Thrifty Wench One woman’s addiction to sweet deals and phat lootz

Winn Dixie

BOGO’S:

Boneless Top Round London Broil

Split Chicken Breasts

Center Cut Boneless Pork Chops

3lb bag of Tangerines

Nabisco Crackers (Fig Newtons, Ritz, Honey Maid)

41.50ct Cocktail Shrimp
51-60ct Medium White Shrimp
41.50ct Medium White SHromp
26.30ct Extra Large White Shrimp
Cooked Shrimp Ring

Wet N Wild Cosmetics

Sea-Pak Popcorn Shrimp

5lb bag of Russet Potatoes

3lb bag of Yellow Onions

Jumbo Butterfly Breaded Shrimp

Cod Fillets

Other Sales:

Snow Crab Clusters 6.99lb

Black or Red Seedless Grapes 1.49lb

Smart Ones/Stouffers Entree’s 4/10-printable on sidebar for breakfasts or desserts which are included in this sale. and coupon for Stouffers or Lean Cuisine Paninis/Flatbreads from 10/05 Red Plum

Charmin bath Tissue 6.99- coupon from 09/28/08 P&G
Boneless Top Round 3.59lb
Boneless Eye Round Roast 3.49lb
Boneless Cube Steaks 3.59lb
Butterball Turkey Bacon-printable here
Extra Lean Boneless Stew Meat 3.49lb
Eckrich Jumbo Meat Franks 3/$5-coupon from 09-28-08 SS, 08/24/2008 SS, and 7/20/2008 Smart Source
Johnsonville Smoke Sausage 2/6 -10/05/2008 Smart Source, and 1 off with purchase of Hungry Jack Syrup for Breakfast Sausage from 09/14 Red Plum, or 1 off with purchase of one Crisco Spray and Breakfast sausage.
Head and Shoulders Shampoo and COnditioner 3.99- coupon from 09-28-08 PG, must buy both shampoo and conditioner.
Softsoap or Irish Spring Body Wash 2/7-coupons from 09-28-08 RP Hispanic and09-14-08 SS
Gillette Clinical Stength 6.99 coupon from 09-28-08 PG or Old Spice 6.99 coupon from 08-31-08 PG
Energizer Batteries 5.99-coupons from 10-05-08 SS
Tylenol 7.49-coupons from 10-05-08 RP, 09/28/2008 Red PLum or Motrin 7.29-coupons from 10-05-08 RP and 5-18-08 SS2
Pepcid @ 8.29-coupons from 10-05-2008 Red Plum and 08-24-2008 Red Plum, and also a printable here
Granny Smith Apples 1.49lb
Large Cantaloupe 2/$5
Large Cauliflower 2/$4
Premium Classic Salads 2/$5
Large Green Avocados 2/$3
Sweet Strawberries 2/$6
Tide 2/$12-coupons from 09-28-08 PG
Dawn Dish Detergent 2/$6-09-28-08 PG
Brawny Paper Towels 2/$12-coupons from, 08-24/2008, and 10-05-08 RP
Boneless Center Pork Loins 2.59lb
Skinless Split Chicken Breasts 1.99lb
Fresh Catfish Fillets 3.99lb
St Louis Style Pork Spareribs 2.69lb
Chicken Wings 1.79 lb
Welch’s Sparkling Juice @ 2/$6- coupons from 10-05-08 SS
2/.99 Crisp Cucumbers
Viva Paper Towlers 2/$13-09-07-08 SS
Roman Meal Bread 2/$4-10-05-08 SS
Renuzit Adjustables 10 for $10-coupons from 10-05-08 SS and 09-07-08 SS
Betty Crocer Muffin Mix or Warm Delights 2/4- coupons from 10-05-08 GM for Warm Delights
Betty Crocker Frosting 2/3-printable here
Fleischmann’s Bread Machine Yeast 5.49 coupons from 10/05/2008 SS
Crisco Olive Oil 5.99-coupons from 08-10-08 RP

Posted under Winn Dixie, deals

So I’ve been kinda absent lately due to work/life stress and a lot of other things that have come up recently. I’ve by no means given up, I just haven’t had a chance to crank out any content, but that will soon be changing as things calm down.

