Budgeting Tips # 17: Make Orange Julius at Home

I love Orange Julius but they cost quite a bit. Here is a easy recipe to make one at home.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup orange juice concentrate (thawed but not made)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
5 or 6 ice cubes

Put all the ingredients except the ice cubes in the blender. Start blending. Add the ice cubes a couple at a time. Blend until you get the consistency that you want. Tastes great!

Free Sample of Redken Style Connection

Free sample!! Click here to get a free sample of Redken Style Connection.

You can choose from:
Matte Sponge 05 (rugged texturizer)
Velvet Gelatine 07 (cushioning blow-dry gel)
Wool Shake 08 (gel-slush texturizer)

Budgeting Tips # 16 : Easy Valentine Treat Holders

My children are older now but it wasn't that many years ago when we had fill out valentines for each school class. Jennifer at Eastern Mom's Cents has a really cute, cheap, and easy Valentine treat holder that you can make.

You can add little scraps of leftover paper and ribbon. These are sure to be a classroom hit!

CVS Deals Starting 1/31

Thanks to Melissa's Bargain Blog for providing the CVS match-ups for this week. Here are my favorites:

Colgate Max Fresh or 2-in-1 kids toothpaste - $2.99, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
- $1/1 Colgate Max Fresh or Max White - January 22 All You Magazine
- .50/1 Colgate Total, Colgate Max White, Colgaet Max Fresh, Colgate Sensitive, or Colgate Kids toothpaste - 1-31 SS
- .75 off Colgate Max Fresh or Max White printable
= Free or up .49 after coupons and ECB

Dove Men's hair care - $5.49, get a $5.49 ECB (limit 2 per household)
$1/1 Dove Men+Care printable
$1.25/1 Dove Men + Care body wash - 1-31 RP
Final price = FREE to $1.25 moneymaker after coupons and ECB!


Spend $20 on PepsiCo products, get a $10 ECB:
Pepsi 12 packs - 3/$10, Tostitos or Lays chips - 2/$7, Gatorade/Sobe/Pepsi - 4/$5, Stacy's Pita or True North - 2/$6, Amp/Izze/Starbucks Frappucino - $5 (limit 1 per household)
$1/2 Gatorade G2 - 1-10 RP

$1/1 Stacy's Pita printable here
Final price = $10 (or less) after coupons/ECBs

** if you received the free Stacy's product coupon, you can use it on this deal too**

You can see all the other deals here.

Free bag of Hershey's Pieces with Candy Bar Purchase

Great deal! Hersheys has a Wrapper Reward Program. Buy a candy bar and get a coupon for a free bag of the new Hersheys Pieces. Hurry! The offer is available to only the first 25,000 forms printed and received. Click here to sign up.

Here are the details: Submit any one (1) complete candy wrapper from REESE'S® Peanut Butter Cups, ALMOND JOY® Candy Bars, HERSHEY®'S SPECIAL DARK® Dark Chocolate Bars or YORK® Peppermint Patties along with the completed online request form to receive one (1) product coupon for a New PIECES™ Product valued at up to $3.69. Offer valid for the first 25,000 people to print off a request form or from 01/27/10 to 02/10/10 (whichever comes first). All Requests must be postmarked by 02/17/10 and must be received by 02/26/10. Only the first 25,000 forms received will be eligible for a Product Coupon.
**Thanks Coupons, Deals and More for finding this deal**

Free iTunes "Artists to Watch" Song Sampler

Free music! When you sign up to be a Facebook fan of iTunes , you can get a free 20 song Artists to Watch Sampler. Click here to access the facebook page.

This free sampler features music from Fanfarlo, Cold Cave, Local Natives, Surfer Blood and many more. Codes are available while supplies last. Be sure to redeem the code before it expires. Please note this free music offer is only available on the US iTunes Store.

Free Burger and Fry At Denny's Sign Up Feb 1st

Free food! From February 1st through 14th, the first 500,000 people who sign up for the new Denny’s Rewards program online will receive a FREE burger and fries available March 1st through March 7th, 2010.

The sign up page is here BUT don't sign up until Monday February 1st!!

I will list this on my Monday New Week reminders.

Friday Follow 1/29

Wow, I had many new followers from last weeks Friday Follow! Welcome, everyone to my blog. I truly do appreciate everyone who follows me.

So do you want more blog followers? One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families, and Midday Escapades have come up with a new event called Friday Follow. You just sign up on the linky on one of their Follow Friday posts. Then follow as many blogs from the linky as you want to and comment that you are part of Friday Follow. Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow. It is a fun way to get new followers for your blog. Give it a try!

Trendy Treehouse has a new Friday Follow List. You can sign up here.

Free Preparedness Food Sample

This sounds interesting! Click here to receive a free Preparedness food pack sample. Preparedness packs are food that you keep in case of a diaster. I am really interested in tasting the food.

Free Sample of Avery Label Pads

I can't wait to try these! Click here to get a free sample of Avery Lable Pads These self-adhesive labels are stacked conveniently in a pad - just write, peel and stick.

HOT ~ Free $5 eGift Card For Babies"R"Us Facebook Fan

Hurry!! I do not know if this deal will last all day! Sign up here to be a Facebook fan of Babies"R"Us. You will receive a $5 eGift card for becoming a fan. Offer is good today January 28th only. E-gift card is valid through 2/20/10.

