Thrifty Valentine's Day Gifts!

What do you do with all your filler items that you accumulate when you are doing a hundred small transactions per month at your local Walgreen's and Rite Aid? Like 100 Nestle Crunch bars? You make Valentine's Day hand-outs for the kids!

True Story!! Actually--the Nestle Crunch bars went on sale with a weekly in-store coupon and that were usuable in combination with another coupon from a month-long ad booklet. So between the coupons, they were 25 cents, of which I paid pennies for because they were acting as filler items on my transactions that I used register rewards as my form of payment. There was a method to the mass-purchasing madness....

Because I saw a great idea for making homemade candy bar wrapper labels by copying a picture of a child holding a sign indicating the purpose of the gift.

(Thank you, pinterest...for inspiring the frugal, crafty-side of my mothering experience!)

I took a 33 cent piece of white poster board and painted the token message and took a picture of each of my kids. The madness had a very basic formula that went like this: 100 almost free candy bars+100 classmates+4 digital pictures of kids (made into 50 copies)=100 VeRy CuTe Valentine's Day treats!

The most time consuming part of the whole gig was waiting for the printer to shoot out the copies.

We put two 4x6 prints on each copy and cut them into a 5 1/2"x 5 1/2" square. They fit around the candy bar perfectly and were secured with a piece of scotch tape.

No fussing about filling out the cards this year. No remembering names or finding the list that the teacher sent home. Easy, Peasy, right? It took us about 20 minutes to assemble the slew chocolate bars. I was very pleased with the results...and will be looking out for another great filler deal to make next year's hand-outs with!

[Just a side note, or in this case, a "bottom" note: this is not a "thrifty" project if you don't get your candy for a great deal or have access to a color copier. If this were done at regular retail with the chocolate bar costing 69 cents, the color copy at 39 cents, tape, and sales' tax...each hand-out would cost just over $1 each. That makes a $3 box of cheesy Valentine's seem like a screaming deal. So-check the cost variable first, before you are soaked a lot of cash for something you thought would cute on the cheap!]

Giddy UP!!! It's Round-Up Week at Albertsons!

Round Up week at Albertsons...what does that mean? It's so AwEsOmE--ready for this? All manufacturer's coupons (no quantity limits) are going to be rounded up to $1.00! That means those coupons that you think won't really make that much difference at the end of the receipt...are going to score BIG savings off the total, after all. So, while $1 coupons are great--this is the kind of sale that benefits the little man--as in the littlest price coupons. 10cents, 20cents, 25 cents, 35 cents...all become $1 coupons! [Breathe. Take it in. This could be BIG news if you are a detail-oriented person.]

What does that look like? For example, Campbell's Cream of Something soups are on sale this week for $1 a can. Not a stellar price, or even stock-up worthy. There are coupons in circulation for 40cents off of 2 cans. Now here's the deal: the coupon will automatically be taking to $1 on the 2 cans...meaning that instead of a 20 percent savings of 80cents a can--it's now a 50% savings at 50 cents a can! That's a heck of a deal now!

For weeks that off the double coupon savings...it pays to have the $1/1 coupons that can then be doubled for a savings of $2 on one item. But the key to a GREAT Round Up savings week is to find the lowest valued coupon, say 25 cents off of one item, and then it becomes $1 off of the same item. Another example: Suave Kid's Shampoo is on sale at $1.66 a bottle. There are coupons that save 50 cents on 1. Round that up to a dollar, and each bottle becomes 66 cents each. That is a great price when compared to the regular retail price of $3.49+ a bottle.

For master shoppers, it's all in the planning. For novice shoppers, it's all in the planning. You just have to review the ad and see what it is that you find a great deal and if it's something that your family will use and benefit from. Find the corresponding coupons from your favorite source or reserve...and you are in business! Yee Haw! Save. Save. Save. And since there's no limits--you can buy items in a little or as many amounts you like. It's not a "Buy 10, Save $..." kind of ad.

