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12/30/08

1-4-09 Coupon Insert update

Ok, according to SlickDeals there will be 2 Red Plums and 3 SmartSources. (1 of the SS will be the General Mills insert.) Last year we also had 3 SS and 2 RP! So I'm betting this will be more like what comes out on TaylorTown.

General Mills Everyday Saver (mini SS)
Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers – 50 cents off any 1 (x2/28)
Green Giant Frozen Bagged Vegetables 19-24oz ONLY – 40 cents off any 1 (x2/28)
Green Giant Frozen Boxed Vegetables – 50 cents off any 2 (x2/28)
Green Giant Just For One! Vegetables – 50 cents off any 1 (x3/28)
Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits, Cinnamon Rolls, Mini Cinnamon Rolls, or Pillsbury Dinner Rolls (frozen) – 40 cents off any 1 (x3/28)
Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls or Mini Cinnamon Rolls (frozen) – 55 cents off any 1 (x2/28)
Betty Crocker Box or Pouch Potatoes (except potato buds) – 25 cents off any 1 (x2/28)
Yoplait Go-Gurt yogurt, Go-Gurt Fizzix yogurt, Go-Gurt Smoothie, or Trix Multipack yogurt – 75 cents off any 2 (x2/28)
Yoplait Go-Gurt yogurt, Go-Gurt Fizzix yogurt, Go-Gurt Smoothie, or Trix Multipack yogurt – 35 cents off any 1 (x2/28)
Yoplait Kids Cup yogurt or Yogurt Drink – 50 cents off any 1 (x2/28)
General Mills Cereals - $1.00 off any 3 listed (will list later) (x2/14)
Basic 4, Boo berry, Cheerios (any), Chex (any), Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Cookie Crisp (any), Count Chocula, Curves, Disney's, Dora the Explorer, Fiber One (any), Franken Berry, French Toast Crunch, Golden Grahams, Honey Nut Clusters, Kix, Lucky Charms (any), Nature Valley (any), Nestle La Lechera Flakes, Oatmeal Crisp (any), Raisin Nut Bran, Reese's Puffs, Total (any), Trix, Wheaties
Betty Crocker Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-ups, or Fruit Roll-ups Fruit Stickerz flavored snacks – 50 cents off any 2 (x2/28)
Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Shapes – 50 cents off any 2 (x2/28)
Nature Valley Granola Bars – 50 cents off any 1 box (x2/28)
Fiber One Chewy Bars – 50 cents off any 1 box (x2/28)
Fiber One Complete Pancake Mix 28.3oz – 60 cents off any 1 (x2/28)
Pillsbury Cres cent Dinner Rolls – 25 cents off any 1 (x3/28)
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries – 55 cents off any 2 (x3/28)
Pillsbury Sweet Rolls or Grands! Sweet Rolls – 30 cents off any 1 (x3/28)
(2) Yoplait Yogurt Cups (includes original, light, thick&creamy, or whips) OR Yoplait Original OR Light Smoothie – 40 cents off any 6 (x2/28)
Progresso Soups - $1.00 off any 4 (x2/28)

Big SmartSource 1
Boost Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink multipack - $2.00 off any 1 (x2/15)
Boost Nutritional Energy Drink - $2.00 off any 2 (x2/15)
Boost Glucose Control Nutritional Drink - $2.00 off any 1 (x2/15)
Carnation Instant Breakfast product - $1.00 off any 1 (x2/15)
Nestle Coffee-Mate liquid or powder – 50 cents off any 1 (4/05)
Nescafe Taster’s Choice 5.3oz + - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/05)
Nestle Juicy Juice products - $1.00 off any 2 (x4/05)
Cascadian Farms product - $1.000 off any 1 (x3/28)

MIR – Special ½ Price offer. “Buy these product(s), use the coupons on the following pages, and mail in the rebate form below. Maximum rebate amount up to $10.00 (rebate based on price paid after coupon)”
Bayer 24ct +
Aleve 20ct +
Aleve-D products
OneAday Multivitamin Supplement
Neo-Synephrine Nasal Decongestant (any)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold or Mucus Products (excludes 4ct)
Medicated Campho-Phenique products
Flintstones Multivitamin Supplement
Citracel products
Phillips’ products
Receipts must be dated 01/04/09-01/18/09
Need UPC and original store identified register receipt(s)
One request per promotion per individual/family/address

One A Day Adult or Teen Multivitamin product - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Flintstones product - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Citracal product (excludes Creamy Bites) - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Alka-Seltzer Plus product - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Campho-Phenique product - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Aleve-D product - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
NeoSynephrine product - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Aleve 20ct + - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Bayer Aspirin 24ct + - $1.00 off any 1 (x2/28)
Phillips product – $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)

Bird’s Eye Steamfresh Veggie or Rice variety – 35 cents off any 1 (x2/14)
Bird’s Eye Steamfresh Meals for Two variety - $2.00 off any 1 (x2/14)
Campbell’s Select Harvest soup cans – 50 cents off any 2 (x2/15)
Campbell’s Condensed Soups (except Chicken Noodle, Tomato or Creams) – 40 cents off any 2 (x3/31)
Campbell’s Chicken Noodle and Tomato Condensed Soups – 40 cents off any 4 (x3/31)
Campbell’s 26oz Condensed Soups – 40 cents off any 2 (x3/31)
Campbell’s Chunky Healthy Request soups – 50 cents off any 2 (x3/31)
Campbell’s Select Harvest Healthy Request soupons – 50 cents off any 2 (x3/31)
Campbell’s Healthy Request Condensed Soups – 40 cents off any 2 (x3/31)
Campbell’s Condensed Cooking Soups – 30 cents off any 4 (x3/31)
Minute Rice product – 50 cents off any 1 (x3/28)
The Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges – 55 cents off any 1 (x3/31)
V8 100% Veggie Juice (46oz, 11.5oz 6pk, 5.5oz 6-pk) – 50 cents off any 1 (x3/31)
Eatsmart All Natural Snack 3.5oz + - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Snyder’s of Hanover Multigrain Snack 5oz+ = $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Sensodyne Toothpaste (except trial size) – 75 cents off any 1 (x3/31)
Sensodyne ProNamel Toothpaste – 75 cents off any 1 (x3/31)
Lysol Bathroom Cleaner – 50 cents off any 1 (x3/02)
Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaners - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/02)
Lysol All Purpose Cleaner Trigger, Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner, or Lysol Plus Bleach – 50 cents off any 1 (x3/02)
Lysol Disinfectant Spray 12oz+ = $1.00 off any 1 (x3/02)
Lysol Disinfecting Wipes - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/02)
Lysol All Pupose Cleaner Pourable – 50 cents off any 1 (x3/02)
Resolve product - $1.00 off any 1 (x2/15)
Spray ‘n Wash product – 50 cents off any 1 (x2/15)
Nicorette 100ct+, NicoDerm CQ 14ct+, or Commit 72ct+ - $15.00 off any 1 (x2/02)
Dial Body Washes (excludes trial size) - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/31)
Dial Multibar Pack, Liquid Hand Soap or Foaming Hand Wash – 35 cents off any 1 (x3/31)
Aquafresh White Trays or White Trays Pro-Gentle System - $5.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Pop-Secret Microwave Popcorn – 50 cents off any 2 boxes (x2/15)
Citrucel with Smartfiber Soft Chews 60 ct - $2.00 off any 1 (x2/05)
Citrucel product (orange powder, sugar free orange powder, caplets, and soft chews) - $1.00 off any 1 (x2/05)
FiberChoice 90ct fiber supplements - $3.00 off any 1 (x2/01)
Dannon Frusion 7oz bottles - $1.00 off any 4 (x2/28)
Finish/Electrsol Powerball Tabs, Gelpacs, or Quantum - $2.50 off any 1 (x2/01)
Aquafresh Premium Toothpaste (Advanced, Extreme Clean, White & Shine, or Sensitive) 5.6oz + - 75 cents off any 1 (x4/18)
Aquafresh Premium Toothbrush (gel flex or deep action) - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/18)
Beano product 30ct+ - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Beano To Go product 12ct only – 50 cents off any 1 (x3/31)
Polident or Poligrip products - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/28)
Air Wick Scented Oil Refills - $1.00 off any 2 (x2/15)
Air Wick – Warmer Free wyb Scented oil refill fragrance up too 3.19 (x2/15)
Dannon 6oz Single-serve cups - $1.00 off any 10 (x2/28)

