$5 for Talbots - Today Only

It is reported that if you try on a pair of pants at Talbots today, you will get a free $5 gift card. Hurry to the mall if you don't have plans this evening...

I'll Be Back - I Swear

It's crazy nutso in this house right now. Our basement is geeting dug out/remodeled and guess where the computer is? That's right...the basement! I should be back up and running by Friday evening. Don't give up hope!

FREE Pretzel TODAY ONLY

If your are headed to the mall: Get a free pretzel today from Auntie Anne's until 3PM.

Free Digiorno Pizza - HURRY!

http://myfrugaladventures.com/2010/02/hurry-free-digiorno-200-calorie-pizza/

Thanks, My Frugal Adventures, I just got my coupon ordered!

Homemade Cleaners - Furniture Polish

GREEN Furniture Polish Recipe (Use instead of Pledge)

Mix in a sprayer bottle (from the dollar store***):

1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice


To use: Shake well and apply a small amount to a flannel cleaning rag (aka old receiving blanket/cloth diaper). Spread evenly over furniture surface. Flip cloth over to the dry side and polish dry.

This recipe works well because the lemon juice breaks up the dirt and the olive oil shines the wood. (recipe found in Cynthia Ewer's book Houseworks: How to Live Clean, Green and Organized at Home)

***I have about 5 of these bottles, all filled with different solutions for cleaning. I like them because they are economical, safe for my kids to use and breathe, and really get the job done.

Thank You

Thank you all for your encouragement yesterday. Thanks to your kind words, I am feeling on top of my game once again!

Please pray for me though, as I have my first speaking gig in app. 3 weeks for the Chamber of Commerce. I am getting a bit of the "nervous nellies."

Thanks again and please keep on telling me what you like and want to see!

Hope

Update - Dave Ramsey Tonight on ABC Bumped to Another Date and Time!

ABC News’ Nightline is planning to air a profile of Dave Ramsey TONIGHT at 11:35pm ET.

Is anyone out there?

I will admit to being discouraged this week. I've lost a follower or two. I've not gained any since before Christmas. And, I'm just wondering, are you still reading? If you are, that's great!

I have a few ideas up my sleeve...some homemade cleaning/laundry recipes, some freezer meals, a segment on coupon binders, some home décor ideas, even ways to slash your electic/gas bills (that have worked for us.) But, I am wondering if this is what you want to hear?

I don't post every deal. I refuse to post things that are just a way to get you to spend more money (ie 25% off a magazine subscription...big deal, is it FREE or under $5...then I'll consider posting.) I want to help you make responsible choices. That, in my opinion, does not include pricy items that are on a sale for one day only. I am picky about what I post, because, frankly, I don't want to waste my time or yours.

So, what I am asking is: What do you want to hear about? What interests you? What can I do/find/blog about to help you on your journey?

Please respond by leaving a comment or by contacting me via my personal Facebook page (Hope Summerson Labutis.)

Thanks for your loyalty and input!

Freeze Me!

Go HERE to read a great article about what foods can be frozen, courtesy of Stockpiling Moms!

In addition to her list, I have also successfully frozen:

*Shredded Cheese (just pop it right in your freezer)

*Yeast (bought in bulk at an Amish store)

*Milk (pour a little off of the top first and then freeze; this is good for using in baking, mashed potatoes, freezer meals, cream soups, etc.)

*Bread (double bag it first and then freeze - yummy for French toast!)

*Bagels (thaw completely and best served toasted)

*Extra Chopped Onion & Green Pepper (when a recipe calls for 1/2, I cut the whole thing and freeze the rest in a freezer bag...this is great to throw in soups, chili, etc.)

By buying these items at rock-bottom prices and freezing them for your stockpile, you will substantially save on your overall grocery budget. The only trick is that you have to REMEMBER to use them! :)

Savings R Adding UP!

http://www.fastcompany.com/1551523/americans-use-more-coupons?partner=rss

How much are you saving using coupons? Follow the above link to find out!

Today's Mail

In the mail today, I was pleased to find $46!!!

$30 from the Neilson Company to monitor my tv viewing for 1 week (which I agreed to do via phone call.)

$15.99 from Baby Einstein for a returned DVD from their refund offer.

This money is headed straight to my envelope for Disney!

Get Motivated Monday

Took a trunk-full of stuff today with me to sell at a resale shop while I was at the zoo. The snow was coming down so badly that we completely skipped our stop and came home with everything in the trunk! Boo!

This week, I am ready to get my pictures organized. Whether that be scrapbooking, filing/deleting on the PC, or storting printed pics in boxes; that's my goal!

Are you like me and have photos all over the place? Why not get them in order during this snowy week?

Maybe I'll even post a few cuties for you... :)

Meal Plan Monday

I prerequisite this post by saying that this order could all go out the window due to the snow storm (although I did pick up a few groceries today...)

