Frugal & Fabulous

Quick Trip to Big Y (Sale ending 7/28)

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:43:00 +0000

Here's what I bought before last night's sale ended at Big Y:

1 - Big Y Margarine = $.89
1 - Eggland's Eggs (@ $2.00) used $.35/1 doubled = $1.30
10 - Dannon Light & Fit Yogurts (@ $.50 ea) used $1/10 and doubler = $3.00
2 - Cinnamon Bites (advertised as $.25, rang up $.50 ea...) = $1.00
2 - Healthy Choice Meals (@ $2.00 ea) = $4.00
1 - Package of Big Y Plain Bagels = $1.00
1 - Package of Lance Crackers (@ $2.00)used $1/1 and doubler = FREE
1 - Soft Soap (@ $1.00) used $.50/1 doubled = FREE
1 - Bag of carrots = $.50
1 - Olivia's organics caeser salad(marked @ $1.99) used $1/1 and doubler =FREE

Total: $11.68 + $.07 = $11.75

Total remaining in July 2010 budget: $59.27

Kotex & More John Frieda

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:44:00 +0000

2 - John Frieda Conditioners (@ $5.00 ea) used two $2/1 mfcs = $6.00
1 - Kotex U Tampons (@ $4.99) used $1/1 IP and $1/1 CRT (cvs coupon) = $2.99

Paid with $9 ECB

Received $10 ECB ($5 for buying $10 worth of John Frieda and $4.99 for buying the Kotex)

Link Up Your Giveaways!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:36:00 +0000

Have a giveaway going on at your blog? Link it up here!

Feel free to come back every Tuesday and Link up at Frugal & Fabulous! :)

P.S.:Looking for more places to promote your giveaway? Click here for a list of giveaway link up sites!

Menu Plan Monday ! (7/26-7/30)

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:11:00 +0000

Here's what's on this week's menu:

Monday: Hot dogs & hamburgers on the grill, chips with guacamole,

Tuesday: Brown Sugar Chicken with white rice, baby carrots

Wednesday: Grilled chicken, with pasta salad and vegetables

Thursday: Chicken salad sandwiches (made with leftover chicken) and chips

Friday: Caesar Salads & french bread

I'd also really love to try this Crockpot Peanut Butter Cupcake recipe!

I'm sticking with the stovetop, grill and crockpot! I used my oven for probably the first time in a month yesterday!

Stocking the Pantry @ Stop & Shop ! (Sale ending 7/29)

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 01:39:00 +0000

Unfortunately I seem to have lost the picture I took of this transaction (or lined everything up and forgot to take one!) Sorry! Let's just blame it on the fact that it's Monday, okay? :)

1 - 3.5 lb bag of Stop & Shop brand cat food = $3.49
6 - Boxes of Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad (@ $1.00 ea) used three $1/2 mfcs = $3.00 ($.50 ea)
6 - Boxes of Stop & Shop Brand Mac & Cheese (@ $.59 ea) = $3.54
1 - Bag of Goldfish (@ $2.00) used $.50/1 IP (no longer available) = $1.00
1 - Jar of Dole Mandarin Oranges (@ $2.80) used $.75/1 doubled = $1.30
3 - 1 lb bags of Carolina Long Grain White Rices (@ $1.25 ea) = $.75 ($.25 ea)
2 - Cans of s&s brand cannelini beans (@ $.50 ea) = $1.00
4 - Cans of s&s brand black beans (@ $.50 ea) = $1.00
2 - Webers Packets (@ $1.00 ea) used two $.50/1 mfcs doubled = FREE
1 - Betty Crocker Warm Delights Two-pack (raspberry clearanced @ $1.67) used $1/1 = $.67
2 - Jars of Campbell's pork & beans (@ $1.00 ea) = $2.00
2 - Cans of s&s brand garbanzo beans (@ $.50 ea) = $1.00
- $.05 x 5 for reusable bags = -$.25
+ $.20 tax

Total: $19.70

Total remaining in July 2010 budget: $71.02

Gift Basket from the Stockpile!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:04:00 +0000

I helped a friend settle into a new place this weekend and brought along a basket of move in essentials:

(paper & cleaning products, scissors, shelf liner paper, etc)

I think it went over pretty well considering we used a lot of what was in there.

