The Coupon Project

Sep

Yesterday’s Garden Harvest

A couple evenings ago, the wind and rain came. And with it, down came some of my beautiful corn stalks. My husband tried to cheer me up and said I should dry them and they would make nice fall decoration. I do love fall, so his advice was well taken. A nice Pumpkin Spice Latte also put things into perspective.

Here are the stalks, laying out to dry on my porch:

And would you believe, I think I *might* have been able to salvage some ears of corn from these stalks?

I’ll let you know if they taste any good.

I also decided to uproot some of my onions. I was going to dry and store them, but more likely, they’ll end up in this week’s dinners. They are very tasty onions, by the way. I will grow some again next year.

I also picked scads of bush beans. I think next year I want to try runner beans and grow them vertically.

Then I picked some carrots, and there were some BIG ones. And of course, another zucchini, and a head of lettuce. Between this and a huge bag of apples my parents gave me from their tree, we didn’t really have to buy that much produce at all this week!

How is everyone else’s garden growing? I’m curious to know if you have harvested anything yummy recently.

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Sep

Review & Giveway: Yoplait & Lunch Tote!

I was recently given the chance to sample some Yoplait Kids’ yogurt (or should I say, my kids were given the chance?) In case you weren’t aware, Yoplait has an entire line of yogurt made for kiddos, including Go-Gurt, which you can freeze, and then allow to thaw in your kids’ lunch pack!

My kids opted to try the Yoplait Splitz. I actually served it in the place of dessert last night. There is NO high fructose corn syrup, or artificial flavors or sweeteners. But how would my kids like it?

My son Keefe said “Deeee – licious!” (In case you’re wondering, he sometimes wears his shirts like this. Maybe he has a future as a fashion designer?)

When I asked my daughter Piper if she liked it, she nodded. That’s a good sign, because she’s picky.

One lucky reader will win a coupon good for a FREE variety of Yoplait Kids’ Yogurt (up to $3.03 in value) AND a lunch tote, thermos, sandwich container, and some back-to-school goodies!

How to Enter

::To enter this giveaway, leave a comment letting me know what your favorite lunch item is to pack for your kids. Or, share what your favorite lunch item was when you were a kid!

::For a second optional entry, become a subscriber to The Coupon Project – either by RSS or email. Then, be sure to leave a comment letting me know you’ve done so! If you’ve already subscribed - great, just leave a comment!

As a reminder, emails you send me or comments posted on my Facebook wall? They won’t count as entries towards this contest. You need to leave a comment to this post.

This contest will close Friday, September 10th at 12 pm PST!

*Please note that the pack I received and the one I’m about to giveaway were given to me by Yoplait via MyBlogSpark. All opinions are my own. Oh, and my kids’.

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Sep

Free healthy back-to-school recipes!

Last night I was Googling my way through the blogosphere, and stumbled upon an intriguing blog called One Frugal Foodie.

This blogger decided to compile healthy kids’ recipes contributed by health-minded parents and bloggers. The result? A 173-page FREE e-book called Smart School Time Recipes! If you’re looking for ideas for nutritious meals to pack your little ones…check this out! I was impressed with the quality of recipes and ingredients. There are many vegetarian and vegan recipes included, too.

Check it out!

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Sep

Coach 20% off printable coupon thru 9/6 (includes Outlet!)

Use this printable coupon to save an additional 20% off your purchase at ANY Coach store, including Coach Outlet! It’s good through September 6th only.

Thanks, I’m not your everyday average mom!

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Sep

Possible $0.99 Wisk at Fred Meyer!

Last night reader DEH left a hot tip on my Fred Meyer Weekly Deals post:

I noticed that the 50 oz. Wisk laundry detergent is on sale for $3.99. Matched with the $3 coupon from Sunday’s Redplum insert makes this only $0.99. I haven’t tried it yet since I didn’t have the coupons with me at the time (kicking myself!) but I’m hoping to go back tomorrow to get some. I’m in SW Washington, btw.

