Ten Tips for Planning Healthy Meals with Success

1. Just get started! Any plan, regardless of how good or bad it is, is better than having no plan at all. An easy way to start is to simply have a list on your fridge of meals that you can make with what you have on hand for the week.

2. Review the grocery ads. Planning your meals around 4 & 5 Star items will really help make your grocery trip more cost effective! If the local grocery store is having a sale on chicken breast. Reviewing the ads helps ensure you take full advantage of your store’s sales cycle.

3. Start your shopping list during the week by writing down items you need. By starting your week during the week and keeping a runny tally of things you need, you won’t forget them on shopping day. If I do forget something, I try to go without it so I can avoid a second or third trip to the grocery store and I feel I can save some money that way.

4. Shop around the edge of the store for healthy options and discount bins. The items around the perimeter of the store tend to be the fresher, less processed items. It’ll save you some money and you’ll have better nutritional options in those areas. There are healthy options all throughout the store, but they tend to concentrate on the edge of the store. Another thing that I have found at the stores I shop is that there are discount bins around the edges of the store – great deals can be found here. Use a shopping list — the lists available on Pinching Your Pennies are FANTASTIC!

5. Don’t bring your kids if you can help it. Grocery stores are designed to appeal to children, they keep all the sugary cereals and all the sweets at their eye level so they can beg and plead for them. IF you can help it try to go without them. I enjoy shopping without my kids – it gives me time to think!!!!!!!!

6. Keep your normal meals and create new meals by tweaking ingredients a bit. With pasta, for example, buy whole wheat instead. When thinking about rolls or biscuits, try making your own using whole wheat flour.

7. Cook ahead of time. Whether you make a couple of meals to freeze for busy nights or just make extra to freeze half, I have found it’s wonderful to know there is a home cooked meal sitting in the fridge or freezer. It’s a lot easier to defrost and/or stick something into the oven than to make a meal entirely from scratch!

8. Do what you can ahead of time. This kind of sounds like the one above, but here I’m talking about the daily preparation. Last night, for example, we had a chicken stir-fry. I washed and cut the vegetables in the morning as well as marinated the chicken so that everything was ready to go into the pan when I was ready. For my family – that hour before dinner always seems to be crazy with homework and extra curricular activities. It’s nice for me to have as much prep done as possible.

9. Use leftovers! Whether you rethink them and use them to create a new meal or just eat the same thing twice, this saves so much money! I even write leftovers into our meal plan each week as “Must-Go’s,” the things in the fridge that must-go. I know that we’ll have them to use and I want to make sure we use them. If you hate eating leftovers, but often have food leftover from your meal, just start making less at each meal. Learn how much your family really eats. One thing that my family loves is when we have left over rice, I make rice pancakes. You just mix in 1 egg for every cup of rice and cook them like you do regular pancakes. They are good topped with syrup or fruit.

10. Have fun and keep it flexible! A meal plan is supposed to be helpful to a simple and peaceful home, not an extra burden. Enjoy it! There are so many benefits to meal planning, especially giving you more time and energy to do the things you really want and need to do!

For a link to the Utah Smith’s shopping list, click HERE. If your local store is doing the Digital Reward promo, this offer may be available at your store as well!

For list and deal discussion, click HERE.

Catalinas are printing for Uncle Ben’s Rice dishes.

Uncle Ben’s rice dishes are part of the buy 10 get the digital reward promo seen on the shopping list, but aren’t on the shopping list because they aren’t advertised as part of the promo.

The ready to serve pouches and boxes of Long Grain and Wild Rice are $1.69 ea.

Scenario:
Buy 10 boxes Uncle Ben’s Long Grain & Wild Rice dishes (assorted flavors) $1.69 ea = $16.90

Use:
3 – Uncle Bens Long Grain and Wild Rice, any boxes $1/2 (5-23-10) RP-3/28
2 – Uncle Bens Rice products, any $1/2 (4-18-10) RP-2/21
(If you don’t have the coupons listed above, use a .75/2 printable from THIS LINK. )

Total = $11.90 out of pocket

Get three $1 OYNSO (valid just like cash on your next shopping order) checkout coupons at checkout = $8.90 + earn 1 movie ticket/downloads code.

This was tested with the boxed rice mixes but it might work with the pouches too.

