Monday, January 16, 2012

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Comment Saturday


Today is Comment Saturday!! 


For every comment left, I will return the favor by responding to your comment and by visiting your blog and leaving a comment.
I love to hear from my readers and I encourage you to leave comments on any blog you visit.
 
Today's question.....With grocery prices rising daily, what is one way you plan to cut back on your grocery bill to compensate for the rising prices?  I found a great idea at Frugal Makes Cents - Precious is trying to make a couple of meals each week without meat to be healthier and by doing this you can also save money.  I plan on incorporating this in our menu too.  I'm not sure how my dh is going to react to this because he is a person who likes meat with every meal. 

Healthy Snacking Tips

Every year, most everyone makes a resolution of eating healthier during the year.  I too am one who would love to change my eating habits.  For 2 weeks, I have improved my eating habits and I hope to continue doing so in the upcoming months. 

In my home, we all love to snack.  Snacking can be a way to completely blow your diet and add a few  pounds if you do eat healthy snacks.  One of our favorite things to eat as a snack is pretzels.  I have always loved to eat things with a crunch.  Pretzels is definitely something with a crunch.  I often add them to my salad to add a little extra crunch.  I also eat them with tuna salad instead of crackers. 




Tips for Healthy Snacking:

1) Plain and Simple Don't Buy Unhealthy Snacks - If you don't have them available, then you eat them.  Pretzels is a great alternative for chips.

2) Fruit - Always have fruit available for a snack.

3) Nuts - Nuts are a great healthy snack always have available.  They are also great to add to yogurt or salads.

4) Cookies - Who doesn't crave a cookie sometime?  Buy cookies that are low calorie so if you have a craving you will have something to satisfty your craving.

5) Chocolate - Everyone loves chocolate and sometimes you need that to satisfty that sweet craving.  I find that having small chocolate bars available is great.  A small bar satisfies my craving and I am not tempted to eat more than I should.

Here is a great, simple recipe for a Pretzel Dip that my mom has passed on to me.  It is a favorite in my home, even with my small kids.  Also, the ingredients stay within my grocery budget so it doesn't cost a lot to make.

Ruby Red Pretzel Dip

Ingredients:
1 Can (14 oz.) Jellied Cranberry Sauce
3/4 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Vinegar
1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Ground Ginger
1 tsp Ground Mustard
1/8 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
1 Tbsp Cold Water
Red Food Coloring (Optional)
Pretzels for dipping

Directions:
In a saucepan, combine the first seven ingredients. Whisk over medium heat until smooth.  combine flour and cold water until smooth.  Add cranberry mixture and bring to a boil.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes.  Transfer to a bowl and add a couple drops of food coloring if desired.  Cover and chill overnight.

Hopefully, I have shared a tip or two that will be useful to you.  If you any tips to share with me, please leave me a comment.  I am always looking for new ideas for healthy snacks.



About Snyder’s of Hanover Our tradition of good taste dates back to 1909 when Harry V. Warehime, founder of Hanover Canning Company, our parent company until 1980, began producing Olde Tyme Pretzels for the Hanover Pretzel Company. In 1963, the Bechtel Pretzel Company, founded by Bill and Helen Bechtel in 1947, was purchased and incorporated into Snyder’s Bakery. Bill developed the original recipe for the Sourdough Hard Pretzel that is still enjoyed by consumers today. More info on Snyder’s of Hanover



Disclaimer:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Snyder's of Hanover blogging program, for 6000 My SockialMoms Reward Points.  For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Sunday Coupon Preview

Click here to view this weeks list of coupons.  There will be 1 Smartsource tomorrow.  It will contain Huggies coupons which I am excited about.  I have been without any for a few weeks now.

$1 Coupon for Yoplait Frozen Smoothies

Click here to print your coupon for $1 off Yoplait Frozen Smoothies.

*This coupon offer is not valid in the following states: including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota and Tennessee.

Disclaimer:  This information and coupon offer is from Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.

NEW - FREE Samples Available


FREE Sample of Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food - Click here!

FREE Sample Pack of Nescafe Tasters Choice - Click here!

FREE Nursery Bag Tag - Click here! Starts at 12 Noon (EST) everyday!

FREE Sample of Shout Color Catcher - Click here!

Thought of the Day

Love is a choice you make everyday.

Unknown

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Ways I Saved/Earned Money This Week

- I read all of my Inbox Dollars emails for my account and my husband's daily to add money to our accounts.

