davidsilver / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
This past weekend I went looking for an inexpensive pizza stone, but luck was not on my side. The cheapest stone was $40. Ouch! Luckily, a thrifty friend told me I could make my own pizza stone for much less. Here’s how.
After doing some research, I learned the stone sold in fancy stores is similar to ones found at home improvement stores, but for about $5. Woot, woot! I’m all over this do it yourself project.
Get Sunday coupon inserts through a super cheap subscription!
I’m part of a program to get valuable Sunday coupon inserts by subscribing to one of 20 papers in California or Utah. Many of these deals are valid for renewals, too. One perk is that you can buy additional Sunday papers to get tons of extra coupon inserts!
The Orange County Register is a particularly good deal.
Steve Rhodes / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I must confess I have no clue what teams are playing on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 5), but what I do know is how to throw a party on a budget! Below I share suggestions to lower the costs of drinks, food, and decorations.
Food
- Prepare your food from scratch. It will take you longer, but it will taste better and save you money! Buying pre-made food from the grocery store is always more expensive. Make foods that can be prepped ahead of time or come in large batches so you can enjoy the game or commercials. Try this turkey chilli recipe. Make your own dips and salsas as well. (more…)
Learn to save money at Starbucks! kktryj / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
It’s no secret that I love coffee. A while ago, I even revealed my coffee addiction was costing me major moolah because I was charging my purchase. I’ve reformed my ways since then. If you can’t give up the trips to Starbucks, I share five tips to saving money while still getting your fix.
Glenn scored a FREE trip to Catalina Island on his birthday!
This is a guest post by longtime reader Glenn, who last year scored $199 in birthday freebies for $4 + tips. This year he redeemed 34 birthday offers worth an estimated $413.51, for just $26.54 + tips. Yowza!!!! Here are excerpts of his story:
Get Sunday coupon inserts through a super cheap subscription!
I recently joined a program to get valuable Sunday coupon inserts by subscribing to one of 20 papers in California or Utah. Many of these deals are valid for renewals, too. One perk is that you can buy additional Sunday papers to get tons of extra coupon inserts!
The Orange County Register is a particularly good deal.
Find a beer sale! Credit: DeusXFlorida/Flickr
Jennifer sent a tip on a super useful website called SaveOnBrew. The site shows beer sales near you. Simple and awesome! She says:
I am not sure if you have seen the website www.saveonbrew.com yet. It is a website that lets you put in your zipcode any where in the US and will show you all the advertised beer on sale. This should be a great money saver with the upcoming holidays!
You can customize a search by zip code or address, type of beer, store, container type, and more.
Yummy winter produce! Credit: delriophoto/Flickr
Now that we’re nearing the official onset of winter (Dec. 22), it’s time to think about what fruit and veggies are in-season, i.e. cheap. This list comes from Fruits and Veggies More Matter. Click on each link below for recipes and health benefits of that particular edible.
If you aren’t able to print out this list, prices generally indicate which produce is in season. My winter favorites include oranges, clementines, pomegranates, kale, tangerines, and sweet potatoes. I also just learned a new delicious recipe for Brussels Sprouts – saute them with bacon!
Belgian Endive
Brussels Sprouts
Buttercup Squash
Get $10 back when you buy Raisin Bran! Credit: GoodNCrazy/Flickr
Linda read my shelf-clearing Raisin Bran escapade and sent in a hot tip!
Be sure & send in for the $10 gas card from Kellogg’s for the Raisin Bran cereal. Go to www.2.kelloggs.com/AARP/
rewards , then click on the rewards tab.All you need is 10 upc’s off of certain Kellogg’s cereals, including Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, Crispix, Corn Flakes & more. You don’t even have to have the receipts. You are allowed 5 per household & you get it in a pre-paid Mastercard that can be used towards gas. Expires 12-31-11 Enjoy!!!!!!!!! Linda
I checked it out and this is a hot deal! The rules are quite simple:
This code expires today!
Eating out is one of my favorite things to do. But aside from fast food joints, restaurant coupons are rare. I use Restaurant.com to drop my tab by 25-40%, an incredible savings. TODAY ONLY, you can get a $25 gift certificate to a restaurant of your choosing for $2, plus earn 30% cash back through Ebates – which means you pay just $1.40!!! Coupon code below.
We’ve also suggested electronics gifts, gifts at Sears, toys for kids, mens’ shavers, gifts for teens, unique and quirky gifts, and All You mag gifts. Tomorrow’s edition covers gifts for men and women. We’ll finish the gift guide on Dec. 9 with the best overall gifts.
If you’re new to this site, here’s how Restaurant.com works. You have three gift options on Restaurant.com:
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Substitute out pricey saffron - Klearchos Kapoutsis/flickr
With all the holiday cooking and baking that goes on, it is likely that you will open a recipe (like one of Yazmin’s non-traditional desserts) and discover you are out of an ingredient. Sometimes going to get that missing item can be impossible (snowed in) or expensive (saffron is $40 per ounce or more). What’s a cook to do?
Substitute!
If you understand what each ingredient is doing in the recipe, you can find something else that will do the same thing.
Sifu Renka / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I love Thanksgiving and can eat leftovers for days. This year, I tried a new recipe that used leftover turkey. Not only did this save money and time, but it created a new tradition! Below I share the recipe to this yummy Turkey Pot Pie.
The best part of this recipe is that you can substitute chicken if your turkey is all gone. Need other ideas for leftover? Check out my post on what to do with leftovers and learn other money saving tips! This recipe was adapted from Carla Hall’s recipe for The Chew on ABC.
Save berries with a vinegar-water solution. Credit: Dano/Flickr
Longtime reader Ellie shared a tip she received from her friend Katie.
The key to preventing moldy berries? Vinegar!
Raspberries in particular seem like they can mold before you even get them home from the market. There’s nothing more tragic than paying $4 for a pint of local raspberries, only to look in the fridge the next day and find that fuzzy mold growing on their insides.
Veteran's Day 2011 Freebies! Credit: US Army Africa/Flickr
I’ve compiled every known Veteran’s Day 2011 freebie, coupon, and deal right here! Proof of service is required to get these deals. There are a lot of repeats from last year, but hey, free is free! Also check with your local museums, orchestras, and community groups for free Veterans Day entertainment and activities!
Applebee’s - Vets get a free meal at Applebee’s on Nov. 11, 2011 with proof of service.
B&B deal – Vets stay free at dozens of B&B’s nationwide on Nov. 10, 2011. Some 515 B&B’s are paticipating. Book your free night soon because these sell out quick.
Car wash - Vets get a totally free car cash on Nov. 11, 2011 at more than 822 participating locations nationwide.
cobalt123 / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Preparing a turkey for the traditional Thanksgiving meal can be a daunting task. After all, it’s the main dish. Below I share 15 tips to roast the perfect Thanksgiving turkey that is tender, juicy and delicious.
- Size matters – Allow one pound of turkey for each adult guest at your dinner. For example, if you are serving 10 people, buy a 10-pound turkey. This provides a generous serving of turkey and guarantees extra turkey for leftovers.
- Thaw your bird - The best place to do this is in the fridge. It may take up to (more…)
