Works for Me: Paying cash for groceries

Last week I tried something new - I only took cash to the grocery store for my weekly trip. It was a challenge to stay under budget, ad I was only able to buy the things I needed for our meals. But it worked, and how wonderful it felt afterwards to know that I didn't waste money on "extras" that are bad for our wallet and our diet.

I am planning to make this a regular thing in an effort to trim our grocery bill down. I know this isnt a new concept, but it is a new thing for me, and it really worked for me!

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Potty Training - What works for you?

I'm having a reverse wfmw today - I need some potty training advice.

Princess 1 is finally potty trained, yay! But we still have one problem. She is currently using the little kid potty, meaning we have to empty it out all day long - yuck. We have tried two potty seats for the big potty and both are too hard for her to climb onto by herself, even with a stepstool.

How did everyone else enable their little ones to get onto the big potty?

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Make This Monday - Braised Beef with Sun-dried Tomatoes

2 tsp. olive oil
1 lb beef stew meat
1/4 cup rough chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 Tbl. flour
3/4 c water
1/2 c red wine
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes
1/2 Tbl brown sugar
1/2 Tbl. worcestshire sauce
3/4 tsp rosemary
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Brown beef in olive oil.
Add onion and cook 7 minutes.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Add flour, cook 2 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer 1 hour and remove tomatoes. Set aside.
Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.

Works for Me: Prepping breakfast the night before

I'm sure many people already do this, but I just started and it has really helped my day get off to a better start.

The baby is usually awake and ready to nurse at the same time that Princess 1 and I are getting up and ready for breakfast. Any delay in tending to baby causes much screaming. So I have started doing the prep the evening before. I get the coffe pot ready to go and set the auto timer. I fill our cups with ice and stick them in the freezer. If I know that we are having cereal the next morning, I will pour it into the bowls and cover them with foil.

Taking 5 minutes to do these things the night before has really reduced my morning stress and helps set a calmer tone for the day. Works for Me!

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Make This Monday - Kielbasa and White Cheddar Pasta

I came up with this while trying to use up leftovers and it became a family favorite.

1/2 lb lean kielbasa, sliced
6 ounces elbow macaroni
1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon butter
salt and pepper

Cook macaroni until tender. Add butter, salt and pepper and stir incheese. Warm kielbasa for 1 minute in microwave and add to pasta.