Guest Blogger Spot

February 20, 2012 by 2 Comments
I am very excited to be able to offer this opportunity to some awesome bloggers out there. I am looking for Four or Five guest bloggers for the week of March 12-15.
This is a great opportunity to showcase your stuff to a new audience. Some of the topics I think my readers might enjoy would be:

Frugal living ideas
Ways to save money – not grocery related
Couponing ideas
Any tips concerning cooking, cleaning, organizing
Fun kid activities
These can be previous posts you have written or something you want to share with others. Please email me at coupongreene at gmail.com with your submissions. Please limit submissions to three. Include in the subject line Guest Blogger Spot so I can read all of your submissions quickly. I will contact you to let you know if you are chosen.
Filed Under: pounds 4 pennies

Money Saving Monday – BOGO deals & Coupons

February 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
BOGO DEALS & COUPONS
Buy One Get One Free
One of the best coupon deals is a BOGO deal. Most people don’t realize you can still use a coupon on the item that is full price. Check with your stores coupon policy to see if you are allowed to do this. 

Here is how it works, if there is a BOGO store sale and you have a coupon for B1G1. That would make both items for free. One item is a store deal and one is a manufacture deal. Since the store deal is for a free item, the the one you are purchasing is with a coupon. You are getting that one free from the manufacture of the coupon.

You can also use a coupon and a B1G1 coupon. If you have a $0.50/1 coupon and a B1G1 coupon you can use both. The $0.50/1 will be off the full price item and then you are getting one for free. *

With a store BOGO deal sometimes you can use two coupons, one for the original priced item and one for the free item. If you have 2 coupons for $2/1 you may be allowed to use them both on both items. This may make both free. This is may not be the case at most stores. After the extreme couponing show aired many stores changed their coupon policy to not allow this type of transaction. Please check with your store before trying to do this scenario. Most stores around me have canceled this type of transaction.*

If your store does not allow you to use two coupons, you are still allowed to use a coupon off two items. These coupons are usually higher in value and you can get some even better deals. If the store offered a BOGO deal and you also had a coupon for $2 off 2 items then you can still use this coupon with your purchase. *

I am not an expert, and don’t know everything, but I love to share what I have learned with you. I hope this helps clear up some confusion on using coupons with BOGO deals.



*Be sure to check and read your stores coupon policy carefully before you try to do any of these scenarios. All stores are different and have different coupon policies. These are possible scenarios at different stores. Most stores will not allow you to do all of these scenarios.

Learn how to cut your grocery bill in half. Checkout my
How to Start Couponing Beginners Guide
Find more great deals join Pounds4Pennies BlogFrog community or stay connected with Pounds4Pennies on Facebook  for MUCH MORE great savings and deals and steals.
Filed Under: Couponing, Couponing 101, Freebie, Frugal living, How to Start Couponing, pounds 4 pennies

Tips for Tuesday – Quick and Easy Breakfast

January 24, 2012 by 10 Comments


Most of us are looking for a quick and easy way to start the day. Let’s face it if the morning starts off bad, the rest of the day goes with it. Breakfast can be one of those moments where you can save a little bit of time and money. Cereal coupons are not always easy to find or always a good buy. Most of the time cereal is packed full of sugar and carbohydrates and not the most nutritious way to send the kids off to school. They will be on a sugar high and it will be difficult for them to focus during the morning. They will be hyper at first and then hit that crash after about an hour or more.
How can you reduce your morning stress, save money,
and provide good nutritious food for your kids in the morning?
One thing you can do is prepare a nutritious breakfast for the kids ahead of time. On the weekend try cooking a double batch of what you are eating on the weekends. Then you can take the leftovers and have those during the week. This provides the kids with options for breakfast.
Instead of making one pound of breakfast sausage, make two. One for eating on the weekend and put the leftovers in a container to heat up during the week. If you like bacon, make the entire package of bacon. Drain and let cool, then freeze it. Take it out as needed and pop it into the microwave for 30-60 seconds. This is also great for instant bacon bits. Bacon freezes great and comes out crispy in the microwave. This will save time and provide a great protein for the morning. 