Publix:

BOGO’s

Publix Classic Salad

Classico Pasta Sauce

Ronzoni Pasta

Publix Ibuprofen

Barber Foods Stuffed Chicken Breast -1/1 from 09/07 Smart Source, and a printable here, and coupons on sidebar.

Diners Choice Mashed Potatoes (Winn Dixie Coupon from 10/05 insert 1/2 if your store accepts competitor coupons.)

Old El Paso Salsa

New England Coffee 1.50/1 from 10/05 Red Plum

Wish-Bone Dressing .75/1 and 1/2 from 10/05 Red Plum, .60/1, 1/2 and .75/2 from 08/17 Red Plum, .62/1 from 07/27 Red Plum (Hispanic)

Hellmann’s Mayonnaise .60/1, .50/1, 1/2 from 07/17 Red Plum, .60/1 from 7/27 Red Plum (hispanic)

Kellogg’s Special K Cereal

Post Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal

Lawry’s 30 Minute Marinade .50/1 and 1/2 from 08/17 Red Plum

Mrs. Cubbison’s Croutons

Pasta Roni or Rice A Roni

Progresso Bread Crumbs -printable here

LifeSavers Candy

Doritos Tortilla Chips

Entenmann’s Donuts

Kozy Shack Pudding-printable on sidebar.

Luigi’s Real Italian Ice

Kahiki Egg Rolls printable here
SeaPak Shrimp Co. Shrimp

Scotch-Brite Dobie Cleaning Pad

Lysol All Purpose Trigger Spray Cleaner .75/1, and 1/2 from 08/04 Smart Source, .50/1, 1/2 from 09/07, and 07/07 Smart Source

Softsoap Body Wash 1/1 Target Store Coupon from 09/14, 1/1 09/28 RP Hispanic

Arrid Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

Gerber 3rd Foods Baby Food

Other Sale Items:

Western Lettuce $0.79

Chicken Leg Quarters $0.59 lb

New York Strip Steaks $7.99 lb

Fresh Salmon Fillets $6.59 lb

Publix Orange Roughy $6.99

Center-Cut Pork Rib Chops $3.49 lb

Roasting Chicken $1.29 lb

Top Round London Broil $3.99 lb

Pork Country Ribs or Sirloin Chops $2.19 lb

Perdue Perfect Portions Chicken Breasts $7.99

Hormel Always Tender Pork Tenderloins $7.99

Tyson Chicken 2/$6

Boneless Chuck Pot Roast $3.99 lb

Lean Ground Beef $3.99 lb

Large White Shrimp $5.99 lb

Small Mahi Portions $5.99

Sweet Potatoes $0.79 lb

Beefsteak Tomato $1.49 lb

Florida Avocados 4/$5

California Seedless Grapes $1.69 lb

Eat Smart Broccoli Florets 2/$4

Apples $2.99

Eggplant $1.29 lb

Red Bell Peppers $2.99 lb

Whole Peeled Garlic $1.99

California Bartlett Pears $0.69 lb

Bosc Pears $0.99 lb

Pears $1.69 lb

Premium Peaches $1.49 lb

Publix Strawberries 3/$7

Posted under Publix, Uncategorized, deals

B1G1‘s:

Knorr Sides B1G1
(.55/1 7/27/08 RP Hispanic
.45/1 9/7/08 RP Hispanic
.75/2, $1/3, .60/2 8/17/08 RP)

Old El Paso Dinner Kit B1G1

Publix Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice B1G1

Betty Crocker Potatoes B1G1

General Mills Cereal B1G1
($1/3 9/7/08 GM
.70/1 9/21/08 SS, and printables on sidebar)

Eight OClock Coffee B1G1
(printable on sidebar)

