Guest Blog by: Midge

The only true failure is if you don’t try again, right? Baking and I don’t normally see eye to eye and it was especially obvious when I tried PAVLOVA and failed . . . miserably.

Loads of fresh fruit make this a refreshing dessert for summer time.

At first I pouted, then I sent Molly a plethora of texts asking her what I was doing wrong. Other people all across the world have made this dish from New Zealand to England as well as America too. What in the world could I have done wrong?

Then, I realized it came to down to one main ingredient. It seems as if the most important part of any baking recipe is having a few of GRANDMA’S KITCHEN SECRETS in your back pocket or having an accurate recipe handy to sheds light on those types of secrets.   Molly asked me if I let the eggs sit at room temperature. Nope, rats, was I supposed to? Where was that in the recipe?

So, last week Friday I felt brave and decided I was going to conquer this recipe once and for all. I got out a recipe book I received as a wedding gift and researched their Pavlova recipe. Guess what? The first instruction told me to bring the eggs to room temperature!  HA! I gathered the ingredients and started my KitchenAid mixer. My Dad said, “It must have looked like I was ready to slay the Pavlova Dragon once and for all”.

Patience turned out to be another key for my ultimate success. I had to give the mixer enough time to whip the eggs into shape! Guess what? I had PEAKS!!!!!!! My last Pavlova never peaked but this one did everything just like the recipe said! My husband and I spent about five minutes with our heads close to the mixer waiting for the miracle “peaking” to begin. And when it worked, I almost shed a tear of joy!! This is what baking is supposed to be all about!

It’s a PEAK!

The rest of the recipe went perfectly and when it was done it looked just like Molly’s Pavlova. While I was retelling the story, a gal who is close to my heart remarked, “Wow, we all thought that it was going to take you a lot more times than just two to get the recipe right!”  LOL I did too! She continued on by asking, “Well, you have conquered that recipe, what is next?”

Look how creamy it is… just like Molly’s!

The finished product ready to try!

Any ideas Molly fans? Which baking recipe should I select next?

Put on your fix-it hat!

Learn one of the best ways to save money—by doing repairs yourself!

$4.95

One of the basic tenets of being frugal is to not buy a replacement item when what you currently own is repairable. In this month’s issue of Molly Green Magazine, you’ll learn from others in what NOT to do, find tips on painting, how to save a meal that you think is ruined, and much more! Being confident in your approach to repairs is one key to your success. Let Molly and her team share their secrets with you this month!

• June is National Dairy Month. Be sure to enjoy some dairy goodness with a bowl of ice cream on June 7^th, which is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day!
• Being content with what you have, especially when it’s not the shiny new model, can be a challenge. Learn how to find joy in the frugal journey with Molly.
• Join Rhonda Barfield as she shares the adventures of Ken, the fix-it man. Ken was a prominent fixture in the Civil War-era mansion that Rhonda shared with her family for a time.
• Are you short on shelf space? It’s a common thing for us frugal homemakers to try to make do with what we have. Let Sharon White show you how to repurpose cardboard boxes with a craft knife and glue into a sturdy toy shelf!
• Sometimes when you are faced with a repair a bit beyond your scope of knowledge, the best thing to keep in mind is that “The worst you can do is break it more.” Being a bit fix-it impaired, this mantra helped Rhonda Barfield overcome some of her trepidation at repairs.
• What do you do with a dish that is too salty? How about a dish that’s too sweet? Rhonda Barfield reveals some easy, quick fixes for those little oops moments!
• Sometimes the things that need fixing are not appliances, fixtures, or furniture, but a simple thing like makeup. Let Molly show you how to salvage a broken foundation cake or tube of lipstick.
• When you purchase products, they normally come with some sort of warranty. If the item needs to be replaced before that warranty time has expired, would you know where to find the paperwork that is needed for the exchange or refund? If you follow Molly’s tips for a warranty / instruction binder, you’ll always have this needful information right at your fingertips!
• Finally, Molly shares her top three painting tips with you. Learn how she minimizes clean up, keeps the paint can lid clean, and what she does with the leftover paint.

We all have times when we feel like we want to throw in the frugal towel and say forget it; but with Molly Green Magazine you will find helpful money saving tips that will keep you on the right track to turn something old into something new and have some frugal family fun doing it. Molly Green Magazine to the rescue!

~ Laura Williams

See why homemakers love Molly Green Magazine—see what’s inside!

Click here to view a sample!

Molly makes it fun and easier to be frugal! Think about it—with so much to learn and save, if you apply just one money-saving idea, you’ll recoup the cost of this E-Book right away!

Project Manager: Dena Wood, Becky Gustafson.
Contributing Writers: Alayna Cann, Dena Wood, Patricia Hunter, Inger Koppenhaver, Becky Gustafson,  Sharon White, Rhonda Barfield
Publication: 2013
Pages: 34
File Size: 6.2 MB

Need to economize? Subscribe to a Molly Membership!
For only $3.85 a month (cancel any time!) you receive not only the monthly Molly Green Magazine, but also much more!

Purchase NOW!

