Changing My Mindset From One of a First Use Consumer to One of Thrift

I'm not one for too many gadgets, but I found that I loved my salad spinner. We eat lots of salads and I liked how it spun the greens dry and I found my salads stayed fresh longer.

So I was very disappointed a few weeks ago when my salad spinner fell to the floor and shattered. I have had it for some time and it wasn't cheap. I paid about $30 for it when I bought it at a home party several years ago. I didn't want to spend $30 again and I'm embarrassed to say that I even spent $30 in the first place.

Unfortunately, my first thought was, "I'll pick one up the next time I'm at Target. I'm sure I can get one there for about $20, far cheaper than $30".

But last Wednesday as I was heading towards the library for Toddler story time, I passed a thrift store. There was a big sign that read "50% off Today" in front of the store. Over the summer, I saw tons of salad spinners at yards sales, so I figured there was a good chance of finding one in the thrift store. I guess it is an item that people buy, but never use. Well I use it and I wanted another one.

I have shopped at this store before, but it has been awhile since I chose thrift over new.

Bingo! There were 4 different ones to choose from and I chose one that was ticketed at $1.99, so I would get it for .99 with the 50% off sale.

As I was walking to my car, it occurred to me that the thrift store should have been my first thought, not Target. I need to re-train my brain that when I need something, I should check the thrift stores first.

Will I ever get over my Target compulsion? Hopefully, because .99 is a lot more better than $20.

What is your mindset? Is it one of a first use consumer or one of thrift?

Thanks for reading FamilyBalanceSheet. If you would like to receive FREE updates of FBS through your RSS Feed, please click here to sign up. Or Subscribe by Email.

This post is linked to Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.

Roasted Red Plum Tomato Sauce ~ Great Freezer Recipe

What does a girl do with 19 pounds of organic plum tomatoes that she bought for $6?

Make sauce!

Two weeks ago, at the picnic/potluck that our CSA hosts annually, they offered boxes of organic plum tomatoes for $6. I couldn't pass it up and next year I will buy two boxes.

Roasted Red Plum Tomato Sauce

1. I sliced the tomatoes in half lengthwise and laid them flat, filling a rimmed baking sheet. I only have 2 baking sheets and I had to do this in two batches.

You don't need 19 lbs of tomatoes to make this sauce, just enough to fill a tray or two.

2. On each sheet I added:

• 1/4 C fresh oregano leaves
• 1/4 C fresh basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cracked pepper
• 2-3 garlic cloves

3. Coat the tomatoes generously with olive oil.


4. Roast two trays at a time at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Shift the trays. Move the top tray to the bottom and bottom tray to top. Roast another 30 minutes.

5. Carefully remove from the oven, because the tomatoes get juicy. Allow the tomatoes to cool slightly. With a pair of tongs, you should be able to remove the skins. Get as much as you can, but it is okay if some skins remain.

6. Once completely cool, blend the tomatoes, herbs and oil from the trays in the food processor. This will definitely take several batches to do. Place each batch in a big bowl to combine.

7. Stir the blended tomato sauce well. You might need to add additional salt and pepper to your taste.

8. You can use immediately or freeze in containers. I was able to make between 7-8 quarts from that 19 lb. box.

Did you make tomato sauce this season?

Thanks for reading FamilyBalanceSheet. If you would like to receive FREE updates of FBS through your RSS Feed, please click here to sign up. Or Subscribe by Email.

This post is linked to:

• $5 Dinner Challenge
• Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed with Grace
• Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
• Real Food Wednesday at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
• Frugal Friday at Life as MOM

It's Apple Season ~ 3 Delicious Fall Apple Recipes

Apple season in one of our favorite times of the year. Please enjoy these Apple Recipes from the Family Balance Sheet archives:

My all time favorite fall desert is Apple Gingerbread Cake with Homemade Whipped Cream. This is so good that I am confident it will become your favorite fall dessert too.


Apple Crumb Pots are easy to bake and taste just like apple pie, but without the crust.

How to Make Sugar-Free Apple Sauce.

Thanks for reading FamilyBalanceSheet. If you would like to receive FREE updates of FBS through your RSS Feed, please click here to sign up. Or Subscribe by Email.

This post is linked to:

• Finer Things Friday at Amy's Finer Things

It's Been an Expensive Week!

I never said the Road to Financial Freedom wouldn't be hard, but I wasn't expecting to hit a roadblock so early in the series.

I wasn't even planning on writing about emergency funds at this time, but with the week we just had, I felt it is warranted.

It all started last Thursday after cleaning a stinky toddler bum, I needed to wash my hands, preferably with hot water. When I turned the hot water on, a slow stream came out and it eventually dwindled...to nothing. I went to another sink and the same thing happened, but I could get cold water.

I won't go into all of the details of what followed, but our hot water heater had leaked and the outcome was not pretty...$670.

Yesterday when our 9 year old car was in the shop for its state inspection, we got 'the call'. Have you ever had 'the call'? When the mechanic calls to tell you that in order for your car to pass the inspection, there are a number of things that need to be done...cha-ching...$700.

$1370 spent in 5 days. The good news is we have the cash in our savings account, but the bad news is the TV in the family room that needs replaced will probably be pushed back for a while.

Have you ever had an expensive week? How prepared are you for life's sudden setbacks?

I will write more about emergency funds later in the series. Right now I need to go console my husband who is trying to watch a game on a TV that keeps going out.

Thanks for reading FamilyBalanceSheet. If you would like to receive FREE updates of FBS through your RSS Feed, please click here to sign up. Or Subscribe by Email.

Black Bean, Tomato & Feta Salad

This is a delicious and easy salad to throw together.

Black Bean, Tomato & Feta Salad

• 1 can (15 oz) of black beans, rinsed and drained
• about 3 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cucumber, chopped into small pieces
• 1-2 Tbsp chopped fine Parsley
• 1/2 red onion, chopped fine. You could also chop up a bunch of spring onions
• 1/2 Cup Feta
• 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• pinch of salt

Combine the beans, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, onion and feta in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt to make a vinaigrette. Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables and stir together. Serve with your favorite grilled meat and some fresh fruit.

One side note: This salad is served best the first day. If there are left-overs for the next day, you might want to pour the salad through a strainer right before eating, because it gets soupy. It tasted fine the second day, but there was a lot of liquid on the bottom of the bowl.

Thanks for reading FamilyBalanceSheet.

If you would like to receive FREE updates of FBS through your RSS Feed, please click here to sign up. Or Subscribe by Email.

This post is linked to:

• $5 Dinner Challenge
• Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed with Grace
• Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
• Real Food Wednesday at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
• Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum
• Ultimate Recipe Swap at Life as MOM