What have you done with your stockpile lately? Lmk! :)

Huge Hidden Moneymaker @ Walgreens!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:51:00 +0000

I had a $2 register reward that was expiring yesterday so I ran over to Walgreen's. Because I was in a rush - I fully intended to just spend them and get on with my night - I never expected to stumble on a nice little moneymaker!

Transaction 1:

1 - Old El Paso Taco Shells = $.99
1 - B/C Bowl Appetits = $.99
2 - Dr. Scholl's Blister Sticks at (@ $5.50 ea) used Wags July Coupon Book Coupon (-$5.00 x 2) = $1.00 ($.50 ea)*

Paid with $2.00 RR and $1.00 oop
Received $5 RR for buying two Dr. Scholl's products!

Rinse & repeat!
Transaction 2:
2 - Dr. Scholl's Blister Sticks at (@ $5.50 ea) used Wags July Coupon Book Coupon (-$5.00 x 2) = $1.00
Paid $1.00 oop
Received $5 RR for buying two Dr. Scholl's products!

*May be store special - ymmv - check price at your store.

Link Up Your Giveaways!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Menu Plan Monday (7/19-7/23)

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:45:00 +0000

A little late today! Hope everyone is having a Monday - I can't believe how fast the summer is going by! Every day just seems to fly. If you're looking for an easy pasta dish - you have to try the Penne Gorgonzola I made last week! It was great and reheated really well. Have you made something new lately that you loved? Please let me know :)

Here's what's for dinner this week:

Monday:Pasta with tomato cream sauce (made it tonight, it came out great!)

Tuesday: Grilled hot dogs & mac and cheese

Wednesday: Grilled chicken, rice & vegetables

Thursday: Taco Salad Bar

Friday: Homemade Pizza (or frozen if we're too tired!)

Staying out of the Cheap Car Insurance Trap

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

In order to get license plates for a vehicle a driver must have car insurance. Every state in the United States has this law. It makes it difficult for those struggling to pay their bills to afford their car, let alone insurance. In the last ten years more and more cheap car insurance companies have sprung up. These insurance companies state they are able to offer insurance for less than the top name companies, but is that really the truth? Before you have to take out a payday loan you might want to consider the cheap car insurance trap.

Cheap car insurance companies have certain rules about the vehicles they will cover. Any vehicle covered typically cannot have aftermarket products. A good example is a Jeep with a lift kit. A specialized vehicle in a wreck with cheap car insurance may not see the necessary repairs or even cover the other car if it is the insurance holder’s fault. Many of these insurance companies display this information in the fine print, which most people tend to ignore.

To avoid the cheap car insurance trap you need to look at all insurance companies, even the brand name companies. Many of the brand name companies like State Farm have discount programs which lower your premiums year after year. As long as you remain free of tickets and accidents you will see your cover lower every six months to a year. There are also discounts for grades, travel benefits, and more from insurance companies that can help you save money while being properly covered.

*Please see my disclosure policy for information regarding provided content.

Elmer's #BagitForward Campaign!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:49:00 +0000

Growing up, I always loved back to school shopping. (If you've read my blog before you know I love ANY kind of shopping!) So I was really excited when I was given the chance to participate in Elmers' #BagItForward Campaign through my membership at Collective Bias! As part of the campaign, I received $100 to shop at Walmart to buy school supplies for children in need. We have a school principal in the family, so I chose to shop for her school and we made up bags for all of the different classrooms/teachers!

What I bought for $100:

18 - boxes of tissues
14 - packs markers
14 - packs colored pencils
6 - boxes of pencils
20 - boxes of crayons
11 - pencil pouches
2 - large packs of colored paper
4 - pairs of scissors
20 - packages of Elmer's gluesticks (2 packs)
2 - packages of erasers
1 - box of chalk
20 - bottles of Elmer's Glue
14 - reusable bags to put everything in!

Check out what we bought here!

Free Hand Sanitizer Spray at CVS!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:37:00 +0000

Get a free hand sanitizer spray at CVS by clicking here and entering your emaili address and CVS ExtraCare Rewards Card number!

