tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80860153901064100962024-02-07T00:55:23.916-05:00Happy Homemaker CindyCindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-74495497544078314612017-02-05T13:22:00.000-05:002017-02-05T13:22:23.236-05:00Hot Corn Dip Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTDkD3bU2BgUmTRnrbyGgc5GOP8VnXs5Ax0mCealwKPjUCdGPotSLsFoz8DLADzkGEvyZ-GX6smkdESpHDKc-yAahh2faOnmqiX8BGxIONwRmrwZP8kP-8N02EMazpEXlSuxCnSZjwUU/s1600/HotCornDip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTDkD3bU2BgUmTRnrbyGgc5GOP8VnXs5Ax0mCealwKPjUCdGPotSLsFoz8DLADzkGEvyZ-GX6smkdESpHDKc-yAahh2faOnmqiX8BGxIONwRmrwZP8kP-8N02EMazpEXlSuxCnSZjwUU/s640/HotCornDip.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Looking for an easy dip for game night? The best part is it only cost around $3.00 to make (plus seasoning and cost of chips). Thanks goes to Jackie for the recipe.<br />
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Ingredient List:<br />
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<li>1 15 oz can white corn (generic costs about $.50 per can)</li>
<li>1 15 oz can yellow corn (generic costs about $.50 per can)</li>
<li>1 10 oz can tomatoes & green chilies ( costs about $1.00 or less per can)</li>
<li>1 8 oz package cream cheese cubed ( costs about $1.00 on sale)</li>
<li>1/2 tsp. chili powder or to taste</li>
<li>1/2 tsp garlic powder</li>
<li>chopped cilantro (I use dry when I do not have fresh)</li>
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Combine all Ingredients, place in oven-safe dish, and bake in oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, stir and bake an additional 15 minutes. Top with a little extra cilantro for color. Voila! Serve with your favorite corn or tortilla chips.</div>
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06562509525282842025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-60267944860170760292017-01-25T14:13:00.000-05:002017-01-25T19:01:27.080-05:00About Me<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WGr_WyQYEP6ZBgrF_WNgSBYpw4bcIiGoH60WXslb5Ea8DQzwTfHXnr54GFZ6SGoFLulLUbkZyJIYjoFGisQFt-rldL9gYcOQmCiISPehpHEbDy8HZl70xHN_jl1JlcNss7Lfw9WzbELq/s1600/544582_478493848830204_272423295_n+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WGr_WyQYEP6ZBgrF_WNgSBYpw4bcIiGoH60WXslb5Ea8DQzwTfHXnr54GFZ6SGoFLulLUbkZyJIYjoFGisQFt-rldL9gYcOQmCiISPehpHEbDy8HZl70xHN_jl1JlcNss7Lfw9WzbELq/s320/544582_478493848830204_272423295_n+%25282%2529.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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Thank you for visiting my money saving blog. I hope you find the information beneficial and time saving.<br />
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I'm a 40 something stay-at-home mother of two boys. I love to stretch a buck and get the most for my money. I enjoy teaching couponing tips to my family and friends.<br />
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I developed this site after being asked by so many of my friends, family and strangers to show them how I am able to get so much for so little.<br />
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I will post the best deals I find here along with my favorite bulk cooking recipes to help you get the most out of your grocery dollar. Let's start saving together.</div>
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-81045860984187907252009-09-22T17:18:00.000-04:002009-09-22T21:51:15.330-04:00Monterey Jack Stuffed Chicken Breast!This recipe come from one of my favorite cook books <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0800733177?ie=UTF8&tag=happyhomem-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0800733177">Don't Panic--More Dinner's in the Freezer: A Second Helping of Tasty Meals You Can Make Ahead</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happyhomem-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0800733177" width="1" border="0" />. Wow, that's a long title. Any way I wanted to share one of the recipes I made from the book it's called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Monterey</span> Jack Stuffed Chicken Breast. I have not tasted it yet but it just sounded so good and I can not wait to try it. It's in my freezer ready for next weeks dinners.<br /><br />I am a huge fan of bulk cooking. I have found that this method of cooking not only saves time on busy nights but also a lot of money. If done the right way. More on that later.<br /><br />Here is the recipe. (I did change the amount of the ingredient's listed to work for only 4 chicken breasts.) I will have to let you know how it tasted next week.<br /><br /><strong>Ingredient's</strong><br /><br />6 boneless chicken breast<br />10oz <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Monterey</span> Jack Cheese with jalapenos<br />4 eggs<br />1/4 cup salsa<br />1/4 t salt<br />2 cups <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">panko</span> breadcrumbs<br />2 t chili powder<br />2 t ground cumin<br />1 1/2 t garlic salt<br />1/2 t dried oregano<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPna4YDAeUizOm8ShH6wPc3x1Gij_7Qjn96EqURhtMnPeCsNOleht-lyW241RPCTk4_S2Q4emnyZoBXjyNFkEDdS3AATLCs5xS6L-qAWgGUHrrwDcqByfD11Ai_wVoBDf4Qef7mGd0vEtt/s1600-h/family+photos+255.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384407318477121394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPna4YDAeUizOm8ShH6wPc3x1Gij_7Qjn96EqURhtMnPeCsNOleht-lyW241RPCTk4_S2Q4emnyZoBXjyNFkEDdS3AATLCs5xS6L-qAWgGUHrrwDcqByfD11Ai_wVoBDf4Qef7mGd0vEtt/s400/family+photos+255.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p><strong>Instructions</strong></p><ul><li>Cut a horizontal slit into each chicken breast. Be careful not to cut all the way through. </li><li>Put a piece of cheese into each slit. (I used cheese sticks and they worked perfectly or you could slice your own cheese.)</li><li>You may nee to use a toothpick to secure the pocket.</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPT5nkAFHn3DYGGa8UENEx95EFQUtlvakAu00jUdivWI6az7L0-3bTpn_yOh3bdb5jOimMLqrrjmRTYLGBM_vj0HLk24IgNlrlCDy6ZrFgzRwL6zh7nPvvEw5AIPNZDvQ7Ij2mD3l3y_ki/s1600-h/family+photos+256.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384407122826383842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPT5nkAFHn3DYGGa8UENEx95EFQUtlvakAu00jUdivWI6az7L0-3bTpn_yOh3bdb5jOimMLqrrjmRTYLGBM_vj0HLk24IgNlrlCDy6ZrFgzRwL6zh7nPvvEw5AIPNZDvQ7Ij2mD3l3y_ki/s400/family+photos+256.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><ul><li>In a shallow pan mix together eggs, salsa, and salt.</li><li>In an other pan mix together <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">panko</span> bread crumbs and the rest of the ingredients</li><li>Dip each chicken pocket into the eggs mixture and then the bread crumbs</li></ul><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zjPVgiwC5e-2KwxADxKAUb7FzSQM-6EOpeJueY_ciTyM_JkYRDl3CJ01oKXTSlFyj66Z_vghN4REQ50w4-VWy418IrDENjRZe4sYqdZ-Sn_2640o53ppCVCxxm2LEcdkQxqPdcl4H1Si/s1600-h/family+photos+257.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384406892054985714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zjPVgiwC5e-2KwxADxKAUb7FzSQM-6EOpeJueY_ciTyM_JkYRDl3CJ01oKXTSlFyj66Z_vghN4REQ50w4-VWy418IrDENjRZe4sYqdZ-Sn_2640o53ppCVCxxm2LEcdkQxqPdcl4H1Si/s400/family+photos+257.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><ul><li>Lay each chicken breast on waxed paper and flash freeze for about an hour. </li><li>Wrap each chicken pocket with plastic wrap, place into a freezer bag, and freeze until ready to cook.</li></ul><p><strong>Cooking Day</strong> </p><ul><li>Place 1/4 cup butter in a 9x13 baking pan.</li><li>Preheat oven to 375 and go ahead and put the pan in the oven to melt the butter</li><li>After the butter has melted remove pan and place chicken pockets in pan turning to coat it in the butter.</li><li>Bake uncovered about 35 to 40 minutes until the juices are clear. </li></ul><p>Serve with with salsa, sour cream, tomatoes, and avocado.</p><p><strong>Frugal tips I use to bulk cook cheap.