Saving Dough

With the Holidays quickly approaching, I'm looking at all REASONABLE money saving alternatives. I'm definitely not ready to start making my own laundry detergent, (I considered it until I realized I would need an electric paint mixer!), or making my own pet food, (more meals I'd have to prepare every day!). I did try making my own fabric refresher spray using directions I found on Pinterest but it was a bust.

I did come up with one way to save $, curb my son's gadget addiction and develop his math skills. I usually give him $4 per week if he does his chores, (basic things like tending to the animals, cleaning his room, wiping down the bathroom counter, folding & putting away laundry, etc). I decides this week he would earn iPod & Xbox minutes by doing his usual tasks. Basically, the time spent completing the chores is equal to the minutes he earns, (although he does NOT know this, as I believe he'd take an hour to scoop the litter box!). I save money, I get help with the housework and he improves his math skills by adding up his minutes! Win, win!

We have a taco night practically every week. I spend at least $3 on the kits, (seasoning, shells & sauce that we don't even use). If I buy the shells separate it's only $1. If I buy the seasoning pack separate it's about $1.29. Already saving money. If I make the seasoning with spices I already have an rarely use I save even more! (You can get great deals on seasonings at Target. They put them on clearance as they approach the 'sell by' date, just go ahead & make batches of seasoning mixes & store them in the freezer!) I gave it a try today & it worked out great! I made enough for 2 taco nights, (using 4 Tbsp each time), with this recipe:
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 Tbsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp onion powder
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1/2 Tbsp salt
1/2 Tbsp cayenne pepper (use more if you like it spicy)

Mix it up well, seal in an airtight container or bag. I put a baggie into my plastic container, and dumped the spices in, then sealed the bag & gave it a good shake to mix it all up. Then I put the sealed baggie back into the container and put the plastic lid on with a label. You will use 4 Tbsp per 1lb of beef or chicken.

Actual taco meat recipe:
-Brown 1lb of ground beef (or use 1lb of cooked, shredded chicken)
-Drain fat and return to pan
-Add 4 Tbsp of taco seasoning and 2/3 cup of water and mix well
-Bring meat mixture to a bubble, reduce heat to med-low and cook for 8 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.