Reputable Internet Resources

There are many coupon resources out there on the web. If you are going to sign up to any of them, make sure you have a separate email account for all incoming messages. You might be surprised how much spam you'll get.

Here are a few sites I really enjoy and only receive legitimate coupons and information:

Right@Home - An S C Johnson company providing coupons for products such as Windex, Glade, Scrubbing Bubbles...etc.

VocalPoint - offers free samples, coupons, surveys about products in return they would like you to leave feedback regarding the product they sent you. I've received FREE Kashi cereal coupons, FREE Rice Krispies cereal coupons, FREE samples of Olay Pro-x and Secret Clinical Strength.

Betty Crocker - offers coupons and recipes related to General Mills products, also has an area where you can input what ingredients you have on hand to create a meal.

P&G Everyday Solutions - offers coupons and incentives for Proctor & Gamble products, and eSaver coupons you can load to your Kroger Plus Card

Marzetti - receive coupons and offers by signing up

Home Solutions News - offers coupons and tips for household products

Enjoy!

CVS Scenario 11/8-11-14

CVS has been pretty slow lately. I hope they decide to do some great deals during the next couple of months.

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.

Here's my scenario for this week:

I'm starting with $5 ECB and $5 ECB from last week's deal.

There is a $5 off $20 coupon and a $5 off $30 coupon floating around. Depending on which coupon you want to use will depend on your OOP. I'm planning on using the $5 off $20 coupon for the Huggies deal in two weeks (more about that later on).

So I'm going to use my $5 off $30 since it expires 11/17.

1st order:
EARinse $7.99
Rimmell Mascara $6.99
(2) fillers $.66 total
= 4 items $15.64
- $3 off $15 coupon
- $2/1 coupon Rimmell Mascara All You magazine November issue
- $5 ECB from last week
- $5 ECB from last week
= $.64 OOP and receive $7.99 ECB and $4 ECB

2nd order
(2) Children's Claritin $10.00 each
(2) Scott Paper Towels $4.96 each
(3) fillers $.99
= 7 items $30.91
- $5 off $30 coupon
- $7.99 ECB from previous order
- $4 ECB from previous order
- (2) $1/1 coupon 11/1 SS Scott Paper Towels
- (2) $3/1 coupon Claritin HERE
= $5.92 OOP and receive $10 ECB for next week

Total of $46.55 worth of merchandise for $6.56 saving 85%.

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

Enjoy!

RECIPE: Homemade Marshmallows

I've been wanting to make homemade marshmallows ever since I saw an episode of Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa. Then the other day Giada De Laurentiis did an episode of Sugar Rush on her Giada at Home series, where she made homemade marshmallows. I had picked up on the Knox Gelatin money-maker at Publix and have 4 boxes of unflavored gelatin and needed to figure out something yummy to make. And then of course, covering the letter "M" during homeschool makes it absolutely necessary to make marshmallows!

Here's what we made and how we did it:

Homemade Marshmallows
3 packages unflavored gelatin
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon flavored extract - we used Strawberry
food coloring - a few drops to color the marshmallows
colored sugar

Combine the gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water in a large mixing bowl; set aside.

Meanwhile, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt and 1/2 cup of water in small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook until the syrup reaches 240 degrees F with a candy thermometer. Remove from heat.

Carefully pour the hot syrup into the dissolved gelatin while running the mixer on low.

Increase speed to high and whip the mixture until it's very thick - about 8-10 minutes with a hand mixer. Other recipes state it can take as long as 15 minutes using a stand mixer.

Add the extract and the food coloring mixing thoroughly.


Prepare a 13 x 9 non-metallic pan by generously sprinkling it with powdered sugar. I think when we make this again, I'll spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray and then coat it with powdered sugar to be able to get an easy release from the sides.

Pour the marshmallow mix into the prepared pan smoothing the top. Sprinkle the top with more powdered sugar or with colored sugar. Allow to dry uncovered at room temperature for at least 6 hours.

To remove the marshmallows from the pan, carefully loosen the sides from the pan with a spatula and then sprinkling with powdered sugar so it won't stick back to the pan. You should be able to pull and lift the entire marshmallow from the pan and place on a cutting board.

