Friday Favorites- Giveaway!

Yoplait Light has an awesome new program called the Two Week Tune Up. By following the plan you could lose up to 5 lbs in 2 weeks! Here's what you have to do:

• Replacing your breakfast and lunch with a Yoplait Light yogurt, a whole grain,
  and a fruit
• Eating a diet rich in lean protein and non-fat dairy, including a sensible dinner, beverages, and snacks
• Walking 30-40 minutes daily

Pretty simple! Especially, since I love yogurt! 

With the new year starting, I'm sure many of us (myself included) want to lose some weight, and this would be a great way to start. By going to Yoplait's Website, you will find tons of tools to help you on your way, such as meal planners, recipes, and exercise trackers. The folks at Yoplait and MyBlogSpark have supplied me with a great gift pack full of lots of goodies to go with the program and coupon for free Yoplait Light*. And what's even better is one of my lucky readers will receive a prize pack to help them succeed!

To Enter:

1. Comment on what your NewYear's Resolution will be this year.
2. Subscribe to the Frugal and Provident feed or email.
3. Follow Frugal and Provident via Google Friend Connect (found in the right side-bar).
4. "Like" Frugal and Provident on Facebook.

This means you can enter up to 4 times! Please leave a comment for each entry (up to 4 comments total)! The winner will be chosen on 1/7/11 around 11am. Emailed comments and those left on Facebook will not be counted.

Disclosure: Yoplait and MyBlogSpark provided me with info and a prize pack for me and my winner. All comments and opinions are my own.

*Coupon not valid in CA, ID, LA, MN, NV, NJ, ND, and TN.

Good Luck!

*Due to some technical issues with the site that hosts my comments, I will extend the entry time until tonight 1/7/11 at 9pm. That way everyone has a chance. Please remember to leave a comment for each form of entry.

Publix Ad

Michelle over at iheartpublix has the new ad up, you can find it HERE.

It's just the BOGO's so far, and I'm not seeing too terribly much yet.

Publix List/Trip

I spent $19.97 for $53.36 worth of groceries, saving $33.39 or 63%!

Here's the match-ups:
(2)Hidden Valley Ranch BOGO $3.69
  -(1)$1/2 from Open Happiness Booklet
(2)Stonyfield YoBaby 2/$5
   -B1G1 Tearpad
(4)Pace Salsa BOGO $2.79
   -(2)$1/2 from Open Happiness Booklet
   -(4)50¢/1 Target HERE
(1)M&M Pretzels 89¢ (not pictured)
   -(1)Free product coupon
(3)Hidden Valley Ranch Dip $1.53
   -$1/3 Open Happiness Booklet
(1)Friendship Sourcream
   -Free wyb (2) Hidden Valley Peelie
(4)Cherry Coke B2G1 $1.79
   -(1)$1/4 Open Happiness Booklet
   -(1)B3G1 Target HERE
(7) Barilla Plus Pasta $2.19
   -(1)Free Product from Vocalpoint
   -(3)B1G1 Coupons from Vocalpoint


It's been a crazy week, so far! I decided to go through and see what I had expiring at the end of the month. I keep a little section right at the front of my binder for coupons I want to use. Basically these are coupons that make really good prices sale or not, I hold onto them in hopes of a sale, but if it doesn't happen I will use them right before their expiration. Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Publix Ad

Michelle over at iheartpublix has the new ad up, you can find it HERE.

I haven't been able to look over it very well as of yet, but I'm loving the new feature she has going on. I'm sure it will make things a little easier for me! Check it out!

Meal Plan Monday

Monday- Mac and Cheese, Broccoli
Tuesday- Baked Brown Sugar and Applesauce Pork Chops, Pasta Side, Peas
Wednesday- Beef Stroganoff and Green Beans
Thursday- Chicken Cordon Bleu, Rice, Broccoli
Friday- Homemade Pizza, Salad
Saturday- Christmas Dinner
Sunday- Cheeseburger Loaves
What's your menu for the week?
Don't forget to link up below!

News for the Next Two Weeks

Things have been crazy around here! I've had tons going on. In order for me to enjoy my family over this holiday season, I'll be taking a little break for the next two weeks. You'll still get some posts, just not daily. You can still expect meal plans, shopping lists, shopping trips, and new ads. There may be a few other fun posts in there too. *Hint*A giveaway is coming your way...*hint*

Hope everyone enjoys their holidays!

Friday Favorites- Christmas and Giving.

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. I love the whole Christmas time feeling of love and giving. For me I love giving gifts, much more than receiving them. I love doing service for others as well, and there are always tons of ways to give this time of year. Here's a list of things you can do:

• Donate to a food pantry. Go through your stockpile and purge anything that you aren't going to use or is nearing expiration and you won't be able to use. Food pantries have a lot of demand at this time of the year.
• Toy drives. There's tons of these that happen for tons of organizations. There's Toys for Tots and Angel Giving Trees. If you attend a church, you may be able to help a family there. Some of these can be a great place to give gently used toys your children no longer play with.
• Caroling. It can be nice to visit a few houses or shut-ins with some Christmas cheer.
• Nursing Homes. These places love having people who are willing to come visit around the holidays.
• Time. Many organizations could use your time to fill their demands around the holidays.
• Money. Most notably is the Salvation Army. You'll see them ringing their bells outside of stores. If you have anything to give, it can be quite beneficial for them. Many are finding that people aren't donating as much this year.

There really are tons of ways to give this time of  year, so I encourage you to choose at least one and do it!

