TheCuteCouponer

Christmas Clearance Part 1 of a ton

2012-01-13T17:45:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year, long time no see. I've been tied up for awhile, my grandmother is very ill and not expected to live long and I'd like to spend all available time I have with her. I did manage to get quite a bit of after Christmas shopping done though. It's amazing what you can accomplish on 15-30 minute breaks when you are determined. In the photo above I snagged the sheet sets for $7.00 a piece, killer deal!!!! I've needed my own bundt cake pan for awhile and Paula Deen had one out for Christmas that on clearance I snagged for $5.00, lots of cake to come!!!!

The glass jars were a great deal at $1 a piece and boy do I have plans for them.

I also managed to make a quick run to Target and got $2.00 canisters of doggie treats, the dogs are gonna love me for those, $2.50 snack packs of pretzels, and $5.00 packages of nuts.

This is just the beginning!!!!

I'm frantically trying to find a place for it all.

Frugal is Fabulous ------ Happy New Year

2012-01-01T12:27:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year

Boy it's gonna be a good one I feel it in my bones.

It started off with me having a 3 day weekend. Anytime the New Year starts with me getting rest I know it's going to be an awesome year.

Well what better way to get off to a good start to a New Year than to talk about saving money.

Now before you start grumbling remember saving money is fun!!!

Frugal is Fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's our them for 2012

Everything about saving money should be fun. Think of this year as a great challenging game. If you like crossword puzzles and word searches and all the board games than frugality is for you.

It's a challenge but we're making it sooooo fun, fun, fun.

We're gonna coupon shop, thrift shop, garage sale, online shop, craigslist shop, do curbside pick up, and hit all the major malls and boutique stores not to mention wholesale shop.

It's shoppers gone crazy here.

The best part is we're going to pay a fraction of what everyone else is paying.

My kind of shopping.

We're going to talk about saving money on absolutely EVERYTHING.

From home to work to church and everything in between if your not living it frugally than your not living up to your potential money wise.

So check in daily and see what the 75% off lifestyle is all about.

Here frugal is fabulous!!!!

Happy 2012 and welcome.

Happy Savings,

The Cute Couponer

What's Coming in 2012

2011-12-30T13:42:00.002-06:00

The New Year is finally upon us and I'm excited to share that here at The Cute Couponer we're finally able to implement the changes we've been trying to do for the last few months.

Here's what there is to look forward to.

Sundays---- Sunday Suppers --- a brand new linky party where you get to link up and share your favorite family recipes. So invite your family and friends over for dinner and link up share.

Mondays---- Eat Cheap, Eat Healthy series----Learn to feed your family healthy meals on a budget.

Tuesdays---- All about our Frugal Tip of the Week. Implement small changes for big savings.

Wednesday---- All about thrift shopping.

Thursdays---- All about my shopping trips of the week.

Fridays--- All about the freebies of the week.

Saturdays----The guest bloggers are coming back in style for 2012. They have fresh new ideas to live a frugal lifestyle.

I'm so excited!!!! Remember our theme for 2012 is, "Frugal is Fabulous!"

Look forward to seeing you all often!!!!

Look what $20 buys at Wal-Mart

2011-12-28T22:36:00.002-06:00

Four transactions, lots of manufacturer coupons, combined with store coupons, price matching and in store specials I brought home all of this for $20.00! Cha-Ching!!!!

Back to Shopping,

Valerie

Try couponing today, period!

After Christmas Clearance Shopping

2011-12-26T14:49:00.000-06:00

WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG TO LET YOU KNOW WE ARE CURRENTLY OUT SHOPPING!

Not quite sure when we will return, but when we do it will be worth your while.

We learned our lesson to not ditch BIG shopping days after missing Black Friday.

No sir no mam, we are out shopping.

Now when we return we will share all our new goodies with you.

Remember we're starting off 2012 with our, Frugal is Fabulous campaign.

We're just gettin a head start.

Make sure to check back everyday this week for all the goodies we're finding.

Happy Shopping,

The Cute Couponer

A Very Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T09:37:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas and many blessings to you and yours.

2012 is going to be the best year yet.

All those changes I spoke about 6 weeks ago are coming.

Make sure to tune in.

There are many more mouths to feed, hugs to give, and blessings to be made this next year.

We're going frugal all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So go have the merriest Christmas yet and remember many people are sending blessings your way!!!!

Merry Christmas,

The Cute Couponer

Turkey Brine

2011-12-23T15:14:00.004-06:00

So it's almost Christmas and many of you are cooking a turkey again. Now for me and my family we like to mix it up a bit. If you aren't soakin your turkey in brine your aren't livin, period.

Now most turkey brine recipes ingredients cost a fortune.

A few years ago on recommendation from a friend of my mom's, we took a trip to Williams Sonoma and bought their turkey brine. Scrumpscious, delicious, never knew a turkey could taste that good are all thoughts that have come to mind when eating this.

For $18.50 it soaks two turkeys. You can't beat that! Cha-Ching!!!

I'm saving my 2nd half for Easter!

It's really quite simple how this works. Boil the ingredients in some apple juice and water pour it over your turkey that's sitting in a mega-sized bowl, add more water, and cover.

Stick it in your fridge for at least three days... for Mega flavor and voila the best turkey ever for minimal effort.

They also have it on sale after Christmas.... hint... hint!

Happy Cooking,

The Cute Couponer

Linking to Tidy Mom, French Country Cottage Shabby Nest Chic On A Shoestring

CVS Last Minute Savings

2011-12-22T13:48:00.001-06:00

Check your inbox for last minute saving at CVS!

Crazy 8 Sale

2011-12-22T13:12:00.000-06:00

Crazy is also having their huge $11.99 and under sale today. Check it out!

Go Here .

Let me tell you people, last minute shopping rocks this year!!!

Who needs Black Friday when you have this!!!

Huge Old Navy Sale Again

2011-12-22T13:09:00.000-06:00

Today through Saturday $5 Thermals for the whole family at Old Navy. Their at it again.

Run don't walk and stock up!

Happy Shopping,

The Cute Couponer

Old Navy Jammie Sale ---Smokin Hot Baby

2011-12-17T12:35:00.000-06:00

For those of you who are able to high tail it to Old Navy I'd get there and fast.

Call first to see if there are any jammies left.

Jammies are on sale today for $7.00 and you can combine it with the 30 % off coupons that you kind find all over the internet.

When you get there they have a free pair of chenille socks with every pair jammies bought.

Get there if you can!

I'm stuck at work so let me know how it goes.

Happy Shopping,

The Cute Couponer

Frugal Tip of the Week

2011-12-16T17:47:00.001-06:00

Happy Holidays! I hope your enjoying this season. Just thought I would pop in to say hello and let you know of a great little stocking stuffer that's affordable and available at many Circle K stores. $5.00 new release DVD's are everywhere.

They have many titles available. I was shocked!

So if your looking for a great stocking stuffer or inexpensive gift here's a great place to check out.

Happy Shopping,

The Cute Couponer

Happy Thursday

2011-12-08T17:03:00.000-06:00

Here's wishing you a super Happy Thursday. I hope you are enjoying preparing for Christmas. Remember it's not the presents that counts but good times with your family and friends.

Slow down and enjoy the season.

It will all get done.

Next year I'm starting earlier!!!

The Cute Couponer

Elf Busy Working at Mom's House

2011-12-06T11:21:00.001-06:00

Isn't this the cutest Advent calender you've seen. Simple and sweet. I used to carry them at the store. They were big sellers. Now mom has the the moose and I have the snowman.

This Santa has been around longer than me. As you get older you realize just how precious these things are.

I just love reindeers made of twig. A little bow and he's good to go.

Just spending the day decking mom's halls. Hope to finish up here so she can enjoy when she gets home from a short business trip. I think it will be a nice surprise.

Finished up Grandma's place too.

Now I'm going to make myself some hot cocoa w/ marshmallows and hop back to it.

XOXOXO,

Valerie

The Beverage of Christmas

2011-11-29T18:28:00.002-06:00

Last year I promised I would get around to my beverages of Christmas post and I never did so I thought I would start early this year.

Like any good couponer and frugal shopper I'm constantly looking for things my family uses on a regular basis.

Any type of Champagne is always welcome in my home. I'm a big fan of Cook's.

I buy insane amounts of egg nog. At my mom's house during December and Jan. it's a food group. It freezes well.

Any and all kinds of hot chocolate is in my home all Winter. Don't forget the marshmallows and candy canes.

I love Cask and Cream. It's like Bailey's and Cream but richer. It's great over ice or mixed in with coffee.

Three generations of women in my family love Lambrusco. It's my favorite. A sweet red wine very smooth and incredibly light.

Brandy is a necessity. We use it for a wonderful dessert. I will make it for you this year.

You might keep your eye out for some yummy Creme De Menthe and some Crown Royal.

When we buy a bottle of liquor it lasts for years.

Now keep watching all month to see how we incorporate these yummy beverages into our celebrations.

Enjoy Your Shopping,

The Cute Couponer

Today is Thanksgiving for US

2011-11-29T14:11:00.000-06:00

Better late than never but it's finally time for Thanksgiving in my house. This year our Thanksgiving is mobile and late but that's OK.

Once we get done with Thanksgiving it's on to shopping.

Hope your all doing great.

Check back this week for my killer shopping trips I've done lately.

Happy Thanksgiving,

The Cute Couponer

Black Friday or Bust

2011-11-26T07:37:00.001-06:00

I left Grandma's at 8:00 p.m. Thursday with no real leftovers in hand. My soup was a success. I drove by Wal-Mart on the way home and saw the parking lot was full, so I decided to go on home. Then I let the doggies out fell asleep on the couch and woke up around 4 a.m., fooey!

I thought about going shopping then but I was so tired I decided to let it go. It's a good thing too because I ran by Wally World last night after work to get dog food and everything was sold out. The cashiers and everyone I talked to said people didn't buy just 1, 2, or 3 of everything they bought 20 Blu-Ray players and 20 Crock Pots each. That so wouldn't have flown with me. Shelf clearing on Black Friday is a no no. I was really disappointed Wal-Mart allowed it. Common sense is that no single person needs to buy 20 Blu-Ray players even if they have alot of family and friends. Come on people 20 Crock Pots, I don't think so.

Remember the saying, Wal-Mart fall apart. You get what you pay for there.

So I am confident there will be plenty more deals to be had. I was disappointed to miss the protesters in Midwest City in Target, I always love to see protesters whether I agree with them or not. It makes me feel like people really do care and want to make a difference in the world. The only bad part is that they picked a bad location for their protest. Gag!!! Better luck next time for them. Now they are all arrested in jail on a holiday weekend. How sad, what a waste of money. Just think for bail and the fines and their new records they could of sent the money overseas to the sweatshop workers and enjoyed a holiday with their family and friends.

So the new challenge is to see what's going to be on sale moving forward for Christmas.

I can't wait to see.

Happy Shopping,

The Cute Couponer

2011-11-24T10:47:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

We are celebrating Sunday since several family members are feeling under the weather.

I'm making homemade chicken noodle soup so they get feeling better.

I'm also looking forward to my 10:00 o'clock run to Wal-Mart.

Hope you have a safe Black Friday.

Remember, if you miss out on one deal there will be many more for the next two months. It's not worth getting upset over.

Hugs,

The Cute Couponer

A Frugal Food Storage Find

2011-11-20T16:28:00.000-06:00

Sometimes you just hit gold. It's simple and practical. It's plastic, comes apart for cleaning, and on wheels and the best part is the neighbor gave it to me for free. I didn't even ask! They were moving and had no use for me and thought I might.

Now that's what I call a great weekend.

I still haven't been to the store for Thanksgiving shopping.

I'm waiting until the last minute.

Yes, I know I'm crazy but hey, sometimes a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.

Enjoy This Cozy Fall Weekend,

Valerie

Where I'm Headed for Black Friday

2011-11-18T19:07:00.000-06:00

I've scanned all the Black Friday Preview Sites and every ad I can get my hands on and I must say it's a bit of bummer this upcoming Black Friday.

So far, I'm going to Wal-Mart, CVS, and Walgreens.

There wasn't much else to look at. Usually I cash in at Macy's and Penney's and make a quick stop at Gordmans' but I don't see anything worth it.

How about all of you?

I actually think I will be done by 2 or 3 am Black Friday and can go to bed until I have to go to work that day.

Happy Weekend Before Thanksgiving,

The Cute Couponer

One More Week on the Challenge

2011-11-17T19:12:00.001-06:00

So I've been a good girl for the most part!

A few Frappe's at McDonalds and a Coke to stay awake at work and other than that I've been eating at home!

I need to work on cold coffee drinks for my stockpile. I've also found that I need to buy some tv dinners to have on hand as well.

I would have had no need to cheat had I had these things in my stockpile but hey a girl's gotta have caffeine.

Ending the challenge on Thanksgiving Eve will be absolutely perfect.

I have so much shopping to do this week. I'm buried in coupons, coupons, and more coupons.

I'm getting excited!

I'm hosting Thanksgiving again this year and we have some special guests. It warms my heart to open my home to family and friends.

How about all of you? Are you hosting this year or going somewhere? Whatcha cookin?

Looking Forward to Hearing From You,

The Cute Couponer

Blessed Beyond Imagination

2011-11-11T14:07:00.003-06:00

Today I had an ah-hah moment. You know one of those times that God makes you realize what you've been asking for is right in front of you.

See part of my job entails talking to people who don't have alot of money. I talk to at least 75 people a day who are having soooo much trouble making ends meet. In fact, they never make ends meet they rob Peter to pay Paul every month. They don't seem to have much choice due to their older age and health conditions. It really tears at my heart because many times I go home and am frustrated that I can't do more to help. I say many silent prayers for the many people I talk to everyday hoping that God can find a way to help.

It seems everywhere I go lately I run into people I know who are suffering hard times. I have watched many people get fired or let go for no good reason. I can say for the first time in a few years I see most people around me suffering financially.

I worry about them alot. I worry about my own family as well. Bills go up but salaries don't.

Today when I was piddling getting ready for work thinking, and God must have been listening, I heard this voice in my head give me an answer to a question I had been asking. God said, "because you haven't asked me." He's right! I hadn't asked I had been so worried about everyone else's problems that I had put mine on the back burner and God dealt with me.

See whatever your problems are it's important to remember nothing is bigger than God. So many times I charge ahead and just think I can do it myself and I forget that I forgot to ask him what he wanted me to do.

