Harvesting tomatoes is over! Tomato Sauce, here we come …
We had a freeze here and that has put an end to our garden’s production. I must admit, I am not unhappy about it–maybe even a little glad?
Please do not get me wrong. I have been so thankful for all the produce. I am just ready for a break! After all, we were so blessed, we even bought a third freezer. Even it is now full! I could give you a complete inventory of the freezers, but, I think it would be a bit overwhelming! It is amazing how much food it takes to keep our family going!
The tomatoes pictured are just a fraction of the ones we harvested. I had already given one bucket away! We have harvested 8-10 times getting about four, 5-gallon buckets full each time!
What, you might ask, have I done with all these tomatoes? Well, I have made tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, dehydrated tomatoes, and of course, enjoyed eating them fresh. I do not plan to buy any tomato products this year!
It is very easy to make your own tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes. I realize it is late in the year, but if any of you have gardens that are still producing you might try it.
Tomato Sauce From Fresh Tomatoes
First, wash the your tomatoes cutting out any bad spots.
Then, place the tomatoes in the your blender.
Next, blend tomatoes coarsely. I like to have a chunky sauce.
After each batch is blended, pour the liquid into a large boiler. I use either a 5 or a 10 gallon pot, or sometimes both! I prefer to process in large batches to save time.
Bring the sauce to a boil on the stovetop (uncovered) and allow it to boil until the desired thickness is obtained. I usually boil about 1/3 of the water off.
Turn off the heat and allow to cool. At this point, I usually cover the pot as it takes my large batches overnight to cool.
When cool, place the sauce in freezer containers and freeze. I use gallon sized freezer bags.
To use, thaw sauce, place in boiler and add Italian spices to taste.
As you can see, I have plenty help in the kitchen!
CVS has a store loyalty program called the Extra Care Card. You can sign up for, immediately receive and begin using your card at your local CVS store. Be sure to give your email address as they will periodically email store coupons (ie. $4 off your next $20 purchase – $4/$20).
Extra Care Bucks (ECB’s) are CVS rewards that are used as cash in the store. ECB’s print out at the end of a transaction from a catalina machine adjacent to the register.
Many times there are items advertised as “Free After ECBs“. When you purchase these items, a “coupon” (ECB), prints at the end of the transaction for the purchase amount of that item. When first starting, these are not technically “free” as you have initially paid out of pocket (OOP). The trick is to “roll” your ECBs by then turning around and using them to pay for the next transaction. By rolling your ECB’s and using manufacturer’s coupons, you will really end up getting many items free.
Point to remember:
- Have the cashier scan your Extra Care Card before you start to check out.
- With your Extra Care Card, you will earn 2% cash back on each in store and online purchase. This cummulative 2% is converted to ECB’s every 3 months.
- With your Extra Care Card, you will receive miscellaneous store coupons at the end of your transaction after ECB’s have printed.
- You earn 1 ECB for every 2 prescriptions purchased in the store or online.
- One manufacturer’s coupon and one CVS store coupon can be stacked per item. Thus you can have twice the number of coupons as the number of items in a transaction (no fillers needed).
- ECB’s are equivalent to cash rather than a coupon, further reducing the concern for the coupon-to-item ratio.
- Many items which generate ECB’s have a limit on the number that may be purchased while receiving ECB’s. Once that limit is reached, no additional ECB’s will be generated (in that nor other stores for the limited item).
- ECB’s do have an expiration date. Normally, it is four weeks from the date they are generated. Keep your printed ECB’s organized to make sure you use the earliest expiring first. Sometimes, a store manager will accept expired ECB’s. Ask first! It is a loyalty program, they want your business.
- ECB’s are not transferrable. They can only be redeemed with the personal Extra Care Card with which they were generated.
I try to minimize the amount I spend out of pocket (OOP). To do this, when I make a store visit, I plan multiple transactions (or scenarios) trying to use ECB’s earned earlier to pay for the next transaction which will earn the same amount or more ECB’s.
