We used our Friday's Free Coupon!

After church today, the two older kids went with Mimi to decorated her house for Christmas. So it was me and my hubby and baby. We went to TGIFridays to use the coupon I found last week for a FREE Appetizer up to $8 value.
It was so YUM! We pigged out we got the FRIDAYS LOADED NACHOS, it was huge and I loved it! It was $7.99 so that was as close to the $8 as we could get. We had great service and enjoyed our lunch. Josh got the Jack Daniels Burger, ate a little of his and little bit of Madeline's kids chicken tenders. I forgot how much I love Fridays! Glad the coupon brought us back.

After the big lunch I came home and took at 2 hour nap with baby. What a great end to the long weekend. Another stuffed belly!

Here is a link to the Freebie post if you missed it. http://frugal-fabulous.blogspot.com/2008/11/tuesdays-tips-birthday-clubs.html

Freebie Friday on Black Friday

Happy Shopping today! Here are some freebies

Free Christmas Pin https://www.2debisdiamonds.com/Home_Page.html

Thank you Frugal Carol for this freebie

Free Lipsick Sample http://www.lipstockist.com/sample.html

VocalPoint- register and get a free Crest hair band. I can't wait to get mine! http://site.vocalpoint.com/crest/stockspa.html

Free Christmas CD download. Thank you Oprah! This is a great one

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20081118_tows_holiday/2

Freebie Event at Wal-Mart

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Best Holiday Savings Tip

I am entering the Nickelodeon contest for a $500 wal-mart gift certificate for the Best Holiday Savings Tip. I encourage my frugal readers to enter to.

• My Money Saving Tip: A List is the key, talk with your kids and make a list of the items you are shopping for then set aside that amount in CASH(I have a special checking account for holidays we set aside a little bit each month). The key to not overspending is using what you've set aside and sticking to the list. You will be happy come January that you don't have a high credit card bill.

Enter and Share Your Best Money-Saving Holiday Tip for a Chance to Win a $500 Walmart Gift Card, Courtesy of Nickelodeon!

Another Wednesday Tip

Thank you Emily for sharing this photo tip:

Wolf Camera on Tuesdays and Wednesdays thru 12/24 , you can get .05 prints, 3.5 x 5 size only. She got 125 for her Christmas cards for less than $7. Wow!!

I love to hear other frugal tips! Thank you!!

Black Friday Shopping

Yes you know I am frugal, but I do not brave the crowds to shop on Black Friday. In my experience I have found great deals anyway. For those brave shoppers here is the ultimate shopping site it shows all the deals and flyer's.

http://www.theblackfriday.com/index.shtml

In the next couple weeks I will be discussing some frugal gifts... stay tuned.

Tuesdays Tips- Holiday Cards

It is time to start ordering Christmas cards. This year I had my best friend Adrien design a custom card for our family. She is a photo retouch artist and the master photoshop girl! She did an AMAZING job! I am having them printed as 5 X 7 photos for 25 cents from Winkflash they have the lowest cost prints at the best quality. Sorry I can't show our holiday card just yet.

apmDesign (Adrien's design business) is offering a FABULOUS offer for my frugal readers. For only $10 she will create you a 5 x 7 Christmas photo card. Just select one of the designs below and she will insert your photos and information then send you a photo file ready to print!!! If you decide to order 30 cards from winkflash and use Adrien's design you will get them all for $17.50 WOW!!! That is one FRUGAL FABULOUS DEAL! If you are interrested here is her email mhtml:%7BE968B1FC-3ACF-4A92-BACD-42184DCA206A%7Dmid://00000093/!x-usc:mailto:apmdesign_adrien@yahoo.com

Meal Plan Monday

I am changing the Monday format upon request, I am happy to share my weekly meal plans. A little background, my husband wants meat with EVERY meal so I make big dinners each night. We only eat out maybe once a week most weeks we eat every meal at home. You will notice we LOVE Mexican food. I have the cost of the meal at the end.

Monday: Stuffed Enchiladas, Side of Lipton Spanish rice with corn mixed in, Black Beans (from the can) $7

Tuesday: Chicken Tostados , Side of Corn
I make my own tostados, get a corn tortilla spray with cooking spray back for 10 minutes at 425, then top with chicken or meat, beans, cheese, lettuce and salsa YUM! $4

Wednesday: Mac with Meat, Green Beans and Rolls
Family size mac and cheese with stewed tomatoes (blended in blender)( and 1/2 pound of ground beef) Rolls out of hot dog buns just break apart and top with butter and sprinkle with garlic salt and bake at 350 for 10 minutes for crispy garlic bread. Very cheap only 99 cents for a package. $5

Thursday: THANKSGIVING!!!! I AM NOT COOKING! FREE

Friday: Thanksgiving Leftovers and our annual tradition of baking and decorating sugar cookies while we put up the Christmas Tree. $2 for cookie stuff

glamRbaby Contest

My friend Noelle over at glamRbaby is having a contest. She is giving away some FABULOUS Christmas bows.