*Offer expires 7/18/10

School Supplies & Cheap John Frieda!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:30:00 +0000

2 - John Frieda Hair Products (@ $5 ea) used two $3/1 mfcs = $4.00
1 - Bottle of SunDown Vitamins (@ $5.99) used $1/1 peelie = $4.99
1 - Bottle of Complete Multi Purpose Solution (@ $7.99) used $2/1 = $5.99
1 - Pair of Gardening Gloves (@ $3.99/75% off)= $1.00
1 - Pair of Caliber Scissors = $.99
1 - Package of Papermate Pens = $.99

Paid with $14.00 in ECBs and $4 oop

Received $3 ECB for buying two John Frieda, $.99 for scissors, $.99 for Papermate, $2 ECB for Sundown & $7.99 for Complete

Total remaining in July 2010 budget: $90.72

Stop & Shop Deals

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:34:00 +0000

2 - Valio Real Goodness Milks (@ $1.99 ea) used two $1/1 IPs = $1.98 ($.99 ea!)
1 - Tribe Hummus (@ $2.00) used $1/1 IP = $1.00
1 - DiGiorno Pizza = $5.00
1 - Package of Stop & Shop Ice Cream Sandwiches = $1.99
3 - Hershey's Bliss Chocolates (@ $.99 B2G1F) used three $.55/1 mfcs doubled = FREE (-$.99)
4 - Dentyne Pure Gums (@ $1.00 ea) used four $1/1 mfcs = FREE
4 - Dentyne Gums (@ $1.00 ea) used four $1/1 mfcs = FREE
1 - Betty Crocker Warm Delights (clearanced @ $1.34) used $1/1 = $.34
1 - Betty Crocker Warm Delights Two Pack (clearanced @ $1.67) used $1/1 = $.67
1 - Fancy Feast App(@ $1.00) used free item mfc (found in dry catfood bag) = FREE
1 - French's Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce (@ $1.50) used $.75/1 doubled = FREE
2 - Ken's Salad Dressings (@ $1.00 ea) used $1/2 IP = $1.00
2 - Minute Rice Brown Rice 2Pks (@ $2.19 ea) used 2 $.75/1 mfcs doubled = $1.38 ($.69 ea)
1 - Package of Gold Fish (@ $2.00) used $1/1 IP = $1.00
1 - Bag of S&S Indoor Catfood = $2.50
1 - Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer Cleaner (@ $5.99) used $5/1 mfc = $.99*
1 - Glass Plus Cleaner (@ $1.50) used $1/1 IP = $.50
2 - Weber Marinades (@ $1.00 ea) used two $.50/1 mfcs doubled = FREE
2 - Boxes of Whiskas Pouches (@ $3.99 ea) used two $2/1 mfcs = $3.98 ($1.99 ea)
1 - Package of blueberries = $1.25
- Received $05 reusable bag credit x 3 = -$.15

Total: $22.44

Total remaining in July 2010 budget: $94.72

*Buy two and get a catalina for $2 off your next purchase. Unfortunately I only had one coupon with me!

This sale ends Thursday, July 15

Price Rite Deals

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:00:00 +0000

A quick stop at Price Rite:

1 - Applesauce 4 pack = $.96
1 - Package of hamburger rolls = $.79
1 - Perdue oven Stuffer chicken (@ $.99/lb) = $6.86
2 - Peaches (.71/lb @ $.89/lb) =$.63
2 - Bricks of cheese (@ $1.29 ea) = $2.58
1 - Gallon of milk (not pictured) = $2.49
2 - Chicken pot pies (@ $.59 ea) = $1.18
1 - Box of popsicles = $.99

Total: $16.48

Total remaining in July 2010 budget: $117.16

p.s. These deals are Caesar approved :)

Link Up Your Giveaways!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:51:00 +0000

Menu Plan Monday (7/12-7/16)

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:40:00 +0000

Happy Menu Plan Monday! We had a busy weekend but luckily I was able to throw together a whole Rotisserie Style Chicken in the crockpot yesterday afternoon. What's that mean? Enough chicken to last the whole week! :)

Monday: Penne Gorgonzola with leftover chicken

Tuesday: French Toast topped with fruit (blueberries)

Wednesday: Buffalo Chicken Pot Pie

Thursday: Veggie/Hamburgers on the grill, potato salad

Friday: Chicken Garlic Pizza

View more menu plans at Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday!
What's on your menu plan this week?

