New month means new printable coupons!

The coupons on coupons.com have been reset! If you are new to printable coupons, at the beginning of each month the coupons are "reset," which means you can print more of them. You can print 2 of each coupon from each computer you have. Then at the beginning of each month you can print more. Sometimes the coupons are still there, many times there are different ones. Here are some great ones right now I am excited about.

$1/2 Ronzoni healthy harvest pasta
$1 off 2lb cheese, any brand (Idaho and Utah only)
$1/1 YoPlus yogurt
$1/1 several Special K cereals
.75/1 several General Mills cereals

There are many more! Head on over to see all the available coupons. GO HERE or print from the convenient coupon bar at the top of my blog.

New month means new printable coupons!

$15 rebate from SC Johnson

SC Johnson has a new rebate out that you can actually do 3 different times! You can get $5 each time for a total of $15 per household. CLICK HERE to see the details of participating products and to download the form.

This will go great with upcoming sales and coupons too!

$15 rebate from SC Johnson

Free Wall Sticker

CLICK HERE for a sample of some totally cute wall stickers. I love the ladybug.

Free Wall Sticker

Patience Gets You a Dyson

I have been waiting years for this beauty to become a member of our family. And my sweet hubby got it for me last week (the day I started getting sick, no less). Yay!

However, since this is a money saving blog I thought I would share how I got my Dyson. I have been 'saving my pennies' for a long time for one of these babies. In eleven years we have purchased 3 vacuums. They would have paid for two Dysons! My husband and I decided a long time ago that we would not make purchases without having the money first. We just don't put things on credit because we want them. We do have a credit card though. And I like to earn points for rewards so after we have the money saved up for a purchase we put the charge on the card to earn points but when the bill comes there is no scrambling to pay the balance. We already have the money saved for it.

Anyhoo, I got off track for a minute. So yes we had been saving for a better vacuum. In fact, my current vacuum (which I bought 4 years ago for $250 at Sears) was only surviving thanks to heavy duty nail glue. I was hoping it would last another day...until I found a great deal for a Dyson. Finally!

Last week Kohl's was having one of their fabulous 30% off sales when you used your Kohl's card, PLUS $10 Kohl's cash back for each $50 you spent. I knew we had to jump on this...especially since I knew my vacuum might not last another week. When my hubby came home he actually spent almost the same amount as our last vacuum! We got $60 Kohl's cash back which is welcome since hubby and me are in need of clothes and shoes. So our end total WITH TAX was only $273. I was so happy.

I remember seeing better deals a few years ago and I wished I would have jumped on them then but that was then and this is now. I haven't seen a better deal in quite awhile unless you count those factory reconditioned Dysons. And those sell for close to the same price to what I paid! Patience does pay off. It gives peace of mind too.

A Dyson is one of those things I think are worth paying for. Watch for more items I think are worth paying for in an upcoming post.

Has waiting for a big purchase paid off for you?

Patience Gets You a Dyson

Q&A: Storing & Preserving Produce

QUESTION: I was wondering with all the fresh produce around for prices that are relatively inexpensive you could tell us about foods you can freeze or otherwise store besides canning? I know about canning but I don't have a canner and they can be quite costly but I would like to be able to store up food while it is still fresh and cheaper.


ANSWER: Good question! There are so many ways to preserve food and I am by no means an expert on this subject. But I can tell you what I know and what I have done.


I personally love to can. So before I talk about other ways of preserving I must talk about it for a minute. I grew up with the canning process and if you want to do it, then it is worth the investment of the equipment. I have great yard sales in my area & was lucky enough to get all of my canning equipment at yard sales over a 2 year period about 8 years ago. Canning is easy once you get the hang of it. My main canning love is applesauce, but I also have canned peaches, apple pie filling, apple butter, pears, corn, salsa, and tomatoes.


If you want to stay away from canning there are other options for preserving your produce. It obviously depends on what you want to preserve so here are some loose guidelines.

