Let's Go Krogering! Week of June 28, 2009

Do love finding deals at your Kroger? This feature is for you! Link your post about what deals you found at your local Kroger or Kroger-affiliated store. Simple rules are here; the 149x149 button is in my sidebar.

Feel free to link up to this all week and share the good deals you find at your local Kroger or Kroger-affiliated store! As always, please add a link back to me in your Krogering post. Not sure how to do this? Just email me and I'll walk you through it!

$~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~$

Read my Kroger Ad Matchup post for this week (June 29-July 5) right here; the printable Google Doc version is right here.

It's week two of the Kroger Daytona 500 Sale Event! You've still got lots of time to grab the deals and stock up on some goodies; this sale ends Sunday, July 5.

I took advantage of the Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks catalina deal (buy 5, earn $3.50 catalina off your next order) at the start of my shopping trip today; my kids love these (what kid doesn't, right?) but their frugal mama *hates* to pay full price for them. When they're included in a big sale event like this one and they have a catalina deal as well, it's time to stock up!!

My Kroger Trip (transactions 1 & 2), Monday, June 29, 2009:

For both transactions, I used (3) $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks (SS 06/14), and (4) $0.75/1 Kraft Barbecue Sauce (SS 06/14).

Because the Kraft coupons double to $1.00/1, they generate a $0.31 overage each (Kraft Barbecue is on sale $0.99 - $0.30 Daytona 500 Sale Discount = $0.69). The overage lowers the cost of the Fruit Snacks even more.

Here's how it broke down:

Transaction #1:
Spent: $4.74
Saved: $16.32 or 77%
Earned: $3.50 catalina (I used this on transaction #2)

Transaction #2:
Spent: $1.25
Saved: $19.82 or 94%
Earned: $3.50 catalina (I used this on transaction #3)

I loaded those in my van and headed back in with the rest of my list and *most* of the coupons that I purchased through a coupon clipping service for this sale; I need to set up a better stockpile shelf before I max out my coupons.

No picture of the rest of my goodies; I had lots to put away (including a bunch of ice cream!) in just a short amount of time before heading back out the door. Here's my transaction total:

Transaction #3:
Spent: $100.91
Saved: $167.67 or 62%

My total for this week:
Spent: $106.90
Saved: $203.81 or 67%

What deals did you find at Kroger this week? With this sale event, I'm betting some of you out there are racking up the savings! Link *your* Let's Go Krogering! post all week and help another reader save some $$!

**As always, please add a link back to my Let's Go Krogering! post in your Krogering post and be sure that you add your post's permalink to the Mr. Linky so everyone else can find your deals (rather than just linking back to your blog's homepage). Need help doing this? Email me and I'll walk you through it!**



Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

Best Deals Roundup: Week of June 28, 2009

Here's some of the best deals I see this week; grab your reusable shopping bags and go get 'em!


:: FREE + overage with coupon Kraft BBQ Sauce
:: $0.58 each with coupon (2) Oscar Mayer Wieners
:: $0.99 with coupon Breyer's Ice Cream

To see my full ad matchup for Kroger, Cincinnati Region (including a full listing of the Daytona 500 Sale items + matchups; note that the Daytona 500 sale repeats this week), click here.


:: FREE with coupons Helluva Good Dip
:: FREE with coupons Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta
:: $0.50 with coupon Chi-Chi's Salsa

To see the full ad matchup for Meijer, Cincinnati Region, click here. (Thank you, Mommy Snacks!)


:: FREE with printable coupon Bar S Hot Dogs
:: $0.50 with printable coupon Santa Cruz Organic Lemonade
:: $0.22 with coupon Dole Pineapple

To see the full ad matchup for Wal-Mart, click here; note that prices may vary by region. (Thank you, Deal Seeking Mom!)


:: FREE with coupon Rayovac Batteries 2-4 ct
:: $0.24 with coupon Degree Men's Deodorant
:: $0.50 with printable coupon SoBe Lifewater

To see the full ad matchup for Target, click here; note that prices may vary by region. (Thank you, Stretching A Buck!)


:: FREE + Overage with coupon + RR Dry Idea Deodorant
:: FREE with coupon + RR Aquafresh Toothpaste
:: $0.99 with coupon + RR Maalox

To see the full ad matchup for Walgreens, click here. (Thank you, Bargain Briana!)


:: $0.75 with coupon + ECBs Mennen Deodorant
:: $1.00 with coupon + ECBs Cheerios
:: $0.99 and up with ECBs Adult Sunglasses

To see the full ad matchup for CVS, click here. (Thank you, Bargain Briana!)

What deals are you hunting for this week?

Menu Plan Monday: Fourth of July Week

Psst...can I tell you a secret?

I have NO menu planned for this week.

{Gasp!}

My hubs is off for the week and we're planning lots of laid back family fun here and around the greater Cincy area. I'm taking a week off from my usual planning frenzy and giving myself permission to slack a bit.

I'll be posting as usual this week so you can still link your Kroger deals on Tuesday at Let's Go Krogering.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your holiday weekend this week!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

Kroger Ad Matchup (Cincy Region): Week of June 29, 2009

Kroger is running the second week of the Daytona 500 sale this week, meaning you can extend your stockpiling opportunities. Buy (10) participating Daytona 500 sale items, receive an instant $3.00 off at checkout ($0.30 per item); there is NO limit to rewards per transaction on this sale.

Below are the Kroger Ad Matchups, 6/29-7/05, Cincinnati Region; I've posted the list below for easy viewing and I've also published this list as an easily printed Google Doc right here. Print it and stash it with your coupons if you're not planning on shopping until later this week.

This link will also be updated in my sidebar so you can easily find this week's deals if you're doing your shopping later in the week.

Final price reflects doubled coupon values when applicable; Kroger offers unlimited doubled coupons with a maximum doubled value of $1.00. (Coupons with a face value of $0.50 double to $1.00; coupons with a face value of $0.51-$0.99 also double to $1.00).