Big SmartSource 2
Welch’s Jam & Jellies (22oz squeezable james, jellies, spreads, or 18.8oz reduced sugar spread)- $1.00 off any 2 (x3/31)
Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Os-Cal - $2.50 off any 1 (x5/02)
Mission Tortillas Plus! Better-For-You Tortillas any size/variety - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/30)
Equal 100ct + packets - $1.50 off any 1 (x4/04)
Dole Frozen Fruit packages - $1.50 off any 2 (x2/28)
Whole Body Cleanse - $3.00 off any 1 (x4/04)
Jell-O pudding snacks or Gelatin snacks – 50 cents off any 1 (x2/01)
Cool Whip whipped topping in a can – 50 cents off any 1 (x2/01)
Powerade Zero 32oz bottle – 40 cents off any 1 (x2/15)
Atkins Single Bars - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/31)
Atkins Shake 4-pack - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Hershey’s 100 Calorie Bars 4.4oz+ or Hershey’s Snacksters product 4.44oz+ - 75 cents off any 1 (x3/31)
Reese’s Whipps Bars 1.9oz + - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/31)
Garnier Nutritioniste cleanser or moisturizer - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/30)
Rubbermaid Tote or Clear Tote 12 quart + - $1.00 off any 1 (x03/31)
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Premier or Product Saver container - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Freestyle – Up to $20.00 off purchase of FreeStyle Lite Blood Glucose Test Strips 100-count (x6/30)
Freestyle – Up to $9.99 off purchase of any FreeStyle Brand Blood Glucose Monitoring System (x6/30)
Sargento Natural Cheese Snacks 5oz+ - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/31)
Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain & Odor Eliminator product – 55 cents off any 1 (x4/30)
= Bonus Offer – Buy one Spot Shot and Receive $5.00 off one admission to see Marley & Me – Visit spotshot.com for details. *With proof of purchase. One per person/household. Expires 02/27/09
Tyson Refrigerated Chicken or Steak strips – 55 cents off any 1 (x4/05)
Tyson Frozen Chicken or Beef Strips - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/05)
= 3 months free subscription to Cooking Light – subscribe at www.embracedinner.com/cookinglightoffer
Healthy Ones 1lb meat sliced fresh from the deli or any package Healthy Ones Deli Pre-sliced – 75 cents off (x3/31)
Healthy Ones packaged lunchmeat, franks, or smoked sausage – 75 cents off any 1 (x3/31)
Wholly Guacolmole or Wholly Salsa - $1.00 off any 1 (x2/28)
Wholly Guacolmole or Wholly Salsa – 50 cents off any 1 (x3/31)
Old Orchard 64oz fruitsense vitamin water - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/31)
Old Orchard 64oz fruitsense vitamin water - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Chef Boyardee Can or Microwave Pasta – 35 cents off any 3 (x2/28)
Post Shredded Wheat Cereals - $1.00 off any 2 (x2/15)
Airborne - $2.00 off any 1 (x3/01)
Freschetta Pizzamore’ Pizza - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/08)
Act Restoring Mouthwash or Act Fluoride Rinse 18oz - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/01)
Act Restoring Mouthwash 33.8oz - $2.00 off any 1 (x3/01)
Gold Bond Ultimate Restoring or Soothing Lotion (any size) - $2.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Gold Bond Ultimate Healing or Softening Lotion (excludes 1oz trial size) - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
SoyJoy - $3.00 off any 10 bars (x3/31) These are 10/$5 at RA this coming week w/ a 5$ SCR wyb 10...3$ MM!!
SoyJoy – BOGO up to $1.39 (x2/28)
IcyHot, Aspercreme, Capzasin, Sportscreme, or Flexall product (excludes IcyHot 1 ct Back Patch) - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/04)
Soft Scrub product – 50 cents off any 1 (x3/01)
Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap 7.5oz or 12oz – 35 cents off any 1 (x1/24)
Palmolive Dish Liquid – 25 cents off any 1 (x1/24)
Palmolive Pure+Clear liquid dish soap 20oz – 75 cents off any 1 (x1/24)
Colgate Total Advanced Whitening, Advanced Clean, or Advanced Fresh only, 4.0oz+ - $1.00 off any 1 (x1/24)
Colgate Toothpaste Adult or Children’s 4.0oz+ - 75 cents off any 1 (x1/24)
Colgate Adult Manual Toothbrush – 75 cents off any 1 (x1/24)
Theraflu product - $1.50 off any 1 (x3/31)
Triaminic product - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Benefiber Stick Pack product - $2.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Benefiber product - $2.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Maaloz product - $1.50 off any 1 (x3/31)
Gas-X product - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Excedrin product 80ct + - $2.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Excedrin product 20ct + - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Fuze 6-pack - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/30)
Fuze – 25 cents off any 1 (x4/30)
Oust Surface Disinfectant & Air Sanitizer – BOGO up to 4.25 (x2/28)
Kleenex Lotion Facial Tissue (excludes individual pocket pack or juniors tissues) – 40 cents off any 1 (x2/28)
Kleenex – 50 cents off any 3 packages or 1 bundle pack (excludes individual pocket pack or juniors tissues) (x2/28)

Smaller Red Plum
Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner or Treatment (excludes trial size) - $1.00 off any 1 (x5/01)
Garnier Fructis Style product (excludes trial size) - $1.00 off any 1 9x5/01)

“Enhance your Wellness with Over $100.00 in savings”
OneTouch UltraSmart Blood Glucose Monitoring System – Save up to 30$ x01/31/09
OneTouch Ultra 2 or UltraMini Blood Glucose Monitoring System – Save up to 20$ x01/31/09
OneTouch UltraSoft Lancets – Save up to $5.00 x02/28/09
Viactiv Soft Chews Dietary Supplement - $1.00 off any 1 (x2/28)
Viactiv Flavor Glides Dietary Supplement - $1.00 off any 1 (x2/28)
Tylenol Cold, Sinus, or Allergy product (excludes trial sizes) - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/04)
Luden’s 30ct pack - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/04)
Tylenol Extra Strength, 8 Hour, or Arthritis products (excludes trial sizes “E-T-S”) - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Tylenol PM or Simply Sleep (E-T-S) - $1.00 off any 1 (x6/15)
Motrin product (E-T-S) - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
St Joseph product (E-T-S) - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Tylenol Infants, Infant’s Motrin, or Simply Soothing (E-T-S) – $2.50 off any 2 (x3/31)
Children’s Tylenol, Children’s Tylenol Plus, Children’s Motrin, or Pedicare (E-T-S) - $2.50 off any 2 (x3/31)
Visine Tears Dry Eye Relief product- $2.00 off any 1 (x6/30)
Visine product - $1.00 off any 1 (x6/30)
Johnson’s Baby or Buddies product (E-T-S) - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Pepcid, Mylanta, Lactaid, Rolaids, or Imodium (E-T-S) – Up to $4.00 off 2 (x3/31)
Pepcid, Mylanta, Lactaid, Rolaids, or Imodium (E-T-S) – Up to $1.00 off 1 (x3/31)
Stayfree product – BOGO up to $7.50 (x3/01)
O.B. product (E-T-S) - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/01)
Carefree products 34ct + - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/01)
Monistat or E.P.T - $4.00 off any 1 (x3/01)
KY, Tucks, or Soothing Care product - $3.00 off any 1 (x3/01)
Splenda with Fiber - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/01)
Splenda product - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/01)
Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair 16fl oz lotion or 5oz cream - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/05)
Lubriderm Body Lotion or Cream 5oz + - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/05)

Kellogg’s Special K Protein Products Multi-packs 4ct + - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/01)
Kellogg’s Special K Cereals 11.4oz+ - $1.00 off any 2 (x2/15)
Kellogg’s Special K Cereal Bars or Special K Bliss Bars 5ct+ - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/01)
Nature’s Bounty product - $1.00 off any 1 (x2/28)

Big Red Plum
L’oreal Coupons: looks like they all expire 03/29/09
Preference - $2.00 off any 1
Facial Skin Care product - $2.00 off any 1
Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara or Any other Eye Product - $2.00 off any 1
True Match Makeup, Powder, Blush or Concealer - $3.00 off any 1
HIP Eye or Lip product - $2.00 off any 1
Infallible Lip or Any other Lip product - $2.00 off any 1
Kids Haircare product – 75 cents off any 1
Vive Pro Shampoo, Conditioner, or Treatment - $1.00 off any 1

Starkist Pouch products 4.5oz + - Buy 2 Get 1 Free up to $2.10 (x2/28)
Ester-C product - $1.00 off any 1 (x2/15)
Flex-a-min Joint Care product - $5.00 off any 1 (x2/15)
Slim-Fast Ready-to-Drink Multi-Pack or Powder Canister - $1.40 (yes, $1.40) off any 1 (x3/31)
Slim-Fast Bars MultiPack - $1.25 off any 1 (3/31)
All or Surf Laundry Detergent – 40 cents off any 1 (x2/22)
All 96-Load + Liquid Laundry Detergent - $1.50 off any 1 (x2/22)
Wish-Bone Salad Spritzers Dressings 7oz – 60 cents off any 1 (x2/28)
Wish-Bone Bountifuls Dressings 9.5oz, Wish-Bone or Wish-Bone Western Dressings 16oz+ - 75 cents off any 2 (x2/28)
Smucker’s Uncrustables sandwiches - $1.00 off any 2 (x4/30)
Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter products - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/31)
Crisco Puritan Canola Oil with Omega-3 DHA - $1.00 off any 1(x3/31)
Smucker’s Jams, Jellies, Preserves, or Fruit Spread products - $1.00 off any 3 (x3/31)
Jif Peanut Butter products - $1.00 off any 3 (x3/31)
Truvia Natrual Sweetener – 55 cents off any 1 DND-5 (x3/31)
Centrum product (ex30ct) - $3.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Centrum Silver product (ex30ct) - $3.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Centrum Cardio product - $3.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Centrum Performace product - $3.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Centrum Kids product - $3.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Caltrate product (ex30ct) - $3.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
ThermaCare HeatWraps (E-T-S) - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/01)
ThermaCare Arthritis HeatWraps (E-T-S) - $1.50 off any 1 (x3/01)
Robitussin product - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/30)
Goodlife Treat for Cats – 50 cents off any 1 (x4/05)
Goodlife Food for Dogs or Cats - $2.00 off any 1 (x4/05)
Goodlife Treats for Dogs - $1.00 off any 1 (x4/05)
Pure Protein Hot’n Healthy Oatmeal Square or Any Pure Protein Bars – Buy 2 get One Free up to $1.59 (x2/28)
SlimShots Liquid Appetite Controller - $3.00 off any 1 (x4/30)
Real Simple Magazine - $2.00 off any 1 (x2/08)
3 Musketeers Brand Miniatures Bag (original or mint) – 50 cents off any 1 (x4/05)
Blink Tears or GelTears lubricating eye drops - $4.00 off any 1 (x2/28)
Complete Multi-Purpose Solution 12oz + - $2.00 off any 1 (x2/28)
Complete Bink-N-Clean Lens Drops or Contacts Lubricant Eye Drops - $1.00 off any 1 (x2/28)
Tropican Pure Premium Juice products 64oz - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/31)
Quaker High Fiber Instant Oatmeal - $1.00 off any 1 (x3/31)
Quaker Oatmeal to Go Breakfast Bars - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/31)
Quaker Instant Oatmeal - $1.35 off any 2 (x3/31)
Quaker Old Fashioned or Quick Oats 18oz + - 60 cents off any 1 (x3/31)
Quaker Oatmeal Squares 16oz+ - 50 cents off any 1 (x3/31)
Quaker True Delights Granola Bars - $1.00 off any 1 box (x2/28)
Quaker Life Cereal - $1.00 off any 2 boxes (x3/31)
Quaker Chewy Granola Bars - $1.00 off any 2 boxes (x2/28)
Rice-A-Roni or Pasta Roni - $1.00 off any 4 (x2/28)
Aunt Jemima Mix or Syrup 24oz+ - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/31)

1-4-09 Coupon Sneak Peak

WooooWhooooo! Thanks Doulas2babes over at HCW for the peak on three of the 4 inserts! Hopefully we will get a peak at the other Red Plum soon too. This list is not definite for all areas, but this is out of Ohio.
Check out the Electrasol.... up from $2.25 to $2.50.
Good Life cat/dog food $3! FINALLY! My kitties and puppies will be so happy. If you have any good life coupons you would like to trade, let me know.


