Join the Blue Bell Ice Cream Country Club

Go here or http://www.bluebell.com/extra_scoops/join_blue_bell.html to sign up.

Members will learn about new flavors, news about Blue Bell and only members will get access to coupons online. Join today!

Lowe's Kid Workshops

Can't leave out Lowe's! They have a program for kids that hits on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.

Get more information here or at https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/.

What fun and free ways to spend quality time with your children and help them learn!

Free Kid's Workshop at Home Depot this Saturday!

Take your child this Saturday to attend a free kids' workshop at Home Depot. The workshop is Saturday, April 3rd 9am-12noon. Children will receive a free orange apron, an achievement pin, and a wooden kit to build a butterfly house. You must accompany your child and stay for the entire workshop. There isn't registration on-line so take a couple of minutes and call your local Home Depot store for more information and to see if they require registration and if they are participating.

Click here for the details.

There is another freebie on May 1st- a Picket Fence Planter. What a cute Mother's Day present!!

Under $24 for EA Sports Active Wii Game shipped!

At EA Sports, they have their Wii Sports Active game on sale for $43.54 right now. There is a coupon code for $20 off $40 and free shipping makes it $23.54 shipped or so if taxes vary or apply considering where you are located.

You can use the code on other games but EA Sports Active stood out to me as the best deal.

Use this code for $20 off of $40 and FREE SHIPPING:
PAXEAST842

Here's the link: http://eastore.ea.com/store/ea/DisplayCategoryListPage/categoryID.12288300/ThemeID.1295400

Free Bucket and Shovel Craft At Michael's this weekend!

At all US and Canada Michael's Craft Stores from 10-1, your child can decorate a free bucket and shovel either for Easter or Summer.

Go here or http://www.theknackkids.com/EventView/Code/ev0057.aspx for all the details.

Happy Easter and Spring Break to everyone!!

$11.50 worth of coupons from Arm & Hammer

Click here or go to http://www.armandhammer.com/Resources/SavingsCenter.aspx?utm_source=Multibrand_March_2010&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Get_Coupons_Main_Image&utm_campaign=Multibrand_March_2010 for coupons to print for Arm & Hammer products.

Free Snuggle Fabric Softener Possible at Family Dollar

If you have a Family Dollar near by- it's being reported that they have Snuggle for $3.00. There is a $3 off coupon in the 3/28RP which would make this free. I haven't tried it but it seems to be working.

If it's too good to be true... Facebook Fan Pages

We had such a great time at first, become a Facebook Fan and get a coupon for free items. Now we have to deal with the scams and figure out what fan pages are good and which are bad.

First of all- If it's too good to be true- it probably is! Target is going to let you shop free this week? $200 Gift Certificate to the grocery store of your choice? Be wary of such generous offers. A BOGO coupon for Skittles is one thing but high amount gift certificates are another.

Read what you are signing up for. Especially when they want you to take a quiz and then text you the results. You could potentially be signing up for a text service that cost $9.99 a month!

I also get scared at steps like "Invite 35 friends to become fans." I'm so worried it could be a virus or something.

Just be careful and unfortunately, some people have seen the opportunities to take advantage of us on Facebook. Just proceed with caution.

Good coupon inserts this weekend, 03/28!

Don't forget to get your papers this weekend and stock up on inserts. There will be 2 Smart Source inserts and 1 Red Plum.

Cool new features on CouponMom.com!

Found out today that there are 2 new features at www.CouponMom.com.

If you have a smartphone, you can now use a mobile friendly version of CouponMom.com on your phone. You can look for deals while you are away from your PC!

You can also now email your weekly lists to your email address so you can have it with you at all times! You can still print by going to File, Print at the top of your screen.

Fun, great changes to www.couponmom.com!

SaturDate at Walgreens

Check with your local Walgreens because mine is having a SaturDate with Beauty this Saturday, March 27th from 10-5.

I'm sure it would be worth a drop by to get samples and coupons!

$1 off Cheerios Link

Go here to print your $1.00 off Cheerios coupon!

Living Smart 101: Free Cooking Lessons!!

