Free Ebook: 51 Ways to Save Money on Christmas


I'll be starting some posts on saving money during the holidays next month but in the meantime here are some great tips! Be sure to grab your free copy of 51 Ways to Save Money on Christmas.
Be sure to check that it is still free before you order.

Don't have a Kindle? You can download the latest Kindle for PC here (I love mine!)

Canadian Coupon Alert: $18 of new coupons on Save.ca

Lots of new coupons added at Save.ca including one of my fav's (the $2.00 off Edge Shave Gel!)

My Grocery List (Sept. 28- Oct 4)

Here's my shopping list for this week to go with our meal plan. I'll let you know for sure once I'm done all my shopping what my final total with taxes was:) Tentative total: $59.66 taxes

Food Basics:
  • Eggsx2 @$1.67each-$1WUB2 tearpad coupon (I saw this deal in another regions Food Basics flyer but not in ours, I'll check once I'm in store to see if its just not advertised here)
  • Chicken Breasts $2.99/lb (looking for a $6ish package)
  • Whole Chicken $5.99
  • Oats $1.99
  • Cheese $4.44
  • Crescent rolls (if the chocolate ones are on sale) $1.29- $1coupon (no longer available)
  • 2lbs of Yams @88cents/lb 
  • Green Pepper $1
  • Burger Buns $1.99-50cent tearpad coupon
  • Total: $25.20
Shoppers Drugmart
  • Milk x2- $8.40
  • Coffee Cream $1.98
  • Rice Side 99cents
  • Total: $11.37
Loblaws:
  • Grapes 99cents/lb= $2
  • Can of tuna $1
  • Deli meat $4
  • Ham $5
  • 2x Catelli Pasta @1.67each- 2x$1off coupons from here
  • Green Giant Vegetables $2.50-75cent tearpad coupon
  • Rougemont 2L apple juice $2.50-75cent booklet coupon
  • Total: $15.09
Nesbitt's Meat Shop:
2 lb ground beef $8(ish)
Total: $8

Menu Plan (Sept 28-OCt.4)

I'm excited to try a couple of new recipes this week so stay tuned to see how they turned out! For those of you who are new to Kawartha Bargains here is how the menu plan/grocery list weekly feature works (I work with a $65 grocery budget).
 I had originally intended on posting the menu plan and shopping list together but it becomes a super long post so instead I'll post them separately. The menu plan will include everything we are eating this week as well as links to recipes (as I try them). The shopping list will breakdown by store what I am purchasing and any coupons I am using with a budget breakdown. What is on your menu plan this week? Have a recipe or tip to share? I'd love to hear. Feel free to post on Kawartha Bargains Facebook Page as well!

Meal Plan:
Breakfasts/Snacks
  • Cereal x3
  • Bagels and Peanut Butter
  • Egg Salad Sandwiches
  • White Cupcakes- didn't get to these again but am certainly in the mood for a sweet treat (mix left over from Loblaws deal)
  • Cheese and Crackers
  • Veggies and Dip
  • grapes
  • homemade oatmeal packages (recipe to come)
Lunches
Dinners
  • Roasted chicken, twice baked potatoes (recipe to come)
  • Chicken stir fry
  • Meatloaf, mashed and veggies
  • Ham and sweet potatos
  • Some sort of pasta dish
  • Homemade hamburgers

Canadian Freebie Alert: FREE Dempsters Farmhouse Bread

Here's a brand new one that I'm excited to try! Grab your coupon before they are gone, only 25,000 available.

Thanks Elaine for sharing!

Recipe: Tuna Pasta Salad


For those that struggle with what to make for lunch this is a great alternative to the everyday sandwich, its well rounded and even better super cheap and easy to make! 
 

Ingredients:
-a little less than 1/2 package of elbow macaroni
- 3-4 tablespoons mayonnaise or whipped dressing (I prefer the tang of whipped dressing so that's what I use)
-1/2 white onion finely chopped
-1/2 each of green and red pepper or some broccoli and/or some finely chopped carrots (the beauty of this recipe is you can just add whatever veggies you have on hand)
- dash of salt
- dash of pepper
- 1 can drained flaked light tuna
- sprinkle of fresh or dried parsley
 -cubed cheese
Instructions:
1. Cook pasta, rinse until cool.
2. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
3. I find this tastes better if its sat in the fridge for at least a couple of hours.
4. Serve and enjoy!

