And the winner is...Albertsons! This week, Albertsons was doubling, tripling, quadrupling coupons up to $1.00 which made for some pretty great deals. Basically, all of your coupons under $1.00 were worth $1.00/off.

Here is what I found:

2 bottles of Frenchs Mustard- on sale for $1.00, used 2 coupons=FREE
1 bottle Frenchs Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce- on sale for $1.00, used a coupon=FREE
1 box Wheat Thins-on sale for $1.47, used $1.00/1 coupon from Facebook= $0.47
2 pkgs. Cool Whip- on sale for $1.00 each, used coupon that was $0.20/2=$1.00 for both
Ball Park Hot Dogs-on sale for $2.99, store coupon for buy 1, get 2 free, used 2 coupons=$1.00 for all 3
4 pkgs. Dentyne Pure Gum- on sale for $1.00, used 2 coupons that were $1.00/1, found another coupon in the store that was buy 1 get 1 free=$0.25/pkg.
2 pkgs. Rayovac batteries-on sale for $1.00/pkg, used 2 coupons that were $1.00/1=FREE
2 cans of Van de Camps pork and beans-on sale for $0.50/can, no coupons, but I needed them

Total Spent: $5.69
Total Saved: $33.16!!!!

Back around Easter, I bought 7 cartons of eggs because they were marked down 50%. I knew that I couldn't use all of the eggs right away, so I cracked them into an ice cube tray and froze them. How did it work? Well, next time I will poke the yolk of the egg before freezing. If you don't, I have found that the yolk stays frozen long after the egg white thaws. Also, the egg tastes the same once you scramble it, but the egg doesn't stay together as well. There are lots of little scrambled egg bits instead of the pretty mound of scrambled eggs when you use the fresh ones. Overall, I would try freezing the eggs again. I have not tried baking with them yet, but when I try it, I will let you know.

For those of you who do not know, I am a Creative Memories consultant. I became a consultant at the beginning of February because I fell in love with digital scrapbooking. You know me-I am always trying to get the biggest bang for my buck, so I thought "why not fund my hobby by sharing my love for preserving memories?"

Here is why I LOVE digital scrapbooking with Storybook Creator Plus 3.0:
1) You do NOT have to be crafty/creative to make beautiful albums
2) You do NOT have to cut straight, measure, or worry about mistakes. The UNDO button is my best friend!
3) There is no mess to clean up. This is especially important when you have a limited work space and little children who love to "help"
4) You do not have to be connected to the internet to work on your scrapbook
5) Digital paper and stickers are reusable-BIG money savings right here
6) If you have ugly handwriting-no problem. The software will recognize any fonts that you have downloaded on your computer. (BTW, I know a great site for free fonts- http://www.dafont.com/)
7) FREE digital goodies on the Creative Memories website EVERY DAY!
8) Freedom to customize your scrapbook in anyway you like. All page elements can be edited.
9) It saves time. I can make a page in 5-10 minutes.
10) You can order multiple copies of your albums. This is especially great when you make family albums and want each of your children to have a copy.
11)  The software allows you to edit your photos and add special effects, such as black and white or sepia tones, lighting, softening the edges, etc.
12) I use the software to make cards, invitations, posters, VT handouts, candy bar wrappers, etc. It is SO much easier to work with than Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher.

If you have wanted to get your pictures off of your hard drive and into your life, there isn't a better time to start than right now. For 2 weeks only, Creative Memories is offering their Storybook Creator Plus 3.0 software for 40% off. You can view the products offered on my website http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/awinterton. Hurry-you don't want to miss out on this great deal!

Hi,

I want you to take a look at : Vocalpoint - Are Coupons Worth It?

On Saturday, we attended one of my little girls' friend's birthday party. It was a pool party, and one of the moms there told me about reusable swim diapers. I am definitely not into  reusable diapers for every day use because I am just not that interested in touching more poop than I have too! However, the idea of a reusable swim diaper is pretty cool. I think I could handle washing a swim diaper every now and then.

You will spend about as much on one reusable swim diaper as you would on a package of Little Swimmers, but if you go swimming a lot, this could save you money in the long run, especially if you are planning on having more children. Have any of you tried reusable swim diapers? Which brands do you like/dislike?

