Beverage & popsicle savings....

My husband is a big fan of kool-aid, particularly in the summer. When school is in session, I fill my children’s beverage bottles with kool-aid. I know. I know. It’s filled with SUGAR….However, when all my children’s peers around them have Capri Suns, soda, and juice boxes I see this as an “ok” splurge OR substitute. I mean it is a fraction of the cost and they feel like they get a special drink too!!!

When unsweetened kool-aid goes on sale for 10 cents each, I stock up. (And I mean stock up….like around 60+ packets!) Usually, I can find a coupon for buy 10 get 2 free. Quite frankly…I probably only buy it 1-2 times a year! Although this last week I scored. I had my traditional coupons, brought my own bags (which gave me 5 cents off per bag) AND had an ecoupon for 55 cents off.

ANYWAY…I learned this trick from one of my 8 cute sisters-in-law at a family reunion. She was going around asking anyone if they would like some “magic water”. I got really curious and asked her what was in her little baggy she was adding to all the kid’s drinks. Turns out it was just kool-aid with a new snazzy name.

Now here’s the REAL tip (time saver too): You know the premade canisters that have the lids that measure it out for you? (1 quart/2 quarts) Keep them!  When they are empty, they hold 2 packets of unsweetened kool-aid and 2 cups sugar. I got this canister on sale for 99 cents…but it has come in handy for making new flavors and spending SO little money to make! We call it “magic water”.

Why not be friendly to the environment and your budget and make your own sweetened kool-aid? When you use their measurements you usually get 5+ quarts (instead of the 4 is says on the package)!

The "recipe":
1. Pour 2 unsweetened kool-aid packets into the empty container.

2. Use a funnel to pour 2 cups of sugar into the container.

3. Screw the lid on and....SHAKE!
4. Make as much or as little kool-aid as you want!

Another tip: Every summer my neighborhood is filled with the sounds of the ice cream truck. I swear they make a million bucks. There are days when it will go by 2 times in one day! And I see so many children buying popsicles!! 

Why not make your own “homemade popsicles” with the easy kool-aid mix you just made?