• Freezing. You can freeze almost anything. Last year I had a HUGE abundance of tomatoes but I didn't want to can them. I used my Food Saver to freeze them in 2-3 cup amounts. With tomatoes you can freeze them whole or cut up. They are mushy once thawed so you don't want to use them in recipes where you want nice tomatoes. They are best used in soups, stews, spaghetti sauce, etc. I have also frozen spinach leaves, blueberries, strawberries, bananas, peaches, pineapple, corn, squash puree,(yellow & zucchini), pumpkin puree, etc......you get the idea. Basically, you can freeze anything. I would just recommend you use a Food Saver or another method similar to make sure you get the excess air out of your food. It makes it last much longer. You can even freeze cheese, gogurts, milk, butter....so many things! If you have a question on freezing a specific item, post and I will answer it.
• Dehydrating. I posted about this last year, and dehydrating is a great way to preserve your extra produce, and its easy too. Dehydrators are also a good emergency preparedness item to have in my opinion. They suck the moisture out of food so they last much longer. I'm sure you have eaten dried bananas before. But do you know the difference between dried bananas you do at home vs. the ones at the store? BIG difference! Same with anything you dry at home. Plus, if you have a Food Saver with the mason jar attachment you can dry your stuff, seal it air-tight with the Food Saver in a quart jar and preserve it that way too. HERE is some great info on dehydrating different foods.

How do you preserve your extra food this time of year?

Q&A: Storing & Preserving Produce

Couponing: Is it dominating your life?

There is more to life than couponing!

Additionally, there is more to saving money and being thrifty than just couponing. Don't get me wrong...couponing is a good thing and can save us lots of money. And I coupon on a regular basis.

But there is a point where couponing can get out-of-control obsessive....where we are buying things we don't really need, buying too much of things we do need, and spending valuable time running around when we could be doing other things.

At this busy time in my life I am having to choose to cut some of my couponing time out and spend more time in other areas of my life. Have you felt this way before? If you do, please know that there are many ways to save money, cut back on expenses, and live frugally besides couponing.

1. Menu plan. By sticking to a meal plan and buying only what is necessary, you can cut at least 30% off your monthly grocery bill.
2. Don't buy extras. Do you really need that box of crackers or that bag of chips? Nope. Skip the packaged snacks and you will also save big.And not just your wallet...but your hips too.
3. Don't always be on the go. Just because there are good deals doesn't mean you have to hit every one. Stay home more often and you will cut not only your gasoline bill but your wallet will thank you.
4. Skip eating out. The average family eats out at least twice a week. Yikes! That adds up fast. Make homemade pizza instead.
5. Start cooking from scratch. It really doesn't take much more time. You only think it does. Give it a try.
6. Be thankful! When you appreciate what you have instead of always wanting more, you will be content and not desire more, more, more. We already have so much!

Couponing: Is it dominating your life?

Nintendo Wii for $199 PLUS a $25 Amazon gift card!

Have you been noticing that Wii's have been dropping in price? Many places have them for $199 now. Compare that to $249 last year.

Amazon has them for $199 too.......AND they are also offering a $25 Amazon gift card when you buy the Wii!

We have a Wii and we love it! Plus, you get free super saver shipping! Jump on this deal before it's gone.

Nintendo Wii for $199 PLUS a $25 Amazon gift card!

Tylenol Recall

I saw on my local news last night about a voluntary recall of several Children and Infant Tylenol products.

CLICK HERE for all the details, including a list of the recalled products. I had some in my cupboard, so check yours!

Tylenol Recall

Cheap cheese at Albertsons

If you are looking for a good way to use your Albertson's doublers before they expire Tuesday night, use them on cheese! These printable coupons are available to Utah and Idaho through Coupons.com. Here is the breakdown:

Albertson's brand cheese, 2 lb $5.49
Use $1/1 printable coupon
Use a doubler
Final Price: $3.49 for 2lbs of cheese!

Most times I get doublers I use them on the cheese. That is a killer price. Did you know you can freeze cheese? Just grate it first. Then the consistency won't change when it thaws.

Cheap cheese at Albertsons

Michael's coupons

Micheal's is your Halloween Headquarters! I was a couple of weeks ago and there were so many fun halloween crafts and ideas. My kids were in heaven.

CLICK HERE to print two great coupons to make your own sale this week at Michael's.

Michael's coupons

Rite Aid 9/27-10/3

There are some great deals at Rite Aid this week! If you are new to Rite Aid shopping, they do a monthly rebate program called Single Check Rebates (SCR). You purchase the required items, then you can submit for your rebates online all month long. At the end of the month you can submit for your rebate to come in the mail. You will get your check in about 2-3 weeks. Easy! GO HERE to sign up for the program. (Note that for most SCR deals you are limited to ONE rebate. If you can submit for more than one rebate, I will specify).