I really believe God intended for me to write this blog to be a blessing to teach people to keep food on their tables. Remember, "if we give a man a fish we feed him for a day but if we teach a man to fish we feed him for life."

The same is true with couponing. Not a week goes by where I don't hear a person say, "how about I pay you to go do the couponing thing for me." I always politely decline and say no but you are welcome to join me. Slowly each person comes around. As they get excited about it and say, "now I rarely buy anything if I don't have a coupon for it my heart gets warmer." It's exciting to see people save money.

I encourage you this holiday season to consider it a blessing that you know how to coupon. I have the peace of knowing that regardless of my family's circumstances they will always have food on the table and that is a huge blessing.

Remember there are coupons for just about everything now. From food, to household goods, toys, shoes, and clothing I encourage you, especially in a downturn economy, think and prepare before you shop. The money you save today will pay your bills tomorrow.

I look forward to encouraging you.

Blesssings to You,

The Cute Couponer

$200 worth of Groceries at Wal-Mart for $21.32

2011-11-09T18:16:00.000-06:00

So I pulled out my manufacturer coupons I have been receiving in the mail the last few weeks along with a bunch of store coupons I had been collecting and pulled out my ads and voila..... this is the result.

I also got the toilet paper and 6 bags of Farm Rich appetizers in the freezer not pictured.

Totally worth it.

I have had alot of luck lately hitting manufacturer websites vs just the coupons I receive in the paper. The coupons are a higher dollar amount and it means more free stuff.

I also found out Wal-Mart matches the mexican grocery stores. Yippee!!!!!

Now who on earth says couponing doesn't pay off?

Happy Price-Matching,

The Cute Couponer

P.S. I cheated on the challenge but I got right back on . I'm still finishing my 30 day no eat out challenge.

Chicken Potato and Green Bean Bake/Sunday Suppers

2011-11-06T15:18:00.014-06:00

This has got to be the easiest and quickest dish ever.

Ingredients:

2 Potatoes

1 Can Cream of Cream of Chicken Soup

1 Large Package of Chicken Legs

1 Can of Milk

1 Can of Green Beans

1 Medium Size White Onion

1/2 Cup of Bread Crumbs

1 Egg

Greek Seasoning to Taste

Olive Oil

1 Large Pyrex Dish

First, Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take your Olive Oil and spray it all over your 9x13 Pyrex dish.

Then open your chicken legs and season it with Cavender's Greek Seasoning and crack open an egg and then roll in the bread crumbs in the Pyrex dish.

Just leave it all in there.

Now open your can of green beans and drain off the juice. Dump it over the chicken. Next, open your can of Cream of Chicken soup and dump it on top of the green beans and chicken. Chop up your onion into bite size pieces and dump it all over the chicken and green bean mixture. Now peel and slice your 2 potatoes into bite size chunks and dump it on top off the soup. Now pour your 1 can of milk all over everything. Get back out your Greek seasoning and season to taste.

Now stick it in the oven for and 1 1/2 hours and serve.

Super yummy and super simple. My kind of Sunday dish.

Happy Cooking,

The Cute Couponer

Linking to Masterpiece Monday Made By You Monday Metapmorphosis Monday MM Monday Craft O Maniac A Bowl Full of Lemons

Eeeewww Gross at Buy For Less

2011-11-03T16:04:00.000-05:00

I had a few errands to run on Tuesday when going to visit a friend I haven't seen in awhile on the other side of town. When I stopped for one of my errands a lady reminded me how close I was to one of my favorite BBQ places in town. Buy For Less grocery store has a fabulous BBQ lady who sells BBQ cheaper than I can buy it and cook it myself. Now, before you start saying I broke the rules I want you to know I didn't. The reason I didn't break the rules is because I bought the food at the grocery store and it was for less money than I could have bought the ribs and cooked them myself.

When I parked my car and started to walk inside there was a man in a pick-up with lots of different plastic containers stacked on top of each other. They looked like what grocery stores usually put bread in to stack and move around. Upon further inspection inside each plastic thing, totally open to the elements, were sheet cakes. I was STUNNED!!!

Buy For Less was accepting a delivery from a man who had a bunch of cakes not wrapped and not in boxes and not covered in plastic. Gross!!! He obviously drove down the road where dust, bird poop, oil, rain, and any other form of debris could have hit the cakes. They were trying to figure out how to unload them! I thought they should just trash them. Gross!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was tempted to talk to the manager and say that has got to be a Health Department violation but in the past I've never had any luck with Buy For Less. Their management and corporate office could care less about how their customers are treated and have said so many times.

The only reason I got my BBQ is because the lady who sells it operates her own independent business within the store. She is not an employee of Buy For Less.

Now am I the only person who thinks this is gross or what?

Don't think I'll ever order a cake from Buy For Less....

Happy Thursday,

The Cute Couponer

P.S. The challenge is going well I'm still being a good girl. I haven't forgotten all the new series I promised to add in October. You will start to see the changes over the next few weeks.

Days 3,4,5, & 6 of the Challenge

2011-11-02T19:07:00.000-05:00

Howdy All,

I'm doing great on the challenge. One set of friends invited me over for dinner and another set took me out for dinner and they paid. Yay! Thanks to my dear friends.

Just a quick update, I am doing great on the challenge. The fact that I got alot of shopping done has helped tremendously. I have pictures to share and hope to have those loaded sooner vs later.

I've learned keeping a 12 pack of Coke in the back of the car has helped tremendously.

Be back soon. So many neat things going on this month.

Happy Fall,

The Cute Couponer

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T16:18:00.000-05:00

Here's to a safe and Happy Halloween to you and your family. I hope it's extra special this year 2011.

Don't forget to tune in to ABC Family, Lifetime, and FX tonight for all the scary and fun Halloween movies.

If you are looking for a great Halloween drink recipe check this out here.

Days 1 and 2 of the Challenge

2011-10-29T09:07:00.004-05:00

Howdy Ya'll,

Well I'm a day late in posting but not a dollar short! Yesterday morning I high-tailed it to the grocery store to make sure I was well prepared to start the challenge. I have huge and I mean huge coupon orders to get through by Monday. Check your coupons, many of them are expiring on the 31st.

On a side note I haven't been tempted to cheat yet. A friend of mine at work bought me a hot chocolate, for a quarter, out of the vending machine yesterday, just to be nice.

Don't you love random acts of kindness?

So let me tell you what I had yesterday.

For breakfast I had two pieces of toast with a little Nutella spread. ( I just love Nutella don't you?)

For lunch I had a ham and cheese sandwich w/ sun chips and sliced up an orange pepper. (Those peppers taste like candy.)

For dinner I had my mom over and we had little steaks and baked potatoes.

I also broke into the Halloween candy that I just bought but I shared it with many people at work.

So far the challenge is going well.

Remember, as long as you and your immediate family aren't spending the money it's OK to eat out. A friend or date can treat you.

On a side note the only real craving I have had is for McDonald's new Peppermint Hot Chocolate! OOOh Wee! If you haven't tried it you are missing out, but for $2.59 a cup it's a wee bit pricey. I think it's on my to-do list this weekend to replicate at home. I better get busy!!!

Happy Weekend,

The Cute Couponer

The Challenge Starts Tomorrow Friday October 28th 2011

2011-10-27T14:48:00.002-05:00

Howdy ya'll!

Sorry I haven't posted yet the past few days have been a bit crazy. My mom has been very ill and I have been taking care of her. I decided to push back the challenge a couple days but I am starting tomorrow. I haven't eaten out in the past few days but I haven't prepared either. Preparation is what made me successful in the past and I am planning on being successful this time round too.

So I will post the rules tomorrow but here are the basics,

1. No fast food or restaurant stops unless someone else besides you is paying for it.

2. No food from the vending machines allowed.

3. No convenience store food.

4. No delivery food.

5. If you get invited to a party go and take a dish but don't pay anyone for food anywhere.

Pretty simple. The goal is to build the stockpile, eat healthier, and save money. This is a great month to do this leading up to Thanksgiving and just think we will have lots of leftovers. With the savings we will have plenty of Christmas money.

Happy Preparations,

The Cute Couponer

More Frugal Pet Care

2011-10-22T10:07:00.000-05:00

I must say I am totally overwhelmed over the number of hits on my Frugal Pet Care post. Wow!!!!! Just so you know I haven't advertised it yet but I have decided to co-author a blog with a dear friend of mine called Doggies and Diapers you can go here to read all about it. It's about our experiences into motherhood and doggie motherhood. It chronicles our friendship, our experiences into motherhood, and our joy of being doggie moms.

If you love to read about dogs, doggie recipes, and spoiled little furballs than this is a place your are going to want to hang out.

Lots and lots of tips will be available on being a frugal doggie parent.

Hope you enjoy!

Happy Weekend,

Valerie

P.S. Have you pulled out your coupons to shop for the 30 Day No Eat Out Challenge that starts on Tuesday?

Frugal Tip of the Week Low Cost Pet Care

2011-10-19T11:43:00.001-05:00

It's no secret I absolutely love being a doggie mom and rescuing animals. Those little furballs cost a lot of money though. People always ask me how I do it. My answer is simple. Low Cost pet care. Now I've been at it awhile so I feel comfortable doing the basics like taking my dogs temperature and checking their gums to make sure they aren't dehydrated. I also have no problem calling the vet before I go in. I have a good working relationship with my vet and his main office lady.

Perhaps the way I save the most money is that for the basics I found a local pet supply store called Swaim Serum Company. The have just about the majority of everything I need for routine vet care for a fraction of the cost of taking them into the vet's office. Dewormer, vaccines, and tape worm medication.

It's a fraction of the cost of routine vet visits. Now remember if your in doubt take them in. It's never worth the risk of losing them. For the basics check your local farm or vet supply.

Happy Furball Playing,

The Cute Couponer

Linking to

The Thrifty Home,
Frugal Plus

30 Day No Eat Out Challenge

2011-10-19T11:25:00.000-05:00

The Challenge Starts Tuesday October 25th, 2011.

Are You Ready?

Frugal Tip of the Week

2011-10-13T17:05:00.001-05:00

If you don't use it... Freeze it!!!

That's right. If you have fruits and veggies in your fridge and you see they are going bad soon, with the exception of lettuce, stick it in a Ziploc bag and vacuum seal it and freeze it. If you are tired of your leftovers that you've been eating on for the last few days, grab your vacuum sealer and freeze the remaining portion. A week later they will taste great.

Little things like 1/4 of the block of cream cheese you have in your fridge can all freeze. Now it won't be spreadable on a cracker but it can still be used in a recipe calling for cream cheese and be just as delicious.

Bread that isn't being used can be turned into bread crumbs and seasoned and stuck in a Ziploc bag and put in the freezer or the bread can be sealed tight with the twistie tie and be frozen too.

When in doubt...freeze it.

You'll never know until you try.

Happy Freezing,

The Cute Couponer

Mom Knows Best

2011-10-09T18:26:00.003-05:00

Mom says that I should do the 30 Day No Eat Out Challenge and Start in a week but wait on the fill the freezer part until February. Why? Because I'm moving in Jan. and am not going to want to haul a bunch of frozen food. She thinks I should focus on stockpiling until after the move and then when it's cold outside in Feb. fill the freezer.

Mom knows best.

So we will start the 30 Day No Eat Out Challenge next Tuesday.

Will you join me, please?

Looking forward to the challenge,

The Cute Couponer

Extreme Couponer

2011-10-06T14:30:00.000-05:00

Did you see it the other night? I sure did and I loved it! This was the first episode of Extreme Couponer that I have seen in a long time that I really enjoyed. I liked the lady with 7 kids who had to learn to coupon to feed her large family, and later decided to feed her 200 member church on a regular basis. What a great reason to use all these coupons.

I have to say my favorite was the mother of 4 who lived on a farm, and learned to coupon from her grandmother who left her a whole pile of no expiration coupons. How awesome would that be? Coupons that don't expire.. hint.. hint.. manufacturers.

I loved the stockpile of the mother of 4, who had enough food on hand for a year, because Granny said so. She was even so faithful to help her sister save money and to coupon and replenish her stockpile. I can't tell you how many times I've wished for a sister. I got 2 brothers instead. Blah!!! Sisters would have been more fun to coupon with.

Her stockpile with custom made shelves was something to drool over. Did you see her freezer and all of her homemade canned goods? Wow! I wonder if she sees this post if she would invite me over for dinner.

She really gave me alot to think about.

I told you all I was considering going across the OK and Texas Border in order to buy groceries. A few trips, like their haul. would take care of us for a year.

Totally worth the trip.

So how about all of you are you ready to start some serious stockpiling?

Let me know,

The Cute Couponer

P.S. Watch for the Feed a Family of 4 on $30 a week tip coming up very soon.

Exciting Things Happening At The Cute Couponer

2011-09-26T16:41:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday Ya'll!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. Mine was busy. My grandma celebrated her 89th birthday.Wow! What a milestone. I have some great brownie recipes to share with you later in the week but first I want to let you know what exciting things are happening starting this month and in October.

A new linky party is coming every Sunday, called Sunday Suppers from the Stockpile. Every Sunday starting in October feel free to come and link up your favorite family suppers made right from your stockpile.

Every Monday, here at The Cute Couponer is going to be an ongoing series called, Eat Cheap, Eat Healthy.
It's a way to give you recipes that are first delicious, and then nutritious.

Every Tuesday, you will get the Frugal Tip of the Week.

Every Wednesday is all about Thrift Shopping.

Every Thursday I will post my shopping trips for you. I wouldn't want you to wait to late in the week to take advantage of the deals.

Every Friday, look here for a Freebie Friday Round-Up.That means every Friday I'm going to post all the freebies I found during the week. Feel free to add any I missed in the comments section.

Every Saturday, look forward to my frugal friends introducing you to their fabulous tips and great finds. The guest bloggers are coming back.

I will also be continuing the Feed A Family of 4 on $30 a week tip every week all month.

In October the 30 Day No EAT OUT Fill the Freezer Challenge is finally coming back!!! 30 meals x 2 for one whole month without eating out.

Whoo-hoo!

I hope to see alot of you all over the next several months.

Happy Monday,

Valerie

Idea #1 Feed A Family Of 4 On Thirty Dollars A Week

2011-09-21T19:15:00.004-05:00

Feed a family of 4 on $30 a week.

This is by far the most simple way to feed your family.....cheap.

Go ahead and open up your cabinets, pantry, and fridge.

Eyeball everything.

Now make a list of what you need to complete the meals you had in mind when you bought the stuff in the first place.

