Harris Teeter Super Doubles - 1/4/12-1/10/12

Harris Teeter will be running a Super Doubles coupon promotion from Wednesday, January 4th through Tuesday, January 10th. During this promotion, coupons with a value up for $1.99 will double. This means that a coupon worth $1.50 will deduct $3.00, a coupon for $1.75 will deduct $3.50, etc. Coupons worth $2.00 or more will not double.

As the sale nears, I will post coupon match ups for items that will be free or inexpensive using super doubled coupons.

For now, you can prep by searching the coupon database on Southern Savers for paper coupons or printable coupons with a value over $1.00 (anything less doubles everyday at Harris Teeter) and less than $2.00. By typing "$1." into the search bar, all coupons with a value over $1.00 will be displayed. The database provides links to any available printable coupons.

Happy hunting!

Merry Christmas

Alex, Nolan, and I spent our first Christmas as a little family right here in North Carolina. For some reason, as I'm sitting ready to type about it, though, my brain just can't focus on what it wants to write.

I could tell about being paged out of the Christmas Eve church service because Nolan was inconsolable for nearly 45 minutes (crying for momma they said), or about the much happier dinner that followed with friends.

I could tell about how full my heart felt this morning, as I watched Nolan crawl to investigate the gifts beneath the tree, or how much I enjoyed playing with toys, eating a special breakfast (creme brulee french toast - yum!), and taking a walk around the lake  with Nolan and Daddy (using Nolan's new bike from Grandma and Grandpa).

I could tell about Christmas dinner with our neighbors (who unexpectedly extended an invite earlier this week), and how, over delicious food and easy conversation, a new friendship grew.

I could tell you so many things about my first North Carolina Christmas and my first Christmas as a momma, but I'll simply say, Merry Christmas, Readers! I hope your Christmas was as special as ours!

Freebie Find - Broadway Music Sampler

I LOVE musicals. I began watching with my dad when I was little - The Music Man, Annie, Oklahoma, My Fair Lady. Today, I still can't get enough. I could sit in front of the TV and watch Chicago on repeat, and I love visiting DPAC to catch a show in person (my last one was Rock of Ages).


If you enjoy a good show tune, like me, follow this link, enter the code 'bwayfox,' and access a FREE iTunes playlist of Broadway tunes. The playlist is as follows:

Song List

The Addams Family – “Happy/Sad”
Billy Elliot the Musical – “Shine”
Catch Me If You Can – “Live in Living Color”
Chicago – “All That Jazz”
Fela! – “Water Get No Enemy”
Follies – “Don’t Look at Me”
Ghost the Musical (Umm, didn't know this one existed)– “Here Right Now”
Hair – “Aquarius”
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying – “Brotherhood of Man”
Jersey Boys – “Who Loves You ”
La Cage aux Folles – “The Best of Times”
Million Dollar Quartet – “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”
The Phantom of the Opera – “The Phantom of the Opera”
Priscilla Queen of the Desert – “It’s Raining Men ”
Sister Act – “Raise Your Voice”
West Side Story – “Tonight ”
Wicked – “What Is This Feeling?”

Merry Christmas, Groupon!

When I logged onto Groupon yesterday, a nice Christmas surprise was waiting for me - a $10 credit to use on any Groupon Now deal.  For those of you who haven't used Groupon Now, it's part of the Groupon daily deal site, but it offers vouchers that must be used on the day of purchase.

THE FINE PRINT- the $10 credit needed to be redeemed that day (Thursday).

Well, I had already eaten lunch, and there were no dinner deals available in Durham. I searched for shopping or service deals, but none were worth while. I thought the credit would go to waste, when I realized that Groupon offers a limited number of Now deals that can be redeemed the day after purchase. I could use my credit before it expired, but use it to dine out the next day.

I "purchased" a voucher for lunch at Tomato Jake's Pizza in Durham, which gave me $10 (FREE) to spend between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm today (Friday). Alex ended up with the day off, so Groupon paid for the two of us to have lunch out in between last minute Christmas errands.

Over the past month or so, I've managed to snag $20 worth of Groupon lunch vouchers for a total of $1 using promotions and free credits.

Merry Christmas, and thanks, Groupon!

