Make Your Own........Orange Julius!

My husband loves Orange Julius, but we rarely go to the mall, plus I can't stand paying $3-$4 for these...we concocted a similar drink at home(while I was pregnant with Garrett, because I craved oranges 24-7).

1/2 can frozen OJ concentrate
1 c milk
1 T vanilla

blend, enjoy!

The measurements are estimates...I rarely actually measure anything when I cook.
You can toy around with different juices...coconut, pineapple, whatever!

Make Your Own..........Healthy Smoothie!

We all want to eat better, right?  And who doesn't love the smoothies at Jamba Juice or Smoothie King?  Well, I don't like the prices, so I make this great smoothie at home.  Even my 12 yr old will drink this, despite the fact that it has fresh spinach in it!

Green Smoothie
3 c fresh spinach
1 c strawberries, I like frzn, but fresh is fine
1 banana
1 c orange juice
water if needed, but usually don't

Put it all in a blender until smooth, enjoy!

I would recommend adding some ground flax to increase your Omega intake, and if you are trying to repace a meal you could add a scoop of vanilla whey protein powder.

Make Your Own........Granola!

This is a microwave recipe.  Sometimes it turns out a little soft even after I let it dry/cool much of the day.  If that does happen, I place it in the oven on 200 for a little while.  I do not dare make this completely in the oven because I'll burn it, but feel free to try it if you want!  You can swap dried cranberries for the raisins, use whatever nuts you wish, or leave any of the add-ons, including wheat germ & fax...the choice is yours!  My husband and son will eat this with milk as cereal, but I eat it with my homemade yogurt.

2 c quick oats
2/3 c nuts, chopped
1/3 c wheat germ
1/3 c ground flax
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c honey
1 t vanilla
1/3 c raisins
1/3 c coconut
1/4 c oil

Heat oats in baking dish 3-5 minutes.
Add the other ingredients, except for raisins or other fruit.
Heat on high 3-5 minutes, stirring once or twice.
Add raisins.
Cool on cookie sheets.  This can take awhile..it won't hurt it to sit out all day.  Stir or crumble throughout the cooling process.
Store in airtight container.

Target clearance

Lots of stuff 75% off...spent $33, here it is:

Make Your Own...........Baby Wipes!

We cloth diaper at home, and it makes more sense to me to use cloth wipes with cloth diapers.  There are many different recipes for wipes solution, involving tea tree or calendula, but I make a very simple blend that works for us.  I boil water, then let it cool. 
Mix 1 cup cooled water
1 tsp baby oil
1 tsp baby wash or shampoo.

I make double this amount and fill a spray bottle, then I just spray onto cloths as needed.  I use soft washcloths, or cut squares from old flannel or fleece blankets or scraps...fleece seems to work the best.  Some moms will use an empty wipes tub, cut a roll of thick paper towels in half, remove the cardboard roll, then pour the solution over the towels.  That seems like a good method if you use disposable diapers and want to save on wipes.

Slacking

I am a slacker when it comes to blog posts, I guess.  Lots of reasons:  Holidays, cooking, kids home on vacation, baby teething...but really, I am being lazy!  I may continue slacking in deal posting, as I am so tired after shopping, cleaning, preparing meals, and keeping Garrett entertained...the last thing I think about is bragging about my good finds!  So, sorry, if you are relying on me for good deals.
Alot of times, the deals I see are posted on plenty of other blogs so I don't feel I need to do it also!

What I will attempt to do in January is to post some recipes, homemade goodness & inexpensive!  That is another great way to save money!  You can search my recent posts for recipes for homemade yogurt & cheesecake, and peanut butter fudge.  I'll get some more things going soon!

Another reason my deal posting may stay slow is that I need to work down some of my stockpile.  This doesn't mean I won't buy some basics that are free or cheap, but that I won't run out as easily to shop for groceries!  I do plan to get to Target soon to use the produce & ham coupons they have available on their website, and I think I'll keep my eyes peeled for some good prices on beef & chicken, but my cabinets & freezers are full...I am so blessed!

Paper Dolls

Thanks to Graphics Fairy, you can print some cute paper dolls, even Holiday ones here...a great last-minute stocking stuffer if you have a little girl!

