The Frugal Beavers

CVS Trip 4-23-2012

leavingnobehind — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:22:56 +0000

I did a quick run to CVS and bought the following:

Transaction #1

Tampax Radiant 16 ct on sale @ $3.99, $1/1 Tampax 4-1 PG, $1/1 CVS coupon = Get $1 Extra Bucks

Zegerid OTC 42 ct on sale @ $24.99, $6/1 Zegerid 42 ct 4-22 SS = Get $8 Extra Bucks

Transaction #2

Bounty Paper Towels 12 ct on sale @ $9.99, used $8 Extra Bucks and $1 Extra Bucks

…and I paid $24.70 with tax. I saved $28.80!!!!

Crockpot Burritos

leavingnobehind — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:19:07 +0000

This is a Beavers’ family favorite. I love it because it is super easy! I have been using stew meat, only because I found a great deal at BiLo one day and stocked up. But I have done this with a roast. We also do this with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. It is very versatile. This recipe was inspired by my Aunt Gayle who served this to us on vacation. She did it with chicken and a jar of salsa. SUPER EASY! Since I can’t eat bell peppers I started making it with salsa ingredients minus the peppers. And since I like to change a recipe each time I make it, my Aunt Gayle’s chicken and salsa turned into this:

Crock-pot Burritos

FOR THE CROCK-POT

1 lb stew meat or beef roast or boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 tsp each: dried sage, dried oregano, dried cilantro, cumin

1/2 tsp red pepper

2 minced garlic cloves

1/2 med onion, chopped

1 can diced tomatoes (fire roasted, preferably) (I roast my own, recipe below)

1 cup baby bella mushrooms, chopped (optional, best with beef)

Place the meat in the crock-pot and top with ingredients above. Cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours.

TOPPINGS TO PREP FOR MEAL

(these are all according to your tastes)

Taco Shells or Tortillas

Re-fried Beans

Black Beans

Tomato, chopped

Avocado, chopped

Black Olives, sliced

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Bell Pepper, Chopped

Sour Cream

Once the meat has finished cooking the items above can be quickly prepared.

Oven Roasted Tomatoes

4 or 5 med tomatoes

salt

granulated garlic

Cooking spray

Cut the tomato into fourths (in half, then in half again). Using a spoon, scrape out the seeds. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray, place tomatoes, skin side down, on the baking sheet. Lightly sprinkle with salt and granulated garlic. Spray tomatoes with cooking spray and bake at 450 degrees for 30-45 min or until the tomatoes edges start turning black.

When the tomatoes are done I just toss them in with the already cooking meat in the crock-pot. Yummmmm……..

Enjoy!!!!!

Reorganizing My Thoughts, Priorities and Needs

leavingnobehind — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:51:08 +0000

I just added an update to my About Page, and I thought I’d post it here, too. Enjoy!

It’s been 1 year since I started this site. I have accomplished a lot in that year. We now have a very successful newspaper delivery business and I am a Direct Distributor with Juice Plus. I fully believe that my positive attitude has greatly impacted my success. When I started this site I really wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, locally. I worked many hours on coupon match-ups, local deals, freebies and internet deals. Soon, I realized I was trying to reinvent the wheel! There are so many sites that do all of this and do an excellent job. I can’t compete with them, nor do I want to. So, I’ve reorganized my thoughts, priorities and needs. I’ve made some changes to the site and the direction I will be taking it.

I also edited the closing paragraph above the photo. While coupons have been a true miracle in my life, I realized that I was buying things I didn’t need or wouldn’t normally buy just because it was an awesome deal. That lead to eating more processed foods. When I should have been losing weight (having just had a baby) I was gaining it! Now, let me be clear, I still saved a TON of money even buying things I didn’t buy before, I dramatically decreased our grocery budget. But, I started thinking, “If I didn’t buy those things I would have even more money for fruits, veggies and healthier foods.”

I’ve done a great job of feeding my daughter healthy foods despite Grandparents that want to feed her McDonald’s, criticizing friends and nation full of poisoned convenience foods. Recently, she has insisted that she eat some of what we are eating. I knew the day would come when we would have to give up the burgers and fries!!! I put my foot down, no more eating crap food in front of her. My husband can eat it at lunch, but Lilly and I are done! I just can’t put that terribly prepared food in her little body. It’s about time I consider my own body as important, huh?

So my next journey begins, incorporating healthy food and eating habits into our frugal life. I know, gibberish, right? I don’t think so. With Walmart’s Price Matching, I’ve really saved a lot of money on produce lately. I’ve been losing weight and changing my eating habits… (Thank You, Juice Plus). I’m considering this the next step in learning to be frugal and healthy. You must learn to crawl before you walk, right. Now that I can “coupon” with the best of them I am going to work on reorganizing my efforts. This will leave me with more time to work on something else that is near and dear to my heart, changing the health of our children.

