Six Free Study Items to Motivate Your Kids
Whether your child is going through standardized school testing or taking exams and tests for classes, this time of year can be stressful for everyone. Lighten the mood with these free study goodies: personalize a notebook with one of 24 designs and your own text to fit your child’s style. A lucky pen will help remind any kid that his parents believe in him! Click here to take a look at the goodies–they’re free, just pay shipping.
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Free “Lorax” Educational Materials
Even at the “mature” age of 11, my Zachie and MacLean still love anything Dr. Suess, so I’m picking up these free “Lorax” educational materials. Interested? Download a free Dr. Suess Lorax Preschool Printable Pack here.
Thanks 2 Teaching Mommies!
Be Part Of A New Diabetes Study
There’s been some exciting advances on the medical front that’s battling diabetes, and if you’re in the middle of your own fight with the disease, there’s some interesting news. They’re looking for candidates for a new study, and if you’re accepted, you’ll get up to $1,000.00 compensation as well! Interested? Click the box above to sign up. Good luck!
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New Baby Coupons…
…not for a new BABY, of course.
75¢ off when you buy any FOUR Gerber® Graduates® Fruit Pick-Ups™ or Graduates® Veggie Pick-Ups™
75¢ off when you buy any FOUR Gerber® Grabbers™ Pouches
75¢ off when you buy any FOUR Gerber® Graduates® Breakfast Buddies™ Hot Cereal, any variety
$0.75 off any JOHNSON’S® Baby Lotion product
$1.50 off DESITIN Soothing Rash Bath Treatment
$2.00 off one package of GOODNITES® Underwear (Jumbo Pack or larger)
$1.00 off two Daily Renewal® Naturals Brand Baby Product
$1.50 off On Any Triple Wash®
$1.50 off On Any Triple Cream®
$1.50 off any Triple Paste®
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Baked Banana French Toast
Got this absolutely exquisite dish from the beloved Bakerella girls. If you haven’t had their cupcakes, you must put aside any other ambition and make it your life’s work to consume one.
Baked Banana French Toast Cups
1 small loaf french bread
4 eggs
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 large banana
6 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter
Powdered sugar
Maple syrup
- Coat six 4 oz. ramekins with non-stick spray.
- Cut french bread into 18 slices. Cut them about 1/2 – 3/4 inch thick. Make sure three will fit in each dish easily.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, milk, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla until blended.
- Place sliced bread in bowl to coat.
- Place three slices of bread into each dish.
- Cut banana into 12 or more slices. Coat slices with mixture and then dip coated bananas in 2 tablespoons brown sugar and stuff in between bread.
- Transfer dishes to a baking sheet. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight.
- When you are ready to bake, mix together remaining 4 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon butter and sprinkle over bread.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.
- Enjoy warm with powdered sugar and maple syrup.
- Makes six.
Easy Maple-Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
Since my wonderful sister-in-law Jennifer is visiting from the East Coast with her adorable daughters Stephanie and Beth, I wanted to come up with something yummy for breakfast to prove I wan’t completely feeble in the kitchen. (Editor’s note: okay–you and I know I’m feeble in the kitchen, but let’s not tell them, shall we?)
Maple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls –Makes 8
Ingredients
FOR THE FILLING
3/4 cup (191 grams) brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
3/4 cup chopped pecans
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter, melted
FOR THE DOUGH
3 cups (381 grams) all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons (38 grams) sugar
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (250 ml) buttermilk
6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup (83 ml) maple syrup
FOR THE ICING
2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons (45 ml) maple syrup
1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 ml) milk
1 cup (125 grams) confectioners’ sugar
To make the filling: Combine all of the dry ingredients in a small bowl. Add the melted butter and stir with a fork until the mixture looks like wet sand. Set aside.
To make the dough: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees (220 C). Brush a 9-inch cake pan with 1 tablespoon of the melted butter.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the buttermilk, syrup, and 2 tablespoons of the melted butter, and stir until just combined. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead until smooth (it will still be very soft and a little sticky, but will be smoother and less lumpy). Place in a lightly floured bowl, cover, and chill for 20 minutes.
Once chilled, flatten the dough into a rectangle about 12 X 8 inches. Pour 2 tablespoons of the melted butter on and spread around with your fingers. Pour the filling over the dough and spread it evenly over the top, leaving about a 1/2 inch or so border around the outside edge. Press the filling down to pack it on top of the dough.
