Today I had the privilage of writing a guest post for Hip2Save on swapping freezer meals! I shared my experience from last month’s swap. If you’ve wanted to get into freezer cooking, but don’t think you have the time or money able to do so, I encourage you to read what I’ve written on the topic HERE. If you’ve never checked out her blog…I’d honestly be a little surprised…but in all seriousness, if you haven’t checked it out, you should. Collin is pretty amazing – posting upwards of 20-30 hot coupon and online deals per day. She’s got a lot going over there and if you like lots of great deals to get you through your day, that’s your blog!
You can also find additional posts on this topic under my Freezer Cooking category.
I'm so excited to share this guest post from Audrey at Tight Wad in Utah! She had 10 pounds of potatoes…and you'll just have to see what she did with them!
HI! I'm Audrey and I have been matching deals and coupons with recipes on my blog Tight Wad in Utah. I've been "couponing" since last summer and LOVE it! But then, here I am with 12 boxes of pasta and I need something to do with it all. So each Wednesday we post about what deals to stock up on, then post recipes using those items. Not all at the same time…… that would be a pretty funky meal. 
Recently potatoes have been on sale. I've seen them as low as .58 for a 10 lb bag! I consider it a bargain if I can get one for $1. But then this is what happens…I get a slight knot in my stomach……. can I use them before they grow eyes? Will the smell of them rotting remind me where I put them??
Soooooooo, here is my plan I found 3 recipes and I used the entire bag! Now all those potatoes are either digested or resting comfortably in my freezer.
Here is what I did with them:
1. Scalloped Potatoes
2. Rosemary Mashed Potatoes
3. Oven Fries
1. Scalloped Potatoes (8 potatoes)
This recipe freezes well, so I hear. I can't manage to have any left to freeze. The section that is gone was my "test" piece to make sure they were done
The recipe is pretty straight forward and uses ingredients you probably already have. If you're not going to eat it all at once like me, divide it into meal portions after its cooled from baking, seal in a freezer container or bag, label it with the name and date,freeze! Reheat in the microwave.
2. Rosemary Mashed Potatoes (10 potatoes)
Now, I KNOW these freeze well. And not because they aren't as good. My friend made them for me during a freezer swap. DELICIOUS! You can read all the rave reviews at All Recipes.
This is also an easy recipe to follow. I doubled the recipe using 10 potatoes and 5 yams.
Peel and cube them all, then throw them in some salted boiling water until tender. (20 to 30 minutes)
My pot was FULL! If you don't have a huge pot just turn it down from high so you don't have a raging boil with water splashing everywhere.
When done, retain 2 cups of the water.Then drain.
Then just mash it all with the other ingredients, except for half of the cheese that you sprinkle on top. In the recipe it calls for roasted garlic. I just used minced that I had on hand. And I used about 1 cup of the retained potato juice – 1/2 cup if you don't double the recipe. Refer to the recipe link for ingredients and added instruction.
If you've doubled the recipe put it in a 9 x 13 casserole dish, otherwise use an 8" dish. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
After it's somewhat cooled, separate into meal portions and seal in freezer bags. I like to freeze them like this so that they fit in my freezer better.
Reheat in microwave.
I spent $3.44 in yams (not on sale) and $1.25 on cheese. The rest I had on hand. And now I have a fancy side dish for 5 meals! (one isn't pictured because we ate it.
3. Oven Fries (used the rest)
I love homemade fries, but I don't make them often because I think it's too much work for a side dish when I'm trying to get dinner done. So I found out how to freeze them. This way I can just take out how much I need and throw them in the oven! Nice, am I right??
So here's what you do: Wash, scrub and cut the potatoes into 1/2" fries.Toss them with oil (I used canola because I have lots) and add some salt and a little sugar (helps with crispyness – is that a word?)
Then place on baking sheets and bake for 20 minutes at 475.
When done, let them cool on paper or dish towels. Then put them in the freezer (on the sheet, or on something that will fit in your freezer – I used pie tins..lol). Keep them there until they are frozen solid. Half hour or so. All that's left is putting them in a freezer bag and labeling it!
When you're ready to eat…spray baking sheet with cooking spray and bake at 450 for 20-40 minutes (depends on size of fries).
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DONE! Now you have a 10 lb bag of potatoes making itself useful instead of stinking up your house.
I did make the fries and the rosemary potatoes at the same time. I just started cutting the fries while the rosemary potatoes were baking.
For more recipes feel free to check out Tight Wad in Utah!