So here is how this would line up:

Wisk, 50 oz., $3.99
$3/1 on ANY Wisk from 8/29 Red Plum
Bottom line: $0.99

And that would be a stock-up deal, my friends. I’ve not been to my store yet to confirm this sale, but wanted to give you a heads-up in case you were planning a Fred Meyer trip. If you end up seeing the Wisk, could you confirm if this deal works for you?

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Sep

Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil, 30 oz: $11.68 shipped on Amazon!

I’ve been hearing more and more about the benefit of coconut oil. My mom has sworn by it for some time now, and it seems the uses are many…

Cooking oil
Butter substitue
Beauty product
Body oil

It requires no refrigeration and apparently keeps for a long time. If you use coconut oil, or are thinking of introducing it into your lifestyle, there’s a great deal going on Amazon.com right now!

Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 2 pack is on sale right now for $13.74. That works out to 30 ounces total. Well, it gets better! Use the subscribe & save option and the price will drop to $11.68 – a 15% savings – AND you’ll additionally get free shipping!

If for any reason you don’t want to continue your subscription, just make sure to go in and cancel it after your order is shipped.

After 112 reviews, this product has an average 5-star rating! Many of those commenting say it’s the best coconut oil they’ve used. Have you tried it? Thoughts?

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

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Sep

Albertsons deals 9/1 – 9/7

This looks like it may be an interesting week at Albertsons. I doubt we’ll see double coupons since we had them last week, but I’ve been wrong before.

First, the weekly matchups, and then, a couple promotions you might want to know about!

Fresh Albertsons Beef Rib Eye Steak
$4.88/lb

Pork Spare Ribs
$1.69/lb

Bar S Meat Franks
$0.79 each with in-ad coupon (limit 5)

Fresh Corn
$0.20 each with in-ad coupon (limit 10)

Fresh Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast (butcher’s block)
$1.99/lb

Gatorade/Propel
Buy 10 Gatorade for $10
Get 10 Propel Fitness Water Free
Bottom line: $0.50 per item

Bush’s Baked Beans $1.25
First 4

Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce $1

Yoplait Yogurt $0.50
$0.40/6 printable coupon
Bottom line: $0.43 each

Arrowhead Water, 24-pack .5 liter $2.99 (first 2)
Buy 2 24-pack, get a free gallon jug coupon from 8/29 Red Plum

Nabisco Crackers & Cookies $3
OR $2.25 each when you buy 4 in a single transaction
$0.75/2 coupon from 8/8 SmartSource
$1/2 Ritz coupon from Albertsons Fall Savings Booklet (in stores)
Bottom line: as low as $1.75 each with (2) coupons

Jimmy Dean Sausage $3
$1/1 Facebook printable coupon
Bottom line: $2

Fresh Mini Seedless Watermelon
$1.99

Fresh Red or Green Grapes
$1.99/lb
($0.87/lb at Fred Meyer this week!)

Mission Flour Tortillas $1.99
$0.75/1 coupon from 8/1 SmartSource
Bottom line: $1.24

Kellogg’s Promotion

Receive a $10 off-your-next order Catalina coupon when you buy 10 participating Keebler or Kellogg’s products in a single transaction.

Kellogg’s Cereal $2.49
$1.50/2 printable coupon (select varieties)
$1/2 coupon from 8/15 Red Plum

Kellogg’s Mini Wheats $2.49
$1/2 printable coupon
$1/2 coupon from 8/29 SmartSource

Town House Crackers $2.49
$0.75/1 coupon from 7/11 Red Plum (exp. 9/5)

Cheez-It Crackers $2.49
$1/2 coupon from 8/29 Red Plum

Kellogg’s Pop Tarts $2.49
$1/3 coupon from 8/29 SmartSource

Kellogg’s Nutri Grain Bars $2.49
$1/2 coupon from 8/29 Red Plum

Keebler Chips Deluxe or Sandies $2.49
$1/2 coupon from 8/15 Red Plum

Kellogg’s Fruit Snacks $1.99
$1/2 coupon from 8/29 Red Plum

Kellogg’s Rice Krispie Treats $1.99
$1/2 coupon from 8/15 Red Plum

Deal Idea #1: Nutri-Grain Bars
Buy (10) Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Bars
Use (5) $1/2 coupons from 8/29 Red Plum
Pay $14.90
Receive a $10 Catalina
Bottom line: $0.49 each!