Examples:

Let's say you have oatmeal, a roast, some lettuce, crackers, a few cans of tuna, some frozen cheese, noodles, a few cans of soup, a box of crackers, 3 eggs, some cake mix, a few bags of frozen veggies, and some hot dogs.

Oatmeal is yummy when served several mornings a week. Buy a few pieces of fruit and whip out your brown sugar and voila.... Fruit and Sugar Oatmeal. If you have a splash of maple syrup add it in and you just saved $2 a person at McDonald's.

Grab a bag of potatoes, carrots, and onions and pull out the crock pot for the roast and you have dinner and lunch leftovers for everyone.

Surely you have some mayo and pickles, boil 2 of the eggs and chop up some onion and you have tuna salad with crackers. Great for lunch and dinner.

With the rest of the tuna, boil the noodles and dump the cream soup you have on hand along with the cheese, purchase a 1/2 gallon of milk and shred the crackers on top and voila.... tuna casserole.

With the hotdogs buy some mac and cheese or a can of chili and make chili dogs or mac and cheese and hot dogs.

Tear up your lettuce and put some shredded cheese and crackers along with a splash of salad dressing and whatever else you have on hand and make a delicious salad.

Whip up your cake mixes for dessert. A little powdered sugar and water will make the yummiest sugar coated icing. You have dessert and an afternoon snack for everyday of the week.

Last but not least, grab some more noodles and a bag of those frozen veggies and make a homemade asian stirfry. If you have another egg to spare fry it up and chop it, pour in some soy sauce and yummy stir fry.

See sometimes we over think it. I have read for years that the average family has enough food in their home to survive for a month, if they had too. So get out of survival mode and get in cheap, yummy, and tasty mode and you will never look back again.

Happy Creating,

The Cute Couponer

Linking to

Wallet Friendly Wednesday

Feed a Family of 4 on $30 a Week

2011-09-17T17:01:00.002-05:00

I have delayed this post for awhile because quite frankly it needed some thought. I realized after stressing about it for the last two weeks, that there is more than one answer to this.

There are at least 5 different ways to do this.

Starting Monday I'm going to give you a post a week in order to show you 5 different ways you can feed your family of 4 on $30.00 a week.

*************** I promise it will taste good! ***********

Enjoy your last Summer Weekend,

The Cute Couponer

It's The Little Things That Add Up, FTOTW

2011-09-16T15:54:00.003-05:00

Research shows that the preferred car of millionaires in America is a Ford Pickup. It's no surprise to me that most millionaires are frugal. Instead of lavish spending habits most will tell you they are fairly cheap. I prefer the simple term frugal.

1. They drive a car into the ground. They don't buy new ones every few years.

2. Most millionaires don't eat out alot.

3. Many millionaires will tell you that they don't spend lavishly on vacations.

For me it's the simple things like cutting the fabric softener sheets in half and couponing.

Waste not, want not....

How about you? What do you do to save money?

I'd love to hear!

Enjoy Your Weekend,

The Cute Couponer

If it isn't broke don't fix it....

2011-09-10T09:27:00.003-05:00

Our mother's did it...

Our grandmother's for sure did it...

Our great-grandmothers had no choice but to do it...

So why don't we do it?

Hanging our clothes to dry is actually a wonderful treat. There is nothing like the smell of sunshine and the crispness from line drying.

Here are a few hints that I use to save a fortune on electrical costs, especially during Summer.

1. Use 1/4 c. vinegar in your wash cycle to function as fabric softner. It keeps your clothes smelling fresh and keeps them soft for line drying.

2. Shake your clothes out when you are moving them from the washer to the dryer.

3. I always use the clothes dryer to dry my towels.

4. Use 409 to get out tough stains. Someday I will do an entire post about 409. It works!!! Spray it on all your stains, then wash. If the stain doesn't come out, then repeat. Do not put it in the dryer until the stain is removed.

5. Use Borax in your machine vs Oxi Clean, it works so much better.

6. I have learned to spread my clothes out on the line pinning the creases. It's like a free ironing job!!!

7. Don't let the dogs out why you have clothes on the line.... it makes for a MESS....

Enjoy the Sunshine in your everyday life,

The Cute Couponer

Frugal Tip of the Week

2011-09-03T12:37:00.001-05:00

If your looking to save some money on the gasoline for your car here is a simple tip....

If you are going to leave the engine running for more than 60 seconds while your running into the store, waiting in a drive-thru, or picking someone up, turn the engine off.

If it's less than 60 seconds experts say leave the car on. It takes just as much gas to stop and restart.

Have a wonderul Labor Day weekend,

The Cute Couponer

Frugal Tip of the Week # 3

2011-08-25T15:06:00.000-05:00

Has your electric bill gone sky high this Summer? Are you avoiding doing laundry and cooking in the oven because you don't want to heat up the house? Here is a quick fix for you. Do your laundry during evening hours. Make sure you shake the clothes out before you move them to the dryer. It cuts drying time by a third and it doesn't heat up the house. It saves you money and you are much cooler!!!!

Happy Laundering,

The Cute Couponer

Wal-Mart Price Matching 101

2011-08-20T15:16:00.003-05:00

I've been shocked a few times in the past several weeks when people ask me a very simple question. When I say I've taken a break from couponing for the Summer,unintentionally it's been too hot to shop, and tell people I've been price matching they say, what is that? Now for some people I think the name is self explanatory, and for others I totally don't mind explaining it.

Very simple concept......

If you find a price on a like item at another store Wal-Mart will price match it. Pineapple for pineapple and orange for orange. It get's tricky when you are talking frozen foods and boxed goods. Wal-Mart says any competitors ad. I've asked and clarifed and educated more than a few cashiers and managers this Summer.

No ad needed.

Stick to your guns on this.

The cashiers love to argue about this.

Apparently they haven't seen their commercials or read their policies.

I always find it interesting when I know how to do someone's job better than them. It's not a good feeling!!!

Print the policy and carry it with you.

Hope this helps! It's been a life-saver to me this Summer with the heat because I haven't been in the mood to shop at all.

Looking forward to better weather,

The Cute Couponer

Frugal Tip of the Week #2

2011-08-19T20:13:00.001-05:00

Did you know that you can freeze cream cheese? That's right if you don't use it, freeze it!

Now it should last for at least three months. Its not as creamy like when you want to spread it on a cracker but it does crumble. With a splash of milk or cream, mix it into a casserole or your favorite dip.

You'll never taste the difference.

Happy Cooking,

The Cute Couponer

Frugal Tip of the Week

2011-08-12T14:00:00.002-05:00

Does your cell phone battery seem to not hold a charge for very long? Grab a Ziploc bag, stick the battery in it and set it in the freezer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes take it out of the freezer and stick it back in your phone. If the charge doesn't last for more than 12 hours it's time for a new battery.

Have A Great Friday,

The Cute Couponer

P.S. The $30 update is coming soon.

Can You Feed A Family of 4 on $30 A Week?

2011-07-20T11:45:00.000-05:00

This is an absolutely fabulous question that I am curious to find the answer to myself. Now, in my household there is me some munchkins on the way, a pile of the cutest little mutts in the world, all the neighbor kids and their parents, and of course I take food to my mom's house where my brother is frequently hanging out. Then I cook for my Grandma when she's home, but she broke her pelvis and is in skilled nursing for a few more weeks. She says the food stinks! I need to make her some sweets and take them up there. Last but not least I have a friend who I can't get rid of, that is by for dinner 3 or 4 times a week. I think it is fair to say that I feed 4 for now on a regular basis with neighborhood kids for dinner 2 days a week and snacks four days a week and company at least 2 other nights. Whew, that's alot of food!

I'm wondering can it be done for $30 a week with coupons or am I dreaming. I am going to keep track for the next few weeks and see. Now I am figuring 3 meals a day and snacks. That's the only way it would work.

Let's see if it can be done!

I must get out my binder to see what's for sale.

Praying for Rain,

The Cute Couponer

The Challenge Is Over

2011-07-11T18:08:00.000-05:00

Can I hear a Woo-Hoo! I am glad it's over because I bombed the challenge. I will never do a no eat out challenge in Summer again. It's too hot to heat up the house cooking,especially with no air-conditioning, and with all the BBQ's your invited too. It makes it impossible.

Enough about that! We will do it again in Fall. With recipes and pictures.

Just Checking In.

The Cute Couponer

Preparing for the 4th of July

2011-07-03T11:45:00.000-05:00

I'm in the mood for some fun. What a great idea to do to get ready for tomorrow's 4th of July parade. I also have some recipes to share tomorrow.

Hugs and Kisses,

The Cute Couponer

Update

2011-06-25T13:37:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to pop in for a quick update. The challenge is going OK! I've cheated a few times out of sheer desperation. 1. I haven't fished the crock pot out of the garage and the oven heats up the entire house. and 2. Grandma has been sick and with my work schedule I have been starving and wait until I'm about to die to eat so I have been grabbing Taco Bueno party tacos on the way home. Don't worry, I am pushing through these last two weeks with no cheating as of tomorrow :)!

Lots of recipes on the way.

Hugs and Kisses,

The Cute Couponer

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

2011-06-18T11:41:00.002-05:00

For those of you who don't know it has been couponing he-- here in OKC lately. Homeland stores have made it incredibly rough on those of us who love to coupon. They now have a new couponing policy that you must present the coupon with the product while checking out and tape it to the product. I swear I think they are employing someone to watch the Extreme Couponing show every Wednesday night and are paranoid about people abusing the system.

This is the letter I'm considering writing to them.
Dear Homeland,

It's IMPOSSIBLE to abuse the couponing system at Homeland. You only allow us 1 coupon to double per item per visit to the store. You only have like 4 things, if even, on sale every week. News Flash YOU ARE TOO DARN HIGH. YOU ALWAYS HAVE BEEN TOO DARN HIGH AND ALWAYS WILL BE!!!!!!!!!!

Remember Homeland   we are paying you. You are not our customer we are yours!!!! I don't wanna be harassed everytime I walk in your store and it take me 1 1/2 hours to get out to buy 4 things. Get over yourself. Your not the only game in town. You aren't even the only store that doubles coupons. News flash again, you make stockpiling IMPOSSIBLE!!! You have ticked off the majority of long term couponers in OKC.

Now that Wal-Mart has their new price matching policy in place I won't be visiting you much at all. I have been loyal to you for many years now and you have not returned the courtesy. You should be turned in for harassing your customers and violating coupon codes and ethics!

Taping coupons makes a coupon void. Duh!!!! I'm not even in the grocery trade and even I have taken the time to read the fine print.
Profiling customers is illegal.

Back to my readers

I am considering driving to Dallas once a month to purchase a large quantity of my groceries in bulk using coupons. It will cost $60.00 in gas round trip + the cost of my coupons + 8 plus hours of time once a month + the cost of groceries. However, I can do 20 purchases of each item per transaction. So basically one day a month shop and drive and chill for the rest of the month. If I buy $1200 worth of groceries and save 95% and pay  at least $60 in gas I'm still ahead. Plus I get the benefit of visiting my nieces and nephews and Dallas does have several fun things to do.

I'm already spending that much time going from store to store and waiting for the coupons to go through here at Homeland and having to make multiple stops a week so I think this just might work.

I will let you know what I come up with.

I can't wait to be a free couponer again!!!!

Happy Weekend to You,

The Cute Couponer

Days 3, 4, & 5 of the Challenge

2011-06-17T13:38:00.002-05:00

Well on day 3 I broke the challenge. The good news is that I hopped right back on . My Grandma landed in the ER with a broken pelvis and we were there most of the night and then I got home and my doggie took off for a run and I couldn't find her. At midnight I had a pounding headache and needed an   icy Coke and something to eat to knock it, so mom came over to check on me since the phone was dead and the dog was missing and I headed to Taco Bueno and each one of us had a couple tacos and one drink. We spent a whopping $6.00.

Other than that I have been good. I bought two Sprites at McDonalds this morning while I was at Wal-Mart the air went out in my car and last night one of the air units in the house blew so whoops!. Ice or save money I chose Ice. They cost me $2.00's.

I've postponed the cooking for   a   few days until we solve the electrical problem but I think fruit and ice water will be for   dinner.

Stay Cool,

The Cute   Couponer

The Cute Couponer

Day 2 of the Challenge

2011-06-14T17:19:00.000-05:00

Do I hear a super duper woo-hoo? I made it through another day of not eating out. I have lots of shopping to do this week and got my new computer so lots of picture posts coming soon.

For breakfast I ate leftover sopapillas w/ lots of honey.

I sipped on ice-water all day.

For lunch I made scrambled eggs w/ cheese and wrapped it in a tortilla.

For dinner I went to mom's and helped my brother make pork chops and loaded baked potatoes after I price matched everything down at Wal-Mart.

Now I am sipping on my Coke and telling you how my day was. How cool is that!!!!!

By the way at Wal-Mart in the deli section they have hang tags on the bottles of coke for $1.00 off when you buy two bottles of coke and $4 worth of meat, deli, or frozen foods.

Buy two bottles of Coke and price match them to $1.15 from Dollar General and buy a package of meat and voila .65 cent two liters when you buy meat. Lots of price matching on meat this week.

Happy Couponing,

The Super Cute Couponer

The Challenge Started At Noon Today

2011-06-13T19:01:00.002-05:00

I'm excited!!!

I'm relaxed!!!

I'm late but hey at least I started the challenge.

Today at noon, I started the 30 Day No Eat Out Challenge.

It's been quite simple.... so far.....

Tomorrow is my day off so I get to cook yummy recipes.

Yummy recipes are coming soon.

Tonight I'm having cantaloupe for dinner. A late night dinner under the stars watching my babies play outside is just want the DR. ordered. Yes, the Dr. ordered cantaloupe.

For the two of you who have already started how is it coming?

Let me know!!!

Happy Starting Day,

The Cute Couponer

30 Day No Eat Out Challenge Starting Tomorrow

2011-06-09T16:07:00.002-05:00

So sorry everyone I have been very sick the last few days. I'm feeling much better now. Like much of the country here in Oklahoma we are experiencing a terrible heat wave with wind. My oven went out I had a small electrical fire and gas leak today and my mom is in the hospital. In other words I'm going to continue the no eat out challenge but it's too darn HOT to fill the freezer. Dinner is cantaloupe. We will do the no eat out fill the freezer challenge in September ( like many of you have suggested) when things cool off a bit. Don't worry I will still give you a bunch of recipes this month!

