Monday, July 30, 2012

10 Tips for Back-to-School Savings

10 Tips for Back-to-School Savings


It's that time of  year again.  School is just around the corner which ushers in the 2nd biggest retail shopping time of the year.  According to the National Retail Federation, the average family with children in grades K-12 will spend $688.62 on clothes, supplies & electronics up from $603.63 last year.  Total sales are estimated to be over $30.3 billion!

So how can you save on back to school clothes, supplies & electronics?  I have 10 tips to share with you that can save you big bucks!

  1.  Shop at home first!  Before you go out shopping to fulfill teachers' lists, check what you have left from last year.  Pencils, pens, paper & binders can often be used for more then 1 year.  Take inventory of everything you have on hand.  Same goes for clothes.  Have your children try on their clothes to see what still fits them.  We only buy what's needed to start the school year since children tend to outgrow their clothes & shoes half way through the year.  It actually works out great, since that half way point falls around the holidays(or slightly after) when you can score some awesome deals!
  2.  Make a list and a budget and keep it with you at all times!  You never know when you might stumble across a great deal while your out.
  3. Shop around town and don't limit yourself to one store!  Many stores will offer what the retail industry calls “loss leaders,” such as notebooks and pens for pennies on the dollar, as a way to lure you into the store(with hopes that you'll grab a big ticket item too...resist!).  Watch for flyers and advertisements from big-box stores like Walmart, Target, Staples and Office Depot for their specials.
  4. Sign up for e-mail alerts from your favorite discounters and be ready to jump when you get one. Many will offer one-day specials. Keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for those offers, also.
  5. Buy in bulk. This is a good time of the year to stock up on supplies you’ll need all year and many items come with deep discounts when they’re bought in bulk. Don’t want to have the stuff sitting around the house for the entire school term? Find a neighbor, friend or family member who will split the spoils.
  6. Wait till after Labor Day — or even later — to find deeper discounts, especially on clothes, as retailers look to unload unsold inventory, cutting 50% to 75% off full price.
  7.  Go to coupons sites like Coupons.com, Savings.com, CouponCabin.com or MyCoupons.com to download coupons that match your needs. Remember that most retailers also will offer coupons on their own sites.
  8. Consider alternative means of collecting the goods you need. Look at second-hand shops and garage sales, which often sell never-worn clothes and items, even with the tags still on. 
  9. Many states have tax-free holidays around the start of school. Make sure to check whether your state has a tax free holiday and go shopping during those times.(PA is not one of them)
  10. Most importantly-- Stick to what is Needed!  Stick to your list! Your kids will try to convince you that they have to have a certain item when they see it. If you already have the final list and the item is not on it you can easily explain to your kids that it is not really needed. 

Live Frugal.  Live Happy.

Rite Aid Deals 7/29-8/4

Rite Aid Deals 7/29-8/4

Thanks to Tammy at Lady Savings for this week's Rite Aid Deals!


Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel – $3
$1/2 or 75¢/1 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel from 7/1 PG (exp 7/31)
Pay: $2.25, Get Back $3 +Up (limit 2)
Final Price: Free + 74¢ money maker

Aquafresh Toothpaste 5.6-6 oz – $1.99
75¢/1 Aquafresh Training Toothpaste printable
or $1/1 AquaFresh Fresh ‘n Fruity printable
or $1/1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste printable
or $1/1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste or Iso-Active Foaming Gel from 5/6 RP (exp 7/29)
Stack with: $1/1 Aquafresh Aug. Video Value (available 7/29)
Final Price: as low as FREE

Crest Pro-Health Rinse 473 mL – 1 Liter – $5
Buy (1) 1-liter Crest Pro-Health and (1) 500 ml Crest Pro-Health Rinse
$1/1 Crest Rinse from 7/1 PG (exp 7/31)
and FREE Crest Rinse (500-ml.) wyb Crest Rinse (946-ml.+) from 7/29 PG
or 75¢/1 Crest Rinse from 7/1 PG (exp 7/31)
Pay $4, Get Back (2) $3 +Up (limit 2)
Final Price: Free + $2 Money Maker! 

