Frugal Fridays: Dirt Cheap Yarn

Admittedly, I am not a knitter. But, I recently heard a fantastic story from my college roommate, who was visiting with her husband. Apparently my roommate's mother-in-law peruses the racks at a deep-discount retailer which sells imperfect or security-ink-stained clothing; essentially one level below the likes of Ross or TJMaxx. She is not shopping for clothing - she's shopping for yarn in the clothing racks.

Since size or small imperfections are no hurdles, she can pick up knit sweaters for pennies on the dollar, whereupon she returns home and unravels the sweaters. (If it were me doing this, I'd totally do it while watching reruns of my favorite show...) SO, as I understand it, she is essentially getting entire skeins' worth of yarn for a buck or two per skein, which she uses to knit hats and mittens. (Compare this with buying yarn at the craft store, where even with a sale or coupon the yarn could cost around $4-5 per skein.)

I am pretty sure my jaw had hit the floor by the time my roommate had finished telling me about this practice of her mother-in-law's. Once I'd fully absorbed the story, I said, "With your permission, I'd like to blog this..." :)

If you were a person who was very crafty with knitting winter accessories, especially for rapidly-growing kids who were only going to use them for a few months, this could be an extremely frugal way to go about it!

5 Reasons to Visit Giant - 04/30-05/06

There are dollar doubler coupons in the Giant ads! Take yours in to use 4 in a transaction of $15 or more to double the value of four $1 coupons.

1. Ball Park Beef or Meat Franks, BOGO (Save at least $4.49)
   Angus Franks, $0.75/1, 03/14 RP
   Franks product, any, $0.75/2, 03/14 RP
   Final price: If the $0.75/1 doubles, as low as $1.49 for two packs, or $0.75/ea.!
   
   
2. SunnyD Citrus Punch 64 oz. bottle, 10/$10
   $0.25/1, any, 02/07 SS
   Final price: $0.50/jug
   Man, if you have a soccer game or other gathering requiring snack sign-up, this could be the way to go...
   
   
3. Barilla Pasta, 10/$10 (Save $4.90 on 10)
   $1/2 Piccolini, 03/07 SS
   $1/2 Whole Grain, 03/07 SS
   Final price: $0.50/box! OR, dollar doubled, FREE!
   OK: Pot luck sports banquet after the above soccer game?!
   
   
4. Keebler Chips Deluxe Cookies, or Pecan Sandies, or Oatmeal Cookies, BOGO (Save at least $3.29)
   $0.55/1 Pecan Sandies, 04/18 RP
   Final price: If you use two coupons that double, $1.09 for two packs, or $0.55/ea.!!!
   P.S.: I'll bet if you pulsed these with some butter in a food processor they would make an awesome crust for cheesecake or a cream pie. :) Y'know, in case you were assigned a dessert for the sports banquet.
   
   
5. SUPER G Homestyle Roasting Chicken
   *or*
   SUPER G Drumsticks or Thighs, all $0.99/lb. Also a freezing/stocking price!
   
   
6. Smokin' deal on Tostitos chips and salsa! 3/$10
   Buy any 3, get 4th FREE
   $1/2, 04/25 SS
   Final price if dollar doubled on two $1/2 coupons: $6 for four!
   

Other reasons to visit Giant this week:

Porterhouse or T-Bone Steak, $5.99/lb. (Save at least $4/lb.)

Fresh Pork Spareribs, $1.99/lb. (Save at least $2/lb.) Also a freezing/stocking price!

Extra Large Shrimp, $6.99/lb. (Save at least $4.49)

Oscar Mayer Bacon, 2/$7
$0.75/1, 03/21 SS
Final price: $2/pack!

Oscar Mayer Lunchmeats, 2/$6
$1/2, 03/07 SS
Final price: $2/pack

Al Fresco Chicken Sausage, $3.99
$1/1
Final price: $1.99

Cheap Produce - $0.88
California Navel Oranges, by the lb.
Orchard Perfect Ripe Avocados, ea.
Sweet Vidalia Onions, by the lb.

Bananas, $0.49/lb. (Save $0.09/lb.)
Side note: I've never seen bananas on sale at Giant! Will wonders never cease...

Tribe Hummus, BOGO

Bagged Salads (Giant and Dole), 2/$5

Dannon Activia 4-packs, 2/$4
$1/1, 03/28 SS2 and 05/02 SS
Final price if dollar doubled: FREE!

Tropicana Pure Premium, 2/$5
$1/2, 02/21 and 04/25 RP, or $1/1 Trop0, 03/14 RP
Final price: As low as $0.50 for the Trop50 if you dollar double it!

Kettle Chips, 2/$4
Krunchers! Kettle Chips, $1/1, 04/18 SS (not sure if this is the same brand)
Final price: If the same brand and dollar doubled, FREE!

Breyers Ice Cream, 2/$5 (Save $2 on 2)

Stouffer's Entrees, 4/$10
$1/1 possible from registering
Final price if dollar doubled: $0.50!

California Pizza Kitchen Pizzas, 2/$9
$1/1, 05/02 SS
Final price once dollar doubled: $2.50/ea.!

Bertolli Frozen Meals for two, $5.99
$1.75/2 when you register
Final price: $4.62/ea.

Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches, $4.99
$0.75/1, 05/02 RP
Final price: $3.49

Giant Oil - Corn, Canola, or Vegetable, 128 oz, $5.99

Charmin 24 Big Roll Bath Tissue, $10.99 (Save at least $4)
$0.25/1, 03/07 P&G and 04/04 P&G
Final price: $10.49

Tide 2X Liquid Laundry Detergent, $15.99 (Save at least $3/ea.)
$1/1, 03/07 and 04/04 P&G inserts
Final price if you dollar double it: $13.99 (compare retail of $18.99)

***

Meal Deal: Enjoy a FREE Coke 2-Liter when you buy a Bertolli Complete Dinner for Two and Breyers Ice Cream.

***

This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering

What other Giant coupon matchups and deals did you spot for the coming week? Did we make any deal-calculating hiccups? Post a comment to let us know!

Restaurant.com: 80% off plus 15% cash back!

It's the end of the month, and that means gift certificates are 80% off at Restaurant.com!

Enter code MEAL at checkout to get the discount.

Make your purchase through Ebates to earn an additional 15% cash back!

Disclaimer: If you go through our Ebates referral link, we will also receive cash back thanks to you.

Baskin-Robbins: it's 31 Cent Scoop Night!

JUST A REMINDER!
31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins is TONIGHT from 5 - 10 pm!

To find a Baskin-Robbins near you, click here.

Dairy-Free 5-Star Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips, $0.64/10 oz. bag, on Amazon!!

Edit: Reader Kendra informed us that as of around noon on Wednesday, this deal is sold out! Wow, those went quickly, considering I bought some on Tuesday night around 10 p.m. Thanks so much for letting us know, Kendra!

