Easy Ham & Bean Soup

This Ham & Bean soup is one of my standby recipes for those days when I am too busy and forgot to plan dinner (something I am working on for sure). It is so easy. It involves cutting ham and potatoes but it beats buying gross take out and cost less than $6.50 to make.

Start a medium-large pot of 5-6 cups of water boiling while you cut 4-5 medium potatoes into bite size pieces and add to the pot.

Add
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 chicken bouillon cubes

Cut 1 pound of ham into bite size pieces(turkey ham is cheaper and healthier and doesn't taste much different, to me anyway :-)

Add the ham and 12-16 oz frozen green beans. Return to a boil then reduce to a low simmer for 15-30 being careful not to over cook the potatoes.

1.5 lb potatoes $1.13
1 lb ham $4
12 oz Green Giant Green Bean Steamers Free (on Sale at Boyer's for $1. Used $1 off coupon from 9/7GM)
2 bouillon cubes $.13

If you try it, let me know how you like it. Everyone in my house likes this, thankfully!

Free Money From ING Direct

Open a free paperless checking account and make 3-signature based transactions with your debit card within 45 days and receive $50 free on the 50th day. Signature based transactions are when you use your card as a credit card and you have to sign for it as opposes to using it as a debit card with a pin. It still comes out of your checking account, it is just processed differently. I emailed sales to see if it counts at those stores that do not require a signature when your bill is below a certain amount and those transaction do count.

Go to ingdirect.com/electric50
Use Code EM227

There are no fees except for overdraft or over-nighted check, that sort of thing. If you are not familiar with ING I have a couple of savings accounts and CDs with them for years and love it. They require no minimum balance and their interest rates are pretty decent.

Let me know if this works for you.

Mileage and Introducing My Mileage Calculator

My mileage went down and I'm not quite sure why. While I had a few appointments to get to that prevented me from "Driving Without Brakes", it didn't seem to be anymore than usual, I could be wrong.

Could Sheetz gas actually be better than Sunoco? I doubt it. Check out the Mileage Calculator I made to track my mileage, my cost per mile and possible reasons for my ups and downs. If you would like to use it to track your mileage, feel free. I am no expert on Excel nor am I a mathmagician so if you see any flaws in my formulas or theory, please let me know.

Not many people like the Giant gas points program. You have to have $100 in purchases to earn $.10 per gallon. Other ways to earn is to buy a lot of particular brands to get a discount. While I would like to have a stockpile of peanut butter, spagetti sauce and cleaners, I don't want to pay almost full price for them. Then the points expire fast and I have to make sure I get there to fill up before I run out. I had somehow earned $.10 off per gallon bringing it to $3.24/gallon. Wow, that's cheap. (note sarcasm) I was able to time my empty tank and my trip to Giant to coincide and I saved a whopping $1.34 on a little over 13 gallons.

Oh, and then, when I limbed it to save $1.34 on cheap Giant gas, the tanker was there! Just my luck. I have been passing up gas stations who are getting a delivery and stirring up all the gunk in the tanks so I don't put that gunk in my car. But since I was on E and my points would have expired I fill up anyway. Everyone else was so I didn't feel too stupid plus I change my fuel filter regularly.

Here is a tip on conserving gas. When parking in a lot, drive thru so that you can just pull right out. Then you won't waste gas backing out. This doesn't work well if you have to get groceries into your trunk but if your trunk hasn't opened in 6 months because it's broke like mine then your in luck! Hey, I always try to look on the bright side.

New Momma Findings Giveaway

Momma Findings has added yet another Halloween giveaway.

I'll be adding her to my blogroll too!

Here are her previous giveaways still going on:

At Momma Findings you can enter many ways and times to win cool Halloween apparel!
HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE.

SAVING is good.

