Holiday on a Budget #4

As Christmas is approaching I am getting ready for the bombardment of stuff. We have already sorted out toys not played with making room for new ones. Like many families we certain gifts we look forward to getting each year and a few that we are excited to give too.

One gift that we enjoy giving each year came about in an odd way. For a time I used to spend hours baking each Christmas until 2004 when I went on bed rest days after Thanksgiving when I was pregnant with our second child. While I really do enjoy my husbands chocolate-chip cookies I didn't expect him to spend hours in the kitchen making Holiday treats. So our resolve was to go out and "gasp" buy our snacks. (Since my mother always complained that us kids always ate/took all of the Little Debbie snacks when we were at her house, I knew that they would be a hit.) This trend continued and now many of the men know to expect and look forward to the tradition of opening their box of Little Debbie snacks! My husband has fun going to the store and buying every one's favorite (much more than making them in the kitchen). He puts quite a bit of thought into who gets what, making sure to remember who doesn't like chocolate and who really would respect the great Oatmeal Creme Pies! It is always fun to see someone searching for your present you gave them because they need "nourishment" while everyone opens their gifts. Little Debbie snacks, who knew? An easy, economical present that is thoughtful, and that you know they like!

By far one of my favorite gifts that my children receive is books that they always get from their great grandparents. I like that they don't take up much room, can be passed to anyone when they out grow them, we can share them together, and they can learn and be entertained! In our house we are rather addicted to books and reading! Every night my children get to pick out a book to have their dad read before their devotionals. So many sweet memories have develop out of time spent reading great books!

This Christmas I would love to share our love of books with one winner for my Holiday Giveaway! (Sorry to keep all of you in suspense of what it was but I wanted to make sure it was here before I announced it.) There are ten titles that I have chosen from the Scholastic book order to give away. There are many of my children's favorites including Chicka-Chicka Boom Boom and a few classics for older readers. It's my hope that you enjoy these titles this Christmas!

To enter you only have to be a "follower" of my blog. On Christmas Eve I will randomly draw one of the names of my followers and announce the winner of the ten book titles in the comment section of this blog entry. To all of my readers, thank you for your time and I hope that my blog has blessed you this year!

Thriftway Coupon Match (12/15 - 12/24)

This flyer runs all the way to Christmas Eve and there is a great deal for Best Choice Chocolate Chips (anytime it say "LIMIT" you know you have a bargain!). TIP: Always be on the look out at major supermarkets for manufacturer coupons in blinkie machine or tear pads that you can pick up and use at Thriftways. If you have found the Jello tear pads you could get quite a deal this week!

If you are a "follower" of this blog (your image/name on the leftside) you will be entered to win the Holiday Giveaway! Please read the next (#4) in the series of  Holiday's on a Budget to find out more on what it is.

These are all of the local coupon match ups for our local rural Thriftways. [Most rural Thriftways WILL NOT accept internet printables!]  The matches posted here are just that- matches. They might not be a great deal, but using a coupon will save you money if you were planning on buying them anyway or have to buy locally.  There are many other deals every week that do not require coupons however because of time I will not post those (except produce). Please feel free to comment on things I have missed or great deals you've scored this week.

PANTRY

Hershey's Baking Chips - $2.00
$1/2 coupon
Final Price: $1.50 wyb2

Swanson Broth (32 oz) - $2.00
$1/1 coupon
Final Price: $1.00

French's French Fried Onions - $2.99
.75/1 or .50/1 coupon
Final Price:  $2.24 or $2.49

General Mills Cereal - $2.00
$1/2 coupon
Final Price: $1.50 wby2

Swanson Broth - .69
.75/5 coupon
Final Price: .54 each wyb5 or $2.70

Coke 12 or 6 packs - 4/$13
4/$11 IN AD Coupon
Final Price - 4/$11

DAIRY/FROZEN/ REFRIGERATED ITEMS

Roberts or Hiland Egg Nog - $1.99
.30/1 coupon for Roberts
Doubles to .50
Final Price: $1.49

Pillsbury Cresent Rolls - $2.50
.40/2 coupon
Doubles to .50/2
Final Price: $2.25 each wyb2 or $4.50