Canadian Freebie Alert: Herbal Essences Honey I'm Strong

Head on over to the Herbal Essences Facebook page to get your coupon for a FREE Sample of their new Honey I'm Strong Shampoo!!

*Coupon offer while supplies last, up to 100,000 coupons; 1 coupon per person/household.

Good Deal on Pop at Food Basics with Coupon


We aren't huge pop drinkers in our house but I do like to have some on hand for special occasions. This week (Sept 21-27) Food Basics has the 6 x 710mL pops on sale for $2 each.

Use this coupon to SAVE $2 when you buy two (2) 6x710mL. That works out to $1 a pack! 

Free Ebook: Frugal Tips and Recipes for the Wise Homemaker

Yet another fabulous resource for those who are looking to save a dollar! Be sure to grab your free copy of  Frugal Tips & Recipes for the Wise Homemaker.
Be sure to check that it is still free before you order.

Don't have a Kindle? You can download the latest Kindle for PC here (I love mine!)

Canadian Coupon Alert: B1G1 Cascade Action Pacs


Click here to order your B1G1 FREE Cascade Action Pacs coupons through this hidden BrandSaver.ca portal.

Pampers Gifts To Grow Bonus Code


Here's another bonus code from Pampers Gifts to Grow. Worth 10 bonus points, valid until September 26,2012.

SPC921FAL12PAMP

My Grocery List for the Week (Sept. 21-27)

Here's my shopping list for this week to go with our meal plan. I'll let you know for sure once I'm done all my shopping what my final total with taxes was:)  Tentative total: $ 42.35+taxes

Canadian Tire:
  • Armstrong Cheese $1.89
  • USE CANADIAN TIRE MONEY
Food Basics:
  • Onions $1
  • Potatos $2
  • Tuna $1
  • Pasta Sauce $1
  • Broccoli $1
  • Sausages $5ish
  • Juice Boxes (Oasis) $2.50-$1 coupon from Allens AJ tins
  • Baby peeled carrots $1
  • Total: $13.50
Shoppers Drugmart
  • Milk x2- $8.40
  • Coffee Cream $1.99
  • Bread $1.99
  • Total: $12.38
Loblaws:
  • Deli Meat $4
  • Nutrigrain Bars- Superfruit- Sale $1.99-50cent coupon from tearpad
  • Activia Yogurt- $2.99
  • Buns- $2
  • Cereal (Kashi or Mini Wheats) $2.99-$2 coupon (Kashi) or $1 coupon (Mini Wheats)
  • Total: $8.47
Nesbitt's Meat Shop:
1 lb lean ground beef $4(ish)
Total: $4

This Week's Meal Plan- Sept 21-27

Welcome to Kawartha Bargains newest weekly feature! 
If you need some more inspiration you can always stop by last week's menu plan.  
 I had originally intended on posting the menu plan and shopping list together but it becomes a super long post so instead I'll post them separately. The menu plan will include everything we are eating this week as well as links to recipes (as I try them). The shopping list will breakdown by store what I am purchasing and any coupons I am using with a budget breakdown. What is on your menu plan this week? Have a recipe or tip to share? I'd love to hear. Feel free to post on Kawartha Bargains Facebook Page as well!

Meal Plan:
Breakfasts/Snacks
Lunches
  • pizza
  • chili (in the freezer from a previous week) 
  • pulled pork leftovers
  • roast beef leftovers
  • tuna pasta salad (recipe to come)
  • grilled cheese and soupx2
Dinner
  • Dinner at the Lindsay Fair! (not included in the $65/week budget...taken from our entertainment budget instead)
  • Pulled Pork Sandwiches and veggies
  • Roast Beef, potatos and veggie
  • Meatloaf, mashed potatos and corn
  • Pork Stir Fry
  • Homemade Ministrone Soup 
  • Baked Sausage Pasta

Grocery Budget Challenge: This Week's Total

If you have started following my newest feature The $65 Grocery Budget Challenge, I promised to share with you my total each week. The menu plan for this week saw a couple of changes (such as we just felt like having grilled cheese sandwiches and salad last night for dinner) and we even have some items that we didn't get made (like the white cupcakes). Overall I don't really feel that I spent any more time than usual in the kitchen and I feel like we ate extremely well despite the budget. That being said I did go SLIGHTLY over budget. I was pretty much on track until I got to Loblaws. They had such great deals on meat this week that I decided to grab some extras and will try to take that difference out of the upcoming week's budget (since I shouldn't need much meat and I don't need coffee or any household items it should still work out). Here's how the budget finished up for this week:

 THIS WEEK'S TOTAL: $88.61 over by +23.21 (that includes taxes)
Next weeks budget- $41.79

Canadian Coupon Alert: Save $1 on Cheerios

We go through a ton of Cheerios in our house so I am always happy to see this coupon available. Pair it with a $1.99 sale and you can get a box for just 99cents!
 