Giveaways

One lucky visitor to Deal Seeking Mom will get their own Pillsbury Sweeter America Prize Pack. The prize includes a selection of Pillsbury baking products, including:
Pillsbury Stars and Stripes Cake Mix and Frosting
Brownie Mix
Quick Bread
Pillsbury Apron
and a Pillsbury Doughboy Doll that giggles
Ends Oct 5th

At Momma Findings you can enter many ways and times to win cool Halloween apparel!
HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE.

SAVING is good.

I Heart My Empty Fridge

My fridge has looked like this for a few months now. During the summer, things got pared down every few weeks as we were able to get away on 4 different occasions. Also contributing to the emptiness is the fact that I have been studying how to save money on groceries by stocking up when prices are low and using coupons. However, I just haven't seemed to get the right sales and the right coupons yet and not only do I not have a stockpile but I hardly have anything because I know I can get more for less, I'm not sure of the rock bottom prices and I'm afraid to buy something only to find it cheaper later on.

The good news is, this empty fridge deal is actually working out nicely. First, it's a lot easier to keep clean. Next, I know exactly what is in there and it is so much easier to utilize the left overs and incorporate the other items into a new dish. We've always had pickles but I never offered them to my DD as a snack because I just didn't think of it. My mind is so clear now, it's amazing.

What's even more amazing is that my DH hasn't complained about there being nothing to eat like he had when the thing was packed. This is mostly due to knowing that there is enough leftovers for his lunch and having snacks of nuts and chips (and elusive pickles) available.

I've even been able to take a night or two a week off from cooking, which frees up so much time for me to actually accomplish something in a day. When there are two or three days of leftovers piling up, I can see them and use them. If I could have done that when I was working, working might not have been that bad. Yeah, right.

Another benefit to the lack of food, not only in the fridge but the freezer and cabinets is that when I finally get around to creating an inventory it won't be such a project. Denise at the "Cents"ible Sawyer has been putting together some great videos for you to check out, the latest being about meal planning, including organizing the freezers and taking inventory.

So eventually I will know my rock bottom prices, find my deals and fill up the freezers and cabinets but I hope I can keep my fridge looking a lot like this because it has made my life so much easier and less wasteful.

Giant 07/29

I tried to make the best of my 6 Giant 50 cent triplers. I even took all my 50 cent and less coupons to the store to look for unadvertised specials. I was only able to use the $.20/2 pringles. I didn't really have a need for anything else even after the discounted prices. This is what I got.

Sorry no pic my CF card is shot.

Planter’s Cashew Pieces and Halves has a $1/2 Planter’s peelies.
These and Mixed Nuts are on sale for $3 and they come to $2.50 each after coupon.
This is the cheapest I have seen besides the deal at Rite-Aid the other week and if Rite-Aid can’t keep them in stock I don’t benefit from the sale! I didn’t realize it but I could have asked for a raincheck.

Pringles Chips used $.20/2 which was tripled bringing these to $.70 each. All the regular flavors, of course were gone.

Dole Fruit cups on sale for $2. Used a $.75 coupon from August All You, doubled to $1makes this $1. Here is $1 off Del Monte printable to use when that brand goes on sale.

Celestial Seasoning Tea on sale for $2. I wanted to try Grapefruit that was advertised but they didn’t have it so since I was there I got Pear. See how they get ya? But I hadn’t tried pear before either.

Alpine Lace Provolone used $1 off a half pound coupon from the last 1 or 2 issues of Quick and Simple.

My $28.89 bill produced a $4.50 off my next purchase of $50. Check out Mom's Need to Know. She is going to post about her Giant trip. She had $.99 triplers.

Deals and Freebies Last Week

Quaker Granola Bars-I found a coupon on a store flyer in Sat. newspaper for $3 of purchase of $10 Quaker purchase. The Granola Bars were on sale for $2. This was also on unadvertised sale at Giant for $2 and the manufacture coupon worked. I was glad I didn't have to drive to the other store since I didn't see anything there I liked. I got 5 boxes for $1.40 each. There are always several coupons for this in the inserts but I didn't need to use those this time.

Wet Ones Travel Pack-$.25 at Walmart after $.75 printable coupon. I don't think it is available anymore.

