Dear Readers

Dear Readers;

The past five months have been an amazing journey for Saving With Sisters.  We have valued and cherished your viewership to our site and your comments and likes to our posts.  We have felt a very clear call from the Lord to be done with our blogging journey at this point and hope that you all understand.  It takes a lot of time to write and put these posts together and we both felt that we need to prioritize our lives so that our families and our ministries come first.

As most of you know, there are many other blogs that have the same type of  information that we offer on our site.  We are going to list a few here that you might enjoy, if you are not already following them already. 🙂

Money Saving Mom: Crystal Paine is an amazing home schooling mom. Her values and budget-savvy mindset are the same as ours and she has a wonderful comprehensive website. www.moneysavingmom.com

Coupon Connections: Amber Bustanoby is a stay-at-home mom of 4 and has a passion for teaching others to coupon. She has deal match-ups, a coupon database, recipes and gardening tips.  www.couponconnections.com

The Krazy Coupon Lady: Heather Wheeler & Joanie Demer are the queens of couponing for sure.  Their sight includes a full list of printable and newspaper coupons, deal match-ups and other money saving tips. www.thekrazycouponlady.com

Skinny Mom’s Kitchen: Her motto is “where busy motherhood makes friends with healthy eating and weight loss”.  She gives valuable tips and tricks on freezer cooking and healthy eating. www.skinnymomskitchen.com

Blessings to all and may your savings and health be abundant!

Jessica and Beth Hawney

Beth’s Weekly Goals

Here are my five goals that I would like to accomplish this week.

1) Workout 5 times this week

2) 3 days of summer homeschool with the kids

3) Deep clean one room in 20 minutes per day

4) Stick to my weekly grocery budget

5) Finish reading The Magicians Nephew to my kids

Saving Money on a Healthy Diet

I need to make a confession here, I haven’t been couponing. For about a month I have been really trying to determine what my priorities are and what in life deserve the most amount of time and what needs to be cut back. In the last six months I have switched our family over from eating a combination of both processed and whole foods to a mostly whole foods diet. I will occassionally buy all natural fruit snacks or crackers for my kids but mostly we are eating foods I make from scratch or fruit, vegetables, meats and other whole foods. With coupons you can still eat a healthy diet but when it comes to buying all unprocessed foods that has been a different challenge. You may ask are you still saving money without coupons? YES!! My savings just looks much different then it did six months ago.

What I do to save money:

Buy Produce at Costco:

While Costco is definately not the cheapest on many of their processed foods, when it comes to fresh produce their prices are great. Even with sales I can rarely find a sale on produce that beats Costco’s price per unit. I make weekly if not twice a week trips to stock up on lettuce, spinach, berries, bananas, peppers and avocados.

I also have been splitting packages of produce that we won’t eat enough of with a friend and she shares with me when she goes to Costco so we are not wasting any of our fresh produce. The other day I bought a humungous bag of spinach and while I know we eat a ton of spinach there was no way we could eat all that in a week so I passed some onto my friend and she gave me peppers and mushrooms in return. It is great if you have another family to trade with.

I avoid looking at the processed foods, entertainment and clothing departments. I get in, go to the produce section, stop if I need other things and then out the door. Costco can be a spending trap if you peruse the isles, so I don’t!!

Shop at Winco:

Winco is a no frills grocery store we have in WA and their bulk section is great. I stock up on any baking/cooking items I need there. The other day I stopped and picked up baking powder ($ .62), baking soda ($ .48), oatmeal ($5.00 for about 8lbs), and walnuts ($5.00 for about 1lb). I also purchase my whole wheat flour at Winco in #25 bags for around $11.00.  Purchasing at no frills grocery stores is a great way to save and buying in the bulk section allows you to buy the amount you need without over spending. I make monthly trips to Winco to stock up on items from the bulk foods section.

Cook from Scratch:

I want to feed my kids whole, organic foods with no additives. If I buy all natural groceries at a specialty store or the regular store we would be paying a ton of money every month for groceries. Instead, I am learning to make a lot of foods we like from scratch. I am going to try one new recipe every month to get rid of a store bought item and make it from scratch. This month I will be attempting to make homemade yogurt. I make my own laundry detergent, bread, pasta sauce, granola and bake lots of yummy homemade breakfasts like cinnamon rolls, banana berry nut muffins, and banana pancakes.

My family loves my from scratch meals much better than store bought mixes or boxed dinners and while it is more time consuming I am saving money and giving my kids healthy foods.

Isn’t Eating Healthy More Expensive?

Why yes it is. It is also worth it. I feel so much better when I am eating a healthy diet and excercising regularly. Our family has had to increase our grocery budget in order to provide the fresh produce, nuts, meats and other great foods we are eating but there are not coupons regularly available for those items so we are being creative in our shopping, watching for sales and stocking up on food when it goes on sale.

