God Does Have A Funny way of Telling Us Things

So I got up this morning and the plan was to get everyone ready; drop off Owen and Jahvar then run to the store to get formula and then head to the church to start another long day. During getting ready I did something I NEVER do, actually, I didn't even realize I did it until well afterward. I handed Lillee, my 2 year old daughter, my keys. Looking back I have no idea why I did as normally if I were to see her with my keys I would snatch them and put them up because I know she will lose or hide them.

But not this morning, nope this morning I handed them to her! I can imagine her shock and pleasure when I finally handed her those keys that have been eluding her for months. I only wish she would have kept that prized possession in her possession a little longer.

As we were about to rush out the door I go to where I keep my keys and that's when I realized I had handed them over to my 2 year old. Panic set in and I searched frantically realizing we were already late. It was inevitable, I had to tell my husband what I had done. He opened his mouth to ask me why?, why would I give the keys to our very own Bermuda triangle. But instead he just shook his head and said he wasn't even gonna ask.

After he searched and found nothing. We used the spare key and I brought the guys where they needed to go. But I was still in a dilemma, my keys have the tag I need to go shopping and the key to the church. So I headed home for another sweep of our tiny apartment. The third time around our place I started praying asking God to please show me where the keys are. I know, He's busy but I was desperate! I kept looking and as I did I started noticing all the things around my house that needed to be done.

There were a few dishes in the sink that needed to be washed, a full rack of dishes that needed to be put away. There are toys everywhere that need to be picked up. The livingroom is in complete disarray from a summer/winter clothes swap out that I began last week and at the start of this hectic week neglected. And then God spoke to me clearly!

As a Christian, we all have the gift of the Holy Spirit. And there are times in all of our walks with God when we know the Holy Spirit is speaking to us straight from the throne room of God. The Holy Spirit spoke to me clearly that my keys were not lost, they were put up until it was time for me to go. At first, I was like,"well, Holy Spirit I need to go now so can we stop playing this game and just show me where my keys are?" he then told me to look around, this is where you need to be. You need to stop neglecting your house to sit at the church all day when there isn't anything going on.

The tension I had been feeling released and I started doing dishes. I've let go and I'm letting God reveal to me where they are in His timing. And until then, I'll be cleaning my house!

Amen

Test

Test

CafeMom Influencer Program - Reynold's Slow Cooker Liners

Yay me, I got chosen for a second CafeMom Influencer program! If you didn't see my review for the first CafeMom Influencer program product, Shout Color Catchers, I suggest you check it out here. Well, for this influencer program I tried out Reynold's Slow Cooker Liners. What a great product!

I love my slow cooker but seldom use it because of the hassel it is to clean it up after cooking. So this product was right up my alley! My first task was to decide what I was going to make in the slow cooker. My hubby ended up decieding for me, Peppered Pork Chops! Here's the recipe in case any of you start drooling after seeing the pick and can't help but to run out to Walmart to get your liners and start cooking!

Peppered Pork Chops

What You Will Need

1 large fry pan

1 large crockpot/ slow cooker

1 Reynold's Slow Cooker Liner (of course!!!)

Ingrediants

2 tblspns of EVOO

2 tblspons of minced garlic

1 sm chopped onion

5-6 bone-in pork chops

1 16oz can of beef broth

1 red pepper, seeded and sliced

1 green pepper, seeded and sliced

1tbspn of Worchester Sauce

1 tblspn of Sarachai hot sauce (or your fav hot sauce to taste)

Directions

Heat EVOO in frying pan over medium-hign heat

Add in minced garlic and chopped onions, brown

Add porkchops and brown on each side

While chops brown, place Reynolds Slow Cooker Liner into crock pot making sure bag is flat along the bottom and sides

Add remainder or ingrediants to the slow cooker

when the pork chops are browned add them to the other ingrediants

cook on low for 6-8 hours

or hig for 4-6 hours

Serve with your favorite rice and I had some leftover Zuchini Parmesean

Let the crock pot cool down and then clean up is as easy as this

Ill never cook in the crockpot without a Reynolds Slow Cooker Liner again! And I can't wait to try it with some of my stickier recipes like Crockpot Applesauce and Breakfast Bread! Some other moms already put it to that test, you can see their reviews here.

SheSpeaks.com

Just got invited to the SheSpeaks EnfaGrow Older Toddler Program! Can't eat to get our 2 packs of EnfaGrow Ready To Drink Milk Drinks and $15 in coupons!!!! Join SheSpeaks.com today. So far I've tested and received free kids toothpaste and toothbrushes, feminine care products and now this!

CafeMom - Shout Color Catchers Influencer

Yay, I got picked for CafeMom's Shout Color Catchers Influencer program! UPS dropped off my package last week and so far I've used them in two huge loads of mixed laundry.

I must admit, when I read the description of the product I was skeptical. I mean, who would have thought that DyeHoldTM Technology really exists. Well, it does!!! It's like throwing a sheet of tiny magnets into a washer filled with clothes and that stuff in the Etch-A-Sketch and when the clothes come out their free of any mess and it's stuck to the sheet.

An added bonus I have noticed with this product is it eliminates the dingies. Now I haven't seen this advertised as a perk of the product but I have seen it with my own eyes. First with a 28 year old stuff animal and tee shirts. Also, in this last load with our old spare bathroom rug. You know the old dingy one you use when the one that goes with your current set is being washed, yup THAT ONE!!! It looks brand new! Of course, I didn't expect this marvelous revitalization so I didn't take before pics but take my word for it. They were dingy after multiple washes with detergent alone!

