Anyone on a limited budget can be hard pressed to find affordable snacks to stock their pantry.  I can't tell you how many times I've heard my teenage boys complain, "Mom, there's nothing to eat in this house."  That usually means there is no quick and easy snack to grab.

Recently, in my pantry, I've noticed Rotel tomato cans piling up.  What to do with all these cans that are infiltrating my much needed space?  The thought of Velveeta and Rotel dip crossed my mind, but that cost of a simple block of cheese is usually what I spend on the protein part of my dinners.

Then, walking through Save a Lot, an idea came while perusing the snack aisle.  There bags of corn chips are only  $1.49.  Fresh tomatoes were 99 cents for a pack of four.  All of sudden, Fresh Salsa with Rotel was born.  This snack is now a staple in my house and enjoyed by all the salsa loving fanatics in my family.

1 10 oz. can original Rotel
3-4 medium chopped tomatoes
1/2 chopped sweet onion
1 clove garlic
1 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tab. lime juice
1/4 tsp. cumin (optional)
1/4 - 1/2 bunch of cilantro lightly chopped

Add all to blender and pulse until lightly chopped.  Place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to marry the spices.

Every so often my local food pantry does a run to nearby supermarkets and comes back with an entourage of baked goodies.  These carefully crafted items are usually close to the allowed purchase date.  There have been times I've come home with a bountiful of these delights only to wonder- What can I add to make it a bit more homemade?

I've recently been inundated with apple cakes, cream cakes of various flavors, and Bundt cakes.  And yesterday I had an epiphany!  I was walking through Aldi and came across apple pie filling for only $1.69.  Further down those aisles was store made cool whip for $.89.  Whala!  Apple Pie Cake was born.  What I didn't expect was the moist tender cake that would ensue once I applied these thrifty, simple ingredients.

1 Bundt cake (apple, cream,caramel,, whatever is on hand)
1 container of cool whip
1 can apple pie filling

Slice cake in 1/2 and return remaining cake to freezer for future use.  Take first 1/2 and slice into 6 even slices.  Slice those slices again in 1/2 so that you will have equal size cakes.  One for the top and one for the bottom equaling a total of 12.  Place six slices on short pan and top with 1 1/2 tab. of pie filling.  Top with remaining slice.  Add 2 tab. of cool whip to the top of each slice.  Then with remaining pie filling place 2 tsp. of pie filling on top.  You can gauge pie filling can adding more to inside or top as you finish ensuring the whole can is used.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes before eating.

Ok, I know I'm going to get some flak from my readers out there saying, "What the heck does this have to do with thrifty recipes?"  Well, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret, maybe some of these recipes are just plain inexpensive boarding on that "thrifty" category.  And you know why I include these in here from time to time?  Because sometimes WE need comfort food for our souls.  Everyday is not just about those we love.  It's about loving ourselves, too, during times of uncertainty.

So muster up!  Pinch a few pennies, and slip this concoction into your slow cooker.  As my friend Alene would say, "It will tickle your senses with pleasure all day."  She should know, she perfected it!

1/2 gallon Ziegler’s apple cider
32 oz. 100% cranberry juice
1/4 c sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
4 drops angostura bitters
1 orange studded with cloves

Add a shot of:
whiskey
rum
to the top of your cup before consuming.

Place all in slow cooker and cook on slow all day until emptied!  You'll be digging from this pot as soon as you smell its fragrance. Top with your favorite alcohol.

Its fall and that cool weather beckons you into the kitchen preparing homemade treats for your loved ones.  This bread Maker recipe is quick and can be "thrown together" in no time letting the smell of fresh baked bread tantalize your senses.

2 1/4 tsp. active yeast
1 2/3 cups flour (or bread flour)
1 1/2 wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 water

Put all ingredients in bread maker.  Set on basic or whole wheat cycle.  Test bread to ensure the dough is sticky before closing the lid.  Over dry dough or too wet dough will cause the bread to rise inconsistently or have an awful texture.  This can be rectified by adding more white flour or water as needed.

Why not take a break this weekend and still offer your family a delicious breakfast that offers nohassle.  There is something exquisite about the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the air as one rises in the early morning.  It sends tingles of warm fuzzies throughout our newly risen being.

This recipe can be added to your bread machine the night before and set so that it begins cooking while you are still asleep.  Then it will awaken your senses as the final baking begins leaving you a tantalizing treat to begin your day.

3/4 water
2 1/4 cups flour or bread flour
1 tbsp. dry milk
2 1/2 tbsp. brown sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup pecans or walnuts
1 1/4 tsp. yeast

Place all ingredients in breadmaker.  Set on cook bread loaf.  Check bread as it first begins to turn to ensure it is not dry or over wet.  Bread dough should always be sticky to the touch.