Tuesday Tips

Making the Most of Your Mileage

I'm sure we've all heard this song and dance before, but with the price of gas these days a reminder seems apropos.

1. Maintain proper tire pressure. You'll find this in the manual.
   
2. Use the air conditioner on the highway because the drag from opening the windows uses more gas than the A/C.
3. Open your windows around town because the drag isn't enough to matter at low speeds.
   
4. Fill up at the coolest time of day to get the most gas for your buck.
5. Get the unnecessary crap out of your car because the extra weight reduces mileage. Do you really need 14 fold up chairs, everyday?
   
6. Change your oil and filters regularly.
7. Stick to the speed limit for maximum mileage and because tickets really screw the budget. Just ask Lori, who likes to get one every month.
   
8. Plan your errands in a circuit and do them all at once rather than running out for each errand. Do them on your way to and from work.
   
9. End of year car dealership sales are going on right now, so this is a good time to shop if you're in the market for a new car. Do your research!
   
10. If your feet work, and most of ours do, consider using them to walk to lunch or the store if it's close by.
    

Free Sample of Dove Cream Oil Body Wash.

Free Sample of Dove Cream Oil Body Wash.

Free Biodegradable Golf Tees.

Free Biodegradable Golf Tees.

Free Schick© Quattro© Titanium Razor.

Free Schick^© Quattro^© Titanium Razor.

Free Sample of Seattle's Best Ground Coffee.

Free Sample of Seattle's Best Ground Coffee.

Mealtime Monday

How to Make a Cheap Roast Tender

I have already extolled the virtues of my slow cooker and it makes another appearance in today's post. Folks tend to think that when they make a roast and it's tough that they have overcooked it. In my experience, you cannot overcook a cheap roast. Inexpensive cuts of beef have more connective tissue than pricey ones. Meat, initially, seizes when it's heated. Most people make the mistake of tasting it, at this time. If you cook it longer, all of the connective tissue will break down resulting in one fine roast.

Now for the delicious "recipe."

• Roast
• Water
• Garlic
• Herbs and Spices to your liking
• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery
• Potatoes

Throw roast in slow cooker. Add enough water to cover it halfway. Chuck in Garlic, Onions, Herbs, and Spices to your taste. Cook on low 10-12 hours or high 5-6 hours. About halfway through the cooking time, toss in your Carrots, Celery, and Potatoes. Drool over the aroma of it cooking all day and enjoy for dinner!

Free Night at the Theater October 16.

Free Night at the Theater on October 16.
Click the link above and search your location to reserve tickets. There are lots of locations.

Free Bertolli's Pasta Sauce.

Free Bertolli's Pasta Sauce.
Fill out the short form for a free sack of sauce.

Free Ice Cream at Cold Stone Creamery September 25th 5-8pm

Cold Stone Creamery World's Largest Ice Cream Social is Back!

Mark your calendars!
Thursday, September 25
5pm-8pm

A nationwide event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, customers will receive a free 3 oz. serving of either Wish Child Emily or Wish Child Jack's creation and can donate to Make-A-Wish. These creations were made using two of Cold Stone Creamery's new ice cream flavors, Nutter Butter and marshmallow. Emily combined Nutter Butter ice cream with yellow cake, Kit Kat Candy, and white chocolate chips. Jack mixed marshmallow ice cream Oreo cookies, chocolate chips and fudge.

Free Playtex BPA-Free Nurser.

Free Playtex BPA-Free Nurser.
Click this link and fill out the short form. This comes pretty quickly.

Tuesday Tips- Way Late

Sorry about the delay, folks...

Here's a good one for those of you with septic systems-

Dump a fat tablespoon of regular ol' bread bakin' yeast down your toilet every month. This will keep the good bacteria in your septic tank working, happy, and hungry enough to eat up the funk that you flush.

The old guy that gave me this tip also said to "gravel up some potatoes" and flush those, too. I have no idea what that part of the tip means. Feel free to decipher this for me.

Free RedBox DVD Rental.

Click here to find a RedBox near you.

Enter code: CR654D at your RedBox.

Free Diaper Genie Decals.

