It's Friday and I like to end the week with a frugal tip if I can!
We've been going to garage sales quite a bit recently and there are deals to be had. However, it's good to keep in mind that even though an item is "only" $1, if you don't need the item, it's still not a bargain. To keep myself from going crazy when prices are rock bottom, I even do my garage sale shopping with a list - actually the same list I keep for all my shopping!
Example: Right now, my list includes:
Breadmaker
Air Popper (going to try to roast coffee beans!)
Khaki and/or Denim skirt for me
White Turtleneck for daughter
If I see something that's not on that list, then I don't buy it. Once in a while of course I'll see something that isn't on the list that I have an immediate use for, but even then, before I purchase, I'll ask myself the following questions: "Is it a need or a want?" "How often will I use it?" "Will I get tired of it and get rid of it in 3 years?"
This will help save money!!!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Entertainment Book
I've mentioned this several times in my previous posts and the 2009 book is on sale right now!
We get this almost every year, and I highly recommend it. Sometimes we even order it before a vacation. If you aren't sure, just go to the website and you can preview the coupons in the book before you purchase - that way you can be sure you'll get your money's worth!
We get this almost every year, and I highly recommend it. Sometimes we even order it before a vacation. If you aren't sure, just go to the website and you can preview the coupons in the book before you purchase - that way you can be sure you'll get your money's worth!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Halloween Giveaway
I had such fun with my last giveaway that I decided to do another! This one is for a very cute (tags still on it) 24month tee.
To enter, just leave a comment or send me an email with your favorite fall or Halloween tradition. Easy Peasy! I'll take comments until Wednesday, October 15th at 8:00 EST.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Deal of the Week
Two great deals this week!
Culver's - $1 Butter Burger is Today! We are going to go over there for dinner(it's 5 min from home) , pick up a burger for each of us and take them home to enjoy with my homemade oven fries:
Oven Fries:
Clean and slice several potatoes (don't need to peel)
Toss lightly with some olive oil
Place on foil on a cookie sheet
Sprinkle with McCormick's Montreal Steak Seasoning
Roast in the oven at 425 until crispy outside and soft inside
Walgreen's - this one is a moneymaker! The Glade Wisp Flameless Candles are on sale this week for $5.99. In one of the ads a few weeks ago (either last week or the week before) there is a $5/1 coupon. So, your out of pocket cost is $.99. But - when you purchase one you'll get a Register Reward for $3 off your next purchase. You have to buy them one at a time to get a Register Reward for each of them, but still it's a little under $2 profit on each! (taking into account tax).
If you have the $2/1 Glade scented candle holder coupons, they are on sale for $3.99, so with the coupon would be $1.99 - and there is a rebate in the EasySaver this month for $2 off (up to 2), so they end up free. I'm going to use my $3 RR from yesterday to buy one of these and add on toilet paper or a sponge to get my total over $3.00. That way I'll be getting the rebate merchandise with no out of pocket cost and getting something I need for almost free!
Culver's - $1 Butter Burger is Today! We are going to go over there for dinner(it's 5 min from home) , pick up a burger for each of us and take them home to enjoy with my homemade oven fries:
Oven Fries:
Clean and slice several potatoes (don't need to peel)
Toss lightly with some olive oil
Place on foil on a cookie sheet
Sprinkle with McCormick's Montreal Steak Seasoning
Roast in the oven at 425 until crispy outside and soft inside
Walgreen's - this one is a moneymaker! The Glade Wisp Flameless Candles are on sale this week for $5.99. In one of the ads a few weeks ago (either last week or the week before) there is a $5/1 coupon. So, your out of pocket cost is $.99. But - when you purchase one you'll get a Register Reward for $3 off your next purchase. You have to buy them one at a time to get a Register Reward for each of them, but still it's a little under $2 profit on each! (taking into account tax).