Super Poligrip 0.75 oz – $1.99
Submit $1.99 SCR
Valid 7/29-8/4 Only
Final Price: FREE

Visine (prices start at $4.99)
$2 off Visine in-ad coupon
Stack with: $3/1 Visine Multi-Symptom Relief printable
or $1/1 Visine A Product printable
or $1/1 Visine Product from 4/15 SS (exp 7/31)
or  $2/1 Visine or Visine Soothing Wipes from 6/10 RP
Final Price:  as low as FREE!

Lanacane – $5
Get $5 +Up (limit 1)
Final Price: Free

Please visit Lady Savings for a complete list of deals!

Live Frugal.  Live Happy.

CVS Deals 7/29-8/4

CVS Deals 7/29-8/4

Thanks to Tammy at Lady Savings for this week's CVS Deals!


AccuChek Nano Smartview Blood Glucose Monitor $9.99
$10/1 Accu-Chek Nano Smartview System from 7/29 RP
Final Price:  FREE  

Buy $12 in Suave Products, Get $4 ECB
Limit 1

Body Wash 12 oz $2 each
 75¢/1 Suave Body Wash
50¢/1 Suave Body Wash printable

–Invisible Deodorant solid 1.4 oz $1
50¢/1 Suave Deodorant Product from 7/29 RP
50¢/1 Suave Deodorant printable
–Suave Naturals Body Lotion $3
50¢/1 Suave Body Lotion printable
25¢/1 Suave Body Lotion Product from 7/29 RP
–Suave Professionals, Kids or Stylers $1.75
25¢/1 Suave Professionals Men Product from 7/29 RP
25¢/1 Suave Kids Product from 7/29 RP
*The Suave coupons from the 7/29 have a limit of 2 per transaction.
Dean Scenario:

Buy 2 Body Wash 12 oz $2 each = $4
Use: (2) 75¢/1 Suave Body Wash (subtracts $1.50)
Buy 2 Invisible Deodorant solid 1.4 oz $1 = $2
Use: (2) 50¢/1 Suave Deodorant Product from 7/29 RP or printable (subtracts $1)
Buy 1 Suave Naturals Body Lotion $3
Use: (1) 50¢/1 Suave Body Lotion printable (subtracts 50¢)
Buy 2 Suave Professionals, Kids or Stylers $1.75 = $3.50
Use: (2) 25¢/1 Suave Professionals Men Product from 7/29 RP (subtracts 50¢)
OR (2) 25¢/1 Suave Kids Product from 7/29 RP
Pay: $9 and get back $4 ECB
Final Price: $5 for 7 products (71¢ each!) 

Dawn Dish Soap 99¢
Limit 6

50¢/1 Dawn Product from 7/29 PG
25¢/1 Dawn Product from 7/1 PG (Exp 7/31)
Final Price:  as low as 49¢ after coupon

Please visit Lady Savings for a complete list of deals!


Live Frugal.  Live Happy.

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 18

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 18


Good Morning!  I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Ours was very busy, but we got a ton of work done.

Assignment #18

The Fridge

Ah, the fridge.  I try to keep it neat & clean but I always end up seeing drips and crumbs just days after I clean it.  I guess there's no way to avoid it.  It's bound to happen.

Start by removing all food from your fridge.  You can put in a cooler so it won't spoil or you can just work at lightning speed, like I do!  Once everything is out, do a "freshness audit", tossing out anything that is sketchy or questionable.  

Next, remove all shelving, drawers and anything else that lifts or pops out.  Be careful with the glass pieces.  Set them aside for now so that the glass can get closer to room temperature. Use a clean soapy rag or a 50/50 mixture of vinegar & water to clean the inside of the fridge.  Because food is stored here, do not use harsh cleaners.  No bleach, No 409, No Mr. Clean!  If you won't clean your plates with it, then don't use to clean your fridge!  Be sure to get the top, bottom and all the small crevices.

