Comfort Food: Easy Meals for Time Starved Moms

by | Nov 30, 2011

It’s getting really cold here in Atlanta and though I don’t usually have good things to say about cold weather, one thing I can say is I really love good old-fashioned comfort food. This is the kind of heavy, yet healthy food that makes a cold day bearable for me.

I’ll share couple of recipes that are easy to make, costs only pennies, and that make me feel really good.  I hope you make one or two for yourself and your family.

Potato Soup

This recipie is one I have been making since I was a single woman living on my own. I graviated toward it because I love potatoes and it is really cheap to make. One thing you should know is I don’t measure my ingredients when I cook so what I am writing are estimates. Some seay it’s a sign of a great cook.  The results are 90% good with this method and my kids never leave food on their plates. 🙂 Modify to fit your tastes.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

comfort food potato soup

To make potato soup follow these directions:

3-4 medium or large potatoes

1 10 oz can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1/2 cup thinly sliced onions (optional)

Salt to taste

Peel and dice potatoes then place in medium pot with onions and salt. Cover with water and cook until tender. Reduce heat then add mushroom soup. Stir to mix soup in well. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!

You can add more seasoning if you like a more spicy taste. Occasionllay I add:

Leftover backed chicken (or any meat)

Steamed cabbage

Seasoned salt

Pepper

Add whatever you have on hand that would taste yummy in this soup.

Eat with rolls, biscuits, or any kind of thick bread. It will definitely satisfy you.

 

Breakfast Casserole

I cook this around the holidays. I had it at a company brunch one year and decided I wanted to learn how to make it. I’ve seen recipies that are really complicated and has a lot of ingredients, but I prefer keeping my recipes simple so I use fewer ingredients.

Prep Time: 5-7 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30-35 minutes

Comfort Food Breakfast Casserole

To make a breakfast casserole you need a 9×12 baking dish and the following ingredients:

2 cups Tater Tots

6-8 Eggs

1/2-3/4 cup Milk

3/4- 1 cup Sausage (cooked and chopped)

1/2 cup Cheese (mild)

Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom of casserole dish cooking spray. Layer potatoes and sausage on bottom of dish.  Whip eggs, milk, cheese, salt and pepper together in a mixing bowl. Pour mixture over potatoes and sausage. Put in oven and cook until golden brown. Enjoy with toast and a warm beverage!

The Joy of Comfort Food to Warm You on the Inside

Even though it’s cold outside you don’t have to be miserable. Enjoy the comfort foods I gave you above with your family. Don’t forget to get in some kind of exercise 3 or more times a week to keep off the winter bulge. It will keep the blues away and make you feel great.

To save money on these recipes use store brands or purchase ingredients when they are on sale and/or with a coupon. It tastes just as delicious as using brand names. This is the season to stock up on canned soups like cream of mushroom used in the potato soup.

 

Self-Employment Tips: How to Save on Health and Dental

by | Nov 15, 2011

Anyone who is self-employed has had to face the insurance conundrum.  Do you spend an arm and leg to insure yourself (since there’s no corporate umbrella to absorb a portion of the cost) or do you risk losing an actual arm or leg because you can’t afford the cost of medical care without insurance?

While there are certainly benefits to being self-employed, such as working from home, setting your own schedule, and taking only the jobs you want, one of the major drawbacks of freelancing or staring your own company is that the cost of medical and dental falls squarely on your shoulders.  Luckily, there are a few ways to cut back on these costs.

Here’s how to save when you’re self-employed:

Preventive care

There is no better way to dispel the costs of medical and dental procedures than to continue practicing preventive care.  Early detection is often the key to ensuring that health issues never get to a critical (and expensive) stage.  So whether or not you have insurance, try to find a way to keep up with your annual visits (physicals, dental cleanings, and so on), especially if you have a family (or personal) history of problems.

Pay in cash

Many doctors and dentists are sympathetic to patients that lose their job or insurance (often both) and can’t afford to pay for treatment at full price.  Some are even willing to make concessions if you pay in cash as a way to keep you on track with your health.  So if your doctor or dentist might normally charge the insurance company $100 for your visit, they’ll allow you to pay as little as half when you offer cash.  Simply ask at your doctor and dentist offices to see if they’re willing to make such an arrangement.

Shop around

You comparison shop for everything from cars to jeans to canned vegetables, so why wouldn’t you do the same with doctors?  While it’s true that visiting a physician is a rather intimate experience, the truth is that you’re going to be poked and prodded one way or another.  So look into prices and how they vary from private practices to hospital staff to clinics; you’re bound to find something in your price range that suits your medical and dental needs, and you may be eligible to pay on a sliding fee scale (or even get services for free).

