tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417549769877466892024-03-13T09:50:01.881-07:00Under the MedianLiving with Joy and Abundance on a Shoestring BudgetHope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.comBlogger298125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-14169292950873708612019-11-20T22:41:00.001-08:002019-11-20T22:41:32.160-08:00We Have A Brand New Website!<br />
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I Made the Leap!</h2>
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Yes, after 2 1/2 years on Blogger, I have purchased the Under the Median name and domain!<br />
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Don't worry! The name, focus, and content of the blog will remain the same. However, <a href="https://underthemedian.com/" target="_blank">the new website </a>will allow me more versatility, along with a cleaner, more professional look and the ability to offer eBooks and courses for sale.<br />
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Check out the snazzy, new logo! I love the clean lines and elegant look! </div>
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I will keep this site active and all the archives will still be here. But, I'd love to invite you to head over to <a href="https://underthemedian.com/">https://underthemedian.com/</a> to see the brand new logo, new content, AND brand new newsletter!<br />
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New Newsletter!</h2>
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When you sign up over at <a href="https://underthemedian.com/">https://underthemedian.com/</a> for the newsletter, you'll receive a FREE copy of my new eBook, "Cut Grocery Costs in 10 Easy Steps."<br />
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New eBook!</h2>
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<a href="http://eepurl.com/gHw6Cf" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyt56iD_VbuB7MNSefhGjuUUPmLSywbDjikFe9Pd_AiS37VBfqhZ9WymgkPiNlD95-SS0aS-bV3nM103JluJvsl7EDZVvcYPsy21EmTsbzGQ3P3lvaTrIfFmR35GkjDZf-yxTl-9tCEcn/s400/e-mail+sign+up+image.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Even better, I'll send you weekly updates with tips, deals, and links to the latest posts at <a href="https://underthemedian.com/">https://underthemedian.com/</a>. </div>
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Monthly Freebie!</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgpnORiiQ5qYWUtiWxyHKbOF49BDMsddmFoKwN56s02f5o7RHzkhCw4iy49MhJYZ0UIDqnuqc_1udViUsAYY5Xh-c69H9qi_aIMkizdDj-GXUK4GjVCZaiDCw78IofZY2k7sbVlEeoV8g/s1600/2019+Holiday+List+Graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgpnORiiQ5qYWUtiWxyHKbOF49BDMsddmFoKwN56s02f5o7RHzkhCw4iy49MhJYZ0UIDqnuqc_1udViUsAYY5Xh-c69H9qi_aIMkizdDj-GXUK4GjVCZaiDCw78IofZY2k7sbVlEeoV8g/s400/2019+Holiday+List+Graphic.png" width="308" /></a></div>
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Best of all, as a newsletter subscriber, you'll receive exclusive access to a new, free resource every month. </div>
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I hope you'll love it!</h2>
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I really hope you like our new website. I'm so excited to be able to expand the ways that I offer you information, tips, and strategies for saving money in nearly every category of your budget. Most of all, I want to continue to offer you HOPE and STRENGTH as you journey through life. </div>
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Remember: </h2>
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All the archives will stay in tact here on the original blog!</h2>
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But, I do hope you'll make the leap with me and join me at <a href="https://underthemedian.com/">https://underthemedian.com/</a>. </div>
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My best to each of you both now and always, </div>
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Do all to the Glory of God, </div>
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Hope</div>
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<br />Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-72279884736977331602019-11-20T22:39:00.000-08:002019-11-20T22:45:24.481-08:00The 30 Day Christmas Cash Challenge! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2E1Gwwiw7lOSQtLhkpb4uoYyaMAdyTlqwe4hZuRaqn3SpPlJmbP8nfVVJIyYCh8JRdDoMszZdkQo88zd1PRhjo590XsKsb3LdlpVTuc0E8qFxNrG3hKqXkYU9L5yneZASpnt8AcxywTs/s1600/Copy+of+Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2E1Gwwiw7lOSQtLhkpb4uoYyaMAdyTlqwe4hZuRaqn3SpPlJmbP8nfVVJIyYCh8JRdDoMszZdkQo88zd1PRhjo590XsKsb3LdlpVTuc0E8qFxNrG3hKqXkYU9L5yneZASpnt8AcxywTs/s400/Copy+of+Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm hosting a very special FREE, 30-Day Challenge <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/561139838021323/" target="_blank">over on Facebook</a>. Beginning, Monday, November 25h through December 24th, I'll be active in our private group, giving you tips, strategies, and encouragement for paying cash for Christmas!<br />
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Want a sample of what you'll learn? </h2>
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Sure! Here's a link to a brand new post on our brand new website! I, literally, published it moments ago. So, you are some of the first to get to read, <a href="https://underthemedian.com/index.php/2019/11/21/four-extraordinarily-easy-steps-to-paying-cash-for-christmas/" target="_blank">"4 Extraordinarily Easy Steps to Paying Cash for Christmas." </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0q_olbDoR1YS9aDK3yqDqjBONYjxm06JH7ozSzwNbwl3xfXKMzz8OoGy-PkbNOs0OuWcI1Pvzp4ctYxF0IsgYpe_JsLFGFPCLYoocYc-ACWBOrqC8nrEg6HMzP6GAAU08RbmAEUVtDhm/s1600/santa-claus-2927962_1920.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1436" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0q_olbDoR1YS9aDK3yqDqjBONYjxm06JH7ozSzwNbwl3xfXKMzz8OoGy-PkbNOs0OuWcI1Pvzp4ctYxF0IsgYpe_JsLFGFPCLYoocYc-ACWBOrqC8nrEg6HMzP6GAAU08RbmAEUVtDhm/s400/santa-claus-2927962_1920.png" width="358" /></a></div>
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The tips in this post will whet your appetite and they are just a small portion of the in-depth information and insights I will share in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/561139838021323/" target="_blank">the Facebook group.</a> </div>
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But, wait! There's More!</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BIkkGaTa6Vm5kz_592xsGXO75MHFLQ2I69RPC6au7pHz0QjmjKXUPu2dYk2tz6fjsbKCOhacvClH8nWaciul7TPs9RdFxRV23qNhrblmGiDesBPPAONAgxRVsMu5lhlvBuY-9b_KOHsV/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BIkkGaTa6Vm5kz_592xsGXO75MHFLQ2I69RPC6au7pHz0QjmjKXUPu2dYk2tz6fjsbKCOhacvClH8nWaciul7TPs9RdFxRV23qNhrblmGiDesBPPAONAgxRVsMu5lhlvBuY-9b_KOHsV/s400/1.png" width="308" /></a></div>
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Yes! As a member of the FREE Facebook group, not only will you get access the daily tips and one-on-one encouragement, you'll also receive a FREE participant eBook! It's filled with page after page of forms, check off lists, and calendars, and more!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3t2-MdzbxyLsU72Z-TMrr-91bi4l_C2L5jzCWlGQsBv_tgDRut29I9wrDSRpB3h6RFPZo_9hF5njYDSUhvFk3xmdmgE4-SsFZDarYgaRVQmsKIRyRxyQ1GEw4UiZnJtPUTJJc25S_QOJx/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3t2-MdzbxyLsU72Z-TMrr-91bi4l_C2L5jzCWlGQsBv_tgDRut29I9wrDSRpB3h6RFPZo_9hF5njYDSUhvFk3xmdmgE4-SsFZDarYgaRVQmsKIRyRxyQ1GEw4UiZnJtPUTJJc25S_QOJx/s400/2.png" width="308" /></a></div>
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You read that right. It's all FREE! All you need to do is request to join, make yourself a cup of holiday tea, sit back, and enjoy all the fun and interaction. </div>
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Ready to join? It's FREE. All you need to do is click on the photo above and it will take you directly to the group. Sign up and I'll approve your membership. It's that easy. </div>
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I hope to see you there!</div>
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Hope</div>
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<br />Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-79111083282089480142019-10-23T20:29:00.002-07:002020-09-14T07:13:11.265-07:00Abundant Autumn Squash Recipes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Brrrrrr! We've actually had our first frost in Illinois, but squash is known for actually getting sweeter when it has been "frost kissed." Squash tends to be pretty hardy, despite falling temperatures. As a result, we are still glorying in the last produce of the growing season.<br />
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How do you cook a squash?</h2>
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If you've never done it before, don't be afraid. It's actually very easy. Cut the squash in half with a sharp knife. Remove the seeds and then roast on a parchment paper lined pan at 400 degrees for 45 - 60 minutes. Be sure you line your pan with foil or parchment paper! The natural sugars in the squash will caramelize and stick to the pan. Clean up is much easier when you line the pan!<br />
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<b>SAVE THE SEEDS! </b><br />
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Soak them in salt water for a few hours and then drain, removing any extra flesh or strings. Place on a parchment paper lined pan, sprinkle with spices or salt, and bake at 300 degrees until dried and browned. Cool and eat. Yum!<br />
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How about a whole bunch of unique ideas for preparing squash? </h2>
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<a href="https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/sweet-spicy-red-kuri-squash-bowl" target="_blank">Sweet and spicy red kuri squash bowl </a></h3>
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Kuri squash is a beautiful thing to behold! The flesh is a shade or two lighter than the hubbard variety and appears like a cross between a butternut and acorn squash. The seeds are not connected with stringy material. I always like this trait in a squash because it makes it easier to save the seeds to toast later.After being roasted, the squash flesh literally melts in your mouth. My kids said it was "buttery". This recipe got an enthusiastic two-thumbs up from every member of my family. The white sauce on top is tahini mixed with some fresh lime juice, a few drops of hot sauce, a splash of real maple syrup - then thinned with water to make it the perfect consistency for drizzling over the top of the rice and squash.<br />
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<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/12/cheap-eats-kuri-squash-marinara-sauce.html" target="_blank">Kuri Squash Marinara Sauce </a></h3>
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The 15 year old sous chef and I created this recipe last year. Although we used kuri squash, you can sub acorn squash quite successfully. </div>
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<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/10/cheap-eats-spaghetti-squash-fritters.html" target="_blank">Spaghetti Squash Fritters </a></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeWcZXh40Ljp36ScgIqxj22XLxsuJbaAjWaVzMVYHUH44nFTd9wNEnK5HW_wdaE6uqQyJCcFU2OnOrtFB8JX6uKMg9E6R8prOFzMHnOmbcz-EZ2f1z7m0OswPm3arjyLYOEZ8o9PSxBzN/s1600/IMG_1655.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeWcZXh40Ljp36ScgIqxj22XLxsuJbaAjWaVzMVYHUH44nFTd9wNEnK5HW_wdaE6uqQyJCcFU2OnOrtFB8JX6uKMg9E6R8prOFzMHnOmbcz-EZ2f1z7m0OswPm3arjyLYOEZ8o9PSxBzN/w500-h375/IMG_1655.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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This is another Under the Median recipe. I must tell the truth. I've never been a huge fan of spaghetti squash. I know! I just heard collective gasps. Being a whole food vegan, it's hard to find a fruit or vegetable that I won't eat and enjoy. So, I was determined to find a way to love this autumn squash. The sous chef and I did it! These fritters are crispy on the outside and silky on the inside. Top them with salsa, marinara sauce, or just eat them plain. They are just, plain GOOD! </div>
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<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/10/cheap-eats-spaghetti-squash-fritters.html" target="_blank">Winter Squash Sauce </a></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEBr6wXgfsHFyVbPiJNvX3qWH40rlds3Q9R_GXUeTzJjgDmTqH92jj0NQKuxWWMtC8SeqB9HqrUoRC2Z_94SX0Xg5zy6tfSjEQYpCIP0n4d4K_85ShWXUzDWjqOloLMvJB_4yj24gOG39/s1600/pasta+with+butternut+sauce.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="237" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEBr6wXgfsHFyVbPiJNvX3qWH40rlds3Q9R_GXUeTzJjgDmTqH92jj0NQKuxWWMtC8SeqB9HqrUoRC2Z_94SX0Xg5zy6tfSjEQYpCIP0n4d4K_85ShWXUzDWjqOloLMvJB_4yj24gOG39/w463-h625/pasta+with+butternut+sauce.jpg" width="463" /></a></div>
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Nope! That's not mac and cheese! It's my winter squash sauce, made with butternut squash. Here's another photo to whet your tastebuds. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ_FNOeAVlhgFJynKJQhDxfOQx-XMfTtSKrWKPbglA1Lgvm8lbXf5AzRxmGlI95XCbnPd2-jgfXy4KRUu6HTiPOQmvroxrZ2DKvM-N-95yT3gOTHroNa3QUnV-LWZUTohHOV-WAxu56PD/s1600/squash+sauce+in+pan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ_FNOeAVlhgFJynKJQhDxfOQx-XMfTtSKrWKPbglA1Lgvm8lbXf5AzRxmGlI95XCbnPd2-jgfXy4KRUu6HTiPOQmvroxrZ2DKvM-N-95yT3gOTHroNa3QUnV-LWZUTohHOV-WAxu56PD/w469-h625/squash+sauce+in+pan.jpg" width="469" /></a></div>
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That vibrant color tells you that it's full of antioxidants! But, it's not full of fat, cholesterol, or salt! Nope! It's silky smooth, guilt free, and tastes amazing! Serve it over rice, pasta, or come up with your own ideas! </div>
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It also freezes very well! </div>
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<a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/149141/butternut-and-apple-harvest-soup/" target="_blank">Butternut and Apple Harvest Soup </a></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lMZQpdK0U15_8n-zc2xeecC0_bxkLVFK5YHOg7xkd8MQaJ_4Sa7ekdf8wZRXvfXgnsuwDOTtFYUKa4xydbrXKBA1kCNNw6Ya6AgjcyiOn4z31WnK0isN_DPPqi0g5W0zL_nrz3Pp9Dh8/s1600/IMG-3039.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lMZQpdK0U15_8n-zc2xeecC0_bxkLVFK5YHOg7xkd8MQaJ_4Sa7ekdf8wZRXvfXgnsuwDOTtFYUKa4xydbrXKBA1kCNNw6Ya6AgjcyiOn4z31WnK0isN_DPPqi0g5W0zL_nrz3Pp9Dh8/s400/IMG-3039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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You don't often associate apples with soup. But, I made an apple soup last week and it was amazing! The sweetness of the apples paired perfectly with the tartness of the vegetables, lifting the soup to a whole new level of WOW! </div>
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Enjoy the crisp, fall temperatures! </div>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-67098520415120842132019-10-21T21:09:00.002-07:002020-08-08T11:26:51.781-07:00FOUR Strategies for Eating Healthy, But Spending Pennies! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAAM-_RppsOIIWih488D9BJEBLuQP00rzqo-YMw9adGh1jxSv_7M2iWuOtNG4db_4KtwYCCH4K4I2dvCKi_wSQZamqGH0Cci-EqJRyG-WYF5CJhH2pMpPQrGnIu7XdEcuKbSDQ-olWKok/s1600/IMG-1728.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAAM-_RppsOIIWih488D9BJEBLuQP00rzqo-YMw9adGh1jxSv_7M2iWuOtNG4db_4KtwYCCH4K4I2dvCKi_wSQZamqGH0Cci-EqJRyG-WYF5CJhH2pMpPQrGnIu7XdEcuKbSDQ-olWKok/s400/IMG-1728.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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After returning from the store today, I realized that it's been a while since I've reviewed some of the ways that I save money on feeding my family. So, let's take a look at four rules for scoring the best deals on groceries.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">RULE #1: Look for store markdowns</span> </span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOm8ZvNsz_PRrGvNGmqCMnB5fPE17l_hhRFmkYsh4lwda1M0XAB_Ha5JWUePFMPTrXnOQeqyK-C3m4gQkDfY1rqUVxaEzeh5y6Apgr6fkaNn0giymvezquC-mf_Kln-YMXJeyJbyk4FtZ/s1600/IMG-1729.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOm8ZvNsz_PRrGvNGmqCMnB5fPE17l_hhRFmkYsh4lwda1M0XAB_Ha5JWUePFMPTrXnOQeqyK-C3m4gQkDfY1rqUVxaEzeh5y6Apgr6fkaNn0giymvezquC-mf_Kln-YMXJeyJbyk4FtZ/s400/IMG-1729.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Today's Kroger run was nearly all store markdowns. But how do you get the best prices on markdowns? </div>
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Tips for markdown shopping:</span> </span></i></h2>
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<b>1. Call your store. </b><b>A</b>sk to speak to someone in the specific department that you want to look for markdowns. </div>
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<b>2. Better yet, find an employee in that department the next time you are in the store. </b>Ask them directly when they do their daily markdowns. </div>
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<b>3. Most stores do markdowns either first thing in the morning or later at night. </b>But, be sure to ask. One of my Kroger stores does their markdowns at noon each day. </div>
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<b>4.</b> <b>Don't assume that every department does markdowns at the same time.</b> The meat, dairy, general merchandise, and produce departments all often have their own schedule for doing markdowns.</div>
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<b>5.</b> Regardless of your food restrictions<b>, visit all the departments.</b> Plant-based yogurts, milks, and grain or bean based meats are found in either the dairy or meat departments. I don't eat faux meat. But, I do keep some in the freezer for my kids. Whether you are paleo, vegan, or something in between, check every department for markdowns which match your dietary needs. </div>
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<b>6.</b> D<b>on't assume that every department does markdowns</b>. I had a conversation at my local Schnuck's grocery store with an employee. I visited after several Under the Median readers told me that they were scoring fantastic markdowns at the store. They were, but not in the produce department. The employee told me that for some unknown reason management had declared that no markdowns would be offered in produce.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XE1HBG8Q9yMYX_nJPgVQ1VFM7fypAWroUJcCG5mzZDPyWU5fIt3jTANCWBiViBV2HSbZ83lgdfrRpM9cpsLtfeQKmyj4B5qSUym5hlaX4fcrKqVVv2Wd-OKEYjUfRWBcEU5pZonANTxC/s1600/IMG-1731.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XE1HBG8Q9yMYX_nJPgVQ1VFM7fypAWroUJcCG5mzZDPyWU5fIt3jTANCWBiViBV2HSbZ83lgdfrRpM9cpsLtfeQKmyj4B5qSUym5hlaX4fcrKqVVv2Wd-OKEYjUfRWBcEU5pZonANTxC/s320/IMG-1731.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>7. Don't be afraid to voice your opinion</b>. Just be sure to do it politely. I asked the employee to pass on to management that because other local stores routinely and regularly mark down prices in the produce department that I always pop into those stores specifically when I am passing by. Therefore, I am in those stores much more often than I am at those who do not offer markdowns in produce. </div>
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<b>8.</b> <b>Market share matters to stores</b>! I wrote commercials for a living for many years. My job was to help the advertiser increase their market share, the percentage of the total shoppers who visit (and spend money) at their establishment. Schnuck's happens to be known for the quality of their merchandise. If I knew that there was a chance of scoring some bargains, I'd be in their doors in a New York minute. Management wants to know how to get you in their store, gain your loyalty, and get their share of your grocery dollars. So, don't be afraid to tell them. </div>
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<b>9.</b> <b>Ask if they will mark it down for you</b>. If you see a stop date that is within 48 hours of when you are in the store, don't be afraid to ask an employee if they can mark it down for you. The worst they can say is, "No". If they won't do it, do be sure to ask if it is store policy to not offer a marked down price. That way you'll know not to ask in the future. </div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">RULE #2: Buy Loss-Leader Items!</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOHemvNPSjx8VwnBPzL4Dw8KOqVf-t0y46W1wS1-6ZhatDuJRCDxQ9M59tDS57AyWbV8QGugHttT26sazK5GbwAz70u-baw67xaon6y_aPyh_TiBcuxkUbim8DdqFUTRzACZ2TSVEb6__/s1600/IMG-1743.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOHemvNPSjx8VwnBPzL4Dw8KOqVf-t0y46W1wS1-6ZhatDuJRCDxQ9M59tDS57AyWbV8QGugHttT26sazK5GbwAz70u-baw67xaon6y_aPyh_TiBcuxkUbim8DdqFUTRzACZ2TSVEb6__/s400/IMG-1743.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Loss leader items are those generally found on the front page of the flyer. They are sold for a short time under market value. It's a way that stores get you into their establishment, knowing that once you are there, you are more likely to do all of your shopping at one location, rather than visit 3 or 4 stores in one day. </div>
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<span face="" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>
Tips for loss-leader shopping:</i> </span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqfYHQ5czz7D6jD7EsyMo5mjooj5hHZ3lIMvx7keBOlP4h_GyV2fBVnVelvihl4YD4NaaSAETmvX11BMLXjpvlVwZ2A918pqDd1poJoZ99IWA9SioUMSpGuHb1zqTfo-oOY5LU1rUtPaV/s1600/IMG-1739.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqfYHQ5czz7D6jD7EsyMo5mjooj5hHZ3lIMvx7keBOlP4h_GyV2fBVnVelvihl4YD4NaaSAETmvX11BMLXjpvlVwZ2A918pqDd1poJoZ99IWA9SioUMSpGuHb1zqTfo-oOY5LU1rUtPaV/w500-h375/IMG-1739.JPG" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peaches and nectarines - $.88 a pound</td></tr>
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<b><br />1. If you have a physical sales flyer, take it along with you to the store.</b> I circle the items that I am getting, using a black or dark blue permanent marker, to make them easier to see.<br />
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<b>2. Decide if you can freeze or dehydrate extra quantities for later use.</b> If so, then it's okay to get more than you can currently use of that item. For instance, I bought 10 pounds of cherries a few weeks ago, knowing that I planned to eat 4 pounds and freeze 6 pounds. (Now I wish I'd gotten more. Frozen cherries are the bomb!)<br />
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<b>3. Whatever you decide to do, don't waste food</b>! Seriously! If you plan to freeze or dehydrate, then be sure to put it on your schedule and get it done.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmssLGHwHbWahEtJCGLXQ_X58QnTEAiDrZux4RdytufiTRNHzMVzCp3pTob4fl46X-Xi2aYuwoUGKLJKAETpOLbKcFEgHWfBufEZBHaO3s5l7V8z1S6vDhDGfwZM5PlN-eCUzQpOWL772p/s1600/IMG-1732.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmssLGHwHbWahEtJCGLXQ_X58QnTEAiDrZux4RdytufiTRNHzMVzCp3pTob4fl46X-Xi2aYuwoUGKLJKAETpOLbKcFEgHWfBufEZBHaO3s5l7V8z1S6vDhDGfwZM5PlN-eCUzQpOWL772p/s400/IMG-1732.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almond milk - $1.79 each. But, I had to buy a quantity of 5 to get the price.</td></tr>
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<b>4. Look to see if you must purchase a certain quantity of items to receive the discount.</b> For instance, plant-based milk was just $1.79 a half gallon. But, I had to buy 5 of them and then received a $5 discount at the end of my transaction.<br />
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<b>5. Whenever you have to purchase a certain quantity of an item, place those items in a specific portion of your shopping cart,</b> in order to keep accurate count. Nothing is worse than getting to the checkout to find that you have four of an item, rather than five and then missing out on the additional discount.<br />
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<b>6. Place one of the little shopping baskets in your larger cart. </b>This was a tip from an Under the Median reader and it's a great one! It's a great way to compartmentalize items and count them easily when you must purchase a certain quantity to receive a discount.<br />
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</h2>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">SPECIAL BONUSES!</span></h2>
<b><span style="background-color: yellow;">
</span></b>
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<h3 style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">
<b>
<i><b style="background-color: yellow;">For step-by-step fruit and vegetable freezing instructions, <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/07/putting-food-by-for-winter-freezing.html" target="_blank">click here.</a> </b></i></b></h3>
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</b>
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<h3 style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">
<b>
<i><b style="background-color: yellow;">For step-by-step herb freezing and dehydrating instructions, <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/10/putting-food-by-for-winter-herbs.html" target="_blank">click here.</a> </b></i></b></h3>
<b>
</b>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>
<i style="background-color: yellow;">For step-by-step blanching instructions, <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/07/putting-food-by-for-winter-blanching.html" target="_blank">click here</a>. </i></b></h3>
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</b>
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<b><i><b style="background-color: yellow;"><br /></b></i></b></div>
<b>
</b>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">RULE #3: Ask for rain checks.</span> </span></b></h2>
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Rain checks are basically an I-Owe-You from the store. They feel bad that they ran out of an advertised item at a terrific price. So, when you visit the store's courtesy desk, they will issue you a rain check, allowing you to stop back by the store and purchase that item at the sale price any time in the next 30 days. It's a win-win situation! You get the item at the fantastically low price and the store makes you happy and gets you back in their nearest location sometime in the next month. </div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>
<span face="" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Rain check tips. </i></span></b></h2>
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</b>
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<b><b><br /></b></b></div>
<b>
1. If the store is out of an advertised item, go to the courtesy desk and ask for a rain check</b>. This will allow you to purchase at the sales price for up to 30 days past the date of your visit.<br />
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</ul>
<b>2. The clerk may need you to declare how many of the item you want to purchase at the sale price</b> for the rain check. Ask if there is a maximum. If there is, always have them write that amount on the rain check. You are not required to purchase this many, but it gives you the greatest flexibility in using the rain check when you return to the store.<br />
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</ul>
<b>3. Be sure to make note of the expiration date of that rain check. </b>Generally they are good for 30 days.<br />
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</ul>
<b>4. Keep it some place that you will not lose it.</b> If you get to the store and can't find it, no discounted price.<br />