Daytona 500 Sale Items

:: Breyer's Ice Cream, 48 oz, $2.29
-->$1.00/1, RP 05/17
Final price: $0.99 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Klondike Frozen Treats, 4-12 ct, $2.29
-->$1.00/2 printable here
Final price: $1.49 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Banquet Brown & Serve Sausage, 6.4-7 oz, $0.92
-->no known coupons
Final price: $0.62 after Daytona 500 discount

:: Gatorade Sports Drink, 32 oz, $1.00
-->no known coupons
Final price: $0.70 after Daytona 500 discount

:: General Mills Cereal, 10.9 oz - 18 oz, $2.49
-->$1.00/3, SS 05/31
Final price: $1.86 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Pop-Tarts, 21-22 oz, $2.49
-->$0.55/1, RP 06/07
Final price: $1.19 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Oscar Mayer Wieners, 16 oz, $1.38
-->$1.00/2, SS 05/10 & SS 06/21
Final price: $0.58 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Ragu Pasta Sauce, 16.26-3 oz, $1.58
-->$1.00/2 printable here
-->$0.60/2, RP 05/17
Final price: $0.78 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Cheetos or Fritos, 7.75-11.125 oz, $1.68
-->no known coupons
Final price: $1.38 after Daytona 500 discount

:: Kraft Barbecue Sauce, 18 oz, $0.99
-->$0.50/1, SS 06/14
Final price: FREE + $0.31 overage after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Kroger Salad Dressing, 16 oz, $1.24
-->no known coupons
Final price: $0.94 after Daytona 500 discount

:: Ritz Crackers, 13.6-16 oz, $2.50
-->Get FREE Wheat Thins when you buy Ritz crackers, SS 05/17
Final price: $2.20 after Daytona 500 discount + FREE Wheat Thins

:: Kroger Peanut Butter, 28 oz, $2.50
-->no known coupons
Final price: $2.20 after Daytona 500 discount

:: Totino's Pizza Rolls, 40 ct, $3.29
-->no known coupons
Final price: $2.99 after Daytona 500 discount

Chef Boyardee Pasta, 14.5-15 oz, $0.94
-->$0.35/3, SS 05/31
Final price: $0.41 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Manwich, 15.5-16 oz, $0.94
-->$0.40/2, SS 05/31
Final price: $0.24 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: M&M's Candy, 19.2 oz, $3.49
-->$1.00/2, RP 06/07
Final price: $2.69 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Purex Laundry Detergent, 24-32 oz, $2.49
-->$0.35/1, SS 06/14
-->$0.50/1 printable here
Final price: $1.19-$1.49 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Windex Glass Cleaner, 26 oz, $2.49
--> $0.35/1, SS 05/10
Final price: $1.49 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Bounty Paper Towels, 6-8 rolls, $7.29
-->$0.50/1, SS 06/21 (anticipated)
Final price: $5.99 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Scott Bath Tissue, 12 rolls, $7.29
-->$1.00/1, SS 06/14
-->$1.00/1 printable here
Final price: $5.99 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Dial Body Wash or Soap, 16-18 oz or 8 bars, $3.29
-->$1.00/1 wash printable here
Final price: $1.99 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Country Crock Margarine Spread, 12-45 oz, $1.99
-->$0.25/1, RP 05/17
Final price: $1.19 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Kroger Coffee, 26-39 oz, $4.99
--> no known coupons
Final price: $4.69 after Daytona 500 discount

Betty Crocker Brownie or Muffin mix, 15.2-26.7 oz, $1.99
-->$0.60/2 printable here
-->$0.50/2, SS 05/10
Final price: $1.19 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn, 3-10.5 oz, $1.69
-->$0.50/1, SS 05/17
Final price: $0.39 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Pedigree Dog Food, 15.9-20 oz, $10.99
--> no known coupons
Final price: $10.69

Coca Cola Soft Drinks, 20 pk 12 oz cans, $5.99
--> no known coupons
Final price: $5.69 after Daytona 500 discount

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, 4.5-9 oz, $1.79
-->Many printables for $0.50/2-$0.75/2 available here, here, here, and here
-->$0.50/2, SS 06/14
Final price: $0.99 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Prilosec OTC, 14 ct, $9.99
-->$3.00/1, PG 06/07
Final price: $6.69 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Lloyd's Barbecue, 18 oz, $3.99
-->$0.75/1, SS 06/28
Final price: $2.69 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Velveeta, 2lb box, $4.49
-->no known coupons
Final price: $4.19 after Daytona 500 discount

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese 5 pk, $3.69
-->no known coupons for this size; B3G1FREE single boxes, SS 06/28
Final price: $3.39 after Daytona 500 discount

Pillsbury Grands Biscuits, 8ct, $1.49
-->no known coupons
Final price: $1.19 after Daytona 500 discount

Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil or Parchment Paper, 30-75 ft, $2.99
-->$1.00/1 foil, SS 06/28
-->$0.75/1 parchment, printable here
Final price: $1.69 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Yoplait Yogurt, Fridge pack 8 ct, $3.99
-->no known coupons
Final price: $3.69 after Daytona 500 discount

Other Coupon Matchups

Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip, 32 oz, $1.99
-->$1.00/1 Miracle Whip, SS 06/1
-->$0.75/1 Mayo, SS 06/21
Final price: $0.99 ea

Tyson Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, $1.99/lb
-->$1.00/1 Fresh Tyson Chicken, SS 06/28
Final price: $0.99/lb (Stockpile price!!)

Pringles, 5.7-6.4 oz, $1.39
-->$1.00/2, RP 06/28
Final price: $0.89 ea

Bush's Best Baked Beans, $1.66
-->$1.00/2 printable here
Final price: $1.16 ea

McCormick Grill Mates, 2.5-3.4 oz, $1.00
-->$0.50/1, RP 05/03 & RP 04/19
Final price: FREE

Hershey's Bar 6 pks, $3.00
-->$1.00/2, SS 06/28
Final price: $2.50 ea

Aquafresh Toothpaste Select Varieties, 4.6-6.4 oz, $1.00
-->$0.75/1, SS 06/21
Final price: FREE

Suave Deodorant, 1.4 oz, $1.00
-->$0.50/1, RP 5/17
Final price: FREE

Suave Shampoo or Conditioner, 15 oz, $1.00
-->$0.50/2, RP 05/17
Final price: $0.50 ea

Other Good Deals

Buy (4) Pepsi, 7 Up, or Coca Cola Soft Drins (12 pk 12oz cans, 6 pk 24 oz or .5 ltr bottles), Get (1) FREE, 4/$11.00 + (1) FREE = 5/$11.00
Final price: $2.20 each

Corn, $0.17 ea

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish, 6.6-8 oz, $0.99 ea

Kroger Cheese, shred, bar, or slice, 6-8 oz, $1.25 ea

Kroger Buns + Bread, 8 ct or 20 oz, $1.00

Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage, 14-16 oz, B1G1FREE, up to $4.19

Fresh Cherries, $1.68/lb

Peaches, $0.88/lb

Red, Orange, or Yellow Peppers, $1.00 ea

Blueberries, 1 pint, $1.48

Strawberries, 1 lb, $1.48

eCoupon Matchups

P&G eSaver
-->$3.00/1 Prilosec

ShortCuts
-->$0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks

Cellfire
-->$0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks

To print the full Kroger ad matchup (it's a published Google Doc), click here.