CVS

Adidas Deoderant-This was free after ECB and $1 coupon. I just realized this had a $1 peelie and I could have saved the other coupon. Well this one is good till 06/09 so if, and there usually is, another deal on this I will try to use it. Maybe I am better off as the coupon I used would have expired sooner.
Nivea for Men-Free plus $1 overage after ECB and coupon.
How do you find these deals? Visit my favorite blogs on the left for lists of the best deals weekly.

Free Crystal Light using my last buy 3 Kraft products get a product free coupon from All You magazine. I think these are expired.

In the Mail:
Playtex Tampons Sample
Kashi Cookie-Yummy, I waited all week to take its pic then eat it!

From the company that must not be mentioned:
Dog Food
Coffee Sample

Family Fun Mag Subscription free with Amazon.com gift card from Stamps.com deal.

Coke for $1.50/12 pack at CVS

Check out Bargain Briana's post on how to get really cheap Coke at CVS. If my calculations are correct and this works you can get 4-12 packs of Coke products at $1.50 each! I am totally bumming because I was lazy and didn't enter My Coke Rewards Points and now have none. And I'm all stocked up on Pepsi.

Chinese Recalls

I am passionate about avoiding products made in China. Not just for the fact that American jobs are lost when companies move over seas but also because of the extensive and ever growing list of recalls of products made in China. It's down right scary knowing that these are everyday products that millions of Americans use. Even scarier? There are products for which it is very difficult to tell where the materials or ingredients listed originated, even if the final product was produced or distributed from a location within the states.

Here is a list of items recalled with links to more info. This list is not all inclusive as I am no expert but will serve as my way to warn reader of the dangers of these products. I will update it as I hear of new recalls, unfortunately that will be quite often.

Click here for an extensive list of recalls in 2007.

Latest Chinese Recalls
09/29/08 Cadbury Chocolates-One of the manufacturing plants used to be located just 15 minutes from me. The recall is in Hong Kong, Tawian and Australia as of now. It's nice to know that the company is getting what they deserve in lost sales and trust, regardless of where it is recalled. This just came out today. I wouldn't be suprised if the recall reaches us.

Baby Formula-I have not heard of the melamine tainted baby formula reaching the US but Coffee and Tea Products have.

The tainted milk has even harmed zoo animals.

The milk in the above products has been tainted with Melamine. What the heck is that? Umm...plastic produced by mixing urea with formaldehyde. It is used to make floor tiles, Formica, microwavable dishes, flame retardent fabric, Magic Erasers, oh, and don't forget pet food (tainted wheat) and now baby formula. So why is this plastic in our food? It's an inexpensive means of raising the protein levels of food products so they can pass inspection. Oh, ok then.

That is all I can stomach to write about today. Here's a tip to save money when you can't avoid taking your children shopping with you. Teach them about the poisons and dangers in products made in China and that you prohibit the purchase of it. Since just about everything is Made In China these days, well they are going to be hard pressed to find anything to spend your hard earned money.

As the first post on the topic, the list is very, very short. If you know of a recall I've missed please leave a comment. Thanks.

Free Bakin' Miracle or Fryin' Magic

I found this today and don't see any reason why this won't work to score a free product, other than the fact that I have never heard of this brand. On the other hand I don't often shop for this type of product either. My plan is to use a UPC symbol from a Shake N' Bake product already in my cabinet for umteen years. That is the only way this could be a good deal is if you already have it around or you get it cheap.

All you have to do to receive one coupon good for one FREE 16 oz. box of Bakin' Miracle or Fryin' Magic is enclose:

One UPC symbol from any size Shake 'n Bake®* or Oven Fry®* A 3" x 5" card with your Name, Address, City, State, Zip, and Phone in an envelope and mail to:

Little Crow FoodsFree Product Offer
P.O. Box 1038
Warsaw, IN 46581-1038

Limit one request per family, household, group, or organization.
Please allow 6 weeks for delivery. Offer void where prohibited or taxed.