Here is her site http://www.glamrbaby.blogspot.com/

Good luck!

Freebie Friday

Enjoy these freebies this wonderful Friday! Remember to set up a separate yahoo account if you don't want junk mail in your regular email account. I had great restaurant free coupons on Tuesday check those out if you missed http://frugal-fabulous.blogspot.com/2008/11/tuesdays-tips-birthday-clubs.html

Free Stride Gum - this is a fun and interactive game to get your sample
http://www.thepeople-vs-stride.com/


Free Purell
http://www.qualityhealth.com/psp/registration.jspa?rf=30626&logicalPID=CD4262_

Free Sample of Gain Laundry Detergent
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid49638.aspx

Free Shopping List from Marie Callenders http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid58856.aspx

50 Free Prints from Snapfish for new users (This is where I order my photos, Great Quality)http://www2.snapfish.com/welcome?AID=10389942&PID=3122728

Sample of Christina Aquilera's new perfume. (Does it smell Dirrrty?)http://www.christina-aguilera-perfumes.com/us/sample?src=pgeds

Pantene New Collection of Shampoohttp://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/en_US/jsp/EDS_Page.jsp?pageID=UMLP&brand=pantene_brandsampler

Parent's Choice Free Formula Samplehttp://www.parentschoiceformula.com/baby-formula-samples.aspx

Betty Crocker Sample of Warm Delights, YUM-O!http://freewarmdelights.bettycrocker.com/WarmDelights/Default.aspx

Bertolli's Tomato Sauce Free Packethttp://www.condenet.com/promo/bertolli/sweeps/saucegiveaway/entry/long/

Free Playtex Baby Bottlehttp://www.playtexbaby.com/bpafree/info.html

Thursdays Thanksgiving Tips

Thanksgiving is in 1 week! Lot's to do if you are having dinner at your house. Luckily this year we are off to my parents and Josh's moms side of the family. I am making pumpkin pie that is all. Yeah!

• Most grocery stores offer free turkey deals. Watch for the ad's. I've never paid for a turkey always free! We usually get 2 (my husband gets one from work).
• Keep your pretty china pretty and clean, just put a clear plastic (thick) plate over your china for dinner.
• Serve your food buffet style, this reduces the stress.
• Line your glass dishes with foil for easy clean up (this really works)
• Make casserole ahead of time and heat up right before
• Have everyone visiting bring a dish to help out the cook. Tell them what to bring so no duplicates.
• Did your kids already make their own special place mats or place cards?
• If you run across any empty butter containers or cool whip one's save for easy leftover storage.

Waste Wednesday

I am going to break my no waste rule. Sometimes you need to be wasteful. I am saying good-bye to the bottom of the bowl candy leftover from Halloween. It has developed a funky smell with all the mixed candy. If it didn't stink I could:

• Top cupcakes with candy
• Sprinkle in Stockings for Christmas
• Break up chocolate bars and mix in cookies
• Leave to eat on my sugar binges
• Continue to load the kids up with sugar and visit the dentist with rotten teeth :)

Frugal Jen has decided to be wasteful for once Good - Bye Candy! Mommy's hips and tummy will miss you :) This jar was overflowing just a few weeks ago. What makes it smell funny anyways? Am I the only one who has this problem?

Tuesday's Tips Birthday Clubs

Sign up online and get some free coupons for meals!
My favorite!!! Free Bown of Queso at On The Border
http://clubcantina.ontheborder.com/clients/ontheborder/survey.htm

Red Lobster- free meal for your birthday
https://freshcatch.redlobster.com/clients/redlobster/survey.htm

Cold Stone Creamery- free ice cream
http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/birthday/birthday_club.aspx

Baskin Robbins- Free ice cream
http://www.baskinrobbins.com/bdayclub/registerinfo1.aspx

TGIFridays- Free App when you join
http://echo.bluehornet.com/clients/tgifriday/survey.htm

No Sign up- Saltgrass Steakhouse M-F 3-7 1/2 price app's That means yummy cheese fries!!!
http://www.saltgrass.com/whats_new/index.htm

Black Angus Free Steak Dinner (Not any near the Dallas area)
http://www.blackangus.com/PrimeClub.htm

La Hacienda The Ranch
http://www.marianosrestaurant.com/lahacontact.html

Motivating Mondays

Pay It Forward today...