**Quantities limited; no rain checks. Limited one per quest. eGift Card valid in-store or online on your next purchase. eGift Card expires 2/20/10**

Sign Up for Chili's Email~Get Free Chips & Queso Coupon

Sign up for Chili's E-mail Club! You will receive a welcome gift of Free Chips and Queso coupon within 48 hours of signing up. The coupon is valid for one month. Sign up here.

Being Girl Tampax/Always Sample Kit

If you missed this before, this is a great freebie. My sample kit included a coupon for a free package of Always Infinity maxi pads. So sign up here. It is one per household so if you already completed this offer then you are not eligible.

According to the website: included in the kit are: 2 Tampax Pearl Tampons, 1 Compak Pearl Tampon, 1 Always Infinity Maxi-Pad, 2 Always Pantiliners, and 1 Always Feminine Wipe.

In To Win Wednesday Giveaway Round-Up 1/27

I love giveaways! So let's all share the Linky love.Do you have a giveaway on your blog or website? Please leave the link for it below. Only family friendly links please! The link should go directly to your giveaway page.

Remember to enter my giveaway for a Harajuku Lovers "Baby" Fragrance Gift Set ($45 value) and my giveaway for the Busy People’s Fast & Frugal Cookbook .

CLOSED

Free KIND Bar Samples at Starbucks on Feb 5th

On February 5th, you can sample KIND bars at Starbucks for free. Check out the details here. The sample bars will be Fruit & Nut Delight and Cranberry Almond+Antioxidants. Yum!!

Budgeting Tips # 15 ~ Fill Out Comment Cards

When you see a comment card at restaurant or coffee shop, take the time to fill it out. I received free coffee from Starbucks, free meals from restaurants, and discount coupons from filling out the comment cards.

You don't have to have a complaint to fill out a card. If the service is good, let the restaurant know that too. Give it a try!

Free Oreo Cookies Are Up and Running!!

Get your free cookies now! Click here. They will mail you a coupon for free Golden Double Stuf Oreos.

Budgeting Tips # 14 ~ Make Dinner Special

If you have been cutting back on eating out, dinners at home can start to seem a little blah. You will start to be tempted to go out to a restaurant for dinner. Instead try these tips to spice up your dinners at home.

• Make your dinner more of an event. Bring out your best china and light some candles. The atmosphere will make your dinner seem more special.

• Try a new recipe. Is your cooking in a rut? You can have a goal to try one new recipe a week.

• Jump start the conversation at the dinner table. You can take strips of paper and write topics on them. Then put the slips in a jar on the table. Each person has to draw a slip of paper and discuss the topic. Ideas for topics include what was the best part of your day, say three things that you did today, talk about 3 things that you want to do tomorrow, etc..

• Let your kids pick a menu and help cook it. This is extremely popular with kids. They like being able to help in the kitchen and choose the menu. You can set rules on how crazy the menu can be.

Dinners at home can be fun! Do you have more ideas? I would love to hear them so leave a comment.

Review of Totally Toned Arms by Rylan Duggan

One of my goals for 2010 is to get in better shape physically and lose weight. I was very excited to review the book: Totally Toned Arms: Get Michelle Obama Arms in 21 Days by Rylan Duggan. Seriously, Michelle Obama has the most awesome arms. No under the arm jiggle there!

I expected the book have great exercises for my arms. The big surprise is that about 1/4 of the book is about nutrition. There were some really great ideas on how to eat healthier. As I read through the book, I was impressed with the entire program that was put together by Ryan Duggan. All of the exercises have pictures showing the moves. I found this to be extremely helpful.

From the book cover:
Discover
• An effective 7 day quick start routine
• A simple, powerful workout plan for only 30 minutes a day
• Easy cardio and strength-training routines that benefit the whole body
• Essential diet secrets
• A maintenance plan that will keep you fit forever

The book price is very reasonably priced at $12.99. If you can't find it at your local bookstore then you can buy Totally Toned Arms on Amazon.

**Thanks to Anna at Hatchette Book Group for the opportunity to review this book. I did receive a book to review at no charge. **

Monday New Week Reminders 1/25

Here are the events that I found that are coming up in the next few weeks.
Ongoing~ Free Uniball Pen to first 10,000 people per day ~ click here

TODAY at 3pm EST ~ Free Oreos!! Click here.

TODAY ONLY ~ Free Napoli or Margherita Pizza at Punch Pizza In Twin Cities because Vikings lost (no other purchase necessary)~ click here for coupon

Feb 2nd ~ Free Coffee and Breakfast Melt at San Diego Subways only ~ click here for details

Feb 6th ~ Build a free Car Display at Home Depot Kid's Workshop ~ details here

Feb 9th ~ Free Grand Slam breakfast at Denny's restaurants 6am - 2pm

Feb 20th ~ Free Auntie Anne's pretzel

Feb 23rd ~ Free Short Stack Of Pancakes At IHOP 7AM - 10PM ~ details here

Free Oreos Today at 3 PM EST !!