Deal Idea #2: Kellogg’s Cereal
Buy 4 Fruit Loops
Buy 6 Mini Wheats
Use (2) $1.50/2 printable coupons
Use (2) $1/2 printable coupons
Use (1) $1/2 coupon from 8/29 SmartSource
Pay $18.90
Receive a $10 Catalina
Bottom line: $0.89 each!

Kraft Promotion

Buy 5 participating Kraft products and get $5 off-your-next-order Catalina coupon and give 5 meals to Feeding America! There are lots of great deal ideas for this promotion. Make sure if you haven’t already that you pick up the Fall into Savings coupon booklet in stores – there are some great matchups.

Kraft Salad Dressing $1.99
$1/2 Fall into Savings booklet coupon
$0.55/1 coupon from 8/29 SmartSource

Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip $2.49
$1/2 printable coupon
$1/2 Fall into Savings booklet coupon

Kraft Brick or Shredded Cheese $2
$1/2 printable coupon
$1/2 Blinkie coupon
$5/5 printable coupon*

Capri Sun Juice Drink $1.99

Kraft Singles $2.50

Maxwell House Coffee & Yuban Coffee $6.99
$1/2 printable coupon

Oscar Mayer Lunchables Fun Pack $2.50

Oscar Mayer Meat Bologna, Turkey Bologna, or Cotto Salami $2.50
$1/2 printable coupon

Oscar Mayer Meat Wieners $1.50
$1/2 coupon from 8/22 SmartSource (for hot dogs; if variety is included)

Cool Whip Whipped Topping $1

Crystal Light on the Go $2.50

Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts $2.50

* Earlier today I shared about the $5/5 printable coupon. Unfortunately, this coupon beeped for me and a number of you, too. My cashier did NOT push it through, though many of yours did. Please note that your results may vary!

Deal Idea #1: Cool Whip
Buy (5) Cool Whip for $5
Pay $5 at the register
Receive a $5 Catalina coupon
Bottom line: free!

Deal Idea #2: Kraft Cheese
Buy (5) for $10
Use the $5/5 printable coupon…
Bring (2) $1/2 printable coupons just in case the $5/5 beeps!
Pay $5 – $8 at the register
Receive a $5 Catalina coupon
Bottom line: free – $0.60 each!

Deal Idea $3: Kraft Stock-up
Buy (2) Kraft Salad Dressing
Buy (2) Kraft Miracle Whip
Buy 1 Cool Whip
Use the $1/2 Fall into Savings Dressing coupon
Use the $1/2 Fall into Savings Miracle Whip coupon
Pay $9.96 at the register
Receive a $5 Catalina coupon
Bottom line: $0.99 per item!

Check out some of what my blogging buddies have come up with:

The Grocery Gathering
Fistful of Coupons
Queen Bee Coupons
Coupon Connections NW

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Sep

Free Kraft cheese, Cool Whip at Albertsons!

Your Albertsons deals will be up later tonight, but I wanted to give you a quick heads-up about a HOT deal you might want to do right now! There is a “buy 5 participating Kraft products, get a $5 off-your-next-order Catalina coupon” promotion running this week.

UPDATE: I shared on my Facebook page today that my $5/5 printable coupon beeped and the cashier wouldn’t take it! There seems to be mixed results with its acceptance, even though I fully believe it to be a legitimate coupon. See the conversation that’s taking place about this deal on my Facebook wall!

Buy (5) Kraft Brick or Shredded Cheese $10
Use this $5/5 printable coupon
Pay$5 at the register
Receive a $5 off-your-next-order Catalina
Bottom line: FREE!

