|
Here's What's New  I thought about skipping a blog post this week, but decided I needed the accountability to get back on track. The last 2 weeks have been full of disruptions: Thanksgiving break and illnesses, plus a car accident that totaled our car and resulted in minor-but-painful injuries. I’m very thankful for help from friends who brought meals, and a husband who made a couple of grocery store trips for things we needed (and came home with a bunch of things we DIDN’T need too, of course). I am looking forward to having a budget and a plan again this week! I even tried a new-to-me grocery store.  
Aldi (I was thrilled to discover reduced gallons of milk for $0.79 each! I will freeze of the gallons for future weeks.) 2 packages Baby Carrots (@$.99/each) – $1.98 2 dozen Eggs (@$1.59/each) – $3.18 1 3-ct package Romaine Hearts – $1.99 1 3-lb bag Tangerines – $1.69 3 1-lb packages frozen Ground Turkey (@$1.89/each) – $5.67 1 12-oz package fresh Cranberries – $1.19 2 1-lb boxes Butter (@$2.29/each), $4.58/2, plus receive $0.25 back from Checkout 51 2 24-oz containers Cottage Cheese (@$2.29/each) – $4.58 1 3-lb bag Gala Apples – $2.99 1 bunch Bananas (2.9lbs @ $0.44/lb) – $1.28, plus receive $0.25 back from Snap by Groupon 4 gallons Milk (@$.0/79 each!!!) – $3.16, plus receive $1.00 back from Snap by Groupon Total after Rebates:$30.79 
Harris Teeter 1 jar Polaner All-Natural Fruit-Only Jam – $2.00 2 1-lb packages Butterball Sausage (@$2.50/each) – $5.00, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $2.00/2 after coupons 1 32-oz carton Egg Whites – $4.47 1 dozen Land O Lakes Brown Eggs – $3.99 – used $0.55/1 insert coupon (doubled), plus receive $0.25 back from ibotta – $2.64 after coupon (for my nine-month old) 2 packages Sargento Tastings Cheese (on sale B1G1) – $2.99, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – FREE after coupons 1 bag of Winter Squash, reduced – $0.49 (I have no idea what these gourd-like objects are! However, I like trying new things, and they had stickers on them with a website offering recipe ideas, so I assumed they are not decorative. ;)) 1 3-lb bag Grapefruit – $1.49 2 16-oz bags Birds Eye Recipe Ready Vegetables (@$1.94 each wyb 2) – $3.88, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $0.88/2 after coupons 1 box Horizon Graham Crackers – $2.50, used $0.75/1 catalina (doubled) – $1.00 after coupons 1 2-oz bottle Tabasco Sauce – $1.50, used $0.50/1 printable – $0.50 after coupon used 3 $5 Walgreens Register Rewards (GREAT way to use up leftover RR from Black Friday sales at Walgreens!) Total after Rebate: $1.22 
Publix This is the first time I have shopped at a Publix store. I was impressed with the friendly customer service and cleanliness of the store; however, I figured out the hard way that they do NOT double coupons (I so feel for all of you that live in places where NONE of your stores double coupons!). I doubt I will be back very often since I left the store paying quite a bit more than I thought I was going to pay, but it was still fun to try something different. Live and learn. 2 double roll 6-ct packages Quilted Northern Toilet Paper – (on sale B1G1) – $4.99, used 2 $0.75/1 Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong, exp. 12/16/14 (RP 11/16/14) – $3.49/2 after coupons 2 boxes Duncan Hines Decadent Cake Mix (on sale B1G1) – $3.29, used 2 $0.75/1 printable – $1.79/2 after coupons 2 bags Dole Frozen Blueberries (on sale B1G1) – $4.69, used 2 $1/1 printable – $2.69/2 after coupons 1 12-ct box Orville Redenbacher Popcorn – $2.23, used $2/1 Orville Redenbachers Gourmet Popcorn, exp. 12/31/14 (SS 10/26/14) – $0.23 after coupon 2 boxes Honey Maid Graham Crackers (on sale B1G1) – $4.19, used 2 $0.50/1 printable, plus receive $0.50 back from ibotta – $2.69/2 after coupons Total after Rebate:$11.24 Weekly Total: $43.25 Weekly Meal Plan Breakfasts Oatmeal and Fruit, Toast and Eggs, Veggie Omelettes, Smoothies, Cereal, Oatmeal Pecan Pancakes Lunches Build-Your-Own Salad; Baked Potatoes with Cheese/Raw Veggies and Dip; Leftovers x 2; Peanut Butter and Honey on Rice Cakes/Grapefruit/Carrots; Grilled Cheese Sandwiches/Apples; Macaroni and Cheese/Bananas/Carrots Dinners Turkey Pot Pie, Fruit Salad Chicken Barley Soup, Raw Veggies and Dip, Blueberry Muffins Spaghetti (I use homemade sauce from the freezer and ground turkey), Homemade Dill Bread, Tossed Salad Skillet Hash (Potatoes, Green Beans, and leftover Smoked Pork), Apples, leftover Dill Bread Meat Potato Quiche (without the meat! :)), Brown Sugar Biscuit Twists, Steamed Broccoli Taco Salad, Orange Slices Leftovers Snacks Popcorn, Cottage Cheese Pie (a family recipe on my husband’s side – not my favorite, but he LOVES it!), Fruit, Sweet Mini Muffins  Who wants to win a Silhouette Portrait Machine?? I’ve got two to give away this weekend!
The Silhouette Portrait® is an electronic cutting machine for personal use. Like a home printer, it plugs into your PC or Mac® with a simple USB cable. 
Instead of printing, it uses a small blade to cut paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabric, and other material up to 8 inches wide and 10 feet long. The machine also has the ability to register and cut printed materials and is PixScan™ compatible. 
