Even More Great Programs to Help You Save at Walgreens! They Keep Getting Better and Better!

On September 14, 2012, in Budget-wise, Reviews, by Glenda Embree

I know I’ve shared some of my favorite Walgreens shopping trip savings with you, in past posts, and have never made a secret about how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their Register Rewards program.  So, I’m pretty excited to let you know about TWO new Walgreens programs/features that will simplify your shopping and provide even [...]

I know I’ve shared some of my favorite Walgreens shopping trip savings with you, in past posts, and have never made a secret about how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their Register Rewards program.  So, I’m pretty excited to let you know about TWO new Walgreens programs/features that will simplify your shopping and provide even more great savings.  Since saving money out of the budget, to grow your family’s savings is as important to you, as it is to me, I knew you would want to know about both of them.  (And just as a reminder, and for a little motivation, since I haven’t mentioned it in awhile; all it takes to save $1000 in a year, is to set aside $19.24 each week.  Without even adding income, if you simply trim that $19.24 from your existing budget, you will have $1000 in your savings account in one year’s time.)  You can definitely do that!  And these exciting new programs from Walgreens, may give you a great place to start, in doing it.

home page

The Walgreens home page at www.walgreens.com. The banner at the top made it super simple to go right where I needed to get started for signing up for Balance Rewards.

First of all, you need to get signed up for the Walgreens’ Balance Rewards Card.  It’s simple to do and once you have it the benefits are great! Whether you’re shopping in the store or online, once you have a Balance Rewards Card, you’ll be earning points and receiving exclusive, member-only pricing on many of the items you already purchase every day.  Plus, you’ll be earning loyalty points for the money that you spend.  Then those points are redeemable for products, as you shop!  Gotta love saving money!

log in

I already have a Walgreens account so I signed in, but you can get a Walgreens account from this screen, if you don't have one.

password

Once I signed in, my username and email address were pre-populated, so I only had to choose a password.

registration complete

Woohoo! How simple is that? I'm official, now!

 

After I secured my Balance Rewards membership, I noticed that Download App button (see picture, above) in the bottom left corner.  I was on my way to adding the Walgreens App to my smart phone.  It works whether you have an iPhone or an Android.  This is probably the coolest shopping app, ever!  Coupons EXCLUSIVE for users – you can’t get them anywhere else AND you don’t have to print them. The cashier can just scan them right off your phone!  The app allows you to see the entire weekly ad, right on your phone, as well as the in-store savings book, full of coupons.  You can also use the app to refill your prescriptions or order photos.  You can place an online order and have it shipped to your home.  You can find the closest Walgreens or transfer prescriptions.  Basically, you can handle many day-to-day activities and errands from your phone – while you’re sitting at the park, waiting at a traffic light, on your lunch break at work — wherever you happen to be with your phone in hand.  Convenience AND saving money!  I am SO excited about that!  Honestly, there isn’t much I’d change about this app, at all.  The two things that did stand out were: 1) I wish I could earn and use my Register Rewards and coupons through the app and 2) the Main menu page needs some sort of obvious navigational directions, to let users know that it’s a two page menu.  I actually spent a little over an hour trying to figure out how to shop with the app, before discovering there is a second page to the menu and figuring out how to get there.  I would have felt pretty silly about it, except that I also contacted their customer service department who told me it wasn’t possible, at first, and then discovered for the first time for themselves, that it was.

Getting the app on my phone was super simple.  Once I clicked the icon to download the app, I chose my platform, Android, and was taken to the Google Play store, where they automatically determined that the app was compatible with my phone and provided a button to click, in order to install it.

Phone Home page

The Walgreens App is right on my phones home screen. Easy to find and use!

 

app page 1

Page 1 of the Walgreens App. Can you believe all the options!?!

 

App Page 2

This is page 2 of the app, where you can actually enter the online store and shop. It took awhile to find it, but now that I have, I love the convenience of being able to take advantage of a sale, no matter where I am. And remember, with an order of at least $25, shipping is FREE!

 

shampoo

I was able to take advantage of some great sale prices on shampoo, conditioner, body wash and hand soap -- right through my phone! Using a coupon code when I checked out, made the prices even cheaper!

 

checkout

I entered the coupon code BUY4, during checkout, to receive an additional $5 off an order of $30 or more. Because the total was still $25.99, I received FREE shipping. No drive time or gas money wasted -- instead of driving 30 miles to my nearest Walgreens, I saved time and money and had the products delivered right to my door! They arrived in only 3 days! Nine items for only $27.63!

 

ad

Checking the ads before I shop, helps me plan exactly what to buy and how best to save.

