I Hope You'll Join Me

You may have noticed my posts have become less frequent recently. There's a reason for that. This blog has grown a lot since I started it thanks in large part to you, my wonderful readers. Living frugally and getting the most out of my money is something I'm passionate about. For a while now though, I have felt drawn to write more about frugal living and less about the latest deals. And one day while pondering all of this I realized that I could not see myself still writing about all the deals and freebies 10 years from now. However, I wasn't sure exactly where I wanted to go with it all. After a lot of prayer and consideration, I decided to create a new blog. The new blog is a combination of this blog and my personal blog. I will be writing about all the things I am passionate about: my faith, my family, my desire to live a financially responsible life and my photography. I will still be sharing my menu plans and recipes. I will still be sharing tips on frugal living. I will still be offering reviews and giveaways. However, I will no longer be posting daily deals and freebies. I know that most if not all of you read this blog specifically because of the deals and freebies I post. I did not take the decision to create a new blog lightly but feel it is the best move for me and my life. I have created a Frugal Resources tab on my new blog where I share links to my favorite frugal blogs, coupon resources and more. I have some of my favorites on there now but still have a lot of links to add when time permits. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and support of this blog andI hope you will choose to join me at Frugal & Focused. I have a Welcome post here that explains what you will find. Hope to see you there!

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$3/1 Huggies Printable Coupons

You can print $3/1 Huggies diapers coupons here and here.

Combine this with the Huggies Deal at Walgreens this week for cheap diapers.

Buy 3 Huggies Jumbo Pack Diapers, Pull-ups or GoodNites $8.99 each Get $5 RRs
Deal Idea
Buy 3 Huggies diapers $26.97
Use (3) $3/1 printables
Receive $5 RRs
$4.32 each after Qs and RRs

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Starbucks: Free Pastry Day 3/23/10

Tuesday, March 23,2010 is Free Pastry Day at Starbucks. Go here to print a coupon good for a free pastry with any handcrafted beverage purchase. Get there early. Offer ends at 10:30 a.m.

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Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day 3/23/10

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's. Stop by your local Ben & Jerry's for your free cone from 12-8 p.m. Go here to find a location near you.

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Rebate Roundup 3/21-3/27

My friend Greta at Friend Family Fun has the latest Rebate Roundup. Be sure to stop by to see how you can maximize your savings with rebates this week.

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Menu Plan Monday 3/22

If you were reading last week you'll remember I mentioned we'd be having "steak something" one night. My husband had moved the steak from the freezer to the fridge to thaw but we weren't sure what we wanted to do with it. We ended up making Beef Stroganoff. I had been craving it for awhile and when I mentioned it, my husband was all for it. The recipe I use is his Grandmother's. When we got married my sister gave me a recipe book with family recipes she'd gathered from my family and  my husband's family and this was included. I thought I'd share it. We loved having it again after not eating it in a while. Hope you'll enjoy it too.

Grandmother's Beef Stroganoff
1 lb. lean round or sirloin steak, cut into bite size pieces
1 large onion, choppped
1 can beef consomme
1/4 c. water
1 small can(or fresh) sliced mushrooms
dash of worcestershire sauce
1 8 oz. container sour cream
garlic salt
pepper
flour
butter(or oil)

Sprinkle beef with garlic sale and pepper. Roll in flour and brown in butter (or oil, I use canola oil). Add onion, beef consomme, water, mushrooms and worcestershire sauce to browned beef. Cover and simmer for 1 hour. Cool a bit and add cantainer or sour cream and stir thoroughly. Serve over rice or noodles.

Now onto what we'll be eating this week.

Black Bean Burritos
Shrimp & Grits
Baked Penne (carried over from last week)
Breakfast for dinner
Chinese Style Glazed Chicken Breasts, broccoli, rice

Stop by Orgjunkie.com for more menu inspiration.

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Winners

Congratulations to our two winners of the Horizon Organic Lowfat Chocolate Milk Giveaway! The random number generator at random.org picked #4 and #9 which means our winners are:

#4 Michelle

#9 Wendy

You have 48 hours to contact me to claim you prize!

