Some great deals I've seen around the 'net

• Walgreens - an online coupon - $5 off $20, just enter code "ACHOO" by April 3.
• At Papa John's Pizza, order any large pizza at regular price and get a second large pizza of equal or lesser value for free via coupon code "BOGO327". To redeem this discount, login and enter the code in the promotion field on top of the page. You'll be sent to a screen that allows you to choose the desired pizzas and toppings. This coupon is valid only for online orders. Coupon ends March 29.
• Old Navy printable coupon: 30% off entire purchase Old Navy cuts 30% off your entire in-store purchase via this printable coupon. To get this coupon: Click here to start, then select Start Hunting. Match (drag and drop) Kelly's head to mannequin "A", Amy's to "B", and Heather's to "C"
  the resulting "get coupon" tab yields 20% off of two items, but don't click it
  instead, wait approximately one minute until a dolphin appears in the water behind "Amy", then click on the dolphin while it's in the air to receive a 30% coupon. That's a very annoying way to get a good deal, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!!
• Sony offers a $10 FedEx Office Digital Photo Printing Gift Card for free in exchange for your registration information. The gift card is good at FedEx Office (formerly Kinko's) will be mailed to you after registration. Deal expires April 30.

Meet Me at Meijer Deals w/o 3/22

Just like Kroger - Nothing too outstanding this week, but here are some highlights you might want to look into.

DAIRY/MEAT:

• Meijer Milk - Sale $1.77/gallon (FYI - Meijer milk is the only "store brand" in this area that is hormone-free)
• 1/2 price Kraft Cheese - This makes shredded cheese only $1.34/package and cheese sticks only $3.00/12 pack. NOTE UNADVERTISED SALE: When you buy two Kraft Cheeses, a $1.00 of your next purchase catalina should print out!!!
• Yoplait Yo-Plus, Kids or Trix Yogurt - Sale $2 AND $1 on 2 Kids Printable in the coupons.com widget in right side bar AND $1.50 Kids Printable here AND $1 Yo-Plus Printable here AND $1.50 Yo-Plus Printable here. NET PRICE = $.50 - $1 each
• $1.99 Meijer Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

PRODUCE:

• $.97 Cantaloupe
• $.97/pound Seedless Grapes

MISC GROCERY ITEMS:

• Kellogg's Pop Tarts - Sale $1.50 AND $.55 printable click here. NET PRICE = $.50
• Peter pan Peanut Butter - Sale $1.66 AND $.50 Printable click here. NET PRICE = $.66
• Pillsbury Grands Biscuits (these GRANDS are NOT included in this week's Kroger deal) - Sale $1.25 AND $50/2 Pillsbury news letter click here and $.30 on 2 Biscuits (insert 3/15 SS). NET PRICE = $.75
• Knorr Rice or Pasta sides - Sale for $1 AND $.75 on 2 (insert 1/18 RP)NET PRICE = $.50 each
• Purex Laundry Detergent - Sale $2.50 AND $.35 insert 3/8 SS). NET PRICE = $1.80 each

So, I went to Meijer today and here's what I ended up with:

I know I always say this, but I can't stress it enough - Meijer has got a kick-ass clearance section in the produce department! I just love it...here are the "sweet" deals I picked up today:

• 1 pint of cherry tomatoes = .25
• 2.5 lbs of bananas (only a few tiny brown spots) = .42
• 1.75 lbs of tomatoes on the vine = .47
• 2 lbs of really lovely limes = .50 (I'll freeze these as per yesterday's post and have some great margaritas this summer!)

I also bought:

• Clearance stew meat 2.5 lbs for $2.69 (that will be dinner tonight)
• 2 gallons Meijer Milk ($1.77 each)
• 2 4-packs of Yo-plus ($1.00 each)
• 2 boxes of High Fiber poptarts (.50 each)
• 2 packages Kraft Cheese $3 and $1.34
• 5 lbs of grapes @ .97/lb
• 1 cantaloupe

TOTAL NUMBER OF ITEMS: 16

TOTAL OOP: $20.69

TOTAL SAVINGS: $14.96

Not my greatest savings ever, but that produce was such a steal! Got some great deals at Meijer this week? Be sure to share by leaving a comment!

FREE stuff Thursday

Here are this week's FREEbies! Enjoy!

• Free Always Infinity sample, click here.


• This site offers some GREAT FREE stuff and is updated daily! Click Here.


