Sunday, October 11, 2009

Hanging it Up

It's time to say goodbye to this sweet little blog. I've enjoyed my time publicly helping my family save money and finding some great deals in our area, but after returning home this afternoon and finding our house burglurized it's time to put my family's saftey first.

It's an interesting thing having your house rummaged through. Knowing that other's have seen who you are without even knowing you. It's weird, the uncomfortable kind of weird. I've gone through a wide range of emotions today from being frustrated, angry, sad, even feeling bad for the little punks. It's not a feeling I wish on anyone.

What I do know is life isn't about stuff. Even though they took some things that carry alot of memories, I know my greatest gift isn't wrapped up in stuff, it's the life I look forward to after this one. (But it does stink that they did take our computer.)

Thank you all for following me on this journey. Feel free to enjoy the archives I hope you'll be blessed by something you'll find.

It's been fun!
Erica

Friday, October 9, 2009

Frugal Family Drive In Fun


I have wanted to go to a Drive In movie ever since I was little. When we moved to Wichita I was thrilled to find out we had a drive in movie theatre, Starlite Drive In Theatre, and I'm so bummed we've have yet to visit. Not only is a fun because it's a drive in but I love that they have two screen options one that is family friendly and the other that is geared for grown ups.

Now it wasn't awesome enough just to have a Drive In Theatre in our city but this Friday and Saturday night you can load up the family and watch 3 movies for $5.00 a carload. You can't beat that. Pop your own popcorn before you go, fill up your water bottles, get the kiddos in their pjs and you're in for a super frugal evening at the Drive In.

Go here to visit Starlite's website to see what's playing and to get directions

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Birthday Boys

Today is my husband's birthday and Saturday is our little guys birthday. Talk about a birthday week. I love birthdays and love to make a big fuss, unfortunately this year the fuss is going to have to wait. We'll be celebrating my husband's birthday tomorrow night. Complete with Tacos, the real kind & peanut butter pie.

This recipe was a favorite made by his grandmother growing up. It's easy to throw together and is a crowd pleaser.

Grandma Jean's Peanut Butter Pie
For a 9 inch pie
1 baked pie crust (you decide what you want to do. I tend to make my own, but store bought crusts work well too.)
1 large box vanilla pie filling
2 c. cold milk
1 container cool whip
1 c. chunky peanut butter
1 c. powdered sugar

Prepare your pie crust, make sure you prick the bottom of your crust with a fork and bake according to recipe you are using.

Once this is baked and cooled it's time for the filling. In a small bowl cut powdered sugar into crunchy peanut butter using a pastry blender. You may have to add a little more sugar, you'll want a crumbly consistency. Save 1/4 c. of this peanut butter sugar mixture and set aside. Pour the remaining in the bottom of your pie crust.

In a new bowl mix 1 large box pudding with 2 c. cold milk, then add 1/2 container of cool whip and mix well. Pour on top of peanut butter crumbs.

Allow to sit for several hours. Just before serving top with remaining cool whip and sprinkle the peanut butter crumb mixture you set aside. Enjoy!

For more great recipes check out the Recipe Swap on Friday.

Erica

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Dillons Deals 10/7-10-13

Wow there are some amazing deals this week at Dillons on staples that you won't want to miss out on. Let me know you see something I missed.

Produce
New Crop Granny Smith, Missouri Jonathan, Red or Golden Delicious .99 lb.
10 lb. Kroger Value Russet Potatoes 2.99

Meat
Farmland Whole Boneless Ham 1.39 lb.
Boneless Pork Loin 1.99 lb.
Pork Butt Roast 1.39 lb.
Hillshire Rope or Like Smoked Sausage 2/$6
Use 1.00/2 MF
Total=$5.00/2

Other Grocery Items
Kroger Brown or Powdered Sugar 1.00
5 lb. Kroger Flour 1.00 each
Kroger Cheese Bar or Shredded 24 oz. 3.00 each wyb3; 3.50 each wyb 2 3.99 each wyb 1
Kroger Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream or Dips 1.00
Kroger Vegetable Oil 2.00
4 lb. Kroger Sugar 1.88
Kroger Butter 2.00
Betty Crocker Cake Mix 1.00
Kroger or Private selection spices or extracts 25% off
7 Up Products .80 each wyb 5

Pringles 4/$5
Use .50/2 Fat Free Pringles (not sure if these are included)
Total=4/$4.00

Yoplait Yogurt 20/$10
Use three .50/6 MF or IP & .50/6 Cellfire & .50/6 Shortcuts eQ
Total=$6.00/20 containers of yogurt plus $2.00 will be donated for Breast Cancer Research

Pillsbury Biscuits, Crescents or Rolls 1.77
Use .50/2 MF & .50/2 Cellfire eQ & 1.00/2 Shortcuts eQ
Total= $1.04/2

Kraft Cheese bar or Shredding 5-8 oz or Singles 1.98
Use 1.00/1 Kraft Singles (from Dillons Mailer)
Total=.98 each

Household Products
Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent/Fabric Softener, or 2 in 1 Sheets 3.49

Kotex Pads, Liners or Tampons 2.50
Use 1.00/1 MF or .75/1 MF
Total=$1.50

Huggies 9.49
Use 2.00/1 MF or 3.00/1 MF & 1.00/1 Cellfire eQ
& submit for .75 rebate from Caregivers Marketplace
Total=$5.49 before rebate $4.74 after rebate

Sauve Professionals Hair Care 1.28
Use .50/2
Total=$1.56/2

10 Mega Sale
Buy 10 products and get $5.00 off your bill. Prices reflect the $5.00 deduction. Limit of 3 $5.00 savings per transaction.