Starting on the long side of the dough, roll the side up, pressing as you go, to create a tightly rolled log (be gentle, as this will likely stick to the counter a bit). Pinch the seam closed and lay the log seam side down. Cut into 8 even pieces, and transfer each roll to the prepared cake pan. Brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Bake for 20 to 23minutes, until golden brown.
To make the icing: In a medium bowl, cream the butter and add the sugar. Mix until the sugar and butter start to come together a bit. Add the syrup and whisk well, until the mixture is smooth. If it is too thick, add a teaspoon or so of milk to loosen it up.
Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Pour the icing over the rolls. Serve warm.
These will keep in an airtight container for about 3 days.
Thank you, Bakingdom.com!
The Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes
So cold today here in my corner of the world that I wanted to knit little sweaters for the icicles. Craving something home-y and thumbed through the Fannie Farmer Cookbook for this little gem–the Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes. (Editor’s note: I renamed them “Ultimate” because of one ingredient change. You’ll agree with me.)
Ingredients:
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C).
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Butter a 1 1/2 quart casserole.
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Cover the bottom of the casserole with a single layer of potatoes, then a thin layer of Brie.
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Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, flour and a few dots of butter.
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Repeat until all of the potato slices are used.
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Pour milk over the potato slices until the top is almost covered.
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Dot with the remaining butter
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Bake for 1 hour or until the potatoes are soft.
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The Brie on the top layer will crisp nicely along with the potato slices–looks very pretty.
Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/fannie-farmers-scalloped-potatoes-15038#ixzz1mxxLNGTI
Up To 100 Free Tokens For Your Chuck E. Cheese Birthday Party!
<deep breath> Gearing up for the twin’s birthday is one of the most emotionally tramuatizing events of my life as a mother, and if you feel the same, I do have an option for you. No, not a Xanax, but Chuck E. Cheese is offering a big fat pile of tokens if you reserve your kiddo’s birthday party online. You’ll pick up 20 free tokens, or a galactic 100 extra for a Friday or Saturday birthday party. Someone else does the work. Someone else cleans up. Priceless. Click here to take a look at the offer.
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Coconut Cloud Cake–Glorious…Utterly…
Attempted dessert tonight in honor of Valentine’s Day. (Editor’s note: you’ll be pleased to hear that nothing exploded and I have only one small burn on my left arm. See how I sacrifice for you? Okay, it really wasn’t for you. I was attempting to get The Todd back for laughing when my sister called me “kitchen-challenged.”)
Coconut Cloud Cake
Ingredients
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For the Cake
- 1 cup sifted cake flour
- 1 1/2 cups superfine sugar
- 14 large egg whites (1 3/4 cups), room temperature
- 1 tablespoon warm water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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For the Seven-Minute Frosting
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 5 tablespoons cold water
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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For the Topping
- 3 to 4 cups flaked coconut
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. With a fine sieve, sift together flour and 3/4 cups sugar four times.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed, beat together egg whites and water until foamy. Add salt, cream of tartar, and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. Increase speed to medium-high and sprinkle in remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat until stiff but not dry.
- Transfer to a large bowl. In six additions, sift dry ingredients over meringue, folding in quickly but gently.
- Pour batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan with removable bottom. Smooth top with an offset spatula. Run a knife through batter to release air bubbles. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown and springy to touch.
- Invert pan on its legs or over the neck of a glass bottle, and let cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Make the frosting: In the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over a saucepan of simmering water, combine egg whites, sugar, water, and cream of tartar. Cook over medium heat, whisking frequently, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is foamy, about 5 minutes.
- Attach the bowl to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat the mixture on high speed until glossy and voluminous, about 7 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.
- Carefully run a long offset spatula or knife around the inner and outer perimeter of the cake pan to release cake.
- Place on a plate, bottom side up. Using a long serrated knife, carefully slice off 1 1/2 inches from the top of the cake, being sure not to break the layer. Set aside. Cut out a 1-inch-wide, 1-inch-deep channel halfway between the center and edge of cake. Spread icing into channel and over entire layer. Sprinkle with coconut.
- Gently place reserved layer on top and ice with remaining frosting. Sprinkle with coconut and serve immediately.
Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart.com
Celebrate Valentine’s Day–On The Cheap
I’m the last person to judge a soul for holding back on a giftie because they’re broke–but all of these ideas can show your love without pulling out your wallet. (Editor’s note: maybe fish around in the couch for the spare change, that should do it.)