The webSaver.ca coupon for $1 off the purchase of Cheerios is once again available through the    General Mills Life Made Delicious portal. Click here to order yours.

Canadian Freebie Alert: Sample of Gerber Graduates Toddler Drink


Fill in your details at Nestle Baby to receive a free sample of Gerber Graduates Toddler Drink!

Canadian Coupon Alert: Save $1 Gay Lea Whipped Cream

Just in time for Thanksgiving! There are sure to be some great sales and with the $1 coupon you should be able to get some yummy whipped cream at a super deal

Click here to get your coupon!

Pampers Gifts to Grow Bonus Codes


Here are TWO new codes for Pampers Gifts to Grow.
TWIT912PT7DN912 – 5 Points (Valid until September 20, 2012)
SEPTFALL12SPNML- 10 Points (Valid until September 30, 2012)

Recipes: Slow Cooker BBQ Roast Beef Sandwiches

I have become SO in ♥ with my slow cooker! I used to use it occasionally and it often went for months sitting in my cupboard one of those forgotten about gadgets. Now that I've given my head a good shake I've been experimenting with my slow cooker on a much more frequent basis. Not only does it save me time and yield great results its certainly a MONEY SAVER as well.

This week roasts are on for a great price at Loblaws and I managed to find 2 under the $5 mark each (when does that ever happen). My hubby specifically asked for shredded roast beef sandwiches which I paired with a green salad for a quick, easy, nutritious and cheap meal (with leftovers)!
  • 1 roast
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • OR sprinkle roast with your favourite mixed seasoning (I used the Clubhouse Pepper Mix)
  •  your fav. bbq sauce
  1. Place roast into slow cooker. Sprinkle with garlic powder and onion powder, and season with salt and pepper. Pour barbeque sauce over meat until its covered (about 1/2cup). Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
  2. Remove meat from slow cooker, shred, and return to slow cooker. Add a bit more bbq sauce. Cook for 1 more hour. Serve hot.

Swagbucks Celebrates Talk Like a Pirate Day on Wednesday

If you haven't heard, September 19th is also known as Talk Like a Pirate Day, and everyone at Swagbucks HQ is pretty excited about celebrating. (Yes, they're a kooky bunch.)
Thankfully, that means Swaggernauts across the globe can collect Swagbucks booty. This Wednesday, Sept 19th, Swagbucks will hold a Swag Code Treasure Hunt in honor of Talk Like A Pirate Day. Once you've hunted down all the codes, make sure to stick around to uncover more treasure. This Wednesday will also be Mega Swag Booty Day so make sure to spread the word to keep up the search. Stay tuned for more info!

Not a member of Swagbucks yet?!!! Get started earning great swag, paypal cash, gift cards and more! I've earned over $225 in Amazon.ca gift cards since I started!

Filling the Freezer: Muffins

I've had some frozen Europes Best Fruit in the freezer since the last time it was on sale (and extra cheap with coupon), that I couldn't decide what to do with. The kids weren't diggin smoothies and didn't like them on ice cream so they have just been waiting for me to be inspired.

There was a recipe for blueberry muffins on the back of the Bisquick box so I figured today was the perfect day to try! Loved them so much I also made another batch but put chocolate chips in instead of the fruit and while I was at it finished off the box with some biscuits to go with the chili I was making for dinner. YUM! Now I have a great assortment of muffin in the freezer (in conjunction with the 2 ingredient pumpkin muffins from earlier this week) and can tackle some freezer entrees next week.

Muffins Recipe:
2cups Bisquick Mix
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp vegetable oil (which I didn't have so I melted 2 tbsp of margerine and it worked fine)
1 egg
3/4 cup blueberries (or this is where I substituted for mixed fruit and then chocolate chips) Do not thaw frozen fruit

Heat oven to 400degrees. Stir all ingredients except fruit just until moistened. Gently stir in fruit. Divide among cups. Bake 13-18 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes 12 muffins.

