Sunday Coupon Preview 12/27/09

Go to Sunday Coupon Preview to see what to expect in your newspaper inserts this weekend.

Enjoy!

Family Fun: Zoo Atlanta $9 Tickets

Jennifer at Atlanta on the Cheap found a great deal on tickets to Zoo Atlanta.  You can get tickets for ONLY $9 and use them until March 31, 2010.  But you have to hurry, the offer expires 12/28/2009.  Go HERE to read the details.


Enjoy!

COUPONS: Con Agra $25 Coupon Booklet

I participated in a similar offer earlier this year and the booklet was filled with great coupons including some for FREE stuff!  Make sure you buy $10 worth of participating Con Agra products and complete the form and postmark it by April 10, 2010.  

Thanks Frugal Living and Having Fun!


Enjoy!

RECIPE: Sweet Potato Casserole or Souffle

This is a yummy vegetable/dessert however you want to consider it.  It's great with a Baked Ham or a Baked Turkey dinner. It is one of my absolute favorites, and I know you will love it as much too :)

Sweet Potato Casserole (or Souffle)

2 cups sweet potatoes (baked or boiled in skins)

When sweet potatoes are done cool and remove skins, then mash.

2 eggs

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup white sugar

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla extract ( I prefer the good kind) :)

Mix well, pour into a buttered  8x 8 baking dish.

Topping:

1/2 stick butter, softened, but not melted

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup self-rising flour

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Mix butter, brown sugar, flour and pecans.  Don't overmix should be a slightly dry texture.

Sprinkle on top of the sweet potato mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or mixture test 160-170 degrees.

Enjoy!

BZZ Agent: L'Oreal Paris Lash Boosting

I received my BzzCampaign today for L'Oreal Paris Lash Boosting Technology.  I can't wait to try it out and let you know if it makes my lashes thicker and fuller.  I'll be posting before and after pictures so you can see the difference too!

Has anyone else tried this product?  If you have, I'd love to hear what you thought about it.

Thanks!

.

Stockpiling: Last Minute Gifts?

This is Part IV in a series on Stockpiling solutions: Last Minute Gifts? Blessings of stockpiling. (You can read Part I: What can I freeze?; Part II: My cabinets are screamin'! Bathroom solutions; Part III: My kitchen is booby-trapped! Kitchen solutions.)

Have you ever needed a last minute gift? Maybe you forgot about a baby shower. Or maybe you have a friend who's getting married and need a last minute wedding shower gift. This is another reason why I love stockpiling. Everyone needs the essentials, whether it's for a new baby or for their new home. Stockpiling essentials at the bottom dollar saves you money and they can save your hide when you're in a pinch.

If you're a mother, you know how important diapers and wipes are. Heaven-forbid we actually run out of diapers! When the drug stores run a store reward for diapers, you can definitely be assured I'm going to pick up on it. When I hear about a great wipe deal at the department store, you can bet your britches I'll be making my way to pick up my fair share. Having these products on hand are without a doubt counted as baby essentials. But they also make wonderful gifts.

Bathroom essentials are other great stockpilable (is that a word?!?) products. How many FREE razors and toothbrushes and deodorant can one person have anyway? Don't get me wrong. I'm right there with the rest of you picking up my FREE stuff to roll my store rewards. Have you considered including some of these essentials in a gift for the new mommy? She did carry the baby for 9 months and went through who-knows-how-many-hours of labor and delivery. Wouldn't it be nice to pamper her with some of the latest toiletries? Razors, shaving gel, lotions, shower gel, nail polish...etc.

Then we have the newlyweds. This is where you can get really creative with your stockpiled essentials. Say you were able to purchase boxes of Uncle Ben's Rice or pouches of Knorr Rice Sides and cans of Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup. And maybe you were able to pick up on the Pyrex casserole clearance. You can put these items together along with a little handmade recipe card with a simple recipe for Chicken and Rice Casserole. Or you can buy an inexpensive cookbook from Amazon.com for $.01 (These are usually pre-owned in good condition and you pay a nominal shipping fee.) and include this in your gift. Another pantry related gift is to combine cake or brownie mixes with cake pans or muffin tins. Wrap in a bow with a wooden spoon attached and "Voila!" You've got yourself a great gift.

Or you can create a gift made up of cleaning and household products. A friend and I did this for a bridal shower a few years ago and it was a huge success. It went something like this:

"Once upon a time there was a SCHICK young lady who met a SUAVE and BRAWNY young man in a beautiful GLADE. After dating for a while, the CHARMIN’ young man PLEDGEd his love to his ANGEL. She REACHed for him to give him a SNUGGLE. His fear of rejection was OUSTed when it DAWNed on him that she had said yes to his proposal. He SHOUTed with JOY! He WISPed away any worries she might have with his DOWNY CARESSes.

So, bride's name, as you go through the CASCADE of marriage with groom's name, just remember ANYWHERE you are together will be like riding high on the CREST of life. ALL the bad times will go up in a PUFF of smoke, as your FANTASTIK hopes and dreams come true with BUBBLES of happiness."

or you can choose something like this:

"We gather together with you to celebrate the (dawn) of a new (era). Marriage is a journey. Some days it will be pure (joy) but let's take a moment and talk about the others.

