Coupons 101

It seems to me that most people are hesitant to use coupons.  They either think it takes too much time or give off the impression they are stingy or poor.   Let me first off clear the misconception that it is embarrassing to use coupons – look at it as a challenge and I love the thrill of seeing how much I saved at the end of the trip!  Open your mind to the possibilities and view it is shopping you can justify – I mean, we all have to eat, don’t we? 

Coupon shopping does require a little (or a lot) of organization, but it all depends on the level of coupon clipping you want to do – it has to fit YOUR lifestyle.    

A majority of grocery coupons come from the Sunday paper and the remaining from in-store coupon flyers.  I honestly don’t have hours to peruse through them right then and there, so I recommend keeping them in a pile placing the newest coupons on the bottom and oldest on the top so they are easier to reference.  Later when I have time, I will take no more than 15 minutes going through these to see if any of them apply to my needs and clip them.

I separate the supermarket coupon circular and always look at that that day as those coupons are only good for the week ahead.  I plan my meals for the week based on that coupon book and plan my grocery store trip.   Lastly, I group my list according to section of the supermarket so you can be more efficient and not get caught up into the distractions supermarkets want you to

Electronic coupons which are getting big, allow you to go to supermarket websites to scope out coupons. It’s a great idea to combine the different types of coupons available. With coupons, you should always ask if your store doubles up on coupons.

Be sure to sign up for any supermarket super save cards to receive additional discounts at the register without even clipping a coupon at all.  Some supermarkets also provide gas discounts which you can use in conjunction at participating gas stations

I believe the key in using coupons is to start small and work up to whatever comfort level works for you and your household.  And who knows, you can possibly get to so good you might even begin to brag about it to your friends

Road Trip Rules 101

Road Trip Tips From Someone Who Loves to Travel by Car.

I have fond memories of summer when I was younger and we would go away for the weekend, or a week up along the North Shore of Lake Superior.  This always meant a road trip which I am positive now being a parent myself, made this type of 'vacation' a mixed blessing for my parents with three rambunctious children.  For me, it was like an exciting adventure - getting in the car and going someplace new!  Back then, I could just sit back, listen to the 8-track tape of Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash or maybe Meryl Haggard (the latter being my father's choice).  We would all pile into that 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis, with it's textured cloth seats and opera lights on the outside - truly luxurious travel in those days. Going over a bump on the  road in that car was like gliding over a cloud. 

It ultimately never really mattered where we were going because even as a small child, travel to me was thrilling!  I sometimes would pretend that my father was the chauffeur and I was his boss. I loved the ability to view the out-of-the way scenery, the antique shops and the diners or cafes - all so rich with history and interesting people to meet.

As an adult, I now get to take road trips with my own family and I like to sneak in an opportunity or two to tell my daughter what life was like when I was her age.

Planning for a road trip is just as important as flying in a jet plane - it starts with good planning and preparation. So to help get your summer car road trips start off on the right tire, I'm sharing a simple list of things that I do both before I leave and things I do along the way.

Before you leave:

Check your cell phone coverage (roaming fees are not fun).

Get maps, guides and travel brochures ahead. Surf the web for ideas and itineraries!

Memberships in automobile clubs and warehouse stores often have lodging and tourist discount privileges.

Be sure to have proper car seats for children. Make sure they're fasten properly.

If renting a vacation vechicle - ask for child car seats when making reservations.

Have your car well inspected and serviced to all manufacturers' recommendations.

Check your lights, signals, wiper blades (including the rear), horn, and radio.

Check fluid levels, belts, caps and hoses, and filters.

Check and adjust tire pressure (right tire pressure equals safer driving and better fuel consumption).

Make sure your spare tire is useable.

Have an emergency road kit packed with these and other items you may need:

1. Waterproof matches and candle. 2. Flashlight. 3. Road Flares 4. Whistle. 5. Blanket. 6. First Aid Kit. 7. Towel. 8. Collapsible Shovel. 9. Jumper Cables 10. Rope. 11. Cutting device (box cutter, pocket knife). 12. Duct tape. 13. Tool kit. 14. Gloves, hat and boots. 15. Chains or traction device. 16. Gallon of water. 17. Spare hoses or parts.

Comforts for the Car:

Bring a wide music selection to fit passengers tastes, singing is required on roadtrips

Have a cooler filled with beverages

Have plently of snack foods

Have surprise goodie packs with activity toys when the "are we there yet?" starts.

Remember motion sickness remedies.

Blankets and pillows for sleepy passengers.

Wear comfortable, light-colored, loose-fit clothing and shoes.

Take a comfort pack for each passenager - made-up of a damp washcloth, lemon twist, a couple of ice cubes tossed in a zip close bag. Great way to refresh after hours of driving.
Take along books on tape.
If you have a DVD player - find road trip or destination related movies.

En-route:

Take the Scenic drives and turn outs. Get off the freeways and travel the back roads.

Arrange seating orders for children - switch along the way so everyone gets to see out a window.

Be sure to stop every couple of hours to stretch, re-fresh and take a break. Sitting for long periods can cause leg cramps or a condition known as DVT. Wearing specially designed socks for men and women help eliminate this condition.

If you haven't prearranged lodging be sure to start looking for your evening room around 3:00 p.m. Hotels and motels fill up later in the day, especially around heavy tourist areas. Use your cell phone to call ahead and reserve a room while still on en-route.

Hotel chains often have family discounts when lodging is pre-arranged. Ask for specials or upgrades.

Request hotel travel directories which list other facilities and plently of helpful information and maps.

Have fun and enjoy the summer - get out and "drive-the-land!" there's lots to see and it's always an adventure. Go out and make your own Road Trip Memories. I might just see you on the road!

kon-tent cooking tip - butter and oil

Put butter into a cold pan to melt so they heat up together. If you put butter into a hot pan, the dairy solids will burn quickly thus making it taste bitter.

Alternatively, put oil into a hot pan as it will become hot enough in a matter of seconds for you to cook your food.

Dried Bread for stuffing, bread pudding or french toast.

One idea to keep in mind as a time saver, whenever you have extra bread you know you are not going to need or when the store has a baguette for $.89! Cube it up or slide it on the diagonal, and let it dry out a day or two. You can mix breads together if you are going to use it for stuffing, sweet breads could be added for bread pudding or french toast or you can even use biscuits. I have three bags in my cupboard at all times. Place it in a zippered plastic bag and put it in your cupboard. The next time you want to make bread pudding or french toast you will have it ready. To make life easy, the night before I place my allotted bread into a glass or aluminum dish that can be covered overnight. Then I throw all of my wet ingredients in the blender and pour it over the bread, cover it with plastic wrap or a locking lid and put it into the fridge overnight. When I wake up in the morning the bread is properly soaked through. I pull it out of the fridge when I come downstairs and let it sit for a half hour to warm up. Then, I turn my oven on if I am making bread pudding or I wait for my guests to wake up and start making french toast. Make the kon-tent in your life easier.