There aren’t many people I know who like dirty dishes or like to cook a big breakfast on school mornings. A quick idea for making scrambled eggs is to spray a coffee cup with cooking spray. Then crack the egg and scramble it up in the cup and cook for 1 minute in the microwave. As soon as you get it out. Cut it up some more. This is quick and easy. You could also mix it with some of the sausage, a little cheese, put it in a tortilla and have a quick breakfast taco.
Make a double batch of muffins on the weekends and place the leftovers in the freezer. As soon as they come out of the oven put them on a cooling rack. Once they are cooled place them in a freezer bag and then in the freezer. To thaw and eat, take two out and place in the microwave for 1 min. They usually come out perfect. I use whole grain wheat and a fruit to make this a heartier muffin. I normally make them from scratch for pennies a piece. 
Pancakes are so easy to freeze and to have ready for the kids on school mornings . To add more protein to your pancakes add a half cup or whole cup Greek yogurt to your batter and decrease your liquid. Another bit of nutrition, add some frozen berries or pureed fruit to the mix. If you do both you are providing a protein and a fruit along with the carbs to make the pancake a complete meal. This will keep your kids full longer and avoid the carb crash later. I also use a multigrain pancake mix. Make a double batch. Once the pancakes are done, place them on a cooling rack to cool. Then place them in the freezer. I find they don’t stick together nearly as much after they are frozen. Then you can pop them in the toaster or microwave to thaw. Instead of syrup to top them off with some powdered sugar. It gives them the sweet taste, but they will not eat as much sugar.

If you start doing these things for your morning routine, you will find that you will not only save time, but you may also find you save money too. I have a pantry full of cereal that has not been eaten in while. The kids love the muffins and pancakes and little do they know it is good for them too! Do you any great time saving tips for the morning?

Want to find more great deals? Join Pounds4Pennies BlogFrog community. I will be posting more deals on BlogFrog than on my blog site. If you want to find Blogfrog and check out the latest deals, it is a little further down on the left hand side. Feel free to check back often to find some awesome deals.

Stay connected with Pounds4Pennies on Facebook  for MUCH MORE great savings and deals and steals.
Filed Under: Frugal living, meals, pounds 4 pennies, Recipes, Stretch meals, Time Saving Tips

