Keep the Change - Kitchen Substitutes

What do you do when you’re cooking and run out of that one thing you need? Running to the store is costly in both gas and money. Here are some tips from my kitchen. Keep these staple substitutes in your pantry so you’ll be ready when necessity strikes.

-          Eggs – Mix 1 Tbsp cornstarch with 3 Tbsp water (multiply quantities as necessary for multiple eggs) as a quick egg substitute in nearly any baking recipe. This is also a great alternative if you’re cooking for someone with egg allergies.

-          Buttermilk – Pour 1 Tbsp vinegar or lemon juice into your measuring cup and add enough milk to make 1 cup (to sub for 1 cup buttermilk). Stir and let stand 5 minutes.

-          Panko or dry bread crumbs – Crush crackers or potato chips instead.

-          Brown and White sugars are rather interchangeable, when needed (though it's best to stick to what's called for, if possible). Honey is also a great, healthier, substitute for sugar in many recipes.

-          Butter – For many recipes, cooking oil (such as canola or vegetable) can be subbed in. For a healthier alternative, use applesauce to replace the fat called for in a baking recipe.

-          Sour cream and Plain Yogurt is another interchangeable combo. Yogurt is the healthier option and either one will do the trick in your baking or casserole recipes.

-          Tomato Sauce – for chilis, soups and some casseroles, using Condensed Tomato Soup is a quick and easy substitute.

As you can see, recipes are not hard and fast rules. There are many options for making your recipes work with what you have. Next time you run out of something at the last minute, before running to the store, run to your computer and do a quick Google search including the name of the item you lack and the word “substitute” – more often than not, you will find you have just what you need!

Keep the Change: Bringing Up Baby - Affordably

We’re expecting a new little one in this house and, as anyone will tell you, babies can be expensive. What are some ways to save on those baby costs while still giving your little one the best care possible?

-          Cloth diapers. While it’s not everyone’s preference, this is a big money-saver in our house. We’re not talking diaper pins and bulky covers, either. There are some modern options that are convenient and adorable. While this option poses a larger up-front cost (for the investment in a diaper supply), the long-run savings is considerable. There are many resources on-line to help you learn the ropes of this diapering choice. I've written a blog here with a lot of my resources and suggestions.

-          Homemade Baby Food. Yet another personal preference. This does not have to be as difficult as some perceive, though. Just steam your fruits and vegetables (even in the microwave) and use a handy Stick Blender (you don’t even need an expensive Baby-Food specific blender!) to puree. Pour your blend into ice cube trays and freeze for later – they thaw quickly and make for easy, safe meals for baby. Check wholesomebabyfood.com for guidelines and recipes.

-          Garage Sales and Craiglist. These are great options for finding some of those big ticket items at affordable prices. Some things, like car seats, should never be purchased second-hand for safety reasons, but for things that are easy to wash/sterilize (such as clothing, swings, etc.), this can be a good choice – just be sure you trust the brand you’re buying, no matter where you purchase.

-          On-Line Co-Ops. Facebook has a number of Group options for parents looking to use group-buying power for those baby needs (or wants) – you can even find those aforementioned cloth diapers at a much cheaper price when buying in bulk! My favorite co-ops are Tushie Traders, which offers primarily cloth diapers but also many other fun things for baby, and Crunchy Mama, offering many unique finds for baby and mama.

Keep the Change - Bugs Be Gone

Summer seems to bring a lot of unwanted pests in our home. Clearly some infestations require professional help or, at the very least heavy-duty store-bought assistance. But did you know some of those pests can be done away with using simple household ingredients?

If ants are your problem, round up some honey, Borax (found in the laundry detergent aisle and also great for a number of cleaning uses!), and an old plastic lid (such as from a margarine tub). Mix together 1 Tbsp hot water with 1 Tbsp honey . Add ½ tsp Borax to the mixture and stir well. Place mixture in your old lid and put the trap in the center of your problem area (but out of reach of children or pets). The ants will be attracted to the mixture and will carry it back to their colony, poisoning the whole lot of them and ridding you of your problem!

For fruit flies, gather apple cider vinegar, dishwashing detergent, a fruit peel, a jar and a piece of typing paper (junk mail works great!). Mix ¼ c. vinegar, ¼ c. water and 2-3 drops of detergent in the bottom of the jar. Drop in your fruit peel. Make a cone shape out of the paper and stick it in the opening of the jar, making sure there are no gaps between the paper and the opening of the jar. The flies will be attracted to the scent of the fruit and enter the cone. They will then get trapped in the jar and the detergent will weigh them down, causing them to drown and your pests to be gone.