Monday: Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Black Beans, Leftover Cake

Tuesday: Easy Night/Leftovers

Wednesday: Sloppy Joes, Potato Chips, Frozen Corn

Thursday: Scalloped Potatoes and Ham in Crockpot, Green Beans

Friday: Frozen Pizza Night + Fresh Baked Cookies

Saturday: Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Salad

Sunday: Chicken Delicious in Crockpot over Pasta + Broccoli

Columbus Zoo - FREE

Today is FREE day at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! If you are looking for something to do and want to brave the snow, head on over...they are open until 5.

Kroger + Triple Coupons = One Happy Mama

Just a run-down of today's Kroger trip (no picture today, folks):

Total Merchandise: 137.41
Total Savings: 80.30 (58%)

Total Spent OOP: 57.31

Total Items Purchased: 64
or .89/item

I also earned 3.50 in catalinas for my next trip!

If you are curious, the 64 things I purchased were:

1 GATORADE
1 TOILET BOWL CLEANER
1 PALMOLIVE DISH SOAP
1 PAPER TOWELS
1 SOFTSOAP
1 TRASH BAGS
2 DANNON KIDS YOGURTS
1 HEALTHY CHOICE FROZ MEAL
1 COOL WHIP
1 DOZ EGGS
1 LAND O LAKES MARGARINE
1 BAG OF FRZ CORN
1 PKG OF PILLSBURY BREAK AND BAKE COOKIES
1 YOPLAIT KIDS YOGURT
2 OREO GOLDEN DELIGHTS
1 BAG OF FISH STICKS
1 TONY'S PIZZA
6 OLD EL PASO RICE DISHES
2 FRUIT SNACKS
1 BOX CUP OF SOUP
2 PKGS FLOUR TORTILLAS
3 PKGS MINUTE BROWN RICE
2 WARM DELIGHTS
1 BOX BETTY CROCKER POTATOES
1 BAG SALAD
1 PKG STRAWBERRIES
2 CANS MANWICH
2 JARS PEANUT BUTTER
2 CANS ROTEL
1 HEINZ KETCHUP
4 CANS TOMATO SOUP
1 BUNCH BANANAS
1 PKG GRAPES
1 TUB VEGGIE DIP
1 TUB FROSTING
2 FRANK'S HOT SAUCE
1 FRENCH'S MUSTARD
1 SUNNY D
1 LOAF BREAD
1 GAL CHOC MILK
2 CANS EVAPORATED MILK
1 BAG POTATOES
4 TWO LITERS COKE

Kroger - Triple Coupons NOW!!!

Kroger is tripling coupons NOW through Sunday!!! Up to .50 only (ie. .50 = 1.50)... Let's go Krogering!!!

FREE Excedrin

Go HERE to see how you can get a bottle of Excedrin for FREE. Thanks, Savings and Stewardship!

Eating Out of the Pantry - Again!

We are sooooo blessed to have our pantry stockpile. We have a lot of snow here again (hubby's work closed early and even already closed for tomorrow.) I hadn't made my grocery trip yet this week, but it's ok - we have more than enough! It will be fun to see how creative we can get and be prepared for a BIG stockup when this snow finally breaks!

FREE Subscription to Thriving Family Magazine

I just went HERE and ordered a FREE subscription to Focus on the Family's Thriving Family magazine. You can be inspired for FREE too with this great magazine!

Thanks, Savings and Stewardship!

FREE LEGO Magazine Subscription

Go HERE to order a FREE copy of the LEGO magazine for your little builder! Mine loves his...

Thanks, Stockpiling Moms!

Meal Plan Monday

Monday - Pancakes with Peppered Bacon

Tuesday - Buttery Noodles and Veggie (Daddy should be gone teaching...but with the snow, we will see!)

Wednesday - Taquitos + Chips/Queso Dip

Thursday - Easy Chicken Pot Pie + Salad

Friday - at a Valentine's Dinner, serving for church

Saturday - Cresent Roll Hot Dogs and Tator Tots, Jello Jigglers

Sunday - Valentine's Day: Tacos with all the Fixings, Mexicorn, Spanish Rice, and Jello Poke Cake

Breakfasts - Cereal, Oatmeal, Leftover Pancakes, Toaster Struedel, Toast with Jelly

Lunches - Leftovers, Grilled Cheese, Spaghettios, Canned Soup w/Crackers

Fun Things to Make this Week - Jello Poke Cake + Jello Jigglers!!!

Get Motivated Monday

Around here the only thing that we need to be motivated about is snow removal! We just got the driveway plowed out, but are expecting more snow this week...

Nevertheless, while hubby is shoveling, I need to get a motivating project going. You know me - just gotta do something! Well, we have a kids consignment sale coming up and I want to get started. So this week, I will be cleaning out toys, puzzles, and games...checking for completeness and organizing what I want to sell.

