Kohl's Online Clearance!

There are some fantastic clearance deals going on right now at Kohl’s including men’s sweaters starting at just $2.52! Plus they are offering 99¢ standard shipping for each item... AND you can use the code TWENTY4U to get an EXTRA 20% Off...Items are selling out fast. If you have gift cards to use, now is the time to do it!

Meal Plan Monday

It's time to meal plan again! We've all been sick and, quite frankly, I'm not really in the mood to cook, but, I'm the mom and I must, so here goes:

Monday - Sweet and Sour Chicken, Egg Rolls, Wontons
Tuesday - Leftover Christmas Lasagna, Salad
Wednesday - Chicken Burritos, Chips and Salsa/Queso
Thursday - Roast Beef, Potatoes, Carrots
Friday - New Years Eve: BBQ Cocktail Weiners, Cheese and Crackers, Spinach Dip, Beef Stick, Hummus and Veggies, Savorings Appetizers
Saturday - Potato and Cheese Homemade Pierogies
Sunday - Corn Chowder with Ham, Biscuits

Breakfasts: Waffles, Oatmeal, Cereal, Pumpkin Loaf

Lunches: Sandwiches, Leftovers, Canned Soup and Crackers

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS, FROM ME AND MINE!

MAY GOD BLESS YOU THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND IN THE NEW YEAR.

WINNERS

All 3 comments on the last contest are winners. Please email me you address at hlabutis@ureach.com so I can get your coupon packs out in the mail! 3 of my favorite recipes will be published after Christmas.

Asking for Help - From YOU

Our 6 year old Space Ranger son is eating us out of house and home...its really starting to get insane. I'm having to buy groceries 2 times a week.

I am looking for EASY, FRUGAL, FILLING recipes that are KID FRIENDLY and will help us stretch our budget. Please submit your ideas below (links to recipes count as ideas.)

THREE READERS will receive my undying love + a coupon packet to help you save at the store too! One reader will win in each of the 3 categories: DELICIOUS DINNERS, SUPER SNACKS, and BIG BREAKFASTS. Make sure you mark your recipe with the category it goes in.

This contest is open until next Friday 12/17 at 5 PM EST. Winners recipes will also be posted on this blog for the enjoyment of all.

PLEASE HELP US FEED THIS KID!

DMR - Have you cashed in yet?

Have you cashed in your Disney Movie Rewards yet? I am so excited - I just ordered myself the DVD Enchanted. This program is awesome; when you redeem your reward, you don't even have to pay shipping! We love it. Every time you purchase a DVD/Blu-Ray, look for the code and enter it. (IF you don't want it, send it to me!) Also you can find freebie codes on the internet about once a month and for fun holidays. These cost you nothing, but earn you rewards. Its simple, easy, and FREE. Please sign up - you can thank me when your first reward comes :)

Advent Traditions: Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

As we prepare for the birth of the Savior of the world, I thought I would take a little time to share with you one of our favorite, frugal traditions.

Around the 25th of November, the kids and I haul out the leftover wrapping paper from last year's gifts. We then make 25 tags from craft supplies like card stock and stickers. Each tag is numbered from 1-25. We then lovingly wrap 25 books with paper, tag them, and place them in a basket by our tree. Every night before bed, the kids get to open a book and we read it as a family.




This is so special because it is a great time to wind down, cuddle up, and learn together. Some of our most precious discussions have come during this time. We have a great variety of books, but some of our favorites are:

-The Night Before Christmas (read on Dec 24th)
-Thomas Kincade's Away in a Manger
-Jesus, Me, and My Christmas Tree
-Merry Christmas, George (Curious George)
-The Crippled Lamb
-The Snowbelly Family of Chillyville Inn
-The Little Drummer Boy
-...and, on Christmas morning, before we open our stockings we read book #25: The Christmas Story

I hope this tradition inspires you to do something fun to make memories with your little loves this year. It's never too late to start something meaningful.

Oh, and isn't it wonderful that this Savior wants to have a real relationship with me? Not just on my good days, my nice days, my super-mom days, but my EVERY day! We are created to be in love with Him - He is the only one who can fill your heart with peace, your life with joy, your home with unconditional love.

Merry Christmas, Friends! May God bless us, everyone.

A Fun, Frugal Gift

I just love the thought of the oatmeal cookies and milk bath for my dry, itchy winter skin. GO HERE to see step-by-step instructions on how to make this for your favorite friends (or yourself - you deserve it!)

The Motherload is an awesome site filled with a wealth of information that won't have you spending all of your own wealth. Check it out!

If you have a Rite Aid...

Make some money on your stocking stuffers. Puzzles, Disney figurines and more! GO HERE to read all about this fantastic deal that I am pouting over. BOO HOO!

Start Watching Target for TOY Clearance

It's time to start watching Target for toy clearance! Typically things will go in this order: 30% off, 50% off, 75% off. Toys do not go to 90% off unless they are considered seasonal (like stocking stuffers.)

As the stores clearance items, you can find toys in: the toy dept (duh!), all end caps, seasonal section at front of the store, back corners of housewares - by rubbermaid stuff, even in the electronics on end caps. Just make sure to look high and low!

Don't forget to look for seasonal books to be clearanced also. This is the time to start buying for next year...

Another tips: many of the seasonal stocking stuffer toys will work for Easter baskets or Valentine's Day gifts. Think outside of the box. If it is removed from the Christmas packaging, no one will be the wiser.

Happy (bargain) hunting!

WII Freebie

If you have a WII, GO HERE, and order up to 4 remote jackets for FREE. All you need is the serial number on the back of your game system.

Thanks, Couponing to Disney.

Catalina Confusion?

THIS, BY FAR, is the BEST post I have EVER READ on Catalinas. If you, like many, are confused by these, head over and read The Coupon Project's post. While you are there, follow this amazing blog.

Another FREE Game

If you don't already own Pictureka - HEAD OVER HERE - and see how you can score it for FREE at Meijer!

Thanks, Moms by Heart!

A Couple of FREE Games for Santa to Bring...

GO HERE to see how you can get a FREE Hungry, Hungry Hippos Game.

GO HERE to see how you can get UBuild Battleship for FREE at Toys R Us.

Thanks, For the Mommas, for these great deals!