Whatever Wednesday – Meatball Soup

January 11, 2012 by 3 Comments

I have been sick since Sunday. Thank goodness I picked up the Theraflu from CVS last week. I have been drinking it to relieve my stuffy head. I can’t taste or smell a thing. So last night when I was cooking dinner, I added a few spices here and there, but I didn’t know if it had the right flavor or even if it smelled good. I made meatball soup.  My husband and kids thought it tasted good, but it was fail in my book.
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I will post the recipe how it is supposed to be done and not the way I did it last night. This is a great meal to pull from your stockpile.  I didn’t take a picture because, it looked awful. I put the noodles in the slow cooker and cooked them in there instead of cooking them separately and throwing them in at the last minute. They fell apart and were very mushy. It looked like a meat ball mess, instead of meatball soup. It still tasted ok, from what I am told, but it didn’t look so good. We all ate it and little face even had some today for lunch and he ate it all. So he must have liked it. I ate for lunch too, but I couldn’t taste it today either
Soup:
1 Cup pasta 
1 Small Onion
2 Cloves Garlic
1 28oz Can Whole Tomatoes & Juice
2 Small Carrots
3 Cups Chicken Broth or (1 chicken cube with 3 cups water) 
2 Table spoons Italian herb seasoning
Meatballs:
Or you could use frozen meatballs, print $1/2 Armour Meatballs coupon now!
1 lb Ground Meat
2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese
1 Egg
½ Cup Bread Crumbs (I used Italian for more flavor)
½ teaspoon Paprika
Salt and Pepper to taste
Meatballs:
Add bread crumbs, egg, and parmesan cheese, paprika and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl and let set for a couple of minutes. Then add the ground meat. Roll into small ½ inch meatballs. Cook the meatballs in the oven at 350 for 30 min and then throw them in your pot. I like to bake mine before. They come out much firmer.
Pasta:
Cook your pasta in water in a separate pot. VERY Important step!
Soup:
Cook onions and garlic in oil over medium heat until translucent. You can puree the tomatoes and carrots in a blender or pour them in the pot with onions and garlic and use an emulsion blender to puree the mixture. I like doing it all in one pot. Less clean up. Now pour in the chicken broth. Let simmer covered for 10-15 Minutes.  Then add the pasta and the meat and let simmer for a few more minutes.
I hope you will try this soup. It really is delicious, just don’t try to cut the steps like did. I also tried to make this in the slow cooker, instead of on the stove. I wanted something to be ready when we got home. On the stove it turns out great. Tuesdays are our long days and we don’t get home until 5:00. Dinner pretty much needs to be ready when I walk in the door. I got a slow cooker cook book for Christmas, I should have gotten a recipe from there instead.
Stay connected with Pounds4Pennies on Facebook or join me at Pounds4Pennies on BlogFrog community for more great savings.  
Filed Under: meals, pounds 4 pennies, Recipes, Stockpiling, Stretch meals

Friday Finals 12-23-11

December 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

It has been a crazy shopping week this week. I probably have done twice as much shopping as I normally do trying to finish up all my Christmas shopping for everyone and shopping for food deals. I will post them as soon as I can find my receipts. Funny how I managed to keep up with my Christmas purchases and kept the receipts for those, but I can’t find my receipts for groceries. I have a few more place I can look, but I wanted to get the linky up soon.

Stop by to check out the awesome savings for top three most viewed links from last week here at Pounds4Pennies:
Frugality is Free
Coupon Counselor
Homemaking Mom

Tom Thumb I spent around $24.00


Tom Thumb round 2 I spent $20.00

CVS

2 Honey Maid Graham Crackers $2.50 each – $1/2
            -$2.00 each
Walgreens 


1 12pack Toilet Paper $5.00

Sprouts $10.00



Total I spent around $63.00. A little over, but I am not blowing the budget. 


Stay connected with Pounds4Pennies on Facebook or join my Pounds4Pennies on BlogFrog community for more savings.



Link up your savings/shopping results for the week here. Be sure to visit others site so you can learn how to save more. I know I always find other deals I missed. It is the best way to learn.







Filed Under: Couponing, Couponing 101, CVS Shopping, Money Saving Tips, pounds 4 pennies, Tom Thumb Shopping

Friday Final 12-16-11

December 16, 2011 by 2 Comments

I see the sun! I see the sun! It has been nearly a week here in Texas with no sun and raining for three days. While we need the rain due the drought, we are all going a little stir crazy. I have been trying to find some creative things for me and little face to do. I think he is more than ready to get outside today.

I am trying to still stay within my grocery budget while shopping for additional food Christmas gifts. This has been an amazing challenge. As I have said before, I love challenges. I am still under budget again this week. Can I get a woot woot!
I also wanted to say I document all my food and family necessity purchases here. I have noticed some coupon sites only document what they spend at a certain store or just what they bought with coupons. I document all my fruit and produce, milk, eggs, diapers, vitamins and ect… I want to show you how to buy real food for your family for a small budget and how to save money while using coupons to save even more money. I want to share my tips with you to stay connected join Pounds4Pennies on Facebook.