Prescription assistance

Even after you visit the doctor or dentist, you’re bound to be on the hook for additional costs thanks to prescription medication.  Some people can save by going for the generic brand while others will order via apps or the internet (finding the best cost locally or getting medication from other countries where it may be sold cheaper).  But if you simply can’t afford the cost of medications that you need in order to survive, look for prescription assistance programs that operate on donations (government, private, or other) so that you get the prescriptions you need at low or no out-of-pocket cost.

Discount plans 

There are companies out there that offer individuals like yourself both medical and dental discount plans.  You won’t pay much for membership (generally up to about $30 per month) and the plans will cover as much as 60% of your costs.  This is a good way to ensure that you won’t be tanked by potentially costly problems, without spending a boatload on pricy insurance that you may never use.

Evan Fischer is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

Budgeting Tips for Single Mothers

by | Nov 13, 2011

When you first started your journey as a single mother, you may have been worried about how you were going to survive on one income. If you have not already created one, you should know that a household budget will help you get through any tough financial times and it could even help you save for your child’s future. With a well thought out plan and a little effort, you will soon be rich, both in love from your child and in money.

Planning your budget
Actually writing down where your money should go each month will help you see your monthly spending needs and habits. With a budget, you will be able to track your household cash flow as well. You probably already know your monthly income, but calculating your monthly expenses could be a bit more difficult.

First, you should gather all of your bills, credit card statements, checking account information, and receipts for everything you have bought with cash in the last month. If you haven’t been keeping these records, do so for the next month before you create a set budget. When you are able to see exactly where your money goes, it will be easier to figure out which costs are necessary and which are not.

Pay close attention to your most important purchases. You will obviously need to budget for rent, food, credit card payments, and other bills before you can buy the things you want. Some of the most successful budgeters use envelopes to manage their finances. They put money to pay for each of their bills in separate envelopes so that they are ready to be paid. With that money safely put away, they are able to see what they have left from their monthly income, and they are less likely to miss a payment.

Saving on a budget
Saving is a very important part of creating a budget. You obviously want to try to save as much money as possible for your future and for your children’s future, but most people only save what is left at the end of the month, meaning that they could be saving nothing at all. Set aside a specific amount each month that you want to save, and then create your budget around what you have left. With this strategy, you may have to cut back on some things that aren’t necessary for your family to survive, which could mean you have to do away with a few luxuries (i.e. going to the movies, having the largest cable package, etc.).

However, you will be much happier in the end because you will know that your finances are stable thanks to your savings.

Ways to save money
For some single moms, a budget may not be enough. No matter what, you should always try to find ways to save, even on the smallest purchases. Spending less than your monthly budget will mean more money in your savings account. Try a few of these tips to get started.

  • Look through ads before you shop – You could save hundreds each year if you look for the least expensive option. This can work for food, cloths, and vehicle maintenance, as well as many other important and necessary purchases.
  • Coupons – Very few families take advantage of the coupons they get every week with their newspaper. Even the smallest amount of savings could add up by the end of the month. One thing you should not do, however, is fall into the coupon trap. Coupons are meant to get you to try new products. You should be willing to do this, but don’t buy a product with a coupon if you know your family won’t use it.
  • Price matching – Some stores will match the price of their competitors. Research online before you shop to know who will price match and gather ads from their competitors that are advertising cheaper prices.

Amy Shoemaker is an author of many articles relating to topics including finances, volunteering, and nursing homes. Her website is for elderly citizens who have suffered nursing home abuse.

Using Deal Sites for Holiday Shopping

by | Nov 11, 2011

The Dollar Stretcher
by Gary Foreman
gary @stretcher.com

According to a recent Gallup poll, Americans expect to spend about
$715 this year on holiday gifts. That amount is almost unchanged from
last year.
<http://www.marketingcharts.com/direct/holiday-spending-forecasts-chilly-19430/>

In the current economy it’s no surprise that families will be
watching their holiday spending closely. Consumers are expected to
use every tool at their disposal to get the best value for their
shopping dollar.

Among those tools are the daily deal type sites that offer a variety
of special deals, many targeted by city. I use one myself occasionally.

I wanted to get a feel for how consumers might use these sites during
this holiday shopping season. To help me answer that question I spoke
with Gary Lipovetsky, president of DealFind.com.

The first question I asked Gary was do you expect many shoppers to
take advantage of daily deals this holiday season?
“Absolutely  people love deals and daily deal sites are positioned to
help people stretch their money further than ever.”

According to his research, Mr. Lipovetsky expects customers to save
around $100 million just during November and December this year.

He also expects that certain product categories will be more popular
than others. “In our experience, the favorite deals for holidays are
stocking stuffers, spas or facials. Restaurants and getaways coming
in close second – they are great as gifts and a wonderful treat for
one-self as well. Magazine subscriptions did very well last year and
even useful presents like lost and found security tags for your
phone, keys, wallets, etc.”

