Wedding Day

Wedding Day
Enjoy EVERY moment in your wedding gown. You can't stay in it forever...SO UNFAIR!!!!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Thrifty Tips for March 21, 2013

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RECIPE AND TIP
I was so excited several months ago when I finally had enough room in my freezer to purchase some pizza dough from Sam's Club.  For under $20 I bought one case (20 balls of frozen pizza dough).  I can make my own dough, and it will be cheaper BUT not so much cheaper in time and yeast that it is really worth it to me.  For less than $20 I can buy a case of dough (split it with someone even) and have pizza on hand with very little notice.  Here's the trick:  Double wrap the dough when you get home and freeze.  Pop the dough in the fridge a day or two before you plan to make pizza to thaw out.  It usually takes a day.  This dough is great for pizza and calzone. 

Now as much as I do appreciate having pizza dough at the ready, I do like a homemade sauce.  This recipe tastes amazing, makes enough sauce for two pizzas, doesn't contain weird preservatives that you can't pronounce, it is totally easy (my favorite part) and is pretty inexpensive.



INGREDIENTS
1 - 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
3/4 teaspoon minced garlic (I usually buy this by the jar so I always have it on hand for recipes)
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 Tablespoon of Pecorino Romano cheese or regular Romano (I prefer Pecorino)
1 Tablespoon of sugar

DIRECTIONS - No joke here.  Mix it all together.  Let rest while prepping your dough.  Super easy, massively tasty.



FREE EBOOKS
Keep in mind like always that these books were free at the time of my posting.  This can change so always check the total before agreeing to a download.

1,001 Low-Fat Vegetarian Recipes by Sue Spitler and R.D. Linda R. Yoakum (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)

Did the Resurrection Happen...Really? - A Dialogue on Life, Death, and Hope by Josh McDowell and Dave Sterrett (CHRISTIANBOOK.COM) (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)

The Mother Road by Jennifer AlLee (CHRISTIANBOOK.COM) (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)

Rescue the Captors by Russel Stendal (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)

FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD
FreeCCM will keep you busy with music downloads.  There are ten songs available right now including "Your's Alone" by Phil Wickham.

FREE CONCERT STREAMING - WINTER JAM
If you are looking for a fun music experience for the family, you just might want to take advantage of a free streaming of the Winter Jam stop in San Antonio, Texas.  See the whole show free via streaming via Stage Hop starting at 6 pm CT (4 pm in most parts of Arizona).  It is super easy and totally free to register and a great chance to see some of your favorite Radio Shine artists.  Winter Jame made a stop here in Arizona but the lineup was different.  This lineup includes:  TobyMac, Matthew West, Jamie Grace, Newsong, Sidewalk Prophets, Jason Castro and more.  Catch all the details and sign up at this link.  Register in advance and Stagehop.com will send you all the directions you'll need.

FREE SAMPLE
While supplies last sign up for a free sample of Kate Spade's perfume Live Color Fully via Facebook. 

FREE ACTIVTIES -AZ
Check out the amazing classic airplanes at the Falcon Field 5th annual open house.  It is all free on Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm.  You will see helicopters, vintage war birds, and lots more (including a classic car show).  Free parking too.  Follow this link for all the details.  Awesome fun for the kids. 

Lowe's Build and Grow Clinics have a fun build for the kids on Saturday, March 23rd with space at various locations and there is also a build coming up on April 13th.  Follow this link for your details.




GROCERIES

FRY'S
Pork Loin back Ribs or St. Louis Style Ribs previously frozen buy 1 and get 2 free (of like item of equal or lesser value)
Fuji apples, Navel Oranges or Minneola Tangelos 99 cents lb
Green Seedless Grapes 99cents lb
Broccoli or Cauliflower 99 cents lb
Kroger Butter Select Varieties 16 oz $2.29
Philadelphia Cream Cheese Select Varieties 8 oz Bar 2/$3
Bananas 49 cents lb
Kroger Turkey Frozen 10-28 lb 99 cents lb
Foster Farms Whole Chicken 99 cents lb
Hebrew National Beef Franks Select Varieties 11-12 oz 2/$6