Today is the day! Oreo is giving away 150,000 packages of FREE cookies at 3 p.m. EST (while supplies last). You must be a Oreo fan on Facebook. I would become a fan before 3 pm because the site is going to be slow. Click here to get your free Oreos at 3 pm EST and to become a fan.

Frito Lay "Be Snack Ready" ~ Possibles Coupons etc

Hey, sign up at Frito-Lay’s BeSnackReady.com and build your snack profile. You could receive coupons and free samples from Frito-Lay.

Possible Free Samples of Cliff Bars

Possible free samples of Cliff bars when you sign up for the Cliff Bar newsletter. From the website: "Fill in your snail mail address and we’ll send you nice little packages - like mini CLIF Bar samples."

Click here to sign up.

Free Kashi Fruit & Grain Bar or Cereal Sample

Kashi is offering a free sample of their cereal or fruit & grain bars. Click here to receive your sample.

CVS Deals Starting 1/24

Thanks to Melissa's Bargain Blog for providing the CVS match-ups for this week. Here are my favorites:

Buy Crest or Oral B toothpaste or Indicator toothbrush - $1.99, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 Crest toothpaste - 12-6 RP, 12-27 PG, 1-17 PG
Final price = free after ECBs/coupons

Spend $20 on PepsiCo products, get a $10 ECB:
Pepsi 12 packs - 3/$10, Tostitos or Lays chips - 2/$7, Gatorade/Sobe/Pepsi - 4/$5, Stacy's Pita or True North - 2/$6, Amp/Izze/Starbucks Frappucino - $5 (limit 1 per household)
$1/2 Gatorade G2 - 1-10 RP
$1/1 Stacy's Pita printable here
Final price = $10 (or less) after coupons/ECBs

You can see all the other deals here.

Free Bagel & Cream Cheese From Bruegger’s Bagels

I love Bruegger's bagels! Sign up here for "Fresh News from Bruegger's" emails. You will receive a welcome email with a coupon for a free bagel with cream cheese. The coupon expires 2/13/2010.

Free 1 Year Subscription to AutoWeek Magazine

Here is a free magazine subscription for the guys! The Dodge Challenger wants you to get an AutoWeek subscription for FREE! Click here to sign up. Hurry because there are only 5,000 subscriptions available!

Saturday Mail Bag 1/23

Wow! After getting no goodies in the mail last week, this week was a bonanza. Here is what I received:

$100 rebate check from our utility for our new washer
Coupon for Free Digiorno 200 Calorie Portion Pizza from First Taste (I love this program)
Coupon for a Free bag of Stacy's Potato Chips for becoming a fan on Facebook
Betty Crocker 2010 "Let's Bake a Moment Calender" ~ sadly no coupons!!
Slim-Fast Peanut Butter Crunch Time bar
Small trial bag of Stacy's Potato chips

I hope that you received fun things in the mail this week too!

Free Movie Tickets to Hot Tub Time Machine

Free movie screening! Lots of areas left!! Hurry!! Click here to get free movie tickets to Hot Tub Time Machine. There are many cities listed!! You have to click on your city area then select a screening. After you select a screening, it will tell you if tickets are available and if hosting is available.

What is hosting? You get free tickets for you and 9 guests along with free soda and popcorn, free reserved seats, and a free t-shirt.
When you sign up for just tickets, you will recieve 2 tickets.

Movie Plot: Waking up from an all-night drinking binge, four guy friends realize they been transported back to the year 1986 -- a perfect chance for them to change their futures. Click here to see the movie trailer.

Budgeting Tips # 13 ~ Ways to Give Without Money

There are countless good causes to which you can donate your money. From your local school to the diaster in Haiti, people are in need of help. The most common way to help is to donate money. But what if you do not have the funds in your budget to donate or would like to make a larger donation than your budget allows? Consider giving the gift of yourself

Another Friday Follow Day!!

Wow, I had over 20 new followers from last weeks Friday Follow! Welcome, everyone to my blog. I truly do appreciate everyone who follows me.

So do you want more blog followers? One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families, and Midday Escapades have come up with a new event called Friday Follow. You just sign up on the linky on one of their Follow Friday posts. Then follow as many blogs from the linky as you want to and comment that you are part of Friday Follow. Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow. It is a fun way to get new followers for your blog. Give it a try!

Trendy Treehouse has a new Friday Follow List. You can sign up here.

Friday MckLinky Giveaway Blog Hop 1/22

Hey, it's Friday! Be sure to enter my two giveaways:

Harajuku Lovers "Baby" Fragrance Gift Set ($45) 1/29
Busy People’s Fast & Frugal Cookbook 2/6

Lots of other giveaways to enter on the linky below. Good Luck!

Hot!! Dorm Must Have Kit is Back on Target.com

Hurry!! The Dirty Dorm Kit is back on Target.com for $12.50 . You would need to buy 4 to get the free shipping on $50. You can use the code TCMTTVGH to get $5 off the $50 order too.

Dirty Dorm Kit:
Kit includes Mr. Clean Magic Eraser 2-pk., Swiffer starter kit, Bounty basic white paper towel roll, 19-oz. Dawn lavender dishwashing liquid, 50-oz. Tide 2x liquid laundry detergent, 80-ct. Bounce outdoor fresh dryer sheets, 9.7-oz. Febreze spring and renewal air affects spray.

