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Parents Magazine: Three year subscription for $5.99!

December 28, 2010 by

Tanga has another AWESOME magazine deal today – you can get a THREE YEAR subscription to Parents Magazine for just $5.99! I LOVE this magazine: great parenting advice, product reviews and awesome coupons (some of the recent ones include $2 Tide coupons, 20% off diapers on Amazon, and 20% Gymboree and Crazy 8 coupons). With this deal, you can get three years basically for the price of two issues. If you don’t need one yourself, you can always give it for a gift!

To take advantage of this offer, go here and click the red “Buy” button and follow the instructions at check-out.  You can pay using PayPal or any major credit card!  If the $5.99 doesn’t show up automatically (it did for me), enter the promotional code “PARENTS”

This is a limited time offer and is valid today (12/28) only.  As more people take advantage of the offer, the price can go up (some of you discovered this with the deal on Weight Watchers Magazine) or they can end the deal altogether!



They also have a deal today on Clean Eating Magazine:  you can get a one year subscription for $5.99 with the code EAT.  If your goal is to improve your family’s eating habits this year, you may wat to check out this magazine.  It is a guide to discovering a lifestyle full of flavorful, nutritious and low fat meals.  It includes recipes, menu plans, food charts, and tips on cleaning up your diet!  It all sounds good to me, so I decided to check it out!  To get your subscription, click here.


*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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The Children’s Place: items as low as $2.09 plus 15% off!

December 28, 2010 by

The Monster Sale is continuing at The Children’s Place! If you’re shopping in store, you can save an additional 30% off on holiday clearance items (I’m guessing this is an automatic discount at the register).  Prices start at just $2.99 (so $2.09 after the 30% off), so this is an awesome deal!  Print this coupon here to save an additional 15% off your entire purchase!!

If you’re shopping online, you can save 15% off your entire purchase when you enter the code C6C2010 at check-out!  Plus, get 4% cash back when you shop through Shop at Home!  (if you don’t have a Shop at Home account yet, you’ll get a $5 bonus for signing up – details are here)

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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Pampers Gifts to Grow: bonus codes worth 50 points!

December 28, 2010 by

If you’re a member of the Pampers Gifts to Grow program, here are some new bonus codes worth 50 points (if you’re a fan on Facebook, you may have already gotten some of these codes):

NEWWIPESPACKAGE – 10 points
GTGWELCOME10PTS – 10 points
CONGRATS2NEWMOM – 10 points
HAPPYHOLIDAYSFB – 10 points
DEC2010FACEBOOK – 10 points

If you’re not familiar with Pampers Gifts to Grow, you can enter codes from Pampers diapers, wipes, and training pants and accumulate points that can be redeemed for rewards.  I typically save mine until they have gift card offers, but you can also get Shutterfly items, toys, and more!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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Menu Planning Monday: My menu for the week of 12/26

December 27, 2010 by

My menu plan this week is not very exciting.  I was really bad about cooking last week, so several recipes are carry-overs from last week.

You can read more about my $40 weekly budget in this post here.

If you’re new to menu planning, check out my post about how I do my menu planning.

SUNDAY: leftovers!

MONDAY: vacation – no cooking!

TUESDAY: vacation – no cooking!

WEDNESDAY:  Provolone wrapped chicken – This is a recipe from my the “$5 Dinners” cookbook that I got for Christmas last year.

Ingredients:
8-10 chicken tenderloins
2 T extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
4-5 slices provolone cheese (cut in half)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the chicken tenderloins in an 8X8 inch glass baking dish and drizzle the olive oil over the top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper (I will probably add garlic powder and onion powder, as well). Bake in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the oven. Carefully wrap half a piece of provolone cheese around each chicken tenderloin. The cheese will melt over the warm chicken strips.

THURSDAY:  Shredded lime tacos (slow cooker) – I got this recipe from Marci’s blog a few weeks ago.  We tried it and loved it, so it’s back again!

Ingredients:
* 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast meat – cubed
* 1/8 cup red wine vinegar
* 1/2 lime, juiced
* 1 teaspoon white sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
* 1/2 white onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions:
Mix together vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, pepper, onion, garlic and cilantro. Put in crock pot with chicken and cook on low 6 hours. Shred chicken apart with forks and serve in tacos with toppings of choice!

