Score some free Valentine photo cards!

Go get your six free Valentine photo cards here. Use the code Valentine at checkout. The code is good through February 1, 2009. I found that even though it is free (yes, even free shipping), it asks for a credit card. I left that portion blank and it went through just fine. I'm so excited to have a few Valentine's to send out. I don't need more than 6, so this is just perfect. They have some pretty reasonable prices.

Thanks Money Saving Mom & Jaycie!

Menu Plan Monday

From Confessions of an unorganized momma

Time for another Menu Plan Monday! Where does the time go?

Monday: Tuna Casserole
Tuesday: Chicken Enchiladas with homemade tortillas
Wednesday: Meatloaf and Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Thursday: Impossible Cheeseburger Pie with homemade biscuit mix
Friday: Meatloaf Sandwiches
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Roast Chicken


Visit here for more Menu Plan Monday. Happy planning!

Target Deals 1/07/09

Pampers Jumbo Pack $9.00 -$1.00 Manf. & $0.50 Target coupons = $8.50
Pampers Jumbo Pack $9.00 -$1.00 Manf. & $0.50 Target coupons = $8.00
Kandoo wipes $2.84 -$1.00 = $1.84
Huggies Wipes $2.39 -$1.00 = $1.39
Pampers wipes $8.99 -$1.00 Manf. & $1.25 Target coupons = $6.74
Johnsons Baby Wash $2.19 -$1.00 & $0.75 Target coupons = $0.44
Kandoo Bath Wash $2.84 -$1.00 = $1.84
Plastic Tote Carrier $1.00 (from the dollar spot)

Total OOP $30.24

Kmart Deals 1/07/09

Kmart doubles is going on this week. I LOVE Kmart doubles. I have never really been a Kmart shopper, but when doubles is going on I am. And I am in heaven because my Kmart is doubling up to $2 next week!! I'm trying to get my mother-in-law to come shopping with me. Check your circular online to see if your Kmart is participating next week. If they aren't make sure you go in this week for doubles up to $1.

I did 2 transactions at Kmart.

Here is my first transaction.

Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer $2.99 -$1.00x2= $0.99
Colgate kids Diego Toothbrush $1.99 -$0.75x2=$0.49
Colgate Kids Toothpaste $1.99 -$0.75=$0.49
Glide Floss $3.79 -$1x2= $1.79
Crest $3.79 -$0.50x2=$2.79
Crest $3.79 -$.75x2=$2.29 I was mad because I thought these were supposed to be on sale 2/$5. I'll have to return or get an adjustment next week
Carefree pantiliners $1.29 -$1x2= $0.01 for some reason it only went to $0.28 when doubled instead of $0.29
Pampers Clean N Go wipes $2.99-$1.00x2=$0.99
Pledge wipes $2.50 -$1x2=$0.50
Glade Candle $2.50 -$1x2=$0.50
Oust Air Sanitizer 2/$5 -BOGOFree coupon=$2.50 for both ($1.25each)
Slim Jim's 16 count canister $2.99 -$1.00=$0.99
Pringle's Stix $3.49-$1.00x2= $1.49
Hormel Compleats $2.00 -$1.00x2= FREE

Total OOP= $17.85


Transaction 2

Ziploc Zip n Steam Bags $2.99 -$1.00x2= $0.99
Carpet Fresh 10.5 oz $2.49 -$1.00x2= $0.49
Wet Ones $2.29 -$0.75x2= $0.79
Multi-Grain Cheerios $3.79
Kix 2.99  I had a Save $1 when you buy 2 (I messed up and didn't mean to use it but Oh Well)
6.78 -$1.00/2 x2= 4.78 (2.39 ea)
Cheerios $3.49 -$1x2= $1.49

Total OOP = $8.87


Total saved with both transactions (not factoring any sale prices)

$34.28

Menu Plan Monday

From Confessions of an unorganized momma

Wow, another week gone and another Menu Plan Monday! I think we'll utilize some goodies from the freezer this week to help clear out for my grocery trip on Wednesday.

