Comment number 43, Raven In A Blue Room, who said: “I tweeted your giveaway“. Congratulations!
Raven’s frugal wedding tip is to shop around and compare prices before you settle. I agree! Thanks to everyone who entered and left such fabulous advice on saving money on your big day!
I was recently contacted by Ann’s Bridal Bargains, who asked if I would like to receive a $100 gift certificate to review their online boutique, as well as a gift certificate to give away on each one of my blogs. I’m all over anything that can help save money on bridal items, so I took them up on their offer! Using this gift certificate, I was able to get $100 worth of wedding supplies for just the cost of shipping; pretty nice savings. I’m going to share what I got and what frugal strategies I used to make the most of my gift card – and one of you will have the chance to win a $100 gift card of you own! Yay!
Ann’s Bridal Bargains carry a nice selection of bridal supplies, from wedding invitations and save-the-date cards to wedding napkins, decorations and favors. My strategy for using this $100 credit was to buy pricier items that would be difficult to save money on otherwise. Something I’ve noticed during my wedding planning is that a lot of things marketed as bridal products could be sourced at non-wedding shops or made for less money. With that in mind, I looked for items that you wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else, and chose a Silver Hearts Handle Knife and Server set and Dove and Bell Design Flutes as my two main items. I think the serving set is really elegant, and I love the “Bride and Groom” champagne flutes. Both of them are personalized with our names, and will be really nice touches at the reception, as well as keepsakes from the big day.
I still had some credit left to spend, so I chose this Elegant Damask Guest Book in Black and White as my third item. I really love the design and the fact that it holds 700 signatures. The inside of the book provides a space for guests to write their names and a short message, and thanks them for joining us on our special day, so I was pleased that the inside of the guestbook looked as nice as the outside.
At this point, my order was not quite $100, so I needed to add one more small item. I chose a Silver Plated Bell for $3.99 as my filler item, bringing my total to $100.05. Shipping was $8.95, so after my gift code I paid just $9.00 total. I got some really cute stuff for my wedding, so I’m happy with this “Bridal Bargain”!
My items from Ann’s Bridal Bargains – click on the thumnails to see the photos full size
BONUS GIVEAWAY: I’m running a second giveaway for a $100 gift certificate over at Contest Corner, so click here to enter and double your chances! You can also read more details about the ordering process and see additional photos of what I bought.
Giveaway time!
One lucky Super Coupon Girl reader will win a $100 gift code to Ann’s Bridal Bargains! This code DOES NOT cover shipping, and you must add at least $100 in product to your shopping cart in order to redeem the code. Click here to view their shipping rates. Code will be emailed directly to winner. Here’s how to enter:
1. Leave a comment on this post sharing a frugal wedding tip!
Want extra entries? Do any of the following, and leave a separate comment for each one:
2. Link to this post on your blog, then come back here and leave me the link!
3. Write about this on Twitter, then come back and leave me the link to your tweet! One Twitter entry per person. You can use the button at the bottom of this post to tweet with one click!
4. Post my button on your website – just copy and paste the following code, and let me know where you put it:
Rules, regulations, and other important stuff: Giveaway ends on July 20th at 11:59 PM, PST. Winners will be chosen the following day via Random.org. Giveaway is open to US residents. Ann’s Bridal Bargains provided me with gift certificates for review and giveaway in exchange for this coverage on my site.
And the winner of the Robby Wash Laundry Ball giveaway is…
Comment number 2, SANDY, who said: “I AM LOVING THE NUT LUGGING HEAVY BOTTLES- ITS ALL IN THERE…seriously have debated these for years” Congratulations!
One thing regular readers might wonder about is how I save on laundry detergent, since you won’t often see it purchased during my shopping trips. The reason for this is that one of my jobs involves distributing products for a health & home care company, and one of the requirements to staying active in the company and receiving your commission checks is to purchase $100 in product each month. They specialize in dental products, but they also sell a few household cleansers, one of which is a laundry detergent. I purchase about 96 ounces of detergent each month to stay active in the company – and since my commissions are always greater than the amount I purchase, it earns me money and keeps me stocked up on laundry soap. So, now you see why I don’t buy detergent at the grocery store unless I have a free coupon!
I may have my own unique way for saving on detergent, but I’m all ears for other methods that could save my readers money. So when Oransi offered to give one of their Robby Wash laundry detergent balls away to one reader, I was happy to take them up on their offer! Read on for your chance to win!
