Daily Savings From All You Magazine

30 Days of Slow-Cooker: Lamb and Barley Soup

dailysavingsfromallyou — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:53:45 +0000

No time to cook? No worries! You can put a satisfying meal on the table for less just by plugging in your slow-cooker. We’ve got 30 delicious and creative ways to make the most of this amazing kitchen appliance, so all you’ll have to do to cozy up to some comforting dinners this winter is press start.

Cost per serving: $1.94

Take the chill out of a cold day with this filling soup. You can vary this recipe by using leeks in place of the onions for added flavor, or substituting orzo, rice or even diced potatoes for the barley.

See recipe: Lamb and Barley Soup

Link Love: Overheard on the blogs

dailysavingsfromallyou — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:15:27 +0000

We love to check in with bloggers, including our ALL YOU Savings Stars, who have great tips for busy women on a budget. Here are our favorite posts from money-saving bloggers this week:

*Consumer Queen shares her awesome Freebie Friday finds
*Money Saving Queen tells you how to make money blogging
*Savvy Sugar offers suggestions on how to save (at least) $1 a day
*Bargain Babe shows you how to fix your credit
*The Frugalette gives you her coupon strategy secrets

See for yourself what these savings-savvy bloggers have to say!

What’s in Store…at Old Navy

dailysavingsfromallyou — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:37:30 +0000

We know you love a deal … and we know you like to shop! Can you have both? Of course! Welcome to our weekly column “What’s in Store,” in which real women share their bargain boasts (and photos!) on affordable clothing and accessories from stores you can actually find near you.

Name: Jennie Sanford*

Location: Denver, CO

Store: Old Navy

Items purchased: Workout pants and jacket

Money spent: $25.00 (originally $37.44)

Shopping Agenda: “I’ve committed to having a healthier 2012 and so far I’ve been doing quite well. One challenge that I’ve run into this winter season is that I have a hard time staying motivated to exercise when it is cold outside. Sitting at home with a warm cup of tea and a good movie sounds much more appealing.

After brainstorming how I could combat the cold weather workout blues, I thought a cozy new workout outfit might just do the trick. My only reservation was that I really did not want to spend a lot and I’ve never had much luck finding great deals on gym clothing.”

Shopping Strategies: “I’ve recently looked for deals on workout apparel at several of my usual go-to stores and I wasn’t able to find anything that fit properly and was within my budget. I really wasn’t sure where to start this time, but I had to stop by Old Navy to pick up a few other items and thought I could give them a try.

After making my way back to the fitness section, I was shocked at how much they had to choose from. Not only was there a large selection, but also the prices were fantastic.”

The Deciding Factor: “These black workout pants and cozy blue jacket were just what I was looking for. I loved the energizing bright color of the jacket and was impressed by how high-quality it felt. The pants were also the perfect length and were not too tight, which are both things that I often struggle with while searching for pants. Both of the items were marked down to just $12.50, so they fit perfectly within by budget. With this outfit, I’m all set to brave the cold weather and keep on track for a healthy 2012!”

*As a project specialist at a private bank, Jennie works in a corporate office five days a week and is always looking for affordable, work-appropriate clothes to flush out her wardrobe. When she’s not at the office, she’s busy using her savings savvy to help others find great coupons, deals and discounts on her blog BargainBlessings.com.

Find a great bargain that you just have to tell someone about? We want to hear about it! Share your finds in the comments below.

30 Days of Slow-Cooker: Mediterranean Brisket

dailysavingsfromallyou — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:41:56 +0000

Cost per serving: $2.76

Cooked with kalamata olives, rosemary, garlic and tomatoes, this simple slow-cooker recipe brings a taste of the Mediterranean to your dinner table. To add a little more Mediterranean flavor, serve with spinach sautéed in lemon and garlic or an orzo pasta.

See recipe: Mediterranean Brisket

Snuggle up with some hot cocoa (on the cheap!)

Lauren DiPilla, Assistant Editor — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:53:23 +0000

Who doesn’t love curling up on cold winter days with a good book and a cup of delicious hot chocolate? Green Mountain Coffee is discontinuing their hot cocoa k-cups, so for a limited time you can snag a box for $4 off the original price! With 24 servings in each box, that’s a great deal. Stock up and save, but hurry, because this offer ends on January 29^th or while supplies last.

Don’t have a Keurig coffee maker? Mr. Coffee has just come out with a Single Cup Brewer that is small enough to fit anywhere but powerful enough to pack a big punch! Get it now for only $79.95.

30 Days of Slow-Cooker: Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

dailysavingsfromallyou — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:45:47 +0000

Cost per serving: $1.89

Throw chicken into a slow cooker, top with our savory sauce and dinner is done! After 5 hours you’ll have the base for a kid-pleasing, healthy dinner the whole family can enjoy. Serve with a mixed green salad or quick cole slaw to round out the meal.

See recipe: Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Get Great Glasses at the Right Price and Give Back!

