Product Review

                                                                                           Week 4 (Save $4)
Rug Gripper

Do you have a carpet or rug that keeps on slipping, bunches up or the corners just do not stay down?  A safe proof solution to the problem is Rug gripper. 

It’s super easy to use.  Just peel back the gripper, apply it to the underside of the carpet/rug corners, sides (if needed) and DONE!

The tiny suction cups stick to hardwood, tile and linoleum flooring. 

The grippers are reusable, just wash with soap and water to renew grip. 

The grips do not leave any sticky mess.




For $3, at the Dollarama, no one will be tripping over that carpet again. Each box contains 8 grippers. Highly recommended from my household and especially the cat!
 

 

 

 

 

Rosemary Chicken Crockpot Stew

                                                                                                    Week 3 (Save $3)

 

This quick and hearty easy comfort stew is full of big chunks of vegetables and chicken. There is nothing like the aroma of a stew simmering on a cold winter's day.  Serve it up with fresh biscuits or crusty bread.

 Serves 4 to 6   (Use a slow cooker size 5 to 6 qt.)          

                                                         

Ingredients: 

1 whole chicken 3lbs or 5 kg cut into pieces     

Olive oil

1/4 cup of all purpose flower

1/2 teaspoon  black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon paprika

 

2 stalks of celery, sliced ½ inch thick

1 onion, thinly slices

2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch thick

4 large carrots, peeled and slice to 1 inch thick

 

1 tsp rosemary

2-3 cups chicken stock (keep 1/2 cup aside)

1 cup frozen peas (optional)
 

In a bowl mix flour, black pepper, salt and paprika.  Coat the chicken pieces in the flour mixture.

In large non stick skillet heat up olive oil. Over medium high heat, add coated chicken pieces and brown for 8 to 10 minutes and set aside.  Do not over crowd the chicken, cook in a few batches.

 

Pour 1/2 cup of broth into pan and scrap off all brown bits from bottom of pan.

In crockpot, mix the veggies with dried rosemary (rub the rosemary to bring out the flavor before mixing with the veggies).  Place the chicken pieces on top of the veggies. Add the remaining broth.  Cover and cook LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4 to 6 hours. Or until veggies are tender and stew is bubbling (skim off any of the fat floating). Optional: Gently toss peas into the stew . 

 

 

 

 

Serve wth fresh bread or biscuits.  Make it this weekend!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Winterizing your vehicle

                         Week 2 (Save $2)

When it comes to winter in North America, Mother Nature is so unkind.  She had blasted us a few times with a little taste of winter last November and we are in for more cold and frigid temperatures and snow. 

Were we prepared with our cars? Or did we just procrastinate with winterizing our vehicles? We take our cars for granted and without a little care and attention, the last thing you need is to have your car break down with unexpected costly expenses and emergency expenses.
 
Invest that few hours to have your vehicle checked and it will give you that peace of mind of avoiding of being stranded out in the cold.

Here are some recommendations for winterizing your vehicle:

 

Get a tune up before the winter sets in.

 

Have your battery and charging system checked, cold weather is hard on batteries.

 

Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system.  The rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.

 

Make sure heaters, wipers, defrosters are in working condition.  Winter blades are a better choice for the cold weather.  Wiper blades should be replaced every 6 months. Carry extra winter windshield fluids.

 

Have all your hoses and belts inspected.  Damage engine belts will not withstand extreme cold.

 

Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. Have the tires rotated.  Consider getting winter tires for your vehicle.  During winter, check the tire pressure weekly.

 

Have the brakes checked as the braking system is the most important safety item.

 

Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks. Which is dangerous during the cold winter months for drives especially when all the windows are closed.

 

Make sure the exterior and interior lights are in working order and headlights are aimed properly.

 

Having your oil and filter changed is recommended.  Consider changing to winter weight oil if you live in a cold climate.  DO check all fuels levels, air and transmission filters at the same time.

 

Highly recommend having your gas tanks half full or filled to avoid chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possible freezing. 

 

Check the spare tire to make sure there is pressure. 

 

Lastly prepare an Emergency kit in the event you find yourself stranded.  Have your cell phone, always have it charged up snowbrushes/ scrapers, small snow shovel, flash lights, flares, blankets, candles, matches, extra clothes, first aid kits, bottled water, dry food snacks (such as nuts, chocolate bars, crackers).

 

             Always be prepared and drive safely!

 

Happy New Year! and Let the savings begin

Happy New Year !                                                                 Week 1 (Save $1)

Just follow the weekly/biweekly blogs to successfully save $1378 at the end of the 52 weeks.  We will start by saving $1 for the first week.  $2 for week two, then $3 for the third week and so on. Just keep increasing and continue the amount by a dollar over the next 52 weeks. The most you will ever put into your favourite piggy bank is $52 and at the end of the annual challenge you will hopefully realize how easy it is to save with just a little discipline. 

This is a great challenge for the whole family, especially when it comes to teaching children the value of money and how to spend responsibly.

I hope you will participate in this challenge.  Good Luck!

Another New Year, another new start with best wishes, prosperity, good health and Resolutions.  Some of us make resolutions while others refuse.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to make personal changes for the better of oneself.  And for those who do not make resolutions anymore due to disappointment.   I believe the problem is that we do not set realistic resolutions, we either give up too soon or maybe it’s just a lack of willpower.   

We fail before we begin as a result of making too many resolutions while we should just make that one resolution that is the most important and focus on that. Here are a few simple idea's to increase your chances of succeeding.   

Writing down your resolution and also sharing your resolution with your love ones and close friends will also increase your chances of success because you hold yourself accountable and want to make changes.   

Do not expect instant results, for results we must change our habits and making that simple change , there is almost no way you can fail. Here are a few common resolutions:

Resolution: Quit smoking vs. Habit: Do not smoke that 1st cigarette you have every morning after you have your coffee.
 
Resolution: Eat Healthy vs Habit: start by substituting that daily pastry for a piece of fruit. 

Resolution: Lose weight vs Habit: Every evening after work go for a 5 to 10 minute walk around the block.
 
Resolution: Manage stress vs Habit: mediate 2-3 minutes every morning after you wake up.

The key is to take tiny positive baby steps daily and having the will power of not giving up!

"This year, lets make a promise to follow the resolutions you make more strictly and achieve what you truly desire in your life!"

Do you have any New Year’s Resolution? How are you planning to successfully execute to increase your chances of success?  Feel free to leave me your thoughts and comments.