Thrifty and Neat Blog Entries Found This Week

1) Finding Holiday Deals at the Dollar Store - I love the way Kasey classifies each item as a deal or a dud.


2) Create on a Budget - Kate got very creative in with her son's popcorn strings. Too cute!


3) Fabulous, Frugal Gift Tags - I love these ideas.

4) Slow Cooker Green Pepper Chicken Recipe - This sounds very good.

5) Creative Coffee Table Ideas for a Thrifty Shopper - Lots of great ideas here.

6) Going From 2 Incomes to 1 - Great article full of ideas in helping save and plan for the future.

FREE HALO DOG TREATS

Sign up for the FREE Halo Newsletter and receive FREE Halo dog treats.

FREE DELALLO FOOD CALENDAR 2010

Click here to request.

15% OFF WALGREENS COUPON - TODAY ONLY!

Click here to print.

Thought of the Day

People with many interests live, not only longer, but happiest.

BATH AND BODY WORKS COUPON

Click here to print.

Coupon Expires - 12/20


Plus, there is a sale on their Signature Body Collection - Buy Any 3 Get 3 FREE.

FREE SAMPLE OF EXCEDRIN

Click here to request your FREE Sample from Sam's. You do not have to have a membership.

.50 COUNTRY CROCK COUPON

The coupon does not specify a size. You can often find the small tubs on sale for $1. If your store doubles coupon, that will make it FREE.

Click here to print and remember to hit your back button to print it twice.

What Did You Get for FREE This Week?

Lots of great goodies this week....



6 FREE NoteCards from Dove
Martha Stewart Living Magazine
Better Homes and Gardens Magazine
Elle Decor Magazine
Food Lion Coupons
FREE Pack of Peanut Butter Ghirardelli Chocolate


Did you receive any free goodies this week?

Thought of the Day

Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtous activities.

Aristotle

6 FREE HOLIDAY MP2 FROM ITUNES

The free MP3's include:

Ode to Joy

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly

O'Christmas Tree

Joy to the World

Silent Night

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Click here to download.

AND THE WINNER IS .......

The $35 Jiffy Lube Giftcard Winner is .... LeeAnn

Here is the random number:

39

Timestamp: 2009-12-16 17:29:04 UTC

LeeAnn has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Thanks to everyone for entering!!

DEL MONTE PRODUCTS COUPON $1 OFF OF 4

These are on sale this week at Target for .50 each. With the coupon, you will only be paying .25 each.

Wal-Mart also has these on sale for .67 each. With the coupon, you will only be paying .42 each.

Click here to print your coupon.

Thought of the Day

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door, we do not see the one that has been opened for us.

Helen Keller

TASTY TUESDAY - HOT APPLE PIE DIP

Ingredients:

1 8oz Philadelphia 1/3 less fat Cream Cheese
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 apple, chopped, divided
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp. pecan pieces
Wheat Thins



Heat oven to 375.
Mix cream cheese, sugar, spice in medium bowl until well blended. Stire in half of the apples.
Spread into pie plate or small casserole dish. top with remaining apples, cheese, and nuts.
Bake 10 to 12 mins. or until heated through. Serve with crackers.


Makes 16 servings (2 Tbsp. per serving)

You can find other great Tasty Tuesday recipes at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.

GREAT NEWS FOR CEREAL LOVERS

General Mills announced this week a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to children under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain.

The maker of Big G cereals reminds you that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters. Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children´s diets.

Other cereal benefits:
Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children´s diets.
Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child´s diet today.
More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.

Studies also demonstrate the benefits of eating breakfast. A 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school. Compared to children who skip breakfast, children who eat breakfast score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy, have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office.

For more information about kids and cereals, please visit Cereal Health and Wellness.

Disclaimer: All the above information was provided to me from General Mills by MyBlogSpark.

Thought of the Day

"The only time to eat diet food is while you're aiting for the steak to cook."