Biscuit Recipe:
2 cups Bisquick Mix
1/2cup milk
Heat oven to 450degrees. Stir ingredients until soft dough forms. Place dough on surface sprinkled with Bisquick mix, roll to coat. Shape into ball. Knead 10 times. Roll into 1/2inch thickness and cut with knife dipped in Bisquick mix. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 6-8 minutes. Make approx. 8 biscuits.

Free Ebook: Twenty-Five Cent Dinners for Families of Six



I haven't actually had a chance to read this yet but it certainly peeked my interest. Be sure to grab your free copy of  Twenty-Five Cent Dinners for Families of Six. 
Be sure to check that it is still free before you order.

Don't have a Kindle? You can download the latest Kindle for PC here (I love mine!)

Grocery List for This Week

Here's my shopping list for this week to go with our meal plan. I'll let you know for sure once I'm done all my shopping what my final total with taxes was:) Tentative total: $ 60.25+taxes

Food Basics:
  • Panebello Pizza- Sale $2.88-$1 coupon from here (if my $2 off coupon from here arrives then I will get two Panebellos total)
  • 1lb green peppers 88cents
  • 1lb red peppers 88cents
  • cauliflower 99cents
  • strawberries $1.97
  • 1lb grapes 88cents
  • Cashmere Toilet Paper- Sale $4.88-$1 coupon from here
  • Pasta noodles- $1
  • Burger Buns -$2
  • Total: $14.36
Shoppers Drugmart (MUST SHOP ON SUNDAY)
  • Milk x2- $8.40
  • Ritz Crackers x4- $1.79 (hoping for the 8000 bonus points wub4 Kraft products, read this is the last day for that promo, either way a good deal for something we use a ton of)
  • Coffee Cream 99cents
  • Rice Side 99cents
  • Aluminum Foil $1
  • Total: $18.54
Giant Tiger
  • Lactancia Margerine- 98cents
  • Mini Wheats Cereal- Sale $2.49- $1 coupon  
  • Total: $2.47
Loblaws:
  • Resolve Spray and Wash- Sale $1.99- $2 coupon from Smart Source Insert 08/25/12= FREE
  • Deli Meat- $2
  • Club Pack Chicken OR Roast (looking for a package around $9)
  • Total: $11
Rexall:
Maxwell House Coffee: Sale $5.88

Nesbitt's Meat Shop:
1 lb lean ground beef $4(ish)
l lb medium ground beef $4 (ish)
Total: $8

Canadian Coupon Alert: Save $1 on any Almond Fresh Product


Save $1 on the purchase of any 1.89L Almond Fresh product. Click here to order yours.

Meal Plan for This Week

Welcome to Kawartha Bargains newest weekly feature!
 I had originally intended on posting the menu plan and shopping list together but it becomes a super long post so instead I'll post them separately. The menu plan will include everything we are eating this week as well as links to recipes (as I try them). The shopping list will breakdown by store what I am purchasing and any coupons I am using with a budget breakdown. What is on your menu plan this week? Have a recipe or tip to share? I'd love to hear. Feel free to post on Kawartha Bargains Facebook Page as well!

Meal Plan:
Breakfasts/Snacks
Lunches
  • pizza
  • leftover drumsticks/veggies/pasta salad
  • grilled cheese and soup x2
  • leftover pulled pork sandwiches
  • leftover chili
  • leftover tacos
Dinners
  • homemade burgers and In a Pinch Pasta Salad
  • slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches and veggies and dip
  • chili
  • tacos
  • chicken drumsticks/cauliflower/rice side
  • italian herb pasta (sauce frozen from a previous week)
  • chicken burgers, pasta salad, veggies and dip

New Feature: The $65/week grocery budget/menu plan

I've decided to introduce a new weekly feature that may be useful to many readers.

I've challenged myself to stick to a $65/week grocery budget (please note this does NOT include diapers) but does include household and personal care items. I'm hoping to be able to fill any overages in the budget by using rewards programs like Air Miles and Shoppers Optimum, etc. Each week I will include my menu plan as well as my grocery list so hopefully it will give you some ideas for you own family. That being said next week's menu plan does feature some items that I already have in the freezer and pantry that I have from the past couple of weeks. I encourage you to take a second look at your own freezer and pantry to see what meal ideas are already waiting there for you!

