Sunny D Book Spree

Sunny D and Martina McBride are partnering up to put books in classrooms across the country.

A teacher sends in 20 labels from Sunny D products, and they send that classroom 20 books!

They've already done a lot of the hard work for teachers by designing a letter to send home to parents, a letter to send to the PTA, and an easy-to-read form for submitting labels. You can submit more than 20 labels, as there will be Grand and 1st Prizes awarded to schools who send the most labels.

See the additional details at the link below:

http://www.sunnyd.com/contest-martina-mcbride-book-spree/Participate.aspx

The promotion runs until November 30th, 2010, so you should have plenty of time to get 20 labels from students, friends, family, neighbors... whoever!

(Side note: So... if you are a Sunny D drinker and you happen to have some UPCs that you aren't using, I'd appreciate it if you could send them my way! Thanks!!)

Number Tracing

This post is not necessarily for everyone... especially if you or most people you know already know how to write their numbers correctly. Here's an easy DIY activity that is super inexpensive and sure to be a crowd pleaser:

You'll need:

- 11 quart size Ziploc bags (to make bags for numbers 0-10)

- 11 sandwich size Ziploc bag

- hair gel

- card stock

- permanent markers (red & black)

1. Write numbers on card stock with permanent marker. I cut one 8.5 x 11 piece into 4 pieces. I used a thick black marker with a thin red marker to make an arrow to point tracers in the right direction. Slip the cards into quart size Ziploc bag.

2. In a sandwich size baggie, squirt a small dollop of hair gel. It needs to be a gel. (You can get a cheap brand in a big bottle for very little $.)

3. Put the baggie of gel into the quart size bag on top of the number card.

4. Allow busy fingers to trace the numbers over and over, all the while the messiness is contained in two sealed baggies.

Panera Loyalty

If you don't already have one, be sure to pick up a "My Panera" card from Panera the next time you visit. You'll need to register your card on-line to start getting "surprises" (think a free cookie or pastry!). Have it swiped each time you visit to gain more reward points to get more surprises. Supposedly they tailor your rewards to how you shop there (bakery, meals, etc...). You don't have to keep track of anything except for the card. Enjoy!

Play-Doh Sale

Get to Target this week to snag a 4 pack of Play-Doh (yep, the real name brand!) for $1!!

Kroger Update

I know your Sunday wouldn't be complete without an update on what you can save on at Kroger this week! Try these savings on for size:


* Reese's snack size treats (yum!... for Trick-or-Treaters, of course)= 2/$5
- use a $1 off of 3 coupon from today's paper
- download a $1 off of 3 coupon to your Kroger card
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makes them about $1.84 each


* Tyson frozen grilled chicken breasts= on sale for $5.98 (regularly $9.49)
- use a coupon to save another $1 off
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save $4.51!!

[Side note: I use these all the time. They are pre-cooked, so you pop them in the microwave for no time at all. I'll sprinkle a little cheese on it, or chop it up for a salad. So quick & easy!]


* Poly-o string cheese= on sale for $3.99 (regularly $5.19)
-use coupon from (I think today's) paper for $1 off
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save $2.20

Keeping Tabs on Coupons

It's exciting to find coupons for restaurants that you'll actually use in the Val-Pak or other fliers, but the problem is getting your hands on them when you need them. I store mine in a long accordion envelope. Mine is from The Container Store, but you can easily find one in the dollar section at Target, The Dollar Store, or even an office supply store. I labeled the tabs (using the stickers provided) into categories based on the type of various restaurants (i.e.- Mexican, Italian, Sandwiches, Fast Food, Chinese, Dessert, American, Pizza Delivery, and Misc.). These are strictly coupons for restaurants and outings. I sort coupons for groceries in an entirely separate place.

You'll probably want a longer accordion envelope because a lot of these coupons (especially in Val-Pak) are long. I keep this envelope in a kitchen drawer so that I always know where it is. I'm getting better about throwing it in my bag or in the car if I know that we'll be out and there's a chance that we'll want to grab something to eat. The question: "What kind of food are you in the mood for?" can easily be narrowed down when there is a coupon involved. The deal is sealed even quicker if we have a gift card in addition to the coupon!