A quick click below for a vote at TOP Mommy Blogs would be an easy and nice gift for me.
Top Mommy Blogs - Mom Blog Directory




KROGER 12/15/11
3 Chex Cereal $2.00 each – $1/2 eCoupon from Kroger – I want to make some Chex Mix
            -Final average $1.66
1 MillStone Coffee $7.69 – $2/1 K-cup RP 10/23/11
            -Final $5.69
1 Carnation Instant Dry Milk $2.00 – $0.50/1 Carnation Dry Milk RP 09/25/11
            -Final $1.50
1 Butterscotch Chips Kroger $1.79 – Needed these for some cookies I want to make
1 Whole Wheat Artisan Bread $1.00 Managers Special
1 Huggies Diapers $4.89 Managers Special!
2 18 count Eggs $1.88 each
I spent $24.03 and saved $8.62 on $32.65 worth of groceries. It is more around $16.00 in savings since the diapers and bread were managers special they do not reflect in the savings.

WALMART 12/10/11
2 Wolf Brand Chili $2.00
8 Cans Libby’s Veggies $0.75 – 2 $1/4 Libby’s Canned Veggies 08/28/11
            -Final $0.50 each
1 Carmex Lip Balm $0.98 – $1/1 Carmex RP 10/30/11
            -Final FREE + $0.02 overage
4 Johnson RED + First aid Kits $0.97 each – $1/1 Johnson Red + item SS 11/06/11
            -Final FREE + $0.21 Total Overage
2 Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa $1.28 each – $0.50/2 Swiss miss Hot CoCoa SS 11/13/11
            -Final $1.03 each
1 Can GV Tomato Paste – $0.44 – For yummy chili
1Benadryl Itch Pen $2.28 – $2/1 Benedryl Product RP 06/19/11
            -Final $0.28
2 Arm and Hammer Washing Powder $3.24 each – $1/2 A&H Washing product
            -Final $2.74 each
I spent $15.20 and $9.50 coupon saving on $24.70 of household items. I am planning on making my own clothes washing soap soon.
SPROUTS 12/10/11 
Picture with Walmart Items above.

.91 Lbs Rolled Oats @ $0.74/lb – $0.67
2 Stoneyfield Yogurt $2.79 – 2 $1/1 Stoneyfield Yogurt coupons Sprouts Magazine
            -Final $1.79 each
I spent $4.25 and saved $2.00 plus more, since there was a sale on all bulk items.

TOM THUMB 12/10/11
8 Progresso Soups $1.11 – 2 $1/4 Coupons
            -Final $0.86 each
I spent $6.88 and saved $12.24 from sale and coupons on $19.12 worth of soup.
I spent $50.36 this week and saved $32.36 on $82.72 worth of family necessities this week.
Stay connected to Pounds4Pennies on Facebook.

Filed Under: Couponing, Kroger Shopping, Kroger unadvertised deals, pounds 4 pennies, Sprouts shopping, Stockpiling, Tom Thumb Shopping, Walmart shopping, Weekly Shopping

Friday Finals 12-2-11

December 2, 2011 by 2 Comments

I am taking part of a Blog Share Exchange were we all feature one article on our site each day about Christmas until Dec. 25th. Please stop by and visit these awesome blogs. Each has a thought or craft idea for Christmas. I will be featured next Friday. I can’t wait to share my craft with you and all my new readers.


Please take a moment and vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs. One click = One Vote. I would love to try to get five votes today. Thanks in advance for voting for me. 


Stop by these wonderful blogs to see how they shop. Here are the clickiest views from last week:


Saving A Bundle
The Intentional Momma
Coupon Story

I seemed to do a lot of shopping for not really needing anything. Goes to show you should NEVER shop while you are hungry. I will usually grab one or two free cookies or snacks they have out to help curb my appetite while I am there.



I took one big picture of everything I got instead of individual pics of each store. I will update throughout the day a breakdown of each store. So stop back by.