There may come a time when you realize your big (brawny) guy isn't necessarily (Mr. Clean). When this and other little glitches occur, don't (shout) or send up an (SOS). Go (easy-on) him. Hopefully the (Tide) will change quickly, tensions will (vanish), and things will (bounce) back to normal.

We think you and "groom" are a (fantastic) couple with a (zest) for life and a sincere appreciation for each other. We fully support you as you and "groom" (pledge) to spend your lives as one.

We wish you all the best... Including love, happiness and lots of time to (snuggle)."

You can put the items in a large laundry basket with a big bow and "ta-da" you've got yourself the best gift any new bride or groom would love to have.

It's such a blessing to be able to share your stockpile with others. Knowing you are helping someone is a wonderful gift in itself. So next time you are in a pinch, get your creative juices flowing by looking through your stockpiled items. See what kind of gifts you can make from what you already have on hand.

Have you made a gift from your stockpile? I'd love to know what you used and how you did it.

Enjoy!

This post has been linked to:

• Coupon Teacher's Thrifty Thrusday
  

Meal Plan Monday 12/21/09

Weekly Breakfasts: cereal, bananas, yogurt
Weekly Snacks & Lunches: macaroni cheese with peas, chicken nuggets with carrot sticks & ranch dressing, applesauce, cheese sticks

Monday: Ginger Orange Teriyaki Fish with whole wheat noodles, broccoli, peas & carrots

Tuesday: Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole with Peasant Bread (makes 2 loaves, one tonight and other other for Thursday night).


Wednesday: Breakfast for Supper: Waffles, Sausage, Grits

Thursday: Poor Man's Beef Vegetable Soup with Peasant Bread

Friday:   Dinner with family
 

Saturday: Lunch: Bean Quesadillas using Mexican Chili Beans and Dinner: Fiesta Enchiladas served with lettuce, salsa, avocado and Mexican rice (didn't eat these last week, made Classic Turkey Dinner instead)

Sunday: Lunch: sandwiches and chips and  
Dinner: Pizza - BBQ Chicken with Pineapple

If you are interested in learning more about menu planning, visit Organizing Junkie every Monday for others who plan their weekly meals.

Enjoy!

Ingles Deals Under $1 (12/13-12/26) Georgia

You must have a Ingles Advantage card for coupons to be doubled. Coupons of $.50 or less will be doubled, except on tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, coffee, free items, or Ingles coupons. No more than (2) identical coupons will double. They only except 2 identical internet coupons per manufacturer product per visit per day. They reserve the right to reject any internet coupon that is altered or does not scan properly. Please check with your local store as some coupon policies change frequently: Currently you may have 3 coupons doubled per every $10 purchased...3 for $10, 6 for $20, 9 for $30, 12 for $40, 15 for $50...etc.

This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering.

Make sure you read your neighborhood weekly ad HERE. This is a two-week ad, and a big one!
 
Remember Ingles is a repeat from last week.

Enjoy!

Kroger Deals Under $1 (12/20-12/26) Georgia

View your weekly ad HERE. Make sure you have your Kroger Plus Card to take advantage of these savings.

Produce Specials:
Fuji Apples $.99/lb
Yellow Onions 3lb bag $1.99 each ($.67/lb)
Sweet Potatoes $.69/lb
Yellow Squash $.99/lb

Meat & Poultry
Sanderson Farms Fresh Split Chicken Breast $.99/lb

Kroger Value Drumstick or Thighs $.99/lb
Perdue Fresh Oven Stuffer $.99/lb
Fresh Leg Quarters $.39/lb
Fresh Boston Butt Pork Roast $.99/lb
Heartland Shank Portion Ham $.99/lb
Fresh Ground Beef Flavorseal package 73% 5 lb roll $1.25/lb

Other Specials:
Bird's Eye or Green Giant Vegetables 7-12 oz varieties $1 (Steamfresh excluded)
- $.50/2 eCoupon
- $.50/1 coupon 11/15 SS & 12/6 SS
= FREE 

Philadelphia cream cheese $1.25
- $1/1 coupon HERE (publix logo but mfr coupon)
- $1/1 coupon Publix Greenwise magazine Winter 2009 issue
= $.25 each

Nestle Cookie Dough 16-18 oz $2.00
- $1/1 coupon All You magazine November 2009 issue
- $1/1 coupon HERE
- $1.50/1 coupon HERE
= $.50 - 1.00 each

Campbell's Cream of Mushroom or Chicken $.75 each
- $1/4 coupon HERE
= $.50 each WYB 4

Kotex Pads 14-24 ct, Liners 33-64 ct, Tampons 18 ct $2.50
- $1/1 coupon All You magazine October 2009 issue
- $1/1 eCoupon
= $1.50 

Ivory 12 oz Body Wash or 3 pk bars $1.00


Speedstick Deodorant $1.00

ALL Laundry Detergent 32-40 load or Wisk 2X Liquid 32 load $3.99
- $2/1 coupon 12/6 RP ALL coupon
= $1.99 (stockpile price)

For a complete coupon match up, visit Southern Savers.