Thanks for your understanding. I'm stoveless for awhile. To the grill I go!!! I think it's too hot to grill though.

Stay Cool,

The Cute Couponer

I'm A Sick Girl

2011-06-01T16:47:00.003-05:00

Sorry people but I have to delay starting the challenge until tomorrow. I'm sick!!!!!

I don't think I should touch food today. Nope! I'm going to make it through the next 4 hours and 14 minutes at work and go home and crawl in bed. It's OK if you wanna start without me. If not just wait until tomorrow.

Happy Relaxing Today,

The Cute Couponer

Have A Super Special Memorial Day Weekend

2011-05-29T09:34:00.000-05:00

I want to say thank you to all you soldiers out there who have spent time fighting for us. All soldiers and families past and present. Thank You for what you do and for sacrificing for all of us. To the families and friends of all who have served thank you for your sacrifice. Here's wishing you a very special Memorial Day weekend.

Your in my thoughts and prayers always!

Many Blessings,

The Cute Couponer

P.S. I am getting ready for the challenge. I am not posting a menu because like any true couponer I'm shopping for some of the stuff I'm going to make.

Slim Pickings for Memorial Day

2011-05-27T17:52:00.001-05:00

The number one reason to coupon is to get food super cheap. Crest is known for great deals around the holidays so I flew out of the house this morning to see what I could find. Not much to be found but I did come home with a few deals.

Cucumbers are 4 for $1.00
Watermelons are $3.99
2 20 packs of Coke are $9.00
Small pint size sour creams and dip are .69
Taco Shells are .69
Teddy Grahams and Animal Crackers are $1.50 per bag.

Like I said no mind boggling deals but a few quickies to get for the weekend and some yummy snacks.

Happy Shopping,

The Cute Couponer

Gearing Up For The Challenge

2011-05-25T20:28:00.001-05:00

Slow and steady wins the race. That's what they say isn't it? It works in couponing. No burn out.

Well in order to make this challenge work I made myself a simple little list. Here it is.

Little List

Check out freezer, shelves, fridge, and pantry to see what ingredients I have on hand for weeks 1 and 2.

Buy containers for freezer storage. ( I figure this is worth it since I will be saving a fortune from eating out)

Check sale papers and coupon supply for upcoming ads so I will have lots of goodies on hand.

Pull out my recipe file and get creative.

Enjoy the planning and knowing that I will have an extra months worth of homecooked dinners in the freezer at my beckon call.

I can't wait!!!!

Are you joining the challenge?

Happy Preparing,

The Cute Couponer

P.S. Staples are always a good thing to keep on hand! Milk, flour, Sugar, Meat, Frozen Veggies, Noodles, Rice, Cheese, Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Celery, Cream of Chicken Soups, Lots of different Crackers, and Frozen Biscuits are a must!!!

30 Day No Eat Out Fill the Freezer Challenge

2011-05-22T13:47:00.001-05:00

It's back the 30 Day No Eat Out Challenge. This time I'm adding a twist I'm going to fill the freezer with 30 meals by the end of the month. So every night I cook I will make another portion and freeze it. How's that for simple savings? The question is are you going to be joining me come June 1st???

Every day you will get an update and a recipe.

Delicious, simple, and affordable meals to feed the entire family all at your fingertips on a nightly basis.

Stay Tuned for more details!!!

Hugs and Kisses,

The Cute Couponer

Linking to

Raising Homemakers

Old Navy $1 Flip-Flop Sale

2011-05-21T09:11:00.002-05:00

Don't forget today is Old Navy's $1.00 Flip Flop Sale for Oklahoma City Stores. Limit 5 per customer. If you have kids they can each have 5 pair but they are making them carry their own and swipe your card or hand them cash. They have really cracked down. It started at 7 a.m. so hurry.

Happy Flip-Flopping,

The Cute Couponer

Aldi's At It Again

2011-05-20T17:01:00.002-05:00

I love Aldi during Spring and Summer Time!!!

They have such a bountiful supply of fresh fruits and veggies that are really super duper incredulicious.

That's Right.

If you missed the .99 fresh pineapple deal a few weeks ago.... it's back!

They also have .79 cantaloupes... delicious for breakfast and snack time....

( This rate is cheaper than the lady on Wednesday night's Extreme Couponer paid with a coupon)

Remember while you are there to pick up lots of .79 a loaf white bread and freeze it. I love the doughy smell when it defrosts!!!

Happy Aldi Shopping,

The Cute Couponer

Mega Home Decor Clearance at Kirklands

2011-05-18T17:38:00.002-05:00

Who needs to spring clean when you can shop and decorate instead! I was on a mission for baby things yesterday and popped into Kirklands Home Store. I didn't have time to stick around but I decided I would come back another day. A few things did catch my eye but I wasn't going to jump course. This morning I had an inkling to run back by and pay dirt!!!!

They had those really expensive family photo collage frames on clearance for $10.99. I also swiped a gorgeous french high-heel picture at 40% of the green tag. I also got the cutest bag for carring my insane # of coupons for $8.00 and some change and the sweetest little doggie leash holder.

Grand total $33.07

Before Clearance Total $305.99

If you have one go check it out! You will be glad you did!

Happy Decorating,

The Cute Couponer

Super Yummy Produce at Aldi

2011-05-13T19:20:00.001-05:00

I snuck into Aldi to pick up a few quick deals. Mushrooms are .69 a lb, Green Zucchini is .59 for 3, cucumbers are .33 each and yellow squash is .99 a package.

I have plans for all of these this weekend!

Don't forget to pick up a couple bags of bread for .79 a piece and stick one in the freezer for a back-up.

I have big news coming this weekend!

Happy Healthy Shopping,

The Cute Couponer

Happy Mommy's Day

2011-05-08T10:12:00.001-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!!!
I'd like to wish my very special mother a super special Mommy's Day.

Thank You mom for always being there for me and sacrificing so that all of your children can be happy.

Thank You for giving me the courage to pursue my dreams.

Thank You for showing me to never give up.

You are the strongest most beautiful woman I know and it's an honor to be your daughter.

Hugs and Kisses,

Valerie

A Few Quickies at Wal-Mart

2011-05-06T17:17:00.004-05:00

Brown Minute Rice is 2.09 and they have peelies on them for 1 off so Brown Minute Rice for $1.09.

Not Bad.

Cascadian Farm Organic Chocolate O's Cereal is on clearance for $1.00 a box !

Not bad for healthy products!

Target Deals of the Week

2011-05-02T14:03:00.003-05:00

Better hurry if you want to take advantage of some of these deals!Couponers are out in droves this week.

Buy 10 Select Weight Watchers Smart Ones $1.89 each = $5 Target gift card

Use the $4/10 coupon found here

Pay $14.90

Get back a $5 Target gift card

Final cost only $9.90 – just $0.99 each!

*There is also a $3/10 coupon found here

Perdue Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $2.49 lb

Use the $0.75/1 coupon found in the 4/10 RP

Final cost as low as $1.74 per lb!

Pringles Cans $1.52

Use the $1/3 Pringles Snack Items Target store regional coupon found in the Target 5/1 P&G coupon insert

Plus, use the $1/2 Pringles coupon found in the P&G Everyday Savings Booklet

Final cost $2.56 for all 3 cans – just $0.85 per can!

Tostitos Chips 10 oz OR Tostitos Dip 2/$5

Use the $1/1 Tostitos Tortilla Chips OR Dip coupon found in the 5/1 Pepsico insert or here

Final cost $1.50!

**There is also a FREE Pepsi Max 2 liter with Tostitos Chips and Dip coupon found in the 5/1 Pepsico insert or here!

Chex Mix 8.75 oz $1.79

Use the $0.50/2 Target store coupon found here

Plus, stack with the $1/2 coupon found in the 5/1 SS or here (use zip 90210)

Final cost $1.04 per bag!

Nature Valley 4 ct Granola Bars (Look for these in the dollar spot) $1

Buy two 4 ct boxes for a total of $2

Use the $1/2 Nature Valley granola bar Target store coupon found here

Plus, use the $0.75/2 coupon found in the 3/6 or 3/27 SS

Final cost $0.25 per box!

Buy 4 Quaker Chewy Bars at $2.50 each get 1 FREE

Use 2 $1/2 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars 8 ct or Larger Target coupons found here

(*If your Target allows 2 like coupons in the same transaction)

Plus, use 2 $1/2 coupons found in the 3/13 RP

Fianl cost only $1.20 per box!

Pepperidge Farm Milano Melts $2.33

Use the $1/1 coupon found here or here (scroll down to bottom and click on download coupon link)

Final cost $1.33!

Oreo Cakesters $2.99

Use the $1/1 Oreo Cakesters Snacks Target store coupon found here

Plus, use the $1 off Nabisco cookies and milk coupon found here

Final cost only $0.99 for the cakesters + the cost of a gallon of milk!

Nestle Butterfinger Single Bars $0.67

Use the $0.50/2 Nestle Single Bars coupon found in the 5/1 SS

Final cost $0.42 per bar!

Mio Beverage Enhancer 1.62 oz $3.50

Use the $1/1 Target store coupon found here

Final cost $2.50!

Fuze Slenderize 16.9 oz Singles $1

Use the $1/2 coupon found in the 4/10 SS

Final cost $0.50 each!

Buy 2 John Frieda Precision Foam Colour Shades $11.99 each = $5 Target gift card

Use 2 $5/1 Target store coupons found here or in the Beauty Bag Mailer that was previously available

(If your Target allows 2 like Target store coupons in the same transaction)

Plus, use 2 $5/1 coupons found in the 5/1 SS

Pay $3.98

Get back a $5 Target gift card

Final cost both FREE + a $1.02 moneymaker!

John Frieda Root Awakening Hair Care products $5.99

Use the $3/2 John Frieda Hair Care Items Target store coupon found here

Plus, stack with 2 $3/1 coupons found in the 5/1 SS

Final cost $1.49 each!

Carefree 20 or 22 ct Acti-Fresh Pantiliners $0.97 to $0.99

Use the Carefree 20 or 22 ct Acti-Fresh Pantiliner for 1¢ With Target regional coupon found in the 4/17 SS

Final cost one penny!

Nivea Body Wash for Men or Women $3.04 – $3.99 (depending on your region)

Use the $3/1 coupon found in the 4/17 RP

Plus, use the $1/1 coupon found in the Target Beauty bag mailer

Final cost as low as $0.04 or FREE with the beauty bag mailer

Travel Size Gillette Series Shave Gel $0.97

Use the $0.55/1 or $1/1 coupon found in the 5/1 PG (value will depend on your region)

Final cost as low as FREE!

Gillette Deal Scenario:

Buy 1 Gillette Deodorant $4.49

Buy 1 Gillette Body Wash $3.99

Total = $8.48

Use the $1/1 Old Spice or Gillette Body Wash Target coupon found in the regional 5/1 Target PG insert

Plus, use the buy 1 body wash get 1 deodorant FREE coupon found in the 5/1 PG

Final cost only $2.99 for both items – just $1.50 each!

Old Spice 16 or 18 oz Body Wash $3.99

Use the buy one get one free coupon found in the 5/1 PG

Plus, use 2 $1/1 Target store coupons found in the regional Target 5/1 P&G insert

Final cost only $1.99 for both!

Sally Hansen Nail Polish $2.04

Use the $1/1 Target store coupon found here

(Or use the $1/1 Target mobile coupon)

Final cost $1.04!

Revlon Beauty Tools $1.57 – $2.99

(Emery Boards, Clippers, Nail Buffers + more – not available in all stores)

Use the $2/1 Revlon Beauty Tool Target store regional coupon found in the 4/17 SS

Final cost as low as FREE!

L’Oreal Sublime Mousse Hair Color $7.99

Use the $2/1 L’Oreal Hair Color Item Target store coupon found here

Plus, stack with the $3/1 coupon found in the 3/13 or 4/17 RP

Final cost $2.99!

Aquafresh Infant Training Toothbrush 1 ct $1.99

Use the $1/1 Aquafresh Target store coupon found here

Plus, stack with the $1/1 coupon found in the 4/17 RP

(Or use the $0.50/1 coupon found here)

Final cost as low as FREE!

Tums 24 ct 3 roll pack $1.57

Use the $1/1 coupon found here (bottom left corner)

Plus, stack with the $1/1 Tums Target store coupon found here

Final cost FREE!

(Thanks, Carole!)

Visine Advanced Relief Drops .5 oz $2.86

Use the $2/1 Any Visine Product .5 oz or Larger coupon found on SmartSource

Final cost only $0.86!

Use the $0.25/1 or $1/2 coupon found in the 5/1 PG

Final cost as low as $0.49 each!

Whisker Lickin’s Cat Treats 2.1 oz Pouch Starting at $0.94

Use the $1/2 coupon found in the 5/1 SS

Final cost as low as $0.44 each!

Scott Toilet Paper Deal

Buy 2 Scott Extra Soft 24 Packs $9.99 each

Total = $19.98

Use 2 $1/1 coupons found in the 3/20 SS

Plus, use the FREE $5 Gift Card with the purchase of 2 Scott Extra Soft 24 pack Target store Regional coupon found in the 5/1 SS

Pay $17.98

Get back a $5 Target gift card

Final cost only $12.98 for 48 rolls – just $0.27 per roll!

Buy 2 Huggies Big Packs $19.99 each = $5 Target gift card

Use 2 $3/1 coupons found here or here

Pay $33.98

Get back a $5 Target gift card

Final cost $28.98 – just $14.49 per big pack!

Buy 2 Pampers Big Pack Diapers $19.99 = $5 Target gift card

Deal Scenario:

Buy 2 Pampers Big Packs $19.99 each

Buy 2 Pampers Wipes 448+ ct $11.99 each

Total = $63.96

Use 2 $5/2 Pampers Diapers AND Pampers Wipes Target regional coupon found in the 5/1 RP

Plus, use 2 $2.50/1 Pampers Diapers or Pants coupon found in the 5/1 PG

And use 2 $1/1 Pampers Wipes coupons found in the 5/1 PG

Pay $46.96

Get back a $5 Target gift card

Final cost $41.96 for 2 big packs of Pampers AND 2 big packs of wipes! Not too shabby!

Similac Sensitive 1 Quart Formula $3.86

Use the $5/1 or $3/1 ANY Similac product coupon found in the 4/3 SS

Final cost as low as FREE or $0.86!