25 Free Photo Prints - Walgreens

Use the code "PRINTNOW" to access 25 free photo prints from any Walgreens photo center. Order your prints online and select in store pick up to avoid shipping charges. The code is valid until 12/31, which makes it perfect for printing photos of Christmas gatherings!

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

With less than 36 hours until Christmas day, time is running out to finish your holiday shopping. While you could battle for a parking spot at the mall, or head to Toys R Us at 2:00 am (yes, apparently open 24 hours a day until Christmas), there are a few easier options to be found. Each of the gift ideas below can be purchased from home and ready for giving in just minutes. 

• Amazon Gift Cards - These are perfect because the recipient can use them on just about anything they have on their wish list. Amazon allows you to buy online and print a card from home. I did this last week when I forgot a gift for someone on my list. The gift card was purchased and ready for wrapping in less than two minutes. There is also an option for e-mail delivery.

• Starbucks e-cards - These can be delivered to a recipients e-mail, Facebook account, or printed by you for wrapping. 

• Netflix - I have given Netflix subscriptions as gifts a number of times. Simply choose the number of months you'd like to gift (~ $8 per month) and print a certificate for wrapping. As with other e-cards, you have the option of e-mailing the gift.

• $20 to Old Navy from Groupon - For $10, you can purchase a $20 voucher to Old Navy. This voucher can be given as a gift and printed from home. One condition to be aware of, though - the vouhcer expires on 1/28/12, so make sure the recipient knows there's a time limit!

• Groupon, Living Social, or Plum District Deals or Credits - Browse through other national and local deals on these daily deal websites, or simply buy a gift card which can be used by the recipient to buy a future deal. All deals can be e-mailed or printed from home.

• Free Magazine Subscriptions - Create a Recyclebank account, earn points by completing easy tasks, like viewing videos and taking quizzes, and redeem your points for magazine subscriptions, like Good Housekeeping and Better Homes and Gardens. Most subscriptions cost 115 points, which you can easily earn in just minutes. When giving the gift, I suggest typing a note that shows an image of the magazine, along with a note explaining that the subscription will be arriving shortly. 

• Gap, Old Navy, or Banana Republic Gift Card - Choose the dollar amount, e-mail or print from home. Wrap. Done.

Reader Response: Can you think of other last minute gift ideas that can be purchased from home?

Daily Deal - $20 at Old Navy for $10 - Groupon

Nolan and I are back from our Molter Family Fauxmas. I'll be slowly working my way back into deal blogging but expect that posts will be patchy for the next few weeks, as it's now time to celebrate Christmas in Durham (just our new little family) and then with Alex's family in KY.

Today's "Daily Deal" comes from Groupon. For $10, you will receive a $20 voucher, good at any Old Navy store. The promotional value of the voucher is valid from 12/23/11 to 1/28/12 and can only be used in store.

Unfortunately, the voucher cannot be combined with other Old Navy discount coupons, but it can be used toward sale and clearance items. A 50% discount is still a great deal!

Check it out!

Blogcation

Nolan and I are visiting family in Wisconsin until Tuesday. I'm planning to set the computer aside, forget about deals, and enjoy an early Christmas with my family. See y'all in a few days. :)

Weekly Deals - Harris Teeter

There isn't a special promotion at Harris Teeter this week, like Super Doubles, but there are a number of good deals found in the weekly ad, running 12/14-12/20. Remember, coupons with a value up to $0.99 double every day.

International Delight Creamer (16 oz) - $1.67
- $0.75/1 printable coupon x 2 (if you already printed it)
= $0.17 each

Jones Sausage Links or Patties (freeze for breakfast during Christmas vacation?) - BOGO - regularly  $2.99, rings up half price - $1.49
- $2.00/2 printable coupon 
= $0.49 each when you buy two

Seeds of Change Quinoa BOGO - regularly $4.29, rings up half price - $2.14
- $1.00/1 printable coupon
= $1.14 each (GREAT price!)

Domino Brown or Confectioners Sugar - $0.99
- $0.50/1 manufacturer coupon (12/4 Red Plum insert) x 2
= FREE

Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables BOGO - regularly $2.49, rings up half price - $1.24
- $0.50/1 printable coupon x2
= $0.24 each

Crock Pot Cooking - Spicy Chicken with Peanut Sauce

If you've been following my posts over the past few weeks, you know that I've been searching for budget friendly slow cooker recipes. Tonight's dinner recipe, Spicy Chicken in Peanut Sauce, is one I've been making since I was given the Betty Crocker Cookbook as a wedding gift. It's an easy meal to throw together using ingredients that I almost always have in our pantry, like canned tomatoes (buying when prices are low, of course).