If you used soapy water, rinse well using diluted vinegar.  This will remove any soap left behind.  Vinegar will deodorize your fridge as it cleans.

Wash all shelves & drawers in warm soapy water.  Rinse well and dry.  Do a quick wipe down with your 50/50 vinegar & water too.  Your glass shelves will look great!

Put everything back into the fridge as promptly as possible.  Add a freshly opened box of baking soda to keep it smelling fresh & clean.

Special Cleaning:

The Gasket

You know that rubber thing around your fridge door that keeps it sealed nice and tight?  It gets really dirty and can even grow mold & mildew.  It's very important to clean the gasket regularly.  Follow these steps while your fridge is empty:

  1.  Begin by wiping the gasket down to remove as much dirt as possible.
  2.  Fill a small spray bottle with undiluted hydrogen peroxide.
  3.  Spray the gasket well while opening it open with your fingers.  Be careful because you can rip the gasket.
  4.   Allow peroxide to sit for several minutes.
  5.  Wipe away with a clean cloth.  Use cotton swabs to get down into the cervices
  6.  When all dirt, mildew and mold are gone wipe the gasket down with your vinegar solution to remove any residue.
It does take a few extra minutes to clean the gasket, but trust me, it's worth it!


To learn how to clean the coils, please check out this post at One Good Thing By Jillee!

Check back tonight at 9pm for my results & linky!

Live Frugal.  Live Happy.



Friday, July 27, 2012

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 17 Results

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 17 Results


I have to admit, this isn't going to be an exciting update on my part.  It's storming here and the hubster is giving me the evil eye because I should be shutting down the pc.  So I'm going to make this very short & sweet.

Our laundry area isn't big and certainly isn't pretty.  But that doesn't mean it can't be neat & tidy.  My washer & dryer were both covered with bottles and a stack of rags I washed awhile ago.  

Here's my before picture:


I know...I know...it's a mess.

I took everything off and cleaned both machines.  Then I got rid of empty bottles and condensed nearly empty ones.  I put away the stack of rags & extra dish towels(I have these for making pumpkin rolls).  

I'm very happy with the end result.  It's clean and as organized as this area gets for me!

I hope you all have a fun & relaxing weekend!

Check back at 10 am on Monday for the next assignment!

Live Frugal.  Live Happy.

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 17

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 17


Good Morning!  Now that we are back on track and caught up from my mistake last week, we can move on to assignment #17.  I picked an easy assignment(I hope) since we have plans to spend most of our day at the pool.  Hopefully the sun will come out soon!

Assignment #17

Laundry Area or Room

We don't have a dedicated laundry room.  Just our washer & dryer in the basement and a table for folding.  But it still gets messy down there.  Today we are going to get it cleaned up & organized.

 Take everything off the top of the washer and dryer, such as detergent, spot cleaner and softener(trust me, mine is covered with bottles).   Clean the top of them well.  I constantly end up with drips & drops of detergent on mine.  Go through all your bottles and recycle or reuse any that are empty.  Many people make their own detergent, so empty bottles can come in handy.  Do not reuse these bottles for food items!

Now just put everything back in an orderly fashion.  You may want to add baskets or bins to keep everything contained and neat.  

For detailed information on how to clean the inside of your washer and dryer, check out these articles from One Good Thing By Jillee:


All of these articles are very informative.  The Dryer article even features tips from a firefighter mom!  It time allows today, I'll will be following the directions for the front loader and dryer!

Check back tonight at 9 pm for my results & linky!

Live Frugal.  Live Happy.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 12 Results

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 12 Results


I learned something today while doing this assignment.  It's very hard to take a good picture of the inside of a drawer.  Especially if it's a high dresser.  Sorry about the shoddy pictures, but I did do my best.

This assignment went well but honestly I was dreading it and I really had to push myself to get started and to finish.  It was just one of those days around here.  The kids fought nonstop.  We had storms off and on.  When it's gloomy, I get tired.  I pushed through all that today and got to work.

