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My kids love, love, love anything that has to do with art, coloring, drawing, etc. We have tons of coloring books, how-to-draw books, workbooks…you name it! But I get frustrated with the mess it can create…books all over the place! This isn’t even all of them!

As you can see in the photo, I have a couple of plastic file boxes. I love organizers of any kind! I am working on organizing all these books, and I want more file boxes. But I am too thrifty to just go spend $7+ dollars on several more organizers….so I am making my own! We all have empty cereal boxes around the house. Here is one way to use them.

Supplies you will need:

a large cereal box (large enough to fit the books inside)
modge podge
brush
scissors
scrapbook paper to cover the cereal box

You can see on the cereal box I took a permanent marker and drew the lines where I wanted to cut the box. I just used my current file boxes as a template. You can eyeball it with a ruler too.

Then cut your box on the lines you drew. Here is what mine looked like after I cut it:

Then you will want to take your scrapbook paper and trace to cut.

At first I was going to use a couple of different kinds of paper on the box, but then I changed my mind. Here are all the paper pieces, ready to be put on the box.

Take your modge podge and paintbrush and cover one side at a time. Line up the paper pieces that fit on that side and press firmly. Get out all the air bubbles and smooth out.

When you are all done with each side here is what it looks like. Pretty cute, huh!

After it dries for a bit, take your paintbrush and paint modge podge over the edges and corners to reinforce durability.

Now you have a cute file box! I put it in the cupboard…and it looks great! Now I need to make a few more. I will also label them with the book contents to make it easier for the kids to put things back where they belong.

I already had all my supplies on hand for this project, so I didn’t have to spend any extra money to start organizing my kids workbooks. Next time you need to do some organizing, think thrifty and pinch your pennies!

1. Use 2-for-1 coupons.
You’ll find them in the newspaper or in direct mail offers those buy-one-meal-get-the-other-one-free deals. Use them as a way to discover new restaurants you haven’t tried yet or just to save money when you feel like eating out. Get more restaurant coupons here.

2. Kids Eat Free
Many restaurants offer a night or two a week when kids eat free! Just by ordering meals for the parents.

3. Split dinners.
This works best in Italian or Chinese restaurants, but it can be used anywhere. At restaurants known for exceptionally large servings, order only one entree and split it. For a family of four, order only two or three entrees and divvy them up among yourselves.

4. Buffet meals for family fare.
When taking the family out to dinner, consider restaurants that have buffets. In most cases, the prices are outstanding and a parent can share with a small child. They are usually all-you-can-eat, and there is something for everyone. Other than fast-food restaurants, buffets are one place that won’t break the bank when eating out.

5. Try out appetizers.
Better restaurants usually have a long list of appetizers that are reasonably priced. If you’re not outrageously hungry, perhaps there’s a yummy item on the appetizer menu that will satisfy your hunger. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for fresh bread to accompany your meal. Another idea is to order soup and/or salad.

6. Watch what you drink.
Drinks, including sodas, have some of the highest mark-ups. Limit yourself to water with a squeeze of lemon or lime with your meal.

7. Ask for a doggie bag.
It really isn’t necessary to clean your plate off. Eat what you feel comfortable with and take the rest home for another meal. This in itself is a 2-for-1 deal.

8. Try lunch instead of dinner.
Many of the expensive restaurants are also open for lunch, but the lunch menu can be as much as half the cost of their dinner menu. If you’re dying to try a pricey new eatery, why not go for lunch and keep the cost down. Many places I have go to will allow you to order from the lunch menu even at dinner time, it can’t hurt to ask.

9. Older is better.
Some places it’s 50, others it’s 55, 60, 62 or 65, but seniors can luck out at many restaurants that offer them a discount. Sometimes senior discounts are offered on specific nights of the week. Call your favorite restaurants and ask if they offer senior discounts. Also, places like Denny’s and IHOP have senior menus offering smaller quantities and lower prices, and many times you don’t have to be a senior to enjoy the savings.

10. Check out online specials.
If you have favorite chain restaurants, check their sites out online to see if they have specials you can take advantage of. Sign up for their newsletter to receive coupons, special offers and freebies on your birthday.

There are lots of Tupperware deals on their site now!

Have you ever seen their “hidden” deals?
There are 4 deals which are only found on the page you see after you add an item to your cart. (You can remove this item later if needed.)
They are always 4 very good deals!
One current item: Tabletop Tumblers Set – $14.99
Tupperware.com LINK
Don’t forget to check their Sale, Online Exclusive and New This Month sections for more deals!

Just one of the awesome tools here at PYP…ready-made shopping lists.  We scour grocery ads to find the best deals at many of your favorite stores, and match them with available coupons.   Check the list below and see if you find your favorite store!

Today is the last day to enter to win this awesome food storage organization prize – The Harvest 51″.

