Simple Savings

by Tawra Kellam
LivingOnADime.com

• Put flour in an old spice bottle to use when flouring cake pans.

    

• Unsure what a Dutch oven is? It's just a 6-8 quart saucepan or large pot.

    

• Having leftovers again? Serve them by candlelight with tablecloths or place mats. A tablecloth and candles make even plain meals look special.

    

• This is an unexpected canape and a handy little finger food. Take your favorite cream cheese dip and roll about 1 teaspoon full into a ball. Press it between two walnut halves. Lay on a platter to serve

• Save dry cereal odds and ends to add to your Chex mix when you make it.

    

• Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting it in the fridge. It will keep much longer.

    

• When you have one hot dog, hamburger, sausage patty, or slice of ham left over, throw it in a container in the freezer. Use these leftovers to make a meat lovers pizza or to add a little more zip to a regular frozen pizza.

    

• Don't forget to add a few of your favorite spices to a frozen pizza or add extra cheese and toppings.

    

Mix and match any of these:

• Bread and honey butter. This is an old fashioned easy stand by. Place some soft, fresh bread on a plate and honey butter in a bowl for something that is good and couldn't be easier. (Make honey butter by mixing a little bit of honey into regular butter.)

    

• Sliced fruit of any kind. Cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberries, kiwi and others work well.

    

• Sliced veggies of any kind. Try tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots or celery.

    

• Sandwiches of every kind. You aren't committing a sin by serving your family easy sandwiches on a hot summer day. Combine them with fresh fruits or veggies and you've got a meal.

• Salads - Jello, fruit, veggie, pasta or potato salads make great summer fare.

    

• Desserts - Ice cream, ice cream and more ice cream. Make it into floats, banana splits, brownie sundaes or regular sundaes, milk shakes, ice cream pie or ice cream sandwiches.

    

• If you have leftover brownies or cake, add a few pieces to the bottom of a dish and then top with pudding and whipped cream.

    

• Keep a bag or container in your freezer to store that 1 or 2 pieces of coffee cake, donuts or other baked goods that are sometimes left over (which doesn't happen often in my house. Then when you get enough for your favorite bread pudding recipe (hopefully one that is in Dining on a Dime, use them instead of bread. )

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt, by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit LivingOnADime.com