Thursday, February 24, 2011

CVS Plan for 2/27-3/5!



There are lots of things I need from the ad this week that are GREAT deals, so I am pretty excited!

Current Balance of EBs: $9.99

Transaction #1:
The Deal: Buy Crest or Oral B product @ $3.29, get $3.29 EBs (Limit 2)
Crest ProHealth 4.2 oz - $3.29 - Use $1/1 from PG Saver Booklet pay $2.29
Crest ProHealth 4.2 oz - $3.29 - Use $1/1 from PG Saver Booklet pay $2.29
The Deal: Buy Softsoap Body Wash @ $2.99, get $2 EBs
SoftSoap Body Wash 15-18oz - $2.99 - pay $2.99 (unless I have a coupon!)
The Deal : Spend $10 on any Physicians Formula, get $7 EBs
I'm not sure what I'll buy, but I like to compare cosmetics and I have a coupon for $7 off any Physicians Formula product (from CVS) - so I'll pay $3 oop

Total Cost: $10.57
Use Current EBs: $9.99
Total OOP: $0.58
Get: $15.58 EBs

Transaction #2
The Deal: Spend $20 on Excedrin, get $10 EBs
1 Excedrin (250 tabs) $14.99 - use $1/1 Excedrin (peelie) - pay $13.99
1 Excedrin (20 tabs) $5.49

Total Cost: $19.48
Use EBs from Trans. #1: $15.58
Total OOP: $3.90
Get: $10 EBs

Transaction #3
The Deal: Spend $30 P&G Products, get $10 EBs
2 Tide (20-32 loads) $11.88 - Use 2 $1/1 from PG Booklet - pay $9.88
3 Dawn Dish Soap $2.82 - Use 3 $0.50/1 from PG Booklet - pay $1.32
2 Bounty Basic 8pk Paper Towels $11.98 - Use 2 $1/1 from PG Booklet - pay $9.98
1 CoverGirl Mascara $5.99 - Use $1/1 from PG Booklet - pay $4.99

Total Cost: $26.17
Use EBs from Trans. #2: $10
Total OOP: $16.17
Get: $10 EBs

SUM IT UP!
I will end up spending $20.65 OOP and end up with $10 EBs at the end of the day!  PLUS I will get $5 EBs for being a part of the CVS Beauty Club (you get $5 for every $50 spent there)

In case you're not realizing how awesome this is, I will walk away with these products:
1 SoftSoap Body Wash
2 Crest Mouth Wash
1 Physicians Formula Product
2 Excedrin (totaling 270 tabs!)
2 Tide Detergent
3 Dawn Dish Soap
2 Bounty Paper Towels (16 rolls!)
1 CoverGirl Mascara

alllllll for $20.65 WITH $15 EBs, which I will use on their 10/$10 fruit and veggies.

Okay, that is awesome.

The Thursday Push!


http://starodubtsevss.wordpress.com/
 I wish.....

...I could be home with Little Steve more often.
...I was already done with school.
...I lived at Lake Anna.
...I didn't have to sit in traffic to get to work.
...I could magically lose 10 more lbs.
...Little Steve would STOP GROWING!
...Relationships weren't so difficult to maintain.

And the list goes on.

Every time I find myself with the case of the 'Iwishes,'  I remember a famous line from my childhood (*censored to be family friendly):

"Wish in one hand and *poop in the other and tell me which one fills up faster."

Unless you're one of my siblings, you have no idea how annoying this phrase was growing up.  However, it's true!  Even with hearing these words of wisdom on a relatively daily basis, I am still learning to appreciate and accept life.  And I don't mean in a 'life sucks, get a helmet' way, I mean it in a 'Nobody said it'd be easy, they just promised it'd be worth it' kinda way.

Funny how we spend all of our time wishing things would just happen and go faster, then when we get there, we wish it would all S L O W D O W N.

What a cliche-filled post!  Happy Almost Friday, everyone!


Wednesday, February 23, 2011

What's On Suzie's Menu?

I lied to you all...

I did not settle for Plain 'Ol Basghetti last night, I made Beef Burritos instead (inspired by Pie Birds, Buttons, & Muddy Puddles) - post to follow!

