New Season = New Home Improvment Projects

With the hope of Spring right outside our door, the promise of home improvement projects aren’t far behind!

I don’t know about you, but once that sun starts shining and the birds are singing, my mind turns to project mode and  starts plotting all the things I want to do to our home and yard.  It’s exciting!  I really could be an interior designer, landscaper and  gardener and be totally happy for the rest of my days!  Maybe I should look into that….ANYWAY….Since this is our 2nd summer in our new house, it’s time to get to work!

Last year we really were getting settled, learning about our home and yard and now is the time to do all those little  things that can be improved upon.  We were lucky enough to move into a home that didn’t need major home remodeling.  The previous owners had just installed replacement windows, paint on the inside was fresh and the outside was manicured and nice.  The  vinyl siding looks ok, but I would LOVE to change the color someday.  It doesn’t have to be now, but sometime.

As you may have remembered, I’ve been on a Home Organization kick since the end of last summer.  I haven’t posted on it in a while, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working on it.  I have lots to show you and will do so soon!

This weekend is the first really nice weekend of the year and I’m dying to do something…anything that includes getting ready for Spring! Maybe I’ll plant some bulbs, hang a new bird feeder or even tackle painting the living room. (get ready honey…the season of painting and home improvement projects is coming!!)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend…you may or may not hear from me.  I may be too busy enjoying the outdoors with my family to come inside!

What’s your home remodeling plans for the season?  Any fun outside projects going on at your house?

This post includes text links to a company that has compensated me to do so. But, as always, the post is totally my own content and my own words.

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Save Big on the Procter & Gamble Products You Use Most, While Helping Children Get Safe Drinking Water at the Same Time

Be on the lookout in this Sunday’s paper for Proctor and Gamble’s largest brandSaver coupon book ever!  It will include over $160 in saving of your favorite P&G brands!

This money-saving booklet will be included in newspapers delivered to more than 55 million homes across the country and features coupons from numerous brands including PUR Water Filtration, Gillette, Pantene, Tide, Venus, Olay, Pampers, CoverGirl, Febreeze and Swiffer, to name a few.

Plus, for every coupon redeemed, P&G will provide one day’s worth of clean drinking water to a child in need through the Children’s Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) Program, P&G’s philanthropic cause aimed at saving lives by providing clean drinking water to children in developing countries.

Every day more than 4,000 children in developing countries die from illness and disease related to unsafe drinking water. Simply by redeeming coupons for popular P&G products, people can make a difference and help to provide one day’s worth of clean drinking water for every coupon redeemed.

For a list of newspapers that contain the brandSAVER, please view the following link: http://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/brandsaver-coupons.jsp

*For each coupon redeemed, P&G will donate 2 cents to the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Fund. Visit www.pg.com or www.csdw.org for more details.

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Grilled Salmon In Winter – What??!!

One of my favorite Summer time meals is Grilled Salmon, rice and a veggie.  And even though it’s not Summer you still enjoy this easy and yummy meal during the winter and if you’re observing Lent – it’s a fast and easy meal for Fridays!

Here’s an easy, peasy recipe for you.

Take about 1 lb of fresh salmon fillet for 4 people – or less if you’re feeding little ones or more if you like leftovers.

I like to use Dijon mustard, soy sauce, a little honey and seasoned salt in my marinade.  But, really…use your imagination.  Any of your favorite flavors will be great!

Cover you salmon with your marinade ingredients and rub in.  Let sit for about 10-15 minutes while you pre-heat your grill.

Grill skin side down over medium heat until fish easily flakes apart.  I don’t really know a time to tell you…I’m bad at timing things.  When it looks like the picture below…it’s ready!  : )

Oh – and make sure that if you’re taking pictures so that you can blog about it, that you remember which way you photographed it last so that your photos are consistent.

Steam some brown rice and broccoli (but not together!) to serve with your fish.  Mmmmm!  So good!

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Green Tip – Replace Your Air Freshener

Most air fresheners are made with chemicals and are releasing toxins into your air every time you spray.  Try all natural or green alternatitves instead!

Opt for a beeswax or soy candle, a bouquet of fresh flowers, essential oils spritzed into the air or onto a dried flowers and even white vinegar sprayed onto surfaces will deodorize.

