Sorry for my absence:

I apologize for my absence.  It's clean the cuboards week around here!!  I gotta say it's kinda been fun!  I thought it was going to be a dreadful expierence, however it has challenged me to get more creative.  The only ingredient I have bought in the past two weeks is milk.  

So far, I have made these recipes just from my cuboard and freezer:

~chicken noodle soup
~homemade mac and cheese
~spahetti and meatballs
~meatball subs
~white bean chili
~steak and veggies
~skillet potatoes
~chicken salad , etc. 

Let me tell you the things I have done!

From one chicken I made the following:
~chicken noodle soup
~chicken salad
~broth for other soups

From one package of beans I made:
~bean chili
~meals for my9 month old (GREAT finger food for him!)
~added it to mediteraneen couscous for a meal
~bean burritos

I challenge you to have a clean the cupboard week.  You might surprise yourself.  Since this week is running low on ingredients, here is what I am making

~Spicy chicken lettuce wraps from ground chicken
~corn chowder
~veggie lo mein
~salad topped with craisins, sunflower seeds, apples, and raspberry walnut vinagrette
~tuna fish sandwhiches from homemade bread!
~hamburger bake
~roast sandwhiches

I am making it my goal for the summer to use ONLY $50 every week for the farmers market!  We will see!  Wish me luck!

Attention Minneapolis residents!

Mike's Discount Grocery in Fridley is having a MEGA sale on strawberries!  8 pounds- yes I said pounds- for $1.99!

I grabbed a case today and made some jam and froze some too! 

GTG points!!

GTGLEARNMORE089
thanks Carrie at Pocket your Dollars

and
 

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Enjoy!  I think I am going to be cashing mine in for the Shutterfly package.  How about you?

Yet another class!

Looks like there will be another class added for this fall in Anoka!  Keep an eye out for your community class guide!

Kohls shopping

Hey yall if you are on the Kohls mailing list you should have recieved the $10 off anything "gift card" they sent.  (its more of a coupon)  HOWEVER- I know that there are some awesome sales going on right now- especially for the kiddos!  I have gotten Oliver two outfits there for under $10 so maybe you can get two outfits FREE???  also, If your child is into Dr. Seuss at all I know they have collectors books for $5 each- so you can get two free!!

Did you get anything free with your Kohls $10 off????

I will post my steal later this week!

Rainbow Shopping list 4/18-4/24

If you are in Minnesota there are amazing deals this week at Rainbow. 

The few that were off the charts for me were:

Gerber 2nd Foods $1 each.
Combine this with Save $1.25 on 8 + save $1 on 6+ save .75 on 4 + the two totally free coupons from being on thier mailing lists
For 8 2pks of baby food you are only paying out of pocket $3.00
***THAT IS AWESOME!**

For my Crunchy buddies this is a good deal!
Buy any 5 Cascadian Farm products get a half gallon Organic milk free
Combine with save $1 on 2 Muir Glen products (which are on sale for $1.49 I believe!)  so buy 2 of those with that coupon that doubles if you go on wed. you only spend $1 on each. You will though have to buy one product at regular price.  They are doing Organic Ketchup, Pasta sauce, soup, and tomatoes.
For the other part you could buy the Granola bars that are on sale for $2.49 B2G $1 off (doubled will be $2 off)  so basically you are getting one for .50.

SO spend $5.48 on 5 organic products get a Half Gallon of Organic milk free.
I think this is a good deal considering the regular prices of all things in question including the milk.

Buy 10 packages of Cremette Pasta at $1 each get a coupon for a FREE rotissure Chicken from the deli.  I Like to stock up on pasta because it is a good Freezable meal for busy (or in my case Lazy) nights. Combine that with a organic pasta sauce and a whole meal for 4 people for $2!!!!!

Cottenelle Toilet paper 12pk
S.C of $4.98 (which in iteself is a great deal)
Combine with .50/1 (which doubles to $1 off)
=$3.98 for a 12 pk of brand name TP
******GREAT BUY!!*****

Tampax  sale price of $4.99??(could be wrong on that by a buck or so)
But use the BOGO
= about $2.50 a box
***Another great deal***

Act mouthwash
Sale price of $2.49
plus use $1/1
=.49 after doubled coupon

Walgreens Shopping List 4/18-4/24

Reynolds wrap
S.C. of .89 each
+ $1/1 printable from their website
=FREE plus store credits you .11 cents!
(Limit 3)

Scunci
S.C. of $1.49 each.
I usually stock up on this


Granola Bars
S.C. of $1.99 each for Chex Mix, Natures Valley, or Fiber one
Use manu coupons from this Sundays insert for .40 off Natures Valley and .50 off Fiber One!
=$1.49 lowest price

CVS shopping list 4/18-24

Bumble Bee tuna
.49 per can

Ajax Dish soap
.77
GREAT DEAL!!  I recently read this week that people use way too much dish soap so what I have done is taken an empty bottle of dish soap and filled it up 1/3 and filled up 2/3 with water.  Works the same and saves us money!!