SmartSource #1

Airborne $2/1 any (ex. 3-1-09)
Beech-nut $1/1 any Let’s Grow! Product (ex. 4-30-09)
Betty Crocker $0.25/1 any box or pouch potatoes, except potato buds (ex. 2-28-09)
Betty Crocker $0.50/2 any flavor Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-ups or Fruit Roll-ups stickerz fruit flavored snacks (ex. 2-28-09)
Betty Crocker $0.50/2 any variety Fruit Flavored Shapes (ex. 2-28-09)
Chef Boyardee $0.35/3 any can or microwave pastas (ex. 2-28-09)
Colgate $1/1 any total advanced whitening, total advanced clean, or total advanced fresh toothpaste only. 4.0 oz. or larger (ex. 1-24-09)
Colgate $0.75/1 any toothpaste adult or children’s, 4.0 oz. or larger (ex. 1-24-09)
Colgate $0.75/1 any adult manual toothbrush (ex. 1-24-09)
Cool Whip $0.50/1 any whipped topping in a can (ex. 2-1-09)
Drinkables $3/1 any liquid joint care (ex. 4-30-09)
Drinkables $2/1 any liquid supplement (ex. 4-30-09)
Fiber One $0.50/1 any box, any flavor chewy bars (ex. 2-28-09)
Freschetta $1/1 any Pizzamore Pizza (ex. 3-8-09)
GE Energy Smart $1/1 any compact fluorescent lighting product (ex. 3-31-09)
General Mills $1/3 any cereals (ex. 2-14-09)
Glucerna $1.50/1 any product (ex. 3-1-09)
Glucerna $3/2 any products (ex. 3-1-09)
Healthy Ones $0.75/1 lb. of meat sliced from the deli or any package of deli pre-sliced (ex. 3-31-09)
Healthy Ones $0.75/1 any packaged lunchmeat, franks or smoke sausage (ex. 3-31-09)
Hershey’s $0.75/1 any 100 calorie bars, 4.4 oz. or larger, OR Snacksters, 4.44 oz. or larger (ex. 3-31-09)
Jell-O $0.50/1 any pudding or gelatin snacks (ex. 2-1-09)
Nature Valley $0.50/1 any flavor/variety granola bars (ex. 2-28-09)
Oust Buy 1, Get 1 FREE surface disinfectant & air sanitizer, up to $4.25 (ex. 2-28-09)
Oscal $2.50/1 any (ex. 5-2-09)
Palmolive $0.25/1 any dish liquid (ex. 1-24-09)
Palmolive $0.75/1 any pure + clear liquid dish soap, 20 oz. (ex. 1-24-09)
Pillsbury $0.55/1 any frozen Grands! Cinnamon rolls or mini cinnamon rolls (ex. 3-28-09)
Pillsbury $0.40/1 any frozen Grands! Biscuits, cinnamon rolls, mini cinnamon rolls, or dinner rolls (ex. 3-28-09)
Pillsbury $0.35/1 any Toaster Strudel pastries (ex. 3-28-09)
Pillsbury $0.30/1 any sweet rolls or Grands! Sweet rolls (ex. 3-28-09)
Pillsbury $0.25/1 any crescent dinner rolls (ex. 3-28-09)
Post $1/2 any shredded wheat cereals (ex. 2-15-09)
Reese’s $1/2 any Whipps bars, 1.9 oz. or larger (ex. 3-31-09)
Snapp’s $0.50/1 any item (ex. 6-30-09)
Total $0.75/1 any whole grain, raisin bran, honey clusters cranberry crunch, or cinnamon crunch (ex. 2-14-09)
Yoplait $0.50/1 any flavor Kid’s cup yogurt or yogurt drink (ex. 2-28-09)
Yoplait $0.75/2 any go-gurt yogurt, go-gurt fizzix, go-gurt smoothie, trix multipack (ex. 2-28-09)
Yoplait $0.35/1 any go-gurt yogurt, go-gurt fizzix, go-gurt smoothie, kids cup yogurt, kids yogurt drink, trix multipack (ex. 2-28-09)


Baskin Robbins (all ex. 1-31-09)
Buy any cone, get one FREE
Buy any sundae, get one FREE
$3 off any cake
$1 off any bright choices product



SmartSource #2

Air Wick $1/2 any scented oil refills (ex. 2-15-09)
Air Wick FREE warmer unit when you buy any scented oil refill fragrance (ex. 2-15-09)
Aleve $1/1 any 20 ct. or larger (ex. 3-31-09)
Aleve-D $1/1 any (ex. 3-31-09)
Alka-Seltzer Plus $1/1 any (ex. 3-31-09)
Aquafresh $0.75/1 any premium toothpaste (advanced, extreme clean, white & shine or sensitive) 5.6 oz. or larger (ex. 4-18-09)
Aquafresh $1/1 any premium toothbrush (aquafresh gel flex or deep action) (ex. 4-18-09)
Bayer Aspirin $1/1 any 24 ct. or larger (ex. 2-28-09)
Beano $1/1 any product, 30 ct. or larger (ex. 3-31-09)
Beano $0.50/1 any To Go product, 12 ct. only (ex. 3-31-09)
Bird’s Eye Steamfresh $0.35/1 any vegetable or rice variety (ex. 2-14-09)
Bird’s Eye Steamfresh $2/1 any meals for two (ex. 2-14-09)
Boost $2/2 any multipacks nutritional energy drink (ex. 2-15-09)
Boost $2/2 any multipacks glucose control nutritional drink (ex. 2-15-09)
Campbell’s $0.40/2 any condensed soups, except chicken noodle, tomato and creams (ex. 3-31-09)
Campbell’s $0.40/4 any chicken noodle and tomato condensed soups (ex. 3-31-09)
Campbell’s $0.40/2 any 26 oz. condensed soups (ex. 3-31-09)
Campbell’s $0.50/2 any Chunky Healthy Request soups (ex. 3-31-09)
Campbell’s $0.50/2 any Select Harvest Healthy Request soups (ex. 3-31-09)
Campbell’s $0.40/2 any Healthy Request condensed soups (ex. 3-31-09)
Campbell’s $0.40/4 any condensed cooking soups (ex. 3-31-09)
Campho-Phenique $1/1 any (ex. 3-31-09)
Citracal $1/1 any product, excluding creamy bites (ex. 3-31-09)
Citrucel $2/1 any smartfiber soft chews (ex. 2-5-09)
Citrucel $1/1 any product: orange powder, sugar free orange powder, caplets and soft chews (ex. 2-5-09)
Electrasol $2.50/1 any powerball tabs, gelpacs or quantum (ex. 2-1-09)
FiberChoice $3/1 any 90ct. fiber supplements (ex. 2-1-09)
Flintstones $1/1 any multivitamin (ex. 3-31-09)
Healthy Life $0.50/1 any bread, buns or English muffins (ex. 3-31-09)
Healthy Life $0.50/1 any 100% Natural 100% whole grain bread (ex. 3-31-09)
Lysol $0.50/1 any bathroom cleaner (ex. 3-2-09)
Lysol $0.50/1 any toilet bowl cleaner (ex. 3-2-09)
Lysol $0.50/1 any all purpose cleaner trigger, antibacterial kitchen cleaner or plus bleach (ex. 3-2-09)
Lysol $1/1 any disinfectant spray, 12 oz. or larger (ex. 3-2-09)
Lysol $1/1 any disinfecting wipes (ex. 3-2-09)
Lysol $0.50/1 any all purpose cleaner pourable (ex. 3-2-09)
MIR Form for bayer, aleve, aleve-d, oneaday, neo-synephrine, alka-seltzer plus, campho-phenique, flintstones, citracal phillips’
Neo-Synephrine $1/1 any (ex. 3-31-09)
One A Day $1/1 any adult or teen multivitamin (ex. 3-31-09)
Phillips’ $1/1 any (ex. 3-31-09)
Polident or Poligrip $1/2 any (ex. 3-28-09)
Pop Secret $0.50/2 any flavor or variety microwave popcorn (ex. 2-15-09)
Resolve $1/1 any (ex. 2-15-09)
Spray ‘n Wash $0.50/1 any product (ex. 2-15-09)



