Free book and more & Couchsurfing (not as bad as it sounds!)

As I mentioned in an earlier post, there seems to be quite a lull in the freebie world lately, but here are a few for you to pick up:

Here's another opportunity to get a free book: http://www.isaiah53.com/ I think the title pretty much gives it away!


Free sample of Huggies diapers from Sam's Club, no membership # needed:
http://www5.samsclub.com/showcase/KC-Baby-Showcase.aspx

Free sample of Rachel Ray's dogfood:
http://nutrish.rachaelray.com/switchto/just6

Also, I generally don't promote too many sweepstakes, but for my readers who are in range of Irving heating fuel/propane, here's a chance to win a year's supply, and with costs going up, I would LOVE to see one of you win! One entry per household.
http://www.irvingenergy.com/freeheat/

Here's an interesting website for the true cheapskates amongst us. http://www.couchsurfing.org/  Basically, this is a site for folks who don't mind the old-fashioned way of seeing new places--staying in other people's homes! Personally, I like this way best. There's no better way to get to know a new place than to stay with the locals! There are lots of safety nets in place on the site, and it's a worldwide network which has been highlighted on CNN, Time and The New York Times. I have not personally signed up YET, but I can see my husband and I doing this is the future. I may also sign up to be a host for now. Speaking of host...we do love to have people stay in our home, and I welcome any of my readers to do just that! Just give me at least a days notice:) We also love to stay with other families. We have found, having 4 kids ourselves, that generally speaking, the larger the family, the more apt they are to let you stay with them! I guess that's because we lots-o-kids families know that it doesn't have to be stressful and our kids don't mind camping on the floor in a sleeping bag. So, if you're up for an adventure, check it out!

Now, on to my last item of the day. Those of you who follow me on facebook may have noticed that I am currently competing in another challange; this time the prize is getting paid to blog! I would love this opportunity, but I'm also very realistic. I enter contests often, but if and when it becomes apparent that I can't win, I don't push it, I bow out graciously. (This happened with the school computer lab contest, by the way). That being said, this voting period goes on for 3 MONTHS!! Crazy. After the first 2 months, the top 5 contestants from each state will compete for first in each state for another month and then those top 50 compete in a "find the best deal" challenge. If my blog has meant something to you personally or helped you in some way, I'd appreciate your vote...and you can do so DAILY. Right now I am 6th in NC and 99 overall (out of 1995 contestants) but anyone can still sign up. SOOOOOO, if after a few weeks it appears pointless, you'll not read about it again! Thanks...vote here:
http://www.cheapsally.com/profile/tricia-cliff/ (should just be two clicks!)

Basic Muffin Recipe (you decide what to add...)

It's been a good day. I worked a 12 hour shift last night, so I came home and fell, exhausted, on the living room sofa. It was not my intention to stay there, but I woke up about 5 hours later. This is a blessing in itself because I--who never used to have trouble sleeping in the day--have not been able to sleep lately, so today was a blessing indeed. I woke up to the mailman stuffing freebies in my box, can't beat that.

I decided to use the new Samy FAT hair color that I got for 99 cents after a sale, +UP reward and internet coupon. The box said "dark blond." I think not. However, I am satisfied with the coverage; that is to say, my gray is invisible at the moment. Certainly worth the 99 cents and it saved me a trip to the salon, shoot, I even did my laundry during the process! I'll take practicality over pampering.

I've been thinking much about the costs of cooking vs. eating out. It is very tempting to lie to ourselves in this regard. I remember a lab tech who worked at our hospital quite a few years back. Anna (named changed to protect the guilty) loved to pick up her meal on the way to work, and generally speaking, it wasn't Mickey Ds. One day she was eating with us and I pulled out my tuna sandwich with an apple on the side. Anna looked me straight in the eye and said, "It's so much cheaper for me to eat out! I'm a single lady. Do you know how much it would cost me to buy all the ingredients for this shrimp dinner and cook it myself?" Now, I had a choice at this moment, and I decided I wasn't going to make much headway with Anna. I knew her too well. I wanted to explain that yes, her initial outlay for ingredients would most likely be more expensive, but she'd have enough for 5 meals! I might have told her that instead of  buying the $8 dinner...she could have packed a 50 cent dinner like mine. Less bucks, less calories, more nutrients. But I didn't say any of this; Anna wasn't ready for it, because Anna was lying to herself and she really didn't want to hear the truth.

Confession: I lie to myself about this also. I was all but convinced that my new fav fast food, Lil' Caesar's large pepperoni pizzas for 5 bucks, couldn't be made for less. I mean, with grocery costs being what they are these days, how could it not be so? Then I did the math. I pulled out my receipts and calculated the actual cost of ingredients: flour (even whole wheat purchased at Ollies for 20 cents a pound), yeast, oil, sauce, cheese, pepperoni, etc; I can still make a large pizza for around 3 bucks. Obviously, my version is healthier to boot. OK, so what's the lesson here? Never eat out? No! Just don't try to tell me (or yourself) that's it's cheaper.