- 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 and filed new coupons for future shopping trips.

- Printed a couple of coupons for future shopping trips.

- Continued to use my FREE samples this week including - lip balm, dish detergent (full size bottle), dryer sheets, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.

- Cashed in my Swagbucks for a $5 Amazon gift card.

- Purchased items at Target in their Christmas clearance section for next Christmas.

- Added several Christmas bags and boxes to my supply for next year, recycled from gifts I received for Christmas.

- We did NOT eat out at all last week.  Money in my pocket.  This is our biggest downfall when trying to stick to a budget.

- Stayed at home almost all week, gas money saved.

- Added several items to my yard sale/flea market storage bins.

- Payton and I had our 6 month dentist checkup and cleaning.  We receive 2 FREE cleanings each year with our insurance.

- Ordered a FREE Photo Book from Shutterfly using a coupon that sent me.  Only had to pay shipping and handling.  Love this since I try to do photo books for special occasions, holidays and birthdays.

- Returned a couple of Christmas presents.  Received a gift card since they did not have the correct sizes in items returned.

- Watched a movie that I had recorded from my FREE HBO weekend on Directv = FREE entertainment.

- Planned my shopping trip to Walmart and had all the coupons needed to get some great deals.

- With the odd weather we are having I made sure I kept a check on my thermostat...warm one day, cold the next.

- I have been noticing lights have been kept on in rooms for no reason, trying really hard to turn lights off when leaving a room.

Dollar General - $5 off $25 Purchase - Saturday 1/14/12 ONLY

Click here to print your coupon for $5 off $25 purchase at Dollar General for Saturday, January 14th.

Today's Favorite Coupon = Great Savings on Country Crock Flavored Spread

I tried this over the holidays and it was great.  Click here to print your coupon for .60 off 1 or $1.25 off 2 Country Crock Flavored Spread.

INK GARDEN - $1 Custom Desktop Calendar

Ink Garden

Great deal!  Use coupon code DESKSP for this great deal.

FREE Subscription to American Baby Magazine

Click here to request your FREE subscription to American Baby magazine.

Thought of the Day

It's easier to fight for one's principle than to live up to them.

Alfred Adler

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

My Favorite Deals at Lowes Foods - 1/11-1/17

Lowes Foods doubles coupons up to .99.  You can use 20 coupons per  transaction.




Lowes Foods Canned Vegetables - .48 each eOffers

Better Oats Oatmeal - $1
Buy 3 and Use $1/3 printable coupon
Final Price - .66 each

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers - $1.20
Use .50/1 coupon (Savings Star)
Final Price - .70

Campbell's Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup - .60 each
Buy 4 or Use .40/4 coupon 1/8 SS
Final Price - .40 each

Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers or Dinners - $1.98
Use $1/1 printable coupon
or Use .75/2 coupon SS 1/1
Final Price - As low as .98 each

Michelina's Entree - $1
Buy 5 and Use $1/5 printable coupon
Final Price - .80 each

Giveaway - FREE Yoplait Kids Yogurt Product Coupon (5 Winners) to the 1st (5) to Respond


I have (5) Coupons for FREE Yoplait Kids Yogurt.  The first (5) people to comment will win a coupon. Make sure you include your email address and I will email you for your mailing address.  Coupons expire 1/31/12. 

Disclaimer:  These coupons were provided by Yoplait.  No other compensation was received.  My opinions are my own.

FREE Sample of Eucerin

Click here to request your FREE sample of Eucerin Calming Itch-Relief Treatment.

Totsy - Awesome Sale Today - FREE Shipping for NEW Members

Spring Styles By Tresics are up to 80% off! Everything is under $20 and as low as $6.00 - V-necks, leggings, pants, hoodies and tops for women!

New members will also get Free shipping!

Today's Favorite Coupon - $10 Off Any Enfamil Formula

This is an awesome coupon.  If you don't use enfamil but know someone who does, print this coupon now.  I'm sure it won't last long and it will be a great surprise for your friend.

Wordless Wednesday - My Grestest Blessings!!


It's tickle time!

Thought of the Day

Save a little money each week and at the end of the year you'll be surprised at how much you have.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Today's Favorite Coupon - Great Deal on Toothbrushes


Click here to print your coupon for $2 off 2 Reach Toothbrushes.

$10 Neutrogena Rebate

Purchase $30 worth of Neutrogena products and receive a $10 rebate.  Click here for details.