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Weekly Deals

Okay, my shopping this week was weird and random. Publix and Winn Dixie didn't have any particularly compelling sales for me. My husband and I decided to check out a couple of new places. First we decided to give Sam's a try. We used to have a Costco membership and really loved it. So we went and scoured the aisles comparing prices. I was disappointed that they seem to have fewer organic items than Costco carried. But overall we found several things that we can get cheaper or as cheap at Sams than at regular stores with sales and coupons. A couple of things I can get a bit cheaper with sales/coupons but not dramatically. Of course, there were plenty of things I can get cheaper in regular stores. But like Costco, we feel that overall the membership is worth it for the items we will save on. Their gas prices are cheaper as well which sweetens the membership deal.

Sam's

We paid $50.28 for the above items. This did not come from our weekly grocery budget but from money we'd set aside from our income tax refund. However, it will be counted in our weekly/yearly total. I will start setting aside money from our weekly budget to make one or two trips a month to Sams. I may actually go back this next week because after looking around they appear to have the best price on walnuts and I am out. 

We also decided to give our local CO-OP a try. Think tiny Whole Foods store. You could probably fit the whole thing in the produce section of Whole Foods. They had a suprisingly good variety of things. A lot of their prices were good too. Many of the items I checked were in line with prices at Winn-Dixie and Publix. Some were even better. Some were more expensive. They had a nice bulk foods area that I plan to frequent.   

I got a 3 lb. bag of  organic apples for $4.29. $1.40 lb. is considerably cheaper than what I've seen at WD and Publix. The cheapest I have found them there was $1.99 lb.

I got @ 2 lbs. of organic black beans for $1.99 lb.

I got a pkg. of organic whole wheat tortillas for $2.29. This is the best price I've found on WW tortillas here and they are organic to boot. I was pleased.

Total OOP: $10.46

CVS

I bought:

1 Kashi Heart to Heart Honey Toasted Cereal $2.50

1 Kashi 7 Grain Crackers $2.50

Qs

1 Free Kashi Heart to Heart cereal

$1.50/1 Kashi Crackers

Total OOP: $1

Walgreens

1  Colgate Total Toothpaste $3.99

Q

$1/1 Colgate Total

Total OOP: $3.25

Received: $4 RRs

Bakery Thrift Store

1 Natures Own bread $1.49

2 Nature's Own Sandwich Rounds $1.58

Total OOP: $3.07

Winn-Dixie-I mostly just picked up things we needed for the week like produce, eggs, dairy, etc.

I spent: $24.54

I saved: $6.33

Weekly Total:$42.32+$50.28=$92.60

2010 Total: $594.50

11 week avg.: $54.04

This post is linked to:

I Heart Publix Weekly Totals

Southern Savers Friday Finals

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Coupon Preview 3/21

There will be 3 inserts in this Sunday's paper: (2) Smart Source and (1) Red Plum. Be sure to stop by Southern Savers for a full list of available coupons. Remember coupons will vary by region.

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Giveaway Thursday

It's Giveaway Thursday here at The Money Jar. I host a MckLinky here each Thursday so you can share your blog giveaways. If you are hosting a giveaway, please leave your link. If you know someone hosting a giveaway, tell them to stop by and leave their link. Thanks! Please keep giveaway links family friendly.



While you're here be sure to enter my giveaway for Horizon Organic Lowfat Chocolate Milk. Today is the last day to enter. There will be two winners!

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Planters Printable Coupon

Become a fan of Mr. Peanut on Facebook and get a coupon for $1.50 off any one Planters product. You will be able to access the coupon on the NCAA tab after becoming a fan.

Thanks, I Heart Publix!

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Food World Weekly Ad 3/17-3/23

My Food World doubles coupons up to .50 cents. They also accept Winn Dixie and Publix coupons. Check with your store for their coupon policy.


25% off Top Care products


Meat Sale
Black Angus Beef Boneless Ribeye whole $4.99 lb, steaks $6.99 lb.
Black Angus Beef Boneless New York Strip whole $4.79 lb., steaks $6.49 lb.
Black Angus Beef T-Bone whole $4.49 lb., steaks $6.49 lb.
Choice Angus Beef Boneless Tip Roast whole $2.19 lb., cut roast $2.49 lb.
Sanderson Farms Split Chicken Breasts 10 lbs. for $10(limit 2 with additional $15 purchase)
Prairie Fresh Boston Butt Pork Roast whole $1.19 lb.
Prairie Fresh Prime Pork Tenderloin $2.99 lb.
Prairie Fresh Pork Spare Ribs $1.49 lb.
Snow Crab Clusters $4.99 lb.
Fresh Whole Catfish $2.99 lb.
Catfish Nuggets $1.79 lb.