Kodak PlayTouch MP4 Video Camera $99 (regularly $179.99!) = FREE $10 Target gift card

Use the $10/1 Kodak Digital Camera Target store coupon found here

Pay $89

Get back a $10 Target gift card

Final cost $79!

Mother’s Day Cards

Use the $1/3 Greeting Cards (Excl $1 or less) Target store coupon found here

Plus, stack with the $2/2 American Greeting Cards (excludes $0.99 cents or less) coupon found here

Final cost ?

If you want to see even more Target weekly deals, make sure to head on over to Totally Target

Flip-Flops for Cheap

2011-04-28T17:08:00.002-05:00

Aw, It's that time of year again. Time to break out the flip-flops. I never would have considered buying some at Family Dollar until someone told me that they were able to use the $1.00 off 1 sandal coupon in the Family Dollar coupon book (available in store) and get free flip-flops.

So I tried it and the coupon didn't work and after arguing with the cashier and manager, they knew I wasn't going to budge so they produced another coupon on a flier (available in store) for buy one get one have off. I bought two pairs of flip-flops for 1.50 + tax +tax on the coupon for $1.65.

Voila cheap and colorful flip-flops!!!

They have adorable designs on them.

Have Fun Flipping Around,

The Cute Couponer

Happy Easter

2011-04-23T15:35:00.003-05:00

Happy Easter! Enjoy your weekend

The Cute Couponer

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

2011-04-23T09:46:00.000-05:00

I know, I know I never write about singing so I thought you might enjoy the words to Peter Cottontail to sing with all the little ones coming to visit for the holiday. I'm sure this song will bring you great joy and many happy memories.

"Here comes Peter Cottontail

Hoppin' down the bunny trail,

Hippity hoppity,

Easter's on its way

Bringin' ev'ry girl and boy

A basketful of Easter joy

Things to make your Easter

Bright and gay

He's got jelly beans for Tommy

Colored eggs for sister Sue

There's an orchid for your mommy

And an Easter bonnet too. Oh! "

Here' comes Peter Cottontail

Hoppin' down the bunny trail

Hippity hoppity

Happy Easter Day

Look at him hop and listen to him say,

"Try to do the things you should"

Maybe if you're extra good

He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way

You'll wake up on Easter morning

And you'll know that he was there

When you find those choc'late bunnies

That he's hiding ev'rywhere, Oh!

Here' comes Peter Cottontail

Hoppin' down the bunny trail

Hippity hoppity

Happy Easter Day

Hope You Enjoy,

The Cute Couponer

Homemade Cleaners

2011-04-22T19:29:00.003-05:00

I've played around with the idea of making my own green non-toxic homemade cleaners for quite some time now. When better to start than while I'm getting ready for Easter weekend.

I hope you enjoy piddling and creating like me!!!

General Cleaner:

Fill a basic spray bottle with a cup of vinegar and a tad bit of dish detergent ( I like Dawn) and mix with hot water.

Bathroom and Tile Cleaner:

Mix equal parts of baking soda and babo. Get everything wet before you sprinkle and scrub. Wipe it down dry after rinsing and it should shine.

Window Cleaner:

Fill a basic spray bottle with 1 c rubbing alcohol 1 c of water and 1 T vinegar. Our windows should shine.

I 'm subject to the white glove test this weekend with Grams and the fam coming over for the weekend.

Happy Earth Day and Good Friday,

The Cute Couponer

P.S. Next week I will teach you how to make your own hand soap and laundry detergent.
Toodles

Where Do I Shop and Coupon Every Week

2011-04-21T15:03:00.003-05:00

You asked so I'm answering

1. Crest -- I love their frequent anniversary sale and great deals on pop.

2. Homeland --- About the only place to double coupons in Oklahoma City

3. Aldi -- They don't take coupons but have great weekly specials on produce and candy

4. Dollar General --- They are great for my $1 bottles of 409

5. Walgreens---

6. CVS---

7. Eley Foods-- sadly the only other place to double coupons in Oklahoma City--- great meat specials

8. Buy For Less--- some decent deals

9. Petco--- hoping for more sales

10. Petsmart-- hoping for more sales

11.Target-- 5 coupons per transaction

12. Toys R Us/Babies R Us

13. Staples-- great place to get ink and paper for printing coupons

14. Office Depot---great place to get ink and paper for printing coupons

15. Family Dollar--- no longer accepts manufacturer coupons unless they are printed in their ad and sometimes a decent deal with their coupon books. Great place to get seeds for gardening.

Now if you excuse me this is a pretty decent coupon week so I will be back to chat later.

Happy Clipping To You,

The Cute Couponer

We Remember

2011-04-20T16:45:00.001-05:00

April 19, 2005

( Baylee Almon)

To all of those in Oklahoma who loved and lost our sense of innocence that terrible day.

For those of you who have lost loved ones, lost faith, and lost hope... we remember.

To all of those who have dedicated their love, their time, their faith, and their prayers to help an entire state and nation heal from a senseless tragedy... we remember.

You are constantly and will forever be in our prayers.

May God Bless each of you!

We Remember,

The Cute Couponer

Building a Stockpile From Scratch

2011-04-16T12:30:00.001-05:00

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Have you ever wondered how people get these massive stockpiles? I know when I first started couponing I sure did.

I saw two car garages converted to mini personal grocery stores and I used to wonder how on earth do they do that.

For real?

I was in shock. I had to figure out how to do that!

Now like any new couponer I was in a big hurry to build my stockpile in a hurry so I overspent.

DONT DO THIS!!!!

Slow and steady always wins the race...

Yes tv shows like Extreme Couponer show these massive shopping trips where you get a $1000.00 worth of groceries for like $20 bucks but let me tell ya, that is the Extreme not the norm.

Most stores do not have sales like that every week. Remember the stores want to look good for tv too.

The most important thing I have learned couponing is that slow and steady wins the race.

There are weeks that I can truly cash in but as a whole I am buying multiples of maybe 10 or so items a week.

This first year couponing has been an adventure.

I have failed you in showing you my weekly shopping trips.

So my focus this year is going to be showing you three main things.

1. Showing you my weekly shopping trips

2. Showing you my frugal lifestyle ( I don't just buy groceries and household goods)

3. Showing you how it can be done and be healthy in the process!

Frugal living is a way of life. It should be fun. I would argue any day that my life is just as great as a millionaire but the only difference is I am my own maid. I don't own a yacht. I don't drive a mercedes.

Remember millionaires have debt too!

My main goal is to have fun! If I can help people along the way that is great too.

This year is going to be the best year here at The Cute Couponer.

I have a new computer, a new cottage to live in, a new family on the way, and a brand new approach to saving money.

Happy Spring Ya'll,

The Cute Couponer

Curbside Pickup

2011-04-06T17:08:00.000-05:00

( I will post pictures later)

So I didn't get to blog this weekend as I expected. Big Surprise! I did however finally get all my stuff out of storage and I can say boy do I have alot of stuff!!!!

I have so many things to share with you over the next several weeks..

I had to pick a starting point so here goes.

Yesterday was the day everyone in town throws out all their Junk for big pick-up.

This is how it all started...

I was cruising to and from storage this weekend and someone had thrown out the cutest little pink convertible riding car, for a little girl, minus the charger.

I thought I will take it home and clean it up put some cute stickers on it and voila it saves me $200.

Then yesterday I noticed people had more and more stuff out so of course I started looking
casually of course.

I saw the cutest little tunnel for kids that I could use for my dogs obstacle course I am building in the backyard.( We'll discuss the obstacle course later.)

Then of course was the brand new closet organizer.

Next thing I know I had two ficus trees and visited with the nicest lady  who happened to have umpteen grandkids and more piles of kids clothes than she knew what to do with.

She also lost a bunch of weight and was   throwing    out all   her old clothes and insisted on sending them with me.

I haven't opened the bag yet so I'm not   sure    if   I should   be    offended. Lol!

Well if my van wasn't full enough already then I hit the jackpot. Score! Someone threw out a Little Tikes extended play kitchen, one of those little red cars with the yellow tops that kids love to drive in, and a little tikes basketball hoop, all of which just needed a good scrubbing.

Then thinking I couldn't pack anymore into my car I , somehow I managed to get it all to fit. At the next stop there was a little tikes childrens art desk

It was amazing I got it to fit.

Long story short it was so much fun.

Who says kids toys are expensive?

With some scrub a dub dubbing  came the best treasures.

Final cost ===== FREE baby   Free

Now wait, did I mention the Little Tikes basketball hoop?

That is what my   day was   like yesterday.

Who says one persons trash isn't another persons   treasure...

I did the math after going on the Little Tikes website.

Total saved $320 +  tax

That's only on the 4 Little Tikes products I was able to find.

I can't even begin to tell you about the clothes.

Lesson to be learned.... I am no longer a clothing, toy, and home decor snob.

It's alot more fun to shop for free!

Happy Snoop a doopin,

The Cute   Couponer

A Fragile Heart

2011-03-30T11:01:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

I want you all to know I have missed each and every one of you. I apologize for my break in blogging.

See, my dear friend lost her young daughter suddenly and tragically after a traumatic accident at work. She was very young and a full time student who worked 2 part time jobs in order to make ends meet. She was and is someone to be very proud of. I've had a hard time in wanting to go shopping a lot and celebrating saving money on shopping trips when my dear friend lost one of her very reasons for living. It's hard to do a woo-hoo or cha-ching when you hold your friends hand while her daughter is clinging to dear life on life support. It just doesn't fit.

Don't worry though I will be back this weekend with a few shopping trips I have this week and the beginning of my new stockpile

I can't wait to see you all!

Hugs and Kisses

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo,

The Cute Couponer

Organic Vegetable and Fruit Eating Organic Lady

2011-02-14T21:24:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I think I should have called this blog Organic Vegetable Eating Coupon Momma.

That's right!

The most common complaint I hear from people whenever you mention the word coupons is that there are only coupons for junk food not for anything good.

I will tell you that statement is only about 50% true.

The reason I disagree with that statement is partially because there is alot of junk food and pre-packaged food that you can find coupons for but there also happens to be alot of coupons for Dole salad mixes, fresh bananas, frozen fruits, and frozen vegetables.

Here is an example, If you like to eat fresh strawberries on your Kashi cereal every morning and find that fresh strawberries run you $2.50 to $3.00 a package at any given point in time, think about buying frozen strawberries and letting them defrost in a bowl while you are getting ready for work and pouring the cereal in on top of the strawberries and finding a coupon for rice milk. Voila a simple and healthy breakfast.

You can also find ample amounts of frozen vegetable coupons and defrost the vegetables for fresh salads.

Remember, with couponing your goal is to always "buy what you need when you don't need it." This quote is not mine its from all those previous smart couponers who knew this and were kind enough to pass it along to all of us.

With coupons your goals should be to save money and think outside of the box. It really is a constant game and you must thoroughly learn the rules.

I want you all to know I started this blog for three reasons. 1. To educate you about how to learn to coupon as a newbie 2. To show you my journey from the beginning. 3. To teach you to enjoy saving money.

This year has been a huge journey.

I have learned that you want my blog to entertain you but many of you are also coming here for real concrete information and advice on how to save you money.

Times really are changing. Gas is getting more expensive which drives up the cost of food and other goods.

Many of you have a hard time keeping a roof over your head let alone have the time or money to worry about putting food on the table. Ramen noodles get a little old after while.

I get it! You want more information! You want more fun! You want a place to come that's not overwhelming and can really help you.

You wanna know what I'm cooking.

You wanna know If I'm serving healthy meals.

You want more pictures.

Point taken.

There are many changes coming to The Cute Couponer.

We have a new look now and there is a new message to come along with it. I'm going to help you and your family save money and be healthy.

It seems everyday I meet a new person with cancer. It's rampant. Cancer is everywhere. There is a certain amount of truth that it's in the chemicals. It's in the food! It's in the packaging! It's in our homes! It's in our soaps! It's in everything.

I wouldn't be honest with you if I didn't tell you these concerns bother me everyday.

It doesn't matter how much money I save or how many free things I get if they aren't good for me or my family and I have to pay a fortune in medical bills or possibly lose my life.

Please know I realize that you expect more. I take this very seriously.

Now I like my sweets and a few other super yummy recipes but you are going to see many changes around here.

Unfortunately, there is not an ample amount of coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables and that is just reality. Don't let that deter you from couponing.

I have plans for an incredibly large garden this Summer. We plan on freezing many of the things we can't get our hands on during the year or just can't afford the price. It's a great way to save money and meet are needs.

With couponing you will never go hungry but I don't want you to get sick either.

I want you to have money in your pocket and have a healthy body.

Let's do this together.

Over the next several weeks check back often. Many changes are being implemented in my life and in this blog.

I want The Cute Couponer to be a place where you can come and enjoy and feel better when you leave. I want you to have overflowing freezers and cabinets, money in your pocket, and food that's good for you.

Please will you come with me on my journey.

Let me know what your questions are and what you want to see more of.

Organic just means without pesticides it can still have lots of sugar and sugar kills.

Let's talk about it.

Let's change together.

Leave me a comment and let me know your wants and your concerns.

We are going to work on it together.

Here's To Health, Financial Freedom, and Success,

The Cute Couponer

A Valentine's Blessing

2011-02-13T14:55:00.003-06:00

Meet Valentine. Valentine was a Summer surprise a few years ago. We had surprise puppies. Found out her momma was pregnant on a Saturday and out popped Valentine and her bubbie and sissies Sunday.

I picked her name because I fell in love with her right away. You know how you can look at a being and just know what their name should be, that's how it was with my Vivi Cakes.

Twice over the past two years Valentine has been hospitalized. We lost her sister Snickers, and it broke my heart, to a random vaccine reaction. Valentine was hospitalized along with her other sister Lily and her bubbie had to receive outpatient care.

They all made it but not my baby Snickers. To this day I still cry every time I think of her.

This Valentine's day is very special because my baby Valentine was hit by a car a few weeks ago. Fortunately, the people who hit her came to the door at my mom's house and carried her in. I flew out of work called the Vet hospital and high - tailed it there with determination and faith.

I held my baby on my lap and comforted her and said prayers to God to please save my baby.

By the time I got her in the door I was covered in blood and told the doctor whatever it takes no matter how much it cost I will gladly do it.

Sitting in the waiting room was all too familiar. I was trying to choke back tears and keep from getting the paperwork they gave me to fill out from getting wet. Then through the door came a true blessing. Stephanie the nurse who had taken care of her before came walking in the door from lunch and said hi. She took one look at my face and she knew. All I had to say was go take care of my Valentine she was hit by a car.