Do you see any good deals that I missed? Please share what you know in a comment below; thanks!

Don't forget to link up your best deals at Kroger this week in my weekly linkup, Let's Go Krogering! My LGK! post will be live on Tuesday (6/30) morning; you can link up all week long - share your deals!!

Thanks for reading and subscribing toThe New Frugal Mom!

Blessed Am I: Cheese Slices

The button code is in the box below; feel free to use this button if you'd like to write your own Blessed Am I post at your blog. Thanks!

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I know, I know - that post title is odd, but bear with me while I tell you a story...

On Friday, I was *supposed* to meet up with a couple of my local SW Ohio blogging buddies (hey-hey Amy and Jenny!) for some blogging chat while our kiddos wore themselves out for naptime played together.

Me and my three kids were on schedule to be there on time; we'd left VBS at noon and had headed home to grab lunch, wrangle the hounds in and out, and get our snacks packed for the meetup.

But as I sat them down for lunch, my youngest (a very mouthy bright and talkative three-and-a-half year old) hollered mentioned politely that there was no cheese on his plate.

He adores cheese slices.

I checked the refrigerator and found that *surprise!* we were out again; I headed down to the basement where we keep our extra refrigerator and where I knew I had at least one more pack stashed. When I opened the door, the light was off and the interior temperature was warmer than it should be.

Hmmm...I thought. I checked the breaker box and saw that the breaker for that outlet was tripped. That particular breaker also happens to be the one for our sump pump outlet.

Uh-oh.

I headed over to the sump well and wouldn't you know it? After the bad storms that rained down on us overnight on Thursday, the sump pump had shorted out and the water had risen to about two inches from floor level.

I grabbed the phone and started making calls to our home warranty company and the insurance company; my plans for our Bloggy Meetup of Awesomeness were scrapped but I really didn't care. I was just SO SO SO glad that I'd caught the sump pump failure before it flooded my basement with dirty water.

And that is why, my friends, I am grateful this week for my little boy's insatiable appetite for cheese. Crazy, I know, but without it, I would be dealing with one heck of a stressful - and expensive - mess.



I hope you feel blessed in some way, big or small, this week!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

The 5 @ CVS: Hot Deals Week of June 28, 2009

Planning your shopping for next week?

Here's the five *best* deals at CVS next week!

----------------------

#1: Earn $2.00 ECBs when you buy Benadryl itch relief 0.2 - 4 oz, $3.99 (Limit 5)
--> $1.00/1 Benadryl Cream, Spray or Gel except trial size, RP 05/17
--> $1.00/1 Benadryl except trial size, RP 4/26
Final price: $0.99 after MFR Q and ECBs

#2: Earn $3.00 ECBs when you buy (2) Nabisco Oreo 17-18oz or Cakesters 12 ct, 2/$6.00 AND buy one Gallon of milk $2.79 (Limit 1)
--> $1.00/1 Oreo Cakesters, SS 06/14
Final price: $0.50 each (for Cakesters) + $2.79 for the milk (this is a nice way to get some cookies with the milk you already need!)

#3: Earn $1.00 ECB when you buy Tums, 36-150 ct, $3.99 (Limit 2)
--> $1.25/1 Value Size, SS 06/28 (anticipated)
Final price: $1.74 after MFR Q and ECB

#4: Edge or Skintimate Shave Gel, $1.99 ea
--> $1.00/1 Edge printable right here
Final price: $0.99 after coupon

#5: Children's Zyrtec, $9.99
-->$2.00/1 printable here
Final price: $7.99 after coupon

To view the full deal matchups for the upcoming week (6/28-7/4) at CVS, click here. (Courtesy of SlickDeals.net)

To view the June Clip Free Book deals (this was formerly known as the Extra Care Book; it seems CVS is tightening their belts just like the rest of us) at CVS for this month, click here. (I'll link the July Clip Free Book as soon as it's live.) (Courtesy of SlickDeals.net)

To read my post about how to save big at CVS, click here.

Do you see any great deals this week at CVS? Share what you know in a comment below!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

The 5 @ Walgreens: Hot Deals Week of June 28, 2009

Planning your shopping for next week?

Here's the five *best* deals at Walgreens next week!

----------------------

#1: Earn $2.00 RRs when you buy Right Guard/Dry Idea Deodorant, $2.99
--> $1.00/1 Right Guard, Dry Idea or Soft & Dri, SS 04/19
--> $1.00/2 Right Guard, Dry Idea, or Soft & Dri, SS 05/17
Final price: FREE or $0.50 each (assuming you receive RRs for both if you use the $1.00/2 coupon) with MFR Q + RRs

#2: Earn $1.00 RR when you buy Aquafresh 6.4 oz Toothpaste, $1.99
--> $1.00/1 Aquafresh Premium Toothbrush (Gel Flex or Deep Action), SS 06/21
--> $1.00/2 Aquafresh Premium Toothpaste (Advanced, Extreme Clean, White & Shine, or Sensitive), 5.6oz+, SS 06/21
Final price: FREE to $0.50 each (assuming you receive RRs for both if you use the $1.00/2 coupon) after MFR Qs and RRs

#3: Earn $5.00 RRs when you buy (2) Maalox 12 oz, $4.99 ea
--> $3.00/2, SS 06/14
Final price: $1.00 each after MFR Q and RRs

#4: Campbell's Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup, 10.75 oz, $0.50 each with in-ad coupon
--> no known MFR coupons
Final price: $0.50 each

#5: Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna, 5 oz can, $0.59 with in-ad coupon
--> no known MFR coupons
Final price: $0.59 each

To view the full deal matchups for the upcoming week (6/28-7/4)at Walgreens, click here. (Courtesy of SlickDeals.net)

To view the Register Reward deals at Walgreens for the coming month of July, click here (I'll add the link once the list is live). (Courtesy of SlickDeals.net)

To read my post about how to save big at Walgreens, click here; note that Walgreens has ended their Easy Saver Rebate program.

