolate has cooled cut into bars.

November Goals:

1. Cooking essentials-yeast, baking powder, baking soda, spices, oils, flour, sugar,salt, etc. 
2.  Personal Hygiene supplies.  Watch for sales and buy enough to last for 3 months.  This includes all feminine hygiene items, diapers/wipes, soaps, shampoo's, deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, hand sanitizer,etc.  And if you don't have a portable potty, this is the month to finally get one put together.  Click HERE to view a previous post on luggable loo's.  

ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

ENJOY THE BLESSINGS!

FEEL THE PEACE! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!  Grocery Deals will be back next Wednesday.  Enjoy the holiday with your family!

Self Reliance Expo- Part 3- My Favorite Things!

Are you thinking of Christmas yet?  If you need some great gift ideas read on because there were some great booths, with great products, at the expo.  This is the 3rd installment of my trip to the Self Reliant Expo on Nov. 5th, and I have to admit these are some of my favorite booths.  If you missed the first posts then click HERE for part 1 and HERE for part 2.  

Carolyn Nicolaysen of TotallyReady.com

The wonderful woman above (I call her the queen of preparedness) is how I won tickets to the Expo.  Carolyn Nicolaysen has probably the most informative blog and website on preparedness on the web.  Carolyn writes a blog, has a radio show (click HERE to listen), writes a newsletter and has a website, all with preparedness in mind.  She also has a new book out called "Totally Ready For The Road" and it is a must have for every glove box.  Carolyn also heads up a yahoo group dedicated to preparedness, (click HERE to join the group), and I have had so many questions answered by people who are preparing just like me.  If you follow along with her blog you can create a general store in you own home.  Carolyn takes simple steps to get your general store stocked! Click here blog.totallyready.com to get informed!  Carolyn has a wealth of knowledge and she really wants to help everyone to be prepared.  I highly recommend you read her blog often and subscribe to her newsletter!

James Talmage Stevens signing my copy of the "Family Preparedness Handbook"

I met the rock star of preparedness and he is signing my copy of his book in the picture. (don't laugh, we all have idols :)  If you buy your loved ones only one book on preparedness this holiday I suggest "Making the Best of Basics-Family Preparedness Handbook".  I can't think of any topic that isn't covered in this book!  It was a really great read with MANY ideas and the motivation to prepare.  While I was reading his book I felt as if I were taking a college course on preparedness, I had my highlighter out and took notes.  That is how informative this book is!  You will have no excuse in the world to stall your efforts in getting prepared after reading this book.  James also has an award winning Blog Talk Radio show.  Click HERE to listen in and get more info. And also check out his blog at familypreparednessguide.com.  (you can order his book there as well)

Steve's Stackable Open Storage

This has to be my FAVORITE product at the whole expo!!  Steve's Stackable Open Storage has 
to be one of the most ingenious ideas I have ever come across in home storage.  These hanging wood shelves hold 120 soup can size cans (they hold 6oz-46oz cans easily) and hold hundreds of pounds!  These shelves fit into the under used space in the ends of your closet.  The assembly of this product is also unique because it has notches that allow you to slide the pieces together without nails or glue.  The shelves are also able to stand on there own.  Steve can custom build shelves for you for your entire storage room if you need even more storage space. There is NO excuse for you to say you have no room for storage.  Think of every closet in your home and how many cans you could have stored away if you had these shelving units! One shelving unit only costs $67.98, and would make a great Christmas gift! Check out Steve's website for more information, stevessos.com.   They are a Utah company, support your local economy!!

Emergency & Disaster Prep.

 The Emergency & Disaster Prep company will supply you for any circumstance.  They have amazing stoves and ovens that use kerosene to cook with.  They had single burners on up to standing units and they cooked so well.  I saw bread that had been made in the oven (the black box on the left in the picture) and it looked just like oven baked bread.The red/cream stove under the black oven sells for around $69 and the small green square burner on the right was only around $30!  They also sell much more than just stoves.  They carry all kinds of kits from first aid to 72-hour kits, power supplies, shelter ideas, food storage, water storage, etc!!  Check out their website emergencydisasterprep.com  and they can do group orders to save you money! These are definitely on my Christmas list!

