Just for Fun: Neat gift idea!

I read several crafting blogs along with frugal/couponing blogs and today Lauren posted about a super cute cupcake in a jar that I though I would share. It is a great frugal gift idea.

Go check out her blog to get the recipe and see her whole gift idea.

Stock up on Forever Stamps

Once again the United States Postal Service will be increasing their price on stamps. But, they do have the forever stamps that are valid forever, no matter how much the price increases. Right now stamps coast 42 cents and starting May 11 they will each be 44 cents. It was only a year ago that they raised the price from 41 cents to 42 cents, and now 44 cents who knows when or how much the next jump will be.

TGI Friday - Cheap night out!

Ok, so we do not eat out very much any more. We used to, but that is one area where we have been able to really cut back on our budget. But, yesterday we spent the day out and needed to eat out for dinner, so we ate at TGI Friday's. I had signed up for their Rewards Program and I had no idea how great it would be!

I had told me husband we needed to eat at TGI Friday's because I had signed up for their reward's program, Need More Stripes, and they had emailed me a coupon for a free appetizer or dessert.

If you have not signed up yet, you need to now! Go here and sign up. Make sure you sign up a few days before you are planning to go eat because you will want to have your coupon and mine came the next day. When we sat down we were looking at the appetizer menu trying to decide which one we wanted and the waitress told me that she would get our free Stripes Chips to start us off because we were Stripes members. So, we didn't need to use the coupon for an appetizer. Then we ordered from their new $5 menu and and each got a huge delicious sandwich. Then we were able to get the Brownie Obsession for our free dessert. All in all, we ate out with an appetizer, 2 entrees, and dessert and our bill came to just under $11. I even ate only half my sandwich and my 2 year old ate from both our plates. This is definitely a great frugal meal out!

$25 gift certificate for only $2 - That's 80% off!

Restaurant.com is currently offering their gift certificates for 80% off, this means you can get a $25 certificate for only $2. When you click here and find a restaurant you are interested and you the coupon code LUCKY to get the 80% off. This deal is only good until April 30.

Before you order please understand a little about this site. When you purchase a gift certificate, it is not exactly is gift certificate like we think of, it is more like a coupon. It is a good deal but make sure you read the terms for that restaurant before you order. For example, one of the restaurants in my area states that you must purchase a minimum of $50 and 18% gratuity will be added before discount. So let's do the math and figure out what you will actually spend at this restaurant. Your total bill comes to $50, you pay $25 gift certificate and $25 cash, plus $9 in tip. So, you total for eating out that night would be $36 for a meal that cost $50, that's like saving 28% which includes the tip. Which can be a great deal if you are planning to eat out and you find one for a restaurant that you want to go to. Look around because not all restaurants have the same terms and I just used the restaurant that is closest to my house. I do have a friend who uses they certificates when they eat out and is happy with the money it has saved her family.

31 Cent Scoop Night

Tomorrow (April 29) from 5-10 go to your local Baskin-Robbins to get a small ice cream cone for only 31 cents. This event is happening to support the National Junior Firefighter Program.

Go here to find your nearest location and to make sure they are participating in this special offer.

Old Chicago $5 off $20 coupon

Since I started couponing, I try to never eat out without a coupon. Old Chicago is one of my favorite pizza places, but I have never found a coupon, so we have not eaten here for awhile. Well, not we can maybe go if we have a special evening in the next month. Go here to print you coupon. This coupon is good until May 24, 2009.

Go here to find a location near you.

$10 off coupon for Kohls TODAY ONLY!

Check your mail box, some people are reporting to be getting $10 gift cards in the mail from Kohl's. However, I did not, but there is a printable coupon here you can take in and use. While you are there if you have never signed up for their emails do so and you will get an email in a few days with a $5 off coupon to print. With both of these coupon offers there is no minimum purchase, so keep your total as close to your coupon total and you will pay very little out of pocket.