Do you see any great deals this week at Walgreens? Share what you know in a comment below!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

Weekly Savings Roundup: Sales Galore!

There are so many great sale events going on this week!

First, I made a small trip to Kroger:



Spent: $17.13
Saved: $20.22 or 54%

I didn't get much at Kroger for my Let's Go Krogering! trip because I was waiting for the coupons I ordered from a clipping service to really shop the Daytona 500 Sale. And after checking out the deals at Meijer this week (find 'em here at MommySnacks), I decided to fill out my weekly shopping there late Monday night:



Spent: $63.84
Saved: $59.56, or 48%

The Meijer trip actually was (2) transactions; in the first, I purchased the (4) Kraft cheese as well as the marshmallows, the graham crackers, and the Hershey's bars - all with coupons, of course! That first transaction generated $5.00 in catalinas which I then used in addition to my other coupons in the second transaction for even more savings.

I made one more quick trip to Kroger for dishwasher detergent (horrors! no coupons!) and tape (my kids always find it from where I've hidden it and use it all) which was about $3.50 total.

Weekly totals:

Spent: $84.47
Saved: $79.78, or 48%

How'd you do this week? I hope you saved a bunch with your coupons, too! Be sure to shout out your best deals of the week over at Money Saving Mom's weekly linkup, Super Savings Saturday!

Coupon Clipping Services: Update

For those of you who are new to using a coupon clipping service such as Dede's Coupons and Things or The Coupon Clippers, I thought I'd update you on my order from early this week.

I talked a bit here about how the current Daytona 500 Sale Event at Kroger is a GREAT time to use a coupon clipping service. This sale event goes through Sunday, July 5, meaning you have ample time to purchase clipped coupons to stockpile some of the great sale items.

I placed my order with Dede's Coupons and Things on Saturday night; she shipped my coupons on Monday morning. Yesterday (Thursday, 6/25), I received them!



Note that I had mine shipped by First Class Mail and that she shipped from Texas to my Ohio (O-H!! I-O!!) home. I think three days is pretty reasonable.

Here are the coupons I ordered:



:: $0.75/1 Kraft Barbecue Sauce (10)

:: $0.60/1 Breyer's Ice Cream (10)

:: $0.35/1 Purex (5)

:: $1.00/2 Oscar Mayer Hotdogs (5)

:: $1.00/2 Ragu Sauce (10)

:: $0.35/2 Chef Boyardee (3)

:: $0.50/1 Orville Redenbacher Popcorn (10)

:: $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes (5)

All in all, those clipped coupons + postage cost me a little over $5.00 out-of-pocket; given the amazing deals during the Daytona 500 Sale Event, the money I spent will come back to me in savings several times over.

I hope to stockpile some of these goodies, as well as give some to my local food pantry (um, 20 jars of Ragu is a whole lot of spaghetti and meatballs!). And I hope to surprise a dear friend of mine who has a big, big family with some of the ice cream; it will be a fun way to share those goodies.

If you're looking to stockpile during this sale event at Kroger and need coupons, check to see what's left at Dede's Coupons and Things and The Coupon Clippers; these hot sale item coupons go fast, so order soon!

Have you ever used a coupon clipping service? Why or why not? Has it saved you big bucks or has it been a waste of your dollars?

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

Freebie Roundup

Time to grab some freebies and make your mailbox happy!

:: Click here to sign up for a FREE coupon for Yoplait Whips. (Yummy & fluffy yogurt!)

:: Bam! Click here for a FREE sample packet of Emiril's Original Essence.

:: Register with Juicy Juice and receive a FREE sippy cup or child's water bottle here.

:: Request a FREE business card (or momblogger card!) holder here; this one is open to the first 10,000 so grab it now!

:: Love teaching your kids about the outdoors? Join REI's Passport to Adventure program and receive a FREE pair of seven function binoculars upon completion of the program. Details are here. (This would be easy to do if your child is going camping this summer!)

:: Love your dog? Get a FREE sample of Pet-n-Shape Dog Treats here and a FREE pet alert window cling from ADT (in case of fires) right here.

Enjoy!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

Hip Hip Hurray Giveaway: (3) Summer Survival Kits from Ivarest + (1) Grand Prize Winner!

It's outdoor season, meaning the chance that you chances (or worse, you kid) could accidentally stumble into a patch of Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac is likely if you spend any amount of time outdoors.

Ivarest has several products to help you deal with those pesky poison plants that make us itch and burn. One of their newest products is Ivarest Poison Ivy Cleansing Foam, a a new poisonous plant cleanser that’s can be used right after you discover you've been exposed to Poison Ivy (or it's equally itchy cousins) and can also be used once a rash has begun. The foam is designed to work with minimal rubbing to decrease the chances of spreading the oils from the Poison Ivy (remember the old advice of scrubbing hard with soap and hot water?).



The kind folks at Ivarest have offered me (3) Summer Survival Kits to offer to (3) lucky readers. Each kit contains (1) bottle of Ivarest Ivarest Poison Ivy Cleansing Foam and (1) bottle of Ivarest Double Relief Treatment Cream.

I received a set of these products and I immediately put them with all of my Girl Scout camping supplies. I have no doubt that they'll come in handy sometime in the future and it will be great to have the Ivarest Poison Ivy Cleansing Foam in my backpack the next time I take my Troop hiking through the woods.

Along with the (3) Summer Survival Kits offered by Ivarest, I'm offering (1) lucky reader a grand prize of a $10 gift card to their choice of one of these (3) retailers: Target, Walmart, or Kroger.

How to enter:

Leave a comment telling us all about a poison ivy experience you've had, or if you're fortunate enough to have never been beset with the itchies from this icky plant, tell us about your favorite way to spend time outdoors with your family during the summer months.

I'll start us off by telling you mine: I'm one of those lucky freaks who doesn't get poison ivy unless I roll around in it. I spent my childhood summers mostly barefoot in our Maryland backyard and walked through patches of Poison Ivy many a time with no rash. I wouldn't be so foolish as to do that now!

You can earn an additional (3) chances to win as well.

1. Tweet about this giveaway then come back here and leave me a separate comment to let me know you tweeted.

2. Post about this giveaway at your blog with a link both to this post; come back and leave the URL of your post in a separate comment.

3. Subscribe to my RSS feed by reader or email and leave a separate comment to let me know you're a new subscriber; you can also drop me a separate comment to let me know if you're already a subscriber for this extra entry.

