A Fresh Start to Making Ends Meet

Freebies For You and Me!

2012-11-14T09:59:00.001-05:00

Not to many follow my blog, but it hasn't been forgotten! I should make a point to post everyday since I check my email, etc. For the most part once school starts I am in zombie mode hahaha. With all the band practices, etc it seems like hellooo where did the day go?

Haven't worked outside of the house in 12 yrs and looking for a job is a weird scary thing for me. Nevertheless to jump into the pool now after so long with this economy I will admit it is TOUGH!

So here to help you through your day some links to free samples :D

Coffee.
Mailing Labels
Whole Wheat Cookbook
Folgers Coffee
Maybelline New York Dream Fresh BB Cream
Mrs. Dash
Airbonre
Crest Mouthwash
Free Bar of Soap
Free Wet Dog Food
Free Energy Drink
Eucerin Lotion
Free Family Portrait
Free Kiddos Haircuts JcPenney [permanent] [article]
Free Betty Crocker Calendar
Another Calendar from Eat Home America
HEY GUESS WHAT ANOTHER CALENDAR!.
Free Atkin's Bars
Aveno
Emergen-C Kids
Finish Dishwashing Tab
Garnier Frutis Shampoo
Eat Smart Bar

Report Cards are coming out so freebies for their great work! [check your local area for other goodies!]

Baskin-Robbins – Free scoop of ice cream for good grades on your report card!

Blockbuster - Free family friendly movie rental for A’s on your report card!

Chick-fil-A – Free 8-pack of chicken nuggets for all A’s & B’s on your report card!

Chuck E. Cheese – Free game tokens!

Family Video – Free rentals based on how well you did on your report card!

Krispy Kreme - Get a free donut for each A (up to 6 A’s)!

Limited Too – $5.00 off your purchase if you bring in your report card within 30-days!

McDonalds – Free Happy Meal if your child has all A’s!

Peter Piper Pizza: Free 7 inch 1 topping pizza for good grades on report card!

Pizza Hut – Each marking period, any child who has 3 A’s or the equivalent thereof, will receive one Personal Pan Pizza and a small soft drink or carton of milk by presenting his or her report card to the manager.

Sbarro Pizza – Free slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza and a small drink for each PizzAcheiver and accompanying adult!

Topps – Free gift from the manager, show your report card to the manager and you get some sort of free gift!

Baking time coupons:
Krusteaz $1
Kraft Mac N Cheese

That is all the goodies I have today! Getting ready for Thanksgiving enjoy all the planning :D God Bless!!

Swagbucks Points

2012-10-19T11:17:00.000-04:00

Happy Mega Swagbuck Day! Couple good values for your time if you are saving up.

5 Swagbucks

1 Swagbuck Watch Dance Showdown Video [under RadiumOne]

9 Swagbucks [Plus Free Chips and Salsa Coupon!] Join Chili Mailclub

14 Swagbucks To Print Coupons @ Coupons.com!?!??!

2 Swagbucks McDonald's Activity [under Super Rewards]

Good luck on your MegaBucks! God Bless and take care!

Best canner out there and they LAST!!!

Free Halloween Printouts Super Cute

2012-10-08T07:33:00.002-04:00

Long time no see. Been thinking about posting...have oodles to post about, but my bum has been living in the kitchen or the garden. Shhh also catching a bit of Alias on Netflix. How could I never have watched this show?!?!?

So today FREEBIES!!! Halloween Bingo, and Treat Bag Printouts. Not all for the demonic about Halloween for our familia, but we do adore to dress up! So why not have a bit of fun with these adorable printouts.

HUGS, till next time!

BJ Wholesale Club 60 day PASS

2012-09-10T17:09:00.000-04:00

Another great freebie. 60 day free pass to BJ's and they take coupons! Nothing to sneeze about with this deal.
Click photo to print your free pass.

Have a BLESSED day!

2012-09-09T19:22:00.001-04:00

Free music anyone? Any country music fans? Some of the most popular music for FREE yep freebies!!!!

Kix Brooks “New To This Town (Feat. Joe Walsh)”
Easton Corbin “Lovin’ You Is Fun”
David Nail “Half Mile Hill”
Jerrod Niemann “Shinin’ On Me”
Steel Magnolia “Maybe I’m Amazed”
Bucky Covington “Drinking Side Of Country”
The Mavericks “Born To Be Blue”
The Farm “Home Sweet Home”
Miss Willie Brown “You’re All That Matters To Me”
Jon Pardi “Missin’ You Crazy”

Follow the directions on HERE and your free music will be on its way.