Make Your Own.............Truffles!

These were so easy!  I actually took this recipe, split the can of sweetened condensed milk into 2 parts, and used 2 different 10 oz bags to make 2 different types of truffle...1 one mint chocolate coated with cocoa, the other white chocolate coated with coconut, which I dyed red & green..pretty!



3 cups (18 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips or whatever flavor you like
1 (14 oz.) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract or whatever flavor you like

Finely chopped toasted nuts, flaked coconut, chocolate sprinkles, colored sprinkles, unsweetened cocoa, powdered sugar or colored sugars


MELT chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk in large saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.

POUR into medium bowl. Cover and chill 2 to 3 hours or until firm.

SHAPE into 1-inch balls; roll in desired coating and/or decorate with frosting and candies. Chill 1 hour or until firm.

Easy, Delicious(Microwave) Peanut Butter Fudge

This is way too easy and tasty to not make...make 2 batches, because you'll want to keep one and share the other!

2/3 c butter
2/3 c peanut butter
6 c powdered sugar
1/3 c milk
1 T vanilla

Place butter & pb in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat on high 2 min or until butter melts;  stir well.
Add the remaining ingredients;  stir until smooth.
Microwave on high about 1.5 minutes until smooth but not bubbly;  stir.  Pour into buttered square baking pan.
Cover & refrigerate at least 1 hour;  Cut into 1 inch squares; store in fridge.

Giveaway: new Sealy Posturepedic!!

What?  Really?  Thanks to Mommy Mandy blog...
Yes, enter this contest to win a Sealy Posturepedic Innerspring signature 11 Series bed, you choose the size!  If you are in a queen currently, you could upgrade to a King if you win!  You can go to the Sealy website to read more about this new mattress series.

The contest ends January 20, so go now and enter for your chance to win..good luck!

It Takes so Little to Make them Happy

That was the final line in an email from a new pal, Bev.

  I 'met' Bev on a local coupon site, 918CouponQueen.  We started chatting because she was looking for coupons to buy some items to donate to local veterans, and although I didn't have the coupons left to share, I did have some items to donate.

Bev has been serving those who proudly served our country.  During the Holiday season, this means collecting gifts for hospitalized veterans to choose to give their loved ones.  These gifts are 'paid in full', a thanks to the veteran...complete with wrapping paper.  The Tulsa World did a recent story on Bev's project which you can read more about here.

But the need is great all year, at every Veterans Hospital around the country.  They are constantly treating new patients, many of whom are admitted without personal items, clothing, or the means to obtain any. 

I asked Bev if she would share some of her recent experiences while volunteering, and if I could share them with others.  I will share a few stories over time, but here is one now, recounting her first visit to Muskogee VA Hospital:

My aunt had donated a robe....not a new one for Dot's Christmas Store, but for the "clothes closet" (for patients who come in with nothing and need things, so they accept used clothes for the clothes closet). It was a nice robe but my aunt didn't wear it much, as she didn't like the way it fit her.
We asked the patients who they wanted a gift for. Most said their wife. We had jewelry and some bath salts, some candles, jewelry boxes and lots of other things to choose from.
When I went to this one man's room he said he wanted a robe. I told him that I didn't have that but offered other ideas......It was like he wasn't going to hear me....He didn't seem to have a hearing problem...just selective hearing. He simply didn't want to hear me say that.



He said, "She is a small woman."...


Me: "I don't have a robe."


He said, "Yes, she needs a nice robe."


Me: "I don't have a robe."....


Him: Can I get it for under $20?


Me: after I explained he had already paid in full "...but I don't have a robe".



He was very sweet and patient just telling me what he wanted, like I wasn't understanding the request.

Finally I gave up and said "I have one but it is used. You don't want a used gift for a Christmas gift, do you?"


He smiled like he knew I had it all along and said, "Yes, that will be fine." I told Brenda that I just hated for him to have something to give that had been worn. She and I looked it over and thought maybe it was actually new because it looked so good. It was pretty and very soft.


