This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to:
Megan (simplythriftymom@…)
Leslie (torello.leslie@…)
I will contact you shortly with the information I need to get you your books!
A few months ago, I received a copy of The Frugal Foodie Cookbook AND a copy of Fix It, Make It, Grow It, Bake It for review.
I procrastinated a bit…but then a read them — and totally fell in love with them!
Let me start with The Frugal Foodie:
:
I have read and flipped through lots of cookbooks over the years, but I usually give them away because I’m more content to find my recipes online. However, the Frugal Foodie Cookbook is different — and I will NOT be giving my copy away!
I would defintiely consider myself to be a VERY frugal person, but after reading through the recipes, tips, and ideas in this cookbook, I have SO many more ideas to stretch our super small grocery budget. I also love that every chapter has a “Cents-able Solutions” section where the author gives all kinds of extra tips to stretch a dollar.
Here is some information the publisher sent me:
The recession has put a lot of strain on the grocery bill, especially for those with families or friends to feed. But that doesn’t mean having to skip gourmet food and a balanced diet. Noted chef and “four-star frugal gourmet” Lynette Shirk shows readers how to creatively and cleverly use ingredients and leftovers to produce wonderful inexpensive meals for any occasion.
This book has everything, from roasting coffee at home to concocting inexpensive crave-worthy casseroles to whipping up snacks on a shoestring.
Chapters include “Bankable Breakfasts,” “Lunch for Less,” “Snacks on a Shoestring”, and “Dinner on a Dime,” and feature irresistible recipes from Shaved Shrimp Rolls and Gourmet PBJ to an Exponential Chicken that stretches the bird over five different courses.
So far, my favorite recipe is the Homemade Instant Oatmeal Mix {page 14}
The other book I received was Fix It, Make It, Grow It, Bake It:
In case you don’t know me, let me just assure that I am a HUGE D.I.Y. junkie! If I can figure out how to fix it, make it, grow it, bake it, and/or do it myself — you better believe I will!
So obviously the title of this book caught my immediate attention, and it’s no surprise that I absolutely loved reading all the frugal D.I.Y. tips packed into the pages of this book.
Here’s more information from the publisher:
In this D.I.Y. guide to the good life, readers learn how to edit their lives, since in the long run, less is more — pedal now or paddle later! The best things in life are free — or very nearly free — and author Billee Sharp shares her freecycling, budget-savvy, barter-better wisdom.
Based on a sensible foundation of global responsibility and foresight for the next seven generations, Billee Sharp’s philosophy is compelling. From the radical common sense introduction to the practical how-tos and yummy recipes, this is a step-by-step handbook to revolutionizing spending habits and reclaiming quality of life in the process.
Learn how to start a community garden and to seed share, raise organic veggies in the front lawn, eco-clean the house with lemons and lavender, cure minor maladies from the kitchen cabinet, organize a trade-for-what-you-want free flea market, and cook meals for pennies.
See — doesn’t it sound amazing???
My favorite chapter right now is chapter 4: Homely Habits. It talks all about simple ways to save money, save time, and go green in your own home.
So, who would like to win BOTH of these books?
Viva Editions & Cleis Press is giving TWO lucky Simply Organized Living readers a copy of both books…pretty cool huh!
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment telling me your best “frugal” recipe, tip, idea, etc. And if you don’t have any frugal tips, then just say why you would love to win these books!
This contest is open until Tuesday, July 5, 2011, at 10:00 pm EST. TWO winners will be selected at random and announced on Wednesday, July 6. Please read my full disclosure policy and contact me with any questions you might have. I received a set of products for review, however all opinions are my own!
Becky Ann says
My best frugal tip is just to STAY AT HOME! It is amazing how much money I don’t spend by being content to enjoy my home and things that I can do here!
Audrey says
Slow-cook tougher cuts of meat to save on cost while enjoying tender, flavorful beef!
Karen says
I would love to win both cookbooks to learn how to be more frugal in my cooking. Thanks.
Kim T. says
Instead of buying ham at the Deli for around $6.00/lb., I buy a good boneless ham in the meat section and have the Deli slice it how I want it. I usually don’t pay more than $3.50/lb. The last one I bought I only paid $2.50/lb. I freeze it in 1 lb. portions and use it as I need.
christie says
Fruit that doesn’t get eaten by the end of the week goes into the blender with some ice.
Amanda vl says
I’m a newbie to thrifty living and saving so don’t have much to share. I have made my own taco seasoning which worked wonderfully and look forward to learning more!
ElaineDavis says
I buy bacon “bits” from the salad bar at my local grocery to use in eggs, salads, etc.. I’ve bought it by the pound, cooked it up, measured how much I get, and it’s actually cheaper this way for me…plus I don’t have the mess of all that grease to deal with!
Teri says
I want to win so bad, I get stuck in a rut because I am so strict on my budget. I need help!!
Donna O'Neil says
I like making other things with leftover poultry. Since there are only three of us, there are always leftovers. I am not a fan of leftovers but I love repurposing food. I make enchiladas with leftover chicken and Thai Red Curry with leftover duck.
Starla says
Gardening and preserving food in the summer helps a lot to cut costs on the grocery budget. I also cook dry beans in the crock-pot and freeze them in 16 oz. portions. We eat lots of black beans!
Julie says
Both of these books sound like they have great tips! We are constantly working on pinching our pennies – my husband started a new business after losing his job a few years ago so we need to save every where we can 🙂
Christie says
As a college student about to go off into the “real world,” a frugal cookbook would be AWESOME to have!
