Coupons for Fresh Foods

There aren't many coupons out there for fresh foods, so when I find them I get pretty excited! :)

Dulcinea Melons $0.55/1

Discoll Berries $0.50/1 

Earthbound Farm Organic Products $1/2

O Organics Celery Hearts $0.75/1
Safeway Farms Grilling Vegetables $0.50/1

Fresh Express Cole Slaws $0.75/1

Target Mobile Coupon, text FRESH to 827438 (after you've signed up here)

$1 off $1 or more purchase of Fresh Meat

$1 off $1 or more purchase of Fresh Vegetable

$1 off $1 or more purchase of Fresh Fruit

$1 off any brand sandwich bread

Baking Soda The Wonder - 15 Uses Other Than For Baking

I'm all about couponing and saving money but I'm also about using as many all natural, homemade products as possible.  Baking Soda has made that so much easier for me.  Not only do I save money but I get to stay away from so many different chemicals, poisons and cancer causing agents that they put into our products.

It has so many uses, it's truly amazing!  I always have some around the house.  You can buy it in bulk but I prefer to buy Bob's Red Mill All Natural Baking Soda.  You can see and FEEL the difference, especially  when you are using it as a Face wash.  The all natural is smooth and gentle on your skin.  The other stuff, is rough and feels like it's tearing up your skin.  Yep, that's the difference between All Natural and Not Natural.

Here's just 15 uses for Baking Soda.  Google it, you'll find 100 more.  

Toothpaste
Homemade Toothpaste - With Coconut Oil
Homemade Toothpaste - Without Coconut Oil

Face Scrub
Do you have oily skin?  My skin was so bad, I used to use Proactiv because it was the only thing that worked, most of the time.  Ever since I started using this Baking Soda scrub, my skin has been amazing and I NEVER have breakouts.  NEVER.  I only use it every 2-3 days with just basic rinsing in between.

Mix Baking Soda with water to make a paste, use paste to wash your face.  It's that easy.

Face Wash - Gentle
Is your skin a little more sensitive or dry?  Mix some ground oatmeal with water and a little bit of baking soda to make a nice mask.  You can also use lemon juice as an astringent.

Body Scrub
Have trouble with break outs on your arms, shoulders, chest and back?  Use Baking Soda and water to make a paste/body scrub.  Use lotion afterwards if you are prone to dry skin.

Shampoo Replacement
Yep, use Baking Soda to make your own Shampoo!

Laundry Detergent
There are so very many ways to make your own Laundry Detergent.  Most of them, include baking soda.
Here is a Powdered Recipe
Here is a No Grate Liquid Recipe
Here are 10 other recipes: 10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergents

Laundry Deodorizer
Sprinkle a little baking soda in the wash cycle to get rid of bad smells

As an Antacid
Mix 1tsp baking soda in a glass of water and drink to get rid of acid, heartburn and gas.

Cleaning
Pretty much anything you can think of to clean, baking soda will do the job!

Keeps Cut Flowers Fresh Longer
Add a little baking soda to the water you keep your cut flowers in and they will last longer.

Sore Throat Remedy
Gargle Baking Soda and water to relieve a sore throat.

Mouth Wash
Need to freshen your breath?  Use a little baking soda in a glass of water and gargle.

Deodorant
Basic, Easy Homemade Deodorant/Antiperspirant 

Homemade Air Freshener
Make your own Natural Air Freshener

Rash Relief
Diaper Rash?  Put a little baking soda in baby's bath water.
Skin Rash? Bug Bite? Bee Sting? Use baking soda or a baking soda paste to help relieve discomfort.

Couponing for Healthier Foods at Target - $7.38

This week Target has some great Mobile Coupons this week.  If you haven't signed up them yet, go here.  Once you're signed up, text the word "FRESH" to 827438 to get these awesome coupons.

Here's what we got today at Target for $7.38.

