Bloom (Monday Only) and Harris Teeter Double Coupons this Week!

Frugal Friends' post alerted us that TOMORROW Monday, November 1 ONLY, Bloom is doubling coupons up to $1.99 in value, limit 20 coupons per transaction.

Freebies to be had for sure! Details on this (and this week's Harris Teeter doubles) HERE.

$2 "BOO-rritos" (Burritos) at Chipotle on Halloween!!

I love this deal! When you dress up as a "horrifying processed food product" and hit up Chipotle after 6 p.m. tomorrow night (Halloween), you can get a burrito, bowl, salad, or an order of tacos for only $2! Considering these normally range $5-$7, this is quite a deal! Details on Chipotle's site. Thanks to reader Jen for the email tip!

5 Reasons to Visit Giant This Week - STOCK UP SALE Edition! 10/29 - 11/04

There is a huge stock-up sale this week at Giant - a TON of terrific prices, many of which are rock-bottom. Here's a peek (see the front page of your Giant ad for complete deals):

1. Porterhouse or T-Bone steak, $4.98/lb. Classic half-price sale price, great for freezing, etc.
   
2. SUPER G Chicken Drumsticks and Thighs, $0.98/lb. Again, buy and freeze as it won't get much cheaper!
   
3. Pears, $0.88/lb.! Many varieties: Bartlett, Anjou, or Red Delicious. Try poaching them in wine for a "Wow!" dessert.
   
4. Orchard Perfect Ripe Avocados, $0.88/ea. Since these retail for 3/$5 at my Giant, that's close to half price! Talk about a great week to get in some 5-star-rated guacamole.
   
5. Del Monte Family Size Vegetables, 10/$10 (Save $0.50/can), all varieties. These are perfect for adding to soups and stews in the crock pot.
   $1/5, 09/19 RP, makes them $0.90/ea.!

Some other reasons to visit Giant this week:

Iceberg Lettuce, $0.88/ea. Make a buttermilk ranch dressing and drizzle on top of a wedge!

Progresso Vegetable Classics Soups, 10/$10 (retails $1.50/can)
$1/4 Facebook Progresso Coupon
$1/4, 10/03 GM, 09/12 GM, 10/24 SS
Final price: $0.75/can, half price!

Giant Specialty Beans, 2/$1 (Save $0.23/can)

Giant Rice, 10 lb., $3.49 (Save at least $3.26, about half off!)

***

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!

AC Moore: 50% off Melissa & Doug toys!

I went to AC Moore yesterday to buy some baking supplies for a cookie project and was surprised to see all the Melissa and Doug toys on sale for 50% off.  Woot!


If you haven't seen a Melissa and  Doug toy before, let me explain.  They're wooden, nearly indestructible, well built and timeless.  We have a set of magnetic wooden letters that have been a huge hit with my son.  He also received the Tool set as a gift and has used that on & off at all different ages & stages.  Most kids who visit us somehow find that in our toy closet and really enjoy it.

And this year, my son will be getting the Melissa and Doug car carrier for his birthday! Shhhhhh! I found it at half price yesterday for around $12. He spotted that toy at a shoe store and told me a few weeks ago he'd like it for his birthday.  Then I saw it highly rated in the November issue of Family Fun magazine.  When I realized it was for the 3-6 years age range, I was sold.

The sale runs through tomorrow 10/30, so it's not too late to stop by your local AC Moore.  I'm sure they'll run another sale before Christmas, but if you're like me it's great to get shopping done early!

To find an AC Moore near you, click here.

Frugal Friday: The Thrill of the Coupon Hunt!

It's time for another edition of Frugal Friday. This week's topic:

The Coupon Hunt!

Those of you who are seasoned couponers know what I'm talking about when I make reference to a trip that you make to a store not necessarily only to buy something, but also to see if there are any good coupons to be snagged. It could be that you heard that a free coupon booklet was up for grabs in that store (as in CVS, frequently), or that the store was on the way to another errand and you decided to see what offerings were new.

The best stores I've found for coupon hunting are not usually grocery stores. I've found that unless it's a booklet, grocery store coupons are typically tear pads for a somewhat paltry amount ($1/2 or $1/3 of something for example), or blinkies that spit out nondoubling low-value coupons. The best finds are high value double-able manufacturer coupons. This is because:

• Manufacturer coupons can be redeemed anywhere - provided they say "Manufacturer Coupon" (as opposed to something like "Store Coupon" or "Target Coupon", etc.)
• If there is a number 5 as the first digit of the bar code number and the coupon does not prohibit doubling or tripling, you coupon's value may be doubled or tripled as long as it fits the parameters of the store's coupon doubling or tripling offer.

Good form!

Where you really want to be on the lookout for high value coupons as we slide into the holiday season. Use good couponing form!

• Specialty displays specially set up for that item. Think store entrance displays (by the ad flyers at Giant, or the theft-detection gates at CVS, or a "holiday baking" display at any grocery store).
• Drink fridges or food freezers - like at CVS or Wawa. Often there are manufacturer coupons on these for $0.50/1 or $0.75/1 20 oz. drinks, which when doubled or tripled can net you a free or near-free drink! (Note: when I'm road tripping - as many of you are bound to be doing this holiday season - one of my favorite pasttimes is searching drink fridges at gas stations for coupons to add to my coupon envelope. Often there are drink coupons available in other parts of the country that I wouldn't encounter at home, even within the same national chains where I'd buy gas!)
• Displays at your doctor's office. Be on the lookout, especially in the waiting area, for mini displays featuring coupons. These are just terrific because the expiration date is usually several months away (since the display designers know that the display may sit there for a long time) and the values are almost universally higher than what you'd find in your Sunday paper. At my daugthers' pediatrician there were Dove hair care coupons for $1/any Dove hair care item! When that doubles I could be getting some cheap Dove hair care. There were also "new baby" booklets featuring high-value coupons for Johnson & Johnson baby care products, infant Tyenol, and other baby drug store necessities.
• Customer Service or Pharmacy coupons. I've spotted rogue coupons at the Customer Service desk in my Giant and at the pharmacy counter in the back of my CVS.

Bad form!

How not to harvest coupons (a.k.a. examples of Bad Couponing Form!):

• Off of the packaging of an individual item of merchandise. I'm talking about "peelies" or perforated edge coupons that you can tear off of an item's packaging. It's generally considered bad couponing form to harvest these when the implicit assumption is that you will be buying that item right then and there - and it deprives those who buy the item of their coupons, too.
• In stores that you otherwise never frequent. You want to be in the position of being a coupon-savvy - but appreciated customer. If you walk into a store where you never spend money and harvest a bunch of coupons that you would definitely never redeem there, well - let's just say there's no short-term benefit or long-term benefit for that store.
  
• By tearing off an entire coupon pad. Try to reasonably assess how many coupons you truly need. Even if you come across a soda coupon that could mean freebie sodas when doubled, is it really necessary to tear off the whole pad of 50 coupons? Being coupon-greedy can not only alienate you from the stores you visit, but also deprives fellow couponers of a shot at savings of their own. If there are only a few coupons left and you can truly use them, don't feel bad about harvesting them - just consider others and your actual ability to use the coupons when taking them.

