When Block Cheese Is On Sale...

I bought a LOT of block cheese on sale at Price Chopper this week.  However, I rarely use chunks or slices of cheese.  Especially this sort of more processed cheese.  (That's not me being snotty- or maybe it is but not on purpose- just keeping it honest.)  I really only use it shredded.  In casseroles, pizzas, Mexican, etc.

And while this might be stating the obvious for some, I don't doubt it will be a mini ah-ha for others.  So I am sharing.

You can just shred your own cheese in about 30 seconds with a food processor.

Even if you don't have a food processor but instead have a grater, you're not going to spend more than a few minutes per block of cheese.  It's really so fast and simple.

My only advice is that if using softer cheese (these are softer), pop them in the freezer for 20 minutes first.  It's not an absolute but they tend to gunk up (y'all are loving my technical terms, right?) on the blade of the processor.  But that's certainly not the end of the world.  Just roll with it.  I mean, it's cheese.  That you are likely going to melt into something eventually.  Who cares?!

Stick the grater blade in your processor and you are 30 seconds away from your goal.

Oh I do have another tip.  Measure out your cheese and mark your baggies.  As you can see, after the cheese I needed to use that night, I had enough to put two cups in one baggie and one and a half cups in a second baggie.  I tossed them both in the freezer for future use.

Easy peasy orange cheesy!

More Eggs And Cheese

I had a few more coupons I wanted to use this week and popped into Price Chopper again.  More eggs.  And let me be honest, I printed two more coupons on my dad's computer and plan to stop in tomorrow for four more dozen eggs.  At $0.44/dozen that is just crazy to not buy.   I can always freeze them if I don't think I will use them in time.  But that's a last resort because while eggs freeze well, they also have a crazy long shelf life so should be fine in the fridge for quite a while.

The pizzas are 2/$9.  I had two print coupons for $0.75/1.  Bring the price down to just $3/pizza.

The cheese was a great deal this week too.  I popped all of these in the freezer already.  Including the yummy herb feta.  This flavor is a rock star in omelets, y'all!  Mmmm!!

The catalina machine however, was my stumbling block.  As you know, it should have given me a free Coke product coupon with the Pepsi (free with coupon) purchase.  But it turns out the machine had a paper jam.  I waited in the longest line ever for customer service (because of the lottery sales) to ask what could be done.  The nicest gal ever gave me a rain check for a free coke.  I thought that was incredibly nice of her considering it was a catalina issue.  So thanks Price Chopper!

My Price Chopper deals are explained in full here.

FREE Magazine Subscription : Every Day With Rachael Ray

Click here to request a FREE subscription to Every Day With Rachael Ray!  I love this magazine.  Use code : JR44YNSE at check-out.

What To Make For Dinner

Did everyone pick up the yummy sausage and inexpensive green peppers at Price Chopper too?  If you are looking for a way to use those up, you can give this recipe for stuffed peppers a try.  I made this last night (without the red sauce because I forgot all about it) and it's a total no fail.  Even without the tomato sauce, it's such a delicious winner of a recipe.  Even easier if you keep rice in your freezer too!

Great Grocery Deals At Price Chopper

I am s l o w l y getting my rear back in gear when it comes to coupon blogging.  My issue is not seeking out the deals.  It comes down to two things.  First is that I have not clipped coupons in nearly TWO MONTHS.  Not even kidding.  And second is because I have had zero extra time to clip or blog.

But my plate has a wee bit of free space right now and I am using my time wisely to get back in the groove.

Starting with some GREAT grocery deals at Price Chopper this week....

Transaction #1 Purchased...

(2) Dozen Price Chopper Large Eggs  reg. $1.99, sale $0.99
- (1) $0.50/2 Facebook print coupon
= Out Of Pocket $0.49/each when you buy (2)
saved: 75%

(1) Pepsi Next  reg. $1.67, sale $1
- FREE Pepsi Next Price Chopper coupon
= OOP $0*
saved: 100%

(1) Athentos Feta Cup 6oz  reg.$4.49, sale $2.25
- (1) $0.75/1 FB print coupon
= OOP $0.75
saved: 85%

Green Peppers  reg. $2.99/lb, sale $2,49/lb
- Price Chopper FB coupon $0.99/lb
saved: 67%

