Thrifty-Living-Tips.com

Here is a nice little article on getting started homeschooling in a thrifty way: Thrifty Homeschooling Tips. If you click on the topics in the sidebar, you'll find articles on other thrifty topics such as decorating, travel, and so much more.

Homeschool Buyers Co-op

Have you heard about the Homeschool Buyers Co-op yet? It's really very cool. You can get deep discounts if enough homeschoolers participate. For example, I'm looking at the Digital Frog program as I think it may help with Science Olympiad. Right now it's discounted at 20%, but if enough people sign on before the deadline (tomorrow at midnight Eastern) it will be 50%. The great thing is that I can set it up now so that I only make the purchase if it gets down to 50%. Better than e-bay.

Click on What's New to see all the current offerings. Right now there are deals on Explode the Code, Bill Nye videos, Descartes Cove Math, and so very much more.

Will It Blend: Credit Cards

Recipe: French Bread

Simple Mixer French Bread Recipe

2 packages active dry yeast (or 4 1/2 tsp. of the bulk stuff)

2 1/2 cups warm water (105 to 115)

1 Tbsp. salt

1 Tbsp. olive oil

7 c. all-purpose flour (or bread flour)

I like to warm my mixing bowl first by running it under hot water in the sink.

Dissolve the yeast in the warm water in the warm mixer bowl. Add salt, butter, and flour. Attach the dough hook and mix for a minute or so until the ingredients are all blended. Then knead for for 3 minutes on speed 2. The dough will be sticky.

Put the dough in a greased bowl and turn it to lightly greas the dough all around. Cover with a clean tea towell and let it rise in a warm place until it's doubled in bulk. About an hour.

Punch down the dough and divide in half. Toll each half into a 12x15 rectangle. Roll the dough tightly from longest side, tapering the ends. Place on greased baking sheets. Cover again with clean tea towells. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk. About an hour.

With a very sharp knife, either slice one long slice down the middle or 3-4 diagonl cuts on the top of each loaf.

Bake at 450 for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the baking sheets right away and put on your cooling racks.

Book Closeouts Sale and Discount

Book Closeouts is having a big sale. Plus, I have a discount code for you:

Code: BookSale-5
Password: bookcloseouts.com
Details: $5 off purchase of $35 or more.
Expires: Jul 31, 2009

$1 Sale.

Discounted Art Supples

Madison Art Shop. Up to 70% off retail.

Homeschool Freebies

Homeschool Freebie of the Day

Every weekday, Monday through Friday, we’ll post a new homeschooling “freebie” to this site. What kind of “freebies”? Stuff like: Unit Studies… Ebooks… Audio Programs… Games… Samples… Lesson Plans… classic books… and other quality resources! This is the REAL THING.

Many of these will be products that you would normally pay for on their regular websites… but here on the Homeschool Freebie of the Day site, they’re 100% free… at least for that one day! Just download your copy and enjoy! It’s as simple as that!

Cool!

Baby Genius Discount

Wendy's isn't the only fast food restaurant offering discunts to parents. Taco Bell is running a promotion with Baby Genius. If you enter the promotion (discount) code Taco Bell at checkout, you'll get a 20% discount and a free music download. This offer runs from 5/01/08 to 10/31/08.

Discount on Audio Books

Wendy's is currently offering free audio books with their Kid's Meals. You can get one of four Magic Tree House books with each meal. In addition, Wendy's has partnered with Random House to offer you 25% off of audio books online and free shipping. This offer is good until October 1, 2008 and is limited to one title per household.

If you go to www.listeninglibrary.com/wendys and use the promotion (discount) code wendys at checkout, you'll get the discount and free shipping.