Some of the following are recipes I didn't get to because we either ate out (Valentine's Day and Anniversary!) or had an impromptu cook out.  In any case, here are some recipes I plan to try this next couple of weeks:

Creamy Bacon Linguini
Chicken Potato Alfredo Lasagna (with homemade alfredo sauce!)
Bacon Wrapped BBQ Shrimp
Fish Sammies w/ Homemade Fries
Beefy Biscuit Cups w/ Mexican Pasta
Mexican Pork Chops
Easy Hamburger Casserole
Mama's Chipped Beef & Gravy


Repeat Offenders:
Chicken Parmesan with Creamy Pasta Bake
Easy Peasy Chicken & Dumplings

That'll do!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Holy Long Weekend.

Thank goodness for long weekends!

I have been exhausted and still am, but the day off yesterday helped to restore some energy, even if only a small bit.  Some is better than none!

The day started out a little crazy because Mrs. L (Little Steve's sitter) is very sick, but I brought him anyway because her mother-in-law was going to be watching the kids.  However, when I saw how miserable Mrs. L was, I decided not to leave him because I didn't want to chance Stevie getting the flu if that's what she has.  I took him allll the way back to my area to his Aunt Kelly for the day.  If you live in NOVA, you know that 66 is a nightmare in the morning, so I ended up starting my day at 9:30 instead of 7:30 for work.  WOW!  Luckily, I had 2 LARGE cups of coffee to help me run around like a nut.

After a 4 day hiatus from working out, I feel very out of shape.  I have to get back on it tonight, which is also when I will hopefully have some updates about my latest Harris Teeter shopping trip and my menu for the next couple of weeks.

WHEW!  Deep breaths.  Thank the Lord this is a short work week.

Tonights menu: Plain Ol' Basghetti.  I know - VERY boring, but I have some ground beef in the fridge right now and I don't want to do more thinking today than I have to. 

Have an awesome Monday!  Hopefully you were lucky enough to have the day off yesterday, too!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Harris Teeter Super Doubles - Trip 2.

Yes, indeed, I said Trip 2.

Here is what I purchased:
the stuff on the stove ledge was not this purchase!
What you see:

2 Gerber Graduates Yogurt (4 pks)
3 Ragu Sauce
2 cans Maxwell House Coffee
3 cans Rotel
1 box Mrs. T's Mini Pierogies
2 bags McCain Smile Fries
4 cans Pillsbury Grands
2 bottles Simply OJ
2 Jello Sugar Free Pudding (6pks)
4 bags Kraft Shredded Cheese w/ Touch of Philly
3 Athenos Greek Yogurt w/ Honey
2 tubs Hillshire Cracked Turkey Breast
1 bag Mission Tortilla
4 pks Budding Beef
1 bag of Baking Potatoes

Coupons Tendered: $59.68
VIC Savings: $22.68
Total OOP: $34.79

My goal was to spend $30 or less, but I know what got me - it was those darn Smile Fries.  Little Steve saw them and said 'WOOOOOOOOOOOW' so I felt obligated!  I know I'll grow out of this, but he actually interacts at the grocery now, so it's pretty fun.

I saw MANY fellow couponers.  It's like some underground club - we all walk around, look at each others coupon 'systems' and smile.  Without actually saying 'I know what you're doing' we're definitely watching each other.  It's actually pretty hysterical.

Cheesy Ziti

Cheezy Ziti

You will need:

1 Box Ziti
1 lb Ground Beef
1 can Tomato Soup
2 cups Shredded Mozarella
1/2 cup Parmesean (for topping)
1 jar Spaghetti Sauce

Preheat the oven to 350.

To make this meal quicker, boil the pasta first before baking the dish.  I did this, of course, because my time is just as short as the next mama.  Brown the beef while your noodles are boiling.  Drain and return to pan.  Mix in the tomato soup and spaghetti sauce.

Drain pasta and transfer to a baking dish.  Add the cheese - I do this first because the cheese melts and 'gets lost' in the noodles.  Totes delish! 

Combine the meat mixture with the noodles and top with parmesean cheese!  Bake for about 20 minutes.

