Stay at Home Moms Money Savers

We Are Moving and Changing

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:43:00 +0000

When I first started this blog nearly a year and a half ago I was not at all blog savvy. I came up with what I thought was a cute name and it wasn't until I ordered business cards for the first time that I realized I had like the longest url in history!! LOL

At that time I talked to my hubby about changing my name and moving to Wordpress and he was all for it but I kind of chickened out.

So a few days ago we were having a discussion about my blog and ultimately decided to just go ahead and do it. I have really wanted a shorter url for a long time and there are many things that can be done on wordpress that can't be done on blogger.

So with out further adieu, you can now find us at Southern Illinois Money Savers.

I personally think that simoneysavers.com is just a little shorter than stayathomemomsmoneysavers.blogspot.com! :)

Hope to see you there!

Kerosotes Theaters Five Buck Club

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:59:00 +0000

My best girlfriend messaged me on Facebook the other day and asked me if I was part of the Kerasotes Five Buck Club. Knowing that I love movies and love to save money she was sure I would be interested and she was right.

These days we don't go to the movies often. It is just too darn expensive! Yet every once in a while we go on a date night or a movie comes out that the girls are just dying to see and we go.

If you have Kerasotes Theaters in your area you may want to check this out. You can search locations here. If you have a participating theater you can fill out a simple registration here. Then in a few days (I got mine in 5) you will recieve your Five Buck Club Card in the mail.

Every thursday you will receive an email from Kerasotes alerting you of the movies in your area that are available for the $5 discout! It's that simple.

Tackle it Tuesday: Shopping for New Clothes

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:11:00 +0000

Here is what I tackled this week!

I have been needing to get a few new outfits for a while now especially since since we changed our eating habits and I have lost 10lbs. The jeans that I was wearing that fit me comfortably are now fitting me quite loosely.

So this morning I headed out on a mission. With a $150 budget I headed to the VF Factory outlet mall to find me some new clothes.

I went alone which enabled me to take my time. I went in and walked the entire women's section, putting anything I thought was cute in my cart. Afterwards I did the unthinkable, something I hate to do, I headed for the dressing room. I tried on everything and weeded out the items I didn't like.

I was pleasantly surprised when I tried on jeans one size smaller than I currently own and they fit perfectly! Yay

I ended up with 2 pairs of jeans, a cranberry and green sweater, pink casual long sleeved shirt, black ruffled dressy top, black tank top and 2 bras. As for cost--- I came in under budget at only $115 including tax.

Now I am set until I drop another size or two!

Clinque: Free Shipping Plus 3 Gifts w/$40 Purchase Today Only

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Today at Clinique online spend $40 or more and get free shipping. Plus recieve 3 All time favorite gifts.

Long last Glosswear SPF 15 in Air Kiss .07 fl. oz.

Quick Eyes Cream Shadow in Rock Violet .07 fl. oz.

All About Eyes .21 oz.

Just enter the code ALLTIME at checkout!

This is for today, 12/7, only.

Today Only! Free Tote w/$25 Purchase (Bath and Body Works)

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:45:00 +0000

Today only! You can get a free tote with and $25 purchase at Bath and Body Works.

Just enter FREETOTE at checkout and the tote will be added to your order.

Homemade Cinnamon Syrup

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:32:00 +0000

Two of our nieces stayed the weekend with us and with 4 growing girls in the house I felt like I did nothing but cook.

Saturday morning I got up and made pancakes and we just had to try out this Cinnamon Syrup I had seen on Grocery Cart Challenge.

The ingredients were simple, things that I always have on hand.

* 1 cup sugar
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons flour
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 2/3 cup water
* 2 tablespoons butter

Mix sugar, salt, flour, and cinnamon.

Add water and bring to a boil.

Boil until thickened.

Stir in butter.

Serve over pancakes, waffles, or french toast.

