Do What?? $60 for a Netbook!

Funny-ish

"Do what??" is one of my favorite Southern expressions. It's right next to "drimes" and "mommicked" --- and also the constant use of the word "y'all." I miss a good Southern accent like you wouldn't believe.  It's not even something I thought about before we moved here.  But now I feel like hugging a person if they happen to even have the slightest Southern accent.  It's why I hug Mommy Rambles.  Well, that and she's awesome.

Anyhoo -- if you have started Christmas shopping, here's a good way to cross someone off your list.  So this netbook is not a power machine -- but this would be a fabulous gift for a younger child that needs a computer for homework, etc. or an adult that just needs quick email, web surfing, or general computer need. Also, would make a great media player or e-reader. Check out the specs here.  It doesn't support Flash so it's basically an iphone without a contract.  Hahahaha....ummmm....sort of.  For $60? It's an awesome bargain.  Act fast -- as of 8:45am PST, there was about 12 hours left on this deal.

FREE DONUT to Help Make Your Half-Ass a Whole One

So the nearest Krispy Kreme is a drive away from me -- especially with the Viaduct tear down (which is totally fascinating to me by the way.) But I know some of you are closer to one, and if you can get to a Krispy Kreme on Halloween, in your costume, you can get a donut for free. 

Please eat one for me.

Okthanksbuhbye.

Walmart Will Match Your Christmas Sale Prices

Baby Gap

Christmas shopping stresses me the hell out. Seriously, like throat punching stressed out.  Running out of coffee creamer on a Monday morning stressed out.  I hate lines. I hate trying to find the perfect gifts. I hate buying something and then finding out I could have gotten it cheaper somewhere else. But usually by the time you realize it, the idea of going back and returning what you bought seems like so much trouble that you end up wrapping it and calling it a day. So that's why Wal-Mart's matching policy just got all special fancy for Christmas.

Basically, if you purchase an item at Walmart and then find it goes on for a lesser price somewhere else between November 1st- December 25th, Walmart will make up the difference by giving you a Walmart gift card!

The Official Rules

1. Purchases must be Make from Nov 1- Dec 25th
2. You must bring in the competitor ad AND your receipt to receive the Price Match Difference
3. Black Friday and Internet Prices are Excluded
4.Items on Layaway are Eligible

Save your reciepts and watch the ads for low prices on what you purchased.

Here are the official details. 

(Thanks to Happy Money Saver for the link!)

Another Movie Deal $11 for a Movie & a Sandwich

I find this deal slightly random since you can't bring sandwiches into a movie, but if you have a big purse or a girlfriend with a big purse then this deal works for you.  Unless of course you have to buy her ticket too.  (Then you should click on my last post and get two tickets so your date doesn't have to stand outside while you're all relaxed and eating a sandwich and hugging up on her purse.)

Click here to get a movie ticket and $5 towards a sub at Subway for only $11!

Half-assing it at the Movies, Two tickets for $12

So I've tried to stay away from a computer for a day or two.  Just too much IRL stuff to worry about right now.  But I thought you would appreciate this deal so I'm sharing it : )

The last time I was at the movies was when my husband and I went out on a date night.  It's been a hot minute.  We saw Hangover II -- which I didn't particularly enjoy.  Although the Asian transvestite hooker reminded me of someone I know so that was funny. Don't get me wrong -- there's nothing wrong with being an Asian, a transvestite, or a hooker.  I preach love, acceptance, and tolerance.  Except for people who pretend to be something they are not.  Big pet peeve of mine.  Huge. 

So embrace your hooker-ness people.  And don't bitch at people when they call you out on it.  Also:  go to the movies.   

Two movie tickets for $12.  Yes, please.  Check the deal out with Saveology.

Thanks to Queen Bee Coupons for the link!

Heebie Jeebies and Candy Discounts

Image Credit

So yesterday I got a Freecycle notification that someone was giving away a space heater.  I am all about some free stuff, especially when it's something that I have actually been shopping for. 