So if I were you I'd be running to your local market and grabbing a few boxes! Maybe we will even find some coupons in the paper soon or better yet; write the company, SC Johnson, and let them know you heard about their great product and would like a coupon! (I wouldn't hate you if that email contained a link to this blog)!!

Healthier Stuffed Peppers

Healthier Stuffed Peppers

 

What You Will Need:

1lb of Shoprite Lean Ground Turkey

5 Large Green Peppers

1/2 of a Yellow Sweet Pepper

1/2 of a Red Sweet Pepper

1 jar of Ragu Parmesan & Romano Sauce

1 bag of Success Boil-In-Bag Brown Rice

Onion Powder

Garlic Powder

Salt

Pepper

1 tsp of Olive Oil

How To Make it:

Preheat oven to 350

Brown the ground turkey in and frying pan with a teaspoon of olive oil. Season as desired

Put a large pan of water on to boil to blanch the peppers

Boil the bag of rice as directed

Cut tops off of the green peppers

Dice the usable parts of the tops of the green pepper as well as the red and yellow peppers and place in a large bowl.

 

 

Add half the jar of sauce to the bowl with the peppers and add seasonings to taste. Drain the browned turkey meat and add to the mixture and stir.

Drain rice and add to the mixture and stir.

Once the water is boiling, throw peppers into boiling water, filling them with the water. Place lid on pan and boil for 2-3 minutes.

 

 

 

 

Remove peppers, drain and place in a baking dish. Stuff with rice mixture to the top

Pour half of the remaining sauce around the top of the peppers and then bake for 15 minutes.

After the 15 minutes, pour the remaining sauce over the peppers.





Bake another 15 minutes for crispier peppers or 30 minutes for softer peppers. Let stand 5 minutes after removing from oven and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.



Toddler Proof Yogurt

Lillee just turned 2 last Friday and she's at the stage where she wants to eat everything by herself. I was preparing lunch when her brother asked for Yoplait (he knows how to read now so I guess just calling it yogurt like he used to is beneath him!). I hesitated because I knew Lillee would want her own and I just washed the floor. I begrudgingly gave them the Yoplait and of course Lillees first bite lands on the floor and the second down her third outfit of the day do I try to get her to let me feed her to wich I was told," NO Mommy, I don't want it!" in a stern voice! And then I seen it, the box of Trix sitting on the freezer so I ask her if I can put her yogurt on a bowl with the Trix. She says yes and that's the end of the slip-of-the-spoon-mess!

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

I just created the most amazing side dish ever! Here how You can make it.

What You Will Need:

6-8 potatoes, washed & cubed

15-20 slices of bacon, cooked & crumbled

Small block of Colby Jack Cheese, shredded and separated into 2 equal piles

16oz container or sour cream based ranch dip

1 stick of butter, cubed

Paprika
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
Onion powder

How To Make It:

Preheat oven to 450

Place cubed potatoes in a casserole dish

Place cubed butter all over the top of potatoes

Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, paprika, onion and garlic powders

Cover with aluminum foil and bake 1 hour

Remove from oven and slightly mash the potatoes. You just want to break them up a bit.

Add bacon, sour cream ranch dip, and one pile of the shredded cheese

Mix together. This should break the potatoes down a bit more.

Flatten top with a spoon then sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Amazing!

Women's Breakfast - God Doesn't Want Us To Worry

This morning I went to the monthly Women's Breakfast at our church. The topic this month was, "God Doesn't Want Us To Worry." This topic was right on point for many of the women in attendance, myself included to an extent.

I used to be a worrier. I used to worry about bills, I used to worry about my kids when they aren't with us, I used to worry about what people thought of me, and I was miserable. My marriage was suffering because I would take my worry out on my husband. I could not understand why he wasn't worried about these things. I thought if he wasn't worried he just didn't care enough.

It was during a rather "colorful discussion" about our finances I laid into my husband about not caring. He looked at me and said,"I don't worry because I know God will take care of us. Not because I don't care." I had nothing to say. I guess it never really hit me before then that God cares about all our needs not just our spiritual needs. And from then on I have seen God do some amazing things to provide for us. Hundreds of dollars of checks in the mail from old accounts we never knew we're owed to us, envelopes of money left on our doorstep when we returned home from church, opening up opportunities for odd jobs and so on. God has always provided me and my family with what we NEEDED. Because of this I trust completely in my God to take care of us. We may not have everything we want but we have everything we need. Some times God has to hold back the things we want so His will can be done.

I guess you could say that God has trained me to have a blind, child-like faith in him. I pray that all Christians would come to know Him as, Jehovah Jirah, The Lord Our Provider. It breaks my heart to see people who have been Christians for many years and still have such little faith in God's ability to take care of them. As Christians we need to know God will bless us beyond any curse, beyond any plot of the enemy. But we can not let our own self-pity or doubt get in the way of God.

The Great Ant Chase

If you follow me on Facebook then you know that for the past almost month now I have been having issues with Lillee and I getting bit. Took her to the Dr. and they gave her cream but couldn't say for sure what the bites were from. So, I wigged out bc of the huge bedbug outbreak in New York and tore the house apart looking for them. I was convinced we were infested and I'd find a huge colony of yucky bugs living in our beds! Thankfully our search turned up nothing but we sprayed for them anyways.

The bites continued and one day while at the church getting Lillee up from her nap I saw a trail of ants by her play pen on the wall. I thought I had found the answer! We vacuumed and cleaned the carpets, sprayed the entry point and placed ant traps. Still, the bites continued to appear even though we seen no more ants.