It was very simple to make and it came out delicious!! Everyone loved it. It gave our pancakes a "cinnamon roll" flavor. Yummo

Menu Plan Monday 12/7

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:54:00 +0000

Monday: Rice and Lentil Casserole, Broccoli and Cheese, Corn

Tuesday: Cheeseburger Soup

Wednesday: Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, Salad, Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Thursday: Lentil Tacos, Refried Beans, Corn

Friday: Tuna Broccoli Casserole (adapted from here)

Saturday: Birthday Slumber Party for Emeri- Frozen Pizza, Chips, Cake

Sunday: Church Christmas Banquet

Most of these recipes will be modified. I will be changing out some of the ingredients to make them healthier and less calories. I will post as many picture and modified recipes as I can.

Breakfasts: Eggs, Oatmeal, Pancakes, Fruit

Lunches/Snacks: Fruits, Veggie, Peanut Butter or Tuna Sandwiches, Nuts, Cheese, Home Made muffins

Walgreens Best Deals of the Week 12/6

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:20:00 +0000

Check out Mom's by Heart for the complete low down on Walgreens Deals this week!

All Laundry Detergent 26-40 loads 2/$7
-$2 from 12/6 RP (use 2)

Snuggle Liquid Fabric Softener 32 loads 2/$7
-$2 from 12/6 RP (use 2)

Skippy Peanut Butter 2/$3 (with insert coupon)
-$.75 from 11/15 RP - coupon amt is regional

Ragu Pasta Sauce 2/$3 (with insert coupon)
-$1/2 from 11/15 RP

Pert Plus $1.99
-$1 from 10/18 SS

Schick Quattro Razors, $6.99 and earn$3 RRs
$2/1 Schick Quattro for Women, exp. 1-31-10 (SS 11/22/09)
$2/1 Schick Quattro for Women, exp. 1-17-10 (SS 12/6/09)
$2/1 Schick Quattro Titanium Razor, exp. 1-31-10 (SS 11/22/09)
$2/1 Schick Quattro Titanium Razor, exp. 1-17-10 (SS 12/6/09)

$5 Challenge Scenario:
Transaction #1
Dulcolax $7 (monthly deal)
-$3 Coupon off package
Pay $4 plus tax and earn $4 Register Rewards

Transaction #2
Shick Razor $6.99
-$2 Coupon
Use $4 Register Reward
Pay 99cent plus tax and earn $3 Register Reward

CVS Best Deals of the Week 12/6

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:46:00 +0000

Mommy Snacks has the scoop on all the hot deals at CVS these week. Here are a few of my favorites.

Sunday – Monday – Tuesday ONLY

$4.99 Essence of Beauty Bath & Body Products and earn $4 ECB (Limit 2)

$3.99 Merry Brite Plush Santa Hat and earn $3.99 ECB (Limit 2)

$1.99 Merry Brite Mini Ornaments (12 ct) and earn$1.99 ECB. (Limit 2)

Weekly Deals

Buy $20 in Nexxus Products and earn $10 ECB (Limit 1)

$3.99 Emergen-C and earn $3.99 ECB (Limit 1)

$8.99 Zantac 150 (24 ct) or 75 (ct 30 ct) and earn $8.99 ECB. (Limit 1)
$1 in the 10/18 SS Insert
$1 in the 11/15 SS Insert

$14.99 Bayer Countour Breezer Meter and earn $5 ECB. (Limit 1)
$30 in the 10/25 RP Insert (coupon will be adjusted to $14.99)

$1.99 Gillette Fusion, Mach3, Series or Satin Shave Gel
$1 in the 11/29 P&G Insert

My $5 Challenge Scenario:

Transaction #1

2 Merry Brite Mini Ornaments @ $1.99 each

Total = $3.98 plus tax and earn $3.98 Extra Care Bucks

Transaction #2

Merry Brite Santa Hat $3.99

Use $3.98 ECB's from T#1

Pay tax and earn $3.99 Extra Care Bucks

Transaction #3

Emergen-C $3.99

Use $3.99 ECB's from T#2

Pay tax and earn $3.99 Extra Care Bucks

Coupon Preview 12/6

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:10:00 +0000

Todays papers will have 2 coupons inserts. A thick Smart Source and a red plum.

