Living Smarter Not Harder

~Local Spot~ Price Cutter's Manger's Specials 6/11-6/20

2009-06-11T14:16:00.003-05:00

Okay, since I am not using my computer there will be no cool pictures on my posts today. My mother's computer refuses to let me download them. So, imagine a grocery bag full of goodies!

THESE SPECIALS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AT PRICE CUTTER ON GLENSTONE AND DIVISION IN SPRINGFIELD, MO. If it is out of the way, some of them are definitely worth the drive, especially if you have a freezer.

6/11 Van camps pork n beans 3/$1 limit 6

6/12 Ground round family pk $1.69 lb (GREAT PRICE!)

6/13 Family pack ice cream 56 oz .99 limit 1

6/14 dozen glazed donuts 2/$4 limit 2

6/15 Best Choice Sand Bread 2/$1. (GREAT PRICE!)

6/16 Fresh fried chicken 8pc $3.99

6/17 10lb potatoes .99 limit 1

6/18 Cap Crunch 2/$3 limit 4

6/19 Tyson Bnls Sknls chicken $1.79lb

6/20 Hiland OJ half gal .99 limit 2

(Thanks for sharing, Sherri!)

Technical Difficulties!

2009-06-11T13:22:00.002-05:00

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties at our home. If you frequent this blog, you have probably noticed that I have not logged much since Friday. That is because, not one, but both of our computers has gone down... in the same week! I am at my Mom's right now using her's. So, anyway, please be patient with me and check back often, because I have some great stuff planned to post, I am just having trouble doing it. Thanks, for sticking it out!

More High Value Coupons

2009-06-10T22:28:00.002-05:00

A lot of these coupons will probably snag you free if not close to free items when combined with a sale. As always, hit the back arrow to print two.

$1.50 off New Tide Stain Release

$1.50 off Kashi Go Lean Waffles

$1 off Orville Redenbacher (click on print now)

$5 off Boost Kid Essentials

Check out these great Smart Source Coupons

High Value ThermaCare Coupon!

2009-06-10T20:40:00.002-05:00

Go here to fill out your info and print a $3 off ThermaCare coupon. I was only able to print one, but you should be able to print two if you hit the back arrow, I just went to far back and then it told me I had printed my limit. I have an email into them now, so I can make sure the limit is the usual two and not one. Nonetheless, this is a great high value coupon and will get you these for free with a good sale.

New Shortcuts.com Coupons for Huggies!

2009-06-10T16:54:00.002-05:00

Go here to load your $2 off Pull-ups coupon and you $1.50 off any Huggies diaper coupon to your Dillon's card. This combined with a manufacturers coupon and a sale will be a GREAT DEAL.

If you get Huggies mailer's check yours for a $5 off Pull-ups and $1.50 off any diaper and $3.00 off Pure and Natural. I plan to wait for a sale and pair the pull-ups together for a $7.00 savings and the Shortcuts any diaper and $3 mailer for a $4.50 savings off a pack of diapers.

If you did not get the mailer, don't worry, you will get an awesome deal too. Have Firefox, go here for a $3 off Pull-ups printable coupon. Have IE, go here. Hit the back arrow to get two to print.

If you do not have a local store that you can load shortcuts coupons on their card, be sure to check out Target's sale coming up next week. They will have Pull-ups for $8.99 and will give you a $5 gift card when you buy three packs. So this combined with the Pull-ups coupons out now, should net you three packs for $4.32 each. If I use my $5 coupon and two $3 it will be $3.66 each.

$1 off Edge Shave Gel

2009-06-10T16:47:00.002-05:00

Go here for a $1.00 off any Edge Shave Gel printable coupon. Be sure to hit the back arrow, to print two.

Free Samples of Crest Products

2009-06-10T16:32:00.003-05:00

Want fresh breath and shiny white teeth? Well head over to Walmart.com fast for a free sample of Crest Pro Health Enamel Shield toothpaste and Crest White Strips Advanced Seal.

~Local Spot~ Peaches for $0.69 lb today only

2009-06-10T16:26:00.003-05:00

Hurry to Price Cutter on Glenstone and Division for their Manager's Special, $0.69 lb for peaches. This is today only and only at this location. It is worth going, because they are about $0.30 cents a lb cheaper than all the other peaches around town. I see peach cobbler in my future. Yum...!

Free Resumes at Office Depot!

2009-06-10T15:58:00.003-05:00

Office Depot will be offering 25 free resumes and free faxes for up to 5 domestic numbers (25 page limit). My hubby did this the last time they offered it. If you are looking for a job be sure to take advantage of this. The great news is that it will be going through the end of 2009!

Going Out For My Cheap Date!

2009-06-05T16:32:00.006-05:00

Once a month our church hosts a Parent's Night Out. We are in a co-op, so we work one time and then get several months of free dates. It is a Godsend because when you have more than a couple kids, it starts getting super expensive for a sitter. (Thanks, Ms. Dannette!) So, on these nights, we usually get together with friends or I gather together all the great coupons I have and we go out and go shopping. Tonight's cheap date will be:

Going to see our friends Jon and Gail and meeting their new baby Vincent! This is our top priority, because at our last date night Vincent had not made the big move yet.

If we do anything else it will be:

Dinner:
BOGO dinner at T.G.I.Fridays

Shopping at:
Lane Bryant (I got a $15 off $15 coupon in the mail. I see free jewelry in my future!)
NYC Color Co. at Wal-Mart or Target (I have 2 $5 coupons and these are usually about $1.00 each)
Gymboree (20% off coupon, baby Vincent needs something cute!)

Desert:
Free Andy's Frozen Custard (We got free gift cards from our church for being small group leaders!)

So this is our night and it should be fun and cheap. My hubby likes a cheap date!

Free Doughnuts Reminder

2009-06-05T14:04:00.001-05:00

Don't forget to get your free doughnuts today. We forgot ours this morning, but they will make a great afternoon snack!

Lessons Learned at Aunt Sheshe's

2009-06-05T11:44:00.011-05:00

This week I took one of my girls to south Arkansas to visit my Grandmother and the rest of my family. My 4 yr old, got to meet Aunt Sheila, (Sheshe as she called her) for the first time. Aunt Sheshe is the best hostess ever! She bends over backwards to make sure her guests are comfortable.

