I used to be one of those people who thought cutting coupons took too much time, but I have learned a system from a fantastic web site, and the rewards are incredible.

This is a teaser post to tell you how you, too, can maximize your coupon savings. Want some proof? I filled my entire grocery cart at Vons today for $44.36 — including tax. My coupon and
special savings was $74.27, or 63 percent off! Even the 20-something man behind me in line said he was curious to see how much I saved when I pulled out the stack of coupons.

First, let’s address some misconceptions:

No, not at all — you save the circular and write the date on it - that’s all! You cut only when you’ll use the coupon that week.

Oh, yeah? How about Windex for 50 cents? Or two bottles of shampoo for free? Raid for 50 cents? Mission tortillas for $1. That was just from today.

When you have the list of specials and the matching coupons, it’s a breeze! My average weekly food shop is 1 hour to 90 minutes.

Yes, and no. Most papers offer limited delivery just on Sundays. Ours costs $5.50 per month for Thursday through Sunday home delivery. Big “Dollar Stores” will often sell the Sunday paper for half-price on Mondays - now that’s a savings!

Sure, CostCo will save you money on some items, but I just got 4 pounds of flash frozen chicken breasts at the store for $5. Can CostCo beat that? Or how about laundry detergent for $1.50? Coffee-Mate for $1.79? Sure, use warehouse stores, but keep your mind open (and not have to buy a three-pack!)

Our food bill was cut in half by using this system. For our two-person household, that translates into a monthly savings of $250 a month, or $3,000 a year! That’s a car payment or a fantastic vacation (or a couple gallons of gas).

Another post will tell you how to maximize your savings with this free coupon web site, but start right away and just take that Sunday newspaper coupon circular, mark the date on the cover, and put it in a large envelope. You’ll be racking up the same savings very soon!

I love comfort food, but it is never designed for 2-3 people, and it usually requires a lot of prep. This is a recipe I got from www.allrecipes.com that I absolutely love and have tweaked to make it perfect. The best part about this comfort food recipe is there is absolutely no cooking prior to when you throw it in the oven! Honestly, the chicken is raw and the macaroni uncooked! You’ve got to try it! (And the recipe calls for items you have most any day in the fridge/freezer/pantry.) Now that’s simple! Double the recipe for 4-6 servings.

Chicken Broccoli Dinner

Ingredients:

1 skinless, boneless chicken breast, chopped
2 cups frozen broccoli (or fresh)
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced red or green bell pepper (optional)
3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. salt

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, broccoli, onion, bell pepper, macaroni and cheese.
2. In a small bowl, mix the soup, broth, pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
3. Stir the soup mixture into the chicken mixture.
4. Grease a 1-1/2 quart casserole dish and pour mixture into it.
5. Bake uncovered at 350 degree for 30 minutes.
6. Stir. Then cover with foil or casserole top and cook for 25 minutes longer.
7. Let stand for 5 minutes if needed for sauce to thicken.

Shopping at Target is an art — to find the best deals.

The first bit of knowledge you need under your belt is that major research went into how people will travel through the store. They know how most people will walk through the discounter. But you need to become one of those who travels through Target differently in order to get the best deals, and with that, I mean hitting the Clearance!

You all know what that means — items marked down due to overstock, out of season or just not selling due to price. This is how you get the best deals in Target.

But where?

They are called “endcaps,” the display at the end of an aisle. Normally these are designed to entice you to buy new items, but if you look for the endcaps in a different area, you’ll come across mega-deal land.

The secret is they are hidden at Target from those souls who follow the route the store wants you to take. But to sorta-quote Robert Frost, “The road less traveled made all the difference in the world.”

Instead of taking the wide aisles down through the building, head toward the perimeter of each part of Target, against the exterior walls. This is where they hide the clearance items. But the store is tricky, because it’s divided in sections, so the perimeter for certain areas is actually in the middle of the store. Confused?

One way way to determine a perimeter area is whether there is a wall of merchandise dividing an area. Near the wall is the perimeter of that section. Want an even simpler method — the fewer the people, the more likely you are near the perimeter of that area.

Here are some quick tips to find the super-sale items at Target:

Clearance items cover the gamut, but you need to determine whether the price is good enough to buy and you need to think ahead. If something is cheap enough, I will buy it, even if it were not on my “need” list, but I could use it or enjoy it. An example: I got a $15 Kitchen Aid mixing bowl for $4 on the clearance rack. Another was a $12 vase for $2.44.

Thinking ahead is how I get the best deals — and save money. I buy Christmas gifts all year-round. My most memorable deal from the last holiday were three silk, queen comforters that I picked up for $33 each that were originally $149 at Target. Now that was smart shopping, and my friends and relatives were impressed.

Try it next time you’re at Target, and please let us know any tips you may have!

I’m with you — home maintenance is not my favorite subject, but this is an easy task and will result in a much better shower every day for you. I say that’s worth the effort!