I took it to him. He had a big smile when he saw it, took my hand and shut his eyes real tight and was very quiet like he was praying, then he opened them, smiled and said joyfully, "I love you! I love everyone."


He told me he had been a chaplain for 19 years.





This was the first time I had been to the Muskogee VA hospital. I usually put things on the VA van to take down to get there and in the past 2 years I think we only had one other robe.


My aunt had missed the story in the paper and didn't know about our latest project until a couple of days ago. My aunt and uncle came by the house the day before I went and dropped it off with some other gifts.


I had planned to be there early enough to give the items for the "clothes closet" to the Chief of Voluntary services before we got started. I had items to take with me on the dining room table. One of those items was a pack of gum. My darling husband is always picking up and putting everything away behind me. He thought it was something I had left out and had put my gum out of sight, and I left without it. I stopped at the store, which caused me to be too late to see the chief before his meeting; that meant I had to keep the clothes and robe with me until later in the day when the chief was out of his meetings.


I was not too happy with my husband until I realized how even that fit perfectly in with God's timing to answer a prayer.

I think Bev's account goes to show how things do happen for a reason...
Why else would I have had extra lotion coupons to give to anyone who wanted them, and why did Bev join the coupon forum just today, and comment, wanting those coupons?  She didn't have to explain why she wanted them...we would have offered them up...but I am so grateful she spoke up...I feel I have another cause I'd love to be involved in, to share information with others about the great need.  I am fortunate to have learned some awesome couponing skills this year, which allows me to have an abundance of personal care items to share with friends & strangers alike.  I'll admit, I have been blind to the need.  I have taken servicemen & women for granted...crazy since my parents both served in the AirForce during Vietnam.  These men & women have given us so much, and I will make a point to give back from now on.

Please, wherever you are, find even 1 item you can donate this week, or 1 hour you can spend talking & listening to someone who needs a friend.  If you knew it took so little to make someone happy, wouldn't you do it? 

Here is information on donating to the Oklahoma American Veterans, please seek out a center near you!

EVERYDAY CARE ITEMS NEEDED:

• socks, both male and female
• shaving items, such as Bic disposable razors
• shampoo (trial sizes)
• toothpaste
• toothbrush
• baby powder (trial size is a good size)
• magazines (specifically those about cars, hunting, fishing, boating, mechanics, computers, etc.)
• no soap--the hospital no longer accepts soap
• Ziplock bags for packaging the items
• gas cards for VA vans to take patients to the hospital
• playing cards
• DVD players (to be checked out for use by patients, while in the hospital)
• nail clippers
• hand and body lotions
• tee shirts (all sizes)
• briefs (underwear both men's and women's--all sizes)
• lip balm
• small tubes of denture adhesive
• hair brushes for men and women
• pocket combs
• emery boards
• puzzle books
The Sunday newspaper usually has coupons in with the ads that
allow us to stretch our money further to buy needed items. We
greatly appreciate them.
Items that aren't necessities, but Vets are so appreciative when receiving them:

•IPODS (younger patients really enjoy being able to use an IPOD during their stay)
•CDs (could "check out" during their stay)
•hand held games (could "check out" during their stay)
•talking boxes
•gift cards
•electric shavers
•wheel chair cups
•gloves
•backpacks
•luggage
•books
•lap robes

Target coupons

The coupons on Target.com have reset and there are some new ones, too!  The ones I am printing to use  this week are the $1 Revlon beauty tool(stack with Walgreens IVC to get overage on emery boards), and after Christmas I'll use the Target $1 Green Giant produce(cheap broccoli!) and $2 AF ham(ham steaks are about $2, so free/cheap!)

The Target coupons will give you 2 prints per computer profile!

Shopping Break

or Break from Shopping!
I am going on a self-imposed break from shopping for a bit...partly because I am busy getting ready for the Holidays, and partly because there aren't great deals this week so far, and partly because all my cabinets are overflowing!  We could probably live off of our stockpile for several months, save for a coupe of trips for milk or fresh produce.  Lord knows we don't need any toiletries for ages!  I'm not sure how long my shopping ban will last...I have to go to Walgreens by the 30th bevause of expiring register rewards, but other than that, I may just wait until another great deal emerges! 
I've tried doing this before, but then someone has a massive sale and I can't justify missing it! 