Using a very sharp knife (Giada used kitchen shears) cut the marshmallows into squares. Dip the knife into powdered sugar to keep it from sticking to the marshmallows. Press the sides of each piece into powdered sugar.


Then store uncovered at room temperature.


Let me tell you - these things taste like little puffy clouds of sweet goodness! You'll never buy marshmallows again!!!

Enjoy!

This has been linked to:

• FNCCC (Food Network Chefs Cooking Challenge) at I Blame My Mother
  

Baking Day Part 2 - and what a day!

So the second of Baking Day didn't go as planned. I had such high hopes, but you know what the scripture says at Proverbs 19:21 about man's plans.

My son developed a really high fever last night (102.8) and was completely not himself. He didn't eat supper and after I gave him some Motrin and he was asleep within 15 minutes. So this morning after checking his temperature (it was down to 99.8) I called the doctor and she recommended a visit. So off to the doctor we went. Thankfully, it's not the flu or an ear infection (which surprised me and the doc). She thinks it was a virus probably running 24-48 hours.

So after the doctor's appointment we went by Walmart to check the prices on the Campbell Soupturkeys and then to Target to pick up on the cereal deal. I wanted to get to Food Lion but the my kids and I were pooped.

When we got home I put a movie on for Haylei for "quiet time" and I tried to put Hunter down for a nap. I tried to get the waffles done and make more Chewy Granola Bars, only I did chocolate chip this time.

After an unsuccessful attempt at naptime for my 16 month old, I opted for the pack-n-play in the kitchen and letting him "help".

and I mixed up two boxes of the Krusteaz waffle mixes I picked up at Publix the other week. It made a total of 18 waffles and unfortunately I had a little bit of a mishap:

I guess there's a first time for everything.

Maybe I'll have a better go at it next month.

Target Shopping Trip 11/4/09

(5) Huggies Wipes $1.49 each
(2) Granola Bars $.99 each
Honey Bear for Baking Day $3.19
(2) Glade Sense & Spray $1.99 each
(4) Kellogg's Cereal $.50 each
Paint $3.49 -- homeschool projects
Pipe Cleaners $1.49 -- homeschool projects
(2) Anniversary cards $3.99 & $1.99
- $5 Gift Card
= OOP $27.17 and saved $28.35 (51%)

Enjoy!

Walmart Turkey Alert $.40 - .60 Per Pound

While at Walmart to confirm the Campbell Soup Deal, I also checked on the turkey special. They have Riverside brand frozen turkeys for $.40/lb and Butterball frozen turkeys for $.60/lb.

Here's what I got today:


16.44 lb Riverside Turkey $6.58
8 Campbell Soups $.64
1 flushable wipes $1.27 -- (training a "self-wiper")
= $8.49 OOP, saved $4.00 (32%)

Enjoy!

Family Fun Friday: Georgia Aquarium $20 Tickets

The Georgia Aquarium is offering a tickets for only $20 (regular price is $35 for adults). You can take advantage of this special price by wearing your Atlanta Falcons gear to the Aquarium the Friday before a home game. Tickets are available at the box office or online, just make sure you are wearing your Falcons gear when you arrive! Tickets are available for the following dates:

• November 6, 2009
• November 27, 2009
• December 4, 2009
• December 11, 2009

Enjoy!

Food Lion: Kraft Cheese Special (11/4-11/10)

You must have your MVP card to take advantage of these specials at these locations. Check your local ad HERE.

These prices are good at the following locations:
180 Maple Crossing, Carrollton, GA
487 Hwy 29 N, Newnan, GA
59 Main St, Dawsonville, GA
2005 W Hwy 16 Sargent, GA
12160 County Line Rd, Fayetteville, GA

Kraft Cheese 8 oz Block or Shredded package
Buy 1 at $2.79, 2 at $2.00 each, 3 at $1.66 each, 4 at $1.50 each
-$1/2 coupon HERE or HERE
- $.50/1 FLIP HERE
Use (2) Kraft $1/2 coupon + FLIP coupon
= $.88 each WYB 4



Visit Southern Savers for a complete coupon match-up.


Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday: Enjoying a Beautiful Fall Day 11/4/09

monkey-ing around

I cannot resist those baby blues!!!
"Don't eat it!"