It wasn't as bad I was thought it was going to be.  I got all of drawers done in about 40 minutes.  I trashed quite a bit of old raggy clothes and underclothes.

Here are my before pictures:


My PJ drawer.


The hubster's PJ drawer.

As I said, I'm not showing pictures of all my drawers.  I just picked these two.  After all, do you really want to see my hub's underwear?  I doubt it!

Both of these drawers were really messy.  I think mine was worse then his for a change.  I took everything out the drawers one at a time  I dusted the inside and sorted through the clothes.  Then I just refolded the "keep" pile and placed them back into the drawers as neat as possible.

Here are my after pictures:


Much better!

Check back tomorrow at 9am for the next assignment!  Expect an easy one since we plan to spend most of our day at the pool!

I hope these assignments are helping you as much as they are helping me.  Please leave a me comment and let me know how it's going!  I would really love to hear from you!


Live Frugal.  Live Happy.

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 12

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 12



I'm sure you are wondering why we are going backwards.  Well, it's because I made a pretty harebrained mistake last week.  I wrote the post for assignment #12, but I never posted it.  Ugh!  It was a pretty crazy day with my husband coming home from work sick.  I guess posting just slipped my mind.   So...today we are going to catch up and get back on track!

Assignment #12

Dresser Drawers-Master Bedroom

Today we're going to tackle the master bedroom dresser drawers.  For some, this may be a huge task.  For others, it may not be so bad.

Start by removing all the clothing from one drawer.  You can quickly dust or vacuum the drawer if you chose to.  Sort through the articles of clothing, setting aside a pile for donation and a pile for trash.  After you sort, place everything back into the drawer in an orderly fashion.  Now, just rinse & repeat with all the other drawers.

Need an idea for how to reorganize your drawers?  Check out this post from Simple Organized Living.  What a clever way to store clothes!  I think I may give it a try!

Check back tonight at 9 pm for my results and linky!  And I promise not to bombard you with before & after pictures of ALL my drawers, just a few!

Live Frugal.  Live Happy.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 16 Results

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 16 Results


Today's assignment was very easy & simple.  I got it done in about 15 minutes.  It was horrible mess when I started.  Part of the reason it gets so messy is because a certain 3 1/2 year old loves to play in there.  She takes everything out and sits inside playing kitchen!  It's really cute!

Here's my before picture:

Wow!  Like I said...disaster!  I took everything out and wiped the cabinet down well.  While it was drying I went through all my containers.  I made sure they all had lids.  I did get rid a few that I think the hubster used in the microwave and ruined.  

Earlier today I ran into The Dollar Tree to grab something to keep all my larger lids together and organized.  It worked out really well.


At least they won't be scattered about the cabinet now making it impossible to find the one I want.  I know this won't last but I'm pretty use to that!


Neat and organized...for now!

Check back tomorrow at 10 am for the next assignment!

I hope these assignments are helping you as much as they are helping me.  Please leave a me comment and let me know how it's going!  I would really love to hear from you!



Live Frugal.  Live Happy.

Quick & Easy Chicken Quesadillas

Quick & Easy Chicken Quesadillas


Chicken Quesadillas are one of my favorite dishes.  This recipe is quick, easy and tasty.  The best part is you don't even need a quesadilla maker!





Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts, cubed(about 1 pound)
1 teaspoon oil(I used canola)
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped(any color is fine)
1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning(I make my own)
2 tablespoons water
salt & pepper to taste
3/4 cup Mexican Cheese, shredded
4 burrito sized tortillas(can use larger tortillas if desired)
1 teaspoon butter







Directions:

Add oil to a large pan and heat to medium.  Add chicken.  Salt and pepper to taste. Cook until juices run clear, about 5-7 minutes.




Add peppers & onions to the pan and cook for 3 minutes.



Reduce heat.  Add taco seasoning & water.  Cook for about 5 minutes.
Remove for heat and set aside.