Our friends at Shelf Reliance are helping us give away a Harvest 51″ (Retail value $379.99) to one LUCKY PYP member.

The Harvest 51″ is the perfect FRS for smaller families or those with a limited amount of storage space. This FRS system holds up to 381 cans that are automatically rotated on a first in first out basis. This means you’ll never have to deal with expiration dates again! All can tracks have an adjustable width so you can store goods the way you want, and, like all Shelf Reliance Food Rotation Systems, the Harvest 51″ sits flat against virtually any wall surface.

There are 12 ways you can enter this giveaway, for up to 12 entries.  All entries must be in the contest thread in the forums at PYP.  If you aren’t registered, you can register at THIS LINK.  It’s free and easy! Comments on the PYP blog or Facebook are NOT eligible. 

ENTER GIVEAWAY AT THIS LINK

Anyone who has been in a grocery store recently knows that the price of food has dramatically increased. The same groceries that cost 100 dollars one year ago now cost more like 150 dollars. These days, it costs more to buy items on sale than it did to buy the same items at regular price one year ago. What makes it worse is that consumers are being hit on all fronts. It’s not just at the grocery store that we’re taking a beating. We take a financial beating each time we open our heating and electric bills, when we’re at the gas pump, when we look at our paycheck and see another year with no cost of living increase, when we lose our job, or lose our benefits. Now when we can least afford it the price of groceries is spiraling out of control.

While there have always been frugal shoppers, it is increasingly common to see people seeking out affordable food. What can a consumer do to provide good nourishing food for their family? How do you go about getting kids enough food to eat, while making sure you don’t run out of food before you run out of money?

There are some general rules to follow that can help take a bite out of your grocery bill. The following suggestions can help you squeeze every last cent out of your overstretched budget.

First, eliminate impulse shopping. Saving money starts at home. Start by preparing a grocery list. When making out your list, there are several considerations.

The first rule is, when money is tight, staples must come first. Snacks and goodies can be added in at the end if there is any money left over. Staples are those foods that your family can live on, food that will keep everyone fed and healthy. Staples are food that will keep your family from hunger, should times get really hard. What are staple foods? Food like potatoes, rice, pasta, beans, cereal, bread, milk, cheese, eggs, meat, fruits, and vegetables are all staples. Also basic cooking essentials such as oil, butter, salt, and sugar can be considered staple supplies. If you can keep pasta, canned tomatoes, canned soups, bread, peanut butter, eggs, milk, and potatoes in your house, your family will not go hungry. They may long for potato chips and soda, but those foods are relatively expensive and will not keep your family healthy and well fed. Snack foods can drain the household budget. So put staples on the top of your grocery list, and make buying them your priority.

The next rule for saving money is to take advantage of sales. Look through the shopping lists at www.PinchingYourPennies.com before heading to the store. Plan your grocery list based on what is on sale that week. If you are thinking of having chicken but there is a sale on pork, make the switch. If you notice coupons on the shopping list that you have saved from your Sunday newspaper, cut them out and use them. Be sure to set aside those coupon inserts each week before recycling your newspaper, you never know when you’ll need them.

Find out if your supermarket offers a double coupon day, when they will match the savings offered by manufacturers’ coupons. Coupon and sale savings may seem like small change, but that change will add up. If you’re able, purchase extra Sunday newspapers, and the coupon savings will add up even faster. Every bit of money you save is money you can spend on something else, whether a special snack or treat, or to pay another bill.

Another way to save money is to apply for a supermarket store card. Many stores offer these, and it takes just a few minutes to apply for one. Usually you’ll receive your card right away, and the card can often save you significant money. Many stores offer special savings to card holders. It is possible to save 10 percent or more of your grocery bill by presenting your card at the check out.

Once you have your grocery list, with staples given priority, your coupons, and your courtesy card, you are ready to shop. When in the supermarket, develop the habit of cruising for sales stickers. No doubt you know where to find all your old favorite food items, but try to change the way you shop now. Go aisle to aisle looking for the sale stickers that indicate markdowns. Watch for Catalina promotions that offer savings off your next shopping order if you buy a specified amount of an item. Buy as much as you can on sale. If a different kind of cereal than you normally choose is on sale, buy it. If your normal brand is on sale, try to buy two. Train your eye to spot sale signs no matter what section you are in. If you regularly reach for sale items, and incorporate these into your weekly groceries, you will see the savings at the register.

Look for local products, in season. Local apples in the fall are less expensive than apples flown around the world. The same is true for tomatoes, berries, melon, corn, and all produce items. You will save money and help the local economy by buying products from where you live.