I love those "cool" moments when signing up for a company's email updates pays off.
I got an email today and it's a total freebie- cooking lessons and culinary techniques at Williams Sonoma!

Hour long classes at local stores and they cover great technique topics. The month of April is a 3 part series on Healthy Cooking.

Healthy Cooking: Seafood Sunday, April 11th
Healthy Cooking: Vegetables Sunday, April 18th
Healthy Cooking: Chicken Sunday, April 25th

Go to www.williams-sonoma.com to find a store near you.
Class size is limited so reserve your space today.
There are also scheduled demonstations.
Click here to see the calendar of events for April.

Living Smart 101: Restaurant.com really is fun for traveling!

You know I sing the praises of www.restaurant.com because I can boast about the great restaurants we find locally. There are a lot of readers that aren't based in Atlanta so if you haven't taken a look- please do! Tonight, I can prove that there are great restaurants to take advantage of in other cities also!

We're traveling to Chicago to be there for my nephew's 1st Birthday and to help keep him while we have another nephew born here in Atlanta. I told my sister about this website tonight and she checked it out.

She found restaurants she has been wanting to try, places she loves and favorites of their family and friends. We got 80% off and I even bought a few extras of all of them so I can give to my sister as a thank you for letting us visit.

It's easy to brag since I have a gauge in Chicago to know more about these restaurants than just going blindly in but one thing I do when it's an out of town place and I have no one to ask- I google before I buy and see if I can find reviews by locals and media in the area.

Congratulations Purex 3 in 1 Laundry Sheets!

As a Purex Insider, I learned today that Family Circle has awarded Purex 3 in 1 Laundry Sheets their first ever Circle of Excellence Seal. Purex 3 in 1 sheets were awarded this recognition because of their quality, value and overall performance in the laundry room. All Circle of Excellence Winners are announced in the April 17th issue of Family Circle that hit newsstands yesterday. Check it out!

You can go to www.trypurex.com for a sample. Sign up so you can see how easy and great these 3 in 1 sheets are to use!

Half Off Depot for Great Deals

Our wonderful Avery art teacher, Kay Martin, sent me the link to this site and it's very cool! For Atlanta, the site is http://www.halfoffdepot.com/atlanta/. For other cities- go with the link above and look for "Select your City" on the top left to see if it's available in your area.

Deals on all sorts of services and restaurants that you have a deadline to take advantage of. Some can print right away and others will be mailed to you. You can also shop by neighborhood.

Looks like a huge variety to choose from and some great deals!
Check it out today! And, remember this site also when planning the details of your Spring Break.

Thanks again, Kay!

80% off at Restaurant.com through 3/31!

It's 80% off time at www.restaurant.com with the code: COOK through 03/31/10.

You can get a $25 gift certificate for only $2.00! Great time to stock up and eat at great restaurants.

We are going to be traveling in the next couple of weeks so I've checked out where we are headed to see what restaurants are available. Think about your Spring Break destination during this sale!!

Cool Deal at Walgreen's this week! Make $2.00!!

Thanks to one of my best blogging buddies, www.prohomemaker.com, I just did this deal tonight. Walgreen's has a deal that if you buy Olay Quench 20.2 oz Body Lotion then you get a 8.4 oz Quench Shower Wash for free.

Make this deal sweeter with 2 coupons from 3/7PG for $1.00 off each and the wash coupon will work even though the item is technically free. Prohomemaker reminded his readers that if they don't have the products then get a raincheck because there is a rebate to print out. My store had the lotion but not the wash so they let me substitute another Olay wash instead.

Now go here or http://www.olay.com/Club_Olay/march2010/images/Quench_Form_olayhome.pdf to print the rebate form. I had to scale the PDF down to 10% to get it to print properly and on one sheet. Fill out the form, circle your receipt and mail in.

Wait about 6-8 weeks for your rebate and you ended up making $2.00 in the process!

Walgreens- 60 prints for $6.99

Sorry- Birthday Marathon Week has kept SCB busy.

Get 60 prints through Saturday, March 27th for $6.99. Code is BUNNY60.

Great deal to print all the pictures you've taken since 2010 began.

Enjoy!

Hot deal at Kroger!