Have fun and start that three month rotation on items that you routinely purchase, especially when you can get it for 50-90% off!

Starting the Year off Right....Again, again, and again.

I don't set New Year's Resolutions. Never have. Probably never will. I think that life is about progression and evolving into better people then we were last year...and I've decided that I'm not going to keep failing at seeking unattainable loftiness and goals that supersede my present abilities. I just do the best I can within the circumstances I'm faced with. So instead of yearly resolutions, I make daily, hourly, and sometimes--minutely-based resolutions. For example--I decided that if I was going into the cave where a giant of a man was sleeping after a long, double shift on graveyard--I better only going in once. So I put a couple things away, got some clothes, and took a shower while I was in the cave. I didn't really plan or want a shower just then. [Um...awkward.] But my point being that my daily goal and resolution readjusted in an instant because of extenuating circumstances and consideration for someone else.

The reason for not wanting a shower at the crack of dawn versus noon? I was on pinterest again. Not just succumbing to virtual voyeurism, but looking for great ideas for kids lunches. I made huge improvements in the sack lunch department with the new school year starting in 2011. So my lengthy research episodes on pinterest are a totally productive use of time...especially as it has helped me step up the daily grind in the meal planning department and increase the variety in nutritional value of the mid-day meal for the urchins I've been blessed with. I make 25 sack lunches a week. That's FIVE kids needing lunches to take to school for FIVE days a week. Things tended to get a little mundane and boring at times, before I added boxed lunches to our routine. (And just for kicks--I "let" them buy school lunch once every other week. It used to be a weekly event--but with five of them, it was adding up and they were absolutely starving after school).

So I still let them buy lunch occasionally, but the reason is that I give myself permission to take a break now and again. But I get a couple that remind me that I need to make their lunch the next day! Bentos have inspired me to try things besides the classic PB&J and Ham and Cheese sandwiches. In today's lunch, they got rotisserie chicken, lettuce, and cheddar cheese wrapped in a spinach tortilla. I put ranch dressing in the container and filled the rest of the space with pretzels, baby carrots, blueberries, and a chocolate covered graham cracker. Before the box inspiration--I don't think I would have done a wrap-style sandwich for a sack lunch since it would have been a bit "awkward" to wrap and pack. Now I love pinwheel sandwiches and sandwiches on a stick!

Back to pinterest.... So at the beginning of the school year I saw these great lunches being made in Bento Boxes. Little works of art!! And what a great way to introduce and get kids to eat a vast variety of whole goodness! But I'm cheap. Not with food, but with food containers!! I didn't want to spend a fortune buying five bento boxes, because inevitably, one would get lost and then I'd be the mean mom for deciding who didn't get a Bento for lunch! I just don't go there. Cheap=replacable.

But, Bento boxes--I LOVE them!! The ideas are endless and aplenty on websites when you google "bento box lunches". But not to be disappointed in my plan, I came across another fabulous find that creates the box without the investment--Ziploc containers!

I invested in the Ziploc containers that have 3 separate compartments in one container called the Divided Rectangle and are $2.37 for a pack of two at Wal-Mart. They are dishwasher safe, making them 100% reusuable! So I purchased several using coupons for save $1 on two. So they worked out to be $1.87 for 2 containers and I was set to start the Bento Box experience for my kids.

I got great ideas on how to creatively fill the spaces from websites like http://www.muffintinmonday.com/, http://easylunchboxes.smugmug.com/, and http://blog.superhealthykids.com/. There are dozens of other great websites and blogs to research that I found on pinterest...courtesy of great visual aids. I just refer back to them off my board as I look for fresh ideas.

Who knew that hard-boiled eggs would be so much fun in a sack lunch?!? If you put a rubber band around the peeled egg lengthwise--it divets into the shape of a heart! Ummm!! Totally CuTe and how fun that would be for Valentine's Day!