Ziploc Deals at HyVee & 12 Hour Sale

All of my local stores have the Ziploc expandable bottom storage bags for .99 each. Also two of my stores had the Ziploc containers for .99 too! Combine this unadvertised deal with coupons.

Also HyVee is having a 12 hour sale on Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm. Here are the highlights:
Skippy Peanut Butter .98 (limit 2)
Kitchen Fresh Potato Salad .98
HyVee Milk .88 (limit 2)
Country Pride Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $3.88 (limit 2)
Rotisserie Chicken $3.88
Midwest Counry Fare Ice Cream 4 quart pail $2.88
Cottonelle Bathroom Tissue 12 double roll $4.88
Viva Paper Towels 6 roll $4.88

Budgeting Tips # 12 ~ Clean Out Your Pantry

By cleaning out your pantry, you find items that you had forgotten plus you remind yourself of things that you have. Here is a photo of the forgotten items that I found:


I also found some jello but I used it before the photo was taken. When you clean out the pantry, you save money by using food that you already have on hand.

Some people have taken up a Pantry Challenge where they just eat out of their pantry foods for a month. I didn't participate because I stock up on items when they are on sale and I clean out my pantry on a regular basis. But I like reading about their challenge. If you are interested in reading about the Pantry Challenge, here are a few blogs that are participating:

My Red Apron
Getting Ahead
Coupon Geek
The Morris Tribe

Free Con-Agra Coupon Booklet with $17 in Savings

Hurry! Walmart.com has a Con-Agra booklet with $17 in savings. You will receive the coupons in the mail. The Con-Agra company includes brands such Healthy Choice, Hunts, Kid Cuisine, and more. I am not sure how long the coupon book will last so go sign up soon!

Free Betty Crocker Coupon Booklet

Betty Crocker is offering a coupon booklet with $10 worth of savings. Click here to sign up for the booklet. You do have to sign up for one of email newsletters.

Hint: only sign up for one of the newsletters offered because they offer freebies (such as this one) for signing up. Once you have signed up for all the newsletters then you can't get the new free item.

New Free Redbox Movie Code ~ Meijer only

Redbox has a new free movie code that is good only at Meijer only. Use SMRTRY2 to get a free movie. Code expires January 21st.

Click here to see my previous posts on other Redbox codes.

Recall ~ Possible Free HP Laptop Battery Replacement

This may be old news to some people but I had never heard about it so I decided to pass it on to you. HP has a recall on some of their laptop computer batteries. I have listed the models affected below. If your notebook is listed then click here to determine whether this recall program affects your battery. Scroll down the page to where it says Getting Started and follow the directions. Not all batteries are affected.

Models:
Compaq Evo
N1010v**** N1050v****

HP
G6000* G7000*

HP Pavilion
4200**** dv6500* dx4000**** zd8100**** ze4500**** ze5400****
dv1000** dv6700* dx5000**** ze2xxx*** ze4600**** ze5500****
dv1xxx*** dv7000**** dx6000* ze4100**** ze4700**** ze5600****
dv2000* dv8000** dx6500* ze4100/xt1xx**** ze4800**** zv5000****
dv2500* dv9000* dx6700* ze4200**** ze5155**** zv5200****
dv2700* dv9500* dx7000**** ze4300**** ze5200**** zx5000****
dv6000* dv9700* zd8000** ze4400**** ze5300**** zx5200****

Presario
1100**** C700* R3000**** V2400** V3700* X4000****
2100**** F500* R3200**** V2xxx*** V6000* X5000****
2500**** F700* V1000**** V3000* V6500* X6100****
A900* M2xxx*** V2000** V3500* V6700*

HP Compaq
6720s* nc6110** nc6230** nx4820** nx6120** nx9100****
9000**** nc6120** nc8000**** nx48xx*** nx9005**** nx9105****
9005**** nc6140** nw8000**** nx5000**** nx9008**** nx9600**
nc6000**** nc6220** nx4800** nx6110** nx9010****

Free Drink & Fries w/purchase of Anugus 3rd Pounder

Here is a new McDonald's coupon. Get a free medium soft drink and free medium fries with the purchase of a Angus Third Pounder. Click here to get your coupon.

In To Win Giveaway Round-Up 1/20

I love giveaways! So let's all share the Linky love.Do you have a giveaway on your blog or website? Please leave the link for it below. Only family friendly links please! The link should go directly to your giveaway page.

Remember to enter my giveaway for a Harajuku Lovers "Baby" Fragrance Gift Set ($45 value) and my giveaway for the Busy People’s Fast & Frugal Cookbook .

CLOSED

Budgeting Tips # 11 ~ Cut Your Paper Costs

Do you use paper towels and paper napkins? How much computer paper do you use? All of these items cost money. If you can cut the amount of paper products that you use then you will save money and help the environment too!

Paper towels: think before you use a paper towel. Can you use a dish towel to wipe up that spill?

Paper napkins: try switching to cloth napkins. Cloth napkins are easy to throw in the wash. They don't take up much space. If you don't have cloth napkins, look for some at garage sales or thrift stores. If you have a remnant piece of cloth, click here for directions on how to make your own cloth napkins.