SAFEWAY
Pork Shoulder country Style Ribs Bone-in $1.49 lb
Red Delicious or Fuji Apples 99 cents lb
Rancher's Reserve Boneless Beef Top round London Broil $2.99 lb
Lean Cuisine or Stouffer's Meals 8.5 to 12 oz Selected Varieties 5/$10
Gold Medal Flour 4.25 to 5 lb $1.99
Orange Yams or Russet Potatoes 99 cents lb
International Delight Creamer 32 oz 2/$6 Select Varieties
Organic Cauliflower 99 cents lb
Buddig Thin Sliced Lunchmeat 12 oz $2.99
Ataulfo Mangos 99 cents each

ALBERTSONS
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast or Thighs $1.77 lb
Super Lean Ground Beef 93% Lean 3lbs or more $2.77 lb
Cantaloupe $1 each
Large Eggplant $1 lb
Blackberries 6 oz $1 each
Lean Cuisine Entrees 6-12 oz Select Varieties $1.99 (Get one free Skinny Cow Novelty 4-12 ct when you buy 6)
Eggo Waffles 6-10 ct $1.99
Assorted Pork Chops bone-in $1.59 lb
Crisp Celery $1 each
Bunch Spinach $1 each


Thursday, March 14, 2013

Thrifty Tips for March 14, 2013

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TEA TRICKS

Tea is not just a wonderful beverage both hot and cold.  Tea has a multitude of uses which makes it extra thrifty.

-Polish furniture with a small amount of brewed tea on a cloth.  It will help clean the wood and shine it up too.  It also works great on wood floors as a follow up to your regular cleaning.  Use small amounts and let air dry.

-Fill a spray bottle with some brewed tea and use it to clean glass and mirrors around the home.  This works really well on greasy fingerprints.  How do fingerprints get so greasy anyway?

-If you fill that spray bottle with black tea, it is supposed to also work wonders on killing dust mites by lightly spraying around.  Definitely check that it will not stain by testing areas. 

-Used tea bags placed in a small  bowl or open container can assist in removing refrigerator odors.

-Just like cucumber, cooled tea bags work wonders on swollen eyes and are calming and soothing.  It is always nice to put used ones in the fridge just in case.

-Smelly feet can be relieved with a bath in tea.  The tanins in the tea work wonders in taking the smell out.

-Tenderize tougher cuts of meat by letting it marinate in black tea.

-Help heal plantar warts by placing a used tea bag on the area for 20 minutes a day.

-Take the ouch out of razor burn and help healing by placing a wet tea bag on the area.

FREE FOOD

Like bacon?  According to Denny's it will pretty much cure what ails ya.  So why not join their Baconella promotion for a coupon for two free strips of bacon.  Really how can it be wrong?

FREE SAMPLE

While supplies last, sign up for a free sample of Gucci Black.

FREE EBOOKS (Remember that these books were free at the time of my posting.  That can change at any time so always look at the price before committing to a download)

Trauma Plan by Candace Calvert (CHRISTIANBOOK.COM) (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)

Tangled Ashes by Michele Phoenix (CHRISTIANBOOK.COM) (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)


Distant Dreams by Judith Pella and Tracie Peterson (CHRISTIANBOOK.COM) (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)

FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS

Download AudioAdrenaline's song "He Moves You Move" from their new album "Kings & Queens" as well as nine other songs totally for free at FreeCCM.  You just have to be a member .  PS They don't spam you. 


GROCERIES

SAFEWAY

Safeway Corned Beef Brisket Point Cut $1.79 lb (while supplies last)
Fresh Boneless Pork Sirloin Chops or country Style Ribs $1.69 kb
Green Cabbage 39 cents lb
1lb of Strawberries $1.48each
Eggo Frozen Breakfast 9.8 - 16.4 oz Select Varieties $1.99
Safeway Apple Juice 64 oz Select Varieties $1.67
Jennie-O Turkey Store Extra  Lean Ground Turkey Breast 20 oz $5.99
Bigelow Tea 18-20 count Selected Varieties 2/$4
Organic Grapefruit 99 cents each

ALBERTSONS

Split Chicken Breast or Drums, Thighs & Leg Quarters Bone-in, Jumbo Pack 99 cents lb
Great American Tilapia Fillets 1 lb Bag Frozen Buy 1/3 Free (only $2.50 lb with deal)
Seedless Green & Red Grapes $1.47 lb
Albertsons Gallon Milk Select Varieties $1.79 (limit 2)
Bar S Jumbo Meat Franks 16 oz or Meat Bologna Regular or Thick 12 oz $1
Fresh Red Potatoes 69 cents lb
Atlantic Salmon Fillet Farm Raised $6.99 lb
Loin Back Ribs or St. Lous Style Ribs Previously Frozen Buy 1 Get 1 Free (Save up to $7.99 lb)
Carlita Taco Shells 12 ct Select Varieties $1
Red Ripe Roma Tomatoes 99 cents lb