Publix Trip 12/16/10

I spent $29.37 for $97.76 worth of groceries, saving $68.39 or 70%!

See my original list here.

Added:
(1)Bananas 2.24lb @ 69¢/lb = $1.55
(1)Publix Ham $11.24
(1)Jell-o $1.39
(1)Publix Gingerale 2/$1

Deleted:
Nothing!

Prices, Price Changes, Coupons, and Coupon Changes:
Ore-ida BOGO $2.93 not $2.95
Quaker Oatmeal BOGO $3.99 not $3.89
Deli Purchases: Publix Lemonade @ $2.99 and Swiss Cheese @$1.05 (used $2 off toward)
Ritz BOGO $3.69 not $3.09
Coke $1.79
Keebler Club BOGO $3.89 not $3.69
Green Beans 89¢
Zucchini 69¢

My usual cashier went on lunch break right before I was going to check-out. The cashier I used this time didn't take overages. Since nobody ever seems to answer me straight on that, I just went with it, and didn't argue. You win some, you lose some! Still did great for what I got.

Saving Money on Babies and Toddlers: Activities

At this age, most children don't take much to be entertained. Here are a few things you can do to save some money.

• Find a playgroup. It provides some great adult conversation and usually the places they go are cheap or free. You might discover some fun parks that way.
• Playgrounds/Parks. These are obviously fun for toddlers, but they can be a great place to go for a walk with a baby in the stroller. Babies love to look at the things that surround them.
• Libraries. Many libraries offer reading time or other baby/toddler age activities.
• Neighborhood Walking. It can be fun to walk around the neighborhood and point at trees, animals, and all sorts of sights.
• Check your memberships. If you have memberships to any organization, check to see what perks they have. Some gyms offer free childcare or even Mommy and Me type classes. 
• Check your local parks and recreation. These often offer classes for mother and child or classes for older toddlers. These can range from movement, art, or music, and are usually cheap or free.

Basically, don't go crazy on activities at this age, most babies/toddlers are happy to just explore the world!

Shopping List for 12/16/10

Blue= Manufacturer's Coupon
Green= Publix Coupon
Red= Competitor's Coupon


(2)Ore Ida Hash Browns BOGO $2.95
   -(1)$2/2 Target from 12/5/10 SS
   -(2)$1/1 Blinkies
(2)Quaker Oatmeal BOGO $3.89
   -(2)$2/1 Printable (No Longer Available)
(2)Planter's Nuts BOGO $3.19
  -(1)$2/2 Target HERE
  -(2)$1/1 HERE
(2) Thomas English Muffins BOGO $3.49
(2)Keebler Club Crackers BOGO $3.69
   -(1)$1/2 from "Your Ultimate Holiday Savings" Booklet
   -(1)$1/2 Walgreen's IVC
Deli Purchase
   -(2)$1 off Deli Purchase wyb (1)Package Keebler Club
(2)Nabisco Ritz BOGO $3.09
   -(1)$1.50/2 HERE
   -(1)$1/2 Target HERE
(4)Coca Cola 2 L B2G1
   -(1)B3G1 Target HERE
   -(1)$1/4 Open Happiness Booklet
        {or}
(4) Publix Soda 2/$1 (Soda deals vary regionally, so I never know what to expect)
(1) Colgate Toothpaste 10/$10
Green Beans 99¢/lb
Zucchini 99¢/lb
Yellow Onions $1.99
(2)Baker's Chocolate 2/$5
   -(1)$1/2 HERE
   -(1)$1/2 Target HERE
(2)Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice 2/$5
   -(1)$2/2 HERE
   -(1)$1/2 Walgreen's IVC

-$5/$50 GFS HERE

I'm also thinking of picking up a ham, but haven't decided yet...

How Do I Use It? Pasta Part IV: Special Concerns

There aren't a ton of concerns for pasta, but there are a few.

Allergies- There are a large number of people who are either allergic to wheat flour or suffer from Celiac disease. Obviously if someone in your family has these issues, pasta is not a great option for food storage. 

Water- I feel like a broken record on this one, but it's true. However, one advantage to pasta is theoretically you could use the water that the pasta was cooked in to cook other foods. Unlike beans and/or rice where the water is either absorbed by the food or must be tossed after soaking, the water is still there and usable. You could cook dehydrated veggies or use in other ways. 

Cooking Source- Again I feel like a broken record, but you need to be able to cook the pasta. (Well I guess you could eat it uncooked if you were desperate...)

Wheat Pasta- I love wheat pasta, but for long term storage it would be better to pick the white kind. Wheat products can go rancid a lot quicker. The only wheat the can be stored for long term is the hard cracked kind (the stuff you need a wheat grinder for). However feel free to choose wheat for short term storage.

Pasta Part I, II, III

Clever Tricks for Organizing: Bathrooms

Bathrooms can become really disorganized with all that happens in there. You have shampoos, soaps, toothbrushes, make-up, children's toys, towels, clothes, etc., etc. Here are some helpful tips to help tame the bathroom clutter.