Whats Next?

You may be asking what’s next with the blog, and with couponing? We will still continue to offer great deals as we see them, we will share what is going on in our lives like goals and meals with you, I am planning to blog about my homemade meals and share with you what I am discovering about healthy living and cooking from scratch. As far as couponing goes, I have decided that the reward for me is not worth hours of clipping and shopping each week. I will still coupon, just on a much smaller scale. When I see a great deal with a printable coupon or if I happen to have a coupon for an item I need I will always choose to live frugally. I will still play the drugstore game when it works in my favor but I will not run out for a great deal just cause its there. You will probably see the deals on our blog focus a lot more on whole foods rather than processed foods because thats where we are at. I know Jessica and I both love eating a whole food diet and are constantly experimenting to find ways to save money while feeding our children healthy meals.

Great Deals for Target: Week of 6/3-6/9

Advil PM Ibuprofen Caplets, 20 ct $4.74, Reg. Price
Buy 2 Participating Items, Get a $5.00 Target Gift Card, through 7/7
Use $1.00/1 Advil, 20 ct or larger limit of 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from RP 5/20
Or $1.00/1 Advil PM, 16 ct or larger, limit of 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from RP 5/20
Or $1.00/1 – Advil, 20ct or Larger – (redplum.com)
Or $1.00/1 – Advil P.M, 16ct or Larger – (advil.com)
Or $1.00/1 Advil, 20 ct or larger limit 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from RP 4/1
Or $1.00/1 Advil PM, 16 ct or larger limit 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from RP 4/1
Or $1.00/1 Advil PM, 4 ct or larger from SS 3/11
Pay $7.48, Get a $5.00 Gift Card
Total: $1.24 each wyb 2

Bayer, 36 ct Chewables $2.29, Reg. Price
Use $2.50/2 Bayer Aspirin products, 20 ct or larger from RP 4/29
Or $1.00/1 Bayer Aspirin product, 20 ct or larger from SS 3/18
Or $1.00/1 Bayer Aspirin product, 20 ct or larger from RP 4/29
Or $1.00/1 Bayer Aspirin Product from SS 5/13
Total: $1.04 each wyb 2

Gain Dishwashing Liquid, 28 oz $1.97, Reg. Price
Use $1.00/2 Gain Dishwashing Liquid, excludes trial/travel sizes, limit 1 coupon per purchase, limit of 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from PG 5/13
And use $1.00/2 Gain Laundry Care, Gain Dishwashing Liquid, Febreze Air Effects with Gain Scent, Febreze Set & Refresh with Gain Scent, or Mr Clean with Gain Scent, Excludes trial/travel size, Target Coupon from SS 5/13
Total: $.97 each wyb 2

Johnson & Johnson Small Gauze Pads, 10 ct. $1.57, Reg. Price
Use $1.00/1 Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Product from SS 4/15
Or $1.50/2 Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Product from SS 5/13
Total: $.57

Kotex Natural Balance Pantiliners, 18 ct. $.99, Reg. Price
Use $2.00/2 – Kotex Natural Balance Products – (couponnetwork.com)
Or $2.00/2 – Kotex Natural Balance Products – (coupons.com)
Or $1.50/2 Kotex Natural Balance from SS 5/20
Total: FREE

Olay Regenerist Cleanser, 5 oz or Regenerist Wet Cloths, 30 ct $5.99, Reg. Price
Use $3.00/1 Olay Regenerist Facial Moisturizer or Facial Cleanser or Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo from PG 6/3
Or $1.00/1 Olay Facial Cleanser or Facial Moisturizer from PG 6/3
And use $1.00/1 Olay Professional Pro-X or Regenerist, Target Coupon from Target Insert 4/29
Total: $1.99

OneTouch Ultra Mini Blood Glucose Monitoring System $9.99
Use $10.00/1 OneTouch UltraMini Meter, limit 1 coupon per person from RP 4/29
Total: FREE

Buy 1 Raid Bug Barrier Trigger $8.00
Buy 1 Raid Max Bug Barrier Refill, 30 oz. $4.84
Use 1 $3.00/1 Raid Max Bug Barrier with Auto Trigger from SS 5/6
And use 1 $1.00/1 Raid Max Bug Barrier Refill from SS 5/6
And use 1 FREE $5.00 Target Gift Card Target wyb (2) Raid Max Bug Barrier Items, Target Coupon from SS 6/3
Pay $8.84, Get a $5.00 Gift Card
Total: $1.92 each wyb both

Sonia Kashuk Spoolie Eyebrow and Eyelash Brush $1.99, Reg. Price
Use $2.00/1 – Sonia Kashuk Cosmetic or Cosmetic Accessory Item, Excludes Trial Size, Target Coupon – (target.com)
Total: FREE