</strong></p><ol><li>Make a list of items you need to make your recipes a few weeks before your cooking day. (That way you can look for good deals on those items.)</li><li>Stock up on pantry staples you know you will use for recipes while it is one sale. Don't wait until you need it on cooking day. </li><li>Plan recipes you want to make according to meat sales. For example, when chicken is on sale for a $1.99 a pound I will make several recipes that use chicken breast. If ground beef is on sale I will do the same make several recipes that call for ground beef and so on. I do not do a big cooking day and shopping trip like some books suggest you do. I just try to do this every week or two according to the meat sales. </li><li>Separate food into meal size portions. I find that we waste less food this way and I can <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">stretch</span> a main dish into two meals most of the time. </li><li>Do not make a big batch of a recipe you have never tried. What if you and your family do not like the recipe you just made 6 freezer bags of? You would most likely would have to toss it and your money you just spent to make it. </li></ol><p>I would suggest starting out with just a few recipes and build up from there. I love to bulk cook in the fall and winter it just makes my life so much easier when my kids say "Hey Mom What's For Dinner" and I can say <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Monterey</span> Jack Stuffed Chicken and most of the work is already done.</p><p>Here is a list of Freezer Cooking Books I love and own. Your local library may have these books for you to check out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0800733177?ie=UTF8&tag=happyhomem-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0800733177">Don't Panic--More Dinner's in the Freezer: A Second Helping of Tasty Meals You Can Make Ahead</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happyhomem-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0800733177" width="1" border="0" /> </p><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0800730550?ie=UTF8&tag=happyhomem-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0800730550">Don't Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer: Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happyhomem-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0800730550" width="1" border="0" /> (my favorite)</p><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312534043?ie=UTF8&tag=happyhomem-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312534043">Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites: More Great Recipes That Save You Time and Money from the Inventors of the Ultimate Do-Ahead Dinnertime Method</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happyhomem-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312534043" width="1" border="0" /><br /><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happyhomem-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312534043" width="1" border="0" /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1558323511?ie=UTF8&tag=happyhomem-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1558323511">You've Got It Made: Deliciously Easy Meals to Make Now and Bake Later</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happyhomem-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1558323511" width="1" border="0" /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312366256?ie=UTF8&tag=happyhomem-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312366256">Once-A-Month Cooking, Revised and Expanded: A Proven System for Spending Less Time in the Kitchen and Enjoying Delicious, Homemade Meals Every Day</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happyhomem-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312366256" width="1" border="0" /><br /></p>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-82716494040336774482009-09-14T07:00:00.000-04:002009-09-14T07:55:34.536-04:00Coupon Classes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalAjiLe-Adf8uTopkrv6ygX1j4Jg7ofMobDMa-G5Uz3k1wyTbhQHyid7FFKWrD5Qkld0P9UijpdeM23jpEoIhYaKklqoEC11RXZZouX40-zIB-nQSXDV7AWPOFoXfZkiY-clEfYesVJN5/s1600-h/blog+142.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381276630053395106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalAjiLe-Adf8uTopkrv6ygX1j4Jg7ofMobDMa-G5Uz3k1wyTbhQHyid7FFKWrD5Qkld0P9UijpdeM23jpEoIhYaKklqoEC11RXZZouX40-zIB-nQSXDV7AWPOFoXfZkiY-clEfYesVJN5/s400/blog+142.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Would you like to learn how to coupon like a pro? Do you ever wonder how the coupon queens get all that stuff for free? Do you feel overwhelmed when you read this blog? I would love to show you how to coupon like a pro.<br /><br />I few years ago I spent $600 to $800 a month on groceries. I now spend less than $40 a week for my family of 4. I have cut our grocery bill by over $6000.00 dollars a year. That's a lot of money when you add it all up.<br /><br />I teach Extreme Couponing skills. It's not just about saving a few dollars a week with a few coupons. It's about teaching you how to cut your grocery bill by 50% or more.<br /><br />My Classes are 2 to 2 1/2 hours long and cover these concepts.<br /><br /><ul><li>Meal Planning</li><li>Where to find coupons</li><li>How to Organize Coupons</li><li>Stockpiling</li><li>How to find your own deals</li><li>Matching coupons with sales</li><li>How to play the Drugstore game</li></ul>Cost is $10 a person with a 5 person minimum. (Large group discounts are available.)<br /><br />I am scheduling coupon classes for fall. If you live in the Dayton-Cincy or surrounding area and would like to have a coupon 101 class for your group or organization email me to set a date.<br /><br />Contact me at <a href="mailto:happyhomemakercindy@gmail.com">happyhomemakercindy@gmail.com</a>.<br /><br />*Want to host a small group class at your home? If you do your class is free!Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-71341715132547448012009-08-20T23:03:00.000-04:002009-08-20T23:52:45.351-04:00My First Coupon Class Since Last Spring!I just wanted to thank the Springboro Baptist Church for allowing me the opportunity to come and speak at your church tonight. I such a great time teaching all of you what I know about saving money with coupons . I hope you learned a few new things and find my blog helpful in your journey to save money. If I can help you in any way please let me know.<br /><br /><em>"It's not always about how much you save but how little you spend."</em><br /><br />Here are a few photo's from the class I wanted to share with you.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITdZO_eAejndE75MPYo40kJWki0G0K3yQMr-Nv1JinRKID2THuTsPLBNjYiiquWHWSHzhLjH6mtlsX2QEZ9NuSGt5KzSpklSAZgiRyXhS71qXK2H0KtgALPFk9nlrP5brNbFvMXmialg/s1600-h/blog+128.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372247552797676194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITdZO_eAejndE75MPYo40kJWki0G0K3yQMr-Nv1JinRKID2THuTsPLBNjYiiquWHWSHzhLjH6mtlsX2QEZ9NuSGt5KzSpklSAZgiRyXhS71qXK2H0KtgALPFk9nlrP5brNbFvMXmialg/s320/blog+128.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcArysjDTIqwOo4y1lt58dGLf5asu5F2ETXV-_uV_uroqK4go4-9n98um01o6SeVu0LwQ8GYy2KOycV_3ZUpjrTLyyNW8RSD-JYPYdZyHLuP-TN6_3KNoKZjqsEhhdg-ulw4orBSK1ecs/s1600-h/blog+132.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372247061957846962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcArysjDTIqwOo4y1lt58dGLf5asu5F2ETXV-_uV_uroqK4go4-9n98um01o6SeVu0LwQ8GYy2KOycV_3ZUpjrTLyyNW8RSD-JYPYdZyHLuP-TN6_3KNoKZjqsEhhdg-ulw4orBSK1ecs/s320/blog+132.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZbKWJaeVW3qaploCAeOpm9cOIRECXifXQ59-EUGMhg9xkkXAF6eJYPiPXaDUcrBqdxk754kkkExxL40dQXSLewzvQaFXvM17XWkj7dOS5btpwmDexahTASxG6BxPwerRYawOYPsO6jc/s1600-h/blog+130.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372246547999817378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZbKWJaeVW3qaploCAeOpm9cOIRECXifXQ59-EUGMhg9xkkXAF6eJYPiPXaDUcrBqdxk754kkkExxL40dQXSLewzvQaFXvM17XWkj7dOS5btpwmDexahTASxG6BxPwerRYawOYPsO6jc/s320/blog+130.