Lesson #1 Keep frozen cookie dough in your freezer for that just in case guest. Frozen dough is usually really cheap with coupons and it just adds so much to your visit to pull hot cookies out of the oven for your guests. We visited Aunt Sheshe two times and both time she had cookies and coffee ready to go.

Aunt Sheshe, also has a beautiful home, think the pages of Southern Living Magazine. She loves silk flowers and greenery and she has such a great eye for decorating.

Lesson #2 use an air compressor to blow any dust off of your silk plants and then spray them with special spray made just for silk plants that will keep the dust off.

If Aunt Sheshe wants it, she gets it. What I mean by that is that Aunt Sheshe saves her money to improve each room of her house. She makes everything herself. She sews her curtains and slipcovers, she lays her own tile, she even built her own beautiful shop behind her house where a dilapidated one stood. In her front yard, she decided she wanted a fountain so she went and go the cement herself and made a beautiful fountain with landscaping and lights. I think she freaked Uncle David out when he came home and their was cement and supplies all over the front yard. Aunt Sheshe is just plain fearless.

Lesson#3 Don't be afraid to do it yourself. It saves a lot of money and you can do anything you put your mind to. I have to admit that when there are outside improvements to be made, I wait on my hubby to do it for me. Aunt Sheshe inspired me that I can do it all by myself if I need to. If you have a project you have been thinking of doing. Check out YouTube.com. I bet you will find step by step instructions there.

While at Aunt Sheshe's house I got to try out a great mosquito repelling trick I had read about somewhere. It worked! The further south you go, the bigger the mosquito's get. The ones at Aunt Sheshe's house were as big as cows. That's right, there are flying cows in Arkansas. When I did the trick, I did not get bitten. They did land on me and think about it but then they left. The next day, I forgot to do it and got bitten to pieces, so that is how I know it works.

Lesson#4 Rub a dryer sheet or half of one on your clothes before heading outside to keep the mosquito's from eating you. The thing I read, said to actually just put a sheet in your pocket. I did not trust that so, I rubbed it on my clothes and even my skin, just in case and it worked. One caution, if you have sensitive skin, you probably want to just use it on your clothes. It really works!

Lesson#5 When we travel we keep all of our toothbrushes together in a zip lock bag and they get oooty, which is not really a word, but it sums up their condition well. Did you know that you can run your toothbrushes through the dishwasher to kill germs? This also extends their life.

If you are reading this Aunt Sheshe, thanks so much for your hospitality. We are so lucky to have you in our lives!

Free summer movies for kids!

2009-06-04T10:48:00.002-05:00

Wehrenberg Theatres are offering free summer movies for kids. They are located in MO, IA, IL and MN.

The Family Summer Series is a FREE movie program designed for families, daycares, preschools, YMCA’s, Scouts & Summer Camps. Your group has an opportunity to attend FREE movies this summer for 10 ‘family’ films over the course of 10 weeks in June, July & August.

Movies will play every Wednesday and Thursday at 10:00 am from Wednesday 6/3/09 through Thursday 8/6/09. (Doors open at 9:00 am.) Please contact your local theatre (phone #’s are below) to make your group arrangements. Guarantee your ticket(s) with advance combo purchase(s). Remaining seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

They will be showing Space Chimps, Open Season 2, Marley & Me, Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa, Kung Fu Panda, Hotel For Dogs, Coraline, Bee Movie, Stuart Little 3. Call your local theater for more info.

(Thanks for sharing, Kristin!)

Kohls 60-80% Off Plus Great Promo Codes!

2009-06-04T10:16:00.002-05:00

Here is another good sale! Kohls.com is having a clearance sale with $4.99 shipping. Use promo code new4579 to save an extra 10% off your order and if you have a Kohls card use MVC5993 to get free shipping. On top of that, order through Ebates.com and get an extra 2% back! I got 2 pair of Princess pajamas, originally $30 each and 1 pair of Cupcake Pajamas, originally $20 for my girls and a really great pair of shoes, that was originally $39.99. My purchase paying original prices with tax and shipping would have been around $125.00 and I only spent $37.08, which would have been $5 cheaper if I had a Kohls card and I will get 2% back. Gotta love clearance sales and promo's!

$10/$10 purchase online code at JCPenney!

2009-06-04T10:02:00.003-05:00

Go here and use this great $10.00 off a $10.00 purchase code GR8DAD to get something for cheap or free. I headed to the online outlet and snagged my daughter a Hannah Montana jewelry box that was originally $30.00 for $2.99 after the code. Shipping was $5.95 and I went through ebates.com and as a new user I received $5 from them, plus 4% back on my purchase! So, shipping was basically free and I snagged a super cheap Christmas gift!

(Thanks, Hip2save!)

Free Krispy Kreme Doughnuts June 5th!

2009-06-04T09:15:00.003-05:00

Choose any doughnut you want! It is one per person. My kids LOVE free doughnut days, because it is the only time we eat them. Our two local Springfield, MO stores are participating. Call your local store to find out if they are participating.

(Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!)

A Great Gift for Dad!

2009-06-04T07:34:00.003-05:00

Right now at Sephora, they are offering up some great samples for Dad with any purchase. In their sale area, they have items still in stock at $2 and up. They have tons of great items for $5. I bought a $2 item and then paid the $5.95 shipping. I then got to choose three more samples for me, because they offer that with every purchase. So for about 8 bucks, I got some stuff for me and all of these high end samples for hubby! Use the promo code HANDSOME.

Includes:

Giorgio Armani Emporio Armani Diamonds For Men (0.05 oz)

Giorgio Armani Code (0.05 oz)

Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Pour Homme (0.05 oz)

Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme (0.04 oz)

Sean John I Am King (0.05 oz)

Hugo Boss Hugo (0.06 oz)

John Varvatos Artisan

Carolina Herrera 212 Sexy Men (0.05 oz)

Lab Series Multi-Action Face Wash and Daily Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 15 (2 x 0.06 oz)

Jack Black Beard Lube (0.33 oz)

The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream (0.27 oz)

Billy Jealousy Hydroplane Super Slick Shave Cream (0.135 oz)

Zirh Protect (0.1 oz)

Cartier Declaration (0.05 oz)

Great Deals at Hooked on Phonics!

