Tip of the Day Tuesday: Get tons of great ideas for Science Fair projects

March 24, 2009 by

Spring seems to be the season for school science projects. When I was a kid, I can remember spending hours agonizing over coming up with an idea for my science project (I’m sure it was even more strenuous for my parents!).

Scotch has created a site to help eliminate all of the pre science fair stress. At “Science Fair Central” you’ll find tons of great tips for parents as well as plenty of science fair project ideas. Click here to see them all.

For those of us who like a good bargain, click here to access moneysaving coupons that will help you buy things to assemble the display!

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The best deals on Disney’s BOLT movie

March 24, 2009 by


My husband took my daughter to see BOLT during the Christmas holidays. She hasn’t stopped talking about it since then and has anxiously been awaiting the release of the DVD.

Our copy will actually be a $4 moneymaker because I got it for free from Amazon.com by using gift cards that I earned through Swagbucks (to learn more about Swagbucks, click here). Then, I will submit the $4 mail in rebate here.

If you have gift cards that you have earned through Swagbucks and want to get Bolt, you can buy the regular DVD for $15.99 (you get free super saver shipping if you spend $25) or the Blu Ray for $26.99.

If you want to buy Bolt at a regular store, there is a printable coupon for $5 off the regular DVD here and $10 off the Blu Ray here (the coupons expire on 3/31). Don’t forget to take advantage of the $4 mail in rebate.

Here are the best deals (courtesy of Slick Deals):

Bluray deals (prices after $10 printable coupon)
*Toys R Us $15 ($11 after rebate)
*Fry’s Electronics $15 ($11 after rebate)
*Target $17 ($13 after rebate)
*Walmart $18 ($14 after rebate)
*Best Buy $18 ($14 after rebate)

DVD deals (prices after $5 printable coupon)
Target $11 ($7 after rebate)
WalMart $12 ($8 after rebate)
Best Buy $12 ($8 after rebate)
Toys R Us $13 ($9 after rebate)
Fry’s Electronics $15 ($11 after rebate)

UPDATE: HOT deal at Target

Target has a deal this week where you get an instant $10 off when you buy Bolt and Lilo and Stitch. There is also an additional $5 Disney rebate when you buy Rayovac batteries and any Disney movie here. (thanks Beth!)

Here’s a scenario thanks to annabellesmommy8 on BBC:
Buy Bolt – 15.99
Buy Lilo & Stitch – 15.99

-$10 off for buying both at Target
-$5 Bolt printable coupon

Total OOP (in store) = $16.98

-$4 “pasta” mail in rebate
-2 $5 Disney/Rayovac rebates

Total OOP after rebates = $2.98

(According to her, “the fine print” just says on any Disney DVD and it’s only limit of one per person in RI so that means for those of you buying both the Lilo & Stitch & Bolt you can send in for 2 $5 rebates.)

*Also keep your eyes open for $6 off when you buy both movies peelie coupons…if you find these, it’s a $3.02 moneymaker when all is said and done! (thanks three_kids_mom!)

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Get your free REDBOX movie!

March 23, 2009 by

Today’s free movie code is: HG7W56

On Mondays and Wednesdays, they have promotional codes for free movies.

You can find the Wednesday codes here on their blog. Sign up to have the Monday code texted to your phone here.

If you are new to using Redbox, Dealseeking Mom has a great tutorial here.

Enjoy your free movie!

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Menu Planning Monday: My menu for the week of 3/22/09

March 23, 2009 by


I posted a lot of information about my family and how we plan meals in this initial post. You’ll notice that my menu includes a lot of “freezer” recipes this week. In addition to participating in a freezer swap which I am loving more and more with weeks like this, I spent my spring break making and freezing a new recipe each day, so I’m starting out this week with SEVENTEEN freezer meals, which is super nice on busy weeks like this! I plan to post on my “freezerk cooking” experience soon.

Sunday – Lasagne – I use this recipe from Barilla – I love their “oven ready” lasagne noodles. It makes the whole process so simple!

Monday – Slow cooker creamy mushroom chicken – I got this recipe from Allrecipes.com several years ago.

Ingredients:
3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and pepper to taste
paprika to taste
1/2 cup dry white wine (I use chicken broth as a substitute)
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Sprinkle chicken breasts lightly with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. Place in slow cooker. In a mixing bowl, combine the wine (chicken broth), condensed soup, and mushrooms. In another bowl, mix together sour cream and flour. Stir sour cream mixture into the mushrooms and wine. Pour over chicken in slow cooker. Sprinkle with additional paprika, if desired. Cover, and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.

Tuesday – Eat out or eat from freezer stash (too much going on tonight to cook!)

Wednesday – Chicken Tettrazini (freezer meal)

Thursday – Meatloaf (freezer meal)

Friday – Baked Spaghetti (freezer meal)

Saturday – Chicken enchiladas (freezer meal)

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Scenario Sunday: Hot Deal on Water At Randalls/Safeway

March 22, 2009 by


I would have totally missed out on this deal if it weren’t for Fannie’s post on her blog.

Here’s the scoop: The Aquapod waters are 2/$4 and they are a part of the Buy 10, save $5 Mix and Match promotion (more details can be found here). There is also a catalina promotion to go along with this deal.

Here’s how it works:
Buy 10 waters at $2/each

Save an instant $5 (from the Mix & Match promotion)
Save $2 (if you have the 10% discount on your card)
Save $1 (if you have the $1/2 coupon from the 2/8 RP insert)

Spend $12 OOP, get FIVE $2 off your next purchase catalinas back (these do work like manufacturer’s coupons so if you are using them, you will have to have enough items to match up).

*You can “roll” these and do the deal over and over again…

Here’s my plan: (I’ll get $55+ worth of groceries for $22.50)

Transaction #1: Follow the “water” deal above

Transaction #2: do the “Chill out at Home” promotion
Buy 2 Safeway brand southern style hashbrown potatoes – $1.99/each
Buy 2 Eggo waffles – $1.77/each
Buy 1 Dreyer’s ice cream – $4.49/each
Buy 4 Tai Pei entrees – 2/$5 (use 2 $1/2 manufacturer’s coupons)
Buy 1 Tony’s pizza – $1.99
Buy 1 Hawaii’s Own juice – $1

Total before coupons = $25 – use 5 $2 off Ozarka catalinas, use 2 $1/2 Tai Pei coupons, $2.50 off for 10% discount

Spend $10.50 OOP, get a $10 OYNO catalina

Transaction #3: Buy other groceries I need (fruit, vegetables, milk, etc.) and use the $10 OYNO catalina

**Yes, I have done back to back transactions before when I am doing similar deals. My suggestion if you are going to do this is that you go at an “off” time (either really early in the morning or late at night). Also, if other people do come into the line, please be courteous and allow them to do their transaction before you complete your next one.

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