(Cheap) Date Night

It seems like lots of restaurants are promoting a 2 for $20 menu right now. So if you're looking to stretch your dollars on a nice dinner, these might be some options to consider:

- Applebees- 2/$20... 1 appetizer & 2 entrees

- Chili's- 2/$20... 1 appetizer & 2 entrees

- Lonestar Steakhouse- 2/$20... 1 appetizer & 2 entrees

-O'Charley's- 2/$14... 2 entrees only, but don't forget about their scrumptious rolls!

Early Halloween Shopping

If you're looking for a Halloween costume, here's an incentive to shop at Party City. If you make a $35 purchase in store or on-line, and one item in your cart/basket is a Halloween costume, you'll get a coupon for a free Shutterfly photo book. The fine print is that the photo book is a 5x7 album and it's a soft cover. There were coupons for $5 and $10 off in a Party City flyer that came out in a Red Plum circular this week. Just FYI... it's hard to believe that October 1 is next Friday.

Save on Undies...

Who doesn't love free undies?! If you do... you'll want to take advantage of Victoria's Secret's Pink's 7 for $25 special. They usually go 5 for $25, but for a limited time, you can grab 7 pair for $25. Keep in mind a single pair can range from $7.50- $10.50. (7 x $7.50= $52.50... that's more than 1/2 off!!) You can never have too many pair... trust me! P.S.- If you are a member of Pink Nation, you should have gotten an e-mail offer for a chance to get 8 pair for $25!

Spot Cleaner

Don't you hate how no matter how hard you try, your deodorant always manages to leave white marks on dark clothing?? This ingenious little tool does wonders. These Gal Pal special sponges whisk those pesky marks away, often without needing water. The Container Store carries them (pack of 2 for $9.99). I'll sometimes toss one in my bag for emergency spot cleaning.

Now... I'd heard that a pair of nylon pantyhose will do the same thing. I gave it a try. It does seem to, so if your really feeling frugal, give your torn hose a second chance.

Notable Savings

We just got a box of Honey Nut Cheerios at Kroger for 45 cents! Here's how:

- Kroger has Honey Nut Cheerios on sale for $1.98.
- Download a $.55 coupon on your Kroger Card.
- We used a $1 off coupon that we had. (Side note= There are coupons in today's paper as well!)

My hubby did the grocery shopping this afternoon (Thanks!!), so I quickly made a list, but have since spotted some more deals that we'll be taking advantage of.


* Red Baron Frozen Pizza:
- Kroger has on sale for $2.99
- $1 off coupon from last Sunday's paper
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Dinner for 2 for $1.99!!


*Campbell's Select Harvest Soup:
- Kroger has on sale: 4 for $5
- $.50 off any 2 Select Harvest Soup coupon (which will double)= $1 off
- $.50 off any 2 Select Harvest Soup coupon (which will double)= $1 off
(I don't see why you can't use the 2 coupons... one is for 2 cans/bowls... the other coupon is for the remaining 2.)
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4 cans of healthy, hearty soup for $3!

Vera Bradley- 40% Off

There is an adorable shop on Lakeside Avenue called Keep Good Company (5522-a Lakeside Ave) that is stocked full of collectibles, keepsakes, and Vera Bradley. Until Sunday (9/19) they are selling select Vera for 40% off (specifically Hope Garden & Paprika).


They also have the Melody Patchwork Tote for $25 (originally $50) with any $50 purchase.


Check out the Vera Bradley website for additional savings, like the Reversible Tote is only $29 (with no minimum purchase)! Plus they also have Hope Garden and Paprika items for 40% off.



Go to: www.verabradley.com. You'll have to hurry!!

National Talk Like a Pirate Day

Pirates are getting their day in the limelight on Sunday, September 19th. It's National Talk Like a Pirate Day! Pirate lovin' is no longer limited to mini golf and Halloween. So put on your peg leg and enjoy the fun!