Bath & Body Works – Free Signature Collection Travel-size item Valid 2/14 – 2/20 (no purchase needed)
Ben & Jerry’s – Free sample of Ben & Jerry’s Americone Dream ice cream on Valentine’s Day
Hallmark Gold Crown Stores – Buy One Get One Free Greeting Card Expires 2/15
Krispy Kreme – Purchase one dozen doughnuts & receive 12 coupons for free doughnuts
Qdoba – Buy One Get One Free Entrees on Valentine’s Day
Quiznos – FREE cookie on Valentine’s Day (no purchase needed)
Redbox — Free movie rental on Valentine’s Day
Restaurant.com – 80% off restaurant gift certificates (get a $25 gift certificate for $2) with coupon code: SWEETIE at checkout.
Safeway – Save $5 when you buy 3 Hallmark Cards (thru 2/14)
If you’re heading to dinner tonight or this weekend, check out the big list of restaurant coupons & deals!
Free Bath & BodyWorks Goodie
Click “Like” on the Bath & Body Works Facebook Page and send a card to a friend and they’ll get a coupon for a free travel-sized item at Bath & Body Works. No purchase necessary.
Girl Scout Cookie Recipes–Free Cookbook!
I’m not sure I’m prepared to handle the power of knowing how to make my own Samoas, but if you are, click here to download the new “All-Free Copycat Recipes: Girl Scout Cookies” cookbook. Mind you, this does not excuse you from purchasing several boxes when that sweet little Girl Scout shows up on your doorstep.
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Free Valentine’s eCookbooks and Craftbook
Click here to download a free Valentine’s Day cookbook–22 different dessert recipes to spice up the holiday
I love the free Favecraft books because they offer projects so simple that I can usually find the materials needed laying around the house. Click here to download.
Because I feel you really can’t have enough desserts, here’s another excellent free cookbook from Mr. Food. Click here.
Valentine’s Heart-Shaped Pie Pops
Oh, don’t act all shocked–we both know that the kitchen for me is where “that cold box is.” I do bestir myself for baking on occasion, because my only real culinary skill is a rather magnificent pie crust. Since I’m making Valentine’s Day Pie Pops, I thought you might want to try them, too…
First, the crust…
Perfect Pie Crust Recipe
- Prep time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
One of the secrets to a flaky pie crust is to work with very cold butter. Cut the butter into cubes and freeze, at least 15 minutes, best over an hour or even overnight. The minute I even think I might want to make a pie, the first thing I do is cut some butter into cubes and put it in the freezer.
Ingredients
All Butter Crust for Sweet and Savory Pies (Pâte Brisée)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 8 ounces) unsalted butter, very-cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 6 to 8 Tbsp ice water
Method
1 Combine flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor; pulse to mix. Add butter and pulse 6 to 8 times, until mixture resembles coarse meal, with pea size pieces of butter. Add ice water 1 Tbsp at a time, pulsing until mixture just begins to clump together. If you pinch some of the crumbly dough and it holds together, it’s ready. If the dough doesn’t hold together, add a little more water and pulse again. Note that too much water will make the crust tough.
2 Remove dough from machine and place in a mound on a clean surface. If you want an extra flaky crust, shmoosh the dough mixture into the table top with the heel of the palm of your hand a few times. This will help flatten the butter into layers between the flour which will help the resulting crust be flaky. You can easily skip this step if you want. Gently shape the dough mixture into two disks. Work the dough just enough to form the disks, do not over-knead. You should be able to see little bits of butter in the dough. These small chunks of butter are what will allow the resulting crust to be flaky. Sprinkle a little flour around the disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour, and up to 2 days.
Ingredients
- 4 cups pitted tart red cherries
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Directions
- Place cherries into a saucepan over medium heat, and cover the pan; heat cherries until they release their juice and come to a simmer, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir often.
- In a bowl, whisk the sugar with cornstarch until smooth; pour the mixture into the hot cherries and juice, and thoroughly combine. Return to low heat, bring to a simmer, and cook until the filling has thickened, about 2 minutes; remove from heat, let cool, and use as pie filling.
My pictures for the actual assembly of said Pop Pies decided to not to transfer, so here’s a picture of the finished product again…Assembly
- Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out two crusts per pop. Lay one shape flat, then gently press the pop stick on at the base.
- Add 1 tbsp of cherry filling–if you use too much it leaks out and looks like your Pie Pop is bleeding.
- Lay the top heart shape over the filling
- With a fork, gently press the edges together.
- Bake the pops for approximately 20 minutes–I baked four pops per cookie sheet.
- LET COOL for a good hour before removing from the pan or rack.