I decided to start keeping track of all of the free things I get each month. It was astounding to me! These items were not part of a buy 1 get 1 free sale. In other words, they were totally and 100% free!!!! Here is what I got during the month of May. The items total retail value is $77.81. The total does not include the free samples I got in the mail of Pantene shampoo and conditioner and Wheat Thins.

5/1/2010	Mission Tortillas	1.79
5/1/2010	Mission Tortillas	1.79
5/7/2010	BC Pasta Salad	3.19
5/7/2010	BC Pasta Salad	3.19
5/7/2010	BC Pasta Salad	3.19
5/7/2010	Puffs Tissue	1.69
5/7/2010	Puffs Tissue	1.69
5/7/2010	Puffs Tissue	1.69
5/7/2010	Puffs Tissue	1.69
5/7/2010	Puffs Tissue	1.69
5/7/2010	Puffs Tissue	1.69
5/7/2010	Marcal Bath Tissue	1.69
5/7/2010	Yoplait Greek Yogurt	1.19
5/7/2010	Yoplait Greek Yogurt	1.19
5/7/2010	Yoplait Greek Yogurt	1.19
5/7/2010	Yoplait Greek Yogurt	1.19
5/7/2010	Green Giant Steamer Veggies	2.39
5/7/2010	Green Giant Steamer Veggies	2.39
5/7/2010	Hershey Bliss Bar	0.8
5/7/2010	Einstein Bros. Bagel	0.99
5/10/2010	Tabasco Sauce	2.49
5/11/2010	Oikos Greek Yogurt	1.99
5/11/2010	Nabisco 100 calorie snack packs	3.59
5/11/2010	Nabisco 100 calorie snack packs	3.59
5/11/2010	Nabisco 100 calorie snack packs	3.59
5/11/2010	Nabisco 100 calorie snack packs	3.59
5/11/2010	Reese Dark Chocolate	0.99
5/11/2010	Hershey's choc bar	0.99
5/11/2010	Hershey's choc bar	0.99
5/11/2010	Caramello	1.98
5/15/2010	Kraft Olive Oil Mayo	2.29
5/19/2010		0.5
5/21/2010	Einstein Bros. Bagel	0.99
5/25/2010	Kraft Dressing	2.59
5/25/2010	Kraft Dressing	2.59
5/25/2010	Kraft Dressing	2.59
5/27/2010	Marcal Bath Tissue	1.69
5/27/2010	Corn Nuts Chips	1.49
5/27/2010	Corn Nuts Chips	1.49
5/27/2010	Corn Nuts Chips	1.49

Tis the season for graduations, weddings, and family reunions. If you don't shop around, costs can easily get out of control. If you have any tips for saving money on big get togethers, I would love to hear them. Yesterday, I had to buy some balloons for a friend's graduation party. I learned that there is a big price discrepancy between various stores. If you only need mylar balloons, dollar stores are your best bet, but they do not carry latex balloons. I found that for latex balloons, supermarkets were more expensive than party stores. I was not expecting that! A friend also suggested that you might be able to save money if you buy a package of balloons, and then fill them with helium. As with everything else, it pays to make a few phone calls to find the best price on balloons.

Despite the chilly weather and even a few snowflakes, Jay and I have already used our grill a few times. Officially, Memorial Day kicks off the grilling season. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy your summer barbecues!

1. Watch for sales on meat, hot dogs, buns, chips, and condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and barbecue sauce. Stock up on the condiments now. In December, when there are no good deals on ketchup, you will be glad you did! Also you can freeze meat, hotdogs, and even buns. Buns do not last more than a couple of months, though, so don't go crazy.

2. Make your own hamburger patties. I was going to include a how-to with this post, but it was getting too lengthy. Check back in a few days for a detailed post, complete with pictures!

3. If you are looking to purchase a grill, now is the time to do it.Grills are typically on sale now and at the end of grilling season, but who wants to miss out on this season?

4. Need more propane? Take a few minutes to call harware/home improvement stores, and rental truck places and compare prices. It could save you as much as $15! Always consider refilling your tank instead of exchanging it. We got ours filled for just $15 at a rental truck place.