Healthy Choice or Marie Callender's Entrees 1.88 each

Freschetta Pizza 4.49 each

Breyers Ice cream or Dove Ice Cream 2.49 each
Use .25/1 Unilever eQ Breyers

Sara Lee Pies or Cakes 2.99 each

Kroger Appetizers 3.49 each
Use 1.00/1 SC
Total=$1.99

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers 1.49 each
Use .50/2 MF or .50/1 IP below
Total=.50/1 or 1.98 each

Happy Savings!
Erica

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Worth Signing Up for

I've always intended to sign up for Farmland coupons, but always forgot. I finally did it a few weeks ago and boy was it worth the 2 minutes it took me. They sent me these beauties. Since farmland sausage was on sale this past week at Dillons for $1.00 I was able to get 8 packages of sausage for FREE! Stop what you're doing and head on over to Farmland and sign up for their coupons.
Also I'm a big fan of Vocalpoint. They send some great coupons usually with one FREE coupons and several high dollar coupons a long with it. I've loved stocking up on cereals using vocalpoint coupons. If your not a member I highly suggest you also take time to sign up for these. It's worth the energy.
Enjoy these fabulous coupons!
Erica

Friday, October 2, 2009

Frugal Family Friday-Craft Show & Fall Festivals

Aren't you enjoying these beautiful temperatures? I sure am.

This weekend is what I've been working like a crazy woman to get ready for and I'm very excited. I would love it if you would join the fun a the Lord of Life Lutheran Church Craft Fair and Fall Festival this Saturday October 3rd. The fun starts at 9 a.m. and ends around 2 p.m. There will be lots of booths full of handmade crafts, including yours truly. Please stop by my booth, I'd love to meet in real life.

On top of all the yummy crafts you'll find there will also be games for kiddos as well as a bounce House to get all that energy out. Paint a Pumpkin and eat some yummy food. It's sure to be a great family event and something for everyone.

The Lord of Life Lutheran Church is located at 11215 W. 13th. Street North (Between Maize Road & 119th St.)

I hope to see you there!
Erica

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Dillons 9/30-10/6

Sorry for the delay but I've been sewing my little heart away. I finally finished last night around 2:30 a.m. and am so glad to be done. Now only little stuff left to do for my craft fair this weekend. Praise the LORD!

Here are the best deals I see this week at Dillons. Let me know if you see something I missed.

Produce
1 lb. Driscoll's Strawberries 1.99
10 lb. Kroger Value Potatoes 2.99
Ripe-N-Ready To Eat Hass Avocados or Red Peppers .99 each
New Crop Missouri Jonathan Apples 3 lb. bag 2.19

Meat
Fresh Ground Chuck 1.99 lb.
Pork Butt Roast 1.39 lb.
Farmland Whole Boneless Ham 1.39 lb. ($6.95 each)
Boneless Pork Sirloin Chops 1.69 lb.
Farmland Roll Or Link Sausage 1.00 each!!!
JC Potter Pork Rib-Bits .99 lb.

Other Grocery Items
12 pack Kroger Vegetables and Tomatoes 5.99
Bar or Shredded 24 oz. Kroger Cheese 3.99 (better than Aldi)
Betty Crocker Cake Mix 1.00
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese 2/$1
Kroger Cottage Cheese or Sour Cream 1.98
7 Up products .80 each wyb 5

Pringles 4/$5
Use .50/2 Fat Free Pringles (not sure if these are included)
Total=4/$4.00

Cambell's Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup 2/$1
Use .40/4 MF
Total= $1.20/4

Save $5.00 on Kingsford Match Light Charcoal wyb 3 Coca-Cola 12 packs 3/$12
Use 2.00/1 MF Kingsford Match Light
Save $7.00 wyb 3 coke 12 packs

Totino's Pizza Rolls .99
Use .40/2 MF
Total=$1.18/2

Yoplait Yogurt 20/$10
Use three .50/6 MF or IP & .50/6 Cellfire & .50/6 Shortcuts eQ
Total=$6.00/20 containers of yogurt plus $2.00 will be donated for Breast Cancer Research

Pillsbury Biscuits, Crescents or Rolls 1.77
Use .50/2 MF & .50/2 Cellfire eQ & 1.00/2 Shortcuts eQ
Total= $1.04/2

Kraft Cheese bar or Shredding 5-8 oz or Singles 1.98
Use 1.00/1 Kraft Singles (from Dillons Mailer)
Total=.98 each

Happy Savings!
Erica

Did you See it?

As I was browsing through yesterday's Eagle I spotted a great coupon. On the back of the Sam's Club insert there is a coupon for a FREE ONE DAY MEMBERSHIP expiring October 14th. This a great way to stock up on some basics at a great price without having to pay the membership fee.

Wondering what my thoughts are about Sam's? Go here to learn more. Make sure your read the comments too. Other's had some good thoughts that aren't the same as mine.

I'm very thankful I didn't have to beg a friend to buy a few things I was needing. This free membership came at just the right time. I'm looking forward to stocking up on a few things we can't get overseas!

Erica