We used:
Target Mobile Coupons
$1 off Fresh Fruit
$1 off Fresh Vegetable
$1 off Fresh Meat
$1 off Frozen Item
$1 off Sandwich Bread
$0.75 off Dishwashing Item
$1 off Archer Farms $2 purchase

Target Coupons
$1.25/2 Dole Shakers
$0.50/1 Sara Lee
$1 off $3 Purchase of Simply Balanced Products

Target Cartwheel
5% off Cantaloupe
5% off Ground Beef

Printable Coupons
$0.50/1 Green Works Coupon

Ibotta (sign up here)
$0.50/1 Bush's Best Baked Beans
*Bonus $1 cash back for completing Bonus

Also, received $0.05 for using a reusable bag and 5% off for using my Target Debit RedCard.

Why You Should Use Coupons

Why should you use coupons?  Wait, why wouldn't you?!  Why wouldn't you want to save money on things you have to buy?  Why wouldn't you want to get cash put back into your pocket so you can use it for other things?  If you could save $5, $10, $20, $50 a month...  Why wouldn't you?  Nearly everyone is looking for ways to save money.  If you need a loaf of bread and you know it costs $1 more at Fred Meyer than at Safeway, where do you go to buy it?  Most likely, you'll go to Safeway.  If you know that on average, you save $0.25-$0.50 per item at Winco over shopping at Safeway, will you still go to Safeway?  Most likely, you'll go to Winco.  So, why wouldn't you add couponing into that equation?  Why wouldn't you put money back into your pocket?

"Because there are never coupons for the things that I buy".  
No, you just don't know how or where to get your coupons.  Do you buy chicken, ground beef, ground turkey, hamburger patties and hot dogs?  Do you buy bread?  Do you buy milk, water, soda or juice?  Do you buy fruits and vegetables, fresh, frozen and/or canned?  Do you buy shampoo, deodorant, chapstick, toilet paper, paper towels and napkins?  Do you buy snacks like chips, crackers, peanuts, salsa and cookies?  What about breakfast foods like cereal, oatmeal and frozen waffles?  Or the things you need to make your own, like flour, sugar and salt?  Frozen foods?  What about baby items?

"Well yeah, but, there are only coupons for name brand things.  I've found it's still cheaper to just buy the store brand rather than use coupons".
Eh.  Wrong again.  Even if you do want to stick to that theory, there are store brand coupons as well.  But the truth is, you can get name brand foods for cheaper than store brands using coupons.  You you have to know how, when and where.

"It just doesn't feel right, getting stuff for free.  I feel like I'm stealing from the companies/store."
Coupon are legit, they are made by the stores and by the manufacturers.  It's not a coincidence that sales and coupons match up week after week.  Manufacturers and stores work together on these things.  Did you know, that a store makes a profit when you use coupons?  On top of the value of the coupon, the store receives an additional $0.08 (or more) from the Manufacturer for EVERY coupon that is used at their store?!  That adds up, quick!  The store makes money.  The Manufacturer wants you to buy their product.  It's a win win.

"But I just don't know how to coupon!  I'll clip coupons but I only save a little."
First of all, a little is better than nothing right?  And secondly, that's when you keep following this blog and also find my group on Facebook.  Learn Couponing 101.

More Coupon Deals... $5.14 at Target

The other day I got a Groupon Mobile Deal for a $10 Target Gift Card for just $5.  I loaded up my Target Cartwheel, got my Target Mobile Coupons and printed a few others and headed to target to get some deals!
This week Target Mobile has the following coupons:
$1 off Fruit
$1 off Vegetable
$1 off Meat
$1 off Frozen Item
$1 off Bread
$1/$2 Market Pantry or Archer Farms product

I used all those coupons, plus Target Cartwheel
5% off Cantaloupe
20% off Market Pantry Pickles

And regular coupons:
$0.50/1 Plum Organics
$0.75/1 Dole Smoothie Shaker
$0.75/1 Seventh Heaven Dishwashing Soap
$1/1 Evol Burrito
FREE Plum Organics Item up to $4.99
Ibotta gave me $4.75 cash back for:
$0.75 OreIda Simple Potatoes
$3 Plum Organics