5. Clean your grill after each use. It will last you a lot longer!

Toilet Paper is one of those necessities, that I do not intend to live without. However, it can be pricey, especially if you want more cush for your tush! I had a very frustrating experience buying toilet paper a few weeks ago. I saw that Walgreens had the 12-roll Cottonelle packages on sale for $5. An in-store coupon brought the price down to $4, and I added a $0.50/1 manufacturer's coupon to bring the price down to $3.50/pkg. Normally, this brand of toilet paper does not go on sale for lower than $4.99. I was excited at the killer deal I found....UNTIL I discovered that at Walgreens, the 12-roll Cottonelle packages only have 200 sq. ft. whereas at other grocery stores, the packages contain over 360 sq. ft. That is a huge difference! The subtle difference in wording on the two packages is very misleading!

Here's the bottom line for  your bottom: when buying toilet paper, look at the cost per sq. ft., not just the cost per roll! Some people argue that they buy more expensive toilet paper because they will use less of it. Maybe that is true for you, but I have found that I use about the same weight per wipe with any kind of toilet paper, so you might be using more of the cheap stuff to make up for the lack of softness and plush in a more expensive TP. So, if you are going to use a cheaper toilet paper, make sure that the cost per sq. ft. is significantly lower than the cost per sq. ft. of a higher quality brand. If you are brand loyal, watch for that brand to go on sale, save  your coupons, and stock up. If you are not brand loyal, and don't care about softness, a good everyday bargain on toilet paper can be found at the warehouse clubs like Sams or Costco.

Hello faithful readers,

I am sorry for the long hiatus. I have decided that posting to the blog everyday is not realistic, but I can manage posting a couple of times a week. For those of you who have left comments on the blog, sent me emails, or told me in person how much reading my blog has helped you, thank you for sharing. My mission in writing this blog was to inspire you to save money so that you can live happier, healthier lives. Please continue to share your thoughts and successes!

Have a bad case of the Mondays? Why not rent a DVD to get your mind off of work? Use the code RBXLUV4U at checkout for a free rental tonight only!

March is National Frozen Food month, so watch for great deals all month long. What are your favorite frozen food items? We love frozen pizza, Hot Pockets, burritos, waffles, and vegetables. While already prepared meals may be convenient, remember that they are not as healthy as food you would make from scratch. As long as you don't eat them every day, don't feel guilty about using them for a quick meal when you are on the go. Let me know what deals you find this month.

1. If you haven't filled up your freezer with all of those amazing sale items you find, you might want to find a way to fill up that empty space. Freezers are most efficient when they are full. One way to do this is to fill up plastic jugs with water. This way, you save money on your electricity bill and have a storage of fresh water in case of an emergency.
2. Zip-top bags  make the best freezer containers because they waste less space than plastic storage containers. Be sure to buy bags that are specifically for freezer storage. You might be tempted to save money and buy regular zip-top bags, but you will regret it when your food quickly gets freezer burned.
3. If you buy meat in bulk packages, divide it into meal sized portions before freezing. This way you don't have to use the whole package when you defrost the meat. I also like to flatten and or slice the meat before I freeze it. If you like the convenience of individually frozen chicken breasts, wrap each one in plastic wrap and store in a zip-top bag.
4. Properly wrap foods! I can't stress this enough. All of your freezing success will depend on how well you remove excess moisture and air.

From The Complete Cheapskate by Mary Hunt, pg. 116

Mr. Free Stuff is an awesome website that I just found out about. It lists lots of free stuff samples and offers that you can sign up to receive. I especially like to sign up for free diaper and food samples. Often, samples will come with a coupon as well. Be careful about entering your personal information for any offer. Never give out your credit card/bank information. Also, use a different phone number or birthday if possible.

By now you know that you can use your freezer to store produce, bread, and some dairy items, but did you know that you can preserve the freshness of much more? Check this list out!