What I Bought for $138 in June!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:59:00 +0000

Sorry for the delay in posting this! I came pretty close to my $150 budget in June!
Here's what I bought for $138.53 in June 2010:

PANTRY

1 - Bag of Santitas Tortilla Chips
2 - Betty Crocker Pizza Crusts
3 - Canisters of Fisher Peanuts
1 - Hunt's Snack Pack
8 - Assorted 4C Drink Mixes
1 - Ritz Crackerfuls
4 - Jars of Salsa
1 - Bag of Sugar
4 - Weber Spice Mixs
1 - French's Honey Mustard
1 - Kool Aid Fizzy Drops
5 - Boxes of Macaroni & Cheese
1 - S&S brand applesauce
2 - Muir Glen Tomato Paste
1 - Betty Crocker Muffin Pouch
1 - Banana Cream Pie Snack Pack
1 - Package of Lance Cracker Snacks
1 - Quaker Delights Bars
2 - Jars of Tuttorosso Tomato Sauce

PAPER/CLEANING PRODUCTS

1 - Box Goodsense Snack Bags
1 - Roll of Marcal Small Steps TP
2 - Rolls of CVS Brand Paper Towels
3 - Big Y Brand Fabric Softeners

BAKERY

1 - Bag of onion rolls
1 - Package of Hamburger Rolls
1 - Baguette
2 - Harvest Pride English Muffins

PRODUCE

1 - Cucumber
1 - Head of broccoli
5 - Ears of Corn
1 - Bag of shredded carrots
5 - Bananas
1 - 5lb bag of Potatoes
1 - Cucumber
1 - Lemon
1 - Package of Blackberries
2 - Nectarines
2 - Peaches
1.60lb bag of Grapes

DAIRY/DELI

1 - Package of American Cheese
1 - 3lb package of prepared potato salad
1 - Coffeemate
4 - Cottage Cheeses
1 - Nestle Chocolate Filled Cookies
1 - Smart Balance Milk
3 - Bags of Big Y Shredded Cheese
1 - Package of Seafood Salad
1 - Oscar Mayer shaved turkey breast
1 - Kraft 100 Calorie Cheese Bites
1 - Best Life Butter Spread
1 - Package of provolone cheese
2 - Daisy Sour Creams
1 - La Creme Yogurt
4 - Yoplait Greek Yogurts
12 - Breyer's Yogurts
1 -International delight Creamer
1 - Chavrie Goat Cheese
4.08lbs of Boneless Chicken Breasts
1 - Dannon 4 pack of yogurt

FROZEN

1 - Package of Klondike Bars
4 - Healthy Choice Meals
1 - Freschetta Pizza
1 - Healthy Choice Steamers
3 - Lean Cuisines
2 - Boxes of Frozen Spinach
1 - Stop & Shop Pepperoni Pizza
2 - Skinny Cow Ice Creams
1 - Morning Star Farms Veggie Burgers
1 - Breyers Smooth & Dreamy
1 - California Pizza Kitchen Pizza
1 - Starbucks Coffee Free Ice Cream
5 - Bags of Organic Strawberries
5 - Bags of Blueberries
5 - Bags of Sliced Peaches
1 - Box of Ice Cream Sandwiches
3 - Cartons of Friendly's Ice Cream
2 - Hot Pocket Bruschetta Chicken Pockets
2 - Mrs. T's Pierogies
1 - Package of Lean Pockets

PET FOOD

24 - Cans of Fancy Feast
12 - Meow Mix Cups

HBA

3 - Reach Floss
1 - Pantene 2-1 Shampoo & Conditioner
2 - Fusion Gamers
2 - Johnson's Shead Butter Baby Washes
4 - Gillette Body Washes
2 - Almay Blushes
4 - John Frieda Hair Products
2 - Cover Girl Amazement LipGlosses
4 - Old Spice body washes
2 - Herbal Essence Shampoo/Conditioners
3 - Neutrogena Soaps
1 - CG Professional Mascara

What do you think? How'd I do?

***Want to learn more about my $150 monthly grocery budget? Click here!

Total spent on groceries January - June 2010: $665.82 (average of $110 a month!)

Awesome Rite Aid Freebies!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:43:00 +0000

I finally made it over to Rite Aid and picked up these great deals! I broke the transaction down a little differently so that you can see how the rebates work:

1 - Comtrex (@ $5.99) = $5.99
will receive $5 Single Check Rebate
my cost: $.99 after rebate!

1 - Renu Sensitive Contact Solution (@ $7.29) = $7.29
will receive $7.29 SCR
my cost: free after rebate!