At this point, I'm desperate! I have no idea what the bites are or where she is getting them from.

Today, I got her dressed and checked her body for new bites. Nothing. This made me feel like they definitely aren't bed big bites (yes, I was still worried even after spraying, I'm a bit of a psycho). So, we got in the van and headed to the church. We spent most of the day there then went grocery shopping and came home. She fell asleep in the van so when we got home Owen put her in her bed. When she got up I took of her sandals to find 4 bites in the side of one foot and 1 on her baby toe on the other foot!

So, now I've have a time frame to go by! The only places she spent a significant amount of time today was our home, the church and our van. The bugs have to be in one of these 3 places! Since the van is the smallest area I am going to clean it out completely. Vacuum it and then spray it with a water/vinegar solution they say will keep ants away. I'm going to use a marker to circle the bites she has to see if she gets any others.

If you have any other suggestions please let me know!

ShopRite Trip - 7/3/12

Sorry no pictures this post. Forgot to take them before I put it all away.

Here's what I got:

4 Go-Gurt on sale 2/$4

4 Lean Cuisine French Bread Pizza on sale 4/$10

4 Lloyds BBQ chicken, beef and pork on sale $3.99 each

6 Hamburger Helper on sale 2/$4

2 Big Bag of M&M's on sale 2/$5

2 Tyson Anytizers on sale 2/$5

2 Large Bags of Doritos on sale 2/$5


I used the following coupons:

$1/2 Doritos

4x $1/1 Lloyd's BBQ

2x $.75/2 Go-Gurt which doubled

$1/4 Lean Cuisine

2x $1/1 Tyson Anytizers (these were actually for the bags not the boxed but the cashier pushed it through)

And I also used my $10 Baby Bucks Coupon.

Total Spent: $42.45
Total Saved: $55.51

ShopRite Trip 6/28/12 $4.88

Sorry no picture, I forgot to take one before putting it all away.

Here is what I got:

2 Smart Balance Butter Spreads on sale for 2/$3

1 pack Jumbo Baby Dry Pampers on sale for $9.59

2 Kotex Overnights on sale for $2.99 each

4 Palmolive Liquid Fresh Sponge Dish Soap on sale for $1.88 each

1 Suave Body Wash on sale for $1.99

2 Pull Ups Wipes $1.99

1 Colgate Toothpaste on sale for $.88

Tax: $2.13

Coupons used:

$3.00/1 Pampers store coupon
$.75/1 wipes doubled. Used 2
$.75/1 Suave doubled
$2/2 Kotex
$1/1 Palmolive. Used 4
$.35/1 Colgate
$1/next order store coupon. Used 2
$1/1 Smart Balance
$1.60/1 Smart Balance

I also had a $1.50 off Pampers coupon I gave then but now see they didn't take it off.

I used the $10.05 I had left on the Gift Card from the $75/$25 deal.

I paid $4.88 out of pocket.

CVS Trip 6/26/12

I learned today that in NY you have to pay tax on the pre coupon price! I don't like that but like a wise Italian lady once told me, " you can't win a fight against city hall." of course, if you knew this lady that statement would be pretty funny!

So here is what I got and what I paid for it.

45oz Xtra Laundry Detergent was on sale for $1.49. I got 2.

Physician Formula organic mascara was $11.49 (the sticker said $9.99 but the shelf said $11.49 and it rung up as $11.49) you buy 1 get 1 50% off so I got the concealer for $5.24

I used the following coupons

CVS Coupons:
$7 off any Physician Formula purchase
$3 off $10 cosmetic purchase
$3 Happy Birthday Gift
$5 off a $20 purchase(must use this coupon first before other coupons)

Manufacturer Coupons:

$1/2 Xtra

Total: $.71
Tax: $.98
Out of Pocket: $1.69

Shoprite $75/$25 Deal - 6/19/12

Today's mission was to conquer Shoprite's spend $75 get a $25 gift card offer spending as little as possible out of pocket. My total before coupons was $75.15 - just enough to qualify! Minus my $16 worth of coupons and I spent $59.15 and got a $25 gift card!

Here's what I got:

1 Box Fruit Roll Ups
1 Box Gushers
1 Box Ritz Bits
1 Box Wheat Thins
9 Packets Knorr Rice
2 Fresh Takes
1 Trix Yogurt 4-pk
2 Philadelphia Cooking Creme
2 Wishbone Dressing
2 Kraft Dressing
3 Capri Sun
3 Kool-Aid Jammers
3 Capri Sun 100% Juice
1 Philadelphia Indulge Milk Chocolate

Shoprite Kellogg's Cereal Deal - 6/19/12

Today I got 9 boxes of Kellogg's cereal for $7.01!!!!!

Retail Value: $3.49/box
Sale Price: $1.99/box

I had 3 $.70 off coupons that doubled to $1.40 each. A $1 off Shoprite coupon. A $1.00 of cereal Shoprite coupon and 2 $1/3 cereal coupons.

Does the Holy Spirit take vacation?

There are times when my spirit feels weak and I long for the word of God. At these times I will sit down with my Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to let me open it at the place I need to be. I've done this a million times and the scriptures always fit. But not tonight, as I opened the Bible I fully anticipated a good ole lashing of "honor your mother and father". (the type of discipline I have come to expect from the Holy Spirit after a day like today) But apparently, that wasn't the case, I guess because I was already convicted and asked forgiveness He granted me a little grace.