• Limit your shampoos, conditioners, body washes, etc. You can do this by sharing the same product with another family member, or at the very least make sure that each person doesn't have several shampoos, conditioners, etc. It easily happens when you decide you want to try something new, but haven't finished the old.
• This leads to the next point, which is to purge the old. If you've got medicines that have expired, dispose of them. If you have make-up that's a pretty old, get rid of it. If you have toiletries that were given to you as gifts, but you haven't used them, give them away to a charity. If you have several tubes of toothpaste that have just a little left in there, it's probably best to toss them.
• Figure out if you can move things to other places. If you have a cabinet or closet that is half filled with toilet paper and extra toiletries and you can't fit your towels in there, maybe consider another closet or maybe even the laundry room or garage. If your drawers are filled with make-up, consider a vanity in your bedroom. 
• Invest in some storage containers to control what you do keep in the bathroom. Containers can keep like things together, and often provide more storage in the storage areas you have.
• Find a solution for your kids toys. There are tons of fun toy holders for the bathroom. If you're like me and your child's bathroom is also the guest bathroom, it may be wise to find a home out of the way for the toys because I don't know too many people who want to navigate through toys to use the bathroom.
• Try to keep things off the counter. Use the methods above to keep as much as you can off the counter top. The reason is simple, if you always knock stuff over to simply wash your hands, it can be really frustrating. You certainly don't want to start your day by seeing clutter in your bathroom as well. 
• Create habits by always putting back things where they belong. Train the rest of the family to do the same (hard, I know!).

I hope these tips help! If you have any tips, please feel free to share below.

Publix Ad

Michelle over at iheartpublix has the new ad up, you can find it HERE.

It's looking pretty good, I see quite a few free and/or money makers for me this week!

Meal Plan Monday

Our oven broke on Saturday, so I'm kind of vamping this week. So these things may change based on when we get a new oven, and get it set up.

Monday- @ Friend's house
Tuesday- Burritos
Wednesday- Crockpot Pot Roast
Thursday- Leftover's
Friday- Homemade Pizza
Saturday- Church Event
Sunday- Chicken and Stuffing Bake, Salad

What's your menu for the week?
Don't forget to link up below!

Fun Find for Pet Owners!

 I saw an ad in my paper today for a new program from Publix for pets. It looks similar to the Baby Club and Pre-school Pals. You can sign-up at publix.com/mypet. If you sign-up, you'll also be entered into a drawing for $5200 worth of Publix gift cards. 

I know I'm excited with my little zoo, and if it's anything like the Baby Club, I will be super happy!

Friday Favorites- Recipe

I know I gave a recipe last week, but with it being the holiday season, I figured another cookie recipe wouldn't hurt.

Snickerdoodles
Ingredients
1 cup soft margarine or butter blend
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar + 2 tsp cinnamon for topping

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 400 F
2. In a large bowl, mix together margarine and sugar.
3. Blend in eggs one at a time.
4. In a medium bowl sift together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
5. Mix dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Dough should be a little stiff.
6. On a plate combine extra sugar and cinnamon.
7. Form dough into 1 inch balls and roll into cinnamon sugar mix to coat.
8. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 8-10 minutes.

Makes about 24 cookies.

Enjoy!

Publix Trip 12/9/2010

I spent $21.40 for $51.74 worth of groceries, saving $30.34 or 59%.

See my original list here.

Added:
(2)Baker's Chocolate 2/$5
   -(1)$1/2 Printable (not sure where from it was in my binder...)
   -(1)$1/2 Target Printable HERE

Deleted:
Nothing

Prices, Price Changes, Coupons, and Coupon Changes:
Total price for Chicken Breast -$9.47
Changed Welch's Coupon to a $1/2 hangtag because I didn't want the light juice.

Nothing too spectacular to report. It was actually good it was a small trip because I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so I was glad it didn't take too long in the store.

Saving on Babies and Toddlers: Gear

Baby/toddler gear can easily eat up a lot of money. You have cribs, strollers, high chairs, car seats, swings, etc. etc. It costs a lot and sometimes it's things you only use for a few months. Here are some tips to cut back on these costs.

• Cheaper isn't always better. Buying the cheapest one of these items is not always the best idea. The last thing you want is to buy the cheap one and find out it breaks easily or isn't very user friendly. If at all possible find a place where you can try it out, and if you can't do that check out reviews for the item.
• Multitasking items can be better. If you can find a crib that can be a toddler bed, convertible car seats, or potty seat that can become a step stool, it can save you money down the line. Buying items that can only be used for a couple of weeks or month may be a waste of money. Instead of a bassinet, try the bassinet attachment on a pack and play. 
• Decide what you really need.  This varies greatly from family to family. Some people think a changing table is a waste of money, but I find it to be a back saver (and still use it on my 20 month old.) Maybe a swing isn't a necessity, but it could be if it is the only place your child will sleep. Maybe you don't fancy a stroller and use a baby carrier all the time. The point is figure out what you need, and then don't be convinced you need to have something by anyone else (and trust me everyone tries to give you their opinion of what you need!)
• Use the usual money saving tips. Coupons, rebates, consignment, sales, etc. all exist for gear. In fact I got much of my big ticket items from a consignment sale. I got a brand new crib still in the box at a consignment sale for $50 less than it costed new (and it was the exact one I wanted!). I also had tons of friends who just gave away some of their stuff to me (like a pack and play and high chair). There were few things I bought brand new, which mainly was car seats (you should not buy these used), and I used Amazon Gift Cards from Swagbucks to purchase these.

Remember it's always wise to keep it simple. You don't need the fanciest stroller or crib. You just need something that is safe. It doesn't make sense to get into debt for things they need only for a small portion of their life (after all you have 18 more years of spending to do!).