Spicy Chicken in Peanut Sauce - Adapted from Betty Crocker

Ingredients

boneless, skinless chicken thighs
olive oil or vegetable oil
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with chilies
1/2 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
1/2 onion, chopped
1 Tbs honey
3/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
cilantro (optional)
chopped peanuts (optional)

Directions

• Heat oil in frying pan. Brown chicken thighs, cooking a few minutes each side.
• Combine tomatoes, onion, honey, cumin, and cinnamon in slow cooker crock.
• Add chicken thighs to crock, cover with tomato mixture.
• Cook on low for ~ 8 hours.
• Before serving, stir in peanut butter.
• Serve with couscous, topping with cilantro and chopped peanuts (optional).

Reader Response: I like to keep certain foods, like different types of canned tomatoes, stocked in our pantry. Are there food items, that are used in lots of recipes, that you try to keep in the house?

Meal Plan Monday + My Meal Monday

Mondays have been designated as Meal Plan post days. Nolan and I are heading to Wisconsin in a few days, though, so our weekly menu is abbreviated. Alex can fend for himself come Thursday. :)

When trying to put together a few meals, I thought about what we had in the house, as well as what would result in some leftovers. I don't really want to leave Alex foodless.

Weekly Menu - Meals Not Assigned to Specific Days

• Spaghetti with Homemade Meat Sauce (freeze extra sauce so Alex has an easy meal), garlic toast, broccoli
• Fish (kind dependent on price and availability at grocery store) with Brussels Sprouts (I'm hooked)
• Moroccan Peanut Chicken in the Crock Pot, couscous, green beans (Alex is still working crazy hours)
• Enchilada Soup in the Crock Pot
• Leftovers (in case I don't feel like making one of the meals above)

Because I'm late with this post, we've actually already eaten both the spaghetti and fish. I was pretty happy with how our fish dinner turned out tonight, so I wanted to share a few pictures, along with recipes. These recipes are my own, made up, so there are no precise measurements involved. Sorry.

Panko Crusted Perch

Ingredients 

perch fillets (fresh or thawed)

panko crumbs

1 or 2 eggs, beaten (depending on number of fillets)

flour

Italian spices (basil, oregano, etc.)

salt (to taste)

Parmesan cheese

cooking spray

lemon wedges or slices

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees, place jelly pan in oven to heat.
2. In a shallow dish, mix together crumbs, spices, and Parmesan cheese (use your judgement on amounts). Place flour in separate dish and beaten eggs in a bowl, wide enough for dipping the fish.
3. Dredge fish fillets in flour, dip in egg, then coat in bread crumb mixture. Set fillets aside on clean plate.
4. Remove jelly pan from oven. Spray breaded fillets lightly with cooking spray, place on jelly pan.
5. Bake fish for 10 minutes, until it flakes easily with a fork.
6. Serve with lemon wedges or slices.

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients

Brussels Sprouts

1/2 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

water

olive oil

chicken or vegetable bouillon (cube or granules)

Directions

1. Clean brussels sprouts, remove outer leaves, cut in half vertically.
2. Heat enough oil to cover bottom of a large, flat bottom fry pan. Place the brussels sprouts in the pan, cut side down, in a single layer. Scatter the chopped onion and garlic over the sprouts.
3. Allow sprouts to caramelize (you will smell it and notice the cut side turning brown). Turn sprouts over and cook for about 5 more minutes.
4. Add enough water to cover the base of the pan. Sprinkle with crumbled bouillon, stir, cover, and allow to steam fry until liquid has cooked off.

Money Maker - $20 from Serve.com (think Paypal)

OK - This post is coming on the heals of my "I'm all dealed out" post, but this one fell into my lap, and it seemed too good not to share. 

Serve.com is American Express's answer to PayPal. It's a safe, secure way to pay and be paid on the internet. To lure users, the website is offering a $10 credit for all new accounts. After signing up (secure site, no personal info like bank account #s or SS # given), verify your account by e-mail link, and you will be instantly credited. The money can be immediately withdrawn from your account. Just like a Paypal account, you can choose to withdraw by check or bank deposit (free, takes a few days) or ATM (for a fee). If you look at the screen shot above, you will see $10 credited to my account, as well as the withdrawal, all done this afternoon.