“Money Makers” occur when you combine a manufacturer’s coupon with a “Free After ECB’s” item. You are not really “making money” as in being paid cash by the store, but you spend less out of pocket money (or fewer ECB’s) than you earn in new ECB’s.
At checkout, I have found the following order works very well:
- Ast the cashier to scan your Extra Care Card.
- Have all your items rung up.
- Present any CVS $4/$20 store coupons. Your total could drop below $20 after all your other coupons.
- Present any CVS store coupons.
- Present any manufacturer’s coupons.
- And finally, use your ECB’s (oldest first).
If you are paying with ECB’s totalling more than the transaction total, they can manually reduce it to what your total is (you will lose the reduced amount) or you can add another item to make up the difference. I use my calcluator to keep up with my total.
Build your confidence by starting with simple, one or two item transactions. Then, move on to more complicated, multi-transaction scenarios. My goal is not only to roll ECB’s, but to grow them creating overage to pay for other items needed!
 Walgreen does not have a store loyalty card. Their system revolves around Register Rewards producing deals. Register Rewards (RR) are printed out at the end of a transaction by what is called a catalina machine adjacent to the cash register. Sometimes, Walgreens advertizes products “free after register rewards”. This means the RR you receive are worth the cost of the item. To further enhance savings, you could combine a Register Rewards deal with a manufacturer’s coupon. Walgreens also offers their own store coupons (in flyers and newspaper inserts). These can then be further stacked with the manufacturer’s coupon and Register Rewards to maximize savings.
Points to remember:
- RR are earned once per deal per transaction. For example: If Dial Body Wash is yielding a $3RR one week, each bottle must be purchased in a separate transaction to receive the $3RR. If you bought 2 bottles in one transaction, you would only receive a $3RR (not two $3RR).
- A RR will not regenerate the same RR. You can use the Dial $3RR to buy more Dial Body Wash in a subsequent transaction, but will not receive RR’s for the second transaction
- RR may be ”rolled“. Let’s say Ajax Dishwashing Liquid yields a $2RR.
If you may use the Dial $3RR to purchase Ajax Dishwashing Liquid, you will receive the Ajax $2RR.
In a subqsequent transaction, you can switch and use the Ajax $2RR to purchase more Dial and get another Dial $3RR.
Repeatedly alternating between at least two items that yield RR is a great way to minimize your out of pocket (OOP) expense.
- Walgreens treats RR like manufacturer’s coupons. The total number of coupons must not exceed the total number of items purchased in each transaction. Therefore, “fillers” are sometimes needed if you are using multiple coupons along with Register Rewards. Fillers are inexpensive items used to increase the number of items purchased. I look through the clearance shelf and sale flyer to find items that I know we need, use or just for a special treat.
- RR have an expiration date. Normally, they expire two weeks from the date generated. Sometimes, a store manager may approve using the RR to purchase Walgreens gift cards – which do not expire. A question never asked is always “No”, but make sure you are always friendly and courteous.
- RR are transferable. If I know that I am not going to shop before they expire, I give them away – usually to my daughter-in-law. I don’t but I guess you could trade them with your friends.
“Money-makers” are created by stacking coupons with a RR deal. Your coupons for an individual item may be worth more than the actual cost of the item. The store will not pay you the difference, but you generate “overage“. That overage can then be used on other items purchased in that same transaction, all the while receiving RR.
Often, you can leave Walgreens with as much or more in RR as when you walked in, while spending very little money out of pocket (tax is usually unavoidable).
At my local Walgreens stores, I have found it is best at check-out to tell the cashier I have coupons and let them ring up all the items. I then present the Walgreens coupons first, followed by manufacturer’s coupons, and finally my Register Rewards. If I use the Walgreens last, they are usually not accepted to generate “money-makers”. Most cashiers are not able to manually push a coupon through. If your coupon beeps and will not go through it is often easier to have that item removed.
- You may do a single deal transaction.
- You may do the deal transaction multiple times, paying out of pocket each time and save the RR collected to use later.
- You may roll your RR between at least two different RR producing deals.