Elspeth Velten — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:56:01 +0000

Tired of paying extreme prices for frames? Don’t sacrifice on quality or style! Find some great deals from companies that also give back to the community below:

Coastal.com: Coastal offers a huge selection of prescription glasses at 50-75% off and your first pair is always free! Browse through the experts’ picks for the Top 5 Trends in Eyeglasses for 2012 here.

Or, shop by shape, style, brand or material if you know just what you want. You can even upload a photo of yourself to the site and try on unlimited pairs of glasses to make sure you choose the best frames for your face.

Best of all, for every pair of glasses sold, Coastal donates a pair to someone in need through their Save the View program.

Mezzmer Eyewear: Shop their gallery of frames at Mezzmer .com by color, width or face shape. All frames are just $99, including a free at home trial of up to 5 pairs, free shipping and RX prescription.

Mezzmer gives to the community too. For every completed sale, they donate a portion of the proceeds to your choice of one out of five charities.

Warby Parker: For $95 with prescriptions lenses, the trendsetting frames at Warbyparker.com will never break the bank. With a good mix of edgy and classic frames, Warby definitely has something for everyone.

Plus, with their Buy a Pair Give a Pair program, Warby will give a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair sold. To date, they have distributed 85,000 new pairs all over the world.

Happy shopping!

Winter cleaning for less

Lauren DiPilla, Assistant Editor — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:09:52 +0000

Don’t wait for spring, your house could always use a clean sweep! Here are some products to help make your job easier.

Disinfect your floors

Get rid of germs and clean more thoroughly by ditching your old dirty mop for a more efficient one! This steam mop not only washes your floors, it sanitizes them without the use of chemicals. You can get a refurbished Euro Pro Steam for $44.99- more than half off the original price!

Click here to buy.

Banish dust

Get rid of the dust that can build up indoors with the Bissell Smart Details Microfiber High Reach Duster. It can extend up to 14 feet, perfect for those out-of-reach spots, but is compact for easy storage! The washable microfiber means it’s environmentally friendly and chemical-free. Available on amazon.com for just $20.

Click here to buy.

Eliminate dirt

This handheld, cordless machine is ideal for cleaning up a manageable mess without having to take out your clunky vacuum. There’s tons of dirt hiding in unexpected spots throughout our home, some so small you wouldn’t even think of cleaning them (ie: your computer keyboard). Now you can clean trouble spots in a cinch with the Dirt Devil Detailer, only $23 on buy.com!

Click here to buy.

Go green with your laundry

Think you can’t go green and save money? Think again! Clean up your laundry routine with this all-natural, chemical-free detergent. One bag is just $12 and does 36 loads- that averages out to just 33 cents per wash! It’s good for both your clothes and the environment.

Click here to buy.

30 Days of Slow-Cooker: Cincinnati Chili

dailysavingsfromallyou — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:05:58 +0000

Cost per serving: $1.05

Serve this chili over spaghetti and sprinkle with grated Cheddar for authentic Cincinnati flavor.

See recipe: Cincinnati Chili

Stay warm and save with bedding

Lauren DiPilla, Assistant Editor — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:31:24 +0000

Need a thick, cozy blanket to protect you from the cold? Head to kohls.com right away and you could save up to 50% off selected comforters! The Home Essence Chadwick Reversible Down-Alternative Comforter Set (pictured) is available in a few striking colors and also includes shams- all for only $48. But hurry, this offer will only be available for a limited time!

Click here for more info.

30 Days of Slow-Cooker: Eggplant Tomato Sauce with Pasta

dailysavingsfromallyou — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:25:31 +0000

Cost per serving: $1.43

It’s “Meatless Monday”–get some extra veggies in with our tasty spin on traditional tomato sauce. Give the sauce even more flavor by stirring in ¼ cup chopped fresh basil or sprinkling with grated Parmesan.

See recipe: Slow-Cooker Eggplant Tomato Sauce with Pasta

30 Days of Slow-Cooker: Turkey Stuffed Peppers

dailysavingsfromallyou — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:00:58 +0000

Cost per serving: $2.70

Make this dish with an assortment of different-colored bell peppers for a pretty presentation. You can save money that way, too—green peppers tend to be the cheapest, followed by yellow and orange. Red are usually the priciest.

See recipe: Turkey Stuffed Peppers

30 Days of Slow-Cooker: Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and Apples

dailysavingsfromallyou — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:46:48 +0000

Cost per serving: $1.46

Brats don’t have to be a heavy meal–by choosing turkey bratwurst instead of pork, you save about 100 calories & 14 grams of fat per link. Serve with a vitamin rich green like kale or spinach to round things out.

See recipe: Slow-Cooker Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and Apples

30 Days of Slow-Cooker: Shepherd’s Pie

dailysavingsfromallyou — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:10:08 +0000

Cost per serving: $1.39

Get your meat-and-potatoes fix the easy way with a classic shepherd’s pie made in the slow cooker. Lean ground beef, a frozen veggie mix and potatoes blended with just a touch of milk and butter make it a well-balanced meal.