Some of my favorite green brands that carry great candles and air fresheners:

Soy Basics

Method

Mrs Meyers

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Green Tip – Keep Your Fireplace Damper Closed

With winter here and in full force, a lot of us are building fires in our fireplaces to keep warm on those chili nights.  Something you may not think to do after the flames go out, is to close the damper.

Keep your fireplace damper closed unless you have a fire going – then for heaven’s sake…don’t forget to open it!

8% of the heat (or cool air in Summer)  in your home can escape right up the chimney adding up to a loss of $100 year in heating or cooling costs.

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Super Bowl Party Foods – Whats on your table?

It’s Super Bowl Sunday!  The Saints vs. Colts, the best commercials of the year, awesome entertainment and FOOD.  AHHH…YES, yummy, delicious (not so good for you!) food!

I’ve never been a huge football fan, (gasp! booo!!)  but I have always enjoyed the game and I’ve always really enjoyed the tailgating aspect of the game.  Burgers, brats, wings, dips, chip, BEER!  Fun times!   Being as my husband is a HUGEEEEE  football fan, I try to get into it at least this one time a year (and anytime the Packers have a big game!) by making some yummy food to enjoy while everyone is rooting on their favorite team.

This year, I plan on making a huge batch of chili (so that there are leftovers for the week) and some yummy finger foods.  I swear, I could just make meals of appetizers for the rest of my life and be happy.  Well, as long as the appetizers included some meat and chocolate. (but not together!)

Here’s some of my FAV appetizers – plus one of my own recipes – to help you get in the game day spirit.  Enjoy!!

A yummy take on one of America’s favorite appetizers – Buffalo Chicken Wings.
Try it…I guarantee it will be a  hit!

Who doesn’t love pinwheels of some sort?!  There are so many things you can do with a tortilla and some fillers in a jiffy!  Try this recipe at Walmart.com’s Game Time Webpage.  Don’t forget to enter my to win a $50 Gift Card to Walmart right here.

Here’s a fun and cute appetizer that is easy and sure to please even the kids!

And one of my family’s favorite dips….

Betty Jo’s Bean Dip

(Betty Jo was my neighbor growing up.  She made this awesome dip from time to time! Thanks Betty Jo!!)

8 oz Cream Cheese

12oz Sour Cream

1 can Refried Beans (your fav variety)

1 small Onion (diced)

6-8 drops Tabasco Sauce

Large pkg Cheddar Cheese

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, saving half the cheese.  Place into a casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 mins.  Serve for corn chips.  Mmmmm!!!  Yummy goodness!!

What’s on your table today?  Share your recipes and links here!  Don’t forget to enter to win a $50 Giftcard from Walmart by entering your frugal tips for your Super Bowl Parties!

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It’s Game Time at Walmart! $50 Gift Card GIVEAWAY!!(CLOSED)

CONGRATS TO SARA FROM ALL IN AN IOWA MOM’S DAY!!

THANKS TO ALL FOR GIVING YOUR AMAZING TIPS…I SEE A POST TO COME!   COME BACK TOMORROW FOR A NEW AND FUN GIVEAWAY THAT IS SURE TO PLEASE!!

The Colts or the Saints, commercials or the half time show…it doesn’t matter what you love about  SuperBowl Sunday, but what does matter is how you celebrate.

Walmart’s Game Time website has all your Game Time Fun, recipes, party tips, shopping tools and of course, products to make your party a hit!   Head to Walmart for all your game time snacks for as low as $44 for a party of 8!

Check out recipes for appetizers, burgers, chili and more!

Right now, Walmart also has special deals on electronics to make your SuperBowl viewing a pleasure!

Walmart even offers special home installation on entertainment packages.  Check out Walmart.com or your local store for more info!

Are you planning a SuperBowl party with your friends and family this year?  Do you have any of your own money saving tips when it comes to feeding a crowd?  Share some of your money-saving tips right here on All Things Mamma and you could win your very own $50 Giftcard from Walmart!!

Leave your comment below to be entered to win!  1 winner will be chosen on SuperBowl Sunday AFTER the game!  Have fun and keep those tips coming!  UNLIMITED entries!