Kroger


2 French Style breads $0.50 each Manger Special
2 Kroger Tortilla Chips $1.00 each
1 Carnation Dried Milk $2.00 – $0.50/1 Carnation Dry Milk RP 09/25/11
1 Whole Wheat Bakery Bread $1.00 Manager Special
2 Whole Wheat Tortilla $1.50 each – I love these whole wheat tortillas
2 Nutrigrain Bread Whole Wheat BOGO $4.09
     -Final $2.05 each


I spent $12.59 and saved $4.59. I mainly purchased discounted manger’s special bread and tortillas, so my savings is much greater, but it is not listed on the receipt. I have been going lately and they have not had as much bread in the discount area. I was surprised. That is probably why I bought so much. Most Kroger purchases are on the right hand side of the picture.


Sprouts 


.48 lbs Cherry Vanilla Granola @ $1.99lb
     -Final $0.96
.80 lbs Dried Cranberries @ 2.99lb 
     -Final $2.39
1.28 lbs Whole Wheat Flour @0.69lb
     -Final $0.88
1 Package Rosemary – $1.25
1 Arrowhead Mills Buckwheat Pancake Mix $3.00 – $1/1 Arrowhead Mills product Printable
     -Final $2.00
1 Arrowhead Mills MultiGrain Pancake Mix $3.00 – $1/1 Arrowhead Mills Product Printable
     -Final $2.00
4 Packages Black berries @ $0.69 each
1 Celery Stalk $0.89
5 Hass Avocado @ $0.69 each
2.67 lbs Zucchini @ $0.77 each
3.81 lbs Tomatoes @ 0.69 lb
2.61 lbs Sweet Potatoes @ $0.69 lb
3.28 lbs Yellow Onions @ $0.49 lb


I spent $24.68 and saved $2.00. I purchased a lot of fruits and veggies. I plan on making some soups and freeze them this weekend. I might have the crock pot and the stove going all weekend. The cold has set in here in Texas. I like to cook and bake to keep the house warm. I make multigrain pancakes and I mix different pancake mixes together to provide higher protein pancakes so the kids don’t have a carb crash at school after eating the pancakes. I am making sun dried tomatoes in the dehydrator this weekend. YUM!


Tom Thumb
1 Hershey Cocoa Powder $1.54 (Manager Special) Nothing wrong with package
2 Birds Eye Steamfresh Veggies $2 each – $0.50/2 doubled SS 11/13/11
     -Final $1.50 each
1 Sea Pack Fish Sticks $4.99 – $2/1 WYB Birds eye Veggies Store Coupon
     -Final $2.99
2 Grands Biscuits $0.99 each – $0.30/2 tripled GM 11/13/11, $0.99 Price Store Q
     -Final $0.54 each
1 Oscar Meyer Deli Fresh meat $2.49 – $2.49 Store Q


I spent $11.10 and saved $13.46 on Groceries. I even picked up some Cocoa on Managers Special. I didn’t see any thing wrong with the cocoa. I inspected it and Exp is in 2013. I plan on making some homemade cocoa for gifts this year.


Walmart


1 Pull Ups Huggies $9.47 – $2/1 Walmart 11/06/11
     -Final $6.47
1 Benadryl Cream $3.88 – $2/1 Any Benadryl Product RP 06/19/11
     -Final $1.88


I spent $10.17 and saved $4.00. I purchased diapers on this visit. This will soon be my last purchase of diapers we are ALMOST there. Little face has #2 down and will tell me when he needs to go. We are working on #1. He always goes when I sit on the potty, but he just doesn’t tell me when he needs to go. Someday soon he will make the connection. I just know it! Any words of encouragement are greatly appreciate here.


I spent $58.54 Under Budget!


So how did you do this week? I can’t wait to see what others have purchased this week. Be sure to come back to visit someone else’s shopping trip to see if you can learn something new too!