To earn an additional $10 credit, play Serve.com's money mover game. The trivia game can be played until won. You will receive an e-mail within one business day, explaining how to receive your credit.

$20 for FREE, why not?!

Dealed Out

I'm in a deal seeking rut.

I'm getting a bit tired of coupon clipping, deal site checking, and thrifty spending. I've cut the Sunday paper from my weekly routine (well, minus the free one that shows up on my driveway), the coupons I have collected are piling up unclipped, and I've missed out on some pretty big money savers (I could have gotten $25 from American Express for shopping on Small Business Saturday?!). I'm losing steam.

The problem is, when I look at our budget spread sheet, I see the thousands of dollars we've saved since I began this venture less than five months ago. Yes, thousands.

That's significant.

Coupons and savvy shopping have helped us not only stay within budget as a single income family, but we're actually putting money away. When I stopped working, we really weren't expecting to be in this position. We'll be able to put money into savings, keep up contributions to our retirement accounts, and indulge in things like going out to eat, traveling, the iPhone Alex has been pining for since we moved to North Carolina. Yes, I think he's actually going to get one (those of you who have heard his iPhone saga know this is BIG news in our house).

I'm in a deal seeking rut, but I think I need to find a way to pull myself out.

Huggies Santa Diapers at Babies R Us - as low as $3.00

If you have the Huggies coupons that came in the paper a few weeks ago, you might want to check out a diaper deal at Babies R Us, good today and tomorrow. For two days only, Little Movers Santa packs are on sale for $5, down from over $12. If you use your $2 coupon, you can get about 30 diapers for $3. Each pack also contains a coupon for $2.00 off any Huggies. You could, if you wanted, rip the pack right open after purchasing, and use the coupon on another pack.

Now, Nolan sure doesn't need a holly jolly butt this season, but the diapers function just like any other Huggies, so I'm thinking of them just as cheap diapers, not focusing on the theme. At about $0.10 a diaper, I might actually dig the coupon out of the pack I bought this morning and go back for another. I'm sure Nolan won't mind Santa pants after Christmas. :)

Daily Deal - FREE Subscription to Backpacker Magazine

Are you still in need of a Christmas gift for someone who is a lover of outdoor adventures? Sign up at The Clymb, an outdoor product daily deal site. You will earn a $10 credit. Purchase Backpacker Magazine for $9.98, and it will be FREE using your credit. You will place your order without entering any credit card info, and you can enter any shipping address, which means this could be a FREE Christmas gift! I plan to print a picture of the magazine and wrap it for the recipient!

Oh, That's Pinteresting

Oh, Pinterest. I can't believe how long I went without knowing you...and I can't believe how much time you are likely to suck from my life now that we're friends.

Pinning new recipes, decorating ideas, clothes I covet. Stalking the pins of friends, acquaintances, and complete strangers. This new relationship could be bad news. It reminds me of all the things I want, want, want...and have been trying to avoid buying for the sake of saving some money this year.

Oh, Pinterest. It's already a love-hate relationship between us.


*If you haven't discovered Pinterest for yourself, check it out. I would be happy to send you an invite, but be warned - you may be making a new frenemy.

You're on the Naughty List, Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's is on my naughty list. Not for their sinfully delicious holiday Mint Joe Joes. No, I wish those tasty cookies had something to do with this. No, Trader Joe's is on the naughty list for once again ruining my dinner.

For the second time in a month, I'd completely prepped dinner, using their frozen salmon filets. For the second time in a month, after thawing in the refrigerator, as directed, the middle of each filet was an inedible, pink goo. For the second time in a month, dinner ruined, courtesy of Trader Joe's.

The Baked Dijon Salmon I had hoped to have for dinner. Photo courtesy of Allrecipes.com

I'd consider contacting TJ's about this, but the last time this happened, I received no response. Maybe this time I could link the disgusting photos I took of the mess (I'll spare you readers from them).

My salmon disasters aren't the end of the world, but it's frustrating none the less, to throw $20 worth of fish down the garbage disposal when you're making an effort to be money conscious.

Reader Response: What's your stance on contacting companies with product complaints?

