The Free Central

Freebies

2009-09-01T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks-
The freebies lately have been a little slow - but the coupons and sales for the upcoming week are looking good! Here are some new freebies I was able to scrape up!

Free Pet Safety Kit - http://tinyurl.com/l2vcc5

Free Bookmark (SASE) - http://tinyurl.com/lmcajp

Prilosec Sample - http://tinyurl.com/5epd33

Rhapsody -(Free mp3) - http://tinyurl.com/y8klwm

ALL Current Wal-Mart Freebies - http://tinyurl.com/6mfdc2

Meal Plan Monday

2009-08-31T08:01:00.000-07:00

Today's Meal Plan Monday! For more meal planning ideas check out Org Junkie here! Oh and just a note - I've decided to go back to the old way of how I post my meal plans (listing how much the meal cost) instead of listing the recipes!

Monday - Turkey Burgers (1 lb. ground turkey $1.00, Bread Crumbs $.25), French Fries ($2.50) Total: $3.75

Tuesday - Bowl'O'Pasta (I know horrible dinner, but they are expiring soon and Tuesday is going to be a quick dinner... .66 cents)
Total: .66 Cents

Wednesday - Chicken Tacos (Chicken 1 lb. .98, Taco Sauce 1.00, Lettuce .75, Tacos .99)
Total: $3.72

Thursday - Chicken Pot Pie (Pot Pie Pastry $2.50, Chicken 1 lb. .98, Fillings 2.50)
Total: $5.98

Friday - Leftovers
Total: $FREE$

Saturday - Pizza (Bought at .99 cents store)
Total: .99 cents

Sunday - Roast Chicken ($3.50 for whole chicken, eat half - $1.75), Noodles ($.75 cents)
Total: $2.50

Total for week: $18.10

New and Revised Schedule!

2009-08-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

I've revised my posting schedule ... again - and this time I'm beginning to like it more. Lately I haven't felt too inspired to write anything - and I think it was because I wasn't excited or intrigued by what I was doing ... so I've decided that maybe this schedule will work - and leave me feeling intrigued :D !

Monday - I'll stick with doing meal plan monday, and will probably do a catch-up post of some sort - especially if I didn't post over the weekend.

Tuesday - I've decided to make this day all about freebies and I'll also be linking to Being Frugal's Tightwad Tuesdays - so I'll still keep the tips section...

Wednesday - This day will not be Work-At-Home Wednesday every week, but instead it will be every other week. On the days that I don't post WAWW (Work-At-Home Wednesdays) I'll devote that day to a review - of a product, of a website, etc.

Thursday - This day will still be Thrifty Thursday - but with a greener focus (yes, The Free Central is going green!) and will be talking more about reusing stuff, and repurposing it...

Friday - Will be lots of posts! I'll be posting at least twice - one will be Freebie Friday with Bargain Briana, and the other will be a preview of the next weeks deals from ... CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, Pathmark, and on occasion Wal-Mart or Target.

Saturday - Will be focused on one topic every month - so one month it could be about being frugal when traveling, and the next month it could be about becoming frugal!

Sunday - If I do post on Sunday - I'll be doing Kingdom First Mom's $5 CVS challenge, and will be posting pics, etc. of all the deals I got that week!

And of course throughout the week I'll be posting hot deal alerts, freebies, discount codes, and more!

Freebie Friday

2009-08-28T10:58:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone -

Here's a quick round-up of this weeks freebies, and later today I will be posting a newly revised schedule for the blog, since I'm not so sure how much I like the current one. Anyway - if you have any suggestions please let me know! Here's a roundup of this weeks best freebies - hope you enjoy (and don't forget to head on over to Bargain Briana for more freebies)!

Free Hallmark Card

Free Beech Nut Starter Kit

Free Sample Nature Valley Trail Mix Granola Clusters

Free Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich

$1.00/1 Skittles Crazy Cores (Target)

Free Limeade @ A+W

Free Sample Degree Absolute Deodorant (NO Membership # Needed)

Free Sample Arm + Hammer Toothpaste (You must MANUALLY copy and paste this link)

http://www.armandhammertrial.com/

Free Sample Aveda Hand Relief Lotion (Must bring coupon to store)

Site of the Day!

2009-08-26T19:08:00.000-07:00

Todays site of the day is on a website called Mother Earth News (which I found through one of my favorite books - 573 Ways To Save Money) and they had an article on how to make Artisan Bread (or just bread!) in 5 minutes a day! The process is pretty simple ... make the dough, let it rise for 2 hours - and stick it in the fridge! It makes enough for multiple loaves of bread and when you want to make a loaf - just take some dough out and let it rise for 20 minutes. Here's the link directly to the article - but they also have lots of other different stuff available also!

Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day

Mother Earth News - The Main Site

Pathmark!!

2009-08-26T17:39:00.001-07:00

Well today I headed over to Pathmark to pick up some groceries - I spent $24.75 and saved $30.17 ! Over 100% saved! Anyway - here's a list of all the stuff I got - for a full list and even more deals check out A Full Cup !

Aunt Jemima Waffles $1.00 each (bought 2)

-.25 Store Coupon

Silk Soymilk $1.49 (bought 1)

-.75 Printable

Keebler El Fudge $2.34 each (bought 2)

$1.00/2 Printable

Nabisco Munch Pack $1.50 each (bought 2)

$1.00/2 Coupon from 8/23 Insert

Kool Aid Packets .20 cents each (bought 5)

Capri Sun $2.00 each (Bought 2)

Yoplait Yo Plus $3.29 (Bought 1)

Free Coupon - won in sweepstakes :D

Double Mint Gum 3 Pack $1.35 each (Bought 2)

Lunchables $1.50 (Bought 1)

$1.00/1 Coupon from 8/23 Insert

Pathmark Brand 64 Oz. Laundry Detergent $2.88 (Bought 1)

Total: $24.75

Saved: $30.17

Items Bought: 19

Meal Plan Monday

2009-08-24T13:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Folks!

Today is Meal Plan Monday! I'm going to try a new format today in which I list the links to the recipe that I'm using! If it's a generic recipe I'll tell you what cookbook I use (a.k.a. hamburgers).

Monday -

Sloppy Joes (Found here: http://tinyurl.com/2kjfoe

Mixed Vegetables (Green Giant Steamers)

Tuesday -

Subway (We go once a month!)

Wednesday -

Chicken Noodle Soup (Frannie Farmer's Cookbook)

Potato Slices (Slice 3-4 potato's very thin and lay them on a baking sheet. Drizzle with some Oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes and up - depending on how done you like them)

Thursday -

Pasta Salad (Boil ANY variety of Pasta, let cool in fridge. Add in any type of vegetable you like and mix in 1/2 cup or more of Ranch dressing in depending on how much pasta you made - presto!)

Friday -

Pizza (http://tinyurl.com/phtza5)

Saturday -

Leftover night!

CVS $5 Challenge

2009-08-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

Hi folks!

Todays the CVS $5.00 Savings Challenge - you can view Kingdom First Mom for even more $5 challenges by clicking here!

Transaction #1 -

Buy 4 Kraft Macaroni & Cheese - $4.00

Receive $2.00 ECB

Total (after ECB): $2.00

Transaction #2 (if going on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday) -

Buy 1 CVS Brand Composition Notebook - $1.00

Buy 1 Speed Stick Deodorant - $2.49

Use $2.00 ECB from Transaction #1

Receive $1.00 ECB

Total After ECB: .49

Grand Total: $2.49 (after ECB)

Recieved: 4 Kraft Mac+Cheese, 1 Composition notebook, 1 Speed Stick Deodorant for $2.50!

Savings Saturday

2009-08-22T06:22:00.001-07:00

Well for today's Savings Saturday post I decided that I would compile a list of all of my favorite saving sites, coupon sites, frugal blogs, and work - at - home sites! Recently I had started listing them all - and figured it might make a cool blog post ... so here it goes!

Saving Sites/Coupon Sites

My Bargain Buddy - Online shopping site with tons of online coupon codes - there's a daily newsletter which "alerts" you of the day's top deals. There's also a forum where people can post even more coupon codes and/or sales...

Coupon Mom- My go-to source for anything and everything that has to do with coupons! She has tons of coupons to print, and with *free* membership you get access to over 35 grocery lists - which basically list all the sales going on that week at that store and match it with a coupon! They even tell you which date the coupon came, how much you'll save, coupon amount, and the final price! Pretty simple, and pretty easy! They also have a forum which I highly recommend with even more discussion on coupons, savings, and frugality!

A Full Cup - Another great source for coupons! It's a lot like Coupon Mom- but instead it's just a forum with everyone contributing the deals - and the "moderators" of each forum doing the shopping lists! Great for the more advanced couponer (I think...) since it's not as easy to navigate as Coupon Mom - nonetheless they still have a huge selection of printable coupons, and tons of information!

Coupons.com - This is the place to go to print all your coupons! After installing their "Printer-Software" you're able to print up to 2 copies of each coupon! They normally have over 8 pages of coupons - and some of them have a limit to how many the "public" can print - a.k.a if they have a $1/off pantene - they might only let 1,000 people print the coupon. So it's always a good idea to print them as soon as you see them (they do change every so often).

Smartsource.com - Another printable coupon place - good selection (not as good as Coupons.com) - you can often find a couple really good coupons on their site - I believe there limit is 2 also - and there coupons change every so often as Coupons.com.

Frugal Blogs

Being Frugal - My favorite blog (yes I have a "favorite") that I have been reading forever. They do a great job of doing a little bit of deals, and lots of tips, tricks, and stories! It's a nice break from some frugal blogs - which only cover sales ... they've got it balanced out real well!

Consumer Queen - Another one of my favorite blogs! She has ton's of giveaway's and lots of sale info, frugal ideas, and a great (small, but great) forum where people post the deals each week!

M Network - I would also suggest checking out this site - It's not so much a blog as it is a collection of 8 different frugal blogs (Being Frugal is one of them). You can subscribe to them all as one RSS feed, or you can pick and choose which blogs you like best.

GreatNews RSS Reader - On the topic of "subscribing" - I read about 15-20 blogs daily (not all on frugal - ness :D ) and it's hard to have to visit them every single day - so I downloaded the GreatNews RSS Reader for my computer. Just enter all the URL's for all of your favorite blogs and they will find the RSS feed and set it up for you. Then all you have to do is go in everyday (all your blogs are there) and you just click "Update All" and presto! And best of all... it's *free*

Work-At-Home Sites

Yes... I know what you're thinking more of those fake scams where people get ripped off all the time - don't worry all of these sites are legit (and simple) !

MyPoints - Is a shopping site. Basically when you shop through one of their links (lets say for Barnes & Noble) they might give you 5 points/per dollar spent. So if you spent $25.00 - you would get 125 points. They also often have "bonus days" where you can earn twice as much at stores, etc. The other way to earn points is they send you about 2-3 e-mails a day called "MyPoints BonusMail" where all you have to do is click through the advertisement and they'll add 5 points to your account! So there's an easy 15 points a day (multiply that by 7 and you get 105 points a week, 420 points a month, and you get 5,020 points a year)- it takes about 5,500 - 6,700 points to get a $50 Gift Card to stores like JC Penny, Amazon, etc. They also have gift cards in the lower ranges - but it makes more sense to save up for a bigger one.

Inbox Dollars - Another "e-mail" site. They e-mail you about 3-5 times a day and you get paid about 3 cents an e-mail. They also have surveys available on the site where you can earn some "cash" you can cash out once you have $30.00

Ok... I'm officially back!

2009-08-21T16:32:00.001-07:00

Hello Readers (if any are still there)...

I'm so sorry I have been absent in my posting lately - for the past couple of months... Let's just say life has been beyond hectic lately with lots of stuff going on - but it being the summer it has settled down a bit...

Anyway - I'll get back to my regular posting schedule soon - starting tomorrow with Savings Saturday!

Hope all is well - will post soon!

Review: Examiner.com

2009-04-08T18:09:00.001-07:00

Recently I stumbled across a website called examiner.com - and boy does it have a wealth of information. It's a little bit like other writing websites (such as Associated Content) - but the writers go through a much lengthier application process, and it's a lot more "organized". Each writer who writes for them writes on one topic - such as Money, Vehicles, Parenting - etc.! I must say this site has a ton of knowledge and some great writers! It's a really cool website with some really interesting topics! My favorite "examiner" would definitely be the Teen Parenting Examiner Libby J. - you can visit her pieces, profile and more here: Examiner - now some of the articles are New York Area based - but most aren't. Now my second favorite "examiner" would have to be the Frugal Family one - of course she writes many frugal articles - which I do enjoy! You can find her here: Examiner 2 !

That's all for now folks!

Scooter

Meal Plan Monday

2009-04-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

Hey folks!
Well it's another week of Meal Plan Monday and here are my meal plans for the week! Enjoy! And if you'd like to see more meal plans like this one visit Org Junkie!

Monday - Mexican Casserole - 1/2 LB. Ground Beef ($.94), 1 Can Corn (.45), 1 Jar Salsa (.99), 3 Cups Egg Noodles (.50)
Total: $2.88

Tuesday - Hamburgers + Rice - 1 LB. Ground Beef ($1.89), 8 Slices Bread (.30), 1/2 Onion (.25), 1 Cup Rice (.30)
Total: $2.74

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Chicken Casserole - 3/4 LB. Chicken ($1.26), 1 Cup Rice (.30), 1 Can Cream of Chicken (.89), 1 Cup Celery (.25)
Total: $2.80

Friday - Pizza - Celeste Pizzas ($1.00 Each)
Total: $2.00

Saturday - Spaghetti w/ Veggies - 1 Box Spaghetti .80, GG Steamers .66
Total: $1.46

Sunday - Potluck - Bringing Eclair Cake - Graham Crackers (2.50), Vanilla Pudding (.70), Marshmallows (.99)

Totals for week: $16.07 (doesn't include breakfast, lunch, or beverages)

Note: My totals for the day/week are lower than most since our family is smaller. This also allows us to have leftover meals more often than most 4 person or more families.

Freebies!

2009-04-05T07:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a short little list of freebies everyone! Hope you enjoy!

Free Pack of Basil Seeds

Free Sample Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer

Free Sample Cottonelle Wipes

Free Sample Caress Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash

Free Samples from Pathmark

And sadly, one of my favorite freebie sites Best Daily Freebies is sadly closing down their site soon. While it's still open be sure to head on over and visit! Their one of the best, most reliable sites on the web! Oh and in other news - The Free Shoppe has started a new group on Yahoo called The Free Shoppe Newsletter where you get a daily newsletter that the group owner sends out daily. So if you're just looking for a quick shot of freebies - this is perfect!

Wow!