- Decorate as you like–I tied pink bows on the sticks.
$10.00 Gift Card For 1-800-FLOWERS & 2 Movie Tickets
Prep for Valentine’s Day now with today’s Eversave deal–a $10.00 gift card for 1-800-FLOWERS and two movie tickets. Movie date for you and the spouse, and a discount on flowers. I always send flowers to Miss Virginia (The Todd’s mom) and my mother for Valentine’s Day. Heaven knows they deserve more for putting up with us. It’s a $36.00 value, click here to order.
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$7.00 Tena Coupon
The TENA coupon has reset and is now good for up to $7 off any TENA product!
Thanks, Carla!
250 Premium Business Cards For $10.00–Shipped!
Premium Business Cards from Vistaprint have more uses than just the traditional business contact card we think of! Moms can use them to create blank cards with a simple titles like “Mom’s Clues” and use them for jotting down clues for fun activities or creating trivia contests for kids to keep occupied. Design a card with a pretty design and a blank backside and have your kids create their own memory game. They can draw 2 each of a variety of pictures, shuffle them, and flip them over 2 at a time to test their memory. We use these as family contact cards for play dates. Right now you can get 250 premium cards for $10 including shipping!
Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!
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Free Valentine’s Day Dessert Recipe Book
Click Mr. Box above to download a free Valentine’s Day cookbook–22 different dessert recipes to spice up the holiday.
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Free Food & Wine Daily Subscription
I love “Food & Wine” magazine, but I’m all for a free option. Click here to download a big pile of healthy food and wine recipes, and you’ll be subscribed to free daily updates with recipes, coupons and special offers.
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Free Tax Prep Services
Since Uncle Sam is certain to take a big fat bite in taxes this year, at least you can save a little on preparing your returns, eh? Mind you, these options work only on an extremely simple return. Here’s 3 free options:
H&R Block Free Edition • This is for taxpayers with simple returns. For more information, go to HERE.
Turbo Tax Free Edition • Tax-prep software company Intuit offers this option, also for fairly simple returns. Go to HERE for details.
In-store at Walmart • Select locations nationwide are offering free preparation of simple tax forms through a partnership with H&R Block and Jackson-Hewitt Tax Service, good only on 1040EZ forms. For more information, go to HERE.
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FREE Kitchen Design Service From Home Depot
SUCH a good idea! Home Depot will send a designer to your home to help you redesign your cabinets by resurfacing them–so much cheaper than an entire overhaul and really beautiful. The designer service is free, and then you’ll pick up discounts and special deals on your material from Home Depot. Click on Mr. Orange Box to learn more.
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Free eBooks!
How nice is it that you don’t actually need a Kindle to download free Kindle books? There’s free apps now for your uPhone, iPad and PC to download literature. Here’s an excellent one current offered free: for a limited time, Amazon.com is offering How to Unspoil Your Child Fast: A Speedy, Complete Guide to Contented Children and Happy Parents. Go HERE to download this book. For a list of other free Kindle books, including Organized Simplicity and 5 Minute Recipes, go HERE. Remember, you don’t need a Kindle to read Kindle books. You can read them on any of a host of other devices. Go HERE for more information.
Thanks, One Cheap Chick!
Free Weight Loss & Fitness Support
It’s mid-January, which means no matter how hard we’ve all been working on our fitness goals, it’s easy to get discouraged. And after the financial drain of the Holidays, the last thing you may feel like investing in is yourself. All the more reason that you must, my friend! (Editor’s note: trust me, I’m giving myself the same lecture.) At least get started with some free and/or cheap options to give yourself the tools to succeed.
Exercise & Fitness:
Get a free week’s pass to 24 Hour Fitness–I love this one because with my schedule, 3am might be my only chance to work out! Click here toprint your pass and find your closest location.
Curves has always been one of my favorite fitness options. Just girls, incredibly supportive atmosphere, and you can print out a guest pass here that’ll only cost $10.00 to try them out.
Are you a “stay at home and do it on my own” sort? The Biggest Loser has an amazing “Home Coach” program that you can try out for 2 weeks for a mere $1.95. Click here to learn more.
Healthy Meal Plans & Recipes:
Sometimes just trying something new makes a diet bearable. Click above to download Fave Diets–find some cheap new options–in both calories and cost.
Back to new and tasty–more low-calorie recipes from Mr. Food by clicking above.
Another free cookbook from Fave Diets–still low cal, but very quick to make. Click above to download.