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</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">RULE #4: Visit local ethnic stores.</span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEviRNHkC_yPsBRuVPcutHtfqUbJ2gfMBfqpQe2FlTTJoGGiSeeWPp1xX4l5yqNXBPmGY_AjQEHjLTJX4fdtYyOT02oS-VeV4ZBSc5Vy_NIFywDVfPS3dtRYlJNiPQJOQrrSU3uioe3hY/s1600/IMG_1256.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEviRNHkC_yPsBRuVPcutHtfqUbJ2gfMBfqpQe2FlTTJoGGiSeeWPp1xX4l5yqNXBPmGY_AjQEHjLTJX4fdtYyOT02oS-VeV4ZBSc5Vy_NIFywDVfPS3dtRYlJNiPQJOQrrSU3uioe3hY/s400/IMG_1256.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mediterranean Mart - my very favorite local ethnic store</td></tr>
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Local ethnic markets are often owned by people who live, work, and raise their families right in your hometown. They care deeply about creating a friendly, family, atmosphere that keeps you coming back. They are all about relationships! </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<i><span face="" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">
Tips for shopping ethnic stores: </span></i></h2>
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<b>1. Ask if there is a special case price. </b>It is not uncommon for them to offer customers a discount on purchase case lots of products. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk_AduB4NFBTL-4zScj8lT6CwamKbW9lEPfTN5Fn7BT-AdTAkX-qnOLqBiTtcu6dP7wlConzvhfL3fjWNKr3CuR28AHX8ttbUHGqe4xBL7PzPcxPP7Aeoq25JxupjUMsZMXuZDdWTgJ4x/s1600/IMG-1726.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="1600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk_AduB4NFBTL-4zScj8lT6CwamKbW9lEPfTN5Fn7BT-AdTAkX-qnOLqBiTtcu6dP7wlConzvhfL3fjWNKr3CuR28AHX8ttbUHGqe4xBL7PzPcxPP7Aeoq25JxupjUMsZMXuZDdWTgJ4x/s400/IMG-1726.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organic herbs from Mediterranean Mart at rock bottom prices. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>2. Ask when the new shipments arrive.</b> Become very aware of the time of day and day of the week that they receive their new shipments of merchandise. Often, items left on the shelf will be offered at a discount.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Speciality items are often substantially cheaper</b> than the very same item from a traditional grocery store. For instance, I only buy Madjool dates from Mediterranean Mart. They are the best price in town - always!<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<b>4. Ask about unfamiliar items.</b> Ethnic grocers love to share their knowledge with customers! They will go out of their way to insure that you are happy with your purchase and know how to use it once you get it home.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Happy shopping and happy eating! </h2>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Your turn! </h2>
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What did I miss? What are your best tips for saving a bundle at the grocery store? Leave your thoughts in the comments section. </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-46024786543088238232019-10-14T19:26:00.000-07:002019-10-14T19:26:43.233-07:00Your Grocery Bills Will Plummet When You Do This One Thing! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrW-2hQU6syOXE4orqObQHAGAnp4K7QHWyTWFWGfYQauR5VmMu4mkWC-Q63pQK1AmH2DDlIp0IAETTa_X5fOFLe8qKkqMNmgT8xMZ_OTdFwUkK1O3YSFnsqdl_CTMnd55PCdwsdWZSrX9/s1600/shopping-1232944_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrW-2hQU6syOXE4orqObQHAGAnp4K7QHWyTWFWGfYQauR5VmMu4mkWC-Q63pQK1AmH2DDlIp0IAETTa_X5fOFLe8qKkqMNmgT8xMZ_OTdFwUkK1O3YSFnsqdl_CTMnd55PCdwsdWZSrX9/s400/shopping-1232944_1920.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've been married and budgeting on a small income for 31 years. One of the most important things I've learned is that in order to successfully reduce my grocery bills, I must use what I have on hand.<br />
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<i>If you want to see your grocery bills plummet</i></h2>
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<i>take stock of items you already have on hand and use them!</i></h2>
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It's seriously that easy!</h3>
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I'm not kidding! This one, single trick can save you significant money on your grocery budget when you employ it on a regular basis. </div>
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It's time to get down to brass tacks and see exactly how I implemented this super savvy saving tool this week in my kitchen!<br />
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<i>Let's get started! </i></h3>
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<i>(Please note: My blog posts contain affiliate links. When you make a purchase I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you.) </i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Step 1: Take Stock </span></h2>
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Saturday morning, I threw open the fridge doors on a recent Saturday and pulled out every item that had been in there for a week. Any other items that looked slightly wilted, were also placed on the table.<br />
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I labeled the items in the photo above. I knew I needed to use all these items up quickly or I would wind up throwing them out in the garbage in very short order!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">And I hate wasting food!</span> </h2>
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I was a woman on a mission to use this glorious produce, for which I had paid good money, before it rotted and was good only for the compost pile or the garbage can! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Step 2: Find recipes. </span></h2>
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My "budget meter" swung into fully charged mode as I used Google to create a menu plan using all of the items on my counter. </div>
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It's so easy to look at ingredients and envision them as the main contributions to any number of soups, main, and side dishes! </div>
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Just Google one or two of your featured ingredients together followed by the word, "soup" or "main dish" or "entree" or "casserole". I showed you an example in the photo. I Googled, "vegan apple soup" and found a huge variety from which to choose. I then narrowed my search to include those recipes, which featured ingredients which I already had in the house.<br />
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Planned substitutions </h3>
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A note on recipes: They are not the Holy Grail! You can substitute various veggies and fruits you already have in the house without significantly changing the final dish. Trust me. I have done it for years.<br />
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Afraid to substitute? You can Google things like: "Can you substitute broccoli for cauliflower?" and find out situations in which the swap works and others in which it doesn't end so well.<br />
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You may even come up with a new family favorite. For instance, one night the kids wanted air fried buffalo wings. But, I didn't have cauliflower on hand. So, the 15 year old sous chef substituted fresh broccoli. Wow! It had fantastic flavor! We liked it so well, that we use broccoli instead of cauliflower on a regular basis now!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Step 3: Gather additional ingredients</span></h2>
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I made a list of soups, entrees, and side dishes that I was going to make with my stash of week-old items from the fridge. There, were, of course, a few more items that I needed to add.<br />
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<i>Here are ALL the items that I added from my fridge and pantry: </i></h3>
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2 sweet potatoes<br />
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3 onions<br />
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3 more tomatoes<br />
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2 small white potatoes<br />
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2 pounds dried black beans<br />
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1 large can tomato sauce<br />
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1 bulb of garlic<br />
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1 cup <a href="https://get2droothealthandwellness.com/recipe/lentil-sloppy-joes/" target="_blank">kickin' tomato sauce</a><br />
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4 bullion cubes (This is the ONLY brand of <a href="https://amzn.to/33wZfDE" target="_blank">low-sodium broth cube that I recommend</a>!)<br />
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herbs and spices<br />
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spices<br />
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Step 4: Chop and Cook!</h2>
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Once, I added ingredients that I already had on hand. Since I knew that I planned to use every morsel, I washed, trimmed, and chopped all the ingredients and set them out in piles on a large cutting board.<br />
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This made for a very fast and efficient process when I began cooking.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here's a look at my impromptu menu:</span></i></h2>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Along with photos and recipe links!</span></i></h2>
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Soups: </h2>
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<a href="https://www.trialandeater.com/sweet-potato-and-apple-soup/" target="_blank">Apple Sweet Potato soup</a></div>
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Vegetable soup</div>
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There is no link for this soup. I make it once a week, using up all the odds and ends of veggies remaining in the fridge. It's different every single week, but it's always delicious and always get eaten.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/black-bean-chili/#gs.9oswhb" target="_blank">Black Bean chili</a></span></div>
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This is another recipe that makes a lot of repeat visits in my home. It originates from the Forks Over Knives website and, other than the black beans, I substitute and add ingredients. This week, I added small cubes of zucchini and yellow squash.<br />
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<b>Sides: </b></h2>
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Salad</div>
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Yep! It's absolutely TRUE that you will eat more greens if they are prepped and ready to grab! </div>
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<b>TIP!</b> To keep the salad fresh longer lay a paper towel or thin, cotton, cloth towel in the bottom of the storage container. It will absorb extra moisture. </div>
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<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/06/no-oil-vegan-radish-leaf-pesto.html" target="_blank">Basil and radish leaf pesto</a></div>
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This is one of my recipes. The 15 year old sous chef and I created this pesto this summer when we wanted to figure out a way to use radish leaves. I often use half radish leaves and half fresh basil leaves. The perfect combination for a tasty treat. You can serve it over hot pasta or rice for a main dish or (as we did) over hot toast.<br />
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<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/08/easy-20-minute-vegan-creole-green-beans.html" target="_blank">Easy 20 minute Vegan Creole Green beans</a></div>
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This is another Under the Median recipe. I created it after unsuccessfully searching for a vegan version of my favorite childhood treat. I begged my mother to make her special creole green beans. They were flavored with bacon or ham. Being vegan as an adult, I desired the same smoky flavor, without the fat and cholesterol. So, the recipe for "<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/08/easy-20-minute-vegan-creole-green-beans.html" target="_blank">Easy 20 Minute Vegan Creole Green Beans</a>" was born! It really does taste like my childhood!<br />
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Main Dishes: </h2>
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<a href="https://avirtualvegan.com/vegan-barbecue-baked-beans/" target="_blank">Barbecued Black Beans</a></div>
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This was our first time making this recipe and it was delicious! I added 1 cup of my friend, Faith's <a href="https://get2droothealthandwellness.com/recipe/lentil-sloppy-joes/" target="_blank">kickin' tomato sauce</a> along with the amount of regular crushed tomatoes called for in the recipe.<br />
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<a href="https://get2droothealthandwellness.com/recipe/lentil-sloppy-joes/" target="_blank">Kickin' tomato sauce </a>is so amazing! It is spicy perfection and yet contains NO added oil, sugar, or salt! We love it so much that I make a triple batch about once a month and freeze it in one cup yogurt containers. Once it is frozen solid, I pop it out, place it in freezer bags, label, and freeze. It thaws beautifully. I use this sauce in many, many recipes that call for barbecue sauce.<br />
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The finished baked beans were very "saucy" and had a wonderful hint of heat from the kickin' tomato sauce. This is a definite "make again" for our family!<br />
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The end result of my culinary adventures: </h2>
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I made enough food to feed my family for THREE days from items I already had in the house! I didn't have to go the store for even ONE item! </h2>
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Score a BIG WIN for the monthly food budget! </h2>
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If you employ this same strategy once a week, you WILL be able to slash your food budget! </div>
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Hope</div>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-18452675329806632702019-10-10T07:18:00.001-07:002019-10-10T07:18:40.699-07:00NEW Debt-Free College Workbook! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZuuCMCSs4Dbiu1KbAi4xayP_7wnK8BHlNd4z3SdgeDR7Oosk3dRlAxdHTlsh9iWHq63wslPJayGTbfpfhyJZGbI3V8atcJZGLm5hr8XGZSeFkopCS3CXPqpB9OcqaQD9kawrGE8WlXDj/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZuuCMCSs4Dbiu1KbAi4xayP_7wnK8BHlNd4z3SdgeDR7Oosk3dRlAxdHTlsh9iWHq63wslPJayGTbfpfhyJZGbI3V8atcJZGLm5hr8XGZSeFkopCS3CXPqpB9OcqaQD9kawrGE8WlXDj/s640/1.png" width="494" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
I am SO excited about my brand new e-book!</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Debt-Free College Workbook</h2>
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My oldest son will graduate in May from a four year, private Christian university with absolutely NO DEBT! He will have earned two associates and one bachelor's degree. </div>
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In case you are wondering, NOPE! We didn't pay for his education. The only money he received from me was $4000 over the course of the past five years - enough to pay for books. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOKnzVbU-fcIV9ow2Fk8LbxZw3NMtYHE9VD-9xrut3AIHXYqpEK_o-UL7mWCPyUSC4ea0LSId9_wzQJ9uaKd_LjHBwoFChyphenhyphenc-6JxM_NAv9UBocaMgOU13kKUNO2b9uvkZku9XbxWN_6Bj/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOKnzVbU-fcIV9ow2Fk8LbxZw3NMtYHE9VD-9xrut3AIHXYqpEK_o-UL7mWCPyUSC4ea0LSId9_wzQJ9uaKd_LjHBwoFChyphenhyphenc-6JxM_NAv9UBocaMgOU13kKUNO2b9uvkZku9XbxWN_6Bj/s640/2.png" width="492" /></a></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
How did he do it? </h2>
<div>
He worked in high school, worked on campus, and won major scholarships. I give you all the details in the e-book! </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Inside, you'll find: </h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcp78lXNHSY8VQ0te1GR8WniSTOs2MQizd1OlWbwq_oRv1ZYxrVbh5kT-umBT5sMsenTeR-kIXkY-xaWQ-KaHTUO681rVutG_n8R1S9P7_hzmEU13FUY6m8c0ouEXBV3LxszCLq5cnMR5/s1600/6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcp78lXNHSY8VQ0te1GR8WniSTOs2MQizd1OlWbwq_oRv1ZYxrVbh5kT-umBT5sMsenTeR-kIXkY-xaWQ-KaHTUO681rVutG_n8R1S9P7_hzmEU13FUY6m8c0ouEXBV3LxszCLq5cnMR5/s640/6.png" width="492" /></a></div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A list of skills your child can work on in high school.</h4>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Each one of these skills will help send your child's scholarship application to the top of the pack!</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7UJRj0IeA7kPUoBPNGuY-ze49-MqBmZfPWDeCGNwJbDvTwKuFR3TGsUPgOdA52cGCh8j4C7u27SGXYlw1wHOYDQZ7ZmKoIssd3B52qOG0MvCrlhxJlPDnDrcGr_1DhLZW46B4oNoU_kW/s1600/9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7UJRj0IeA7kPUoBPNGuY-ze49-MqBmZfPWDeCGNwJbDvTwKuFR3TGsUPgOdA52cGCh8j4C7u27SGXYlw1wHOYDQZ7ZmKoIssd3B52qOG0MvCrlhxJlPDnDrcGr_1DhLZW46B4oNoU_kW/s640/9.png" width="492" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
There are FREE Forms throughout the book to help you and your student organize your college and scholarship searches. </h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFNJU0UnqNeyJ-Dr8HS94jX6cOg8in0TlGR2l9Zw2xvnsjP2a4-5N5b754NNtmNRQ3JsmkFreL-fi4Bltz6K-pfjgpolGDsgLvvAeaQZbGNsBr6Z_Pk9dSbtA5hPdHc85m8CjHtq2EHOd/s1600/20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFNJU0UnqNeyJ-Dr8HS94jX6cOg8in0TlGR2l9Zw2xvnsjP2a4-5N5b754NNtmNRQ3JsmkFreL-fi4Bltz6K-pfjgpolGDsgLvvAeaQZbGNsBr6Z_Pk9dSbtA5hPdHc85m8CjHtq2EHOd/s640/20.png" width="492" /></a></div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I give you ten important tips on how to find, organize, and apply for scholarships. </h4>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The best part!</span></h2>
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This e-book is absolutely FREE for the next 30 days! </h2>
<h3>
After that, it goes back into the vault, where it will become part of a larger, paid product option. </h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXufLNKPOlN_2x4_9L-raqFosDyU9N5CBbXRnGVZ_SuRN5sHUjtYP_FnZ7Y9dy4P08a9JYsPEU-KkvhHsZymWMs33ghHuUB5pKpTSO4WNrh6bDolbnFHCdVgdnTIU7z7n8ECEj8LMJIsfj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-10-10+at+9.09.58+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="929" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXufLNKPOlN_2x4_9L-raqFosDyU9N5CBbXRnGVZ_SuRN5sHUjtYP_FnZ7Y9dy4P08a9JYsPEU-KkvhHsZymWMs33ghHuUB5pKpTSO4WNrh6bDolbnFHCdVgdnTIU7z7n8ECEj8LMJIsfj/s640/Screen+Shot+2019-10-10+at+9.09.58+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Here's how you get your copy: </h2>
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<h3>
I've pinned a copy of the front of the e-book right at the top of the blog. Look directly underneath that photo and you'll see a place to enter your e-mail address. When you join my newsletter, you'll get a e-mail within five minutes, with a download link. </h3>
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What if you already get my weekly e-mails? No problem!! Just drop me a line and I'll send you that direct link to download the product for free. </h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-hxxfvVjcmMXCe2YYp1WDb-lHbuU28XcxN_2w_mTHq0-VPK44RrXUj6G14jgCNP_BVtDjtj2jWXRui0TFMVNcJ_T_b3UfC2WyWX23tnydj0pXdVU4OzkUV75ImovkYzpMFTA1Qg6oHSy/s1600/22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-hxxfvVjcmMXCe2YYp1WDb-lHbuU28XcxN_2w_mTHq0-VPK44RrXUj6G14jgCNP_BVtDjtj2jWXRui0TFMVNcJ_T_b3UfC2WyWX23tnydj0pXdVU4OzkUV75ImovkYzpMFTA1Qg6oHSy/s640/22.png" width="492" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Remember, in 30 days this offer goes away. So, get your copy today! </h2>
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<h3>
I'd LOVE to have you come back here and leave a comment after you download the e-book and read it. Leave your thoughts in the comments section. </h3>
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I'd LOVE to see you over on Facebook! </h2>
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Join us <a href="https://www.facebook.com/underthemedian/" target="_blank">on Facebook</a> every Thursday at 2pm (CST) when I go LIVE, sharing helpful tips, ideas, stories, and strategies for: </h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Living with a spirit of joy and abundance on a shoestring budget! </h3>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-68530046724985873912019-10-07T18:31:00.000-07:002019-10-07T18:31:07.610-07:00Tropical Fruit Smoothie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocwYMUPUEarQQt5rAjujrrthNoZJJ4QVXKNbdUREJPtG3zqgwRjdndAZ_HUE9PYD42HVyxoDUEjpDGwMglUNBJUHs8_0M3lvM-G4c9fP_cN7SRQC-b88nIzxfowhKQ0WOwIfIiSEmRpM3/s1600/IMG-2103+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1449" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocwYMUPUEarQQt5rAjujrrthNoZJJ4QVXKNbdUREJPtG3zqgwRjdndAZ_HUE9PYD42HVyxoDUEjpDGwMglUNBJUHs8_0M3lvM-G4c9fP_cN7SRQC-b88nIzxfowhKQ0WOwIfIiSEmRpM3/s400/IMG-2103+copy.JPG" width="361" /></a></div>
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Even though fall is on the way, the past few weeks have been hot. So, the 14 year old sous chef and I wanted to create a new smooth creamy dessert. We'd been working all day with mango, pineapple, and coconut flavors, inventing our new Creamy Coconut Pineapple dressing. So, not only were those flavor combinations fresh in our mind, but we we had leftover ingredients sitting out on the counter.<br />
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It was the sous chef who said, "Hey! How about a smoothie!" Yep! He was right! It was the perfect ending to a busy, but productive day.<br />
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(<i>Please note: My posts contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. Thank you!) </i><br />
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This recipe works best with a high speed blender. If you don't already own one, I absolutely love my <a href="https://amzn.to/2YoRa0O" target="_blank">Blendtec</a> and highly recommend it! The blades are designed to move food from top to bottom, not just to crush it at the base. The motor is powerful enough to chop up frozen items easily.<br />
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<h2>
Tropical fruit smoothie is: </h2>
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<h4>
<ul>
<li><i>Creamy</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>Smooth</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>Cool</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>Sweet</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>Delicious</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>Refreshing</i></li>
</ul>
</h4>
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<b>Yield:</b> 6-7 cups<br />
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<b>Prep time:</b> 15 minutes if you need to chop the mangos, 5 minutes if the ingredients are ready to go.<br />
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<b>Blend time:</b> 1-2 minutes, depending on the speed and power of the blender.<br />
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Ingredients: </h3>
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6 frozen bananas<br />
1 cup almond/coconut milk (I use Blue Diamond Unsweetened)<br />
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (<a href="https://amzn.to/2JX90UY" target="_blank">I like Bob's Red Mill)</a><br />
2 cups diced fresh mango<br />
1 cup diced canned pineapple in juice<br />
1/4 cup pineapple juice (use the juice from the can of pineapple)<br />
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Directions: </h3>
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Drain the juice from the canned pineapple into a bowl. There should be about a cup of juice. You'll use 1/4 of a cup for this recipe.<br />
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Break six frozen bananas into three or four pieces and place in blender. Add the rest of the ingredients. Blend, using the smoothie function on the blender. If your blender does not have a smoothie button, use high speed for 30 seconds at a time, stopping to use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides and move the liquids and solids around in the blender. You want to avoid stopping the blades and causing damage to the motor. Add more of the pineapple juice if needed to insure continuous blending.<br />
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Continue to blend until you have achieved a smooth consistency. It took me about 1 minute with my Blendtec.<br />
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Serve cold, garnished with a little extra coconut flakes.<br />
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As always, here's a <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1042DGFBUmI4wc0MOxRpYEVMA5-xPSCwhmtUPTqsEYrY/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">free downloadable PDF</a> of the recipe as my way of saying, "Thanks for being a reader."<br />
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If you try it, do let me know how you liked it by leaving your thoughts in the comments section below.<br />
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-89638168762120240032019-09-28T19:29:00.002-07:002019-09-30T06:23:34.339-07:00My Guest Post Over at Change Your Finances And A FREE Webinar!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My friend, Charissa, graciously asked me to write a post over at her blog, Change Your Finances. I'd love it if you'd head on over there now and read my post, <a href="https://changeyourfinances.com/12-frugal-ways-i-cut-costs-to-pay-off-mortgage-in-5-years/" target="_blank">"12 Frugal Ways I Cut Costs to the Bone to Pay Off Our Mortgage in 5 Short Years That Anyone Can Do"</a>.<br />
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That's right! We put the pedal to the metal and fired every penny we could at that 15 year mortgage. We cut every nickels and dimes from every category in our budget.<br />
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Charissa will help you craft a personalized plan to help you attack and eliminate debt. Her <a href="https://transactions.sendowl.com/stores/11777/163885" target="_blank">Money Builders Inner Circle </a>has openings and is accepting new members. The Inner Circle only opens to new members twice a year. So, now is the time to act! In fact, I sometimes show up for one of Charissa's weekly live mentoring classes and share tips, strategies, and encouragement. These are private classes reserved for Inner Circle members.<br />
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-71352521651971663962019-09-23T19:03:00.004-07:002020-07-31T06:52:06.911-07:007 Tasty, Unique Ways to Prepare Summer Squash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The zucchini and yellow summer crops are still producing in abundance! If you garden, you may be overwhelmed with them. If you shop farmers markets, you'll find these seasonal delights to be very reasonably priced. Either way, now is the time to pack as much of that seasonal goodness into our tummies and freezers as we can!<br />
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The first thing that comes to my mind with zucchini is baking bread. Now, there's nothing as delicious or tempting as a fresh loaf of zucchini quick bread. But, you can do so much more with this amazing summer vegetable! So, today, I'm going to give you SEVEN ways to use it and avoid wasting a single morsel.<br />
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<i>(Note: My blog posts contain affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you.) </i><br />
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1. <a href="https://www.maureenabood.com/vegetarian-stuffed-koosa/" target="_blank">Middle Eastern Stuffed squash</a></h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sauce thickens as it cooks. </td></tr>