2009-04-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

WOW! We have reached 44 subscribers! I can't believe it! I just want to say a shout out and thank you to anyone who subscribes to our blog, either through e-mail or a feed reader! Anyway, since it's Sunday I'll be doing the CVS $5.00 challenge later - and might be posting Meal Plan Monday a little early! Anyway - just wanted to do a short post to say thanks!

CVS Deals 3/29, Walgreens Deals 3/29

2009-03-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

Here are the deals for this week! I didn't least them all - but pulled my favorites :) !

Glade Sense + Spray $5.99
Use $4.00 off 1 Coupon from March All You
Use B1G1 Printable Coupon (was on Glade website - but doesn't seem to be available anymore)
Total: $1.99 for 2
Receive $2.00 ECB
Total: FREE

Veet Gel Product $5.49 **Buy 2**
Use $2/1 Printable Coupon
Use $2/1 Printable Coupon
Receive $5 ECB
Total: $1.98 for 2

Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber Starter Kit $2.99
Use $2.75/1 Printable Coupon
Receive $1.00 CRT
Total: .76 PROFIT

Walgreen's Deal Glitch!

2009-03-30T15:09:00.000-07:00

(Thanks to Drugstore Divas )
This week at Walgreen's the Soft Soap Body Washes are on sale for $3.99, when you buy one - you get a catalina for a free bottle of Soft Soap Body Wash on your next visit. Well rumor has it that when you go in and use your "free" coupon out prints another coupon for another FREE bottle! Now depending on how nice your store is... you could get a lot of free body washes. Here's a scenario I put together!!

Transaction 1:
Soft Soap Radiant Spa Body Wash $3.99
Use $1/1 Coupon from 3/29 Paper
Total: $2.99

Receive a catalina for a free bottle on your next purchase ($3.99)

Transaction 2:
Soft Soap Radiant Spa Body Wash $3.99
Use $1/1 Coupon from 3/29 Paper
Use $3.99 Catalina
Total: $1.00 PROFIT

Receive a catalina for a free bottle on your next purchase!

You could keep on doing this! I would suggest doing this soon though, because as soon as Walgreen's finds out - it's going to be gone!

Menu Plan Monday

2009-02-23T15:19:00.000-08:00

Hello!
This week we're doing Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday! Click on the button below if you want more Meal Plans, or if you want to check Org Junkie out!

Monday - Chicken with Rice - Chicken (Cooked 3 Pounds, Used 1 Pound, .99), Rice (Cooked 1 pound, 1/2 lb. .50)
Total: $1.49

Tuesday - Crockpot Chicken Soup - (Used 2 Pounds from last night $1.98, Rice from last night $.50, Vegetables - Frozen and were FREE after coupon)
Total: $2.48

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Ritzy Chicken Casserole (A favorite, I got the recipe in an E-Book called "Censtible Suppers") - (Ritz FREE at CVS, Chicken 1 Pound .99 cents, Sour Cream .99 cents, Cream of Chicken Soup .75 cents)
Total: $2.73

Friday - Pizza (Dough $.75, Sauce $1.50, Cheese .59)
Total: $2.84

Saturday - Spaghetti (.99 cents)
Total: .99 cents

Weekly Total: $10.53
Average $$ per night: $1.75 (when you divide the total by the number of nights)

Shopping Sunday

2009-02-22T16:24:00.000-08:00

Went to Pathmark today - and I saved over $100.00 and spent $66.00. I also got $13.00 to spend on my next shopping trip and 2 coupons for $1.00 off a $10 purchase! I did pretty well - I got (I'm rounding up the totals):

5 Celeste Pizzas $5.00
5 Bird's Eye Boxed Veggies $5.00
6 Shout $15.00
2 Pepperidge Farm Garlic Bread $3.00
5 Hunt's Tomatoes $4.00
5 Hunt's Snack Pudding $5.00
5 Banquet Entrees $5.00
5 Brown N Serve Sausage $5.00
2 Barilla Pasta Sauces $2.00
Ground Turkey Value Pack (6 Pounds) $7.00
3 Plantains $1.00
2 Edy's Ice Cream $6.00
2 Dole Fruit Naturals $3.00

Please feel free to comment with your shopping trips, scenarios, or anything really or leave a link! We've added a Mr. Linky box! So all you have to do is leave your name/blog name and the link straight to your post (not your homepage, but the post) and title it "Shopping Sunday" or whatever you like!

Thrifty Thursday

2009-02-19T08:50:00.000-08:00

Well on today's topic of Thrifty Thursday I've been on vacation for the past 3 days and you know it wouldn't be a scooter vacation with out a little bit of coupons! The hotel we stayed at was great, it was close to all the attractions, included breakfast AND dinner (and this was no skimpy grab a cinnamon roll, these were 3, 4 course meals!) and had a great pool and hot tub! We had a nice room - anyway back to it! I had the opportunity to shop at an Aldi (yes, I do post the deals, but we don't have one here locally) and let me tell you that was the best shopping experience I have ever had! Okay so I impulsed shopped a little bit (picked up a 3 pound bag of powdered sugar, which I will use and was only .79 cents!) - even though they didn't except coupons they had some great prices, the store was immaculate and the people were nice. I would rate it a 9 out of 10 (only because they don't accept coupons!!). I also had the pleasure of shopping at a Grand Union - which I normally don't and was able to get some cheap little debbie 100 calorie snack cakes (normally $1.59, marked down to $1.29 - .55 coupon doubled = .19 cents), and some FREE 100 Calorie Oreo Cakestars (I got a coupon from Kraft First Taste program - if you aren't a member, you should go sign up!) - and I also picked up a 9 inch Pyrex Glass Pie Plate for $2.99 (impulse...). Then I stopped into this great little gift shop which was also a thrift shop (my favorite) and picked up a gift for my mom, a porcelin turtle for myself (from thrift shop - gift for mom from store) and a candle (from thrift). Now I drove past a JC Penny - and remembered I needed a new pillow - and they had them on sale for $5.99. Well it's just my luck that today when catching up I find out there's a $5 off $5 savings pass for JC Penny!!! I could've gotten myself a .99 pillow - normally 11.99! I was pretty annoyed. Also picked up a stocking holder - since my old one broke - i don't use it for stockings, but for towels. Take one of those 3M hooks and take off the sticky part, and put it on the back of the stocking stuffer - then stick it to the wall and it will hold a towel nicely (and be holiday themed) you could also use any other type of adhesive (it would probably me much easier) for $1.97 (normally $19.99!) anyway I was happy! In all my trips I spent about $35.00 and saved over $100!

100th Post!!!!!!

2009-02-19T08:46:00.000-08:00

WHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! It's our 100th post here at The Free Central ! I'm so excited! I never thought I would make it to 100 Posts on a blog, but we did! Thanks so much for all my readers who continue to read even though I haven't posted much lately -- anyway - thank you sooo much again, for everything I really, really appreciate it (oh and boy oh boy do I have some posting to catch up on!)! Anyway, thanks again, and it's our 100th post!

FREE Glade Sense + Spray!!

2009-02-09T15:45:00.000-08:00

At Walgreens the Glade Sense + Spray is $9.99, use the $4.00 off 1 Coupon from 2/8 Insert, and the B1G1 Printable Coupon to get 2 Glade Sense + Sprays for $5.99. Then submit them for Rebate #28 for $3.00 each, gettting you $6.00 BACK! Making them free!

Scenario:

Glade Sense + Spray $9.99
Use B1G1 Printable Coupon
Use $4.00 off 1 Coupon from 2/8 Insert
Total: $5.99 for 2

Submit for ESR (Easy Saver Rebate) #28 for $3.00 each!
Total recieved back $6.00

Making them FREEEEEEEEEEEEE! And I've been wanting to buy these for a little while!

Walgreen's Freebies

2009-02-09T14:50:00.000-08:00

There are also some pretty good deals at Walgreen's this week if you're a Walgreen's fan (My first choice of store is CVS, then Rite-Aid, and then Walgreen's) - a good amount of freebies!

Revlon Creme Lip Gloss
FREE After Rebate
Use $2.00 Coupon from 2/8 Insert
Total: PROFIT $2.00

Gillette Fusion Gamer, Venus Spa Breeze, Embrace Razor $10.00
Use $4.00 Gamer Coupon from 2/8 Insert
Recieve $6.00 Register Rewards
Total: FREE

Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Hair Care $2.99
FREE After Rebate
Use $1.00 Coupon from 2/8 Insert
Total: PROFIT $1.00

Therma Care Heat Wrap Trial Size $2.49
FREE After Rebate
Total: FREE

CVS Freebies

2009-02-09T14:36:00.000-08:00

Lots of good freebies this week at CVS - these are only the freebies, and not all the deals - I would suggest checking out Kingdom First Mom for some great scenarios!

Earinse $7.99 - Get $7.99 ECB

Nabisco Wheat Thins/Ritz (Small Boxes) FREE after $2/2 Coupon from 1/25 Insert

Gillette Shampoo $4.99
Use $2.00 off 1 Coupon from 1/18 Insert
Recieve $3 ECB
Total: FREE

CVS Chewable Children's Aspirin $1.99
Recieve $1.99 ECB
Total: FREE

Gillette Fusion Razor $4.00
Recieve $4.00 ECB
Total: FREE

Hello again!

2009-02-09T14:13:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone -
Why how I've missed this blog! Know I wasn't here over the weekend, but back with some great Freebies, and the CVS deals and Walgreen's deals for the week! Know it's a little late, but if you haven't gone yet, you might want to check them out :) ! Anyway here are some freebies to get you going:

Get a Free Recipes 4 Life E-Book

Great Valentine's Day Recipes

Get a Free Skin for your Accu-Check

Free Valentines LED Flashing Heart Pin

Free French Stallion Horse DVD

MIR - Aunt Jemima Pancakes

Free Sample Nelson Bach Rescue Cream

MIR- Macaroni + Cheese Crackers

Shop @ Handheld Items and get 10 % off using code: HANDHELD10

Personal Break

2009-02-06T17:59:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone...
A lot of stuff has been going on in my life lately, and I've just been a little overwhelmed. I've been working on our new site, trying to keep this blog going, running my normal life, and it's just been a lot. So I'm going to be taking a personal break for a few weeks, and will not be posting on Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Hopefully when things get back to normal and a little less hectic - I will be able to continue with my daily posting. You'll probably see me here a lot on Fridays, Saturdays, Sunday's and Mondays, and definitely not Tuesdays/Wednesdays! I hope I have not lost any of my readers and will keep all of you in my mind. And don't worry, I'll still be posting the Drugstore deals! If you need to get in touch with me about anything just send an e-mail to thefreecentral@gmail.com and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Now in the meantime of my 2-day a week absence, I would love for you to check my 5 favorite blogs and enjoy them!

Kingdom First Mom

Being Frugal

New Frugal Mom

Deal Seeking Mom

Consumer Queen

Hello!

2009-02-03T15:07:00.000-08:00

I'm so sorry that I've been so distant lately - just a lot going on here lately! I am sooo behind on posting the deals, and that's because I'm working on getting our new blog The Free Central Deals up! Lately I've been feeling like this blog has been bogged down lately with way too many deals. So what I've decided to do is post all of the supermarket deals and super store deals, and just post the Walgreen's, CVS, Rite-Aid, and best, best deals here! I've been trying to go towards frugalness a lot lately, and I promise you (yes promise!) that I will try my hardest to post some freebies! And maybe actually post a site of the day once in a while! Maybe by the end of the month - we may even have an actual website? Who knows! Thanks so much for reading the blog, I really appreciate all of your support.

Assorted Glade Coupons

2009-02-02T14:20:00.000-08:00

Here are some Glade coupons which you can find on the Glade website! They include:

B1G1 Free Sense & Spray Printable Coupon

B1G1 PlugIn's Gel Warmer Printable Coupon

B1G1 PlugIn's Scented Oil Lasting Impressions Printable Coupon

Also Coupons.com has updated their coupons for the month, print yours now before they go!

Rite Aid Deals 2/1

2009-02-01T17:13:00.000-08:00

Here are this week's rite -aid deals! Please give courtesy to The Free Central thanks!

Benefiber $9.99
$2.00 Coupon from 1/4 Insert
$3.00 SCR #29
(Can also be used toward SCR #50 - Free T-Shirt)
Total: $4.99

Rite-Aid Toilet Paper (12-pack single roll, or 6-pack double roll) 2 for $6.00
$1.00 SCR #121
Total: $5.00 for 2

Almay Eye Cosmetics $5.99
$3.00 SCR #62
$1.00 Coupon from 12/14 Insert
$1.00 Coupon from 1/11 Insert
Total: $1.99

Doritos B1G1
Total: Varies

Bayer Enteric Aspirin $7.69 (buy 3)
$3.00 off 1 In-Ad Coupon (use 3)
$10.00 Rite-Aid Gift Card SCR#43
Total: $4.07 for 3

Here's my transaction for the week:

Buy 3 Bayer @ $7.69 each
Buy 1 Benefiber @ 9.99 each
Total: $33.06

-$3.00 In-Ad Bayer Coupon
-$3.00 In-Ad Bayer Coupon
-$3.00 In-Ad Bayer Coupon
-$2.00 Benefiber Coupon
-5.00 Rite-Aid $5/25 Coupon (if you have one)
Total after Coupons: $22.06 (w/ no $5/25 coupon)
Total w/ $5/25 coupon: $17.06

-$10.00 Rite-Aid Gift Card Rebate #43
-$3.00 Benefiber SCR #29
-$10.00 Rite-Aid Gift Card Rebate #98
-FREE T-Shirt SCR #500
Total: $6.00 profit!!!!!!!!!

CVS Trip Today

2009-02-01T11:03:00.001-08:00

Well I went to CVS today and got 2 Speed Stick 24/7 Deodorants, 1 3-Pk. Irish Spring Soap, 3 Johnsons Buddies, 2 Softsoap Body Washes, 4 boxes of Peeps, and Softsoap Hand Soap. I paid $6.76 or $2.76 after ECB's! I used: .75/1 Speed Stick 24/7 twice, $3/3 Printable Johnsons Coupon, $1.00 off 1 Softsoap Body Wash twice, .35 off 1 Hand Soap. Then used a $4/20 Coupon, and $4.50 in ECB's.

Frugal Friday

2009-01-30T13:21:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! It's Friday! Thank God! Well I have some ECB's I have to use up by the end of today so this is going to be a short post since I have to run to CVS - but anyway's .... here's this week's round-up of some of my favorite posts!

Organizing Your Way - 7 Quick Tips for Organizing Socks

Being Frugal - Started a Deals Section!

Consumer Queen - Help Vote Daisy (CQ's Resident Dog) the winner!

Deal Seeking Mom - Win an iPod Touch!