Stephanie flew back and took over the case from the other nurse. I knew God answered prayers. It wasn't too long after the doctor came out and talked to me and said what he needed to do and gave me an estimate and assured me how lucky I was.

Valentine was hit and fell over. Her nose bled from having a clot come up from her lungs. She had a clot in her lung that should disappear in the next few days. They were going to keep her overnight for observation and I could come visit her later that evening. She was going to be sore for awhile but be just fine.

God answered my prayers. I have my special Valentine for many years to come.

My baby is home and with me today for Valentine's Day.

See Valentines don't always have to be a romantic partner or even your own child.

Your special Valentine could be anything or any being.

I'm the happiest doggie mom today and truly blessed by my special Valentines gift.

I wish you and yours a very Happy Valentines Week.

Blessings to you,

The Cute Couponer

P.S. I'm hoping to finally go shopping this week. The stores are for the most part out of everything since the blizzard a week and a half ago and this last weeks falling snow. Check back later this week for the shopping trips and some incredibly delicious recipes!!!

I Scream You Scream We All Scream For Snow Ice Cream

2011-02-06T08:54:00.003-06:00

I figure since most of the country is buried in snow it would be fun to take full advantage of playing in it and eating it. Since our snow has been a little bit to wet to build a snowman I decided we would make snow ice cream.

Here is What You'll Need

Milk
Eggs
Vanilla
Big Bowl
And Lots of pretty white snow (stay away from the yellow kind lol)

Beat 2 eggs in a bowl and add in 2 cups of milk. Add 11/2 cups of sugar and 3 Tablespoons of Vanilla. Now start adding snow by the cupful until you get it just right. This part is totally up to you! I like mine creamy and sweet so less snow. Now I stick mine back in the freezer to gel for an hour so all the flavors mix together and voila...
Snow Ice Cream.

If you are really feeling adventurous try chocolate snow ice cream.

Again gather in a big bowl of snow. I take my mixer and open 1 can of sweetened condensed milk and about 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix it together and then start adding some snow by the cupful. Once you have it the consistency you want it pour in the Hershey's Syrup. I like mine really chocolatey! If you are out of Hershey's or can't get to the store to get any add Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate powder. I find it is easier to dilute the powder in the milk and mix it before you add the snow. It's OK if it has the mini-marshmallows too! Gives it a little kick!

Now we are getting adventurous and this is the recipe I use for lemon snow ice cream.

Grab another big bowl of snow.

Mix up some lemonade about 1/2 cup. Think Countrytime or Crystal Light or Kool-aid.

Add about 1/8 of a cup of powdered sugar. (if you don't have powdered sugar you can substitute granular but it's super sweet)

I use 3 teaspoons of Lemon extract ( do this according to your tastebuds)

And if you want add yellow food coloring and some fresh lemon zest or freshly squeezed lemon juice over it. Yummy!

Now the last type which is my absolute FAVORITE is Strawberry.

Strawberry Snow Ice Cream

I use about 3 cups of frozen strawberries
1 C. Granulated Sugar
2 Tablespoons of Vanilla
11/2 Cups Milk
A few fresh strawberries if you have them for garnish.

Blend your strawberries if you have a blender. If you don't leave them out to defrost and chop them into bight size pieces. Mix all the ingredients together including snow by the cupful until you get the right mix. Stick it in the freezer for at least and hour and voila... my favorite Strawberry Snow Ice Cream.

Now the ice cream only makes it a few days around my house. I have never tried to freeze it for a month or two. I keep meaning to try it. If somebody has please let me know.

Happy Ice Cream Making,

The Cute Couponer

P.S. Feel free to mix and match the recipes like strawberry and lemon or substitute your favorite fruits like banana, blueberry, raspberry.

I'm Loving My Blog Designer

2011-02-04T20:25:00.000-06:00

Today is a great day! Do you know why it's a great day? It's because I get to tell you about my blog designer Janeth! For those of you who have been hanging around for awhile might have noticed my new look. For those of you who are new welcome and I'm loving it!

It's very rare you have a few conversations with someone via e-mail and they turn all your dreams and design ideas for your blog into reality. This is what Janeth is incredibly talented at doing!

Go check out her blog! It's in Spanish! If you don't speak spanish, that's OK! Just look at all the pretty creations she makes.

Send her an e-mail and tell her I sent you and that you want her to do a fabulous design for you. She can do anything!

When you finish reading this scroll down on the right side of my blog and click her button. Artemsia's Blog Designs.

Trust me! You will thank me, Janeth, and yourself for it!

Happy Designing,

The Cute Couponer

"Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful"

2011-02-03T14:53:00.000-06:00

Not much shopping going on here this week! Nope, no! We've been buried in Snow. Oh Yes, let it snow and snow and snow!

Lots of painting and no shopping.

We are stuck inside. Yes inside for days.

Just as well I have lots of projects to work on at home.

I have lots of pictures to share once the storm is over. I have to find the camera cord. Now I've been stuck inside for 3 days you would've thought I would find that thing by now.

Anyway back to work.

Can't Wait To See You Soon,

The Cute Couponer

A Spoonful of Sugar

2011-01-29T11:21:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone and Happy Saturday!

I want you to meet my new friend Samantha. She is adorable.Samantha is going to teach you a few fun things this weekend and I can't wait. Please let her know what you think.

P.S. I went shopping at CVS and did the 5 packs of Coke and Xtra laundry detergent deal. I will show you the pictures tomorrow.

Enjoy....

Homemade Dog Treats

As a Stay at home Mom to two young boys (both under 2 years of age), I have spent quite a lot of time making homemade treats and food for them. But recently, my family grew by two new babies… we recently adopted two Great Pyrenese/Black Lab mix male puppies (Leroy and Jethro… yes I am an NCIS/ Mark Harmon fanatic). At six months of age, my four legged boys are over 60 lbs each and growing daily. So being in the Mommy mindset (and wanting to preserve some of my garden furniture), I went to the local petstore armed with the after Christmas sales and a coupon with every good intention to buy my new boys some well deserved doggy treats that would keep them occupied during the day and save my garden furniture at the same time.

After trying to determine if we would have to mortgage our home in order to purchase the treats (and yes… the Accountant in me did take out a calculator and determine the per piece cost of each treat… it was more than I pay for milk for my sons but less than I pay for in diapers)… the Shop-a-holic was beat down and the Frugaliesta in me came out. Why was I about to pay $5.99 for one piece of dehydrated pig skin that my dog would potentially swallow up whole or in two bites… and I needed to buy at a minimum two of them (one for each puppy).

After looking at the treat very closely… I decided to take a little trip to my local grocery store and have a talk with the butcher before I invested our savings into purchasing treats for the puppies. Imagine my surprise, when my butcher instead of telling me that it would be a special order directed me to a meat bin where the much desired raw natural pig skin was sold. And I could buy 2 lbs raw for $4.44 in total. It seems that pig skin is a major ingredient in “cracklins” which in Louisiana is practically a cuisine in itself. So I set out to make homemade dehydrated pig skin for my pups.

One note before you make this treat… light several candles and turn the oven fan on as this does smell up the kitchen quite a bit. I made this using my microwave and oven but you could also use a dehydrator if you have one. The only other tools needed are a microwave bacon cooker , paper towels, baking sheet, and a good pair of kitchen shears or a sharp knife. I wore a pair of latex gloves but this is not required…only strongly recommended.

Cut the pig skin into strips double the size that you want the final product. Don’t cut it longer than the bacon cooker. Along every inch of the strip cut a 1/8^th of an inch slit, this stops the strip from curling up… not that the puppies cared, they ate the curled strips as enthusiastically as they did the uncurled ones. Put one layer of paper towel on the bacon cooker, then a layer of cut skin… continue this until you have all of the skins on the cooker. The last layer needs to be a paper towel layer. For each piece of skin, you will want to cook it in the microwave for one minute. This part will be trial and error as different microwaves cook at different power levels. After the initial minute per slice was done, I checked the bottom, middle, and top layers… then I added another minute or two. (I have now done this several times and I add an average of four to five minutes....but that is based on my microwave).

While you are microwaving, preheat your oven to 200 degrees. After you finish microwaving, place the strips on a baking sheet or several depending upon how much you bought. The pieces should be about a ½ of the raw form by this time. Put the baking sheets with the strips in your preheated oven for twenty minutes and leave the door open (I propped my door open with mason jar rings and put a dog gate over the kitchen doorway so my son couldn’t walk in and get burned). The oven step is necessary to reduce the last of the moisture and to make the treats shelf stable.

After cleanup, I ended up with twenty dog treats the same size as the one in the store for less than ten dollars. (I estimated the additional $5.66 for the cost of electricity, gas, clean up supplies, paper towels and gloves… and candles). The good thing about this is I know exactly what is in the treat that my dogs are eating and they love them. And for less than what I was going to pay for one day’s treat, I was able to make ten days worth of treats. I have done this several times now and the treats are not only easy to make but also my dogs love them. Next, I am going to talk to my butcher about getting pig ears… as dehydrated pig ears are another dog treat that sell in the petstore for over $1.50 to $2 each. And I know that my puppies love them.

Samantha Bradley is the owner of “www.aspoonfulosugar” a blog detailing her transforming journey from Shop-a-holic working Accountant married with no children living off two incomes into a Frugaliesta SAHM with two young adopted sons trying to live off of one income. The goal of the blog is to be the sugar for others who are going through the hard bitter pill of the current financial market. The blog is focused on frugal living through reduction in expenses by utilizing coupons, strategic shopping, taking advantage of rebates, participating in giveaways and frugal lifestyle changes.

Closing Out 2010

2011-01-21T18:10:00.005-06:00

I told you so! I promised! I really did go shopping! Now you only see a handful of blankies here but I bought 12 sets of 2 plus 5 more. Every two cost me $3.00 on clearance at Wal-Mart so only $1.50 a piece. Cha-Ching! Cheaper than a yard of fleece at the Fabric store.They had to be packed quickly for the move. Sorry you didn't get to see them all.

Then I had some fun at Hobby Lobby. If you don't have one I definitely encourage you to stop at one if you ever make it to Oklahoma. Their everyday prices are high but I love their sales and clearance.

I found these adorably cutting boards ( which you can never have too many of) on clearance for $5.00 a piece.

Then I stopped by Ross. If you don't have one or haven't been to it you should sooooooooo stop by. They clearance out high-end merchandise and irregulars at fairly reasonable prices. My only hint to you is that if you buy curtains or sheets there make sure you open them before you leave and make sure they aren't irregular and that your curtain lengths match. Lots of trial and error! Trust Me! It's worth it.

They were clearancing out the Snuggies for doggies! Hey, Doggies need gifts too! I bought two at $2.99 each but for the life of me I could only find one.

Then I got a little carried away at Walgreens! It all started off with the $3.00 profit I made per bottle on the natural Melatonin sleeping aid. I couldn't tell you what box they are currently packed in but they are around.

So I took the profit and bought all this and paid tax.

Foil was on sale for 69 cents and straws for 39 cents. It was a great way to spend my profit.

I also bought all the bleach and made a profit on all the hair things. I should never have a bad hair day again! Lol! It should say manufacturer guarantee!

Now to finish out the last of the shopping trip you know I wasn't going home without all of these. Now I paid a mere $1.00 a package after Register Rewards. They made fabulous stocking stuffers!

Mom and Grandma loved that I filled their stocking with the arthritis pain reliever too!

Now I can't begin to tell you or show you the insane amount of Christmas Clearance and Fall clearance I bought. It will have to wait until later in the year! It went from the van into the boxes and that's where it's staying until it's time to decorate again for the holidays!

Sorry Charlie!

Well bare with me for awhile I have to get back to unpacking.

The boxes just keep coming! I don't know where it all comes from.

As you can see I'm buried in boxes.

Well give me a day or two and I will show you the fabulous finds I have found while clearance shopping for home stuff for my new house!

Check back in this weekend. Remember, it's always a frugal weekend at The Cute Couponer

Happy Clearance Shopping,

The Cute Couponer

TLC's Extreme Couponer

2011-01-18T10:28:00.000-06:00

I'm sure by now everyone has either seen or heard about TLC's Extreme Couponer. It took me awhile to gather my thoughts before I decided to openly express my opinions about it.

Do I like it? Yes! Do I agree with all of the different couponers ways? No!

I don't think you should fill your house for no other reason than filling your house just because an item is for free. When you are cancelling family outings and giving up your social life to shop it becomes an addiction. I can't remember her name but it was the first lady. She said she has something like $35,000.00 of insurance on the stockpile alone! That's crazy! She should definitely donate some. It would make her and her husband,whose office she has now taken over with pasta, feel alot better. It's a great tax deduction too. It might help offset her insurance costs!

The lady who had her pregnant friend and son in a dumpster looking for coupons I could totally relate to. Have I done it? Of course! There are easier ways though to find coupons. We will talk about that another day!

Now last but not least I think his name was Nathan. He bought a ton of stuff including an insane amount of deodorant and toothbrushes. Now deodorant expires and dries up so unless you are going to donate some and give every person you know a toothbrush and a stick of deodorant for every holiday and birthday I don't recommend buying so much! It's crazy! "Waste not want not!" Those are words that constantly resonate in my ears! My grandma would have a cow! You are NOT saving money people if the product expires! I did like that he donated like a 1000 boxes of cereal to charity though!

Do I hope they make another episode? Absolutely! It's fun seeing other people make deals and really become debt free and make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.

Will I be shopping like these Extreme Couponers? Probably Not. Well expect for paper products like toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, and anything else that costs a fortune to trash.
I would build an extra room on the house, stuff it under beds, take up a shower stall. You name it! That's expense stuff to just flush it.

Now I am crawling down off my soapbox and returning to my own world of couponing.

I checked out a great sale at Bed Bath and Beyond this weekend that helped me score some great deals.

Happy Couponing,

The Cute Couponer

Frugal Weekend

2011-01-16T11:06:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! I'm finishing up my moving and painting this weekend so sorry for the lack of posting. I will be back this week and we are going to start the stockpile from scratch again. In the meantime, it's always a frugal weekend here at The Cute Couponer I hope you enjoy my frugal friend Melissa....

I’m most likely not the person you’d expect to be guest blogging about couponing. I only returned to couponing a few weeks ago. You see, I used to love coupons and sales. We had a grocery store that offered a lot of B1G2 Free sales. Match that with the right coupons and it was so easy to get great deals. This was before the days of Internet coupons. All my coupons then came from newspapers or those cardboard cutouts that sat in the front of the store. You remember those? You’d drop in the coupons you weren’t going to use and dig around for ones you would?

