* Check out the PYP Navigating Rite Aid posts to help you along your shopping journey at Rite Aid.

* Read the Rite Aid coupon policy and keep it in your coupon binder.

* These are just the BEST offers this week. Always check your local ad to verify prices as they change by region.

* Participate in Rite Aid’s Video Values to be able to print valuable coupons that you can combine with manufacturer coupons!

Always or Tampax Radiant $3.99
Use Always Infinity, 12 ct. or higher including Always Radiant Infinity $1/1 (5-31-12) PG-4/29 OR Tampax, 18 ct. or higher .50/1 (5-31-12) PG-4/29
Get a $2 +Up Reward (limit 2)
Final Price: As low as $.99 after coupon and reward!

Summer’s Eve $2.50
Use $2/2 printable coupon
Final Price: $1.50 for 2 bottles after coupon!

Finish Quantum Automatic Dishwasher Detergent $2.99
Use $.75/1 printable coupon
Get $10 +Up Reward wyb $30 of participating items (limit 2)
Final Price: $1.22 after coupon and reward!

Twizzlers $2
Use Twizzlers Bags, any 11 oz. or more $1/3 (7-13-12) SS-5/20 AND $1/2 Video Values printable coupon
Get a $10 +Up wyb $30 of participating items (limit 2)
Final Price: $.55 for 4 bags after coupons and reward!

M&M’s $2.99
Use M and Ms Chocolate Candies, any 10.9 oz. or larger bags $1.50/2 (6-10-12) RP-5/6
Get a $10 +Up Reward wyb $30 of participating items (limit 2)
Final Price: $.72 for 2 bags after coupon and reward!

Kraft BBQ Sauce $1.50
Use Kraft Barbecue Sauce, any $1/2 (6-6-12) SS-5/6
Get a $10 +Up Reward wyb $30 of participating items (limit 2)
Final Price: $.49 for 2 bottles after coupon and reward!

7-Up 12pks $3.33 (Buy 3)
Get a $10 +Up Reward wyb $30 of participating items (limit 2)
Final Price: $2.20 for 3 packs after reward!

Wonderful Pistachios $4.99
Use Wonderful Pistachios, 5oz or larger, any $1/2 (6-24-12) SS-3/25
Get a $10 +Up Reward wyb $30 of participating items (limit 2)
Final Price: $2.29 after reward!

When my boys were small, one of my favorite end-of-the-school year projects was making a cute chore chart for the summer.  Now that they are teenagers, they don’t really appreciate the cute anymore, and complained that they wanted a little less micro-managing!  We tried a summer without any kind of chart at all, but it soon became clear that they weren’t ready for that either and we needed to find some middle ground.

Enter the chore stick.

We started by sitting down together and listing the tasks that I felt like they absolutely needed to do every day for me to be happy.  They have other jobs and projects that they help with throughout the summer, but for our family, that list of daily responsibilities isn’t really too long – but they are things that can quickly slide if we let them.  I found that just having a visual list didn’t have the same effect as when they actually have to physically handle something in order to “check off” their tasks, so I headed to the craft store and purchased a package of thick wooden craft sticks.

I painted the ends of the sticks – a different color for each child – and then used a Sharpie to write the tasks on the other end.

A quick printed label for the jars and that’s it.  As they finish their tasks throughout the day, they move the stick from the “DO” jar to the “DONE” jar and I can tell with a quick glance if everyone is finished and who needs yelled at er, um… gently reminded.

Butter is expensive. Am I right? But when my husband was diagnosed with high cholesterol and diabetes a few years ago the dietitian preached the evils of margarine loud and clear. So we eat butter.

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Here’s a trick that has really saved my budget… I make my own butter spread! It is so simple you won’t believe it. Plus, it gives butter the spreadability of margarine. Plus, it tastes like butter – because it IS butter.

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All you do to make this spread is combine 1 part butter to 1 part combined canola oil (or any healthy low-flavor oil) and water. YES, water! Crazy, right?? I usually do 1 C butter (2 sticks), 1/2 C canola oil & 1/2 C water. You can vary your oil/water ratio if you want, but this combination works really well!

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Make sure your butter and water are at room temperature. Mix your butter for quite awhile with an electric mixer on high (I prefer to use my Kitchenaid for this while I get the other ingredients ready). You want it to get light and fluffy. Turn the mixer to medium and slowly add the oil into the butter. Then slowly add in the water. Continue mixing until combined. The spread should have a fluffy, almost too soft consistency. Don’t worry about that! Just put a lid on it and put it into the refrigerator. Within a couple of hours you will have a butter spread that has a wonderful consistency!

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Don’t add salt or you could find it separating. Also, this is very WHITE, so feel free to add a little food coloring if you really want to. I’m fine with white.

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This spread has the added benefit of being lower in fat and calories than regular butter. You can’t go wrong with that! My family LOVES this stuff and I hope yours will, too!

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PS – My husband has lost nearly 100 pounds and cured himself of diabetes and high cholesterol through healthy eating!

Print these Dreyers & Edy’s Snack Size Ice Cream Cups $1.10/6 coupon quickly, before they disappear.  These are just in time for the warm weather!  Remember, you can print each coupon twice.

One of our favorite freezer meals is slow cooker lasagna. This is a simple dish to prepare in bulk and it is SUPER easy to prepare the day you’re craving it!
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To prepare my freezer lasagna I use an ice cream bucket. Whatever container you use, make sure it will fit into your slow cooker! You will freeze the lasagna in the container for 2-4 hours and then pop out and cover tightly in plastic wrap and then in paper or foil. Make sure you label these! Once you are ready to cook them, you can simply unwrap them, place them in your slow cooker and cook for 4-6 hours on low.
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You can use any lasagna recipe – just make sure you do NOT cook the noodles ahead of time or they will get mushy with freezing. Here is the recipe I use (and I always make 4-5 to freeze):
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Freezer Lasagna:
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1 lb. ground beef or sausage
1/2 onion, chopped fine
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 cans/jars of marinara sauce
1 (12 oz) package of lasagna noodles
12 ounces cottage cheese
1/2 C Parmesan cheese
4 C mozzarella cheese
2 eggs
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Brown meat with onion & garlic. While that is cooking, combine cheeses with eggs. Add marinara to meat mixture.
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In ice cream bucket (or whatever container you’re using) layer 1/4 meat mixture, 1/3 noodles, 1/3 cheese mixture. Repeat twice and cover with remaining meat mixture.
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Freeze 2-4 hours and then pop out and freeze in freezer bags or cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. To prepare put frozen lasagna into slow cooker and cook 4-6 hours on low.

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*This recipe does not fill my slow cooker to the top. When I have company, I can actually layer two of these in my slow cooker!! A lot of food to feed the whole gang!