Saturday, April 18, 2009

New Freebies Tool Bar

I have added a new tool bar on the left that you should check out. These items are completely free and you only have to take about 2 minutes to input your name and address to get all these samples. I have been doing this since February and I have a new freebie or coupon in my mail 4-5 times a week. It is so much fun to get my mail now because I have new free things to try. I don't sign up for EVERYTHING. Not everything appeals to me. I often use the rating to decide if it is worth is. And, of course, they are only samples, not enough instant oatmeal to feed your whole family. But, hey, free is FREE! I have gotten lots of shampoo samples (perfect size for traveling), tea and coffee samples, Ziploc bags, formula, make-up, lotion, etc. I even got a 15 day supply of Vitamin B. I have received coupons for free Pepsi, juice, and lip gloss. Anyway, check it out if you want some free stuff and just remember that I am not condoning ALL these items 100%, but this is exactly the same list that I use and I have had no problems :)

***UPDATE***
This does not seem to be the EXACT same list as I use. It has the same format, but different freebies listed. So if you want another option, you can visit shop4freebies and put in your "junk" email address and receive a new freebies list everyday.

I also have an excel spreadsheet that I use to keep track of the samples and coupons I order and when I get them. Since I can't post that on here, if you are interested, I can email it to you. Just let me know :)

Monday, April 13, 2009

Menu Plan Monday - April 13

It has been 3 weeks since I posted this and let me tell you, I HAVE BEEN LOST!!! I have hated the feeling of having to think about what is for dinner EVERY day. I had a lot going on the last three Monday's and I didn't get around to posting. Actually, I have been using "SpringPad" as a place to keep my menus. It is so helpful. You have to start a collection of recipes but they keep a list at the right of every recipe you type in so you just have to drag and drop them into the calendar on the left. You can even input recipes from anywhere on the internet using the website address and it will find the ingredients and input it for you. I have found this so helpful as I can actually plan quite a bit ahead. When I see a recipe I want to try or know I want to use up some ingredients I have on hand in a recipe, I just type it in for some day in the near future. I have had meals planned for 2 weeks before. And if your plans change, you just drag and drop into another day. It is completely free and has MANY other features like greeting card lists and reminders, and such. I only use the menu plan for now.

So anyway, here is my menu this week...

Monday - Enjoy-overs (my version of left overs)
Tuesday - Whole Wheat Pizza (from our favorite bread recipe)
Wednesday - Soft Tacos
Thursday - Chinese Egg rolls and Brocolli Slaw
Friday - Chicken Tetrazzini
Saturday - Black Beans and Rice
Sunday - Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie

Bi-Lo Buys

Well, I must say, I usually think of Harris Teeter as my all time favorite store for good deals. But this week, Bi-Lo was really good to me...

4 bottles Kraft dressing
3 bags (5 lb. each) sugar
6 boxes brownie mix
4 boxes UB rice
6 bags croutons
7 bottles vitamin water 10
4 cnt. sour cream
5 Breyers ice cream (ok, I went a little crazy with the ice cream, but EVERY flavor was on sale for $1.88 it was too hard to choose. AND I had a coupon for $.75 off 1 so one of them was only $.38!!!) Oh, how I wish I had MORE of THOSE coupons!!!

Total Retail: $105.19
Total paid: $17.71