Join me, take that step or any step towards frugality, health and happiness. We’re still frugal, but now we’re healthy!

Kellogg’s Gas Rewards Card $10

leavingnobehind — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:19:43 +0000

Get a $10 pre-paid Mastercard Gift Card from Kellogg’s by purchasing 10 designated products, filling out this rebate form and sending it in with the UPC’s…EASY! Get up to 5 per household! See my suggested match-ups below for maximized savings.

The How-To’s:

1. Send in 10 (ten) UPCs of participating Kellogg’s cereal.
2. Send in rebate form along with UPCs.
3. Receive your $10 pre-paid Mastercard by mail. Allow 90 days for delivery.
4. For ages 18 and above.
5. Limit one Official Order Form per envelope.
6. Letters must be postmarked by 4/30/2012 and received by 5/07/2012.
7. Limit (5) Kellogg’s Gas Rewards Cards per household.

Participating Products

Kellogg’s All-Bran Original
Kellogg’s All-Bran Bran Buds cereal
Kellogg’s All-Bran Complete Wheat Flakes cereal
Kellogg’s Smart Start Strong Heart Antioxidant cereal
Kellogg’s Corn Flakes cereal
Kellogg’s Raisin Bran cereal
Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Crunch cereal
Kellogg’s Crispix cereal
Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Gluten Free cereal
Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
Kellogg’s Low Fat Granola Original cereal
Kellogg’s Low Fat Granola without Raisins cereal
Kellogg’s Low Fat Granola withRaisins cereal
Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran cereal
Kellogg’s Mueslix cereal
Kellogg’s Product 19 cereal
*10 oz or larger, mix or match

Match-Ups

CVS

Kellogg’s Raisin Bran, Froot Loops or Apple Jacks Cereal 8.7-15 oz $2.00

Newspaper Coupons: 02-19 RP, 03-04 RP $1.00 off of 3, (10 oz or larger)

You pay: $1.66 per box

RITE AID

Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops, Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies Cereal 8.7-16.5 oz, buy 1 get 1 free at $1.75 each

Newspaper Coupons: 02-19 RP, 03-04 RP $1.00 off of 3, (10 oz or larger)

You Pay: $1.42 per box

BiLo

Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran, All Bran, Low Fat Granola 17-18 oz at estimated $3.99

Newspaper Coupons: 02-19 RP, 03-04 RP $1.00 off of 3, (10 oz or larger)

Publix Yellow Advantage flyer Coupons: Save $1.50 on any Kellogg’s All Bran, Cracklin’ Oat Bran or Low Fat Granola Cereal, 17-18 oz box (need 3 of these coupons for final price below)

You Pay: $2.16 per box (Publix coupons expire TODAY 3/16,)

A Little Inspiration Never Hurt

leavingnobehind — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:41:22 +0000

I’m a few days into my Healthful Journey and I feel great! I’ve found it much easier to make better choices in food. There is something about physically realizing the positive effects of whole food nutrition that make a person want more! I haven’t been perfect, and I don’t expect to be. Each day I wake up and make a conscious choice to do good things for myself. The first good thing I do is take my Juice Plus+. I started out with just making sure I did that one good thing. Now that I have made Juice Plus+ my routine I’ve added in one more good thing, my Juice Plus+ Complete Shake for breakfast. I load that sucker up with strawberries, blueberries and spinach, a bit of honey and cinnamon. SUPER YUMMY! Lilly still drinks about half of it, and I gladly give it to her. She needs good nutrition even more than I do (at least, that is how I feel). Usually, those two good things lead to better decisions for lunch, snacks and dinner. I’m not sure if I’ve lost weight, it’s still early. But, I know I feel so much better.

It seems as though my enthusiasm for the “new” Shanna has inspired one of my very close friends to find a new self. She’s decided to take Juice Plus+ to aid in her Healthful Journey. I am doing everything I can to be a great support for her. We need to do that for each other. In a conversation earlier today we decided to work on some menu planning ideas that will help busy Mom’s like us prepare healthy meals for our family. I am starting with tonight’s meal (which I need to get started ASAP). I’m doing Crock Pot Beef Tacos (for lack of a better name). I’ll let you know how it turns out.