2009-06-03T23:45:00.002-05:00

Check out the deals here! I just bought hundreds of dollars of Phonics products for super cheap! This is the best sale I have seen and these prices are cheaper than most eBay prices with the promo code. I have had the Kindergarten reading set sitting in my house for a year and never broke it out, even while teaching my homeschooling kindergartner to read. Last month, I though I would see if it would work for my prek 5 yr old and it did. So, then on a whim, I thought I would try it on my 3 yr old and see if she could read. She already knew her letter sounds, so I thought it was worth a try even though it was a long shot. Well, guess what folks? The kid is reading and loving it! So, I am absolutely sold on the power of Hooked on Phonics! Go here to order and use the promo code slick50.

~Local Spot~ Savings Club for Kids

2009-06-03T23:15:00.002-05:00

We are big Dave Ramsey fans. We attended Financial Peace University at our church and his classes changed our thinking and actually helped to start me on this frugal path. So, when I saw a local bank in Springfield, MO offering this program, I was super excited. I can not wait to have my kids start accounts here. It is called the Birth and Beyond Club. It offers monthly incentives for making deposits and then they have quarterly events and other cool stuff. It is all centered around teaching your child how to save. Birth and Beyond Club, here we come...

Family Fun Magazine

2009-06-03T22:24:00.002-05:00

If you have kids, grand kids or babysit you really need to check this magazine out. You can currently get it for $0.89 a copy. Being the frugal person that I am, I probably would not have subscribed to it, since I did not know much about it, if I had not gotten it for free. Now, I will certainly subscribe again for whatever amount I need to pay when my free one is up. This deal is the best one I saw out there right now. I look forward to it every month to get more ideas. An added bonus this month was finding great coupons and offers in it:

$1 off Lil' Drums (snack size drumstick ice cream)

15% off your two night or more stay at Country Inn and Suites

15% off your purchase at Company Kids with promo code FAMILY69 check their clearance out

20% off Gymboree coupon

$0.25 off Sunny D Smoothies

Try me free Swiss Tea rebate offer

$1 off Swiss Tea coupon (money maker combined with rebate)

20% off at Great Wolf Lodge with promo code FUN

On top of the great offers, there are tons of ideas for family fun. Did you guess I am in love with this magazine?

~Local Spot~ Jump Mania

2009-06-03T22:10:00.004-05:00

Jump Mania in Springfield, Missouri is celebrating it's first birthday! Go in and celebrate during the week of June 14th-20th. It is $5 for open jump (don't forget your socks) and there will be presents, cake and door prizes EVERY DAY!

Also, go in to get the details on how to win Dad 4 tickets to the Springfield Cardinals game on Fri. July 24th located in the front row behind the dugout. Wow, that would be a great gift!

Free Glamour Shots!

2009-06-03T21:43:00.002-05:00

Want a little pampering and a great picture to show for it? Get a free session and a free 8x10 with a free digital image of that pose. Your session will include: airbrush makeover (hallelujah!), hairstyling, 3-4 wardrobe changes, and a slide show presentation. Resist the urge to spend extra money and you could have yourself one smokin' hot picture and deal!

BOGO at T.G.I. FRIDAY's

2009-06-03T20:48:00.002-05:00

Go here to print your buy one get one free coupon! Woohoo! Just in time for our Parent's night out at our church on Friday. Now I know where we are going for a cheap and yummy date night! Coupon is great through 6/22/09.

Go get your free Root Beer Float NOW!

2009-06-03T20:32:00.003-05:00

Tonight 8:00pm to close All Sonics are giving away a free 10oz Root Beer Float per person to show customer appreciation. My kiddos will have a very happy ride home from church! Get there now!

~Local Spot~ Pottery for Dad!

2009-06-03T20:05:00.002-05:00

Want a great gift for Dad? Head to Firehouse Pottery and Art Studio and make him a personalized gift from the kiddos! Look in the June addition of Ozarks Moms Like Me Magazine for a $5/$ 25 coupon or go here for a 1/2 off coupon for a painting session for two or more. I am thinking this one is a keeper. It's a good thing my hubby doesn't pay to much attention to my blog!

~Local Spot~ Dollar General Grand Opening

2009-06-03T19:18:00.004-05:00

The Dollar General in Strafford, MO located just east of Springfield on I44 off exit 88 (475 E Old Rt 66) is having their Grand Opening on June 6th. The first 50 customers will receive a $10 gift card. If you are local, check your mail for a $5/$20 coupon to use. Pair the store coupon, gift card and manufacturer's coupons to get your purchase for free or super cheap!

On the road again!

2009-05-31T05:38:00.002-05:00

Well, things have been a little slower around here than usual. First, we went out of town Thursday and now I am headed out again. I get to go see my Grandma, who I have not seen in years and my brother and I are headed their together to celebrate my Dad's birthday. This is a big deal, because he lives in Texas and is often away, between serving in Iraq and Border Patrol. It's an eight hour trip and we are taking my 4 year old Shekinah. He will be here any minute to get us, so I am off!

Quick Frugal Recipe!

2009-05-29T15:56:00.005-05:00

We eat this frugal meal every week. We eat it without meat most of the time, but we have added chicken before or even a little bacon that we buy in bulk for $1.49lb to mimic a recipe we once had at a Chinese buffet. The key to making great fried rice is to use cold rice. If you use hot rice your fried rice will stick together and be gummy. When I make rice for a meal, I just double it and save back half for making fried rice, so it will be cold. Go here to see how to make the perfect rice. This is open to interpretation based on your family preferences, but if you use the seasoning and technique it calls for, you can pretty much use whatever ingredients you want. This serves about four people and I double it for our family of six. It also takes less than ten minutes to cook this if you do your prep work ahead of time. Here is how we do it.

1/2 cup diced carrots

2 eggs

1-2 cloves of crushed garlic

1 cup of precooked, diced, meat of your choice (cooked pork is recommended, if you want meatless, just add more veggies)

2 1/2 cups of rice

1/2 cup of chopped celery

1/4 cup of green onion

2 T soy sauce

1 tsp salt

2 T sugar

Take a skillet or wok and heat a tablespoon of oil over medium high heat. Put your carrot and garlic in and stir fry for about 30 seconds, being sure not to burn your garlic. Then add your eggs and scramble them into your carrots. Stir fry them for about 30-40 seconds making sure to break up big pieces of eggs as you go. Add your meat. Stir fry that for about a minute. Add your rice, because it is cold it is best to separate it with a fork as you scrape it out of the bowl, that way you can eliminate clumps. Lower your heat to medium so your rice will not burn. Add about 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, more or less, depending on how salty you like it. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and two tablespoons of sugar. Turn your heat of to medium high and continue stir frying about two minutes. Put in your celery and green onion and stir fry for one more minute. Then enjoy!

