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Archive for November, 2011|Monthly archive page

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Let The Shopping Begin

In Georgine Saves Blogs on November 8, 2011 at 6:01 pm

 

 

Here is Georgine’s November blog post. (I love the idea of the clothespin for holding the coupons you’re using that shopping trip).

Let the holiday shopping begin! November is the kick-off month with special deals and sales in holiday baking and cooking products, and of course, gift-giving suggestions!

Black Friday has notoriously been named the beginning of what’s to come. There are many online deals to be found that will help you avoid the crowds and frustrating long checkout lines. If you can wait, many extra deals will be found on Cyber Monday (11-28, the Monday after Thanksgiving) even some of those that were offered in stores on Black Friday. No matter what the weather is in your area, you will be warm and dry because these will be on your computer!

Wal-Mart has issued this press release. For the first-time, at Kohl’s you will get $15.00 in Kohl’s cash every time you spend $50.00 starting Black Friday 11-25 through 11-27.Also for the first time, Macy’s will open all its stores at midnight after Thanksgiving and close at 11:00 pm on Friday 11-25.  Target announced that it will also open doors at midnight for specials and plans to stay open for 23 hours too.

 If you are looking for Electronics Black Friday Deals try Amazon.com to let your fingers do the ordering. TVs, stereos, camcorders, and GPS devices will be on sale. Whenever you order online always look for coupon codes (I post the ones I know on my site or you can try Google to find a code); these will save you extra at the checkout. A great site is Shop At Home where you will always find the most current codes, coupons, and FREEBIES!

If you want to get a jump on the rest of the shoppers, pre-Black Friday sales events are being held at O.com(this site was formerly called Overstock.com).

Of course, toys will be on almost every list! Bikes are high on the holiday list too and you can get many that ship FREE!

Hardware items to look for will be ladders, heaters, Christmas lights and garland.

You can get a good deal on wedding gowns due to slow sales this time of the year. Boutiques are clearing out their inventory. If you will be a military bride you may win a gown at Brides Across America. Check for the event in a city near you this month.

In the grocery store look for baking products as well as paper and aluminum foil products sales. Many supermarkets will be having FREE turkey or other FREE holiday dinner deals. When you are shopping for your holiday turkey be sure to check if the word enhanced is on the label. If it is it means the turkey has been injected with broth and flavorings. This really means that up to 33% more liquid has been added to boost the taste of your bird, but in reality you are paying more for it because it weighs more, but you are getting LESS meat because that is not where the extra pounds are! While shopping for groceries, Consumer Reports’ Eco-Labels app will tell you the truth behind product labels, and it’s only 99¢ at iTunes. Always check Coupons.com before you head out to the grocery store. Check often as they change coupons constantly! With the hectic pace and extra items on your shopping list, bring a clothespin (the press-open kind) and attach it to your grocery list. Pull your coupons as you place the item in your cart, and then put them in the clothespin for easy access at the checkout. You won’t lose them that way either!

To make sure you get the best product at the best price, I recommend Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper app. It’s filled with great buying advice tips for appliances, electronics, and babies and kids items, and allows you to comparison shop with both online and local retailers. This app is only $4.99 for one year and will certainly save you much more than that! You can download it at iTunes.

If you can stay organized, always make a list, you will get through this month by saving money and time.

http://www.georginesaves.com/

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It’s Meatless Monday-Italian Squash and Lentil Stew

In Meatless Mondays on November 7, 2011 at 7:40 pm

 I thought I’d start something new on Budget Smart Girl and that’s a meatless monday feature. Each week I’ll either share one of my own favorite vegetarian recipes with you or pick one from a cookbook or Web site and show you how it turned out.

Eating less meat is not only good for your health but your wallet too. And there’s a Web site dedicated to going meatless and it’s http://www.meatlessmonday.com/  It’s a great resource and has some recipes too.

So here is the first recipe, it’s Italian Squash and Lentil Stew that is cheap to make and cooks in a slow cooker. Leftovers freeze really well and I serve this with brown rice.

