Free Target beauty Bag!

 You can currently head over to the Target Sample Site and request a FREE Beauty Bag! They had this same offer a few months ago and it came with trial size shampoo and lotion, as well as a full-size lip balm! There were a few other samples and awesome coupons as well. I think they're great to keep around for house guests or for when I travel myself. Sign up while supplies last!

Homemade Bloomin' Onion!

I know, I know.... life has gotten busy and I've been slacking on my blog. I have also been slacking on the "meal" portion of this blog. Time to rectify that.

So this weekend I attempted a homemade version of one of our favorite appetizers - The Bloomin' Onion from Outback Steakhouse.

It definitely wasn't perfect and half of my onion fell off - but not too bad for a first try!

You can go HERE to find  the recipe I used.

New Quiznos Coupons

You can head on over HERE to print some coupons for Quiznos including:

* Free Sub of equal or less value with the purchase of any sub and a regular fountain drink
* Free chip or cookie and regular fountain drink with purcahse of regular salad or sub
* $1 off 1 Sub, $2 off 2 Subs, $3 off 3 Subs
* $2 Off Regular or Large Sub



80% Off Restaurant.com Certificates!

Restaurant.com is already a great place to score a discount on local restaurants - but the constantly have promotions going on to make the deal even sweeter!

Generally, you can score a $25 gift certificate for only $10 - that's already some sweet savings. However, from now until August 16, you can get 80% off! Use promo code HOT at checkout. You can score a $25 gift certificates for $2!!!

If you have never used Restaurant.com before this would be a good time to check it out! The choices consist of local eateries - so you aren't going to find big chains like TGI Fridays, etc. This is a great way to try a new place. You are only spending $2, so it's not too big of a risk! You can always look at the menu or reviews of the website before deciding to purchase.

NOTE: Participating restaurants often have some sort of limitation (ie: not valid on Saturday or minimum purchase of $50, etc), so read the fine print before purchasing.

These certificates also never expire, so you can use them whenever you want!

I for one have used several of these certificates without a problem! My hubby and I went to a restuarant with a $25 gift certificate that I had paid $2 for. There was a limitation that we had to spend at least $50. So we spent right around that, and ended up only paying $27 for a $50 meal. Cheap dinner date!

DSW Coupon Code

If you're in the market for some new kicks - you can currently get $20 off your purchase of $49 or more at DSW by using the code 909. It could make a pair you've been eyeing a little bit cheaper. Good through August 27th!

Taco Bell Nacho Surpreme only 99 cents!

If you are a fan of Taco Bell and cheap lunches - you're in luck! Now until August 27th, you can head over to your favorite Fourth Meal location and grab a Nachos Supreme for only 99cents!

A lesson in Couponing....

I feel like ever since "Extreme Couponing" came out, couponing has gotten the bad rap that we’re all crazy organized hoarders. NOT the case. In reality, those people find an amazing deal on only 4 or 5 things, and then somehow get coupons to buy 100 of them. So yes, they are saving a lot of money, but most of it is stuff they don’t need (or don’t need that much of).

I think the majority of couponers are not that crazy. I love a good deal, but I don’t have the patience or the time to run to 6 different stores to score 6 different deals. I do all my grocery shopping at one store (the commissary) minus a random run to Safeway for milk or whatever.

You too can save money without being a whacko! For example, I had a bunch of good coupons that were going to expire on 7/31, so I made a special trip to go out to use them. Here is my haul:

I normally buy ALOT more food than this, but like I said, this was a special trip just to use those coupons up. I wont list everything, but as you can see I got some everyday staples (cereal, shave gel, toilet paper, etc). I do double up on coupons (as I did here) if I can to stock up, but I definitely don't need 50 of anything.

Overall I saved 47%! Here's proof: 

That's HUGE for me. Like I said I normally buy a lot more food and my savings are usually around 20%. No, I did not get my bill down to the pennies, but I only paid $70 for about $130 worth of stuff! That makes couponing so worth it!

So if you are new to this whole thing - you don't have to go crazy hunting for every deal. Just go to your normal store and use coupons for stuff you will use. If it's a great deal and you have multiple coupons - get 2 or 3. It doesn't hurt to stock up, just don't crazy - it doesn't leave any for anyone else!

10% Off at Half.com!

I know, I know I have been a slacker! It's been a busy week. Now I'm back! On to the deals...

Back to school season is in session! We all know how pricey textbooks can get. A great way to save money can be to try to find them used. A great site to find used textbooks is http://www.half.com/. You can buy or rent textbooks (and other books, dvds, etc) for much cheaper then you'll find at your college bookstore.

Even better, you can use the cose BTSAUG10A and get an additional 10% off your order of $50 or more! Offer ends August 30.