Did you know that I still get butterflies when heading to checkout? Like all of you, I want to ensure my transactions go through smoothly and build that confidence when heading to checkout with my coupons. I recently asked fellow bloggers (and seasoned couponers) Seattle Moms Deal Finder if they could assist me in sharing their thoughts on this topic. They graciously agreed; and here are their great tips.
Here are a few tips from the expert shoppers at Seattle Moms Deal Finder who can help us learn to shop with confidence, build relationships, and get the bargain!
Tip #1: Do NOT be afraid to ask for discounts! Here's a perfect example: While out shopping for a wedding gift at Macy's, I kicked myself for not searching for coupons first. I selected the wedding gift, and then proceeded to checkout. As I set my item on the counter, I asked the cashier if there were any discounts or coupons I was not aware of for this (insert date/weekend/week/holiday/season). He pulled open his drawer and said, "Yes!" and scanned a 15% off savings pass. I flashed him a sincere smile (because I was extremely appreciate) and went about my day. Remember that everything is negotiable, and typically all you have to do is ask.
Tip #2: Build relationships that have both give & take. Don't think, "what can this store do for me," think to yourself, "what can I do for this store?" By establishing this type of relationship, both the customer and store owner will be fulfilled. Here's a scenario: While visiting our favorite drop-in play center, I inquired if the owner had any special events or coupons we could promote on our blog (I understand that not every mom has a highly trafficked blog); however, many moms have a circle of friends and companions. We committed to advertising the play center for her, and she told us to select a day when admission would be waived for all our readers and myself. Commit that you'll bring in a few customers to the so-called next event, and before you know it, they'll commit something to you.
Tip #3: Don't be nervous! Remind yourself and YOU are the customer, YOU are spending money, and without YOU, they may not be successful! If you need to chant this as a mantra, do so, if you need to talk to a store manager, do so; but don't feel nervous for asking how to qualify for discounts or money savings. One method that works for me is shopping with a like-minded money saving mom. Try not to shop with friends who pretend that coupons aren't cool (you know we all have friends like that). Shop with someone who will support you in your endeavor that a penny saved is a penny earned.
Tip #4: Shop at non-peak hours. If you are worried about being scrutinized for using coupons at checkout, try to shop with cashiers that are at beginnings of shifts, or do not have pressures with long lines. I love to shop at either 8 am or 11 pm, both of these times have been favorable for me with cashiers and fellow customers. Also, try to leave your kids at home (if possible). Shop when you're calm and the stores aren't crowded, chances are cashiers will be in a like-minded mood.
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The Seattle Moms Deal Finder blog was created by two Seattle area sisters who are dead-set on finding Seattle area steals and deals, local promotions, on-line bargains and more. You don't need to be a Seattle resident to enjoy the deals they find! Become a fan today!
Photo credit Jean Scheijen
I recently had the pleasure of assisting Steals and Deals with a tutorial post with how Walgreens' Register Rewards work. Well, if you've been following me for any length, you know I can be well….um…wordy. Anyhow, my post became two! Whether Register Rewards perplex or intrigue you, I hope you will take the time read what I've written.
Go here to read:
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
I have something fun for you today! I recently had the pleasure of coming across a new blog, ROC Coupons. The author, Jay, blogs from Rochester New York about deals he finds, trips he makes to the store, and his obsession with vintage cookware. Besides learning how to coupon, you'll earn lots of other valuable things, too…like how to deal with junk mail. (Trust me, his post is NOT what you are expecting. Read it!)
Inspired by his sense of humor and interested to hear a guy's take on couponing, I recently asked Jay if I could interview him for The Coupon Project. In light of our "getting started with coupons" focus for October, I thought I'd ask him a few questions related to the topic.
ME: Jay, according to your blog, ROC Coupons, you've only been using coupons recently. Did you have any preconceived notions about the people that used coupons or coupons in general?
JAY: Not really because in one way or another I’ve used coupons for things I like all my life. Whether it was a pizza coupon or a Taco Bell coupon, to me that little piece of paper is as good as currency. Why not use it. Now when I tell people that I use grocery coupons they certainly have some preconceived notions. They kinda scoff at it at first. A man can use a pizza coupon but using a frozen pizza coupon for some reason is odd to them. That is until I share with them how much I save. Then all of a sudden they wanna know how I do it.
ME: What prompted you to start using coupons? Did you find the process of getting started difficult or easy?