FRY'S

Pork Full Line, Fresh, Moist & Tender Buy One Get One of Like Item Free
Full Line USDA Choice Roast Sale Bottom Round, Sirloin Tip, Eye of Round Top Round, Beef Chuck or Shoulder 50% off (Save up to $6.99 lb)
Red Potatoes 5 lb Bag $1.88
Green Cabbage 3 lbs for 99 cents
Cantaloupe 88 cents
Iceberg, Romaine, Red or Green Leaf  Lettuce 99 cents
Broccoli or Cauliflower 99 cents lb
Thomas' English Muffins Select Varieties 2/$5
Johnsonville Breakfast Links or Ground Sausage Select VArieties 10.28 - 16 oz $2.99
Fuji, Gala, Red or Golden Delicious  Apples or Navel oranges 99 cents lb


Thursday, March 7, 2013

Thrifty Tips for Thursday March 7, 2013

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EDUCATIONAL SAVINGS

I was reading the other day that college tuition costs are going up and the assistance that students can get are going down.  It is a great time to look again at where you can look into sending the kids to college perhaps for free.  The colleges below are free but some will also have additional room and board and others specific requirements for living in the area, but it is worth a good long look.

The Cooper Union
for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City has programs in Art, Architecture, and Engineering. Their merit based scholarships are full scholarships for all their enrolled students.

Webb Institute
in Glen Cove, New York was named to the Princeton Review's list of 50 "Best Value" Private Colleges for 2009. Their major is Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Students live and study on the shores of Long Island Sound.

If music is your child's thing, you might want to check out the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. The Curtis Institute of Music is one of the world's leading music schools and offers merit based full-tuition scholarships to the college. Competition is high as they only accept about 160 students a year apparently even more competitive than Juliard. The education is very individualized.  They also have free online classes

Berea College
in Kentucky is a liberal arts college where students work on campus instead of paying tuition. The work study is mandatory. All students are awarded a four year tuition scholarship.


Barclay College is a Bible college located in Haviland, Kansas.  Barclay College has bachelor’s degree programs in Pastoral Ministry, Youth Ministry, Christian Elementary Education, Sports and Recreational Leadership, Business Administration, and other fields. Associate’s degrees are available in Biblical Studies and General Studies.  Barclay College currently offers free tuition to all on-campus students as posted here.

Deep Springs College is a two-year college whose two-year scholarship is valued at $50,000. It is very prestigious and highly competitive as they only accept about 10 to 15 students a year. This is a male only college located in California on a cattle ranch and alfalfa farm. The students often transfer to very high profile schools upon completion of their two year program.


College of the Ozarks is in Missouri and is another college where tuition is taken care of through work programs. It is a conservative and Christian college. Their focus is also on students with financial need and specifically in the Ozarks area, though they will accept students from outside that area, but priority is given to those students from the area first.

A college with a similar goal for providing a higher education for the students with lower income is Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky. It is a liberal arts work college.  Tuition is guaranteed to full-time students residing in Alice Lloyd College’s 108-county Central Appalachian service area and their mission is to educate mountain people for positions of leadership(from the college website).

Okay...so here in Arizona, your child would not qualify for the two colleges above, but considering how many of us have moved here from elsewhere, you might want to share this information with someone who might qualify.


United States Military Academy in West Point, New York
Tuition again is free, but there is a service requirement upon graduation. This is a wonderful school and a fabulous opportunity, but not one to be taken lightly. From the website: A West Point cadetship includes a fully funded four-year college education. Tuition, room, board, medical and dental care are provided by the U.S. Army. As members of the Armed Forces, cadets also receive an annual salary of more than $6,500. This pay covers the cost of uniforms, books, a personal computer, and living incidentals. By law, graduates of West Point are appointed on active duty as commissioned officers and serve in the U.S. Army for a minimum of five years.

