frugal

July 11th means….

Abby H.

FREE SLURPIES!!!

Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 2.08.05 PMNext to his birthday and Christmas, this is Lil’ Man’s favorite day of the year!
7-Eleven Day is this Saturday, July 11. Come in to your local 7-Eleven® store and celebrate with a FREE Slurpee drink from 11 AM–7 PM. Be sure to scan the 7-Eleven app to get a punch for your FREE Slurpee and get even closer to your free 7th cup.

Want to keep the party going? Come back for 7Rewards Week, July 12–18 and receive a FREE 7-Select™ food or drink under $2 with the purchase of any cup of7-Eleven Coffee, Iced Coffee, Big Gulp® or Slurpee drink!

 

All East County YMCA locations are FREE and OPEN to the community every Friday in July!

Abby H.2 Comments

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Great news for my East County peeps!!
All East County YMCA locations are FREE and OPEN to the community every Friday in July!

With activities and programs for all ages, Freebie Fridays at the Y are a perfect opportunity to connect with family and friends this summer. Spend some quality time working out alongside your child, taking a spin class with a neighbor, or grab your bathing suit and beat the heat at one of our beautiful pools! At the Y, the doors are open to everyone because all families count!

lI am super excited to hear this! I’ll def. be taking advantage of this with both Lil’ Man and Lil’ Miss.  I see some open swim time in our future!! We LOVE the interactive rec pool and water slide at the Cameron YMCA in Santee!!

 

Weekend Fun On the cheap!!

Abby H.

file4361308158952If you are looking for some fun on a budget, we have compiled a list of national retailers with hands-on workshops, classes and free in-store events for this weekend and many more that are coming soon.

Share this fun,money-saving list with your friends and family. And, if you know of any others to include, please let us know! It is always best to call ahead and make sure that your local store or retailer is participating to avoid disappointment.

 

 

 

bank of america museums on usFree Museum Entrance for Bank of America customers: Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th  Bank of America’s Museums on Us is offering free admission to more than 150 museums nationwide for Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card holders along with a photo ID. For more information about Museums on Us, visit: http://museums.bankofamerica.com.

Barnes & Noble  in store events: July 1st – July 31st  In store events include Throwback Thursdays, Time Travel Weekend, DC Comic Days (July 8-12), Minions Fun (July 17th), Star Wars Saturday (July 18th), Dr. Seuss Spectacular (July 28th & 31st) and more. Find the times and participating Barnes and Noble stores here.

Home Depot Kid’s Workshops: Saturday, July 4th from 9 AM – noon (Our local HD offers them each week, yours may too, call ahead to verify) Kids make and take a Minions Scooter plus get a free orange apron. Get more information and register online here.

Bowling for Kids all Summer: Kids Bowl for Free all summer at select bowling centers. Get two free games for each child, every day, all summer long. She rental is not included. Check to see what nearby bowling alleys are participating here.

Family Movies for $1:  During the Summer Participating Regal Cinemas, United Artists, & Edwards Theaters offer 9 weeks of family movies, rated G or PG, for just $1 on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings at 10 AM. You can see the schedule, starting dates and movies here on the Regal website.

And Coming Soon…

Free National Park Entrance: August 25th – National Park Service Birthday Find out the list of participating parks (over 405 of them) There is only 1 in San Diego. 

Lego Stores Free Model Build. Usually held monthly in stores, kids ages 6 to 14 can build from a small, easy to assemble kit. Contact your closest LEGO® Store here for details.

Be sure and check out your local library (San Diego County Library event website) and parks and recreation departments for free programs and events right in your hometown!

 

Thanks to Lori at More with Less

 

A New Month means New Coupons!

Abby H.

file000786402730I saw a reader today at Walgreens (She recognized Lil’ Man) and she asked why I stopped reminding readers that there are new coupons at the beginning of each month.  I told that I shifted my focus away from deals and couponing, but she asked if I could *please* bring back my once a month reminder posts. So Here ya go Liz, just for you!! But, remember, there are no coupons this weekend due to the holiday!