Oransi also sent me one free laundry ball, so that I could try it out and give you my opinion on how frugal it is. Robby Wash is a small, reusable plastic ball which you fill with pellets. Here is the explanation of how it’s supposed to work, from Oransi’s website:
The Robby Wash ball uses a unique and patented worldwide technology to clean your laundry even better than the powder laundry detergents it was independently tested against. Its activated macromolecules are gradually released through the wash, dissolving dried-in stains by generating ions which activate the water molecules. This increase in the pH enables the activated molecules to penetrate deep into the fabrics and attach themselves to the stains. As the motion of the drum agitates the clothes, the stains come away easily from the fabric and dissolve in the water. Of all the systems on the market, Robby Wash’s effectiveness is tested, proven and guaranteed.
I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of a soap-less approach to washing clothes, and wondered how well it would work. I decided to put the laundry stick to the test during the first load, since I had just the thing for it. I had spilled chili on my pajama tank top (right after I pulled it out of the dryer, no less!), and, to make matters worse, it had accidentally got thrown back in the wash without any stain remover on it, so the stain had gotten ground in. (Yes, it’s been one of THOSE weeks!) I decided to give the laundry stick a whirl on this very tough stain.
The laundry stick smelled very pleasant. I wasn’t clear on how long to leave it on, so I just let it sit for about 20 minutes while I finished other chores. Then I started a load of laundry with the Robby Ball and tossed the tank top in.
Hey presto – the stain is gone! Pretty impressive! Next time I use this, I might not leave it on so long, as it looks like the spot where I applied it is a tiny bit lighter than the rest of the tank top now.
As for the Robby Ball itself, so far I’m pretty impressed with it. It seems to do a pretty good job of getting laundry clean and fresh. I’ve been using it in all my laundry loads since it arrived – with normal loads, I wash the clothes using Robby Ball in cold water; for bigger/soiled loads, such as kitchen towels, I wash them with Robby Ball in warm water.
So now you have an idea of how the products perform – so how frugal are they? Robby Ball retails for $32.95 – this includes the ball, three packets of refill pellets, and the laundry stain stick. According to their leaflet, this kit will wash 120 loads of laundry total. That would make your cost around .27 cents per load. They estimate that this will last you one year if you do one load of laundry every three days – although I think most of my readers probably do laundry more often than that! How this price stacks up will depend on your usual target price for laundry detergent. Some of you may pay less than .27 cents per load if you’ve scored some good deals with coupons, or if you make your own detergent. For those of you that normally pay a lot for detergent, this might be an interesting option. I would still want to have some laundry soap on hand in addition to Robby Ball, for the event of extra-dirty laundry – I have no idea yet how it performs getting out mud, etc. Robby Ball can wash up to 10 lbs of laundry at one time – for bigger loads, they recommend using two balls.
But you know what is always a frugal way to save on laundry products? Winning them!
Giveaway time!
One lucky Super Coupon Girl reader will win a Robby Wash Blue Laundry Ball Pack, including one Robby Wash ball, a stain stick and three extra packets of macro-molecule pellets. Here’s how to enter:
1. For your first entry, click here to visit Oransi.com, then come back here and leave a comment telling me what feature of the Robby Wash ball is your favorite.
Want extra entries? Do any of the following, and leave a separate comment for each one:
2. Link to this post on your blog, then come back here and leave me the link!
3. Write about this on Twitter, then come back and leave me the link to your tweet! One Twitter entry per person. You can use the button at the bottom of this post to tweet with one click!
4. Post my button on your website – just copy and paste the following code, and let me know where you put it:
Rules, regulations, and other important stuff: Giveaway ends on July 4th at 11:59 PM, PST. Winners will be chosen the following day via Random.org. Giveaway is open to US residents – sorry, no PO boxes.
I always like to include images in my blog posts, and if I don’t have any specific picture to add, I’ll search for a stock photo that fits with the post. Fotolia recently approached me and asked if I would like to try out a free one-month subscription to their service, and give away a few subscriptions to my readers. Since I know that many of my readers are also bloggers themselves, I thought this might come in useful for some of you!
I’ve downloaded a few photos on Fotolia so far using the free subscription I was given, and they’re quite pretty and high-res. I’m sure they will come in handy for posts in the future. Want to check out Fotolia’s stock images for your own blog? Here’s the giveaway details:
Live giveaway!