I purchased mini skewers at Cash-n-Carry and started doing fun things like cheese and meat on the skewers. They fit perfectly at an angle inside the Ziploc container. I fill in the sides with vegetables and put ranch dressing in the smallest compartment of the container. Fabulous ideas I've researched have really helped me make healthier eating fun! Fruit Kabobs! Bagel Kabobs! Pizza Kabobs! The Bobs are endless!!

I like to buy ham and turkey from the deli case at Costco that is in the solid chunks. Then I cube them and make my luscious bobs with the variety I want.

I found another FUN idea that I'm getting the sewing machine out to make today!

I never thought of sewing on plastic until I saw a Raisin costume made from black garbage bags and a sewing machine. I must have been so overawed with the garbage bag that I never thought of sandwich bags--but I think that this is a real WiNnEr in the FUN category of great school lunches. Our school asks the kids to bring snacks to eat throughout the day up until 4th grade. Talk about a "talking" point for being just plain creative!

Another friend expressed a conflict of trying to get kids to pack their own lunches and not having the rush to get them made with proper nutritional variety and options. I know that when I've let the boys make their own lunches...I find chips, crackers, pop, and candy as the core of their meal. That requires some Mom-intervention with a sandwich, some kind of fruit or vegetable, and a protein. Great Lunch-makers are not born! They are trained. And I think I've found another way to make this transition easier on the road to responsible children!

I'm totally into freezer meals. But the highlight of my "pinteresting" today: Freezer SANDWICHES!! Holy Cow! Talk about Smart. Brilliant. Fast!!

http://bestorganizingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/radical-way-to-organize-school-lunches.html
This blogger talks about making lunches ONCE a week--by making all the sandwiches and treats on Sunday night and then freezing them. She wraps the sandwiches and cookies in foil and labels them with a sharpie marker, before putting them in the freezer. The kids just take the items from the freezer and place in the bag each morning. The sandwich is thawed by lunch time and the meal is stress-free! I LOVE her way of thinking and I'm going to start implementing this in our routine as a way to lighten the load. Crazy mornings won't get crazier if lunch is already made and waiting for them!

Not everything freezes well, so I found another website that goes through some of the things that work and don't work. My goal was to make things easier, not gross and wasteful! And it's always good to remember that "homemade" is not always cheaper, but it's better to eat less processed and refined foods when available. http://www.favoritefreezerfoods.com/frozen-sandwiches.html

**I also like to buy the small 1-2oz plastic containers and lids from the Cash-n-Carry that I can put dips and sauces in for fruits and vegetables. And for the really thrifty--the 4oz containers are wonderful if you like to make salads or homemade puddings. A plastic spoon and disposable containers make for easy clean-up and no more forgetfulness! [I know. I know. Totally goes against the green movement. But until it's outlawed...it's still an option ;) ]

Lunch. Not exactly my New Year's Resolution. But definitely something that I've been working on that I've gotten better at. It doesn't have to be boring and mundane. Now--I'm not the note-writing Diva with the beautiful napkins and lipstick kisses on the brown bag--but my kids look forward to lunch away from home as much as when they are home. So I'm satisfied with the improvements for now. I just can't wait to be inspired with the other great ideas that are being shared! New and creative ideas have equalled saving more time, money, and stress for me. So WORTH the effort!!

Thought for the Day

Did You Survive the Weekend?

As if there is more to say about Black Friday! It seems as though it made quite a fiscal statement, if not, a comical one on the fabric of this fine nation!

And it's not done yet! Roll over, Black Friday--it's time for Cyber Monday! I've been roaming the web and seeing all the articles about how uber-successful Black Friday was this year. That's good news, right? Although I'm not really understanding how that is possible in our cruddy economy and such--but the amazing numbers tell a very different story. http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daniel-gross/black-friday-boom-masks-physical-retailers-desperation-125410165.html

I think that the cartoons also given a hysterical perspective on what some actually went through to acquire the greatest deals!