Just one of the awesome tools here at PYP…ready-made shopping lists.  We scour grocery ads to find the best deals at many of your favorite stores, and match them with available coupons.   Check the list below and see if you find your favorite store!

1. Childrens Place Sale! Swimsuits only $8.50! Flip Flips only $2.25!

More info HERE

2. Brother PT-1090 Home & Family “Simply Stylish” Labeler $17 shipped! List $60

More info HERE

3. Artscow 10 Free 8*8 Photo Books! Pay shipping only: $7.99 each.

More info HERE

4. Free entrance fees at National Parks from April 17th to April 25th!

More info HERE

5. FREE Bagel every Friday at Einstein Bros! April 9th to May 22nd. OR $2 Tuesdays: Bagel, Shmear & Coffee 5/19.

More info HERE

6. Buy one get one free drink at Jamba Juice! Valid April 12th to April 25th!

More info HERE

7. $5 admission to Discovery Gateway! Valid for up to 4 people! Save $3.50 per pass!

More info HERE

8. FREE Starbucks Coffee: Thursday 4/15/10! Bring in a reusable tumbler and we’ll fill it with brewed coffee for FREE.

More info HERE

9. FREE Grilled Gourmet Taco at Rubio’s! April 15th ONLY!

More info HERE

10. P.F. CHANG’S TAX RELIEF! 15% discount ON APRIL 15th ONLY!

More info HERE

11. FREE Sample of MaggieMia Ice Cream Pizza at MaggieMoo’s on April 15th from 3 pm to 7 pm!

More info HERE

This 4-piece shower set is normally 14.99, but right now it’s on sale for 1.99. To snag this deal:

1. Go to Avon.com
2. Do a search for item number
   192-303

3. Add to basket.
   
4. If you order 5.00 worth of stuff (that would be at least three of these), you’ll get free shipping using coupon code 412FSD.
5. Enjoy!

Did you procrastinate your taxes?!  Don’t worry, there’s a solution to your problem!  Online income tax preparation services like H&R Block, Tax Act, and TurboTax.com can make the process very fast and painless. Don’t believe it? Follow these simple steps and see for yourself!

Open an account at either H&R Block, Tax Act, or TurboTax.com (if you don’t already have one).  If you’ve never used any of them, all are great companies and the service is very easy to use, so just choose the name you’re most comfortable with.  Each service offers editions that are priced according to the complexity of your return, so examine them carefully to find the one that will do what you need for the lowest price. Even though you have to choose one of the editions to open your online account, you won’t have to pay anything until you’re ready to either file your return electronically or prepare the final print-out.

Log into your account and make sure that all of your personal information is entered and ready to go. If you filed a return through that service last year, simply follow the instructions to import the required information into this year’s return. If this is the first time you’ve used an online tax preparation service, just follow the prompts to manually enter the necessary information from your hard copies of last year’s income tax forms.

Once all of your income and expense statements have been entered, the online tax preparation services will conduct a free automated review. This review will check for errors and for any possible deductions you may have missed. If all goes well, your online federal tax return will be ready to file.

For an additional fee, the services will import your federal tax data into a state tax return and guide you through a short process to complete it. The state tax return will then be automatically reviewed and verified.

When you’re ready to file your income tax returns, you can choose to file them electronically (e-file) or print them out and mail them through the post office. You’ll have to pay the online tax preparation service fee at this time.

If you file electronically, you’ll be asked to check back in a few days to verify that your returns were accepted by their respective agencies.

That’s it! You’re done for another year. Your tax returns will remain available in your account so that you can print additional copies if you need them. You’ll also be able to import the data into next year’s return. Get started doing your taxes NOW with one of these great online tax prep sites! H&R Block, Tax Act, and TurboTax.com.

1 in 20 wins a coupon for a FREE jar of PACE!

Enter codes found under the lids of specially-marked Pace jars and you could win a FREE jar!

(if you don’t have a jar, just click on the link to request a code. A pop-up window will give you a code)

Each player can win up to 5 prizes of Pace product during the promotion.

You will receive the coupon by mail

I won a jar on the first try!
Use this coupon for a FREE* jar of Pace Salsa, Picante Sauce, or Specialty variety. *up to $4

LINK TO OFFER

There is a new printable $5/$25 coupon for Rite Aid! Expires 4/30/10. Use it this week when scoring some great deals!