Here's a recipe to get you started. Muffins are incredibly easy and versatile. I usually use half whole wheat flour in mine. When we have muffins, that's the meal. It's not muffins plus something else.

Basic Muffin Recipe
 2 cups flour (or sub 1 cup with oatmeal, cornmeal, whole wheat or other dry ingredients)
1/4 cup sugar (or sub splenda, honey  or leave out all together)
1 TBS baking powder (or 1 tsp each of baking soda and baking powder)
1/2 tsp salt (may be eliminated)
1 egg
1 cup milk (or buttermilk, cream, fruit juice of even water in a pinch)
1/4 cup oil (or use half oil and half fruit puree, like applesauce or pumpkin)

Serve plain or get creative! Add nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, spices...you get the idea.  If you are adding a lot of say, dried apricots, you may need to use a tad less flour. Play around until you get your favorite.

Bake at 350 degrees until golden, about 20 minutes. I use cupcake liners and spray the bottom of the paper. Easy clean up and the muffins don't stick! And no, they aren't cheaper at your friendly neighborhood yuppie mart.

Reserve your free Chick-fil-A breakfast!

Thankful.

Cooler fall weather = that wonderful time of year between AC and furnace bills.
Frustrations with children/husband...because, you know, I have them, and I'm not so perfect either.
Iridescent bubbles that float in front of me and land on my nose when I squeeze the dish soap just right.
The little cornflower blue posies in our window box. I smile when I see them.
Reading. And kids who love books. I quote my son, "Mom, my friend (I won't use names to protect the guilty) told me he hates to read." He said this with incredulous, wondering disbelief. Made my day.

Thrifty.

I have noticed that there has been a lull in freebie land lately. There haven't even been as many great rebates at the "Big 3" (WAGS, RA, CVS). Maybe the economy is finally hitting even these areas. Anywho...as a result, I've been checking out more contests, reading prolifically and thinking about all the great, cheap home improvements I could be making if I would just start doing them instead of daydreaming about them. Hmmm.

Here's a great deal to tide you over though: Chick-fil-A is offering a totally free breakfast entree! I truly think they have some of the best food give-aways in the biz! Here's the link. If it doesn't work, keep trying. I had to go back several times: http://www.chick-fil-aforbreakfast.com/. yummmmm:)

New title, same ol' me.

Thankful.

Silver-white puff clouds in a Northern-blue, clear blue, fall-blue, sky-blue, blue-blue sky.
A peerless, crazy daughter who is thriving at Grove City College, a college I wholeheartedly admire.
Three sons who are running their hearts (and sneakers) out in Cross Country this fall.
A husband who loves God and his family and works hard to provide for us.
A part-time job that allows me great flexibility.
A smooth transition for a Korean boy who will call us family for the next 9 months.
Libraries. The smell of the books. The ideas. The cool interior on hot days.
Tough economic times that by default teach us to be thankful for good economic times.
Droopy Dahlias against red clay brick walls.

Thrifty (It's just a part of me...)

This morning I drank my generic Wal-Mart coffee with free-after-double coupon Bailey's Coffee Creamer. After spending a good hour in the good book--doused by occasionally interrupted prayer--I donned my bought-at-yard sales running clothes/shoes and walked to the library where I picked up Jeff Yeager's new book, "The Cheapskate Next Door." (According to the book, cheapskates next door borrow their books from the library, they don't buy them. Sales haven't been so great.) I hung a load of sheets washed in cold water with $1.99-after-coupon detergent and free from http://www.vocalpoint.com/ (sign up if you haven't) Downy Unstoppables. (I'll just add here that this product works great and I love the smell, but I would never pay full price for it.) I entered some Staples rebate information into the computer, looked over the mail which came with 2 free magazines, Splenda samples and a coupon for a free can of cat food. Then I made a frozen Palermo's goat cheese and spinach pizza, purchased with...do I even need to tell you? It was cheap. And also the best frozen pizza I have ever had, but again, I would never pay full price, because, well...that's not who I am. This is my day so far. I am going to return a few items I decided I didn't need, make chicken and rice for supper, clean the downstairs bedrooms and pick up my kids after cross country practice. Tonight--maybe--I'll watch a DVD from my collection that I've seen a dozen times before because I know I'll like it and I don't feel like wandering aimlessly at Family Video. Then I'll go to sleep in my line-dried, Downy-smelling, April fresh sheets and get up at 6:10 am to repeat, with the exception of a night shift at the hospital at the end of the day.

This is my happier-than-I deserve-to-be life! Follow me on my journey!

Thankful and Thrifty? Free full size cat litter and dog food!