And those are just some of my favorite posts! Check my Blog Roll for more of my favorites!

What do you think?

2009-01-29T18:11:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! Just wondering how much everyone likes the new Blog Layout! I thought it looked nice! Please leave a comment to let me know! I'll be posting the Rite-Aid deals tomorrow!

Pathmark Deals 1/30 - 2/5

2009-01-29T13:49:00.000-08:00

Colgate Toothpaste .99 cents
.75 Coupon -we didn't have one here :(
.50 Coupon from 1-18 Insert
Total: FREE

Hunt's Tomatoes 5 for $5.00

Ortega Taco Dinners $2.29 (buy 2)
$1.00 off 2 Coupon from 1-11 Insert
Total: $3.58 for 2

Pepperidge Farm Wheat Crisps 2 for $5.00
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 1-18 Insert
Total: $4.00 for 2

Gatorade 5 for $5.00

America's Choice Drumsticks/Theighs .99/lb.

Kraft Cheese Bars 2 for $5.00

Swanson Meals 5 for $5.00

Red Baron 12'' Family Style Pizza $2.50 (for the regular)
$5.00 off 2 Tearpad found at 7-11!
Total: FREE

Furlani's Garlic Toast 2 for $3.00

Nabisco Ritz Crackers 2 for $5.00
$2.00 off 2 Coupon from 1-18 Insert
Total: $3.00 for 2

This is my first week doing pathmark - and these are a few of my favorite deals for the week!
At my local store they double coupons up to .99 cents, and occasionally will triple a ,99 cent
coupon. They don't accept I.P. coupons at my local store :( , unless I get a really nice cashier
or one that I'm friendly with.

Albertson Deals

2009-01-28T16:07:00.000-08:00

Make sure to check out Frugal Living Online for more of the Albertson Deals for the week! There seem to be a couple good ones J !

Hamburger, Chicken, or Tuna Helper .99 cents (get 3)
$1.00 off 3 Printable Coupon
.50 cent Safeway Double Coupon
Total: $1.47 for three

Kraft Shredded Cheese $1.99
.75 off 1 Blinkie - found in Fred Meyer Stores!
.50 cent Safeway Double Coupon
Total: .49 cents

Those are my two favorite deals Angela said she would be sure to post some more deals tomorrow - so make sure to check out her blog for more deals tomorrow!

Great Post @ Organizing Your Way

2009-01-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

I loved today's post over at Organizing Your Way on Socks - and what to do with them when they come out of the laundry! Socks are my least favorite thing about laundry ~~laundry can be rather therapeutic sometimes :) ~~ since you have to find the other one, match them together, etc. - it's just tedious work! Well I thought Mandi did a great job with her post and you can check it out here:
http://www.organizingyourway.net/quick-tips/quick-tips-socks-socks-and-more-socks

Milk Coupon!

2009-01-26T16:52:00.001-08:00

Here's a great $1 off 1 Carton of Over The Moon milk! Yay! A milk coupon! Get it here:
http://www.overthemoonmilk.com/coupons

Menu Plan Monday

2009-01-26T15:48:00.001-08:00

Hello! Once again, we’re doing Meal Plan Monday! Be sure to head on over to Org Junkie for some great meal plans!

Monday - Chicken with Noodles - Chicken (.99/lb - used 1/lb.) .99 cents, Noodles (2.00, used 1 package) $2.00
Total: $3.00

Tuesday - Chicken Noodle Soup (can…), and Garlic Bread - Soup (FREE @ Pathmark), Garlic Bread ($1.29)
Total: $1.29

Wednesday - Tuna Casserole - Tuna (FREE at Wal-Mart), Rice (.75 cents), Cheese ($1.99, used half .98 cents), and Veggies ($1.00)
Total: $2.73

Thursday - Garlic Roast Chicken, Rice - Chicken (.99/lb. - used 1 lb.) .99 cents, Garlic (.50 cents), Spices (.75 cents), and Rice (.75 cents)
Total: $3.00

Friday - Pizza - Dough (.50 cents), Cheese (.99 cents), Chicken (leftover)
Total: $1.49

Saturday - Spaghetti (.99 cents), Ground Beef (.99/lb.), Veggies (FREE @ Wal-Mart)
Total: $1.98

Sunday - Roast Chicken (.99 cents/lb, used ½ $1.98), Veggies ($1.00
Total: $3.00

Totals for the week: $16.49!
I made my goal of feeding everyone for less than $3!!

Kroger Deals

2009-01-25T09:06:00.000-08:00

Here are the Kroger Deals for the week! Check out Cincinnati Cents for more of this week’s steals and deals!

Driscoll’s Blueberries 10 for $10.00

Red Potatoes $2.99 for 5 pounds

Lean Cuisine Entrees $1.88
$1.00 off 2 Printable Coupon
Total: $2.76 for 2 or $1.38 each

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers .99 cents
.50 off 1 Coupon from 1-4 Insert
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 1-18 Insert
Total: FREE

Cattleman’s Barbecue Sauce $1.19

Ghirardelli Brownie Mix $1.69

Daisy Sour Cream $1.49
.50 off 1 Coupon from 1-18 Insert
Total: .49 cents

Meijer Deals

2009-01-25T08:22:00.000-08:00

Head on over to Cincinnati Cents for more Meijer Steals and Deals!

Meijer Fresh Chicken Breasts $1.69 /lb.

Sweet Seedless Navel Oranges $1.99 for 5 pounds

Red Baron Pizza 3 for $9.00
$1.00 off 2 Coupon from 1-11 Insert
Total: $7.50 or $2.50 each

Hormel Chili .99 cents
.55 cents off 2
Total: .50 cents each

Goldfish $1.00

Walgreen's Deals

2009-01-25T08:19:00.000-08:00

Walgreens Deals
Here are this week’s Walgreen’s Deals. Head on over to Mommy Snacks or Deal Seeking Mom for more deals!

Orajel $8.49
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 1-18 Insert
ESR $8.49
Submit Rebate Form from 1-11 Insert (up to $8.49)
Total Paid: $7.49
Total Back: $16.98!

Colgate Toothpaste $2.99
$2.00 RR Back
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 1-4 Insert
.75 off 1 Coupon from 1-18 Insert
Total: Free - .24 cents

Reeses Whip’s B1G1
$1.00 off 2 Coupon from 1-4 Insert
Total: FREE

Degree Deodorant $1.99 (buy 8)
$10.00 RR Back
$1.50 off 2 Coupon from 1-11 Insert (Use 4)
Total: FREE with 0.8 Cent Overage

Printer Cartridge $5.00
ESR $5.00
Total: FREE

Puffs .89 cents
.25 off 1 Coupon from 1-18 Insert
Total: .64 Cents

Auto Expressions Vent Fresh Elite Auto Air Freshener $4.99
Submit for FULL ESR at Walgreens
Submit M.I.R. Printable here: http://www.autozone.com/images/in_our_stores/store_rebates/ventfresh_0911_08.pdf
Total: FREE with $5.00 Overage

Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil .99 cents
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 12-14 Insert
Total: FREE

All items in RED are FREE!

CVS $5.00 Challenge

2009-01-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

Once again, we’re doing the CVS challenge. Our goal - to spend no more than $5.00 and receive ECB’s back for the product’s we purchase! Head on over to Kingdom First Mom for more of the CVS $5 challenge!

Transaction #1:

Gillette Fusion Razor $7.99
$4.00 off 1 Coupon from 12-28 Insert
Total: $3.99
Receive: $4.00 ECB

Transaction #2:

Gillette Shampoo $4.99 (buy 2)
$2.00 off 1 Coupon from 1-18 Insert (use twice)
Total: $5.98
Use $4.00 ECB
Final Total: $1.98
Receive: $6.00 ECB

Paid: $5.97 (darn…only .97 cents over!!)
ECBS Back: $6.00
Made: .3 cents!!

iStockphoto - 20 FREE pics

2009-01-24T16:08:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick freebie round up folks! My favorite is the i-stock photo freebie (thanks to deal seeking mom for this one!!) - get 20 free images!

Sign Up for a FREE iStockphoto account or log in.
Choose 20 High Resolution Photos worth $100 from a collection of 60 worth $100

Also get 20% off your order of 50 or more pay-as-you-go photos! Just use code: AVERYBINDER

Savings Saturday

2009-01-24T15:55:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone! Welcome to another edition of Savings Saturday! Will be posting the Rite-Aid, Walgreens, and CVS deals tomorrow morning! Thought I would share with you how I keep track of my spending money. As some of you know I freelance (writing mainly) and often my pay check is deposited into Pay Pal. Well I don't spend too much online (shop mainly offline), so I've set up a system where whatever I have in my online account, I can use offline - it's like my "spending piggy bank" , but online. Every week I log on and see how much money I have in my account whatever it is - I can spend. I can't go over the amount in the account, and I can gladly stay under. By using the money in my pay-pal account to help with my offline spending - I'm saving myself time and effort figuring out the "spending" money I have. Here's an example:

I have $25.00 in my Pay Pal account. That means I have $25.00 to spend on items other than groceries, drug store items, and neccesities. I can choose to use the money or save it. It's a good system, since it re-pays me. By spending $25 offline, I know I can re-pay it with the $25.00 I have online. Get it?

Now if you don't have a Pay Pal account you can do the same thing with a small box, drawer, or envelope even. Every month collect your spending money and stick it in an envelope and seal it. That's right seal it - now write the total amount of money inside the envelope on the outside. Now when you want to go and buy something subtract it from the money inside - write on the outside of the sealed envelope how much you have remaining. Now you ask why don't we just take the money from the envelope? Because we get to see how much we're actually spending and can be reassured that we can pay ourselves back.

Frugal Friday + Round - Up

2009-01-23T18:09:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!
Welcome to another edition of Frugal Friday! Today we are going to talk about how to save money each month - on DVD’s and no … it doesn’t involve the library. It involves a little something called Red Box. Most Wal-Mart’s have a Red Box in the entrance way, by the Customer Service desk. It’s basically a vending machine, where you rent DVD’s. You check your DVD out for $1, and return it the next day. Now - we know it’s much more frugal to save $1.00 ~~~maybe put it toward our next CVS ;) ~~~ . Well Deal Seeking Mom (who is part of Eleven Moms - sponsored by Wal-Mart) posts codes that can get us FREE DVD’s. I would suggest checking her post on how Red Box works and the codes ~~~FREE DVD’S - there ain’t nothing better than cheap - then free!~~~

Deal Seeking Mom - Red Box 101

Being Frugal - TGIF - They’ve started a forum!!

Farm Home Life - Rewards Programs

Aldi Deals

2009-01-23T18:08:00.000-08:00

Aldi Deals

Here are just a few of my favorite deals for the week, head on over to Cincinnati Cents for more Aldi deals!

Broccoli Crowns .79 cents

Premium Pizza $2.29

Chicken Wings (4 pound bag) $6.99

Baby Carrots ( 1 pound bag) .99 cents

Cheese Blocks (8 ounces) $1.99

Albertson Deals

2009-01-22T14:01:00.000-08:00

Check out Frugal Living Online for more of this week's Albertson Deals! These are just a few of my favorites,
and it looks like they have some good deals!

Celestial Seasonings Specialty Tea $1.99
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 1/11 Insert
Safeway has a double coupon worth .50 cents
Total: .99 cents after Mfg. Coupon or .49 cents after both

Kellog's Cereals + Special K Bars $1.75 (you must buy 4)
$1.00 off 1 Kellog's Cereal Coupon from 12/14 Insert
$1.50 off 2 Kellogs Cereal Coupon from 1/18 Insert
$1.00 off 1 Special K Coupon from 12/14 Insert
Safeway Doubles (Minus $2)
Total: .25 cents and up

Quaker Rice Snacks $1.25
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 1/18 Insert
Safe Doubles (Minus .50 cents)
Total: FREE with .25 cent overage

Sorry!

2009-01-21T16:30:00.000-08:00

I'm so sorry to not have posted yesterday - but Tuesday's are my busiest day - so I can be scarce! Anyway I recently stumbled upon a site called www.bookcloseouts.com , where books range from 25%-75% off the regular "store" price. They also have a Scratch&Dent section where books are at least 75% off. They either don't have a jacket (also referred to as a "dust jacket"), a dent, or a marking on them. They had a $20 book for $3! Anyway - to the point! There having a Dollar for Dollar sale on 10,000 different titles. Spend $10, and get $10 to spend. So you could buy 1 book for $10 and then use the $10 you get back to get 3 selected books! Head on over to the site for more details (and if you shop through MyPoints, you get 3 points per dollar)

Now, here is the second edition of Work At Home Wednesday - and this will be a short post on a couple of search engines that could help you earn while searching!

One of them is called Scour , where for every search you can earn three points toward a $25 Visa Gift Card. For each search you do, you get 1 point. Then for each search you rate (give a thumbs up or thumbs down) you get another point. Do that for two results, and you get three points per search! Now you need 6,500 points, or about 2,600 searches. Now the points do add up over a couple of months - especially if you search a lot! So why not go over and give it a try!

Another one is called Winzy where with each search you earn 2 points, and those points get you entries into sweepstakes. You also have a chance to win a prize with each search (a gift card, money, electronic gift, etc.) - it's pretty cool and a little simpler than Scour.

My last favorite is called Swag Bucks. Every search you do gets you a chance to win Swag Bucks. Swag Bucks can be redeemed for Gift Cards, and prizes in the Swag Shop. You also get points for reading the newsletter, shopping through their site, and going green by recylcing your cell phone!

Hope these sites help in your WAH experience!

Menu Plan Monday!

2009-01-19T06:38:00.000-08:00

Well this week is going to be pretty hectic - so you'll be seeing A LOT of stuff I have in the freezer being used! Not much creativeness going on this week - sorry! Once again, we're doing Org Junkie's MPM (Meal Plan Monday!) Check her out when you get a chance)!

Monday - Green Bean Casserole (Frozen - made about a month ago on Casserole Day) - Green Beans (.66 cents), Cheese (1.49), and Pasta(.75 cents). Total: $2.90

Tuesday - Swanson Frozen Dinners (ugh I hate these!) $1.00 a piece Total: $2.00

Wednesday - Pasta with sauce - Pasta (.75 cents), Sauce (homemade -1.25) Total: $2.00

Thursday - Chicken 'N' Dumplings - Chicken (1.99/lb - used 1 lb.), Dough (.50 cents), Spices, etc. (.50 cents) Total: $2.59

Friday - Homemade Pizza (pre-frozen, made 2 weeks ago!) Dough (.50 cents), Sauce ($1.25), Toppings (1.25) Total: $3.00

Saturday - Potluck dinner - I'm bringing Little Snowballs (traditionally made around Christmas, I'm making them with a spring feel for the "Almost Spring Potluck" and I'll be dipping them in cocanut flakes died with green and pink food coloring) Total: $2.50

Sunday - Spaghetti and Meatballs - Spaghetti (.75 cents), Meatballs ($1.99) Total: $2.74

Total for the week: $17.73

I stayed under my $3 a meal goal even in a rushed week - lets hope!

