Birthday Deals

There are many business establishments across your town that offer freebies or discounts on your birthday! Here are some that I know about. Some of the links are for children only, some are for anyone. I'm sure there are many more out there.

Cold Stone Creamery
Baskin Robbins
Toys R Us
Texas Roadhouse (become a Texas Roadie)
Sonic
Hollywood Video (free rental)
Dairy Queen (free blizzard on your bday)
Red Robin
TGI Friday's (free appetizer on your bday and one for signing up)
Krispy Kreme (join "Friends of Krispy Kreme" to get free doughnuts)
Red Lobster ($5 coupon off next visit)
Melting Pot Club Fondue (free dessert fondue for two!)

Most retailers are happy to give you a discount or a freebie on your birthday. Ask if they have birthday discounts before you go.

Here is a website that lists lots of birthday deals and discounts at various restaurants. If you know of any birthday deals not listed here, let us know!

Birthday Deals

Michael's clearance

I was at Michael's today getting some preschool supplies for the preschool co-op I am involved in this fall. I ran across a 90% off clearance rack and came away with some great deals! I paid $2.72 for everything pictured here. For all ten items I purchased that is around .28 per item! There were also many things on clearance that I didn't get....foam stickers , felt stickers for scrapbooking, glitter stickers, foam visors, kits for decorating crocs, charms, bead kits, yarn craft kits....that's I all I can remember but there was quite a selection. This is a perfect time to stock up for fall/winter craft projects for your kids, or even birthday presents and gifts for the upcoming holidays.

They also had a 70% off rack with home decor items (vases, pots, baskets, etc) and fake flowers.

Michael's clearance

Malt-O-Meal Cereal Coupons

I saw this post on Stacy's blog, and thought I would share! (Thanks Stacy!) Here are 3 different links to coupons for Malt-O-Meal cereal. These are printable coupon links so remember you can print each coupon twice. And, they don't expire until 12/31/08 so you have plenty of time to hold onto them for a great sale!

• Become a member of Cereal Central...sign up to receive special offers via mail and email and also printable coupons.

• Print a coupon for a 15 oz or larger bag of Malt-O-Meal Honey and Oats Blenders

• Malt-o-Meal coupons from Walmart (15 oz or larger bag of Cinnamon Golden Puffs and Honey & Oat Clusters)

Malt-O-Meal Cereal Coupons

Giveaways!

Vanilla Joy is doing a week of giveaways, starting today! And today's prize is a Cricut from Provo Craft! WOW!

Head on over to her blog and enter! She also has a link to her giveaway schedule this week so you know what else is being given away.

Good luck!

Giveaways!

Samples of Cascade & Mr.Clean

Another good Walmart sample! Scroll down to the bottom to see the link for both free samples.
LINK

Samples of Cascade & Mr.Clean

Old Navy jeans sale, 8/23 only!

(info taken from

PYP...thanks!)

Old Navy Denim Event SATURDAY 8/23 only! IN STORE and ONLINE!

$7 and $12 jeans for the family! Fill your cart NOW! Don't wait until the site is slammed tomorrow. Items you put in your cart will remain there. You may even be able to order late Friday night.. All denim except "fashion" denim.

Limit 3 pairs per customer.

$12 jeans include:
Womens jeans folded on the wall regularly $29.50 – The Diva, The Girlfriend, The Sweetheart, The Goddess, and The Flirt
Mens jeans folded on the wall regularly $29.50 – Straight (regular), Bootcut, Painter, Loose

$7 jeans include:
Girls jeans folded on the wall regularly $19.50 – The Girlfriend, The Darling
Boys jeans folded on the wall regularly $19.50 – Bootcut, Loose, Regular, Painter
Infants & toddler jeans

Old Navy LINK

Shipping is free if you order at least one item from the GAP also. It automatically adds the free shipping! But if there is a problem, use code: MULTISTORE or MULTI1

Old Navy jeans sale, 8/23 only!

40% off coupon at Michael's Arts & Crafts

I got an email from Michael's today, and in it was an end-of-the-summer discount coupon....40% off any regular price item through August 30th. Print your coupon and go save!