So, I began reading 2 Chronicles 33-36 and thinking this has nothing to do with what I just experienced, maybe the Holy Spirits on vacation and I aimlessly just opened the Bible. He laughed(we are cool like that) and instructed me to read chapters 34 & 35 again. I did and He asked,"so what did you get out of that?" I thought about what I had just read and honestly my first thought was,"wow, the Duggar's must really like this guy they named 2 of their kids, Josiah and Josie, after him!" I know, I'm not the most spiritually inept person some times but God works with me. Then my second thought was I need to reread that last chapter because I really didn't get why he died. I read it again and it all became so clear!

King Josiah spent his entire life bringing people into line with the word of God but in the end He himself wouldn't follow God's commands. Because of this God allowed his enemies to destroy him. Now that I fully understood the life of King Josiah I had 2 questions. First, of course, why would the Duggar's name 2 of their kids after a guy who in the end didn't really know God and then why did the Holy Spirit bring me to this story.

The first question, is like the Tootsie Pop commercial, the world may never know! But, I got the revelation on the important one! A lot of it was personal revelation on where God has us(my husband and I) right now but the over all revelation that can apply to everyone is don't be a King Josiah!

If you are in ministry, this is a warning, you better believe 150% in what you are leading others in to or in the end your unbelief will surface and destroy you.

This can also be applied to everyone's lives: don't work at something your entire life that you don't believe in! In other words don't do a job just to do a job. I'm not saying quit your job if you hate but find out what you love to do and take the steps to get you going in that direction!

Sneaking in a few great deals this week!

I got frustrated this week because my printer wouldnt work and was going to skip couponing. But, I found a few great deals I just couldn't resist! Im heading out in a bit to Walgreen's, CVS, and Shoprite.

This is my first trip to Walgreen's and I have heard some horror stories so I am nervous! Here is what I plan on getting:

2pks of Avent Soothie Pacifiers on Sale for $4.29.
Im using this $1.50 off 1 Avent Pacifier Pack coupon
and a $2.00 off Avent Pacifier coupon from Walgreens March Coupon Booklet

Im planning on getting 2 packs and using 4 coupons so I am pretty sure I need to buy 2 filler items if I understand Walgreen's Coupon Policy. I'll let you know how it goes *fingers crossed*

Then at CVS I will be getting:

Schick Hydro 5 Power Select Razor on sale for $9.99
Im using the $4.00 off one Schick Hydro Power Select from last weeks inserts
Im getting a $4.00 ECB for buying the product

Schick Hydro 5 Refill on sale for $8.49
Im using the $2.00 off one Schick Hydro 5 refill from last weeks inserts
Im getting a $4.00 ECB for buying the product

I also have $3.00 in ECB's from last week to use towards this purchase. After taxes I plan on spending $11.05 OOP and getting $8.00 in ECB's for the next trip!

Then at Shoprite I will get:

2 Airwick Flip n Flesh on sale for $2.50 each
I will use 2-$1/1 Airwick Flip n Fresh from last weeks inserts

2 Lysol Bowl Cleaner on sale for $1.99 each
I will use $1/2 Lysol Bowl Cleaners from last weeks inserts

2 Lysol Kitchen Cleaners on sale for $1.99 each
I will use $1/2 Lysol Kitchen Cleaners from last weeks inserts

1 Schick Hydro Silk Razor on sale for $4.99 w/$10.00 purchase
I will use the $4.00/1 Schick Hydro Silk Razor coupon from last weeks inserts

I also have a coupon for a free Reusable Bag from last week.
I will also be using a $2.00 off your next order coupon from last week and also a $10.00 Dollar Days Reward from last week.

Using these coupons I will have to buy a candy bar or gum so I dont lose the extra $.73 cents. So I might end up paying about $.35 for everything!

I will also be getting back another free reusable bag coupon and a $5 Dollar Days Reward.
I also have $5.45 in returnable bottles so really this trip is a money maker!!!!!

ShopRite Dollar Days Deals- Week 1

I'm loving ShopRite's Dollar Days! This week I did 2 transactions.

1st Transaction:

3 Knorr Rice Sides $1each.

2 Wishbone Dressings 2/$4

I used:

2 $.50/1 Knorr coupons that doubled

1 $.65 Knorr Cellfire coupon that doubled

Making my OOP $3.70

I got:

$3.00 off your next order
Free $.99 Reusable ShopRite Bag

Transaction 2:

4 Chex Mix @ 2/$4

2 Tostino's Stuffers @ $3.99 each

6 Tostino's Party Pizza @ 2/$3

1 ShopRite Reusable Bag

I used:

$3 off coupon from Trans 1

Free Bag coupon from trans 1

2 $.40 off Chex coupons which dbls

$1 Chex Cellfire coupon

2 $.75 off Pizza Stuffers coupons dbls

2 $.60 off Party Pizza dbls

My OOP:$13.94

I got:

$2 off next order from Chex

$10 off next order from Dollar Days

Free Shopping Bag $.99 value

CVS Trip- 2/23/2012

This was a small trip because the ECB deals weren't thrilling this week. I basically just got what I was out of that was a good deal.

3 12pks of Sunkist Soda 3/$10+tax and deposits get $2 ECB

5 Colgate Kids Toothpaste 5/$5

1 Duracell AA Battery $3.99. get $1 ECB used $1/1 coupon

1 Glade Sense & Spray Refill $3 used $1/1 coupon

I wasn't planning on it but the kids were with me and suckered me into getting them a toy(which Jahvar already broke and we aren't even home yet) and candy which added $6.40 to my total.