(1) Johnsonville Sausage  reg. $5.49
- Price Chopper FB coupon $2.99
- $1/1 SS 3/11
= OOP $1.99
saved: 64%

(1) Minute Maid Pure Squeezed Orange Juice 59 oz.  reg. $3.29, sale $2.50
- $0.75/1 print coupon (no longer available)
= OOP $1
saved: 70%

(1) Breyers Ice Cream  reg. $4.99, sale $2.49
=OOP $2.49
saved: 50%

(2) Heluva Good Cheese 8oz  reg. $2.99, sale $2
- (1) $1/2 SS 3/25
=OOP $1.50/ea wyb (2)
saved: 50%

*Purchasing the Pepsi 2L triggers a catalina for a FREE (up to $1.25) 2L of Coke!

Transaction #2 Purchased:

(1) Pepsi Next  reg. $1.67, sale $1
=OOP $1**
saved: 40%

(1) Coke Zero  reg. $1.99, sale $1.66
- (1) FREE Coke Zero catalina from Trans #1
= OOP $0 (the cashier had trouble and just subtracted the total paid but looking at my receipt a day later,  I realize it should have only deducted $1.25)
saved: 100%

** I purchased another Pepsi Next for a few reasons.  First, because I don't like when my total ends up at zero at Price Chopper.  It requires a manager to come over and when busy, that can take forever.  It just creates chaos.  Second, I go to a lot of meetings.  Even if I don't use the Pepsi, there will be plenty of meetings form my various groups when I need to bring a drink.  Good to have on hand.  Third, with it being on sale for just $1, it's one of the cheapest things in the store this week.  And last, because I wanted to see if it would trigger another catalina for a free Coke.  It did!

Now I didn't use a Free coupon in my second trans because you need to purchase a min of $15 to use it.  I didn't have time or energy to work that many transactions out.  But for a buck, I earned a cat for a free Coke,  my drug of choice, truth be told!

Oink Oink!

Head's up...

Both boneless pork ribs and pork loins are on sale BOGO Free this week at Price Chopper.  I just picked up two packs of the ribs and tossed them in the crockpot with some BBQ sauce, salt and a splash of wine.  I stuck the two loins in the freezer.

This is exactly how I save big bucks on great meats.  My pork loins were in the range of $11.80/each.  Meaning I saved $11.80 by buying two!  They are in the vacuum sealed packages so they freeze especially well.

So go get your piggy on at the P Chop, my thrifty pals!

FREE Coffee Creamers

Oh hurry hurry, sweet coupon buddies.  Go get yourself entered for a FREE pint of International Delight Coffee Creamer!  Perfect for iced coffee on hot summer spring days!

FREE Cinnamon Butter

I don't normally buy products like this for fear I will love them- ha.  But I have been able to snag this Land O Lakes Cinnamon Sugar Butter free or nearly free on several occasions at Price Chopper over the last several months and it is YUM-O!  I pop them in the freezer to use just one at a time- works like a charm.

Click here to get one for FREE.  Our favorite price, y'all!!  Woo hoo!

Spa Water Recipes

Spring is here!  Time to think about fresh fruits and summer parties and baby showers and lunch on the back deck with best girlfriends. 

Want a fancy pants drink to serve on a super duper budget?  Something that is delicious and refreshing and beautiful but nearly free?

Spa Water!

I make these all the time.  For parties or just for myself.  Hey, I'm worth it!  Ha.  I did a whole post HERE on a variety of fun recipes.  Flavors such as Creamsicle, Lavender Berry and Tropical.  Every single one of them is crazy inexpensive and stunningly beautiful.

Drink up, girls!  Cheers! 

Sweetest Baby Gift : Ribbon Ruffle Socks Tutorial

I know this blog is about coupons but I think this is a fun (old) post to share from my main blog.  Years ago I did a tutorial on how to make ribbon ruffle baby socks.  They can be made a rock bottom prices too.  Over the last year there have been so many opportunities to buy kiddy socks at Target for nearly free.  And every crafter has ribbon scraps hanging around the house.  Take a glance and let me know if you give it a try.  I promise it will be the EASIEST sewing project ever and it is sooo inexpensive (possibly even free) to make!

