frugal

Quick, Tasty Recipe: Berries Romanoff

Abby H.

Berries 2.jpgI was thinking of a way to use the berries we have on hand, and this recipe came to mind!

My friend Ana brought Berries Romanoff over for dessert the last time we had a potluck, and it’s now become a staple in our house. This is a variation on the original recipe, which calls for orange zest and Grand Marnier liqueur. This version is much more kid-friendly.

This is a quick, easy dessert that even kids love.

Ingredients:

  • 6 Cups berries- Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, boysenberries, mulberries, and pitted halved cherries are all good choices.
  • 1 cup  thawed Cool Whip (or make whipped cream from scratch if you feel motivated)
  • 1/2 cup  Sour Cream
  • 1 T. orange juice
  • 1 tsp. brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 2 tsp. orange zest

Directions:

  1. Divide the berries into 6 dessert bowls, set aside.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.
  3. Spoon mixture over the top of the berries and serve.

The mixture keeps in the fridge for 3-4 days, but once you taste it, you won’t be able to stop eating it.  It’s really good.

 

Celebrate 9/9 Day all week with 99 Cents Only!

Abby H.

September 9th is coming. For most of us, that’s not a big deal, but for 99 Cents Only, it’s HUGE!

Every year they celebrate 9/9 day with a week of great deals! Starting on Monday, September 9th, 99 Cents Only has awesome deals each day for nine days- In addition to their daily deals and bargains.

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  • Monday 9/9* Only 6ft Stuffed Bear $19.99 (limit 1 per household) and 3 lbs. of Chaquita Bananas for .99!
  • Tuesday 9/10* Only Assorted Name Brand Skin & Hair Care 12 – 24 oz (limit 4 per household) for .99 each!
  • Wednesday 9/11* Only 18 Count Large Grade AA Eggs (limit 2 per household) for .99 each!
  • Thursday 9/12* Only 24 Pack Niagara Water (limit 4 cases per household) for $1.99 each!
  • Friday 9/13* Only Tide Simply Clean & Fresh 100 fl oz liq. (limit 1 per household) $2.99! This is a great deal- It’s usually about $5-6/bottle at Wal-mart/Target
  • Saturday 9/14* Only Light Up Razor Scooter (limit 1 per household) $4.99 each, and 3 pairs of flip flops .99!
  • Sunday 9/15* Only Assorted Premium Pet Beds up to 22 x 24 inches (limit 1 per household) $2.99
  • Monday 9/16* Only Pikmi Pops Surprise! (limit 2 per household).99 each
  • Tuesday 9/17* Only Bathrobes, Throw Blankets (limit 4 per household) .99 each

Some of these deals would be great for stocking stuffers or little surprises. I won’t be there every day, but I’ll definately be there a couple times to stock up on Tuesday 9/10/19 and 9/11/19!

 

Talk Back: What deals are you excited for?

Score $5 or $10 from Checkout 51!

Abby H.

unnamed.pngCheckout 51 is a savings program that’s so easy to use, and no Smartphone is needed! It’s an app on your iPhone or Android phone, or you use your computer. Just purchased specific products (and these products change each Thursday, so make sure you check out the app/website before heading out to shop), scan and upload your receipts weekly. Checkout 51 is NOT store specific!

I’ve been using it for years, and I love that I’m able to save money when I shop at Grocery Outlet and 99 Cents Only- Two of my favorite stores that don’t accept coupons.

unnamed.jpgI also like that they frequently have bonuses- right now when you buy any 4 Colgate or Tom’s products, you’ll earn $5 Cash Back. And this is in addition to the individual rebates for Colgate & Tom’s product that are available!

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Right now, Checkout 51 has an awesome referral bonus!

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Invite a friend to join Checkout 51 and earn $10* once they become a saver.

Offers on Checkout 51 change weekly, so I recommend that you download and start saving!

 

*Disclosure* Most of those links are my personal links, so if you sign up I earn a few cents. When you sign up, you can share your links too and earn a little bit of green!

What brands can I buy at Dollar Tree?

Abby H.

Did you know that Dollar Tree accepts coupons? YUP! Here is their coupon policy.  While I was looking for zip ties today (for tie dying) at our local Dollar Tree, I was noticing all the great brands they have been stocking lately.