Volcano II Collapsible Stove

The Volcano II Collapsible Stove has been on my wish list for awhile now!  This stove can (stay with me now) grill, dutch oven cook, wok, BBQ, pan fry, boil, skewer, bake, roast, deep fry, stir fry, broil, and steam!!  This stove efficiently burns fuel and uses only 12-15 briquettes per meal.  You can also change from charcoal to propane or wood in seconds.  If you stored 15 bags of charcoal you could have one hot meal a day for one year!!  (store charcoal in buckets to keep them dry) The stove also collapses to only 5" when not in use.  I want to own this stove along with the kerosene stove from above.  Check out the Volcano Stove at their website volcano2.com, they cost $134.95 right now.  

Mountain Valley Seed company

 The Mountain Valley Seed company is a local wholesale seed company.  I have sprouted wheat, but I still feel like I am a beginner in the whole sprout world.  These guys answered all my questions and they really knew their sprouts!  They distribute many seeds and also groups of seeds in #10 cans to local companies. (they also sell them on their website)  That would make a great gift for Christmas!  Many of us don't think about being able to grow our own food after the stored food is gone.  All of us need to store seeds!   Check out their website mvseeds.com for more information!  

Doug's Shoot N Sports

Last, but not least is Doug's Shoot N Sports.  I loved their banner (sorry for the blurry photo) because they sell a product that many don't think about, or do think about but don't want to ever have to use, a gun. Believe it or not, but the time may that you may need to protect your family and your food storage from those who felt they didn't need to prepare.  Doug's is a premier gun store and shooting range.  They offer all kinds of classes and have great prices.  They are located in Taylorsville at 4926 S. Redwood Rd.  Check out dougsgunstore.com for more information! 


After the Expo I felt so motivated to amp up my storage and fill in the gaps that I have.  I hope these posts have helped you to find products that will encourage you and help you prepare!  I don't endorse ANY of these companies.  I wanted to find any and all information that will make preparing easier and share them with you all!


IF YOU HAVEN'T COMPLETED THE STORAGE GOALS FOR NOVEMBER, THIS IS THE WEEK TO DO SO!!!  SMITHS HAS MANY BAKING ITEMS ON SALE AS DO ALL THE GROCERY STORES!  DON'T WAIT ANY LONGER!  DO IT TODAY! (check the grocery list for Smiths HERE and SAVE!)

November Goals:

1. Cooking essentials-yeast, baking powder, baking soda, spices, oils, flour, sugar,salt, etc. 
2.  Personal Hygiene supplies.  Watch for sales and buy enough to last for 3 months.  This includes all feminine hygiene items, diapers/wipes, soaps, shampoo's, deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, hand sanitizer,etc.  And if you don't have a portable potty, this is the month to finally get one put together.  Click HERE to view a previous post on luggable loo's.  

ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

ENJOY THE BLESSINGS!

FEEL THE PEACE!

Self Reliance Expo- Part 2

This week I wanted to continue with my time at the Self Reliance Expo.  There were so many wonderful people and so much information to gather.  If you missed the first post click HERE and you can read through it.

Tattler Reusable Canning Lids

 This is for EVERYONE who cans!! These canning lids are like none other. You can reuse them indefinitely!  I know, you think there has to be a catch, but this is for real!!  These lids can be used indefinitely, are BPA free, you can use them with a pressure canner, water bath, or vacuum sealer (Food Saver), FDA & USDA approved materials, and they use a standard metal band.  Plus they are dishwasher safe!  Does it get any better than this?  They had many bottles of canned food and I carefully checked them because I have been kind of skeptical of these lids, but even the pressure canned chicken was tight!  The man at the booth said he still uses some lids from 1974!  You have to put these on your Christmas list.  Visit reusablecanninglids.com to order some for yourself!  I bought a box of 12 lids for $7, not bad at all!