It is so important for us busy Mom’s to take care of ourselves. We set the example not only for our babies and husbands but for other Mom’s. If I am doing something for myself and family that truly works I feel I have a responsibility to let other Mom’s know about it. I take the health of my child very seriously. And I am finally doing the same for myself. Taking my own health seriously has made it so much easier to teach Lilly about loving yourself and others. When you feel good you want everyone else to feel good, it’s inspiring to others, my very close friend showed me this these last few days. And so did my sister, by posting a delicious looking plate of whole foods that she was inspired to make. Truth be told, my Aunt Gayle inspired me to get going with her own Healthful Journey she posted on Facebook. For me, it all spiraled from there.

Have any of you made a decision to do something good for yourself? Let me know by leaving a comment. Each comment will go into the $25 Gift Card Drawing.

Here’s to our Healthful Journey’s!

Win a $25 Gift Card!

leavingnobehind — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 02:08:07 +0000

I have so much info to share and not many people to share it with! Lend me your ears! Sign up for my Newsletter (to the right) featuring local sales, steals and coupon deals, frugal living tips and couponing how-to and get an entry into a drawing to win a $25 Gift Card to Walmart or BiLo, your choice! Plus, in that newsletter and on my Facebook Page you’ll find additional ways to get multiple entries into the drawing. So, keep your eyes open.

(Fine print, spoken very quite and fast) Contest ends March 31, 2012 at midnight. Winner will be randomly chosen. We must have your full name and email address to be able to contact you and receive your prize. If you unsubscribe before the date the contest ends you will be disqualified and all of your entries will be removed.

Time for a Change

leavingnobehind — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:49:09 +0000

A little over a week ago I decided (with the help of Dr. Rick and Jan DuBois) that it was time to really work on getting healthier. As a Mom, wife, business woman, house cleaner, cook, TSBW Board Member, Green Bean Festival Chair Person, etc., I often find myself at a drive-thru window to get my food. I’ve been exhausted, crabby and just plain feeling yucky for some time. Since I’ve spent the better part of my life studying and experimenting with food and nutrition I know how to properly feed myself and my family. I’ve just been lazy about it. Except when it comes to Lilly, I make sure she eats healthfully. But I’ve neglected to consider my body as important to me as I consider hers. So, after a spirited conversation with the very generous and wonderful Dr. Rick and Jan DuBios I’ve decided to do a better job!

I intended to jump right in, but actually started slower than planned, and that’s ok. The DuBios’ gave me some samples of Juice Plus. I’ve been taking the concentrated fruit and vegetable capsules for 11 days now. I’ve also experimented with the Juice Plus Complete Shake. On the 4th day of taking Juice Plus I noticed in the morning that I felt different. I felt more energy than normal and a bit more clear headed (usually I need coffee to clear my crazy head!). And, speaking of coffee, I have not been craving it. In a conversation with my husband yesterday I also realized I’ve not been needing an afternoon nap, either.

In light of feeling better and remembering the wonderful benefits of plant based foods I’ve decide that today is DAY 1 of a healthier, more fit and energetic Shanna! Jan and I recorded my body measurements and weight yesterday. My Mom and I are going to challenge each other in weight loss. Come Summer I will have my pre-baby body back! And, I will set a good example for my daughter as she continues to learn what and how to feed herself.

Why use Juice Plus to help me? Really, for many reasons, but here are a few: Juice Plus has proven to be a tried and true way to assist people in staying healthy; they are not a new, fad company. Juice Plus offers me something a lot of other companies don’t – AFFORDABILITY! And my Juice Plus comes with an amazing, well renowned and decorated DOCTOR, Dr. Rick DuBios. He knows more about nutrition and the human body than I could ever dream of! He and his wife, Jan, truly are the reason I have started this journey.

Jan and I have come up with some great ideas to help me change my daily food habits. And I will share those ideas with all of you. See, before I was a Frugal Beavers teaching others how to save money and be frugal, I was a student and teacher of healthy lifestyles. In struggling to help my family recover from the economic downfall, I lost sight what has always been so important to me, healthy food and nutrition. Now I am excited to be relearning and diving back into my one true love (besides Lilly, of course). I will be exploring eating healthy while maintaining my frugality. And you will get the benefit of all of my hard work.

Are you willing to take this journey with me? I’d love to have some company. Go ahead and start today, now. Choose a nice, fresh salad for lunch today (that is what I will be having) instead of that fast food junk. Just making that one decision will make you feel better (no sluggish return to work and looking for a nap or coffee around 3pm). And tonight, bake some chicken breasts, steam some veggies and serve them over some brown rice or wheat pasta. Mmm…sounds good already, right?

(insert sound effect) Dun, dun, dun…

Ok, I didn’t want to do this but here is one of my soon to change numbers, 154.5, my weight. Now that that is over with I’m eager to watch it drop!