2 Easter Novelty Toys 2/$4

3 Hershey Bars b2g1 at $1.19 each.

I used the two coupons listed above and a CVS $4/20 and a $5 ECB from the Softsoap deal last week.

I paid $21.23 out of pocket.

CVS Trip - 2/13/2012, Paid $8.09

So my trip to CVS was just short of a disaster. I've never had a problem at CVS before. I should have known Sunday when I looked in the Red Plum insert and couldn't find my prized Nivea lip care coupons, the week was a bust!

My plan included a few toothpaste deals that were definitely NOT deals! You got to be careful when they dont advertise the price of a product, it usually means its too much My first rule of couponing is you never pay for toothpaste, NEVER! So I dumbed those deals which would have gotten me $14 ECB's.

I moved on to my only ECB deal left: buying 5 of the Softsoap products that were on sale for $3 each. I had 3/$1 off coupons for the body wash and 2/$.40 off for the hand soap. I was supposed to get $5 ECB's back but it didn't print! I went to the car and realized the Spongbob soap that was marked for $3 only rung up for $2.19. Great for savings, bad for my deal. Now I got to go buy another one by the end of the week.

Here is what I got and how:

3 Got 2 Be Products- Retail $7.99 each on sale for $3.99 each, I used 3/$3 off coupons. Paying $.99each

3 Softsoap Body Wash- Retail $4.49 on sale for $3, I used 3/$1 off coupons paying $2 each

1 Softsoap Foaming Hand Soap- Retail $4.39 on sale $3, I used 1/$.40 coupon paying $2.60

1 Softsoap Spongebob Hand Soap/ Retail $4.39 on sale $2.19, I used 1/$.40 coupon paying $1.79

3 Stuffed Animals @ $4.99 each
1 Beanie Baby @ $6.99
4 Boxed Chocolate @ $.99

I then used my $24 ECB and $6 ECB from last week.

I also used a 20% off CVS coupon. It didn't come off first like I scanned it but last, even after the ECBs. So, it came out to be more like 10% off the precoupon total.

I paid out of pocket:$8.09

Couponing 101- Coupon Collecting/ Organization

Couponing can be a very time consuming task. Below I will share with you some ways to cut down on the time you will spend couponing each week.

If you are new to couponing the firt thing you are going to want to do is start your coupon collection. You can obtain coupons from your local sunday newspaper, from online websites and here in New Rochelle we usually get an insert in our Wednesday mail with the local store circulars. A general rule of thumb in coupon collecting is you want to purchase 1 Sunday paper for every member in your house that way you have multiple coupons for the same item.

Once you begin collecting coupons your next step is storing and organizing them. There are many ways to do this but I use an easy 3 step process. I have an expanding file I use the organize my inserts. I have labeled the tabs Week1 SmartSource, Week1 Red Plum, Week1 P&G and Week1 Misc. I continue this pattern for weeks 3, 4, and 5 for the occasional 5 week month. Once I get the inserts I file them away. This makes it easy when you are using some of the websites that tell you where you can find the coupon by what insert and date they were in.

In my second step of filing I usually stay a week behind. For an example: tomorrow I will be getting new inserts from the Sunday paper. Instead of cutting and filing those I will be cutting and filing the ones from last Sunday. So, tomorrow I will go through the inserts from last week and cut out only the coupons I am most likely to use. When you have multiple inserts that are the same it is easiest to take the identical inserts and cut them all at once. I do this by lining up the pages and then paper clipping the sides. I then cut out the 3 coupons all at once. You must be careful they are lined up well or you can cut the barcode or expiration date. Once I have cut out all my most likely to be usedx coupons I file the rest of the insert back into the expanding file and put the cut coupons into my coupon binder.



To create a coupon binder you will need a 2"-3" 3-ring binder, dividers and a package of 9 pocket baseball card holders for 3-ring binders. To assemble your binder you are going to want to label your dividers with catagories. These might vary depending on your needs but this is what I have in my binder: baby, candy, canned, cereal, cleaning, dairy, drinks, frozen, hair care, meats, meds, mouth care, paper, personal care, skin care, snacks, soap, misc., baking and bread. You then file your cut coupons under the appropriate catagory. For must coupons you will have to fold them to fit in the pouch. I like to fold mine so I can see the item and amount off in the fron if possible and the expiration date on the back when I flip the page.

The third step to coupon filing comes when you are putting your deals together and are about to go to the store. You can use a small coupon organizer and label it for the stores you frequent. Then when you are done putting together your list of deals you just file your list and coupons under the store. When you get to the store just pull out your list and you are all set!

February 2012 Meal Plan

The month of February got off to a rough start of random, mostly unhealthy meals mostly on the go. We were actually home today, all day, because Jahvar is sick. So I decided to take the opportunity to sit down and plan out meals according to our schedule. Most of them are clickable links to the recipes I will be using but some are just quick meals I throw together. Someday I will get around to posting those recipes but today is not that day!
February 2012 Meal Plan

1. Skipped
2. Skipped
3. Skipped
4. Skipped
5. Skipped
6. Skipped
7. Italian Baked Chicken w/ Rice
8. Bacon Cheeseburgers w/ fries
9. Shepherd's Pie w/ biscuits
10. Keilbasa w/ red beans & rice
11. Chicken strips w/ fries
12. Crockpot chili w/ rice
13. Stuffed Chicken w/ sweet potato & broccoli
14. Pierogies & Keilbasa Skillet
15. Chicken Sandwiches w/ potato salad
16. Lasagna
17. eat out
18. eat out
19. eat out
20. Homemade Pizza
21. Crockpot Chili
22. Chicken Sandwiches w/fries
23. Chicken & Dumplings
24. Blue Cheese Burgers with pasta salad
25. Crockpot White Chicken Chili
26. Meatball Grinders w/ toss salad
27. Crock Pot Split Pea Soup
28. Chicken Alfredo w/ broccoli
29. Leftover Night

Shoprite Trip 2/2/12

So Shoprite has so GREAT deals this week!