Printer paper: I try to get my printer paper when it is cheap but with two kids in school, it still adds up. At our house, we routinely use both sides of the printer paper. Since most printing is one-sided, we just flip it over and use the other side. I don't do this for coupons but it works rough drafts of term papers, directions, notes etc. We just keep a separate stack of paper that can be reused.

Procter&Gamble Kits 75% Off w/Free Ship Target.com

UPDATE ***SOLD OUT***

Nice deal at Target.com right now! They have their Procter & Gamble Dorm Must Have kits on sale for $12.50 (original price was $50). There are 4 different kits to choose from. Note: the Health Wellness kit includes a PUR water pitcher. There is free shipping with a $50 purchase and you can use the code TCMTTVGH to get $5 off the $50 order too. Also if you go through Ebates, I beleive that you get 3% cash back reward.

Dirty Dorm Kit:
Kit includes Mr. Clean Magic Eraser 2-pk., Swiffer starter kit, Bounty basic white paper towel roll, 19-oz. Dawn lavender dishwashing liquid, 50-oz. Tide 2x liquid laundry detergent, 80-ct. Bounce outdoor fresh dryer sheets, 9.7-oz. Febreze spring and renewal air affects spray.

Pretty Fabulous Beauty Kit:
Kit includes Oral-B 40 soft bristle toothbrush, 6.2-oz. Crest Scope mint toothpaste, 44-mL Scope mouthwash, 2.7-oz. Secret solid powder fresh deodorant, 4-oz. Olay Complete All Day UV lotion, Cover Girl Lash Blast black mascara, 10-oz. Olay Body Butter Ribbons body wash, 22-oz. Herbal Essence Volume Body shampoo and conditioner, Venus Embrace razor and 7-oz. Satin Care shave gel.

Big Man on Campus Grooming Kit:
Kit includes 6.2-oz. Crest Scope mint toothpaste, 44-mL Scope mint mouthwash, Oral-B 40 soft bristle toothbrush, 12-oz. deep cleaning shampoo, 11.5-oz. hydrating conditioner, styling gel mess constructor, 6-oz. styling gel flex, 7-oz. Fusion Hydra moisturizing gel, Fusion razor, 2.6-oz. Gillette clear shield invisible solid antiperspirant and 8.4-oz. Gillette dry skin hydrator and body wash.

To Your Health Wellness Kit:
Kit includes 12 caplets of Vicks DayQuil with Vitamin C, 8-oz. bottle of Pepto Bismol liquid, Oral-B toothbrush with medium bristles, 4-oz. Crest ProHealth mint toothpaste, Glide whitening floss with Scope, Crest ProHealth mouthwash, Puffs Plus tissue cube (60 two-ply sheets) and PUR 2-stage CR 6000 oval pitcher.

Free Mold Test Kit

Worried that your house might have mold? Want to test it just in case? Click here to get a free mold test kit from Pionair.

Busy People's Fast & Frugal Cookbook Giveaway

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 13, 2009)
Paperback: 384 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595552901
ISBN-13: 978-1595552907

I love cookbooks but I need easy and fast recipes. So I was very intrigued by Dawn Hall's cookbook "The Busy People's Fast and Frugal Cookbook ". I am a very busy person and I am frugal so it sounded like a great cookbook to try!

Have ever found what sounds like a great recipe but it calls for some obscure ingredient? Then you have to search for that special ingredient and spend a lot of money. I love that each recipe in Busy People's Fast and Frugal Cookbook features seven or less easy to find ingredients. That is what I need! I use recipes to make my life easier and cheaper not more difficult and expensive!

Another nice touch is that at the beginning of each section, the recipes are broken into categories by the number of minutes to prepare them. For example, the Appetizer section is divided into 10 minutes or less, 15 minutes or less, and 30 minutes or less. Also each recipe in the book gives nutritional information and the Diabetic exchange.

** I received a cookbook for review and giveaway. Thanks to Dawn Hall and Thomas Nelson! **

So would you like to win Busy People's Fast and Frugal Cookbook?

To Enter: Visit the Cooking for Busy People website then leave a comment with a recipe that you would like to try or something that you liked about the website.

Additional Entries: You can do any one or all of the following to earn extra entries. Each counts as one extra entry. Please leave an additional comment for each that you have done.

• Follow my blog (see the left sidebar to sign up). Already a Follower, that counts too.

• Follow me on Twitter (current followers count)

• Tweet about this giveaway and leave the link.

• Subscribe to my blog (see left sidebar to sign up). Current subscribers count too.

• Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post.

• Post my button on your blog and leave a link. Have my button already, that counts!

Giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on Saturday February 6th at 11:59 CST. Winner will be chosen using a random number generator. Winner will be posted on this blog and notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn. Please make sure that you leave your email address in your comment or in your profile so you can receive your prize.

New 5 Point Disney Rewards Movie Code

Here is another 5 point code for Disney Movie Rewards. The code is 329vndj831 . Click here to enter your code.

Not a Disney Rewards member? The sign up is easy and free. They often give out free points.

Monday New Week Reminders 1/18

Here are the events that I found that are coming up in the next few weeks.
Ongoing~ Free Uniball Pen to first 10,000 people per day ~ click here

Jan 18th ~ Milk Giveaway in Cleveland, Balitmore, & Albuquerque ~ details here

Jan 19th ~ Milk Giveaway in Atlanta ~ details here

Jan 21st ~ Chipotle "Free Burrito Day" only at New Brunswick, NJ Rutgers 387 George St.

