COFFEE!!!

Now I'm not sure if you all out there LOVE coffee as much as I do, but I know that it costs A LOT to buy my coffee treats premade.  My personal favorite is Gloria Jeans English Toffee Mocha Chiller.  SOOOOOO GOOOD!!!  I have two problems with this drink however.  1. In order to get it, I have to drive to Portland Mall, which is two hours away!!!!  2. The cost for the size I get is around 6 dollars!!!!  Now I know that sounds crazy to pay that much for coffee, but I generally only get it once a year, so that cost split up over time is actually costs about two cents a week. haha.  Anyway, I'm done amusing myself and the fact of the matter remained.  Pay too much for a coffee drink that I can't buy anyway, or come up with my own frugal fair alternative :)  My friends, I have done just that.  And I think mine tastes better too :)  If you like those blended coffee drinks from anywhere (Dunkins, Starbucks, or even my secret love GJ's), then you too will love the fact that you can make your own and it won't hit your wallet even half as hard as other places will.
Brew double strong coffee.  Let cool about an hour, and pour into ice cube trays to freeze.  Let freeze for approximately 2-3 hours.  Set ice cube tray in warm water to help the cubes come out.  Pour entire tray of cubes into blender.  Add your favorite flavored creamer (mine right now is Belgian Chocolate toffee made my coffeemate, I also love the Peppermint Mocha creamer they come out with around the holidays) until halfway up the cubes.  Add candy pieces that will go with your flavored creamer.  I use Heath bits for mine, or Andes mints for the peppermint creamer.  Blend until smooth and ENJOY!!!!  Sometimes you will have to adjust the creamer to taste, or to get the right consistency for your drink, but it's not rocket science here people.  The BEST news...I made a drink that was the same size as GJ's large $6 drink, and it only cost me around $2 to make!!!!!  AND I HAVE A NEVER-ENDING SUPPLY!!!  This recipe does require a little forethought and planning, but when you consider gas prices and driving to your favorite coffeehouse to get this drink, and combined with the $4, $5, and $6 prices they charge, you really can't beat this!!!! 

Just another bit of frugal food for thought :)  Stay happy, stay healthy, and stay frugal!!!
xoxo

It's called FRUGAL not CHEAP!

Since I'm always trying to find cheap (read free) ways to amuse myself, I decided to start blogging.  The basis of my blog with be finding ways to save money everywhere you can.  The name came from my husband.  He calls me cheap because I use coupons at the grocery store, buy the brand that's on sale, or has the lowest per pound price, and I never buy anything for myself that isn't on sale.  He thinks that's cheap.  I prefer to call it frugal.  Not that it really sounds much better, maybe just more sophisticated.  Who doesn't want to save money these days?  I have no problem using coupons and saving at least twenty dollars on a one hundred dollar grocery bill.  I also have no problem shopping sales, and saving 93 dollars on a 103 dollar clothing bill.  I don't see the point in buying a pair of jeans for $40 for my four year old, when she won't fit in them in another six weeks.  He thinks this is cheap.  I call it frugal.  Anybody else seeing a theme here? 
Now I'm not one to preach on where you should and shouldn't spend money.  I'm also not here to give advice.  I'm just finding a way to amuse myself, and pass some time away.  If it works, it works.  If it doesn't it doesn't.  If you want to read it, read it.  If not, then don't.