Wednesday Recipe

Instead of a dinner recipe, I thought I'd share a great recipe I made this week. I wanted something sweet, so I looked through what I had on hand and what was on sale and decided on this recipe. I have an abundance of oatmeal right now, so I wanted to use some of that up. The only thing I did not have on hand was fresh blueberries; they were on sale for .99 last week, so I didn't mind buying those. I did not have raspberry preserves, but I substituted strawberry, which I did have already.

Looking over what you already have and then finding recipes will save much more than finding a recipe and then seeing what you need to make it.

I'll just post the link instead of typing it all out. I thought it was good; let me know if you try it and what you think!

Very Berry Breakfast Cake

Tuesday Freebies!

If you are like me, you would love to try some of the whitening strips but hate to pay so much for something you aren't sure about. Wal-Mart is currently offering a free sample of Crest Whitestrips, so go take advantage of the opportunity to try these out for free!

Attention Smokers: Quitting smoking is tough but it doesn't have to be brutal. Instead of going cold turkey, NicoDerm CQ helps you quit successfully through a balanced approach. Along with the sample you will also receive a $7 coupon on your next purchase. Answer some questions and fill out the form to get your free sample. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.Click Here

Nature's Bounty is giving away a free sample of their Fish Oil supplements. Jason takes these on a daily basis so I'm happy the sample comes with a coupon too!

Kroger 1/25

Yeah, I know.... 3 trips, but this one was more to hang out with a friend. I just took my coupon binder along and got a few more deals too.

Fiber One Granola Bars (2 boxes) 2.69 each
Cheerios Snack mix 2.19
Hormel Bone-In Spiral Ham (markdown) 8.19
Hormel Turkey Chili (2 cans) 1.00
Yo Plus Yogurt 4 pk 2.59
Sargento Cheese Sticks (2 pkgs) 3.99 each
Blueberries 1 pnt .99
Nature Valley granola bars (2 boxes) 2.69 each
Kroger Sour Cream 8 oz .99
Nabisco Wheat Thins (2 boxes) 2.39
Nestle TollHouse Brownies 2.50
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23.88 OOP, saved 27.06 or 52%
13.90 in MC savings

Kroger 1/24

I tend to hit the mega deal sale several times, so here was my second visit. I bought a few items on special or markdown in addition to the mega deal items.
Prices are before the $5 off:

Captain Crunch Cereal (3 boxes) 2.49 each
2 pk GE Energy Smart light bulbs (8 packages) 4.70 each
Glade Aerosol Spray (6 bottles) .96 each
Orville Redenbacher Natural Popcorn (3 boxes) 2.19 each
Kraft Cheese (5 packages) 1.99 each
Pace Picante Sauce/Salsa (2 bottles) 1.76 each
Kens Salad Dressing (2 bottles) 1.99 each
French's Mustard (1 bottle) 1.49
Nature's Bounty Melatonin 9.09
Nature's Bounty Biotin FREE (B1G1)
Quaker Simple Harvest Oatmeal (2 boxes) 2.69 each
Tostino's Pizza Rolls 40 ct (2 bags) 2.99 each
Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers (4 bags) 1.49 each
Loreal Men's Facial Cleanser (markdown) 3.49
Quaker Mini Rice Cakes (2 bags) 1.00 each
Pork Chops (managers special) 3.61
Dove Shampoo (markdown) 2.45
Coffeemate Peppermint Mocha creamer 1.00
Starbucks dark chocolate grahams (2 packs) .65 each
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Total OOP 66.03 saved 96.31 0r 59%
I had $38.00 in MC savings!

Kroger 1/22

I love the Kroger Mega Events!
I'll try to list all that we tonight, as well as a website where you can get the coupon match-ups.