Redplum

3 Musketeers $0.50/1 any miniatures bag, original or mint (ex. 4-5-09)
ALL or Surf $0.40/1 any laundry detergent (ex. 2-22-09)
ALL $1.50/1 any 96-load or larger liquid laundry detergent (ex. 2-22-09)
Caltrate $3/1 any, except 30ct. (ex. 3-31-09)
Centrum $3/1 any, except 30ct. (ex. 3-31-09)
Centrum $3/1 Silver, any except 30ct. (ex. 3-31-09)
Centrum $3/1 Cardio, any (ex. 3-31-09)
Centrum $3/1 Performance, any (ex. 3-31-09)
Centrum $3/1 Kids, any (ex. 3-31-09)
Crisco $0.75/1 any Puritan canola oil with omega-3 DHA (ex. 3-31-09) DND
Flex-a-min $5/1 any joint care product (ex. 2-15-09)
Goodlife Recipe $0.50/1 treats for cats (ex. 4-5-09)
Goodlife Recipe $3/1 food for dogs or cats (ex. 4-5-09)
Goodlife Recipe $1/1 treats for dogs (ex. 4-5-09)
Hillshire Farms $0.55/1 any deli select lunchmeats, 8 oz. or larger (ex. 2-15-09) – Do not double or triple
Hillshire Farms $0.65/2 any deli select 5 oz. lunchmeats (ex. 2-15-09) – Do not double or triple
Jif $1/3 any peanut butter products (ex. 3-31-09)
Quaker $1/1 any high fiber instant oatmeal (ex. 3-31-09)
Quaker $1/2 any oatmeal to go breakfast bars (ex. 3-31-09)
Quaker $1.35/2 any instant oatmeal (ex. 3-31-09)
Quaker $0.60/1 any old fashioned or quick oats 18 oz. or larger (ex. 3-31-09)
Quaker $0.50/1 any oatmeal squares creal 16 oz. or larger (ex. 3-31-09)
Quaker $1/1 any true delights granola bars (ex. 2-28-09)
Quaker $1/2 any Life cereal (ex. 3-31-09)
Quaker $1/2 any boxes of chewy granola bars, any variety (ex. 2-28-09)
Real Simple $2/1 magazine (ex. 2-8-09)
Robitussin $1/1 any product (ex. 4-30-09)
Slimfast $1.40/1 any ready-to-drink multipack or powder canister (ex. 3-31-09)
Slimfast $1.25/1 any bars multipack (ex. 3-31-09)
Slimshots $3/1 any liquid appetite controller (ex. 4-30-09)
Smuckers $0.35/1 any jam, jelly, preserves or fruit spread product (ex. 3-31-09)
Smuckers $0.55/1 any natural peanut butter (ex. 3-31-09)
Thermacare $1/1 any heatwraps, excluding trial sizes (ex. 3-1-09)
Thermacare $1.50/1 any arthritis heatwraps, excluding trial sizes (ex. 3-1-09)
Tropicana $1/2 any 64oz. Pure Premium Juice products (ex. 3-31-09)
Wishbone $0.60/1 any salad spritzers dressings, 7 oz. (ex. 2-28-09)
Wishbone $0.75/2 bottles of bountifuls dressings 9.5 oz., wishbone dressings or western dressings 16 oz. or larger (ex. 2-28-09)
______

12/29/08

Price Chopper & CVS Shopping

Price Chopper had Farmland sausage links on sale B1G1 Free. I picked up 10 packages at $2.49 each. I used the last of my 5 $1 off 2 coupons that were to expire 12/31/08. Total $7.45 for 10 packages!

I had been getting 10 packages for $4.90. They would go on sale for .99 and the coupons in the past had been .50 off 1, making them .49 each. But I went ahead and did this deal since the coupons were about to expire and I only had 2 packages left. Hopefully it will go back on sale for .99 each and new coupons will come out again.


The taco seasoning was on sale for .76 and the bananas were .79 a pound. I had a coupon for a FREE box of the Kashi Soft Breakfast bars ($3.89). So my oop on this order was a total of $11.88. Not bad, but could have been better.


I went over to CVS and did the Olay Regenerist deal. (Thanks Precious, Frugalsuz and everyone else who posted this deal.) I bought the 5oz tubes (I was surprised at how big the tubes were!) of the Daily regenerating cleanser that was on sale B1G1 for 50% off. The tubes were $7.49 each, total was $11.23 minus the $5 manuf coupon found in the December 14 P&G insert on the very back page. (I looked and looked and looked and finally realized I wasnt looking on the back page! Whalaa! There it was. I can be so brain dead at times!)

Total was $6.32 and I paid using one $5 ECB, so my OOP was $1.32 for the two tubes.

I will send off for the $15 gift card offer from Olay making this deal a $13.68 MONEY MAKER! You can download and print off the official gift card request form HERE!

The offer is buy any two Regenerist products between 12/14/08 and 1/14/09, fill out the form and send with your original receipt by 1/28/09 and they will send you a $15 gift card.

How will you get coupons next Sunday?


Speaking of coupons, this coming Sunday is the biggest weekend of the year for coupons! 2 Smart Source and 2 Red Plum.

I'm excited and trying to figure out a way to get my papers cheaper than $2. I have some money on Walgreens gift cards I've accumulated from their easy saver rebate program that I may use. That would more or less make my papers free.

The only thing, is that I have to drive into the city to the nearest Walgreens. With gas dropping around here, it still would be worth it. My car gets great gas mileage and it would only take a gallon at $1.39.

With it being a big weekend, there will not be any papers around here in my little town unless I find out exactly when the delivery man drops them off. They always short us on papers on the big weekends and I have to drive to the city to get some anyways.

Another plus is, when I get the papers in the city they are only $1.50 a piece! Hmmmm, now that I think about it, the .50 per paper I save will pay for the gas to get up there if I buy at least 3 papers. Anything over the three and it will be a total savings over buying them here in my town out of a machine dispenser. Buy another 3 papers and that saves another $1.50 which would cover the 7th paper.

So if I purchase 6 papers in my hometown (assuming that I would even be able to get 6 papers) it would cost me $12 OOP. But if I drive to the city I could purchase 7 papers and it would only cost me $10.50 of my rebate money and about $1.50 OOP for gas.

So now I need to find out which Walgreens are open 24 hours a day and what time they get their papers. I’ll decide how many papers I’ll purchase once I find out what coupons are suppose to come out. I usually get 4 papers every week. I’m thinking I’ll get 7 next week.

How many papers are you planning on getting? Have you figured out a way to get your papers really cheap or even FREE? Does anyone know of a site that previews the coupons other than Taylortown?

12/28/08

2009 Coupon Inserts Schedule

2009 Coupon Inserts Schedule


Jan 4, 2009 ....2 Smart Source & 2 Red Plum
Jan 11, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum
Jan 18, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum
Jan 25, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum

Feb 1, 2009 ....Smart Source, Red Plum & P & G
Feb 8, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum
Feb 15, 2009 ....??
Feb 22, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum

Mar 1, 2009.... Smart Source, Red Plum & P & G
Mar 8, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum
Mar 15, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum
Mar 22, 2009 ....Smart Source only
Mar 29, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum

Apr 5, 2009.... 2 Smart Source, 1 Red Plum & P & G
Apr 12, 2009.... ?? Easter
Apr 19, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum
Apr 26, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum

May 3, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum
May 10, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum
May 17, 2009.... 2 Smart Source & 1 Red Plum
May 24, 2009 ....?? Memorial Day
May 31, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum

Jun 7, 2009.... Smart Source, Red Plum & P & G
Jun 14, 2009.... Smart Source Only
Jun 21, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum
Jun 28, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum

Jul 5, 2009.... Procter & Gamble only
Jul 12, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum
Jul 19, 2009 ....Smart Source Only
Jul 26, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum

Aug 2, 2009 ....Smart Source, Red Plum & P & G
Aug 9, 2009 .... Smart Source & Red Plum
Aug 16, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum
Aug 23, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum
Aug 30, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum

Sep 6, 2009.... Procter & Gamble only
Sep 13, 2009.... 1 Smart Source & 2 Red plum
Sep 20, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum
Sep 27, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum

Oct 4, 2009 ....Smart Source, Red Plum & P & G
Oct 11, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum
Oct 18, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum
Oct 25, 2009.... Smart Source & Red Plum

Nov 1, 2009 ....Smart Source, Red Plum & P & G
Nov 8, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum
Nov 15, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum
Nov 22, 2009 ....Smart Source Only
Nov 29, 2009.... ?? Thanksgiving

Dec 6, 2009.... Smart Source, Red Plum & P & G
Dec 13, 2009 ....Smart Source & Red Plum
Dec 20, 2009.... None Christmas
Dec 27, 2009 ....None New Year

Food Gift Baskets

Now that Christmas is over I need to get started on planning everyone's birthday gifts. I'm already behind... my sis-in-laws birthday was Dec 26.

I have decided I will do food gift baskets for the majority of them, especially the guys on my list. They all love to eat and most like to cook. I've done gifts in jars before and have decided the mixes will either be done up in some flour bags I found or for the smaller mixes I will use plastic sandwich bags with handmade toppers stapled to the top.

There are a lot of websites that provide the recipes for these mixes but Budget101 is one of my favorites.

Tomorrow I will test this recipe from their website to be sure it's a decent bread to include in my gift baskets.

Beer Bread
1 1/2 cups all purpose unbleached flour
2/3 cup yellow corn meal
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2/3 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
4 tsp dried minced onion


Layer all ingredients in Jar Or vacuum seal bag.


GIFT TAG DIRECTIONS;
1 Jar Mix
1 12 oz Domestic Beer (not lite)


Blend well, bake in greased loaf pan at 375F for 35-40 minutes.

recipe from budget101

Salsa Seasoning

1 1/2 cups dried cilantro
1 teaspoon garlic powder (more to taste)
1/2 cup dried chopped onion
1/4 cup dried red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
Measure all into ziploc bag, seal & shake to combine.


Salsa & Tortilla Chips
Combine the following & mix well.
2 tablespoons salsa mix
10 oz can Mexican-style tomatoes.
Chill at least 1 hour.
Serve with tortilla chips.


Salsa Spread
2 tablespoons salsa mix
1. Chopped Tomatoes
1 cup softened cream cheese
Combine all and chill 2 hours. Serve with corn chips, crackers or veggie Sticks.

recipe from budget101

12/27/08

We had thunderstorms not thundersnow!

It was 70 degrees here in my part of Missouri yesterday! Last night and this morning we had thunderstorms and received several inches of rain. Now today the temperature is dropping and it's 32 degrees. Crazy weather!

This time of year the temperature is usually much colder and all that rain would have been inches and inches of snow. One of my fondest memories of when I was a little girl is my mother making us snow ice cream. Not only would my sisters and I pray for lots of snow so we wouldnt have school but we wanted mamma to make us snow ice cream.

Here's my mamma's recipe for those of you lucky ones that currently have snow. Let me know if you decide to make some and think of me while eating this yummy treat.