So, here I am, a decade later and getting back into the “game”. It’s totally been a learning process for me. Even though I’m still learning, I’ve already started helping others learn as well. So, I thought today I’d share the first few pointers I give to them.

First, don’t obsess, stress, or worry. Second, if you have the opportunity to get something for free or next to nothing that you won’t use, get it and donate it. There are tons of places that are in need…..domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, local food banks, all kinds of things!!!

Next, start getting the Sunday paper. I’m fortunate in this regard. I live near a town that offers all the coupons you could possibly get in their paper for only $1 each Sunday. The town on the other side of me doesn’t have all these coupons. If you live there, you have to buy the big city paper and pay twice as much for it! When you pick up Sunday’s paper, go ahead and write the date of the paper on the front of the coupon inserts. And don’t forget to look through the sale papers and other flyers inside as they often have coupons as well.

Now, it’s decision time. Do you only want to shop according to the sales in the paper? Are you going to be OK carrying in a notebook, standing in the aisle and looking through your notebook to determine if you have a coupon for that one clearance item? I didn’t think I’d be that kind of couponer….at first. I cut out just the coupons I’d matched with sales then spent the entire time in the store exclaiming to my husband……. “Oh man, there was a coupon for that online, we could have got it for free!” So, if you want to be one of those that only shops from the sales paper, you’re pretty much done. Find you a good website that matches the sales and coupons for you, and you’re off. Yet, eventually one day you’ll run into a woman (or man) who is standing at the register with a cart full of stuff checking out. The cashier will get this really strange look on their face, call over the manager and you’ll hear the manager say, “Have a good day. You don’t owe anything.”

So, maybe you are ready to be one of “those” couponers. What next? Well, you need to pick up a large 3 ring binder, some dividers, and some baseball protector pages. Decide how you want to categorize your coupons. For example, I have a canned goods, personal hygiene, rice-pasta-potato, frozen, breakfast, condiments and so on categories. Set up yours in the way that you feel most comfortable. We’ll all be different. For example, I have a unique breakfast category. It includes all my other categories….such as frozen, canned, bread, meats, etc….but only for things we eat for breakfast. This for me was important since I can easily plan our breakfast menu in the store based on what is on clearance or sale.

OK, so that’s done. Now what? Well, the next thing I recommend is the 4 WebSteps. You see, there are certain forms you’ll need to fill out for some coupons and deals. These forms will often ask for your email, your phone number or require you to allow them access to your Facebook page. Well, the last thing you want your email getting spammed, your voicemail overrun, and total strangers having access to pictures of your children! So, you need to create a couponer web persona using the 3 WebSteps.

First, Set up a gmail account. Something easy to remember and that applies to what you are using it for. . For example, mine is freebies4mel and a friend of mine's is freestuff4barb.
Next, use the gmail address you just set up and set up pearltrees. Pearl tree is a bookmark system but it allows other users to see what you save. This will allow you to save the deals you find in one convenient place. You’ll also be able to team up with other people who can add items to your pearltree. I’ve only just started mine for this purpose, though I do have another pearltree I use for all my personal bookmarks. Set up yours at www.pearltrees.com You can view mine at www.pearltrees.com/pathsfromathriftysoul Once you sign up, be sure to send me a message letting me know as I’m always interested in seeing what you’ve found!

The next thing is to get a free phone number and fax. You’ll do this at http://voicemail.k7.net/signup/ You’ll use the gmail account you set up earlier to register. This website allows you to get phone messages and faxes sent to your email! The message comes as an attachment, which will then play through Windows Media Player. I’ve been using it for a while and love it! I was given a 206 area code, but since it’s only going to be used for coupons, it shouldn’t matter. For my settings, I chose “send to email address only and don’t post on site”, “GSM”, “Fax and voicemail(personal greeting and default message)”, and “nationwide plan”.

Now, your final WebStep. Set up a facebook account using the gmail account you signed up for. You can view mine here: http://www.facebook.com/PathsFromAThriftySoul This was actually an old account I had I’d forgotten about. I went in and removed any personal information and use it now for coupons and to post deals from my own blog. Why do you need a facebook account? Well, there are tons of company’s that have Facebook pages. By going to their page and either clicking “like” on it, or by allowing it to access your page, you can then get freebies, print coupons and more! Just remember, do not upload any personal information!
So, are you overwhelmed yet?? Don’t be. The hardest part is over. From here on out, you’ll be doing the same thing over and over. You’ll be getting your coupons, organizing them, and shopping. It’s like anything else in the world…..the more you practice the better you get! There are tons of websites, bloggers and more offering free advice on what steps to take next. More then likely, if you ask around, you’ll find someone you know that lugs around his or her coupon book as well! Ask to join them n their next trip! Email or post on blogs whenever you have a question. You’ll find that others who coupon are usually more then helpful.

And last but not least…..have fun!! Keep track of your savings so you can see the earnings of your hard work. Don’t stress. Remember, you can’t do “wrong” or “bad”. The only thing that can happen is you save money…………..and we all love that

Does Couponing Really Pay?

2011-01-09T10:03:00.003-06:00

Happy Weekend everyone! I am busy moving and I hope you are enjoying this weekends guest bloggers. It's always a frugal weekend with the best frugal guest bloggers around. Next up is Danelle. She is going to answer that question couponers get all the time...

Does Coupon Clipping Really Pay?

This seems to be the number one question people ask me when they find out that I teach a Coupon 101 class.

My reply: I average a 90.5% savings at the store for my family of three and two pets. We spend less than $100 a month to feed all of us, and that includes personal care items like TP and deodorant. How does that sound to you?

Granted, I have been lucky to find the occasional awesome meat coupon or hit a series of great produce specials but I work the grocery store selling cycle to my best advantage. Meat is one of those items that rarely has a coupon...so, what do you do? Look for your grocery store selling cycle!

Most stores have a 6 to 8 week cycle.

What does this mean? This week ground beef is on sale for $1.69 a pound. It normally is $2.93 a pound. If you usually eat 1# a week, you need to invest in 8 pounds at that sale price. This will save you $9.92 on ground beef.

$10 is $10 in my world, LOL! Just think of saving $80+ over 8 weeks on meat!

The next week, whole chickens might be on sale for $.49 a pound when they are normally over $1.75 You can get a whole chicken for about $2.00, cook it off and harvest the meat. This should get you 2-3 pounds of meat which tastes a LOT better than the 8oz can of chicken for $3.00 **Just think of this:
by using the sale pricing on whole chicken and cooking it off, that means the same amount of canned chicken would cost you $18 - you save $16!! (per chicken this week!!)

We like chicken for tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, chicken chili, chicken ala king over biscuits and more so we need to buy at least 8 chickens when they are on sale.

8 chickens x $16 savings is $128 savings over the 8 weeks that we add to the $80 you saved on ground beef. See how this adds up? 2 weeks of buying meat on sale has saved you $208 so far and we haven't seen pork, turkey, ham or beef roasts go on sale yet!

If you are not keen on this -- just keep this rule in mind...meat for under $2 a pound is usually a great deal for your chicken, beef and pork.

Now what do you do with all of that meat? Batch cook it and break it down into meals. Let's look at that chicken...I like it when the spilt breasts are on sale for about $.75/pound and get about twenty pounds worth.

Make a light breading of flour and seasoning salt. Rinse off 5 pounds of chicken breasts, pat dry, roll in breading and place on baking sheet. Bake at 350 for about an hour. You now have plenty of baked chicken for lunches, picnics or a nice Sunday dinner! Keep in mind, depending on the size, this could be 4-6 breasts as they are bone in. We aren't talking about 20 breasts cooked and staring at you in the fridge
:)

Bake five pounds of chicken breasts on a jelly roll pan with a little water in the bottom. Cover with foil and bake at 300 degrees for about 2 hours. Remove from oven and let chicken cool. Pull off skin and take a fork, shred chicken off the bone, package in medium sized containers to freeze for a meal that feeds 4. Repeat this with another pan of chicken...

Four to five pounds can go in the crock pot/slow cooker and rip on low for 8 hours. Do the same as with the oven, cool and shred! Keep in mind you can do this overnight - so you are prepping family meals while you sleep!

Now, what are you going to do with all that shredded chicken? I already had chicken chili and chicken enchilada recipes on my blog in previous posts under the recipes...here are a few more ideas:

Chicken Recipes:

-For fajita chicken -> 1PKG.taco seasoning to two cups water in a Quick Shake and shake well. Pour ½ cup of liquid over each of four containers of chicken from previous recipe (in vent N Serves). Freeze containers. Pull one container out & zap in a 1½QT. Tupperwave container with one sliced onion and one sliced pepper until meat is warmed up and pepper is tender.

-For chicken taco salad, warm taco chicken and pour over chips, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, sour cream, etc.

-For chicken stroganoff, add chicken to cream of chicken soup and 1 cup of sour cream. Heat in Vent ‘n Serve. Pour over noodles or rice. Add can of mixed vegetables for variety.

-For Chicken Noodle Soup, add a quart of chicken broth, bag of frozen veggies and bag or Reames frozen egg noodles to about 2 cups of meat in a large pot. Add a pinch of marjoram and simmer for about 10 minutes then dig in!

-Biscuit roll-up. Take meat/cheese, egg/cheese, vegetable/cheese or whatever your prefer. Place 1½ TB of mixture between 2 halves of a biscuit. Pinch edges together & bake per biscuit instructions.

-Shredded Chicken w/ BBQ sauce - 1 C ketchup, 1 C BBQ sauce, 1 TB brown sugar, 1 tsp mustard. Pour over shredded chicken.

And one of our favorites...CRANAPPLE CHICKEN
1 can (8 oz.)whole berry cranberry sauce
1 1/2 tsp. butter
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 can (13 1/2 oz.) pineapple tidbits, well drained
2 cups Chicken Mix
Combine cranberry sauce, butter, brown sugar and pineapple. Arrange chicken quarters in a microwave Tupperwave Casserole. Pour cranberry pineapple sauce over chicken. Place dish in microwave oven and cook 4-6 minutes, Makes 4 servings. Great with Rice!

Any favorite chicken recipes? Please share!

Happy shopping!

Dannelle

http://operation40k.blogspot.com/

I'm Moving

2011-01-08T09:44:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! I'm moving this weekend and I want you to meet my new friend. She has made couponing a big part of her life. Stop by and tell her you said hi. It's going to be a great weekend. I have so much to share come next week and the stockpile starts over again from scratch.

Couponing & My Life

Years ago, I had heard how using coupons could help to save you a ton at the grocery store. I had heard of people purchasing two carts of groceries and spending less than $100. To me, at that time, it was shocking. I had looked into coupons, and had even tried to use them; however, the savings just was not adding up. (Please keep in mind that this was before our access to the Internet in the area where I am from.)

Then, about a year ago, after having 5 kids in the house, not counting my husband and I, I decided I desperately needed to check back into coupons and just exactly how everyone was saving so much on their general household items and groceries. After spending about $175 or more per week on groceries, I was looking for a way to be able to still feed my family in the manner in which they were used to, while also being able to scale back on our grocery budget. Little did I know at the time that I would be able to scale back by over $100 per week!! Talk about a major budget overhaul.

It took me a few months to get my coupon stock up to par to really be able to take advantage of all of the great deals out there and I had to learn to come up with the right amount of coupons that I needed to make the quantity purchase that I need in order to feed 7 people on a regular basis. I found that couponing was fun and posed a challenge to me. The challenge being just how many products could I purchase on my $75 per week budget? That budget actually became too easy, so I raised the stakes a bit: Could I feed 7 people on a $50 per week budget, which also was to include household supplies like toilet paper, laundry soap, etc? I’m here to tell you, IT CAN BE DONE!!

My husband, I do believe at times, really considers me as being “nuts”. Why? He believes that I spend too much time printing coupons, cutting coupons, planning my shopping trips, shopping the stores, and going between different stores to get the best deals; however, he sure doesn’t complain about the money I have been able to save or about the name brand products that is filling our pantry and cabinets that, in the end, fills his belly. (Before using coupons, I shopped at box stores, where I thought that I was getting the best deal; however, I was completely wrong!! Now, you won’t hardly ever see me walk into a box store because I can get name brand products, with my coupons, for cheaper that I can get an off brand product of the same category at the box stores!)

To be able to reach the budget that I had set for myself, there are a few simple things that you must remember:

1. Do not be brand dependent! I only buy products that I have a coupon for. I do believe we have tried just about every brand of laundry detergent out there on the market, at some point in time.

2. You have to cook! Avoiding convenience foods does help to cut down on the grocery bill considerably. Unless I have a coupon for frozen waffles, etc, you won’t see them in our freezer.

3. Watch for the meat sales!! When meat goes on sale, I stock up! For example, right after the Holidays last year, I found $60 hams on sale at our local Kroger store for as low as $6!!! Believe me when I say, I bought all that I could for that price! (Those weeks, your budget is blown; however, it all equals out in future weeks budgets when you don’t have to purchase expensive meat because it’s already in your freezer!)

In the end, couponing has changed my life in several different ways. To begin with, boy have I sharpened my mathematical skills!! If you use coupons or play the drug store game, you definitely know what I’m talking about! Furthermore, I have been able to save tons of money and I have learned to become more creative in the kitchen. Many times, I think to myself, can I make an entire meal for all of us for around $5-7? Guess what? There are actually many meals that are capable of feeding a family like mine for that little!! You just have to pay attention to the sales ads, the coupons that you have, and stock up when possible. Plus, remember that the Internet is your best friend when it comes to the coupon game. Not only through finding the deal posts and printing coupons, but also for finding those recipes that will allow you to feed your family on less, but still be tasty and fill the bellies!

About the Author:

My name is Tami Jackson and I’m from rural, Southern Illinois. I write the blog, pennypinchingmommies.info, where I not only post the weekly grocery steals and deals, but also posts on frugality, crafts, recipes, and more.

I am a wife, mother of 4, and stepmother to 1. I am a stay-at-home mother who also operates a small writing business on the side, while my husband is a Southern Illinois Coal Miner. I love crocheting, knitting, sewing, craft projects, hunting all kinds of game (and making sure, of course, that the meat goes in my freezer), photography, gardening, cooking, and too much more to be listed here.

I learned growing up, from my grandmother, how to find the best deals on just about everything. (If she were still around today, I truly believe she would be amazed at what she could find on the Internet!!)