Shopping List for 12/9/2010

Blue= Manufacturer's Coupon
Green= Publix Coupon
Red= Competitor's Coupon


(2)Welch's Juice BOGO $3.99
   -(2)$1/1 HERE
(2)Kraft Shredded Cheese 2/$5
   -(1)$1/2 HERE
   -(1)$1/2 HERE
(1)Energizer Batteries 20 ct $7.49
   -(1)$1/1 from 11/21/2010 SS
   -(1)$3.50/1 from Publix Family Style Magazine
Chicken Breast $1.99/lb

Here's hoping next week is more exciting...

How Do I Use It? Pasta Part III: Cooking

Pasta is probably one of the easiest things to cook, but many people over or undercook it. Actually a study by Barilla found that more than half of Americans cook their pasta incorrectly. Here's the keys to cooking pasta correctly.

• Use the right size pan and enough water. Crowding the pasta can cause it to stick to the sides and get an overall "sticky" taste. You need about four quarts for every lb of pasta, and a pot to accommodate it all.
• Use salt. Adding salt to cooking pasta is not for the taste of the pasta. Pasta does not absorb salt while cooking. Salt actually helps pasta cook evenly and keeps it from feeling "slimy." A good rule is about a teaspoon of salt for each quart of water.
• Do not add oil to the pot. Most people do this to keep the pasta from sticking, but then sauces will not stick to the pasta either. To keep pasta from sticking, simply stir the pasta occasionally while cooking.
• Add the pasta after the water is boiling. Pasta does not cook properly unless the water is boiling when you add it. If the water stops boiling when you add the pasta, get it boiling as quickly as possible.
• Stir the pasta. Pasta is not a set it and forget it food. It keeps it from sticking and makes sure all pasta cooks evenly.
• Don't overcook. Perfect pasta should be al dente, which is slightly firm. If it's really limp it's overcooked. On the other side if it is crunchy, it's under done. To get it just right, you need to check the pasta about a minute before the box instructions. To test it: taste it! When it's done turn off the heat and drain it. Pasta will continue cooking even after it's been drained. The cooking time depends on the pasta, 7-12 minutes being average. Tasting is your best bet.
• Don't rinse. By rinsing, you rinse of the starches that will absorb the sauce you will put on it. 
• Serve immediately. Remember pasta will keep cooking even after it has been drained, so the longer you wait the more likely it will be overcooked by time it is served

New Uses: Christmas Edition!

I want to hear from you guys what are your best new uses for Christmas items, or what items do you reuse to make Christmas items?

Here's a few ideas to get you thinking:

• Baby Food Jars for making cute Christmas gifts in them.
• Christmas globe ornaments in a big vase for a fun centerpiece.
• Old Christmas cards as a puzzle
• Old Christmas cards to make ornaments from.
• Your stockpile to make gift baskets.

This won't be exciting unless you contribute!

Publix Ad

Michelle over at iheartpublix has the new ad up, you can find it HERE.

I got to say it's just the BOGO's so far, and I'm not liking much. A lot of it repeats from the last few weeks... *crosses fingers* Here's hoping for something good in the rest of the ad.

Meal Plan Monday

Monday- Mac and Cheese, Broccoli
Tuesday- Sloppy Joes, Tater Tots, Peas
Wednesday- Oven Ranch Chicken, Pasta Side, Veggie
Thursday- Homemade Pizza
Friday- Chicken Fettucini Alfredo
Saturday- Church Christmas Party
Sunday- Pork Chops, Apple Sauce, Green Beans


What's your menu for the week?
Don't forget to link up below!

Friday Favorites- Recipe

Sorry this is a little late today...

It's the holiday season and that means baking! Here's a great recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies. It's great if you love your cookies chewy.

Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
2 cups plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
12 tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Directions

1. Adjust rack to center of oven and heat to 325. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
2. In a large bowl, beat the melted butter and sugars together with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until combined about 30 seconds, scraping down the bowl and beaters as needed.
3. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture until combined, about 30 seconds. Mix in the chips until incorporated.
4. Working with 2 tablespoons of dough at a time, roll the dough into balls and lay them on the baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time, until the edges are set and beginning to brown but the centers are still soft and puffy, 15-20 min, rotating the sheet halfway through baking.
5. Let cookies cook on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then serve warm or transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

Makes about 24 cookies.

Enjoy!

Saving on Babies and Toddlers: Toys

Toys can be expensive! Follow these tips and you can cut those costs significantly.

• Consignment- I don't think I can say it enough. Consignment is a great way to go for a lot of children's needs. It's usually in great (sometimes new or like-new) condition, but significantly cheaper.
• Thrift Stores- Don't rule them out. They're stuff isn't up to the same quality as consignment, but you can still find nice stuff. I found a toy similar to this toy for $49.99 for $6.99, it had a few little scratches and a bit of dust on it. 
• Craigslist/Yard Sale- You can find lot's of great treasures at these, and you can haggle.
• Make Your Own- Honestly, this is the way to go a lot of the time. An empty box, pots and wooden spoons, measuring cups, cans with beans inside, they all work. Most of the time kids will play more with the box a toy comes in then they will the toy itself, so save your money.
• Don't Buy Any- Young babies really don't need toys, they learn a lot just from looking at you or at pictures. You'll also acquire many toys from relatives. If all else fails, go for some of the above suggestions.
• Remember Regular Frugal Tips- Coupons, sales, etc. all work for buying toys. 

Just keep it simple at this age, that way you don't have to worry about things getting chewed on or ruined and how much you paid for it. Babies and Toddlers love the simple stuff as well.

Shopping List for 12/2/2010

Nothing!