We found out about this deal from my brother in law tonight. Go to Publix and there is a blinkie machine in front of Kraft cheese packages with a coupon for $2 off 2.

Kroger has it's March Madness Buy 8 Get $4 off still going on. And Kraft Natural Cheese is one of the participating products. It's .99 cents after the promo but with 4 of these coupons, the cheese would be free! If you can't find this coupon, Kroger has blinkie machines with .50/1 which would make the cheese .49 cents.

My rule about these coupons is to be fair and not empty the blinkie machine! Get what you think is reasonable and will benefit your family. Leave the rest for others to cash in on this great deal too!

Cool Birthday Trick that is always a hit and cheap!

Madison's super cool but crazy Red Carpet Premiere Birthday Party ended a few hours ago and boy am I tired! We convert the garage into a disco/movie theater and the the kids love it!

This is the third year we've done this and it was a hit again tonight. We didn't have a cake! Instead... snow cones!! Madi actually blew her candle out on her snow cone and the kids loved them!

Think about a cake- they are expensive and how many plates of 1/2 eaten cake do you end up throwing away? You get a snow cone machine from the store, the syrups come in several flavors and you already have the ice. Cups and spoons you got deals on and you've spent about what you would on cake but have the snow cone supplies for the summer, special occasions and other birthday parties.

Walmart will clearance the syrups so I always stock up. The machine was a godsend during teething with both girls- just added a little baby juice when it was really bad. Trust me, you will use the machine a lot and it's also great for play dates and
the adults like them too!

The best thing about it is for the most part, kids with food allergies can have the snow cones over cake. I did learned tonight that our guests with celiac disease could have some flavors over others because of a food starch we found on the label. Just always double check with the parents! Every kid can have what everyone else is having and enjoy!

It's different, the kids love it and you're not wasting money on cake being thrown in the trash!

Service Review: Moore Painting LLC

I haven't done a product review in awhile but wanted to tell the local Atlanta readers about a great company that offers affordable, high quality painting- Moore Painting.
Greg Moore is the owner and I've worked with Greg for several years with his support for our school and PTA.

Greg did some interior work for me and it looks wonderful! If you are in need of a painting company- please consider Moore. Call today for a free estimate! You can get contact information at www.getmoorepainting.com. He offers other services as well like deck re-staining.

Great job, fast service, quick follow up and call backs. And reasonable prices. Can't ask for much more than that! Give Greg a call today!

Next Rock Shop- Publix this week!

I meant to mention in the last post that if you need help matching the coupons to the deals this week then please email me. I would be more than happy to help. Any time you have a question or need guidance- I'm here and I love hearing from new friends!

Left Kroger with a car full of groceries and headed to Publix next. Didn't get everything but will find it by the time the sale ends this week.

4 Land O Lakes Spreads
Hebrew All Beef Franks
4 Emerald Nuts Jars
2 Skittles
2 Starburst All 4 candies from a BOGO coupons for becoming a fan on Facebook.
4 Publix 2 liters

17 items for $9.11 and we saved $23.06.

I just noticed and I love it- my Publix receipt doesn't say "Total" or "Final Price" but it says "Grand Total" which is perfect because that's how I feel when we save so big!

Rocked the March Madness Buy 8 get $4 off at Kroger this week!

We did incredible last night and walked away from Kroger with 46 items for $27.70 and saved $76.03 or 74% off!

Kroger is promoting their March Madness promo this week where if you buy 8 participating items then you get $4 back. And there is no limit per transaction/purchase so we did it 5 times on one shop.

Items we got and matched coupons through the lists at CouponMom.com were:
8 2 liters of Coca Cola products- there is a coupon for $1.00 of 3 in the February and March issues of Kroger's My Magazine which really added to the savings.
8 Sargento Shredded Cheeses
12 Del Monte Canned Tomatoes
4 Ken 16oz Salad Dressing
8 Bumble Bee tuna pouches- Free


Plus 6 items we needed:
Charmin 12 rolls toilet paper pack
bread
turkey for lunches this week
2 cheese/crackers sets for mid-AM snacks at school
cottage cheese

You can find all the coupon matches to make a great deal like this one on CouponMom.com for the Kroger list this week.

