Sorry for the long break in posts. The end of the school year was a tad busy, and this first week of summer has been busy as well. Fun busy, but still busy nonetheless. I'm super excited for what fun this summer is going to bring; it is, after all, my most favorite season of the year :)
Now on to the good stuff. Coupons. I've recently become a fan of coupons as I've learned just how much $$ I can save if I take a few minutes to plan and plot my shopping strategy. We had a "Couponing 101" class during lunch one day at school (yes, we actually had a lady come and teach us about coupons in the teachers lounge) and I learned a few neat things that I feel are worth sharing. I am, by no means a pro at coupons, but I am getting there; and thanks to the cute coupon lady from UK, I'm much better now than I was :)
Tip #1. You CAN use more than one coupon for the same item IF the bar code on the coupons are different. Now maybe you knew this, but I sure didn't. So, basically you can use 3 different coupons for those Viva paper towels (I say Viva because they are my fave, the best, and of course, they cost the most) as long as they have different bar codes. You could use 3 $1 coupons and get them for free! Hellloooooo Gloriousness!!! Just be sure to check the bar codes on the back of each coupon before attempting this ;)
Tip#2. Use EBay for certain coupons. Coupons out on the West Coast are at a higher value than those we receive here. Why? Because the cost of living is higher in Cali therefore, the coupons offered tend to be at a higher rate. People out West are well aware of this. They simply take a few minutes to cut out some great coupons, charge you, say $1 for 10 (which still saves you crazy $$) and you both are in business. They earn extra cash for cutting them, you save money by using them.
Another plus to this. Many of these coupons have a different bar code than the ones we receive here so you can add these "West Coast Coupons" to our "Southeast Coupons" and you save double the amount. Once again, glorious!!!
Tip#3. The worst newspaper for coupons in Kentucky, The Lexington Herald. The best, The Courier Journal. Instead of buying 2 Lex Heralds on Sunday, buy 2 Courier Journals.
Tip#4. Do NOT become a "brand snob." What's this, you may ask? A person who will only buy a certain brand-name product and refuse to ever try another brand. Cute coupon lady that came to school told us she never buys generic products BUT she is also not brand specific for the most part. Now, I am the first to admit that there are a few products for which I'm totally sold on a specific brand name, i.e., Viva Paper towels, but for the most part, that's it. There may be a buy one get on free deal at Kroger on Heinz Ketchup PLUS a $0.50 coupon in the paper. In that case you'd be silly to buy Hunts (to me, both brands taste the same) when you could be saving $$ by buying Heinz. However, for those products that you are band specific on, watch for deals and use EBay to find higher value coupons.
Tip #5. Take an hour or so on Sunday and plot out your strategy. I'm not one for driving to 5 different stores to save the most $$, but I will buy groceries at Kroger one week, vs Wal-Mart, if Kroger is offering a great sale on some items I'm wanting. I have also found that Rite Aid tends to offer the best deals on medicine. With my crazy allergies, I HAVE to have my Zyrtec. Rite Aid usually offers coupons for it in their Sunday and/or mid-week mailer that I use. Thankfully, there's a Rite Aid right next to Kroger, virtually in my backyard, so hitting up both is an easy stop for me!
I hope you found these tips as great as I did. I saved some major $$ last weekend by doing a little bit of savvy shopping and it felt great. My friend Melanie said I'm starting to sound like a soccer-mom with all of my couponing I've been doing. But hey, bachelorette's have to save some $$ as well ;)
XOXO
Ash
Friday, June 11, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Buffalo Dip
Every once in awhile you come across a recipe that you simply must share. You know, one of those, every time you make it people rave about it, type recipes?! Well, I have one and I want to share it with you. It's so super easy to make and it tastes amazing. Plus, you can make it low-fat/cal (only way I make it) and it still tastes wonderful. When I made it for school, my teenage students swore it was the best dip ever! My favorite part of this is that you make it in the crock pot. You simply add your ingredients, let it simmer, and go. Now, I've had other versions of this dip, but I promise you this is the best one out there. So go on, try it, you will l-o-v-e it too ;)
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients:
2 (10-12oz) cans of chicken. I use Wal-Mart brand chicken, but you can use any type.
2 (8oz) packages of cream cheese. I used the 1/3 fat cheese to save on calories
3/4 cup of hot sauce. I used Frank's Red Hot
1 cup ranch dressing. I use Hidden Valley low fat ranch
2 cups mild cheddar cheese. Once again, low fat works
I mixed the ingredients in a sauce pan on the stove until everything melted then added it to the crock pot; however you can simply dump it all in and go, if you wish.
