Friday, May 14, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Eggcellent Value!
Posted by Shari Brewer at 2:28 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Thanks a bunch blogger!
Gee blogger. Thank you for deleting the post that I spent yonks working on this morning while bubba was asleep. This is despite me saving it a dozen times too. Gone. Zippo. Back to the drawing board later.
Posted by Shari Brewer at 7:19 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
A chill in the air = slow cooker season!
I was excited to wake up to a nip in the air this morning. Mmmmmmm slow cooker weather!
When you are trying to stretch those dollars further, there is hardly a more economical meal maker than the slow cooker ... or crockpot as they say in the USA.
sooooooooooooo easy - once it's in the cooker, consider it done! Put it on in the morning, leave it on low all day and dinner is done for the evening! Convenience plus!
budget friendly - by being able to use cheaper cuts of meat - the slow cooking process tenderises these cheaper cuts so you can make great value healthy dinners
super way to use up all the veges at the bottom of the crisper - cuts back on food wastage
if you are cooking for just one or two, you can make a load and freeze for later!
delicious aromas fill the house all day!
1 bottle of Taylors Tandoori marinade - this is the brand stocked by most butchers and is around $3.75 for the bottle - wellll worth it mmmmmmmmmmmm
approx 1kg of beef, diced - cheaper cuts work just fine as the meat will be melt in your mouth tender by the time this is done
veges - I added 3 onions (sliced), 4 potatoes (cubed), about half a sweet potato (cubed), a handful of green beans (sliced) and 3 stalks of celery (chopped)
a little bit of water - not much more than a dribble as the cooking process will release moisture
Posted by Shari Brewer at 8:10 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A lucky break with a bargain offer too good to pass up!
I'm amazed at how bargain offers can randomly stumble by when you are least expecting it. Yesterday was one of those days. The mother of SS1's mate called yesterday morning to see if I would be interested in purchasing a couple of electric guitars and an amp that they were no longer using. There was little hesitation on my part and I answered YES before she got the entire question out. Had I budgeted for these? No. So why the willingness to seal the deal?
Well, both boys of mine a very keen on their music. SS1 plays the euphonium (borrowed from the school), the trumpet (bought new but on sale with over $300 off) and the guitar (a birthday gift from the grandparents). SS2 plays the clarinet (bought second hand from a friend), the drums (cost shared with his father), the keyboard (bought second hand from a friend) and borrows SS1's guitar on occasion. They love it and I love that they are so keen about it.
For months and months and months SS1 has been nagging me about an electric guitar knowing full well that it is something that I am unable to afford immediately .... but he doesn't always get the message and has continued to ask regardless. You can then imagine my surprise when this offer came through: $200 for not one, but two, barely used electric guitars and a little Yamaha amp worth well over $100 on its own.
Posted by Shari Brewer at 6:50 PM 0 comments
Labels: bargains, second hand joy
Sunday, May 2, 2010
There's a cow in my cupboard mooooooooooooooooo
In a household where not everyone drinks milk, it is not always practical to keep the fresh stuff on hand. This is where having a cow in your cupboard is ideal.
Many of the major milk brands offer a long-life version but the Devondale Semi-Skim (as illustrated) just happens to be my personal favourite. How simple it is to throw it out of the cupboard and into the fridge. When it's icy cold it's delicious - rich and creamy and with a taste easily on par with the fresher varieties, if not nicer.
This brand usually retails at around $1.66 per litre in the major grocery stores and has regularly been on sale for 10 x 1 litre cartons for $10.00. A huge savings! Only last week I picked up the same great value with 6 x 2 litre cartons on sale for $12.00. If long-life is your milk staple then specials like this are worth stocking up on and stockpiling if you have the room. Do be sure to check best by dates and use them accordingly.
If fresh milk is your regular drop I challenge you to give long-life a go and at the very least you won't be able to beat the cupboard cow for emergency back up and camping trips! Moooooooooooo!
Posted by Shari Brewer at 2:28 AM 0 comments
Labels: tips shopping