Monday: Meatloaf (from freezer) & Mixed Veggies
Tuesday: Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, & Corn (carry-over from last week)
Wednesday: Meatloaf sandwiches (leftover from Monday)
Thursday: Spaghetti & Meatballs, garlic toast
Friday: Homemade Pizza
Saturday: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Sunday: Leftovers


I'm off to plan my Kmart doubles/Walgreens/Target/grocery trip on Wednesday (I'll post my bargains by the end of the week. I'm pretty excited because it should be kid free!!! :) For more menu planning ideas, head on over to Menu Plan Monday.

Coupon Inserts 1/4/09

There are 5 coupon inserts in tomorrow's paper! You heard that right! There are 3 Smart Source and 2 Red Plum inserts. If you are new to couponing or your supply is dwindling, I suggest you buy a paper tomorrow. It's pretty rare to have that many inserts in a Sunday paper at one time.

Mindi over at Moms Need To Know has compiled a little preview of the coupons she thinks are noteworthy in tomorrow's paper. Check out her site for some great information. She does this every week, so if you're curious what coupons you might see in the paper, bookmark her site.

If you want to see all of the coupons you might expect in tomorrow's paper, check out Taylortown Preview. It took 5 hours for this week's list to be completed. You can also buy coupons there.

Keep in mind that the coupons tend to vary by location, so you may not see all of those coupons in your paper. It's best not to get your heart set on any one coupon. From my experience, the majority of the coupons they list come in my paper, but often the value might be different or some are missing altogether. I know I can't wait to get the paper tomorrow!

Happy Clipping!

Menu Plan Monday

From Confessions of an unorganized momma

 

I've been on an unorganized hiatus for a while, but I'll try my hand at menu planning yet again. I'm hoping to get better at preparing my Menus in advance in 2009. I hope I can finally tackle it. I'm starting a diet this week, so hopefully I can watch my calories and portions in the process.


Monday-Chicken Fajitas
Tuesday- Venison Roast & Mixed Vegetables (I'm not gonna lie, I've never prepared a venison roast and I'm not looking forward to eating it)
Wednesday- Venison Stroganoff (made with leftover Venison roast)
Thursday-Just me and Ash, so we'll probably just have leftovers
Friday- Blackened Chicken Salad (whether the hubby likes it or not we're having salad)
Saturday-Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn
Sunday- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

For more Menu Plan Mondays, check out Org Junkie.

Kmart Deals 12/28

I didn't find too many fabulous deals for myself this week at Kmart. Their prices are a little high when items are not on sale, but I found a couple deals I couldn't live without.

Gillette Bodywash $3.49 on sale (Reg. price $4.49 and Walmarts reg. $3.97)
-$2 coupon
Total OOP = $1.49

Rimmel Mousse Foundation $4.14 on sale (Reg. price $8.28, was 50% off)
-$1 coupon in Beauty Book (I actually stumbled upon some while in the store)
Total OOP = $3.14 I'm excited to try this stuff at that price!

Downy 51oz $5.00 on sale
-$1 coupon
Total OOP = $4.00

Total before coupons $13.48
Total after coupons $9.48

Walmart Deals 12/28

I had a small, but really successful trip to Walmart today. I didn't really need anything, but had some coupons that were expiring so I was deal hunting.

 Huggies CleanTeam Bath Wash $2.50 on clearance
-$1 coupon
Total OOP = $1.50

Russell Stover Assorted Chocolates 10 oz. $2.24 on clearance (was $4.48)
-$1 coupon
Total OOP = $1.24

Tide 40oz $5.00
-$1 coupon
Total OOP = $4.00

Dawn 15oz $1.12
-$0.50 coupon
Total OOP = $0.62

Gift tags 100 ct $0.50 on clearance (was $1.00)

Crest toothpaste $2.48
-$1 coupon
Total OOP = $1.48

Total before coupons $14.77
Total after coupons $10.27

Walmart Trip 12/20

I'm finally getting around to posting about my Walmart trip on Saturday. I can thank my fudge making extravaganza for hogging up my time on Saturday. I'm not going to itemize my receipt because there were only 4 items that I used coupons on and those were my "bargains." The other items were things we needed and didn't have coupons for.