Try to buy larger sizes of items. This can be difficult to do when you are trying to spend less, because initially you have to spend more money to buy the larger size, but in the long run you will save money. Say you normally go through one small (16 ounces) jar of peanut butter per week, at a cost of $2.60. If you buy the larger size (28 ounces) instead, you will pay about $3.70, which is $1.10 more. But you will have nearly two weeks of peanut butter, and the second week’s supply you are getting at about half price. Week in and week out, those cents add up, and you can put them to good use. Because you initially have to spend more money for a larger size item, try to choose just one or two items to begin with. Each week, with your savings adding up, you can add a few additional large size items. Your savings will definitely accumulate.

The next rule may mean making changes in how you prepare food, but it has the potential to save you the most money. The rule is: make it yourself, bake it yourself, mix it yourself and grate it yourself. The more prepared and packaged food is, the more money you will spend buying it. Plain ingredients cost less. If you focus on buying staples like potatoes, rice, chicken, and cheese, and prepare food for your family the old fashioned way, you’ll save a lot of money.
Perhaps you like to buy prepared chicken dinners from the frozen food section. You can buy a one pound chicken dinner, ready to heat and serve for around $3 each. For a family of four, that amounts to $12 for dinner. Each dinner contains 4 to 5 ounces of chicken with gravy, 4 to 5 ounces of mashed potatoes, 2 to 3 ounces of corn, and a 3 ounce brownie. But for the same $16, you can buy a 4 to 5 pound roasting chicken (about $6 fresh, or about $5 frozen); one 10 lb. bag of potatoes (about $3.99), two cans of corn (about 75 cents each) and one brownie mix (about $1.49). You can reduce this price further if any of these items are on sale. So the same $12 dollars provides ingredients for a complete homemade chicken dinner. In addition, there will be enough for a second chicken dinner the next night, and very likely a little left over for a chicken sandwich or two, or the makings of a batch of chicken soup. Also, you’ll have brownies left over for a day or so, and a large bag of potatoes to eat for a week or more. By making it yourself, you more than double the purchase power of your money.

Making something with grated cheese? If you buy 8 ounces of grated cheddar cheese you’ll spend about $3. For the same price, you can get twice as much cheese (16 ounces) by purchasing it as a bar and grating your own. That way you’ll have cheese left over for sandwiches, omelets, casseroles, or snacks. Get it on sale and you will really save money.

The examples are endless with convenience foods. Avoid single servings and individually wrapped snacks and drinks. You are paying extra for packaging. Instead of juice boxes, buy a large bottle of juice. Convenience sizes may be convenient, but they are a budget buster.

Don’t forget to apply the savings suggestions toward snack foods. Snack foods can be amongst the most expensive items in the supermarket. Try buying a bag of unpopped corn and pop it yourself. Buy brownie mix, and have the kids help you make a batch for an after school snack. Buy jello and pudding mix packages for about 50 cents each and let school-age kids take charge of preparing dessert. Buy more expensive items like ice cream, boxed pizza, or soft drinks only when they on sale. Treats raise everyone’s spirits when money is scarce. But don’t let packaged cookies and soft drinks derail your food budget. These are extras, and your family will be healthier if they become accustomed to having such snacks as an occasional treat rather than every day.

In tough economic times, it is necessary to watch every penny you spend. Incomes are not going up, so most people have to find a way to make do with less. Good healthy food is a priority. If you follow the suggestions above, you will find it a little easier to provide your family with good nutritious meals.

New offer from Weight Watchers Smart Ones! “How can we thank you for being a valued customer? As usual, we have lots of great ideas. Join the exclusive group of Real Dish fans, and we’ll give you a coupon for a FREE Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® new product.”


LINK TO OFFER


Your Weight Watchers Smart Ones coupon for a FREE Cheesy Scramble with Hashbrowns is on it’s way! You should receive it in your mailbox in 3-4 weeks. Enjoy!

It is a known fact that money is tight these days. With the economy constantly on a decline, it is understandable that most of us barely have the money to get by, much less take care of our pets. Animals are a huge responsibility. Having a pet is practically like raising another child. The truth is that it can get expensive, but luckily, there are ways around having to spend tons of $$ on your pet:

1. Instead of buying the usual, high dollar, brand name pet food, opt for the store brand. Most store brands contain the same amount of nutrients that the expensive name brands do and usually can cost up to $15.00 less. If you look at that from a bi-weekly stand point, that is $30.00 a month. Over the period of a year, that is $360.00. Of course your pet my have special dietary needs, but there may be less expensive options there too. To change to another brand of pet food ideally you should gradually do this over time.

2. It may seem like an expensive option in the beginning, but getting your pet spayed or neutered can save you a lot of trouble in the long run. Luckily, many animal shelters do this for free or offer substantial savings vs the cost of doing this at the vet’s office or animal hospital.

3. All dogs should take heartworm medication on a monthly basis in order to protect them from developing heartworms. A lot of times, you can actually save money buy purchasing these medications in bulk instead of individually. Another option is the online or mail order stores.