LDS Welfare Services Booth- Using oxygen absorbers to bottle your food!

LDS  Welfare Services

You couldn't have a Self Reliance Expo without the LDS Welfare Services there.  I buy the majority of my bagged food storage at the cannery.  You can't beat their great prices.  For those of you who aren't LDS you can go with your LDS friend and use the cannery or buy in bulk.  The trick that I found very interesting (because I have never thought to do this) was to use the little oxygen absorbers in plastic bottles to seal your food.  They had rice in one bottle and beans in another and you could see the absorbers at work because the bottles were sucked in.  I thought this was a great alternative to using only the #10 cans.  I wouldn't do this for 30+ year storage, but for keeping your food fresh, this was a great idea!!

The Salt Lake City Office of Emergency Preparedness were at the expo spreading the news about taking CERT classes.  I know many of you in the neighborhood just finished taking these classes and I am so excited to hear of your graduation.  (I hear it was quite a fun class)  The really important information that I got at this booth was to register your cell phone with the emergency alert reverse 911 service.  They can call your cell phone to alert you of any emergency's in your area.  (right now it is only good in SLC)  Go to slcalert.com to register your cell phone! One other tip that they gave me was to keep an old land line phone (meaning it has a cool, curly cord) under your bed so you could plug it in during an emergency.

Life Sprouts Booth

Sprouting is an area of preparedness that I am looking into and I really want to know more about.  Life Sprouts are the makers of the Sproutmaster.  "The World's Greatest Sprouter and Crisper".  I tried the sunflower sprouts and they were yummy!!  If you would like more information you can call them at 435-245-3891 or write Life Sprouts P.O. Box 150* Paradise, UT* 84329  

Global Sanitation Solutions

The Porta Potty and tent all fold into this compact case!!

The Global Sanitation Solutions company sells the item that everyone forgets to add to their storage, the POTTY!  This company has made a cardboard, fold-able, toilet that is portable and light.  They also sell the ChemiSan powder that turns human waste into environmentally-friendly soil.  This would eliminate the digging of holes to dispose of waste.  And don't laugh, but I want the OnTheGo privacy hut for Christmas.  It pops up fast and it weighs less than 10lbs.  You can use the hut as a shower stall as well, it has an open bottom.  Visit http://www.gottagotoilet.com/ (this site may not work, try this link for Deseret Books pricing) and chemisan.com for more information and pricing.  (this is a local company and it is great to support our local economy)

The Ready Store and the Water Brick!

The Ready Store is another local preparedness store.  They have many great items and options for your preparedness needs.  The item that I have to say is pure genius is the Water Brick.  These water storage containers can stack like bricks and are much easier to carry than any other water container I have ever tried.  You can use these bricks as a flood barrier and even build a shelter out of them.  Food can also be stored in them as they have a wider opening than the usual water container.  Check out waterbrick.org for much more information about this really cool product!  And to learn more about The Ready Store go to thereadystore.com or call 1-800-773-5331 Mon-Fri. (they offer FREE shipping! Think of holiday gifts)

Goal Zero power pack

Have electrical power anytime or anywhere with the Goal Zero products.  These are solar panels to charge the Power Hub.  You will get approximately 50 hours of light from a fully charged hub.  For more information check out goal0.com and beprepared.com/goalout

Preparedness Products- Providing the pieces to be prepared!

This woman is my idol.  :)  I am kidding, but she is the nicest, most talented lady when it comes to using your food storage and organizing your storage. She is the co-author of my favorite food storage cookbook.  It is called "The Essential Food Storage Cookbook" and it has delicious recipes.  One of my favorties is the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins, and come to find out this recipe it the authors secret recipe that she used to never give out.  Every recipe that I have made from this book has come out wonderfully and it really helps to rotate your storage.  This is a great book to give as a gift, just ask my sister :)  Tami Girsberger sells ready to go luggable loos, manual washing machine in a bucket with all the necessities, rolling suitcase first aid kits, and Instafire buckets (these pellets are wonderful for fire starting)  Check out her website for all her products and pricing preparemylife.com  

The Berkey Guy

Have you heard of Berkey water filters?  They are top of the line and on many people's wish lists.  They are pricey but they are amazing!  Check out goberkey.com for more information!