Remember, you must leave me some way to find you online (by email or by your Twitter handle) if you don't have a blog. Entries with no contact information or means of contacting you online will be disqualified.

This giveaway will end on Tuesday, June 30, at 10:00 pm EST . I will announce the winner (selected by Random.org) on Wednesday, July 1, 2009.

Good luck!

Hey there - do you have a giveaway you're hosting at your blog this week? Feel free to drop the link to your giveaway post in the Mr. Linky below; thanks!



*Disclosure: I received a free Summer Survival Kit from Ivarest to review (and to keep for my Girl Scouts!) for this post. Thanks, Ivarest!

Hip Hip Hurray Giveaway: Protect-A-Bed Mattress Protector Winner!

Thanks to all who entered last week's giveaway! I enjoyed reading all your answers; isn't it funny how those small memories from our childhoods come rushing back?

The winner of the Protect-A-Bed Premium Mattress Protector is....

#14: justicecw

Congrats! I'll be emailing you soon!

Thanks to everyone who entered! I'll be posting this week's Hip Hip Hurray Giveaway later this afternoon!



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Let's Go Krogering! Week of June 21, 2009 {Link YOUR Best Kroger Deals Post!}

Do love finding deals at your Kroger? This feature is for you! Link your post about what deals you found at your local Kroger or Kroger-affiliated store. Simple rules are here; the 149x149 button is in my sidebar.

Feel free to link up to this all week and share the good deals you find at your local Kroger or Kroger-affiliated store! As always, please add a link back to me in your Krogering post. Not sure how to do this? Just email me and I'll walk you through it!

$~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~$

*Revised 1:35 pm EST: Apologies, all. This post was scheduled to go live earlier this morning while I was gone; apparently, Blogger is having some hiccups this week with their scheduling function.*

Read my Kroger Ad Matchup post for this week (June 22-28) right here; the printable Google Doc version is right here.

Are you feeling the thrill of the deal for this week's Kroger Daytona 500 Sale Event? There are LOTS of great stockpiling opportunities; I talked a bit here about one strategy for maximizing your couponing power during a big sale event such as this one.

I made a quick run through our Kroger after spending the morning at VBS with my three kiddos; it was hot in our parish school (older school = no AC) and we were all hungry for lunch so I just grabbed a few things as we noshed on free cookies (thanks, Kroger!).

My Kroger Trip, Monday, June 22, 2009:



Spent: $17.13
Saved: $20.22, or 54%

No fancy-schmancy picture this week, just a quick shot of my counter. The Pulled Pork that was cooking in my slow cooker was super-yum and I always seem to have one or two washed Ziplok bags drying by my sink. ;-)

I grabbed milk ($1.75/gallon),strawberries ($2.48/2lbs, ground beef ($1.49/lb), Salad ($1.50), marked down rolls ($0.79), and (10) of the Daytona 500 Sale items; I'll be headed back to Kroger late this weekend for a stockpiling trip.

What deals did you find at Kroger this week? With this sale event, I'm betting some of you out there are racking up the savings! Link *your* Let's Go Krogering! post all week and help another reader save some $$!

**As always, please add a link back to my Let's Go Krogering! post in your Krogering post and be sure that you add your post's permalink to the Mr. Linky so everyone else can find your deals (rather than just linking back to your blog's homepage). Need help doing this? Email me and I'll walk you through it!**



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Stockpiling to Save: Coupon Clipping Services

If you hadn't already guessed, I'm a *little* excited about this week's Daytona 500 Sale Event at Kroger; there are numerous deals available among the sale + coupon items.

This sale is a great stockpiling opportunity. By using several coupons for the hottest priced items, you can load up your pantry and freezer for pennies with staples like Kraft Barbecue Sauce, Ragu Pasta Sauce, and Oscar Mayer Wieners. (Go see my Kroger ad matchup post here for the full list of sale items.)

But unless you buy numerous newspapers each Sunday (or have very generous neighbors who save their coupons for you), you won't have enough coupons for each of the best sale items to truly stockpile. What's a frugal mom (who doesn't want to spend $15 or more on Sunday newspapers) to do?

Use a coupon clipping service, of course!

Coupon clipping services are incredibly useful during sale events such as the Daytona 500 at Kroger. After looking over your ad and checking your own coupon stash, you can select which coupons you want; the service charges you a small fee (usually $0.05-$0.10) per coupon clipped as well as shipping (First Class or Overnight). The services usually have a speedy turnaround, meaning if you get your ad on a Saturday or Sunday and order your coupons, you'll likely have them by mid-week before the sale is over.

Two coupon clipping services I recommend as worth your time are Coupons and Things by Dede and The Coupon Clippers. Both still have coupons available for the hottest sale items for the Kroger Daytona 500 Sale meaning you can order now and have them by end of week. And remember, these sale events (Daytona, P&G, Mega Sales) at Kroger generally run for (2) weeks; you should have ample time to use your ordered coupons.

I've already ordered a bunch of coupons from Coupons and Things by Dede and I intend to check the stock available from The Coupon Clippers to see if they have any I missed. I'll be sharing with you later this week the details of when they arrived, what I stockpiled, and what the clipped coupons cost versus my savings.

I'm getting that couponing thrill just thinking about how much I'm going to save and stockpile this week!

What are you planning on stockpiling at Kroger this week?

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

*Disclosure: Yup, you guessed it - I'm an affiliate for both Coupons and Things by Dede and The Coupon Clippers; if you use my links, I get a small percentage back on your order. Can I holler THANK YOU for your support?!! And if you're a coupon-lovin' blogger, you can become an affiliate, too!

Menu Plan Monday: Week of June 22, 2009

Monday means menu planning at my house -- really, Sunday night means menu planning. I scan my ads and my pantry and freezer and decide what to cook for dinner for my busy bunch that week.

Menu planning is a critical part of saving money at the grocery store. Once you have a menu plan based on what you have on hand as well as what's on sale/what's a great deal with coupons, you can build your shopping list. Without a menu plan or a detailed shopping list, I guarantee you that I would impulse shop my way through the store then come home and wonder, Now what am I going to cook tonight?

A few minutes of planning saves me big bucks each week and lots of stress every night; if you're just starting to cut back and be more frugal, this is an easy place to start.

For ideas on menu planning, be sure to visit Menu Plan Monday over at Orgjunkie.com.

Monday

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork + crusty rolls, coleslaw, pasta salad

Tuesday

Taco night! (My kids could eat tacos every darn day!)

