National Waffle Day

Yesterday was national waffle day. Yes you read that right there is such a thing as national waffle day J Well that was all this Momma needed to know in order to break out the waffle iron for dinner. I decided that in celebration of waffles everywhere we would have to make them really special.

Then you tell your children they get to eat this for dinner you might get a face like this.

And then a plate that looks like this.

My five year old ate 5!! My three year old ate three bites and licked the toppings off the rest :-/

Still they had fun and it really made me think. They are small for such a short period of time and I really want them to have good memories of their childhood and remember all the fun times we had together as a family. These silly “holidays” are a great and inexpensive way to make memories with my kids. If you are looking to make your own memories today is National Banana Split Day! I think I’m going to like this! So if you are looking for a reason to celebrate today or any other day you can check the widget that I added to my side bar.

Free and inexpensive Summer Fun

Click here to download the handout with links.

Facebook

Facebook can be a great source for deals and special high value coupons. While you have to be careful because there are a lot of scams on Facebook there are also a lot of really great resources and deals. Currently you can print two high value Nabisco coupons.

$1/1 Box of Triscuits and $1/1 Box of Wheat Thins

(Make sure to hit the back button and reload. Each coupon should print twice)

Periodically I might post coupons and deals you can get through Facebook. I just wanted to give you guys a heads up on this really great resource. You can also follow this blog on Facebook so you’ll never miss a post.

Amanda Woodall Newman likes

Amanda's Couponing Group

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Car Seat Canopy

Back at the beginning of February we welcomed our third child into our family. I have noticed there are so many new things out for babies these days and one I just had to have was a car seat canopy. These attach to the handle of your infant car seat and block the light and wind off your baby. Plus I feel like it is a sign for strangers that says “Yes there is a baby in there and no you cannot touch him!” Anyway I digress. I looked at these on Etsy.com and they are $30 and up plus shipping! I knew I could do it for less than that. I made this one for about $12. All you need is 2 yards of fabric and some Velcro. I probably could have made it even cheaper if I had shopped around a little for the fabric. It probably took me about an hour total to make it. I think it turned out great. I used this tutorial for guidance. I did not make mine reversible. We love ours and I think these would make a great baby shower gift. If you decide to make one please take a picture and send it in!

Amanda

Kroger Deals 3/23-3/29

Kroger is by far my favorite grocery store. I feel like they have good everyday prices so I can get everything I need in one trip even if I need something that *gasp* isn’t on sale! Here are a few things that will probably make it into my cart this week. Some of these deals came from this match-up or you can check out the full ad here

Kroger Value Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Tenderloins, or Thighs $1.99/lb

(I got chicken for $1.49/lb last week but I really like buying tenders)

Jazz Apples $1/lb.

Broccoli $1/lb.

Green Beans $1/lb.

Hormel Little Sizzlers (12 oz) $1

March to Savings
Mix and match any 10 items and get $5 off instantly. Items must be purchased in groups of ten. Prices shown after instant savings

Motrin PM $2.49
- $6/2 Zyrtec, Pepcid, Motrin or Precise Coupon (1/9 SS)
= Free + 51¢ Profit ea.

Aquafresh Training Toothbrush $1
- 50¢/1 Aquafresh Training Toothbrush Printable Coupon
= Free

Annie’s Mac & Cheese 49¢
- 75¢/2 Annie’s Mac & Cheese Peelie Coupons on Boxes (I couldn't find any of these at my store)
= 12¢ ea.

Sunny D 89¢
- 25¢/1 Sunny D Product Coupon (1/16 SS)
= 14¢

Ronzoni Healthy Harvest or Smart Taste Pasta 69¢
- $1/2 Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Coupon (1/23 SS) or Printable Coupon OR
- $1/2 Ronzoni Smart Taste Coupon (1/3 SS) or Printable Coupon
= 19¢ ea.

