Could you spend no more than $25 per family member per week on groceries?  From swapping coupons to freezing leftovers, more than 7,000 participants used their wits to prove it could be done. Inspired by their savviness? On Tuesday, Nov. 24, tune in to The Early Show on CBS to meet the All You Grocery Challenge winner and learn her top secrets on how to save money on groceries.

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I hate to admit it, but it’s time to order my holiday cards. While this can be at times a cumbersome task, this year I am actually excited about sending cards thanks to the wonderful site minted.com. They have such fun and different designs. Plus, the photos print on card stock, not on photo paper, which in my opinion makes them a little snazzier.

Besides holiday cards, you can also pick up great address labels, holiday invitations, minibook cards to give as small gifts, and cards that let everyone know what went on with your family in 2009 (and they’re 10% off through Nov. 23).

What I also love about this site is you can submit your designs to be sold on minted.com. Web users vote on your designs, and the grand-prize winner will get $500 and 5% of net sales of the products sold. Right now the site is taking designs for Valentines cards, so if you are computer and design savvy, I suggest you enter!

Posted by Dwyer Paulsen, Associate Style Editor

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Looking for budget gifts?  If you own an iPhone, check out the NearbyNow Holiday Gift Guide, featuring inexpensive gift ideas from All You.  Whether you’re shopping for your sweetie, kids or pets or searching for bargain-priced stocking stuffers, you’ll find the perfect present on your phone. See something you like? Simply tap the “Find Nearby” button to locate a store near you, or “Find Online” if you prefer to shop on the Web. The app is free; download it from iTunes and get ready to save!

Posted by Susan Spencer, Executive Editor

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If you’ve been reading the food blogs lately, then you’ve already heard rumblings about a potential pumpkin shortage, just as Thanksgiving is approaching. I spoke with Roz O’Hearn at Libby’s a few weeks ago and she told me that although it was late coming to markets this year, there was plenty of canned pumpkin to be had. Well, since then, heavy rains in Illinois, where Libby’s plants its pumpkins, made for a tough harvest, with some pumpkins ruined by fungus, others just too hard to pick because of the waterlogged fields. As a result, Libby’s spokespeople are now saying there will be fewer cans on store shelves.

But all is not lost! You can still have your pie and eat it, too. Organic pumpkin, usually just a tiny fraction of the overall market, is grown on the West Coast, and growers there didn’t suffer the same troubles as Libby’s and other Midwestern growers, the New York Times reports. So there’s plenty of organic canned pumpkin on store shelves. It is more expensive than regular canned pumpkin — but it’s still quite affordable. Instead of $2.90 for a 15-oz. can, you’ll pay about $3.80. Considering that a prepared pumpkin pie at Marie Callender’s costs more than $11, organic pumpkin is still a great deal.

You can also make your own pumpkin puree very easily. Buy a sugar or pie pumpkin (don’t use the big pumpkins that you carve — they don’t taste as good), cut in half and remove the seeds. Brush the inside of the pumpkin halves with vegetable or olive oil. Place them on a large rimmed baking sheet, cut side down, and pour in about 1 cup of water. Bake the pumpkin at 350ºF until tender (it can take between 1 and 1 1/2 hours, depending on the size of the pumpkin). Let it cool, then use a spoon to scoop out the flesh, and puree it in a blender or food processor. You’ll get about 1 cup of puree per pound of pumpkin.

Posted by Beth Lipton, Food Editor

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Check out some of our best Bargain Wednesday deals yet. For the budget-fashionistas, visit 6PM.com for some amazing shoe bargains on over 600 pairs of Nine West shoes — all under $15! You can also stock up on your storage and organizing supplies from The Container Store and get 20% off your entire purchase. For a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece, visit 1800Flowers for a perfect harvest arrangement and get 15% off your entire order with our exclusive coupon code. Find great deals on table linens for your Thanksgiving feast with another All You exclusive 15% discount from LinenSource. Cost Plus World Market is offering 25% off all furniture purchases — including sale items!
You can’t beat these deals, but hurry because they won’t last long!

Posted by Riley Tant, AllYou.com

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Christmas is just around the corner, and you may already be making your gift list. Don’t forget your pet! Purchase affordable toys, gear and accessories for your cat or dog on the Web. Many pet manufacturers (such as planetdog.com) and mail-order catalogs (like inthecompanyofdogs.com) offer sale sections on last year’s products or overstocked or hard-to-sell items. If you visit a larger pet store like petco.com, type “sale” in the search feature to find marked-down items. (Remember to always take shipping charges into consideration; do a Google search for a free shipping coupon code before you buy.)

Posted by Charlotte Reed, pet expert and author of The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette

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Looking for affordable holiday presents? Check out the Macy’s One Day sale. I scored gifts for five of my husband’s family members for $136 (I bought four sweaters and one men’s dress shirt)! The prices were great, and I also found this coupon code for $20 off a $100 purchase: CTX768FU38QR. The sale ends tomorrow, so hurry over to macys.com. Be sure to surf through the Web busters, like this $50 cashmere sweater!

Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor

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Nab yourself a secret discount

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UPDATE: This promotion is now over. Be the first to know about future free sample offers by signing up for our FREE email newsletter here.

Take advantage of All You’s exclusive deals. For a limited time, you can sign up to receive a free sample of  Stacy’s Simply Naked Pita chips. Click here to sign up!

Be sure to check out the recipe for Stacy’s Pita Chip Pizza for a yummy snack or appetizer.
Hurry before the free samples run out!

Posted by Riley Tant, All You.com

SEE ALSO:
Inexpensive Thanksgiving meals
Get great shopping deals
Decorate with everyday items

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Think coupons don’t exist for organics? Think again.

Several sites offer nothing but organic and natural food coupons. Here are some of the best. If you know of others, post them!

* Sustain Lane
* Delicious Living Mag
* Eat Better America
* Mambo Sprouts
* Organic Deals & Coupons
* Stonyfield Farm

INTERESTING TIP: You can often use “general” coupons for organic items made by the same brand. Let’s say you have a coupon for Bertolli marinara sauce. That will likely work on both the organic and nonorganic versions, even if it doesn’t say so.

Posted by Gillian Aldrich, Features Editor

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Puppies, smaller dogs and senior pooches don’t always want to go outside to use the bathroom in cold weather—but you don’t want your canine relieving itself inside on the floor or carpet! Instead of purchasing scented pee pads or an expensive elimination unit, make a portable, indoor potty area for your dog. Place newspaper on a large sheet pan (around 18″ X 26″ X 1″), which you can purchase inexpensively at a discount kitchen supply store. Put the potty area in a place your dog can easily reach that is away from his food and water, possibly in a bathroom or the kitchen. Every day, replace the newspaper and wipe the tray with a wet paper towel and a mild dishwashing detergent. At least once a month, disinfectant the tray with hot water and bleach.

Posted by Charlotte Reed, pet expert and author of The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette

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Check out 7 surprising ways to save on pet care
What’s the best pest advice you’ve ever received?
Are famous dog breeds right for you (and your wallet)?

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You don’t need pricey salon visits to keep your hair color rich and vibrant. The drugstore aisles have everything you need.

1.    Use shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair. Try the L’Oreal Everpure collection ($6).

2.    Deep condition weekly. If your strands are fine, coat from midshaft to ends. Try Garnier Fructis Color Shield Fortifying Deep Conditioner ($6).

3.    Boost your hue with a tinted glaze. The translucent dyes coat your hair, so your hair color will appear more vibrant and shiny. Try John Frieda Color Glaze ($6).

Posted by Tomoko Takeda, Senior Beauty Editor

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* Looking for a new scent for yourself? Get a free sample of Jennifer Lopez’s latest fragrance, “My Glow,” just by filling out your contact info here. http://www.jenniferlopezbeauty.com/templates/home.asp

* The next time your dentist asks if you’ve been flossing, say yes—thanks to this free pack of DenTek Triple Clean Floss Picks, you won’t have an excuse! These deep-cleaning picks of fluoride-coated floss (with a minty flavor) make it easy to remember and easy to do. http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid80946.aspx

* Add a free pack of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee to your morning wake-up arsenal by signing up here for a sample. Choose between Dunkin’ Dark or Original Blend. Enjoy! https://dunkinathome.safeprocessing.com/(S(jzxnwmrbs32yrzjgybu0e5m0))/Offers/DunkinAtHome/131/Offer.aspx

* Out of shampoo? Get a free sample of Head & Shoulders. If you’re not already a P&G Everyday Solutions member, sign up for free to request the sample. https://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/headshoulder-brandsampler.jsp

* Calling all parents! If you’ve got a little one in the house, do good for their digestive system by snagging a complimentary sample of Nestle’s new toddler milk, NAN Pro 3, here.  http://www.nestle.com.au/Nutrition/Toddlers/NESLAC_Sample/OrderSample1.htm

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Here’s an easy at-home remedy to keep cracking at bay:

1. Mix two parts Vaseline with one part sugar to make a paste. (The petroleum jelly moisturizes, while the sugar crystals exfoliates.)

2. Rub a soft toothbrush or a cloth on lips for about 30 seconds, then wipe away with a soft tissue or a warm damp cloth.

3. Coat lips with a moisturizing balm. For extremely dry, cracking lips, I like to use a medicated on with quick-soothing ingredients like menthol or camphor.

Posted by Tomoko Takeda, Senior Beauty Editor

SEE ALSO:
Look 10 years younger
24 must-have budget beauty buys

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Still have that stash of extra Halloween candy sitting in your pantry? Send it to our troops! At HalloweenCandyBuyBack.com, find a participating dentist office near you who will pay you $1 per pound for your leftover sweets, and will then ship them to U.S. soldiers overseas—so they can snack on the treats, too. All out? Make a financial contribution instead (and get a tax deduction).