*I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Walmart. In addition, I received a Walmart gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate and one to offer as a giveaway.

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Green Tip – Seal Drafts Around Windows and Doors

By keeping heat from escaping through windows and doors,  you can cut your heating costs dramatically!

By lighting a candle and holding it in front of the window or doors seams, you’ll be able to detect drafty spots by watching the flame.  If it doesn’t flicker, you’re good to go.  If it does…time to seal up!

Seal the drafts around your windows and doors by buying weather-stripping or even the plastic window coverings you can buy at your local hardware store or big box store.

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Where To Find Coupons

People ask me this question all the time. (And it’s not at all because I look like a lunatic coupon chick at the grocery store!)

Drum roll please…

· Sunday paper inserts – This is the best known source for coupons. If you subscribe, it’s normally cheaper. Many newspapers will offer deals when you subscribe as well.  For example, my newspaper gives me a huge book of coupons (like the Entertainment Book) when I pay for the whole year. And who doesn’t love coupons delivered right to their door?

· Coupons.com – Printable coupons with a large variety of brands. Updates at least once a month.

· Smartsource.com – Printable grocery coupons.

· Redplum.com – Printable grocery coupons.

· Product websites -Visit the websites of your favorite brands to see if they offer coupons. If they offer a newsletter, sign up for even more offers. Here are a few examples:

o Betty Crocker

o Pillsbury

· Store websites- Visit the websites of your favorite stores to see if they offer coupons. If they offer newsletters, sign up for even more offers. Here are a few examples:

o Target – Coupon generator for Target printable coupons

o Meijer - Coupon generator for Meijer printable coupons

o Giant – Sign up for the monthly newsletter and receive coupons via email

o Weis – Printable coupons for Weis Markets

o Rite Aid – Printable coupons for Rite Aid

· My Points – Here, you can get printable grocery coupons that will also earn you points when you redeem them!

· Upromise – eCoupons that add money to your college savings account when you purchase those products.

· Eat Better America - Printable grocery coupons.

· Box Tops for Education – Printable coupons for grocery items that offer box tops for education.

· Coupon Bug – More printable grocery coupons.

· Mambo Sprouts – Printable grocery coupons for organic products.

· Compliment or comment on a particular product – If you use a product that you love or one that you hate, let the company know! They love consumer feedback and will often send you coupons to show their appreciation. Simply visit their website (most have a contact form) or send a snail mail letter to the company. If you don’t know their web address, simply do an online search for the manufacturer. I have done this numerous times and they DO send coupons.

· Join coupon trading groups – There are probably lots of coupons you get that you can’t use, so why not trade them for coupons you CAN use? Join a group like Hot Coupon World (my personal favorite), A Full Cup, or Organic Grocery Deals (for organic grocery savings) where they have a trading forum, among tons of other couponing resources.

· Inside packages - Be sure to check your product packages before throwing them away. Many packages have coupons on the outside or inside.

· Blinkies - These are the coupons that are spit out of those red machines at the grocery store. My kids love to go around the store finding these for me!

· Peelies – These are those little coupons you can peel off the packaging and use when you purchase the item.

· Tearpads – Be on the lookout for specific product displays in the grocery store. Many times these will also contain tearpad coupons.

· Magazines – Many magazines contain random grocery coupons. Additionally, magazines such as All You have tons of coupons per issue.

· Wine Tags – These are coupons that hang around the neck of a wine bottle. Of course, I live in PA where you have to go to the liquor store to get wine, so this doesn’t apply to every region.

· Catalinas – These are the coupons that print out at the register for purchasing certain items. Make sure the cashier gives them to you before you leave!

And there you have it! Did I miss your favorite coupon resources? Please leave a comment and share them!

- Amy

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Green Tip – Buy Eco-Friendly Coffee

When buying whole-bean or ground coffee, look or organic, Fair Trade, Bird Friendly, or Rainforest Alliance certification seals. The coffee farms that produce the coffee practice sustainable agriculture to preserve or restore ecosystems in the rainforest.

Just one household switching to certified coffee a year is enough to protect 9,200 square feet of rainforest.

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