Kraft Singles $1.49
- $1/2 Kraft Regular Singles Coupon (2/13 SS)
= 99¢ ea.

Bear Naked Trail Mix $1.99
- $1/1 Bear Naked Product Printable Coupon
= 99¢

Kraft Homestyle Mac & Cheese $1.99
- 50¢/1 Kraft Homestyle Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Printable Couponor Printable Coupon
= 99¢

Sprouts Deals 3/23-3/30

I know that not everyone has a Sprouts near them but if you do you can score some amazing produce and meat deals. Okay to be honest the meat deals are not cheaper than I can get meat on sale at Kroger or Albertson’s but I personally like the quality better. Now the produce can be a very good deal. I have to drive a little to get to my store so I only go once or twice a month. My Sprouts does double ad days on Wednesdays so every Wednesday you can get the previous week and the next week’s sale prices. Because of this I always try to go on Wednesday. Here are a few things on sale this week. You can see a full ad here. If you are not sure if you have a Sprouts near you or would like to check out the ad from last week you can check their website here.

Red, White, or Sweet Yellow Onions $.49/lb.

Asparagus $1.88/lb.

Green Onion $.49/ea.

Cilantro $.49/ea.

Radishes $.49/ea.

Gala, Braeburn, Fuji, Jonagold Apples $.88/lb.

Green Beans $.99/lb.

Broccoli $.99/lb.

Cauliflower $.99/ea.

Spinach $.99/ea.

Organic Carrots $.88/lb.

Organic Fuji or Red Delicious Apples $.99/lb

Center Cut Pork Loin Roast $1.97/lb.

***Center Cut Pork Loin Chops are $2.97/lb. but you can make your own by buying a Pork Loin Roast and cutting the chops yourself at home. This might take a few minutes but you save $1 per pound and you can make the chops any thickness you want.***

Check out their ad for a full list of all the specials this week!

Bean-and-Ham Soup

This is my friend Alycia’s recipe for Ham and Bean Soup. To make this more cost effect I like to use dried beans. You can check out this post for direction on how to cook dried beans in a crockpot. This not only makes the recipe less expensive but also healthier since canned beans contain a lot of sodium.

3 (15.8 oz) cans Great Northern Beans, divided
1 (14 oz) can chicken broth divided
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, diced
8 ounces cooked ham, cubed
¼ teaspoon pepper

Melt butter in a Large pot over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add ham, and sauté 10 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring constantly. Rinse and drain beans. Process one-third can of beans and half of chicken broth in a food processor until smooth. I use my immersion blender. Add bean puree, remaining beans, and remaining chicken broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in pepper. Serve immediately.

My kids love this soup and it is a great way to use up leftover ham around the holidays. The ham for our soup this week is Turkey ham that I got on sale at Aldi.

Target Deals 3/20-3/26

Here are a few deals I might stop and get at Target this week. Remember you can use one Target coupon and one manufacture coupon per item at Target. You can see the full match up here

Nabisco Crackers Deal Scenario:
Buy one package of Triscuits 9.5 oz $2
Buy one package of Nabisco Ritz Munchables Pretzel Crisps 12.25 oz $2.33
Buy one package of Nabisco Wheat Thin Stix $2
Buy one package of Nabisco Wheat Thins $2
Total = $8.33
Use the buy 3 get 1 FREE Target store coupon found here
Plus, stack with the $1/1 Triscuits Facebook coupons found here
And use the $1/1 Ritz Munchables coupon found here (use zip 90210)
Use the $1/1 Wheat Thins Stix Facebook coupon found here
Use the $1/1 Wheat Thins crackers coupon found here
Final cost ONLY $2.33 total – just $0.58 per box!

Kraft Shredded Cheese 7-8 oz Bag OR Kraft Touch of Philadelphia $2.04 – $2.54
Use the $1.50/2 Target store coupon found here
Plus, stack with the $1/2 coupon found in the 3/13 SS or found here
Final cost as low as $0.79 each!