I'm currently revamping my blog (at least in my mind:) and am thinking of a name change. Perhaps Thankful and Thrifty, or Thankful and Frugal? Any thoughts? I really want to focus on being grateful and seeing God's hand in all of life, but I want to keep up on the frugal side of things also. Let me know what you think...

Here are a couple of great rebate links. The first is for a full size bag of Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat litter:
http://www.preciouscat.com/pdf/Free_Litter_Fax_Form_fill_8-17-06.pdf

And the second is for a 4 pound bag of Ideal Balance Science Diet dog food:
http://www.hillspet.com/ideal-balance/ideal-balance-home.html

I picked them both up at Petsmart tonight.

Today I used my Fantastic Sam's card to get a free haircut (don't worry, I tipped her well:)! It's one of those buy 9 cuts, get the 10th free. It's taken me about 2 years, but I finally did it!! Got some laundry out the line, ran a few errands, canned 7 quarts of tomatoes, pulled up all the old bean and cucumber vines (and am trying to figure out what I can plant for a fall crop), and took my daughter out to dinner with some friends. Quite a productive day.

I finally emailed the All You folks knowing that they had informed the top 3 in the grocery challenge last Friday. I found out that all of the top ten at least get name recognition and a tip in the November issue of All You...pretty cool, eh??  So, I'll keep you informed...but that brings me to another subject: contests!
As you all know, I do enter and have been very blessed to win some great prizes. The All You Challenge was by far the most time consuming, but it really was worth the effort. The bottom line is, you can't win if you don't enter! http://www.freebies4mom.com/ has a sweeps/contest link and this is where I find most of the ones I enter. I don't look/play every day, but when I have the time, I check it out. It's a fun way to get great prizes. Give it a whirl!

Free Sam's weekend, tax free time, & 8 new freebies!!

If you are in a state that offers a tax free shopping weekend like we are, then August 5-7 means savings for you on back-to-school supplies and clothes. Last year I made the mistake of going to Walmart on Saturday...oh my! It was worse than Black Friday!! I will probably pick up the boys school shoes this weekend, and I am for sure heading out to Sam's Club, where they are hosting an open house, no membership required AND the 10% service fee is waived!! This is a really great deal and I will stock up on lunch meat, cheese and a few other items. Thanks Sam's Club:)

Here's a link to a cute little container. It's supposed to be for Cottonelle toilet paper, but I'm sure you can use your imagination! Use UPC code 3600013396: https://www.cottonelle.com/respect-the-roll/roll-cover-offer.aspx

Free sample of John Frieda haircare:
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid99801.aspx?POV=RootAwakening

Free sample of Beneful dog food; look for link on lower left of first slide:
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid82797.aspx#/home

"Like" Activia on facebook and get a coupon for free yougurt:
https://www.facebook.com/Activia?sk=app_236653369701957%20%20

Free sample of Bolt Energy tablets: http://boltsample.com/?promoLink=16570

Free Eucerin sample: https://www.facebook.com/EucerinUS?sk=app_150701131641056

Free sample of Neurogize enegry tablets: https://www.neurogize.com/?aff=172&c1=#anchor

Free and Cheap Meat Deals!

Hello blogger friends:

Wanted to let you in a few deals on meat, since they are so hard to come by.

Sav-a-Lot: This week at Sav-a-Lot, boneless, skinless chicken breast is only $1.49 a pound. They also have brats, smoked sausage, Oscar Meyer Weiners/Bologna all for 99 cents a pound. All grapes are 99 cents # and green peppers are 3/$1! Fantastic prices, but it gets better! If you have never signed up before, go to this link and you can get a coupon for $5 off $25 purchase: http://www.savealotsavings.com/

Earth Fare has a great coupon for free mozarella cheese with any $5 purchase: http://www.earthfare.com/Welcome-Home.aspx?item=%2fwelcome-home%2fweekly-reward&user=extranet%5cAnonymous&site=earthfare
And again, if you have never signed up on their website, you will need to do this first (that screen will pop up).When you do, as a welcome gift, you will get a coupon for a FREE whole chicken OR a box of veggie burgers with a $10 purchase! I have to go by this store tomorrow, so I'm looking to this shop...free cheese AND free chicken, mmmmm!

Here's a very rare coupon for $2 off any pork ribs at any store that takes coupons (from the National Pork Council):
 http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?bt=vi&tqnm=yg5jahh46504114&o=89669&c=SV&p=q52sf1PG

Harris Teeter will be having super doubles again next week, starting on the 10th. That means they double any coupon up to $1.98 in value. I knew that you could get rainchecks on items that are not in stock (popular items sell out in a matter of hours), but I didn't realize that the rainchecks have no expiration. Soooooo,  since HT has these events every 4-6 weeks, the smart thing to do if you have a coupon with a long expiration is to wait and use the raincheck at the NEXT event, when no one else will be buying those items! This week HT has bone in breast for 99 cents and milk for $2.97!