Side rant:  Free stuff on Craigslist and Freecycle in this area is NOTHING like it is back home.  This is an awesome resource.  I never really used either of these resources when I was in North Carolina because 1)  Everything is SO spread out, that for the cost of gas -- I can go buy whatever it is I am picking up for free.  2)  Not very many people give useful things away for free.  The mindset seems to be different.  Here recycling is a BIG part of the culture.  Use what you need, share the rest.  I notice that people here are not very much into the excess.  Huge difference.  3)  In my experience, when people were giving things away -- it was solely to benefit them -- meaning most of it was trash they just wanted hauled out of their garage.  If it was worth anything, then most likely people would sell it for money. 


We have this huge den, no carpet, just throw rugs that I have put down to cover the cement floor.  Before there was anything in it, I referred to the empty room as my meth lab.  Which is more amusing if you know me and know that I don't do drugs but am totally obsessed with Breaking Bad.  So bummed that the season is over.  But anyway, now it's more like a playroom and family room.  I was using it as my home office, but I like to work upstairs in the kitchen where I can eat whenever I want.  Plus in the winter it gets super cold down there and I saw the ad for a free space heater and answered it.  She was giving a bunch of other stuff away and the deal was basically that I had to take all of it.  Sure, no problem.  Then she answers "drive up the dirt road, pass the barn, mine is the house with the hearse in front."  That's right, hearse.


So, I don't want to be all judgemental or jump to conclusions and hey -- she's doing ME a favor -- but I have to admit:  I was totally creeped out and daydreamed a scenario of my driving out to some house in the forest and getting my arms and legs cut off and then not even being able to crawl to safety and then maybe even hung from a tree like some Criminal Minds episode -- all because I wanted a free space heater.  Heebie jeebies, right?? 


But I sucked it up and went anyway.  Still seemed like a good idea.


Her directions were right on and I shit you not -- THIS WAS AT THE FOOT OF THE DRIVEWAY

"What's up lady?  Don't you know that I can eat your face off?"

Now most people would have turned around at this point.  And I probably would have.  But it was indeed a dirt road, and there wasn't really a way to turn around and backing down the long driveway in my minivan didn't seem like a good idea, so I kept on.  Still -- I'm thinking that the only thing nagging at me is the judgey side of me and nothing else. 


She was a super nice lady -- her entire place was decorated in Halloween decorations, including fake tombstones everywhere, and most of the trees around her property had something hanging from them.  When I say nice, I mean super nice -- as most people in this area are.  She even explained that the hearse was her daily car and not a Halloween prop as most people thought.  I have no idea who would go Trick o' Treating out this way, so obviously the decorations are just for her and her friends enjoyment.  I kinda love that. 


Anyway -- today's lesson?  Be careful with free stuff -- but trust your instincts, good or bad.  Unless of course you have a history of making bad decisions. Or you are a child.  Or you have been attacked by a zombie.  Or you have been attacked by a zombie child.

 Halloween Candy Deals at RITE AID thru 10/22

M&M’s 9.9-12.6 oz. – $2.50
$1/2 M&M’s Candies Bags Rite Aid Video Values (October)
$1/1 M&M’s Candies Rite Aid Video Values (September)
$1.50/3 M&M or Mars Fun Size Candy 10/9/2011 RP Insert (exp 10/31/2011)
$1.50/2 M&M’s Candies Products All You, Sept 2011 (exp 10/31/2011)
$1/1 M&M’s Brand Pretzel Candies 9/11/2011 RP Insert (exp 10/23/2011)
Final Price = As low as $0.50 each

Hershey’s or Cadbury Bars - $1.50
Get a $5 +UP wyb $15 worth of participating Hershey’s candy
$1/2 Hershey’s XL Candy Bars Rite Aid Video Values (October)
$1/1 Hershey’s Air Delight Bags Rite Aid Video Values (September)
Final Price = As low as $0.50 each

Fun Size or Snack Size Bagged Candy 7.6-12.5 oz. (excludes Hershey’s) – $2.50
Get a $5 +UP wyb $15 worth
$1/2 Nestle Bag Candy or Skinny Cow Box Candy Rite Aid Video Values (October)
$1/2 Nestle Fun Size Halloween Candy 10/16/2011 RP Insert (exp 10/31/2011)
$1/2 Nestle Halloween Candy Fun Size
$1/2 Nestle Fun Size Bags All You, Oct 2011 (exp 10/31/2011)
Final Price = As low as $1.50 each

Thanks to Queen Bee Coupons for this candy coupon post!  You can visit the link for more candy deals at other stores.