"Blow the dandelion like this"...


Visit more Wordless Wednesday participants HERE.

Enjoy!

Walmart Deal Alert: Campbell's Soup *** UPDATED ***

Walmart prices are regional so your mileage may vary, meaning this might not be a deal in our area. I'll check it out and let you know what I find.

Apparently Walmart has rolled back prices on Campbell Cooking Soup to $.58 a can. You can use a $1/2 coupon HERE to get them for $.08 each.

Remember if your Walmart gives you a hassle about printable coupons, print their coupon policy and take it with you. Be kind. If they don't get it, just leave. It's not worth getting all riled up.

Thanks Mojo Savings!

Enjoy!

*********** UPDATED **************
I went to Walmart and confirmed this Campbell's Soup deal.
Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom soup are $.58 each:

Go out and get your $.08 soup!

Enjoy!

CVS $5 off $30 Coupon

CVS has another coupon offer for $5 off $30 purchase. Go HERE and complete this Medicare Part D Quiz to print your coupon.

Thanks Mojo Savings!

Enjoy!

RECIPE: Chewy Granola Bars

I made Chewy Granola Bars using this recipe and tweaking it like this:

Chewy Granola Bars
1 cup melted butter (I used the Smart Balance Butter Blends)
1 cup honey
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup Rice Krispies cereal
1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup cinnamon chips - (I picked these up on clearance at Publix)

Mix everything together in large mixing bowl until sticky. Press into a 13x9 baking dish and bake in preheated 325 degree F oven for 10 minutes. Remove and press down again. Return to the oven and bake 10-15 minutes more or until golden brown. Cool completely, cut into bars and then freeze to prevent crumbling.

Enjoy!

Baking Day Plan of Action 11/3/09

I decided to join Money Saving Mom and Life as Mom on Freezing Cooking/Baking Day or #bakingday Twitter feed.

My children were driving me crazy and I really needed some sanity so we spent some much needed outdoor time at the park playing and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. This put me a little late joining in the Baking day fun, but my kids come first and now I can blog and bake in peace and quiet -- loving naptime. Plus my momma stopped by and took my daughter with her to spend the rest of the afternoon at their house. So with that said I plan to make Chewy Granola Bars today.

Tomorrow I plan to make Marshmallows (for our homeschool project for the letter M), Whole Wheat Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, Waffles for the freezer, and Pizza Dough for the freezer.

Stay tuned for more Baking Day recipes and meals. You can follow me on twitter (gapeachmom) and you can see what others are doing at Money Saving Mom or Life as Mom.

Enjoy!

CVS Sneak Peek for 11/15-11/21

Here's a great deal to check out for CVS during the week of November 15-21, 2009.

Get $10 ECB When You Buy CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation for $13 and CoverGirl Simply Ageless Blush for $10.

Use the B1G1 FREE coupon in the 11/1 P&G insert which states: Buy a Cover Girl foundation and get a Cover Girl face product FREE.

AND use $1/1 any Cover Girl cosmetics coupon in the same insert.

You'll be out of pocket $12 plus tax and receive $10 ECB making both items $1 each. Not too bad for cosmetics.

You can see the weekly ad on I Heart CVS site.

Enjoy!

Family Fun: Zoo Atlanta Discount Tickets

The Savvy Shopper has another discount ticket offer for Zoo Atlanta. This coupon is good for up to four (4) people and expires 12/31/09. Mention SAVVY SHOPPER when you buy your tickets for $3.00 off General Admission. This offer is not valid with any other offers or discounts.

Also don't forget if you are a Bank of America card holder (credit card, ATM or check card), you qualify for FREE admission to participating museums, zoos, science centers, botanical gardens and more on the FIRST FULL WEEKEND of every month, just present your Bank of America card.

There are over 100 museums participating, follow the link HERE to see if there is one near you.

Here are the ones participating in Georgia:

• Atlanta History Center
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History
• Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Zoo Atlanta
• Millennium Gate

Enjoy!