Taking Lunch To Work Part 2

When you work it can be even more difficult to make yourself a healthy lunch.  You don't have your kitchen right there with you, you have to plan ahead and make/prep whatever it is going to be.  Sometimes there just isn't enough time before to work to plan what you're going to have for lunch, make it and take it with you.  So you think, I'll just make it the night before.  Yeah, because after a long busy day, after you've already made dinner, you really just want to make ANOTHER meal.  So what can you do?  How do you still eat fresh food at work?  With only a little planning, twice a week, maybe even once a week you can have a fresh salad every day!  Here's how:

For the first jar, I made a lemon dressing with the juice of half a lemon, 1 tsp Olive Oil, 1/2 Garlic Clove, a dash of salt and pepper.  Then 1/2 cup Garbanzo Beans, Red Bell Pepper, Red Onion, Fresh Basil and Spinach.

For the second jar, I made a lime dressing with the juice of half a lime, 1 tsp Olive Oil, 1/2 Garlic Clove, a dash of salt and pepper.  Then 1/2 cup Black Beans, a few Grape Tomatoes, Fresh Corn, Red Onion, Cilantro and Spinach.  

You can make these Sunday even and make enough to last you all week!  Or split it up and make some on Sunday and some on Wednesday.  You can add meat, pasta, any other veggies you want!  Get creative.  And enjoy a fresh lunch everyday :)

Taking Lunch To Work Part 1

My husband is in the military and right there on post within minutes from him are vending machines, little shopettes and fast food restaurants.  He's out the door by 5am and has PT almost everyday.  Some days there are 12 mile road marches and 8 mile runs.  I probably don't even know the half of it.  So, I've got to be creative in order to keep him well fed and send enough good, healthy food with him that he isn't tempted to spend money on junk.

Every day my husband takes 2 Bananas, Yogurt, a Protein bar (not shown here), 2 Hard Boiled Eggs, Veggies and Homemade Ranch Dip (minus the green onion because after sitting all night it's more like onion dip), some sort of goody (homemade cookies, vegetable chips, grapes, cantaloupe, etc) and then either a Tuna, Chicken or Deli Meat Sandwich or leftovers if we happen to have any.  It may not look like a lot of food but it really is!  It keeps him fed well and keeps our budget in line, especially when you consider a meal from a fast food restaurant will cost you $5-$10.

What You Can Get For $5.43 Shopping with Coupons And Ibotta

Ok, I know I probably sound like a broken record right now.  But I can't help it, I LOVE Ibotta.  And here's more reasons why.  Over the last 2 days, here's what I got at Target and Winco.

Break down of best deals:

WINCO

I spent $8.83 and got $9.00 back from Ibotta.  I only used 3 Manufacturer coupons:

$0.75/1 Hershey's Cookies n Cream printable (Go here for a $1.10/1 coupon!)

$0.75/1 Chex Vanilla printable

$0.75/1 Nature Valley Soft Baked Oatmeal printable

TARGET

I spent $13.78 and got $11 back from Ibotta.  I used 3 Manufacturer Coupons and 1 Target Coupon:

$1/1 Bertolli Single Serve Frozen Entree printable

$1/1 Evol Buritto printable

$1.50/1 Evol Entree printable 

$0.79/1 Gogo Squeez printable

I bought everything except for the Bertolli on Day 1.  Ibotta gave me $5.25 (for offers) + $3 (Target Freezer Bonus) back.

On Day 2 I bought the Bertolli and Ibotta gave me $0.75 (for offer) + $2 (Target Freezer Bonus Two) back.