Chesterfield Berry Farm

Chesterfield Berry Farm is having a Teacher Appreciation Weekend THIS WEEKEND (September 18 & 19). Teachers will be admitted for FREE and get a FREE BBQ plate. The regular admission rate is $11.95! Admission includes an all day pass for hay rides, a giant corn maze, fun barn, and lots more.

It's still a little too warm for me to go pick out a pumpkin just yet, but there are other free weekends coming up:

-Father's Appreciation Weekend (September 25 & 26)- free admission for dads (sorry, no free BBQ!)

- Grandparent's Appreciation Weekend (October 2 & 3)- free admission for grandparents
The link below should take you to some coupons for other free admissions based on your zip code.

http://www.chesterfieldberryfarm.com/pdf/coupon_2010.pdf

You can also find these coupons in the September "Reach" magazine.

Precious Shoes

Apparently it was "wear your cute, new gold shoes to church" on Sunday. So I figured I should look into getting a pair of my own. These cuties are on clearance at Target for $9! I think they run a little big, so you might need to wear a 1/2 size smaller than usual. If you're in the Richmond area, the Target on Staples Mill has LOTS of them.

Free Ice Cream at Cold Stone

Visit your local Cold Stone Creamery on Thursday, September 30th from 5 to 8 PM for a little FREE ice cream. You'll get a serving (3 oz) of "Kate's Creation", which is caramel apple ice cream mixed with chocolate shavings, graham cracker pie crust, and apple pie filling. This is done in conjunction with Make-A-Wish, so it's supporting a good cause. You can find coupons for additional Cold Stone savings in Sunday's paper or at http://www.coupons.com/.

Reusable Bags

Do you use reusable bags when grocery shopping? When stores knock off a little cash for you going green, it only sweetens the deal. But the question is... how clean are your reusable bags? Be careful to not let meat contaminate your bags. Try to launder your bags regularly (if possible), or stick to taking meat home in one particular bag.

$nack $avings

We stocked up on a few snacks yesterday and saved a little thanks to Kroger.

- Cheetos = 3/$5.00... regularly $3.14... paid $1.76 each... SAVED $1.38 each!!

- Pringles = 4/$5.00... PLUS Kroger e-coupon= .25... paid $1.06 each!!

- Quaker Oatmeal (not really a "snack", but you get the idea)= on sale for $1.98... regularly $3.08... PLUS Kroger e-coupon= .50... PLUS manufacturer's coupon for .75 off... paid 77 cents!! Meaning a savings of $2.46 just on the oatmeal. Not too shabby!! (And as a side note... a lot of times Quaker has coupons inside their oatmeal boxes for oatmeal and other Quaker products.)

Charmin Makes "Cents"!

Quality TP can be pricey, but this week at Kroger they have 16 double rolls (which is the same as 32 regular rolls) for $5.99. Download a $3 off Charmin coupon to your Kroger card and you pay only $2.99! That's essentially less than 20 cents a roll... or less than 10 cents a roll if you want to think of the pack really having 32 small rolls!!

Hallmark Value Packs

I discovered in Hallmark today that they have "value packs" of 10 cards for only $4.99. Mosey over to the 99 cent section and find this pack of savings. They have sets of sympathy, birthday, thank you, etc... cards. That's at least 1/2 off per card (compared to if you bought each individually). So use what you need and save the rest. It's great to have extra cards on hand when you need them.

Watch Where You Sit...

Fun (or not so fun) fact: The middle toilets in a public restroom tend to get more use, and therefore tend to have the most germs. Stick to the first stall (or other outliers) if possible. And please, do not EVER put your purse on the ground!! That's just asking for trouble.

Nail Care Tip

Do you love the rich, fall nail polish colors, but don't love the way it reeks havoc on your nails? Try this little tip for help boosting your nails back to their natural hue after wearing darker polishes.

Brush on a little whitening toothpaste with a nail brush (or even an old toothbrush). Scrub it onto the nail bed and let set for a few minutes. Rinse clean. Do this for a couple of consecutive days to really see a difference. As a bonus, your hands will smell minty fresh!