I started with simple, one or two item transactions and built my confidence. Then I moved on to more complicated scenarios. In my opinion, the third option of rolling your RR is the best as it minimizes your out of pocket expense.
As I began looking at expenditures in my budget book, I realized that I was spending a lot of money on non-food items. Especially items like toothpaste, shampoo, soap, razors… This realization is how I became involved in couponing and playing the “drugstore game”. I will be devoting the next few posts to overviews of CVS, Walgreens and RiteAid.
I believe you will be amazed at how many items you are currently buying at full price, that can be bought for a fraction of the cost if not obtained free!
To begin, I would like to encourage you to pick one drugstore and learn the system of that store. Start off with simple transactions to build your confidence. Then, when you are comfortable, move to more complicated scenarios.
Swagbucks is a FREE service utilizing the google search engine. They pay you to search the internet as you normally would except now using swagbucks.com. And… it is so simple! Just click one of the buttons to sign up and begin earning.
You will receive 3 bonus Swagbucks for signing up!
After signing up, browse the Swagstore to see what prizes are available. My favorite is the $5 Amazon Giftcard for only 45 swagbucks.
I normally receive at least 1 swagbuck per day and often several more. I downloaded the toolbar at the first of September and have already redeemed $15 worth of Amazon Giftcards! Sooooo Simple!
One of the most frequently asked questions is, “How do you do it with so many children?” My response—You do what you want! We have never driven new cars, followed the latest clothing fads or had a large entertainment budget for dining out, going to the theater etc.
OK, I admit that with 8 still at home, living on a tight budget until our house sells, we have cut back on extras. But, I have willingly accepted this challenge and enjoy seeing how far things stretch!
My advice to anyone wanting to live within their means and have financial freedom is:
Write All Expenditures Down. I mean everything! It does not matter how large or small–BE HONEST!
Being an old fashioned, pen and pencil sort of gal, I have a notebook (my Budget Book) with columns spanning 2 pages to organize my spending. Categories include:
- Standard (tithe, rent, insurance, utilities, phone)
- Food
- Gas
- Clothing
- Pets
- School
- Medical
- Cleaning
- Miscellaneous
Under each category, I make notes beside each entry as to what or where it was incurred (ex: Misc-$4.50-batteries or Food-$20.00-Walmart) I know there is software available that is very effective but then… it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks!
Be honest and write it all!
Analize Your Expenses. After a month, look at where the money is being spent. Begin looking for areas to cut down. I will post personal examples of this in the future.
Simple measure often help tremendously, such as, turning off lights or ceiling fans to decrease the electric bill (which can be a task with little ones around!), not window-shopping in front of the refrigerater…..
Distinguish Needs vs Wants. This can be difficult in our culture! Peer pressure and selfishness can make this distinction very cloudy. Simplifying our lives has helped me as we have gotten back to quality family time and viewing “treats” as just that, treats for special times.
There are great financial resource available to help anyone who desires to live in financial freedom.
There are many methods of organizing your finances, for example: envelopes with the category and amount of money placed inside at the beginning of the month. When the envie is empty–that’s all until next month!
The notebook works for me and that is my point.: Use What Works For You and Stick With It.
Like many things in our lives, self-control is needed. It takes self-control to go through receipts and organize expenses and it takes self-control not to make spontaneous purchases. Form the habit of thought-out, deliberate purchases as opposed to those made on a whim.
Two years ago, a lifestyle change? You would never have convinced me that our lives would take such a turn!
Back then, my hubby was employed in a well paying job, home educating was going smoothly, I even had all the children’s music lessons scheduled on 1 day (quite an accomplishment, as this was the most efficient use of time!). THEN….
Things began changing at the workplace and the question came up, “if we were ever going to make a life change–was now the time?”
Now to me, a change meant possibly going back to school (John not me!) or a company change. I never ever, and I mean never, dreamed that I would wake up saying “yes” to a move across the USA to the high plains of west Tx to become farmers. Well, grape growing is a type of farming, viticulture to be more precise.
