Kellogg's Cereal Rebate

Get a $10 rebate check when you buy 10 Kellogg's or Keebler products. Go here for a printable rebate form: www.fuelforschool.com. Click on the 'Fuel For School' icon on the right-hand side.

What Makes YOU Frugal?

Hey all you blog stalkers out there,

I promise I am trying to think of some more great frugal ideas. I have been busy lately and my mind is not thinking too creatively right now. So.....I ask for your comments. Leave an idea for us of what it is that YOU do to be frugal. We'd love to hear from you.

Website Deals

I'm reposting this.  All credit goes to Holly from SunnysideUpsideDown and her original post. Thanks Holly for all the leg work!

Since we are on a tight budget here in Chi Town I have been scouring the internet on ways to save money and find deals. I have found a couple things that are worth sharing.

Free Jewelry: This site gives jewelry away for FREE! The catch? You must pay for shipping, which is $6.99 and you can't combine purchases. BUT it is sterling silver and gemstones. My mom has ordered some from the site and says the jewelry is beautiful. They only offer four pieces at a time and they change every few minutes, so if you see something snag it quick!

Want free haircuts? I don't even remember where I got this tip, but I just scored an appointment for a free haircut so I thought I'd pass it on. On craigslist there is a section called 'Services' and sub-category for 'Beauty'. If you check it OFTEN new and upcoming stylists will post ads for free haircuts, facials, etc. They need to build up their portfolios and so they offer free services. You have to act quick, hence the checking OFTEN. I have responded to several and finally scored the free one just yesterday. I have my appointment on Monday so I'll let you know how it goes. 

Shopping High for great deals and freebies. She posts freebies, and items that are on super great deals. Most are online, but occasionally it is coupons for a free item that you have to take to the store. I have scored free antibacterial stuff at Bath & Body Works and free frozen lemonaid at Corner Bakery just to name a couple.

Fantabulously Frugal is similiar to Shopping High. They post coupons and freebies and such, but it seems that the majority of her posts are geared to when retailers are having great online and in-store sales. 

Betty Crocker - You can print coupons right from their website and the best part is that you select the coupons you want and only print them and not a bunch that you won't use. 

Pillsbury - Same as Betty Crocker. The coupons on this site change about once a week (I think) so keep an eye on them. 

Diamond Shark - This site has one deal every day. It is always jewelry, it might be a watch, a pair of earrings, a ring...but it is ALWAYS a steal. Name brands are a regular occurance and the shipping is always free.

So there are a few. I am also looking to increase my shopping saavy...any of you out there have some tips to share?

Free Arby's Sandwich!

Sorry it's so late in the day, but today at Arby's you get a free turkey club sandwich with the purchase of a drink. If you're up to dealing with the crowds, it's worth a free sandwich!

Free Bowling at Fat Cats - Utah only

My friend called me today and said that Fat Cats Bowling offers free bowling over the Summer to kids ages 5-15. The kids get 2 free games per day on M-F from 9AM-5PM and up to 5 kids per family.

You do have to pay for the shoe rental (not included) and the adults have to pay to play. But, you can sign up for a "Family Pass" that is $29.95 and then up to 4 adults (parents, grandparents, babysitters or whoever) can bowl on the family pass, also getting 2 free games per day.

This is a limited time offer. You need to go to Fat Cats (click link or go to www.fatcatsfun.com) and then click the "Kids Bowl Free" icon in the upper right hand corner. Then you can register your kids online and they will email you your "Kids Bowl Free" pass within 24 hours.

So...technically if you do the math (and it is not likely you would go this often, but humor me)....then it would be $2.72 a week (11 weeks) for 4 adults to bowl. Remembering that you have to pay for the shoe rental, so it's not quite that cheap, but really, you are getting 2 games per adult, so it comes out to be 34 cents a game per adult (and that is if you only go ONCE a week). Not too shabby!!

Note-- as for the 11 weeks-- thatis just a guess on my part. I do not know officially when the summer bowling program ends. That's just when school starts again for my kids.

Cheap summer fun!! Can't beat that!

Yard Sale Question

Have any of you ever had a yard sale?  We're thinking of hold one to sell our furniture and household items preparatory to moving cross country.  What are reasonable prices to expect people to pay for items like books, childrens clothing, womens/mens clothing & shoes, furniture, and toys.  Is it worth it? What have your experiences been?  Any sage advice? 

Just like I-Hop

Do you love eating out at I-Hop (or a similar pancake house) and eating their delicious pancakes? Me too. Unfortunately, it's not in my family's budget to do something like that very often. I mean, maybe once a year we have done that. It's just not something we can afford to do -we rarely eat out AT ALL, let alone for pancakes on a Saturday morning with the kids. But I ran across a pancake recipe a couple years ago that is awesome and the pancakes turn out fluffy and perfect, very similar to those of a restaurant. (I honestly would give credit to where I found the recipe if I could remember, but I can't. So please forgive me for that one.)

I will say that once we discovered this recipe, we no longer have the desire to "eat out" for pancakes. They are really yummy and so much cheaper than taking the whole family out to eat! We have added chocolate chips to them on occasion, and that is really good too. I am sure you all can come up with many delicious variations! If you do, please share them with us.

Buttermilk Pancakes:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour onto the griddle to form pancakes. Flip pancakes when edges appear top harden. Cook pancakes on the other side until just slightly golden. Makes about 6-8 medium sized pancakes.

Buttermilk Waffles:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoong baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, separated
2 cups buttermilk
2/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Combine ingredients and mix well. Spray waffle iron with cooking spray and cook until lightly golden brown. (Now that I type this, I don't know why the eggs are separated. Hmmm....can you tell my husband always makes these? lol. I will ask him in the morning and come back and fix this part).