Pin It

The Best Things in Life

Nolan looks like he belongs on an episode of the The Office. :)

Crock Pot Meal - Chicken Cacciatore

On Monday, I posted about my search for easy crock pot recipes. I was given a few by readers and searched for a few myself. Keep those recipes coming, by the way! I'd love to start a page for easy, budget friendly recipes I collect!

The recipe I tried today, for crock pot Chicken Cacciatore, came from Mammaliciousfinds. It's all the same ingredients of the cacciatore I make on the stove top, so I figured, why not try it out? The recipe follows, with my commentary, in red, as does a picture I took of the meal.

Easy Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore 

Ingredients
1lb boneless, skinless chicken (breasts, thighs or a combo)  I threw in two frozen chicken breasts.
1 pkg cremini mushrooms, quartered I used portobello mushroom caps that were on sale and cut them myself. Next time, I'd use more mushrooms.
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 C beef broth or stock
28 oz can crushed tomatoes 28 oz cans are on sale at Harris Teeter for just $0.98 until next Tuesday! Canned tomatoes are a great item to keep stocked in your cabinets.
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Mix all ingredients in the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with your favorite pasta and top with grated parmesan.


I was very happy with how this meal turned out. It was quite similar to the stove top version I cook on occasion, but it was soooo much easier. I loved being able to throw the chicken in frozen, which cut the prep time down to just a few minutes. I served the cacciatore with rigatoni and a salad, but wish I would have had a fresh baguette in the house. Next time.


Reader Response: Do you have a quick and easy recipe to share? It can be a slow cooker recipe or any recipes that would be perfect for people who are short on time! 

Check me out on FACEBOOK!

UPDATE - Jewelry from Zales - $19.99 shipped (regularly $119)

THE PENDANT NECKLACE HAS SOLD OUT. ONLY THE RING IS AVAILABLE. 

There is a pretty crazy deal going on at Zales.com, where they are offering the Infinity Drop Loop Pendant Necklace and a diamond accent ring (size 7 only), both regularly $119, for just $19.99 each. You can also score free shipping by using the code ZLOVED1GIFT. These would make fantastic Christmas gifts for any lady in your life...or yourself.

Shop through Ebates and earn 3.5% cash back on your purchase. New Ebates members will also earn a $10 gift card following their first purchase of $25 or more. A necklace and a ring would do it. :)

$10 Target Gift Card with a $50 Purchase (It's Back!)

If you didn't get a chance to run to Target during the last $10 gift card promo, or if you still have more Christmas shopping to do, print this coupon to receive a $10 gift card when you spend at least $50. The coupon is good through this Saturday, 12/10.

Want to make the deal even better? I've heard that it's possible to make this promo $50 pre-coupons. Make sure your pre-coupon total is at least $50, then be sure to hand over your $10 gift card coupon FIRST! IT HAS TO BE GIVEN FIRST!

You could, for example, buy a women's sweater, count it toward your $50 total, then use a $4.00 off Target printable coupon. You could also buy a few boxes of Kikkoman Panko Crumbs, and use coupons for $3.00 off each box (if you printed them yesterday - already gone, darn it!). There are many ways to bring your total far below $50 and still earn the $10 gift card.

Reader Response: Did you earn the $10 Target gift card, either this time or last? What deals did you score?

Baby Bargains

Here are this week's best baby deals and printable coupons.  If you have a smaller baby (sizes N, 1, 2), you will find a great Huggies diaper deal at CVS. There are also a number of online deals to be found through Amazon.

Diapers

Printable Coupons

$2.00/1 Huggies Little Movers Slip-On (printable)

$2.00/1 Huggies Little Movers Slip-On (Target printable)
$3.00/1 Huggies Diapers (Amazon)

Online Deals

Amazon - Luvs Ultra Leakguard Big Pack - Size 3 (234 ct.) - pay $30.39 with Amazon Mom and Subscribe and Save discounts - $0.13 per diaper

Huggies Little Snugglers (168 ct.) - use $3.00 electronic Huggies Amazon coupon, pay $23.80 with Amazon Mom and Subscribe and Save discounts - $0.14 per diaper

In Store Deals

CVS - Huggies Little Snugglers (size N, 1, 2) - $9.49

- $2.00/1 Little Snugglers (11/20 Smart Source)