 

coupon book

I can even check out the in-store coupon book, before going to the store!

 

order photos

I can order photos or design a custom greeting card!

 

pharmacy

I can transfer a prescription or refill it. I can simply scan the UPC with the scanner built into the app!

 

check balance

I can even check my brand new Reward Card Balance!

 

These two new programs are another example of why I love Walgreens for saving me money and even time!  Get a complete picture of my download and shopping experience by visiting my Google+ album.  You can also  check out more details about both of them on the Walgreens website, and be sure to follow Walgreens on Twitter and Facebook, so you stay up to date about specials, promotions and who wins the ONE MILLION points for pre-registering for the Walgreens Balance Rewards Card.  Maybe it will be you!

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Walgreens  #CBias #SocialFabric

CookiesKids.com: Adorable Kids Clothes at Budget-Friendly Prices!

On January 13, 2012, in Budget-wise, Family Circus, Reviews, by Glenda Embree

Do you like shopping the deep-discount shops that have popped up all over the Internet in the last year or so?  When the phenomenon was new, I checked out several of them and always seemed to click away disappointed.  Though the prices were good in comparison to what they listed as the regular price, they [...]

Do you like shopping the deep-discount shops that have popped up all over the Internet in the last year or so?  When the phenomenon was new, I checked out several of them and always seemed to click away disappointed.  Though the prices were good in comparison to what they listed as the regular price, they were still outrageous within the budget that my family and I work with.  While quality IS important to me, the brand name on the label is NOT and what I discovered was that I wasn’t willing to pay even discounted prices on name brand products when comparable products at full-price, cost less.  The other problem I discovered with these stores was an incredibly limited availability of the products they offered – usually having only one or two sizes, styles or colors actually available to purchase.  Being somewhat disillusioned by these past experiences, I generally just ignore most of the emails and offers I receive, now, promoting those “deep discount” shops.  That attitude almost cost me a fabulous opportunity and proved that you really do have to evaluate such stores on a shop by shop basis.  They are definitely NOT all created equal.

My recent discovery of a website called CookiesKids.com, is the reason for my change of heart.  I did run into a few disappointments at Cookies, when a product my daughter loved wasn’t available in her size, but with some perseverance, we found several products in her size at some real bargain prices, PLUS I picked up an adorable set of Cars 2 pajamas for our grandson.  The number one reason I’ll be shopping there, again? — the prices!  While these are not garage sale or thrift store prices, many CookiesKids.com clothing and shoe items cost much less than typical department store purchases of what turned out to be high quality, name brand clothing.  Some of the regular Cookies prices were still more than I would be willing to pay, but there sale and clearance items were phenomenal!  The website was easy to navigate and the order arrived within just a few days.  I also registered first thing upon entering their site and they immediately sent an email with a discount code that I was able to use on my very first order — even more savings!  I can definitely get excited about that.

My coupon code netted me free shipping and a 5% discount on top of the bargain prices at Cookies! Shipping had been $10 and some change prior to using the code.

One of my favorite things about the Cookies Kids website was their EXCELLENT search feature.  Larissa and I had been browsing the site for 15 to 20 minutes and were starting to feel discouraged, since each time she found something she loved, there was no availability in her size.  Just as I was about to give up, we noticed how deeply the search results could be refined and from that moment on, Cookies was a whole new shopping experience.  By selecting the girls department, then narrowing to the product type (dress, tops, shoes, jeans, etc.) and then further narrowing our search by her specific size, the only options that showed in the results were ones that were still available for her.  It relieved all the stress and disappointment and sped up the shopping process, considerably.

We were able to narrow the results to show only the items we wanted, in the size we needed, that were still available to order. Excellent search details! Love it!

We looked at shoes, first.  Larissa has been asking for a pair of boots for several months, now, but at the speed that kids outgrow shoes, I wasn’t to keen on the hefty price tag.  She actually found several pair that she liked at Cookies and that didn’t provide me with sticker shock.  In the end, she eliminated them from her list, because for her allowed budget, there were other items she wanted more.  -lol-  Decisions!  Decisions!

 

She really fell hard for this cute ankle boot and $12.99 was definitely a great price. There were two other fashionable and reasonably priced options she considered as well. Be sure to check out my Google+ Album (click on this picture) to see pictures of our whole online shopping experience.