Brown and powdered sugar-Prevents lumps
Coffee-Maintains freshness
Nuts-Prevents them from turning rancid longer than if you keep them in your pantry
Popcorn kernels-Freezing keeps kernels fresh and encourages every kernel to pop
Marshmallows, potato chips, pretzels, and crackers-Store in original, unopened containers

You may be thinking, "I don't have that much freezer space to begin with-how am I supposed to fit my brown sugar in there too?" If you do not have enough room in your freezer and you have enough room in your budget, you might want to consider purchasing an extra freezer. My parents bought a small one for me when I was in college. It wasn't too expensive, and it has more than doubled my freezer space. You really do save money when you can stock up on sale items, but only if you can keep those items without spoiling.

From The Complete Cheapskate by Mary Hunt, pgs. 116-17

Now through Thursday, you can get a free 8x10 print from Walgreens Photo Center. Click here to access the coupon. Walgreens has a different digital photo deal every day this week. Check it out here.

Yesterday, I made a delicious Sunday dinner for some of my extended family. Before I get to the menu, I have to share that it required no extra trips to the grocery store. I opened up my freezer and pantry and put together a fantastic spread.

The menu:
Garlic Crusted Pork Tenderloin
Roasted Red Potatoes
Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots
Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Cantaloupe
Apple/Cherry pie

A meal like this could have cost a pretty penny, but because I stocked up when things were on sale, I didn't feel the pinch. I bought the pork when Albertsons had their buy 1 get 2 free deal. The red potatoes and carrots came from a Sunflower Market sale. Normally, I would have made the rolls, but I got the Hawaiian Sweet Rolls a couple of weeks ago for less than what it would cost to make them myself. The cantaloupe was on sale this week, and the pie was from the Safeway bakery and reduced to $0.99 (again, no way I could have made a pie for this)!

This just goes to show you that by shopping the sales and stockpiling food in your pantry and freezer, you can quickly put together a great meal for company without breaking your budget. Check out my recipe for the pork below.


Garlic Crusted Pork Tenderloin
2 cups Panko bread crumbs
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 TBSP dried thyme
1/2 TBSP onion powder
1 TSP black pepper
1/2 TBSP coarse salt
4-5 lb. pork tenderloin
olive oil

1. Sprinkle the bottom of your roasting pan with olive oil before adding the pork to the pan.
2. Mix bread crumbs, garlic, and seasonings together in a small bowl.
3. Spread bread crumb mixture over the pork and pat into the meat.
4. Cover pan with foil and bake at 300 degrees Farenheit for 4 hours (or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees).
5. Let meat rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to maintain juiciness.
6. Enjoy! If you want to, use the pan drippings to make a delicious gravy.

This article is fascinating. When you wonder if it is really worth your time to cut and sort coupons, check this math out. http://customsites.yahoo.com/financiallyfit/finance/article-108816-4123-3-how-to-save-100-in-an-hour?ywaad=ad0035. Thanks Renee!

As spring draws near, stores are gearing up for warmer weather by putting winter merchandise on sale. Winter clothing, snow shovels, ice melt, ice scrapers, boots, and even toys can be had for a steal. Did you know that February is the best time of year to buy big screen TVs (before the Super Bowl), cameras motorcycles, boats, air conditioners, tools, and recliners? If you think you might need an air conditioner this year, buy one before the warm weather drives the demand and prices up.

Have leftover baked potatoes and ham? This is a great English recipe that is traditionally eaten on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) to use up leftovers from Christmas dinner. Its name comes from the sound it makes while it cooks. My husband-who is not a big fan of ham or potatoes-loved it! It has lots of fiber and is very filling. Even if you don't care for cabbage much, give it a try. The seasonings and ham give this dish wonderful flavor.

Ingredients

• 1/2 medium head cabbage, sliced
• 3 slices bacon, diced (optional-I leave it out because I use honey glazed ham and I don't want the bacon to overpower the yummy flavor of the ham)
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup cubed cooked ham
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cups potatoes - baked, cooled and thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, cook cabbage in a small amount of water for about 5 minutes, or until tender. Drain, and set aside.
2. In a well-seasoned cast iron skillet (I actually used a big wok), cook bacon until crisp. Add onion until onion is soft (If you are omitting the bacon, add the olive oil now to the bottom of the pan to brown the onions). Add ham, and cook until heated through. Add the olive oil (if you haven't already), then mix in the cooked cabbage and potatoes. Season with paprika, garlic powder, seasoning salt, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned on bottom, turn, and brown again.