Ways I Saved/Earned Money This Week

- I read all of my MyPoints emails daily for my account and my husband's to add points to receive FREE gift cards.

- Cleaned out my coupon binder.

- Continued to use my FREE samples this week including - sticky notes, toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner.

- Only used my dishwasher once this week.

- Printed a few coupons for future shopping.

- Paid a couple of bills online. No money spent on stamps.

- Requested four FREE samples.

- Stuck to my menu plan this week. No eating out.

- Compared gas prices before filling up.

- Continued to cut my dryer sheets in half to save.

-  Planned my grocery shopping using sales and coupons.

- Did a couple of sponsored posts for free items and gift cards.

- Payton started carpooling to school in the mornings - Details here!

- Donated 6 bags and 4 boxes of items to the Salvation army. 

- My sweet mom gave me 6 steaks, 4 pieces of chicken, 6 pieces of flounder, 6 pieces of tilapia that she had purchased from a home delivery service.

- Took an inventory of my items in my freezer to meal plan.

- Took my change to the coin counter at the bank.  I had almost $70. 

- I also emptied out the kids piggy bank and took their change to the coin counter at the bank.  This was the first time I have ever emptied them.  Together they had almost $700 and deposited that money into their savings accounts.

- Shut a few heat vents in closets, storage closets, and computer room to help save on my heating bill.  Thanks to Precious at Frugal Makes Cents for this idea.

What did you do to save/earn money this week? Please link up below or leave a comment and share how you did.

The Biggest Change I Made To Save Money This Week

A couple of weeks ago, I shared My Biggest Change I Made to Save Money by finally started letting Payton ride the bus in the afternoons 3 days a week.  That cut back saved me 90 miles of traveling.  This week, we started carpooling in the mornings.

A really good friend of mine moved into her new home last week.   Luckily, her home is very close to me and she too has a little girl in kindergarten at the same school as Payton.  We decided to start carpooling in the mornings to save us both some gas money.

We are taking turns driving the girls to school by rotating weeks.  In a month, this will save me and her too 300 miles of driving/gas.  Along with my savings from letting Payton riding the bus in the afternoons 3 days a week, I have cut back my traveling/gas bill by 640 miles.

I know I will see a difference in my gas total this month.

Do you carpool?

National Pancake Day - FREE Pancakes at IHOP 2/5

Click here for details!

FREE Pizza Samples at Pizza Hut 2/5

Hey fans, listen up! When either quarterback says, “HUT!” at the Big Game on Sunday, you’ll be able to try one of Pizza Hut’s newest creations next Tuesday 2/5 from 4–7 p.m.! No purchase necessary, one per customer, dine-in or carryout at your local Pizza Hut!

Hallmark Coupon - Buy 2 Cards Get 1 FREE

Click here to print your coupon for Buy 2 Hallmark cards Get 1 FREE

Expires 2/14/13.

Progresso Recipe Starters - Game Day Giveaway

"Game Day is one of the best days of the year to get together with friends and enjoy some delicious food and fun. This year, let Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ be the perfect teammate and help you score big at your party. With plenty of recipe ideas for different Game Day snacks, Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ will make sure you have a crowd-pleasing performance."

In my prize pack, I received the Creamy Roasted Garlic recipe starter.  I was looking forward to trying it and decided to make the Chicken Pot Pie recipe found on the can.  I already had all 6 ingredients needed.  It was very simple to make a total hit in my house.  It would also be a great thing to make ahead and freeze.

Check out our line of Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ and use some of our favorite recipe ideas below for your Game Day party!

Creamy Portabella Mushroom: Creamy and highly indulgent, this smooth sauce is rich with sautéed Portabella mushrooms, giving you any easy way to start delicious dishes like Cheesy-Mushroom Joes and Mushroom-Swiss Burgers. Game Day Idea: Bacon Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe Link: http://bit.ly/Uuwr4R

Creamy Parmesan Basil: This creamy, full-bodied and indulgent sauce that was inspired by alfredo and creamy pesto sauces can be used to make dishes such as Pizza Primavera and Slow Cooker Lasagna Alfredo. Game Day Idea: Chicken and Ham Slab Sandwiches Recipe Link: http://bit.ly/VLN5vV

Creamy Roasted Garlic: With caramelized, roasted chicken broth, garlic and a touch of cream, this stock is perfect for dishes such as Cheesy Turkey Sandwiches, Chicken Enchiladas and Green Chiles Chicken Quesadillas. Game Day Idea: Easy White Chicken Chili Recipe Link: http://bit.ly/VEEoVc