Free Diaper Genie Decals.
To pretty up your poo storage device.... or you're car windows if the 5 years old gets her hands on them.

Free Sample Bag of Eukanuba Dog Food.

Free Sample Bag of Eukanuba Dog Food.
Click the link and fill out a short form. You'll get a 7 ounce bag of this in the mail.

I forgot the water in the recipe... SORRY!

Don't forget the water in the recipe... I added it to the post.

After you have eaten this delicious roast, you may wonder what to do with all that fantastic broth... there are so many options. You can leave it in the slow cooker and make soup... OR you can make gravy for the mashed potatoes that you are likely serving with your roast... OR you can dump it in your "soup bucket" that you are keeping in your freezer.

Mealtime Mondays

Oh, Slow Cooker, How I LOVE You.

I can pack you full of turkey carcass and vegetable scraps that are one step away from compost before I go to bed & you humbly present me with rich stock in the morning. I can dump in some cheap pig particles & my own home brew that I call barbecue sauce before I go to work and come home to the aroma of pulled pork. I can load you with old grains, marginally delicious store-bought broth, boring beans, & tough cuts of meat & you reward my tiny effort with piping hot home-cooked goodness. After all of the fun I make of your 1973 avocado greenness, you never let me down.

Our love transcends time...the time it takes to cook dinner.

***In all seriousness, a slow cooker is a great resource to stretch your meal making dollar. Last week, I shared a yummy bean recipe. This week, I would like to highlight a crappy roast made good via slow cooker. I buy a large-ish beef roast of the cheapest variety and throw it in the slow cooker. I usually put a layer of quartered onions, finger sized carrots, and large hunks of celery on the bottom of the cooker. Place your low cost roast on top of that layer and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper. Pour enough water around the sides of the roast, but into the cooker, to fill it up about halfway. Cook this on low for 12 hours or high for 6 hours. Don't open the slow cooker. Every peek adds 20 minutes to your cooking time.***

Sunday and Monday ONLY- FREE Wrinkle Serum at CVS.

L’Oreal Advanced RevitaLift $11.99 get $11.99 ExtraCare Bucks

Print this coupon for $1 off.

You pay $11.99 - $1 off coupon = $10.99 + tax and you will get $11.99 ExtraCare Bucks to spend the next time. You have to use your ExtraCare Card and the limit is one per card.

***The greater Winston-Salem area is in a test market that runs sales from Friday to Thursday and this deal was good on this past Friday and Saturday, so this won't fly for those of you around these parts. SORRY.***

Sunday Splurges

One great way to spend less on things you want is a rebate. There are different kinds of rebates- instant ones at the time of purchase that take money off your total, some sort of return on your next purchase at the register that give you a coupon off your next purchase, and mail in rebates. Some things to remember are the dates that the rebates are due and what is required (UPC codes, receipts, etc.) to cash in on the rebate.

Here are a few deals to get you started:

FREE Emprex 2GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive after mail-in rebate.
Click the link, purchase the USB Drive for $12, and follow the instructions on this webpage.

Rite Aid monthly rebates.
Check out this page for the Rite Aid monthly rebates. You can enter your receipts online and they send a check at the end of each month. You do not have to save UPC codes or labels.

Walgreens monthly rebates.
Ditto for Walgreens, but you have the option of selecting a gift card that gets reloaded each month with your rebate. If you choose the gift card, 10% is added. No UPC codes or labels are required.

CVS instant rebates are listed in the weekly ads.
CVS rebates come to you in the form of ExtraCareBucks on your receipt at the time of purchase, that you can spend on anything in the store. These expire about a month after the issue date, so be careful. The exceptions to spending these are- prescription drugs, smokes, and booze.... DRATS!

So- have a look at the ads in today's newspaper and check them out. I'll post more specific rebate deals as I find them.

Free Milk at Food Lion!

Free Milk at Food Lion.
When you buy milk at Food Lion, a ticket will print at the register for every gallon you buy. When you collect 6 tickets, you can cash them in for a free gallon. Don't forget to save the tickets!

***Thanks Kelley!!!***

Goodwill sale at Carson-Pirie-Scott!!