Danielle says
I try to find substitute ingredients online instead of heading to the store for something I don’t have. Especially since I only have $$expensive stores nearby.
Angie D. says
I try to make n freeze meals ahead of time, like browning up 5 lbs of burger then it’s already cooked and makes meal making alot quicker. That’s all I got but I think this cookbook sounds fabulous and full of great ideas n tips.
Kristen @ JoyfullyThriving says
Just this year, I started buying chicken on the bone rather than boneless. I cook it in my crockpot for a couple of hours and the meat falls right off the bone! Since I’m saving at least $1 a pound this way, I don’t know why it took me so long to do it! Yet, since I’m still in my 20s, better now than later! 🙂 These look like they are worth a read.
Robin says
I like to ‘read’ cookbooks so I would enjoy adding these to my collection. I am trying to save money by eating at home and canning/freezing as much as I can. This time of year keeps us busy processing the food, but we enjoy it all winter! These cookbooks look like they will help out a lot.
Julianne says
I’d love to win these books! As a newlywed, I need all the help I can to pinch pennies! 🙂
Carrie says
These would be the perfect books to read on the beach this summer. Our family is definately interested in living and eating more “green”.
Ashley H. says
I’d love to win so I can actually learn some frugal tips along with some great recipes.
Fiona says
I’d LOVE to win this Giveaway,
In these tough economic times of scarcity and shortage throughout the world, we are all having to tighten our belts. When making chicken soup, I used to love to buy the fresh, low-sodium, organic chicken stock from the chill section in supermarkets.
To save myself a couple of £s, I no longer do this. Here’s what I do instead. After the family have enjoyed a roast chicken dinner, I bag up the cold carcass and giblets and throw them in the freezer. When I require stock, I just dig out a bag, and toss it into a pan of cold water, boil and there I have it.
I have four children and everything helps!
Leslie says
I would love to win these! The concept is right up my alley and I’d love to learn more! We’re in the processe of paying off student loans among other things, and every penny helps!
Chris says
I would love to win these. One of my tips is that I make homemade crockpot yogurt. I also hang dry a lot of my clothing.
Deb says
Not wasting food – planning meal sizes, shopping to a list, making menus – all those things lead to not wasting food.
I’d love to win these cookbooks!
Jenny C. says
These books sound like great resources for recipes and tips – and I need both. Plus I like the fact that Andrea really likes them!!!! Thanks for entering me in the giveaway.
kathy w says
Try to eat more meals at home, not only is it healthy but will save a lot of money. These cookbooks sound wonderful!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
These look like incredible books that I could learn a lot from!
Kim says
I always love a new pratical cookbook. Could really use some new ideas for dinner since I seem to be stuck in a rut.
Melissa says
Make your own seasoning mixes and use the freezer for everything! I would love to learn more about DIY around the kitchen. These books look great!
Sandy says
I love my crockpot, but thinking of variety bogs me down.
I would love to budget better in the food department, eat healthier and more frugally.
Glenda says
My best frugal recipe tip is to double up every time I cook and put the extra meal in the freezer. On those harried nights when I don’t know what to make, it saves big $, instead of eating out, if I have something already prepared and just need to pop it in the oven.
Cassie says
I would love to win these books because I am always looking for ways to cut our grocery bill down! I am trying so hard to be frugal with the way the economy is right now!
Dawn says
I would love to see the ideas in these books! I’m always looking for new ways to do things or new things to try. Not sure I have any good frugal tip to offer. Thanks for the chance on this give-away.
Becky says
I use rotisserie chicken since it is the same price as whole raw chicken. It makes great soups, pot pie, and salads, plus I don’t have to spend the time and energy seasoning and cooking it!
JoDi says
Wow, winning one of these books would be great, but both is even better!
My frugal food tip is to plan meals for the week ahead but also always have a homemade “emergency meal” like a casserole in the freezer in case you have a crazy day and don’t feel like cooking. Then you won’t have to resort to expensive take-out.
Kalyn says
I love being frugal at home! One of my favorite ways to do it is to grow my own produce from seed or an inexpensive plant and can it for later. I always have loads of tomatoes and love to make pasta sauce……for pennies!
Denise says
I make sure to plan my menu out for the week. We’re much less likely to eat out if I know I have something ready to go. I went through all my cookbooks and transferred a ton of recipes to index cards (I included name of the cookbook, category, page number, and main ingredients). On Sat or Sun we plan the meals for the next week. Then I just need to use the cards to generate my grocery list. I also have a card for “restaurant” since we do eat out occasionally. My husband usually picks the meals for the week and it’s always a nice surprise for me when I see that card pulled out. I also sewed a pocket organizer that hangs inside my cabinet. I place the meals for each day in a pocket. There are a couple extra pockets that I use to store my recipes for handmade beauty supplies and cleaners. You can see a tutorial for it on my blog asprinkleofthis.blogspot.com
Krissa says
I would love to win these! I’m learning way to be more frugal…last night I made my own refried beans for burritos and am freezing up pre-made burritos for lunches and dinners. It was super cheap to make them on my own!
Anita says
I would love to learn to be more frugal and I think these books would be a great help 🙂
Jennifer says
I try to purchase items when they are on sale but I am not always great with that. I would love to be more frugal and really help save my family some money.
Jade says
One of my favorite frugal tips is to use newspapers for washing your windows and mirrors. I haven’t bought paper towles in over a year!!! Thanks for a great giveaway!