For The Love of Jah

Quick Finds...Walgreens, Target, & Giant

I know...I know. I promise to get in a Soap Box on how things are going with the house soon. I'm extremely behind on my coupons. I have been clipping for 3 days and I'm still not really ready to go to a store yet. But here are a few deals I do know of:

Walgreens:
Kellogg's Cereal 12-15oz boxes 2/$4
~Use $1/2 MQ
Total: $1.50/box

Gain Detergent $5
~Use $2 off Gain or Tide MQ
Total: $3

Giant:
Giant Drumsticks, Thighs, & Leg Quarters $.99cent/lb
no coupon needed (great time to stock the freezer)

Era Detergent $2.99
~Use $1/1 MQ
Total: $1.99/bottle

Target:
Colgate Optic White Toothpaste $2.99
~Use $1.50/1 MQ
~Use $1/1 Target Web
Total: $.49cent/box after coupons

These blurbs will get better as I get back into the swing of things. If you are getting a deal or know of a great internet printable (IP), share it by posting a comment below. Thanks.

Soap Box: Submitting To The Lifestyle

So I'm taking a moment to be truly and openly honest with myself (and all of you). Ive got to do some things differently if I am going to truly enjoy my life. I can no longer continue living the More Than A Super Woman life, ie: wife, mother, military spouse, event planner, blogger, social media expert, medic, driver, personal chef, and more.

Although I can do it all, doing it all half way, really isn't my style. I have to face the fact that I have moved to a new area. It took 5 years to build the Ambiance reputation in the Mid-South, it will likely take 5 more for the DMV. I must also face the fact that my husband is deployed, seriously cramping my work schedule. Part time, will be the best I can invest to my business until his return, maybe longer. I have to submit to the fact that I am a stay-at-home mother first!!! My son has food allergies, asthma, and eczema. I AM at his beck and call, even when he is at school. Again, reminding me part-time is the best I can give to anything else.

I don't know if you understand how much this pains me but I must continue to remind myself "in order to give my best, I must give less."

So note to self: although you would like to run the world...now, unfortunately, is not your time.

If you had to be real with yourself this week, what would you say?

FREE Bowling All Summer Long!

How in the world did I let this slip my mind? We participated in this last year and am signing up again today. Kids can bowl 2 games FREE everyday, all summer long. CLICK HERE to get more info on how you can get your little ones signed up and even a discount for family.

Deals For the Week

Heading to Bloom? Be sure to pick up a few boxes of Pillsbury Brownies. They are only $1/box. Use your $1/2 Pillsbury Traditional Brownie flavors and snag for only $.50cent/box. I'm certain there will be some school celebrations that these will come in handy for.

Bloom also has Ragu Spaghetti Sauce on sale for $1.39/jar. It's not the very best sale but it's not the worst either. Most other stores (Walgreens, CVS, and Giant) have the sauce on sale for $1.50-$1.66/bottle. Use your $1/2 Ragu coupon and grab a good deal for only $.89cent/jar. I went ahead and scooped 4 jars although I wish it was $1/1 jar. Then again, I wish every was, lol.

Heading to Giant? Make sure Butterball Turkey Bacon is on your list. It's 10/$10 (still only $1/pk). Use your $1/1 Butterball Turkey Bacon coupon and stock up for only $.50cent/pack. Turkey Bacon freezes well and can be used for breakfast or BLT's. A great savings.

Giant also has the Barilla Pasta on sale $1/box, including the Piccolini. Use your $1/2 coupon and grab a few boxes for only $.50cent.

This week's sale end today at Giant. You have until Monday to shop at Bloom. Get your game plan together and plan to save big.

Ground Turkey Recall

I learned this morning about a recall on Ground Turkey. CLICK HERE to get more details on the recall, as well as, brand associated with it. Stay Healthy FTLOJ friends.

Sales Tax Holiday

The Sales Tax Hoilday is coming up, August 5th-7th. And although I avoid it like the plague, there is no reason for you not to grab some great deals. Here are 3 tips to surviving the tax free weekend:

1. Make A Plan. Decide in advance what you are shopping for. Go to the store the day prior so that you can locate the items you are looing for easily. Doing this will cut down on your shopping time and hopefully how long you'll stand in line.

2. Go Early. The old saying is true, the early bird gets the worm. The earlier you go, the better your chances of having first choice at the items and/or sizes you need.

3. Have Patience. Treat yourself to your favorite coffee drink and be in no hurry. Expect it to be like Black Friday and you'll be mentally ready for overcrowded stores, rude patrons, chaotic parking lots, and long lines.

These are the best ways to get the deals you need and still be excited about your savings when you leave. As always, best of luck and happy saving.

Recipe Of The Week: Homemade Jam

I bought Ball Freezer Cups to use as cups for the man child because they have the lids. But I found this recipe on the package and thought, "Why Not?". It sounds easy enough. So the man child and I went to the farmers market and got fresh peaches for our jam.

INGREDIENTS:
*4 cups crushed fruit (apricots, berries, cherries, grapes, pears, plums or other tender fruit)
*1 1/2 cups sugar or SPLENDA, granulated
*1 pk Ball Instant Fruit Pectin

1. STIR sugar and pectin in a bowl.
2.ADD crushed fruit. Stir 3 minutes.
3.LADEL jam into clean jars to fill line. Twist on lids. Let stand until thickened, about 30 minutes.

You can enjoy your homemade jam for up to 3 weeks in the fridge or freeze it for up to 1 year. I may never buy jam/jelly again. Another tip from BALL, says that you can use frozen fruit but let it thaw in the fridge until soft enough to mash with potato masher (some ice crystals may remain). I'm so excited and hope you will join me in whipping up a batch this week.

Post a comment letting me know what flavor you'll make or your experience using the recipe. I'm looking forward to sharing tips and ideas that may make it even better or which flavors don't work so well.

***PLEASE NOTE FRIENDS: If this even tastes remotely good, it's what you all are getting for Christmas.