Honeyville Grain

I hope that if you haven't already, you will take a trip out to the Honeyville Farms store.  They are located at 635 N. Billy Mitchell Rd in Salt Lake out by the airport.  They have great products and amazing customer service.  They also have classes at their location.  I went to a Sun Oven class taught by the maker of the Sun Oven and it was so fun to learn from the creator!  Go to honeyvillegrain.com to see a complete list of products available.

Jan Jackson-100 Day-Pantry

Jan Jackson came up with such a clever concept that I had to buy her book!  Her idea is that all you need for complete meals is what you can get from a can!  When you shop the case lot sales you can purchase many cases of food and then wonder what to do with it. This book has only recipes using food from a can.   I highly recommend this book.  I read it cover to cover the night I bought it!  In an emergency this plan allows you to feed your family quickly.  It also allows you to plan for a more long term food storage need, such as planting a garden.  You will have meals from cans until you can produce your own food!  Her plans helps you rotate your complete can storage in two years and it is also great for the nights when the kids want to cook!  To order her book, visit 100daypantry.com.  This book would also make a wonderful Christmas gift, especially if you included some cans to go with it :)
 

If you can believe it I have one more post saved for next Saturday, November 20th.  I will have the last booths that we saw and it will wrap up my visit at the Expo.  I hope you find helpful & useful information from these great companies!

November Goals:

1. Cooking essentials-yeast, baking powder, baking soda, spices, oils, flour, sugar,salt, etc. 
2.  Personal Hygiene supplies.  Watch for sales and buy enough to last for 3 months.  This includes all feminine hygiene items, diapers/wipes, soaps, shampoo's, deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, hand sanitizer,etc.  And if you don't have a portable potty, this is the month to finally get one put together.  Click HERE to view a previous post on luggable loo's.  

Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace!

Self Reliance Expo-Part 1

Christmas came early for me this year!  I was able to spend 5 hours surrounded by food storage, portable potties, generators, water storage containers & purification containers.  Today I attended the Self Reliance Expo at the South Towne Expo Center and it has to be the best expo I have ever attended. I was so lucky to win tickets from one of my favorite blogs, blog.totallyready.com. Every booth was filled with products for and about emergency preparedness.  Of course I took my camera and documented my day.  You may want to get comfy because this could be a long post, but there was so much information that I wanted to collect to pass on to all of you.  I tried to get a website for each of the vendors that I am spotlighting so please visit their sites for more information.  

The fun started outside the venue where they had trailers set up with all the comforts of home inside.  They are from the Timberline Range Camp company and you can see more at their website trccamps.com.

The Humless Roadrunner Generator & The Ultimate Bag 72-Hour Kit

 The first booth to catch my eye was the Hummless Roadrunner company.  The small black box on the ground is a generator and is a silent, clean, safe, ultra portable unit.  You can charge it from a regular outlet, use solar panels, or hand crank/ bicycle crank.  It is safe to use indoors or in a tent and it has a 110AC outlet, 12VDC outlet, and USB ports.  There were different sizes and I believe they ran from $200-$1500.  Check out amazon.com for the portable lithium generator. 


The other item that really intrigued me was the 72-hour kit duffle bag that zipped open and can be hung up. It is called the Ultimate Bag and you can see it in the picture above.  What a clever idea to have all your kit supplies in a designated compartment and in such a small bag.  I thought this was such a great idea.  Check out www.theultimatebag.com for more information.

