St. Patrick's Day Treats

I am always looking for easy cute ideas for snacks for my son's preschool class. We have a couple of kids in the class with peanut, milk and egg allergies, so picking snacks has been challenging. I have already done the usual fruit cups and jell-o. So I was thrilled to find this little allergy free gem...

As it turns out....kids LOVE cereal! Or they may have just eaten all of the marshmallows out of them, but either way they were cute AND easy. Check out the girls at Eighteen25 for the Lucky printable and tutorial on how to put together these beauties. I love to look like an alpha mom without any of the effort. 

Meijer Coupon Match Ups 2/27 – 3/5

Ooooh…I am so excited about this week’s Meijer trip. I just love the “Buy1 10 items for $10 and get the 11^th Item FREE” sale.

Usually it’s a chance to load up on treats and salty snack items, but every now and again they throw in produce. This is that week! The sale allows you to mix and match items. You do not need to buy 10 bags of rice cakes…unless you want to.

One tip I have learned the hard way…keep a written tally of how many items you are buying so that you know how many sets of ten (and how many freebies) you have. There is nothing worse than being one item short. So without further ado…

Items Included in the 11 for $10 Sale:

Meijer Organics Whole White or Mini Bella Mushrooms              $.91

Avocados                                                                                       $.91

English Cucumbers                                                                        $.91

Nature Sweet Cherry Cocktail Tomatoes 12oz.                             $.91

Flat Baby Leaf Spinach 10oz. bag                                                 $.91

Mangoes                                                                                         $.91

Hunts Ketchup 24oz.                                                                     $.91

Mueller’s Pasta (Select varieties)                                                    $.91

Quaker Rice Cakes                                                                         $.91

Coca Cola Products   2L                                                                 $.91

Yellow Flesh Potatoes or Yellow Flesh Red Potatoes 3lb.             $.91

Pennsylvania Dutchman Mushrooms                                             $.91

Wolf Chili w/ or w/o beans                                                 $.91 Use $.75/2 coupon = $.54

Hormel Sliced Pepperoni                                                     $.91 Use $1.00/2 coupon = $.41

Knorr Rice or Pasta Sides                                                                 $.91

Bar S Jumbo Meat Franks, Chicken Franks or Bologna                 $.91 Use $1.00/2 = $.41

Nabisco Handi Snacks                                                           $.91 Use $1.00/2 coupon = $.41

Old Orchard Frozen Juice Concentrate                                           $.91

Other Deals:

Jack’s Original Pizza                                                  $2.50 Use $.55/1 coupon = $1.95

General Mills Cereal                                                  4 for $10…Buy 4 get $3 off at checkout.

                                                                                               Use $1.00/3 = $1.50 each

Post Raisin Medley Cereal                                        $1.99 Use $1.00/1 coupon = $.99

Pampers Jumbo Pack Diapers                                 $8.99 Use $2.00/1 coupon = $6.99

I loaded up on the fresh veggies this week, as well as some lunch treats, too. Happy Shopping!

Leanne

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

We have a long standing tradition of making green eggs and ham on Dr. Seuss's birthday each year. It doesn't look pretty, but it still tastes like eggs and ham. I use plain old green food coloring for the eggs and add a little water with the food coloring to "soak" the ham in before I fry 'em up.

This would be fun any day of the week for breakfast, but it is a real treat every March! Enjoy! 

It's too late for this year, but check out this really cute bunting made from Dr. Seuss books....might have to keep this in mind for next year!

Meijer Match Ups

Meijer Coupon Match Ups

2/14 - 2/20

There are some pretty good stock up items at Meijer this week. Yippee!

Ronzoni garden delight pasta. $1.00.  Use $1.00/1. = FREE
     Woot! Woot! That's right free pasta, baby!

Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta. $1.00.  Use $1.00/2. = $.50

Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta. $1.00. Use $1.00/2. = $.50

Bar S Jumbo Franks or Bologna $1.00. Use $1.00/2 = $.50 each

Chex Mix $1.00.  Use $.50/2 = $.50

Nestle Coffee Mate $1.50. Use $1.00/2. = $1.00

Gorton's Breaded Fish (select varieties). $3.49. Use $.50/1 = $2.49

Ziploc Sandwich Bags $1.50.  Use $1.00/2 = $1.00
    I found the snack bags were on sale, too...which is good because we go through these like crazy.