Did you see the story about the fanatical shopper using pepper spray at a crowded Wal-Mart on Friday morning? That was a new low for the hottest shopping day of the year. Some people just have to ruin it for everyone, don't they?! And it was all for a lousy XBOX. Doesn't she know that was SO last year? [Sigh...] http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/police-10-injured-at-wal-mart-as-woman-pepper-sprays-customers-seeking-black-friday-deals/2011/11/25/gIQAiqjcuN_story.html- It makes you almost wonder if peoples' hearts can turn black on this particular shopping day in the year. Sounds a tad bit grinchy, if you ask me.
Now let's talk about the green frenzy that was going on! I got the most amazing deals this year! Sonicare toothbrushes for under $10 bucks. Yep. How? They were on sale at Rite Aid for $34.99, producing a $5 Up reward (good on any future purchase). So the discount went like this: $34.99-$5 UP Reward-$10 manufacturer's coupon-$10 mail-in rebate! It was stellar. Super-duper deals!!

I took a few hours out of the long weekend festivities, and hung out at the local Walgreen's taking advantage of their $58 in items that were free thanks to register rewards. Most of which I will be able to use in personal hygiene kits for the local shelters my family donates to. Men's' 5-blade razors that are normally $9.99+ a piece, were a smokin' hot deal for 99cents a piece. So I had to get a few. Ok. I got a lot. They will be a great addition to the kits for the men's shelter downtown.

So I may not have dragged home a flat panel TV for $150 or a miscellaneous gadget from the bottom of the lake of piranha shoppers...but I had the nicest cashiers, shortest lines, and scored some of the best deals without a single bad experience in my three-day shopping haul. I got bags of socks, blankets, shoes, Rubbermaid containers, toys, and xx-xxx (can't say because certain family members read this blog and are getting it for Christmas). And don't forget the loads of toiletries and personal items at my favorite stores. It was a FABULOUS Black Friday--that made my heart flutter and left me with some green for another day. Black Friday, and Black Thursday, and even Blacker Saturday ROCK!!

On a more personal note--during our holiday feast, we have a family tradition that we started not too many years back. As parents, we wanted to impress upon our kids that we weren't just having a HUGE dinner, but were actually taking part in a very special anniversary of sorts. It was a national day of Thanksgiving and remembrance for providence and free living. To honor the pilgrims and their plight for a land in which they were free to worship, we had everyone at the table say three things that they were thankful for. Now, you have to remember--seven children can come up with some pretty amusing things to be grateful for. But most of the answers were heartfelt and thoughtful. Food, family members, and friends topped the lists.

When it was my turn...I was ready! Family. Freedom. And, last, but not least-I am thankful for Coupons! Everyone laughed. But I was serious! Almost everything that they were eating was purchased with a coupon. I had been free to pay the almost free purchase price. And the people that I love the most were eating the good finds--my family.
I know I could list dozens of more things that I am also grateful for. But the things that are on the very top of my list all start with the letter F and not Letter C...sorry, coupons. I'm thankful for a Father in Heaven that loves me, a Fantastic Family, the Finest Friends, Food, [Yes...food, food, food--in all it's yummy and delicious combinations], Five great kids, Funds, and FUN! I guess coupons fall in the last category because they really are a lot of fun when you realize all the things that you can do with them to save money and move good works along!

Now that the turkey is gone, and the massive shopping is done...it must be time to start decorating for the next celebration. Bring it on!!

Welcome to the Jungle!!

The countdown to the biggest shopping day of the year is just a matter of days away. It's been fashionably deemed "Black Friday" because that's when, supposedly, retail stores are back on the profit side of their financial ledgers. But what it really should be called is GREEN Friday! Because that is what the stores are hoping that you roll in with. Well. Black is the new green, right?