Heading out for some family fun!

2009-05-28T11:04:00.003-05:00

Well, I am sad to tell you this, but I am off to The Grand Country Inn in Branson, MO with my family. If you are ever in Branson, this is a great deal, because they have both a indoor and outdoor water park and it is included in the price of the room. My room is only $99.95. That is actually a steal for water park entertainment for all six of us. If you break it down the water park costs $15.00 a day for each person, if we do not stay there, so our room is just $9.95 for the night! My friend Jessica loves taking her family there. So, for now I will not be posting, but I will let you know all about it when I get back.

$9.00 Flights from Jet Blue's New Airline

2009-05-28T10:57:00.003-05:00

Jet Blue is opening up a new airline, Jet America, which will soon be offering flights for only $9.00! Yes, you read that right! The first 19 seats on each flight will be available for $9.00. They will have 34 nonstop passenger flights a week will start July 13 at Toledo, Ohio; South Bend, Ind.; Melbourne, Fla.; Newark, N.J.; Minneapolis and Lansing, Mich. Twenty-eight flights start or end at Newark Liberty International Airport. The carrier will add six more flights -- from Toledo to Minneapolis -- starting Aug. 14. For more info go here!

Cordless Mouse $8.97

2009-05-27T15:06:00.009-05:00

Dillyeo Deal of the Day (click on the mouse for more info)

$8.95 + $5 shipping

Refurbished mouse comes with a one year manufacturer's guarantee. Compare to...

ThriftyComputer.com: $20.95 after shipping Compare

Ecost.com: $19.98 after shipping Compare

Gearxs.com: $23.70 Compare

All You Magazine $0.83 Each!

2009-05-27T14:11:00.002-05:00

Hurry here to get a year of All You Magazine for only $10.00! If are not familiar with All You it is available at Wal-Mart and I believe the shelf price is $2.24. It is chocked full of coupons and helpful articles. I already have a subscription but I bought another. The coupons in the magazine will more than pay for the subscription. My favorite coupon was in the April magazine, it was a free mascara! The instant discount will be applied at checkout and there is no charge for shipping. Woohoo! Go here now!

Seventh Generation Coupons

2009-05-27T13:46:00.003-05:00

Go here for...
$2.00 off Seventh Generation Diapers
$1.00 off any dish washing product
$1.00 off any product

~Local Spot~ Children's Orchard (Save 50% on play clothes)

2009-05-27T13:01:00.003-05:00

Wednesday is Play Day at Children's Orchard

Every Wednesday at your local Springfield, Missouri Children's Orchard we have Play Wear Day! For every $10.00 you spend on pink-tagged Play Wear, we will give you $5.00 back in store credit.

That's right! We are paying you to buy play wear. You must pay using cash, check or credit card. They can not accept store credit with this special.

It's the perfect time of the year for play clothes - just in time to send them out to the sandbox!

Free Sample!

2009-05-26T10:32:00.001-05:00

Go here for your free sample of Kellogg's Special K

More on BOGO deals...

2009-05-25T17:01:00.001-05:00

For every rule there is an exception, especially in the coupon world. For the beginning couponers out there, I apologize ahead of time, because this is going to get advanced. When I went to the store tonight I checked out the BOGO Wheat Thins deal that I had talked to Christine about. I had one BOGO coupon for Artisan wheat thins and a $1/1 triscuit coupon. The ad says Buy One Get One Free. That seems straight forward enough and it stands to reason, that you should be able to get two boxes free with the use of a manufacturers coupon. If I have already lost you, here is my last post. Anyway, when I got there I noticed an immediate problem. The boxes were marked 2/$3.49, not buy one get one free. They are regularly $3.49 a piece, so yes, you are getting one for free. However, all was not as it appeared when applying coupons. When they code the boxes that way, instead of paying $3.49 for one and nothing for the other, you actually pay $1.74 for each box, so if you apply a BOGO coupon to this deal, you pay $1.74 for two boxes. It's not free, but $0.87 per box is nothing to sneeze at. This kind of coding, actually makes it easier to use two coupons on two products. It would be much easier to use 2 $1.00 off coupons on each box in this case. Because theTriscuits were marked 2/$3.49 and I had a $1.00 off coupon, I bought one box at the $1.74 and used the coupon and it was $0.74. So, when looking at ads, they do notnecessarily tell the whole story. It is how the product is labeled that will tell you exactly how much you will be paying in the end. Have questions about this tricky concept? Leave me a comment or email me and I will do my best to answer it.

Using a BOGO coupon with a BOGO special

2009-05-25T10:18:00.001-05:00

Julia,

Hello. Could you please explain store advertised BOGO's and using a BOGO coupon along with that? I have a BOGO coupon for Wheat Thins and would like to use it with Price Cutter's advertised BOGO deal. I didn't know if I had to buy one to get the two free or how this worked.

Thank you for all your help. Your blog is great and I loved the piece about the garage sales - definitely inspiring!

Christine

The answer is yes, you should be able to get both boxes for free. When the store has an advertised buy one get one free (BOGO) special, they are taking a loss to give you one box of crackers for free in order to get you to come in the store. It is called a loss leader. When the manufacturer puts out a manufacturer's coupon, they are taking a loss by agreeing to pay the store back for that free box. If your checker tells you that you can't get two boxes free, you can educate them, that the store is reimbursed full price for the box of crackers, plus $.08 shipping. So it is actually just the same as you doing the BOGO deal without the manufacturer's coupon, because they will make the same money in the end. They are two separate entity's. If you have an issue with the checker, just get the manager over and ask them. Sometimes it is up to us to educate.

Be aware...the only stores in town who absolutely do not understand this concept are Walgreens, they will most likely paint you out to be dishonest, because they are completely ignorant about it. They are not a very coupon friendly store and if there is ever a choice, CVS is much more coupon friendly. Walgreens lack of coupon understanding is a systemic problem handed down from their corporate office, to their managers, to the checkers, at least in our area. Never fear though, you are just a smart coupon shopper and you have every right to use coupons and specials to your advantage. Good thinking! Thanks, for asking this one Christine!
Also, if you have not already printed out your $1 off coupons Kraft.com and Coupons.com, there are $1 off coupons for wheat thins there. If you use two with the BOGO special, you should get both boxes for close to free.

