Coupon Saving: Sunday's Inserts Include Great Coupons!

As I have posted, my family is on a budget since losing my job.  We must save money as my husband is in Kuwait for another 10+ months, we will be moving to a new state, selling a house, etc etc.  We embarked on this journey to save money on May 1st.  We being myself and my oldest expecting daughter as I'm hoping she will learn a lot from this.  June 1st was our official kick off to saving money and we have done fairly well for being newbies.  We saved over $150 and spent out of pocket around $145 so we did save more than we spent and we figured we have enough groceries for over a week or more plus with buying six packs of Pull Ups, they should last some time.


My daughter created a binder system that works for her and we look for all the savings and coupons we can possibly stack.  Being able to see what is in the Sunday paper also helps us to plan and allows us to know if we need to buy extra copies.


Here are some of the inserts but click on the box below to find them all:

6-6 P&G coupon insert

Date: June 2nd, 2010

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6-6 P&G coupon insert
Sunday coupon preview
Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected!

(x) before coupon = multiple of same coupon
ETS = excludes trial sizes

P&G coupon insert

All coupons exp 7/31, unless otherwise noted

$2 any Venus, embrace, Daisy razor
$2 any Venus cartridge
55c any Satin Care shave gel
$3 any PUR pitcher or faucet mount
$1 any Prilosec OTC
$3 any Prilosec OTC
$5 any Align
$3 any Metamucil

6-6 Smartsource coupon insert

Date: June 3rd, 2010

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6-6 Smartsource coupon insert
Sunday coupon preview
Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected!

(/X) after coupon = expiration date
() before coupon = multiple of same coupon
ETS = excludes trial sizes
DND5 = coupon states Do Not Double, but barcode starts w/a 5

Smartsource coupon insert
Act bottle, 16.9 Save $1.00/1 (7/31)
Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Kid’s Powered Toothbrush Save $1.00/1 (8/31)
Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Powered Toothbrush Save $1.00/1 (8/31)
Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Sonic Rechargeable Toothbrush Save $4.00/1 (8/31)
Ban product Save $.40/1 (7/31)
Ban Solid Save $.75/1 (7/31)
Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad Mixes Save $.50/2 (7/31)
Bic Flex4 3pk, Comfort 3 Advance 4pk, Hybrid Advance shaver Save $2.00/1 (7/18)
Biz Stain Fighter Save $1.00/1 (8/1)

Special Cellfire Surprise Coupon to Kroger - Up to $10

Cellfire has a special coupon savings to logged in Cellfire members to save even more at Kroger or Kroger subsidiaries.  The value will be up to $10 but it will vary and won't start until 3 pm (Pacific) or 6 pm (EST).  


Not a Cellfire member?  Sign up now and be ready as these will be limited!  Stay tuned for the link that I'll post right at 6 pm.

Publix Summertime Savings Guide

New set of coupons are out at Publix so go get them!  Our Publix sometimes keeps the coupons and booklets behind customer service to prevent the coupon abductors from latching on to more than their fair share so if you don't see it, ask.

All coupons expire July 15.

• $1/5 Snack Pack Pudding
• $2 off Gatorade, 20 oz. multi-pack
• $1/3 Peter Pan Peanut Butter
• $1/2 Reddi-wip, 7 oz.
• $2/6 Marie Callender Dinners or Pot Pies
• $2/10 any Chef Boyardee Products
• $1 off PAM No-Stick Cooking Spray
• $1/4 Van Camp’s Beanee Weenee

$10 mail in rebate wyb $20 in Conagra products and Gatorade or Aquafina multi-pack.  Save those receipts and don't forget to stack your coupons and check out Coupon.com, Cellfire and Redplum.

Friday Blog Hop: Join In & Meet New People & Get New Followers

How to join in on the fun:

Add your main blog link to our McLinky, follow the hostesses in the first 2 spots (Home Grown Families and Mama to 3 Blessings) and then start blog hopping! This is a great opportunity for you to visit other blogs on the link up and comment on their blogs! Take a few moments to follow their blog! - this is a great way to get to know one another! Please only enter your blog link ONE time and G rated links ONLY please. Home Grown Families and Mama to 3 Blessings are family friendly blogs.

When people comment on your blog please let them know that you are part of Friday Blog Hop then return the favor and follow them back! This way everyone gets blog traffic and followers out of participating! Please feel free to grab our Friday Blog Hop button and add it to your blog and spread the word! The more who link up the the bigger the blog hop! Hope to see you there!