Jan 23rd ~ Free Make It Take It Yarn Event for kids at Michaels from 1 to 3 pm~ details here

Jan 23rd ~ Build a Tic Tac Toe at Lowes Kids Build & Grow Clinic from 10am - 11am ~ sign up here

Feb 6th ~ Build a free Car Display at Home Depot Kid's Workshop ~ details here

Feb 9th ~ Free Grand Slam breakfast at Denny's restaurants 6am - 2pm

Feb 20th ~ Free Auntie Anne's pretzel

Free Carefree Liners & Band-Aids at Dollar General

Right now Dollar General has a new flyer which contains $1 Carefree liners and $1 Band-Aids coupons! Those items sell for $1 each at Dollar General so you can get them for free!!! The flyers can be found at the front of the store. Coupons expire January 30, 2010.

Bath & Body Works Coupon ~ Buy $10 Get Free Soap

Bath & body Works has a new coupon. Click here to get a free anti-bacterial soap with any $10 purchase. Coupon expires February 21, 2010.

Budgeting Tips # 10 ~ Knox Blox Jello Recipe

I was looking through the cupboard yesterday and found some packages of Jello. Then I remembered that I had not made Jello blocks in a long time. Quick, easy and cheap! My kids especially like the strawberry! You can eat them as a snack or serve them with a meal. The sugar free Jello has very little calories so it is a great treat on my diet. Here is the recipe that I use:

4 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin
3 (4 serving) pkg. gelatin (Jello)
4 c. boiling water

In large bowl, mix unflavored gelatin with Jello gelatin. Add boiling water and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Pour into 9x13 inch baking pan and chill until firm. To serve, cut into 1-inch squares. Makes about 9 dozen Blox.

Budgeting Tps # 9 : Cut Your Movie Entertainment Costs

Watching a movie at the theatre costs more now than ever before! Movie tickets at my theatre are $9.25! Of course, the price of the popcorn and pop are outrageous. If you buy snacks, a trip for two to a movie can cost $40.


Fortunately we do have more options today. If you really have to see that movie in the theatre then go during the "discount hours" or see the movie at the 2nd run theatre. For discount hours, check your local newspaper listings or the movie theatre website. Also Costco sells gift cards for some movie theatres at a discount. To find a 2nd run theatre, google "discount movie theatres in your zipcode".

If you can wait to see a movie on DVD or TV then your options to save money are even greater. Take advantage of the Redbox free rental codes or pay the $1 a night rental fee. If you belong to Netflix, you can watch some movies instantly on your computer or Tv. The movie rental stores have been offering discounts for rentals during the week. Of course, you can also find movies at your local library for free!

2 Free Redbox Movie Codes ~ HyVee Stores Only

I am very excited because we have HyVee stores here! There are 2 new free rental codes for Redbox that are good only at HyVee stores. The codes have different start and end dates. More free movies!!

3HY2VE27 (valid 1/13/10 to 2/13/10)
8HY2VE24 (valid 1/18/10 to 1/24/10)

To see other codes that are still valid, click here for my previous post.

CVS Deals Starting 1/17

Thanks to Melissa's Bargain Blog for providing the CVS match-ups for this week. Here are my favorites:

3 day sale:
Buy Valentine M&Ms - 2/$5, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/2 M&Ms chocolate candies, 9.4 oz or larger - 1-10 RP

Entire week sale:
Spend $20 on Pepsi products, get a $10 ECB (limit 2 per household)
-Pepsi 12 pk, 12 oz cans are priced 6/$20
-Gatorade, Sobe, or Pepsi 2 liters are 4/$5
$1/2 Gatorade G2 - 1-10 RP
-Starbucks Frappucino, Amp, or Izze 4 pks are $5
-Tostitos or Lays chips (excludes baked) are 2/$7
-True North nuts or Stacy's pita chips are 2/$6

Check out all the details at Melissa's Bargain Blog.

Dole Fruitbowl 30 Day Challenge Rebate & Instant Win

Dole is challenging you to eat a Fruit Bowl everyday for 30 days. As a reward for passing Take Dole's 30 Day Challenge where you eat a single serve bowl of their Dole Fruit Bowls once each day for 30 days, they will send you four coupons for a free 4-pack of DOLE Fruit Bowls!

Sign up here for the fruit challenge and print your rebate form. Must purchase 8 of the 4packs of Dole Fruitbowls of qualifying items (may have multiple receipts) and will receive coupons for 4 free 4 packs of Dole Fuit. Qualifing items include Gel cups, Parfaits, and Fruit Bowls. Rebate must be submitted by March 1, 2010.

While you are there, you can play the instant win game. You can win free coupons for Dole Fruit. It is a slightly time consuming game, You can play once per day.

New Free Movie Redbox Code ~ McDonalds Only

Here is a new free movie Redbox code that is being reported as working today. The code is N3WY3AR. This code seems to be working at McDonalds locations only. I will be trying the code today. Let me know if you have luck using it.

You can click here to find a McDonalds Redbox near you. Remember to check the box that says McDonalds only.

