Local Friends - Family Movie Night $2 Tickets

GO HERE to read the press release for MVNU's October 9th release of the new Veggie Tales movie, "Its a Meaningful Life." Tickets are $2/person and they are having give-aways also! What a fun idea for an inexpensive family night!

TOYS R US DEALS

Toys R Us has some awesome deals this week - think Christmas!

Playskool Weebles 2-pk Figures — $5.99
Buy 2 and use B1G1 from 9/26 Play-Saver Insert
Total: $2.99 ea

Littlest Pet Shop Collectibles — $4.12
Use B1G1 from the 9/26 Play-Saver Insert
Total: $2.06 ea

Strawberry Shortcake Berry Cruiser RC — $14.99
Use $10/1 from the 9/26 Play-Saver Insert
Total: $4.99

My Little Pony Rainbow Dash Plane — $14.99
Use $5/1 form the 9/26 Play-Saver Insert
Total: $9.99

Last week for Refer-a-Follower!

Just a reminder that this is the last week for my refer-a-follower contest. GO HERE to read the original contest and to comment for your entry to WIN!

Hot CVS Deals this Week!

Here are the deals that I will be buying:

Oral-B Vitality Floss Action Rechargeable Toothbrush, $23.00 ($13 EB) *Limit 2
-$10/1 from 9/26 P&G (Pay $13/1)
Final Price FREE

Dawn Dish Liquid, 9.5-10.3 oz, $.96
-$.25/1 from 8/29 P&G (exp. 9/30) (Pay $.71/1)

Olay Daily Facials, 30-ct, Cleanser or Gentle Foaming Wash, $5.00 ($5 EB wyb $10 worth) *Limit 1
-$2/1 from 9/26 P&G Facial Cleanser (Pay $6/2)
Final Price $1/2, .50 each!

Refer-a-Follower Contest

For the next two weeks, I will be running a contest called Refer-a-Follower. For every follower you refer, your name will be entered into a drawing for a coupon pack valued at over $30. To enter, refer friends to become followers of this blog. When they register to follow, leave a comment on this post stating something like "I referred Amy S. to A Hope-Filled Home." There are no limits on how many times you can enter. So, please refer some folks over here and let's start saving money together!

Contest expires on Friday, October 1st at 9 PM EST. Winner will be announced shortly after.

I was Blessed by this...

This POST really blessed me today - I also hope that it helps you on our journey.

Kudos to Raising Homemakers for a fantastic sight.

NEW Printable TOY Coupons Available

Think Christmas and GO HERE to see a complete list of Hasbro toy coupons that are available now. These coupons include HOT items like: My Little Pony, Spider-man, and Mr. Potato Head!

Thanks to Alyssa at Keeping the Kingdom First for the heads-up on this.

Dave Ramsey Fans, Take Note

Today only, Dave Ramsey is offering his envelope system deluxe for $12 instead of $19.95. In addition, you can use the PROMO code MORE to get his book More Than Enough for FREE (think gifts, folks!) I personally would LOVE this system as a Christmas gift - hint, hint. :)

Thanks to She Saved, for the heads up on this awesome deal!

Reset Coupons!

Coupons.com has reset many coupons today so stop on over to see if your favorites are back up and running.

HOT Games at Toys R Us this Week

GO HERE to see how you can get games for $1.33 each this week at Toys R Us! This is a good time to stock up for the holidays or your gift stash...

Thanks to Savings and Stewardship for posting this great deal!

Meal Plan Monday

Monday - cheesy ham and hasbrown casserole, green beans
Tuesday - homemade pizzas, salad
Wednesday - Mom's not home - Dad nukes spaghetti-o's
Thursday - roast beef, potatoes, carrots, onion, apple pie (going to the orchard today)
Friday- sloppy joes, sweet potatoe fries, brownies
Saturday - corn chowder, rolls
Sunday - out with friends for lunch, leftovers for dinner

5 Freebies + Cheap Veggies and Applesauce at Giant Eagle this Week

For the Mommas lists all the great deals at Giant Eagle this week. This list includes 5 freebies and is definitely worth checking out! For all of my Giant Eagle fans out there, this post is for you (gas points rule!) :)

For Scott: Man's Mag for 3.73!

Do you like cars? Racing? Does anyone on your Christmas list? Go HERE and read how you can get a one year subscription to Motor Trend Magazine for $3.73. This deal is good for 9/18 only!

Thanks, Saving & Giving for this deal!

2 Disney DVD/Blu-ray Packs for $20

GO HERE to read Kristen's scenarios for scoring BOTH Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue and Beauty and the Beast Blu-ray packs for a total of $20. I'm thinking Christmas and BIG points in the Disney Movie Rewards program!

What's HOT at CVS this week

Quaker Instant Oatmeal or Granola Bars – 2 for $5.00
Use $1/1 Quaker Instant Oatmeal 9/12/2010 RP Insert or
Use $1/1 Quaker Instant Oatmeal printable coupon or
Use $2/1 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars 9/19/2010 RP Insert or
ECBs Earned: $2.00 when you buy 2 (limit 1)
Final Price: .50 oatmeal or FREE granola bars

Revlon Super Lustrous, Moon Drops, Color Burst Lip, or Double Twist Mascara – $6.99
Use $2/1 Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Facebook printable coupon
ECBs Earned: $5.00 (you can do this 6 times - think Christmas for your teens/friends/etc!!!)
Final Price: FREE

Schick Hydro or Schick Edge Infused Shave Gel – $2.79
Use B1G1 Edge Shave Gel printable coupon (good up to $2.75)
ECBs Earned: $1.80 (limit 1)
Final Price: $.52 each when you buy 2

Right Guard Sport, Total Defense, or Dry Idea – $2.99
Use $3/2 Right Guard Total Defense printable coupon or
ECBs Earned: $2.00 (limit 3)

Try This:
Buy 2 Right Guard Total Defense 5 – $5.98
Use $3/2 Right Guard Total Defense printable coupon
ECBs Earned: $4.00
Final Price: $1.98 moneymaker!!!