- $3.00/1 Little Snugglers Printable

= $4.49

Earn $1 Extra Buck - Like paying $3.49

Wipes

Amazon - Pampers Soft Care (720 ct.) - pay $20.00 with Amazon Mom and Subscribe and Save discounts, $0.03 per wipe

Kroger - Huggies Natural - 72 ct. - $1.99

- $0.50/1 Huggies Wipes 64 ct. + (11/20 Smart Source insert)

Pay $0.99, less than $0.02 per wipe

Baby Food (not deal match ups, just printable coupons)

$1.00/1 Beech Nut Multigrain Cereal - - makes it $0.42 at Walmart, $0.25 at Kroger

$0.60/1 Beech Nut Cereal (any)

$1.10/4 Beech Nut Stage 2 1/2 Jars

FREE Beech Nut Starter Kit (one box of cereal and two jars) - must register

$1/7 Earth's Best Jars

$1.00/1 Similac Formula (under baby)

Toys/Apparel/Misc.

$2.50/2 Gerber onesies

$2.00/2 Gerber Sleepers or Pajamas
Rite Aid - select Baby Care Items BOGO 50% off - earn $2 +UP Reward when you spend $10
Gap - secret discount code, up to 40% off, for visiting website (GAPSNOW = 40% off) - ends 12/9

Reader Response: Have you come across a baby deal you'd like to share? Post a comment or e-mail me at allisondurhamdeals@gmail.com. I will update the list with any deals I receive.

Free Burgers for the Feixes (and any other James)

If we could get the first born Feix males together today, we could get away like bandits at Red Robin, where they are offering FREE Jim Beam Burgers to anyone with the name James (or any variation).  My babe, Nolan, is really James Nolan, after his daddy, Alex, really James Alexander, his grandpa, Jim, his great grandpa, Jimmy, and his great-great grandpa, James. That's a whole lot of Jameses!

Who knows, if Alex (James) gets off of work early enough, we might just check this out. Maybe they would let the momma of our second James eat a free burger for her baby. :)

In the Durham area, you will find Red Robins off of 15-501 and in Brier Creek.

Meal Plan Monday - Seeking Crock Pot Recipes!

This should be a "Meal Plan Monday," but it's Monday evening at 5:30, and no plan has been made. The hubs has been working ridiculous hours for the past few weeks, and it's making mealtime pretty tricky. I'm lacking motivation to come up with meals when I'm not sure if/when he'll be able to eat.

I bought a rotisserie chicken for last night's dinner, and it looks like the leftovers will be used in some form tonight - maybe fajitas.

I think I need to search the internet for crockpot recipes. These seem like they'd be a perfect solution to our dinner time uncertainty. I have a few go to favorites, but would love some more.

Do you have a favorite crock pot recipe to share??? Post a comment to share a recipe or link!

Understanding Overage

If you haven't yet printed the coupon for $3.00 off one Kikkoman Panko Bread Crumbs, I suggest you do so. Not only will you be able to snag a free box, but you will also have a chance to try your hand at using overage.

Overage is sometimes given by a store when the value of a coupon exceeds the price of an item. For example, the bread crumbs are on sale at Target for $1.97 (found in the Asian food section), but the coupon states $3.00 off. If you are lucky, Target will give you the additional $1.03 to be applied to the rest of your items. Not all Target stores will give overage. Some will adjust the coupon to the price of the item. ALL Walmart stores will give overage, either applying it to the price of other items, or giving you cash back!

I shopped at Target today, using two coupons for panko crumbs. This gave me $2.06 in overage. I also had two $2.00 off Kashi coupons (from Recyclebank - use back browser arrow to print two), which would make granola bars $0.99 a box. I decided to buy two boxes. This left me with $0.08 of overage. I needed tomato sauce for dinner this week, so I bought one can and had the $0.08 applied toward the cost. Oh, and I paid for the balance of my bill with my Ebates Target gift card! No money out of pocket. :)

If you were to use the Kikkoman coupon, the overage could be used for any other product you wanted to buy. Buying other items matched with coupons simply stretches your money further.

Have you ever tried using overage from coupons???

In case you're interested, the Snickers pictured were FREE at Walgreens. They are on sale two for $1.00. There is a coupon for $1.00 off two (click get coupon), which makes them free. You are able to print two coupons per computer, making four free candy bars per computer. These would be great stocking stuffers!