 

When we finished with boots, we searched for dresses.  There aren’t any super special occasions coming up where she needed a new one, but like her mom, she’s a sucker for pretty dresses, so we had to check and see what was available.  There were several that caught her eye, but one in particular that stole her heart.  It was before we had discovered the excellent search feature, though, so she was disappointed that it was not available in her size.  She decided to save her money for some new tops and we moved on, but not without a lingering moment of mourning for this dress.  :)

This dress was available in both purple and fuschia and she loved them both. It would have taken her entire budget to make that particular purchase, and for that price, I probably wouldn't have considered it, but she was definitely game. Unfortunately, neither color was available in her size. So, we "pinned it", in memoriam, and moved on to more shopping. You can click this picture to see more of the cute dresses we found while shopping at Cookies Kids!

 

Some new tops were at the top of Larissa’s “need” list and by now, we had discovered the awesome search feature that narrowed our results down to exactly what was available in her specific size.  She ended up choosing four tops and I am really pleased with the quality of all of them.  The one disappointment was that, even though she selected the correct size, one of the tops arrived too tight to be able to wear.  I’m guessing that that particular brand just runs a little small.  We did have the option of returning the shirt for a refund or exchange, but instead decided to share with a girlfriend we knew could get good use out of it.

This purple striped top was one she was most excited about and actually ordered. Sadly, it arrived too small to be worn, but it made an excellent gift for a girlfriend. (Larissa DID keep the necklace, though. :) ) Click the photo to see all the tops she purchased and the rest of our shopping trip.

 

We browsed winter coats, briefly, and it’s a good thing we didn’t stay in that department too long.  There were four coats she felt “completed her”.  -lol-  I’m sure there would have been more, had we tarried.

This really WAS an adorable coat and the price was unbelievable! She was smitten with the buttons and the fur-trimmed hood!

 

My final purchase was going to be for my two-year-old grandson, a hard-core Cars 2 fan.  By now, I was getting very good with the CookiesKids.com search engine and so I quickly narrowed my search to all size 2 items with a Cars 2 theme.  He’s going to love the pj’s I got!  McMissile is his favorite Cars 2 character and what a stroke of luck, that these adorable pajamas were available in his size!

These Cars 2 pj's, featuring McMissile, were a huge hit with my grandson!

 

With our shopping trip complete, check out was simple and I saved well over $10 using my free shipping and 5% off coupon code.  I received a confirmation email, right away and an email that my order had shipped on the next business day.  By the third business day, I had received my order.  Larissa was in new clothes heaven and we’ll definitely be shopping at Cookies.com, again!

Our ten-year-old fashionista modeling the new shirt and sweater, from her CookiesKids.com order.

 

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias #LuvCookies   A positive review was not required, and as with all Busy-at-Home reviews, the views and opinions expressed are wholly my own and based on my personal experience with the company and products.

Tagged with:
 

Creamy Cinnamon Dip and Smoky Cheese & Bacon Dip – Two Yummy New Recipes! #OreIdaFries

On July 23, 2011, in In the Kitchen, Reviews, by Glenda Embree

I think it’s time to end the abuse of sweet potatoes. No more turned up noses or scrunchy faces, no tongues sticking out to mock and reject them. The sweet potato is an oft underused and maligned vegetable, relegated to side dishes at holiday meals and camouflaged with gooey, browned marshmallows. Sweet potatoes are healthy, [...]

I think it’s time to end the abuse of sweet potatoes. No more turned up noses or scrunchy faces, no tongues sticking out to mock and reject them. The sweet potato is an oft underused and maligned vegetable, relegated to side dishes at holiday meals and camouflaged with gooey, browned marshmallows. Sweet potatoes are healthy, high in both Vitamins A & C and loaded with dietary fiber. They’re a natural source of beta carotene and antioxidants. Plus, they’re just plain delicious! I love them baked, topped with lots of butter. It is only in recent years that the unexplored potential of this yummy veggie has inspired the masses to give it a second look. You can certainly purchase them canned or frozen, and fresh sweet potatoes are common fare in most produce departments, now. The new form that is inspiring former naysayers to take a fresh look at the fleshy orange tubers, however, is the ingenious sweet potato fry. As you know, fry it in America, and they will come. If you haven’t tried sweet potato fries, you should. They combine all the health benefits with a pleasing and familiar form kids and adults, alike, will love. Finally, sweet potatoes will get the respect they deserve and you’re going to get a brand new, tasty treat — plus recipes for two fabulous dipping sauces I created this week. :)

smoky cheese and bacon dip
Creamy Cinnamon Dip and Smoky Cheese and Bacon Dip with Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries.

Ore-Ida makes having sweet potato fries at home super simple. You can buy them frozen in your grocer’s freezer case, which is exactly what I did this week, when I received the opportunity to try them out AND create a couple dipping sauce recipes. Sam’s Club is the perfect spot for me to stock up on Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries. They’re available there in a whopping 4 lb bag, so I can always keep some on hand for a quick snack or to round out a quick pick-up meal.