Oscar Mayer Carving Board Lunchmeat $3.49
Use the $0.75/1 Target store coupon found here
Plus, use the $2/1 Facebook coupon found here
Final cost only $0.74!

Rayovac Alkaline Batteries (small packages – sold in dollar spot) $1
Use the $1/1 coupon found in the 3/20 SS or here
Final cost FREE!

Circo 1 Pkg Baby/Toddler Socks $1
Use the $1/1 Circo Target store coupon found here
Final cost FREE!

Huggies Little Movers, Snug & Dry, Little Snugglers or Pull Ups Jumbo Packs 2/$16
Use the $2.50/1 Huggies 48 ct or larger Target store coupon found here
Plus, use the $2/1 coupon found in the 2/27 SS or manufacturer’s coupon found on the Target site
Final cost as low as $3.50!
**Keep in mind that the Target coupon is only valid on the 48 ct or larger, so this may only work on the size 1 or size 2 packages as they have more diapers in them.

Menu Plan 3/21-327

Meal planning is a great way to save money and avoid the dreaded question “What’s for dinner?” I only plan my family’s dinners. This is what works for me but I know lots of bloggers plan all three meals. Here is what is for dinner at our house this week.

Monday: Chicken Macaroni Bake and Broccoli

Tuesday: Ham and bean soup (Recipe coming tomorrow) and corn muffins

Wednesday: Chicken Quesadillas, Corn, Cilantro Lime Rice

Thursday: Church Dinner

Friday: Chicken Spaghetti

Saturday: Dinner Out

Sunday: Pork Roast, Carrots, Mashed Potatoes, Rolls

CVS and Walgreens 3/20-3/26

If you are new to couponing the drug store ads change every Sunday. Here are the items that might make it on my shopping list. That is if my kids cooperate and I can get out to the store. If not then I don’t sweat it. These things will go on sale again and the nice thing about couponing is I have a pretty good stock pile so I don’t have to worry so much if I miss one sale. This is not a complete list. Please see the links to see a full match up or click the ad link to take a look for yourself at what is on sale.

Here are a few things that look good for this week at CVS. CVS is definitely my favorite drug store. I find Walgreens much more complicated and tend to skip it unless it is a really good deal.

Spend $15 on Select snacks and drinks = $5 Ecb (limit 1)
Buy 2 boxes of Wheat Thins 2/$4
Buy 2 boxes of Triscuits 2/$4
Buy 2 packages of Planters Flavor Grove Almonds 2/$4
Buy 3 Coco Cola product 2 liters $1 each
Total = $15
Use 2 $1/1 Wheat Thins coupons found here
Use 2 $1/1 Triscuits coupons found here
Use the $1/2 Planters Flavor Grove almonds coupon found in the 3/20 SS
Pay $10
Get back a $5 Ecb
Final cost ONLY $5 for all 9 items!

Crest or oral-B pro-health complete rinse 16.9 oz, clinical gum toothpaste 4 oz or Glide clinical protection floss 38.2 yd $3.49 = $2.50 Ecb (limit 2)
Buy Crest clinical gum toothpaste 4 oz $3.49
Use the $1/1 coupon found in the 2/27 PG
Pay $2.50
Get back a $2.50 Ecb
Final cost FREE!

Colgate Maxfresh, Maxwhite, or Maxclean 6 oz $2.99 = $2 Ecb (limit 2)
Use the $0.75/1 coupon found in the 2/27 SS
Pay $2.24
Get back a $2 Ecb
Final cost $0.24!

Here is a full match up of this week’s deals and here is a link to this week’s ad.


There is quite a bit at Walgreen’s this week that our family could use so I might actually make it there. Be sure and check out the full match up here and the full ad here.

Buy 2 Participating Garnier Fructis hair care products = $5 RR
Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 Garnier Fructis styling products 2/$7 (if included in RR deal)
Use 2 $1/1 coupons found in the 2/6 or 3/6 RP
Pay $5
Get back a $5 RR
Final cost both for FREE!