A new month means new printable and electronic coupons!

Check out the following sites:

You can also sign up for Free Printable coupon alerts via email.  You’ll get an email whenever printable coupons meeting your search parameters are available!

One of my favorite website is the Sunday Coupon Review.  It helps me plot out scenarios in advance and I can email friends to ask for coupons in advance.

Money Saving Tips for Parents!

Abby H.1 Comment

With the arrival of Bitty Bird, saving money has never been more important for our family. Here are just a few ways we save money and earn rewards! Kids are expensive, that’s a fact of life! With coupons, shopping sales, and the myriad of programs that manufacturers run to entice and keep consumers coming back, you will never pay full price for anything baby or kid related again!


Diapers: Huggies and Pampers both have a long running loyalty programs. Each package of diapers and wipes contains a code that can be entered on the manufacturer’s website. Codes are worth points, and those points can be redeemed for gift cards, toys, even free diapers and wipes! Depending on the size of the package, the amount of points varies. Larger packages yield more points. Visit Huggies and Pampers websites to learn more each program and the amount of points that can be earned from each package. Make sure to sign up for their newsletters too. Codes are sometimes in the newsletters too.

Screen Shot 2015-06-29 at 9.43.18 AMFrom Left to Right: Sample Pampers and Huggies Codes found in diaper and wipe packages.

Some stores (Target, Babies R’ Us, and Walgreens to name just two) allow you to stack a manufacturer coupon and store coupon.  Frequently Target has printable store coupons on their website.
Screen Shot 2015-06-29 at 9.43.12 AMTarget store coupon from Target.com/coupons

 

 

 

Screen Shot 2015-06-29 at 9.43.31 AMFormula: For those that will be formula feeding their baby, three of the major formula manufacturers (Enfamil, Similac, and Gerber Good Start) offer high value coupons and/or formula checks and usually samples. Formula checks can be defined as a combination of coupon and an item specific gift certificate. They look like checks and are usually for a high value. Retailers accept them and deposit them like the checks you write from your own checkbook. The formula manufacturers honor the check and the retailer receives the face value of the formula check. Many stores allow you to pair a formula check with a coupon for even more savings.  Target allows you to use a formula check, a manufacturer coupon and a target coupon!

If you are interested in receiving samples and formula checks, visit the infant formula websites and sign up:

Once your baby is old enough to eat baby food, Gerber will send you coupons for cents and dollars off jars of baby food and snacks (like puffs and yogurt melts). Sign up with Beechnut and they will send you some great coupons for rice cereal, baby food and snacks.

Clothing, Toys, and misc. baby stuff: Babies need a lot of STUFF.  If you have friends or relatives with babies, you may receive a lot of hand me downs, and that is great.  It will save you a lot of money and time.  Another cost saving measure is to visit consignment shops tailored to babies and kids. Most consignment shops buy and trade clothes, toys, and furniture. Craigslist is also a great choice! Learn more about clothing swaps and consignment shops here.

Before buying or accepting a carseat, crib, stroller, or baby carrier, check to make sure that it has not been a part of a recall. In the case of carseats and bases, check to make sure the carseat is not expired. Carseats are safe for 5 years.  After that time, the components can break down, the plastic can weaken,  the straps can stretch and no longer hold in the child safely.

When your child grows into the next size, you can take the outgrown clothes to a consignment shop and exchange the outgrown clothes for new (to you!) baby clothes.  We have done that with Little Mans’ clothes since he was little tiny, and it’s a great way to save money! I recently saved up a bunch of store credit at our local baby consignment store so I could purchase a new to us Baby Ergo infant carrier. They can be pretty pricey, so I was saving my credit wisely. I turned outgrown clothing and toys into something that we needed!!

 

Crockpot Recipe: Moosie’s Pot Roast!

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This is a family recipe that’s been around for years. Moosie was a friend of my great-grandmother who lived up in Chicago.