Ore Ida Sweet Potato Fries

I made a run to Lincoln, on Sunday with my list in hand. I was going to Sam’s to get Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries, but I needed a few other items, too — cream cheese (for the dipping sauces), smoked gouda (It’s the only place I can find my favorite cheese, at an affordable price, so I always treat myself when I stop by Sam’s Club) hmmm… I wonder if I can dip sweet potato fries in smoked gouda? lol – oh! and I need hamburger to make homemade jerky. I can always find great deals on meat at Sam’s Club.

As I entered the parking lot, I realized I was definitely going to need to fill up my gas tank, before leaving. The Sam’s Club Member Price for gasoline was 30¢/ gallon less than I had paid at home the week before. Woohoo! I love saving money!

Sam's gas prices

I noted, once again, as I pulled my Sam’s Club Card from my purse, that it is definitely time to get the picture changed on my card. (You’ll see what I mean if you visit my Sweet Potato Fries ThisMoment video/slideshow, where I am able to have many more pictures of this shopping and recipe creating experience.) It’s only been about a bazillion years, since that original picture was taken and I have changed slightly, since then. Actually, it’s a little unsettling that I looked like that AND no one even questions me when I flash the “badge” at the door, but today, I’m in a hurry. There are sauces to make and fries to eat. No time for pictures. (That’s what I always say.)

I grabbed a cart and hustled straight back to the freezers, walked directly to everything Ore-Ida and scanned the shelves for…seriously? No sweet potato fries? But, I called ahead! Don’t tell me the news leaked out and there was a mad dash to scoop up all the sweet potato fries for some previously unknown sweet potato festival or something! Hhhhmmmppphhhhhh! Ok! Just calm down. Look again — Tater-Tots, Crinkle Cut Fries, Restaurant Style Fries, Hash Brown Potatoes, aaaaaaagggggghhhh! No sweet potato fries! Seriously, calm down. Walk around the freezer case to the other side, make the loop and come back to check one more time or… “Excuse me, kind stocker person. Where would I find Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries?” “They’re a special feature in the end cap on this row.” (I’ve always found Sam’s Club employees to be helpful and courteous.) The storm clouds lift and all is right with the world. I wheel around to the end cap where specially featured items are displayed. Of course they would be specially featured. It makes perfect sense. Enter music from heaven and spotlight from above. There they are — Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries. I lifted a bag into my cart and headed off to complete my Sam’s Club shopping list.

sweet potato fries in shopping cart

That’s everything. I make it through the checkout (No one even questions the picture of the stranger on my club card) and wheel my groceries to the van. A quick fill of the gas tank and I’m back on I-80, headed home and dreaming up dipping sauce for sweet potato fries. I know I want two — one savory and one sweet, but I still haven’t hammered out all the details, yet. Sometimes, the best parts of a recipe develop while your hands are “in the mix”, so to speak. That’s exactly what happened with these two yummy sauces. We absolutely loved them and will make them both, again. I’m going to share both recipes below, but to keep this post from being forty-two thousand, six hundred and thirty two feet long, I will only post a few pictures. Please, please visit my Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries ThisMoment Video/Slideshow and view the step-by-step pictures to walk you through the recipes.,,,

 

Creamy Cinnamon Dip

Rating: 51

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 8-10 servings

Creamy Cinnamon Dip

Super, simple! Creamy, cinnamony deliciousness! It was fantastic with sweet potato fries and as a fresh fruit dip. I think it would be amazing on waffles or toasted English muffins, too.

Ingredients

  • 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 Tablespoon King Arthur Flour Vietnamese Cinnamon
  • chopped pecans for garnish, optional

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients except pecans, in the bowl of your mixer and blend until smooth and creamy.
  2. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with chopped pecans, if desired, and enjoy!
Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by ZipList Recipe Plugin
http://busy-at-home.com/blog/creamy-cinnamon-dip-and-smoky-cheese-bacon-dip-two-yummy-new-recipes-oreidafries/

My recipe software is incredibly picky about having two recipes on the same page, so CLICK HERE to get the recipe for Smoky Cheese and Bacon Dip.

(This recipe is linked to Grocery Cart Challenge.)

I hope you’re convinced to give sweet potato fries a chance. If your family is like mine, they’ll be a hit and you can add one more simple, tasty dish to your menu plan. Be sure to like #OraIdaFries on Facebook, so you won’t miss any news or deals as they come up and I’d love to hear your thoughts on the recipes and/or ThisMoment slideshow. What do you dip your sweet potato fries in?…

This project has been compensated as part of an #OreIdaFries shopping mission for Heinz with #CollectiveBias. As always, at Busy-at-Home, views and opinions expressed are wholly my own.