Thrifty Craft - Thrifty Gift to Include in a Birthday Card

I often send birthday cards to family and friends on their special day.  I really wanted to include a little something special in my friends card this year but I didn't want to spend a lot of money.  I finally decided to make her a bookmark.  I had all the items needed to make this bookmark = NO money spent. 



Items Needed:

Cardstock - Solid Colors and Patterened
Buttons
Ribbon
Glue
Scissors
White Writing Pen
Decorative Punch

So, what do you think?  Do you think she will like it?

Thought of the Day

The first to apologize is the bravest.  The first to apologize is the strongest. And the first to learn from it and move on is the happiest.

Unknown

Monday, January 9, 2012

Sign up and save on travel and great resort deals to Puerto Rico!

New Year, New Goals for 2012

I find it hard to believe that it is already a new year.  I think 2011 flew by.  With a new year, comes new goals for my family, my blog and me.  I reviewed my goals from last year and realized there was a couple I didn't achieve.  Hopefully, I will have better luck this year.

One of my biggest goals for me is to stay more organized with EVERYTHING in my life.  Organization is key for me in fulfilling all of my duties in life.  I began the new year by cleaning and organizing every drawer, cabinet (except laundry room), and closet in my home.  Amazingly, I had 7 bags of trash!  I felt like this gave me a fresh start in the new year and will help me in accomplishing my goals in 2012.

2012 Goals:

- Finishing paying off all my debt.  I made a huge dent in it in 2011but I still have more to pay.

- Continue to work hard each day at saving money and making money with my blog.  I plan on sharing these tips with you.

-  Plan and prepare my shopping trips with sale items and coupons.  I hate to pay full price on anything. 

- Continue set aside time for just me.  I love being a stay-at-mom but I also love having some "me" time.  A break is sometimes needed more than you know.  I do enjoy my time after the kids go to bed each night.

- Plan a menu for each week.  This is so helpful for me and my husband.  Deciding what is for dinner can be such a problem for me and dh. 

What are your goals for the new year?  Do you have any of the same ones that I do?

FREE Sample of Shout Color Catcher

Click here to request your FREE sample of Shout Color Catcher.

FREE Gather Together P&G Coupon Booklet


Click here to request your FREE Gather Together P&G Coupon Booklet containing $35 worth of coupons.

Today's Favorite Coupon = FREE Reach Dental Floss


Click here to print your coupon for $1 off Reach Dental Floss. 

 Walmart has these for .97 each making them FREE!

Target Christmas 90% off Clearance Finds

I finally made it to Target Friday afternoon.  I was really hoping to find some wrapping paper that I could use for birthday gifts throughout the year but unfortunately all the wrappng paper was gone.  The only great deal I was able to find was on Christmas bags and a couple of Christmas ornament crafts for Payton.



10 - Christmas Bags - Reg. Price - $ 1.99 each, Clearance Price - .19 each  = Total $1.90
2 - Christmas Ornament Craft Kits - Reg. Price $4.00, Clearance Price - .20 each = Total $.40

Total OOP - $2.30
Total Amount Saved - $21.60

FREE Disney Parks Vacation Planning DVD

Drugstore Deals This Week for CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid - 1/8-1/14

My favorite deals at CVS this week:

Mars Chocolate Singles - .75
Receive .75 ECB
Final Price - FREE
Limit 1

CVS Vitamin D 400 IU - $3.49
Receive $3.49 ECBs
Final Price - FREE
Limit 1

Kodak Archive DVD - $4.99
Receive $4.99 ECBs
Final Price - FREE
Limit 1

Suave Invisible Solid Deodorant - .99
Use .75/1 coupon 1/8 RP
Final Price .24 each

GE Energy Smart 40, 60, 74 or 100 Watt (1 pack) - $2.99
Receive $2 ECB
Final Price - .99 
Limit 1

CVS Hydrogen Peroxide Value Pack - $2
Receiev $1 ECB
Final Price - $1
Limit 3




My favorite deals at Walgreens this week:

Kids Omega Smart Ultimate Fish Oils - $10
Receive $10 RR
Final Price - FREE

Syntha-6 Meal Replacement Bar - $1.89
Receive $1.89 RR
Final Price - FREE

Precise Cream or Heat Patches Pain Relief - $5.99
Receive $3 RR
Use $3/1 printable coupon
Final Price - FREE