Crest Extra White Plus Scope or Oral B Advantage Toothbrush $2.69
Use $1/1 coupon from 9/27 PG, .75/1 from 8/30 PG (Crest); .75/1 from 9/27 PG (Oral B)
$2.69 SCR
Final Price: FREE, plus overage after coupon!

Nivea Lip Care $2.99
Use $1/1 from 8/30 RP
$2 SCR
Final Price: FREE!

Gillette Fusion Razor $9
Use $4/1 coupon from 9/27 PG
$5 SCR
Final Price: Free!

ProFoot Products 3 for $15
Use these printables for $1/1 AND $2/1
$10 SCR when you buy 3
Final Price: FREE after using 3 coupons!

Reeses Cups, 8 pk .88 cents
Use .55/1 from the 8/23 SS
Final Price: .23 cents!

These are the deals I find are the ones worth getting this week. Did you find a good deal at Rite Aid?

Rite Aid 9/27-10/3

Menu Plan Monday: September 28

I am finally posting my menu again! Whew! After being sick almost all week last week I am anxious to get back onto a routine again. It feels so good to be normal again. If you are new to my site, menu planning is a good way to be frugal and keep on top of your grocery budget. Planning helps eliminate spontaneous spending on items you normally wouldn't buy. Plus, it just saves my sanity, really. With 4 kids and always somewhere to go, after school and dinnertime is stressful enough. If I have a plan I am a happier person. Join Menu Plan Monday at Orgjunkie!

Breakfasts:

cold cereal & fruit

oatmeal & berries

pancakes w/homemade syrups

muffins

Dinners:

Cheese filled pasta (this is one of our family favorites now thanks to my bloggy friend Sarah!)

Mexican Manicotti

Chunky Potato Soup

Meatball subs

leftovers

Sides:

salad

rolls

corn on the cob

veggie medleys

rainbow jello

Snacks:

crackers, ham & cheese

smoothies

apples & peanut butter

carrots & celery

oranges

FHE treat this week:

the best brownie recipe EVER (seriously!)

Menu Plan Monday: September 28

I am alive..barely

For the past two and a half days, I have been in bed. I got strep throat this week and it has leveled me. I am feeling somewhat better today. At least I can get up and walk around without falling over.

I will be back next week.

I am alive..barely

On the Menu

I have not been posting as much. My family needs me right now, so I hope you can excuse my less frequent posting. I haven't been posting my menus, although I have been making them.

In the meantime, I thought you might want to know what we are having for dinner tonight:

Can I say DELISH. If there is one meal in the world I love it is this.

CLICK HERE for the recipes!

On the Menu

SWEET Huggies diaper deal at Rite Aid & summer clearance!

Head over to Rite Aid! Their summer stuff is 90% off. You can get all sorts of fun summer toys and even swimming and snorkeling gear for pennies!

Also, check out a SWEET diaper deal at Rite Aid! Get some super cheap diapers! I posted about it HERE on PYP. My copy and paste isn't working on my new computer (grrrr Vista...any tips?) so I can't copy the info here. Go to the link to read it.

SWEET Huggies diaper deal at Rite Aid & summer clearance!

Free issues of Taste of Home magazine

CLICK HERE to download over 20 magazine issues of Taste of Home magazine! I love this magazine for lots of great recipe ideas.

Free issues of Taste of Home magazine

Make It Monday: Fagioli Soup

This is a fabulous fall soup...and just like the fagioli soup at Olive Garden. YUM!

1 lb ground beef (I usually use 1/2 lb)
1 small onion, diced (1 cup)
1 lrg carrot, julienned (1 cup) sometimes I grate mine
1 stalks celery, chopped (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes, with liquid
1 15 oz can red kidney beans, with liquid
1 15 oz can northern beans, with liquid
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 12 oz can V-8 juice
1 TBL white vinegar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 pkg Ditali pasta (short macaroni tubes)

Brown the beef in a large saucepan. Drain off fat, if any. Add onion, celery, carrots, and garlic and saute for 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, except pasta, and simmer for 1 hour. About 50 minutes into simmer time, cook pasta according to directions until al dente, or slightly tough, about 10 minutes. Drain. Add the pasta to the soup and simmer for 5-10 minutes and serve. Serves 8.