Earlier this week, I found myself in the rare position, delightedly, of being a few minutes early on the road to drop my eldest off at preschool. Since my local CVS is on the right side of the road that we take, I decided to make a quick stop just to see what was on offer. I pulled in, unbuckled the girls, and headed into the store straight to the coupon register tape (CRT) coupon kiosk. It used to be that when I stopped by CVS after not going there for a while, the coupon kiosk would print me a cornucopia of high value coupons, also often involving a $/$$ coupon (Ex. "$5 off any purchase of $15 or more."). Apparently not anymore! I scanned my card and had a coupon for "$1 off any People magazine" print out. Psh!!

Anyway, I hustled the girls around the store a bit looking for any other worthwhile coupons and then headed back out, when I noticed on the theft-deterrent gates at the entrance there were manufacturer coupons for $0.75/1 Halls Refresh cough drops. SWEET. Those could double at almost any Northern Virginia grocery store (since most grocery stores now double up to $0.99 in value) - or even be used in that same CVS when on sale! All I need to do now is keep Halls Refresh cough drops in mind when I'm browsing matchups across the blogosphere. The cough drops are bound to be on sale for $1.50-$2 per pack soon, so they could be free or close to it with a doubled coupon. I took three coupons and we left the store to get back on the road. For 5-7 minutes of my time, I netted $4.50 worth of coupons - for an hourly rate of return of around $45/hr. tax-free. I love successful coupon hunts!

Where do YOU sniff out coupons these days?

Recipe Swap: Meal for a New Mom!

I(Mel) was incredibly blessed with meals when my son arrived 3 years ago, and it's been fun for us to bless other families with meals as they welcome little ones into the world.  I rotate around a short list of meals that are easy to make and offer variety, but this is one of my favorites.

Crock Pot Chicken Barbecue

Potato rolls

Pasta salad (I make my dressing from scratch and don't use olives)

Steamed veggies, usually corn & peas

Fruit salad, whatever is in season

Dessert, usually gingersnaps or chocolate chip cookies

What meals do you like to take to new moms or shut-ins? Leave us a comment!

Life as Mom is hosting a Recipe Swap this week with a theme of "Meals to Deliver to a New Mom."  Head on over for more ideas!

5 Reasons to Visit Safeway This Week, 10/27 - 11/2

Here are 5 Reasons to Visit Safeway This Week 10/27 - 11/2:

1.  Produce deals!
Golden Ripe Bananas, $.39/lb. ($.20 off the normal price!)
Florida Red Grapefruit, 2 for $1 
5-lb. bag Russet Potatoes, $.99, Limit 2

Fresh Express or Eating Right Salads, $1.49 *must buy 3
Bunch Red Radishes, Cilantro or Green Onions, 3 for $2 *perfect for Pioneer Woman's Salsa!
Pristine or Scarlotta Seedless Grapes, $1.99/lb.
Pomegranates, 2 for $5
2-lb. Bag Eating Right Peeled Baby Cut Carrots, 2 for $5

2.  Meat & seafood deals!
Rancher's Reserve Boneless Beef Round Tip Roast, $1.69/lb.
Rancher's Reserve Boneless Beef Chuck Pot Roast, $1.99/lb. *Mmmm beef stew!
Rancher's Reserve Boneless Beef Shoulder Roast, $2.29/lb.
93% Lean Ground Beef in the Extreme Value Pack, $2.49/lb.
Whole Boneless Pork Tenderloin, $2.99/lb.
Jumbo Wild Caught Raw Shrimp, 21- to 25-ct., $6.99/lb.

3.  Dairy deals!
Lucerne Shredded or Chunk Cheese, 6 to 8 oz., 3 for $4
Lucerne Spreadable Butter, 8 oz., $1.79
Lucerne Ricotta Cheese, 15 oz., $1.99 *Mmmm lasagna!
Breyer's Ice Cream, 1.5 qt., 2 for $4
Lucerne Sour Cream, 16 oz., 2 for $3
O Organics Milk, 64 oz., $2.99
Lucerne Chocolate Milk, Gallon, $3.49

4. Halloween Treats Deals! *check your coupons for this one!

Hershey's, Mars or Nestle Snack Size Bags, Buy 4 for $2 each through Sunday 10/31

Hershey's Jumbo Bags, $3.99
Brach's Candy Corn Treat Packs or Palmer's Mega Bags, $5.99
Tootsie Child's Play Candy Bag, $6.99



5.  Super Coupons Deals!
Duncan Hines Brownie Mix, $.88, Limit 6

Safeway Apple Juice, 64 oz., $.97, Limit 3 *perfect for mulled cider - just add mulling spice!
Safeway Peanut Butter, 18 oz., $1.29, Limit 4
Safeway Frozen Potatoes, 20 to 32 oz., $1.99, Limit 4
Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats, $1.99, Limit 4 *use Safeway coupon to save $1/2 boxes and this Kellogg's printable for $1/2 boxes to get 2 boxes for $2!
Cascade Auto Dish Detergent or Action Pacs, $3.99, Limit 2 *check your coupon stash for a booklet coupon for this item!

Restaurant.com: 80% off + 15% cash back through Ebates!

It's that time of the month already! Restaurant.com waits until the end of the month to discount gift certificates by 80%, and there's a coupon code that's available now through October 31.

Enter TREAT at checkout to receive the 80% savings. But first, go through Ebates per our link below.
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!

Works for Me Wednesday: Halloween candy on the cheap!

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 have waited until the last minute to purchase treats for Trick-or-Treaters.  Have you? If you're in the same boat, here is my plan for scoring some reasonably priced treats.

• Go to CVS and use a gift card from my last new prescription to buy candy that is on sale there.  There's a 2 for $5 deal this week and I'll use clipped coupons, like the $1.00/2 Hershey's, Reese's, or Kit Kat Snack Size Bags, 9-22ozfrom the 10/17/2010 SS.

• Go to Safeway and spend the $2 coupons from the fruit snacks deal on candy on sale there.

• Use some of the fruit snacks I scored this week at Safeway.

• A last resort would be to buy the full-sized candy bars (30-pack) at Costco with the $4 coupon available in the Costco coupon mailer.  We get so many trick-or-treaters that I don't consider full size candy, even at this price, the most cost-effective method for our neighborhood.

What about you? Any ideas to share for getting treats on the cheap?

Recipe: Slow Cooker Sunday Chicken

I(Mel) recently found the cookbook that came with my slow cooker.  I haven't seen it in years, so I was thrilled to try out a recipe that sounded delicious, "Sunday Chicken."  It didn't disappoint.  I conveniently made it on Sunday, and it was simple-to-prepare comfort food at its finest.

I don't have any pictures to share since it got devoured.  Mostly by me.  But suffice it to say that you can't beat this 3-ingredient recipe.

Sunday Chicken *from the GE Slow Cooker Recipe Book

3 1/2 pounds chicken, cut up(I used about 1 and 1/2 lbs. of boneless skinless chicken breasts, frozen)
1 10-oz. can condensed cream of celery soup (I used cream of chicken because it was in the pantry)
1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth (I used Chardonnay and loved the flavor)
Paprika, salt and pepper (I omitted these)

Rinse chicken in cold water.  Pat dry.  Sprinkle chicken with seasonings.  Combine soup and wine.  Place half of chicken in crock and pour half of soup mixture over chicken.  Repeat layers.  Cover and cook on low for 6 hours OR high for 4 hours.

Notes:

• I used a lot less chicken and liked the fact that there was lots of gravy to spread over veggies and rice.

• I put the chicken into the crock straight out the freezer in a big clump, then separated the pieces about 2 hours later.  

• From frozen chicken to completely cooked and tender, this recipe took only 3.5 hours on the HIGH setting.