I did a double, then a triple take at this deal under the Manager's Special.

You can get twelve 10-oz. bags of Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips for just $7.76, shipped! Simply Subscribe and Save for the $7.76 price (you can cancel it in your Amazon account's Subscribe and Save listing after your first order, no hassle whatsoever - I do it all the time!). The list price of this is $56.28, so this is an 86% savings.

That's a unit price of just $0.64/bag - for a product that has twenty 5-star reviews (and no lesser-starred reviews). These are also gluten-free and soy-free.

Though we're not a dairy-free household, with that many glowing reviews and such a low price, I'm game, that's for sure! Chocolate chip pumpkin muffins and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are favorites in our household.

Note: We are Amazon affiliates. Thanks for supporting us!

DIY: Fabric Coasters!

I've been wanting to make some fabric coasters for upcoming girlfriend birthday gifts, so I finally took the plunge last week. This was a stretch for me, the beginner sewer, but it's a manageable project that can be completed in about 2 hours.



The recipient really likes purple, so I was able to repurpose some fabric scraps my mom didn't use up in a quilt. I loosely used a fabric coaster pattern by allsorts. I didn't do the criss-crosses, as you'll see from the pictures, but the dimensions were most helpful as I prepared to cut fabric. 5.5 inches was just the right square size.






Lessons learned:

• In the future, in addition to adding iron-on interfacing to one side of the coaster, I plan to add a thick piece of felt. The felt will give the coaster some padding and also absorb some of the heat, cold or moisture emitted by the drink on top.

• These look best if you sew all 4 corners by machine, leaving a 1 to 2-inch spot in the center of one side so the coaster can be turned inside out and the corners squared. That 1 to 2-inch spot needs to be stitched by hand, and that can be the most time-consuming step of all.

Someday when I have more time to sew, this is one of the items I'd like to have stockpiled in different colors and fabrics. Wouldn't it be nice to pull out a homemade gift anytime?

For more DIY ideas, head over to A Soft Place to Land.

Formal dress donations: Fairfax County Public Schools "Princess for a Night" program

I saw a posting in my community newsletter about Fairfax County Public Schools sponsoring its eighth annual Princess for a Night project. I love the concept of donating formal dresses to a place where they'll be used!

It's hard to find any info on the FCPS website, so I'll quote the Burke Connection for April 22-28, 2010.

This project "enables high school-age girls to attend prom without spending a lot of money. Community members can donate dry-cleaned spring and summer formal dresses, handbags, jewelry, unused makeup (such as sample cosmetics) and shopping bags from department stores through Friday, April 30. Winter dresses, soiled or outdated items, casual dresses or items for mature women will not be accepted. Donations can be brought to the following locations:

• Annandale High School, 4700 Medford Drive in Annandale, in the main office on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, between 9 am and 3 pm and at the Annandale Neighborhood Center (behind the school) Monday and Wednesday, 9 am to 3:30 pm
• South County Secondary School, 8501 Silverbrook Road in Lorton, Monday-Friday, between 7 am and 3:15 pm, in the main office

Get out those past formals and bridesmaids gowns for a great cause!

Einstein Bros Bagels: Free Bagel & Schmear Coupon through 5/2!

Einstein Bagels has another printable coupon out for a Free Bagel & Shmear, good through May 2.

Click here to print one.

Click here to locate an Einstein Bagels near you.

Thanks, Slickdeals!

Menu Plan Monday

We have a lot of leftovers from this weekend (including lots of open containers of hummus) - we made so much good food while company was around!

Monday:
Breakfast - Yoghurt and honey
Lunch - Hummus and crackers, bananas, granola bars
Dinner - Leftover roasted chicken, salad with avocado and red pepper, leftover mashed sweet potatoes

Tuesday:
Breakfast - Yoghurt with sliced mango and strawberries
Lunch - Coconut curry quinoa with veggies and whatever other leftovers remain
Dinner - Scrambled eggs, apple slices

Wednesday:
Breakfast - Peanut butter banana smoothies
Lunch - Hummus with crackers, cheese slices
Dinner - Frozen pizza

Thursday:
Breakfast - Cereal with milk, banana
Lunch - Mac'n Cheese, salad
Dinner - Pumpkin soup, bread

Friday:
Breakfast - Cereal with milk
Lunch - Out and about picnicking! Peanut butter sandwiches, apple slices, cookies
Dinner - Leftovers, whatever they may be

Baskin-Robbins: 31 Cent Scoop Night is this Wednesday!

Drumroll, please... 31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins is this Wednesday!

If you've been reading Redemption Unlimited for a while, you know that my(Mel's) husband is a Baskin-Robbins fanatic. So much so that even though I really like to bake, I can't bake him a birthday cake that pleases him more than a B-R ice cream cake. Each year I take my son and wait in line to buy the maximum number of scoops allowed.

What a deal! Can't beat paying about a tenth of the normal cost.

To find a Baskin-Robbins near you, click here.

Frugal Fridays: Breakfast Burritos!

It's time for the blog carnival Frugal Fridays - when we blog about the small habits and other tidbits we include in our comings and goings to save money on a regular basis.

About every other month I sign up to take snacks to our adult Sunday School class. People like to eat hearty breakfast food, and I've found a way to make breakfast for a crowd without breaking the bank... breakfast burritos!

Since I buy large amounts of eggs at a time from Costco, I can make 24 burritos for $6-8 depending on what I throw into the scrambled eggs. The price is right, and I like that I can make these the night before we'll eat them, stow them in the fridge, then warm them just before eating the next day. The burritos also freeze well in foil. I usually make a few extras so I can have an "on the go" breakfast to throw in the toaster oven for 10-12 minutes.

Mel's Breakfast Burritos

1 lb. sausage, browned (I use my homemade turkey sausage)

18 eggs, scrambled

Salt & pepper

1 and 1/2 to 2 cups salsa

2 cans black beans

2 cups shredded Mexican or cheddar cheese

24 small flour tortillas, warmed

Roll of foil, cut into pieces to wrap burritos individually

Cook sausage in saucepan and drain juices. Set aside. In same pan, scramble eggs, adding salt and pepper to taste.

Add salsa and black beans to eggs. Stir until evenly combined.

Turn off heat and set up an assembly line: tortillas on the left, then cheese, then egg/salsa/bean mixture. Assemble one burrito at a time, starting with cheese, then wrap it tightly in foil.

Warm burritos at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, 35-40 minutes if stored overnight in fridge.

Redemption Unlimited is for entertainment purposes only. Mel and A. are not a financial advisers and no information found on this site should be construed as financial advice.

5 Reasons to Visit Giant This Week, 04/23-04/29

Much of my available blogging time this week has so far been soaked up by the Shopper's Food Warehouse double and triple coupon event. If I discover any wild revelations (as with the P&G deal below), I'll update this matchups post.