For my local readers: The St. Louis Post has the best choice of coupons compared to the Southern Illinoisian. However the Southern has all the store circulars. I normally buy 2 St. Louis and 1 Southern.

You can check out the coupon preview here but please keep in mind that not all areas get the exact same coupons or coupon values.

Hallmark: $5 off Any Purchase

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:05:00 +0000

Wow! Here is a really sweet coupon.

Get $5 off any purchase at Hallmark Gold Crown Store and the best part is that there is no minimum purchase!

The coupon is valid through 12/24/09. You may only print once.

Thanks A Thrifty Mom!

Bath and Body Works: 20% off Your Entire Purchase through 12/6

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:02:00 +0000

Go here to print a coupon for 20% off you entire purchase at Bath and Body Works. Limit one per customer. The coupon is valid through tomorrow December 6th.

Sweet Potato Oven Fries

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:47:00 +0000

Wednesday night our menu consisted of Boneless Thin Pork Chops, Corn and Sweet Potato Oven Fries.

I followed Erin's recipe exactly however mine just didn't get very crispy. I did cook them for about 10 minutes longer than suggested and only some were crispy. The girls were complaining they were starving so I just went ahead and plated them up.

Jonah set the table, hence the lovely colored plastic section plates! :)

No one was a real fan of the Fries, please keep in mind though that until this I have never fixed sweet potatoes before. However Emeri and hubby ate all of theirs. Next week we plan on trying Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

We are starting to try out vegetables that we never eat. I have been searching recipes that sound good. Hopefully when we are done we will have a bigger list of veggies to put in meals and side dishes.

Free Estee Lauder Lip Gloss 12/5

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:39:00 +0000

Tomorrow, 12/5, Estee Lauder is giving away 130,000 free lip glosses nationwide! Plus you will also receive a 2 minute hand massage. This will be going on from 10am - 8pm tomorrow, while supplies last.

For my local readers: you can go to Dillard's in Marion, Peebles in Mt. Vernon or Macy's in Carbondale. Just head to the Estee Lauder counter for your free lip gloss and hand massage.

Thanks Fistful of Coupons!

Walgreens Shopping 12/1

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:15:00 +0000

Transaction #1

4 Gift Sacks @ 4/$1
Stress Shower Gel $3.99
Gillette Fusion $8.99
Olay Body Wash $2.99
Olay Lotion $5.99
2 Oral B Floss Picks @ $2.50 each

Coupons
$1 off Stress Shower Gel
$4 off Gillette Fusion
2 $1 off Oral B Floss Picks
-$5.99 Free Olay Lotion when you buy body wash
-$12 Register Rewards

Total Spent $5.35 and earned $8 in Register Rewards

Transaction #2
Complete Solution $7.99
Olay Body Wash $2.99
Olay Lotion $5.99
3 Chocolate Santa @ 29cent each

Coupons
$1 off Complete
-$5.99 free olay lotion when you buy body wash
-$9 Register Rewards

Total Spent $3.37 and earned $8 Register Rewards

Transaction #3

Sleep Shower Gel $3.99
Gillette Fusion $8.99
2 Chocolate Santas @ 29cents

Coupons
$1 off Complete
$4 off Gillette
-$8 Register Rewards

Total Spent $1.71 and earned $6 Register Rewards

My shopping total for this week is $86.56. After I add it to last weeks total I end up with $182.56 and I am $17.44 under my $200 a payday budget.