My favorite deals at Rite Aid this week:

Thermacare Heat Wrap 1 Ct - $3
Receive $3 +UP Reward
Final Price - FREE
Limit 1

Halls Cough Drops - 2/$3
Buy 2 and Receive $1 +UP Reward
Use $1/2 printable coupon
Final Price - .50 each after coupon and +UP Reward

Toblerone Bars - 2/$3
Use .50/1 coupon 11/13 SS
Final Price - $1
Palmolive Dish Soap 10 oz. - $1
Use $1/2 coupon 1/1 SS
Final Price - .50 each

AC Moore Coupons


Great coupons for this week - 50% off any regular priced item on Tuesday and 40% off any regular priced item for the whole week.

Click here to print.

Giveaway Winners

Sorry for the delay but here is the winners for Carmex and Chex giveaways....


Carmex Giveaway - Frances



Chex and $25 Sam's Gift Card Giveaway - Charlene


Thanks to everyone for participating.  Frances and Charlene have been emailed and have 48 hours to respond or new winners will be chosen.  I hope to have several new giveaways this year.

Thought of the Day

I'm backkkkkkkk!!  I hope everyone had a wonderful blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.  I look forward 2012 and sharing great deals.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Chex Mix and $25 Sam's Gift Card Giveaway


Who doesn't love chex mix? It is a traditon for alot of families to make this during the holiday season.  It is definitely a treat I look forward to.  Once you start eating, you can't stop.  It is very addictive.  Several Chex Party Mix recipes can be made in just 15 minutes and Sam's Club stores provide you with everything needed to host a fabulous party, there's no excuse to not call on family and friends for a celebrationl. 

How to throw the ultimate Sam's Club Chex Party Mix-Change:

- Set the date and spread the word.  Announce your chex Party Mix-Change using some of these festive invites.
- Mix it up.  Use these mouth-watering chex recipe cards including Chex Pumpkin Pie Crunch and Hot Buttered Yum Chex Mix and this shopping list to make party prep a snap.
- Share the fun.  use some of these easy tips and tricks to add some extra flare to your party and check out some of the packaging ideas so your guests don't go home empty handed.

Visit ChexPartyMixChange.com for even more party-planning tips and be sure to also check out Sam's Club, your one stop Chex spot that has everything you need to throw a Chex Party Mix-Challenge.

How to enter: (5 entries per person)

Required:

- Visit www.chexpartymixchange.com and leave a comment telling me which Chex Mix recipe you would love to try.
4 Extra Entries:
- 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 giveaway (@mariathriftyWAI) and leave me a comment telling me you did.

- "Like" me on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did.
This giveaway will close on Friday, December 23 at midnight (EST). The winner will emailed and announced on Monday morning . You will have 48 hours to respond or a
new winner will be chosen. A great after Christmas gift for yourself to win.

Disclosure: The Sam´s Club gift card, information, and giveaway have been provided by Sam´s Club, Chex Party Mix and General Mills through MyBlogSpark. I did receive a FREE box of cereal and a $25 Sam's gift card for this post.  No other compensation was provided.  All opionions are my own.

Carmex Healing Skin Care Lotion & Cream Review and 24 Hour Giveaway

One thing I dread about winter is dry skin.  Not only do I have to adapt to the freezing temperatures but I have to take a little extra time to take care of my dry skin.  I am a loyal user of Carmex lip balm but I am now a loyal customer of Carmex Healing Skin Care Lotion. 

What great products Carmex has added to their brand? For over 75 years, people have come to love the healing power of Carmex lip balms.  Now Carmex is offering skin care products that help soothe, heal and moisturize your dry skin.  There is nothing worse than itchy, dry skin.  I have been using Carmex Healing Skin Care Lotion for 2 weeks and I am so pleased with the results. My skin is so soft and smooth.  It does not leave your skin greasy. 


Carmex has provided me with 1 gift pack to giveaway.  The Carmex gift pack includes (2) Carmex Healing Skin Care Lotion 5.5oz and 1oz. and (2) Carmex Healing Skin Care Cream 5.5 oz and 1oz. A great gift for yourself or someone else.

How to enter: (5 entries per person)

Required:

-  Leave a comment telling me if you are a fan of Carmex.
4 Extra Entries:
- 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 giveaway (@mariathriftyWAI) and leave me a comment telling me you did.