Through December 8, 2014, Silhouette is offering special pricing on their machines. See all of the package deals in their extended Black Friday Sale here. If you already have a Silhouette Machine, you can get 40% off Silhouette tools, accessories, and more when you use coupon code MONEY at checkout. Plus, you’ll get Free Shipping on orders over $25 for the lower 48 states. This offer excludes machines, design downloads, download cards, subscriptions and gift cards. You can also get 50% off all designs at SilhouetteDesignStore.com – no code needed! 
Would you like to win a Silhouette Portrait Machine? Click on the graphic below and type in your name and email address and you’ll be entered to win. This giveaway ends Sunday, December 7, at 11:59pm, CST. 
Giveaway Guidelines: Open to US/Canada Residents, 18 & older. Void where prohibited. Giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Prizes will be fulfilled by Silhouette America. Winner cannot have won another Silhouette America giveaway in the past 90 days. Winners should expect their prize to arrive within 4-6 weeks. (Note: This giveaway was underwritten by Silhouette. Read my disclosure policy here.) 
Guest post from Becky of My Ink Dance I'd like to say that December only brings cozy opportunities for family bonding and reflecting on the meaning of the season. The reality is, however, that we are bombarded with long lists of things to do. And the list is only part of the problem. The tightened purse strings make it feel even more difficult to shower people with love. If you’d like this coming December to be different, you can! Here are 7 ideas to show your children how much you love them without throwing out your list or digging deeper in your pockets. 1. Read to Them This is about more than homework reading assignments. This is about time and bonding. There are few things more special than reading a book with your little (or not so little) one. Take 10 minutes, because usually that's about all it takes, and snuggle up. Get close, grab a blanket and share a great Christmas story. You can find plenty at the library to enjoy together. You can even wrap a library book for a special surprise. Some of our family’s favorite books are: 2. Have a Winter Picnic Who says picnics are just for summertime? Not kids! Make some hot chocolate or some tea and put it in a thermos. Bundle up and head outside with a big blanket or two and some mugs. You don't have to go anywhere fancy; we've even done this on our back deck! Just enjoy being together in the fresh air. The kids may give you a crazy look at first, but giggles are soon to follow. For an extra special treat, try doing this under the stars. 3. Enjoy a Candlelight Dinner Think about what everyday life was like when Jesus was born. Enjoy dinner by candlelight and feel how peaceful it can be to sit by the warm glow of a flickering flame. Kids are sure to love blowing out the candles when you're done… so make sure to have a candle for each child! 4. Give a “Gift for a Day” Before you think this involves reaching for your wallet, keep reading. My kids are almost always asking to use something that belongs to my husband or me. Maybe it is a lip gloss or a flashlight or tool. It could be a pretty scarf or even a special mug. Wrap up the coveted item and give it to your child with a note reading, "This is something of Mommy's that is usually just for me. I'd like for you to use it today because you are special as can be." 5. Bake Together The holidays usually have us mixing and baking at some point. Take some extra time and hand over the wooden spoon. Sure, it may take longer. Yes, it will be messier. But letting children help shows that you value their abilities, and that they are more important than a stress-filled to do list. And I've never met a child (young or old) who doesn't like to lick the spoon! 6. Enjoy the Lights There are few things that evoke squeals like twinkling Christmas lights. You don't have to make a big night of searching for lights (although that's fun too!) Just take time to enjoy the ones you see. Maybe take a different route home from basketball so you can see the great lights on the street you don't usually drive on. Go a block or two out of your way to drive by the town tree. If little ones cry, "I didn't get to see it," like mine sometimes do, make a quick u-turn and go back by again. You'll only be losing minutes, but it sure adds up to them. And the squeals are worth it! 7. Designate Family Movie Time Christmas is filled with all kinds of movies. Whether you're looking for something funny or heartwarming, taking an evening and watching a Christmas movie together is a memory worth making. There is a bonding that occurs when you sit together and enjoy a holiday movie. So don't worry about addressing the Christmas cards for a night. No one will remember when they got the card anyway. A tradition of the family watching a Christmas movie together will be held dear for years to come. Whether it's Buddy the Elf, Charlie Brown, or A Wonderful Life, you'll feel good knowing you took the time to be together. These are just a few of the ways we’ve been able to show our children love and create memorable family Christmases without spending a dime. However, I’d love to know… What would you add to my list? Becky is a wife and mom of three who believes the things that matter don't cost a lot of money. After all, she's just as happy with Hershey as Godiva. A juxtaposition of head and heart, Becky explores life at My Ink Dance.
photo source  Looking for a last-minute gift idea? How about a magazine subscription?
Magazines make such great gifts — not only do they not take up a lot of space in someone’s house, they are a gift that can be enjoyed all year long. My husband and I love to get a few different magazine subscriptions (His favorite? Outdoor Life. Mine is currently Fast Company.) Our kids also LOVE magazine subscriptions. I love that it encourages them to read and learn and they love the anticipation of getting a new issue in the mail each month. This weekend’s magazine sale from DiscountMags is a wonderful opportunity to find something for just about anyone on your list! PLUS, you can order MORE years which will add additional savings to the yearly price of each subscription! The DiscountMags Multi-year Magazine sale has a wonderful selection and the more you purchase, the more you save! There are over 100 titles in this sale and all gift subscriptions comes with a free e-card that you can schedule to be emailed out at a specific date and time. You can purchase these magazines for yourself, as gifts for others and you can even extend existing subscriptions! Go here to see all of the magazines in the sale! Sale ends Sunday night, December 7th, 2014. No coupon codes needed! (Note: The links in this post are my referral links. Read my disclosure policy here.) | 