4. Ideally, cats and dogs need regular teeth cleanings. Instead of purchasing expensive pet toothpaste, try mixing baking soda with a little bit of water together to clean your pet’s teeth.

5. If you are wanting to purchase a pet, to help your kids learn responsibility, but do not have enough money for an expensive one, then you may have to purchase something a bit less costly like a small gold fish, duck, rabbit, or mixed breed. pup. Also, watch for pet adoption specials, our local shelter frequently has specials on cats – like “Buy One Get One Free.”

6. Make use of your old blankets and sheets when it comes to bedding for your pet. Some beds and fancy pet blankets can cost up to $50.00 or more depending on the size of your pet. They won’t even know the difference!

7. Instead of taking your pet to be professionally wormed, purchase a de-worming kit from your local pet store and do it yourself. You will most likely save hundreds of dollars per year by taking this route.

8. Groom your pet at home instead of taking him out for a professional grooming, which can add up to hundreds of dollars over the course of a year. You may even want to ask around to see if any of your friends or family members will groom your pet for free to save you the labor. You can buy hair clippers at pretty much any store and while it may take a bit of practice and time the savings is worth it. The first time I took my dog to get groomed and it cost $55 was the last time he was professionally groomed.

9. When it comes to vaccinations, you can check in with your local animal shelter to see when they will be performing these services free or at discounted prices.

10. As those cold winter months approach, many of us want to dress our pets up in cute little sweaters and other decorative outfits to keep them warm. To save money, a better alternative would be to knit their sweaters yourself, or only shop for pet sweaters at discount stores or online to find the best prices. Although, pets come with their own coat that doesn’t cost extra money!

By putting these simple tips into action, you can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars per year on your pet. The best part is that as long as your pet has everything they need, they will be perfectly happy. Animals never know the difference between what is name brand and what is not. Naturally, we want to give our pets the best life has to offer. But in the long run, it is better for the owner to be happy, as well as the pet.

Sign up for Rite Aid’s new Wellness Rewards program and get $5 off your next purchase of $25 or more, plus earn rewards points every time you shop at RiteAid!

LINK to RiteAid Wellness Rewards Program

It’s FREE to join, and you’ll get great perks such as these:

Everyday Benefits

• Members-only sale pricing
• 10% off Rite Aid Brand products every day
• 24/7 access to a pharmacist at 1-800-RITEAID

Earn Rewards

• Get reward points when you shop at a Rite Aid Pharmacy
• Earn up to 20% off non-prescription purchases
• Free health screenings

Additional Online Benefits

• Special member-only offers, discounts and coupons
• Valuable health and wellness information, one stop prescription management
• Online tracking of your wellness+ reward status and points

LINK to RiteAid Wellness Rewards Program

After finding a pork roast from about 18 months ago in my freezer I decided I needed to talk to my meat manager friend about how long meats remain fresh and edible.

I asked first about how you can tell if something in your fridge is still good. He made a good point in reminding me that bacteria cannot been seen, you have to use your nose. It is very heard to write what to smell for though, so next time you buy some fresh meat give it a smell and then you will know what fresh smells like. Once a piece of meat has been cut and then touches another surface the color can start to change — so color is not the way to judge if something is fresh.

My next question was, “How long can you keep it in the freezer? Fridge?” This was the response he gave me: As far as fresh cuts of meats this depends on a lot of factors. Is the fridge at the proper temperature? That is the biggest issue. If the temperature is right 1 to 2 days max on ground meats, no more the 3 to 5 days for fresh cut meat. If the meat is vacuum packed you can get about 5-10 days in the fridge and you can get six months to a year in plastic freezer bags.

I personally use my food saver and vacuum pack everything and I believe that I can push my meats to at least a year that way. From what I understand from researching online many people will push vacuum packed meats two years.

Norbest says you can get up too two years if the original packaging is not broken.

So there you have it, some simple to follow guidelines. While everyone may have their own ideas as to what is acceptable, use your best judgment.

Want to hunt for deals like the pros? Sometimes finding a good deal is just about knowing where to look! Checking the clearance areas at online retailers is a great place to start. Here are a few links to help get you started. WalMart has lots of great Rollback areas which can provide some great deals. Bookmark this post and keep these links for your future deal finding adventures. Don’t forget to come back and share your finds on PYP!

Low Prices Just Got Lower at Walmart.com – Save on Rollback Specials!
Huge Savings on Rollback Specials in the Baby Department at Walmart.com!
Shop and Save on Top Brand Electronics Rollbacks at Walmart.com
Save even more on hot Rollback Toys at Walmart.com!
Shop Outdoor Living Rollbacks at Walmart.com!

Code:
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YorkPhoto.com LINK

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Restaurant.com LINK

*Be sure to read the fine print for each offer, not all offers have the same terms!