Walgreens Shopping 11/27

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:01:00 +0000

Transaction #1

Infusium $4.99
Aquafresh $1.99
Rightguard $2.49
Container 71cents

Coupons
$2 off Infusium
-$8 Register Rewards

Total Spent $1.05 and earned $9.50 Register Rewards

Transaction #2

Johnson and Johnson body Wash $5.99
Dove Deodorant $3.99
M&M's 89cents

Used $9.50 in Register Rewards

Total Spent $2.29 and earned $10 in Register Rewards

Transaction #3

Infusium $4.99
Nivea Shaving Cream $2.49
Right Guard $2.49
Aquafresh $1.99
Snickers Nutcracker 59cents

Coupons
$2 off Infusium
-$10 in Register Rewards

Total Spent $1.62 and earned $12 in Register Rewards

Transaction #4

Dove Deodorant $3.99
Johnsons and Johnsons Body Wash $5.99
3 Snicker Nutcracker @ 2/$1

Coupons
$1 off Dove that printed from Catalina Machine
Used $10 in Register Rewards

Total Spent $1.46 and earned $10 in Register Rewards

CVS Shopping 11/27

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:20:00 +0000

I went to CVS Thanks giving morning, I didn't take a picture, I can't find my receipt and for the life of me I have no idea what I bought!! LOL

I can tell you that according to my bank register I spent a total of $10 cash and left with $8 in Register Rewards

The next day I went back to do this Herbal Essences deal.

Herbal Essence Shampoo $2.99
Herbal Conditioner $2.99
2 Herbal Essences Hair Spray @ $2.99 each
Candybar 89cents (for my niece)
$1 to St Jude

-$2.99 Buy Free HE Styler when you buy shampoo or conditioner
-$2.99 Same as above
-$8 Register Reward

Total Spent 93cents and earned $6 Register Reward

Kroger Shopping 11/27

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:10:00 +0000

2 Italian Loaf @ 79cents each
Sweet Potatoes $1.91
Bread $2
Gala Apples $2.49
2 Organic Tortilla Chips @ $1.99 each
Bananas 72cents
Organic Pears $1.64
Nutmeg $2.67
Baby Carrots $1
Peanuts $2.39
Lettuce 88cents
Kroger Skim Milk $2.99
Kroger Sugar $2.14
Stew Beef $3.95
Cube Steak 93cents
Pork Chops $3.27
Tomatoes $1.99
Kroger Sandwich Bags $1.25
2 Kroger Cheese $1.25 each
Kroger Eggs 98cents
Jif Natural Peanut Butter $2.98
2 Mom's Cereal @ $1.99 each
2 Kraft Block Cheese @ $1.67 each
Kroger Toilet Paper 88cents
2 Perdue Ground Turkey @ $1.49 each
Kroger Turkey Bacon $2.50
Dole Canned Pineapple $1

I used a sad total of $3 in coupons.

My total spent was $58.78

$10 off a $50 Purchase at Aeropostale

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:55:00 +0000

Head over here to print a coupon for $10 of your purchase of $50 at Aeropostale. The coupon can be used over and over again and is valid until 12/24/09.

$25 off a $75 Purchase at Fashion Bug

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:24:00 +0000

Here is a great coupon! Go here and print this coupon for $25 off your purchase of $75 or more at Fashion Bug.

The coupon does exclude: clearance, Priced Just Right items and designer fragrances. The coupon is valid until 12/31/09

Thanks Mummy Deals!

Crockpot Beef Stew

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:25:00 +0000

my camera batteries were dead so i took a lousy pic on my phone

This beef stew was adapted from this recipe.

I used:
1lb Stew Meat
1 Onion diced
2 Cans Beef Broth
1 can fire roasted tomatoes
5 small potatoes (peeled and cut up)
2 Celery stalks chopped up
1 cup baby carrots cut in half
1 can water
pepper
garlic

I just took everything and dumped it in the crockpot. Sadly I think my crockpot is not working well on low anymore. I had it on low for 10 hrs and it wasn't done!! I was not happy. So I kicked it up to high for a couple hours and it was fabulous. I guess it was a good thing I got it started at 6:30a.m.