1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups CLEAN snow

In a large bowl, beat cream at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Add vanilla and sugar (adding more if you prefer). Fold in snow, stirring gently to blend. Eat immediately or freeze for a firmer consistency.

12/25/08

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?

Dom over on My Too Sense posted this....
Well it’s that time of year again. Christmas time. The time of gift giving, good will, good wine and that email from management reminding you use the non denominational “Happy Holidays” greeting, rather than Merry Christmas.

I really don’t see where people take offense. If someone Jewish came up to me and wished me a happy Hanukkah, the last thing I would do is take offense. I would thank him for his kind words. Just like if I were to wish him a Merry Christmas, I would not expect him to be offended, and if he did get offended… well, I would be offended.

If you are offended by this post… I’m offended that you’re offended. Merry Christmas.




I couldnt have said it better myself.... Merry Christmas To All!

12/23/08

A Sneak Peak At My Gift Baskets....

Here a look at three gift baskets I put together tonight. It's hard to see what's in them all wrapped up.


So let's take a look at them naked.

First up we have my sis'. That soft sided briefcase in the back was FREE! Can you tell my sis is a tea lover? Then there's some razors, hand soap, bath salts, body butter, a netti pot, aromatherapy headache stick, a bath scrunchy, and more.


This one is for my 15yr old neice. She was so easy to fix up. All the make up stuff she will love, and that brown purse in the back is way cool, even if I say so myself! Found it on clearance for $3 this past summer. I put a razor, lip gloss, fake nails, nail polish, and more in there.




Here's the nephew's. What more could a 16yr old want in a gift basket? Stuff to clean his car, body wash, a razor, body sprays and more. He's a little more difficult to buy for. Hope he likes it!


So what do you think. Did you fix any gift baskets up this year?

Connecticut Wal-Mart Gives Santa The Boot!


Unemployed Barry Goldberg decided he would like to do a little giving of his own this season. He went to Lisbon Landing's wal-mart and purchased 130 gift cards and began handing them out at the front of the store.

Management booted him out the door stating he was soliciting and wasnt allowed to do this even though he had purchased the cards from them 20 minutes prior.

Goldberg has been contacted by Target with the offer to bring the 44 remaining Wal-Mart gift cards to them, trade them in for Target cards and hand them out at the front of their store, no problems.... no hassle!

WAY TO GO WAL-MART, THAT'S THE SPIRIT! Makes me wanna rush right out and spend my hard earned dollars at your store.

To read the full story go here.

(note: I am proud to say that Wal-Mart has gotten $0 of my money this holiday season. No gifts, no trimmings, no food has been bought there!)

12/22/08

Isnt this Blog Layout Cute?

I love One Cute Blog's layouts. This one made me feel warm & fuzzy inside even though it's ONE degree outside with windchills even colder! We don't have any snow to deal with like so many of you are getting pounded with, just the cold air.

Back to the layouts though. She does great work and offers a lot of different layouts free. She will also do custom work and her prices are very reasonable. There is headers for some of her layouts as well.

Changing your blog layout to this type is EASY girls! I can never get the xml layouts/skins to work but with a couple easy and fast steps, I can change my blog layout using her backgrounds.

If you want to try one and need any help, let me know and I will help you.

The Grocery Retailers Sale Schedule

Depending on where you live, seasonal fruits and vegetables will differ by region. Keeping a price book will help clue you in as to when you should stock up on a good deal. The format that I use is Sean's posted over there on the right. You can grab the download also.

Typically grocery stores’ prices will cycle every 12-15 weeks, meaning you should stock up on a 3-4 month supply of non-perishable goods when you see prices hit rock bottom. Be sure to use any coupons you have on those sale items and get them even cheaper than rock bottom prices, a lot of times they will be either FREE or pennies on the dollar.

Holidays, long weekends, and other occasions are also reason to look for certain deals.

Do you know when certain things go on sale throughout the year so you can be prepared; getting your coupons ready and having the extra money needed.

Here is a general guideline to sales (although every store is different):

January
Fruits: oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit
Pre-Superbowl: Snacks like chips, salsa, pretzels, and soda

February
Valentines’ Day: Candy

March
St. Patrick’s Day – Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots
and frozen foods

April
Easter – Ham, potatoes, etc.
Kosher foods
Eggs

May
Cinco de Mayo: Mexican foods
Pre-Memorial Day Sales: Buns, hot dogs, meats for grilling, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, sodas
Fruit: cherries, pineapples, apricots

June
Meats for Grilling, soda, other “summer” theme items like ice cream
Dairy products
Fruit: Berries like raspberries, strawberries, blueberries
Veggies: corn, lettuce

July
Meats for grilling
Ice Cream (National Ice Cream Month)
Fruit: watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apricots, kiwi, raspberries, plums, tomatoes
Veggies: cucumbers, summer squash, corn, green beans, lettuce

August
Back to School: Lunchables, drink boxes, snacks, etc.
Fresh fish
Fruit: Watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, tomatoes
Veggies: cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, summer squash, green beans, lettuce

September
Fruit: apples
Veggies: pumpkins, tomatoes

October
Candy
Fruit: cranberries, apples, pomegranates, grapes
Vegetables: sweet potatoes, pumpkins, winter squash, broccoli, spinach, lettuce

November
Leftover candy from Halloween (freeze to use in holiday baking)
Thanksgiving: Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, green beans, jell-o, etc.
Baking supplies: sugar, flour, frosting, nuts, etc.

December
Baking supplies: sugar, flour, frosting, nuts, etc.
Holiday Meats: Turkey, ham, beef brisket
Veggies: sweet potatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, canned veggies

Thanks to Mommysavers for the guideline!

12/21/08

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr, It's Cold!

My small little town's food pantry's shelves were starting to look bare. Boy wonder's school held a month long food drive that ended this past Friday. I had went through my pantry and filled up a small box, brown grocery bag and 2 wally plastic bags. Since it was too much for him to carry with his backpack and drum I thought I would take it over to the school for him.

I never got it done, so today I loaded it all up and drove to the church where the pantry is, hoping someone would be there. There was a car there and when I tried the door to the youth group room, it was unlocked. So I went in, noone was around and I didnt see any food sitting around, so I headed to the doors that lead to the main part of the church. No one was around there either, BUT there was several boxes and bags of food sitting there in the main entryway. I'm assuming the school had dropped it all off from their drive.

I was so happy to be able to contribute! It really warmed my heart even though as I started to unload my car, it started snowing and was so cold out. I'm hoping to make a donation at least once a month for the entire year of 2009.

Well it's bitter cold here in the midwest. Current temp is around 9 degrees with the windchill at -15. Yeah, that's minus 15. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

I put our electric blanket on our bed, an extra blanket on Boy Wonder's bed and even gave my baby poodles their blankies. My kitties have their blankies on their beds right by the oil heater in my bedroom, so I think we all will be snug as bugs in a rug!

I hope everyone else is warm.

12/17/08

Tis the Season For Giving......

So grab your FREE copy of a couple of ebooks I used to sell on Ebay. They are there on the right. The first one is The Miracle of Vinegar & Baking Soda and the second one is 60 Uses for Salt. I bought them with the resell rights a few years ago and enjoyed them and thought you might enjoy them too!

I also put up a link to Sean Payne's Price Book. This is the format I use, well I need to update it, but when I was using a price book religously, I found his to be the best FREE one on the internet. So be sure to check it out also.

Last but not least you will also see Insider Recipes. This is copycat recipes for a ton of things such as crescent rolls, bisquick, Aunt Jemima pancake mix, Kentucky Fried Chicken's Gravy, Applebees Bourban Street Steak, and many more.

Grab these downloads soon, because I wont keep them over there forever and HAPPY HOLIDAYS from me to you!

Pepsi Printable $1 off Coupon


$1 off any one Pepsi ONE 12 pack of 12 oz cans. expires 12/31/2009 (thanks frugalsuz for the link!)

CVS has pepsi on sale this week. Pepsi 12pk 4/$13 $3 ecb wyb 4 limit 1

With my $4/20 coupon, I see some really cheap Pepsi in my future!

12/16/08

For All Who Loves Rebates!

This just came across the MSN Money Central wire:

"You've probably encountered the hassles of rebates: You wait months to get your money, or your rebate request is denied because you didn't follow the complicated rebate instructions to the letter. Or maybe you're among the large number of shoppers who don't bother to send them in.

Here's a new wrinkle in the rebate process: A company that processes rebates for several hundred companies has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11.

Some of the clients of Continental Promotion Group Inc. are trying to make sure that rebate checks issued on their behalf are good, The Arizona Republic reported."


This may not be good! To read the full article go here.

Snow Day.....

Well the kids down here dont have school today as well as a lot of others around the area. My yard isnt even covered! I'm sure the bosshole will let me drive all the way into work and then after an hour send me home. Errrrrrrr.....

All I got to say is this .....



I hope all my friends in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York are still hanging in there. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

12/15/08

Come on Kansas City, Sing It With Me..........

...Nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, goodbye...



Now let's talk about who needs to go next.

Herm Edwards was a looser when he arrived in Kansas City! It's only gotten worse... The only thing he is winning at is the worst ranking of head coaches. He has the worst winning percentage of the sixteen headcoaches with at least 75 decisions.

The Chiefs were 10-6 the year before Herm was hired. Herm's first year... 9-7, then 4-12 and then there's this year, 2-12..... so far!

HERM'S GOT TO GO!!

12/14/08

Hot Chocolate Time!

Time to make some hot chocolate!

Around 11am it was 61 degrees here in the Kansas City Missouri area. By 2pm it had dropped 30 degrees! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr And the weathermen says there is rain and snow on the way this week. Snow is ok, but I hate cold rain as bad as cold wind.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Missouri weather sucks! The only thing that sucks more than the Missouri weather is the Kansas City Chiefs. Geeesssshhhh!

So, I'm here in my lovely warm home getting ready to fix some hot chocolate. Here's my three favorite recipes. We always make our hot chocolate with milk not water for a heavier, richer drink.