Family Fun: Disney Live! Rockin' Road Show

Disney is having another great show for the kids. It's called the Rockin' Road Show. This show will be in Atlanta on December 20, 2009 and show times are 12 noon and 3 p.m. at the Philips Arena. I received the Savvy Shopper in the mail with a discount ticket offer of $14. This is a limited time offer and valid on the $40, $25 and $14 priced seats. This offer expires December 1, 2009. You can get this offer three (3) ways: by calling 1-800-745-3000 and mention code: ATLROCK; going in person to Philips Arena Box Office and bring the coupon from your Savvy Shopper; or loggin into www.ticketmaster.com and enter code: ATLROCK.

It looks like a great show and I'm thinking about taking my kiddos to see it.

If you're not in the Atlanta area, the show is on the road and you can visit HERE to see where they will be next.

Enjoy!

Monthly Totals - October 2009

I did better than last month but still over budget. I've read some other blogs and sites to get some ideas on how to do better. Some of the ladies suggested taking only cash with you to the store and using only the amount you brought with you. I might try this approach this month. Here are my totals for the month of October.

Grocery Stores:
Total OOP $262.25. This works out to be $65.56 each week for groceries (over budget $15.56).

Drug Stores:
Total OOP $30.25. This works out to be $7.57 each week for drug store related purchases.

I ended up with $1388.11 worth of product for $292.50 saving $1095.61 (78.93%). ($73.13 combined weekly OOP).

Hope you had a great month!

You can see how others are doing by reading more at Money Saving Mom.

Enjoy!

Shopping Trip 11/2/09: Aldi, CVS, Walgreens

I decided to venture out today and visit the Aldi store in Fayetteville, Georgia. I was pleasantly surprised. If you have never shopped at Aldi before, let me explain a few things. First you need to have a quarter in hand to get your grocery cart. You push your quarter in the slot and then you're free to roam. When you return the cart, you push the connector back in place and out pops your quarter. It's a great incentive the store has to keep the carts from flying across the parking lot and dinging your car. You will also need to BYOB -- no, not Bring Your Own Beer! - Bring Your Own BAGS! If you don't have reusable green bags, just bring some of your previously used plastic grocery bags you have hanging out in your pantry or laundry room. If you've already recycled them, bring a box or laundry basket you can tote them in from your car to the house. If you don't want to do that, you can always pay for some bags at Aldi, they range in price from $.10-$.25. Aldi stores also do NOT accept coupons. They rarely have National brands on hand, but even if they do, you cannot use a coupon. I found their prices on dairy and produce is well worth your trip. This is what I got today:


I picked up all this for $34.94.

Here's the breakdown:

Sliced pepperoni $1.99
40 ct Freezer quart bags $1.95
30 ct Freezer gallon bags $1.95
Lunch buddies (Lunchable with drink) $1.79 (for my little shopping buddies)
White Bread $.79
Whole Wheat Bread $1.19
Quick grits $1.09
(2) 20 ct plastic cups $.99 each
Sprinkles $.79
Tortilla chips $.99
2.24 lb bananas $.87 ($.39/lb)
1.96 lb bananas $.76
(2) 2 lb pkg red grapes $.99 each ($.49/lb) (I thought they were $.99 per pound and positively thrilled when they were per package!)
2% milk gallon $1.49
(2) Avocados $.95 each
2 lb bag tangerines $1.99 ($.99/lb)
3 lb bag Gala apples $1.19 ($.39/lb)
Butter $1.69
16 oz sour cream $.89
3 heads garlic $.69
(2) 10 lb bags potatoes $3.49 each ($.35/lb)

I'll definitely need to work out a new routine so I can head to Fayetteville to go shopping. We live in a small town and it takes me roughly 15-25 minutes to get to any grocery store. If I can do all of my shopping in Fayetteville, it might be completely worth the trip.