Walgreens 5/24-5/30

2009-05-24T15:28:00.004-05:00

Here are the best Walgreens deals I see this week. There is not a lot going on. There were some fairly good deals on Kraft Mayo and Miracle Whip and Shells and Cheese, but if you live in Springfield, MO or surrounding areas, you can get better deals at other stores this week. Check it out here.

REGISTER REWARD DEALS

Posture-D Calcium: $8.99 (Get $8.99 RR)

Final Price- FREE

Tropicana Pure Orange Juice $2.99 (Get $1 RR)$
$1/1 printable coupon

Final Price- .99

Colgate Total Toothpaste: $2.49 (Get $1.50 RR)
$1/1 printable coupon
$1.50/1 March issue of All You Magazine
$1.50/1 Money Saving Market Place (regional coupon mailer)
Final Price- FREE

Reach Ultraclean Toothbrush or Floss: 2/$5.00 (Get $3 RR when you buy 2)
BOGO 4/26 RP
$1.50/2 3/15 SS
$.50/1 3/15 SS

Final Price- OVERAGE of $.50 to $1.00 (**We do not get Reach coupons in the southwest MO region, so if you are local, you may want to get these from eBay.)

Serenity or Tena $11.99 ($2.00 RR)
-full mail in rebate from 4/26 SS
Final Price- $2 OVERAGE

OTHER GOOD DEALS

Dial Pomegranate Body Wash (travel size) $.99
$1/1 HERE
Final Price- FREE

Vitamin Water 3/$3
Use 3 $1 off 4/5 SS
$1/1 HERE

Final Price- 3 FREE (must use three coupons)

Trident: $.67 (with in-ad coupon)
Use $.75/1 5/10 SS

Final Price- OVERAGE of $.08

**Always give in store coupons after Manufacturer coupons and buy a filler to get you to .75 so they will take your coupon.

Quilted Northern Toilet Paper 9 big rolls $4.29
$1/1 4/26 RP
Final Price- $3.29

If you do not get a newspaper, check out the complete ad here courtesy of Iheartwags.com

~LOCAL SPOT~ Price Cutter Specials

2009-05-24T15:11:00.003-05:00

The Springfield, MO Price Cutter on Division and Glenstone has daily unadvertised specials. They are the only Price Cutter who does this and sometimes they are dirt cheap. My source has told me that today's special is...
BUY A DOZEN DONUTS GET A DOZEN FREE= works out to $2.00 each

Monday's special is...

WHITE BREAD (sorry, don't remember the brand) 2/$1.00 (Dirt cheap!)

Be watching for their other daily specials as I get updates.

No Coupons Today!

2009-05-24T14:49:00.004-05:00

Just a reminder... it is a holiday weekend, so there will be no coupons in the paper today. So, if you open yours and there are none in there, I promise, it isn't because they don't like you anymore!

Here is the coupon schedule for the summer. Happy couponing!

May
31 — Smart Source & Red Plum

June
7 — Smart Source, Red Plum, & Procter and Gamble
14 — Smart Source
21 — Smart Source & Red Plum
28 — Smart Source & Red Plum

July
5 — Procter and Gamble
12 — Smart Source & Red Plum
19 — Smart Source
26 — Smart Source & Red Plum

August
2 — Smart Source, Red Plum, & Procter and Gamble
9 — Smart Source & Red Plum
16 — Smart Source & Red Plum
23 — Smart Source & Red Plum
30 — Smart Source & Red Plum

CVS DEALS 5/24-5/30

2009-05-23T14:47:00.003-05:00

SUNDAY AND MONDAY ONLY!

Clearsil Stayclear Daily Face Wash 6.5oz $3.99

Get $3.99 ECB (limit 1)
$1/1 SS 4/19/09
$2/1 SS 4/19/09
Final Price- FREE with $1-$2 overage after coupon and ECBs!

All Relvon Nail $3.99

Get $3.00 ECB (limit 1)
$1/1 Revlon Color Cosmetic SS 4/26/09
Final Price- FREE with .01 overage after coupon and ECBs!

Playtex Gentle Glide 18ct or Sport Tampons 16ct $3.99

Get $3.00 ECB (limit 1)

$1/1 HERE, SS 3/22/09,
$1/1 May issue of All You Magazine
$1/1 printable
Final Price- FREE after coupon and ECBs!

BandAid Brand Bandages $2.99
Get $2 ECB (limit 1)

$.50 RP 5/17/09
$1/1 SS 2/8/09
$1/1 RP 4/26/09
$1/1 SS 3/15/09
Final Price- FREE or $.49 after Coupon and ECB!

Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste $0.88
$0.75/1 SS 2/22/09

Final Price- $.13 each after coupon!

Folger's Classic Roast or Decaf 11.3 oz BOGO $3 (limit 6)

$1/1 7-oz or Larger RP 5/3/09

Final Price- .50 each after 2 coupons & BOGO sale!

Planter's Nuts 11.5 oz or Cashew Halves BOGO $3
$1/1 HERE & HERE
Final Price- .50 each after 2 coupons and BOGO sale!

Cottonelle 12 pk $5.49 (limit 3 )

$6.99 each after Monday

$0.50/2 SS 4/26/09

$0.75/1 Ultra SS 4/26/09

$1/1 HERE

$0.50/1 printable
$1/1 June issue of All You Magazine

Final Price- $4.49-$5.24 each after coupon!

Listerine BOGO 50% off
.50 RP 4/26/09
$1/1 printable
$1/1 SS 3/15/09
$1/1 RP 4/26/09
Final Price- varies

WEEKLY ECB DEALS

Speed Stick Pro $3.99

Get $3.99 ECB (limit 2)

Final Price- FREE after ECB!

Gain Laundry Detergent 24 - 32 Loads $5.99

Get $2.00 ECB (limit 1)

$1 P&G $120 Savings Rebate Booklet
Final Price- $2.99 after coupon!

Olay Body Wash 23.6oz, Plus Ribbons or Quench Lotion 2/$12.00

Get $5.00 ECB when you buy 2 (limit 1)

$1/1 P&G 5/3/09

$1/1 Ribbons P&G 5/3/09

Final Price- $2.50 each when you buy 2 after coupons & ECB!

