Brooke Blogs This

My coupon project continued into March, and here are the results: *Unless otherwise noted, my comments to them were compliments Heinz Heinze Ketsup - 2 $.50 coupons Ore Ida French Fries - 4 $.75 coupons Campbells Prego Itallian Sauce - 1 $1 coupon Campbells Soup 1 $1 coupon Unilever Country Crock Spred - A coupon book for Unilever products. 12 coupons totaling $11 Popsicle - A coupon for a free product, worth $5 Lipton Knorr Noodles - Did not send coupons General Mills Yoplait - I recieved a $3 check after complaining about a products texture. They sent the check instead of a coupon due to my states dairy laws. Totinos Pizza Rolls - Did not send coupons (No response was received at all) Proctor & Gamble Puffs - Did not send coupons (No response was received at all) Cover Girl - Did not send coupons Other Uncle Bens - 1 $1 coupon Jose Ole Frozen Mexican Products - 1 $1 coupon New York Brand Bread Sticks - Coupon for a free product worth $4 Dole Salads - 3 $.75 coupons

I hope everyone had an awesome Easter. We sure did! The Easter Bunny came and the dogs didn't chase him away or eat him or anything (at least as far as I can tell.) The kids were very excited about thier baskets. Other than the traditional baskets, we for went any other traditions on Easter. There were no egg hunts, there were no huge dinners. We ate candy (ok, so maybe that IS traditional), cinnamon rolls, fish sticks and fries and Mexican food. MMMMMMMMMMMMMM...Mexican. I am eating the left overs now. Overall it was a pretty fantastic (and the fantasticness was much needed) weekend. Now I just hope I haven't set my sights too high for the upcoming week and weekend!

Lately I've been asked lots of questions about my couponing, and I never seem to be organized enough to give anyone the full run down, so I though I would post some of my favorite tips. Feel free to ask questions, and I'll be glad to answer. Consider this an overview and I'll go more in depth on some of these in later posts. 1. If you use coupons, you will save money. Period. However, it is important to know what your goal is. Are you trying to get more expensive products at a bettr price? Are you trying to get your grocery bill down to a certain amount? Your goal will determine over all how much you save/spend. 2. Usually (I've never found a case where this isn't true) you can only use 1 manufacturer coupon and 1 store coupon on a single item. If you purchase 5 products, you will need 5 coupons (if you want to save on all 5) unless the coupon states otherwise. 3. I tend to save a bigger percentage and have a lower grocery bill when I buy the less expensive item

Use code 448234 at Payless to get 20% off through April 24 At Snapfish use code TAXDAY to get $10.40 off any order of $25 or more through April 20 OR use code MOMMYBOOKS through April 18 to get 2 free 8 1/2 by 11 memory books when you buy 1! (I will SO be using this one, especially since I can cash in my coke rewards points and get the first one for free too!) This weekend only (April 15-17) use code TAX11 at The Childrens Place to get 20% off. Happy Shopping!

The last 6 months have been turbulent, to say the least. There have been all kinds of ups, downs, and stresses both at work and at home. I thought the end of 2010 was going to kill me. But, what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. I believe I have become a better wife, mother, friend, employee and Christian. I have had to examine my own flaws, forgive others, and take more of an interest in the emotional well being of every one around me. I have found truth in the Bible, that I had never found before (and if you know my background, that is a biggy). Yes, the past 6 months have been rough, and yes, I would gladly trade them, but, I have learned some very important things about myself, others, the world and life. Top Ten Things I Have Learned: 1. Life is a balance of God's will, man's free will and prayer to change either. 2. I am still a work in progress. 3. If you feel the need to hide or lie, then you know what you are doing is wrong, no matter how many ways

Some people have been asking how I keep my grocery bill down, and the truth is, sometimes I sacrifice what we eat. Hamburger Helpers go on sale for less than a $1, and I have coupons, we're having Hamburger Helper. The Homestyle Bakes usually aren't a bad deal either. I noticed on my last box of Pasta Roni (which is never more than $1) it had a recipe for adding beef or chicken, making it a lot like a Hamburger Helper as well. The truth is, meat (ground hamburger, shredded or chunked chicken) mixed with a pasta and sauce with a vegetable side, is usually the cheap way to go. But we all get tired of eating the same thing, every day, so here are some of my favorite cheap recipes. These I've tried and the Family has approved: Braised Chicken Grease the bottom of your crock pot, and add in enough onion (fresh chopped or frozen or pearl onions) to cover the bottom. Add as much potatos (fresh cut up or frozen) and carrots (fresh, frozen or canned) as you would like. Combine 1

Well, February did not have the wonderful results that January did. However, I still got some pretty amazing coupons. Pledge (S C Johnson Company) sent a coupon for a free Pledge product ($4.00 value) I wrote 3 Con Agra companies: Chefboyardee sent a $.50 coupon Manwich also sent a $.50 coupon Banquet Homestyle Bakes also sent a $.50 coupon. Mt. Olive Pickles sent a $.75 coupon in response to my compliment and another $.75 coupon for signing up for their news letter. Tyson sent 3 $1.00 coupons good off any Tyson product. Blixtex sent 3 $.25 coupons. Kellog's Pop Tarts is supposed to be sending coupons for signing up with them, however, I have not received any as of yet. My other companies that were a bust this month inculde: General Mills Progresso Hamburger Helper Trix Coty Sally Henson N.Y.C. Color Other Pepsi/Starbucks Wrights Baccon (Tyson) Mahatma Rice (Riviana) Wishbone Salad Dressing (Unilever) Scotch Bright (3M) Sun Drop (Prescot Bottling) Tostitos (Frito Lay) Old S