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Would you like me to speak at your next meeting? If you live in the Dayton/Springboro, Ohio area. I would love to share my money saving ideas with your group. Just send me an email to schedule an upcoming class.</div><div> </div><div></div><div><br />*For those of you who are on my open class waiting list. I will have a open class soon. I just need to get my boys back in school. LOL! Watch your email I will be setting a date. </div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-85200769648646962212009-06-25T15:34:00.000-04:002009-07-04T12:26:33.729-04:00My Coupon Binder Vlog!<p><object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/onuhXgAQkjQ&hl=en&fs=1&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/onuhXgAQkjQ&hl=en&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></p><p>Check out my other vlogs.</p><p><a href="http://happyhomemakercindy.blogspot.com/2009/06/never-miss-deal-save-your-inserts.html">Never Miss a Deal Save Your Inserts!</a> </p><p><a href="http://happyhomemakercindy.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-post.html">Stock Piling 101!</a> </p>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-65044307681499747252009-06-23T23:26:00.000-04:002009-06-25T16:23:15.593-04:00My Shopping trip this week!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZUq2bnn18SQT0EFUApwgKD94T2eZiT3GbwHV5Xdmo3h6YToOiFNR5ELol89U2m_8aF0ioSEMnG4yj1M_rZ3joKDvy-l2iKwYIXBoVGRHaJH1dGzqR287n3_bapoTf36Fq6ug0TbQdDQ/s1600-h/blog+095.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350731845117202130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZUq2bnn18SQT0EFUApwgKD94T2eZiT3GbwHV5Xdmo3h6YToOiFNR5ELol89U2m_8aF0ioSEMnG4yj1M_rZ3joKDvy-l2iKwYIXBoVGRHaJH1dGzqR287n3_bapoTf36Fq6ug0TbQdDQ/s400/blog+095.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Kroger:</strong> Spent $9.22 OOP after coupons. I saved 24.27. I earned $3.50 OYNO coupon for the Betty Crocker fruit snacks. I still need some more fresh produce this week so the $3.50 coupon will come in handy and help cover the cost.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Meijer 1st transaction:</strong> Spent $11.85 OOP after coupons. Saved $37.05. Earned $1 and $3 in OYNO coupons. (They missed $2.60 in coupons. It should have been $9.25. I did not catch this until I looked at my receipt when I got home. The Kool Aid coupons are ringing up for $.20 and not $1 and she just missed a $1 coupon. Make sure you watch the coupons as they scan and count the number of coupons you hand the cashier. I was talking about my website and I missed it.)<br /><br /><br /><strong>Meijer 2nd transaction:</strong> Spent $1.92 OOP after coupons. Saved $21.88 (I used the $4 in OYNO coupons to help me get a lower OOP.)<br /><br /><br /><strong>Walgreens:</strong> $1.21 OOP after coupons and $6 RR. Saved $8.68. Earned $3 RR to use for next week deals.<br /><br /><br /><strong>CVS: </strong>$.39 after coupons and $12 in ECB! Saved $55.44. Earned $16.98 in ECB to use for next weeks deals. I made more ECB than I used to pay for my order! (I used last weeks ECB to pay for this weeks ECB deals. I just keep rolling them each week. If you play the game you will never spend more than the change in you pocket.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Grand Total spent:</strong> Drum Roll Please! Spent $24.59 OOP! Saved $147.32! Earned $16.98 ECB and $3 RR and $3.50 OYNO coupon!<br /><br /><br />I have still have $15.41 left in my weekly budget to buy some needed items to go with this weeks meal plan. This was just so much fun. LOL! The look on every ones face when the saw my totals after my coupons was just priceless and then I handed them my card.<br /><br /><br />All of the deals I did today you will find in this weeks Ad Deals post. I hope you have as much fun as I did. Now go out and save some money.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-36040609985754000732009-06-23T07:12:00.000-04:002009-10-02T18:30:21.078-04:00My Shop for Free Challenge!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboPc8WvmqTfHf9FwOLA0DYjvNGza2oeVaLGawp_mCXKDsS8HkLoyXdgaTG4WdzssemlrVWKZNNDkojwBMD9S168GcmEWPYTC3h7doeMsMXsCEa1EJGc7UHvjXOhD91jIC_Al0rRjmdGc/s1600-h/blog+093.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350479980359417042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboPc8WvmqTfHf9FwOLA0DYjvNGza2oeVaLGawp_mCXKDsS8HkLoyXdgaTG4WdzssemlrVWKZNNDkojwBMD9S168GcmEWPYTC3h7doeMsMXsCEa1EJGc7UHvjXOhD91jIC_Al0rRjmdGc/s320/blog+093.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the deal. I have been saving all my Free product coupons that I have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">received</span> in the mail for a few weeks now. I also have my coupons printed and clipped for this weeks best deals. I have been waiting for just the right time to use them and this is the week!<br /><br />My challenge is to see just how much stuff I can get for FREE or at least really cheap! This is going to be so much fun! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LOL</span>! I will post all the great things I manage to get when I get back. So be sure to come back and see how I did.<br /><br />So where did I get those Free product coupons?<br /><br /><a href="http://happyhomemakercindy.blogspot.com/2009/05/freebies_08.html" target="_blank">Free Mars Chocolate</a> ( I have finally received all 4 coupons.)<br /><br />Sorry some of the coupons I will be using are no longer available. You will find all the Free Deals I plan to do posted in my store Coupon Match-ups.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-84005378453370515322009-06-09T13:41:00.000-04:002009-07-04T12:30:59.298-04:00Stock Piling 101!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wishlHqyfx4&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wishlHqyfx4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-68595995347972296472009-06-01T20:16:00.000-04:002009-06-05T20:33:20.010-04:00My CVS Shopping trip this week!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeLsGqcJ-r-Pdp5jARrLG_peynEJpF_k-YJKzxP0yyHfAXvGmAaQjRxnIvJHkRQ14wgF3lzZDCD7sqhFYH9g4-sW9uDNQyhebonPDuphuMm9wHAUchNw1CvRUlM5nhz1kdS1pYIiVWMU/s1600-h/blog+091.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344002443650447794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeLsGqcJ-r-Pdp5jARrLG_peynEJpF_k-YJKzxP0yyHfAXvGmAaQjRxnIvJHkRQ14wgF3lzZDCD7sqhFYH9g4-sW9uDNQyhebonPDuphuMm9wHAUchNw1CvRUlM5nhz1kdS1pYIiVWMU/s400/blog+091.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />I used $4/20 CVS coupon $5/2 Aveeno printable coupon and 3 $2/1 Aveeno printable coupons and $1/2 Campbell's coupon and $15.97 in ECB. I also had to add a $.50 candy not in photo for a filler. </div><div></div><div><br />Total OOP $.69</div><div>ECB earned $10</div><div>Total Saved $39.43!</div><div></div><div><br />Yes, I know I used up some of my ECB but I had to roll them some how! Need to find a few money makers next week. LOL!</div><div></div><div><br />Want to see more CVS savings? Visit the "<a href="http://www.centsible-sawyer.com/2009/06/cvs-superstars.html" target="_Blank">Cents"ible Sawyer's </a>CVS Superstars! </div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-86254553148550237782009-05-27T20:53:00.001-04:002009-05-27T22:06:55.014-04:00Stockpile 101<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtgFuKlWraHaw4zxnGFftFysyI15iTrDxbN-BmMRU-w_W1pVIU0SqKXZwbQgy8HwEylgc7rLQap4lKjmUem28JNZgL4IGl0RVut6irOgfP4gNkoLJi8PJSq1sPnRnPewAEudp69_6KVc/s1600-h/blog+084.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340672182060985698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtgFuKlWraHaw4zxnGFftFysyI15iTrDxbN-BmMRU-w_W1pVIU0SqKXZwbQgy8HwEylgc7rLQap4lKjmUem28JNZgL4IGl0RVut6irOgfP4gNkoLJi8PJSq1sPnRnPewAEudp69_6KVc/s400/blog+084.