Couponing Link

Coupon users are making the news!  This news link has great information, and proves that couponing is all the rage! 

photo source

Thrifty Tips

If you are looking for a new hobby that will be both entertaining and lucrative while feeding your love of lists and control over a world of chaos, COUPONS are for you.

I love the couponing game.  

I love that I get to tell the Wal-Mart cashier what I want to pay for an item.

I love that I can beat "the Man" at this game.

Oh, and I love to be in control...of my grocery budget :)

While I am still a novice at the couponing thing, a friend of mine has taken me under her wing.  She has shared some awesome tips with me!

If you want more information on how to begin saving money with coupons, check out:

http://www.hip2save.com/

http://www.couponmom.com/

If you are a bibliophile (like me) and want to read up on it, I suggest:

(source)

I have been reading it, and it really is helpful!

So, here is my tip.  It is not earth-shaking or brilliant, but I am still excited.  I am easily amused, obviously. 

My family and I are leaving for vacation next week (I won't say where, but I will say tar balls), and I have been collecting provisions for a couple of months.  Using every coupon I could that didn't say "excludes travel size," I scoured the stores for mini everything.  I ended up with all of this:

Each of these items were either free or close enough. 

Score.

I capped that vacation spending faster than you can say "BP."

Romantic Asparagus?

Ahhhh, Saturday.  I had my Lentil Burger lunch around 11:00 am today, so by 2:00 pm, I was ready for lunch number two ;)
So, I cooked again.

Tomato Soup

Better than Campbell's, cheaper than Campbell's.

1 can tomato paste

2 1/4 c. water

1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. soy sauce

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. dried basil

3-4 tsp. real maple syrup

pinch of cayenne pepper

salt and black pepper, to taste

grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Put the tomato paste into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add the water and whisk until combined.  Add all other ingredients and whisk.  Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for five minutes.  Ladle into bowls and top with cheese, if you are using it.  I say go for it.  It is even better after it sits for a while!

Two lunches down, and it was time to go couponing. 

I went to the Wal-Mart in my town, which always proves annoying and fruitless.  I usually go to the store in another town, as they are much more cooperative and...nice.

I had coupons that enabled me to get lots of goodies free or nearly so, which wigged out the cashier. 

The loot the lady thought I was stealing:

Nice!  It was worth the ten minute argument with TWO cashiers. 

I came home and cooked again. 

Oh, and I got a bouquet from the Husband today!

Local, organic asparagus for one.  He knows the way to my heart :)

Menu Plan Monday

To participate in Menu Plan Monday, visit www.orgjunkie.com

Monday again!  This week I am trying to use up some pantry items, so I am making things that will allow me to not purchase anything but a little produce until Friday.  Then I have a plan...more on that at the end of this post!

Monday:  Cheesy Potato Soup and Whole Wheat Beer Bread

Tuesday:  Bean Tostadas and Salad (I may make a little taco meat for the carnivores)

Wednesday:  Veggie Quiche and Homemade Bread

Thursday:  Spinach Enchiladas and Mexican Rice

Friday:  Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn.  I may try a lentil loaf also.

Saturday:  Leftovers or out?

Sunday:  Homemade Pizza and veggies

I will post other recipes as I try them!

So, a friend of mine sent me an interesting link last week.  The site claims that you can buy 90% of your groceries from Aldi and save a lot of money. 

The benefits of shopping at Aldi:

• no coupons are necessary
• limited stock means fewer impulse purchases
• the prices are pretty hard to beat, even with sale ads
• the selection does get better all the time

Drawbacks of shopping at Aldi:

• not many name brand items
• not all products are available all the time
• not all Aldi brand products are as "good" as the name brand
• you have to bag your own groceries
• they don't carry specialty food items (tofu, veggie burgers, protein powder, etc.)

Still, you know how I love to save money!  I enjoy the couponing, but I find that on food items, Aldi is hard to beat.  I like most Aldi products, so I think I am up for the challenge!  So, for a month, I am going to menu plan and shop for food using Aldi items. 

Exceptions to the rule:

• I buy eggs from a local source.
• If I can get milk cheaper than Aldi, I will.
• I will buy things that I have coupons for only if I can get them free or almost free!

I can't wait to see how much I can save this month!  When I am frugal with the grocery budget, I feel like I am still contributing monetarily to our family while I stay at home.  Plus, I like to be trustworthy with the home budget, and the Husband likes it too :)

I will post a grocery shopping recap on Friday, and I will plan an Aldi menu that will be up next Monday! 

Are you ready for Aldi adventures? 

Oh, the Things I Will Do...

for free coconut oil!  My favorite coupon website shared a contest recently.  All I had to do was create a recipe using coconut oil, submit it with a picture, and I might win 2 free quarts of coconut oil! 

cooking + free stuff = good day

Vegan Coconut Banana Bread

1 1/4 c. unbleached flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Egg Replacer equal to 2 eggs (you can also just use 2 eggs)

1/4 c. coconut oil

1/4 c. natural applesauce

1/3 c. sugar

1 c. oats

1/4 c. sliced almonds

1/3 c. shredded coconut

3 ripe bananas, crushed

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray, or just rub more coconut oil inside it.  In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, mix together the egg replacer according to the package directions (or just whisk up the eggs).  Add the coconut oil, applesauce, sugar, and crushed bananas.  Mix well.  Add the flour mixture and stir until moistened.  Add the oats, almonds, and coconut.  Mix lightly.  Pour into loaf pan and bake for 55 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let cool for 15 minutes before slicing.  Enjoy!

Yeah, I already ate those two slices...and the crumb.