Save Money Buy Baking Soda -100's of Uses Part 2

I am still fascinated by all the uses for Baking Soda! I hope you had a chance to learn or try some of the previous Baking Soda remedies I posted a few weeks back for your household and hopefully, saved some money too.


I like the fact that I am noticing less and less harsh chemicals under my sink. By keeping the basic "healthy comparable yet simple versions" that are safe for all the family (Distilled White Vinegar and Baking Soda) to help out in cleaning chores, I don't need to be concerned about toxic fumes or skin reactions.


Here are some more uses I found for Baking Soda in recipes, cleaning, storage, and even de-icing:


To make a fluffy omelette, add 1/2 tsp. baking soda (for every 3 eggs).

To clean your microwave safely you can use a general cleaning solution of 4 Tablespoons Baking Soda to 1 Quart warm water to wipe down the interior. Another way is to boil a few spoonfuls of Bakings Soda in a microwave-safe cup with water for 3-5 min. Cup will be hot to touch so use a potholder to remove. The interior can now be easily wiped down with a clean sponge or paper towel of cleaning mixture moisture from the steam created. Wow thats easy!


Before you put your garbage bag in your garbage can in your kitchen, you can neutralize odors by sprinkling Baking Soda in the bottom. I use this idea for the smaller waste baskets in our home also!


I did not realize but you can use Baking Soda as a De-icer! We actually had more snow here (in March!) Just sprinkle on your front steps to promote traction and melt ice. It is much safer for outside surfaces than most of the harsh chemical brands and if tracked in to the house, it is less to worry about too. You can mix with sand if you need more heavy texture/grit.

I found it is really handy to just have a shaker or container filled with baking soda at arms reach in my kitchen and bath on a regular basis. I like to re- use small plastic containers with lids for this purpose! 

Baking Soda is just such a versatile substance and is so friendly on the budget! Okay I know, I know, I will have to do another Part 3 for Baking Soda uses.....stay tuned!

This Weeks Great Deals 3/4-3/10...Why NOT Save?

Here's some great deals this week you can easily take advantage of to save. Just click to print the coupon for Michaels's or save your receipt of Proctor and Gamble purchases at Bartells and mail in to get a nice savings at the gas pump!


Michael's Arts and Crafts Weekly Coupons to print


Print this coupon this week (through 3-10) for 40% of one Regular priced item. Also, a Get $5.00 off every $25 you spend coupon available.


Bartell's Click Here   


Find out how to get a Free $10 Gift Card toward your next gas purchase from Bartell Drugs!

If you purchase $25 in P&G products you can get a $10 Gift Card back by Mail. See details on website in their Weekly ad by clicking in above link. Details are in this weeks Ad in the store or you may receive like I did in your mailbox.  (P & G Products listed below qualify). You have until the end of June to get receipt and form in for the gift card.

* Offer valid 2/27/12-3/12/12
LIMIT ONE SUBMISSION PER HOUSEHOLD

Participating Proctor & Gamble products: Align®, Always®, Aussie®, Braun®, Camay®, Clairol®, Cover Girl®, Crest®, Fixodent®, Gillette®, Gleem®, Glide®, Head & Shoulders®, Herbal Essences®, Hydrience®, Metamucil®, Natural Instincts®, Nice & Easy®, Olay®, Old Spice®, Oral-B®, Pantene®, Pepto Bismol®, Prilosec OTC®, PUR®, Safeguard®, Scope®, Secret®, Tampax®, Vicks®

Note: Their is also another mail in offer from purchasing Kimberly Clark Products of $25 or more (see ad for details)

And while your at Bartells check out their easy Store Ad and recent Sunday paper coupons Match ups:

Campbells Chunky Soup on sale this week for 4 for $5, use your $1.00 off of 4  Coupon so now they only are $1.00 each!

