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Tip of the Day Tuesday: Lessons learned in hurricane preparedness

June 9, 2009 by

When we first moved to Texas four years ago, it was a few weeks before Hurricane Katrina hit in New Orleans followed by Rita which hit the Texas and Louisiana coast. Hurricane season was a whole new experience for my family and one that we were not at all prepared for. I remember going to the store to get a few “basics” like bread and diapers and I was surprised to find that the stores were completely wiped out. I decided at that point that I would be prepared for hurricane season in the future!

Every week for the next few weeks, I will be sharing some of my tips for hurricane preparedness including deals and tips for stocking up. Many of these will apply to emergency preparedness in general, so even if you don’t live in an area that is impacted by hurricanes, it can help you prepare for other events. You can do this by spending only $5-10 per week.

This week, my focus is on paper goods. I think that this is something that many people don’t think about when they are planning for emergencies, but when Hurricane Ike hit us last summer, many people were without power and water for days, and paper goods definitely come in handy in those circumstances.

This week, Target has a deal on Dixie and Solo paper products:

*Dixie/Solo Tableware – $2.49/each
.50/1 Dixie Or Dixie Ultra Paper Plates Or Bowls, Any – 05-10-09 RP
$1/1 Target IP here – $.99 when you combine the Target IP and the Dixie coupon!$1/1 Solo Heavy Duty Tableware Products, Any – 05-17-09 SS
.75/1 Solo Cups, Plates or Bowls, Any Package printable here

Another great every day resource for paper products is your local “dollar” store. I was surprised to find that my Dollar Tree store has a large variety of paper plates, cups, and even plastic cutlery and everything was priced at $1! If you are planning a shower or birthday party, it’s also worth checking out because they even have themed items.

If you know of any other deals on paper products this week, please feel free to share!

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Get 6 bucks for registering for Swagbucks now!

June 9, 2009 by


Search & Win

If you’ve been reading my blog for long, you know that I love Swagbucks. If you haven’t signed up yet, today is a perfect day to dive in because you will get three “bucks” for signing up using my link above and another three bucks for using this code: MELISSASCODE (the code is case sensitive amd valid through Tuesday, 6/16 at 11:59 pm).

If you’re not familiar with Swag Bucks, it is a search engine and you earn “Swag Bucks” just for searching for things that you would be searching for anyway. They also post Swag codes to help you earn additional bucks.

You can use your Swag Bucks to cash out for gift cards or other great prizes. They even have a section with items for kids now! The cash out amounts of gift cards are fairly low. You can get a $5 Amazon card with just 45 Swag Bucks. I can assure you that it really works as I’ve already used my bucks to cash out for gift cards several times. Right now, I’m saving up to earn Southwest Airlines gift cards!

Be sure you check out my post here about how to make the most of your Swag Bucks account, and you’ll be well on your way to earning your first gift card.

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Menu Plan Monday: My menu for the week of 6/7

June 8, 2009 by


Between sickness and the end of the school year insanity, I haven’t been doing much cooking lately and have really been struggling with menu planning. This is my last week of work before summer vacation, and I’m determined to stick to a menu for this week!

Sunday: Brisket

This is super easy and so yummy! Wrap the brisket in heavy foil, place in a 13X9 baking dish, and marinate in Claude’s Brisket Sauce (for 2-3 hours. Then, cook on low (325-350 degrees) for one hour per pound of brisket.

I serve it with rolls and a potato casserole.

Monday: Lemon-pepper chicken (slow cooker)

Ingredients:
2 boneless chicken breasts
lemon pepper seasoning
1 can cream of mushroom soup (98% FF)
1/2 c. canned milk
1 T chopped parsley
1 c. grated cheddar cheese

Sprinkle chicken generously with lemon pepper seasoning. Place chicken in the bottom of the crockpot. Mix soup, milk, and parsley to create a sauce and pour over chicken. Cook on low 6-7 hours. 30 minutes prior to serving, add cheese. We serve over noodles or rice.

Tuesday: Pork sammies (slow cooker) – I got an awesome deal on pork roast at Target on Saturday (it was only $2!) and I’ve got plenty of free BBQ sauce, so I thought this would be a cheap and easy meal.

Ingredients:
2-3 lbs. boneless pork roast
2 onions, chopped
12 oz. BBQ sauce of your choice
1/4 c. honey
rolls

Directions:

Place meat in slow cooker. Add onions, bbq sauce and honey. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. At that time the pork should break apart easily and shred with a couple of forks. After you shred it, serve it on rolls.

*Serving suggestion! Place provolone cheese slices on bolillo rolls along with mayonnaise. Toast the rolls open faced with cheese and mayo in a 350 degree oven for about 5-6 minutes before adding the pork and serving.