Posted by Melissa Fiorenza, Associate Editor

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Donate to charity with just a few clicks

Photo by circler, Flickr

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Swing by a T.G.I. Friday’s any day after 4p.m. from now through December 23 to munch on half-price appetizers (normally $6 to $11), including Sesame Jack chicken strips, spinach dip, fried mozzarella, nachos, wings, potato skins and more!

Posted by Melissa Fiorenza, Associate Editor

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I love a good energy bar to calm those 4 p.m. sweet cravings. But some bars I’ve tried are truly awful — fake-tasting or cloyingly sweet. So when I find one I love, I want to share the news! Enter these Salba Whole Food Bars that are so delicious! Fruity and sweet, but not overly so, with a little crunch from the super-healthy salba seeds, which studies show can help fight inflammation, lower blood pressure and manage appetite.

These bars are chock-full of healthy ingredients, and have 8g fiber per bar along with lots of antioxidants and heart-healthy omega-3s. Also, have I mentioned they’re delicious? They come in three flavors: cranberry nut (my favorite), mixed berry and tropical—all for less than 200 calories and 9g fat.

The best part? All You readers are getting an exclusive 10 percent off until the end of the year! Visit www.naturalguidance.com/salba and use the coupon code ALLYOU to get yours. Enjoy!

Posted by Beth Lipton, Food Editor

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Have you always wondered whether it’s a good idea to buy a membership to a discount club store? Good news: BJ’s Wholesale Club is offering a 60-day trial membership—for free! No surcharges, no strings. Simply activate your membership before Dec. 31, and get all the member benefits for free, just in time for the holidays. Click here, print out the coupon and bring it to your local BJ’s, then shop all you like.

SEE ALSO:
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Scoop up bargains at JCPenney, Avon and Victoria’s Secret
Exclusive! Save $1 on Campbell’s soup

Posted by Beth Lipton, Food Editor

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With the holiday season right around the corner, there’s no better time to start saving big than right now. Every Wednesday, All You brings you brand new coupons and great deals only found on the site. This week, check out our exclusive coupons from Casual Living and Alloy:

* Casual Living is giving a discount of 15% off sitewide.
* Alloy is offering free shipping on order of $25 or more. (Make sure you use the coupon code!)

Other great deals include:

* $15 off orders of $100 or more from Victoria’s Secret,
* Free shipping on order $49 or more from JC Penney
* Avon is offering free shipping on orders $10 or more

Don’t miss out on these great deals, and make sure you get a head start on your holiday shopping.

Posted by: Riley Tant, AllYou.com

SEE ALSO:
Celebrate Thanksgiving with low-cost recipes
Build your holiday budget
Save $700 this holiday season
Get a jump on Black Friday deals

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* Stock up on toothpaste! Get a free sample of Aquafresh Extreme Clean toothpaste with whitening action; just print out this coupon and bring it in to store. http://www.aquafresh.com/Savings.aspx

* The skin around your eyes needs protection from sun damage all year-round. Start reversing the side effects of too many rays (sun spots, fine lines) now with a free sample of Skin Renew Anti-Sun-Damage daily eye cream with SPF 15. http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid78162.aspx

* Grab a free small beverage at Hardee’s with the purchase of smothered country potatoes before Dec. 7 with this printable coupon.  http://www.hardees.com/promotions/coupon/free-small-beverage/

* Considering a diet? Get a free in-person or over-the-phone consultation with a Jenny Craig specialist now to talk about your ideal size, ask questions and learn about the next steps you can take to get a healthier body! Click here for more details. http://www.jennycraig.com/page/affiliate/?CMPID=aff021

* Dinner next Tuesday is on Whataburger! If you visit a participating location on Nov. 10 from 5 to 8pm decked out in orange, they’ll thank you for your Whataburger love with a free burger. Enjoy! http://www.whataburger.com/whataburger_serves/

Posted by Melissa Fiorenza, Associate Editor

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According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 44 percent of dogs and 57 percent of cats in the United States are either overweight or obese. As a result, pets are in real danger of developing serious and costly diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis and other avoidable conditions. To help shed some pet pounds and make that bag of dog food last longer, cut down on the amount of food you put in your pet’s bowl. First, record his pre-diet weight. Over a two-week period, reduce the amount you normally feed him by one-fourth. Also, break medium-sized or larger biscuits into two so that your pet has lower calorie treats for today and tomorrow. After two weeks, weight your pet. If he has lost even a little weight, you’re on the right track.

Posted by Charlotte Reed, pet expert and author of The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette

Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor

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What’s the best pest advice you’ve ever received?
Are famous dog breeds right for you (and your wallet)?

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