Every month, Molly has a wealth of information and support to share in one easy-to-read, handy resource! Discover for yourself all of the exciting and imaginative ideas Molly has to offer—ideas that could save you big money and needless headaches!

You’ll glean some of the best inexpensive ideas and projects for everyday living that you can find and be inspired to be self-confident, creative, and resourceful too.

For just $4.95, download this Molly Green Magazine now!

Or become a monthly Molly Member and subscribe for only $3.85 per month!

Read the whole issue by purchasing it here:  http://econobusters.com/molly_green_magazine_watch_out_mollys_on_the_move___/

Or Subscribe monthly here: http://econobusters.com/molly-sub/

Take a sneak peek into my A Light Heart in Dark Times magazine today!

Coping with Job Loss: A Lesson From the Trenches

by Christina Wong

I was completely unprepared for my husband’s job loss. Some people think that the hardest part about losing a job is the financial side of the equation, but there are so many other worries. Most people who lose their source of income don’t plan for it; I know we certainly didn’t. We were not prepared for the financial and emotional consequences of going from a nice income with benefits to having to draw unemployment and doing whatever we could to make ends meet. If you are in a similar situation, you might wonder how to cope. Let me share with you what we did to help keep ourselves afloat.

I had just signed a lease on a bigger, newer apartment that cost about $300 more a month. I was also having some health issues, and the bills were already beginning to stack up. I had anticipated following my husband to wherever the Army sent him, so I had taken the semester off from school and had no paying job. I had started my blog, Youthful Homemaker, and intended for it to one day become a business, but that day was far into the future.

Instead of letting the bills pile up, I found a few easy solutions to help infuse a little income into the budget. The first was through a friend of mine. She has two beautiful twin girls who needed a nanny, and I took the job. She dropped them off at my house four days a week, which meant I could watch them and work on my website at the same time. The other way I added a little more income to our budget was to spend more time working for my family’s business, Wheat-n-Things. My parents were selling their whole grains and homemade bread at one of the local farmers markets and needed an extra hand baking and selling. I also started baking my own specialty breads and made an occasional craft item to sell, bringing in a nice little income that way.

Ways We Saved More Money. . .

For more of this article on coping with job loss, CLICK HERE to purchase A Light Heart in Dark Times as a single issue.

Molly members already have this magazine in your member page! Simply click the “Molly Members” tab above, log in, and search out May 2012.

If you’re not a Molly member, sign up now on our SUBSCRIPTION PAGE! 

Weed killer(s) don’t have to be toxic. Chances are you’ve got some of these “natural” ingredients around the house to make a frugal yet effective weed killer.

First you’re going to need some kind of spray bottle. Be sure it wasn’t previously filled with some other kind of chemical, you never want to inadvertently mix ingredients.

Vinegar is my personal favorite ingredient to kill weeds. The acedic acid is what allows vinegar to shrivel up those pesky, problem plants! Take a look at the different kinds of vinegar, the one with the largest amount of acedic acid should be the most affective for killing weeds.

*A word of caution* Vinegar is so effective in killing weeds it will also kill your plants! If you are spraying around flowers, plants or even in your yard- spray carefully!

Boiling water is also another great method to kill unwanted vegetation, especially on sidewalks and driveways! You are basically cooking the plant right there in the ground when you pour boiling water over it. Simply put a kettle of tap water on the stove, heat it to boiling and pour on the weeds you wish to kill. *This method also kills good plants so pour with caution!*

Salt is another frugal yet effective choice. You can simply drop a small pinch of table salt at the base of undesirable plants. It will kill the plant and dilute down to harmless in the next few rainfalls. If you happen to have a gravel driveway and there are weeds popping up here and there, simply sprinkle it with salt and the ground will be unsuitable for plant growth (mostly likely for months!).

Natural weed killers work for me! What do you use to kill weeds?

Today’s guest post is brought to you by : Annabelle Smyth, www.dailypencil.com

Over time, it’s common for children to simply have too many toys and some that they do not play with anymore. When they outgrow a toy, whether it is because they are past the recommended age range or are simply bored with it, there are several things that you can opt to do with the toys so that they do not get thrown away or go to waste. Toys for indoor play, outdoor play, large rocking horses, bean bag chairs, stuffed animals and kitchen sets are just some of what you may have that you do not know what to do with. Take advantage of these options to get those toys out of your house and into the hands of someone who can use them.

1. Storage

If you are unsure if you will need the toys that your child have outgrown at a future time, putting them into storage is a great option. This is ideal for those who are thinking about having more children in the future or those who are expecting grandchildren and would like to pass down the toys that their children played with. Tampa FL storage facilities, Mesa self storage units and other storage buildings are available for rent all around the country.

2. Donations

Donating your child’s old toys is one way that you can give back to the community while cleaning up the things that your kids do not play with anymore. There are many different causes that accept toy donations such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Goodwill. Toys can be dropped off at these facilities or can be picked up by some on select days right on your doorstep, making it easy to donate.

3. Garage Sales

Gain some money back from all of your outgrown toys by selling them at a garage sale. First, you will want to clean up all of the toys that you plan to sell and test with batteries to ensure that they are still in good working condition. Mark them at low prices to draw customers in, getting them to buy multiple toys that their children will enjoy. To price competitively, look up current prices for the toys that you are selling online before marking them at your garage sale.