Target Deals

2009-01-19T06:11:00.000-08:00

Here are the Target Deals for the week, check out Stretching A Buck for the rest!

Pepperidge Farm Baked Natural Snacks $2.33
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 1/18 Insert
Total: $1.33

Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs $2.00
.35 off 1 Coupon from 1/11 Insert
Total: $1.65

Weight Watchers Smart Ones $1.75
$1.00 off 5 Printable Coupon
$2.00 off 4 Coupon from 10/19 Insert
Total: $7.75 for 5 OR $5.00 for 4

Check out Stretching A Buck for more great deals this week!

Wal-Mart Deals

2009-01-18T16:04:00.000-08:00

Here are just some of my favorite Wal-Mart deals for the week! Head on over to The Centsible Sawyer for more deals and steals!

Small Box of Arm+Hammer Baking Soda .50 each
$1.00 off 2 Printable Coupon
Total: FREE

Green Giant Steamers $1.00 each
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 11/16 Insert
.50 off 1 Coupon from 1/4 Insert
Total: FREE- .50 cents

Nestle Hot Cocoa $1.00
.75 off 1 Printable Coupon
Total: .25 cents

Guerrero Tortillas $1.00
$1.00 off 1 Printable Coupon
Total: FREE

Betty Crocker Boxed Sweet Potatoes 2 for $1.00
$1.00 off 2 Coupon from December Insert (Unsure of which - was in my overflow)
Total: FREE

DeMets Sugar Free Chocolate Turtles $1.50
$1.50 off 1 Coupon from 11/16 Insert
Total: FREE

Honey Bunches Of Oats - Just Bunches Cereal 2 for $2.00
$2.00 off 1 Printable Coupon
Total: FREE plus $2.00 Overage!

Suave Hand Lotion (3 oz. - not travel size) .97 cents
$1.00 off 1 Suave Lotion from 12/14 Insert
Total: FREE

Gillette Body Wash $2.00
$2.00 off 1 Coupon from 1/18 Insert
Total: FREE

Johnsons Buddies Soaps .99 cents
$3.00 off 3 Printable Coupon
Total: FREE

Tide (Trial Size) .99 cents
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 12/14 Insert
Total: FREE

Aldi Deals

2009-01-18T12:36:00.000-08:00

Aldi is a no-frills supermarket which does NOT accept coupons, and do NOT have many name brands. They only accept cash and debit and be sure to bring your own bags or be prepared to pay for them. You also must pay for your cart (a quarter) which you get back when you return your cart. Now why would we shop here? Because they have some great prices on produce and milk products. You can also find some major steals and deals on everyday items.

Check out The Centsible Sawyer for more Aldi Deals!

Baby Carrots: .99 cents

Celery .79 cents

Brocolli 2 Pack .79 cents

Cauliflower .79 cents

Clanci's Corn Chips $1.19

Juicy Juice 8 Pack $1.99

Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce $1.79

Meijer Deals

2009-01-18T09:38:00.001-08:00

Here are some of the best Meijer Deals for the week. Head on over to Cincinnati Cents for more deals!

Bar S Bologna $1.00

Starkist Tuna Creations/Pouches 20% Off
B2G1 Coupon from the 1/4 Insert

Dole Salad Blends 2 for $3.00

Select Pears .89 per lb.

Buy 2 Ocean Spray Drinks, get a FREE 5 Pound Bag of Grapefruits
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 1/11 Insert

Meijer Pudding 4-Pack .79

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter 3 for $4.00
.60 off 2 Coupon from 1/18 Insert
$1.00 off 2 Meijer MealBox Coupon
Total: .80 cents each

Eggo Waffles 2 for $3.00
$1.00 off 2 Coupon from 12/14 Insert
Total: $1.00

Buy 4 Boxes of Kellogs Cereal (on sale 4 for $10.00) and get $2.00 off your order
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 12/14 Insert
Total: $6.00 for 4 Boxes, Plus $2.00 off your order

Don't forget to check out Cincinnati Cents for more deals!

Kroger Deals 1/19

2009-01-18T08:19:00.000-08:00

Here are the deals for the upcoming week, enjoy! Thanks to Stretching A Buck for the deals!

Kraft Cheese (bars, cubes, string, shredded) $1.49, use $1 Printable (this campaign stopped a while ago, but if you have the coupon - use it!)
Total: .49 cents!

Snapple $.50 each
.75 off 1 from 12/14 Insert
Total: FREE

Green Giant Steamers $1.09
.50 off 1 from 12/17 Insert
.50 off 1 from 1/4 Insert
Total: 0.09 cents!!

Cheetos $1.69 each

Goldfish $1.09 each

Orville Redanbacher's Popcorn $1.69
$1.00 off 1 Printable
Total: .69 cents

Quaker Instant Oatmeal $2.19
.70 off 1 from 1/4 Insert
Total: .79 cents

Hungry Man Dinners $1.49

Kraft Miracle Whip $2.49
.75 off 1 from 1/18 Insert
Total: .99 cents

Kleenex Facial Tissue $1.09
.50 off 3 from 1/4 Insert
Total: .76 each (buy 3)

Note: The above prices reflect your total after you have bought 10 participating prodcuts in the mix+match, to get $5.00 off your bill!

Deals I'll Post from Now ON!

2009-01-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!
Just thought I'd give everyone a list of all the deals I will post weekly. I come up with the Rite-Aid deals myself, and borrow from Deal Seeking Mom certain deals. Please note: I give FULL credit for all deals that I post here, and would be glad to post your deals here!

Supermarkets:
Kroger
Publix
Meijer
Homeland
Pathmark
Shop Rite
Stop+Shop
Aldi

Drugstores:
CVS
Rite-Aid
Walgreens

Super Centers:
Wal-Mart
Target
K-Mart (Only when they double)

Thanks!

K-Mart Double Week!!

2009-01-18T07:59:00.000-08:00

This week certain K-Marts around the country are doubling coupons. If your local K-Mart is doubling then I suggest you head over for some great deals!!

Revlon Beauty Tools $1.79
$1.00 off 1 from 10/12 Insert
$1.00 off 1 from 10/19 Insert
$1.00 off 1 from 11/16 Insert
$1.00 off 1 from 1/11 Insert
Total: FREE

Colgate Total Toothpaste $2.00
$1.00 off 1 from 1/4 Insert
Total: FREE

Endust Cleaning Products $3.99
$2.00 off 1 from 11/9 Insert
Total: FREE

Reach Floss $1.99
$1.00 off 1 from 10/12 Insert
Total: FREE

Gillette Body Wash $3.99
$1.00 off 1 from 1/18 Insert
Total: FREE

Zantac $7.99
$1.50 off 1 from 11/9, and $5.00 Mail In Rebate from 11/9 Insert
Total: FREE

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix $1.00
.40 off 1 from 10/19 Insert
.40 off 1 from 11/16 Insert
Total: .20 each (buy 5 in one transaction and get $1

Unfortunately there is a limit of 4 products with doubled coupons - but that doesn't mean you still can't stock up!

For more steals and deals with the K-Mart deals head on over to Bargain Briana

CVS $5.00 Challenge

2009-01-18T07:46:00.000-08:00

We're doing Kingdom First Mom's CVS Challenge this week - not too much this week, but here are some of my deals! Visit her and more deals here: Kingdom First Mom

Transaction A:

CVS 24 Hour Allergy Relief $3.79, get $3.79 ECB

Use $4.00 ECB

Total: FREE - Get $3.79 ECB

Transaction B:

Dawn Dish Soap B1g1 $1.99

Use .50/1 Coupon from 1/28
Total: .50 each - or $2.00

Transaction C:

Rogaine Regular $19.99 (DONATING TO SHELTER), get $5.00 ECB

Use $15 Printable

Use $3.79 ECB

Total: $1.20, Gt $5.00 ECB

Total: $3.20

Got: $5.00 ECB
Made: $1.80

$1.00 off 1 Toaster Strudel Printable Coupon

2009-01-18T06:47:00.002-08:00

Find a $1.00 off (I believe 1, not sure) coupon for Pillsbury Toaster Strudel here:
http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=qargeex98097073&bt=wi&o=54190&ci=1&c=GM&p=oEWFPZG0

Money Saving Mom - Saving Saturday!

2009-01-17T13:53:00.000-08:00

Hi folks, this week we're doing Money Saving Mom's Super Saving Saturday! You can find more stories on her website at: http://www.moneysavingmom.com/

At CVS this week I scored:

10 Febreze Candles .79 each= FREE
2 Boxex of Cheese Crackers $1.98 each, $2 ECB back, $3 EVS Brand Q**see below! = $1.06 Profit!
Total: -1.06
ECB: $2.00

Rite-Aid:
Reeses Whipps 2 for $1.00 $1/2 Coupon, bought 10 = FREE
Total: .17 for tax!!

Local Supermarket:
Asstd. Pasta 3 for $3.00 - $1.00 Catalina = $2.00
Swanson Dinners: 3 for $3.00 - $1.00 Home Mailer = $2.00
Green Giant Steamers 10 for $10.00 - $1.00/1 Coupon = FREE
Celeste Pizzas: 10 for $10.00 - No Coupons = $10.00
Total: $14.00
Value: $60.00

TOTAL THIS WEEK: $13.11
VALUE: $152.00!!
SAVED: $139.00!!!!

**Please do not use the $3.00 off CVS Brand Coupon - I was misinformed about it and thought it was legite. We try our hardest to be ethical couponers - although this one seemed to slip through our eyes.

Walgreens Deals 1/18

2009-01-17T13:34:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Here are this weeks Walgreens deals, expect a round-up of the Rite-Aid, Meijer, Aldi, Kroger, Publix, Homeland, Wal-Mart and CVS deals too come in the next couple of days!

Buy 4 Skippy Peanut Butters, and 4 Ragu Pasta Sauces $1.99 Each
Buy 8, Get $10.00 Register Rewards Back
Use .40 off 1 Skippy Coupon from 11/16/08 Insert
Use $1/3 Ragu Coupon from 11/16/08 Insert
Total: $3.32 for 8, or .41 each!!!!!!!

Bayer Aspirin 2 Pack - Buy 8 at $2.50 each
$1/1 Bayer Coupon from 1/4/08 Insert
Buy $20, Get $10.00 Register Rewards
Total: $2.00 for 8 or .25 each!!!!!!

Mauna Loa Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts 2 for $4.00
ESR Instant Coupon $3.00 off 2
Total: $1.00 for 2 or .50 each!!!!!!

Total for ALL Items (after rebates, RR, and coupons): $6.32
RR Back: $20.00
PROFIT MADE: $13.68!!!!!!!!!!!!

See Deal Seeking Mom for more deals!

Rite-Aid Deals Week of 1/18 - 1/24

2009-01-15T16:46:00.000-08:00

Here are the deals (if you want to post them somewhere else - feel free to! Just give credit back to The Free Central since it took me almost 2 hours finding the deals and matching them! thanks!)

Dove Go Fresh Spray $3.00
SCR #81 $2.00
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 1/18 Insert
Total: FREE

GE light bulbs soft white longer life $2.00
SCR # 110 $2.00
Total: FREE

Extra Gum Buy One, Get One Free
Use BOGO Coupon from the 1/12 issue of People Magazine
FREE

Suave Shampoo .99 cents
$1.00 off 2 Coupon from 11/16/08 Insert
Total: $.98 for 2

Softsoap Liquid Handsoap .99 cents
$.35 off 1 Coupon from 1-4-09 Insert
Total: $.64 cents

King Size Candy Bars and 8 Pack Candies .99 cents

Wet ’N’ Wild Cosmetics .99 cents each

Motts Apple Sauce .99 cents each

Hormel Chili .99 cents each
$.55 off 2 Hormel Chili Products from 1/18 Insert
Total: $1.43 for 2

Heinz Gravy .99 cents each

Bounty Paper Towels .99 cents each
$1.00 off 2 Coupon from 12/28 Insert
Total: $.98 for 2

Ajax Dish Liquid .99 cents each

Kleenex Tissues .99 cents each
$1.00 off 3 Coupon from 1-4-09 Insert
Total: $1.97 for 3

Renuzit Adjustable Air Freshener .99 cents each

Mentos Gum 2 for $2.00
$1.00 off 2 Coupon from 12/14 Insert
Total: $1.00 for 2

Trident Multi-Pack $1.99
$1.00 off 3-Pack Coupon from 12/7 Insert
Total: .99 cents

Huggies Baby Wipes, Huggies Body Wash/Lotion 2 for $5.00
SCR #30 $2.00
$.50 off 1 Huggies Wipes Coupon from 1/11 Insert
$1.00 off 1 Body Wash/Lotion Coupon from 1/11 Insert
Total: $1.00 for wipes, .50 for Body Wash
PLUS this is valid toward the Kimberly Clark Rebate (#48) Buy $25.00 worth
Of Kimberly Clark Products and get a $10 Rite Aid Gift Card.

Colgate Kids Toothpaste $1.50
$1.00 off 1 Coupon from 1-4 Insert
Total: $.50

Bic Razors 4 Pack $4.99
SCR $2.00
$2.00 off 1 Coupon from 1/18 Insert
Total: .99 cents

Thrifty Thursday

2009-01-15T16:40:00.000-08:00

Hi folks!
Well today is Thrifty Thursday and I have some great tips, not on buying from thrift shops, but donating to thrift shops, food banks, and shelters. In today's economical status food banks around the country (and shelters) are suffering. People get paid less, they donate less. Which is where your couponing skills come in handy. We all know how to get FREE items, or how to score items for next to nothing - well there are often items we don't need - but we pick them up anyway since their free or next to nothing. Well I know I have at least 10 cans of soup I got for free in flavors that I hate - but they were free. Instead of suffering through eating them, I can donate 10 meals to the local food bank for FREE! I'm making a huge difference for FREE! So the whole point - when you go to the store and get all those free and next to free items ... maybe pick up a few extras for the local food bank and help donate lots for nothing!

Work-At-Home Wednesday

2009-01-14T16:00:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks!
Welcome to the very first edition of Work at Home Wednesday! We'll be discussing ways to make, and save money from home. But please, please do not worry - there will be absolutely nothing on MLM schemes, or any of those "I made 1,000,000 in two months and so can you!" schemes either. To tell you the truth - I won't even link to anything that has to do with making money online - lots of people make money from home. Anyways - I thought I would share with you my three ways/tips to stay safe when you work from home!