Now I think it is time for a new crockpot!

Earn Points Toward a $50 CVS Pharmacy or Walgreen's Gift Card with MyPoints

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:44:00 +0000

Thanks to my Hubby for this Guest Post!

If you've not yet checked out MyPoints, you're missing out on yet another way to make those Extra Care Bucks or Register Rewards go even farther.

MyPoints.com is a website that my family and I have used for years to get gift cards to places such as CVS Pharmacy and Walgreen's.

Earn Points for Printing Online Coupons
That's right, you can earn points toward a $50 CVS Gift Card or $50 Walgreen's Gift Card by logging into your MyPoints account and printing online coupons from Coupons.com. .

Earn Points For Your Web Searches
Why not accumulate points toward a $50 CVS Gift Card or $50 Walgreen's Gift Card every time you do a web search. This is an activity you are doing anyway, so why not benefit even more from it?

Earn Points for Online Shopping
If you shop at any of the following places online, you could be earning points toward a $50 CVS Gift Card or $50 Walgreen's Gift Card each time you shop!

1-800-Pet-Meds

1-800-Contacts

Adidas

Aeropostale

Alice.com

Amazon.com

American Eagle Outfitters

Ann Taylor

Anne Klein

Apothica

Apple iTunes

Apple Online Store

Armani Exchange

AT & T

Avon

Babies 'R' Us

Baby Earth

Banana Republic

Bare Necessities

Barnes & Noble

Bath & Body Works

Best Buy

Best Western

Blackberry

Blockbuster

Bloomingdale's

Brooks Brothers

Buy.com

Cafe Press

Calendars.com

Candlewood Suites

Chadwick's

Clinique

Comfort Inn

Comfort Suites

Converse

Cooking.com

Crate and Barrel

Crocs

Crowne Plaza

Dell

Delta Air Lines

Dillards

DirecTV

Discovery Store

DisneyStore.com

DoubleDay Book Club

EA Games

eBay

Eddie Bauer

Elf Cosmetics

Elizabeth Arden

Fairmont Hotels

Fannie Mae Candies

Fashion Bug

Fingerhut

Foot Locker

Fossil

Frederick's of Hollywood

Gamefly

Gamestop

Ghirardelli

Gift Baskets Remembered

Godiva Chocolatier

Gourmet Gift Baskets

GUESS

Half.com

Hickory Farms

Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn Express

Home Depot

Hot Topic

Hotels.com

Hotwire

J C Penny

JustMySize.com

Kmart

Kodak

Kohl's

Lands End

Leap Frog

LL Bean

Microsoft Store

Montgomery Ward

Office Depot

Office Max

Overstock.com

Petco

Priceline

QuickBooks

Quicken

Sears

Sony

Sprint

StarbucksStore

Target

Toys 'R' Us

TurboTax

United Airlines

Verizon

Victoria's Secret

Walgreen's

Walmart

and more!

Earn Points for Clicking
MyPoints will send you special offers to your email inbox. By simply clicking on the offer (no purchase necessary), you get 5 points per click. All those clicks add up!

So check it out today, and start adding up those points towards a $50 CVS Gift Card or $50 Walgreen's Gift Card!

Get 30% off Your Entire Purchase at Yankee Candle 12/3 - 12/6

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:56:00 +0000

With this great coupon you can get 30% off your entire purchase at Yankee Candle from 12/3 through 12/6.

Limit one coupon per customer.

Thanks Wicked Cool Deals!

FREE Sample of Extra Strength Excedrin

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:31:00 +0000

Sam's Club is offering a Free Sample of Extra Strength Excedrin.

You do not have to be a club member, just leave that part blank.

Thanks Common Sense With Money!

Free Aveeno Tote Bag

noreply@blogger.com (Amber) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:32:00 +0000

You can go here to sign up for a Free Aveeno Tote Bag from Body and Soul Magazine.

Thanks Hey It's Free!