Julia Child

GREENIES - BUY 1 GET 1 FREE COUPON

Click here to print your coupon.

This would make great treats in your pets stocking Christmas morning.

AC MOORE COUPONS

50% Off of 1 Regular Price Item - 12/13 - 19

50% Off of Custom Framing - 12/13/-12/19

Click here to print.

FAMILY CIRCLE MAGAINE - 2 MORE FREE ISSUES

Click here to request.

Thought of the Day

A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one."

Mary Kay Ash

Thought of the Day

"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.

Orson Welles

Thought of the Day

"I believe that as much as you take, you have to give back. It's important not to focus on yourself too much."

Nicole Kidman

FINALLY FRIDAY

TGIF!!

Christmas is 2 weeks from today. Can you believe it?? I am so far behind on my shopping. Since someone in my house was sick for 5 during November, I wasn't able to do any shopping. I plan on making a huge dent in it this weekend. I have my list and my coupons and I'm ready to hit the stores.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you Monday!!

Thrifty And Neat Blog Entries Found This Week

1) Super Simple Cranberry Roast - This sounds great and very easy to make.

2) Surprise Ball Christmas Ornaments - I love these.

3) Handmade Christmas for Grandmas who have everything - In my opinion, you can never go wrong with party mix.

4) Top 5 Ways to Shop for the Holidays - This may give you some gift ideas.

5) How to Take a Great Picture - Great tips that I will definitely try.

6) Merry Old England and English Toffee 101 - This recipes sounds wonderful. Just looking at the pictures made hungry.

BATH AND BODY WORKS COUPON - 20% OFF ANY PURCHASE $25 OR MORE

Click here to print.

Expires 12/14/09.

$15.50 IN ARM AND HAMMER COUPONS

Click here for $15.50 in coupons from Arm & Hammer.

PARTY CITY COUPON - $10 OFF $30 PURCHASE

Click here to print.

Expires 12/14/09

Thought of the Day

"Looking 50 is great - if you're 60."

Joan Rivers

$1 COUPON OFF OF GENERAL MILLS CEREAL

Click here to print you $1 coupon.

Remember to hit your BACK button and print it twice.

JIFFY LUBE GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY

I have always been told how you take care of your car determines the life of your car. I try to keep my car serviced on a regular basis. This also helps with your mileage and in the long run can save you money.

Did You Know?

- According to a study by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, nearly 9 out of 10 female motorists are involved in their household's vehicle maintenance and repair

- According to a national survey that polled 522 women, 46 percent incorrectly assumed simply switching from conventional engine oil to synthetic oil enables the number of miles between oil changes to be safely extended*

- Using a quality motor oil in the right grade can help maximize fuel economy, and help save money by preventing costly engine damage

- Off-brand, no-name or discount oils that do not meet industry standards or the vehicle manufacturer´s requirements could cost consumers in the long run by potentially damaging the vehicle´s engine or possibly voiding the manufacturer's warranty

A great website - www.MotorOilMatters.org (created by industry-leading brands Pennzoil, Quaker State and Shell Rotella); you can easily locate key information that will help prolong your engine´s life and improve overall efficiency, as well as help answer any questions you may have about motor oil. In addition, the site offers a fun, educational game for you to play called "M.O.M. Knows Best" where you can put your motor mind to the test with an interactive quiz.

To find a Jiffy Lube near you - click here.

Giveaway - I have (1) $35 Jiffy Lube gift card to giveaway to one lucky person!!

How To Enter: (4 Total Entries Per Person)

- Leave me a comment telling me what you found most interesting on the Motor Oil Matters site. (Required)

- Tweet about this giveaway (1 extra entry) and leave me a comment telling you did.
- Blog about this giveaway (1 extra entry) and leave me comment with the post url.
- Follow/Subscribe to my blog (1 extra entry) and leave me comment telling me you did.

This is only valid for US residents.