40% off coupon at Michael's Arts & Crafts

Bounce Sample

Sign up for a free sample of new Bounce Awakenings! Sample will arrive in 6-8 weeks.

Bounce Sample

Meal Planning

I made a post a few months ago about meal planning, listing several of our favorite meals. I now have several other meals to add to the list! Do you meal plan? You should! It helps save money, time, and energy. I talk a little bit about that in that other post. I love getting more meal ideas and trying them out. Here are a few more meals I recently added to my rotation list:

Cafe Rio sweet pork, rice, & beans
Turkey Lips & salad
Macaroni & Cheese with yellow squash puree
Macaroni Grill Foccacia Bread (I know this isn't a main dish, but hey....)

What are some of your favorite meals on your meal planning list? Do you have any tips to share regarding meal planning that you have found helpful?

Meal Planning

Luvs coupons at Target

Right now Target has a printable coupon for Luvs diapers. Combine it with a manufacturer's coupon for more savings! (there are a few Luvs manufacturer coupons floating around out there..)

Luvs coupons at Target

What can you do without?

There are always things in our life that we don't need. Yes, it is true! Expenses that we can eliminate to help us save money and get ahead. It seems impossible or even unthinkable sometimes, but it is a necessary step if you are wanting to save more money.

For example, think about those seemingly small expenditures. Purchasing that cup of coffee everyday from Starbucks. Grabbing a Diet Coke at Sonic everyday at lunchtime. Making sure you have your weekly manicure. It all adds up! Spending $3.95 a day on a cup of coffee only 5 days a week adds up to $79 a month, and $949 a year! Think about some of the things that you do....whatever they might be. Add up how much you are spending and ask yourself if you could be putting that money somewhere else.

At our house we don't have cable, dish, or satellite. In ten years of marriage we have never paid for television. I know for many people that is out of the question, but we feel it is right for us. And it has saved us thousands of dollars!

This week I challenge you to look at your expenses....see where you money is going and where you need to cut back. If you don't already use a money management program, I highly recommend one. I use Quicken, and I LOVE it. I can see at a glance where my money is going. It takes some time to record things and keep it updated, but it is worth it. We always know where we stand. Even if you have to figure it out on paper right now, do it! Even cutting out one thing can make a big difference!

What can you do without?

Coupon for Free Cascade bottle plus more

HERE is a link to sign up to get over $27 in product coupons from the Cascade company. Included in the booklet is a coupon for a FREE, full size Cascade clear rinse agent bottle!

At the bottom of the link page, click on the button that says "Free Cascade Clear Rinse Agent" and it will take you to the form page. It will take 6-8 weeks to receive your coupon booklet in the mail.

Coupon for Free Cascade bottle plus more

Veggie Tales Nativity Set: 2 for $17 shipped!

Here is a great deal I saw on PYP this morning. Thanks Noel!


Family Christian Stores Link
VeggieTales Nativity Playset
(Item number 973999)
Was $19.99
NOW $10
Buy 1 get 1 50% off with code 1193993 (exp 8/21)
Shipping is $2.49
Total $17.49 shipped for 2 sets!

Think ahead for the holidays, these would make a great gift! Get one for you and the other for a gift!

Veggie Tales Nativity Set: 2 for $17 shipped!

Weekend shopping

As I was out and about this morning running a few errands, I ran across some good deals to share with everyone.

Old Navy is having an extra 50% off their men's clearance! It totals about 75% off original prices. All other clearance is 50% off original prices. Your Old Navy store might be different, call ahead before you go to find out.

Shopko had some great items on clearance today. If your daughter likes High School Musical, there were insulated lunch bags for less than $2, at 75% off. I was excited to find some smaller baskets for 90% off....I have been looking for some anyway to organize a few little things in the garage. All their garden and summer stuff is 60% off as well.

Just a few deals I found today....maybe you can find some great deals this weekend! Happy shopping!

Weekend shopping

Stretching your food storage

Everyday Food Storage is a fantastic blog that puts real food storage and garden produce into real meals for your family.

