Cow Appreciation Day

Friday was Cow Day at Chick-Fil-A, so we put on our spots and headed out to get our free food!

As you can tell, it was pretty sunny and Calvin couldn’t handle it.  I don’t blame him, it was hurting my eyes too!

Deal on Starbucks Gift Card

Be sure to check out this awesome deal for a $10 Starbucks gift card for only $5 thru Living Social!

http://t.livingsocial.com/deals/448600?ref=email-jp&rpi=79255550

It only lasts thru today, so hurry over!

CFA Cow Appreciation Day

OK, so Friday, July 13, was the annual dress like a cow and get a free meal at CFA day and of course we took advantage of that!

Mamaw, Pawpaw and Katie came in town just in time to get in on this awesome deal :)

It was a hopping place and there were plenty of people there not dressed in cow attire and actually paid for their food…suckers!  Even Lucy Kate got something for being a little calf (a chocolate milkshake for her parents!)

Bethers bought Lucy Kate that skirt for another outfit (obviously), but I thought it was soooo cute with her cow-spotted onesie!

After dinner, the girls headed to Target to do a little shopping, and yes LK and I still had on our cow outfits….the spots were sewn on, not much I could do about it :) Mamaw and Katie were able to take their spots off and look normal though.

And the boys headed to one of the nature spots we found to hike a little trail and watch the sunset.

Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino Recipe

I love these drinks! I want to have one everyday, but at $1 a drink it could get really expensive. So I googled a recipe for the Mocha Frappes and came across this one:

Fills 6 9-oz Starbucks Frappuccino bottles

Ingredients
3 ½ cups espresso coffee*
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
4 cups milk (whole milk is best)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking cocoa

Directions
Make espresso coffee. Mix coffee, still hot, sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, and sugar in your mixer until sugar is dissolved. Add milk and continue mixing, about one minute. Pour mix into individual 9.5-oz Starbucks Frappuccino bottles. Store in fridge until ready to use (Note: Do not store any longer than you would milk).

*May use regular coffee that has been run through the coffee maker twice, or add 4 teaspoons instant coffee granules to regular coffee.

I made it last night so I could enjoy a frappe this morning and it tastes exactly like the Starbucks drinks! I also didn’t have any espresso coffee, so I just ran regular coffee thru the maker twice.

I might have to buy the SB bottled drinks another time just so I can have bottles to refill :)

Best Iron Cleaner

You heard it, I have found the best iron cleaner!  Let me first tell you why I needed it.  When we were first married, before I was an excellent housewife :), I ironed a dress that wasn’t supposed to be ironed.  Needlesstosay, it turned the iron plate into something like this…(I didn’t actually get a pic of my iron, but it was a little worse than this one)

The iron still worked most of the time, but every now and then it would leave black residue on the fabric I was ironing.  And on Easter morning when I was ironing Luke’s pants, the black residue struck again and I was fed up!

Because my iron was about $50, I didn’t really want to replace it, so I headed to Bed Bath & Beyond (with the iron) to see if they could help me.  They pointed me to this:

And it was magic cream!  It turned the scorched iron into this:

A practically brand new iron!  I was sooo excited!  Way to go Rowenta :)  I highly recommend the Rowenta Cleaning Kit to anyone with iron cleaning issues!

Harris Teeter Super Doubles 3/23-3/29

This week HT doubles coupons up to $1.98!  I love weeks like these :)

Here’s a picture of what would’ve cost $117.81, but after sales and coupons I got it all for $35.40!  That’s a savings of $82.41 or 70%!!

Here’s a breakdown of what I got:

2 Parchment Paper @ $3.69
-$1 Q = $1.69 each

2 Hefty One-Zip Gallon Freezer Bags @ BOGO $4.55
-$1/2 Q = $2.55/both

2 Hefty One-Zip Quart Freezer Bags @ BOGO $4.55
-$1/2 Q = @2.55/both

1 Lysol Neutra Air @ $3.79
-$1.50 Q = $1.69

3 Furmano Tomatoes @ BOGO $2.19
-$1/3 Q = $0.43 each

1 Kikkoman Soy Sauce, 15 oz @ $2.99
-$1 Q = $0.99

4 Zatarain’s Red Beans & Rice @ $1.50
-$1/4 Q = $1 each

2 Muir Glen Tomato Paste @ $1.55
-$0.75 Q = $0.05 each

2 Honey Bunches of Oats Raisin Medley @ $2.00
-$1 Q = FREE

1 Organic Soft Tofu @ $2.19
-$1 Q = $0.19

1 EarthBound Farm Organic Baby Spinach @ $3.50
-$1 Q = $1.50

1 Buitoni Ravioli @ $2.99
-$1 Q = $0.99

1 Simply Orange @ $3.00
-$1 Q = $1.00

2 Philly Cooking Cream Cheese @ $2.99
-BOGO eVIC coupon = FREE
-$1.50 Q = FREE

2 Danactive Strawberry Smoothies @ $2.00
-$1 Q = FREE

1 Dozen Eggs @ $1.89
-$0.55 Q = $0.79

1 Organic Gallon Whole Milk @ $4.77

4 Strawberries @ $1.65 each = $6.60

3 Grapefruits @ $0.75 each = $2.25

You can find coupon match ups here:

The Coupon Challenge

My Coupon Teacher

Ms. Moneysaver

30% off Gap Stores!