1. Boneless Beef Chuck Roast or Steak, $1.99/lb. (Save at least $1.50/lb.) This is stock-up/freezable price on beef!
   
   
2. Cheap Produce:
   Tomatoes on the Vine, $1.99/lb.
   Fresh Strawberries, 1 lb., $1.99
   Blackberries, 5.6-6 oz. container, $1.99
   
   
3. Daisy Sour Cream, 2/$3
   $0.50/1, 3/28 SS
   Final price: $0.50!
   
   
4. Grande Tortilla Chips, BOGO
   $1/1, 01/10 SS and 04/18 SS
   Final price: $2 off the price of one, for two! (I think these are usually around $3.99 so ~ $1/bag?)
   
   
5. CEREAL DEALS!
   
   Kellogg's or Post Cereal, 3/$5
   Corn Flakes, Corn Flakes with Honey, Cinnabon, Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Cocoa Krispies, Fruity Pebbles, Cupcake Pebbles, Cocoa Pebbles, Raisin Bran, Honeycomb, Golden Crisp
   $1/2 (includes Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, Raisin Bran), 04/11 RP
   $1/3, 04/11 RP
   $1.50/2 Raisin Bran
   $1.50/2 Rice Krispies, 03/28 RP
   $1/3 and $1/2 Kellogg's printable coupons
   Final price: As low as $0.91/box for the $1.50/2 coupons
   
   General Mills Cereal, Save $10 on 6. Must buy 6. Assorted varieties and sizes.
   Also: Buy 5 participating General Mills items and use a reusable shopping bag and you're automatically entered to win a 2010 Honda Insight - April 16-29, 2010.
   
   $1/2 General Mills cereal
   $1/2, includes Cheerios and Cinnamon Toast Crunch
   $0.55/1 Honey Nut Cheerios
   $0.55/1 Lucky Charms
   Via Betty Crocker Website: $1/2 GM cereals, includes at least Cheerios and Cinnamon Toast Crunch
   Via Pillsbury Website: $0.55/1 coupons for Lucky Charms and Honey Nut Cheerios here, as well as $1/2!
   $1/3, 03/28 SS
   $1/2, 03/07 SS
   $1/2, 03/21 SS
   Final price: If any of the $0.55/1 coupons double (we haven't had time to print or check yet), you can get $6.60 off the price of six boxes - not including the $10 deducted! So $16.60 off of the price of six boxes (usually around $3.50/ea.) means you could probably pay in the neighborhood of $5 for six boxes.
   

Other reasons to stop by Giant this week:

SUPER G Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, BOGO (Save at least $4.29/lb.)

Perdue 93% lean ground turkey, $1.99/lb. (Save at least $0.50/lb.)

Shady Brook Farms Turkey Breast, $1.49/lb.

Nature's Promise Chicken Drumsticks, $1.49/lb. (Compare with ~$1.69/lb. retail)

Oscar Mayer Beef Franks, BOGO (Save at least $4.39)

Snow Crab Clusters, $4.99/lb. (Save at least $4/lb.)

Kiwis, 3/$0.99

Cedar's Hommus, 5/$10

President Crumbled Feta Cheese, BOGO

Nature's Promise Organic Shredded Cheese, $2.79 (Retail: $2.99)

Turkey Hill Ice Cream, 2/$5 (Save at least $1.98 on 2)
$1/2, 04/11 RP
Final price: $2/ea.

Marie Callender's Dinners or Healthy Choice Entrees, 5/$10
$1/1, February All You
$1/2 Healthy Choice, 03/28 SS2
Final price: $1-$1.50

Nature's Promise Organic Thin Crust Pizza, $3.99

10/$10 Sale
Chobani Greek Yoghurt - Buy 2 Get 1 Free Coupon
Canada Dry 2-Liter
Chicken of the Sea Solid White Tuna (water or oil)
Campbell's Soup (No Chicken Noodle or Tomato) - see 02/07, 02/28, and 03/28 SS, and printables here
Banquet Brown 'N Serve
Del Monte Fruit Naturals
Del Monte Tomatoes
San Giorgio Pasta

Kellogg's Special K Bars, BOGO

Schmidt Blue Ribbon King Bread or Sunbeam Buttermilk Bread, BOGO

Hot Pockets, 5/$10
$0.75/1 or $0.50/1 SideShots, 01/31 RP

Deer Park Spring Water 24-pack, 3/$10 (Must buy 3.)

L'Oreal Vive Pro, 3/$10
$1/1, 04/18 RP and 02/21 RP
Final price: $2.33/ea.

***

Cinco de Mayo

Use your Giant card and buy $10 worth of any Old El Paso items and an 8 oz. package of Giant Shredded Cheese in one transaction, and the price of the cheese will be deducted from your order at checkout. Limit one offer per transaction. $0.55/1 Green Chiles (likely to double),

Refried Beans, 10/$10

Taco Shells, 3/$5

Dinner Kits, 2/$5

***

If you're a new customer and fill a new prescription or if you fill a prescription transferred from another pharmacy, you'll get a FREE Rotisserie Chicken and Dole 12 oz. bagged salad. Bring in your prescription or prescription bottle.

***

BOGO Health & Beauty Deals
Nature's Bounty Vitamins, $1/1, 03/14 RP, among others
Neutrogena SunCare Products, $1/1 hand or body lotion, 02/07 SS
Carefree Pantiliners, $0.50/1 means up to $2 off the price of one, for two, or the B1G1 in the 03/28 RP may have possibilities (?), also $1/1 from Ladies Home Journal, Women's Day, Better Homes & Gardens, February editions
Conair Hair Brushes
Johnson's Baby Wash or Lotion, Oil, or Powder, $1/1
Alavert Quick Dissolve Tablets, $1/1, or 03/28 RP
Advil, $1/1, 01/31 RP, 03/07 RP, 03/28 RP

***

Save $5 Off Your Next Shopping Order when you use your Giant card and purchase $30 worth of participating P&G items in one transaction. Limit 1 per transaction. See the 03/07 and 04/04 P&G inserts for coupons to these items!

Bounty Paper Towels 8 Giant Rolls, $9.99

Tide 2X Liquid Laundry Detergent, $11.99

Charmin Big Rolls Bath Tissue 24-pack, $11.99

Pampers Cruisers and Swaddlers, $18.99

Pampers Baby Wipe Refills, $9.99

Bounty Everyday Napkins, $2.99

Downy Fabric Softener, $5.49

Tide Stain Release, $5.99

Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets or Dryer Bar (2 month), $3.99

Iams Dry Dog Food, $16.99

Pringles Potato Chips, 2/$3

Crest Toothpaste, 2/$5

Oral-B Toothbrush, 2/$5

Old Spice Body Wash or Gillette Body Wash, 2/$7

Head & Shoulders Shampoo, $4.88

***

Meal Deal: Enjoy FREE Ritz Crackers (all varieties) when you buy 2 Kraft Natural Cheeses.
$1/1 Ritz Munchables
$1/1 Ritz Munchables, 03/14 SS

***

This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering

What other Giant coupon matchups and deals did you spot for the coming week? Did we make any deal-calculating hiccups? Post a comment to let us know!
.

