"Outrageous Couponing" Class- November 22!

I have had several people ask when my next public (not my normal in-home) coupon class is set for.  I know it might be a little crazy- and not sure if anyone can make it on this short of notice, but I thought we'd set a date and see what happens :)  This is a perfect time of year to really grab some helpful tips on saving money and time.  I am going to combine 2 of my classes into one since I think the tips will be helpful for this busy season! (descriptions are below)


Where: Borders (Cafe') in Cool Springs
When: This Sunday, 11/22- 6-8pm
Cost: $5
Please RSVP by sending an email to seedtosowblog @ gmail . com (take spaces out)


"Outrageous Couponing"- In this class we cover sale cycles, learning your stores, productive/unproductive coupon usage, coupon stacking, e-coupons, blog lingo, where to find and how to organize coupons, and of course how to cut that grocery budget down! 


"Outrageous Life Application"- This class is an in-depth look at meal planning, recipe ideas and stocking your pantry and freezer effectively which is an important foundation for saving money. We cover timesaver tips that will help you keep healthy meals on the table while not spending a ton of time in the kitchen (or money from the budget).

And the Winner for free Lunchables is....

I am posting the winners late- I am sorry!  Here were the numbers drawn: 6,3,1,8

So that means:

Sandy, Sara Z, Mary P, Jackie H are winners!  Please email me directly at seedtosowblog @ gmail . com (take spaces out) with your address and I'll get your free Lunchables coupons in the mail!

Congrats ladies!!

For anyone that hasn't made a lunch note promise- Its so easy to do.  With basically the click of a button, you make a promise to put a note in your child's lunchbox.  When you do that, Lunchables donates a free lunch to a child in need.  You can also print $1/1 Lunchables coupon from the site.

Great Printables and Free Samples!

Here are some freebies and great coupons available right now... my inbox is full of goodies!

Save $3 on your next purchase of Spectrum, Arrowhead Mills, Imagine, Hain or SunSpire products
Save $2 on Viva Paper Towels (thanks Ambra!)
Get a free 4 pack of Green Earth toilet paper wyb a 12 or 24 pk of regular White Cloud.  Be sure to use a coupon with the regular White Cloud- you can find one in the 9/27 SS insert or print the $2/1 24-roll pack on the same website.

Free Sample- Tampax Pearl
Free Sample- Huggies Little Movers
Free Sample- Dunkin Donuts Coffee (thanks Sally!)

Tuesday's Timesaver- Onions

So here's a quick timesaver tip!  If you are someone that cooks with fresh onions, buy a couple bags when you find them on sale and chop them all at one time (use a food processor if you have one).  Bag them in individual baggies (put those baggies in one big freezer) and toss them in the freezer. This way you can just grab a bag when you are cooking!

I like to do this with jalepeno peppers (for chili), green peppers, celery and carrots (for soup).  It saves so much time with both prep and clean up when you are cooking to be able to pull from the freezer.

Do you chop and freeze something that wasn't on my list?

Costco- Deal or No Deal?

This is a question that comes up at most of my coupon classes.  Is Costco a good deal?  My answer is yes and no. Prior to couponing, I dropped a lot of money at Costco.  It was my primary place to shop for food- I went every 2 weeks when my husband got paid.  I also filled in with items from Whole Foods and usually 1 more grocery store- either Kroger or Publix.  I thought since I was buying in bulk that I was getting the best deal possible, but the truth was that sometimes I was paying about the same as I would at Kroger... and sometimes more.  

When you can get your canned diced tomatoes for $.25/can with coupons, free toothpaste, or cereal or crackers for $1 a box,  you just can't beat that at Costco! There are certain items I buy at Costco that either are just great values or items that I rarely see coupons for.  I wanted to show you some of what I might buy when I make a trip to the warehouse.

Feta Cheese in big blocks- usually around $6- depends on the weight.  I love the Feta like this because it doesn't contain the "anti-caking agent".. Not only that, but it is the best price around.  I cut it in blocks the size I would normally use in a salad or with gyros and individually bag and put in the freezer.

Organic Spinach- a big tub for $3.99.  Unless you have coupons for your normal grocery store, this is a fabulous deal.  We usually steam and eat it, but you can also steam and freeze it for spinach artichoke dip, calzones, etc.!

Romaine Lettuce- 6 heads of lettuce for about $3.79- can't beat it!

Baby Carrots- organic- usually around $5 for a 5 lb bag.

Artichokes (marinated)- a big jar (I don't know the ounces, sorry)- usually around $6.  This is a GREAT deal and they last forever!

Whole Chicken- you can get 2 for about $7.  Take those bad boys home, cook them up right away to end up with chopped chicken in your freezer and some great soup- you'll get a bunch of meals out of those 2 chickens!

Printer Ink- Unfortunately I have a printer that doesn't like refilled ink... so I buy mine at Costco.  I save about $20 buying it there as opposed to a regular office store, or even Walmart.

Palermos frozen pizza (w/ all natural crust)- 4 pizzas for about $10.

Spices- cinnamon, garlic, minced onion, etc.  There are usually McCormick coupons out, but they don't usually cover all of the spices.  Costco offers a pretty good price on most.

If there are no coupons out I have found that these items are good deals:

• juice boxes
• string cheese
• bread
• seasonal fruits/veggies
• some of the snacks- like organic animal crackers and fruit leathers
• bacon

What do you buy when you visit a warehouse store?  Are there items you used to buy, but don't anymore because of coupons?  I'd love to hear!

Monday's Meal Plan- The Tuesday Edition

So I'm behind a day on my meal plan :)  My sweet husband came home yesterday after being away in England for almost 2 weeks.  We survived, and as you know I got some major cooking done while he was gone.  I didn't finish everything on my list, but am hoping to finish the last few things this week.  I made 2 dozen bagels today finally- we love having those in the freezer!  Here's the plan for the week (nothing spectacular):

Monday- Five Guys- took some to Chris when we picked him up at the airport :)

Tuesday- Chicken Enchiladas (and extra for the freezer).. guess if I'm making these tonight, I should get started...  That is the benefit of having most of my ingredients in the freezer already!

Wednesday-Grilled Steak, Scalloped Potatoes, Cucumber Salad

Thursday- Chili (from freezer), Cornbread (from my mix), Veggies/Dip

Friday-  Spaghetti and Meatballs, Garlic Toast and Salad

Breakfasts- Cereal, Bagels, pancakes, oranges, smoothies

Lunches- Turkey/cheese, grilled cheese/tortilla soup, tuna sandwiches

What are you cooking up this week?

Kroger: Great Deal on Hasbro Card Games

Always check your USA Weekend for a great coupon!  They don't come every week, but pretty often.   This week there was a B1G1 coupon on Hasbro card games!

Hasbro games are B1G1 at Kroger this week- head over with your B1G1 coupon to get a great deal!  You should end up paying about $2.50 for 2 card games.

Thanks Southern Savers!

Walgreens Deals- 11/15

Really not a thrilling drugstore week this week, but I managed to come up with a few favorites :)  Head over to Thrifty Mama for the remainder of the matchups.

Lindsay Olives- $.99 w/ in-ad coupon
$1/2 Lindsay Olives printable
Final Price- $0.98 for 2

Skippy Peanut Butter- 2/$3
$0.60/1 Skippy Peanut Butter in 11/15 RP insert
Final Price-$0.90 each 

Aussie Hair Care $2.99, Earn a $2 RR wyb one
$1/1 Aussie Hair Care in 10/11 P&G insert
Final Price- FREE