Places to Visit to Keep Cool!

It's been miserably hot here in the South this week (over 100 degrees), and I can't even remember the last time we had rain. My lawn is crunchy now. My super athletic neighbor even cancelled her canoe trip because it is just too hot. So I thought I would share my list of places to go to keep cool!

1. Movie Theater - Many movie theaters have specials for kids during the summer. The movies may not be the most recent but the air conditioning is great.
2. Library - Most libraries not only have books but also computers for the kids to play games on. It's easy to spend an entire afternoon in quiet, cool peace.
3. Mall - Some malls even have a small indoor play ground for smaller children.
4. Local Recreation Center - If not free, often you can go without having a membership but just pay a small fee. There is usually an indoor and outdoor pool. Our Rec Center has a video game room where kids can gather and play video games.
5. Museum - Check your local museums for free days. In Nashville, the Tennessee State Museum is free and always has something interesting to see. It is housed in the bottom three levels of a building downtown below street level and is always frigid to visit.
6. Bowling Alley - You can usually find summer discounts for kids at your local bowling alley.
7. Skating Rink - Check out your local skating rink for discount days. Better yet, if you have an ice skating rink, go there!
8. Caving - If you are lucky enough to live near a cave and are feeling adventurous, the temperature underground is always cool. My kids love it.
9. McDonald's - Ours has an indoor air conditioned playroom! It also has wi-fi access.
10. Visit a Friend - Misery loves company. At least you have someone to complain about the weather with. Better yet, if your friend lives out of town in a cooler climate!

Free eBook for Kindle: Mad Science Institute

Amazon is offering Mad Science Institute for free currently. It is regularly 14.99 and appears to be a kid/teen pleaser novel.

Sophia "Soap" Lazarcheck is a girl genius with a knack for making robots-and for making robots explode. After her talents earn her admission into a secretive university institute, she is swiftly drawn into a conspiracy more than a century in the making. Meanwhile and without her knowledge, her cousin Dean wages a two-fisted war of vengeance against a villainous genius and his unwashed minions.

Separately, the cousins must pit themselves against murderous thugs, experimental weaponry, lizard monsters, and a nefarious doomsday device. When their paths finally meet up, they will need to risk everything to prevent a mysterious technology from bringing civilization to a sudden and very messy end.

Menu Plan Monday 6/25/12

Monday: Baked Tilapia and Fresh Spinach
Tuesday: Spicy & Creamy Chicken Enchiladas & Steamed Vegetables
Wednesday: Turkey Chili
Thursday: Maryland Shrimp Salad
Friday: Sour Cream Smothered Chicken & Crockpot Cheesy Spinach Casserole
Saturday: Greek Meatza & Sweet Potato Fries
Sunday: 40 Clove Garlic Chicken & Cheesy Zucchini with Garlic & Parsley

Link Love: $10 off School Uniforms at Amazon

Check out the post at Frugality is Free to learn how you can get $10 off of uniforms at Amazon!

Harris Teeter Super Doubles Trip Saved 77%

The best deals seem to be those with unusual coupons like what you get at your pediatrician's office, peelies, tearpads, or coupons that were sent to you by competitors. Now's a great time to dig out those odd high value coupons!

OOP: 20.39 (saving 77%)

3 Maxwell House Coffee Bricks, on sale $3.00
-(3) $1/1 MF Qs from mini coupon booklet found at Kmart (on coffee see here), doubled
Final Price: $1.00

3 Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls, 1.99
-(3) $1/1 MF Qs from mini coupon booklet found at Kmart, doubled
Final Price: Free

6 KC Masterpiece Bbq Sauce, on sale $1
-(3) $1/2 MF Qs, doubled
Final Price: Free

Blue Bunny Ice Cream, 6.59 BOGO
-$1/1 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: 1.30

3 Kraft Singles, 1.79
-(3) $1/1 MF Qs from tearpad found at Publix, doubled
Final Price: Free

4 Cabot Cheese, 3.15 BOGO
-(2) $1/2 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: .57 ea

3 Lysol Wipes, on sale 2.99
-(3) $1/1 MF Qs found at pediatrician's office, doubled
Final Price: .99 ea

Roman Meal Bread, 3.19
-$1/1 MF Q peelie, doubled
Final Price: 1.19

Almond Breeze Milk, 2.99
-$1/1 MF Q from Kroger homemailer, doubled
Final Price: .99

HT Cottage Cheese, 1.50

McCormick Allspice, 4.25 (wish I had had a coupon!)

Total before sales/coupons: 88.93
Sales: 29.20
Coupons: 39.34
OOP: 20.39 (saving 77%)

Crockpot Cheesy Spinach Casserole

I made this tonight and it was so good that I wanted to record it here so that I would always be able to find it!! I changed the original recipe a little so that it was more low-carb, and it was still fantastic.

Crockpot Cheesy Spinach Casserole

32 ozs spinach (frozen leaf, thawed not chopped, equals 4 boxes)
1 cup onion (chopped)
8 ozs low-fat cream cheese (cubed, can use regular, equals 1 box)
1 1/2 cups low fat cottage cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 eggs (beaten)
1/4 cup butter (cut)
1 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Spray your crock pot with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Add all ingredients to crock pot; mix well.
3. Cover and cook on low for about 4-6 hours, or 1 hour on high, then about 2 hours on low. Stir halfway through cooking time.
4. Stir again before serving.