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Now, Not all Dollar Tree stores stock the same items, but here is a list of items and brands that I have found in many of our local stores.  I have only listed brands that I have seen/found coupons for:

  • Coca-Cola Brand Soda (There are usually a bunch of varieties)
  • Coffee-Mate Powdered Coffee Creamer Sticks
  • Nescafe Taster’s Choice Stick Pack
  • Nestle Purelife water
  • Pepsi Brand Soda
  • Sunny D
  • WestSoy Soymilk
  • Palmolive Dish Liquid
  • Farmer John Sausage Links (8 Oz.)
  • Luigi’s Real Italian Ice (4-Cups)
  • Ore-Ida Single Serve Baked Potatoes, or Steam n’ Mash Bags
  • SuperPretzel Bites
  • SuperPretzel Poppers
  • Bar-S Franks
  • Hormel Genoa Salami
  • Hormel Pepperoni
  • Betty Crocker Fruit Roll-Ups
  • Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper
  • Betty Crocker Potatoes (Box)
  • Campbell’s Canned Soup
  • Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta
  • Fiber One chewy granola bars
  • Hunt’s Canned Tomatoes
  • Libby’s Canned Vegetables
  • Nature Valley Granola Bars
  • Nature Valley Granola Thins
  • Post Shredded Wheat Cereal
  • Progresso Recipe Starters
  • Stove Top Stuffing
  • Uncle Bens Rice
  • Comet Powder Cleaner
  • Gain Dryer Sheets
  • Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  • A&D Cream
  • Brut Deodorant
  • Carefree Liners
  • Colgate Adult Toothbrush
  • Colgate Toothpaste
  • Crest Toothpaste
  • Garnier Fructis Color Shield
  • Irish Spring Bar Soap
  • Lady Speed Stick Deodorant
  • Men Speed Stick Deodorant
  • Softsoap Bar Soap
  • VO5 Shampoo & Conditioners

Remember to check the size restrictions and coupon terms on the coupons you will be using!

Summer Veggie & Goat Cheese Tart

Abby H.

PICT0097.JPGI was talking about this really amazing dish with my mom the other day, and I realized that I had not posted the recipe!

I can’t find the original recipe for this, but I was driving around the week before Independence Day, and I was listening to NPR when this recipe was discussed.

I made this tart for our 4th of July celebration, and it was gone almost instantly! I didn’t even get a photo of it after it came out of the oven.

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This recipe is great with veggies fresh from the garden!

 

Oh man was it good! It’s easy to make, and you can substitute any veggies that you have in your kitchen (or garden).

Easy Summer Veggie & Goat Cheese Tart

Ingredients:

  • 1 pie crust (make it from scratch or use a mix like this one)
  • 1 4-oz. package of goat cheese, your choice of variety (I used garlic and herb) at room temperature
  • 2 medium-size RIPE tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 small zucchini, cut into thin coins
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray, and pre-heat over to 400 degrees.
  2. Roll out pie crust, and smooth out into a circle.
  3. Spread goat cheese in an even layer in the middle of the pie crust. Leave about 2 inches around the edges.
  4. Layer veggies over goat cheese.
  5. Fold up sides of pie crust to cover veggies- leave about a 2-inch opening in the top (see photo below).
  6. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 400 degrees or until pie crust is toasty brown.
  7. Cut into 6-8 wedges and serve. It’s yummy hot or at room temperature, but it won’t be around long enough to get cold!

9/6/19- Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

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Woo Hoo! Friday means Freebies and deals!

In the Mail:

In Stores/Events:

 

Magazines:

Looking for a Great Baby Shower Gifts?

Abby H.

file0001971678256.jpgBaby Shower Season is upon us! I’ll be going to three in the next few months. As a mommy, there are tons of stuff in the baby stores that are completely unnecessary (like this thing– someone bought it for us as a joke… I think).  However, I am going to share with you a couple items that are a staple in our house- I couldn’t leave home without them. With Coupon Codes, most of these deals are free, just pay for shipping!

3 FREE Custom Pacifiers from Mothers Lounge, use code SHOPHER at checkout.

Order 5 pairs of new Babyleggings for only $2.00 plus shipping, use code SHOPHER1 at checkout.

These are great for cool fall days, or when your kiddo starts crawling.

Next is the Carseat Canopy.  Some people just drape a blankie over the top, but this canopy fastens onto the handle of the infant car seat. It won’t fall off. You can score a canopy for free from Carseat Canopy or get $50 off The Whole Caboodle 5 piece set, plus shipping. Use code SHOPHER1 at checkout.