Boutique Shopping At Christmas Time

2011-01-04T17:33:00.001-06:00

What's a girl to do around the holidays for fun? Hmm.... In my case I threw on my favorite pair of Christmas Socks........grabbed my favorite purse........

Then I grabbed my dearest friend Niki.....

and we went SHOPPING.... Do you hear the bells a ringing? Oh yes shopping... one of my favorite things to do.

We visited the Chimney Shop.

We headed to historic downtown Bethany Oklahoma to visit some of the cutest quaint little gift shops and antique stores.

We looked at ideas to decorate our doors.

Just when we thought we were done there was more.

Even the clock shop was adorable!

Wanna know my favorite thing about shopping in boutiques? They are fabulous products and they are all on sale after New Year's.

Another fabulous thing about boutiques is that you can check out the latest trends for the year. It's like going to market without all the stress.

Wanna know the grand total I spent? $4.00 for the biggest slice of pizza and a drink.

Then we went back to Niki's to let her hubby spoil us with fabulous appetizers.

Last but not least, we got to taste lots of goodies and have tons of new ideas for super-yummy finger foods.

I must update my shopping list!

Then finally it Snowed.....

inside that is!

What a fabulous inexpensive way to spend time with a very special friend. My head is spinning with all the new ideas I have.

Let's all have a fabulous New Year!

In the meantime, grab a dear friend and go boutique shopping.

How Cute Is That,

The Cute Couponer

It's All About Saving Money and Giving Back

2011-01-02T14:36:00.004-06:00

Hi everyone, I hope you are all having a super New Year's weekend. I hope you are enjoying our guest bloggers. This is another new friend of mine Tracy Shaw. Let me know what you think. She's absolutely adorable...

My name is Tracy Shaw and I am a stay at home mom of two wonderful children. Before I stayed home, I was a Branch Manager of a Staffing Firm in Brandon, FL (Robert Half International)..My job was to train internal sales people, staff my internal positions, and staff all my clients needs...I was a sales person, I talked to, interviewed, and worked with many people on a daily basis. I was actually very successful, but when my son was in my womb...I just couldn't think of someone else seeing his "firsts", so my husband and I decided that I should stay home. Now, I love it with all my heart, but that means we have had to make some serious adjustments to our day to day lives! And with the economy the way it is and with my husband's salary going backwards instead of forwards, I got creative...I looked for deals every day, started paying attention to sales and coupons (especially when my daughter was born and we had the extra miracle in the house!) I found that I was telling my friends via e-mail or phone daily about the good deals I could find when one suggested that I tell lots of people. So, I started my blog!

I have a whole section about "Giving Back to the Community" click on these links to read a couple of the posts:

http://havingfunsaving.blogspot.com/2010/11/good-afternoon.html

http://havingfunsaving.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-daydonations-and-grocery-shopping.html

I make a donation once a week to our local Food Bank or to the Pregnancy Center depending on what I get. For a very small amount, I truly believe I can make a difference, and can you imagine if other people thought that way too? What a wonderful thought that is!

Go Green, Be Frugal Ways to Reuse & Save

2011-01-01T06:07:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone and Happy New Year!

I want you to know how much I have missed you all and I plan on making good on my promises for my Christmas List for you.

I will be explaining a little more about what I have been doing the last few weeks tomorrow but in the meantime I want you to meet the neatest lady who has made couponing a HUGE part of her life.....

Go Green, Be Frugal ~ Ways to Reuse & Save!

by Michelle Dudas, author, Military Wives Saving

Being 'green' and frugal can really go hand-in-hand! What better way to save money and the environment than to reuse everyday household items rather than throwing them away and buying something new!
Gift Wrap - Being couponers, we get our fair share of Sunday papers! Rather than throw them out (or put in the recycle bin), put it to good use one more time by using the comics and the entertainment section as gift wrapping! Not a fan of using the paper? Get crafty and use brown paper bags for wrapping. To avoid the cheap look, splurge and buy some nice ribbon and tie it around the box. You can also save and reuse the bows on Christmas presents by not removing the plastic protective piece on the sticky part and instead, use a small piece of tape to stick them to the presents (the tape will come off easier, plus, won't take off the paper like the sticky part on the bows do). Cute Tip: If you have a ton of really old, expired coupons (any less than six months, consider the Overseas Coupon Project), wrap presents with the coupon inserts for the couponista in your life. They will love it!!
Trash Bags/Lunches - Prefer plastic? Reuse your plastic grocery bags as trash bags in the bathroom and laundry room. Have a dog? Use them to pick up your pooch's stuff while going for walks (this isn't the greenest, I know, but at least you can reuse it once before just tossing it if you don't recycle!). Don't have a reusable lunch sak/cooler? Use the plastic grocery bags to throw your lunch in (just remember to pack your sandwich last as not to smush it). Also, instead of peanuts when mailing packages, if you have a ton of plastic baggies, use them to secure items in the box - write a note and tell the recipient to save the bags and do the same when they need to mail something!
Pots and Plants - Buy spaghetti sauce in the glass jars? Wash them out and reuse them as planters for outside and around the house! Buy butter in the tub? Use the plastic lids as saucers for your plant pots! Alternately, you can also use coffee can lids, too!

Candle Holders/Nails, Screws/Craft Items - If you love tea-light candles and votives but don't have anything to put them on while they are burning, consider using baby food jars after cleaning them out! If you are feeling crafty, glue some cute fabric to the outside of the jars for decoration. Also, use baby food jars for storing your mini craft items in, as well as screws and nails!

Scrubbers/Makeup - Rather than throwing away your old toothbrush, boil it in hot water to clean them and then reuse them to as scrubbers to remove stains from carpets and clothes. Cute Tip: Instead of buying an eyebrow brush, use a toothbrush to shape your brows and blend in your eyebrow pencil color.
Envelopes - Save that junk mail! If you get "spam" mail, as I like to call it, in envelopes (credit card offers, insurance company recruitments), you can open the envelopes all the way and use them as scrap paper! Or, if you don't have a coupon organizer, reuse them to store your coupons in. And, if you have labels, grab a bunch of deposit envelopes next time you're at the bank and use the labels to cover up any wording on the envelopes and use them to mail letters and bills.
Food Storage - You know those butter tubs I mentioned above? You can also wash them out and reuse them to store leftovers and school lunches rather than buying the plastic containers at the store. Same goes with sour cream and cheese containers, too!
Coasters - Use old placemats as coasters! Just cut them up how you want, and use fabrics to create fringes for a decorative touch.
Michelle Dudas is a military spouse and SAHM, as well as the author of www.militarywivessaving.com, where she helps her fellow military spouses save money and get the most bang for their buck. Before deciding to be a SAHM, she worked in the banking industry for over 10 years, where she worked as a loan officer, helping others think smart about their money.

Christmas is Coming

2010-12-21T08:06:00.001-06:00

Christmas is coming and it's coming soon!

I haven't forgotten all that I've promised you, it's just there have been just a few teeny tiny stepping blocks along the way.

Mainly the stinkin computer... it won't load the pictures. What's a blog without pictures?

I'm trying to take lots and lots of pictures of everything I've promised and all the fun we've been having and load them all at once on picture CD.

Sam's is going to load over 200 pictures on 1 CD for me for one price of course. Shhh... it's only like $2 and some stinkin change. Now don't go and tell everybody because we don't want the lines to be long. It doesn't even take them an hour. We are frugalistas after all!!! ALWAYS remember that!!!

My family doesn't just have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and then it's over...no sir and mam.... we have the big family Christmas and then Christmas visits with our friends and neighbors and then parties and then New Year's Eve and then New Year's Day Brunch.

THE PARTY HASN'T EVEN STARTED !!!

Now I have to get back to work and we will for sure talk later.

Happy Festivities,

The Cute Couponer

"My Grown Up Christmas List"

2010-12-18T19:39:00.002-06:00

The best sign that you really have grown up is knowing that this is your real Christmas List.

1. No More Lives Torn Apart

2. Wars Would Never Start

3. Time Would Heal All Hearts

4. Everyone Would Have A Friend

5. Right Would Always Win

6. Love Would Never End

This is my grown-up Christmas List this is my only life-long wish.

Hope Your Enjoying The Holiday Season,

The Cute Couponer

Everything is Special in December

2010-12-10T20:58:00.003-06:00

What's Coming This Holiday Season

Mom's Christmas Open House

Doggie Christmas Fashion Show of 2010

Lots of Shopping Trips (even if they are last-minute)

Cookies and Christmas Treat Recipes

Apartment Decor at Christmastime

Christmas Light Show Tour

Designer Labels for a Dollar $

Simple and Spectacular Christmas Craft

Beverages of Christmas

Boutique Shopping at Christmas Time

Hope you enjoy a little hint on about all the special times to come this month.

I Can't Wait to Share,

The Cute Couponer

Oh Where Does The Time Go

2010-12-09T14:43:00.001-06:00

First of all, Is it Thursday again already?

I've only made it shopping to two stores this week and the trips were just little mini ones.

If I can ever get this computer to consistently load pictures I guarantee you will like this blog so much better.

I think Santa needs to bring me a new computer for Christmas. Hint...hint...

I can't begin to tell you how much Christmas shopping I have left to do but I am holding out for some real deals.

Not sure what has gotten into me this year but I have truly become a cheap skate. Last night I hit Wally World....aka Wal-Mart and I only walked out with one tiny little thing.

Pitter Patter my heart ... but even I can wait for some better deals.

In the meantime I have to bake and decorate up a storm.

So many of you who know me personally always ask why I don't write more about my decorating and cooking projects and I want you to know I have decided that I want to. What do ya'll think about a couponing, decorating, cooking, and singing blog complete with blog pups? How's it sound?

See by using coupons I can free up other cash in order to have the moolaa to finance some of my other passions... like decorating, cooking, and singing. For those of you who have performed you know those outfits ain't cheap. ( Sorry mom and grandma for using the word ain't but I am trying to make a point :)

If your going to do something don't they say.... GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!!!!!

Anyway toodaloo I need to start my photos. I have so much to do over the next three weeks. Let's all pray to the coupon gods together to see if they well send us some killer deals.

Have A Happy Day,

The Cute Couponer

Super Saturday Shopping

2010-12-04T09:06:00.004-06:00

I found this picture a few months ago. It's my Grandpa, his neighbor Lee, and me. My Grandpa has since passed away and I miss him terribly everyday, especially at this time of year. He used to play Santa on the Lake and I got to go along and play an elf and give stockings full of goodies to all the kiddos on the lake. His memory always helps me to remember, it's better to give than receive!

On to Super Saturday,

I went Super Saturday shopping at the mall and I came home with absolutely nothing.

Now those of you who know me know this might come as quite a shock.

There doesn't seem to be any great deals yet this year.

In fact the only thing I bought was a set of doggie steps at Walgreens on sale for $6.99.

I'll show you a picture once I put them together.

For real, there isn't much out there yet. I'm crossing my fingers and saying my prayers hoping that there are many deals to come.

So back to cooking and decorating I go.

Happy Saturday,

The Cute Couponer

Super Saturday

2010-11-27T10:23:00.001-06:00

I had huge dreams of going Black Friday shopping but they were all totally smashed when I found out a had to work ....GRRRR!!!!!!!!!

I'm not even in retail!

So anyway my Black Friday has turned into Super Saturday and I can't wait to hit the stores later.

Check Back this week to see what I can find.

Happy Shopping,

The Cute Couponer

Happy Turkey Day

2010-11-25T12:20:00.001-06:00

Happy Turkey Day to you and yours!!!

I have lots in store over the next few months.

Happy Shopping Tomorrow,

The Cute Couponer

Getting Ready for the Major Shopping

2010-11-21T15:52:00.001-06:00

I have so much to say and so little time...

1st ---- go buy lots of Sunday papers today......I mean alot

2nd ----google black Friday ads

3rd-----write down what you really want

4th------create a plan to go and get it

5th---- stay tuned to the cute couponer I have big plans over the next few months..

Let's see how I finance Christmas this year!

Happy Preparations,

The Cute Couponer

Back In The Game

2010-11-14T19:47:00.000-06:00

It's Time!

It's just about that time again to get back in the game.

The great money saving game of couponing.

I want and need to save lots of money.

Stay tuned! Many exciting things are coming!

I spent the day cleaning up egg-nog. This morning I had the bright idea to re-arrange my living room and set my glass of egg-nog on top of the entertainment center and down it went. To be exact, to the VCR, the DVD player, the TV, the antenna, the remote, the boxes the picture frame and don't forget the wall. Who knew how sticky egg-nog could really be!!!!!!!!!!!

If the egg-nog wasn't enough I went to vacuum the bedroom and the heater cover fell off, I didn't even touch it! Then I opened the closet door and the door knob went flying off. Did I mention ants are coming out of my shower where the maintenance people have yet to replace the shower stall and I still have no faucet. My sink is full of dirty dishes and the hot water doesn't work. The cold water has no pressure and I've had enough! My lease is up soon and I am so going back to the wonderful world of living in a house!

Pardon Me!

My doggie Holland just threw up all over the furniture and Little Miss decided to hop up on the computer chair and eat my dinner why I was taking care of Holland. I'm a great multi-tasker, I can eat and type.

Just think It's only Sunday!

Hmm...

No wonder I haven't had time for couponing lately.

Have A Great Week,

The Cute Couponer

I'm Back

2010-11-11T20:05:00.000-06:00

Hello to my dear sweet loyal followers. I know I have abandoned you for the last month and I apologize profusely! There have been some super huge changes going on in my life which have left little time for couponing. Now that things are settling back down again I will be back to deals in no time. Please don't think I am going to abandon you during the absolute best shopping season of the year. I have missed you all dearly and can't wait to hear from you. Thank you for all the wonderful messages telling me you miss me and checking in on me. Please start checking back soon.

Can't Wait to Share,

The Cute Couponer

Multiplicity

2010-10-10T16:03:00.000-05:00

Happy Sunday Ya'll! It's already been an absolutely crazy day. I have yet to get to the store to buy some papers. Going to do that in a few. With all the craziness the last few weeks I can't help but think I should multiply myself x 4. One person to take care of the house, one person to take care of the family, one person to work, and one person to shop and socialize. It that a terrible idea really?

Wish me luck today as I finally try to get a grip on my revolving to-do list. I have upteen posts to catch up on and you won't believe all the pictures I need to add to the blog. So many plans so little time.

Happy Rest of The Weekend,

The Cute Couponer