I like to make it the night before. Let it simmer a bit in the crock pot then refrigerate it overnight to soak up the flavor. I then let it simmer for a few hours on low heat before serving. However, if you are short on time, you can make it right before your event and I'm sure it will still taste fabulous :)
I served mine with celery (no fat) and chips. I've also her baguette bread is good. I crave buffalo chicken quite often so making this low fat and serving it with celery is a great way to enjoy it, without the crazy calories!
Happy Dip-Making!!
XOXO
Ash
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients:
2 (10-12oz) cans of chicken. I use Wal-Mart brand chicken, but you can use any type.
2 (8oz) packages of cream cheese. I used the 1/3 fat cheese to save on calories
3/4 cup of hot sauce. I used Frank's Red Hot
1 cup ranch dressing. I use Hidden Valley low fat ranch
2 cups mild cheddar cheese. Once again, low fat works
I mixed the ingredients in a sauce pan on the stove until everything melted then added it to the crock pot; however you can simply dump it all in and go, if you wish.
I like to make it the night before. Let it simmer a bit in the crock pot then refrigerate it overnight to soak up the flavor. I then let it simmer for a few hours on low heat before serving. However, if you are short on time, you can make it right before your event and I'm sure it will still taste fabulous :)
I served mine with celery (no fat) and chips. I've also her baguette bread is good. I crave buffalo chicken quite often so making this low fat and serving it with celery is a great way to enjoy it, without the crazy calories!
Happy Dip-Making!!
XOXO
Ash
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
I'm On A Boat...
Cruising is fun, but it can be expensive, IF you don't know how to do it cheap...However, if you play your cards right, you can cruise at amazingly cheap prices!
The first key to doing this is to cruise during off-season...The months of October, early November, late January and February are your best bets to getting some amazing deals. You can and will cruise for at almost half if not more during these times than you will do during the rest of the year...Most school districts in KY have gone to a full week fall break in October, which allows us teachers to take advantage of the crazy deals. I have yet to cruise during the summer months, simply because I refuse to pay the double price of what I pay during October! Unless you can only go during the summer, don't....you're bank account will thank you :)
The second key to cruising cheap is to shop around and look and wait for deals....There are several sites that I use, and have used in the past to book cruises. Those are: http://www.cruiseonly.com/ http://www.vacationstogo.com/ and http://www.cruisecheap.com/ When beginning my cruise search, I start here, see what I can find then compare those rates with those from the actual cruise line's site. This year, for example, we found our best deal by booking directly through Carnival's website. However, in years past, we've saved around $100, per cruise, by using an alternate site.
The third key is to sign up for the website emails...This is good for any travel, but especially great when cruising because you get alerts of sales, on board credits, room upgrades, etc. I received an email in November about Norwegian offering a 7 nigh cruise for $425 a person during spring break! Crazy, huh?! Cruise only also sends out a magazine every few months with offers and deals.
The fourth thing to remember is to know which cruise lines to sail on. Carnival is usually the cheapest, Disney is the most expensive. When it really comes down to it, most ships are the same and offer similar amenities on board. When you sail on Disney, for example, you are paying for the name and it runs about 40% higher than most cruise lines. I've personally, only sailed on Carnival, and I have zero complaints about it! I've been on older ships to one that is almost brand new, and each time I've had a blast. The food is always amazing, and the service you receive on-board is second to none. You are treated like royalty from the moment you walk on until the moment you leave. Carnival, as I'm sure other ships do, offer past guests discounts on future cruises. Ever since cruise #1, I've received a discount for being a past guest. You just have to make sure to tell them when booking so that you receive the discount!
And finally, once you are on your cruise DO NOT BOOK SHORE EXCURSIONS DIRECTLY THROUGH YOUR SHIP. I did not know this on my first cruise and forked out $30 to hit up a beach that I could've done for free had we simply hopped a taxi and went their on our own. Many local companies offer excellent things to do on the island for half the price. These excursions are not only much cheaper, but usually better, longer, and full of more local flavor! I first start by using the cruiseexcursions.com as my starting point. For example, when going to the Bahamas you simply type in http://www.bahamascruiseexcursions.com/ and it provides a list of whats offered. Mom and I used this site to book a jet skiing, Sting Ray City excursions in Grand Cayman and it was amazing! We paid half of what Carnival was asking, our excursions lasted double the time, and we had a blast!
You can also google the island you are going to and shore excursions and find other sites listed that offer fun things to do while there. It's amazing how much money you will save and you really will get more of a local feel for things!