Click here for a full, easy to follow tutorial with step by step photos!

Have You Joined?

How do you spend your free time?  Are you looking to join an amazing and diverse group of women who go out and do good work in our community?  And find fellowship and friendship at the same time?

I cannot tell you how much I adore the Junior League.  Of any city.  But especially the Junior League of Albany, NY.  Such a positive and caring group of women working to make the Capital Region a better place for everyone.

If you are in the area and looking for an outlet to meet new women and volunteer in your community, please take a moment to consider the Junior League of Albany.  Please feel free to ask me any questions.  I'm inching up on a decade of membership and grow to love it more each year.

Cheap Vegetables At Price Chopper

I LOVE this deal and just hope I can find time to get my fanny over to Price Chopper to stock up this week.  Frozen veggies are as low as $0.17/bag!!  These are so ideal to have on hand at all times!  Mmmm!  Sadly, I am crazy and this excites me more than the free Oreos.  Don't take away my girl card when I tell you that even just the smell of Oreos grosses me out.  I know...I'm crazy.

print coupon here

(3) Birds Eye Frozen Veggies  $1/bag
-(1) $1/3 Birds Eye Frozen Veggies 3/4 RP
-(1) Doubler coupon
-(1) $0.50/1 PC Facebook coupon
= $0.50/3 or just $0.17/each!

Dumb Blogger

Aaaah- so I finally hop on yesterday to blog about free cookies but don't double check because I am such a hurry flurry.

Well Blogger likes to take my scheduled posts and just not post them or sometimes, post them at random, unscheduled times.

So sorry that the coupon post below about Oreo's has already expired.  I tried to post yesterday.  I think this is a sign that I need to hang up my coupons for the next two weeks and wait until I am done with fundraisers and vacations.

To be continued...

FREE Oreo Cookies At Price Chopper

Get coupon here

This is such a fun deal!  Go print this coupon from Price Chopper's Facebook page.  And get yourself a little treat.  For FREE.

Oreo Cookies  $2.50
- (1) $2.50/1 FB PC Coupon
= FREE!

There Are Still Tickets Left

There is still time to buy your tickets to the Junior League of Albany's American Girl Fashion Show this Friday and Saturday!  This is hands down the most fabulous event for little (and big) (and great big) girls in your life!  It's fun and educational and simple delightful!

If you have never attended this event and are within a few hours of Albany, NY, I highly encourage you to attend.  It's something that will bring only joy and smiles to your heart!

Is Free For Me?

So when I first discovered coupon blogs, I also discovered that companies do a lot of PR via Facebook, websites and Twitter.  And often give away freebies.  I signed up for every little thing I could find.  From hair care to laundry to perfume samples.  You name it, I waited eagerly by my mailbox for it to arrive.

So now 15 months after I started couponing, I have more samples than I know what to do with.

I took some time last fall to re-organize pretty much everything and at that time, I also had some sample realizations.  First, I never ever use the perfume samples.  So I stopped requesting those.  And put all that I had into my donate box for the rescue mission.  Second, I do use hair care samples but only for specific brands.  So I have stopped requesting samples unless it is for one of the few brands I know I will actually use.  Third, I LOVE baby samples.  I do not have a baby but I do donate every baby product I can get my hands on every month to the Regional Food Bank via the Junior League of Albany.  I think it is absolutely awesome to make a big donation of truly needed things such as diapers and formula that were free for me.  Fourth, I LOVE laundry samples.  I've actually come to love a lot of new-to-me brands via those samples.  See companies, the samples are actually working as marketing.  I love free magazines and will only subscribe if it is completely free actually.  I've been doing that for about four years- well before my super couponing.  But for a few years, I was signing up for any subscription just because it was free.  As a result, I was tossing mags straight into the recycle bin each month.  That paper waste just kills me.  So now I only sign up for the magazines that I know I will love reading.  And finally, even though it's so fun to get free products in the mail, if I am not going to use it, it's a waste for everyone involved.  I don't want to waste a product by not using it.

This doesn't mean I won't get back to posting fun freebies when I also get back to posting about coupon deals.  I will.  Because just because something isn't what I am looking for, it doesn't mean you might not really love perfume samples.

Have you found yourself overflowing in free samples at some point?  Have you cut back anywhere?