Here's what I got and how:

4-12pk Pepsi products on sale 4-$11

2 big bags of Doritos- FREE for buying the soda!

3 Tostino's Pizza Rolls on sale $.99
-used 3 $.35/1 which dbl to $.70/1

4 Lipton Onion soup mix on sale $.99
-used 2 $.60/2 which dbl to $1.20
- got 2 in store coupons for $1.50 off sour cream when you buy 2 Lipton soup mix!!!

2 Friendship Sour Cream $1.34 each
-used in store coupons mentioned above.

2.66lb Bananas on sale $.49lb

6 Pillsbury Grands Biscuits sale $.99
- used 3 $.40/2 dbl to $.80

3 Palmolive Dish Soap sale $.88
- used 3 $.35/1

3 Colgate Toothpaste sale $.99
- used 3 $.35/1

6 10pk BIC Disp. Razor sale $1.64
- used 3 b1g1 coupons

6 Teen Spirit Deodorant sale $.99
- used 3 b1g1 coupons

3 Colgate Toothbrushes sale $.99
- used 3 $.25/1 coupons

I paid: $45.91
Saving:$91.98!!!!

CVS week of 1/31/12

This week I did my CVS trip at a different store then normally because My Store has a tiny parking lot and scheduled 3 different deliveries all at once! The new store is a lot bigger and I LOVE the self-check out even though it gave me a lot of trouble. Two different clerks helped me and now that I know the self-check out tricks I'll be better prepared next time!

I also did my trip in 2 transactions to "roll" the Skintimates deal. Below is how each transaction works:

1st Transaction:

2 Hellmann's Mayo on sale 2/$6
-used $.40/2 coupon

4 Pringle's Chips on sale 4/$5.96
-used $1/4 coupon
-Got $1 ECB

2 Ragu & 1 Bertolli Sauce on sale 3/$5
-used $1/2 coupon
-got $3 ECB

2-3pk Irish Spring Bar Soap on sale for $3 (was going to get 3 but they only had 2, I just realized I never pulled out the third coupon and the clerk entered them manually)
-used 3 $.50 off 1 coupons

2 Softsoap Foam on sale $3 (planned 1 but had to replace the Irish Spring they didn't have)
- used 1-$.40/1
- got $6 ECB

2 Dawn Dish Soap on sale $.98
- used $1/2 coupon

Tom of Maine Deodorant $3.99
- got $3 ECB

4 Hershey Milk Chocolate $1.19each
3 Hershey Air Delight Free w/buy Milk Chocolate get Air Delight coupons
2 Resses Peanut Butter Cups Free w/CVS buy2get1free deal

3 $.99 Hallmark Greeting Cards
-got $3 ECB

2 Skintimate Shave Gel $4.29 each
- got $8 ECB

I used $19 in ECB's from last week and the $10 Gift Card from last week.

I paid $18.80 OOP
I got $24 ECB's


Transaction 2:

6 Skintimate Shave Gels @$4.29

I used the $24.00 ECB's
I paid $3.90 OOP
I got $24 ECB's for next trip!

My Biggest CVS Trip Yet!!!!!!!

So I have had this BIG CVS trip planned since I got a sneak peek of the ad last week! I've been so excited to execute my plan but was held back because my income tax hadn't come in yet! It finally came in this morning and I went straight to CVS!!!! I had to drag hubby along because I needed someone to push the other cart(I dont know why they make them so small, widen the aisles) which meant we had Lilleebean too.

My plan was to spend $69 and get back $29 in ExtraCare Bucks. However, when I got to my CVS they never got half of their Valentine's Day Candy in and they had no Bounty Basic paper towels. I must say the manager was very nice and was going to give me the regular Bounty towels at the sale prices but they wouldn't have counted towards the Buy $30 Get $10 deal so I didn't get it there and got it at the store down the street. In New Rochelle there are litterally 6 CVS in a 3 mile radius(Im not kidding). I ended up not being able to use $7 in coupons because the size was wrong or they didnt have the item and I had to buy 4 sets of 2/$6 items instead of 2/$5 items and an extra Bounty because the M&M's didn't count towards both deals so my total out of pocket was $81.44 and I got back $29 in ExtraCare Bucks!

So here's what I got and how:

Spend $30, Get $10 Deal

Bounty Basic 8pk Paper Towels on sale for $5.99, I got 2 and had a $1/1 coupon

Wrigley's 3pk Gum on sale for 2/$3.00

Coke 12pks on sale for 2/$5.00, I got 2 deals for $10 plus tax and deposit

Snickers/Twix on sale 2/$6.00, I used a $1.50/1 coupon


Hershey's/Hallmark Spend $15/Get $5

M&M's on sale 2/$6.00, I used $1.50/1 coupon

Hershey's Kisses on sale 2/$5.00, I used 2 $1/1 CVS red machine coupons, I got 2 for my sunday school class :)

Hallmark V-Day Cards $.99, I got 2


Shick Spend $20, Get $10 Deal

Shick Quttro on sale for $11.99, I used $2.00/1
Shick Disposables on sale for $9.99, I used $2.00/1

ExtraCare Buck Deals

Frito Lay's Munchies 2/$6, get $2 ECB

Lay's Chips 2/$6, get $1 ECB

Kleenex Tissue 3pk $2.99, Get $1 ECB and I used a $.50/1 coupon

I also used $8 in ECB's towards this purchase.