 

March 17-20 you can get 30% off your total purchase at Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory Stores using this coupon.

Enjoy your shopping!

Free Picaboo Photobook! (Pay $8.99 Shipping)

 

Now through March 22 you can get a free 20 page photobook from Picaboo.  Apparently this offer is for new customers only, but you can find the info here.  The code (FREECC) is good for a 20-Page Large Classic Photobook. 

What a DEAL!

 

Just look at the deal I got on a pack of 204 count diapers…

That makes it $0.04 per diaper!  Score :)

New Favorite

I guess you can say that I’m my father’s daughter because I am obsessed with popcorn.  Sometimes it’s all I eat for a meal :)  It’s just sooo good. 

Anyway, I eat it almost everyday (mostly for an afternoon snack).  So we thought it’d be a good idea to find a money saving way to keep me fed :)  Luke found this site that gave us the idea to pop our own popcorn instead of buying the individual bags.  Basically you put some kernels in a brown lunch bag, fold the bag over twice, microwave for 2.5 mins or so, then top with your favorite toppings.  I like the traditional butter and salt, Luke likes to mix things up and toss some Tony Chachere’s in there. 

Price savings are pretty big.  I bought the store brand of a 32 oz bag of popcorn for $1.79, which might make like 50 bags of popcorn (I don’t really know, but it seams like a lot).  Sometimes I can get regular popcorn bags for free, but if not, a 3 pack would also cost around $1.70.  So you can see that overall, this is a huge money saver!

And it makes my afternoon snack that much better when little man is taking a nice little nap :)

30% off Gap Stores!

That’s right it’s back again…you can get 30% off your total purchase at Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory Stores now through Sunday (Aug 29) using this coupon.  It’s a great deal for back to school shopping or just because :)

Free Picaboo Photobook! (Pay $8.99 Shipping)

Now through August 31 you can get a free 20 page photobook from Picaboo.  Apparently this offer is for new customers only, but you can find the info here.  The code (FREEBK) is good for a Large Classic, Classic Leather, or Classic Custom photo book.  I made one of our Northeast US and Canada road trip and it turned out pretty nice! 

How to get ink for $1.30 a cartridge

Inkjet printer ink is almost $8,000 per gallon these days.  This little tip will save you some money.  We get our ink for about $1.30 a cartridge for the color ink and $1.70 a cartridge for the larger page black cartridge.  This kind of deal is a 3 step process.

Step 1 – Buy ink from ink4sale.net

Yes it sounds like a scam, and I was skeptical the first time I ordered, but I’ve placed 3 separate orders over the last year with ink4sale.net and they’ve been delivered just fine and my identity has not been stolen.  Prices for our printer are $3.30 for color and $3.70 for page black cartridges.  Make sure you order at least $20 worth to get free shipping.

Step 2 – Pull the chip off the original ink cartridge

The ink from ink4sale.net comes in off brand cartridges that are functional replacements for your OEM cartridges, except that they’re missing the little microchip that the printer uses to identify the cartridge (and presumably keep you from using off brand cartridges).

Take a look at your cartridges, but on mine it was pretty easy to cut the plastic of the cartridge with pliers and slide the chip right out.  The replacement cartridges will have a slot for the chip to go in so that your printer won’t know the difference.  Slide it right in and presto, you’ve got cheap ink.  Here’s an ehow article on how to do this.

Step 3 – Recycle your old ink cartridges at Staples for $2

Once you’re done with your ink cartidges, take them out, remove the chip (you’ll need it for your next set of off brand cartridges), and take them to your nearest Staples.  Staples will give you $2 store credit per cartridge.  More info is at their recycling program page.

Starbucks Frappuccino Happy Hour!!

Starbucks is offering half-priced Frappuccinos May 7 – 16 from 3-5 pm.  Only at participating locations, so I’d call before making a special trip.  I am SUPER excited about this deal!!  You know I’ll be going (maybe more than once!)