Previously reported codes that are still working:
DVDONME
BREAKROOM
DVDATWAG (Walgreens only)

Free Wet Ones at Walgreens After Coupon & RR

Later today, I will post the new Walgreen's deals but I wanted to let you know about this deal right away. Print this $1.50 Wet Ones coupon before it is gone! You need to take the pledge to stop germs and then the coupon link will appear. Remember to hit the back button so you can print 2 coupons. Also each different computer can print the coupons. Starting tomorrow, Walgreen's will have Wet Ones on sale 2 for $4 with a register reward of $1 when you buy 2.

So here is deal:

Buy 2 packages of Wet Ones for $4

- $3.00 (2 of the $1.50 coupon)

Out of pocket = $1

Get Register Reward of $1

= Free after coupons and Register Rewards

Thanks to Life and Times of Money Saving Mom for this deal.

Get More Followers For Your Blog ~ Friday Follow

I love getting followers for my blog! I also love finding new blogs to follow. So do you want more blog followers? One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families, and Midday Escapades have come up with a new event called Friday Follow. You just sign up on the linky on one of their Follow Friday posts. Then follow as many blogs from the linky as you want to and comment that you are part of Friday Follow. Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow. It is a fun way to get new followers for your blog. Give it a try!

Budgeting Tips # 8 ~ Sign Up For Birthday Clubs

My family has cut back on going out to eat at restaurants and fast food places. It is much cheaper to eat at home. But sometimes you would like to celebrate such as birthdays, anniversarys, or even when your kids get good report cards. A little planning ahead will help you have restaurant coupons when you would want to use them.

Many restaurants offer customer loyalty or birthday clubs. Some of these send out coupons for free food on your birthday. Also you can recieve a coupon for joining or other discount coupons throughout the year. Think of the restaurants where you like to eat and then check their website to see if they offer a club.

You find a list of some of the offers in this article on About.com .

Free Kotex Sample Packs ~ 3 Different Links

Here are three links for Kotex sample packs. I believe that these are new links. Each link has a slightly different sample pack. Another great thing is that it is one sample kit per request, with a limit of two requests per household. So if you have a daughter over age 13, she can request a sample pack too. I used my extra email address for my daughter because I never give out her actual email.

Kotex Sample Pack 1
Kotex Sample Pack 2

Kotex Sample Pack 3

Free Sample of Clorox Greenworks Cleaner

Here is your chance to try the Clorox Greenworks Cleaner. Click here to choose from Bathroom, All Purpose, or Glass Cleaner. Simply fill in the following form to receive a product sample from the Clorox® Greenworks lineup of your choice! Limit one per user, per email address and per physical address. No purchase required - while supplies last.

Over or Under ?? Contest From Cottonelle

Are you an over the top or under bathroom tissue lover? I am a "over the top"! My husband doesn't care and just puts it on willy nilly. Can you believe that?

Cottonelle is having a fun contest where you can vote for over the top or under. You can visit http://www.cottonellerollpoll.com/ to place your vote!

What's even better is that by leaving a comment on this post you will be entered to win 1 of 10 Cottonelle gift baskets randomly chosen on January 29, 2010 from all entries on participating blogs.

** By sharing this fun contest, I am also entered to win a free month supply of Toilet Paper from Cottonelle as a member of the Mom Bloggers Club. **

Budgetiing Tips #7 ~ Eat Leftovers

Sure this is not the most exciting tip. But do you find yourself throwing away leftover food? Eating leftovers will save money and time.

Here are some helpful tips:
• Make one night a week "Leftover night". Schedule this night in your meal plan. If you don't have enough leftovers then move it to another night but have it planned.

• Add something different to the meal. You can make a side dish such as noodles or bread to make the leftover night more appealing.

• You don't have to use your leftovers as the exact same meal. Use roast beef or pork to make BBQ sandwiches. Use leftover ham in omelets or a quiche.

• Freeze the leftovers. I do this a lot with chili or soups. Then you have an easy meal or an extra side dish on hand.

• You can spice up your brown bag lunch by adding some leftovers. This is especially easy if you have access to a microwave. Easy and you save money by not eating out.

• Do you really hate eating leftovers? Then downsize the portions that you are making for dinner. You can cut that roast into 2 portions and freeze half of it. Try cutting your recipes in half so you don't have any leftovers.

The Great Gallon Give = Free Milk in Select Cities

Wow, free milk giveaways! The Milk Campaign will be stopping in 18 cities across the country during a weeklong initiative in January called the “Great Gallon Give” to give away hundreds of thousands of gallons of milk. I have listed the cities, then below that I have listed details (if known) for each city.

HERE ARE THE CITIES!!