Donate an item at the store and receive a coupon for 20% off a single regular or sale price apparel, accessory, footwear, intimate apparel, ladies' or men's outerwear or suits, men's tailored clothing, fragrance or cosmetic item; or 15% off on a single regular and sale price home store or luggage item; or 10% off on a single regular and sale price The Sharper Image, Tech Trek, electronics, small electrics, health & wellness or area rug item. You can use the coupon online.
Valid until September 22, 2008.

*** Thanks, Jim!***

Free Mary Kay Signature Ultimate Mascara.

Free Mary Kay Signature Ultimate Mascara.
Click the link and fill out the short form for them to send you a sample sized tube.

*** Thanks, Lori!***
***It's only a matter of time before you're selling this stuff & driving a pink Thunderbird.***

Free Carvel Ice Cream Sandwich! Today, only!

Free Carvel Ice Cream Sandwich- today, only!!!
Nothing to print, just find the store nearest you.

Free Sample of Playtex Sport.

Free Sample of Playtex Sport.
Sign up at this website and they will mail it to you with some coupons to use later.

$1 off Filippo Berio Olive Oil.

$1 off Coupon for Filippo Berio Olive Oil.

Free Krispy Kreme Doughnut!

Free Krispy Kreme Doughnut!
Sign up at this website and they'll send you a coupon for a free doughnut.

Free GE Caulk Single.

Free GE Caulk Single.
Click the link and fill out the form to receive this by mail. I got mine a while ago and it is enough to caulk a sink, at least.

Free Greenies for your pet.

Free Greenies for your pet.

Free Mattel Cartoon DVD- "Planet Heroes"

Free Mattel Cartoon DVD- "Planet Heroes"
Shipping is free on this one, too!

Free Mattel Cartoon DVD- "GeoTrax All-Aboard!"

Free Mattel Cartoon DVD- "GeoTrax All-Aboard!"
Click the link and follow the instructions on the website. Shipping is free, too.

Wholly Guacamole Buy 1 Get 1 Free Coupon.

Buy 1 Get 1 Free Coupon for Wholly Guacamole.
Click the link and print the coupon. Lori and I eat this often. It freezes well.

FREE Sample of Post-it® Super Sticky Recycled Notes.

FREE Sample of Post-it® Super Sticky Recycled Notes.
Click the link and sign up to get these in the mail.

Free Colgate Kids Toothbrush.

Colgate Health Bedtime Habits
Sign up on this site and track your kids' bedtime routine. They will earn points for brushing, washing their hands, and reading. The points will earn them a free character toothbrush.

Friday Freebies: Many Freebies to Follow

Today, you will get freebies throughout the day.
These are all ones that have arrived for me.

Free French Vanilla Splenda for Coffee.

Free French Vanilla Splenda for Coffee.
Allison and I can attest to the fact that this is delicious when added to freshly crushed cherries, Diet Dr. Pepper, lots of ice, and vodka for a grown up Cherry Vanilla Soda Pop.

Thrifty Thursday

Thrifty Thursday

Before you do your grocery shopping, use your local grocery store's online weekly ads to compare prices and find the best deals. While you're at the websites, be sure to sign up for the weekly email updates and/or newsletters. Often, these come with printable store coupons that you can use in addition to manufacturer's coupons. A few stores offer coupons that you select online and link to your loyalty card for clip-free savings.

Here are a few links to get you started:

• Food Lion - sends weekly ads, weekly coupons, & offers additional coupons on the website.
  
• Lowes Foods - sends weekly ads, occasional email newsletters, & coupons for store brands.
  
• Dominicks
• Harris Teeter - sends weekly ads & occasional newletters.
  
• Kroger - sends weekly ads, offers printable coupons, & coupons to link to your loyalty card.
  
• Whole Foods

Swiffer Coupons and a Tip

Swiffer Coupons.

You will find printable coupons at this link.

***My brilliant tip is that I make my own refills. I bought a big bundle of cheap-o washcloths at a dollar store. You can wrap those on your Swiffer stick thingy and poke them in the holes to hold them on. They work wonderfully wet with water, wet with household cleaner, or dry and can be washed over and over. You can also use paper towels as refills, but they are not reusable and washable.***

Free Bag of 9 Lives Cat Food.