Harris Teeter Trips 2 & 3

So I went back to HT on Friday and today to get the last of my triples deals…Here’s a pic of everything I got for $24.55!!  That’s a savings of over $98!  I also asked the customer service desk if they’d credit me for the $1.35 I missed out on last week, and they did!  What a great store :)

Harris Teeter Trip

Here’s what $14 got me today…and they forgot to scan a coupon, so I’m out $1.35 :(

Money Saving Mom

I realized I haven’t posted one of my amazing deals since Calvin was born, so here we go…Here’s a pic of all the stuff I got this week at Rite Aid. I spent $8.84 out of pocket and will get a $11 rebate check, so I actually made $2.16 to take this stuff from the store!! Great deal :) I’m really going to miss Rite Aid when we move back to Texas…

This week is Harris Teeter Triples, so I might be posting more on my money saving adventures!

Here’s a coupon for $0.70/1 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls which is definitely worth printing, I’ve never seen one like this!

Mall Coupons

I thought I’d throw out this awesome site that links to printable/online coupons for stores at the mall (and others).  Go check it out here.

Also, Thurs – Sun (March 18-21), you can get 30% off at Gap, Banana Republic & Old Navy (and their outlets) using this coupon!!

I’ve been in need for new jeans, so these coupons are going to come in handy :)

AMAZING Blu-Ray deal!!

But you must act soon (like today or tomorrow).  I heard about this deal earlier in the week, but didn’t get a chance to try it out until today, and didn’t want to post about it if it didn’t work :)

So if you’re wanting Up and Monsters, Inc. on blu-ray, here’s what you do:

Print out these coupons: $10 off Up and $8 off Monsters, Inc. and $10/2 Target coupon when you by both.

Then take your Best Buy Ad to Target (b/c they price match now…at least mine does) and show them that Monsters, Inc. is $18.99 there (Monsters, Inc. is $26.99 and Up is $19.99 at Target).

So your total will be $18.99 + $19.99 - $10 - $8 - $10 = $10.98 for both movies!  (You probably will have to check out at the Customer Service counter)

And if that deal wasn’t amazing enough, submit for 2 of these 3 rebates:

• UP = Get $5 back by mail WYB UP and (2) participating Kernel Seasons product. (Exp 2/28/10)
• UP = Get $5 back by mail WYB UP and (2) Birds Eye Viola meals (Exp 2/28/10)
• UP = Get $4 back by mail WYB UP and 1 Ronzoni, Creamette, Ronzoni Smart Taste, Ronzoni, San Giorgio, American Beauty, Prince or Skinner pasta. (Exp 1/15/10)

Note: These rebates not only allow for copies of the receipt, but they also just want one of the proof of purchase tabs on the back of the blu-ray (it has 2) and it DOES NOT require the UPC!

And check out www.coupons.com for deals on the Kernel Seasons, Viola & Ronzoni.

So after 2 rebates, you spend only $0.98 to $1.98 for both movies.  Wow, now that’s a steal! :) Even if you don’t want to deal with the rebates, it’s still a great deal.  The coupons and rebates don’t expire tomorrow, just the Best Buy Ad price match and the prices at Target, so hurry for the best deal!

One more thing :) Both blu-rays come with a DVD copy of the movie too, so you don’t even have to have a blu-ray player yet to take advantage of the deal!

Harris Teeter Trips

Yes I said trips :)  They only let you use 20 coupons per day per household, so I’ve had to go more than once to stock up on my deals.  I know you must be thinking I’m a crazy, but HT is only a couple of miles from my house now.  Opening night doesn’t count because it was just a fun time for samples (and I bought the days limit of cokes).  And Sunday night I went with Sara to help her get her “big” trip done with Abby.  And I’ve combined HT trips with other outings for Wed & Thurs.

Trip 1: Tuesday = Opening NightRegular Price Total = $24.16
Sale & Coupon Price Total = $3.16 (cokes were $1.99 and we got a $5 giftcard for the grand opening)
Savings of $21.00 or 87%!

Trip 2: Wednesday Regular Price Total = $57.81
Sale & Coupon Price Total = $16.43
Savings of $41.38 or 72%!

Trip 3: ThursdayRegular Price Total = $26.51
Sale & Coupon Price Total = $3.36
Savings of $23.15 or 87%!

Trip 4: SundayRegular Price Total = $16.59
Sale & Coupon Price Total = $0.16
Savings of $16.43 or 99%!

Trip 5: MondayRegular Price Total = $143.73
Sale & Coupon Price Total = $44.50
Savings of $99.23 or 69%!

Regular Price Total of all days = $268.80
Sale & Coupon Price Total of all days = $67.61
Savings of $201.19 or 75%

I was trying to stock up on cokes for my family’s Dec. trip, since they are all coke-aholics, and cokes were on sale for $1.99.  I also tried to get some staples for baking and casserole making (so we’ll have some foods in the freezer ready to eat when baby comes).