Blogger Gagged on Comments

Unfortunately it looks as though Blogger gagged on a couple of comments that were posted in relation to the Shopper's double and triple coupons. (I got a couple of cra-hazy looking error messages upon hitting "publish" on them.) I've tried to resurrect them with no success, so if those who commented feel inclined to resubmit, please be our guest! I just didn't want anybody to think that we were leaving them out of the Shopper's fun. :)

Shopper's Double/Triples Updated Already - With Many $1 Bricks Printable Coupons

Go to the original Shopper's matchups post here to see a long list that I've just added of some existing $1 bricks coupons which may yield some good deals. Haven't had a chance to print/check them yet myself, but thought they'd come in handy for those of you planning trips tomorrow. :)
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Shopper's Food Warehouse Double/Triple Coupons 04/22 through 04/25, Master Matchups List

First things first: Unfinished Mom Sharon noted in a comment that her ad (and her Eldersburg Maryland store, upon calling) indicated no doubles/triples, so unfortunately it looks as though Shopper's is doing "select stores" only again. Thanks, Sharon, for letting us know! If your ad shows no indicator of doubling or tripling, we advise that you call ahead before investing your sweat in having your coupons prepped.

OK, ladies and gents, here we go.

• Coupons $0.50 and under triple.
• Coupons $0.51-$1 double.
• Please limit yourselves to four (4) identical coupons. No other restrictions apply.
• The promotion runs from Thursday, April 22 through Sunday, April 25.
• Printable coupons are accepted. Shopper's Food Warehouse everyday coupon-doubling policy says "SHOPPERS will double the value of valid manufacturers’ coupons with a face-value of up to 99¢ (example: 25¢ = 50¢, 50¢ = $1.00, 75¢ = $1.50.) Valid manufacturers’ coupons with a face-value of $1.00 or greater will be redeemed at face-value only (example: $1.00 = $1.00, $1.50 = $1.50, $2.00 = $2.00.)" Ergo "up to $1.00" wording advertised in the ad for the promo should include $1.00-valued coupons, non?
  
  Note that the Internet coupon policy has been clarified to read: "SHOPPERS will accept valid manufacturers’ coupons obtained from the internet with a face-value up to $1.00. Internet coupons with a face value of $1.01 or above or FREE offers will not be accepted."

We'll start with matchups from ad's sale prices, generally progressing front to back. I'm focusing more on super-cheap or free deals. (That is, $2 off a $13 jug of detergent probably won't be posted...) I will bold cheapies and freebies, so scan the list with your eyes for the highlights.

As I have out-of-town company at our house this weekend, it may be a few days before I even get to Shopper's this time around (if at all, knock on wood...). SO - that said, if you make it to Shopper's before me, which is almost certain, be sure to stop by and post a comment with the deals you scooped!

From this week's Shopper's Food Warehouse circular:

Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta, $1/ea.
$0.50/2
Final price if it triples: $0.25/can

Post Cereal, 2/$5
Fruity Pebbles
Cocoa Pebbles
Golden Crisp
Honey Bunches of Oats Almonds
Honey Bunches of Oats Honey Roasted
Raisin Bran
$1/2, Pebbles, HBO, or any Post, 03/14 SS
$2/1 Post Natural Raisin Bran (see lower left; but not sure if this will have the 2/$5 sale price)
Final price for a doubled $1/2: $1.50/box

Lay's Potato Chips, 2/$4
$1/1, 03/14 SS
Final price: FREE!

Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner or Styling Products, 33% off (Shelf label reflects sale price.)
$3/2, any, 03/07 P&G
$1/2, any, 04/04 P&G
$1/1 styler, 03/07 P&G
$1/1 styler, 04/04 P&G
Final price: Up to $2 off a 33% discounted styler - betting under $1? Think PROM hairstyles!

Thomas' 6-Pack English Muffins, $1.69
$1/1 Honey Wheat, March All You
Final price: FREE!

Turkey Hill Iced Tea or Lemonade, gallon, $2.89/ea.
$1/2, 04/11 RP
Final price: $1.89/ea.

New York Texas Toast, 2/$6
$0.50/1, 03/14 SS, maybe also here?
Final price: $1.50/ea.

Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage, 2/$5
$1/2, 04/18 RP
Final price: $1.50/ea.

Hebrew National Beef Franks, 2/$6
$0.75/1, 03/07 SS
Final price: $1.50/pack

General Mills Cereals, 2/$6
Cinnamon Chex, Honey Nut Chex, Kix
$1/2 any, via coupons.com, Betty Crocker, and Pillsbury, and bricks
$0.75/1 Kix, via coupons.com, Betty Crocker, and Pillsbury
Final price: $1.50/ea. for the Kix, $2/ea. for the others

Wish-Bone Salad Dressing, 2/$5
$0.75/1, 03/28 RP
$0.50/1
Final price: As low as $1/bottle

Shedd's Spread Country Crock, $2.99
$0.40/1, or 03/07 RP
Final price: $1.79

Turkey Hill Premium Ice Cream, $3.49
$1/2, 04/11 RP
Final price: $2.49

Fresh Express Salads, 2/$4
$1.50/2, 02/21 SS
Final price: $1.25/ea.

Charmin Basic 12 Big Roll Bath Tissue or Bounty Basic 8 Roll Paper Towels, $4.99/ea.
$1/2 or $0.25/1 Charmin, 03/07 P&G and 04/04 P&G
$1/2 or $0.25/1 Bounty, 03/07 P&G
Lowest possible price: $3.99/ea.

Arnold Bread, 2/$4
$1/1 premium, 03/28 SS
Final price: Assuming the "premium" falls under the sale price, FREE!

Potential deals:

Some hot printable coupons exclusive to AllYou.com (note that we haven't had a chance to print ourselves yet):
$1/1 Kashi Organic promise
$1/1 Bear Naked Pure & Natural Granola
$1/a four pack or 16 oz. cup of Oikos Organic Greek Yoghurt
$0.75/1 Green Works Natural Cleaner
$1/2 Boca Meatless Products
$1/1 Southern Living Magazine
$1/2 9Lives Cat Food 4-packs

Some hot printable coupons via coupons.com and smartsource.com (Also check out many additional printable copies at the Pillsbury and Betty Crocker websites!):

$1/1 DiGiorno Deep Dish Pizza
$0.50/1 Newman's Own product
$1/2 Swanson Broth
$0.75/1 Swanson Stock
$1/1 Dibs
$1/1 Danonino
$1/2 Heinz Vinegar
$1/1 Del Monte Fruit Chillers
$1/1 Starbucks Ice Cream
$0.40/1 Nature Valley Granola Bars
$0.75/2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls or Grands! Sweet Rolls
$1/1 Birds Eye Voila!
$1/1 Cascadian Farm product, any
$1/1 New York Style Deli Snack
$0.30/1 Yoplait Greek Yoghurt Cups
$0.75/1 Wheaties Fuel Cereal
$0.50/1 Betty Crocker Warm Delights (this usually makes them CHEAP at Shopper's!)
$1/1 Welch's 46 or 96 oz. juice
$1/1 Windex
$1/1 Tazo Tea or Tea Latte Concentrate
$1/1 People Magazine
...and much more! Browse for yourself!