Daily Deal - $20 at The Body Shop for $10 (Groupon)

If you're still in need of Christmas gifts, check out Groupon, where they are offering $20 to The Body Shop for $10. The voucher is only valid in stores and expires on December 24th, but this would still make a great way to save a little holiday shopping money. The Body Shop sells many items for under $10, so this could be a way to load up on stocking stuffers, or a treat or two for yourself.

Printable Coupon - $3/1 Panko Bread Crumbs or Ponzu Sauce (=FREE)

I LOVE cooking with panko bread crumbs, so I was excited to see a printable coupon for them this morning! If you head to the Food Network website, you have the opportunity to print a Kikkomon coupon that will score you FREE panko crumbs or ponzu sauce. The coupon is for $3 off 1 product. You will find these products for well under $3.00 at most grocery stores.

Remember, you can print two coupons per computer!

Rite Aid Trip - 12/2 - Junk Food Freebies

I'm not one to keep sweets in the house. I bake infrequently, and I usually don't buy candy. With Alex on a tough work rotation this month, though, we could both use a little reward by the end of the day. Plus, we have our first teenage babysitter coming tomorrow night (YAY YAY YAY - first date night since September!), and I remember how much I disliked sitting for families with empty cabinets. SO, when I saw an opportunity to score some free treats from Rite Aid, I jumped.

Through Saturday, Rite Aid is selling two bags of Hershey's or Reese's brand holiday candies for $5. I had a coupon for a November insert for $1 off any two bags of Hershey's or Reese's candies. I also had one Rite Aid Ad Perk coupon for $1 off two bags of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and one for $1 off two bags of Hershey's Kisses. This meant that I could get four bags for $7. For every two bags purchased, I would earn $2 in +Up Rewards, for a total of $4. I had a $7 +Up Reward from a previous purchase that I could use as payment, which meant I just had to pay sales tax for four bags of candy.

I decided to use the $4 reward from the candy to buy a few other snacks to have in the house. I picked up one box of popcorn (which came with a free Red Box code) for $2.50 and a Coke for Alex, which was $1.49. The problem was, this brought my total to $3.99. I needed at least $4 worth of products to be able to use my reward, so I searched the store for a cheap filler item.

I came across bags of Reese's Pieces, on sale for $0.59. Attached to each bag was a Rite Aid coupon for $0.50 off, making each bag just $0.09! I could have picked up just one bag to put me past the $4 mark, but I added a second because it seemed too good to pass up.

Including tax, I spent $1.01 for $20 worth of products, and I will be able to get a free rental from Red Box. Not bad.  Now, with a ridiculous amount of candy in the house, it's time to hide some of it away. :)

Freebie Find - Holiday Printables From Balancing Home

My friend from college, Megan, writes a home decorating blog, Balancing Home. Megan and her husband are very talented at graphic design, and they are very generous in sharing their creations with their readers.

Visit Balancing Home, become a follower, and like their Facebook page, and you'll have access to some fantastic, and FREE, holiday printables (under the printables tab). The blog shares pictures from Megan's home, which would give you ideas for how the printables could be used in your own decorating. I have already printed a few and plan to frame them for the holiday season! Yay for thrifty decorating!

Durham Favorites Friday - Hope Valley Square

This Friday's "favorite" is not one specific spot, but rather an area in Durham. If you were to do a drive by, you wouldn't have any reason to guess that it's one of my Durham favorites.

Hope Valley Square, located on Shannon Road, near the 15-501 Target, can best be described, appearance wise, as a strip mall. There are no retail stores, though, but I'm not really sure what you call a strip of businesses, located in one long, continuous building, that really isn't a mall. A gigantic post office is plopped in the middle of the strip, and the businesses face out to a big, ugly parking lot. So what is it that I like about this area??

What I Love:

• THE RESTAURANTS - Hope Valley Square is home to some of my favorite quick, cheap eats in town, Only Burger and Pop's Backdoor Pizza, as well as Rick's Diner (which I have yet to try). A fourth restaurant, Bull Street Gourment & Market, has recently opened. I haven't been yet, but have read that it's a market and restaurant, serving breakfast and lunch.

• THE FROZEN YOGURT - Crazing an after dinner treat? Tutti Frutti is an inexpensive, self serve frozen yogurt shop. I love that I can walk there after my burger or pizza.

