Making Our Money Last

So my favorite thing about this article is the HERBS!  I totally ran out and did this, I hate buying fresh herbs because I don't use them in time, and I waste money, so I bought Green Onion, Cilantro, and Parsley and came home and put them in the freezer trays IMMEDIATELY!  Yay!!! I am so happy to of heard this tip!!


So, you ask – what can you freeze?
Butter:  Freeze it in it’s original container & simply thaw in the refrigerator.
Bananas:  I do this all the time!  Freeze them in the peel. When you are ready to use them, thaw and peel and use in banana bread or in a smoothie. The peel turns black when you freeze them but it does not affect the banana within.
Tomatoes:  You can!  Wash them well freeze them whole on a tray. Put in a freeze bag once they are frozen – this is perfect for those who want to can but don’t have the time to do it right away.
Eggs: YOU BETCHA!  Mix the Yolks + the Whites, pour into an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag.
Cream Cheese: Yes and No – I would suggest no more than 1 month, and freeze only the blocks. Once you thaw, you must use it for something that is cooked (I use it to mix into mashed potatoes, etc.) I don’t suggest using frozen & re-thawed cream cheese for cheesecake, or dishes that are meant to be “creamy” as the block will be grainy in some cases.   I have frozen whipped cream cheese containers, but they don’t come out as good as you might want it to for spreading on bagels, etc.
Block Cheese: Yes – but with precaution. If you have a food saver, you’re good to go – if not, then tightly wrap the block in plastic wrap several times, then double wrap in Ziploc/freezer bags. Squeeze all air out before freezing.  Do not freeze for more than 2 months. This will only work with regular block cheese – specialty cheese should never be frozen.
Shredded Cheese: YES, just toss in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator.
Canned Biscuits: This has always been “ok” for me. I freeze, in the can; I thaw in the refrigerator, and then put on the counter at room temp 1 hour before I use them. Some say the leavening is destroyed by freezing… but I have never had issues – knock on wood.  If you are concerned about freezing and you have a lot of cans, you can always bake them and put them in a Ziploc gallon bag & freeze at that point.
Herbs:  Chop the Herbs and put them in ice cube trays, fill each cube with water & freeze. Once frozen, put in a freezer bag. Pop a cube or two in your soup when you cook.
Cookie Dough: ABSOLUTELY.  If you are making your own, use an ice cream scoop to make even-sized balls. Freeze on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Once frozen, put in a freezer bag & label. I suggest using within 1-2 months.  If you purchased the pre-made dough (like Nestle Refrigerated cookies) just toss the chub or the package in the freezer.
Yogurt:  Yes – but a cup of yogurt that has been frozen will be slightly different in texture – most of the cultures will come live and active again once thawed, but not all. You can always use them as cold ice pop treats as well.  Suggest only 1-2 mo. in the freezer.
Of course this isn’t an entire list of what you can freeze, but rather just some common items we find ourselves purchasing. 

Thanks Sheryl

10/9 - 10/15

Great Scores this week!

Kmart

4 Dove Shampoo/Conditioners 25oz @ $5.49

2 Buy1Get1 Coupons from Sunday insert 

-$5.00 off instantly when you buy $15 = $1.49 each!!

Subtotal $21.96
-$15.98 in coupons
Total Paid $5.98

Harris Teeter (My new FAVORITE place to shop!)

2 Morton Season All @ $1.29

2 -$.55 off from Sunday paper = $.19 each!

1 Shick Hydro Razor @ $9.99

-$9.99 off from free coupon sent through mail = FREE!

Ground Turkey @ $3.99

-$3.00 off meat dept coupon on packaging = $.99!

4 Minute Steamers @ $2.00 each
4 -$.50 off from Sunday paper ::Doubled:: = $1.00 each
3 Smart Balance Milk's @ $3.00 each
3 -$1.50 off from Sunday paper = $1.50 each

Subtotal $34.69
-$23.69 in coupons
Total Paid $11.00


Ingles
2 Smart Cooking Spray @ $2.50 each
2 -$.75 off from Sunday paper = $1.75 each
12 Libby's Peas/GreenBeens @ $.66 each
3 -$1.00 off wyb 4 from Sunday paper = $.41 each

Subtotal $13.26
-$4.50 in coupons
Total Paid $8.76

Total Coupon Savings Week of 10/9 - 10/15 = $44.17
Total Coupon Savings in 2011 = $442.24
Total Spent on Couponed Items = $287.28

10/2 - 10/8

Sorry I didn't get this up quicker!!

Bi-Lo
2 Woolite Power Shot Carpet Cleaner @ $2.14
2 -$1.00 off from Sunday Paper = $1.14 each
2 Pampers Wipes @ $1.84 each
2 -$.50 off from Sunday Paper = $1.34 each

Subtotal $8.50
-$3.00 in coupons
Total Paid $5.50


CVS
All Free and Clear @ $3.99
-$1.00 off from Sunday paper = $2.99

Nabisco Crackerfuls @ $4.49

-$4.99 (Cashier Error) off from Free coupon from the scanner = FREE

Subtotal $8.48
-$5.99 in coupons
-$2.00 in Rewards Bucks
Total Paid $.85

Target

4 Covergirl Blushes/Bronzers @ $3.74

2 -$8 off 2 from Sunday paper (Marked down to $7.48) = FREE!

2 Charmin 16 Mega Rolls @ $9.78 on Clearance
2 -$.25 off from Sunday paper = $9.53 each

2 Purina Friskies Cat Treats @ $0.99

2 -$1.00 off Target Web Coupon = FREE!

Transformers Figurines @ $4.99 each

-$5.00 off from Target.com = FREE

Subtotal $56.45

-$22.46 in coupons

-$20.00 in $5 gift cards Earned from Previous Weeks

Total Paid $2.04

Total Coupon Savings Week of 10/2 - 10/8 = $53.45

Total Coupon Savings in 2011 = $398.07

Total Spent on Couponed Items = $261.54