Recipe Challenge!! : Summer Drinks & Treats with #ClearAmerican Water #ad

On July 21, 2011, in Budget-wise, In the Kitchen, Reviews, by Glenda Embree

You know me.  I love a challenge and I REALLY love recipes.  This week, I had the chance to create a few of my own.  Well, actually the challenge was to create one, but as a chronic overachiever and indecisive recipe selector, I made all three.  You’re going to be so happy that I did! [...]

You know me.  I love a challenge and I REALLY love recipes.  This week, I had the chance to create a few of my own.  Well, actually the challenge was to create one, but as a chronic overachiever and indecisive recipe selector, I made all three.  You’re going to be so happy that I did!

Clear American Water was something new for our family.  You’ll find it in the bottled water section of your local Wal-Mart.  I was truly shocked at the vast variety of flavors that were available.  You can buy individual-sized bottles, in 4-packs or the larger 33.8 oz bottles.  Since my challenge was to create a recipe using Clear American Water, we opted for the larger bottles and selected every flavor available on our local Wal-Mart shelves.  Even more amazing?  Those large bottles were only 64¢ each.  Compare that to a 20 oz soda at the check out stand.  Clear American Water is a great bargain!

These yummy flavored waters packed a few more surprises for our family.   They’re carbonated.   We seriously loved them, just straight from the bottle.  The flavors were delicious and served ice cold, they were incredibly refreshing.  Plus, Clear American Waters have 0 sugar, 0 sodium, 0 caffeine and 0 calories.  Surprises are good!

So, what are we making?  Strawberry Slushies, Mandarin Orange Popsicles and Fruit and Cream Parfait Sodas!  Are you hungry, yet?  :)

Clear American Water

Strawberry Slushies

 

mandarin orange posicle

Mandarin Orange Popsicle

I’ve made it super simple for you to go through my shopping experience and see the step-by-step photos of the creation of my three summertime treats.  You’re going to love how quick and simple they are, which is critical in the midst of summer heat waves.  When your family wants something cool and refreshing, now you’ll be able to offer them something fun, affordable and delicious.  Watch my ThisMoment slideshow below, to learn how.  (P.S.  If you’d like to watch it full-screen with large print captions, feel free to view it on my ThisMoment page.  It will open in a new window for you.)  And there is a printable version of the Fruit and Cream Parfait Sodas recipe,  at the bottom of this post.  Enjoy!!!

,,,

 

,,,

Fruit and Cream Parfait Sodas

Fruit and Cream Parfait Sodas

Ingredients

  • 2 cups various fresh fruits, sliced and chopped for parfaits
  • 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
  • Clear American Flavored Waters in varieties to complement your chosen fruit
  • whipped cream (spray can works best)

Instructions

  1. Put a layer of ice cream in the bottom of a pretty glass.
  2. Add a layer of fresh fruits, continuing to alternate ice cream and fruit layers until you are within 2 inches of the top of your glass.
  3. Pour your chosen flavor of Clear American Water over the parfait and fill until the foam reaches the top of your glass.
  4. Spray with whipped cream and garnish with fresh fruit.
  5. Add long spoons and a straw and collect tons of smiles as you pass out these yummy Parfait Sodas.
Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by ZipList Recipe Plugin
http://busy-at-home.com/blog/recipe-challenge-summer-drinks-treats-with-clearamerican-water/

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias, which is a vendor for Cott Beverages Inc., the manufacturer of Clear American ® brand beverages.  The recipes are original and as always, at Busy-at-Home, the views and opinions expressed are wholly my own.

 

Sweet Potato Fries and Two Delicious Dipping Sauce Recipes #OreIdaFries

On July 19, 2011, in In the Kitchen, Reviews, by Glenda Embree

I think it’s time to end the abuse of sweet potatoes. No more turned up noses or scrunchy faces, no tongues sticking out to mock and reject them. The sweet potato is an oft underused and maligned vegetable, relegated to side dishes at holiday meals and camouflaged with gooey, browned marshmallows. Sweet potatoes are healthy, [...]

