:45 second breakfast ideas!

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Recipes

*Thanks to Jimmy Dean for sponsoring this segment of Cooking with Carson!  All opinions are genuinely our own…including Carson’s commentary ;)*

Getting breakfast ready in the morning can be stressful.  Especially if you are constantly running late like me!  Ha!  Here are some :45 second breakfast ideas that are easy to have on hand to keep busy mornings simple.

**Want more easy breakfast ideas?  Check out Jimmy Dean Breakfast on YouTube!

**Also, don’t forget to download your $1 off Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Sausage coupon!

****SAUSAGE AND PITA SANDWICH****

  • Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Sausage
  • Round Wheat Pita
  • 2 slices of Gouda cheese
  • 3-4 sliced grape tomatoes

Cook sausage for :45 seconds (it’s really that fast because it’s fully cooked!)  Add your pita, cheese, and grape tomatoes and you’ve got an instant on-the-go breakfast!

MONEY-SAVING BONUS TIPS:

  • Download a $1 off Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Sausage coupon (hurry offer ends soon!)
  • Gouda and Edam cheese both have similar flavors.  Sausage pairs well with stronger, buttery or nutty textures.  Cheese not on sale?  Look for other similar cheeses on sale like Baby Swiss or Havarti.  If you have a really picky eater, Munster is also a great option.  Most grocery stores rotate significant, rotating markdowns in the deli aisle.

****READY-GO SMOOTHIE****

  • 2 bananas
  • 1/2 a container of spinach
  • 2-3 small cartons of berries or frozen berries
  • frozen mangos

Add ingredients to individual baggies and freeze for up to 3 months.  Keep in a tupperware to prevent freezer burn.  Add a cup or so of juice to the frozen packs in a blender and you have a smoothie that is ready to eat in seconds.

MONEY-SAVING BONUS TIP:  Frozen and Fresh berries usually pack an equal amount of nutrients so when in season, buy fresh, and when out of season, buy frozen.  You’ll get the biggest bang for your buck.  Want organic?  Frozen is almost always the way to go!

****FRUIT AND YOGURT ROLL-UPS****

  • 8 flour tortillas
  • 2 small cartons of berries
  • Greek Yogurt (2 containers)
  • 1/2 Cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • spray butter

Add a frosting layer of Greek yogurt to a tortilla.  Top with berries and roll like a burrito.  Spray with spray butter and run through combined sugar and cinnamon on a plate.  Flash freeze for 2 hours then cut in half and put in individual Ziplock backs in a tupperware in the freezer.  Let thaw a few minutes before eating and enjoy!

MONEY-SAVING BONUS TIP: Look for cash back on fresh food, yogurt, tortillas and more from mobile coupon apps like Ibotta (the app is completely FREE).

****INSTANT SAUSAGE AND EGG****

  • 1 egg
  • Jimmy Dean’s Fully Cooked Turkey Sausage
  • Cheese as desired

Whisk egg and cheese in a small mug.  Add sausage to the mug and microwave for :45 seconds to 1 minute 10 seconds.  Turn mug over and serve on a plate with your favorite fruit!

****READY-GO INSTANT OATMEAL****

  • Instant oatmeal
  • Powdered coffee creamer
  • Brown sugar

Add a serving of oatmeal to a snack-size ziplock baggie.  Add 1 tsp. of Brown Sugar and 1 tsp. Coffee creamer to each baggie for sweetness and smoothness.

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Carson’s New Fish! (Toddler Learning)

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Teaching

I’m all about finding ways to keep your kids busy, learning, and have responsibility.  Getting a pet is not for everyone, but with Carson’s interest in habitats and him transitioning to his big boy room, I wanted to give him the opportunity to learn about fish care!

Here’s how we got him a fish on a small budget.

SUPPLIES AND COST:

  • Male Betta: Petsmart (under $7)
    • Male Bettas must be kept alone as they are aggressive to other males and will breed with females.  They are beautiful fish that come in a variety of colors.  Put a mirror next to the tank to watch them strut their stuff!
  • Tank: Craigslist ($10)
    • Craigslist is probably the cheapest place to find a tank!  You can find some amazing options (many already come with gravel, plants, and a filter for about $10-$20.  Be sure that you have at least 2.5 gallons for your Betta.  They do not like small environments contrary to popular belief.
  • Betta Food: ($2.39)
    • The CHEAPEST place to find fish food is Amazon.  The pet store will easily upcharge you 3x that!