Post Cereal B1G1

Uncle Bens Rice B1G1
($1/2, $1/3 8/24/08 RP and a printable here

Ocean Spray Juice Cocktail B1G1

Ragú Pasta Sauce B1G1
($1 off 2 Ragu Pasta Sauce and dry pasta 9/21/08 RP
$1/2, $1/3, .50/2 8/17/08 RP
.65/1 7/27/08 RP Hispanic)

Kraft Barbecue Sauce B1G1

Pace Medium Chunky Salsa B1G1

Thomas English Muffins B1G1

Nabisco Chips Ahoy! Cookies B1G1

Keebler Club or Town House Crackers B1G1

Nabisco Honey Maid Grahams B1Gq

Dentyne Ice or Fire Gum B1G1
(.55/1 9/21/08 SS)

PhillySwirl Products B1G1

Lenders Bagels B1G1

Publix Sour Cream B1G1

Excedrin Pain Medicine B1G1
($2/1 7/13/08 SS, and printable on sidebar)

Halls Cough Drops B1G1
(.35/1 All You mag Issue 9, September 26, 2008)

Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel B1G1

Pepperidge Farm Three Layer Cake B1G1

Other Sale Items:

Chicken Leg Quarters $0.59 lb

Western Lettuce .79

Top Sirloin Steaks $4.99 lb

Red Globe Grapes$0.99 lb

Fresh Tilapia Fillets $5.99 lb

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $2.99 lb

Whole Pork Tenderloin $4.99 lb

7-Bone Chuck Pot Roast $2.69 lb

Top Sirloin Fillets $6.99 lb

Ground Sirloin $3.99 lb

Beef for Stew $3.69 lb

Beef Cubed Steaks $3.99 lb

Jennie-O Turkey Breast Tenderloin $8.99

Large White Shrimp $4.99 lb

Publix Haddock Loins $5.99

Royal Gala or Red Delicious Apples $1.49 lb

Bartlett Pears $0.99 lb

Red Potatoes $2.99

Broccoli or Cauliflower ] 2/$4

Tomatoes on the Vine $1.49 lb

Premium Peaches or Nectarines $1.49 lb

Whole White Mushrooms 2/$5

All 2X Ultra Laundry Detergent 3.99
(printable here

Posted under Publix, deals

Highlights from the Aldi Insert:

Del Monte Bananas .45lb

Red or Green Seedless Grapes 1.19lb

Head of Lettuce 1.29ea

Whole, 2%, or Skim Milk 2.79ea

Grade A Large Eggs 1.19/dozen

Deli Slice Cheese 2.19ea

Self Rising Crust Pizza 3.89ea

Thin Spaghetti 1.66ea

Marinara Sauce 1.89ea

Whole Frying Chicken .79lb

 

Posted under Aldi, deals

B1G1:
boneless chicken breasts B1G1

assorted pork chops B1G1

5 lb. bag Red, Yellow or White potatoes B1G1

Salads or bagged greens B1G1

Breyers ice cream B1G1

Kraft Real Mayo or Miracle Whip B1G1

Lays Potato Chips B1G1

Bounty paper towels B1G1
(Bounty Paper Towels, Any - 09-28-08 P&G)

Fab 2X Laundry Detergernt B1G1

Sabrett beef frankfurters B1G1

Armour pepperoni B1G1

country style pork loin ribs B1G1

coconut breaded shrimp B1 G1

cod fillets B1G1

Pepperidge Farm 3-layer cakes B1G1

Farm Rich Pizza Slices B1G1

Crystal Light B1G1

Progresso classic soup B1G1

Cheez-It crackers B1G1

TrueBlue Blueberry Juice B1G1

Ronzoni pasta B1G1
(Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta, Any - 08-24-08 SS)

Bull’s-Eye BBQ Sauce B1G1
(printable on sidebar)

Pompeian olive oil B1G1
(printable here)

