Harris Teeter Shopping Trip 5/18

Trip number three under my belt and I got some more items that I really wanted to get like the sugar and brown sugar again :)  Some more Texas Pete Hot Sauce for $0.05!!  I finally got the Smart Balance butter since that was the first thing to get returned when I reached the coupon limit before.  I also used a rain check and got the meatballs for free so I think that I am going to have to get a few more of them tomorrow too!!  Hope that there are still some left on the shelf when we make it there.  I also remembered right after I left that I wanted to get some of those soft pretzels but I totally forgot so we didn't even make it to the last aisle of the store so I left without using all 20 coupons :(

I don't know if this is the same at all Harris Teeters but if your total is under $25 at ours, you don't have to sign the receipt.  I usually consider it a good trip if I don't have to sign the receipt and I am super surprised when I have to!!  This time I was prepared ahead of time that I was going to have to sign the receipt (I sort of have to prepare myself for that possibility when I get up to the register so that I don't have a heart attack at the final total).  The expensive items that were on the list were the Bona floor cleaner and the two packages of pull-ups because we were out of both.

Ever had a day that didn't go how you wanted and you caused yourself more work... well, with mother, mother in law and sister in law with me at the store, I think that I lost the zen shopping mojo and I might be returning some items.  (We might have driven our cashier a little batty too since we all checked out with one guy.... poor guy!)

I looked at the Bona cleaner at Wal-Mart the last time that I was there and I can't remember how much it was... starting to think that it was less at Wal-Mart and I might have jumped the gun.  I think that I need a trip to Wal-Mart first to see if I am going to return it to Harris Teeter!!  It says online that it is $9.98 and I would use the coupon and make it even cheaper.  Ugh!!

We went to Target after the trip to Harris Teeter and they had the sale on Pull-ups so they were actually cheaper then the Pull-ups at Harris Teeter.  I wasn't going to buy them but I was really and truly out so I didn't want my son running around with out any pull-ups on so I jumped the gun again.  I spent $37.10 at Target (savings of $9.60) I am now the proud owner of around 150 pull-ups and hopefully that I won't need them long enough to use 150 so I am going to return the Harris Teeter ones which would give me back $20 in my budget to do another round of triples :)

Other than my few expensive items, it was a really good trip so if I end up returning most of it..  I will work out better :)

Total OOP $38.01 (savings $49.00)

Heat Rises Book Review

The third book in the series from Richard Castle, Heat Rises (Nikki Heat 3), was a must read for me.  The first two books were so great but I did reserve all three together but this one just came into the library a little while ago because of the long waiting list.

This book stayed true to the rest of the series and it was another page turner.  I tried to start on Tuesday but I didn't make it very far.  I was hoping to have the whole book finished in just a few days but I got no time to read so it took longer than expected.  I was so excited and sad to finish it!

Nikki Heat was working on solving a mystery with many twists and turns.  One involved her Captain being involved, multiple people being killed and an attack on her that almost got her killed (again).  I didn't know what was going on but each time they unraveled one part of the mystery, it seemed like we were close to the resolution...but it took a long time to realize all the pieces of the puzzle and how they got together but it was amazing when they did!!

Hope you check out this book at your local library or bookstore.  The whole series is a page turner so I suggested starting with the first book and working your way up to this book!!!  Can't wait to hear what you think!!

Guess what I saw when I was looking up the Amazon link on this one..... a new book!!!  Frozen Heat (Nikki Heat, Book 4) by Richard Castle is released on September 18th, 2012 so hopefully by then I will be more caught up on my list so that I can fit this one in :)  Keep your eyes peeled for this cover.

Harris Teeter Shopping Trip 5/17

Trip number two showed that the the shelves were bare in a lot of areas already.  The main two things that I wanted to get was the Dixie Crystal Sugar ($1.45 each) and Brown sugar ($1.15each).  I use a lot for baking and deals on these items are hard to come by!!  I have found them cheaper sometimes but not many so I hope to go back and get another 2 of each.

The free deals include free Gold Peak tea and Jello Temptations.  The good deals include the House Autry breaders for $0.29, Soft Pretzels for $0.19 per box, Yakisoba for $0.10 each, and Ortega Powder for $0.10 each.  The Sara Lee Bread was only $0.99 which didn't seem like a bad deal so I picked up a loaf even though I don't think that we needed to get it right now.  The Helluva Good cheese $1.47 each.  The most expensive item was $1.85 each which was the Deli Carvers Turkey for my husband's lunch.

Total OOP was $15.51 (savings $50.28)

Another high total but look at all that good stuff.  I think that I was spoiled with super doubles because we have more $1 coupons in this area but I am crossing my fingers to go tomorrow!!!  I can't wait to see what is left on the shelves by the next time I get to the store :)  I hope that you are having great luck and finding what you are looking for!!

Harris Teeter Shopping Trip 5/16

My first trip to triples was a success even though I didn't have a clue what I was getting but just had a pile of coupons in my hand ready to conquer the deals.  I got 6 Ortega powders, 2 Jello Temptations, French's Onions, Morton's Season All, Nutella, Dole Fruit Crisp, 3 Hamburger Helper, Quaker Medley Oatmeal, 3 Smart Balance Oil, 3 Texas Pete Hot Sauce and Welch's Cranberry Grape Juice (all pictured above). 