Fotolia would like to offer five readers a coupon code for a two-week subscription that will allow you 3 image downloads per day. The first five readers who comment on this post will win one of these coupon codes. I will update the post and close comments when we hit five comments, and email the codes directly to each reader. One code per person. Good luck! 🙂
***This giveaway is now closed! Congratulations to Alison, Debra, Kim, Jeana and Kelly – I’ll be emailing you shortly with your codes!***
Winner #1 is comment number 138, Kara Thorpe, who said: “I’m a traditionalist – my favorite topping for hot dogs is just mustard! I don’t like anything else to get in the way of the great flavor of grilled hot dogs!”
Winner #2 is comment number 93, jessica edwards, who said: “chili and cheese”
Winner #3 is comment number 51, Lucy, who said: “I love onions and bell peppers on my Hebrew Nationals–yum!”
Winner #4 is comment number 130, Ellie, who said: “Mustard and ketchup!”
Winner #5 is comment number 17, Alicia Webster, who said: “My favorite hot dog topping is sour cream.”
With Memorial Day right around the corner, you can expect to start seeing more sales and coupons for “Summer” foods like hot dogs. I already snagged a free package of hot dogs last week, thanks to a free coupon that Hebrew National sent me so that I could review their product. And as I mentioned, we have a special giveaway for Super Coupon Girl readers: 8 lucky winners will each win one coupon good for a free package of hot dogs, so read on for your chance to win!
When I redeemed my free coupon, I decided to get a package of their 97% fat free dogs, since they were only 40 calories each. Jai really loved these hot dogs and was commenting on how tasty they were, and he was actually really shocked when I told them they were fat free and so low in calories. I thought they tasted pretty good, although I found them to be a bit gristly. I was going to take a picture for the Coupon Menu Corner, but we ate them all before I got a chance! 😀
Hebrew National also sent along a few recipes to share with you:
Lettuce-Wrapped Reuben Dog
PER SERVING (entire recipe): 131 calories, 4.5g fat, Reuben sandwich – bread + lots of lettuce – corned beef + guilt-free hot dog = yum!
Ingredients:
1 hot dog with about 40 calories and 1g fat or less (like Hebrew National 97% Fat Free)
1 slice reduced-fat Swiss cheese
2 leaves butter, iceberg, or romaine lettuce
2 tbsp. sauerkraut
1 tbsp. fat-free Thousand Island dressing
Directions:
Carefully slice hot dog lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Place it flat on a microwave-safe plate, cut-side down. You can also grill it!
Break cheese into 6 thin strips and evenly place over the hot dog. Microwave for 30 seconds, or until hot dog is heated through and cheese has melted. Set aside.
On another plate, stack lettuce leaves and top with sauerkraut and dressing. Use a spatula to transfer your cheesy dog to the lettuce stack. Wrap & eat!
MAKES 1 SERVING
Hot Dog! Fajitas
PER SERVING (1/2 of recipe, 3 fajitas): 310 calories, 4g fat Ingredients:
1/2 cup canned diced fire-roasted tomatoes, drained
2 tbsp. finely diced onion
1/4 tsp. chopped garlic
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
1 tbsp. Hellmann’s/Best Foods Dijonnaise (or another mild creamy Dijon mustard)
3 hot dogs with about 40 calories and 1g fat each (like Hebrew National 97% Fat Free)
1 cup sliced onion
1 cup sliced bell pepper
Six 6-inch corn tortillas
1/2 cup shredded lettuce
Optional toppings: relish, jarred sliced jalapeños
Directions:
In a small bowl, combine tomatoes, diced onion, garlic, and black pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
In another small bowl, combine sour cream with Dijonnaise and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Cut hot dogs in half widthwise, leaving you with 6 pieces. Slice each piece in half lengthwise, and then slice each of those pieces in half lengthwise, yielding 4 even strips per piece, for a total of 24 strips. Set aside.
Bring a large skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat on the stove. Add sliced onion and bell pepper. Stirring occasionally, cook until partially softened, about 5 minutes.
Add hot dog strips to the skillet with the onion and bell pepper. Stirring occasionally, cook until strips are hot and slightly crispy, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Place tortillas on a microwave-safe plate, and warm slightly in the microwave. Serve fajita mixture with tortillas, tomato mixture, sour cream mixture, shredded lettuce and, if you like, optional toppings.
Assemble and eat!
Makes 2 Servings;
Additional recipes can be found on Hebrew National’s website – click here to check it out! They also have a selection of Safe Grilling Tips that may come in helpful if you’re gearing up for a BBQ over the upcoming holiday weekend.
Giveaway time!