Arnold Dutch Country Whole Weat Bread B1G1

Gatorade B2G1

Wet ‘n Wild cosmetics B1G1

Soft & Dri or Right Guard Deodorant B1G1
(Right Guard Product, Any Excluding Trial Size Or RGX Body Spray - 08-10-08 SS1)

Organic Salads B1G1

10 for $10
Gatorade, 10/$10.00

Hunt’s pasta sauce, 10/$10.00

Kid’s Kitchen, Hormel or Dinty Moore, 10/$10.00

Handi-Snacks puddings or Kool-Aid gels, 10/$10.00

Michelina’s entrées, 10/$10.00

(Printables here)

Renuzit Adjustables, 10/$10.00

SunLight dish detergent, 10/$10.00

Horizon organic milk singles, 10/$10.00

(printable here

Winn-Dixie candy, 10/$10.00

Assorted 8 pack candy bars (Baby Ruth,Grand, Butterfinger, Nestle Crunch etc) 10/$10.00

Lipton Tea, 10/$10.00

Winn-Dixie bleach, 10/$10.00

Other Sales:
Fresh Ground Chuck 1.99lb

T-Bone Steak 7.99lb

Porterhosue Steak 8.99lb

Boneless New York Strip Steak 8.99lb

Tenderloin Steak 11.99lb

Boneless Chuck Tender Steaks or Roast 3.49lb

Fresh Ground Chuck Patties 2.49lb

Boneless Stir Fry beef 4.99lb

Veal Shoulder Arm or Blade Steak 3.99lb

Turkey Breast 1.79lb

Center Cut Porkchops 2.99lb

Chicken thighs or drumsticks 1.29lb

Split Chicken Breasts 1.59lb

Fresh Roasting Chicken 1.19lb

Chicken Wings 1.79 lb

Whole Chicken .99lb

Chicken leg Quarters .99lb

Split Chicken Broiler 1.19lb

Red Delicious Apples 1.49lb

Gala or Golden Delicious Apples 1.69lb

3lb bag of Gala Apples 2/$7

Premium Tomatoes 1.79lb

Large Celery .99lb

Seedless Grapes 1.99lb

Premium Strawberries 2/$6

Large Peaches or Nectarines 1.99lb

Large Carving Pumpkins 4.99 ea

Green Cabbage .49 lb

Large Navel Oranges 1.69lb

Hillshire Farms Cold Cuts 2/$7
Hillshire Farm Deli Select Lunchmeat, Any 8 Oz. + - 08-24-08 RP)

Kotex 2/$6
(Kotex Security Tampons 18 ct or larger - 09-07-08 SS1)

Prilosec OTC 9.99
(Prilosec OTC Heartburn Medicine, Any - 09-28-08 PG)

Nyquil or Dayquil 4.99
(Vicks Nyquil Sinus Or Dayquil Sinus, Any - 09-28-08 PG)

Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner
(Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner Or Styling Product, Any Excluding Trial Size - 08-24-08 RP
Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner Or Styling Product, Any Excluding Trial Size - 07-20-08 SS
Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, Or Treatment, Any Excluding Trial Size - 06-22-08 RP
Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, Or Styling Product, Any Excluding Trial Size - 05-04-08 RP)

Bayer Aspirin 8.99
(Bayer Aspirin With Heart Advantage, Any - 07-27-08 RP
Bayer Aspirin Product, Any 24 Ct. + - 07-27-08 RP)

Colgate 2/$5
(Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste, Any 4.0 Oz. + - 09-28-08 SS
Colgate Adult Or Children’s Toothpaste, Any 4.0 Oz. + - 09-28-08 SS
Colgate toothpaste (4.6 oz or larger), Any - 09-28-08 RP Hispanic)

Listerine 2/$9
(Listerine Whitening Or Vibrant White Pre Brush Rinse, Any 16 Oz. + - 09-28-08 RP
Listerine Smart Rinse, Any - 07-27-08 SS
Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash, Any 500 Ml + - 07-27-08 SS)