A great find @ Couponing to Disney thank you!

Pardon the Dust

2012-09-07T12:42:00.001-04:00

Think all the bugs are worked out so WELCOME! Added a bit of inspiration to the page, and feeling bright and spruced up. Now have tons to update.

Kiddos started school so it has in fact been a zoo. We have been lucky enough to be close to the school to walk, but these past few weeks have been challenging as we are car riders. Now it is busy you working Mom's I give you TONS of credit. I honestly forget how I once did it. Now with one at band practice 3-4 times a week, and this car pooling thing, housework, cooking, etc it is like woahhhh. Regardless always find time to coupon lol.

On a positive note cleaned out my coupons since we didn't have any last week. Now I just need to make goals to get myself as organized as my coupons are lol. Had an extra expenditure this month as our washer let go. We went back and forth to buy the part or to buy a new one. Let me say after looking a bit for new ones [they are $600-$1200 OUCH] I wondered if I paid this much a long time ago for this front end loader. Yikes. So after a week with no washing machine, the part was $200 for a life time warranty. So we opted for the part, and we learned quite a bit fixing it truly we did. I implore you if you have a failing washer, dryer go online do some research there are so many people that like to help. God bless them!!! After we did our research there are only less than 10 things that you can actually replace [serious issues] for a washer. So thank the good lord we saved a bit on that number.

On another note, my bread making experiment was a bust. I am not sure if it is the humidity, but that lovely recipe Alison gave me didn't raise right. Going to give it another try, and try some other recipes as well there is something about Egg Bread that I adore lol.

Since we had that extra expenditure I didn't save as much as I wanted this month, but hey could be worse. So grateful each and everyday. Bless you and yours!

Oh Sweet Gardening ♫ ☼ ♪

2012-09-06T14:08:00.002-04:00

Come October the ground is good here [zone 10] for gardening. Since we don't have acreage we tend to have a good size garden, but not monstrous. Honestly I like change, and last year we had a raised bed with cement blocks we found [someone was throwing them away!!!] So this year after much research [I'm such a dork.] we came to the conclusion [DH & I] to have a bucket garden. For the herbs a garden from a rain gutter, and the rest in the previous raised beds.

Since I am a cheapo I didn't want to go out to Home Depot/Lowe's, etc and purchase those buckets. So today was bulk pickup in our area. Since I didn't want to get to wacko and waste $20 in fuel we stayed pretty close to home. Low and behold by the grace of God we found 3 paint buckets [5 gal], and 2 other buckets of random size. I wanted to start with 10 buckets of a garden, but for now this is certainly going to do! WONDERFUL! On top of the previous ideas I didn't want to buy those tomato cages. We usually stake them with random shimmies of wood. Again I think I have adult ADD seriously so my mind was going and found some pallets in the bulk pickup. Let me again proclaim...I am not proud I will pick threw bulk pickup.

So far gardening supply cost:

Bone Meal $6
Blood Meal $6
Liquid Kelp $10
Fish emusion [still had some leftover it last forever, but smells horrid]
Seeds [organic heirloom]from ebay $12
Gutter & supplies $10
Buckets FREE
Pallets FREE
Soil FREE [going to get manure from a farm nearby]

Total cost so far [still need a bit more seeds] $34
Probably will be over $50 when we are done, but liquid kelp last forever very big expense, but soooo worth it for organic gardening in my opinion.

Seeds are my own expense. We have heirloom from last year that we will plant, but I was soooo dying for Cherokee Purple Tomatoes. Gorgeous trust me.

Any ideas or input on seeds nowadays. I think it is worth it to buy an heirloom seed. With all the hoekie business with that "M" company we want seeds to last more than one cycle. Are you planning a garden this year? Any ideas on a small garden how to use all space in the most creative ways?

Sample Bear Naked Cereal

2012-08-28T08:59:00.001-04:00

GOOD MORNING! Happy to have Isaac a bit away from us today. Hope you and your are safe. Prayers going out to those in the areas Isaac is on his way.

Well digging around this morning and found this sample for cereal @ Target. Samples work for me anytime!