FRIDAY:  FONDUE! Our New Year’s Eve tradition since we got married has been to have fondue. We use “kid friendly” fondue recipes. In addition to our fondue, we’re going to have “family game night” taking advantage of all of the great new games we got from the Amazon deals and we’re going to let the kids stay up a little bit later than usual!

Swiss Cheese fondue – I found this recipe in Family Fun magazine a couple of years ago – It is “kid friendly” in that it is milder than regular cheese fondue and uses milk as a base instead of wine.

Ingredients:
* 12 oz. Swiss cheese (or Cheddar, Gruyere, or a combination)
* 4 tbsp. all-purpose flour
* 1/4 tsp. paprika
* 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
* 1 garlic clove
* 3 tbsp. butter
* 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups milk
* Juice from a lemon
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Dippers, such as French bread, carrots, peppers, broccoli or cherry
* tomatoes

Instructions
First, grate the cheese into a bowl. Toss with 1 tablespoon of the flour. Set aside. Ask kids 10 and up to grate the cheese. Hold the handle firmly, grip the cheese, tuck fingers back and rub against the holes

In a separate small bowl, stir together the remaining 3 tablespoons of flour, paprika and nutmeg.

Ask your child to peel the garlic clove. Next, rub the cut clove on the inside of a medium-size saucepan until the bottom and sides are completely seasoned (a fun job for kids).

Melt the butter in the pan over medium-low heat and stir in the flour mixture until it is smooth. Explain to your children that this is called a roux (pronounced roo) and serves as the base that will help the fondue thicken. Add the milk, 1 cup at a time, and stir constantly until the creamy sauce is warm.

Next, add the grated cheese by the handful, stirring well after each addition. Continue until the cheese is used up and the sauce is thoroughly combined. Once the cheese has melted, stir in the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.

Meanwhile, prepare the dippers for the fondue. Cut the bread into cubes. Cut vegetables into bite-size pieces and steam for a few minutes, if desired, to bring out the flavor.

Arrange the vegetables on a large platter and the bread cubes in a basket or bowl. Pour the fondue into a fondue pot. Invite everyone to spear the bread or vegetables on their fondue forks, then dip into the cheesy sauce. Serves eight people as an appetizer or four as a main course.

Chocolate Marshmallow Fondue – This is another fun, easy recipe from Family Fun which has been a hit with my kids!

Ingredients

* 3/4 cup milk
* 1 (6-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips
* 3/4 cup marshmallow cream

SUGGESTED DIPPERS
* Hulled strawberries
* Banana slices
* Apple wedges
* Fresh pineapple chunks
* Graham crackers
* Pretzels
* Vanilla wafers

Instructions

Heat the milk in a medium saucepan until it just starts to simmer. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Add the chocolate chips and let them stand for 1 minute to soften. Then stir until they’re melted and the mixture is well blended.

Stir in the marshmallow cream. Then whisk the sauce until smooth.

Pour the sauce into a fondue pot and set the flame to keep it warm. Serves 4 to 6.

SATURDAY:  Creamy chicken enchiladas – These have been a family favorite for a long time!

Ingredients:
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use the 98% FF kind)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I use the 98% FF kind)
2 cans green enchilada sauce (10 oz)
1 8 oz-16 oz. tub of sour cream (depends how spicy you want the enchiladas)
2-3 chicken breasts, shredded (if I’m in a hurry, I use canned chicken)
8 oz cheese, shredded
1 dozen flour tortillas (you could use corn also)

Add cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and enchilada sauce to a pan. Cook on medium low heat, stirring occasionally. When sauce is will mixed and starts to thin, add sour cream. Continue stirring occasionally until the sauce is well mixed and thinned out. Place a layer of the sauce along the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish. Fill each tortilla with the shredded chicken, sauce, and cheese. Roll and place in the baking dish. When you have filled all of the tortillas (this should make 1 dozen), pour the remain sauce over the top of the enchiladas and then cover with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is well melted.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Filed Under: Menu Planning Monday

Walgreens ad highlights: week of 12/26

December 27, 2010 by

If you are new to shopping at Walgreens, make sure you check out my tips for shopping at Walgreens here.