Filed Under: Couponing, Couponing 101, Frugal living, Kroger Shopping, Money Saving Tips, pounds 4 pennies, Tom Thumb Shopping, Walmart shopping, Weekly Shopping

Tips 4 Tuesday – Frugal Exercise

November 29, 2011 by 4 Comments
I did it! I finally purchased my first few gifts today, and I already have  return. I bought a couple of things for the kids, since it was a good price and it was the last one. However, when I went home to read the reviews, they were not so good.  I will just bring it back and get something else. This is where I cash in for the holidays. I always keep my receipts and bring it back if it goes on sale somewhere else or if I don’t like it after I have purchased it.
Elastic Exercise Bands



I don’t know about you, but I ate my way through Thanksgiving. My husband is originally from New Orleans and that is where we spent our Thanksgiving. We had all kinds of traditional food, so we packed on a few pounds from that wonderful Thanksgiving meal, now we need to lose all those tasty pounds we consumed. How can you sneak in a workout, since you don’t have any time?


I personally don’t like to go to the gym to work out. I would rather do things at home. If this is you too, you can combine shopping and walking. Before you head to the store or department you are going to, take a quick lap around the mall or store before you start your shopping trip. If you do this a couple of times a day you are working off a few extra calories and slimming those thighs in no time.


Exercise while you are cooking. I do this all the time. Do a few leg lifts or simply march in place while you are browning your meat or chopping onions. This also helps improve your coordination, since you are doing two things at once. 


If you have stairs take the toys or clothes up stairs one at a time. You are getting a stair master workout, and you are not at the gym. For a quick ab workout sit on the edge of your bed and do some leg lifts about 20 or so before you get all the way out of bed in the morning. 


A video game is a great way to burn calories and have a great time with your kids. We have a couple of fun games to do with the kids, like Just Dance 2 or Wii Sports. You are making memories while burning calories. I love multitasking, especially if you can get the kids involved.


Sneaking in a few extra exercises throughout your day will also give you more engery this holiday season with out caffeine. Who couldn’t use a little extra energy. Now if I can find a way to give me more time I will be set!


Do you have any quick fun exercise you do or would like to share? Leave a comment below to share your fabulous tips with others.

Filed Under: Family, Frugal living, Kids, Money Saving Tips, pounds 4 pennies

Money Saving Monday – Cyber Monday Shopping

November 28, 2011 by 7 Comments

This is cyber Monday today. I have listed several sites I recommend to get some great deals today. I love all my readers and to show me how much you care if you could take take one second and support me at Top Mommy Blogs that would be wonderful. It is very easy. One click = One vote. Thanks for taking the time to vote for me here. 


Coupons
New week = New Coupons be sure to print yours now. HOT $0.75/1 International Delight Coupon. PRINT NOW. This one won’t last long.


Guys – Hard to Shop for
I find it is so hard to buy for guys in my family. I found this company last year and they have great deals going on right now on hundreds of items even for guys. I just Love, Love, LOVE this place.  I find buying something personalized for a guy is a great gift to give. Especially if it is something they are going  to use. My husband frequently travels, so I got him a small travel bag with his initials on it. He loves it and enjoys using it on all his trips. They have so many neat things to shop for here. I know you will find something for at least one person on your list. They have gifts for everyone. It looks like nearly everything is on sale, too!

PersonalizationMall.com 
Coupon Codes for Today ONLY! Order now!

PMALL5D - $5 Off Orders of $25 or More
PMALLSHIP75 - On-Site Deals – Today Only!
PMXMAS10 - 10% Off Holiday Orders


Gift Card Ideas


Here is a great site where you can shop for many different Gift cards at the same time and location. They will send you a bill and you can pay securely through your bank. You are not giving your account information to several different retailers risking your personal financial information getting stolen. This is a more safe and secure way to shop this holiday season. You can even earn up to 10% cash back on each gift card purchase. Then you can do a little shopping for yourself. Happy Holidays to you!
Top Cyber Monday Deals on the Web


Filed Under: Couponing, Couponing 101, Great Gifts, Money Saving Tips, pounds 4 pennies
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