Getting a great deal sways many a harried customer between the volumes of mercantile contenders. In the past, I've been a leader amongst the packs of pre-dawn shoppers. No lion--(deliberate spin on words)--the thought of beating the sun up this year makes me positively want to roll over and take a cat nap! I must be becoming an old lioness, because the thrill of the hunt has slightly waned for me (possibly due to awesome Internet sales and savvy coupon purchases throughout the year)...but I'm still driven to chase the odd deal, here and there. So--with a widdled down game plan and goal in mind, it's still amusing to see those with more prowess and vigor angling and planning their saving frenzies!

I used to look forward to that fat Thanksgiving newspaper to pour over all the store ads and post-Turkey day deals. Mass media has come a long way...and most store ads are available online a long time before the newspaper even hits the driveway! I've already scoped the ads via the Black Friday websites, and I've narrowed my shopping plan down to a total of four stores--and possibly spread out over 2-3 days, no less. Stores are getting bolder with their solicitations and self-promoting; going as far as to open earlier and earlier on Friday, if not an actual day or two before.

The super sales used to be the highlight of just the Friday after Thanksgiving. Fiscal cut-backs and shake-ups have turned many into savings predators in the hopes to help make their financial ends meet. It has also driven the retail stores to not only slash their prices, but lure you in earlier and earlier, in the hopes that you will spend all your money in their store before the competition even wakes up!

Stores are stretching their sale days from one, to two or three.  Some still have sales that are limited to just hours.  So plan your excursions in accordance to the times of the sales.  You don't want to miss the great sock-fest at Freddies' because you are in the eternal line at Wal-Mart!  Back in the day...the day after Thanksgiving sale at Fred Meyer was advertised as a "four hour sale"--because it started at the store opening of 7am and ended at 11am. But somewhere in the mid-90's, it went to 6am...and finally, now 5am. It's now a "six hour sale"...with the same standard items on sale every year; like 50% off of all socks, Rubbermaid, towels, and certain household items.

My man doesn't mind being my get-away driver at stores that I can run in and get out quickly or to ones where we may also be having a joint adventure. But if any of the stores are: Michael's', Jo Ann's, or some other crafty store--I'm must hunt alone because the King of my jungle can only handle one crazy woman at a time! The rest of you make him want to RoAr!!

With many stores moving their opening times back, earlier and earlier, some as early as Thanksgiving Day or even midnight--it would be helpful to create a shopping strategy to maximize your savings and return for the money spent! There should be a method to the madness and desire to face mobs of people for the latest and greatest gadgets or toys. Where are the best deals? Target. Wal-Mart. Shopko? The Mall? Oh...the choices are limitless.

Strategize and limit your time to the stores that really have what you want. Is half of the city going to one store? Great! But I don't even want to go there! Google the stores where it's predicted to be a madhouse. See what people are going to be fighting for.  Are they what you are wanting as well?  And just remember...People literally die for flat screen TVs and handheld attention grabbers. Was that worth the savings? No thanks. Too painful and annoying for this old lioness.

Tips: If you are determined to be a great hunter...make a plan or a map. I suggest you walk the stores that you are going to shop for the Black Friday sales ahead of time. See where they are stocking the items you want. Create a map (in your head or on paper), of the best way to navigate the aisles if every one of your neighbors and their relatives are also there. Unless you are buying gifts for the entire orphanage--skip the cart and go on foot. It's faster that way. You will get caught in huge pile-ups of cart pushers and lose time if you become lane-locked! You will be able to get in and out of strategic locations faster. So--if you plan on purchasing a lot, take a shopping tote and run through the jungle without wheels!

Sometimes it pays to have someone watching your back or waiting in the line for you to pay. Shopping in twos with a game plan will save lots of time and frustration before the sun even rises! Walkie-talkies? Maybe in the good 'ol days. Cell phones are a must if working in teams to score the hottest items.