We've all noticed the economic downturn, that is why I am sharing my frugal tips to help others. I've been frugal for a long time but I am always looking to be more frugal. I've found blogs where women have set amount for groceries for a year like $600 (I wish I could remember that site), WOW! I find ways and ideas from other women.

I would like to list a couple blogs I like to follow on being frugal. Why don't you pay it forward send an email to a friend about a frugal blog. Leave a comment if you have other frugal sites you like to visit.

Here are some of my favorites:

• Fabulously Frugalicious
• Frugal Finds from Your Frugal Friend
• Coupon Mama
• Freebies 4 Mom

Freebie Friday

Get a free tote bag. These are great for grocery shopping and you are being green! I can never have too many bags. Other ideas, kids library bag, bag for the car with items to return, produce bag.. so many more.

http://www.wellcarenow.com/

Costco, Free Sample of Kirkland Signature Supreme Diaper

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11324601&search=samples&Mo=4&cm_re=1_en-_-

Men's cologne sample. Dunhill London.

http://sampling.pgprestige.com/html/dunhill/london/

Free tape measure. This is great another one, I am always wondering where mine is, usually in Will's room with his toys.

http://www.uniformschoolwear.com/FreeTapeMeasure.aspx

Anyone have kids that LOVE legos? Well sign up for a free Lego magazine. My son love's this magazine and enjoys checking the mail for them.

http://club1.lego.com/en-US/legomagazine/default.aspx

http://club1.lego.com/en-US/legomagazine/default.aspx

Thursday - Thanksgivings Coming!

I would love to hear what is your favorite item at Thanksgiving dinner? My favorite is my mom's Hash Brown Casserole, definitely a southern thing. YUM!

Blogger Giveaway: Look at this FABULOUS Thanksgiving platter. Go to her blog and leave a comment to be entered to win.

http://suburbsanity.blogspot.com/2008/11/teaching-gratitude-and-giveaway.html

Freebies:

Print out this coloring page for the kids! I have printed these for the kids to color and I will get them laminated at the local teacher store. What great reminders to bring out each year. Of course I will do some FABULOUS embellishments. Look for that post!

http://www.coloringbookshop.com/colorpages/thanksgiving/turkey_placemat.html

Glad Plastic Bags- of course for your leftovers!

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid56046.aspx

Coupons:

Save 35 cents on Pillsbury crescent rolls. These are my FAVORITE rolls at Thanksgiving.
http://print.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=13903&nid=10&zid=xh20

Save $1.00 of 2 Libby's Pumpkin Can's http://www.verybestbaking.com/promotions/newsletter/mot/email/oct_08DTR/thankyou/nrg.aspx

Lot's of Coupons from Betty Crocker : Frosting, Brownie Mix, Cookie Mix, Bisquick, cereals, frozen veggies.
http://www.bettycrocker.com/coupons-promotions/coupons/default.aspx?WT.ac=CP-Coupon-Link-10-23-07-coupons

Wasteless Wednesday - Save Your Corks

My husband and I enjoy red wine. After we uncork a bottle I save the corks. For a long time I had them in a decorative jar then I saw a FABULOUS idea at a friends house a wine cork board. I went home and made one that day and this is what I came up with.


Here is how you do it:

1. Find a large picture frame your are not using 11 X 14 or larger. I bought this simple black one at wal-mart for $5
2. I cut the corks in half (easy not to slice a finger, I assume no liability)
3. Remove the glass from the frame and discard (don't have any frugal tips for the glass)
4. Arrange the cut corks in the frame along the card board backing of the frame.
5. Once you have a good pattern remove one at a time and hot glue on the cardboard backing.
6. Enjoy your new cork board. I have mine over my desk with birthday party invites and announcements to display and remind me what we have coming up.

Tuesdays Tips - Save on Electric

I am feeling much better today, my mouth is still sore from the 2 fillings. I forgot how much those hurt! Too bad I didn't have any coupons for the dentist :(

Tip #1: Do your laundry in cold water. I started doing this a couple years ago. I do all my laundry except bed sheets and towels in cold water. It saves on your electric bill. I have noticed a difference in our electric bill being lower. This is a tip everyone can use we all have to clean our clothes.

Tip #2 : Adjust your thermostat. Here in Texas we are in the fall season which can range from 86 to 40 degrees. We have a programmable thermostat. During the day I have the house set for 80 degrees for the air conditioning and 70 degrees for the heat. I rarely have it cycle on during the day. I also open up the windows and let some fresh air in and it naturally cools or warms the house.