Kitchen Kneads

 Kitchen Kneads is a great local company that sells all things food storage related.  In the picture is the Sun Oven (they can answer any question you have about a Sun Oven), the Wonder Mill grinder and many food storage canned goods.  They are located at 7579 S. Redwood Rd.  and their number is 801-561-9616.   They have some great sales around LDS Conference times, but you should check them out before April :)

Augason Farms

 One of my favorite stores is the Augason Farms store (formerly the Blue Chip Group).  They sell the Maggie Moo's brand of milk and have many food items.  I buy applesauce powder, canned cheese, canned meat, oats, etc., AND they have a really fun outlet room with great prices.  They are located at 3431 S. 500 W, just west of I-15 off the 33rd south exit.  Check out their website augasonfarms.com .  We got to test the broccoli soup and the potato cheddar soup and it was delicious!  The small cans in the picture are only $2.50.

       Of course Emergency Essentials was at the expo.  They are a wonderful company that sell canned food, dehydrated food, MRE's, sleeping bags, candles, porta potties (with lids that seal),  water drums, wheat, oats, rice, you name it they sell it!  They have a really amazing food storage analyzer that will help you keep track of what food you have stored and the vitamins and nutrients that you may be lacking in your storage (check their website for more info).  My sister and I answered a trivia question and I received a reusable hand warmer.  It is like the one- use Hotties except you can boil it and it returns to it's original state. You can get 10 of them for $20.  Guess what my family is getting in their stockings this year.  You can find all of their info at beprepared.com or visit their store at 110 W. 33rd S.

Some of the best books on food storage are written by Peggy Layton.  Cookin' With Home Storage is one of my favorites and I refer to it many times when I am cooking.  She has also authored the Cookin' With series that includes Cookin' With Potatoes, Cookin' With Powdered Milk, Cookin' With Dried Eggs, and Cookin' With Beans and Rice.  I highly suggest owning these cookbooks and to get to know them.  Peggy really knows what she is doing when it comes to using your food storage and also maintaining your food storage program.  Her book Food Storage 101 "Where do I Begin?" is a great book to get you motivated on starting your food storage.  For more information check out peggylayton.com.

Easy Water Storage company

There were several companies with really great water storage ideas.  The Sure Water company sells the 260 and 525 gallon water tanks. They cost $395 & $525 and they ship free to Utah and SL counties.  For more information visit their website at easywaterstorage.com or call 1-800-797-2207.


I had such a great time at the Expo and I have much more to share.  There were many more vendors at the Expo so stay tuned for Part 2 of the Self Reliance Expo next Saturday, November 13th!!

November Goals:

1. Cooking essentials-yeast, baking powder, baking soda, spices, oils, flour, sugar,salt, etc. 
2.  Personal Hygiene supplies.  Watch for sales and buy enough to last for 3 months.  This includes all feminine hygiene items, diapers/wipes, soaps, shampoo's, deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, hand sanitizer,etc.  And if you don't have a portable potty, this is the month to finally get one put together.  Click HERE to view a previous post on luggable loo's.  

Enjoy the journey!

Enjoy the blessings!

Feel the peace!!

Grocery Deals!!!

This week is a hot week to shop at Smiths!!  There are some amazing stock up deals!  I am a coupon user and I save a lot of money by clipping coupons.  Today I bought 80 items for $32.78, with my total being $94 before my coupons were scanned.  I am telling you this because even though the sale at Smiths is really good, with coupons it is amazing!!  I got free pasta, toothbrushes, cough drops, .24 Propel waters, Stove Top Stuffing for .25, etc.  I am willing to help anyone who would like to coupon shop.  Contact me and I can show you how!  


The following amounts are what a person or family would need for a year storage. I only show these so you understand what it will take for a family to live off of storage. Work on your 3-month storage until that is complete and then work toward the year long storage.

