Let me know

It has been a few months since I started blogging and I love it. I hope you are learning how I pinch a penny and how it can benefit your families budget to do the same.  Leave me a quick note as to what you like, don't like or want to see more of.  Also let me know if you follow this blog by clicking on the "Follow this blog" under Followers.  I don't care if you choose to follow it anonymously or not.  I just am curious as to how many people are learning How I Pinch A Penny.  Something that is in the works is a Facebook page.  What do you think about that!?  Post a comment and let me have it!

Free Prints at Wallgreens Friday 2/20 only

LOVE my font!!!

As promised I have uploaded and created my own handwriting using  yourfont.com.  I can't tell you how easy it was to use the program!  I would say it was easy as 1-2-3 but it was easier than that!  I thought for sure I would get frustrated at some point and time, as I often do with free programs, but it didn't happen.  The website says that you can have your own font in 15 minutes and they aren't kidding!  My biggest hold up was getting my template scanned.  I had to send my completed template with my husband to his office because we don't have a scanner at home.  If I didn't have to go through that step I definitely could have completed this project in 15 minutes.  My next project would to be to get other family members to fill out the template so I can have their handwriting to use as journaling for the scrapbooks for the girls.  Thank you to yourfont.com.  What a wonderful service you have provided.

My only regret is that I wish I had better handwriting.  But it is mine and my font was free!!

A Dr. Seuss Word Art

I saw this quote and knew it had to be turned into word art. I hope this word art will put the finishing touch on that playful page you are working on. Let me know what you think. Click on the image for the free download.

Free shipping from Land of Nod

 Click on the icon to the left to receive FREE shipping on your stroller from The Land of Nod.

Cosmopolitan for $5 for a year subscription

My husband sent me this link and I had to share with you!  I think it is a pretty good deal.  Who wouldn't want a year magazine subscription for $5?

Cover Price: $51.48
Price: $5.00 ($0.42/issue) & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. 

Details You Save: $46.48 (90%)
Issues: 12 issues / 12 months
LINK

Photo from Amazon.com

Another Word Art

I got 3 comments on my last freebie! YEAH! The above is the the results of my first tying on a circle. I thought the verse was appropriate for the shape. Enjoy and let me know if you love it! Click on the image to take you to the  FREEBIE download.

I ROCKED Target!

Well it wasn't an actual take over of penny pinching fabulousness at Target but it was an awesome deal. The Kashi people have a yummy new bar called the Soft Baked. HERE is a link for $2 off. You do have to download their coupon printing program and you can only print 2 per computer. Then go HERE and download the in store coupon for $1 off Kashi.

My store had them on special for $2.75
                                  Target coupon -1.00

                                  Kashi coupon - 2.00

                                                             FREE**

I bought 2 boxes.  My total before coupons was $5.50 ( thanks to the boxes being of temporary price cut.)   They took off both of the Kashi coupons and one of the Target coupons.  **They would have taken both of the target coupons off but they are not allowed to have a $0 balance due.** Sooooo if I had picked up a pack of gum (or anything worth .50) not only would I have gotten my boxes of bars for free but I would have gotten my gum free as well.  Was that clear as mud?  By adding the .50 item it would have brought by amount due to the exact amount of my coupons.  Lesson learned.

Photo from Kashi.com

FREE Movie night!

Today only 2/16/09 you can get a free DVD rental at your local REDBOX use code: M7DM23 . You’ll need to enter a credit card to check out. But you will not be charged as long as you return your movie by 9:00 p.m. the following evening.
(2/17/09) I think you have to hit "redeem code" or "redeem coupon" when you first start your transation. Have a penny pinching Monday!

Restaurant.com does it again!!!

Starting today, YOU can save 70% off when they try our new coupon code "PREZ". It can be used on both of our most popular products, Dinner of the Month Club and our $25 Gift Certificates. This offer is valid February 16th through February 19th!   That is right!!! A $25 Restaurant.com Gift Certificates for $3.00.
Click this link or the graphic above to go straight to the site!
Take 70% Off with every order of $25 Gift Certificates. Use code PREZ and pay $3 thru 2/19/09.

Word Art Freebie

I  have been wanting to try my hand at creating elements... not just using them.  This is my first attempts at word art.  I hope you enjoy it.  Give me feedback if you would like to see me so more!

HERE is the link.

Chex & Redbox have a treat for you!

When movie time meets crunch time. 

Better get a big bowl. 