See recipe: Slow-Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

Link Love: Overheard on the blogs

dailysavingsfromallyou — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:45:27 +0000

We love to check in with bloggers, including our ALL YOU Savings Stars, who have great tips for busy women on a budget. Here are our favorite posts from money-saving bloggers this week:

*Skimbaco Lifestyle shares the joys of doing a good deed
*Money Saving Queen tells you how to save on groceries with Amazon
*Savvy Sugar unleashes 10 sneaky money-saving strategies that end up costing you more
*Money Crashers maps out a cheap road trip plan
*Jen Spends offers easy home organizational tips

See for yourself what these savings-savvy bloggers have to say!

Weather the cold for less

Lauren DiPilla, Assistant Editor — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:22:35 +0000

Survive winter and stay healthy with these affordable products

Breathe easier

This Vicks humidifier adds moisture to the air, helping to clear coughs, maintain skin’s moisture and keep your loved ones healthy- and it is completely filter-free! No fuss, no mess. Price varies from $40 (new) to $34 (used) on amazon.com!

Click here to buy.

Disinfect high-traffic surfaces

The most common type of cold virus can survive up to 3 hours on commonly touched surfaces (such as kitchen counters, railings, and telephones), so you should clean these areas as often as possible. These Seventh Generation natural disinfecting wipes kill up to 99.9% of germs botanically, so you can go green while keeping your family healthy! For just $6, these are a steal!

Click here to buy.

Ward off bacteria and allergens

Got a winter cough? This air purifier will help you and your family members breathe better if allergies or cold germs attack. It eliminates dust, pet dander and other dangerous bacteria from the air, which helps reduce the odds of your loved ones catching a cold. The best part? The Honeywell Platinum Air Purifier 16200 is just $39, so it’s good for your immune system and your wallet!

Click here to buy.

Wash away germs

During flu season, washing your hands is just one of the many ways you can prevent sickness. This liquid hand soap is made from plant-derived essential oils, so it’s all-natural and won’t dry out your hands. And the lemon scent is a refreshing pick-me-up! Pick some up for just $4.

Click here to buy.

30 Days of Slow-Cooker: Turkey Chili Cheese Pie with Cornmeal Crust

dailysavingsfromallyou — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:57:05 +0000

Cost per serving: $1.37

If you’re craving comfort food, this recipe is sure to hit the spot! For extra flavor, sprinkle the top with additional Cheddar before the final 10 to 15 minutes of cooking time.

See recipe: Turkey Chili Cheese Pie with Cornmeal Crust

Save at Old Navy!

Lauren DiPilla, Assistant Editor — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:33:23 +0000

Heading to the mall? Make sure you stop at Old Navy! They’re offering $10 off any $50 purchase now through January 26^th. Winter has only just begun, and now is the perfect time to pick up some warm weather essentials! The best part? There are already tons of sales on cozy sweaters, long sleeve shirts, and winter coats- so you can take advantage of the in-store sales and fill your closet.

Click here to print the coupon and get shopping!

Or, if you don’t feel like leaving the comfort of your home, you can shop online and still save! Right now Old Navy is offering 30% off select items at oldnavy.com. Just enter code: NEWYOU at checkout to get the discount. But hurry, this offer ends January 19^th.

What’s in Store…at Target

dailysavingsfromallyou — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:24:08 +0000

Name: Dana White*

Location: Dallas, TX

Store: Target

Items purchased: All-purpose gray cardigan

Money spent: $17.48

Shopping Agenda: “It’s Date Month. My birthday is at the end of January, and every year it seems that we get offers from family members to come for a visit and watch the kids while Hubby and I go out on a date. All of our family lives just far away enough that this doesn’t happen unless it’s a special occasion like my birthday.

I wanted to find something new to wear that was fashionable but versatile. I only had one thing in my head as I shopped: Not Black. Whenever I go for versatile, I gravitate toward black. Consequently, I have MANY black tops in my closet. All slightly different . . . but all black. “

Shopping Strategies: “Tis’ the season for clearance finds. In my bargain-loving opinion, this is the best time of the year to shop clearance racks. There are still several months of cold weather left, but the big Christmas shopping push means the stores are all desperate to get rid of their winter clothing.

I passed up the cute-but-totally-impractical-for-several-months-yet short sleeved tops, and headed for the clearance racks in the back of the clothing section. I grabbed lots of things try on, and ended up deciding on this versatile but a-little-bit-fun cardigan.”

The Deciding Factor: “The sweater was on clearance for $17.48, so we have plenty of money left over to splurge on our rare date night(s)! And it’s gray! Which is totally different than black. Really. It is.”

*Dana is a full-time mom and a lots-of-time blogger. She shares practical home management tips based on her real-life experience at her blog A Slob Comes Clean. She also shows the world her cluttered cabinets in weekly decluttering webisodes.

Find a great bargain that you just have to tell someone about? We want to hear about it! Share your finds in the comments below.

30 Days of Slow-Cooker: Cantonese Short Ribs

dailysavingsfromallyou — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:10:12 +0000

Cost per serving: $3.12

This tasty twist on short ribs is sure to please the whole gang. “English-cut” ribs–common in many markets–are often separated, not sold as a single rack of four to five connected bones.

See recipe: Cantonese Short Ribs