Tip #3: Replace your light bulbs. We've replaced many of our light bulbs with the new energy savings fluorescent bulbs. I haven't changed all the bulbs because it looks silly sticking out of ceiling fans and some light fixtures. But every little bit helps :)

Motivating Mondays

Do something good for yourself today. Being frugal is about spending smartly. For me I am going to get a smoothie today. A little indulgence, I am having dental work done and I will treat myself to the $5.00 smoothie normally I pass on.

I should be blogging tomorrow about Tuesday's Tips. Hopefully I will be feeling good after my dental stuff. Now, that is something I HATE spending money on.

Freebie Friday

Free sample of Gain Detergent. These are some of my favorite samples. I love trying the new smells for the clothes.
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid49638.aspx



Now this is an interesting sample Kick Butt Energy Balls. I had to order a sample just to see what this is. Mommy needs some energy!
http://funenergyfoods.com/html/request_a_sample.html



Free Huggies Diaper Sample. Frugal Tip: With baby #1 I bought nothing but Huggies diapers. Now on baby #3 I buy the Wal-mart parents choice brand or the Target Brand. They work great no leaks or diaper rash and I save 50% from the name brand. The baby's bottom doesn't know the difference.
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid55756.aspx



For those pet owners, here is a Free Dog Tag.
http://www.sobe-dog.com/tags/

Feature Blogger Giveaway

A friend of mine Alicia has a business called Carolina Sunshine Designs



She creates one of a kind art from wall art, canvases, invitations all the way down to purses and custom shirts. She have been in business for about 5 years and loves creating something new and unique! Please take a look at just a few of the things she had done, and let her know if there is anything you would like customized for your personal taste. She also does home accents and children's furniture as well as all sorts of fun seasonal decorations!

http://carolinasunshinedesigns.blogspot.com/



She is doing a giveaway of this FABULOUS purse. So go sign up to win!

Wasteless Wednesday

My husband and I consume a lot of Diet Coke. In the evening when I am picking up after everyone I find half full or half empty (depends on how you look at it). I get upset when it is wasted and I have to pour it down the drain.

I did an experiment. I bought the plastic bottles that hold about 10 oz. When someone doesn't finish it goes back into the fridge. It worked! It also reduced the amount we were drinking each week. So two things were accomplished.

You can also try this with the large bottles. I think these taste better than the metal cans.

Try it and tell me if works!

Tuesdays Tips "Girls Night In"

I love having dinner with the girls, but it gets expensive fast. With a frozen drink or martini at $8 or more a pop, plus a meal you are easily out $40 or more. Instead of meeting the girls out, have a GIRLS NIGHT IN.

• Get the girls together, meet at each others homes and rotate homes each month
• Have a theme example : Tex-Mex, Chinese food, Fondue, Desserts
• Each person is assigned an item to bring plus a part of the drinks for that night
• Watch a favorite TV show together or play a game (Bunko for large groups)

Think about the savings! This is a great way to have a good time and for those on tight budgets can also enjoy girls night in!

This has me thinking I so need to plan one of these! Maybe a holiday theme around Christmas for us local blogger buddies?

Here is a freebie contest I found. One of my favorite bloggers, McMommy has a BFF that makes these cute clothes and she is giving it away just leave a comment to be entered. The contest ends today: http://themcmommychronicles.blogspot.com/2008/11/story-of-my-bff-and-how-you-will.html Here is a link to Lil Palm clothing to see all her cute stuff http://www.lilpalm.com/

Big Item on "Want List"

To start off the post here is a photo of my current counter tops. We've done a lot of updating with this house but the light teal blue doesn't match the warm colors we've updated to. Can't you just see shinny granite and a slate back splash?

We went out this weekend to do some comparison shopping for my big item on my "want list" the granite counter tops. Here is some of my tips:

• Look and price the alternatives, pro's and con's.

• Check out Lowe's and Home Depot they will give you some free kitchen designing booklets to help you in your search

• Look at model homes for free ideas on trend or look online. Here is my favorite site: http://ratemyspace.hgtv.com/

• Get at least 3 estimates! No less. You can use them to negotiate for a lower price.

• Make a list of any other items that need to be upgraded when you do this project. Example: new sink, faucet, stove top, vent hood, back splash. Add those costs in to the project cost.

• Slowly update the appliances. We are changing out the appliances from white to stainless steel. As you can see from the photo we did the big item the fridge. We negotiated a floor model when they were getting rid of last years models. We got it 40% off the asking price!

• Eliminate surprise costs and know exactly what to budget for.

Our update: Well we are still in the planning stage and really l0oking at which material we want to use. This is a big purchase for the kitchen and most expensive upgrade.