Downy Liquid Fabric Softener 4.99
(Downy Liquid Fabric Softener, Any - 09-28-08 PG)

Tide 2x Laundry Detergent 2/$12
(Tide, Any Size - 09-28-08 PG

Gain 2x Liquid Laundry Detergent 8.99
(Gain Laundry Detergent, Any - 09-14-08 RP

Dinty Moore Beef Stew or Chicken and Dumplings 2/$4
(Dinty Moore beef stews varieties including 15 oz big bowls - 09-07-08 SS2)

Motts Applesauce Pack 2/$4
(Motts Applesauce Products, Any - 08-10-08 SS1)

Dole Fruit Bowls, Gels or Parfaits 2.29
(Dole Fruit Bowls Or Fruit Bowls In Gel Or Fruit Parfaits, Any - 08-24-08 SS)

Cascade 3.99
(Cascade Crystal Clear Or Cascade Plastic Booster, Any - 09-28-08 PG
Cascade 2 In 1 Action Pacs Automatic Dishwasher Detergent, Any - 09-28-08 PG
Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent, Any 8.45 Oz.)

Tyson Chicken Tenders 4.99
(Tyson Breaded Bagged item - 09-07-08 SS2)

Gogurt 2/$5
(Printable on sidebar)

Yoplait Yogurt 10/$6
(Yoplait Whips Yogurt, Any - 09-14-08 SS - valid up to $0.94, B4G1)

Pillsbury Grands Biscuits 3/$5
(Pillsbury Sweet Rolls Or Grands Sweet Rolls, any - 09-07-08 SS
Pillsbury Frozen Grands, Biscuits, Cinnamon Rolls, Mini Cinnamon Rolls or Pillsbury Dinner Rolls - 09-07-08 GM and Printables on Sidebar)

DanActive 2/$4
(DanActive Or DanActive Light Drinkable Yogurt, Any - 09-21-08 SS
Dannon DanActive Or DanActive Light, Any - 02-24-08 SS
DanActive Or DanActive Light Drinkable Yogurt, Any - 07-20-08 SS)

Dannon Activia 2/$4
Dannon Activia Or Activia Light, Any 4 Pack - 09-21-08 SS
Dannon Activia Or Activia Light, Any 4 Pack - 08-10-08 SS2
Dannon Activia Or Activia Light, Any 4 Pk. - 07-20-08 SS)

 

 
Boston Market Entrée’s
(Boston Market Frozen Entrees, Any - 09-14-08 SS and Printable on sidebar)

Birds Eye Vegetables 2/$4
(Birds Eye Steamfresh Frozen Vegetables and frozen Rices - 09-07-08 SS2)

Ragu Pasta Sauce 2.99
(Ragu Pasta Sauce, Any - 08-17-08 RP
Ragu Sauce, Any - 07-27-08 RP Hispanic)

Hormel Natural Choice Slice Meats 2/$6
(Hormel Natural Choice Bacon, any - 08-03-08 SS
Hormel 100% Natural Pre Sliced Deli Meats 09-07-08 SS1)

Valley Fresh 2/$5
(Valley Fresh Chicken Product, Any - 08-24-08 SS)

Posted under Winn Dixie, deals

Welcome to the third part on my series detailing extra ways you can either supplement your income, or establish it. While the previous articles focused more on things you can do in addition to a full time or part time job, this article will focus more on what you can do to establish a full or part time income, without having to make a long commute or sacrifice time with your children and families.

The first aspect I would like to address when discussing Work At Home (WAH) opportunities is that none of these are going to make you rich. A lot of people have been scammed applying for or paying for a work at home opportunity that promises thousands of dollars a week for virtually no effort. If the average person could really make thousands of dollars a week with no effort wouldn’t everyone do that? Do people really believe that they, and they alone. were lucky enough to stumble upon this fantastic opportunity and will subsequently become rich because of it? I suppose so, since these scams are everywhere, sometimes posing as legitimate seeming opportunities, other times completely off the wall ridiculous.