Pillsbury Cookies- $2.50
$1/2 or $1.25/2 coupon from blinkies by cookie mixes
Final Price:  $4.00wyb2 or $3.75wyb2

Reames Egg Noodles- $1.50
.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $1.00

Rhodes Rolls (16.5 to 48 oz) - $3.50
$1/1 coupon
Final Price: $2.50

Rhodes Warm n Serve Rolls - $2.00
$1/1 coupon
Final Price: $1.00

MEAT

FarmLand Half Spiral Ham or Premium Hams- Various
$2/1 Coupon
Final Price: Varies

Hormel Pepperoni - $1.50
.55/1 coupon
Final Price: $1.45

Farmland Sausage - $1.25
.55/1 coupon
Final Price: .70

Tyson Chicken - $6.99
$1/1 coupon
Final Price: $5.99

Farmland Bacon - $2.50
.55/1 coupon
Final Price: $1.95

HOUSEHOLD

Reynolds Aluminum Foil - $3.99
.75/1 coupon
Final Price: $3.24

Dawn Laundry Detergent - $2.19
.25/1 or .50/1
Final Price - $1.69

Cascade Dish Detergent or Action Pacs - $3.99
.25/1 coupon
Doubles to .50
Final Price: $3.49

Charmin Bath Tissue - $6.99
.25/1 coupon
Doubles to .50
Final Price: $6.49

Bounty Paper Towels - $6.99
.25/1 coupon
Doubles to .50
Final Price: $6.49

HEALTH

Old Spice Deodrant - $3.99
$1/2 coupon
Final Price: $3.49each wyb2 or $7.98

Secret Deodrant - $3.99
.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $3.49

PRODUCE

Louisana Sweet Potatoes - .59/lb
TexasRuby Red Grapefruit - 3/$1
Bell Peppers or Cucumbers - .50each

Thriftway Coupon Match (12/8-12/14)

Sugar last week for $1.49, getting chocolate chips this week!

No coupon parties scheduled soo, if interested, let me know asap. I plan on annoucing information about the Holiday Giveaway this week so make sure if you read this you become a follower to get entered!

Ever had the problem when you HAVE to get something at the store and it is not on sale and you don't have the coupon either? Remember to check a coupon database to see if there is a coupon in circulation that will fit your needs! My favorite database I use is thekrazycouponlady.com and the link-up is always at the top of my blog. Also, don't forget to sign up for freebies- with your sample you usually get a coupon too.

These are all of the local coupon match ups for our local rural Thriftways. [Most rural Thriftways WILL NOT accept internet printables!]  The matches posted here are just that- matches. They might not be a great deal, but using a coupon will save you money if you were planning on buying them anyway or have to buy locally.  There are many other deals every week that do not require coupons however because of time I will not post those (except produce). Please feel free to comment on things I have missed or great deals you've scored this week.
Special 4 Day SALE - 12/9 to 12/12

Williams Chili Seasoning- .99
.55/2 coupon
Final Price: $0.715 each wyb2 or $1.43 for 2

Hormel Sliced Pepperoni- $1.00
.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $0.50

Fast Fixin' Meatballs- $3.99
$1/1 coupon (all*you)
Final Price- $2.99

PANTRY
Nestle Morsels - $1.97
$1/2 coupon
Final Price: $1.47 each wyb2

Campbell's Gravy- .50
.40/4
Doubles to .50/4
Final Price: $0.38 each wyb4 or $1.50 wyb4

Ragu Pasta Sauce- $1.50
Free pasta (up to $1.25) wyb2 Ragu Sauces
Final Price: $3.00 plus free pasta

Lipton Tea- $3.00
.60/1 coupon
Final Price: 2.40

Healthy Choice Soups- $1.33
$1/2 coupon
Final Price: $0.83 each wyb2 or $1.66

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix- $2.00
.40/1 coupon
Doubles to .50/1
Final Price: $1.50

Maxwell House International Coffee- $2.50
.75/1 coupon
Final Price: $1.75

Kellogg's Cereal (select var.)- $2.50
$1/3 or $1/2 coupon
Final Price- $2.27 or $2.00