Frugal Friday: Homemade Peanut Butter

I have a friend who has been making her peanut butter for a while now and keeps telling me about it. I however, have been very leary because peanut butter is on thing I am very brand specific with and really didn't think I would be able to come up with something better. Well, I did! You have got to try it, I think it is the most wonderful peanut butter I have actually had.

All you need is a jar/can of peanuts, honey, and oil. This recipe is another one that has reminded me how much I love my food processor.


You put 2 C. peanuts, 1 T. honey, and a dash of salt (I used lightly salted peanuts, so I didn't add any salt) into the food processor and turn on. While it is go slowly add a few T. of oil, I used 4 and think next time I will use a little less. But you need to find the right amount for how you like your peanut butter.

As you are processing your peanut butter it will first be chunky, then form a ball that will roll around your processor and keep going until you get a smooth nice looking peanut butter.

My final price was about $1.50, but I didn't really search for a good peanut deal. Really the cost of your peanut butter can be as low as you can get the cost of your peanuts. I will now start looking for some great deals on peanuts.

Since we made our peanut butter my daughter loves to have peanut butter dippers. I simply cut up fruits and vegetables and put them on a plate with a scoop of peanut butter and she dips everything in. It's her new favorite for breakfast, lunch, and snack. Life is fun with a toddler!

Fine more frugal Friday tips visit Life as Mom.

Top Deals Around Town: 4/5 - 4/11

Here are some good deals I see around town for this week

Target:
Vitamin Water (20 oz.) $1
use $1 coupon from 4/5 SS insert
Final Price: FREE

Betty Crocker Warm Delights $1/57
Use 2 - $.50 coupon from 4/5 SS insert
and $1/2 target IP here
Final Price: $.57 each (when you buy 2)

Pop Secret Popcorn $1.99
Use $1 Target IP here
Final Price: $.99

Johnson's Safety Swabs $1.38
Use $1 IP here or from 3/1 insert
and $1 target IP here
Final Price: FREE

Aveeno Baby Wash $2.99
Use $2 IP here
Final Price: $.99

Hershey's Bliss Bars $1.99
Use $1 Target IP here
Final Price: $.99

Walmart
Kraft Salad Dressing $1.58
Use $1.50 coupon from 3/29 SS insert
Final Price: $.08

Quaker Tortilla Chips $1.50
Use $1 coupon from 3/29 RP insert
Final Price: $.50

No Nonsense Ultra Sheer Pantyhose $1.00
Use $1 coupon from 3/29 SS insert
Final Price: FREE
Some people are reporting to find $1 coupon inside the package and then they are able to repeat this deal again!

Wheat Thins Artisan Cheese Crackers (8 oz) $2.00
Use 1 - B1G1 coupon from 3/15 SS insert
and 1 - $.50 coupon from 3/15 insert
Final Price: $.50 each when you buy 2

Hormel Chili $1.00
Use $1/2 coupon from 3/15 insert
Final price: $.50 each when you buy 2

Yoplait Yo-Plus Yogurt $1.98
Use $1.50 IP coupon here
Final price: $.48 each

Ken's Salad Dressing $1.78
Use $2 coupon from 3/8 SS insert
Final price: FREE

Mentos Gum $1.20
Use $1 coupon from 3/1 SS insert
Final Price: $.20

Dora & Diego Band-aids (10 pk) $1.18
Use $1 coupon from 3/15 RP insert
Final Price: $.18

Walgreens

Walgreens Diapers $4.50
Use $2 coupon from the Pharmacy booklet (you have to ask about the Walgreens program to get the booklet, but you can use the coupons over and over)
Final Price: $2.50

Colgate Total Advance Toothpaste: $3.45
Use $1 coupon from 3/29 SS insert
Final Price: $2.45 (get $3.45 Register Reward) Total FREE +$1 overage

Oust Air Sanitizers: $2.99
Use $2 coupon from 3/29 SS insert
Final Price: $.99 (get $1 Register Reward) Total FREE

Visine Eye Drops: $3.99
Use 2-$3 coupons from 3/15 RP insert
Final Price: $1.98 (get $3 Register Reward) Total FREE +$1 overage