Cottonelle Bath Tissue 12 Double Roll pk. $5.89  use $.50/1. = $4.89

Yoplait yogurt $.50 each use $.40/6. = $.37 each

Earth's Best Stage 2 Baby Food. $.69.  Use $1.00/5 Meijer Mealbox coupon = $.49

Okay...the deal of the week is.....drum roll...please...
   Gain Fabric Softener Liquid or Sheets. $3.99. Use $3.00/1. = $.99
This would be good, but if you buy 2 you will get a coupon for $3.00 off your next trip. So, if you have 2 $3.00 coupons you would spend $1.98 for 2 fabric softeners AND get $3.00 OYNO...moneymaker of $1.00!!!!

So, go get your pasta and fabric softener....what are you waiting for?
 

Kroger Match Ups

Kroger 2/14 - 2/20

Daytona 500 Promotion...Buy 10 items get $3.00 off instantly AND a coupon for $3.00 off your next order. There are lots of items to choose from and mix and match...here are some of my picks:

Totino's Party Pizza $.95 (wyb 10). Use $1.00/3 = 

Pillsbury Grand Biscuits $.99 (wyb 10)  use $.40/3 =

Chef Boyardee Pasta $.69 (wyb 10) use $.70/3 = $.46 each

Ragu Pasta Sauce $1.36 (wyb 10) use $.75/2 = $.99 each

Totino's Pizza Rolls $.95 (wyb 10) use $.40/2 = $.55 each

Other deals:

Mentos Gum $1.00. Use $.50/1 = FREE

Colgate Toothpaste. $.98.  Use $.75/1. = $.23

Meijer match ups

Meijer Coupon Match Ups

2/7 - 2/12

Purina Friskies Cat Treats. $1.00. Use $1.00/1 = FREE

John Frieda styling $3.00. Use $2.00/1  = $1.00

Aunt Millies Healthy Goodness Bread. $1.00. Use $.55/1 = $.45

Buitoni pasta or sauce $2.69. Use $1.00/1. = $1.69

Kellogg's cereal, select varieties.  $2.00. Use $1.00/2 = $1.50 each

Hershey's candy bars $.74. Use BOGO coupon = $.37 each

Beech nut stage 2 baby food $.40 each

Kroger match ups

Kroger 2/7 - 2/12

Just a few deals to snap up this week....

7Up or A&W 2L  sale $.98

Annie Chun's Noodle or Soup Bowls. BOGO  $3.49. Use $1.00/1 coupon = $1.25 each ( $.75 each with 2 coupons)

Kroger frozen vegetables $.88 each

Colgate toothpaste $.98. Use $.75/1 = $.23

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel. $2.00  Use kroger digital coupon $.50  =. $1.50

Happy Shopping!

Fabulous Valentines!

Okay so I finally found and created the Valentines for my son to pass out this year. I knew that if I searched my favorite blogs long enough I would find the perfect ones to shamelessly copy seek inspiration. Gotta give it to the girls at eighteen25.... I do not know what I would do without them.

I mean really, how cute are these? They are very simple to do, too.....another bonus! All you need to do is take a photo of your darling kiddo...photoshop a little text on them...print them out (on cardstock or photo paper...but you already know what I did...'cause I'm cheap and into immediate gratification...cardstock)...slap another piece of colored cardstock on...cut 2 little slivers for the lollipop and Viola! Cute, cute, cute! These were made even cuter by the fabulous Christy at thrifty and thriving for tipping me off to the terrific deal on the wonka lollipops only $1.00 after you print out your coupon (here).

I love it when a plan comes together...and I'm not even making them on the 13th!

Linking to 

Fingerprints on the Fridge

Serenity Now

Valentine Printable Art

I love the subway art trend that has been everywhere in blog land lately. I have a few cheapo frames that I painted black and have been swapping out printables to fit the season. Here are a few photos of my mantle. I am still not happy with my decor stuff...need to work on that, but I love the printables. 