Why not take this week to see what you can get rid of to make a little extra winter moo-lah? Take it to a kids resale shop, ebay it, craigslist it, or whatever. Before you know it, all they will want to do is play outside anyway :)

FREE at Home Depot this Saturday

Build this car display for FREE on Saturday morning at your local Home Depot, Kids Workshop program. You child receives an apron where they can add pins for every completed project! This is a great time for Daddy-bonding! :)

Cheap Weekends

Yes, folks, it is time for another installment of cheap weekends, Hope-Filled Home, Style.

Top Ten Things You Can Do for a Cheap Weekend This Weekend

10. ROAD TRIP - how far can you get on a tank of gas? Eat at a local restaurant while you are there.

9. Girly Night - paint your little one's nails, curl hair, take a bubble bath, watch Cinderella (while wearing tiarras) and make a memory!

8. Go Sledding - we are supposed to get snow! Take the kids sled-riding. No sled - use garbage bags!

7. International Day - cook an international meal, draw a replica of the country's flag, get festive music from the library, and make table décorations. (Example: Japanese/Chinese food, flag, music and origami.)

6. Library Lessons - have a treasure hunt in the library. Send your kids to find 5 specific type of books in the children's department. (Our favorites are: a cook book, a seasonal book, a science book, a biography, and a fun book.) Talk about why they chose each book.

5. Camp In - set up sleeping bags in the living room. Have hot dogs and microwaved smores for dinner. Tell a spooky story and sing camp songs. Look at a book of constallations.

4. Charades - teach your child the art of playing a game without a game. Play a rousing game of charades and laugh til you cry!

3. Indoor Bowling - use empty 2 liters (with stones, sand, or water) and set up your own bowling alley in your living room. Keep score on a chalboard or dry erase board.

2. Frugal Progressive Dinner - Go somewhere for appetisers (Arby's) a sandwich/entree (Subway/McDonalds), and desert (Dairy Queen or Wendy's for Frosties!)

1. Go to an outside place in the winter - think the zoo (some animals are more active in cooler temps), the park, or a walking trail (looking for signs of animals and new growth.)

Whatever you do, enjoy your weekend with the ones you love!

A Look at the Why Behind the Journey - Modified Repost

I think that today may be a good day to remind myself why I am couponing and saving...

1. I want to honor God with my finances by tithing and GIVING on top of my tithe.

2. I want to be able to stay-at-home with my children and provide them as much of me as possible.

3. I want to pay down/off debt. Specifically, 1 credit card, 2 small auto loans, and HUGE student loans.

4. I want to be able to finance my children's education. I want to have options other than our local public schools.

5. I want to finance a family vacation. We have not traveled out of the tri-state area in over 6 years and it is time for an adventure!

Because of these goals; therefore, I will...

1. Add NO debt, period, by living a cash-only lifestyle.

2. Learn patience and the blessing of waiting.

3. Coupon, rebate, shop sales only for our groceries/toiletries.

4. NOT be brand or store loyal.

5. Garage sale, consignment shop, accept hand-me-downs greatfully.

6. Trust that God will provide for my needs and be content with what He provides.

***Our Updates - 1 car loan to be paid off in Mar/Apr!!! (Money from that car loan will go towards 2nd car loan to make it "snowball" faster.) A trip to FL is currently being planned for the first week of May!!! Schooling decisions to come in April... We had a cash-only, debt-free Christmas! Garage sale season is right around the corner! :)

I am blessed!

Coupons.com has reset!

It's February 1st! That means that coupons.com has reset. Some of my favorites include:

.50 on Green Giant Steamers
.75 on Multi-Grain Cheerios
.50 on Betty Crocker Frosting
.75 on Freschetta Pizza
BOGO on My Little Pony Singles
$1/2 Kraft cheese
$1 on Angel Soft TP
.50 on Chex Mix
.40 on Yoplait Kids Yogurt


Happy Printing!

Get Motivated Monday

We are traveling this week, so my challenge is to clean out and organize the family car.

All of those little pockets and compartments need cleaned out, every part needs a good wipe down, and I need to check the truck for emergency stuff. (A friend needed jumper cables last week and I didn't have them.)

Clean out your car this week. Enlist your kids help (they can get in all of the little places!) You never know what you will find...

Meal Plan Monday

Its an atypical week around here as we will be traveling the later part of the week...

Monday - shredded chicken sandwiches, church (sour cream/cheese) potatoes, salad

Tuesday - frozen pizza (Daddy's gone to teach)

Wednesday - leaftovers, cleaning out the fridge

Thurday - eat on the road (Wendy's or Arby's probably)

Friday - dinner at my dear friend, Mandy's house (I will take a kid-desert)

Saturday - pizza with our small group

Sunday - chili and cornbread cake

Breakfasts - cereal, yogurt, oatmeal, eggs, toaster struedel

Lunches - sandwiches, grilled cheese, ramen noodles, leftovers!