EIGHT lucky Super Coupon Girl readers will each win one (1) coupon good for a free package of Hebrew National Hot Dogs! Here’s how to enter:
1. For your first entry, just leave a comment on this post and tell me: What is your favorite hot dog topping?
Want extra entries? Do any of the following, and leave a separate comment for each one:
2. Link to this post on your blog, then come back here and leave me the link!
3. Write about this on Twitter, then come back and leave me the link to your tweet! One Twitter entry per person. You can use the button at the bottom of this post to tweet with one click!
4. Post my button on your website – just copy and paste the following code, and let me know where you put it:
Rules, regulations, and other important stuff: Giveaway ends on June 5th at 11:59 PM, PST. Winners will be chosen the following day via Random.org. Giveaway is open to US residents. Hebrew National provided me with a free coupon for the purposes of this review, and will also be furnishing the coupons to the winners of this giveaway.
Winner #1 is comment number 13, Vera S, who said: “I love a good quick easy StirFry.”
Winner #2 is comment number 15, Ruth, who said: “Our favorite quick and simple food is actually a salmon chowder with a white sauce base, leeks, onions, clam stock.”
Winner #3 is comment number 37, DeeAnn S, who said: “A quick and easy meal for us is a swiss cheese, bacon and mushroom omelet along with a toasted bagel topped with cream cheese and pepper jelly. Thanks.”
This week, I was approached on behalf of Philadelphia Cooking Creme to run a fun giveaway for my readers. I can’t think of a better way to kick of the weekend than a chance to win free coupons, so of course I took them up on the offer! Philadelphia Cooking Creme is a new product that can be used as a base for quick recipes. To learn more, you can watch the funny video above where Emeril Lagasse’s attorney makes creamy chicken Florentine. I was also provided with a selection of recipes to share, so that you can get some ideas on how to use this product if you are the lucky winner:
Creamy Chicken Florentine
Prep Time: 10 min. | Total Time: 22 min. | Makes: 4 servings, 1-1/4 cups each.
What You Need
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup halved red pepper strips
1 pkg. (6 oz.) baby spinach leaves
1 tub (10 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Savory Garlic Cooking Creme
2 cups hot cooked penne pasta
2 Tbsp. toasted pine nuts
Make It
COOK chicken and peppers in large nonstick skillet on medium heat 5 to 6 min. or until chicken is done. Add spinach; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until wilted. Drain all but 1 Tbsp. liquid.
ADD cooking creme; cook and stir 3 min.
STIR in pasta; top with nuts.
Variation:
Substitute uncooked deveined peeled medium shrimp for the chicken; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until shrimp turn pink. Continue as directed.
Lemon-Broccoli Rice with Chicken
Prep Time: 15 min. | Total Time: 24 min. | Makes: 4 servings, 1-1/2 cups each.
What You Need
1 Tbsp. oil
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tub (10 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Original Cooking Creme
2 cups frozen broccoli florets, thawed
2 tsp. lemon zest
2 cups hot cooked rice
Make It
HEAT oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken, garlic and pepper; cook 5 to 6 min. or until chicken is done, stirring frequently.
ADD cooking creme and broccoli; cook and stir 2 min. Stir in lemon zest.
SERVE over rice.
Special Extra:
Cook and crumble 3 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon. Stir into chicken mixture with the lemon zest.
Creamy Chicken Fajitas
Prep Time: 15 min. | Total Time: 24 min. | Makes: 4 servings.
What You Need
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 cup each thin onion slices and green pepper strips
1 tub (10 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Santa Fe Blend Cooking Creme
8 flour tortillas (6 inch), warmed
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese
Make It
COOK chicken and vegetables in large nonstick skillet on medium heat 6 to 7 min. or until chicken is done.
ADD cooking creme; cook and stir 2 min.
SPOON down centers of tortillas; top with shredded cheese. Fold over.
Substitute:
Substitute flank steak or pork cutlets for the chicken.
Giveaway time!
THREE lucky readers will each win one (1) coupon good for a free tub of Philadelphia Cooking Creme! Here’s how to enter:
1. For your first entry, just leave a comment on this post and tell me: What is your favorite quick and easy meal to make?
Want extra entries? Do any of the following, and leave a separate comment for each one:
2. Link to this post on your blog, then come back here and leave me the link!
3. Write about this on Twitter, then come back and leave me the link to your tweet! One Twitter entry per person. You can use the button at the bottom of this post to tweet with one click!
4. Post my button on your website – just copy and paste the following code, and let me know where you put it:
Rules, regulations, and other important stuff: Giveaway ends on February 27th at 11:59 PM, PST. Winners will be chosen the following day via Random.org. Giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents. I received no compensation for this post – other than the joy of giving a prize to one of my loyal readers!