Bless you and yours, Em

Domino Sugar Coupon

2012-08-25T09:23:00.001-04:00

Nice Domino sugar coupon on SmartSource. .75 off 2 [2lb or more]. Nice deal for brown sugar, or confection sugar, or some inexpensive sugar if you find it on sale. If you have doubles [sadly we don't] this would be lovely!

Also I entered zip 21675. Have a blessed day enjoy it with those you love. ♥

LOVE THOS SILICONE BAKING SHEETS!!!!! What a great price too!

Win a Kindle Fire

2012-08-23T09:07:00.002-04:00

Once and again I will enter a sweepstakes. So today found an interesting one for a Kindle Fire and decided to share with all of you!

Win a Kindle Fire

Have a blessed day!

Dollar Tree Takes Coupons?!?!?!

2012-08-23T07:54:00.002-04:00

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read about this it is very exciting news! Article here that ALL Dollar Trees will start taking coupons this Sunday [August 26th]. Since most Dollar Trees have their brand, and well known brands in stores I think I will head over to scoop it out for this weekend! [usually buy papers there on Sunday as well.]

Thank you Dollar Tree!

All You Magazine subscription

2012-08-22T16:30:00.003-04:00

Got a lovely email today from Coupon Mom for $5 off a subscription. A while back I bought a magazine subscription from the kiddos school fundraiser, but don't have the faintest where I put it! [my luck I will find it now lololol]

So if you have a Coupon Mom account or don't register HERE.

Plus free grilling cooking [pdf file]

God bless you and yours!

New Bread Recipes?

2012-08-22T07:48:00.000-04:00

We have been making the same bread for probably a year now[maybe longer]. The other day I pulled out the bread and it literally was falling apart. Not sure why there was so much moisture in the bread, but it toasted nicely so there was no waste.

On that note, do you know any great loaf bread recipes?

I have been searching high and low for one that is frugal, but taste/freezes well. Most recipes I have found call for a STICK OF BUTTER a loaf. ...YIKES! Since fats are an important part of bread making I don't mind adding butter, but a stick of butter is just not budget conscious of me.

Can't wait to hear about your great recipes, and how they fair in your home. Bless you and yours.

America's Best Contacts & Glasses?

2012-08-18T22:41:00.000-04:00

Went to get eye exam for munchie to get contact lenses today. Never knew they offered things like this, but America's Best Contacts and Glasses has a plan for 5yrs of eye exams [2x a year] for $139!!!!

So anyone else try out this company before? America's Best Contacts and Glasses?

Experiment of the Week: Homemade Bagels

2012-08-14T00:19:00.000-04:00

After a nice day of digging for fun new things to make for our family. My oldest and I went to youtube and found a humorous video: How to make bagels in 5 minutes. Nevertheless we knew it wasn't going to take five minutes, but it peeked our interested to try this recipe out.

We modified this recipe.

Ingredients

1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
3 cups bread flour [small amount for flouring the board]
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 quarts boiling water
3 tablespoons white sugar [also can add molasses at this step instead of sugar]
1 tablespoon cornmeal [we omitted this step as we found they were a nicer flavor/texture]
1 egg white
Ms. Dash
Sesame Seeds
Caraway Seeds [this really makes the flavoring of this bagel]

Directions

Place water, salt, sugar, flour and yeast in the bread machine pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough setting. [We did this by hand since we did a triple batch.]
When cycle is complete, let dough rest on a lightly floured surface. Meanwhile, in a large pot bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Stir in 3 tablespoons of sugar.
Cut dough into 9 equal pieces, and roll each piece into a small ball. Flatten balls. Poke a hole in the middle of each with your thumb. Twirl the dough on your finger or thumb to enlarge the hole, and to even out the dough around the hole. Cover bagels with a clean cloth, and let rest for 10 minutes. [We didn't use this method, but to each there own. We rolled them into a hot dog style, and pressed the end, and wrapped it around firmly.]
Sprinkle an ungreased baking sheet with cornmeal. Carefully transfer bagels to boiling water. Boil for 1 minute, turning half way through. Drain briefly on clean towel. Arrange boiled bagels on baking sheet. Glaze tops with egg white, and sprinkle with your choice of toppings.
Bake in a preheated 375 degree F (190 degrees C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until well browned.[20 for convection oven. Other oven times my vary.]

Linked up with Jam Hands really great recipe sharing site!