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Generally made with koosa squash, this traditional Middle Eastern dish can also be prepared by stuffing small green or yellow summer squash. I made it with a mixture of yellow squash and koosa squash.<br />
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The recipe calls for raw rice. I used some leftover cooked rice and packed it really well in the squash shells. I had no problem at all with the rice mixture leaking into the tomato sauce mixture as it cooked. I also added some garam masala to the rice mixture. This traditional Middle Eastern spice mixture is one of my favorite. You'll find it cheapest at your favorite locally owned Middle Eastern store. <a href="https://amzn.to/2LGjKHW" target="_blank">Amazon also sells</a> an inexpensive version. The spicy, flavorful tomato sauce paired well with the firmer texture of the rice filling.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking in the pan, almost submerged in the tangy sauce.</td></tr>
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You can see that the squash is lying down in the pan, while the recipe calls for cooking them more upright in the pan. Because I used leftover cooked rice, the mixture was very firmly in the cavities and I had no problem at all with the rice mixture falling out of the squash. This recipe got two thumbs up from my family!<br />
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2. <a href="https://www.superhealthykids.com/recipes/creamy-yellow-squash-soup/" target="_blank">Creamy Yellow Squash Soup</a></h2>
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Remember, my goal to to not waste a morsel of the produce. So, I used the interior of the zucchini that I had scraped out for the stuffed squash, and made this creamy yellow squash soup. I did add about a half of a large yellow squash that I had in the fridge, since the texture of the interior of the squash is quite different than that of the fleshier outer inch of the vegetable. The finished soup was creamy smooth and quite delicious. I'm guessing that it would be good served cold, but I liked it hot. I added a few drops of hot sauce before serving. <a href="https://amzn.to/31IByYI" target="_blank">Franks is my favorite </a>because it contains no food coloring and it's very reasonably priced.<br />
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Remember, <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/07/our-food-does-presentation-matter.html" target="_blank">we eat with our eyes</a>. I love the way the red looks on top of the pale yellow soup. Leave the pretty red drops of hot sauce on the top, garnish with fresh dill or another herb before serving.<br />
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3. <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/07/zucchini-chips-in-air-fryer.html" target="_blank">Zucchini chips</a></h2>
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I generally make these with<a href="https://amzn.to/31JaGYt" target="_blank"> gluten free almond flour</a> for the coating. If you are watching your fat intake, then you can substitute <a href="https://amzn.to/2QopuL4" target="_blank">Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 GF flour </a>for an alternative gluten free choice. If you dip the veggies slices first in aquafaba, then it creates a thicker batter coating. You can either slice the zucchini for chips or create pickle spear shaped wedges. My boys prefer the pickle shaped wedges to the thinner chips. I like them both.<br />
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4. <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/07/zucchini-mac-n-cheese.html" target="_blank">Zucchini "mac and cheese"</a></h2>
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I created this recipe to showcase my friend, Faith's amazing homemade hummus. Her recipe is hands-down the best hummus I have ever tasted. I simply thinned it, added a few more ingredients and created a cheesy, yellow, vegan sauce to be served atop a bed of cooked spiralized or grated fresh zucchini. My boys beg me to make large batches of this recipe.<br />
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5. <a href="https://www.nutmegnotebook.com/plant-strong-recipes/sheet-pan-roasted-vegetables-no-oil-2/" target="_blank">Oven Roasted Vegetables</a></h2>
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Tammy, over at Nutmeg Notebook is a genius when it comes to creating tasty, flavorful recipes which use no sugar, oil, or salt. This is one, great example. I roasted two large summer squash, a pound of Brussels sprouts, and nearly a head of organic cauliflower.<br />
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To keep it interesting, I flavored each vegetable with different spices.<br />
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<li><b>THE SQUASH</b>: I chose a basic no-salt seasoning for the squash. I like Kirkland brand no-salt seasoning. You can purchase it at COSTCO. If you don't have a membership, no worries. <a href="https://amzn.to/2LI7VRF" target="_blank">I order it from Amazon</a> for a very reasonable price and free shipping. This seasoning mix contains a nice amount of fresh cracked black pepper, while you also taste notes of the citrus peel. If you use it, I would add it first, then taste test your dish to see if you even need to add any other spices. Often I find that this spice alone is sufficient. </li>
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<li><b>THE CAULIFLOWER:</b> I used a liberal sprinkling of smoked paprika and a touch of cayenne pepper on the cauliflower. I thought it would mimic the flavors of buffalo wings. It did!</li>
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<li><b>THE BRUSSELS SPROUTS:</b> Garlic powder, onion flakes, and a liberal drizzle of California Balsamic's Sweet Heat blend anointed the top of the sprouts. I began roasting Brussels sprouts a few years ago with a couple of tablespoons of balsamic vinegar mixed with them. Try it! You'll never go back to plain Brussels sprouts again! My sister recently brought me a bottle of <a href="https://amzn.to/30g9I8J" target="_blank">Napa Valley Naturals Grand Reserve balsamic</a>. It is aged in oak barrels and is so thick that it pours like a syrup. Amazingly sweet and flavorful, you could even use it to top strawberries! </li>
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On a side note, I found the cauliflower marked down to just $1.00 at my favorite ethnic market. To read all about why I recommend shopping at ethnic markets when you are trying to lower your food bills, read, "<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/08/6-reasons-you-should-be-shopping-at.html" target="_blank">6 Reasons You Should Be Shopping at Ethnic Stores.</a>"<br />
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6. <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/06/cheap-eats-baked-zucchini-casserole.html" target="_blank">Zucchini Casserole</a></h2>
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Credit where credit is due. My 15 year old sous chef son designed and wrote this recipe last year when we had a glut of zucchini on the counter. It's very tasty and easy to make. Lasagna-like layers are sandwiched between a rich tomato sauce and topped with a sprinkling of nutritional yeast.<br />
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7. <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/07/putting-food-by-for-winter-freezing.html" target="_blank">Freeze it!</a></h2>
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Flash freezing works best for zucchini slices. If they are unusually large circles, I cut them in half before freezing. I give you step-by-step instructions for flash freezing in <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/07/putting-food-by-for-winter-freezing.html" target="_blank">"Putting Food By For Winter: Freezing"</a>. You can also spiralize or shred it and freeze it in smaller freezer bags for later use.<br />
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If you enjoyed this post, you may also like: </h2>
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<a href="http://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/09/eating-rainbow-is-inexpensive-and.html" target="_blank">Eating the Rainbow is Inexpensive and Healthy</a></div>
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<a href="http://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/08/easy-20-minute-vegan-creole-green-beans.html" target="_blank">Easy 20 Minute Vegan Creole Green Beans</a></div>
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<a href="http://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/10/this-weeks-csa-box-tacos-fritters.html" target="_blank">Tacos, Fritters, Muffins, and More!</a></div>
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<a href="http://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/10/this-weeks-csa-box-sweet-and-savory.html" target="_blank">Sweet and Savory Autumn Pies</a></div>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-41123775094227988402019-09-18T10:24:00.000-07:002019-09-18T10:24:09.140-07:008 Reasons You Should Buy A Small Home<br />
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My husband and I bought our first home in 1992. It had taken us four years to find a suitable house. We began the process by finding out how much the bank would loan us. We looked at this number in astonishment. We - SERIOUSLY - would never loan us that amount of money. If we had followed conventional wisdom and purchased the largest home we could for the maximum allowable amount of money, the results would have been astronomical!<br />
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We would have been "house poor". Our house payment would have been such a high percentage of our take home pay, buying things like groceries and toilet paper would have been challenging.<br />
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Instead, we mentally and emotionally cut the amount the bank would loan us by 35%. Then reality set in. Our income was so low and our price range so meager that I cried the first time I looked at the numbers on paper. Seriously!<br />
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Four years later, after saving a 20% downpayment, <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2017/07/debt-free-living-part-3-paying-off-our.html" target="_blank">we finally scored a 1930, two-bedroom bungalow</a>. We were deliriously happy. It had been built by a local contractor for his daughter and son-in-law as a wedding gift. We were the second owners and the house was in original condition.<br />
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P-O-T-E-N-T-I-A-L!</h2>
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Although the house had "good bones", every single room needed an overhaul. Yet, all my husband and I could see was "POTENTIAL" spelled out in great, big, giant letters across the vistas of our minds.<br />
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We set to work to remodel one room at a time as we saved up enough to pay cash for each project. Simultaneously, we paid every additional penny we could find toward the principle of the loan in order to annihilate that mortgage as quickly as humanly possible.<br />
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Ultimately,<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2017/07/debt-free-living-part-3-paying-off-our.html" target="_blank"> we paid off the mortgage five years later</a>. That's when I proposed a great big, nearly impossible goal - to pay cash for our larger, "forever home".<br />
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We were able to leverage the fact that we were completely debt free, stayed in that tiny home, filled it with four sons,<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2017/07/debt-free-living-part-4-gazelle.html" target="_blank"> saved the equivalent of our monthly mortgage payments</a>, and 12 years later, <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2017/07/debt-free-living-part-5-cash-is-king.html" target="_blank">purchased our current home with cash</a>.<br />
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Our average yearly income during those dozen years? $35,000!</h3>
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I will never regret using the "two-step plan" for buying our dream home. </h2>
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<ul>
<li><i>Yes, it took us nearly 20 years to move up in size and location. </i></li>
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<li><i>Yes, it was hard. </i></li>
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<li><i>Yes, we had to live in a small space.</i></li>
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<li><i>Yes, it was nearly impossible to not compare our lives to that of our friends.</i></li>
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<li><i>But, <b>YES,</b> it was worth it! </i></li>
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Here are 8 Reasons you should consider a starter home.</h2>
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1. Smaller downpayment</h2>
Conventional wisdom, handed down from our grandparents, tells us that a minimum of 20% downpayment is the most prudent way to purchase a home. Even in this day and age, that's sound advice. For an added advantage, we decided to shoot for a 15 year mortgage.<br />
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When we began house hunting, we discovered that the price difference between a two bedroom and a three bedroom home was upwards of $25,000 - and that was 25 years ago! It's even more than that now!<br />
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2. Smaller mortgage</h2>
It clearly follows that if you buy a less expensive home, your mortgage payments will follow suit and be smaller. In fact, often a smaller mortgage means that you can afford to choose a 15 year mortgage instead of a longer, 30 year term. Living in less space often means <u>owning</u> that space a whole lot quicker!<br />
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3. Less expensive to heat, cool, and maintain</h2>
When it comes to heating and cooling bills, it makes sense that you can maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home for less money. In fact, even if you are cooling your home in the spring and fall using whole house fans, ceiling fans, or window fans, you can achieve comfort in less time when your home is smaller.<br />
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We replaced the roof on our first home - twice! After owning it just a couple of months it became clear that a new roof was in order. We bought 20 year shingles and thought we were done. Nope! The shingles suffered from a defect. Eight years later, they were cracking, peeling, and literally disintegrating. We did receive a prorated settlement from the manufacturer. But, the balance to, once again, replace the roof was several thousand dollars. The only comfort we received in the entire process was that if our roof's square footage had been larger, it would have cost us significantly more money.<br />
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New home owners don't often think of the cost savings they will achieve in terms of maintenance. Yes, a washer or dryer costs the same no matter what your home's square footage. However, when it comes to big ticket items like furnaces, air conditioners, roofs, and siding, smaller homes win the money race hands down!<br />
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4. Lower taxes</h2>
Our first lot measured 62 feet by 62 feet. That's it! the house took up much of the space. We had a small front yard and about four feet of back yard. The "up" side was that our yearly tax bill never exceeded $1500 for the nearly two decades that we owned the house. When we moved, our taxes more than doubled.<br />
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5. Easier to pay off early</h2>
Paying off the mortgage early is like giving yourself a big, fat raise! In our case, we paid 20% down and chose a 15 year mortgage. Then, I set to work saving every penny I could get my hands on! By prepaying the principle, we were able to <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2017/07/debt-free-living-part-3-paying-off-our.html" target="_blank">eliminate the entire mortgage in just five years</a>. If your money is tight, don't despair!<br />
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By paying just one additional payment per year, you can pay off your mortgage several years early, saving thousands of dollars in interest. If you choose to do this, be sure to send in a separate check, marked <u>principle only</u> and then double check as soon at the check clears to be certain that they did not apply the money toward interest or future payments.<br />
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Here's where you just can't beat a smaller home. When your payments are already manageable, it's easier to add a little extra every month and get that debt eliminated. I will admit that we were a little haphazard and unorthodox in or prepayment schedule. Basically, whenever I had scrimped, saved, and squirreled away a few, extra thousand dollars, we sent in a check marked "principle only." It worked, but it would probably have been a smoother process if I had been more deliberate in tracking our progress and done it on a regular schedule.<br />
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6. If your fortunes reverse, it's easier to keep your home</h2>
My husband was laid off several years after we bought our home. We sort of knew that the handwriting was on the wall, so to speak. So, it didn't come as a complete surprise. When his boss called him into the office one of the first things he asked my husband was, "Will you be okay, financially?" Larry replied, "Yes, sir. Our home is completely paid for and we have a very adequate emergency fund."<br />
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Even if we had not been debt free, because of how small our mortgage was, our emergency fund would have carried us (mortgage and all) for several months. When you choose to live beneath your means, when disaster strikes, you can more easily come up with solutions for bridging financial gaps.<br />
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7. As your needs change, you can often redefine spaces</h2>
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Bedroom space often becomes a problem for small home owners as their family expands. When looking at a smaller space, you can often create a third bedroom by finishing an attic, insulating a porch, or converting a family room.<br />
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We had four sons in a two bedroom home. So, we needed to come up with creative ideas and solutions for sleeping accommodations. Our first home had a walk up attic, which could have been finished into another bedroom. It would have taken several thousand dollars to raise the roof a couple of feet and add dormers, but it certainly could have been done. We chose not to do it. When we simply could not fit a fourth bed into the boys' 11 X 11 foot bedroom, our oldest sons headed to the basement and we gave up our family room, making it into a third bedroom.<br />
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8. Paying for your next home is SO much easier when you have your first home paid for!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">After you've paid off a home, honestly, you don't want to do anything but heave great sighs of relief and then spend the next several months sitting on your front porch and glorying in the fact that you really own it. For months, it seemed surreal to not owe anyone a single dime. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, being the crazy financial guru that I am, and being pregnant and adding three more sons to our tiny home after eliminating that mortgage, I began to dream of having more space. That's when I came up with my great big, nearly impossible goal to pay cash for our second home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">It took us twelve years and a whole lot of sacrifice to <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2017/07/debt-free-living-part-4-gazelle.html" target="_blank">save the difference </a>between the sale price of our first home and the purchasing price of our second home. I will never forget the feeling of <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2017/07/debt-free-living-part-5-cash-is-king.html" target="_blank">handing over that check</a>, walking out of that house closing, and knowing that we would never have to make a single payment on our home - ever! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, you may also like: </span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2017/07/debt-free-living-part-4-gazelle.html">Gazelle Intensity: Saving for Home #2</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2017/07/debt-free-living-part-5-cash-is-king.html">Cash is King: Buy House #2</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/11/nickels-and-dimes.html">Paying for Our Home with Nickels and Dimes</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/01/four-ways-to-slash-your-budget.html">Four Ways to Slash Your Budget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/01/more-tips-for-cutting-nickels-and-dimes.html">Ten More Ways to Slash Your Budget</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Hope</span></div>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-17683699347250958642019-09-11T06:27:00.000-07:002019-09-11T06:27:28.528-07:00How to Pick the Perfect Melon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you ever bought a melon in January only to find that your expectations of savoring this delicious summer pleasure are instantly blunted by a perfect exterior, but a really tasteless interior? There is nothing better than a fresh-from-the-field melon. But, why is there such a difference? </div>
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While at the farmers' market, I chatted with a local man, who clearly knew his melons! He gave me several tips on how you can spot a melon, which is ripened to perfection. </div>
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1. Look for the yellow spot on the bottom. </h2>
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This is called the field spot and it should look "creamy", like butter, not bright white. It's a sign that it is field ripened, rather than picked too early or shipped in from a long distance and not allowed to ripen fully.<br />
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2. Even, dull coloration. </h2>
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Unlike your new car, you don't want a shiny melon. It's a sign that it's underripe. A melon that is slightly dull should be perfection. Additionally, the skin should not contain any splotches of unusual color or areas of discoloration or pitting.<br />
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3. It sounds "hollow" when you thump it. </h2>
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A soft "plink" when you strike it with your index finger is a sign that it has not been allowed to become overly ripe. When the interior is too ripe, the flesh becomes more compact, resulting in a "dull thud" when strummed with your forefinger.<br />
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4. Sugar spots</h2>
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A farmer friend told me to look for these years ago. They appear as black lines on the bottom of melons and are a sign that the plant was pollinated properly by lots of happy bees. A melon with black lines or even lines which appear to be weeping, are the sweetest specimens. </div>
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5. Should feel heavy. </h2>
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The biggest is not always the best. Look for a symmetrical melon. Misshapen melons haven't ripened evenly. Also, pithy produce loses its firmness. As the melon begins to rot, it will lose weight, and feel lighter than others of comparable size.<br />
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-16877254908011651752019-09-07T17:15:00.000-07:002019-09-07T17:15:27.847-07:00How to Recognize and Reduce Surcharges and Convenience Fees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is hard to admit, but I actually made the EXACT mistake that I tell you to avoid. For years now, I have been paying extra for our life insurance and I didn't even realize that I was doing it! </div>
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How did I get charged this fee and not know it? </h2>
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Long story short, I recently had to deal with a couple of questions on our life insurance, which we pay quarterly. A few years ago, my husband, Larry, had called to ask if we could be moved to a yearly payment. The representative he talked to gave him misinformation. They told him that it must be paid quarterly and that there was no discount for paying it once a year. </div>
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However, when I called this week the lady on the other end of the phone asked, "Is there anything else I can help you with, today?" I answered, "Well, I'd love to pay these policies yearly, but I understand that that is not possible." She was stunned! "Yes, it is!" She immediately offered to change the two policies to yearly and I am now saving $60 a year! </div>
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This whole experience made me ponder convenience fees and surcharges. Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, they are very different. I had to do a bit of digging and more than a little research to get them straight in my head. But, I'm happy to pass on my findings to you, along with some tips for avoiding paying more than you need to for your bills, be they monthly or sporadic.<br />
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What are Convenience Fees? </h2>
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A convenience fee is a surcharge that a business or credit card tacks on to your existing payment. It is used when your method of payment or frequency of payment is not one which is generally used or preferred by that institution. It is also added when you are not present at the time of the transaction, buying over the phone or on the internet.<br />
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For example, if you pay your utility bill on-line with a check or credit card, then you will undoubtedly pay a convenience fee. Most people either mail in their payment or have it automatically deducted from their checking account each month. Unless customers are in a time crunch to get the bill paid on time, they don't conduct this transaction over the phone or on-line. Additionally, credit card companies generally charge merchants a fee each time they process a payment.Therefore, the utility company justifies imposing a convenience fee on the user.<br />
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What is a surcharge? </h2>
<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/surcharge.asp">According to Investopedia.com</a>, a surcharge is, <i>"an extra fee, charge, or tax that is added on to the cost of a good or service, beyond the initially quoted price. Often a surcharge is added to an existing tax and is not included in the stated price of the good or service."</i><br />
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These fees can masquerade under a number of different names, depending on the service or item you are purchasing.<br />
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Here are some examples: </h2>
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<li>Ticketmaster is notorious for their fees, often adding $10 to $20 to the price of your ticket purchase! In addition to the standard "convenience fee" notation, you may see thing like, "facility charge" and "shipping or mailing charge" </li>