The second aspect I would like to address is that despite that fact that these jobs can be done while in your pajama’s, I don’t recommend going into these work at home jobs with the mindset that it is not a real job. Work at Home opportunities are a benefit of the technologically advanced society we live in, and the fact that telecommuting is a reality that many companies are starting to accept. Telecommuting allows real companies to hire qualified workers without outsourcing to foreign countries for a fraction of what they would spend maintaining a building, and paying for equipment. Not only that but it allows companies to have a greater pool of talent than the local metro area they would normally be restricted too.

When making the decision to work from home there are several factors to consider:

1. What kind of time do you have to devote to a work at home job? What family factors could limit your time, and how much time are you willing and able to commit?
2. What skills do you feel that you would be able to bring to a work at home job? What qualifications do you possess?
3. Do you already have the necessary equipment to be able to pursue a work at home job? (i.e. a home computer meeting minimum technology requirements, landline phone, headset, etc)
4. Would you prefer a job that is exclusively done from the home, or a job that would require a small bit of travel and social networking?

Once you’ve decided on what you are able to do, and what you have available at your disposable in regards to equipment and talent it is time to look at the hundreds of options available to today’s at home worker.

There are several different categories of work at home jobs, the one’s I will mention are only a handful of the actual opportunities available, but these are the major categories and will generally incorporate the smaller sub-categories and niche’s that fall into them:

Telecommuting Customer Service/Sales/Telemarketing Representatives
Consulting and Training
Coders (Medical, Legal etc)
Medical and Legal Coders I believe have to be certified. Essentially
Web Design/Programmers
Data Entry
Mystery Shopping
Transcriptionists
Scopists
Online Tutors/Teachers
Virtual Assistants
Party Consultants/Home Sales (Home Interiors, Mary Kay, Avon etc)
Freelance Writing
Online Auctions
Adult Services (Phone Actresses/Text Messaging/Toy Sales)

The only ones I personally have experience with are the Customer Service/Sales from home jobs working for West at Home and Cloud 10, freelance writing, and briefly adult text messaging (don’t judge me I needed Christmas money). I was paid promptly by all of the avenues I chose, but unfortunately at the time it was a case of too little too late. I had been without work for so long, and it took me so long to find a viable work at home opportunity I was forced to take a job outside the home to pay my bills and support my son, which turned out, for me, to be a great and wonderful thing, as I have an amazing job. I sometimes wish I had the ability to work from home, especially when it comes to my son and household responsibilities, but my current profession is where I want to be.

Which brings me to another point I want to make about work at home opportunities: they take time to cultivate. Like searching for a job in the market outside of the home, it takes weeks of applications and resumes and trying different things to really find something lucrative enough to pay the bills. I wasn’t fortunate enough to have the time needed, but if you are currently employed and not in a rush you can find something for sure. Even if you don’t find something that will take care of household expenses any money made can add up in time, or can be used to pay off debt and prevent more debt from accumulating.

After you’ve decided which categories you are interested in, or maybe have even researched some that I didn’t mention, it is time to begin searching for legitimate opportunities in that category. Two resources I found to be invaluable for work at home jobs that were not scams:

Work At Home Mom.com the forums here are an invaluable resource, with a ton of helpful work at home mom’s sharing their experiences with each company and giving you advice on where to look for leads, and how to apply for jobs.

Work Place Like Home is another forum based website that has a ton of companies listed and all the categories I mentioned with leads and viable options.

Rat Race Rebellion is a website with a ton of resources from pay to click sites to freelance writing gigs. The only thing is that a few of these are un-researched leads that can lead to heartbreak and financial woe if you are not careful.

Craig’s List is also a good place to find local and nationwide telecommuting job opportunities but be careful of scams. Craig’s List recently announced a $25 fee to post jobs on their site, which should eliminate a majority of the fakes, but will not eliminate all as it is only for a few major cities at this time.

Which brings me to the final topic of this article, how to avoid getting scammed.

