This recipe is quick and easy, and if you’re diabetic like hubby and I, it won’t send your sugar levels over the top! This is one of our favourite desserts, and we have it at least one night each week. If your not diabetic you can play around with it, add sugar or other sweet goodies to it, or even sprinkle sugar or icing sugar on the top!

Quick and Easy Apple Pies

You’ll need a Sandwich/Snack Maker – one that’s for toasted sandwiches. Ours is divided into four – it makes two sandwich sized pies, and automatically cuts it into four triangles.

Take one sheet of puff pastry out of the freezer and lay it flat to thaw. Lightly spray the snack maker, and leave it to warm up.

Cut the pastry sheet into half, and place one half onto the base of the snack maker. Spoon stewed or tinned apple into the triangle bases.

Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. You can also add sugar or sugar substitute if wanted, but sugar isn’t necessary.

Add remaining half of the pastry to cover the apple.

Close the lid and cook for about 5-10 minutes. *Can take more or less time depending on how hot the snack maker is when pastry is added.

You can substitute other fruits (such as rhubarb or peaches)  for the apple.

*Best eaten hot but can also be consumed cold.

Instead of going from place to place, site to site, or collecting coupons here, there, and everywhere, I have found a website where you can get loads of coupons – for free!

Click on the banner below to check it out. You need to sign up, but it’s a painless operation – just add your zip code and email. That’s it!!

I came across this site recently, and it’s a beauty. Check your pantry to see what groceries you currently have. Then go to this site and with the software provided, list your available grocery items.

The software will work out your meal using your available products!

It’s free to use, and there’s no cost whatsoever involved. Try it out and do leave your feedback about the site.

Conservatively speaking, there are millions of coupons circulating every day that could cut your food budget by 30 to 50% – even more if you’re prepared to turn couponing into a passion.

Even the occassional coupon clipper can become quite successful overnight and with more work and dedication become a super saver shopper. You have to be patient, flexible and perhaps give up your favorite brand name, but it can be achieved and you can save a lot of money.
Remember, coupons are intended to sell a particular product and get you in the store but if the item is not one you need and use, then saving money on that product is a moot point.

Grocery coupons can be found everywhere. The Sunday newspaper is usually the best source but also look on line, at public libraries and at coupon exchange boxes at the store itself. Some stores issue coupons at checkout for use on your next trip. Be sure and note expiry dates and if a cash value is offered. Don’t let them expire and go to waste.

Plan before you shop. Keep coupons sorted by grocery type in an easy to search through container and match coupons with needs on your grocery list. Some coupons have mail in rebates. Be aware of this and follow up.

Sign up for a store loyalty card that usually offers coupons plus bonus points that are cumulative each time you shop. Using a store’s own credit card can lead to double points and free item coupons.

When you combine regular coupons with sale prices, you’re becoming a super saver. If a coupon item is not on sale and it’s not an urgent purchase wait until it’s on sale. Be on the lookout for sale and bonus points tags.

Compare ads. It may pay you to drive to more than one store if it’s an item you need, have a coupon and it’s not available anywhere else. But, before you burn up extra gas, ask if the store honors its competitor’s coupons. Many will do this just to keep you in the store. You can call ahead to save a trip.

Don’t be susceptible to the 2 for a dollar marketing tool unless it’s to your advantage with a coupon. If you need two of the item go ahead and buy them; but save by buying only one if that’s what you need. For example, the sign may read: 15 limes for a dollar. Unless you’re a big lime user, some could go rotten before you use them.

There was a time when some shoppers felt using coupons was not appreciated by the grocer and hesitated to use them. They didn’t want to hold up the line while the checker scanned coupons.

It’s a faster and easier process now with computers. Some of these strategies may not be right for you. It takes practice and patience, trial and error. If stretching your food dollar is your objective, there are few better ways than using coupons.

Now we have the dollar stores which are a little misleading even though some things sell for a dollar or less but others multiples of a dollar.  They sell things such as cleaning supplies, toys, pet food, ironing boards, garden tools, candy and food that’s in a can.

Most products are sold for less than at a general retail store but it’s best to know your prices before you go in.  Some products are generic or private label brand made specifically for that business. 

Other merchandise is purchased from another store that has had an overstock or closing-down sale.  You might find items that were manufactured for a particular campaign or event and are now out of date or sales have slowed too much to keep it in stock.

Wouldn’t it be nice if a dollar store sold fresh food?  Enter the 99 cents only stores where nothing is over 99 cents…ever.  Well, that’s what they say.  This chain was founded in 1982 and now boasts more than 260 stores in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas.  Their total sales for fiscal year 2006 totaled one billion dollars.