Pampers Big Box
Sale of $21.99 with ECB like getting it for $16.99
Plus use the $4.50 off CVS coupon from Last weeks transaction plus the 1.50/1 manu coupon
= $10.99
***** THIS IS AMAZING!!*****

Colgate Total
sale price of .77
**Great deal stock up!**

Tasters Choice coffee
sale price of .83
Use the BOGO manu + the .50/1
=.16 each

Slim Fast
Sale price $5.99
+ $1.50/1 manu coupon
=$4.49
**I would wait for a better deal.  But if you are really trying to get into that bikini Go for it!**

Free picture prints:

How to get Free picture prints:

Here are some of my favorite picture websites that all offer FREE prints to new members!  For places like CVS and Walgreens- have them ship it to your local store and even shipping is free!!

~CVS.com
~walgreens.com
~snapfish.com
~kodak.com

10 Pampers Points!

Here are 10 more GTG points! 

APR2010Facebook

Thanks Carrie, Pocketyourdollars!

Shopping Lists this week-

I was not impressed at all this week with any deals which is why I have not posted any.  This is where it really comes in handy to have a stock pile on hand from previous sales.

Gitfs to Grow

If you are a parent of an infant hopefully you know about Gifts to Grow points and Enjoy the Ride points!

Gifts to Grow (GTG) and Enjoy the Ride points are from Pampers and Huggies and are codes inside every package of diapers or wipes that you buy!!  Collect these points and after so many you win free diapers!! 

Here is a GTG code for 10 points to get you started!

6ctd7p46dxccwpk

"Green" Craft book!

Go to Favecrafts.com for a free green craft book!!!  I took a look at it and it looks awesome!!

Getting paid to shop is not a scheme

I just wanted to share how great couponing can be.  I have heard people say its too much work and not enough pay out. 

This is a picture of a recent shopping trip of mine.  One of my more memorable ones.  Here you see 2 dozen eggs, 10lbs of potatoes, 1 pkg Tilapia, 1 package Cod fish, 2 packages of frozen vegetables, one package of garlic bread, 1 gallon of milk, 1 bottle of excedrin, 1 bar fels naptha,  and 1 box arm and hammer washing soda. 

How much do you think I paid? 

I should have paid $29.42
I actually paid $2.72

If you want me to prove it I can scan the recipet :)  Here's how:

Fels naptha $1.09
washing powder $2.50 roughly
potatoes $.58 per 5lb bag with coupons
frozen veggies $.88 each with coupons
eggs $.99 each with coupons
milk $1.78 sale price
excedrin FREE per manufactuer
Fish both packages FREE per manufacturer
garlic bread was roughly $1.80 sale price

So with my coupons the total came to $12.72 then I had a $10 gift card that I had gotten at the store from filling my perscription there with no copay.  Total =$2.72

Here is a case where I was PAID  to buy these items.  Here's how.
This transaction is from Walgreens and CVS.

Renpure Organics Shampoo and conditioner BOGO $6.99- $6.99 rebate = BOTH FREE
airwick i motion sale price $4.99 use a $5/1 coupon=FREE store pays me a penny
body wash FREE per CVS store coupon
Baking Soda sale price of .50 each
Colgate #1 coupon for .99 plus a manu coupon of .75 off=.24
Colgate #2 is buy at $3.99 get $3..99 ECB
yardley soap coupon price of .69 each
stride gum store coupon price of .72 each plus a manu coupon of B2G1

2 transactions:
#1 Buy Colgate for $3.99 get $3.99 off next order

#2 Buy airwick, body wash, renpure, yardley, baking soda, gum and toothpaste use the $3.99 off last transaction and it is all FREE plus they pay you the remaing balance. 

Organic baby and tot clothes 60% off

www.jasmere.com is a site offering organic baby and tot clothes.  It is offering more money off the more people they get to buy in.  Time remaining is 20hrs at this point.  They WILL NOT charge your card until time is up! 
So spread the word and get more money off!

Free Ream of Copy paper

Staples is offering a free ream of copy paper after rebate between April 7- 10
Hurry and get yours!

Swag bucks

Swagbucks is a term you might have been hearing lately, that's because it's great!!