• FREE Tide Total Care sample here.


• 


• Click here to see the details on a FREE mini body lotion at Victoria Secret.


• Healthy living from coast to coast. Sign up today for wellness tips in your area. Click Here


• This Gevalia deal is a really good one - you can cancel right away and just enjoy the freebies with no strings attached and this is GOOD coffee! Gevalia - 3 Boxes for $3 + Free Mug + Free Shipping.
  Click Here

Boston Market Savings - BOGO

At Boston Market, buy any one Crispy Country Chicken item, and get a second for free via this printable coupon. That's among the best coupons we've seen in recent months from Boston Market. To find your nearest location, click here. Coupon expires April 30.

Kroger Deals w/o 3/22

Nothing too spectacular this week, but here are some highlights you might want to take advantage of:

PRODUCE:

• $.99 Cantaloupe
• $.77/each Cucumbers
• $.25/ea Apples (Gala, Granny, Red or Golden Delicious)
• $2.99 Kroger Russet Potatoes 10 pound bag
• $.68/pound Sweet Potatoes - GREAT PRICE - STOCK UP, MAKE MASHED SWEET POTATOES & FREEZE FOR FUTURE USE!
• $1.89 Kroger Onions 3 pound bag

MEAT/DAIRY:

• $1.49/pound Ground Beef
• $1.88/pound Tyson Chicken Breast
• $1.99 Gallon Milk
• $1 Kroger Cottage Cheese, dips or sour cream
• $1.66 Kraft Cheese
• .88/lb Kroger whole chickens

MISC GROCERY ITEMS AND ITEMS WITH MATCHING COUPONS:

• Peter Pan Peanut Butter - Sale for $1.99 AND $.50 printable here. NET PRICE = .99
• Pillsbury Biscuits, Rolls, Crust - Sale only $1 When you buy 4 limit 3 or 12 tubes AND Several coupons in 3-15-09, 2-8-09, 1-25-09, 1-4-09 SS inserts AND there are/were several e-coupons on shortcuts.com! NET PRICE = .30 to .55
• Quaker Instant Oatmeal - Sale for 2/$3 (must buy 2 for price) AND $1 and $.70 (in 1-4-09 RP) ($1/2 in 2-08-09 RP) NET PRICE = $.50-$1
• Kroger Brand Fruit snacks - Sale for $1/box. A few weeks ago there were catalina coupons printing out for .75/2 so if you've got one, NOW is a good time to use them!

See anything else? Post a comment for everyone to enjoy the savings!

Waste not, Want not...

As you probably know by now, I like to save money. Along those lines, I really, really, really hate to waste money! So today, I thought I'd share with you some of my ideas for saving money in the kitchen.

I use my freezer to avoid wasting food and one of the best tools for saving money is ice cube trays. Yes, seriously. I bought some ice cube trays at a thrift store a few years ago (.25 for a nice set of two) and I'm going to buy some more next time I'm out "thrifting".

I freeze "leftover" liquids (or liquids I get for a great deal/free) for future use. I freeze the liquid in ice cube trays and then pop them out and store them in freezer bags, which are marked with sharpie marker. Then, I've always got the "perfect" amount when I need it. HINT: An average ice cube from one of the standard trays is about 2 to 2.5 tablespoons, so 2 or 3 ice cubes is 1/4 cup.

Here's how to put them to great use :

• I make my own chicken broth by boiling/simmering the chicken bones after I've used the meat for meals. This saves money and is MUCH better for you, as most store-bought broths are filled with sodium, preservatives and even wheat/gluten fillers. I'll use the "broth cubes" for soups, chili, or even in place of water when making rice (much better flavor!). Bonus: it's better for the environment (less processing, packaging, and transporting).
• Wine - I've been known to drink a little in my time - if I have a bottle of wine open that won't be finished before it "goes bad" (please note - this doesn't happen very often!), I pour the leftovers into the ice cube trays for future use in stews, crock pot dinners or to ice down Sangria. This is also a great use for wine that doesn't taste so great, but you hate to waste it...it will taste great in a beef stew! Wine doesn't freeze completely solid, but freezing in cubes first does make them keep some sort of "shape" in the baggie. Add some water first if you want 100% frozen wine cubes.
• Veggie broth - I don't make my own vegetable broth, but, as I mentioned, I hate to waste money. So whenever I open a can of vegetables (usually unsalted green beans or corn) I drain the "juice" into the ice cube trays instead of down the sink. This makes a nutritious starter for soups or use it along with water when boiling pasta for a little added flavor.
• Fruit "broth" - Same as above (usually pineapple juice from a can of pineapple rings or unsweetened peaches). Mix with other juices for homemade popsicles or to use in place of water in cake or muffin recipes.
• Fresh Fruit "juice" - If you happen upon some free or cheap fruit - this is a great use for it. For example - my Dad and his wife live in FLA and have a lemon tree in their yard. While we were there for Thanksgiving, they gave us a HUGE bag full of fresh lemons. I used what I could and then juiced the rest and froze the juice. There are TONS of recipes that call for lemon juice and now I always have some on hand. When I make a pitcher of ice tea, I'll throw a few "cubes" in for a fresh lemon taste.