Happy Holidays!

Make Your Own..........Yogurt Cheesecake!

This recipe takes a bit to get prepared, so don't expect to eat this today!  Give yourself 1-2 days before you want to serve it!

First, you need to go here and make yogurt(you can use store bought, but I've only made this using my own). After it chills, you can start! 

Basic Yogurt Cheesecake:
32 ounces plain nonfat yogurt
5 eggs
1 c sugar
1 t vanilla extract
whatever crust you want to use...graham, cookie, whatever...for the cupcake size cheesecakes I use a whole cookie as the crust

Place a cheesecloth or sturdy paper towel in a colander.  Place colander over a bowl to catch the draining iquid.  Pour your 32 oz yogurt onto the cloth.  Drain in fridge for 12-24 hours(mine only took 12 hours).

Prepare your crusts either in muffin tins or pie plate or springform pan.

Mix drained yogurt with sugar, eggs, vanilla.  Pour over crust.

Bake at 325 for about 70 minutes, or until batter looks firm.  Let cool 12-24 hours before serving.  To prevent cracks, do not let it get exposed to air...it's okay to leave the cheesecake in the oven, after you turn the heat off, for a little while before placing in the fridge.

See, wasn't that easy?  And...almost fat free(the eggs, and the crust)

Variations:
Please excuse my instructions here, as I don't usually measure this...I just eyeball it, and somehow it works!
For mocha cheesecake:
to your mix, add about 1/4 cup baking cocoa and 1-2 T dry instant coffee granules

For pumpkin cheesecake:
to your mix, add canned pumpkin(1 can) and 1 t each clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, or use pumpkin pie spice

For the pretty swirled versions:
Separate about 1/2-1/3 of your plain mix.  To your 1/3 part, add your extras.  Fill your cheescake crust(s) about 1/2-2/3 full with the plain mix, then gently pour or spoon the variation on top.  Use a knife to gently 'cut' or swirl the 2 mixes together.  If you end up with more of the variation than the plain, you could do some the pposite way: variation first, then swirl with plain.
I'd show you a pic of my swirled mocha mini-cheesecakes, but I can't find it...

Make Your Own..........Yogurt!

My MIL is big on making her own dressings, yogurt, everything, which is where I got the idea to try homemade yogurt.  I thought it would be a big ordeal, but I must admit this was easy enough to do while caring for a needy infant, plus I know my yogurt is free of sugar, thickeners, and artificial additives.  Try it!
The equipment: large stock pot, stainless steel bowl that fits inside the pot, candy thermometer, glass jars with lids, heating pad

Fill the stock pot 2/3 with water.  Place the bowl in the pot and fill it with the milk.  The amount & variety are your choice..I do about a half gallon.

Heat until it reaches 180..this will kill any bad bacteria that would otherwise interfere with the yogurt.

Remove from heat and let the milk cool to 115.  When it reaches between 110 and 115, add 2-4T of plain yogurt(no fruit or sweetener, just yogurt).  Stir and let sit about 5 minutes.

Stir again and pour into clean glass jars.  Screw on the lids and place on your heating pad.  Set the heating pad on LOW and cover with the empty stock pot.

Let this sit undisturbed for 4-10 hours.  The longer it sits, the more sour it becomes, so if 4 hours looks good, place your jars in the fridge to cool.  I like 7 hours for a little tartness.  After 10 hours, the quality begins to deteriorate.  Your yogurt will have more liqud than store-bought since it doesn't have additives..you can drain this off or stir it in, it does not affect taste!

Yummy! 

You can top this with fruit and granola(I have a couple recipes for easy granola that you'll have to check back for), or you can use this as a substitute for oil in baked goods, or you can drain this and use as cream cheese in cheesecake(I will post this recipe soon!).  If you like a little sweetness like my 12 yr old, you could add a little sugar to the bowl as you serve it!

I use part of my cooled yogurt to make starters for my next batch.  Just pour some yogurt into an ice cube tray and freeze.  When frozen, pop into plastic bags.  Next time you want homemade yogurt, thaw out 2 or 3 yogurt cubes to stir in instead of heading to the store for a container.