Transaction #1: (prices before the $5 off)
2 40 count bags Tostinos Pizza Rolls 2.99 each
1 Gordons Fish Fillets 2.99
1 Pace Picante Sauce 1.76
1 Kleenex w/ lotion 1.59
2 Glade Warmers 1.49 each
1 Glade gel refills 2.09
2 bags Farm Rich Mozz cheese sticks 4.99 each
12.21 OOP; saved 25.39 (67%)

Transaction #2:
1 Quilted Northern tissue pk 6.99
2 Kleenex w/ lotion 1.59 each
1 Fructis wax (closeout) 1.79
1 Cottonelle 4 pk 1.19
2 Bounty Basic paper towels (closeout) 1.03 each
2 Suave shampoos (closeout) .77 each
4 Juicy Juice 2.53 each
2 Betty Crocker boxed potatoes 1.67 each
2 Orville Redenbacher popcorn 2.19 each
1 French's Worcheschire sauce (closeout) .79
2 Ro*tel tomatoes .90 each
3 Fiber One granola bars 2.69 each
3 Nature Valley granola bars 2.69 each
2 Quaker Simple Harvest oatmeal 2.69 each
2 Powerade singles 1.00 each
2 Tropicana Orange Juice 2.69 each
1 Borden's FF organic milk 5.49
2 French's mustard 14oz 1.49 each
1 Kraft Miracle Whip Light 2.99
4 Kraft 2% Singles 1.99 each
1 Hillshire Farms lunchmeat (markdown) 2.09
2 Chex Mix snacks 2.19 each
2 Quaker Quakes 1.00 each
1 Nestle cookie dough 2.46
1 Horizon Chocolate milk single 1.00
Total OOP 46.85 saved 75.54 or 61%

There is an awesome printable list here if you need coupon match-ups! I love this sale!

Kroger 1/19

I didn't really have a good plan in mind for Kroger today. I had a few things on my list that we could use at home, plus I wanted to pick up some items for the local food pantry.

3 BC Hamburger Helper meals $1 each
2 Rice-a-Roni $1 each
2 Pasta Roni $1 each
1 Cottonelle bath tissue 4 pk $1.19
3 ACT II popcorn (3pk) $1 each
1 Horizon Organic Milk single $1
3 Dial bar soap 3pk $1 each

Coupons:
$1/3 Hamburger Helper IP
$1/4 Rice-a-Roni or Pasta Roni 1/4 RP
3 - .40 ACT II 3 pk or larger 12/14 SS
.50 Cottonelle 4-pk (not sure of insert)
.25 Horizon Organic milk single 1/11 SS
3 - .35 Dial 1/4 SS
$3 credit from P&G for ecoupon that didn't work a few months ago

Total OOP: 5.71 saved 18.87, or 77%

CVS 1/19

It took me a long time to get my thoughts straight to even try to go to shop today. I finally went just to get out of the house. It is so hard to deal with all that has happened over the past few weeks. Anyway, here was my deal:

4 12pks of Pepsi Products $12
3 bags Lays Chips $9
2 Excedrin Migraine $1.99 each
2 Puffs tissues .99 each
1 RS marshmallow heart .50

Coupons:
2 $2 Excedrin IP coupons
2 .25 Puffs MC 1/18 PG insert
22.50 ECB

.46 OOP, got back 10 ECB
will submit receipt for $15 Pepsi/Lays Superbowl Rebate

Sorry it has been a while since I've posted. My 5 month old son passed away yesterday so it may be a while before I get back to blogging over here. I will one day, so please check back. I plan on using some of new money saving abilities to help out some causes that have now become close to my heart.

Walgreens 1/6

Transaction 1:
4 Kelloggs cereals 2.50 each
*buy 4 get 3 RR
used 4 - $1 MC
Total OOP: $6, got back the 3 RR

Transaction 2:
1 Electrasol Gel Tabs 3.49
2 Splenda 100 count pkts 4.49 each
3 Quaker Oatmeal 10 pks 4.00 each
1 Garnier Fructis Hairspray 2.99
2 Reynolds aluminum foil 1.59 each
2 Ben & Jerrys ice cream pints
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2 $3 Ben & Jerrys IP coupons
1 $2.50 Electrasol MC
3 $1 Quaker Oats IP coupons
2 $1 Reynolds MC
1 $1 Garnier Fructis MC
1 $1.50 Splenda MC
3 RR from Trans 1
In-ad coupons for Reynolds, Quaker, and Splenda took off $10.23
$2 Easy Saver coupon for GarnierFructis
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Total OOP $5.32 will send in rebate to get 1.50 back on Electasol

Tuesday Freebies

Gold Bond Lotion: helps soothe irritate skin, even for those of us with sensitive skin. Even though we do not have harsh winters to deal with down here, we do lose much of our humidity. My skin is always such a mess during the colder months so I'm looking forward to trying out this sample.

