Good morning!
Anyone feeling like the grocery and online deals have been a little lackluster lately? I certainly think so. Except for the occasional hot deal, things have cooled down considerably since the holidays. This is normal for January. I’m hoping 2013 picks up soon but if things seem a little slower around here (fewer posts, deals) – it’s because I’d prefer to NOT post when things aren’t worthy. It’s so hard for me, because I have a tendency to want to deliver deals all day – but if the deals aren’t there, I don’t want to waste your time (or mine) with so-so deals – or my biggest pet peeve, deals for things we don’t really need or that lack quality. Anyway, I just wanted to get that off my chest – so you don’t think I’m slacking on the job. Just waiting for the good stuff to roll around – and I’m sure it will. 😉 Be ready when it does! Do you think the deals have been a little sleepy lately or is it just me?
In fact, today or tomorrow Target should mark down toys to 70% off! At least this is what I’m hoping! We’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything and if you head to the store in the morning, I’d love a report back!
I was so excited yesterday to launch the giveaway for a $50 Fred Meyer gift card. Read all about Simple Truth products and enter to win the gift card here.   Today is the last day to enter the giveaway for $100 Goldstar credit! We also gave away a $200 furniture voucher last night in a flash giveaway – it was fun! And I’m planning some more fun giveaways for later this month – so stay tuned.
Yesterday I shared a cute Valentine idea – the Caped Cute-sader. So frugal and easy to create. See my post and instructions for the Caped Cute-sader here. What do you think you’ll do for Valentine’s this year?
I’m seriously sleep deprived because I can’t get enough of Downton Abbey and the only time I have to watch it is after 8 or 9 p.m. – which doesn’t work so well with a 5 a.m. wake up! I’m completely hooked and mid-way through Season 2. If you’re in the same boat – you can pre-order the Downton Abbey Season 3 from Amazon! It is scheduled to release January 27, 2013.
COUPONS
$2.50 off 1 bag Purina ONE beyOnd Dog Food
$2.50 off bag Purina ONE beyOnd Cat Food
$2 off Rich’s Ice Cream Cake or Dessert
$1.75 off 2 Wonka or Crunch Candy & Card Kits
$0.75 off 1 Wonka or Crunch candy & card kit
$1.50 off any ex-lax item 24ct or larger
$1.50 off any Gas-X item 18ct or larger
$2.00 off TWO (2) KOTEX Natural Balance Products
$2.00 off TWO (2) packages of U by KOTEX Tampons
Find more printable coupons on Coupons.com.
FAVORITE DEALS
Through tonight you can subscribe to Bon Appetit Magazine for only $4.99 per year (66% off). You can order up to three (3) years at this price! Just enter coupon code QUEENBEE at checkout.
FREE Chex Mix at Walgreens, starting Jan. 27
Chex Mix 8.75 oz –Â $0.99, starting 1/27
Use two (2)Â $0.50/1 Chex Mix or 100 Calorie Snack, 4.5 oz+
Combine with $1/2 Chex Mix, Bugles, or Gardetto’s Walgreens IVC Booklet, January
Final Price = both for FREE
 Target has Glade Expressions as low as $0.99 with new printable coupons!
Amazon has the Gluten-Free Baking Classics for the Bread Machine for FREE, a $14.95 value normally!
RECIPES & MEAL PLANNING
Last night I shared a recipe for Slow Cooker Beef & Barley soup. I hope you like it. Super easy to make and the stick-to-your-ribs kinda comfort food that hits the spot on a chilly day.
Let’s talk meal ideas for a second. Fred Meyer and QFC have roasting chickens for $0.88/lb – this is a great price. You can pick them up for about $4-5. Roast two chickens at a time to save you dishes and energy or toss a whole chicken in the slow cooker.
Also Fred Meyer has Mission Tortillas for $1.25 – stock up price! They also have chicken breasts for $1.88/lb and they have cream cheese (store brand) for $0.99 cents and sour cream for a$1. I recommend making Chicken Santa Fe in the Slow Cooker. All of these are stock-up prices, so you could pick up some extras and make it later or make a double batch and freeze.
AND I noticed at Fred Meyer that Pillsbury Grand flaky biscuits are on sale for only $1. You could make this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling soup!
What’s on your menu plan this week?  Here are this week’s grocery match-ups and deals: Albertsons Fred Meyer QFC  Safeway
FOR THE LOCAL NW FOLKS
*NEW!* Greater Victoria, BC – Resort with Ocean Views on Vancouver Island – Oceanfront Resort with Sea and Mountain Views, Fine Dining, and Spa Services – $259 (reg. $480)
*NEW!* Portland, OR – Hotel Fifty – One- or Two-Night Stay for Two in a Courtyard Room. Up to Two Kids Stay Free. Combine Up to Four Night – from $95
*NEW!*  Seaside, OR – Rivertide Suites Hotel – 1– or 2-Night Stay in a Two-Bedroom Suite or Studio. Combine Up to 10 Nights. Breakfast included.
Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best Live Tour Ever! Kent Showare Center – Tickets start at $11
ONLINE DISCOUNTS & PROMO CODES
Gold Box Deal of the Day: Lorex LNC104 LIVE Ping Wireless Network Camera – $99 (reg. $199)
REI Deal of the Day – REI – Mountain Hardwear Pinole 20 Sleeping Bag – $49.99 (reg. $100) (50% off) Ships FREE with $50 purchase or you can opt for in-store pick-up.
Amazon memory foam mattresses:Â Save 65% or more on a selection of LUCID memory foam mattresses
Amazon has the KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen for $129
Crayola 30ct Twistables Colored Pencils – $5.97 (reg. $12.99)
What are your plans today? I hope you have a wonderful day!Â
Jenny says
My family and I are soooo in love with the chicken santa fe recipe!! We use it for tacos and my husband loves the left overs for chips and dip! I do make a batch of brown rice to go with it and dump it in the crockpot at the end and it is wonderful! Freezes great too. I just did the whole chicken in the crockpot this week and it worked great. I used a 6lb chicken and 7 hours was perfect…will be making chicken soup with the leftovers today 🙂
Heather says
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave feedback on the recipes. I so often post them and then never hear anything. The Chicken Santa Fe recipe has received RAVE REVIEWS and we love it at our place, too. So, so easy. 🙂 In fact now you’ve got me craving it – might have to make it tomorrow!
Angela says
I’m hooked on Downton Abbey too! I’m watching season 3, but since I’m an early to bed type too, I found out they air the previous weeks episode right before the new one! Last week they aired Ep 1 at 7pm, and Ep 2 at the regular time of 9. So I’m just a week behind!