We're Having Rice Pilaf Tonight

I had been meaning to use my 50 cents Carolina Rice coupon for months now, and finally had a chance.  I was wandering around the grocery store trying to come up with a $50 minimum purchase so that I could use a store coupon for an extra 200 free gas points.  Not exactly extreme couponing, but since I had just flown back from a visit down South,  I needed to do grocery shopping anyway.

The rice package was small, mini-size even, but selling for 10/10.  With the 50 cents coupon doubled, it became free.  I was able to bring down my bill of $84 to $50.01 after all my coupons.  But still, I did have to pay that much before leaving.  My total gas points for the day came out to 449, which equates to around $8 in gas savings, not too shabby.

Oh, and for those of you who do not care about using generic, Stop and Shop has a nice buy one get one free sale on Careone maxipads.  Two packages for $2.59 is not too bad...

Healthy Ideas still on the racks

Stop and Shop is still offering their summer magazine "Healthy Ideas" free to customers in many stores.  Aside from the cool recipes, there are also coupons -- Rinaldi pasta sauce $1 off two, $1 off storebrand baby wipes, 75 cents off two Ragu sauce products, 50 cents off Olivio (my favorite). and $1 off two Morning Star veggie foods products.

The recipe for Green Bean Salad Almondine looks wonderful!

I Scream for Ice Cream!

Stop and Shop does it again!  A wonderful deal this week -- check out your local flyers (I learned that not all Stop and Shops have the same sales at the same time).  Hood ice cream and frozen yogurt is 2/$5.  This week's Sunday paper had a coupon for $1 off of two, plus previous inserts also had Hood coupons.  I was able to buy six 1.5 quart containers for $7, after using three $1 off coupons and their promotion of a $5 instant savings if you spend at least $15 in special Hood products.

That's $1.17 a container.  You can't beat that if you go out for ice cream and buy a small cone, at least in the places I have been this summer.

A Pick Me Upper

No matter where I am in America during these vacationing summer days, I can always count on chain drugs stores like Walgreens and CVS to pick me up when I feel a little bit under the weather.  After a couple days of sneezing and general malaise, I enjoyed getting out of the hotel for something familiar and exhilarating -- getting items for free with Register Rewards.

At Walgreens today, aside from buying my favorite, the Sunday paper (full price at $1.85, too bad), I was able to buy ("like getting purchase free") Hyland's homeopathic Teething Gel and G-U-M Butlerweave Floss, two items light enough to stow in my luggage.  And instead of going through the drive-thru for dinner and buying expensive soda, I just bought a 2 liter of Pepsi at Walgreens for 99 cents, allowing me to save at least a couple dollars.

Don't forget to check out the drugs store sales this week (especially if you are looking for a pick-me-upper)!

Planning on chores?

A recent look at http://www.howtoshopforfree.net/ reminded me to check out the printable coupon websites.  There is a link on this site on how to get a 55 cents coupon off Chore Boy sponges, which if doubled just might get the sponges free or close to free.  Give it a try and keep checking this website out as it is updated frequently.

Cole Slaw -Our new favorite side dish

I used to have no problem grabbing a pre-made container of cole slaw from the grocery stores and paying a few dollars for it (or maybe a little more at a fast food restaurant).  After further nutrition investigation, I have found that the cabbage provides a high source of potassium and Vitamin C. 

My husband and I have decided to prepare cole slaw on our own, without premade mixes or pre-cut veggie bags, but using one important ingredient, Miracle Whip.  His own research found no easy substitute.  So off I went two weeks ago, purchasing Miracle Whip, reluctantly and with only a one dollar coupon.  The cost for one jar -- $5.69!

We were delighted with the side dish we whipped up-- being able to shred the red and green cabbage as thin or thick as we liked and being able to control the creaminess (and fattiness) felt empowering.  I really enjoyed eating a lightly creamy cole slaw; it was completely different from what I had been accustomed to putting in my grocery cart.

Of course the following week the Miracle Whip went on sale for $3.99 at Stop and Shop, so I bought a couple of jars.  This week, it went on sale at Price Chopper for $3, plus if you purchased $20 worth of this and a selection of other products, you would receive 20 cents off a gallon of gas!  So I bought even more jars.

And then yesterday, as I whizzed through the Wal-mart grocery aisle, what did I come across?  Miracle Whip -- regular price $2.50.  I don't think I will be stocking up on this product anymore, now that I know where to just buy it!