Free Bag of 9 Lives Cat Food.
Click the link and fill out the form. They will mail you a coupon for a free 3.5 pound bag of 9 Lives cat food.

25 Free Prints at Rite Aid

25 Free Prints at Rite Aid.
Print the coupon and take it to the store for 25 free 4X6 photo same day prints. You don't have to buy anything to cash in on this one.

Waste Not Wednesday

Check out this article from Real Simple magazine that tells you how to recycle anything and everything.... and they ain't kiddin'!

Free Bear Naked Fruit and Nut Granola Sample.

Free Bear Naked Fruit and Nut Granola Sample.
Click the link, fill out the form, and they will send you the sample.

Free Laptop Sleeve.

Free Laptop Sleeve.
Click the link and make an account. Supposedly, they will mail you a laptop sleeve. I just signed up for this, so we'll see if it comes.

Free 1 ounce bottle of Gorilla Glue.

Free 1 ounce bottle of Gorilla Glue.
Click the link, fill out the form, and they will send you a free 1 ounce bottle.

Tuesday Tips: Complements and Complaints

Here's the thing- Money is too hard to come by to go wasting it on stuff that sucks. I have started speaking up about purchases that don't live up to my expectations. For instance, I pulled out a box of organic macaroni and cheese from the cabinet only to see that it expired more than a year ago. Since I purchased this last month, I was a bit disgusted. I called the 800 number on the box and informed them of my experience. They were appreciative of the feedback and are mailing me coupons for free products. This only took about 5 minutes and I don't have to feel like I wasted $3 on an extra special dinner for my dog, Hank. Mind you, I will be double checking the dates when I buy more.


On the flip side- If I come across a product that I'm in love with, I take the time to call or e-mail the company to let them know. This usually nets me more coupons for free stuff or large UPS deliveries of fun surprises from the company.

I am, in no way, advocating stretching the truth for free stuff. I do suggest putting your mouth where your money is... figuratively, of course. Licking money is gross.

Free Reusable Shopping Bag.

Free reusable shopping bag from Nature's Bounty.
Click the link and fill out the form. They will send you a free reusable shopping bag and a $1 off coupon for vitamins. You won't get a ton of spam from them.

This is how I amassed my giant collection of reusable shopping bags. No more paper or plastic for me, yo'.

Free Sample of Organic Pediatric Formula.

Free sample of Baby's Only Organic Pediatric Formula.
Click the link and call the number for a sample by mail.

Free Fruit Roll-Up.

Free Fruit Roll-Up.
Click the link and sign up at Box Tops for Education to get it. You will also get a newsletter with lots of coupons.

Free DVD Rental, etc.

Free Redbox DVD rental.
TODAY ONLY!
Click the link to find one near you. They are in McDonalds and grocery stores, even here in Mayberry. Use this code 2THS48 at your retail location for a free rental.

$3 off of 5 SoyJoy Bars.
Click the link to print the coupon. These go on sale for about $1 each, so you would get 5 for $2. Maci HATES them, but Amywith2Es thinks they are great.

Free Betty Crocker Instant Mashed Potatoes.
Click the link and sign up to receive the newsletter, which comes with lots of coupons. You will get a sack of instant potatoes in the mail.

Mealtime Monday: Bargain Beans

Bargain Beans

Pound for pound, your best value for protein is dried beans. At around a buck a pound before they are cooked, they can really extend your mealtime dollar. With so many varieties of dried legumes available in almost every grocery store, you have endless possibilities to create new dishes for next to nothing.

During one particularly low budget time, Maci got beans for every meal for a few days. Thankfully, the ever complementary little monkey loved them. Nothing can make you feel quite as grateful as a wee curly headed cutie squealing, "Yeah!!! Beans, again!!!" as she peers into her cereal bowl at 7am.

Here is a Bargain Basement Bean Recipe accompanied by its best frugal friend, Rice.