CVS
I really wanted the Olay lotion deal but the store I went to didn't have any on the shelves. The manager said they should have some later this week...in the mean time, this is what I purchased today:

(4) Oral B pulsar $5.99
double AJC $2.50
Tootsie Pop bag $1.49
- (2) BOGO pulsar coupons
- (2) $.75 pulsar coupons
- $10 ECB from last week
= $5.47 OOP, saved $24.99 (82%) received $5 ECB

Walgreens
(2) Sense & Spray $4.99
Glade candle $3.99
(2) Almay Mascara $6.99 and $3.50
(2) Herbal Essence hairspray $3.50
Gillette Antiperspirant $4.00
Almay foundation $9.99
(2) Chocolate candy $.25 each
- $10 RR from last week
- $4 Almay Walgreen coupon from November coupon booklet x 2
- (2) $4 Sense & Spray coupons
- $3.50 Herbal Essence
- $1.00 coupon Glade candle
= $9.76 OOP, saved $55.25 (85%) received $10RR, $1RR, $2RR


Check out what others are saving: Grocery Cart Challenge (Monday Shopping Round Up), Fiddledeedee Mom (Monday Publix Super Savers) , Money Saving Mom (Super Savings Saturday), I Heart Publix (Saturday Weekly Totals), Southern Savers (Friday Finals), Thrifty Mama (Shopping Superstars)



Enjoy!

Menu Planning Monday 11/2/09

Monday: Lasagna Soup and Mini Bloomin' Biscuits

Tuesday: Tacos and rice and beans

Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner: Breakfast Casserole, grits, toast

Thursday: Mediterranean Fish Stew and crunchy bread

Friday: Pizza using Homemade Pizza (add 1/2 tsp McCormick's Italian Seasoning Grinder to the flour)

Saturday: BBQ Chicken sandwiches, Freezer Cole Slaw, Cheese Fries

Sunday: Whole Chicken in the Crock Pot, rice and peas and carrots

Check out other menu planning ideas at Organizing Junkie.

Enjoy!

.

New Coupons Available

It's the first of the month and coupons.com has reset their coupons. So make sure you head over there to print them. Always print the limit (usually 2 from each computer in your home) and make sure you print the coupon now because the company can always remove it without notice.

Enjoy!

Stockpiling: My Cabinets are Screamin'!

This is Part II of a series of stockpiling solutions: My Cabinets are Screamin' - Where Should I Store Everything? (You can read Part I: What can I freeze?)

When I started stockpiling kitchen and bathroom items, I was worried because we have a small house. We don't have much cabinet space for pantry items and that includes health & beauty products. I had no idea how I could have room for stockpiling. So I had to get creative without spending alot of money. That's the idea of couponing and stockpiling, right?

When we first started out stockpiling, I was purchasing everything that was FREE after coupons and store rewards (ECB or RR) and what I needed at the moment. My theory was (and still is) "why pay for it full price when you can get it FREE or nearly so when it's on sale". So needless to say over the last several months we have accumulated quite a stash of razors, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, tampons, feminine pads, hair coloring kits, body washes, toothpastes, toothbrushes, flosses, mouthwashs...My bathroom cabinets were booby-trapped! Nearly everytime we opened the door to get something out, 4 or 5 other things fell out. It got to be ridiculous and my husband finally said something needed to be done about it. While shopping for the deals one week, I noticed CVS had marked down their storage containers 75% off at the end of summer. So I snagged two of them for around $2 each. I sorted through everything and placed shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotions and soap in one container and slid it under our bed. The other container is slap full of razors of every kind imaginable. It also resides under the bed. I found another plastic container I purchased at Walmart a few years ago to hold my daughter's crib sheets and what-nots under her crib. I pulled it out and filled it with toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash and floss. It still sits behind the door in the bedroom but after this post, I'm going to move it under the bed as well. (I'm feeling a little guilty knowing it's taking up much needed space.)

As for the bathroom, my husband's side of the cabinet is full of bathroom cleaning supplies and extra bars of soap. My side of the cabinet is full of feminine products, Q-Tips and beach towels. We have a narrow wall cabinet we purchased when we first moved into our house 8 years ago to hold bath towels and knick-knacks. Now the bottom cabinet of that is stocked full of hair color kits. I store toilet paper in our garage, but that's another story for another post...

Now that our stockpile is pretty complete, I only purchase what's FREE after coupons and store rewards. There really is no need to do impulse shopping. If there is something we are running low on, I put it on a list on my fridge and keep my eyes open for sales. If worse comes to worse and we run out before a sale, I'll use accumulated store rewards to get what we need, which makes it essentially FREE.

Be creative, there's more space in your small house than you may think. Dust bunnies may not be happy you are infringing on their space, but your family will be happy they are not setting off booby-traps anymore!

Enjoy!