If you find that it is too tomatoey, add some water until you find a consistency and taste you like. This recipe also freezes well. Enjoy!

Make It Monday: Fagioli Soup

Watch cable, free!

One of the ways we choose to cut back on spending is by not paying for tv. In 11 years of marriage, we have never paid for cable or satellite tv. When there are big games to watch we usually go to friends' homes.

But for the BSU game tonight, we have another option! Thanks to my good friend, today I found out how we can now watch some of those ESPN games we are dying to watch! Go to Channel Surfing.net and you can watch many games and shows that are on cable for free!

Thanks, Coralee!

Watch cable, free!

Free 60 day pass to BJ's Wholesale Club!

If you are lucky enough to have a BJ's Wholesale Club near you, here is some information you don't want to miss!

Did you know that BJ's is the only wholesale club that allows the use of manufacturer coupons? They also have their own store coupons you can print HERE. PLUS...you can use multiple coupons on one item. For example, if you are purchasing a 5 pack of toothpaste, you can use 5 coupons...one for each individual tube! I wish we could do that at Costco.

Now through December 31st, BJ's is offering a totally FREE 60 day membership with full member benefits! No surcharges or hidden fees. GO HERE to print it out, and let your savings begin!

Free 60 day pass to BJ's Wholesale Club!

Frugal Living Friday: Save more, spend less

Welcome to Frugal Living Friday! Each week I will feature a tip that can stretch our budget and live more frugally! If you have a tip you want shared on Frugal Living Friday, let me know and you could become guest blogger for a day.

What did you do to live frugally this week?

• Did you spend $10 less at the grocery store than you normally do?
• Did you resist buying those shoes you just had to have?
• Did you push aside the temptation to go out to dinner and stay home instead?

Whatever you did this week to live more frugally, good job! Most of the time it is baby steps to keep on track. We all have times when we spend more than we should. The key is to get right back to spending less and saving more.

This week I challenge you to cut one thing out of your life that you can spend less on. Look at your spending habits. Cut at least one extra spending item out. Put that money away. If you continue to do this you will be amazed at how fast the money adds up! Pretty soon you can be on track to saving around 10% of your monthly income, which is what we do. Start building up your emergency fund.

Frugal Living Friday: Save more, spend less

$5 coupon for Luvs Diapers

Join the Luvs Network at get a $5 off coupon for Luvs diapers!

$5 coupon for Luvs Diapers

Free shipping at Snapfish, Fashion Bug, Fisher Price and More!

Here are some AWESOME online deals right now! Thanks to PYP for posting them.

Free shipping on any order at Fisher Price!

Code F27946 valid thru 10/2/09

(If you want to get the Nativity set, this is a perfect time! We love ours).

Fisher Price link

31 Piece Roadside Emergency Kit, $5 shipped!

Northern Tool.com

Item #188999

Was $9.99

Now $5.00

Free Shipping Code: 121380

Northern Tool.com Link

Free shipping on your order at Snapfish.com!

They have extended their Labor Day Sale!

Use code FREELABOR to get free shipping through September 16th.

Snapfish.com Link

Free shipping on any order at FashionBug.com!

No coupon code required!

Take $10 off your $25 purchase with this code: 776286007 thru 9/24/09

FashionBug.com Link

Free shipping at Snapfish, Fashion Bug, Fisher Price and More!

Understanding Coupons

I have had several questions in regard to using coupons lately. I hope this answers your questions! Feel free to leave comments with questions too.

Coupons are incentives to buy products. Using coupons to your advantage doesn't mean always using every coupon out there. You have to be smart, combine the coupon with a sale or clearance price, rebates, and promotions. Coupons have expiration dates to watch. Some coupons can be doubled, which means if the coupon is $1/1 item, you would get $2/1 instead. That's one way you can get ahead! Always read the fine print on your coupons before you use them to make sure you are matching up the item and coupon correctly.

Manufacturer coupons: These are coupons put out by the companies to entice you to purchase their products. These kinds of coupons can be printable coupons, Sunday coupons, mailer coupons. It will say 'manufacturer coupon' at the top of the coupon. When you use these coupons on a product at the store, the store is reimbursed the value of the coupon plus 8 cents. You cannot combine two manufacturer coupons on the same product.