(Serves 4 as a Main Dish or 6 as a Side Dish)

 

 

1 ½ cups dried lentils

3 cups of water

2 cups chopped butternut squash

1 cup chopped carrot

1 26 oz. jar of Classico Fire Roasted Tomato and Garlic pasta sauce ( or whatever’s on hand, this time around I used one of the Newman’s Own pasta sauces)

1 small onion, chopped

 1 15 oz. can garbanzo beans (Northern beans are great too)

½ teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon dried thyme

 

  1. Rinse lentils and place in at least a 3-quart slow cooker with the three cups of water. Add the squash, carrot, onion, pasta sauce, basil and thyme and stir together.
  2. Cover and cook either 8-10 hours on high, or 4-6 hours on low. Just before serving stir in the garbanzo beans. Fresh chopped basil is a nice addition sprinkled on top when the dish has finished cooking.

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Coupons Yield a Cheap and Yummy Thanksgiving Meal

In Blogsy by Marcia Layton Turner on November 4, 2011 at 2:40 pm

 

 

Here is Marcia’s November blog post and if you’re wondering how to save money on this year’s Thanksgiving feast read on-

Thanksgiving is one of those meals we all look forward to. Just picture it – the juicy turkey (or tofurkey if you’re a vegetarian), the overflowing dishes of mashed potatoes, green beans, glazed carrots and warm rolls, all topped off by apple or pumpkin pie. Sounds expensive, doesn’t it?!

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. By collecting, organizing and using coupons, rebates and special offers, you can prepare a Thanksgiving feast that is both filling and financially frugal.

Turkey. To start, look for deals that will net you a free turkey. Does your supermarket reward you for shopping there by giving you a coupon toward a free turkey once you spend a certain amount? Or, can you take advantage of an annual Office Depot deal offering a $10 Butterball turkey certificate when you place a $125 order (here are the details: http://www.officedepot.com/promo/redir.do?adid=145116)? Even if you can’t get a free turkey, wait until a week or two before Thanksgiving to buy yours, when prices hit their annual low point. You may even want to get a second turkey now for Christmas or New Year’s.

Side dishes and casseroles. Coupons matched with sale prices at the supermarket will bring the cost of your succulent side dishes to a minimum. Watch sale prices and then use coupons on the smallest size package available, to pay the least amount possible out of pocket. Better yet, use your coupons at a store that doubles or triples coupon values. Or hunt down some of the free Idahoan brand potato coupons on eBay or at a clipping service (here are some that are currently available: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=idahoan+coupons&_sacat=See-All-Categories).

Dessert. Homemade desserts are generally the cheapest, so watch for sales on baking ingredients. But if you don’t have the time, frozen pumpkin and apple pies often go on sale right before Thanksgiving, too. There are also some coupons available on eBay for free frozen Mrs. Smith’s pies (here is what I found today: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=mrs+smiths+coupons&_sacat=See-All-Categories).

Appetizers. To help pay for the appetizers, consider tracking down a rebate that will reimburse you for your chips and dip. Here’s a good one worth $20 off a $20.01 purchase of a deli platter: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-20-00-Beer-Rebate-Coupon-off-Turkey-Ham-Deli-Platter-12-31-11-/150685895727?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2315944c2f. Or find a rebate that gives money back on your total purchase; Coors currently has a $10 rebate off a $50 gift card purchase, with no beer purchase required in several states: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-4-10-COORS-BEER-OFF-50-GIFT-CARD-REBATE-NBPR-EXPIRES-01-08-12-/250923168398?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6c2fb28e). The best approach to this rebate would be to buy $50 worth of gift cards from your favorite grocery store, thereby reducing your food costs even farther.

Finally, don’t forget to use up what you already have in your cupboards first. Using what you have will significantly reduce what you have to buy. Before you buy another bottle of cinnamon or bag of flour, check to see if you really need it. Paying less for a wonderful feast is something we can all be thankful for!

Marcia Layton Turner is an avid coupon clipper who saves thousands of dollars a year by using them. She is also the author of Extreme Couponer: Insider secrets to getting groceries for free.

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The Budget Smart Girl Newsletter-November 2011

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on November 3, 2011 at 4:04 pm

 A little bit of everything this month, some sites to check out, recipes to try, so let’s get started-

Produce To Check Out-

  • The best of the bunch: avocados, beets, tangerines, mandarins, Anjou pears, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery.
     