FREEBIES:

Buy Chex Mix – $.99/each, get RR:
Buy 3, get $1.50 RR
Buy 4, get $2.50 RR
Buy 5+, get $3.50 RR

$1/2 Chex Mix – 12-5 GM

SCENARIO:
Buy 4 Chex Mix – $.99/each

Use 2 $1/2 coupons

Spend $1.96 OOP, get a $2.50 RR
Final Price = $.54 moneymaker!

Buy Colgate Max Fresh or Max White toothbrush or toothpaste – $2.99, get a $2 RR
$1/1 Colgate Maxfresh or Maxwhite toothbrush – Walgreens Holiday Shopping Guide (found at the beauty counter in most stores)
Final Price = Free after coupon/RRs

Spend $15 on select Vicks products, get a $5 RR; spend $20 on select Vicks products, get a $10 RR (this is a monthly deal)
-Formula 44 – $5
-NyQuil or Dayquil – $5
$1.50/1 Vicks NyQuil/DayQuil – 11-28 PG (expires 12/31)
$1/1 Vicks NyQuil/DayQuil – 12-26
-Children’s Nyquil – $4
$1/1 Vicks – 12-26 PG
-Vicks Vapo-Rub – $4
$1/1 Vicks – 12-26 PG
-Sinex VasoSpray – $6
$4/1 Sinex product – 12-26 PG
Free Puffs WYB 2 Vicks products – 11-28 PG (expires 12/31)

SCENARIO:
Buy 3 Sinex – $6/each
Buy 1 Vicks Vapo-Rub – $4
Buy 2 Puffs

Use 3 $4 Sinex coupons
Use $1/1 Vapo-Rub coupon
Use 2 free Puffs coupons

Spend $9 OOP, get a $10 RR
Final Price = $1 moneymaker!

OTHER RR DEALS: (this is just the “highlights” – it isn’t all of the deals included in the ad)

Buy Aussie or Herbal Essence hair care – $2.99, get a $1 RR
Buy Aussie/HE product, get a styler free – 12-26 PG
$1/1 Aussie/HE – 11-14 RP, 11-28 PG (expires 12/31)
Final Price = $.99 for 2 after coupons/RR

Buy Dove or Degree deodorant – 2/$7, get a $2 RR
Final Price = 2/$5 after RR

Buy Energizer Max AA or AAA (10 ct) or rechargeable AA/AAA (2 ct) – $5.99, get a $1 RR
$1/1 Energizer – 11-21 SS, 12-12 SS
Final Price = $3.99 after coupon/RR

Buy Gillette Fusion Proglide – $9.99, get a $4 RR
$4/1 Gillette Fusion – 11-28 PG, 12-26 PG
Final Price = $1.99 after coupon/RR

Buy Pampers jumbo packs – $8.99, get a $1 RR
$1.50/1 Pampers diapers/pants – 12-26 PG
Final Price = $6.49 after coupon/RR

Buy Pantene shampoo/conditioner/stylers – 2/$7, get a $2 RR
BOGO free Pantene – 11-28 PG
$3/2 Pantene – 12-26 PG
Final Price = as low as $1.50 for two after coupons/RR

Buy Post cereal – 2/$5, get a $1 RR
$1.50/2  Post Fruity Pebbles – 12-5 SS
Final Price = 2/$2.50 after coupon/RR

OTHER DEALS:

Carmex lip care – $.99 w/ in ad coupon
$.30/1 Carmex – 11-7 SS
Final Price = $.69 after coupon

Mars candy – $.49 w/ in ad coupon
$.50/2 Milky Way printable
Buy 2, get one free Dove printable
$.50/2 Skittles printable (click on Get Special Savings)
Final Price = as low as $.24/each after coupons

Tic Tacs – $.99 w/ in ad coupon
$.75/1 Tic Tacs – 10-3 RP (expires 12/31)
Final Price = $2.4 after coupon

FILLER ITEMS:
*Butterball chicken broth – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Encore spices – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)