1. If the business requires a "small" membership fee - throw that letter straight into the trash (or the shredder). NO reputable company should make you pay for information, or to become an employee. Does it really make sense to pay for a job - when the job should be paying you.

2. Don't give your e-mail out to anyone. It's simple - the site should provide you with info, without you providing them with an e-mail address. If you just have to know about the opportunity (which I never have had to) then go sign up for an e-mail address that isn't related to your personal e-mail address. That way when you start to get spammed - it won't clog up your personal e-mail.

3. Check with the BBB or the Better Business Bureau! People who have had trouble with a company, report their experiences to the BBB - and the BBB posts the info for the public to see. If the site your looking at has even one BAD rating - just walk away since it's really, really not worth it.

Money-Tips Tuesday!

2009-01-14T15:40:00.000-08:00

So sorry to have not posted yesterday - have been SO busy lately! Anyway - this week I'm not going to throw tips at you - but I am going to give you three links (to three of my favorite blogs) on how they coupon - and the basics of couponing(or Coupon 101!) Well my first pick would have to be Consumer Queens Coupon Tips! You can find them here: http://www.consumerqueen.com/getting-started
My next favorite site for "Couponing 101" would be Lynnae's post on how she uses the Grocery Game to help her save money on her groceries - you can find it here:
http://beingfrugal.net/2009/01/13/being-frugal-with-the-grocery-game/
And last, but not least would be Deal Seeking Mom's list of resources on how to get the coupons, you can find it here (also click on Grocery Grab - lots of great stuff there):
http://www.dealseekingmom.com/coupons/

Free Bottle Of Suave!

2009-01-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

There's still time to get a coupon for a free bottle of Suave Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash - just go to: http://www.suave.com/nomics/index.html you have until midnight tonight! So make sure to head on over and get your FREE Coupon!

Coupon Alert!

2009-01-14T15:35:00.001-08:00

Get a free $10.00 coupon booklet from Eat Better America!
You can sign up here: http://freecoupons.eatbetteramerica.com/EBA1Coupon/Default.aspx?ESRC=431

Thanks so much to: Coupon Princess Goes Blogging

Meal Plan Monday - Org Junkie!

2009-01-12T16:39:00.000-08:00

Hi Again!

We're doing Org Junkie's Meal Plan Monday again and here are some of the meals!

Monday - Turkey Sloppy Joes, and Veggies - Buns (1.99 on sale - used 4, .99), Manwich (.50 on sale), Ground Turkey (On Sale, Marked Down $.99 lb. - used 1 lb. - .99), and GG Steamers (.23 cents on sale) Total: $2.71

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Homemade Pizza - Dough (.69 cents), Sauce (From Stockpile), Spices (From Stockpile), and Cheese (1.79) Total: $2.48

Thursday: Meatball Subs - Bread ($1.19 for a loaf - I didn't buy "sub" bread, just used regular sandwich bread - used 10 slices .39 cents), Sauce (Homemade - 1.19), and Meatballs ($1.99 - but only used 1/2 so about .99 cents) $2.57

Friday - Going to a Potluck, bringing Cookies! Used one of my favorite "Little Snowball" recipes, will post later in the week. Think it cost me about $2.50 for all of them) Total: $2.50

Saturday - Make Your Own From Leftovers Day!!!

Sunday - Roast Chicken With Potatoes - Chicken (.99/lb used 2 lb = $1.98), Potatoes (.25!!) Total: $2.23

Weekly Totals: $12.49!!!!!!!!!

CVS $5.00 Challenge

2009-01-11T12:03:00.000-08:00

Here's Kingdom First Mom's $5.00 CVS Challenge!! You can find more on the CVS Challenge and read Kingdom First Mom's Scenarios here: http://www.kingdomfirstmom.com

Transaction #1:
Buy 2 Pack Cheerios Cereal $7.99
Use $1/2 Printable
Get $4.00 ECBS
Paid: $6.99
ECB: $4.00

Transaction #2:
SoyJoy Six Pack $6.00
Use $1/5 Printable
Get $6.00 ECBS
Use $4.00 ECB from Transaction #1
Paid: $1.00
ECB: $6.00

Total Paid: $7.99
ECB: $6.00
OOP: $1.99 for 2 Boxes of Cheerios, and 6 Soy Joy Bars!

Round-Up of Today's Deals

2009-01-11T06:49:00.001-08:00

Hi Folks!
Just wanted to do a round-up of all of my favorite deals for the week at Target, CVS (will be doing this with Kingdom First Mom when she posts), Walgreen's, and Rite-Aid! Here are just a few of them!

Target:
Look for the $3.00 off when you buy 3 coupons for Chex Cereal. The Chex Cereal is currently $1.67 at Target, then look for the Buy 2 General Mills Cereals, Get 1 FREE coupons. Combine these coupons to get 6 Boxes of Chex Cereal for $4.02 and get 2 FREE Boxes.

6 Boxes = $10.02
Minus 2 $3/3 Coupons
6 boxes = $4.02
Buy 2, Get 1 FREE Coupon (Use TWICE)
Get 9 Boxes of Chex Cereal for $4.02!

Rite-Aid:

Electrasol $4.49
$2.00 SCR
$2.50 Coupon from 1/4 Insert
FREE

Ziploc Bags $1.99 on sale - buy 2
Use .50 in ad coupon twice
Use $1.00/1 Coupon from 12/7 Insert
Total: $1.98 for 2

BOGO Speed Stick
$1.00 SCR
Total: $1.99 for 2 (At least where I live - you may want to do a price check)

Walgreens:

Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner $14.99
$5.00 ESR
$3.00/1 Coupon from TODAY'S Insert
Total: $6.99

Dark and Lovely Hair Color $5.00
$5.00 RR
FREE

Equal Sweetener 2 for $5.00
$2.50/1 Coupon from 1/4
FREE

Aquafresh Toothpaste $2.99
$2.00 Instant Coupon
$1.00 Internet Printable here: http://www.aquafresh.com/Coupons.aspx
FREE

Oust Air Sanitizer BOGO
Use BOGO Coupon from from 11/23
FREE

Windex Wipes BOGO (Cost $3.79 Each)
.40/1 Coupon from TODAY'S Insert
FREE Windex Wipes Canister Mail In Rebate in TODAY'S Insert
FREE WITH OVERAGE!! (GET 2 FREE!!!)

Savings Saturday

2009-01-10T17:14:00.000-08:00

Well I must say - I am pretty proud of myself. I just submitted 3 pieces to one of my publishers and that should bring in about $10.00! Bringing in $10.00 this week will definitely help me reach my goals! If I do that for just 3 weeks I'll be over my goal of $25.00! I've also decided to do a new addition to Savings Saturday where I will track all the savings I have had from Sunday - Saturday! So far this week I have saved drumroll please:

$469.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOO WHOOO WHOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am more than my way there to my $5000 goal for the year - then again I did spend some good cash this week - I really needed to stock up on some stuff so I won't be expecting to save that much money each week (probably about $100 a week). Check out Kingdom First Mom for a freebie round-up, and don't forget to check us out and Kingdom First Mom tomorrow for the CVS $5.00 challenge!

Menus 4 Moms

2009-01-10T05:49:00.000-08:00

Recently I was reading through a few blogs and a couple mentioned a site called Menus 4 Moms. Where each week you would get a meal plan delivered to your e-mail for that week. Well you know me - I just had to check it out to see if they had any "Frugal" meal plans - and they did! Unfortunately it costs $5.00 a month, or $60.00 a year. So if I signed up for that and The Grocery Game - I would be paying about $120 a year on online expenses. Now - believe me both of these sites are amazing resources and I highly reccommend them - but for me they weren't thing. Until I saw that Menus 4 Moms had a FREE Basic Meal Plan for five nights of the week, and all you had to do was subscribe! I just subscribed and thought I would share this "insider" tip of Menus 4 Moms. One day - I might even sign up for the Frugal Menu! Check it out here:

Favorite Posts of the Week

2009-01-09T15:56:00.000-08:00

Being Frugal - How To Make A Frugal Mocha

Gather Little By Little - The Gathering

Frugal Mom - Budgeting Week One

Deal Seeking Mom for the latest deals!

Thrifty Thursday

2009-01-09T15:53:00.000-08:00

Recently in one of my trips I came across a huge container filled with assorted knives, forks, spoons, and utensils. They were ranging from funky ones, to old tarnished ones. I picked up a few - thinking well here's some more clutter. But just a few minutes ago I had a great idea - why not throw a dinner party where each guest gets a different set of silverware and they get to take it home with them! It would only cost about $10.00 and would be alot cheaper than other party giveaways! What do you think - just another funky, whacky idea from Scooter!

Yikes!

2009-01-09T14:34:00.000-08:00

I feel like I am lacking behind so much - oh wait I am! So sorry to not have posted the last few days, just had some complications Tuesday and Wednesday and was just getting back into the swing of things yesterday - but I'm back and have so much e-mail and so many blogs to catch up on! Anyway - today is going to Money Tips Tuesday, Thrifty Thursday, and Frugal Friday all tied into one - plus I'm going to be doing a post on all of my favorite posts from this week (from my blogroll!). So - I hope you pull up a chair, grab a cup of cozy hot tea, and settle in for a lot of reading!

Recently I was reading through an old post of one of my favorite blogs, and it had a whole week devoted to money-saving tips. Well here are a few of my favorite that I stick true to - always!

1. Be Careful What You Clip - By that I mean, Coupons. Often when we're flipping through those wonderful inserts we clip about 15 coupons for items that we don't need to buy - exactly what the company wants you to do - there providing you with an incentive to buy their product. But do we really need to try NEW Special K Bars - no, since I'm not going on a diet soon and I'm not that big a fan of them - I don't need to buy them.

2. Wait for the sales - It's great when you have a coupon for something - but you'll save about 50% more if you combine it with a sale! So wait off on the Grape Jelly which you have a $.75 coupon for, until it goes on sale - it'll probably be about 1.99 and a .75 coupon doubled is $1.50, so it'll end up to be about .49 cents!

3. Make Starbucks At Home - If you bought a $3.oo coffee every morning for 3 mornings a week, that would be close to $500.00 a year! So why not make it at home - or better yet stop all together! Lynnae at Being Frugal did a blog post yesterday on how to make a Frugal Mocha - check her out on my blogroll!

4. Read - I can't believe I am saying this because my whole life I have heard about how reading is the key to knowledge - but it's so true. By reading The Tightwad Gazette I learned so much - by reading Blogs I save so much, and by reading books I open up a world opporunity. So stop by the local library and pick up a few books!

Rite-Aid Deals Week of 1/11/09 - 1/17/09

2009-01-09T14:33:00.000-08:00

Rite-Aid Deals (Week of 1/11)
Some of my favorite deals for the week include:

Electrasol: $4.49 on sale
Get $2.00 Single Check Rebate (Rebate #121)
Use $2.00 Coupon from the 1-4 Insert
Total: FREE

Ziploc Bags: $1.99 each on sale - buy 2
Use .50 in ad coupon, twice
Use $1.00 off 2 Coupon from the 12-7 Insert
Total: $1.98 for 2

Glade Scented Oil Refills: 2 for $5.00
Use $1.00 off 2 in ad coupon
Use $2.50 off 2 Coupon from the 12-7 Insert
Total: $1.50 for 2

Glade Candles: 2 for $5.00
Use $1.00 off 2 in ad coupon
Use $1.00 off 1 Coupon from the 12-7 Insert twice
Total: $2.00 for 2

BOGO Lady Speed Stick/ Speed Stick
Get $1.00 Single Check Rebate (Rebate #2)
Total: Unsure
Savings: 50% to 75%

BOGO Maybelline Cosmetics
Use $3.00 off 1 Maybelline Foundation from the 10-26 Insert
Or
Use $1.00 off 1 Maybelline Mascara from the 10-26 Insert
Total: Unsure
Savings: 50-75%

BOGO Valentines Bagged Candy
No Coupons Found
Total: Unsure
Savings: 50%

Tide 40-50 Loads, Bounce 105-120 Count, or Downy 48-60 Loads $5.99
Use Tide Coupon $1.00 off 1 Coupon from the 12-14 Insert
Use Tide Coupon $1.00 off 2 Coupon from the 12-28 Insert
Use Bounce Coupon $.25 off 1 Coupon from the 12-28 Insert
Use Downy Coupon $1.00 off 1 Coupon from the 12-14 Insert
Total: $4.99-$5.74

BOGO Planters Mixed Nuts
No Coupons Found
Total: Unknown
Savings: 50%

BOGO Kellogs Cereals Include:
Special K, Smart Start, Frosted Mini Wheats, or Raisin Bran
Use Special K $1.00 off 1 Coupon from the 12-4 Insert
Use Smart Start $1.00 off 1 Coupon from the 12-14 Insert
Use Frosted Mini Wheats $1.00 off 1 Coupon from the Nov. All You Magazine
Use Raisin Bran .75 off 1 Coupon from the 1-4 Insert
Total: Unkown
Savings: 50-75 %

Friskies Cat Food (5.5 oz can ONLY) .40 Cents
No Coupons Found
Total: .40 Cents!!

Loreal Preference Hair Color: 2 for $17.00
Use $5.00 In Ad Coupon
Use $2.00 off 1 Coupon from the 10-19 Insert EXPIRES 1-11-09!!! Twice

Total: $8.00 for 2
Savings: At Least 25%
Pepsi Products - Buy 3 12-pack cans or 6-pack bottles 3 for $10.98 get a FREE Mountain Dew Voltage 12-pack cans
Use $1.00 off 1 12-pack cans Pepsi Coupon Printable here:
http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=rj5tadp87677388&bt=vi&o=54246&c=RV&p=R8LGzfCb twice (will only let you print two)
Total: $8.98 for 3 12-Packs of Pepsi and a FREE Mountain Dew Voltage 12-pack
Savings: At least 50%

Motrin IB (165 Count) $9.99
Use $1.00 off 1 Motrin Product Printable Here:
https://www.motrin.com/page.jhtml?id=/motrin/include/coupon.inc
Total: 8.99
Savings: Unkown

Advil Tablets (50 Count), Liquates (40 Count), or PM (16-20 Count) $4.99
Use Advil PM $1.00 off 1 Coupon from 11-2 Insert
Use Advil PM Printable $2.00 off 1 Coupon found here (bottom left hand corner)
http://www.advilpm.com/
Total: $2.99-$4.99

Benefiber $9.99
Get $4.00 SCR (Rebate #38)
Use $2.00 off 1 Coupon from 10-19, 12-14, or 1-4
Total: $3.99

Pepto-Bismol $2.99
No Coupons Found
Total: $2.99

Bayer Aspirin $1.99
Use $1.00 off 1 Coupon from 1-4 Insert
Total: $.99

L’Oreal Vive Shampoo/Conditioner $2.99
Use $1.00 off 1 Coupon from 1-4 Insert
Total: $1.99

Buy One, Get One 50% off Cover Girl Nail, Lip, and Eye Cosmetics
No Coupons Found
Total: Unkown

Freezing Veggies

2009-01-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick tip I found on freezing veggies! Easy + Simple and can save you some money!