I also wondered whether there was any way to tell when the best deals
would be available. In a tough economy I’d be tempted to wait until
desperate retailers were forced to offer above-average last minute
discounts. Would that apply to the deal sites?

So I asked Lipovetsky when would be the prime time for daily deals –
Black Friday? Nearer to Christmas? “It has already started, its
happening now and will continue through November with the last week
of December being most busy. There is always a huge influx of last
minute shoppers or people buying additional gifts.”

Finally I asked him what his favorite method for getting the best
deal? “We recommend the following tips: Buying deals early, buying
multiple deals if the price is great, buying as gifts – you can find
so many items that you would otherwise buy full-price or wait for
after-Holiday sales.”

Naturally, Lipovetsky is a big believer in deal sites. You’d expect
that. But, I agree that for the consumer who knows what they’re
looking for and what a good sale price is for that item, the deal
sites can give them another tool to use this holiday season.

My warning would be to be careful to avoid a rush decision that
hasn’t be researched. Deal sites can offer savings. But, if it’s not
something that you need or want or the price can be beat, you don’t
want to pull the trigger on the purchase. As always, think before you
pull out your credit or debit card!

Keep on Stretching those Dollars!

_____________
Gary Foreman is a former purchasing manager who currently edits The
Dollar Stretcher website <http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm?column>.
This article originally appeared at
<http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/stretcher/archive/2011/11/08/deal-sites-and-holiday-shopping.aspx>.
You can follow Gary on Twitter <http://twitter.com/#!/gary_foreman>.

(end Dollar Stretcher blog)

How To Keep Kids Safe From Sexual Predators

How To Keep Kids Safe From Sexual Predators

by | Nov 10, 2011

keepkidssafe

As a single mom it makes sense that we would want a mentor for our sons. But with the recent news about the assistant football coach at Penn State’s alleged sexual misconduct (or worse) with young boys, it’s a reason to give pause to the potential dangers of letting unrelated family members handle our children.

Get the Facts Before You Trust Someone with Your Child

I’m not an alarmist and I like hear all the facts, but this hits close to home for me. When my son was younger I trusted a man to mentor him and help him through life. I was distraught at the possibility that my son would turn out to be another statistic, growing up without a father and no direction.

This is What Happens When You Don’t Get the Facts

The thing is, many guys know this about single moms and prey on us when we are in this emotionally charged state of mind. I let my guard down and let a man into my life that would do years of damage to me and my family, especially my then 2-year old son.

I married that man and lived to regret it. He was an abuser of the worse kind. His abuse, though primarily pointed at me, was aimed directly at my son. I cannot go into the details of the abuse but I have a strong belief that he molested him.

The Damage A Child Sexual Predator Can Do Last For Years

My son could not verbalize what happened to him in that way, but I know by evidence of child porn on my computer and the reactions my son had each time I tried to change his diaper (potty training was delayed) and bath him that something was terribly wrong.

I was smart enough to end the marriage quickly and begin the healing process for myself and my children. It has taken years for my son to get through this experience. He suffered post traumatic stress disorder for years. He acted out, his development was delayed, and he has trouble learning in the “traditional” way. He had/has multiple phobias including fear of water, insects, heights and dogs.

It is Possible to Recover From Abuse

The up side is he is now a very happy, friendly young man. He is loyal, polite, and willing to go the extra mile. He is now teaching himself to swim, insects don’t bother him as much; neither do heights. He is still leery of dogs and will panic if one comes too near him.

We have close ties with family so he gets along well and trusts my dad, brother, and brother-in-law.

With much prayer he is a “normal” testosterone-driven boy with natural athletic ability.

I’m proud of him but I often wonder what our lives would have been like if I had not let my fears and emotions cloud my judgement. What would life have been like if I had never let that man into my life, my home, and around my children?

How to Protect Kids from Predators

I will never know, but what I do know is I always question any man who takes an extreme/odd interest in my son. He does not do sleepovers with any family other than my own. I make sure that every person involved in his life know that we are stable and happy so no need to interject your opinion or try to be a father-figure.

Living with Regret and Shame is Just as Damaging

I used to beat myself up about what happened in our family but now I know it is all a part of life. Rehashing it and living in shame over it is not the key to living a healthy life. It is also not good for my children to see me in a constant state of depression and guilt over past mistakes. We learn from them and we always move forward.

What happened with the Penn State assistant couch is horrible. I hope it will be a wake-up call for every single mom and every parent who entrusts their children to others. No matter how upstanding or polished a person seems, we have to trust our instincts and check them out.