Dry Idea Clinical Complete Roll On or Right Guard Clinical Aerosol or Solid $7.99

Get $4.00 EBC (limit 2)

$1/1 Dry Idea or Right Guard SS 4/19/09

$1/2 Dry Idea or Right Guard SS Summer 5/17/09

$1/2 Right Guard SS 3/8/09

$2/1 Dry Idea Roll-On HERE

Final Price- $1.99-$3.49 each after coupon!

Power Bars 10/$10.00

Get $5 ECB when you buy 10 (limit 1)

Final Price-.50 each when you buy 10 after ECB!

Nexcare Tape or Children's

Get $2.00 ECB (limit 2)

Final Price- Varies

Kotex Ultra Thin Pads 14 - 20ct 2/$7.00

Get $2.00 ECB when you buy 2(limit 3)

$1/1 SS 4/5/09

Final Price-$2.50 each when you buy 2 after coupons & ECB!

Thermacare Wraps

Get $5.00 ECB when you buy $10 worth (limit 1)

$1/1 RP 3/29/09
$1/1 RP 4/19/09

$1.50/1 RP 3/29/09
$1/1 RP 4/19/09

Final Price- Varies

Cologate Total Advanced 4oz $2.99

Get $2.00 EBC (limit 1)
$1/1 SS 5/10/09

Final Price- FREE after coupon!

OTHER DEALS

Palmolive $.99

$.25 April All You
Final Price- $.74!

Johnson's Baby or Aveeno $3.99

$1/1 Aveeno SS 4/5/09

$1.50/2 Aveeno SS 4/5/09

$2/1 various Aveeno coupons HERE, HERE & HERE

$1/1 Aveeno HERE
$2/2 various Johnson's Baby Products HERE and HERE

$1/1 various Johnson's Baby Products HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE

Final price- $1.99-$3.24 each after coupon!

B1G1 Sobe, Propel, or Gatorade Limit 8

B1G1 printable

Final Price- FREE!

Off! Clip On starter kit - $7.99 each
Use B1G1 printable coupon
Use $2/1 coupon from the 5/17 SS
Use $3/1 CVS printable coupon (on CVS’s website)
Final Price- $1.50 each wyb 2 after ALL 3 coupons!

For the complete ad go to I Heart CVS.

OLD NAVY FLIP FLOPS $1 TODAY!

2009-05-23T10:17:00.003-05:00

Run, don't walk, to Old Navy to get your $1 flip flops today. Find your happy place before you walk through the doors, because it will be crazy crowded. Limit 5 per customer.

New Restaurant.com $25 certificate for $2

2009-05-22T13:05:00.006-05:00

Just in time for Memorial Day Weekend, Restaurant.com is offering 80% off their gift certificates!

Pay only $2 for a $25 gift certificate.

My Buried Birthday Treasures Unearthed At Yard Sales

2009-05-22T00:23:00.001-05:00

Boy, did I have a great time at the yard sales last weekend! It was raining and several of them were closed down when I started on Friday. I was on a last minute search for birthday presents. My little girl was turning 4 on Sunday. I searched in quiet desperation on Friday and came up empty handed. So, first thing Saturday morning, I rolled out of bed on a mission, with a two hour time limit, because hubby had a missionary meeting to go to. I looked out the window and you guessed it, more rain! Because it was raining, I headed to a benefit sale inside at our local Fed-Ex. Here is what I found sitting out in the rain, in perfect condition, except for a couple scuffs.This Radio Flyer Trike originally lists for $83.94 and I bought it for $5.00! I would have tried to get it even cheaper, but it was a benefit sale, so I absolutely do not haggle at those.

Next, I found a Cinderella play boutique and a TON of Polly Pockets. My kids have never had Polly Pockets before, so I was not sure if they would like them, but I was in desperation mode, so I forked over $1.50 (talked down from $2.50) for a fashion show stage and a huge Ziploc full of Polly Pocket dolls complete with clothes and shoes and boats and tubs...etc There were about ten Polly Pockets in there, so I guesstimate, that it was about 5 sets. I priced them online at about $15 each, so it was about $75.00 worth of Polly Pockets. I could not find the Cinderella boutique I got at the sale for $1.50 anywhere when I googled it, but on eBay. They had the boutique for about $16 shipped, so I am guessing maybe it was originally $25, I don't really know, but here is the picture. Maybe one of you know.So, I guesstimate that the Pollys and Cinderella were about $100 originally. I paid $3.00 for all.

Now, the price of this last item, a purple Barbie VW Beetle, completely floored me when I was googling it. When I was at the yard sale, she had it marked for $5.00. I talked her down to $2.50, because I thought $5 was asking too much. It was in perfect condition, did not even look played with and it came complete with the car key.This new car is listing on Amazon for $119.45 +$8.49. Is it $127.49...for real? The first words out of my mouth were SHUT UP, to no one in particular, after I picked myself up off the floor! I thought maybe I was looking at the Power Wheels Version, not a barbie car. I checked to make sure and sure enough, it was right. No offense to Mattel, but that price just seems insane! Oh well, someone else's impulse buy that was hardly played with was my gold mine!

I paid $10.50 for what I estimate would have been about $311.43 brand new. The most important thing is that my 4 year old was incredibly excited. She told me it was the best day of her life! Yes, THE single best day out of four whole years on this earth! She also said, "Mommy when I saw all of the presents, I just couldn't believe my eyes!"

I know what you mean, honey, when I saw the retail prices, I just couldn't believe my eyes either.

For more great ideas on saving money check out Frugal Fridays

50 Free Photos From CVS

2009-05-21T23:29:00.000-05:00

How easy is this? Just sign up and get 50 free photos. You gotta love CVS!

(Thanks, Jessica!)

How To Make The Perfect Rice

2009-05-21T22:22:00.000-05:00

To think, until the last few months, I have lived my life thinking I knew how to make rice. For years, I have followed the instructions on the back of the package and was always sure never to lift the lid. Lately, as I have ventured into more frugal cooking, my rice technique left me wanting more. I started searching online for the "perfect" recipe. My search ended in disappointment as I tried a few recipes and was left with no better results than before. I did not want sticky or mushy rice. I was sick of tripling the recipe to feed my BIG family and opening the lid with anticipation at the end of the 20 minute cooking time, only to find it cooked around the edges and crunchy in the middle. Oh, what sadness I felt as I fed my rice to the garbage disposal, rather than my starving kiddos and scrambling to cook something else FAST ! I wanted long beautiful grains of rice that were perfectly blissful being on their own in the pan. I was sick of looking in the pan and seeing scared rice, stuck together and mushy, clinging to their fellow grains for support. About a month ago, it all changed for me. I was flipping channels and stopped to watch the chef (sadly, I do not remember her name) make what she called the perfect rice. I watched with awe as she gave the instructions hoping that this time, it would work. I immediately got up and made it, so I would not forget. So here is what I did...