Plackers flossers 90 pk $2 = $2 RR
Final cost FREE!

Bugles 7.5 oz or Chex mix 8.75 oz 3/$4
Use the $4/4 coupon found here
(or use the $0.50/1 Chex Mix coupon found here)
(or use the $0.55/2 coupon found in the 3/13 SS or the $0.50/2 coupon found here)
Final cost as low as $0.33 per bag!

Snickers Cream Egg Singles 2/$1
Use the $1/2 Mars Easter candy coupon found in the 3/20 RP
Final cost – 2 for FREE!

Dove bunny singles 3/$2 with in ad coupon
Use the $1/2 Mars Easter candy coupon found in the 3/20 RP
Final cost only $0.17 each!
I am thinking about Easter baskets!

Mars & Dove Candy 1.1 to 2.17 oz $0.49
Deal Scenario #1:
Buy 3 single packages of M&M’s candies $0.49 each
Use the buy 2 get 1 FREE M&M’s chocolate candies 1.14 to 1.7 oz coupon
Final cost only $0.33 per bag! Great Easter Basket item!
Deal Scenario #2:
Buy 3 Dove Chocolate single bars (1.16-1.3 oz) $0.49 each
Use the $1/3 coupon found in the 3/6 RP
Final cost ONLY $0.47 for all 3 bars!

Reach dental floss 55 yds $0.99 with in ad coupon
Use the $1/1 coupon found in the 10/10 RP or here
Final cost FREE!

Huggies Jumbo pack diapers or Pull-ups $7.99
Use the $2/1 coupon found in the 2/27 SS
Final cost $5.99!

Comet cleaner 14 oz 2/$1 with in ad coupon
Use the $0.35/1 coupon found in the 1/23 SS
Final cost $0.15!

Spring Cleaning

Since the birth of my third baby I have been itching to get back to blogging but I really don’t want to blog just about couponing anymore. Let’s face it everyone is trying to live frugally these days and that means more than just using coupons. I have let frugal living spill over to all aspects of my life and although I still use coupons it is not my full focus anymore. With this in mind I am planning to share what I am doing to help my family get more without spending more. If you have any suggestions of ideas please e-mail me I would love to hear from you. So stay tuned I am planning to start this Monday getting back to blogging and I hope to hear from you guys about what you think about the new focus of the blog.

Amanda

Meal Plan

Okay here is our meal plan for the week. I share these with you so that you can see even on a budget and with coupons we are not eating processed food all the time. Plus it is fun to see what other people are having for dinner :-) This week I am trying several new recipes.

Sunday
Chicken and Broccolini with Orange Sauce

Monday
Spaghetti and Meatballs with Salad and Garlic Bread

Tuesday
Chicken Fried Rice

Wednesday
Southwestern Cobb Salad

Thursday
Red Beans with Andouille Sausage and Corn Bread

Friday
Bratwurst, Potatoes, and Green Beans

Saturday
Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup, and Salad

Great deal on paper!!

**UPDATE: Looks like the price has gone back up. Sorry folks!!

Amond Joy Cake

Here is a fun recipe for anyone looking for a yummy dessert Amond Joy Cake

Meal Plan

Not sure how long this will last but I am back to blogging again for the moment :-) Here is our meal plan for the week.

Mon 1/3

Fettuccine Alfrado with chicken and broccoli

Tue 1/4

Pot roast, Mashed Potatoes, gravy, carrots

Wed 1/5

Spaghetti and meatballs, Salad, garlic bread

Thu 1/6

Tater Tot Casserole

Fri 1/7

Stir Fry

Sat 1/8

Dinner out

Sun 1/9

Teriyaki Pork Chops, brown rice, carrots, pineapple.