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The last two weeks have been huge stockpiling weeks for me. The sales at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Meijer</span> have been awesome. So I wanted to share with you some of my stock up guile lines I use and teach in my classes. </div><div></div><div><br />The key is to never pay full price for anything unless you have to. This is why coupon queens are so into stocking up. They do not wait until they need the item to buy it. If you wait until you need it most of the time you will have to pay full price for that item. For example If you would have bought that item when it was on sale last week even though you had some already. You could have saved a few dollars this week on that item you just paid full price for. This is really hard for most people to do. But I can tell you from my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">experience</span> you can save hundreds or in my case thousands of dollars a year if you do this correctly. </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><strong>Stock UP</strong></div><ul><li>Set a stockpile budget. I have a set amount of money each week I use for stock up items. </li><li>Follow the sale cycles. Most of the time cycles come around about every 12 weeks. It is a really good idea to make a price book to help you keep track of the lowest price.</li><li>Buy items you use when it is at it's lowest price and match it with a coupon if you have one. <em>"When things that my family uses all the time goes on sale I don't just buy one item. I will buy as much as I can with out going over budget. This has been the key to my success in lowering my grocery budget.</em> "</li><li>Don't buy more than you will use before it will expire. Waste does not save money. It can be really tempting to keep buying great deals but if you throw away those good deals it is the same as throwing money away.</li><li>If your family will not use it or eat it. Do not buy it just because it is a good deal. (Unless you plan to donate the item.)</li><li>Do not hoard use your stock pile. Your stockpile is not just to look at. It is for you to use. </li><li>First in first out (FIFO). Rotate your stockpile just like a store does. This will help you to use the items that will expire the soonest first.</li></ul><p><strong>Know when to stock up</strong> </p><ul><li>25% off -Buy if you need the item.</li><li>50% off- Buy enough for 3-6 months</li><li>75% off or higher - buy enough for 6 months or more as long as you will use it before it will expire.</li></ul><p>*Give to those in need. If you have more than you can use give to your local church or Food Bank. This is a good way to give to others without costing you much money. </p>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-8197952211367505732009-05-14T22:53:00.000-04:002009-05-14T23:34:06.279-04:00Freezer-Pleaser Italian Beef<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0HdEMc_xBnYnl8KrBbJWKS2u2B28tNBwVTEXXUlq7Hj38pYPmfj_aRJmgvG97H_rG8jkJPwxe3zh2YAqieltC2ESUAyaIYpe7pLHFYUSpsY1iz0-Jt3NVyCUrLI5qsalbFKIe9fKaII/s1600-h/blog+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335880771495647442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0HdEMc_xBnYnl8KrBbJWKS2u2B28tNBwVTEXXUlq7Hj38pYPmfj_aRJmgvG97H_rG8jkJPwxe3zh2YAqieltC2ESUAyaIYpe7pLHFYUSpsY1iz0-Jt3NVyCUrLI5qsalbFKIe9fKaII/s400/blog+029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sZOSIfanm3iD7blyej1aqjObxEuN7VpKX7ZLboLsCAd3Uj_FHtPIUhG9d8jx8eglAKU8i0xF8tQ064f-pFv6jx6g4X6Jc9jhJ80PjY__A43LRbpjEffhPTmSDfZCt-pi0Dg7izmEZM/s1600-h/blog+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335880378432248962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sZOSIfanm3iD7blyej1aqjObxEuN7VpKX7ZLboLsCAd3Uj_FHtPIUhG9d8jx8eglAKU8i0xF8tQ064f-pFv6jx6g4X6Jc9jhJ80PjY__A43LRbpjEffhPTmSDfZCt-pi0Dg7izmEZM/s400/blog+028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsSdOtrbUibw2ZSpfqFq-0Aa6hmjkwljNfpFkzzC86v6zcF2VsOVyG4CPyqbYk0uviijOH5Idz1CIL2yEz6qZ_uTUum3o6u9vaX5c0fUDNNLltWiQLmbfBTt9McGp0m_aeGghcx0LmwM/s1600-h/blog+055.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335879931863471666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsSdOtrbUibw2ZSpfqFq-0Aa6hmjkwljNfpFkzzC86v6zcF2VsOVyG4CPyqbYk0uviijOH5Idz1CIL2yEz6qZ_uTUum3o6u9vaX5c0fUDNNLltWiQLmbfBTt9McGp0m_aeGghcx0LmwM/s400/blog+055.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>This recipe is one of my favorites from my favorite cook books <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0800730550?ie=UTF8&tag=happyhomem-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0800730550" target="_blank">Don't" Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer: Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead</a>. I made a few changes to the recipe to make it easier for me to cook. It came out great. This is spicy so I would not call it kid friendly but sometimes I need a break from tacos and pasta dishes. LOL! Here is the recipe.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>2-3 lb. roast </div><div>2 onions, sliced</div><div>1 green pepper, sliced</div><div>2 16 oz jars sliced Pepperoncini pepper with juice</div><div>1/2 cup water</div><div>1 t. ground pepper<br /><br />Cut roast into 4 pieces. Place into crock pot. Add next 4 ingredients and sprinkle with pepper on top. Cook in crock pot 5-6 hours. When meat has finished cooking remove and shred. Return meat to crock pot on warm and cook for 1 hour longer. Cool mixture and divide into meal size potions and freeze.<br /><br />When ready to eat. Thaw meat and reheat. Top French rolls with Italian beef and a slice of Provolone cheese. Place under broiler until cheese melts. Serve. </div></div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-76398541680591218462009-04-26T20:17:00.000-04:002009-04-26T21:06:39.185-04:00Guest Post: A Journey to Save Money and Still Eat HealthyGuest Post by my friend Joy from <a href="http://www.joyssolutions.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Joy's Solutions</a>.<br /><br />I am a stay-at-home mom and mother of two. Matthew is 5 and Holly is 2. It is very important for me to be wise with our money. Even though my father-in-law gifts us money from time to time I would like for us to live on my husband's income alone so that any extra money we may receive can go to saving for the kids' college funds or our retirement years and a few special extras every now and then. Which brings in living on a budget.<br /><br />So, we take the income and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">divy</span> it up into categories and try to live within them. Groceries was a category that I realized very quickly after tracking our spending for a couple of months that seemed outrageous. We were spending at least $850 a month on groceries - which, for us, includes vitamins, health and beauty, household (envelopes, tape, light bulbs, etc.), dog food, cat food, cat litter, fish aquarium filters, baby diapers & wipes and lots and lots of milk. And I imagine that we may have been spending more than that before tracking it and being accountable to a budget. This amount shocked us. Grant it, it does take money to live and we certainly have a lot of "mini-categories" within our "grocery" category, but still we felt that we needed to bring the amount spent on groceries down. Since, we knew that it was possible.<br /><br />What would we do to bring the grocery budget down? Coupons of course. But we had used coupons in the past and they didn't seem to work. They didn't work because I didn't use them with the right timing. Or, I was unwilling to try something new at the time - a different brand that the coupon happened to be for. But they needed to work this time. Our goal was to live on Jeff's income alone and well. Would it be possible? If we wanted to save any extra gifts for future use instead of using them up on whatever then I was either going to have to make money or save money. Making money was not an option. Any money I might have made from a job would have been mostly used up to pay for childcare while I was gone. I could have done some babysitting in my home. True. And I still may someday. Maybe. But, I could try and save money - hence, in a way - making money. I would be "freeing money up" that had once been needed elsewhere and could be used to pay for other necessities or extras. And - our money would not be going out to childcare. And the money I might make by saving it would not be taxed either. That seemed like an option.