Wednesday

Breakfast for dinner with Gingerbread Waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage, and fresh fruit

Thursday

Enchiladas (I'm substituting leftover pork from Monday for the chicken).

Friday

Free night!

Saturday

Yummy Honey Chicken Kabobs + rice and salad

Sunday

Grilled Hot Dogs and Hamburgers, Chips, Red Skinned Potato Salad

Looking for more help in the kitchen? Visit my foodie friends - you'll find all sorts of ideas to help you save time and money!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

Best Deals Roundup, Week of June 22, 2009

Here's some of the best deals I see this week; grab your reusable shopping bags and go get 'em!


:: FREE + overage with coupon Kraft BBQ Sauce
:: $0.58 each with coupon (2) Oscar Mayer Wieners
:: $0.99 with coupon Breyer's Ice Cream

To see my full ad matchup for Kroger, Cincinnati Region (including a full listing of the Daytona 500 Sale items + matchups), click here.


:: $0.50 with printable coupon Quaker Chewy Granola Bars
:: $0.53 with coupons Skippy Peanut Butter
:: $0.75 with printable coupon Kashi Waffles (yummy; loaded with protein & fiber)

To see the full ad matchup for Meijer, Cincinnati Region, click here. (Thank you, Mommy Snacks!)


:: FREE after printable coupon Reach Dental Floss
:: $0.50 after printable coupon Nexcare Bandages
:: $1.00 each after printable coupon (2) Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats

To see the full ad matchup for Wal-Mart, click here; note that prices may vary by region. (Thank you, Deal Seeking Mom!)


:: FREE with coupon Cottonelle Travel Wipes
:: $0.09-$0.99 with coupon A-1 sauce
:: FREE-$0.09 with coupon Pace Specialty Salsa

To see the full ad matchup for Target, click here; note that prices may vary by region. (Thank you, Stretching A Buck!)


:: FREE + Overage after coupon and RRs Aquafresh Toothpaste
:: $0.50 each after coupons and RRs (2) Lysol Disinfectant Spray
:: $0.50 after coupon Band-Aids

To see the full ad matchup for Walgreens, click here. (Thank you, Bargain Briana!)


:: FREE after ECBs ThermaCare Neck to Arm Wrap
:: FREE each after coupons and ECBs (4) SoyJoy Bars
:: FREE each after printable coupon (2) SoBe Life Waters

To see the full ad matchup for CVS, click here. (Thank you, Bargain Briana!)

What deals are you hunting for this week?

Kroger Ad Matchup (Cincinnati Region), 06/22-06/28

Kroger is running a another Daytona 500 sale this week, one that offers some great stockpiling opportunities. Buy (10) participating Daytona 500 sale items, receive an instant $3.00 off at checkout ($0.30 per item); there is NO limit to rewards per transaction on this sale.

Below are the Kroger Ad Matchups, 6/22-6/28, Cincinnati Region; I've posted the list below for easy viewing and I've also published this list as an easily printed Google Doc right here. Print it and stash it with your coupons if you're not planning on shopping until later this week.

This link will also be updated in my sidebar so you can easily find this week's deals if you're doing your shopping later in the week.

Final price reflects doubled coupon values when applicable; Kroger offers unlimited doubled coupons with a maximum doubled value of $1.00. (Coupons with a face value of $0.50 double to $1.00; coupons with a face value of $0.51-$0.99 also double to $1.00).

Daytona 500 Sale Items

:: Breyer's Ice Cream, 48 oz, $2.29
-->$1.00/1, RP 05/17
Final price: $0.99 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Klondike Frozen Treats, 4-12 ct, $2.29
-->$1.00/2 printable here
Final price: $1.49 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Banquet Brown & Serve Sausage, 6.4-7 oz, $0.92
-->no known coupons
Final price: $0.62 after Daytona 500 discount

:: Gatorade Sports Drink, 32 oz, $1.00
-->no known coupons
Final price: $0.70 after Daytona 500 discount

:: General Mills Cereal, 10.9 oz - 18 oz, $2.49
-->$1.00/3, SS 05/31
Final price: $1.86 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Pop-Tarts, 21-22 oz, $2.49
-->$0.55/1, RP 06/07
Final price: $1.19 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Oscar Mayer Wieners, 16 oz, $1.38
-->$1.00/2, SS 05/10 & SS 06/21
Final price: $0.58 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Ragu Pasta Sauce, 16.26-3 oz, $1.58
-->$1.00/2 printable here
-->$0.60/2, RP 05/17
Final price: $0.78 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Cheetos or Fritos, 7.75-11.125 oz, $1.68
-->no known coupons
Final price: $1.38 after Daytona 500 discount

:: Kraft Barbecue Sauce, 18 oz, $0.99
-->$0.50/1, SS 06/14
Final price: FREE + $0.31 overage after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Kroger Salad Dressing, 16 oz, $1.24
-->no known coupons
Final price: $0.94 after Daytona 500 discount

:: Ritz Crackers, 13.6-16 oz, $2.50
-->Get FREE Wheat Thins when you buy Ritz crackers, SS 05/17
Final price: $2.20 after Daytona 500 discount + FREE Wheat Thins

:: Kroger Peanut Butter, 28 oz, $2.50
-->no knonw coupons
Final price: $2.20 after Daytona 500 discount

:: Totino's Pizza Rolls, 40 ct, $3.29
-->no known coupons
Final price: $2.99 after Daytona 500 discount

Chef Boyardee Pasta, 14.5-15 oz, $0.94
-->$0.35/3, SS 05/31
Final price: $0.31 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Manwich, 15.5-16 oz, $0.94
-->$0.40/2, SS 05/31
Final price: $0.24 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: M&M's Candy, 19.2 oz, $3.49
-->$1.00/2, RP 06/07
Final price: $2.69 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

:: Purex Laundry Detergent, 24-32 oz, $2.49
-->$0.35/1, SS 06/14
-->$0.50/1 printable here
Final price: $1.19-$1.49 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Windex Glass Cleaner, 26 oz, $2.49
--> $0.35/1, SS 05/10
Final price: $1.49 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Bounty Paper Towels, 6-8 rolls, $7.29
-->$0.50/1, SS 06/21 (anticipated)
Final price: $5.99 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Scott Bath Tissue, 12 rolls, $7.29
-->$1.00/1, SS 06/14
-->$1.00/1 printable here
Final price: $5.99 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Dial Body Wash or Soap, 16-18 oz or 8 bars, $3.29
-->$1.00/1 wash printable here
Final price: $1.99 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Country Crock Margarine Spread, 12-45 oz, $1.99
-->$0.25/1, RP 05/17
Final price: $1.19 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Kroger Coffee, 26-39 oz, $4.99
--> no known coupons
Final price: $4.69 after Daytona 500 discount