Free Starburst and Skittles- Become a Fan on Facebook

Search for Starburst and Skittles on Facebook to become fans. Get your coupons for Buy One, Get One Free for both!

Living Smart 101: Keeping events in mind when making your weekly lists.

When creating your shopping lists each week online, always keep upcoming events, holidays and birthdays in mind. Even down the road, take advantage of deals now on items you will need for the event.

I was working on my daughter's party this afternoon and making a list of things we need to buy this weekend. List is pretty short because I had a lot the essentials already here because I took advantage of Free or close to it weeks and even months ago.

I have all the paper goods I need and I saved the leftover themed napkins from last year so we are all set. I have the condiments for the hot dogs. Movie theater food will be served and the hot dogs are in the freezer from a deal about a month ago. I have most of the ingredients I need to make the nachos. I'm really pretty set because I did keep the party in mind.

Just plan ahead and you don't have to be item specific. You can also create your menu for an event based on what's on sale. Either way, you can really have a great time, fun and keeping your budget in check!

Become a Fan of RayoVac Batteries on Facebook

Click here or go to http://www.facebook.com/RayovacFans?v=app_4949752878&ref=mf and get a coupon for $1.00 off batteries.

You can get your batteries for free at Target in their dollar section. Can't promise every store but I have seen them and used coupons in the past to get mine for free.
Become a fan and scroll down on the left to the coupons. Click the top $1.00 coupon to print and then fill in the email address area to receive future coupons.

Living Smart 101: Use Your Shopping Sixth Sense

My daughter's birthday is next week and we're doing a fun Red Carpet Premiere Party here at the house. It's the 3rd Annual and we try to add a new element to make it fun for the kids that have been invited before. My daughter decided this year to add a dance party to the night so I was in search of a disco ball.

I checked CraigsList, Google, Buy.com and found that Oriental Trading had one for $39.99 and had great reviews. I did that weeks ago but didn't buy it. At the time, I couldn't put my finger on it but now I can- "My Shopping Sixth Sense" kicked in and it just didn't feel right. I kept trying to find new resources and finally Monday afternoon- declared the deal I found was the best at Oriental Trading. I put it in my shopping cart, I entered my codes that I found and was ready to hit "Confirm Order." But... I couldn't!

Here's the lowdown on what happened. I had a 20% off a purchase at OT and again the ball was $39.99. Shipping was okay but could only "estimate" an arrival of 3/18 which is pushing it with a party on the 19th. To guarantee an arrival in time would be $16.99 in shipping which wasn't going to happen. So I brainstormed and remembered a quirky little shop in the mall- Spencer's Gifts. I called and found a multi-colored self contained lighted ball for $19.99!! She's super excited, it's better for what we will use it for and I didn't spend a lot of money.

My Shopping Sixth Sense was right! So,trust your instincts and don't necessarily jump at the first deal you find. When saving money becomes a focus and a habit- you'll know when to snag a deal and when to keep doing research. It really does become a sixth sense!

Website Review: www.rickbayless.com

I know that it's easy for me to blog about copying recipes and making great food at home when some readers might be less adapt in the kitchen. It's really not as hard as it seems when you find good recipes and follow them to the letter.

This is an incredible recipe with so many uses. It's called Mojo de Ajo or Rick Bayless calls it "Liquid Gold." It's slow roasted garlic in olive oil with salt and lime juice. SO easy to follow and you will not believe how incredible your kitchen will smell! I put the finished puree in canning jars and refrigerate but any airtight container will do.

Here are some uses:
Warm up a couple of teaspoons in the microwave and serve with toasted bread to dip.
My favorite and such a simple appetizer.

Heat up and brush on bread to make incredible garlic bread.

Use to "oil" your pan when searing or cooking any type of meat.

Saute vegetables in it! We've been doing collard greens and they are the bomb!

In case you don't know- Rick Bayless is a famous chef that specializes in Mexican cuisine. We're headed to Chicago next month where he is based and I hope to visit one of his restaurants when we are there.