<br /><br />Before even clipping coupons though, I had an "ah-ha" moment. It occurred to me when making my weekly menu to start looking at the things I already had in my cupboards to see what I could come up with so I only had to get something to go with it and not the entire meal. The other "ah-ha" I had was that I could look in the grocery ad to see what was on sale BEFORE deciding on our menu options. I used to think, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hmmm</span>, stuffed green peppers sounds good. I'll make that" and proceed to write down all the ingredients to make it without any care to prices. Now, I think, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Hmmm</span>, let's look at the ad... I see that chicken is on sale. What could I make with chicken? Oh... Lawry's is on sale too. Oh, we could have marinated chicken breast and - look at that - yams are on sale too - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ooohhhh</span>, you know what could be so yummy? - yummy yam mashed potatoes with brown sugar and a little butter - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">mmm</span>, M. Let's cook that." In my mind, this is the first step. Before even doing any coupons. Plan. I learned to use what I have first THEN to fill in the blanks in the weekly menu with items that are on sale.<br /><br />I ordered the Sunday paper back in August 2008 and began clipping. I met Cindy is September 2008 and she began teaching me how to work the coupons. You can read all about her teaching right here on this blog or even attend one of her classes. I did, in January 2009. The idea is this: WAIT for a store to have a really good sale THEN use your coupon in conjunction with the sale. Second, take advantage of this low price combined with coupon and stockpile several of the same items. For example, Kroger just had Angel Soft 4 pack toilet paper as part of their 10 items for $10 deal. You could get 10 Angel soft coupons (buy extra papers, get neighbors or friends or relatives to give you their extra coupons, buy coupons on line, even print coupons out online, etc.). The coupon I had was a .50 coupon and I had 8 of them. Kroger doubles coupons up to $1, so I got 8 4-packs of the toilet paper for FREE (I bought Kroger cooking spray for $1 and a McCormick's grill master seasoning for a $1 - free with coupon - to make my 10 items). Toilet paper is not going to spoil and can be stashed out on a shelf in my garage unharmed. This is how stockpiling works. Now, I have no need to shop for toilet paper for a while. I can stockpile something else that's low priced with coupon next week.<br /><br />I get a little excited over the stockpiling side of things. That's where the budget comes into play. Even though I could get deodorant for .49 cents or $1 each. I have to stop myself. I have to stay within my budget. Just because it's a good deal doesn't mean I can go around buying every single good deal I see. I have to prioritize which items we need the most. I have 5 deodorants for EACH my husband and myself. I kept track and found that it took me SIX MONTHS to go through one container. Well, I guess I'm stocked for the next 2 1/2 years! But, hey - it's deodorant - it's not going to rot. But I learned from that. I have to be careful not to buy more than we'll use before the item EXPIRES - obviously important with food, but also important with vitamins and medicines too. And, like me, you may find that that takes a little practice and time to learn how much of something your family will use in a certain amount of time.<br /><br />I have learned to take advantage of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Walgreens</span> Easy Saver catalogue, Register Rewards, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">CVS</span> Extra Care Bucks, Rite Aid Single Check Rebates (I got two boxes of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Alavert</span> completely free this week), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Meijer</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Mealbox</span>, online coupons, e-coupons and (for the first time) bought coupons online this past week. I also take advantage of free samples and company's rebates and special offers. Cindy can teach you all about each one of those. She taught me - is still teaching me - and she can share it with you too.<br /><br />So, how are we doing in our grocery budget category??? MUCH better! I have to say - our grocery budget includes some other stuff besides food so bare that in mind. AND - remember - I get a little carried away with the stockpiling. (But I don't think there's much else I could possibly stock pile! - I/we need to use it!) At any rate - we're now spending about $400 - $500 a month. It would probably be closer to $350 if it were for just the four of us, but now it includes my two aging in-laws as well. So, we're feeding 4 adults, 2 kids, a dog, a cat, a fish and buying minor household supplies on not more than $500 a month. (I love my in-laws very much and want to help care for them as they age and as they do not like the "Meals on Wheels" type of food but they will eat my cooking - I'm cooking it up for them! Jeff does the dishes.) So, we are spending less but doing more with it! What a way to make it a blessing to others as well! (Maybe Cindy could blog about ways to bless others through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">couponing</span>. hint... hint...)<br /><br />Here's a question you might be wondering about: What are my kids doing while I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">couponing</span>? A variety of things: they're in bed, one's at preschool and one's napping, they might be in the YMCA nursery while I'm at a table in the Y's front lobby, they might be just playing, watching a movie, etc. Do I take them with me shopping? Sometimes - but not if I can help it! Also - we love our hubbies - but I've learned that I need to do the shopping. I've learned more about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">couponing</span> than I've realized and it's just easier to do it myself.<br /><br />I got so wrapped up in learning all about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">couponing</span> for a while that I felt like I was swimming in it! I almost wanted to give up. But, I stuck with it and after about 5 months my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">tippy</span> toes started touching the bottom of the pool. I had tried and failed and tried and succeeded and learned how I needed to work the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">couponing</span> thing to work best for me and my family. I had to set a limit on the hours I spend on it each week - not more than 4. I had to set a limit on the number of stores I go to. I had to take a break from it for a week or two sometimes. I could not let pinching pennies interfere with other parts of my life that were already full. For instance, I have spent some time away from my personal bible study to learn about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">couponing</span>. I feel bad about that and I am going to change that. However, God does work everything for the good of those He loves. He had taught me this new thing and here I enter a season of my life where I need to buy even more food and cook even more and He's already been grooming me for that. Wow. Now, my feet are solidly on the bottom of the pool. I feel confident as I make my list and shop each week. And even if I have a week where I save "only" 20% - it's still 20% - it could be a movie out or a tank of gas. We need to give ourselves credit for what we do not what we didn't do. 20% can still bless your family.