  • Betta Blood Worms, optional treat: ($3.02)
    • These make a great weekly or bi-weekly trait.  It’s important to vary your fish’s diet.
  • Water Cleanser: ($6.34)
    • It’s important to prepare the water for your fish (especially if you are using tap) for fish health and optimal coloring.
  • Petsmart Plants: ($0.99 ea.)
    • Forgo the expensive ones and get the .99 cent cheapies.  Just make sure they are fabric as plastic plants can scratch your fish’s scales and fins.
  • Dollar Tree Gravel: ($1 per bag)
    • This is a great an inexpensive place to round out your tank!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

DIY Home Scent Hacks (for cheap!)

by Filed Under: Cleaning, DIY Projects, Money Saving

Here are some RIDICULOUSLY SIMPLE home scent hacks that are natural and actually work!  I love having a fragrant home but I don’t want to have to spend a lot of time or money doing it.  I hope you enjoy these tips!

HACK 1:  Stovetop Simmer

  • 2-3 cups of water
  • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • Simmer on your stove (adding water as necessary) or keep on low in your Crock Pot all day long.  It will fill your home with an amazing, fragrant scent you are sure to love (for any season!)

HACK 2:  Mason Jar Fridge Deodorizer

Add baking soda to a mason jar in your fridge.   Cover with scrapbook paper that you poke holes in or cheese cloth (you can find it at the Dollar Tree!)  Leave in your fridge for 6 months to absorb nasty odors!

HACK 3:  Essential Oils in the Bathroom


Add a fairly generous amount (7 drops) of essential oil to the inside of your toilet paper roll.  It will freshen the bathroom every time you visit!

If you are looking for inexpensive oil that is perfect for all your home cleaning and fragrance needs, I recommend this one.

HACK 4:  Dresser Drawer Scents

Add a bar of soap to your dresser drawers.  Alternatively, spray a popsicle stick with essential oil or samples of perfume (the wood will really absorb the scent) and you will love the way your drawers smell every time you open it up!

Looking for my drawer organizers?  You can find them here!
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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

Cheap Car Organization {travel & more!}

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Money Saving, Organization

Organizing your car when going on road trips (with kids) can be a headache…  or like you are about to walk into a battle-zone!  Here are my favorite tips for keeping your car organized (all year long) and preparing for longer trips with kids!

      •  Hang a holiday bag on a command hook to create a no-shift garbage can!  This is one of my favorite hacks.
      • Organize your glove box using old CD cases and Dollar Tree plastic pouches.  CD cases make a great mini-first-aid kit or a coloring kit for your kids.
      • I love microfiber cloths (from Dollar Tree) for cleaning the inside of your car to keep it from getting dusty.  A great investment for only a buck!
      • Forget silicone cup liners, they are cumbersome.  Even though it’s all over Pinterest…
      • I LOVE this iPad holder and toy organizer for the back of the seat.  It’s under $15 and is GREAT for kids on long car trips (plus there is a ton of space for toys!)
      • Use over the door hooks from the dollar store to store umbrellas.  They are also great for hanging diaper bags.
      • Have a removable basket with a blanket, first aid kit, and a change of clothes.  These are our most commonly needed items.
      • Invest in a Shop Vac to clean the inside of your car.  One of our home’s favorite investments!
      • Use Dollar Tree bins to corral extra storage and misc. supplies on the floor
      • Have a high quality cooler and pack food on the go (you will save a ton!).  This is our favorite one.

    • Keep “puke bags” and paper towels handy.  Extra trash bags for dirty or soiled clothes.  You will thank yourself later!

These are our favorite ways to travel organized and simply.  Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

Our Thanksgiving Table

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Holiday, Money Saving

Here are some easy ideas to get your table ready this Thanksgiving.  All of these items were either thrift store or Dollar Tree finds (given to me by the beautiful Barbara!…what a kind gesture).  ANYONE can create a beautiful look on a dime.  Hope you enjoy!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

 

Dollar Tree & One Spot Haul…plus a giveaway!

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Organization

Here are some favorite items I picked up from Dollar Tree and Target One Spot recently.  I love how everything is just $1!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules of Entry:  Giveaway ends November 5th 2015 at 12:00 am EST. Open internationally.  Winners must be 18 or older or have parental permission.  Winner will be selected randomly by Rafflecopter within a week of the giveaway ending and be notified by email. Winners have 72 hours to respond before a new winner is selected.  The product(s) offered for the giveaway is free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation.  Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Dollar Tree are in no way associated with this giveaway.  All prizes are purchased and shipped with my own money.  By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone.  I will use your information only for the purpose of contacting the winners and sending your name and address to the company to ship your prize.