Creamy Three Cheese: Rich and creamy with a blend of yellow and white cheeses, and a savory background of chicken stock, onion, garlic and cracked pepper, this is a great way to satisfy cheese lovers with Easy Weeknight Bacon Mac & Cheese, Baked Turkey Hoagie and Cheddar-Parmesan Puffs with Dipping Sauces. Game Day Idea: Chorizo con Queso Recipe Link: http://bit.ly/Tz17o2

Fire Roasted Tomato: A medium-thick tomato sauce, accompanied by flavors of roasted, caramelized tomatoes, oregano and bell peppers, which can be used as a great way to begin creating Buffalo Chicken-Potato Bake, Saucy Meatball Hoagies and Zesty Turkey Tacos. Game Day Idea: Pulled Chicken Sandwiches Recipe Link: http://bit.ly/UKB26r

COUPON

Click here to print your coupon for  $.65 off the purchase of 1 can of Progresso Recipe Starters.

GIVEAWAY

Your gift pack will contain:

•	10 Piece Cheese & Appetizer Set
•	One Can of Creamy Roasted Garlic Progresso™ Recipe Starters™

How to enter: (5 entries per person)

- Leave a comment telling me whicb Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ recipe you would like to try. Required)

- Follow/Subscribe to my blog (1 extra entry) and leave me a comment telling me you did.

- Follow me on twitter - and leave me a comment telling me you did.

- Tweet about this -  Enter Progresso's Receipe Starters Game Day Giveaway at Thrifty Ways and Ideas -http://www.thriftywaysandideas.com/2013/02/progresso-recipe-starters-game-day.html

- "Like" me on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did.

This giveaway will close on Sunday, February 17th at midnight. The winner will emailed and posted Monday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.


Disclosure:  The information, products and Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ gift packs were provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.”.  I did receive a FREE prize pack and one to give away.  No other compensation was received.  All opinions are my opinion.

And The Winner Is...

The winner of the Shutterfly 50 Valentine's Day cards and Desk Plaque is: 

Here are your random numbers:

11 - one frugal lady

Timestamp: 2013-02-02 19:21:31 UTC

One frugal lady has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.  Thanks to everyone for entering. 

Dollar General - $5 off $25 Purchase - TODAY ONLY

Click here to print your coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase at Dollar General.  Valid for today only.

Sunday Coupon Preview

There will be 2 coupon inserts in this Sundays paper - 1 Smartsource and 1 RedPlum.

Here is a few of my favorites:

Ajax $.35/1 all-purpose cleaner
 Ajax $.50/1 52oz+ dish liquid or any auto dish pacs 
Kikkoman $.55/1 soy sauce
Minute $.50/1 rice
Garnier Frucits $1/1 styler product
Garnier Fructis $1/1 shampoo, conditioner or treatment
Garnier Nutrisse $2/1 nourishing color creme

You can find a complete list here!


You can also find lots of great printable coupons available from Coupons.com, RedPlum, and Coupon Network.

NEW Coupons Available

Here is a list of new coupons available.  Print them while you can.