The first principle I would follow is never pay for a work at home opportunity without first researching the lead and verifying that it is a legitimate company, who has a history of paying and ensures a safe and happy work environment. Paying for an opportunity includes training, product purchasing, application fees, or start up fees. The exceptions to this rule can be background check fees, or the start up costs associated with well established businesses like Home Interiors or Avon.

Never give personal information to an un-researched lead. Do not fill out any tax documents or submit any social security numbers to an organization without first checking to make sure it is a legitimate company. Work at home opportunities are a really good source for identity left scams, and care should be taken whenever giving out your social or important personal information.

Research your options on recourse that can be taken for lack of compensation when completing any freelance work, or independent contractor type work. If there is a complaint system in place make sure you’re familiar with it. Contact the Better Business Bureau in the case of fraud, or even local law enforcement if necessary. Sometimes there is nothing you can do, which is extremely sad, but it does happen.

Be upfront about payment requirements and make sure you understand the work involved. The biggest mistake I made the first time I pursued freelance writing was under bidding myself. I would ask well under what other writers were asking in an effort to secure clients, but found myself working for hours on articles that I was only getting paid 3-5 dollars for, and essentially I was only making pennies per hour for the work I put in. Never ask for less than you feel the work is worth, but on the same note do not overbid or you won’t get picked up and given the opportunity. Not only that but underbidding other qualified writers can ruin the market, and can give a bad name to copywriting and SEO writing in general.

Do not stretch yourself too thin. While it is a good idea to have multiple income sources it is a bad idea to take on too much. If you have 15 articles due, plus daily blog posts, a few shifts at your telecommuting call center job, and you are filling out surveys and clicking PTC links all the while, not only will you suffer a severe burnout, but the quality of your work and the quality of your family life will suffer as well. The whole point of a work at home job is finding something you enjoy doing, but allowing yourself the freedom to put other priorities before the 9-5. Limit yourself to one or two projects at a time at first, and slowly build up to taking on more work until you reach your maximum threshold. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed or overworked give up one or two of the projects.

Working at home is a wonderful thing for many people, giving them the freedom to be at home with their children while still providing an income for their families. I use working at home as a way to increase my cash flow and eventually pay off my debt, and for some it is a full time income. As more and more companies embrace this still fairly new concept of telecommuting more and more opportunities will become available, allowing more and more people to get back home. It takes research and time, and trial and error to find the perfect work at home job but I’m sure, if you are truly committed, you will.

Posted under family, money making

Welcome to another edition of Menu Plan Monday! Due to the tightness of finances around here the next few weeks there will be NO eating out nights. None. Nada. Zip.

Breakfasts consist, as always, of pre-made frozen waffles, pancakes, and French toast, muffins and cereal.

Lunch is a mix of lunch meat sandwiches and frozen Smart Ones, Lean Cuisines and Healthy Choice meals.

Dinners:

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Pork chops with mashed potatoes

Chicken Enchiladas

Cincinnati Chili (frozen from last time) Spaghetti

Breakfast for Dinner (Pancakes)

No Peek Chicken (recipe coming soon!)

Fend for Yourself Night

Kind of a lackluster week this week, but still looks Yummy! Feel free to share your own recipes/menu plans in the comments section!

For even more menu’s and ideas:

Posted under menu plans

I have been kinda absent from the actual deals at Publix, Winn Dixie and CVS for the past few weeks. The reason is that we are very well stocked, and also kinda strapped for cash for the next few weeks due to a slight shift in my pay due to how a “cable month” works, and I’ve been working on some other projects as well.

I’ll be back to my weekly multi-store craziness soon, but for now I’ve made a few stops for staples and we are set for the month.

I MIGHT go an pick up some of the deals going at at Publix for their B1G1 sales this week, but at this moment it’s kinda up in the air.

I haven’t touched my coupons, so a serious reorganization is in the works during the next week as well.