And then I also grabbed 4 Tillamook Yogurts and used 2 x B1G1 FREE coupons (making them $0.27/each) and 3 Dole Smoothie Shakers using 3 x $0.75/1 printable coupons (These were the most expensive items at $0.58/each)  If you have a Sunday paper from a few weeks ago (not sure exact date) I heard that there was a $1/1 coupon for the shakers!  Even better deal :)

Shopping at Target with Ibotta for $3.24

I went to Target yesterday and picked up all this for $3.24.  More stuff to give away, yay!  I will go back today for another Ibotta deal and get another box of waffles for free.

Target had evol coupons I used for each evol product and GoGo Sqeez's Facebook page had a coupon for the applesauce.  I used these coupons along with the Ibotta deals.

Sign up for Ibotta using my referral link if you'd like to start getting these deals!  

Snag This Super Cute Super Cheap Reusable Bag!

Reusable bags are the way to go.  Not only are they good for the environment, but Target will give you $0.05 off if you are using one :)  It adds up and eventually pays for itself!  Grab this bag for just $1.01 :)

Gasoline: How To Save Money On The Necessary Evil

Gasoline.  Something the entire country relies on.  I can actually remember a time when it was $0.97 a gallon.  More recently than that, I can remember a time when it topped $5 a gallon.  And I'm not that old, either.  But, regardless of how much it costs, we still have to have it to get from here to there.  

So, how do we save money on gas?  Well, now pretty much as long as you shop at one of the main gas stations (Shell, Chevron/Texaco, Safeway, Fred Meyer), it's pretty easy to save money on fuel.

Shell:
Get $0.02 cents off per gallon every time when you get the Shell Saver Debit Card.  This debit card just links to your own bank account and works just like your regular debit card.  

Fuel Rewards Network.  Get at least $0.03 off per gallon just for using your FRN card at the pump.  It's easy to sign up for online.  You can get a card at your local Shell or they will mail you one.  You can earn more money off per gallon by shopping at certain places.  

Fred Meyer Rewards Card.  Earn 1 point for every dollar you spend at Fred Meyer.  Every 100 points will get you 10 cents off per gallon the next month.  Right now there is a coupon you can load onto your card that will give you double points.  You can use your rewards points at Fred Meyer Gas Stations or at participating Shell stations (I will call ahead and make sure they take the rewards card before filling up).  You cannot use this in conjunction with your FRN Card, but you can use it with your Shell Saver Debit Card.  You can earn points to get up to $1 off per gallon.

Chevron/Texaco:

I recently found out that you can use your Safeway Fuel Rewards at participating Chevron/Texaco Stations!  For us, it's a lot easier to accumulate Safeway Fuel Rewards than Fred Meyer.  Sign up on Safeway's website and always check their coupon center for Just4U coupons.  They frequently have 2x points and even 5x points coupons you can add to your card.  My favorite part about Safeway is as soon as you get 100 points, you can use your $0.10 off per gallon.  You don't have to wait until the next month.  Again, you earn 1 point per $1 spent (unless you have the multiplier coupons on your card).  Qualifying Gift Cards will get you 2 points per $1.  You can earn points to get up to $1 off per gallon.  

Let's Talk Diapers

Do you use Cloth Diapers or Disposable diapers for your babies/toddlers?

"In a baby s first year, new parents will have brought home an average of 2,788 diapers for a total cost of $557.60.  This is based on an average price of 20 cents per diaper."  (source: kidsgrowth.com)

Diapers will cost more or less than $0.20, depending on the size and if you are couponing or shopping sales.  That is just the first year.  Now, the 2nd year (if you don't start potty training or moving up to the more expensive Pull Ups) you're still looking at an average of 8 diaper changes a day, 8 x 365 = 2920 x $0.30 (I'm upping the price because in the 2nd year we know the diapers are more expensive and average prices not on sale are EASILY $0.30 each) = $876.

You're easily looking at spending at least $1,400 the first 2 years on disposable diapers (for 1 child).  That's why I switched to cloth.  I wish I would have done it sooner.  But it wasn't until I had #2 on the way and I realized how crazy expensive 2 babies in diapers was going to be.

Not only are cloth diapers cheaper, cuter, but also better for the environment!