Here's the scoop: purchase any 2 Chex Mix, Cheerios Snack Mix, Gardettos or Buggles products and you'll receive a free one-night rental from redbox. Feel free to mix and match. Share, too. Plenty to go around. The offer's good 2/15/09 through 2/28/09 at all Giant Food Stores. 

Don't forget to use coupons on the above items to make it an even better penny pinching purchase.

Create your own font

If you are a digital scrap-booker, like me, you know how much fun it is to play with fonts.  I have been pining away for my own font.  When I say my own font I mean in my own handwriting.  You can pay for someone to make your handwriting into a font.  But who wants to do that!?   In my insomnia I found the website yourfonts.com.    Here are the answers to some of the questions you may have:

Question
Are the created fonts vector based?
Answer
Yes, the fonts are vector based and thus scalable without loss of quality. The file extension is .ttf, but the generated fonts are in fact OpenType fonts with TrueType based outlines that will work on Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers.

Question
Is this online font generation service really free?
Answer
The short answer is: YES! The long answer is: Yes, this service is 100% free, no hidden fees and no strings attached.

Question
Can I share and sell my fonts?
Answer
Yes, when you have generated and downloaded a font through our service it is your property.

Question
What happens with the information I upload to YourFonts.com in the Upload Template process?
Answer
The information is used to generate your font. We will never share personal information. If you are concerned about your privacy, please read our privacy policy or contact us.

These answers came from the help section of the website.

I am going to download the template and have my 4 year old write her letters.  I think it would be so sweet to have her handwriting in its infancy!  I am also going to have my mom write a template for me.  I think my mom has great handwriting and I want to preserve it for my girls.

Go check it out and have fun with it!

Valentine's Day Dessert

In our penny pinching days we don't go out to eat much these days....if ever.  So going out on Valentine's Day is out of the question.  My husband is a chocolate fan so I wanted to give him something yummy and chocolaty for dessert tonight.  I remember seeing THIS recipe in a magazine over christmas.  I did a google search and found it.  Let me tell you this is a WINNER!!!!!  You would be paying upwards of $10 for this dessert in a fine dinning restaurant.  I added cut up strawberries on the side and it was heaven on earth!  I did omit a few spices and the wine (I didn't have any on hand) and it was wonderful!!!  The cakes even oozed like they did in the photo.  MMMMM.   But if you are a recipe diehard refer to the link above. We will be making this one again and again. Let me know if you make it and how you like it!!

4 ounces chocolate
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
6 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter 4 (6-ounce) custard cups or soufflé dishes. Place on baking sheet.

2. Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 minute or until butter is melted. Whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in wine, vanilla and confectioners' sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and yolk. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour batter evenly into prepared custard cups.

3. Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand 1 minute. Carefully loosen edges with small knife. Invert cakes onto serving plates. Sprinkle with additional confectioners' sugar. Serve immediately.

Make Ahead: The chocolate mixture can be prepared up to 10 hours ahead of time. Pour the batter into prepared custard cups; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories: 567 Sodium: 209 mg
Fat: 35 g Carbohydrates: 57 g
Cholesterol: 219 mg Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 6 g

**photo from McCormickgourmet .com

We are back from Old Navy

We just got back from Old Navy and the girls had a great time looking at all the items. We were almost going to get Valentine t-shirts but Emily spotted the soccer balls on the way to the register. Turns out this was the best deal of all. (They do not need another shirt but it was free...who am I to complain?) 

Here is the breakdown:

Original price of ball: $8.50
In Store Promotion:    $2.00 ($6.50 discount)
$5 Coloring Coupon:   $5.00
_____________________
                                               FREE

With the balls being $2 we 'splurged' and go 2 per girl. We walked out of the store with 4 balls (sticker price$34) for FREE.  I don't know what the girls like more,  getting the $5 certificate or walking out the store with their own bag.  Got to love free.

Restaurant.com Promo Code Included!

I have been asked a few questions about Restaurant.com. How it works, is it legit, etc., etc.? So here is the long and the short of it:

How does it work?

It’s so easy. Just use the search to find a restaurant. Many of our participating restaurants have different offers, so pick the place that suits you best. They provide handy descriptions and even menus to help you decide. Follow the instructions for purchasing a gift certificate and print it out. In minutes you're all set for a night out for less!


What if....

Worried that the restaurant might not honor your certificate? The restaurant partners want you to be happy. After all that’s the whole point, to bring in and keep a new customer. So rest assured, they back up what they say. You have an unconditional guarantee. If something isn’t right with your certificate, just contact customer service by phone or email and we’ll take care of it right away. We want you to come back over and over again.