LOL, I really don't see much of anything that I want. The few things that I see that are "ok" really don't warrant a trip to the store to get right now.

(On a side note, this is why it is great to have a stockpile of food because I can choose not to go shopping for a week!)

How Do I Use It? Pasta Part II: Types and Uses

There really are a ton of pastas out there! Normally I compile my information from books, websites, and personal experience, but I found this great website that explains all of it pretty well with pictures.

It has a great list of many types of pasta including pictures, and lists how it is often used with the best sauces, etc. to serve it with.

Check it out!

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 30- Splurge Wisely. We all need to splurge at times, but when you do make sure to be wise about it. It's one thing to splurge on ice cream once in awhile, but it's not a splurge if you do it every day. You also need to make sure you aren't splurging in every area of your life. If you want to splurge on cable/sattelite tv, perhaps choose not to splurge on going to the movies several times a month. If you like to get manicures maybe don't round off that trip with new clothes. If you really want to splurge right, budget some "mad money" so you don't have to feel guilty about spending it, and you probably shouldn't splurge on things you can't afford. Living within your means still applies.

Clever Tricks for Cutting Your Salt Intake

 This comes from something I saw on the Doctors the other day, and I have to say it is really worth it to try.  The movement is called the "Halt the Salt Movement." We Americans eat too much salt, and a lot of times we don't even know it because we haven't added any to our food. Most Americans eat two or three (or more) times the recommended daily allowance.

High salt intake can have some serious health problems too, the number one being high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to heart attacks and stroke. It really is a silent killer.

Here is what you pledge to do:
1. Eat no more than 1500 mg of sodium a day. (This is about a teaspoon of salt!)
2. Compare nutrition labels and choose lower sodium options.
3. Eat and serve your family three to five servings of vegetables and two to four servings of fruits.
4. Spread awareness and encourage others to Halt the Salt!
5. Let food companies know you want less salt!

The worst part about all of this is so much of what is sold in the stores contains tons of salt, even when it doesn't taste salty and sometimes tastes sweet! Processed foods use salt a lot of the time to hide unwanted flavors and to keep food longer. Sometimes we pick foods that say healthy, whole grain, etc. thinking they are better for us, but a lot of times they have more salt than the regular variety.

As a personal side note, we've cut back on a lot of processed foods in our house, and when we did eat some of the stuff we had in the pantry it actually tasted gross to us. A lot of that stuff went to a local food pantry!

I hope you'll join me by clicking HERE to sign the pledge!

Publix Ad

Michelle over at iheartpublix has the new ad up, you can find it HERE.

I honestly do not see anything that interests me, so I *gasp* may not be going to Publix this week, but you never know what I might see between now and Thursday!

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 29- Try a warehouse club membership. I've talked about all the ways to save before. Even if you just buy gas and milk you will recoup your membership fee. Want to make it even better? Go in with a friend to split the membership costs. Most clubs offer a second card free, so split the cost. You could also go in with a bunch of friends to split packs of things you know you cannot use before they expire/go bad. Most clubs also offer your money back if you are dissatisfied with your membership, and most will give you your money back if you buy their house brand and it doesn't live up to your expectations. So it's worth a try in my book.

Meal Plan Monday

Monday- Salad
Tuesday- Beef and Broccoli
Wednesday- Leftovers
Thursday- Breaded Pork Chops, Apple Sauce, Sweet Potatoes
Friday- Steak, olive oil pasta, peas
Saturday- Chicken (undecided what kind currently)
Sunday- Spaghetti and Meatballs, Green Beans


What's your menu for the week?
Don't forget to link up below!

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 28- Get out of debt. If you really want to save money, you need to get out of debt. Interest payments are just wasted money for you. Debt payments eat up money you could be using for something else.

Publix Trip 11/27/10

I spent $60.36 for $141.00 worth of groceries, saving $80.64 or 57%! I will submit for the Huggies G/C which brings it to a savings of 64%!

See my original list here.

Added:

(3)Nivea $3.89

   -(1) $3/1 from 10/17/10 RP

   -(2) $3/1 (IP no longer available)

(2)Baker's Chocolate 2/$5

   -(1) $1/2 HERE

   -(2) 50¢/1 Target HERE

(1)Crest Pro-Health for Me $3.29

   -(1)$2/1 Vocalpoint coupon

Deleted:

Snausages because they were out.

Coupons, Coupon Changes, Prices, and Price Changes:

Cheez-its BOGO $3.99 not $4.09 

Pretzels $1.99

Pringles Extreme $1.50 (free with coupon)

Publix Apple Juice $1.99

Huggies Wipes $2.99 (free with coupons)

Added these coupons:

-$1/2 Peelie found on cheez-its

-$1/2 Cheez-it Wazlgreen's IVC

-$1/2 Oreo Walgreen's IVC

Not the best savings, but not bad since it includes two boxes of diapers and two tubs of wipes!

Hope your Thanksgiving weekend has been great!

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 27- Utilize your local library. I've blogged about this before, but it really is a great way to save money. I go to the library often (we're talking once a week or more), and check out all sorts of things. They also offer great free programs. If ever I see a book that I'm interested in, I get it from the library and then I don't waste money buying it. If there's a movie I'm mildly interested in, I get it from the library (saving my redbox codes for movies I want to see).

Shopping List

Blue= Manufacturer's

Green= Publix

Red= Competitor

(2)Cheez-it BOGO $4.09

(2)Pretzels ?