Heat griddle to medium heat.  Lightly butter one side of a tortilla.  Place buttered side down on the griddle.  Add enough filling to cover one half of the tortilla.  Add 1/3 of the cheese.



This is the tricky part.  Flip the empty side of the tortilla over the filling.  Using your spatula, press down on the quesadilla.  Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute.  Check to see if the underside is browned.  Flip the tortilla over and cook for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute until lightly browned.




Remove quesadilla from pan.  Cut in half.  Serve with desired toppings such as salsa, sour cream, lettuce & guacamole.  This recipe makes 3 burrito sized quesadillas.




Live Frugal.  Live Happy.











Giant Eagle Match Up 7/26-8/1

Giant Eagle Match Up 7/26-8/1

Thanks to Tammy at Lady Savings for this week's Giant Eagle match ups!


Key: *** Good Deals, **** Great Deals, ***** Stock Up Deals

$5 OYNO wyb $20 in participating products below:
 
Coke or Sprite 20 packs $6
$1/2 from 5/15 SS or Giant Eagle eOffer
Final Price: $5.50 each wyb 2  or $4.25 each wyb 4 after catalina!

Eggo Waffles $2.50 ($3 shelf)
Final Price: As low as $1.88 each wyb 8 after catalina

Famous Amos Cookies $2 (Up to $2.99 shelf)
Final Price: As low as $1.50 each wyb 10 after catalina

Sunshine Cheez-Its $2 (Up to $2.99 shelf)
*facebook coupon is for larger size
Final Price: As low as $1.50 each wyb 10 after catalina

Keebler Sandwich Crackers $2 (Up to $2.99 shelf)
Final Price: As low as $1.50 each wyb 10 after catalina

Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes $3 (Up to $4.79 shelf)
70¢/1 from 7/8 RP
$1/3 Printable or from 6/24 RP
Final Price: As low as $1.60 each or 89¢ each wyb 7 after catalina

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes $3 (Up to $4.79 shelf)
$1/3 Printable
$1/2 Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Crispix and/or FiberPlus Cereals 
Final Price: $2.50 each wyb 2 or $1.87 each wyb 7 after catalina

Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts 8ct. $1.88 ($2.50 Shelf price)
$1/3 Printable or from 6/24 RP
Final Price: $1.55 each wyb 3 or $1.15 each wyb 11 after catalina

Special K Bars (big pack) $4.50 (Up to $6.19 Shelf price)
Final Price:  $3.50 each wyb 5 after catalina

Rice Krispies Treats (big pack) $4.50 (Up to $6.19 Shelf price)
Final Price:  $3.50 each wyb 5 after catalina

Fiber Plus Bars $4.50 (Up to $6.19 Shelf price)
70¢/1 Printable
75¢/1 from 6/17 RP
Final Price:  $3  or $2 each wyb 5 after catalina

Gold Peak Iced Tea $2 ($2.50 Shelf price)
Final Price: $1.50 each wyb 10 after catalina

Please visit Lady Saving for a complete list of match ups! 

Live Frugal.  Live Happy.

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 16

Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Home--Day 16

Good Morning!

Assignment #16

Tupperware Cabinet

I don't know about you, but my Tupperware cabinet is ALWAYS a mess!  And it probably contains maybe one piece actual Tupperware.  But I always call food storage containers Tupperware.  Bad habit, I know.

Start by taking everything out of the cabinet.  Clean the cabinet and allow to dry well.  Next go through your containers.  Purge anything that is old, damaged or missing a lid.  When you begin to put your containers back int to the cabinet, think about the ones you use most often.  Try to leave those in the front if possible.  Stack the containers as orderly as possible.  I know this can be a real challenge.  I have several containers that just do not stack well with others. 

Now, what about those lids?  They seem to end up scattered all over the cabinet.  I'm going to stop at the Dollar Tree and pick up a plastic basket in attempt to contain mine.  Another idea is to stack the lids as orderly as possible, then store them upright in your cabinet. 