Other Meat Deals
Ledbetter Bacon Wrapped Beef Fillets 6 oz. pkg. $2.50 each
Jamestown Smoked Bone-In Pork Chops $2.49 lb.
Hillshire Farm Lunch Meat Ultra Thin or Hearty Slices $3
.35/1 or $1/2 Hillshire Farm Lunch Meat 3/14 SS ($2.30 each with .35/1)
Sunnyland Jumbo Hotdogs $1.50 each
Sunnyland Sausage Links or Patties $2.50 each
All Fishin Seafood Fillets and Shrimp B1G2


Produce
Fresh Florida Strawberries $1.67 each
Get $1.75 off Strawberries when you buy Sara Lee Pound Cake (Publix Yellow Advantage Flyer)
California Seedless Naval Oranges 4 lb. bag. $2.99
Northwester Bosc or D'Anjou Pears $1.29 lb.
California Dole Celery $1.29
Dole California Carrots 2 lb. $1.69
New York State Red Rome or Red Delicious Apples 3 lb. bag $2.99
Russett Potatoes .79 cents lb.
All Purpose Yellow Onions 3 lb. bag $2.49
Dole Salad Blends B1G1


Refrigerated/Frozen
Best Yet Ice Cream $1.67
Kraft Chunk or Shredded Cheese $2
Sargento Deli Style Slices
Dannon Yogurt single serve cups .33 cents each
$1 off 10 Dannon Yogurt 2/21 SS(exp. 3/21) (.23 cents each)
Pillsbury Grands Biscuits 8 ct. $2
.40/3 Pillsbury Grands 3/7 SS ($1.73 each)


Grocery Items
Coca-Cola asst. $1
Green Giant Boxed Frozen Vegetables $1
.60/3 Green Giant Frozen Vegetables 2/7 GM
.60/3, $1/3 Green Giant Frozen Vegetables 2/21, 3/7 SS
Nabisco Cheese Nips 8 oz. $1
Valu Time Sugar 4 lbs. $1.88
Hawaiian Punch B1G1 $1.99 each
Hamburger, Tuna or Chicken Helper $1.67
.75/3 Hamburger, Tuna or Chicken Helper 2/7, 3/7 SS ($1.42 each)
Food World Bread sandwich or round top .99 cents each


This post is a part of BeCentsable's Grocery Gathering.

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Rebate Roundup: Publix Edition

My friend Greta at Friend Family Fun has the Publix Edition of the Rebate Roundup ready. If you're a Publix shopper be sure to stop by and see how you can maximize your savings this week.

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Deals Around Town

What can you find free or cheap at your local stores this week? Here's the scoop!

CVS

Degree Deoderant 2.6-3 oz. $2.50 each
ECBs $5 when you spend $15
Buy (6) Degree deoderant $15
Use (3) $3/2 degree printables
Total for 6 after Qs and ECBs=$1 or .16 cents each!

CoverGirl Outlast or Shineblast Lip Color $8
ECBs $3
Buy (2) CoverGirl Outlast or Shine Blast Lip Color $16
Use B1G1 CoverGirl product 2/7 PG
Use (1) $1/1 CoverGirl product 2/7 or 3/7 PG
Total after Qs and ECBs=$1 or .50 cents each!

Kashi Smart Start, Go Lean or Heart to Heart Cereal or Heart to Heart Crackers $2.50 each
$1.50/1 Kashi Heart To Heart Q from Vocalpoint mailer or recent printable
$1 each after Q

Walgreens

Colgate Total Toothpaste $3.99
RR $4
$1/1 Colgate Total 3/7 SS
Free plus overage after Q and RR

Electrasol 20 pk. $3.49
RR $1
.50/1 Finish/Electrasol printable
$1.99 after Q and RR

Bic Brightliner Highlighter 5 pk. .49 cents with In Ad Q
$1/2 Bic Stationery products 8/9/09 SS
Free after Qs

Stop by Southern Savers to see all the coupon match ups for Walgreens and CVS.

Target

Dannon Danimals $1.83
$1/1 Dannnon 2/28 SS
.83 cents after Q

Soft Soap Hand Wash $1
.50/1 Q from March All You Magazine
.50 cents each after Q

Band Aid Bandages price varies
$1/1 Band Aid 1/3 RP
$1/1 Target printable
Free or cheap Band Aids when you use both Qs

Get $5 Target Gift Card wyb (2) Gillette Fusion Razors $7
Buy 2 Gillette Fusion Razors $14
Use (2) $4/1 Gillette Fusion 2/7 PG
Pay $6 and get $5 Target Gift Card
Like getting them for .50 cents each!