Edge Infused Energy Shave Gel: $3.59
Final Price: $3.59 (get $3.59 Register Reward) Total FREE

Skintimate Shave Gel: $2.99
Final Price: $2.99 (get $2.99 Register Reward) Total FREE

Betty Crocker Frosting: $1.50
Use 2 - $.50 from 4/5 SS insert
Final Price: $2 for two (get $1 Register Reward) Total $1 for two

Glade Lasting Impressions Kit: $5.99
Use $4 coupon from 3/29 SS insert
Final Price: $1.99 (Get $2 in Easy Saver Rebate) Total FREE

Reach Ultra Clean Toothbrush or Floss: $2.50
Use 2 - $1 coupon from 2/8 RP insert
Final Price: $3.00 (get $2.50 Register Reward) Total $.50 for two

There are tons of Register Reward deals this week, so you should be able to roll Your register rewards to spend a small amount out of pocket. Just make sure you are not using a register reward to buy the same deal or you will not get a new one to print out.

Let me know what other deals you have found around town!

Frugal Friday: Fruit Cups

We traveled a few months ago and had gotten my two year old some fruit cups to take on the trip and since then, she has been obsessed with wanting fruit cups. Which, I did not want for two reasons, their price and that high sugary juice that the fruit is soaked in. So, I have been trying to figure out what I can do because she has been refusing to eat the fresh fruit I have bought lately.

Here was my plan: Make my own!

I got some small plastic cups from Walmart. I paid $2 something for 8 cups and then got strawberries and bananas on sale this week. My problem was how can I keep the bananas from going brown in the cups. I had a can of pineapples, so I cut the bananas and put in the bottom of the cups, added some pineapples (with just a little of the pineapple juice), and then topped each cup with cut up strawberries. They turned out perfect and she is back to eating fresh fruit without complaining.

Join Life as Mom to find other Frugal Friday tips.

Weekly Shopping Trip -3/29

It has been a few weeks since I have done a true shopping trip. We have had several weeks were we have eaten a lot of what we already has in the house and only going to the store for the basics. So, here is this weeks trip to Safeway. I still need to make a small trip to King Soopers.

I was able to get some great deals because they currently have a Mix & Match Event Sale where you buy 10 of the participating items and you get $5 off your total. This is where you have to really plan out your trip and I always keep a tally on the bottom of my shopping list as I put participating products in my cart to make sure I have the right amount of items at the end. Also, Safeway mailed me a set of amazing coupons and you will see several were for free products this week along with a $10 of $50 purchase.

2 Motts Apple Juices (sale price 2.00, used $.55 coupon doubled, part of the M&M sale) paid $.50 each

Hamburger Helper (sale price $2.00, used a free coupon) paid $0

Sloppy Joe Sauce (sale price $1.50, used a free coupon) paid $0

Safeway Salsa (sale price $2.50, used a free coupon) paid $0

2 Pasta (sale price $1.25, part of M&M sale) paid $.75 each

Peanuts (sale price $3.00, part of M&M sale) paid $2.50

5 Bertolli sauce (sale price $2.00, used $1 coupon, and part of M&M sale) paid $.50

Mission Tortilla chips (sale price $3.00, used $1 safeway coupon, $1 manufactures coupon, and part of M&M sale) paid $.50

3 Hines Cake Mixes (sale price $1.25, part of M&M sale) paid $.75

Cheese (sale price $5.99, used $1 safeway coupon) paid $4.99

Butter (sale price $1.99) paid $1.99

Milk (sale price $2.49, used $1 safeway coupon) paid $1.49

Frozen Edamame (sale price $3.00) paid $3.00

Huggies Wipes (sale price $2.50, used $5 IP coupon, and part of M&M sale) -$3.00

Bread (sale price $3.00, part of M&M sale) $2.50

Ground Beef (sale price $10.31, used $3 safeway coupon, and a $1 manufactures coupon) paid $6.41 for 4.14lbs

Bananas paid $1.48

2 Fresh Express Salad (sale price $1.25, used $.75 safeway coupon, and part of M&M sale) paid $0

Strawberries (sale price $2.99 for 2 lbs) paid $2.99

Total before sale and coupons $113.88 I paid $26.59. That is 78% savings.