I have been wanting to use my food storage and rotate it better, and I am so glad I found this blog! I made this macaroni and cheese recipe on Saturday for dinner, and it was amazing! The pureed yellow squash was not even noticeable. Two of my kids had thirds! I have a handful of recipes I am planning on making in the next few weeks from her blog. I can't wait to try them!

She has downloads for handouts, tutorials complete with videos, and tons of valuable information! Check out Everyday Food Storage and learn how to stretch your budget more, and use your food storage.

Stretching your food storage

Another bright idea

So if you purchase smaller spice containers, don't throw them away once empty. Wash them first, then give them to your little girl. They make perfect pretend spices for her play kitchen. Now she can cook up a storm just like mommy!

Another bright idea

Patience is a virtue

One of the best qualities you can have when it comes to deals, bargain shopping or couponing is patience. You won't get anywhere if you don't have patience. Many times the best deal comes from waiting, watching, or planning. Many people don't want to do that so they just up and buy it. They don't know what they are missing!

For example, I always have an ongoing list of things that I want or need, whether big or small, cheap or expensive. Part of that list are things that I know I could find at a garage sale for a fraction of the price. After a few months of garage saleing and I still haven't found it, I can look elsewhere. A few years ago I dropped my beloved Pampered Chef chopper and it broke, although it was still usable. I kept on using it for several months until I garage saled for a bit...didn't find one, so I ended up getting one on Ebay for a good price. Over the past several years, I have been able to purchase most of the newest things on the market (food, cleaning, hygine) for free or almost free just by waiting and planning. I think it is worth it!

Whenever a new product is introduced, whether it be home cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, or food, free samples are almost always offered. Almost 100% of the time. There are always either high value coupons and/or rebate programs distributed for these items as well. When the Schick Intuition razor came out about 4 years ago, these offers were all over the place. Rebates from several stores, coupons everywhere....I think I got about 5 free razors. Take the time to wait, see what coupons are coming out and if stores like Walgreens or Rite Aid are offering rebates to sweeten the deal. You would be surprised at what offers come up sometimes.

Don't forget about checking Craigslist or your local Freecycle group for items you need as well. I have gotten so many free or cheap things from both of these places that I have saved a ton of money I would have otherwise had to spend. Last spring we really wanted a picnic table for our backyard, but I was not willing to spend $100+ for a brand new one. We kept looking on Craigslist and put a want ad on Freecycle. A little while later we found one on Craigslist for $30. With a new coat of neutral paint (that we already had) it was as good as new and for a fraction of the cost!

When your kids want toys, don't go to Toys R Us and buy it for them, take them to garage sales or thrift stores! My 7 1/2 year old has already figured out how many more books he can get with a few dollars at garage sales compared to the school book orders. It is a good way to teach them how money works, and they get the most bang for their buck! All of my kids love going to garage sales. It is a fun game to see how many items they can buy with only $1. Usually it is quite a few. Spending their own money this way is rewarding and fun! Plus it also teaches them they don't always need the newest & greatest thing out there.

As you can see, having patience with finding deals is important. Don't under-estimate the value of waiting!

Patience is a virtue

Simply Brilliant

Laurie has shown us that we don't need to spend a fortune on large baskets to organize our closets or home. Look at what she did....fantastic idea! She just took large boxes & then covered them with fabric that matched her decor! What a money saver! She mentions that these gave her more storage room than the large baskets from the store anyway. READ the rest of her closet organizing story.

Simply Brilliant

Cooking from Scratch

I grew up with a mother who always cooked from scratch. That is all I knew. Our home was consistently blessed with homemade whole wheat bread, granola, yummy casseroles, and what have you. My mom was 'famous' in our small town for her bread and rolls. Even things like maple syrup and other delicious syrups were homemade. Our family did a lot of canning and preserving too. I was jealous of some friends and kids that I babysat because they got to have store-bought macaroni and cheese, store-bought white bread, and other convenience foods. They were so lucky, I thought at the time.

