.:How I Saved Almost $50 in Groceries

A few weeks ago, I saw this show on TLC called "Extreme Couponing". In this particular episode, two women went grocery shopping, their bill was more or less in the $500's and after using coupons, the bill went all the way down to some where around $6 or so! Crazy huh? I didn't think it could be possible, so I decided to try it out myself, and see how much I could save!

I did some extensive research on the internet, found sales, clipped and ordered coupons, made a spreadsheet to stay organized, and got myself out to the stores. Unfortunately, none of the grocery stores in the area double or triple coupons (which would have enabled me to save more), but I still saved a crazy amount of money for the things that I bought.

Target
French’s Spicy Mustard $.25 each
Bird’s Eye Frozen Veggies $.66 each
Vaseline Lotion $.99 each
Up&Up Pantiliners $.39
Wheat Thins $1.00 each
Kellog’s Crunchy Nut Cereal $.25 each
Kraft Shredded Cheese $.87 each

Total BEFORE coupons: $26.87
Total AFTER coupons: $9.62!!!
Total savings of $17.25

Wal-Mart
Snuggle Dryer Sheets $.87 each
Dove Deodorant $.47 each
Carefree Pantiliners $.44
Williams Taco Seasoning $.31 each
Jello Pudding Mixes $.49 each
Huggies Wipes $.47
Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste $1.77
Clearasil Face Wash $1.67
Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayo $.75
Kikkoman’s Soy Sauce $.42 each
Louisiana Hot Sauce $.44 each

Total BEFORE coupons $50.79
Total AFTER coupons $20.62!!!
Total savings of $30.17

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw how much I had saved at each store! You can do it too with just some time, organization, and dedication!

The two main websites I used to find deals with coupons were: Money Saving Mom and Common Sense with Money. I started getting the Sunday paper to use the coupon inserts that come with them. I also used Coupons and Things by Dede to order multiple coupons, and coupons that I didn't have on hand from past inserts.

If you're interested in knowing more, or need some direction on how to start, email me!

.:FREE Pyrex Potholder

Click here to sign up for a FREE Pyrex Potholder. Pyrex is one of my favorite kitchen brands :) Grab one while supplies last! Don't wait until the last minute. Here's an idea....send one to your mom, sister, grandmother, aunt, who ever! I did!

Thanks, Common Sense with Money!

.:Easy DIY Valentine's Day Ideas

Valentine's Day is coming soon!  In my opinion, some of the most meaningful gifts are those that are made. Low on cash? These are some GREAT V-Day ideas to make for gift giving or just to decorate your home or office.



To see instructions for the above ideas and the other DIY Valentine's Day ideas, click here.

Thanks Real Simple!

.:10 Unexpected Natural Cleaners

Who would've thought that these foods would have other uses than to just eat them!

Oatmeal: Scrub very dirty hands. Make a thick paste of oatmeal and water; rinse well.
Rice: Clean the inside of a vase or a thin-necked bottle. Fill three quarters of the vessel with warm water and add a tablespoon of uncooked rice. Cup your hand over the opening, shake vigor-ously, and rinse.
Club Soda: Shine up a scuffed stainless-steel sink. Buff with a cloth dampened with club soda, then wipe dry with another clean cloth.

To see all of the other uses, click here.

Thanks Real Simple!

.:15-Minute Jump-Rope Workout

Hop to it! This old-school recess favorite has great fitness benefits for grown-ups. Jumping rope is an effective cardio exercise that works your arms, legs, and core, helps strengthen your bones, and improves balance. Try this routine, designed by Virginia-based jump-rope expert Buddy Lee (buddyleejumpropes.com).

To see the full workout, click here.

Thanks Real Simple!

Szechuan Green Beans with Ground Pork

Most mornings before going to work, I take out meat from the freezer so that by the time I get home, it's already defrosted. I do this because I DESPISE using the microwave to defrost meat. I have nothing against using the microwave, it's just a personal preference of mine. So today I took out ground pork. I had NO CLUE what I was going to make with it, but I knew I was going to use it.

While at work, I came across this Szechuan recipe that looked easy to make, and I already had most of the ingredients on hand anyways. Plus, Chinese food is my FAVORITE!!