Clairol Hair Color on Sale for 15% off regular prices, use your P&G Brandsaver Coupon from recent Sunday paper coupons for $2.00 off

Full line of Nature Made Vitamins are 50% off this week so match up with your recent Sunday paper coupons for either $1.00 off one or $3.00 off two products. 

or take advantage of these deals now such as Bigelow Tea in assorted varieties only$1.69 (reg. $3.49) and Bounce Dryer Sheets are only $1.99 box 40ct (reg $3.49)

TRAVEL Sites, Games for Kids Printables and Giveaways

With winter winding down and thoughts turning to spring I thought it would be nice to post some upcoming Travel websites so you can start planning for upcoming vacations or business trips.  I included a fun, free printable travel games for kids page from WeJustGotBack.com, a link to vote for my friend on another great travel site for women and a website that has travel giveaways to enter, so check them out!

Free Printable Car & Travel Games for Kids | WeJustGotBack.com
Be sure to check out upcoming travel giveaways and trip planning on this trustworthy family friendly travel site as well.


Women on their Way Travel Website Click Here 
Please click on Like under Vote for this Entry on this page for my friend's Travel Blog Contest Entry, thanks!
Great Travel website to check out with Special Offers and Tips so bookmark this one while your there too.

Click Here for Neo Travel Sweepstakes! 

Enter to win several travel giveaways...you never know, if you don't enter, you can't win. 

My son on our trip last summer I won to Victoria, BC, Canada via Black Ball Ferry! (pictured above)

Homemade TV & Laptop Screen Cleaner

After I had my Laptop Computer for a month or so I realized how dirty the screen can get but was not at all sure what was safe to use. I found the Computer Screen Cleaning Wipes left streaks and decided to go a more natural route but still wanted to make sure it was safe for the screen. 

I have tried this solution and found it works great for my Laptop and TV screens but make sure you don't apply or spray directly to the screen but put a small amount on a Lint-Free Cloth (you can purchase at local office supply or use an old soft t-shirt type rag) Please use at your own risk with your equipment, however I have not had any problem with this gentle formula.

Note: Do not use paper towels. Do not use plain tap water, only Distilled. Do not spray directly on screens as it can drip down into parts and damage. Less is more :) when applying to your cloth, either spray on the cloth or dip cloth into jar just a little first. You can do a second round of cleaning if screens are really dirty.  I prefer to gently use a back and forth cleaning motion and end with a dry Lint-Free Cloth. Ahhhh, just like new again!

The basic recipe is:

1/2 cup plain White Vinegar
1/2 cup Distilled Water


Pour into small jar with a fitting lid or a spray bottle and label. Can be stored for future use.

FREEBIES for you FRIDAY and More through 2-29

Check out this list of Easy on the Budget Freebies and Deals, while supplies last or see specific dates listed: 


Free Craisins (on Facebook) 


Get a free sample of new Craisins from Ocean Spray via Facebook. Like their page on Facebook and sign up for this great snack!


Complimentary Subscription to CRUISE TRAVEL Magazine


Get a free year subscription to Cruise Travel Magazine from FreeBizMag.com


Free Short Stack @ IHOP Pancake Day 2-28 


February 28th is National IHOP Pancake Day!


Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly $8 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. On February 28, 2012, guests from around the country are invited to celebrate National Pancake Day at IHOP and enjoy a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes. In return for the free pancakes, guests are asked to consider leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals(c) and other designated local charities.


Free Subway Cookie with any Purchase 2-29


Get a Free Subway Cookie with purchase February 29th to celebrate Leap Year. RSVP on Facebook or Print out a Reminder/ Coupon


Country Crock Coupon $1.00 off to Print


Get a Free Country Crock Pumpkin Spread at Walmart by using this coupon (It is on sale for currently $0.98 so will be Free with Coupon) 


Also, while your at Walmart check out this Freebie at their Vision Center  for a FREE Lens Cleaner and cloth at Walmart!! 
You will need to print the coupon first.


Go Here for Special Free Lego Club In School Edition Magazine 


For Educators (and Homeschool) of Elementary age, you can receive this Special Lego Club In School Edition Magazine Free!