Aldi's more Firecrackers for US! 8/5

2012-08-14T00:04:00.000-04:00

Since we tried those jazzed up saltines they are truly a huge hit! With band camp this week we needed more craisins since he adores them!

4 bx saltines .89=3.56
1 loaf bread [lazy me]1.49
4 cream cheese 1.19=4.76
1 cheese .99
1 limeade .99
5 craisins 1.39=6.95
1 bag oranges 2.99

Total 21.73
Savings 59% compared to store prices

Office Depot Save on those School Supplies!!

2012-08-13T23:55:00.000-04:00

Really appreciate Office Depot lately as they are just amazing deals, no limits, and they work with you! My oldest and I went in and I took a couple extra notebook paper. Figured I could ask if it was okay or if I could do a separate transaction for a bit more paper. The cashier was so lovely she said no problem and purchased three more paper.

2 transactions:
6 pencil sharpeners 1.50
6 school glue .06
6 pink erasers 1.50
9 notebook paper 2.25

Total $5.41
Savings 79% $20.22

Dollar Tree more great ways to SAVE!

2012-08-13T23:45:00.000-04:00

For a couple months now we haven't had home delivery of our newspaper. So found a dollar tree nearby that had them for $1!!!! The original price for our newspaper is $2+.

4 newspapers 4.00
6 poptarts for the crew 6.00
1 candy for DH 1.00
Total 11.00
Savings 52% or 10.50 or so.

Target Lessons Learned....8/8

2012-08-13T23:36:00.000-04:00

This is a lesson to all check your receipts! I haven't been to Target in some time, but they changed things a bit, and check the coupons before your order. That was fine with me, but the prices on the receipt didn't reflect the sign tags that I saw in the store. It was almost $20 alone in things with different prices or just errors on the cashiers part. [I asked her to check a price for me because a sign said .85, but it rang up 2.79! So she never backed out that part of the order...oopsie!]

Regardless some great deals to be had!

1 binder 3.44

2 pks [8 pair] socks 5.00=10.00-[2]3.00 off Merona=4.00/2.00e pk

4 rolls tape .49=1.96-[2].50TQ -[4].25MQ= -.04MM

2 piece bathing suit 14.96-[2]3.00tq= 8.96

1 M &M snack mix 2.48-2.48MQ wyb M&M candy=0.00

3 subject notebook 3.00

1 pk highlighters 1.00

1 ruler .97

2 Tresemme 2.11= 4.22-[2]1.00tq=2.22/1.11e

4 Fructis 2.79-[3]1.00TQ-[2]2.79MQ=2.58/.65e WOOOHOOO

6 Markers .49=2.94 -[2]1.00MQ=.94/.31e

6 Color Pencils 2.94 -[2]1.00MQ=.94/.31e

4 Glue stick .25= 1.00

1 M&M 2.66

1 black tank top 5.00-3.00TQ=2.00

1 floral tank top 4.00-3.00TQ=1.00

1 Charmin wipes 2.99- 2.99MQ wyb Charmin= 0.00

4 Zyrtec 5.29=21.16-[4]4.00MQ=5.16/1.29e
2 potato skins 2.00-1.00MQ=1.00/.50e
2 Charmin 24pk 12.99=25.98-[2].50TQ -1.00MQ-5.00TGC=18.98/.40 roll

Just noticed she rang up something else to the tune of 2.79 for more post its I didn't buy. UGH really need to pay more attention.

Total coocoo trip to Target $74.97 [72.18 if I caught the other oopsie...UGH]
Total savings $79.31 52%

Not my greatest trip, but needed toilet paper and this will last a GOOD while. Also found some nice clothing deals, and school supplies. The shampoo made my day really love that brand. Next time more attention on the receipt and or ring up. How did you do this week share below? Happy day!

Jesus loves you!

Sedano's 60% including MeAt!

2012-08-13T23:09:00.000-04:00

Somehow I lost my receipt, but I remember everything round about so here goes!

10lbs Chicken leg quarters 7.99
4.5 Chicken thighs 4.45 [for sausage with above]
8 tomato sauce 1.00
2 bags dried beans 1.00
1lb pork lunchmeat 5.50
4lbs red potatoes .99
1 bottle vanilla 2.50
1 bottle almond extract 2.00
1 bx dried chipotle bouillon1.00
5lbs frozen yuca 3.99
2lbs green grapes 3.00
bananas 1.00
cilantro .50
sweet potatoes 1.00
HUGE 18lbs beef for roast beef 29.99

total cost before savings $113+
total after sales savings $68
60% savings

Instead of paying $8-10lb a pound for roast beef I cooked this up and sliced it thin for sandwiches. Rest for stew, etc.