  • At their peek: sweet potatoes, cranberries, winter squash, yams, Bosc pears, dill.
     
  • Coming to the end of their peak season: green beans, garlic, leeks, parsnip, sweet peppers, apples, almonds, pecans.

Dale Steliga’s Make Up Post

I didn’t have time to post this on the site last week so I thought I’d include it in this month’s newsletter

Do you ever wonder how celebrities on the red carpet have positively glowing skin? Good genes and facials aren’t everything. There is a very simple trick makeup artists use on their famous clients that any woman can try at home or apply for a night on the town.

That makeup must-have is a good highlighter and my current fave is a cream base highlighter by MAC called “Shell.”($18)  It’s a pinkish hue, so if you prefer bronzed, choose the color “Pearl.” The cream base is also my preferred choice in fall and winter when our pores tend to appear parched. Moisture or a makeup that makes skin appear moisturized is key.

What does a highlighter do?It adds a subtle gorgeous glow that highlights the face in the most flattering light and it photographs well. Highlighters reflect light right where you want them to.

How do you apply it? For a cream base, apply with your finger or a makeup sponge. If you’re using a powder or shimmer, use a blush brush or one that isn’t too large because you’re only highlighting certain areas of your face. To set it or tame the shine, you can go over it with a translucent all-over powder.

Where should you apply highlighter? The most common place is the upper cheek bones after you’ve applied foundation and bronzer. I’m also careful to avoid getting it into my smile lines.

Also highlight just below your brow. Here’s a trick if you’re looking for a slimmer nose. You can create this appearance by applying light bronzer or a foundation a shade darker on the outside part of your nose and then add a bit of highlighter directly down in the bridge of your nose.

If you’re heading out of the house for a night out and showing a little skin, add some highlighter to your collarbones.

If you don’t like cream based highlighters, here are two other options.

You can try Nars Highlighting Blush Powder in Albatross. It’s nice because it’s not glittery and has a very natural finish.  $27 – http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/cheeks/highlighting-blush/albatross

Or if you do like a highlighting effect that is more noticeable and dramatic, try Victoria’s Secret Shimmer All-Over Powder in Star (pink) or Bronze Goddess -$14 http://www.victoriassecret.com/ss/Satellite?ProductID=1265602722383&c=Page&cid=1314947989845&pagename=vsdWrapper

Extra tip- I’ve seen professional makeup artists use this Victoria’s Secret product and it’s a great price. Just remember to apply with a brush and not to use too much because it’s very shimmery. I don’t recommend this for people who get really oily. Also, it says “All-Over Powder” in the name and they’re not kidding. When I’m in a pinch and want to have a sexy shimmer, I take a pinch of this powder and add it to my body lotion as I spread on my arms and legs. It gives the same shimmering effect you see on celebs.

I went from highlighting my text books in college to highlighting my face the past few years and the latter is a lot more fun. If you’re new to using highlighter, it’s best to test the different areas on your face, (you can even watch a Youtube tutorial how to apply them) then take a pic. It may photograph differently than you see in the mirror depending on how much you applied. Nobody needs a Facebook tag with their face looking like a Christmas tree ornament. Been there, done that, removed tag.

The highlighting effect isn’t just for celebs, so go ahead and shine like a star yourself!

Buy and Sell

I haven’t checked this site or service out so as always proceed with caution if you do, or would love to hear some feedback if you have. Saw it listed yesterday and it seems like you can buy and sell items in your local area

http://www.zaarly.com/browse/#/browse

A Lifesaver

I can’t remember exactly how I found this site but so glad I did, especially since I’ve had more things to do than actual time. It’s a meal planner and grocery aid that I think I’ll be using a lot. Definitely will be bookmarking this one. And best thing is, yes, it’s free!

http://www.foodonthetable.com/

How Long Before You Buy Another One

I’ve been so busy I can’t remember if I listed this one in a former post but just incase I didn’t, here’s an interesting article about how long appliances should last

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/113645/how-long-should-home-appliances-last-kiplinger