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<li>If you pay your auto, home, or life insurance more than once a year, you will be adding an "office" or "administration fee" to an already large bill! </li>
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<li>Many businesses are beginning to add convenience fees if you ask for paper billing. Our internet company charges you an additional $5 for paper billing <u>and</u> $5.00 for not electing to auto-pay. </li>
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<li>Hotels are known to tack a huge variety of convenience fees onto your bill, ranging from line items like: an internet surcharge, extra towels, parking fees, groundskeeping fees, resort fees, and even telephone charges for local calls. </li>
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<li>Airlines and airports may charge a "processing fee", "baggage fee" or "parking fee". </li>
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<li>Go to an ATM machine not associated directly with your local banking institution and you will pay one or more "transaction" fees. </li>
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<li>On-line merchants can legally add "shipping and handling" or "service fees"to your bill.</li>
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These charges can vary wildly. Some are a flat fee, while others use a mathematical formula, representing a percentage of your total bill. Sadly, most of the time customers do not carefully examine each line of their bills to check for fees. We assume that we should look at the "amount due" column and simply pay that amount.<br />
You should not! Here's why!<br />
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Tips for avoiding or lowering surcharge and convenience fees</h2>
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1. Change the frequency. </h2>
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For items like life, auto, and homeowners insurance, paying yearly will often net you a rebate or rate reduction. Read the fine print. You may need to pay the total on the "amount due" line and then the company will send you a check once your payment clears the bank or they may just allow you to take the appropriate amount off of the total before sending in your payment. If you have any questions, it is best to call for clarification before sending in your payment. </div>
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If you must wait for your rebate, be sure to keep the bill and all appropriate paperwork until you receive their check and it is cashed. Sometimes with large companies, "the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing." So, if you call customer service asking about your rebate check, you may get silence or confusion on the other end of the line. If you have all the paperwork handy, you can offer to scan and e-mail it to them or read it directly from the company correspondence. While you are on the phone, do be sure to jot down the operator's name, the date, and any notes which you take during the phone call. </div>
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We just took advantage of an offer just like this last month! We received our annual home and auto insurance bills in the mail and noticed that was an insert announcing a new company policy. If you paid the entire amount, the company would reduce your bill by 5%. Since we were already paying just once a year, we were delighted. We promptly paid and the kept the bill until we received the 5% rebate from the company in the mail. </div>
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2. Ask for the fees to be waived. </h2>
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It never hurts to ask. We did and it paid off! When our internet provider explained that they add on an additional $5 monthly charge for sending a paper bill and another $5 if you don't opt for auto bill pay, we very nearly said, "no" to the salesman. Since the total bill is only $50 per month, those charges would have been a 20% surcharge! Recognizing that we were not going to pay $10 extra per month on a $50 bill, he had the charges waived. Yes, we got his offer in writing.<br />
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3. Make sure you are asking the correct person. </h2>
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When you ask, if the answer they get makes no sense to you, don't be afraid to ask to talk to a supervisor. The answer didn't make any sense to me when Larry got that answer years ago and I didn't follow up on it by making another call myself. That was a mistake that cost me hundreds of dollars over the past few years!<br />
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4. Examine your bills closely!</h2>
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Keep last month's bill to compare it to the one you just received in the mail. Go over it line-by-line so you can easily see if any new fees have been added. Call the company and ask if this is a convenience fee or a surcharge and how long you can expect to see it added to your bill. Some government regulatory agencies like water and sewer companies, will add fees for a short period of time to cover the costs of infrastructure upkeep. It helps to know how long the additional charge will last.<br />
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I once found an additional charge on my utility bill. I immediately called and asked about it. Although it turned out that this legitimate charge was a result of a misunderstanding on my part, the company gladly removed the charge from all future bills. </div>
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5. If possible, go in person. </h2>
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In the case of tickets, if you are from out of town, but attending with a friend who lives near the concert venue, ask them if they could trek down to the box office or hotel during business hours and purchase the tickets in person. </div>
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With a hotel, if your local contact can go directly to your choice of hotel, you may be able to avoid paying third party fees from places like Hotels.com or Travelocity.com. But, be sure that you double check to be certain you are getting the best deal! Sometimes, even with the third-party convenience fees, going through an alternate provider is cheaper, because they deal in volume and are passing their discount on to you.<br />
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Don't forget to check local travel agencies too. It's their business to find you rockin' deals on your next vacation! They often have access to insider information on swanky hotels who really need guests, destination specials, and flights with ultra cheap seats. </div>
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6. Keep a log of all phone calls and e-mails. </h2>
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Before you put your money on the line, compare prices! </div>
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<li>Talk directly to the merchant in question if you can. </li>
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<li>Get the name of the person to whom you are speaking. </li>
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<li>Note the date and time that you called. </li>
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<li>For hotels and airlines, compare the price of checking in or traveling on a Thursday or Sunday as compared to a Friday or Saturday. Weekends are premium times and more costly than weekdays. </li>
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<li>Ask them to e-mail you that amazing quote so you have a written record of the officially offered final price. </li>
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If you enjoyed this post, you may also like: </h2>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Get my FREE 16-page e-book, filled with 21 tips and strategies for lowering your utility bills! </span></i><i>Just enter your e-mail address in the "follow by e-mail" link found on the right side of the blog just under my profile. </i></h3>
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Do all to the glory of God, </div>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-75897156153897713652019-09-04T11:35:00.002-07:002019-09-04T15:05:11.352-07:00EATING THE RAINBOW Is Inexpensive and Healthy! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEDmnLpj42gnNs_JZSF8Ong8MfmFGI10emxZqLVFGRpfJq3pTW6-sRoKORkhMV2xHJmgd-0tWeCQrKL91GBvCCpnNquEXIUaREgJjyDWdyQGRWWcBw4AXUo-jqjpnEOJKOjGhkJ2j8TqZ/s1600/IMG-2598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEDmnLpj42gnNs_JZSF8Ong8MfmFGI10emxZqLVFGRpfJq3pTW6-sRoKORkhMV2xHJmgd-0tWeCQrKL91GBvCCpnNquEXIUaREgJjyDWdyQGRWWcBw4AXUo-jqjpnEOJKOjGhkJ2j8TqZ/s640/IMG-2598.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>"Eating healthy is impossible on a tight budget!" </i></h3>
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I've heard people repeat this statement as "fact" time and time again. Happily, it is far from the truth. Not only can you serve your family nutritious, nutrient-packed whole foods, you can do it on a very lean budget. </div>
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Shopping and eating from the produce section is never easier than in the summer months when you can visit local farmers markets, cultivate a back yard garden, or glean excess fruits and veggies offered by your green thumb friends and neighbors. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6viDCDIlYYY6_NJ5CjOVeMrduLq0Ga9QKvNvxa_W3RbqoZ-TJBk62ACpau5FfVnxBzmI7oVj1ZIgKS5UzN4oV2bUyqWTfgFlKZxb6yzr1i4Daplz5ztXubjtdlKXWzi3sBHA1RVonCRO/s1600/IMG-2590+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6viDCDIlYYY6_NJ5CjOVeMrduLq0Ga9QKvNvxa_W3RbqoZ-TJBk62ACpau5FfVnxBzmI7oVj1ZIgKS5UzN4oV2bUyqWTfgFlKZxb6yzr1i4Daplz5ztXubjtdlKXWzi3sBHA1RVonCRO/s640/IMG-2590+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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To help you along your journey, I've created a number of <a href="http://underthemedian.blogspot.com/search/label/%2450%20Menus">$50 weekly menu plans</a>. These menu plans include dishes that I actually prepare for my family. Each menu plan includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks - all for $50 for 7 days! </div>
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When cooking for my family, I deliberately create a colorful tableau, which includes a wide variety of hues. </div>
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Why is color important when it comes to food?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv680FPDfutNpkVkTj_oTTDcrinwJKTZkrI3VhToz3PkJUqmUwRKpVYsci7x1l33-kDAHO9iqaA1KflWSCAS9hbxeNXhaD1_KrXu5zsASVAjZ_TAS2U1oEwnin3WCzf8dqC2dzvG9Kjsf/s1600/IMG-2602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv680FPDfutNpkVkTj_oTTDcrinwJKTZkrI3VhToz3PkJUqmUwRKpVYsci7x1l33-kDAHO9iqaA1KflWSCAS9hbxeNXhaD1_KrXu5zsASVAjZ_TAS2U1oEwnin3WCzf8dqC2dzvG9Kjsf/s400/IMG-2602.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Creator designed each edible plant to contain a whole host of vitamins and minerals, insuring that your body receives essential nutrients to help you stay healthy. When you look at your plate, you should see a variety of shapes, colors, and textures. The deep color of fruits and vegetables is a telltale sign that they are powerful at fighting disease and maintaining health. As an added bonus, <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/07/seven-tips-for-getting-kids-to-eat.html">children will delightedly wolf down food</a> that is displayed on their plate in a fun, attractive, unique, and playful manner. It is absolutely true that <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/07/our-food-does-presentation-matter.html">we "eat with our eyes</a>". </div>
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Each of the graphics below was created using a backdrop of actual fruits and vegetables from my home. I didn't go out and purchase any additional produce. This is food that I keep in my home and feed to my family. In fact, nearly all of the food was from my weekly CSA box, which is a bushel basket of locally grown, organic produce valued at $25.<br />
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Remember, my monthly grocery budget is just $400 for a family of 5 (6 when our oldest is home from college.) So, when I tell you that healthy eating is inexpensive, I live that truth out every single week!<br />
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WHITE </h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkc3kimePRE6T_clOSturH9p88Kg1FGHHrR6JU0gXbYzLVRbqP4xmCfDprx8Ikv7I-NStwB7IP7kNsVS1hx2lsxSSQTEZ4N9w6TYHDXY1s4JxNxZKu4hIeT6d1vdErmFXchqVq9SkMYdo/s1600/IMG-2630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkc3kimePRE6T_clOSturH9p88Kg1FGHHrR6JU0gXbYzLVRbqP4xmCfDprx8Ikv7I-NStwB7IP7kNsVS1hx2lsxSSQTEZ4N9w6TYHDXY1s4JxNxZKu4hIeT6d1vdErmFXchqVq9SkMYdo/s400/IMG-2630.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's hard to boil down all the amazing benefits of the various colors of food into a few words. Often, their properties help you body fight disease on several different levels. Such is the case with white vegetables, especially garlic and onion.<br />
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I've researched <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265853.php">the health benefits of garlic</a> in the past and, seriously, it seems there is not much that it is not helpful in treating. Not only does it help lower your blood pressure and protect against cancer, it is also antimicrobial. This means that it is effective in fighting bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.<br />
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The primary constituent of green tea, considered a "white" item for the purposes of this post, is polyphenols. These have been shown to protect against a large number of cancers. Additionally, green tea's antioxidant power weighs in at a full two hundred times more potent than vitamin E and five hundred times than vitamin C.<br />
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To take advantage of the <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea#section1">medicinal qualities of green tea</a>, consume three cups daily. You can even use <a href="https://drcolbert.com/matcha-green-tea-coconut-ice-cream/">matcha green tea and coconut milk</a> to create a healthy, dairy-free, ice cream!<br />
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ORANGE</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftsIS6us1MyKtfOm65XYVijucsVyRjVSYga8LfzDv8tYRvHkL519-m_n51tC_omiTXRmm-TTDtI-3q3fr3GePVhVvjd6mxku-ErPcQ4Y9-DLh4djKavfnQ-0vbKI5iJQBlkr3PtIvpzMC/s1600/IMG-2627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftsIS6us1MyKtfOm65XYVijucsVyRjVSYga8LfzDv8tYRvHkL519-m_n51tC_omiTXRmm-TTDtI-3q3fr3GePVhVvjd6mxku-ErPcQ4Y9-DLh4djKavfnQ-0vbKI5iJQBlkr3PtIvpzMC/s400/IMG-2627.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Perhaps your grandmother told you to eat your carrots, because they were good for your eyesight. Turns out,<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-carrots-improve-your-vision/"> that age-old wisdom was correct</a>. The orange color comes from specialized beta carotenes are called provitamin A carotenoids. As a rule of thumb, the deeper orange the color, the more of this amazing component that produce contains. Beta-carotene is processed by your body, becoming vitamin A, which is a crucial component of good vision.<br />
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Providentially, beta carotene is also super at fighting a number of other diseases, like cancer and heart disease. So, follow the advice of your elders and eat a carrot every day.<br />
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RED</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb-km8FhJAJIWUqsYnT2fA_ecIyk46kt4cjGHUssUOeb6dii2Dax_Zr-yT5v_EPaf2z7YonGm_d6rfFr0STTnDMbF7xIF9Xqf9LKIxU8wVw6CpzZewPLhkpxFiGDYqnD-EC7t4dlcA2Xu/s1600/IMG-2618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb-km8FhJAJIWUqsYnT2fA_ecIyk46kt4cjGHUssUOeb6dii2Dax_Zr-yT5v_EPaf2z7YonGm_d6rfFr0STTnDMbF7xIF9Xqf9LKIxU8wVw6CpzZewPLhkpxFiGDYqnD-EC7t4dlcA2Xu/s400/IMG-2618.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://draxe.com/nutrition/article/lycopene/">Lycopene</a> has become a buzz word in recent years, often synonymous with "good health". Until "experts" began to tout the value of lycopene, no one really knew or cared what gave tomatoes their luscious red color. Protection against cancer, particularly prostrate cancer, and heart disease is their main function.<br />
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If the acids in red tomatoes upset your stomach, try the milder yellow or even green version. These tomatoes still give a healthy dose of nutrients and, yet, are much lower in acid.<br />
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GREEN</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TI_hUrEWJ7dMzr8_BQWHr5CwTNmUwLn6fqtTDO3-x5YrAt51KomJUhA6985O4hXKQWPA_rQnMqIYO49mz0YA9qAwnYVtMl-iw0qG6aFkGuaUwdraQoIgjsyy5qi1xwsB0mLbPLgR_OIr/s1600/IMG-2623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TI_hUrEWJ7dMzr8_BQWHr5CwTNmUwLn6fqtTDO3-x5YrAt51KomJUhA6985O4hXKQWPA_rQnMqIYO49mz0YA9qAwnYVtMl-iw0qG6aFkGuaUwdraQoIgjsyy5qi1xwsB0mLbPLgR_OIr/s400/IMG-2623.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Green is the color of spring. It, literally, shouts "Health!" There's a reason the bunnies munch on your tender, green, garden sprouts. They taste amazing and they are sooooo good for your digestion. The fiber allows food to move through your body, keeping your colon clean and protecting against cancer.<br />
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<a href="https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/kind-food-contains-high-amount-chlorophyll-11022.html">Chlorophyll</a> is responsible for the green hues of fruits and vegetables. A plant uses chlorophyll in photosynthesis, producing food for itself and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. In humans, chlorophyll helps detoxify the blood, boost immunity, heal wounds, and prevent cancer.<br />
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PURPLE</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxA7u9I-NmZWUAdHvYy5dzY8m16sMOqXVV7rlZrV6fBrt4TqCEE8f_hyphenhypheniwYh8nlMKmJEYrW1wSaRGDo72emIozMOs9fdwqMIlNVxm81i7YK58-H_o7gqjfoVvCIQxXKmxTyzCYwYktPi3E/s1600/IMG-2624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxA7u9I-NmZWUAdHvYy5dzY8m16sMOqXVV7rlZrV6fBrt4TqCEE8f_hyphenhypheniwYh8nlMKmJEYrW1wSaRGDo72emIozMOs9fdwqMIlNVxm81i7YK58-H_o7gqjfoVvCIQxXKmxTyzCYwYktPi3E/s400/IMG-2624.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Eat your berries to get a healthy dose of anthocyanidin! If you've never heard of it, don't feel badly. I hadn't either. It's a flavonoid found in berries. Thankfully, I don't have to be able to pronounce the name to<a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-scoop-on-anthocyanins-89522"> understand the benefits</a>. It's antioxidant properties rival that of two well- known vitamins. It is fifty times more powerful than vitamin C and twenty times more powerful than vitamin E!<br />
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Here's another new word for you: proanthocyanidin. <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=19&contentid=proanthocyanidins">This powerful antioxidant</a> is present in the skin and seeds of deep purple plants, like grapes, bilberries, and cranberries. It helps repair skin damage, giving you a more youthful appearance.<br />
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The final antioxidant, in the "purple family", <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/diet-rich-resveratrol-offers-health-boost-201405157153">resveratrol</a>, is also one which has been popularized by modern science. The fact that it is present in extremely high concentrations in red grape skins and seeds, gives many license for their one, daily glass of red wine.<br />
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YELLOW</h2>
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When you Google "free radicals", you get a very specific, scientific explanation of this biological phenomenon. Basically, protons and electrons like to travel around in pairs. When something unexpected happens, you lose an electron and wind up with unstable atoms. To replace that missing half, these atoms move around your body, stealing electrons from other sources, causing damage at the cellular level. Effects are wide ranging, contributing to everything from <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318652.php">wrinkles to diabetes to heart disease.</a> Needless to say, we want to do everything possible to keep free radicals at bay. </div>
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One way to do this is to consume citrus fruit, which contain an almost magical ingredient: citrus bioflavanoids. This special antioxidant is like a universal blood donor. They can give up an electron, without sustaining any damage and becoming free radicals, themselves. </div>
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Why not just take a supplement? </h2>
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Proper nutrition cannot be boiled down to a formula, like: "Eat 5 red, 3 purple, 1 white, and 3 green fruits and vegetables per day." There are <a href="https://pfaf.org/user/edibleuses.aspx">20,000 varieties of edible plants</a> in the world. That's just too many to come up with a single, pat answer for health. </div>
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I have a serious concern when scientists begin pulling the components of produce out of their natural state and marketing them as a single ingredient supplement. When God created living plants, He made them synergistic. They are meant to function as whole, complete package. This leads me to believe that you cannot possibly swallow a pill and get the same life-giving qualities as simply eating an apple a day. </div>
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FREE DOWNLOADABLE E-BOOK!</h2>
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Just to thank you for being an Under the Median reader, I created a FREE, downloadable 10 page e-book, filled with all the information from this post. I've provided all my graphics and lines for you to write in your own research or a list of your favorite varieties from each color. </div>
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You can get it absolutely free of charge by clicking on <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JfrDdhGlxPzfKKQpGQEOexAxvS3l4wUdDP9Cb00Q6oU/edit?usp=sharing">this link</a>. All I ask is that rather than share the link directly with your friends, you send them back to this post to get their download. That way, they can see all the wonderful information, insights, tips, and encouragement that I offer each week on Under the Median. Thanks! </div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Get my FREE 16-page e-book, filled with 21 tips and strategies for lowering your utility bills! </span></i><i>Just enter your e-mail address in the "follow by e-mail" link found on the right side of the blog just under my profile. </i></h3>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-55421263228056536072019-08-31T19:33:00.001-07:002019-08-31T22:26:20.977-07:00How We Increased Our Home's Efficiency by 48 Percent! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO6CjYAvTkR5mZVZizRDZvV7LxCz17jvnD5OicTpLtQ7Dqd6yVNO96IeAmn0K3H1NC-01rMV6rx-qOzc6syWZdhQCn9IprePRo-iy2oJsw-jT8nph4tjU4C5fsgoUji3Zf3tonYSZafSS/s1600/How+We+increased+our+home%2527s+efficiency+by+48%2525+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO6CjYAvTkR5mZVZizRDZvV7LxCz17jvnD5OicTpLtQ7Dqd6yVNO96IeAmn0K3H1NC-01rMV6rx-qOzc6syWZdhQCn9IprePRo-iy2oJsw-jT8nph4tjU4C5fsgoUji3Zf3tonYSZafSS/s400/How+We+increased+our+home%2527s+efficiency+by+48%2525+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I recently scheduled an energy audit with my utility company, <a href="https://www.ameren.com/illinois/">Ameren Illinois</a>, I was actually inspired to do so because I was preparing for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cubillinois/videos/859309064402714/">my one-hour, live interview with the Citizens Utility Board.</a> Since I was disseminating advice on reducing your utility bills, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to schedule an energy audit of my home.<br />
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Our family qualified for a free audit and energy assistance through <a href="https://amerenillinoissavings.com/for-my-home/explore-incentives/home-efficiency-program">Ameren Illinois' Home Efficiency Program,</a> aimed at helping low and moderate income families increase the energy efficiency of their homes. Here's a look at the chart from the<a href="https://amerenillinoissavings.com/for-my-home/explore-incentives/home-efficiency-program"> Ameren website</a>.<br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; max-width: 100%; text-align: left; width: 201px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 78pt;" width="104"></col><col style="width: 73pt;" width="97"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="53" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 39.6pt;"><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl63" height="53" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0.5pt solid windowtext; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 39.6pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 78pt;" width="104">Number of Persons in Household</td><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl63" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: 0.5pt solid windowtext; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 73pt;" width="97">Maximum Income</td></tr>
<tr height="19" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 14.4pt;"><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl63" height="19" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 14.4pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 78pt;" width="104">1</td><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl64" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 73pt;" width="97">$36,420</td></tr>
<tr height="19" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 14.4pt;"><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl65" height="19" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 14.4pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 78pt;" width="104">2</td><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl66" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 73pt;" width="97">$49,380</td></tr>
<tr height="19" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 14.4pt;"><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl63" height="19" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 14.4pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 78pt;" width="104">3</td><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl64" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 73pt;" width="97">$62,340</td></tr>
<tr height="19" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 14.4pt;"><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl65" height="19" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 14.4pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 78pt;" width="104">4</td><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl66" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 73pt;" width="97">$75,300</td></tr>
<tr height="19" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 14.4pt;"><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl63" height="19" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 14.4pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 78pt;" width="104">5</td><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl64" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 73pt;" width="97">$88,260</td></tr>