Suave Body Wash, 12 oz. $1.59, Price cut through 6/9
Use $.75/1 – Suave Body Wash – (coupons.com)
Total: $.84

Temptations Cat Treats, 3 oz $1.52, Reg. Price
Use $.50/1 Temptations Treats for Cats from RP 4/29
Or $.50/1 – Temptations Treats for Cats – (facebook.com)
Or $1.00/2 – Temptations Treats for Cats – (temptationstreats.com)
And use $1.00/3 – Temptations Cat Treats, 2.1oz or Larger, Target Coupon – (target.com)
Total: $.69 each wyb 3

Up & Up Petroleum Jelly Skin Protectant, 2.5 oz. $1.24, Reg. Price
Use $1.00/1 – Up & Up Baby Skin or Hair Care Item, Excludes Trial Size, One per guest, Target Coupon – (target.com)
Total: $.24

Up & Up Baby Lotion, 15 oz. $1.49, Reg. Price
Use $1.00/1 – Up & Up Baby Skin or Hair Care Item, Excludes Trial Size, One per guest, Target Coupon – (target.com)
Total: $.49

Up & Up Tear-Free Baby Shampoo, 15 oz. $1.49, Reg. Price
Use $1.00/1 – Up & Up Baby Skin or Hair Care Item, Excludes Trial Size, One per guest, Target Coupon – (target.com)
Total: $.49

Up & Up Baby Hair & Body Wash, 15 oz. $1.52, Reg. Price
Use $1.00/1 – Up & Up Baby Skin or Hair Care Item, Excludes Trial Size, One per guest, Target Coupon – (target.com)
Total: $.52

Up & Up Baby Hair Detangler Spray, 10 oz. $1.74, Reg. Price
Use $1.00/1 – Up & Up Baby Skin or Hair Care Item, Excludes Trial Size, One per guest, Target Coupon – (target.com)
Total: $.74

Up & Up Liquid Soap, 7.5 oz Pump $.97, Reg. Price
Use $.50/1 – Up & Up Liquid Hand Soap, Target Coupon – (target.com)
Total: $.47

Thanks KCL

These are some of our favorite deals this week at Target, please let us know what you found!

Great Deal for Rite Aid: Week of 6/3-6/9

This was the only deal that I was impressed with this week, hopefully I’ll be able to report some more deals later in the week.  Please let us know what you found!

Stayfree Maxi Pads, 14-24ct, Carefree Pantiliners, 36-60ct, or o.b. Tampons, 18ct $2.50
Buy 2, Get $2.00 UPR, Limit 4
Use $1.00/1 Stayfree, limit one coupon per person from SS 5/6
Or $.50/1 Carefree, limit one coupon per person from SS 5/6
Or $.75/1 o.b. product, excludes trial sizes, limit one coupon per person from SS 5/6
Pay $3.25, Get $2.00 UPR
Total: $.63 each wyb one Stayfree and one o.b. product

Thanks KCL

Great Deals for Walgreens: Week of 6/3-6/9

Walgreens Lansoprazole Acid Reducer, 14 ct.$6.00
Buy 1, Get $6.00 RR
Pay $6.00, Get $6.00 RR
Total: FREE

Kids’ Gummies Brainstrong DHA Supplements, 30 ct. $10.00
Buy 1, Get $10.00 RR
Pay $10.00, Get $10.00 RR
Total: FREE

Omega Smart Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega-3, 30 ct. $10.00
Buy 1, Get $10.00 RR
Pay $10.00, Get $10.00 RR
Total: FREE

Pediasure Sidekicks Clear Nutritional Drink, 8 pack, 6.8 oz. ea. $10.99
Buy 1, Submit $10.99 MIR from SS 6/3
Use $3.00/1 – PediaSure Product, Multipack – (bricks.coupons.com)
Pay $7.99, Submit $10.99 MIR
Total: FREE or Possible $3.00 Moneymaker

Goody Ouchless This Flex Headband, single medium or 2 pack, Barrettes, 2 pack $2.00
Buy 1, Get $2.00 RR
Pay $2.00, Get $2.00 RR
Total: FREE

Blue Diamond Almonds, 6 oz. $3.79
BOGO Free
Use $.60/2 Blue Diamond Almonds from SS 5/13
Total: $1.60 each wyb 2

Chunk Light Tuna, 5 oz. $.79
With in ad coupon, limit 6

Nice! or Deerfield Farms Seasonings, .5 to 5.25 oz. $.79
With in ad coupon, limit 3

Aquafresh Toothpaste, 6.4 oz. 2/$3.00 or $1.99 for 1
Use 2 $1.00/1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste or Iso-Active Foaming Gel, 4.3 oz. or larger, from RP 5/6
Total: $.50 each wyb 2

Thanks KCL

These are some our favorite deals this week at Walgreens, please let us know what you found!