Crisco Oil- $2.99
$1/2 coupon
Final Price: $2.49 each wyb2

DAIRY/FROZEN/ REFRIGERATED ITEMS
Pillsbury Cookies- $2.00
$1/2 or $1.25/2 coupon from blinkies by cookie mixes
Final Price:  $3.00wyb2 or $2.75wyb2

Coffeemate Creamer- $2.00
$1/2 all*you coupon or 55/1
Final Price: $1.50each wyb2 or $1.45

Reames Egg Noodles- $2.99
.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $2.49

Sister Schubert's Dinner Rolls- $2.50
.75/1 coupon
Final Price: $1.75

Bridgford Monkey Bread- $2.69
.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $2.19

MEAT

Oscar Meyer Fully Cooked Bacon- $2.99
$1 IN AD coupon
Final Price: $1.99

Fast Fixin' Chicken - $4.59
$1/1 or $1.25/1 all*you coupon
Final Price- $3.59 or $3.34

HOUSEHOLD

Snuggle Fabric Softener- $2.99
.75/1 coupon
Final Price: $2.24

HEALTH

Crest Toothpaste- $1.89
.75/1 coupon
Final Price: $1.14

PRODUCE

Texas Red Grapefruit- .50each
Sleeved Celery- .99each
Jonathan Apples- .99/lb
8lb Fruit Bag- $2.97

Holiday on a Budget: Part #3

One of my most often asked questions is, "WHY on Earth would you need that many of _____?" The fact is I do not really need 15 things of deodorant, 32 cans of evaporated milk, 20 boxes of pasta, or 15 tubes of toothpaste. But trust me when I say I know MANY people that could use them! If I can get paid to get an item, get it for free, or get it for mere cents, I will gladly get it and put a few on my shelves and the rest in the hands of someone who needs them.

Many times people will donate to food banks or missions, but many people that are hurting financially and that are really trying will not step foot in those places. The real work is done by those that are on the front lines fighting in the trenches to help those less fortunate. If you have seen it first hand you know what I am talking about. With a husband who works in the school system we see it often with the youngest in our world- and it truly breaks our hearts. Whatever the circumstances there should never be a reason for a child to go hungry. Often there are children that only eat when they have meals at school and go home to no dinner.

Poverty is something that will always exist in a broken world but that does not mean that we should relent in the fight against it- especially for children that can do nothing about it. When I was younger I remember my mother had been dealt a difficult hand one holiday season and while she had money for groceries, there would not be anything left for gifts that Christmas. That year my family was adopted by the school to have food donations given to them. While I can imagine how humbling it was for my mother to accept that, I remember that Christmas more than any other (even more so than the year my sister and I got Candyland!). We helped my mom unload the boxes it was kind of weird to see the canned pineapple and corn that my mom let us take to donate. What I remember most that there was four chocolate snack packs in the box (pudding cups!). Among the canned pumpkin and green beans were Snack Packs, name brand!- how cool was that! I remember making that pudding cup last as long as I could! My brother was excited about the cereal and he ate a bowl before we got everything put away.  With the money my mom saved on not buying groceries she was able to get us a fews gifts that Christmas but oddly I remember none of those. To whoever put those pudding cups in the donation box Thank You!

This year I hope you understand how blessed you are! I have a "budget" which means I have money. I have an electricity and gas bill which means I have a warm home. My kids may not have many presents under the tree but they know how loved they are and a full belly. I wish I could say thank you to all of those that did so much for me when I was younger! Those that took me out to eat, gave my family clothes, and for the hugs, smiles, and prayers that brighten up my life- thank you.

As a way to say thank you, I want to challenge all of my friends in the area to help me pay it forward. If you are blessed with extra this holiday, please pass it on! Every year the schools in the area adopt families, just like they did mine years ago. This year each school (in USD 434) has adopted three families to help out this Christmas. I encourage you to drop of items in the school offices for these families and give them hope and a smile this year! And remember it doesn't have to be the "traditional" Christmas items, it could be cereal and snack packs ;) For more information on how you can directly impact your neighbors in need, please contact me and find out how you can be a blessing!