If you need more tips for your household pests, check out ehow.com (where these traps were found) or do a quick internet search to find simple homemade solutions!

Keep the Change: App-Tastic Savings

A copy of my latest column for the Shawnee Outlook (with a few extras added in, like links!):

If you have a smart-phone in your pocket and you haven’t been using it to help you save money, it’s time to put that data plan to work! Here’s how:

Keep Track of your Grocery List: As I’ve mentioned before, using a list keeps your shopping (and your budget) on track. Using your phone to maintain your list ensures you won’t be caught in the store trying to remember what you wrote on that paper you forgot at home. There are various apps for this purpose, but my personal favorite is Cozi because it can be shared with multiple users, so my husband and I can both access/update the list at any time!  You can also use Cozi straight from your computer (which is how I build my list!), where you have access to great meal-planning tools, too!

Compare Prices: Next time you’re in the store debating on whether that great deal is such a great deal, pull out your phone and scan the barcode of the item in question with RedLaser (click here for Google Play) to check instantly on the lowest prices near you and on-line! And if you’re looking for the lowest price on fuel (and who isn’t?) check out GasBuddy (click here for Google Play) for up-to-date prices based on your location.

Grab Coupons: Various stores, such as Staples, offer free apps that include great in-store coupons. Old Navy’s Snap Appy frequently includes coupons for $5 or $10 off ANY purchase just for snapping photos of their logo (find them in-store or pull one up on-line) - I have earned a fair amount of FREE clothing for my whole family thanks to this app (and great clearance sales)! Also, download SavingStar to access “coupons” that give you cash back for your purchases at Homeland, CVS and others.  Ibotta is new to me, but it's similar to SavingStar, allowing you to earn cash-back for items you purchase in-store (currently CVS and Wal-Mart are on the list!).  

Get Rewarded: A variety of apps offer ways to be rewarded  for things you regularly do. Try Shopkick and Checkpoints (you can use bonus code arow97 to give me credit for referring you, but it's no big deal!) to earn points for shopping in-store or Viggle if you’re an avid television fan.

               

These are just a few of the ways you can put your smart-phone to use for more than just staying in touch! 

Keep the Change: Costumes on a Coin

A copy of my latest column for the Shawnee Outlook (with a few extras added in):

Halloween is just around the corner and whether you Trick-or-Treat, head out to a Fall Festival or simply need a quick costume for a school celebration, everyone wants to know how to get a costume in a pinch. Let’s be honest, we don’t all want to be parading ourselves or our children around in the same plastic get-ups from the local store, but we’re not necessarily wanting to shell out the cash for a big-ticket ensemble either. The easiest answer? Make your own!

These are the classics I’ve pulled out in years past:

Clown – The best part of this costume is there are no set guidelines - grab some cheap facepaint and mis-matched clothes and you’re good to go.

Hippie – Seek out flared pants from your closet or the local thrift store, find a tie-dyed shirt (or make your own!), slap on some colored sunglasses and a scarf tied around your forehead and you’re groovy!

(Works for Baby, too!  From: http://lifeasathrifter.blogspot.com/2011/09/hippy-baby-costume-tutorial.html)

Or, think outside the (cardboard) box! One of these, with arm and neck holes cut out, can create any number of things – a robot, a Lego(use foam cups for the round parts), a pair of dice (grab a friend!) – use your imagination.  Look on-line for other great ideas!

Hot right now for girls is the use of tutus for just about any costume. Grab some inexpensive tulle and elastic, search out a tutorial on-line and you’ll have yourself half of just about anything, from a mermaid, to a fairy, to a superhero!

(From http://www.etsy.com/shop/goodygoodytutus)

And, finally, animals of any kind are so simple to re-create with a sweat-suit, construction paper and (if you’re feeling fancy) face paint.

So get creative, see what you have and, remember, more important than what you’re wearing, have FUN!

Looking for more great ideas?  Check out this blog for tons of cheap, creative costume tips!

Steadfast Living: Cloth Diapering 101

Here in our home, we cloth diaper.  I credit the St. Louis Science Center and their contrasting videos over the pros and cons of both disposables and cloth diapers that I watched EVERY time I went (yes, when I was in fifth grade).  I could just never get out of my mind those images of landfills and the knowledge that disposables contribute a lot to that without being biodegradable.  Yes, we are the reduce, reuse, recycle generation.