Walgreens Holiday Dollars & FB F&F discount!!

I had every intention of staying in the house today and do some cleaning, wrap some gifts, lounge!  But, Walgreens decided to raise the stakes!  Not only was today the final day for 'spend $25, get $5 Holiday Dollars', they added a 15% discount for Facebook fans...too good to ignore!
Another couponer turned me on to the John Freida coupons on Smartsource.com, and I was out the door without makeup!
I spent $12 oop and got all this:

that is 16 John Freida products, 7 pkgs Hugggies, and umpteen candles

OOP was 12.03, I finished off all my expiring RRs, I got back $14 in RR & still have $10 more in HDRR to use, plus that is $5.25 toward a rebate from Caregiver's Marketplace...looks like a final of $17 profit!

Wags week of 12/13

$23.05 oop so far...going in for more!
I have a ton of deals in the works this week, not because they have great deals, but because I have Register Rewards to use up!  Here's what I have from shopping Tuesday & Wednesday:

6 pkgs Huggies
3 6pks Viva paper towels
2 Viactiv
5 Olay Quench lotion
5 Olay body wash
1 Biotene toothpaste
3 Phazyme
10 Thermacare arthritis wraps
1 Fusion Razor
4 bags Ghiradelli Squares!
about 2 dozen votive candles

I received 6 $5 Holiday Dollars Rewards, $3RR for Biotene, $2 RR for Ghiradelli, 6 $2 RR for Huggies, & $4RR for Fusion.  I also have 2 buyers for the Thermacare wraps(sold some on ebay before and both buyers requested more!).  I can submit for $4.50 rebate for the Huggies at Caregivers Marketplace.  I can submit for the Olay Quench lotion rebate to get another $49.95 back!  That is over $80 back, so profit of $60 so far this week!

still busy

Wanna know something really random?  When I one-handed-typed that title, it initially said 'still busty' lol!

Just quickly saying I am still busy--3 mystery shops last week took alot of time.  I just got one tonight that is due in 2 days..I am inclined to turn it down, but it is an apartment tour and pays $25 for about 60 minutes total of my time!  Can't beat that...$25 will pay for 2 weeks or more of my Walgreens habit!

Monday:  meeting some girls to swap coupons quickly, and 2 shopping trips.  Trying to reach my mystery shop 'target' and completing the shop if possible!
Tuesday: finishing mystery shop if not done onMonday, meeting some mommies for coffee then Target shopping.
Wednesday: Walgreens, guess I better get prepared on Mon/Tues!
who knows what else this week...

Walgreens 12/12

I decided to head back to Wags because of the Holiday Dollars, cheap A&H detergent, and Olay Quench rebate.  I have more Qs coming for the Quench deal so I'll be back at it next week!
Not as much fun without a picture, but here's my list of what I bought today in 6 transactions:

9 Phazyme (-10/3 MQ & 2 IVC)
2 Triaminic (-3MQ & 2MQ & 2 IVC)
8 gift sacks
20 postage stamps
5 Comtrex (-1.50MQ & 3IVC & 2IVC)
4 A&H detergent (-1.00/2 MQ)
2 Stayfree pads (-1MQ)
2 8.4 oz Olay Quench lotion (-3MQ & free MQ)
1 Olay body wash
1 20.2 oz Olay Quench lotion
2 Milky Way (-bogo Q)
3 Revlon Emery Board (-1MQ & 1IVC)
1 bx Baby Mum Mum rice husks (-IVC)

I spent more than usual oop because of the postage.
I used 16 in RR
I spent 8.05 plus tax so 19.24
I have 29 in new RRs plus the Quench lotion will get me 21.97 back in MIR
Looks like $31 profit!