Lastly, Harvard has many scholarship opportunities but in particular, they have something pretty cool in that they will waive the parental contribution for families who earn less than $65,000 (as of 2012 it was $60,0000) and home equity will no longer be considered a resource when determining family contribution. Check out the info here: Harvard - Financial Aid Office I am not saying Harvard is free. I am saying, it could be doable.





FREE EBOOKS (Please remember that these books were free at the time of my posting.  This can change so always check the price before you download)

Bees in the Butterfly Garden by Maureen Lang (CHRISTIANBOOK.COM) (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)

Florian's Gate by T. Davis Bunn (CHRISTIANBOOK.COM) (BARNES & NOBLE)


Smart School Time Recipes: The Breakfast, Snack and Lunchbox Cookbook for Healthy Kids and Adults by Alisa Marie Fleming (AMAZON)

FREE TO DO

Head on over to Tempe Beach Park on March 9th and 10th from 10 am to 5 pm for the 19th annual Arizona Aloha Festival.  There will be lots of entertainment, activities, great food and an opportunity to win a trip to Hawaii.

FREE MUSIC

JJ Heller's new album Loved is set to release next Tuesday and iTickets.com has a free download of her song "Who You Are."  While you are there download "Jesus Firm Foundation" from the album Hymns of Worship featuring Mark Hall, Mike Donehy, Mandisa and Steven Curtis Chapman.

GROCERIES - March is Frozen Food Month...why? No idea, but it means there are great savings to be had so keep those eyes peeled. 

ALBERTSONS (Don't forget that they are doing their Monopoly game.  Those game pieces have coupons.  Even if you don't want to play they are worth the grab for that.)

Cuties Clementine Tangerines 3 lb Bag $1.97 each (limit 2)
USDA Boneless Petite Sirloin  Steak Buy 1 get 2 Free (Regular price $8.99 lb)
Pork Sirloin Chops Boneless $1.88 lb
Red, Yellow or Orange Bell Peppers $1 each
Tomatoes on the Vine $1.99 lb
Large Jona Gold Apples 99 cents lb
Bar S Foods Co. Sliced  Bacon 12 oz $2.99 each
Bar S Meat Franks 12 oz $1
Powerade Sports Drinks 32 oz Select Varieties 58 cents each
Reser's One Pound Salads Select Varieties Buy 1 Get 1 Free (Save $3.29 on two)
Fill a bag with Frozen products and save an additional 10% on each item

SAFEWAY

Ranchers Reserve Boneless Beef Chuck Pot Roast $2.99 lb
Avocados 68 cents each
Tomatoes on the Vine $1.49 lb
Marie Callender's or Healthy Choice Bakes 6-12 oz Select Varieties 5/$10
Campbell's Chunk soup or Bowls 18.6 to 19 oz 2/$3
Cuties Clementines 5 lb box $5
Manwich 15-15.5 oz 99 cents
Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta 7.25 to 15 oz 99 cents
 Buy 4 and Save $4 (must purchase for participating items for discount - price reflects discount)
Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars 8.9 oz $1.49
Ocean Spray Cranberry Cocktail Drinks 64 oz Select Varieties $1.49
Gevalia coffee 12 oz Select Varieties $6.99
Quaker Oatmeal Squares 14.5 oz or 5 ct General Mills Fiber One Chewy Bars Select Varieties $1.99

FRY'S

Iceburg, Romaine, Red or Green Leaf Lettuce 99 cents each (FINALLY!)
Fuji, Gala, Red or golden Delicious Apples 99 cents lb
Free Gallon of Milk when you buy any 4 participating brands of cereal from Kellog's, General Mills, Post, Quaker, Cascadian Farm, Kashi and Silver Palate (must be purchased in the same transaction-look for free milk tag)
Kashi GoLean Cereal Select Varieties 13.1-14 oz $2.99
Whole Pork Shoulder Moist and Tender Sold in Bag $1.29 lb
Foster Farms Chicken Fresh USDA Grade A Full Line Buy 1 Get 1 of like or lesser value Free
Libby's Vegetables Select Varieties 14.5-15.25 oz While Supplies Last 50 cents each when you buy a case (12 count)
Dole Pineapple Select Varieties 20 oz While Supplies Last 88 cents when you buy a case (24 count)
Coffee-Mate Creamer Refrigerated Select Varieties 32 oz $2.79
Maruchan Noodles Select Varieties 3 oz While Supplies Last 16 cents each when you buy a case (24 count)