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CVS 11/29-12/5

**Update: Here are a couple good deals from Hip2Save to get you up to $30.

Oral B Manual Toothbrush $2.99=$2Ecb (limit 1)
Use the $0.75/1 coupon from the 11/29PG
Final cost $0.24!

Colgate 360 Sonic, microSonic or Sponge Bob power toothbrush $5.99=$3Ecb (limit 1)
Use the $0.75/1 coupon from here
Final cost $2.24!

Okay I don't see much this week at CVS. There is actually only one deal I think is worth my time but its pretty good. If you decide to do this see if you can find $5 more to add to you bill and use the $5/$30 coupon. You can see a full match up at Money Saving Mom.

Buy $25 worth of Gillette products, Get $10 ECBs (Limit 1)

*Deal Idea*
Buy 1 Gillette Fusion Razor at $9.99
Buy 2 Deodorant at $4.99
Buy 2 Body Wash at $2.99
Use $4/1 Razor from the 11/29 P&G insert
Use 2 $1/1 Deodorant from the 11/29 PG insert
Use 2 Free Body Wash When You Buy Deodorant from the 11/1 PG insert
Spend $13.97 plus tax out of pocket, Get $10 ECBs
$0.79 cents each after coupon and ECBs

Walgreen's 11/29-12/5

Here is what I see at Walgreen's this week. Check out the full match up at Hip2Save.

Complete Multi-Purpose Solution 12 oz. $7.99 = $7.99RR
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 10/25RP
Pay $6.99
Get back a $7.99RR
Final Cost FREE + a $1 moneymaker!

Glade Deodorizer (Sense & spray, 3 wick candle, reed diffuser, lasting impressions spray) $5.99 = $2RR

Deal Scenario #1:
Buy the Sense and Spray Kit for $5.99
Use the $4/1 coupon found here.
Pay $1.99
Get back a $2RR
Final Cost FREE!

Oral-B Indicator toothbrush, floss 2/$5 = $3RR
Buy 2 Oral-B Floss for $5 total
Use 2 $1/1 coupons from the 10/11PG (expires 11/30)
Pay $3
Get back a $3RR
Final Cost FREE!

Kids' Dental Care (Crest Sesame Street Toothbrush, Zooth Character Toothbrush, Oral-B Stages Toothbrush or toothpaste 4.2 oz.) 4/$10 = $5RR
Deal Scenario:
Buy 4 Zooth or Oral-B stages toothbrushes for a total of $10
Use 4 $1/1 coupons from the 11/1PG (expires 11/30)
Use the $1/1 coupon from the Walgreen's Childrens Coloring book
(will deduct $4 for purchasing 4)
Pay $2
Get back a $5RR
Final Cost FREE + a $3 moneymaker!

Band-Aid Bandages 2/$3 = $1RR
Deal Scenario (Follow in this order to avoid beeping at the register):
Buy 2 20-25 count character bandages for $3
Use 2 $0.50/1 coupons from the 8/2SS (expires 11/30)
Use the $2/1 coupon from the Walgreen's Childrens Coloring Book
Pay $0 + tax
Final Cost FREE + $2 in overage to go towards others items that you're purchasing!

Ecotrin 45 count $1.99 with in ad coupon

Deal Scenario #1:
Buy 3 bottles of Ecotrin
Use the $10 off 3 coupon from the 10/11RP
Use the $1.99 in ad coupon
(be sure to have at least $4.03 in filler items to go towards the overage)
Final Cost FREE + $4.03 to be applied to other items!
**Make sure to hand the $1.99 in ad coupon over AFTER the manufacturer coupon to avoid any beepage!