This method may not make you rich, but you know what I say "Pennies make dollars and Dollars make house payment!"....

Have any more "freezing" ideas? Post a comment and share!

Walgreens Deals week of 3/22

I'm not quite as excited about the Walgreens Deals this week - but here are some deals I think are really good.
Also - Don't forget - for those items with a rebate offer, you can get an additional 10% back if you have the rebate sent to you on a gift card instead of a check! Details here.

• L'oreal Hair Care BOGO FREE - Sale for $4.99 AND $1 in the 2/22 SS Insert (exp 5/17). Net Price = $1.50 each
• Dryel - Sale for $8.99 AND $2 RR. $3 Printable in coupons.com widget in right side bar. Net Price = $5.99 each or just $3.99 after Register Rewards
• Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent BOGO FREE - Sale $6.99 AND $1 Printable here (click "Get Coupons"). Net Price = $2.50 each
• Hunts Tomato Sauce - $.39 Sale with Walgreens In-Ad Coupon. Scenario Deal: buy 11 @ $.99 before coupon, then have cashier scan coupons, then submit receipt for EasySaver Rebate #29 (Rebate: buy $10 get $5) $10.98-$6.60 (WIn-AdCoupon)-$5 (rebate). NET PRICE =Free + $.62 profit. NOTE – this scenario came from Cindy at her fabulous blog – Thanks! PLUS the 10% bonus (see above!)
• All Laundry Detergent - Sale $3.99 AND coupon $.35 Printable in the coupons.com widget in right side bar AND $1 March Walgreens Rebate booklet (#21). Net Price = $3.65 each or $2.65 after Rebate
• Right Guard Professional Strength Deodorant - Sale $5.99 AND $5 March Walgreens Rebate booklet (#5). Net Price = $.99 each after rebate
• Schick Quattro Razor - Sale $8.99 AND $4 in the 3/22 SS Insert (exp 5/3) AND $4 Walgreen coupon booklet (IVC) (Page 19). Net Price = $.99
• Theraflu or Triaminic - Sale $5.99 AND $1 on Triaminic in the 12/7 (exp 3/31) and 1/4 (exp 3/31) SS Inserts$1.50 on Theraflu in the 1/4 SS Insert (exp 3/31) AND $3 on Theraflu (March Walgreens Rebate booklet) (#7) on Triaminic (#18). Net Price = $3.99 or $.99 after Rebate
• Huggies Jumbo Pack Diapers or Pull Ups - Sale $9.99 AND $3 and $5 Printable in the coupons.com widget in right side bar. Net Price = $4.99 - $6.99 each (Don’t forget the Caregiver’s Marketplace rebate of .75/package of diapers!)
• Huggies Wipes - Sale $2.50 AND $5 Gentle Care Printable in the coupons.com widget in right side bar. Net Price = FREE (These make a great baby shower gift or for cleaning up older kids on the go!)

BIG SALE at Michael's

Are you a "crafter" (or a wannabe crafter, like me?)...Then today is your lucky day! Michael's is having a "MADNESS EVENT SALE" this afternoon. Details:

• Sunday March 22nd
• 4pm to 8 pm ONLY
• 10% off your entire purchase, INCLUDING sale items
• Looks like it CAN be used on any clearance items (every Michael's has a clearance section)
• They also have the 40% off any one regular priced item, but it cannot be used along with the 10% coupon
• If you don't get the paper, go to their website to download the coupon

They have a lot of items in their "fun finds $5 & under" section that would be great in an Easter basket. Also, they have 50% off card making items, which would be 60% off with the coupon for today.