Here's how it works:

Swagbucks is a search engine that give you points.  After so many points you can cash them in for prizes like gift cards, movies, games, music, etc. 

Click on the banner below to join, its easy and soon you will be on your way to winning prizes! 

Freecycle!

Freecycle.com is one of my favorite sites!!

It works by people posting "offer" ads of stuff they do not want or need anymore. You can also post "wanted" ads for things you really want or need!

That's how I got my breadmaker! ;P

20 Free Prints from Walgreens Today Only

Use the code prints20 at checkout and ship to the store and you wont have to pay shipping either!

Organic Coupons!!!

OrganicValley.com is offering coupons after registration.

Mambo Sprouts is offering coupons by mail after sign up

Mrs. Meyers- sign up for the newsletter and receive $5 off $25 or more purchase

Muir Glen $1 off tomato product after sign up

Stoneyfields is offering several coupons after registration

Cheap Food

Processed Food vs. Fresh Foods.

Which would you choose?

Me? After doing my research and a few "duh!" moments I got it. While processed may be "cheaper" at the store but is it REALLY cheaper in the long run? That processed food will clog your arteries which in turn will give you a $300,000 (roughly with no insurance) heart attack.

People complain about not having the time to make healthier foods. That is because you dont WANT to. Come on, it's totally true. I once heard a quote "What you treasure- your heart will follow." -Pastor Peter Haas and he is right. If you treasure a healthy family then you will work hard to obtain that.

Think outside the box. Use my tips from below like getting a bread maker, freezing fresh veggies for a "on the go day", etc. On lasagna day, only cook half and freeze the other and there is an instant healthy meal. Grab some aspargus and portabella tops, drizzle a little EVOO broil for 20 min and Voila! a perfect healthy meal!

No 'Poo

No 'poo is the act of no longer using chemical filled shampoos and conditioners in your hair. No 'pooing uses baking soda and apple cider vinegar instead. It has been said to make hair much more softer and last longer between 'pooing. The natural oils are not allowed to come out with harsh chemical shampoos, instead the chemicals strip your hair of natural shampoos.

It is often heard from celebrity hairstylists to "not wash your hair as often", many people resond-myself included- that my hair just gets to oily if I dont do it everyday. That is because your hair is over producing oils to get it to the rest of your hair, because the chemicals are stripping them everyday.

The baking soda helps get rid of that build up of oil. The vinegar counteracts with the baking soda for that soft feeling. Lots of people also use honey on a daily basis.

A no 'poo routine for someone who is just getting started would do something like this:

~Day 1: Do 1 tbls of baking soda per 1 cup of warm water. (start out with this and you can add more as you go along as you like. ) Put in squeeze bottle and shake. Starting from the forehead section of the scalp squirt baking soda mixture and work it in with fingers until all over scalp is finished. Rinse. Your hair will feel coarse and stiff. Make the same mixture except with apple cider vinegar this time. Dont worry about the smell it will go away before your hair drys! Rinse.
When you get out of the shower make you have a good bristle brush to help "redistribute" your oils from your scalp to the ends.
~Day 2: Wash scalp with 1 tbls of honey. Rinse

Rotate these days until you feel comfortable then skip the baking soda day. Until eventually you are only using the baking soda mixture once a week. But you can use the honey everyday if you would like.

If you still use chemical shampoos I can only imagine your face right now. I promise you its not as bad as it sounds. And your hair will thank you for it.

Another Class!

Hey yall! I will be teaching a Class coming this fall in Forest Lake and Spring Lake Park, mn! If you are in the area sign up for a good time!

Let me know if you would like more info!

Get geared Up for My class!

Ok people, starting getting pumped up about saving money this fall, and learning how from ME! I will be teaching a Community Education class starting this fall in the Forest Lake, MN area.

For more info please contact me!

The class will go over tips for saving, couponing 101, etc.

Walgreens Shopping List 4/4- 4/10

Dawn Dishsoap
.99 with in store coupon
plus you can use the .25/1 or .50/1 coupons from the past Sundays papers
Limit 3

Walgreens Toothbrushes
3/$1 with in store coupon
Bertolli Dinners
Sale price: 5.99
Plus use the $1/1
=4.99

Walgreens brand baggies
.99 each with in store coupon
Limit 3
*Love this deal!

Dove chocolate Bars
.99 with in store coupon

Lindsay Olives
.99 with in store coupon
Buy 2 and use $1/2 coupon here http://www.lindsayolives.com/go/club-lindsay/overview.html
=.98

Freebi Fridays!

Check out Froobi.com on Fridays for giveaways, this week I got an HP webcam!

Going Orgainc?

