Here’s a great article from allyou.com on 11 Ways to Spend Less Cash..

My sister told me she needed to run to the store for baking powder so it reminded me to tell her she can make her own. It’s stuff I usually have on hand anyway and it’s better for you. Most commercially-produced baking powder contain aluminum–sodium aluminum sulfate. Make your own and keep your baked goods aluminum-free.

1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp corn starch (optional – if storing)

To use right away:
Mix the baking soda and cream of tartar together until well combined.
Yield: One tablespoon of baking powder.

To store: Add a teaspoon of corn starch to the mixture, and stir. This will absorb any moisture from the air, and prevent the baking powder from reacting before you need it. Store in an air-tight container.

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Here is a way we can use up those empty 2 liter pop bottles in our gardens.

Drill a hole in the bottom (or top depending on how you want to use them) and fill with water. They will also catch rain water 

Hide them in between plants or bury them 2/3 down and fill with water. You can also do this upside down and drill a hole in the lid if you are worried about pets or mosquitos.

Here is a link to the article I saved

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If recipe calls for 1/3 cup, fill measuring cup two-thirds full of water, add enough shortening to bring water to top of cup, pour off water and you have 1/3 cup of shortening.

This is the method I was taught in my Home Ec class in 8th grade. Man, that was a million years ago! But it works and you don’t have to try to squish shortening in to a measuring cup wondering if you got it right.

I know, I know…..shortening is not good for you, but combined with butter makes the best pie dough.

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Here is an interesting article I saved about how to forecast weather.

Today is supposed to be a gorgeous day.

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Do you have a pair of leather shoes that are too tight? Try this tip:
Put a plastic bag in the shoe and fill with water then put it in the freezer. Water expands when it freezes and helps to stretch the shoe.

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Need to press a shirt and don’t have any starch? Make your own:

4 T powdered starch
4 C hot water
Spray bottle

Shake often

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30 money-saving tips

1.  Give your cart a once-over: Before you reach the checkout, remove at least one impulse purchase. Cutting just $10 a week of unnecessary spending adds up fast!

2.  Replace one processed food: Pick one processed item and opt for an unprocessed substitute. For example, making mashed potatoes from scratch twice a week instead of buying a pre-packaged version will save you $60 a year.

To read more and to see the rest of the topics below, go here.

Save around the house

Cut utility costs 

Waste less washing 

Save in your spare time 

Spend less on entertainment 

Limit car expenses 

Trim transportation costs 

Talk it out 

Save with your finances

Credit and debit 

Bank on it

 From allyou.com

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Gardening,  BBQs, Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day are the themes for May
Promos to watch for: Kellogg’s, Kraft & Mission
Items that will likely go on sale: Mexican food ingredients, BBQ sauce, hot dogs, razors, shaving gel,  ice cream 

I already stocked up on Mission flour tortillas from last weeks QFC sale. Stocking up is the way to deepest discounts in your shopping budget. Buy when items are at their rock bottom lowest price as long as you can consume before the expiration date..