• During the last hour, I steamed some peas and cooked some rice on the stovetop.  All 3 of us liked it, then I enjoyed the leftovers.  Mmmm.  Can't wait to make Sunday Chicken again.

Head on over to Life as Mom for more comfort food recipes!

Groupon: $15 for $30 at Austin Grill

There's an interesting Groupon available today...

$15 for $30 worth of food at one of my favorite restaurants, Austin Grill!

If you live in the NOVA or DC metro area, the Groupon is valid at 6 restaurant locations here.

Click here to sign up for Groupon through our referral link.

Safeway: Cheap or FREE Fruit Snacks, today only 10/26/10!

I'm down with flu this week, but I(Mel) stopped by Safeway this morning to pick up some orange juice and produce after dropping off my son at preschool.  Survival food.

I had clipped the $.99 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks coupon from last week's Safeway circular and loaded $.50/2 coupons from both Cellfire and Shortcuts, thinking I could score some cheap fruit snacks.  The Super Coupon  had a limit of 4, so I combined that 2 General Mills coupons per Scenario 1 below.  I thought I was doing well, but I was shocked when I received a $2 coupon back from General Mills! There's a special at Safeway through 10/31 where you get $1 back for purchasing 2 packs, $2 back for purchasing 4 packs, etc.  Woot! So Safeway paid me $.50 to bring home 4 boxes of fruit snacks.

This is not an item we eat often, but both my husband and son take great delight in eating fruit snacks when they find them in their lunches.  Fruit snacks, fruit roll-ups, etc. also make a great(and in this case CHEAP!) Halloween treat.  If I can drum up the energy, I might try Scenario #2 later today.  Or even better, send my husband!

Scenario 1:
$.99 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks Safeway Super Coupon
2 - $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers or Fruit Roll-Ups snacks - 09/12/2010 GM
The Cellfire and Shortcuts coupons didn't come off b/c I bought fruit snacks.  They would work for Fruit by the Foot, Gushers or Fruit Roll-ups.
Receive $2.00 General Mills coupon
TOTAL: Make ~$.50 on 4 boxes!

Scenario 2:

$.99 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks Safeway Super Coupon
Cellfire coupon $.50 on 2 Fruit by the Foot, Gushers or Fruit Roll-ups
Shortcuts coupon $.50 on 2 Fruit by the Foot, Gushers or Fruit Roll-ups
Receive $2.00 General Mills coupon
TOTAL: ~$1.00 for 4 boxes!

The Super Coupon is only good through today, so act quickly if you want some cheap lunch snacks or treats for Trick-or-Treaters!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday:
Breakfast - Mashed boiled eggs
Lunch - Pears with ricotta
Dinner - Spaghetti squash with a meaty marinara

Tuesday:
Breakfast - Mango yoghurt smoothies - more mangos for my girls, more yoghurt for me (Mangos on sale at Giant!)
Lunch - Leftover spaghetti or a big-ass salad
Dinner - Salmon fillets braised in a tamari sauce, creamy asparagus soup

Wednesday:
Breakfast - Fried eggs, bananas for the girls
Lunch - Leftover salmon on a salad
Dinner - Baked chicken drumsticks and sweet potatoes

Thursday:
Breakfast - Blueberry custards
Lunch - Pumpkin spice smoothie
Dinner - My husband challenged me to get started on developing a primal chicken Wienerschnitzel recipe, and this might be the night I give it my first stab!

Friday:
Breakfast - Warm banana pudding
Lunch - Curry pumpkin soup, coconut bread
Dinner - Pork chops with a creamy rosemary sauce, salads

Bonus Weekend Recipe: I am thinking of trying out this plum clafouti soon (plums were on sale at Giant @$0.99/lb.!), adapted by maybe using just a hint of honey instead of the relatively small amount of prescribed sugars. Could be a good Sunday morning breakfast.

Preschool Lunch Ideas:
Leftover spaghetti squash with meaty marinara, apple slices with almond butter
Leftover salmon, salad, almond-stuffed dates
Blueberry custard, cheese, leftover sweet potato (mashed)

Heads Up for Target: Silicone Adults' and Juniors' Size Swim Caps Clearanced at $2.33/ea.!

For those of you who swim or who have kids on a swim team, you know how ridonkulously expensive swim caps can be. For me as a high school team swimmer, I could never predict whether a cap fresh out of the packaging would last me several months or break within a week or two, and the coveted silicone caps (typically the most durable and comfortable) were especially pricey. They still are at around $10 each or more!

I happened to pass by the leftover clearance swimming items in Target today and most everything there is at least half off and up to 75% off! Yay for seasonal clearance finds!

The silicone swim caps that retail just under $10 are now marked down to $2.33/ea. - a BARGAIN for these. One of the adult caps I picked up was still priced at half off, but when I put it under the price check scanner it scanned at $2.33.

Also in this end-aisle display of clearanced swim items:

• Poolside sandals or slip-on style swimming shoes
• Swimming toys/tools

Check it out! :)

5 Reasons to Visit Giant This Week, 10/22-10/28

1. Super G Boneless Chicken Breast, $1.99/lb. (Save at least $2.30/lb.) Definitely stock-up/freezing price!
   
   
2. Produce Deals: $1.88
   Asparagus, per lb.
   Tomatoes on the Vine, per lb.
   Giant European Salads, per package
   Dole Salad Blends, per package - see the in-store coupon booklet for a Dole coupon, I think $1/2! Would make these $1.38/pack
   
   
3. Center Cut Pork Loin Chops, $1.99/lb. (Save at least $2/lb.) - Half price!
   
   
4. Eastern Apples, $0.59/lb. (Save $0.40/lb.) Truly rock-bottom price for apples in the fall! Think applesauce or other fall dishes!
   
   
5. Tropical Mangoes, 10/$10 (Save $0.33/ea.)

Other deals and prices to check out: 

SUPER G Homestyle Roasting Chicken or Drumsticks or Thighs, $0.99/lb.

POM Pomegranates, 2/$5 (Usually $3+ retail)

Nature's Promise Organic Carrots 1 lb. bag, 10/$10 (Normally $1.29/ea.)

BelGioioso Mozzarella Cheese, 1/2 lb., $3/ea. (Save $1.49/ea.)

Extra Gas Points - including in-ad coupon for 200 points ($200 worth) when you spend $50.
*also*
Extra Gas Points when you buy certain items. Details in-ad.
*also*
Earn 3 Gas points per dollar spent on all out-of-pocket purchases at the Giant pharmacy.

10/$10 Sale, front page and back page

Combo Deals, back side of health items page - buy X, get Y free!

***

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!

Children's Consignment Sale TOMORROW: Spring-Mar Cooperative Preschool in Burke, A

JUST A REMINDER!

There's one last consignment sale in Northern Virginia this weekend. I've bought & sold clothes at it before, and it's well organized though small compared to most of the sales in the area.

Saturday October 23rd, 2010
8:00 am - 1 pm
Spring-Mar Cooperative Preschool
c/o Accotink UU Church
10125 Lakehaven Court
Burke, VA 22015
Email: info@spring-mar.org | Tel: (703) 239-1213

More info here.

5 Reasons to Visit Safeway this week 10/20 - 10/26

Safeway is running a "Mix & Match Meat Sale" this week, BOGO of equal or lesser value. It will be interesting to see how that prices out when I visit. There's also a "Celebrate Oktoberfest" sale inside the front flap, but the prices look normal to me.

On the back page there is another slew of "Super Price Coupons."