4. Consignment Stores

Consignment stores and shops that buy and sell gently used children’s clothes and toys are ideal for selling your used children’s toys. These toys must be in good condition. By bringing them to these stores you will either receive an upfront price for your goods that will then be re-sold for a profit or will earn a percentage of the sale price after they have been sold.

By taking advantage of these options, you will make room in your house while getting rid of the toys that your children have outgrew. Whether you opt to donate, put them into storage or sell for a profit, there are plenty of things to do with your old children’s toys that still have life left in them.

Annabelle is currently a loving and caring mother of two children. She lives outside of Milwaukee, WI and loves cheering for the Bucks and Badgers. She is a blog enthusiast and loves writing, if she is not writing she is cleaning up after her two lovely angels.

Watch Out! Molly’s on the Move . . .

Join her for the ride!

$4.95

Spring is in the air and Molly is on the move! She’s donned her “mover” hat and is ready to provide tips and ideas for anyone “on the move”. With the end of the school year nearly here, vacations are on the minds of many families. Let Molly help you make those vacation plans. Are you planning a road trip? Maybe you’re planning to save some money and stick closer to home? Or maybe you’d like to try out couchsurfing? There are many different types of vacations and Molly has you covered for each of them! Or maybe you are making a move to a new home. We’ve got you covered there as well with tips and tricks to make that move as smooth as possible.

Look for these topics as well as many more-

• Alayna Cann helps you find ways to celebrate each day of May in a special way.
• In Packing It In! Molly Green, shares tips to make your vacation away from home more enjoyable by learning to pack for comfort, but keep it simple!
• If you’re flexible and open minded, let Lisa Strader show you what volunteer vacations are and how to get involved.
•  Learn how to eat on the go without losing your grip on the budget with Molly the Frugal Foodie: Frugal Travel Treats
•  Is it time to de-clutter? Let Molly help you discover one of the best defenses against the unpleasant task of moving.
•  Have you heard of Couchsurfiing?  Lisa Strader will show you how to avoid paying for a roof over your head when you travel. Read on to see the benefits of couchsurfing and how to get started.
•  Sharon White shares another use for an old t-shirt. How about turning it into a water bottle holder?!
•  Frugal Family Fun: How to Vacation in Your Own Hometown – By Connie
• Robertson helps when the budget just doesn’t allow for a road trip vacation. Learn how a staycation vacation can be just the ticket for a frugal, yet fun vacation!
•  We’ve all experienced tangled jewelry when packing it away for either a trip or a move. Let Molly show you how to keep your baubles and bangles untangled and damage free the next time you’re on the move.
•  Are you looking for a frugal way to help the miles speed by on your next trip? Molly’s Road Trip Binder is the just the ticket!
•  Maybe you’d like to take your Molly magazines and E-Books on your trip with you, but you’re not sure how to get those items onto your mobile device. If that’s the case, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on transferring them to your mobile device in this month’s issue.
•  Inger Koppenhaver shares her Do’s and Don’ts of Frugal Family Vacations. Read along as she shares her tips to help you keep on track with your budget, while still being flexible and open to new adventures.

See why homemakers love Molly Green Magazine – see what’s inside!

Click here to view a sample.

 Molly makes it fun and easier to be frugal! Think about it – with so much to learn and save, if you apply just one money-saving idea, you’ll recoup the cost of this E-Book right away!

Join Molly daily and follow her

adventures in fiscally responsible homemaking at

www.Econobusters.com.

Project Manager: Dena Wood, Becky Gustafson.
Contributing Writers: Alayna Cann, Patricia Hunter, Becky Gustafson, Rhonda Barfield, Dena Wood, Inger Koppenhaver, Sharon White
Publication: 2013
Pages: 68
File Size: 12.6 MB

Need to economize? Subscribe to a Molly Membership!

For only $3.85 a month (cancel any time!) you receive not only the monthly Molly Green Magazine, but also much more!

Purchase NOW!

Every month, Molly has a wealth of information and support to share in one easy-to-read, handy resource! Discover for yourself all of the exciting and imaginative ideas Molly has to offer—ideas that could save you big money and needless headaches!

You’ll glean some of the best inexpensive ideas and projects for everyday living that you can find and be inspired to be self-confident, creative, and resourceful too.

For just $4.95, download this Molly Green Magazine now!

Or become a monthly Molly Member and subscribe for only $3.85 per month!

Sign up for a MOLLY MEMBERSHIP FOR ONLY $0.99 and you’ll have Molly on the Move as soon as it’s released on May 1st!

Take a sneak peek into my Making Money From Home magazine today!

This is an easy to read money-saving guide. Each tip is presented as a bite-size, easy to digest list, perfect for list lovers! The book begins with general rules for saving money in today’s world. These guidelines help you develop a frugal living mentality without sacrificing your quality of life. In this book, you will also learn about web sites, online tools and apps that you can use to buy cheap and even get free stuff.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FREEBIE!

*As always, Kindle freebies are free at the time of posting. Be sure to check the price before purchasing.*