I know differently now. I am so thankful my mother instilled in me the desire to cook from scratch. Not that I do it all the time. mind you. I have to fight that desire to do the quick and easy thing. Cooking from scratch takes more time usually, but it is healthier for you and cheaper too. I like making from scratch bread, macaroni and cheese (thanks mom!), brownies, chili, cinnamon rolls, salad, and many other things.

I am even starting to make my own homemade mixes. For example, mixes like Bisquick, muffin mixes, pancake mixes, brownie mixes, etc. that you purchase in the store seem cheap, and maybe they are sometimes on a really good sale with a coupon. But making your own homemade mixes and storing those instead actually costs less. Plus it is healthier. Those packaged mixes from the store are full of hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. So by making my own homemade mix, I still get the healthy and cheap way of cooking from scratch, along with the convenience and ease of a mix!

Most of the recipes for homemade mixes I have are from Quick Cooking magazine that I have saved through the years. But there are also some great resources for this online. Here are two websites with HUNDREDS of recipes for homemade mixes
#1
#2

Oh, and THIS is a great article about how cooking from scratch can cut your grocery bill in half.

THIS is a great thread discussion on PYP about cooking from scratch. Lots of recipes too.

Do you cook from scratch? What are some of your favorite things to make? DO you think it saves you money?

Cooking from Scratch

$10 off $10 coupon at Blockbuster

Edited to add: I figured out you have to purchase a previously viewed dvd to get free shipping. I just ordered Ratatouille for $5 shipped!

Here is a super deal I saw today on Simply Thrifty.

Blockbuster is giving $10 off $10 for previously viewed or new DVDs when you use the code augappreciation through the end of August! WOW!

If the DVD is under $10, the code is not valid, so you may have to spend a few dollars to find one that works with the code.

Simply Thrifty said that the code also includes free shipping, but that was not the case with me. Maybe it is because I am not a member. In any case, they have good deals and you could pick up a movie for cheaper than at the store, plus have it delivered to your door!

A good time to add a gift to your stockpile. :)

$10 off $10 coupon at Blockbuster

15% off coupon for Barnes and Noble

Click here to print off a 15% off coupon to use at Barnes and Noble. Available for use online and in-store. Valid through August 17, 2008. Rules and restrictions are at the bottom of the link.

15% off coupon for Barnes and Noble

The Wednesday Letters, only $3.99! Aug 5th & 6th only!

Here is a great deal for any reader! The Wednesday Letters, a New York Times bestseller, is only $3.99 at Deseret Book for 2 days only!

Place your order for The Wednesday Letters August 5th & 6th and use the promotion code Letters08 to receive this special promotional offer.

Book Review:

'In the wake of [Wright's] bestselling Christmas Jars comes a sweetly crafted story...heartening, wholesome, humorous, suspenseful and redemptive. It resonates with the true meaning of family and the life-healing power of forgiveness all wrapped up in a satisfying ending.' Publisher Weekly
Jack and Laurel have been married for 39 years. They've lived a good life and appear to have had the perfect marriage. With his wife cradled in his arms, and before Jack takes his last breath, he scribbles his last 'Wednesday Letter.'
When their adult children arrive to arrange the funeral, they discover boxes and boxes full of love letters that their father wrote to their mother each week on Wednesday. As they begin to open and read the letters, the children begin to uncover the shocking truth about the past. In addition, each one must deal with present-day challenges. Matthew has a troubled marriage, Samantha is a single mother, and Malcolm is the black sheep of the family who has returned home after a mysterious two-year absence.
The Wednesday Letters has a powerful message about forgiveness and quietly beckons for readers to start writing their own 'Wednesday Letters.'

The Wednesday Letters, only $3.99! Aug 5th & 6th only!

Thrillville for the Wii only $10 shipped!

If you have a Nintendo Wii, here is a great deal! (thanks PYP!)

Thrillville: Off the Rails for Nintendo WiiList

Price: $19.99

Our Price: $9.99*

Free shipping

Toys R Us Link

Thrillville for the Wii only $10 shipped!