Family Change Jar

And the winner is …

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:41:01 +0000

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of my first blog giveaway, a $10 Cub Foods gift card.

The winner is Jackie Dicks! I will contact Jackie and get her mailing address.

When I posted the giveaway, I forgot to mention that Cub Foods provided me with the $10 gift certificate at a bloggers event.

Congratulations, Jackie!

Freebie Every Month

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:02:09 +0000

How would you like a new freebie every month? A new coupon for a free Kraft grocery item (and usually a discount coupon to share with a friend) sent to your mailbox? Personally, I love getting mail that is neither junk mail nor a bill.

If you answered yes to all the above questions, you need to know about & join Kraft Foods’ First Taste. It is a member ship community that’s “the best place to get the inside scoop on the latest Kraft products, be one of the first to try them”. Each month, you go to the First Taste website and sign up for their monthly promotion. Don’t worry, Kraft sends you a reminder email so you won’t forget.

Right now members of First Taste can sign up to Taste What’s New and Delicious. It is not one coupon, not two, but 6 free product coupons! The products are KOOL-AID Fun Fizz, 100 Calorie packs cheese bites, Homestyle deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh shaved meat, Digiorno deep dish pizza, and Ritz Crackersfuls. A total retail value of up to $21.06!

I just got my coupons in the mail today & am feeling so happy that I am offering my first giveaway…..a $10 Cub Foods gift certificate! The gift certificate will be randomly drawn for on Sunday, June 13th at 5pm and announced on Monday morning. There are 3 ways to enter the drawing.

1) Leave a comment on this blog, anyone of the articles.

2) Leave a comment on the Family Change Jar’s Facebook page.

3) Get a friend to read the blog & leave a comment. Please ask them to leave your name in the comment.

Happy Savings!

Once A Month Mom

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:57:29 +0000

I recently discovered (thanks to Jen) another great website/blog that I want to share with you. It is called Once A Month Mom . Who wouldn’t want to take care of something moms usually deal with daily, only once a month? Unfortunately, this site does not deal with disciplining the kids, cleaning the house, or dealing with the spouse. However, it does drastically help with that witching hour right before dinner.

Once A Month Mom is a blog by a mom Tricia who helps by planning monthly menus and directions for once a month cooking, cooking most of the meals for your family (or just yourself) for a whole month all in one day. It differs from traditional once a month cooking by adding breakfasts (10-15/month) and lunches (10/month) to the traditional dinners. It also differs in the fact that it is set up to have you prepare only 15 dinners each month since most families do eat out occasionally or have other dishes they enjoy cooking.

Tricia provides links to a single recipe for all of the menu items, printable recipe cards to be used on the “BIG DAY” (cooking day), a printable grocery list of all the items you’ll need, instructions on how to approach the “BIG DAY”, and many helpful hints. The plan is built around what is typically on sale/ seasonal foods for that month and 2 people cooking together on the “BIG DAY” for 2 families of 4 people each.

I have tried a few recipes from OAMM over this past week. I tried the Lemon Chicken and Italian Flank Steak Pinwheels (minus the tomatoes because I forgot to buy them) from the summer menu, and will be making the Fruity Breakfast Burritos (summer menu) and Taquitos (January menu) this weekend. Maybe I’ll also make the Harvest Cinammon Rolls. So far, all the recipes have been easy and yummy.

I like the fact that I could follow this plan to make my life easier, but I LOVE the fact that Tricia takes into account the price of these entrees. The one thing that I wish (and will comment to Tricia) Tricia would add is more fruits and veggie sidedishes that would freeze well.

Have you ever tried Once A Month Cooking? What do you think about this idea?

Free Summer Outings

admin — Fri, 28 May 2010 21:16:07 +0000

With today being the beginning of the summer season, I have been looking forward to getting out and about this summer.
Some general advice while out on these fun outings is to pack a picnic or at least snacks to avoid buying them at expensive concession stands. If you desire to take trips to places that cahrge for admission, ask grandparents/ relatives for gift certificates or memberships as gifts at birthdays and the holidays.

Some ideas to find free programs are city parks which offer free programs in the summer and the Museum Adventure Pass at metro libraries.

