Midweek Markdowns

Posted by kim on October 15, 2008

The presidental debate is boring me, so thought I’d share some hot deals and freebies! 

If you live near a Barnes & Noble,  get a FREE Tall Cappuccino (up to $3.20) – printable coupon is valid until 10/31! 

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Receive a FREE Campbell’s Select Harvest Soup Coupon
Text “TLC” (no quotes) to 467467 from your cell phone.
I had to respond with my home phone number for it to retreive my address and after I verified it was correct with a ‘Y‘, I got a text saying I would receive my free coupon in 2-4 weeks!

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Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys Recalled by Innovage Due to Fire and Burn Hazards – “Sky Scrambler” and “The Sharper Image” Wireless Indoor Helicopters have been recalled.  Click for details to receive refund.

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Amazon Deals! All of these deals are combinable! I’m starting to shop for Christmas!

$10 off $50 with Bill Me Later! Code: BMLSAVES

Free Month of Amazon Prime – receive unlimited FREE two-day shipping with no minimum size order – you can cancel at the end of the month with no obligation.

Free Cookie Magazine Subscription w/$25 Toy purchase! Note this…
If you would like a refund for your 24 month subscription (a $15 value) as part of your purchase, send a completed copy of this form with a copy of your Amazon.com order confirmation, within 30 days, to: Amazon Special Offer, PO Box 37722, Boone, IA 50037-0722  (Consider it a $15 rebate on a $25 order!)

FREE Select Toys (your choice) with $50+ purchase!

Bestsellers in Toys (updated hourly)
50% off Preschool Brands
60% off Hasbro Games for the Whole Family�
70% off Toys & Games!

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I stocked up on devil’s food and white cake mixes on clearance for 50¢ each at Walmart a few weeks ago.  I checked the expiration dates, as I have this thing that I can’t eat anything past the expiration date, and they are good well into 2009.  So, I thought I’d share some recipes that use cake mixes.

Melting Moments Bars
1 box Devil’s Food cake mix
1/4 cup water
2 eggs
1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup brown sugar
Mix together half of the cake mix with other ingredients then add remaining cake mix. Spread in 9×13-inch pan. Bake 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Quick and Easy Coffee Cake
1 box white cake mix
6 TBsp melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Prepare and bake cake mix according to directions on package. Drizzle melted butter over warm cake. Combine sugar, cinnamon (and pecans) and sprinkle over cake.

Cake Mix Bars
1 box cake mix (any)
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
6 ounces chips (chocolate, peanut butter, white, butterscotch, etc)
Mix first 4 ingredients in a bowl until almost all lumps are gone.  Add chips.  Bake in greased 9×13 pan at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. I’ve made several variations of this recipe as my kids can scarf down a pan of them in one setting.

Jello Cake
1 box white cake mix
1 box flavored gelatin (any flavor)
1 tub whipped topping
Prepare and bake cake mix according to directions on package.  Poke holes in warm cake. Boil 1 cup water. Dissolve gelatin in water. Add one cup cold water. Pour over cake. Cool. Spread cool whip atop. Enjoy!

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Happy Cinco de Mayo

Posted by kim on May 5, 2008

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “5th of May”) is not Mexico’s Independence Day as most Americans believe (that day is September 16th). According to Wikipedia, it’s a celebration in response to the resistance to French rule in Mexico.  The only state in Mexico to actualy observe Cinco de Mayo is Puebla.  In fact, more people in the United States celebrate the day to recognize Mexican culture.  There, you have your history lesson for the day!

Now that’s it’s May, school will be out soon!  I have been complaining all year about how much school lunches cost, but I’m afraid them eating at home for the summer (and me not liking to cook), we will spend more eating out!  Last month, our lunch bill was so high that I actually requested a print-out from the school thinking someone must be using our family number to eat!  No, it was simply my kids (one of the twins in particular) buying extra a la carte items (which I think should not be offered at all – make them eat the stuff on their tray).  I had a talk with her that there is no need to buy PopTarts (we have them at home), or bottled water (drink out of the faucet), or O’Henry Bars (ok, I would have probably bought one of those, too, but she bought 3 in one day).  I have a feeling the kids are going to get sick of frozen pizza within the first week they are home.

Consumer Reports Recalls If you have any of the following items, please call the phone number about getting a replacement/refund…
‘97-’03 GM Regal/Grand Prix (Call Buick 1-866-608-8080 or Pontiac 1-800-620-7668)
Avon Cozy Warming Polar Bear (Call Avon 1-877-217-0916)
Combi Infant Child Restraint System (Model # 4400, 4515, 4520) Call 1-800-543-7734
MagnaMan, Magtastik & Magnetix Jr magnetic toys (Call 1-800-779-7122)
16 pc Puzzle Track Play Set (QVC item T16876) Call 1-800-367-9444

Fuel Savings How to cut costs at the pump (from Consumer Reports)
Drive a moderate speed.
Drive smoothly.
Reduce unnecessary drag.
Don’t use premium fuel if you don’t have to.
Minimize driving with a cold engine.
Keep tires properly inflated.
Buy tires with lower rolling resistance.
Avoid idling for long periods.

As you can tell, I’m a big fan of Consumer Reports magazine.  Sure, I like the gossip and women mags as well, but the only magazines I actually pay to subscribe to are Consumer Reports and All You Magazine.  All the other dozens and dozens and magazines I get free.  You find a huge list of Free Magazine Subscription Offers here.

And don’t forget to check out Kim’s Top Online Deals for the week!  Adios!