Store coupons: These coupons are store specific, usually in their weekly ads. Unless other stores accept competitor coupons, you can only use store coupons at the store specified. You CAN combine store coupons and manufacturer coupons on the same purchase. For example, let’s say Walgreens has Trident gum on sale for $2 per package. They also have a store coupon in their weekly ad you can use that is $1 off each package. BUT, you also have a manufacturer coupon from the newspaper for another $1 off. Use both coupons together and you will get free gum! All you will pay is sales tax.

Printable coupons: These coupons are found online. Printable coupons are manufacturer coupons. Generally you are allowed to print 2 copies of each coupon from printable coupon websites. It is illegal to photocopy coupons!! But you can print them in black and white.


Peelies: These are the coupons you find stuck to store items that you peel off. These are most of the time manufacturer coupons.

Blinkies: Coupons in the red boxes attached to store shelves. When you pull out the coupon, another one generates to be pulled out. These are also manufacturer coupons.

How do you use your coupons when purchasing items? Read your coupon. It will tell you how many items you need to buy to use it. It might say $1 off one item, or $1 off 2 items. There is also some common coupon terms and usage meanings that you need to understand.

"One coupon per purchase": This means that you can use one coupon per item, with the item considered to be the purchase. For example, if you had 5 identical packages of gum and 5 grocery coupons for that gum, you could use all 5 coupons for your order. You could not use 2 identical coupons if you were only buying one pack of gum because that would be more than "one coupon per purchase." Don't confuse this term with "one coupon per transaction." A transaction is your entire purchase order you are making, not individual items.

"One coupon per transaction": This means that you can only use that specific coupon once per order. If a shopper had more than one coupon, they could use one coupon per store visit, which would be one coupon per order.

"One coupon per household": This is the most restrictive coupon term. Some coupons are so generous that stores will limit their liability by making sure shoppers do not make multiple trips to the store to use several coupons.

Please remember that any store can make decisions on how they decide to interpret the coupons. Sometimes they don't understand the terms the way the manufacturer intended them to be interpreted. If you politely explain the terms to them, they are more likely to accept your coupon. GO HERE to see store coupon policies. When using coupons on Buy 1 Get 1 Free items, many times you can use 2 coupons...one for each item. The first coupon on the item you are buying, the second coupon for the item you are getting free. But this varies from store to store, so your mileage may vary.

Understanding Coupons

Frugal Living Friday: From the Archives

Welcome to Frugal Living Friday! Each week I will feature a tip that can help us stretch our budget and live more frugally! If you have a tip that you want shared on Frugal Living Friday, let me know and you could become a guest blogger for a day.

One year ago I started my Frugal Living Friday series! I love posting these topics every week. Learning how to living frugally is a daily challenge, but with baby steps we can achieve success! It is also very fulfilling knowing you can be self-reliant and provide means for yourself.

For today's post, we look back into the archives. In fact, this was my very first Frugal Living Friday post. Dehydrating Herbs. Very appropriate for this time of year.

Read the full post to see pics and how-tos.

Have a great weekend everyone! I have company here...my favorite friend in the world...so I will see you next week!

Frugal Living Friday: From the Archives

Free Always Infinity Sample

CLICK HERE to get a free sample of Always Infinity.

Thanks JP!

Free Always Infinity Sample

90% at Restaurant.com! WOW! **begins tonight at midnight PST**

Restaurant.com goes 90% OFF on 9/9/09 for 99 hours!
For the first time ever, you can take 90% off on all Gift Certificate and Dinner of the Month Club purchases. You can purchase a $25 Gift Certificate for only $1!!!

Use promo code NINETY at checkout. Promo begins tonight at midnight PST.

HURRY! Offer ends September 13th at 3:01 AM PST.

90% at Restaurant.com! WOW! **begins tonight at midnight PST**

Free deodorant from Vocalpoint

I have told you about Vocalpoint before. Have you joined yet?

If you have, right now you can get a free, full sized Secret Clinical Strength deodorant to try out and review! Just go to the Vocalpoint homepage, log-in to your account, and request yours!

Thanks Utah Deal Diva!