<br /><br />Okay, I'm almost done - but I have to address this issue. Some may think that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">couponing</span> means eating <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">unhealthfully</span>. That's not necessarily true. And that's been part of my journey too - and partly why we spend more than other people might who also coupon. I am a weight watchers loser. I've lost 52 pounds in a year (November 2007-November 2008). You already know that I/we wanted to save money. So, I used coupons that were for less healthy options for a while and guess what? The weight started to creep back on! This is definitely not an option for me. I have a mantra saying in my head as I'm looking at something that I could get for free or very cheaply and I say to myself, "I DID NOT LOSE 52 POUNDS ONLY TO GAIN IT BACK FOR FREE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">CHEX</span> MIX!" It's not worth it. My health is more important. Teaching my children to choose an apple over something processed for a snack is more important. I'm trying to establish long term healthy eating habits in them. We avoid chicken with solution in it, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">msg</span>, partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. Most foods made up with those ingredients in them are very cheap making it tempting to buy them especially when I'm trying to stay within my budget and that is why my "mantra" is necessary. But even with this mantra, you've read that it is possible. I've simply applied the same money saving techniques to higher quality foods. I got 8 loaves of 100% whole wheat bread for $1 each a week ago.<br /><br />Bulk cooking is my next challenge. I am learning how to work that now. I'd like to cook with friends, but for now, I am trying to figure out how long things will take me and what equipment I made need and such first. Cooking all day in my house goes pretty slowly with two little kiddos needing me every 2 minutes. I've got to take it slow. And you might too. One day at a time. Currently, I'm using "Don't Panic, Dinner's in the Freezer" that Cindy recommends, but you can use any recipe really.<br /><br />I have created a very short little blog that you may visit if you like. It's called <a href="http://www.joyssolutions.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">joyssolutions.blogspot.com</a>. I only have two articles there. I was going to wait until I had it more organized and could keep it up better before sharing it, but I don't think that is going to happen any time soon and someone may be blessed by it, perfect or not, and I certainly cannot stand in the way of that! So, I hope you enjoy my two little articles. One is about creating a second pantry - very frugally. And the other is about how to keep and store your coupons.<br /><br />I hope that my money saving journey has blessed you. I hope I've given you a few ideas that will work for your family. I hope that I have at least given you some encouragement. This doesn't happen all at once. It takes time to get a stockpile going. Stock a couple of things a week. Slowly bring your budget down. Don't chop it from $800 to $300 in one month. Mine will probably come down some more yet.<br /><br />Happy Shopping!<br />And best wishes on your own <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">couponing</span> journey!<br /><br />JoyCindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-82382277441851546072009-04-15T20:20:00.000-04:002009-04-15T20:58:01.178-04:00Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins/LoafThis is one of my favorite muffin recipes. I had planned on freezing the loaf but my little boy and I ate all of it in 2 days. Oh well, I guess I will have to make a double batch next time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2BbYuczehzcwp60xViLpAt3Nt-jVtAKCUyiHduWZYredhK6nhfyUaYCI8Y-2N2mVcqyvyKu-YDoZfMjciYdSlZCXq1cak_39bErAZ48XfXlXzGFoZmVg9Rp9hbyyztSKAfA4sQAMHoE/s1600-h/blog+048.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325078018852423714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2BbYuczehzcwp60xViLpAt3Nt-jVtAKCUyiHduWZYredhK6nhfyUaYCI8Y-2N2mVcqyvyKu-YDoZfMjciYdSlZCXq1cak_39bErAZ48XfXlXzGFoZmVg9Rp9hbyyztSKAfA4sQAMHoE/s400/blog+048.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />1 2/3 cups flour (I used 1 cup white and 2/3 cup wheat)<br />1 cup sugar<br />1 T pumpkin pie spice<br />1 t baking soda<br />1/4 t baking powder<br />pinch of salt<br />2 eggs<br />1 cup pumpkin<br />1/2 cup melted butter<br />1 cup chocolate chips<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and set aside. In another bowl mix wet ingredients and add chocolate chips. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix gently. Do not over mix. Grease muffin pan or loaf pan and full 2/3 full. Bake 20-25 min for muffins or 40-45 min for loaf. <p>* This recipe comes from one of my favorite cook books <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0800730550?ie=UTF8&tag=happyhomem-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0800730550" target="_blank">Don't" Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer: Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead</a>.<br /></p>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-59288859093161321232009-04-14T11:07:00.000-04:002009-04-14T11:36:09.031-04:00Freezer-PleaserWith Ground Chuck $5 for a 3 lb. roll at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Meijer</span> and Ground Beef $1.59 lb. at Kroger. I plan to make up some Taco Meat and Freeze it. I have two recipes for you to choose from. If you would like to follow along.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/Taco-Filling-oamc-122735" target="_blank">Taco Filling </a><br /><a href="http://happyhomemakercindy.blogspot.com/2008/12/freezer-pleaser.html" target="_blank">Rio <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Rancho</span> Taco Meat</a> (I have made this recipe before it comes from one of my favorite books <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0800730550?ie=UTF8&tag=happyhomem-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0800730550" target="_blank">Don't" Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer: Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead</a>)<br /><br />*Do you have a good recipe that freezes well. If you would like to share it please email me. I am going to try to focus on 1 or 2 recipes each week that goes great with the store sales.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-53934449404383911402009-03-30T14:46:00.000-04:002009-04-06T13:02:31.422-04:00Freezer-Pleaser<strong>Boneless Pork Lion Marinade Recipes.</strong><br /><br />Boneless Pork Loin is on sale this week at both Meijer ($1.79 lb.) and Kroger($1.89lb.). So I will be prepping and freezing Pork loin for up coming meals.<br /><br /><strong>Here are the 2 recipes I will use this week.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />M<a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Maple-Garlic-Marinated-Pork-Tenderloin/Detail.aspx" target="_blank">aple-Garlic Marinated Pork Tenderlion</a><br /><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Asian-Pork-Tenderloin/Detail.aspx" target="_blank">Asian Pork Tenderlion</a><br /><br />*I have never made these recipes before but they both looked really good. So I thought I would give them a try. They both have high reviews.<br /><br /><strong>My Plan</strong>:<br /><br />I will have the butcher cut my Pork Loin for me into 1 to 1 1/2 lb portions. This is enough meat for my family of 4. Instead of marinating my meat and cooking right away. I will place my meat and marinade into freezer bags and freeze. When I am ready to fix the meal. I will thaw the meat in the refrigerator overnight and cook it the next day. This allows the meat to marinate as it defrosts.<br /><br />*Note the recipes call for Pork Tenderlion but I will use Boneless Pork Lion because it is less expensive.