 The cute little hearts are from Less Cake More Frosting. She was even generous enough to do them in different color palettes. The traditional (which is the one I picked), hot pinks (really fun) and a very funky grey, black and yellow (which makes me think that I should be cooler and have those colors in my house...but if I were a trendier more contemporary version of me, I would...sadly I am not, but if you are you should definitely check it out). The subway art is from the girls at eighteen25. They also were fabulous enough to include many different color choices as well. Don't you just love creative people? I do....

I have heard tell that people download the prints to costco, walgreens, CVS, etc. and pick up a beautiful glossy print and proudly display it in their lovely well decorated homes. This is a great idea. However, if you are wildly impatient and in need of instant gratification (ahem...ME), then I can tell you that you can just as easily print these bad boys out on card stock and put them in your own frames that you have lying about and be just as happy. At least I think so...again I have never tried the fancier route. 

Linking to Eighteen25

Staples Coupons

I don't know about you, but Post-Its always seem to disappear at our house. That's why I am going to have to work in a run to Staples during our errands today. Here is a coupon for a FREE 12 pack of 3x3 Post-Its. Limit 2, today only.

Now I won't freak out when I see my kids coloring on them...maybe....

Thanks to Christy at Thrifty and Thriving

Valentine Ideas

I am lurking around some of my favorite blogs to find some ideas for valentines. I will be linking to some of my favorites ones I will probably copy soon. In the meantime, I ran across some photos of valentines that I made for my daughter to pass out a few years ago. The original idea came from Family Fun Magazine.

 These were perfect for the 9-11 year-olds. They loved the cell phone look and the Dot Candy.  I loved that they were easy to make and  I had just about everything (except the candy) lying around the house.

In case you haven't noticed by now, I like to look like an Alpha Mom without exerting a lot of effort. I embrace short cuts of all kinds. Now I just have to find an idea for this year.....hmmmm?


Linking to
 Under the Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase
Between Naps on the Porch
Boogie Board Cottage

Meijer Coupon Match Ups 1/31 - 2/5

  

It's not too late to get some bargains for the weekend!

Chi-Chi's salsa.    Sale.  $.99.   Use $.50 off coupon. = FREE

Kraft cheese singles.   $1.94.  Use $.75 off coupon = $1.19

Huggies baby wipes.  $1.99.  Use $.50 off coupon = $.99

Franks Red Hot.  $1.67.  Use $.50 off coupon = $.67

Wolf chili $.95. Use $.75/2 coupon = $.58 each

Kraft Shredded Cheese  $1.67  Use $1.00/2 coupon = $1.17 each

Kraft Cheese cubes $1.67. Use $.75 off coupon = $.92

Eckrich smoked sausage $1.67  use $.55 off coupon = $1.12

Mars Miniatures or M&M's $2.50 use $1.50/2 = $1.75 each
    (get $4 off your next trip when you buy $10 or more)

Nabisco Wheat Thins or Triscuits  $1.67. Use $1.00/2. = $1.17

Nabisco Ritz Crackers $2.00. Use $1.00/2 = $1.50 each

Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick. $2.00 use $.50/1 = $1.00

Pringles Super Stack. $1.34. Use $1.00/2 = $.84

Lipton Cup a Soup $1.00. Use $.40 = $.20

Happy Shopping!

VG's Coupon Match Ups 1/31 - 2/5

Helluva Good Dip.  $.99. Use $.75. =. $.24 each

Johnsonville brats  $2.88  Use $1.00/2 = $1.88 each

Mrs. T's Peirogies $2.00. Use $1.00/2. = $1.00 each

Buy 10 get an additional $5.00 off deal:

Ragu pasta sauce 24 oz. $2.50.... $2.00 wyb 10...use $.75/2 = $1.25 each

Lipton tea bags 40-100 ct.  $3.29...$2.79 wyb 10...use $.60 = $1.59

Skippy peanut butter $1.99....$1.49 wyb 10...use $.50 = $.49

Knorr sides $1.34... $.84 wyb 10... Use $.50/2 = $.33 each

Suave deodorant $1.79... $1.29 wyb 10... Use $.75/1= FREE

Kraft cheese chunks BOGO $3.99/2. Use $1.00/2= $1.00 each
   Plus 50 YES bonus points

Sargento shredded cheese BOGO $3.59 use $.55/2 = $1.25 each

Best life buttery spread $1.99   Use $1.00/1 = FREE

This was a particularly good trip to the store this week, even though I did pick up some necessities ( read items that weren't on sale). I was able to rack up 250 YES points that i traded in for free mushrooms. I needed them to recreate Julia child's beef bourguignon, sadly they were not in sale....but free is good. I like good shopping karma.