This pot roast recipe is what Moosie served when they had company from out of town.  It’s easy enough to make for your family any night of the week.  The leftovers (if you have any) make a great open faced sandwich.

Moosie’s Pot Roast

Ingredients

  • 1 2-3 lb. pot roast, your favorite cut (I like Chuck Roast)
  • 1 can reduced sodium cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 envelope powdered onion soup mix (I like Lipton’s)

Directions:

  1. Brown the pot roast, place it in the crock pot.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the soups, and pour over the roast.
  3. Place cover on crock pot and cock on low for 6-8 hours.
  4. Before serving, shred the roast with a fork.
  5. If you would like creamier gravy, add 4-6 tablespoons of low fat sour cream 20-30 minutes before serving.

Serves about 6-8. Serve with mashed potatoes  or broccoli.

You can also place 1 whole onion, sliced in the bottom of the crock pot, then the roast, and then poured the gravy sauce overall of it.

Red Hot Sale: Flirty Aprons Irregular Sale (as low as $4!!)

Abby H.

cherrycherry(**The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.)

I love aprons. Between all of the cooking and other messy stuff we do (like crafts), I wear an apron almost every day (after I lost a bunch of clothes to glitter glue- which doesn’t come off, btw, I started wearing an apron at craft time).

I’m all about the cute aprons too. Boring, utilitarian chef’s aprons hold no appeal. I want frills and ruffles, and sometimes even pearls!!

So I let out a tiny squee when I got the email that Flirty Aprons is having a blow out sale on irregular aprons. The flaws in these products are so minor that you probably will not even notice what they are. You gotta hurry, quantities are limited and the sale is over on the 27th of June (that’s Saturday). In addition to ladies aprons, they also have oven mitt sets and even little girls aprons! If you are looking for an awesome mother/Daughter gift, there are a few matching ladies and kiddo sized aprons!

To take a look at what’s available, click here.

Delectable Tuesday: Easy Peasy Black Bean Soup!

Abby H.2 Comments

Hubs loves Black Bean soup.  So based on what we had in the cupboard and fridge, I whipped up a batch. I didn’t have a specific recipe in mind, I just played it by ear and it turned out GREAT!!

Black Bean Soup (makes 6 1-cup servings)

Ingredients:

  • 2 15 oz. cans of organic black beans (do not drain)
  • 2 c. salsa of your choice
  • 1 can chicken broth (if you are a vegetarian, use vegetable broth)
  • 1 bunch cilantro (top, leafy part only) chopped
  • 1/4 c. chopped onion (white or purple, whatever you have)
  • 1/4 c. chopped  Fresh Jalapeño Peppers (about 2)
  • dash of hot sauce (your choice, optional)
  • 6 T. plain Greek Yogurt or low fat Sour Cream

Directions:

  1. Combine everything in a large stockpot.
  2. Cook the soup on low for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Really simmer it gently and allow the flavors to meld.
  3. Ladle into bowls and top each bowl with 1 T. of plain Greek Yogurt or low fat Sour Cream.
  4. Serve with quesadillas and Mexican Cesar Salad.

Mexican Cesar Salad

Ingredients:

  • 6-8 cups of your favorite lettuce/lettuce blend (romaine and bibb is great!)
  • 2 tomatoes cubed/sliced
  • ½ cup purple onion, cut into rings
  • ¼ c ranch dressing
  • ½ c your favorite salsa

Directions:

  1. Combine the salsa and ranch together, chill in fridge 6-8 hours before servings. This allows the flavors to blend.
  2. Toss the veggies in a chilled salad bowl with the dressing.
  3. Top with ¼ c crushed corn chips/tortilla chips for some added crunch!

Serve topped with grilled chicken breasts for an entree or without meat as a side dish.  Serves 3 as an entree, serves 6 as a side dish.

Little Passports: Only 1 day left to save 15%!

Abby H.