1 - Crest Pro Health Rinse (@ $4.99) used $1/1 mfc, $1/$10 oral care purchase = $2.99
will receive $3 SCR
my cost: free after rebate!

1 - Crest Toothpaste (@ $2.49) used $1/1 = $1.49
received $2 UP+ Reward on my receipt
my cost: better than free after reward (-$.51!)

1 - Oral B Cross Action Power Tooth Brush (@ $5.99) used $3/1 = $2.99
will receive $4 SCR
my cost: better than free (-$1.01 after rebate!)

I also used a $5/$20 purchase IP

My total out of pocket today was: $12.75 + $1.11 tax = $13.86
I received a $2 reward toward my next purchase, and will receive a rebate for $19.29
$21.29 - $13.86 = a profit of $7.43! YEAH! :)

Total remaining in $150 July 2010 budget: $133.64

Giveaway Winners!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:12:00 +0000

This week's giveaway winners are:

#46, Pat (pavanco1) is the winner of the Fashion to Figure Giveaway!

#132, Monica (monicabozsik) is the winner of the CSN Stores Gift Certificate Giveaway!

Congratulations ladies! I have sent you both an email. You have 48 hours to claim your prizes.
Thanks to everyone who entered and please stop back soon for another fun new giveaway!

Lots of CVS Freebies!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:00:00 +0000

A great sale on the Nature Made vitamins this week, combined with a handful of awesome CRTS (cash register tape coupons) made me a happy girl!

4 - Sobe Lifewaters (@ $1.69, B1G1F) used two B1G1F MFCs = FREE!
2 - CVS Pantyliners (@ $.50 ea) = $1.00
1 - Clairol Hair Color (@ $5.99) used $2/1 crt and $2/1 mfc = $1.99
1 - Biotrue contact solution (@ $2.99) = $2.99
1 - Pantene hairspray(clearanced @ $2.49) used $2/1 crt and $1/1 mfc = FREE! (-$.51!)
1 - Vitamin E (@ $8.99) on sale B1G1 Free, used $2/2 CRT = $6.99
1 - Vitamin C (@ $8.49) on sale B1G1 Free = FREE!
2 - Hallmark Cards (@ $1.00 ea) used $1/2 crt = $1.00
1 - 3 Musketeers = $.50 (used $.50/1 crt) =FREE!

Total: $13.46 (+ $.19 tax), paid with $8 ECB and $5 ECB and $.63 on CVS giftcard

Received $3 ECB for buying BioTrue, $1 ECB for Clairol and $1 ECB for buying two CVS pantyliners

Super Cheap Baby Wipes at Walgreens!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 01:07:00 +0000

2 - Dr. Scholl's Arch Supports (@ $5.50 ea) used $5 off wags booklet coupon (x2!) = $1.00! ($.50 ea)
2 - Keebler Crackers (@ $2.50 ea) used two $1/1 keebler ips = $3.00
2 - Maxwell House Coffees (@ $2.50 ea) used $1/1mfc = $4.00
4 - Pampers Wipes (@ $2.50 ea) used four $2/1 mfc = $2.00 ($.50 ea!)

Total: $10.00, paid with $7.50 and $2.50 oop
Received $2 RR for buying two Keebler crackers

Total remaining in July 2010 budget: $147.50

Last Chance for Dress Giveaway!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:39:00 +0000

If you haven't already, please feel free to enter my giveaway to Win a Dress from Fashion to Figure! (Dress sizes 12-26). This giveaway closes tonight at 7pm EST. As of this morning, there are only 43 entries - so your chances of winning are great! :)

Happy Wednesday!

Menu Plan Monday! (7/5-7/9)

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:10:00 +0000

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July weekend! We're in the middle of a heat wave and it's been too hot to cook. Anyone have any easy recipes that are good for warm weather?

Monday (Yesterday): Ham/veggie burgers on grill with pasta side

Tuesday: McCormick's White Chicken Chili

Wednesday: Grilled Chicken over Caesar salad

Thursday: Spaghetti with marinara sauce

Friday: Stir-fry with leftover chicken and vegetables

In other news, I came up with three things in my stockpile that need to be used: plain oatmeal, mustard (yellow and spicy brown) and rice... so hopefully I can come up with some ideas! :)

View more menu plans at Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday!

What's on your menu plan this week?

Link Up Your Giveaways!

frugalfab@gmail.com (Lindsay) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:30:00 +0000