Free Christmas Presents and My Rage Over Mashed Potatoes

You know how if you ever bought ANYthing on Vistaprint, they send you a bunch of reminders about all the stuff you can get FREE? Well these are actually some good ones --

Up to six different freebies -- you just have to pay for shipping. I think I'm going to use these as grandparents gifts for Christmas or something. (Don't judge me...they don't want anything but pics of my spawn, trust me.)

1 Free Photo Wall Calendar
1 Free Photo Flip Book
1 Free Tote Bag
250 Free Business Cards
10 Free Invitations
1 Free T-Shirt

I think I'm going to have a "Half-Ass Couponing" Tote bag made and fill it with bean bags so I can swing it at the next whore-der I see at the grocery store. I actually just ran into a lady who cleared the shelf of 25 bags of mashed potatoes. I wish I actually ran into her with my mini-cart, but whatever.

(I'm not a hater but seriously folks -- STOP clearing the shelves! I know her ass did not need all those mashed potatoes.  Nobody does.)

Special thanks to Happy Money Saver for this post.  Not about the whore-der or the mashed potatoes, just about the Vistaprint freebies.

Deep Fried Oreos

Deep Fried Love

Let me preface this post by saying -- we normally eat very healthy in my home.  We don't eat fast food, mostly no or low sugar snacks, lots of veggies and fruit, etc. etc.  But sometimes you just have to say "fuck it" -- especially when you're a little homesick. 



 This will be the second year that we are missing the NC State Fair.  it was a HUGE big deal for us -- a time to splurge on junk food, waste money or rides, pet the stinky pigs, and pay a quarter to see a tiny, tiny gypsy lady.  Also, get into arguments with carnies that haven't showered for days?  There's nothing like it.  Good stuff all around. 

Check out the Official Blog of the NC State Fair:  Deep Fried

My favorites?  Polish sausages, cotton candy, candy apples, roasted corn, and -- deep fried oreos.  I know this is a blog about saving money -- but:  going to the fair will NOT SAVE you any money.  Let's just go ahead and put it out there.  Not only will it not save you money, you will be so full and your jeans will fit tighter for days.  But whatever -- it's a part of Southern life, just like prize winning bunnies and chicken. 

Here's a post about making Deep Fried Oreos.  I wrote it a while back and just want to share it with you here in case you are craving this delicious snack and can't stop thinking about it and maybe even your mouth waters just a little when you actually start to picture it.  Oh wait -- here's the saving money part:  If you don't really want to go to the fair (freak!) and just want to have Deep Fried Oreos -- you can save some money by just using this recipe.  I hear the going rate for these bad boys is $6 or something ridiculous for four or five of them.  Enjoy!

I adore my younger sister. She is vibrant, beautiful, funny. My best friend in all the ways that matter. I can honestly say I have never felt even the tiniest bit of sibling rivalry towards her. It helps that she is five years younger than me. Growing up, we were always in very different worlds: different schools, different friends, different stages. It’s difficult to feel any of the traditional emotions that cause discourse between sisters, when there is never anything to feel competitive about.
Until now.

I don’t like junk food. She adores junk food. I have children. Therefore, they adore her. When I go over the equation in my head, I’m taken back to tenth grade geometry, working all the different ways the calculation could be reordered, but the solution is always the same. I find it difficult to say no when she indulges them.

 After he went to the State Fair this year, my son asked me at least once a day for three weeks if we could make Deep Fried Oreos. I said “No” at least once a day for three weeks and had a different excuse each time. One of the excuses I carelessly used was: I don’t know how to make them. Wrong answer. Mistake. Dammit, how could I be so careless?! My son is internet savvy, he can Google video game cheat codes and the most entertaining YouTube videos like a champ. I would have to find a reason to ground him from the Internet until he got the disgusting idea out of his head.