* Friday Blog Hop will run every Friday at 12:00 AM EST till Thursday 5:00 PM EST. 

First Ever Adorable Baby Clothing Photo Contest $25 6/30

Don't miss out on a chance to win $25 and have your little one appear on the Adorable Baby Clothing website!


The first ever Adorable Baby Contest going on now and ends 6/30.

Great Deal on Wii Game System at Amazon $199.99 + Bonuses

Not only can you get the new black version of the Wii game console with Wii Sports Resort and Wii MotionPlus Accessory but you also get a $30 Video Games Credit!

Order Wii with Wii Sports Resort and get $30 off a future purchase from the Amazon Video Games store. The promotion code will be applied directly to your Amazon.com account up to two (2) business days after your product ships. Offer valid when shipped and sold by Amazon.com. Limit one purchase per customer. Amazon reserves the right to change or terminate this promotion at any time.

Another great feature of this system is the ability to stream Netflix movies through it!

Great Deal at Amazon on Bassinets - $38~ or Less

I just purchased this great bassinet for 78% off and due to other wins, it cost me 0 out of pocket!  This will make a great gift for my daughter's baby due 10/10/10!  The sage and white one was a little cheaper which is the one I bought as we suspect it's a boy but not quite sure yet.

Thanks to: http://pennypinchingpenguin.blogspot.com/ for the tip!

Betty Crocker Mississippi Mud Supreme Bars Gift Pack Giveaway 6/24 - WINNER CLOSED

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...


KELLY D!


An e-mail has been sent to Kelly.  Winner was chosen by random.org.


Thanks to all those who entered!

Desert time!  Might just be the favorite two words my girls hear from me especially when it's homemade or from a box which is just as good as homemade.   I sometimes make deserts from recipes but other times, I turn to box mixes such as the new Betty Crocker Mississippi Mud Supreme Bars.  Inspired by a decadent, down-south dessert favorite, Betty Crocker has released this new desert prize pack and I was one of the lucky ones chosen to try it out!


With layers of chocolate cookie crumbs sprinkled over mini marshmallows in a chewy chocolate center and a crunchy chocolate cookie crust, this brand new recipe is sure to impress friends and family. Betty Crocker Mississippi Mud Supreme Bars provide an out-of-the-box flavor, with in-the-box convenience. 


I made the Mississippi Mud Supreme Bars in the pan that I was provided in the gift pack.  I don't know if I didn't do it right but I didn't have enough to coat the bottom and provide on top so that was disappointing.  As lightening struck and I prayed that the power wouldn't go out before they cooked, I won!  The Bars were finished and we enjoyed a night of Mississippi Mud Bars with a pretty good thunderstorm.  I found that chocolate was a great way to get their minds off the storm.  They are very easy to make, requires two bowls with two steps to prepare the mix and after putting the bottom crust mix down, you pour the batter in and put some of the reserve topping on and after 40~ minutes, they are done!  They were moist and chocolaty so get the milk ready!


Want to win your Betty Crocker Mississippi Mud Bar Prize Pack (brownie mix and nice brownie pan)?


Just leave a comment and follow my blog, that is it!


Bonus Entries:

• Follow me on Twitter (two entries)
• Blog about this giveaway (five entries)
• Subscribe to my blog (two entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway (two entries - can be done daily)
• Enter any of my ongoing giveaways (five entries)

Giveaway ends 6/24 at midnight and winner will be chosen by random.org.

US only please and the information, prize pack, and giveaway have all been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark.

Kroger & General Mills Pound for Pound Challenge $30 Kroger GC Giveaway 6/24 CLOSED WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO ....


ANN!


An e-mail has been sent to Ann.  Winner chosen by random.org.


Thanks to all those who entered and be ready for a new Kroger gift card giveaway coming soon!

    

Are you one of The Biggest Loser fans like me?  If you are, you know very well about the Pound for Pound Challenge and how it helps you and helps to feed the hungry.  I love The Biggest Loser and my oldest and I always make it a ritual to watch it together.  It's our only show we watch routinely.  This past season was a great one seeing the largest man in The Biggest Loser History win the big pay off.  This season also had what looked like the worse, most at-risk group of people so far on the show so it was more meaningful to see them getting help and changing their lives.  I have noticed as they progress, they do show some of the past contestants who do pick up some or all the weight they lost which is unfortunate but still the goal is inspirational.