I think it’s time to end the abuse of sweet potatoes. No more turned up noses or scrunchy faces, no tongues sticking out to mock and reject them. The sweet potato is an oft underused and maligned vegetable, relegated to side dishes at holiday meals and camouflaged with gooey, browned marshmallows. Sweet potatoes are healthy, high in both Vitamins A & C and loaded with dietary fiber. They’re a natural source of beta carotene and antioxidants. Plus, they’re just plain delicious! I love them baked, topped with lots of butter. It is only in recent years that the unexplored potential of this yummy veggie has inspired the masses to give it a second look. You can certainly purchase them canned or frozen, and fresh sweet potatoes are common fare in most produce departments, now. The new form that is inspiring former naysayers to take a fresh look at the fleshy orange tubers, however, is the ingenious sweet potato fry. As you know, fry it in America, and they will come. If you haven’t tried sweet potato fries, you should. They combine all the health benefits with a pleasing and familiar form kids and adults, alike, will love. Finally, sweet potatoes will get the respect they deserve and you’re going to get a brand new, tasty treat — plus recipes for two fabulous dipping sauces I created this week. :)

smoky cheese and bacon dip
Creamy Cinnamon Dip and Smoky Cheese and Bacon Dip with Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries.

Ore-Ida makes having sweet potato fries at home super simple. You can buy them frozen in your grocer’s freezer case, which is exactly what I did this week, when I received the opportunity to try them out AND create a couple dipping sauce recipes. Sam’s Club is the perfect spot for me to stock up on Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries. They’re available there in a whopping 4 lb bag, so I can always keep some on hand for a quick snack or to round out a quick pick-up meal.

Ore Ida Sweet Potato Fries

I made a run to Lincoln, on Sunday with my list in hand. I was going to Sam’s to get Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries, but I needed a few other items, too — cream cheese (for the dipping sauces), smoked gouda (It’s the only place I can find my favorite cheese, at an affordable price, so I always treat myself when I stop by Sam’s Club) hmmm… I wonder if I can dip sweet potato fries in smoked gouda? lol – oh! and I need hamburger to make homemade jerky. I can always find great deals on meat at Sam’s Club.

As I entered the parking lot, I realized I was definitely going to need to fill up my gas tank, before leaving. The Sam’s Club Member Price for gasoline was 30¢/ gallon less than I had paid at home the week before. Woohoo! I love saving money!

Sam's gas prices

I noted, once again, as I pulled my Sam’s Club Card from my purse, that it is definitely time to get the picture changed on my card. (You’ll see what I mean if you visit my Sweet Potato Fries ThisMoment video/slideshow, where I am able to have many more pictures of this shopping and recipe creating experience.) It’s only been about a bazillion years, since that original picture was taken and I have changed slightly, since then. Actually, it’s a little unsettling that I looked like that AND no one even questions me when I flash the “badge” at the door, but today, I’m in a hurry. There are sauces to make and fries to eat. No time for pictures. (That’s what I always say.)

I grabbed a cart and hustled straight back to the freezers, walked directly to everything Ore-Ida and scanned the shelves for…seriously? No sweet potato fries? But, I called ahead! Don’t tell me the news leaked out and there was a mad dash to scoop up all the sweet potato fries for some previously unknown sweet potato festival or something! Hhhhmmmppphhhhhh! Ok! Just calm down. Look again — Tater-Tots, Crinkle Cut Fries, Restaurant Style Fries, Hash Brown Potatoes, aaaaaaagggggghhhh! No sweet potato fries! Seriously, calm down. Walk around the freezer case to the other side, make the loop and come back to check one more time or… “Excuse me, kind stocker person. Where would I find Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries?” “They’re a special feature in the end cap on this row.” (I’ve always found Sam’s Club employees to be helpful and courteous.) The storm clouds lift and all is right with the world. I wheel around to the end cap where specially featured items are displayed. Of course they would be specially featured. It makes perfect sense. Enter music from heaven and spotlight from above. There they are — Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries. I lifted a bag into my cart and headed off to complete my Sam’s Club shopping list.

sweet potato fries in shopping cart

That’s everything. I make it through the checkout (No one even questions the picture of the stranger on my club card) and wheel my groceries to the van. A quick fill of the gas tank and I’m back on I-80, headed home and dreaming up dipping sauce for sweet potato fries. I know I want two — one savory and one sweet, but I still haven’t hammered out all the details, yet. Sometimes, the best parts of a recipe develop while your hands are “in the mix”, so to speak. That’s exactly what happened with these two yummy sauces. We absolutely loved them and will make them both, again. I’m going to share both recipes below, but to keep this post from being forty-two thousand, six hundred and thirty two feet long, I will only post a few pictures. Please, please visit my Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries ThisMoment Video/Slideshow and view the step-by-step pictures to walk you through the recipes.,,,

 

Creamy Cinnamon Dip

Rating: 51

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 8-10 servings

Creamy Cinnamon Dip

Super, simple! Creamy, cinnamony deliciousness! It was fantastic with sweet potato fries and as a fresh fruit dip. I think it would be amazing on waffles or toasted English muffins, too.