VG's also has a milk club. Buy 6 gallons of milk and get your 7th gallon free. I was able to get one of my gallons of milk bought on this trip for free. It was the blizzard of the century after all...I am legally required to buy milk and bread even if I was not in dire need. All in all a good trip to VG's. I am becoming a VG's convert.

Groupon Deal at Bath & Body Works!

Today's Groupon deal is for Bath and Body Works

There are 2 options with today's Groupon selection...$10 for $20 worth of Bath & Body Works products or... $15 for $30 worth of Bath & Body Works products. Click here to take part in the deal. If you have been lurking following Groupon for awhile and have not gotten up off of your butt procrastinated in joining in on any deals, so much so that the fine people of Groupon have sent you a special email giving you an additional $10 off if you will only get off the fence and click (like yours truly), then you are really in luck today. Yes, I have scored the above deal for free...just because I was scattered, noncommittal, lazy exceptionally busy with other coupon and non-coupon related life. So I have learned the lesson that sometimes it does pay to be a slacker...at least for today. 

Even if you did not get a pleading email with extra $$$ it is still a good deal.

What are you gonna get with your $10?

Valentine Wreath

I usually stick to coupons and store match ups, but I thought I would change it up a little. I saw this little beauty in blog land....

I first saw it at eighteen25...and they found it here at The Idea Room. How cute is this? I will tell you that it takes a whole bunch of felt circles, but it is well worth it, right?

Leanne

VG's Deals 1/24 - 1/29

Okay...there are not a ton things to get at VG's this week....BUT there are a few things worth leaving your house to go get! Remember VG's doubles coupons up to $1.00!!!!

Country Fresh milk 1 gallon  $2.50   Use $1.00/1 (coupon doubles to $2/1) =  $.50
    That's right.....$.50 for milk! I am giddy just thinking about it

Country Fresh milk 1/2 gallon (Chocoate only) $1.50 use $1.00/2 (doubles to $2) = $.50 each
   Not quite as good, but if you like chocolate...not too shabby!

Butterball ground turkey 1lb. package $2.00 use $.55/1 (doubles to $1.10) = $.90

Cheerios sale $1.49/box
  This is pretty good all by itself, but if you have a $1.00/2 it would be $1.00/box
  If you have a $.75 coupon that you find in a Pampers box = free cereal....this is especially good with a
  little one that has just discovered finger foods.

Orville Redenbacher popcorn $2.00/box  use $1.00/2 coupon = $1.00/box

Happy Shopping!

Meijer 1/17 - 1/22

Here's what I'm getting at Meijer this week...

NyQuil 8-10oz.  reg. 5.89    sale $5.00   use $1.50/1 coupon   = $3.50

Chunky soup reg. $1.99  sale $.99  use $.50/4 coupon  = $.74/each

Pillsbury Quick Bread  reg. $2.49   sale $.99  use $.40/1  = $.59

    Note: Coupon states DO NOT DOUBLE, but our store computer DID double the coupon...YMMV...if 

    this is true at your store  = $.19

Pillsbury Cookie Mix reg. $1.79  sale $.99  use $.50/1 = $.49

   Note: Coupon states DO NOT DOUBLE, but our store computer DID double the coupon...YMMV...if 

   this is true at your store  = FREE

Capri Sun 10pk. sale $1.49

Prego Spaghetti Sauce sale $1.67   use $.50/2  = $1.17

Folgers Coffee 22 - 34 oz.   $6.49  use $.25/1  = $5.99

Pringles Super Stack   $1.25   use $1.00/2 = $.75 each

Pepperidge Farm Deli Thins  reg. 3.19  BOGO use $.40/1 coupon  = $1.20 each  ($.80 each with 2 coupons)