JAY: There are two factors that played a big roll. The first was the birth of our son 3 years ago. As you know diapers, wipes, formula, and baby food can take over your grocery budget real quickly. A friend recommended getting on the mailing lists for the companies of the baby products we use most to receive coupons. That helped out a lot. The other factor into my adventures in couponing was the loss of my job. I got laid off from my career as a radio talk show producer one year ago. We needed to stretch the family dollar as far as it could go in this economy. So I took the research skills from my work and applied it to grocery shopping. I cut coupons, print coupons, read the ads and read a half dozen quality coupon blogs like The Coupon Project and I’m ready to go. This process was a lot simpler than I thought it would be. There’s tons of information out there on how to save. Make good use of Google blog search and you’ll be amazed at what you can find.
ME: Can you share with me one of your first trips to the store using coupons? How did it go?
JAY: When you save a big chunk for the first time it’s quite a rush. I think I saved $20 my first time out. I quickly noticed sale patterns and coupon patterns and with the help of online resources was soon able to maximize my savings.
ME: Let's say you get to checkout and the cashier is giving you a hard time on a particular coupon you know to be perfectly valid. How do you handle this?
JAY: I’m unemployed and have nothing better to do. Most cashiers will try and rush the transaction and get you to leave. They will lie and make things up to cover their own behind. Don’t let them bully you. I’ll give you an example. Last week at Target they had a sale buy 5 Kashi items and get a $5 Target gift card. I bought 4 boxes of crackers and 1 box of granola bars. I get up to the register and the crackers didn’t ring up at the sale price. First the cashier told me I was wrong about the sale price. I showed her the weekly flier. Then she told me she could change the price manually but that would negate the gift card from showing up on the computer. I could either pay the non sale price and get the gift card or pay the sale price and not get the gift card. I politely told her neither choice was acceptable to me. I wanted the sale and the gift card as advertised and would like to speak to the manager. The manager came over, I explained myself and got what I asked for. Be polite but be stern. If they don’t give what you ask just ask to void everything and come back later.
ME: You recently launched your blog, ROC Coupons. What inspired you to start your blog and what can readers expect to find?
JAY: I was bored. Many of my friends were asking me about my coupon savings after I’d brag on Facebook about how much I saved at the grocery store. So to keep track of everything I do I decided to create ROC Coupons. If something appears on my blog then it’s a deal I personally have done. I don’t put up anything or endorse anything I won’t try myself. You can expect to find the resources to help start saving you more. Most people tell me lack of spare time is what keeps them from couponing. Hopefully my blog is a simple beginner’s guide for those that can only spare a few minutes here and there. Readers can also expect to find a few posts that have nothing to do with coupons but are simply a declaration of my love for Hot Pockets, the world’s greatest microwavable food.
ME: What advice would you give someone who's thinking about getting started with coupons, but on the fence?
JAY: Would you pay $2 for the Sunday paper if you knew there was a $20 bill inside? Of course you would. Now there’s not an Andrew Jackson inside but there but there are tons of coupons that could add up to $20 or more off your next grocery bill. There are tons of savings to be had out there. Go help yourself to some of them.
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On a final note, Jay asked that I share this interview with you on the one-year anniversary of his layoff. To celebrate the occasion., please stop by ROC Couponsand check it out! Jay, I wish you many more adventures to come…no matter what life briings.
I recently had the honor of being asked to write a guest post for one of my favorite bloggers – and heck, one of the best darn tootin' coupon blogs out there PERIOD, Hip2Save.
I knew immediately I wanted to write something fun for her fun-loving blog. My topic is rekindling your romance with coupons – what to do when coupons have lost their "sizzle" for you.
You can read the article over here. While there, be sure to take some time to view the excellent video series she has been doing entitled "Follow Me Mondays!" Last Monday, she tackled Target, and you will watch her find the deals right before your eyes!
Back in later winter, I had the pleasure of having an infomal coupon class with my mom, aunt, and a few of their friends. One of these ladies, Katrina, has done such a fabulous job that I asked her this week if I could ask her a few questions via email and share her answers with my readers. (She agreed!)
I hope her story will inspire some of you that are newer or on the fence about couponining.
ME: How long do you think it's taken you to build your confidence in using coupons and planning your trips?