Used the 15lbs chicken, cilantro, jalapenos, spices to make ground chicken meat. nomnomnom so good.

Free Garnier Fructis Sample

2012-08-10T18:39:00.000-04:00

Follow this link for free sample.

Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

2012-08-05T01:19:00.000-04:00

I just can't remember who used to make these either my Great Grandma, or my Mom, but I have been craving them by the dozens!!! Not sure if it is some sort of hormonal thing, or more comfort haha. I found the recipe and the kiddos and I made these up in no time flat!

recipe via Food Network

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups oatmeal
Waxed paper

Directions

In a heavy saucepan bring to a boil, the sugar, cocoa, butter and milk. Let boil for 1 minute then add peanut butter, vanilla and oatmeal. On a sheet of waxed paper, drop mixture by the teaspoonfuls, until cooled and hardened.

Publix GreAt week to SAVE! 8/1 80%savings

2012-08-03T13:55:00.000-04:00

Being on a budget is so hard. There are times when I sit and thank the Lord above for coupons, and the ability to save just when I need it! Thank you Jesus for your LOVE!

Publix had some great buys this week and the ziplocs were my friend haha. Hopefully this will last for half the school year maybe?

4 Pepsi next 1.34=5.36-[2]hangtag bogo-[4].55MQ=.49/.13e WOWWW
2 Kraft bbq 1.85 BOGO -.50MQ=1.35/.68e
2 Velvetta mac n cheese 2.79 BOGO -[2]1.00 wyb bbq peelies=.79/.40e
4 Stayfree 3.49=13.96-[4]2.00-[4]1.00TQ=1.96/.49e YAY
.5lb publix ham 2.25-2.00PQ wyb 3ziploc=.25
2 wraps 3.19 BOGO-[2]1.00=1.19*.60e [didn't have the Pretzel in yet so they took it]
1 lipton green tea clearance 1.20-.50MQ=.70 taste great too!
16 ziploc 1.50=24.00-[8]1.00MQ -[8]1.00PQ=8.00/.50e woohoo!
7 Softsoap 7.00-[7].50 peelie=3.50/.50e
4 bic pens 2.00-[2]1.00mq=0.00
1 Pantene styler 3.49-free PQ wyb 2 Pantene products=0.00
6 Frosted Flakes 2.50=15.00-[2]1.00TQ-[2]1.00MQ=11.00/1.83, but FREE MILK!
2 Pantene 3.49=6.98-3.00MQ=3.98/1.99e
2g milk 3.55=7.10-[2]3.00 peelie wyb 3 kellog's=1.10/.55e
4lb hickory Publix turkey 6.19BOGO=12.38-[4]2.00 wyb 3ziploc=4.38/1.10lb
2 champions yogurt 2.50=5.00-[2]1.00tQ-[2]1.00mq=1.00/.50e

The chocolate yogurt was not really to our liking, but the orange yogurt nomnom good stuff!

other coupons [2]Doris 5/$50
Total before coupons &deals=$181.82
Total after coupons $36.46
Savings 80% $145.36

Office Depot School Pit Stop Savings Galore!

2012-08-03T12:47:00.002-04:00

For the lovely 1 cent folder week it turned out just what the dr ordered! Took my youngest along to help out on the deal. If the others weren't busy they would have been right on behind her lol.

20 folders .20
6 sanitizers 1.50
6 [10]pk pens 1.50
6 composition books 1.50
3 crayons .75 [donated along with other goodies]
2 boxes [5reams each 500ct] copy paper clearance 29.98/2.99e [well it seemed like a good deal at the time lol]
Total 37.56
savings 49% savings

Doris' Italian Market WenT to the CHicKens!

2012-08-03T12:32:00.000-04:00

It wasn't my mission to make the chicken sausage, but the price for boneless/skinless was a BARGAIN!

16.82lbs Boneless skinless chicken 28.42
Casings 4.00
5lb carrots 3.99
marked down snap peas 1.00
tumeric 2.69

Total $45.05
savings 67%