I forgot to use my new Philadelphia Cooking Cream - which I got for FREE, btw!  But if you add a couple tablespoons of that, you can make this dish incredibly creamy!

ENJOY!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Easy Peasy Quesagna!

Tonight, we tried a little something I like to call 'Quesagna' for obvious reasons - isn't it obvious?  Maybe just to me.  It's a mix between Quesadillas and Lasagna.  YUM!  It was also ridiculously easy, so it's quite the Easy Peasy addition!


You will need:
1 lb Ground Beef
1 can Hormel Chilli w/ Beans
1 can Kidney or Pinto Beans
9 Tortillas
1.5 cups Shredded Cheese (whatever you have!)

Preheat the oven to 350.

Brown the beef in a pan w/ EVOO.  Drain.  Return to pain and mix with Hormel Chilli and Beans.  DONE WITH THE FILLING!

Put 1/2 of the mixture in a lightly greased baking pan.  Pile 3 tortillas on top and add 1/2 of what is left of the mixture on top as well as 1/2 of the cheese.  Layer 3 more tortillas and finish off with the remainder of the mixture and cheese.  Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes or until cheese melts!

DELISH!

Mid-Week Shopping!

Harris Teeter - Super Doubles Trip #1


12 Boxes of Mueller Pasta (use Mueller's coupons for as much FREE Pasta as you want)
3 Hormel Chilli (coupon in paper)
1 Box Uncle Ben's Rice (coupon in paper)
3 HT Ground Beef
2 HT Boneless Chicken Breast (B1G1 this week)
1 Wholly Guacamole
1 Philly Mini Tubs (coupon in paper)
3 Philly Cooking Cream (Coupons.com makes these FREE)
2 Kraft Singles (coupon in paper)
2 Loaves Pepperidge Farm Bread (coupon in paper)

Coupons Tendered: $59.86
VIC (Harris Teeter Member) Savings: $21.40
Total OOP: $25.31

Oh yeah, then I realized I needed milk, so I went back and got:

1 Gallon of Milk and FREE Oreos (totaling around $2.80).  Free Oreos?  Don't mind if I do!  Get your coupon at Coupons.com - Buy 1 Gallon of Milk, get $1 off Oreos.  This will double to $2 and Harris Teeter is running a special on Oreos - only $1.97 (limit 1 per household).

CVS Trip:
4 bottles of Basics Fruit (Apples & Peach)
3 Cans of Mandarin Oranges
2 Diet Coke

Total: $0.44

How did I do it?  Easy.  I used a CVS coupon (found here) for B1G1 Diet Coke paired with $1.00 off coupon at Coupons.com.  Then I used $7.58 EBs that I got back over the weekend from buying 2 tubes of Colgate Toothpaste - THEY ARE FREE THIS WEEK!  You buy them, you get the money back in EBs.  Why would you NOT do this?  Everyone uses toothpaste, right?  If you're lucky, you're store might still have some in stock - when  I went on Sunday (the first day of the deal) there were very few left on the shelves.  If you get the Sunday paper, you've received coupons for this toothpaste over the last 2 weeks and will end up getting these better than free.  I never knew there was as such thing until CVS entered my world.  I love you, CVS!

I heart Harris Teeter Super Doubles


Trip 1 – look for crab classics

2 HT Chicken B1G1 - $7
3 Hamburger Meat - $12
12 Mueller Pasta – FREE
1 Uncle Bens White Rice – FREE
2 Pepperidge Farm Loaves of Bread – FREE
1 Wholly Guac – FREE
4 Philly Cooking Cream – FREE
2 Kraft Singles – 2/2
1 Philly Minis - .19
3 Hormel Beans – 1/3
1 Simply OJ – 1.89


Total : $24.97

Trip 2
1 Mission Tortilla – FREE
1 Gerber Yogurt – FREE
1 Athenos Yogurt – FREE
2 Athenos Yogurt – .50/2
1 Jello 6pk Pudding - .99
1 Jello 6pk Pudding - .99
1 Welchs Juice Cocktail – 1
2 Maxwell House Coffee - .50/2
1 Mrs. T Perogies - .99
1 Birdseye Steam Fresh - .75
2 Pillsbury Grands – 1.32/2
Milk
1 Oreo – FREE
1 Simply OJ – 1.89
3 Ragu – 4.67/3
2 Kraft Shredded Touch of Philly – 1.98/2
2 Kraft Shredded Touch of Philly – 1.98/2
3 Rotel – 1.09/3
1 Hillshire Farm Lunch Meat– 1.50
1 Hillshire Farm Lunch Meat– 1.50
4 Budding Lunch Meat– 1.96/4

Total: $18.94

I will update later with actual amounts.  I have a coupon for everything except the meat!  I am so excited!