Wednesday: Chicken Taco Rice (freezer meal) – I have been wanting to try this since I saw the recipe and picture.

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
3 cups Chicken broth
8 oz. Tomato sauce
1 pkg. Taco seasoning mix
1-1/2 Brown rice, uncooked
1/2 cup Red or Green Pepper
1 can of corn

On Hand:
Shredded cheddar cheese

Optional Ingredients:
Tortilla chips, flour tortillas, tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, etc.

Assembly Directions:
Mix everything in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until rice is done (about 40-50 minutes). Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Freezing Directions:
Allow rice mixture to cool. Place in appropriate sized containers. Seal, label and freeze.

Serving Directions:
Thaw in the refrigerator. Reheat in microwave until warm. You can also reheat it in a saucepan if you add a little bit of water before heating. Sprinkle cheese on top and serve with tortilla chips.

Comments:
This is a great after school snack. Use it to make quick nachos or a filling for tacos.

Thursday: Slow cooker ravioli

Ingredients:
1 (25 ounce) bag beef or cheese ravioli
1 (26 ounce) jar pasta sauce
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Pour about half of the pasta sauce in the bottom of slow cooker. Add frozen ravioli. Pour additional pasta sauce, tomato sauce, and water over ravioli. Sprinkle cheese on top. Turn slow cooker on low and cook for four to five hours (until ravioli are tender).

Friday: Parsley parmesan chicken (freezer meal) – I saw this recipe on Marci’s blog and it looked really good, so I’m going to try it out (I plan to make a double batch and freeze half and eat the other half tonight)

Ingredients:
2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 6-8 chicken breasts)
1/3 bottle of Italian salad dressing
1/2 c shredded Parmesan cheese
1/3 c dry bread crumbs (used Seasoned Italian bread crumbs)
1 1/2 T parsley flakes
1/2 T paprika
Salt & Pepper

Assembly Directions:
Marinate chicken in dressing overnight.
Mix the remaining ingredients and bread each breast with coating.
To Freeze:
Lay chicken breasts side by side on baking sheets and place in freezer for 1 to 2 hours to firm up. Place chicken in labeled gallon size Freezer Bag and freeze.
Cooking Directions:
Thaw & bake at 350 uncovered for 30 minutes or until done.

Saturday: Taco salad

Ingredients:
1 head lettuce (I use a pre-made salad mix)
Tomatoes
Cheese
Ground beef (1/2-1 lb cooked – I add in taco seasoning for more flavor)
Light kidney beans, drained
Doritos corn tortilla chips (you can use any brand, but this is my favorite for this)
1 bottle Thousand Island dressing

Mix lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, ground beef, and beans together. Crush tortilla chips and add to the mixture. Add in salad dressing and mix well. It sounds a little strange, but it is really good. It doesn’t keep well, though, for leftovers because the lettuce and tortilla chips get soggy, so you want to make it and serve it.

Filed Under: Menu Planning Monday

Old Navy Weekly coupons

June 8, 2009 by


Based on this, I assumed that the Old Navy weekly coupons would re-set last night, but from what I can tell, it doesn’t look like they have yet:
Alright, it’s time to let your friends in on the fabulous secret that is OldNavyWeekly.com. So this week, in addition to hiding that beloved $75 off $100 coupon again, we’re adding the ability to share a coupon with a friend through Facebook each week.

You’ll be able to keep one coupon for yourself and give a coupon of a different value to a friend. Generosity is the new fabulous…but can you bring yourself to give that stellar $75 coupon to a pal instead of stashing it for yourself? Guess we’ll find out Sunday…so choose wisely and give generously!

Nicole D.
Brand Advocate working on behalf of Old Navy

oldnavyweekly.com

m80im.com/newsroom/tag/old-navy/

So, I’m assuming that they will go “live” at some point today. Check out this thread on SD for updates (I will also post updates here as I find them).

Here are some facts about the coupons: (also from SD)

1) What are other ways to get onto the website?
Answer: https://www.oldnavyweekly.com, http://media.oldnavyweekly.com

2) Are the serial codes UNIQUE?
Answer: Yes. One-time use only code.

3) What are the conditions and terms of the coupon?
Answer: Not valid online. Discount applies to merchandise only, not to gift cards purchased, packaging or applicable taxes. Coupon is good for one time use only and must be surrendered at time of purchase. Copies of original coupon will not be accepted. No adjustments on previous purchases. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Coupon is not transferable and not valid for resale. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts including Gap Inc. employee discount. Not responsible for lost or stolen coupons. Employees not eligible.

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Target deals for the week of 6/7

June 7, 2009 by


There are some great deals at Target this week!