Free deodorant from Vocalpoint

Free Shipping at Snapfish

Get free shipping on your order at Snapfish, starting today!

*U.S. customers only. Coupon may only be used once per account, but can be used for numerous products within that one use. Must use coupon code FREELABOR at checkout to receive free standard shipping on all products, except the following: free prints, imagekind frames, photo skins, and high-resolution downloads. Free shipping is not available when redeeming a gift certificate. Offer does not apply to any upgraded shipping options. Applicable taxes still apply. Offer may not be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Offer expires 9/13/2009.

Free Shipping at Snapfish

Store Coupon Policies

Do you know the coupon policy at the store you shop at? It pays to! Then you are better informed when there is a problem at checkout. I recommend you printing these out and carrying them with you when you shop.

GO HERE for a current store policy list.

Store Coupon Policies

No coupons this weekend

Just a reminder: No coupons this weekend!

Remember, on holiday weekends there are no coupons in the Sunday paper. CLICK HERE for the 2009 coupon schedule.

No coupons this weekend

Free chocolate today!

Don't forget to register for your free chocolate! Only on friday!

Free chocolate today!

Frugal Living Friday: Make Your Own Board Books

Welcome to Frugal Living Friday! Each week I will feature a tip that can stretch our budget and live more frugally! If you have a tip you want shared on Frugal Living Friday, let me know and you could become guest blogger for a day.

Are you looking for a fun, new project or gift but also one that can be personalized and even possibly re-purpose items?

Look no further! Shannon at Yellow Fence shows us how to take a regular kids board book and turn it into a personalized gift! So clever and VERY cool! Here is one photo, but make sure you visit her blog to see the other photos and full instructions.

photo courtesy of Yellow Fence

Here in another twist on this idea. Jill shows you how to take a blank board book and turn it into something personalized and thrifty. Jill shows us how she did her amazing book on her blog.

photo courtesy of Homemade by Jill

You can take this idea and twist it to what will meet your needs or ideas. I know you can purchase blank board books in stores but this is much cuter in my opinion. Plus if you take a board book you already have you can turn it into a new story with personalized pictures! Have you done anything like this before?

Frugal Living Friday: Make Your Own Board Books

Cooking Tip

Have you ever cooked breads or pies in the oven and had the edges burn only when the rest isn't cooked yet?

Enter one of my favorite kitchen items.....tin foil!

Just put some tin foil on the top so it doesn't burn the edges. I will take it off the last 10 minutes or so of cooking to brown up the rest a bit.

This is one of our families FAVORITE recipes....ham and cheese braid. HERE is the recipe.

Cooking Tip

Reader Questions

Question: Does Walgreens still have some good deals going on now that they have discontinued their rebate program? What is the best way to learn how to shop at Walgreens?

Answer: I was sad to learn that Walgreens was disconinuing their rebate program in April. I did their rebate program for 6 years and was able to really get my stockpile/food storage up with hygiene, baby, and personal items.

Now Walgreens is focusing on their Register Rewards. When you buy the advertised item you will get a RR printed back for you at the register. These are good to use on your next purchase at Walgreens. They are like cash.

For example, this week at Walgreens you can buy:

Colgate 360 ActiFlex Toothbrush @ $2.99
Use this $1/1 printable coupon
You will then get a $2.99 Register Rewards at checkout
Final Price = FREE....plus overage

You spend $1.99 plus tax out of pocket and you get a $2.99 RR back.

The only thing that I don't like about the RR program is that you are stuck using the RR at Walgeens. They often have short expiration dates (around 2 weeks) and sometimes I don't have other things to get there. You have to be really careful to not let them expire.

Additionally, you need to be aware how RR work. You can roll them onto your next purchase, but ONLY if it is a different item. You couldn't take your RR from the Colgate toothbrush and use it on another Colgate toothbrush and then expect another RR to print out. It won't. But you can use that RR on a different item with a RR and get the RR from that item. Clear as mud?

SEE THIS POST for all the details you need to know about Walgreens RR program.

You can still get great deals at Walgreens without the rebates. Just make sure you know how the RR program works and you will be fine.

Reader Questions

Birthday Freebies

This time of year I start into birthday mode. August begins five months straight of birthdays for us! Freebis are always welcome at birthday time. Last year I posted a big list of birthday freebies! GO HERE for the list!