PP=per person and PF=per family

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 185LBS EACH PF (fresh, canned, and dehydrated)
MEATS 20LBS PP(frozen, canned and fresh)
DAIRY 16LBS PP
GRAINS 300LBS PP (this includes pastas, cereals, crackers, rice, oats, wheat and flour)
OILS & FATS 25LBS PP (salad dressings, peanut butter, shortening, butter, mayonnaise, and oils)
SUGAR 60LBS PP (honey, white sugar, powdered and brown sugar, molasses, corn syrup, jams & jellies, flavored gelatin, and powdered drink mix)

WATER 14 + GALLONS PP FOR 2 WEEKS

**REMEMBER THAT I ONLY LIST THE DEALS THAT I FEEL ARE THE BEST PRICES**

• GALA APPLES 3LB BAG $3.99
• APPLES-GRANNY, RED OR GOLDEN $.79LB
• PETITE CUT SIRLOIN STEAKS SUPER VALUE PACK $2.49LB
• TOP ROUND ROAST SVP $2.29LB
• LOIN ROAST-PORK SOLD WHOLE IN BAG $1.99LB
• KROGER CHEESE 32OZ $4.99 ($3.99 IF YOU USE COUPONS)
• KROGER CREAM CHEESE $1.00
• KROGER DIPS, SOUR CREAM .88
• SMITHS DOZEN LARGE EGGS .99
• HERSHEY'S MORSELS 8-12OZ. $1.79
• PILLSBURY BROWNIES $1.00 (.50 EA IF YOU USE COUPONS)
• KROGER VEGETABLE OIL $1.99 
• KROGER BAKING CHIPS 16OZ $1.69

 MEGA EVENT PROMO-BUY 10 ITEMS GET $5 OFF/PRICES SHOWN BEFORE & AFTER DISCOUNT

• AMERICAN BEAUTY PASTA .99/.49 (THE QUICK COOK AMERICAN BEAUTY PASTA IS FREE IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• ANNIE'S MAC N CHEESE .99/.49 (ORGANIC)
• BOULDER CANYON CHIPS $1.49/.99
• CAMPBELL'S CHUNKY SOUPS $1.49/.99 (.49-.79 IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• CAMPBELL'S CREAM SOUPS .99/.49 (FREE IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• CAMPBELL'S HARVEST SOUP OR CHOWDER $1.49/.99 (.49-.74 IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• CARNATION EVAPORATED MILK $1.19/.69 (.44 IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• COLGATE TOOTHPASTE OR TOOTHBRUSH $1.50/$1.00 (THE TOOTHBRUSH IS FREE IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• DEL MONTE TOMATOES .99/.49
• GATORADE .99/.49
• JELLO OR PUDDING $1.29/.79
• KROGER CANNED FRUIT .99/.49
• NESTLE HOT COCOA .99/.49
• OCEAN SPRAY CRANBERRY SAUCE $1.25/.75
• PROPEL FITNESS WATER .99/.49 (.24 IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• SIMPLY POTATOES $1.49/.99
• STOVE TOP STUFFING $1.25/.75 (.25 IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• RICCOLA COUGH DROPS $1.00/.50 (FREE IF YOU USE COUPONS)
• SWANSON BROTH .99/.49 (.34 IF YOU CLIP COUPONS) 

So you see if I had just gone to the store and purchased my items without using coupons I would have saved quite a bit, but I would also have paid $94.00.  With clipping coupons my total went down to $32.78.  That is quite a savings!!

November is here and we have new goals to start.  This month will be all about storing cooking essentials and personal hygiene items.  In November the stores have many baking sales and we need to take advantage of these low prices and stock up!!  Watch for yeast, baking soda, baking powder, oil, spices,salt, etc. to be at rock bottom prices.  Flour and sugar are also great deals, and we will be storing those in Dec., but feel free to purchase those if you find a great price on them.  Watch for canned pumpkin, cranberry sauce, stuffing mixes, olives, cake & brownie mixes to also be on sale.  It is kind of a big month for stocking up on groceries so pace yourself and stay within your budget!!

November Goals:

1. Cooking essentials-yeast, baking powder, baking soda, spices, oils, flour, sugar,salt, etc.

1. Personal Hygiene supplies.  Watch for sales and buy enough to last for 3 months.  This includes all feminine hygiene items, diapers/wipes, soaps, shampoo's, deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, hand sanitizer,etc.  And if you don't have a portable potty, this is the month to finally get one put together.  Click HERE to view a previous post on luggable loo's.  

Enjoy the journey!

Enjoy the blessings!

Feel the peace!!