Operation $40K

I peeked at Iheartwags.com and have a plan for this week. First of all - they have a cash back promo! Super jingle cash limit $20 rr per transaction 12/05-12/18: get $5 rr wyb $25 get $10 rr wyb $50 get $15 rr wyb $75 get $20 rr wyb $100 I can't see the actual wording in the flier but am pretty sure that gift cards won't be included in this. If that wording is NOT in the circular - this could be a good deal! Get $100 in GC and get $20 back in Jingle Cash! I am not sure if I will hit this if I can't use gift cards -- I have to tweak the following plan and see if adding something like packs of toilet paper would bet me up to $25 in one shot so I could get the $5 back... Here is what caught my eye this week and will be in my cart: **Swanson Broth 2/$1 - limit 4. I am matching those up with $1 off 4 coupon and getting them for $.25 each (will do it twice). **Madam mandarin oranges 11 oz $.39 w/ in-ad coupon - limit 3. (will do it twice). **Goody bobby pin slides or barettes 6-1

My friend Katrina over at the Klauer review has a recips book giveaway...hurry! it ends 12/15! http://theklauerreview.blogspot.com/2010/12/make-it-fast-cook-it-slow-ends-1215.html

A very cute program put on by the Sun Prairie Parks and Recreation Department...Participants of all ages board The Polar Express at the Municipal building (a bus), where they will listen to the story from Mrs Claus on the way to the North Pole (The Westside Community Service Building). Kids meet Santa Claus and receive a small gift from under the tree (a jingle bell). They enjoy the rest of the visit with Christmas music, a cookie and hot chocolate or hot cider. At the end of the visit, the Polar Express will take you back to City Hall to complete your journey. This is an AWESOME program and a real bargain at only $6. Talk about a bargain!!!!! Sarah and I did it with Grammie and Grumpie today...and managed to get back home before the blizzard started. I just LOVE the holiday season this year, she is the PERFECT age for all of the magic that this season holds!

SO, I am sick. I don't have just a cold, I had a sinus infection that turned into pneumonia... Yes, I did it right, LOL! There is one thing to be thankful for: I didn't overbook myself for the holidays! I am not a snack helper at the school...I had only one holiday type event planned for each week, I have a cookie party instead of making a bajillion different kinds of cookies, and everything is already wrapped and under our tree! This makes it easier to be home, under a blanket on the recliner and drinking a lot of fluids. This makes it easier to deal with 10+ inches of fresh snow. This makes it easier to not go out in the incredibly chilly weather we will get after that! It does pay to simplify the holiday and be proactive...it lets you be stress free if something like pneumonia sneaks up on you. Saturday is the "Polar Express" program -- I will venture out, bundled up with Ms Sarah and hopefully, get some great pictures of her with Santa. =) (Then, back to my reclin

My friend Katrina over at the Klauer review has a recips book giveaway...hurry! it ends 12/15! http://theklauerreview.blogspot.com/2010/12/make-it-fast-cook-it-slow-ends-1215.html

I told you I would keep adding holiday ideas for gifties, munchies and more...here is one of my traditional favorites - Yuletide Jam! I got this recipe from a lady in the "God Squad". Way back, when I had my restaurant, there was this sweet group of older ladies that would come for a cup of coffee and a roll everyday after 6:30 mass at the local Catholic church. We fondly dubbed them the "God Squad" and the name stuck with the locals. They even gave me a pained ceramic plate for my wedding, signed by all of them...such sweeties! This recipe came from Mary - in exchange for using our machine to grind up the cranberries so she could make a batch x 10. (Keep in mind you never want to double a jam or jelly recipe as it won't set correctly...you have to make each individual batch at a time). It's yummy, easy and very cute in a little jelly jar when you tuck it into a basket - enjoy! Yuletide Jam 2 C ground fresh cranberries (I toss them in the Cuisinart) 20 oz Fr