My girlfriend Patti subsisted almost entirely on Crystal Light during her diet. Click the box above to order your own for free.
Remedy Life is one of the best companies for excellent freebies and a free magazine full of health and wellness inspiration. Click the box above to sign up.
Women Freebies is as simple as it sounds–free high-quality samples from name brands you like. I included them because so far this month, I’ve received weight loss supplements, vitamins, an exercise band and some low-cal drinks. Not bad, eh? Click the box above to sign up.
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Friday’s Motivation Moment
Recycle Your Old Iphone & Make Some Cash
I’ve heard from a lot of girlfriends about new Iphones for gifts over the Holidays, so I’m guessing there’s now a lot of old cell phones thrown into junk drawers today. If your drawer Where All Things Gather is currently housing one, there’s a new service I like: ship off broken or unbroken phones for cash. IphonesforCash.com will recycle your old cell and you end up with a bit of spending money. Not bad, eh? Click here to learn more.
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Free Week Pass To 24 Hour Fitness
Need a little help kick-starting that fitness program? Don’t we all, honey… 24 Fitness is offering a free week pass to try them out and see if it’s a good fit for you. Click here to learn more.
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Free Package Tracking & Return Service
Based on that truly awful video of a Fed Ex delivery guy simply tossing a hugely expsensive tv monitor over a fence that went viral this week, I’m guessing we’ll see several new signups for UPS My Choice. It’s a free service that tracks your packages, allows you to “sign” for things via a text and handles all of your returns with pickup and delivery. I’m guessing this will really come in handy around the Collard house for post-Christmas purchase regrets. Click here to sign up, once again, the service is free.
Holiday Diabetic Cookbook
I know it can be infuritating to watch everyone else chow down on forbidden foods–but when you’re managing diabetes, there’s still options f0r yumminess. Click here to order the new Diabetic Holiday Cookbook & Recipe Guide. It’s free, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you can eat, rather than what you can’t.
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Bonus With Gift Card Purchases
It was offical in 2008–people bought more gift cards than actual gifts. Honey, I was totally the one to knock it over the edge. Let ‘em buy what they want. If you’re shopping for those little plastic wonders, there’s additional bonus cards with purchase this year. You could pad those Christmas stockings a bit more, eh?
KMART
Is offering a free $5.00 gift card with any in-store or online purchase of at least $50. Go HERE for more information about this promotion, which is good through Saturday, Dec. 17.
Target
A free $10.00 gift card with the purchase of at least $75.00. Go HERE for details of Target’s offer, which is good from 5 p.m. Friday through noon Saturday.
Aeropostale
Spend $100.00 receive a free $25 eCard (online only)
AMC Theatres
Get a $5 Concession Card for every $30.00 that you spend on AMC gift cards
Barnes and Noble
Buy $100.00 in gift cards, receive a $10 eGift Card free
Ben & Jerry’s
Get a free scoop of ice cream when you buy a $10.00 gift card
Benihana
Receive a $10 Promotional Card when you buy $50.00 worth of gift cards
Best Western
Earn a $10 gift card for every $100.00 Travel Card that you buy
Black Angus
Get $5 in Bonus Bucks for every $50.00 in gift cards that your purchase
Bonefish Grill
Buy $100.00 worth of gift cards, get a $20 bonus card
California Pizza Kitchen
Purchase $100.00 in gift cards, and receive a $20 Rewards Card
Carl’s Jr.
Get a free $6 burger when you purchase a $20.00 gift card
Carrabba’s
Purchase $100.00 in gift cards, get an extra $20 gift card
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Receive a $10 bonus card for every $50.00 in gift cards purchased
Children’s Place
Get a $10 ecard for every $40.00 ecard that you buy
Chipotle
Spend $30.00 on gift cards get a free burrito, bowl or, salad or order of tacos
Claim Jumper
Receive a $10 Reward Card for every $50.00 in gift cards that you buy
CVS
Get a $5 e-gift card for every $25.00 in e-gift cards that you buy. Can be used online or in store.