Total Before Sale/Coupons: $142.84
Total Out of Pocket: $81.44
A Savings of: $61.40
ECB Earned: $29.00

CVS Trip 1/18/12

Just a small trip this week but I good one! I saved $47.67, spent $22.42 and got $8.00 in ExtraCare Bucks to spend this week!

Here's how:

Herbal Essence/Aussie/Pantene products are normally $4.99 each. This week they were on sale for 3/$9.99

I got a Herbal Essence Hair Spray and Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner for the 3/$9.99 deal and used a $3.00/2 Pantene and a $1.00/1 Herbal Essence coupon.

Axe Deodarant are normally $4.89 each. This week they were on sale for 3/$13. I used 3 $1.00/1 coupons.

Glade Sense and Spray and Glade Plug Ins are normally $12.49 each. This week on sale for $5.00!!! I used 2/$3.50 off the Sense & Spray and 1/$3.00 off Plug Ins making them only $2.00-$2.50 each!

I also used the $4.00 & $.075 ExtraCare bucks from last week making my total Out of pocket $22.42.

And I received $4.00 in ExtraCare bucks for buying the Glade products and $4.00 in Extra Care bucks for buying the Axe products!

Oatmeal Apple Muffins

Makes 12 Muffins

Muffins
1 1/2 cups oats (quick or OF)
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg white
1 small apple


Topping
1/2 cup oats (quick or OF)
2 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons melted margarine

Directions:

Heat oven to 400.

Spray muffin tin with non-stick spray

Mix oats, flour, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda.

Add applesauce, milk, brown sugar, oil and egg white.

Mix just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Fill muffin cups almost full.

Cut apple into very small pieces and sprinkle over muffin batter.

For topping combine remaining ingredients. Sprinkle evenly over batter.

Bake 22-24 minutes until golden brown.

Save tons with Homemade Laundry Soap

I LOVE this laundry soap and even have used it for cloth diapers with great results!

Here's what you will need:

4  Cups - hot tap water
1  Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax

Here's how to make it:
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled.

-Top Load Machine- 3/4 Cup per load (Approx. 150 loads)

-Front Load Machines- 1/3 Cup per load (Approx.  525 loads)

Shoprite

I must say I had a great time shopping at Shoprite today! I had several issues including an item that was advertised incorrectly, an out of stock item and I forgot a coupon! But the customer service I received was great! They figured out the mistake with the item that was advertised incorrectly and gave me the item at the advertised price, gave me a rain check for the out of stock item and even refunded me $5 cash for the coupon and all without an attitude! In NY that's a miracle.

So here's what I got:

10 Mondo 6pk Fruit Drinks @ 10/$10

6 boxes of Teddy Garahms @ 2/$5

4 Jello 6pk pudding cups @ 2/$6

2 Doritos @ $2.37each

5 Starkist White Albacore Tuna @ $.79each

2 Prego Spaghetti Sauce @ 2/$5

8 Campbells Chicken Noodle @$.65each

4 Campbells Condensed Soups @ 4/$5

3 Colgate Full Size Toothpaste @ 3/$3.99

1 Colgate toothbrush @ $1.00

5 12pk Cases of Coke products @ 5/$10

4 StayFree Maxi Pads @ $1.99each

Coupons Used:

B1G1 StayFree Pads x2

$3/2 Nabisco coupons x2

$1/2 Jello coupon x2

$.40/2 Campbells Coupons x4

$.50/2 Campells Coupons x2

$.50/1 Prego Coupon x2

Shoprite doubled all Campbell coupons and I just noticed on my reciept the Prego coupons never came off, grr!

Retail Value:$151.13
I paid:$68.14

Stop&Shop Trip

Today at Stop&Shop I paid $38.99 for $78.63 in groceries! Almost a 50% savings! Here's what I got and how I did it.

Kraft Phillidelphia Cream Cheese 2/$4

Suave Body Lotion 2/$5

Oscar Meyer Luchables 10/$10x2

Ken's Salad Dressing $1x3

Scott Toilet Paper 20pk $10.99

I used these coupons:

Scott TP Save Now on bag $1 off

Ken's Dressing $1 off from this Sunday x2

Suave Lotion $1off from this Sunday x2

Sorry didn't take any pictures!

Babies "R" Us Diaper Deal

So the diaper deal didn't work as was originally posted but I still got a great deal! Please note this deal is best when done in multiple transactions. Please check your box of diapers to make sure they are the box that says it contains coupons. Also please check to make sure the box isn't tampered with! Unfortunately my first box was slit on the side and the coupons stolen.

Here's How:

1st Transaction:

Babies R Us 72ct Diapers
Retail:$26.99
Sale Price:$10.00

Babies R Us 432ct Wipes
Retail:$14.99
Sale Price:$9.99

Instantly receive $10 off when you buy the two together!

Pay only $9.99+tax!

You now repeat the transaction using the coupons in your first box. Now you will have a $2.00 off coupon for wipes and a $5.00 off coupon for diapers from your box of diapers. Some stores will take both, some are only taking the wipe because the diapers zero out when the $10 comes off instantly.
You can repeat this over and over!

I paid $10.43 for my first transaction and $$8.43 for my second.