You can find this recipe and other great ones at www.rickbayless.com

Aveeno Vitality $15 Coupon+Rebate

Go here or https://www.aveeno.com/facialcare/vitality/vitality-register to get a $5 off coupon and a $10 rebate form good through 05/31/10. Form must be postmarked on or before 06/15/10.

I checked all the lists and I don't see a deal this week so be patience! We have until end of May to score the lowest price. I'll keep this deal on my radar and will post the best deal when I find it!

Cool site to save big on Home Decor!

Just found this site and it looks really cool with some great bargains.
Click here or go to www.onekingslane.com

You receive emails daily with lists of deeply discounted items that available for a couple of days or until they sell out.

Living Smart 101: Join the Home Depot Garden Club

Click here or go to http://www.homedepotgardenclub.com/.

Great tips and you will receive coupons via email.

Everyone is so anxious for Spring in our neck of the woods so why not get great ideas and join today?

Living Smart 101: Different Cool! Uses for Coffee Filters

These are some great ideas I got in an email today. I've already used them for snack bowls and the girls laugh but hey- I'm not the only one. I think you can replace the paper towel with lots of these ideas. And you can get them so cheap at the Dollar Store!

COFFEE FILTERS

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave.
Coffee filters make excellent covers.

2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome...
Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect china by separating your good dishes with a coffee
filter between each dish.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when
opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the
skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve
lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a
coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos.. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers
for messy foods.

10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot
with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the
drainage holes.

11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes
as needed in a coffee filter.

12. Do you think we use expensive strips to wax eyebrows?
Use strips of coffee filters.

13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries,
chicken fingers, etc on them. It soaks out all the grease.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."

15. As a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing
for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.

16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a
closet to absorb or prevent odors.

17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie up fresh herbs
to put in soups and stews.

18. Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.

19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter
spills.

20. Use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a
piece of fruit or veggies...Saves on having extra bowls to wash.

21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.

22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when you are out of cotton balls.

23. Use them to sprout seeds.. Simply dampen the coffee filter,
place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a plastic baggie
until they sprout.

24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers...
Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee
filters in the phone book..

25. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.

Cool Contest at Kroger's website!

I was headed out to Kroger.com to get my downloadable coupons for the month and I found their March To Savings Contest. You can find it on the main page and you can play the instant game once a day for the next 36 days. I played for the first time today and I won a 4 pack of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. What's cool is they download your prize to your card so you don't have to print anything out and just add that item to your shop the next time you are in.

Great prizes from Coke, Planter's, Kraft, Oscar Mayer, California Pizza Kitchen and more. The Grand Prizes are 50 Pop A Shot Machines like the ones you may see in the stores. Just log into the Kroger website and you can play.

The prize I have my eye on?? The $5 off your next order prize that will download to your card!

Coupon 101: It's March 1st- Your To Do List

Hey!
It's the first of the month so you know what you need to do!

1. Check out Restaurant.com for your favorite restaurants that sell out quickly. Can't get the 80% off but $10 for a $25 GC is good if you think the restaurant is worth it.
2. Coupons at the printable sites have been refreshed for the most part.
3. Cellfire and all downloadable coupons have been refreshed and ready to upload to your loyalty card or cell phone.
4. Take a look at your month and plan your grocery/deal budget taking things in mind like Spring Break approaching and holidays coming up.
5. Along with #4- when searching the deals, keep in mind items you will need for birthdays and holidays so you can get them at the best price possible. For example, my daughter's birthday is this month and it's a Movie party so I'll be looking for deals on hot dogs and other movie theater type food.

Happy March! Is this year flying by or what???

Living Smart 101: Slow Deal Weeks= CHALLENGE

Every now and again, I look at all the deals and really find nothing that I'm interested in. Great because it means a cheap week AND it offers a challenge. Plan meals around the pantry and the freezer.

It's easy to do and you can get very creative without a lot of effort. And it's a great time to purge the contents of your freezer and pantry to make room for future weeks where the deals are huge!

When a slow week hits- there are still staples to purchase like milk, bread, salad etc. Taking advantage of what you have from cherry picking and stockpiling can be fun and the perfect way to reduce the grocery budget for the month!!