Here are 5 Reasons to Visit Safeway this week 10/20 - 10/26:
1. Produce sale!
Large Mangos, $.99
McIntosh Apples, $.99/lb. *my personal all-time favorite apple!
Italian Green Zucchini, $.99/lb.
Sweet Yellow Onions, $.99/lb.
Tender Green Asparagus, $1.49
Sweet Strawberries, Red Raspberries or Blackberries, 2 for $6

2. Meat and seafood sale!
"Mix & Match Meat Sale" BOGO of equal or lesser value: London Broil, 80% Ground Beef, Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs, Pork Shoulder Ribs
Johnsonville Bratwurst or Italian Sausage, $3.99
Aidells Gourmet Sausage, $4.99
Fresh Scottish Salmon Fillets, $5.99/lb. in the Extreme Value Pack

3. 12-pack Coca-Cola, Buy 2 Get 2 Free AND get 2 Free boxes of Nabisco Snack Crackers
It should be around $12 for all that - great price!

4. Dairy Products!
Lucerne Milk, $2.69/gallon
Lucerne Shredded or Chunk Cheese, $1.29

5. Glade Candle Deal - $.99 each, must buy 3
Buy 3 save $3 in-store coupon offer(flyer has a note that says to see Glade Display or Customer Service for in-store coupon)
I really like some of Glade's candle scents. This is a great price for a gift for someone, too!

Works for Me Wednesday: Home Projects Outfit

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've spent a lot of hours on home projects in the past week.

• I stripped, painted & restored an antique desk.
  
• I repainted a bookshelf to match the desk.
• I stained our deck.
  

Using the same clothes works for me when doing messy home projects, particularly sanding, paint & spackle projects.

When we became homeowners 8 years ago, I quickly realized that I'm a messy painter and that it's downright convenient to have clothes reserved just for those occasions. I keep an old pair of sneakers on hand, along with a pair of pants, pair of shorts and 2 t-shirts. This way I have 2 changes of clothes available when I get the bug for home projects.

I love that I can wipe paint off my hands onto the clothes and not worry. My sneakers are dirty and I don't wear them into the house or out on the town. My t-shirts are works of art. I smile when I think of the projects we've been blessed to tackle over the years.

I store these items in a special pile on my closet shelf. I also take care when washing them - I don't just throw them in with all our other good clothes.

Works for me!

Children's Consignment Sale SATURDAY: Spring Mar Cooperative Preschool in Burke, A

There's one last consignment sale in Northern Virginia this weekend. I've bought & sold clothes at it before, and it's well organized though small compared to most of the sales in the area.

Saturday October 23rd, 2010
8:00 am - 1 pm
Spring-Mar Cooperative Preschool
c/o Accotink UU Church, 10125 Lakehaven Court, Burke, VA 22015
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2395, Springfield, VA 22152
Email: info@spring-mar.org | Tel: (703) 239-1213

More info here.

Menu Plan Monday, and Grocery Shopping Primally at Sam's Club

We hit up Sam's Club this weekend. I have mixed feelings about Sam's - good for the budget of someone eating whole foods to manage insulin, but also makes bulk-packaged items a little too available. Here's an example:

Pro: Raw almonds are the cheapest per pound that I've seen anywhere - 48 oz. (3 lb.) for around $11.
Con: 48 ounces of raw almonds in a big resealable bag. Seriously? How long do you really expect those to last in our household?

Other things I have found that I can get for the cheapest at Sam's compared with local grocery stores:

• Organic Omega-3 eggs, around $3.33/doz.


• Dates, 3 lb., less than $10


• Organic baby carrots, at close to $1/lb.


• Organic greens and organic baby spinach, around $3.50 for a huge clamshell container


• Gigantic 3-liter bottle of extra virgin olive oil, $11ish
  

Here's the scoop for this week.

Monday:
Breakfast - Fried eggs, bananas for the girls
Lunch - Apples, gouda, grain-free granola
Dinner - Green curry beef pot roast, and stewed veggies - pot roast is on sale at Giant this week.

Tuesday:
Breakfast - Warm banana pudding
Lunch - Leftover beef roast and veggies
Dinner - Bacon quiche, roast Brussels sprouts, salads

Wednesday:
Breakfast - Oeufs Boursin (This is really just eggs mixed and scrambled with Boursin. Be sure to really tweak the nasal "n" for extra cheesiness.)
Lunch - Leftover quiche and salads
Dinner - Primal Matriarch night: Bacon and Crab Somethingorother and Primal Mini Apple Pie Bake* *My husband has a lifelong mouthfeel issue with mushrooms, so I plan on baking AndreAnna's bacon-crab filling stuffed in some other type of veggie. Perhaps stuffed in cabbage leaves? Or as a dip with some parmesan cheese baked grain-free crackers?

Thursday:
Breakfast - Leftover apple pie bake with mascarpone
Lunch - salad, possibly some bacon-crab stuffed leftovers
Dinner - Spaghetti squash with a carbonara-style sauce

Friday:
Breakfast - Joyful Abode's Grain-Free Granola Bars, made Wednesday night, ideally
Lunch - Baked chicken drumsticks OR leftover spaghetti squash, salads
Dinner - Butter-glazed shrimp with hot butter-lime dressing over a salad (shrimp is on sale at Giant!)

Preschool Lunch Ideas:
Lunchbox #18: Leftover pot roast with a wasabi sour cream dip, salad, fresh mini peppers, diced nectarines
Lunchbox #19: Miniquiches, leftover Brussels sprouts, carrots with Boursin for dipping, almond-stuffed dates
Lunchbox #20: Leftover spaghetti squash, half-banana, grain-free granola bars

Deals Roundup - 30% off Old Navy, $10/$20 Sears, 20% off + Free Ship at Leapfrog, 30% off Babies'R Us clothing, 75% off + Free Ship at Lands' End!

• Lands' End is offering an extra 20% off Sale and Overstocks, for a savings of up to 75%, PLUS free shipping! Use promo code LEAF18 and pin 4119 for this discount, but first click through ebates to get 6% cash back. Offer good through the end of today, October 18.
  
  
• Get a printable Babies R Us coupon here for 30% off your entire clothing purchase (excludes shoes). Offer expires 10/24.
  
  
• LeapFrog is having a huge sale right now that could make acquiring a series of Christmas gifts a lot cheaper. First click to the Leapfrog site through ebates to get 3% cash back on your Leapfrog.com purchase. Then, when you spend $50, you get $10 off using code AUTUMN, or when you spend $100, you'll save $20 by using the code AUTUMN20. All orders totalling over $50 ship free, too! Offers end 10/25.
  
  
• When you bring this printable coupon into any Sears store, you'll get $10 off any purchase of apparel or accessories totalling $20 or more! Expires 10/23.
  
  
• Through October 21, when you enter ONLOVE30 at checkout on the Old Navy website, you'll Save 20% on $100, 25% on $125, and 30% on $150. Save an additional 8% cash back by clicking to Old Navy's website through ebates.

As a disclaimer, if you sign up for ebates under our ebates link (here), we will receive $5 bonus thanks to you if you happen to make a $20 purchase within 90 days. You'll receive a $5 starting bonus, too!

Coupon Booklet at Giant Store Entrance - $32 in Savings!

Some are store coupons, some are manufacturer coupons (ergo redeemable anywhere as long as they don't explicitly say, "Redeemable only at Giant."). Grab yours!

Are you planning for Christmas?

Are you planning for Christmas?

Yes, it's hard to believe, friends. Christmas is just 10 weeks away!