*Save on Restaurant Gift Certificates to local restaurants worth $25 for $10.
*Dinner of the Month Club! Join the club for 3, 6, or 12 months for as low as $30.00 and you save 60% when you dine out.
*Freedom from shipping + a gift in seconds with click to print or e-mail.
*Access detailed restaurant information, view menus and wine lists, and make FREE online reservations

Here is a promotion that expires 2/15/09... so get it while the get'ns good!

60% Off + $15 FTD reward with every order of $25 Gift Certificates. Use code TREAT and pay $4 thru 2/15/09.

Why Didn't Any One Tell Me!?

Possibly it is because you thought I knew but I didn't.  Turns out Walgreens has this program called "Easy Saver".  You aren't kidding me!  This month they have 6 items that are free after rebate.  PLUS you can do your rebate on line I was in today and I was able to get the multi-purpose solution, the shampoo and the cold care lozenges.  They were out of the other three.  Go figure.  But I will be back don't you worry!  In fact while I was there a clerk was ordering more of the lip gloss and the foundation.  She said that they are not able to keep the free items in stock.  Not a surprise.  She also told me that you are able to use a manufacture coupon on top of the Wallgreens in store coupon.  (This is called stacking coupons.)

Once you have gotten your freebies go through the little easy saver booklet and check out the other money saving coupons.  Keep in mind because they are Wallgreens coupons you can stack THESE coupons with manufacture coupons!  PLUS...it gets better...through out the month these items in the booklets will go on SALE.  Did you get that? On sale, Wallgreens coupon and then stack it with a manufacture coupon.  How cheap can you get it?

**Photos from Wallgreens.com

60% off at Restaurant.com

I am a fan of Restaurant.com.  My husband and I have gotten certificates from them in the past and it is a great deal!!  They are helping us out yet again and offering another coupon code TREAT.  This will get you 60% off your gift certificate purchase of $25.  For those math challenged that is a $25 certificate for $4!!!!

See website fore more information and complete details.  It is an awesome deal! Hurry, coupon only valid until February 15.

Photo from Restaurant.com

Bath Paints

My girls were given THESE bath paints for Christmas.  They are tons of fun and they have easy clean up.  But I am looking at these tiny tubes wondering what is in and can I make it?  It seemed silly to be buying tub paints at $1 per tube.  Talk about money going down the drain!

So once again I hit the web.  My first hit was an awesome hit.  Family Fun dot com came through again! HERE is the link.

But alas I can't follow directions!  But I don't think it was too detrimental to the end product.  The only thing I omitted was the soap.  I figure they are in the tub... there is enough soap in there.

Here is the directions from the web site:

To make the paint, dissolve one envelope of unflavored instant gelatin in 1/4 cup hot water and let it sit for 10 minutes. Combine 1/2 cup cornstarch, 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 3/4 cups cold water in a saucepan, and stir until cloudy and smooth. Cook the cornstarch mixture over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until thick. Reduce heat, add the gelatin mixture and 1/4 cup mild, liquid dishwashing soap, and stir until smooth. Let cool.

Divide equal parts of the mixture into small bowls. Add several drops of different food coloring to each (light colors are easier to clean). Store the paints in airtight jars.

Keep in mind I didn't add the liquid dishwashing soap.

I made the batch and allowed my girls to add the colors so they could have a hand in the creative process. We divided the batch into 6 portions and added about 6 drops of liquid food coloring per portion. I was impressed as too how vibrant the colors were. The only think I think I will do different text time is I think I will push the uncolored gel through a fine mesh strainer. There were some corn starch lumps in the batch. Not a big deal. I don't think the kids notice but I did! If I were giving it as a gift I would want it to be perfect!

**photo from the Family Fun website.

LOVE Old Navy

I was spending the morning at a friends' house and our kids were having a wonderful play date.  We were comparing our latest finds and freebies and she introduced me to the coloring give away at Old Navy.  This is how I understand this promotion to work:

Pick up the coloring page at Old Navy (or just color it in the store)

Turn in the coloring page to the store for them to display.

Old Navy will give you a $5 coupon to be used on Valentine's Day!

How awesome is that!?  Have your kids do the coloring and let them go shopping for something worth $5!  Or you do the coloring and use the $5 for something sweet for yourself!  Just be sure to use your coupon ON Valentine's Day.  That is the only day it is valid!