Fireside Spiced Mocha
1 c non dairy creamer
1 c cocoa mix
2/3 c instant coffee
1/2 c sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Whisk all ingredients together well. Store in air tight container.
To use: Mix 4 tsp per cup of hot water or milk. Top with mini marshmallows.

I also use this recipe, bagged in ziplock & wrapped up in pretty cellophane and placed in a hot chocolate mug for gifts.


Velvety Smooth Hot Chocolate
6 c milk
1 small box Chocolate Instant pudding
cool whip

Pour milk into pan, add pudding mix and whisk for 1 minute.
Bring to a simmer on medium heat whisking frequently.
Pour into mugs and top with whipped topping, sprinkly with cinnamon.


Grandma's Decadent Hot Chocolate
1 ounce chocolate chips or 1 Hersheys chocolate bar or 12 Hershey's kisses
1 cup milk

Heat milk and chocolate over medium heat until bubbly. Reduce heat and stir until all chocolate is melted. Once chocolate is melted increase heat until it starts to bubble again, whisky entire time. Pour into mug and top with marshmallows and cinnamon.

Missouri weather SUCKS!

It has been so windy here since yesterday. We had a wind advisory since yesterday morning. I'm talking winds that about knock you off your feet and make it difficult to drive in. They were southernly winds that warmed the temps up to 57 degrees.

They are still blowing but within the next 5-6 hours the temperature is suppose to drop.......... 50 freakin degrees!

Ohhhhhh, I just hope the wind goes away!

I hate the wind!

I'm outta here, got to go get my papers and do a little shopping while it's still bearable outside.

12/13/08

Guess where I get to go?

I'm so excited! Like a kid knowing they are going to the candy store. Well it's pretty much like that! It a special little place tucked outside of the Kansas City area, on the outskirts of Lee's Summit Missouri.

Here in a little bit I'll be headed for Cockrell Mercantile Company. Their store(s)is like taking a step back in time. A country store full of gourmet foods, coffees, teas and any kind of kitchen gadget you can imagine! I've been told they arent cheap, so I doubt if I buy anything but I cant wait to visit the store. As a matter of fact there are actually five stores full of everything and anything a woman who loves to cook needs, plus lawn and garden things! A small mini town.



Other than their main mercantile store they have the Fiesta Cottage. Wall to wall, ceiling to floor, full of Fiesta Ware! Moving on down their walkway is Cockrell Cottage, Cockrell Annex and last but not least is the Morton House.

Cockrell Cottage is full of home decor items such as candles, signs, baby gifts, and handbags to name just a few.

Cockrell Annex is full of lawn and garden items such as bird houses, bird baths, and anything to decorate your porch with.

And finally there is the Morton House. This is where you will find all your baking needs and supplies. Cookie cutters, baking pans, and bakeware everywhere!

I bet they are all decorated up for the holidays! I just cant wait to go see!

12/12/08

Friday Freebies Mail Call

In the last two weeks here's some of what I have received in the mail from manufacturers and Friday Freebie requests.

Several Vocal Point mailers. DelMonte Fruit Naturals coupons, Venus Razor and coupons, Kashi Cereal Bar coupons just to name a few. If you have not signed up for Vocal Point yet, what are you waiting for? Once you sign up they automatically send you free stuff.

A free sample pad of Super Sticky Post It notes. I cant remember who I requested these from. :(

Two free Flexible cutting mats from Di Lusso Deli Company. I will be making a fruit and cheese basket for my elderly neighbors and one of these is going to go in it since they messed up and sent me two!

A free sample pack of Clean & Clear morning burst shine control oil absorbing sheets. They offer freebies and coupons all the time so check often!

A Huggies mailer with coupons for diapers. You can sign up for Huggies Happy Baby here.

A free can of Enfamil Lipil baby formula plus a mailer with two rebate-coupon checks. Be sure to sign up for Enfamil's Family Beginings! They periodically send you free samples and great coupons.

(note to family... NO I'm not trying to tell you something! The baby offers were signed up for by the oldest when he was expecting the grandbaby. He's now three and they continue to send offers and coupons and I pass them along to others. But thanks for asking! lol)

A free sample Feminine Care kit from Kimberly-Clark and a coupon. You can still request one, use the link above.

Two postcard coupons from Price Chopper Kids Club for FREE 8 count poptarts. As of January 2009 they no longer will be mailing the postcards. You will need to sign up for their online program and the coupons will be emailed to you.

A free sample of Tide from Wal-Mart samples.

I'm sure I missed some things but this is what came to mind. I need to find us all some NEW freebies to send off for to keep the mailbox full but I've been really busy getting ready for the holidays and shopping. It's a lot funner to go to the mailbox and get free stuff and coupons instead of bills! I always can find a gift basket to tuck the free samples in and some of them I like to try myself to see if I like the product.

Am I Weird?

My son and I LOVE LOVE LOVE bananas in a bowl of milk and sugar. My poodles beg for it! I only give them the bananas though. They LOVE bananas.

My hubby thinks my son and I are weird. He shakes his head when the poodles come running and beg me for their snack. Did I mention we LOVE LOVE LOVE bananas? lol

Do you eat this or do you think we are weird also?

12/11/08

My Stockpile

A year ago I started stockpiling buying items on sale using coupons to get them FREE or pennies on the dollar. Here's my personal mini store after two months...


Here's my mini store today....









I try not to stockpile excessively. I dont have 30 boxes or cans of any one item. I feel for my family and what we use, my mini store is a well rounded & balanced stockpile we can work from. There is items to make full meals, not just a hodge podge of things because they were free or cheap.

These pictures were taken after I removed 3 bags of items to send to boy wonder's school for their Christmas food drive also. Giving makes everyone feel so good.

Have you given any of the fruits of your stockpiling labors from this year?

12/9/08

Hubby has a new job!

Hubby and I both have been looking for better employment for some time now. Employment that pays better, has better retirement benefits, steady hours, and is "recession proof". We both feel that his current employment is not "recession proof" in meaning that the product that is sold is not a daily life necessity. When budgets get cut, his current product is one of the FIRST things to get cut.

When he lost/quit his job (due to economy, his hours were cut extremely to the point there was no way he could stay there, so it was a mutual agreement between him and employer) 2 years ago and accepted this job it was with the intention that it would only be temporary/short term until he could find better employment.

Well the economy hasnt gotten any better and it has lasted longer than we wanted. We knew we could live on the salary they offered but it would be VERY ROUGH! When I say rough, I'm talking bills not getting paid such as credit cards, car payments missed, house payments missed, juggling bills from month to month to avoid disconnects, etc.

I was desperate and started figuring out ways to live more frugally knowing we could not borrow money every month to pay basic living expenses. I found the WIR Grocery Challenge thread on MSN's message boards. The gal's over there taught me a lot. There were others on the internet who taught me so much on frugal living also. How to get more for what little money we were making.

Things like changing our light bulbs, when the best time to run dishwasher and washing machine, not letting water run while showering, brushing teeth, saving the cold water while waiting for hot water, turning down the thermostat, unplugging charges not charging their counterparts, ...... I could go on and on. They all have helped reduce our electric, heating, and water bills. We changed phone plans, satelite tv plans (we live in the country and cable or antaena is not available), internet service plans..... we reduced everything we could, and then looked at it again and found ways to reduce them again. We changed home insurance plans saving several hundred dollars a year.

I quit tanning, I quit getting my nails done, I shopped more and more at thrift stores, I repaired clothes instead of buying new. We stretched everything. A chicken that was once one meal for us now became two instead of being so wasteful and throwing left overs away.

Leftovers, now there's a word my family was not familiar with. My husband always said if they were so good then why are they left over and refused to eat leftovers for the first 15 years we were married. He now takes left overs for his lunches instead of eating at McDonals, Taco Bell or Kentucy Fried chicken every day. (Now that saved us a small mint all by itself!)

Oh yeah, back to the reason for this post. Hubby has been trying to get on at two different places for several months now. One being the state highway department and the best choice of the two. The other a waste disposal company.

The waste disposal company called tonight and he can start as early as tomorow. He will give his current employer a notice but if they dont want him to work the notice then he will start the new job immediately. The new job will be steady hours. They haul trash rain or shine, holiday or not. The retirement is a little better than where he's at. He will only be making $80 a week more to start out with, but there's room for advancement and raises and there will be no cut in hours. It's hard work, work he has done for several years in the past when we were first married, but maybe we are on the way up again.

My happiness quickly turned to guilt tonight as I thought about all my family and friends who have lost their jobs in the last few weeks. I've not called my parents yet and he's not called his parents yet. It just doesnt feel right with so many looking for employment. All of you, my family and friends, are in my prayers that good steady employment is just around the corner for you.

It's cold here tonight, raining early today turning to sleet and now to snow. The wind is terrible! Hope everyone is home safe and sound and warm as a bug in a rug!

12/8/08

Walgreens and Cvs Deals & OOP's

I've been really busy shopping and getting some great deals!

Here's my Walgreen trips today. I'm still trying to learn how to shop at Wag's. I havnt figured out what coupons I can use together. They wont let you use all of them at once. If anyone has any tips or advice or can tell me what I did wrong, please leave me a comment.

store 1
gift bag $2.99
Schick trimmer razor $6.99
4 Reynolds Foil $1.69 each
minus $3 easy saver coupon for razor
minus $4 mfg coupon for razor from all you magazine
minus .99 7 day wags coupon x 4 for foil
minus $1.00 mfg coupon for foil x 4
OOP $4.03 used gift card to pay

store 2
transaction 1
Tried to buy 2 3 pack scotch tape and use 1 $1 mfg coupon and $2 RR. NO GO!
She made me buy 3 3 pack scotch tape and .59 candy. Then she let me use $1 mfg coupon for tape and $2 RR. OOP .79

transaction 2
tried to buy 2 tape ($2), 1 schick razor/trimmer ($6.99), folger coffee ($2.50) and 6 foil ($1.69)and use $1 mfg coupon for tape, $3 esr for razor, $4 mfg coupon for razor, 6 $1 mfg coupon for foil and the .99 7 day coupon for foil x 6. and pay with $6 rr. NO GO!!
She let me buy 2 foil (using the .99 7 day coupon and 2 $1 mfg coupons), 1 schick razor/trimmer (use ONLY the esr $3 coupon), folger coffee, 2 3 pack of tape (NO COUPON ALLOWED) OOP $9.12

I left very confused and headed to the 3rd WAGs to at least get more foil. I still had that $6 rr and I hate keeping them.