Frugal Friday - Homemade Laundry Detergent

Since I have been couponing and watching prices I have seen the prices of laundry detergent go up and up. I was able to get small bottles of laundry soap for about $2 or less matching sales and coupons, now I am not able to do this any more. So, I started looking for other options and found this recpie for homemade detergent. We have now been using it for about two and a half months and we are happy with the results.

You need:

2 C. shredded bar soap (I use Ivory)

1 C. Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

1 C. 20 Mule Team Borax

Mix it all together and store in air tight container. I like to use my food processor to shred the soap because it is quick and easy. Use 1-2 Tablespoons per load of wash. I use 1 tablespoon for most loads. I do also pretreat stains when needed, but other wise this detergent seems to do as well as the store bought detergent I used to use.

The cost breakdown:

Bar soap - I picked it up free at Walgreens

Super Washing Soda $4.20, so for 1 C the price is about $.60

Borax - I paid $4.40, so for 1 C the price is about $.50

Total cost per batch of detergent is $1.10 and it lasts my family of three about 2 and a half months.

Check out more Frugal Friday ideas at Life As Mom.

Another Great Toys R Us Deal - Free Thomas Train

I know I already posted about Toys R Us today, but I just found out about another great deal to make your trip on Saturday even better. Print this coupon to get a free Thomas train. What a great Saturday trip to Toys R Us!

Thanks Freebies 4 Mom

Frugal Friday - Homemade Shape Sorter

Shape sorters are a favorite toy for many kids. I have created a simple shape sorter using supplies you already have around your house. You need an empty wipes container and the link toys, we had gotten lots of these when the baby was born.

Now you can have hours of fun filling and dumping the container. Now that my daughter is a little older we practice sorting them by colors when we put them in

Skills learned by playing with shape sorters:

-fine motor skills

-hand-eye coordination

-trial and error problem solving

-cause and effect

-sorting

-counting

-you can practice taking turns

-make up your own game and have fun

For more Frugal Friday ideas check out Life as Mom.

Little People Birthday Party at Toys R Us

You have been invited to the Little People's 50th Birthday party at Toys R Us. Stop by Toys R Us Saturday March 21 from noon to 2pm for a story time, coloring fun, FREE DVDs, and giveaways! Sounds like a fun party to me.

Old Navy Coupon Search

Go check out this site. Hidden in this site are coupon codes that range from 5% off our purchase to $75 off a $100 purchase. The site will be reset tomorrow and will be a great time to search for good coupons. The higher value coupons only have a set number that are allowed. You have to click around the page to find the codes. In the last one the $75 dollar off code was hidden in the video that you could watch by clicking on the diamond ring. Have fun searching and let me know if you find any good coupon codes.

Seize the Day Sale at IKEA

If you live close to IKEA, they are having a Seize the Day sale and there are a few great deals this weekend. Unfortunately, I do not live close to one yet, we are scheduled to get one this Spring.

Friday Only - Ingolf Bar stools for $19.99 (regular price $59.99-$69.99)

Sturday Only - Droppar Jars with lids $.99 (regular price $2.99-$5.99)

Sunday Only -IKEA 365+ 11 quart stock pot $9.99 (regular $34.99)

All weekend you can get a free breakfast and coffee. Go here to check out all the weekend specials and print your breakfast coupon.

