My Favorite Blogs

Here it finally is... my list of favorite couponing blog sites!  Since I started couponing a couple of months ago it has become more of an addiction!  I tell everyone about how much I save and check the blogs many times throughout the day.  Can you say obsessed?!! 

There are so many sites out there that list where to find the best deals, etc... This is a short list of all the sites I go to, but the sites that I frequent most often!

Kansas City Penny Pinchin Mama  she gives a great list of the deals for Hy-Vee for the week.  She also lists great freebies and more!

Chicks Dig Deals These gals also give a great list of all the deals for Hy-Vee.  They will also share there favorite deals for the week.  Occasionally they will list ideas for holiday giving and more!


Coupon Geek She lists a variety of great deals!  Samples and freebies!

Another one that I enjoy is Housewife Hacks.  I can only read it in my google reader.  When I go to the link it doesn't work.  She gives a great list for Fareway stores!  Try a google search to find this blog.  It is great!

My other big tips:
1. Send for the samples. Especially of products you will use! Many times they come with great coupons!
2. Check out all the rebates. Kansas City Mom has a great list. You can get so many products for free just by purchasing and sending in the UPC codes. Plus they send you coupons also.

3. Sign up for e-mails from the products you use regularly and enjoy. They will also send you special links and coupon deals.
4. Keep your eye out at the store. Many times displays have rebates and coupons posted. Very easy to walk by... but if you are looking you will find them.
Have fun! Would love to hear what blogs you read to find coupons and great deals.

What's Cooking

Tonight we arrived home from Violin and Viola practice late.  Somehow, I had to come up with a quick dinner for 3/4 starving kids/adult!! 

Found this recipe and changed it a little bit to suit our family.  I was actually nervous when I served it.. thought I would hear- yuck, what is this, do I have to eat this?  Instead, everyone gobbled it up! 

The great part is that it was super easy!  No pictures... thought it would be a flop.

Ham and Noodle Casserole
2 cups cubed cooked ham


1 medium onion, chopped

Garlic to taste

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

5 cups extra-wide egg noodles, cooked and drained


DIRECTIONS

Place a small amount of butter in pan and heat. Add the ham and onion and cook until the onion is tender.

Stir the soup in the saucepan and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheese and cook and stir until the cheese is melted. Add the noodles and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling.

What's Cooking

These cookies were delicious!  I had bought some white chocolate chips and found this recipe to make.  YUM!!

1 cup butter


1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

2 cups white chocolate chips


DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease cookie sheets.

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, stir in the rolled oats and white chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks.

Sunshine loved them so much she had 3!

Med School and Coupons?

Hubbie was layed off in May.  Since that time he has been searching for the right thing to do "for the rest of his life." 

Early in August he decided to go back to school for pre-requisites to be able to apply for Medical School next fall.  Soooo... he is in school full time and will be for many years. 

Since that time, I have become the coupon saving queen!!  WOW!  I am amazed at how much you can save with coupons!  We have been able to get many items for free and reduced cost simply by using coupons and watching the ads. 

Just in the few weeks that I have been couponing I have saved well over $100.  Why have I not done this before?  Was I too comfortable with our income? 

Soon I will be posting my favorite blogs of where I find all the great deals.  These women are amazing at how they find all these deals and bring them directly to my computer.

Box Tops for Education

I believe this program has been around for years!  Why have I not taken advantage of it before now?  Too hard, not worth my time... I really have no idea!

So this year the girls and I have started to save all the box tops we find on the regular products we purchase.  In just one month we have saved over 50 box tops.  That's $5 for our school. 

I know, I know... it does not sound like much but just imagine if everyone in your school saved 50 box tops the amount of money your school would earn.  Last year, our school saved 761 box tops.  That's $70 for our school, pretty small compared to the amount of kids that go to our school. 

Do you save box tops?  If so, how many do you save a year?  If not, why not? 

One other thing... be sure to go the here to sign up for their newsletter.  They have contests all the time where you can earn many box tops for your school. 

It's About Time!

Okay... so I have been pondering starting a personal blog. What should I write about? Family, cooking, couponing, staying at home or all the above.

I think I just need to start!!

So this is my first official blog. More to come tomorrow!!