Changing It Up

Did you think I disappeared?  Sorry for the long delay.  When I was on vacation I realized how much I enjoyed not being chained to the computer all day.  I realize I don't blog often but between this blog and my Tupperware business, I felt like I was marketing or answering emails all day long.  I had a super busy week this past week and I decided to put all the computer work on the back burner for awhile.

I love this blog and I really enjoy teaching others how to save money and still enjoy life.  The only problem is that I would really like to keep this as a hobby and not a job.  Yes, some bloggers are out to make oodles of money but my real reason for starting this blog two years ago was to teach others to save money.  Somewhere along the line I've forgotten my reason for starting and I've wound up spending way more hours on it than I want to.  

So, I'm here to say I'm going to be bringing you great recipes and tips each and every week but I'm most likely not going to be doing it on a schedule as I have in the past.  Check back a few times a week or add me to your reader to see all the new content.  I want to enjoy time with my family and not be chained to my computer so this is my public way of saying I'm taking the pressure off me to blog and keeping it as a fun hobby instead.

Back to the Basics: It Is Ok To Take a Break

Once you have been couponing for awhile and working towards your stockpile, you might find yourself burning out or getting overwhelmed.  It is perfectly ok to take a break from time to time.  I take a break 3-4 times a year and when I get back to it, I'm more refreshed and get more excited over the deals.

Top Price Cutter Deals: Aug. 18-24

Here are the top Price Cutter deals and matchups this week.  Feel free to leave a comment with any other deals you find.


KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce - .99
$1/1 (must enter contest for coupons)
Final Price - FREE

Ken's Salad Dressing - 1.79
$1/2 (SS 8/15)
Final Price - $1.29 each wyb 2

Wishbone Salad Dressing - 2/$4
$1.25/2 (RP 8/1)
Final Price - $1.25

Skippy Peanut Butter - 2.29
.75/2 & .40/1 (RP 8/1)
Final Price - $1.49 - 1.79

Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding Cups - 10/$10
.30/2 (SS 8/1)
Final Price - .70 each wyb 2

Blue Bonnet Margarine Sticks - .69

Taco Bell Sauce, Beans, or Taco Shells - 5/$5
.75/2 
Final Price - .50 each

Taco Bell Taco or Fajita Seasoning - 2/$1

Tony's Pizza - 1.67 (limit 3)
$1/2
Final Price - 1.17

Healthy Choice Dinners - 1.79

Pork Sirloin Roast - 1.79/lb

Bar-S or Farmland Lunchmeats - 1.00
$1/2
Final Price - .50 each wyb 2

On Vacation

Reminder, there will be no Price Cutter matchups this week as I'm on vacation at the Tupperware annual convention.  I had planned several scheduled posts but they did not happen as I took the extra time to play with my kids instead.

In the meantime, check out my Sam's Club Giveaway for a chance to win $25 to Sam's Club.

Back to School Savings with Sam's Club: Giveaway

I'm new to the world of Box Tops but now that my child is close to entering his public school years, I know they will become a bigger deal.  I've heard of some pretty intense competitions between classes as the Box Tops help raise money for the school.  I'll admit, I've clipped a few over the years but I've never put in much effort as my child wasn't in school yet.  Through MOPS though, I did learn that Huggies diapers contain Box Tops so I do clip those.

From August 6-13, Sam's Club is offering 150 Bonus Box Tops when you upgrade to a premium membership.  Also, this weekend Sam's Club is offering free entry to anyone.  This is a great time to check it out and see if a membership would be beneficial to you.

Today, I'm offering a $25 Sam's Club gift card as a giveaway.  This contest will be open until Saturday, August 14.  At that time, I will pick a winner via random.org and they will have 48 hours to respond.

To enter (first one is mandatory, others are for bonus entries):

1. Tell me your favorite savings strategy for back to school shopping.
2.  Post about this giveaway on your blog.
3. Follow me on Twitter @LifeWithLess.
4. Subscribe via RSS or email.


Disclaimer: I was provided with a gift card and upgrade to my membership from Sam's Club & General Mills through MyBlogSpark. No other compensation occurred.

Food Friday: Roasted Asparagus or Green Beans

A few weeks ago I was helping my mom prepare dinner for a family gathering when she asked me to prepare the asparagus.  I made it the same way I always make it but none of my family had tried it that way before and everyone couldn't stop talking about how good it was.  I use the same concept for both asparagus and green beans and simply change the seasonings to match the meal.

Asparagus or green beans
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Seasonings to match meal (I almost always include a dash of garlic powder)

Put the vegetables on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.  Add salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings you desire.  Roast at 400 degrees for 15-30 minutes (depends on how much you are cooking).  I usually make this in my toaster oven and it takes a little less time.

Back to the Basics: Online Coupons

It is very easy to get caught up in the craziness of online coupons so I recommend only printing those you will actually use.  Here are a few websites I use for online coupons.

Cellfire - Online coupons that link directly to your Kroger card (Dillons for the local readers) - no printing necessary.

Shortcuts - Another online company that links directly to your Kroger card (Dillons for the local readers) - no printing necessary.

Grocery store website - check your local grocery store's website as many have online coupons to print or download to your rewards card. 

Coupons.com - you can always print coupons from this site directly from the sidebar on this blog.

Website of your favorite products - many of your favorite products have coupons directly on their website.

There are plenty more places to find coupons online but remember, I'm trying to show you how to save money on groceries without making it overwhelming.  As you get the hang of this, you can easily add more sites to your list.

Top Price Cutter Deals: August 4-10

Please note, there will be no matchups next week as I will be away at the annual Tupperware convention.

Here are the top sales and coupon matchups for this week.  As always, feel free to leave a comment with any other deals you find.

Corn on the cob - 8/$2

Peaches or Plums - .99/lb

Hamburger Helper - .98
.75/3 or .75/3 (6/20 SS)
Final Price: .65 each wyb 3

Nature Valley Granola Bars - 2/$5
.75/2 (7/11 SS)
Final price: $2.00 each wyb 2

Fiber One Bars - 2/$5
.50/1
Final Price: $1.50 

Kellogg's Raisin Bran - 2.99
1.50/2
Final Price: 2.24

Eggos - 1.99
$1/2 (6/20 & 7/25 RP)
Final Price: $1.49 each wyb 2

Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks (family pack) - .99/lb

*For any Coupons.com links that do not work (it seems to be hit or miss this week), you may click on the Coupons.com box on the left side of my blog to print any and all coupons you will need.

Operation Christmas Child: A Personal Story

Every year, we fill a box or two for Operation Christmas Child.  Tightwad in Training features a personal story from someone who received a box as a child.  Visit it today to read this touching story.

Speaking of which, now is a great time to pick up some cheap school supplies for your Operation Christmas Child box.  We collect items all year long so that we can fill a few boxes without breaking the bank.