Some museums with free admission everyday:
o Minneapolis Museum of Art
o Minnesota Air National Guard Museum
o State Capital (free tours)
o Como Zoo
o Sculpture Garden outside Walker Art Museum

Some museums offer free admission days at museums.
o Children’s Museum – 3rd Sunday of the month
o Walker Art Museum – 1st Saturday of the month
o Bell Museum of Natural History – all Sundays

Can anyone suggest other places & activities for the summer?

A New Discovery

admin — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:20:26 +0000

After having coffee with a friend (Hi, Jen) this morning, I followed Jen to a new store that buys and sells used children’s clothes, equipment, books and toys. The store is called Kids Carousel (www.kidscarouselmn.com) and is located in the Shoppes of Cedar Grove at 1975 1/2 Silver Bell Rd, Eagan. It offers children’s clothes in sizes ranging from newborn to size 12, plus has a maternity clothes section.

I had met Jen for coffee because I had some kids’ clothes that I was looking to get rid of, so Jen took some for her son & I took the rest into Kids Carousel. I ended up chatting with Joe Baudhuin, who owns the store with his wife Caitlin, for quite awhile. While we chatted, Joe carefully looked over the clothes that I brought in (found a couple stains that I had missed) and gave me a fair price for my items. In the past I have sold a few clothing items at another store that sells used children’s clothes & gotten a significantly lower price for them, so I was pleasantly surprised. I took a little look around and noticed that items were in very good condition and at very fair prices, slightly higher than grage sales.

I’d love to hear what you think of Kids Carousel.

Free Origins Cleanser

admin — Wed, 05 May 2010 22:17:21 +0000

The Origins, an organic skincare products shop, store at the Mall of America is offering free small group “Become Your Own Skincare Expert” classes on May 13-16th. After completely the class, each participant receives a full size cleanser (Cheecks and Balances, if I recall correctly, value $18.50). To be part of a class, make an appointment by calling the store at 952-858-9665.

Weekly Menu For 4/19 – 4/25

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:37:47 +0000

Just a reminder on the means to my madness while pulling together this menu plan. I the Cub & Rainbow ads from the Sunday newspaper to base my menu planning. It is based on how my family eats, but please let me know what your families enjoy and any changes/ additions that you make. The quantities are based on what my family of 5 (2 adults, 3 kids under the age of 11) would eat. I also based it on shopping Cub on Sunday or Monday, shopping Rainbow on Wednesday for their double coupon promotion. Rainbow will double up to 5 coupons up to $1 each with a $25 purchase on Wednesdays and for a limited time (until July 2010) Saturdays (see store ad for official policy).

THIS WEEK RAINBOW WILL DOUBLE 10 COUPONS ( up to $1 each with a $25 purchase) ON WEDNESDAY!!!

MONDAY
cheeseburgers
potato salad
chips
pears

TUESDAY
boneless bottom sirloin steaks
potatoes
lettuce salad

WEDNESDAY
rotisserie chicken
asparagus
rice a roni

THURSDAY
Creamette pasta
Muir Glen pasta sauce
Fresh Express salad

FRIDAY
Manwiches
Lays potato chips
Green Giant canned vegetables

SATURDAY
grilled chicken breast sandwiches
lettuce / tomato
vegetables & fruit from the stockpile

SUNDAY
Hillshire Farm smoked sausages
hotdog buns
leftover Fresh Express salad

SHOPPING LISTS

CUB FOODS   total =$27.36
russett potatoes BOGO Free $1.99
asparagus $2.77/lb
Anjou pears $1.28/lb
Farm Stand Head Lettuce $.68 with in ad coupon
Sargento Deli sliced cheese BOGO Free  with in ad coupon $3.99
(or buy a few slices of cheese at deli for cheaper if you won’t eat lots of cheese)
3lb chub of 80% lean ground chuck $1.66/lb = $4.98
Beef boneless bottom sirloin steaks $2.88/lb
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.97/lb
Reser’s potato salad $.98  with in ad coupon
Lay’s Potato Chips $1.98  with in ad coupon
Cub Ketchup or Mustard $.68 with in ad coupon
Village Hearth Hamburger buns BOGO Free  with in ad coupon $3.18

RAINBOW total= $19.71
rotisserie chicken FREE with purchase of 10 boxes of Creamette pasta
10 boxes of Creamette pasta $1 each
Fresh Express salad $1.99 each
tomatoes $1.99/lb
Rice A Roni $1 each
Green Giant canned vegetables $.38/can with in ad coupon
Hillshire Farm smoked sausage $2.50 ($1/2 4/18 RP) doubled = $3/2 packages
hotdog buns $1.35 approx.