Dunkin' Donuts still has their free coffee sample available! I can't imagine a better time of year for hot steamy coffee!!

For those of you who use Lactaid, they are offering a free sample of their product.

That's all I have for today; things are still touch and go here at home, so I'll try to keep blogging when I have the chance. I did a Walgreens run today that I will try to post details of later tonight or tomorrow.

Coupons!

If you haven't signed up for your coupon book from Home Made Simple, go do it! P&G currently has a promotion on their products; if you buy $50 before the end of the month, you can get $120 in coupons. I don't know if I'll make it, but these coupons will come in handy to get me to that goal! I love Cascade and Febreze, so I know I will use those coupons out of this booklet!

Meal Plan Monday 1/5

Things are still kinda crazy here, but I would like to have a plan of some type to try to get through the week....

Monday: chicken strips, hashbrown casserole, rolls, broccoli cheese casserole

Tuesday: Lasagna, homemade bread

Wednesday: sub sandwiches, homemade fries

Thursday: pinto beans, corn bread, fried potatoes, pork chops or chicken

Friday: homemade pizza

Saturday: burgers/fries (take-out)

Off Topic, but SOOO Important...

I want to ask my readers to please pray for my 5 month old son, Eli. We are facing a possible diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and need all the prayers and good thoughts we can get.

CVS 1/3

When things get rough and you need a break, go CVSing! I took my brother to teach him the ropes and here's what we did:
2 Old Spice Deodorants
1 Colgate Max Fresh toothpaste
1 Colage Max Fresh toothbrush
4 Stayfree feminine care products
1 Garnier Shampoo
1 Bandaid assorted pack
1 Rohto eye drops
2 Nature's Bounty Potassium B1G1
1 Bodiheat heating pads 3 count
_____________________________
.75 Colgate Maxfresh toothpaste MC 1/4 insert
.75 Colgate Maxfresh toothbrush MC 1/4 insert
1.00 Garnier shampoo/conditioner MC
2.00 Rohto eye drops MC
2 B1G1 Stayfree MC
2 - 2.00 Nature's Bounty IP coupons
1.00 Bodiheat peelie
2.00, 3.00, 3.99, 4.00, 5.00, 10.00 ECB
_____________________________
.47 OOP (on gift card)
Got back 3.00, 10.00, 2.00, 1.00, 2.00, 2.00 ECB
*************************************
I tested to see if Sunday's ECB were working by buying 2 Speedstick, used B1G1 MC, and 3.00 ECB. Zero OOP, earned 3.00 ECB. After seeing that it worked, I did the transaction above to buy everything else.

CVS 1/2

I decided to go to CVS yesterday to help take my mind off things here at home. I think my mom was a little impressed with my shopping. :)

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Pantene Shampoo $3.50

Pantene Hairspray $3.50

Schick Intuition Plus Razor $8.99

Nature's Bounty Calcium $11.99

Nature's Bounty Potassium $4.99 (free with the B1G1 deal)

Excedrin Back & Body $4.79

Excedrin PM $4.99

Excedrin Geltabs $5.39

Excedrin Express Gels $5.39

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2 Excedrin $1 peelies

2 Excedrin $2 MC

1 CVS $2 CRT pain relief coupon

$3/2 Pantene MC

2 Nature's Bounty $2 IP coupons

$2 Schick Intuition MC

$3/15 CVS coupon

2.59, 2.99, 2.99, 2.99, 4.99, 12.00 ECB (total was -.01)

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ZERO OOP!