OK - I saw the actual Copp's flier for us and this is my list: French Onion Soup is on the menu! Yellow Onions 3 lb bag $0.98 Sale price, no coupon needed Final price: $0.98 each after sale ($0.33/lb)** This is tempting.... Green Asparagus $1.99/lb Sale price, no coupon needed Final price: $1.99/lb Time for pot roast, beef sammies and beef stew! USDA Choice Black Angus Beef Boneless Chuck Roast or Steak $2.49/lb Sale price, no coupon needed Final price: $2.49/lb** **I have long said that $1.99/lb is my buy price for meat, but we have yet to see roasts go on sale for that this season, but we have frequently seen $2.49/lb as the lowest price. I hope this is not an indication that the price of beef has gone up. I have a bunch of coupons for these: Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Plain Veggies $1.00 Buy 1 and use $0.50/1 Green Giant frozen veggie printable or Buy 2 and use $0.50/2 from 11/14 General Mills insert or $0.50/2 Valley Fresh Steamers printable Final price: As low as free a

This week's grocery run set me up to make Peanut Butter Fudge --> http://operation40k.blogspot.com/2010/11/peanut-butter-fudge.html , Cracker Candy and Puppy Chow --> http://operation40k.blogspot.com/2010/04/homemade-treats.html I also found a recipe for Jell-O cookies and might try those this weekend...here is the recipe, incase you have a box or two lying around and get to beat me to it! Jell-O Cookies 1/4 C Shortening 1/2 C Butter 1/2 C Sugar 2 1/2 C Flour 2 Eggs 1 tsp Salt 1 tsp Baking Powder 1 tsp Vanilla 1 3 oz Package Jello Mix all ingredients well. Form into 3/4 inch balls. Flatten with sugar dipped drinking glass. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 - 8 minutes. ***At Christmas, I would make Strawberry and also Lime, then I would be handing out Green and Red Cookies!

A lot of fun deals this week and I had over $60 to use up between Check Out Value coupons and Walgreen's Jingle Cash...I broke it down into three separate transactions this week - here you go~! Transaction 1 5# Gold Medal Flour @1.69 (normally $2.39) 3 cans Hunts pasta sauce @$1 (normally 1.59) Orville Tender White popcorn @$2 (normally 2.39) 4 twelve oz bags Nestle chips @$1.99 (normally $2.39) Ocean Spray cranberry juice @$3.09 Quilted Northern TP for $6.49 (normally $8.49) Chips Ahoy cookies for $2.59 (normally $2.99) LaChoy diner creations for $2.50 (normally 4.19) Boboli pizza sauce @$2.79 3 ROMA frozen pizzas @$1.66 (normally 2.00) 2 one pound Louis Rich ground turkey @$1 (normally 1.99) 1 avacado #@$1.49 3 packs string cheese @$1 (normally 1.69) 1 gallon skim milk @$2.19 Yoplaits Delights @$2.00 (normally 2.89) 2 bottles Hershey chocolate milk @$1 (normally 1.29) Coupons used: $1 off Ocean spray (doubled), Nestle $1 off 4 (doubled), Hershey off 2 milk (doubled), $1.50 lacho

I LOVE pocket your dollars for giving us a preview of what our sales fliers will look like for Copp's / Pick N Save! Here is what she posted that peaked my interest... Buy $100 worth of select gift cards (Kohl’s, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Red Lobster, Starbucks), Get $10 off next grocery order Buy $100 worth of participating gift cards and present your Roundy’s card at checkout Spend $100, get $10 back in a coupon good for money off your next order Final price: $90 after money off your next order ***This isn't as great as the $20 we got on the weekend of Black Friday but it might be just enough to pop you up over that last minute threshold for earning their holiday cash back promo! Produce Deals Yellow Onions 3 lb bag $0.98 Sale price, no coupon needed Final price: $0.98 each after sale ($0.33/lb)** **Aldi’s everyday price on white and yellow onions is $0.25/lb, I think...depending on what I see in the Aldi's flier, depends if I make a trip there or not. Whole White Mus

I mentioned that this was on our schedule for dinners this week and had a lot of people ask for the recipe. This is easy and yummy - a perfect combination! 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup 1 cup milk 4 ounces sliced ham 4 ounces sliced Swiss cheese 1 (8 ounce) package herbed dry bread stuffing mix 1/4 cup butter, melted OR chicken broth Mix together the cream of chicken soup and milk in a small bowl. Pour enough of the soup into a slow cooker to cover the bottom. Layer chicken breasts over the sauce. Cover with slices of ham and then Swiss cheese. Use the rest of the soup mix and butter to moisten the stuffing mix. Sprinkle the stuffing on top. Cover, and cook on Low for 4 to 6 hours, or 2 to 3 hours on High. **You can dice the chicken first or slice the breasts to stuff the chicken with the ham and cheese before putting it into the crock pot. Enjoy! It smells yummy is easy and tastes good!