Sorry for the reality check, but we're planners, and we like to plan ahead for such things. A. and I had a conversation last week about how we've already asked sisters and sisters-in-law for niece & nephew wish lists. The best deals come early, generally in November, so we're gearing up for Christmas shopping already.

I've followed the Simple Mom blog for a while, and I'd like to reintroduce you to the series over there entitled 12 Weeks to a Peaceful Christmas. It's good stuff, encourages readers to tackle one thing per week, and is logically planned out. Just what we need!

Last year my family agreed to downsize when it comes to gift giving. Gifts for 8 adults and 4 kids on one side of the family stretched our budget 2 years ago. So once again we've all agreed to exchange adult names in a drawing at Thanksgiving when we're all together. Each adult will give a gift to one other adult, so 2 adults per couple instead of 8! And each couple will give gifts to all the kids.

Here are some tips that work for me when it comes to gift buying and planning.

• Prepare a spreadsheet that fits in my purse. One niece and two nephews have already given me their wish lists, and I'm adding those items to a one-page Excel spreadsheet I update each year with names, ages and wish list items. We budget for a certain amount per kid, and if I can score deals by buying early I get more gifts for each kid. I usually end up buying most gifts on the internet, because I can compare prices and score free shipping when I plan ahead. However, it's still helpful to have everything on one page when I do go to actual B&M stores. It also forces me to check things off and consider people "done". In that way, my one-pager provides visual accountability so I don't forget and overbuy for folks.

• Educate myself on the gifts. Since my nieces & nephews are all different ages, I have to educate myself on their interests and gift requests each year. For instance, my niece told me the name of a toy last week that I'd never heard of before. I asked my sister for more info, did a Google search, and now know what to look for when I'm in an actual store.

• Try to buy used when possible. Last year my oldest nephew wanted an expensive video game. We found a used copy at the local GameStop. For preschoolers, I've bought used sets of Fisher-Price Little People toys before off Craig's List. I've gotten them for less than half the retail price, washed them up, put them in a fun gift bag or box, and then bought a second gift for the same kid because the first was so inexpensive. The kids don't seem to care!
  

5 Reasons to Visit Giant This Week, 10/15-10/21

If you have done the Giant-Shell discount thing (every 100 dollars you spend translates to 10 cents off per gallon, with some fine print involved), you will be delighted to see the in-ad Giant coupon for 200 free gas points added to your Giant card's account when you present the coupon in conjunction with a $50 purchase. That's like getting the same points that you would otherwise have to spend $200 on groceries to earn. See your Giant ad for all of the details and fine print, and remember that your purchase points expire 30 days after they are earned.

1. Top Round, Bottom Round, or Beef Chuck Roast, $1.99/lb. (Save at least $1.50/lb.)
   
   
2. Red or Black Seedless Grapes, $0.99/lb. (Save at least $1.50/lb.)
   
   
3. SUPER G Homestyle Roasting Chicken, $0.99/lb.
   Stock up/freezing price!
   
   
4. All Purpose Potatoes 5 lb. bag, or Yellow Onions 3 lb. bag, 2/$4 (Save at least $0.49)
   
   
5. While Boneless Pork Loin, $1.99/lb. (Save at least $2/lb.)

Other Reasons to Visit Giant This Week:

Fresh Boneless Atlantic Salmon Fillets, $7.99/lb. (Save at least $2/lb.)

Hillshire Farm Kielbasa or Smoked Sausage, BOGO (Save at least $4.49)
$0.75/2, 10/03 RP
Final price for TWO: $2.99, or ~$1.50/ea.!

Oscar Mayer Meat Wieners, BOGO
$1/2, 08/22 SS (expires 10/17)
Final price: $1 off the price of one, for two!

Large Raw Easy Peel Shrimp, $6.99/lb.

Washed and Snipped Green Beans, BOGO

DiGiorno Pizza, 2/$10
$1/1, 09/12 RP
Final price: $4

Progresso Vegetable Classics Soup, 10/$10
Check the Betty Crocker website - there may be a freshly renewed $1/4 Progresso coupon, or $1/4 Progresso at coupons.com
$1/4, 09/12 GM
Final price: $0.75/can

General Mills Cereal, 4/$8 (Must buy 4), All Varieties, 8.7 oz.-14 oz.
PLUS
Get a coupon at checkout for a FREE Gallon of Milk when you purchase 4 GM cereals
See coupons.com, Betty Crocker website, and Pillsbury website for GM coupons
$0.65/1 Cinnamon Toast Crunch (coupons.com) will yield a $0.70/box CTC
$0.75/1 Cheerios coupon (Betty Crocker site and Pillsbury site) will yield a $0.50/box of certain Cheerios
Also 09/12 GM, 09/19 SS, and 10/03 GM inserts have $1/2 and $1/3 coupons

Kellogg's Cereal, $1.99
Froot Loops, Frosted Flakes, Corn Pops, Apple Jacks, or Raisin Bran
$0.60/1 Raisin Bran, 08/29 insert, final price $0.80/box

Nabisco Chips Ahoy!, 3/$6 (Must buy 3)

Lay's Potato Chips, 3/$6 (Must buy 3)

Hershey's Snack Size Candy, 5/$10 (Must buy 5)
See 08/22, 09/12, 09/19, and 09/26 SS inserts for Hershey's coupons
Final price: varies

Pepperidge Farm Cookies, BOGO (Save at least $3.39/2)
$0.60/1, 08/01, 10/10 SS
Final price for two with two doubled coupons: $0.99, or ~$0.50/ea.!

Stroehmann Dutch Country Bread, BOGO (Save at least $2.19/2)

7-Up, A&W, Canada Dry, or Sunkist 2 Liter, 5/$5
BOGO, 09/10 SS
Final price: $0.50/2-liter

Arm & Hammer 2X Liquid Detergent, $2.99 (Save at least $1.30)
$1/2, 09/19 SS
Final price: $2.49

***

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!

Starbucks Gift Card Giveaway Results!

Drumroll, please.....

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

Congratulations to Amber!

Amber, we'll be contacting you so you receive the Starbucks g.c. promptly.


Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. We love hearing from you!


Our results were calculated by Random.org.

Frugal Friday: Buying Travel Sized Toiletries at Bed, Bath & Beyond!

It's time for Frugal Friday!

I visited Bed, Bath & Beyond for the first time yesterday in ages. Really, ages. I mean, when did they install a huge pharmacy section? I was shocked to see makeup, soap, etc. as part of the new "Harmon Pharmacy" in my local store. What a change!

I had expired coupons in hand and was determined to get a Snuggie as a gift for my SIL. I knew BBB accepted expired coupons, so I planned to use a $5/$15 purchase coupon along with a 20% off coupon. The Snuggie was quickly found and cost $14.99. Wanting to get over the $15 limit, I walked through the new travel toiletries section. That place is mini heaven! I was impressed with the variety of toiletries and the competitive pricing. I like a particular aerosol hairspray and mousse, and both were there. Contact solution is only $1.49, not ~$5 like it is everywhere else. Major props to BBB for this new endeavor! I hope it lasts!

So, back to the Frugal Friday story. I bought a Snuggie and 2 travel size toiletries and spent just over $12. Score! I plan to go back with other expired coupons to stock up on Christmas gifts in the next few weeks.

Keep those Bed Bath & Beyond coupons!

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.

Starbucks Gift Card: Giveaway closes at noon!

Last chance to win a $5 Starbucks Gift Card!

Thanks to those who have already entered.

