CD's Country Living: Monday's Money Saving Tips

I'm sure you've heard the old saying-'Don't ever go grocery shopping when you're hungry'. Well, that's true-but I've got an even better tip. Don't go shopping without a list!

Lists like this one, found over at Ask Anna Moseley, can be a TRUE lifesaver-as well as, save you money!

I learned that tip the hard way! I'm stubborn. There- I admitted it. Anyway- back in the day, there was no way in heck I was going to shame myself in the local grocery, by carrying around a LIST! Good gracious! What would people think? That I was disorganized? No! Never that! Not me! It didn't matter that I had a million and one things on my mind whenever I chose to stop at the store. Maybe that's why I usually ended up with ten cans of tomato sauce in my pantry-but no toilet paper in the bathroom! (I couldn't even blame the hubby for that one-since I was living alone!)

So, now I don't care what people think. Lists are good. Lists are GREAT! They help you. And, better yet-they help you save money!!

But, you can't make a list, unless you know what you're going to need.

Which brings me to my second money saving tip-a weekly menu.

You can find this one, or other great planners (free)-over at Uncommon designs online, or just type up your own!

Okay, I know what your thinking. 'I barely have the time and energy to think about tonight's dinner-how in the world am I supposed to plan for an entire week?'

That's a valid question, and it's the very reason I started a weekly menu. All you need is ten or fifteen minutes(I usually do it Saturday morning while sipping my morning coffee), and BAM- BIG BONUS- you never have to wonder 'what's for dinner' again!!! Better BONUS-you save yourself STRESS- How? Well, for starters, you know what you're having each and every day, and because you made your grocery list- you have all the ingredients. BEST BONUS- you save money! No more last minute trips to the store on your way home for work. (Those quick trips can cost $$$)-and no more ordering pizza, because you didn't have anything else planned. $$$!

So, let's talk about those dinner plans. You obviously want to cook healthy (don't we all?)-but you also want it to be delicious, and yet, simple. Here is where Mel's tip (my daughter), comes in.

Nothing infuses a meal like fresh herbs, right? Look at any recipe online or in a new cookbook, and you'll always see 'FRESH' before the name of a herb. Dried herbs are rarely even used anymore!!! That's awesome, because we all know FRESH is better-but what if you don't have time to chop up a bunch of herbs?

My daughter, Mel, has a solution for that! All it takes are three things you already have in your kitchen.

That's right! Your herb(s) of choice-olive oil, and an ice cube tray!