 

As part of my membership to MyBlogSpark, I received three complimentary $10 Kroger gift cards in exchange for my post by Kroger Family of Stores and General Mills.  Kroger Company Family of Stores, General Mills, NBC's The Biggest Loser and other key sponsors have teamed up to donate up to $1,080,000 to Feeding America this year.  This is a great program and one that I've signed up for a long time ago.  I think it was when Chef Curtis Stone was on an episode and I signed up for the Pound for Pound Challenge.  

The way this works is for every pound you lose, a pound is donated to a local food bank so it's a win-win!  As an example, in Houston, 2,895 people have pledged to lose 89,532 pounds!  This is such a great way to help your community as charity does begin at the home.

By signing up, you also get access to watch episodes of The Biggest loser, watch exercise videos, find tips and recipes and much more.  It's an all in one site to help you fight the battle of the bulge while helping your fellow neighbor from going hungry.

To date, 6,023,699 total pounds have been pledged with 206,074 Americans taking part in the pledge and you can join the crowd and make it even bigger.


General Mills sponsors many products on The Biggest Loser and I can honestly say, we purchase many General Mills products.  Their participation in the Feeding America has been amazing if you have been watching The Biggest Loser, you will definitely know.

Here is where you can win a $30 Kroger Gift Card:

Follow my blog and leave a comment that you want to win the $30 Gift Card.

Extra Entries:

• Visit the Pound for Pound Challenge and pledge - it's free and easy to sign up and if you do, you get five bonus entries to this giveaway!
• Tell me who your last season's favorite player was (one entry)
• Follow me on Twitter (two entries)
• Blog about this giveaway (five entries)
• Subscribe to my blog (two entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway (two entries - can be done daily)
• Enter any of my ongoing giveaways (five entries)

Giveaway ends 6/24 at midnight and winner will be chosen by random.org.

Extra entries are not mandatory but the first entry of following my blog and leaving a comment are.  

Open to US only please.

Thanks to all those who enter!

Disclaimer:  The giveaway and information were provided by Kroger and General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Blogmania 2010 Sponsor: Strawberry RicRac

Adorable hats, children's clothing and more can be found at Strawberry RicRac's Etsy shop.   Specializing in children's clothes with a bit of a retro feel is what describes many of the cute products you can choose from.

  

Strawberry RicRac has a 100% positive feedback rate!

 

Whether you are looking for jumpers, hats, skirts, rompers, pinafores/bloomers, dresses, aprons, blankets or tops, check out Strawberry RicRac.

If you have the time, check out the other two shops by Strawberry RicRac at:  www.buddhataxi.etsy.com
www.strawberryfabric.etsy.com.

Thanks to Strawberry RicRac for sponsoring my blog for Blogmania 2010!

Target Savings: $93.11 (Huggies, Scrubbing Bubbles, Venus & More)

I've put my daughter to the task of being my coupon holder/tracker/creator guru and she's done a great job.  After only one month of trying to live on a budget and save money, we went to Target and here is our summary:

Total:            $172, 15
Saved:             $93.11
Out of Pocket: $79.04


Here is what we purchased:

Here is what we bought with use of multiple coupons:

• Six packs of Huggies Pull Ups
• Five boxes of Fiber One Bars and Cereals
• Two Scrubbing Bubbles Extend-a-Clean & Shower Cleaner
• Two of the same above refills
• Two packs of D batteries (for exercise bike)
• One weight so Jamie can do KettleWorx with me and not take mine
• Alice in Wonderland Blu-Ray Combo - Great deal as not only can you watch it as a DVD and Blu-Ray but it has a digital version to download to an iPod.
• Herbal Escenses gel
• Motrin PM
• Dove Therapy Conditioner
• Dove Shampoo
• Venus Razor
• Huggies Wipes

Overall, it was a great deal considering we'll have enough Pull-Ups to last several weeks.
















Get $100 worth of Coupons.com Free Coupons

Sisterly Love: No words needed

Sisterly Love: No words needed

Star Wars Weekends at Disney: Our Experience for Great Memories

Only true Star Wars fans can appreciate seeing a Star Wars parade at Disney!  What an unexpected surprise to walk in and be able to see this!  When we arrived, the place was packed and there was a little hole they left open to allow people to go across the street until the parade started.  Then all of a sudden, they allowed us to jump forward and I took full advantage of it.  A very nice woman let Jamie up front where she was able to sit and watch.  Unfortunately for April, she was holding a very sleeping Dani as I took pictures.