Eating Healthy On A Budget

Lots of ideas in this article shared by Budget Smart Girls

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/10-ways-to-eat-healthy-on-a-budget-2575823/#photoViewer=11

Don’t Throw It Away

Sometimes I toss things away and have to buy new because I can’t remove a stain but this article might prevent that-

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/8-old-time-solutions-to-modern-domestic-problems-2579692/

Meatless Meals

Next week I’ll be launching a Meatless Monday feature on the site. Eating vegetarian food is one way to stretch your dollar and thought this article had some ideas to get you started especially if you’re entertaining during the holidays-

http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/photos/10-best-vegetarian-dinner-party-dishes-1317390745-slideshow/chestnut-bourguignon-pie-photo-1317390611.html

Recipes From Giada De Laurentiis

Did you know that chef Giada De Laurentiis has a line of foods available at Target. They’re all reasonably priced and here are two recipes using the chicken stock and sun dried tomotoes for you to try.

“As a busy chef, wife and mother, I know that life sometimes gets too hectic to even think about what to make for dinner,” said Giada De Laurentiis.  “I’ve found that delicious and balanced meals can start with just a few quality and versatile ingredients that please the whole family in a snap.”

Try these recipes from Giada for a weeknight meal that is quick and easy on even the busiest days:

“Linguine with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Olives and Lemon

 

1 pound linguine pasta

1 cup (6-ounces) Giada De Laurentiis for Target sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1 cup (4-ounces) medium green olives, pitted

1 packed cup fresh basil leaves

1 garlic clove, roughly chopped

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)

Zest of 1 large lemon

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.  Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.  Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.  Place the pasta in a large serving bowl.

In a food processor, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, olives, basil, garlic, oil, lemon juice and lemon zest.  Pulse until blended, but still chunky.

Add the tomato mixture and Parmesan cheese to the pasta and toss well until the pasta is coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes

 

Chicken Stew

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1 (14 1/2-oz.) can diced tomatoes

1 (14-oz.) can low-salt Giada De Laurentiis for Target chicken stock

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 bay leaf

2 chicken breast with ribs (about 1 1/2 lb.)

1 (15-oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Heat oil in pot over medium heat.  Add carrot and onion.  Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with juices, broth, basil, tomato paste and bay leaf.  Add chicken ­ and submerge.

Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through, turning chicken and stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.  Transfer chicken to cutting board.  Discard bay leaf. Add beans to stew and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.

Discard skin and bones from chicken.  Cut chicken into pieces; return to stew.  Bring to a simmer.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Total Cooking Time: 50 minutes

Coming Up on the Site

Tomorrow look out for more coupon tips from Marcia, next week a countdown to Thanksgiving with tips and hints for staying on budget, also my favorite feature of the year, the Budget Smart Girl’s Annual Gift Guide.

Have a good month and a wonderful Thanksgiving.


Ramblings From a Budget Smart Girl

In The Blog on November 1, 2011 at 3:33 pm

Hope everyone had a fun Halloween. 

Last week I went shopping for calendars for 2012…hard to believe it’s almost the end of the year. First stop was an office supply store for one of those daily calendar refills and while I was there I browsed other ones too. I couldn’t believe that the average wall calendar, (you know the type with various photos) is now $15.95.  Right next door is a Micheal’s  store and I’ve often found bargain priced calendars there in the past so decided to take a look.

Here are three I bought and wait for the price, the Kittens and Painted Cats were both $1 each, the Butterflies one which also has a 2 year planner and mini calendar…perfect for the kitchen was $1.50. They look exactly like the ones in the office supply store and yes, the price difference is amazing. Don’t know if all Michael’s stores carry these items but check them out. Buy some for yourself orto keep as great stocking stuffer gifts. Also something to keep on hand to give to that someone who wasn’t on your list but gives you a gift.

One thing I love about this time of the year is bargains and corresponding coupons start appearing at the supermarket. I’d say I stock about 50 percent of my pantry during the next two months. Look for things like canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, chocolate chips, flour, sugar etc., to go on sale and you can use them all year round.

I’m working on the November newsletter right now and hope to have that ready by Friday.

Have a good week.

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