Now, cloth just isn't for everyone.  So, if you definitely want to stick with your disposables... Stop paying full price!  Here's how to easily get your diapers for 50% off regular store prices...

Amazon.com

Yes, Amazon.com.  Diapers delivered to your front door as low as half the price of buying from the store.  I have not found a way to use coupons to get a better deal on diapers than with Amazon.  If you are an Amazon Prime member ($80/year, totally worth it in my opinion) you can get an extra 20% off!

Amazon Pricing without Prime Membership

Huggies Size 1 Little Snugglers - 234 diapers for $42.34 = $0.18 each
Huggies Size 1 Snug & Dry - 100 Diapers for $17.47 = $0.17 each
Huggies Size 2 Snug & Dry - 246 Diapers for $45.17 = $0.18 each
Huggies Size 3 Snug & Dry - 222 Diapers for $45.17 = $0.20 each

If you had Prime Membership, you could Subscribe and Save and take an additional 30% off these prices!

What you can get for $3.20

Ok, so obviously I'm super excited to share with you everything I scored for $3.20!  The Nature Valley I bought at Winco last week, the rest I got today at Target, except the Greek Yogurt I got at Safeway.

My husband loves the yogurt, so that's his.  The rest I plan to give away.  Except maybe one of the Kashi Cereals... They just look so good.  I'm going to try and continue to use coupons and sales to get food for cheap/free and give away to those in need.  A couple weeks ago I got several items at Winco for free, plus $0.10 back and will be giving most of that away as well.

I just love couponing and getting stuff for free!

Wanna know the details?

Winco
Nature Valley - $2.99
$0.75/1 Printable Coupon
$3 Cash Back from Ibotta
$0.50 Bonus Cash Back from Ibotta
= $1.25 Money Maker (MM)

Safeway
Greek Yogurt - $1
Just4U Coupon = FREE

Target
Cereal - $2.99 each
Buy 4, get $5 Gift Card back
2 x $1/1 Kashi Cereal Coupons
1 x $1/1 Honey Bunches Target Coupon
1 x $0.75/1 Cherrios Coupon
=$0.80 each

Campbells Soup 2 Go $2 each
4 x $1/1 Target Coupon
4 x $1/1 Manufacturer Coupon
= FREE

Kraft Homestyle $1.93 each
$1/1 Printable Coupon
$0.75 Cash Back from Ibotta
=$0.18 each

Chef Boyardee $0.94 each
$0.50 Cash Back from Ibotta
= $0.44 each

Quick Shopping Trip This Morning to Safeway And Target

Not only did we run out of Almond milk for my son this morning but my husband was out of creamer!  (This is an emergency in our house).  So off I go to use some coupons...

Right now at Target Silk Almond Milk is $2 for $6.  I used a $1/1 Target Coupon and a $1/1 Manufacturer Coupon making them $1 each!  I found the deal on Raining Hot Coupons.

I also got 2 x 32oz Coffee Mate Creamer at Safeway for $4.25 (total) (I had a $0.75/1 Coupon and a Just4U $1/1 Coupon).  Not the best deal in the world, but $2 each beats $3 each.  I haven't been able to get my husband to give up the creamer yet...  Oh, and the Greek Yogurt was free with a Just4U Coupon.

The coffee I bought, well because it was only $4!  And because we supply all the coffee for the company at my husbands work.  The regular price on this stuff is $10.89, so $4 is a steal.  I'm tempted to go back and buy another one...  ~Safeway has it on sale for $5.  Use this coupon for $1/1 and get it for $4~

Really cheap produce at Target

I went out again today in search of some cheap Healthy food.  I do love coupons.  :)

In Target's Mobile Coupons today there was a coupon for $1 off a $1 purchase of Fresh Vegetables and the same for Fresh Fruit.  I also bring a reusable bag and get an extra $0.05 off and my Target Debit RedCard gets me an extra 5% off every time.  So, I paid $0.51 for this:

Hey, $2 here and there adds up real quick.  :)

Homemade Tacos... Whole Foods Style

I'm running a little behind in my blog posts, but here is last night's dinner.