Holiday Cookie Exchange

Thanks to Hershey's Kisses, I am 1 of 1000 people chosen to host a Hershey's Kisses sponsored Cookie Exchange Party.  I received a Hershey's Kiss candy jar, a calendar, recipe cards, baking ingredients, and more!  I plan to have a small gathering for a party to create and share some wonderful cookies, but I thought it would be fun to have a virtual Holiday Cookie Exchange.  Who's in?
Join me here and comment with your favorite cookie recipe and a pic.  You could even have your own Exchange and post pics of your party!   Bake some cookies and share with neighbors, or take some to a nearby retirement home.  Or, just make some cookies for your family and share the recipe!  You can do this anytime from now until the end of the month...I encourage you to use some of Hershey's delicious products:  kisses, hugs, baking cocoa, whatever! 

Walgreens & Kmart 12/10/09

Not in the picture: 2 bottles Arm & Hammer detergent

oop 8.54, received & kept $42 in RR

That 8.54 includes tax on 2 bottle A&H detergent, 4 Photostamps.com codes, 37 Xmas gift sacks, 2 Triaminic, 1 Baby Xmas Ornament, 5 Neutrogena shave cream, 1 Just For Men haircolor, 2 Chinet plates, 1 Stayfree pads, 9 boxes envelopes...might use one to do another JFM MIR and make my profit better!

I don't particularly care for Kmart, but they had  great toy sale this week!  I got the Musical Sit n Spin 22.99, minus $10 MQ; the Playskool stompers 24.99, minus $10 MQ; the Step Start Walk n Ride, minus $5 MQ;  better still, the toys were buy 2 get 1 free, so I paid $27 including tax for all three toys!

Busy, Busy!

I am really busy this week!
 I had 53 ebay auctions ending yesterday, and about half sold!  Several buyers are combining so I feel like a warehouse employee pulling orders to ship!
I am trading coupons with 4 people right now, so I've been printing, clipping, sorting...
I am transitioning to a coupon binder so my Qs are a mess(and my binder pages just arrived in the mail, yay!)
I haven't started addressing Christmas cards yet, however I do have pictures ready to send.
I did a mystery shop job on Sunday and completed my report, but I have 2 more assignments to complete by Wednesday.  These 2 involve one to one interaction, and I am super shy so it's hard to get motivated for them.  Nevertheless, I have 1 set up for Wedenesday, and I am placing a all for the other appt. later today.
I haven't started wrapping any gifts for the boys...heck, I haven't finished shopping for them!

I need to get finished with much of this so that I can get to Walgreens and Target before Saturday...

No shopping much of next week!

I am so thrilled that theWalgreens ad for 12/6 doesn't look very appealing...I need a break!  Of course, their 4 day ad looks decent for men's products, and they could possibly put out some good online coupons, but I will probably wait until Wednesday or later to go for envelopes, sugar, Triaminic, A&H detergent, and the Neutrogena mens skin care.  I have a few RR to spend before the 11th so I know I must go at some point, but I won't rush for any of these deals!  Besides, I have 3 job assignments to complete before Wednesday, so I'll be busy!  I guess next week during my Wags break I can also send out Holiday cards...

Dream come true or wishful thinking?

well, I guess the pic was "forbidden" maybe copyright....it was a Walgreens marquee that read 'COUPONS WELCOME'

Someone snapped this at their local store...it is NOT here!  One day...

Aerie..my new fav mall store!

Have you signed up for the A-list at Aerie yet?  You can sign up online or in the store, but just sign up!  Every month they offer A-listers a free gift(pick up any Thursday of the month), this month was a free Love & Joy chocolate bar valued at $9.50...wow!
  I went into the store for the first time today, and the staff was incredible!  I had plans to only get my free gift, but the girl that greeted us changed my mind!  They had cute, cute panties in all colors an plaids on sale for 5/$15, plus today only they were offering 30% off plus a free tote bag with any purchase.  The panties were too cute and a great deal!  I split my transaction:  5 panties in each, so I could get 2 free tote bags and paid 22.78 including tax for 10 pr!!!  I am just sad I didn't start going last month when their freebie was a full size bottle of perfume...

Target 12/03

For my Target shopping today, I combined MQs, store Qs, a gift card I redeemed using points on a credit card, and a Mail In Rebate to score big!

