Frugal Friday Tip- Make It From Scratch!

I often think about the time when we had a two income family and how we just went grocery shopping without giving money much thought. I would buy "convenience" items just to save time at breakfast, lunch and dinner! Now, while I may miss that extra money, I certainly don't miss that girl. Learning how to live on a budget and how to actually cook is something that has helped my family in the end. Now, some of us are still busy, busy, busy and may not have time to cook everyday. But, creating a day out of the month just to do some "from scratch cooking" will not only save you some money but it will put some smiles on the people eating that food too!

After learning how to budget and create meal plans, I started wondering about some of the foods we love and if I could make them from scratch. Here are some of my family's favorite recipes. I have adapted a few to make it easier or faster, but they are so worth the time you put on a Sunday to do it! Not only that, but much more FRUGAL! Not only that but these items generally freeze well and are so convenient when time is limited!

Breakfast Pockets- I use Rhodes White Dinner Rolls instead of making my own dough. Just roll one ball out, put mixture in, and cover it with another rolled out roll.

This is our FAVORITE from scratch recipe!!!

Homemade Pizza- We love it and way cheaper than the pizza place in town! I always make extra dough and freeze it for another time.

Homemade Granola Bars- You can add your own ingredients to make them as healthy or not as you want!

Hot Cocoa- Excited to try this when it finally gets COOL!!!! Makes a nice size container and just take out what you need!

What are your best "From Scratch" ideas? How has cooking from scratch saved you money?

Frugal Friday Tip- Homemade Lunchables

Lunchables are something I just don't usually buy. Do we like them, yes. Does my son love them, yes. But I hate spending so much for them. Now, I did buy my son three Lunchables the other day because they were part of the Mega Event at Dillons and were a little over $1.00! Why not put a smile on my little boy's face!

However, a problem arose. If you have children, you are probably familiar. Little one wants what the big one has but there are no more! YEP...that was the problem!

So, I thought to myself...I can so duplicate these lunchables!!! The crackers and cheese are easy...and then I found the perfect tool to make my meat, a medicine cup!!!

From now on...homemade lunchables for us!

Now both kids were happy!
What have you duplicated and it has turned out just as good??

Sweet Deals at Progressions Salon and Day Spa!

Currently, Progressions Salon and Day Spa in Wichita, KS is running several promotions that you just have to know about!

-First, they are running a contest on their Facebook page to gain referrals! So, go "like" them, put that I referred you and then you will be entered for a $25 gift card. Then go refer your friends/family and you will have the chance at a $50 gift card!

Go here to find their Facebook Page!

-Second, they are running an anniversary special where you can buy a $100 gift certificate for just $75!! What a deal especially if you are wanting a cut/color or a day at the spa!!! More bang for your buck! Tell them I sent you please!

Go here to find out more information on this special as well!

-Lastly, if you can make it by their store just a little past 21st on Maize, stop in and sign up for one of their great gift baskets they are giving away!

Kohls- 15% Off Pass!

Are you still shopping for school clothes or maybe you are headed to Kohl's Doorbuster event this weekend? Well, now go and print off this 15% off shopping pass to take with you!

This pass is good on regular, sale and clearance priced items!

Dillons Trip 8-17-10

*Not pictured-Diet Dr. Pepper 12 Pack

Dillons is running their Mega Event Sale through next week and I went and did some stocking up on items we use on a regular basis!

I definitely preplanned for this trip. It honestly took me several hours to look at ads, find coupons, buy coupons and figure it all out. I had 9 transactions of the 8 items, so 72 Mega Event Items...now when I got there, they were out of some items, so I circled those and replaced them with other Mega Event items to make sure I still had 72 items. I took along a few extra coupons and then just chose the $0.40 Del Monte pears and the $0.49 Powerade to fill in where needed!

*Hint-make sure and look at the price tags carefully! They had the Del Monte fruit on sale for $0.78 but the pear halves were marked down even further to just $0.40!!!! So, that made the deal even sweeter!!! I STOCKED UP!

I also managed to get all the cereal (7 boxes) for just $0.48 a box! Who can pass up cereal when it's that cheap? Especially when we go through a box a week! Check coupons.com and other coupon websites for the Trix and Cocoa Puff coupons!!

I also stocked up on some meat. They had Roasts B1G1 Free...this is when I buy my expensive meat! I got two of them for just $10.00...that's only $5.00 a roast! Should have grabbed more but I didn't like the cuts as well with what was left! Also grabbed hamburger, chicken and more chicken!

Also, not in the Mega Event but on sale was the Hefty bags. Not sure if they are on sale this week or not! They were 10/$10 and when I went to go stock up they had a pile of them in a lane and many of them had $0.15 coupons attached to them, doubling to $0.3o off! Look for those sticky coupons as I found some on the boxes of Betty Crocker Potatoes too!