Famous Dave’s BBQ
Buy a $25.00 gift card, get a $5.00 rewards card. In store only
Dell
Get a $75 eCard for every $400.00 in eCards that you buy
ExxonMobil
Purchase $100.00 in gas cards, get a $10 gas card
Fleming’s Steak House
Get a free $20 gift card for every $100.00 gift card that you buy
Food City
Score $15.00 off your next purchase when you buy $150.00 in gift cards. Certain gift cards excluded
Fuddruckers
Receive a $5 gift card for every $25.00 in gift card purchases
Half Price Books
Get a $5 coupon when you buy a $25.00 gift card
Hardee’s
Get a free 1/4 lb Little Thickburger when you buy a $20.00 gift card
IHOP
Give a $25.00 gift card, and get $5 off your next visit
Jamba Juice
Buy a $25.00 gift card, get a free 16 oz. smoothie
Joe’s Crab Shack
Score $5 in Bonus Bucks for every $25.00 in gift cards that you buy
Lettuce
Get a $25 bonus certificate for every $100.00 in gift cards that you buy. Good at 40 restaurant brands
L.L.Bean
Place a $50.00 order, and get a free $10 gift card
Maggiano’s Little Italy
Spent $100.00 on gift cards, get a $20 Bonus card, plus a subscription to Food & Wine Magazine
Marriott
Buy $250.00 or more in gift cards, receive a free $50 Hertz gift card
Max and Erma’s
Get a $5 Bonus Holiday Card for every $25.00 in gift cards
Morton’s Steakhouse
Buy $500.00 in gift cards, get $100. Buy $300 in gift cards, get $50.00
Ninety Nine
Spend $25.00 on gift cards, and receive a $5 bonus card
Noodles & Company
Score a free Sandwich Duo with every $25.00 gift card purchase
Outback Steakhouse
Get a $20 bonus card for every $100.00 in gift cards purchased
Rafferty’s
Earn a $5 Bonus Card for every $25.00 gift card purchased
Red Robin
Get a $5 Bonus Buck for every $25.00 in gift cards purchased
Romano’s Macaroni Grille
Get a $5 bonus with every $25.00 gift card that you buy
Ruby Tuesday
Buy $50.00 in gift cards, get a $15 bonus coupon. Includes free shipping too!
Smokey Bones
Give $50.00 in gift cards, get $10 in Bonus Bucks
Sonny’s Real Pit BBQ
Receive $10 in Bonus Cards when you buy a $50.00 gift card
Steak and Shake
Buy $20.00 in gift cards, get a $5 certificate
Taco Bell
Get a free combo when you buy a $20 gift card
Ted’s Montana Grill
Buy four $25.00 gift cards, and get a bonus $20 gift card
T.G.I. Friday’s
Earn a $5 Bonus Bites card for every $25.00 in gift cards that you purchase
Tony Roma’s
Score $15 in RomaBucks for every $50.00 in gift cards purchased
Uno
Get a $5 bonus voucher for every $25.00 that you spend on gift cards
Vons
Get $15.00 off your next shopping trip, when you purchase $100.00 worth of qualifying gift cards.
Thanks for the help, One Cheap Chick!
Two Free Christmas Cookbooks
Trying desperately to think of something more interesting than the insipid olive and celery tray you bring to the party every year? (Editor’s note: yes, that is autobiographical.) Here’s 2 new cookbooks just full of ideas that will make you look like Martha Stewart in no time.
Be sure to try the no-bake raspberry cheesecake! Click here to download.
This one’s GREAT for new cooks–lots of excellent recipes with careful step-by-step instructions. Click here to download.
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Free–Or Cheap–Family Fun Along The Wasatch Front–UPDATED
Lots of free or nearly free things to do with the family this week–
Friday 12.16:
Draper’s Christmas Festival runs through Saturday, Dec. 17 and includes entertainment, visits from Santa and other activities. Go here for details.
The Live Nativity Scene plays tonight at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City–over 4 dozen volunteers and here of sheep, goats, (even camels!) re-create the beautiful story from the Bible. It takes about 30 minutes to walk through, so dress warmly. The event runs Dec. 15-17, and Dec. 22-24. Go here for more info.
I LOVE this–see how trees are decorated all over the world in honor of Christmas with the “Trees of Diversity” show in West Valley City. It’s fascinating to see how different cultures interpret the same Holiday. Admission is free and the event runs through 12.29. Go here for more info.
The Utah Figure Skating Club is staging their annual Christmas Extravaganza Ice Show at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 at the South Davis Recreation Center in Bountiful. Tickets to the family-friendly show, which celebrates 60 years of figure skating in Utah, is only $3.00 per person, with free admission for children under 5 years of age. Go HERE for more information about the show.
Saturday 12.17:
The Utah Museum of Fine Arts in Salt Lake City is offering free admission on Saturday, Dec. 17. (Admission to the museum is always free the third Saturday of each month.) There’s also a free family-oriented art activity at 1 p.m. where children can make colorful pinwheels by experimenting with oil pastels and paper. For more information, go HERE.