Blanching Veggies
How - To: http://www.ehow.com/how_13887_blanch-vegetables.html
Learn how to freeze your own veggies!

Meal Plan Monday

2009-01-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

Hope everyone had a good weekend - today is the first day of Meal Plan Monday with Org Junkie ! So here's my meal plan for the week - I'll be adding the links to the recipes I found online and see if I can get some of the recipes from some of my cookbooks up here! Enjoy You can find Laura's Meal Plans and all of the other great blog's meal plans here: MPM Post - Org Junkie

Monday - Chicken Parm With GG Steamers - Perdue Breaded Chicken Breasts (On Sale 1.99 - used 2 = .98), Kraft Shredded Cheese (On Sale 1.99, $1 Coupon Doubled = .99 ), GG Steamers ($1.66, .50 Coupon Doubled = .66)

Total $1.64

Tuesday - Pasta (From Stockpile-.89 cents), GG Steamers (.66 Cents)

Total $1.54

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Progresso Soup (I Know-Not Creative!!) FREE At Pathmark - This week there on sale for .99 cents, use the 1.10 printable - you can find it by searching in the A Full Cups Coupon Database = more info to come! And it becomes free!!

Friday - Celeste Pizza (On Sale At Pathmark this week 5/5, bought 20!)

Total: $2.00

Saturday - Chicken Legs (On Sale for .89 a lb - used a lb.), Pasta (Stockpile - .89 Cents)

Total: $1.78

Sunday - Spaghetti (Stockpile Again - .35 Cents), Sauce (Homemade - About .25 Cents)

Total: .60 Cents

Total: $8.00

CVS and Wags Trips Today!

2009-01-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

Here's all that I got at CVS and Walgreens today!

I spent $1.55 to get $32.00 worth of stuff!

I got:

3 Garnier Shampoos - All FREE
2 Glade Scented Oil Refills - $.25 Each
3 Bowl Fresh - $.33 Each
1 CVS Hand Sanitizer - FREE

Paid: 5.50 (I think!!)
Back In ECB and Rebate: $4.00!

Thought I did pretty good - and I got a coupon for a free trial size of Aqua Fresh Toothpaste!

Rite-Aid Deals

2009-01-03T14:11:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday I went shopping at Rite-Aid and fell in love! I very much enjoy Rite-Aid now and look forward to it! (I'm going to be typing up an article on the How-To's of Rite-Aid very soon!) Here are my top 2 favorite deals for this week for Rite-Aid!

Rebate #54
SoyJoy Bars - Purchase Any 10, and get $5.00
Sale 10 for $5.00
Use $3.00 off 10 SoyJoy bars from tomorrows insert
Makes a $3.00 Profit!!

Rebate #77
Garnier Fructis Shampoo/Conditioner - Purchase 1 and get $2.00
Sale $3.00 each
Use $1.00 off 1 Garnier Shampoo/Conditioner from the 10/5/08 inserts or the 11/9/08 inserts
Makes them - FREE

Frugal Friday

2009-01-02T09:08:00.000-08:00

Welcome to another edition of

Recently I was scanning through some of my favorite blogs and looking in some of my favorite message boards, when I stumbled across a post by Lynnae at Being Frugal on how she saves money on her wwekly groceries - buy using something called The Grocery Game. I had recently read about The Grocery Game in the local paper - and headed on over to the website to sign up - to my dismay tyou had to pay to become a member :( , so I left the site - knowing I could just use A Full Cup's or Coupon Mom's list - that was until I came across the post from Lynnae where she highly recommended signing up - and of course they had a $1.00 trial for 4 weeks (instead of the usual $5.00 for 4 weeks OR $10 for 8 weeks) - so I've been considering signing up. I'm not sure - what do you think? You can head on over to http://www.thegrocerygame.com/ and tell me what you think!

Anyway - back to the topic of Frugal Friday - I was reading an article at Simple Moms onhow she plans her meals every week - she uses Google Calendar and uses a bookmark service to bookmark all the recipes she finds on the web. So when she's planning her meals for the week she can log onto her Google Calendar and then log onto her bookmarks and figure out what she wants to do with what meals. Well - I figured why not post my meal plans like that (don't worry - this is only to supplement Org Junkie's MPM) - with the recipes and all - and have you (the readers) be able to view my calendar? Starting next MPM (January 5th) we're going to start posting the meal plans, links to the recipes, and how much the meal costs in Google Calendars! Be sure to check back here on Monday!

You may be wondering what this amazingly long post has to do with Frugal Friday - well on top of my goals for the year (of saving at least $5000) I would like for the total cost of my whole meal NOT to exceed $3.50 - thats right the whole meal to not exceed $3.50 - of course this doesn't include Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Families Birthdays - but yes... thats my goal!

Hope you enjoyed today's post I'll try to post some freebies later today!

My Goals for 2009

2009-01-01T18:30:00.000-08:00

2008 was a great year and we got started with blogging! SO much has happened and it's been a great journey! Some of my goals for 2009 include:

Blog Goals for 2009!

Continuing with Kingdom First Mom's CVS $5 Challenge - I did this once and plan on doing it ALOT more!

Start Doing More Reviews - I've done one so far and should start to do some more! I hope to do a review once every two weeks - on top of Meal Plan Monday there will now be Many Reviews Monday!

Continue with Meal Plan Monday - I did pretty well with this one, but would like to start doing Org Junkie Meal Plan Mondays! Every week I'll post a Mr.Linky on the site with our meal plans here, and then post back to the Org Junkie site so you can find tons of other great menu plans!

Try to stick to topics - I know I set out a schedule for the blog a while back (Frugal Friday, Savings Saturday, Thrifty Thursday, etc.) but I didn't stick to it very well! So I would like to try and continue with that!

Do a Link of the Day, Every Day - I definitely need to catch up on some of the most interesting links of the day - I've only done about three!

Post Photos - I would definitely want to post some photos of all of the steals and deals I get every week at CVS, Rite-Aid, etc. and post the deals to go along with it!

Get 100 Subscribers - I know it sounds ambitious but lets try!

Financial Goals for 2009:

Save at least $5000 on my grocery bill - I saved closed to $2000 since I started couponing, etc. in October of 2008 - lets see how much I can save in 12 months!

Pay Myself with my Savings - This is a biggie! I've decided that with all of my savings I get from couponing - I'm going to deposit it into a bank account! This is of course after I donate and after I pay off any expenses for the month - whatever is left over goes into the account!

Freelance - I do occasionally freelance for a few sites - and I would like to bring in a steady income of about $25.00 a month (know it doesn't seem like a lot) or about $300.00 a year.

What are some of your goals - feel free to share, oh and by the way

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Consumer Queen

2008-12-31T17:18:00.000-08:00

Many of you have seen the Consumer Queen on my favorite blogroll list, well it's also one of my favorite sites! The Consumer Queen site features so much stuff - and I really do love it! There's a forum and store shopping lists on the site! You can check out her You Tube channel here:

Consumer Queen's Youtube Channel

and you can visit her website here:

Family

2008-12-31T16:17:00.000-08:00

In my times away from this blog, I've had a little bit more time to spend with family - not much, but a little bit more time. And I've realized how thankful I am for there support, there laughter, and most of all their love. Especially during the holidays, I get even closer to them! I must say I struck the Jackpot this holiday - and enjoyed everything. But with each present I unwrapped my love grew stronger for my family - not because of what they gave me; but the thought, the effort, even down to the wrapping - and to see how much they cared about me. Then when they would open their presents, I just loved to see their faces light up, it made me glow! I'll leave you with one of my favorite sayings

"When you complain that no one cares, when you pray at night you say you have no one to pray for, when you think about tomorrow you say you have no one to have lunch with - why do you say these things, you have FAMILY!"

I'm Back!

2008-12-27T11:21:00.000-08:00

Hello Again!

I know it has been so long since I last posted! I hope everyone had a wonderful, joyous, and thankful holiday season! It’s almost the New Year which holds so much! New freebies, New coupons, and New starts for The Free Central! That’s right - sometime in 2009 you’re going to see some changes come to The Free Central (and we hope you enjoy them!). Anyway - I’ll still be posting freebies, deals, coupons, and my favorite frugal tips and articles - but I’m also going to start doing reviews! That’s right - I recently signed up for a site called Review Stream where you can post your reviews on products you have. I’m also looking into some other blog/review sites - so please leave a comment if you know of any good ones! Anyways - I recently have been blog reading like crazy and have compiled a list of my favorite blogs out there!

Farm Home Life
Being Frugal
Gather Little By Little
Kingdom First Mom
My Two Dollars
Deal Seeking Mom
Consumer Queen
Frugal Upstate
Mrs. Micah
Coupon Cravings
Coupon Princess Goes Blogging
I’ve Paid For This Twice Already
Bearable Deals
All Things Frugal

So Sorry!

2008-12-20T05:59:00.000-08:00

So sorry to have been MIA lately - but with the holidays coming up I've been and am going to be super busy! So, I'm going to be taking a short break until the 5th of January! I know that seems like it's a long time but it's only about 2 weeks. If I do get a chance to post, I will - but if I can't well you can check my blogroll and read all of my favorite blogs - just make sure to come back here after the break!

Thanks so much for the support of The Free Central over the almost past month!

Have a Merry and Joyous Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, and Wonderful New Year!

Scooter.

Today's Freebies

2008-12-16T18:35:00.000-08:00

Today’s Site of the Day: Amazon is sponsoring 25 days of free music. You can download the past 16 days and download the following once a day! I hope you enjoy! http://snipurl.com/8jdt6 . Hope everyone had a good day, it was snowing like crazy here for the first time (at least crazy here). Sorry today's post is so short, but haven't had much time. Included a recipe from Cindy's Porch (©TM) you can check her out here:
http://cindysporch.net

Today’s Freebies

Christmas Lyrics Booklet
http://snipurl.com/8hugv

Lots of Recipes, Crafts, Ideas
http://snipurl.com/8hv26

Fun Quiz - Which of Santa’s Reindeer Are You?
http://snipurl.com/8hviw

Free Audio CD Joint Pain and Why You Have it
http://snipurl.com/8hvr3

Free Desktop Calendar
http://snipurl.com/8hwc1

Free Wind Obsession DVD
http://snipurl.com/8hwpt

$5 in Old Orchard Coupons mailed to you
http://snipurl.com/8iaev

Free 2009 Pocket Planner
http://snipurl.com/8jbw3

Free Mary Kay Samples
http://snipurl.com/8jc0v

Free Plumaria Rain Samples
Lotion and Samples
**require company name**
http://snipurl.com/8jca6

Free Fruit&Granola Bar
http://snipurl.com/6jn9v

Free Emergency Radio
http://snipurl.com/3q8fi

Free Cologne Samples
http://snipurl.com/8jhvv

Refrigerator Dough Roll

1/2 cup lukewarm water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 package of dry yeast

3/4 cup of milk
1/4 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 egg - well beaten
3 1/2 cups of all purpose flour (I usually have to add about 1/2 cup more)

1. Dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar into the warm water. Sprinkle with yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes. Then stir the mixture with a fork.

2. Scald the milk, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, and butter (or margarine). Pour the mixture into a bowl and let cool to lukewarm.

3. Add the yeast mixture and a well-beaten egg to the cooled milk mixture.

4. Beat in 1 cup of flour.

5. Blend in the remaining flour to create a dough.

6. Place the dough into a large bowl, cover tightly with aluminum foil. Place a damp tea towel over the top and tie firmly in place.

7. Place the dough into the fridge for at least overnight. It can be stored in the fridge up to five days before using.

8. Remove dough from the fridge and knead it for aout five minutes on a lightly floured surface.

9. Shape the dough into buns or rolls. To make the crescent rolls shown in the photo, roll 1/2 the dough into a circle about 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick. Cut the circle into eight sections (like a pie). Then roll each wedge from the wide end to the narrow end. Place the crescent on a cookie sheet with the tip at the bottom so it won't unroll while baking.

10. Another option for "fancy buns" is to make golf ball size balls from the dough and place three or four of them together into a muffin tin. This will make buns that look somewhat like a three or four-leaf clover.

11. Cover with clean tea towel, let rise in a warm place for one and a half hours or until doubled in bulk.

12. Bake at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes.

13. Makes about 24 rolls.

Today's Freebies

2008-12-15T18:54:00.000-08:00

Deals of the Day

Shutterfly
Save 25% use code: TAKE25
http://tinyurl.com/btc4w

1 Year of Everyday with Rachel Ray (thanks to My Bargain Buddy)
$6.89 ($18.00 Reg.)
Use Code: MYBARGBUD15
http://tinyurl.com/5qgs9b

FREE Shipping at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Piperlime
Use Code: JOY
http://tinyurl.com/6lu6q6

Sweeps

Gamer to Guru
http://tinyurl.com/5d28gj

Coupons

$2 TheraFlu Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/5h63u2

$2 Febreze Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/y8tw77

Freebies

Lots of Christmas Printables
http://tinyurl.com/5fon7l

Free Printable Garfield Poster
http://tinyurl.com/5rahdn

State Farm 50 Million Pound Challenge Kit
http://tinyurl.com/57hlwd

Another Free 2009 Calendar
http://tinyurl.com/6yqber

Free Funky Poster
http://tinyurl.com/2bn9x8

Online Crockpot Ideas
http://tinyurl.com/bq9ux

Bring Fido - Pet Samples
http://tinyurl.com/6hy45z

Prevention Magazine Subscription
http://tinyurl.com/3tuwwb

Kraft First Taste
Sign up to try products from Kraft
http://tinyurl.com/4478v3

Lots of Printables
http://tinyurl.com/6klzwu

Free Sample of Head+Shoulders
http://tinyurl.com/679uku

Meal-Plan Mondays

2008-12-15T18:53:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!
Today has been a long day (my back is aching thinking about it!), anyways on today's topic of Meal-Plan Monday's I'll be
posting my meal-plans for the week. I made a HUGE mistake yesterday in my post on the CVS Challenge - stating that
Consumer Queen was running the CVS Challenge, when it was really Kingdom First Mom. Please accept my sincerest apologies
for my mistake, and I hope to continue with the challenge. Anyway here's this week's meal plans:

Monday - Macaroni+Cheese (On sale .49 cents a box - two boxes), and Frozen Peas (on sale $1.50 - 1/2 bag) and Tuna ($1)
Total: $2.73 for the meal

Tuesday - Pasta (On sale 3/3 had $2 Coupon making 3/1 - used 1 box $.33), Garlic Bread (2/3, used 1 box 1.50)
Total: $1.83 for the meal

Wednesday: Cold Cuts (On sale 3/2 - used 1.66 cents), Bread ($1.19 on sale 30 slices, used 6 $.23), and Salad (2/5 on sale, plus
$2 coupon making 2/3 used 1 $1.50)
Total: $3.39

Thursday - (Slow Cooker) Dijon-Chicken (Legs on sale .99/lb. - used 1 lb. .99) (Dijon Mustard 1.39 on sale, used 1/4 of bottle), and
Mixed Veggies (all together about 3.45)
Total: $4.44

Friday - Tuna-Cornbread Casserole (Tuna $1) (Cornbread .50) (Veggies 1.25)
Total: $2,75

Saturday: Take-Out

Sunday- Leftovers!!!!