CVS 11/22-11/28

There is a pretty good diaper deal going on this week but according to MoneySavingMom their are also some great black friday deals which you can check out here. I think if I combine copouning and black friday my head might explode :-)

Buy 1 Complete Contact Solution at $8.99, Get $8.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
Use $1/1 printable here or from the 10/25 RedPlum insert
Free plus $1 overage after coupons and ECBs

Buy 1 Tums at $3.99, Get $(1 ECB Limit 2)
Use $1/1 printable here
Use $2/1 CVS coupon from the $100 Flu Book
Free after coupons and ECBs

Buy $20 worth of Huggies Diapers and/or Wipes, Get $5 ECBs (Limit 1)

*Deal Idea*
Buy 2 Huggies Pure and Natural Diapers for $18.99 total
Buy 1 Huggies Jumbo Wipes at $6.99-I would probably check and see if the small wipe containers are included in this sale. It would lower your out of pocket.
Use 2 $3/1 Pure & Natural coupons here
Use $0.50/1 wipes coupon from the 10/25 SmartSource insert
Spend $19.48 plus tax out of pocket, Get $5 ECBs
$4.83 each after coupons and ECBs

Domino Sugar (2 lb.)--$1.49
$0.40/1 printable here
$1.09 after coupon

Walgreen's 11/22-11/28

Here is what I see at Walgreen's this week. Please check out the full match-up at Hip2Save.

Deal Update:

Sunkist Soda (12 pks) on sale $2.50
Use $1/1 coupon from 11/15SS
Final cost just $1.50!

Sunkist Soda (2-liter) $1 with the in ad coupon
Use the $1/2 coupon from the 11/15SS
Final cost $0.50 each!

Remember there is a $5 off $25 in-store coupon available here! This coupon is valid for 2 days only--from Sunday, November 22nd-November 23rd.

Buy $10 worth of Nabisco Crackers $2 each=$3RR
(Wheat Thins, Triscuits, Ritz and select others)
Deal Scenario:
Buy 5 packages of Wheat Thins & Triscuits $2 each=$10
Use five $1/1 coupons from the 11/8SS
And use the $1/2 Walgreens coupon from the Diabetes and You coupon booklet
(will deduct $2)
Pay $3
Get back a $3RR
Final cost FREE!

...Then do the transaction above again (But remember NOT to use the RR from the first deal to pay for the second deal). Finally, after you've done both transactions, submit for the $10 Keep the Jingle in your Holidays rebate. Finally cost 10 boxes for FREE + a $10 moneymaker!

Select Kellogg's cereals 2/$5=$1RR (on 2)
( Special K, Frosted Mini Wheats, Smart Start and more)
Use 2 $1/1 coupons from here or other coupons available here or here
Or the $1/1 Smart Start coupon here: IE or Firefox
Final cost as low as $1 per box!

Quaker Quick 1 Minute Oats 18 oz buy one at $3.19, get one FREE
Use the $1.25/2 coupon from the 8/30RP
Final cost only $0.97 each!

Dinty Moore Beef Stew 15 oz $0.99
Use the $2 off 3 coupon from the 10/18SS
Final cost $0.32 per can!

Hormel Chili 10.5 or 15 oz $0.99
Use the $2 off 3 coupon from the 10/18SS
Final cost $0.32 per can!

Campbell's Tomato soup $0.59 with in ad coupon
Use the $1 off 4 coupon from here
Final cost $0.34 per can!

Rimmel Lip & Eye Cosmetics 50% off
Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 Eye or Lip Liner $3.79 each
Minus bogo sale=$3.79 for both
Use two $1/1 coupon from the 9/13RP
Or from the December issue of All You mag.
Final cost $0.90 each!

Kleenex Facial Tissue 78 or 110 ct $0.89 with in ad coupon
Use the $0.75/1 coupon from here
(this is a manufacturer coupon--not a Kmart store coupon)
Final cost $0.14!

Buy 2 select Rolaids=$5RR
Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 100 ct Rolaids $4.99 each=$9.98
Use the $4/2 coupon from the 10/4SS
Pay $5.98
Get back a $5RR
Final cost $0.98 for 2 Bottles!

Buy Almay Pure Blends Foundation $9.99=$10RR
Final cost FREE!