What you need:
1-2 tsp of oil
As much rice as you want

Heat the oil in the pan at about medium heat and add as much rice as you need. Stir it into the oil until chalky. Then add hot water until it is two fingers above the rice line. Boil the rice until the water meets the rice level. You probably only want to stir it once or twice during this time just to make sure it does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Once the water is level with the rice, turn the heat down to low and put the lid on. Set the timer for 20 minutes. DO NOT LIFT THE LID. At the end of the 20 minutes, take the lid off and fluff the rice with a fork.

BOGO FROSTY COUPON FROM WENDY'S

2009-05-21T18:59:00.000-05:00

~Local Spot~ Best Grocery Deals 5/20-5/26

2009-05-20T12:33:00.000-05:00

Right now I am comparing Price Cutter, Dillon's and Harter House in Strafford, their add may be somewhat different than the Springfield ad. I have also added some Wal-Mart deals courtesy of Hip2save.com. For more great Wal-Mart deals check her out here. Please keep in mind that all Wal-Marts are not created equal, so our prices may vary from store to store. You will also find Aldi's prices on produce and milk.

Please leave comments or email me on any other deals you find. If you take in the ads, you can get most of these deals honored at Wal-Mart. The cheapest deal and where you can find it is in bold print. The links for the are included. Some of these may have met their print limit already, because they were released last week. I can not tell, because I have already met all of my print limits! The best you can do is try. Also, SS means Smart Source, one of the inserts from the paper. There are some slammin' good deals this week. I will be freezing corn back for sure. Here goes...

Meat
ground chuck
$1.49 lb (PC), $2.29 (HH), $1.79 (D)

family pack pork steak
$1.49 lb (PC), $1.89 (HH)

ribeye
$5.99 lb all stores but PC has boneless, so it is a better buy.

Johnsonville brats 19.76oz-
$2.79 (PC & HH), $3.79 (D)

country ribs-
$1.59 lb family pack(PC), $2.29 lb (HH), $2.99 (D)

pork spare ribs-
$1.99 lb (D &PC)

trimmed brisket-
$2.19 lb (D), $2.99 (PC)

Kroger chicken fryer-
$.98lb
10lb frozen chicken quarters
$5.89 (.59 a lb) (HH) unadvertised

10lb box bacon
$15.59 ($1.56 a lb) (HH) unadvertised
Rodeo Hot dogs
2/$1.00 (PC)

16oz Oscar Meyer all meat hot dogs
.99 (PC), 2/$3.00 (HH &D)
$1/2 printable-=.49 a pack
$1 off any 1 found in Kraft Summer 09 magazine
final price= as low as FREE!

Bar S Jumbo Hot dogs
on roll back 2/$1 (WM) 10 for $10-you don't have to buy 10 (D)
Use the $1/2 coupon from the 5/10RP (exp. 7/9)
Or use the $1/2 coupon from here, IE or Firefox
Final price as low as FREE!

Lunchables
$1.74 (WM) 2 for $4 (PC) 2 for $5 (HH)
Use the $1/2 coupon from here
final price as low as $1.24!

Produce
corn-
.10ea-limit 10 (PC), 4/$1 (HH), 5/$2(D) 4/$1.29

strawberries-
.99 lb Aldis, $1.99 (PC), (D), (HH)

Green bell peppers
3/1.29 (Aldi's), $1.29 each (PC)

red delicious apples
3lbs/$1.89 (Aldi's), 3lbs/$1.99 (PC)

broccoli crowns
$1.29lb (PC),$1.49lb (Aldi's)

cucumbers
.49 each large (Aldi's), 2/$1 (PC)

portabello mushrooms 1.29 (Aldi's)

seedless watermelon-
$3.69 (Aldi's), $3.89 (HH), $3.99 (D), $4.99 (PC)

tomatoes on the vine-
$1.29 lb (PC), $1.77 (D) 1.99 (Aldi's)

cantaloupe-
$1.97ea (D), 2/$5 (PC) 1.99 (Aldi's)

california peaches-
$1.99 lb (HH), $2.29 lb (PC), $2.99 lb (D)

Dole coleslaw mix
.89 (HH), .99 (PC)

Dairy
12 oz Kraft Singles
$1.19 limit 3 (HH), 2/$3 (PC)
$1 off 2 coupon as low as .69!

Philly Cream Cheese
$1.25 (HH)
use this $1 off 2
final price =.75!

Kraft cheese chunks, cuts, shreds
$1.59 (PC), $1.99 (HH), 2 shreds for $3 (WM)
$1 coupon from here, IE or Firefox
final price= as low as .5o!

Cool Whip
.99 (HH), $1.00 (WM),$1.29 (D)
$1/2 coupon from here
final price = as low as .49ea!

Butter Quarters 4 pack
Best Choice $1.69 (HH)
Hiland $1.79(D)
2% Milk
$2.45 (HH), $2.51 (Aldi's)

Other Food Items
Kashi Go Lean Waffles
(WM) $1.97
$1.50 coupon from here
final price .47!

Kraft Salad Dressing
$1.49 (PC), $1.58 (WM), 3/$5 (or $1.67ea HH) $1.69 (D)
$1.50 coupon from the 5/10SS (exp. 6/10)
.55 found in Kraft summer 09
final price- as low as FREE!

Kraft Miracle Whip
Squeeze Bottle $2, 2/$5 (PC), 2/$5(HH), $2.49 (D)
$1 coupon from here
Final price as low $1!

Kraft Mayo
$2.49 (D), $2.99(HH), 2/$6 (PC)
$1 coupon from here
final price as low as $1.49!

Kraft BBQ Sauce 18oz
.97 (WM), .99 (HH)
Use the $1 coupon from here
Or the .75 coupon from the 5/3SS (exp. 6/3)
final price as low as FREE!

Hunts Ketchup 24 oz
$1 (WM)
.20 coupon from the 5/10SS (exp. 6/30)
final price .80!

Best Choice Ketchup 24oz
.59 ea limit 3 (HH)

French's Mustard
$1.49 (D), 2/$3 (PC)
use the .50 coupon from here
final price= as low as .49!