Below is the picture from the recipe, and I also took a picture of what I made:

My dish

Recipe

Instead of using green beans, I used broccoli.I also doubled the recipe because it didn't seem like there would have been enough for the family. It was SOOOO good! I will definitely be making this again :) Here's the recipe if you're interested in making it.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound lean ground pork

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

1 teaspoon peanut oil

2 1/2 cups (1-inch) green beans

1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic

2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce

2 cups hot cooked white rice

Preparation:

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork mixture, beans, and garlic; cook 3 minutes or until pork loses its pink color, stirring to crumble.

Combine hoisin and next 3 ingredients (through soy sauce) in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add hoisin mixture to pan. Cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently. Serve over rice.

I changed up the recipe a little bit: 

I  substituted white pepper with black pepper.

I substituted peanut oil with vegetable oil.

And of course I used broccoli instead of the green beans, but you can add anything else you want to it. If you're going to use the green beans, I don't suggest trying to cook them with the meat, they may not fully cook. What I did was cook the broccoli on its own first, and then I added it at the end. If you have any tips or tweaks to this recipe, please share! ENJOY :)

New Uses for Dryer Sheets

William Abranowicz

You know how sometimes you have an abundance of something, you don't want to throw it away, but then again you really want to get rid of it? Well Real Simple has a section on their website that shares new uses for things. If you browse through the list, it's amazing what new uses people come up with for ordinary products. Today, I'll be sharing with you new uses for Dryer Sheets!

Iron Cleaner. Dirty iron? Remove gunk from the soleplate of an iron. With the setting on low, rub the iron over the dryer sheet until the residue disappears, and you're left with a pristine press.

Shoe Freshener. Stinky feet? Roll up one sheet per slipper, sneaker, or loafer, insert, and forget about stinky shoes. (Bonus uses: Toss them in hampers, on closet shelves, in diaper bags.)

Static Stopper. Feeling some friction? Stop static on clothes--or tame flyaway hair--by rubbing a sheet over the problem area.

Sawdust Clearer. Working with wood? An easy way to keep the work area clean. Saw dust at a work station sweeps up so fast with one pass of a used fabric softener sheet.

Thread Detangler. Sewing? To prevent tangles, run a threaded needle through a sheet before you begin stitching.

Scum Buster. Got glass shower doors? Remove obstinate soap buildup from glass shower doors by sprinkling a few drops of water onto a used fabric-softener sheet and start scrubbing.

Drawer Sachet. Want fresh smelling clothes? If fabric-softener sheets make your clothes smell nice in the dryer, just think about what they could do in your dresser. Slip a few fresh ones between folded clothes.

Book Deodorizer. Got old stinky books? Prevent your beloved volumes from acquiring a musty smell by inserting a fabric-softener sheet between pages.

.:Bath & Body Works: Free Scented Candle

Pick up a free scented candle at Bath & Body Works with this printable coupon, no other purchase required! This is a $3.50 value. This coupon is good for use 1/28-1/30/2011. This is a great offer.....Bath & Body Works is one of my favorite places! I'm definitely going to pick this one up this weekend!

Thanks, Common Sense with Money!

Beer-Battered Onion Rings

Mmmmmm! These look SOOO good! I'm not really an onion eater, but just looking at this makes my mouth water!

Makes 4 servings!

Ingredients
2 large onions, peeled (about 1 1/2 pounds)
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup flat beer
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
Cooking spray
1/2 cup ketchup

Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°.

Cut the onion crosswise into 3/4-inch-thick slices, and separate into rings. Use 16 of the largest rings; reserve remaining onion for another use. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, salt, paprika, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in beer and egg white (batter will be thick). Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Dip 5 onion rings in batter, letting excess drip off. Add onion rings to pan; cook for 2 minutes on each side or until golden. Place the onion rings on a jelly-roll pan. Repeat procedure of dipping onion rings in batter and cooking in remaining oil, ending with 6 rings. Coat the onion rings with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until crisp. Serve rings with ketchup.

Kitchen Notes
Unless for some unknown reason you have an open can of beer in your refrigerator, try this simple way to flatten the suds you need for this batter. Measure 1/2 cup beer in a small bowl, and stir with a fork. You're left with about 1/3 cup flat beer.

Take some pictures and let me know how these work out for you!

.:Free Mighty Book Jr. Subscription ($99 value!)

I just signed up for the interactive learning this morning. I'll be testing out the interactive books with my DD this evening when I get home!

The offer is valid, and was quick and easy to sign up for!

Let me know if you've signed up and how well it worked for you!