Green Works detergent 13.99, used $3 IP

8 cans Steaz tea 1.09 each, used 4 bogo Qs & 4 free Qs

6 bags Dole spinach 1.99 each, used 3 $1/2 IPs & 4 $1 TQs

6 Kashi individual cups cereal 1.00 each, used 3 $3/2 MQs for some overage!

Little Debbie cupcakes 2.50, used free Q from website promo

4 Nestle chips tpc 1.78 each including the mint variety!, used 4 $1 MQs

1 I Cant Believe its Not Butter sticks 1.83, used $1 MQ & 0.75 TQ

12 cans DelMonte veggies tpc 0.66 each, used 3 $1/4 MQs & 2 $1/6 TQs

credit for 4 reusable bags, put 19.48 on gift card, paid 4.93 oop(tax was 4.76 of that!)

There is a Money Back Guarantee on the Green Works detergent that I will send in for, so I will get 13.99 back!

Homeland 12/02

not much for me to buy...stockpile is still bulging!  I did stop into Homeland for a few items today:
raincheck on Kashi crackers 1.66, used $1 Q
coffeemate 2.39, used $1 Q
2 Dole salad mix 1.98 each, used $1/2 Q
2 bx Ronzoni smart taste 1.39 each, used $1/2 Q
2 bx Ronzoni Healthy Harvest 1.39 each, used $1/2 Q
total was $4 & some change, which is alot more than I typically pay, but it's hard to not use those Ronzoni Qs, and $1/bag on salad is great!

my cuties!

Converting to a Binder system for coupons

I give in!  I do very well with my 2 bag system--1 zippered bank bag with Q separated into envelopes according to about 30 categories, and 1 expanding envelope that is split into stores & transactions--but my 12 yr old has seen the "binder-ladies" and has an extra zippered binder that he wrapped up for me for Christmas(at least that's what it looks like!).  I am willing to give it a shot!

I don't like the 9 pocket pages that most couponers use...I use mostly internet printables so I wanted bigger pockets.  I found some 6 pocket pages on ebay..a lot of 100 is about $24 shipped, but I found one seller with 4 sets of 25 listed separately that I got for $16 total shipped(Yes, I am always looking for the best deal!)  I pulled out some tabbed dividers & sheet protectors from the "school supply" stockpile, and made up my dividers to separate into Grocery, kids & pets, Health & Beauty, Household, & Store Qs.  I then made dividers for each category to further specify which Qs were which.  I will insert my Qs in expiration date order in each sub-category.  The sheet protectors, you know the ones you slip a piece of paper into so it doesn't get wrinkled, will be used for me to slip weekly ads into for price matching, and will hold Walgreens monthly coupon booklets...there are 10 sheet protectors in the package so I have plenty of room to keep all the 'extras' organized.  I don't know how everyone else does it, but this made the most sense to me, since that is how I have them already;  I'll simply be transferring to a binder instead of envelopes.  I assume I won't recieve my ebay winnings until next week, so it will be later in the month before I start this, so I'll report back on how it's working!

Oh, I wanted to add a tip on something I just started doing:  if you have glanced at my posts lately you can see I'm a Wag-oholic...those little in-ad coupons are really hard to keep track of!  Also, some of the monthly Qs or seasonal Qs that I use often get shuffled around.  I started using a glue stick to affix the coupons I use alot and the weekly Qs I plan to use onto index cards--much easier to keep track of!  I am always sure to write the dates on the card to I don't keep the weekly in ad Qs longer than their validity!

Walgreens 12/02

Rolling my Register Rewards today...this is what I got:

transaction 1:

kitty litter 5.00, used $3 IP=2.00
Natrol Acai 4.00, used $3 pdf=1.00
Goody hair elastics 2.00
paid with $5 RR=0+tax=0.94, got 4RR & 2RR back
trans 2:
same as 1
paid with $5 RR=0+tax=0.94, got 4RR & 2RR back
trans 3:
Natrol Acai as in 1&2
Goody hair elastic as in 1& 2
Yes to Carrots lip balm 0.99 at beauty counter
3 clearanced knit hats 0.49 each
paid with $5 RR=0.46+tax=1.18, got 4RR & 2RR back

total for 3 transactions= 0.46+tax=3.06, got $18 in RR back, profit of 14.94