These scenarios are for people who have few, if any RR to start with

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 4 Chex Mix – $.99/each

Use 2 $1/2 coupons

Spend $1.96 OOP, get a $2.50 RR

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy 1 Colgate MaxWhite toothbrush – $2.99
Buy 1 Encore spice – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)

Use $1 Walgreens coupon
Use $2.50 RR

Spend $0 OOP, get a $2 RR (they will need to adjust a coupon down)

TRANSACTION #3:
Buy 1 Aussie/HE shampoo/conditioner – $2.99
Buy 1 Aussie/HE styler – $2.99
Buy 1 Encore spice – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)

Use BOGO Aussie/HE coupon
Use $1/1 Aussie/HE coupon
Use $2 Colgate RR

Spend $.49 OOP, get a $1 RR

MY PLAN:  I have a $5 RR, a $1.50 RR, and a $1 RR

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 1 Gillette Fusion razor – $9.99
Buy 4 Chex mix – $.99/each
Buy 1 Encore spice – $.50 (w/ in ad coupon)

Use $4 Gillette coupon
Use 2 $1/2 Chex coupons

Spend $.95 OOP, get a $4 RR and a $2.50 RR

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy 1 Colgate – $2.99
Buy 1 Aussie shampoo – $2.99
Buy 1 Aussie styler – $2.99
Buy 4 Milky Way – $.49/each (w/ in ad coupon)
Buy 1 Butterball broth – $.50 (w/ in ad coupno)

Use Walgreens $1 Colgate coupon
Use BOGO free Aussie coupon
Use $1 Aussie coupon
Use 2 $.50/2 Milky Way coupon
Use $4 RR

Spend $1.44 OOP, get a $2 RR and a $1 RR

FAQS: (Check out Walgreens new coupon policy here!)

Do you do multiple transactions at one store on one visit?
It just depends. Several stores in my area have gone to a “one RR per item per day” rule, which means I can’t do more than one transaction where I’m earning RR for the same product at the same store. Some of the stores in my area also will not let you use the RR you earn from one transaction on another transaction in that same visit.  I’m fortunate to have several stores within a few minutes of my house, so I usually try to break up transactions at different stores and on different days to stay in the good graces of my stores.

What is Walgreens policy on using BOGO free coupons with a BOGO free offer, adjusting down coupons, etc.? 
The new coupon policy does not really using a BOGO free coupon with a BOGO free promotion, but it does say you can use up to two coupons as long as the total doesn’t go below zero, so, you SHOULD be able to do this!!

Walgreens coupon policy is now to adjust the value of coupons down – YAY!!

Some helpful tips:
*At Walgreens, you can use ONE manufacturer’s coupon and ONE store coupon per item (always give the store coupon last to avoid problems)

*At Walgreens, you cannot do a promotion more than once in a transaction and earn Register Rewards. (for example, if you buy 2 Listerine, you will only earn a RR for one)

*You also typically cannot use the Register Rewards earned from a promotion on the same promotion and earn Register Rewards again. For example, if you buy the Listerine and use the RR from that to buy more, the RR will not print

*Register Rewards are considered to be “manufacturer’s coupons” and you can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item. You will have to add “filler” items if you are using a manufacturer’s coupon and a RR. The in ad coupons often have good, inexpensive filler items. (check out the weekly match-ups for ideas)

*If you are using more than one RR in a transaction, always give the RR with the highest value FIRST. Sometimes strange things happen with coupons and taxes and even if you think you have planned out your scenario very well, you will end up with more overage than you planned for.

*If you are buying items that would result in a “free” item or “overage” when combining a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon, give the manufacturer’s coupon FIRST, and the store coupons LAST to avoid beeping/issues at the register! Make sure that you are purchasing enough items in your total transaction to “cover” the overage. You will not get cash back and you will have to add items to cover the overage or they will not take the coupon.

*If your Register Reward doesn’t print for some reason and you have fulfilled all of the obligations for the “deal” (including not using RR from the same parent company to pay) DO NOT let them tell you it is because you used coupons! Chances are they didn’t print because the catalina machine is not working. You have two choices: you can return your items and try again or you can contact the catalina company by doing the following:
*The store will give you a form to fill out and mail in to catalina
*Call 1-877-210-1917, option 1

This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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