Shake 'n Bake and Oven Fry are registered trademarks of General Foods

I also see no expiration date on this deal.

Last Week

My freebies from last week include:

Walgreens

Brita pitcher filter

Crest

Colgate (I messed up here and think I paid $1 for this)

Pert Plus

Glade Candle

Revlon Nail Color

Walmart

DH Cake Mix maybe

JJ Bath Buddy Soap

Target

Tylenol

Rite-Aid

L'Oreal Facial Cleansing Cloths

CVS

Just For Men made $4. $2 ECB, $2 printable coupon, and mail in rebate

Excedrin

In the mail

2 cascade action pacs (carried me two days till I got to the store :-)

Magic Eraser

"a monthly gift" I wish they would send me tampons monthly, wouldn't that be nice.

Ok, so these are my freebies. I am sad to say that I still haven't been able to get really good grocery deals and I don't know why. There are people out there paying nothing for pasta and tuna. I want to pay nothing for pasta and tuna! I can not live on free toothpaste and shampoo alone.

Shoot, I Goofed Again

Update: I received my rebate check and fast too! Only 10 days.

I have been keeping and posting a Free After Rebate list which I thought would come in handy for anyone looking to see many rebate offers in one spot. I try to keep these to simple "try me free" offers. There are alot of "money back gaurentee" rebates out there which means if you are not satified with the products you may get a refund. I won't generally list these rebates because I don't plan on buying something I wouldn't normally buy hoping I won't like it so I can get my money back.

The reason for this post is to bring to your attention that the Duncan Hines Decadent Carrot Cake Rebate Form that I listed is a money back if not satisfied offer and I would not feel right about sending for the rebate if there was truly nothing wrong with the product.

I am going to send for the rebate however because I am dissatisfied with the fact that I went through the trouble of printing the form and buying a product I wouldn't normally have bought only to fill out the form and realize this is not a try me free offer which is the impression I got.

This is how I am filling out the form:
Reason I am dissatified: Other: Please Explain
"Rebate form doesn't state clearly, at the top of the form, that this is a money back gaurentee. I thought it was a try me free rebate which is the impression the form initially gives. I would have used my coupon on a less expensive product if this rebate was clearer."

Well it's worth a try. I seriously would have used the coupon on a different type and paid no more than $.12 for the cake. If I don't receive the rebate I will consider returning it (big pain) on principal. Any thoughts?

Now that won't work either. I can't return it to the store with the UPC cut out. Ok, if you've found yourself in this situation, wait 8 weeks to see if I get a refund. If not, return yours to the store. The rebate is good till Jan. I will keep you posted.

Giveaways

Here is a giveaway you will want to get in on. The Thrifty Mama is giving away a two year subscription to All You magazine. If you aren't familiar with this great resource for coupons and real world tips head on over to The Thrifty Mama and then find out how to received multiple entrys to win!

Got My Couponizer!

Since I wasn't able to win one, I took some B-day money and got a Couponizer. I have finished filling it with all my clipped coupons and I can see how much easier this is going to be for me already.




Initially I used the no clip system I learned from couponmom.com and will continue that to some extent. But with the Couponizer I can clip the coupons for products I will most likely buy, as well as high value coupons and coupons for items that are almost always free (ex. toothpaste). I also have a lot of coupons which came in the mail or with products or from catalinas, blinkies, internet, etc. I had no good way to organize these, didn't remember I had them or couldn't find them if I knew I had them.

Now they are all in catagorized pockets so if I am looking for a deodorant coupon I can pick up my compact couponizer, go to the Personal Hygiene pocket and search through a small stack of similar coupons.

There are also pockets for entertainment, restaurants, service and rebates so everything has it's own place and isn't scattered about.

I also received "The Greatest Secrets of the Coupon Mom" free, a value of $17.99, and you can too! Don't forget to use the code "STARTNOW" for 10% off your order. Click the banner above and start organizing and saving EVEN more!