LEGO Club In-School Edition Magazine (Second, Third, and Fourth Grade) and corresponding teacher's guide were developed for use in second and third grade classrooms and focus on the theme Heroes. Material may not be relevant for all grades. Shipping of Heroes requests will begin in April 2012. Requests will be accepted through May 2012.

**Two teacher's guides will accompany every 50 magazines ordered. 

(I had to order the lowest amount which is 50 so I will be sharing with other homeschool families and groups.)

and don't forget you can also receive the regular Free 2 Year Lego Club Subscription offered for your little builder if you haven't already for great tips and information. My son always looks forward to his coming in the mail! Click Here for Free Lego Club Magazine 2 Year Subscription

Nescafe Page on Facebook for Free Sample

Enjoy this really nice Nescafe (on Facebook) Free Sample. You just need to Like their page and enter necessary information to receive Nescafe Taster's Choice Variety Pack. I have got this before so they have brought it back while supplies last. Great offer!

Burts Bees Gud Sample here on Facebook

Head on over to the Gud by Burt's Bees facebook page, and after you like the page, you can request a FREE sample of body lotion plus a coupon to go along with it. You can choose from these 3 scents: Orange Petalooza, Vanilla Flame, or Floral Cherrynova. These may go quick!

What's a CARA CARA you ask?

Have you tried the Cara Cara Naval Oranges available at most supermarkets now? They are sold January through April and are an amazing vitamin packed treat! The beautiful pink color interior will remind you of a grapefruit but the flavor is sweeter with a slight cranberry-like hint, and no seeds.


I recently purchased an 8 pound bag at Costco for $7.79 which is an awesome deal! Most supermarkets that I have seen are selling them around $5.00 for a 3 pound bag. My family really loves these and this large bag actually disappears quite quickly, mostly just for snacks but they are also great for adding cut up into salads or squeeze the juice into a vinaigrette dressing.

Cara Cara Oranges are a special variety of juicy, low acid, seedless navels, an excellent source of vitamin C, A and fiber; a good source of folate and potassium, and a natural source of Lycopene, the disease-fighting antioxidant. This time of year with all the colds and flu going around why not pick up a natural immune booster treat?

You can see the Sunkist Cara Cara Oranges Nutrition Label for more nutritional details on this variety at the Sunkist Website . 

Save Money Buy Baking Soda - 100's of Uses!

For many years I had not thought much about using Baking Soda for other than the typical uses I was accustomed to such as a leavening agent in baking products, making into a paste for bee stings and sticking a box in the refrigerator to keep odors out. My mom also used to tell me she used it growing up to clean her teeth with instead of toothpaste.


A few years ago I started looking into more economical, healthier alternatives for cleaning and have incorporated more Baking Soda uses around my home. Their is actually a book I recently read that includes over 500 uses of Baking Soda called Baking Soda, Over 500 Fabulous, Fun and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of,  by Vicki Lansky, Book Peddlers, 2004


I decided earlier today to purchase a large bag of 13.5 lbs for $5.99 at Costco since I have found so many more uses for it. I would also suggest getting a large bottle of White Vinegar while your there as the cost is much lower and you can use these together to make a really easy household cleaner or if you saw my post from the summer, you can make an easy Fruit and Vegetable Wash using baking soda, water, vinegar and juice from a lemon. Speaking of summer, did you know you can also cool and soothe a sunburn by soaking  a lukewarm bath with a generous amount of Baking Soda? (a half to about a whole box of Baking Soda)


A few new uses I have found are:

• Shower Cleaner - 1st , clean shower stall doors by spraying with clear vinegar. Let sit a few minutes, then scour with a sponge sprinkled with baking soda. Rinse and wipe or squeegee dry.
• Burn remedy - You can quickly treat a non-life threatening burn by applying cold cloths dipped in ice water with baking soda added until the burn has no heat. The burn is less likely to blister with this treatment. 
• Pet Deodorizing - Sprinkle a little in your cat box litter (if it doesn't already have odor control) 
• An easy Drain cleaner - add Baking Soda (about a cup) down the drain and then add 1 cup hot vinegar (you can heat it in the microwave first). Wait of few minutes before flushing with very hot water (about a quart). Repeat if necessary. This is great for regular deodorizing/upkeep of drains and disposers and avoids harsh chemicals.
• Auto Interior Cleaning - Great for freshening up your car seats and carpet. Just sprinkle on vinyl seats and wash with wet sponge or vacuum up if fabric. Sprinkle on carpet to freshen and then vacuum. 

Let me know how you use Baking Soda around your home. I will post a Part 2 for Baking Soda uses in the near future as their are so many great ways to use this amazing product!

COUPON CORNER - Pom Wonderful and Safeway Sale!

Great deal I found this last weekend that is still available at Safeway but act soon, last day of this sale is Feb. 7th. It requires last months Pom Wonderful manufacturer coupons for $1.00 off in your Sunday paper and the current Safeway advertisement posts Pom Wonderful 8oz. for .99 cents! I had 4 manufacturer coupons so I got 4 free. This is why I had to come back a few days later because the first time when the advertisement started they were completely sold out. I guess I am not the only one who figured this little gem of a deal out. 
On a quick side note: You can go to Pom Wonderful Website and sign up for emails and also get a $1.00 off coupon for their Fresh Arils (pomegranate inside seeds).
I also stocked up on Cambells Chunky Soups while I was at Safeway. They were on sale for $1.25 each (clip the coupon in the ad) and if you had the January and February Manufacturer coupons in the Sunday paper, you got them for $1.00 each because of the $1.00 off of 4 cans purchased. Again, this sale ends tomorrow night!


Any chance you can double up on the coupons/ads you can really notice a savings in your pocketbook!!

Save $10 on your Order at Vitacost (Online Health & Wellness Products)

Have you heard about Vitacost.com?
They have over 30,000 health and wellness products (including items like Burt Bees above, and vitamins, supplements, herbs, personal care products, organic foods and more; the best thing is they are cheaper than the health food store!

I recently purchased some vitamins that usually cost $18 at Super Supplements but got for $13 here and then $10 off too, so it only cost me $3 plus small shipping fee. Great deal! 

Please use the link below and you can save $10 off your order like I did (using Refer A Friend Rewards is a great way to spend less!) Also remember to click on the Free Samples link on the top of their page and you can add 2 freebies from their list! Thanks and let me know what you save on!

VITACOST Link for $10 Savings

I'm Back with some Super Deals for You!! Star Wars and More!

I found some great deals this week and wanted to share with you. I will try to make posting more of a regular ocurrance on here rather than just Facebook as I know some of you don't use Facebook. I have been using coupons more and more and the grocery stores and have noticed a big savings doing so. I will post some tips I use in the coming days as well.




Yesterday I (or shall I say my son, who is 10 years old) scored an amazing deal from Toys R Us. If you go to Hasbro website and sign up you can print off a coupon for Star Wars Mini Figures that is a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE ! and if you combine with this weeks TOYS R US Ad, they have BUY TWO GET ONE FREE for Star Wars Mini Figures. I called the local store in my area to confirm if I could use both these coupons and they said YES, It sounded like I would be able to BUY ONE and then I would GET TWO FREE!!! I then was able to print two of these coupons so we purchased 2 and got 4 FREE! They cost $8.99 each so for approx. $18 (+tax) we got $54 (+tax) worth of toys. The clerks at the store were very helpful and made sure the coupons scanned and in fact the deal worked before my son chose all 6.  Great stocking up or future gifts purchase! See Links Below.


Hasbro Website  don't forget to sign up your child for the giveaway (instant win game) for prizes too or just click on the MOM savings for all their coupons from Hasbro.


Click on the SUPER DEALS AND MORE IN THIS WEEKS AD on their Homepage ToysRUs