2- Oil of Olay Regenerist Cleansers $6.44 ea.
1-Glade Scented Oil Candle $2.77
2-Glade Scented Oil Refills $2.00 ea
1-Green Giant Steamers Mixed Vegetable $1.00
$20.65 before coupons
-$5 off any 1 Regenerist Moisturizer or 2 Regenerist Cleansers
-$2.50 off Glade Scented Oil Candle
Buy 1 Glade Scented Oil Refill get one Free
-$0.50 off Green Giant Steamers
$10.65 OOP after coupons

Plus there is a rebate on Oil of Olay Products, so I will actually gain money on that purchase. Gotta love that!

I wish that was my actual total, but I bought other things so my total was $102.xx before coupons and $92.xx after. The cashier even commented about how it pays to coupon.

An Award!!!

My blog received an award!!! Alright, so I received it a month ago and am FINALLY getting around to posting about it. **hides in shame** Better late than never, right?

I received my lovely award from Berleen. She's a fellow Minnesotan and a reason for Thursday Thunks. She has an amazing sense of humor. :) Thanks Berleen. Sorry it's taken me so long to post this!

From Awards

So, here are the rules to receiving this award:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.

2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.

3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.



Instructions:

On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gadget. Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.
 
 
Here are my 5 nominations (in no particular order):
1. Tara (Deal Seeking Mom) - Tara has a wonderful blog with lots of ways to stretch your budget. She has great information on getting deals at CVS and Walgreens. I've learned a lot and am still learning from her blog.
 
2. Niki (Free2BeFrugal) - Niki always has lots of frugal tips and freebies in her blog. She also has yummy Meal Plan Monday menus.
 
3. Crystal (Money Saving Mom) - Crystal also has a lot of frugal tips in her blog (are you noticing a pattern of the blogs I visit yet?) as well as freebies. Crystal's on a bit of a holiday blog break, but I'm definitely looking forward to her posts in the new year.
 
4. 5 Dollar Dinners- 5 Dollar Dinners has a lot of frugal recipes and tips. She even breaks down the cost of the recipe so you can see how much each meal costs. She has a lot of fun recipes if you're looking for something new.
 
5. Marcy (Stretching A Buck) - Marcy has  a lot of great tips and loads of printable coupons.


Now, on to the final part of the award. Here are my 5 addictions.

1. Sugar. Any sort of sweet or baked good or anything with sugar in it.
2. The internet. Blogging, Facebook, Message Boards. I spend way too much time on the net.
3. My son. I just love hugging and kissing my sweet boy. He's amazing.
4. Cooking. I love to cook/bake. I hate cleaning up, but I could cook all day if I had a need to make that much food.
5. Starbucks Peppermint Mochas. I no longer live near a Starbucks, but when I get near one my car instantly pulls towards it. :)

Couponing

I have discovered a new obsession. Coupons! I am just starting out, so I still have a lot to learn. The stores that are close to me do not double coupons, so my goal is to make a trip once a month to a town where grocery stores do. I also hope to strategize those visits with Kmart doubles, if there is an even that month. I did my first Kmart doubles a couple weeks ago and I had a blast! I intend to me more organized for the next round, if there is a next round. I'm not normally a Kmart shopper, but they doubled coupons up to and including $2. I got Dove shampoo for $0.79 and the conditioner was free! I got free Diego band-aids for Ashton too. I'm going shopping tomorrow and already have some coupons ready. I hope to post my savings on here after each shopping trip. I'm a little bummed that the next couple batches of newspapers will not have coupons, but look forward to 2009's coupons.

One resource I want to mention is AFC. I have found this site to be extremely helpful in addition to many of the frugal blogs I visit.