* Albuquerque, NM
* Atlanta, GA
* Baltimore, MD
* Birmingham, AL
* Charlotte, NC - over - was on Jan 13th
* Cleveland, OH
* Dallas, TX
* Denver, CO
* Des Moines, IA
* Detroit, MI
* Miami, FL
* Minneapolis, MN ~ over ~ was on Jan 13th
* Philadelphia, PA
* Phoenix, AZ
* Portland, OR
* Sacramento, CA ~ over ~ was on Jan 13th
* Salt Lake City, UT - over -was Jan 14th from 9-11am
* Seattle, WA



Miami info
Great Gallon Give
Friday, Jan 15 4:00 - 7:00pm
at Dolphin Mall, Miami, FL

Denver info
On Friday, January 15, 2010 the “Great Gallon Give” will be in Denver distributing thousands of gallons of free milk to help Denver build strong families.
Friday, Jan 15 1:00p to 4:00p
at Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Denver, CO
Address: 3000 East First Avenue, Denver, CO 80206

Phoenix, Arizona information
On Saturday, January 16, 2010 The “Great Gallon Give” will be in Phoenix distributing 2,000 thousand gallons of milk to help Phoenix build strong families.
At the event, Phoenix residents can
• Get a free gallon of lowfat or fat free milk while supplies last
• Sample lowfat and fat free milk from Shamrock Foods
• Pose for a celebrity-inspired Milk Mustache souvenir photo
• Speak with a registered dietitian on the health benefits of milk
Date: Saturday, January, 16, 2010
Location: Phoenix Zoo
455 N Galvin Pkwy
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Time: 1:00-3:00 P.M.


Dallas information
On Saturday, the 16th, free gallons of milk will be distributed onsite by local Dallas milk processors Borden Milk Products, Oak Farms and Schepps Dairies as part of the Great Gallon Give initiative.
Saturday, Jan 16th, 2010
3 to 6 p.m. Saturday
American Airlines Center

Detroit info
Great Gallon Give
Sunday, Jan 17 1:30p to 3:30p
at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI

Atlanta info

Time: Tuesday, Jan 19 12:30p to 2:30p
Location: Atlanta, GA,
171 17th St., Atlanta, GA, 30363
Price: free
Venue: Atlantic Station
On Tuesday, January 19, 2010 The “Great Gallon Give” will be in Atlanta distributing 2,000 thousand gallons of milk to help Atlanta build strong families.
At the event, Atlanta residents can
* Get a free gallon of lowfat or fat free milk while supplies last
* Sample lowfat and fat free milk from Mayfield Dairy and Pet Dairy
* Pose for a celebrity-inspired Milk Mustache souvenir photo
* Speak with a registered dietitian on the health benefits of milk

SEATTLE INFORMATION
During the Great Gallon Give, residents can:
• Speak with a registered dietitian on the health benefits of milk
• Receive a one of 200,000 gallons of free milk at Seattle Center
• Sample milk from local Seattle dairies
When: Saturday, Jan 16
Time: 11 a.m.– 2 p.m.
Where: Seattle Center

CLEVELAND INFORMATION
Jan. 18, 2-5 p.m., Wade Oval
The Got Milk? campaign is celebrating moms for setting the table with milk by hosting the Great Gallon Give and inviting all families to stop by and pick up their FREE gallon of milk while supplies last! At the event, you can: receive a FREE gallon of milk from local milk processors Dairymens’ Milk while supplies last; snap a free souvenir Milk Mustache photo and speak to a registered dietitian about how milk can help build a strong family.

BALTIMORE INFORMATION
In celebration of a new year and to help moms build strong families in 2010, we’re kicking off a national “Great Gallon Give,” and literally giving away 200,000 gallons of free milk to moms coast to coast! In Baltimore we’ll giving away thousands of gallons of free milk. We’ll be at the White Marsh Mall on January 18th from 11 am-2 pm.

Philadelphia Information
Friday, January 15, 2010 from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (ET)
Where
Reading Terminal Market
51 North 12th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Des Moines
Details
Address: Town Center: 101 Jordan Creek Pkwy. West Des Moines, Iowa 50266, West Des Moines, IA 50266 (map)
In celebration of a new year and to help moms build strong families in 2010, we’re kicking off a national “Great Gallon Give,” and literally giving away 200,000 gallons of free milk to moms coast to coast! In Des Moines we’ll giving away thousands of gallons of free milk. We’ll be at Jordan Creek Town Center from 3:00-6:00pm on January 15, 2010.

BIRMINGHAM INFORMATION
Sunday January 17th, 2010
It will be outside the McWane Science Center.
You do not have to go inside the center to participate.
The Great Gallon Give 2010 will be giving away 1 free gallon of milk per family from 1 to 4 p.m.

Albuquerque information
American's Milk Processors are saluting Albuquerque moms for setting the table with Milk by hosting a free event called the Great Gallon Give on Monday, January 18th at Cottonwood Mall from 11am - 2pm.
On site, receive a free gallon of milk from local dairies Creamland Dairies, Dean Foods, Smith's Food and Drug Stores while supplies last, talk to a registered dietitian about building a strong family with milk and take your own milk mustache photo!

Chevys Restaurant Buy One Combo Get One Free Coupon

New coupon for Chevy's restaurants! Buy one Fresh Mex Combo and receive a second combo of equal or lesser value for free. Click here to print your coupon.

Free Subscription to Forbes Magazine.

Quick before it is gone! Get a free one year subscription of Forbes magazine from Rewards Gold. I have received many free magazies from them. No credit card needed.

Free Calendar With No Sitting Fee at Sears

Who wouldn't like a nice calender with their kids photos? Now through January 22nd, Sear is offering a free designer portrait calender. Click here to print the offer. Limit one per family, per visit. You do need to schedule the portrait sitting before January 22nd.