WEEKLY DEALS:

Buy 2 Iams (17.5 lb) dog food – $17.79/each – get a $5 gift card:

Use 2 $2/1 PG Year of Savings coupons
Use $5 gift card

Spend $26.58 (it’s like getting them for $13.29/each), get a $5 gift card back

*Colgate wisp – $1.99 (4 ct) – $.99 after coupons!
.50/1 Target IP here
.50/1 Colgate Wisp Product, Any 16 Ct. – All You, June 26, 2009
.50/1 printable here

*Coppertone Sun Care (with bonus) – $7.99
$3/1 printable coupon here – $4.99 after coupon!

*Cottonelle 12 pack – $6.49
$1/1 printable here when you make a pledge – $5.49 after coupon

*Dixie/Solo Tableware – $2.49/each
.50/1 Dixie Or Dixie Ultra Paper Plates Or Bowls, Any – 05-10-09 RP
$1/1 Target IP here – $.99 when you combine the Target IP and the Dixie coupon!
$1/1 Solo Heavy Duty Tableware Products, Any – 05-17-09 SS
.75/1 Solo Cups, Plates or Bowls, Any Package printable here

*Hebrew National Franks – $2.89
$1/1 printable here – $1.89 after coupon!

*Kraft mayo – $1.99 – FREE after coupons!
$1/1 Target IP here
$1/1 printable on coupons.com or here (must register)

*Special K cereal – $2.39 (get free Special K crackers when you buy 3)
$1/1 Kellogg’s All-Bran, Special K or Raisin Bran Cereal, Any 11.4 Oz. + – 06-07-09 RP – $1.39 after coupons!

TIP: If you have a Super Target, check your meat section for mark downs (they will have red stickers with $ off peelie coupons) – yesterday I got a pork roast for $2, pork chops for $2, a London broil for $2, and round steak for $2!

The following Target coupons expire on 6/20/09 and are available through the coupon generators on HCW or AFC:

Archer Farms chips, 6-oz. or larger – $1/1

Archer Farms Hot dogs or Smoked Sausage – $1/1

Chex Mix snack mixes, 6-oz. or larger – $1/2
$1/2 Chex Mix Or Chex 100 Calorie Snack Mix, Any – 06-07-09 SS
.50/1 printable here (must register) and on coupons.com

Dixie disposable Bowls, Plates, or Grab ‘n Go cups – $1/1
.50/1 Dixie Or Dixie Ultra Paper Plates Or Bowls, Any – 05-10-09 RP

Driscoll’s strawberries, 1- or 2-lb. – $1/1

Frito-Lay Smartfood popcorn, 5 oz multipack – $1/1
$1/1 Smartfood Brand Snacks, Any 5 Oz. + – 05-03-09 SS

Hefty trash bags – $1/1
$2/1 Hefty Trash Or Lawn & Leaf Bags, Any – 05-17-09 RP
$2/1 Hefty Tall Kitchen Bags, Any – 05-17-09 RP

Kraft Mayo, Miracle Whip, or Salad Dressing – $1/1
$1.50/1 Kraft Salad Dressing, Any 16 Oz. + – 05-10-09 SS
$1/1 printable on coupons.com or here (must register)

Morningstar Farms products – $2/2
$1/1 printable here

Pepperidge Farms Hot dog or Hamburger buns – $0.75/1

Pepsi beverage, 12-pk. – $1/1

Sutton & Dodge steakhouse quality choice Angus beef: Steak or Roast – $1/1

Target Brand Napkins or 40-ct. antibacterial moist wipes – $0.50/1

The following coupons expire on 7/4/09:

Archer Farms deli cheese in the Deli Dept., 1-lb. or more – $1/1

Archer Farms deli meat in the Deli Dept., 1-lb. or more – $1.50/1

Gain Laundry detergent or Fabric softener – $1/1
$1/1 PG Year of Savings booklet

Green Giant Iceberg Lettuce or 3-ct. Romaine Hearts – $0.50/1

Ming Tsai dry dinner kit – $1/1

Nivea My Silhouette body cream – $1/1

Pace salsa – $0.50/1
$1/1 Pace Picante Or Salsa, Any 15 Oz. + – 04-26-09 SS (amounts of this coupon vary by location from .50/2 to $2/1)

Produce item (1) AND Hefty Fresh Extend bags, 20-ct. – $1/2

Tuna Helper, Chicken Helper, or Hamburger Helper – $1/2
$1/3 Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, or Chicken Helper Skillet Meals, Any – 06-07-09 SS
.75/3 Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, or Chicken Helper Home Cooked Skillet Meals, Any – 05-31-09 SS
.80/3 printable on coupons.com

Ziploc Bags or Containers – $1/1
$1/2 Ziploc Brand Bags, Any – 05-10-09 SS
$1.50/2 Ziploc Brand Containers, Any – 05-10-09 SS

For more deals, check out Attention Target Shoppers.

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