<br /><br />*Click <a href="http://happyhomemakercindy.blogspot.com/search/label/Bulk%20cooking%20recipes" target="_blank">here</a> to check out all my Freezer-Pleaser Posts.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-18077375167254351232009-03-22T23:05:00.000-04:002009-03-22T23:55:02.284-04:00My Favorite Cook Books!I am so excited to tell you. That the cook book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0800733177?ie=UTF8&tag=happyhomem-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0800733177"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Don't" Panic--More Dinner's in the Freezer: A </span></strong></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0800733177?ie=UTF8&tag=happyhomem-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0800733177"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Second Helping of Tasty Meals You Can Make Ahead</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happyhomem-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0800733177" width="1" border="0" /></span></strong> I have been waiting for to come out in paper back is now available from Amazon.<br /><br />I thought I had to wait until April 1st (my B-day by the way I'm 29 and holding) to order this book. Now I will have it before my B-day. I love their first book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0800730550?ie=UTF8&tag=happyhomem-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0800730550"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Don't" Panic - Dinner's in the</span></strong> <strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Freezer: Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead</span></strong></a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happyhomem-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0800730550" width="1" border="0" />and I can't wait to get my hands on the second one. I have saved so much money and time using their ideas. They have great recipes my family will actually eat. No casseroles with this book. I am a huge fan of freezer cooking can you all tell. The retail price of this book is $14.99 Amazon's price is $10.19. Gotta love that!<br /><br />Click on the title of book or My Favorites widget in my side bar to check out these great books. I hope you all love these books as much as I do!<br /><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happyhomem-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0800730550" width="1" border="0" />Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-77284445205359368582009-03-21T20:22:00.000-04:002009-03-21T21:25:42.760-04:00Tips to Cut Your Grocery BillOne way I have found that has helped me to lower my grocery bill is to make it myself. I make my own pasta sauce, pizza sauce, pizza dough, bread and cookie dough to name a few. I do have a few exceptions though. If prepackaged is going to cost me less than making it from scratch. For example cookie dough for less than $1 after sale and coupon. I know it would cost me about the same if not more to make my own cookie dough. In that case I will go ahead and buy the prepackaged.<br /><br />Here My Top Tips<br /><ol><li>Wash and prep your own produce.</li><li>Make your own bagged salad.</li><li>Make your own pancakes,waffles, breads, and muffins. </li><li>Don't buy precooked meats cook your own (the cost per pound is about 2 times as much if not more than uncooked meats) </li><li>Make your own sauces.</li><li>Double recipes and freeze extra. (I am a big fan of bulk cooking)</li></ol><p></p>Making things from scratch does not have to be a daunting task. Set aside a little time each week to make it yourself . The money you will save each week will make your effort well worth it.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-18775028746583349132009-03-18T10:22:00.000-04:002017-01-25T18:08:44.349-05:00Contact Me!If you have a deal you would like to share, or want to be contacted about an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">upcoming</span> class. Please contact me at <a href="mailto:happyhomemakercindy@gmail.com">happyhomemakercindy@gmail.com</a>.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-81371624232039022882009-03-17T19:54:00.000-04:002009-03-17T20:56:14.349-04:00My Shopping trip this week!Did you all get your free Betty Crocker Warm Delights from Meijer? I did and it was so good topped with ice cream and the fresh strawberries that Meijer has on sale for $1 lb. I really needed a chocolate fix. Since I gave up soda a month ago.<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLfQp5vZ7uuA18CXAr2xRHgiJyTe-fwb02hNJo5lwvQmBQ2pVJfAi7Y3U1pLI_iOACcG0qW0QySi64cUd4xr27lij-OjyLrX2HlaaSY020D4Bs9acPgtoMxuDZH10PtXSe1TUwDvmF9A/s1600-h/blog+046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314310509475041410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLfQp5vZ7uuA18CXAr2xRHgiJyTe-fwb02hNJo5lwvQmBQ2pVJfAi7Y3U1pLI_iOACcG0qW0QySi64cUd4xr27lij-OjyLrX2HlaaSY020D4Bs9acPgtoMxuDZH10PtXSe1TUwDvmF9A/s400/blog+046.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p>I also stocked up on a few cleaning supplies I was getting low on. This is the week to stock up Lysol products with Meijer running the 1/2 price sale. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduPUZmJS9UHPNGl7KJEMvUeQaHU2cuMcG9bV0f7U2MKpcBmtbCvPgiucykzL053ZSm16tXCJhxhtMzCrwLpv2R2wk31VmJ1J8mts89F67SA7HE63FOW6DEp_0bH-OlITj2YVURsmFysI/s1600-h/blog+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314309873107675554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduPUZmJS9UHPNGl7KJEMvUeQaHU2cuMcG9bV0f7U2MKpcBmtbCvPgiucykzL053ZSm16tXCJhxhtMzCrwLpv2R2wk31VmJ1J8mts89F67SA7HE63FOW6DEp_0bH-OlITj2YVURsmFysI/s400/blog+042.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here are the prices I paid.</p><ul><li>$1 Betty Crocker Warm Delights = Free ($.50 MQ coupon)</li><li>$3 each Finish dish washer tablets = $1.50 each (2 $1 MQ coupons and 1 $1/2 Meijer Mealbox coupon use both)</li><li>$2.44 each Lysol Spray = Free (2 $2 MQ coupons and 1 $1/2 Meijer Mealbox coupon use both coupons)</li><li>$1.17 each Lysol TBC= $.67 each ($1/2 MQ coupons)</li></ul>To check out the coupon match-ups for this weeks Meijer ad click <a href="http://happyhomemakercindy.blogspot.com/2009/03/meijer-ad-3-15-09-through-3-21-09.html"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">here</span></strong></a>. If you have not signed up to get your free sample of Betty Crocker Warm Delights click <a href="http://partners.mysavings.com/z/2191/CD385"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">here</span></strong></a>.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-18019657484616220312009-03-16T21:38:00.000-04:002009-03-16T22:14:27.590-04:00My Shopping trip this week!<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CVS</span> $.67 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">OOP</span>! I love <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">CVS</span>. I plan to never pay for personal hygiene products again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXurZMdYrql3t61kd3fjQuQ41BhnZYBp2Ku4Qu7dYLniOeD8jYIqofYyUXjiBUh1Q4R50sa5DlgNOtVP6T5gATPkA593Uemp5HY7G2u-QyovXkmJhz4wbmkaFDOUXjQQWIQhnn0jEYthc/s1600-h/blog+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313965875507032002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXurZMdYrql3t61kd3fjQuQ41BhnZYBp2Ku4Qu7dYLniOeD8jYIqofYyUXjiBUh1Q4R50sa5DlgNOtVP6T5gATPkA593Uemp5HY7G2u-QyovXkmJhz4wbmkaFDOUXjQQWIQhnn0jEYthc/s400/blog+043.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Last week I earned $8 in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ECB</span> from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">CVS</span>. This week I was able to find a few deals to use those <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ECB</span> to earn more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ECB</span>! This is how to play the game. Here is what I did.