Grocery Saving Lessons 8 - Warehouse Shopping

I am quickly coming to realize that big warehouse stores will never be a better deal than couponing done right. If you are a Sam's, Costco, or BJ's member, please hear this warning!!! Just because it is in bulk does NOT always make it a better deal! Check prices the next time you're at the grocery store and see if a bulk package (6) of Jiffy Cornbread mix for $2.99 is really a better deal than the .40 it costs at Kroger (before coupons).
That being said, there are some techniques to shopping a warehouse store. Your coupons are good here too, and many stores send out monthly booklets with house coupons. Remember, you can double up. I am a BJ's member and they send out quarterly magazines with money saving deals (buy 5 participating items, get $10 off). I go to town on these when they come around by piling house and manufacturer's coupons with them. I also recently learned that you can use a manufacturer's coupon for every item in the bulk package.  For example, a 3 pack of graham crackers includes 3 regular sized boxes of graham crackers.  You can use a .50 coupon for each box.  But remember that most warehouse stores don't double or accept competitor's coupons.

You have to be careful. Always price check.

Fun Friday! - Bring on Spring

Spring is a'comin's folks!  Well, at least it is in my dreams.  I'm so ready for green grass, Easter eggs, birds chirping, and the dogwoods to bloom.  How about y'all?

I found this fun craft on my 2nd home (Pinterest) over the weekend and I've started collecting supplies to make it a reality for my Easter mantel.  Who's with me?!?

Pop on over to http://easter.tipjunkie.com/button-egg-diy-easter-decorating/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TipJunkieAllSites+%28Tip+Junkie+%7E+Creative+Inspiration%29 to see more!

Happy weekend!

My Life - Mommy Dirt

Two-year olds. We love them, while simultaneously letting them slowly drive us crazy. Now that my son and all his playmates are in the 2-3 year range, all the mommies are on their 2nd lap of parenthood. New babies are popping up everywhere! So, I've reluctantly had to explain that Gavin's mommy has a baby in her tummy, he's going to get a sister, yadda, yadda, yadda. The only thing my child took away from this exchange was Mommy has a baby in her tummy. Which, friends, I do not.
These little morsels of "Mommy Dirt", as I like to call them, are like ticking time bombs. Or maybe they should just be called toddler ammunition, because when those little nuggets of skewed information start rolling out, take cover! My husband and I experienced this last night.

The three of us, tucked into a cute little pizzeria. Livin' the dream...until Little Guy chooses the dinner rush to let everyone know, "Mommy has a baby in her tummy!" I smile and shake my head, letting him (everyone) know this is not the case. Too late. All the patrons are already looking at my belly. So maybe I had an extra slice, but 2 pieces of plain cheese does not a baby make!

We survived this one by the pure fact that we knew no one in the restaurant. Let's hope we're so lucky next time LG drops his ammo.

Anyone else have a good "Mommy Dirt" story?  Let's share!

I know it's over, but....Valentine Hugs!

My son had his first little Valentine's Party last week and I couldn't resist making some cute little treats for his buddies.  I know the holiday has already come and gone, but pin it for next year, or, better yet...change out the m&m colors and make yourself a St. Paddy's Day treat!

What you Need: (for 2 trays of hugs)
3 bags of Hugs
1 bag of chocolate m&m's
1 bag of pretzel snaps

My beloved jellyroll pans are at it again!  Line them with parchment paper for a quick cleanup, then lay the snaps out.

Get to unwarpping those hugs!

Place a hug on each pretzel.  You can enlist a cute helper if you have one handy! ;)

 Preheat the oven to 250 and bake the trays for 7 minutes apiece.  Here's a tip though...you have to get the m&m's on immediately after removing the pretzels/hugs from the oven, so I like to do one tray at a time.  Once I have the m&m's on the first tray, I pop the other tray in the oven and fold some laundry for 7 minutes...you know you have some laundry.

Once they come out of the oven, take 2 m&m's (preferably different colors) and plop them right on top.  Your fingers will get chocolatey!

Refrigerate the trays for about 30 minutes so everything sets. You can stop there and munch away, or, you can wrap up a few for friends.

What you Need:
Curling ribbon
Hole Puncher
Valentine Message
Clear pretzel rod candy bags

I made little labels for my son's treats in Word and printed them out.  Easy-peasy.  They say "A hug from me to you!"  how cute!

I also cut out a red heart to place the name of each recipent on.

Put 5 hugs in a plastic pretzel rod bag (I found mine at Party City).  Fold over the top and hold the label and the name tag on either side of the bag.  Punch through all 3 layers.  Thread curling ribbon through the holes and tie to secure.  Voila!  A cutesy treat for your kids' cutesy friends!

Beware...these little guys are addictive...

Southwest Pizza

It has been wet.  And chilly.  And did I mention wet?  Days like this make me crave warm, yummy comfort food.  You should see my menu for February!  Cheesy casseroles, chewy cookies, saucy pasta.  It's a good thing we are active!

This past week, I tried a new recipe for Southwest Pizza.  I needed something quick on our tennis night and this worked out perfectly.  It'll be hitting our table again for sure!

What you Need:
1 refrigerated pizza dough
1 can black beans; drained and rinsed
1/2 package of taco seasoning
1 can corn; drained
1 cup shredded cheese
1 cup diced cherry tomatoes
1 cup salsa
shredded lettuce and sour cream for serving

Preheat the oven to 350.  I use a jelly roll pan when I make my own pizzas.  I find it a bit easier than trying to shape the dough to my pizza stone.  Give the pan a light sprtiz of cooking spray and spread the dough out as evenly as you can.  Bake the dough for 8 minutes.

Top dough with salsa, leaving a border for crust.  Toss the beans and corn with the taco seasoning in a small bowl.  Top the dough with the beans, corn, tomatoes, and cheese (and whatever else you like!).  I like to give my crust a little rub of olive oil and oregano as well. Bake again for about 10 minutes.  Serve with lettuce and a dollop of sour cream.

This was very simple and delicious!  I love me some homemade pizza!

Grocery Saving Lesson 7 - Double Up!

When I entered the coupon world I was pleased to discover that most stores will accept a manufacturer's coupon and their store brand coupon for the same item. This can really pay off when things are really on sale.

For example, Publix was selling Hillshire Farms sausage for $1.99 (on sale from $2.99). I clipped 2 coupons for $1/2 from my Sunday papers. Publix offered an in house coupon for $1/2 as well. I used both and walked out with 4 packages of sausage for $3.96! I'm using one tonight with a Zatarain's Jambalaya mix I got for .56 last week! Pair that with a corn bread mix and green beans and dinner's on the table for $2.25 (total, not per person!). The rest I will freeze and use with other ingredients I acquire to plan meals for future weeks.

*( Pssst! Some stores will even take a house coupon from another store!!!)

Fun Friday - DIY Handsoap...and a $ Saver!

Happy Friday everyone!  I absolutely love having a clean home.  Nothing beats that "just cleaned" smell.  I'm partial to the Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day line of products because they smell divine, are tough on grime, and are all natural (that last part should have rhymed...we had a thing going).

My fav is basil.  Hmmmm.  It just makes me feel so calm and happy.  I like to put the little handsoap bottles next to every sink, but those babies can add up quick.  Enter this splendid idea from FamilyofFarmers.blogspot.com.  She has come up with a great DIY answer to expensive handsoap by using the bar version of your fav soap, a little liquid glycerin, and water.  Go ahead, pop over and give it a look.

P.S.  I purchased all the necessary supplies and this is on my list of projects.  Keep checking back...we'll soon see if I have soap making savvy!

Happy Weekend!