Lowe’s Build and Grow Workshop creates this cute wooden train today, the workshops start at 10am, and you’ll want to register for your closest location by going here. (Print your registration and take it with you.) The workshop, train and sometimes the apron and safety glasses are free.
Michael’s Arts & Crafts holds a free workshop for kiddos to make a poinsettia card, the classes run noon to 2pm, find your closest location here. Sneaky inside tip: all their Christmas items are 70% off! Click here for a 40% off one item coupon, and a 25% off your entire purchase coupon for frames.
Monday 12-19:
The Miller family is offering its annual Christmas Carole Sing-Along on Monday, Dec. 19. This event is free and families are invited to sing along with an orchestra. Free parking and a holiday treat is provided, and prizes such as free tickets to a Bees game and coupons good at Megaplex Theatres, Miller Motorsports Park and Fanzz stores will be handed out while supplies last. Go HERE for details. (Editor’s note: this event is emotional and very important to the Miller family since the passing of Larry, it gives them so much happiness to see everyone come together again.)
Thank you, THANK YOU to the most fabulous Frugalista ever, One Cheap Chick!
Free Downloadables For Organizing The Holidays
The “Santa’s Survey” is the smartest thing I’ve ever seen–a perfect way to force irritatingly slow people to tell you WHAT THEY WANT for Christmas. Lovely Little Snippets is generously offering a complete “Organizing The Holidays” downloadable kit. Click here and become Zen.
Thanks, Lovely Little Snippets!
Free Audio Download From Financial Guru Dave Ramsey
Download a free audio from Dave Ramsey on Dumping Debt. The man is utterly delightful. Simple, no-nonsense advice. I like the fact that Dave is encouraging and supportive, rather than trying to shame you into changing your spending habits.
Making Extra Money For The Holidays
If making some extra money over the next few weeks can make the difference between an okay holiday and a great one–where maybe you can share with others who need help–here’s some options for making extra money at home. Let me be clear: I’m hesitant to suggest most “make money at home” options. There’s several there are a ridiculous amount of work for little return, or demand money from you to get started. The following are programs that I’ve personally participated in, or have close friends who can vouch they’re on the level.
Important points to consider:
- Be consistent: set aside an hour–or what you can spare–a day to work and take as many surveys as they offer you. They’ll track who’s always participating and send you better options.
- Be realistic: you’re NOT going to get rich doing surveys. But you can earn a helpful addition to the household budget if you stick with it.
- Be accurate: pay attention to what they’re asking you. Most companies utilize software that track inconsistent answers.
- I’ve checked all these companies with the Better Business Bureau, if you’re looking at one not on this list, check for complaints or non-payment before applying.
UPDATED LIST– there’s some new contenders that look really promising:
Consumer Advisory Group makes it simple to earn gift cards quickly, unlike some of the research groups I’ve struggled with. Female? Click here. They’re short on male participants, so your chances of getting in are excellent, so click here.
Become a member of our Fresh Ideas Panel!
Please share your thoughts with us on our product ideas and offerings.
By sharing your opinions with us you are eligible for monthly giveaways!
Click here to apply.
The NPD Group is a good one because they pay cash as well as gift cards. My girlfriend tells me they have quite a frw monthly giveaways as well. Click here to apply.
Vindale Research is the industry leader–I’ve been trying to get on with them for over a year, but I’m apparently not that mysterious demographic they need. My girlie Carmen has scored a pile of things from ice cream to hair product to review and keep. Depending on what they need, you can earn from $5.00 to $75.00 per survey. Click here.
Pinecone Research is my personal favorite–$3.00 for every survey. They pay promptly, the products are fun, and they often send you the goods to try out! They’re looking specifically for Spanish-speaking households. Click here.
Inbox Dollars is another consistent earner–and they’ll kick in $5.00 for a signing bonus. Click here.
Ipsos i-Say has a contest where new particpants can win a cash prize of $5,000. With this company, you complete surveys for points: which you “spend” on items like tv’s, iPads, etc. Click here.
With Valued Opinions, you can earn up to $5.00 per survey. You then redeem your account value into gift cards to use. Click here.
I’m very interested in Global Opinions–you’re taking surverys and using products already on the market to improve them. One of my girlfriends just got her first check and confirmed it was DEFINITELY worth her while. Click here.