Here is one final site that is a great resource for cruising overall. It provides message boards where you can post questions and receive answers, reviews of every cruise line and every ship, pictures, etc. When hitting up a new cruise port that I'm unfamiliar with, I visit this site to get the scoop and advice for what to do, where to go, etc. Its fantastic!!! http://www.cruisecritic.com/
If you've never cruised before, I highly recommend it! Once on board, your only expense is alcohol, soda, and shopping. Meals, lodging, and entertainment are included so you really could get on board and not spend a dime if you didn't want to! I mean, how else can you spend $475 for 5 days and 3 Caribbean islands? You simply cant....So, as Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg say...."Get your flippie floppies and Get On A Boat!" ;)
Much Love,
Ash
The first key to doing this is to cruise during off-season...The months of October, early November, late January and February are your best bets to getting some amazing deals. You can and will cruise for at almost half if not more during these times than you will do during the rest of the year...Most school districts in KY have gone to a full week fall break in October, which allows us teachers to take advantage of the crazy deals. I have yet to cruise during the summer months, simply because I refuse to pay the double price of what I pay during October! Unless you can only go during the summer, don't....you're bank account will thank you :)
The second key to cruising cheap is to shop around and look and wait for deals....There are several sites that I use, and have used in the past to book cruises. Those are: http://www.cruiseonly.com/ http://www.vacationstogo.com/ and http://www.cruisecheap.com/ When beginning my cruise search, I start here, see what I can find then compare those rates with those from the actual cruise line's site. This year, for example, we found our best deal by booking directly through Carnival's website. However, in years past, we've saved around $100, per cruise, by using an alternate site.
The third key is to sign up for the website emails...This is good for any travel, but especially great when cruising because you get alerts of sales, on board credits, room upgrades, etc. I received an email in November about Norwegian offering a 7 nigh cruise for $425 a person during spring break! Crazy, huh?! Cruise only also sends out a magazine every few months with offers and deals.
The fourth thing to remember is to know which cruise lines to sail on. Carnival is usually the cheapest, Disney is the most expensive. When it really comes down to it, most ships are the same and offer similar amenities on board. When you sail on Disney, for example, you are paying for the name and it runs about 40% higher than most cruise lines. I've personally, only sailed on Carnival, and I have zero complaints about it! I've been on older ships to one that is almost brand new, and each time I've had a blast. The food is always amazing, and the service you receive on-board is second to none. You are treated like royalty from the moment you walk on until the moment you leave. Carnival, as I'm sure other ships do, offer past guests discounts on future cruises. Ever since cruise #1, I've received a discount for being a past guest. You just have to make sure to tell them when booking so that you receive the discount!
And finally, once you are on your cruise DO NOT BOOK SHORE EXCURSIONS DIRECTLY THROUGH YOUR SHIP. I did not know this on my first cruise and forked out $30 to hit up a beach that I could've done for free had we simply hopped a taxi and went their on our own. Many local companies offer excellent things to do on the island for half the price. These excursions are not only much cheaper, but usually better, longer, and full of more local flavor! I first start by using the cruiseexcursions.com as my starting point. For example, when going to the Bahamas you simply type in http://www.bahamascruiseexcursions.com/ and it provides a list of whats offered. Mom and I used this site to book a jet skiing, Sting Ray City excursions in Grand Cayman and it was amazing! We paid half of what Carnival was asking, our excursions lasted double the time, and we had a blast!
You can also google the island you are going to and shore excursions and find other sites listed that offer fun things to do while there. It's amazing how much money you will save and you really will get more of a local feel for things!
Here is one final site that is a great resource for cruising overall. It provides message boards where you can post questions and receive answers, reviews of every cruise line and every ship, pictures, etc. When hitting up a new cruise port that I'm unfamiliar with, I visit this site to get the scoop and advice for what to do, where to go, etc. Its fantastic!!! http://www.cruisecritic.com/
If you've never cruised before, I highly recommend it! Once on board, your only expense is alcohol, soda, and shopping. Meals, lodging, and entertainment are included so you really could get on board and not spend a dime if you didn't want to! I mean, how else can you spend $475 for 5 days and 3 Caribbean islands? You simply cant....So, as Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg say...."Get your flippie floppies and Get On A Boat!" ;)
Much Love,
Ash
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Life Lesson's from Memaw
Yesterday, we celebrated my Memaw Cooper's birthday. If you've ever met my memaw, you are a lucky person; she is magnificent in every way! I am oh so blessed to have her in my life and I wanted to share some of the things I've learned about life from her, and hopefully you can too :)
1) Keep God #1 in your life at ALL times. My memaw is a true woman of God and it shows. She is graceful, patient, kind, loving, a servant, and a friend to all whom she meets. God has always been her #1 man and even through the tough times, she has never once doubted his love for her and for us! Church and God have always been a top priority in her's and papaw's household and it's such a home full of love! She has always been a Godly example to me and for that I am ever thankful! She is a true Proverbs 31 woman and its my prayer to become a woman like that!