Plus, stay tuned for cheap and frugal birthday ideas. I love doing fun things for my kids on their birthdays but I don't like to spend a fortune. I will be sharing things I have done soon! If you have ideas you want shared, let me know!

Birthday Freebies

Five free recipe books!

I posted back in November 2007 about 4 free recipe books you can order from Sunmaid. Well guess what....this offer is still valid! Plus, it looks like they have since added a 5th book. GO HERE to order yours! Here is what is available for order:

• Fruit and Sunshine
• The New Taste of Tradition
• Recipes for Healthier Eating
• Fall Favorites
• Family Favorite Recipes

Five free recipe books!

Free Blue Bunny Ice Cream

My totally cute sister-in-law emailed me tonight with another great try-me-free offer!

Blue Bunny is offering free ice cream over Labor Day weekend! All you need to do is purchase any variety of Aspen or Sedona Blue Bunny frozen yogurt granola novelties between September 5th & 7th 2009 and they'll refund your full purchase price! AWESOME!

HERE IS THE LINK to the rebate form. Be sure to save your original receipt and the UPC from the box to mail in. Plus, if you were lucky enough to get the $2/1 coupon from the SS insert on 8/2 then this is a money-maker! I didn't get it in my area, but check your inserts.

Thanks Indy!

Free Blue Bunny Ice Cream

Freebies

Digital Scrapbooking
Scrapbook Sketches
Free Fonts
Baby Freebies
Free Lego Magazines
Just For Fun
Magazine Subscriptions
Freebie Category (some offers may be expired)
Free Samples
Stock Up Food.com
Earn free toothbrushes for your kids from Colgate!
Free cat litter from CatsPride (up to $7)



Current Free Sample Links (will be consistently updated)

Walmart Free Samples
Pampers Dy Max (must sign up to receive sample)
South Beach Living Smores bar
Mystical Monkey's all-purpose cleaner
Burt Bees Natural Toothpaste
Free full size Excedrin (answer anything but Excedrin in the survey)
Nicorette Gum
Pampers Potty Training Kit
Cream of Wheat
Kashi product
Purex 3-in-1 laundry sample
Stayfree sample
Kotex Sample


Free Coupons

$20 in Kraft coupons
Rouge Magazine from P&G (comes with many high value coupons)
Homemade Simple: $30 worth of coupons
Pampers Baby: Sign up to get coupons in the mail for Pampers Products
Huggies: Sign up to get coupons in the mail for Huggies Products
Conagra Foods: $17 coupon booklet
Betty Crocker $10 worth of savings
Pillsbury $10 coupon booklet

Freebies

Free Samples

Don't forget about the many free samples I have linked to on my sidebar. I have checked most of them and they are still valid. If you know of a free sample, let me know and I will link up to it.

Free Samples

New coupons at Coupons.com!

It's the 1st of September (can you believe it? I can't). And a new month means new coupons at Coupons.com! Plus, many of the ones have reset. Print from this bar here or from the top of my blog.




Some of you have asked how to use the coupon bar. On the bottom right corner, click on "see all coupons" to bring up a pop-up of all the coupons available. You can print right there!

If you want to go back a second time and print, you will see that the coupons have disappeared from that pop-up. So the second time, click on "coupons.com" in the bottom left corner to take you to their website. Then check the final pages for the coupons you just printed if you want a 2nd print. Otherwise browse through all the pages.

New coupons at Coupons.com!

Food Storage Tip

If you are like me you try to have some cooking basics on hand. It's hard to make frugal meals or meal plan if you have nothing in the pantry. Additionally, I keep extra basics on hand for emergency purposes.


So....canola oil! It is my oil of choice. Did you know that there are things you can do to make your oil last longer? Yes, there are!

1. Keep your oil in a cool place. Most olive oils and canola oils will stay good for around 7-9 months after opening if kept tightly closed and in regulated temperatures. A few times I have had oil go rancid before the expiration date. But that is rare.

2. If at all possible, keep your oil away from light. Keeping it in a cupboard with a door, or even covering it with cloth if it is on an open shelf will help.

If your oil is rancid (smells bad and has an awful taste), don't cook with it. I know you can make soap with rancid oil but I haven't tried my hand at that. Any tips from you?

Food Storage Tip