3rd store
transaction 1
cologne set 6.99 used that darn $6 rr so my OOP $1.07

transaction 2
4 foil, 1 mt dew, 2 candy canes. used 4 $1 mfg coupon on foil with the .99 7day foil coupon and the .39 7 day coupon on candy canes. OOP $1.94.

CVS trips
store 1 using my card
3 Gillette Venus 1ct razors $5.99 each
1 salted peanut .50
used 3 $4 Venus mfg coupons
used $1 &$5 ecb
OOP .49
$5 ecb back for $15 gillette deal

store 2 using my son's card
transaction 1
1 Complete contact solution $8.99
minus $2 IP coupon
OOP $7.49
recvd $8.99 ecb back

transaction 2
3 12 count soft chew rolaids plus $2.49 each
1 rolaids soft chew 6 ct roll (neither one of us caught that this was only 6 count)
1 gillette venus 1 ct $5.99
1 gillette fusion $9.99
1 gillette fusion shave cream $1.89
used 4 $1 rolaid coupons ( they did beep and she had to manually enter them)
used $4 Vocal Point Venus mfg coupon
used $4 P&G fusion mfg coupon
used $8.99 ecb from previous transaction
OOP $4.56
recvd $5 ecb for $15 Gillette deal and $6 ecb for rolaids


So let me know what I could have done to get my OOP's lower, especially on that wag's deal!

12/6/08

Pumpkin-chocolate loaf

This recipe appeared in the Kansas City Star, November 23, 2008. Monday I baked a loaf and it was so yummmy. Hubby and boy wonder loved it also and fought over the last piece.

As I was typing the recipe out, I noticed I screwed up when I made it. I put a WHOLE 15 ounce can of pumpkin in it. This may be why it took over an hour to bake and was still VERY VERY moist, to the point where when I sliced it, it would fall apart. Although I had no trouble when removing the loaf from the pan, it remained one piece. When I make this again, I will plan on making two loaves and just split the 15 ounce can in half. If you only want to make one loaf, split the can in half and freeze the other half for later use. I hope the loaf is as moist using only the half a can as it was using a whole can.


1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (recipe to make your own)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, cut into pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 by 5 by 3 inch nonstick loaf pan.

In a medium mixing bowl combine and whisk together the first 5 ingredients.

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat butter until creamy. Add sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and beat until well blended. Add pumpkin puree and vanilla, then add the flour mixture beating just until well blended.

Heat the chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave for 1 - 2 minutes, until completely melted and smooth.

Spoon half the batter into the loaf pan. Spoon half of the melted chocolate on top of the batter and swirl into the batter with a wooden skewer. Repeat with remaining batter and chocolate, making sure to swirl the chocolate into the batter well.

Bake the loaf about 1 hour, or until a metal skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the loaf cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack. To remove from pan, run a knife around the edges and invert onto the rack. Serve warm or at room temperature, cut into slices.

12/3/08

$500 Gift Card Giveaway

Deal Seeking Mom is giving away a $500 gift card from Wal-Mart. It's easy to enter! This will go a long way this holiday season for some lucky winner. The deadline is December 15, 2008. There are several ways to enter so get over there and put your name in the hat.

12/1/08

$100 WalMart Gift Card Giveaway!

If you havnt entered to win the $100 WalMart gift card being given away by Deal Seeking Mom, what are you waiting for? The deadline is tonight! Get on over there and get yourself entered. Everyone could use a $100 gift card from WalMart this time of year. There are three ways to enter. Let me know once you have entered her drawing.

11/28/08

Wal-Mart worker dies after crowd rushes store

NEW YORK - A Wal-Mart worker has died after being trampled by a throng of unruly shoppers shortly after the Long Island store opened Friday, police said. Unconfirmed reports said a pregnant woman also miscarried as the crowd rushed in.

My heart goes out to their families and they are in my prayers.

For the full story see MSNBC

11/27/08

My love-hate relationship with CVS

Yesterday I started out with $6 in ECB. Here's what I did:
1 Hershey Bar .50 (had a crt machine coupon for 1 free bar, but I see that although she scanned it, it did not come off my bill!)
2 Altoids Orange (my fav) 3.00 minus 2 $1 coupons
1 Complete contact solution 8.99 minus $1 coupon (this is all they had)
1 Maybeline Mineral 8.99
2 2ltr Mt Dew 1.59
1 Folger Coffee 4.99
1 Severe Cold Tabs 4.49
minus $6 ecbs
OOP $24.95
ECB's earned back 8.99 for Complete, 8.99 for Maybeline Mineral and 2.00 on folgers.

I went today, store opened at 8am, at 11am there were no ear buds, remotes, cd players, schick trimmer razors, soleil razors, ...... I could go on and on. I'm so irritated! The sale is a 3 day sale, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. What good is it to have a sale for three days when they are out of the two items each in the first three hours? For this I hate CVS! Do all CVS stores stock like this? Only two or three of something they are going to run a sale on?

Today:
#1
2 loreal color juice lippies 13.98
2 Sally Hnsn Max Growth Polish 7.58 minus 3.00 coupon
2 2ltr Mt Dew 1.59
minus ecb's from yesterday: 2.00, 8.99, & 8.99
OOP .23
earned ecbs 3.79, 13.98

#2
1 colgate total 2.99 minus 1.50 coupon
1 covergirl powder 5.99 minus 1.00 coupon
1 covergirl foundation 7.99 minus 1.00 coupon
2 carmels .66
minus $13.98 ecb from loreal color juice lippies
OOP .16
earned ecb's 2.99, 5.99, & 7.99

#3
2 aussie shampoos 5.98
1 playtex sport 3.99 minus 1.00 coupon
1 colgate advance 2.99 minus 1.00 coupon
minus ecb's 7.99 from covergirl foundation and 2.99 from colgate
OOP 00.00 They didnt even make me pay tax????? They've never done that before.
earned ecb's 2.99, 5.98, 3.00

#4
1 schick qtro 7.99 minus $4.oo coupon ( I wanted the trimmer razor but they had none)
minus 3.00 ecb from playtex
OOP $1.06
earned 6.00 ecb

#5
1 Norelco RA7110 Razor HALF PRICE $28.99 (for my hubby for Christmas cause he's the greatest guy in the world!)
minus ecb's: 2.99, 3.79, 5.98, 5.99, & 6.00
OOP $4.54
ecb's earned 00.00 I hope he likes it since I burned all my ecb's on it. BUT since they had nothing else in, and won't be getting anything else in before the sale is over, I said what they heck, he doesnt have one and a $60 razor for $30 is a good deal.

I'm too tired to take and post the pics tonite after helping my mother cook for 12 people. We had a wonderful time at mom's. My brother and his wife and kids showed up! I was so glad to see them and to know they are doing ok. My brother was laid off and it's not been easy for them with a 15 year old girl and a 16 year old boy. (who are spoiled ass rotten) We all were talking and from what I gathered from what the two kids would pipe up and say, they are adjusting to not getting everything they look at. My brother and her have been under so much stress, but they were in good spirits today and her and I talked about stockpiling, using coupons and shopping at CVS. She wants me to teach her how to get more for her money. They werent able to stay long because they had to go to her parents house so I'm thinking I will go up there in the next week or so and take her to CVS.

11/25/08

Xerox is doing something cool... FREE

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

How AMAZING would it be if we could get everyone we know to take 10 seconds and send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a moment of your time. How wonderful for the soldiers who will receive these to know we are thinking about them.

Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them. This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you.

Please take the time and pass this on to others through your blog, websites, facebooks, emails, etc. We can never say enough thank you's. Thank you for taking the time to support our military!

11/24/08

Kool-Aid Jelly

Today I made two batches of Kool-Aid jelly. One batch of grape and one batch of strawberry. I used two different recipes because I had two different kinds of pectin. I had both liquid pectin and a box of the powder. The liquid pectin recipe made 7 half pints and the powder pectin made five half pints.


It looks really pretty, but I have my doubts whether it will set up properly or not. I'll report back on that tommorow.

I also wanted to start making Christmas cookie dough to freeze until closer to the holidays, but by the time I got everything together to make the jelly, realized I had every size of canning jars BUT jelly jars and had to make a run to buy some, got my oil changed in my car, returned my mother's shampooer, it is now time to prepare supper.

I hate when I have my day all planned out and I dont get everything accomplished! Now I feel uneasy and like I am behind schedule. I feel like I'm always behind and there's never enough hours in the day!

update: The strawberry jelly set up. Pretty soft set, but the directions say to decrease water by 2 tablespoons for a firmer set. The grape jelly that used the recipe with liquid pectin is still syrup. I had read that the new rule was to process in water bath for 10 minutes. The grape I processed 10 minutes, but the strawberry I only processed 5. I just pulled the directions out for the liquid pectin and they still state to process 5 minutes. I'm assuming this is why it did not set up. I will try it again with liquid pectin, processing only 5 minutes and see what happens.

11/21/08

The Mother Letter Project

I was doing some blog-hopping this morning and hopped over to Rocks In My Dryer. I try to visit her blog at least once a week to catch up on all her great posts.

There are so many people trying to find new, different, frugal ways to make Christmas special this year without adding to their current debt.

Today she has a great post telling us about the Mother Letter Project. A man who has requested all mothers to write a letter to his wife encouraging her in her mothering journey.

If you'd like to participate in the Mother Letter Project, you can read the full instructions here. Write her a letter. It doesnt have to be elaborate or long and encourage another mom. If you have a blog, consider posting about this project to spread the word. Let's help Danny make this a wonderful gift for his wife.

