Super Double Coupons at Harris Teeter

Hey, Y'all!

Looks like a pattern is developing that will allow us to predict Harris Teeter Super Doubles.  This is the 5th month this year for Super Doubles to occur during the first full weekend of the month.  So, go to your favorite coupon database and hunt up those $1 to $2 coupons then run to your local HT for some great deals.  Here's a link to some of my favorite coupon databases: Coupon Database Links  Each will give you a headstart on finding those high-value coupons.

Here's a link to some of my favorite coupon databases: Coupon Database Links  Each will give you a headstart on finding those high- value coupons.

Oh, I ordered my brand new 16.6 cubic inch upright freezer.  I will arrive on Tuesday.  I am so excited and can't wait to load it up with tons of freezer meals and prepared side dishes. 

I have really found a new love for cooking and preparing great tasting meals for big my family.  This is my legacy that will reach my great-great-grandchildren and beyond.  I am teaching recipes to my grandchildren that I learned by watching my grandmother and my husband's grandmother, too.  I pass along many life lessons during those teachable moments with my grandchildren watching and helping me in the kitchen. Somehow, microwave dinners do not lend themselves to teachable moments.  The food is already prepared and cooks too fast.

Good night and sweet dreams for tomorrow the Son shines!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

Once a Month Meal Preparation...

Hey, Y'all!

It was just a day or two ago when I told you that I was in the market for a new or almost new freezer.  Well, God is so good!  I am just a click away from purchasing a brand new upright freezer.

The price of the new freezer before taxes is $529.  I opted for an upright freezer. I am too old to do all the bending required to pack the freezer; lift out heavy frozen packages; load heavy packages into the freezer, and try to remember what is on the bottom under 200 pounds or more of frozen food.

I chose Best Buy because I already have a reward card ($164) from a large purchase I made a couple of years ago.  I am using the $180 cash out from Pine Cone Research (I get $3 per survey) that I have been saving since I last used it to purchase my new computer.  That was just about two years ago this month. I have $46 in my SavingStar account and will cash that in this week, as well.  The freezer purchase will generate a $5 reward from Best Buy and another $5 reward from EBates. The last reward site for me to cash in is CheckOut51 ($20). So, that gives me a total of $420 towards my freezer.  In other words, I will purchase that $529 freezer for $109!  That's a yard sale bargain.

By the way, this will be the second freezer I have purchased with these same discount sites funding my purchase.  Yes, it is tedious and not everyone will want to go through the hassle of saving bits and pieces of money for nearly six months or more.  But, the money we save will fill up our new freezer with lots of meals.

I hope to take you on my journey as I fill up that new freezer with a month's worth of packaged meals.  Meals that will be ready for the crockpot or oven with little or no further prep than unzipping the freezer bag(s).  As I said in my last blast, I regularly (weekly) prepare large quantities of cooked items for the freezer.  Now, I will have a freezer dedicated to just those items.  I plan to package all the freezer meals and the cooked items in ziploc bags.  The plastic containers take up too much space.  I may use them for soups, sauces, broths, etc. but not for meals.

This will be our third freezer and it will take the place of one of our three refrigerators.  One refrigerator is dying (the frozen foods were thawing in the freezer section).  It was given to us about 5+ years ago and has done a great job otherwise.  Best Buy will haul it away for free.

If you would like to know more about the sites that made it possible for us to get a 30-inch computer monitor, HP computer, printer, and freezer #1 all for free or almost free, here are the listings for them:

• SavingStar - Sign up with your customer loyalty cards for your favorite supermarket(s) and pharmacy(ies)
• EBates  - Use my link and we both get a bonus when you sign up and use it the first time. 
• Pine Cone Research (usually only by referral or invitation during their open season about once or twice a year)
• Checkout51 - Purchase groceries on the list; take a photo of your receipt via their app and they credit your CheckOut51 account.  When you get to $20 in rewards, you can request a "payout" via a check.

Happy Couponing!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

A Blast from My Coupon Past...

Good Morning, Everyone!

A few months ago, someone asked me how long I had been couponing.  I told them I had been an avid (some might say "rabid") couponer for about 5 years.  But I qualified my answer by adding that I used to coupon when my children were very young. 

Well, I was cleaning out some old clutter in a cabinet this afternoon and found these treasures!!! Coupons!!!!  The coupons are nearly 40 years old.  They have no barcodes but they do have expiration dates.  Most expired in 1979 & 1980! Notice the denominations...7¢, 10¢, 12¢, and 15¢.  Wow! I wonder what the store prices looked like. 

I remember going to the supermarket on my first shopping trip after getting married.  We spent about $80 stocking our kitchen with spices, condiments, meats, seafood, poultry, eggs, milk, vegetables, canned and boxed goods, toiletries, cleaning supplies, cat food, etc.  The receipt for that trip was about 8 to 10 ft long.  We used to keep it taped to our refrigerator.  It was folded in half and still nearly reached the floor from the top of the refrigerator.    

We have started our deep spring cleaning in what has been my pantry/stockpile room in the basement.  Our goal is to get that room completely decluttered by the end of the month.  I am making room for a brand new or nearly new freezer.  I am using the rewards from the Ebates, CheckOut 51, Pine Cone Research, and Saving Star deals I have done so far this year.  I will share more about them in my next email and give you sneak peak at the freezer on my wishlist.  BTW, if you have an upright freezer to sell or give away, please know that I accept all offers of assistance graciously.  Thanks! 

The new freezer (freezer #3) will be used solely for our make-ahead freezer meals.  These are whole meals prepared raw and frozen to be cooked either in the oven or in a crockpot.  The freezer will also hold prepared meals like chili, soups, stew; and side dishes like cooked vegetables and meats.  I regularly cook several pounds of ground beef and turkey; bacon & sausage; and spare ribs; gallons of spaghetti sauce, chili, and soup.  Last week, I cooked 25 pounds of collard greens and froze them.  This weekend, I will be cooking 30 lbs of home-fried potatoes and onions. Pre-cooked items make mealtime less hectic and cut preparation times.  You can check out one of the websites I follow by clicking this link: Once-a-Month Meals

 

Coupons in abundance this coming weekend.  FOUR inserts expected this weekend!!!
Click this link for a preview of the coupons expected but not guaranteed: 2 RedPlum and 2 SmartSource

Looking for some great deals?  Check out this link: The Bizzy Coupon Bee Deals Links.
Looking for coupons for those deals? Check out this link:  The Krazy Coupon Lady

Happy Couponing!!!
ShaRon :o)
John 21:18