Meal Planning Jan 31-Feb 6

Over the last few weeks I have been challenging myself to use up all my pantry goodies b/f hitting the stores. Last week had super deals all around so I find that I am now fully stocked therefore it is time to cook from my pantry this week! Here is what I have planned, with the caveat that I may change my mind any given day :)

• Monday: Chicken Tetrazzini

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/chicken-tetrazzini/18a65d11-31f2-4656-ae95-1379551c8823

• Tuesday: Homemade Pizza

• Wednesday: Pasta with Tomatoes and Peas (family fav)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pasta-with-tomato-and-peas-recipe/index.html

• Thursday: Leftover Buffet

• Friday: Dinner with Grandparents

• Saturday: Chicken Pot Pie

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/easy-chicken-pot-pie/df0d82fa-a1de-4bc6-8952-a4a2533baf75

• Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner

I use divided lunch trays for the kids and add fresh fruit, a couple of cheese cubes and some kind of cut veggie they can dip in ranch (probably celery with cream cheese this week).

Typically I will make 1-2 desserts at the beginning of the week so this week it will be brownies (pouch) and banana cupcakes.

Easy Banana Cupcakes

1 pkg yellow cake mix

1/8 tsp. baking soda

1 c. mashed bananas (2-3 med. ripe bananas)

1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Mix together the cake mix as directedon the package, except, stir 1/8 tsp baking soda into dry mix before adding liquid. Also, use 1/4 less water than package directions. To cake mix add mashed bananas and nuts (if desired). Bake according to package directions.

Hopefully I will be able to stay on track this week!!

Walgreens Deals for 1-30 to 2-5

Here are the top 3 best blogs breaking down the deals this week!

• http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/01/walgreens-deals-for-the-week-of-january-30-february-5-2011.html

• http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2011/01/walgreens-deals-130-25/

• http://bargainbriana.com/walgreens-deals-130/

I've already made my trip to Walgreens today and got in on some of these great deals! My top favs are:

1. Wisk Laundry Detergent $6.00 -$1RR - $2/1 SS 1-02 = $3.99
2. Jell-o Pudding $.59 each w/in ad coupon - $.55 off 3 (coupons.com) = $.41 each
3. Butterfinger $.39 each w/in ad coupon - $1 off 2 (coupons.com) = Free
4. Duracell Batteries $2.99 each pack with in ad coupon - $1.50 off 1 RP 12-12 or 1-31 = $1.40 each
5. Scotch-Brite/O-Cel-O sponges $2.99 each -$1 RR = $1.99 each
6. Kellogg's Pop-tarts 2pack 2/$1
7. Lays, Cracker Jacks, Combos $.99 each
8. Pepsi 2-liters $.98 each
9. Frito-Lay Chips $1.97 each
10. 12 Pack Pepsi products are 3/9.96 use in ad coupon Free 12-pack Diet Pepsi when you buty 3 12 packs = $2.49 per case.

These are just my favs there are TONS more available! Don't forget to grab your Feb. instore coupon booklets that are now out!

Staples Dollar Days

Staples is having some great dollar days deals! Print out the 15% off in-store item coupon and stock up!

http://www.staples.com/Weekly-Deals/cat_HC2SC8_HC2

Walgreens Deals 1/23 - 1/29

There are a few fab deals this week at Walgreens. Here are my favorite top ten but check out the links below for some other great ideas!

1. Big Roll Bathroom Tissue $.39 each (limit 6)
2. Dr Pepper, 7 up, A&W, Sunkist, Canada Dry or Hawaiian Punch 2-liter $.99 each
3. Bowl Appetit, Old El Paso Taco Shells, Hamburger or Tuna Helper $.99 each
4. Kraft Mac and Cheese in-ad coupon for $.69 each (limit 3)
5. Kraft Dressing, spread or BBQ Sauce $1.99 each (SS 1/23 Kraft Dressing $1/2 AND SS 1/23 Kraft spread $.75/1 coupons) (Use Jan in store Coupon Book coupon $1/2)
6. Barbasol, Pure Silk shaving creams in-ad coupon for $.99 (limit 4)
7. Hanes Socks, Underwear, or Undershirts B1G1 (prices on these will vary)
8. Colgate Pro Clinical $3.49 - 2.50RR = $.99
9. Carmex, chaptstick lip balm 2/$2
10. Glad Trash Bags 25-80 pack $6.99 - $1 walgreens January 2011 instore booklet = $5.99

There are tons more check out these blogs:

http://www.kouponkaren.com/

http://www.savingwithshellie.com/2011/01/22/walgreens-deals-123-%e2%80%93-129/

http://www.passionforsavings.com/category/store-deals/

Friday Freebies!