CVS Challenge

2008-12-14T18:28:00.000-08:00

I'm doing the Kingdom First Mom CVS Challenge
and here it is! You can find the challenge here $5 Challenge

Colgate Advanced (Stock Pile)
$2.99 get $2 ECB
Use $1.50 Coupon
Pay 1.49 and get $2 ECB!!

Dove Soap $2.49, get $1 ECB (Stocking Stuffers)
$1/1 Dove Face Care Product
Pay 1.49 and get $1 ECB!

Maybelline Lip Products (Stocking Stuffers)
BOGO Sale
$4 off 1 Maybelline Lip Product
Buy 1 for $4, then use coupon =FREE
Plus FREE Extra!

Total: 2.98
Normally: $10.00
Saved: 8.02
ECB's Back: $3

Today's Freebies

2008-12-14T18:24:00.000-08:00

Free Wall Calendar
http://tinyurl.com/6qqqcf

Lots of Holiday Crafts
http://tinyurl.com/22ymft

Candy Cane Reindeer Crafts
http://tinyurl.com/5tg2k7

$1 off Keebler Cookies Coupon
$1 off Keebler Sandies Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/6onyg9

Marie Callanders Coupons
http://tinyurl.com/5fzshs

Free Latex Glove Sample
http://tinyurl.com/38p2ks

Osmoflex Pain Relief Cream
http://tinyurl.com/6c8oo8

Free Curamin Sample
http://tinyurl.com/5m9ybg

Free Samples from Daeie Paper
http://tinyurl.com/wkne

Free Pretzel Crisp Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/2e8nxf

Easy Holiday + Decoration Ideas
http://tinyurl.com/5nvdgn

Free Baby Bottle
http://tinyurl.com/6etvhe

Free Luxery Oil Sample
http://tinyurl.com/3537d5

Free Binder + Keyring
http://tinyurl.com/59exf4

Free Money Skills for Kids CD
http://tinyurl.com/5k36ve

$2 Degree Men Clinical Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/5crd9d

Fancy Feast BOGO Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/5oec2m

$1 Kelloggs Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/582t43

Savings Saturday

2008-12-13T19:27:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks!

It was sunny all day here!! Thought I would start you off with a site of the day since I haven't done one in a little. Found an interesting article today at Money Saving Mom. A guest post on how to frugally and creatively gift wrap! You can check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/5fsrpb
Not much to report for today - the freebies are a little slow! I'll be working on posting my CVS and WAGS list tomorrow. Not sure if I'll be able to get there though... Anyway on today's topic of Savings Saturday , I went to the local Holiday Train Show and boy were the lines long! It took at least 1 hour to get in! Anyways - I am very proud of myself for multiple reasons! It was a little rushed getting out of the house today so we forgot to grab water and refreshments and such. Well when we arrived there and stopped to pick up a bottle of water and maybe a snack the water read $2 and the snacks were $4! That was for only one person. They also had apple cider which looked really good and was priced at $2.75! Well right outside of the cafe across the pathway was a booth handing out free apple cider and free pumpkin muffins courtesy of the local supermarket! Saved about $10 there, and then inside the cafe on the condiments stand I found a water pitcher and glasses - free water! Saved another $5 there! So I was able to save about $15 even though we forgot to bring our own food (and I didn't have to buy a membership to recieve any discounts!!) - thought I would share that with you since I was pretty happy about it!

Jo-Ann Fabrics

50% off Coupon - 12/24/08 Expiration

http://tinyurl.com/6hf9wx

40% off Coupon - 12/23/08 Expiration

http://tinyurl.com/5eghm5

Yankee Candle

$10 off $30 Coupon 12/22/08 Expiration

http://tinyurl.com/6k8qul

Children's Place
15% off Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/6x2o69

Old Navy
$10 off $50 Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/5ury4k

Dawn Dish Soap Sweeps
http://tinyurl.com/6jrpqj

Febreze Sweeps
http://tinyurl.com/5qd2dk

Cascade Dish Soap Sweeps
http://tinyurl.com/5p2a32

31 Printable Bookmarks
http://tinyurl.com/6brlap

Free Scriptural Rosary
http://tinyurl.com/6q87dj

Junior LA Dodgers Kids Club Packet
http://tinyurl.com/5wovor

List of Factory Tours by State
http://tinyurl.com/6bomqm

Frugal Friday

2008-12-12T17:36:00.000-08:00

Hey Folks!
Hope everyone is doing well and feeling good. We finally got a bit of sunshine today!! Anyway, on today's topic of Frugal Fridays I thought I would write a little article on curbing your impulses...
Recently I received an e-mail from a friend with a discount code for Blair. It was a coupon code for free shipping and a tote bag and umbrella set free with ANY purchase. Then I recieved an e-mail, click through this link and automatically receive 20% off at Blair well - I was ready! Get 20% off plus a free tote bag, umbrella, and shipping! I then stopped and said to myself - do I really need these 1.59 table runners - NO and do I need another umbrella - NO and didn't I just receive a free tote bag in the mail without purchasing anything - YES! So it just would not have been worth it. Now did I really need any of those things NO! But if I needed table runners would I have bought them for $1.59 and use the codes OF COURSE! But I didn't need them. So before you go shopping say - "Do I have this already" then "If I don't do I have something like it" "If not do I need it" "If I do then how often would I use it" then finally I may consider buying it.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed that!
Here are today's freebies!!!!

$5 Crest White Strips Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/5wtrc6

Oral-B Coupons
http://tinyurl.com/6bq6s2

Jessica Parker Fragrance Sample
http://tinyurl.com/28ks3m

Krispy Kreme - Sign up for their newsletter
Get a coupon for a FREE Glazed Donut
http://tinyurl.com/67vcj4

Scents of Nature Perfume Samples
http://tinyurl.com/6g4sed

Keyboard Cover Sample
http://tinyurl.com/53otd

Free Subscription to Cosmo
http://tinyurl.com/5txc5x

Friskies $2 off Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/6yta6r

Target Coupons for Christmas
http://tinyurl.com/5sfgu5

Coupons for Shout, Ziploc, Edge, and OFF
http://tinyurl.com/6xm685

$2 off Coupon Ivory Snow Laundry Soap
http://tinyurl.com/3x88h7

Free Elmo Diaper Bag Tag
Give out 100 A Day
http://tinyurl.com/3x875q

10,000 FREE Pogo Tokens (different offer)
http://tinyurl.com/69uldx

Coupon for a FREE Bag of Rice Works
http://tinyurl.com/6etrjg

Christmas Links for Kids

Singing Christmas Tree
http://tinyurl.com/4p64f

Christmas Games
http://tinyurl.com/ymjyvu

More Christmas Games
http://tinyurl.com/5749ou

Online Advent Calendar
http://tinyurl.com/6rrsnx

Holiday Coloring Pages
http://tinyurl.com/6xr3ml

E-Mail Santa
http://tinyurl.com/d3ne4

Countdown to Christmas
http://tinyurl.com/5nzjpl

Online Christmas Coloring Pages
http://tinyurl.com/6y9cmt

Free Pan Liner Sample
http://tinyurl.com/5qowow

Fish Oil Sample
http://tinyurl.com/qjb5y

Almond Accents Sample
http://tinyurl.com/6cqgb9

Krispy Kreme
Buy 12 donuts by 12/25 and get 12 free gift
tags. On the back of each one is a coupon for
a free donut!
http://tinyurl.com/6r7j6e

Dining Dough Gift Card
$5 for a $25 Gift Card
http://tinyurl.com/5rendt

20% off ANY Order at Personalization Mall
Use Code: COMPLETE88
http://tinyurl.com/5uydty

$10 off the 2009 Entertainment Book plus FREE Shipping
http://tinyurl.com/6l3k8l

Wholesale Leather Products
Up to 90% off Get an extra 12% off
Use Code: J2M967
http://tinyurl.com/5vrmo2

Uggs Footwear
Up to 50% off
Prices start at $25.88
http://tinyurl.com/6nwk8m

Fit Together Bracelet
http://tinyurl.com/ltecn

New, Fun, Survey Site
http://tinyurl.com/69qcbf

Quick Christmas Post

2008-12-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

Over at my favorite blog Being Frugal (.net) they did a very interesting, wonderful article today on Christmas. You can check it out here: Being Frugal . I have to say I agree with everything she says. If you scroll down you see a tradition the author has been doing (books) and I love that idea - you could even do it with a song, but to tell you the truth - nothing beats a book! Check it out!

Thrifty Shopping Thursdays

2008-12-11T18:40:00.001-08:00

Hey Folks!

Hope everyone has had a good day today, it's been rainy and cloudy here all day (for the past couple of weeks it's been like that here). On today's topic of Thrifty Shopping Thursdays this weekend I'm gonna be heading over to the .99 cents store, and might go to Macy's. But I have three steps when I'm shopping thrifty at .99 cent stores.

Rule 1- What would it cost at the supermarket or drugstore with a coupon? If it would be less than .99 cents, I put it down - if it's cheaper (with a coupon remember!!) than I consider it.

Rule 2- After I make the decision to consider to buy the item I look at the brand - if it's a food item and it's not a brand I have heard of, I put it back. If it's a non-food item (supplies, figurines, paper goods) I will put it in my cart and see how much money I have left after buying the BRAND-NAME products (tide, banquet, etc.).

Step 3: Now I have all the items I want in the cart, I then double-check to make sure that it's .99 cents (I won't buy anything over $1 at a .99 cent store, since then I know I can get it cheaper with a coupon), then I count up the number of items in my cart. If I have more than 10 items, I take out any items I truly, truly don't need. Since 10 .99 cent items would be $9.90. Then I go and check out and don't pick up ANYTHING at the check-out aisle. They often have candy and such - for very cheap (I will admit) but soon you'll have "too-many" great deals and will ending up paying more than you would for a trip to the supermarket. When I'm done checking out, I'm out the door!

Hope you liked the three steps to .99 cent store shopping and have fun!!

Today's Freebies

Free Paper Sample

http://tinyurl.com/5z2uc

Ocean Spray Cranberry Club

http://tinyurl.com/39nh23

Fun Santa Site for Kids

http://tinyurl.com/6mwsda

30 FREE Prints from York Photo (again)

http://tinyurl.com/5bskzh

.25 Sunny D Coupon

http://tinyurl.com/6hsnne

Limoges Jewelry

15% off and FREE Shipping

http://tinyurl.com/6datz3

Dove Coupon and Freebie Offers

http://tinyurl.com/57tzc8

Ethiopian Coffee Sample

http://tinyurl.com/662e5e

Cottonelle Coupons

http://tinyurl.com/65fc63

Swag Bucks
Earn points toward gift cards.

Earn points while shopping, completing offers,
and searching. Get 3 FREE Swag bucks just for
signing up!! (10 swag bucks = 1 starbucks dollar)
http://tinyurl.com/6bcukw

Today's Freebies

2008-12-10T18:21:00.000-08:00

So sorry to not have posted yesterday, but I had a very hectic day and had to meet a very dear friend!!

Anyway, hope today makes up for yesterday! I know I haven't done a "Site-Of-The-Day" lately - so I'm going to

give you some!! One of my favorite blogs is http://bearabledeals.blogspot.com - where they update freebies, sweeps,

and discount codes daily! My second favorite (recent) site is http://www.kingdomfirstmom.com which is another

great savings and frugal blog - with an awesome $5 CVS challenge! Check it out! Anyway - hope everyone enjoys Today's freebies!

Google Docs Templates

http://tinyurl.com/5du3j9

Martha Stewart Printables

http://tinyurl.com/5sgz39

Send Cards to Our Troops

http://tinyurl.com/5vgxrx

Clean Bee Soap Samples

http://tinyurl.com/6dvl7y

Free 2009 Walden Calendar & DVD

http://tinyurl.com/6jhhee

Current List of all Wal-mart Freebies

http://tinyurl.com/5dt69q

4,696 Pages of Free Coloring Pages, Activities, and Fun

http://tinyurl.com/2pmdun

Sample of Fruit & Granola

http://tinyurl.com/645mhr

CVS Advisor Program:

http://tinyurl.com/2o7ync

Free Colgate's Bright Smile Pack

They send about 30 - you can put homeschool or your school!

http://tinyurl.com/5jw8on

Colgate Offers + Coupons

http://tinyurl.com/6b39a8

One Dough, Five Cookies

http://tinyurl.com/5omly6

Free Books to Read Online

http://tinyurl.com/5tcgf2

Free Sample of Cosmin DS Double Strength
http://tinyurl.com/6fgwbv

Free Desktop Plant
http://tinyurl.com/67sco2

Get 5,000 Pogo Tokens
http://tinyurl.com/669vwr

Give your e-mail to Skintimate and receive free samples,
special offers, and cool stuff!
http://tinyurl.com/5fgugs

Hallmark Tea Sweeps
Get a chance to win Bigelow Tea
http://tinyurl.com/6q4mab

Allure Sweeps
http://tinyurl.com/65yyzg

Restaurant Gift Certificates
70% off use code Online
http://tinyurl.com/546e2

Whites Premium Dog Food Sample
http://tinyurl.com/6rrfu2

Spot Remover Sample
http://tinyurl.com/5kqhet

BOGO Coupon from Ziploc
http://tinyurl.com/6j5dn4

Free Head and Shoulders Shampoo Sample
http://tinyurl.com/6n9wzn

Free Sippy Cup
http://tinyurl.com/5z5mch

Free Tea Samples
http://tinyurl.com/26gpnl

Create Your Own Calendars
http://tinyurl.com/57c8no

Create Your Own Greeting Cards
http://tinyurl.com/5uz97a

Lots of Free Fonts
http://tinyurl.com/6q7oks

Rescue Your Hair Pack
http://tinyurl.com/5pg6fc

Monday's Meal Plans and Freebies

2008-12-08T18:16:00.000-08:00

On today's topic of "Meal-Plan Mondays" I'm going to post my meal plans for this week! Last week we did a lot of crock-potting! This Christmas I'm recieving a mini size crockpot (1.5 quart) which would be perfect for short quick small meals! Anyway-this weeks meal's revolve around the week's circular, although I really like the idea Lynnae at beingfrugal.net has - check out today's post over at her blog!