So, all together I spent $220.00 and saved $155.00! Not quite 50% but I did splurge and buy my son some snacks he really wanted for his school lunches! And sometimes, it's not a coupon that makes you happy but the smile on a child's face!

Frugal Friday Tip- Bud Light Lime For Cheaper!

This tip is courtesy of a member of my Bible/Book Study Group~Somehow we got talking about Bud Light Lime's and a lovely lady told us a secret....

Just add limes to Natural Light and you will save lots of money as Bud Light is much more expensive!

I told them I was going to use this tip for Frugal Friday, and I don't think they believed me!

It just makes me laugh thinking about it!

Nestle Candy Bar Instant Play Game

If you are snacking on a Nestle Candy bar, check the inside for a Promotional Code. You can go to www.butterfinger.com/defenseleague to play two different promotional games. One gives you the chance at winning $1,000,000 and the other a chance to win either $50 or $1000!

During the Promotional Period which lasts now until Aug. 31st: Look for a Game Code inside NESTLÉ® BUTTERFINGER®, NESTLÉ® CRUNCH®, NESTLÉ® BABY RUTH®, NESTLÉ® 100 GRAND®, NESTLÉ® BUTTERFINGER® CRISP, NESTLÉ® CRUNCH® CRISP, NESTLÉ® BABY RUTH® CRISP and NESTLÉ® BUTTERFINGER® SNACKERZ single or king size candy bars (each a participating "Product"). To obtain a free Game Code without purchase visit www.Butterfinger.com/defenseleague and follow the on-screen instructions to receive a Game Code by e-mail. Limit one (1) free Game Code per person, per e-mail address, per day. Game Code has no cash value and cannot be sold or transferred.

I only think it's fair, that if you win the MILLION DOLLARS...you share with me though! Let us know if you are a winner! Good Luck!

$1.00/1 Blue Bell Ice Cream

I know I am not the only Blue Bell Fan our there! I usually don't buy it unless it's on sale, which my husband grumbles about, but it is a little pricey!

I am so excited for this $1.00/1 Blue Bell Half Gallon coupon! Paired with a sale, this should make for a great deal!

You will. have to register or sign in to your Blue Bell account to print this coupon. Don't forget you can hit the back button and print this coupon 2X!

Just in time for my big boy's birthday party too!

Meal Plan Monday

Is it really Monday already? Ughhhhh~


Monday- Hamburger Stroganoff, Biscuits

Tuesday- Chicken Sandwiches, Sweet Potatoes, Fruit

Wednesday- Fried Chicken Drumsticks In Crock pot, Mashed Potatoes, Corn on the Cob

Thursday- Enchiladas, Chips/Salsa

Friday- Fish Sticks, Potatoes O'Brien, Peas

Saturday- Bacon Sandwiches, Fruit

Sunday- Pancakes, Eggs

15% Off Entire Purchase at Kohl's- Combine With Clearance Sales!

I have been to Kohl's twice this week already, but my hubby has been wanting to go scour the Men's Clearance racks too. So, after getting this coupon emailed to me, he just may get his wish today!

Go here to print a coupon for 15% Off Your Entire Purchase or 20% Off When You Spend $100 or more!

Mega Swagbuck Day!

Today is Friday,which means you have a better chance at scoring some high number swagbucks today! I am saving and spending my swagbucks on Amazon Gift cards to use for Christmas!

Don't know what Swagbucks are? Read my Swagbucks 101 post! Then after you sign up...don't forget to make Swagbucks your homepage so you start earning quickly!

B1G1 Free Laughing Cow or Babybel Cheese!

My husband LOVES this cheese but it is on the pricey side, so he will be getting a little treat next time I go grocery shopping!

Go here and print a coupon for Buy One Get One Free Any Variety Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges or Mini Babybel Cheese!

If anybody finds or knows of a good deal on this cheese, let us know!!!

Thanks Hip2Save!

Kohls Clearance- Skechers For $3.49!!

So, has anybody been to Kohl's and found all the great clearance deals?? WOW! My husband is planning on going back to look through the clothes as it was hard to shop with a 2 year old screaming in excitement as he was running down the aisles!!!

So...how did I manage to get these great shoes for just $3.49? Well, they were marked down to $13.49 (an amazing deal already!). I then got an email coupon from signing up with Kohls email club for $10.00 off any purchase!!

I did buy another pair of shoes my son really wanted with those silly lights but I had another great coupon to use with those, so I paid about $30.00 for 2 pairs of Skechers! AWESOME!!

They still had some great deals on shoes and flip flops left on the clearance racks, so hurry over to Kohls!