Affluent but Frugal

If you are looking for a great little gift this holiday season, this homemade vanilla extract is perfect! It makes a great small gift on it's own or wrapped up with a holiday cookie cutter or gift card. During the holidays, I like to have a small gift ready for those I encounter. This makes a great gift for: Neighbors Coworkers, the ones I like ☺ Teachers in combination with a gift card Household helpers (nanny, house cleaner, pet sitter) Friends Relatives that you're going to see but don't normally buy a gift for To make your own vanilla extract, you'll need: Instant Pot , or other electric pressure cooker Mason jars which are intended for canning and their lids Vanilla beans, grade B Vodka or bourbon Small bottles with lids for gifting Cute gift tags , optional A few safety precautions to keep in mind: DO NOT use a stove top pressure cooker to do this, it would be very dangerous. You must use an electric pressure cooker. Use mason jars whi...

Grocery delivery is the new, hot service. I have to admit I have been slow to get on the bandwagon because... I like to choose my own produce I don't want to pay a delivery fee I don't want to have to tip a driver (I'd never not tip them, but would go get my own groceries so I didn't have to) I don't have kids - if I did, I can see myself doing grocery delivery all the time! However, I do look for any way that I can get extra value from my Amazon Prime membership  and when Amazon offered me $5 off  as a no-rush shipping credit (one of my favorite things!) I thought I'd give it a whirl.  Tomatoes 3 days after delivery The basic situation You can browse the offerings at primenow.com  to see what is available for delivery.  I've now ordered from Prime Now twice, once I took Amazon up on a  no-rush shipping credit  for Prime Now, they offered me several more! The key information: Delivery is only free if you order at least $35 - ev...

The secret to making handmade holiday gifts, is starting early. Like October might be too late if you have a long list of people to make for including family, friends and teachers. I like to give consumable items because I feel like most people don't need more stuff. Or maybe I'm hoping it will encourage people not to give me stuff but rather something I can enjoy for a while and then it's gone? It is also easier to make many of the same item, this is good especially for neighbors, teachers and distant relatives, you know people you are going to see and want to give a little something to but something small. It is much easier to make 15 of the same item than 15 different items. Here is a list of ideas for a handmade holiday! 1. Felt Christmas Ornaments I am planning to whip up some of ornaments this year because we are having a big family gathering and I'd like to have something small to give everyone attending. How adorable are these deer? Watch a video tuto...