Retail Value:$54.97
I paid: $18.96 and got $100 in Babies R Us coupons

Detailed CVS Trip

Today's trip to CVS was small but great deals on things we needed! So here's a list of what I got and their retail value. Then I'll show you what coupons I used.

6 Suave Kids 2 in 1 Shampoo retail:$3.19 each

2 Listerine Advanced Mouthwash
Retail:$5.99 each

3 Suave Invisible Solid Deodarent
Retail:$1.34

1 3 Muskateers Bar
Retail:$1.19

Retail Value:$37.52
I Paid:$13.30

Here's How:

Kid's Suave on sale 3/$5 a got 2 deals and used 3 $1/2 coupons from today's Red Plum

Listerine Advance on sale for $3.99 I got 2 deals and used 2 $1/1 coupons from today's Red Plum plus I got $4.00 in Extrabucks to use next week!

Suave Deodarant on Sale for $1 I got 3 deals and used 3 $.75/1 coupons from today's Red Plum

The 3 Muskeeters Bar was on sale for $.75 and I got a $.75 Extrabucks for next week!

I also used $3.00 in Extrabucks from last week to pay for this purchase so my out of pocket was $13.30 and I got back $4.75 in Extrabucks to use next week.

A Mommy Revelation

So last night was our first reinvented Soaking & Seeking night at church. It was a late night event, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. I had spent tons of time the last two days helping to prepare for it and was so excited!

I let the kids stay up super late the night before half because we were at the church doing prep work till midnight and half because I was hoping they would sleep early the next night. Of course, last night came and no one wanted to go to bed so instead of being in the sanctuary with everyone I was stuck in the children's room yet again. We played, watched movies and read books from 9 till well after midnight with several bedtime attempts in between.

After a few bedtime attempts filled with tantrums and crying I began to realize I wasn't making it in and got frustrated. I was asking God why things always have to be so difficult and just working myself up. I then looked over at my babies and realized, these are the best times and I'm thankful for them.

There are many moms that have to go right back to work after having kids and someone else raises their kids. God has provided for us in an unusual way so that we are home with our children in these most important years. I am so grateful to have had those few hours last night with my kids even though I didn't get to go inside the sanctuary.

Sometime after midnight the kids finally feel asleep and thanks to the wonderful technology God has blessed us with I was able to access the playlist for the night. So I sat there in the dark children's room and had my own mini soaking session while the kids slept.

God is so good. Even when we think things aren't going right God has us right where we need to be!

Shoprite Can Can Sale/ Coupon Trip

I didn't take pics but I got great deals at Shoprite today with their Can Can Sale and Stock Up sale. I did use a few coupons as well!

12 cans of Shoprite corn
12 cans of Shoprite green beans
2 Boxes of lil Debbie snack cakes
12pk Shoprite ice cream sandwiches
4 bags of Goldfish crackers
2 half gallons of Friendlys ice cream
1 large bag of Doritos
1 Disney gummie vitamins
1 Shoprite chewable vitamins
13 cans of assorted Chef Boyardee
1 tub of Helluva Good Dip
1 half gallon Shoprite OJ
2 tubs of Lysol Wipes
2 Lysol all purpose cleaners
1 Capri Sun Juice Box
1 large Shoprite ketchup
2 Pasta sauce
2 Shoprite whip topping
1pk playtex replacement valves
1 Crest toothpaste
4 Ajax laundry soap
4-12pk assorted nabisco snack packs
12 Ronzoni Pasta
3-24pk Poland spring water

Retail Value: $237.49
I paid: $126.89

Savings Include:
On Sale Savings:$53.42
Manufacture Coupons:$33.16
Store Coupons:$25.02

CVS/pharmacy Coupon Trip

So these was my first coupon trip after starting couponing again. I figured I'd start small since I haven't couponed in a while and I had the hubby and both kids with me!

Here's what I got:

4 Packs of Ricola Cough Drops
2 Always Pads
3-pk of Ivory Bar Soap
1 Dawn Dish Soap
1 Oral-B Spin Brush
1 pack of Always Infinity Pads
1 Colgate 360 Toothbrush

Retail Value: $45.26
I paid: $19.33
CVS Cash Back: $3.00

Creamy Chicken Bake

INGREDIENTS

2-3lbs of chicken breast, cubed
3/4cup Italian dressing
1 bg frozen mixed veggies, thawed and drained
1 Sm can of cream of chicken soup
1 Sm can of cream of celery soup
2/3 cup sour cream
1 package of instant stuffing, prepared as directed on package

PREP WORK

Marinade cubed chicken in Italian dressing overnight if possible or for as long as you can.

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400. Spray a 13x9in pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl mix all ingredients minus the prepared stuffing then put into sprayed pan. Spread prepared stuffing over top of mixture. Spray a piece of aluminum foil with cooking spray and cover pan, spray side down :). Bake 35 minutes then remove foil and bake additional 10 minutes.

VARIATIONS

Replace cream of celery with any creamed soup such as mushroom or asparagus.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Serve over rice or mashed potatoes

Serve with side salad and dinner roll

The 1st Day of 2012

We spent the first day of 2012 the way we would spend any Sunday, at church. God is already answering prayers! A girl came to church that I had been praying would come back. I'm praying that she continues to come!

In children's church we spoke about Jesus' childhood. The kids learned that Jesus knew he had a calling when he was only 12 years old. They understand that even though they are kids God can speak to them and use them to do His work as well.

We are now home and I am preparing dinner. It is a last minute throw together but I believe I've seen the recipe on the box for Stove Top. Hope I'm doing it right! I'll look it up and post the recipe and pics later!