He didn’t Google it. Worse. He called his aunt.

Of course she gave him the recipe for the Deep Fried Oreos. She gave him the easy no-fuss recipe. I could have strangled her.

He asked me to make them every day for another week before I finally gave in.

Ingredients:

•  Oreos or some generic equivalent (they taste EXACTLY the same)

• Pancake batter (it doesn’t even matter as long as it isn’t pre-mixed with some weird dehydrated fruit)

• Cooking oil (don’t use Olive oil, Sunflower oil, Peanut oil or any other healthy option. At this point you are deep frying cookies and you are beyond hope)

• Powdered Sugar (For some weird reason I have two full bags of powdered sugar in my pantry. My guess is they are left over from last year when my sister came to live with us for a few months. She bakes gooey junk all the time. I love it too, but don’t tell her or she might stop doing it. I’m pretty sure a big part of the appeal is how much I pretend it pisses me off. I said I adore her; I didn’t say she adored me.)

Directions:
1) Throw Oreos in the freezer for at least an hour. I’m not sure why, my guess is to make them hard enough that the creme in the middle doesn’t completely dissolve when you throw it in the hot oil. Again, if you are frying cookies, the last thing you are worried about is whether or not the creme will melt, but for the sake of presentation I suppose it matters that there isn’t sticky burnt white sugary ish oozing everywhere.

2) Prepare pancake batter according to instructions. Depending on the batter, this means add milk, water, or an egg. When I make pancakes I add a little lemon juice. I don’t know why, I think I read somewhere it makes pancakes tastier. I hardly ever make them, so I don’t know if it makes a difference or not. At this point I do it for the same reason I use fabric softener: I just always have.

3) Take Oreos out of freezer. While you’re at it, have a bowl of ice cream. File the act under the category: why the hell not.

4) Coat the Oreos in batter one or two or three at a time depending on how big the bowl of batter is. Using a spoon or tongs is best. I said tongs not thongs.

5) I forgot to say preheat some cooking oil (enough to drown a small tiny action figure) in a small frying pan to medium or whatever temperature you use to deep fry stuff. If you didn’t pre-read this recipe, then put the Oreos back in the freezer. And get another scoop of ice cream.

6) If you drop a tiny bit of batter into the oil and it sizzles and fluffs it up, then it’s hot enough. Bring it down a notch to make sure it doesn’t burn the batter covered Oreo to a blackened crisp. By now you’ve worked up some anticipation and the only thing worse than eating them will be wanting to eat them but not being able to because you burnt the hell out of them.

7) Using tongs, drop two or three into the oil. Be careful not to shake off any excess batter. It will take just a few minutes for them to start frying into a golden ball of supposed loveliness. I didn’t use enough oil to completely cover mine so I had to wait until they looked cooked enough for me to turn them without ripping their backsides off. I hate it when that happens. It happens every time I fry fish and I end up having to make some sort of sauce or topping to cover up the fact that I was hungry and impatient and turned it over before it was ready. I call that recipe Naked Ass fish. Turn the Oreos over.

8. When the Oreos are a golden color, they are ready to take out. I have had them at the State Fair before, and I actually have never eaten one without it burning my mouth. Usually it is cold during the fair so I don’t mind the hot steaming oil or the “Haah haah haah” coming out of my “O” shaped mouth as I fan the steam frantically off my tongue. Let these sit on a paper towel for a few minutes. It will soak up any excess oil and save you from looking like a moron in your own home.

9) Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar and enjoy.

We made about a bunch of them, gave a plate to my neighbor who randomly makes me happy with goodies from her kitchen, and I let the kids have four each. I had five.

They were warm, decadent and the perfect end to a very long week. My sister is perfect, even when she indulges.

  Oh…if you let your kid help, he will forget that you gave him such a hard time about making them, that you unfairly grounded him from the Internet, and that your junk food loving sister is the best aunt in the world. You may even be able to brainwash him into believing that it was your idea.

(Note: sharing recipe inspired by the hugely entertaining ctkingston)
This was an original blogpost written by me from November, 2009.