Frugal Tip:  If you find some containers that you no longer use for food storage consider re-purposing them for use elsewhere.  I have a small one in my laundry area to collect spare change.  Reuse if possible!

Check back tonight at 9 pm for my results & linky!

Live Frugal.  Live Happy.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Challenge: 30 days to an Organized Home--Day 15 Results

Challenge: 30 days to an Organized Home--Day 15 Results


Today's assignment went really good.  I didn't take pictures underneath the beds.  I didn't think they would come out to good.  Instead I took pictures of my storage containers.  

Here are the before pictures:




All three of these containers are for my son & daughter.  Many people give me clothes for our son, but most don't fit him yet.  My daughter's bin was stuff I waiting for her to grow into.  However, the season never worked out right with the sizes.  We actually have a very large bin of clothes for her in our basement.  My wonderful cousin gave them all to us!  How generous and thoughtful!

Back to the assignment.  I went through each bin removing any clothes that no longer fit.  I cleaned under the beds using the vacuum hose the best I could.  Moving beds right after recovering from an injury didn't seem like a good idea.   I'll have to get the hubster to assist me with that task soon.  

Here are my after picutres:


This is Riley's bin.  It's nearly empty now!  But that's mean I can get in the basement bin and pull out anything that will fit her this fall and store them here.  Excess storage makes me one happy lady!


This is Roman's first bin.  We will be using half of this bin next month for back to school clothes!  There are several short sleeved uniform shirts to start the year off and a pair of shorts too.  In the Spring, I bought him a few sweatshirts that are 2 sizes too big.  However, they were $1.50 each on clearance.  He can wear them one day!


This is Roman's 2nd bin that lives under our bed.  It was stuffed full.  When I went through it, nearly all of the clothes are too small.  I forgot about them.  Shame on me!  All of them were given to us.  I plan to pay it forward and donate every single piece to our local Salvation Army.  

The other two bins we have are all bedding.  I didn't take pictures because I didn't get rid of anything.  I just took them out, refolded and checked that they were full sets and placed them back in the bins.  Nothing exciting at all.  

We do not have a linen closet in our home.  Storing sheets under the bed is very convenient for me.  The only other option is a shelf in our closet that I can't reach without a step stool, so not an option at all!

Now for my donation pile.  I never take a picture of this, but I think one is worthy of recognition!


All that from just 3 under the bed storage containers!  I'll add this to my other donation items and take them to The Salvation Army at one time.

I so happy with the space I freed up by doing this!

I hope these assignments are helping you as much as they are helping me.  Please leave a me comment and let me know how it's going!  I would really love to hear from you!

Check back tomorrow at 10am for the ext assignment!


 
Live Frugal.  Live Happy.

Homemade Taco Seasoning


Taco seasoning is a staple in our house.  We love tacos!  I also use it for Brown Bag Burritos in a pinch if I'm out of one of the spices needed.  I use it to flavor chicken for Quick Quesadillas(recipe coming soon).  I'm sure there are more recipes I'll need it for in the future.  But buying those premixed packets at grocery store really bothers me.  At Giant Eagle, they cost $1.79 each!  That's insane!

This taco seasoning takes a few minutes to mix and uses spices you likely already have.  And the cost...pennies!

 Ingredients:

6 tsp chili powder
4 1/2 tsp cumin
5 tsp paprika
3 tsp onion powder
2 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/8 to 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, depending on how spicy you like it!
1/2 tsp sea salt
 
Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.  Store in an airtight container.
 
To Use:

Use 2-3 tablespoons(depending on how spicy you want it) and 1/2 cup of water per pound of beef or chicken.
Simmer on low for 10 minutes.







That's it!  Isn't that easy? 

I decided to store mine in a Ball jar.  I printed out a small label so I know what's in there and another label for the back with the directions.



I wanted to make enough to fill this jar up, but I ran out of garlic powder.  I soon as I get more I'll be mixing up a double or triple batch!


Live Frugal.  Live Happy.

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