EXTRA DEALS AT RAINBOW
Dawn Dish soap $1
.50/1 4/4 PG
Doubled: Free

Vitaminwater $1
$1/2 4/11 SS
Doubled: 2 Free

Tro50 Juice $2.50
$1/1 3/14 RP
Doubled: .50cent

Dole Juice $2.50
$1/1 4/18 SS
Doubled: .50cent

Lay’s Potatoe BOGOfree $3.59
$1/1 Natural ingredient kind 3/14 SS
Doubled: (if allow to use 2 $1 Coupon) .41cent mm.

Kraft 100 Calorie Packs Cheese Bites $2.49
$1/1 3/21 SS
Doubled: .49cent

Yoplait Yogurt, Any 32 Oz.
.50/1 03-21 SS
Doubled: $1

Lunchables $2.49
$1/1 3-21 SS
Doubled: $.49

Cottonelle toilet paper $4.98 with in ad coupon
$1/1 in April All You magazine or $.50/1 from 3/14 SS or 4/18 SS
Doubled: $2.98 or $3.98

Which 10 coupons are doubling at Rainbow on Wednesday?

Weekly Shopping Lists 4-11

admin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:45:46 +0000

I did not find too much that seemed to be great bargains in the Cub Foods and Rainbow ads this week. I also have been sick with the stomach flu and will be very busy getting ready for a garage sale starting this Thursday. I just don’t have much time or energy to cook this week, so I thought I’d share my grocery lists with you instead of a menu plan. I have plenty of ground beef and boneless skinless chicken breasts in the freezer, so I will probably use those in meals this week.

In my opinion, the best deal is the TGI Friday’s Complete Skillet Meals for $2.99 each. I’m stocking up!

Cub Foods

Farmstand baby carrots – BOGO* w/ in ad coupon 2/$1.59

Eat Smart Cut-Up Vegetables - BOGO* w/ in ad coupon 2/$1.99

Strawberries – BOGO* w/ in ad coupon 2/$3.49

Fresh Express Salad – use in ad coupon, buy 2 get free tomatoes $4 for all 3 items

Yoplait Yogurt cups – $.48/cup (buy 3 Whips & use $.60/3 Yoplait Whips internet printable, or buy 6 & use $.40/6 in 3/21 SS or $.50/6 internet printable) = various prices as low as $.28 per cup

TGI Fridays Complete Skillet Meals – $7.29 (use in ad store coupon for $5/2, plus 2 $2/1 coupons from 2/21 SS) = $2.99 each

Bertolli Olive oil – $6.49 (use in ad coupon for $5/2, plus 2 $1/1 coupons from 1/10 SS) = $2.99 each

Snuggle Fabric Softner – $3.99 (use $3/1 coupon from 3/28 RP) = $.99

*stands for Buy One, Get One Free

Rainbow

Dreamfields Pasta – $1.75 (use $1/1 coupon from 1/17 SS) = free after doubled

Ronzoni Pasta – $1 (use various internet printables for $1/2 or $.75/1) = free after doubled

Quaker Instant Oatmeal – $2.50 (use $1/1 internet printable) =$.50 after doubled

What bargains are you seeing? Please share with all of us.

Weekly Menu Plan 4/5 – 4/11

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:16:23 +0000

I am back to menu planning for myself and you. Thanks for bearing with me during my recent vacation. Just a reminder on the means to my madness while pulling together this menu plan. I the Cub & Rainbow ads from the Sunday newspaper to base my menu planning. It is based on how my family eats, but please let me know what your families enjoy and any changes/ additions that you make. The quantities are based on what my family of 5 (2 adults, 3 kids under the age of 11) would eat. I also based it on shopping Cub on Sunday or Monday, shopping Rainbow on Wednesday for their double coupon promotion. Rainbow will double up to 5 coupons up to $1 each with a $25 purchase on Wednesdays and for a limited time (until July 2010) Saturdays (see store ad for official policy).