My little family is going organic! And since I have had lots of questions thrown my way about it. It IS possible to go organic and still be frugal.

~join a CSA. This is a community Supported Agriculture program that you sign up with local farms and buy a share of whatever crop they are growing this year. Go to eatingwild.com and localharvest.com If you are in the Minneapolis area I highly recommend the Hobbs farm!

~Farmers Markets. This is a biggie! You can get some great deals here and its all fresh and the meat is hormone and cage free! Everything tastes better fresh!

~Keep a look out at your local grocery stores still too! More and more stores are offering a wider variety of organic/vegetarian/ vegan options. But still shop within the sales!

~Eat beans. Beans are a great way to get your much needed protein without breaking the bank of grass fed meat. Start substituting beans instead of meat. Taco salad does not need beef- add black beans or pinto instead! Make Bean burgers, meatless chili, etc.

~Go to your favorite organic brands websites and most of them offer coupons, such as stoneyfield, and organic valley.

More tips!

As I started to venture into the coupon world I also ventured into "making it myself" mode. I now make my own laundry soap, disinfectant, wood cleaner, bread, etc. Doing all these by yourself will save you TONS of money.

Below is the link for my favorite laundry soap recipe. On average it will cost about .50 for 2 gallons of it! It works great and I even use it on my 8 month old's clothes!

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm


Here is also my favorite website for making my own household products. Its so much cheaper, easier and better for those of us with kiddos around (just in case they get into the cabinets like they sometimes do!). This site will show you how to make glass cleaner, wood cleaner, disinfectant, etc.

http://www.squidoo.com/go_green_cleaning



Did you know you can freeze almost anything?? This is another way I recommend saving money. This winter I saw some amazing sales on potatoes (.58 for a 5lb bag sometimes!) boil these, then stick them in the freezer on a cookie sheet, put them in ziploc bags with the date and you have french fries, hash browns, mashed potatoes all ready to go! Healthier than processed potatoes!
Do you get lots of tomatoes from someone you know who grows a garden in the summer? Make your own spaghetti sauce! Chop up lots of tomatoes, throw them in the crock pot with some italian seasoning let it cook then, again, throw in ziploc bags with the date and poof! Homemade pasta sauce for nights on the go!

I also recommend investing in a bread maker. You can get one for under $50 at Walmart or target. All you have to do with these is toss in the ingredients and it kneeds, proofs and bakes it all for you! Put a roast in the crockpot in the morning for supper that evening and bread in the machine and then you have supper ready as soon as you walk in the door! Use the left overs for open faced sandwiches for the next day with those pre-made mashed potatoes you did!

Saving money is all about using what you have. Look through your cabinets before going shopping and be creative and think of recipes you could make! rice? Hamburger? Cream of mushroom soup? Dinner! Cook the hamburger, add the soup and serve over rice!

Unplug all electronics/appliances you are not using. Did you know, even though you may not be using them at the time it is still using 40% of its energy that it would use if it was still on?

Use a clothes line in the summer!


Do you have any more tips? What do you do to save money?

For all my fellow Kentuckians-

For my fellow Kentuckians I will be doing a Kroger List for you weekly- or when I have the time!

Kroger has a Fuel program that I highly recommend joining. As you spend so much you get so much off a gallon of Gas! My husband and I have done this and gotten off .70 a gallon at a time! It is sure helpful in times when gas is so expensive! Kroger also has Double coupons days!! They double up to .50 everyday!



Cottenelle 12 pk:
Sale Price: 5.99

Amick Farms Boneless Skinless chicken breasts:
Sale price 1.99

Johnsonville Smoked Sausage:
sale price: $3.00
use $1/1
=$2.00

Johnsonville Brats and Italian Sausage:
Sale: 3.99
use $1/1
= $2.99

Arm and Hammer laundry detergent:
sale price $3.99
use $1/1
= $2.99

Organic Apples:
.99 lb
*this is a great deal for organic fruit!

Organic baby carrots
2 for $4
*also a great deal on Organic

Amy's Organic Pizzas
$4.99
*another great deal on Organic pizza!

CVS Shopping List 4/4-4/10

CVS has a wonderful program called Extra Care Bucks. I highly recommend joining. The often promote items that you will "earn ECB" from - its more like "cash back" on your next order.


Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner:
Sale Price: 2.99
ECB earned: 1.00
Plus use $2/1
Payment at register: .99
and receive $1 off next order

Stride Shift pack of gum
Sale Price: .99
ECB earned: .99
= Free

Canned Veggies and Broth
Sale price: .50
*I recommend waiting on this. .50 is a little expensive for me- as You can get canned veggies for much much cheaper at a different time with sales and coupons

10 for $10
Tasters choice Coffee
sale price: $1
use $1/1 manufacturer coupon from Sunday paper
=Free

Gold Emblem Pasta
Sale price: .88

Reveal GE lightbulb
sale price: $1.99
Use $1/1 coupon from Sunday paper
=.99

Renpure Organics Shampoo and Conditioner
Sale price:4.99
Rebate form on the actual product
=Free
*I got this deal at Walgreens a few weeks ago except it was BOGO (Buy one get one) and then I did the rebate form escentially getting them both free- this is the deal I recommend- but if you need shampoo this is the way to go!

Head and Shoulders
Sale Price: 4.99
ECB earned: 1.00
Plus use BOGO from 4/4 paper
Get two for 3.99

Skintimate Shave gel
Pay: 3.99
ECB earned: 3.00
like paying .99

Physicians Formula Foundation:
Sale Price: 14.99
ECB earned: 7.99
Plus use $1/1
Payment at register: 13.99

KY yours and Mine:
Sale price 14.99
Use $5/1
Pay: 9.99

Pampers Big Box:
Sale price: 19.99
Plus use the ECB earned from previous sale (the Colgate from last week points) that gives you $4.50 off next pampers order
Plus use $2/1
=13.49

Childrens Motrin/Tylenol:
Sale price: 8.99
Use $3/1 manufacturer coupons from a few weeks ago
=5.99

Johnsons baby Shampoo and Wash:
Sale price: 2.99
Use $1/1 manufacturer coupon
= 1.99

Prilosec:
Sale Price: 24.99
ECB earned: 5.00
Plus use $3/1
Pay at register: 21.99

Charmin 9 ct and 12 ct:
Sale price: 4.99
Use .25/1
=4.74
* this is a great deal! I shoot to never pay over $5 for TP! Limit is 3 and I recommend getting all 3 and storing them!

Tide:
Sale price: 5.97
use $1/1 manu. coupon
=$4.97


Dawn Dish soap:
Sale price .96
use .50/1
=.46

Downy:
sale price: 3.99
use $1/1
=2.99

Cascade:
Sale price: 2.99
Use .50/1
=2.49


Total without coupons:
$128.17

With coupons:
$94.45

Savings of $33.72

ECB off next trip:18.99 your next shopping trip could be FREE!

Getting Started:

Over these months I have had several people ask me about my money savings tips. Here is what you need to get started:



Here are my tips.

1. Subscribe to the Sunday paper. It's cheaper than if you go buy it every Sunday or you could do that too, whichever.

2. Get a coupon book. I have mine in just a 3 ring binder with dividers and page protectors. I have them divided up from baby, household, personal, resturants/outings, etc.

3. Do you remember that memory game when you were a kid? its kinda like that. I look through the sale ads (they are in the paper too) and keep in my head what I need that week and what looks like a good deal. Then I clip the coupons. Then I go back again and look at the sale ads and match up the coupons.

4. You can use a STORE coupon AND a Manufacturer coupon for the same thing. For example. Huggies is on sale at target right now for 8.99. I have a target coupon for $1 off Huggies then I just printed off a $3 off. So that makes $4 off 8.99 which means I only pay $4.99. I have never paid over $5 for diapers.

5. Get a feel for what is a good price in your area. Ie: Last week shredded cheese was on sale for .99 THAT IS A GREAT deal since it is usually about $2-3. So i stocked up (you can freeze shredded cheese). Now I know to NEVER pay over .99 for cheese because I have seen it get that low. Same with coffee. CVS has the coffee i drink right now on a 10/10 sale. So I will stock up and never pay over $1 for my coffee.

6. Subscribe to coupon/freebie sites like mysavings.com I get free stuff all the time. Also, every now and again you run into something where they are giving away a full amount not just a sample size. I got a full bottle of Pantene fruit fushion in the mail. Didn't pay a dime for it. PLUS they gave me $2 off coupons. SO with that I will wait until say CVS has a store coupon of $2 off combined that is $4 off- and I think pantene is about 4.50 so I will only pay .50!

7. Find out your stores coupon policies. We have a grocery store in town who does double coupon days- they will double 5 manu. coupons- so you give them your highest amounts $1 will turn into $2 off.

8. Keep a log of your savings, I right mine a book, my mom in law writes hers on her actual products. I bought Gillete body wash from Target for free a few weeks ago and that was a 3.99 value. that doesn't sound like much but 3.99 over the course off 52 weeks is $207.48 I can think of stuff to do with $207 bucks that dont involve giving it to Target if I dont wanna!