So, we put our house near Mobile, Al. up for sale, just in time to be too late. The market went downhill as soon as we did it! Oh well, it has still not sold but I am sure there is someone, somewhere, that will see the beauty of living in a secluded pine forest, away from the busy city life in a large made-for-a-big-family house! Where oh where are they?
Oh well, I find us now renting a small house (about 1400 sq ft) very close to the vineyard. I must admit though, the smallness is not so difficult to deal with as only having 1 bathroom! Now, maybe, to most people this would not present a problem. But, when you get 10 people, who have been accustomed to 5 bathrooms, faced now with only 1, day in and day out, it has its challenges!
The funny thing about this situation is, we are actually happy. I know it sounds crazy. But working together (and I mean hard physical labor) has been good for us as a family. I call this our “character building” time. There is such a feeling of personal satisfaction at the end of the day—if you can feel past the soreness of your muscles!
I find myself, surrounded by not only children, but 2 corgies, Sophie and Scruggs, a family milk cow, Buttercup, 2 calves that will eventually be milkers, and about 35 chickens. I say “about” in reference to the chickens because they are difficult to count. I know a couple died and Buttercup stepped on one–she didn’t mean too!
You have probably heard the old saying, “when our ship comes in…”, well, our family saying has become, “when our grapes come in…”.
When our grapes come in, we plan to build another big house overlooking the vineyard. When our grapes come in…
Until then, though, we are enjoying our adventure together.
The following is a sweet soup recipe from my mother-in-law.
Because of our family size I start with a med-lrg, fresh, pumpkin, remove seeds and skin and then cook it according to the folowing recipe in a 3 gallon stockpot.
The recipe is, however, very flexible, and works well either increasing or decreasing the amounts given.
Pumpkin Soup with Dumplings
20c pumpkin pulp (from med-lrg pumpkin)
4c water
Bring to a boil stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
Cook until pumpkin is soft and mushy–about 1 hour. (Cooking time depends upon the ripeness of the pumpkin.)
Add:
2 Tbsp. salt
3c sugar
1 can evaporated milk
Stir and simmer while preparing the dumpling mix.
Dumplings
2c Bisquick
1c milk
Mix ingredients and spoon on top of simmering soup. Cover stockpot with lid and simmer for 20 min. or until dumplings are fluffy.
To serve: Dip dumplings out of stockpot and place into separate bowl. Ladle soup into serving bowls and top with dumplings.
This is a family favorite!
Pumpkin Pie
Preheat oven to 425F.
Have ready: 9″ pie crust. Here is my Homemade Pie Crust recipe.
Combine the following in blender:
2c. cooked pumpkin
1 1/2c evaporated milk
3/4c brown sugar
1/4c white sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp cloves (opt.)
2 eggs
Pour mixture into pie shell.
Bake 15min. at 425F, then reduce heat to 350F and bake 45min. longer or until a fork inserted comes out clean.
May serve with whipped topping.
I thought with the abundance of pumpkins this time of year, a simple homemade pie crust recipe would be helpful. So, whether you use fresh pumpkin or a canned pie filling, here goes:
Pie Crust
Blend to course meal:
3c flour (works well with either white or whole wheat)
1 1/2c shortening
1/4tsp salt
Mix in measuring cup:
1 egg
4Tbsp cold water
1 Tbsp white vinegar
Combine wet ingredients with the flour mixture. This will be wet so, use alot of exta flour when rolling out the dough.
Divide dough in half, roll to desired size and place in pie plate. If rolled thin, this recipe makes 3 crusts. Fill with desired filling and bake according to directions.
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About Me 
God has amazingly blessed me, Dina-Marie, with a wonderful husband and 10 beautiful children. Moving from our "secure" life in Alabama to the "exciting" life of starting a vineyard in west Texas has been challenging to say the least. I have had the opportunity to take a crash course in frugal living and become a real farm girl - complete with milk cow and chickens. I have learned the importance of health from the inside out, "traditional" cooking and cod liver oil!
I hope to encourage you to make the most of where you are and what you have. |