Super Doubles at Harris Teeter Beginning Tomorrow

Here are some sites for you to check out for your shopping list!

Hip2Save
Southern Savers
Hot Coupon World
My Coupon Teacher
Moola Saving Mom

Menu Plan Monday 6/18/2012

Monday: Meatballs, Sauteed Mushrooms, Corn & Homemade Bread
Tuesday: Tilapia, Cucumber Salad & Pineapple Zucchini Bread
Wednesday: Moroccan Sweet Potato Stew & Tomato Salad with Basil and Feta Cheese
Thursday: Parmesan Dijon Chicken, Rice & Steamed Vegetables
Friday: Eat out with the Boy Scouts!
Saturday: Rosemary Pork Chops & Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake
Sunday: Quiche & Blueberry Pancakes

Link Love: Free Suave Naturals Shampoo at Walgreens

Check out Hip2Save's post on free Suave Naturals Shampoo at Walgreens! I've already done this several times today so I know it works! Better yet, you don't even need any coupons!

Kmart Grocery Shopping 6/15/12

Kmart's coupons policy is a bit whacky, and I'll be the first to admit that I have not mastered it. I am not even sure they have decided what exactly it is. First, you will need to be a Shop Your Way Rewards member (it’s FREE to sign up and you can do so online or in-store). Currently, if you spend $25 in groceries, they will double your first five coupons worth up to $1. There is also generally a free item coupon that you can get at the store or print online to use if you spend $25. Also, the meal deal is sometimes worth a shopping trip. Usually I am disappointed with my trip when I leave Kmart but the Pepsi deal was well worth it this time!

4 Pepsi Product 12 Packs, 4 for $11
-(4) $1/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: .75 ea

Hawaiian Punch, 2.89
-Free Hawaiian Punch WYB $25 in groceries Kmart Q
Final Price: Free

2 Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin, 2 for $10
Country Crock Mashed Potatoes, 3.49
-Kmart Meal Deal, Free Mashed Potatoes WYB 2 Tenderloins
Final Price: $10 total

Maxwell House Coffee, 12.99 (not a great deal, just needed)
-1.75/1 MF Q from Kroger homemailer
Final Price: 11.24

Total before savings: $44.67
Sales/coupons: 18.43
OOP: 26.24 (Saving 41%)

Publix Shop 6/15/12

I stopped in to get milk and just a few deals when I realized that my store had the $10 off of $50 gas card deal going on, so I had to add some things to get my total to $50!

2 Yosicle Popsicles, 3.75 BOGO
-(2) $1 off Yosicle product printable
Final Price: .88 ea

6 Simply Potatoes, 2.59 BOGO
-(6) .75/1 IP Qs
Final Price: .55 ea

4 Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, 1.29 ea
-(2) BOGO IP Qs
Final Price: .65 ea

2 Sundown Folic Acid, 3.79
-(2) $3/1 Publix Qs from Green Flyer
-(2) $1/1 MF Q peelies
Final Price: Free+

Gold Peak Tea, 1.79
-.50/1 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: .79

3 Lysol Sprays, 2.69 BOGO
-(3) $1/1 MF Qs from my pediatrician's office
Final Price: .34 ea

2 Emerald Breakfast To Go, 3.29 BOGO
-(2) $1/1 IP Qs
Final Price: .65 ea

2 Kelloggs Froot Loops, 2 for $5
-$1/2 IP Q
Final Price: $2 ea

Kellogg's Krave Cereal, 2.50
-.70/1 IP Q
Final Price: 1.80

Milk, 2.79
-$3/1 WYB 3 Kellogg's cereals peelie
Final Price: Free

4 Libby Corns, 1.19 BOGO
-$1/4 IP Q
Final Price: .35 ea

2 Dole Pineapple, .89 ea
-.45/2 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: .44 ea

4 Dole Smoothie Shakers, 1.99
-(2) $1.99/2 Publix Qs from Yellow Flyer
-(2) .55/1 MF Q blinkies (found this trip)
Final Price: .72 ea

2 International Delight Creamers, 2 for $5
-$1/2 MF Q blinkie (found this trip)
Final Price: $2 ea

Kraft Fresh Take Cheese, 2.99
-Free MF Q sent from Manufacturer
Final Price: Free

$50 Gas Card
-$10/$50 WYB $50 in Groceries Publix Q
Final Price: $40.00

Total before sales/coupons: $146.61
Sales: 27.79
Coupons: 50.47
OOP: $68.35 (Includes $50 gas card, saving 53% with gas card and 81% when subtracting the gift card)

Menu Plan Monday 6/11/2012

Monday: Lasagna
Tuesday: Spicy & Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
Wednesday: Beef and Cabbage Bake
Thursday: Caribbean Chicken Stew
Friday: Pork Tenderloin Medallions & Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake
Saturday: Pizza
Sunday: Spinach Turkey Meatloaf & Almost Loaded Baked Potato

Things you can make with junk!

This is Arcimbolt, my most recent robot creation made out of recycled objects. Can you name the parts I used?

For the Locals: Leiper's Fork Lawn Chair Theatre Summer Schedule

For those of you who enjoy watching movies outside (free) in the beautiful town of Leiper's Fork, HERE is the schedule of movies showing. Click on "Next Movie Showing" for a complete summer list.