Click here to go to the original post. Leave a comment as an entry. You have 3 chances to enter!

We'll announce the winner later today.

5 Reasons to Visit Safeway this week 10/13 - 10/19

Safeway keeps switching its weekend sales. Now it's offering a 4-day sale, Friday - Monday only for a short list of items. See below for details.

CHECK YOUR MAIL THIS WEEK! Yesterday I received a coupon postcard with a $10/$50 purchase coupon, expires 10/31/10. Woot!

The back page of this week's ad is loaded with "Super Price Coupons," valid with a minimum purchase of $10.

Here are 5 reasons to visit Safeway this week 10/13 - 10/19:
1. Produce sale!
Large Beauregards Yams, $.79/lb. (best sale price is usually $.99)
Fresh Express Salads, Lettuce Trio, Spinach or Green & Crisp varieties, $.99 each
Pristine or Scarlotta Seedless Grapes, $1.28 lb.
Broccoli Crowns, $1.49/lb.
Sweet Whole Pineapple, $1.99

2. Meat & seafood sale!
Assorted Pork Loin Chops in Extreme Value Pack, $1.49/lb.
Safeway Chicken Drumsticks, Thighs or Leg Quarters, $.79/lb.
waterfront BISTRO Large Raw Shrimp, $4.99/lb.

3. Crackers and Cookies!
Nabisco Ritz Crackers or Newtons, 8 to 16 oz., selected varieties, $2.25
* Load this Safeway coupon (page 1) onto your Club Card to save $1/2 boxes of Nabisco crackers and redeem the MFC for $1.00/2 Nabisco Cookies or Crackers, 4.04-26 oz. from the 09/26/2010 SS to net 2 boxes of Ritz crackers for $2.50!

Pepperidge Farm Cookies, BOGO
* Use the $0.75/1 Pepperidge Farm Chocolate Chunk or Soft Baked Cookies MFC from 08/01/2010 SS get 2 bags for ~$1.90 - or use 2 of those coupons to get both for ~$.40!

Pillsbury Cookie Dough or Sweet Moments, $1.99 with Super Coupon, Limit 4
* Load these Safeway coupons onto your Club Card(pages 9&10) to save $1/2 packages; Load this Shortcuts $1/2 packages coupon(pages 1&4) and get 2 for $1.98

4. Coupon Deals!
Welch's Grape Juice, V8 Vegetable Juice or V8 Fusion, 46- or 64-oz., $2.99
Load this Safeway coupon(page 2) onto your Club Card and print this $1/1 64-oz. Welch's Essentials coupon to get one bottle for $.99!

Cheap Progresso Soup!
Progresso Vegetable Classics Soups, $.97 with Super Coupon, Limit 8
Load this $.50/1 Progresso soup Cellfire coupon before shopping

Trident Gum, 18-ct., BOGO
Use $1.00/3 Trident Gum, single packs MFC from 09/12/2010 SS1 to get 3 packs for $1.78

5. Weekend Sale (Friday - Monday Only):
Smithfield Premium Sliced Bacon, $3.77
Large Hass Avocados, $.99
Lucerne Creamery Fresh or Safeway SELECT Ice Cream, $2.29
24-pack Pepsi, $4.99, Limit 4
Lay's or Lay's Kettle Chips, $1.79, Limit 4

Works for Me Wednesday: Organizing My Gift Wrap STUFF before the holidays!

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.

How many of you out there have a pile of barely-used looks-new gift bags somewhere in your home? My mom is a chronic gift-bag saver, and so is my mother-in-law! The result of this is we've had the same set of Christmas gift bags revolving between our families for several years now! Many still look brand new, and others...well...let's call them well-loved classics. (Especially the HUGE Christmas gift bags...because we're all too cheap to buy enough paper or a new gift bag to wrap large-size gifts when a perfectly good Santa gift-bag is still kicking!)

Gift bags aren't the only thing we save, either. Gift boxes, bows large and small, fancy gift ribbons, and other like-new package decorations are continually reused, and even large unwrinkled sheets of gift wrap that once wrapped very large gifts are seen as potential gift wrap fodder for a future Christmas.

In fact, the only time I typically buy new gift wrapping items is when they are heavily clearanced after the fact; CVS and Target are my top locales for sniffing out gift wrap for pennies on the dollar in the weeks after Christmas.

Last week and this week, I made it my mission to clean out my SUPER messy "saved and clearance-purchased gift wrapping stuff" storage shelf in the basement. For real: it was a huge mountain of random gift bags, barely-used gift wrap, and other accoutrements.

For the past couple of years stuff has collected there, and it needed major help. It took me several minisessions of work (that's the way it happens when you're doing it with a baby and often also a three-year-old around). Here's how I approached it:

• Throughout the entire process, throw away anything that looks too old or used. When in doubt, don't reuse it.
  
  
• Separate all of your stuff: bows and tissue paper from your gift bags and gift boxes. Make a huge pile each of bows, tissue paper, bags, or boxes as you do this.
  
  
• Sort your gift bags into three categories: teeny, standard, and HUGE. Put each size set in a box (could be cardboard, Sterilite, whatever works for you!).
  
  
  
• Sort your tissue paper by color. For me, this was: whites, yellows & golds, reds & pinks, blues & greens, and white with patterns. Some tissue papers are holiday-themed, so it may behoove you to have a few tissue categories by holiday (Christmas, birthday, baby, wedding, Valentine's Day, etc.).
  
  
  When you're done with the sorting of the tissue paper, you can gently roll your stack and store the roll loosely upright in a smaller box. This way it's easy to see and easy to take a sheet out without messing up the rest.
  
  
• Sort your gift boxes. Some are holiday-themed, so it may work for you to have box categories by holiday (Christmas, birthday, baby, wedding, Valentine's Day, etc.). Stack your gift boxes neatly, largest on the bottom, smallest on top, so that you can see them in one glance. Two post-Christmases ago, I picked up shirt boxes at Target for 90% off - and they're still in my stash. Sweeeeeet.
  
  
  
  
• Put your bows and other box decor in a separate box. (Or further sort them if you like.)
  
  
  
  
• Organize your items on a shelf or other designated location so that you can see things plainly and put things together quickly, so that when the gift-giving occasion arises you can wrap it in no time. Here's a sample scenario of how it might go:
  --What size is my gift? For which occasion? (You'd pick out your gift bag or box.)
  --What color tissue paper should I use? (You pick out a sheet or three from your color-sorted tissue paper.)
  --Do I want any other bows or decor? (You pick from your separate box of bows to match the gift bag and tissue paper.)
  
  
• Pick up a hanging or under-the-bed gift-wrap organizer with compartments for storing a few items like spools of ribbon, tubes of gift wrap, "gift wrap scissors" if you have'em, and scotch tape (in my case, picked up for $0.24/roll on clearance).
  
  
  
• If you like, you can save the "too old" tissue paper for kid-oriented craft projects like tissue paper carnations, which make terrific decoration come spring and Mother's Day! "Too old" gift wrap can be used for scissors practice, too.

What are the benefits to getting together your gift wrapping stuff now? Well, there are quite a few:

• You will save money, because you'll know at last the extent of your supplies at home. No more last-minute purchases of bows or tape or wrapping paper at the store (probably at full high-season pricing) only to realize later that you had it at home all along!
  
  
• In the same vein, you'll know when you're about to run out of something because you have an awareness of what's already in-stock at home, and that way you can keep an eye on deals or seasonal clearances to stock back up.
  