Stay tuned later today for the first installment of this new feature!

My Loblaws Deals Sept.13th

 Stopped into Loblaws today to get some eggs (which they were out of) and lunch meat but found several amazing deals. Here's what I grabbed but there are also plenty of those pretty pink managers stickers on buns, tons of Wonderbread (on sale this week for $2.49-50%0ff), meat, and yogurt.
  • PC Cupcake Kit: Regular Price $8.99- On clearance for $1.50
  • Deli Meat: $1.67
  • Old Mill Bagels: Sale 99cents-50% off managers sticker= 50cents (there are lots of poppyseed and plain on the 50% off rack)
  • PC Baby Wipes- Sign said $2.04- rang up at $2.99-SCOP= FREE
What is SCOP? SCOP or Scanning Code of Practice means that if the sign says one price and it rings up another price than you get that item for free (if you say something that is!) Not all stores practice SCOP but Loblaws is one of them so next time you think something isn't quite right at the checkout be sure to speak up:)

2 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins Recipe

When I saw this recipe on Budget101.com I thought "ya right". Usually if it seems too simple to be true it ends up being a bust. I'm happy to report that these were CRAZY simple to make and even better....DIRT CHEAP!

Here's my price breakdown (I got everything at Food Basics because I was already there):
  • One box of cake mix Selections brand (the recipe calls for yellow but I grabbed white by mistake and it worked fine. You could also use spice or chocolate mix for some extra pizzaz!)$1.25
  • One can of Stokely Pumpkin (these cans are 14.5oz which was close enough to the called for 15oz for me) $1.19
  • Baking cups 99cents
  • Total= $3.43 and the recipe yielded me 24 medium sized muffins= 14cents per serving (or thereabouts) You could even cut this down by not using baking cups and/or stocking up on cake mix and pumpkin when its on sale!
To make all you have to do is mix together the dry cake mix and the can of pumpkin until they are well blended. Portion into muffin tins and bake at 350degrees for 20-25 minutes! Easy peasy!

Now its your turn to help me....what is the best way to go about freezing these??????? Feel free to  leave your tips in a comment below or on my Facebook Page.

New Coupon for Eggs


When I stopped in at Food Basics this morning I found this new egg coupon (in an end display of eggs not the actual egg fridge). Save $1.00 off the purchase of 2 dozen eggs. Pair this coupon with this week's egg sale at Loblaws ($1.99/dz) and you can get 2 dozen eggs for just $ $2.98!

P&G Brandsampler now LIVE

The new P&G Brandsampler is now LIVE! I was able to order 6 samples this time around.
Click here to order yours!

Canadian Coupon Alert: Save $1 on Maple Leaf Deli Meat


Save $1 off Maple Leaf deli-fresh meat with this new Websaver.ca coupon!

Well.ca: FREE gift voucher WUS $40+ on diapers


There's nothing better than not having to pack up a baby to run to the store and get diapers and instead have them delivered (free delivery) right to your door! Even better, receive a FREE gift voucher when you spend $40 or more on diapers at Well.ca by September 23, 2012!
Enter coupon code FREEGIFT at checkout to get your discount. Vouchers are valid on your next Well.ca purchase and are worth $5 and $10. Coupon code for your free gift will be included with your order.
Free gift must be redeemed by March 21, 2013.

Canadian Coupon Alert: New Yogurt Coupons


Two new Yoplait coupons were just added to Save.ca:
  • $0.50 off Yoplait Tubes, Minigo or Yop
  • $1 off Yoplait Source, Creamy, Yoptimal or Asana (650g or 16x100g)
  • Get your coupons here!

    Canadian Coupon Alert: $2 off Panbello Pizza

    I ♥ this pizza! Save $2 off Dr. Oetker Panebello Pizza with this new coupon from Save.ca.
    You must go through Facebook and answer their quick poll question before you are able to order your coupon.

    Top Deals Around Town (Sept. 7-13) Giant Tiger

    More deals to come later today but I wanted to make sure to post this one before you head out to do your shopping.


     

    5 Links Worth Reading

    Hope everyone has had a safe and happy long weekend. Here are some interesting posts worth reading if you get a little "me time!"