Betty Crocker Brownie or Muffin mix, 15.2-26.7 oz, $1.99
-->$0.60/2 printable here
-->$0.50/2, SS 05/10
Final price: $1.19 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn, 3-10.5 oz, $1.69
-->$0.50/1, SS 05/17
Final price: $1.19 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Pedigree Dog Food, 15.9-20 oz, $10.99
--> no known coupons
Final price: $10.69

Coca Cola Soft Drinks, 20 pk 12 oz cans, $5.99
--> no known coupons
Final price: $5.69 after Daytona 500 discount

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, 4.5-9 oz, $1.79
-->Many printables for $0.50/2-$0.75/2 available here, here, here, and here
-->$0.50/2, SS 06/14
Final price: $0.99 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Prilosec OTC, 14 ct, $9.99
-->$3.00/1, PG 06/07
Final price: $6.69 after Daytona 500 discount + MFR Q

Other Coupon Matchups

Huggies Diapers or Training Pants, 11-56 ct, $8.99
-->$1.50/1, SS 06/21
Final price: $7.49

Bear Naked Granola, 12 oz, $3.99
-->$1.00/1 printable here
Final price: $2.99

Other Good Deals

Buy (4) Pepsi or 7 Up Soft Drinks (12 pk 12oz cans, 6 pk 24 oz or .5 ltr bottles), Get (1) FREE, 4/$11.00 + (1) FREE = 5/$11.00
Final price: $2.20 each

Milk, 1 gallon, $1.75 ea

Eggs, lg or xlg, 1 doz, $1.00 ea

Ground beef, $1.49/lb

Kroger cheese, 6-8 oz bar, slice or shredded, $1.25 ea

Driscoll's Strawberries, 2 lb, $2.48 ea

Blueberries, pint, $1.48

Dole Classic Salad mix. 12 oz, $0.98

Kroger Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Tenderloins, 3 lbs, $5.99

Kroger Singles, 12 oz, $1.29

eCoupon Matchups

P&G eSaver
-->$0.50/1 Bounty
-->$3.00/1 Prilosec

ShortCuts
-->$2.00/1 PullUps
-->$0.75/2 Betty Crocker Brownies
-->$0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
-->$1.50/1 Huggies
-->$0.60/1 Lucky Charms

Cellfire
-->$0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
-->$0.55/1 Lucky Charms
-->$0.75/2 Betty Crocker Brownies
-->$1.00/1 Huggies

Bringing Hope to the Table
-->$1.00/2 Kellogg's Pop Tarts

To print the full Kroger ad matchup, click here. Do you see any good deals that I missed? Please share what you know in a comment below; thanks!

Don't forget to link up your best deals at Kroger this week in my weekly linkup, Let's Go Krogering! My LGK! post will be live on Tuesday (6/23) morning; you can link up all week long - share your deals!!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

Blessed Am I: The Chance to Change A Life

The button code is in the box below; feel free to use this button if you'd like to write your own Blessed Am I post at your blog. Thanks!

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This week, my Girl Scout Troop spent their days at a local Girl Scout Day Camp making Walking Tacos, S'Mores, and one heck of a muddy mess of themselves when they went creeking.

I spent a few years in Girl Scouts when I was young but stopped participating when I was in third or fourth grade. I remember bits and pieces of it (especially one spectacular spider that was in my platform tent one summer!) but I didn't stick with it long enough; I wish I had.

I volunteer to be our Troop leader because I want my daughter to have the chances I missed. I want her to love camping and the outdoors; I want her to unplug from the world and sing silly songs by the campfire. But mostly, I want her to have a place that is just for girls, a place where girls are celebrated and cheered and encouraged.

I don't always carry my volunteering duties gracefully; my hubs Knute can tell you about my momentary freak outs when I realize just how much work I've taken on as a Leader. It's one more thing to juggle and peeps? I'm barely catching all the balls I have in the air right now.

But this is one I just won't drop. These Girl Scouts of mine are all singularly wonderful people and I've watched so many of them come out of their shells and be more daring. The confidence they've gained is worth my late nights planning and organizing.

Girl Scouts always needs adult leaders. Every year, there are more girls than adults to lead them. If you've thought about becoming a leader, check out this link to see if it would work for you.

I hope you feel blessed in some way, big or small, this week!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

Deal Alert! Kroger Daytona 500 Sale Starts Monday, 6/22

Well, after much grumbling and mumbling about the not-so-stellar sales at Kroger lately, Kroger has come through for us couponers!

Starting Monday,6/22, Kroger is having another Daytona 500 Sale event; buy (10) participating sale items, get an additional $3.00 off at checkout. There is NO limit on rewards per transaction - WOOT!

I have my Kroger ad for next week's sale; I plan on doing my ad matchup tonight and posting it as soon as it's done so you can be ready to save big. Be sure to check in tomorrow for the Kroger matchup!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

The 5 @ CVS: Top Five Reasons to Shop CVS Next Week!

Planning your shopping for next week?

Here's the five *best* deals at CVS next week!

----------------------

#1: Earn $4.00 ECBs when you buy (4) SoyJoy Bars, 4/$4.00 (limit 5)
--> $2.00/10, SS 5/31/09
--> $1.00/5 printable here
--> Buy One Get One FREE SoyJoy bars, up to $1.39, SS 05/31/09
Final price: FREE + overage with MFR Qs and ECBs

#2: Earn $2.49 ECBs when you buy Thermacare Neck to Arm Wrap 1 ct (limit 2)
--> $1.00/1 off any Thermacare printable here
Final price: FREE (should be!) + Overage after MFR Q and ECBs

#3: Earn $1.00 ECB when you buy (1) Mitchum or Mitchum for women, $2.99
--> $0.75/1 Any Mitchum, SS 06/21/09 (anticipated)
Final price: $1.24 after ECBs and MFR Q

#4: Kraft BBQ Sauce, $1.00
--> $1.00/1 printable (huge list of sources) right here
Final price: FREE after coupon

#5: Frank's Red Hot Sauce $1
-->$1.00/1 Franks Redhot Sauce, SS #2, 05/17
Final price: FREE after coupon

To view the full deal matchups for the upcoming week at CVS, click here. (Courtesy of SlickDeals.net)

To view the June Clip Free Book deals (this was formerly known as the Extra Care Book; it seems CVS is tightening their belts just like the rest of us) at CVS for this month, click here (Courtesy of SlickDeals.net)

To read my post about how to save big at CVS, click here.