Beans and Rice

• 1 pound of dried beans
• Garlic
• Celery
• Onion
• Carrot
• Black Pepper
• One hunk of pig (bacon, side meat, salt pork, etc.)
• Water
• Salt
• Rice

Pour your sack of beans into a colander and pick out the funky looking ones and rinse the rest. Dump these into a slow cooker and add whatever amounts of the vegetables that you have or that you like. Toss in your pig particle and add water to within 2 inches of the rim. Cook on low for at least 8 hours and salt your concoction.

Make rice per the package instructions.

Serve beans over rice for a delicious dinner....or breakfast, as the case may be.

Free Bag of Iams Dog Food or Iams Cat Food

Free Iams Dog or Cat Food.
Click the link, fill out the form, and they will send you a coupon for a free full sized bag of your choice of either dog or cat food. I got mine a few days ago!

Sunday Splurges

While I like to think that I plan SO well that I never have to buy anything at full price, there are times when a situation pops up that I do have to shell out some cash... because it is something I need or something I REALLY want. Since I am poor and cheap to the core, I do a bit of online research before I buy. Below I have listed a few sites to check into before you buy.


This is a great sources for online coupon/discount codes.
Search for your store and this site will give you a code to enter at checkout for discounts, free shipping, etc.

This site is especially good for tech type stuff.

You can compare prices and get coupon/discount codes at this site.

Some Special Sunday Freebies

Free Mr. Clean Mini Magic Eraser.
Fill out the form and this will come in the mail. If you have never tried one of these, I hope you will find them as magical as I do.

Free Nicorette 20 count Starter Pack.
You have to watch a 1 minute video and sign up to get it.

Free Medela BPA-Free Bottle.
Register on the site to receive this in the mail.

Saturday Savings: Several Sites for Savings 1 of Several Posts

Earthbound Organics
Fill out the poll to print a coupon for $1 off any 2 products.

Earthbound Organics
Take this quiz for coupons by mail.

Kashi- Do both of these.
Click here to print a coupon for $2 off any product.
Click here to request a mailed coupon.
This makes a box of frozen waffles free at Walmart.

Friday Freebies: Lots of Loot, Mom's Additions

Free FiberOne Cereal, Snack Bar, and Coupons.
Who couldn't use a little more fiber?

Free Airborne.
More free vitamins.

Free MightyDog Dog Food.
Or feed it to your kids, I won't tell.

THANKS, MOM!

Friday Freebies: Lots of Loot

Free 13.2 lb bag of Purina® Yesterday’s News® Cat Litter.
Click the link and sign up on the site to receive a coupon for a free bag in the mail. I signed up for this on Wednesday night and got it today!

Free Music.
Listen online or download the songs.

Free Funny.
Everyday, always funny.

Free Purina Pet Food Sample.
You can choose cat, dog, kitten, or puppy.

$5 off Jiffy Lube Signature Service Oil Change.
Print the coupon.

$10 off a $40 purchase at Walgreens.
Print this coupon.

Free Game of Bowling

Free Game of Bowling.
Print the coupon.

Go here to find a participating bowling alley.

Free 2 Week Supply of NatureMade Vitamins

Free 2 Week Supply of NatureMade Vitamins.
Click here and follow the directions. You get to choose what kind you want.

Thrifty Thursday: Do the Dishes on a Dime

Make your own automatic dishwasher detergent!

The price of Cascade has pained me for a long time. I went looking for a cost effective and environmentally/septic tank friendly alternative. I've found a recipe that works for me. This recipe costs next to nothing. The Kool-Aid is added for the citric acid, not just to smell lemony fresh.

Ingredients:

• Baking Soda
• Borax (sold in the general cleaning product aisle)
• Lemon Kool-Aid or generic knock-off

Mix the first two ingredients, 2 cups of each. Stir in the packet of Kool-Aid powder. Store in an air-tight container. Put 2 tablespoons of the mixture into each of the little cups in the dishwasher that are for detergent.

EXTRA CREDIT:
Instead of using "Jet Dry," fill that receptacle in your dishwasher with white vinegar. It will work just as well! Container of Jet Dry= $3 vs. Vinegar= $0.03

Free Sample of Arm & Hammer Toothpaste

Type the following in your browser- www.tryarmandhammer.com
Fill out the form to get a free sample tube of Arm & Hammer toothpaste.
Thanks, Mom!