Friday Freebies

Kitchen Basics is giving away their 6th edition recipe booklet. COOKING WITH STOCK

Try the new Dove Cream Oil Intensive Body Lotion for Dry Skin.

Try Jessica Simpson's new fragrance, Fancy before you shell out all those hard earned dollars only to find you dont like it.

Walmart is giving away free Glad NEW Freezer Bags. Check it out to see what they've improved!

Due to the holiday coming up, there will be no Friday Freebies next week.

11/20/08

Santa Fe Soup

A friend I work with made this last winter and brought it in to the office for everyone's lunch. During the winter we take turns bringing in a crockpot meal and share it. It can be done differently each time depending upon what beans or meat you have on hand but this recipe is the original and how it's suppose to be.

2 cans white shoepeg corn drained
2 cans black beans drained
1 can kidney beans drained
1 can light red beans drained
1 can dark red beans drained
1 can pinto beans drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomatoe sauce
1 can Rotel
2 pks dry ranch dressing seasoning
3 pks dry taco seasoning
1 small onion
1 lb hamburger or ground turkey
1 lb sausage

brown meat, chop onion, combine all ingredients and simmer for at least one hour.

Suggested toppings: sharp shredded cheese, sour cream, chives, or fritos

This makes a large pot and can be divided into at least 2 meals for my family, with one being thrown in the freezer for a later easy dinner night!

I like placing a few fritos in bottom of bowl, spoon soup in, and top with a dallop of sour cream and shredded cheese!

The next time I make this I'll take a pic and post it.

For more recipes check out recipe swap over at The Grocery Cart Challenge!

11/19/08

Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon MBG

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: Up to $5 with UPC and datd receipt. Limit 1 per household. Expires 3/31/09.

The form is printed on the inside of the box. Send 1 UPC, orginal store identified cash register receipt dated between 3/1/08 and 3/31/09 and this original, hand printed, completed rebate form (no photocopies).

At the bottom is says: We think Oscar Mayer Fully cooked bacon tastes great! If you disagree, please tell us why below.

Southern Smothered Cube Steak

4 cube steaks
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup flour
1/2 cup oil
2 cups water
1 beef bouillon cube
1 yellow onion, sliced rings

In small bowl mix 4 seasonings. Sprinkle front and back side of each steak piece and rub into steak well.

Heat oil to medium high in skillet.

Dredge each steak in flour very well, pat that flour in!
Brown each side 1 minute and then turn heat down to medium, continue frying steaks 4-5 minutes on each side. Drain on a separate plate.

Remove all but 3-4 Tbs of oil, saute onion rings. Remove onions to plate with steak.

Turn heat on oil up to medium high, add 3 Tbs flour, whisking until well mixed and roux browns well.

Add water and dissolved bouillon cube and remaining seasoning mix to roux. Mix until gravy begins to thicken slightly. Replace steak back into gravy and spread onion rings over the tops.
Cover and simmer 30-40 minutes.

Barter A Paper Clip For A SUV, is it possible?

Barter is the process of trading products, goods or services, for other products, goods or services in which no money is exchanged.

So do you think it's possible to barter a Golden Paperclip from Donald Trump for a 5 passenger SUV?

Jason is well on his way to accomplishing this. He has traded up to a canoe, mini bike, go kart... See how he has done so far. A "Monster Trade" goes down today at 12pm central standard time. What will be Golden Paperclip Trade #5? The computers are gone, find out what they went for this afternoon.

Jason's Golden Paperclip

11/18/08

Mom, What's For Dinner? .... $4 Hash

When I was a little girl, my mother always fixed hash. It was one of my favorite meals. So I called her up and asked "Mom, how do you make your hash?" I knew she used left over roast beef. She started to tell me how she boiled her potatoes with onion.... "But mom, my potatoes are already cooked. I cooked them with my roast" She told me she wasnt sure because she always cooked her potatoes fresh, she never had left over potatoes. The only thing she used left over was the roast and gravy. "Gravy? You used left over gravy? I thought you made a roux?" So to make a long phone conversation short and not bore you, here's what I came up with.

I bought a large roast and cooked it in the crockpot with potatoes and carrots Friday. Saturday we had leftovers for lunch. Today, I still had 1/3 of the roast and several potatoes left and decided to make hash since my husband and son have never ate it. Here's how I made it:

3-4 cups of broth (I cook my roast with 1 package of Lipton Onion soup mix and 2 beef boullion cubes) FREE

4-6 potatoes (of course, mine were already quartered and cooked. I just heated them up in the microwave) 1.00

1- 1 1/2 lbs left over roast, cubed & heated in microwave 2.00

2 envelopes brown gravy mix 1.00

Combine broth and gravy mix together and bring to a boil. Add potatoes and roast. Simmer until all is thoroughly hot. Do not stir, or roast beef will fall apart. Serve over bread.

11/16/08

The Top Three Lists of Printable Coupons

The best place to print online coupons is GrocerySmarts.com. In one place you can print off coupons from Coupons.com, Smartsource.com and the Singles list.

Most of you have already heard of Coupons.com (List A) and Smartsource.com (List B), but the Singles list is a great list of manufacturer printable coupons. One stop printing from GrocerySmarts makes it so easy!

Here's what GrocerySmarts has to say about the cycling of the lists of coupons:
Did you know?
-The best printable coupons from Group A are found at the beginning of each month. Manufacturers set an "Allowance" (Nationally) for each printable coupon.

For example: 50,000 prints total. Once they hit the allowance, they yank the coupon. Some coupons are so good that they can hit the allowance in a day or 2! That's why the beginning of each month has more printable coupons than the end of the month. So printing some of the "really good" coupons when you see them at the beginning of the month might not be such a bad idea.

Your personal print limit is almost always 2 per coupon, per month. It "re-sets" at the beginning of the next month. Many of the "Allowance" coupons can re-appear, but some will be gone forever.

Also, if a "1.00 off 1" coupon appears in Group A, and you see an Identical coupon on pillsbury.com: It's the same coupon and your print limit is 2 total, not 2 from each site. The print software you installed tracks that for them!

However, if the Group A coupon is "1.00 off 1" and the pillsbury.com coupon is ".75 off 1": It's 2 different coupons and you'll be able to print 2 of each.

11/13/08

Friday Freebies

With all the free fem products really cheap at CVS and free from Wal-Mart, it leaves me more money for other things! Here's what Wal-Mart is sending out this week:
Always Infinity
Stayfree & Carefree
Playtex Sport

Still working on those stocking stuffers! Here's some to fill your furbabies stockings!

How about a coupon for a FREE bag of Nutro Natural Choice Dog or Cat Food? You will receive an email asking you to confirm your request.

Free sample of Doggy Delightz dog treats Hurry, their offer is never up long!

Free samples from Healthy Animal Diet. You can get cat or dog or a combo of both. They will send 1/4 cup of the Life’s Abundance Pet Food of your choice (1/4 cup of each if you choose the combo), One healthy treat, and One pet supplement. Please check your e-mail for a confirmation message and click the link in the message.

And of course it wouldnt be Friday Freebies around here if we didnt have a re-usable shopping bag or tote to offer! hehe Just call me the bag lady... everyone at work does.

Free Cool looking Water bottle or you can choose a Tote Bag! The stainless steel water bottles are 33 ounces and eco-friendly, while the recycled tote bags are made with Organic Cotton!

Here's a sample I will put in my sis' tea themed gift basket I'm making.

NutraSweet 9pk. There's regular, saccharine free, and one with cane sugar.
Be sure to select at the bottom right where it says "I would participate in NutraSweet's online "Product Advisors" group."

And I think I will drop this in my oldest son's stocking. He's always needing a knife to open movies, cd's and playstation games.

Do you know safecutters? Take a short survey (and I mean short!) and they will send you a free klever kutter knife!

Christmas is closing in! Black Friday is coming up, are you getting geared up? I'm going to be taking stock of exactly what I have for my gift baskets and what I still need. Have you run across any other great freebies? Leave me a comment letting me know anything interesting.

11/12/08

How do you organize your coupons?


I've struggled with finding a system for organizing coupons that I like and that is quick and easy.

I've went from the plastic coupon organizers ($1 each) to a recipe file box ($2 each)to a zippered binder system, which was considerably more expensive. I paid approximately $25 for the binder, baseball pages and dividers.

I've tried filing the inserts by date and only clipping the coupons when needed. For me, that was VERY time consuming. Say I'm going to the store and need coupons for 6 different items. You pull the insert(s), thumb through them, clip the coupons, and REFILE the whole insert. When you have 4-10 inserts of the same week, think about how much time I spent clipping each individual coupon out, and then refiling inserts that I would be pulling again when needed. Too much time for me.

On the binder system I found the baseball card pages difficult and time consuming to fold coupons to fit. I put off filing my clipped coupons in the binder because of how much time it consumed getting them filed. Then I was always searching for a coupon.

I've now went to a photo box with A-Z divider cards. The cost was less than $8 at Walmart. 4"x6" Photo Storage Box was $2.77 and 1 set 4"x6" A-Z dividers was $3.99. Filing is so much quicker for me.

The time of actually clipping the coupons is the same no matter what system you use if you stack your insert pages or make monster inserts. Check out the tutorial by Erica from i heart cvs.

To clip coupons, I stack my inserts, staple and use a rotary cutter to cut them. For me this seems to go a whole lot quicker than cutting out each individual coupon from each insert. Erica at i heart cvs has wrote a wonderful piece on how to stack inserts into monster inserts. She has great photos also. Be sure to read her article. She supports the 'file the whole insert' method in the end.


I want to know what type of system you use. Are you happy with it? Would you like to go to a zippered binder but have been putting it off due to the cost? If so, check out Mrs A's Coupon Organizer. IF, I were to decide to go to a binder system again, I would order my pocket pages from her. I've never seen pocket pages like hers.

Other bloggers' coupon systems:
The Homespun Heart: Saving in Style
Laura Williams Musings: How To Make A Coupon Binder