I switched things around a few times and tried to figure out what items were going to be gone which was really hard.  I looked at it like if I didn't get to go again during the triples, what would I be sad about not getting it (because I have so much family in town and I might not make it back). 

The first thing was the oil because I am close to out from my last stock up deal and they had the big one and not just the small one but a HUGE one.  I am also excited to try the Texas Pete because we usually use Frank's and we are almost out!!  Have you noticed that free hot sauce is harder to find???  Sadly, I have started making so many meals with hot sauce so it is an important staple for the pantry.  Buffalo chicken pizza anyone??? YUM!!!  I was also really happy to get the House Autry chicken breader because we got it with a coupon before and I thought it was super yummy and I want to make it on chicken tenders and not just chicken breasts.  Then the free oatmeal (after coupon and evic) and Welch's juice for my husband.

Total OOP was $11.56 (savings $53.92)

Not the best total or the best trip but I was happy with it even though it didn't get me that much stuff.  I hope to get a few more trips in but I am not going to be too upset if it doesn't happen.  I hope that you have great trips to the store too!!!

Thrifty Thursday Tip for Cleaning and Energy Efficiency

Cleaning and Energy Efficiency:

Make sure you use a dishwasher cleaner like Dishwasher Magic or other dishwasher cleaner.  These clean all the hard water out of the inside the pipes.  This helps the machine work more energy efficiently which saves water and electricity.  According to the Dishwasher Magic website, "A common myth is that your dishwasher cleans itself during the wash cycle. This simply isn't the case. Over time, hard water deposits, rust and food can build up inside your dishwasher, reducing its performance."  They have some helpful hints on their website on how to use your dishwasher more efficiently like running the hot water before starting the machine and use the garbage disposal to clean the lines.  The recommendation on cleaning the dishwasher is every 6 months (unless you read the package and it says every few months) but it really depends on the water in your area.

Cleaning your washing machine is also important.  The first reason is to make sure to keep the appliance clean that cleans all your clothes but it also saves water and electricity.  The idea that is cleans out inside of the machine the same way that the dishwasher cleaner works by removing all the hard water.  There are some helpful hints on the Washer Magic site.  There are many products out to clean and they all have different claims.  I tried the Affresh cleaner but it was a solid tablet so next time I am going to try a liquid like Washer Magic.  I highly recommend finding something that works best for you and your washer.  The washer should be cleaned every 6 months or more if you have hard water.  Helpful hint:  If you have a front loading HE washer, leave the door open between washes so that it doesn't mold in the seal.

Don't forget to clean out your clothes dryer!  Use a vacuum to clean out the area around the lint trap and clean the dryer hose (out the back of the dryer).  Blocked vents cause the dryer to use more energy and take longer to dry clothes.  This also shortens the life of the equipment and may be a fire hazard.  In order to keep your house and equipment safe, make sure you clean out everything once a year.

Who ever thought that just cleaning a few appliances could save money?!  We now do all of the above cleaning because who doesn't want a cleaner appliance meant to clean our dishes and clothes!!!  The added bonus of being green too :)  Hope that this helps and you clean your appliances.

Cheese Muffin Recipe

I decided that I wanted rolls with dinner and I only had a little bit of all purpose flour left (less than 1 cup).  So I knew that I needed a recipe with whole wheat flour since I still had a little more left.  I tried to look for a new and fun recipe to try but I didn't have the time for a fun yeasty rolls so I went with a recipe that I had made once before from the American's Cheapest Family's recipes.  It is a great recipe that mixes up super easy and gives you yummy muffins so I highly recommend trying it some night when you want rolls on the table in 20 minutes.

This time I made 6 with parmesan cheese on top and 6 without.  Last time the parmesan cheese burned a little when reheating so I thought it would be good to have a few without and see how they worked.  We ate six for dinner and have 6 for treats later in the week.  I hope that you make some for you too!!

Cheese Muffins

¾ c whole wheat flour

1 c all purpose flour

½ tsp salt

1 tbsp baking powder

¾ c grated cheddar cheese

2 eggs

¼ c oil

1 c milk

¼ c honey

Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Grease 12 muffin cups.  Don’t use paper liners for this recipe.  Stir together the whole wheat, all purpose flour, salt, baking powder and cheddar cheese in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, combine eggs, oil, milk, and honey.  Stir together the liquid and dry ingredients.  The mixture will be lumpy but that’s okay.  Fill the prepared muffin cups ¾ full.  Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top.  Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Recipe can be doubled or tripled.  Makes 12 muffins.

Harris Teeter Triples Starting Wednesday 5/16

I am super excited to check out Harris Teeter triples first thing after dropping my son at school on Wednesday.  In addition, I get to bring my mother in law with me!!  How great to overlap her visit with a great couponing event :)  Hope that you all get some great stuff at Harris Teeter this coming week.  Let me know what deals you are looking forward to most!!  This time I am more excited about looking at some of the deals in the store since I don't have a bunch of things that I can't live without this month on the match ups that I have seen.  Crossing my fingers for some great deals!!