Great Deals for CVS: Week of 6/3-6/9

Buy 4 Gillette Venus Oceana Disposable Razors, 3 ct $11.49, Online Price
Buy 2 Secret Antiperspirant Deodorant Solid Shower Fresh, 2.6 oz $3.29, Online Price
Spend $30.00, Get $10.00 ECB, Limit 1, 6/3-6/9
Use 2 B1G1 Gillette Venus or Daisy Disposable Razor, up to $14.99, excludes trial/travel sizes, limit 1 coupon per purchase, limit of 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from PG 6/3
and use 2 $2.00/1 Venus Disposable or Daisy Disposable, excludes trial/travel sizes, limit 1 coupon per purchase, limit of 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from PG 5/13
and use 2 $1.00/1 Secret products, excludes trial/travel sizes, limit 1 coupon per purchase, limit of 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from PG 6/3
Pay $23.56 Get $10.00 ECB, Submit $10.00 P&G Rebate found HERE
Total: $.59 each wyb 6 after MIR

Buy 4 Gillette Custom Plus3 Sensitive Razors, 4 ct $7.49, Online Price
Use 2 FREE Gillette CustomPlus 3 (4 ct), when you buy (1) Gillette Good News or CustomPlus 3, excludes trial/travel sizes, limit 1 coupon per purchase, limit of 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from PG 5/13
and use 2 $2.00/1 Gillette Mach3 Disposable Razor (excludes 1 ct), Sensor 3 or CustomPlus 3, excludes trial/travel sizes, limit 1 coupon per purchase, limit of 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from PG 5/13
Pay $10.98, Get $10.00 ECB
Total: $.25 each wyb 4

Crest Pro-Health Rinse, 1 liter or Whitening, 16 oz $5.99
Buy 1, Get $5.00 ECB, Limit 2
Use $.25/1 Crest Rinse 458mL or larger, excludes trial/travel size limit 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from PG 6/3
Pay $5.74, Get $5.00 ECB
Total: $.74

Men, Ladies Speed Stick or Stainguard $2.99
Buy 1, Get $2.00 ECB, Limit 1
Use $1.00/1 Speed Stick Antiperspirant/Deodorant or Lady Speed Stick Antiperspirant/Deodorant, excludes 2.0 oz, 1.4 oz, and 0.5 oz sizes from SS 5/20
Pay $1.99, Get $2.00 ECB
Total: FREE

Buy 3 Hershey’s Air Delight Chocolate Bars, 1.44 oz, $1.19, Reg. Price
Buy 3 Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars, 1.55 oz, $1.19, Reg. Price
B2G1 Free, Limit 9
Use 3 FREE Hershey’s Air Delight Aerated Milk Chocolate Bar, when you buy (1) Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar, max $1.09 from SS 5/20
Total: $.25 each wyb 6

Oral-B Adult Manual Toothbrush, 1 ct $2.77
Buy 1, Get $2.00 ECB, Limit 2
Use $.25/1 Oral B Pulsar, 3D White, Pro-Health Complete or (2) Indicator or Cavity Defense Toothbrushes, excludes trial/travel size limit 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from PG 6/3
Pay $2.52, Get $2.00 ECB
Total: $.52

Buy 2 Pure Protein High Protein Var, 1.76 oz $1.89, Online Price
BOGO 50% Off
Use 2 $1.00/1 – Pure Protein Product – (pureprotein.net)
Total: $.42 each wyb 2

Buy 2 Nature’s Bounty Vitamin D 400 IU Tablets, 100 ct $5.29, Online Price
BOGO Free
Use 2 $1.10/1 – Nature’s Bounty Vitamin or Supplement – (couponnetwork.com)
Total: $1.55 each wyb 2

Thanks KCL

These are some of our favorite deals for CVS this week, please let us know what you found!

Meals-On-The-Go Series: Turkey Tacos

Now, the great thing about tacos is that everybody has a favorite way of making and eating them.  This can make it a great on the go meal, to just bring the fixings with you that you’ve prepared ahead of time and let everybody make them how they want to.  Or you could pre-make them and wrap them in plastic wrap or foil for easier transport and less items to carry.

Here’s our favorite Turkey Taco recipe.

Ingredients:

Soft Taco Shells 10 ct. $1.69

1 lb. ground turkey $2.00

Taco seasoning (I only use a 1/2 packet, or just a small bit from Costco container) $.10

Refried beans (make your own or canned)$.50

Kidney beans (make your own or canned) $.25

3 TBS Shredded cheese $.12

2 leaves shredded lettuce $.07

1 tomato $.26

1 avocado$.88

any of your other favorite toppings

Total for 10 soft tacos = $4.99

Directions:

Brown ground turkey and add taco seasoning and water until mixed in.

Warm your tortillas and layer ingredients as you like them and wrap them up.  If I have any leftover ingredients we usually use them in a salad the next day.