Cackey -- Happy for you! I know its a little scary to think about, but you will really enjoy staying at home. If your paycheck was mainly going to gas and daycare, you might not miss the money!
Here's more money saving tips:
1.Compare your car and home insurance rates at least every two years. Maybe more often if your premium runs every six months. Ours is a year. The insurance companies get you in the door for the first year and then the rates rise. I have two companies that I've dealt with and I switch back and forth. And they know I do this -- they hate to see you go, but are happy when you come back. They know that I will be leaving if my rates jump. Our life insurance I leave alone because that premium is based on age when I first purchased it and would rise if I switched because I am older now.
2. Use up leftovers!
Make pizza using leftovers, like someone mentioned. I've made delicious pizzas this way. I had leftover grilled steak so I made a philly steak pizza with sauteed onions, sweet peppers and garlic. Leftover roast would work, too. Sautee the onions and sweet peppers add the minced garlic and thinly sliced steak at the end. Warm through. I've had leftover chicken and made a bbq chicken and bacon pizza (had sliced onion, too). My sauce for this philly steak pizza or my bbq chicken is 2/3 cup mayo, garlic (fresh cloves, powder, or granulated works) to taste (we love garlic so it's a couple clove, minced), a tsp of onion powder and a smidge of dry oregano and basil. Mix and spread over dough. Layer on toppings and cheese. This would more than do a large size pizza.
Another good use for leftover steak and chicken is to make quesadillas.
Dress up leftover mashed potatoes with bacon and sauteed garlic and onion (mix together) then sprinkle with cheese and bake until warmed and the cheese is melted. Bake at 350 degrees.
Got leftover hot dog buns, but not enough to feed everyone a whole bun again? Make individual servings of garlic bread. Just make a mixture of softened butter, garlic cloves, parmesan cheese, and a tiny pinch of salt. I taste a smidgen to be sure that it doesn't need more garlic. Pull the buns apart and spread the butter mixture on the inside of each half of bun. Place under broiler or on grill, buttered side facing the heat source. Watch carefully -- they brown quickly! Flip over and, if desired, lightly butter the outside or just leave unbuttered. Place under broiler again until done brown and toasted. The outside takes even less time to brown/toast.