$2.00 off any (2) all detergent products

$0.50 off 1 Fiber One Protein Chewy Bars

$0.40 off Fiber One Chewy Bars

$0.40 off any 2 Pillsbury Grands! or Sweet Rolls

$1.00 off TWO Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough

$0.50 off 2 Nature Valley Granola Bars or thins

$2.00 off ONE Pampers Easy Ups Diapers

$0.75 off 2 SUGAR-FREE JELL-O refrigerated snacks

$2.00 off TWO Pantene Products

$0.75 off any TWO Yoplait Kid products

$0.50 off 2 Yoplait Greek yogurt

$0.55 off Mott's Snack & Go Applesauce Pouches

$1.00 off Bayer Aspirin product 24 ct or larger

$1.00 off any (1) Silk Iced Latte half gallon

$2.00 off 1 GARNIER NUTRISSE Color Foam Haircolor

$2.00 off L'Oreal Healthy Look Creme Hair Color

$0.50 off Yoplait Fruplait Yogurt Multipacks

$0.50 off Yoplait Pro-Force Multipack or twisted

$0.40 off SIX Yoplait Yogurt

$2.00 off any TWO Pantene Expert Collection

$1.50 off ONE Pampers Cruisers Diapers

$0.50 off Green Giant Veggie Snack Chips

$1.50 off ONE Pampers Swaddlers Diapers

$1.00 off any 3 Kellogg's Cereals listed

$0.75 off one Cascadian Farm product

$0.50 off ONE Bisquick Baking Mix

$0.75 off Fiber One 80 Calories Chocolate cereal

$0.75 off Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch cereal

$0.50 off ONE BOX Original Cheerios cereal

$0.50 off ONE BOX Chex cereal

$0.50 off ONE BOX Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal

$0.75 off 1 BOX Peanut Butter Toast Crunch cereal

$1.50 off ONE Pampers Baby Dry Diapers

$0.75 off any ONE BOX Total cereal

$1.00 off 5 Totino's Crisp Crust Party Pizza

$0.50 off 2 boxes Fruit Flavored Snacks

$0.50 off ONE Pampers Wipes 60 ct. or larger

$2.00 off Ball Park Flame Grilled Patties
$1.00 off 3 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars

$3.00 off Citracal and Bayer Aspirin Product

Thought of the Day

"The biggest mistake you could ever make is being too afraid to make one."

Author Unknown

FREE Prilosec Sample

 

 Register and receive a free sample of Prilosec OTC.

My Favorite Deals at Lowes Foods This Week - 1/30-2/5

Here is a list of my favorite deals at Lowes Foods this week. Remember, Lowes Foods doubles coupons up to .99. You can use 20 coupons per transaction. They will accept 4 "like" coupons and 2 "like" internet coupons.

Also, you can earn .05 per gallon fuel rewards with every $100 spent.



Fresh Rewards Offer 
Lowes Foods Bacon - $2.99
Limit 2

Fresh Express Salads - .98 each

Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce - $1
Buy 3 and Use $1/3 coupon January ALL YOU
Final Price - .67 each

Chex Mix - $1
Use .60/1 printable coupon
Final Price - FREE 

Birds Eye Streamfresh - $2
Buy 2 and Use $1/2 coupon 1/13 SS
Final Price - $1

Daisy Cottage Cheese - $2
Use .50/1 1/6 RP
Final Price - $1

Heluva Good! Product - $2
Use .75 11/11 RP or 1/27 RP
Final Price - .50

Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Sale Items

Hormel Party Trays
Use $3 off  printable coupon

Buy 10 - Get $5 on Kraft Products

Jell-O - $1
Deal Idea -
Buy 10 at $1 = $10
Get $5 off at Register
Final Price - $5 or .50 each

Macaroni and Cheese Dinners - $1
Deal Idea
Buy 10 at $1 = $10
Get $5 off at Register
Final Price - $5 or .50 each


You can find this weeks sale ad for Lowes Foods here!

My Favorite Drug Store Deals This Week - 1/27-2/2

Here is a list of my favorite deals at CVS:





Dawn Dish Soap - .99
Use .50 coupon P&G 1/27
Final Price - .49

Xtra Laundry Detergent - $1.49

Tresemme Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styler - $3.50
Buy 2 and Use Buy 1 Get 1 FREE coupon 1/27 RP
Final Price - $1.75 each  
 

Here is a list of my favorite deals at Walgreens:









Pur-Absorb Iron Supplement - $10
Use $3 printable coupon
Receive $10 RR
Final Price - FREE plus $3 overage

DHEA Tablets - $7
Receive $7 RR
Final Price - FREE

KY Ultra Gel- $5.99
Use $2 printable coupon
Receive $6 RR
Final Price - FREE plus overage

MG217 Psoriasis Treament Ointment - $6
Receive $6 RR
Final Price - FREE

Chex Mix, Bugles, Gardetto's Snacks - .99
Use .50 printable coupon
Final Price - .49 each

Chicken of the Sea Sardines or Chuck Light Tuna - .79 with in-ad coupon
Use .55 printable coupon
Final Price - .24 each

Cottonelle Toilet Paper or Scott Natural Paper Towels - $5
Buy 2 and Use $1/2 coupon 1/13 SS  and Use $1 Walgreens coupon
Final Price - $3.30

Here is a list of my favorite deals at Rite Aid:








No great deals for me this week!

Wordless Wednesday - A Day Late!

This is what my Monday afternoons are like! 

NEW Coupons Available

Here is a list of new coupons available.  Print them while you can.

$1.00 off any ONE Garnier Fructis Shampoo

$1.00 off 14-oz. Spot Shot carpet stain remover

$1.00 off TWO (2) COUNTRY-TIME or TANG Drink Mixes

$0.55 off ONE package OSCAR MAYER Classic Wieners

$6.00 off two (2) Prevacid24HR 28ct or 42ct

$2.00 off Prevacid24HR Product

$0.50 off any Welch's 100% Grape Juice

Thought of the Day

"A smile is the best makeup any girl can wear."