• THE LOCATION - Ok, I wish it was closer to my house...and walking distance, BUT, it is located across the street from the Southwest branch of the Durham County Library. This makes for a convenient breakfast (eager to try Bull Street's Nutella/Strawberry Croissant), lunch or treat stop before or after book browsing/story time.

• THE FAMILY/PET FRIENDLINESS - If you visit Hope Valley Square, be prepared for kids. Lots and lots of kids. The restaurants serve kid friendly food, and Pop's even has a kid's play area. The outdoor seating at the restaurants also welcomes dogs. I've brought Cooper a few times and even had wait staff bring us bowls of water for him.

• THE OUTDOOR GRASS AREA - This is by no means the nicest outdoor dining area that you'll find in Durham, but I do like the grassy area of picnic tables, located across the parking lot from the strip. Take your food or fro-yo to go, and dine on the grass. The kids and pets can be loud and move around. This is also a good option when the restaurants are crowded.

The Down Side:

• POPULARITY - Many Durhamites like Hope Valley Square as much as I do. The restaurants aren't huge, and if the weather is too crummy for outdoor dining, it can be crowded.

• THE VIEW/AMBIANCE (or lack of) - I've already mentioned, this is a strip. Outdoor dining faces a very large parking lot.

The Details:

710 Shannon Road, Durham, NC

Holiday Shopping - Ebates

With less than four weeks to shop before Christmas, I wanted to encourage you, again, to check out Ebates, a website that awards you cash back for purchases made at hundreds of online retailers.

Begin your online shopping through the Ebates website. Search for your desired store, and Ebates will present you with any available coupon codes for that store, then track any purchases you make using a tracking ID number. You will never give any credit card information to Ebates. Within a few days, a percentage of your purchase amount will be credited to your Ebates account, say 10% back for shopping at Barnes & Noble. Cash back is paid quarterly, in the form of a check or Pay Pal payment.

I have to admit, that I was first skeptical about the concept, but I've quickly become an Ebates believer. I received the promised $10 gift card for making my first $25 purchase (available to all new users), and I've already accumulated almost $8.00 in cash back. So, for making purchases I was going to make anyway, buying gifts for Christmas, I've earned back $18. Not bad.

Interested? Check it out.

Dining Deal - $2 Subs at Subway

December is Customer Appreciation Month at Subway Restaurants, and as a 'thank you' to customers, they are offering six inch cold cut combo and meatball subs for just $2.00. This price is valid on only these two varieties, only during the month of December.

The website does not state a limit on the number of $2 subs one person can purchase, so this could make for a very inexpensive family lunch or dinner!

Printable Coupons - Reset for December

Be sure to check out the Printable Coupons tab at the top of this page. New coupons are added and some reset at the beginning of each month. If you have already printed the International Delight coupon, it has reset and you will be able to print again. Also, there is a coupon for $0.75 off any Muir Glen tomato product. When doubled, this scores you free or cheap products like tomato paste and canned tomatoes.

Printable Coupon - $0.75 off Coffee Mate Creamer

I'm hooked on coffee creamer. Until recently, I took my coffee black. No cream. No sugar. Nothing. After a trip home and cups of coffee with Caramel Macchiato Creamer, though, I realized the error of my ways and have been indulging ever since.

At three to five dollars a bottle, regular price, creamer really can seem like an indulgence, as it's an extra hit to your grocery bill, if you use it often. It doesn't have to be, though.

Creamer coupons and sales are abundant. Watch for sales and combine them with coupons, preferably at a store that allows you to stack coupons (Target) or doubles them (Harris Teeter).

Like Coffee Mate on Facebook, and you'll have access to a coupon for  $0.75 off one creamer (click Print a Coupon on left side of page). It doesn't expire for a month, so hold on for a sale, double that coupon, and you'll likely score creamer for less than a quarter.

Freebie Find - Bare Minerals Primer

If you're a fan of Bare Minerals makeup, and plan to visit the mall between now and Sunday, you'll want to print out this coupon for a FREE travel size Bare Minerals Prime Time Foundation Primer, redeemable at any Bare Esscentuals store (print the page that comes up, or bring it in on your phone).

The coupon expires on 12/4, no purchase necessary.


*Thanks to Southern Savers