   -(2)$1.50/1 wyb 1 Cheez-it or Crispix Target HERE

(2) Jif BOGO $5.87

(1) 3 lb. Bag Tangerines 2/$3

(2) Oreos $2.99

   -(2)$1/1 Printable HERE

(2) Crystal Light BOGO $3.99

(1) Pringles Extreme

   -(1)Free Product Coupon

(10)Publix Yogurt 20/$5

(10)Gerber Pasta Pick-ups 10/$9

(1) Publix Apple Juice ?

   -(1)$1/1 Publix Baby Club

(2)Huggies Box Diapers $19.99

   -(2)$3/1 In-ad Coupon

   -(2)$2.50/1 HERE

   -$10 G/C wyb $35 MIR All the Trimmings Booklet

(2) Huggies Tub Wipes 

   -(2)Free wyb Huggies Box Diapers All the Trimmings Booklet

   -$10 G/C wyb $35 MIR All the Trimmings Booklet

(2) Scotch Tape BOGO $2.79

  -(2)$1/1 Winter Family Savings Booklet

(1)Snausages 

  -$1/1 peelie

-$5/$25 Purchase Save-a-lot

   

I'm not expecting spectacular savings, but it's all stuff we use. There's a few things I'm still trying to decide on as well...

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 26- Have dinner as a family at home. People spend a lot of money eating out. A lot of money. Even when it's fast food, it really adds up. Dinner at home doesn't have to be fancy, but even if it is chances are it will be cheaper. Eating at home also means you can control what goes into your foods, saving money on health costs down the road.

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 25- Spend time with your family. How does this save you money? Showing love is about giving your time, not buying the coolest toy/gadget out there. Spend a night of week spending time with your family and you won't have to spend it paying for one more activity. You can do it in your home by playing board games, sharing a lesson (on budgeting, cooking, etc.), or buy many other free activities. Or you can go to a park, go for a walk, etc. The point is it's free.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving! Enjoy the food, family, football, and sales!

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 24- Avoid doing major shopping with your kids. Kids are notorious for "I want...," "Mommy can we buy this," etc. Sometimes we find ourselves going "if your good, I'll treat you to ____." Either way we may find ourselves buying things not on our list to keep the child from making a scene. Now I know this isn't always realistic, but there are options. 1)Swap errand time with another Mom. 2) Shop on your partner's watch. 3)If you really need to take them with you make sure they are well rested and with a full belly, and be aware of their schedule. If their nap time is in 30 min, it's probably not the best time to go grocery shopping. Also, bring snacks to the store, and if your going to Publix don't forget the free cookie at the bakery!

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 23- Never shop hungry. Or tired, angry, sad, depressed, or stressed out.Why? If you are hungry, everything looks good, and you make impulse buys. If you are tired, angry, depressed, or stressed out, you may be tempted to do some "retail therapy," but unfortunately this results in a lot of wasted money and large impulse buys. Even in the food store your more likely to buy that Ben and Jerry's full price because you feel sad and think that it will cheer you up. Stores are set-up to appeal to these moods, so avoid shopping when you feel that way.

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 22- Have Patience. What does this have to do with saving money? A lot actually. If you have patience, you won't be tempted to buy something the moment it comes out. Or you can hold onto that great coupon you just got until you can match it with an equally awesome sale. What's the worst that can happen if you wait? You can still buy the product later or you forget you even wanted it and spend no money. Win-win.

Publix Ad

Michelle over at iheartpublix has the new ad up, you can find it HERE.

This weeks ad doesn't start until Friday, so don't go rushing out on Thanksgiving!

I'm not seeing much I am excited about yet, but you never know what could be in the rest of the ad!

Meal Plan Monday

Monday- Bean and Cheese Burritos
Tuesday- Hot Dogs, Mac and Cheese, Veggie
Wednesday- Take and Bake Pizza
Thursday- Thanksgiving
Friday- White Turkey Chili
Saturday- Leftovers
Sunday- Turkey Noodle Soup

As you can see, I'm keeping the food easy at the beginning of the week to save time and fridge space.

And for those wondering what the Thanksgiving Menu is:
Turkey
Homemade Stuffing (I use the bags of stuffing I bought last week as part of the recipe)
Homemade Mashed Potatoes
Homemade Sweet Potato casserole
Sautéed Green Beans
Cranberry Sauce
Deviled Eggs
Homemade Rolls
Homemade Pumpkin Pie

What's your menu for the week?
Don't forget to link up below!

Information for the Week

With Thanksgiving this week, things will be a little different. Mainly to save my sanity, I will scale back on posts this week.
Here's what to expect this week:
Meal Plan Monday
NaBloPoMo Posts
Publix Ad
Shopping List
Shopping Trip for whenever I go

Next week all your favorite posts will be back for you to enjoy!

Make sure to enjoy your week!

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 21- Enjoy God's Creations. Even if you aren't religious, this simply means get out there and enjoy the free things in life. Go to a local park. Lay out in your backyard and stare at the stars. Watch a sunrise or sunset. These things are free, but are a great way to relax or have fun.

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 20- Utilize incentive programs. There are plenty of programs out there that offer money or points on products you already by, so you might as well use them. Upromise is a great example of this. There are tons more out there.

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 19- Grow a garden. The up front cost is easily negated by the produce you will have, and you have all the comfort of knowing what has been sprayed on your plants. Gardening is also a great way to burn calories.

Friday Favorites- Recipe!

One of my favorite dishes to make is my version of Beef Stroganoff. It's one of my husband's favorite dishes, so I serve it often. I hope you'll enjoy it as well. I don't have a formal recipe, but these are my best approximations.

Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 lb of Beef for Stewing
1 Tbsp minced Garlic
1 Small Onion, diced
6 White Mushrooms, diced
2 Tbsp Worchestershire Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 Tbsp Corn Starch
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1 Package Egg Noodles prepared

Directions
1. Heat oil in a large deep-frying pan with lid over medium heat. Brown the beef, garlic, onion, and mushrooms.
2. When items are browned add enough water (about 4-6 cups) to the pan to cover the meat. Add the Worchestershire sauce and the salt and pepper.
3. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer.
4. Simmer until meat is tender and able to be broken into smaller pieces and water has reduced to about
1 1/2 cups. Remove from heat.
5. In a small cup, mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water. Stir mixture into pan. Return to burner and bring to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring often. Boil for 1 minute then remove from heat.
6. Let stand for about 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Serve over noodles.

Makes 6-8 portions.

Enjoy!

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 18- Organize. If you don't know what you have, you don't know what you need. This keeps you from buying food and items you don't need, and keeps you from that ever money draining word of waste. The best way to organize? The one that you will keep up with.

Publix Trip 11/18/10

I spent $45.12 for $131.90 worth of groceries, saving $86.78 or 66%!

See my original list here.

Added:
(2) Pepperidge Farm Stuffing 2/$4
   -$2/4 from Share Something Delicious Booklet
(2) Ziploc Containers 2/$5
   -(2)$1/1 from Yellow Advantage Buy Flyer
   -(1)$1.50/2 found in previous package of containers
(1)Scope $3.99
   -(1)$2/1 from 11/7/10 RP
(1) Garlic 0.13lb @ $3.29 lb (43¢)
(3)Gerber Graduates Pasta Pick-ups 10/$10
(1) Mrs. Smith Pie Shell 2/$4 (I meant to put this on the list to begin with...)

Deleted:
(2)Uncle Ben's Rice because I had used the correct blinkies already.

Prices, Price Changes, Coupons, and Coupon Changes:
Crisco Oil BOGO $3.79 not $3.89
Wheat Thins Crunch Sticks BOGO $3.39 not $2.99
Ritz BOGO $3.69 not $3.09 (Kraft products are always more expensive here...)
Green Beans- 79¢
Sweet Potatoes- $1.58
Anaheim Pepper- 0.14lb @ $2.99/lb= 42¢
Mini Marshmallows- $1.29
Diced Chiles- 99¢/ea
White Beans- $1.49
-$5/$25 purchase coupon
-$5 Publix Gift Card from Huggies MIR promotion


I think I did pretty well considering having to buy quite a few things not on sale. I love cooking for the Holidays, so I absolutely love this time of year.

Saving Money on Babies and Toddlers: Clothes

Children go through clothing a lot, especially babies and toddlers. This can cost a ton of money, but there are ways to make the damage minimal.

• Coupons. I feel like a broken record, but coupons exist for everything. I remember using coupons from Gerber to buy onesies. There are of course coupons for stores like Carter's, the Children's Place, etc. There have also been coupons for Target that were money off Circo clothing. Moral of the story, it's always worth it to look for a coupon.
• Sales. There are always sales on baby/toddler clothing. Buy what's on sale.
• Clearance. A great way to buy clothes is to shop the clearance section. This is especially great if you shop ahead, meaning you shop for future months and years. In my area, I love it because they put the fall stuff on clearance to move in the winter stuff, but I live in South Florida, so the fall stuff is usually adequate.
• Skip the Name Brand. Unless you can get that Baby Gap outfit super cheap (or someone gives it to you), it's probably not worth it. Children grow quick, and they are messy. Spend less money, and you won't have to be upset if they spit-up all over it.
• Consignment. I love children's consignment stores/sales. It may be used, but at good stores/sales they make sure they aren't soiled or worn-out. It's worth it for the steep discounts you can get on nice clothes. Also, you can sell clothes as well to make money.
• Hand-me Downs. There's nothing wrong with accepting clothes from someone whose kid outgrew them, especially for babies/toddlers.
• Trade. Trade clothes with a fellow mom. Maybe you just had a boy, but had saved your daughters clothes, trade with another Mom who might be in the opposite situation. If you want to still have them afterwards, make sure your name is in them. This is an especially great idea for special occasion type wear.
• Other Venues. Goodwill, garage sales, etc. are often good places to find clothes for your little one. It's worth a look.

If you have an idea that I have overlooked, please share in the comments!

Shopping List for 11/18/2010

Blue= Manufacturer's Coupons
Green= Publix Coupon
Red=Competitor's Coupon


(2)Rondele Cheese Spread BOGO $4.29
   -(1)$1/1 Peelie
   -(1)$1/1 Tearpad
(2)Celery BOGO $1.69
(2) Crisco Oil BOGO $3.89
   -(1)$1/2 Hangtag
(2)Uncle Ben's Rice BOGO $1.99
   -(2)$1/1 Blinkie
(2)Dove Promises BOGO $4.29
   -(1)$1/2 from 11/14/10 RP
   -(1)$1/2 Target HERE
(2)Thomas English Muffins BOGO $3.49
(2)Lay's Potato Chips BOGO $3.99
(4)Wheat Thins Crunch Stix BOGO $2.99
   -(1) $1/1 Tearpad
   -(1) $1/1 from 9/19/10 SS
   -(2) $1/1 HERE
   -(2) $1/2 Target HERE
(2)Nabisco Ritz Crackers BOGO $3.09
   -(1)$1/2 from 11/14/10 SS
   -(1)$1/2 Walgreen's IVC
(2)Kraft Chunk Cheese 2/$4
   -(1)$1/2 Target HERE
(3)Breakstone's Sourcream 2/$2
   -(1)55¢/1 from 11/14/10 SS
   -(2)55¢/1 HERE
(1)Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce 89¢
(2)Pepperidge Farm Stuffing 2/$4
(4)Mueller's Medium Noodles 99¢
   -(2)$1/2 HERE
(1) Gold Medal Flour $1.49
   -(1)55¢/1 Peelie
(4)Publix Soft Drinks 2/$1
(1)Green Beans 99¢/lb
(5)Sweet Potatoes 39¢/lb
(1)Idaho Potatoes 5 lb bag $1.99