**The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.

I love Little Passports! It’s a super cute program designed to help kids learn about the world around them.  Henry and I checked it out earlier in the year and it was really fun. They have three programs based on your child’s age.

It makes a great gift: It’s affordable, educational, and it’s not something that clutters your house with one more piece of  plastic schtuff (which right now, I feel is super important- we’ve been purging out all of the plastic, icky, broken, or neglected toys in favor of more educational, creative play toys and crafts).


Your Cool Summer Savings are here! Little Passports is offering 15% off ANY subscription plan. All you need to do is use code:SUMMER15 at check out. But hurry- these cool summer savings end tomorrow June 16th!!

**This promotion is valid online only at www.littlepassports.com. To redeem enter code SUMMER15 at checkout. Offer valid on new subscriptions only and cannot be combined with any other offers and/or applied retroactively to previously placed orders. Offer applies only to the first month on a Monthly Plan. Offer not valid on Personalized Products and Shop items. Offer excludes shipping and taxes. Offer valid from June 10, 2015 at 8:00AM EST to June 16, 2015 at 11:59PM EST.

 

 

10 Reasons I shop at Target

Abby H.2 Comments

There are a lot of couponers who don’t shop at Target.

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“It’s too hard.”, “It’s too much work.” “They aren’t Coupon Friendly.” Those are some of the reasons I hear. To that I say, I love Target. I am a convert, I used to hate shopping at Target, but when we moved, I discovered that the two Target locations that are close to my home are both coupon friendly and always have plenty of sale items.  I think it all depends on the Target you shop at.

Here are my 10  (now 9) reasons for shopping at Target:

1. You can stack Target coupons and manufacturer coupons.  Target has printable coupons on their website here. 99% of them are Target coupons, meaning they are only redeemable at Target.  Stacking coupons leads to greater savings. If you are looking to print manufacturer coupons (redeemable at any store), click here.

2. I save 5% every time I shop by using my Target Red Card.  It’s a debit card and it’s Target branded, so I can only use it at Target, just like an ATM card (with a PIN).

3.  I’m a member of Target Pharmacy Rewards (it’s free).   This program has gone KAPUT at the end of 2015 when Target and CVS joined up to provide pharmacy services. SIGH.

4. When you sign up for a Target Red Card or start a registry at Target, you get added to their mailing list and about once a month, they’ll send you a packet of really great Target coupons.

5.  Target rewards you for using reusable shopping bags. For every re-usable shopping bag you use on your shopping trip, you’ll save .05! It may only be a nickel per bag, but it can add up!

6. They have a great markdown/clearance section! And they mark their clearance down pretty methodically too.

  • Monday – Electronics, Kids Clothing and Stationary (Cards, GiftWrap, etc.)
  • Tuesday – Domestics, Women’s Clothing, Pets and Market (food items)
  • Wednesday – Men’s Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty, Lawn & Garden items
  • Thursday – House Wares, Lingerie, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Movies, Music, Books, Decor and Luggage
  • Friday – Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, & Jewelry

7. Target Price Matches.  Currently, Target matches prices from  Walmart.com, Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, ToysRUs.com, and BabiesRUs.com. You can use coupons on a price match too! This is great if you have a Target Coupon and a manufacturer coupon to go with your price match! To learn more about price matching at Target, click here.

8. Their return policy is pretty good. Especially if you have a Target Red Card.

9. If you want to know if your local Target carries an item or has a specific item in stock, you can check online.  That saves you time, energy, and gas! (Thanks to Samantha for that tip!)

10.Target Cartwheel: Instead of the traditional dollar or cent off coupons, Target Cartwheel offers savings in a percentage.  You choose specific offers, based on what you buy, and there are new offers all the time! The best part is that you can use Target Cartwheel, a Manufacturer Coupon, and a Target Coupon all on the same item.

And you know what, here is another one- Target is a participating partner in most of the rebate apps (you check out a full list here). So, you’ll be saving a few extra pennies (or dollars) in no time.