<br /><p>Total=$10.97</p><p>Total coupons=$2.50 (I used all my Colgate coupons)</p><p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ECB</span>=$8</p><p>Here is the math $10.97-$2.50-$8=$.47 </p><p>Total OPP after coupons and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ECB</span>=$.67 (tax included)</p><p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ECB</span> Earned=$10.97! (With the use of coupons I earned more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ECB</span> than I started with and only spent $.67 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">OOP</span>!) This is what a Coupon Queen calls a Money Maker.</p><p>* Click <a href="http://happyhomemakercindy.blogspot.com/search/label/CVS"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">here</span></strong></a> to view this weeks <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">CVS</span> match-ups. If you are new to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">CVS</span> click <a href="http://happyhomemakercindy.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-shopping-trip-this-week.html"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">here</span></strong></a> to read my post explaining how to play <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">CVS</span>. </p>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-73375042705225668722009-03-14T08:38:00.001-04:002009-03-14T08:59:14.251-04:00My Shopping trip this week!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgX3bkFNV1mSXbES2WjECT4urD5JK6W9qZsFLwFEol-ObWcxteFgsrPG0OK13N0sqmhBlnId0eMCIyHrMxWLTvsQmx_ao7m8Rt181rQcYEpSQX94NdESXxWyJQoINHfF3xUWrQcR31Xlw/s1600-h/blog+040.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313022307543160914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgX3bkFNV1mSXbES2WjECT4urD5JK6W9qZsFLwFEol-ObWcxteFgsrPG0OK13N0sqmhBlnId0eMCIyHrMxWLTvsQmx_ao7m8Rt181rQcYEpSQX94NdESXxWyJQoINHfF3xUWrQcR31Xlw/s400/blog+040.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This was a great week for me to stock up some items at Kroger. Everything you see here cost me <strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">$19.63 OOP</span></strong>! I did spend about 1 hour getting all my coupons and list together but it was so worth it. </div><div> </div><div>Here is how I did it.</div><ul><li>$34 MQ coupons</li><li>$8.10 Bonus coupon savings (Kroger double coupon policy)</li><li>$24.07 Store coupons & Plus card savings (mega event, and sale prices)</li><li>$12 rebate checks (From points from using my Kroger Master card)</li></ul><p>Total Saved=$78.17 </p><p>Check my Kroger match-up post <a href="http://happyhomemakercindy.blogspot.com/2009/03/kroger-3-9-09-3-15-09.html"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">here</span></strong></a>.</p>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-58198335408706035152009-03-12T20:23:00.000-04:002009-04-06T21:17:37.381-04:00Freezer-PleaserToday I decided to clean out the fridge. We are going to be gone most of the weekend. So I had to decide what I needed to use or prep before it would go bad. After a overview of what I had to use. I decided that it would be best to go ahead and prep and freeze some of my fresh produce. I just didn't think it would last much longer.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPhQWtp_67HLph9NC9jKJqXkpbLGQ22H2LU6-J5m7j2-ugfRoAFQaS6nG_CQvSFkkuBCmhiWW44gmz-1txiy9D2u5-4hUd2qUpQ78bcImAWhKYvBufLKD1AARylLyNHwnB6cUrj4G7V4/s1600-h/blog+038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312462577117806482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPhQWtp_67HLph9NC9jKJqXkpbLGQ22H2LU6-J5m7j2-ugfRoAFQaS6nG_CQvSFkkuBCmhiWW44gmz-1txiy9D2u5-4hUd2qUpQ78bcImAWhKYvBufLKD1AARylLyNHwnB6cUrj4G7V4/s400/blog+038.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here is what I did.</p><p>I washed and cut Green Peppers, Red Onions, Sweet Onions, and Strawberries. I then placed my cut up produce in a even layer on trays lined with waxed paper. I then patted the produce dry with a paper towel. After they were fairly dry I placed the trays in the freezer to flash freeze. After flash freezing I placed everything into freezer bags. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY61sSx9SsViqCRJer93JsCdGwgECotrJyt2JACMb0DfiEXgkucirV7GQZfC4NQLz7s4VpHZAwd0EkgjQpAzfnfiBY5XXK_bqXAE5bweWBqMXJWsIB2p06EynNmh6gwKHCV2f2UOSH8E/s1600-h/blog+039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312462119738086738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY61sSx9SsViqCRJer93JsCdGwgECotrJyt2JACMb0DfiEXgkucirV7GQZfC4NQLz7s4VpHZAwd0EkgjQpAzfnfiBY5XXK_bqXAE5bweWBqMXJWsIB2p06EynNmh6gwKHCV2f2UOSH8E/s400/blog+039.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I also made croutons you can click <a href="http://happyhomemakercindy.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-do-you-with-left-over-bread.html"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">here</span></strong></a> to read my post on making your own croutons. I try not to waste anything. Freezing has come in handy so many times. I have often bought more produce than I was able to use. This also comes in handy when you find rock bottom prices on produce that needs to sell ASAP. Freezing will give you some extra time to use it. Just about everything can be frozen with the right method.<br /><br />*Note: If you try to skip the process and just put your cut up produce in a bag before flash freezing. It will freeze together in big clump. (Yes, I this know from experience.)Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-49016185291889075642009-03-05T17:40:00.000-05:002009-03-05T18:39:46.703-05:00Coupon 101!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVTxKi3rS7x6GsP4ze0Sz7RFf-qEtjXPU32zGMS-l6E6v7U0NqghkmD7MeFTl9BbaoaGKMK-hrNU0swL7Z3DUbxKJKwl24_mLLWknM2y_ACtQmFd_wviTxLTkPFv6_kCAzv5djBB6AsM/s1600-h/blog+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309837667649372882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVTxKi3rS7x6GsP4ze0Sz7RFf-qEtjXPU32zGMS-l6E6v7U0NqghkmD7MeFTl9BbaoaGKMK-hrNU0swL7Z3DUbxKJKwl24_mLLWknM2y_ACtQmFd_wviTxLTkPFv6_kCAzv5djBB6AsM/s400/blog+031.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hello, to all the Future Coupon Queens of the Springboro Mom's Club! I had a great time sharing my coupon knowledge with all of you. I hope you all save tons of money and get that well deserved spa treatment for your effort.<br /><br />Yes, I do teach classes. If you live in the Dayton, Ohio area or near my home town of Geneva, Indiana. I would love to teach you or your group a class. I will share with you all I know about coupons and saving money at the grocery store. Leave a comment with your contact info and I will get back to you.<br /><div></div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086015390106410096.post-40688036089246328252009-03-03T21:08:00.000-05:002009-03-03T21:38:35.173-05:00New to Internet Printable Coupons!This is for my new followers who have never printed Internet printable coupons before.<br /><br />I use <a href="http://partners.mysavings.com/z/830/CD385"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">coupons.com</span></strong> </a>for most of my printable coupons. If you are having trouble using the quick print option on my <a href="http://partners.mysavings.com/z/830/CD385"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">coupons.com</span></strong> </a>widget on my side bar. This may be because you have never down loaded the <a href="http://partners.mysavings.com/z/830/CD385"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">coupons.com</span></strong> </a>coupon printer program. I am using more and more Internet printable coupons each week at the grocery store to save money. This has kept me from having to buy extra papers and coupons. Not only that I can print most coupons 2 times and I only print the coupons I know I will use. Click <a href="http://partners.mysavings.com/z/830/CD385"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">here</span></strong> </a>to get started printing coupons.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293908014666305147noreply@blogger.com0