This giveaway will close on Tuesday, December 15 at 9pm. The winner will be emailed and posted Wednesday morning. You will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Good Luck!!

Disclaimer: Shell Lubricants and MotorOilMatters.org provided me with a gift card and information through MyBlogSpark. My thoughts and review is my opinion.

What Did You Get for FREE This Week?

Lots more goodies and coupons this week:



Belk Coupons
Bed, Bath and Beyond Coupons
Hallmark Coupons
FREE Woman's Day magazine
My FREE Christmas Cards came - LOVE THEM!!
Mueller's Pasta Calendar with Coupons
JCP Coupon- $10 off $10 purchase - Something free for sure!
Parenting Magazine

Did you get any goodies this week?

YANKEE CANDLE COUPON - $10 OFF $20

$10 off your $20 purchase in-store or use online - Coupon Code - XF912A2.

Expires 12/13/09.

Click here to print.

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO CAR AND DRIVER

Click here to order your 1 year FREE subscription to Car and Driver Magazine.

Thought of the Day

"God gave women intuition and femininity. Used properly, the combination easily jumbles the brain of any man I've ever met."

Farrah Fawcett

CHRISTMAS DECORATING - SHARE YOUR DECORATIONS WITH ME

We spent most of Sunday decorating. For some reason, I just couldn't get in the holiday spirit but I knew it had to be done. Once I got started I couldn't stop. I ended up putting up 3 Christmas trees (1 large, 2 small). Below is a few of our decorations.


Family Room Tree










Dining Room Table










Wreaths on my Windows










Small Christmas Tree in My Room










Payton's Christmas Tree










Want to share your decorations? Line up below!!

FREE CHRISTMAS SONG DOWNLOAD AND COUPON FROM BLUE BUNNY

Click here to download and print.

Thought of the Day

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

Winston Churchill

FREE COUPON FOR STACY'S PITA CHIPS

Become a fan of Stacy's Pita Chips on Facebook here and then click on the 'Free Stacy's' tab and you'll be able to request a coupon for a free bag of Stacy's Pita Chips (up to $3.99 value!). This is limited to the first 65,000 entries and I'm guessing it will go fast!"

Thanks Money Saving Mom!

TASTY TUESDAY - PECAN TOFFEE FUDGE

Ingredients:

1 tsp butter
1 package (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
3-34 cups confectioners' sugar
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1/4 tsp almond extract
dash of salt
1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1/4 cup English toffee bits



Directions:
Line a 9" square pan with foil and grease the foil with butter; set aside. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioner's sugar. Add the melted chocolate, extract and salt; mix well. Stir in pecans and toffee bits. Spread into prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight or until firm. Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Gently peel off foil; cute fudge into 1 inch squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.


Yields - 2-1/2 lbs.

You can find other great Tasty Tuesday recipes at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.

HALLMARK - $5 OFF $5 PURCHASE

Click here to print your coupon.

Expires 12/24/09.

I'm sure you will be able to find something for FREE or Almost FREE.

Thought of the Day

Cherish each day because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

MENU PLANNING MONDAY - 12/07

I'm still cooking "lightly", since my husband is still working out of town. I miss him but I don't miss having to cook every day.

Monday - Breakfast for Dinner - Eggs, Sausage, Toast

Tuesday - Spaghetti with Garlic Bread

Wednesday - Soup and Toasted Cheese

Thursday - Grilled Chicken Salad

Friday - Dinner Out

Saturday - Homemade Pizza, Salad

Sunday - Husband Usually Cooks - ??

$10 OFF $10 PURCHASE AT JCPENNEYS

Get $10 off your purchase of $10 or more at JCPenney.com with the code NICE4U. Shipping is as low as $4.50 when your choose in-store pick up. Code expres 12/7/09.

Don't forget to go through Ebates and receive 3% cash back on your purchase. New members will receive a $5 sign up bonus. Click here to register.

Thought of the Day

Choose your friends wisely.