Cutting Costs

Guest post from: Constance Rodgers

My husband and I have been trying our best to cut household costs. Now that our kids are getting older, things are getting more and more expensive every day. Our daughter wants to wear trendy and expensive clothes, and our son wants every electronic known to man. We have to say no to them most of the time, but it would be nice http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifto be able to get them some of the things they ask for. We have been looking to see how we can save on utilities and we came across www.shopelectricityratestexas.com. We didn’t realize that we could shop around for our home energy, so that is going to be a big help. It looks like we can get a pretty good deal so we’ll be able to spend more money on things that the kids want. Hopefully in a few years they’ll be able to get after school jobs so that they can buy the things they want for themselves and we won’t have to be stretched so thin. I can’t wait until they are old enough to learn the value of a dollar.

Chicken

Can you say cluck cluck. What a wonderful meat. You can do anything with it. You can make roasts, stews, chile, soup. You can braise, saute, stir fry, deep fry, grill. Cook it with cream sauce, vegatables, rice. Oh the things you can do!

Jenny Craig

There is a lot famous people using Jenny Craig right know. They look great! I was very skeptic about trying it. When I see the rich and famous selling product on television I think that they are just in it for the money. Until I tried Jenny Craig. OMG! It is fantastic! The weight just falls off. It may be a little pricey but worth every penny.

Pre-Holidays

I love the pre-holidays! Figuring out whose house we are going to for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Planing the menus. Getting the kids to write their Christmas list. But the thing I love to do the most is the pre-cookie making.

I get to make a lot of different cookies. I always try to make cookies that I have never made before. Also I get to eat them. They family really likes taste test them for me. Hope our waste lines hold out.

Apples

Apple picking season is here again! I just love being outside and walking under the trees with all those delicious apples. Which tree should I pick? Who cares all the apples will be amazing.

What should I make with those sweet and juicy apples? A pie, a cake, muffins or maybe I will bake them. Or I could pair them with pork. Yummmmmy! One of my favorite dinners.

I'm not sure what I will make but first I have to get to the orchards. Apples here I come!!

Chocolate Pretzles

Whats better then the taste of a salty pretzel and sweet choclate? NOTHING!!!!

Rice Cakes

I know when you think of rice cakes you think of those carboard disks that are dry and tasteless. However I found Quakers Rice Snacks at the grocery store today. WOW! Are they good. They come in some 7 flavors. My favorite are chochlate and vanilla creme brulee. Give them a taste rice cakes have come a long way.

A Clean House

I know it doesn't happen as often as I would like but I find a clean house very satisfying. It makes me feel like I accomplished something important. It just takes so darn long to do it in one day. I can clean the first floor in a day then save the rest for the next day. The only problem is that it doesn't have that same feeling of clean. Bummer. I guess I will just have to hire cleaning people to do it for me. LOL

Words With Friends

I love keeping my mind sharp. My favorite way of doing this is by playing Words With Friends. I have about 20 games going at one time. I know this sounds like a lot but I have a friend that does 40 games. It is so much fun when I think I am making up words and they end up being real words. Also I love beating my friends. What a great game.

The Lakeside Collection

I just recieved The Lakeside Collection in the mail. I really like this magazine. It has some really great ideas for amazing gifts. I also found some great ideas for the home. You really need to check out the website www.lakeside.com.

YMCA

The YMCA is one of the best places for familes to go. In this econamy it is one of the best values. There are classes for adults and children to take. There are also familiy nights, camping under the stars, Healthy Kids Day and the new Wellness center where your kids can work out the same time you are.

Back To School Shopping

Shopping is one of my favorite past times is shopping, but school shoping is my favorite. I love the new smell of all the school supplies. New notebooks, pencils, bookbags, lunch boxes, and my favoriye of all is a new book of crayons. Also the new clothes for the kids. It is fun to see how thier personality has changed over the summer and what they are picking out. It is the most wonderful time of the year.

Passionate About Sports

I love being passionate about something and that something just happens to be sports. It’s great because I stay in shape and I get to be outside a lot which is something I’ve enjoyed since my childhood. When the weekend hits I set my security (Click HERE) alarm and get outside to soak up the sun and do everything from play ultimate Frisbee to golfing with my boys. I’m in better shape now at thirty than I ever have http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifbhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifeen before and I love having hobbies that are numerous and also keep me social. I’m just a huge proponent of getting outside and moving your body and it’s something I preach to all my friends as well as family. I’ve got a lot of energy and I think it comes from the fact that I’m working out so much which if you ask me isn’t a bad thing! Eating well and moving your body – that’s all that really matters when you hit this age. You’ll feel better than you ever have before!

Pedicures

Aaaaahhhh:) I just LOVE pedicures! Sitting in the massage chair, all the lovely smelling lotions and just being pampered. Also, hat amazing alone time. It's great sitting there and just being with my own thoughts. No one needing me, calling my name or asking me for anything. Oh except for the manicurist asking what color I need. What a great day.

Pool Floating

I wish everyone in the world had a pool. Nothing is as relaxing as floating in a pool. You can read a book, listen to music, have a drink or just take a nap. It is one of my favorite things about summer.