<tr height="19" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 14.4pt;"><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl65" height="19" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 14.4pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 78pt;" width="104">6</td><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl66" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 73pt;" width="97">$101,220</td></tr>
<tr height="19" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 14.4pt;"><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl63" height="19" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 14.4pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 78pt;" width="104">7</td><td class="m_3280672593370375087m_3014580013261536043m_-5702669135303133261m_6869024035148801894gmail-m_-3584779413835243275gmail-xl64" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 0.5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: top; width: 73pt;" width="97">$114,180</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">The application process was very easy. Our income was verified and within 24 hours and we received an e-mail, stating that we qualified for the program.</span></div>
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<i>*Please note: I received no compensation of any kind for this review, except that which I qualified for through the Ameren Instant Savers Assessment Program. *</i></div>
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The ball got rolling quickly, with a follow-up phone call from <a href="https://www.ameren.com/illinois/">Ameren Illinois</a>, my utility company. An energy specialist was slated to arrive at my home within the week.</div>
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Our auditor, Travis, arrived promptly at 9am. What a great, informative, helpful guy! He explained the process to me and it quickly became clear why it takes an average of three hours to complete an audit. They are thorough! I mean, this is far more extensive than any inspection I have been through to buy or sell a home!</div>
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We immediately discover three problems!</h2>
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A bright yellow handheld device with a thin, flexible metal rod protruding from the top was slowly waved over the surface of all items, which used natural gas. This combustible gas detector emitted a beep, which increased in intensity and volume in the presence of natural gas in the surrounding air. The reading it takes, known as the L.E.L. - Lower Explosive Limit, is actually able to detect finite levels of gas leakage. Apparently around 50 percent of homes which are tested have some amount of gas leaking, yet the homeowners know nothing about it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QqJfyDonOOoNqIfoR-Z9fsx6ANqd6ZzjEaRmieOtIka1gNOXXc4Zpq4iiepqzh8VnQF54w-oW4M25VxTlZjnm3joouTjBPbib8w1cUAe61tD6a_nk8M1cmWjgQ6Im5h7zCZZ9vHDkjfq/s1600/IMG-1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QqJfyDonOOoNqIfoR-Z9fsx6ANqd6ZzjEaRmieOtIka1gNOXXc4Zpq4iiepqzh8VnQF54w-oW4M25VxTlZjnm3joouTjBPbib8w1cUAe61tD6a_nk8M1cmWjgQ6Im5h7zCZZ9vHDkjfq/s400/IMG-1182.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking for gas leaks</td></tr>
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We turned out to be one of the 50% - twice over! There was a leak right where you see the snakelike projection in the photo. In a scary turn of events, the beeping machine also found that the gas shut off valve for our dryer was leaking.</div>
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In a final blow, Travis noticed that the hot water heater exhaust pipe had been improperly installed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimb_pYahi86VcQW2iliqS0SP7u29JjlMqs_xM_ZOowjzDLm1fYpgeMboUShlEHaRnKHyDghyVf791ec6awlRlwP1Hipum70RO949f-jdv8C5Qsm7tFdM4vKCaEFifwyTloDNXd2JpU5-Od/s1600/IMG-1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimb_pYahi86VcQW2iliqS0SP7u29JjlMqs_xM_ZOowjzDLm1fYpgeMboUShlEHaRnKHyDghyVf791ec6awlRlwP1Hipum70RO949f-jdv8C5Qsm7tFdM4vKCaEFifwyTloDNXd2JpU5-Od/s400/IMG-1191.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Improperly fitted water heater exhaust pipe</td></tr>
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That crimped edge in the center of the photo shouldn't be showing. That portion of the extension should fit securely up against the receptacle at the top of the ceiling.</div>
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The problem is that improper alignment can allow the gravity-fed exhaust from the water heater to escape into the room, creating a build up of carbon monoxide. This was not something to be ignored.</div>
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The gas was turned off at the street as we awaited a rescue team to arrive to fix all three problems. First, an Ameren journeyman replaced the leaky valve in the front of the house with lightening quick speed. Then, the inspection was put on "hold" for an additional 60 minutes, while a local contractor came out to repair both the leak in the dryer line and the hot water heater exhaust pipe.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSYntZ3EAgBQ0fdwGpmFZW7cMvDZ4ofSzuiGrbhozD4risQdAL1i5IONL2UwhfFFZZZ7dJu-u9Hco9-reGp89V5VPggvH0Y0bwygsOH92qucWpy7Osj-RXoMYOnvIMuMZZyDejAnvh49p/s1600/IMG-1282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSYntZ3EAgBQ0fdwGpmFZW7cMvDZ4ofSzuiGrbhozD4risQdAL1i5IONL2UwhfFFZZZ7dJu-u9Hco9-reGp89V5VPggvH0Y0bwygsOH92qucWpy7Osj-RXoMYOnvIMuMZZyDejAnvh49p/s400/IMG-1282.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Air flow is tested with a puff of smoke</td></tr>
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The shiny, new water heater exhaust pipe was tested for backdrafting with a puff of artificial smoke.</div>
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Everything was now in proper working order!</div>
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All problem areas rectified, we were back on track and once again testing my home's energy efficiency.</div>
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More common problems unearthed</h2>
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I learned a lot as the process turned up more areas of concern. Travis was incredibly gracious and kept up a nice stream of conversation, orally downloading facts, figures, and information as I plied him with questions.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Clogged Central Air Cage</h2>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ2ckt2wFdyxma585G8qWGtW-khtKm1C6rMB_RqEZkJ6pK1GeIRUkuq9EL6CwmKMIg-njaEM1iOeA90PVoFByoiRfFLh_TKkxhW92drmncE-UqQ_8GFu14_fL9tmX8fSZf_iK0H44qnpS/s1600/IMG-1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ2ckt2wFdyxma585G8qWGtW-khtKm1C6rMB_RqEZkJ6pK1GeIRUkuq9EL6CwmKMIg-njaEM1iOeA90PVoFByoiRfFLh_TKkxhW92drmncE-UqQ_8GFu14_fL9tmX8fSZf_iK0H44qnpS/s400/IMG-1175.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clogged central air conditioner cage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The vents for our central air were completely clogged. Apparently, you can direct a spray of water from a hose through them and easily clean out the organic material - on in our case, mostly seeds from local, prolific, cottonwood trees.</div>
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The big problem with this condition is that the coating of grime causes additional load on the AC unit. The motor must work harder to move air, shortening the length of its life and raising our utility bills.</div>
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To fix the situation, we would need to direct a gentle stream of water between the top and side of the unit, spraying outward to remove the debris and clean out the dust, dirt, and debris. This, same procedure should be followed every spring, before turning on the central air unit.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Dirty dryer vent exhaust </h2>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGTI46uTdxGhfL_uhCFHFzN2HZvcJiMFBmjMWAPBx_603CqzjWiTRboL2QQMM5gQ3myIAk7ZFPpfKXhg-dBSSk-20MMeiCSA-UpbypNm026ebffut0Qeew1sjWFBCrXI4RvFHCe9zLf8D/s1600/IMG-1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGTI46uTdxGhfL_uhCFHFzN2HZvcJiMFBmjMWAPBx_603CqzjWiTRboL2QQMM5gQ3myIAk7ZFPpfKXhg-dBSSk-20MMeiCSA-UpbypNm026ebffut0Qeew1sjWFBCrXI4RvFHCe9zLf8D/s400/IMG-1180.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lint collected at the exit of the dryer vent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Most homeowners, me included, don't think to periodically examine the state of their dryer exhaust. We should! Dryer vent fires are quite common, but the possibility can be drastically diminished when the entire vent is vacuumed out once or twice year.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Building Flow Leakage Test!</h2>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM0LbMsDLSoWGby33c6WtayL_jGOk0s1PUwCPAaArgDZRtALMVTisbU_hb0P2GmklOpg4GadrQKorirE4DOWaTzGzXApoVuhpFijtBKKrXWb4PWFwN7BItfbJ5_44DhlYECXm7wfEg7QU/s1600/IMG-1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM0LbMsDLSoWGby33c6WtayL_jGOk0s1PUwCPAaArgDZRtALMVTisbU_hb0P2GmklOpg4GadrQKorirE4DOWaTzGzXApoVuhpFijtBKKrXWb4PWFwN7BItfbJ5_44DhlYECXm7wfEg7QU/s400/IMG-1207.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blower Door </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The final part of the inspection was something called a building flow leakage test. My front door was covered by a bright, red canopy with a large fan in the bottom, center quadrant.</div>
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As I gazed at the contraption, my mind raced back to the hazmat scene from the 1980's movie, "ET". This really did look eerily similar.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBp35xna6kb8IyHnH28DBZ4zd6fb_2CsDJd6wxuviMQZJ-cywb1wtLyhB6X1SmtNJed8TzZjxhHdMePXVW_A3kSBgii_SsKJvthQ7qzYYuiBOeGUZu8tA65ico-HKzQAJx6r8xKulPYP05/s1600/IMG-1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBp35xna6kb8IyHnH28DBZ4zd6fb_2CsDJd6wxuviMQZJ-cywb1wtLyhB6X1SmtNJed8TzZjxhHdMePXVW_A3kSBgii_SsKJvthQ7qzYYuiBOeGUZu8tA65ico-HKzQAJx6r8xKulPYP05/s400/IMG-1301.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring air pressure and flow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I watched, as numbers on this electronic continued to climb, telling the tale of just exactly how quickly air was flowing through my house, even with every door and window closed!</div>
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Our blower door test revealed a final number of 11.0 ACH50. The average home measures about a 10 ACH 50. However, one must compare this number with that of new construction: a 4.0 ACH 50.</div>
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So, what did all these figures mean to me, the homeowner? Travis quickly broke it down to layman's terms. It was significant that my score was10, because any level between 10 and 15 actually represents a fairly significant leakage problem. Main, but not surprising, problem points were areas which provide a natural bridge between the outdoor and indoor air.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Our main problem areas included: </h2>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGx7uptC5r2tS7E3iOsI1mufTR5fTGzecVRLt2AIPCdpsNTPWEjIA2fg2YHsQiSZgRYZ9S9ULz7FL-t0__rLL_ed2ulcoPhxPdfohvuRcWnegBS6lOuJdODOj_ePQDLF9fP3AI8bcSM8c/s1600/IMG-1192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGx7uptC5r2tS7E3iOsI1mufTR5fTGzecVRLt2AIPCdpsNTPWEjIA2fg2YHsQiSZgRYZ9S9ULz7FL-t0__rLL_ed2ulcoPhxPdfohvuRcWnegBS6lOuJdODOj_ePQDLF9fP3AI8bcSM8c/s400/IMG-1192.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our whole house fan - a major area for leaking air</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><i><b>My centralized, whole-house fan</b></i></li>
</ul>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><i><b>My bathroom exhaust fan</b></i></li>
</ul>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Our jalousie-windowed back door</b></i></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><i><b>The top plates of our interior walls, where they met the roofline</b></i></li>
</ul>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
We got new thermostat, smart power strips, and more!</h2>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Bk6AKXnfRlEsLx9AeZzvsHAftuKfZmTk4VMQ6hlMsEmoxeZmrr7npbKeIRZJoXzTnzS4x5eY42-CsOkaw8mbc_vEeUGBoi2I_BQalYDlzJ_p91EGghFrGN-7WJMoPZT72atJMAJEvwS6/s1600/IMG-1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Bk6AKXnfRlEsLx9AeZzvsHAftuKfZmTk4VMQ6hlMsEmoxeZmrr7npbKeIRZJoXzTnzS4x5eY42-CsOkaw8mbc_vEeUGBoi2I_BQalYDlzJ_p91EGghFrGN-7WJMoPZT72atJMAJEvwS6/s400/IMG-1210.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nest Programmable Smart Thermostat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Before leaving, Travis installed a number of power-saving devices in my home for free! It's all a part of Ameren's Instant Savers Assessment Program! These included: </div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><i><b>A Nest programmable, smart thermostat (Ameren is offering <a href="https://amerenillinoissavings.com/for-my-home/explore-incentives/smart-thermostat-rebate">a $100 rebate on these thermostats </a>for EVERYONE, not just low-income families!) </b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Two smart power strips (to help reduce vampire power)</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><i><b>New low-flow faucet aerators (To reduce water use and reduce strain on the water heater)</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><i><b>New LED lightbulbs (To reduce energy usage)</b></i></li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1UL7U75Cm9Quhkh3skObK3hSyni71Mq6q7bC84wnJJ4CGHrmaEh2C8OGusonm4LFHwaFignMaSqQbb4C4EyLv6oEjXF9g47SxkMwme8_LT2ty1Jh9v5xGEaxZCUGWrOiSbXa4pbsOyjv/s1600/IMG-1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1UL7U75Cm9Quhkh3skObK3hSyni71Mq6q7bC84wnJJ4CGHrmaEh2C8OGusonm4LFHwaFignMaSqQbb4C4EyLv6oEjXF9g47SxkMwme8_LT2ty1Jh9v5xGEaxZCUGWrOiSbXa4pbsOyjv/s400/IMG-1194.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New, low-flow, faucet aerators replaced this old, bulky unit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
As the process concluded, Travis, once again reviewed the problem areas in the house and ensured that I now understood how gaps were allowing a continuous exchange of air from indoors to outdoors. My house was far leakier than I had ever anticipated! He left, assuring me that everything could be fixed.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
We did, however, have a small financial commitment to make to the process. As homeowners, we had three minor problems, which would need to be brought up to code before project completion. The repairs would cost us less than $300.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
In the meantime, a second, and even more thorough examination, would be performed by <a href="https://evergreenhomeenergy.com/">Todd Abercrombie of EverGreen Home Energy Consultants.</a> Todd would then provide us a with a list of detailed, prioritized, actionable steps and connect us with one of <a href="https://amerenillinoissavings.com/for-my-home/find-a-contractor">Ameren's trusted, locally-owned program allies</a>.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The next step in the process</h2>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Once again, I didn't have to wait long. I received a call from Todd within a week. Arriving at the agreed upon hour, he, first, repeated Travis' initial tests, to ensure that the calculations were correct.<br />
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They were.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs451daXggfjCGuTLTL6e_OMwM_6PtGZpgBPIa3J5SctPfzKzOv7CAHE1SGKC7lnfJ1Dp4YDu7rxsxw_wzxZAzfl5BBHT0K58xKZmFD6ezZbhedX1Nsvse4karS9xAxdqAlI6Sdntz2fU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-08-23+at+1.50.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="401" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs451daXggfjCGuTLTL6e_OMwM_6PtGZpgBPIa3J5SctPfzKzOv7CAHE1SGKC7lnfJ1Dp4YDu7rxsxw_wzxZAzfl5BBHT0K58xKZmFD6ezZbhedX1Nsvse4karS9xAxdqAlI6Sdntz2fU/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-08-23+at+1.50.23+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a clear flow of heat from the centralized whole house fan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
In addition to verifying the original energy loss numbers, a thermal imaging camera was used, to aid in defining the exact amount of heat loss, The device was aimed at doors, windows, near the ceiling, at the roofline, through the whole house fan, and, finally, up the bathroom exhaust.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXcxGMeD7a5UjxtBvMcVIP1-aUv57xMVUZpuwc4df2AyiiCp9f2tPU6BX5whW79k_KnT02WAnuNxcD8Tu1b1eOVKBYPafSQmBihk0EDyQweXKMKl9iWwc9iFHuaUgG9uU4mDUpj8d8eVp/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-08-23+at+1.52.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="817" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXcxGMeD7a5UjxtBvMcVIP1-aUv57xMVUZpuwc4df2AyiiCp9f2tPU6BX5whW79k_KnT02WAnuNxcD8Tu1b1eOVKBYPafSQmBihk0EDyQweXKMKl9iWwc9iFHuaUgG9uU4mDUpj8d8eVp/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-08-23+at+1.52.15+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heat escaping where the top plates meet the downward sloping roofline. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
This was pretty cool technology! I was able to physically see heat radiating through unseen holes in my home.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Todd explained that even brand new constructions contain some air flow. Although the numbers looked pretty high to me, Todd said that he had seen worse and reiterated Travis' assertion that just a few upgrades could provide me with a significant reduction in heat or cooling loss. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
The next week I received an extensive, final, detailed report with a prioritized list of both necessary and suggested projects. Todd also recommended and connected us with Central Illinois Insulation, an Ameren energy program ally. </div>
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</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
What our certified Ameren trusted partner did for us</h2>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The crew from <a href="https://www.centralillinoisinsulation.com/">Central Illinois Insulation</a> were absolutely remarkable! Being in an attic on a blazing Central Illinois summer day brings about visions worthy of inclusion in Dante's famous Inferno. But, they labored tirelessly and cheerfully, putting forth their best effort in less than ideal working conditions. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Replacing the Bathroom Exhaust Fan</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8DUAe_pFC9wUJpiXY1xDIdrCirdZCNZYuggzM0H7wQ-sK6LWOPUrmxNSW3QkjdoXA8WvFupa129_HUvtEz8iAxgJefLmVoqTNY57NgEvlI1M0TTFsJ9b-jJIVrpfVKIu5KtYiY-rqni6/s1600/IMG-2509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8DUAe_pFC9wUJpiXY1xDIdrCirdZCNZYuggzM0H7wQ-sK6LWOPUrmxNSW3QkjdoXA8WvFupa129_HUvtEz8iAxgJefLmVoqTNY57NgEvlI1M0TTFsJ9b-jJIVrpfVKIu5KtYiY-rqni6/s400/IMG-2509.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A new Panasonic energy efficient bathroom fan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The new Panasonic Whisper Green Bath Exhaust Fan is vented properly and "hums", rather than rattles when in use. It keeps moisture at bay even when a teenage boy is standing under running water in the shower, singing through multiple verses of his favorite songs. I was very impressed with how effectively the new fan wicked steam from the room.</div>
<h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sealing the Backdoor</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYEGce-dOqUdIqGWj8V2lXucz-dPoqt0qVf7nuSjJ-Wy6UlJys58OtUxen0lD2EkeHyOxVv8x54Si7ERw356Qz3i0qCF1Z1dVisIORAIC8yi_tXVrUxzo5pB251mtd8Mb6MVAa8c1ERAn/s1600/IMG-2512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYEGce-dOqUdIqGWj8V2lXucz-dPoqt0qVf7nuSjJ-Wy6UlJys58OtUxen0lD2EkeHyOxVv8x54Si7ERw356Qz3i0qCF1Z1dVisIORAIC8yi_tXVrUxzo5pB251mtd8Mb6MVAa8c1ERAn/s400/IMG-2512.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plexiglass panel on the inside, seals leaks from the jalousie window.</td></tr>
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This was a little tricky. We really didn't want a replacement door. I like being able to look from the backdoor into the garage. But, the original jalousie windows were like a leaky sieve. Tim Wagenbach, owner of Central Illinois Insulation, took on this task personally. He found a piece of plexiglass and had it cut to the perfect size. Then, he custom fitted it over the top of the existing window frame. It was the perfect solution!</div>
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Sealing cracks in the attic and adding insulation</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoYO_Wxlq7CSsijMuAo6NDbfp7GUMccfPRA8HRXbtXh_E6pF1cilctvabQ3p0g9AreOBw7YmKnf0OcGIoUj36LMKDgCRgGf8h2YEJURFv0P539I35PvjaWQ7Ywbw4B3CctSPDMpqdX1cO/s1600/IMG-2518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoYO_Wxlq7CSsijMuAo6NDbfp7GUMccfPRA8HRXbtXh_E6pF1cilctvabQ3p0g9AreOBw7YmKnf0OcGIoUj36LMKDgCRgGf8h2YEJURFv0P539I35PvjaWQ7Ywbw4B3CctSPDMpqdX1cO/s400/IMG-2518.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New insulation helps keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. </td></tr>
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</h2>
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Previous to the improvements, my attic only contained maybe six inches of very old, squished insulation. It's no wonder the attic and roof were the main sources of heating and cooling loss for my home! They were the spaces, which allowed for the greatest degree of conductivity between the interior and exterior spaces.</div>
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Sealing, in the form of foam, caulk, or solid materials were applied to areas like the chimney base, top plates, wiring penetrations, plumbing penetrations, the kitchen soffit, and the whole house fan.</div>
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<br />
We had one additional request for the attic project, a plywood walkway so that the whole house fan could easily be reached for yearly maintenance. We opted to pay out-of-pocket to have the workmen to do this for us.<br />
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After that, insulation was blown in to a factor of R-49.</div>
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Adding a whole house fan cover</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxswoUVynNzo2nQQT-nA2hU5fTMxud5FqRyd2LH6uSZGEiGk_TyMTkudJAyOf3Y9QSuEMGNJKuDW0I2TgR1XCV1le4QWT9vKH8m7kppodHtWGoyxsDzIzlEyeQIJthAR0DtJhDk6Kuukp/s1600/IMG-2505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxswoUVynNzo2nQQT-nA2hU5fTMxud5FqRyd2LH6uSZGEiGk_TyMTkudJAyOf3Y9QSuEMGNJKuDW0I2TgR1XCV1le4QWT9vKH8m7kppodHtWGoyxsDzIzlEyeQIJthAR0DtJhDk6Kuukp/s400/IMG-2505.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new fan cover fits tight against the ceiling, but is easy to remove to put the fan into use. </td></tr>
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The final area of concern was our whole house fan. Unlike many people, we actually use our whole house fan, especially in the spring and fall, when nighttime temperatures drop and the humidity is also low. So, plugging it up permanently was not an option.</div>
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Instead, an insulated, magnetized specialty cover proved to be the perfect solution. The interior of the cover is insulated, providing an additional R-factor. Yet, the durable cover is also easy enough for my older boys to grab the magnetized corner to remove it when we are planning to use the fan.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The cost of the project </h2>
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The cost of these home improvements was nearly $4000 and was completely covered by Ameren's Energy Efficiency Home Audit program! Our only out-of-pocket cost was that of paying to have three minor items replaced and brought up to code and the cost of laying the plywood flooring in the attic. It was less than $500. </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Final report </h2>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
The final report showed an amazing 48% increase in air efficiency! </h3>
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While our initial blower door test CFM level had been 11.0, the post-improvement test revealed a new number of 5.8! New construction is built to a code of 4.0. That means our home's level of air efficiency is now very close to that of a new build! The results were even better than Ameren's initial projections! Everyone was well-pleased, deeming the project a rousing success!<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Does this mean my utility bills will drop by half? </h2>
<br />
No. It's a measure of the reduction of the overall air leakage of my home. It i<u>s</u> one of the metrics used to determine how air moves through a structure, which affects its ability to effectively and efficiently heat and cool. </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Have I noticed a difference?</h2>
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<i>
Yes, I have!</i> </h2>
<div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Our central air, which seemed to be running constantly, is now taking long "breathers" before turning on, rather than continuously cycling. This is happening even though the weather has remained hot and sticky. </li>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">I can stand in the hallway and no longer feel the heat of the attic radiating through the closed whole house fan. </li>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Although we've not had a full bill cycle since the improvements, we did just receive our August utility bill, which was under $200, a record low for us in the midst of hot summer heat and humidity! </li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Do I recommend the program?</h2>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Absolutely! If you live in Ameren Illinois' service area,<a href="https://amerenillinoissavings.com/for-my-home/explore-incentives/home-efficiency-program"> check the on-line chart</a> to see if you qualify for the program. Every single person involved in the process was incredibly polite, giving their time and knowledge and treating us with the utmost respect.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<i>
Special thanks to:</i> </h2>
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<div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Suzanne at the <a href="https://www.ameren.com/">Ameren</a> home office, who answered my initial phone call and processed our application with lightening fast speed. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Travis Crocker, of <a href="https://wmenergy.com/">Walker-Miller Energy Services</a>, who completed our initial assessment.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Todd Abercrombie, owner of <a href="https://evergreenhomeenergy.com/">EverGreen Home Energy Consultant</a>s, who did a thorough, top-notch job, coming up with such a detailed, thoroughly thought through action plan</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Tim Wagenbach, owner of <a href="https://www.centralillinoisinsulation.com/">Central Illinois Insulation</a> and his amazing crew, who worked for hours without complaint in my sweltering hot attic to install the new insulation and complete the rest of the project upgrades. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ameren.com/illinois/">Ameren Illinoi</a>s, who offer great service to the customers in their service area. </li>
</ul>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-53912421515421341772019-08-28T17:18:00.001-07:002019-08-28T17:18:48.456-07:00Let's Go "Nuts" With Seasonal Produce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every week during the growing season I share with you ideas for planning your weekly menu around readily available, fresh, delicious, local produce. It's literally one of the least expensive means of saving money on your grocery bill.<br />