Ivory Bar Soap (3-pack) – $.99 (limit 5)
Use $1/2 Ivory Body Wash, Hand Soap or Bar Soap 8/29/2010 P&G Insert
Final Price: $.49 each when you buy 2

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Did you know that you can hit CVS on Saturday night for BOTH this week and next week's deals at once? Awesome tip!

A Couple of Christmas Ideas

Since I promised you that I would be posting HOT Christmas deals, here are two for your kiddos today:

1. Get 4 Veggie Tales DVDs for $5 each and each includes a BONUS Silly Songs DVD. Go HERE for more info and how you can score FREE SHIPPING! Titles include:
-Minnesota Cuke (w/ Ultimate Silly Song Countdown free!)
-Tomato Sawyer & Huckleberry Larry's Big River Rescue (w/ The End of Silliness free!)
-A Snoodle's Tale (w/ Dance of the Cucumber free!)
-Lessons From the Sock Drawer (w/ Very Silly Songs free!)
Thanks, Moms by Heart!

2. Go HERE to print coupons for your favorite board games such as: MONOPOLY, THE GAME OF LIFE 50th Special Anniversary Edition, SORRY!, CLUE, PICTUREKA!, OPERATION, CONNECT 4 and GUESS WHO.
Thanks, For the Mommas!

25 FREE Photo Prints at Sams

Go HERE to see how you can score 25 FREE photos at Sam's Club! Thanks, For the Mommas!

100 days...

Can you believe we only have 100 days 'til Christmas? For us, that's about 6-7 paychecks.

I am glad that I stocked up at the Target 50-75% off toy sale, but with a birthday around the corner and Christmas only 100 days away...I feel like I need to get moving for those deals. On this blog, as I find SUPER AWESOME Christmas deals, they will be posted for your viewing pleasure. You can click on the Christmas tab in the index to find any recent posts at any time.

Are you making your list and checking it twice? :) I know I am!

Welcome New Readers

As most of you know, I did a presentation on Saturday night for a great group of single mothers. If you are new to this site because of that class, welcome! I am so honored to have you here and to add you to my friends. If you have any questions about the site, please feel free to contact me.

If anyone knows of a group that is interested in a presentation titled "Ten Ways to Save on Your Grocery Budget...TODAY" please contact me at hlabutis@ureach.com

Let's have a great week, shall we?

This week at Carnival - Local

I actually made a trip to Carnival foods this week! This is rare for me. I am truthfully not a fan of their door-buster coupon deals with fine print that reads "when you buy $15 in more of our expensive stuff." :) This week; however, I made an exception...

Some deals to note:

Apple Juice .88
Capri Sun 1.98
Italian Bread .98
Niagra bottled water 1.98
Hunt's Ketchup 2/$1 (wyb $10 in product)
Manwich 2/$1 (wyb $10 in product)
RC/7UP 2 liters .78
1/2 gallon milk .58 (lim 2 wyb $10)
medium eggs .28 (lim 1 wyb $10)
wheat bread .28 (lim 1 wyb $10)
eckrich bologna .78 (lim 1 wyb $10)

There is also an internet only coupon for a .99 gallon of milk (wyb $10 in product)

Always remember there are exceptions to every "rule" in this grocery game!

Where I Have Been All Week...

Let's see:
-homeschooling
-starting MOPS
-starting Phys Ed Park Club
-starting pre-school for my youngest at Thursday School
-at Meijer :)
-sorting clothes for the Three Bags Full sale
-and prepping to speak to a single mom's group tonight about saving money!

Say a prayer for me if you think about it...
Thanks!

"May the God of Hope give you joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may OVERFLOW with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13

National Coupon Month

Did you know that September is National Coupon Month? I think that makes for a good time to reorganize your boxes, files, or binders, don't you? Share your strategies for organizing coupons in the comments section.

I personally use the binder system with baseball card holders to hold my coupons. Restaurant coupons are in the back pocket. When I get ready for a trip, I pull what I think I will need and put it in an envelope with my purse. Of course I always take my binder along too, just in case!

Kids eat FREE at Applebees on Labor Day

Kids Eat Free at Applebees on Labor Day!

They can choose from:
Chicken Fingers
Mini Cheeseburger
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Kraft® Macaroni & Cheese
Fried Shrimp
Hot Dog

Each meal comes with a side dish and drink.

The only rules are, customers must eat in the restaurant and kids must be 10 or under. Each table will receive two free meals per adult purchase.

Please call your local restaurant first to make sure they are participating.

Thanks, Savings and Stewardship, for this great deal!

Rewards Programs

I wanted to take a few minutes to highlight some FREE rewards programs that you may not be already using:

1. Pampers Gifts-to Grow: you will earn points from products you buy (including wipes) and also get "free" points from facebook, bloggers, etc. Redeem these points for toys, dvds, magazine subscriptions, and photo gifts.

2. Points from your bank: I use points through PNC Bank. Earn points every time you use your debit/credit card and redeem them for housewares, entertainment, even gift cards.

3. Toys R Us Rewards: scan your card at the register and earn points. You will automatically receive a gift card when you have reached the designated amt of points.

4. Staples Rewards: scan at register (even when buying the doorbuster sales) and earn gift certificates to use in the store later.

My thought is, if these programs are free, why not use them? You are earning free money/product, overall reducing your budget, or even allowing for a "splurge" here and there. Is it a pain to carry all of those cards, yes! But I will gladly carry a select few to use the perks that go with them. What about you? As they say, "What's in your wallet?"