I wanted to make Tacos, it just sounded so good.  But how do you make Tacos without processed taco shells?  After Swag Searching forever, I came across a post.  Someone was looking for a substitute for a hamburger bun.  One person commented and said they bake some egg whites and use that.  Bingo!  Let's try this out...

I used 2 Egg Whites per "tortilla", whipped em up a while and poured them into the bottom of a small greased pie pan.  Baked in 350* for 18 minutes.  The result was. Amazing.

I make my own "taco seasoning" so I can control how much salt, etc goes into it and instead of Sour Cream we just a dollop of Greek Yogurt with Lime juice.  

Shopping for Free and Better than Free with Ibotta

Ok, I know I've been talking Ibotta a lot lately.  But I can't help it, it's such a great, easy way to save money!  It's so fast.  Usually my receipts are processed within an hour, sometimes minutes.  And the money transfers to Paypal instantly.  Today I went out to get some free deals.  I ended up taking all this home for free, plus extra money.  I got FREE groceries and FREE money for a little bit of time and gas to go to the store!

Here's what I got:

Winco:  Spent $7.15 (used MF coupons from here) got $7.25 back from Ibotta

Ibotta also gave me another $3 back for completing a couple bonuses, all just for buying those items shown above.  

I'm going to give away the Suddenly Salad and Cake mix, as they are not something we will use.  The rest is for my son.  

Fred Meyer: FREE.  This was free at Fred Meyer after loading a coupon onto my FM card.  

Homemade Refried Beans

The process for making homemade refried beans is similar to the process of making black beans, just with the added step of "refrying" them.

First, soak your beans over night with enough water for them to expand.

Rinse and put in crock pot (you can cook these on the stove in a regular pot too).  Add enough water to cover by 2-3 inches.  Cook on High 4 hours, or Low 8 hours.

Drain, reserving some of the water.  Move beans to pot, add in some of the bean water and desired seasonings (I used salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin,  paprika and minced garlic cloves).  Cook, stirring often, until beans reduce.  Add more bean water (or milk for creamier beans) if needed.  Once reduced and getting mushy, you can mash them with a potato masher or use a blender.  I added more of the bean water to make them creamier (It's like of like adding milk to mashed potatoes).

From here, you can enjoy and/or freeze.  :)

Day 5 Recap and Shopping Trip

So I did a bit better today on my calories, only 335 left to spare at the end of the day!

For breakfast I had a Green Smoothie, for snacks I had Bananas, Cantaloupe, Cauliflower, Carrots, Apples and a little bit of my son's cereal that he fed me (no, it wasn't a whole foods but it was pretty darn delicious).

I went to Trader Joe's for the first time today to check it out.  Spent $6.32 on more bananas, yams and Quinoa.

Tonight I went to Safeway to use some coupons and take advantage of their Dairy Deal.  My son drinks Almond Milk like it's going out of style, so that is a big expense around here.  Needless to say I was ecstatic when I ended up with this shopping deal...

I had a Just4U Safeway coupon for an additional $0.75 off the Silk, the Rice Dream was 50% off of $2.49 and I had a $2/1 coupon (which ended up giving me $0.76 back), Just4U coupons for the Chobani making them $1.89 then $1/1 coupons for each, making them only $0.89!  The bell peppers were 2/$1.  The dip Greek Yogurt dip is for my husband and was marked 50% off of $3.99, but it also had a $1/1 coupon attached to it!  Basically, I paid for the 4 Almond Breeze milks and the rest was free (the price for those are $2.99 each).  I forgot how much I love couponing :)

Cheap Pineapples and more Bananas

Ok, we stopped at Fred Meyer today to pick up some of their pineapple for $1 each!  Couldn't pass that up.  And my husband loves his green bananas, so we grabbed some of those for back to work tomorrow.  Spent $7.37.