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Great News For Job Seekers…
…December’s usually considered a dead month for job openings. Anyone hiring for Seasonal work has already done so, and some (scumbags, in my opinion) actially fire employees this month to improve their bottom line for tax season. However, there’s 10 major companies who are hiring aggressively before 2012, and I’m betting you’ve got the skills needed. Take a look:
Wells Fargo
Number of jobs: 10,000+
Sample job titles: Tellers, personal bankers, customer service representatives, underwriters
Sears/Kmart
Number of jobs: 1,000+
Sample job titles: Retail sales, repair technicians, store managers
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Number of jobs: 1,000+
Sample job titles: Financial advisers
ServiceMaster
Number of jobs: 1,100+
Sample job titles: Customer service representatives, residential and commercial sales, technicians, trainers, management positions
Chico’s FAS
Number of jobs: 1,000+
Sample job titles: Retail sales, corporate positions, some seasonal
Fresenius Medical Care North America
Number of jobs: 1,100
Sample job titles: Clinical managers, acute-care registered nurses
New York Life Insurance
Number of jobs: 500
Sample job titles: Sales, management
Tango Transport
Number of jobs: 400+
Sample job titles: Truck drivers
Thanks, MSN.com and CareerBuilders.com!
Behold The Awesome: The Shopping App That Will Rock Your World
I discovered the Red Laser App from the brilliance that is my girlfriend and UtahMama.com founder Rachael. This sucker will change EVERYTHING about how you shop this year!
Click here to see the YouTube tutorial, but the basics are these–scan a barcode (groceries, toys, clothes, anything.) The Red Laser App with then scan the ENTIRE WORLD and give you a breakdown of price comparasions in other stores and online. You can then decide if it’s worth it to drive to another store or hit the laptop.
Don’t you LOVE IT? The app is free and available on iTunes…just click here.
Thank you Rachael, you are my Queen.
Free Disney Vacation Planner DVD
I was noodling around on eBay the other day and actually saw this same DVD bid up to $25.25. True story. Why not just pick it up for free? It’s a beautiful vacation planner from Disney Cruise Lines–full of discounts and sneaky inside tips. Zachie and MacLean just liked watching it because it’s so well done. Pick it up for free by clicking here. PS: you think I should send this link to the lady who put the winning bid on eBay? 
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Sensory Friendly Films
This sweet service came to mind today because a local college threw a family with a child with special needs out of a symphony performance. I’ve heard so many stories from the Autism Moms about the challenges of taking a little one to a movie or live performance. The lights may be too bright, the sound too loud, or others in the audience may not be willing to be patient with a child who’d like to dance in the aisle.
Thanks to AMC’s Sensory Friendly Films, children with special needs have a chance to enjoy new releases, too. The sound is turned down, the lights do not go out completely, and no one’s going to screech “down in front!” if your little person wants to wander. Up next is a special showing of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One” on November 30th. Find your closest participating theatre here.
In December, look for a showing of the new “Muppet Movie” on Saturday, 12.3. Find your closest location here.
Today’s Free Offer
Daily Worth--I'm a big believer in women taking charge of their own financial destiny. Here's free tips, ideas and education delivered daily to your inbox.
Food On The Table
So, get this--Food on the Table is a FREE service that'll help you put together your weekly menu plan, post the needed recipes, create a shopping list and THEN scour the 'Net for coupons to download for your shopping list. I'm getting misty...sniff..
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It's like Groupon...but for dogs!
Make Money At Home
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Ready To Coupon?
"Extreme Couponing" on TLC has done one thing for all us would-be frugalistas--while no one I know wants to be quite that crazed, couponing is looking more attractive, am I right? Here's your coupon options in a tidy, almost shamefully easy format:
Cellfire loads coupons directly to your card. Scan that bad boy at checkout--no clipping!
Coupons.com, hands-down my favorite for ease of navigation and big fat coupons. You'll need to download a toolbar to print. Do not fear the toolbar, it will bring you many goodies.
Coupon Deals Daily.com offers 50-90% off items locally available. Worth checking often, since nothing lasts for long.
So, "catalinas" are the slips of paper-style coupons you get at checkout along with your reciept to use for next time. Print them on Coupon Network.com, and use them THIS trip. Clever you!
No insurance? Or does your lousy coverage refuse to pay for certain medications? Enter the Pharmacy Coupons--this network allows you to print coupons for up to 75% off your prescription costs. In the economy? A literal lifesaver.
Red Plum Coupons cover a huge variety--everything from grocery to your local tire store. Take a look around by clicking below.
Do you have estrogen? Then you will love Woman Freebies.com. They send free girly samplys and piles of high-value coupons. No catch!
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