I'm not sure why, but I cannot get the hyperlink to work.

Free Tank Top at WetSeal

Free WetSeal tank top coupon.
Print this and take it to the store to receive a free tank top.

Waste Not Wednesday- Kitchen Cheap

Kitchen Cheap

There are a million ways to save big bucks in the kitchen with meal preparation, cleaning, or appliance repair. Below are a few easy things that I do to make more with less.

• To stretch your soap a bit- add some water to your dish soap and hand soap dispensers.
  
• To disinfect your kitchen sponge- rather than chucking it and getting a new one, run the old one through the dishwasher with a load of dishes.
• To make a big meal with a little meat- add 1-1.5 cups of cooked rice, barley, quinoa, couscous, etc. to ground meats in recipes like meatballs, meatloaf, and burgers.
• To use leftovers- I keep a plastic container in my freezer to which I add leftovers to make soup. Despite what you may envision, this is NOT the Uncle Allen Special comprised of an assortment including, but certainly not limited to: fried rabbit, biscuits, pound cake, and tortilla chips. I stick with a theme- Chicken, salsa, rice or beef, celery, carrots. When the container is full, I dump it into a crockpot with some stock and additional ingredients. Tonight, I will be making my famous Beef and Barley Soup with the contents of my "Soup Bucket." Perfect for a rainy day!
  

PS-More on Uncle Allen in subsequent musings, I'm sure.

Tuesday Tips- Freecycle for Fun and to Cut the Clutter

It is much easier to be poor when you are well organized. Less goes to waste and you never buy another of something because you cannot find the original.

So get rid of crap you do not need and acquire crap that you do need for FREE! Click on this site to find your local group.

www.freecycle.org

Lori and I have gotten rid of a lot of things that we would have just thrown away, otherwise. Last Fall, I got all of the pinecones in my yard cleaned up by freecyclers and we received a chest freezer to store the garden produce. The freezer still works well and it was free! I suggest that you sign up for individual emails, as the items get spoken for rather quickly.

"The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer. Membership is free."

Mealtime Monday- Free Pasta for Healthcare Professionals $1 off for Everyone Else

Click here and fill out the form for FREE Dreamfields Wheat pasta for Healthcare Professionals.

$1.00 off coupon for everyone else.

Mealtime Monday- Cutting Costs with C.O.R.N.

Cutting Costs with C.O.R.N.

A great way to save some money and time is to institute a weekly Clean Out the Refrigerator Night (C.O.R.N.) for dinner. This is particularly great for evenings that are packed full of other activities. Even elementary school kids can heat something in the microwave. Less wasted leftovers and you get the night off from cooking!

A tip from Detra for those who shop at Food Lion-
"Thanks for the tips. Just wanted to share that Food Lion has mixers called "No Worries" in the frozen section that are $1.00 each. There is a coupon on the freezer door for $1.00 off each one... SO FREE MIXERS!!!!!"

Now if we could just find a way to get free booze....

Free Padlock from Sears

Print the coupon.

Sunday Splurges: Spiritual Spree

With all this talk of saving money, it is easy to forget when to SPEND.
Treat yourself to a few minutes of thankfulness...

• When do you spend your money without thinking twice?
• When do you spend your time without thinking twice?
• When do you spend your attention without thinking twice?
• When do you spend your sleep without thinking twice?
• When do you spend your energy without thinking twice?
• When do you spend your peace without thinking twice?
• When do you spend your effort without thinking twice?
• When do you spend your LOVE without thinking twice?

There are so many things in a life for which a person should not count pennies, keep score, and/or split hairs.

Below is the list of what I will spend freely in the future, without any consideration for my returns.

1. Money, time, effort, attention, sleep, energy, peace, and LOVE to ensure that my dear nieces are very well cared for.
2. Kisses for my nieces... can't skimp on those.
   
3. Gratitude for my friends that spend their valuable time on me.
   
4. Money on safety- smoke detectors, child/infant car seats, etc.
5. Every bit of time, money, effort, attention, energy, sleep, peace, and LOVE that I have (which is often not much) for the next big emergency.
   

Please add your additions in the comments section.

The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.