Also check out redplum.com for more printable coupons!

Other existing printable coupons likely to yield deals, mostly bricks coupons (again, note that we haven't had the chance to print/verify yet ourselves!):

$1 off half a pound of Alpine Lace Cheese
Campbell's and Swanson coupons, including $1/2 Campbell's cooking soups
$1/1 Fiber One yoghurt
$1/1 Fillippo Berio Olive Oil
$1/1 Johnson's Baby Bubble Bath or Wash
$1/1 Johnson's Moisture Care Body Wash
$1/1 Johnson & Johnson First Aid Adhesive Pads plus Neosporin
$1/1 L'Oreal Bare Naturale
$1/1 L'Oreal Facial Cleanser
$1/1 L'Oreal Mascara (any)
$1/1 Multi-Grain Cheerios
$1/1 Nestle Drumsticks
Organic Valley $1 Coupons - Multiple Products!
$1/1 Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals Snack Crackers
$1/1 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel
$1/1 Roman Meal Bread
$1/1 Aveeno Baby Product
$1/1 Starbucks Frappuccino (!!!!!)
$1/2 Uncle Ben's
$1/1 Yoplait Yo Plus or Yo Plus Light
$1/1 All Small & Mighty Detergent
$1/2 Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta
$1/2 Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta

What other deals and steals are you finding in-store? Post a comment or Mister Linky (see bottom of post) to your post to let everyone know the scoop! :) Come back to this post to see the growing list of matchups.

Here is a Mister Linky for those who wish to share their Shopper's double and triple coupon escapades. Feel free to show off and trumpet your savings percentile, spending/net value, freebies scored, etc. in the title. :) Please note that commenting or Mr. Linky'ing on this post means that you are willing to have your matchups and deals added - with credit - to this post's master matchups list!

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Shoppers Food Warehouse Doubles/Triples

Yay!! Shoppers Food Warehouse is doing double and triple coupons this weekend! (With thanks to Gina for the heads up!) Since the online circular is still this week's circular, I'm working on getting a paper copy of the coming week's sales to peruse so that we can post at least the matchups to the new circular's sale items tonight. In the meantime, start harvesting your coupons! :)

Do the double coupon dance...uh-huh...oh, yeah...break it down...

FREE Shipping Today and Tomorrow on Mrs. Meyers Earth-Friendly Cleaning Products

Get free shipping automatically at checkout on Mrs. Meyers website today and tomorrow. Sign up for the email newsletter and get a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase!

I've used the lavender counter spray before and it smells wonderfully clean (and is on the strong side), but in a non-toxic way. :)

Works for Me Wednesday: Note Pad / Google Tasks at Our Bedsides!

Mel: I don't know about you, but my mind swirls with ideas right before bed and then when I awake. Since I'm a list maker and forgetful to boot, I've learned to keep a notepad and pen on my nightstand. My brain can dump information on it at any time of day, and I know where to find notes when I'm trying to remember something because I keep them in one place.

Keeping a notepad on my nightstand works for me!

A: I do something similar, only I often use Google Tasks to jot down bedtime epiphanies on my phone, which is always by my bed anyway. That way, if a "to-do" or idea pops up in my brain with a deadline, I can assign a date to it as well.

Keeping track of my "to-dos" during winddown time works for me, too!

Reconfiguring Retail Patterns

I'm finding myself in a pattern of shifting retail practices. This came about for a lot of reasons:

1. My Target has fresh produce and meats now! Not only that, but many of their prices are the same or lower than Giant's "sale" prices. Needless to be say, I will be scrutinizing the Target matchups at the likes of Money Saving Mom a lot more closely to see if I can score some deals. I also like the "two birds, one stone" offerings of a big box store with fresh groceries - whereas if I hit Giant and Target separately (as in the past), I'd be likelier to spend more.
   
   
2. My daughter has outgrown the baby/toddler section of the Children's Place. The Children's Place used to be my one-stop-shop for my three-year-old's clothes. But now that she has outgrown the toddler sizes at the Children's Place and is moving into the little girls' section, I'm noticing that the deals on staples (such as their denim) are not so great for the preschooler set and up! (I used to put a 15% coupon on a $5 clearanced toddler pair...but I have yet to see jeans in size 4 and up hit that low of a clearance price at CP.)
   
   I must regroup and seek deals elsewhere - though I do not want to sacrifice too much on quality since I have a baby daughter who will be coming right into the same set clothes in just a couple of years, and am hoping to reuse as much of that wardrobe as possible!
   
   My top pics of late have been the clearance racks at TJMaxx and Target, but I'm open to suggestions from fellow bloggers and readers! Ideally, I shoot for $5 or less on pants and sweaters and $3-4 or less on shirts (especially summer T-shirts).
   
   
3. There are two new stores coming to Potomac Mills: a JCrew and a Victoria's Secret! OK, this one is purely me-oriented. But seeing those "Coming Soon" signs really got me excited! I wonder if you can redeem those frequently-issued Victorias Secret freebie coupons (for lip gloss, undies, etc.) at the outlet locations. Anybody care to enlighten us!?! Victoria's Secret is scheduled to arrive in May.
   
   Back in my college days, I was near a JCrew outlet, and it was the only time in my life when I considered JCrew clothes' prices within reason for my budget. I am crossing my fingers that the coming outlet will do similar prices (just a few bucks for tank tops, etc.). I may put a hold on my wardrobe purchases until this JCrew outlet opens just so I can see what the offerings are. JCrew is scheduled to arrive in June.
   
   (And for the electronics afficionados, a Bose outlet store just opened in April, too!)
   
   
4. I just discovered camelcamelcamel this week, thanks to Baby Cheapskate. I can now track the Amazon prices on my favorite items in the long term and scoop them up when they dip temporarily. Anticipate potentially being able to publicize some of these these dips on Redemption Unlimited as well!
   
   
5. A little bonus item, though not retail, still very newsworthy - at least in my world. :)
   There is a German beer hall opening up in the downtown area soon! Apparently supposed to be very authentic. Me + authentic German food = one very happy girl. (Goulaschsuppe, Knoedel, Sauerkraut, Spaetzle, Jaegerschnitzel, Weißer Spargel...need I elaborate?!) I plan on investigating with my husband once a sitter can be arranged. In the meantime, if anybody finds coupons to Biergarten Haus, alert me, please.
   .
   