Limit your stores to a selected few. WHAT? Did I just say that it's insane at the crack of dawn? There's going to be LONG lines, grouchy people, and empty shelves. Pick your battles and you might stand a chance of staying nice sane. I'd rather wait an hour in one line for everything I want, then 3 lines for an hour each, for only a couple of items. Think of your wasted time in terms of how much your time is worth compared to what you are really saving. If it's only a couple of dollars savings--don't waste the hour! But if you are saving hundreds...it just might be worth having someone along to talk to while you watch the rest of the shoppers making their way to the front of the store!

Where am I going? Process of elimination has concluded...Fred Meyer, Costco, Rite Aid, and Walgreen's.  I know there are deals at the "man" stores, the mall, and most retail hijackers! But with limited time frames and sell-out pricing...they just aren't worth my sanity or dollar, especially with my mad couponing skills! While the lioness is getting lazier in her old age, the lion has an even less tolerance for retail chaos. So Fred Meyer and Costco are his limit, and only if accompanied by his soothing lioness.  I already know that I'm going to be a lone hunter shopper on Thursday morning (if not accompanied by a cub or two)....at Rite Aid and Walgreen's. I'm hoping that the radio ditty will hold true and that there won't be long lines or a full parking lot!  I have no patience with being less productive--especially if dinner's waiting!

Yes!! The drug store chains are open Thanksgiving Day--or at least from 9-6pm. So while many of you will be busy in the kitchen on Thursday morning...I'm going to be busy at the cash register because there are some deals that are just too good to pass up.  Walgreen's' has almost 20 items that will be free after Register Rewards. I can handle that. I'm also hoping to accrue a lot of those little marvels to use the following week so that I can generate some Jingle Cash in a hurry.

Last tip of the day: pre-assemble or pre-mix your casseroles and side dishes on Tuesday or Wednesday, so that they are ready to bake on Thursday. I'm using Glad Ovenware for my casseroles so that their uniform shape will take up less room in the fridge beforehand. The "work" done ahead of the big feast will save so much time and effort getting the food from the oven to the plate--especially if I'm out shopping before dinner. Less chaos in the kitchen equals a more pleasant meal and celebration.

So, to all those savvy jungle bargain shoppers--Happy Thanksgiving--and here's to having a grateful heart and helping hands--this Holiday season!

Jingle--All the Way!

Walgreen's' is having their Jingle Cash promotion again this year. That's were you can earn additional savings qualified by the dollar amount of your purchases to be used the following week at the store.

Get $ 5 Jingle Cash when you buy $30

Get $ 10 Jingle Cash when you buy $50

Get $ 15 Jingle Cash when you buy $75

Get $ 20 Jingle Cash when you buy $100

There are a few rules about how to earn the bonus "cash". Jingle Cash is earned on the amount spent after all applicable discounts (i.e., employee discount, AARP, in-ad coupons) have been deducted. Jingle Cash is earned on the amount spent before any manufacturer coupons or register rewards are deducted
Jingle Cash is earned on the amount spent before any taxes are added.
Save the Jingle Cash and use it on qualifying purchases of $30 or more the following week:

Jingle Cash earned 12/4-12/10 Can be redeemed 12/11-12/17
Jingle Cash earned 12/11-12/17 Can be redeemed 12/18-12/21

Jingle Cash can only be redeemed on a purchase of $30 +Only one Jingle Cash coupon may be redeemed per transaction. [If you have more than one Jingle Cash, make sure that you divide your transactions up into the number of Jingles that you have. Save, Save, Save!] Qualifying Purchases exclude Gift cards, Phone cards, Prepaid cards, Prescriptions, Dairy, Items prohibited by law, Tobacco, Alcoholic beverages, Sales tax, Lottery tickets, Money orders / transfers, Transportation passes, Postage stamps, Prescription savings club membership, Healthcare services, Charitable contributions.

If you need more information on what this program is or what qualifying purchases means...go to http://www.walgreens.com/.