I found out last time Super Doubles was around that we have some underground couponers, LOL!  So, wish me luck!  I am going to wake up at 4am (which isn't unusual for me) and go for day 2 because I know some of that stuff is gonna go FAST!

Panda Research - New Survey Opportunities



I signed up for Panda Research today and received $3.00 just for signing up!  There are mulitple opportunities for surveys, reading emails, etc.  I've told you all before a billion times that these sites won't make you rich, but I don't care who you are, everyone could use an extra $10 here and there.  $10 at CVS goes a LONG way, so count me in!

Go here to sign up for Panda Research today and start earning a little extra money!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

NEW Kraft Coupons!

Little Steve loooooves all things Kraft.  Coupons.com not only has Kraft products, but Nabisco Products, too!  I can make both Steves happy with this stuff!

Here are my favs:


Remember, if you have a Harris Teeter near you, tomorrow starts SUPER DOUBLES, which means these coupons will double to $2/off!  WHOO!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Love, Love, Love!

blogamole.mtvtr3s.com

I don't care if it's a commercialized holiday, I love Valentine's Day.  This Valentine's Day has been particularly wonderful because my twin brother (and BFF) asked his girlfriend of a billion years to marry him!  I am so overwhelmed with joy and can not wait to celebrate!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Valentine's Day and appreciates love in all of it's beautiful forms.  Happy Valentine's Day to the two loves of my life - Big Steve & Little Steve.

Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS BUDDY & JANELLE!  I love you guys!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

My week of CVSing.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to take a picture of everything in this first one - it's missing 2 cans of Campbell's Chilli (already in our bellys!)


Total cost of transaction was $0.77! + $4 EBs!
How: Wisk/All was B1G1, I had coupons for both (totaling $3 off!)
I also had $15.99 from my last trip to CVS in EBs
I saved $31.22.

Today's trip:


Total spent: $8.63 + $1 EB!
How: I had a B1G1 for the Old Spice + $1 off 2 Old Spice Products, I also had a B1G1 for the toothbrushes.
I saved $23.38.
I used a CVS Giftcard from Suntrust Rewards, so I spent nothin OOP and still have $1.37 on the card.

Isn't this fun?!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Pampers Soft Care Scented Wipes 720 ct - $11.51 shipped!


Pampers Soft Care Scented Wipes 720 ct.
 These are like the Huggies Disposable Washcloths that aren't made anymore!
List Price: $25.00
Price: $19.19 ($0.03 / Count) Free Two-Day Shipping from
Amazon.com.
You Save: $5.81 (23%) (I’m guessing this is the Amazon Mom discount)

Choose Subscribe & Save (on the right side of the page) and you will save an additional 30% off your wipes order so now your cost is $12.50 with FREE 2 day shipping!
Then use coupon code MOMWIPES good for additional 10% off.
Gets you to 11.51 shipped!

Thanks, Mrs. Moneysaver!

Thursday, February 10, 2011


Coupons.com released some new coupons!  Print each coupon twice for maximum savings!


The Thursday Push!

photo from flickr
Not sure if I've ever mentioned in my blog that I have braces, but I do.  That's right - adult braces.  I know now why I never got braces in high school - because they suck.  Currently, I'm starving, but my mouth is killing me.  Literally killing me!  Funny how I could have such an easy birthing experience, but braces turn me into the biggest wuss!

Despite the brace pain, I am having a pretty okie dokie morning.  I woke up about 2 lbs lighter (suhweet!) and I didn't work out last night.  On top of not working out, I had 3 large glasses of wine (I blame the braces).  How does that work?  I bust my tush to lose weight and the days I slack off, I actually lose some?  It's like my wildest dreams have come true!