Things that aren't brand specific, but I need to buy:
(1)Bag Mini Marshmallows
(1)Annaheim Chili Pepper
(2)Cans Diced Chiles
(1)Bag White Beans

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 17- Reuse and reinvent. I've talked about buying reusable items over disposable, but there are other things you can reuse instead of buying a specialty item. Check out my posts here for more on that. Also, reinvent your food as well. If you are having trouble with waste from leftovers, reinvent them into a different meal.

How Do I Use it? Pasta Part I: Background

Mmm... Pasta. I do love pasta. I think that's probably because of my Italian roots. Let's look at some of the information on pasta.

• Origin is a but of mystery. Ideas include China, Africa, Greece, Italy, and Israel.
• Italy actually has laws as to how pasta can be made. 
• Traditionally cooked al dente meaning firm to the bite. 
• Tons of varieties. In fact there are over 600 worldwide.
• Source of complex carbs.

Why Should it be in Your Food Storage?

• Relatively inexpensive
• Great for use as a main dish or a side dish.
• Filling
• Good source of fiber and other minerals
• Great comfort food. Seems silly now, but in times of great stress you might be happy to eat spaghetti or mac and cheese.

As usual join me in two weeks to learn more about the most common varieties.

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 16- In relation to yesterday's tip about DIY, whenever you need to call a service person, do whatever you can to watch what they are doing. Why? Because next time you may be able to DIY. Don't be afraid to ask questions either. Also, by watching them you make sure they are doing the correct work.

New Uses for Egg Cartons

I've talked about uses for egg shells before, but what about the cartons that house them? They really are useful for a ton of things. Check out the list below for ideas.

• Packing Material. Cut it up and use it like packing peanuts.
• Make it into a game for kids, by putting numbers in each cup and tossing small balls into the cup. Whoever scores the highest wins.
• Storage for little items. Especially good for crafts (like beads) or kids items (marbles, barbie items, legos)
• Palette. I used this several times when I was a kid. Keeps the colors separated and easy to use, and you can just toss it when you are done.
• Jewelry organizer. You can decorate it first, and then use it in a drawer to keep jewelry from tangling. You can also easily poke earrings through the styrofoam.
• Seed starting. (Really tons of things can be used as a seed starter, I feel like this comes on the list a ton)
• Candles. Egg cartons make a great mold for small candles. 
• Fire starter. (This is only for cardboard egg cartons). Fill the cartons with dryer lint, and then pore melted wax over the lint. You can tear apart the sections and use for fire starters when you are camping, or in your fireplace. Use left over candle pieces for the melted wax.
• Golf Ball Storage. I think that's pretty self-explanatory.
• Money Box. Use it as a money box for yard sales.
• Christmas Storage. Great to store small ornaments.
• Organize in the garage. Use it to separate nuts, bolts, screws, and nails.
• Use it to store light-bulbs for those small items like night-lights.
• Art Projects. Check out this one.
• Other Crafts. I remember cutting out the cups and threading a pipe cleaner through to make flowers.
• Donate them. There are plenty of schools and other organizations that seek out these versatile tools.
• Store the plastic easter eggs in egg cartons for storage.
• Make a trashcan out of several.

If one of these ideas doesn't work for you, or you have too many egg cartons to work with, there are places to recycle them. I know Publix has a bin outside of their stores where you can put the styrofoam kind. The cardboard kind should be recyclable anywhere cardboard is accepted.

Do you have an idea to share on how to use egg cartons? Share below and I will add it to the list.

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo this month, which is National Blog Posting Month.

My month will be a "Month of Money Saving Tips." Each day for the entire month of November, I will give you a quick tip to help you save money!

Tip 15- Become a DIY-er in your home. Basically, don't spend money on things you can do for yourself, like yard work or painting. Even minor plumbing and other work can be done by yourself. There's tons of websites devoted to showing you how to do these simple tasks, so no excuses.

Publix Ad

Michelle over at iheartpublix has the new ad up, you can find it HERE.

I see some good things so far, but it's just the BOGO's currently. I can't wait to see the rest of the ad.

I kind of already am anticipating a lower than normal savings, just because I need somethings for Thanksgiving that I haven't seen on sale yet. But *crosses fingers* maybe they will be in the rest of the ad.

Meal Plan Monday

Monday- Rice and beans, Corn-on-the-cob
Tuesday- Oven Ranch Chicken, Pasta Side, Peas
Wednesday- Hamburger Helper, Veggie
Thursday- Pork Chops, Side, and Veggie (I haven't decided what kind of pork chops yet)
Friday- DIY (My husband will be on a boyscout campout)
Saturday- Dinner at Church
Sunday- Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

Don't forget to link up below!