While I’ve not confirmed if this Catalina can roll, you could potentially try this:

Buy (5) Kraft Brick or Shredded Cheese $10
Use a second $5/5 printable coupon (I was able to print two)
Use your $5 off-your-next-order Catalina from transaction #1
Pay $0 at the register
Receive a $5 off-your-next-order Catalina

And/Or this:

Buy (5) Kraft Cool Whip $5
Use your $5 off-your-next-order Catalina from transaction #1 or #2
Pay $0 at the register
Receive a $5 off-your-next-order Catalina

The good news is the cheese freezes well. I’m actually planning on doing a lil’ freezer cooking today so this comes at a great time!

Thanks for the heads-up, Fabulessly Frugal!

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Sep

Shopping the stores in September

Welcome to September – one of my very favorite months of the year!

It’s also National Coupon Month and would you believe this year, The Coupon turns 100? (That’s a lot of clipping.)

So what can you expect in September from The Coupon Project?

:: Great webcast line-up! I’ll be webcasting LIVE on Monday, September 13th and Monday, September 20th at 8pm PST. I’m currently finalizing plans to have a special guest join me for one of the shows. I’m sensing a TON O’ FUN with the webcast, so stay tuned for good times.

:: “Landing the Job” series. You might recall in August my intent was to run a work-at-home series and then a “landing the job” series. The work-at-home series took longer than expected, but I’ve not forgotten. Next week, I’m going to be sharing my very best tips on how to improve your resume and cover letter. If you’re currently looking for work – make sure to check in next week!

:: Awesome giveaways! I have a few giveaways lined up for the month of September, so don’t you go anywhere!

So what can you expect in September at the stores?

Some of you know I have a penchant for sharing what goes on sale on when at the stores. Pay attention and you’ll notice that there are many trends with store sales. Some are general – such as hot dogs go on sale in summer. Others are scary specific – like the 2nd week in April Albertsons likes to give away a 2-liter of pop.

Here are my observations about last September and what I hope we’ll see this year:

Labor Day: this weekend may well usher out the last of those “summer food item sales.” If your family eats hot dogs, ice cream, baked beans, and the like, pay particular attention to this week’s sales for last stockup opportunities.

Campbells: it was just about September we started seeing the first of the soup deals laste year. (Anyone notice the Campbell’s coupons in last week’s insert or this week’s Walgreens ad?)

Granola Bars/Fruit Snacks: think back-to-school snacks. These items went on sale last year, and may well again this year. In particular, Betty Crocker.

Frozen Food Choices: I noticed a slight uptick in frozen food deals about this time last year from the summer months. (Maybe it’s because people are headed inside to cook now?) In particular watch for pizza and appetizer-type items.

Band-Aids: there were a few last deals on Band-Aids about this time. These deals will likely phase out as we get into the thick of fall. (The best time to stock-up on Band-Aids and antibiotic cream is usually spring-summer months.)

Pasta & Pasta Sauce: start watching for coupons and sales on all sorts of pasta and pasta sauce. You will often see stores put pasta (either name brand or generic) on sale for about $1. This is a decent need-based price, but I personally try to stock-up at $0.50 or less. With coupons and sales, you can often find pasta for $0.25 and sometimes, free.

Peanut Butter: we may see some peanut butter deals, although the best peanut butter deal I found last year was at Walgreens last November in conjunction with a Unilever Register Reward deal. I paid $0.15 per tub and it lasted our family until about June. I’ll do better next time!

Kashi: last year we saw many Kashi coupons and sales. I personally LOVE their Heart-to-Heart cereal and would be all over a Kashi sale!

Glade: maybe it’s because people think about candles more in fall, but Glade did some pretty heavy promoting of their new Fragrance Collection last September.

Can you think of any other September sales you’d add to my list? Please share!

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Aug

Garden update: end of August

Here is how my garden’s looking at the end of August. I’m wondering if things will continue to ripen, or if I”m running out of time. I filmed this yesterday, and today’s unfortunate development? Several toppled corn stalks. Here’s hoping they can be salvaged!