That said, when we had kids, I began looking into the current options for cloth diapers.  Now, four years later, we have enough stock to diaper 2.5 (one is half-potty-trained) for a week and I have experienced quite the gamut of cloth diapering possibilities - from convenience to price, there is quite the balance to be struck.  Generally, we have purchased whatever I could find on sale, and, thus, we have a number of different types of cloth diapers in our home.  Here are my opinions on my experiences (from cheapest to most expensive):

Pre-Fold Inserts with Diaper Covers:

The pros: A smaller investment.  You can get away with just a few covers per child (we have about six total) and, especially if the diaper is just wet, you only need to change the pre-fold when changing, using the same cover multiple times.  The covers are generally $10-15 depending on the brand.  The pre-folds are generally $1-3 each, depending on the quality.  It is generally recommended to get 4x8x4 style for optimal absorbency (this indicates three sections of the diaper, with each of the sides having four layers of cloth and the middle providing eight layers).  

The cons: While you can get one-size covers, the pre-folds are generally size-specific, so you may need to buy multiple sets of inserts.  If your child's diapers tend to be rather messy, you may not get to re-use the cover as frequently and may need to have more of these on-hand.  Also, these form of diaper tend to be much more bulky, making it harder to put pants on over them.

How many do you need?
We have three covers and 12 inserts per child.  This is enough to get through a day or two (depending on the mess of the diaper).

The brands we've used:

Thirsties Diaper Cover: We are generally not a fan.  These tend to be our last option (as in, the diapers they wear when all the others are in the wash).  The velcro does not tend to be very secure and these have fallen off more than once (especially at naptime).  Also, while they have a one-size option, we have not used it, so I cannot give an opinion on that feature.

Bumkins One-Size:  These are my current favorite for our youngest.  The material on these is very unique for a cloth diaper; I wasn't sure how I would like it at first, but I have come to love it.  It does not allow moisture to seep through at all!  The one-size feature works well and we have little-to-no leakage.  Also, you can get "Irregulars" for only $5 each!  The print options on these are limited, but $5 is pretty much unbeatable for a cloth diaper/cover.  (Also, ours are "irregulars" and there are no flaws I can see, so don't let that concept scare you.)

Bumkins Cloth Pre-Folds: We have the "Premium" form of these and they seem too large, even for our biggest kids.  This may be what contributes to the issue with the covers not staying closed on the Thirsties, because there is extra folding that needs to be done, adding a lot of bulk.  They are, however, very absorbent, so their "Infant" size may work perfectly!  At $14/6pk (for the "Infant" size), they are a little pricier, as well.

Indian Pre-Folds from CottonBabies: We have the "Infant" size of these and they work great (especially with the Bumkins covers), but they really are just "infant" size and we would need to get another set of the "Premium" if we wanted to continue with these.  

Verdict: Right now, our ideal Insert/Diaper set is the "Infant" Indian Pre-folds with the Irregular Bumkins One-Size cover. We experience great fit with very little leakage.  This is, by far, the cheapest option and works great for our youngest (we have not tried these covers on our older ones yet, though we could).

Pocket Diapers:

The Pros: With the inserts going into a pocket in the diaper, there are fewer possibilities for construction malfunction.  The inserts stay put and, depending on the quality of the diaper, there can be less leakage than with a traditional Pre-Fold.  Also, these can be assembled straight from the dryer, so when it comes to ease of use when diapering the baby, it can be a lot more convenient to grab a pre-assembled pocket diaper, rather than working to get a pre-fold into a cover while the baby is squirming on the table (and hoping he doesn't spray if you're dealing with a boy).  The snap options of these diapers tend to be more secure than velcro, as they don't get worn with time.

The Cons: These diapers are a more expensive option (generally $16-$20) and the quality can vary widely.  We do deal with a lot of leakage, especially overnight, with these ones (which is one reason we stopped cloth-diapering overnight).  They can be messier, with having to remove the insert from the pocket before washing.

How many do you need?
As our first purchase of cloth diapers, we had about a dozen in each size (so, really, only a dozen per child) and could make it about two days between washings).

The brands we've used:

FuzziBunz: Our FuzziBunz are a few years old and were purchased from craigslist (a viable option if you're looking for going a cheaper route, just be sure to wash a few times before use), so I cannot comment on their quality brand new (softness, etc.).  I do know ours have pilled and roughed up a bit, so they're not quite as cozy on our little ones.  Also, ours are not one-size, so we have to switch out sizes (clearly a more costly option when purchasing brand new).  I do know they have a one-size option these days, but I cannot comment on their effectiveness.