2) Always keep snacks handy in your home. Memaw used to babysit my brother and I when we were younger. Every day, without fail, we would enter the house and she would get out her pastel colored Tupperware bowls and fill them with Mike Sells potato chips from the big tin can. Holy stinkin' cow were these chips amazing! To this very day, every time I eat Mike Sells potato chips, I think of memaw :) I try to make sure my house always has some kind of snacks to offer people who come over because you never know when someone may just need a bowl of chips :)
3) Never, ever, ever, block the intersection of Nicholasville Road and Brigadoon Drive (right across from Fayette Mall), or any intersection at that ;) Memaw always brought up to her house this way and almost everyday, someone had blocked the intersection. If you have ever tried to turn there, you know how frustrating it can be! Memaw would grow angry at the drivers, but the worst word she would ever use was "dummy." However, for memaw to call you a dummy was bad news, since that's the most vicious word in her sweet vocabulary! (another lesson learned: foul language is very unlady-like and should be avoided) Today, there's a big sign there which says "Do Not Block Intersection," however people block it all the time! To this very day, I don't DARE block that intersection, because memaw always said it was a terrible thing to do ;)
4) Food is sometimes best when made from scratch. Memaw is an amazing cook and I've never had a bad meal from her. Seriously, never. She takes pride in her cooking and it shows! Meals are not only amazing, but everything is presented in such a beautiful manner. She uses recipes she's had for years, new recipes, and items for which she has no recipes. Regardless, its always fabulous and I try to imitate this when hosting parties of my own. There's just something about walking into a home where the food not only tastes great, but thought has been put into the presentation of it as well. I feel like we live in such a fast paced society that we forget how to sit down, really cook a meal, and enjoy it with friends and family. Memaw has this down to an art and for teaching me that, I am forever grateful :)
There are many other lessons I've learned from her in my 27 years of life and I know there will be many more in the future! If you are so blessed to have your grandmothers in your life, take the time to enjoy them and learn from them as much as you can. They have been around much longer than we have and know A LOT more about life!
Happy Birthday Memaw! I am SO, SO, thankful for you!!!!!
XOXO,
Ash
1) Keep God #1 in your life at ALL times. My memaw is a true woman of God and it shows. She is graceful, patient, kind, loving, a servant, and a friend to all whom she meets. God has always been her #1 man and even through the tough times, she has never once doubted his love for her and for us! Church and God have always been a top priority in her's and papaw's household and it's such a home full of love! She has always been a Godly example to me and for that I am ever thankful! She is a true Proverbs 31 woman and its my prayer to become a woman like that!
2) Always keep snacks handy in your home. Memaw used to babysit my brother and I when we were younger. Every day, without fail, we would enter the house and she would get out her pastel colored Tupperware bowls and fill them with Mike Sells potato chips from the big tin can. Holy stinkin' cow were these chips amazing! To this very day, every time I eat Mike Sells potato chips, I think of memaw :) I try to make sure my house always has some kind of snacks to offer people who come over because you never know when someone may just need a bowl of chips :)
3) Never, ever, ever, block the intersection of Nicholasville Road and Brigadoon Drive (right across from Fayette Mall), or any intersection at that ;) Memaw always brought up to her house this way and almost everyday, someone had blocked the intersection. If you have ever tried to turn there, you know how frustrating it can be! Memaw would grow angry at the drivers, but the worst word she would ever use was "dummy." However, for memaw to call you a dummy was bad news, since that's the most vicious word in her sweet vocabulary! (another lesson learned: foul language is very unlady-like and should be avoided) Today, there's a big sign there which says "Do Not Block Intersection," however people block it all the time! To this very day, I don't DARE block that intersection, because memaw always said it was a terrible thing to do ;)
4) Food is sometimes best when made from scratch. Memaw is an amazing cook and I've never had a bad meal from her. Seriously, never. She takes pride in her cooking and it shows! Meals are not only amazing, but everything is presented in such a beautiful manner. She uses recipes she's had for years, new recipes, and items for which she has no recipes. Regardless, its always fabulous and I try to imitate this when hosting parties of my own. There's just something about walking into a home where the food not only tastes great, but thought has been put into the presentation of it as well. I feel like we live in such a fast paced society that we forget how to sit down, really cook a meal, and enjoy it with friends and family. Memaw has this down to an art and for teaching me that, I am forever grateful :)
There are many other lessons I've learned from her in my 27 years of life and I know there will be many more in the future! If you are so blessed to have your grandmothers in your life, take the time to enjoy them and learn from them as much as you can. They have been around much longer than we have and know A LOT more about life!
Happy Birthday Memaw! I am SO, SO, thankful for you!!!!!
XOXO,
Ash
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