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This week, I decided to"go nuts". </h2>
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That's right! Every single one of these recipes features fresh farmers market produce paired with some kind of nut.<br />
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Zucchini, basil, chickpea soup</h2>
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<a href="https://www.joanneweir.com/recipes/soups/zucchini-basil-chickpea-soup/">Zucchini, basil, chickpea soup</a></div>
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This soup was amazing! It features a puree of basil, nuts, and garlic. That's right! You make a simple pesto and then stir it in to the soup at the very end. The finished soup is bursting with fresh flavor that will keep you coming back again and again for another bowl!<br />
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20-Minute Vegan Creole Green Beans</h2>
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<a href="http://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/08/easy-20-minute-vegan-creole-green-beans.html">Easy, 20-minute, vegan, Creole green beans</a></div>
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This is an exclusive, Under the Median, Cheap Eats recipe. Growing up, I begged my mother to make Creole green beans. I loved the smoky, salty flavor of the ham or bacon. As a vegan, I wanted to recreate that experience without the meat. So, the 15 year old sous chef and I got to work this week in our kitchen. This recipe gives you all the flavor you remember, without added fat, cholesterol, or salt.<br />
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Scalloped Carrots Topped With Almonds</h2>
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Scalloped carrots topped with almonds</div>
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I introduced you to scalloped carrots in <a href="http://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/08/5-ways-to-scallop-vegetables.html">last week's CSA post, when I talked about 5 ways to scallop vegetables</a>. My version used t<a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/229316/scalloped-carrots/">he Allrecipes version</a> for inspiration and topped it with a sprinkling of chopped almonds for extra crunch. </div>
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Carrot Top Pesto</h2>
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<a href="https://www.forkintheroad.co/carrot-top-pesto/">Carrot top pesto</a></div>
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Pesto is always a good idea! Having it in the freezer is an <u>even better</u> idea! I make a large batch and freeze it in small yogurt containers. Just fill the containers, freeze, pop out the pesto cubes, and throw them in a labelled freezer bag. One cube will nicely cover 8-10 ounces of cooked pasta.<br />
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Almond Tomato Spread</h2>
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<a href="https://www.marthastewart.com/1155705/almond-tomato-spread">Almond tomato spread</a></div>
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This recipe comes from Martha Stewart. I didn't add the olive oil, but the finished spread was absolutely perfect for dipping with tortilla chips or raw veggies.<br />
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-48078310236632325842019-08-28T17:10:00.002-07:002021-01-29T12:33:19.097-08:00Easy 20 Minute Vegan Creole Green Beans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a child, I begged my mother to make classic Creole green beans, flavored with ham or bacon. I would eat them by the bowlful. Many years later, as a vegan, I wanted to recreate that flavor without any added fat, salt, and cholesterol.<br />
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Grabbing my faithful black cast iron skillet, the two junior sous chefs and I spent one afternoon creating this recipe for you. A splash of low sodium soy sauce is responsible for the salty flavor, while a capful of liquid smoke adds the illusion of meat.<br />
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Ingredients: </h3>
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1 pound fresh green beans </div>
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1/2 cup water (divided use)</div>
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1 medium red onion - chopped</div>
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2 cloves garlic - minced</div>
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1 1/2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce </div>
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1 capful (about 3/4 tsp.) liquid smoke </div>
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1 Tbsp salt-free seasoning (I like Costco brand)</div>
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1 Tbsp onion powder</div>
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2 large tomatoes - chopped</div>
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1/4 cup chopped almonds (optional) </div>
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Instructions: </h3>
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Wash the beans, stem, and snap into 1 inch pieces. Set aside. </div>
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Heat 4 Tbsp of water in a medium sized skillet. When the water is hot, add the chopped onions and garlic. Cook until the onion and garlic are lightly browned. If needed, add water 2 Tbsp at a time to keep the vegetables from scorching. Add the remaining water, spices, and green beans to the pan. Place lid on pan and cook for 10 minutes. The beans should be bright green. There should be just a little water left in the bottom of the pan. Add soy sauce, chopped tomatoes, and liquid smoke. Cook another 5-7 minutes. </div>
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Sprinkle with chopped almonds. Serves 6. </div>
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For a FREE, downloadable PDF of this recipe,<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UozI9HBhGovtpBIaD8WIBSXmSOtzbr29BjRWhFYiyRc/edit?usp=sharing"> click here</a>. </div>
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<br />Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-61162347883815744482019-08-25T22:01:00.001-07:002019-09-07T14:39:07.148-07:00A Community Approach to Ending Food Insecurity<br />
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I recently attended a half day symposium on food insecurity and ongoing efforts in my community to insure that healthy food is available to everyone.<br />
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<a href="https://www.bighunger.org/" target="_blank">Author, Andy Fisher</a>, co-founder of the Community Food Security Coalition, and keynote speaker at the "What's Our Recipe" half day seminar, puts the percentage of US households dealing with food insecurity issues, at 11.8%. This number seems pretty low, until you realize that statistic represents 1 in every 10 households in America.<br />
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What is "food insecurity"? </h2>
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Food insecurity is, very simply, the physical lack of enough food in a home and the absence of monetary resources to purchase more. As far as my limited research could tell, food insecurity does not really include any measures of the nutritional nature of the food being provided for yourself, your partner or spouse, or your children. In other words, there are no markers to designate or differentiate between eating a Standard American Diet or choosing a healthier whole foods plant based diet. </div>
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In 2006, the USDA developed<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/definitions-of-food-security/" target="_blank"> a new sub-set of four standards</a> to describe food insecurity, ranging from "high food security" to "very low food security". </div>
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Does your family suffer from food insecurity? </h2>
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Want to see how the USDA would characterize your family food patterns? Here's a PDF of the <a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/media/8271/hh2012.pdf" target="_blank">forms and questions they use to determine food insecurity</a>. </div>
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I took the survey and discovered that our family is considered to be mildly affected by food insecurity, not because there is not enough food available, but because our lean budget somewhat limits the types of food and total amount which can be purchased each month. </div>
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What does all this have to do with living Under the Median? </div>
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<b>Plenty! </b><br />
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Although no one person is immune from the possibility of experiencing hunger in their lifetime, the statistics skyrocket when you begin looking at those who make a less-than-average income. The lower your income, the greater percentage of the total money available in your budget must be spent on food.<br />
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Using my family as an example, even though we have lived above the poverty level (but, for the most part, beneath the national median), most years we have had to allocate more than <a href="https://www.everydollar.com/blog/budget-percentages" target="_blank">the generally suggested 10-15% guideline</a> for food.<br />
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USDA Guidelines</h2>
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<a href="https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/media/file/CostofFoodJun2019.pdf" target="_blank">Following the instructions on the USDA website</a>, I calculated the "thrifty" food budget for our family of five. It was just over $764.00 monthly. I find that number to be astronomically high! Seriously! I cannot imagine having that much money to spend on groceries! It would, in fact, be well over 20% of our income.<br />
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I, apparently, have an unbelievably low monthly grocery budget of just over $400 for five people. In fact, my actual budget numbers are $450 per month total for both food and household items like shampoo and toilet bowl cleaner.<br />
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What does food insecurity look like? </h2>
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As I, along with my two junior sous chefs, listened, A<a href="https://www.bighunger.org/" target="_blank">ndy Fisher</a> painted a picture of the face of hunger as a reflection of two major factors: </div>
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<li>Poverty</li>
<li>A lack of political power</li>
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I don't think any of us would argue the validity that living from month-to-month on a budget which does not provide enough resources to provide basic food, clothing, and shelter would be devastating on a number of different levels. One is often faced with a series of seemingly untenable choices, when money is that tight. </div>
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<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
So, what are we to do? </h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fisher suggests a combination of labor, hunger, and environmental groups to spearhead programs, designed to reach out to the needy and offer viable solutions and a virtual ladder out of poverty. </div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Partnership for a Healthy Community</h2>
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<div>
Partnership for a Healthy Community is a committee, comprised, at the time of this writing, of twenty local organizations. After receiving a $40,000 grant, the search committee quickly assembled a dedicated group of volunteers, who were then empowered to hit the ground running. </div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Project #1: Cooking Matters Program </h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Cooking Matters Program represents the premier voyage of group's efforts. They set out to discover why people eat the way they eat. Survey participants most often cited "time" as being one of the major reasons that they felt the goal of eating healthy was difficult for them to achieve. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After synthesizing the results, a committee of local nutrition and outreach specialists decided to focus on: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>offering WIC Education</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>utilizing a toolkit for making nutritional changes</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>sponsoring worksite wellness events</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Project #2: Increased Healthy Food Options</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This second committee was formed by a combination of local medical and social service professionals. Their target is to increase the inventory, options, and availability of healthy food in our community. </div>
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<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">What does this mean for you? </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I recognize that I have readers from all over the globe. No matter where you live, you can search for a group with whom to align yourself. You can help make an impact in your community. You can help end hunger. Remember, not all help is monetary. No matter your personal income, <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/02/i-want-to-give-but-i-have-no-money.html" target="_blank">you have something to give</a>. </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Here are some objectives and resources for you. </h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFkCGSLCQyCeoXk-5zcuvSD4NkF13tdSxAG2ZiQ5NyeltQ1RmclLOyo6_chdVBomfTC8P7RV0SczJkd6DoGBN95Q4SptepHTQpJfhz4lllvDRT9pFxBvGZvdArDN-FtLIpurJGreDBfvV/s1600/IMG-2320+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1057" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFkCGSLCQyCeoXk-5zcuvSD4NkF13tdSxAG2ZiQ5NyeltQ1RmclLOyo6_chdVBomfTC8P7RV0SczJkd6DoGBN95Q4SptepHTQpJfhz4lllvDRT9pFxBvGZvdArDN-FtLIpurJGreDBfvV/s640/IMG-2320+copy.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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<div>
These objectives and programs are currently either being currently utilized or are ready to be implemented in my city. </div>
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<div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
HEAL (Healthy Eating and Active Living)</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Materials from the <a href="http://www.santacruzhealth.org/Portals/7/Pdfs/SNapEd/Community%20Toolkit%20Complete.pdf" target="_blank">USDA's Healthy Eating and Active Living division</a> can be used for free, by any group in addressing food and poverty issues. </span></span></div>
<div>
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<br />
<h2>
Your turn!</h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">What does food insecurity look like to you? How can communities best work toward providing every person with access to healthy food? What is your locale doing to address this problem? Leave me your thoughts in the comments. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
</h3>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like: </h2>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-33236236063411340792019-08-22T12:56:00.002-07:002019-09-07T14:39:39.891-07:006 Reasons You Should Be Shopping at Ethnic Stores<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj508_JPUsRpq1ii4tXK0ANkYz7wfRClAlXDXTFh2lk3rZHp28bMrovKtM21rV_agP1mEp3n8sR4yms1QzsbjwnqiI6wlUON_N54DXGHkILubxQftiRAMTFU54QWri38dchsQNJwwRAj2ML/s1600/IMG_1256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj508_JPUsRpq1ii4tXK0ANkYz7wfRClAlXDXTFh2lk3rZHp28bMrovKtM21rV_agP1mEp3n8sR4yms1QzsbjwnqiI6wlUON_N54DXGHkILubxQftiRAMTFU54QWri38dchsQNJwwRAj2ML/s400/IMG_1256.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
For many years I looked at ethnic markets with a degree of trepadition. New situations can be unsettling.<br />
<br />
<h2>
I thought:</h2>
<br />
<ul>
<li><i> the quality of food would be inferior. </i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>the store employees would be unfriendly.</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>I would be unable to understand the native accents of the employees.</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>I would be seen as an interloper, because I was not of their heritage.</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>the prices would be substantially higher than those at traditional stores. </i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
I was wrong! - <u>very, very</u> wrong!</h2>
<br />
Here are 6 reasons why I am so glad that I got over my self-imposed fear factor and ventured into<br />
ethnic food stores.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B3SqZv7x90EEU5rjE4VQ1uoodu1uyVAAxwKfjEum76hmBAJJ3vo-n3j8fHso94SKjzXu3MSbPS4aegSwj-Unr9HorZwHYM9TAHSxT0AKS5bNF0L3a72h6MyH2G-WxU5ye3GGobTrNnmB/s1600/IMG-2462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B3SqZv7x90EEU5rjE4VQ1uoodu1uyVAAxwKfjEum76hmBAJJ3vo-n3j8fHso94SKjzXu3MSbPS4aegSwj-Unr9HorZwHYM9TAHSxT0AKS5bNF0L3a72h6MyH2G-WxU5ye3GGobTrNnmB/s400/IMG-2462.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul></ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>1. Your money stays local! </b></h2>
<br />
<br />
Local ethnic markets are often most often owned by people who live, work, and raise their families right in your hometown. They care deeply about creating a friendly atmosphere that keeps you coming back.<br />
<br />
I grew up in a very small town, population 1800. There was a very real sense of treating your neighbor like they were family. That same feeling exists in ethnic grocery stores. When you shop there, they learn your first name, know what products you like, and give you personal treatment. It's all about relationships!<br />
<br />
In my area, we have a large diversity of ethnic market choices:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Mediterranean</li>
<li>Mexican</li>
<li>Indian</li>
<li>Asian</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>2. Owners may offer a special case price. </b></h2>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAjD3ftL1y_FwEUo70cZ8LvV1Mzl18KUKIapyyKipJ1UaDcK6ZHSDDQDR7gaLXdeWmhSDvUuCs3M1OV79NtenZQfta2QXbolD7roA5Nx0EdK3CJ3JpI34MQeLpTzgEHLx3Uj7MTGQyGY3/s1600/IMG-1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="1600" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAjD3ftL1y_FwEUo70cZ8LvV1Mzl18KUKIapyyKipJ1UaDcK6ZHSDDQDR7gaLXdeWmhSDvUuCs3M1OV79NtenZQfta2QXbolD7roA5Nx0EdK3CJ3JpI34MQeLpTzgEHLx3Uj7MTGQyGY3/s400/IMG-1727.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I paid $4.00 for the entire case!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It is not uncommon for ethnic stores to offer customers a discount on the purchase case lots of products. Unlike larger stores, where corporate policy mandates, the extent to which local managers can service customers, at a small grocer, the owner is often the person to whom you are speaking. If they can give you a better deal, they often will.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RrSGms_6pIGWC9gkj1c8EbSUwur91AWMWdAskuFe-rCJbHhrC0HY24ujtwjfSw4nK_gODBRF_OXHR4Agd2NMW-Rwf-nDDWDZhILGCfnSArWwsMTvCcoze7BJcW1r40ztC2xGfPW4ZrFs/s1600/IMG-2471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RrSGms_6pIGWC9gkj1c8EbSUwur91AWMWdAskuFe-rCJbHhrC0HY24ujtwjfSw4nK_gODBRF_OXHR4Agd2NMW-Rwf-nDDWDZhILGCfnSArWwsMTvCcoze7BJcW1r40ztC2xGfPW4ZrFs/s400/IMG-2471.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A case of red lentils I purchased at a discounted price. </td></tr>
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On the flip side of the coin, I go out of my way to stop in frequently just to see what my ethnic stores have on hand. I <u>want</u> locally owned stores to stay in business! </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>3. Fresh shipments arrive weekly from big city markets.</b> </h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMw-5HtHaRPMOzOOTdAYqyNzmLfvOURck87A8Ukwr-THGoiAeHwAdi4BjJARnT-_8RCYuyBj2LbLZZ9RdtO1VybOflytlYzfRUVciXiAHfLRqyUwv-qNXWHEMueITIIP6PjOKXKZ7_FYgo/s1600/IMG-1726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="1600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMw-5HtHaRPMOzOOTdAYqyNzmLfvOURck87A8Ukwr-THGoiAeHwAdi4BjJARnT-_8RCYuyBj2LbLZZ9RdtO1VybOflytlYzfRUVciXiAHfLRqyUwv-qNXWHEMueITIIP6PjOKXKZ7_FYgo/s400/IMG-1726.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organic Parsley and Cilantro for 50¢ a bunch! </td></tr>
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I became very aware of the time and day of the week that my local stores receive their new shipments of merchandise.<br />
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I know that at around 3pm every Thursday, the Mediterranean Mart will be brimming with brand new merchandise, produce, and fresh flatbreads from Chicago's bakeries and markets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNXckNc0H4DxGm6EaeWUQ7kBxZGowL1W5smVjwQh6tklMEFpOnJVBLoVKQ3IbyEKKQcg2vw4aC3MTpTPtDtYBTYxqKz8jntOXRuGYmbYDtcgWhi-gQvz9FoeFcGGRprEpCBDig6q-RoCk/s1600/IMG-2463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNXckNc0H4DxGm6EaeWUQ7kBxZGowL1W5smVjwQh6tklMEFpOnJVBLoVKQ3IbyEKKQcg2vw4aC3MTpTPtDtYBTYxqKz8jntOXRuGYmbYDtcgWhi-gQvz9FoeFcGGRprEpCBDig6q-RoCk/s640/IMG-2463.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The produce is not only fresh, it is often priced less than mass market competitor grocery stores. </div>
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As a bonus, items left on the shelf from last week may be offered at a discount.</h3>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>4. You'll save money!</b> </h2>
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Here are just a few items that I found on the shelves at great prices on a recent visit to Mediterranean Mart. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fgaWk3NBUasuLx30YevEf36PYEOYpt525pElAWi8qV3f1hJZtze9ocUp8QNi1sVfX0Pu8STBhwsYa-II2WrE-xZB81CnP2nQAU8TdIl6oWNq0yX2-woeqlMlbe85WKL7d2VNiFlyn8zM/s1600/IMG-2464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fgaWk3NBUasuLx30YevEf36PYEOYpt525pElAWi8qV3f1hJZtze9ocUp8QNi1sVfX0Pu8STBhwsYa-II2WrE-xZB81CnP2nQAU8TdIl6oWNq0yX2-woeqlMlbe85WKL7d2VNiFlyn8zM/s400/IMG-2464.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this thin, fancy pasta for just $.99! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZF2o8oAPWzyda6eMfbFIuXacv_Lnh0octDW7ujR7HJ0tzcgzzcrO7LlH0FTa7QRd62zCc-CD6FEFNS-W1SXh5R5uJOI1IE8xEAhjkEm1345ez2QVxhZpFWVvSqrbhi1svGHckkDLzAfb/s1600/IMG-2460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZF2o8oAPWzyda6eMfbFIuXacv_Lnh0octDW7ujR7HJ0tzcgzzcrO7LlH0FTa7QRd62zCc-CD6FEFNS-W1SXh5R5uJOI1IE8xEAhjkEm1345ez2QVxhZpFWVvSqrbhi1svGHckkDLzAfb/s400/IMG-2460.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh figs, only available for a short time each year</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_5EdKZ-RmFSIJ3VXKVoTPPpn2JQ0kmliOl_kpb-OzmKbzuDggu2jMEEWi5z0p2NvgcCRyiQ_OYgsl5AE0MV6zk-wdYUVB-oG5ZihZlcW8UMB2zsC02adJO08o8Y9YmLeEBJVHD1abwyG/s1600/IMG-2461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_5EdKZ-RmFSIJ3VXKVoTPPpn2JQ0kmliOl_kpb-OzmKbzuDggu2jMEEWi5z0p2NvgcCRyiQ_OYgsl5AE0MV6zk-wdYUVB-oG5ZihZlcW8UMB2zsC02adJO08o8Y9YmLeEBJVHD1abwyG/s320/IMG-2461.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organic hummus, stocked at the request of customers</td></tr>
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Speciality items are often substantially cheaper than the very same item from a traditional grocery store. Regional spices are nearly always less than those from traditional grocers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBbke_o5r3enrGfYpFvh8qYGdjGLujZ13A_6rn7yg-zlpBCF36S7RuQFfFQdZ4XjnZAJ2vgXoRKXwzHFeb4-j25xbhN_uttugR0Db1__EjXJeFdlHTLJ96sgap_tIpMN5_LNfYuamc6Pg/s1600/IMG-2459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBbke_o5r3enrGfYpFvh8qYGdjGLujZ13A_6rn7yg-zlpBCF36S7RuQFfFQdZ4XjnZAJ2vgXoRKXwzHFeb4-j25xbhN_uttugR0Db1__EjXJeFdlHTLJ96sgap_tIpMN5_LNfYuamc6Pg/s400/IMG-2459.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I often get new spices to try, because they are so inexpensive</td></tr>
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The first time I entered the Mediterranean Mart, it was to find garam masala. I needed this savory spice mix for a recipe and had heard from others that one could find spices for great prices at this locally-owned shop.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgEqQxd2QwqHX6kl9IrVy09_ak7jX1nxflYmm-EYOYMaiOQgQ6S0GHRjorxvtW7uDn0IxbuQZVWDSBG-6-yEuhx8fruQqqkVptCEiXwdtQ8K1hJtbuiipNKT_NHLRW9Xb4hww7L35jMU1/s1600/IMG-2465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgEqQxd2QwqHX6kl9IrVy09_ak7jX1nxflYmm-EYOYMaiOQgQ6S0GHRjorxvtW7uDn0IxbuQZVWDSBG-6-yEuhx8fruQqqkVptCEiXwdtQ8K1hJtbuiipNKT_NHLRW9Xb4hww7L35jMU1/s400/IMG-2465.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small section of the spice selection at Mediterranean Mart</td></tr>
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Upon entering, I was greeted by the ultra-friendly owner, Sieed immediately showed me the spice section, patiently explaining each specialty blend, giving me ideas on how they were used in his native country. The prices were fabulous and, to a food geek like me, an undeniable bargain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1x-Ic2Db2ZcFGayni8tUXsE7Oi8NiDmdvy2Lm67E4WWGVdWDyaNQKl86dIDOgDpFwBIA-OXPeaSStuSkH_HmkQgwG6o5DbGRhXpZN6z3hEiZB4b6RZopxkq_K8lqRZ67QPZ7slpO9j8Z/s1600/IMG-2458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1x-Ic2Db2ZcFGayni8tUXsE7Oi8NiDmdvy2Lm67E4WWGVdWDyaNQKl86dIDOgDpFwBIA-OXPeaSStuSkH_HmkQgwG6o5DbGRhXpZN6z3hEiZB4b6RZopxkq_K8lqRZ67QPZ7slpO9j8Z/s400/IMG-2458.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of our favorite shelf stable items from Mediterranean Mart</td></tr>
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Not only did I discover a love for a whole host of Middle Eastern spices, I also found items that are staples in my kitchen.<br />
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<b>5. You just may find some new favorite foods and flavors.</b> </h2>
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I had hardly tasted a red lentil before I started frequenting the Mediterranean Mart. We quickly grew to love their flavor and their ease of preparation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvga0UCKf9HbHWxZh7NsnmxKcLzQN4D35d_EY510cTq5efHcGNTwW0Z8-ff2I7L4jm1xrjvvjko4uYjKPMCtjbgr1hgeKg1fncq6ShbcY4hc-sieV_QTN6m2sxWY9o_vHIS2nFneb0ekNV/s1600/IMG-2484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvga0UCKf9HbHWxZh7NsnmxKcLzQN4D35d_EY510cTq5efHcGNTwW0Z8-ff2I7L4jm1xrjvvjko4uYjKPMCtjbgr1hgeKg1fncq6ShbcY4hc-sieV_QTN6m2sxWY9o_vHIS2nFneb0ekNV/s400/IMG-2484.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's a recipe for <a href="https://www.connoisseurusveg.com/mediterranean-red-lentil-soup/">Mediterranean Red Lentil soup</a> that may quickly become one of your family's most requested meals, too! </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
6. You'll make new friends! </h2>
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Ethnic grocers love to share their knowledge with customers! They will go out of their way to insure that you are happy with your purchase and know how to use it once you get it home. Not only that, you quickly become friends! Sieed is so aware of our family's buying patterns, that we recently stopped in to get dates. Before we could even inquire about the availability of our favorite, dried fruit, Sieed asked the 15 year old sous chef, "Are you ready for a new box of fresh dates?"<br />