There is another little coupon book out from roundy's - yippee!! If you didn't get one in the mail, you can ask at the customer service desk for a copy - they should have them in stock. I LOVE these booklets because you get to STACK coupons with most of the offers! I will be hitting the deals on Nestle Morsels, Gold Medal Flour, Texas Toast, and probably the Town House Crackers. Here is what they have listed in the books: Creamette Pasta $0.78 (Limit 1) Use coupon from Powerful Savings booklet to get sale price Plus, use $0.55/1 Creamette Quick Cook coupon from 10/3 Smart Source insert or $0.50/1 Creamette Quick Cook printable (if this variety is included) Final price: Better than free after doubled coupon Colgate Toothpaste (6.4 oz.) $0.98 (Limit 4) Use coupon from Powerful Savings booklet to get sale price Plus, use $0.75/1 from 12/5 Smart Source insert Final price: Better than free after doubled coupon Fresh Express Salads $0.98 (Limit 1) Use coupon from Powerful Savings boo

Here is what I am looking at this week, keeping in mind that I have hardly spent anything so far and have almost $50 in Copp's food vouchers to use up! String Cheese $1 for a 6 oz package - I will get a few of these. Louis Rich Ground Turkey (normally 1.99) on sale for $1/# Hunts canned pasta sauce $1 (normally $1.59) Roma Frozen Pizzas - $1.66 each Rio Red Grapefruit 5 lb bag $3.49 Sale price, no coupon needed Final price: $3.49 ($0.70/lb) Roundy’s Baby/cut Carrots 1 lb bag $1.00 Sale price, no coupon needed Final price: $1.00** **Aldi’s everyday price is $1 per bag Barber Chicken Entrees $3.99 Use $1/1 from November All You magazine **there are 2 servings in the box and this makes for a fun/elegant meal with wild rice. Final price: As low as $1.99 after doubled coupon Pilgrim’s Pride Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 3lb $4.99 (Limit 1) Use $0.55/1 Pilgrim’s Pride printable (coupon says do not double) Final price: $4.46 after coupon **Even without the coupon this beats my buy pri

Two months ago, we put this into the works - a coupon 101 class where the basics would be taught to help other people save money. Where to find coupons, how to organize them, how to use them and a few tips & tricks. Tonight, was my first coupon class at the local library. I've worked with Carol, the head of adult education, and we organized everything from passouts to firguring out how to the their power point projector to like my laptop. We were pleasantly surprised at over sixty people attending...and the overall response from people. =) It was fun to read the survey sheets - they seemed to really get a lot out of the class and even said I was "entertaining", LOL! It was also fun figuring out where people found out about the class - newlsetters, signs, facebook, etc. More classes are in the future, as well as a stockpile swap... How fun! Thank you to all who came...I hope you felt is was worth the time you invested to come :)

It's a less busy week that I have had in a while - that means a few more "putzy" meals. I DO love the colder weather and all the yummy soups that I seem to crave with it...my mouth is already watering for the selection of the week - I add finely diced carrots and some smoked sausage to it. YUM! Here is the list: Breakfast will include: -yogurt with granola -cold cereal -Scrambled eggs and sausage links -oatmeal (It's getting colder...) Lunches as normal (sandwiches, soup, left overs, tappas plates) and for dinner... Monday - Creamed Chip Beef over toast points w/glazed carrots (didn't do it last week) Tuesday - Using a gift card and eating out! Wednesday - Quiche Thursday - Cheddar Beer Soup Friday - Fridge Clean Out! Saturday - crock pot Chicken Cordon Bleu Sunday - Dinner out - a family celebration What are you going to feed YOUR family this week?

Just look what I found at the grocery store -- just walking around and picking up the 2 gallons of milk and 1 package of TP this week. I found over $100 in coupons! Crackers, cereal, baking items, and more! I fully plan to stock up on crackers - we LOVE an afternoon "cracker snacker". (basically just cheese, crackers and a little fruit). Just keep your eyes out for the cardboard display units - they are full of tear pads and little booklets - lots of great potential bargains that will be on ale over the next few months and most coupons don't expire until 3/31/2011. Now another perk, the simple fact that there were a ton of neat recipes in there too! I found a few that I know I will try - they look simply yummy. =) Take a minute to look around the next time you are out - they won't last long!