Velveeta Shells & Cheese
$1.50 (WM), $1.99 (HH)
Use the $1.50/2 coupon from here, IE or Firefox
Final cost .75 each!

Van Camp's Pork & Beans
3/$1 (PC), 2/.89 (HH) 2/$1 (D)

Wheat Thins and Triscuits
BOGO (PC)
$2 (WM)
$1 coupon from here
Final price $1 from WM and I am guessing .50 from PC after using 2 coupons!
If you know the price at PC, please let me know.

12 pks of coke and Pepsi.
They are $2.40 ea when you buy 5 (PC&D)
We do not drink soda, so I am not sure but, I think this is a good deal

~Frugal Recipe ~Beans and Rice

2009-05-20T00:39:00.000-05:00

I am not a big fan of beans. I never have liked them very much. One day I was introduced by my friends to beans and rice with some Puerto Rican flair and I actually like them. A bigger victory is that my kids are crazy about them. This is an ultra cheap, ultra healthy and super simple meal. I made them tonight and did not have all of the ingredients I usually use, but they still turned out great.

2 cans of pinto beans
2-3 medium potatoes
Adobo seasoning to taste

Combine canned beans with small diced potato's and add a couple of shakes of Adobo seasoning. Taste it and make sure it is well seasoned, because you will serve it over plain rice. Heat it to a boil, stir and cover and simmer while you cook your rice. Stir it to keep it from sticking to the pan. It is ready when it is thick and the liquid looks almost like gravy. Serve it over hot rice.

Great Huggies Deals at Dillon's and Target

2009-05-19T23:45:00.000-05:00

**Update**I got FOUR packages of Natural Care wipes for FREE this morning. Woohoo! We were running very low. I chose the natural care over the other ones, because they contained 8 more wipes per container. Those are getting low, but there are still plenty of the other kind to choose from. It says diaper care on the coupon and that counts wipes. It will go through, they will need to adjust each coupon down a penny.

Huggies Wipes are on sale at Target this week for $1.99 each. Print this $2.00 off any huggies diaper care product coupon off four times, by clicking on savings central after you fill out the survey. If you do not click on savings central, it will tell you that you have met your print limit. If you do click it, you can print two on one sheet and then hit the back arrow and print another two.

I hear Dillon's has Huggies Diapers on sale for $8.99 this week. Also, when you buy $15.00 worth of Huggies this week at Kroger (Dillon's), you get $3.00 of instant savings. Huggies sent a mailer out last week containing...
$5.00 off Pull-ups coupon
$3.00 off of Huggies Natural Care
$2.00 off of Huggies Overnite
$1.50 off any

I hear this is a regional thing, but if you live in Missouri like I do, hopefully, you got the same ones.

You can also print this one out for $3.00 off of Huggies Pure and Natural Diapers.

Go to shortcuts.com to load a $1.50 off any Huggies diaper to your Dillon's card.

Go to cellfire.com and load a $3.00 coupon for Huggies.

My hope is that pull ups and Natural diapers are on sale as well. If this is the case, this is how my purchase will go down.
1 pack Pull Ups 1 Pure and Natural 2 @ $8.99= $17.89
-$3.00 instant savings
-$5.00 pull ups mq
-$3.00 natural mq
-$3.00 cell fire
-$1.50 shortcuts
final price- $2.48 or $1.24 per package

Plus I should get 4 packages of wipes free! I will update you on how this worked.

~Local Spot~ BOGO Coupons

2009-05-19T23:30:00.001-05:00

For more these coupons and more local deals go here

Woohoo! $5 off $25 at Walgreens!

2009-05-19T20:29:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since they released one of these coupons. Just remember that your purchase amount has to be $25 before taxes and after all manufacturer and Walgreens coupons and discounts.

~Local Spot~ Giant $1 Book Sale

2009-05-19T17:08:00.000-05:00

If you live in the Springfield, Missouri area, you are in luck

-From the Vision Media Group-

Giant $1 Dollar Book Sale

50,000+ books at only $1 each!
Mostly Christian fiction and non-fiction
Friday May 22 through May 29 9 am - 9 pm

SPECIAL PREVIEW NIGHT Thursday May 21 6 pm to 12 midnight

For only $10 you can have first pick of all these great titles , for only $1 each!

Proceeds benefit 4 The World Resources. Brought to you by 99HITFM and 1340 AM

Located in the Big White Warehouse behind 99HITFM at 5431 W. Sunshine.

Contact Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
phone: 417-831-0995 ext 10
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New Restaurant.com Discount and Bonus

2009-05-19T16:00:00.000-05:00

Restaurant.com has a promo going where you can get 60% off of your certificate and a $10.00 gift certificate code will be emailed to you within 24 hours. We use these all of the time when we travel. Go here and use the promo code TABLE.

Cold Peanut Noodles

2009-05-19T15:11:00.000-05:00

We strive to eat pretty healthy and stay on a budget. We do not eat a lot of meat, because meat without hormones, steroids and antibiotics is out of our budget. We eat a lot of Asian inspired food. Today we had a simple, inexpensive light lunch that took about 10 minutes to fix. I just found this recipe and this is my most favorite peanut sauce. It is not super thick and overpowering, like a lot of peanut sauces can be. This one is light and blends well with the noodles. We use Korean sweet potato vermicelli noodles. These are long, see through and have a chewy texture. They are also called, dang myun, dangmyun, tang myun, or tangmyun. We buy ours in bulk, because it is much cheaper. You could also use buckwheat soba noodles. These are widely available at Asian food markets.

Cold Peanut Noodles
1 bunch of dried sweet potato noodles

Sauce
2 tablespoons peanut butter (we use natural)
4 tablespoons hot tap water
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 pinch sugar
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
2 cloves of garlic or one tablespoon pre-minced garlic from a jar
garlic-red chili paste, to taste (I omit this when cooking for my kids, but I add a little to mine)

To a pot of boiling water add a handful of noodles. Ours are dried in bunches, so we just take out one or two bunches. One bunch feeds one big appetite and two smaller ones. Boil them for 6 minutes. Pour into a strainer and rinse with cold water until very cold.

Combine peanut butter and hot water and stir with a wisk until smooth. Add the other ingredients and spoon over bowls of noodles. You can garnish with green onions, roasted chopped peanuts or sesame seeds. Enjoy!