- "Like" me on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did.
This giveaway will close on Friday, December 16 at midnight (EST). The winner will emailed and announced on Monday morning . You will have 48 hours to respond or a
new winner will be chosen.
Disclaimer:  Carmex sponsored this giveaway. I did receive a FREE gift pack to review. No other compensation was provided.  All opinions are my own.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

AND THE WINNER IS ....

I apologize for the delay but the winner of the 50 FREE Christmas cards from Tiny Prints is:

Here are your random numbers:

4
  - Mrs. Gruss 

Timestamp: 2011-12-03 18:03:43 UTC

Mrs. Gruss has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.  Thanks to everyone for entering.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Scents From Nature You Love, and Where Those Scents Take You

It amazes me how a scent can remind me of a certain memory from me past.  The smell of pumpkin always reminds me of my grandma making homemade pumpkin pies at Thanksgiving.  The smell of cinnamon always reminds of Christmas and the dried apple wreath my mom use to hang in our kitchen.

I often use candles and a tart burner to infuse my home with a great scent.  Three of my favorite scents from nature is pine, grass and lavender.  To me, these scents smell so fresh and clean.

The scent of pine always takes me to memories of past Christmases.  Nothing better than the fresh scent of pine to get you in the holiday spirit.  A fresh cut Christmas tree brings more than just a decoration at Christmas, it makes your home smell wonderful.  Growing up we would always get a fresh cut tree every Christmas.  A couple of years we even went to the woods to cut it down.  What wonderful memories I have.

Another great scent from nature is fresh cut grass.  It isn't something you can bottle up or at least I don't think so, but I do love the scent.  Nothing better driving down the street with your window down and smelling fresh cut grass or opening your windows after you have mowed your lawn.  It is one of my favorite scents of summer and it always takes me to the memories of my 74 year old grandma mowing her yard in the summer.  She was stubborn and never allowed anyone to assist her, she was particular on how her yard was mowed.  She would always say after she finished that she loved the smell of fresh cut grass.

Lavender is something that I use often in my bedroom.  I have a lavender linen spray that is wonderful.  The scent of lavender always takes me to the memory of  my neighbors garden in our neighborhood when I was a child.  Of course, I wasn't suppose to be in the neighbors yard but I would often sneak over and smell her lavender.  The scent always brings a smile to my face.

Nothing is greater than your sense of smell.  I look forward to smelling the holiday scents in the next few weeks and seeing what memories it takes me to this year.

What scents from nature do you love?  Do they take you to a certain memory?  Let me know!

Disclaimer:  “I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

About Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation is the nation’s leading brand of household and personal care products that help protect human health and the environment. Established in 1988, the Burlington, Vermont based company remains an independent, privately-held company distributing products to natural food stores, supermarkets, mass merchants, and online retailers across the United States and Canada.

Seventh Generation has created a line of dish liquids featuring natural scents from real lemons, clementines and lavender. Seventh Generation’s Natural Dish Liquid scents come from fields not factories, and honor the careful hands that cultivated them.

More info on Seventh Generation: http://www.seventhgeneration.com/

Enter to win a trip to Italy, France or Vermont

Seventh Generation on Facebook

Thought of the Day

Countdown to Christmas - 42 Days!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

NEW Dollar General Coupon - $10 off $30 Purchase of Select Items


Click here to print your coupon for $10 off when you make a purchase of $30 or more on 11/12!  Coupon is good for select Christmas, Toys and apparel.

FREE Sample of Woolite

"Like" Woolite on Facebook and request a FREE sample.  Available to the first 50,000.

Ways I Saved/Earned Money This Week

- I read all of my Inbox Dollars emails for my account and my husband's daily to add money to our accounts.

- 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 and filed new coupons for future shopping trips.

- Compared gas prices online before filling up so I could get the lowest price.

- Continued to use my FREE samples this week including - lip balm, lotion, kids vitamins, and toothpaste.

- Continuing to try to drink more water. Not only is this good for me but it will also be a great way to save money.

- Printed several coupons for future shopping trips.

- Cashed in Swagbucks for another $5 Amazon gift card.

- Used my coupons when grocery shopping this week. Making a another trip this afternoon.

- Took the kids to the park to play and for a picnic = FREE entertainment.

- Ordered a free gift card from MyPoints for a Christmas gift.

- Did a sponsored post for free Christmas address labels.

- Purchased a couple Christmas gifts combining sales and coupons for some great deals.