Things have been so busy at work and home I really feel I need to put deals lower on my list of priorities in order to remain sane. Doesn’t mean I’m going back to the “old ways” of eating out every night. I still make a menu plan, I still stick to that menu plan, I’m just focusing less on the stocking up and apocalypse preparedness style shopping I’ve been doing for the time being.

I think everyone needs a break now and then from serious couponing and unfortunately I’ve reached my threshold. I know I’ll be back to hardcore soon, but for now I’m happy cruising on moderate.

Posted under Uncategorized

I cleaned up some of the blog categories, adding some more specific areas for easy navigation.

I’ve also started writing EHow articles as something extra to do and I’ve posted 3 new articles on Coupon Organizing in the Articles section, so check them out!

I will be periodically updating the Recipes section this week and other little maintenance activities.

Posted under Uncategorized

It seems Freebie Friday has been replaced permanently with fun Blog Blast articles from Parent Bloggers Network, if you haven’t already, I highly encourage all bloggers to check it out. Every week they post a fun topic and you can win PRIZES.

This week they are introducing the iKnow Animals, Letters and Sounds from Generation Next. The blog blast topic? How does your house resemble a zoo. As if there could be an EASIER topic to write about when dealing with a crazy toddler!

What do kids do that doesn’t remind you of an animal at the zoo? Between all the poop throwing and bug eating I have trouble remembering that he is human most of the time.

If you have ever been to the monkey habitat at the zoo and then gone into your toddler’s room you know what I am talking about. Replace the tire swing and the weird sombreros (they actually had sombreros at our zoo) with a Diego backpack and a Christmas hat and you have my son.

If you have ever stood screaming “NONONONONO” as your two year old reached into his obviously full of poop diaper, pulled out its contents only to smear them on the wall, you can see the comparison.

When Ethan picks up a bug off the floor and gives it an experimental taste I am convinced that children are less than human until they reach the age of 5.

I’ve watched him bark at neighbors, roll around on the floor growling, and chase cats going “MEOWRRR” for hours. His constant screeching and odd gibberish noises remind me of the aviary, and he bounces around from couch to couch like a kangaroo.

I’m convinced that children are more animal than human for a reason. It reminds us of our cave ancestry, when we were banging our fists in anger at the sky demons, and roaming the plains to hunt for elk and whatever else cave people did. Grunting, screeching, poop tasting in the name of child science, the banging of very expensive electronic items on hard surfaces due to a lack of understanding of the function, and their magpie like tendency to save food in various locations remind me everyday that once society was an entire civilization of toddler monkey like human beings, marveling at the awesome noises things make when you tip them over or dump them out.

I am reminded of my son’s very monkey like tendencies everyday, whether it is poop related or not. Even in social situations do I see the resemblance:

When his cousin Jack was playing in the blinds, Ethan pulled him back in warning, knowing that playing in the blinds leads to corner time from his own experiences, like the generations of monkeys sprayed with the water hose.

When his little friend at school had snot running down his face, Ethan wiped it off in a brotherly fashion, with his hand of course.

His toys vary in condition from severely chewed, to banged apart in frustration. He hates wear clothes, preferring his natural naked state, and peeing where he pleases.

Ethan is a keen hunter, able to pick out a stale forgotten cracker, or a 2 week old gummy bear that even weeks of thorough house cleaning could not locate.

I’m convinced Ethan has an idea of what storing up for winter is all about, often taking the last few bites of every meal and secreting them away only to be found later growing fur in his toybox, or hard a rock under his mattress.

When meeting other toddlers, Ethan will begin that familiar screeching, toddler gibberish, sometimes banging other, more inferior toddlers with his fist.

When frustrated or scared Ethan will often take a defensive posture, often striking at his attacker with his teeth or his fists to protect his game, be it a digital camera or the aforementioned old food he found in one of his hiding spots.

There are a million ways I could compare my son to an animal at the zoo. Really, all children are animals we dress up in cute outfits and scold for peeing on the carpet. Like Koko we are slowly teaching them to be more human one year at a time, until eventually they are ready to join society.

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