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<h3>
That's not just being a good businessman; that's the mark of a true friend! </h3>
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Your turn!</h2>
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Do you shop at ethnic stores? Have you had a good experience? In which ethnic markets do you find the best deals? I'd love to hear from you! Leave your thoughts in the comments. </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-91175332654589243932019-08-21T05:54:00.006-07:002020-10-04T14:30:49.136-07:005 Ways to Scallop Vegetables<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KQRn-BX_Qjy1GAot-dvM4Etn8H0RVVpCfsWA9YWH2_ZSrytbk_D6zG0YTH5PRlnwM_Ziz93FM6Xoen31WxqslbC4bcLGTCwaPX2DFH2hRrRhpYd4gWNSEOV3Z6klOqNMTRMIPJ3KgHiP/s1600/IMG-2411.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KQRn-BX_Qjy1GAot-dvM4Etn8H0RVVpCfsWA9YWH2_ZSrytbk_D6zG0YTH5PRlnwM_Ziz93FM6Xoen31WxqslbC4bcLGTCwaPX2DFH2hRrRhpYd4gWNSEOV3Z6klOqNMTRMIPJ3KgHiP/s400/IMG-2411.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I wanted a theme for this week's food blog post and when I saw some leftover cheese sauce in the fridge, the concept for a post on scalloped vegetables was born.<br />
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When you are planning your weekly menu, taking a few minutes to see what is leftover in your fridge is important for several reasons. </h3>
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<li>Visually looking at the contents of bags, boxes, and Tupperware containers full of leftovers reminds you to not waste food that you've already cooked! </li>
<li>When I do my weekly fridge "sweep through" I often go ahead and divide up the leftovers into smaller containers so that I can tell my husband or grown sons what to grab on their way out the door to head to work in the mornings. This makes it much easier for them and insures that they leftovers get eaten in a timely fashion. </li>
<li>Looking at leftovers can often fuel your creative juices when you are feeling like there is nothing in the house to eat. In this instance, that big bowl of leftover cheese sauce inspired me to make a pan of scalloped potatoes for supper. In a larger sense, scalloped items became my "theme of the week". </li>
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<i>(Posts on this blog contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you.) </i></div>
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When we say the word "scallop", an image of our Grandmother's holiday potatoes, smothered in butter and a cheese sauce, comes to mind. But, the concept of "scalloped" is much broader than that and can be much healthier. Let me show you some examples. </div>
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You can scallop more than potatoes! </h2>
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Recipe #1: Scalloped Carrots</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHFwC96K26eVHzlqBwFNvWn2SGCFzId6wgpEvZPFPY1lG5NYJpJLVSFM8r6IgRNlpaNbVXodbKMAKevZmDC4ieZjaflkzmB96JmfTW471-xhqWAeBfltiGk59mRGwKbxmIW81bpUCpx6F/s1600/IMG-2413.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHFwC96K26eVHzlqBwFNvWn2SGCFzId6wgpEvZPFPY1lG5NYJpJLVSFM8r6IgRNlpaNbVXodbKMAKevZmDC4ieZjaflkzmB96JmfTW471-xhqWAeBfltiGk59mRGwKbxmIW81bpUCpx6F/s640/IMG-2413.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Yes, carrots can be scalloped! If you have spent your life eating raw carrots, then be prepared for a pleasant surprise! When you cook carrots, even more of their natural sweetness is released and they take on a whole new degree of yumminess! <a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/229316/scalloped-carrots/"> This recipe from All Recipes</a>, is both delicious and easy! If you are dairy free, it's also easy to "veganize" by replacing the milk and butter with a dairy free substitute. </div>
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Recipe #2: Scalloped potatoes with Lemony White Bean Alfredo Sauce </h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSXwzrUjv0iVKglsQfIOj-pYeWZufvn3wIz42135Fs2UhG6XGJ6Zrw-BIrUG5QXiQ4dWF0hW9yCG_Ir8vdDyugbIBMyR1ZMn6dv9Pk-inTsZxvpJTxDT1OdwdvE8LM9b4TnnRWHtCxwFv/s1600/IMG-0801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSXwzrUjv0iVKglsQfIOj-pYeWZufvn3wIz42135Fs2UhG6XGJ6Zrw-BIrUG5QXiQ4dWF0hW9yCG_Ir8vdDyugbIBMyR1ZMn6dv9Pk-inTsZxvpJTxDT1OdwdvE8LM9b4TnnRWHtCxwFv/s640/IMG-0801.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The 14 year old sous chef and I created <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/06/scalloped-potatoes-with-lemony-white.html">this exclusive Under the Median Cheap Eats recipe</a> several months ago. The lemony white bean alfredo sauce is full of amazing citrus fresh flavor and pairs beautifully with the potatoes. </div>
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Recipe #3: Fresh Corn and Zucchini Frittata </h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDyUOUnUF-FMpnESoTdr1u4uVOotOJGMAviLdCJgjtoMUdP03W6e3i_HnMjR1_uoDC6nW0nJievwlnBhyt3TTk-lzJR0NGhxJN14E4uu9A3qfY1dQ48kJ9ne-st6PaQTkUXMjQ9vT-kDY/s1600/IMG-1849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDyUOUnUF-FMpnESoTdr1u4uVOotOJGMAviLdCJgjtoMUdP03W6e3i_HnMjR1_uoDC6nW0nJievwlnBhyt3TTk-lzJR0NGhxJN14E4uu9A3qfY1dQ48kJ9ne-st6PaQTkUXMjQ9vT-kDY/w500-h375/IMG-1849.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Corn, cut fresh from the cob and zucchini are suspended in a gloriously soft, flavorful custard-like bed. The base isn't eggs, but rather cornmeal. For me, this qualifies as a scallop. This recipe comes from one of my favorite cookbooks, <a href="https://amzn.to/2KK77v7">the China Study All Star Cookbook</a>. </div>
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Recipe #4: Scalloped Broccoli Rice Casserole</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-9IFn1EQM_i9lGkY_ANrWvbPXqZg4AJpmzdQTCk5LLNvsM7aagil2PvbZzmbW6RVuAk9DVTgfz2n_e-ZcVRb1FXS83jYF7oP08E6Lvn7oPybTh9zDdGAW80uu8RbMsA7kchHCmv3Rjth/s1600/IMG-0798+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-9IFn1EQM_i9lGkY_ANrWvbPXqZg4AJpmzdQTCk5LLNvsM7aagil2PvbZzmbW6RVuAk9DVTgfz2n_e-ZcVRb1FXS83jYF7oP08E6Lvn7oPybTh9zDdGAW80uu8RbMsA7kchHCmv3Rjth/w604-h640/IMG-0798+copy.jpg" width="604" /></a></div>
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Like the scalloped potatoes, <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/06/scalloped-riced-broccoli-casserole.html">the scalloped riced broccoli casserole</a> also uses our Lemony White Bean Alfredo Sauce. It tasted absolutely decadent, but contained no added oils, fats, or butter. Delicious! </div>
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Recipe #5: Scalloped Corn</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLzsOIi-eR6PlV47y7ZMm8nV3kkHA8_V8ujTxfki-KWZfkSF5LpxKl5OJT5Um15C8INLBpminUucFhcbZIhQmKuv82LaVeLr_mcr1iuLT_kvCdDpkxBNR1IR2fZxn1B5orWMNWXSsV2tk/s1600/IMG-2431.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLzsOIi-eR6PlV47y7ZMm8nV3kkHA8_V8ujTxfki-KWZfkSF5LpxKl5OJT5Um15C8INLBpminUucFhcbZIhQmKuv82LaVeLr_mcr1iuLT_kvCdDpkxBNR1IR2fZxn1B5orWMNWXSsV2tk/s400/IMG-2431.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://detoxinista.com/vegan-corn-casserole/">The recipe from Detoxinista</a> called for using millet. I was out. So, I substituted whole wheat couscous and it worked perfectly! This dish was declared "delicious" by every member of the Ware clan! </div>
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Bonus recipe: <a href="https://www.tasteandtellblog.com/scalloped-peaches/">Scalloped Peaches in the Crock Pot</a></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJ9p4gwimT9MnW57XeYkhhoJoPEk22Pf5F4sDJVKV0OPwSCg8btPwP_F1PSZRiZwOMtUy2t44CFPrns5TrNJhyphenhyphenSrRsHRSeKeeZYo4bqTheFAEpHYkLUZE3xIfUzoJpzroE5le3tLgkGLz/s1600/IMG-2437.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJ9p4gwimT9MnW57XeYkhhoJoPEk22Pf5F4sDJVKV0OPwSCg8btPwP_F1PSZRiZwOMtUy2t44CFPrns5TrNJhyphenhyphenSrRsHRSeKeeZYo4bqTheFAEpHYkLUZE3xIfUzoJpzroE5le3tLgkGLz/w469-h625/IMG-2437.JPG" width="469" /></a></div>
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I put <a href="https://www.tasteandtellblog.com/scalloped-peaches/">this recipe </a>separately, because the base of it is fruit, not vegetables. But, I came across it when researching various scalloped vegetable recipes. It sounded so good that I made it for dessert!<br />
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I didn't add any butter or oil to mine and found that it didn't really need it. I also substituted some dat syrup for the sugar and added far less than the 1 cup called for in the recipe. It was plenty sweet when it was done cooking. The whole recipe took me just about 10 minutes to prepare and throw it into the crockpot. It cooked in about 3 hours on "low" and was SO good. Add a scoop of nice cream to the top for a real treat! </div>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-9294227118991622019-08-19T19:41:00.000-07:002019-08-19T19:41:24.879-07:00My HyVee 20% Off Produce Bag Sale Haul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsx2keStKBGEIM3PC184y8UQYd9gGNIikS5ZL8_dduUo7okOJHoXvC59btVefpbtASCj85tJz3AS_QeAoTJDl5m4hnz1gqGP_AqNGvd-bgYBKKZbgD4UMN5_FNfqtGs1mlR2BXPD1zPvi/s1600/IMG-2446+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsx2keStKBGEIM3PC184y8UQYd9gGNIikS5ZL8_dduUo7okOJHoXvC59btVefpbtASCj85tJz3AS_QeAoTJDl5m4hnz1gqGP_AqNGvd-bgYBKKZbgD4UMN5_FNfqtGs1mlR2BXPD1zPvi/s400/IMG-2446+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of my faithful Under the Median readers sent me a message this morning that HyVee was having one of their Make My Monday sales. Today, it was an offer to take 20% off all the produce you could fit in a HyVee grocery bag.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhHq94Rb0HvgzKyG1g57qiG2txHVMP1a_gznShafIF-dFPBARr9zVkkK5bx_NSprkETT7lyTzoL6ykU5byTOzpAQMeOET3mKtlTKTzrzploMI2MPkVM551iAb8LDeH6b_ZQRqbv0XeIWl/s1600/68828789_2370573163191798_7547566696643428352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhHq94Rb0HvgzKyG1g57qiG2txHVMP1a_gznShafIF-dFPBARr9zVkkK5bx_NSprkETT7lyTzoL6ykU5byTOzpAQMeOET3mKtlTKTzrzploMI2MPkVM551iAb8LDeH6b_ZQRqbv0XeIWl/s400/68828789_2370573163191798_7547566696643428352_n.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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I scanned the flyer, made my game plan, and headed out with my two faithful assistants by my side.<br />
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I scored some great deals! Here's a look at each item and what I paid. The prices in the photos are what I paid AFTER the 20% discount.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2Gmr0MmkzqRBbYcjKFkdTmcK2hPtCg2a_2_b3y-3K4REXDRfKaExCCLTh5g2JZehMS_sDjbdV6CPR2H_dvKcakg4zJpj3jAQlU1jZCJ_L1JLF6XqIgfO48fSWZCRiua439XbmThzBuU3/s1600/IMG-2448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1600" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2Gmr0MmkzqRBbYcjKFkdTmcK2hPtCg2a_2_b3y-3K4REXDRfKaExCCLTh5g2JZehMS_sDjbdV6CPR2H_dvKcakg4zJpj3jAQlU1jZCJ_L1JLF6XqIgfO48fSWZCRiua439XbmThzBuU3/s320/IMG-2448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJe4IFog3gfESxP9T-UTf3G9gebluAjbuWd1dAhZSQjtjZG30GqVw66OlRYCXkfTje-LPhlZF4alX9FvN-dhFwjNBA42vqjGR1OhktqVHs48iAMOSwcVCWHmbloremmSkx_qHAPP5yOKa/s1600/IMG-2453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJe4IFog3gfESxP9T-UTf3G9gebluAjbuWd1dAhZSQjtjZG30GqVw66OlRYCXkfTje-LPhlZF4alX9FvN-dhFwjNBA42vqjGR1OhktqVHs48iAMOSwcVCWHmbloremmSkx_qHAPP5yOKa/s400/IMG-2453.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxk6IiWo5pTDiZweo56Rv2YYv5S3KOEioKdN3lrTJEZpxsfWNZSWcHpWTyosTazONVaTOGFajUWom_9IrfnuoYaLxkOiEzsYWRyuT7bXIndCAM4LHGRd722r8vnCYioXCbT7B-VXzxktS/s1600/IMG-2428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxk6IiWo5pTDiZweo56Rv2YYv5S3KOEioKdN3lrTJEZpxsfWNZSWcHpWTyosTazONVaTOGFajUWom_9IrfnuoYaLxkOiEzsYWRyuT7bXIndCAM4LHGRd722r8vnCYioXCbT7B-VXzxktS/s400/IMG-2428.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Remember, that this is the perfect time to find summer items on deep, deep clearance. You should begin seeing those magic 75-90% off clearance tags shortly after school is back in session.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
What did I spend? </h2>
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My total grocery bill from HyVee was just $17.95! </h2>
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That's a LOT of produce for that amount of money! I was very pleased! </div>
<h3>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
To find food, household items, and gifts at amazing prices, keep reading! </div>
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<br /></div>
</h3>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Let me help you find seasonal items at the deepest discounts!</h2>
I find gifts for baby showers, weddings, birthdays, and other occasions for 75-90% off the original price! I employ a three-pronged approach:<br />
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<br />
<ul>
<li>planning well in advance</li>
<li>shopping ultra-low clearance sales</li>
<li>keeping a gift cache in my closet</li>
</ul>
<br />
Here are two absolutely free items to help you stock your gift cache for just a few dollars each year.<br />
<br />
<br />
M<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/01/free-monthly-guide-to-discount-gift.html">y FREE Monthly Guide to Discount Gift-buying</a>, is a handy one-page document that tells you when to look for those deep discounts on gifts for every occasion throughout the year.<br />
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<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/01/free-monthly-guide-to-discount-gift.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="256" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50uDxcoJEutvd_C3OLFdlJtEncLzj5vmoGkVQ2i_Sj6zCceI8wZxpCANtzNZgwZ0OYi4_UPB1ggZ9gLhyRwZnQf51_HpsaKhAmAIKrP-d91Cq11C__A756Gs6DwjWyuCekHmc7fGDcg_f/s640/GIFT+BUYING_+A+MONTHLY+GUIDE.png" width="256" /></a></div>
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Plan your yearly gift-giving in three easy steps! I tell you how <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/01/create-yearly-gift-giving-binder-in.html">in this post</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/01/create-yearly-gift-giving-binder-in.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="400" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUej1cc_DRpPOJANI9of-NPHSr6ZVHk9vrMFPuz6udtbYcJwAl3HRMQQZVbCLjqh4QqltiaZygfbU70M1qT9GDIemrK65xLD40iGwFCh7wY8v161LUWseRfC4qaO7oqUDxvNaJgd2SSTpH/s400/Copy+of+Copy+of+Text+placeholder.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Psstt! There's also a link to a free gift-organizing graphic for you to download. It's right in the post!</span></div>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-20737200703351979922019-08-19T09:10:00.000-07:002019-08-19T09:10:37.635-07:00TIME TO BEGIN PACKING OPERATION CHRISTMAS SHOE BOXES!<br />
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It's hard to believe that it's actually time to begin counting down to the holidays. There's actually something my family loves to do that is Christmas related, but takes place in mid November.<br />
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I am a HUGE fan of Operation Christmas Child. Through Samaritan's Purse, shoeboxes filled with items to bless needy children around the world. This organization, offers international relief to hundreds of thousands each year and is run by Billy Graham's son.<br />
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This does NOT need to be expensive!</h2>
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Even when we were living on little and pinching every nickel and dime, we set aside a portion of our Christmas budget to pack shoeboxes for Samaritan's purse. It's so easy to do! If you plan ahead, you can pack a box very economically!<br />
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This experience gives the child the opportunity to "think outside the box" and acknowledge that there are children in the world who have less than they do. There are children to wake up hungry every morning. There are children who need to know that there is a God who loves and cares about them.<br />
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Packing these boxes every year ranks very high on my older boys' Holiday memories. It is SO meaningful for your children to participate in blessing another child in another part of the world!<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
NOTE!</h2>
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<b>NOTE: In the past several years Samaritan has begun asking for a donation per box to cover the cost of shipping. If this cost is too much for your family (It would have been for our family several years ago), then you could: </b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Still participate, but send fewer boxes. So, if you have four children, you could have them "team pack" two boxes or just send one box. </li>
</ul>
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<li>Look around. Many times, larger organizations or churches underwrite the cost of shipping. Last year our orthodontist office covered the cost of shipping up to 200 boxes. So, we just had to collect the items and pack them. </li>
</ul>
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Here are some of my favorite places to find shoebox items: </h2>
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<li><i><b>Back-to-School sales!</b></i></li>
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<li><i><b>Dollar Tree</b></i></li>
</ul>
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<li><i><b>Clearance sales</b></i></li>
</ul>
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<li><i><b>Garage sales</b></i></li>
</ul>
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<li><i><b>Handmade items</b></i></li>
</ul>
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<li><i><b>Used book shops </b></i></li>
</ul>
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Samaritan's Purse has a special page, giving <a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/year-round-packing-ideas/" target="_blank">ideas for collecting items for your box each month throughout the year. </a></div>
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What to pack in a box:</h2>
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Here's the recommended list <a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/what-goes-in-my-shoebox-suggestions/" target="_blank">from the Samaritan's Purse website</a>: </div>
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<ul>
<li><i><b>A "Wow" item</b></i></li>
</ul>
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<li><i><b>Clothing and accessories</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i><b>Toys</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i><b>Crafts and activities</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i><b>Personal care items</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i><b>A personal note</b></i></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
What NOT to pack in the box: </h2>
<div>
There are some items that just don't ship well. Samaritan asks that you not include them in your box. Additionally, many of these children are from war-torn areas of the world. So, any toys or gifts with war or violence related themes are not accepted </div>
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It's actually a pretty short list of items which are not accepted. Here is it (<a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/what-goes-in-my-shoebox-suggestions/" target="_blank">cut and pasted directly from the website)</a>:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 21px; text-align: center;">"Candy; toothpaste; gum; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans."</span></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Our box last year:</h2>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/" target="_blank">Here's a link to the complete post, detailing what we sent in our box last year. </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The most important items in the box!</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b><i>Your prayers</i></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><i>Personal notes from your family and your children to the recipient of the box!</i></b></li>
</ul>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
How to find a shipping location near you.</h2>
<div>
Samaritan's Purse has an<a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations/" target="_blank"> interactive map on their website</a>, listing all of the drop off locations. It's easy to find one near you. </div>
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Peace and blessings to you and your family this holiday season, </div>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-24388007512457907572019-08-15T11:46:00.000-07:002019-09-07T14:38:37.039-07:007 STRATEGIES for Loss-Leader Shopping<div>
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Loss leader items are generally found on the front page of the flyer. They are items which are sold for a short time at a price which is under market value. It's a way that stores get you into their establishment, knowing that once you are there, you are more likely to do all of your shopping at one location, rather than visit 3 or 4 stores in one day.<br />
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But, if you are a super savvy shopper, you head into the store, grab those low-priced items and then head straight back out the door.<br />
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There are currently 3 types of popular Loss-Leaders: </h2>
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1. Straight up sale prices. </h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Loss Leader item - Straight up sales price</td></tr>
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These are simple, straight-forward sale prices. As always, here are some things to look for in the ad:<br />
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<li>With some store, like Kroger, you must scan your store loyalty card to get the discounted price. </li>
<li>Some stores place limits on the quantity your can purchase at the discounted price. </li>
<li>Other stores like to make your life easy peasy! There are no limits and no loyalty cards to scan. You just show up, grab the loss leaders, and check out. </li>
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2. A combination of certain items is needed for the discount. </h2>
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This is a new contender in what I consider to be the loss-leader realm. The store features an array of, mostly unrelated, items in their flyer under the heading: "Save $5 when you purchase any combination of 5 of these items." It can easily be another combination. I've seen "$5 off of 10" and $3 off of 6". The store decides the combination and items which count toward the discount.<br />
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Seems pretty simple, right? Buy any of those items that you'd like. Be sure that you have the correct total of those items in your basket and you score the savings.<br />
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3. Weekend only deals. </h2>
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Once again, although not traditional Loss Leader items, I have included these in this post, because, in essence, they are a new way of engaging customers by offering them deals on a limited number of ultra-low priced items. </div>
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Limited Run Sales are a little tricky, because: </span></h3>
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<li><span style="font-weight: normal;">They are available for a limited time two to three day time period. Common time frames are: Thursday-Friday, or Friday-Saturday, or Friday-Sunday. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sometimes you must load the deals onto your shopper loyalty card to get the special prices. In that way, they function like digital coupons. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-weight: normal;">There are limits on quantities. So, don't buy more than the limit, or you'll pay full price for the extras.</span></li>
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No matter what type of loss leader sale you are looking at in your grocery flyer, there are some general tips and strategies that you should use. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>7 general tips for loss-leader shopping:</i> </span></h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">peaches and nectarines - $.88 a pound</td></tr>
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<br />Tip #1: Take the flyer with you to the store. </h2>
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Before you head to the store, circle the items that you are getting, using a permanent marker, making them easier to see. I like to use red or black, because they show up best against the print of the ad. Sometimes employees are unaware of the terms of sales and it's just easier to have the flyer handy. I do whatever I can to make their day brighter and their job easier. So, if there is a problem, just have the flyer handy with the appropriate information circled and hand it to the store personnel. Most of the time, they are very grateful to have and organized, cheerful, helpful shopper standing in front of them.</div>
Yes, I take a separate supermarket shopping list with me. But, it is so helpful to be aware of where the deals are located in the flyer, just in case you need it.<br />
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If you need help organizing your shopping list, here's a freebie for you!<br />
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DOWNLOAD MY FREE SUPERMARKET SHOPPING LIST!</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLXwXl5AEli3erKHmIbqqgn9igvI8YRusjmD1noAxdDdXaeATdwLWxfaPqUbglx_uJmgrvz6ySDemZGwq6OhmMudZ2E4wQinKq1FPFsyNskBFDPx6d791dFVV_Fgg2G5QFwetVdKqndzO/s1600/Grocery+List.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="794" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLXwXl5AEli3erKHmIbqqgn9igvI8YRusjmD1noAxdDdXaeATdwLWxfaPqUbglx_uJmgrvz6ySDemZGwq6OhmMudZ2E4wQinKq1FPFsyNskBFDPx6d791dFVV_Fgg2G5QFwetVdKqndzO/s320/Grocery+List.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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Here's a link for my f<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EqJlstegnhpzXlYDh2EIb1e-lItml53B0RBKVvitZlM/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">ree downloadable PDF of my supermarket shopping list</a>. It will help you Just print it off and then start organizing your next grocery store haul. </div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
For a complete look at how I prepare to grocery shop, read this post.</h3>
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<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/06/before-you-head-to-store-do-these-six.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUCs0jtOJltGOAukwJYMwXnc-Y9ozs7wUpTpfJowKGO4i6_-u3-7V6Mq6OStqQ9-zK34PAehxZ_TV0LxFuhRHY1p0ISgAvumQqilYpF8Fp1mHvcFs0BAX4g6WsbjWmL8aUy1TJiM-F5vy/s320/checklist-2077023_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>TIP #2. Think ahead! If it's a super low price, decide if you can freeze or dehydrate extra quantities for later use.</b></h2>
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If so, then it's okay to get more than you can currently use of that item. For instance, I bought 10 pounds of cherries a few weeks ago, knowing that I planned to eat 4 pounds and freeze 6 pounds. Now I wish I'd gotten more. Frozen cherries are the bomb!<br />
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For tips on freezing food read my 3 part series on "Putting Food By".<br />