Earlier this week, I noticed that it was becoming more difficult to pull up the shower diverter in our shower. What the heck is that? It’s that little thingey on top of the tub spout (in most homes) that switches the water from from tub to shower.

Because it’s exposed to water, it also builds up calcium, hard water and lime deposits, and that’s what makes it difficult to pull up when you want to take a shower (and one of the reasons it leaks when you are taking one).

Easy-peasy fix.

Just pull up the diverter, and pour a small amount of Lime Away or CLR down the opening, and let it sit for as long as you can (best to do this after you take your last shower for maximum cleaning). If you don’t have these products, try any spray bathroom cleaner you may have (but it will take longer). It took two times before I really noticed the difference.

Just watch how easier it will be next time you pull up the diverter.

Let me know how it works for you.

Cleaning is like sex — you really need to be in the mood. And, as you know, the mood passes quickly.

That’s why you need to be able to strike when the iron is hot. Along those lines, the best thing I ever did was purchase cleaning products for each bathroom and the kitchen. Sure, it costs about $5 to $10 (with coupons),but I now have my arsenal ready whenever I think something needs to be cleaned. (And, it’s not as if you are spending extra money, you would use the supplies anyway — you’re just stocking a room for a cleaner home. This works for both houses and apartments.)

Just the other day, I noticed the bathtub needed to be scrubbed. Instead of tracking down the cleanser, a sponge, etc. I reached into my drawer of cleaning supplies in the bath, and had the task taken care of within 2 minutes while I took a shower. Voila! Clean bathtub.

A day or two later, I realized the glass shower doors had a hard water build-up, so I reached in the drawer for some bathroom cleaner, the same sponge (I recycle the kitchen ones for this duty) and a bowl to rinse the doors. (A large plastic tumbler works just as well — no more splashing water off your body while you clean. This was a secret when I cleaned homes for a living.) Task completed while I took a shower.

If you don’t have an empty drawer available for your cleaning supplies, just put the products in the vanity under the sink. What you don’t want is to have to run to the kitchen (or whereever) to get the cleaning products. Like sex, you want it now!

If your vanity is packed — we will address that later — make room. This is important, and will make your life easier.

That brings to mind my philosophy — there is no “cleaning day,” just perpetual cleaning. Two minutes to scrub the tub one day, three minutes to clean the shower doors another day. Wipe down the vanity the next day — no horrible “cleaning day,” just a little work each day. Life is so much easier! And you have more time for fun!

My recommendations to stock in your bath to keep it perpetually clean are:

Keep your mind open — this system works!

As we know, onions are called for in most any recipe, but chopping one is just one more thing to do when cooking dinner.

To speed up the prep time, the secret I have come across is to chop and save for use later.

This lovely photo shows a variety of onions, but my go-to onion is the white one. First, they don’t make you cry (like yellow).
And they go with everything! Red onions are pretty but just don’t pack the onion punch like white and are not as pungent as yellow ones. So there is your shopping tip — go white and you’ll never go back.

I will do another post to explain about how to chop an onion, but this link will give you all the details.

At any rate, either dice or in one of those cool mini-choppers (money well-spent), then put in a Gladware container, and the onion is ready to go all week (or at least through two dinners). This is a wonderful time-saver, especially when you’re in a rush at dinnertime!

When I cleaned houses for a living, my last task was to vacuum. Let me tell you, at that point, saving time was of uber importance. I never looked as happy as this woman when faced with vacuuming a 2,000-square-foot home. But I knew how to cut the vacuum time in half.

Obviously, if you are in a 600-square-foot apartment, this is not as important, but anyone with a 1,500-square-foot-plus home can save themselves a lot of time.

The biggest time-waster when vacuuming is plugging and unplugging the sweeper as you move from room to room. Think about it — you finish one room, then have to walk back, unplug, then pick up the vacuum, move it to another room, find another plug, and begin again. Multiply this by 7 rooms, and you just spent easily 15 minutes.

The secret is to buy a 25-foot extension cord. I’m not talking some wimpy thin cord (you can’t buy ‘em at that length), you need to get the heavy duty, ugly orange ones you purchase in a home improvement store. Pick up an equally ugly orange plastic wrap-around cord holder at the same time. Don’t worry — both are cheap.

Unwrap your vacuum cord, as usual. Now unwrap the Goliath cord and add to the original. Now plug in once. You should be able to vacuum your entire home downstairs and plug in just once. With a one-story, you may need to plug in twice, but I doubt it.
.

I learned this tip from an excellent book written by the owner of a professional home-cleaning company. I highly recommend “Speed Cleaning.” I have provided a link to order. This book is great — and cheap!

Please let me know how the vacuum trick works for you!

When your toothbrush has scrubbed its last molar, there’s no reason to toss it. It can be transformed into something useful in the kitchen — and more!