Okay, I digress.  The purpose of the Thursday Push is to help us finish the week no matter what we're going through.  As trivial as my 'brace pain' is, it still makes me think of one of my favorite bible verses:

 There is a time for everything,
   and a season for every activity under the heavens

Ecclesiastes 3:1

So, whether you're experiencing pain from braces or something on a much larger scale, remember "this too shall pass."

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Easy Peasy Skillet & Beef Shells


Easy Peasy Skillet & Beef Shells

You will need:

1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
1 jar of Pasta Sauce
1 box of Shells
1 cup of Mozarella Cheese
2 cups Water

Brown meat in skillet and drain.

Add Pasta Sauce and Water.  Bring to a boil.  Add uncooked pasta shells and bring to a boil.  Simmer about 15 minutes (or until shells are tender) and add Mozarella.

Done and done!  I made some garlic bread with it and we had salads on the side!

Tuna Noodle Casserole


Tuna Noodle Casserole

You will need:

2 cans of Tuna
1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 cup of Milk
1 can of Peas or about 2 cups frozen Peas
1 box of Penne Noodles
1/4 cup of Bread Crumbs
1 cup shredded cheese

Preheat the oven to 375.  Boil noodles as directed on package.

Mix Tuna, both cans of Soup, Milk, and Peas together.  Set aside.

In a 13x9 baking dish, combine all ingredients with the noodles.  Top with bread crumbs and bake for 25 minutes.

Maybe this should be an Easy Peasy meal :)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

I heart Starbucks!


Heyyyy coffee lovers!

Do you have a Starbucks Gift Card?  Register it with Starbucks and earn FREE rewards.  To keep getting rewards for using your GC, just reload it.  Not only do you get a free drink on your birthday, but you get 'stars' for every purchase you make.

5 stars gets you to the 'Green Level' which entails free syrups and milk, plus free refills on brewed coffee or tea.  You also get free trial offers for new products. 

30 stars and you're super special.  30 stars = Gold Level meaning you get a free drink every 15 stars after, a personalized gold card, AND personalized offers/coupons.

If you already go to Starbucks frequently, this is a no-brainer.  Regester your card now!

ProFlowers! Valentine's Day is a week away!


ProFlowers is offering a FREE vase with the purchase of flowers - they start at only $19.99!  If you haven't planned out something for your special lady (or a man if he likes flowers), then you better get on it or enjoy the 'doghouse' for a while.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Eversave: 2 Year Subscription to Parenting Early Years for $2!

photo props: Frugal Coupon Living


Parenting: Early Years is the awesome magazine that often features Amazon coupons!

You can go to Eversave today and get a 2 Year Subscription for $2!  So worth the money.

Here's what you do:

Go to Eversave and sign in or sign up.
Under your cities name in the menu, select 'view a different location' and go to 'Indianapolis.'
Look on the side bar (to the right) for the Parenting Magazine (Advertised as $5)
Use the coupon code TOUCHDOWN at checkout and save $3!

Thanks, Cleverly Simple!

Cellfire - Digital Coupons


Cellfire is a great website where you can add coupons to your savings card (i.e. Harris Teeter VIC Card, Safeway Club Card, etc.) and it will automatically deduct those savings when you ring up.  It's a very cool website and a great way to 'go paperless' in the coupon world.

Sign up here and you can start adding coupons today!  Of course, this is free or else I wouldn't be telling you about it :).

FREE PASTA AT HARRIS TEETER 2/17-2/23!

pic props: hungernwnc.org


As I mentioned before, Harris Teeter is doing Super Doubles this month - I just found out the exact dates today.

Well, I've also mentioned before that Muellers Pasta has endless printing $1 off coupons.  Use these at Harris Teeter during Super Doubles, and you'll get FREE pasta.  As many boxes as you want because you can print those babies until you run out of ink if you wanna.

Why would you not take advantage of this?

What's On Suzie Menu?

Happy Monday!

I am exhausted!  I went to spend time at the Lake for the Super Bowl after my Anatomy test (crossing fingers for an A) and didn't get home until about midnight.  You all know by now, that I wake up between 4-5 am, but I slept in until about 5:30!  Luckily, I was sill out of the house by 6  because my step-dad watches my son on Mondays, so I didn't have to wake him up and try to calm his 'why did you wake me up' fussies.

Here's my menu thus far:

Tuna Noodle Casserole
Baked Ziti (never got to it last time)
Orange Chicken - Slow Cooker Style
Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Pork Chops
Bacon Wrapped BBQ Shrimp
Crescent Pizza Pockets
Mexican Lasagna
Easy Peasy Skillet Beef & Shells
Ham & Cheese Crescent
Easy Peasy Chicken Pot Pie
Easy Peasy Taquito Pasta 'N Cheese
Creamy Bacon Linguini

I'll slowly post recipes for you guys!  Let me know if there is anything from the above list you want likerightnow and I will happily oblige.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Saturday Shopping Trips to Target & Harris Teeter

Though I did get a TON of stuff, I spent way more than I'd hoped.  The reason I spent more than I wanted was because I ended up buying more things at Target and a lot more fresh meat.   I'm a little disappointed, but not mad at myself because I still remained within budget.  I had to take away from my Harris Teeter Super Doubles budget, though!




What you see in the pictures:

1 baby Valentines Tee
1 baby St. Patricks Tee
2 picture frames
3 pk Clorox wipes
2 Gerber Granola Bars
2 Gerber Fruit Bars
2 Carving Board Sandwich Meat
3 Cans Cream of Chicken
1 pk Oscar Mayer Bacon
2.5 lbs Bananas
1 bag Frozen Mixed Berries
1 tub of Country Crock Butter
2 Boxes of Glad Trashbags (32 ct.)
2 Bags Kraft Shredded Cheeses
2 tubs Philadelphia Cream Cheese
2 Boxes Kelloggs Crunchy Nut Cereal
2 Boxes Special K Bars
2 Bags of Tostitos Chips
1 can of Tostitos Salsa
2 Boxes Hefty Zip Bags
6 Boxes of Mueller Pasta
1 Smart Balance Oil
1 Kikkoman Soy Sauce
1 Frenchs Mustard
2 L+P Worcester Sauce
2 Ground Beef
2 Pork Chops
1 Chicken Breast
1 Bag Cooked Shrimp
1 tub Sabra Hummus
2 bags Fresh Express Salad
2 Boxes Aunt Jemima Waffles
2 bags Totinos Pizza Rolls
2 Boxes Chicken Toquitos
1 box White Castle Cheeseburgers
2 cans Pillsbury Crescents
2 cans Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls
3 pks Kraft Cheese
1 tub Breakstone Sour Cream
1/2 gallon Smart Balance Milk
1 CoffeeMate
1 gallon Vitamin D Milk
2 pks Mission Tortillas
1 loaf Roman Meal Whole Wheat Bread

Spent at Target: $79.39
Saved at Target: $33.54
Spent at HT: $94.75
Saved at HT: $81.10

Total Spent: $174.14
Total Saved: $114.16

So, this is NOT a great example of focusing on spending rather than saving, but we do have more than enough food to last us the next couple of weeks.  I am still planning my CVS trip, where I'll pay less than $20 OOP and get all of my canned veggies and fruits there with the EBs I get back.  I will participate in Super Doubles, but I have to figure out the totals of what my budget can hold.

Easy Peasy Pepperoni Pizza Biscuits.


Easy Peasy Pepperoni Pizza Buscuits

You will need:

1 container (8ct) of your favorite buscuits (Pillsbury always has great coupons)
24 pepperonis
8 slices of cheese or 2 cups shredded cheese
1 can of tomato sauce or homemade sauce (IMO, homemade sauce is the way to go)

(sidenote - I obviously doubled the recipe because the man in my life)

Preheat the oven according to package directions.

Lightly grease a baking pan and lay out uncooked biscuits.  Top with sauce and once slice of cheese.  Then top with 3 pepperonis and YOUR DONE

Bake for 8-10 minutes.

How easy is this?  It was a huge weekend hit and it even tasted good the next day.