I’m a proponent of breastfeeding. Even in public. However, I always covered my boobs up, because nudity makes some people uncomfortable. Right now, Udder Covers wants to give you a promo code for a free patterned breastfeeding cover (a $35 value). Use coupon code SHOPHER1 at checkout.

And I saved the best for last! I’m a baby wearer.  I wore both of my kiddos in all kinds of contraptions, including a sling. Thanks to our buddies over at Seven, you can be a baby wearer too!
Seven Slings wants to give you a promo code for a free baby carrier (a $48 value). Use coupon code SHOPHER1 at checkout.

Fetch Rewards: Earn 3000 Points When You Refer a Friend!

Abby H.

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Ya’ll know that I’m super excited about Fetch Rewards. It’s a cash back app. You can learn more about it here.

Now for a limited time (there is no expiration date for the offer currently, but it may end at any time), you’ll score 3000 points (that’s $3 in rewards) for every referral. Yup, and there is no limit!

Use my code ND2TB when you sign up and you’ll score 3000 points after you scan in your first receipt with Fetch Rewards. That’s a $3 Amazon Gift Card (or whatever $3 Gift Card you choose). You can find Fetch Rewards in your app store.

One of the things I like most about Fetch Rewards is that even if you don’t buy one of the brands that Fetch Partners with (complete list can be seen here), you still earn points. And you can earn points regardless of where you shop!

So Get Started! Download the app, upload a receipt and share the app with your friends!

 

Disclosure- I’ll receive 3000 points too. Any commissions I receive help to cover the costs associated with blogging.

Top Five Ways to Save Money as a New Parent

Abby H.

765500e0739c9b82c56108534584887c.jpgAhhh, kids. So cute and cuddly (and frustrating sometimes, let’s be honest), but oh my goodness, do they cost a fortune!

A few friends have recently given birth, and I shared with them my tips for saving money the first few years, so I thought I’d share them with you too!

  1. Resale shops, consignment shops, clothing swaps, and hand-me-downs are life (and budget) savers. Kids grow so fast, there is no reason that you need to break the bank buying new clothes. Most of these also have gear and toys too!
  2. Speaking of kids growing quickly, Car seats are a thing that has to be replaced too. Between September 16-30t, 2019, you can trade in an old car seat at Walmart and receive a Free $30 Walmart Gift Card to use on the purchase of a new car seat or other baby gear item. Target sometimes holds similar events.
  3. Mom support groups- Hear me out. Mommy groups get a bad wrap on social media, but it’s nice to know that there are people out there that know what you are going through. You can find mom groups via Facebook and Meetup.
  4. Free Stuff. There are so many companies that cater to parents and kids, everyone is giving away something, you just need to know where to look. Formula companies give away samples and send coupons (I won’t get into the whole debate of breastfed vs. formula fed. If you’ve read my blog long enough, you know about my struggles with IGT– FED IS BEST). Kabrita has a great offer. And as your kids get older, companies like Enfamil/Enfagrow have transitional formulas- and they offer samples and coupons too. I post freebie offers that include stuff for kids and babies each week!
  5. Stores like Walmart and Target usually run free gift bag deals when you start a registry. Right now you can order a Free Walmart Welcome Baby Registry Box when you start a registry.  Huggies has a “Made By You” free sample kit right now as well.

If you aren’t a new parent but know of one, here are a few ways you can help them out (and a recipe, because really, I love cooking!).

 

Family Recipe: Alaskan Meatloaf

Abby H.

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This is my great-grandmother’s recipe. I’m not sure why it’s called Alaska meatloaf. My mom made it a lot when we were kids. It’s quick, easy, and everyone likes it!

Alaska Meatloaf
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
  • 1 lb ground beef (you can use ground turkey is you prefer)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 small can tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 3 cups cooked rice (I like basmati)
  • 1 jar chili sauce (the stuff that’s like cocktail sauce)
  • 2 cups shredded cheese
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix ground meat, egg, tomato sauce, seasoning and bread crumbs.
  3. Pat into a greased 9″ pie plate, making a meat pie “crust”.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes.
  5. In the meantime, mix cooked rice, chili sauce, and half the cheese.
  6. Heap onto the meatloaf crust and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  7. Continue to bake until the meatloaf is done and the cheese is melted about 15-20  minutes.

Serve with a green salad or steamed veggies.

 

One Dish Option: You can add 1-2 cups of chopped veggies to the rice mixture. We like carrots, celery, bell peppers, etc.