Menu Plan Monday

I love it when we hit Sam's Club for the overall cheaper produce. I can't get enough of the papayas! I also have a LOT of salad greens to use up in the next couple of days, hence the salads for lunch.

I get to "dress rehearse" for Saturday's planned pancake breakfast; my college roommate and her husband are coming to visit us later this week through the weekend and I am so excited! :) Ergo - I'll throw in Saturday's plan, as well.

Monday:
Breakfast - Cereal with milk, banana
Lunch - Cubed papaya, salad with gorgonzola and avocado
Dinner - Shrimp bacon club salads

Tuesday:
Breakfast - Fresh strawberries and blueberries, yoghurt with honey
Lunch - Salad with gorgonzola and avocado, bananas, ginger teff muffins
Dinner - Scrambled eggs with shredded cheese, home fries, baked mushrooms

Wednesday:
Breakfast - Orange chocolate yoghurt, ginger teff muffins
Lunch - Carrot, onion, and leek soup, beer bread, mango slices
Dinner - Gorton's salmon fillets (didn't manage to make these last week), steamed veggies

Thursday:
Breakfast - Pancakes!
Lunch - Pumpkin soup, leftover beer bread
Dinner - Frozen pizza

Friday:
Breakfast - Banana bread, milk
Lunch - Out at a park playgroup: Hummus and pretzel chips, fruit salad, yoghurt
Dinner - Rotisserie chicken, veggie crudites, fruit crumble with whipped cream for dessert

Saturday:
Breakfast - Pancakes, fruit salad
Lunch - Cooking out - BBQ ribs, salad, hummus with chips
Dinner - Crockpotting - Corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, beer bread, and brownies for dessert

Consignment Sale this Weekend 4/17-4/18: Dani's Duds

Just a reminder!

Dani's Duds is a large consignment sale hosted at the Dulles Expo Center. I checked it out 3 years ago and was overwhelmed by the amount of merchandise, even on the second day during the half price sale! The website states that you'll save 90% off children's items.

Dani's Duds
Dulles Expo Center
4368 Chantilly Center
Chantilly, VA 20153
http://danisduds.com/

For more information, click here.

Lands' End: Save 25% + free shipping through April 19!

Save 25% on regularly priced merchandise + free shipping at Lands' End

today through Monday, April 19!

To get the discount, use code SAVE25 and pin 3454 at checkout. Excludes gift cards, special services and Lands' End canvas.

Ebates is offering an additional 2% back right now. Shop through Ebates to get some additional cash back!

Disclaimer: If you go through our Ebates referral link, we will also receive cash back thanks to you.

It's Friday: Earn Mega Swag Bucks today!

Every Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day!

Never heard of Swagbucks? It's one of our favorite websites because it's easy to earn free prizes by using the Swagbucks search engine. And on Fridays, users have better chances of winning Mega Swagbucks denominations.

The way it works:

• Go to Swagbucks through our referral link by clicking here.
  
• Sign up and create a new profile for yourself.
  
• Search a few times a day, and you'll start seeing points accumulate.

I use Swagbucks to search 2-3 times a day, 3-4 days a week for things I would normally research. I usually cash out my Swagbucks for Starbucks gift cards, but there are lots of other cool prizes in the Swagbucks store.

As a disclaimer, if you sign up under our referral link, we will receive Swagbucks thanks to you.

5 Reasons to Visit Giant This Week, 04/16-04/22

Wow, your comments about enjoying our Giant matchups were so encouraging! It really put a spring in my type when I put these together tonight. :)

1. Bumble Bee Tuna, Chunk Light in Water or Oil, 2/$1
   
   
2. SUPER G Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs, or Whole Chicken, $0.99/lb. (I consider this a stock-up price.) Think crockpotting or grilling to avoid heating up your whole kitchen now that warmer temps are around!
   
   
3. Stonyfield Farm Organic Yoghurt (Fat Free, All Varieties)
   Wow, for organic yoghurt, $0.50/cup is already pretty cheap!
   $0.50/3
   Final price: Assuming that the coupon doubles, 3 for $0.50!
   
   
4. Silk Soymilk, $2.99/half gallon
   $0.75/1 for registering
   $1/1, 02/21 SS
   $0.75/1, 04/11 SS
   Final price: When you double a $0.75/1 coupon, $1.49 for a half gallon!
   
   
5. General Mills Cereal (the biggish boxes), Buy 2, Get 1 FREE
   Honey Nut Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cheerios, or Multi Grain Cheerios
   $1/2 General Mills cereal
   $1/2, includes Cheerios and Cinnamon Toast Crunch
   $0.55/1 Honey Nut Cheerios
   $0.55/1 Lucky Charms
   Via Betty Crocker Website: $1/2 GM cereals, includes at least Cheerios and Cinnamon Toast Crunch
   Via Pillsbury Website: $0.55/1 coupons for Lucky Charms and Honey Nut Cheerios here, as well as $1/2!
   $1/3, 03/28 SS
   $1/2, 03/07 SS
   $1/2, 03/21 SS
   Final price: If any of the $0.55/1 coupons double (we haven't had time to print or check yet), you can get $3.30 off the price of two boxes, to get three big boxes! That has to be a pretty good deal.

Other Reasons to Visit Giant This Week:

Top Round London Broil, Buy 1 package (any size), get one FREE (Save at least $4.99/lb.)

Whole Boneless Pork Loin, $1.99/lb. (Save at least $2/lb.)

Giant Sliced Bacon, $1.99/ea.

Perdue Honey Turkey Breast or Hickory Smoked Turkey Breast, $5.99/lb. (Save $2/lb.)

Boar's Head Lower Sodium Turkey Breast (Save $2/lb.)

Fresh Boneless Atlantic Salmon Fillets, $6.99/lb. (Save $2/lb.)

Nature's Promise Boneless Chicken Breast, $3.99/lb. (This is about $1/lb. lower than normal for NP Chicken, which has no hormones or antibiotics administered - and is minimally processed, meaning it may have water, but not weight from added broth.)

Red or Black Seedless Grapes, $0.99/lb.

Russet Potatoes, 5 lb. bag, 2/$4 (Save at least $0.99)

Sabra Hummus, BOGO

BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella, 8 oz., 2/$7

Breyers Disney Lowfat Yoghurt 6-Pack or Yo-Crunch 100-calorie 4-pack, 2/$5
$0.50/1 or $1/2, 03/28 SS, ro $0.75/1 Yo-Crunch
Final price: as low as $1.00 for a 4-pack

Sargento Shredded Cheese, 2/$5
$0.40/2 Natural Shredded, 01/31 SS
Final price: $2.10/ea.

Tropicana Pure Premium, 2/$6
Or: 100% Juice Blends with Calcium, Trop50, or Dole Refrigerated Juice
$1/2, 02/21 RP
$1/1 Trop50, 03/14 RP
Final price: As low as $2 ea.

Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Drinks, 2/$5
$1/1 grapefruit, 02/14 RP
Final price: $1.50/ea.

Nature's Promise Organic Vegetable Juice, 2/$4

Nature's Promise Organic Butter Quarters, 1 lb., $3.99 (down from $4.39/each.)

Annie's Salad Dressing, 2/$5
My, oh my, you need to try the shiitake sesame vinaigrette or the goddess dressing!

Stouffer's Classic Entrees, 6/$10 (Must buy 6)
OR Recipes, Selects, or French Bread Pizza (Excludes Family Style Recipes and Skillets)
Limit 1 per transaction
$1/1 when you register
Final price: As low as $0.67 (?!Really?!)

Kellogg's Cereal, 2/$5
Frosted Mini-Wheats Bite Size, Raisin Bran Crunch, Strawberry Frosted Mini-Wheats, Raisin Bran, or Smacks
$1/2 All-Bran, Crispix, Rice Krispies, Smart Start, Raisin Bran, and/or Corn Flakes Cereals, 03/07 RP and 04/11 RP
$1.50/2 Frosted Mini Wheats, All-Bran, or Raisin Bran
$1/2 Mini-Wheats, $1/2 Raisin Bran
Final price: $1.75 and up

Ragu Pasta Sauce, 3/$5
$1/2
Final price: ~$1.16 ea.

Zatarain's Rice, 10/$10
$1/3, 04/11 RP
Final price: $0.66/ea.

Hamburger Helper, 3/$5
$0.75/3, 03/07 and 04/11 SS
Final price: $1.16/ea.

Nutella Hazelnut Spread, $2.99

Celeste Pizza for One, 10/$10

Wanchai Ferry Entrees, $5.99
$1.50/1, 02/21, 03/07 and 04/11 SS
Final price: $4.49

Pepsi 2-Liters, 10/$10 (Save $0.79/bottle)

Glaceau Vitaminwater, or Powerade Sports Drink, $0.88/ea.
$1/2, 04/11 SS
Final price: $0.38/ea.

Snapple, 16 oz., $0.69 (Still cheaper than $0.75 for a 12 oz. soda at the vending machine at work!)

Scott Bath Tissue 12 Pack, $5.99 (Save at least $3)
$1/1, or March All You, or 03/21 SS

Sylvania CFL Specialty Bulbs, BOGO

Sylvania Double Life Line, Buy 2 Get 1 Free

***
Enter to Win a 2010 Honda Insight with the Earth Day giveaway!

Buy any 5 participating items and use a reusable shopping bag to be entered to win automatically. (Note: I recommend avoiding self-checkout in this instance since it would appear that a cashier might need to verify that you are indeed using a reusable bag.)

First check out coupons.com, the Betty Crocker printable coupons link here, and the Pillsbury printable coupons link here for coupons matching to most of these items!

General Mills Cereal (see deal above)

Yoplait Yoghurt, 20/$10
$0.50/6, or $0.40/6, 03/21 SS
Also get $0.50/6 via Betty Crocker and Pillsbury sites
Final price: As low as 6/$2, or $0.33/cup (Retail is $0.80/cup!)

General Mills Fiber One Bars, 2/$6
Coupons here
Or $0.50/2, 03/07 SS
Or $0.40/1
Final price: As low as $2.20/box

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, $2.22
$0.50/2
Final price: Assuming doubling, $1.72/ea.

Yoplait Delights Parfait Yoghurt, 2/$5
$1/1, $0.50/1, 03/21 SS
Final price: $1.50 for the four-pack

Yoplait Yo-Plus Lowfat or Fiber One Yoghurt, 2/$4
$1/1, and coupons here
Final price: $1 for the multipack

Betty Crocker Fiber One Muffin Mix, Save $1
Betty Crocker Muffin Mix, $2.99
$0.50/1, 03/28 SS
Final price: varies

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix Pouch, 2/$4

Nature Valley Granola Bars or Nut Clusters, $2.88
$0.40/1 - via coupons.com, Betty Crocker, and Pillsbury
Final price: $2.08/ea.

Progresso Light Soup, 3/$5
$1/4 OR $0.25/1, 02/21 SS
Final price: as low as $1.16/ea.

Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits, 3/$5
$0.30/2, $1/3, also coupons.com

Cascadian Farm Organic Frozen Vegetables, 2/$5
$1/1, or register for $1/1
Final price: $1.50/ea.

Cascadian Farm Organic Cereal, $3.29
$1/1, or register for $1/1
Final price: $2.29

Betty Crocker Flavored Mashed Potatoes, 3/$5
$0.40/1 - via coupons.com, Betty Crocker, and Pillsbury
Final price: $0.86/ea.

***

Avatar deal: Use your Giant card and purchase Avatar on DVD ($19.99) or Blu-Ray ($29.99) with three boxes of Hershey's Theater Box Candy in one transaction, and the price of the candy will be instantly deducted from your order at checkout.

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The Prepared Foods 2/$10 specials continue:

Rotisserie Chickens on Friday

Barbeque Pork Spare Ribs on Saturday

Uno Deep Dish Pizza (cheese, pepperoni, or sausage) on Sunday

***

Meal Deal: Enjoy FREE Chi-Chi's Tortillas when you buy Chi-Chi's salsa.

***

This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering

What other Giant coupon matchups and deals did you spot for the coming week? Did we make any deal-calculating hiccups? Post a comment to let us know!
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Winners - Triple $5 Amazon Giveaway

Here are the winners from our triple $5 Amazon giveaway, whose comments were selected by Random.org:

#10 - Me In Millions

#39 - Nicole

#16 - Adrienne

Email us your email address at redemptionunlimited @ gmail. com and we will be in touch with your $5 Amazon credits. :) If we do not hear from you within two days (that is, by 11:59 p.m. Saturday night), we will pick a new winner in your place.

Congrats!
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Reminder: Free Coffee at Starbucks TODAY 4/15!

Starbucks is running a promotion TODAY, Thursday 4/15. Submit your taxes, then go get your free coffee!

I'll be limping over to our local Starbucks for free coffee in my favorite mug. Too bad it's not a free latte - but perhaps I should take an occasional break from my obsession!

As part of its green initiative, Starbucks will be giving free coffee to customers who bring their own reusable mug.

Starbucks already rewards customers with a $.10 discount for bringing in a reusable mug. Click here for more information.

To find a Starbucks near you, click here.

Works for Me Wednesday: packing lunches at night

It's Wednesday, and that means it's time for another "Works for Me Wednesday" tip, as hosted by the blog carnival at We Are THAT Family. See this week's Works for Me Wednesday here.

I pack lunches for my husband every night. It saves us beaucoup de bucks. He's happy with anything I put in any kind of bag, period. I'm so blessed to NOT have a picky eater husband.

The only way I get lunches packed is if I do them at night. With my toddler in preschool 2 days a week and the need to pack my own lunch those 2 days as well, I run out of steam if I don't get lunches packed the night before. There's too much to do in the morning when we're all trying to get out the door.