What will I eat today? For breakfast I had a Juice Plus Complete Shake with strawberries, spinach, cinnamon and honey. For lunch I will have a spinach salad with grilled chicken and tons of yummy, fresh veggies. And for dinner I am making a Veggie Lasagna with Chicken. (I have some yellow squash and zucchini that really needs to be used before it goes bad and I waste that money spent, gotta stay frugal!) What will you be eating today?

Winter Cleaning

leavingnobehind — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:21:20 +0000

It’s that time of year again. Yep, time to get back on the couponing horse. “What?”, you say? Yes, I’m guilty. I slacked off of couponing during the Christmas craziness. Thanks to my stockpile, I have only been to the grocery store for milk. I managed to survive all of the holiday parties and dinners by using food from my stockpile. No last minute runs to the store for something to bring, I had everything I needed at home. Love it!

Anyhoo, if you are like me, it’s been a few weeks since you have seen your coupon database. It is time to dive back in and clean out the expireds. If you use a binder this might take a while, but if you use my method all you need to do is pull up your favorite coupon database, scroll to the bottom and pull the inserts that no longer have valid coupons you might use. I, personally, keep all valid coupons, so my clean out process is pretty easy. Either way, get ready for January, it’s going to be a great month!!

Some great local shopping deals for Christmas!

leavingnobehind — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:52:00 +0000

Alexander’s Store and Seasons Flurries has shared these great deals with me for all of you to take advantage of:

(You can also find these and many others on my Local Savings page)

Seasons Flurries…At Pappy’s Marketplace in Blairsville

50% off all Christmas items (excluding Flags, wreaths, trees)

…also mention you saw this deal on The Frugal Beavers and receive 25% off your whole purchase!!!

Thursday – Sunday 11:00 – 5:00

Alexander’s Store – in Blairsville

Friday and Saturday ONLY: Take an additional 10% off at the register for Men’s and Ladie’s clothing and shoes. (Excludes Levi, Carhartt, Underarmour, Camouflage, and Vera Bradley)

Plus…

Miss Me Jeans $79.99
Not Your Daughter Jeans $79.99-$99.99
Men’s and Women’s Woolrich and Columbia 20% off
Men’s Chaps 50% off
Women’s Sunset Road 50% off
Women’s Ruby road,Aalfred Dunner, and Tribal 30% off
Jewelry Ruby Road and Treska 50% off
SELECT Vera Bradley 40% off
Etienne Aigner Purses 50% off
Jessica Simpson Purses 20% off
Silk Scarves 3 for $12.99
Toe Socks buy one get one free
Store Wide Markdowns!

Do you have a great deal to share? Email it to me at Shanna@TheFrugalBeavers.com and I will get it on my Local Savings page!

How I Use VistaPrint.com

leavingnobehind — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:10:51 +0000

UPDATE: See photo at bottom of post.

I just finished placing an order with VistaPrint.com using the same method I always do and it dawned on me, I should share this!

VistaPrint.com is great for any kind of marketing/printing (this is not a paid endorsement, I really do like and use them.)

They are always offering quite a few things FREE (my favorite word). When I place an order I usually get as many of the FREE items as I can or need. Right now they are offering FREE Christmas Cards and Calendars. Plus they always have FREE Basic Business Cards. I decided to take advantage of their offer today. I took a screen shot of my completed order.

As you can see, I was able to get some pretty cool stuff for very little money. If you stick with the basics, their designs, you can pay even less than I did. They do charge a fee for uploading a picture, but once it is uploaded you can use it in anything you want (ie: a business logo or photo) without being charged again.

So, when I place an order I add one of everything I want (you can one of a FREE item per order). I choose “slow” shipping because it is the cheapest. In reality, I tend to get my order within 7-10 days even though they want you to think it will take 21 days.

If I want more, I just go right back to VistaPrint.com and add one of everything that is FREE that I want to order more of. I repeat that process until I am done!

In this pic you can see that I did not get another Large Window Decal or Return Address Labels (didn’t need more of those). With the exception of the $4.49 they charged for printing on the back of my business cards there were no charges for the other items.

For $40.17 I got 20 personalized Christmas Cards with Lilly’s photo and envelopes, 500 Business Cards, 2 Desk Calendars – including 13 photos and personalized captions, 140 Christmas themed Address Labels, and a Large Window Decal for advertising my business on my car! Shipping included!!!!

Merry Christmas to me!

UPDATE: It took just over 1 week to receive my VistaPrint order. Definately not the 21 days they said it would take by choosing the “slow” shipping option (the cheapest option). The picture below shows what all I got for $40!