Stop by Coupons, Deals & More for Target-ing Mondays for all the great Target deals.

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Earth Fare: Kids Eat Free

Earth Fare is introducing Family Dinner Night. Kids eat FREE every Thursday night from 4 p.m.-8p.m. beginning 3/18/10 with the purchase of an adult meal of $5 or more. The kids meal includes any kids sandwich or 1/2 wrap with chips or a slice of pizza. In some locations selection is pizza only. Limit two free kids meals with every one adult meal purchased. Go here to find a location near you.

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Bath & Body Works: Free Pocketbac with $10 Purchase

Print this coupon to get a free Pocketbac with a $10 purchase. Enter the code POCKET at checkout to get the offer online. Valid through 3/28/10.

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Rebate Roundup 3/14-3/20

My friend Greta at Friend Family Fun has the latest Rebate Roundup on her blog. Be sure to stop by and see how you can maximize your savings with rebates this week.

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Menu Plan Monday 3/15

So I skipped menu planning last week. Sometimes you just have an off week, ya know? I did make the Black Bean burgers I mentioned in my last menu plan. We enjoyed them although my husband commented he wouldn't want to eat them all the time. He much prefers a beef burger but I think the black bean burgers will make it back to our menu from time to time. I'm sharing the recipe as promised.

Black Bean Burgers

2 T. vegetable oil
1 stalk of celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1-15oz can bladk beans, rinsed and drained
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 T. cumin
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
salt and pepper

Pre heat oven to 375. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil: grease lightly. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add celery and onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1 minute more.

Pour beans into a large bowl and use a fork or potato masher to mash into a thick paste. Scrape vegetables from skillet into bowl. Stir in egg, cumin and bread crumbs. Season with salt and pepper.

Use you fingers to form into 4 patties (do not overmix) Place patties on baking sheet and bake until firm and set, about 10 minutes on each side. Serve on whole grain buns with lettuce, tomatoe and sliced red onion.

215 calories, 9 gms fat, 1mg saturated, 53 mg chol., 7 grams fiber, 8 grams protein, 28 grams carbs, 821 mg sodium.

Now onto what we'll be eating this week:

Steak something. My husband pulled the steak out of the freezer and put it in the fridge before heading to work today. Not sure what he wants to do with it.

Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Soup-from the freezer

Grilled chicken pitas and pasta salad

Baked Penne (may alter recipe some) and salad

Southern Plate's Omelet Made Easy with Toast

For more menu inspiration stop by Orgjunkie.com.

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Weekly Deals

I'm trying to incorporate more organics back in our budget. At @ $50 a week we can't buy all organic but I'm fitting more in than I thought I could. Thankfully there are more coupons for organic items these days. I had coupons for the Horizon milk, Honest Kids drink pouches and Stonyfield yogurt.

Walgreens



I bought:
3 Listerine Mouthwash $9
Q
$5.01 In Ad Wags Q
I spent: $4.58
I saved:$7.38 with sales & Q

Target


I bought:
2 Annie's Cheddar Bunnies $4
1 Annie's Graham Bunnies $2
1 Horizon Choc. Milk $3.35
Q
Free Horizon Choc Milk
- .05 reusable bag
I spent: $5.95
I saved: $4.57 with sales & Q

Publix-I made two trips. One at the beginning of the week to get things we needed for school lunches and then again to get the new week's deals.

Trip #1
I spent: $17.16
I saved: $8.58 with sales & Qs

Trip #2

I spent:$21.16
I saved: $30.99 with sales & Q

Bakery Thrift Store

1 Nature's Own Bread $1.49

1 Nature's Own Hot Dog Buns $1.09

Total: $2.58

Weekly Total: $51.43

2010 Total: $501.90

10 week avg: $50.19

I paid $51.43 for $103.39 worth of groceries-a 50.25% savings for the week. With organics!

This post is linked to:

Southern Savers Friday Finals

I Heart Publix Weekly Totals

Money Saving Moms Super Savings Saturday

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Bath & Body Works: Free Lip Care Item with Any Purchase

Spring Break Offer: Print this coupon to get a free lip care item with any purchase at Bath & Body Works. To redeem in store you must present a student I.D. To redeem online add lip item and any other item to your cart and use the code STUDENT at checkout. Valid through 3/21/10.

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