Lotus Bumz: My current favorite!  These are extremely soft and the pocket is a nice, tight fit, so the insert doesn't wiggle around, but, also, the elastic is secure enough in the back to keep blow-outs contained.  I love these!  Seriously.  Keep in mind, we've only had these for a couple of months, so I cannot say if their quality deteriorates with age.  Also, we purchased our Lotus Bumz from Zulily.com - these seem to go on sale there every once in awhile.  But even if you can't find this particular brand, Zulily often has cloth diapers on sale (generally for $10 and under) so keep an eye out!  This is a great way to stock up without the hefty price tag!  Willingness to experiment with different brands can get you great deals!

Verdict: These are a nice mid-range option if you want the convenience of an all-in-one without the price.

Final Tip: We line all of our pocket diapers with fleece liners we cut ourselves - these protect the diapers themselves from stains.  We just set the fleece in the diaper when we fold them, so it's already lined and ready to go!

All-In-One Diapers:

The Pros: These diapers are referred to All-In-Ones because the cloth diaper is one piece.  There are no pockets to stuff or covers to fill with inserts.  Just snap on and go!  These are, by far, the most convenient.

The Cons: The price!  Convenience comes at a cost (generally $20+).  Also, while you could also line these with fleece, we have not (it detracts from the convenience factor), so the staining is pretty bad.

How many do you need?
As with the pocket diapers, a dozen will probably get one through two days.  We currently have eight of these and, because of their absorbency and lack of leaking, these last two days (also because older babies don't mess their diapers quite as often).

The brand we have used:

GroVia: Because of the cost associated, we have only tried one variety of these, but I LOVE these diapers.  They are the trimmest of all our cloth diapering options.  They fit great under clothes and have adorable prints.  They are one-size, but we found they leak a TON on our littlest one.  They do, however, work wonderfully on our larger babies.  For this reason, I would highly recommend these for anyone who can afford them.  Also, we found ours on sale at ecomom.com during their Black Friday sale last year - always look for sales!

Verdict: If you can afford it, go for it, but if you're on a budget, the convenience is not so much greater that it's worth the sacrifice.

Bottom Line:

As stated earlier, the best way to get a good price on cloth diapers is to be open to different possibilities.  Keep your eye open for deals on various websites (there's even a Cloth Diaper Co-Op on Facebook!) and be willing to try something new.  Of course, reading consumer reviews (on amazon or other retailer websites) is always going to help - don't walk into a deal blindly, if you can help it!

Even with all of these to consider, we actually still use disposables at bedtime and when we go out.  With all of the possibilities, disposables are still the most absorbent option, so they last longer for a day out and also for night-time.  Of course, not having to tote around a dirty diaper when we're out is another benefit of using disposables for this time.

More than anything I want to emphasize how grateful I am that we cloth diaper.  I love only buying one package of diapers a month (if that) and I love having less trash to deal with.  The extra laundry has never been much of a burden for me (especially now that we have a good-size stock) and I feel the effort is worth it.  I definitely recommend considering cloth diapers!


PS If you're concerned about mess, using a diaper sprayer can help a little.  We recently purchased this one and, though the pressure took some time to get used to (flush first to lower the pressure!), it's been nice.  Though we did survive four years without a sprayer, so it's not a necessity!

Steadfast Living: Homemade Ant Trap

While the focus of this blog thus far has primarily been ways to save money while shopping - thus, saving money by spending money - I firmly believe the most valuable way to save money is to decrease purchases overall.  Living like a Steadfast Steward means making the most of your resources, both out of the house and in.

Thus, I plan to share a few of my favorite tips for saving money by re-purposing what you already have to fit what you need.

My first tip comes from a necessity in our own home.  I'm not sure how it happens, but spring always brings an influx of ants into our kitchen.  This is the second year I have employed a home-made bait to put an end to the pests - and my new recipe worked even better this year than last!  At the beginning of last week I saw our first ant and within a few days, they were everywhere around the sink in our kitchen.  I put out the bait on Friday night and by Saturday morning there were no ants.  Two days later, I have yet to see another insect crawling on our counters.

So, if you have the same problem, here's what I reccommend:

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. warm water
• 1 Tbsp. honey (I used sugar last year and it worked well, but not as quickly)
• 1/2 tsp. Borax (if you don't have this on-hand, you should, it has a variety of uses, including a great shower cleaner! - it's only $3-5 for a 4lb box at Wal-Mart - look in the detergent aisle).

 Combine ingredients on an old lid from a plastic container (as in a butter or sour cream lid) and place in prime spot (I put ours on our counter near our sink, where we gather the dirty dishes, so it wouldn't actually be in food-prep area or accessible to children but it would be close to the problem area). 

The ants will be lured by the honey and carry back the good stuff to their nest to share with their friends, spreading the poison at the heart of the problem.

I hope this helps!

Let me know one of your favorite Steadfast Living tips!