If you have the $2/1 Glade scented candle holder coupons, they are on sale for $3.99, so with the coupon would be $1.99 - and there is a rebate in the EasySaver this month for $2 off (up to 2), so they end up free. I'm going to use my $3 RR from yesterday to buy one of these and add on toilet paper or a sponge to get my total over $3.00. That way I'll be getting the rebate merchandise with no out of pocket cost and getting something I need for almost free!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Menu Plan Monday
An easy week of menu planning:
Monday - Olive Chicken with Couscous
Tuesday - $1 Butter Burgers at Culver's
Wednesday - Mystery Shop - Pizza
Thursday - Homemade Red Sauce with shrimp and spaghetti
Friday - Beef & Blue Cheese Wraps, salad
Saturday - Family Cookout
Sunday - Apricot Onion Pork Medallions, mashed potatoes (from October All You)
I need to pick up some deli meat for sandwiches, eggs and maybe some fruit (other than apples), but that's it for the week.
Monday - Olive Chicken with Couscous
Tuesday - $1 Butter Burgers at Culver's
Wednesday - Mystery Shop - Pizza
Thursday - Homemade Red Sauce with shrimp and spaghetti
Friday - Beef & Blue Cheese Wraps, salad
Saturday - Family Cookout
Sunday - Apricot Onion Pork Medallions, mashed potatoes (from October All You)
I need to pick up some deli meat for sandwiches, eggs and maybe some fruit (other than apples), but that's it for the week.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Frugal Friday - mini vacation
By now, if you've read any of my previous posts, it's probably obvious I love to travel. Sometimes we just don't have the time to take a long vacation. So, we take a mini vacation. Not only are they time savers, they are typically budget friendly also.
This week Wed/ Thurs was a family "vacation." We drove to a city one hour north of us (not much in gas), stayed in a hotel (with an indoor pool and free breakfast) using our points, used coupons for dining out and spent yesterday at the zoo. We did spend more than we could have - (because we can afford to and we felt like it), but we figured out we could have done the entire two day trip for around $60 - including gas, free lodging, the zoo, rides at the zoo, dinner Wed and lunch Thursday.
We all had so much fun and it felt so relaxing to "get away." This morning as I was getting my daughter ready for preschool she said "I don't want to go to school today." I said "why honey, I thought you liked school?" Her answer: "I do, but I want to go on more vacations instead."
I think she's gotten the travel bug too!
This week Wed/ Thurs was a family "vacation." We drove to a city one hour north of us (not much in gas), stayed in a hotel (with an indoor pool and free breakfast) using our points, used coupons for dining out and spent yesterday at the zoo. We did spend more than we could have - (because we can afford to and we felt like it), but we figured out we could have done the entire two day trip for around $60 - including gas, free lodging, the zoo, rides at the zoo, dinner Wed and lunch Thursday.
We all had so much fun and it felt so relaxing to "get away." This morning as I was getting my daughter ready for preschool she said "I don't want to go to school today." I said "why honey, I thought you liked school?" Her answer: "I do, but I want to go on more vacations instead."
I think she's gotten the travel bug too!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Ham & Bean Soup
Well, the weather has turned colder, so it's time to make my favorite fall food - Ham and Beans! I have Ham Casserole on the menu for Saturday night, but with the colder weather, I'm changing it to this favorite . . .
bits of leftover ham (a couple slices cut into bite sized pieces)
2 cans white beans
cup of water
1 diced carrot
1 diced stalk of celery
1 small onion, diced
1 - 2 bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste
Put into the crock pot and cook on low all day - serve with warm cornbread drizzled with honey!
Yum!!! Easy and frugal to boot!
bits of leftover ham (a couple slices cut into bite sized pieces)
2 cans white beans
cup of water
1 diced carrot
1 diced stalk of celery
1 small onion, diced
1 - 2 bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste
Put into the crock pot and cook on low all day - serve with warm cornbread drizzled with honey!
Yum!!! Easy and frugal to boot!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