  
• No more crummy too-old tissue paper on gifts you give because you grabbed that still-looks-new gift bag (containing said too-old tissue paper) from the top of your "gift wrap stuff" pile in a rush.
  
  
• Having your gift wrapping stuff organized means that you're less likely to procrastinate on holiday gift-wrapping and will save time when you do gift wrap.
  
  
• Knowing what you have, you'll be able to put together more creative combinations of bows, paper, bags, etc. than if you were just staring at a mountainous pile of unorganized gift wrap leftovers.

Organizing my gift wrap miscellaneous in time for the holidays works for me!

What organizing tasks are you tackling now so that you can have a more peaceful, less expensive, less-stressed holiday season?

RU Fall Giveaway: $5 Starbucks Gift Card!

It's RU Giveaway Time!

Many of you know how much I like my Starbucks skinny vanilla latte once a week.

I laid off those in the summer but went back last week for the first time in a while. I was thrilled to see that Starbucks has rolled out a new drink that I know I'll love:

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate!

For years my sister and I have been in love with Starbucks' peppermint hot chocolate, and I came up with a home recipe to save myself some $ when I get that craving.

But salted caramel hot chocolate?! Mmmm! I've loved that combination ever since my husband's aunt brought us Salted Dark Chocolate Caramels from Fran's years ago.

Wouldn't you like to treat yourself to a fall treat at Starbucks?

If so, enter our 3-day giveaway. Here are the instructions:

• For one entry, leave us a comment and let us know your favorite RU feature (e.g., Safeway deals, Giant deals, clothing deals, home organizing, cleaning, cooking, recipes, etc.).

• For a second entry, leave a comment if you're an RU Google Follower or email/RSS feed subscriber.

• For a third entry, leave a comment with an idea for a new feature you'd like to see us take on at RU.

Good luck! This giveaway will close Friday at 12 pm Eastern.

Menu Plan Monday, Half-Price Salmon Edition

Wild caught Alaskan salmon is on sale for $9.99/lb. at Giant this week, ergo I will be taking advantage.

Monday:
Breakfast - Strawberries and whipped cream (did I mention that strawberries were also on sale at Giant? 2/$4!)
Lunch - Leftover braised steak from Sunday night, carrot sticks
Dinner - Baked chicken thighs and brussels sprouts

Tuesday:
Breakfast - Scrambled cheesy eggs
Lunch - Creamy leek and sweet potato soup, leftover chicken
Dinner - Eggplant lasagna, baked dates and apples (while the oven's going, y'know!)

Wednesday:
Breakfast - Cottage cheese and fruit
Lunch - Liverwurst (yes, really)
Dinner - Broiled salmon, asparagus

Thursday:
Breakfast - Apples with almond butter
Lunch - Leftover salmon, salad
Dinner - Crock pot pork carnitas with salsa, guacamole (might make Joyful Abode's grain-free gluten-free pancakes earlier in the day for wrapping these soft taco style)

Friday:
Breakfast - Coconut banana smoothies
Lunch - Leftover carnitas
Dinner - Bacon and eggs

Banana Republic, 30% Entire Purchase + Free Shipping, Online TODAY Only!

TODAY ONLY, get 30% off your entire purchase on Banana Republic's website by using code TENTEN30 at checkout. If you spend more than $50, the code BRFREE50 should get you free shipping. (The verdict is still out as to whether you can use both - aka "stack" - these. Let me know if you try it and it works/doesn't work!)

Go through ebates to click to the Banana Republic website to get 2% cash back on your purchase, making the discount a potential 32%!

As a disclaimer, if you sign up for ebates under our ebates link (here), we will receive $5 bonus thanks to you if you happen to make a $20 purchase within 90 days. You'll receive a $5 starting bonus, too!

5 Reasons to Visit Giant This Week, 10/08 - 10/14

1. SUPER G Boneless Chicken Breast, $1.99
   Every so often this goes to $1.79/lb. but $1.99 is without a doubt a stockup price!
   
   
2. 1 lb. Strawberries or pack Raspberries, 2/$4 (Save at least $0.99)
   The berry sales are getting fewer and farther in between now that the weather is getting colder, so if you like'em, be sure to enjoy some this week!
   
   
3. Dole Salad Blends, $1.88/ea.
   My husband saw some blinkies near the salads, so keep your eye out...
   
   
4. Land O Lakes Butter, 2/$5 (Save $0.99/ea.)
   Coupons may be available here by registering.
   Around the holidays butter will get cheaper (see last year the week before Thanksgiving), but this isn't a bad price.
   
   
5. Smart Ones Classic Favorites, 6/$10
   $1/5, also check coupons.com
   $2/8 (bricks)
   Final price: varies.
   
   
6. Bonus Reason: Dannon Yoghurt, 20/$10
   There are lots of Dannon coupons out, typically $1/10, so you could get these down to $0.40/cup at the most.
   

Other Reasons to Visit Giant This Week:

Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Fillets, Wild Caught, $9.99/lb. (This is half price for this type of salmon!!)

Boneless Tilapia Fillets or Medium Raw Gulf Shrimp, $5.99/lb. (Save at least $2/lb.)

Bumble Bee Solid White Tuna or Bumble Bee Premium Chunk Light Tuna, 10/$10

Roma Italian Sausage Links, 2/$6 (Save $0.99/ea.)

Orchard Perfect Avocados, 10/$10 (Save at least $0.50/ea.)

Sweet Red Peppers, $1.49/lb. (Save at least $1/lb.)

Acorn, Butternut, or Buttercup Squash, $0.79/lb.

Giant Baby Carrots, 1 lb. packs, BOGO

Hunt's Tomatoes, 10/$10
$0.45/3, 10/03 SS
Final price: $0.70/can

Daisy Sour Cream, 2/$3

Sorrento Ricotta Cheese, $2.99

San Giorgio Pasta, 10/$10 (Save at least $3.90)

Progresso Light Soup, 3/$5
Check the Betty Crocker website - there may be a freshly renewed $1/4 Progresso coupon, or $1/4 Progresso at coupons.com
$1/4, 09/12 GM
Final price: $1.41/can

Campbell's Chunky Soups, 3/$5
See 09/19 SS and 10/10 SS for $0.50/2 and $1/4 coupons
Final price: With a doubled $0.50/2, as low as $1.16/can

General Mills Cereals, 4/$8, must buy 4
Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Trix, Cocoa Puffs, Sprinkle Cookie Crisp, or Cocoa Puffs Combo
$0.65/1 Cinnamon Toast Crunch, coupons.com, final price: $0.70/box
$1/3 any GM cereal, final price: $1.66/box
$1/2, 09/19 SS, or $1/3, 09/12 GM and 10/03 GM, final price: as low as $1.50/box

Giant White Bread, 10/$10

Thomas English Muffins BOGO

Coke 2 Liter, 10/$10 (Save at least $0.59 on 10)

Bounty Paper Towels, $9.99 (Save at least $3.50)
$0.25/1, 09/29 P&G
Final price: $9.49

Halls Cough Drops, 10/$10
$1/2, 10/10 SS
Final price: $0.50/bag

***

Meal Deal: Enjoy a FREE Pepsi 2 Liter when you buy Hormel Pepperoni.

***

Freebie: FREE CareOne Glucose Meter when you purchase CareOne Test Strips.

***

Flu Shot Deal: Save $5 off a seasonal flu shot (retail $30) with your Giant card through October 16, 2010.

***

Gluten-Free Deal: Purchase $7 worth of gluten-free products listed on the third page in ONE transaction, and receive a 1 year subscription to Every Day with Rachel Ray Magazine (a $6.99 value).

***

Colgate-Palmolive Deal: User your Giant card and purchase $10 worth (after coupons and savings) of participating Colgate-Palmolive items in one transaction and $3 will be instantly deducted from your order at checkout. See Colgate-Palmolive Printables!

Irish Spring 8 pack bar soap, $3.99
$0.50/1, 10/03 SS
Final price before $3 deduction: $2.99

Irish Spring Body Wash, $3.99
$0.50/1, 10/03 SS
Final price before $3 deduction: $2.99

Softsoap Body Wash, $3.99
$1/1, 10/03 SS, or $0.75/1
Final price before $3 deduction: $2.49-$2.99

Mennen Speed Stick, 2/$5
$0.50/1, 10/03 SS, or $0.75/1 Lady Speed Stick
Final price before $3 deduction: $1-$1.50

Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste, 2/$7
$0.75/1 Total
Final price: $2/ea.

Colgate 360 Toothbrush, 2/$7
$0.40/1 any toothbrush, 10/03 SS
Final price before $3 deduction: $2.70

Softsoap Liquid Soap, $1.99
$0.35/1, 09/19 insert, or $1/Softsoap Ensembles
Final price before $3 deduction: $0.99-$1.29

***

Pantene Deal: Save $3 off your next shopping order when you buy two Pantene Family Size Shampoos ($5.99 this week) in one transaction.

$1/2, 09/26 and 10/10 P&G
Final price: $7.99 for two, or ~$4 for a very large bottle

***

Olay/Covergirl Deal: Save $5 off your next shopping order when you use your Giant card and purchase $15 worth of select Olay and CoverGirl products in one transaction.

Covergirl Cosmetics 25% off
Olay Total Effects $2 off retail

$5/2 CoverGirl Simply Ageless, 10/10 P&G

See 09/12 SS1 and 09/26 P&G for Olay coupons.

***

Depends Deal: Save $4 off your order instantly when you use your Giant card and purchase $20 worth (after coupons and savings) of participating Depends items in one transaction.

***
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 + 15% cash back through Ebates!

Usually Restaurant.com waits until the end of the month to discount gift certificates by 80% but they've surprised me with a coupon code that's available now through October 12.


We went out to dinner with another couple last week and used a Restaurant.com gift certificate. It was so helpful to have those savings at a nicer restaurant than we'd usually visit on a weeknight. We're big fans!

Enter ENJOY at checkout to receive the 80% savings. Thanks, Slickdeals!

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!

Gap: Recycle Blue Jeans, save 30% on a new pair!

Gap has an interesting promotion running now through October 20.

Recycle Your Blues

Bring us any of your old denim and get 30% OFF men’s and women’s 1969 jeans. Make that 35% OFF when you use your Gap, Banana Republic, or Old Navy card. Now through October 20.

*Applies to regularly priced merchandise. Discount taken at register. See store for details.

If you bought the Gap Groupon that was available a little while ago, this might be a good way to use it!

Click here to find a Gap store near you.


Thanks to reader Sarah for the tip!

5 Reasons to Visit Safeway This Week, 10/6 - 10/12

Here are 5 Reasons to Visit Safeway this week 10/6 - 10/12:

1. Meat & Fish Sale!
Safeway Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs, Value Pack, $1.99/lb.
80% Lean Ground Beef, Value Pack, $1.99/lb.
Rancher's Reserve Beef Round Tip Roast, $1.99/lb.
Whole Boneless Pork Tenderloin, $2.99/lb.
Fresh Scottish Salmon Fillets, 2 lbs. or more, $5.99/lb.

2. Produce Sale!
Fresh Express or Eating Right Salad Kits, BOGO
3-lb. Bag Yellow Onions or 5-lb. Bag White Potatoes, BOGO
Gala Apples, $.88/lb.
Assorted Fall Squash, $.99/lb.
Bartlett Pears, $1.49/lb.
2-lb. Bag Eating Right Peeled Baby Cut Carrots, Limit 2 with Super Coupon, $1.49

3. Drinks Sale!
Lucerne Milk, Limit 2, $2.69/gallon
Mott's Apple Juice, 64 oz., Limit 3, $1.39
8-pack Pepsi, Limit 4 with Super Coupon, $2.49

4. Lucerne Large Eggs, 18-ct., Limit 2 with Super Coupon, $1.99

5. 3-Day Sale (Saturday, Sunday, Monday Only) Prices
Johnsonville Italian Sausage, $2.99
Sweet Strawberries or Red Raspberries, BOGO
Kraft Salad Dressing, 3 for $4
Lucerne Shredded or Chunk Cheese, 3 for $5
Safeway SELECT Artisan French or Italian Bread, $.99

Menu Plan Monday

I did the happy dance this weekend when a box from Tropical Traditions arrived on my doorstep! I had some Amazon gift cards earned from Swagbucks (Are you swagging yet? You should be!), so I ordered from Tropical Traditions via Amazon - coconut flour. It is so fine, I wouldn't be able to distinguish it visually from wheat flour.

The coconut flour wasn't in our house half an hour before I was busting out a double batch of Joyful Abode's grain-free pancakes. SO TASTY. I very much recommend! The flapjacks have a great flavor, and a versatile half-pancake half-crepe quality - very flippable. Joyful Abode's pancakes could lend themselves very well to wrapping or sandwiching meaty fillings. The leftovers went into the fridge for the next morning's breakfast.

Monday:
Breakfast - Scrambled eggs, plus bananas for the girls
Lunch - Baked brussels sprouts and chicken breasts
Dinner - Shrimp po'boys, shrimp based loosely on this, and the bun based on the coconut bread recipe here, baked in miniloaf pans

Tuesday:
Breakfast - Boiled eggs, plus grapes for the girls
Lunch - Blueberry Coconut Smoothie
Dinner - Roast chicken, loaded salads

Wednesday:
Breakfast - Gorgonzola spinach omelettes
Lunch - Avocado Ginger smoothie
Dinner - Cheeseburger soup (if it's tasty I'll post details)

Thursday:
Breakfast - Whole milk yoghurt (drizzled with honey for my 3-year-old)
Lunch - Loaded "big ass" salad with leftover roast chicken
Dinner - Salmon and stir-fry veggies

Friday:
Breakfast - Banana pancakes (I'll sub baby food - aka banana puree - for some of the milk in Joyful Abode's pancakes recipe, and add a pinch of nutmeg, 'cause I'm a nutmeg freak)
Lunch - Leftover cheeseburger soup
Dinner - Loaded cobb salads (Boiled egg, bacon, veggies, cheese, chopped walnuts, etc. over greens)

Preschool lunch ideas:
Leftover shrimp or chicken, mozzarella and tomato salad, leftover coconut bread
Coconut banana custard, veggie crudites with dip, dates
Nut butter muffins, cheese crisps and guacamole to dip

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Children's Consignment Sale TODAY: Christ Church in Fairfax Station, VA

Just a reminder:
My favorite children's consignment sale is TODAY at Christ Church in Fairfax Station!

Saturday, October 2, 8 am - 2 pm
Christ Church Children's
Consignment Sale
8285 Glen Eagles Ln
Fairfax Station, VA 22039

This is a big sale that isn't too far from where I live, and it's well organized. I've had great success finding toys, books, shoes, clothes, and an occasional larger item for my toddler at this sale. I like how it's organized, and I know the drill. I usually show up for the half-price sale during the 2 hours.

For more details, click here.