Enjoy!

Scrappin' Sunday: Gift Card "Happy Forever" Card

This is a great card to make when you want to give someone a gift card. It was really easy to make. You can follow the directions in this tutorial.

Remember to leave a comment with a link to your creations.

Enjoy!

.

RECIPE: Lasagna Soup

I love this original recipe for Lasagna soup but when we were able to get Ragu pasta sauce on sale for $.37 a jar a few months ago, I really wanted to utilize it in recipes other than the classic spaghetti, lasagna or pizza dishes. So of course I tweaked this recipe to make it more palatable for my family and this is what I came up with:

Lasagna Soup
1 onion finely diced
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic finely minced
choice of meat (ground beef, Italian sausage, meatballs...)
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cups jarred spaghetti sauce
4 cups chicken (or vegetable or beef) stock
2 bay leaves
8 oz pasta (Rotini, Fusilli, Campanelle,Corkscrew)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
shredded Mozzarella cheese

In a large Dutch oven, heat oil to medium heat and saute onion until golden. Add garlic and warm through about 1 minute before adding your choice of meat. Brown the meat, remove any extra fat. Add oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, spaghetti sauce, chicken stock and bay leaves. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Add pasta and increase heat to bring to a boil and cook for recommended time on pasta box for "al dente". Discard bay leaves and adjust seasonings by adding salt & pepper. Stir in fresh parsley and serve with a sprinkling of shredded Mozzarella cheese.

This is really yummy and super easy. It's a great way to use jarred spaghetti sauces other than classic preparations.

Enjoy!

Homeschool: "Q" is for Queen

So this week we were learning about the letter "Q". We sang songs about quacking ducks and picked up a book at the library about quacking ducks. But when it came to our Bible story/attribute, we read about wicked Queen Jezebel. I explained to Haylei we were going to read about a bad queen and then later we'd read about a good queen (Queen Esther). But she was more concerned about the bad Queen Jezebel. At least she understood that not everyone can be approved by God.

Boy "Q" was a hard letter!

Enjoy!

Walgreens Scenario (12/20-12/26) Rolling RRs

If you are new to Walgreens shopping with Register Rewards (RR), you might find it helpful to read this post HERE by Andrea at Mommy Snacks.

These deals start Sunday, check your local ad HERE. You can view an early ad HERE courtesy of I Heart Wags. Visit Southern Savers for a complete coupon match up.

Walgreens is having another 4 Day Sale Starting 12/23-12/26

Last week I picked up another pack of diapers and a box of Claritin so I have a total of $22 RR.  I'm planning to use both $5 RR I received for the spend $25 get $5 RR deal on Sunday since they expire 12/20/09.
Here's what I plan to do:

1st order
(1) Claritin $19.99 (Get $3 RR)
(1) St Ives Body Wash $1.49 (NADQ limit 3)
= $21.48
- $5 RR
- $5 RR
- $4/1 Claritin coupon 11/15 SS
- $4/1 Walgreens Claritin coupon December coupon booklet
- (1) $1/1 St Ives coupon 11/15 SS
= $2.48 OOP + I'll probably need to buy 3 fillers, hopefully something cheap will be nearby, receive $3 RR for next week

Read How to create your own scenarios.


Visit Money Saving Mom and Deal Seeking Mom for other scenarios.

Enjoy!

This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering.

CVS Scenarios (12/20-12/26) Rolling ECBs

You can view the early ad HERE courtesy of I Heart CVS. You can view the week's coupon match up at Southern Savers HERE. And if you are new to CVS and want to learn the game, read this tutorial by Lissa at Saving Your Cents.

Here's my scenario for this week:

I'm starting with $9.99 ECB & $.99 ECB from last week's shopping trip.

1st order:
(1) Nivea Body Wash 16.9 oz $5.99 (Get $5 ECB limit 1)
(1) Revlon Super Lustrous or Moon Drops Lipstick $6.99 (Get $5 ECB limit 3)
(2) ThermaCare Neck to Arm Wrap 1 ct $2.49 (Get $2.49 ECB limit 5)
= 4 items $17.96
- $9.99 ECB from last week
- $.99 ECB from last week
- $2/1 Nivea Body Wash coupon HERE
- $2/1 Revlon coupon 11/15 SS (EXP 12/20/09)
- $1/1 ThermaCare Wrap (no count on coupon) coupon CVS CRT
= $1.98 OOP and receive $5 ECB, $5 ECB, $4.98 ECB


Check out other scenarios at Deal Seeking Mom and Money Saving Mom.

Read Coupon 101: Create Your Own Scenarios.

Enjoy!

This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering.

Sunday Coupon Preview 12/20/09

Go to Sunday Coupon Preview to see what to expect in your newspaper inserts this weekend.

Enjoy!