Free Ninety Nine at One Kings Lane

So here's something cool -- discounts on the fancy schmancy.  Visit One Kings Lane, sign up and receive a $15 credit good towards any item on their site.  They have new items every day -- some are pretty pricey but it's an easy way to get $15 off something foo foo just for you.  If you can be patient and keep looking, you could maybe get something for free ninety nine, which is always awesome.

I pretty much consider anything that says "Post It" on it a splurge for my home office, so I'm going to cross my fingers for something under $15 tomorrow from Three Designing Women (their sale starts tomorrow) -- I could SO use one of those fancy stamps.  If I buy one I'm going to start by stamping up all my kids with my monogram. 

Speaking of Post It Notes -- have you seen these Post It Pockets??? I'm officially obsessed with finding them -- and they aren't at Target or Walmart.  Please help me so I can stop thinking about all the itty bitty bits of paper I am going to put in them. 

Egg-Citing Sale at Target

Zoom zoom zoom.

Okay, so I'm pretty much slacking. It's not that I haven't been couponing or shopping -- just been busier than usual.  I really thought that I would have more time once my youngest started preschool, but let's face it -- 3.5 hours a day of free time is really just enough to get home, pick up all the toys and laundry off the stairs and floor, wash some dishes, and plan (and maybe cook) dinner.

One day this week I sat down on a bench with two mothers whose kids had the same swimming class at the Y -- and it's pretty obvious -- we're ALL -- every-last-one-of us -- run ragged from start to finish managing our families.  When I sat down, I was EXHAUSTED.  I realized it was the first time ALL day long that I had actually stopped moving.  They both felt the same.

So I'm really going to work harder at this -- at blogging, at balancing, at blogging about balancing.  There has to be a happy medium somewhere, right?  Where we can save both money AND time -- and still feel good about what we cook, buy, eat, feed our families, etc.

Here's an awesome deal -- if you hurry, you may be able to catch it.  One dozen eggs at Target on sale today (Silverdale, WA) for $.99 (may or may not be at your local Target -- if not, the regular price was $1.77).  Here's a coupon for $1 off 2 Market Pantry items (Target brand).  You can get two dozen eggs for $1 -- such a great deal!  Even if they aren't on sale, you can still get two dozen eggs for cheaper than the eighteen egg box.

Check out MORE free and cheap items at Target over Wheel N' Deal Mama! 

We eat LOTS of eggs in our house by the way, so I'm pretty EGG-CITED.  See what I did there?  *hangs head down in shame*

Egg-Lick

So what the hell are you going to do with all those eggs? 

Here's one of my favorite egg recipes:  Spanish Tortilla.  It's super easy and you can use almost any combination of potatoes + meat + various veggies.  (We use potatoes, ground turkey, fresh spinach, onions, and garlic. Lots of garlic.)

Spanish Tortilla (or what do I do with all these eggs?)

 Ingredients

• 6 medium potatoes, diced
• 1/2 - 1lb cooked ground turkey
• 1 cup of fresh chopped spinach
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove chopped fresh garlic
• 2 small onions, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus 1/2 teaspoon
• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil, plus 2 tablespoons
• 7 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• Serving suggestion: tomato salad drizzled with olive oil

Directions

In a medium bowl mix the potatoes, onions, and 1/2 teaspoon salt by hand.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Fry the potatoes and onions on low heat and cover with a lid for 5 minutes to let them soften. Turn up the heat for another 5 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the stove and drain off any excess oil.  Mix with ground turkey and spinach, season with garlic powder.

Meanwhile break the eggs into a medium bowl. Add the remaining salt and milk and whisk vigorously until frothy. Add the potatoes, onions, turkey, spinach to the eggs and mix until fully integrated.

Clean the frying pan and return to stove.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil on a high heat and pour in the mixture, moving it around in the pan to help the tortilla to rise. Fry until golden brown, stirring occasionally until it has set.

Then turn down the heat to allow the inside to cook. After a few minutes turn up the heat in order to brown the tortilla.

When it's cooked place a large plate over the frying pan and flip the tortilla onto it. Return to the pan and fry the other side until golden brown.

Note:  This recipe is from Food Network and includes a few of my own changes.