Packing lunches at night works for me!

Blessings: Sick Days for Stay-at-Home-Moms

How do you prepare for sick days

if you're a parent and you're the sick one who stays at home?

I have a hard time with that, and in addition to colds and flus I've caught I seem to be a "surgery person." You know, just one of those people who tends to need tune-ups a lot! If I were a car, I think I'd be called a lemon! Whatever the case, I've had 6 surgeries in the 3 years since becoming a parent. Each one has required my husband to take one full day off, and then I've needed to arrange 1-6 days of follow-up help with our son. I consider myself incredibly blessed to have multiple friends, family members and neighbors who have come to my home to care for my son - and for me!

In my old corporate America job, I had 10 personal/sick days. I never put a dent in that balance; those must have been the healthy years! I've had to "take" at least 10 sick days in each of the past 3 years, and it has at times been a juggling act to figure out what we'll eat, who will care for my toddler, and who will ensure that I will actually rest enough to recover from my surgeries.

My last surgery occurred last Thursday, and I knew a month in advance that it was scheduled for that date. Here are some tips and tricks I've learned that work for us.

• Plan ahead. If you have any control whatsoever over your surgery, plan it on a day that works for your family. For my last two, I could choose morning or afternoon times, and for both I chose the first time in the morning. Planning ahead also allows me to check the scheduled of our preferred helpers/sitters. My mom is willing to come into town if she has enough advance notice, and that is special time for her with her grandson while I rest on the couch.
• Plan for the worst. It might sound negative, but I've learned the hard way that I do not have a high pain threshold. I'm also an ultra sensitive person when it comes to anesthesia, side effects with painkillers, incisions, etc. Things just hurt me more and take longer to heal. Planning for the worst in my case means that if the doctor says I can return to normal activity the next day, I should plan to return to my level of normal activity in a week. After my last surgery, I've had to elevate my leg - and we're not talking elevating it on an ottoman. I've been laying on the couch much of the day, or I experience much, much more pain. Long recoveries have been hard for me to accept, but I find that if I do accept the reality and plan for it, my body heals more fully and returns to normal when it's ready vs. when I force it to be ready.
• Accept help. Three years ago, this was very hard for me. I didn't think I needed help, wanted it, nope. Not me. Now, the Lord has allowed me enough opportunities to be down & out and refined me to the point of gladly accepting help. If someone offers to bring me food, I accept that offer. If someone offers to watch my son for a few hours, I accept that offer. Accepting help has been one of the most beautiful ways the Lord has shown Himself to me! I feel that I have a whole new community around me now, and these people are blessing upon blessing to me.
• Ask for help. I have 3 girlfriends who live within 6 miles of me who I know I can call for anything. What a blessing! My eyes tear up when I even think of them. During this last surgery, one friend asked if she could help with rides, meals, etc. We ran into a scheduling challenge the morning of my surgery, so we asked her to drop me off. Then she insisted on bringing a gourmet dinner. She also brought a dozen muffins that we've enjoyed for ensuing breakfasts and a beautiful bouquet of flowers that remind me of her. Another friend piled her 3 girls into the car and brought over a delicious lunch to me on the day I was all alone with my son. I told her I'd be all alone that day, and she knew I was concerned about that. Another friend brought my favorite takeout for dinner another day along with a big bouquet of flowers, then stayed for an hour just to talk to me. I know it's unusual to have so many friends who are so giving, and I don't take it for granted. I thank God that I know I can call any one of these girls at any time and know that they'll drop things to help me.
• Look for opportunities to serve others in the way you'd want to be served if you were sick or recovering after surgery. I know that I'm at an advantage by having one child and being home full-time, and I love that I can serve others by caring for their kids, take them meals, or do their errand running while they're sick or recovering. Doing these things has helped me involve my toddler in serving, and I've learned more about asking for help. As I see others accept my help, I grow braver in accepting help.

Do you have any ideas? Leave us a comment!

Starbucks: Free Coffee Thursday 4/15!

Starbucks is running a promotion this Thursday 4/15. Submit your taxes, then go get your free coffee!

I'll be limping over to our local Starbucks for free coffee in my favorite mug. Too bad it's not a free latte - but perhaps I should take an occasional break from my obsession!

As part of its green initiative, Starbucks will be giving free coffee to customers who bring their own reusable mug.

Starbucks already rewards customers with a $.10 discount for bringing in a reusable mug. Click here for more information.

To find a Starbucks near you, click here.

Menu Plan Monday

Eugh - Monday's not even over, and as tends to happen a lot, I'm already off my menu plan! (I had forgotten to thaw the sausage...) Must switcheroo for tomorrow.

On a side note, I've discovered that no matter how much fiber I pack into a cookie shape, as long as it's even vaguely sweet, and called a "cookie", my 3-year-old daughter will happily hork it down - and probably with less sugar than a bowl of cereal or instant oatmeal.

Monday:
Breakfast - Low-sugar/teff peanut butter cookies (made the night before), banana, milk
Lunch - Pasta with marinara sauce and Parmesan
Dinner - Eggs with sausage, apple slices Baked chicken with corn, spaghetti leftovers

Tuesday:
Breakfast - Yoghurt with honey, low-sugar whole wheat/teff ginger molasses cookies
Lunch - Trader Joe's Jaipur vegetables, naan bread
Dinner - Eggs with sausage, apple slices

Wednesday:
Breakfast - Cereal with milk, banana
Lunch - Summer rolls stuffed with shrimp and veggie slaw (made the night before)
Dinner - Frozen pizza

Thursday:
Breakfast - Oatmeal with raisins, milk
Lunch - Roasted veggies (cut/premarinating from the night before)
Dinner - Gorton's salmon filets broiled in the toaster oven, garlic ginger green beans, salad

Friday:
Breakfast - Yoghurt with honey, fruit, milk
Lunch - Baked sweet potatoes, salad with mushrooms, mozzarella, tomato, balsamic vinaigrette
Dinner - Rotisserie chicken, sliced pineapple

99 Cent Shipping at Macys.com

Enter code 99 cents at Macy's.com through April 15 for 99 cent shipping. Go through  ebates for 3% cash back on you purchase!

 $19.99 and under clearance 

As a disclaimer, if you sign up for ebates under our ebates link (here), we will receive cash back thanks to you. You'll receive a starting bonus, too!

Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies $0.70/bag!

I just amended the Giant deals listing for this week with this new hot Pepperidge Farm printable!

Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies, BOGO (Save at least $3.39)
$1/2 or $0.50/1, 02/21 SS
HOT: $1/1 printable! Print two, and get them for $0.70/bag!

Edit: I see with a closer look that these are soft chunk version coupons. Maybe soft chunk are BOGO as well, but you'll have to print the coupons (I haven't had a chance to myself, yet), and compare the terms with the deals in store. Let us know what you find out!
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