 

We are a Star Wars family and I have to admit it.  My husband and I actually met online playing the Star Wars game so that gives me an official "geek" badge.  All my daughter's love it to include my step son, my brother and his two girls.  I had to take these pictures specifically for my brother:

They even had some of the actors along the parade.  Weekends at Disney are awesome and I'm so glad I was able to let my girls experience some fun while their dad is in Kuwait.

Winners Nintendo DS, Avon Glazewear, WoozWorld & Scrubbing Bubbles

CONGRATULATIONS TO ....

Sarah P for the Nintendo DS Light
Mami2jcn & Cynthia for the five Avon Glazewear Lip Glosses
Tabathia Scrubbing Bubbles Pack
Tabathia, Mami2jcn anthy for WoozWorld


To those most interested in the Nintendo DS Light game system, I'm working with the PR rep in trying to secure another giveaway due to turnout so stay tuned!


Thanks to all those who entered!


Thanks, Tabathia!  I was in a hurry to get the winner's information out and overlooked the Woozworld details!  It's been updated!

Sistahood Follow Along Week 8

I was soooo bad and gained two pounds but am back on the bandwagon with a new effective date of today, June 1st!  I feel as long as I come back after failing, I'm still half way there and will continue my efforts until I get there and I know I will.  So much has been going on to make it very hectic in my life but I have a plan to get it more organized which is why June 1st was my new kick-off date.  


Watching all these young celebrities die prematurely is giving me an added push to get in shape and not so much for the physically appealing aspect but to be around to enjoy my young children grow up and to be a part of this grand-baby that is due 10/10/10.  I need to get my kids eating healthier which is always a chore but I'm still hoping getting them involved with cooking will promote better health habits.  I also turn to the Mamavation mom's for inspiration such as Kia who is a dynamo!  Colleen has her struggles but man, she's one busy mama tackling the various medical issues but she is my inspiration.  Of course there is Bookie Boo seeing all that she has conquered and looks amazing!  So many offer encouragement with the Mamavation moms and I truly appreciate it!


So...here's looking to my post at the end of the week where I will be held accountable to produce better results!

The Belly Burner Review & Giveaway 6/22 - CLOSED WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...


SUE E

An e-mail has been sent to Sue.  The winner was chosen by random.org.

Thanks to all those who entered!

Uh oh .. bikini season is coming quicker than that next wrinkle on our faces unless you are younger and lucky to not endure this dreaded pass through life!  I'm wanting to really, really lose weight ..really, I am!  One would be puzzled as to why I cannot just do it given how much it plagues me.   I think it might have something to do with working full time, juggling small children with medical conditions, enduring a husband deployed to Kuwait, getting a house ready to move, picking up everyone and moving to Texas ... easy right?  Okay, enough with that as I really do want to lose weight and since I cannot have Gerald Butler as my personal trainer, I chose another one.

Bobby Waldron, the trainer with the The Belly Burner that you may have seen on TV or online.  The Belly Burner is a lightweight belt available in different sizes that fits directly on your skin or over a light shirt.  The Belly Burner is made out of a high quality neoprene fabric, which you’ve seen in wetsuits. This type of fabric naturally generates more heat in your core, which increases metabolic rate, the belt focuses energy, and burns off unwanted inches.  


The beauty with The Belly Burner is due to it's size, it's easy to wear as much as you want.  It's a great way to burn a few extra calories while you are exercising as well as doing household chores, yard work or running after children (intense exercise).  Thanks to my membership to MamaBzz, I received a complimentary Belly Burner in exchange for my review.

Just after 20 minutes of wear, I could feel the belt was working relative to generating more heat in one of my troubled areas ... I wonder if they make a total body one? :)   As you can see in the picture above, the thermographic test confirmed that The Belly Burner does burn more calories.  


Want to see more about The Belly Burner?  Check out this:

Overall, I definitely could feel the heat effect after you use it.  You will want to wipe it down after each use and I lay mine out flat to dry afterwards.  It's lighweight and comfortable to wear beyond exercising.  I will post more results after extended wear.

You can purchase The Belly Burner for $39.90, plus S&H, after a 30-day free trial.