William James- US Pragmatist Philosopher & Psychologist

Saturday Savings

$2 off Frozen Purdue Chicken
Print the coupon. You can use the "back" button on your browser to print it, again.

Dairy Queen Blizzard Fan Club
By joining the Blizzard Fan Club you will receive via email: A FREE 16 oz. Blizzard Treat with the purchase of another 16 oz. Blizzard Treat email coupon, an email coupon on your Birthday, monthly emails containing new Blizzard promotions, flavor updates, contests, and a special surprise every year you are in the Club.

$2 of Aveeno
Print the coupon. You can use the "back" button on your browser to print, again. This does not exclude trial sizes, which can be found at Target and CVS, which means FREE lotion or cleanser.

Free Pack of Stride Gum
Choose the "Settle" option. I got the cinnamon flavor. It arrives about a month after you sign up.

Another way to save:
Change your printer settings to print in black, only. Also, I print on the back side of non-confidential cast off copy paper. As long as there isn't anything really dark that shows through the paper, the coupon should scan just fine. If the coupon is for more than the item and beeps, ask them to adjust it down to the purchase price.

Please post any questions in the comments section and don't forget to click "Follow this" on the left hand side of the page!

Friday Freebies

Free coffee for teachers at Starbucks every Monday in September.
Show your ID.

Free Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt by Stonyfield Farm.
You will have to print the coupon.

Free Sesame Street Fire Safety Coloring Books.
A treat for the kiddies.

Free $5 Starbucks gift card for completing a survey.
The survey is short.

Free Purina One 30 Day Challenge Kit.
Mine came with a coupon for a free bag of dog food.

Thrifty Thursday: Chill Your Chiller on the Cheap

Fixin' the 'Fridge-

The motivation for this entry is my ever present effort to redecorate my very old and only marginally efficient kitchen. As you read this, please know that I am soaked to the bone from exploding the supply line to my ice-maker while attempting to re-connect it after disconnecting it a few months ago. I was, ultimately, successful and did not blow up the motor on the well pump even though I have only one thingy to turn the water off in the house and always think I will leave it dry and explode the motor. This disaster motivated me to share some thrifty ways to keep your refrigerator running well. You should know that I have NEVER called a plumber for my own home (though maybe I should have a time or two), so everything you read is do-it-yourself.

I have read that if you replace an old refrigerator with a modern unit you could save around $70 a year in electricity and reduce your home’s annual carbon dioxide footprint by a thousand pounds a year. Having told you that, I fully recognize that I and most of you cannot afford to go buy a new EnergyStar to save $70.

If you’re not ready to upgrade (meaning you 'fridge ain't dead, yet), here are a few things you can do to improve the efficiency of the one you have.

1. Check seals on the doors. Stick a dollar bill between the unit and the door, then try to pull it out. If it slips our easily, the seal sucks. You can wipe it with a silicone lubricant. If that doesn't work- replace the seals. This is an easy thing to do by yourself. Ask the dude who sells them to you how to do it. Basically, you rip the old ones out and squish in the new ones.
   
2. Clean the coils under and on the back of your refrigerator once or twice a year- more if you live in an old house, like me... or smoke like a freight-train, like me... and even more if you live on a well-traveled road. Dust and funk build-up insulate the refrigerating coils. This makes it hard for the unit to rid itself of the heat produced from cooling. Unplug first, please.
3. Move it if it’s in direct sunlight, beneath a heating vent, or next to the range or oven. The warmer the area, the harder the motor must work to keep its contents cool.
4. Don't back the unit all the way up to the wall. Leave a few inches for circulation.
   
5. Check your temperatures with a household thermometer. If it is below 65F in the cooling area or 0F in the freezing area, it is too low. Adjust accordingly.
   
6. Keep the freezer defrosted. Any appreciable frost is too much.
7. Leave room for air circulation. Be sure the vents that pipe in the cold are clear.
   
8. Supposedly, you can improve an older refrigerator’s efficiency by up to 10% by attaching one-inch foam sheeting to the sides. If that's too ugly, do the side facing the wall and save 5%. Don’t cover coils or electrical lines, and leave room against the wall for air circulation.