KATRINA: It didn't take long at all. I remember when you told me about a deal at Fred Meyer to get some very inexpensive razors using two in-store coupons. That did the trick to get me hooked! I purchased one newspaper the following weekend and looked over this blog to see what deals I could try out. After that, I realized this was something I wanted to pursue and so from then on, I started getting 2 newspapers each week. On occasion, I have purchased 4 when I know it is a good coupon week. I went right to the binder system and chose to organize my coupons by categories as that is what made sense to me. Each week I look over this blog, cut and paste the deals I want to go after into a WORD documnet for the stores I'm interested in and print it out. Then, I print out or pull out of my binder the needed coupons and put them into a mini file separate by stores to keep in the car so I am ready to go.
ME: In general, how much do you think coupons and sale shopping save you and your family each month?
KATRINA: During the first few months, I spent the same as usual as I was working to build up a little stock. I was also learning what a really good deal was. I still remember stocking up on Colgate toothpaste because I thought $1.25 was a great deal! It was compared to what I used to spend, but now I don't even look at the toothpaste deals unless I can get them for $0.25 or less.
Before I started couponing, I was usually going over our monthly $600 grocery budget by $25 to $100. We have 2 adults and 2 athletic teen daughters. My goal going into couponing was to get it down $400 each month so I could use the savings towards our $140 cell phone bill. I shoot for $400 (about $100 per week) and am happy if I can save at least $150. It can be a challenge as I have two daughters who have lots of extra school costs. This week it has been homecoming and spirit week. But I am thankful I can now pay most of this out of the grocery budget, where before I couldn't.
ME: Can you tell me about a good shopping trip you recently had?
KATRINA: This was a very fun and exciting week for me at Albertsons! I ended up making 2 trips. This first one I took my time figuring out what to get in order to get my $10 promotional groupings correct. I also had to keep track of my running total as I found a $10 off a $50 purchase in the paper that night and wanted to use it as well. I had grouped my coupons into separate envelopes. I wasn't sure if certain items would be on stock, so I came prepared with backup plans. In the end, I had lots of help from the gal stocking the shelves and had the cashier all to myself, who cheered me on when she saw I had spent $60 and saved $177.78! On my second trip, I spend $27.81 and saved $72.53. Those two trips got my everything for the week as well as great stock up items: granola bars, olive oil, peanut butter, jelly, Gatorade, brownie mix, pasta, rice, tissue, syrup, popcorn, and more!
ME: What advice would you have for someone that's thinking about using coupons or just getting started?
KATRINA: Start slow and work into it as you feel more comfortable with what you are doing. Educate yourself by reading various blogs. Talk to other couponers in the store. Get a good organizing system that works for you (this may take a few tries to get right). Find snippets of time in your day to cut the coupons and organize them. I have a bag I keep everything in and do most of it in the car while I'm waiting in the parking lot for my girls to get out of school or while I wait for the basketball games to start as we need to be there 30 minutes early. Be sure to tell some of your best friends about what you are doing as they can make great coupon buddies to hash things out with, get ideas from, cut coupons with while the kids play and even shop with. Several times, I've texted my friend while I was in the store to have her check a blog to get more info as I forgot to check something out. After awhile your family and friends will tire of you talking about all the details of your exciting shopping trips, which is another reason for the coupon buddy.
Finally, have FUN, be WISE, and SHARE with those in need.
Katrina, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with me! I must say, I love your idea of a coupon buddy! Keep on saving!
Photo credit Jason Ralston
I recently had the honor of putting together a post for Steals and Deals. I was asked to delve into how Walgreens Register Rewards work.
If you have seen me or other bloggers talk about them, and would like a "Register Rewards 101 of sorts" – go read what I've written! If you have any questions, let me know. These can be tricky little things, and I'll do my best to help you make sense of them.
Incidentally, I've gotten some mixed feedback from readers lately about Register Rewards. What about YOU? Do you love 'em? Hate 'em? Wish we could just go back to the simple days of the Easy Saver Rebate? Curious to know what my readers' experience has been.
Today I had the honor of doing a guest post for Thrifty Northwest Mom. My post is entitled "Five steps to building a better stockpile." You can read my post over here. Be sure to check out her blog, while you're at it! She does an excellent job of finding regional deals.
Today I had the pleasure of guest posting for one of the best money-saving blogs out there, Common Sense with Money!
My post is entitled "Five Mistakes I Made as a Newbie Couponer." I hope you will take the time to visit the site and read this article. I decided it would be a good idea and share honestly with folks how I''ve goofed in the past with coupons to help others not make the same mistakes I have!
If you have a few minutes, I recommend you read my candid remarks. Oh, and if you're not familiar with Common Sense with Money, take some time to peruse that blog!