Author Unknown

FREE Sample of Garnier Fructis Shampoo and Conditioner

Click here to request your FREE sample of Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioner.

FREE Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch Sample from Pillsbury

Pillsbury members can request a FREE Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch sample by clicking here.  Only 10,000 are available - HURRY!

Thought of the Day

"The first wealth is health."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

GIVEAWAY CLOSED - Valentine's Day Cards and Desktop Plaque Giveaway

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  Not only is it a time for a celebration of love but it is also a favorite holiday of children.  Like most moms, I try to make every holiday special for my children.  A fun, unexpected activity for my children is always a great surprise.  It is also the time for my daughter to start choosing her valentine cards for her classmates and friends.

Shutterfly has everything needed to make your Valentine's Day special.  A huge selection of Valentine's Day cards is available.  They have over 50 new designs.  Terrific new classroom collection for the kids.  Fresh color stories and artistic typography.


Here is a couple of my favorite Shutterfly photo gifts.

Photo Water Bottles: Keep hydrated with a personalized BPA-free water bottle.

 Photo Cubes: Turn your favorite pictures into a decorative photo cube.

Giveaway - 50- 4 x 5 Stationery Cards and 1 - 5.5 x 5.5 Desktop Plaque - Enter Below! 

How to enter: (5 entries per person)

- Visit Shutterfly's Photo Gift page and leave a comment telling me your favorite. Required)

- Follow/Subscribe to my blog (1 extra entry) and leave me a comment telling me you did.

- Follow me on twitter - and leave me a comment telling me you did.

- Tweet about this -  Enter Shutterfly's Stationery Card and Desk Plaque Giveaway at Thrifty Ways and Ideas - http://www.thriftywaysandideas.com/2013/01/valentines-day-cards-and-desktop-plaque.html

- "Like" me on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did.

This giveaway will close on Friday, February 1st at midnight. The winner will emailed and posted Saturday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Social Channels:

· Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shutterfly

· Twitter: http://twitter.com/Shutterfly

· Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shutterfly/

· Instagram: http://instagram.com/shutterfly

· Google +: https://plus.google.com/+shutterfly

· Blog: http://blog.shutterfly.com/

Disclosure:  All information and pictures were provided to me by Shutterfly.  I did receive 50 FREE Stationery Cards and a Desktop Plaque for this post.  No other compensation was received.  All opinions are my opinion.

Vistaprint - 10 FREE Valentine's Day Note Cards

 

Who doesn't love something sweet on Valentine's Day? A personalized valentine with a piece of candy will definitely make anyone's day! This year, get away from the generic boxed cards and give extra-special valentines that will really make everyone smile.  Now at Vistaprint, you can create 10 personalized Valentine's Day note cards for FREE, plus shipping & processing! Choose from over 50 designs with even more new designs this year! Add a personal touch to your valentines this year with your own messages and photos for cards that everyone will love to receive.  Plus, you can even turn each note card into three valentines by cutting it into thirds to create three smaller cards. They're perfect for children's classroom valentines exchanges and parties! Find fun cards with playful designs like heart-shaped candies, sock monkeys, and even space dinosaurs. But this offer only lasts for a limited time, so get started at Vistaprint now and make your next valentine truly unique! Shipping & Processing: starts at $4.80.

Menu Planning Monday

Monday - Homemade Pizza, Salad

Tuesday - Taco Tuesday

Wednesday - Marinated Chicken, Oven Parmesan Potatoes, Salad (DH requested this again this week.)

Thursday - Broiled Flounder, Slaw, Husb Puppies
Friday - Soup and Sandwiches

Saturday -

Sunday - I try to leave Sunday open.  DH likes to cook!


You can find other great weekly menus at Menu Planning Monday at Organized Junkie!

NEW Coupons Available

Here is a list of new coupons available.  Print them while you can.

 $1.00 off one Advil or Advil Migraine product

$0.50 off any TWO (2) Pace products

$1.50 off twelve single cans of ALPO Dog Food

$1.00 off one Sparkle Towel 6 big rolls or larger

Buy 2 Large DIGIORNO Pizzas, Get any ONE free

$2.00 off one CARNATION Breakfast Essentials

$0.55 off any TWO (2) Bagel-fuls 4ct

Thought of the Day

"At some point, you have to realize that some people can stay in your heart but not in your life."

Author Unknown