Pine Sol 48oz reg. $4.19  sale $2.00  use Meijer Mealbox coupon $1.00/2  = $1.50 each

         Also get $3.00 off automatically when you buy $10 of Pine Sol or Clorox products

Clorox Wipes  sale $2.00 use Meijer Mealbox coupon $1.00/2  = $1.50 each

        Also get $3.00 off automatically when you buy $10 of Pine Sol or Clorox products

I combined the Pine Sol with the Clorox wipes to get the additional $3.00 off. I celebrated my good deal by mopping my floors....mmmm...I love the smell of Pine Sol.

Check out Coupon Mom for more grocery coupon match ups

Happy Shopping

Leanne

VG"s 1/17 - 1/22

VG's is becoming one of my new favorite places to shop. I love the fact that they double coupons up to (and including) $1.00. It makes their sales even better.  See their full ad here


DanActive yogurt 4pk.   reg. $2.75   sale $1.67   use $1.00/1 = Free (after doubling)


Activia yogurt 4pk   reg. $2.79  sale $1.67  use $1.00/1  = Free (after doubling)


Quaker Oatmeal reg. $4.39  sale $2.99 use $1.00/1  = $.99 (after doubling)


All laundry detergent reg. $5.21  sale $3.99 use $1.00/1  = $1.99 (after doubling)

Target Deals

 Here are some ongoing Target deals:

Electrasol Finish Dishwashing Tabs     $3.50 use $2.25/1 coupon = $1.25

Garnier Towelettes  $4.04  use Target $2.00/1 coupon and $2.00/1 Red Plum coupon  = $.04

Shrek Forever After  $14.99 use $5.00 off printale coupon = $9.99

Reach Dental Floss $.97 use $1.00/1 coupon  = Free

Thanks to Christy from Thrifty and Thriving

Nook Book Free Fridays!

Barnes and Noble's Nook has a weekly feature called Free Fridays. Admittedly, most of the free books offered are classics or something I have never heard of....until today! Their feature today is sponsored by Kaplan (of the SAT test prep fame) and there are 130 FREE Digital books today. The promotion goes until  January 17th. All you have to do is "Like" Nook on facebook for access. You will also need to set up an account with Barnes and Noble.

This is a great deal for anyone who got a new Nook or Ipad for Christmas....or for anyone with middle school/high school age kids. There are also great free books for teachers or anyone who may be thinking about going back to school.

Ipad has a free Nook reader app in their app store, too!

Kroger Deals 1/3/11 - 1/9/11

I have to say that I am not that impressed with Kroger this week. However, if you like healthier cereal options and have some great coupons, they do have one great deal. Buy 4 boxes of Special K or Kashi cereals for $2.99/box and  get 3 half gallons of milk for free. Here are the best deals I have come up with so far:

Scenario 1:
Buy 4 boxes of Special K (my daughter is addicted to the Red Berries)  $11.98
click here for special K coupons BOGO coupon   (use 2)                      -$  5.98
Final price for 4 boxes of cereal AND 3 half gallons of milk                  $  6.00

I should mention that the link will take you to the Special K website and ask you to join there weight loss plan in order to get the coupons....a little bit of work, but so well worth it. We're talking buy one get one free after all.


Scenario 2:
If you are a member of Vocalpoint you received a packet of Kashi coupons 1 $3.00 off a box and 3 $1.00 off a box. Now is the time to pull them out. If you are not a member of Vocalpoint join here.

buy 4 boxes of Kashi (coupons are for GOLEAN CRISP)                      $11.98
Use 1 $3.00 off and 3 $1.00 off for a total of                                          -$   6.00
Final price for 4 boxes of cereal AND 3 half gallons of milk                    $5.98


Not a great deal, but not bad for 2 cereal brands that rarely go on sale.

I should note that this deal is even better if you happen to live near a Kroger that doubles coupons up to and including $1.00. The only person I know that has this good fortune is my sister in law (of whom I am extremely jealous). If you have this option then, you could have $9.00 off using the above coupons and pay only $2.98 for Kashi cereal.