Am I the only one with lots of leftover turkey still? I hate to throw it away, so I won’t 
I’ll make some turkey tortilla soup. I LOVE making tortilla soup because it’s crazy easy and I usually have all of the items on hand. Anytime you don’t have to go to the store for even one item, it saves you money. One item always turns into 10.
This recipe is also made in the crock pot AND it freezes beautifully.
What You Need
Whatever turkey you have left. Just throw it all in.
1-15 oz can whole canned tomatoes. Make sure you mash them up pretty well.
1-10 oz can enchilada sauce
1 yellow onion chopped
1-4oz can chopped green chilis
2-3 minced garlic cloves
1 cup water
1 can chicken broth
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 can whole kernal corn
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
Throw it all in the crockpot and let cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4.
I like to serve mine with tortilla chips and sour cream.
What did you do with your leftover turkey?
Christmas is over. Sad face 
But don’t fret, that just means Christmas sales are here! Stores are already putting the sales out and marking down everything from candy to decor. A huge reason we have beautiful decorations around our house with a beautiful tree is because we bought it all on sale after Christmas the last couple of years. Most of the time stores mark down up to 80-90% off. You can’t afford NOT to buy these items on sale.
A lot of people pass up Christmas items this time of year because they are tired of the decor and ready to pack it up. They also think since they won’t use it for a year, it’s a waste of money. Instead of thinking like that, think of all the new decorations you’ll get to use next year! And when everyone else is buying Christmas cards at full price, you can remember that you got yours for 90% off! You win!
Here are some items to look for that will come in handy next year.
1. Christmas lights: Don’t just think Christmas lights. People often need Christmas lights all year round, but they are hard to find. It’s great to buy them up and have them ready for whatever event you have. We always have lights that go out during their summer slumber in our garage, so it’s nice to have fresh boxes for next year’s decoration.
2. Christmas cards: These particularly get marked down a lot. They have no other use other than Christmas, so retailers really need to get rid of them. Buy them up and ship them out next year.
3. Wrapping paper. This can be used all year round if you get the right colored paper. Solid colored can be used for any occasion. And think about all the fun you can have looking for wrapping paper that isn’t Christmas themed!
4. Food! Look past all the Christmas packaging on things. Retailers have to get rid of it because of it’s packaging, but Christmas marshmallows taste the same as Easter ones. Buy it up and reap the savings!
5. Check out Walgreens, Rite Aid and other drug stores. We were in Walgreens on Christmas Day for some medicine. They were already marking down items. Drug stores tend to mark down items quicker than the rest of the stores. There are less people there too!
What items are you hoping to stock up on?
We will return to posting deals, coupons, freebies, and money saving tips on December 27th.
Merry Christmas!
For the first time in my adult life, I am done shopping. It’s a Christmas miracle. However, I don’t have many friends that are done and my dad and mom certainly aren’t. My husband will be joining my dad on his annual Christmas Eve shopping marathon.
Since so many of you are still shopping through the weekend, here are some tips for your last minute shopping.
1. Don’t rush! Yes, you’ve waited until the last minute to shop, but that doesn’t mean to need to shop quickly. You still have time to check pricing at other stores and shop smart. Rushing will only cause you to spend more.
2. Don’t hope for large ticket items. It may still be possible to get them, but special order items like appliances won’t be in before Christmas. Any special gifts that need engraving or resized may not be ready as well, so don’t put all your eggs in that basket.
3. Look for sales. It’s not after Christmas yet, but we are getting close enough that you’ll find some sales. Yesterday I needed candy for a present and it was already on clearance, SCORE! We saw a lot of Christmas items that had already been marked down. It’s definitely worth your time to try and find some.
4. Avoid impulse gifts. I didn’t do this yesterday and although my husband will like it, it was totally impulse and we didn’t need it. Impulse buys are MUCH easier when you are feeling desperate.
5. Gift cards. Seriously though, Christmas is not about stressing out. It’s about spending time with the people you love. If Christmas shopping last minute will stress you out and take away from the joy of the season, just pick up some gift cards and call it good!
Merry Christmas all you Thrifty Divas!
I know that we are all busy getting ready for the holidays. I also know that we are all brokenhearted about the families who lost their children as well as the families who lost the brave men and women who stood between the killer and the children. It’s hard to see that kind of tragedy and not be able to do anything (besides pray) to help. Well, I saw a story about people who are reaching out to people in need during this season as a way to honor the 26 victims at Newtown.
The story references a list of things we can to do show kindness to people around us in honor of the victims. The list includes putting coins in expired parking meters, saying “good morning” to someone you don’t know, paying off someone’s layaway account, sharing your umbrella with a stranger, compliment the good behavior of a child and give a coat to a homeless person. I saw another story on our local news last night that highlighted a business that did something similar.
Here’s a list of organizations that are working to assist in the aftermath of the tragedy in Newtown.
Also, remember that the nation is observing a moment of silence at 9:30 EST this morning. If you do nothing else, do pray for the families dealing with such horrific loss. May the hope of Christmas be their strength and comfort in this difficult time.
Get a free personalized phone call from Santa! Start with providing your birth date, then personalize the call (child’s name, what they want for Christmas, etc.). Very cool! Get yours at Google Santa Tracker.
Nothing says wasted money like throwing away or giving away a Christmas present you received that you didn’t like. Here is a list of Christmas gifts more often regretted by the recipient.
1. Pets- A lot of people feel a pet is a good idea for a gift, but every year there is a HUGE influx of puppies and kittens that end up in the animal shelters once buyers remorse sets in.
2. Ties- My husband told me to put this, but he said he hated getting ties and usually never wore them. I guess I need to make a return. Novelty ties are to be especially avoided.
3. Big Mouth Billy Bass- Do you remember this little guy? He’s a fake bass fish that turns and talks to you when you walk buy. It’s TERRIBLE! My dad got one, one year and it didn’t do much more than entertain us for the day.
4. Fruit cake- My grandma argues with me on this one because she likes it, but that stuff is NASTY. And it’s like one of the top gifts EVER during the holiday season. People bring them to parties, gift exchanges and to teachers and bosses. Then those little jewels either get regifted or they go in the trash. Admit it, you’ve thrown a fruit cake in the trash.
5. Musical instruments- Unless you are a seasoned player of said instrument, don’t bother asking for one for Christmas. I did that one year in hopes of learning the guitar. It stayed in the case most of the time and I never learned a cord. It’s best to borrow a friend’s to learn on and once you know you love it, then spend the money.
What are some gifts you’ve hated?
In the midst of all the shopping for presents it’s easy to put off the grocery shopping for the holiday meals until the last minute. Here’s your last minute Whole Foods deals for that special meal. I’ll be in that grocery store right along with the other last minute shoppers this weekend because it just dawned on me that it’s only the weekend that stands between us and the big day!
365 Everyday Value Organic Soup, 17.3 oz $2.99
Use $1.00/1- 365 Everyday Value Organic Soups, Whole Foods Coupon – (wholefoods.com)
Final Price: $1.99
What do you cook for your big Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meal?
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