They claim to be the oldest single price retail chain in the country offering deep discounts on primarily new name brand merchandise. The good news is some of their sales include fresh produce, a deli, frozen foods and occasionally fresh meat. 

The deli features mostly cold cuts.  This is in addition to canned goods and other basic grocery items, plus health and beauty aids.  The inventory varies and not everything is name brand.

Recent ads for produce include cantaloupe for 99 cents, pound and a half of plums for 99 cents, dozen eggs 99 cents, milk 32 ounces for 99 cents and five pounds of potatoes for 99 cents.  Even a large watermelon for, yes, 99 cents.  By the way, the ad didn’t say what size the eggs were.  And, some wine snobs are enjoying their 99 cent wine.

These kinds of stores, until recently, were thought of as being in low income areas and shopped by low income people who didn’t mind some off brand goods if they could save money.  If that were ever true, that’s changed with the spiraling cost of food and gasoline.  Now, we’re all looking for a bargain.

The 99 cents only stores pride themselves on having a clean store with friendly, personal service.  Shelves are fully and neatly stocked, aisles are wide and the total environment is fresh and pleasant. 

They even offer more help with a 99 cent only recipe book:  gourmet recipes at discount prices. If you live in one of the above four states and are trying to trim your food budget it might be worth your gas to shop and see what all you can get for 99 cents.

I’m not talking about clipping coupons – there’s more to it than that.  It will take a bit of work, but more than that, it’s about planning. 

Here are a few tips to help you save money with your grocery shopping:

Make a list and stick to it.  Check to see what you already have in your pantry before you go. that way you won’t come home with duplicate items that may go to waste or could have been put off until another time.

Shop by yourself.  Those extra helpers, be it kids or partner, can add additional items to the basket that are not wanted and not on your shopping list.

Never shop on an empty stomach.  When you’re hungry everything looks good and you’ll find yourself straying from the list.  It’s a good idea to have a small snack before you shop to avoid what I call ‘hunger shopping’.

Buy bulk when appropriate. Compare the unit price and buy a larger size if it works out cheaper to buy that way.  You can split your items into smaller packages when you get home. 

Premium and higher priced items are usually placed at eye level so look up or down for lower priced (i.e. store brand) foods.  More costly items are generally on the high traffic aisles so make it a point to wander off the beaten path.

Do your own slicing and dicing.  Those pre sliced, pre packaged meats and cheeses are convenient, but usually much more expensive.  Buying in bulk packs usually brings the price down because there’s less packaging and handling involved.  Buying a whole chicken is much cheaper than buying chicken pieces. Save money and cut the chicken up yourself.  You can also freeze what you don’t need right away, PROVIDED the chicken hasn’t already been frozen by the store. (Never refreeze chicken once it’s been thawed.)  Less tender cuts of meat are cheaper and if cooked correctly can be just as delicious.

The same goes for breakfast cereal.  Those small one-person servings cost more so buy the larger boxes instead.  Hot cereals (such as oats) are usually cheaper per serving than the ready to eat variety.

Bake from scratch instead of buying the prepared mixes.  You pay way more for already prepared cake and cookie mixes. Prepared foods will always cost more so do a little more work and save. At first glance you may think there’s a lot more work involved in using prepared foods, but the reality is it’s not much more at all.

Buy plain pasta.  Although not a huge expense anyway, using plain pasta instead of the more upmarket pastas will cut down the cost.

Look for bargains.  You can often find foods that are near to their ‘use by’ dates.  In many cases there is nothing wrong with the product in question, but because the expiry dates are approaching, the store wants to clear them out.

Try to find out what day of the week fresh meat is reduced. A great money saver can be found by being at the store on ‘mark down’ day then freezing your purchases immediately.  Provided the meat is still within the date specified, freezing immediately extends their use by date considerably.

Check the receipt for mistakes.  Stores don’t do this intentionally but it happens frequently.  It could be that a special price has not been updated, the price has been entered incorrectly, or the checker may even enter an incorrect price manually.  Always check your receipt immediately – preferably before you leave the checkout after paying. Don’t be shy about getting it fixed – after all it is your money, and the mistake is theirs not yours.  Most stores will be very apologetic and give you a refund.

Menu planning.  Work out your menu for at least several days, if not a week ahead. Keep your recipes simple, and this in turn will keep your meals down to a more affordable price.  It will also help reduce impulse buying because you will know exactly what you need to buy. 

Shop during low traffic times.  Find out when the shops are the least busy, and shop during those times.  Avoiding crowds often means a more relaxed trip for you, which in turn means you have time to make better choices. 

Plan your shopping day.  Plan ahead and avoid repeated trips to the store. This not only saves times, but it will also save money on petrol costs. 

Utilizing these tips into your weekly shopping trips will help you save money on your grocery bill.