Ingredients

  • 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 Tablespoon King Arthur Flour Vietnamese Cinnamon
  • chopped pecans for garnish, optional

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients except pecans, in the bowl of your mixer and blend until smooth and creamy.
  2. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with chopped pecans, if desired, and enjoy!
Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by ZipList Recipe Plugin
http://busy-at-home.com/blog/sweet-potato-fries-and-two-delicious-dipping-sauce-recipes-oreidafries/

My recipe software is incredibly picky about having two recipes on the same page, so CLICK HERE to get the recipe for Smoked Cheese and Bacon Dip.

I hope you’re convinced to give sweet potato fries a chance. If your family is like mine, they’ll be a hit and you can add one more simple, tasty dish to your menu plan. Be sure to like #OraIdaFries on Facebook, so you won’t miss any news or deals as they come up and I’d love to hear your thoughts on the recipes and/or ThisMoment slideshow. What do you dip your sweet potato fries in?

This project has been compensated as part of an #OreIdaFries shopping mission for Heinz with #CollectiveBias. As always, at Busy-at-Home, views and opinions expressed are wholly my own.

More Coupons for Savvy Shoppers

On October 22, 2010, in Budget-wise, In the Kitchen, by Glenda Embree

We’re all working hard to save as much as possible at the grocery store, so we can more easily save, and pay cash for everything that makes our homemade holiday fabulous.  I found a few more coupons that may help you on your frugal journey.  $3.00 off Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream Cakes $2.00 off [...]

Make It: Fun, Frugal and Fabulous!

On July 8, 2010, in Budget-wise, Frugal, Fun Family Activities, by Glenda Embree

All the excitement surrounding our upcoming “Christmas at Home: A Celebration!” Giveaway Event has me thinking ahead to December.  In today’s economy, we all need to be looking at ways to save money and budget appropriately, even when it comes to fun, exciting things like celebrations, parties and Christmas.  Giveaways are one way to receive [...]

All the excitement surrounding our upcoming “Christmas at Home: A Celebration!” Giveaway Event has me thinking ahead to December.  In today’s economy, we all need to be looking at ways to save money and budget appropriately, even when it comes to fun, exciting things like celebrations, parties and Christmas.  Giveaways are one way to receive some fabulous holiday items, but we need to do some concrete planning to make the most of our celebrating and gift giving, this year.  The phrase, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.”, seems poignantly appropriate when applied to preparing for the holidays.  I want Christmas to be a warm, welcome celebration of of the birth of Christ.  I want to share fun and food and gifts with family and friends!  I don’t want to be stressed about finances or focused on what I can’t do, because of the cost.  So, I’ve decided to do a weekly feature called Make It : Fun, Frugal and Fabulous to prepare us for the holiday season.  I can’t decide for sure which day of the week will be best for it, yet,  (Chime in, if you have an opinion.) and I may have some kinks to work out of the concept, but I am excited about what we will be able to learn, create and do to make our homes, gifts and celebrations fabulous.

Saving money often means investing time, instead.  Let’s face it, we all MAKE time for the things we WANT to do.  Make up your mind to find some enjoyable ways to add sparkle and polish to everything for the holidays.  It may involve scrapbooking, crafting, sewing, needlecrafts, baking, canning, painting, calligraphy, woodworking…you name it.  You get the idea.  Commit to learning something new, or fine-tuning a skill or talent you already have, and then use it to do something extraordinary that will save money and make you enthusiastic about Christmas giving, decorating and entertaining.  I’ll do my part to try and bring you great ideas I find on the web and keep you updated on all the projects I work on.  I hope you’ll share your ideas and projects, too!

Today, I have found two websites I absolutely love!  Bookmark both of them or follow their feeds or facebooks or twitters or …something.  You won’t want to miss any of their posts.

Follow the online tutorial to make this adorable set!

The first is em ay kay ee {make} .  You just know Kelly’s creative when you see her clever blog name!  :)   I originally traveled to her site on a link to her {Make} a Bag Sew Along tutorial.  I can’t wait to get started on my own.  I have so many fabric scraps around the house that would be perfect for this cute project.  Her site is loaded with creative ideas and projects and when she does a tutorial, like with the bag, it is detailed and easy to understand, with plenty of pictures for visual learners, like me.  I like her writing style and I just feel “at home” on her site.  Kelly seems like one of those people it would be fun to sit around the kitchen table with and visit over iced tea and cookies.  You can bet, I’ll be using some of her project ideas!  Poke around her site and see what you find.  Even beginning sewers will find a home there.