The following links can be used to access the GrocerySmarts CVS lists in the designated areas. This list is made using the Arizona ad. Some sale prices may differ slightly from area to area, but all coupon information is specific for your area.

CHECK THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR MORE PRINTABLE COUPONS

Arizona
*Arizona CVS PREVIEW List* 4/18 – 4/24
Arizona CVS CURRENT List 4/11 – 4/17

California – North
*California North CVS PREVIEW List* 4/18 – 4/24
California North CVS CURRENT List 4/11 – 4/17

California – South
*Californa South CVS PREVIEW List* 4/18 – 4/24
California South CVS CURRENT List 4/11 – 4/17

Idaho
*Idaho CVS PREVIEW List* 4/18 – 4/24
Idaho CVS CURRENT List 4/11 – 4/17

Nevada
*Nevada CVS PREVIEW List* 4/18 – 4/24
Nevada CVS CURRENT List 4/11 – 4/17

Find additional deals and discussion for ad week 4/11 – 4/17 at THIS LINK.
Find additional deals and discussion for ad week 4/18 – 4/24 at THIS LINK.

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ADDITIONAL PRINTABLE COUPONS TO USE:
-Starbucks Frappucino $1/1 HERE OR HERE (FINAL PRICE: .50)
-U by Kotex Products $1/1 HERE (FINAL PRICE: 2.99 AFTER PROMO)
-Thermacare $1/1 HERE (FINAL PRICE: $1.00 OVERAGE)
-Thermacare Money Back Guarantee (if not satisfied) HERE
-Colgate Total Toothpaste .75/1 HERE (FINAL PRICE: .24)

Artscow‘s offering another code that you can redeem now and use at your leisure within the next 30 days. The code is good for 10 free 8*8 photo books. Shipping on each book is 7.99, so the end cost is 7.99 per 8*8 photo book. This is a good deal, particularly if you’re wanting to make multiple copies of a book to give as Mother’s or Father’s Day gifts.

1. Go to Artscow.com
2. Log in or create your account
3. Click on “credits and discounts” to access your current credits and discounts.
4. Enter code 10PBKS88 to apply the code to your account.
5. This code itself will remain valid until April 19, though remember that Artscow codes tend to expire very early on their expiration date.
6. The photo book credits you receive will be valid ro 30 days from the date you enter the code.

The near infinite array of beads available to the crafter makes beading a particularly fun and exciting form of creative expression. To help spark your creativity, download this collection of 45 beading craft projects, including jewelry sets, necklaces and earrings. Also included is a handful of home décor projects using beads and beading techniques.

Beaded jewelry can really dazzle as a homemade gift for just about any occasion, including birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. You can easily personalize with initial beads, birthstones and your recipient’s favorite themes. With a little practice, you can also make the perfect jewelry for yourself that fits your individual tastes and your wardrobe.

Click here to download the FREE Beautiful Beads eBook.

Get all your Mother’s Day wishes fulfilled with Love Coupons. These little acts of kindness are sure to make this Mother’s Day extra special. Choose from any of our pre-written coupons and customize your own with the family for a unique Mother’s Day experience. And don’t worry, the Mother’s Day love has no expiration date. 

Plus, SAVE up to $12 on your favorite Nestlé® products when you print your Love Coupons:

• $1/2 Wonka bags or Nestle Butterfinger, Nestle Crunch or Nestle Baby Ruth Fun Size or Minatures
• $1/2 Nestle Juicy Juice products
• $1/1 Stouffer’s Family, Large Family, Party Size or Skillet Entree, 23-96oz, any variety
• $1/2 Nestle Toll House Refrigerated cookie Dough or Brownie dough products
• $1.25/1 Nestle Nesquik Powder
• $1/2 Nestle Pure Life Purified Water Multipacks, 20-pk or larger
• $1/2 Nestle Toll House Morsels, 10oz or larger
• $1/1 Carnation Instant Breakfast Essentials product
• $1/1 Ovaltine product, any size, any flavor
• $2/1 Boost Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink Multipack
• .50/2 cans Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk

Sign in or register at this link to print coupons.

To help celebrate Earth Week, Target in collaboration with Tide, GE & Coca-Cola is giving away a Free reusable bag with any purchase on April 18th, the first day of Earth Week.
 
Click here for more information.