Free (or even a profit?) Entertainment Books!

This is a great deal that I found at MoneySavingMethods that makes an easy gift or extra savings. We don’t have an Entertainment Book for our small town, but I found a couple ways to make use of this for us.  We often vacation near a larger city, so ordering one from there makes sense.  We also have hard-to-buy for relatives who live in a larger city that might appreciate one of these.

Here’s the scoop:

First, sign up for Cashbaq (a program similar to Ebates, etc.). New registrations get an automatic $5 in their accounts (and payout is just $10)! Cashbaq is offering $10 cash back on each Entertainment Book purchased.

Next, follow the links there to the Entertainment Book site where the prices listed are $10 off the regular price, and free shipping applies.

Depending on the prices in your area, you might be able to get an additional discount by ordering another book (same or different area). There is the option to choose automatic renewal for an extra $5 off (instructions are given for declining shipment of the next book, the $5 may or may not be charged back at that time)

So how did this break down for me?
$15.00 Entertainment Book (after automatic savings & free shipping)
-$10.00 Cashback from Cashbaq on Entertainment Book
-$5.00 Cashbaq signup bonus
FREE!

Between Ebates & Cashbaq, I’m beginning to double check anything that I buy online to see if there’s a discount available (even on the super deals I’ve found through Slickdeals)!  Both programs do offer a referral program as well.

Quiche with Cornbread Crust

One of my new habits is making a large pan of cornbread whenever we have chili and saving 4-5 small pieces to crumble up for a quiche crust.  Just crumble the cornbread, then press it down into a greased pie plate for an easy crust.  This makes for an extremely quick dish to whip up on a busy night!  Great with a big salad, mashed sweet potatoes, or pumpkin pie pancakes!

 

Mama’s Easy Quiche with  Cornbread Crust

• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups milk (a can of evaporated milk works fine)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (can buy this on sale and freeze it, just thaw before using)
• 2 T flour
• diced ham (optional)
• rosemary, salt/pepper or other seasoning (optional)
• 4-5 small pieces cornbread (can use regular pie crust instead)

Crumble cornbread into pie plate and press to make crust.  Sprinkle with rosemary.  (Or place unbaked pie crust into plate.)

Filling:  Add milk to the beaten eggs.  Mix cheese with flour (helps prevent clumping!), then add to the above.  Add diced ham.  Pour into pie crust/shell.  Bake at 350 degrees about 45 minutes.  For a browner & firmer crust, bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then continue baking for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees.   Check to see that knife inserted near center comes out clean.

5 Things I Like About Angel Food Ministries

1. Convenience of having food already in the freezer to help minimize shopping trips (especially nice in snow/ice season!)
2. Variety of meats & sides for a low price
3. Specials like fresh fruit & veggie boxes, chicken strips, and individual quick frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts at sale prices without having to watch the ads or bundle the kids up to several different stores.
4. They accept EBT (food stamps) to help people make the most of their grocery dollars. 
5. Everyone involved from the top down views this as a service ministry and not as a way to make a buck.

While December order deadlines have already passed, January would be a great time to check it out and save a little money toward paying off those holiday bills!

January’s menu can be found at:

http://www.angelfoodministries.com/menu_0901en.asp

To find a location near you, visit:

Angel Food Ministries

Swagbucks

I’m trying out a new way to earn some giftcards and other free prizes. Since I do web searches many, many times each day, I’ve added swagbucks to my daily search habit. After doing a few web searches, I’ll usually win a swagbuck or mega swagbuck.  Seems like just a little bit, but with daily searching it will add up. Right now there’s a $5 Amazon gift card for just 45 swagbucks! I’m searching the web anyway, might as well get something from it. You can also earn swagbucks from referrals if you’re interested in spreading the word.  Interesting in signing up ?

Beef & Barley Soup

This is one of my favorite recipes to use with leftover beef.  You know the extra broth & little smidgeons of meat after you make a pot roast that really aren’t enough even for a lunch, but you hate to see them go to waste?  This is a great way to use them up!

Beef and Barley Soup

• 1 can beef broth (or leftover broth)
• small amount of beef (leftovers are fine!  roast, ribs, you name it!)
• 1/4 c celery
• 1/4 c onion
• 1/4 c carrots
• garlic to taste

Bring these ingredients to a boil, then add:

• 1/3 – 1/2 c. barley
• 1 T apple cider vinegar

Cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.  You can also add in leftover veggies when barley is beginning to cook up.   Before accounting for whatever beef you use, the whole recipe is only 4 WW pts.

I like to keep a bag of chopped celery in the freezer to make it really easy to toss some into soups & stews.  This is a great cold day lunch.  Today’s version is made with leftover ribs.  :)