• Free Yoplait Yogurt

https://www.yoplait.com/products/original/millioncupgiveaway/getyourfreecup_fb.aspx

• Free Roger's Gormet Coffee

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WHLJ93Z

• Free CBS Watch! Magazine (I got mine a couple months ago and luv it!)
  

https://secure.palmcoastd.com/pcd/eSv?iMagId=23401&i4Ky=5E23

• Free Bath and Body Works lotion this weekend only. Just click on the link, print it out and take it to your store.

http://bbw.imageg.net/graphics/media/bbw/2010/fb/fb_CA_exclusive_1.1.pdf

• Free Wildflower Guide (definately can use this pick me up with all the snow on the ground)http://shop.wildseedfarms.com/inforequest.asp

Free Betty Crocker ebook

Had to share this Fab Freebie! 26 pages of Betty Crocker's Best of 2010!

http://assets.idpk.net/gmi/bc/pdf/BestofBetty_2010-3.pdf

Coupon Organizing Tips

How frustrating is it to know you have a great coupon for your shopping trip but you can't find it?? I've been working really hard to put together a great organizing system for my own coupons and came across some FANTASTIC articles on the different types of coupon organizing systems out there! Enjoy and happy coupon organizing!

• http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/2010/01/02/organizing-your-coupons/

• http://www.iheartcvs.com/2008/09/collecting-organizing-coupons.html

• http://www.itsfrugalbeinggreen.com/how-i-organize-my-coupons/

• http://www.saveathomemommy.com/coupon-binder/

Trash Bags Grrr!

Anyone else cringe every time you go to the store and buy trash bags?? I've checked out the sales and matched my coupons up along with comparing the 'club store' prices and still I have found that my baseline on garbage bags is ridiculous. Any time I've switched to super cheepie bags I have found myself regretting it BIG time when the bag busts all over the floor. So there must be a balance between cost and quality right??

Check out this fabulous article from Home Ever After!! I am going to give these ideas a try starting today (trash day) and count my bags for the next 30 days! Let me know if you have any great trash bag savings ideas out there!!

http://www.homeeverafter.com/be-frugal-today-save-money-on-trash-bags/

My Fave Walgreens Deals Jan 16- Jan 22

Kellogs Cereal and Pop Tarts $1.99

Get some fab coupons from this link for a great savings:

http://www.specialk.com/sign-in/my-plan/%7BredirectRoute%7D

Pay as low as $1.99 for two!

Starbucks Coffee $6.49

Use $1/1 coupon from SS 11/21/10

Pay $5.49 after coupon

Kraft Homestyle Mac and Cheese 3/$5

Use $1/1 coupon from SS 1/16/11

Pay $.67 each after coupons

Skintimate Shaving gel $1.99 after in ad coupon

Use $1/1 Skintimate Cream Shave from SS 1/16/11

Pay $.99 after coupons

Therma Care Heat Wraps $2.50

Use coupon here http://www.thermacare.com/

Receive $2.50 in RR + $1 overage after coupon

Pampers Diapers Jumbo Pacs 2/$18,

Earn $3 RR when you buy Two

Use $1.50/1 from P & G Insert 12/26/10

Pay as low as $12 for two packs after coupons and RR

Tide 100 oz $10.99

Earn $1 RR why you buy one

Use $1/1 from P & G Insert 12/26/10

Fusion Proglide razor $9.99

Earn $5 RR when you buy one

Use $4/1 from P&G 12/26/10

Pay pay $.99 after coupon and register rewards

Check out these two blogs for more great deals:

http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/category/walgreens

http://www.savingwithshellie.com/

Make it yourself!

This post is a kick-off to my new series on how to make items yourself at home that would cost you a pretty penney if you were to buy them in the store.

Vanilla extract is expensive! If you like to bake and make goodies at home you can go through a significant amount of this staple. By making it yourself you can control what exactly goes into it and the taste is super yummy!

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_vanilla_extract/

Another great make-at-home recipe is Vanilla Sugar. I use this in my coffee and tons of baked goods recipes (especially my chocolate cakes to bring out the chocolate flavor). It is SUPER easy to make. If you buy vanilla sugar it can cost you $3-$6 per 1/2 cup. You will save a mint by making it yourself at home! The Barefoot Contessa swears by the following recipe, and so do I!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/vanilla-sugar-recipe/index.html

Great Grocery Savings Series!

Money Saving Mom is one of my favorite blogs and she is running a '31-weeks of grocery savings' series. Check it out!

http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/01/31-weeks-to-a-better-grocery-budget-video-series-lesson-one.html