The second site I found was Make It and Love It! I originally went for this cool post on making a really stylish curtain for a child’s room (part of her Decorate My Home Series), but I was hooked when I glanced at her sidebar and saw Make a Cake Series!  I LOVE decorating cakes, cookies and cupcakes!  Wilton products make it so much easier and I love blogs that share even more tips and info on how to use them.

I went even further and found more tutorials (Yes, pictures and instructions for all the projects!).  I found  instructions for turning a t-shirt into an adorable little girl’s dress, for making adorable stuffed animals, even for how to make a cover for my high chair!  There’s an amazing wealth of information and instructions for projects that will be fun AND look professional when they’ve been completed.  I could be lost in this site for days.  If you don’t hear from me soon, look for me there! :)   This talented mom has also created her own patterns for the most precious baby booties, girls’ and boys’, plus a few other items.  The patterns are available as pdf downloads and you can buy them, right at her site.

Let’s make a go of this together.  How much Christmas preparation can we do ahead and how many dollars can we save, while still having fun and giving gifts the recipients will be glad to own?  I’m looking forward to hearing from all of you over the next few months about what you’re doing and I can’t wait to share some projects of my own!

Tagged with:
 

Great Frugal Blog!

On January 21, 2010, in Budget-wise, by Glenda Embree

I have made a new discovery during the Eat from the Pantry Challenge.  It has to be one of my all-time favorite frugal blog sites.  This homeschooling mom has shopping tips that will help you slash your grocery budget, as well as save on your clothes and household decorating.  I love her everyday frugal common [...]

I have made a new discovery during the Eat from the Pantry Challenge.  It has to be one of my all-time favorite frugal blog sites.  This homeschooling mom has shopping tips that will help you slash your grocery budget, as well as save on your clothes and household decorating.  I love her everyday frugal common sense and her “real”-ness.  This is a woman I would love to sit at the kitchen table and drink iced tea with.  Check out her blog, Beauty and Bedlam, and get some great money-saving tips!

Tagged with:
 

On the 64th Day Before Christmas

On October 22, 2009, in Budget-wise, by Glenda Embree

If your house is like ours, Christmas is going to be filled with tons of rejoicing over Jesus, wonderful smells from the kitchen and the warmth and love of family regardless of what is happening to the economy right now. But if you are like me, you also love to give gifts and get really [...]

If your house is like ours, Christmas is going to be filled with tons of rejoicing over Jesus, wonderful smells from the kitchen and the warmth and love of family regardless of what is happening to the economy right now. But if you are like me, you also love to give gifts and get really tickled watching the kids’ anticipation and excitement. Everyone is going to have to really watch their budget through the holidays and most of us are cutting back, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to share some excellent gifts with your favorite people.

I went back and checked my receipt, so I could give you completely accurate information.  Last week, CBD (Christian Book Distributors) had a one-day only $0.99 sale. I picked up beautiful little board books, DVD movies, and tons of great reading for lots of gifts. I received 34 items and the total was only $51.27 (Can you tell I bought a couple things that were more than $0.99?).

I wish I had started this blog sooner, so I could have let you know, but here’s the good news. I checked their site for you this morning and in the Advanced Search section, I selected “under $5″.  Sort the list by price in ascending order. The lowest price item this morning is $0.35 and there are nearly 89,000 items priced UNDER $5.

 As, I was scanning through the search pages, I realized that once I hit $0.99 (It took more than 20 pages before I got to $0.99), that most items at that specific price were music downloads and there are pages and pages of them. So after going through the first 20 pages or so of the less than $1 items I reversed the search by going up and changing it from Ascending to Descending. I was still in the less than $5 section and out of the music downloads. There were mugs, keychains, novels, childrens books, puzzles, wooden models to build, card games, stuffed animals, Bible studies, pocket New Testaments, CD’s, movies, novels, Focus on the Family Radio Theater CD’s and more. I even saw ministry items, one originally priced at $41.99, now on sale for just $4.99. So dust off your Christmas list and take the opportunity to save for the holidays. I’ll be posting as many bargains as I can find for you between now and then and we’ll all work together to be good stewards of the blessings God has provided.

P.S. If you have a shelf in a closet, or an empty drawer somewhere, or even a nook in the attic, it’s still a good idea to purchase and save items you know you will need later for birthdays, anniversaries, hostess gifts, pastor appreciation, something for a teacher or a graduate, etc. Make a list of all the times you will be gifting throughout the year and remember to include those last minute things like birthday parties or gift exchanges at work. When you find something at a great price, store it and save yourself both time and full-price shopping later.


Tagged with: