Sunday, February 21, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Swag Hunt
There was a swagcode hunt on cookieskids.com, but if you want to save the time of searching, it is: CooKieSwaGKiDs
It is down to 1 swagbuck of value, but hey! it's one more than we had this morning, right?
The codes are case sensitive, so copy and paste it straight from here!
It is down to 1 swagbuck of value, but hey! it's one more than we had this morning, right?
The codes are case sensitive, so copy and paste it straight from here!
The Psychology of Freebies and a Request for Advice
So I was thinking about Cutie Husband and myself, and how we've been trying to tighten our belts some to save up for a house. We are living in an apartment, and are rapidly outgrowing the closet space! I was thinking about all the extras that we try to go without, which we would ordinally love to splurge on. Then something occurred to me.
I've had a lot more self control with my own splurging since I've started signing up for freebies in the mail!
I am far less likely to spend money on unnecessary extras in the store when I know that I already have things on their way. Even if it is just a sample of toothpaste!
While I know that things won't make me happy, and that God is the ultimate and only One I need, it is still a little treat to get something new here and there that we've never tried before. So I think that knowing that I will get to try something new whenever it arrives in the mail helps me feel like I don't want to spend that extra money on the what's-it in Target that week.
Saving up for a house is so difficult, and we're blessed to have extra money coming from other venues to help us out a little bit. We acknowledge that now might not be the right time to get a house, and we're trusting God to give us the right amount at the right time. But we are trying to be faithful with what He has given us.
We especially want to be wise when we finally do start the searching and purchasing process, which is where the request for advice comes in. Neither Cutie Husband nor I have ever owned our own home. This will be our first time buying a house. That is why we are calling on our readers (few or plentiful as they be!) to help us out!
Never having owned our home, we don't really know what things to look for. We have a general idea of what we want, but we have no clue what works and what doesn't come time for our home to function.
When you bought your first house, was there anything you wish someone had told you?
What advice would you give to us in our search?
Are there certain features in a home that just plainly do not work, or certain things that we'd be regretful not to have in a home?
Are there any particular things we should be sure to check to make sure they work before we purchase?
We can't be too picky as this is just our starter home, but we definitely don't want to end up in a money pit or a house without working appliances or something!
We appreciate any and all advice we can get, and will keep you updated as our search begins, progresses, and comes to a close!
I've had a lot more self control with my own splurging since I've started signing up for freebies in the mail!
I am far less likely to spend money on unnecessary extras in the store when I know that I already have things on their way. Even if it is just a sample of toothpaste!
While I know that things won't make me happy, and that God is the ultimate and only One I need, it is still a little treat to get something new here and there that we've never tried before. So I think that knowing that I will get to try something new whenever it arrives in the mail helps me feel like I don't want to spend that extra money on the what's-it in Target that week.
Saving up for a house is so difficult, and we're blessed to have extra money coming from other venues to help us out a little bit. We acknowledge that now might not be the right time to get a house, and we're trusting God to give us the right amount at the right time. But we are trying to be faithful with what He has given us.
We especially want to be wise when we finally do start the searching and purchasing process, which is where the request for advice comes in. Neither Cutie Husband nor I have ever owned our own home. This will be our first time buying a house. That is why we are calling on our readers (few or plentiful as they be!) to help us out!
Never having owned our home, we don't really know what things to look for. We have a general idea of what we want, but we have no clue what works and what doesn't come time for our home to function.
When you bought your first house, was there anything you wish someone had told you?
What advice would you give to us in our search?
Are there certain features in a home that just plainly do not work, or certain things that we'd be regretful not to have in a home?
Are there any particular things we should be sure to check to make sure they work before we purchase?
We can't be too picky as this is just our starter home, but we definitely don't want to end up in a money pit or a house without working appliances or something!
We appreciate any and all advice we can get, and will keep you updated as our search begins, progresses, and comes to a close!
Easy Chicken and Mini Penne Casserole
How can I resist trying out this recipe when the word "easy" is even in the title?!
This recipe is called Easy Chicken and Mini Penne Casserole, and I'll tell you what! it looks easy. Next week, most likely on Monday night unless circumstances don't allow, I'm going to try to make this meal.
A couple of modifications I already see though:
-I will double the recipe
-I will probably cook the chicken similarly to the way I cook the chicken for the Italian Cream Cheese Chicken Casserole
-I will also ignore the amount specifications for the chicken and likely use 2-3 chicken breasts
-I will use bagged, shredded cheese rather than fresh because I can't distinguish any difference
-I will (most likely) use way more Parmesan cheese than directed, stirring it into the mixture as well as topping it with the cheese
*I might try to add bread crumbs or some flavor of crunched up, baked potato chips the second time I make it. For now, I need to taste it to see what I think would go best.
When your directions are less than ten lines long, it really is quick and easy! These days, the little time I spend at home needs to be almost constantly maintaining order and getting homework together, so I can't spend massive amounts of time cooking. This recipe looks awesome because most of the time it takes to cook is oven time, which means I don't need to slave over the stove!
Part of the appeal about this recipe too is that I'll only have to buy noodles, onion, celery, chicken soup, sour cream, mixed veggies and cheese. The produce won't be very expensive, the store brand of chicken soup is ridiculously cheap, and you can usually find pretty good sales on the cheese at Vons, especially Lucerne brands!
It seems like the most time consuming part of this recipe will be cooking the chicken, but if I clean the chicken before-hand, it should be a snap!
I'll be posting pictures of this meal once I've made it, which will hopefully be next week!
This recipe is called Easy Chicken and Mini Penne Casserole, and I'll tell you what! it looks easy. Next week, most likely on Monday night unless circumstances don't allow, I'm going to try to make this meal.
A couple of modifications I already see though:
-I will double the recipe
-I will probably cook the chicken similarly to the way I cook the chicken for the Italian Cream Cheese Chicken Casserole
-I will also ignore the amount specifications for the chicken and likely use 2-3 chicken breasts
-I will use bagged, shredded cheese rather than fresh because I can't distinguish any difference
-I will (most likely) use way more Parmesan cheese than directed, stirring it into the mixture as well as topping it with the cheese
*I might try to add bread crumbs or some flavor of crunched up, baked potato chips the second time I make it. For now, I need to taste it to see what I think would go best.
When your directions are less than ten lines long, it really is quick and easy! These days, the little time I spend at home needs to be almost constantly maintaining order and getting homework together, so I can't spend massive amounts of time cooking. This recipe looks awesome because most of the time it takes to cook is oven time, which means I don't need to slave over the stove!
Part of the appeal about this recipe too is that I'll only have to buy noodles, onion, celery, chicken soup, sour cream, mixed veggies and cheese. The produce won't be very expensive, the store brand of chicken soup is ridiculously cheap, and you can usually find pretty good sales on the cheese at Vons, especially Lucerne brands!
It seems like the most time consuming part of this recipe will be cooking the chicken, but if I clean the chicken before-hand, it should be a snap!
I'll be posting pictures of this meal once I've made it, which will hopefully be next week!
Frugal Dinners
I am a meal planner. Sundays, I like to clip my coupons, check the adds, and find cheap dinners to last us the week.
I recently started a schooling program that has me in class until at least 9 pm. Thus, I've been planning meals for Mondays and Wednesdays that can last me through to each of the next days for Cutie Husband to eat when he's home from work, plus extra for me to take to school for dinner for me and Cutie Husband's sister, who is also in the program with me.
So far, a couple of my favorites are manicotti - per Kraft Foods recipe - and Italian Cream Cheese Chicken Casserole. These are two of my favorites because they are loaded with protein, so they really know how to stretch a buck!
The manicotti is almost nothing but cheese! I always double my recipe and add all of the cheese that I have, even though it ends up being extra. To send my money a little further on this recipe, I leave out the pesto. I'm not addicted to pesto, and the meal has a great taste without it, so I don't even miss that ingredient. I'd rather have the green in my wallet than on my food! I use extra spaghetti sauce too.
Don't forget to cover this in foil before baking, it keeps the noodles and sauce from burning!
The Italian Cream Cheese Chicken Casserole is great because, since there is cheese in it, you really only need two or three pieces of chicken to feed an army. For this dish, I cube my chicken, and sautee it in olive oil, garlic powder, and onion powder. Instead of dried minced garlic and onion, I just use garlic powder and onion powder. I also double this recipe.
**If you have any easy casserole dishes like this that can be quickly doubled and last for at least two days, I'd LOVE to hear any suggestions!! I would even try to post pictures of my rendition!**
I'll be scouting for more recipes like these, so check back to see my findings. I'll tell you how my endeavors turn out!
Let me know if you try these recipes, I'd love to hear if you like them!
(I typically won't even give a second glance to a recipe if I am required to buy more than five or six ingredients, especially expensive ones, unless most of them are produce!)
I recently started a schooling program that has me in class until at least 9 pm. Thus, I've been planning meals for Mondays and Wednesdays that can last me through to each of the next days for Cutie Husband to eat when he's home from work, plus extra for me to take to school for dinner for me and Cutie Husband's sister, who is also in the program with me.
So far, a couple of my favorites are manicotti - per Kraft Foods recipe - and Italian Cream Cheese Chicken Casserole. These are two of my favorites because they are loaded with protein, so they really know how to stretch a buck!
The manicotti is almost nothing but cheese! I always double my recipe and add all of the cheese that I have, even though it ends up being extra. To send my money a little further on this recipe, I leave out the pesto. I'm not addicted to pesto, and the meal has a great taste without it, so I don't even miss that ingredient. I'd rather have the green in my wallet than on my food! I use extra spaghetti sauce too.
Don't forget to cover this in foil before baking, it keeps the noodles and sauce from burning!
The Italian Cream Cheese Chicken Casserole is great because, since there is cheese in it, you really only need two or three pieces of chicken to feed an army. For this dish, I cube my chicken, and sautee it in olive oil, garlic powder, and onion powder. Instead of dried minced garlic and onion, I just use garlic powder and onion powder. I also double this recipe.
**If you have any easy casserole dishes like this that can be quickly doubled and last for at least two days, I'd LOVE to hear any suggestions!! I would even try to post pictures of my rendition!**
I'll be scouting for more recipes like these, so check back to see my findings. I'll tell you how my endeavors turn out!
Let me know if you try these recipes, I'd love to hear if you like them!
(I typically won't even give a second glance to a recipe if I am required to buy more than five or six ingredients, especially expensive ones, unless most of them are produce!)
Free Photo Book from Hot Prints
I am excited to have found this in my blog searching. I stumbled across Coupon Geek, and was excited to see the post about the free photo book. If you sign up with Hot Prints, each month you get a free photo book. This includes shipping and handling! I can't wait to start this program! Even if you don't need to print up your own photos, can you imagine what a cool gift this is?!
I'm hooked!
I'm hooked!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Crest and Lever 2000
Sample Some Free Crest White Strips from Walmart.com
Lever 2000 Sample, Costco members only
Thanks, For The Mommas
Lever 2000 Sample, Costco members only
Thanks, For The Mommas
Freebies
I was very excited to receive my first freebie in the mail yesterday! A coupon for no more than $5.99 off any Excedrin product!! I'll be heading to Walgreens this week! I was so pleased to get this coupon because medicine can be expensive!
I'll be posting pictures of my mailed freebies as they come. For now, forgive my lack of posting! Snowboarding + falling= jammed finger, hard to type!
Playtex Gentle Glide Sample
2/17 4-6 weeks
Lemonhead Sample
2/17 none
Read About Making Money with an Olay Rebate
Thankyou, Saving and Giving!
Snapfish Coasters
Snapfish has yet another great offer to all NEW users! Six picture coasters, $24.99 for free, plus free shipping and handling! You can't beat that!
-Go to Snapfish.com and register as a new user
-Click "your account" to redeem your offer
-Pick your pictures
-Type in the code PRESDAY
-Enjoy!
Hasbro Coupons
* $3.00/1 Playskool Dinoroars Hatchlings (2 coupons)
* $4.00/1 Playskool Tumble ‘n Twirl Top
* $2.00/1 Playskool Glow Worm
* $2.00/1 Playskool Mr. Potato Head Classic
* $3.00/1 Playskool Mr. Potato Head: Toy Story
* $3.00/1 Playskool Wheels Pals Mini 4 pack
* $10.00/1 Hasbro Chuck My Talking Truck
* $5.00/1 Hasbro Chuck & Friends Fold ‘n Go Play Set
* $3.00/1 Hasbro Chuck & Friends Fleet
* $10.00/1 Tonka Bounce Back Racer
* B1G1 Free Hasbro Pony Friends Single ($6.99 value)
* $5.00/1 Hasbro My Little Pony So Soft Newborns, Famly Convertible or Ferris Wheel
* $5.00/$20.00+ Hasbro Strawberry Shortcake Purchase
* $10.00/1 Hasbro Scrabble Deluxe Game
* $5.00/1 Hasbro Scrabble Game
* $5.00/1 Hasbro Pictureka! Game
* $4.00/1 Hasbro Monopoly Game
* $4.00/1 Hasbro Clue Game
* $5.00/1 Hasbro Guesstures Game
* $5.00/1 Hasbro The Game of Things
* $5.00/1 Playskool Sit ‘n Spin
* $5.00/1 Playskool Busy Ball Popper
* $5.00/1 Playskool Step Start Walk ‘n Ride
Don't be afraid to get creative with these coupons!! You can use the Pictureka!, Monopoly, Scrabble and Sorry coupons paired with the travel card games and get games for as low as $.24!! Cutie Husband and I bought Pictureka! and Scrabble card games, and while we weren't too crazy about Scrabble with two players (a little slow) we LOVED Pictureka! which includes four different ways to play!!
Thankyou, ForTheMommas for that list!
Basically Free Crest
At Walgreen's during the month of February, Crest toothpaste costs $2.29
Use $1.50 from the Walgreen Feb Coupon Booklet
AND Use $.75 from 2/7 PG
Price You Pay: .04
I'll be posting pictures of my mailed freebies as they come. For now, forgive my lack of posting! Snowboarding + falling= jammed finger, hard to type!
Playtex Gentle Glide Sample
2/17 4-6 weeks
Lemonhead Sample
2/17 none
Read About Making Money with an Olay Rebate
Thankyou, Saving and Giving!
Snapfish Coasters
-Go to Snapfish.com and register as a new user
-Click "your account" to redeem your offer
-Pick your pictures
-Type in the code PRESDAY
-Enjoy!
Hasbro Coupons
* $3.00/1 Playskool Dinoroars Hatchlings (2 coupons)
* $4.00/1 Playskool Tumble ‘n Twirl Top
* $2.00/1 Playskool Glow Worm
* $2.00/1 Playskool Mr. Potato Head Classic
* $3.00/1 Playskool Mr. Potato Head: Toy Story
* $3.00/1 Playskool Wheels Pals Mini 4 pack
* $10.00/1 Hasbro Chuck My Talking Truck
* $5.00/1 Hasbro Chuck & Friends Fold ‘n Go Play Set
* $3.00/1 Hasbro Chuck & Friends Fleet
* $10.00/1 Tonka Bounce Back Racer
* B1G1 Free Hasbro Pony Friends Single ($6.99 value)
* $5.00/1 Hasbro My Little Pony So Soft Newborns, Famly Convertible or Ferris Wheel
* $5.00/$20.00+ Hasbro Strawberry Shortcake Purchase
* $10.00/1 Hasbro Scrabble Deluxe Game
* $5.00/1 Hasbro Scrabble Game
* $5.00/1 Hasbro Pictureka! Game
* $4.00/1 Hasbro Monopoly Game
* $4.00/1 Hasbro Clue Game
* $5.00/1 Hasbro Guesstures Game
* $5.00/1 Hasbro The Game of Things
* $5.00/1 Playskool Sit ‘n Spin
* $5.00/1 Playskool Busy Ball Popper
* $5.00/1 Playskool Step Start Walk ‘n Ride
Don't be afraid to get creative with these coupons!! You can use the Pictureka!, Monopoly, Scrabble and Sorry coupons paired with the travel card games and get games for as low as $.24!! Cutie Husband and I bought Pictureka! and Scrabble card games, and while we weren't too crazy about Scrabble with two players (a little slow) we LOVED Pictureka! which includes four different ways to play!!
Thankyou, ForTheMommas for that list!
Basically Free Crest
Use $1.50 from the Walgreen Feb Coupon Booklet
AND Use $.75 from 2/7 PG
Price You Pay: .04
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