Monday - Pizza with Turkey Meatball Topping - Frozen Pizza (on sale 3 for $5) with leftover turkey meatballs (on sale for 2.99 plus $1 coupon) Total: $2.63

Tuesday- Chicken with Macaroni - Perdue Whole Chicken Breast (Bought 5 for .99/lb used 1) and Macaroni (with no cheese!! - bought for .99 each) Total: $1.44

Wednesday- Out to Dinner (Relatives Birthday)

Thursday- Chicken Breast (Bought 5 for .99/lb used 1) and Red Potatoes (.69/lb bought 4 lbs. used 1 lb.) Total: $1.63

Friday- Chicken Soup in Crockpot (Bought 5 for .99/lb used 1), Carrots (frozen - on sale $1.99 plus $1 coupon), Mixed Veggies (frozen, - on sale $1.99 plus $1 coupon), and Red Potatoes (.69/lb. bought 4 lbs. used 1 lb.), Chicken Broth (.89 a can - three cans plus $1.50 coupon) Total: $4.83

Saturday- Fried Chicken with Fries - Chicken Breast (Bought 5 for .99/lb used 1) and Nathans Fries (on sale for 2.99 - splurge item!!) Total: $3.98

Sunday - Pasta with Rolls - Penne (bought for .99 each), and Crescent Rolls (on sale .99 plus .35 coupon) Total: $1.63
　
Here are the freebies!
American Ring + Calendar
http://tinyurl.com/63hcqn

Chefs.com offer!! Free shipping with any order over $99 or when you pay with PayPal
http://tinyurl.com/6ztw7r

Kohls- Get $5 off your next In-Store Purchase and 10% off your next Online Purchase
http://tinyurl.com/5jrbpx

Free Subscription to West Virginia Wildlife Magazine
http://tinyurl.com/5o4jq9

Coldstone Creamery Birthday Club
http://tinyurl.com/2g4y5w

Free Gift from Sutter's Creek
http://tinyurl.com/2g4y5w

Free Calculator
http://tinyurl.com/2p898u

Free Lanyard
http://tinyurl.com/5ooe7t

Free Colgate Toothbrush for your Kids - Just Reach 45 Points (by keeping track of their brushing)
http://tinyurl.com/2nqhol

America's Cheapest Family
A Great book (I'll soon be doing a review) also has a online website. You can sign up for their newsletter ($12 a year for 6 issues; which I'm thinking of doing), but my favorite section is the reader tips section they have pages of tips! You can visit them here:
http://tinyurl.com/25c6mx

K-Mart
Spend $29 and get free shipping!
http://tinyurl.com/lo70

ShoeBuy
Get $20 off $50 when paying with PayPal and FREE Shipping
http://tinyurl.com/2zoggt

Brylane Home
FREE Shipping
6 Pc. Knife Set $7.99 normally $39.99 (search for knife set)
Beach Blanket and Bag $9.99 normally $19.99 (search for beach)
http://tinyurl.com/6mf9w3

Staples
FREE Shipping
http://tinyurl.com/ssoi

14K White Gold Stud 1/3 Carat twt Diamond Earrings
$59 + FREE Shipping - Normally $250
USE CODE: DSE45
http://tinyurl.com/55w7qc

Overstock
10% Cashback + FREE Shipping when you use Pay Pal
http://tinyurl.com/byqhd

Sephora
Free Shipping
USE CODE: SHOPNOW
http://tinyurl.com/msn5

Therape Scented Joy Candles
$3.99 plus 15% off
USE CODE: CB2015
Plus sign up for the Candle Coins program here and each time you buy something from their site you recieve candle coins to use on your next purchase - plus sign up now and get 25,000 candle coins FREE (a $5 value).
http://tinyurl.com/5gpukn

Crabtree & Evelyn
FREE Shipping
USE CODE: FREESHIP
or
$10 off $50
USE CODE: ETKUNOV8
http://tinyurl.com/56rzv7

Blair'
Free Tote & Umbrella Set and FREE Shipping
USE CODE: QK2
Items as low as $1.99 - in the 70% off section!
http://tinyurl.com/558xhk
　　

Hope you enjoy them!

Today's Freebies

2008-12-07T12:35:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!
Here are today's freebies, I hope you enjoy.

Cookbook Links:

101 Cookbooks
http://snipurl.com/7l5pm

All Recipes
http://snipurl.com/7l5ty

Bob Evans Wheel Meals
http://snipurl.com/7l5y5

Chow
http://snipurl.com/7l61y

Cookie Madness
http://snipurl.com/7l66f

Crockpotting for a Year
http://snipurl.com/7l69n

Carnation Evaporated Milk
http://snipurl.com/7l6gg

Dinners in the Freezer
http://snipurl.com/7l6kv

Basic Yellow Cake Recipe
http://snipurl.com/7l6q4

Old-Fashioned Recipes
http://snipurl.com/7l6tn

Mrs. Claus Cookbook
http://snipurl.com/7l6y9

Homemade Items:

Bath Salts
http://snipurl.com/7l7bw

Soap-Making
http://snipurl.com/7l7f5

Incense Recipes
http://snipurl.com/7l7iz

Homemade Floor Cleaner
http://snipurl.com/7l7mf

Free K-Nex Sample
Use Code: KNSF08
http://snipurl.com/7l9kp

Shoe Insert (for those who wear high-heels)
http://snipurl.com/7l9s2

Frugal Recipes & Tips
http://snipurl.com/7l9y5

Database of Christmas Crafts:

Scrunchie Links
http://snipurl.com/7laaj

Christmas Crafts
http://snipurl.com/7laid

Gingerbread Houses
http://snipurl.com/7laov

Christmas Printables
http://snipurl.com/7lavk

Stained-Glass Patterns
http://snipurl.com/7lbex

How to Make Money from Storage Building Auctions
http://snipurl.com/7lbk4

Needle Pointers
http://snipurl.com/7lbp0

Travel Tissue Holder
http://snipurl.com/7lbxc

Free Stress Ball
http://snipurl.com/1z9bh-fix

Today's Site of the Day

2008-12-07T11:33:00.001-08:00

Here are today's freebies, I hope you enjoy them! Today's site of the day is: Scour . It's a great site where you get paid to search. They gather their search results from Google, MSN Live, and Yahoo. Each time you search you earn a point, then you rate one of the sites that comes up with a thumbs up sign or thumbs down sign and earn another point, and then comment on the results and get another point = 3 points per search. Once you reach 6500 points you can redeem for a $25 Visa Gift Card, or 12,500 points and get a $50 Visa Gift Card or 25,000 points and get a $100 Visa Gift Card. To get a $25 gift card you would have to search about 2167 times (assuming you search, rate, and comment on each search) - so after about a year you could cash out! Will be posting the freebies later! You can sign up here (click on the banner)

Sale Sunday

2008-12-07T11:32:00.000-08:00

Hey Folks!
On today's topic Sale Sunday I went to WAGS and CVS today to pick up a couple of items. Here's what I bought at WAGS:

Wax Paper - $1.99 plus $1 Coupon = .99
Scotch Tape - 2 for $2.00 plus $2 rebate on 2 = FREE
Jar Candle - .99
Nestle Crunch Bar - .89 each plus 2/1 coupon = $1.00
TOTAL: $5.40
Minus Rebate: $3.40

Savings: $8.76 + rebate = 10.67

Here's what I got at CVS:

Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste - $1.99 on sale plus .75 coupon = $1.24
Campbell's Chunky Soup 2 for $3 plus TWO .50 cent Coupons = 2 for $2
Absolutely Divine Cookies - 2.99 plus $1 coupon printed at Extra Care Station = 1.99
Total: $5.23
ECB's Used: $2.00
Total: $3.23

Savings: $7.98

TOTAL SPENT AT BOTH STORES: $6.63
TOTAL SAVINGS: $18.65

Thought I did pretty good - didn't splurge on items I don't need, how do you think I did, feel free to leave a comment!

Hey!

2008-12-06T19:06:00.000-08:00

I'm so sorry that my post didn't post yesterday - I have no idea what happened! Anyways - the freebies are a little slow during the holidays, so there aren't that many today. But one of my favorite blogs: Being Frugal , which is a member of the M-Network has started the $1 a day donation. The goal - for everyone to give $1 a day to a charity for the month of December. So you would give $31 over this month to multiple charities. Visit the blog to find out more! If you don't have that much money this month, or your trying to stretch it you can click once a day on a couple of different websites for FREE and donate to different associations. Visit today's site of the day Care 2 , where you can click on things that you want to support and donate food, health, or money. Anyway - on today's topic of Savings Saturdays, I checked my paypal today and I'm up to $30 from my writing (non-blog related)! WHOO! I was happy about that - anyway I added up my total savings for the past two weeks and I have saved $250!! Just from using coupons, and sales! Maybe in the next two weeks I can save $500 (shoot for the stars!), leave a comment and tell me how your frugal savings are going! Have a great late night Saturday and a wonderful, restful Sunday!

Free Water Bottle
http://tinyurl.com/55vbu5

Pop-Up Kit with Pens
http://tinyurl.com/6ht43s

Free Kona Chips for Dogs
http://tinyurl.com/62zhbh

$10 off $25 at Macys December 6th and 7th until 1 p.m.
http://tinyurl.com/6kblja

Lots of Assorted Coupons
http://tinyurl.com/67rjry

20% off Coupon at K-mart Sunday ONLY
http://tinyurl.com/6kxah2

Office Depot - 20% off $75 or more
http://tinyurl.com/6kpx7t

$10 off your $50 order at Old Navy
http://tinyturl.com/5ury4k

Burlington Coat Factory - Bring in a Gently Used Coat and get 10% off coupon
http://tinyurl.com/5tn8tp

Free Google Stickers (SASE)
Send a SASE to
P.O. Box 391420
Mountain View, CA 94039

Free Ear Plugs
http://tinyurl.com/5dxafc

Coffee Mate Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/5tmgno

Taster's Choice Coupon
http://tinyurl.com/5g6hqh

Printable Snowmen Stationary
http://tinyurl.com/6eht4h

Printable Holiday Lists
http://tinyurl.com/6enbm

Christmas Printables
http://tinyurl.com/5czh6t

Rubbermaid Coupons
http://tinyurl.com/6cfgcq

Free Key-Chain
http://tinyurl.com/5mul72

Christmas Clip Art
http://tinyurl.com/6f72l4

Woman Within Deal - Lots of items for $2.99 (build-a-card sets, blankets, totes, backpacks) plus use code WW19300 to get FREE Shipping. Go here:
http://tinyurl.com/559d6h (thanks to My Bargain Buddy)

Hope you enjoy!
Sign up for our feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheFreeCentral

Today's Freebies

2008-12-04T18:57:00.000-08:00

Here are today's freebies, I hope you enjoy them! Not so many freebies today but some cool stuff!
My favorite site for today is definitely the Northpole site! They have a huge cookie database in their recipes
section and lots of fun stuff for kids to do! You can visit it here: http://tinyurl.com/69wfvq

On today's topic - Thrifty Shopping Thursdays, last Sunday I went to the thrift store and picked up some fun holiday stuff. Two votive holders which complete a set I have that I bought about a month ago (in all it cost me 3.98), and then I also picked up a brand-new book for teens on community service for $1 compared to $15 ! I would say that's probably the best aspect of my Good Will is the book section - almost every book is $1, some are .50 and some are $2. The other best section is the Video section. Yes, Goodwill is still on Videos and not quite on to DVD's yet - (which I'm fine with) and they have buy 1 for 1.99 or buy 2 for 1.98 ! You save a penny when you buy another one! I find it so funny! But thats my own opinion! I'd love to hear your comments, they may be featured in my next Thrifty Thursday post!

20% off Aarons Art
http://tinyurl.com/673ufq

Angel Crafts
http://tinyurl.com/5e5gfx

Western Calendar
http://tinyurl.com/296fbm

Holiday Calendar
http://tinyurl.com/n3uv4

Golf Planner
http://tinyurl.com/dtt42

5 Calendar Request
http://tinyurl.com/acm9g

Free Mini Flashlight or Poncho
http://tinyurl.com/6p8rab

Garden Dressing Sample
http://tinyurl.com/evxwc

P&G Coupons
http://tinyurl.com/6ysh3x

Free Christmas Downloads from Bacardi
http://tinyurl.com/5p2vyn

Cookie Cutter (A Different One)
http://tinyurl.com/5jcpus

Chocolate Sample
http://tinyurl.com/5v3d3x

Berry Burst Sample
http://tinyurl.com/64wfa5

Free Roast Beef Sandwich at Arby's with any other purchase
http://tinyurl.com/65te2f

Free Sun-Maid Recipe Book (New One)
http://tinyurl.com/28qm8

Subscription to Working Mother
http://tinyurl.com/6o4ma9

Aquaphor Samples
http://tinyurl.com/3ttzcl

2008-12-03T17:39:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Hope you enjoy's today's freebies! I've been a little short on time lately, so I hope you understand my "lack" of sharing information with you! But, today's site of the day is Old Fashioned Holidays, it's a site which focuses on Old-Fashioned Traditions, Recipes, and Stuff around the holidays - you can visit it here http://tinyurl.com/5e4o26 .
Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow and I hopefully will be able to keep up with the posting better - although it might be scarce in the holidays!

New Jiffy Recipe Book

http://tinyurl.com/ysyxz

Free Sample of Deseo Mens Fragrance

http://tinyurl.com/65jrau

Free Games, Free Game Downloads and More: Sudoku,
Mahjong, Pogo, Arcades List:

Sudoku Quest: Free Download

http://tinyurl.com/5yvoof

Mahjong: Free Download

http://tinyurl.com/4lje64

Classic Arcade Games: Free Download

http://tinyurl.com/4gjctk

PurePlay: World Poker Tour Promotion

http://tinyurl.com/4qhl9n

GAMEVANCE

http://tinyurl.com/6hdnn5

WORLD WINNER

http://tinyurl.com/68ubxw

CASUAL GAMES

http://tinyurl.com/62gq5x

BID4PRIZES

http://tinyurl.com/5fv7ef

FROSTY GAMES

http://tinyurl.com/6gp9jc

DATABASE OF FREE GAMES

http://tinyurl.com/nq4eu

FREE GAME SITES