Do you see any great deals this week at CVS? Share what you know in a comment below!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

The 5 @ Walgreens: Top Five Reasons to Shop Walgreens Next Week (6/21-6/27)

Planning your shopping for next week?

Here's the five *best* deals at Walgreens next week!

----------------------

#1: Earn $3.00 RRs when you buy Aquafresh advanced toothpaste, $3.00
--> $0.75/1 Aquafresh Premium Toothpaste (Advanced, Extreme Clean, White & Shine, or Sensitive), 5.6oz, SS 6/21/09 (anticipated)
Final price: FREE + $0.75 overage with MFR Q + RRs

#2: Earn $2.00 RRs when you buy 2/$7 Lysol Disinfectant Sprays
--> $1.00/1 Lysol Disinfectant Spray, SS 6/7/09
--> $2.00/1 Lysol Disinfectant Spray, SS 5/3/09
Final price: $0.50-$1.50 each after MFR Qs and RRs

#3: Earn $2.00 RRs when you buy Speed Stick Pro or Lady Speed Stick 24/7, $2.99 ea
--> no known coupons
Final price: $0.99 each after RRs

#4: Earn $1.00 when you buy (2) Planter Trail Miz, 6 oz, 2/$3.00
--> no known coupons
Final price: $1.00 each after RRs

#5: Band-Aid, 10-80 ct, 2/$3.00
--> $1.00/1 any size Band-Aid Adhesive Bandages, SS 03/15/09
Final price: $0.50 after MFR coupon.

To view the full deal matchups for the upcoming week at Walgreens, click here. (Courtesy of SlickDeals.net)

To view the Register Reward deals at Walgreens for this month (05/31-06/27), click here (Courtesy of SlickDeals.net)

To read my post about how to save big at Walgreens, click here; note that Walgreens has ended their Easy Saver Rebate program.

Do you see any great deals this week at Walgreens? Share what you know in a comment below!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

$5.00 Coupon for Eukanuba Puppy Food

We love our dogs here at our house; we have two German Shorthaired Pointers, one who is fourteen and one who is just two. We give a lot of credit to Iams and Eukanuba for the longevity and good health of our older dog, Barnum. We feed our dogs exclusively Iams food; it's a bit spendier but since P&G bought Iams four years ago they've done a great job of rolling out coupons and deals to their consumers.

If you've got a new puppy in your life, you can enroll for a $5 coupon off Eukanuba puppy food right here. This is a mailed coupon but I've had great success in receiving mailed Iams/Eukanuba coupons within two or three weeks.

And just a side note because I believe in this so passionately - if you are looking to bring a dog into your family, please, please consider a rescue dog. You can visit your local shelter and help save a dog (or cat, or rabbit, or whatever -- we're canine-only here) and you can also search for specific breed rescue groups if you've got your heart set on a certain breed.

We adopted our two year old GSP, Brownie, from GSP Care of Ohio when he was just a puppy and he has matured into a wonderful dog. Don't get me wrong; he's still crazy in that GSP-crazy kind of way (his quirk is chasing shiny lights and shadows across the floor; my older GSP is afraid of flies) but that's par for the course with these dogs. He loves us dearly and is devoted to our kids - what more could you want from a dog?

This was our first GSP, Bailey (Barnum's litter-mate...and yes, they were quite a circus together!):



She passed away two years ago and we still miss her. She was the best dog ever - even with her sneaky pacifier thieving ways.

FYI: if you don't have a dog or a puppy in your home, you can still request that coupon above and donate it (or any food you get for cheap/free with it) to your local animal shelter. The economy and it's effect on families losing their homes means skyrocketing rates of pets being turned over to shelters by owners who simply can't afford to keep them. Any coupons or food you can offer your local animal shelter will be happily received.

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

Money Smarts: Online Focus Groups

I spent some time cleaning out all the feeds in my Google Reader last night and was happy to see that iMommies (thanks, Jennifer) had posted several new online studies/focus groups that offer great potential payouts.

Online focus groups are similar to online surveys but look for more specific, detailed information from their participants. For this reason, the pre-screening process is more rigorous but it's definitely worth it. Many of these companies pay $50 or $60 honorariums at the lower end of the scale as a means of saying thank you for your time.

It's important to note that these research companies typically limit the number of studies you may do in the course of one year to just a handful or fewer. This is definitely not a big get-rich-quick type of scheme but it is another way to make legitimate money online.

Here are a few of the companies I noticed iMommies recently highlighted as having new online studies in the future:

20/20 Research Incorporated

Plaza Research

Focus Forward

I'm always looking for ways I can increase my income from home, so I plan on registering with all of these companies as a panelist; then I'll just have to wait for my demographic information to match up with one of their surveys.

I'll be sure to keep you updated.

Have you participated in a paid online focus group? Do you have a online research company you'd like to recommend (or not!) from your own personal experiences as a focus group participant? Share what you know in a comment below!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

Freebie Roundup!

Time to grab some freebies and make your mailbox happy!

:: If you're pregnant or already mom to the cutest baby in the world, check out the FREE diaper and formula Samples and coupons from Planning Family right here.

:: Walmart is offering a FREE sample of Sun Crystal Sweetener right here.

:: Walmart is also offering a very nice FREE sample pack of Scott Paper Products right here.

:: Print this coupon for a FREE 20 oz smoothie at Orange Julius stores on Friday, June 19, 2009.

:: Thinking of sprucing up a room with a fresh coat of paint? Glidden is running a FREE paint giveaway (1 quart sized cans) starting June 25; click here for full details.

Enjoy!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!

FREE Game of Bowling Coupon on BACK of Tony's Pizza Boxes

I just discovered this one in my freezer - literally!

On the back of certain Tony's Pizza boxes is a coupon for (1) FREE game of bowling (up to $6.00) at participating bowling centers.

To find the bowling centers participating in this promotion, click here.

I checked and found one just down the road from us that's participating! I'll be saving my coupons for some rainy summer days ahead - my kids LOVE bowling!

Thanks for reading and subscribing to The New Frugal Mom!