Right now, I have one under the kitchen sink, believe it or not. Why? ‘Cause this sucker has more life to give. I use it most often to do the scrub around the kitchen faucet to get rid of that pesky gunk that seems to accumulate around it. Just use the toothbrush to scrub around the base. A spritz of cleaner or a dash of cleanser makes the job more thorough. Then rinse with water. The overflow of the dishwasher — that’s what that metal thing is called next to your faucet — is often prone to gunk-o-rama. A scrub around there is often needed. Another common use is to clean around the perimeter of your kitchen sink.

No, you don’t do these tasks every day, but every month or so, it’s a job well-spent.

And for those with jewelry, there is nothing better than a toothbrush to clean out the soap and what have you from the intricacies of your rings. Just spray with Windex, scrub with the old toothbrush, and dry. You will be so happy with the results. Sparkle city!

What other ways do you use an old toothbrush?

Who doesn’t need more kitchen cabinet space? This is prime real estate! But so many clients and friends of mine are being “mugged” every day of this precious space.

I think you know where I am going with this — the cupboard that is packed with every coffee mug you have purchased or been given for the past 20 years. Go open the cabinet now and just look at how much cabinet — or even counter — space is taken up with coffee mugs. Now count how many coffee drinkers are in your house — one? two? And, how many mugs do you have? And, let’s face it — you have a favorite mug, don’t you … you know, the one you use every day? And I’ll ask it again — how many mugs are taking up space in your cupboard?

Just look at this photo! I counted 16 mugs — not mentioning what’s behind the first layer. Now, count the number of cabinet shelves … three. And you know there are only two coffee drinkers in this home. Unless they don’t wash dishes for a week, 14 of these mugs sit every day in the cabinet, taking up precious space.

Now I can hear the “buts” starting — your co-workers gave you this one, this one is from that trip to Texas, this has sentimental value, this one commemorates your root canal. Yeah, yeah, I know. Here is my “but” — But you need more kitchen cabinet space and how many did you use this past week? Two, four? OK, you got it (at least I hope).

Just imagine the extra space you will have in your cabinets if you narrowed “mugland” to those that you use.

Now, you may need to ease yourself — and anyone else in your home — to the new clutter-free (and more shelf space) you. So I recommend taking every extraneous mug and put it in a box, a bag, or whatever it takes to get it out of your kitchen. Put the bag/box into a closet or a garage. Now claim that cabinet space! Add your glasses, make a mini-pantry, put small appliances there, whatever you want!

A week later, if no one asks where their “I Love Oklahoma” mug disappeared to, put the bag/box in the trash. (Let me tell you, no one wants your old mugs, so don’t bother saving it for the thrift store. If you doubt me, would you want any of the mugs in the photo?)

Clutter control is not pretty — and a job best done by yourself, but the rewards are great. If you need an extra push, ask youself this: If I were being charged by the pound to move, would I pay for this to go to my new home? If not, it’s taking up valuable space. And let me know how you used this extra cabinet space!

I could kick myself for all the years I bought chicken broth (at 50 cents to 89 cents a can) when it is so easy to make!

Now if you only think you need broth at the holidays, you’re wrong. It’s called for any many casserole and soup recipes, and is perfect when cooking rice. Even if you don’t use it that often, I will show you how to freeze it one cup at a time (the common measurement), so you can pop in the microwave and enjoy the flavor — and savings!

First, how the heck do you make chicken stock? Well, there are a ton of recipes, which usually are wonderful when you make a huge stock-pot batch, but, let’s face it, most of us need just a cup here or there.

But what if you need it, and need it now? Buy for your pantry one product — Caldo de Pollo. I bet you can guess where you find it — in the Hispanic Foods aisle in your grocery store. (Do you see a pattern of savings here?) Caldo de Pollo is Spanish for “chicken soup.” Dissolve two teaspoons in 2 cups of water, and, voila, chicken broth — at a cost of pennies! It’s an investment of a couple dollars, but this sucker will last in your pantry until you are long gone. You’ll never buy canned broth again, I promise, and you’ll always have it available.

But when you do buy a whole chicken, you can make the broth even richer. With a whole chicken, take the giblets (that normally you discard) and put ‘em in a sauce pan. Add 2 cups of water, or so — this ain’t brain surgery — and start dumping from the produce drawer in your fridge. Add wilted celery, old carrots, parsley, some onion, a bay leaf, and maybe a couple crushed cloves of garlic — whatever you have on hand. In cooking parlance, it adds depth to the stock. Don’t worry if you don’t have one item or even three. Bring to a boil and add your Caldo de Pollo. (Remember 2 teaspoons per 2 cups of water.) Simmer for about an hour or so (this ain’t brain surgery, again). You just want enough water to cover everything plus about an inch or two.

Let the stock cool. Use a slotted spoon to remove all the veggies, etc. Pour all into a Ziploc bag, or in leftover margarine containers (great for 1 cup measurement later). When you defrost it, the stock keeps for a week or two, but in a hurry, you can always nuke.

Honestly, you need to add Caldo de Pollo to your pantry (no matter how small). The Hispanic Foods aisle, once again, is your budget friend! Let me know how it works for you!