The Giveaway:

You can win The Belly Burner!

To Enter:

Just follow my blog and leave a comment that you want to win!

Bonus Entries:

• Follow me on Twitter (two entries)
• Blog about this giveaway (five entries)
• Subscribe to my blog (two entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway (two entries - can be done daily)
• Enter any of my ongoing giveaways (five entries)

Giveaway ends 6/22 and winner will be chosen by random.org.

US only please.

Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food Review & Giveaway 6/22 - CLOSED WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

AILEEN!

An e-mail has just been sent! 

Thanks to all those who entered!

*winner chosen by random.org

With all the news stories, studies and controversy surrounding our food supply, I've definitely been more attuned to better foods grown or produced more organically.  Life expectancy has increased in the United States but I can't help but wonder if we'll start to see a decline due to the various factors that are in play in our food, our water, the atmosphere and other things we inject in ourselves or take.   The "greatest generation" and they are that, were raised on more natural foods and remedies and are reaching 90's and even 100's.  


When the opportunity from MamaBzz came up to receive a complimentary copy of Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food, I couldn't resist.  I'm trying to educate myself for not only  a healthier future for myself but for my children as well.  Their health is first and foremost and if I can set them up for a bright future of good habits and knowledge, I've won half the batter.





About the Author:


Jessie Hawkins is, by definition, a wife, mom of four and the Executive Director of Vintage Remedies. More specifically, however, she is a speaker, an author, an herbalist, a holistic wellness professional, an amateur real foods chef, a natural living professional, an advocate for informed birthing choices, a teacher of sustainable lifestyles, a hobby gardner, a gentle parent, an avid researcher, a lifelong student and a satisfied mommy.

While Jessie’s childhood was filled with dreams of living a natural and basic lifestyle, her reality was the conventional processed food, plastic and artificial lifestyle so common decades ago. Jessie’s transition to healthy living did not begin until her college years, as she craved more information about environmental health and real foods. Long before green living became trendy (and before there was even an organic certification!), Jessie pioneered the way for the average family to live a more natural and healthy lifestyle. She made this transition to a healthier lifestyle as an adult, so she is familiar with the learning curve and can relate to the uncertainty of adding new foods and habits to the home.

Having now spent a decade as a professional in the field, Jessie combines her vast and varied training - both formal and informal - in the fields of herbalism, midwifery, childbirth, environmental health, medical anthropology, naturopathy, food history, nutrition, holistic health and so much more, to pass along to others in a usable and practical form. This led to the formation of Vintage Remedies in the early 2000s and eventually the Vintage Remedies School of Natural Health in 2007, where she teaches individuals around the globe how to understand the modern scientific research in the field - and perhaps more importantly, how to implement that knowledge practically into the modern home. During this time, she has also written over a dozen books and textbooks on the subject of healthy and natural living and has provided numerous articles and interviews for national magazines on the topic of healthy living.


The Review:


It's really a wonderful resource that breaks down the science into easy to understand language such as:

A protein is a long strand of one hundred or more amino acids.  Some of these amino acids are not produced by our bodies, thus they are essential to the diet.  With little exception, animal foods are the only sources that provide all of the essential proteins in one place, preventing deficiencies from occurring.  However, plans contain an array of amino acids, and as long as the diet is varied, vegetarians have no trouble obtaining sufficient protein and essential amino acids from plant sources.


The five sections are indexed logically starting with Why We Eat, What to Eat, How to Eat, Let Your Food Be Your Medicine and finally Resources.  It's really a practical guide on choosing to live a healthier life and is a great resource for those just beginning the journey.   Ms. Hawkins' background and experiences shines through each section with great learning material, healing foods, recipes and much more.  It's truly a fascinating book that I would recommend to anyone to read at least once if not more to capture the extreme amount of information she provides.


The Giveaway:


You can win a copy of Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food just by following my blog and leaving a comment that you would like to win!


Bonus Entries:

• Visit Jessie Hawkins' website and leave a comment on what other book you would like to read.
• Leave a comment on Jessie's site and paste the url here.
• Follow Vintage Remedies on Twitter.
• Follow me on Twitter.
• Blog about this giveaway (five entries).
• Subscribe to my blog.
• Tweet about this giveaway (two entries - can be done daily)
• Enter any of my ongoing giveaways (five entries)

Giveaway ends 6/22 at midnight and winner will be chosen by random.org.

US only please!

Good luck!