Monday
chicken breasts with Lawry’s bottled marinade
organic baby carrots
kiwi & apple slices

Tuesday
Culinary Circle pizzas (our family will need 2 pizzas)
some sort of fruit

Wednesday
hamburgers on the grill
red potatoes (cooked in foil packets on the grill)
hamburger buns
ketchup (mustard from home)
coleslaw

Thursday
torellini or ravioli
(plain pasta noodles for the kids who won’t eat any filled pasta)
Ragu pasta sauce
Cuities mandarins, kiwi and apples

Friday
chicken taco type wraps w/ sliced up chicken breast cooked in some green chilies
topped with tomatoes, avocadoes & cheese then wrapped in a tortilla

Saturday
petite sirloin steak
red potatoes
fresh broccoli

Sunday
Leave a comment telling me the best meal deal that you see. Tell me what to make for dinner!

Shopping Lists

CUB FOODS
total = $27.53

Braeburn apples $.68/ lb (use in ad coupon for sale price)
avocadoes $.68 each (use in ad coupon for sale price)
Cuties mandarins (use in ad coupon for sale price, plus use $.55/1 coupon in 3/14 Smartsource) = $2.43/ 3 lb bag

Kiwi $.99/3
Organic baby cut carrots $2.88/ 2 lb
Beefsteak or vine-on tomatoes $1.68/lb
Hunt’s ketchup $.68 (use in ad coupon for sale price)
Lawry’s marinades $.68 (use in ad coupon for sale price)
Cub hamburger buns Hunt’s ketchup $.68 (use in ad coupon for sale price)
Carlita flour tortilla $1.49
Carlita green chilis $.69
Cub pasta $.99
Culinary Circle pizza $3.99 each (I’m buying 2, so $7.98)
Gold’n Plump fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts (use buy one, get one free in ad coupon, plus 2 $1/1 internet printable coupon) = $2.50 or $1.99/lb buy extra to stock-up at this price

Rainbow
total = $20.07

Fresh 80% lean ground chuck $1.99/lb (sold in 3+lb packages) = approx. $5.97
Boneless petite sirloin steak $3.99/lb
Ragu pasta sauce $.99 (use in ad coupon for sale price)
CoraBella filled tortellini or ravioli $1.69
Selected Kraft cheese $1.66 each (the 100calorie packs have $1/1 coupons in 3/21 Smart source or this internet printable making them free after doubling the coupon) I will be using a shredded cheese, so I’ll figure on the $1.66.
Roundy’s red potatoes $1.99/ 5 lb bag
Fresh broccoli $1.29
Deli coleslaw $2.49/lb
(The total above does not have any coupons doubled, so add 5 items that you would like to use doubled coupons with….ideas?)

More Freebies

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:42:00 +0000

Since free is my favorite price, I will probably highlight a sampling of freebies from companies often.

Redbook Magazine’s April 2010 issue is dedicated to freebies, so many of these are taken from there. In addition to sharing some free offers with readers, they are also giving away 1,767 packages of various products. These packages vary from vacations to beauty products to clothing to computers. You can register to win these prizes at http://www.redbookmag.com/winit. Each prize has a separate entry, so grab a cup of coffee or a cookie before you sit down to register for this huge assortment of prizes. Let me know if you win anything!

Some of the freebies listed in the issue of Redbook were already all claimed, so I am only listing the 2 that I have verified this morning. Here they are:
     Psssst On-the-go Instant Spray Shampoo – www.freemanbeauty.com/redbook
     California Baby Super Sensitive and Calming Shampoo and Bodywash – email your name and address
                  to redbook@californiababy.com

Dove Daily Treatment Conditioner – http://www.dove.us/#/Offers/FreeSamples/default.aspx (Thanks, Patti!)

Arm & Hammer toothpaste sample – http://advancewhiteclean.com

Free Butterfinger for first 100,00 – http://www.butterfinger.com/barinsurance/default.aspx (This one makes you get creative about how someone stole your Butterfinger, so be ready. It made me laugh.)

I also want to highlight a great program to become a member of…http://www.vocalpoint.com//index.html. As a member you can sign up for samples and promotions. Sometimes items just arrive from them unannounced! Right now you can get a free sample of the new Pantene.

Let me know about any freebies you know about by leaving a comment!