Target: Deals of the Week

Free Artisan Mini Loaves ($.99 each)
Use (1) $1 Off Target coupon per loaf (Click HERE)
Net Price: $FREE

Cheetos - Snack Size ($1.25-$1.30 - located at the registers)
Use (1) $1 Off Target coupon per bag (Click HERE)
Net Price: $0.26-$0.31 per bag


Quaker Products
Receive a $5 Target gift card for each transaction of (5) products below:
8- to 12-ct. Instant Oatmeal or Oatmeal-to-Go bars (Sale Price: $2.50), 5-ct. Fiber & Omega-3 bars (Sale Price: $2.50), 16-oz. Quaker Squares (Sale Price: $2.50), 10-ct. Quaker Chewy Bars (Sale Price: $2), 6-ct. Quaker Rice Cakes (Sale Price: $2)

There are various coupons for these items in the 1/4, 1/18, 2/4, and 3/8 Red Plum insert
Net Price: various depending on your coupons and items purchased, but can be a money maker

Free Pledge Furniture Wipes (regularly priced between $2.75 and $3.00)
Use $1 Off Target coupon (Click HERE)
Use $2 Off Manufacturer coupon (Click HERE)
Net Price: $0

GE Energy Saving Light Bulbs (sale price $1)
Use $1 off Manufacturers coupon (Click HERE)
Net Price: $0

Gillette Body Wash (some stores have the 8.4 oz on sale for $2)
Use $2 off 1 in the 3/1 P&G insert
Net Price: $0

Frugal Friday - Homemade I Spy Bottle

My daughter loves to read the I Spy books and when we were at the store the other day we saw these "Find It" Tubes that are like the I Spy books only in a tube. So, we made our own at home. The Find It Games sell for $24.99 and we were able to make our bottle for less than $5.

To make your own:

1. Find beads or small objects that you will put into your bottle.

2. Wash and dry a small clear bottle.

3. Fill bottle with your objects and then rice.

4. Glue lid onto the bottle.

5. Play with your I Spy Bottle. If you want you can create a game board or book to go along with your bottle.

Check out Life as Mom to see more Frudal Friday ideas.

Weekly Shopping Trip - 3/8/09

This week I did all my shopping at Safeway.

Red Star Yeast 3.18 (sale price 1.50 & $.35 coupon doubled) paid $.80

2 Cans of Kidney Beans 1.15 (sale price $.79) paid $1.58

2 Cans Great Northern Beans 2.78 (Sale price $1.00) paid $2.00

Classico pasta sauce 3.69 (sale price 1.99 & in-ad coupon $1) paid $.99

3 Cans Campbells Cream Soups $5.00 ($.55 coupon) paid $4.00

2 Cans Rotel Tomatoes 3.38 (sale price $1.00) paid $2.00

Barilla Spaghetti 2.55 (sale price $2.00) paid $2.00

18 ct. eggs 2.69 (sale price $2.19) paid $2.19

1 gal. milk 2.49 (sale price $1.77 plus store coupon $1.00) paid $.77

sour cream 1.69 (sale price $1.49) paid $1.49

Simply Orange Juice 4.79 (sale price 3.49, store coupon $1.50, mfg. coupon $.50) paid$.99

2 Farmland Bacon 5.79 (sale bogo) paid $5.79

4 lb. Chicken 12.49 (sale price 6.76 & IP coupon $1.00) paid $5.76

Bananas paid 1.32

mushrooms 1.72 (store coupon $.50) paid $1.22

broccoli 2.07 (sale price $1.54) paid $1.54

Jalapeno Pepper paid $.20

Pasilla Pepper paid $.54

3 lb. Fuji Apples 3.99 (sale price $1.99) paid $1.99

5 lb. onions 2.79 (sale price $1.00) paid $1.00

Deli Black Forest Ham 8.55 (store coupon $2) $6.55

4 boxes Post Raisin Bran 3.19 (sale price 2.49, mfg. coupon $1/2, Safeway Cereal Event) paid $6

1 box Life Cereal 3.35 (sale price 1.99 (mfg. coupon $1 & Safeway Cereal Event) paid $.50

Total before coupons $105.53

Total after coupons $58.00 (rounded up for MDA)

Total savings $47.53 and I got a $4 Catalina to use on my next trip

Visit Grocery Cart Challenge for more shopping trips.