Vacuum Sealer

These days, we are all trying to sqeeze the proverbial blood outta, well, whatever it is that we have. I'm all for saving a buck and am constantly refining the ways that we budget and spend our money. I enjoy being able to tell my money where to go and not just sitting around, wondering where it went?!

One of my favorite tools for saving money? My vacuum sealer! I LOVE this thing! I really use it and it saves me money. We buy large bulk size meats at places like Sam's Club and grocery stores. We cut costs by buying larger packages, and as soon as I get home, I separate out smaller portions, vacuum seal the packages and pop them in the freezer. It's a few cents that turns into several dollars over the course of a year of doing this. I've used it save fresh produce bought in season and frozen for later. The blueberries we did last spring are still as wonderful as they were then. We add them to yogurt smoothies and the boys just love them!

I have to admit that many years ago my wonderful husband, prior to proposing marriage, thought a vacuum sealer would make a great Christmas gift. He bought me the whole kit and knowing how much I like to cook, thought I would really appreciate it. Sadly, I did not. I was looking for, ahem...let's just say another kind of gift! I wasn't all that impressed and decided at the time, I wouldn't use it, so I returned it to the store. Years later...and happily married...we bought one. And I love it! He never lets me forget how insightful he really is....

For more wonderful tips, head on over to http://www.wearethatfamily.com/ for Works for Me Wednesday. It's a great place to find more tips on what really works--this week it is Greatest Tips & Hits edition. Enjoy!