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<a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/07/putting-food-by-for-winter-blanching.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrPWNbcCffse0Bt2msJOGYIkIVWGpshvT6cLkB7c4TCcvUkQomyXRSm5N-AFjqCpTyKgZFTptGR4bT9TFLljfOe8GztlKSOVvozoRlBtt6ZYkcKLXu4n8wKyIUjBGtsVUM1uRWWqBzVgV/s200/IMG_0975.jpg" width="150" /></a> . <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/07/putting-food-by-for-winter-freezing.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx4ufCBhIFCjr7vR-NzxCAM5k9YU5-91AHzckBTRY-0ZfKzzKukcjJ2D6mOhgbQGsh09tUfyOcssc0bkmiEovpt8z-DCqFpuhlJjNqIvfV_QfxukMou_BOZsdZkRTcHVPzxj1Ptt_hv0I/s200/IMG_0954.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2018/10/putting-food-by-for-winter-herbs.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7rdAI0mOkMsQ9bcWN-9fl_w5TF7Q2JcZVYQw9eScN6ik5BHOZs8jYvRT9C-isqHeyc2vHk7_-HcO7cFvxVaogAx2otGocZ53Dg_QPS5aYEOnu9n8C7gJsdU8q0bdRWUxbMaM-B-VLvOz/s200/IMG_1754.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<b>3. See if you must purchase a certain quantity of items to receive the discount.</b></h2>
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For instance, plant-based milk was just $1.79 a half gallon. But, I had to buy 5 of them and then received a $5 discount at the end of my transaction.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmssLGHwHbWahEtJCGLXQ_X58QnTEAiDrZux4RdytufiTRNHzMVzCp3pTob4fl46X-Xi2aYuwoUGKLJKAETpOLbKcFEgHWfBufEZBHaO3s5l7V8z1S6vDhDGfwZM5PlN-eCUzQpOWL772p/s1600/IMG-1732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmssLGHwHbWahEtJCGLXQ_X58QnTEAiDrZux4RdytufiTRNHzMVzCp3pTob4fl46X-Xi2aYuwoUGKLJKAETpOLbKcFEgHWfBufEZBHaO3s5l7V8z1S6vDhDGfwZM5PlN-eCUzQpOWL772p/s400/IMG-1732.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Almond milk - $1.79 each. But, I had to buy a quantity of 5 to get the price.</td></tr>
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What if you need more than 5 of the special items? </h2>
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No problem! Just purchase them in multiples of five! If you buy a combination of 10, 15, or 20 of these special items you will get the discount multiple times, too! Nope! This isn't double-dipping! The store encourages you to spend more money, by offering the same discount on your purchase - as long as the final number can be found when you multiply by 5.<br />
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4. Combine store and manufacturer coupons. </h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJo61Qh8sbsgbSB_s0VFEZOq48uwayOwCEPxxHuRewApb4XPz8aWiJoGl6sNK1xpCMS0LMMZAW9Opn8UQgIiB1OEL66BzhYyjxzXdwnDtt_Hp76vT5dpegEJHo-aRkA61_TXvbFk5X_zt/s1600/IMG-2408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJo61Qh8sbsgbSB_s0VFEZOq48uwayOwCEPxxHuRewApb4XPz8aWiJoGl6sNK1xpCMS0LMMZAW9Opn8UQgIiB1OEL66BzhYyjxzXdwnDtt_Hp76vT5dpegEJHo-aRkA61_TXvbFk5X_zt/s400/IMG-2408.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of both store and manufacturer coupons</td></tr>
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Yes!!! This is called coupon stacking and it's the holy grail of super savvy shopping! It is perfectly legit to use both one store and one manufacturer coupon for the same item. Just be certain that you are combining only one of each type of coupon for each item that you purchase. Watch expiration dates, too! If it's past the date, the coupon cannot be used.<br />
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<b>STORE COUPONS:</b> A coupon issued by the store for a discount on an item. The store logo may appear on the coupon and it may say, "Good only for use at Kroger" (or whatever store has offered the discount).<br />
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<b>MANUFACTURER COUPON:</b> A coupon issued by the manufacturer. It will often have the manufacturer logo on it along with a stop date. You may use these coupons at any store.<br />
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<b>DIGITAL COUPONS: </b>These are a new breed of coupons, which are on the savings scene. I like them! It is SO easy to load digital coupons to my shopper's card. No cutting or carrying coupons. But, a couple of caveats.<br />
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Couponing basics: </h2>
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1. Be sure that you are NOT stacking two "like" coupons together. You can't use two manufacturer coupons or two store coupons on the same item. But, you CAN use one of each type.<br />
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2. You <u>can</u> use multiple coupons on multiple items. As long as you have an individual store and/or manufacturer coupon for each item.<br />
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3. Digital coupons often allow you to use the same coupon more than one time, once you have it loaded on your store loyalty card. When you load it, the coupon should say something like, "May use up to 5 times".<br />
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4. Watch expiration dates! All coupons, regardless of the type, have hard and fast expiration dates.<br />
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5. Sometimes stores will not allow you to use a store digital coupon on markdown items. These items are already marked down at least 50%. So, they don't allow additional discounts.<br />
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<b>*HINT! </b>- For in-depth tips on markdowns, read: "<a href="http://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/08/my-top-10-strategies-for-scoring.html">My Ten Strategies forScoring the BEST Store Markdowns</a>".<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>5. Insert a small hand carried basket in your cart to help sort the specially priced items. </b></h2>
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Nothing is worse than getting to the checkout to find that you have four of an item, rather than five and then missing out on the additional discount. Whenever you have to purchase a certain quantity of an item, place those items in a specific portion of your shopping cart in order to keep accurate count. </div>
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One way to do this is to p<b>lace one of the little shopping baskets in your larger cart</b><br />
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This was a tip from an Under the Median reader and it's a great one! It's a great way to compartmentalize items and count them easily when you must purchase a certain quantity to receive a discount.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
TIP #6: Watch the prices that ring up while you are still at the checkout counter. </h2>
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It is SO much easier to correct errors in prices or how the coupons are applied while they are being rung up. My kids know to let me through so I can stand where I can see the monitor as the cashier is running each item through the scanner. I have saved myself countless times from heading back into the store later, after finding a mistake. </div>
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It's also a great way to avoid sitting in a hot car with cranky kids while you try to go over your receipt before heading home from the store. Children do no respond well to, "There's been an error and we need go to back into the store to have them fix it", no matter how calmly and enthusiastically you try to utter those words.<br />
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Tip #7: Insure that the sale price is actually a legitimate deal. </h2>
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<b>Yes, they may be reducing the price, but be sure to ask yourself these questions: </b></h3>
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<li>I<span style="font-weight: normal;">s it something I really need?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal;">Is this a product I will really use? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal;">Is this product being offered at a really good price? </span></li>
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If it's not all three of these things, then reevaluate whether buying them in order to save a few bucks is really what you want to do. </h3>
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Your Turn! </h2>
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Did I miss anything? Do you have any super savvy shopper tips? We'd love to know! Leave your thoughts in the comments section. </div>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-52943296725707666432019-08-14T05:58:00.001-07:002019-08-14T05:58:19.560-07:00Check Out My $23.00 Kroger Haul!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-sNM_nnVyL6UndIe6W5GYQ0KklWwrrad03mE3LeIQ99tB1_wsDT4d0Ggx-AkA-Ewjyqln-Eb7-OVeP53snJJmnIc4kfr37q8AmIX-qialE36fpKoOPLsgjmP_POVq5-fUiRgv9R2mxmu/s1600/IMG-2385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-sNM_nnVyL6UndIe6W5GYQ0KklWwrrad03mE3LeIQ99tB1_wsDT4d0Ggx-AkA-Ewjyqln-Eb7-OVeP53snJJmnIc4kfr37q8AmIX-qialE36fpKoOPLsgjmP_POVq5-fUiRgv9R2mxmu/s400/IMG-2385.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tonight's Kroger haul is a great example of the power of loss leader shopping. Loss leaders are special items offered by stores each week at a loss to the store. So, they sell a couple of things for well under market value in order to get more customers physically into the store. Let me show you each item and explain my savings strategy.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Traditional Loss-Leader Items</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkrgcKe2G2wu6OaQN6wEaeGYdZr6KSp9r0WTGHOsEaGCmEzZFU_oozgcHQCn5q-auPKYqZaQW8icM6tHFmziRt_kgH9x-YuOVcxqOuJ7NagvWTCJKJyCzc8FETbbOAzln0X7um2n-2uUn/s1600/IMG-2381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkrgcKe2G2wu6OaQN6wEaeGYdZr6KSp9r0WTGHOsEaGCmEzZFU_oozgcHQCn5q-auPKYqZaQW8icM6tHFmziRt_kgH9x-YuOVcxqOuJ7NagvWTCJKJyCzc8FETbbOAzln0X7um2n-2uUn/s400/IMG-2381.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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These grapes are in the store flyer this week on the front page. Traditionally, this is where loss leader items appear. There are no special conditions, no coupons, no hoops to jump through. You just show up and buy the items for the extra-low advertised price.<br />
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Buy as many of these items as you can safely use, store, or freeze for later use. As long as your monthly grocery budget can absorb the cost, then go for it!<br />
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<b>SPECIAL SAVINGS TIP!</b> I generally set aside part of my grocery budget specifically for stocking up on extra low priced items.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
$5/5 Loss Leader Items </h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZR4-2Q9_g8GP6tGMSH7Zh0KHrM7NwCibx2pOwKU0i7SvqtRaCx1VAaH3fmI4p2R9fA23j0M3AVaPK3t1u2O4Cn_nBnEdAu2H1UHdObJrEf9ClKCjjfY9eCdKiNjvW2ZZ_kXQwdelHuEk/s1600/IMG-2376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1461" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZR4-2Q9_g8GP6tGMSH7Zh0KHrM7NwCibx2pOwKU0i7SvqtRaCx1VAaH3fmI4p2R9fA23j0M3AVaPK3t1u2O4Cn_nBnEdAu2H1UHdObJrEf9ClKCjjfY9eCdKiNjvW2ZZ_kXQwdelHuEk/s400/IMG-2376.JPG" width="365" /></a></div>
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I have begun including these sales in my "loss leader" inventory. A few years ago, stores began to switch to this strategy to entice more shoppers. It's really a fancy way of incorporating more loss leader items in the weekly flyer. However, unlike traditional loss leaders, you must purchase a certain quantity to qualify for the discount. It's more to keep track of, but I still like them.<br />
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<ul>
<li>You CAN combine extra store and manufacturer coupons with these items. </li>
<li>You MUST buy in multiples of 5 to get the discount. </li>
<li>You MUST buy the exact product with the correct SKEW numbers found in the ad to qualify.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEgf-uMf3r9Jc1bsGKVG6L_TLcz4apCRqzAh5NiammUCVhtHd7lZuun5MFH28ewEVaDfN7Tsi6lOZyPsJdZ3zjk1kXjxIXO9rp0V07G0DxON3Us4N1GMzczjfhwnFG4HTRDzb_53c9PIg/s1600/IMG-2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEgf-uMf3r9Jc1bsGKVG6L_TLcz4apCRqzAh5NiammUCVhtHd7lZuun5MFH28ewEVaDfN7Tsi6lOZyPsJdZ3zjk1kXjxIXO9rp0V07G0DxON3Us4N1GMzczjfhwnFG4HTRDzb_53c9PIg/s320/IMG-2383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
FREE with Kroger Mailer Coupons </h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwlSVxIwsz2JDmeC84YytVcexHJHRo8pgetXvTntiXGMmyZijOlFif7WYy0MqcLvitJ2mbuwPLVIIpE0h8u6uCQx14eSUFPO6VRsUZ-ogOFZDkpbm8ou0vCKJIJThBTvIghNhyphenhyphenP9aYros/s1600/IMG-2380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwlSVxIwsz2JDmeC84YytVcexHJHRo8pgetXvTntiXGMmyZijOlFif7WYy0MqcLvitJ2mbuwPLVIIpE0h8u6uCQx14eSUFPO6VRsUZ-ogOFZDkpbm8ou0vCKJIJThBTvIghNhyphenhyphenP9aYros/s400/IMG-2380.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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When you sign up for a store loyalty card, the grocer will thank you by sending coupons periodically for products which you frequently purchase. Kroger send theirs about once every six weeks. When you get them, you'll generally find two coupons for absolutely free products. This peanut butter was purchased with one of those coupons, which I received in the mail this week. </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Markdown: </h2>
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This two pound bag of sugar snap peas was marked half price and was in the regular produce section. </div>
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For more tips on the markdown section, be sure to read my <a href="https://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/08/my-top-10-strategies-for-scoring.html">"Top 10 Strategies Scoring Supermarket Markdowns.</a>" You can also view my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/underthemedian/videos/658685927945064/">special 25 minute Facebook Live presentation,</a> where I give in-depth information on markdowns. </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
My Total Bill: $23.05! </h2>
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<h3>
Your turn! What were your best supermarket buys this week? Leave a comment and let us know!</h3>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-2896637727172575162019-08-13T12:11:00.002-07:002020-08-08T11:29:59.074-07:005 Easy, Inexpensive, Delicious Summer Soups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Soups are often considered to be a cool weather phenomenon. But, in my house, we eat them year-round!<br />
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Tasty, homemade soup is so easy and inexpensive to make! It's the backbone of our weekly lunch menu. If you look at my <a href="http://underthemedian.blogspot.com/search/label/%2450%20Menus">"$50 Menus"</a> you'll see that soup is featured in every single post. Soup is a great way to stretch your food dollars and feed a hungry crew for very little money.<br />
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I generally make three large batches of soup early in the week and then everyone gets to pick their favorite to pack in small reusable containers to take in their daily lunches.<br />
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Homemade soup is:</h2>
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<li><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">fresh</span></i></b></li>
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<li><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">inexpensive</span></i></b></li>
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<li><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">wholesome</span></i></b></li>
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<li><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">healthy</span></i></b></li>
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<li><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">easy to make</span></i></b></li>
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<li><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">quick</span></i></b></li>
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<li><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">colorful</span></i></b></li>
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<li><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">low sodium</span></i></b></li>
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<li><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">a great way to use up leftover vegetables</span></i></b></li>
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Since we are CSA members, we receive a fresh bushel basket of seasonal produce every Saturday morning. I am absolutely adamant that no item will be wasted. So, I often put on my thinking cap and hunt up delicious soup recipes. Here are some interesting and inviting soup ideas, featuring produce from my weekly CSA box.<br />
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<a href="https://meaningfuleats.com/sweet-corn-soup/">Sweet Corn Soup</a> </h2>
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I wasn't sure how this recipe would go over. However, surprisingly, I got a lot of "thumbs up" from my test tasting crew. They loved the simplicity of it. Paired with homemade cornbread or fruit-based muffins, this soup makes the perfect light summer supper. </div>
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<a href="https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/chilled-peach-soup">Chilled Peach Soup</a></h2>
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I have always felt slightly weird eating fruit based soups. It's almost like indulging in dessert before the meal begins. Then I remember that it has all healthy ingredients and the perfectly sweet wholesome goodness of fresh fruit is fine any time of the day. This recipe from Whole Foods is fantastic! </div>
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<a href="https://hurrythefoodup.com/vegan-potato-soup/">Potato Soup</a> </h2>
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This "creamalicious" soup is guaranteed to please everyone in your house! The surprise ingredients of lemon and ginger add both heat and citrus kick! It also goes together in about 30 minutes. So, even if you are tired after a long day, just have the kids prepare a side salad and set the table. By the time they are done, the soup will be all ready to serve. It's lip-smackin' good! </div>
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<a href="https://somethewiser.danoah.com/2014/08/summer-vegetable-black-bean-chili.html">Summer Vegetable Black Bean Chili</a></h2>
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This chili showcases the vibrant flavors of summer vegetables. Throw it in the pressure cooker to cook it quick and keep the heat out of the house. </div>
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<a href="https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/hearty-vegetable-stew/#gs.w4m7av">Crock Pot Summer Vegetable Soup</a></h2>
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I'm all for anything that keeps heat out of the house on hot summer days. I'm equally enthused about anything that ensures that no food is thrown out. This recipe fits both criteria perfectly! I can't think of many things more versatile than vegetable soup! You can throw nearly any odds and ends of vegetables into a pot along with some water or broth. Stick that baby on "low" for 8 hours. Voila! You have hot, delicious, simple supper fit for a king! </div>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841754976987746689.post-6302609237217787912019-08-08T20:54:00.000-07:002019-08-08T20:54:17.206-07:00SIX Strategies and Tips for Using Rainchecks<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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Nothing is more frustrating than heading to the local grocery store to snag a great deal on a super sale priced item and finding the sales sticker sitting right next to a totally empty shelf. Although most stores try to anticipate customer demand and stock up on huge quantities of items which are offered at a bargain price, sometimes mistakes happen. It may be as simple as your local store being shorted on cases of merchandise from the warehouse. Regardless of the reason, what you really care about is that your dream of scooping up a serious bargain has been thwarted. </div>
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However, in most cases you need not worry. Major grocery store chains are generally happy to issue you a raincheck. </div>
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What is a raincheck?</h2>
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When a store runs out of a product, a raincheck allows you to purchase that item for the lower, advertised price, for up to 30 days after the sale ends. </div>
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Yep! You read that right! A raincheck basically extends the sale for another 30 days.<br />
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You are <u>not</u> inconveniencing the store by asking for a raincheck!</h2>
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I hate to cause people more work. It's in my nature. So, I used to think, "Oh, I don't want to bother the employees." So, I would leave the store without a raincheck in hand. </div>
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No!!!</div>
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If the store offers rainchecks, then it is the job of the employees to insure that they cheerfully retrieve one and fill it out for you when you ask. You are not doing anything even slightly immoral or outside the bounds of their stated store policy. Remember, they want you to return to their store on a regular basis. So, be polite, but firm if any employee indicates that you are asking "too much" when you request a raincheck. </div>
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Before we begin: </h2>
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This is the second post in a series dedicated to grocery-savings strategies. In case you missed the first post in the series, be sure to read: <a href="http://underthemedian.blogspot.com/2019/08/my-top-10-strategies-for-scoring.html" target="_blank">"Ten Strategies for Scoring Supermarket Markdowns." </a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Rain check tips. </i></span></b></h2>
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1. Not all stores offer rainchecks. </h2>
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It is not mandatory for stores to give customers the perk of rainchecks. it is certainly good customer relations, but it is strictly up to the individual business. Because of this, however, you should always ask for a copy of the written raincheck policy. Keep the policy in your coupon or raincheck file, in case you need to refer to it in the future<br />
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2. Some items don't qualify for a raincheck. </h2>
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Despite the fact that we all enjoy a bargain and (for the most part) stores enjoy giving them to us, not all item prices will be eligible for a raincheck. </div>
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Always remember: If it is not spelled out in the ad that a raincheck will not be given for certain products, it never hurts to ask. The worst thing they can say, is, "No". But, they may just say, "Yes."<br />
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Here are some words to watch for, which might indicate a product, for which a raincheck will not be issued: </div>
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<li><b><i>while supplies last </i></b></li>
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<li><b><i>limited to quantities on hand</i></b></li>
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<li><b><i>limited quantities</i></b></li>
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<li><b><i>no "rainchecks" issued (This one is certainly clear). </i></b></li>
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<b>3. Ask where to go in the store to get the raincheck. </b></h2>
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You may ask any store employee, the checkout clerk in your lane, or someone at the courtesy desk. I have had the checkout personnel issue the raincheck directly at the lane. However, more often than not, I've had to go to the courtesy desk to request a raincheck. </div>
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4. There may be limits on quantity. </h2>
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The clerk who is issuing the raincheck may need you to declare how many of the item you want to purchase at the sale price. Although this is not necessarily customary, I've had it happen more than once.<br />
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Here's what you need to do. Ask if there is a maximum. If there is, always have them write that amount on the rain check. You are not required to purchase this many, but it gives you the greatest flexibility in using the rain check when you return to the store.<br />
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<b>5. Make note of the expiration date of the raincheck. </b></h2>
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Generally they are good for 30 days. Be sure you know the limitations on rainchecks from your local stores.<br />
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<b>Here are two tips for insuring that you don't miss your savings opportunity.</b> </h3>
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<b>1. Highlight it!</b><br />
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Use a yellow highlighter and go over that date in a bright color. This is a sure fire way to see the expiration date at a glance.<br />
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<b>2. Use your phone! </b><br />
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Make note of the sale item and expiration date on your phone. You can do this by simply leaving yourself a memo on your phone calendar. You can also leave yourself a voice memo or set an alarm as a reminder.<br />
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6. Don't lose your rainchecks!</h2>
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If you get to the store and can't find those precious scraps of paper, known as a rainchecks, then you will not receive a discounted price. </div>
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You can organize your raincheck stash in a couple of different ways. </h3>
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<b>1. Keep your rainchecks filed with your coupons</b>. </div>
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If you have a coupon organizer, then just label and reserve a portion of it for your store rainchecks. </div>
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<b>2. Keep them filed in your purse or wallet.</b> </div>
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If you have a wallet with a separate section for bills or a nice-sized zippered document or change container, then one of these might be the perfect size and location for storing your rainchecks. </div>
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<b>3. Keep them in the car. </b></div>
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As long as you consistently drive the same vehicle to the grocery store, then it's a good bet to store your rainchecks in your automobile. At least that way, you won't forget them at home. </div>
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Happy shopping!</h2>
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What has your experience been with rainchecks? Have they been effective in helping you get extra savings on your grocery bills or have they been more hassle than they were worth? I'd love to know! Leave your thoughts in the comments section. </div>
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Do all to the glory of God, </div>
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Hope</div>
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Hope Warehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736309734467885467noreply@blogger.com0